News Briefs

+ New north-end group prepares for first meeting
The North End Coalition of Property Owners, a new group consisting of north end property owners and associations, will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S., to discuss a variety of topics that include beach renourishment and north end redevelopment.

The forum, which will enable homeowners to ask questions, will be a new venue to increase community dialogue and build collaboration with town leaders.

For more information on the forum or the new group, email [email protected] or call 383-0001.

+ Kiwanis Club awards first grants for 2014
The Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation announced its first grants for 2014.

The first grant will go to the United Community Neighborhood Learning Center, better known as the 13th Avenue Dream Center, to support the Reading Recovery Program for at-risk children in kindergarten through third grade.

The Child Protection Center of Sarasota County will receive the second grant in support of its Child and Families Supervised Visitation Program.

A third grant will go to the Dance: The Next Generation project of the Sarasota Ballet to support a summer nutrition program.

Additional grants will be announced in the coming weeks. This year, the Kiwanis Club will offer approximately a dozen organizations grants of $500 to $5,000 based on their service to children in need. Organizations must be located in Sarasota or Manatee counties and have a Kiwanis member as a sponsor.

Contact club president Richard Crawford at 388-2847.

+ Correction
New American Jewish Committee regional board of directors member Jules Rose is a Longboat Key resident. A news release incorrectly stated Rose’s residence.

Meetings & agendas
Urban Land Institute Implementation Advisory Committee Meeting — 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20

Town Commission Statutory Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, March 31

Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, April 7

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, unless otherwise noted.