The 19th Edition of the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic continues in the fine tradition of Dixieland Fun in the Florida Sun. The Sheraton Sand Key Resort and Marriott Suites on Sand Key will be transformed into the headquarters hotel for this year's Jazz Classic.

The festival runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 20 - 22nd and will feature bands such as Titan Hot Seven, Wally’s Warehouse Waifs, St. Louis Stompers, Mighty Aphrodite Jazz Band, Cornet Chop Suey, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers, Red Lehr’s Powerhouse Five, Wolverine Jazz Band, the Dixie Chaps, Naples Dixieland Jazz Band, the Original All Stars, Palm City Jazz, Pepper and Fine Thyme and Valerie Gillespie Trio.

Cost: Friday or Sunday $40, Saturday $50. Weekend badge $100.
Sheraton Sand Key Resort 1160 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater
Marriott Suites on Sand Key, 1201 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater
Call 536-0064 or visit www.JazzClassic.net for more info.

Sand Key Restaurant Named Best Taste Of 2009

Congratulations to the winners of the 20th Annual Taste of Clearwater.

Best Themed Booth - Sand Pearl Resort Caretta's on the Gulf
Best Entree - Salt Rock Grill for their Crab Cake
Best Appetizer - Sand Pearl Caretta's on the Gulf for their BBQ Oysters
Best Dessert - Oaks of Clearwater for their outstanding Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Best Beverage - Great Bay Distributors for the Gordon Blersch Beer

Best of Taste 2009 (The Peoples Choice) - Watercolour Steakhouse and Grill located at the Marriott Suites on Sand Key.

Powerboat Race Will Benefit Sailing Center

Residents with northward gulf views will have a bird's eye view of the Super Boat International race on October 4th. Boats will be racing at speeds up to 140 mph off Clearwater Beach on October 4th when the offshore powerboating race comes to town. Some proceeds from the race will benefit the Clearwater Community Sailing Center located in Sand Key.

Super Boat International of Key West has been staging races for 30 years and is known for its annual races in Key West, Sarasota and New York City. It recently struck a deal with CBS to broadcast the Clearwater race and 7 others. The races feature 50-foot boats with F-16 jet canopies and 4,800-horsepower engines. During races, they reach speeds of 100 to 140 mph, depending on weather conditions. Super Boat International plans 9 races this year, the 1st was last weekend in Miami.

Super Boat International says it has applied for a race permit from the U.S. Coast Guard, and it expects to get one. Spotters in helicopters will watch for manatees and sea turtles, and will stop a race if necessary and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium will be assisting.

The race on Sunday will be free and open to the public, around 40,000 spectators are expected. Free parties at Coachman Park and Pier 60, and a free concert and fireworks are also planned for the weekend.
Boats up to 50 feet long will race from Pier 60 north for about 2½ miles and back, doing multiple laps around the loop. 30 to 35 boats are expected to compete in two races. Powerboats and their pit crews will set up beginning Friday, Oct. 2, in Coachman Park, where the public can get a closer look at them. The plan is for them to launch from the nearby Seminole Boat Ramp.

Oct. 2: Racing boats set up in Coachman Park.
Oct. 3: Racers check out the course at regular speed.
Oct. 4: Two races between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Beach Walk Family Festival Scheduled For October

The first Family Fun Festival is planned for October 24 and 25, 2009. Beach Walk will offer arts,crafts, toys and novelties for sale along with entertainment, games, celebrity visits, food and refreshments.

The Family Fun Fest will benefit Tampa Bay Harvest, who's mission is to end hunger in our community by moving good food from super markets, restaurants and other sources to places where hungry people are being fed. Shelters, food pantries and other services are the recipients of the food.

The Clearwater Beach Association is offering volunteers and planning help. Anyone wishing to volunteer can call Rich Gonzalez at 727-394-1012. Crafters can sign up at http://www.familyfunfest.net/

Clearwater Beach Post Office May Close

We could lose the Clearwater Beach post office as early as October. It is on the list of thousands of post offices around the country that may close.

Other Pinellas locations on the list are Countryside, Cleveland St, St Pete Beach and Pass a Grille. The full list is here.

Sand Key Real Estate Transactions April - June 2009

The following sales closed during April, May, and June 2009. Data is obtained from the Realtor MLS data.

Property Address / Subdivision / Sale Price / # Days On Market

1651 Sand Key Est. #83 / Harborage / $235,000 / 42
1621 Gulf Blvd #202 / Isle of Sand Key / $274,500 / 21
1230 Gulf Blvd #507 / Landmark Towers / $290,000 / 87
1480 Gulf Blvd #205 / Sand Key Condo / $299,500 / 162
1460 Gulf Blvd #706 / Sand Key Condo / $325,000 / 9
1501 Gulf Blvd #706 / Sand Key Condo / $306,000 / 144
240 Sand Key Est. #612 / Harborage / $308,000 / 58
1400 Gulf Blvd #612 / Sand Key Condo / $285,000 / 80
1430 Gulf Blvd #407 / Sand Key Condo / $310,000 / 1165
1270 Gulf Blvd #1403 / Harbor Light Towers / $325,000 / 160
1290 Gulf Blvd #2004 / Lighthouse Towers / $300,000 / 107
1501 Gulf Blvd #204 / Sand Key Condo / $375,500 / 136
1582 Gulf Blvd #1305 / Cabana Club / $410,000 / 88
1540 Gulf Blvd #2104 / Ultimar / $430,000 / 86
1170 Gulf Blvd #704 / Grande on Sand Key / $600,000 / 68
1600 Gulf Blvd #1014 / Dans Island / $535,000 / 525
1200 Gulf Blvd #1006 / Meridian / $600,000 / 117
1170 Gulf Blvd #1004 / Grande on Sand Key / $650,000 / 76
1200 Gulf Blvd #1101 / Meridian / $715,000 / 1
1390 Gulf Blvd #P2 / Sand Key Club / $616,000 / 149

Average Sales Price $409,375
Average number of days on market 164
Number of properties sold: 20

For more Sand Key Real Estate information & a Free CMA for your Sand Key Condo call PropCo Real Estate 727-585-0800, or visit SandKeyProperty.com

Shoppes Will Remain Zoned "Tourist"

On June 18th, the Clearwater City Council gave up its fight to impose the “Commercial” zoning designation on the 3-acre property where the Shoppes on Sand Key are located.

The Shoppes were left without valid zoning when a 20 year agreement ended back in 2006. Owner D.A. Bennett Company, sought Tourist zoning, which would allow it to build a 100-foot-high hotel on the site.

Under pressure by the Save Our Shoppes organization and other Sand Key residents, the council imposed the obsolete Commercial zoning and re-applied it to the Shoppes. Bennett appealed and won, and the city appealed that ruling and lost. The City Councel said they have no options left at this point.

Bennett executives have claimed they have no plans to build a hotel.