State: Mercury Too High In Gulf Waters

1. It's probably a good idea to limit eating fish caught from Gulf of Mexico waters for the time being as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection says the mercury levels need to drop 86 percent in fresh and marine waters in the state.

The Department of Environmental Protection will go over the study's findings and how it plans to help reduce the mercury levels during a meeting today at 1 p.m. at the Southwest Florida Water Management District Sarasota Service Office, Governing Board Room, 6750 Fruitville Road.

For now, the state's Department of Health says don't eat more than two meals of Florida fish a week to avoid health risks. That comes out to a total of 12 ounces of cooked fish, according to the state.

2. If you sustained damage from Tropical Storm Debby, at two locations — Palmetto and Venice. The Palmetto office inside the Manatee County Convention Center closes down on Saturday, and the Venice location just opened this week.  

The Sarasota County center is open at Venice City Hall, 401 West Venice Ave., Venice, Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday noon - 6 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

3. Remember to More than 100 business are counting on your for a vote within the 25 categories. Voting ends Aug. 17.

4. Congratulations to , one of Sarasota’s oldest independent jewelers, for placing third in “America’s Coolest Store” contest for its 7,000 square-foot store at 3979 S. Tamiami Trail that opened in February.  The national contest, by InStore Magazine, evaluated independent jewelry stores on the following criteria:  the store’s history, exterior and interior design, marketing, website and individuality.

The judges were impressed by the store’s distinctive 13-foot “Diamond Wall,”  which showcases 140 loose diamonds in a matrix of varying size, shape, weight, color and clarity so that customers can see a large selection of diamonds side-by-side for a better comparison, according to a release.  

5. Hey Tampa Bay Lighting Fans, the team is looking for artists from Sarasota County and other areas around the region to submit original artwork of Tampa Bay Lightning history for consideration to be hung at the Tampa Bay Times Forum during the upcoming season. The Bolts are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year.

You must submit art by Sept. 5, and artists selected will be notified by Oct. 1. You must be 18 years old or older and live or work in Sarasota, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, or Polk counties to be eligible.

The Lightning are accepting paintings, photographs, drawings and sculptures. For details visit www.tampabaylightning.com/art.

Art will also be scored and cash prizes up to $1,500 will be awarded.