The early birds pictured along with seven other Venetians cleaned up over 130 pounds of bottles, cans, plastic drinking containers, fire works casings and other discarded items. The volunteer’s collected over 1,152 cigarette butt’s and just quit counting because of the overwhelming amounts, most of which are still there. The most unusual item this year was a pair of Gucci sandals with a flower growing from one of them.

 Speaking of which, Dick’s Shoes of Venice donated a dozen ladies beach wraps for the volunteers. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s gave out coupons for 10 free chicken wings & The Rib City Grill, both located in The Venice Village Shops across from Wal-Mart, offered free appetizers. And of course everyone received 2006 “Keep Sarasota County Beautiful” tee-shirts, compliments of The International Coastal Cleanup™ and The Ocean Conservancy.

 The last four people to leave were Sandi and Bruno Mollica, (the site captain) along with volunteer’s, Poppy McDonald and County employee, Bob Tucker pictured with the final load of refuge from this past Saturday’s effort to keep our beaches the cleanest. Mollica’s last and well-defined statement was, with the help of our volunteer’s we can always be proud of “The Greatest Little City in Florida.”

See you around town, Bruno