Siesta Sand (section 2) - October 2023

‘Covered by goose skin’

Lithuanian sand sculptor recalls first steps on Siesta Beach, and is back for more

“Siesta Beach is unique,” said Lithuanian sand sculptor Andrius Petkus. “I never seen the sand [like] what you have here. I remember my first steps on the beach — my skin immediately was covered by goose skin.”

Petkus’ sentiment echoes what many international artists have felt when first they arrived here for the Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival, an event founded in 2010. And while the pandemic hampered international bookings in recent years, the 2023 Crystal

Kolucan: Something novel

By Jane Bartnett

Kolucan, the new Mexican bar and grill in Gulf Gate, brings diners a new upscale approach to Mexican fare. In fact, chef and co-owner Gino Calleja describes Kolucan as “elevated Mexican cuisine.”

Following the restaurant’s early September opening, complete with a Mariachi band, diners have been excited to discover the many enticing dishes, small plates, desserts, wines and cocktails that celebrate the foods, wines and beverages of this meltingpot nation.

“Mexican cuisine is very diverse,” said Calleja. “Our goal is to highlight the different regions of the country and let people discover the many flavors of each area. There’s plenty of room for variety. We’ll keep innovating.”

Known for his popular Reyna Taqueria restaurants, Calleja and his business partner, chef Jose Rojas of the former Louies Modern restaurant in downtown Sarasota, have been planning for Kolucan’s opening for five years. It’s located at 6644 Gateway Ave.

By Hannah Wallace

Classic, Nov. 10 to 13, will feature masters sand sculptors from the Netherlands, Canada, Italy, Ukraine, Japan, and Latvia.

Petkus’ enthusiasm for Siesta, as well as his passion for sand sculpting in general, reflects the kind of energy that all of these artists bring back to the beach this year — further enhanced by their unique cultures and backgrounds. Spectators, in turn, will be rewarded as always with towering, jaw-dropping artworks carved from Siesta’s own spectacular quartz sand, in the midst of an

artsy, international beach-party environment.

“For people it is still impossible to believe what artists can make out of sand,” Petkus said. “One moment it is just a pile of sand, and suddenly in a few days it transforms into a piece of art.”

Petkus answered questions recently from his home near Vilnius, where he’s hard at work building a house — not of sand this time, but a real one, made from wood and other traditional

Continued on page 14V

“We wanted to create something different without losing the identity of our culture,” Calleja said. “Kolucan focuses on our roots, where we come from.”

Many of the dishes found on the restaurant’s menu are based on treasured family recipes that have been tested and refined.

The two restaurateurs decided to take an innovative approach to introducing Sarasota diners to

Continued on page 11V

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It’s the Great Pumpkin Cocktail!

Happiness is…Old Friends

The weather is finally cooling down, and the humidity is dropping. It’s a perfect time for long walks on the beach, short lines at restaurants, and sweet treats from Abel’s Ice Cream.

In a few short weeks, you’ll be sharing delicious flavors with old friends as they return to our warm coastal beaches, ushering in a new season. Maybe it’ll be a cone of Maple Walnut (sweet maple ice cream loaded with walnuts), or a cup of Carrot Cake (You can stop baking,this is the ultimate Carrot Cake recipe…carrot cake ice cream with fresh walnuts and a

thick ribbon of cream cheese frosting.)

As the quiet time dwindles, take time to treat yourself. There’s nothing better than stopping in at Abel’s Ice Cream, a quick trip across the bridge from Siesta Key, before or after viewing the breathtakingly gorgeous early sunsets of autumn.

Abel’s Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon10 pm. Learn more online at www. abelsicecream.com or connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.

A mariachi band delivers a festive opening night vibe at Kolucan, the new Mexican restaurant in Gulf Gate on Gateway Avenue. (submitted photo).

Andrius Petkus poses with one of his amazing sand creations. He’ll be among several international participants at this year’s Crystal Classic. (submitted photo)

Arts on the Horizon

Not just snowbirds flying south

Some birds live in Sarasota year-round and others, like the snowbirds, come from the far north (anywhere north of Virginia) to spend the “winter” months here in Sarasota’s sunny clime. The word winter is in quotes because snowbirds have expanded their season of content in both directions. They come earlier and stay later which, as far as the resident birds are concerned, is great. It means that the arts and entertainment (and fine dining) calendar has expanded as well. With the volume of potential patrons and customers ever higher, so are the cultural and culinary offerings. There is an additional flock of birds that had taken up residence here in Sarasota back last spring, at the Harmony Art Gallery in the lobby of the Bea Friedman Symphony Center, and they had not flown north during the hot humid days of summer. In fact, they have flown a bit further south down to Venice Avenue in Venice near where the artist, Bonnie Childs lives. There they will be preening their wings for all to see when they roost there, November 4-5, in a protective tent, during the Annual Venice Arts Festival.

These birds, an eclectic watercolor flock, include painted buntings, eagles, flamingos, blue birds, scrub jays and a cockatoo. They are emblematic of the various snowbirds that come to Sarasota at around the same time, which have different plumage, eating habits, roost in different nests (condos on Lake Michigan, Wisconsin farms, Boston and Brooklyn brownstones, and Manhattan high-rises), and some that have quite strange calls (eh?).

These birds, which have lingered since last spring, are dressed in a riot of colorful feathers – the blue of a heron juxtaposed with, and blending into, the pale purples and golds of the cockatoo. With the pink of a flamingo or two, they will be right at home

By Rodger Skidmore

within the galleries, tents, and booths housing the paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry of the 150 artists showing their wares at the festival. All artists will be in attendance as will be a multitude of food venders.

More info at escape-to-sarasota. com/venice-art-fest.html and a.bonartist22@gmail.com.

Be still my beating heart

When frightened by unforeseen forces, for how long should a beating heart be still? Basically, from Oct. 13 (Yes, Friday the 13th) until near enough to midnight on the 31st (remember, 31 is 13 backwards – so, a double beware this month).

In the evenings of these darkening nights, you can wander down an eerily lit path at The Spanish Point campus of Selby Gardens. Be sure to keep one crossed eye looking forward and the other looking backwards over your shoulder, watching for cute, campy things to creep around you.

A kid-oriented Halloween may be enjoyed by the younger generation at Selby Garden’s Spooktacular, being held in the late morning, on Oct. 29 at Selby’s downtown location. There will be trick-or-treating mixed in with arts and crafts. Older children will be able to wander through an inflatable corn maze.

For those wanting a more chill experience, on the 26th there will be spine-tingling descriptions of poisonous and carnivorous plants and how they relate to history’s sinister potions and murderous plots. Witch-y cocktails and frightening food will by concocted on the spot with gruesome botanical ingredients by very Sage chefs. More info at Selby.org.

Hurricane season is ending soon

The official end of this year’s hurricane season is not until the last day of November, so trips to the Caribbean should be carefully planned. A better idea might be to visit a

lovely Caribbean island right here in Sarasota, while being serenaded by exotic rhythms, as you watch a Tony award-winning musical at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s production of Once on this Island.

This show runs from Oct. 11 through Nov. 19 at the WBTT’s Donnelly Theatre on North Orange. This means those attending on Oct. 18 will be there on the 33rd anniversary of the day this musical opened at Broadway’s Booth Theatre. It also won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in London. Not too shabby.

This is a musical so it is, of course, also a love story. But not a boy meets girl, loses girl, gets girl, and they live happily ever after, sitcom type of love story. Instead, the action takes place on a small island, the Jewel of the Antilles, where a small girl, frightened by a storm brought on by Agwé, god of Water, cries out in fear. The tale that is told to calm her is of an earlier girl, a boy from “the other side of the island”, and how the Mother of the Earth, the god of Water, the goddess of Love, and the demon of Death interact with her and her future.

And, as this show is presented during our

hurricane season, it is appropriate that, in the story, a terrible storm causes a devastating flood, wiping out whole villages, but ultimately bringing a semblance of future happiness to their world. This musical is directed by Jim Weaver.

More info at Westcoastblacktheatre.org.

End of one means the beginning of another

As October winds to its eventual end and segues into November, one must be mindful of the events happening at that transitional time. As the fall leaves in Vermont are tinged with reds and oranges, so too are the stage of the Historic Asolo Theatre and the courtyard of the Ringling Art Museum. Tinged not with red or orange, but with the sensuous, pulsing rhythms of Spain and the Caribbean.

On Oct. 20, the Ringling courtyard becomes a White Hot Fête with (direct from Paris) La Dame Blanche. Yalte Ramos Rodriguez, born in Cuba and daughter of the trombonist leader of the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, has been HOT ever since her debut recording of 2014. Her performance of hip-hop-urbano-Cubano music is a blend of sound, spirit, and Latin innovation delivered direct to you by this singing, dancing, flute-playing percussionist. Her performance comes between the DJ sessions of DJ Moses Belanger. His techno waves and cosmopolitan fusion vibes were forged in Montreal and will take audience members before and after La Dame Blanche’s performance onto a separate musical journey.

Spanish classical and Flamenco guitar come alive with the guitar of Diego del Morao and voice of Israel Fernandez, as their cante jondo songs of passion, lost love, and death, surround you in the Historic Asolo Theatre on Nov. 2.

While Flamenco singing and Flamenco guitar certainly are distinct art forms from Spain, there is nothing to compare with Flamenco dancing. As a toreador glides and stamps across the bull ring to excite a bull into charging, the Flamenco dancer does the same in the nightclub or on stage to get your heart, and the heart of his/her lover, to pulse to the same feverish beat. Prepare to see the precision choreography and dancing of Rafael Ramírez at the Historic Asolo the evenings of Nov. 4-5 as he performs Lo Preciso.

More info at Ringling.org.

Florida Fish of Siesta Key

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Forecast

This is one of my favorite months. Reds should be schooling on shallow grass flats and you also might find big trout there at first light. Baitfish along beaches will attract Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), sharks, tarpon and more. You should find snook around docks and bridges in the Intracoastal Waterway.

There should also be tarpon around bridges at night and in areas of Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. Juvenile tarpon from 10 to 30 pounds should be a good option in creeks and canals.

Tarpon will still be a good option this month. There may still be a few singles, doubles and small schools in the coastal gulf and if you’ve got the patience to wait them out it can be good. Many have moved to inside waters this month, so you’ll find them around bridges, over deep grass flats or deeper areas. When tarpon move into these areas, they are in a feeding mode. After a long migration and with their spawning duties completed, they need to rest and eat to restore themselves. Ladyfish will feed in glass minnow schools and tarpon will gorge themselves on ladyfish. I have also seen tarpon, “ball” glass minnows into tight schools, and eat them by the bucket full!

DOA Baitbusters, TerrorEyz and DOA Shrimp are my favorite tarpon lures this time of year. Fly anglers should score with wide profile patterns, such as Lefty’s Deceiver or EP flies. Small flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, tied on a 1/0 or 2/0 hook, are another good choice for tarpon that are feeding on glass minnows.

You should find snook this month around docks and bridges close to passes. They will also start making their move towards shallow flats where you might find them staging along sand bars or in potholes. Surface walking top water plugs or fly popper and Gurglers may draw some big strikes in shallow water early in the day. I often fish lighted docks and bridges for snook before dawn before moving to the flats after daylight. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms, DOA Shrimp or small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, should all work well. The same lures and flies that work at night will be good for fishing the surf, too.

Reds are usually in large schools this time of year. You may find them in shallow water when the tide is high or along the edges of flats when the tide is low. Look for wakes, some as big as boat wakes, or “pushes” to locate them.

If it is calm, a school of reds may look like a nervous patch of water or if there’s a ripple on the surface, the school may appear as a slick patch of water.

Once you’ve located them, try to get in front of them and work around the edges of the school to avoid spooking the whole school.

DOA PT-7 top water baits, shallow running DOA Baitbusters and CAL 3-inch and 4-inch shad tails should work well for spin anglers. Fly anglers should score with fly poppers, Gurglers and wide profile baitfish fly patterns. I like to be as quiet as possible in shallow water, using a push pole to move my boat. It is great to find a big school of reds but remember, if you spook one fish you may spook the whole school. Running an outboard may make fish show themselves, but in the long run it will make them harder to catch. I sometimes also find big jacks and blues mixed with schools of big reds in shallow water. Not a bad problem!

Spotted seatrout fishing should also be good this month. Regulations have changed with a three-fish-per-person bag limit and a six-fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15 inches to 19 inches with one allowed per vessel more than 19 inches.

Look for big trout in skinny water in many of the same places that you find reds this month. They will be most active in low light, either first thing in the morning or at dusk, particularly if we’ve had an afternoon shower. Cloud cover in the afternoon will also reduce heating of shallow flats, which usually makes fish more active. The same lures and flies that you use for reds will work well for big trout in shallow water

You may also find trout mixed with blues, pompano, Spanish mackerel, flounder and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with DOA Deadly Combos or CAL jigs with shad tails or jerk worms. Fly anglers should do well with

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters (941) 923-7799

an Ultra Hair Clouser fly fished on a clear intermediate sink tip. In addition to making a series of drifts to find fish, focus on bait schools, breaking fish or diving birds to find fish. You may find tripletail on buoys, crab trap floats or channel markers in Sarasota Bay this month. A DOA Shrimp, CAL jig or a lightly weighted fly with a weed guard should get the job done. You should also find tripletail along with cobia, false albacore (little tunny) and Spanish mackerel in the coastal gulf this month. Look for surface activity to find the mackerel and albies and cast small white flies or CAL jigs with shad tails to them. I don’t usually target kings but will occasionally catch one around the edges of a feeding frenzy. Look for feeding frenzies that begin with ladyfish feeding in glass minnow schools and may end with everything else, including sharks or tarpon, joining the fray. Remember to “match the hatch” to be successful. You may need to add wire to

your leader when toothy fish are around. While you are looking for mackerel and albies in the coastal gulf, you can look for tripletail and cobia. However, since stone crab traps haven’t hit the water yet this season there are less places for them. In addition to abandoned crab trap floats, check channel markers, buoys and any floating debris.

Artificial reefs are another good area to check. A DOA Baitbuster, 4-inch CAL shad tail, or a wide profile fly should be good choices for cobia. Most tarpon flies also work well for cobia. There are lots of options this month, but the key is usually to fish early or late for the best chance at success. An early start for snook or tarpon around lighted docks or bridges and then on to the flats for reds, trout and more is a good plan. There should also be good action in the coastal gulf for a variety of species. I usually tarpon fish as long as I can, wherever I find them!

Above, Keith McClintock of Illinois with a backcountry trout caught and released on a CAL jig with a jerk worm. Below, Collin Myers of Pennsylvania, with a bluefish caught and released on a DOA Deadly Combo. (submitted images)

KEY COCKTAILS

Siesta Key Rum

Great Pumpkin Cocktail

Is pumpkin spice one of your favorite fall flavors? Lucky you!

This delicious and refreshing cocktail, made with Siesta Key Rum Spiced Rum, is just right for an October evening.

If you’re planning a Halloween party, what a Boo-tiful addition to your menu this cocktail will be. Your ghost and goblin guests will be over the harvest moon as they enjoy delicate hints of apple, almond and spicy pumpkin.

On a cool night, serve the Siesta Key Rum Great Pumpkin Cocktail warm in a mug.

Ingredients

1.5 ounces of Siesta Key Spiced Rum

4 ounces of apple cider

½ ounce of amaretto

2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree

Preparation

This recipe creates one cocktail. Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake until the pumpkin is fully incorporated. Pour over ice and enjoy. The cocktail is also quite delicious when served warm.

If you want to make this cocktail at home or just enjoy some fabulous rum, you can purchase Siesta Key Rum at Siesta Village Liquors, Dive Wine & Spirits, Total Wine & More, Siesta Spirits, Publix Liquors near the Sarasota Pavilion, and at many other liquor stores in the immediate area.

To tour the Siesta Key Rum distillery and to discover many more Siesta Key Rum cocktail recipes, visit SiestaKeyRum.com.

Ruddy turnstone (Limosa fedoa)

A member of the sandpiper family, the turnstone is the calico cat of shorebirds with patchy black, white and orange breeding plumage.

As the name suggests, the turnstone diligently turns over pebbles, shells, and seaweed in search of small, hidden insects and crustaceans. With such an exhaustive foraging routine, this robin-sized bird is on a mission to build up its fat stores.

Unlike humans who use carbohydrates as fuel, turnstones rely on fat grams to power their migrations across thousands of miles.

These long-distance commuters

fly to the ends of the earth, between their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra and their wintering grounds along both southern coasts of North America.

Young turnstones grow up quickly, taking their first flight, or fledge, at 19 days old in the Arctic Circle.

Just two days later, they embark on their first migration as “unaccompanied minors” without their parents, who have already headed south. In typical snow bird fashion, wintering turnstones flock to the white, sugar sand beaches of Siesta Key — one of their favorite subtropical destinations!

Jan Baumgartner’s handmade notecards are available at Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures, 6635 Midnight Pass Rd., in Crescent Plaza.

Siesta Key Dog Siesta Key Dog

HAPPY HOUR 4pm-6:30pm Happy Hour Food & Cocktails

MONDAY PRIX-FIXE MENU

3 Course Menu for $25 Every Monday

OPA WEDNESDAY!

Saganaki Opa! Appetizer $7

WINE THURSDAY

1/2 Off Bottles of Wine

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday 11:30 - 9 | Friday & Saturday 11:30 - 10 | Sunday 11:30-8

Big G’s Oyster Happy Hour from 3-6 Every day 1/2 Priced House Oysters

Island Chatter

Reminder: No smoking on Sarasota County beaches, in county parks beginning Oct. 1

Effective Oct. 1, the smoking of cigarettes and cigars with filters is prohibited on both public beaches and parks in Sarasota County.

Fines for violating the ordinance, which was enacted July 11 by the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners, can run as high as $500. House Bill 105 enabled the smoking ban, approved by the state’s Legislature and signed it into law in 2022.

Island Chatter

Safe Treats for Kids event is Oct. 31

The annual Siesta Key Safe Treats for Kids event is from 3 to 6 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31.

If your business is located in the south or north Siesta Village and you would like to participate in handing out treats for the event, please send an email to events@siestakeychamber.com by Oct. 27 to have your business name and location registered and promoted on the chamber’s events calendar.. Balloons displayed outside the business will indicate that the establishment is a participant.

Blessing of the Animals is Oct. 7

Bring your pet to St. Boniface Church’s outdoor chapel at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 for the annual Blessing of the Animals, honoring Saint Francis of Assisi. Contributions of pet food or money are appreciated and will benefit the Sarasota County Humane Society. Refreshments for animals and owners will be provided by the Boniface Eco-Stewardship Team. All animals appropriately leashed or caged are welcome. The church is located at 5615 Midnight Pass Rd.

Register now for amateur sand sculpting competition

The annual amateur competition at the Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival is set for Saturday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at Siesta Beach. The deadline to register is Nov. 8. Visit siestakeycrystalclassic. thundertix.com/events/214537 to register. Registration is online only and the fee is not refundable. The event

will be held rain or shine. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. the day of the event.

Great Strides event is Sept. 30 on Siesta Beach

The annual 3-mile Great Strides walk on Siesta Beach will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 9 a.m. Check-in is at 8 a.m. To walk, support a walker, or volunteer, go to: fightcf.cff.org.

Volleyball returns Oct. 7, 8

About 300 athletes on 30 courts will compete in the annual Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association event on Siesta Beach on Oct. 7 and 8.

Men’s and women’s teams battle on the 7th and co-eds and juniors on the 8th. Action begins both days at 8:30 a.m.

Visit ssova.com for details.

‘Rocktoberfest’ is Oct. 7

The effort to restore the Midnight Pass waterway between Siesta Key and Casey Key will be one of the causes supported by the Oct. 7 Rocktoberfest event held from 2 to 10 p.m. at the Tropical Shores clubhouse in Osprey, located at 1601 Livingstone St. Music, food, raffles and games will be among the highlights. The entry fee is $15 (cash only) and kids 12 and under are free.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it, is the hangout with the laid-back, beachy atmosphere that will get you right into the Island Spirit. One of the things that set SKOB apart from the other restaurants in Siesta Key Village is that we have some of the best food on the Key.

Live Music

Every Day and Night

Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. That is reflected in their dishes, wines and liquors.

Visitors to Kolucan will find two separate indoor and outdoor dining spaces with seating for 170 in all. The main dining room’s rich dark woods offers a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere with seating at tables and a spacious bar. It also features an outdoor seating area.

Frida’s Lounge, meanwhile, is more informal and relaxed.

The main dining room’s menu features an ample selection of “aperetivos” or appetizers that include Queso Fundido, made from two Mexican cheeses: Oaxaca from the south and chihuahua from the north. It is served on a skillet with chorizo and pico de Gallo, with blue corn tortillas. The many entrees include dishes from the sea including octopus, Gulf of Mexico shrimp and crab. Chicken, pork, and beef selections are also waiting to be discovered as well as a variety of salads and tortilla soup.

Tempting desserts include tres leches cake, flan, a rich chocolate cake, and a ripe mango-serrano mousse.

Celebrating a birthday? Chef Rojas has created a birthday piñata made of a handcrafted chocolate shell, filled with candy, marshmallows, and cookies.

Enjoy dessert with a cup of Cafe de Olla, Mexican coffee flavored with special house made syrup that can be ordered with or without liquor.

Kolucan’s extensive wine list is another source of pride for the two chefs.

“We are featuring delicious wines from Baja, Guadalupe and other regions of Mexico,” Callejo said. “The richness of the soil in Mexico’s different areas give the wines different flavors.”

In addition to the Mexican wines, there are also cabernets, chardonnays, and blends of red and white that have

been carefully chosen from other parts of the world to complement Kolucan’s dishes. Tequilas and mescals and cocktails are also on the menu.

“To showcase our wine list, we’re going to offer wine dinners as well as tequila and mescal dinners, where we’ll pair each dish,” Callejo said.

The Frida Lounge has its own entrance. Its name pays tribute to the celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo who drew her inspiration from Mexico’s nature and history. A large, brightly colored portrait of the famous painter, created by Sarasota artist Alexis Fraser known professionally as Lipstick Lex, graces the main wall. Fraser’s artwork is also on display in the main dining room.

The small tables, booths and a separate bar make the Frida Lounge a welcoming spot to drop in for a light meal, drink or coffee and dessert. The lounge menu, separate from the main dinner menu, features a selection of small plates including nachos and shrimp cocktail.

For those looking for a meal, available are a chargrilled 8-ounce short-rib brisket blend patty with all the fixings; chicken tinga, a pulled chicken dish; and lobster or short-rib tacos, guacamole, salsa, roasted corn dip and a selection of a la carte Mexican street tacos.

There is also a full selection of coffees, cocktails and wines, along with desserts.

Kolucan’s happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It has its own separate menu.

Later this fall, Calleja and Rojas are planning to add lunch service as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. Groups of six or more are asked to call the restaurant at (941) 921-3133. Reservations may be made online at kolucan.com.

Top left and clockwise: The exterior of the restaurant on Gateway Avenue at the corner of Gulf Gate Drive; Gino Calleja (foreground) and Jose Viera serve some tacos; the bright and shiny bar is fully stocked and ready; callo de hacha (scallops entree) is a favorite. (exterior photo by Jane Bartnett and submitted photos)

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE

With our map on the next page you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease.

The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flat-tops, fades, tapers, blowouts, razor cuts, and straight razor shaves. Owners, Erick and Dawn use a back to basics approach to grooming with a precise attention to personal detail.

Their commitment to excellence has provided them with many loyal customers. They welcome the opportunity to earn your trust. Hours: Tues. – Fri. 8:30am – 6pm, Sat., 8:30am –3pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Gulf Gate Barber Shop (G-7) has been an institution in the community for years, owned by Kyle Flannery. The super-clean barbershop’s clientele is comprised of primarily men, but the shop services children as well. Scott Reich, formerly of the Siesta Key Village Barber Shop has relocated to this location.

West End Pub (G-49) Where else can you watch your favorite game with a great selection of beers, wines and liquors served by a friendly staff AND where you’re allowed to bring your own restaurant or deli food? Right here. 6500 Gateway Ave. 941-554-8905.

Tony’s Chicago Beef Company (S-16) is owned and operated by true Chicagoans. Dedicated to deliver Chicago’s best food - Chicago style Hot Dogs wit’ the works...dragged through the garden on poppy seed buns with fresh cut fries, Italian Beef Sandwiches anyway you like, dipped or dry, sweet or hot. All served in true Authentic Chicago Style.

Solórzano’s Late Night Pizzeria (S-34): At every Solórzano’s, they offer an experience familiar to those who understand the importance of family and dedication. Their recipes and techniques have been perfected through three long generations based on the

traditional simplicity of the methods used by their Italian ancestors. Dine inside, outside, pick up, or DELIVERY anywhere on Siesta Key, or in Sarasota until 3:30 a.m. 6574 Superior Ave., 941924-5800.

Gulf Gate Food + Beer (S-51): Sarasota’s late-night hot spot for the service industry, night owls, and midnight snackers. It’s not your typical sports bar, offering unique menu selections for carnivores and vegetarians. Be sure to check out their menu online at: eatfooddrinkbeer.com.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sun. - Thurs.) open until 2 a.m. (Fri & Sat.).

Roberts Realty, Inc. (M-5) John Garner, Broker Assoc. & Diane Shane, Broker Assoc. have a combined 40 years’ experience in Sarasota of making dreams come true for our clients. For buyers, we have had great success in finding the right property for our clients because we listen closely to their wants and needs and matching that as close as possible. For sellers, over the years we have successfully listed and sold many, many properties throughout Sarasota County. Our philosophy is to have fun, enjoy the experience, achieve great results, make friends and receive referrals. We’re with you every step of the way! Call 941-924-2330 or drop by our office.

Only Eyes Optical (S-24) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary eyeglasses and sunglasses to the community. Licensed and experienced optician available to fill your prescriptions. Only Eyes Optical has a large assortment of free frames with the purchase of new lenses. Call 941-444-7984 to set up an appointment with their licensed optician.

Zuzu’s & Moondoggy’s (GG26, GG25) Ready for an evening out?

Choose from Zuzu’s -- an exotic Polynesian top shelf cocktail lounge where you can dress to impress and enjoy cocktails with friends, or Moondoggy’s -- a fun surfing-theme atmosphere where you can chill and have fun. Located at 2234-2236 Gulf Gate Drive, Zuzu’s & Moondoggy’s has 13 big screen TV’S, MLB Package, ACC, BIG10, SEC, NFL Package, pool table, SUPER CHEXX BUBBLE HOCKEY and a punching bag! Zuzu’s is open 12:00 PM – 2:30 AM daily. Moondoggy’s is open 7AM – 2:30AM daily.

Scandinavian Gifts Baked Goods and Grocery (GG-37) A fixture in Sarasota for 32 years, Scandinavian Gifts offers an assortment of linens, glassware, cookbooks, jewelry, candles, food items, and Christmas collectibles. Located at 2166 Gulf Gate Drive, the store is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Skinny Dip (G-26) Established in 2020. The Sarasota Skinny Dip location is a family-owned business, with husband-and-wife Alex and Sorelly, and their kiddos, Sophie and Noah. The business specializes in letting you make your frozen yogurt the way you want it! We specialize in Skinny8 Froyos, which are only 8 calories per once! Also available vegan and low-fat options so that all Dippers can, well, dip!

Apothecary Shoppe (S-6) Eric and Laurie’s knowledge of pharmaceuticals and natural/holistic remedies enables the safe integration of traditional and natural therapies. Their organic skincare line is compounded on site by Laurie who started her career as a make-up artist for the Today Show, Saturday Night Live, and so many more. Eric is a pharmacist and also certified in naturopathy, wanting the best natural options for his clients. Open M-F 10-5 pm, Sat 10-3 pm.

Blooming this month: Fox tail agave

Unlike many agaves, fox tail agave (Agave attenuata) is an evergreen succulent perennial. It’s in the family of Asoaraqaceae, which produces a handsome rosette of silvery, pale green leaves.

It originates from Mexico.

The height is about 4 to 5 feet and width is about 6 to 8 feet. It loves direct sun. It is also deer tolerant and has low water needs. If you want to add drama, clump them together.

It tolerates seaside conditions but it will usually be damaged in temperatures much below 28 degrees.

Most agaves are unfazed by harsh

sun, high heat and minimal water. Their statuesque, fountainlike forms lend a sculptural element to any garden.

Visit the Sarasota Garden Club’s annual Ghostly Gala event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. It is open to the public and free.

The event showcases an array of artistic floral interpretations, specialty horticulture, and creative floral design.

Visit SarasotaGardenClub.org for details. The club is located at 1131 Boulevard of the Arts in downtown Sarasota.

-- submitted by CJ Danna

Lithuanian sand sculptor

construction materials. In fact, Petkus works in many media in addition to sand, including metal, ice, and especially wood. His lifetime love of sculpture stems, in part, from a childhood spent woodworking with his father, a builder and carpenter. “His life is wood,” Petkus said.

Now 47, Petkus has competed in sand-sculpting competitions and participated in festivals all around the world, including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Kuwait, and throughout Europe. At home in Lithuania, he’s considered a pioneer of sand sculpting as an art form.

But this year’s Crystal Classic will be especially meaningful to him: Petkus will be competing alongside his father Vaclovas as a doubles team, their first sand sculpting competition together in nearly 15 years.

“It is funny — he was teaching me how to hammer nails or how to carve a wooden sword in [my] childhood,” said Petkus. “Now I am teaching him how to carve the sand. Life is an interesting thing. We live, we learn, we teach.”

Over three previous appearances

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at the Crystal Classic competition, Petkus has notched impressive first- and second-place finishes. But for his third appearance, his sculpture collapsed the day before the judging.

The heartbreak of a collapse illustrates just how hard it is to work with sand. It’s both delicate and cumbersome, and artists are often trying to carve features that defy comprehension — as well as gravity.

One of the keys to a great sand sculpture is “To destroy the heaviness feeling,” said Petkus. “Sand is heavy material. Sculptures look heavy and monumental. So [the] artist must show sand sculpture is light, not heavy.”

Petkus recommended “tiny details” to improve a sand sculpture’s overall impact —

though he admitted this delicate carving is easier said than done. “For some artists, is difficult even to carve straight line,” he said. Petkus wouldn’t reveal what he and his father plan to sculpt this year, only wryly saying that “We will carve something interesting to win.” (In fact, they bring some extra pressure from Lithuania, he added with a smile: “My mom said to my father, ‘Don’t come back home without a prize.’”)

The world of sand sculptors is a microcosm of the art world in general, according to Petkus. Ultimately, this year’s Crystal Classic is an opportunity for himself and his father to improve their skills and find inspiration from their colleagues from all around the world. And the fatherson team from Lithuania may make something to turn people’s heads while they’re at it.

“Always festivals bring opportunity to learn something from other artists,” he said. “Always it is a good chance to become better and better.”

Find tickets, parking passes, transportation info, and artist bios at siestakeycrystalclassic.com.

The sandsculpting skill of Andrius Petkus will be on display at Siesta Beach from Nov. 10 to 13. It’s no reach to say he’s one of the world’s finest. (submitted photos)

Vaclovas Petkus Andrius Petkus