Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 5.2.24

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

YOUR TOWN

Shipshape

The Unconditional Surrender statue is such a popular photo spot that during its annual cleaning April 25, the Gorilla Kleen crew had to set up a perimeter so team members could clean the statue without soaking onlookers.

The Gorilla Kleen team has donated its time to keep the statue looking pristine since it became a part of Sarasota’s public art collection four years ago, said John Cloud, Gorilla Kleen president. His team also removed the graffiti that in 2019 defaced the statue.

So what’s the most challenging part of cleaning the statue — other than the height?

The woman’s shoe and leg gets the grimiest from people posing against the statue, said Cloud. There’s that, and its enduring popularity.

“Even when we’re cleaning it — there’s a nonstop stream of people,” said Cloud. “People had us take their pictures with the statue.”

In sync

When tai chi instructor Marty Reichgut visited China during the 1980s, he was inspired to take up the gentle, meditative martial art after he saw thousands of people performing it in sync with one another.

While leading a group of about 20 seniors with Russ Odland on April 27 at the World Tai Chi Day workshop at Senior Friendship Centers, he was taken back to that experience.

Celebrated simultaneously in over 80 nations on the last Saturday of April, World Tai Chi & Qigong Day sees individuals gathering to practice at 10 a.m. in their respective time zones.

“I think that’s the kind of thing that people all over the world experience, and that’s why they do it, and the harmony of coming together all in one day is just an experience that’s hard to describe,” he said.

Some of the benefits of tai chi, he said, include increased strength and endurance, lower blood pressure and improved balance and a clearer mind.

City, county divided on SPAC

TASTE OF SCIENCE

An open house at Southside Elementary invites students to explore possibilities. SEE PAGE 12A

Ian Swaby

Fourth grader Elijah Frederick watches a demonstration by Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream during Southside’s STEAM night.

Warfield

Courtesy photo Pete Mohr, Gorilla Kleen field supervisor Courtesy image

WEEK OF MAY 2, 2024

BY THE NUMBERS

1,479 Maximum

$6.4M

Funding gap that county staff is looking to close to include more elements in the first phase of a Regional Fire Training Academy.

1 The Cardinal Mooney High School boys lacrosse team’s seed in the Class 1A region. The No. 1 ranking is the first in the program’s history. PAGE 15A CALENDAR

■ Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, May 6, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St.

■ Sarasota Planning Board regular meeting — 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St.

“I want to not spend $22 million on a project that may not go forward unless I know what I’m getting into ahead of time.”

County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger. Read more on Page 4A

receives $4M gift to help build Arts Plaza

stage and Stage III Series.

Florida Studio Theatre has received a challenge gift of $4 million from Ed and Susan Maier to provide funding to build the FST Arts Plaza, a mixed-use building that will include theater space, parking and apartments for short-term and long-term housing of actors.

The Maiers have proposed that their challenge gift be used as a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to create a “circle of friends” to name the Arts Plaza in honor of Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy. All pledges toward the

McGillicuddy Circle of Friends received after April 1 will be matched.

The challenge gift serves to help complete Phase 1 of the Arts Plaza project, which includes construction of the eight-story building, the parking garage and opening three stories of artist housing. The challenge grant will position Florida Studio Theatre to break ground in December 2024.

Arts Plaza features include: ■ A new Mainstage theater to allow for expansion of the Main-

■ Two new cabaret theaters to accommodate growing audience demand for FST’s most popular program.

■ Extended-stay studio apartments for visiting guest artists.

■ Affordable housing for Sarasota’s year-round arts workers.

■ Secure and convenient parking spaces.

The Arts Plaza will be built on property currently owned by Florida Studio Theatre near its current downtown facilities, which will remain.

Budget town hall set

City residents are invited to attend a town hall session to learn about Sarasota’s annual budget process from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, in the SRQ Media Studio in the City Hall Annex, 1565 First St.

The town hall will include a 30-minute presentation about the annual budget with an overview of the general fund and special funds, as well as spending restrictions.

The budget process begins annually in March with each department submitting a proposed budget, followed by individual department meetings with the administration to discuss budgetary needs. During workshops in July, the city manager presents a proposed budget to the Sarasota City Commission, after which adjustments may be made prior to the commission setting a tentative property millage rate. Once the millage rate is set, two public hearings are held by the commission in September prior to adopting the next fiscal year’s budget.

Memorial Day Parade planned for May 27

In conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, the city of Sarasota will host the annual Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, in downtown.

The parade route begins at Main Street and Osprey Avenue and concludes at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park, located at Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue. There, a ceremony will begin at approximately 11 a.m.

This year’s keynote speaker will be West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran Michael Tollerton. Graduating from West Point in 2011, Tollerton spent six years in the U.S. Army, earning the rank of field artillery captain. Following her military career, she joined U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s Military Academy Selection Committee in 2022 and Sarasota Military Academy’s board of directors in 2023.

The parade will include performances by the Sarasota Military Academy band and participation from local law enforcement, first responders, color guards, veterans’ groups and more.

Underwater COMMUNITY BUILDERS

During the week of April 22, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program deployed 24 concrete artificial reefs as part of a $150,000 program aimed at providing habitat for fish.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program recently deployed 24 artificial reefs across six sites in Sarasota Bay, the first project of its kind in about a decade. The reef modules, called deepcover modules, are large, concrete structures that are about 4 feet wide. Each site has four modules and will create an underwater ecosystem to support the growth of juvenile grouper, according to SBEP Executive Director Dave Tomasko. Members of the SBEP went by boat

on April 23 to watch the first reefs deployed. Half were set in place the first day, and the remaining dozen would be installed the following day.

Reef Innovations, which has its plant in Sarasota, built the modules for the SBEP.

Money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Sarasota Sportsmens Association provided the estuary program with the $150,000 necessary to carry out the project. Donations from the Sarasota Sportsmens Association to SBEP totaled about $50,000.

About $4.5 million of funds from the BIL allowed the SBEP to embark on a series of habitat restoration projects — something that was previously not possible within the SBEP’s standard funding. Other projects include the F.I.S.H. Preserve in Cortez and improvements to Bradenton’s G.T. Bray Park.

“We came up with the work plan a couple of years ago that said, we’ve got this opportunity to spend $4.5 million from the infrastructure law, and we’re not going to spend it on studies and reports. We’re going to spend it on restoration projects,” Tomasko said.

According to Tomasko, some artificial reef projects were completed by Manatee and Sarasota counties in the past, and the SBEP did similar projects as well.

“It’s not like no one’s ever done this before, but it hasn’t been done in about 10 years,” Tomasko said.

UNDERWATER COMMUNITY

When choosing a type of artificial reef, SBEP took part in a yearlong monitoring process to pick the best one.

When Staff Scientist Jay Leverone saw about 40 gag grouper at one reef site with deep-cover modules, he knew that was the type to use.

The six sites in Sarasota Bay will be Bayshore North Reef, Whale Key

Reef, Bayshore South Reef, Walkers Reef, Harts Reef and Sportsmans Reef. These sites were previously permitted for artificial reefs, Tomasko said, which made the process easier.

The reef sites are also accessible by kayak. Once populated with fish, Tomasko said the hope is that the reef sites will give people the opportunity to experience fishing for grouper without needing a big boat and going offshore.

The four modules at each site will be spaced out, but not too far.

“The idea is to cluster them close enough to each other so that fish can swim from one to another,” Tomasko said. “And the idea also is that we don’t want to have these individual reefs scattered so far away that fish can’t go from one reef site to another.”

Creating a safe, interconnected habitat for juvenile fish to grow will hopefully help to stock the offshore fisheries.

“Fish have very high mortality and early life history stages,” Tomasko said. “So if you only focus on habitat for the adults, then you’re going to miss probably the most important thing, which is the habitat for the younger stages.”

After a couple weeks, there could be marine life like sponges growing on the reefs.

In about a year or two, the reefs will be “soaked,” according to Leverone. That means the artificial reefs will be fully immersed by then, and hopefully creating an underwater community.

Then, fish around the reefs could be tagged with the hope of becoming part of larger monitoring projects related to offshore fishing. That way, SBEP and other organizations can point to artificial reef programs like this as promoting the growth of juvenile fish that later go on to support offshore fisheries.

“The vast majority of the grouper you’re going to eat are not coming from Sarasota Bay, they’re probably coming from offshore,” Tomasko said. “But if you don’t have a Sarasota Bay, then you’re not going to be able to have a healthy offshore fishery.”

Larry Beggs, with Reef Innovations, helps guide the crew in deploying the deep-cover artificial reefs.

The deep-cover modules are about the size of a large circular table.

Staff Scientist Jay Leverone and Executive Director Dave Tomasko suit up to examine sone existing artificial reefs.

Photos by Carter Weinhofer

Crews drop a deep-cover reef module into Sarasota Bay.

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City, county divided on SPAC funding

County members of Bay Park Improvement Board say they won’t recommend support for TIF funds for performing arts center architect.

Park Conservancy Chief Operating Officer Bill Waddill draws a comparison when it comes to dedicating tax increment financing revenues to the development of The Bay Park, and within it a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center.  It’s also the year Waddill, AG Lafley and other leaders of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization, now the BPC, were fully immersed in their work to bring the city and county together again to fund half The Bay Park. The TIF dedicates increased revenue from rising property values within a given boundary, in this case neighborhoods immediately north, south and east of the 53-acre city property. To get there required rebuilding trust between the city and county governments to agree to allocate TIF revenues to build out The Bay. It was evident during the April 24 meeting of the Bay Park Improve-

ment Board — consisting of city commissioners Debbie Trice and Mayor Liz Alpert, county commissioners Mark Smith and Ron Cutsinger, and at-large community member Jon Thaxton — that the lack of trust persists.

And it showed nothing had changed among the members since their March 29 meeting.

Although a motion to recommend approval of up to $44 million for a design agreement between the city and Italy-based architecture firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop was passed, it was by a 3-2 margin with Cutsinger and Smith opposed. That advances the request to the City Commission, where approval is expected, and the Sarasota County Commission, where it’s doubtful. Under an agreement between the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, all capital expenditures for a new SPAC are to be divided equally among the public and private sectors. Of the $44 million, if that is indeed the spend for those services, $11 million would come each from city and county TIF revenues, and $22 million from the foundation. But only if both governmental bodies agreed. Both Cutsinger and Smith said they need more details before they can support the architecture agreement.

“If I’m going to approve a project or look forward to approving a project that may be $250 million or $300 million, before I get into that I want a lot more information,” Cutsinger said. “I want to not spend $22 million on a project that may not go forward unless I know what I’m getting into ahead of time. This is not ready for me.”

City Manager Marlon Brown countered that the details Cutsinger wants will not be available until the architect is actually on board and can provide an estimate for the project, which will take several months.

“We’re not spending $22 million right out of the box. There are the five stopping points,” said Alpert. “This is just basically to get the process started. But to have the funding in place, to know that it can be paid for if it keeps moving forward. It can be stopped if it’s determined that this is just going to be too much for whatever reason. Otherwise there’s no way to estimate this.”

While city and county governments hash out funding for the SPAC, Renzo Piano Building Workshop has selected Sarasota-based Sweet Sparkman Architects from among 30 candidates.

In practice for 22 years, Sweet Sparkman has completed local cultural and community projects such as The Bay, Center for Asian Art at the Ringling Museum of Art, Ringling College of Art and Design: Basch Visual Arts Center, Asolo Repertory Theatre Koski Center

HISTORY REPEATS

Waddill has seen all this before.

He has since left the BPC in an official capacity but remains an active advocate of The Bay and SPAC.

Campus, Venice Theatre and Siesta Key Park and Pavilion.

“We selected Sweet Sparkman not only for their proficiency and local knowledge of the construction industry, but for their spirit, and the team they put forth,” said a statement from Renzo Piano Building Workshop. “We see them as our partners in this adventure and we strongly believe their qualities, values and experience will be key to the project’s success.”

Sweet Sparkman Architecture

The population of the county is 10 times that of the city, therefore 10 times the number of constituents, he said. And if the TIF didn’t exist, the incremental tax revenue generated by new development and rising property values in The Quay, the Rosemary District and other properties surrounding The Bay would instead be spread across the entire county.

Regardless of political implications, that revenue, if spent, must occur within the taxing district either directly within the boundaries of The Bay or for improvements associated with access to the park such as streets, sidewalks and other enhancements.

Although the TIF funds can be spent to fund a portion of the SPAC, it is not a requirement. That’s where the county and the city are at loggerheads, at least for now.

Waddill said he isn’t surprised.

can build a consensus.”

“I think once Renzo’s contract is signed people are going to really rally behind the project,” said SPAF CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko. “I think people will get excited about it once we have designs to show once we can really start talking publicly about it. Right now we’re stuck in the dollars and so it’s difficult to talk about.”

DECISION TIME

Meanwhile, to keep the project on track and Renzo Piano at the table, decisions will need to be made about funding the architect contract without the county’s TIF dollars. Although the total ask was up to $44 million, only about $8 million of that is needed at this time. Of that total, Renzo Piano will be responsible for hiring an architect of record (see box), engineering firms, etc., and then paying them.

The balance — the actual cost is typically 20% of the hard costs of the project, which as yet is unknown — may be approved in phases going forward by both the city and county boards.

and Interiors is a multidisciplinary firm specializing in communityoriented projects. Established in 2002, its principals are Todd Sweet, Jerry Sparkman, John Bryant and Karl Bernhard, bringing a combined 100 years of experience in architecture and planning, including residential, civic and community projects.

Sweet Sparkman has 42 fulltime employees with offices in Sarasota and St. Petersburg.

“They’re going to act in what they think the best interests of their constituents are, which are the whole county,” Waddill said. “It’s incumbent on us to do the hard work to make a case and to build a community consensus on what’s a wise investment for the next 75 or 100 years, and then make that case to the county commissioners. We’re not ready to do that yet.

“We’re at year 2017 in The Bay Park initiative, and so we’ve got hard work to do. But we know if we follow a similar trajectory, I’m confident we

In the interim that initial $8 million must come from the city’s TIF funds, capped at $4 million, and the other half from the SPAF, unless the city were to allocate some money from the general fund.

Going forward, should the county continue to not support the SPAC with TIF dollars, the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation could find themselves on the hook for the entire amount if it were to move forward.

How the county would choose to use the TIF funds, which can only be spent in the TIF district from which it is collected, would be a question.

Current projections are for the TIF district to raise more than $329 million by the time it expires in 2049. That’s $229 million more than the projected $100 million in TIF funding earmarked for the rest of The Bay Park, which is estimated at $200 million to complete.

“My recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners is not to put money towards this,” Smith said regarding the architect contract. “However, if the foundation and the City Commission want to pick up the tab, by all means.”

ARCHITECT OF RECORD CHOSEN

The Ringling College Visual Arts Center was designed by Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors of Sarasota.

City housing plan faces potential legal hurdles

Attorney warns of unknown circumstances as no Florida city has built its own workforce housing development.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown wants the city to get into the apartment business, and the discussion at their April 15 meeting indicates city commissioners agree.

The idea is to use a small city parking lot and purchase two other parcels across First Street from City Hall. There, the city would spearhead the construction of two 10-story towers for 192 workforce and affordable housing apartments with groundfloor commercial space the city would sell to help offset some costs.

The city would own the building, perhaps in partnership with other companies and organizations that have an interest in making residences in the downtown area accessible to the workforce class.

As lawyers looking out for the best interests of their clients are prone to do, though, Deputy City Attorney Michael Connelly told commissioners: not so fast. There may be valid reasons no other municipality in the state has attempted such an ambitious endeavor.

Commissioner Erik Arroyo quizzed Connelly, who was filling in for City Attorney Robert Fournier at the meeting, about whether he knows of any government entity that has created a limited liability corporation to insulate itself from liabilities incurred in a specific project.

“Is it because government entities can’t do that, or it’s just because the government part of the public sector just doesn’t think about stuff like that?” Arroyo asked.

“It’s because I’ve never seen a governmental entity own and operate an apartment complex yet,” Connelly responded. “Under the Florida Constitution, local government, a city in particular, only has authority to operate for a municipal purpose. And so what is the municipal purpose? All

I can tell you is, to my knowledge, it has never happened.”

The city currently has the two properties under contract to purchase for $7.4 million. Brown estimated the total project cost to be $70 million to $80 million. Because the city is not in the business of making a profit, rents would be capped and the requisite number of affordable and attainable units will be offered per code.

Connelly cautioned commissioners that he had concerns about five of the 10 directives Brown was seeking, largely surrounding the finances and whether the city can offer organizations — such as the school system or Sarasota Memorial Hospital — reserved units for employees in exchange for contributions to the project without being deemed discriminatory.

The city will have to raise those funds from somewhere. The Barancik Foundation has committed $1.5 million to the project and Brown said he is in talks with Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation for similar amounts.

Combined with the more than $4 million in the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the city still needs to raise nearly $1.9 million to buy the property. That gap may be filled by a request of $2 million in state money by State Rep. Fiona McFarland, which has been approved by both the State House and Senate and is waiting for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, Brown told commissioners.

Still, Connelly’s concerns include:

■ The foundation agreement: “I don’t know what the terms and conditions of that will be, and that it is certainly conceivable that there could be things that I would recommend to you that you may not want to agree to, so keep that in mind.”

■ Cash-to-close contingency: “What we recommended is that we

“Under the Florida Constitution, local government, a city in particular, only has authority to operate for a municipal purpose. And so what is the municipal purpose? All I can tell you is, to my knowledge, it has never happened.”

Michael Connelly, deputy city attorney

would add to each of the two purchase and sale agreements a cash-to-close contingency so the city would have until 30 days before closing to be able to notify the seller that we don’t have the funds and then be able to terminate the contract and get our deposit back. That was rejected. If you don’t get $7.4 million by September, you still have to close and you’re going to have to find that money someplace. You have a contractual obligation to close.”

■ Request for proposals for design/construction and for management/operations: “I want to protect the city from liability. When the city issues a request for proposal, the vendors go ahead and spend their time and money to put together a response to the request for proposal. If we end up withdrawing that request for proposal, we are

liable to pay them back the cost they have incurred at that point.”

■ Revenue bonds for construction costs: “Bond counsel had indicated that no other local government in the state of Florida has issued revenue bonds in order to own and operate an attainable or workforce housing project. They’re willing to try it, though. There has to be a public purpose. The question is whether the private benefit is paramount or the public benefit is paramount. I want you to be aware that there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to issue these bonds, and if the courts say you can issue the bonds, they may well be taxable bonds because of this private benefit that occurs to the 192 households. And if they’re taxable bonds, that means you have to pay a higher interest rate.”

■ Construction schedule: “Mr. Brown talked in his presentation that construction would start in 2025. Again, we have the due diligence period. We’re going to have to get the leases for all of those there are tenants in there now. We don’t know for sure that we can get those tenants out without incurring liability between now and 2025, so we don’t really know what that construction schedule would be.”

With all that laid on the table, commissioners unanimously approved the property acquisition.

That’s one heckuva wrap!

Of course, there was fashion, food and fun, but the amount of money donated this year tops the charts as a season standout.

When co-proprietor

of Michael’s On East Michael Klauber took the stage as the auctioneer of his final paddle raise of the 2023-2024 social season Sunday at the Sarasota Ballet’s 2024 Gala at the Circus Arts Conservatory, he started the bids at $50,000.

One paddle shot up.

Calculating the math in our heads as Klauber asked for bids of $50,000, $25,000, $15,000, $10,000, down to $1,000, the total raised in support of the Sarasota Ballet’s performance, education and community programs was more than $550,000.

It appears that the generosity of Sarasota’s philanthropists and arts enthusiasts is at an all-time high.

And the Ballet Gala isn’t the only example. In early January, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation flashed names on a large LED screen when Hospital Gala-goers made their pledges during its paddle raise at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

Total: $1.2 million. The entire evening brought in $1,445,000.

One of the greatest examples of generosity this season didn’t even happen at a gala. Sarasota Community Foundation’s 2024 Giving Challenge, augmented by a Patterson Foundation match, raised $17,244,298 — $1 million more than the Giving Challenge in 2022.

And Sarasota’s season of giving is not quite over yet. The last fundraising gala of the season, the 19th annual Dick Vitale Gala, benefiting the V Foundation, will be May 3 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Last year, that gala raised a record $12.4 million.

Jessica Rogers, vice president of philanthropy at Children First, said the past two seasons were the most successful to date in the organization’s history.

“We started to see the shift last year, with people really coming back in full force post-COVID,” Rogers said. “They were feeling more comfortable and philanthropic at events.”

This year, at its annual Fairytale Ball in early April at Michael’s On East Children First generated record-breaking revenue — $575,000 from the event.

Klauber also served as auctioneer of Children First’s live auction. Rogers attributes the success to working with partners like Klauber and Phil Mancini of Michael’s On East and the Pachota family of Venice Pier Group, which hosts Children First’s fall fundraisers — Flip Flops & Fashion and Rockin’

SAVE THE YEAR!

To place your fundraiser on the 2024-2025 Black Tie Social Calendar visit Bit.Ly/SubmitBT and fill out the form.

Lobster.

“Michael was willing to help amplify the great selection items that we had in the auction and highlight the challenge match,” said Rogers.

Challenge matches were also a trend this year. Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center used a $20,000 challenge match — $10,000 from NextArrow and $10,000 from the Doris Carter Family Foundation — at its “SPARCCLE on the Runway” Fashion Show in March. At Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s “Cause 4 Hope: Kaleidoscope,” an anonymous match came in at the last minute of the paddle raise, matching every $100 bid. Almost every paddle in the room went up.

With nearly 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, getting invitations in front of new people in the community was a goal for Renee Phinney, vice president of sales at Palm Printing. Phinney saw print quantities increase and acquiring new mailing lists as top trends this season. To help organizations target potential new clients, Phinney can create mailing lists based on ZIP codes, home values, new home purchases and other specific demographics.

Attracting new people was top of mind for Children First as well. All of its events were sellouts. So Rogers asked sponsors to donate back tickets or seats if they weren’t using them to be able to invite new people not familiar with the organization.

“A lot of people in the community really heeded the call when we asked them,” Rogers said. Fundraisers weren’t the only events sold out this year.

“We had a great season,” said Michelle Bente, marketing director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. “‘Hamilton’ was sold out all two weeks, and we still have shows to go.” She said that the Van Wezel’s entire Broadway series had a strong season because of the combination of programming and its appeal to a

wider audience. She also shared that the Van Wezel saw much bigger audiences than last year and that they are skewing younger.

Ringling College Library Association had similar success with its Town Hall Lecture Series, selling out two of its five lectures, which is the first time it had sold-out audiences since 2016.

Executive Director Lauren Kurnov said an influx of a younger audience radiated energy and enthusiasm. “Overall, the sales were up 30% over last year. That’s a really big jump,” said Kurnov.

One Longboat Key resident recently told me that after this year’s busy season, “I need to go home to rest from Florida.” However, there is no rest for others. According to Molly Maginn, corporate partnership associate at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, this is the first time the Asolo is producing a show this late in the season with “Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical,” that will premiere May 8 and run through June 9.

Phinney, who is co-chairing Forty Carrots Family Center’s Wine, Women & Shoes for the second consecutive year, said no one is resting on her laurels. “We’re thinking about what we are going to do next,” she said, “We’re going to continue creating experiences that are mission driven and fun.”

In fact, the Black Tie social calendar for next season is already filling up. Klauber’s wife, Terri, reached out earlier this week to make sure that Make-A-Wish Foundation’s 15th annual “Cooking for Wishes” event was on the calendar for Feb. 21, 2025. (See box on how to save your fundraiser’s date on the calendar.)

While the monies reported in this column total nearly $20 million, that’s just a small portion of the total dollars raised from the hundreds of fundraisers hosted in the 2023-2024 season. All of it calls for celebration. Sarasota’s philanthropists are truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Renee Phinney of Palm Printing said that every organization tried to stay consistent in its marketing and brand and elevate the design of its invite to be theme based. Some were even interactive, like Neuro Challenge Foundation’s spinning wheel for “Cause 4 Hope: Kaleidoscope.”

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Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles Vice President / Lisa Walsh (1995-2023)

1970 Main St.

Harry Sayer

Michael Klauber served as auctioneer of Children First’s most successful live auction at its Fairytale Ball in April.

EMILY WALSH

New homes for Newtown area

County approves changes for developer to build nearly 1,500 multifamily homes, while also forming a charter boat task force.

ANDREW WARFIELD

The developer of the Gracewater development has won unanimous approval of the Sarasota County Commission to build up to 1,479 residential apartments and 20,000 square feet of commercial development off Martin Luther King Jr. Way, just outside the city limits.

At its April 23 meeting, county commissioners approved an ordinance regarding the Midtown SRQ Development of Critical Concern to correct the maximum dwelling number from 1,482 and a comprehensive plan amendment to rezone the site from Moderate Density Residential to High Density Residential.

No building plans have been submitted to the county at this time. The commission’s actions set the stage for site plan design and for the sale of the property to the developer. Located at MLK Jr. Way and North Tuttle Avenue, Gracewater Midtown plans to build the project on 113.81 acres of currently county-owned land. The site was used as a repository for vegetative storm debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Commissioner Mark Smith motioned to approve the amendment, with a couple of requests to be included in the county’s capital improvement program.

“I just want to remind the board that with this development we need to look as a county to widening Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Tuttle Avenue in our budget and CIP program,” Smith said.

“And, also see about getting into our CIP to enlarge and improve Newtown Estates Park as we’re adding 1,479 residential units and families

to a park facility that is not able to facilitate all the kids in the neighborhood right now.”

In December 2020, the County Commission declared the property as surplus, and in March 2021 issued an Invitation to Negotiate competitive process for affordable housing proposals for the property.

On March 29, 2022, the commission approved a contract with Gracewater Midtown LLC outlining the conditions for the purchase.

Those conditions include the requirement for a mixed-use development of up to 1,479 dwelling units and a minimum 4.5-acre parcel for commercial development. That parcel is on the northeast corner of the

property along North Tuttle Avenue and must include at least a pharmacy and grocery store.

The contract also requires 25% of the dwellings must be offered as affordable housing, being rented or sold to households at or below 80% average median income, with at least half of those units being sold or rented at or below 60% of AMI.

That results in 370 units to be sold or rented to households at 80% AMI and 185 units of those to be sold or rented to households at 60% AMI.

Just north of the site, the same developer is building Gracewater, a nearly 500-home single family and twin villa community with prices starting in the $500,000s.

CHARTER BOAT TASK FORCE

In other county news, with only a two-month time frame to work with, commissioners seated a five-member task force formed to deliver a recommended solution to the long-standing dilemma of commercial charter boat operators illegally using Sarasota County boat launches and docks to operate fishing and sight-seeing tours.

Selected from a list of 22 applicants, the selected members are:

■ Jason Kobza and Brad Donahue, charter tour operator representatives

■ Sherman Baldwin and Mason Tush, water access/marina property owners or charter tour operators with a lease of land abutting the marine park district representatives

■ Tony Nakonetschny, community member at-large representative In August 2022, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources staff completed a commission assignment to research the development of a permit program for fishing charter and/or tour boats within the county water access parks that would legally allow the activity. That was in response to an increase in unauthorized commercial watercraft using parks

and amenities as the pick-up and drop-off location for guests of private charters resulting largely in concerns over limited parking, ramp and dock safety, liability and the use of public space for private enterprise.

Recommendations presented by Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director Nicole Rissler on Oct. 24, 2023, brought reactions by charter boat captains that prohibiting their activities would put multiple operators out of business, leave dozens of residents unemployed and harm tourism.

Limited water access, they said, requires them to use public facilities to operate.

At its Jan, 30, 2024, meeting, the commission requested that County Administrator Jonathan Lewis bring back guidance on the composition of a task force to investigate unauthorized commercial activity and on the delegation of authority for approval of penalty fees for unauthorized use of county parks.

With a time frame of June 1 to Aug. 1, the purpose of the task force is to determine a mechanism for lawful and legal operation of commercial water-based charter boat and tour excursion operators.

Courtesy image

Gracewater Midtown is planning an up to 1,479-unit multifamily development on this Sarasota County-owned land near Newtown.

Image via SCGov.net

Higel Marine Park has one of Sarasota County’s 13 motorized boat launches.

Fire academy funding

With last week’s approval of two funding sources for the Sarasota County’s new Regional Fire Training Academy, staff has turned its attention to finding money to pay for three items not included in the first phase.

Without discussion, county commissioners unanimously approved two of the funding sources during their April 23 meeting — the issuance of $29 million in capital improvement revenue bonds and the appropriation of $13.6 million from the fiscal year 2024 capital improvement budget. The total Phase 1 budget is $53.7 million with funding provided by fire and EMS impact fees and state grants.

Sarasota County Schools is partnering with a $10 million contribution, which will provide access to the new training academy for Suncoast Technical College’s firefighter training. The college and Sarasota County Fire Department currently train at STC’s facilities on city-owned property off Circus Boulevard.

The new academy will be built on county-owned land near the county landfill on Knights Trail Road, east of I-75 near Nokomis.

During their March 20 budget

workshop, commissioners said they’d like to build the entire complex at once, but that means finding another $20.2 million. Emergency Services Director Rich Collins said he’d be satisfied if a few more items totaling about $6.4 million could be funded in the initial build.

At $3.3 million, the most expensive of those items is an equipment driver’s training pad. Currently, that training takes place in the Robarts Arena parking lot. Other items include a confined space training area and a high-angle rescue tower.

“If we could get back into the project somehow that would allow us to move forward with a comprehensive ability to train not just our firefighters but regionally hazardous material, high-angle rescue, drivers’ training, truck operations and so on,” Collins said.

Commissioners unanimously agreed, and instructed staff to scour the budget for the money. Should the additional three items be included in Phase 1, remaining to be funded are: an outdoor classroom, restroom and storage building; storage/decontamination building; hazmat/vehicle extraction; partially collapsed building/rubble pile; strip shopping mall prop; gas-fired prop; shipboard prop; fire behavior lab; and the balance of furniture and equipment.

Interdisciplinary school showcase

Davin Hicks, a first grader who is interested in robotics, and Blake Wilson, a fourth grader who loves nature, both found something to enjoy at Southside STEAM Night on April 18.

“It was really cool, definitely an experience I have never seen,” said their mother Ashlynn Jones.

Held at Southside Elementary School, the event brought together a range of offerings that fall under the umbrella of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics), to showcase the offerings at Sarasota County Schools.

The event’s exhibitors included staff from Southside Elementary as well as others such as Sarasota High School’s MaST Research Institute, Brookside Middle School’s Marine Science Academy, UF/ IFAS Extension Sarasota County and local businesses.

The event also involved school staff from various disciplines, with offerings including activities such as a station for converting drawings to 3D digital images, and a performance by the jazz band of Southside Elementary.

— IAN SWABY

Photos by Ian Swaby

Elena Bubnova and her daughter, second-grader Milana Bubnova, help Meily Fernandez perform a science experiment at the table of Sarasota High School’s MaST Research Institute.

Noah Winter, a first grader, holds a sea urchin.

Second graders Lila Cigich and Valerie Wright control a VEX robot.

Kindergartener JT Lannon and his cousin, pre-K student Ryan Ching, play with a robot.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 19 NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE 2:10 p.m., 100 block of North Lemon Avenue Assault: Because a man was harassing customers as they were leaving a restaurant, the manager of said restaurant told an officer responding to a possible battery that he and an employee escorted the nuisance man off the property. That’s when the situation escalated. The manager explained that he told the subject to cease and desist his behavior, but when the manager turned to go back inside, the subject grabbed his arm and threatened to beat him up.

The manager was then joined by an employee who physically removed the subject, and he fell to the ground. That’s when the manager called law enforcement.

The subject had left the scene by the time an officer arrived, but he was easy to find based on the manager’s detailed description — a white male, skinny, no shirt, wearing jeans and with the unique characteristic of a musical note and a star tattooed on his chest.

The man was indeed located a few blocks away, appeared to be intoxicated and had small abrasions on his shoulder and hand. He told the officer he was attacked for no reason, but he was unable to explain further. The subject was then issued a trespassing warning.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

CHOOSING SIDES

12:42 p.m., 1400 block of Main Street

Disturbance: It’s a story as old as the dissolution of marriage itself — servers at a local watering hole allegedly choosing sides in a divorce and spiking a drink in retribution.

Workers at a restaurant were accused by a man who said he was drugged while throwing back some liquid therapy. The reasons for the drugging incident were unexplained other than the bartenders must like his estranged wife more than they like him.

The complainant explained he and his would-be formerly betrothed were very loyal customers, and on this day he believes someone introduced a foreign substance into his drink because, inexplicably, when he

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SUNDAY, APRIL 21

TIMING IS KEY

6:19 p.m., 500 block of Signal Pointe Drive

Disturbance: A case of missing rental car keys resulted in a police response to a family dispute. The complainant told an officer her on-again, off-again boyfriend took the keys and drove the vehicle to his residence, and then claimed to have misplaced them. The rental car was in the woman’s name.

The complainant said she didn’t want to press charges, but that she only wanted the keys returned.

Officers arrived at the man’s address at the time he exited the apartment with keys in hand and apologized for the miscue. The woman left with the rental car and the apparently now off-again boyfriend returned to his residence.

arrived at home afterward he began purging the libations in an unpleasant manner.

According to the incident report, he never lost consciousness, nor did he seek medical attention to confirm his suspicions. Contacted by officers outside the establishment, he continued to exhibit signs of agitation while being interviewed, then he left the area without following through on his complaint.

The restaurant manager informed a law enforcement officer that the embattled pair have been longtime patrons and are known to staff, adding the man’s behavior had become erratic since his impending divorce proceedings began.

The restaurant manager said he viewed video footage from the three hours the man was present and saw no evidence of a drink being spiked, and that multiple vodka tonics — which may explain the gastrointestinal response — were poured directly in front of him.

SPORTS

Fast Break

Former Riverview High women’s swimmer Emma Weyant is the fifth-most popular swimmer in the U.S., according to an index study conducted by SwimOutlet and published April 22. SwimOutlet used search volume and data from Instagram to create its index. Weyant won a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the Tokyo Olympics and will compete at the 2024 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis in June for a spot at this year’s Paris Olympics.

Riverview High announced April 29 that boys basketball assistant coach Jeff Harris would assume the head coach role next season. Harris will take the role from Brandon Knecht, who coached the Rams for one season and went 17-10.

Sarasota High girls track and field sophomore Aubri Antczak won the 3,200-meter run (11:46.08) at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A District 8 meet, held April 25 at North Port High. Antczak also helped the school’s 4x800-meter relay team to a second-place finish (9:59.61) alongside junior Alexa Daverio, freshman Jasmine France and junior Indy Grajalez. The Sailors finished sixth as a team.

Also at the Class 4A District 8 meet, Riverview High girls track and field sophomore Kate St. Onge won the high jump (1.57 meters) and finished fourth in the 100-meter dash (13.17 seconds). St. Onge also helped the Rams to a third-place finish (51.18 seconds) in the 4x100meter relay alongside freshman Emma Morris, sophomore Sutton Odegard and senior Majestic van Ingen. The Rams finished second as a team.

“I’m hoping to break my own record in the 3,200. I’d like to get around 11 minutes flat. Maybe at the state meet I can do that.”

THEY’RE NO. 1

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

Cardinal Mooney High boys lacrosse Head Coach Derek Wagner thought for a second, then shrugged.

“We advanced,” Wagner said.

“Against an opponent that you should beat by a decent margin, you want to make sure you do that. We did that. We advanced. Let’s get a win and move on.”

It was not the joyful response one might expect from a coach following his team’s 15-4 win over Barron Collier High in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A regional quarterfinals on April 24. So it goes when the Cougars are 14-5 and secured the No. 1 seed in its region for the first time in program history. Until the state tournament, all teams will have to go through Mooney at home, where the team has yet to lose a game this season.  Wagner has high expectations for his group. He knows that the Cougars will play tougher opponents down the line, and the team must prepare for that level of play now. It’s why he

“Any time you can create that kind of depth and have that support (it’s a positive). One guy isn’t having a good game, someone else can pick it up for him. We have some guys who are stepping up when we need them to step up here.”

— Derek Wagner, Cardinal Mooney coach

Until the state tournament, all roads lead to Mooney and its rowdy home crowd.

was apathetic about the 11-goal margin of victory against Barron Collier. In Wagner’s mind, that was the bare minimum the team could have done. In the future, when the pressure rises, more will be needed.

“We made a lot of mistakes defensively,” Wagner said. “We let in four goals. On clears, I would say we were 60%, 70%. Against a team like this, you should be able to execute at a high level, and if you don’t, there’s room to hold your kids accountable.”

Anything less than perfection at this time of year, Wagner said, can get you eliminated. If the team isn’t getting better every day, it’s getting worse, because other teams are improving.

If that sounds serious, it’s because it is. Wagner and Cardinal Mooney have had success before, but faltered come the middle rounds of the postseason. The program will not be content with the same fate in 2024. These Cougars have state tournament potential and will not be content until that potential is fulfilled.

Against Barron Collier — despite Wagner’s criticisms — the team’s offense showed why it is so difficult to defend: Every player on the offensive side of the field can be a playmaker if given the opportunity.

Senior Gio Zanoni, junior Jamison McCusker and junior Logan Alexander all had hat tricks (three goals). Seniors Hunter Sheffield and Carter Westendorf had two goals each. Having that many scoring threats makes the Cougars difficult to defend, for opposing teams cannot key on one or two players. On April 16, Zanoni said the team’s biggest strength is its lacrosse IQ, and that IQ showed itself against Barron Collier. Mooney routinely made the right pass, or series of passes, to put players in open shooting positions, giving the opposing goaltender little chance. The Cougars could have scored even more

SCORING LEADERS

on Baron Collier, but the team’s lead triggered a running clock prior to the fourth quarter, at which point, Wagner started substituting some bench players to get them experience.

“Any time you can create that kind of depth and have that support (it’s a positive),” Wagner said. “One guy isn’t having a good game, someone else can pick it up for him. We have some guys who are stepping up when we need them to step up here. That’s all we can ask for, is everyone giving 100% no matter what.”

The Cougars’ path to glory will not be easy.

If the team survives a May 1 game against Calvary Christian (14-1) in the regional semifinals, it will play either the Community School of Naples (164) or Tampa Jesuit High (14-4) in the regional finals on May 4.

Earlier in the season, Mooney beat Jesuit 11-10 in overtime but lost 9-8 to CSN. Both games were on the road. This time, the game would be at home, which is an advantage the team will take full advantage of.

While it does not make the games themselves any easier, Wagner said, it does allow the team to get a bit more rest and allows the coaches to focus solely on the games instead of travel and other logistics. It also gives the team the support of a raucous home crowd.

“It is not a thing we take for granted,” Wagner said. “This is what we work for all season. This is why we had the schedule we had. To put us in this position.

“We expected to be here. It’s just a matter of executing. You don’t want to squander this.”

Courtesy photo

Emma Weyant was ranked as the No. 5 most popular swimmer in the U.S. by SwimOutlet.

— AUBRI ANTCZAK, sophomore, Sarasota High track & field. SEE PAGE 17A

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Mooney senior Hunter Sheffield rips a shot for a goal against Barron Collier. Sheffield had two goals in the game.

Mooney senior Gio Zanoni fires a shot on net against Barron Collier High. Zanoni had a hat trick in the game.

Spring poses big questions for Sarasota football teams

Each of the area’s programs has intriguing storylines to follow before summer arrives.

High school spring football begins this week, and with it comes hope that each area team’s fall slate will be packed with wins. But each program also faces big questions.

Can Cardinal Mooney repeat? The biggest question goes to the program with the best finish in 2023. Cardinal Mooney High (12-2) won its first Florida High School Athletic Association state title in December, defeating Trinity Catholic 31-27 in Tallahassee to capture the Class 1S crown.

It was a dream season for the Cougars, whose only losses came against Class 4S Riverview High and Class 2S Bishop Verot High. It was what everyone involved with the school has wanted for decades, including Head Coach Jared Clark, a Cougars alum.

But get a taste of glory, and suddenly glory is all you want. The state championship win raised expectations for the program, but 2023 is in the rearview mirror. With the 2024 season arriving before you know it, there’s a single goal: Do it again.

Can they? The first step to answering that question will be taken this spring, as the coaches work to find good fits for the team’s returnees and newcomers alike after graduating a talented senior class. And there are plenty of newcomers, like offensive lineman Chase Polivchak, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound blocking machine who previously played at The Out-ofDoor Academy. The team is also adding wide receiver RJ Mosley, a 6-foot-3 pass-catcher from Pittsburg High in Pittsburg, California, who holds offers from the University of Nevada and the University of

Nevada-Las Vegas.

If there’s a biggest question mark this spring, it is likely the defense’s front seven. The team’s five leading tacklers from 2023 are gone. Who will fill those roles?

The Cougars will see how they fare in a spring game jamboree against Clearwater High and St. Petersburg High at 6:30 p.m. May 16 in St. Petersburg.

Can Riverview make the leap?

Since Josh Smithers took over the Rams program in 2017, he’s reestablished Riverview as a postseason player, even taking the team to the state semifinals in 2018 (where they lost 45-31 to Mandarin High and current University of Georgia quarterback/2024 Heisman contender Carson Beck). In more recent seasons, the Rams have continued the regular-season success, but have run into a Venice High-shaped wall in the postseason.

To accomplish any other goals the program has, it will have to overcome Venice at some point. Is 2024 the year that happens?

The Rams will likely turn to rising junior Anthony Miller at quarterback. Miller played wide receiver in 2023, catching 26 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns from senior quarterback Braxton Thomas, but Miller is a natural quarterback with a strong arm and the speed to be a dual threat. Miller threw nine passes last season, completing four for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Whether it’s Miller or someone else, the quarterback will have a returning two-headed monster at running back in rising senior DJ Johnson (1,660 yards, 23 touchdowns) and rising junior Isaiah Belt (1,094 yards, 14 touchdowns). On

defense, the Rams return rising senior linebacker Landon Marsters (108 tackles, two interceptions), but will need others to step up alongside him to replicate the team’s stingy defense from the second half of 2023.

The Rams will play in their spring jamboree at 6:30 p.m. May 24 at Bishop Verot High.

What does Sarasota High look like under Amp Campbell? The question says it all.

Anthony “Amp” Campbell will take over the program as head coach following the departure of Josh Phillips — who initially left to take an assistant coaching job at Wagner College in January, then accepted a defensive assistant position with the Las Vegas Raiders in February. Phillips coached the Sailors for one season and went 1-9.

The Sailors need a reset after years of constant changes. Camp-

bell, who was an assistant coach at Riverview High last season and played there as a high schooler, certainly knows the game. He played college football at Michigan State University as a defensive back before a neck injury suffered in a 1998 game against the University of Oregon ended his career. He’s also coached at the college level at Western Michigan University and Alabama State University among other stops.

What remains to be seen is how Campbell handles a program he can call his own. Fans will see what his plans for offense and defense look like when the Sailors play their spring game 7 p.m. May 16 on the road against Lakewood High.

Will Booker continue to climb?

If year one under Head Coach Scottie Littles was about the building blocks of the program, year two was about ascension.

Booker High wasted no time in becoming a threat in FHSAA Class 2S. The Tornadoes went 9-5 in the 2023 regular season and saved their best for the playoffs, reaching the state semifinals before losing 41-3 to Cocoa High. Based on Booker’s new additions, the Tornadoes have no plans for their rise to stop in 2024.

The Tornadoes added former Venice High running back Jamarice Wilder this offseason as a replacement for graduating senior Ahmad Hunter. Wilder, a rising senior, ran for 1,271 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2023. He’s not the only former Indian to join Booker: quarterback Ryan Downes will also don the team’s signature purple jerseys in the fall. Downes, a rising senior, got limited minutes behind Venice starter Jadyn Glasser, but still completed 13 of 25 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns while running 28 times for 200 yards and seven touchdowns.   Booker will need its new offensive players to mesh — and find

a replacement for wide receiver

Josiah Booker, who is off to Central Michigan University — but they’ll be joined by rising junior defensive back Chauncey Kennon, a four-star recruit who played for Southeast High last season.

Is adding all that talent via transfer the formula for a state title in Class 2S? The public will get its first glance at the new-look Tornadoes at the school’s Purple and Gold Game scrimmage at 4 p.m. May 17 at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.

How will Sarasota Christian School make the transition to 11-man football?

The Blazers started with an eightman football program in 2022 and found success right away, going 15-8 over two seasons.

How will Sarasota Christian’s key players, like rising junior quarterback Justin Brock, adjust to the 11-man game, where there is less space to maneuver and more emphasis on winning in the trenches?

Brock threw for 1,115 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 563 yards and five touchdowns while splitting time with rising junior Ben Milliken. Are those numbers a result of lax defense, or does Brock have the ability to replicate it against tighter windows?

The same questions go for the rest of the Blazers. SCS will play its spring game jamboree at 10 a.m. May 18 at The Out-of-Door Academy against ODA and Canterbury High.

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

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Riverview’s DJ Johnson rushed for 1,660 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.

Aubri Antczak is a sophomore on the Sarasota High girls track and field team. Antczak is the school record-holder in the 3,200-meter run (11:04.22) and has the sixth-fastest time in the event in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 4A this season.

When did you start competitive running?

Aubri Antczak ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

I started as a freshman. I play soccer for the school, and my soccer coach at the time told me I should try running. I never did any track and field things before then. I never expected to be at the level I am now, but when I started being disciplined about it and sticking with it, I saw things change.

What is the appeal to you?

I love the intensity of every race. Getting to do multiple events, and work with a team for some events as well, is fun. It’s good competition.

What is your favorite event?

This year, my best event has been the 2-mile run (3,200 meters) but I like the mile (1,600 meters) better because it’s four laps instead of eight. (Laughs.)

Is it difficult to stay mentally focused during the 3,200-meter run?

It’s one of the harder races in that way, yeah. But in a competitive race, it goes by a lot faster. The intensity of the race helps.

How did it feel to set the school record in the 3,200 at the FSU Relays in March?

I was mostly surprised I ran that fast, honestly. But I was excited. The FSU Relays was the most intense race I’ve ever done, and it was exciting.

What are your goals for the rest of the season?

I’m hoping to break my own record in the 3,200. I’d like to get around 11 minutes flat. Maybe at the state meet I can do that.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

What is your favorite food? I like smoothies and fruit, like acai bowls.

What is your favorite book or book series?

I like the “Daevabad” series (by S. A. Chakraborty) a lot. The world of the books is exciting and the author does a good job of making each character stand out.

What is your favorite school subject?

I like math. I like that there is one solution, but there can be different ways to find it.

What is the best advice you have received?

Trust the process. Day in, day out, if you keep doing what you are doing, then the whole process will come together. But you have to stick with it.

Finish this sentence: “Aubri

LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEFINED

YOUR NEIGHBORS

The (somewhat) SECRET GARDEN

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Running a large garden requires a community effort, but fortunately for the Sarasota Succulent Society, plants can be generous too. Succulents have a tendency to multiply themselves, which results in more donations from the public, as well as new succulents to offer in return.

The staff of the volunteer-run, nonprofit garden said they hope that the result is that Sarasota’s community will discover something it hasn’t seen before — if they can find the garden tucked away in an unassuming spot off 38th Street.

“People see a lot of different varieties in here that maybe they can’t see at Home Depot or Walmart, and we try not to be outrageously expensive,” said member Jennifer Rodgers, stating the society can also avoid the higher prices of online markets.

A look through the Succulent Society’s grounds finds unusual sights, from thorny flowers to succulent vines, some available for pur-

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND SALE

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In a quiet, leafy corner of the city, the Sarasota Succulent Society has been raising hardy plants since 1950.

Info: The Sarasota Succulent Society will be hosting host one of its three annual sales open to the public. It will also feature an outdoor educational program offered on the north lawn at 10 a.m.

WORK DAY SALES

When: The grounds are open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon every Monday, and on the third Saturday of every month (except for December) also 9 a.m. to noon.

Info: Sarasota Succulent Society, 1310 38th St. Visit SarasotaSucculentSociety.org.

chase and others for display.

Not only are there plants that aren’t your garden-variety items, but there is history as well, with a

tradition that stretches back to 1950 and begins with a historic home.

“I think this is one of the hidden gems in Sarasota. I really do,” said member Ben Balmer. “Because a lot of people don’t know about it, but yet we’ve been here, just quietly, for 74 years.”

CULTIVATING INTEREST

Succulents aren’t difficult to raise in Florida’s climate, as Walter Sparkman, a former printer, found when he came from the north to Sarasota in the 1930s, and began experimenting.

He started the Succulent Society out of his catalog-bought, Depression-era home located at the center of the garden.

Rodgers said the structure was honored with a historical designation and marker from the state of Florida and the city of Sarasota in 2004.

It isn’t known how Sparkman’s interest in succulents came about, but according to Rodgers, he might

SEE SUCCULENTS, PAGE 2B

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR SUCCULENTS?

These resilient plants thrive in Sarasota as Walter Sparkman learned decades ago. Choose from the descriptions below to match the plant names (in bold) with their photos. Find the answers on Page 3B.

CHOICES

Desert Rose: This poisonous flowering plant (Adenium obesum) boasts a large, swollen stem and is often used as a bonsai plant.

Dorstenia foetida: This unusual succulent, which varies in appearance, boasts a thick stem and a series of thick leaves, making it often similar in appearance to a small palm tree.

Ghost Cactus: (Euphorbia lactea). Known for its skeletal appearance and white coloration, although in fact not a cactus, this shrub is cactus-like in appearance. Bromeliad: Like those of most bromeliads, the purplered flowers of Hohenbergia stellata are jagged and spiney.

Twisted Tim: Featuring purple flowers when in bloom, is a cross between Tillandsia intermedia and Tillandsia capitata. It is a type of air plant, or a plant which gathers nutrients from the air rather than soil.

Cycad: This popular cycad, Encephalartos ferox, derives its name from the Latin word “ferocious,” due to its spiny leaves.

Photos by Ian Swaby

The group meets in Walter Sparkman’s home.

have taken after his father, a scientist.

“He was that kind of a mind: ‘I don’t just have one in my window. I want to learn everything I can about it,’” she said.

Sparkman began researching the plants and starting many gardens in his yard, finding out what grew and what did not in Sarasota.

He began heading out to local garden clubs, bringing his succulents with him, and by 1950, his enthusiasm had spread, with a group of individuals now working and studying alongside him.

Although Sparkman lived in the house until he died, the Succulent Society continued to maintain the gardens, and today uses the house as its clubhouse.

According to Balmer, succulents are well-suited to Florida as they grow best in humidity. They typically withstand the summer weather, even an extremely dry one like the one Sarasota experienced in summer 2023.

Although the plants may only need to be watered once or twice a week in summer, there is still plenty of work to do.

The society’s president, Susan Palmieri, said while the level of engagement has varied over the years, it remains strong today, although the society is always on the lookout for volunteers at a time when members tend to head north.

“It’s such wonderful cooperation. It’s not just having something to do, they really care about the garden,” Palmieri said. “It really is a nice community. Everybody enjoys each other’s company. We work well together, and we take pride in trying to preserve this property, which is quite historic.”

“It kind of stays with families and people who they’ve heard of that before, and their parents were here, that kind of thing,” Rodgers said.

“So, that kind of garden. It’s not one of the huge botanicals that runs on those $5 million projects.”

Some of the work involved

includes propagating, potting and selling plants, and tending to plants. Volunteers must ensure they use care when introducing new plants, that they do not carry any diseases. The group also raises funds to give out two $1,000 scholarships each year.

OF KNOWLEDGE

GARDEN

Knowing a great deal about the plants comes in handy.

Although most members of the succulent society bring amateur knowledge, learning as they go, David Uguccioni is considered the group’s resident expert.

Having worked extensively in gardening, he also has had an interest in science for his whole life that started when he experimented with organic chemistry as a young boy.

“My mother got tired of the stinks and burning, so she brought me to Selby Gardens and introduced me to the orchids, and I saw something that I had never seen before,” he said.

As he walks about the Succulent Society’s property, for which he also has a fondness, he can effortlessly recall scientific names like “Hohenbergia stellata.”

Photos by Ian Swaby

Judith Haver

“I first snuck into this place when I was 9 years old,” he said. “I was super impressed with the idea of these plants that in many cases didn’t even seem to have chlorophyll in them and were blue or gray. That caught my interest.”

APPROACHING A MILESTONE

Volunteers say the Succulent Society’s mission is still going strong as it approaches its 75th birthday next year.

“To have a property that’s all volunteer-run for 74 years, is amazing. It’s amazing,” Balmer said. Rodgers said with the historic designation of the home, it became much easier to obtain what is needed to keep the society running.

That includes needs like grants and tax exemptions. In fact, the home was renovated in 2023 with a grant from Selby Gardens, which allowed rotten siding to be replaced. Meanwhile, volunteers seem to find that there is something about succulents that continues to draw them to the place.

According to volunteer Judith

Haver, it is the fact that they propagate easily and have many variations in the colors and textures; some look as though they have fur, while others have stripes.

“Even though I’m not formally educated in the subject, I’ve been working with succulents about 14 years now at home and have quite a collection, and I want to be able to work in the dirt and make things grow, keep this space alive and running for the future, and it just gives me a lot of personal joy to be able to do this,” she said.

ANSWERS FROM PAGE 1B: 1. Ghost Cactus

Walter Sparkman founded the Sarasota Succulent Society in 1950.

Seder songs and sacred stories

A Passover feast at Temple Emanu-El taught holiday traditions with costumes, songs, games and family bonding.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Rabbi Michael Shefrin said the core of what Passover is about is for kids to ask questions, engage and find meaning in the story in the modern world.

That was why a special Passover Seder meal for young families on April 27 at Temple Emanu-El featured costumes, songs and games amid the holiday traditions.

“The kids learning and experiencing, and singing and dancing and having fun and playing creates memories that we hope that they will share with their kids as well, as that is the instruction of Passover, that everyone in every generation should hear themselves in the story,” Shefrin said.

Held on Saturday to allow children and their families to attend together in the absence of an upcoming school day, the event was a success, Shefrin said, with multiple generations represented at multiple tables, attendees making new friends and family members even attending from out

of town.

The evening also saw some somber reflection with the acknowledgment of current world events. Shefrin said it was important for the event to include a chair dedicated to Sagui Dekel-Chen, an Israeli American held captive in Gaza since Oct. 7, who has a close relationship to Sarasota’s community.

“The Haggadah itself instructs us that as we’re reciting, in particular, the 10 plagues, that we pour out a little bit of wine, that we remove some of the possibility of joy in life to honor and acknowledge the pain and suffering that exists,” Shefrin said.

“It’s very meaningful, very meaningful this year for us in particular, and I’m just grateful to be part of such a thriving community here,” said member Alyson Roy.

Zachary Friedman, 7, and Eloise Friedman, 11, joined their parents Jason and Shera and brother William, 5, in the lighting of the candles.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Flynn Berman, 11, breaks the matzo.

Hudson Bloom, 6, places drops of grape juice on his plate to represent the 10 plagues, with Justin Bloom.

We Need You...

YOUR CALENDAR

FRIDAY, MAY 3

VIBE ON PALM

7-10 p.m. at Palm Ave., adjacent to the Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave. Free. In this month’s Fresh Fridays street party, enjoy bluesy rock by The Alan Grant Band, cool beverages and light bites. Visit DowntownSarasotaDID.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 BE FABULOUS MUSIC & ARTS PRIDE FEST

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court. Free. Donations encouraged. Begun 14 years ago, this festival brings together a lineup of artists to support the LGBTQ+ community. This year features Gracie Cespedes, NowInColor, Brittany Zeff, Zeta The Babe, Summer Hoop and MeteorEYES. Also featured are Jay Moore as emcee and speaker Jules Rayne, a DJ, drag performances and vendors. Visit FabAF.org.

PLAYTIME WITH THE WOMBATS!

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Common Ground, The Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Join Zeke from the PBS Kids animated show “Work It Out Wombats!” for hands-on activities including the Treeborhood Cause and Effect Machine, the Everything Emporium Farm Stand, Ice Cream Delivery and Shape Cakes. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 TO SUNDAY, MAY 5 ST. ARMANDS CRAFT FESTIVAL & SIDEWALK SALE

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at St. Armand’s Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle. Free. Enjoy works from over 175 artisans and crafters at St. Armand’s Circle. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 TO SUNDAY, JUNE 9 94TH ANNUAL SARASOTA TARPON TOURNAMENT

BEST BET

SATURDAY, MAY 4 TO SUNDAY, MAY 5

CIRCO DE MAYO STREET FESTIVAL 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at Circo: a Taco & Bourbon Joint, 1435 Second St. Free. VIP access: $35. Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with the Circo while enjoying live music, tacos, drinks and games. Visit EventBrite.com.

Northern Tip of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Southern Side of Stump Pass in Charlotte County. Entry fee $150. Put your angling skills to the test with tarpon, a game fish found off Sarasota’s beaches. Anglers compete for an overall winner title as well as weekly, junior, ladies, fly, most releases and his and her divisions winner. Visit SarasotaTarponTournament.net.

SUNDAY,

Lounge with a cornhole tournament, as well as DJ Gigi and drink specials. Visit EventBrite.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 7 ANCIENT ANIMAL QIGONG 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Fruitville Library,

Apex Road.

Join certified instructor Gail Petitt for an ancient mind and body practice that integrates slow gentle movements and breath and a relaxed state of mind. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 9 THE Y: PRIMETIME

7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. at Sunset Deck, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. This low-impact cardio class includes resistance training for active seniors and beginners. Using bodyweight exercises, it is designed to keep participants strong and safe while supporting posture and balance. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

WILD FLORIDA

Raptors keep rodents in check

Widespread use of anticoagulant rodenticides is a growing threat to Florida’s birds of prey.

MIRI HARDY CONTRIBUTOR

ith their keen eyesight, sharp talons and hooked beaks, birds of prey — or raptors — are adept at hunting.

The word “raptor” comes from the Latin word rapere, which means “to seize or take by force.

As they prey on a wide variety of species, including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish, carnivorous birds such as owls, hawks and eagles are important links in the animal food chain.

They play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of Florida’s ecosystems.

A primary concern for our region’s raptors is habitat loss. And though the state-protected lands of Myakka River State Park provide crucial habitat for numerous raptor species, human activities in the park can still pose threats.

For example, recreational activities, such as photography, hiking and boating, can disrupt nesting and foraging behaviors. As raptors are highly sensitive to disturbances, constant human presence in their habitats can lead to the abandonment of nesting sites and reduced reproductive success.

Encroaching development also poses a threat to Myakka’s raptors.

Increased traffic, in and outside of the park, results in higher collision risk for birds that forage at the same height as vehicles, such as owls. And rising use of anticoagulant rodenticides for pest control in our communities is having a deadly impact on our region’s birds of prey.

Anticoagulants prevent blood from clotting and cause animals to bleed to death internally.

As these poisons don’t kill rodents

immediately, but rather slowly weaken them, they become easier prey for raptors. Consuming poisoned rodents has disastrous consequences for raptors and their chicks.

Poison use in our environment exacerbates pest infestations, as it threatens native rodent-controllers who keep pests in check.

We can help protect animals in the wild, including raptors, by always giving them plenty of space. At home, we can research pest-control solutions to avoid using hazardous poisons.

Opting for preventative practices, such as rodent-proofing human structures, trimming foliage and tree limbs away from houses and reducing rodent attractants, such as trash, pet food, spilled birdseed and fallen fruit can effectively protect both our homes and our environment.

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsOfMyakkaRiver.

Miri Hardy

Anticoagulant poisons in bait traps threaten native rodent hunters, like barred owls, who help keep pests in check.

Showering of services

The Baby Shower by Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County was more than a chance to celebrate young ones — although it was also that, as toddlers crawled and walked across the floor in the “Diaper Derby.”

Held April 27 at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, the event brought together nonprofits serving the local community to present their services to pregnant women, new and expecting mothers and their families.

Vendors like First 1,000 Days Suncoast, Children First, Early Learning Coalition, Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center and others were present, with many bilingual representatives in attendance.

Some attendees even left with gifts they didn’t anticipate as each family was provided a ticket for the raffle, which featured gifts from participating organizations, with the grand prize gifts provided by Kiwanis Club of Sarasota.

“I absolutely love this event,” said Shon Ewens, executive director of Healthy Start Coalition.

Alexander Simon, 1, makes his way across the floor in the Diaper Derby.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Marla Doss, president of the Kiwanis Foundation, and Mike Ward, the most recent past president of the Kiwanis Club of Sarasota.

Mariely Rodriguez, Julio Pinto and Adaline Pinto, 1

Twin Beaches home tops sales at

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Twin Beaches tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Jaclyn Kim Brunckhorst, of Siesta Key, sold the home at 2509 Casey Key Road to George Alberici, of Nokomis, for $5.39 million. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $3,637,500 in 2020.

SARASOTA THE TOWER RESIDENCES

Lewis Hanan, of Sarasota, sold his Unit 801 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive to Joseph and Carol Wolfer, of Longboat Key, for $3.4 million. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,751 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,405,000 in 2011.

SARASOTA BAY CLUB

Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 1113 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to Thomas and Linda McDonald, of Sarasota, for $2.7 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,299 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,025,000 in 2013.

Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 110 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to Robert Hutchinson, of Sarasota, for $975,000. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,546 square feet of living area. It sold for $776,000 in 2022.

VISTA BAY POINT

George Kozma and Sharon Eis, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 601 condominium at 128 Golden Gate Point to Steven and Deborah Grossman, of Nokomis, for $1.96 million. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 3,000 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2021.

ALINARI

James Baker and Janice Germann Baker, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 301 condominium at 800 N. Tamiami Trail to Robin Lehman and Wayne Lehman, trustees, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for $1,935,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,830 square feet of living area. It sold for $473,000 in 2013.

MARK SARASOTA

Brian and Sheila Serino, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 506 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Matthew Bernstein and Jennifer Comparoni, of La Grange, Illinois, for $1.9 million. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,762 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,000,300 in 2019.

1350 MAIN RESIDENTIAL

Mona Refay, of Sarasota, sold her Unit 1210 condominium at 1350 Main St. to Jonathan and Robin Baer, of Westborough, Massachusetts, for $1,895,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths and 2,288 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.38 million in 2020.

BURNS COURT VILLA

Margaret Eldred, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 3 condominium at 1532 Selby Lane to Steven Kammerman and Gayle Kammerman, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1,526,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,052 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,575,000 in 2023.

ONE WATERGATE

Frank Emmerling, of Sarasota, sold his Unit 10-F condominium at 1111 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Roy and Linda Kinnan, of Milford, Michigan, for $1,495,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,577 square feet of living area. It sold for $960,000 in 2021.

BAYVIEW

Mark and Joan Urban, of Vero Beach, sold their home at 1614 Wisconsin Lane to Nickolas Woo Marcu, trustee, of San Diego, and Ligia Marcu, of Sarasota, for $1,435,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,430 square feet of living area.

THE CONDOMINIUM ON THE BAY

Kathryn Lenz, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 204 condominium at 888 Blvd. of the Arts to Arcangelo Michele Evangelista, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, for $1,295,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,729 square feet of living area. It sold for $785,000 in 2018.

TOWN OF SARASOTA

Edward and Robin Starr, of Richmond, Virginia, sold two properties at 1944 Morrill St. to Suzanne Barry, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1,042,000. The first property was built in 1920 and has two bedrooms,

two baths and 1,487 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1920 and has one bedroom, one bath and 595 square feet of living area. They sold for $586,000 in 2015.

PIER 550

Tullio Giacomazzi, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 7 condominium at 554 Golden Gate Point to WSR-550 LLC for $950,000. Built in 1958, it is one bedroom, one bath and 617 square feet. It sold for $75,500 in 1995.

Other top sales by area

SARASOTA: $3.5M

The Phoenix Richard Higgs and Josellyn Yousef sold their Unit 102 condominium at 136 Golden Gate Point to Jon and Lisa Evans, of Sarasota, for $3.5 million. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,785 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.8 million in 2021.

SIESTA KEY: $1.6M

Siesta Key

Eugene Lutz, of Wilton, Connecticut, sold his home at 8430 Midnight Pass Road to Marc and Elana Rosenbaum, of Sarasota, for $1.6 million. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,702 square feet of living area. It sold for $390,000 in 1989.

PALMER RANCH: $1.23M

Esplanade on Palmer Ranch

Jason David Mattes and Monica Polito Mattes, of Punta Gorda, sold their home at 5448 Manchini St. to Anthony and Patricia Zangardi, of Sarasota, for $1,225,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,082 square feet of living area. It sold for $663,800 in 2018.

OSPREY: $2.24M

Oaks II

John Pook and Jill King Pook, of Ontario, Canada, sold their home at 842 Mac Ewen Drive to Florida Dream House LLC for $2,235,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,263 square feet of living area. It sold for $800,000 in 2012.

Courtesy of Daria Fairchild

Local literary undercurrent

Book fair shines spotlight on the world of Sarasota-based authors.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Sarasota may be widely known for its affinity for the arts, yet sometimes there are unseen creative ventures beneath the surface, as guests found at the Local Author Book Fair, held April 27 by Bookstore1Sarasota.

“This is like a full-time job times three,” said Alice Abyss, who wrote “Pharmakides,” a novel presenting an alternate version of the story of Medusa from the points of view of 27 birds.

Abyss’ book was published in 2023. She saw it through to completion, performing the editing, creating the cover and self-publishing the volume — yet she’s still drawn to the financial freedom writing offers.

“I like to live for myself and put work into my business,” she said.  Bryn Durgin, director of programming at the bookstore, said anytime events like the book fair are held, attendees are surprised at the number of local authors in the community.

Held twice a year, it showcased 16 authors on April 27. The authors’ work spanned many genres and included memoir, nonfiction, chil-

dren’s books, poetry and more.

“Writing can be a lonely business, and giving local authors the chance to sit side by side with a slew of other local authors and to meet in person the people who are buying their books, is something that we look forward to doing every season,” Durgin said.

Kaileia Suvannamaccha, a 2022

Ringling College graduate, said it was inspiring to see the authors, who were mainly women, coming together to promote their work.

“It’s super empowering and inspiring, and it’s creating a ripple effect. It’s just starting. It’s going to gain momentum, and then there’s going to be a revolution.”

She wrote “in time I see,” a collection of poems arranged in a narrative arc, describing a quest for intimacy while exploring the meaning of the concept. She managed all aspects of the book herself, from the cover to its design.

Authors agreed that getting the word out about a book can be challenging.

For Sanford Miles, that aspect of publishing was so important that he bought a Plymouth Belvedere car to match the one that’s the subject of his book “The Buried Plymouth.”

“Unless you’re Stephen King, unless you’re John Grisham, it’s really up to you to publicize your book,” he said.

The book is a fictionalized account of “Miss Belvedere,” the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere that was sealed underground in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a 50-year time capsule unearthed in 2007.

The major steps in the project didn’t end there and included research, fact-checking and five trips to Tulsa to conduct about 60 interviews.

“It’s not like if you’re an artist, or you’re a dancer where, ‘Hey, come watch me. Come take a look at my paintings in a museum, or come

watch my dance.’ No, writing is a singular thing,” Miles said.

Lisa Moody, who was formerly the head of digital marketing and digital strategies at Ringling College, was inspired by her proficiency with technology to create an educational children’s book using augmented reality titled “I am an Orangutan: An Interactive Learning Experience.”

“I love being able to sit with and hold a hardcover book, but then use technology to bring it to life,” she said.

Whatever the nature of their work, the authors were grateful to be involved in the book fair.

“I can’t imagine what happens in a world without bookstores,”  said Shannon Spring, author of “Open Mic For Animals: Evidential Fairy Tails,” a book relating her experiences as a psychic medium for pets. “We need them. We need to get off of the computer; we need to get into the hearts and minds of the stories that are being told.”

Photos by Ian Swaby

Alice Abyss, author of “Pharmakides”

Lisa Moody, author of “I am an Orangutan: An Interactive Learning Experience”

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

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BEAUTY TREATMENT

by Adam Simpson, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

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