Why the world comes to Sarasota
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For only $1/day any accommodation on Siesta can partner with us and get their guests a 50% discount! MARCH 2019 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY
ROAD SWAP Final agreement involving swap of Siesta roads and River Road may be finalized in April
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BIG PASS Circuit Court judge rules for Siesta Key Association
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LODGING The Best Western Plus, gateway to Siesta Key
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JAYNE BLAIR
Happy 105th Birthday to this amazing woman
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SIESTA SOUNDS
As the son of a military man, bluesman R.J. Howson grew up all over the world
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SAND CASTLES
St. Michael the Archangel undertakes sizable capital campaign By Debbie Flessner Publishers Note: The parish is seeking help from all residents, businesses and visitors as it takes on this monumental endeavor. No monetary donation is too small with all funds raised staying with the parish for the building project. The problem began innocently enough in June of 2018. There was a clogged toilet in the Parish Hall restroom during a Vacation Bible School session at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. By the time the issue was discovered several days later, contaminated water had done extensive damage to the interior of the 44-year-old building. Almost immediately, the church decided to get a professional evaluation to see what it would take to repair the destruction. The news was not good. “We sought the expertise of several engineers and architects, who then discovered that the building has foundational, structural and mechanical issues,” said Father Michael Cannon, St. Michael pastor. “We also found out that both the Parish Center and the Parish offices are now below FEMA flood plain levels.” According to FEMA regulations, when the rehabilitation cost of an existing structure that has sustained substantial damage is estimated to cost more than 50 percent of the value of the building, it’s required that the existing structure be elevated to be compliant with current FEMA code. In the case of the Parish Hall at St. Michael, the building’s foundation would have to be raised more than two feet before any renovations could even begin. Plus, during the inspections, it was found that there were multiple problematic issues with the building. “We discovered that there were further problems, like mold from the flooding and termite damage in the attic,” said Jim Holt, St. Michael parishioner and head of the Building Committee. “It was determined that we would need to build a new Parish Center, because we just didn’t think that putting any more money into the existing one would be prudent.” The proposed project will prove to be an ambitious undertaking. The
Architect Greg Hall, of Hall Architects, artist rendering including the new building, as well as the central courtyard and a reworking of the parking lot layout, to allow for more spaces
yet-to-be-named Capital Campaign will run up until 2021, with the goal of funding a 10,000+ square-foot construction project. Included will be not only the new Parish Center, but also a daily chapel, a commercial kitchen and new parish offices. With the enhanced construction, St. Michael is hoping to better meet the needs of its parishioners and visitors of all ages, by providing them with multiple warm, inviting places where they can gather, pray and socialize.
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Baseball Comes to Sarasota and Siesta Key When a 19-year-old multi-millionaire Spring visitor to Siesta Key progresses a few years later to negotiate a $300 million contract, it can only be a major league baseball (MLB) player cashing in on the incredibly lucrative opportunities enjoyed by today’s professional athletes. In fact, the player is Manny Machado who stayed and socialized at Coquille on the midKey during 2012 after he signed a bonus contract out of high school with the Baltimore Orioles for $5.25 million. Many residents came to know him well as a shy, polite teenager with a bright future. Watching this young, elite athlete’s career develop since then has been fascinating. Contrasting the wealth of today’s MLB player with past MLB stars was not so lucrative during the 20th century. The last 19-year-old superstar rookie to come here for spring training was Ted Williams. He arrived penniless 80 years ago this month when the Boston Red Sox invited him for a try-out. In fact, Ted had to borrow $200 for the train trip from San Diego. When he made the team in 1939, his salary was $4500, and his final year’s salary was only $60,000 for the 1960 season. Often considered the “greatest hitter who ever lived,” Ted was paid a total of $1.1 million, i.e., 20% of Manny’s signing bonus, during his entire 19-year career, which was interrupted twice with military duties as a fighter pilot. Yet he seemed satisfied with those earnings and always enjoyed hitting baseballs as well as sport fishing in Florida. Continued on page 30
By Philip M. Farrell, MD, PhD
Payne Park and Sarasota Mobile Home Park in the 1950s. Located in heart of downtown Sarasota, this simple baseball stadium served fans for seven decades. Note the large number of mobile homes south of the park. Courtesy of Sarasota County Historical Resources from the James M. Johnson Collection with thanks to Larry Kelleher.
$5 off Resort-like, renovated property listed for sale in Sarasota Beach subdivision
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