August2014

SCENE SARASOTA | MANATEE

M AGA ZINE

SaraSota’S MaSterMind of MeMory Care innovation at Jim Soper, Ceo

Autumn of Sarasota

FUNNY MAN LES MCCURDY | BEACH READS | BUSINESS GLAM

masterful

elegance

maximum

livability

From the moment you enter the inviting courtyard with fountain, the Modena combines luxury & sophistication with casual living. Opening to the expansive Great Room/Dining Gathering space, you experience the flow of this home, appealing to families while also well-suited for guests & entertaining. Imagine a home management area conveniently located off the kitchen, a kitchen with a circular seating bar & an oversize walk-in pantry.

The den is uniquely designed with an elevated desk area & built-in dry bar. An outdoor tropical garden surrounds a spa-like master bath opening to a luxurious master suite with extra large closets & dressing area. Fire & water accent the exotic outdoor living space from the pergola-covered spa spilling into a Roman pool with 4 corner fire bowls to a personal putting green. There’s more...a Casita with a Club Room, covered Lanai & outdoor fireplace.

named winner of the prestigious

“best of houzz�

2013 awards

exquisite

style

Featured at The Concession the modena

visit the concession real estate sales office for your private tour of the modena by arthur rutenberg homes 7700 Lindrick Lane | Sarasota, FL 34202 | (941) 388-0501 Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm | Sunday Noon - 5pm | Tuesday by Appointment

INTRODUCING AN EXCEPTIONAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT CARE FACILITY...

Whether you need Skilled Nursing care or you need to “Bounce Back” after a major illness or trauma, the unique, not-for-profit facility that is Hawthorne Village of Sarasota has high quality healthcare and a full range of rehabilitative therapies.

MEDICAL CARE & SUPERVISION

SPECIALIZED REHABILITIATION SERVICES

• With its 120-bed Skilled Nursing facility, the amenities and services are exceptional • Personal Physician • 24-Hour Nurses • Highly-Trained Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapists • Registered Dietician and Nutritional Management • Social Services • Full-Time Activities Director

• Through the innovative “Bounce Back” program, you can Rehab, Recover, Return Home® • Interdisciplinary Team of Experienced Professionals • State-of-the-Art Therapy Equipment • Evidence-based care & Individualized Treatment • Physical, Occupational & Speech Rehabilitative Therapies • Case Management to Maximize Benefits • AJ’s Fitness Center at Hawthorne Village helps you focus on Flexibility, Strength Training, Balance & Endurance

ACCEPTING MEDICARE, PRIVATE PAY PATIENTS & MOST INSURANCES

CALL FOR YOUR PERSONAL TOUR 5381 Desoto Road | Sarasota, FL 34235 | 941.355.6111 | www.hawthornevillageofsarasota.com License # SNF130471051

EOE

Overlooking the bayfront, just minutes from all the shopping, dining, theatre, and the arts that make downtown so special, Sarasota Bay Club offers outstanding services and amenities that are personalized to fit your lifestyle. From complimentary valet parking to fine dining, the freedom to design the ideal retirement lifestyle is all yours.

Sarasota Bay Club ownership is carefree, with all maintenance included, and complete health care and award-winning rehabilitation services conveniently located on-site.

R

Full-Service Retirement Living On Sarasota Bay ~ Discover The Difference For Yourself!

Call To Schedule A Bay Club Tour Today!

Linda Ware or Dana Moe at (941) 552-3284 Discover just how much value Sarasota Bay Club has to offer.

1301 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34236

(941) 366-7667 Visit Us On The Web At

www.SarasotaBayClub.com

Senior Living August 2014

Volume 57 No. 8

64

38 AUTUMN OF SARASOTA Where Innovation Meets Personalized Care

HOME CARE PROFILES 43 Michael Juceam of Right at Home 47 Judy Cuppy of Senior Home Companions

44 AVOID FAMILY DISPUTES AFTER DEATH

By Sue Cullen

48 A NEW ERA OF UPSCALE SENIOR LIVING

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

48

52 COMFORTING CHOICES

By Susan Wilcox

BEACH READS 64 The Other Side of Starlight

By Darlin’ Neal

69 Ella

By Julieanna Blackwell

72 Spirit

By Don Bruns

COVER

Cover photo of Jim Soper by Herb Booth/Booth Studios. Cover concept by Grapevine Communications.

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Luxury living is right here, here, here and here.

Now you can get the new home you’ve always wanted in the area you love.

Enjoy the Sarasota-area’s incredible culture, beaches, and shopping in an innovative, energy-efficient home that’s designed for the way you want to live. Ashton Woods Homes is known throughout the industry for building homes with award-winning designs and offering home buyers a high level of personalization options.

1 From the Mid $300s (941) 228-9892

2

WHITAKER PARK From the High $200s (941) 556-9466

3 THE RETREAT From the Low $300s (941) 350-2182 Visit the model home at Palma Vista.

4

PALMA VISTA From the Mid $400s (941) 350-2182

© 2014 Ashton Woods Homes. Plans, specifications, prices, and available items are subject to change without prior notice or obligation, and may vary by elevation. Square footage is approximate, and subject to change without prior notice or obligation. Images are an artist’s conception, and not a guarantee of final specifications. Please contact an Ashton Woods Homes Sales Agent for details and additional information. Ashton Woods received the highest numerical score in United States in the proprietary Lifestory Research 2014 Most Trusted Builder in America StudySM. Study based on 43,200 new home shoppers in 27 markets. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed between January and December 2013. 5.14 CRC#1517613

DEPARTMENTS

35

20 EVENTS CALENDAR 24 PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR 27 FASHION Business Class Produced by John Revisky

35 CULTURE MATTERS Presented by The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

54

36 GIVING A Legacy of Success & Self-Sufficiency Steve Boone, Bob Rosinsky & Cliff Walters of Goodwill Manasota

By Jake Hartvigsen

54 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW Les McCurdy – Purveyor of Laughs

By Gus Mollasis

60 EDUCATION MATTERS The Friendship Centers

80

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

62 HEALTH MATTERS What is Trauma?

By Brian Kimbrell, MD

80 LITERARY SCENE

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

82 SCENE LOCALLY News Shaping Our Community

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Stuart J. Roth Founder and President

Salt & Light Productions is the award winning non-profit organization dedicated to providing multi-media program services to charities across the nation.

Salt & Light Radio WITH

Stuart J. Roth

Saturdays at Noon

WSRQ

1220 AM/106.9 FM

Salt & Light Radio with Stuart J. Roth shares compelling testimonies from people in our community who inspire us to greatness and action.

We strive to address many of the social, economic and spiritual issues confronting families and individuals in life’s most challenging situations. Our radio program reflects the same commitment to public service that has been exemplified by our video program services at Salt & Light Productions.

Our mission is to serve others and be a source of inspiration and encouragement to those less fortunate.

We remain cognizant that “to whom much is given, much is required.”

7357 Merchant Court • Sarasota, FL 34240 • Phone 941.487.4061 • Fax 941.487.4062

www.saltandlightproductions.org

FROM THE EDITOR

LIST YOUR PROPERTY WITH ME AND YOUR FORECLOSURE DEFENSE IS FREE!* At Solutions Realty, we work in conjunction with a Board Certified Real Estate Attorney to defend your foreclosure and negotiate your short sale approval.

S

enior living is a term that represents something different to all of us. For those blessed with good health, it is and should be

a wonderful time in life. Our community has an abundance of top notch retirement communities to choose from – all with different amenities, levels of care, and living options. We also have wonderful programs for seniors, which provide a host of things to do from games, to hobbies, to educational classes and a host of other options.

Yes, Sarasota/Bradenton is chock-full of things to do when you’re retired and in good health.

But what if you need care? Well, there’s also no place better than right here in our community.

In this issue, we take you inside Autumn, the new state-of-the-art facility especially designed for those with memory impairments such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other dementias. CEO Ken Sabo and his team designed Autumn in cooperation with the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute – a leader in dementia research. The facility promotes a philosophy of healthy living backed by the latest technologies. Hawthorne Village, right on the border of Sarasota and Bradenton, has also made a great name for itself. Opened just under two years, Hawthorne Village has quickly become a leader in senior care offering unparalleled medical care and supervision that combines alternative treatments with traditional medicine and also offers specialized rehabilitation services. Need home care? How do you know who to trust?

We profile two of the best care-giving services in Sarasota and put faces behind passionate

Our Company has a proven track record of success in listing and selling underwater property. We have helped many homeowners solve their real estate problems through a short sale. Call today to see if we can help you too.

and excellent home care.

Speaking of care of a loved one, my 87-year-old mother (sorry Mom, I gave your age away to SCENE readers!) recently fell and fractured her hip. Let me salvage my relationship with her by saying she is the youngest 87-year-old I have ever known. From the time of her arrival to Sarasota Memorial Hospital by ambulance, the care and attention she received was top notch – from the surgeon, to the anesthesiologist, to all of the nurses and staff, everyone was amazing. I especially want to give a big shout out to her surgeon, Dr. Edward Stolarski of Kennedy-White Orthopedics. Throughout the years, I have been with several loved ones for surgical procedures, but never have I met a surgeon as confident, caring, and patient as Dr. Stolarski. He brought clarity, calm and his incredible expertise to this arduous experience.

He even took the time to draw me a picture of my Mom’s fracture and explain in detail what he was doing! The bottom line is that every one of our area hospitals are excellent and my experiences at other local hospitals have also been stellar. This only proves that whether you need a hospital, assisted living or home care, or you never need any care in your life, we have

*Call today to learn more about our programs

(941) 302-4812

the best of everything for senior living right here.

Also in this issue, we were fortunate to get six top professionals with busy careers to take the time to pose for a fashion spread. Not only are they standouts in their careers, but boy, do they all wear clothes well! They are always dressed for success. A special thanks to John Revisky, the very talented producer and photographer who worked with these “non-models” and to his production assistant, Ringling College intern Ethan Berger.

259 South Links Avenue Sarasota, Florida 34236 www.solutionssarasota.com Michael B. Edwards, Broker

Their attention to perfection is incredible. Last, but certainly not least, we’ve gathered a few more short stories beautifully illustrated by Ringling College students for your summer “beach reading” pleasure.

See you in September!

Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Certified by National Association of Realtors

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Exclusive Kitchens and More The Kitchen is the Heart of your Home

MENTION THIS AD TO RECEIVE 10% OFF.

EXCELLENT QUALITY AND SERVICE FROM START TO FINISH Call for Your FREE In-Home Consultation • 941-580-9005

Visit our Showroom: 6051 N. Washington Boulevard, Sarasota FL 34243 • www.exclusivekitchensandmore.com

A S P E CTAC U L A R V I E W

of Living

Once you see Plymouth Harbor and meet the

– yet appreciate all of the thoughtful services and

people who call it home, you will change the

amenities that are part of the Plymouth Harbor

way you think about your future.

lifestyle. And they love the beautiful setting that

You’ll meet active, involved, independent-minded people. With vibrant residents from around the

looks like a first-class resort, but feels just like home.

world, our residents share a love of boating, a

If you love gracious living and the finer points of

passion for helping others, and a natural spirit of

a sunrise and a sunset over Sarasota Bay and

friendship.

the Gulf of Mexico, then Plymouth Harbor is the

Our view on whole person wellness emphasizes a multi-dimensional approach maintaining broad interests and a healthy lifestyle for an active mind and body. Our residents treasure the time they

place for you. Come see for yourself – and get a new perspective on retirement living. Call us today for a tour of our award-winning campus, luxury accommodations and amenities.

spend in their lovely, spacious apartment homes

A S P E C TA C U L A R V I E W O F R E T I R E M E N T 700 John Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236 • (941) 365-2600 • www.PlymouthHarbor.org A Not-For-Profit Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). OIR #88039

AT

LAKEWOOD RANCH

ONE PLACE. SEVENTEEN AGENCIES.

LOCALLY OWNED, OPERATED & PRINTED FOR MORE THAN 57 YEARS

ONE PURPOSE. For more than 23 years,

CEO/Publisher

Ronald Milton

Executive Editor

Julie A. Milton

Editor Business Development

Sue Engelhart Salena Wilhoit

the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center has been a place for low-income and at-risk

Account Executive

Tammy Whalen

individuals, families and children to find help when they need it most. Each dollar received serves a wide array of human service agencies who in turn help improve the lives of approximately 10,000 underserved community members per month.

Art Director Special Issue Director Distribution Contributing Writers

Michelle Cross Debbi Benedict Dick Jackson Debbi Benedict Sue Cullen Gus Mollasis Steven J. Smith Ryan G. Van Cleave

Photographers

Herb Booth Daniel Perales Cliff Roles

Please call or visit our website to learn more about how you can help make a difference.

Address

7269 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34241

Phone Fax Website

1750 17TH STREET, SARASOTA FL 34234 941.365.4545 • www.gs-humanservices.org Jay Berman, Executive Director jberman@gs-humanservices.org 18

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941-365-1119 941-954-5067 www.scenesarasota.com

SCENE Magazine publishes 12 issues a year by RJM Ventures, LLC. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address. Sufficient return postage and self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany all manuscripts, art work and photographs submitted if they are to be returned or acknowledged.

Publisher assumes no responsibility for care of return of unsolicited materials. Subscription price: $12.95 per year, $19.95 for two years. All contents copyrighted.

Reproduction without permission is prohibited. ISSN 1535-8895. scenesarasota.com

Family

is Life.

Enjoy it to the Fullest.

Member-owned since 1999, at Laurel Oak you will find very warm, welcoming, and friendly members. Whether you enjoy playing 36 holes of championship golf or hitting the balls on 12 har-tru tennis courts, swimming in a junior olympicsize pool, or like to socialize, dine and party with friends in a warm and inviting 45,000 sq ft clubhouse, we have a membership plan for your lifestyle. Don’t wait any longer. Call for your personal tour and enjoy family and life to the fullest.

CALL NOW FOR DETAILS OF OUR TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS

2700 Gary Player Blvd, Sarasota 941-378-3399 | www.laureloak.com

CALENDAR

August Calendar For a complete listing of community events please visit scenesarasota.com

Photo by Cliff Roles

Selby Gallery Exhibitions August 13 through September 20 Ringling College of Art + Design Selby Galleries I and II. Two exhibitions offer a distinctive perspective on the punk music scene through the lens of photographer Bobby Grossman and Target Video’s co-founder Jill Hoffman-Kowal. 941.359.7563 or 941.351.5100 | ringling.edu/selbygallery

Art Center’s 2nd Annual Florida Flavor Through August 15 Art Center Sarasota 10:00 a.m. State-wide juried exhibition across all four of the Art Center’s galleries, which showcases the exceptional artists who live and work in Florida. 941.365.2032 | artsarasota.org

Venice Theatre California Toe Jam August 16 Family friendly Good-Time Oldies Band. 941.488.1115 venicestage.com

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! e t Da

’ n i t uP t e h t ave

S

on the with

z iR tGala2014

the Sarasota

Orchestra

APPEARING DECEMBER 14, 2014 AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, SARASOTA

Contact: Lynne Georgette | 941.366.2224 | lgeorgette@jfcs-cares.org

BIRDIES FOR THE BRAVE

GOLF TOURNAMENT AT TPC PRESTANCIA NOVEMBER 10, 2014 - SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

HELP SUPPORT THOSE WHO SERVE US ALL!

FUNDS RAISED BENEFIT THESE MILITARY CHARITIES LOCALLY:

Homes For Our Troops

Operation Homefront

K9’s For Warriors

United Through Reading

Special Operation Warrior Foundation

Navy SEAL Foundation

A PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. program, Birdies for the Brave is a military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR that is dedicated to supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. TPC Prestancia, a Heritage Golf Group facility, along with the PGA TOUR, is honored to raise funds for Birdies for the Brave. Don't miss this opportunity to give back to help support these very deserving charities.

Sponsored By:

F E H E R T Y ' S

TROOPS FIRST F O U N D A T I O N

Green Beret Foundation

Military Warriors Support Foundation

Feherty's Troops First Foundation

CALL (941) 922-2800 EXT. 244 OR VISIT BIRDIESFORTHEBRAVE.ORG

Media Sponsor:

TPC Prestancia • 4409 Tournament Players Club Drive • Sarasota, FL 34238 • www.tpcprestancia.com

58th Annual Englewood Pioneer Days August 16 – September 1 Celebrates the town of Englewood with family-friendly events such as cardboard boat races, chalk painting and a parade. englewoodpioneerdays.com

Van Wezel’s Friday Fest on the Bay August 22 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 5:00 p.m.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for this summertime outdoor concert, featuring “SoulRcoaster.” Free 941.953.3368 | vanwezel.org

Historic Spanish Point Summer Concert Series Through August 30 7 – 10 p.m. featuring Lisa Ridings and Vertigo on Aug. 7, Caribbean night with the Trinidudes on Aug. 21, and The Gator Creek Band on Aug. 30. Tickets: $5 | 941.966.5214 | historicspanishpoint.org

Thomas Chimes Exhibition Through Oct. 26 The Ringling Works by Thomas Chimes will be presented from the permanent collection and feature an impressive 17-foot wide mural, preparatory sketches of the mural that show the artist’s working process, and a selection of portraits. ringling.org

The Ringling Art After 5 Through November 20 every Thursday 5:00 p.m.

Explore the art in the Museum of Art and Circus Museum or catch a romantic sunset on Sarasota Bay at Ca’ d’Zan. Enjoy music and insights into the collection through gallery discussions. Tickets: $5 - $10 | 941.

359.5700 | ringling.org

Upcoming Events 2nd Annual Yappy Hour September 6 TPC Prestancia clubhouse. Judy Landers, ‘80s sex symbol and screen siren, and her two beautiful daughters, Kristy and Lindsey, will host their 2nd annual “Yappy Hour” fundraiser benefitting Satchel’s Last Resort Animal Shelter & Sanctuary. yappyhour2014.com scenesarasota.com

Proud to Represent Sarasota & Manatee Counties LOCAL ROOTS TRUSTED LEADERSHIP REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE

To learn more, please visit

electgregsteube.com Paid Political advertisement. Paid for and approved by Greg Steube, Republican for State Representative, District 73 August 2014

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PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

BANYAN THEATER COMPANY 941.358.5330 / banyantheatercompany.com The Sty of the Blind Pig Through August 3 Set in the 1950s in Chicago’s south side, a 30 year old black woman who still lives with her old-fashioned, religious mother is emotionally awakened by an unexpected blind visitor.

Collected Stories August 7 - 24 Author Lisa Morrison, former student and confidante of Author Ruth Steiner, writes her first novel of Ruth’s experiences, most specifically her youthful, shattering affair with the poet Delmore Schwartz.

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE 941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org Clearly Invisible Through August 3 Magic Up Close with Carl Seiger combines illusion, jazz, and storytelling. While reminiscing about his life as a magician, Seiger invites audiences to find out what’s up his sleeves as he performs sleight of hand up close.

Out of Bounds Summer Match Up Through August 23 Every Saturday two improv teams take audience selections and duke it out for the most laughs in the Browne’s Lab Theatre.

Somewhere Over The Rose August 5 - 31 A tribute to the songs, styles and stories of Judy Garland and Bette Midler in the John C. Court Cabaret.

Taking Shakespeare Through August 17 A journey of an avid video game lover who seeks out an older Shakespeare scholar so he can bring the Bard’s words to life.

FUZIÓN DANCE ARTISTS 941.345.5755 / fuziondance.org New College of Florida Black Box Theatre August 2 - 3 End-of- summer performance produced and presented by Fuzión Dance Artists.

MANATEE PLAYERS 941.748.5875 / manateeplayers.com

This musical tells the story of an infant boy orphaned on the shores of West Africa.

THE PLAYERS THEATRE 941.365.2494 / theplayers.org Talking With August 7 - 17 An extraordinary series of monologues dealing with the personal ordeals of 11 compelling female characters.

SARASOTA BALLET 941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org Will Tuckett’s The Secret Garden August 8 - 16 The two-act production brings Frances Hodgson Burnett’s popular children’s novel to life.

SARASOTA OPERA 941.366.8450 / sarasotaopera.org Opera in HD: Sleeping Beauty August 28 - 31 Production from the Paris Opera. Choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev.

VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL 941.955.7676 / vanwezel.org Friday Fest August 22 Blankets, food, sunset and musical stylings from Etta to Gaga.

VENICE THEATRE 941.488.1115 / venicestage.com Cabaret Festival Through August 24 The 2nd Annual Summer Cabaret Festival will have 21 different acts performing throughout the festival. 941-488-1115 | venicestage.com

WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE 941.366.1505 / wbttsrq.com Marvin Gaye Prince of Soul Through August 10 This show begins in the 1950s at the start of Gaye’s career with Motown and follows its twists and turns until his untimely death in the mid-80s.

Disney’s TARZAN August 7 - 14

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DISH AFTER DISH AFTER DISH… IT’S WHAT WE LOVE TO DO CALL CAFÉ GABBIANO FOR ON- OR OFF-SITE CATERING FOR YOUR NEXT PARTY OR BUSINESS EVENT

5104 Ocean Blvd. | Siesta Key | 941-349-1423 | cafegabbiano.com OPEN DAILY 5PM-10PM. TASTING MENUS AVAILABLE SUNDAY TO THURSDAY.

Save the date

KEY TO THE CURE Saks Fifth Avenue Grand Opening Party Tuesday, October 14 5:30 to 9:00 Join us for the iconic event, Key To The Cure Celebrate the Grand Opening of Saks Fifth Avenue at The Mall at University Town Center.

TICKETS: $100 PATRON: $150 To register call 941.917.1286 or visit SMHF.ORG Saks Fifth Avenue | The Mall at University Town Center | 120 University Town Center Drive | | Facebook.com/keytothecuresarasota |

Center for Counseling and Mediation Services Offering a wide range of services to address emotional and behavioral issues experienced by children, adults and couples. Group and individual counseling can help alleviate unnecessary suffering.

Begin exploring new ways of: • Decreasing Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety • Handling Children and Adolescent Behavioral Issues • Building Parent-Child Bond • Improving Marital Relationships • Resolving Divorce and Co-Parenting Conflict • Navigating Life Adjustments

941-957-8266

Stephanie Hefner, MA Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern Certified Parent Educator

www.CenterForCMS.com 9080 58th Dr E, Suite #200 (located off I-75 and SR70) Stephanie@CenterForCMS.com Serving Manatee & Sarasota Counties

CLASS

Business Produced by

John Revisky

Hair & Makeup by Ana

Molinari

Production Assistant Ethan

Berger

Whether they’re at the board room table or the closing table, meet 6 top business professionals who know how to dress for success.

Robert Graham navy satchel. Missoni brown croc and leather heels. Etro navy iPad holder. Etro white and navy silk tie. Robert Graham “Godfather” sunglasses.

Ostrich 5 pocket business card holder.

Available at The Met, St. Armands Circle.

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Alex Miller Smart,

savvy and stylish, Mercedes Medical CEO Alex Miller’s leadership prowess has twice landed the privately-held national medical distribution firm on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing American companies. Having earned an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, Alex contributes her talents philanthropically to local not for profits, and through her publicly elected board seat at Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System. She is chairing this year’s Key to the Cure benefitting Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

Mercedes Medical 7590 Commerce Court, Sarasota, FL 34243 mercedesmedical.com

Vince perforated leather jacket, blouse & leather pants.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Sarasota.

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Michael Holderness

As a Sarasota native and licensed Realtor for nearly 20 years, Michael Holderness has a passion for the area. Michael is a third generation (top 1 percent) Realtor with his family’s brokerage, SaraBay Real Estate. He recently demonstrated his market optimism by purchasing an upscale boutique resort on Siesta Key. He enjoys donating his time to a few causes close to his heart and believes staying fit is the only way to maintain the energy to keep all the balls in the air.

SaraBay Real Estate mike@mikeholderness.com 941-725-0338

Samuelsohn tan & white wool, silk & linen windowpane sport coat. 100% cotton blue & white stripe shirt. Martin Freeman Private Label lime green silk knit tie. 100% Italian silk pocket square. Martin Freeman Private Label superfine cotton twill trousers. Available at Martin Freeman Clothing, Palm Avenue.

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Maria Brady

Skills honed from her pedigree as a New York dancer and choreographer, serve event planner Maria Brady, and her clients, very well. Whether the weddings and parties she plans are large and lavish or intimate and exquisite, Maria orchestrates them with rigorous attention to detail, just as she did for the many theatrical productions she mounted. The je ne sai quoi she imparts to her events is reflected in her own very special personal flair.

Choreographed Events 750 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 941-350-9403 www.choreographedevents.com

Marchesa Voyage stretch dress. Available at The Met, St. Armands Circle.

Erickson Beamon cuff. Available at June Simmons Jewelry.

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Matt Otto turned a drive to succeed

and an early entrepreneurial success into a thriving career as a Private Financial Advisor with SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. Matt provides comprehensive asset management and estate strategies for high net worth, accredited investors. He has earned a designation as a Certified Financial Planner and has received more than 50 awards during his career, including being named to the prestigious Barron’s Top Advisors roster three years in a row, 2010-2012. See http://online. barrons.com/report/top-financial-advisors?mod= BOL_Nav_TAD_other for criteria.

SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. 1777 Main Street, 7th Floor Sarasota, FL 34236 www.suntrust.com

Armani navy pattern suit. Van Laack lavender/pink polka dot shirt. Available at The Met, St. Armands Circle.

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Lynette Mancuso

, principal and co-founder of Burgess, Harrell, Mancuso, Olson & Colton, is a family law attorney with impressive credentials. She is double board certified in marital and family law and real estate law, Florida Supreme Court certified as a mediator, and Harvard trained in negotiations. Just as impressive on the personal side, Lynette is a fitness advocate whose no-limits attitude led her to achieve national ranking with the International Women’s Figure team — at age 50.

Burgess, Harrell, Mancuso, Olson & Colton 1776 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236 burgessharrell.com

Versace black and gold dress.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Sarasota.

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Greg Steube Service is a word with

which Greg Steube is familiar. For the past four years, he has represented Sarasota in the Florida House of Representatives. Greg is an attorney whose practice includes Government Law, Public Private Partnerships and Real Estate. He’s an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and served in the Army JAG Corps. Born and raised in Bradenton, Greg knows first-hand the advantages of being raised in a community like the Sarasota/Manatee area.

Becker & Poliakoff 6230 University Pkwy Ste 204, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 941 366-8826

Etro ecru/beige paisley sport coat. Eton white cotton shirt. Armstrong & Watson tie. Available at The Met, St. Armands Circle. scenesarasota.com

August 2014

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Park with Prestige...

Space is Limited!

Lots from $229k and Home/Lot Packages from $899k

The Concession Real Estate Company, Inc. | 7700 Lindrick Lane | Bradenton, FL 34202 For a private tour or more information, call our Sales Office (941) 388-0501 or visit www.theconcessionrealestate.com

ARTS & CULTURE PRESENTED BY:

1 1) The Secret Garden The Sarasota Ballet \ August 8 - 16 This full-length family-friendly ballet brings to life Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved novel “The Secret Garden”. Choreographer Will Tuckett, winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family, incorporates dance, puppetry, narration and a newly commissioned score that is sure to delight young and old. Premiering Aug. 8, nine performances will be held through Aug. 16 and then this enchanting ballet will open The Sarasota Ballet’s 24th season on Oct. 24.

Why It Matters: The Sarasota Ballet anticipates the community impact and appreciates the educational component of “The Secret Garden”. The team is collaborating with representatives from the Sarasota County School District to create a curriculum meeting current standards and incorporating the multiple educational elements of this production. It also has been working

2

closely with the Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child program, ensuring that all arts programming is expanded in the Sarasota region for children of all ages.

2) The Breakfast Serial Book Club Bookstore1Sarasota \ August 9 Kate Thomas and Jennifer McPheeters, Bookstore1’s newest booksellers, have teamed up to present two fun serial book clubs for kids. Each Saturday morning at 10:30, during the Picture Book Club, Thomas and McPheeters will delight three- to six-year-olds by reading aloud from the best of the picture books. The Breakfast Serial Book Club, for kids seven to nine, starts at 11:15 a.m. to read from chapter books sure to please this age group.

Why it Matters: These clubs reinforce kids’ natural love of stories and books. They are timed for Saturday mornings so parents and grandparents can come to downtown Sarasota for the Farmer’s Market, and then treat the children to an activity especially for them. Kids who attend get a free cereal bar — the “serial” book club, after all — and parents get 10 percent off purchases in the store.

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3) Tarzan The Manatee Players \ August 7 - 24 This is the Florida West Coast premiere of the Broadway stage version of the Disney animated classic “Tarzan”, which is in turn adapted from the 1914 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The upbeat music is written by one of the world’s bestselling recording artists Phil Collins. Manatee Performing Arts Center welcomes Brian Kleinschmidt in his Manatee Players debut as the title role of Tarzan. Brian honed his physical and acrobatic skills as one of the finalists in season 15 of CBS’s “The Amazing Race”. The abundant aerial dynamics are a highlight of this production--lots of bungee cord jumping, climbing, swinging, and flying. Coaching of these aerial maneuvers is overseen by On the Fly Productions, which can be seen currently on season 9 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”.

Why it Matters: Disney’s “Tarzan: The Musical” is a family friendly affair that has broad appeal to all generations of theatregoers. While entertaining, “Tarzan” offers real historical lessons that give one reason to pause and contemplate, such as British exploration, the colonization of Africa, and the effects of humans within the jungle setting. There are also relatable modern social wisdom themes of acceptance, bullying, and communication.

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GIVING

A Legacy of Success & Self-Sufficiency Steve Boone, Bob Rosinsky & Cliff Walters of Goodwill Manasota Story & Photo by Jake Hartvigsen Chances are, you think you are familiar with Goodwill Manasota.

“We don’t define people by what brought them here,” says Board

After all, last year alone, almost 700,000 local residents donated

Chair Steve Boone. “Instead, our goal is to provide them with the

to the non-profit agency that operates thirty-three collection sites

help they need in order to take that next step and achieve success.”

and more than a dozen retail and discount outlets in Sarasota,

Along with former board member and attorney Cliff Walters, both

Manatee, Desoto and Hardee counties. Those donations, which

men believe that Goodwill Manasota is one of the most efficiently

amounted to almost 37 million pounds of used goods collected

run and mission-driven organizations they have ever seen.

and sold, kept over 750 people employed and generated $30 million in revenues, for an overall economic impact of $81 million

Success and self-sufficiency are words that apply just as easily

back into the community.

to Goodwill Manasota as they do to the many people the organization serves. The Job Connection Program was the first of

Yet, if all that comes to mind when you think about Goodwill Mana-

its kind at a Goodwill in the United States and has become a

sota are donations and drop boxes, then you only know half the story.

model for other service agencies throughout the country. Also earning the organization recognition is its American Veterans

“We’re really in the human services business,” says president and

& Their Families Initiative, which recently received the Florida

CEO Bob Rosinsky, who has been part of the charity’s national

Veterans for Common Sense annual Thomas Paine Award for

organization for the past 43 years, and at the helm of the local

its impact on helping veterans transition back to civilian life

agency since 2013. “At the end of the day, our mission is to help

and employment.

people change their lives through the power of work and to give them the tools they need to become self-sufficient.”

Other innovations include the Good Partner Coaching Program, where community members work with individuals to help them

To achieve that mission, Goodwill Manasota partners with more

gain essential employment and life skills, and the Good Neighbor

than 200 area businesses and a host of other non-profits, to of-

Program, through which Goodwill offers free classes as well as

fer a comprehensive range of services to more than 16,000 in-

space in its community rooms for volunteer and service organiza-

dividuals and their families. Job training and placement, as well

tions to assist those in need. As with everything else at Goodwill

as assistance with clothing, interview skills and resume writing,

Manasota, all of these services are funded completely through pri-

are among its core services. But Goodwill also provides help to

vate donations and fundraising.

individuals seeking to finish GED or college course credits and to those who need ESOL tutoring, computer literacy courses and

“We are incredibly thankful for the generosity of individuals and

other forms of educational assistance.

businesses in our local community,” says Rosinsky. “It is only through their support that we are able to have the dramatic impact

Those served are often among the most vulnerable in our com-

we do on the lives of those who are less fortunate.”

munity, including veterans, people with disabilities, recent immigrants, victims of sexual abuse, homeless individuals and families,

To learn more about Goodwill Manasota, visit them online at

and parents with children who have special needs.

experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721.

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Autumn of SArASotA

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Where Innovation Meets Personalized Care By: John Butzko

For Autumn Senior Living, LLC CEO Jim Soper, keeping on the leading edge of memory care innovation has become a lifelong passion.

and management company bring decades of experience working together.

“The foundation for everything we do is based on treating residents with dignity and compassion, and respecting their individual choices,” said Soper. “I am just the facilitator in assembling an amazing, caring team that allows us to execute my vision for the communities we build.

Ultimately, this is home for our residents. We work and are here for them.”

A highly sought-after director of assisted living and memory care communities, Soper has spent his entire career Dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias can discovering and implementing innovations that enhance be difficult for any family. Many memory-related diseases the nuances of residents’ daily lives. When start out slowly and gradually worsen. his residents are happy, healthy, fulfilled For family caregivers, this means learning and enjoying the best care and amenities, According to the to manage the growing needs of a loved then he knows he’s been successful.

Alzheimer’s Association, one. With the increase in care-giving nearly 10 percent of all In his newest venture, Autumn of Sarasota, responsibilities comes the onset of stress, people over age 65, and Soper proudly brings his vision for which can negatively impact a person with up to half of those over technology and personalized care to life. dementia. When providing care becomes age 85 have Alzheimer’s or The state-of-the-art community opened its overwhelming, the best choice for families another form of dementia. doors this summer and has already changed and their loved ones with dementia is the world of memory care. to make the transition to a professional, compassionate living assistance community.

Designed by Soper’s team in cooperation with the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute – a leader in dementia research – Autumn of Sarasota promotes the benefits of nutrition, families, interaction and the freedom to explore.

This philosophy of healthy living is backed by the absolute latest technologies for resident safety and comfort. Such a positive environment comes as no surprise from a community managed by Soper’s Autumn Senior Living.

The owners of the assisted living facility development scenesarasota.com

That’s when Sarasota’s newest neighbor steps in to help.

Autumn of Sarasota was carefully planned by Soper and his team to work closely with families and deliver the continuation of care – all in a fun, safe, friendly-family atmosphere. “From our maintenance staff and our dining servers to our therapists, life enrichment team and more, we make a commitment to have a positive daily effect on the lives of those entrusted in our care,” said Soper.

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Local and Loyal. The way it should be.

Autumn Senior Living, LLC is an assisted living facility development and management company located in Sarasota, Florida. With over four decades of experience, the team has managed 45 properties totaling more than 3,600 units.

Special Considerations for Memory Care

Exceptional Care from the “Dream Team”

Autumn of Sarasota is a beautiful home setting with unsurpassed attention to detail. The campus is brimming with a range of effective services, treatments and memorycatered environments designed by experts in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These aspects foster the freedom of exploration and the pursuit of personal choices. “Our At Autumn of approach was to create a Sarasota, residents community that embraces what are always treated healthy living with Alzheimer’s like family, not and other dementias is really patients or tenants. about,” said Jack DePizzo, Chairman of Autumn Senior Living. “The result is a home that encourages residents to live well, enjoy every day and make every moment count.”

At Autumn of Sarasota, residents are always treated like family, not patients or tenants. “Here we are, one big family – staff, volunteers, residents and their loved ones, all blending together perfectly to create the homelike, comfortable and enjoyable place that is Autumn of Sarasota,” said Soper.

Special memory care measures at Autumn of Sarasota are found in the smallest of places, yet most noticeable with the “yellow brick road” that stretches along the hallways.

Dark colors on the floor can give the perception of a hole to people with dementia. The bright and inviting yellow brick road lets residents assimilate to their surroundings and know the walkway is safe. It also helps them flow through the different community areas and experience daily opportunities to socialize.

Smart Living at Autumn of Sarasota

Additional memory care considerations throughout the community include no-threshold entries, neutral interior décor, natural ambient lighting, recessed hallway doors and rounded corners. But it’s the caring staff that makes the difference. Autumn of Sarasota has a full team of professionals who are specifically trained to work with people in all stages of dementia. This experience goes a long way to enhance residents’ lives.

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Highly trained staff members are the foundation of Autumn of Sarasota’s caring philosophy. They interact, observe, support and enjoy the uniqueness of each resident. Caregivers meet regularly to discuss each resident’s changing needs. This ensures consistency, appropriate care levels and optimal administration. For example, a resident may begin to respond differently to care-giving styles at varying times of day. Sharing this information among team members and families benefits residents in many ways. The more the team learns about their residents, the happier and more secure the residents feel.

Technology is a big contributor to creating safe, independent lifestyles for memory care residents. Safety at Autumn of Sarasota begins with the “Smart Door” system. Each resident’s door knows who should enter – and prevents the chances of unwanted visitors. If a resident goes to their correct room, the door automatically unlocks. All access to a resident’s apartment is electronically logged. The system also notifies the nurse if the resident needs help to find the right room. This technology is made possible through intelligent wristband sensors, which also aid in monitoring movement throughout the community.

Smart living continues with wireless eMAR (Electronic Medication Administration Record) bar code technology to record, monitor, and ensure correct medication and dosage.

Bosch emergency call systems are also on hand, which allow residents to call for help with the push of a button.

scenesarasota.com

Built to Weather the Storm...

Cat 5 Hurricane-Rated Construction Autumn of Sarasota is a designated safe place for hurricane protection, so families of residents don’t have to make special accommodations in the threat of a severe storm. The staff is always prepared for the worst-case scenario should a hurricane head our way.

• Emergency supply kits and response teams • Special contacts for local emergency and utility services • Staff trained to ease the anxiety or disorientation residents may experience

Active Neighborhood Lifestyles Autumn of Sarasota has four distinct neighborhoods with just 20 residents living in each one. A stroll along the hallways feels like a walk through a safe, friendly community amid the soothing glow of natural light. A number of comfortable sitting areas encourage residents to relax and interact with friends and neighbors. Neighborhoods are color-coded and have artistic sculptures to bolster orientation and familiarization. These features keep residents mindful that their home is nearby.

Each private home has an entryway reminiscent of a front porch, complete with a charming white railing, a “parking spot” for a wheelchair, and a mailbox for daily letters, newspapers or correspondence. Just beside the front door is a special “memory box,” where families can place pictures, treasured keepsakes and other personal items to stimulate memories and make the home special to the resident.

“We want our residents to always feel at home,” Soper says. “Our memory boxes do wonders to create a cognitive

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experience with every return to the doorstep.” Residents are free to customize their rooms as they please, including the furnishings. If they wish to use their own furniture, Autumn of Sarasota will even pick up the necessary pieces from the resident’s former home and move them into their room.

A Focus on Fun and Personal Choices From a delectable assortment of nutritious gourmet dining choices 24 hours a day to an invigorating mix of daily activities and a full calendar of events, residents of Autumn of Sarasota have an exciting new world of options to pursue as they wish. They can spend quiet afternoons by therapeutic gardens, sip a refreshing beverage at the Mediterranean juice bar, rejuvenate at the in-house beauty salon, enjoy a wealth of luxurious amenities, or visit with friends in a number of common areas. Autumn of Sarasota also offers engaging learning opportunities, with art classes, cooking demonstrations and more.

Hands-on family involvement is important to ensure residents have what they need to live happily, comfortably and safely. The team at Autumn of Sarasota works with families to build a personalized schedule filled with fun activities that focus on past skills, remaining skills and things that really inspire the individual. The goal here is to support the continuation of the experiences that have brought residents pleasure and boosted their self-esteem throughout their lives. “We constantly celebrate each person’s past while recognizing his or her present potential,” said Soper. “At Autumn of Sarasota, every day is about quality of life, encouragement, compassion, and physical and emotional support.”

Now Welcoming New Residents

The best way to experience a new world of memory care for you or your loved one is by visiting the property at 3251 Proctor Rd., Sarasota. To schedule a private tour call 941.444.9398 or VisitAutumnOfSarasota.com August 2014

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Michael Juceam

of Right at Home

B

uilding a team with the ability to listen well, understand individual needs, and deliver the right solutions has helped Michael Juceam position Right at Home ® as one of the area’s leading providers of home care services. Right at Home is licensed to provide all three levels of home care from companion care for help with household tasks like cooking and light housekeeping, personal care for daily tasks like getting dressed and hygiene, and skilled nursing care by an LPN or RN. Offering this full range of services allows for seamless continuity of care as needs increase over time while allowing the individual to remain in their home safely.

Ultimately, however, what Juceam and his team do is solve care problems for which individuals and families have been unable to provide solutions, and some of those may even involve the use of technology. The company, as part of its RightCare philosophy, just launched a new smartphone app, Right Assure, providing reminders for taking medications and allowing home monitoring. Reminders require a response from the individual, and if he or she responds in the negative or not at all, an email

Right at Home scenesarasota.com

or text is sent to a designated responder who checks on the person. For an increased level of monitoring, Right at Home offers other solutions that alert remote caregivers to changes in behavior patterns that may signify changes in health. These technologies provide peace of mind cost effectively in situations where someone is not yet ready for in-person assistance.

The RightCare approach, providing the right solutions at the right time, in a continuum of care, has helped Right at Home double sales in the past four years and grow to a staff of more than 170 caregivers. Caring about the population they serve starts with Juceam who is a board member and past president of the Sarasota County Aging Network and chair of Right at Home’s national marketing council and a member of its President’s Circle for four years. He is also on the board of the Home Care Association of America and sits on Health South’s Consumer Advisory Board. Right at Home also supports community organizations including the Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Associations and First Tee youth golf. Juceam chairs the annual Senior Friendship Center golf fundraiser and serves as a member of the Heart Walk Leadership Council.

2344 Bee Ridge Rd #103 | Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941-929-1966 | www.seniorcaresarasota.com August 2014

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E. John Lopez & John Compton of Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A. Photo by Daniel Perales

How to Avoid

Family Disputes After Death

By Sue Cullen

Making plans and talking with family about what will happen after we’re no longer with them can be as uncomfortable as contemplating their world without us. However, it can be more painful to know that avoiding difficult decisions and conversations all too often leads to permanent rifts in even the most loving families.

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“In the estate planning field, we too frequently see a

disability or impairment. These documents help ensure an

happy family situation until the death of one or both par-

individual’s healthcare, end-of-life decisions, and distribu-

ents,” said attorney John Lopez, a shareholder of Norton,

tion of assets are handled as he or she wishes. Minimally,

Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos. “The level of animosity

these consist of a Will, trust or both, healthcare directives

among siblings post death can be very high. We see bit-

and the appointment of a surrogate to make decisions if

ter disputes and sometimes legal battles, so when we sit

the individual is incapable, and a power of attorney autho-

down with a client, that is something we work to avoid.”

rizing a designate to handle financial affairs, Lopez said.

Situations arise in families that clients never would have

Larger, more complex estates may require additional plan-

foreseen, which is why a carefully thought out estate plan

ning for tax and other purposes.

with the assistance of experienced professionals who have

For those who do no planning at all, the state of Florida

helped many families can make the difference between

spells out how the assets will be split. If someone is mar-

harmonious or acrimonious relationships among family

ried, assets are divided between a surviving spouse and

members in the future.

children in a set formula. “For later-in-life second mar-

The first step to a congenial transition between genera-

riages this can present special problems, which is why we

tions is having an up-to-date estate plan in place with the

recommend prenuptial agreements,” Lopez said. “Without

proper ancillary documents for decision-making in case of

a prenup or estate planning documents, spouses are auto-

August 2014

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matically entitled to 30 percent of the estate and half the

the power to remove a trustee and name a new corporate

house or the right to remain in it for the rest of their lives

fiduciary.” A corporate fiduciary from a large institution

even if the couple has been married only a short time.

also has a host of expertise to call upon, for example, if

These issues need to be thought out and addressed, and

farmland or other specialized assets are involved.

a prenuptial agreement can let the couple delineate what they want to provide each other.”

With recent changes providing for much higher exemptions, particularly between husband and wife, people also

As vital as these documents are, people often wait

can be under the impression that they don’t even need a

to address estate issues until there is some precipitating

trust, but again, thinking through individual circumstances

event. “These are not fun things to think about,” said at-

can help protect their heirs. “We’ve seen situations where

torney John Compton, a Norton Hammersley shareholder,

clients left all of their money in a lump sum to their chil-

“but it is difficult to think things through thoroughly when

dren who subsequently lost a significant amount through

someone is heading to Australia for vacation or going into

divorce, bad investments, lawsuits, creditor claims, and

the hospital for a procedure or health crisis. We see this

many other circumstances,” he said. “A trust could have

all too frequently.”

protected them, and realistically, we tell clients if you have

Rushing to get a Will in place can mean that vital considerations do not get addressed as they should. “A lot of

four children, statistically two of them will get divorced, and there are ways to plan around that.”

our clients come from other states like New York or Ohio

Likewise, with the proliferation of Internet document

that are very aggressive in collecting state tax,” Compton

services, people can get the impression that creating a Will

said. “Often people still have interests in those states, a

is a routine matter that can be handled with generic legal

home or business and maybe their CPA or financial plan-

boilerplate. Unfortunately, as some have learned, saving a

ner is there. Those states will try to claim them as residents

few dollars on the paperwork can be extremely costly for

for tax purposes. It is important to talk with an estate plan-

loved ones. “We had a situation where a wife did her own

ning attorney about that, and if things are done in a rush,

will on line, and there was a small glitch in the wording

critical issues may be overlooked and be detrimental to

that caused a huge problem with the estate,” Lopez said.

their heirs.”

“It led to a battle among the surviving husband, an ex-hus-

Similarly, in one common situation where an adult child

band, and the children, which created sizeable legal fees

cares for Mom and Dad in their last years, it is helpful to

all because she wanted to save $500 or $1,000. I don’t

discuss whether that child will be paid or receive a larger

think people realize how in depth we go when planning

share of the estate, or not, Lopez said. “It’s better to ad-

their estates. We talk with their accountants and financial

dress those issues early on so children who will not be

planners. It’s a team approach.” Having a highly creden-

compensated can make their own decision and, if they

tialed and experienced attorney helps assure that these

will be compensated, that other siblings understand why

issues are raised and addressed. For instance, both Lopez

that decision is being made. When that is not done, it can

and Compton have Masters of Law in Taxation in addition

create a lot of ill will.”

to Juris Doctorates, and Lopez also is board certified in tax

So can appointing one sibling to administer an estate

law and Wills, trusts and estates law by the Florida Bar.

or trust on behalf of other siblings. That situation can be

Because life doesn’t remain static and nor does the

avoided by naming a corporate fiduciary at a bank or other

law, estate documents rarely are “done” once and for all.

financial institution, although some people resist the idea

“Of course, if there are changes in the law, we notify our

for fear the fiduciary will be inflexible or will change due

clients,” Lopez said, “but it’s important to review docu-

to turnover, and they’ll be left with someone they don’t

ments every few years. People get married and divorced

like. Others fear costs will be excessive.

or children come along, and these changes need to be

“We recommend clients appoint a corporate fiducia-

considered.” Even with all of the right plans in place, the

ry. It takes a lot of stress off families, and fiduciaries are

individual still has a role in helping their loved ones retain

insured, experienced professionals who understand the

strong bonds after they are gone through good commu-

complicated rules of trust administration and keep up with

nications. “People ask us if they should tell their children

ongoing changes through continuing education,” Compton

what they’ve done. We know these are tough issues to dis-

said. “Even if an individual’s children are highly competent

cuss, but when it gets swept under the rug, it can become

professionals, do they actually have the time to devote to

a huge problem,” Lopez said. “It is an individual situation,

administering a trust or estate? Costs today are often times

but we think it is better they understand the reasons why

compressed into a single fee that is only slightly higher

the estate is set up in a certain way. That is much easier

than the fees most people are paying to invest their funds

than having to deal with a possible shock when they learn

anyway, and as a precaution against being assigned a fidu-

the terms, and then are trying to guess the reasons why

ciary a client doesn’t like, we give most trust beneficiaries

while they also are dealing with their own grief.”

Connect: Business & Tax Law Group: John Compton & E. John Lopez

Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos | 1819 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941-954-4691

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Judy Cuppy

of Senior Home Companions

S

enior Home CompanionsSM, founded locally by Judy Cuppy, has been an innovative leader in home health care since 1992. The company was one of the first businesses in Florida to provide in-home care for those who need help with daily activities because of injury, illness, aging or dementia. Cuppy found that many seniors responded positively to caregivers, including Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides, and homemaker companions who also were seniors and pioneered the idea of care built around “for seniors by active seniors®.”

Senior Home Companions provides services on an hourly or live-in basis that include help with personal care like bathing and dressing, meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, and even with shopping and errands. Because it is a local company and pays no franchise fees, Senior Home Companions offers one of the most affordable rates in the area.

Being a state licensed Nurse Registry of independent contractors allows seniors the freedom to make special requests regarding their caregivers including choosing someone closer to their own age or who is fluent in a particular language. Caregivers for Senior Home Companions also receive a higher percentage of fees meaning it is easier to attract compassionate, reliable, and trustworthy individuals. In addition, Cuppy visits the home of each client to understand their needs, and she goes one step further by visiting each caregiver in his or her home to get a better sense of the person helping to create a good match with clients. This personal scrutiny is in addition to ensuring they meet guidelines for mandated national background checks and other state requirements.

Cuppy recently has created an innovative Concierge Services for those needing anesthesia for a medical or dental procedure. A four-hour package at just $80 provides a personal caregiver to transport the individual and wait for them at the facility, get them back home safely and settled in with a light meal, monitor status, and communicate with medical personnel if necessary. Adding such useful services stems from Cuppy’s active participation in her field and dedication to the community. The Sarasota County Commissioners appointed her to its Senior Advisory Council and her volunteer efforts have been recognized by the governor’s office during Senior Volunteer Week and by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Cuppy also is active on the Advisory Board of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and with Senior Friendship Center, Sarasota Women’s Alliance, International Women’s Forum, PEO, and many other organizations.

Senior Home CompanionsSM scenesarasota.com

2447 Bee Ridge Rd. | Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941-924-0494 | www.seniorhomecompanions.com August 2014

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A New Era Upscale Senior Living

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

“If you invest in beauty,

it will remain with you all the days of your life.”

– Frank Lloyd Wright

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When my father-in-law succumbed to a stroke in February, my 60-something mother-in-law was left in the position that more and more Americans face — living alone as a senior American.

In fact, seven out of 10 Baby Boomer women — those born between 1946 and 1964 — are expected to outlive their husbands by 15 to 20 years. What is my mother-in-law supposed to do? Stay in Chicago where she has a house that’s too big for her, a yard that needs constant upkeep, and a sizable driveway that needs regular snowplowing throughout the long winter?

She’s open to relocating and is learning that the world is responding to the growing older population by creating retirement communities that are vibrant, thriving, and active.

When my mother-in-law quits her job and decides to start visiting her grandkids to check out her new living options, I’ll be taking her to Sarasota Bay Club, which is just one of our area’s examples of the new era of retirement living.

“I used to work at a terrific retirement community on the east coast of Florida,” says SBC’s Director of Sales and Marketing Linda Ware. “I thought it was the best, but then I found Sarasota Bay Club.” What she learned was that SBC isn’t just your average retirement community — it’s a way of life where people thrive and age gracefully. From health care options to dining services to the campus amenities, everything is designed to make one’s quality of life first class.

A Culinary Experience

Part of what makes a retirement community feel luxurious is having a dining experience that feels like a five star restaurant. SBC has casual, formal, and private dining venues, plus meal delivery and continental breakfast options. What stands out is the commitment to serving the freshest food possible. Roderick Anderson, the Food and Beverage Manager, says they buy a lot from local food co-ops, including vegetables and honey from Hunsader Farms right here in Bradenton. About their fresh and never frozen salmon: “It comes from an incredible fish farm on the northeast coast of Scotland,” says Anderson, “a place known for being a leader in sustainable practices. This salmon is used by many of the best restaurants throughout the U.S. and the U.K.” scenesarasota.com

Sarasota Bay Club also has introduced a Mediterranean Diet item on the dinner menu to go along with the health programs at SBC, and the new menu format now offers healthy and low-sodium options, such as Summer Vegetable Tartlet (with Laurel Chenel goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, Japanese eggplant, zucchini blossom, and caponata) or olive oil poached Scottish salmon. For those open to a wider menu, there’s Berkshire braised pork and pancetta-wrapped loin or a slow-roasted chicken with Herbs de Provence. Add in some of that Vichyssoise soup and I might have to swing by for lunch one weekday.

The Retirement Lifestyle “I love it here,” says Carole Scutt Malcolm, the first person to purchase into SBC in 1998, back when it was little

"Murder At The Circus" cast with director Jill Ross August 2014

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Far left: Jean Betty Weiner as Wilma Whipet

Left: Sarasota Bay Club resident Shirley Fein

more than a field of wild overgrowth. Thanks to the many activity and club options SBC made available, Malcolm “began doing things I would not have had the opportunity to do as easily elsewhere, and maybe never would have made the effort if it hadn’t been available right here.” In what does she participate? She enjoys acting in theatre groups, and participating in memoirs/creative writing and poetry groups. She also attends many of the high quality live entertainment events and attends numerous lectures and classes. Like Carole, most of the residents are quite active. Take Florence Katz, for instance. She’s in her late 90s, but in 2013 she was the Florida winner of the Salute to Seniors Award thanks to her twice-a-week work at Jewish Family and Children’s Services. She helps serve lunch to more than 120 seniors, including disabled and homebound people. Her goal? “To make people smile.” She does exactly that, with many diners saying it’s the best meal they’ve had all week.

Relatively new residents, Lynn and Tom Skonicki, agree that a major benefit of SBC is “choices, choices, choices, whether it be activity choices, entertainment choices, or dinner companion choices.”

Plus they’re quick to point out that they never tire of their 10th floor view of the sunsets, boating, rainstorms, and the SBC campus grounds themselves, which border Sarasota Bay. On their first day at SBC, a resident came up to them and said, “You know what’s wrong with this place? Nothing.”

One of the things that’s right about SBC is the ongoing effort to keep the culture of lifelong learning strong. To this end, Jill Ross, Lifestyle Director, developed and implemented an improvisational theatre annual murder mystery. Residents helped write the script and they also performed the roles in this year’s mystery, “Murder at the Circus” to 150 residents, friends, and family members. For her work, Ross received an award from the International Council on Active Aging’s Innovator’s Achievement Award.

What’s Next for my Mother-in-Law? Ware says one of the challenges people face is waiting too long to move to a retirement community.

“A lot of times, people say they’re not ready, and they wait. But by the time they’re ‘ready,’ they’ve got physical or mental issues that keep them from qualifying.” I’m not looking to force anyone into any situation, but I have a sneaking suspicion that showing my mother-in-law SBC’s dining menu, plus the information on the 24-hour concierge service, the art studio, the massage and skin therapy salon, and the many optional clubs to join might go a long way toward convincing her that the “Leave it to Beaver” era of retirement communities is a light year away from the type of living available now for people in their golden years. For more information about Sarasota Bay Club, please visit www.sarasotabayclub.net or call (941) 366-7667.

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COMFORTING

CHOICES

By Susan Wilcox

You probably realize that we are currently undergoing a “graying� of our population. A glance around shops, restaurants, and roads confirms the data that says our country is rapidly aging. Magazines, newspapers and the Internet are filled with articles analyzing the implications of a population with almost 13 percent of the people aged 65 and over. You may even be wincing at the number of candles on your own birthday cake.

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In Manatee County, the statistics are even higher with almost one-quarter of its residents over 65. Every day, more and more people are confronted with the challenges of aging as they struggle to care for elderly parents or spouses or to maintain their own independence as they get older. Caregiver stress is a common problem and people face isolation and burn out trying to cope alone.

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee offers a number of resources for seniors and their loved ones. As their name implies, they deliver meals to homebound people, but the “Plus” encompasses so much more. “Our Daybreak program offers respite care for people who can no longer be safely left alone,” says Marketing Manager Jill McGarry. “Often, caregivers are still working or need some personal time and they know that their loved ones will be able to participate in activities and enjoy some time with other people.”

The Senior Enrichment Center is Manatee County’s hub for programs for the “Fun and Over50” crowd. “We have recreational, cultural and educational programs and a great bistro that is open to the public,” McGarry says. “Social isolation can be a problem for older people so they come here, have lunch and then take one of our classes.”

Despite interim programs such as day care or home health care, many people find they can no longer provide a safe environment or afford home health care which means that long term care placement is necessary. A new trend in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities takes a more holistic approach to patient management, realizing that people adjust better and are happier when their surroundings are beautiful and home-like. Hawthorne Village Healthcare and Rehabilitation is one of the area’s premier examples of this new way of thinking.

Hawthorne Village

Located just south of the Manatee County line on DeSoto Road, Hawthorne Village focuses on patient-centered care.

Margie Ferrino, Director of Marketing and Hospital Liaison, says, “We don’t use a cookie-cutter approach. Instead we tailor a patient’s schedule to fit his or her needs.” Hawthorne Village is arranged with four “neighborhoods,” each with its own dining center and activities appropriate to the level of care needed. They combine alternative treatments with traditional medicine, offering amenities such as massage, whirlpool baths, and a serenity room complete with waterfall and fireplace. “We find that these are very calming, which can help with dementia patients’ agitation. Many of our Alzheimer’s patients wake up with more clarity if they have had a relaxing activity like a whirlpool bath and a small snack just before bed, rather than using prescription medicines.”

What is ahead for treatments of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients? Dr. Andrew Keegan, Associate Director of the Roskamp Institute, said that they currently have five new medications undergoing clinical trials. In the meantime, Keegan says that the best preventive care is to do the things your mother told you to do, “Eat right, exercise, socialize with friends, and get a good night’s sleep.”

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Scenes from an Interview:

Les McCurdy

Purveyor of Laughs by Gus Mollasis

As the old saying goes, “dying is easy and comedy is hard.” For Les McCurdy, that’s simply not true. Laughs have come easy to him for most of his life, and this year he celebrates 25 years of bringing laughs to Sarasota on a new stage at McCurdy’s Comedy Club and Humor Institute.

Together with his wife, Pam, they are poised to do what they always have done to Sarasota audiences and that’s “kill them.” In comedy terms that means you had a good night. The couple have had many good and funny nights in this town, and Les attributes much of his success to his partnership with Pam and best friend and partner Ken Sons. Les is a purveyor of laughs and someone who knows how to laugh himself. Thankfully for us he found his way to Sarasota from Tennessee and this town has been a whole lot funnier ever since. I recently visited Les at his club’s brand new downtown location on Ringling Boulevard. As I sat there, I thought of that old Bob Hope theme song, “Thanks for the Memories,” while gazing at photos of the comedy headliners who have “killed” under the McCurdys’ roof. Chris Rock, David Brenner, Tommy Chong, and so many more have found a home on Les’ stage. Then a framed slogan on a freshly painted Green Room wall hit me like a well told punch line: “It’s your friends’ faces and the funny places that make each moment a memory.” Why move the comedy club? It moved so that they could keep making memories and friends for many more nights and for me, new memories were forever etched as I sat down with this funny man and took a look at some of the scenes from an interview of his life.

Where were you born?

Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Were you always funny as a kid?

My family was funny. I grew up around a lot of women at a time when women stayed home. They were all real

Tell me a joke that describes the place that you came from.

funny and gregarious. I had an uncle who was hilari-

There’s no quick joke. Get ready because it’s going to take

ous and the life of the party. I was not the class clown.

a while. I’m not Henny Youngman. It ain’t going to be a

Sometimes I would look at the class clown as someone

one liner. Chattanooga is an Indian name that means a

who was just kind of being silly. I was sarcastically very

rock. They’re not creative there. Good people, rock sol-

funny. I could be cutting.

id, salt of the earth people. You know they’re not creative by the way they’ve named all the other communities. East

What or who made you laugh growing up?

Ridge, where I’m from, they named because it’s east of

My Uncle Jug. He was outrageous. He was the guy who

the ridge. As if we’re not already a bunch of backwater

said stuff he shouldn’t say around the kids. He told you

rednecks, they had to name one of the towns Hixson as

stories that your parents wished he wouldn’t tell you.

in “Hick son.” You’re a hick, son. There’s even a beautiful

He was a college football player, a Korean War veteran,

place called Suck Creek. That’s the name of the town Suck

a tough guy. He knew I was into theater and stand-up

Creek. The joke is that pubescent boys go there, and it’s

comedy but I don’t think he ever saw me perform. He’s

kind of a right of passage. (Laughs)

in the show, and it’s a true story. He hated it when teen-

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agers drove too fast because of all the kids. He hears these

the stand-up comedy epiphany was, “Can I take my own

teenagers in a loud car flying fast through the neighbor-

words?” I knew I could take other people’s scripted words

hood. He misses them, and that pisses him off. He hears

and make them come to life. When stand up introduced

them coming back, which is a big mistake. He literally runs

itself to me several years later, the challenge was, “Can I

out in the front yard wearing boxer shorts with a shotgun

write my own stuff?”

pistol. The kids turn the corner and wham! Wham! He shoots that pistol twice over the top of the car and screams,

If you weren’t doing this, what else would you like to have

“There’s children out here! Are you out of your mind?”

done?

That was him. No one called the police. In the neighbor-

Be a college professor. I teach now, and I love to teach, but

hood, they heard the gunshot and said, “Oh it’s just Jug.”

if I was going to teach I would love to teach at that level with students who are all motivated to be there.

Whose comedy albums were you listening to in the early days?

Bill Cosby’s “Chicken Heart” routine, Smothers Brothers

Do you believe in that old adage of having to experience a

“Mom Always Liked You Best,” album, that kind of stuff.

lot of pain to develop great comedy skills?

The other comedy for our generation was the Tonight Show

I took issue with this in an interview once. There is this

and before that the Ed Sullivan Show. That’s where you saw

recurring theme that we are all damaged goods, and that’s

stand ups back then. You didn’t see them otherwise. In the

the reason we have become stand ups. This reporter

South, the only comedy we had was just silly Minnie Pearl.

thought that was very true based on his own experiences. I

Storytelling that was really silly. It wasn’t fast one liners. It

disagreed with him and said, “That’s simply not true. I had

was long stories.

a wonderful time growing up.” To which he replied, “Yeah, and you’re not funny.”

Is there a movie scene that no matter how many times you see it makes you laugh?

When I was a little kid, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”

Tell me how you met your wife and what she has taught you about life.

made me laugh so hard. I had never laughed like that be-

We are still in love like when we first met. I’ve known her

fore. I was laughing uncontrollably, and I was probably six

since she was 21 years old. We were both waiting tables

or seven years old. I couldn’t believe it. It was one after

at Bennigan’s and she was getting her master’s degree. We

another. Now you watch it, and it’s a little goofy. All of the

didn’t hit it off at first. We just ended up getting off work

Cheech and Chong movies and Caddy Shack, too. That

at the same time one night, and she was actually casually

was our generation. They all make me laugh.

dating one of the bartenders who was a friend of mine.

We were all hanging out at his house. I said I was going to

Was there a moment that you said, I’m funny…I can do this?

hang out at my favorite place on Siesta Key and she asked

It was when I was in Memphis. I had moved there from

if I would like any company. She thought I meant the Sum-

Chattanooga to go to college. I dropped out of college and

merhouse, but I meant the Beach Club. To me she is just as

started working bars. Haphazardly, I ended up in the the-

stunningly attractive as she was then. The fact is she was

ater department by a complete fluke. The first main stage

theater trained and was never business trained. She never

play that I auditioned for, I got a part, and the part was the

saw herself that way, but in our relationship that was the

centerpiece of this “Our Town” type of play. There was a

role that needed to be taken on if we were going to do this.

monologue called “Back County Crimes.” The character I

She naturally took it on. She is brilliant.

played was the stranger, and he was a mass murderer. I’m

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standing on stage all alone, and the material is macabre,

You and your partner Ken Sons go way back. What makes

dark humor. And I got big laughs. I remember that first time

your relationship work?

I did it after all those rehearsals in front of a packed theatre

We’ve been friends since we were five. How do you be-

of four or five hundred people. You don’t know how any of

come friends when you are five years old? Our moms drove

this is going to go. You have just been working in rehearsal.

us to Cub Scouts together. We always enjoyed hanging out

Every single moment where I had an opportunity to get a

together. We grew up just three blocks apart. It’s about

laugh, I got a big laugh. After that night, I said, “Well, I

trust. That’s what bonds a friendship. It’s one thing to like

can do this. I can take words and make it happen.” Then

each other. It’s another thing to truly trust each other. Ken

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took a leap of faith. He had his degree in special education

guy opened clubs in Tampa, St. Pete and Sarasota so we

and elementary education and was already working. I had

went to Tampa first but it was too far from the beach. We

a theatre degree, and we kind of hooked back up together.

came down to Sarasota to check it out and found a cool

He was always interested in film, and I got him to go down

little house on Siesta Key. The people who owned it just

to the Comedy Works in Denver where he was living while

loved us, and we hung out with them. They basically gave

I was in Los Angeles. We wrote a comedy sketch to film,

it to us for what we could afford – a $1,200 place for $350

and I know well enough that you can trick yourself into

a month. Well that introduced us to Sarasota, and we fell

thinking that something is very funny if you don’t test it in

in love with it.

front of people. You have to put it in front of a crowd, not at a party of your friends, but in front of people who don’t

What makes Sarasota a funny place?

know you and see if it’s funny. Ken took a leap of faith. He

Every place is a funny place. It just matters how you cock

had not really been on stage before. He did it. He liked it,

your head. Every comedian who comes here, by the second

and that kind of led us down this path.

or third show at the most, usually says “If these are not my favorite audiences, they’re in my top three or four.” There are

If you and Ken are a comedy team, which one of you is

two reasons for this. One, we train the audiences on how to

Martin and which one Lewis?

watch stand-up comedy. It can’t be a free for all. They have

It’s kind of crazy. We flip flop. At times, I’m more the

to pay attention, and it has to be a theater atmosphere. Be-

straight man, and he’s the crazy one. When we were do-

yond that, the crowds here are very eclectic, coming from a

ing our team show, I might be more the straight man, and

lot of different places, and they are very sophisticated. They

he would be more the silly guy. Now we do a lot of auc-

get it. They’re educated. The older crowds do, too. Older

tions where we have developed this rapport, and in these

crowds have an attention span. They will actually let some-

situations, Ken is the straight man. He’s the one handling

thing develop. You don’t have to keep banging them over

the bidding, and I’m the crazy bastard who’s just throwing

the head with something stupid every 30 seconds for fear of

in outrageous comments. We’ve known each other for so

them going to their text messages.

long, and we were doing this sort of thing in high school and college with our friends. Ken’s really the funnier one.

Why did you move your comedy club downtown?

So now when we work together, it is just second nature.

The North Trail location ran its course. We were at the end

Here’s what we always know. We know that neither one

of a lease. It wasn’t a question of do we move but where

of us will leave the other one hanging, ever. You’ll always

do we move or do we quit. That’s really where Pam and I

cover. If one of us goes really out there and says something

were. We both have been in the business for 30 years. We

that upsets the audience, which we’ve done, the other one

were at a point where we couldn’t just quit and do what-

will save it. Saving is taking the audience’s side and lam-

ever we wanted to, but we could have sold the business

basting him, and he takes it. It’s a way we can roll in and

or set somebody up with our extensive mailing list and

out of situations.

fan base. We could have taken some of the money that we saved and put it into a retirement account. Pam and I

How did you find your way to Sarasota?

could have gotten part time jobs where I could have gone

Ken Sons and I hung out with a headliner one night, Adam

on the road 20 weeks a year, both of us making a little

Leslie from New York, and picked his brain. He told us

spending money. We could have done that until doomsday

that comedy clubs were opening all over the country and

and taken three months a year off and traveled wherever

a lot of them were opening in the Southeast. Adam said,

we wanted to. We knew that this new spot was a great

“My advice to you is not to go to LA or New York because

location. Dr. Kaufman and the Kaufman family, who own a

you are new and green, and they will just eat you up. Go

lot of property downtown, have been big fans for years and

back to the Southeast, work in clubs there. You can net-

have been trying to get us to come downtown. The math

work. You can be more comfortable and get really good in

never worked. Then, this building popped up, and when

your region.” We were going to Atlanta, but we heard there

we found architecturally that it could work, the Kaufmans

were clubs opening in Florida. We figured if we were just

came to us and said, “What do you need to make this deal

going to wait tables and bartend to get on stages to work

happen?” They didn’t tell us, “Here’s the best that we can

on our material, we might as well go to the beach, too. A

do.” They have been wonderful partners. The big key was

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if we wanted to keep doing this. In the end, we felt like we

quite know what they might do. Truly those guys I think

were both too young to kick back and take it easy. Finally,

did shock Johnny from time to time, and he let them get

we love what this place has brought to the community,

away with it.

and the community loves it. Still it’s all about risking your money again. There are two types of businesses. There’s a

A lot of comedians have come through your doors. Tell

person who has five million dollars and risks a million. That

me the first thing that comes to your mind when I mention

person doesn’t want to lose a million dollars, but if they

these names.

do, they have four more. Then there is the small businessman, who I really give kudos to, the ones who take all of

Tommy Chong

their money and borrow more to open a place. That’s what

Stoned.

we’ve done. The community has been so supportive of us.

Bobby Collins How does it feel to make people laugh and smile?

Wonderfully full of himself.

As a comic once told me, if your avocation becomes your vocation then you are blessed for the rest of your life. I’m my own boss, other than Pam. We get along pretty well,

Darrell Hammond Brilliantly tragic.

but she is the boss. She is in charge. To do this for a living, it’s a blessing.

Chris Rock Shy when you don’t think he will be.

What do you hope that each and every customer takes home with them when they leave McCurdy’s?

Jeff Foxworthy

We hope they take laughter with them and leave here with

Industrious. He is a type-A personality, a fantastic busi-

something that will make them laugh again repeatedly.

nessman as well as comedian.

They’re going to laugh at something that happened in here maybe for a few days or maybe for years. Something will connect with them from a comedian they saw here, and

Rosie O’Donnell Rosie was fun. She was fun.

they’re going to have the opportunity to make other people laugh when they get together with friends and share their experience.

David Brenner I almost cry. David was a great friend. He was sincere, warm, and a sweet guy who was truly a wonderful person. I

What is the most important ingredient of being a great

went to his tribute, and that’s what came out over and over

comedian?

again. He was a family man who cared about his friends and

Obviously you have to be funny, which really is it. The

a great guy who happened to be extremely talented.

most important thing about a stand up comic is you almost have to have a false sense of confidence in yourself. In this

What characteristic do the great ones share?

sport you have to believe that you’re better than you are at

The one thing that I saw in common with the comedians who

all times. If you don’t, you’ll quit.

became nationally known celebrities and stars is this: they already believed they were, and you just don’t know it yet.

Who would be on your Mount Rushmore of comedians, and why did they make you laugh?

58

Can anybody be funny?

You would have to go back to guys who aren’t with us any-

Yes. Everyone is funny. It’s human nature. It is part of the

more – Johnny Carson, Jonathan Winters, Buddy Hackett,

human species to be funny, to evoke humor, to look at the

Richard Pryor, and probably Don Rickles. When I think

world that way and make it twist that way, to laugh. I have

about the guys who would always, always make me laugh,

personally not met anyone who is not funny. I do a Spe-

they were the ones. Johnny was Johnny. He was just the

cial O’Laughics program where I work with individuals who

pinnacle of everything, and the thing that made Johnny

are specially challenged. Obviously when I’m working with

so great was that he could bomb so well. What made the

mentally impaired people, I’m working with a broad spec-

other guys great is that they were outrageous. You didn’t

trum of challenges. Even the most challenged individuals

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eventually find something that makes them smile and laugh

for this, that’s fine. But if you want to be a pro, a true pro-

if you introduce enough to them, and they are around the

fessional, you’ve got to put the work into it or you’re not

right atmosphere. I haven’t seen anybody who doesn’t even-

going to get there. This is hard.

tually come around and relate to humor in some way. It’s a great and rewarding feeling to work with these folks. Some-

What goes through your head when you see someone dy-

times when working with people who are highly intelligent,

ing out there on stage?

the challenge is to help them overcome the tendency to be

(Laughs) They need work, and they need to get off the stage.

overly analytical while not wanting to appear foolish and risk it. When I’m working with those people it’s a case of getting them to the point that they can risk it.

What makes you cry?

I’ll tell you what makes me cry. Lately when I watch these talent shows that are on TV and I see somebody have a break-

The Humor Institute is part of your business. Where did

through performance, I cry because I know what they’ve

that idea come from and why is that important to both you

done to get there, and I know what that moment means to

and Ken?

them. I know what’s happening all the way through.

The Humor Institute has always been part of the McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. My personal big dream if I went to the top

Share a golden moment from the club that 25 years from

end of what I want to do is this. In the world there is not a

now you will look back and say, I remember that night….

designated place that is dedicated to the art form of comedy

There have been several. For me to work with Tommy

and to the medical side of how it affects human beings and

Chong was beyond imagination for me as a kid. The last

our civilization as a whole. How do different cultures re-

night at the old Teatro Theatre was really special. It was

spond to humor and utilize humor? How does it help them?

packed mostly with regulars. We had about 14 comics

How does it work? There have been a million studies stating

come in from the area. Two of them literally got choked

that comedy is healthy and helpful to the human condition.

up on stage in the middle of their act reflecting that this

When you say take humor away from us as a species, peo-

would be the last time on this stage. It really hit them. Then

ple say that’s impossible and that we would not be function-

to open here – the first week we had a ton of glitches. To

al. Actually you could be functional, and society would be

see the number of people who have come through here the

more like an insect colony. Humor might get in the way of

first three weeks and to have to turn people away on the

efficiency in a certain realm. I don’t know. One thing I do

second Saturday that we were opened is amazing.

know is that when people are asked if they would want to live in a more efficient, productive society that accomplish-

Is there a saying that you live by?

es more if there is no humor in it, everyone would answer

There are two. “God’s grace and love is with me all the

no. That’s how important humor is.

time”, and as long as I embody that everything will be okay. The other one is “Build a strong house in the woods,

Do you know right away if somebody has it?

and the world will beat a path to your door.”

No, not right away. It has to develop, and it develops through ticket sales. It is one thing for an act to get a standing ovation night after night, but does that correlate to selling signifi-

How do you want to be remembered?

Just as a nice guy.

cantly more tickets than I would normally sell? That’s rare.

There are great acts that don’t move tickets, and that’s the

How would you rate God’s sense of humor?

thing you can’t explain. That’s the charm; that little spark

Look around. Just look around, man. He amuses Himself,

that can’t be taught. Why does a group of people who like

I’m quite sure.

country comedy fall in love with Foxworthy, Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy? I can name you 10 other men and

It’s the end of your life, and you can have anyone do a

women who are just as funny, are great writers, and they kill

final stand-up tribute eulogy for you. Who do you want to

on stage, but the audience doesn’t fall in love with them.

deliver it, and what do you hope they say?

Well without doubt Ken Sons, but I’m planning on outliving

What is your advice to new stand-up comedians?

Work hard. Just because you are funny and have a knack scenesarasota.com

him, that bastard. I’m in better shape than he is. That being said, if I go first, nobody knows me better than Pam and Ken. August 2014

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EDUCATION

Education Matters

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

More than one in eight Americans are over 65 years old, and in a retirement-friendly state like Florida (thanks to no state tax and no estate tax), the low cost of living, and supremely nice weather – that number is a lot higher – almost one in five. The emergence of a senior-empowering organization like The Friendship Centers is a natural, given those facts. What this means is that people 50 and older in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota counties have a non-profit network to help them achieve their goals as well as address health and wellness needs particular to older adults. Thousands of area residents are impacted each year by their efforts.

To put it plainly, just look at the mission statement of this non-profit organization: “To promote health, dignity and quality of life throughout the journey of aging.” Considering the rapid growth in the older population of America, this type of commitment is welcome and necessary.

People Helping People The belief that people should help others has been at the core of The Friendship Centers for the nearly four decades it’s been around. Thanks to a growing spirit of volunteerism, more and more people are offering to help. Teens share technical expertise in summer “Tech Boot Camps” for seniors. Instructors teach donation-funded classes at the senior centers. Drivers take meals to homebound elders.

Peg Palmer, The Friendship Centers Communications Representative, says that she’s most proud of her organization’s philosophy of helping others because by helping others, we help ourselves. As she says, “It’s being part of the solution during life’s difficult challenges. It’s about mattering to others, and to oneself. It’s being meaningfully engaged with people who genuinely care about making the world a better place. Our

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health clinics are a wonderful example. Here, volunteer re-

It’s important for local residents to realize that Road Schol-

tired physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, clinic aides,

ar offers deep discounted tuition to attend as a commuter.

and other personnel practice for the sheer love of medicine.

The only parts of the program not included for commuters is

They serve patients, enjoy ongoing professional education

the hotel sleeping room, breakfast, and one dinner. With the

with colleagues, and mentor students planning careers in

popularity of stay-vacations, they could have a stay-educa-

health care. It becomes a circle of caring, learning, sharing,

tional-vacation with Road Scholar quite easily and affordably.

service, and connection to each other.” That’s a model for well-being, she notes, no matter your age.

Additionally, The Friendship Centers offer a full range of theme programs partnering with many area non-profits. “We

From its founding in 1974 through May 2010, volunteers

offer three opera sessions in March,” says Anast, “with par-

have contributed time to The Friendship Centers that’s valued

ticipants attending three operas and a concert at the Saraso-

at nearly $25 million dollars. Last year alone, 1,500 people

ta Opera House, plus many classes, and they meet a singer

donated more than 130,000 hours of service. The in-kind val-

and a costumer. The Sarasota Audubon Society leads our two

ue of that service? $2.5 million.

birding weeks, which always sell out. We partner with FSU’s

Interested in helping out? Visit their website or call to let

Asolo Theatre where participants attend three plays and ex-

them know of your interest. There’s an opportunity for every-

perience a backstage look behind the scenes. The week is

one to participate – no effort is too small.

filled with classes on theatre, including previews and talkbacks. One of the conservatory students speaks with our

Road Scholar Programs

group about their experiences. We [also] offer a Signature

One of the most important things older people can do

City program that is very popular.” Plus there are even guided

is keep their minds active, and the Road Scholar Program

walks with a local architecture expert who can point out the

is an exciting opportunity for them to feed their minds and

most striking facets of our city.

make learning a lifelong endeavor. The Road Scholar Pro-

For those who want an intergenerational experience,

grams – the program name for Elderhostel, Inc., a not-for-

there’s a program for grandparents and grandchildren. Talk

profit organization that has provided learning adventures to

about a great option for those who live in different states

millions of Americans since 1975 – has been sponsored by

than their extended family. In this program, the partici-

The Friendship Centers for seven years now, and it offers

pants stay at a Lido Beach resort, and they explore much

opportunities for locals as well as people from throughout

of the area throughout four days of educational field trips.

the world to learn about and explore what makes our area

They visit Myakka State Park with local naturalist Owen

so vibrant and attractive.

Comora, they have a marine biology class at Venice Beach

Lynne Anast, Director of the Road Scholar Programs, ex-

and search for shark’s teeth with John Colagrande, and no

plains that each year, she encounters a number of new wid-

week is complete without a visit to Mote Marine and Span-

ows or widowers who traveled for years with their spouse.

ish Point. It’s the type of experience that no one – young

After the spouse passes, many look back on the trips and

or old – will soon forget.

travels they’ve experienced together. Road Scholar, Anast says, is the next natural step for traveling alone or with

The Friendship Centers and the Future

friends. “All programs have a group leader who is warm

“The Friendship Centers are always evolving,” says Presi-

and welcoming, making sure all are included and introduc-

dent and CEO Robert Carter. “We’re always seeking better

es the participants to each other. It’s a week-long adven-

ways to serve older adults and communities. Lifelong learning

ture for lifelong learning in a safe, inclusive environment.

– engaging body, mind, and spirit – is key to living optimally

Some classes are at the hotel and some consist of hands-

throughout the journey of aging. In the future, we hope to ex-

on-learning at local museums, theatres, etc. Once you ar-

pand our lifelong learning programs and community educa-

rive to the program on your own, we have coach buses

tion programs, working collaboratively in our communities,

transporting everyone on all field trips and any meals not

and engaging the power of the people through volunteerism.”

at the hotel. Many participants develop new long lasting

That’s the beauty of people helping people.

friendships, which then enable many to have a traveling

For more information on The Friendship Centers, please

companion if they so wish.”

visit www.friendshipcenters.org or call (941) 955-2122 be-

Most participants travel from all 50 states and Canada,

tween 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For

says Anast, and their tuition includes accommodations, most

specific information on the Road Scholar Programs, con-

meals, transportation to anything not at the hotel, a group

tact Lynne Anast at lanast@friendshipcenters.org or visit

leader, educational classes, field trips, theatre tickets, etc.

roadscholar.org.

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HEALTH MATTERS

What is Trauma?

By Brian Kimbrell, MD I’m often asked what is trauma, why is it important and what exactly is a trauma center and a trauma surgeon. Trauma is any injury. It can be a car accident, a fall, bicycle accident, pedestrian hit by a car, a shooting, stabbing, etc. Trauma is s important because it is the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 44 and the 5th leading cause of death for all ages. That makes trauma a healthcare crisis and a major concern as to how to assure patients get prompt access to expert trauma care.

Brian Kimbrell, MD Blake Medical Center Trauma Team 2020 59th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209

Multiple studies have demonstrated that not only do patients have better recovery when they go to a trauma center, but they also have higher survival rates. So, what is a Trauma Center? A Trauma Center is a hospital that has received special designation managing moderately to severely injured patients. To become a Trauma Center, these hospitals must have not only specialized equip-

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ment and facilities to care for these patients, but also staff and multiple physi-

blakemedicalcenter.com

cian specialties who are trained to manage injuries and are promptly available.

It means bringing the injured patient to the right facility, with the right people, in the right time.

One of the physician specialists promptly available for injured patients is the trauma surgeon. What exactly is a trauma surgeon? Are they an emergency medicine physician? A general surgeon? Clark Kent? The answers to those questions are basically YES. Realistically, they are general surgeons who either went on to do further fellowship training in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, or have dedicated a majority of their career toward learning about trauma care and treating injured patients. These are the surgeons who will be in the trauma bay when the trauma patient arrives in the Trauma Center. From that point on, the trauma surgeon is the “Captain of the Ship” resuscitating the patient, evaluating the patient, admitting the patient to the hospital, following the patient throughout their hospital stay, assuring appropriate physical therapy/rehab and follow up in the Trauma Clinic as an outpatient after discharge. And yes, trauma surgeons sometimes do surgery as well. Mostly we do surgery on intra-abdominal and thoracic injuries, while our orthopedic and neurosurgery colleagues manage the bone, brain and spine injuries.

Traumatic injuries need specific care in a hospital with specialized medical staff and equipment. Trauma centers are open 24 hours a day with immediate access to some of the most talented medical professionals. It is critical to get a trauma patient to a trauma center as quickly as possible after an injury. Survival chances are the greatest when lifesaving trauma care is received within the first 60 minutes of injury. As I always say, “In Trauma, the name of the game is TIME”!

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Beach READS 3 short stories to enjoy with a cool brew

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Starlight

The Other Side of

By Darlin’ Neal Illustration by Erin L. Pickering

I don’t know how I talked Mom into letting me go

and she was shaking a bottle of deep purple nail polish,

over that Friday evening — I’d never been before — but I

the little pearl inside rattling and mixing the color just right.

was going to Tilda’s, walking across the drive-in as it was

She had one foot up on the bed, a knee against her chest,

growing dark, dust rising and gravel crunching beneath my

watching her toes as she painted them. Black Sabbath

feet. I ran part of the way just in case she changed her

was on the wall and Alice Cooper on the stereo singing,

mind, far enough I couldn’t hear if she called me. Tilda’s

“School’s Out.” She’d curled her already-coated eyelashes

trailer park was on one side of the Starlight Drive-In, mine

and applied another layer of mascara. She blinked up at

was on the other. The sound of the dirt bikes in the desert

me like a butterfly and said, “I busted his damn lip. He

was dying down. Most of the kids had gone in for dinner.

grabbed my ass, and I hit him right in the mouth.”

Tilda was two years older than me but still in my class

She was talking about her Dad, about fights with

at school since she’d failed a couple times. Her trailer was

her Dad and how proud he was of how tough she was. I

smaller than ours, but not as small as the eight foot wide

wondered about those long fingernails and a fist, but I never

we used to live in. I knocked and her German mother let

asked. There was a deep crease between her eyebrows

me in. I’d see her when she dropped Tilda off at the bus

that’d already come to stay, but she had big pretty blue

stop on her way to work. She was pretty and tiny and

eyes even without all the days and days of mascara.

always seemed to be studying you, so much so you’d

She was a champion on her dirt bike. She rode as soon

find yourself explaining or asking something before you

as she got home from school screaming wheelies and long

could stop yourself. If you ever asked for advice, she gave

jumps through the desert, riding and never wanting to get

quick answers: “You want clear skin? Use plain soap and

off that bike. I could hear her while I was locked inside

water. Don’t be foolish. Forget expensive nonsense. Be

doing homework.

confident you’re pretty, then they want you. Don’t let them

In their trailer I had her all to myself, and I felt like

see you cry. Boys want the girls who don’t care so much.”

confiding things in that room, but it was getting dark,

She was not a worrier like my mom.

and I couldn’t stay long. I had to get back before my Dad

I went from the entrance to Tilda’s bedroom in three steps.

got home for the weekend. Tilda told me about having

Tilda’s hair was raven black and cascaded down. She

sex when she was nine with a fourteen year old who’d

ironed it, but she didn’t need to. Her nails were painted,

recently broken up with her. When she talked about Gary,

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her eyes would grow sad. She missed riding bikes with him now that he had decided he was too good for her.

Her mother gave her advice on how to make him jealous, how to ride it out and he’d be back. She’d been kissing other boys. Gomez was a jock she kissed sometimes when we got to school. He took her out in a ditch behind the embankment where we sat in the morning. When he left she told us how she’d let him grab her boobs. She was so stoned.

Wes was one of the guys we hung with at school. He’d be there with us mornings sitting outside the junior high, and we acted like he could give us advice. He was so much taller than us. He almost seemed like a man. He shook his head a lot. He asked Tilda if she was going to let Gomez go all the way. He laughed and told us about his five-year-old sister, about some boys, some friends who’d been over and offered a nickel to bang her. That’s what they called it anyway, banging.

He laughed and said, “And she let them,” like how unbelievable was that. “For a nickel.” His eyes filled with horror, and we all just sat there stunned, saying nothing. Then Wes started playing a game with me, with a comb. He’d flick it on the inside of my arm, and then I’d take my turn with him. Our arms growing red and bruised, and he was surprised how much I could stand which pretty much equaled how much he could stand.

So I spent my mornings and afternoons riding that bus with Tilda but I’d never been in her trailer before. On the bus, she carried a radio. She insisted Elton John was singing, “She’s got electric boobs.” “Listen,” she’d say and crack up watching all us younger kids 66

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listen and hear what she wanted us to.

When I got off the bus and went home everything would seem more normal. In the morning before I left, the house would smell like the grapefruit my lonely mother was eating, on another diet waiting for Wednesday when my dad would call, waiting for the weekend when he would come home. There were baby

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brothers to hold. There was “Sesame Street” on the TV in the evening.

In Tilda’s house that night, I kept watch on the clock. I wanted to come back sometime. She asked me why my mother wouldn’t let me out, wouldn’t let me come over. I told her I had to get back to help with my brothers. She said, “You’re always

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taking care of those babies.” I thought about that, about the tone in her voice that said something was wrong with that. “A kid should be out having fun.” She wanted to know why they wouldn’t let me come to her house since it was right there near mine, and I don’t know why I told her what my father said, that he didn’t really want me to be around her and her mother because they were kind of rough.

I saw the hurt in her face and thought about how she’d told me how handsome she thought my Dad was. She frowned hard and then some other thing flickered across her face. “Well, your Daddy would know,” she said. “He sure would.

That pretty man.”

I walked home through the dark drive-in where cars were just beginning to arrive. The lights were blistering in lines and circling into place beside the poles that held the speaker boxes.

The telephone wires cried in the wind.

People climbed out of trunks and scenesarasota.com

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sat on hoods. Groups flocked to the concession stand. The air filled with the scent of butter and popcorn. Kids were opening ice chests and popping tops, pouring vodka into Cokes. Everyone was hooking up those intercoms to their windows. The music came on, Elvis Costello singing “Allison”, and I got lost listening. I thought it sounded so beautiful the way the music and voice filled the air. You could feel how the couples waited for the movie to begin and the car lights to all go off so they could get busy.

I missed my Dad and was glad he was coming back that night. He was out of town or I wouldn’t have ever gone over to Tilda’s for sure. He was always out of town working during the week. On Saturday mornings, I have a job cleaning up the drive-in.

Dad doesn’t want me to be out here by myself so we’ll go together. He

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has a Litter Stick he uses to pick up paper cups and wrappers and all the other things that people leave behind.

When we’re done, I’m allowed to pour icy Cokes from the machine and then we’ll sit out there in the sun and talk about sports or school.

Sometimes we’ll have a bag of last night’s popcorn. I’ll earn some money and we’ll leave the place spotless.

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941.745.2101

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2504 64th St. Ct. E., Bradenton

Darlin’ Neal lives in Indian Harbour Beach with her dogs Junebug and Skeeter. Author of the critically acclaimed story collections Elegant Punk (Press 53, 2012) and Rattlesnakes & The Moon (Press 53, 2010) and winner of DH Lawrence Fellowship, her work has appeared widely. She is an associate professor of creative writing at UCF. She offers short story mentorships through Cutthroat, a Journal of the Arts Mentor Program, www.cutthroatmag.com/art_archives. html She can be contacted at darlinneal@ucf.edu scenesarasota.com

Ella

By Julieanna Blackwell Illustration by Erica Gilchrist

She stood at the corner. She was going to visit her friend. Old.

grinned at him as she reached into her pocket for her Senior Citizen

She never wavered or paced, nor did she fidget back and forth.

Discount Card and some loose change. Her expression changed

Solid, she stood on the sidewalk along a slim lawn that separated

to one of slight concern and she hesitated from putting the coins

her from the busy street — waiting for the bus.

into the fare box. Instead, she squeezed herself to the side to allow

Her name was Ella.

room for the others to board.

She wore a pastel tweed coat. She and the coat were a cut

The young man dropped a token into the slot and found a seat

from decades long past. She, not the coat, had shrunk in size. The

in the front of the bus. The Spanish woman paid her fare with a card

fluffy green strands from her lambswool knit hat were the only

and headed to the back, never lifting her eyes from the comic book.

parts of her affected by the breeze. Pastel eye shadow flaked under

At the very instant the doors closed, the bus hissed with a jolt of

her eyebrows and her red rouge had collected in the creases of her

acceleration. The driver must have been running late. Ella wrapped

cheeks. Her face held an expression of experienced waiting.

her arm around a pole and spread her legs apart to assure herself

That was Ella.

a steady stance. Holding her palm open, she counted her money,

It was midday. She only took the bus after the rush — fewer

touching each coin with the tip of her white gloved index finger.

people. Soon a young man in a faded jacket, possibly out of work, joined her. Then a short Spanish woman leaned against a parked car as she was reading a Spanish comic book. Ella didn’t move an inch.

She knew exactly where the bus would stop — right at her feet.

“It seems I’m short,” she said to the driver.

The driver didn’t answer, swerving the bus around a pothole.

His expression was one of experienced toleration.

She pulled a glove off. “I seem to be a quarter short. I don’t

And so it did. The bus roared up and its doors opened before her

understand. I know I had it. I counted my money before I left the

as the hydraulic mechanics lowered the stairs to her level. She raised

house. I always carry exact change.” She slowly searched through

an arm, then a leg, pulling herself up to the first step. The young man

one coat pocket. “I always have my fare ready with my senior

stood behind her. The Spanish woman waited at the back of the line.

card.” She dug into a second pocket. “Oh, this is so embarrassing.

When both her legs were on the first step, Ella extended her arms up

I must have lost a quarter somewhere.”

the railings and steadily placed her left foot onto the next step.

“I’m right behind you, don’t worry,” the young man said. The Spanish woman huffed.

Ella boarded the bus, as she would have, with or without help — slowly.

She noted she never had this particular driver before. She scenesarasota.com

An old beaded coin purse appeared from her pocket. Like a prop, she unzipped it. Looking through its contents, she raised an eyebrow to those riding on the bus.

“Oh dear, all I have is a five dollar bill.”

She looked at her fellow passengers. No one seemed to notice her, or her situation. Two boys horsed around in the back. The August 2014

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Spanish woman’s lips moved along with the comic. A fat construction worker snored, his head suspended within the motion of the

the years, I should ride for free.”

“Either pay or get off my bus.”

bus. A pretty young lady read the newspaper. A heavyset woman,

“There you go — there you have it. One can never depend on

with gold teeth, stared out the window. So did the unemployed

the kindness of others,” she fumed. “Look at a bus full of passen-

young man. Indeed, her survey confirmed that no one cared about

gers and no one has change for a little old lady. Except for these

the little old lady in the front of the bus.

two nice young people, at least they tried.” Ella motioned to the

“Maybe someone has change?” She flashed a sweet smile to the possible solution.

pair. They in turn smiled at each other. She felt they made a handsome couple — too bad he was out of work.

By this time, the bus had reached the next stop. The doors

“What’s it gonna be, lady?” The driver stopped the bus at a

opened and two schoolgirls lumbered up the steps. Still straddled

stop sign and turned in his seat. “Either put that bill in the fare box

around the pole, Ella squeezed herself to the side, again, to make

or get off my bus.”

room. “Excuse me?” she asked. “Do either of you two have change for a five dollar bill?”

“Sorry, ma’am,” the girls shouted, running to the boys in the back of the bus.

The driver sighed as he steered the bus out into the street.

“I’m sorry, do you, ma’am?” Ella asked the heavyset woman.

“Do you happen to have change?”

“No, no, no,” the heavyset woman repeated, shaking her head. Maybe she didn’t speak English.

“What!” Ella gasped. “The whole five dollars? And pay the city extra for nothing? You’ve already taken me four blocks from my house.” Ella shook her head. “Let me off here!”

“Fine,” the driver snapped.

The hydraulics hissed, as the doors swung open right where another old woman happened to be standing — waiting for the bus.

“What a rotten world, when no one finds it in their heart to help an old woman. And you,” Ella said to the driver, “I hope you find yourself old and feeble some day. Then we’ll see. A city pen-

As the bus rocked, Ella moved along the aisle. She passed

sion won’t be enough.” With the driver behind her, Ella’s expression

the sleeping construction worker and approached the pretty young

shifted to one of satisfaction. She made her exit off the bus, step by

lady. “Excuse me? Would you happen to have change for a five?”

step, down each stair — slowly.

The young lady did something unexpected; she pulled out a huge handbag from between her legs. “Hmm, let me see.”

“Maybe,” Ella stated, looking hopeful as she quickly glanced out the window checking on how far the bus had taken her.

The young lady stopped short from opening her bag and sighed.

“No, I don’t. I just did laundry the other day, and, I’m sorry, I don’t.”

Ella slowly turned her head and glanced over to the young man. “Do you have change?” she asked him.

“Oh, I wish I did. I have no cash on me at all, not even a token.” He shrugged.

“Oh dear,” she sighed. Ella was right — he was out of work.

“Maybe the bus driver will let you ride with only the amount you have,” the young man suggested. “What, you’re just a quarter short?”

Ella’s expression changed with an amused eyebrow and she moved back towards the fare box.

The driver cleared his throat. “Exact change, lady.” He sniffed.

“I’m only a quarter short,” Ella pointed out.

The bus listed through an intersection causing everyone’s heads to sway.

“You know the rules; exact change.” The driver placed his hand over the fare box.

“What has this world come to? An old woman rides the bus every day and once she is a quarter short. Now, the city can’t sur-

The driver hesitated from closing the doors, waiting for the other old woman to board. She didn’t move. She just stood there — with Ella.

“Well, what about you?” the driver yelled.

The other old woman pursed her lips. “I don’t want to board your bus. I’m waiting for someone.”

The doors slammed. The bus drove off.

Ella folded the bill into her coin purse, zipped it shut and slipped it back into her pocket along with the loose change, one white glove and her Senior Citizen Discount Card.

“Hello, Ella,” the other old woman said.

“Hello, Agnes.” The two old women coupled arms and started walking.

“Ella, what was that all about?” Agnes asked, looking back to the bus. “Don’t tell me you’re still pulling that ‘Little Old Lady Short on the Bus Fare’ scam, are you?”

“Why should I pay full fare to go four blocks? Marvin, God rest his soul, always said we pay too much in taxes.”

“But Ella, what if someone gives you the change?”

“Never,” Ella said, shaking her head. “When has anyone ever given someone else change on the bus?”

The two old women turned and walked into a courtyard building — slowly.

vive without my twenty-five cents?” Ella asked.

The young lady said, “Just let her ride.”

“Really, let the old gal pass,” the young man added.

“Why thank you, but I can fight my own battles.” Ella turned and leaned in close to the driver’s ear, pointed her crooked finger and said, “I think after the amount of taxes I’ve paid to this city over scenesarasota.com

Julieanna Blackwell is an author of short stories and the humorous column, Skipping Down the Slippery Side of the Slope, which appeared in the Naples Daily News. Julieanna grew up riding the CTA buses in the city of Chicago. She lives in Bradenton with her husband and daughter.

August 2014

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Spirit

By Don Bruns Illustration by Erin L. Pickering

The chilly October wind whipped his ragged cape as he

crook of a large branch. And the anticipation began. One day a

raced toward the tree, his favorite tree. To climb it, to sit nestled

week she wouldn’t show up. And it was never the same day. In

in the leaf-covered braches and watch as this woman, this perfect

his cardboard home he kept a calendar. For every day he saw

female came jogging around the corner, it was his daily joy.

her. For every day she chose not to show up. He prayed it would

He pushed the pedals of the old Huffy Sportsman bike,

not be today.

pushed them hard, the soles of his boots driving against the

Concentrating on the worn path, his eyes strained to see

rubber covered metal pedals. Another two minutes and this

her. Staring, waiting, he counted the seconds. He could count to

woman who reminded him of another woman close to his heart,

fifty. Three times slowly it would be about three minutes, and he

this lady who looked for all the world like the woman who had

decided this was the day she chose to stay at home.

been his mother would be gone.

Then he heard the pounding of feet, the sound of heavy

The homemade mask with its cut-out eyes, nose and mouth

breathing and he knew it was the lady. As she came up the hill

that he wore kept the sting of the chill from his face, but the

he smiled behind the mask. He felt the rush of blood to his head

long-sleeved knit shirt with the crudely drawn bat on the front

and his eyes filled with familiar tears.

did little to ward off the autumn chill. Shrugging off a shiver, the young man kept going.

And there it was, the splendid oak, just where it had been

She rounded the corner, her ponytail bouncing with each graceful stride, not too fast but in perfect rhythm. From the field to his left he saw two bodies rise up, running as

for one hundred years, twelve minutes from the bridge. The stone

if to intersect. For just a second his gaze left the woman,

bridge, where he spent most nights, huddling under its elegant

and he stared hypnotically at the two men, masked themselves.

arch. His home. His community. Where Jo Jo stole his food, took

They were racing toward the lady, his lady, and as she reached

his bedding and slapped him around just for the sport of it.

the tree the lead man leaped at her, tackling her and bringing her

The tree reached out to greet him with long branches,

to the ground.

and he knew that the leaves, now a toasty shade of browns and

Everything went blurry for a second, and he brushed

yellows with hints of orange, would soon be gone. He would

his gloved hand over his burning eyes. Dropping to the lower

have to find another hiding place or resign himself to not seeing

branch, he swung out on a limb, grabbed the next leaved branch

the lovely woman at all.

and leaped to the ground. He screamed at the top of his voice

He leaned the bike against the massive oak’s trunk, and reached for the stub of a branch. From memory he pulled himself up, his boots digging into the bark, and he reached for the next Thirty seconds later he was thirty feet up, cradled in the SCENE

reared up, displaying the grinning mask of a skeleton.

The young man screamed again, wildly swinging his arms, and the skeleton jumped to his feet, frantically looking for his

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and running full tilt, he broke into the clearing. The attacker

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partner. The second bone-masked creature stood stock still, then scenesarasota.com

scenesarasota.com

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turned and ran in the opposite direction. The mugger planted

he stood outside and stared at the picture. No cape this late

himself as if to confront the caped intruder.

afternoon. The mask and long-sleeved shirt were tucked away,

The boy pulled a two-foot wand from his belt and attacked, thrusting the hard plastic Star Wars weapon at the masked

under a rock, in an old Reebok shoebox, a three minute walk from the bridge.

molester. He hit him once, twice, three times in the chest and

Wrapping his arms tightly around his body, he shivered in

the man retreated, racing across the open grass. Soon he was

the cool autumn air. This was his routine. Barny’s for some TV,

lost from sight.

and sometimes Teddy at the hot dog stand just up the street

Breathing deeply, he watched them, then cast his gaze on

would take pity on Sprite and toss him a dog and a bun. Not

the lady, who was struggling to her feet. Close up she was more

today. The steam coming off the grilling meat and the tang of

beautiful than he’d even imagined.

mustard in the air made his stomach ache.

“Oh, my God. Who are you? Where did you come from?”

And then there he was, on the flat screen TV for all the

He froze. She had spoken to him. He shook his head,

people to see. A drawing, a rough sketch, materialized on the

reliving the haunting scene with his own mother. She’d been

screen, and it looked just like him. The mask with the pointed

attacked, and he’d hidden in his room, his

ears, the shirt with the scrawled bat on the chest. He couldn’t

eyes squeezed shut as the violators had raped her and then strangled her. And he, a child of ten, had done nothing.

“Please, tell me. Who are you?”

He continued to shake his head, unable to move from the spot.

hear what was being said but it was clear the girl had given him away. And he saw the letters under the picture. Spirit. Not the way Jo Jo said it. This said Spirit.

A cold hand gripped his heart, and he couldn’t breathe. He

“You saved my life. I’ve got to know who you are.”

looked to his right and left, half expecting someone to approach

And now she approached, one arm out to touch him.

him, grab him by the back of his neck and take him away. And

“Please.”

when he looked back at the screen, she was there. Closer than

“Sprite,” he mumbled.

he’d ever seen her, her soft honey hair falling loose around her

“Please, tell me again…”

face, her lips moving but making no sound. The familiar tears

He turned and ran like the wind toward the oak tree and

welled in his eyes as he turned and walked away.

his bike. The boy’s legs were like pistons, and he raced the two-

No one under the bridge acknowledged him when he

wheeler down the path, putting as much distance as possible

approached. The ten of them kept their heads turned, never

between the woman and himself.

looking up. Even old Ruthy, mumbling to herself, kept her eyes

Jo Jo called him Sprite because he was short. And because

on the stone wall, pretending he’d never arrived.

Jo Jo didn’t like him. Jo Jo ran the bridge, like a union boss ran the

He moved to his cardboard slab and reached under the

factory. And Sprite didn’t always play by the rules. When Jo Jo

dirty gray blanket for his calendar. He felt his heart sink as he

demanded that his minions get him food, or beer, or sometimes a

lifted the wool comforter and saw nothing. Who would…

woman, Sprite would disappear. Jo Jo abused old Ruthy and put

“Missing somthin’, Sprite?”

her on street corners with a big bag to beg for money. Money

He glared at the man, the source of his trouble.

that all went to Jo Jo.

“Oh, is the precious calendar gone? The one with miss

The boy didn’t mind so much getting smacked around. He remembered his father taking a broom handle to him on several

heart-throb’s routine on it?”

Jo Jo towered over him, six two, two hundred fifty pounds.

occasions. And he really didn’t mind the name, because old

He tugged on his scraggly beard.

Ruthy told him that “sprite” also meant “ghost.” He thought of

“Check it out, little cherub.”

himself as a ghost. Sixteen years old, and for five of those years,

The big man thrust a newspaper at him, an evening edition

he’d been on his own. They put him in a foster home, but like

of something, and there was the drawing. Front page. And his

a ghost he vanished. They put him in a group facility, but he

name, spelled wrong again. Spirit. Her picture was next to the

vanished again. And then they didn’t bother him any more. One

drawing.

less mouth to feed, one less boy to worry about. And no one went looking for a ghost. Until now.

He saw it first on the flat screen TV at Barny’s Tavern as

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“What, you think I don’t know that you go out playin’ superhero?”

He wanted to be a superhero right now. He wanted to take scenesarasota.com

a stand with the big man but his heart was racing and he backed

the fall leaves. He watched intently, staring up the path, hoping

off. He did nothing. Just like before.

she would at least slow down so he could see her more clearly.

Jo Jo took a step forward and backhanded him, knocking him

And then he heard the familiar voice.

to the cold concrete. Looking up the boy saw the fire in Jo Jo’s eyes.

“You move along now, granny. Make me proud today.”

“When I tell you to bring me food, when I tell you to run an

It came from behind him, not on the path. Turning his

errand, you are too busy playing some fantasy game, dreaming of

head he saw the rising sun just inches over the horizon. Maybe

some lady too fine for you to talk to.” He folded his bare arms over his

he was too early. And who was talking? Faintly, but clearly he

massive chest. “And now you think you are some kind of comic book

heard that gruff voice.

hero? Because you fall out of a tree and scare some simple muggers.”

“Old woman, you come home with the mother lode, do

The big man kicked him in the ribs.

you understand? Whatever story you give those suckers, you

“Get up, punk. No more costumes. No more games.”

make it work.”

He spit on him, and walked away, and as the boy stood up and brushed himself off, he saw old Ruthy sneak a glance, a

And over another small rise, through the thicket of willow trees he saw them. His breath caught in his throat.

pitiful look on her face.

Old Ruthy, barely five feet tall, and six-foot-two Jo Jo

The wand wasn’t magic, just part of the fantasy. Now, would

walking together toward his tree, toward his path. Jo Jo wore

he, could he see the girl again? This morning could he return to

a backpack, and Ruthy carried her big bag. Jo Jo was going to

the scene of the crime? With his costume and wand?

place her half a mile down the hill, on the first busy intersection

The bike was locked to a bike rack, six minutes away.

outside of the park. It was a favorite spot, and on a good day

Count to fifty, once, twice, then a half dozen times slowly. He

Ruthy told him she could make one hundred twenty dollars. On

clutched the Reebok box to his chest and shoved the wand into

a good day. All of the proceeds went to Jo Jo. For security, for

his worn leather belt. He played his worries in his head. Did he

peace under the bridge.

dare climb the oak, watch the mother figure as she crested the

Jo Jo, who had destroyed his calendar, Jo Jo who manipulated

rise? Maybe she wouldn’t risk jogging this path again. Maybe the

the lives of everyone in the community. Jo Jo, the resident pain

police would be with her. Maybe there would be security people

in his ass.

protecting her this time. And what if they found him? What if

He cringed, realizing the two of them would see his Huffy

they put him back in a home, back in an environment where he

Sportsman. But maybe they’d never seen the bike. He’d hidden it

was captive to their rules?

well, only using it a couple of times a week. But he’d also hidden

He had to see her again. He had to have one more encounter.

He pulled on the mask, the shirt, the gloves and unlocked his bike. One more time, no matter what Jo Jo said. No matter that he

the superhero costume, and Jo Jo apparently knew everything about that. About the lovely woman, about his imagination.

Now they were closer. “Two hundred dollars, you old

was a spirit now, not just a sprite. No matter that the newspapers

bitch. I need that today. Jonathan is bringing in wine. Moshika is

and television stations had marked him as a hero. No matter that

bringing food. You are bringing money, old

his precious calendar was gone, probably destroyed by Jo Jo. One more time. Like a junky ready to quit his choice of drugs, just give him one more time. Then he would forget the lady ever existed. He would forget the giant oak, the jogger’s path, and become a ghost again. He would simply disappear.

He peddled faster, afraid she might be early, and when he reached the oak tree the boy leaned the bike against the trunk and

woman. From people who feel sorry for you. And remember, I do not feel sorry for you.”

He watched Jo Jo slap her face lightly, putting the fear into the old lady, and letting her know who was boss.

And they walked past the tree, never once paying attention to the bike. The shiny green Huffy Sportsman that leaned against the majestic oak’s solid trunk.

climbed the tree, just like he had every day this spring and summer.

And as they walked, he heard the distant sound of feet

What if she looked up and saw him? Would she demand

pounding on the track, over the rise maybe thirty seconds from

that he come down from the tree? And what would he say to this young lady who looked so much like his mother when she was taken from him.

There was no breeze, and the cool temperature settled into scenesarasota.com

the giant oak.

Two bodies rose in the distance and he froze, watching them race forward, skeleton masks tightly wrapped around their faces.

He closed his eyes for one second, not believing the scene below.

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Ruthy and Jo Jo, trudging across the path, and the two muggers racing across the field. He rubbed his temples, his forehead and his eyes. There was no question. If he

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had to explain it, he couldn’t. Like a fish in a bowl, everything was instinct. He had the same reaction as he did the day before.

As the runners intersected the path, one leaped at Jo Jo, driving him to the ground. The other masked man grabbed Ruthy around her waist and threw her on the grass, grabbing her bag.

The boy dropped, one branch, two,

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unable to stop the onslaught of blows. dropped the weapon and picked up a rock by the side of the path. Spinning on one foot he smashed the rock into the attacker’s skull. The skeleton-costumed man dropped,

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two feet and swung at Jo Jo’s attacker.

The big man was holding up his hands,

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protecting his backpack and trying to fend off the mugger as the boy rammed the plastic wand into the mugger’s groin.

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his temple, into his face and then cracked it across the masked man’s skull. Blood black and white mask, and he struggled

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to his feet, limping off into the trees.

Breathless, the boy listened, hearing the pounding steps getting louder. And louder.

“What you just did…” Jo Jo looked like a madman with his wild beard and straggly hair. He pushed himself off the

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ground as Ruthy stayed huddled on the scenesarasota.com

earth, clutching the bag and staring at him with wide eyes.

The boy stood still, glaring at Jo Jo. A cold hard glare. A shut up kind of stare.

“Sprite,” Ruthy was getting up off the ground.

He silenced her with a stern look through his handmade mask.

The jogger hit the peak of the rise, her ponytail bouncing behind her. He saw her slow down as she surveyed the carnage. Two men ran behind her, slowing down as well, watching the masked man and his accomplices.

“Spirit?” She stopped and stared at him, paying no attention to the old lady and Jo Jo. He’d never heard the word. Never associated it with himself. Spirit. Now it was the most precious word in the world.

Breathing heavily, she gazed at him, eyes wide and shining. “You’re here

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again?” She nodded to the prone figure on the ground.

“The skeleton mask. Is that the same

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man that…”

She left the sentence lie.

Jo Jo glanced at the two muscular men as they stood on either side of the woman, then he grabbed old Ruthy and pulled her away, heading back in the direction they’d come.



The woman, in her jogging pants

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and sweatshirt pleaded with the young man. “Don’t run away again,” she said.

“Please, I’m begging you.”

“Is this the freak?” The biggest of the joggers walked toward him.

“He’s not a freak.” Her voice was strong, defiant. “Definitely not a freak.”

The boy held the plastic saber in front of him. It wasn’t magical, but it certainly seemed to possess magical powers today. Watching the big man and the stirring body on the ground, he backed scenesarasota.com

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away. Superheroes never stayed to take

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Realtor, Broker Associate, CLHMS, CRS, CIPS, GRI, PMN, ABR, TRC, RSPS, AHWD, SFR, GREEN

He raced to his tree, slid onto the

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He stopped by the bike stand and

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the credit. They made a hasty retreat.

Locking the green bike in its slot, he

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Nothing left to do. The tree would soon

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he was without his costume. And maybe that was for the best.

He wandered for a while through the park to a pond where skaters would congregate in the frigid months of winter.

He walked by a once vibrant restaurant that had closed and now looked lonely and forlorn, much the same as he felt.

Finally he retraced his steps back to his bike. The boy sat on the ground and stared at nothing at all, confused by the thoughts in his head.

Then, walking slowly, counting to fifty over and over, he approached the

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The boy sat on his comforter, suddenly feeling tired, weak and very

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“Protecting you is our family business.”

sleeves with hotdogs inside. He breathed deeply, the mustard and relish smell causing his stomach to growl.

Jr. walked up and handed him a can of beer, the pull-tab still intact.

He smiled at them, then took a bite of the hotdog. Life did have its simple scenesarasota.com

pleasures. Kicking back the old gray blanket he did a double take. There was his calendar with his marks. The days he had seen her, the days he hadn’t. Putting down the food, he picked it up and leafed through the pages. It was all there.

Jo Jo never came back. As the winter got colder the boy gathered more blankets from social services. He occasionally stood in line for hot food and his little community would build a fire under the bridge until the cops came and made them put it out.

As a bitter winter turned to spring he thought about the girl and even saw newspaper stories with the same rough sketch of Spirit. He never put the costume on again, and in late spring when he went to find the bike, it had been stolen.

He thought about the event from time to time and decided that if you had one good moment in your life, one really great moment, maybe life was worth living.

He decided that he’d had that good moment. And maybe, somewhere up in heaven, his mother was looking down and maybe she knew that he hadn’t been afraid this time. Maybe she knew that he’d

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didn’t deserve a hero.

For a very brief time, for two days, he’d been Spirit. And because of that, life was good.

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cene

LITERARY S

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Radical Sabbatical: A Hilarious Journey from a Stifling Rut to a Life Without Boundaries by Glen Tibaldeo and Laura Berger (Berdeo LLC, paperback, 310 pages, $16.99)

Who doesn’t dream of one day chucking it all and heading off to the great unknown for some adventure? Well, the authors of Radical Sabbatical did exactly that. Self-described “cubicle convicts,” Glen Tibaldeo and Laura Berger, ditched their cut-throat Chicago corporate jobs and headed for the jungles of Costa Rica with “eleven suitcases, two laptops, and two cats.”

Yes, this book is inspirational in the way a good “Chicken Soup for the Soul” story is, but it’s also funny and exciting, too. The range of experiences here in this real-life comedic memoir is impressive. Letting a boa constrictor loose in a house to get rid of bats. Drinking mystery potions from a shaman.

Braving the side of a cliff despite a crippling fear of heights. It’s hard not to root for this couple in their wild adventure, almost always on the brink of losing everything they have as they search to get everything they’ve always wanted. “Society has conditioned us for tunnel vision when thinking about the potential for our lives,” says Berger. “They say the world is your oyster, but your potential extends beyond the oyster to the entire ocean and the stars.”

Tibaldeo and Berger’s story about choosing to live life on their own terms helped launch their company Bedero Group LLC, a boutique leadership development and project management consulting firm. They’ve also become sought-after speakers with such presentations as “Life and Leadership Lessons from the Jungle,” “Intrepid Leadership,” and “Rappelling the Canyons of Your Career.”

Berger adds, “Our lives are so blessed and different than before, and we feel so much more free. Anyone who is not feeling fulfilled in their lives should really pick something that stirs them at their core and go out and do it. And there will be struggle, but we need to remember the words of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus: ‘That which opposes produces a benefit’.” In short, there’s a party on the other side of that struggle, and the authors look forward to seeing you there yourself.

For more information on Radical Sabbatical, please visit www.radicalsabbaticalbook. com. For more from these authors, please visit www.psychologytoday.com/experts/lauraberger-and-glen-tibaldeo.

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scenesarasota.com

Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight by Jay Barbree (Thomas Dunne Books, hardcover, 384 pages, $27.99)

About author Jay Barbree, Tom Brokaw said, “This man knows more about space than anyone I know.” Larry King called Emmy-winning NBC News reporter Barbree “arguably the best correspondent to ever cover the space program.” Who better, then, to write the biography of Neil Armstrong, America’s #1 name in space history, a man who died just two years ago at the age of 82?

Barbree is the only reporter to have witnessed and covered all 166 American astronaut flights and moon landings beginning with Alan Shepard aboard Freedom 7 in 1961. This book shows that Barbree knows that world better than any other. Relying on more than 50 years of conversations with Neil Armstrong, Barbree has access to the real Neil. Plus he’s also gotten information from notes, interviews, NASA spaceflight transcripts, and remembrances from those who knew Armstrong well. What quickly becomes apparent in this book is that Armstrong had three great loves in this life — family, friends, and flight.

Plenty of biographies include photos to help tell the story, but the dozens of black and white images included in this book feel fresh, new, and previously unseen. Taken together with the informal but detailed writing style, the book helps readers get a real sense of what Armstrong was feeling as he took that first historic step on the moon, what NASA life was like, his relationship with Buzz Aldrin and other astronauts, and what he thought about the future of space exploration.

If there’s a hiccup in this book, it might be that, at times, technical details crop up which could be beyond the grasp of laymen. But the book remains a thorough, compelling, and powerful tribute to one of the great American heroes, who seems humble and down-toearth, despite his truly amazing achievements. Armstrong was a fairly private person, so for those who dream of rocket ships or fondly recall America’s great space race, this book is a welcome, fact-driven look at how a small-town boy from Ohio became one of the 20th Century’s most famous Americans. scenesarasota.com

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LOCALLY

NEWS SHAPING

OUR COMMUNITY BLAKE MEDICAL CENTER APPOINTS NEW COO Blake Medical Center has appointed Valerie PowellStafford as its new Chief Operating Officer to oversee all the day-to-day operations at the hospital. Powell-Stafford has a varied background in hospital and physician practice operations most recently with Doctors Hospital of Sarasota where she was the Chief Operating Officer since 2009. blakemedicalcenter.com

GULF COAST AWARDS $2 MILLION IN DONOR GRANTS Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Board of Directors recently approved nearly $2 million in grants recommended by donors who have established charitable funds at the foundation. Board members also approved $52,185 in community grants of $10,000 or less to area nonprofit organizations and nearly $8,000 for small projects funded through the GulfCoastGives. org charitable fundraising website. A list of organizations that received grants is available at GulfCoastCF.org.

JEWISH FEDERATION RECEIVES $1 MILLION BEQUEST The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee recently received a gift of just over $1 million from Bradenton resident Semha Zimmerman, who passed away in March. Zimmerman requested that the funds be used in honor of her husband, Abraham, who passed away in 2002 from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Jfedsrq.org

COMMISSIONERS APPROVE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX FUNDING FOR THE ARTS The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners has approved nearly $1.6 million in Tourist Development Tax funding for the arts. A list of organizations receiving 82

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funding is available through The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. sarasotaarts.org

GULF COAST BOARD ELECTS NEW OFFICERS The Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board has elected Benjamin Hanan as Chair and Phil Humann as Vice Chair for one-year terms as board officers beginning July 1. Hanan is the managing partner of law firm Shumaker, Loop, and Kendrick’s Sarasota office.

Humann is the former chairman and CEO of SunTrust Banks. Hanan and Humann also were elected to new three-year terms on the Board, along with Judy Cahn, Jim Gallogly, and Michael Saunders. gulfcoastcf.org

GOODWILL MANASOTA UNVEILS RETAIL STORE AS PART OF NEW CORPORATE CENTER Goodwill Manasota opened a new 35,866-square-foot retail store with a 24 hour drive-through donation center on July 17 at the northeast corner of 51st Ave. East and U.S. 301 in Manatee County. The new store is the first section of the corporate center headquarters campus to open on the 9.2acre site in October. The new campus will feature a variety of eco-friendly initiatives such as electric car charging stations, bike and scooter parking, and SCAT and MCAT transit stations.

WBTT RECEIVES SELBY FOUNDATION GRANT Westcoast Black Theatre has received approval for a $92,000 grant from The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation for the installation of new canopies on the north and west sides of the WBTT theater building, where presently there are open concrete walkways. This will improve the appearance of the building and provide protection from the weather for anyone near the building. wbttsrq.org scenesarasota.com

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