March2016

The Design Issue Love Where You Live Tips & Trends Gardens in Paradise Shining Lights The People’s Author

John Jakes

Cultural Givers MARCH 2016 $3.95 U.S.

Inspiring Events

Remotely Connected to Everything

$50,000 BUYER INCENTIVE PACKAGE* *Only applies to a select group of homesites.

See The Concession Real Estate Sales Staff for full details.

One-Half to Full Acre Homesites Preserve and Lake Lots Available 75% Sold Out • Gated Community Private Roads • No CDD Fees

Minutes from Lakewood Ranch and UTC N

To Tampa

41

301 SRQ Airport

75 Shoppes at UC

Lakewood Ranch Boulevard

70

State Road 70 Lakewood Ranch

Lorraine Road

State Road 64

64

North Entrance Main Entrance

University Parkway

The Mall at UTC

To Naples

Come See our 6 Luxurious Models... Open Daily The Concession Real Estate Co., Inc. 8305 Lindrick Lane, Bradenton, FL 34202

941.388.0501

theconcessionrealestate.com Attention to Detail Makes the Difference

Art of Ireland

As Good As It Gets

Celtic Arts & Crafts Gallery

Purveyor of Extraordinary Delicacies

artofireland@aol.com

asgoodasitgets49palm.com

941-366-1900

941-373-1839

Art to Walk On

Dabbert Gallery

Fine Oriental Carpets

Fine Painting and Sculpture

arttowalkon.com

dabbertgallery.com

941-951-5454

941-955-1315

Stroll Historic Palm Avenue and shop with some of Sarasota’s finest collection of merchants. Discover exceptional fine jewelry, fine art galleries, rare oriental carpets, exquisite home accessories and much more. Palm Avenue’s First Friday Walks are from 6 till 9 pm. Enjoy shopping, dining and live performances. w w w . P a l m A v e n u e . o r g

DeMarcay at 33 South Palm

Galleria Silecchia

Mélange Home

Historic Moderne Residences

International Fine Art

Fine Linens, Tabletop, Home Decor

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galleriasilecchia.com

melangehomedecor.com

877-774-3782

941-365-7414

941-444-7969

Distinctive Interiors

Lubé of Sarasota Cabinetry

Palm Avenue Fine Art

Interior Design Services & Showroom

Fine Crafted Cabinetry

Representing International Living Masters

distinctiveinteriorsdesign.com

lubeofsarasota.com

palmavenuefineart.com

941-955-8889

941-954-0200

941-388-7526

APR 1, 2016 6:00 – 10:00 PM

The fourth annual Wine Walk to Ca’ d’Zan is a self-guided wine tasting tour along the drive to John and Mable Ringling’s historic mansion overlooking Sarasota Bay. Guests will receive a signature “Wine Walk” wine glass before they stroll The Ringling estate, taste fine wine, and delight in delicious food pairings and entertainment inspired by the four seasons. The evening will conclude on the bayfront with live music and entertainment.

$135 / $120 for Members $200 VIP* Net proceeds will be directed to the Ca’ d’Zan Preservation Fund.

*VIP ticket holders will enjoy an early entry time, valet service, and a champagne toast welcome.

Also included is access to the VIP lounge located on the Ca’ d’Zan Terrace featuring special cuisine, distinctive blends, and a dedicated service staff. A limited number of VIP tickets are available.

 Live entertainment   Seasonal wine and food pairings   Self-guided tour on the historic grounds 

Tickets available online at ringling.org or by calling 941.358.3180 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL

Photo by Maria Baranova

I UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING BETTER

BY DAVID NEUMANN / ADVANCED BEGINNER GROUP MAR 11 & 12, 7:30 PM Through a union of creative movement and the expansive structure of Japanese Noh theater, Neumann incorporates technology, weather reports, and personal narratives in an examination of our impulse to report on calamity.

CONVERSATION WITH DAVID NEUMANN MAR 12, 2:00 PM David Neumann, Founding Director of Advanced Beginner Group, shares the fascinating and moving personal journey that led to the creation of I Understand Everything Better.

DISCOVER MORE

ringling.org

941.360.7399 OPEN DAILY at 10 AM

362 DAYS A YEAR!

WHAT’S ON

DISCOVER CIRQUE/ CYRK/ CIRKUS: CIRCUS POSTERS ACROSS EUROPE EXHIBITION OPENS MAR 4 This poster exhibition explores how 20th century circuses of Eastern and Western Europe expressed their strong individual identities in print.

VIEWPOINT: BARNUM’S BIRD—ART, ADVERTISING, AND THE CULT OF CELEBRITY MAR 19, 10:30 AM Known throughout the world as The Swedish Nightingale, P.T. Barnum brought Jenny Lind to America for a triumphal tour which established him as a leader in the entertainment world and as the inventor of the cult of celebrity.

WINE WALK TO CA’ D’ZAN APR 1, 6:00 – 10:00 PM The fourth annual Wine Walk to Ca’ d’Zan is a self-guided wine-tasting tour along the drive to John and Mable Ringling’s winter residence on Sarasota Bay.

Living In The Heart of Sarasota Overlooking the bayfront, surrounded by all the shopping, dining, theatre, and arts that make our downtown so special, Sarasota Bay Club offers outstanding services and amenities personalized to fit any desired 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 at The Inn at Sarasota Bay Club.

R Full-Service Retirement Living Discover The Bay Club Difference For Yourself!

Schedule A Personal Tour of Sarasota Bay Club Today Call Linda Ware or Dana Moe

(941) 552-3284

(941) 366-7667 1301 N. Tamiami Trail • Sarasota, Florida

www.SarasotaBayClub.com

Design March 2016

Volume 59 No. 3

54

62

54 DO YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE? Nutter Construction Transforms a 1980s Floor Plan into Modern-Day Living

By Sue Cullen | Interior Design by Kristin Rayon Designs

62 DESIGN 2016 – WHAT’S IN STORE? Design Tips and Trends

By Jacqueline Miller

72 A SOLID LEGACY Custom Homebuilder Legacy Builders

By Jacqueline Miller

80 GARDENS IN PARADISE The Sarasota Garden Club’s Annual Home Garden Tour Features a Harbor Acres Beauty

By Jacqueline Miller

84 SHINING LIGHTS Award-Winning Creative Lighting Designs by Ringling College Students

By Jacqueline Miller

cover Casual dining space revitalized by Nutter Custom Construction

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Preparing for the future? Let’s have that conversation.

Planning your family’s future is too important to treat lightly. That’s why you should evaluate a Financial Advisor based on what they can do for their clients. The guidance they provide, the insight they’re equipped with, the level of service and excellence they offer. Contact The Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley and find out how we can help you prepare for the years ahead.

The Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley Two North Tamiami Trail, Suite 1100 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-363-8514 rochelle.nigri@morganstanley.com www.morganstanleyfa.com/ bellwethergroup Left to right: Kathy Francoletti CTFA,® Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; Richard T. Williams III CFA,® Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; Scott L. Rockwell, Vice President, Financial Advisor; Aimee Cogan CFP® CIMA®, Managing Director-Wealth Management, Family Wealth Director, Wealth Advisor Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP,® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the US. Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA,® Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (with graph element),® and Certified Investment Management Analyst.SM © 2015 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1176138 04/15 WMC001

DEPARTMENTS

95

42

SOCIALS

109 EDUCATION

22 4th Annual Women & Medicine Luncheon 30 Catholic Charities Ball 32 Sarasota Opera Gala “An Evening on the Nile” 50 Conservation Foundation’s Palm Ball 88 Circus Arts Conservatory Gala 91 Dimmit Auto’s Sarasota Studio Grand Opening 93 Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund Golf & Poker Charity Event

The Youth and Outreach Programs of Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

112 THE BUZZ AROUND TOWN With Sarasota’s Busiest Bee Suzette Jones

124 LITERARY SCENE

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

24 EVENTS CALENDAR 35 PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

HEALTH 127 The Most Common Cancer

By Ryan S. Jawitz, DO FAOCD

42 GET INSPIRED Cultural Happenings from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

95 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW Writing America’s History: John Jakes

By Gus Mollasis

104 A Touch of Glass Philip and Nancy Kotler

By Steven J. Smith

106 Vibrant Giving Arnold Simonson

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

SCENE

By Mark Walter, M.D.

129 What is a Hernia?

By Jonathan Yunis MD FACS

130 REWIND A Look Back Through SCENE’s Archives

GIVING

12

128 Stem Cell Orthopedics: A Nonsurgical Alternative for Serious Joint Problems

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March 2016

Š2016 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each franchise independently owned and operated.

for the love of home

TAMPA 2906 West Kennedy Blvd.

SARASOTA 1411 1st St. OPENING SOON!

californiaclosets.com 72 7. 5 73 . 0 70 0

Kiss of the Wolf Trunk Show March 3-5 | 10am – 6pm

Artistic fabric designs. Unique well-crafted, hand finished garments.

That’s Kiss of the Wolf’s essential and sustainable wearable art.

Catherine Bacon/ Susan Green Trunk Show March 17-19 | 10am – 6pm

Exquisite statement pieces that look fabulous and flatter everyone define Catherine Bacon’s exotic hand dyed and hand painted clothing.

With a high level of artisanship, beautiful color and unusual materials, the jewelry of Susan Green turns influences of nature into sophisticated and elegant contemporary adornments.

Kiss of the Wolf

364 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota 941-388-1974 dreamweavercollection.com Like Us On Facebook Customer Parking Behind Store

Catherine Bacon

The number of people we help support each year is equal to almost

FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

D

esign makes everything new,

A THIRD OF SARASOTA COUNTY’S POPULATION.

beautiful

and

unique. And just when

you thought nothing new could possibly

be

designed,

voila,

something new emerges. Whether it is a building, a home, a product, clothes, furniture, or a million other things, the talent of designers never ceases to amaze me.

When it comes to designing my home interior or accessorizing

COULD ONE OF THEM BE SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT?

my outfit, I am limited to say the least. I recall when I was furnishing my first apartment in New York City in the early 1980s. You guessed it – black, grey, chrome and mirrors ruled my world. I purchased abstract art – mostly black and grey. I had mirrored closets designed with hidden hinges to house electronic equipment, the kitchen pantry, and my clothes. I even had a bar hidden behind mirrored walls that opened from every side via hidden hinges. The only things missing was the huge disco ball. I must admit, not much imagination went into the overall feel. Grey sofa, black chairs, grey carpeting, grey, white and black flooring, all white kitchen. I think I put pink towels in the grey and black bathroom. That was my

CAMPUS OF CARING

attempt at some color. Really?

The Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center is an internationally recognized concept in philanthropy and in nonprofit administration that supports organizations who deliver services to those in need in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Celebrating our 25th anniversary, we currently provide homes to 19 nonprofit health and human service agencies on our campus at a deeply discounted occupancy rate, so they can focus on what’s important. Our reach is extraordinarily wide and our impact is profound.

Just as your next donation can be.

who has a much better eye for design than I do, my home is no

I am happy to say that today, with the help of my husband, longer monochromatic. When I look for home decor accessories, I look at adding pops of color, or an interesting accessory. I am no longer afraid to experiment! But it is my personal experience and shortcomings with design that gives me such admiration for professional designers and the beautiful style they create.

Within these pages, you will find designs from professionals as well as novices. From home design, to tips, and trends, I hope you’ll find something helpful and inspiring. I am also pleased to provide a platform in this issue for the design novices I was referring to – several students from Ringling College of Art and Design – who entered a prominent national contest for lighting design. I am sure you will find their designs exciting and exemplary of the outstanding talent Ringling College produces.

Also in this issue, Gus Mollasis interviews one of the most distinguished writers of our time, historical fiction author and Sarasota resident John Jakes. His most acclaimed novels include the North and South Trilogy, the eight-volume Kent Chronicles, a celebration of the Bicentennial, and Charleston. Jakes is a master at mingling the lives of fictional characters while staying true to

1750 17 Street, Sarasota FL 34234 941.365.4545 th

Visit us on Facebook or at gs-humanservices.org to make a donation, view our event calendar and learn more.

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March 2016

historical accuracy. Six of his major novels have been filmed as a television mini-series.

Enjoy the issue and our always-beautiful month of March!

julie@scenesarasota.com

The Best Heart Care Pumped Up Sarasota Memorial’s cardiac care is exemplary; world-class, in fact. From robotic cardiac surgery in the iSuites to TAVR in the Hybrid OR, our cardiac specialists, in affiliation with Columbia University, provide the area’s best heart care.

Now in our new Courtyard Tower, two state-of-the-art cardiac floors feature private, healing rooms equipped with advanced technology for all types of heart patients and their care teams. How do you improve upon the best care?

We do it with an enhanced patient experience that promotes faster recoveries.

If there’s a level up from best, we think this is it.

Look Inside: www.smh.com/heart

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• With its 120-bed Skilled Nursing facility, the amenities and services are exceptional

• Interdisciplinary Team of Experienced Professionals

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• 24/7 RN, LPN and CNA Staffing

• Evidence-based care & Individualized Treatment

• Licensed Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapists

• Physical, Occupational & Speech Rehabilitative Therapies

• Registered Dietician and Nutritional Management

• Case Management to Maximize Benefits

• Social Services

• AJs Fitness, an onsite, outpatient Center, helps you focus on Flexibility, Strength Training, Balance & Endurance

• Full-Time Activities Director

License # SNF130471051

EOE

CALL OR STOP BY FOR YOUR PERSONAL TOUR 5381 Desoto Road | Sarasota, FL 34235 | 941.355.6111 | www.hawthornevillageofsarasota.com

Inspirat ion LET US HELP YOU FIND YOUR

Locally Owned, Operated & Printed Since 1957 CEO/President

Ronald Milton

Publisher & Executive Editor

Julie A. Milton

Vice President Sales

Steve Slocum

Art Director

Michelle Cross

Distribution

Dick Jackson

Contributing Writers

Sue Cullen Suzette Jones Gus Mollasis Steven J. Smith Ryan G. Van Cleave

Photographers

Nancy Guth Kelly Kearns John Revisky

Address

5939 Approach Road, Sarasota, FL 34238

Lowest prices, best selection, unmatched customer service!

Your inspired look starts with us!

Rugs As Art ...And More!

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March 2016

Phone

Fax

Website

941-365-1119

941-954-5067

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.

Available Exclusively At

Family Owned Since 1994

Silhouette ® with UltraGlide ®

Custom Draperies

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343 Interstate Blvd. • Sarasota • 941.342.0900 Moving TO THE SQUARE AT UTC! Call for CORRECT location or FREE in-home consultations

Moving to: 5405 University Pkwy. • University Park • Mon-Fri: 9-5, Sat 10-3 Behind CVS, next to the new Newks Eatery, Keke’s Breakfast Cafe and Oak & Stone

utc

THE

SQUARE AT

UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER

Social 4th Annual Women & Medicine Luncheon This sold out luncheon presented by The Women’s Leadership Council and supporting Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation was recently held at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Dr. James Fiorica, Gynecologic Oncology; Dr. Kenneth Meredith; Gastrointestinal Oncology; and Dr. Alissa Shulman, Plastic Surgery discussed the latest trends and innovations in cancer care. Event Chairs were Charlie Ann Syprett and Deb Kabinoff. Premier sponsor was Synovus Bank and Community Partner Sponsor was Roskamp Institute. A pre-luncheon exhibitor showcase featured 14 companies, organizations and institutions highlighting health and wellness products and services.

Photos by Nancy Guth

Judith Yeager, Kyla Weiner & Deb Kabinoff

Deb Kabinoff & Charlie Ann Syprett

Susan Tollerton, Chris Voelker & Noelle Haft

Jen Rust, Jane Thompson & John DeVries

Johanna Gustafsson, Margaret Wise & Ariane Dart

The Art of

CARING

Senior Lifestyle is bringing best-in-class assisted living and award-winning memory care OPENING SOON

THE SHERIDA N at L A K EWOOD R A NCH VISIT OUR WELCOME CENTER ON MAIN STREET OR CALL 941-893-1989 TO LEARN MORE TODAY!

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March 2016

WELCOME CENTER 8141 LAKEWOOD MAIN STREET SUITE N-102 LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34202 WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM

SHALL BE APPLYING FOR LNS ASSISTED LIVING LICENSE

March Calendar

For a complete listing of community events please visit scenesarasota.com Photo by John Revisky

USF Sarasota-Manatee’s 40th Anniversary HospitaBull Gala March 4 Polo Grill Fête Ballroom 6:00 pm. Celebrate USFSM’s history throughout the decades. Guest speaker is philanthropist and innovator, Jaimie Mayer Phinney. Tickets: $150 | 941.359.4603 | usfsm.edu

Realize Bradenton’s ArtSlam March 5 Downtown Bradenton 9:00 am. Features young artists, musicians and performers, site-specific art installations, and interactive art experiences. Free event | 941.621-6471 | realizebradenton.com

15th Annual Venice Art Classic March 5 – 6 Venice Ave., Venice 10:00 am. Eclectic array of original handmade art and affordable gift items by more than 150 artists. Free admission | artfestival.com

9th Annual BMW Of Sarasota Chillounge Night March 5 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota 6:00 pm. Enjoy an evening of festive food, drink and entertainment while lounging on chic daybeds and outdoor furnishings. Tickets: $25 - $35 | chilloungenight.com

Asolo Rep’s Gala – Cabaret at The Tropicana March 5 The Ritz Carlton 6:00 pm. Cocktail reception, dinner, paddle raise, live music, and dancing. Tickets: $300 | 941.351.9010 x4702 | asolorep.org/annualgala

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March 2016

Thomas O’Brien Collection

FINE FURNISHINGS. BRILLIANT DESIGN. LEGENDARY SERVICE. Robb & Stucky is the premier destination for exquisite home furnishings and the best and brightest in interior design.

From the moment you enter our showroom, you’ll see why the Robb & Stucky brand has surpassed the test of time – in fact, we’ve been creating beautiful interiors in Florida and across the globe for over one hundred years.

We invite you to rediscover Robb & Stucky today – where it’s easy to Live Life...Beautifully.

SARASOTA SHOWROOM: 7557 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 | (941) 702-8400 ROBBSTUCKY.COM • NAPLES • FORT MYERS • SARASOTA • CORAL GABLES • BOCA RATON Opening 2016!

Cat Depot’s “Love Me Do” Gala March 5 Sarasota Hyatt Regency 6:30 pm. Beatles-themed extravaganza with a buffet, open bar, music, dancing, auctions.

Proceeds will benefit homeless, abandoned, and injured cats and kittens. Tickets: $175 | 941.366.2404 | catdepot.org.

Women’s Resource Center Renaissance Luncheon March 7 Michael’s on East 11:00 am. Featuring guest speaker Galyle Tzemach Lemmon, author of “Ashley’s War.” Tickets $100 | 941.366.1700 | thewomensresourcecenter.org

2016 Glitz at the Ritz Luncheon March 10 The Ritz Carlton 11:30 am. Benefiting the Salvation Army and honoring Schoenbaum Humanitarian Award winners Keith and Linda Monda. 941.364.8845 x1112 | salvationarmyflorida.org TM

5th Annual Save Our Seabirds Sunset Soiree March 10 Mote Marine Aquarium 6:00 pm. Gourmet buffet, entertainment, and silent auction. Benefits Save Our Seabirds.

Tickets $100 | 941.388.3010 | saveourseabirds.org

Pique Nique sur la Baie

POPS Join us for a season of passionate music!

March 11 New College Bayfront 11:30 am. New College Foundation’s annual lunch, silent auction and fashion show. Benefits the Jane Bancroft Cook Library and New College of Florida.

Tickets: $150 | 941.487.5000 | ncf.edu

The Out-of-Door Academy’s Banyan Bash March 12 Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch 7:00 pm. Celebrate lakeside under the lights featuring delicious catered small plates, entertainment, dancing online and live auctions. Tickets: $150 | 941.554.3437 | oda.edu

DISNEY IN CONCERT March 18 - 19, 2016

THE BEAT GOES ON

United Cerebral Palsy’s Chocolate Sundae March 13 Michael’s on East 1:00 pm. Enjoy samples of beer, wine, pizza, sandwiches, seafood, desserts and chocolate.

Tickets: $10 - $30 | 941.251.4956 | ucpsarasota.org

April 15 - 16, 2016 Pops concerts 8:00 pm Van Wezel

Tickets from $32

26th Annual Florida Winefest & Auction March 17 – 20 Various locations and times. Includes Banquet on the Block March 18 at Lemon and Main streets, downtown Sarasota, wine lunches and dinners, and more. Proceeds assist local disadvantaged children. 941.952.1109 | floridawinefest.org

Suncoast International Dragon Boat Festival

941-953-3434 SarasotaOrchestra.org

March 19 Nathan Benderson Park 8:00 am. Form a team and participate or come out and watch the races. Benefits local non-profit, In the Pink. 904.534.3266 | suncoastdragonboatfestival.com

Top to bottom: Disney in Concert;

Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk-a-Thon

Andrew Lane, Principal Pops Conductor; Jack Everly, guest conductor

March 19 Payne Park, Sarasota 8:30 am. Event includes a 3k walk, live music, vendors, and family-friendly fun. Benefits Southeastern Guide Dogs. 941.729.5665 | guidedogswalkathon.org

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March 2016

Sarasota Garden Club’s 3rd Annual Garden’s In Paradise

Sarasota Opera’s Verdi Grand Finale Celebration

March 19 Sarasota Garden Club 10:00 am. This tour showcases

the stars then the Verdi Cycle Grand Finale Concert, followed

unique gardens. Gardens range from spacious, elegant landscap-

by after-party with cocktails and live music. Tickets: $250 |

ing, to well-designed smaller gardens. Tickets: $30 - $35. Kick-

941.366.8450 x402 | sarasotaopera.org

March 20 Sarasota Opera House 5:00 pm. Enjoy dinner under

off party and tour is March 18 at 5:30 pm., call for party reservation. Tickets: $75 | 941.955.0875 | sarasotagardenclub.org

JFCS Celebrity Chefs Food & Wine Tasting and Golf Challenge

Toast To Venice Annual Wine, Beer & Food Festival

March 22 The Resort at Longboat Key Club. Golf Challenge

March 19 Maxine Barritt Park, Venice 2:00 pm. Fun-filled after-

- shotgun 12:30 pm., Celebrity Chefs 6:00 pm. New this year

noon of food, wine, beer, and entertainment. Proceeds benefit

is the Tennis Challenge. Benefits Jewish Family and Children’s

local charities and organizations. Tickets: $40 | 941.375.4118 |

Service of the Suncoast. Tickets: $350 golf challenge, food &

toasttovenice.com

wine tasting | $200 tennis challenge, food & wine | $100 food & wine tasting | 941.366.2224 x142 | jfcs-cares.org

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund: The Disco Ball March 19 Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club 6:30 pm.

Siesta Key Village Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Games

Celebrate disco style with dancing and singing from the 1970’s.

March 26 Beach access #5, Siesta Key 9:00 am. Easter egg hunt

Benefits Lakewood Ranch Community Fund. Tickets $175 |

for children 1 to 6. Games and prizes, face painting and more.

941.556.5442 | lwrfund.org

Registration required. Tickets: $10 | siestakeyvillage.org

Ringling College’s Evening at the Avant-Garde

Selby Garden’s Easter Brunch & Family Egg Hunt

March 19 Ringling College campus 6:30 pm. Annual scholar-

March 27 Selby Gardens 9:30 & 11:30 am. Enjoy brunch, egg

ship fundraiser. Costumes are encouraged as well as cocktail

hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Tickets: $25 - $75 |

attire. 941.309.4728 | ringling.edu/avant-garde

941.366.5731 | selby.org

We love her too much to compromise. outhful Aging Home Health promises truly good days for your loved one. We are the area’s premier consierge private duty care agency, specializing in Alzheimer’s and dementia. To maintain the highest standards and personalized service, we limit the number of clients we serve, and you can interview and select your caregiver from our specially trained staff. Don’t settle for anything less.

The Private Care You Deserve.

Call Nicci Kobritz at 941-925-9532 for more information or visit youthfulaging.net March 2016

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Community Video Archives

Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon 11:30am Monday, April 18, 2016 | Michael’s On East Ballroom 2016 Honorees:

Mary Bensel

Howard Tevlowitz

Lori White

Nik Wallenda

When Mary Bensel became executive director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in 2007, she faced a $2 million deficit projection. By developing a top team and tightening fiscal controls, Mary has achieved a $1 million surplus and completed capital improvements making the Van Wezel the #1 tourist attraction in Sarasota and earning the #1 performing arts hall ranking by Venues Magazine four times.

“The Strength of a People, The Power of Community,” the motto of The Jewish Federation has been the driving force in Howard Tevlowitz’s life. In 2001 Tevlowitz was named Executive Director of JFED Sarasota-Manatee, where he has not only helped reinvent the organization’s strategic direction, but also enhance its community impact, with a focus on Israel “beyond the conflict” and Jewish cultural and arts engagement.

Lori White has been “going to school” in Sarasota since her childhood years at Alta Vista Elementary and Pine View. After earning her master’s degree in Special Education at FSU, she returned to Sarasota to begin her teaching career. Thirty eight years later in 2008, Lori was appointed Superintendent of Schools, and with the support of teachers, administrators and staff members, she is responsible for the education of 42,000 Sarasota County students.

Continuing his famous circus family’s tradition of amazing highwire performances, Wallenda is a daredevil in the air, whether on a wire or hanging from a helicopter, earning eight world records. Nik is a sought-after inspirational speaker, who encourages his audiences to “follow their dreams and never give up.” His achievements and positive messages have shined a positive light on Sarasota worldwide.

Induction into the Community Video Archives “Hall of Fame” with a professionally produced video biography of the honoree...which will live forever... is the most prestigious honor our community has to offer.

This event has been sold out since its inception. Reservations are available now. Seats: $90 per person. Tables of 10 (if available): $900.

Reservations: 941.365.7052 / videoarchives@verizon.net Community Video Archives is a 501 [c] 3 non-profit corporation CVA’s mission is to create a historical legacy by professionally recording, producing and preserving “Living Annette Scherman Histories’ of outstanding Sarasotans who helped shape our community in this period of time. CVA videos CVA Founder, President & Benefactor preserve the history, philosophy and persona of the special individuals inducted into our “Hall of Fame” each year.

Than ks To Ou r Sponsors

Gerri Aaron David & Myrna Band Renee Hamad Josephine Hennelly Betty Schoenbaum

Chris Pfahler

Event Chair & M.C.

AJC’s Human Relations Award Dinner March 30 Michael’s On East 6:00 pm.

AJC West Coast Florida will honor local philanthropists Edie and David Chai-

Choosing the right

Realtor

makes all the difference.

fetz with its Human Relations Award.

941.365.4955 | ajc.org

• Over 36 years of real estate sales & marketing experience, offering clients the highest level of personalized service

Upcoming Events: Fore The Love of Habitat Comedy Night and Golf Tournament

• Specializing in all price ranges & neighborhoods in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

April 7 – 8 Kick-start the event with a cocktail

• Institute of Luxury Home Marketing Member & Certified Specialist

reception and silent auction at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre at 5:30 pm. Scramble Golf

• Pittsburgh, PA native

Tournament starts next morning at Laurel

Let’s explore marketing and selling your home together.

Call for a private consultation!

Oak Country Club at 7:30 am. Tickets: $35 reception only | $200 reception and golf | 941.365.0700 | habitatsrq.org

Sandi Ansilio Realtor

La Musica’s Musical Chefs Interactive Dinner

941-586-8679 I SandiAnsilio.com sandi.ansilio@sothebysrealty.com

April 8 Michael’s on East Ballroom 6:00 pm. A lively, interactive dinner event featuring La Musica artists taking turns leading the crowd in cooking demonstrations

®

Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission.

Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

for the evening’s meal. Tickets: $150 $250 | 941.371.6798 | lamusicafestival.org

Children First’s Fairytale Ball: Sea of Dreams April 9 Michael’s on East 6:30 pm.

Fairytale inspired evening with dinner, dancing, and auctions. Tickets $200 | 941.953.3877 | childrenfirst.net

CPC’s Blue Ties & Butterflies April 13 Michael’s on East 6:00 pm.

Child Protection Center’s signature event to bring awareness about their mission

FRESH Spring LOoks These Pieces and More Arriving Daily at

in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. Tickets: $175 | 941.365.1277 | cpcsarasota.org

CVA’s Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon April 18 Michael’s on East 11:30 am.

Luncheon honoring Community Video Archive’s Hall of Fame inductees are Mary Bensel, Howard Tevlowitz, Lori White, and Nik Wallenda. Tickets: $90 | 941.365.7052

73 South Palm Avenue | Suites 220/221 | Sarasota, Florida 34236 (entrance between Caraguilo’s & Martin Freeman) 941-373-6333 | ruesrq.com View our latest styles on FB & Instagram March 2016

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Social Catholic Charities Ball More than 350 patrons attended the elegant Catholic Charities Ball held in the Ritz Carlton Ballroom. The gala featured a silent auction of unique wine and fine jewelry along with six fabulous live auction items. All the proceeds benefited Catholic Charities programs and services. Long-time sponsor Northern Trust was recognized for their commitment to Catholic Charities. After a delicious dinner, guests danced to the sounds of Soul Sensations. Event chairs were Mary Kenealy-Barbetta, Julie Delaney, Jane Norton, and Maria DeSanto. Photos by Nancy Guth

Mark & Judy Bokorney with Linda & Tim Whitacer

Bishop Frank Dewane, Margaret & Deacon Bob Gaitens & Deacon Jim Hanks

Phil Delaney & Sam Norton

Lisa & John Giglio

Julie Delaney, Mary Kenealy-Barbetta & Jane Norton

Dr. Penny Heinrich:

“Since Sarasota is my hometown, I’ve always wanted to return here and provide cancer patients with the best possible care through every step of their treatment. I founded Suncoast Cancer Institute in February 2016 to do just that.”

We provide comprehensive, compassionate and personalized cancer care. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and cancer. When you choose Suncoast Cancer Institute as your partner, you can expect the best possible care, using leading edge cancer therapies, education about your specific disease and treatment, and timely and effective communication. You are an active and critical member of our partnership and our goal is to provide you with premier oncology care and ensure the greatest level of patient satisfaction.

941.200.1125 www.suncoastci.com 1217 S. East Ave., Suite 201 Sarasota, FL 34239

Accepting New Patients!

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D r. H einrich is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. She is a member of Florida Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and the Florida Medical Association.

Available Treatments: • Outpatient Chemotherapy

• Biological, Hormone & Targeted Therapies

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Social Sarasota Opera Gala “An Evening on the Nile” Event chairs Edie Chaiftez and Sandra Lundqvist lovingly orchestrated a very special Egyptian-inspired evening at the RitzCarlton celebrating the opening of “Aida” and Sarasota Opera’s Winter Season. More than 350 opera lovers were wowed upon entering the ballroom by the massive palm centerpieces on linens of gold, the impressive Sphinx statues and Egyptian decor, and the delectable pyramid- and sarcophagus-shaped desserts.

Rave reviews were given as well for the delicious dinner, the live music and dancing, and the magnificent performances by Sarasota Opera Principal Artists. Bravo!

Photos by Kelly Kearns

Audrey Robbins & Harry Leopold

Edie Chaifetz & Sandra Lindqvist

Beathe & Jerry Elden

Richard & Cynthia Russell

Sandy & Vern Buchanan

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The Golden Image 30 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 mymkdesigns.com (941) 364-8439

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PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR Disney Fantasia at Van Wezel

Asolo Repertory Theatre 941.351.8000 / asolorep.org

A Song in my Heart at Sarasota Orchestra

The Circus Arts Conservatory

All The Way

941.355.9805 / circusarts.org

Through April 9 1964 was a pivotal year in American history and master politician Lyndon Baines Johnson sat at the center of it all, doing whatever it takes to get the Civil Rights bill passed and secure his re-election.

Cirque des Voix

Ah, Wilderness!

Through April 10 While the Miller family is planning their traditional holiday festivities, dreamy-eyed middle child Richard is spurned by his first love and sets out on a rebellious adventure into the adult world.

Macbeth (Conservatory) Through March 13 Scottish nobleman Macbeth receives a supernatural prophecy and chooses a life of violence, unleashing the devastating psychological effects of evil and the lust for power.

March 19 – 20 Features more than 100 voices from the Key Chorale and the Cirque Orchestra providing a beautiful soundtrack for world-renowned circus artists as they perform their signature acts at The Big Top.

The Sailor Circus Spring Show March 31 – April 9 Students of the Sailor Circus Academy showcase their unwavering talent and astonishing skills for the 67th edition of the spring show.

Florida Studio Theatre

Main Stage – Outside Mullingar Through March 26 Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness.

Stage III – My Name Is Asher Lev March 9 – 27 Set in post-war Brooklyn, boy prodigy Asher Lev must be a painter at all costs even though against the will of his family, community, and tradition.

Cabaret – Laughing Matters Through June 12 A musical Saturday Night Live for Sarasota.

Lemon Bay Playhouse 941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com

941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org

On Golden Pond

Main Stage – Butler

March 9 – April 3 This is a love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who return to their summer home on Golden Pond for the forty-fourth year.

Through March 5 During the Civil War in 1861, an escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting.

March 2016

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the 18th annual

April 1-10, 2016 For nearly two decades, the Sarasota Film

Festival

has

maintained

its

position as one of the leading tastemakers and trailblazers of the global

film

community,

while

advancing Sarasota’s own legacy of excellence in the arts and education.

Each

year,

we

welcome

an

unprecedented volume and diversity of cinema (over 250 films last year), as well as some of the most acclaimed and burgeoning actors, directors, screenwriters, and musicians of our time.

Become

a

member

today

and

experience the Festival to its fullest!

By becoming a member of the Sarasota

Film

Festival,

you

are

supporting our year-round operations and community enrichment efforts. As a thank you, this year we are expanding our benefits to include unparalleled

service,

access,

and

value. Have a look - we trust you will not be disappointed.

OPENING NIGHT April 1, 2016

FILM & PARTY

Van Wezel Performing Arts Center

For membership information please contact: 941.364.9514 member@sarasotafilmfestival.com

Sailor Circus photo by Cliff Roles

Verdi’s AIDA at Sarasota Opera photo by Rod Millington

Manatee Performing Arts Center 941.748.5875 / manateeperformingartscenter.com

Yank – The Musical Through March 6 Explores which stories get told in wartime, and how WWII became the great catalyst in bringing gay men and women together.

Bye Bye Birdie March 17 – April 3 Inspired by rock and roll icon Elvis Presley, this is the story of the adored Conrad Birdie before he is drafted into the army.

The Players Theatre 941.365.2494 / theplayerstheater.org

Hands on a Hardbody Through March 6 Under a scorching sun for days, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, 10 contestants fight to keep one hand on a brand new truck in order to win it.

Friday Night Live!

March 18 Three of Sarasota’s favorite comedians, Christine Alexander, Joey Panek and Beneva Fruitville, have combined forces to create a perfect storm of comedy.

La Cage Aux Folles March 23 – April 10 Georges is the suave owner of a glitzy drag club on the French Riviera. Partnered romantically with his high-strung star performer, Albin, the pair live a charmed life— until Georges’ son, Jean-Michel, turns up engaged to the daughter of a conservative politician who’s coming to dinner.

The Ringling 941.359.5700 / ringling.org

Trio Celeste March 5 – 6 Featuring Iryne Krechkovsky, violin, Ross Gaswoth, cello and Kevin Kwan Loucks, piano

Sarasota Ballet 941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org

Film Series 4 - Sir Frederick Ashton March 7 Features a film of some of Sir Frederick Ashton’s ballets.

Lecture Series 4 A Wedding Bouquet March 16 This lecture will demonstrate Sir Frederick Ashton’s unique ballet and its incredible characters.

Sarasota Opera 941.366.8450 / sarasotaopera.org

Beethoven’s Fidelio Through March 11 In a Spanish prison, the corrupt Pizarro unjustly imprisoned Florestan—a nobleman who had attempted to expose the villain’s crimes. Florestan’s wife, Leonore, infiltrates the prison by disguising herself as a young man, Fidelio, to save her beloved from certain death.

Mozart’s Così fan tutte Through March 12 Ferrando and Guglielmo believe that their respective fiancées will be eternally faithful, but the old philosopher Don Alfonso isn’t so sure. To show him that they are right, the two soldiers pull a prank on their brides-tobe, putting their faithfulness to the test.

Verdi’s The Battle of Legnano Through March 18 As the Milanese troops struggle to defend their city against the warrior Barbarossa, love for the same woman will test the friendship of two warriors.

Verdi’s Aida Through March 19 In a grand spectacle of vocal prowess, awe-inspiring ballet and choruses, sumpMarch 2016

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tuous scenery and luxurious costumes, experience Verdi’s beloved tale of a heartbreaking love triangle.

Sarasota Orchestra 941.953.3434 / sarasotaorchestra.org

Masterworks 6 – Our Town

Gordon Lightfoot March 11

Saturday Night Fever March 16

The Kingston Trio

The Young Irelanders

March 6 – 7 Musical performance by Grammy-winning legends of folk music.

March 17

March 11 – 13 Conductor Anu Tali and violinist Guy Braunstein performing Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8.

The Peking Acrobats

Pops 2 – Disney in Concert

STOMP

March 18 – 19 This multi-media experience features four acclaimed vocalists as well as scenes from Disney movies projected above the Orchestra.

Masterworks 7 - Legends

March 20

Bullets Over Broadway March 21 March 22

The Irish Tenors March 23

Linda Eder with Robert Cuccioli March 24

April 1 – 3 Conductor Anu Tali with guest pianist Antti Siirala, bring the season to a close with; Halvorsen’s Bergensiana, Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and R. Sibelius Lemminkäinen Suite (Legends).

The Midtown Men

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

An Evening with Sophia Loren

941.955.7676 | vanwezel.org

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

March 25

Million Dollar Quartet March 26

Aretha Franklin March 29 March 31

Venice Theatre 941.488.1115 / venicestage.com

March 3 – 4

Ragtime

Moody Blues

Through March 13 Musical set during the Scott Joplin era, tells the stories of three extraordinary families from different walks of life.

March 6

Disney Fantasia Live in Concert March 9

The Joffrey Ballet March 10

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March 2016

a dark and stormy night, where they encounter Dr. Frank N Furter and many other crazy characters.

The Rocky Horror Show Through March 19 Innocent newlyweds find themselves seeking shelter at a mysterious castle on

Patti Highland in Concert March 13 An evening of sing-a-longs and requests with country crooner Patti Highland.

The Silver Foxes present “Back to Broadway” March 22 – 26 24th annual show celebrating some of Broadway’s greatest moments.

Venus in Fur March 31 – April 17 Based on the erotic novel of the same name, David Ives’ play explores the lines between seduction and power in this behind-the-scenes look at an audition.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe 941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org

The Sam Cooke Story March 2 – April 9 This original musical tells the fascinating story of one of the most popular black singers/songwriters of all time.

YOUR STYLE, YOUR PARADISE

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PATIO

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DESIGN

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www.patiobydesign.com

STABIL Concrete Pavers has become a trusted name in the Sarasota/Manatee area for the all your paving needs. Our showroom features many products in a variety of shapes and colors for your selection along with samples for you to bring home. We carry both thin and thick pavers as well as 4 sizes of coping giving STABIL the ability to handle any job from new construction to a remodel of your current pool deck. Our well trained staff will work with you from start to finish ensuring your complete satisfaction.

Showroom: 7080 28th St. Court East Sarasota, Florida 34243/ Off Whitfield Ave 941.739.7823 StabilConcretePavers.com

GET INSPIRED

S

Cultural Happenings brought to you by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

arasota is filled with a myriad of inspiration for students who want to pursue a career in the arts. From Ringling College of Art and Design, to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, to Sarasota Ballet and so much more, students in Sarasota County have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore and pursue the arts. We asked tenth grade Cardinal Mooney High School student and aspiring graphic artist, Wyatt Thayer, to share his perspective. Below: Masque by Wyatt Thayer

“The expressive nature of all art and the creativity of people really inspires me the most about Sarasota's arts scene. It is such a wonderful place to take part in any of the arts. My career hope is to be able to animate movies or design movie props. There is no better place to start then right here at Ringling College or through any of the other outstanding educational programs available to us.”

Upcoming Events/Performances/Exhibits:

Sarasota Orchestra Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies March 18 and 19 at 8:00 p.m. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This multi-media experience features four acclaimed vocalists as well as scenes from your favorite Disney movies projected above the Sarasota Orchestra. Experience Academy Award winning music from Disney movies including Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and more! Tickets: $32 | 941.953.3434 | www.SarasotaOrchestra.org (tickets purchased through Sarasota Orchestra - not at the Van Wezel)

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WHaT WIll yOur lEgacy bE? Healthcare is a 24/7/365 endeavor. When you include the Healthcare Foundation in your will or estate plan you leave a lasting legacy of your values, ensuring that your community hospital stays at the forefront of healthcare. establisH your legacy.

sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, inc.

(941) 917-1286 | smhf.org

ENVISION

Tomorrow’s Healthcare Today

TM

the information contained on this ad is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. Please contact your professional financial advisor with any specific questions.

It’s time for Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s

Annual Golf Tournament

Celebrating Our 15th Anniversary!

Join us on Friday, May 6, 2016, at Laurel Oak Country Club Again this year ...Two-Field Tournament! East and West Courses open.

Registration: 9:00 a.m.

Shotgun Start: 10:30 a.m.

Format: Scramble Cost: $350 per player

Media Sponsor

Event includes golf, cart, breakfast, awards luncheon, beverages and a signature player gift.

Helicopter Ball Drop Sponsors

Space is limited, so act now! Sponsorships are still available.

For more information or to reserve your space, call 941-917-1286. or visit SMHF.org Proceeds benefit the Physicians Endowment

(Fund for SMH staff education)

Cirque/Cyrk/Cirkus: Circus Posters Across Europe March 4 – June 20. The Ringling Circus Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota. Around the globe, some aspects of circus performance remain universal, while others take on a local personality. Audiences are always thrilled by the highflying feats of an aerialist, the danger of an exotic animal act, or the comedic antics of a clown. However, circuses also reflect the unique cultural climate of each region through the mediums of performances and advertising.

This exhibition explores how 20th century circuses of Eastern and Western Europe expressed their strong individual identities in print. Tickets: 941.359.5700

The Rocky Horror Show Through March 19. Tuesday – Saturday at 8 p.m and again at midnight. Venice Theatre's Pinkerton Stage, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. Let’s Do The Time Warp Again! Join in the fun (audience participation encouraged) as newlyweds Brad and Janet seek shelter at a mysterious castle on a dark and stormy night, where they encounter Dr. Frank N Furter, his "perfect" creation Rocky, and an assortment of other crazy characters. Adult content. Audience discretion advised. Tickets $15 for students; $29 for adults. 941.488.1115 | www.venicestage.com

ETHEL on the Beach March 11 at 5:30 p.m. Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. FREE community programs are the heart and soul of the Hermitage Artist Retreat. The incredible string quartet ETHEL, known for its collaborations with top composers, has worked with many Hermitage fellows. Come hear why the NY Times called ETHEL “extraordinarily skilled, passionate musicians,” when they perform music by Hermitage composers on the beachfront of the Hermitage campus. Simply bring your beach chair and refreshments to enjoy this wonderful evening.

941.475.2098, ext 8 | www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

Sarasota Opera 2016 Winter Festival Since 1989, Sarasota Opera has been committed to performing all of the works, both operatic and non-operatic, of Giuseppe Verdi. At the completion of the Verdi Cycle on March 20, 2016, Sarasota Opera will be the only company in the world to have performed every work of Giuseppe Verdi. The final week of the 2016 Winter Festival Season will be a dedicated “Verdi Festival.” In addition to the new productions of Aida and The Battle of Legnano, Sarasota Opera will present two concerts dedicated to the music of Verdi, an international Verdi Conference, a 28 season retrospective exhibit on the Verdi Cycle, as well as many other events.

941.328.1300 | www.sarasotaopera.org.

March 2016

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Ringling College of Art and Design Photography & FIlm Constructs March 4 - April 2. Free and open to the public. Willis Smith

From special occasions to daily dining, Morton’s Market has got you covered.

Stop in for fresh seasonal produce, prime cuts of meat and seafood, and hot-fromthe-oven baked goods.

Choose from our tempting array of chef-prepared deli and gourmet to-go items, as well as fine wines, exotic cheeses and cut flowers.

Think of us for your catered events, holiday menus and gift baskets too.

Gallery, 2363 Old Bradenton Road, Sarasota. Opening reception: March 4, 4:30-7 pm (during Artwalk). Curator Tour: March 14, 11:30 am. This exhibition will introduce the work of sixteen artists whose ideas and concepts are manifest in film- based media. The individual works for the exhibition were each chosen to focus on the singular contributions of each respective artist. Each artist’s approach is different. The artist may construct a fiction involving a person or individuals, objects in a setting, a location and/or a narrative. The artist may realize a concept through an invention or reinvention of a person, place or narrative. In each example, the artist has been challenged to address purely formal issues as well, creating an invented image not seen before. www.ringling.edu/galleries

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Orchid Show Through March 27, 10 a.m.

- 5 p.m. daily. 900 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. More than 1,000 orchids from the subtropics and tropics of the Americas will be on display through March 27 at the Gardens’ conservatory

Historic Southside Village 1924 South Osprey Ave. ∙ Sarasota (941) 955-9856 ∙ MortonsMarket.com 46

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March 2016

for The Orchid Show: Celebrating 40 Years at Selby Gardens.

Admission: $19 Adults; $6 Children ages 4-11. Free to Selby Gardens Members. 941.366.5731 | www.selby.org

At HarborChase, our compassionate and dedicated care partners have created a soothing and tranquil atmosphere designed to ensure that residents enjoy optimal health, dignity and spiritual well-being, providing family members with true peace of mind.

Every day, our care partners strive to make a difference in the lives of our residents and family members by providing meaningful and nurturing care that truly transcends the expected.

For more information: (941) 468-2838 | www.HarborChase.com

5311 Proctor Road Sarasota, FL 34233 Assisted Living Facility #12753

“Our Name Says It All” With a combined 60 plus years of automotive sales, we know what it takes to earn your business and keep you coming back.

We purchase all makes and models and specialize in high demand, gently used, low mileage vehicles that are in the best possible condition, and quality tested by certified, licensed technicians. Why spend top dollar on a new vehicle that depreciates greatly the minute you drive it off the lot?

Plus we’ll get you the best deal and trade-in value on your car.

Our job doesn’t stop when you take delivery of your auto. It is also about what we do after, making sure your positive experience continues, so you’ll come back with your family and friends.

We offer easy financing with great terms and rates with a quick turnaround to get you on the road as quickly as possible.

Need to ship your vehicle? We can ship anywhere in the world and will make sure it arrives in the condition you sent it.

We promise not to disappoint you and will always listen and respect your concerns.

WE DON’T SAY IT — WE DO IT!

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2014 Audi S5 Prestige

2008 Bentley GTC Convertible

2010 BMW 6501 Convertible

2013 BMW 740LI

2014 Jaguar F-Type Convertible

2014 Mercedes E350 Cabriolet Convertible

White with Black 14,083 Miles Clean Car Fax (1 Owner)

Space Grey with Tan 14,869 Miles Clean Car Fax (1 Owner)

2012 Tesla S Performance Grey Metallic with Grey 27,491 Miles Clean Car Fax (Immaculate)

Sandstone with Saffron 31,536 Miles Clean Car Fax (New Top)

Rhodium Silver with Cirrus Leather 49,910 Miles Clean Car Fax (Immaculate)

2005 Lexus SC430

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941-924-4227 | PreferredAutoSarasota.com

Social Conservation Foundation Palm Ball The sunset-inspired Palm Ball was awash with hues of turquoise and coral amid glittering chandeliers and stunning floral arrangements, creating an elegant setting under tent at Bay Preserve. Hosted by honorary chair Cornelia Matson, and event co-chairs Jamie Becker, Mickey Davis and Margaret Wise, this spectacular evening stirred guests to give generously to save land, forever.

Photos by Nancy Guth

Ned Martin, Nancy Spangler & Dick Matson

Christine Johnson, Jaime Becker, Margaret Wise, Cornelia Matson & Mickey Davis

Kimberly Manooshian

Elizabeth Moore & Mrs. Garrett Barnes

Michael & Tammy Taaffe

2033 Vamo Way, Sarasota RoesslersRestaurant.com 941-966-5688

Traditional Continental Cuisine and Impeccable Service One of the area’s most extensive and awarded wine lists Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Dinner Tuesday – Sunday 5pm 50

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Sponsors Pal M Ball 2016

Barrier island BenefacTor Mr. & Mrs. J. Richard Matson

Barrier island angels Ann & Tom Charters Floyd C. Johnson and Flo Singer Johnson Foundation Octex, LLC & Mr. Albert G. Joerger/ Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Barrier island PaTrons Kent & Aimee Anderson Ned & Mickey Davis Janet Evans Pauline Wamsler Joerger Elizabeth Moore Orange Hammock Ranch Eileen Scudder & Russell Zimmermann Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP SunTrust Private Wealth Management generous suPPorT Provided By Jay & Becky Kaiserman Foundation Barrier island sPonsors Esprix Technologies Gulf Coast Community Foundation Stephen Wilberding & Teri Hansen BenefacTors Atlas Insurance – Rob Brown BB&T Charles & Nancy Blackburn Dr. Fritz & Ping Faulhaber Ann & Larry Garberding Homeport Mr. & Mrs. Fredric C. Jacobs Carolyn Keystone & Jim Meekison Michael & Christine Knupp Ron & Julie Milton, SCENE Magazine Peter & Allison Scanlan Glenn Shipley Steinwachs Family Foundation Dr. Krista Toomre & Dr. Harold Johnson Media sPonsor SCENE Magazine

We Save Land.

Forever. photo of triangle ranch: Daniel perales

Thank you to our Palm Ball sponsors who help to protect our blue waters and green lands.

A gift to Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast today, impacts forever.

9 41.91 8. 2 1 0 0 | www.co n ser vatio n fo u n d atio n .co m

Some day,

he’ll be courage.

Some day, this cute, cuddly—and not just a little bit crazy—10-week-old will be the difference between a life half lived, and one fully engaged.

But it’s not easy. It takes two years, thousands of dollars, and hundreds of volunteer hours to turn raw potential into polished performance. And it’s all possible because of people just like you.

Some day, with your help, starts today.

Your Hometown Heroes

What Is Your Risk Number?

RISK

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Get started at www.WealthWithScene.com Fast, FREE, Private today, and assess how much of that you are willing to risk (or lose) in exchange for an opportunity for a specific gain. In turn, this results in a quantified and objective outcome which you control. If you think that the results are off, we have a more detailed steps that can help you drill down to your specific comfort zone.

Our approach boils down to three simple steps to help you identify your financial goals and meet your expectations. Unlike many of our competitors, this apAt Wealth Planning and Design, we use math to

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ealth Planning and Design LLC

Do You

LOVE Where You LIVE?

By Sue Cullen | Interior Design by Kristin Rayon Designs

W

hile home construction is once again booming with new subdivisions proliferating and within established neighborhoods, many homeowners are opting to transform houses they already

love into homes brimming with 21st Century style and amenities. Nutter Custom Construction has been seeing more homeowners whose love for their location, neighbors or “old Sarasota” has made them realize that – with a bit of a makeover – they already own their dream homes.

As a concierge-style luxury custom homebuilder and remodeler, Nutter Custom Construction has demonstrated a flair for adapting time-honored styles for today’s homeowners with, for example, its polished coastal contemporary and British West Indies-inspired designs. “A lot of people love where they live, but don’t necessarily love everything about the house they live in,” says T.J. Nutter, founder of Nutter Custom Construction, “and with inventory so tight in our current housing market, they are not finding the features they are looking for. Not everyone wants to build a new home, so they choose to incorporate those features into their current homes.”

A recent remodeling project is a good example of how that can be accomplished. The project demonstrates how a 1980s era floor plan can be transformed into modern-day open, flowing spaces that meld indoor and outdoor living. The home is in the venerable gated community where many homes sit on spacious one-acre lots with doted-upon lawns and stately oaks – one of the few areas with such generously sized lots that are not way “out east”.

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“Until very recently most homes were not designed with outdoor spaces considered as a part of the home. For this home, we made outdoor living as much a part of the home as the indoor spaces,” Nutter said. “We removed a small gazebo and created an outdoor living room, kitchen, and pool/cabana area where they can take advantage of the climate we live in.”

The remodel also added about 1,000 square feet to the original 6,000 square foot home including a second floor guest suite. The tan and red brick Georgian-inspired design had a floor plan typical of its era with cut-up spaces, small kitchen, inefficient laundry area, and although the bedrooms were large, storage space was not. “We transformed it into something that pushes the envelope of contemporary Southern style,” Nutter says. “Now, the spaces are open and flowing with great areas for entertaining and relaxing.

We did this project for good friends of ours, and it was a great one to work on together. We’ve done about three dozen renovations similar in scope to this one, and have several under construction now.”

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Whether it is a remodeling or new construction project, homeowners still want an amenity-filled kitchen as the focal point of the home and master bedrooms that are serene–even spa-like–retreats.

Great room plans and flex spaces remain desirable rather than separate living and dining rooms. The emphasis remains on livability and clean lines, and homeowners still like the look and feel of upscale finishes. These elements can be incorporated regardless of the owners’ style preferences.

“We recently built a new French provincial home on a two-acre lot with a beautiful vista through oaks to Little Sarasota Bay,” he says. “Style is a personal preference, and although we have started to be known for our coastal contemporary and West Indies style designs, we like to create the space that our clients love.

Our goal is to work with our clients and construct what their vision is.” While remaining true to French provincial’s old world elegant, yet comfortably welcoming style, the home is thoroughly modern with wide open spaces, both physically and visually, and effortless flow room to room and from interior to exterior areas.

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Nutter Custom Construction professionals work with clients from site selection through movein with an emphasis on building a lasting relationship. “To provide the level of service we expect of ourselves and that our clients expect of us, we have to be hands on. You can’t be a huge operation and provide that in this business,” Nutter says. “We’re a family business and have a great team of people with a vast amount of experience. We try to treat people the way we would want to be treated. That’s our guiding principle.”

In addition to a devotion to quality workmanship, good communication, transparency, and being easy to work with also are key values for Nutter, stemming from his deep roots in the community and in the construction business. He is a Sarasota native whose father and grandfather owned roofing companies, so he literally has grown up in the construction industry, spending summers during college remodeling condos on the beach. Nutter has more than 20 years of experience, and in addition to being a licensed general contractor, also is LEED accredited and a certified home inspector.

With such deep roots in the area, he knows his skilled trades partners well. “We use people who have been working with us for years,” Nutter says. “I have a personal relationship with the majority of them, and we only use the best of the best. I grew up here, we are a local builder, and the community is very important to us. We value maintaining our good reputation.” That means keeping a focus on good

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Poolside Cabana communication and transparency throughout the construction process. Building a new home or completing a renovation is a complex process and, at heart, remains a hands on endeavor that may require adjustments along the way.

“Homes are still made by hand with many moving parts when you consider all of the trade partners who are physically in the field building things,” Nutter says. “When you build something by hand, it’s not a totally controlled environment, but with years of experience, you learn to anticipate and problem-solve so the process goes as smoothly as possible.” Particularly with renovations, that consideration can go beyond the client with the increased activity within the neighborhood itself. “We introduce ourselves to the neighbors upfront and try to communicate what they can expect,” he says. “We’re not perfect, but we try to be excellent.”

Open communication and transparency when working with clients, are partly defined by individual preferences. Nutter and his team are available via phone, text, email or social media depending on those preferences (941.924.1868 | nuttercustomconstruction.com). Clients also can check on their homes’ progress through a secure online portal. “We are an open book with regard to the cost and our process,” he says. “True transparency gives our clients information to make good decisions, and with custom construction, the need to make decisions will come up through the entire process.”

Ultimately, the goal is for clients to feel they have the home of their dreams, which gives them true pleasure every day and is an environment for kindling many happy memories with family and friends.

“Construction is all I know. I love creating something that has such an impact on someone’s life. There is no limit to the imagination when it comes to what can be accomplished,” Nutter says. “There is no better reward than to see what our team has created. It’s inspiring.”

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The New

Luxury

For designer Michael Perkinson, bringing comfort, function and design integrity to every luxury project is a winning formula that keeps clients coming back for more.

Michael Perkinson built M Interior Design on the foundation of exquisite design that is meticulously executed. Clients trust Perkinson will create spaces that evoke the welcoming embrace of a true homecoming every time they walk through the door.

His approach to full service luxury residential and light commercial design has been perfected over 30 years and has earned customer service and design awards, including from Houzz.com, a top home design website.

“It’s all about custom design and creating comfortable spaces that reflect a client’s style,” Perkinson says. “We take our work seriously, have extensive resources, and a great imagination for space planning and design solutions, but we always want to be friendly and approachable. We’re our clients’ advocate and always have their backs.” Perkinson is very experienced with new construction; working closely with architects and contractors to ensure the integrity of the design is retained. He also has helped homeowners reimagine existing spaces with a particular expertise in large-scale renovation.

Perkinson entered college as a fine art major, and then channeled his talents into interior design at one of the top seven art colleges in the U.S., Maryland Institute College of Art, where he began honing a natural eye for aesthetics. In his more than 30 years of interior design experience, Perkinson has worked on projects ranging from Mid-East palaces to a gourmet donut kiosk.

“While our work is high end, everything we do is accessible, appropriate and user friendly. The luxury is superb design, which doesn’t have to be excessively costly,” Perkinson says. “It’s all about bringing great design to clients and how their lives are enhanced and made more enjoyable.”

CONNECT

»»» 941-960-2401

| midsrq.com

DESIGN 2016

What’s IN STORE?

By Jacqueline Miller

Wood. Leather. Metal. Neutrals. Bold furnishings. Faux fur. Natural fibers. Max storage. Custom. “Smarter” spaces and appliances. Designers are calling the latest trends in design, décor and appliances exciting and unique yet classic and timeless. It can certainly get confusing for most of us who are unsophisticated design wannabes. If you’re looking to spruce up your home this year, here’s some tips and trends from local professionals to hopefully make your decisions easier and less stressful.

Interior Designer Stephanie Nolan, owner of the new Palm Avenue interior design and home accessory store Distinctive Interiors (distinctiveinteriorsdesign.com), loves designing custom furniture and creating exceptional works of art that reflect her clients’ personalities.

Stephanie, with the help of her talented craftsmen, designed this one-of-a-kind, bold and spectacular settee pictured here. This piece was crafted using an antique brown frame that will be refinished in white and upholstered using a modern, abstract fabric sourced in London. So, if something bold and different is on your list for new home decor, visit Stephanie to discuss a custom furniture design that is trendy yet timeless.

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Heather Weisenborn at Mélange Home on Palm Avenue (melangehomedecor.com) says creating unique table settings by mixing and matching pieces from different collections from around the world that reflect your taste and style is very much the trend. And she should know. She is a master at mixing pieces from collections such as Haviland Limoges, Arte Italica, Juliska, Alain Saint-Joanis and other specialty lines.

Shown here, Heather has paired Vieri’s white Incanto dinner plate on a gold Rufolo glass charger. A hand painted 14-karat gold Regalia orange dessert bowl sits on an aqua and gold Peacock Glass salad plate creating a glowing statement for your table.

Table settings are an important part of your home’s style and say a lot about you, your taste and vivacity. If you want to wow your guests, work with Mélange and customize your table setting so you can stand out from the rest.

Award-winning interior designer Michael Parkinson of M Interior Design in Sarasota (midsrq.com) has created exquisite yet comfortable and functional interiors for over thirty years. Michael’s tip for you? NEVER MATCH ARTWORK. Interesting. How many of us have done that before!

From Michael: “Never ever match the colors in artwork to anything in your space. You can blend, you can complement, you can even juxtapose the temperature, but please, never do

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“matchy matchy”, it’s just too sophomoric, too predictable and too flat - just a BIG NO NO. To me, this is one ”rule” you cannot break. Also to be considered is proper scale and position, certainly for more traditional spaces. But the envelope can be pushed for those more daring or who have a different aesthetic – let’s say modern spaces. And remember, art is to be seen, so proper lighting has to be considered.”

“This installation shows a client’s existing painting that was hung somewhere else in the house and is now at home over the fireplace. The size is correct, while the colors and subject matter compliment the room. It was the best choice of several pieces available. It’s a process that I love and the results can make a space come alive to be enjoyed every day by everyone.”

Before you pop into Home Depot or Lowe’s to pick your outdoor furniture, you may want to think twice. Do you want to see your outdoor furniture “coming and going”? Even your next store neighbor probably has the same set. Jan Sumner, showroom manager at Patio By Design in Sarasota (patiobydesign.com), has the easy answer for the trend toward custom yet affordable living.

Jan specializes in beautiful and unique outdoor furnishings using different frame choices and more than 100 fabric options to create custom outdoor living options for dining, conversing or pool lounging that coordinate with your style and maximize enjoyment. The furniture framing is made right in the Sarasota showroom on Whitfield Avenue giving Patio By Design total control over quality, ensuring a product that will perform well, be comfortable, and will stand up to the elements.

The bold and stylish dining set pictured here was customized and designed to capture the nautical vibe creating the perfect setting from which to sip your favorite beverage while enjoying the water view.

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Imagine waking up in the morning and stepping on silk or your baby happily crawling on something so smooth, natural and free of chemicals. Natural fibers are an important trend for 2016 and are thankfully becoming more and more prevalent in area rugs, which are undoubtedly one of the most important design elements of any room.

Jesse Murse at Rugs As Art on South Tamiami in Sarasota (rugsasart.com) has a fabulous and innovative line of eco-friendly rugs crafted from renewable corn resources. According to Jesse, rugs made from corn resources have superior durability, are stain resistant, and have a silky touch. Great for your home and great for the environment, the production of this amazing new corn fiber requires less energy and emits less greenhouse gas than other manufactured rug fibers. Jesse says this line of rugs are “hotter than July” (wasn’t that the name of a Stevie Wonder album?) and comes in a stunning subdued color pallet and an array of fashion forward designs that work easily with many room styles making these eco-friendly rugs a wonderful addition to any room.

It’s hard to imagine that anything new can be done to improve the convenience and function of our kitchen. Don’t we have everything already?

Well, apparently we don’t.

Just ask the man who knows everything about the latest and greatest happenings in the kitchen and bath world, John Smithman, owner of The Plumbing Place on Fruitville Road in Sarasota (theplumbingplace.com).

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John introduced me to my new best friend – The Galley Workstation – sure to be one of the “must have” kitchen dream products for 2016.

John told me this innovative concept was the brainchild of a passionate kitchen designer and family cook, Roger Shollmier, who one day had an epiphany. Why not have one convenient place for prepping, serving, entertaining, and cleaning? So, Roger built his concept for his own kitchen. His family and friends loved it so much, that he built workstations for them and just like that, this fabulous workstation is changing the way people think about their indoor and outdoor kitchen.

The Galley comes in several lengths and can be customized to suit different needs. It makes cooking fun again, parties a breeze, and cleanup a snap. If you want to see the array of design options for The Galley Workstation, John would be happy to show them to you at The Plumbing Place.

Maximizing space and creating custom storage is also a major trend. With all the new technology and large electronics, designing media centers is fast-becoming an option that companies like California Closets (californiaclosets.com) have mastered well. They successfully combine lots of style and function bringing harmony to the all important and much-used media center. Kenny Cleary, owner of the Sarasota and Tampa California Closet showrooms, was the perfect person to ask about these trends and how his clients are maximizing their space with custom storage choices.

From Kenny: “People want to ‘tame the technology’ by installing electrical access within a custom media system to hide all cords and cables behind the cabinetry. Sliding doors allow you to cover your flat-screen television and other electronics when not in use. And because you can personalize your media center design, you can have both open and closed storage, keeping open spaces to showcase special pieces of art or photos, while hiding unattractive electronics in closed spaces.

If you have the space, a well-designed walk-in closet can be a room all on its own. And while it certainly is a great thing for you, it also adds more value to your home or apartment. How many of

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us have clothes we don’t wear? It’s generally because most of the time we don’t see them.

We have to dig to find them. Having the right space to fold sweaters and shirts and stack them on the shelves solves this problem. Customizing a closet also allows you to group your clothing types together, which also makes finding what you need so much easier.

If you think about customizing these important spaces, you will certainly add beauty, convenience, comfort, and value to your home, which will not only update your home with the latest trends, but will also be money well spent.

Always wanted to bake a soufflé but wouldn’t dare try it in your fifteen-year-old no frills oven? Well the ovens of today take all the guesswork out of even the most difficult dishes. And there’s no better place to scour the latest and greatest appliances than at Mullet’s Appliances on Clark Road in Sarasota (mullets.com).

I marveled at the innovative design and functionality of Wolf’s M Series Ovens. These ovens successfully combine amazing cooking technology and exterior designs to work with different kitchen styles.

Just dial in any of 10 precision cooking modes, and the oven delivers the optimal heat and airflow for the dish. No hot or cold spots to spoil your results. Just beautifully browned roast chicken, perfect chocolate chip cookies, crisply crusted casserole. You’re in culinary heaven. Making a soufflé is no longer a scary proposition.

The Wolf M series exterior designs work in traditional, modern, and other style kitchens. The Contemporary, with its minimalist no handle design, black glass and color LCD touch panel, has a look sleek enough for even the most visionary kitchen. The Professional is bold, confident and eminently functional, with the classic pairing of iconic Wolf red control knobs and gleaming stainless steel.

And the transitional style, with its stainless frame and black glass, enhances almost any type of kitchen.

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How many of you have ever walked into a lovely home only

“Organic living” is another trend that is becoming a fa-

to see plain-looking window treatments or bedding looking

vorite of Josephine’s clients. This style is a clutter-free

like it popped out from a “bedding in a bag”? The truth is

approach combining clean lines and no fuss function for

window treatments, bedding and accessories are some of the

a natural, easy living vibe inviting guests to kick off their

more important details of your home’s interior design that

shoes and stay awhile.

can make it either look spectacular or just plain ordinary.

Modern trends aren’t limited to whites and beiges anyTo find out what’s trending right now in that area of

more, according to Josephine. Sleek and contemporary

design, I asked a very highly trained and experienced

rooms look ultra fashionable with gray and black paired

designer, Josephine Coco, owner of Inspired Drapes by

with transparent sheers. Another great look is to layer

Budget Blinds (budgetblinds.com), to share her exper-

patterned valances with soft shades to play off the tex-

tise. Josephine has designed thousands of window and

tures of stone, metal and ceramics.

door treatments that not only fit today’s trends, but also represent the personal style of her clients.

Josephine’s final advice is to experiment with how different styles can complement your existing furnishings,

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“There are so many different trends today. “Cultural Eclec-

and to see how different materials can change the light-

tic”, what I call designs with a mashup of cultural themes,

ing and mood of your rooms. This is easily done with

is quite popular. To achieve this feel, I use bright colored

a design expert like Josephine, who can come to your

textures and visually interesting shapes and decorative ac-

home with fabrics, shutters, blinds and more so you

cessories that evoke a sense of somewhere far, far away or

can envision how beautiful your room can look before

someone’s favorite destination,” said Josephine.

you buy.

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Casual Ambiance

Meets

Authentic Italian

5104 Ocean Blvd. | Siesta Key | 941-349-1423 | cafegabbiano.com Open Daily 5pm-10pm. Tasting Menus available Sunday to Thursday.

Cater your perfect day perfectly. www.moderneventscatering.com

Š2015 Tableseide Restaurant Group. All Rights Reserved. All names and their logos are trademarks of the Tableseide Restaurant Group.

941.552.9650

CREATING A UNIQUE SPACE

Interior designer Stephanie Nolan’s new Palm Avenue showroom, Distinctive Interiors, offers unique choices & expert design services

D

istinctive Interiors is adding to the art-district vibe of downtown Sarasota’s Palm Avenue, finding a home among the area’s art galleries and specialty stores with its highly visual window display and array of custom home furniture and accessories available for purchase.

Owner Stephanie Nolan, who opened Distinctive Interiors in January, also offers a full range of residential and commercial interior design services. “I wanted a showroom where people can come for inspiration as well as for retail items and interior design services,” Nolan says. “The showroom has many unique pieces, including custom furniture, accessories, floral arrangements, pillows, and mirrors. Everything is set up for the person who is looking for something different.”

Growing up in coastal New England, Nolan was fascinated by exceptional architecture and design and found she enjoyed a wide range of styles although the showroom reflects local construction trends. “The showroom is more transitional with a modern edge and a Palm

CONNECT:

60 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota

|

Beach vibe,” she says. With many years of experience designing local residential interiors as well as more than a decade of commercial design experience working in Boston architectural firms, Nolan has exceptional project management skills and an in-depth understanding of crucial structural and construction considerations.

A peek in Distinctive Interiors’ front window provides a glimpse of Nolan’s flair for creating unique spaces.

She plans to change the window every four weeks, with themes based on what is current in the market, to inspire homeowners looking for a seasonal refresh or a completely new look. Her first window was a symphony of winter white and pieces that work well with a white palette. “I love being able to showcase how to pull together a look,” Nolan says, “but whether it’s a beach cottage or modern penthouse, I always want to be sure it works for the client and has longevity. What is important is listening and understanding each client’s unique personality and revolving the design around that.”

941.955.8889

|

DistinctiveInteriorsDesign.com

A Solid Legacy

By Jacqueline Miller

A great company is always more than just a sum of its parts. For award-winning Legacy Builders, hard work, dedication, a deep commitment to its clients beyond a contract, and a very talented team have totaled a winning formula that most companies only dream of achieving.

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With their straightforward, open-minded, fair and honest approach, owners Mike and Wendy Greig believe in building a home that will leave a legacy. Even after more than 25 years of combined experience, their passion for building has them constantly looking for new methods, materials and technology to incorporate in the homes they build.

Mike is known for demystifying what can be the overwhelming process of home building or remodeling.

His uncanny ability to connect well with his clients has made him a sought-after builder in the marketplace. From their first handshake, clients recognize Mike’s penchant for perfection, creative problem solving and his understanding of his clients’ highly individual lifestyles. These traits, coupled with his unwavering demand for quality of workmanship, has made Legacy Builders, as one customer says, “different than any other builder in the market.”

Wendy is a CPA and makes it all happen on paper. She enjoys helping clients understand their business’s finan-

cial performance and teaching them more efficient ways to organize and track data. Â When she is not working, Wendy can be found at the YMCA where she is a Zumba instructor. Mike and Wendy have two beautiful girls and they hope one day it will be their legacy to continue the family-owned business they have proudly built.

Legacy Builders team was chosen for their expertise, superior work ethic, and commitment to excellence, as well as their passion for surpassing customer ex-

For Legacy clients, once their project is underway,

pectations, and for setting new standards in customer

communication becomes even more important. Legacy

satisfaction. Legacy Builders strives to make every cli-

offers a secured internet portal dedicated to the

ent experience a pleasurable one.

management of every project, which allows Legacy to optimize communication between its team members,

Mike, Wendy, and the Legacy team know that when

architects, subcontractors, designers and most impor-

building a custom home communication is key. That

tantly, its clients. The system provides real-time 24/7

starts with getting a voice on the phone when you

access to scheduling information, timelines, change

call Legacy, not a menu, and visitors to their office are

orders, documents, photos of the home at all stages

welcomed and greeted by name. Every call, contact,

of construction, warranty management, and homebuyer

and request is received with an eagerness to serve.

selections.Â

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Legacy Builders has also taken out the guesswork

Johnson, ASID Associate, IIDS Associate, for the fin-

when it comes to knowing what your home will re-

ishing touches on their home such as window treat-

ally look like after it is built. Now with the click of

ments, furnishings, painting and wall covering, art,

a button, clients can tryout different finishes, paint

bedding, lighting and more. Her concierge approach

colors, hardware, lighting, room layout and furniture

takes what is usually a daunting and time consuming

decisions by using Legacy’s virtual builder located on

process and turns it into a seamless adventure, keep-

its website www.builderssarasota.com.

ing her clients on budget and on time. “My goal is to make this a fun and exciting process and to create

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Clients also have the opportunity to collaborate with

memorable spaces which are sophisticated, yet ap-

Legacy’s award-winning in-house designer, Sybill

propriate and comfortable for our clients,” said Sybill.

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Legacy Builders has built custom homes on Longboat

and natural materials, giving the homes a feeling of

Key, Casey Key, Siesta Key, Bird Key, Sarasota, No-

timelessness and character. With only four remain-

komis, Venice and in Lakewood Ranch. In addition to

ing lots, prices for these lots range from $229,000

“on your own lot builds”, Legacy also has partnered

to $629,000.

in several projects under construction. To learn more about these communities, call Legacy Builders at

Indian Lakes

941.412.4901 (CGC# 1514144)

For those who want to get away from city life yet

The Homes of Laurel Park

still be close to it all, it doesn’t get any better than Indian Lakes. This great location with wide-open

This 3-acre site consisting of 19 lots is located in

spaces and a natural setting is east of I-75 off Fruit-

downtown Sarasota near historic Burns Court. Legacy

ville Road and features 67 three-acre homesites.

Builders is the exclusive builder for this new commu-

Home and lot introduction package pricing starts in

nity. Fully customizable home plans, with home and

the $600,000s.

lot packages starting in the mid-$700,000s. Laurel Park is ideally situated close to great shopping, many

Bellora

arts and culture venues, and fabulous restaurants.

An exquisite north Sarasota neighborhood located

Cassata Estates

near The Ringling Museum in the coveted Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores area, the community of Bel-

A boaters’ paradise with deeded boat slips and easy

lora has 23 homesites with homes and lot packages

access to the Gulf of Mexico, this gated enclave of 7

priced from the $900,000s to $1,200,000s. This ideal

estate-sized waterfront lots is close to the beaches,

location puts you 5 minutes from downtown Saraso-

fine dining and shopping. The natural stadium-style

ta, close to the airport, and is a short ride away from

elevation of this development provides for beautiful

the shopping on University Parkway.

views of Little Sarasota Bay, the Intercoastal Waterway, and the exquisite sunsets over Casey Key. Leg-

When you are building a legacy, trust is important.

acy’s Coastal/British West Indies style of homes will

Legacy Builders has earned the trust of their clients

feature a delightful mix of handcrafted finishes, rich

with every Legacy home they build.

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Featuring The Venice Symphony Pops Orchestra

Saturday, April 9, 2016 Rain date - Sunday, April 10

State College of Florida, 8000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293 Enjoy a romantic, fun evening under the Florida spring sky. Bring your friends, coolers, chairs and relax‌ enjoy the setting and an evening of magnificent music from SCF music students and the Venice Symphony Pops Orchestra. Experience a truly enchanting evening that ends with incredible fireworks.

General Admission - Gates open at 6 p.m. $15 General Admission in advance; $20 at gate (children under 10 free)

$25 Reserved General Admission (Bring your chairs/coolers to campus between 1 and 2:30 p.m. the day of the event and set up in the reserved seating area.)

Tickets - Online at SCFFoundation.net, call the SCF Foundation at 941-408-1418

Af finity Kitchen & Bath Tiffany Farrell opens new showroom serving residential and commercial clients with an array of options in a relaxed and fun environment.

Whether making over a kitchen, bath or storage space, the professionals at Affinity Kitchen and Bath focus on one result, to make daily activities as efficient, stress-free and pleasurable as possible. The company provides space design, custom cabinetry and countertops, closet and garage organization for residential and commercial clients.

“We are a relationship-based company. Spending time with clients to understand how they use their space now, and what their goals are, before beginning a design is crucial,” says Tiffany Farrell, President. “ It’s amazing how many work-arounds are established, and seeing clients in action helps us to create a plan to make life more relaxing using the most beautiful finishes and latest developments.”

Farrell learned all about efficiency as a busy registered nurse before founding Affinity Kitchen and Bath with her former husband and her father, Mel Yull.

Always looking to exceed industry standards, the company offers sophisticated 3D designs, does its own highly precise countertop fabrication, and carries quality products for a range of styles and budgets, such as UltraCraft cabinets, which have a 100-year warranty. “Sarasota’s trend is definitely toward contemporary/transitional with use of mixed materials resulting in a light, clean space.

Our new Bauformat line from Germany, known for its state of the art engineering, is perfect for those clients.”

A grand opening celebration for the new showroom – complete with working kitchen – at 1035 N. Lime Avenue in Sarasota is being planned for mid-April where Farrell’s focus on building relationships will be highlighted. Plans for 2016 include sponsoring continuing education and favored community causes such as Sisterhood for Good, Habitat for Humanity, and others.

Affinity Kitchen and Bath is a member of the Sarasota Chamber, National Kitchen and Bath Association, and the Better Business Bureau. For more information, call 941.953.3240 or visit srq-kitchens.com.

Storage Experts For 15 years, locally owned Affordable Closets has been keeping life’s necessities at people’s fingertips with custom storage solutions for the entire home, including the bedroom, home office, garage, and pantry.

Because the company manufactures locally, everything can be designed to meet a customer’s needs with tight quality controls and – as the company name implies – very cost-competitive pricing.

“We produce everything from ultra high end to basic closets. Our goal is to make closets neat, organized and functional so that when you walk in everything is in the correct place,” says Michael Harris, who founded Affordable Closets in 2000. “We’re storage experts and can organize any space where homeowners put things away.”

Having produced thousands of closets over the years, Harris has refined an approach that ensures a pleasant, easy experience from consultation through installation. Affordable Closet designers meet with homeowners to learn their preferences, in detail, such as whether they fold or hang clothes and the number of shoes they own.

For new construction, people often bring blueprints to the company’s showroom at 6320 Danner Drive, just off Fruitville Road and I-75 where they also can take a tour of the manufacturing facility (941.926.7647 | affordableclosetsinc.com). The three-year-old facility uses state-of-the-art computer aided machining, which delivers a high degree of accuracy and quality cuts. Producing the closets on site also means much quicker turnaround times, often just seven to 10 days for basic closets.

Today, homeowners can choose from many different finishes, including high quality domesticallymanufactured melamines in a variety of colors and textures as well as a wide selection of wood finishes.

Clients can see a 3D computerized rendering of their closets as they will look when complete and enjoy a lifetime warranty.

“Our closets also are designed to allow clients to upgrade if they want to,” Harris says. “Maybe they opted for shelves originally, but if they decide later they would like drawers, we can always add them.”

The same goes for those who realize after installation that some adjustments need to be made. “Once they put their clothes away, people sometimes find they overestimated how much long hanging space they really need or want to add more shelves or drawers, and we will be sure they are taken care of,” he says.

“We are very customer friendly, and that is never a problem.”

Qualified, friendly staff is key to providing the customer care that has led to Affordable Closets’ longevity. Harris likes to groom his own people, ensuring they understand all aspects of the business, and some of his designers have been with him for 15 years. “Everyone really tries to do a good job because happy clients are how we stay in business and get so many referrals,” Harris says. “My promise always is that we will deliver a quality product at an affordable price.”

Gardens in

Paradise

By Jacqueline Miller | Photos by Ann McGough

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March 2016

For 89 years, Sarasota Garden Club has preserved its historic landmarks and lovely botanical gardens while fostering appreciation and promotion of Florida gardening principles, floral design, and civic beautification through its education and programs for everyone. Sarasota Garden Club, located at 1113 Boulevard of the Arts, is open for the public to enjoy seven days a week during daylight hours.

Gardens in Paradise is the Club’s annual fundraising event supporting its mission. Ever year, the Gardens in Paradise tour features unique gardens that range from spacious, elegant landscaped properties, to well-designed smaller gardens all lovingly grown and nurtured by passionate owners.

On March 19 starting at 10:00 a.m., visitors will have the opportunity to support the Garden Club at its Gardens in Paradise event and walk beyond the gates into some of Sarasota’s most beautiful and well-loved gardens.

One of the Sarasota homes on the tour is located West of the Trail in the very beautiful neighborhood of Harbor Acres.

dens are refreshed with over 750 flowering plants, including a variety of vibrant annuals and perennials.

The proud homeowners stroll their property every morning

At the front gate entrance, four canary palms stand

to oversee the gardens, a ritual they always find peaceful and

guard with their lower crowns and upper trunks festooned

consider a great way to start their day. In the evenings, they

with ferns. The front entrance is in true Mediterranean style

enjoy sitting out on their patio looking at the water and admir-

featuring an Italian marble fountain centering the terracotta

ing the interlocking canopy of the Majool palms.

and marble driveway. Podocarpus hedges, trees and bou-

The Mediterranean inspired gardens were created to re-

gainvillea vines providing privacy to the home surround the

flect the architecture of the house and maximize the tropical

courtyard. Boxwoods and assorted tropical plants including

planting climate of Florida. Twice during the season, the gar-

lilies, birds of paradise, foxtail ferns, roses, flowering annuMarch 2016

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als, as well as camellias and dombeya bushes complete the

The house shimmers with brightly colored blue and cop-

gardens. Of special note is the giant Canary palm said to be

per tiles that create the façade for the dual staircase leading to

one of the tallest in Sarasota.

the home’s outdoor patio. A reflection garden contains giant

The gardens continue down the side of the house along

glazed pottery with rose bushes accented by brightly colored

a blue and white marble sidewalk with a variety of tropical

vincas. Hibiscus trees and an array of assorted annuals with

plants including cattail chenille, ginger, bromeliads, cole-

lemon and grapefruit trees dominate a small flowering garden

us, Ti, alocasia, philodendrons, and orchid plants. The path

edged by large wooden planters with herbs. A crushed shell

opens up to the Italian mosaic infinity pool with a bouquet

path leads through a tropical paradise with orchids, ginger,

of lush flowers adorning a planter that is surrounded by Bou-

philodendrons, Australian tree ferns, multi-colored coleus,

gainvillea trees, gardenia bushes, banana trees, an olive tree

geraniums, bougainvillea, traveler’s palms and date palms.

and tropical variated plants. Cascading rose bushes accent the pool fountain with bronze fish statues.

The homeowners shared that they love the majestic palm trees and have diligently worked with their landscaper,

The Mediterranean influence continues with the for-

Mark Steinberg of Botanical Solutions, on insuring that these

mal yard incased by boxwoods that is accented by eight

palm trees are kept healthy and in peak condition. Aside

majestic Majool palms and Italian cypress trees. The Majool

from the palms, they both love the pathways alongside the

palms are decorated at the base with hand glazed planters

house because of their abundant flowers, tropical plants,

filled with vinca bouquets in an array of salmon, pink, ma-

and fruit trees.

genta, ruby, and white. Large azure blue pots contain the

Sarasota Garden Club’s website (sarasotagardenclub.

standard requirements for a Mediterranean garden including

org) will post the garden addresses for the self-guided tour

citrus trees, lavender, and giant rosemary. Hibiscus trees,

just prior to the March 19 Gardens in Paradise event. Ad-

rose bushes and assorted flowering annuals including Afri-

vance tickets are $35 and $40 on the day of the tour. Mem-

can daisies, cat’s whiskers and violets finish the formal yard.

ber cost is $30 per ticket.

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March 2016

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Trust the experienced professionals at Carats to discover the hidden value of your fine jewelry, watches, and diamonds. www.caratsfjw.com

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1922 Bay Rd., Sarasota

Shining LIGHTS

By Jacqueline Miller

Every year, senior and graduate level students nationwide in the fields of architecture, industrial design, engineering and interior design participate in the Robert Bruce Thompson competition, the largest student lighting fixture design contest in the US. Ringling College student Chelsea Brukard won first place in the 2015 competition and a Citation for Innovative Concept award went to another Ringling College senior, Rose Signona. The lighting designs of three other Ringling students, Lauren Gayle, Elizabeth Fox, and Natalia Ortiz, were also showcased at the competition. These students all praised Ringling’s Interior Design faculty professor, Seongwoo Nam, for encouraging and supporting them to participate in the contest.

Ringling College has produced more contest winners than any other school across the country since the competition’s inception.

Chelsea Brukard SURREALIST Chelsea’s Inspiration: The Surrealist lighting design was born from a will to design the unexpected. The design was truly a push to reach outside of my traditional style and into a beautiful new form that would be able to speak for itself. Architect Frank Gehry’s spirit of experimentation was a primary vision through out the conceptual process and design development. My instructor, Seongwoo Nam continued to push the evolving design through construc-

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March 2016

SURREALIST Chelsea Brukardt I Ringling College of Art + Design I Robert Bruce Thompson Lighting Competition 2015

tive critic. His encouragement paired with my intention for a fresh new personal design was the root of its living success.

The RBT contest judges commented that Chelsea’s design is fashion forward and well developed. They also appreciated the flexibility and unique configuration provided by the modular components and liked the fusion of art and light.

Rose Sigona BIOLUMINESCENCE

BIOLUMINESCENCE

Rose’s Inspiration: “Arachnocampa Luminosa,” or “Glow Worm,” is a fly. Both the fly and the larvae are luminescent, and found in caves, ocean and grottoes. Bioluminescence is when a living organism makes light as a chemical reaction. The pendant and surface mounted light concept is Arachnocampa Luminosa. The elegant form of the organism is the quintessential look for a West Coast bar restaurant. The design will provide: Organic forms that express the organism’s structure & movement; Repetition accomplished by implementing tendrils & spherical shapes into irregular patterns; Elements & principles emphasized and created by an elegant & dramatic composition.

AURORA BOREALIS

Elizabeth Fox AURORA BOREALIS Elizabeth’s Inspiration: This design is inspired by nature’s own light display, the Aurora Borealis. Although the Aurora Borealis looks elegant and calm, aurorae are produced from millions of explosions of magnetic energy. The fixture is incorporates the fluid, organic lines and shapes, creating a sense of movement, which is emphasized by the waves of colored light. It is made from semi-opaque acrylic that captures the light from the color-changing LED light strip below. The function of the light is to create dramatic

KINETIC

ambient lighting that is the focal point of the space, similar

Robert Bruce Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition 2015 2015 Robert Bruce Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition

to how the Aurora Borealis lights up the whole sky.

Lauren Gayle KINETIC

Robert Bruce Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition 2015

Lauren’s Inspiration: A wine bar and restaurant is a

Vortex Lauren Gayle

Vortex

Vortex

KINETIC | Ringling College of Art + Design

The Robert Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition 2015

place for people to gather and socialize. Within socializing, communication is key. The Kinetic light fixtures are inspired by the sound waves made by human connections.

The Kinetic pendent moves various recycled plastic slates with LED light strips built in to give the appeal of sound

1

waves. The constant movement showcases the multiple

Natalia Ortiz ・ Ringling College of Art + Design

VORTEX March 2016

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More than a printer…

Personalization

Financial Services

Healthcare

forms the sounds can produce. The LED light gives off an ambiance at night with a consistent motion. Along with the LED

Multi-Channel

strips, the ends of the pendent that cap the cylinder are built-in Bluetooth speak-

Direct Mail Hospitality

Business Development

Fundraising Real Estate

ers, further emphasizing the importance

Self-publishing Authors

of sound to connect people. This an interactive fixture to appeal to groups of people or small intimate gatherings. The

Book Publishing

various light and color forms mimic the

Graphic Design

variety in unique human connections.

Tourism Business to Business

Appeals

Trade Show Marketing

Member Recruitment and Retention

Higher Education

Nonprofit Copywriting

Manufacturing

Natalia Ortiz VORTEX Natalia’s Inspiration: The concept for

Collateral Printing

the Vortex fixtures collection is whirl-

Make SERBIN your print marketing partner!

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water typically caused by meeting currents. The beautiful cone shaped body that is created by the movement of the

Mail-it

water is the inspiration for the design

DIRECT MAIL SERVICES

SerbinPrinting.com The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce PAF – Printing Association of Florida

pool. A whirlpool is a rotating mass of

of the Vortex fixtures. The shape of the FPRA – Florida Public Relations Assoc.

XEROX – Premier Partner

fixtures mimics that of a whirlpool. The fixtures distribute light through the bar and lounge areas of the restaurant, as well as create ambient lighting with the light show feature that is part of the water filled orb. The fixtures also provide functional lighting from the warm LED

Turning Your Dreams Into An Address Wanda Martinetto REALTOR

down light additionally to the red, green and blue LED light show feature that creates visual interest, captures the costumer’s attention, and sets the atmosphere.

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March 2016

setters of the future. Remember their names. Who knows?

They just may be the next big HGTV design star and follow in the footsteps of Ringling College grad David Bromstad!

2016 WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL Victor DeRenzi, Artistic Director | Richard Russell, Executive Director

Verdi’s

Beethoven’s

Mozart’s

Verdi’s

Love for the same woman will test the friendship of two warriors as honor calls them into battle.

PLAYING NOW THROUGH MARCH 11

PLAYING NOW THROUGH MARCH 18

PLAYING NOW THROUGH MARCH 12

PLAYING NOW THROUGH MARCH 19

Sung in the original language with English translations projected above the stage Seats start at just $19—Subscribe to all 4 operas for as little as $69

Get your tickets now at SARASOTAOPERA.ORG | (941) 328-1300 MEDIA SPONSORS

OPERA SEASON SPONSOR Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

Intern ation al

Concert Series

APRIL 4 | 7 | 10 | 13 2016

C

Festival highlight featuring award-winning international musicians and the world premiere of a commissioned work by renowned Hollywood and Disney On Ice composer Jerry Bilik.

ha m be r M

Artistic Director Bruno Giuranna

16

usic Festival

Associate Artistic Director

1 3,

20

4 l i Ap r

Sarasota Opera House

Derek Han

2016 Artists

Violin

Cello

Federico Agostini Antonio Meneses Claudio Cruz JeongHyoun Christine Lee Cecilia Ziano

Bass

Viola

Scott Faulkner

Daniel Avshalomov Bruno Giuranna Hsin-yun Huang

Flute

Carol Wincenc

Piano

Derek Han

941-366-8450, ext. 7 | LaMusicaFestival.org

Simply Sonatas

Sainer Pavilion at New College

MONDAy, APRIL 11, 2016 5:30 p.m.

An intimate “come as you are” performance after work to relax and enjoy beautiful sonatas.

Meet the Musicians

Gateway Bank

TuESDAy, APRIL 5, 2016 5:30 p.m.

Mingle with the musicians and enjoy a brief recital and light refreshments; sponsored by Gateway Bank.

Musical Chefs

Michael’s On East Ballroom

FRIDAy, APRIL 8, 2016 6:00 p.m.

A lively, interactive dinner event featuring La Musica artists leading the crowd in cooking demonstrations for the evening’s meal.

World Premiere a commissioned piece by composer Jerry Bilik Sunday, April 10, 2:30 p.m.

Social Circus Arts Conservatory Gala This year’s Circus Arts Conservatory Gala was inspired by the gorgeous costumes and head dresses Dolly Jacobs has worn throughout her career – highlighting the decadence and class of the circus. Over 400 people attended the annual event under the Big Top sporting their flashiest hats and head pieces to celebrate “Queen of the Air” and NEA Fellow Dolly Jacobs. The event featured catering by Michael’s on East, both a silent and live auction, live band, best head dress contest winners, and circus performances (some including Sailor Circus students) throughout the evening.

Photos by Nancy Guth

Noriko & Chuck Sidlow, Howard Millman & Carolyn Michel

Bill & Christine Johnson

Chris & Aimee Cogan

Jerry & Wendy Feinstein

Phil King & Dennis Stover

Dolly Jacobs & Pedro Reis

Picking the right school at the start can lead to some colorful choices.

Saint Stephen’s is an independent, college-preparatory school providing a world-class education for students in grades Pre-K3 to12. Schedule a tour today.

315 41st St. W., Bradenton, FL 34209 | (941) 746-2121 | www.saintstephens.org

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March 2016

George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes

ASHTON & BALANCHINE Photography Frank Atura

Sir Frederick Ashton’s Enigma Variations George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes Accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra

8 - 9 APRIL 2016 | Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Stars and Stripes Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

First company in the world to perform ENIGMA VARIATIONS other than The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet

Production Media Sponsor

The Sarasota Ballet Box Office: 941.359.0099 | www.SarasotaBallet.org

chILDREN FIRST’S 16Th ANNUAL cELEbRATION GALA

FairytaleBall SEA OF DREAMS

c E L E b R A T I N G P h I L I P T A V I L L’ S 2 0 T h A N N I V E R S A R Y

president & ceo of children First

S A T U R D AY E V E N I N G APRIL 9, 2016 6:30 PM M I c h A E L’ S O N E A S T 1 2 1 2 E A S T AV E N U E SA R A S O TA , F LO R I DA

t i ck et s a n d s po ns o r sh i p s ava il a bl e . w w w.c h i l d r enFirs t.ne t chAMPION SPONSOR Gerry da nie l in loving memory of ruth daniel PLATINUM SPONSORS F cci i nsu ra nc e G roup linda & k e ith monda pGt i ndu str ie s

GOLD SPONSORS Je an d ely nn dawn & m itche ll epstein he rald tr ibune ale xandra Jupin & John bean Julie & brock le ac h e le nor & John m axheim mindy & way ne r o l l i n s Gail & skip sack sce ne maGaz ine s potliGht Gr aphi c s

F o r more inFormation, please call (941) 953-5507, x 138.

S I LV E R S P O N S O R S sa l ly & bi l l a lt ma n a n d nol a & l a rry h i e t b ri n k art e Fac t de s i Gn b b &t c a i l - G ra n d e G roup G ul F c oa s t commun i t y Fo un dat i o n J o n e s po tato Fa rm a n d ré e & mi c h a e l k e e b a uGh Ja n n a & J os h ua ki m

k at h e ri n e & Fra n k ma rt ucci mb a i n s urors t h e mi sa n to n e Fa m i ly t h e ob s e rv e r Gr o u p t h e rota ry c lu b o F sa ra s ota s o u t h si de J o & s ta n rut st ei n s h a p i ro, ba b b o n i , G ol d ma n & walsh maG G i e & ma r k sh a r F F J oyc e & Fre d tav i ll

(as o F 2/ 8 / 1 6)

Social

Grand Opening of Dimmitt Auto’s Sarasota Studio The Dimmitt Automotive Group opened its Sarasota Studio on State Street in Downtown Sarasota.

The studio will

showcase 70+ luxury preowned vehicles as well as unique art. Vice Mayor Susan Attwell and Peter Dimmitt, Co-President of Dimmitt Automotive Group, did the ribboncutting honors.

Photos by Nancy Guth

Liz Manes, Shelli Freeland, Liz Alpert, Suzanne Atwell, Peter Dimmitt & Todd VanHerwynen

‘

Liz Manes & Fred Krasne

Daniel Matusiak & Todd VanHerwynen

Im 1

Peter Dimmitt & Scott Larguier

#

at Doctors Hospital

I teach tennis and in May, I had total hip replacement. The staff at Doctors Hospital felt I was there for something that would enhance my life and I was very pleased with the services. My tennis game has really improved and I feel I’m able to move faster. I consider myself a lucky guy. Read more about my experience at DoctorsOfSarasota.com/Moros.”

—Julio Moros, Sarasota FL Tennis Pro Total Hip Replacement

5731 Bee Ridge Road at Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota | DoctorsOfSarasota.com | 1.888.685.1596 March 2016

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With food this good, we know you’ll be back.

Join us at our relaxing and fun bar, meet new friends, people watch, and experience an eclectic continental mix of mouthwatering food reminiscent of old world traditions prepared, presented and served with modern excellence.

Where old world traditions meets modern excellence LUNCH | DINNER | DRINKS | AL FRESCO DINING 941.388.4415 | 431 St. Armands Circle cafeleurope.net | Reservations Recommended

Social Taylor Emmons Golf Tournament From Puerto Rico to Texas to Maine, golfers came from near and far to attend the Fifth Annual Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament and Poker Charity Event all held at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club. The support of corporate partnerships, sponsors and contributors is vital to the success and sustainability of the Fund. Every sponsorship and donation contributes toward the goal of helping a worthy student experience an independent, college preparatory education at The Out-of-Door Academy’s Upper School, that do not have the means to attend this private school. All five scholarship recipients to date attended the event including recently drafted-out-of high school Mets Baseball player Desmond Lindsey. Although Taylor Emmons is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in the success of these scholarship students, who share his drive and passion for academics, the arts, and athletics. Since the inception of the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund in December 2010, over $1 million dollars has been raised to support the foundation’s mission. Photos by Nancy Guth

- over TheMilman K

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Jennifer Siciliano, Jacque Hunter & Dierdre Herman

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Joe Granitto, Fernando Pires, Jorge Alvarez & Bob Bisplinghoff March 2016

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perfect a

Partnership



When two come together to create something great.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the Van Wezel Foundation, continuing to work together to deliver first class children’s educational programming for our community. With the Foundation’s support, more than 25,000 students from four counties are provided with programs and access to the theatre each season to experience the arts through the Schooltime Program.

Won’t you show your support and help us continue to keep the children coming?

To learn more, please contact us at (941) 366-5578 or visit us at vwfoundation.org.

Scenes from an Interview

John Jakes

Writing America’s History

By Gus Mollasis

If a writer’s life is judged in the end on the sheer volumes produced as a working history, history will be kind to John Jakes. Praised as the “godfather of the historical novel,” the “people’s author,” and “America’s history teacher,” he prefers just to be called a commercial writer – nothing more and nothing less. And a very talented commercial writer he is, consistently striking letters on the keyboard for nearly 60 years, pounding out his fair share of clean, declarative sentences. His humble demeanor perfectly matches the comfortable life he’s built. The home he lovingly shares with his wife of 65 years, Rachel, is filled with a history of their lives, with many photos of he and Rachel, their children, grandkids, and, not surprisingly, presidents of the United States. It is also a home to many books, some of which he has written plus the many more he has read.

To say he is comfortable in his own skin would be like saying Lincoln was a good president – an obvious point of fact. And facts are something that Jakes stays close to as he writes his books of historical fiction – books that include the acclaimed North and South and the eight-volume epic, Kent Family Chronicles. It should also come as no surprise that this modest man is astounded by the popularity of his books as well as his success. Unlike other famed authors who sometimes fall prey to the egoinflating trappings of their craft, John Jakes knows who he is, what he stands for, and has always known what he’s wanted to write about. And that is to simply to tell a good, historical story about a land called America and its people with all their faults and all their glory. Recently, I was honored to sit down with this acclaimed author and take a look at some scenes from an interview of his life.

Where were you born?

Chicago in 1932.

Finish the following sentence: My childhood was mostly filled with…

Lots of reading, which was encouraged by mom and dad.

How early did you show acumen for the written word?

The earliest I can remember is that in 7th or 8th grade I started writing Superman or Batman stories. I couldn’t get enough comic book stories to satisfy me. That’s what got me started.

How I transitioned into science fiction, which was reasonably popular at the time, I really don’t remember, other than I just did. The science fiction pulps of the day had letter columns and

the editor always put a title on the letter and a little comment.

So I guess that was my first published work. It didn’t pay anything. I had illusions I might be an actor, but as soon as I started selling material, that was the end of that.

When was it that you wanted to be an actor?

In high school. I was in the drama club. What lead me to writing was the check I got for my first story. It was easier to go the corner mailbox and pick up my check then to go to Broadway and run auditioning around from office to office.

Was there a book that had a big influence on your becoming a writer?

Most writers will say they imitate someone. I imitated Ray March 2016

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Newport, RI, early 1986.

Publicity photo for The Gods of Newport.

Danville, IL, June 1951. Rachel and John Jakes wedding at Central Christian Church.

Bradbury. He was coming along then, and was just being published in Weird Tales and other magazines. I think I tried to write like him. I don’t remember what I wrote, but I tried to emulate him.

Was there a mentor who really made a difference?

There was a professor at college who I thought was absolutely terrific. He ran the fiction-writing program. What intrigued me was that he liked both Jane Austen and Erle Stanley Gardner.

And that was okay. He didn’t turn his back on commercial work.

What’s the greatest thing you learned from your mom and dad?

It was probably a fondness for the arts. We lived in Chicago and went to a lot of theater at the time.

Where were you educated?

I was educated in public schools, spent a year at Northwestern, and then went to DePauw in Indiana, which is where Rachel and I met.

Tell us more about how you met Rachel.

She was my lab instructor and (laughing) she didn’t help me a bit. I had to convince her that I wasn’t crazy. Her sorority sisters really thought I was nuts. I was predicting we would land on the moon by 1990. They thought I was a flake.

As you approach your 65th wedding anniversary, what’s they key to having a good marriage?

Have patience and be willing to forgive.

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As a child and as a young man, were you always interested in history, specifically American history?

I really was, but I never thought I would write about it. I love Errol Flynn movies like Robin Hood and Dodge City. I wasn’t really a history buff. I read it because I enjoyed it. I was trying to write science fiction, but then I thought why not?

If you had to pick a favorite place in America to visit one more time, what would it be?

Newport, Rhode Island, because it is a supreme example of a time when money was no object, and rich guys and their wives rolled around in all their splendor. They built wonderful houses they lived in for eight weeks in the summer where they would bring their entire serving staff. Sometimes up to 70 people would accompany them. I just don’t think there is any place in the United States like that. They’ve saved it and preserved it.

You have been called “the godfather of the historical novel”, “the people’s author” and “America’s history teacher.” Which of those titles best describes you?

Not one of those! I think I’ve always been a very good commercial writer. Beyond that, I say let others judge.

It seems that you proudly wear the title of commercial writer.

I went to graduate school at Ohio State University. I’m trying to write a memoir now at their request about my time there.

Do you kind of still pinch yourself, shocked that this all happened for you?

Yes, I do. I always tell writing students that I was standing at the right corner when the right bus came by. I can’t pretend that I planned it. I always hoped I would be successful, but I never thought what happened would happen.

Are you generally happy with the way your books have been adapted to other mediums?

Somehow very early on, I learned not to get too excited about the changes that were made. If you cash the check, be quiet. (laughing) It’s a little dishonest if you take their money, and then you run around the corner and denounce how they used your material. I’ve been reasonably happy with what they have done with my work.

Describe your writing style.

I believe in plain English. There is nothing better than an English declarative sentence. It takes a little doing – editing your work to get strong sentences, strong verbs, and to keep it flowing.

Are you cognizant when you are in the writing zone?

I know when I’m not in the zone. It is only later when I realize if I was in the zone. I always tell students, don’t get discouraged, because one day you’ll write something and think that it’s really great, and then you’ll look at it the next day and it’s ugh. You sweat it out and bleed it out, word-by-word and lineby-line, and it turns out to be better than you thought. I think writers are terrible judges of their own work. And they always, always need a good editor.

Is the hardest part to put down the pen and stop?

I can only go so far with a project, and with my patience. I just have a feeling. I can fix little bits, but there is no point fiddling with it forever.

You mentioned you had a love for acting earlier in your life, but as Frost did, you took the road well written largely because you were paid early on.

To me, being paid for your work was always the sign you accomplished something, and you were a professional. My father didn’t think very much of me sitting around the apartment in Chicago trying to write science fiction. When the check came in the mail for my first story, he changed his mind. Receiving this validation was probably a seminal moment in my life as a writer.

Are you glad you made that choice?

I have no regrets. I wouldn’t have minded becoming a good actor. I’ve been in community theater shows and have also directed them. There is a scene in the television miniseries for one of the Kent books, The Seekers, in which actor George Hamilton murders me. (laughs) He choked me with a handkerchief. And when that didn’t work, he pulled out a pocket pistol and let me have it.

I was a crooked lawyer. I didn’t care for my performance all that much. It was passable. I made the right choice to be a writer!

Jakes with David L. Wolper, producer of the ABC miniseries North and South, on location in Charleston.

Finish the following sentences: I am a good writer when I… Tell a good story.

The greatest thing than an editor can do for a writer is…

Tell him where he is wrong.

When someone reads my books, I hope they discover…

A little bit of the truth of American history and some enjoyable characters as well.

Good writing will always include the following…

Characters you care about and a story that pulls you forward toward the end. That’s the essential part of it. I think the characters are the most important part, because if you don’t care about the characters, readers won’t bother with the story.

How did you get started on the path to writing historical fiction?

I was in advertising for 17 years and would write science fiction and detective stories at night and sell the material. Advertising is a curious way to make a living, and I learned a lot.

I learned how to cut. I had written a variety of books over 22 years, from children’s books to historical novel paperbacks that didn’t do well. I was ready to quit. But I got this offer from a former colleague. He told me he knew of a guy in upstate New York who is a book packager, and he was looking for someone to do a series that ties in with the Bicentennial. He couldn’t write it because he was writing spy novels. So I talked with him.

I didn’t like the deal in the beginning because the percentage he took was way too high. I was a member of The Author’s Guild, and knew that was not right. I had just about given up, but I decided this was my last shot at writing fiction. The series was originally called American Bicentennial Series. And under my March 2016

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�orida studio theatre Ben Mackel, Hunter Brown, Eric Scott Anthony. Photo by Matthew Holler.

“Audiences are rocking out and singing along”

Hilton Head Island, 1985.

Study by Joe Bowler for an oil portrait.

- Sarasota Herald-Tribune

“Engaging”

“Touching”

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Gil Brady and Claire Warden. Photo by Matthew Holler.

by John Patrick Shanley

“Tender” -Sarasota Herald-Tribune

by Aaron Posner, based on the novel by Chaim Potok

“Soulful and touching” -New York One

“Beautiful” -New York Daily

MARCH 7 - 27

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Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director 1241 N. Palm Avenue, Downtown Sarasota

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I thought I was going to be an academic. Well, they put out a call for a list of all the publications of the graduate assistants of which of I was one of 125, or something like that. I turned in a sheet listing a number of my pulp magazine stories. The person in charge of the program called me into his office and asked me to close the door. He told me what they were really interested in was PMLA – Publications of the Modern Language Associations.

I didn’t know. I was disabused of being an academic. I didn’t want to get stuck with a second language. I was a wretched language student as an undergraduate. I might have stayed an academic if they didn’t have the language requirement obstacle in front of me.

You’re considered one of the most respected authors of historical fiction. What is the secret to your formula?

I start out with the old rule that most commercial writers or good writers do, and that’s to tell a good story. You’ve got to have the story. I got interested in history when I started writing the Bicentennial Series in 1974 after years of doing all sorts of things. (The Bicentennial Series is eight novels known as The Kent Chronicles.) Back then, I made a pledge to myself that if I ever carried this on, I would try to make the historical angle as authentic as possible. There was a movie years ago in which General Custer was kind of an apologist for slavery. That stuck in my mind. And I thought that’s not the kind of history I want to convey. If I tell anybody about it, it ought to the most truthful way I could find of telling the story. I’ve always stuck with this when writing historical fiction. Tell a good story and don’t falsify the record.

Many people want to be writers or think they are writers.

What has been the most difficult thing about your profession?

Trying to make money.

What part has been the easiest or brought you the most joy?

Having a worldwide audience, which I never had until the novels were published around the world. Television kicked them off too and helped a great deal.

Rachel (far left) and John (far right) Jakes with President George H. W. Bush at a charity fundraiser for literacy.

heavy hand, it went from five volumes to eight, and it didn’t go as far as it should have, which is up to 1976. I made a deal with myself that if I was going to deal with history, I was going to deal with it honestly. I would move the fictional characters so that they would fit in rather than move the history to facilitate the story. It worked pretty well. It began to work, the sales took off, and the rest as they say is history.

The Kent Chronicles are like your literary children. What does that specific series mean to you?

I am very proud of all of them, because I know from the mail I’ve received over the years, that not only have people been entertained, but they also talk about how much they’ve learned. Usually I hear, “I hated history, but I loved your books.” It gives me great satisfaction.

In your life, tell me all the ways you have mined the words out of your heart and mind. First a pen, then a typewriter, and then a computer?

At the beginning, I used a pen. My father persuaded me to take typing in high school. I was the only male in this class of all women. I never regretted it because I learned to type really fast. 90 words per minute. In fact, some of the secretaries in the advertising business told me not to type so fast, because I was making them look bad. But I’ve used them all – pen, typewriter, and computer. I still pick up a pen if I’m working on a scene in play, because it’s short enough. I changed over to a computer in 1989 when I wrote California Gold.

Your Civil War trilogy North and South is considered one of the most beloved Civil War novels of all time. Why did you think you were able to capture the essence so beautifully?

First of all, I was living in South Carolina. I’m not a Southerner. I vowed that I was going to tell the story of the Civil War from both sides, without ever being an apologist for slavery. It was our mistake. Our cancer. Within that framework, I tried to be sympathetic to the Southern characters and make them likeable. And with that, in addition to the accuracy of the whole thing, it came together very nicely.

Had you always been a Civil War buff?

I always read a lot about the Civil War when I was in high school. I read Joseph Altsheler’s wonderful Civil War series written as historical fiction for young people.

Two guys on opposite sides. Wonder where that idea came from? (laughs) I remember how his stories came to life.

March 2016

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It seems to me you have always been very conscious about being fair in handling your material.

I think you have to be, particularly when you’re dealing with history. People on each side of the conflict always believe they’re right.

In your writing, you often depicted a family saga. What type of family did you come from and how did it help you write these characters?

I came from a very small family. No brothers. No sisters. That’s one of the things that attracted to me to Rachel. She comes from a huge family of six kids. We actually wanted to have six kids, but we stopped at four. Regarding modeling big families in my literature, I don’t know where they came from. I just imagined them.

If you were writing America’s history for the next 100 years, what would it look like?

I’m afraid it would be very dark because we seem to be lacking, I hate to say it, heroic figures with principles. Lincoln and FDR were men of principle. They were politicians to be sure, but I don’t see principles with the men and women floating around today, elbowing each other to be number one. But that may just be my age. There was chicanery back then. Lincoln had a campaign person at the nominating convention, a judge from Chicago, paper the house with tickets for Lincoln supporters so that those who had tickets endorsing the other candidates couldn’t get in. (smiles) Are you worried about America?

Yes. I sound like all the political candidates today. My wife and I talk about it a lot.

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What is your advice to writers struggling with their craft and their confidence?

If that one doesn’t sell, maybe write the next one. Keep going. I’m convinced there are fewer professional writers today just because people get discouraged. It’s very easy to get discouraged when you see your manuscripts coming back with letters saying “not for us.” I tell writing students not to give up.

In the history of literature, name a couple of your favorite writers and how they moved you.

Carl Sandburg, because he was an

American poet. I had a wonderful teacher of Chaucer in grad school who loved all the dirty parts. So I’ve always been fond of Chaucer. Charles Dickens, who, oddly enough, I didn’t read until I was out of school. But I still think Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is the finest novel of the 20th century. To me, it beats Hemingway. I’ve always thought it was a masterpiece.

Recently you were involved in honoring author John McDonald on the 100th anniversary of his birthday.

What made him so special to you and such a good writer?

Yes, I started that idea. I never met him, but I was on my way to meeting him many years ago. We had the kids in the car in St. Petersburg one Christmas, and I started to drive here to meet him. I got as far as Bradenton and 41 was all tore up. The kids were younger, and it was hot, and they were ornery so we turned around and went back. I called him and told him that I wasn’t going to get there.

So I never met him. We did correspond.

I’ve got his letters and my letters. There’s not a lot of them and they are in the University of Florida archives. I just admired him tremendously, and still do, and I think he was much more than a mystery writer or whatever you want to call him.

He was a social critic, and I don’t think there’s anybody that comes up to him that I know of today.

Where does the magic come from for you as a writer?

I don’t think you conjure that up consciously. I think you work as hard as you can and sometimes it happens. I used to say I got my best ideas while I was sleeping. I’d wake up in the morning and scribble them on a pad.. I always had a pad by my bed. No more. I don’t think you can force it. I think it just happens.

Tell me about how you first discovered and then moved to Sarasota.

One of our daughters got her doctorate degree at Northwestern. She was a teaching assistant for Stuart Kaminsky.

He was a great friend of mine. We came down to see him. I was reading McDonald and knew of Sarasota. It was really March 2016

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Stuart’s influence that did it more than anything else. My daughter said of Stuart that he was the kindest professor she ever had. He was a great writer who should have gotten more recognition.

What’s your favorite way to spend the day?

Sitting out in the sun and reading.

I like to swim. We don’t run around as much as we used to. We’ve been around the world a couple of times and I’ve been to about every place I want to go except Antarctica and I don’t want to go there. (laughs) I love New York and Paris. Most places I’ve gone, I found interesting, if not compelling.

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What are some local charities with which you are involved?

I am an emeritus board member of both the Library Foundation for Sarasota County and the Van Wezel Foundation. Libraries are essential to literacy and therefore help build an informed citizenry. I also have no doubt I became involved with the Library Foundation because my first job was shelving books in the Chicago public library, and because my career has been dependent on research, books, and therefore libraries.

My involvement with Van Wezel Foundation is because it does important work bringing performances to school kids, and no doubt because I have always loved the way the performing arts broaden our outlook and, indirectly, make us more humane. After all, “Man does not live by bread alone.” My wife and I are also strong supporters of Asolo Rep.

How do you want to be remembered?

As good writer of the kind of work I did. I am not a New Yorker magazine-type of writer. I always say I am a commercial writer. That sounds kind of crass, but that’s what it is. l would like to be remembered as being capable in that field.

You are writing the last chapter of your life. What happens?

I just put my head down peacefully and feel fairly satisfied as I drift off to sleep.

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A Touch of Glass

By Steven J. Smith | Photo by Nancy Guth

Philip & Nancy Kotler have teamed with Warren & Margot Coville in a joint gift to create a new studio art glass pavilion at the Ringling Museum, scheduled to open in the fall of next year.

The Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion, a $3-4 million, 5,500

“We also picked this city because it is perfect for peo-

square-foot expansion, will provide a dedicated space for

ple who are lifetime learners,” Philip added. “They may

the display of the considerable studio art glass collection

be retired and want to keep learning things. There are so

they have donated to the museum as well as a new formal

many colleges and courses they offer here as well. There

entrance to the Historic Asolo Theater.

are great orchestras, great ballet and great theater here.”

“A couple of years ago, The Ringling Museum had an

Philip Kotler is the S.C. Johnson Distinguished Professor

exhibition of many of the glass pieces we had already given

of International Marketing at the Kellogg School of Man-

to them,” Nancy said. “The public really enjoyed it and it

agement at Northwestern University. Known as “The Fa-

was a very successful and beautiful exhibition. When that

ther of Modern Marketing,” he is the distinguished author

was over, Philip and I thought might there be some way we

of 58 books on the subject.

could have a permanent space at the Museum, dedicated

“Marketing is over 100 years old,” he said. “When I

to the showing of this artwork. We knew the Covilles had

wrote my 1967 book called ‘Marketing Management,’ it

a great interest as well. They gave the Ringling a collection

became a bestseller around the world and now it’s in its

of journalistic photography and they’re also glass collec-

15th edition.”

tors. So we all developed a wonderful synergy that got this project off the ground.”

He has also written about 150 articles, which have appeared in “The Harvard Business Review” and other

Philip, originally from Chicago, and Nancy, originally

distinguished journals. Nancy Kotler is a retired attorney

from Boston, now call Sarasota their primary residence.

and college instructor, who first taught English Literature at

“Given our commitment to and passion for the arts, Sara-

Northeastern University in Illinois, then later taught law in

sota was a natural choice for us to have a home,” Nancy

the college’s business school.

said. “Sarasota is a most extraordinary place and it is a joy

The Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion project will also upgrade

to make a contribution to The Ringling Museum. (Executive

the facilities of the Historic Asolo Theater with enhanced

Director) Steven High and (Curator of Modern and Con-

guest artist facilities — including a rehearsal room for per-

temporary Art) Matthew McClendon’s enthusiasm, along

formers — as well as a concession area in the new lobby and

with our partnership with the Covilles, has made this one

reception space on the second floor for theater guests. The

of the great experiences of our lives.”

groundbreaking for the entire project is scheduled for April 20.

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In addition, the project has received assistance from

— a traditional lecture style teaching space that has avail-

Gulf Coast Community Foundation, which is a long-stand-

able technological equipment that can be used to aid and

ing supporter of The Ringling and lead sponsor to the Mu-

enhance instruction of a course — as well as charities such

seum’s Art of Our Time programming dedicated to con-

as All Faiths Food Bank.

temporary art.

“We would not have known about these projects if we

“They helped us think it through,” Nancy said. “That

hadn’t been educated by Gulf Coast,” she said. “That’s

was their role, because we and the Covilles do our

their job. When someone decides they want to be philan-

philanthropy through Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

thropic, Gulf Coast helps them focus on what they really

They’re remarkable. They are dedicated to improving both

want to do.”

the art life and the humanitarian aspects of living in Sara-

Once the Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion is complete, the

sota. They’ve been great mentors to us, particularly (Senior

Kotlers plan to focus their efforts on funding local pro-

Vice President for Philanthropy) Veronica Brady, who has

fessional theater projects. “We’re co-producers at Asolo

helped us in figuring out where we would like to support

Rep,” Nancy said. “We choose a play every year and con-

efforts in this community.”

tribute to help get it produced. That’s been another interest

Several of those efforts have included smart classrooms

of ours.”

March 2016

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105

Vibrant Giving

Arnold Simonsen

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Photo by Nancy Guth

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A

few weeks back, Longboat Key residents Ar-

units in Rosemary Court, a new housing area in the Rosemary

nold Simonsen and Ronda Montminy saw “A

District. These new units will be able to house over 70 artists

Salute to Vienna” at the Van Wezel. “The Ger-

during the season, which will greatly minimize the need for ex-

man director of the orchestra told the crowd that they loved

tra rentals. “They did such a terrific job of redoing the Opera

coming back to Sarasota,” Simonsen explains, “because it’s

house building that it only made sense to have living areas for

one of the most cultural cities we perform in. And that’s how

the performers that were equally nice,” says Simonsen.

I feel, too. We should all do what we can to support that.”

One thing that’s clear from the photos on the walls of his

Simonsen jokes that he retired about forty years ago, but

apartment and his many stories is that Simonsen’s a world

it’s clear that he’s as active now as he ever was before. He

traveler. He has a multi-engine commercial pilot’s license and

used to live in the Cayman Islands in the winter and still owns

until a few years ago, he had his own plane that he took ev-

a home on the 7-mile beach — he got his fill of scuba diving

erywhere. He happily adds, “I’ve landed on every single one

and golf every day. Yet when he discovered Sarasota six years

of the Bahama islands.” Even though someone else now does

ago, he bought a home on Longboat Key and made that his

the flying, he still goes and goes and goes. Just recently, he and

permanent residence. “There is something going on in the

Montminy took a river cruise in Myanmar, and after a short

area every day in Sarasota if you are interested in staying ac-

stay back in the US, they took a river cruise in France. Later

tive. A great place to live.” He always used to think he’d end

this year, they plan to take a cruise in the Greek islands and

up in Fort Lauderdale. “Sarasota, though, is so much nicer

a jet trip around the world that starts in Hawaii and ends in

than Fort Lauderdale,” he says. “It’s much smaller, less traffic,

Boston. Along the way, they’ll explore many of the world’s

lots to do here. It’s a very, very nice area.”

most mysterious islands. Yet despite his love for travel and

Now Simonsen might be a relative newcomer to Saraso-

adventure, this former businessman and pilot is proud to call

ta, but he is doing what he can to keep Sarasota a vibrant

Sarasota home. “This is such an amazing cultural area. We all

cultural community. His 2015 philanthropic contributions

should do what we can to help keep it that way,” Simonsen

include the Salvation Army, the American Cancer Society,

says. And he backs it all up with a generosity that’s impressive.

“There is something going on in the area every day in Sarasota if you are interested in staying active. A great place to live.” the Freedom Project, and various efforts to provide long-term

Stacy Ridenour, Sarasota Opera’s Director of Develop-

solutions to the chronically homeless, but it also includes the

ment, adds, “Arnold has always been there for us when we

Players Theatre, the Sarasota Youth Opera, and other arts

needed it most. When the company suddenly owed $500,000

organizations. It takes only a few moments of speaking with

from the Nadel Clawback Settlement, Arnold came forth with

him, however, to realize that Sarasota Opera holds a special

very generous support. This past year, the company launched

place in his heart. “They’re simply amazing,” he says. And

some capital initiatives, raising funds to build some much

considering he’s a long-time supporter of the Lyric Opera in

needed artist housing and to plan renovations to our adjacent

Chicago, when he says the opera here is every bit as good

support space. Arnold yet again stepped forward generously.

here as it is there, that’s saying something. “Victor [DeRenzi]

We are very proud to name our 2nd floor donor lounge the

does a tremendous job as the Artistic Director of the Opera.”

Simonsen & Montminy Opera Club and new signage will be in

When it became clear that Sarasota Opera needed new

place shortly after the end of the 2016 Winter Opera Festival.”

housing for their performers, Simonsen offered to help. Original-

Simonsen’s gulf-facing Longboat Key apartment is load-

ly, they owned 16 units in the Ringling Terrace Apartments, just

ed with accolades and commendations for his philanthropy.

off Cocoanut, behind Florida Studio Theatre. That was enough

When asked about them, he shrugs and says, “It’s just a hob-

room to house 40 performers. Any more than forty, Sarasota

by. My whole life is a hobby.” Call it what you want, what

Opera had to scramble for temporary housing to give the per-

he’s doing is as amazing as Sarasota Opera’s performances.

formers somewhere to stay during the season. Those units have

He’s having fun and making a difference. What more could

all been sold and thanks to Simonsen’s help, they now own 30

anyone desire?

March 2016

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EDUCATION

The Jewish Federation’s Youth and Outreach Programs

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Though the name has changed a few times

connect and learn together. The kids and parents can

during the many decades it’s been in existence, The

get into their pajamas and then read together from

Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has always

books such as A Holiday for Noah by Susan Remick

worked to make a difference in the lives of others,

Topek, Kippi and the Missing Matzah by Louise Gi-

both locally and abroad. What some people don’t re-

kow, and King Solomon and the Bee by Dalia Hardof

alize, though, is the deep commitment they’ve made

Renberg. It’s a way for them all to connect to Judaism

to connect with, support, and educate young people

and family, and feel good about practicing reading as

through a variety of youth programs.

well. More than a few grandparents are taking part

The PJ Library program begins an important conversation about Judaism with the youngest audience

in the fun, too. “Plus once a year,” adds Eiffert, “the participants get a music CD.”

of all. Andrea Eiffert, the Jewish Federation’s Teen

The Jewish Federation also collaborates with

and Family Program Coordinator explains it as es-

other organizations to bring in speakers for family

sentially being “a book club for Jewish children from

workshops. Recently, The Federation partnered with

6 months to 8 years old.” Thanks to the generosi-

The Community Foundation of Sarasota, The Goldie

ty of The Jewish Federation, The Harold Grinspoon

Feldman Academy and Temple Emanu-El for a pre-

Foundation and other donors, more than 200 Jewish

sentation by Dr. Cheryl Ellerbrock and Rabbi Elaine

children in our community receive a free book every

Glickman for a program entitled “Raising a Mensch.”

month that helps them better understand their heri-

The talk was free for PJ Library members and those

tage. It’s a low-stress, high-impact way for families to

who attended learned about Jewish values such as March 2016

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109

tzedakah (charity), generosity, and deeds of loving kindness and how to instill them in young children.

“All of the participants, regardless of the ages of their children, learned something and were able to share their personal parenting experiences,” says Eiffert.

One of the programs that Eiffert is particularly enthusiastic about is STEP, the Shapiro Teen Engagement Program that was started by Federation donors Sam Shapiro and his late wife Sally Shapiro. Their vision was to create a gateway for Sarasota and Manatee County Jewish teens to engage with their local community but also the Jewish community at large (especially Israel). This program provides opportunities for teens to participate in a variety of activities regardless of whether for fun, a personal desire to hone leadership skills, or to earn service hours that a school or other organization requires of its members.

STEP teens are always included in the planning and

journeys is through the Bob Malkin Young Ambassa-

choose the types of events they want to help coor-

dors Teen Leadership Program (BMYA). Each year, a

dinate. Some past events include beach volleyball,

small group of area teens is selected to go on a heav-

pool parties, and scavenger hunts.

ily-subsidized, all-inclusive two-week mission to Isra-

New this year is the TKO Club, which stands for

el. While there, the young people learn about Israeli

Tikkun Olam, a Jewish concept referring to acts of

history, culture, geography, and advocacy, as well as

kindness or service to others performed to help repair

develop their own personal connection to the land.

the world. Student led and driven, participants in this

One BMYA alumnus, Jared Dipsiner, didn’t have

club have coordinated projects such as playing bingo

a deep connection to his Judaism, but after he was

with residents of Kobernick-Anchin Benderson Senior

accepted into the Young Ambassador’s program and

Care Facility and purchasing holiday gifts for families

spent time in Israel, his life changed. “Since my return

receiving services through Jewish Family and Children’s

from Israel,” writes this current UCF college student,

Service of the Suncoast, as well as reaching out to par-

“I have become engaged in learning not only about

ticipants in their Senior Outreach Service program.

Israel, but all Middle Eastern counties, in both a polit-

This March, Eiffert is doing something she’s nev-

ical and non-political way.” He has started a Twitter

er done before. She’s taking nine students — two

page and his own website about it. “I recently started

college and seven high school — to the (AIPAC)

a weekly video segment on YouTube and intend to

American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy

engage my college campus with these videos.”

Conference in Washington DC, where they’ll all

Eiffert adds, “I’m always pleasantly surprised with

learn to advocate for Israel. AIPAC’s staff and citizen

how much passion teens have and how much they

activists educate decision makers about the bonds

have to offer. They really want to make an impact.”

that connect the US and Israel and that it’s in the US’s

And thanks to the opportunities provided by the Jew-

best interest to help ensure that the Jewish state is

ish Federation — including a new free app that brings

safe, strong, and secure. “Anti-semitism is on the rise

all this information together — more and more local

again,” notes Eiffert. “This conference will provide

Jewish teens will find their own personal connection

students with information and tools to effectively ad-

to Israel, Judaism and their community. (Search for

vocate in their schools when they’re confronted with

“Jewish Teens of SRQ-MAN” on your app store)

anti-Israel propaganda.”

Another way The Jewish Federation is committed to supporting teens on their educational and spiritual

110

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For more information on the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, please visit www.jfedsrq.org or call 941.371.4546

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By Suzette Jones

eason is in full swing and the recent Sarasota Music Half Marathon reminds me that it’s best to approach season slow and steady rather than in an all out sprint if you want to make it to the finish line. Speaking of the Half Marathon, I must congratulate the organizers, volunteers,

musicians, sponsors and especially the runners who made this new event, now in its second year, one of our city’s shining stars. Most notable was standout runner Kate Wright, who at age 52, placed first in the female category, beating second place finisher twenty-nine-year-old Ashley Clifford by nearly five minutes! Not only did Kate rank #6 overall in the race, she was the ONLY top ten finisher over 50. You would have to go to the 58th finisher in the race to find the next female over 50. As I stare down my 51st birthday in a few weeks, Kate is my new idol!!

Dubbed as a “moving party,” the Sarasota Music Half Marathon promotes everything about our city – healthy living, fun in the sun, family togetherness, musical diversity, our wonderful neighborhoods and all the neat stuff that makes Sarasota great. In its first year, 2,000 runners came out and this year the race sold out with 3,000 runners and attracted locals as well as out-of-towners.

When race founder John Korff came to town, he brought lots of experience and ideas. John founded the New York City Triathlon, brought the Ironman US Championships to New York City, and consulted for the New York City Marathon for over 15 years. He smartly cultivated relationships with Molly Jackson, co-owner of New Balance Sarasota, Fleet Feet and Molly’s Boutique, plus Tony Driscoll, founder of the Sarasota Open Tennis Tournament, and involved them in the event production. Everything about this event is fun. It makes me want to put my running shoes on and train for next year’s event!

March marks the return of the world-class food and wine experience - Florida Winefest and Auction. This event has raised more than $8 million benefiting 84 charities that assist disadvantaged children, youth and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. I was thrilled to see the marketing materials for this always-popular event, which features original artwork by one of my favorite artists, Brendan Coudal, a native Chicagoan who has called Sarasota home for the past 30 years.

Brendan is well known for his mid-century-styled paintings of “Retro Gals” and mermaids, which can be seen at many design shops and restaurants. His work has been featured in many local and national marketing and merchandising campaigns.

When the opportunity surfaced to create a special image for Florida Winefest & Auction’s marketing campaign, Brendan decided to paint something that not only highlighted the winefocused event, but also the magic of southwest Florida.

Brendan said, “I knew it would be a great opportunity to showcase my retro style and I was

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excited to create something special for an organization that helps so many in our community. My concept of a mermaid peeking out of a wine glass is the perfect fit! To get started, I asked my wife Nicole to model for me. Since we didn’t have a wine glass big enough for her to sit in (laughing), I fashioned a hula-hoop around her to resemble the rim of the glass. As she peeked over the edge, I snapped photos and used them as my reference. Obviously, I didn’t have a live mermaid to model for me, so I had to make that part up! I tried to stay true to the ‘bright coastal’ colors the folks at Winefest asked for, and I’m really pleased with the finished piece. I named it “Perfectly Paired” because what goes better together than a beautiful blond mermaid and a luscious glass of wine?”

You can bid on the original Brendan Coudal

painting

online

at

www.

floridawinefest.org. I know a collector of all things mermaid who would love this painting - that’s you, Alan Maibach!

Kudos to the organization’s long-time leadership that includes Sandy Loevner, Margo Bohaty, David Band, Marjorie Floyd, Paul Mattison, Representative Ray Pilon and many more.

Florida Winefest and Auction is a weekend of events, great wines, culinary delights and treats for the enthusiastic oenophile. Do any of you remember Sip and Shop, the Winefest event of the past that took place on St. Armands? I used to live on St. Armands and I remember strolling around the circle for this fun event. I still have some of the logo wine glasses on my shelf! I wish they would resurrect this terrific daytime event. By encouraging attendees to actually shop, not just sip, this was a great example of

combining

nonprofit

and

local

merchant support. While the Sip and Shop is no longer, the 2016 Winefest includes favorites such as the Wine & Winemakers dinners, the Bayfront Showcase Lunch Tasting, the Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction,

March 2016

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Wine on the Water featuring the band Kettle of Fish, and the stunning signature event, Banquet on the Block. This event closes Lemon Avenue as guests dine at one long table and enjoy five courses prepared by five local chefs paired with vintages from participating wineries. Which one will be YOUR favorite? For dates, times and all other info on each of these events, go to floridawinefest.org or call 941-952-1109.

Doesn’t a “Party in Paradise” like fun? If you want to find out more, just contact

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Sarasota Garden Club. This March 18 party kicks off their annual fundraiser Gardens

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fundraising source and the Sarasota Southeastern Guide Dogs 3K Walkathon is taking

in Paradise, a self-guided tour of five beautiful and inspirational home gardens. Party in Paradise is held in a Ralph Twitchell designed house and garden and features an architectural historian-led tour. The garden tour of homes takes place March 19. I think founding member Mable Ringling would be delighted to know that 89 years later, Sarasota Garden Club is still thriving in our community.

Freedom. Courage. Confidence. These powerful attributes of existence are just some of the ways guide dogs can make a difference in the life of people with visual impairments. And there is no better organization than Southeastern Guide Dogs to make freedom, courage and confidence a way of life for those who need it most.

Did you know it costs tens of thousands of dollars to raise and train a guide dog?

Because Southeastern Guide Dogs is 100% funded by donations, they need your help to make these dogs the best superheroes on the planet. Walkathons are an important place at Payne Park on March 19.

Chris

McNamee

Southeastern graduate,

(left),

Guide

talked

a

Dogs

about

why

he chaired the last Lakewood Ranch Walkathon. “I am visually

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impaired and received my guide Max from Southeastern Guide Dogs eight years ago. I wanted to help give back to the school for the wonderful gift of mobility that they have provided me!”

Julie

Altman,

Walkathon

Chair,

Sarasota said,

“My

passion is fueled by seeing the amazing results of the work that Southeastern Guide Dogs does! It is truly a world-class organization

and

they

hold

themselves to very, very high standards. They inspire me to do everything I possibly can to help them. Everything that Southeastern does revolves around what is best for their students, graduates and their dogs. Oh, and it doesn¹t hurt that I absolutely love dogs too!”

Putting on your walking shoes and getting out there on March 19 is a great way

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to help. Best yet, your four-legged friend can walk for the cause too! To get involved, go to guidedogswalkathon.org.

On March 30 at Michael’s On East, AJC West Coast Florida will hold a tribute dinner to honor local philanthropists Edie and David Chaifetz with its Human Relations

Michael B. Edwards, Broker

Award. This event always provides inspiration and a chance to thank individuals who

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March 2016

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Thanks For D in in g For A Difference !

Giving Back Never Tasted So Good!

Thank You to the participating restaurants, our sponsors and more than 1,500 diners for making the first annual Dining For A Difference event a stunning success! Through your support, we will be funding grants that go directly to local charities.

to the needs of our community.

I asked AJC Vice President and past

award

honoree

Flori

Roberts

more about the evening: “It is said ‘the brightest stars are those that shine for others.’ That is certainly true of Edie and David Chaifetz. They are quiet heroes in our community, and AJC is thrilled to thank them at this very special dinner.

To add special meaning to the evening, AJC Executive Director David Harris, the voice, heart, and soul of AJC, will be there to pay tribute to this extraordinary couple and share his insights on global

2016 Dining For A Difference Participating Restaurants:

issues of great concern, including anti-

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Semitism, bigotry and hate wherever it appears, and the continued advocacy Michael’s On East

for the State of Israel. As a past AJC honoree, I am excited to be a sponsor of this event and proud to say bravo

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Edie and David for your passion and compassion for the world!” Well said, Flori! Dinner chairs are Karen and

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Tom Bernstein, Marilyn Shuman, Toby and Noel Siegel. AJC has two award dinners each year and they are always interesting, inspiring and educational.

Co-Chair Leslie Jones is very excited about the 16th Annual Children First Celebration Gala. Leslie shared, “The Gala will be especially exciting this year as we recognize President & CEO Philip Tavill’s 20 years of leadership. My husband Alan and I, along with co-chairs Alexandra Jupin and John Bean, Kristy and Tom Cail, and Robin and David Shapiro, are all so honored to be a part of this special celebration. For this year’s theme, Fairytale Ball: Sea of Dreams, Michael’s On East will be transformed into an enchanted world with mystical sea creatures and mermaids in a sunken castle beneath the sea. Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while viewing an expansive silent auction before a delicious dinner and dancing to DJ Jonathan Cortez. Proceeds from the evening will help provide quality early

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March 2016

education to children in need.” Sounds like a great time for a great organization.

Did you ever go to an interactive chef dinner? If not, you can get your chance at LaMusica’s very lively dinner on April 8 and enjoy an evening of hilarity in which two musicians teach guests to cook a dish. This year, bass player Scott Faulkner will lead in the preparation of Saucy Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps, and

the

eminent

cellist,

Edgardo J. Aponte, MD, FACOG Jorge E. Alvarez, MD, FACOG Jennifer R. McCullen, MD, FACOG M. Joanne Bevers, CNM Jill S. Miller, ARNP Therese E. Goode, PA-C

Antonio

Meneses, will conduct the creation of a Brazilian Fish Stew. Laughter abounds, wine flows, and extraordinary people answer the cooking call!

Steered passionately by executive director Sally Faron, LaMusica presents exciting

programs

of

familiar

and

unusual chamber music that are so

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many children in Sarasota County who are abused, the Child Protection Center has been a shining light, providing prevention, intervention and treatment services for children and families. The Center’s Blue Ties and Butterflies Gala is an important fundraising event for this vital nonprofit happening April 13 at Michaels On East. Diana Roberts and Tammy Karp are the co-chairs.

According Protection

to

Center’s

Diana, Blue

“Child Ties

and

Butterflies is a magical evening filled with great food, drinks and one of a kind auction items. This event is critical in helping Child Protection Center fund prevention, intervention and treatment services for children and families in our community. My husband Brian and I are thrilled to be supporters. Your involvement in Blue Ties and Butterflies 2016 will help change and save the lives of children in our community.”

Tammy Karp added, “No child should go unheard. Every child deserves a safe, caring environment. Please join us

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for an inspirational evening celebrating hope and healing.” If you want to help or attend the gala, visit cpcsarasota.org for more info.

Don’t forget that on March 22 at

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in other cities. And then there is what I call the “Sarasota Boomerang.” Asolo Rep’s very own event manager, Laura Wood, left here a few years ago for a great opportunity, but fortunately boomeranged right back to Sarasota. I met Laura a number of years ago when she was a member at my club, Evolution

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projecting the NYC skyline on the walls seemingly transporting guests to the top of Rockefeller Center. It was stunning. I can’t wait to see what they do to take us

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celebrate the famous Cuban cabaret and nightclub where Nat King Cole, Josephine Baker and other noteworthy

120

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March 2016

mambo and jazz musicians and singers 104381

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performed. With jazz band and cabaret

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– Dr. Alissa Shulman

show entertainment featuring sounds from the 1950s, the atmosphere is sure to get guests in the mambo mood.

My friend, Jennifer Rust, a private wealth advisor at Synovus Bank, is cochairing the event with Susan Jones, Ann Charters, and Caroline Ellerson. An after-party at Louie’s Modern where you can enjoy the sounds of DJ Joey D will keep the fun going long after the mambo dancing.

Even if you pace yourself, with all

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feel like a sprint! I want to take a moment in the whirlwind to show my respect to one of the most talented and spirited individuals I have ever known for those of us covering Sarasota’s social scene. I considered her a friend and

an

inspiration.

Her

influential

reach went beyond her popular gossip/ social column. I remember meeting her daughter Laura when I attended my very first Sarasota Film Festival movie. I felt

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an instant rapport – I even introduced her to my then single movie-making brother in L.A.! Later, I was fortunate to sit next to Marjorie at a lunch at The Oaks Country Club that Suzanne Takerian, CFO of the Child Protection Center, hosted specifically for women to get to know one another. Marjorie shared her story as a single mom forging her way in the professional world to support her daughters. As a single mom myself, I left that lunch inspired and filled with hope.

Marjorie was gracious in covering both big and little things that meant so much to this community. There is a hole in my heart at the loss of this great lady.

Suzette Jones is CEO and Founder of The Economic Buzz, a company focused on economic development and innovation. (theeconomicbuzz.com sj@theeconomicbuzz.com)

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Literary Scene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Millionaire Legacy: 8 Millionaire Success Strategies for Achieving Financial and Emotional Wealth Radio host, seminar leader, and certified trainer Thomas P. Curran’s new book, Millionaire Legacy, showcases the eight success strategies utilized by self-made millionaires such as James Malinchak, Bob Proctor, Steve Harrison, and Brendon Bruchard. “All of the millionaires interviewed for my book,” explains Curran, “maintain a similar mindset of being successful and will not allow any setback to prevent them from reaching their dreams. They encountered failure numerous times but they never gave up. Their passion for achieving their goals was stronger than any roadblock that was thrown in their path.”

The book manages to both inform and inspire — a pretty tall order. In addition to the interviews of millionaires is an appendix with two bonus features. The first, “The Road to a Million Dollars: 10 Areas for Wealth Creation,” is worth the price of the book alone. It’s one thing to give theoretical advice on wealth creation, and another to give real-world examples, as does Curran. The other bonus feature?

A 25 question “Millionaire Mindset Assessment” complete with scoring chart, assessment report, and an explanation of how to evaluate the results.

“The most important thing about building financial and emotional wealth is that you need to have perseverance,” says Curran. “You must do your research and write out a checklist of steps that need to be taken in order to reach your aspirations. Even though you may have fear and encounter failures along your journey, you must continue forward with a positive attitude of being successful.

Be dedicated and willing to take action every day on activities that will get you closer to your goals.”

For some of you, this book might just change your life. Give it a chance.

For more information about Millionaire Legacy (Morgan James Publishing, paperback, 276 pages, $18.95) or the author, please visit www.millionairelegacy.com.

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The Moment: A Practical Guide to Creating a Mindful Life in a Distracted World I’m reluctant to tackle self-help/personal improvement books these days because it seems that even now — a decade after Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret — people are still saying the same things.

But in my mind, Miami author Achim Nowak’s new book stands out. For one thing, it’s eminently readable and doesn’t talk down in any way to a reader. It also doesn’t presuppose that we’re living in a state of lack or wrongness. Instead, he simply offers insight into how to more richly enjoy the moments of our lives. This is prajna wisdom — the wisdom that talks to us as a moment unfolds.

He breaks down The Moment into 4 keys, and I’m especially taken by #3 — “Wave-Ride Energy.” He explains that Wave Riders are “folks who sense the energy of a moment and choose to ride the wave. As we seize the energy of a moment, we experience the thrill of momentum in our lives. We discover how moments of discomfort propel us into life-changing aha moments. And we appreciate the power of extreme events, when circumstances unfold so rapidly that we have no choice but to ride the wave.”

If you’re in the market for a book that helps you live your life more fully, this might be the ticket. Nowak hasn’t been featured on 60 Minutes, National Public Radio, Fox News, and the Miami Herald for nothing! Give this book a chance to take the mysticism out of mindfulness and make a difference in your world today.

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Finestra’s Window This poetry collection — Sarasota resident Patricia Corbus’ second — won the 2015 Off the Grid Poetry Prize.

And it doesn’t take more than a few page flips to see why.

She’s terrific. There’s a deftness to her language that lingers in the mind long after the page is turned. Plus she’s got a keen, welcoming eye that

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helps ease the reader into lovely truths.

See for yourself. Here are the first few lines of “Your Horoscope Today.”

Because the sun is in your house, today will be verdant as the taste of arugula. Do not taste of the farkleberry or the glair of an egg. Eschew tobacco.

Virgo the Undervalued, plant myrtle around cemeteries, lilacs around privies. Keep sweeping up fallen Flowers at Heaven’s Gate.

You, Leo, in the zoot suit, get over it— she’s a Portia, not a Porsche.

A few other favorites of mine in this book? “The Blue Flash,” “In the Audience,” “The Seamstress,” and “Turnback.”

Our community has a number of poets, including a few fairly well-published ones, but it’s clear from this new book that Corbus is one to watch. If you like how she handles a phrase, consider looking up her debut book from 2002, Ashes, Jade, Mirrors.

It’s equally impressive.

If we’re lucky, we won’t have to wait another decade or more for her next collection.

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Bye Bye Birdie March 17-April 3

Strong Women of the Stage Costume Exhibition March 10-April 10

STRONG WOMEN OF THE STAGE

Coming Soon:

To Kill a Mockingbird April 14- May 1

Phantom

April 21-May 8

Tickets on sale now! $26-$36

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HEALTH

The Most Common Cancer

By Ryan S. Jawitz, DO, FAOCD, Board Certified Dermatologist

Skin cancer prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate in the United States and around the world. It is the most common form of cancer diagnosed and over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other types of cancer combined. Skin cancer affects people of all colors, age and race. However, it can be easily treated and often cured with early detection and advanced treatment techniques.

The development of skin cancer can be attributed to both genetic and environmental factors.

One of the most common risk factors for developing skin cancer is excess exposure to ultraviolet Ryan S. Jawitz, DO, FAOCD, Board Certified Dermatologist Riverchase Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery 239.313.2525 www.riverchasedermatology.com

light from the sun or tanning beds. If one or more of a patient’s immediate family members has had skin cancer, their likelihood of developing a skin cancer is elevated.

Avoiding the known contributors to skin cancer development, such as indoor tanning beds and excessive ultraviolet rays from the sun, can greatly reduce the risk of developing a cancerous skin lesion. Dermatologist and the surgeon general agree that wearing protective clothing such as a long sleeve UV blocking shirt, hat and glasses; seeking shade, especially during the mid day hours; and using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will help reduce the chances of developing skin cancer.

The three most common forms of skin cancers that are developed are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer. Basal cell is the most common skin cancer developed in both men and women and is caused by both longterm sun exposure over a lifetime and occasional extended, intense exposure typically leading to sunburn. Basal cell skin cancers aren’t usually deadly and rarely spread to other areas of the body, but they can be disfiguring if left to grow.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer and is developed from cumulative ultraviolet exposure over the course of a lifetime. They frequently occur in the sun-exposed areas of the skin but can form in all areas of the body including mucous membranes and genitals. These growths can be deadly if left untreated but are easily cured when detected early and removed or destroyed.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. These skin cancers develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells trigger mutations that lead to skin cells multiplying rapidly and forming malignant tumors. Advanced stages of this cancer can metastasize, spreading to other parts of the body where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal.

The good news is that there are highly effective treatment options for treating skin cancers that boast up to a 99 percent cure rate with positive cosmetic results. Two of the many skin cancer treatments offered at Riverchase Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery are Mohs micrographic surgery, a specialized technique that completely removes the cancerous tissue by examining each layer that is excised until all margins are cleared, and superficial radiotherapy, or SRT, which is a non-surgical treatment option that delivers targeted radio frequencies to the cancerous lesion over a series of treatments. Riverchase Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery is one of the only practices in the area with board certified plastic surgeons on staff to perform the repair of a Mohs surgical sight, ensuring the best cosmetic result with minimal scarring.

Skin cancer is avoidable by taking preventative measures and protecting yourself from harm by using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing every day. If a skin cancer forms, it can be easily treated and cured with early detection and the expertise of a board certified dermatologist.

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HEALTH

Stem Cell Orthopedics: A Nonsurgical Alternative for Serious Joint Problems

By Mark Walter, M.D.

There can be no more powerful or better medicine than unleashing the force for self-healing that lies within each patient. Stem cells are that healing force. We now have the technology to use your very own stem cells and blood products (growth factors) to regenMark Walter, M.D. Stem Cell Orthopedic Specialist

erate almost any tissue or structure in the body. Using stem cells to heal is a game changer about to revolutionize almost every branch of medicine.

Founder, Stem Cell Orthopedic Institute

In orthopedics, we have approximately an 80% success rate* with common problems

1250 Tamiami Trail, Suite 304

such as osteoarthritis of the knee or hip (even bone-on-bone), rotator cuff, back or neck pain,

Sarasota, FL 34239

sports or other types of injuries and many other conditions. Once successful, the improve-

941.955.4325

ments tend to be long-term because we have rebuilt and corrected the underlying structural

StemCellOrthopedics.com | RegenOrtho.com Board Certified in Family Practice (C.C.F.P.) Member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Medicine

problem and therefore addressed the root-cause of the pain.

The stem cell procedure is minimally invasive and done in a single day (about four hours). Using a gentle liposculpting technique, we harvest 60-120 cc’s of fat generally from the patient’s belly or flank area. The stem cells are then isolated in order to optimize the count and viability and then mixed with growth factors from the patient’s own blood (platelet- rich plasma or PRP) to activate and stimulate the growth of the stem cells. If properly isolated and injected, the healing benefit for many orthopedic conditions, as well as many other medical problems, can be absolutely amazing.

Stem cell procedure is very safe when properly isolated and injected and the results can be absolutely amazing. To optimize results, it is very important for the doctor to be adept at both palpation and ultrasound guidance techniques to diagnose and inject all the correct “pain generators.” The downtime is about two days although patients can walk and return to basic activity almost right away. Active rehab is recommended with an early return to activity to help stimulate the blood flow to joints and help them heal properly. “Movement without load” is the guiding principle.

Since stem cell regeneration is a healing process, it is impossible to predict in a given patient how quickly they will notice improvement. Some patients have an amazing improvement almost right away, others can take a month before they notice any benefit at all. Once injected, the stem cells will continue to regenerate damaged tissue for about six months. In most cases, a single stem cell treatment suffices to solve the problem; however, at the four to six week mark, if a patient is not totally satisfied with their initial results we have the option to give a PRP/Growth factor booster injection to reignite stem cell healing activity.

Stem cells truly are the medicine of the future already revolutionizing orthopedic joint problems today. However, as a pioneer in the field of Stem Cell Orthopedics, and as someone who has trained and worked with the top Regenerative Orthopedic teachers in the world, it is imperative that you consult only with a board certified doctor with extensive training and injection expertise in this field. If you are interested in a consultation or attending a free seminar to learn more, please call my office. (*success rate is defined as 50% or better improvement in pain and disability at the 6 week mark).

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March 2016

HEALTH

What is a Hernia?

By Jonathan Yunis MD FACS

A hernia is a defect in the muscular abdominal wall that allows intestine or internal fat to pass through it. The protrusion of intestine or even internal fat can cause significant pain and in some cases a surgical emergency. The most common hernias occur in the groin (inguinal and femoral hernia) and in the belly button (umbilical hernia). Many hernias occur in areas of previous surgical incisions (ventral incisional hernias) in the abdominal wall.

Jonathan Yunis MD FACS Center for Hernia Repair 2800 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34239 941.953.5917

Why do you have a hernia?

Most primary groin and umbilical hernias occur because of a genetic predisposition. Repetitive heavy lifting or other forms of exertion are likely to bring on the hernia presentation earlier in your life. Ventral incisional hernia will occur in 20% of all abdominal operations. The risk for ventral incisional hernia development is increased in smokers, diabetics, obesity, and surgical wound infections.

Why have your hernia repaired?

• Pain- While most hernias are painless, if your hernia is causing intermittent discomfort or pain, then surgical repair is the solution to eradicate these symptoms.

• Appearance – Hernias are often disfiguring and an experienced hernia specialist often offers an enhanced cosmetic outcome.

• Size- The natural history of a hernia left untreated is unpredictable. While many hernias can remain unchanged over time, most hernias tend to get larger. This progression in size can change the early opportunity for a small hernia repair into a major abdominal wall reconstruction.

• Risk of Emergent Incarceration or Strangulation – Incarceration of a hernia is when the intestine is trapped in the hernia defect. This can result in obstruction of the intestine causing abdominal pain and vomiting. After a hernia incarcerates, it can strangulate the intestine contained within the hernia. This compromises the blood flow to the intestine and if surgery is not performed to relieve this, overwhelming sepsis and even death is a possibility.

Why not have your hernia repaired?

The risks of your hernia repair should be lower than your risk of leaving it untreated. While this seems obvious, at least 25% of people that undergo hernia surgery are unhappy due to problems with chronic pain, infection, or recurrence. These complications are clearly avoidable.

What can you do to insure the best chance for a favorable result?

Seek treatment by an experienced Herniologist – a specialist dedicated to hernia repair. Hernia specialists command expertise in all hernia repair techniques. A hernia specialist understands the extraordinary variation in anatomy that often leads to confusion among less experienced surgeons.

How should my hernia be repaired?

If you have a hernia, you have options. Living with your hernia is always a possibility and in some cases is the safest approach. Surgical options include conventional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery. Other options include choices of material for the repair.

Most repairs utilize mesh (many choices) in order to reduce the risk of hernia recurrence. The use of mesh does not guarantee you a permanent repair. Recurrence of a hernia is mostly determined by the skill of the surgeon and the choices made by the surgeon.

All hernias and the people that develop them are unique. There is no standard approach to hernia repair. Careful analysis of each person’s lifestyle and needs along with the location and size of the hernia are necessary to formulate a proper solution. A hernia specialist will help you make the best decision.

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REWIND A LOOK BACK THROUGH SCENE’S ARCHIVES

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March 2016

1966

Since 1927, Sarasota Garden Club projects have contributed greatly to civic beautification and has helped with the conservation and the preservation of our fragile ecology.

Featured here are the proud winners of its annual flower show.

Charting A New Course Before beginning any new adventure, it’s important to have a plan. Icard Merrill can help guide you through the complexities of today’s world. From business matters to civil disputes to family concerns, our lawyers have the specific skills and experience to advise you in a wide range of legal fields. We offer a comprehensive approach to the practice of law, with the well-being of our clients always a top concern. No matter the obstacles of your particular journey, we will do our best to ensure smooth navigation along the way.

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