October2015

Wealth Riches of the Sea The Importance of

BIG Ideas

The Wealth of Our Land

The Ringling’s

Year of Asia

Sarasota Ballet's OCTOBER 2015 $3.95 U.S.

Theatre of Dreams

It’s time to create some of your own Home-sites Starting at $259k Packages Starting at $1m No CDD Fees Models Open Daily The Concession Real Estate Co., Inc. 8305 Lindrick Lane, Bradenton, FL 34202 941.388.0501

theconcessionrealestate.com

FINAL PHASE...

49 HOME-SITES REMAIN

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

of Living

At Plymouth Harbor, wellness is defined by continuing broad interests and a healthy lifestyle for an active mind and body. Our new 10,000 square foot wellness center engages both equally.

Here you will find a rich myriad of activities surrounded by spectacular views of Sarasota Bay. Start your day with a workout in the fitness center, a soothing Tai Chi class, or a dip in the pool. Maybe you prefer the creative outlet of our woodworking shop or art studio. Join in on a game of bocce or a sit in on an educational lecture.

There is so much to choose from, the possibilities are endless. And it is not just a possibility, but everyday life here at Plymouth Harbor.

Once you see Plymouth Harbor and meet the vibrant people who call it home, you will change the way you think about your future.

Residents treasure the time they spend in their lovely, spacious apartment homes – yet appreciate all of the thoughtful services and amenities that are part of the Plymouth Harbor lifestyle. And they love the beautiful setting that looks like a first-class resort, but feels just like home.

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

A S P E C TA C U L A R V I E W O F R E T I R E M E N T

Call Today to Schedule a Personal Tour & Lunch 700 John Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236 • (941) 365-2600 • www.PlymouthHarbor.org A Not-For-Profit Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). OIR #88039

TOM LEE

Shank’s Mare Photo by Ayumi Sakamoto

The

Experience RINGLING INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

OCT 15 – 18

For four extraordinary days in October, artists and audiences from across America and around the world come together at The Ringling to experience the phenomenon that is RIAF! RIAF 2015 presents seven

compelling perspectives on beauty, innovation, and artistry by performers representing

the many and varied cultures of Asia. Plan now to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime, not-to-be-missed opportunity!

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! $27 – 35

INFORMATION + TICKETS

ringling.org | 941.360.7399 S TAT E A R T M U S E U M O F F L O R I D A

SARASOTA, FLORIDA

| F L O R I D A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

RIAF 2015 SCHEDULE THU OCT 15 6:00 – 10:00 PM OPENING NIGHT Details @ ringling.org FRI OCT 16 2:00 PM

PHARE: CAMBODIAN CIRCUS PENI CANDRA RINI

5:00 PM

PHARE: THE CAMBODIAN CIRCUS

RONNARONG KHAMPHA

RONNARONG KHAMPHA

My Name is Ong Photo by Wang Yuanqing

ORKES SINTEN REMEN 8:00 PM

TAO DANCE THEATER JEN SHYU

Khmer Metal

TOM LEE

Photo by Peter Phoeng

SAT OCT 17 2:00 PM

TAO DANCE THEATER RONNARONG KHAMPHA ORKES SINTEN REMEN

5:00 PM

JEN SHYU TOM LEE

8:00 PM

PHARE: CAMBODIAN CIRCUS PENI CANDRA RINI

ORKES SINTEN REMEN Photo courtesy of artist

ORKES SINTEN REMEN SUN OCT 18 2:00 PM

PHARE: CAMBODIAN CIRCUS JEN SHYU TOM LEE

5:00 PM

TAO DANCE THEATER PENI CANDRA RINI ORKES SINTEN REMEN

PENI CANDRA RINI Photo by Pandji Vasco

TAO DANCE THEATER Photo by Jin Hai

JEN SHYU

Solo Rites: Seven Breaths Photo by Steven Schreiber RIAF 2015 is sponsored in part by the Asian Cultural Council, a nonprofit organization that supports US-Asia exchange through the arts.

WEALTH October 2015

Volume 58 No. 10

56

66

56 RICHES FROM THE SEA Investing in the Blue Economy

By Sue Cullen

66 OUR LAND, OUR HERITAGE, OUR FUTURE Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast on Wealth and Land Conservation

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

72 A SEASON OF ASIA AT THE RINGLING Upcoming Exhibitions and the new Center for Asian Art

By Sue Cullen

79 CHOREOGRAPHY TAKES CENTER STAGE Sarasota Ballet’s Season Opener: “The Best of Theatre of Dreams”

By Steven J. Smith

100 THE PERFECT DAY King Roger at the US Open

By Julie Milton

8

SCENE

|

October 2015

72

that your plan for the future begins in the present.

PNC WEALTH MANAGEMENT® | Wealth. It instills confidence and peace of mind, but it can create concerns as well. We understand that effectively managing your wealth requires a personal approach—an approach that involves understanding what’s truly important beyond the numbers. By meeting face-to-face with a dedicated team, we can provide insight and a highly customized and comprehensive financial strategy aimed at helping you make the most of your wealth now and for future generations.

For more information, call Jeff Boyd, Wealth Director, at 941-363-5060 or visit pnc.com/wealthsolutions

WEALTH PLANNING

|

TRUST AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

|

PRIVATE BANKING

|

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) uses the marketing name PNC Wealth Management® to provide investment and wealth management, fiduciary services, FDIC-insured banking products and services, and lending of funds through its subsidiary, PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”), which is a Member FDIC, and to provide specific fiduciary and agency services through its subsidiary, PNC Delaware Trust Company. PNC does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice unless, with respect to tax advice, PNC Bank has entered into a written tax services agreement. PNC does not provide services in any jurisdiction in which it is not authorized to conduct business. PNC Bank is not registered as a municipal advisor under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Act”). Investment management and related products and services provided to a “municipal entity” or “obligated person” regarding “proceeds of municipal securities” (as such terms are defined in the Act) will be provided by PNC Capital Advisors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Bank and SEC registered investment adviser.

“PNC Wealth Management” is a registered trademark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. © 2015 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

DEPARTMENTS

40

94

98

22 EVENTS CALENDAR 34 PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR 40 GET INSPIRED

Engagements & Weddings

Cultural Events from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

98 EDUCATION

45 DESIGN Intelligent Textures

By Jacqueline Miller

GIVING 48 Rx for Success Claudia Cardillo

By Steven J. Smith

SCENE

State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

102 BEHIND THE SCENE Sarasota’s Society Maven Gives the Latest Scoop

By Debbi Benedict

116 HEALTH Breast Cancer: Early Detection is the Path to Survival

By Paige Pennebacker, M.D.

52 Sharing a Passion for Philanthropy Bruce and Janet Udell

118 LITERARY SCENE

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

85 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW

122 REWIND

A Rebel for Causes and Big Ideas: Dean Eisner

Memories from our Archives

By Gus Mollasis

10

94 SCENE TOGETHER

|

October 2015

2016

AN EXCEPTIONAL, LUXURIOUS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CARE FACILITY

NOW ACCEPTING MEDICARE, INSURANCE AND PRIVATE PAY PATIENTS

MEDICAL CARE & SUPERVISION

SPECIALIZED REHABILITIATION SERVICES

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

• Through the innovative “Bounce Back” program, you can Rehab, Recover, Return Home®

• Personal Physicians

• Interdisciplinary Team of Experienced Professionals

• 24/7 RN, LPN and CMA Staffing

• State-of-the-Art Therapy Equipment

• Licensed Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapists

• Evidence-based care & Individualized Treatment

• Registered Dietician and Nutritional Management

• Physical, Occupational & Speech Rehabilitative Therapies

• Social Services

• Case Management to Maximize Benefits

• Full-Time Activities Director

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

License # SNF130471051

EOE

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

OCTOBER 1–25

FREE RING WITH PURCHASE OF ANY TWO PANDORA RINGS*

© 2015 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved • PANDORA.NET

FREE RING MUST BE OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE

MALL AT UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER CENTER COURT • 941.893.3948

*In Store Only. Valid only at participating retailers. Void where prohibited. Not valid with prior purchase. While supplies last.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

“An investment in knowledge pays the best dividends.”

G

— Benjamin Franklin

ood old Ben. He’s given us oodles of good quotes. This one grabbed me because it really ties in with our stories in this our

Wealth issue.

Yes, you will find information on wealth managers and financial planners who have the knowledge and expertise to manage your wealth so you don’t have to think about it any more, as well as law firms who work in tandem with wealth managers to get your finances running like a well oiled machine. We have some of the best anywhere.

But you will also find stories about people and initiatives with big ideas for a more thriving economy so we can better enjoy life in our paradise, keep our youth from leaving for the big cities to seek employment, and ensure our children and grandchildren will live in a world where our natural resources take center stage.

Let’s start with the new “blue” economy. SCENE writer Sue Cullen explores the initiatives and companies behind the discovery that our seas “may truly be a vast treasurefilled reservoir providing sustenance, life-saving drugs, and an economic force with the potential to provide hope of a better life for many.” And with this discovery and the Accredited by the The Joint Commission # 519604 AHCA License # 299993941

Private Duty Home Healthcare • Courtesy In-Home Assessment • Custom Care Plan • Alzheimer’s Care • Skilled Nursing Care • Personal Care Services • Long-Term Care Insurance Coordination Services

projects that will arise from the companies exploring these opportunities, a blue economy “has the potential to create public and private wealth and an employment base to help address a key underlying factor in the wide disparity here between the haves and the have-nots – good jobs.”

SCENE writer Ryan Van Cleave takes a look at the relationship of wealth and land conservation in an interview with Christine Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The reason we attract so much wealth here, she says, “is due in large part to how we protect our natural resources.” Once you read this article, I am sure you will agree, as Christine says, that making an investment in the wealth of tomorrow is an investment we can all be thankful for.

Gus Mollasis interviews Dean Eisner, the man behind BIG (Bright Ideas on the Gulf Coast).

BIG looks at four segments that can create jobs in our town that should keep our youth from leaving. They are Marine Science (blue economy), Digital Arts, Performance Sports, and Innovative Health. Eisner believes that “we can be in the top tier in the country in these areas because we have the research, resources and infrastructure to nurture those fields.”

The Ringling brings us a “Year of Asia” beginning with a series of exhibitions, as well as The Ringling International Arts Festival, and culminating with the grand opening of its new Center for Asian Art. The fact that we get to experience a varied mix of art from this diverse and rich part of the world is awesome. Sarasota Ballet, celebrating its 25-year anniversary, launches its season this month with “Theatre of Dreams”, showcasing the outstanding choreography of its dancers. It should be very exciting. Don’t miss either one!

So back to good old Ben. I am hoping that after you read this issue, from the knowledge

941.955.8900 BrightDayHomeHealth.com 2620 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 301 Sarasota | 34239 16

SCENE

|

October 2015

you will gain, you will do your part to help these initiatives take off paying the biggest dividends we can imagine. Boy, Ben was smart. julie@scenesarasota.com

Right Where You Want To Be! Overlooking the bayfront, just minutes from all the shopping, dining, theatre, and arts that make downtown so special, Sarasota Bay Club offers outstanding services and amenities that are personalized to fit your lifestyle. From complimentary valet parking to fine dining, the freedom to design the ideal retirement lifestyle is all yours. Sarasota Bay Club ownership is carefree, with all maintenance included, and complete health care and rehabilitation services conveniently located on-site.

R

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

Call To Schedule A Bay Club Tour Today!

Linda Ware or Dana Moe at (941) 552-3284

Discover just how much value Sarasota Bay Club has to offer.

1301 N. Tamiami Trail • On Sarasota Bay

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

www.SarasotaBayClub.com

TM

Locally Owned, Operated & Printed Since 1957

Join us for a season of passionate music!

CEO/President

Ronald Milton

Publisher & Executive Editor

Julie A. Milton

Vice President Sales Art Director Special Issue Coordinator

MASTERWORKS

Distribution Contributing Writers

Steve Slocum Michelle Cross Debbi Benedict Dick Jackson Debbi Benedict Sue Cullen

TICKETS FROM $30 ON SALE NOW

Gus Mollasis Steven J. Smith Ryan G. Van Cleave

941-953-3434 SarasotaOrchestra.org Photographers

Nancy Guth Daniel Perales Enrique Pino

SPECIAL EVENT:

GALA DINNER AND CONCERT - JAN 27 Renowned soprano RenĂŠe Fleming makes her Sarasota debut with Anu Tali and the Sarasota Orchestra.

Gala includes premium seating at the concert.

Call 941-487-2737 to reserve your seats $500 pp

John Revisky Jessica Tasetano Address

5939 Approach Road, Sarasota, FL 34238

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.

18

SCENE

|

October 2015

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 CIMA,® 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

We’re 1 #

at Doctors Hospital

“The kind of individualized care we got here—it gave us real peace. They made us feel special and really important.

We don’t think we could get that kind of care anywhere else. Read more about each of our experiences at DoctorsOfSarasota.com/patients.”

—Brenda & Myron Robinson, Sarasota, FL da Vinci® Si™ Surgery System

robotic surgery 5731 Bee Ridge Road at Cattlemen Road, Sarasota DoctorsOfSarasota.com | 1.888.685.1596

Why go anywhere else?

Experience Esplanade, a new level of inspired living, and enjoy EVERYTHING you’ve been looking for. Begin each day with endless possibilities by simply stepping outside into an exciting array of resort-style amenities, each focused on active-lifestyle. These gated communities are surrounded by lush landscaping and offer a range of single-family, detached villa and coach homes with today’s most sought-after features, each thoughtfully designed for elegant, easy living. Enjoy the opportunity to live in luxurious style and with all the amenities you deserve. Everything is here.

ESPLANADE BY SIESTA KEY

ESPLANADE AT LAKEWOOD RANCH

2531 VACCARO DRIVE SARASOTA, FL 34231

5235 ESPLANADE BLVD. LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34211

EsplanadebySiestaKey.com

EsplanadeatLakewoodRanch.com

COBBLESTONE ON PALMER RANCH AN ESPLANADE COMMUNITY 4117 CASCINA WAY SARASOTA, FL 34238

EsplanadeCobblestone.com

WFLinfo@taylormorrison.com | 866.495.6006 Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. All information (including, but not limited to prices, availability,incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change or delay without notice. Please see a Taylor Morrison Sales Associate for details and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. © July, 2015, Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc. FL GC#CBC1257822 All rights reserved.

AN INSPIRED LIVING EXPERIENCE FROM

October Calendar

For a complete listing of community events please visit scenesarasota.com Photo of “Maverick” at the Venice Fishing Pier by Tiffany Schwarz

Make-A-Wish’s Sarasota White Party

Goodwill Manasota Ambassador of the Year Award Dinner

October 2 Michael’s On East 8:30 pm. Put on your white evening

October 7 Michael’s On East 6:00 pm. Honoring Representative

wear and come out to this all white-hot party! Benefits Make-A-Wish

Greg Steube, Rick Fawley (in memoriam), Sharon Hillstrom, Michael

Sarasota region to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening

Klauber, and Phil Mancini. Tickets: $150 | 941.355.2721 x104 | expe-

medical conditions. cnflwishsrq.org | 941.952.9474

riencegoodwill.org

Sarasota Ballet’s Tea & Tutus

5th Annual Brewed Life Beer Festival

October 3 FSU Center for the Performing Arts 2:00 pm. Enjoy an

October 10 Nathan Benderson Park 3:00 pm. Presenting Beer, Boats

unforgettable afternoon with a performance from The Sarasota Ballet

and Bacon with over 80 craft and specialty beers and bacon-centric

and afternoon tea. Tickets: $40 adult, $15 child, $25 for two children

food samples available from local restaurant and caterers. Wine, draft

| 941.225.6513 | sarasotaballet.org

beer and additional food tasting tickets will be available to purchase.

Enjoy live music and the Sarasota-Bradenton Head Race. Tickets: $15

Michael Israel Live in Action

- $55 | beerboatsandbacon.com

October 3 Hyatt Regency 5:30 pm. Enjoy an extraordinary night of art, music and philanthropy with world-renowned performance

Interior Design Society’s 5th Annual Party on the Pass

painter Michael Israel. Includes cocktail hour, dinner, and meet

October 10 Sarasota Sailing Squadron 6:00 pm. Cookout, dancing

and greet. Benefits The Payton Wright Foundation. Tickets: $200 |

and live music with “Kettle of Fish”. Benefits Trinity Charities and

paytonwright.org

the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. Tickets: $15 - $40 | 941.924.4481 | idssarasota.com

InStride Therapy’s 6th Annual Grand BBQ October 4 InStride Therapy, Nokomis 3:00 pm. Family fun activities

Manatee Performing Arts Center Crystal Gala

that include a bounce house, haunted hayride, live music, and spe-

October 10 Manatee Performing Arts Center. “A Masquerade Affair”

cial guest MC LuLu from WCTU. Proceeds will go towards the Hip-

with cocktails, entertainment, silent and live auction, dinner and danc-

potherapy Program. Tickets: $25 adult, $10 children | 941.412.9333 |

ing all to benefit The Manatee Players. Tickets: $175 | 941.748.5875 |

instridetherapy.org

manatee performingartscenter.com

22

SCENE

|

October 2015

Timing is everything!

Audit | Accounting | Consulting | Tax Mauldin & Jenkins is a leader in providing audit, tax and consulting services to not-for-profit organizations in Florida, and throughout the Southeast. We serve over 40 not-for-profit organizations in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

There’s no better time to see how we can help your organization exceed your goals, overcome challenges and take advantage of unique opportunities!

Brian Carter, CPA | Partner bcarter@mjcpa.com Melodie Rich, CPA | Director mrich@mjcpa.com

941-747-4483 | mjcpa.com

1301 Sixth Avenue West | Suite 600 Bradenton, FL 34205

Donte’s Den Top Dog Show October 10 Sarasota Municipal Auditorium 6:00 pm. Top Dog is a Westminster-like dog show where owners can enter their four-legged friends in playful categories, enjoy fine dining with their canine companions and chill out in one of Donte’s Den doggy lounges. Benefits Donte’s Den, the only local nonprofit facility anywhere offering long term and permanent care for dogs whose owners are unable to care for them due to illness, injury, abandonment or military deployment. topdogsrq.com

SMHF’s Key to the Cure October 15 Saks Fifth Avenue at UTC 5:30 pm. A kick-off party launches a four-day shopping event at Saks Fifth Avenue during which a percentage of sales will benefit women’s cancer programs at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Tickets: $125 - $175 | 941.917.1286 | smhf.org

Ringling International Arts Festival

Michelle Crabtree Broker Associate, realtor® CLHMS, CRS, CIPS, GRI, ABR, GREEN A third generation local and Broker Sales Associate since 1982, Michelle is dedicated to serving your needs in Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch.

October 15 – 18 The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Opening night performance and Courtyard Celebration starts at 6:00 pm. Celebrate the rich diversity of the world today with performances in a full roster of dance, jazz, comic puppetry, world music, and a touch of circus. Enjoy the galleries and gardens throughout the festival, as well as Jazz Sunsets and Gatehouse Gatherings. 941.360.7399 | ringling.org

15th Annual Anna Maria Island Bayfest October 17 Pine Avenue. Live music, food, arts and crafts, and car show. 941.778.1541 | amichamber.org

17th Annual Patricia Snyder Golf Tournament October 17 Laurel Oak Country Club 8:30 am. Golf tournament to benefit the Patricia Sny-

• 2015 Five-Star Real Estate Agent “Best in Client Satisfaction” – 8 years

der Children’s Fund at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation. Tickets: $125 |

• 2015 Florida Realtor Honor Society – 8 years

Taste of St. Armands

• Women’s Council of Realtors 2013 “Entrepreneur of the Year” & 2009 “Business Woman of the Year”

sampling of their award winning recipes. 941.388.1554 | starmandscircleassoc.com

• 2013 & 2007 SAR “Meritorious Service Award” • 2010 Director, Sarasota Association of Realtors (SAR) - 3 year term • 2008 WCR Sarasota Chapter President

941.917.1286 | smhf.org

October 17 St. Armands Circle Park 5:30 pm. Over 16 restaurants participating and sharing a

People Helping People Awards Breakfast October 20 Michael’s On East 8:30 am. This event benefits Friendship Centers. Tickets: $75 | 941.556.3205 | friendshipcenters.org

SCLO’S Share the Light 20th Annual Luncheon October 20 Michael’s On East 11:00 am. Honoring John Annis and Audrey Coleman.

Benefits Second Chance Last Opportunity. Tickets $65 - $90 | 941.360.8660 | secondchancelastopportunity.org

Child Protection Center’s Pillar Of Hope Tasting and Awareness Event

• 2005 WCR Sarasota “realtor® of the Year”

October 22 South Main Street, Sarasota 5:00 pm. Enjoy live music and food tastings from a

c 941.724.4663

cpcsarasota.org

michelle.crabtree@sothebysrealty.com

www.crabtreehomes.com 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. Equal Housing Opportunity.

24

SCENE

|

October 2015

variety of area restaurants. Open House tour at the Child Protection Center. 941.365.1277 |

Annual Sahib Shrine Circus October 23 & 24 Sailor Circus Arena. Featuring amazing feats by talented circus arts performers.

Presented by The Circus Arts Conservatory. Tickets $10 - $12 | 941.355.9805 | circusarts.org

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

AJC WEST COAST FLORIDA 2015 CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD DINNER HONORING

VERONICA BRADY Senior Vice President of Philanthropy Gulf Coast Community Foundation TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2015

6:00 PM Cocktails • 6:45 Dinner Michael’s On East, Sarasota Florida DINNER CHAIRS

Gerri Aaron • Barbara Brizdle • Matt and Lisa Walsh

SPONSORSHIP AND TICKET INFORMATION: Brian Lipton, AJC Regional Director: 941.365.4955 or liptonb@ajc.org | AJC.ORG

A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT ENJOY FREE ADMISSION TO HISTORIC SPANISH POINT, TOO!

KAYAKING

WATER FUN & LIVE SCALLOP DISPLAY

FOR MORE INFO

941.918.2100 WWW.CONSERVATIONFOUNDATION.COM

ENVIRONMENTAL

ARTS & CRAFTS

LIVE MUSIC

NOV 07 2015

SATURDAY, 11 AM–3 PM 400 Palmetto avenue • osPrey

TREE

CLIMBING

The Silver Soiree …

A Quarter Century of Caring Saturday, November 14, 2015, 6:30pm @ Michael’s on East Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction at 6:30 p.m.

Dinner, Live Auction & Tribute Program at 7:30 p.m.

Musical Entertainment by “Double Vision • Black Tie Optional

Presenting Sponsor: Betty Schoenbaum

Sterling Sponsor: Sam Shapiro Diamond Sponsors: Gerri Aaron & Marvin Albert Grossman, Roth & Partridge

To Purchase Tickets or Sponsorship

Call: 941-365-4545 or Visit: gs-humanservices.org

A S O LO R E P ’S E I G H T H A N N UA L

Starry Night D I N N E R S E R I ES Experience three exclusive dinners at beautiful Sarasota locations, each themed to one of Asolo Rep’s 2015/16 productions. Enjoy fine wines, exquisite foods from the area’s greatest gourmet chefs, and exciting entertainment by Asolo Rep performers. Select the dinners that entice you the most, or sign up for all three!

T I C K E TS & I N FO R M AT I O N E M A I L : SpecialEvents@asolo.org C A L L : 941.351.9010 ext. 4702 W E BS I T E: ASOLOREP.ORG/STARRYNIGHTS

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

D I N N E R 1 West Side Story | Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 at 6:30pm D I N N E R 2 Living On Love | Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 at 6:30pm D I N N E R 3 Josephine | Saturday, Apr. 16, 2016 at 6:30pm

LEAD SPONSOR

MEDIA SPONSOR

7th Annual Sarasota Pumpkin Festival

then walk through a creepy graveyard and the hair-raising haunted

October 23 – 25 Payne Park 12:00 pm. Features live music, safe trick-

house. lakewoodranch.com/events

or-treating, free hayrides, pumpkin patch and maze, pie eating contests, shows, family midway amusement area complete with rides, games, in-

Planned Parenthood Safe Sex Halloween Bash

flatable land, petting zoo and pony rides along with delectable food,

October 30 Michael’s on East 9:00 pm. This year’s theme is Para-

craft vendors and a beer garden. Tickets: $5 - $10 | 941.706.3102 |

normal Prom. High school-inspired fun with an open bar, light

sarasotapumpkinfestival.com

refreshments, DJ, dancing, live entertainment, and costume contest. Benefits sexual health and prevention education programs of

Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun, and Fright

Planned Parenthood. Tickets: $85 - $100 | 941.365.3913 x1167 |

October 23 Mote Aquarium 5:30 pm. Arrive in costume for a fun

safesexhalloweenbash.com

and safe night of trick-or-treating, shipwreck-themed haunted house, food, drink, and underwater pumpkin carving in the shark tank!

Mote’s Oceanic Evening

Tickets: $8- $12 | 941.388.4441 | mote.org

October 31 The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota 6:30 pm. Enjoy an elegant evening of dinner and dancing. All proceeds benefit the research, edu-

21st Annual Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival

cation and outreach of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Tickets:

October 24 & 25 Main Street 10:00 am. Jewelry, pottery, ceramics,

$300 | 941.388.4441 | mote.org

photography, painting, clothing, and a green market. artfestival.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sarasota Opera Curtain Raiser October 25 Michael’s Wine Cellar 6:00 pm. Celebrating the kickoff of the 2015-2016 season. Tickets: $195 | 941.366.8450 x420 | sarasotaopera.org

Lakewood Ranch’s Boo Fest October 30 Premier Sports Campus 6:00 pm. Children can trick-ortreat from local merchants and participate in the costume parade,

Brunch at USF Sarasota-Manatee November 1 USF Sarasota-Manatee campus 11:30 am. Tickets $100 | 941.359.4603 | usfsm.edu/brunch

Children First’s Flip Flops & Fashion November 5 Sharkey’s on the Pier 11:00 am. Luncheon and fashion show. Tickets $80 | 941.953.5507 x152 | childrenfirst.net

UNIQUE JEWELRY FOR THE WOMAN WITH STYLE T h e G o l d e n I m a g e / 3 0 S . P a l m Av e . , S a r a s o ta , F L 3 4 2 3 6 mymkdesigns.com / (941) 364-8439

28

SCENE

|

October 2015

Stuart J. Roth Founder and President

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

Salt & Light Radio WITH

Stuart J. Roth

Saturdays at Noon

WSRQ

1220 AM/106.9 FM

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

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

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

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

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

www.saltandlightproductions.org

Rotary Club of LWR Uncorked November 11 Michael’s On East 6:00 pm. Celebrating a tribute to our veterans with a special wine and food pairing event followed by dessert. Tickets $250 | 941.870.0002 | lakewoodranch-rotary.com | suncoastfoodandwinefest.com

Saint Stephen’s Grand Gala – Fire & Ice November 14 Signature fundraising event for the Saint Stephen’s Parents’ Association. Participate in chance drawings, live and silent auctions and dancing! 941.746.2121 | saintstephens.org

Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson’s Keeping the Dream Alive November 16 Michael’s on East 7:30 pm. Featuring a musical performance by father & son team, Rich and Brandon Ridenour and an undeniably delectable dessert buffet. 941.377.0781 | kobernickanchin.org

Wit and Wisdom of Aging Luncheon November 17 Michael’s on East 11:30 am Wit & Wisdom of Aging features conversation on aging with panelists Gerri Aaron, Flori Roberts and Dickie Smothers. Proceeds benefit Pines of Sarasota Foundation support Pines of Sarasota Rehabilitation and Senior Care Community. Tickets: $90 | 941.955.6293 | Email: tarnell@pinesfoundation.org

AJC 2015 Civic Achievement Award Dinner November 17 Michael’s On East, 6:00 pm. American Jewish Committee will present its 2015 Civic Achievement Award to Veronica Brady, Senior VP of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Tickets $200 | 941.365.4955 | ajc.org | jfedsrq.org

30

SCENE

|

October 2015

A focus on highly personalized relationships combined with a powerful proprietary technology platform, deep roots in the community, and a client-focused staff has helped fuel significant growth for Caldwell Trust Company. The locally based and family-owned trust company has nearly tripled its growth in the past 10 years to $900 million in assets under management and is well on its way to achieving the $1 billion AUM mark.

Caldwell Trust is one of just a handful of truly independent trust companies in Florida and was cofounded in 1993 by Roland Caldwell and his son, R.G. “Kelly” Caldwell, CEO, President and Senior Trust Officer. “We recently installed a bronze structure at the entrance of our new headquarters which displays my father’s mission statement, ‘What We Believe’.

I remember when he wrote it. It inspires me today as if I were reading it for the first time,” Caldwell said. “Briefly, it says we take care of families and we do it honestly. It’s the foundation of which this company stands. This is who we are.”

Avoiding the wave of mergers and acquisitions that have swept the banking industry has allowed Caldwell Trust to retain its laser focus on clients’

needs as their financial manager, investment advisor, trustee or corporate trustee. Our first question is ‘how can we help you?’ We need to understand their life circumstances and what they are trying to do. Our job is to help them find out what that is,” Caldwell said. We take care of families, and that means something different for every family. “We manage money and a whole lot more. We quarterback their estate plan providing additional services as needed such as serving as trustee and paying bills. Most clients, about 80 percent, initially come to Caldwell Trust for money management.

The remaining clients need trustee services, and Caldwell sees this as a natural progression of

EST. 1993

“One of the advantages of being independent is that we can be a true fiduciary. We give advice for a fee and have no products to sell. Our trust officers are never put in the position to choose something in their best interest versus the client’s best interest.”

– R.G. “Kelly” Caldwell

creating strong relationships–reminiscent of a traditional hometown banker in days past–as they help families build wealth and become familiar with their circumstances. “By building a solid relationship and getting to know them and their families, we are in a good position to ensure their wishes are carried out.”

Part of that focus on clients’ needs comes from being what Caldwell terms a true fiduciary.

Being a fiduciary means always making decisions in the best interest of the client. Period. However, that clear duty can become somewhat clouded in some large institutions where employees are compensated to sign clients on for added services.

“One of the advantages of being independent is that we can be a true fiduciary. We give advice for a fee and have no products to sell,” Caldwell said.

“Our trust officers are never put in the position to choose something in their best interest versus the client’s best interest.”

Another somewhat unique feature of Caldwell Trust’s client relationship is that the same trust officer who introduces someone to the firm becomes the point person for that client, which is not the case everywhere. “This ensures they are held accountable for delivering what they promise to clients. Our trust officers are the stars in our system. They know the client intimately and can effectively interpret our investment strategies for them based on their individual circumstances,” Caldwell said. “They also have the authority and the best tools to ensure clients are happy, and our clients love that.”

More information about Caldwell Trust Company is available at

As more people have responded to this clientcentric approach, Caldwell Trust’s staff has grown to 25 professionals, outgrowing its previous Venice headquarters. The firm moved into newly constructed 12,000 sq. ft. headquarters office in Venice. It also has a downtown Sarasota location.

An entire wing of the new building is devoted to technology. The firm has developed proprietary systems and software to ensure advisors have up-to-the-minute information at their fingertips, and that same information is available to clients 24-hours-a-day.

Caldwell Trust also is deeply rooted in the community. Caldwell is a graduate of Venice High School, is very active in giving back to the community, and encourages staff to become involved with organizations and causes about which they are passionate. Those have included, among many others, Tidewell Hospice, YMCA, State College of Florida Foundation, Argus Foundation, S er toma, and the Rotary.

That commitment to the community will remain strong, he said.

Another commitment he fully intends to keep is the promise to remain independent, and as Caldwell Trust’s major shareholder, he can deliver on that promise. “I truly consider it an honored position that I serve as family representative to Caldwell Trust. I have a duty to our clients and staff to remain independent,” Caldwell said. “That’s a very large promise, and no other organization in the area can say that. Our oath is that we will be here, and we’ll do what we say we are going to do.”

ctrust.com Sarasota Office | 941.926.9336 Venice Office | 941.493.3600

PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Jamie Carters A Deux Mains – Photo Frank Atura

Lemon Bay Playhouse

Bark – The Musical

941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com

October 22 – November 8 From the little puppy who yearns to bark like a real dog, to the opera singing poodle and the street mutt who raps – this hilarious musical tells the story of life from the dog’s point of view through fetching tunes.

Murder at The Howard Johnson’s October 21 – November 8 All is fair in love? Even murder? That is the question posed in this light and funny suspense/comedy about a love triangle in a Howard Johnson’s Motor Inn.

Manatee Performing Arts Center 941.748.5875 / manateeperformingartscenter.com

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee October 29 – November 15 Laugh along with six quirky adolescents who compete in an annual spelling bee.

Along the way, hear the hilarious and wistful stories each tells while spelling their way to the top. Only one speller will win; find out who it will be.

34

SCENE

|

October 2015

The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast

and you have this fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang October 28 – November 15 Everyone’s favorite flying car comes to life in the musical adaptation of the beloved family film. Take a fantastic musical adventure as this out-of-this-world car flies through the air and sails the seas.

941.955.4942 / pmpsuncoast.org

The Ringling

Alumni Concert

941.359.5700 / theringling.org

October 10 “Musical Stories” featuring Molly Carr, viola and Yannick Rafalimanana, piano

Ringling International Arts Festival

The Players Theatre 941.365.2494 / theplayers.org

The 39 Steps Through October 11 Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python

October 15 – 18 RIAF 2015 will celebrate the cultures and contemporary arts of Asia in a series of performances to herald the launch of The Ringling’s center for Asian art. Featuring: Opening Night Performance – Bollywood Dreams; TAO Dance Theater performing Weight X 3; Phare: The Cambodian Circus; Ronnarong Khampha;

Celebrating Senior Living!

A leisurely life of socializing with new friends, participating in stimulating activities, enjoying delicious chef-prepared meals, hopping onto convenient transportation, and receiving hassle-free care when you need it, is just around the corner.

Our bright and bustling community will offer independence, freedom, safety, security, and a new social circle.

HarborChase is Sarasota’s newest Assisted Living and Memory Care community. Join our Charter Club and be the first to select your luxurious apartment, with 24-hour on-site nursing, extended congregate care license (ECC) to ensure our families and residents receive all the special attention the need.

Call to find out about our exclusive Charter Club specials!

Sales Center Now Open!

Call (941) 468-2838 Today!

5311 Proctor Road, Sarasota, FL 34233 www.HarborChase.com Assisted Living Facility # Pending

So You Think You Can Dance

TAO Dance Theater – Photo by Jin Hai

Rick Springfield

Peni Candra Rini; Jen Shyu - Solo Rites: Seven Breaths; Tom Lee: Shank’s Mare; Orkes Sinten Remen; For complete dates and times please see website.

Chamber Soiree 3

Exit Laughing

October 29 George Nickson, principal percussion.

Through October 18 If your highlight of the week for the past 30 years has been bridge with the “girls,” what do you do when one of your foursome inconveniently dies? What happens becomes the wildest, craziest, most hilarious night of your life.

Sarasota Ballet

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org

941.955.7676 | vanwezel.org

The Best of Theatre of Dreams (FSU Center)

John Cleese and Eric Idle October 1 – 2

Church Basement Ladies

October 23 – 25 Presenting world premieres of new works choreographed by dancers of The Sarasota Ballet, accompanied by live music.

Shen Yun Orchestra

October 2 – 25 A funny, down-to-earth musical celebrating the true heart of any church – its kitchen.

October 13

Beauty and the Beast October 14 October 15

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

941.953.3434 / sarasotaorchestra.org

The Ultimate Doo Wop Show

941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org

Great Escapes 1

October 24

The Color Purple

Sarasota Orchestra

October 14 – 17 Enjoy a bag of complimentary popcorn, sit back and listen to great movie music, and then watch a screening of Chaplin’s classic short film The Lion’s Cage.

36

SCENE

|

October 2015

Rick Springfield

So You Think You Can Dance October 29

Venice Theatre 941.488.1115 / venicestage.com

October 14 – November 21 This inspiring musical tells the story of an unforgettable woman who triumphs over adversity and discovers her unique voice in the world.

L

u x u r y

p r o p e r t i e s

We understand privacy, customer attention and service.

List your property with The Linda Apple Team

941.586.0553

MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PRODUCERS | LUXURY MARKET SPECIALISTS

L

L

Linda.Apple@sothebysrealty.com

Lynn.McCrary@sothebysrealty.com

i n da a p p l e 941.586.0553

ynn Mccrary 941.730.7299

TheLindaAppleTeam.com Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 8141 Lakewood Ranch Main Street | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 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. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate and neither suggests nor infers that Sotheby’s International Realty participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of the properties depicted.

Tatiana Palnitska Trunk Show October 22–24, 2015, 10am – 6pm

Ever since I can remember, I had a problem wearing what was mass produced and available in stores. I would paint my boots, tear up a curtain for fabric, and dry things I found in the forest for adornments. Growing up in the Soviet Union where everything needed to be created from scratch, I learned many different skills. That gives an artist-at-heart the prerequisite open mind and perseverance for what was to come. In retrospect, I couldn’t have wished for a better training.

After a successful career in the 1990s in the world of mixed media, and after rediscovering the many incredible opportunities of fiber arts, I settled on creating art, which

can be enjoyed by and shared with a much larger audience. I feel like I have found my final destination as an artist in art-to-wear clothing, with the absolutely limitless opportunities for growth, experimentation and expansion that it offers.

I create for the woman who is not afraid to self-express, and since no two women are alike, no two garments for them to wear should be alike, and that is the main philosophy behind my creations. Each day is an inspired journey into the unknown - the infamous ‘blank canvas’ and each piece is completely unique, “edition 1 of 1” in art terms, never repeated, painstakingly crafted by hand, with emphasis on texture, lines, fluidity, and overall expression.

- Tatiana Palnitska

364 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota 941-388-1974 dreamweavercollection.com

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

“I find the arts so inspiring in Sarasota, because somehow, someway, this city has become a safe haven of people discovering ways new and old to express themselves. In Sarasota it's not out of the ordinary to find something extraordinary.”

– Kurt Hoffman, server, The Starlite Room

Fall Preview Dabbert Gallery Oct. 2 – 31, 2015 As summer turns into fall's golden days and cool moonlit nights, Dabbert Gallery’s featured artists celebrate the seasons arrival with expressions of invigorating color and eloquent imagery.

Featuring the work of Barbara Krupp, Robert Baxter, Yuqi Wang, William McCarthy, Luke Steadman, William Suys, Allan Teger, Pamela duLong Williams, Kathrin Longhurst, Beatrice del Perugia, and Tom Swimm. Learn more at dabbertgallery.com

KEY INFLUENCE: SARTQ in Residence on Longboat Key opening reception Longboat Key Center for the Arts Oct. 9 2015, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

KEY influence is a two month residency at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts for members of local, contemporary art collective SARTQ, to draw inspiration from Longboat Key and create new works for the first Fall exhibition of the Season.

Celebrate the completion of the SARTQ artist Open Studio experience as the collection of contemporary, LBK inspired works are unveiled alongside their process pieces of video, materials samples, and actual vignettes from the artists’ LBKCA workspaces. Explore the KEY influence exhibition, listen to remarks from select SARTQ artists, and peruse the accompanying Collector’s Gallery for additional artworks for sale by the SARTQ artists.

Light refreshments and the musical stylings of Blue Echo Bluegrass will be playing to make this a festive, inspiring and thought provoking experience. Learn more at ringling.edu

40

SCENE

|

October 2015

Some day,

she’ll be freedom.

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

Architecture & Design Month The Center for Architecture Sarasota Oct. 16, 2015

The Color Purple Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe October 14-November 21, 2015 Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe opens its 2015-2016 season with The Color Purple. This inspiring musical tells the story of an unforgettable woman who triumphs over adversity and discovers her unique voice in the world. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film), the play chronicles Celie’s 40year evolution from near-enslavement to enlightenment through heartfelt letters to God and her long-lost missionary sister. With a jubilant score of roof-raising gospel, jazz, and throaty blues,The Color Purple is the tale of an every-woman triumphing over adversity, and a testament to the power of hope. Learn more at westcoastblacktheatre.org

The Center for Architecture Sarasota will host internationally-recognized architect Toshiko Mori, FAIA, as their keynote lecturer for October – Architecture and Design Month on Friday evening, Oct. 16 at the Center. Mori is known for over 30 years of innovative and influential work in a diverse body of projects that has received numerous design awards around the world. She also has a direct connection to Sarasota. In 1998 the current owners of the Burkhardt/Cohen House on Casey Key asked Mori to design two additional buildings for the property. The original house was designed by Paul Rudolph in 1957.

Toshiko Mori has a distinguished background in both the practice of architecture and academia. She is the Robert P. Hubbard Professor in the Practice of Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and Principal of Toshiko Mori Architect, which she founded in 1981 in New York City. She has served as the President of the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Design. Learn more at cfasrq.org Toshiko Mori

Annual Arts Celebration Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County Oct. 26, 2015 The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County invites the public to attend the Annual Arts Celebration at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. There will be performances from various arts organizations and awards for those people that help shape the arts in Sarasota. It’s a great time to rub elbows with other arts lovers and to celebrate what makes Sarasota so unique – our thriving arts scene. Learn more at sarasotaarts.org

42

SCENE

|

October 2015

What does your ideal future look like?

P

rosperity means different things to different people. It may include the greater good such as helping others, it may be collecting art or traveling, or it can be activities such as tennis or golf or yachting.

Regardless of how you define your goals and ambitions, Matt Otto, CFP®, SVP, Private Financial Advisor with SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., and his team with over 120 years of combined experience understand that proper financial preparation is paramount in realizing and protecting what’s most important to you.

The Otto Group’s distinctive approach The Otto Group offers high net worth investors a distinctive approach to comprehensive asset management. All investment firms practice investment consulting, some better than others.

We take a different approach by reverse engineering one's income and growth needs to their specific tolerance to volatility and liquidity to then create the most optimal solution for that family specifically. No cookie cutter software for us. We believe additional value is created through our advanced planning offerings which range from estate strategies and asset protection to softer items such as health and wellness and various concierge services.

Our partnerships are built on trust Our relationship objective is to create what feels like a family office without the very high minimum commitments usually required for this level of service and advice. We take tremendous pride in delivering trusted advice and exceptional service. Earning our clients trust is the greatest compliment.

The Otto Group SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. Matthew Otto, CFP® SVP, Private Financial A dvisor SunTrust Private Wealth Management 1777 M ain St., 7th Floor | Sarasota , FL 34236 941.951.3052 | matthew.otto @ suntrust.com suntrust.com /wealth Investment and Insurance Products: • Are not FDIC or any other Government Agency Insured • Are not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value The Otto Group is a team of professionals employed by SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. SunTrust Private Wealth Management is a marketing name used by SunTrust Banks, Inc. and the following affiliates: Banking and trust products and services, including investment advisory products and services, are provided by SunTrust Bank. Securities, insurance (including annuities) and other investment products and services are offered by SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., an SEC registered investment adviser and broker-dealer, member FINRA, SIPC, and a licensed insurance agency.

“We are passionate and grateful to serve our clients and community at the highest level”

SARASOTA DESIGN CENTER

Local ownership, excellent and friendly customer service, and an extensive collection of top line, quality products

iMagine. explORe. inSpiRe.

The Ultimate Kitchen & Bath Experience Featuring American and Canadian-Made Brands: Medallion, Design Craft, Plain & Fancy, Marsh and Elmwood Fine Custom Cabinetry.

It is an entirely new way to think of appliances: sleek, innovative designs that incorporate the most advanced precision cooking and food preservation features of any appliance brand on Earth. monarkhome.com S H O W R O O M : 5670 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota FL 34232 941 926 0700

monarkhome

monarkhome

monarkhome

5686 Fruitville Road • Sarasota, FL 34232 941.342.3443 • www.cabinetsextra.com

©2015 Monark Premium Appliance Co. All rights reserved.

NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN

It’s worth stopping by!

The best showroom in the area to find designer faucets, fixtures, architectural hardware and more. From authentic traditional to retro to contemporary minimalism, our expert staff will help you create your perfect room. Call ahead or simply stop by our beautiful 6000ft² showroom.

P L A C E

DESIGN

Intelligent

Textures

By Jacqueline Miller

ne Size Fits Most –Really! two models, one dress

M

ost women are familiar with clothing labels

MODEL 2-4 includes Sorbtek capris MODEL SIZEcolors 14 The lineSIZE also in fun and

marked one size fits most. But I am sure most

prints with moisture-wicking properties that are definitely

women will agree that clothing labeled this way

appreciated in our hot and humid climate. “Our textures are

typically look great on “skinny minny” Jane and horrible on

fantastic because they help camouflage figure flaws. It’s the

full-figured Mary. The good news is I found a clothing line made

way we knit our products that gives them an amazing hand

of fabulous textiles that actually does flatter and fit most sizes.

feel and fabulous stretch that smooths you out rather than

These “intelligent” fabric is used in the Tees by Tina line sold at

squeezing you in,” said Tina, the innovative woman behind

Tina Stephens at the Mall at UTC and at Tina Stephens stores

the cult phenomenon.

in Charleston, East Hampton, Southampton and Newport, and

Lucky magazine tapped Tina’s leggings as “the best leggings

at more than 1,000 select stores nationwide. The above photo

ever” claiming they are so comfortable and opaque and you will

shows that whether you’re a size 4 or a size 14, the same dress,

never get “elephant knee” and have to back in a corner to hike

because of the forgiving fabric, looks fabulous.

them up. I had to try them. I now own eight pair in several col-

One Size Fits Most –Really!

The comfortable, figure-flattering, seamless knit line, which

ors and styles. They truly are the best fitting leggings I’ve ever

is also perfect for travel, also includes skirts, mock turtles, tees,

worn and they totally stay up – no hiking necessary – no gaps,

leggings and more and have earned a cult following among

just really comfy and they lookone great. two models, dress

some of the biggest celebrities – the Kardashians, Naomi Sims,

One Size Fits Most –Really!

In addition to the intelligent textures of the Tees by Tina line,

and Christina Aguilera, to name a few. Aguilera was photo-

the Sarasota Tina Stephens store also carries a wide variety of

graphed wearing Tees by Tina while pregnant. Major fashion

other fabrics perfect for our climate such as linen and cotton, two models, one dress

publications have paired Tina Stephens layering pieces with

and, as we enter fall, lightweight cashmeres. Tina hand selects

couture fashion from Valentino to Céline, proving the quality of

the textures for tops, skirts and dresses that provide the best and

the fabric is deserving of such a pairing. A fashion editor from

most comfortable coverage and, as Christina Aguilera proved,

the popular site refinery29.com called Tina’s mock turtle tee

they even work for maternity clothes! Tina Stephens is located

“The $58 Cult Buy Fashion People are Secretly Obsessed With.”

on the second level at the Mall at UTC. October 2015

|

SCENE

45

Daniel L. Tullidge, John M. Compton & E. John Lopez of Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A.

Business Transitions

Building a Legacy that Will Last

Photo by Nancy Guth

By Sue Engelhart

Building a prosperous enterprise that will stand the test of time requires many things from a business owner. A short list includes vision, determination, a keen understanding of customers’ needs, an ability to deploy resources effectively, and a willingness to work as hard as it takes to get the job done. With these, business owners can create a legacy for future generations, but for that to happen, they must be willing to step away from day-to-day demands, step out of their comfort zone, and reach out to professionals who can help plan for the future and aid in a successful transition to the next generation of owners.

Unfortunately, when it comes to business tran-

ning, the business value can be substantially de-

sition the statistics are not encouraging. “For

pleted or the business can fail. Statistics show that

many business owners, the business is their most

70 percent of businesses do not make it to the

valuable asset, and typically if there is not a busi-

second generation, and 80 percent do not make it

ness succession plan in place, havoc is wreaked

to the third generation.”

if the owner dies or becomes disabled,” said John

Transitioning a business requires a multi-facet-

Lopez, an attorney and partner at Norton, Ham-

ed approach. One of the most critical is taxation.

mersley, Lopez and Skokos, a Sarasota law firm

Heirs, still dealing with grief over their loss, face a

concentrating in business, tax, real estate, trial

potential estate tax bill due nine months after the

practice and dispute resolution. “Without plan-

owner’s death – there are no extensions on that

payment. According to Lopez, the current unified

ing good financial records and keeping personal

credit grants a $5.43 million estate tax exemption

and business finances separate ease the burden

for individuals and a $10.86 million exemption

of transitioning the business.” Improper account-

for couples. Amounts above that may be taxed

ing can negatively impact how much a buyer is

at 40 percent, plus certain investment income

willing to pay if there is a sale or the ability to get

earned by an estate may be subject to the 3.8 per-

a loan should that be needed to aid with taxes or

cent Net Investment Income Tax which is part of

other issues in a transition.

Obamacare. If proper planning to ensure appro-

When an owner has children – some may be in-

priate liquid assets is not in place, heirs may be

volved in the business and some may not – the

forced to sell the business for less than it is worth.

situation can affect family relationships. Business

“Clients sometimes come to us to do estate

owners may struggle with how to treat each fairly,

planning before they have surgery or take a va-

which is particularly true when the business is the

cation, which is not ideal,” said John Compton,

family’s largest asset. “There is no stock answer.

an attorney and partner at Norton Hammersley.

Every client is different. One option is to give ev-

“Business succession planning is estate planning

eryone an equal share in the company and com-

for the business, and it takes time to do it prop-

pensate children working in the business through

erly.” Whether planning to pass the business to

salaries and bonuses,” Lopez said. “More frequent-

children or current managers, or preparing for a

ly, business assets are passed to participants in the

future sale, owners should ensure certain basics

business and other assets like stocks, bonds, IRAs,

are in place. Those include good financial man-

and life insurance to nonparticipants.”

agement and accounting practices, policies and

Business transition planning is not limited to the

procedures manual, plan for identifying, compen-

death of a founder. “We also do planning within

sating and retaining key employees, non-compete

a generation,” Tullidge said. “When siblings are

agreements, employee contracts, and training for

working in a business, they may decide to part

family members or other successors to ensure

ways. Having a buy/sell agreement with an insur-

they are prepared to run the business, Compton

ance plan in place ensures liquid assets will be

said. “If these are not in place, and the owner

available to buy another owner out. We also can

should die, it leaves an opening for competitors

use reciprocal trusts and other methods to ensure

to capitalize on key employees and customers,”

they can exit smoothly when they are ready.”

he said.

One of the things some business owners seem

Professionals can help business owners navi-

reluctant to do – even if they are willing to tackle

gate succession-planning complexities with strat-

planning for their death – is talking about it with

egies such as transferring corporate shares into

their families. “Communicating with children,

trust, and advising on tax strategies such as re-

whether or not they are in the business, to let

taining shares until death to acquire a step-up in

them know what is coming is important. What’s

tax basis versus gifting shares during life. Making

the point of developing a great plan to pass own-

sure a business’ financial house is in order and

ership to children when that may not be what

obtaining an appraisal of the business’ value are

they have in mind at all?”, Compton said. “A lot

crucial steps. “It is important for us to work with

of owners look at business succession planning

other professionals to get an appraisal. Aside from

as an expense, but it is a value added opportuni-

the family dynamics of a transition, there may be

ty for their families, and if their customers knew

tax consequences, valuation discounts, estate

what they were doing, they would appreciate the

planning issues, and other considerations,” said

assurance that the business will go on to continue

Norton Hammersley attorney Dan Tullidge. “Hav-

serving their needs.”

Connect: Business and Tax Law Group — Daniel L. Tullidge, John M. Compton & E. John Lopez

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

48

SCENE

|

October 2015

Rx for Success Claudia Cardillo

C

By Steven J. Smith | Photo by John Revisky

laudia Cardillo, a retired business executive at

to five years of age,” she said. “They get 60 books over that

healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, has chan-

time. The idea is for the parents to read to the children to

neled her financial resources and business sav-

increase their vocabulary and their ability to maintain grade

vy into local philanthropic endeavors with Girls

level reading as they get into school. It’s a phenomenal pro-

Inc. of Sarasota County, the Library Foundation for Sarasota

gram. One of my roles is to lead that initiative. We work with

County and Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

the libraries. We do the fundraising and they administer the

Cardillo moved to Siesta Key from her native New Jersey

program.”

in 2011 after a productive 23-year career with Johnson &

Gulf Coast Community Foundation is another important

Johnson in leadership positions such as customer service,

organization with which Cardillo has developed a meaning-

logistics and supply chain management.

ful relationship, helping to organize her philanthropic efforts.

“My parents bought a condo on Siesta Key in 1982 and

“I met Veronica Brady a few years ago, who is one of

they snowbirded there,” she said. “So I was familiar with the

Gulf Coast’s vice presidents,” she said. “I didn’t even know

area and decided to take an early retirement and move here

what a community foundation was. They are a public char-

permanently.”

ity that manages donations. They helped me set up a donor

Cardillo’s relationship with Girls Inc. came about when

advised fund. I transfer Johnson & Johnson stock into it once

she took a tour of the facility and learned about the organi-

a year and from that fund, I designate my donations to indi-

zation’s remarkable programs for area girls, such as its after

vidual organizations such as Girls Inc. and the Library Foun-

school and summer camp initiatives. She started out as a

dation. That money is invested, so it’s a good investment

volunteer and has elevated her commitment to becoming

vehicle. They manage the account and run reports for me,

a member of its board of directors. Cardillo now actively

so at the end of the year I know where my money went, and

participates in fundraising efforts and building a legacy en-

to which organizations.”

dowment that will help sustain Girls Inc. well into the future.

Cardillo added Gulf Coast Community Foundation has

“They’re all about building girls that are strong, smart and

also taught her about the community in which she lives as

bold,” she said. “And they have wonderful research-based programs for the girls that are focused on education, physical fitness and learning social skills.”

well as the organizations in which she has invested.

“They involved me in doing grant reviews,” she said. “I actually go out and review the organizations that receive

Cardillo’s involvement as a board member of the Library

the grants, to see if they met the grant responsibilities.

Foundation for Sarasota County was a direct result of her

That’s been a tremendous way for me to understand these

passion for books and reading as well as the energy of one

organizations. They also give out scholarships every year

of the foundation’s officers, former County Commissioner

to high school students heading to college. I’ve been on

Shannon Staub.

the scholarship review team, which determines who will

“I’m an avid reader and an avid library supporter,” she

get the money.”

said. “I have been since I was a child. And Shannon Staub

Cardillo is also a graduate of Gulf Coast’s Leadership In-

is the reason I went on to the board. Her energy is amazing.

stitute, which creates a network of committed citizens who

Our mission there is raising money to supplement tax dollars

take part in a comprehensive leadership development pro-

to sustain the county library system. Early childhood literacy

gram. They emerge as skilled, action-oriented leaders.

is also one of our focus areas.”

“They leverage the leadership skills you already have to

The foundation added a program called the Imagination

use in the community and in community organizations,” she

Library, founded by singer Dolly Parton, which targets spe-

said. “I was able to meet phenomenal people from all differ-

cific zip codes in Sarasota County that are home to children

ent organizations in town and get more and more involved

with literacy challenges.

in the community. That’s one of the best things I’ve done

“We send those children a book every month, from birth

since I moved here.”

October 2015

|

SCENE

49

photo: Glenn Gardner

photo: Glenn Gardner

Save Save .

Land Land.

Forever..

Forever

YouYoucan mostimportant importantnatural naturalplaces. places. canhelp help protect our most GivetotoConservation Conservation Foundation Give Foundationofofthe theGulf GulfCoast Coasttoday today andimpact impact forever. forever. Call (941) and (941)918-2100.

918-2100.

conservationfoundation.com conservationfoundation.com

Sarasota

Venice

Lakewood Ranch

2 N Tamiami Trail, #804 941-366-8600

1314 E Venice Ave, Suite A 941-412-1400

8120 Lakewood Main St, Suite #201 941-907-0168

52

SCENE

|

October 2015

Sharing a Passion for Philanthropy

The Udell Family & The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Photo by Nancy Guth

B

ruce and Janet Udell are all about partnering for

you find a way to do it. That’s what our Federation does!”

the good of our community. One of the biggest

One of the things that Bruce has come to believe is that

philanthropic partners they have found is The

philanthropy is not automatic or inherent — it’s something

Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. “We’ve

one learns. What happens is that when you give money to a

done a lot with charities in town over the years, helping

cause that touches you, then you feel good about it, so you

them increase their endowment and increase their reach,”

want that feeling again. So you give more. “The more you

Bruce says. Indeed, he’s been on the board of Asolo Reper-

do it,” he says, “the more you’ll do it.” Like so many things

tory Theatre, and involved with other local charities such as

in life, you can start small, he adds, and then grow it into

The Jewish Housing Council, All Faiths Food Bank, Embrac-

something more significant when your situation allows it.

ing Our Differences, and The Child Protection Center; but

He knows about this firsthand because that story mir-

it’s the Jewish Federation with its broad mission of helping

rors his own. Back when he was a young man living in

others in our community, in Israel, and around the world,

Youngstown, Ohio, he was given the opportunity to take a

that really connects well with the Udells’ own ideas on

sponsored trip to Israel. “What I saw in Israel really resonat-

philanthropy.

ed with me. People were struggling. Despite the challeng-

Bruce, Founder of Udell Associates and a frequent Estate

es, with refugees pouring in from all over Europe and the

Planning Speaker, says that the majority of his clients are

Middle East, everyone was welcomed. They always found

older, high-net worth people and following his advice, they

the way to put a roof over their heads, food on their tables

are giving to charities more than ever before.

and train them for jobs,” he says. “It wasn’t welfare. It was

“When people approach the end of their life, it’s no longer about the extra dollars in your bank account. What starts

a process that created productivity. It was inspiring and it changed me!”

to matter more,” he explains, “are the experiences you’ve

Upon his return, he made a meaningful gift to Federation.

had with your own family and how you’ve been able to help

Now, decades later, the success of his own financial services

others. That’s what you think about.” One of the things he

company affords him the means to support Federation on a

does is encourage clients to make philanthropic gifts while

larger scale and help other community projects such as spon-

they are still alive. Seeing the direct results of their own gen-

soring graduate students at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

erosity — even if it’s done anonymously — is immensely

Janet adds, “There’s GOT to be a cause out there for you

rewarding. “Who wouldn’t choose to pay fewer taxes and

to get behind, something dear to your heart. Get involved

instead support a social cause of your choice?”

with your time first. Find out what the organization is about

While The Jewish Federation does have a broad mission, it has recently focused its efforts in three key areas: • Preserving Jewish heritage through social, educational, and cultural programs.

and how they spend their resources. Then when you’re prepared to give more than just your time, you’ll feel a lot better about the whole process.”

Ultimately, Bruce and Janet simply believe that every

• Providing help for those in need, often by bringing

business should give back to the community where the busi-

sustenance, shelter, help, and empowerment to the most

ness is located. He points out, “without the community, you

vulnerable and disadvantaged members of community; and

wouldn’t have a business!” It’s a powerful message on its

• Protecting the people of Israel around the world –

own, but coupled with the ongoing philanthropic efforts of

which includes fighting anti-Semitism here in Sarasota and

the Udells, it becomes much more than that. The result is

elsewhere.

that his business — and our community — are stronger for it.

Bruce says, “Federation also supports so many other or-

For more information on The Jewish Federation of Sara-

ganizations in our area. If you have a specific need or a proj-

sota-Manatee, please visit www.jfedsrq.org or call (941)

ect, they’ll give you a very good listen, and they’ll try to help

371-4546.

October 2015

|

SCENE

53

Team Approach Builds Wealth Relationships

&

L-R: Len Leetzow, Joni Rametta, Tonna & Mark Clark. Photo by Enrique Pino.

ealth Planning and Design has gained a superlative reputation based on a proprietary approach built upon a track record of effective financial strategies, an array of assessment tools that identify clients’ needs and desires, and out-of-the-box thinking that identifies often overlooked opportunities for wealth creation. At the heart of this are the people who are accountable for producing desired results and their ability to coalesce synergistically to leverage their own strengths while strengthening their all-important bond with clients.

Comprising the core team are Len Leetzow, Mark Clark, and Joni Rametta. Each has a long history in the financial industry and brings a needed skillset to client service. They believe that

playing to their strengths benefits clients, and they also understand the value of teamwork.

“We’re here to serve our clients. They can talk with any of us, all of us, or some of us. Whomever they prefer,” says Leetzow. “We have a cooperative spirit.”

Leetzow, who is a veteran portfolio manager with securities and life insurance licenses, handles the firm’s investment strategies and has many years of experience with some of the largest and most recognized names in the financial industry. He focuses on strategies and is action oriented, which appeals to clients with a similar mindset. “I’m a numbers guy, a planner, and a problem solver,” Leetzow says. “I deal with the markets, the big picture. My focus is on things like where the international market is and whether, or when, the Fed will raise interest rates.”

Rametta takes a closer view of clients’ needs, working with them on the day-to-day details and also partnering with them to help address and coordinate a broad range of family matters from college and retirement funding to everyday lifestyle issues. “Joni and I have the same tactical tools.

We both bring planning to the table and can work together to come up with the best planning options for clients,” Clark says. “We also bring different perspectives to address whatever skillset or communication style is needed for the client. My style is more task-oriented and let’s get the job done, and she is more attuned to the interpersonal and emotional aspects.”

Clark and Rametta both have Certified Financial Planner™ designations as well as securities, life insurance, and health insurance licenses. Rametta has more than 30 years of experience in the financial planning industry. Clark has more than 20 years in the industry and began his career as a manager for United Parcel Service, where he excelled at management and gained an interest in how to work with people in a highly effective way. That interest has influenced Wealth Planning and Design’s proprietary approach.

“Mark has a vision for, and an openness to, embracing the tools and technology that can benefit our clients, and the patience to train us,” Rametta says. “He also is good at helping clients prioritize what needs to be done, identifying what could be beneficial most quickly, and capturing what needs to be done by us or by our clients’ accountants and attorneys.”

Wealth Planning and Design has an array of assessment tools that complement the team’s comprehensive financial review. These tools give clients and their spouses insight into their communication and decision-making styles as well as an in-depth analysis of their true risk tolerance and a realignment of their portfolio to reflect that. Each member of the team also has taken the assessments and shares their results with clients providing common ground for better communication.

“All of us have longevity in the business and value our relationship with clients and people in general, and we all have strengths that combine to make the team stronger than we would be as individuals,” Rametta says. “With Len’s long experience, he has been able to offer mentorship to those of us who are younger and to share his experience with different kinds of markets and working with people from all walks of life.”

Community service has also played an important part in their lives. Leetzow was a founder of the Girls Club of Sarasota Foundation and the Church of the Palms Foundation. He has served as Director for the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Sarasota County 4-H Foundation and as past President and Director of the Sunrise Kiwanis Club. Rametta currently is a volunteer with the Guardian Ad Litem program and serves as chair of the Sarasota Chapter of Kingdom Advisors. She also was fundraiser/program chair for athletic programs at two high schools.

More information about Wealth Planning and Design

Clark plays sax in the worship band at Bayside Community Church and is a member of the

is available by calling

Sarasota Chapter of Kingdom Advisors. He and Rametta host a talk show focused on financial

941.361.1484 or visiting

issues, which airs weekly and is available as a podcast. Regardless whether they are working

wealthplanninganddesign.com.

on behalf of the community or their clients, the approach is the same, Clark says. “We want people to work with us because they like us,” he says. “We want them to like the experience they have in working with us and to value our relationship.”

Advisory services offered through Nepsis Advisor Services, Inc.; An SEC Registered Investment Advisor

Riches from the

Sea

By Sue Cullen

56

SCENE

|

October 2015

“The sea is the vast reservoir of Nature.”

– Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea

Jules Verne’s imaginary journeys into the deep stirred in many of us the wonder of a vast, awe-inspiring world filled with mystery and undiscovered treasures. Now, nearly a century and a half later, we are at the cusp of discovering the sea may truly be a vast treasure-filled reservoir providing sustenance, life-saving drugs, and an economic force with the potential to provide hope of a better life for many. Welcome to the blue economy.

October 2015

|

SCENE

57

he potential of a blue economy may be self evident in an area with, let’s say, a higher than average percentage of philanthropists, investors and entrepreneurs contrasted with a school system in which more than 50 percent of students qualify for the free lunch program. Consider this. If it is important to invest philanthropically – as so many do – in education and safety net services for vulnerable men, women, and children, doesn’t it also make sense to look at systemic solutions to these issues? According to some of the area’s most respected institutions, organizations and individuals, investing in the blue economy has the potential to create public and private wealth and an employment base to help address a key underlying factor in the wide disparity here between the haves and the have-nots – good jobs.

Giving credit where it’s due, Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) has played a leadership role in kick-starting a much-needed community-wide conversation about potential economic drivers for the region outside of the old standbys of real estate, tourism, and recreation. GCCF’s Bright Ideas on the Gulf Coast (BIG) initiative took the reins on the project, identifying potential areas for economic growth including the blue economy, and its Innovation Challenge has kept the spotlight on the issue.

A bonnethead shark swims in Mote Marine Laboratory's public outreach facility, Mote Aquarium. Behind the scenes, Mote scientists are studying cancer-fighting substances derived from these sharks through the project “Cancer Therapies from Sharks” in the Gulf Coast Innovation Challenge.

58

SCENE

|

October 2015

Now the Innovation Challenge is narrowed down to five finalist projects. Each team has received $25,000 for the prototyping phase, and each has a very compelling story to tell about its merits. The projects include gleaning life-saving drugs from the sea, developing sustainable food sources and other products, creating an abundant source of clean water, and protecting the Gulf from a highly damaging invasive species. The winner of up to an additional $375,000 will be announced the week of November 16.

“Gulf Coast Community Foundation and its board are to be applauded. They’re visionaries,” says Dr. Michael Crosby, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory. “Instead of nodding their heads and hoping someone would do something about it, the board played a leadership role with the Innovation Challenge. I hope this is a first step and an eye opener that will help fuel the economic direction of our community.”

“Gulf Coast Community Foundation and its board are to be applauded. They’re visionaries. Instead of nodding their heads and hoping someone would do something about it, the board played a leadership role with the Innovation Challenge. I hope this is a first step and an eye opener that will help fuel the economic direction of our community.”

– Dr. Michael Crosby, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory The blue economy is no blue-sky dream. This region already has a nascent blue economy tied primarily to commercial fishing and recreation not to mention a 60-year history of marine science research with Mote.

According to a study of the blue economy by Cambridge Systematic, the marine industry and related businesses along Florida’s Gulf Coast include 1,954 businesses that employ 21,550 workers. The study was commissioned by GCCF and is available on its website, “I believe the blue economy is important because we in Florida have all this coastline, the Gulf of Mexico and the resources in the Gulf, much of which is untapped. It is an underused source of pharmaceuticals,” says Tom Gardner, founder and CEO of Omeza, which develops technologies from marine science. Gardner is on the team, along with Mote, that is looking to develop new antibiotics from the sea. When it comes to the Innovation Challenge finalists, Mote is definitely the belle of the ball with involvement in four of the five projects, all of which carry the potential for global

October 2015

|

SCENE

59

The lionfish is a beautiful, but destructive, predatory fish.

It is a veritable eating machine with a reproductive rate that puts bunnies to shame making them capable of decimating native species.

60

SCENE

|

October 2015

impact as well as significant economic opportunity, and job creation, for this region.

Interestingly, the fifth project aims to provide a solution to a problem that can disrupt the Gulf’s ecosystem, reducing biodiversity and potentially derailing the blue economy itself. The project offers a more effective means of stemming the proliferation of extremely invasive lionfish that are thriving outside of their native range not only in Gulf waters but also in other areas globally. This beautiful, but destructive, predatory fish is a veritable eating machine with a reproductive rate that puts bunnies to shame making them capable of decimating native species.

According to project member Dr. Chris Stallings of USF’s College of Marine Science, lionfish are capable of reducing populations of native fish by 80 percent, including valuable species like grouper and snapper. The project not only is developing a better means of removing this menace but it aims to boost the beleaguered local commercial fishing industry. “We are developing a trap and trying to better develop a fishery for the invasive lionfish,” Stallings says. “We want to get them to seafood distributors, retail markets and restaurants in a cost effective manner.”

The trap being proposed mimics a lionfish’s natural habitat and, therefore, does not need to be baited making it easier to use and less likely to attract non-targeted fish. The project calls for funding to help commercial fishermen purchase the traps and for augmenting market pricing to incentivize lionfish catch and use it with the expectation that at some point the market will become self-sustaining. “In my opinion, the trap has a simple elegance in not only providing an economic opportunity and delicious food for people of the Gulf coast, it removes a highly destructive, highly invasive species,” Stallings says. Once developed here, the approach can be used globally to address other lionfish-invaded systems.

Another project also is looking to bring a delicious fish to the table that has escaped the attention of many and support local commercial fishing in the process. For purposes of the Innovation Challenge, it is focused on the grey striped mullet, but moving forward has the potential to be far broader in scope. Mullet might not be the first fish people think of as an attractive place to start a seafood venture, but that may be about to change. Today, mullet are commercially harvested only for roe, which is smoked and sold as an upscale salted and cured product called bottarga. Everything else is wasted, including all of the male fish caught.

“We started looking at the bottleneck, and it’s due to not having a state-of-the-art, multi-use processing facility that can work year-round processing shrimp, sturgeon, mullet, and other wild caught and farm raised species,” says the project team’s Chris Cogan, CEO of Healthy Earth, which commercializes sustainable foods, and Co-Managing Member of Seven Holdings, a venture capital and private equity firm.

According to another project team member, area restaurateur Ed Chiles, who also is a business partner of Cogan’s, when it comes to mullet, diners don’t know what they are missing. “People need to know we have the ultimate sustainable fish right here in our area. It’s tremendously underutilized and underappreciated,” Chiles says. “I’ve been eating mullet since I was a child, and there’s no better fish. Period.”

Harvested at the right time and prepared correctly, he says he would put it up against any grouper or snapper his restaurants serve.

The opportunity doesn’t stop there, though. Mullet is a rich source of healthy Omega 3s, and the processing facility would extract those and other nutritionals as well as utilize the fish for organic fish and livestock feeds and chemical free pesticides and fertilizers. The project also aims to rebuild commercial fishing by providing local fishermen with an equity position in the company as an incentive to particiOctober 2015

|

SCENE

61

Dr. Kim Ritchie of Mote Marine Laboratory collects samples of the microbes living on coral reefs to support the search for beneficial bacteria – including bacteria that could help humans. Her efforts are advancing in “Antibiotics from the Sea,” a Gulf Coast Innovation Challenge project with several other partners. Photo by Allison Miller.

pate. “The state of Florida imports about $3 billion in seafood annually,” Cogan says. “If we built a company that just captured 20 percent of that, it would be a $600 million company. That hurdle is not that high.”

Mote also is involved in this project, and in three others. Two of those projects involve using the sea as a potential source of life-saving antibiotics and cancer-fighting drugs. Gardner calls the Gulf an underused source of pharmaceuticals. Most are land based, he says. With so-called superbugs that are resistant to existing antibiotics, Garner asks some good questions. “Why not look to the sea where no one has looked? Plus, you have Mote. It’s a resource that is already here. What better opportunity do we have for growth in the community in a clean tech kind of way?” Not one to think small, Gardner says such a venture could help the area become a Health Coast just as we have the Space Coast on Florida’s East Coast or Silicon Valley in California.

Knowing that sharks, rays and skates have low incidences of infection and remarkable healing properties prompted Mote to look into the antimicrobial properties of bacteria thriving on their exteriors as well as similar bacteria from corals and other invertebrates. Sharks also play a key role in another Innovation Challenge project, which is to build upon Mote’s research showing shark-derived compounds have inhibited cancer cells in the laboratory for 15 human cell lines. “If we look to the future, a dozen or so patents we have from our research are intellectual property that venture capitalists and new businesses are attracted to,” Crosby says. “If they led to therapies to fight 15 types of cancer and to the development of new antibiotics, it not only would help human life as a whole, but it can be fuel for a blue economy in Southwest Florida.”

A cownose ray in the touch pool at Mote Marine Laboratory's public outreach facility, Mote Aquarium scientists are studying bacteria from the surface of stingrays to look for beneficial, antibiotic-producing bacteria species that might be a source of new antibiotics for humans.

62

SCENE

|

October 2015

The fifth project also has a vital mission, providing clean drinking water, a rapidly shrinking, life-sustaining resource. According to the World Wildlife Fund, 1.1 billion people lack access to water today, and 2.7 billion have a scarcity of water at least one month each year. By 2025, it predicts that twothirds of the world’s population could experience water shortages. Southwest Florida already has experienced such concerns with aquifers and other water sources becoming depleted during long stretches of drought in recent years. Dr. Gerald Pollock, a bioengineering professor at the University of Washington, has developed an advanced, solar-powered, filter-less filtration system that not only can recycle the billions of gallons of waste water generated but can desalinate brackish water and saltwater. The project seeks to develop, market, and manufacture this new technology.

Determining which of these projects will ultimately walk away with the Innovation Challenge’s top prize will be a tough call. All touch on vital issues that must ultimately be addressed. Whichever project wins, all have merits that can be further explored both for humanity’s sake and as potential game-changers for local economic development. “It’s not just about conserving and sustainably using and saving resources for future generations,” Crosby says. “It’s about having a positive impact on the economy and helping the quality of life in this community.” More details about the Innovation Challenge and the blue economy are online at gulfcoastchallenge.org and gulfcoastcf.org.

October 2015

|

SCENE

63

Artfully Inspired.

Cuisine.

941.360.7390 RESTAURANT GROUP

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

musesarasota.com

Nick Drizos

N

of Horizon Wealth Advisors Photos by Nancy Guth

ick Drizos founded Horizon Wealth Advi-

contacts at that time that he still has today. In the mid-1990s,

sors in 2008 based on the best practices he

he came to Sarasota to join his father at Drizos Investments as

learned while working in trust and finan-

a municipal bonds trader and institutional sales person. Drizos

cial management. Now, with more than 20

also gained experience as a portfolio manager and team lead-

years of experience, Drizos has created a boutique registered

er in wealth management for large banking institutions prior to

investment advisor firm that has grown significantly thanks to

forming his own firm. Today, his father, Nick “the elder”, serves

a holistic approach to wealth management for both individual

as Chief Compliance Officer for Horizon Wealth Advisors.

and institutional clients.

For Drizos, the greatest compliment is when someone re-

Not only does the Lakewood Ranch-based Horizon Wealth

fers a friend or loved one to his firm. It is especially validating

Advisors help clients accumulate wealth through investment

that CPAs and attorneys with whom he has worked, and who

strategies, cash flow planning, and retirement planning, Drizos

have been referral sources, also have become clients. Drizos

and his team of six experienced advisors help clients with

first discovered how rewarding it is to help people when he

much more, working with their accountants, attorneys and

served as a volunteer EMT during high school and his strong

other professionals as needed on tax planning strategies, estate

desire to help extends today to the Lakewood Ranch commu-

planning, charitable transfers, and private foundations.

nity where he and his family reside as well as to the greater

Drizos surrounds himself with specialists with expertise in

Sarasota-Manatee area.

areas like insurance and portfolio management. The firm does

Drizos serves on the boards of the Manatee Community

its own portfolio management in-house with a team-based ap-

Foundation, the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council, and

proach. Drizos also has many years of experience in trust ad-

the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund where he has a family

ministration and has earned an Accredited Investment Fiducia-

donor-advised fund. He also supports many local nonprofits,

ry® designation. He emphasizes the seriousness with which he

including one that is particularly close to his heart, the Saraso-

and the firm’s advisors take their fiduciary obligations to clients.

ta Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, which aids special

Drizos began his career on Wall Street specializing in the tax-

needs individuals. He also is a founding member of the Lake-

free municipal bond and corporate bond market, making many

wood Ranch Elks Club and a member of the Moose Lodge.

Connect: Nick Drizos | Horizon Wealth Advisors | 941.362.0161 | horizonwealthadvisors.com

66

SCENE

|

October 2015

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Photos by Glenn Gardner

hen asked about the relationship of wealth and land conser vation, Conser vation Foundation of the Gulf Coast President Christine Johnson finds little challenge in coming up with a number of clear connections. “The reason we’re so wealthy here, that our area attracts so much wealth, is due in large part to how we protect our natural resources.” Sure, she means “wealth” in the sense of dollars because housing values grow 10-30% for properties near or adjacent to conserved land. Just look at what Legacy Trail has done to nearby home values. But Johnson also means “wealth” as in having a

October 2015

|

SCENE

67

rich, satisfying life. To that end, we have Myakka River State Park, the mineral springs, and lots of worldclass beaches, plus there’s boating, hiking, birding, and golf. She says, “Our natural environment plays a huge part in the creation and maintenance of our wealthy lifestyle.”

The tourism dollars which fill the cash registers of area businesses, too, have the environment to thank.

According to Visit Florida data, the #1 reason people come to Florida is not to go to Disney, but to simply be outdoors. “You can’t differentiate tourism from the natural environment,” explains Johnson. “The beaches, Myakka, Oscar Scherer — it’s all one package.” People might visit Sarasota because of the art or culture, but within days, they’re out renting boats, birding at the Celery Fields, exploring nature trails, and “experiencing the beautiful sunshiny bluebird days.”

The daytime quickly becomes all about enjoying and appreciating what Mother Nature has to offer.

At night? That’s when they attend the theater, view an art exhibit, listen to music at a concert, or enjoy dining on local seafood or farm-tofork cuisine.

Conservation

Foundation

board

member and local business owner, Jim Westman, knows all about this. He grew up in Sarasota and his fond memories of canoeing and exploring the beaches and bays kept him longing to return, which 68

SCENE

|

October 2015

“Conservation is a state of harmony between man and land.”

– Aldo Leopold, American author & environmentalist

October 2015

|

SCENE

69

he finally did in 2009 after a successful career in investment banking. Now he lives on Siesta Key with his wife, daughter, son, and two beagles. In addition to boating and biking on the beach, he says that “we love to get up on a Saturday and bike downtown to the farmers’ market or to have breakfast on the Key. Sarasota is a part of us and now it’s also a part of our children.” It’s that kind of special appreciation for what this area offers that makes what Conservation Foundation does so important.

It’s one thing to have wealth via land, but another thing entirely to protect and maintain the land.

Many Sarasota residents are not from here, says Johnson, and while on some level they understand

15TH ANNUAL RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN GOLF TOURNAMENT

that “it’s all connected, the circle of life, etc.,” they may not fully understand the ecology of this place.

The

relationship

between

land

conservation and healthy waters is

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015

complex. “The little things we do

LAKEWOOD RANCH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

on our own property directly af-

Registration includes limited field on two-courses, amazing prizes, silent auction,

fect the quality and quantity of our

shirt, BBQ lunch, golf demonstration, awards banquet, dinner and refreshments.

underground water and the health

To sponsor or play in this fun-filled day, go to: www.ringling.edu/golftournament

of the rivers, bays and Gulf. Runoff

For more information, please contact Ringling College Special Events 941.309.0118 or golf@ringling.edu

plays a huge part in this equation.”

That’s one of the reasons Conservation Foundation is working to

LATH • PLASTER • STUCCO • EIFS

W E S

ESTCOAST LECTRIC ERVICES, Inc.

protect key pieces of land, particularly land adjacent to bodies of water. When you have a large

#FORERINGLING #ISUPPORTRINGLING

70

SCENE

|

October 2015

stretch of flat land that collects a lot of rainfall, and you let the land

work as the land is supposed to — like a sieve — the water seeps back into the ground and that’s where much of our drinking water comes from. “We need the ground to hold the water. That’s why Conservation Foundation is trying to protect large pieces of land, so that the ground water goes back into the ground, where it’s meant to go, instead of into sewage systems and treatment facilities. We don’t have much time; there aren’t that many large pieces left.”

Taste | Snack | Relax

Join Our Wine Club

• 250+ Wines & 70+ Beers from Around the World

Looking to explore some new wines and to expand your palate? Each month we feature 3 wines from around the world for our members to enjoy. This is a great way to find a new favorite! Prices start at $34.99.

• A Wine Bar with 20 Wines Ready to Purchase by the Glass • Wines are Organized by Taste Categories & Price Point Making it Easy to Find What You Want • Artisanal Cheeses & Gourmet Food Available

Johnson’s basic mantra about our

• A Quaint & Cozy Atmosphere for Parties

relationship to the land is this:

• Wine Gifts & Gift Baskets Available

“Why would we kill the goose that laid the golden egg?” In her mind, the golden egg is our local econo-

Hours: Monday 11am to 5pm | Tuesday – Friday 11am to 9pm | Saturday 11am-5pm

8225 Natures Way, Unit 111 | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-306-5804 | cheers-to-wine.com

my, and the goose is the environment. Sarasota will continue to change and grow. But it’s got to be

The Bullet Hole

smart growth, explains Johnson, or

“Florida’s Oldest Gun Store”

we’re going to endanger both our

Located in the heart of Downtown Sarasota since 1947.

Specializes in Firearms, Liberty Safes & Accessories.

golden eggs and our goose. With the help of Conservation Foundation, though, we’re on the right track to ensuring that the most meaningful, special parcels of land are kept intact for now and the future. And that’s an investment in the wealth of tomorrow that we

“Our Family welcomes you!”

The Misantone family, from left: Stella, Barbara, Dasher (dog), Brooke (standing), Francis & Alexandra

can all be thankful for.

If you would like to learn more about how you can help, contact Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast at 941.918.2100 or visit conservationfoundation.com.

941-957-1996 | 330 South Orange Avenue Don’t worry, we have plenty of parking!

October 2015

|

SCENE

71

15th century gilded bronze statue of a Daoist deity, Wudang Museum

72

SCENE

|

October 2015

A Season of

ASIA at

The R ingling

By Sue Cullen

Beginning this month, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is rolling out its season of Asia, culminating in the public grand opening on February 20 of its new Center for Asian Art in the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Gallery of Asian Art. Until that grand unveiling, a series of exhibitions and the

Ringling

International

Arts Festival 2015 will provide an intriguing glimpse of the magnificent diversity and rich culture that resides under the umbrella of Asian art.

October 2015

|

SCENE

73

he Ringling’s collections have always contained Asian art, which John and Mable Ringling began collecting in the 1920s, and gifts from donors have expanded the collection, “ says Executive Director Steven High. “Beyond geography, Asian art represents a whole mix of cultures, styles and types of art. It is important not to ignore such a huge part of the world with such diverse and rich cultures.”

The season of Asia kicks off on October 9 with Royal Taste: The Art of Princely Courts in Fifteenth-Century China. This is the first large-scale exhibition of Ming Dynasty art in the United States to focus on the provincial courts, rather than the imperial court in Beijing. Ming princes were sent to live lives of luxury in far-flung fiefdoms — primarily to protect the central throne — and Royal Taste displays courtly treasures, such as highly-valuable blue and white china along with paintings and sculpture as well as jewel-encrusted ornaments. “It also offers a glimpse into the lesser-known lives of Ming princes in Hubei province,” according to Fan Zhang, the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Associate Curator of Asian Art. The insights into their daily lives and religious practices offer a new perspective on the larger questions such as the role of princely courts in shaping Ming material culture. “We want to urge audiences to learn about new perspectives and updated scholarship, and to have a fresh look at Ming art,” Zhang says. “It is a rare opportunity.”

The loans are from the Hubei Provincial Museum and three other museums in China, and all of the objects will be on view in the United States for the first time. Zhang highlights a number of exceptional items, including some unearthed in a recent archaeological dig. The exhibition features the only surviving imperial certificate of marriage, phoenix-shaped gold-filigree hairpins, a set of gold ewer and cups, and a stunning gold belt embedded with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. It also includes a large, round carved limestone, weighing more than 1,000 pounds, that was used as the ornamental part of an architectural screen wall from a princely temple in the Wudang Mountains.

“This screen wall provided privacy from the street and warded off unwelcome spirits. The central stone carving provides a taste of what princely residences looked like in their day,” Zhang says. “Now this temple is flooded and these details can never be seen again.”

74

SCENE

|

October 2015

Shanks Mare photo

by Ayumi Sakamoto

Center for Asian Art

Royal Taste runs through January 10. On its heels, Samurai: The Way of the Warrior will open from January 15 through April 17 with a tantalizing array of suits of armor, swords, bows, arrows, and other weaponry as well as items from the warriors’ daily lives on loan from the Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy. Ink, Silk and Gold: Islamic Art from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston runs from February 5 through May 1 covering a broad range of Islamic art in various media from the eighth to the 21st century.

The Ringling International Arts Festival celebrates Asian arts this year with seven productions that highlight a diversity of performance forms. “Five of the companies are coming from Asia and feature some of the more significant artists working today in China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia,” says Dwight Currie, Curator of Performance Programs at The Ringling. “Seeing these highly respected and renowned artists all in one festival is an amazing opportunity.”

On opening night October 15, attendees may see one of three performances, participate in a rollicking Bollywood-style dance party (lessons included), and watch RIAF’s signature fireworks show. Making its U.S. debut that evening is October 2015

|

SCENE

75

Jen Shyu photo by Tom Shea

Phare: The Cambodian Circus photo by Peter Phoeng

76

SCENE

|

October 2015

Pair of gold hairpins in the shape of a phoenix. Mid-16th century Ming Dynasty, Qichun County Museum, China

Phare: The Cambodian Circus, which is known for a theatrical, thoroughly modern approach to circus arts, and is rapidly becoming one of that country’s top tourist attractions. Ronnarong Khampha, a male solo artist who Currie calls “beautiful, mesmerizing, and brave,” performs intricate traditional dances from Thailand, and Tom Lee will present Shank’s Mare, which incorporates Japanese Kuruma Ningyo puppetry with music and video. Finishing touches are being put on Lee’s production for RIAF before it heads to New York for a November premier.

Rounding out the RIAF performances, which run through October 18, is the Indonesian musical group Orkes Sinten Remen; Peni Candra Rini, a singer with a unique bell-like voice who is also from Indonesia; an ecstatic musical experience from East Timorese-Taiwanese jazz artist Jen Shyu; and, China’s premier contemporary dance company TAO Dance Theatre.

Royal Taste and RIAF serve as a prelude to a day long public celebration of the new Center for Asian Art in the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Gallery of Asian Art on February 20. Visitors will be able to explore works in the new center as well as exhibitions in the Searing galleries, and the celebration will include ethnic Asian foods, entertainment that showcases traditional Asian performances and art-making activities. Museum members are invited to an opening preview and reception on February 18.

The Center itself encompasses a new cubic building raised on 10-foot pylons and a renovation of existing museum space for a total of 20,000 square feet. It has 6,800 square feet of gallery space along with a 125seat lecture hall, seminar room and flexible meeting spaces, open collections storage, a dramatic Chinese-red lobby named the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation Grand Hall, and a bridge connecting it to the Johnson-Blalock Education Center. An open terrace faces Sarasota Bay with Asian-inspired gardens. “The building, which was designed by renowned Boston-based architecture firm Machado Silvetti, has Asian influences and a façade of green-glazed terra cotta tiles made by the same manufacturer who produced the tiles for the Ca d’Zan renovation,” says High.

In addition to the Asian art collected by the Ringlings, the museum’s collections include nearly 400 pieces of Chinese ceramics, dating as far back as 5,000 years, donated by Ira and Nancy Koger in 2001 and other significant gifts. The works represent a broad swath of major Asian cultures from historic times to contemporary pieces from today’s artists.

“It is a permanent collection that will be evolving over time,” High says.

“We are laying the foundation for what we hope to become a center for display, scholarship, research and education. More information about upcoming exhibitions and the new Center for Asian Art is available by calling 941. 359.5700. For information about RIAF and to purchase tickets, call 941.360.7399 or go online at ringling.org.

October 2015

|

SCENE

77

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.

Choreography

Takes Center Stage

By Steven J. Smith | Photos by Frank Atura

Ricardo Graziano & Danielle Brown in Alex Harrison's The Blue Hour

October 2015

|

SCENE

79

80

SCENE

|

October 2015

T

he Sarasota Ballet will open its 25th season on Friday, October 23rd with “The Best of Theatre of Dreams” at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, an event artistic director Iain Webb started five years ago to showcase the choreog-

raphy of his company’s dancers.

“There’s been some really interesting and great ballets made here,” Webb said. “But what happens is we do them once and audiences — as well as choreographers — don’t get a chance to revisit them. And some choreographers like the opportunity to rework them. So I thought since it’s our 25th anniversary season it would be nice to do the ‘Best Of;’ that is, the highlights of what we’ve done over the last few years, because it’s a really popular program with the audience.”

Featured choreographers will include Ricki Bertoni, Jamie Carter, Alex Harrison, Kate Honea, Logan Learned and Pavel Fomin, he added.

Fomin will receive a special tribute with a reprise of his 1997 ballet, “Hommage à Chopin,” highlighting Chopin’s “Nocturne in B Major, Opus 9,” “Berceuse in D flat Major, Opus 57” and “Polonaise in A flat Major, Opus 53.”

“Pavel was here, right from the beginning of the company,” Webb said. “I thought it would be really perfect to pay tribute and thank him for his long service with the organization.”

Learned’s “Nebulous” will feature Philip Glass’ “Violin Concerto Movement 3,” originally staged in October 2013. Harrison’s “The Blue Hour” will showcase Chopin’s “Nocturne #27, Opus 2,” also staged in October 2013. Honea’s “Gitana Galop” celebrates Johan Strauss’ “Five Gallops From Kettentanz,” (October 2013), Bertoni’s “Ragtop,” scored

by Scott Joplin’s “Ragtop” (May 2013), and Carter’s “A Deux Mains,” to Rachmaninoff’s “Sonata for Piano and Cello in G Minor (April 2010).

“Do you know where the title ‘Theatre of Dreams’ came from?”

Webb asked, with a laugh. “It’s actually what Manchester United Football Club in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England called its stadium. It’s known as the Theatre of Dreams. That’s where I stole the name from!”

The Sarasota Ballet in Kate Honea's Gitana Galop October 2015

|

SCENE

81

Webb added Sarasota Ballet’s version of the “Theatre of Dreams” has provided an opportunity for resident choreographer Ricardo Graziano to spread his creative wings. Webb has decided to open it up to other company dancers as well.

“I know personally I have no talent whatsoever as far as choreography goes,” he said.

“But there are a lot of dancers who do. I started off by having a little workshop for Ricardo, which resulted in his first ballet, ‘Shostakovich Suite,’ which was a great success. Now, five years later, he’s getting a world premiere at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (in Becket, MA). I think that says our program’s interesting enough to keep it going.”

Webb added he envisions “Theatre of Dreams” evolving over the next five years into an enterprise where an established choreographer might come in as a mentor and oversee the program. From there it could expand into other areas where, for example, nascent designers and composers might get an opportunity to contribute as well.

“That would be the real icing on the cake,” he said. “Having this program where you The Sarasota Ballet in Ricki Bertoni's Ragtop

82

SCENE

|

October 2015

The Sarasota Ballet in Logan Learned's Nebulous

would take maybe five choreographers, five designers and five composers work with the company. Then on top of each art form we’d have someone who’s established, to guide each one along. That would be my dream.”

Webb added hitting the 25-year mark is “very important” for the Sarasota Ballet.

“It’s also a time to build some bridges,” he said. “There were people who were supporters before I got here and they invested in the organization. We like the idea of doing events that celebrate former — and current — donors and friends. But we want to acknowledge and be respectful to everybody’s contributions over the last 25 years, not just over the time I’ve been director here. Jean Weidner Goldstein is our founder and we want to celebrate her as well. It’s going to be a wonderful year.”

The Best of Theatre of Dreams will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. Performances will take place at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

Ticket prices range from $35 to $105. For more information, call 941-3590099 or visit sarasotaballet.org October 2015

|

SCENE

83

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

Dean Eisner

By Gus Mollasis

For all that he has accomplished, and it’s a lot, it won’t surprise you there is still so much more to do for this man from Atlanta who recently retired to the pristine shores of the Gulf Coast. In his stellar business career, Dean Eisner first learned the ropes during the Jack Welsh era at General Electric, then climbed to the top to become president and chief executive officer of Manheim, a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, the world’s largest provider of vehicle remarketing services. An impressive resume to say the least for this man with an MBA from the University of Michigan, who didn’t even consider himself close to being the smartest kid in the class when he was growing up. He was smart enough though to surround himself with great mentors, including his father, and he’s always had a hunger for learning. Today that same hunger fuels him to find ways to help talented youth stay in this place that he calls paradise through BIG, an initiative he founded, which stands for Bright Ideas on the Gulf Coast. A bit of a rebel, but mostly a Southern gentleman, he wears the success of his life with ease, just as his father did. Humble, smart, creative and open to ideas, he is a man who has no regrets, and someone who makes an ideal mentor for the youth. I saw his mentoring skills on display as he took a call from his college freshman daughter, a “protégé” artist attending SCF, giving her some much needed advice that only a father could give. Sitting down in his Longboat Key condo, I was overwhelmed by beautiful gulf views and wonderful paintings created by Dean’s mother. As I sat down with Dean Eisner, his enthusiasm still evident in his youthful blue eyes, I couldn’t wait to talk about his life’s journey, and all of his big ideas, as we took a look at some scenes from an interview of his life.

Where were you born?

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia. My dad’s family is from New York and my mom is from Atlanta. When my dad was 18, he went into the Army at Fort Benning. He stayed in Atlanta where he met and fell in love with my mom. I’m a Southern boy.

What were you like as a kid growing up in Atlanta?

We did what you do when you’re in a small town.

We rode our bikes and had this hill we’d propel from.

We had this creek where we got crawdads and actually found arrowheads there. Atlanta was a booming Southern city, but it had this charm to it.

Tell me the greatest thing you learned from your mom or dad.

My dad was just one of the really great guys. The thing I learned most from him was that he was so even keeled. He let people figure out how to find their way while giving them guidance. He was my most significant

mentor and I’ve had a lot of them. Dad would always say, “Look you’ve got some decisions to make, let’s go through what your decision-making process is, and I’ll help you by giving you data, but at the end of the day you should decide what’s best for you and what feels right for you.” He would never say, “You should do this.”

He’d say, “What’s really important to you?” He was extremely creative. (Pauses to show me family’s annual Christmas card designed by his father) These Christmas cards were inspired by my dad even though my mom was the artist in the family. My dad was the marketing mind. Every Christmas we did the most elaborate Christmas cards that showed a humorous and creative take on us, utilizing innovative ideas long before there was digital technology. He came up with creative solutions as an executive who ultimately became the chairman of Sheaffer Eaton. He combined artistry with practicality. People told me that they saved our Christmas cards. There was something else about both my mom and dad. I don’t recall ever, except one time, them ever telling me that there October 2015

|

SCENE

85

was something I couldn’t do. They basically instilled in me the belief that if I put my mind to it and put effort in, I could do anything I wanted.

Describe your first job.

My first job was actually at a Baskin & Robbins. I have a little rebel in me. The owner of this store was not a very nice man. I would scoop ice cream and do so in way that would kind of fool him sometime. Back then there was no weighing it, so I would hollow out the middle of the ice cream so when I scooped it, it would come across looking like a big cone. He was constantly giving me a hard time about giving my friends “bigger scoops” while telling me I needed to measure. I told him that I made it look like they were getting a real good deal. He was one of those guys who when you took a break and came back a minute later than you were supposed to, he really made a big deal about it. That’s just not me and I realized I didn’t belong there. So that was kind of a fail at the Baskin Robbins (laughing). I had a lot of jobs growing up.

So a good work ethic was instilled in you from an early age from your parents.

If I reflect back, my dad was successful and we didn’t want for anything. But I would have never thought that we had any special privileges. There was never anything “showy” about anything that I grew up with. They were both very humble and practical and they both always stressed education. “We may not buy the fanciest car, but you’re going to get the best

86

SCENE

|

October 2015

education that’s out there,” they would say.

Tell me about some of your influential school days.

I went to The Westminster Schools in Atlanta. It is still considered to be the finest prep school out there and has an endowment that is the envy of many colleges. Small school with a beautiful campus. They had a natatorium and computers when I was in high school.

This school was so smart and I got in when I was in kindergarten. As I progressed through school, really smart people were being let in. It wasn’t that they were just smart, but they had something else. They were a top ranked tennis player or a swimmer who was on his way to the Olympics and then there was Dean (laughing).

I thought well, I certainly am not these guys, but I’ve been here longer than them. I had a sense of humor and knew I was never going to be the top of the class.

I’m a good tennis player, but I’m going to be number five or six on the team, unlike some of these guys. I had a view that there are always people a lot smarter than I am, so I didn’t really take school all that seriously and I didn’t think that I ever was going to excel. I kind of got by. I was not a great student, then again not being a great student at this school, I was probably a lot smarter than I thought I was. My last two years were actually in Connecticut. I went to a public school, which was equivalent to a private school. That was great because I took some architecture courses, which incorporated both art and business. A college counselor told me I should probably get an engineering degree. My best

friend had gone to Purdue and I visited him at a fraternity party and thought I don’t need to apply anywhere else. I liked the idea of attending a school in a different part of the country and wanted to see what people in the Midwest were like. While at Purdue, I quickly realized I didn’t want to be an engineer. I was still not a very good student until my sophomore year.

Was there a turning point for you that helped you focus on your education and future?

I’ve always been inspired by people and they inspire me to learn. I met a really attractive young woman who was freshman when I was a sophomore. She was going to be a bio medical engineer. Pretty serious stuff. At one point, very early on, she said, “I like you, but I have a goal and my goal is to be this bio medical engineer, so if you want to be with me, I’m going to be in the library.” I said, “Where’s that?” I would show up and I would be fooling around distracting her. And she said, “You’re not getting it. When we’re here, we’re going to study. If you want to play when we have a break, we can do that, but if you’re going to be with me, for the most part, we’re going to study.” So I hit the books and I started getting great grades. It changed my view. I realized I could be smart. Out of school, I got offered a marketing research job where I would have been the big fish at a small firm. I had also applied to grad school and was accepted at three very good schools – Duke, UCLA and the University of Michigan.

Again I went to my dad for some advice. I wanted to

go to Duke, it being a great school in the South. My dad said, “Why don’t I talk to some people who are in business and get their views of the different schools?”

He came back with, “Duke is an incredible regional school. If you want to work in the South, then Duke’s name and your MBA will cover you. But if you want a national school that’s recognized anywhere, then Michigan is the school that will be recognized everywhere you want to go.”

Was the experience at the University of Michigan all that you expected?

I think Michigan was the best education I possibly could have gotten. The highlight of Michigan was my last class, the capstone class of my MBA. I had a professor who pulled together marketing, finance, and operations and we did case studies at the time. We were breaking down this case and talked about it for 60 minutes. Then he said, “Okay, how many of you would fire the vice president of marketing based on what you have seen in this case?” Everyone in the class raised their hand. He walked up to chalkboard and wrote six facts that were not in the case, which clearly changed everything and the whole dynamic. Now you understood what the guy was doing. Then the professor said, “There is only one reason for this case. You’re going to be leaving this institution. You’re going to work for someone and you’re going to question why they’re doing certain things and you’re not always going to have all the information. You better think twice about secOctober 2015

|

SCENE

87

ond guessing all the time some of the people who got to where they got to and why they’re making those decisions.” With that he walked out of the class. We were stunned. This was not a speech about you are the best and you are smart. This was about respect and understanding your role, and where you are, and it was meaningful.

Tell me about the time after you left Michigan and were faced with making another major life decision.

My dad entered again because now I’m looking at jobs. I’m working at this marketing research firm and I get a few offers from some banks and from GE. I went to dad and he said, “I see the opportunity. What I would tell you is to reduce risk and really get your next practical education. There is no better training ground than General Electric. This is the company.” At the time, Jack Welsh had just taken over and I got an offer to run a division. I did that for a year and it was great training.

Tell me what your American dream was.

I don’t know if I had any dreams. I kind of took things as they came. If the opening was there, I would take it and make the most of it. I directed my career a lot, but not with any ambitions. When I was CEO of Manheim, a lot of people asked me how I got to be a CEO. It happened because of the pieces that I put together, and someone telling me they were taking a risk with me by putting me in that role. I did know what I wanted and I followed my passion. My second year at GE, I really wanted to travel the world and go international and that’s what I did for two years. That was my education.

Have you lived your American dream?

It is during those challenging times when I learned the most. When I look back, if you ask if I have any regrets in life, I would say not a one. I like the way my life unfolded. Part of it is obviously luck, and part of it embracing those challenges and learning from them.

Have you found that Americans are unique in their dreams and their desires?

We promote the dream as part of our culture and so you live to your culture. Our culture says it is okay to dream and okay to pursue your dreams. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to make it, but you’re allowed. There is no restriction on you being allowed to dream. We celebrate those stories of people who came from nothing to be something and we love those stories. Some cultures say, why are you doing that? You’re a problem. You don’t fit and we’re going to make it difficult for you.

88

SCENE

|

October 2015

At what job or position did you have the most fun?

Probably all of them. Really. When it ever got to the point where I really wasn’t loving it, it was time for me to move.

What position or job was your greatest challenge?

My first job at GE I worked for somebody who was not a team player. I was trying to figure out how to be affective and make things work, while he was manipulating others around him. It was a wakeup call. That was one of my biggest challenges I had to figure out. I realized it’s not how good you are in your job, you can be functionally superior in your job, but if you can’t figure out how to navigate to make what you’re doing impactful, then you’re not going to be effective.

When do you know if something is a “big idea”?

When it actually solves a problem or clearly an unmet need. If it’s just doing something a little bit differently, I would say then maybe it could be successful. I would be wrong on Starbucks. But I had a lot of these. I was an early adopter of technology, one of the first people I know who used a Blackberry, and one of the first people I know on Facebook. But I missed on the iPhone.

Do you think that “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” as stated by Einstein?

Hmmm. I don’t know if I would agree or disagree. I think they’re both important. Knowledge without some creativity basically is not going to change anything.

Creativity without understanding the fundamental facts on how something might work, maybe a great idea, but it’s not going to result in anything. Great to have the idea, but you must know how to execute it.

Describe your role at Manheim.

I came from a staff function of basically running investments for Cox Enterprises to leading 30,000 employees, who all had more expertise in the business than I did, including the former president. I had a whole bunch of people who were probably asking “what does he bring to the party?” My biggest challenge was how do I communicate to 30,000 employees and get them all lined up to be after the same mission? This is one of the things that I think Jack Welsh did amazingly well at GE, and I don’t even know if he knew he was doing it. He would bring down the essence of what he wanted the whole company to do, across all these different divisions, sometimes with single words.

I remember at GE, Jack Welsh used the word ownership. He would say ownership means you’re part of GE. And that means whatever job you’re in now, if you get promoted somewhere else, you are still vested and an owner in what you were doing before because that’s

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

important for the development and success of that. It probably taught me one of the reasons why I was able to get promoted. I heard my executives say that some people were so valuable, they couldn’t promote them, and that if we moved them to another job, what would we do to fill their current job? I took the philosophy that, I’m going to do the job so I can actually leave the job and have me not there. That’s a little bit risky that you’re working yourself out of job, but with a little self-confidence and knowledge that you did a good job, you realize that you will get another job.

Bright Ideas on the Gulf Coast. That’s a BIG idea.

Where did that come from?

I wanted to retire early and I always wanted to be a dean of students. I loved the idea of helping people with their careers. When I came here, I met Larry Thompson. I went over to Ringling College’s career services and I realized in talking to a lot of the students they were all leaving this area. Now there is a good reason why that happens with Ringling, because a lot of their specialty is out in California in film. But the level that was leaving made no sense. I started getting concerned with the youthfulness in our community. Are we just going to age and not replenish with all these smart young people? Shouldn’t we start doing something about it? I went to New College and found the departure rate was over 90%, just as Ringling and USF. I thought what’s the problem? We love being here as a place where we earned a retirement. This is paradise. They’re leaving and that doesn’t make any sense.

I attended a seminar at The University of Miami put on by Harvard and heard about a program called The Launch Pad, which had become the leading extracurricular activity across the campus at Miami. Anybody who had an idea for new business would bring them in and they would find people to help them with their idea. By making those connections, the students became affiliated and started to have a relationship with people in the community thus making it more inviting to stay. Why would you lose your mentors? In Sarasota we have a lot of retired chairmen, CEOs and entrepreneurs. If you ask them, they don’t want to play golf all day. They want to use their minds, help people and give back. If you gave them the opportunity to help local businesses or young people starting businesses they would be in. So after many iterations and support from various people, Gulf Coast Community Foundation took the initiative to weave this concept into the fabric of the community, while working to get people involved. It has morphed really nicely and there have been some successes as a result of it.

90

SCENE

|

October 2015

Finish the following sentences:

My greatest asset is my ability to…

Connect with people of really diverse backgrounds and capabilities.

The thing I need to work on is…

Patience. I have a tendency to not allow things to flow into what they might be and fix themselves.

At General Electric I learned how to…

Manage in a corporate environment.

Can you keep the talented youth here in Sarasota?

Let me share an example. I am a trustee with Ringling College. Ringling trustees have Ringling students who can’t go home for Thanksgiving over to their homes.

So I had two students, one from Poland, the other from Iran, as well as nine other people from the community here last Thanksgiving. They were the most thoughtful, poised, charming young students. One was the vice president of the student body at Ringling. When we were all talking, I asked them if they planned on staying. Both of them told me there is no way they are staying here.

They are out of here when they graduate. They said, “Why would we stay?” The conversation around the dinner table was with some pretty successful people. So we just kind of left it at that. The next day one of the guests invited them to the opera, then they got invited to a couple other events. They got involved in the community a little bit. One of the students was looking for a job so one of the guests picked up the phone and started giving them recommendations and referrals. They really connected with some people here. Fast forward. The vice president of the student body put on fashion show, gave the commencement speech and actually decided to stay. She even helped do the admissions marketing for the Business of Art and Design major at Ringling for a year. Her reason to stay? Why give up all these connections until I figure out what I want to do? One of the fallacies is there are no jobs here. A lot of students believe that. Part of BIG’s initiative is to raise our hand and say there are jobs here because there are. One of the four segments that BIG looks at are Marine Science, Digital Arts, Performance Sports, and Innovative Health.

We believe we can be in the top tier in the country in those areas because we have the research, resources and the infrastructure to nurture those fields so the jobs that you aren’t aware of appear. At IMG last year, and I don’t know where they’re at right now, they had 200 jobs open across at what IMG does, from finance to hospitality to management. Don’t tell me there are no jobs here.

ail M t

Ma rke tin

Ca

ai g n

e

mp

Strategy

S o lutio ns

We offer innovative ways to help you connect with your customers.

ti v

c

SUCCESS

g

Dir e

Serbin – Connecting you with Proven Success!

Collabor ation

Cr e

a

From concept to mailbox, Serbin’s dedicated team of marketing professionals work to provide innovative, cost-effective solutions to enhance the overall success of your business or organization.

44 years CONNECTING local companies with their customers.

1500 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, Florida 34236 941-366-0755 • 800-282-6192

SerbinPrinting.com Member The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

DSA – Downtown Sarasota Alliance

AFP – Association of Fundraising Professionals

FPRA – Florida Public Relations Association

PODi – Print On Demand initiative

PAF – Printing Association of Florida

ASI – Advertising Specialty Institute

Xerox Premier Partner

How did you find your way to Sarasota?

I used to come here with the family when I was younger. I’d go to Lido and walk to the Circle and hang out at Tail O’ The Pup. I forgot about Sarasota and hadn’t come back until 2004 after Hurricane Charlie hit. I came down to check on a place I bought on Captiva Island. I drove from Atlanta to see how the house was doing and the farthest I could get was Sarasota.

I remember walking around thinking why am I on an island with no cars when this place is paradise?

What is your favorite way to spend the day in our town?

I don’t do it enough, but I have a little sailboat at the Sailing Squadron. It’s the coolest place, where the CEOs take care of their boats along with the maintenance guys from high school. It’s just so egalitarian and a beautiful piece of Sarasota.

What is the one thing that you would do to ensure that Sarasota continues to grow in all the right ways?

There is measured way to grow. We don’t want to be a major city with industrial. The four ways that BIG picked are skilled capabilities and it takes advantage of resources that are natural to here. The water for Marine Science; the weather that allows the training for sports to take place; the fact that Ringling is here and there is such a large arts community; and for our health, we have an aging population that’s wealthy that wants to find ways to live better. All those make sense and are intelligent. What’s kind of missing is affordable housing where young people can work and play. If you’re going to have a town, the town has to be a town and it should have diversity of age. I have friends in their 20s and I have friends who are in their 80s. If you only cater to the very wealthy and allow for only luxury residences, it will shut out the youth. You have to find a balance.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve given your children regarding living a good and successful life?

Love what you’re doing and learn from your experiences.

Do you have a routine as far as the way you are living in retirement?

I kind of live how I travel. I want to know how I’m going to get there and where I’m staying. And then I like to wander, knowing that I can always go back to my base. I actually had a business plan for my retirement that is the general strategy of how I’m going to live between community, education and recreation, which includes family. I always keep those in mind in what I’m doing as a guide, but then anything is free game as long as I stay in that framework.

92

SCENE

|

October 2015

Is there one thing you must do every day?

One of the most impactful books I’ve read for personal development is Younger Next Year. The basic concept is that when I go, I want to be in great health and then go. I don’t want be in deterioration. I want to be healthy and then go. My dad went that way falling asleep. It gives all kinds of advice in helping show you a healthy way to live every day by being connected and part of the community, while taking care of yourself. One of the things I learned was if you think at your age you can take a day off shaving because you want to look like Bradley Cooper, you’re wrong. You’re not going to look like him. Shave every day. So if I do anything every day, I shave every day. (laughs) As you look ahead in the future, what do you hope to see Sarasota become over the next 25-50 years?

My hope is that Sarasota stays the paradise that it is but encourages young people to be here as well.

Many years from now, how do you want to be remembered?

As somebody who made a difference to somebody’s life, hopefully in more than one person’s life.

Pro-Legends of Golf Jim Albus • Andy Bean • Bobby Cole • Jim Dent • Dow Finsterwald • Robert Gamez • Gibby Gilbert • Lou Graham Jerry Heard • Tommy Horton • Tony Jacklin • Warren Jacklin • Doug Johnson • Larry Laoretti • Wayne Levi • James Mason Jim McClean • Mark Mouland • Bobby Nichols • Lonnie Nielsen • Jay Overton • Phil Parkin • Dana Quigley • Joe Rassett Tom Shaw • Hollis Stacy • JM “Woody” Woodward • Jimmy Wright • Larry Ziegler

E

CA

GHAN T A L

IR

L

Pros subject to change without notice.

Charity ProAm 3 Day Event: November 8-10, 2015

Hosted By:

Sunday, November 8

Sponsored By:

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club The Ritz-Carlton Members Club Callaghan Tire Waste Pro Scene Magazine Bridgestone Tire Moffitt Cancer Center Continental Tire Firkins Auto Sales Hooters Florida Cancer Specialists Dattoli Cancer Center

$1,900 per Player

Monday, November 9

Tuesday, November 10

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club or The Ritz-Carlton Members Club

The Ritz-Carlton Members Club

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club

• Registration at Lakewood Ranch

• 7:00 am – Breakfast.

• 7:00 am – Breakfast

• 8:30 am – Shotgun Start.

• 9:00 am – Shotgun Start

• 5:00 pm – Tall Tales Party with Trick

• Awards Party after Golf to include

Golf & Country Club • Practice Round – Call for tee times: Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country

Shot Artist David Edwards

Club – 941.907.4710 or The RitzCarlton Members Club – 941.309.2900.

• 6:00 pm – Pairings Party, cocktails, hors d’oeurves, dinner & auction at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club.

Callaghan Tire CEO Dan Callaghan presenting check to Moffitt Cancer Center.

Cocktails & Steak Cookout.

Callaghan Tire has raised over $400,000 for Golfers Against Cancer, which dedicates it fundraising solely to cancer research. All event proceeds will directly benefit Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and its commitment to research and education for the prevention and cure of cancer.

Callaghan Tire: Call Dan, Patty or Jane for Information or Registration - 941.751.1577

Together

Scene

Engagement

LAUREN GRAHAM + JOHN WOHLWEND If you’ve ever asked a couple how they met, you will most always hear two different versions giving credence to the 1993 bestseller Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus when it comes to what we each think we feel, see and hear.

First, here’s Lauren’s version of how this beautiful couple met. Pal Loren Mayo texted Lauren to ask if she had ever met John. After checking out his Facebook page, Lauren knew she had definitely seen John around town and thought wow, he’s handsome! Loren had a birthday coming up so she invited both Lauren and John to Michael’s on East to join in the celebration. Lauren had a blind date that night, but agreed to stop by. When Lauren arrived, she spotted John at the bar talking to a beautiful blonde and thought, oh no, he has a girlfriend! She was disappointed, but was buoyed by the fact that John kept talking to her, even buying her a drink. She thought she was going to face the wrath of his girlfriend but was elated to learn she was a friend and roommate of John’s and another friend, Jake. While she had to leave for her blind date, she had an amazing time and couldn’t wait to see John again.

Next up, here’s John’s version. John recalls their first meeting very clearly. It was not the night of Loren’s birthday at Michael’s, but the first time he saw Lauren was a few months prior when he was out and about with some friends. He spotted Lauren at Classico Restaurant on Palm, celebrating her

94

SCENE

|

October 2015

birthday with friends. John found Lauren absolutely gorgeous and thought she stood out from the crowd like no one he had every seen before. He thought with only one chance to make an impression, he better be bold.

Mustering up the courage, he walked over to Lauren and said, “Hi, my name is John and we’re going to end up dating each other.” He immediately regretted his bold approach when Lauren declined his advance, got into a taxi and headed home, leaving John with a bruised ego. Waiting anxiously for the next time he could talk to Lauren, that opportunity came at Loren Mayo’s birthday dinner. He asked Loren to make sure Lauren sat next to him so he could have one more chance. Lauren never brought up John’s initial crash and burn bold move at Classico, but both knew it was the start of something very special.

A year later and after a month of sneaking around to find the perfect ring, it was time to propose. John’s mom emailed Lauren offering her their great seats to the Sarasota Orchestra. Dressed for the special evening, John told Lauren he first wanted to see the sunset at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club, telling her they had to leave at exactly 5:25 PM. They practically sprinted for the beach and Lauren thought wow, he must really want to see this sunset. As soon as Lauren’s feet hit the sand, John dropped to one knee and proposed, putting a beautiful ring on Lauren’s finger and putting her in a state of shock and happiness.

The couple will marry November 21st at the Church of the Palms with reception to follow at the Ritz-Carlton. They will honeymoon in San Francisco and Napa Valley and will continue to live in Sarasota.

Lauren works in medical device sales for plastic surgery for Galatea Surgical as the company’s Southeast sales manager. Her parents are Dr. Braun and Jeanne Graham.

John is vice president of his family business, Crush It Inc., a custom concrete and asphalt recycling company. His parents are Dave and Lisa Richardson and Steve and Liz Wohlwend.

Weddings ANDREA PELLE + JOHN MATTER Originally from Ft. Myers, Andrea Pelle and John Matter first met when they were teens in high school. Andrea would eventually move to Atlanta where she had a successful practice as an anesthesiologist and was an assistant professor at Emory University. Now retired from medicine, she is a style ambassador for the India Hicks lifestyle brand, which includes high quality bath and body products, and accessories and gifts.

John is president of Matter Brothers Furniture and Florida Leather Galleries, a family-owned business with eleven locations on the west coast of Florida. Earlier this year, Matter Brothers opened its new 100,000 square foot flagship store on Clark Road in Sarasota.

Life’s twists and turns reconnected the couple after 30 years while she was living in

October 2015

|

SCENE

95

Atlanta. They were married on June 7th, 2015 during a beautiful sunset ceremony at the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton Beach Club. The bride was stunning in an off-white silk satin “Greek Goddess”-style gown by Nicole Miller. Her attendants wore lilac chiffon dresses. John and his attendants wore natural-colored linen suits with lilac shirts. Ranunculus, garden roses and greenery were carried by Andrea’s attendants, while Andrea’s bouquet had the same flower mix, but all white with greenery. To achieve a rustic yet elegant beach feel, burlap runners were placed on the tables, a burlap runner with white rose petals served as the aisle runner, and large arrangements of lilac hydrangeas with curly willow were placed at both end of the aisles and on the guest tables. Guest tables also had wooden place card holders placed next to guest gifts of white lanterns with tea lights. The couple exchanged vows on the lawn overlooking the ocean under a driftwood, bamboo and sheer draping arch.

John and Andrea honeymooned on the Amalfi Coast of Italy and St. Barts. They currently reside in Siesta Key with their children, Alexander and Lauren. John's older children, Jennifer and Chris, live in Clearwater and Boynton Beach respectively.

Venue and catering: Ritz Carlton Beach Club, Sarasota | Dress: Nicole Miller | Flowers: Beneva Flowers

PHIL KING + DENNIS STOVER EVERYONE knows Phil King and Dennis Stover. They have been a “power couple” on the Sarasota scene for many years. Phil recently retired as executive director of the Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center, home to over 18 health and human services organizations helping low income and at risk adults, children, and families. Dennis is the amazing energizer bunny Regional Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

After living together for the past 17 years, which included a commitment ceremony in 2000, being able to finally be legally married was very important to Phil and Dennis. For them, their legal union is about being treated equally and having the same rights as other people.

Once word of their official wedding leaked out, what started as a small celebration turned out to be a big, New Orleans-style affair at the Bay Isles Beach Club. Inviting guests was a difficult task since they know so many people in town. After inviting family and out of town guests, assembling their local guest list, and then running into people that wanted to celebrate with them, nearly 300 people were invited, with several returning early from their summer homes just to be there.

Community philanthropists and nonagenarians Betty Schoenbaum and Sam Shapiro served as attendants. Others in attendance included good pals Felice Schulaner and Dennis Rees, Kathy Killion and Steve Miles, and Harold Ronson and Molly Schechter, who flew in from New York just for the wedding. Elliott Mitchell and Clark West, who are helping Dennis and Phil design their new digs, were also there.

Mitchell and West made national news when they changed plans to leave their $15

96

SCENE

|

October 2015

million estate to their alma matter, the University of Alabama, after the state, and by extension the state’s school, refused to embrace marriage equality.

Rabbi Jonathan Katz and Alice Bowman (a former neighbor) performed the ceremony. Modern Events, the catering division of Tablesiede, the hospitality company owned by the Siedensticker family, wowed with delicious food. Sweets were

by Sugar Cubed in Bradenton.

Photos: Cliff Roles

Perfect for Weddings and Rehearsal Dinners, Roessler’s Restaurant features a romantic, picturesque setting complete with a gazebo, private gardens and four separate dining areas to accommodate any size event.

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

Reintroducing an old favorite.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, birthday party, reunion, holiday gathering or any social occasion, you’ll relive old memories and create new ones at the Boathouse at Hyatt Regency Sarasota. As the hotel celebrates the 40th anniversary of its grand opening, the legendary Boathouse has received a facelift, and this one-of-akind setting is now available exclusively for special events. To book your next gathering or for more information, call 941 953 1234 or visit sarasota.hyatt.com.

HYATT REGENCY SARASOTA

1000 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, Florida, USA, 34236 The trademark HYATT and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2015 Hyatt Corporation.

All rights reserved.

SRQSS5254_HR Sarasota SCENE Magazine Ad.indd 1

October 2015 | SCENE 9/10/2015 4:36:46 PM97

EDUCATION

State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

The action, energy, and excitement at SCF these days is hard to ignore, and it’s clear that SCF President Dr. Carol Probstfeld is a major reason for this despite her only being on the job a few short years. Her infectious enthusiasm for education is also likely a major reason she was recently named the chair of the Council of Presidents of the Florida College System. The “capo di tutti capi,” she says with a laugh.

The first thing she raves about when asked what’s hap-

trivia that SCF has been excelling. They’ve been knocking

pening at SCF is that their Brain Bowl team beat out every

it out of the park in terms of their students scoring high on

other community college in the US that participated, which

licensure exams. Their associate in science in nursing pro-

earned them the opportunity to play against 4-year institu-

gram had one of the highest pass rates on the first attempt

tions. They then went on to beat schools such as University

at the national licensing exam for registered nurses out of all

of California-Berkeley, The Claremont Colleges, University

associate degree nursing programs in Florida last year. Ac-

of Alabama, and (she loves saying this one nice and loud)

cording to the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy

Duke University in this academic competition where team

Analysis & Government Accountability, more than 96% of

members answer questions from the fields of humanities,

SCF’s ASN graduates passed the National Council of State

mathematics, social sciences, and the natural sciences. “It’s

Boards of Nursing’s National Council licensure examina-

been an incredible year for them. I couldn’t be prouder.”

tion. This meant that they outperformed the state average

But it’s not just in the area of games and academic

98

SCENE

|

October 2015

pass rate for ADN programs by 20%. The SCF graduates

were also significantly ahead of the national pass rate average of 79.25%. Only three Florida schools had a pass rate higher than SCF, yet those programs graduated four or fewer students each compared to SCF’s class of 152. And when you look at SCF’s flagship programs — dental hygiene and radiology — 100% of their recent graduates passed their respective licensure exams.

Another bragging point for SCF is how their libraries were selected to receive a competitive grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association to highlight “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History.” SCF Libraries is one of 203 grant recipients chosen from across the United States, which means that they received funding to hold public programming about Latino history and culture through film screenings, discussion groups, oral history initiatives, or performances.

But SCF isn’t resting on these laurels. The world is changing fast and they plan to adapt right with it while continuing to deliver a first-rate education to students throughout our area, regardless of geographic location. In fact, that’s the first goal in their new five-year Strategic Plan.

Above L-R: Dr. Matthew Thomas, associate professor natural science, Trudy Moon, chair-elect Manatee Chamber, Erik Warrick, assistant professor natural science, and Dr. Carol Probstfeld

“We don’t want to be confined to our existing campuses,” says Probstfeld. “We can find ways to deliver education at storefronts, workplaces, or anywhere else. If we need a new campus, we’ll work to build a new campus. Wherever the population is growing, we need to be there for them.”

The second goal in their Strategic Plan is to devel-

and workforce development of our service region. In short,

op a concierge-style experience that is focused on en-

Probstfeld wants people to know that SCF can help students

hancing student recruitment and performance outcomes.

realize their greatest aspirations. She explains, “The media

Every student must have the support needed to realize

sometimes portrays community colleges in a negative light.

their goals and dreams. It’s no longer a one-size-fits-all

Students who attend a traditional community college aren’t

education, and SCF recognizes that. They will be working

just getting more of what they had in high school. We are

closely with students to develop a more personalized, re-

not a continuation of high school — we are a continuation

sults-oriented experience.

of life. We are committed to helping students get a top-

The Strategic Plan’s third goal is to aggressively engage faculty/program managers/business and community

notch, affordable education so they can get to wherever it is that they desire to go.”

leaders in collaborative curriculum development from

The SCF Collegiate School (SCFCS) is also excelling,

start to implementation for programs that are rapidly re-

considering that more than half of the SCFCS graduates of

sponsive to workforce needs. “We want real-world em-

the class of 2015 earned Bright Future Scholarships to con-

ployers and business leaders to help us ensure our curric-

tinue their education.

ulum matches up with their needs,” Probstfeld says. “In

Considering the academic accolades and accomplish-

some cases, we’ll even have our faculty members spend

ments, as well as being named one of Florida’s top 6 Com-

an entire summer at a workplace so they can properly de-

munity/State Colleges, it seems like SCF is indeed making a

sign an appropriate, relevant curriculum that gets students

big difference in the lives of local students every single day.

ready for the real world.”

Goal 4 — the last in their five-year Strategic Plan — is to establish SCF’s central role in the educational, cultural,

For more information about State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, please visit www.scf.edu or call (941) 752-5000.

October 2015

|

SCENE

99

Would this be his last season on tour? He claims to have a few more left in him, but it is a sport that taxes your body unlike any other in a season longer than any other. All the best planning can’t predict when it’s really time to pack it in. I just had to go. The US Open. Plus it was my birthday. The king of class and cool, Roger Federer, the most perfect man. It doesn’t get any better. After all,

rival — Novak Djokovic, the current world number one. This guy’s

would I have another opportunity? I knew I couldn’t take the chance.

a machine. He reminds me of the Russian guy Rocky fought in

I immediately found two of my best “Fed head” friends to join

Rocky IV, except Novak is Serbian. We wanted to ask where Bo-

me. Dina, who traveled with me from Sarasota, and Alicia, who

ris was going to dinner, just in case he was joining Novak, so we

met us in NYC from Park City, Utah. The night we arrived, we

could go to the same restaurant and slip him a bad oyster. Surely

walked in a very fast NYC pace to the Waldorf Astoria, which was

he would get stomach cramps and have to retire from his match,

the official hotel of the US Open. The first person we saw as we

getting eliminated before ever having a chance to play King Roger.

entered the ornate lobby? Boris Becker, a former world number one

Okay. I know that is REALLY bad, but the thought did cross our

and grand slam champion and now the coach of our hero’s biggest

minds. Anything for Roger. We even asked the Jamaican cab driver we had to place a spell on Djokovic. He offered, why not? There

were other sightings of tennis professionals in the lobby that night, but since it wasn’t Roger, it really didn’t matter.

Day one’s schedule was a good one. We saw tennis stars such as the gorgeous Ana Ivanovic and the world number one on the women’s side, the incredible Serena Williams, in quest of the calendar grand slam, which is winning all four majors in one calendar year. I had high hopes she would accomplish this rare achievement, but she lost in the semi-finals. To watch Serena Williams play tennis is a treat. She is so powerful, but her best quality on the court is her will to win. That woman has the eye of the tiger. We also saw Djokovic slaughter his first victim in just 71 min-

100

SCENE

|

October 2015

utes…ouch. The last match up that night was none other than Rafael Nadal, Roger’s former number one rival, but these days, he is more vulnerable than at any other time in his career.

That match took a while since he had to go through his ritual before each of his serves of picking every part of his body. Roger would NEVER do that!

That same day on the practice courts, Roger was scheduled to practice at 4:45. We made our way to the courts to try to get a glimpse of him. Our plan was to leave the main stadium at 4:15 and get there a half an hour before, giving us a prime spot to watch (stalk) him. As we got closer to the practice courts, the line to get in was so long, we had no chance. A really dumb move on our part — we thought we were the only ones with that Idea — really? No glimpse, no Roger sighting. There was always the next day and since we had great seats, we would be sure to see him since he was scheduled to play the third match of the day on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Tuesday’s lineup started with little Simona Halep, the number two player on the world, followed by the adorable and talented Caroline Wozniaki and then Roger. We couldn’t wait. But first the Halep match. What a little stick of dynamite. Her opponent retired with an injury and the match was really short. That left a big gap in the schedule. It was only noon and as the three of us sat with the sun beating on us in 90-degree heat, we were discussing what match to watch on one of the other courts, when a young man next to us shouted, “There’s Roger Federer.” We turned in disbelief. He came out to practice on Arthur Ashe Stadium for a half an hour. What a treat and since our seats were courtside, a few rows from the railing, we got to see him up close the entire time he was there. We were mesmerized. He is so perfect.

After he was done practicing, Wozniaki had a good match and then Roger came out to play his late afternoon match against the number 34 player in the world, Leonardo Mayer from Argentina. Poor guy. Seventy-nine minutes. It was a romp. Roger played beautifully. Heck, he

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

even flips the balls to the ball boys with flair unlike any other. What a day — double Roger.

As we walked out the stadium and headed for the exit, Alicia pointed out Roger’s wife Mirka, talking to some friends. First Roger, then Mirka, the woman who sleeps with Roger and bore his sure to be perfect children. We stood 15 feet away and chatted as we checked her out. Is she worthy of him? Probably not, but it’s been done. They are married. We needed to slip her a bad oyster before she married him and had his babies — way too late.

After we had enough of Mirka stalking, we headed downstairs to the outdoor cafe to share our photos of Roger taken at the match. As we sat at our table and glanced over at the people next to us, we couldn’t believe that we were seated right next to the woman who gave birth to the most perfect man in the world, Lynette Federer, Roger’s mom. I took my friends’ photo with their heads as far part as possible, sneaking in a photo of Queen Mother Lynette in the background. She ate and drank just like the rest of us mortals. Surprising, given that she had given birth to perfection.

What amazed the three of us more than anything was that no one else besides us recognized Mirka and Lynette. Either everyone who was at the matches that day was unobservant, or we just really are out of control. I choose to think the former. We are just on top of things. The other 30,000 people were clueless.

But the BEST part of the day for me was when my friend Gail texted me a photo of

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

(941) 302-4812

Roger Federer wishing me (and everyone else in the world) a happy birthday, holding up a card with well wishes. Now given that I do publish this magazine and I have talented people on my staff, I forwarded the photo to Michelle, SCENE’s art director, who immediately

fection — a day full of King Roger. Who could ask for more? And it doesn’t matter if he won

500 S. Washington Blvd, Ste. 400 Sarasota, Florida 34236 www.solutionssarasota.com

this tournament or not (he didn’t), because to us, he will always be the GOAT (greatest of all

Michael B. Edwards, Broker

time) who spent an entire day mesmerizing three of his biggest fans. TRUE PERFECTION.

Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Certified by National Association of Realtors

personalized the card from Roger JUST FOR ME. For me, Dina and Alicia, we returned to our hotel that night knowing we had a day of per-

October 2015

|

SCENE

101

Behind the Scene

Society Maven Debbi Benedict Gives the Latest Scoop Get ready for a social season even bigger and better than ever before. When times are good financially, events seem to multiply like crazy. That gives you even more time and opportunity to be the belle of the ball or the lady of the luncheon. Strap on you Manolos and grab your Louis Vuitton, it is going to be a wild ride!

This little luncheon that could usually starts off the season in September. I always look forward to attending because it eases everyone back into the charity groove and lets everyone have a chance to get caught up from the summer. Second Chance Last Opportunity’s (SCLO) Share the Light Luncheon has now moved to late October and will be held at Michael’s On East. The chair is long time SCLO Jack, or Jill as it may be, of all trades, Amy Lovejoy. Last year, Amy was lovingly honored for her commitment and dedication to the organization. A wonderful surprise this year is the addition of social powerhouse, Renee Hamad to the Emcee duties along with her great friend, the very affable Scott Anderson from Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The honorees for the luncheon are the elegant, but very funny, Audrey Coleman, and the Community Foundation’s main man, John Annis. Amy shared with me that there will be a light hearted “stroll down memory lane” to mark SCLO’s 20th anniversary. Sponsors include Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni & Walsh, Journey Creative Group, Renee Hamad, and Kim Cornetet.

It may be a bit of an emotional evening at Goodwill Manasota’s Ambassador of the Year Dinner, where they honor those who are changing lives in the community. One of the night’s honorees, Rick Fawley, beloved community leader and president of Fawley Bryant architectural firm, recently passed away unexpectedly. He served on the Goodwill board for a decade. He will be honored in memoriam. Other honorees are Sharon Hillstrom, president and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation and serves on various community and business boards; Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini, known for their uber successful Michael’s On East restaurant and catering group and they are legendary for providing the food and atmosphere for over 1500 yearly events, as

102

SCENE

|

October 2015

well as donating numerous wine dinners to charity auctions; Representative Greg Stuebe, a native Floridian, serves House District 73 in the Florida House of Representatives, is a veteran of the U.S. Army who has received numerous awards and commendations for his service to our country, and is currently an attorney with Becker & Poliakoff. Also being honored is the Goodwill Employee of the Year, Leonzo Gonzalez, who was severely injured nearly a decade ago when he was hit by a drunk driver and is completely blind. He has worked for Goodwill for more than three years, and, is once again, supporting his family through full-time employment. He serves as an inspiration to his co-workers, friends, and family. Sponsors include Gloria Moss, David and Doris Bassett, Cool Today Air Conditioning and Heating, CS&L CPA’s, RSS (Rapid Security Solutions), RE/MAX Alliance Group, and Scene Magazine.

One of the cutest and awwwinspiring events of the season is Donte’s Den’s Top Dog. You know this event, don’t you? It’s a dog show like no other!

Top Dog is a Westminster-like dog show where owners can enter their fourlegged friends in a playful show, enjoy fine dining from Fête Catering with their canine companions, and chill out with their pampered pooches in one of the doggy lounges. There are certainly no stuffy judges here to see if your furry one is the best of their breed. Oh no.

What the judges want to know is who is Best Dressed, has the Best Hair, can play the best with Best Catch & Fetch, which talented pup can perform the Funniest Dog Trick, and of course the favorite one, who gives the Best Kiss.

And I am told every dog will get a top dog blue ribbon, because every dog is a Top Dog! I would certainly have to agree with that. I honestly don’t think any dog can compete with my sweet

TICKETS: 941.488.1115 | VeniceStage.com | 140 W. Tampa Ave. 104

SCENE

|

October 2015

Yorkie-poo, Baxter, especially in the

ONE LIFESTYLE. ONE CHOICE. ONE PALM.

RESERVE YOUR HOME TODAY AT WWW.ONEPALMSARASOTA.COM | 941-234-4063

Available for immediate delivery.

PAMARO SHOP F U R N I T U R E

Complimentary in-home design consultations.

For The New Look Of Florida

64 years of providing Sarasota with an ever-changing Florida look.

Pamaro North

7782 Tamiami Trail | 941.355.5619

Pamaro East

5465 University Parkway | 941.359.0025

thepamaroshop.com

Pamaro South

4586 S. Tamiami Trail | 941.923.3299

kissing department! Top Dog is held at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium and chairs are Janet Walter and Ashley Ryan. Jeweler June Simmons is doing the decorations and the special themed dog table cloths can be purchased. Sponsors

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

Dedicated to a Lifetime of Women’s Health Care

º Menopause & Hormone Replacement

º Gynecology º Obstetrics – Pregnancy

º On-Site 3D & 4D Ultrasounds

º In-Office Procedures: Essure Permanent Birth Control, Endometrial Ablation & more º Hospital Surgery

941-907-3008 º www.obgynwc.com

8340 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Suite 240 º Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Se Habla Español & Portuguese

include Advance Controls Incorporated, Dimmitt

Luxury

Cars,

L

Boutique,

Seaside Bank, Life Planning Law Firm, and Marciniak Group.

If you like an ice luge, then Make -A-Wish’s Wish Party is your party because there will be two! Chairs Phil and Kim Mancini and Gary and Beth Kompothecras are chairing this relatively new event at Michael’s On East for all the “cool kids” in town. Everything is going to be white, including draping the entire ballroom in white, along with white crystals and white orchids displayed throughout. White VIP lounges will feature bottle service and lots of privacy to do whatever it is you do at a white party! A jamming DJ will play throughout the night and as an extra special treat, different forms of surprise entertainment will be popping up at random moments.

You might see aerial dancers and a magician, but shhh, you didn’t hear it from me! The major auction items are a one carat diamond and a weekend with a Polaris Slingshot. Sponsors are The Zenith, Spotlight Graphics, JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc., and So Staged.

Manatee Performing Arts Center’s Crystal Gala called A Masquerade Affair will benefit The Manatee Players and has an elaborately elegant invitation that sets the tone for the glamorous event. The event is being held at Manatee Performing Arts Center and you will be welcomed up the red carpet and under the glistening crystal chandelier by the Presidential String Quartet from State College of Florida and chairs Pat Pickelsimer and Dr. Teresa Rawe. After cocktails, you will be entertained in Stone Hall by the theater’s up and coming actors. After a

106

SCENE

|

October 2015

personal

we make senior living

Independent Living

Assisted Living

Memory Care

At Inspired Living at Lakewood Ranch, we create a lifestyle that’s perfect for you by offering a range of senior living options. Here residents are at the center of everything we do. Whether you are active and independent or need some assistance, you can be assured that we will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

• Nutritious chef-prepared meals • Dog park with off-leash areas • Private dining with flexible hours • Lakeside fishing pier with boardwalk • Fitness center and exercise classes • Happy hours and social events • Swimming pool, patio and tiki bar • Arts, music and cultural programs • Licensed nursing available 24/7 • Transportation within Lakewood Ranch

A Validus Senior Living Community

Rosedale Golf & Country Club

Stop by or call to learn more:

(941) 893-3007

5424 Lena Road | Bradenton, FL 34211

(1/2 mile east of I-75 on SR 70, one exit north of The Mall at UTC)

InspiredLivingLakewoodRanch.com Facebook “f ” Logo

Connect with us on

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

ALF # Pending

NOW OPEN! ACCEPTING NEW RESIDENTS

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

filet and lobster dinner by Pier 22, it’s back downstairs to groove to the sounds of Soulrcoasters, a popular local cover band. There will be silent and live auction

Turning Your Dreams Into An Address

items, which include a sky box evening at the theater for 12, a special dinner for 10 from Chef Campbell, and a custom jewelry piece from Jess Jewelers. Sponsors include Anna Maria Island Bar and Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County,

Wanda Martinetto REALTOR

followed by Blake Hospital, Ron and Pat

®

Pickelsimer, Jo Anne Frye, Carl and Karen

Servicing Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota & Bradenton

Patton, Dave and Patty Persson, and

Cell: 941.773.7807 Office: 941.556.0500 Email: Wanda@LuxuryLakewoodRanchHomes.com

Brewster and Priscilla Seewald.

Every year, I love seeing what the theme

is

for

Planned

Parenthood’s

Web:

Safe Sex Halloween Bash. This year it’s Paranormal Prom. I kind of thought of the

LuxuryLakewoodRanchHomes.com

Keller Williams Realty

movie “Carrie” when I heard that, but the invitation is surprisingly elegant and old-

8210 Lakewood Ranch Blvd | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

school with just a bit of eeriness thrown

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

in for good measure! Chairs are Natalie Chambers, Christina Fraser, Laura Gale, and Sarah Wertheimer and it will be held at Michael’s On East. So just what can

More than a printer…

you expect from a paranormal prom?

High school hi-jinks with your frenemies being brought back from the dead, a

Personalization

giant Condom Cavalier’s mascot, zombie

Multi-Channel

Direct Mail

cheerleaders and an undead football team, chalk boards with who knows what

Financial Services

Healthcare

Hospitality

written on them, balloons decorated with

Business Development

Fundraising Real Estate

Self-publishing Authors

colored condoms, lockers, banners, and desks, and to top it all off - a disco ball skull! The lunch ladies will serve you a

Book Publishing

Graphic Design

decadent lunchroom selection including sloppy Joe sliders, potato croquettes,

Tourism Business to Business

Appeals

parmesan crusted salmon fish sticks, Chinese chicken wings, tequila grilled shrimp, and macaroni & cheese, just like what was served at my high school! Don’t forget there will also be dancing to DJ Imminent, a fun costume contest, a photo booth, a special midnight show, and

Trade Show Marketing

Member Recruitment and Retention

Higher Education

Nonprofit Copywriting

Collateral Printing

Make SERBIN your print marketing partner!

Sponsors are Ann & Norb Donelly, Terry

1500 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, Florida 34236 941-366-0755 • 800-282-6192

Brackett, Sarah Wertheimer, Christina

SerbinPrinting.com

Planned Parenthood’s famous Shag Bags.

& CJ Fraser, Kyla & David Weiner, LDG

Manufacturing

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce PAF – Printing Association of Florida

AFP – Association of Fundraising Professionals PODi – Print on Demand Initiative

Mail-it DIRECT MAIL SERVICES

FPRA – Florida Public Relations Assoc.

XEROX – Premier Partner

October 2015

|

SCENE

109

Mort on

ents res

et Market m r u o P ’s G

BUYING OR

SELLING? It WOULD BE MY pleasure to assist you.

Denise Mei

REALTOR®

973 Virginia Drive: $449,000 Investor Alert!

The magic of Old Florida comes to life in this unique, income-producing property surrounded by lush foliage, perfectly positioned in Sarasota’s coveted Museum Area, which mixes expressive architecture and historic reverence resulting in one of the area’s most charismatic neighborhoods. The 12,000 sq. ft. lot is composed of three charming properties - a 2BR, a 1BR and a studio apartment.

1759 Oak Lakes Drive: $499,000: This custom built 3BR home in The Lakes has exquisite lake views and features a stunning entryway that opens into a large living room and dining room. Just minutes from downtown and Siesta Key.

CELEBRITY

JUDGES

ADMISSION To Sample

All Chili

4580 Trails Drive: $439,900 Updated contemporary and chic 4BR in the Lakes Estates with soaring cathedral ceilings, a new Lube kitchen, and all new flooring. Just steps to the community pool, tennis courts and beautiful lake with walking path.

Get Tickets in Advance

All Proceeds Benefit Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund

2497 S Milmar Ave, $339,000: Total renovation in prime location!

Beautiful 3BR, 2BA home for sale in the heart of Downtown Sarasota. Brand new roof & AC system. Freshly painted inside and out, this home featured a totally renovated kitchen, new ductwork, & new wood flooring throughout the home. Cool down in a relaxing salt water pool surrounded by gorgeous brick pavers and sturdy new pool cage!

941.685.3198

Held on Osprey Ave. at Morton’s Visit mortonschili.com for more info

2014 Master’s Award Recipient

Productions,

Sarasota

Architectural



Salvage, and Spotlight Graphics.

Chairs until the end of time, Penny Hill and Jackie Rogers are promising that Community AIDS Network’s CANDance – Dancing with Our Stars at Michael’s On East – will be the best one yet! Producer Stephen Sieg has his hands full turning amateur dancers into twirling toe tappers.



As always, the duo of “The Bobs” –

 

Nosal and Trisolini – will be the Masters of Ceremonies. This year’s celebrity

    

dancers are Dr. Janet Alberti-Bailey, Jamie Becker, Chaz Glunk, Scott Gregory Bell, Darla O’Brien, Eric Snider, and Shannon Willits. Top sponsors include Mail-Meds Clinical Pharmacy, BB&T, Hancock Bank, and Vera Contractors.

Always Michael’s Opera’s

an

elegant

Wine Curtain

evening

Cellar, Raiser

in

Sarasota

dinner

has

  

 

opera aficionados enveloped in the soft



flickering candlelight of a multitude



of votive candles and having the first glimpse of fall with orange table linens and a harvest theme for centerpieces.

If you are a seasoned opera lover or a new friend, it is a grand, but intimate opportunity to mix and mingle with opera

fans,

Artistic

Director

Victor

DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell. What I love most about this evening is the performance of the opera’s

artist surgeon.”

“I was an before I was a

– Dr. Alissa Shulman

Studio Artists, this year from La Bohème, who will perform a selection of arias.

In such a cozy setting, you feel like you are at a private concert! Another thing to like about this event is there is no raffle, no auction, no anything, just enjoying opera and a great dinner. The evening’s sponsors are SunTrust and Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

I don’t know how the team that puts together Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Key to the Cure is going to top themselves after last year’s phenomenal success, but I am sure they will! Do you remember last year’s

Body Sculpting • Breast Augmentation Liposuction • Tummy Tucks • Breast Lift Arm & Thigh Lifts • Arm & Thigh Lifd

Sovereign Plastic Surgery Alissa M. Shulman M.D., F.A.C.S. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 941.366.LIPO (5476) • www.SovereignPS.com 1950 Arlington Street, Suite 112 • Sarasota, FL 34239 October 2015

|

SCENE

111

Theater Performances:

Bark – The Musical!

October 22 – November 8, 2015 In collaboration with the Humane Society of Manatee County

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee October 29 – November 15, 2015 Gallery Exhibition:

Barry Rothstein – Pastel Paintings & Prints

Tickets on sale now! $26-$36

Box Office: 941-748-5875

|

ManateePerformingAr tsCenter.com

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

Traditional Continental Cuisine. Award Winning Wine List.

Awarded One of Sarasota’s Most Romantic Restaurant. Casual Bistro Dining Available.

Elegant Grounds for Special Occasions.

Dinner Tuesday – Sunday 5pm

event? Oh my goodness, it was huge! Of course it was also the greatly anticipated opening of Saks Fifth Avenue and the University Town Center Mall, along with the largest Key to the Cure event ever in this area. There were so many people in attendance, I think around 1600, spread out over the two floors at Saks, that I didn’t even see many people until I saw the photos afterwards! Sally Schule from Saks and Nikki Taylor and Lisa Intagliata from SMHF knock themselves out to make this a topnotch event. The chairs this year are comprised of the chairs from the past 10 years, which they are calling the All Stars. They are Veronica Brady, Aimee Cogan, Ariane Dart, Susan Jones, Alex Miller, Allison Silver Schwartz, and Kyla Weiner. There is always a plethora of pink, not only in the decorations, but in what everyone is wearing. It is pink, pink, pink until the cows come home. Michael’s On East will once again be providing tasty and plentiful lite bites, while Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Food and Nutrition Department will be providing dessert. As a new special feature this year, if you are a sponsor, you will be treated to special seating, your own bar and food, along with exclusive entertainment by Chris Eisenberg at Sophie’s at Saks.

The popular Pink Key Drawing will be held again this year. I am told that last year they actually had people break down in tears when they were told that they keys had sold out! Top sponsors are the Amicus Foundation, the Dart Foundation, and Saks Fifth Avenue, followed by Florida Cancer Specialists, Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center, Sovereign Plastic Surgery, and Scene Magazine.

The invitation for Mote Marine Laboratory’s Oceanic Evening is stunning. It is very ethereal, but yet sparkly. Not an easy feat to pull off, but pull it off they did! Longtime supporter and board member, Judy Graham, is chairing the evening. As she is an interior designer, you can always plan on the decorations and taste level to be extraordinary! It is Mote’s 60th Diamond Anniversary Gala and it will be held at the Ritz-Carlton. As a

to benefit Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida

Come cruise with us ...

Monday, November 16, 2015 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Reception at 12:00 PM | Lunch at 12:30 PM

Sarasota Yacht Club

1100 John Ringling Blvd General Admission: $85 Join us for a Presecco reception, a SOURCE performance, and a fabulously new and exciting fashion show featuring the unique styles of: Blackbird Lifestyle • Dream Weaver Influence Style • Lotus Boutique To purchase tickets or show support with a sponsorship, visit

www.HighTideatHighNoon.org

or call (941) 365-3913 x1045 by Nov. 13, 2015 All proceeds benefit the prevention programs and services of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida

special treat that evening, they will be serving lionfish ceviche during cocktail hour and will also be featuring some of their sea purslane, an aquaponic product from Mote’s Aquaculture Park.

A special raffle item of a diamond shark brooch will be held. The brooch was designed exclusively for Mote Marine Laboratory by Diamond Vault. The DeLeon Orchestra will be providing the music. Lead sponsors for the evening are Judy Graham, and Dick and Pat Donegan, followed by Peggy Sears, Mote Scientific Foundation, and New Amsterdam Charitable Foundation.

How’s that for a start to the season? Lots of opportunity to

Event Chairs:

Pauline Joerger • Bianca Lawrence Mindy Rollins • Allison Scanlan

Steering Committee:

Katrina Otchet, Anita Holec, Nora Johnson, Mindy Mast, Cornelia Matson, Ellen Steinwachs, Pam Steves, Margarete van Antwerpen, Melissa Morsli, Emily Walsh Exclusive Media Sponsor:

show off your summer tan (who am I kidding – no one gets a tan anymore!) and be scene!

Until next time…TaTa! Debbi Benedict is SCENE’s society maven and Special Issues Director.

Contact Debbi at 941-468-2782 or debbibenedict@verizon.net

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. 100% of all contributions are received by Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Inc., a Florida-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation, donations to which are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. (Registration # CH934).

October 2015

|

SCENE

113

Proceeds to benefit area charities and other projects of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch

Palm Printing • Marketing By Design • Artistree • US Tent • Tidy Coast Containers Kerkering Barberio & Co • The Mall at UTC • Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School • Salt & Light Productions TOR Forge Books, Tom Doherty & Assoc • Adamchak, Bordes & Franz, Merrill Lynch • State Farm~Susie Jackson Agency Johnson Smith Company • Lakewood Ranch OB/GYN • Najmy, Thompson • Hertz Equipment Rental • Waste Management RE Crawford Construction • Mosaic • Caldwell Trust Company • UPS Store LWR • Fawley-Bryant Architects Betras, Kopp & Harshman • Hautamaki & Horiuchi • Tutschulte, Polis, Jerome Group / Merrill Lynch • Red Lion Jobs Lake Erie College of Medicine • Hees & Associates Engineering • Schroyer Drapala Engineering • John Dough Bakery John Freeman Rotary Friends of Clean Water • Barbery Shop • Raymond James • Coastal Eye Institute Dr. David Schreibman • Willis A. Smith Construction • Cardinal Mooney High School

Media Sponsors:

Clear Channel Radio • Sarasota Herald Tribune

ABC TV 7 • Sarasota Magazine (Biz 941) • Scene Magazine Bradenton Herald • Around The Ranch

For More Info & Tickets Go To:

www.SuncoastFoodAndWineFest.com

Victor DeRenzi, Artistic Director Richard Russell, Executive Director

Puccini’s

FALL OPERA SEASON

OCTOBER 30 – NOVEMBER 17, 2015 puccini’s

La bohème Brundibár

hans krása’s

youth opera

WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL JANUARY 30 – MARCH 20, 2016

Love flourishes, withers and dies in this heart-wrenching masterpiece featuring Puccini’s most beautiful melodies.

verdi’s Aida Così fan tutte beethoven’s Fidelio verdi’s The Battle of Legnano mozart’s

OCTOBER 30 – NOVEMBER 17, 2015

SARASOTAOPERA.ORG | (941) 328-1300 Seats start at $19. Real-time English translations above the stage.

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.

The arts shine in St. Pete.

Come find your sunshine in our acclaimed arts scene, with scores of galleries, dazzling performing arts, six art districts, world-class museums and centers for glass and clay.

Creating a cultural climate that rivals the world’s greatest cities – all within steps of Florida’s most scenic urban waterfront.

HEALTH

Breast Cancer:

Early Detection is the Path to Survival

By Paige Pennebacker, MD According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that 230,000 new invasive breast cancer cases will be diagnosed during 2015. Over 40,000 women are expected to die of breast cancer in the same time period. The most significant factor in survival is early detection of the cancer. If diagnosed, how can you become one of the estimated 83% of survivors? Prevention and knowledge are keys to survival.

Physicians are often asked if breast cancer can be prevented. In some people, yes, lifestyle choices can help with cancer prevention. Women who limit alcohol intake, exercise Paige Pennebacker, MD

regularly, and maintain a healthy body weight have a lower risk of getting breast cancer.

West Coast Surgical Group

Other than lifestyle changes, the most important action a woman can take is to follow early

5953 17th Avenue West

detection guidelines.

Bradenton, Florida 34210

Breast cancer is often in the forefront of women’s minds when they think about aging

941.761.0500

and their health; however the chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time

westcoastsurgicalgroup.com

during her life is a little less than one in eight. Breast cancer death rates have been decreasing steadily. This is the result of finding the cancer earlier and better treatment availability.

It is important to follow the ACS recommended guidelines for finding breast cancer early in women without symptoms. The guidelines are: • Mammogram: Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year.

• Clinical breast exam: Women in their twenties and thirties should have a clinical breast exam as part of a regular exam by a health expert at least every 3 years.

• Breast self-exam: Starting in their twenties, women should report any changes in how their breasts look or feel to a health expert right away.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Women at high risk should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.

As genetic testing and counseling have become a more popular topic, the question arises: are certain women at higher risk than others for breast cancer? There are risk factors that are not related to lifestyle. Women are much more likely to develop breast cancer than men. As women age, the risk for breast cancer increases. Then there are the risk factors based on genetics. Only 5-10% of breast cancer cases are considered hereditary. It is important for women to discuss their family history with their physician to determine if they are a candidate for genetic testing.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are the most common causes of hereditary breast cancer and can increase the chance of acquiring cancer by 45-85%. If a woman has inherited a mutated copy of either of these genes, she may opt for aggressive preventive measures such as surgery. Hereditary breast cancers occur often in younger women who also have an increased risk for developing other cancers including ovarian cancer.

There is good news. Survival rates for women with breast cancer are on the rise. Early detection, improved treatment options, genetic testing and a commitment to healthy lifestyles are all responsible for this trend. Eat right, exercise and see your doctor annually for your best chance to avoid & beat cancer!

116

SCENE

|

October 2015

OCT. 23

State of EMPLOYMENT LUNCHEON

Goodwill Manasota is proud to present the findings from the independent study on what jobs will be able available for veterans and peoples with disabilities in the next few years in our community, and showcasing exceptional companies who will share best practices.

Goodwill Manasota’s International Training Center, 2705 51st Ave East, Bradenton 11:30am—1:230pm

Tickets $25/pp

Tickets: www.experiencegoodwill.org Pressed for Time?

Celebrating 25 years of impeccable service!

CALL US NOW

for our FREE

pick up &

delivery service!

(941)275-4647 www.carlsoncleaners.com

2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS SARASOTA:

VENICE:

3115 SOUTHGATE CIRCLE

1435 EAST VENICE AVENUE

A mile north of Bee Ridge Road on Tuttle Avenue on the big circle

On Venice Avenue & Pinebrook Road in the Publix shopping center

Literary Scene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

The Silver Locket This “based on a true story” novel by

terpret reality. Many a well-written novel

Sophia Bar-Lev is set in World War II.

can advise, inspire, challenge, and pro-

But the battles being focused on aren’t

voke in a non-threatening but effective

those overseas, but rather the domestic

manner.” To ensure that this book rang

challenges faced by two young women

true, Bar-Lev met numerous times with

in a small New England town in 1941.

the real “Rebecca” and also extensive-

With her husband away at war, a preg-

ly studied post-WWII private adoption

nant Rosalie Lapkin goes into labor only

procedures which were, Bar-Lev notes,

to give birth to a stillborn daughter.

often far less complex than adoptions

Enter Sarah, a woman in that same

are today.

hospital who has her own baby, Doro-

Readers who like The Silver Locket

thy. For reasons only a desperate mother

will be glad to hear that Bar-Lev is in

can truly understand, baby Dorothy be-

Tuscany right now where she’s doing

comes baby Rebecca and is to be raised

research in order to complete the third

by Rosalie. The novel continues with the

novel in what she calls her Tuscany se-

two mothers’ lives being forever inter-

ries. The first in that series is Pasta, Pop-

twined in this story of adoption, finding

py Fields, and Pearls and its sequel is

hope, and the healing power of love.

Pizza and Promises. Surely more well-re-

“It is my conviction,” Bar-Lev adds, “that novels don’t deny reality; they in-

searched Bar-Lev books like The Silver Locket are soon to come.

For more information about The Silver Locket (Amazon CreateSpace, softcover, 272 pages, $14.95) or the author, please visit www.sophiabarlev.com

118

SCENE

|

October 2015

Waiting for the Cool Kind of Crazy

In this debut novel, author M.D. Moore shares the story of Harmon Burke, a man who has had enough of his mother’s schizophrenic antics. The novel begins

941.545.1275

with Burke being tasered by the police after a dust-up with neighbors caused by his mother, who believes them to be KGB spies. Thanks to a sketchy past, Burke is bound for the slammer after going “cagefighter on their asses.” But a kind-hearted cop offers him one last chance — seek some help for his issues, and he can go free. This promise connects him with Boyd Freud, an eccentric ex-convict and unorthodox counselor who loves coffee a little too much. Freud’s plan is for Burke to return to the trials of his youth and make peace with the past. And somewhere along the way, Burke has to make amends, as well, with his hard-to-deal-with mother.

What makes this book truly noteworthy is the powerful insight into the mindset of the mentally ill. It’s no surprise that Moore is a therapist, working as a rehab director at a long-term care facility serving veterans and their families.

This story of love, healing, and redemption is touching and interesting.

Moore even manages to make long-time loser Burke a character worth reading about, and that’s no small feat.

For more information about Waiting for the Cool Kind of Crazy (Black Rose, softcover, 256 pages, $17.95) or the author, please visit www.mdmooreauthor.com October 2015

|

SCENE

119

Confessions of a Ninja Mom: A 40-Day Training Manual for Empowering Mothers

Your custom storage specialists.

Life is complicated.

Let Affordable Closets make life easier at prices below the rest.

“Join the ninja mom movement,” says Anna M. Aquino, the author of Confessions of a Ninja Mom. To her, being a ninja mom means a lot of things, such

Closets

Home Offices

Wall Beds

Pantries

Laundry Room

Utility Room

Garage Cabinets

941.926.7674 | AffordableClosetsInc.com

Locally Owned & Operated | Professional Installation | Lifetime Warranty

as keeping one’s cool despite finding Cheerios, Barbie shoes, and mismatched socks in the dryer. Or dealing with a crying baby at 3 a.m. while ignoring the vomit in one’s hair. In short, being a ninja mom means loving your family, committing to raising your children the way God intended, and being okay with the role God wants you to play in life.

Marital, Child or Family Law Legal Issues?

Divorce is a difficult time. You deserve someone who is committed to providing the highest level of personal service. With over eighteen years of trial and courtroom experience, I understand each family or marital dispute is unique and deserves a personalized strategy to meet your goals. I will work closely with you to understand your unique objectives and implement a strategy to best serve your family in the short and the long term.

This devotional begins each section with a Biblical quotation, then Aquino explores the realities of day-to-day triumphs, struggles, and experiences common to mothers everywhere. Her sense of humor and keen eye for detail help make this book memorable and easy to read.

As she writes in the section for Day 25: “Ninjas are prepared. Ninjas still can see what appears to be unseen. You have to find the visual that defies your unbelief, and every time you get discouraged, think about what that is. Picture yourself

Divorce | Modifications and Enforcement Child Time-Sharing | Child Support Division of Assets and Debts | Alimony Marital Settlements | Paternity Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Mark T. Flaherty Divorce & Family Law Attorney Paderewski, Dannheisser and Flaherty 1834 Main Street | Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-5150 | markflahertylaw.com Founding Member: Sarasota Collaborative Family Law Professionals sarasotacollaborative.com

120

SCENE

|

October 2015

as the victorious one.”

Kind of a combination between the styles of Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten) and Amy Chua (Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother), this book will really resonate with some readers.

For more information about Confessions of a Ninja Mom (Crosslink Publishing, softcover, 104 pages, $10.95) or the author, please visit www.annamaquino.com

“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! 2820 Bee Ridge Road | Sarasota FL 34239 PreferredAutoSarasota.com

|

941-924-4227

REWIND

1982

Late last summer, nomination forms began appearing around town for Sarasota’s Ten Most Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes for 1982. And by December, over 500 of Sarasota’s finest singles had been nominated.

Annette Scherman developed the program of applauding our community’s leading singles, a program which has become one of Sarasota’s most eagerly awaited yearly social events. In November a gala ball was given for the outgoing 1981 most eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes at the Meadows’ Hunt Club.

The 1982 Ten Most Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes were ushered into “their year” by Ms. Scherman at Kanes of

122

SCENE

|

October 2015

Community VIDEO ARCHIVE FOUNDER Annette Scherman has spearheaded interesting events in our town for many years. You’ve got to love this eligible singles contest from 1982 as featured in SCENE! Wonder how many of these singles are still in town?

Sarasota’s new cultural events facility.

Kanes offered a series of workshops there, specifically for the lifestyle and interests of singles. Polly Stevens of Merrill Lynch outlined tips on Investing for Singles on February 26.

Frank Davies of Thomas Cook Travel will explain Travel for Singles on March 5, and psychotherapist Janet Perlman will conduct a seminar in Living Single on March 12.

The 1982 Ten Most Eligible Bachelors included Jerry Hente, George Blake, M. Sharif, Burt Rogers, Colonel Linc Braude, Stanley Swartz, John Mercurio, Dr. James Kingham, Guy Della Penna, and Jack Toomey.

Studio South Fitness

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA, FL PERMIT #88

For those who want more...

You’ve always chosen the very best...

For your family. For your lifestyle.

Now you can choose the best for your body with our three for one personal training special.

55 S. Palm Ave. |Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.365.4584 | studiosouthfitness.com