BRAND STORY
SEPT 2019
EXPLORE FIRMO’S LATEST PROJECTS
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TRANSFORMING LIVE LOCAL. LOVE LOCAL SARASOTA | BRADENTON
RIDING THE WAVE OF LOCAL
ELEVATED EPOCH OF NEW CAFÉS
MIXON HARVESTS ITS FIRST CROP
ART ON THE MIND
ZACH GILLILAND CASTS MEMORIES IN METAL
BAVARO’S PIZZA HOUSE MEANS BUSINESS
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PIZZA MAFIA
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TRANSFORMING HOW WE LIVE LOCAL SARASOTA | BRADENTON AREA
FOURTH WAVE COFFEE
TRENDS FROM FOOD TO FASHION
SEPT 2019 | $4.00 US
L I V E LO C A L | LOV E LO C A L
TRENDSPORT
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TRENDSPORT
WHILE WE MAY NOT BE PARISIAN TRENDSETTERS DICTATING THE RUNWAYS FOR FALL FASHION, OR WALL STREET MASTERMINDS PREDICTING HOT STOCK MARKET INVESTMENTS, OR EVEN DIVINE FORECASTING FANS OF A FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE, WE’D LIKE TO THINK WE’VE GOT A DISCERNING EYE ON WHAT’S HAVING A MOMENT IN THE SRQ SPOTLIGHT. Written by Phil Lederer, Brittany Mattie and Olivia Liang. Photography by Wyatt Kostygan
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LIVING LAKEWOOD
DESPITE BEING THE REGION’S HOMEBUILDING GAME-CHANGER FOR NOW ROUGHLY A QUARTER CENTURY, THERE’S STILL INCREDIBLE GROWTH ON THE HORIZON EAST OF INTERSTATE-75. IN FACT, LAKEWOOD RANCH HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PLACES TO BUY A HOME, NOT ONLY IN THE GREATER SARASOTA AREA BUT IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES Written by Jacob Ogles. Photography by Wyatt Kostygan
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M O D E R N . S U S TA I N A B L E . I N N O VAT I V E .
BREADTH AND DEPTH
MEET THE PLACE MAKERS AND INNOVATIVE IMPRINTS OF FIRMO CONSTRUCTION Since 2003, the full-service construction management firm has spearheaded projects in underutilized areas of Sarasota County to earn those areas a greater community purpose and environmental impact. From commercial, hospitality, medical, retail and office tenant improvement, their buildings symbolize catalysts for change—structures that have opened the doors for activation and revitalization in corridors, often overlooked or neglected. A S P E C I A L B R A N D STO RY M A R K E T I N G F E AT U R E | S R Q M A G A Z I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9
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Not your average general contractor, Firmo’s tight-knit team’s keen eye for regional potential and community engagement opportunities has evolved their industry expertise to encompass a unique design-build approach—collaboratively executing both the design process and construction phases under a single contract. From finding a property or space, to helping get permits from the City, get financing through a bank, and finding a compatible architect, Firmo’s versatility provides project management services from inception to completion. This streamlined approach not only helps align the many moving parts of a project for clients, but fosters collaboration and teamwork, mitigates change orders and blame shifting, fosters a timely turnaround, optimizes project quality and ensures cost effectiveness. From discussion of initial concept, to day one breaking ground, all the way to the ribbon-cutting reveal, “It’s not just construction,” says Stefan Baron, Firmo’s director of business development. “It’s a collaboration.” The seven visionaries behind the boutique-operated firm continue to pioneer sustainable building methods—acquiring credibilities such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Energy Star certifications. Firmo became a leading member and early adopter of US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system. Even when the program was still in its infancy, the Firmo team built the first LEED CS Silver Office building in Sarasota, continually striving to leave the environment in better quality than they found it.
Eric Collin, President of Firmo Construction.
HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON After working closely with the Hilton Hospitality Group, Firmo retrofitted a building that sat abandoned near the corner of Fruitville and Beneva Road for seven years. Instead of tearing down the existing structure, originally designed to be a retirement center, the building was modified and repurposed to become a useable space, great for tourism. The Homewood Suites by Hilton 100room hotel remains an exemplar of sustainable, mindful efforts by Firmo. The team took considerable measures to minimize the renovation’s impact on landfills and the surrounding environment. Additionally, the firm regularly integrates sustainable materials that incorporate environmentally-friendly paradigms, guaranteeing longevity into their projects. As one of the early pioneers of the LEED program in the U.S. Southeast, Firmo maintains a commitment to seek LEED certification whenever possible. Once completed, the Homewood Suites hotel was recognized as an adaptive reuse project with a Hilton Conversion of the Year award, a Sarasota County Beautification Award and GE Capital Hotel Development Award. And beyond the accolades, Firmo’s renovation inspired others, and promoted further revitalization throughout the immediate area. The Sarasota Modern Shopping Center has since been built beside the hotel, in addition to other infrastructure and landscaping improvements made to the surrounding region. “Developers invest if they can be next to a nicer building,” explains Firmo Construction President, Eric Collin. “Once we got the hotel cleaned up, it really incentivized other owners to do something with their property.”
Homewood Suites | After
Homewood Suites | Before
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NORTH TRAIL Firmo Construction sees the North corridor of Tamiami Trail (Route 41 as it extends north from downtown to the border of Manatee County) as the future of regional development. “This is one of the first stretches of Sarasota seen by visitors who land at SRQ International Airport,” says Collin. Largely underdeveloped and virtually disregarded, the sites along this stretch of the Trail are challenging from a development perspective. Current zoning laws make modern infrastructure, adequate parking and stormwater mitigation difficult for those seeking to renovate or rebuild some of the derelict structures on North Trail. Additionally, many commercial lots on North Route 41 abut to residential properties in the Indian Beach and Sapphire Shores neighborhood, which often creates tension. To ease the transition between residential and commercial areas, Firmo actively gathers community input. Involved with the North Trail Partnership Group, the team personally participates in constructive conversations with neighbors about how to best navigate development in this corridor. One solution that has become a successful model for Firmo is the practice of designing and constructing new residential homes that run adjacent to commercial lots themselves—a hands-on and in-house approach to creating that necessary buffer between these two zones. All the while, Firmo maintains the architectural integrity of the surrounding environment, which they believe to be key for positive and effective revitalization. In 2015, Firmo Construction sought to activate the North Trail area by signing on to relaunch an existing hotel, The Regency Inn. Their involvement in the hospitality project went far beyond the normal expectations of a general contractor. “Essentially, we helped the owner form the building’s concept and design, as well as guide the hotel’s branding and marketing—using the model of a classic mid-century modern hotel,” Collin explains. The redesign of The Regency Inn not only celebrates Sarasota’s mid-century heritage, but retains the local identity of an Old Florida destination. “We wanted to preserve Sarasota’s architectural heritage to maintain a sense of place,” says Director of Design, Maegan Ochoa.
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ROSEMARY DISTRICT Further sparking revitalization in dynamic districts, dispatch to the Rosemary Square Courtyard, and it’s hard to imagine the beloved gathering space as anything different or less, as it was just a year ago. Recognizing the opportunity and potential for a neighborhood renaissance, the team jumped onboard for the commercial buildout phase to turn the space into something that locals and visitors benefit from. The multi-use building in the heart of the budding Rosemary District has quickly become a haven for community festivals, pop-up markets, locally-owned businesses, food truck gatherings and the home offices of regional non-profit and arts organizations. As the builders of the outfitted spaces for the commercial and non-profit tenants, Firmo’s collaboration with the Rosemary Square architects and property managers highlighted the firm’s larger vision for spatial success. The firm is currently still working on revitalizing projects in the burgeoning District, including a turn-key approach with New York City-based Halliday Financial, in the process of expanding to Sarasota. What was once a vacant, outdated building, is now being renovated to bring neighborhood improvement, new business and a vibrant economy to this growing region. “Rosemary has become one of the more lively areas of downtown Sarasota in terms of drawing a crowd,” says Collin, “And it can only get better from here.”
Rosemary Square | Before
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Below Left (Top row, left to right) Andrew Wilson, Eric Collin and Stefan Baron. (Bottom row, left to right): Heather Gilpatric, Maegan Ochoa and Jovana Fernandez. Below Right: (left to right): Eric Collin and Stefan Baron.
AN INTIMATE APPROACH Choosing to spearhead the development of projects that often activate underutilized or commonly overlooked areas is deeply rooted in Firmo Construction’s core philosophy of modern revitalization. “We approach projects on a neighborhood scale, then we narrow down to the tenants—we always take into consideration the full landscape,” says Baron. “Our involvement is conducive to growth, sustainability and vitality. And it trickles down to the businesses and residences—there’s real integration going on.” This careful consideration on both the micro and macro level helps ensure that buildings are progressive, but developed appropriately in relation to their site, and in context to the greater community. As a design-build firm, Firmo has the ability to manage their clients’ projects through a collective collaboration with all parties involved, all the while consistently maintaining a personalized and family-feel approach. In an industry often perceived as inaccessible, “big business” and as cold as the steel beams of a rising structure, Firmo continues to venture in a more holistic direction. How does a seven-person office manage a growing list of projects that carry the additional weight and responsibility of addressing revitalization? They find success through longstanding relationships with fellow professional experts in the field and the synergy of their small-but-mighty in-house team who hail from all over the globe. Mobile phone numbers are always shared with clients and their downtown Sarasota office is an open, welcoming space for meetings and creative thinking. “When clients arrive to our office, they are really coming to our home,” notes Ochoa. A responsive, personable style that is as much about genuine connection as it is about innovation and expertise—that is Firmo Construction.
CERTIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS • Class A Certified General Contractor • NASCLA Certified Commercial Building Contractor • Member of the US Green Building Council • Member of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange • Member of the AIA • LEED AP Staff Members • EPA Energy Star Partner & Indoor Air Plus Partner
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
205 N. ORANGE AVENUE SUITE #301 SARASOTA, FL 34236 (941) 917-0494 FirmoConstruction.com @firmo_construction LICENSE #CGC1508283
ERIC COLLIN
PRESIDENT
STEFAN BARON
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
HEATHER GILPATRIC
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
ANDREW WILSON
PROJECT MANAGER
MAEGAN OCHOA
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
JOVANA FERNANDEZ
OFFICE MANAGER
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contents
SRQ360 16 86
Inside the Brand RSVP
MARKETING FEATURES 7 43 71 79
Brandstory Feature Firmo Construction Guide to Regional Private Colleges Provisionist Nosh
This page: A collection of
pineapple print carryalls from Mollys! A Chic and Unique Boutique. The arugula pizza bakes in 90 seconds at Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria. Previous page: Personal trainer and model Chase Pettey, sporting a stretchy performancestyle suit and leather shoes from The Met Fashion House. Cover: Breaking Wave Coffee owner Radu Dehelean. All photography by Wyatt Kostygan.
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Mixon Fruit Farms grows the future with its first bamboo harvest this season. The new president and CEO of Goodwill Industries Steven Preston comes to Goodwill Manasota to see how it’s done. Clinical child psychologist Dr. Ross Greene shares insights on Raising Human Beings in the modern age.
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Urbanite Theatre welcomes playwrights and opportunity from across the country with the second annual Modern Works Festival. Go inside the mind of sculptor Zach Gilliland, as he forges memories out of metal.
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With redistricting on the horizon, what’s driving county commissioners to redraw political lines?
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Sport the international sign of hospitality with accessories and home décor adorned with pineapples. The Copper Acorn combines vintage thrifting with custom service for the peak of atmospheric event planning. Local businesses play a veritable game of thrones with these supremely decorated bathrooms.
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The Bavaro famiglia brings their pizza panache South of the Bay and into Downtown Sarasota, with the purest of Neapolitan pizzas. Even a sudden downpour couldn’t dampen spirits at the latest Forks & Corks Grand Tasting. Explore food made quick and to order at this hidden gem Siam Gulf.
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Tech has been good for Andrew and Judith Economos. Now they will give back to students in the field.
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about us SEPTEMBER 2019 GET SRQ DAILY The magazine in your hands offers enormous insight into our community, but the most informed in our community follow our constant coverage of Sarasota and the Bradenton Area in SRQ Daily. The electronic newsletter is a must-read in thousands of inboxes. Check our special editions: the Monday Business Edition, the Wednesday Philanthropy Edition, the Friday Weekend Edition and the much-discussed Saturday Perspectives Edition, featuring a diverse range of opinions from the region’s top pundits and newsmakers. SIGN UP ONLINE AT SRQMAG.COM ORIGINS OF “SRQ” The “SRQ” in SRQ magazine originates from the designated call letters for the local Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. “SR” was the original abbreviation for the airport before the growth in total number of airports required the use of a three-letter code. Letters like “X” and “Q” were used as filler, thus the original “SR” was revised to “SRQ,” much as the Los Angeles airport became “LAX.” As a regional publication committed to the residents of and visitors to both Sarasota and Manatee counties, SRQ captures the place that we call home. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PRINT AND DIGITAL EDITION Join our readers in the pleasurable experience of receiving SRQ magazine in your mailbox every month. To reserve your subscription, provide your information and payment online. You can set up multiple addresses, renewals and special instructions directly through your online account. When you subscribe online, your first print issue will arrive in your mailbox in 4–6 weeks. For immediate access to the digital edition, subscribe directly at our flipbook. Subscribe online at SRQMAG. COM/SUBSCRIBE. Contact us via email at subscribe@srqme.com Vol. 22, Issue 219 Copyright © 2019 SRQ MEDIA. SRQ: Live Local | Thrive Local. Sarasota and Bradenton is published 12 times a year. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The entire contents of SRQ are copyrighted by Trafalger Communications, Inc. Column and department names are property of Trafalger Communications, Inc. and may not be used or reproduced without express written permission of the publisher. SUBSCRIPTION: Subscriptions to SRQ are $36 for 24 issues. Single copies are $4 at area newsstands.
CEO / PRESIDENT / EDITOR IN CHIEF
LISL LIANG SENIOR EDITOR
Phil Lederer ART DIRECTOR / PHOTOGRAPHER
Wyatt Kostygan STAFF WRITER, SPECIAL PROJECTS
Brittany Mattie CONTRIBUTING SENIOR EDITOR
Jacob Ogles EDITORIAL INTERN
Olivia Liang EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER
WES ROBERTS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT
Ashley Grant ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Ashley Ryan Cannon SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVES
Suzanne Munroe Julie Mayer Magnifico CLIENT SERVICES AND MARKETING MANAGER
Ashley Jimenez PARTNER SERVICES AND PROGRAMS MANAGER
Kristi Herrera MARKETING INTERNS
Chelsea Jobity Aidee Rodriguez
SRQ MEDIA ADVERTISING GROWMYBUSINESS@SRQME.COM 941-365-7702 x211 SUBSCRIPTIONS SUBSCRIBE@SRQME.COM 941-365-7702 x215 ONLINE TICKETS SRQSB2.COM SRQHEARMEROAR.COM 941-365-7702 x221 PUBLISHERS OF SRQ MAGAZINE. LUX LIFE. ROCKET KIDS. MODERN HOME. SHE ROARS. LOVE LOCAL MAGAZINE. SRQ DAILY 331 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone 941-365-7702 Fax 941-365-0853 S RQ M AG .CO M
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Inside the Brand NEXT—SB2: Philanthropic Agenda and Good hero Awards Luncheon, Monday, December 9, 2019 BE SOCIAL WITH SRQ Follow us on social media and join the conversation to see your comments here!
Facebook UnidosNow Our Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation scholars had a chance to meet with the entire team of SRQ Magazine to learn all aspects of media and digital publishing. They were inspired by their presentations and motivated to learn more about local stories and people in our region. Thank you for such an amazing experience! The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Thank you for your amazing partnership, SRQ! DreamLarge Shout out to SRQ Magazine and Visit Sarasota County for showcasing our PINC mural! Come see it at 600 Central Ave. in the heart of the Rosemary District.
NONPROFIT CAPACITY
SRQ Media’s SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy catalyzed a wave of conversation around resource development and funding. SRQ MEDIA hosted the SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota on Thursday, July 25, 2019. The luncheon began with a welcome from SB2 Series Sponsors Debbie Devito of the Hyatt Regency Sarasota and Heidi Brown, President and CEO of JFCS of the Suncoast as well as an opening video courtesy of SB2 Event Sponsor, Cool Today. SRQ MEDIA was pleased to introduce a stellar panel for SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy: David Moore, Founder and President of Moore Strategic Consulting; Sabeen Perwaiz, Executive Director of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance and Lilly Weinberg, Program Director of Community and National Initiatives for the Knight Foundation. Moderated by SRQ MEDIA Executive Publisher and Vice-President, Wes Roberts, the SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy panel explored how nonprofits can maximize their capacity to realize their mission. Memorable soundbites from the
panelists include: “This sector is under-resourced. The folks who are doing the most for us are actually paying themselves the least, and it’s actually a really serious capacity problem.” – David Moore; “You must be extra intentional about who you invite to your board. A good measure of board diversity is: Does my board look like my own community.” – Lilly Weinberg; and “As an advocacybased organization, it’s baffling to me how reluctant and resistant nonprofits are to advocate, which is absolutely their right on issues that are important to the work that they’re doing.” – Sabeen Perwaiz. SRQ MEDIA extends thanks the SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy panel for the constructive, thoughtful conversation. Thank you to the event sponsor CoolToday and to the 2019-2020 SB2 Series sponsors: Merrill Lynch Mariash Lowther Wealth Management, JFCS of the Suncoast, The Hyatt Regency Sarasota and PSAV for their support for this community program.
Do you know someone who’s making a real difference? Someone whose passion for giving back to a local nonprofit has had a positive impact on our community? Nominate them for the SRQ Good Hero Award. It could be an engaged staff member, volunteer, board member or donor patron who went above and beyond this past year to make our region a better place. Good Hero finalists and winners will be announced at the SB2: Philanthropic Agenda and Good Hero Awards Luncheon on Monday, December 9, 2019. VISIT SRQMAG.COM/GOODHERO TO SHARE YOUR STORY OF CARING.
Triforce Pictures Huge thank you to Phil Lederer at SRQ Magazine for writing this lovely article and articulating my journey in being an associate producer on the feature film SKIN. Truly grateful - Shaun Meals on Wheels Sarasota Thank you SRQ Magazine for sharing our partnership with Hope 4 Communities!
Instagram @axeandbullsrq Did you catch some familiar faces in SRQ Magazine? @srqmag and Phil Lederer did a killer article on Sarasota’s most AXE-itiing new indoor activity. Give it a read and come see what we’re all about! @ tidal_freediving Pretty stoked to find out i had an article written about #tidalfreediving in @srqmag in their summer edition!!! @ 99 bottles.sarasota Thank you, so much, @srqmag – especially, Britt and Wyatt – for perfectly capturing the essence of 99 bottles! @ the.wandering.whale Omg! I just love @srqmag
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STORIES ABOUT THE LOCAL PEOPLE, PLACES AND EXPERIENCES THAT DEFINE OUR HOMETOWN
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BAMBOO BOOM
Mixon Fruit Farms is up to their ears in bamboo. Brittany Mattie
“WE’RE EXCITED TO BE THE FIRST COMMERCIAL FARMER IN THE COUNTRY TO PLANT AND HARVEST BAMBOO FOR FOOD,” says Janet Mixon, co-owner of Mixon Fruit Farms. Having planted the first Asper bamboo in 2017, Mixon’s initiated its first harvest last month, with considerable crowds showing up to take the tractor ride out to see for themselves the exotic plant groves behind Bradenton’s beloved family farm shop. The burgeoning intrigue has also attracted more than 200 farmers the past year from all over the Southern states—wanting to explore and learn more about growing the woody cane and tropical grass as a crop. The peeling, processing and packaging operations take place at Mixon’s partnered South Florida facility, OnlyMoso US Corp. Janet often uses bamboo as an alternative for artichokes in a spinach and bamboo dip. “I also love air frying slices,” she says. “When they come out, they taste just like potato chips, but better, and healthier.” Mixon admits how much her grandchildren dig the taste too. “I sneak the bamboo pesto into their peanut butter and they absolutely love it.” SRQ PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
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GOODWILL HUNTING
The latest President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International comes to Goodwill Manasota to see how it’s done. Phil Lederer FORMER SECRETARY OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
Past Administrator of US Small Business Administration. Previous President and CEO of both Oakleaf Waste Management and Livingston International. It’s safe to say that in the c-suite realm, private and public, Steven C. Preston counts as a heavy hitter. And when Preston was offered the position of President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, he jumped at the chance, stepping into the role in January 2019. One of the first items on his agenda? A trip to Goodwill Manasota. SRQ checked in to talk local success, workforce automation and where Preston’s own good will began. In your own life, when did you first understand the importance of what Goodwill does? I grew up in a family with a father who didn’t finish high school. A very hard-working, a very smart person, but a number of times growing up, as somebody who worked in manufacturing, he found himself unemployed just because of economic realities. So understanding the impact of unemployment to a family was something that I felt very deeply. When I went into government, I got much deeper insight into some of those challenges and how hard it was for people. I realized what it was like for people to have either fallen off the track or never had the opportunities that many of us had in life, and were now trying just to figure out how to get back in, how to come back from poor decisions, from illnesses or broken families, or coming back from having served in the military and trying to reenter civilian life. I wanted to be part of that solution.
why did you want to take a closer look at Goodwill Manasota? The Goodwill network has about 160 local Goodwills in North
America. I came to Sarasota because this particular Goodwill is well known within the Goodwill Network for the quality of its operations, and the fact that it’s forward-looking in many ways, in terms of providing services. It’s a very well-run entity, and I wanted to come down and not only see the mission services we provide—because we do a lot for people with physical disabilities and people coming out of incarceration, and we’ve got terrific veterans programs here— I also wanted to see the operations on the retail side here. Why is the retail side integral to the operation? What most people don’t realize is those retail stores pay for our mission. The profit from the store helps veterans, it helps people coming out of prisons, it helps people with physical or intellectual disabilities who need support in entering the job market. So the better we do at retail, the more we can do helping people. And many of the people that work in our retail operations have life challenges as well. The people in the stores are part of the program. We call that mission-integrated retail. I wanted to come down to Sarasota because it’s a real bright star in our network, both in terms of how they run their retail operation and in terms of their mission operations. How will Goodwill’s employment programs adapt to workforce automation? We are working very intentionally to provide people with the skills that are most relevant to where the world is going, so that increasingly we can make sure that people land not only in jobs, but in jobs that are well-paying, in jobs that are more stable. Last year, we entered a partnership with Google called the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator. That partnership provides support from Google to work with Goodwill to develop very specific digital skills training curriculum and a path to increasing proficiency in digital skills.
What does that path look like? It’s five levels. You come in at the most basic level—somebody learns how to work with a computer, get on the Internet, fill out job applications, basic skills. As you move along that continuum, you might learn how to use different productivity tools so that if you go into a job in an office, you know how to do word processing, you know how to do spreadsheets or presentations. Then when you get to the top, you actually learn how to program. You learn how to do cybersecurity. You would be able to work in an IT department. With the help of Google, we’re in over 90 Goodwills right now. Have these programs been successful thus far? One of my favorite stories is a young lady in Nashville who, a year and a half ago, was homeless with her two daughters, and today she works for Google. I met another young man, he lives in Roanoke, and he’d come out of the military, had a very hard time coming back into civilian society, got into drugs, landed in prison. We took him under our wing, and now he works as a help desk professional and he’s getting a credential to do coding. These are people who had very deep problems, were having a very hard time getting their lives back on track, and now have really strong professional credentialing. What are your goals for the coming year? We can be a major force in our country for helping people coming out of incarceration to get their lives back and not end up back in incarceration. Recidivism rates in our country are enormously high. If those people come from Goodwill, our recidivism rates are incredibly low. We’re already an important, positive force in the lives of people who are looking to invest in themselves and move forward. That impact could be expanded meaningfully and in ways that are specifically relevant to the biggest challenges in our country. SRQ
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PARENTING BALANCE
An interview with author of RAISING HUMAN BEINGS dr. ross w. greene. Wes Roberts ROSS W. GREENE is
an American clinical child psychologist and author of Raising Human Beings, Lost & Found, The Explosive Child and Lost at School. Greene is the special guest speaker for this year’s Forty Carrots Free Community Speaker Event, who will be speaking on creating a collaborative partnership with your child. Greene developed the model of intervention called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS). He has a Ph.D. in Clinical Csychology from Virginia Tech and has been featured on The Oprah Show, Dateline, NBC and the CBS Morning Show among others. One of the challenges is that parents are so busy running, it’s hard to take a step back and think, “oh, can I do this differently?” Raising Human Beings is about all kids. It would be the ideal pre-parent course as far as I’m concerned. You know, it’s all about teaching parents how to listen to their kids and how to properly solve problems with them. I can’t think of a more important thing that we’d want to teach the parents how to do. Before Raising Human Beings, a lot of my work was focused on behaviorally challenging kids. And, of course, you don’t usually know if you’re going to have a behaviorally challenging one until you do.
you talk about difficult behavior in a child as being a sign of incompatibilities, could you share more? All
behavior is the signal by which a kid, or quite frankly any human being, is communicating that they are having difficulty meeting certain expectations. That’s what behavior communicates to us. Whether it’s crying or screaming or swearing or hitting. The problem, of course, is that, in most places, people are primarily focused on the signal and behavior and trying to modify the signal or the behavior. In my work, you’re more focused on the expectation the kid is having difficulty meeting. We call those unmet expectations or unsolved problems. And so the primary focal point in my work with parents and educators is to help them learn how to solve problems with kids so that the behavior doesn’t happen in the first place. You mention that you want parents to be aware that your child comes with certain innate characteristics. A lot of popular cultural ideas these days are pushing the idea of nature over nurture. The truth is kids are not blank slates, and they let us know that from the moment they pop out. Often that’s called temperament. There are good sleepers and bad sleepers, over-reactors and under-reactors, infants who are pretty happy and infants who are pretty not happy. Blank slating makes no sense whatsoever given what we know about infants. But there’s also the mentality that even after the kid pops out, this is a lump of clay that is going to be molded by the adults who are in the kid’s life. One of the big things I emphasize in Lost At School is that if you ignore who the kid is in trying to mold that lump of clay, things are unlikely to go well. That’s when caregivers often pull out strategies that are oriented around power and control. And I find that we’re in a whole lot better shape if we’re shooting for influence,
instead of control. One of the most important things for parents to come to grips with, educators too is that you are not in control. You have influence, but the more control you shoot for, the less control you have. The kid has goals and characteristics and preferences and a direction, and of course, adults have wisdom and experience and values that they want to transmit. How we go about maintaining that balance is what raising kids is all about.
this is promoting independence in kids. Another thing is being so powerful in the way in which you are parenting that you take away all of the kids instincts, all of the kids sense of direction, and sense of autonomy. Clearly there’s a balance to be struck here. And I’d be the first to agree that it’s a tough balance to maintain, but it’s a whole lot easier to maintain the balance when we are being collaborative than when we are being unilateral.
It’s amazing how much of the message comes back to listening and respecting them as an individual. That’s right. The kid is genetically an extension of you, and of course you all live together, presumably, but the kid is not an extension of you. This kid has his own direction. Probably the biggest conflict I have seen as a psychologist is when parents just completely ignore the kid’s direction and preferences and feel like they can force the kid to adopt their own preferences and direction. That usually doesn’t go all that well.
Something you speak to in the book is asking “What is the goal or purpose of a child” and “what is the goal and purpose of being a parent.” It’s good to have the 10,000-foot view. You don’t want to simply be focused on what is going on in the heat of the moment. You don’t want to be relegated to just reacting in the heat of the moment. The goal of the kid is to figure out what are his goals, direction, preferences and go for it. And the goal of parenting is to have influence, but also help your kid figure out his or her goals, preferences, direction, values and help them go for it. The most conflictual scenarios I’ve seen and, I’m about two-thousand families in at this point, is when parents are trying to mold that lump of clay into their preordained notions of who this kid should be. Not every kid is going to be a rocket scientist. Not every kid is going to be a math genius. Not every kid is going to be an English lit major. Different kids are different and different kids are heading in different directions and if we try too hard to have them head in the direction that we’ve preordained, it’s not going to go well. SRQ
You also talk about helpers helping when their help is needed as opposed to jumping in to solve every challenge. The reality is that among the most important goals of parenting is to promote independence. People are busy being lawnmower parents or helicopter parents or whatever they want to call parents who are bending over backwards to make sure that their kids experience no pain. I think that the pain has a lot more to do with being successful in life than always being successful at everything, because no one is successful at everything. If some kids parents are ensuring that the kid is successful at everything, then the kid’s going to be in for quite the rude awakening and really have no idea how to respond when real life starts to kick in. A big part of
The Forty Carrots Free Community Speaker Event featuring Dr. Ross W. Greene takes place on Thursday, September 26 from 7-8:30pm at Riverview Performing Arts Center. Register in advance at fortycarrots.com
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8 Cowrie shells make a comeback
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While we may not be Parisian trendsetters dictating the runways for Fall fashion, or Wall Street masterminds predicting hot stock market investments, or even divine forecasting fans of a fantasy football league, we’d like to think we’ve got a discerning eye on what’s having a moment in the SRQ spotlight. From burgeoning jackfruit options, a proliferation of public murals, a tessellation of mosaic tiling, the contentious welcoming of CBD, advanced Cybersecurity protection, to a wild foray of animal prints and a rising uptick in drone flying—order a snifter of honeyed mead, buckle on a pair of platform wedges and slide into our Rolls-Royce rental to see where we’re headed this season.
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Holy Cowrie Once used as Chinese currency, African medicine and even sacred amulets to prolong life, teach humility and connect with ocean spirits, cowrie shells have never really gone out of style. And here on the Suncoast, where the beach vibe never sets, this seashore look has made a comeback on the necks, ankles and locks of locals. With Nokomis-based Charming Shark Jewelry’s brown and white Cowrie Chokers and Bracelets, each purchase supports Worldwide Artisans and AccessSurf while advertising your love for the sea. Then layer with Ocean Minded Jewelry, the simplest of seashore statement jewelry coming out of Bradenton, or Marmalade Salon & Boutique’s slide knot bracelets, long shell necklaces and hair barrettes, and Treat Boutique’s neon cowrie bracelets and gold cowrie earrings. For the adventurous lifestyles in and out of the water, nothing says down-to-earth beach babe, bro or bum quite like cowrie shell jewelry. —O.Liang Charmingshark.com, @charmingshark. Oceanmindedjewelry.etsy.com, @oceanmindedjewelry; Marmalade Salon & Boutique, 1927 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, @marmaladesrqlove; Treat Boutique, 1849-A Hillview St., Sarasota, @treatsrq.
From Sidekick to Superfood What once was garnish now is gamechanger, as the teeny-tiny nutrient powerhouses known as microgreens make their way to the center of the plate. Occupying that middle ground between sprouts and baby greens, microgreens have long been used for a little extra suggestion of flavor (if one bothers to eat the garnish), but only recently have they entered the mainstream as a serious dietary supplement. “And you do get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to microgreens,” says Milo Paine, urban farmer and founder of Pura Verde, citing a University of Maryland study showing that microgreens can have as much as 40 times the nutrient density of the mature vegetable. This means that a handful of kale microgreens can be the equivalent of 20 ounces of the full-grown stuff. And Paine can grow, at a maximum, around 700 pounds of microgreens in a week. He supplies an increasing number of local restaurants, including The Daily Bird, Blasé Café and Sage, as well as hand-delivering batches to around a dozen or so individual consumers looking to enhance their diets. And Paine’s not the only one. The folks behind Raw! Raw! to Go at the Sarasota Farmer’s Market have been at it for years, and many more are just now starting out, such as Shane Swift, founder of Laurel Park Urban Farms, which features everything from broccoli and kohlrabi to beets and basil. “I became interested in microgreens because I loved the idea of self-sustaining my healthy eating,” Swift says. “And I really enjoyed the process of growing from seed to table in my own home.” But a “curious experiment” soon turned into an entrepreneurial endeavor, and he’s now delivering his crop around town. “The flavor profiles are intense,” Swift says. “I want everyone in our community to have access to fresh microgreens.” —P.Lederer Sarasota Farmers Market, Main St., Sarasota, 941-225-9256. Pura Verde, 941-229-0914. Raw! Raw! to Go, 727-300-6551. Laurel Park Urban Farms, 404 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 813-244-6388.
Top of the Animal Kingdom Find yourself on the prowl for Apex predator prints? The fashion scene is in full safari mode—dominating with predator prints and textiles. From daring to darling, garments and accessories take on a look reminiscent of the coats, or skin, of feral animals we both fear and fancy. From leopard, cheetah, snake, alligator and tiger, the wildchild in us is unearthing and channeling some serious Jane of the Jungle vibes. Gretchen Bauer, Founder and CEO of BSWANKY designs, manufactures bags right here in Sarasota. Sustainably stylish, the Sophie Python is combating a local ecological issue by sourcing python from the Florida Everglades. Bauer’s collaboration with python hunters helps to restabilize the delicate ecosystem by eradicating the invasive species. The Sophie shoulder bag converts into a backpack and features an exotic front python panel and straps, set off with metallic embossed ostrich leather and trimmed with silver embossed alligator leather. —B.Mattie PREVIOUS PAGE: Davi & Dani Sweet Scallop tank, $42, Modern Soul Boutique, 59 South Blvd. of the Presidents, Sarasota, modernsoulboutique.com, @modernsoulboutique. WAYF Bianca midi leopard print skirt, $108, Modern Soul Boutique. HAM yellow snakeskin wristlet, $98, L.Boutique, 556 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, lboutiques.com, @l.boutique
7 “You do get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to microgreens.” — Milo Paine, urban farmer and founder of Pura Verde
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This spread, left to right:
New Balance and ON shoes. Masa-dusted Cauliflower taco bowl from Screaming Goat Tacqueria.
Nuovo Plating It takes a daring establishment to defy the dining etiquette of the standard plate. Resourcing the unexpected instead as the “plate” are odd items not made of plastic or ceramic. And this goes beyond the hip craze of brick oven pizzas served on wooden planks and mac-and-cheese in mini cast iron skillets. Call it extra, call it eco-friendly, call it bizarre—the alternative plate movement is all in the name of new-age consumerism and food fusion. Ergo, we’re expecting to see more restaurants become increasingly resourceful with natural and edible plating. Drunken Poet proved already ahead of the curve, with its mainstay Pineapple Fried Rice bowl, served in half of a grilled pineapple, carved out to allow cashews, cranberries, croutons and wok-fried shrimp to overflow. Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar recently followed suit—adding a Hawaiian Lobster Cocktail to its new menu, served in a cut open coconut chilling in the middle of a giant bucket of ice. The fibrous coconut meat flanks a foray of cold water lobster meat, radishes, rice and scallions in a citrus vinaigrette, with a plantain chip for added crunch. At Lemon Tree Kitchen, the Salmon & Avocado Sashimi starter comes to the table on a giant pink block of Himalayan rock salt. As you eat, the elements slowly soak up the block of crystalized salinity as it melts. Over at Tsunami, the Lava Rock appetizer comes exactly as it says—a scorching hot slab of lava rock with a side of butter to cook your own medallions of filet mignon sashimi to your desired temperature. Meanwhile, trendsetting spots like Spearfish Grille and The Overton mindfully serve bites on compostable palm leaf/bamboo flatware. —B. Mattie Left: Lemon Tree Kitchen, 1289 North Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-5529688. Above: Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, 5353 South Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-925-4444; Tsunami (not pictured), 100 Central Ave. Ste 1022, Sarasota, 941-366-1033.
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Edible Landscaping It’s time for the next step in eating locally—farm-to-table is good, but yard-to-table is better. Permaculture, self-sufficient and sustainable landscaping, reduces ecological footprints, dependency on large-scale food suppliers and undesirable extra stretches of that spongy, yellow Florida grass. And in this year-round heat and humidity, backyard riches can grow sweeter, juicier and healthier than ever. Local landscape architect Michael Gilkey Jr. of Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. designs edible spaces with everything from orchards to raised veggie boxes, herb forests and heat-tolerant apple and peach trees. “There’s a romance to that… lessening our footprint and adding food to the table,” he says. While grocery store lines can be fun, there’s nothing like the down-to-earth tradition of going out back and plucking what you crave. Nuts, citrus, tamarinds, jackfruit—fresher always tastes better, so turn that wild and wasted backyard stretch into a productive eating space. —O.Liang Michael A. Gilkey, Inc., 5511 Ashton Rd., Sarasota, 941-924-0132.
0 ”There’s a romance to that . . . lessening our footprint and adding food to the table.” Michael Gilkey, Jr. of Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes many other herbs.
Mango Mangifera indica, commonly known as mango, is a species of flowering plant in the sumac and poison ivy family Anacardiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent where it is indigenous. Hundreds of cultivated varieties have been introduced to other warm regions of the world.
Persian Lime Persian lime, also known by other common names such as seedless lime, Bearss lime and Tahiti lime, is a citrus fruit species of hybrid origin, known only in cultivation. The Persian lime is a triploid cross between key lime and lemon.
Muscadine Grapes Vitis rotundifolia, or muscadine, is a grapevine species native to the southeastern and south-central United States from Florida to Delaware, west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma. It has been extensively cultivated since the 16th century
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6 Varietal Coffee Bar “It’s a small shop, but we’re focused on being a place where people can walk in and just be themselves.” The coffee shop of The Overton made its official debut last February. And if you don’t believe great things come in small packages, then take a step inside this concrete haven of flamingos and pour overs. The husband and wife duo, Evan and Kristin Cooper, do wonders from such a humble “boutique” space. Evan’s eight-plus years experience in the coffee industry converges with Kristin’s marketing background and eye for branding. Their common denominator remains the passion they share for the variety and complexity of tasting notes (aroma, body and origin) that exist in coffee—arguably more than there are for wine.
Proudly Serving Counter
Culture Coffee from Durham, NC.
Funky Treats Baked goods from
Mana Bakery Co. and boxed cereal from your childhood, i.e. Frosted Flakes and Fruity Pebbles.
Specialty Merch Coffee blossom
honey, DRAM CBD sparkling water, Bare Bones bean to bar chocolate, SOL reusable straws, handmade ceramic mugs by Drippy Pots.
Fourth Wave Mantra
Fourth Wave Coffee These “waves” disrupt the industry’s inveterate production and distribution on a global bandwidth—shifting the way roasters and coffee shops operate—beyond the espresso machine. The latest movement seems to be inconspicuously percolating throughout coffee-crazed cities, which Sarasota and Bradenton are fervently becoming. Ready or not, the fourth wave is here. Throughout these caffeinated upswings, each wave represents significant changes in the industry—how coffee is grown and harvested, how products are packaged and transported, how beans are treated or roasted, and how businesses source their products. We’ve come a long way from the First Wave, which made coffee a convenient commodity—think big food producers launching household brands like Folgers. Pre-ground beans of average quality suddenly became widely available by the pound on grocery store shelves so people could have the best part of waking up, at the press of a button. Then, coffee chains like Starbucks formalized the Second Wave. Baristas can generally at least tell you the country where your morning brew’s beans were sourced, while introducing many new espresso drinks and fancy lattes to the public. Third Wave marked a significant step towards positive global change with the knowledge and resources to invest in direct, fair trade from single-origin plantations. Hip coffee gurus made it a point to find high-quality beans with a variety of flavor profiles—options that tend to be available in independent cafes and roasters willing to put in the education and effort to source craft coffee with alternative ingredients/options. So what’s different about this wave? With an insurgence of new kids on the local block, SRQ asks what “Fourth Wave” means to each of them. —B.Mattie
Knowledge is Power—Evan and Kristin participate in Counter Culture’s educational seminars and training workshops to stay up-todate on the industry beat and supply chain sustainability. The Coopers occasionally host “cuppings,” much like wine tastings, to educate customers in a fun way so they can observe and measure the characteristics of different types of brewed coffee to learn what coffees best jive with their palette. “It’s kinda like taking a cooking class: you go and to experience some new and taste different flavors,” Kristin says. “It’s amazing when you taste a coffee and it tastes like Fruit Loops, or like chocolate candy and caramel, and you’re like ‘How is this even possible?’”
Catchphrase “Filter Coffee, Not People.”
1430 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota, varietalcoffee.bar @varietalcoffeebar
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8 Breaking Wave Coffee Making its own waves, this laidback shop opened just this past April, in the former home of Artisan Cheese Company. The space was wiped clean with a minimalist design, giving off total Pacific Northwest or NorCal feels. Owned and run by Radu Dehelean, the simple menu lends itself to familiar favorites, without the pretension or intimidation that tend to be associated with many West Coast coffee shops. While Radu may not necessarily consider himself a coffee guru with decades of experience, his humble nature and friendly service have gained traction with locals as an attractive hideaway from the craziness of Downtown Sarasota, not to mention the cool Cali vibes of Breaking Wave’s branding and its renowned Cali-based roaster.
Proudly Serving Cat & Cloud Coffee from Santa Cruz, CA
Funky Treats Savory and sweet housemade danishes and croissants, plus Shrubs sodas.
Specialty Merch KeepCup reusable tumblers.
Catchphrase “All days that end with ‘Y’ need coffee.” 1310 Main St., Sarasota, breakingwavecoffee.com @breakingwavecoffee
6 Project Coffee The newest cafe to hit the scene is Project Coffee of Sarasota’s Historic Burns Court. Ian Steger, Emily Arthur, and Kat and Florian Schuetz completely overhauled the corner locale and celebrated their hard work by opening the doors this past July to eager admirers. The European-inspired café evokes a forthright design, showing off bright, white walls and handcrafted wood furniture. A standout feature that seems to set its space apart from many straight-away coffee bars is the large, horseshoe-shaped counter built-out to act as the nucleus for the space. It juts from the back to include an open-kitchen and reaches all angles for customer engagement. Vegan-centric in food and milk offerings, Ian and Emily notes the socio-economic, environmental and healthful advantages of operating with veganism at the forefront. Customers have a hard time tasting the difference between Project Coffee’s exclusive oat milk and regular cream
or whole milk, and yet it wins in nutrition, ethical production and shelf life.
Proudly Serving Bandit Coffee Co. from St. Petersburg, FL and Kuma Coffee from Seattle, WA
Funky Treats Vegan-minded menu including avocado and radish toast, bruschetta, carrot cake, hummus, granola and biscuits.
Cafe Perk Hygge to the max. Loads of natural light and plant babies really make it a comfy, vibey setting to zone out on your laptop or meet friends for lunch.
Fourth Wave Mantra Honorable
Wages—Baristas have long been known to wake up at the crack of dawn, put in their hours and make minimum wage (plus tips, if they’re lucky). But Project Coffee is changing that status quo with a new standard in the service industry with above average pay for their employees. 538 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, projectcoffee.us, @projectcoffeeco
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6 Amity Brothers Coffee Maybe not brothers from the same mother, but Christopher LeMaster, Chase Bryner and Ryan Parker have known each other longer than they haven’t. The born-and-raised Sarasota guys still juggle their M-F dayjobs, in addition to progressing their specialty roasting company, Amity Brothers. Upon startup in November 2018, the goofy trio, who definitely don’t take themselves too seriously, have poured their all into this impassioned side hustle—getting together on nights and weekends to roast, hand-package and personally ship their designer-quality whole coffee beans. Ethically sourced from Cafe Imports out of Minnesota, notice a high-quality roast, hard to come by. With 20 years of combined experience working in coffee between the three of them. Their quest to help aspiring roasters learn how to get into the game has proven an invaluable asset to collaborate with outside partners—think a coffee consulting service with fun YouTube testimonials.
8 Oscura Café and Bar Craft bev lovers, Ben Greene and Keith Nasewicz have been life-long friends for as long as they can remember. Now business partners, they decided to quit their corporate job to open Oscura in the up-andcoming Downtown Bradenton. The corner lot sat empty for some time, formerly existing as Fosters Drug Store and Pharmacy for 70-some years. Now, the massive space exists as a hybrid hub to connect for AM and PM gatherings. Inspired from a Cape Town cafe/bar, Ben and Keith designed the space to encompass the same industrial-minimalist scene, but a welcoming component with various types of seating with ample nooks and crannies to either meet for a date, socialize with friends or get work done. “Anywhere else like this, it’s mostly like a dime-a-dozen in cities like NYC or LA, but, for us, it’s something new,” says Ben.
Proudly Serving Themselves. Roaster Perk They come to you.
Whether a restaurant, café or company, the guys love to partner, consult and deliver coffee. Amity hosts regular events lhat highlight wholesale partners and give back to the community. Recent “Amity Takeovers” included Buttermilk Handcrafted Food and The Reserve SRQ, where proceeds went to support local nonprofit organizations.
Fourth Wave Mantra
Proudly Serving Counter Culture Coffee
Funky Treats The Hyppo fruit
popsicles, craft beers and wine, affogatos, a killer turkey and brie sandwich and avocado toast.
Fourth Wave Mantra Local Pride
and Community—Ben and Keith coined Oscura as a hub for all things hyper-local. “We work exclusively alongside our local breweries, local wine distributors and local farms,”
says Ben. Oscura hosts weekly trivia nights with rotating themes like Harry Potter, The Office and Friends, as well as live music shows and art exhibitions. It is also regularly a space to hold Bradenton’s Friendly Flea Market. “We want more like-minded people, more businesses, more makers, more creative-type people experiencing downtown and what it has to offer,” says Ben. “The city has been super progressive on getting
more places opened up down here. We’re working towards developing new business ideas and things like that, so this is a good place to start—marrying the creatives, new businesses, and the public.”
Unity and Camaraderie—In an industry notoriously known for being passively judgemental and competitive, the Amity Brothers aim to steam that stigma. The brotherhood hopes that the affinity for friendship, which is where the name Amity stemmed from, will ultimately help build a community of local coffee lovers in the business bringing each other up and morally supporting one another in the shared pursuit and passion to bring this town good coffee.
Catchphrase “Death Before
Catchphrase “Provide Coffee, Create Culture.”
540 13th St. West, Bradenton, oscuracafe.com @oscuracafe
Amitybrotherscoffee.com, @amitybrotherscoffee, 941-275-0485.
Decaf.”
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TREND SPORT Below: The “Stainless” CBD Cocktail from Sage SRQ, 1216 1st St., Sarasota, @sagesrq
Hemper Fi If the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach (thus dodging the ribcage), this year might be the one that sees CBD hit the main line with more CBD-infused food and drink on offer in local boutiques and sit-down restaurants than ever before. At Second & Seed, arguably one of Sarasota’s CBD epicenters, owner Shelby Isaacson has long been promoting the benefits of various CBD oils, but it’s the CBD-infused nitro cold brew that’s been selling out. “We have customers that come in regularly for it and new customers that will never drink any other coffee,” she says. “Our infused products have allowed people to enjoy coffee and feeling more alert, but without the jitters. It’s a little known secret that maybe shouldn’t be so secret.” Second & Seed also sells a CBDinfused finishing oil that customers can use for everything from guacamole to pesto and even drizzled on a flatbread. It’s made a popular gift, and a suitable compromise for folks curious but unsure about CBD. Following her lead, Sage Restaurant buys CBD from Second & Seed for specialty cocktails like “The Mad King” and “Stainless”—a $100 luxury cocktail blending 18-year-old Macallan Scotch, 15-year-old Drambuie, CBD-infused honey and angostura bitters. And Rosemary & Thyme has been in talks with Isaacson about a whole CBD-infused array of menu items, from appetizers to entrees. But while Mindful Medicinals has CBD snackers covered with gummies in stock, the real local edibles powerhouse—the Glenn Family Bakery offshoot CBD Baked Sweets—continues to see most of its business out of town. This means that CBD-infused cookies, triple chocolate brownies, peanut butter fudge and a whole array of gluten-free and vegan options from lemon bars to Bete Noirs and terrines, have been getting shipped to kava bars in St. Pete and boutiques as far away as Chicago and Houston. Maybe this year will see some more local deliveries. —P.Lederer S econd & Seed, 1231
2nd St., Sarasota, 941-260-9971, @secondandseed.
SciFi WiFi For snowbirds who have gone north for the summer or permanent residents escaping the humidity for a week or two, checking in on the home can be a hassle. Worrying only makes it worse. Did you set the alarm? Is the thermostat working? Has the sun scorched that priceless, leather couch? Have no fear, smarthomes are here. Via integrated home control systems, everything from motorized shades to lighting, climate control and security await your command no matter where you are. Smartphones are the newest command center, not only awarding piece of mind to the out-of-towner, but eliminating millions of switches and reducing energy usage, transforming the modern home into a sleek and sustainable haven. Pretty soon, “everything will be talking to each other,” according to Damien Blumetti, AIA, principal and founder of Damien Blumetti Architect in Sarasota. Tell your car to preheat the oven or get the mood light going ahead of time… it’s supposedly just around the corner. —O.Liang Damien Blumetti Architect, PO Box 527, Sarasota, 941-780-3401.
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Lending a Hand While the quirky freelance artist and muralist now resides in St. Petersburg, Elle LeBlanc hasn’t forgotten her Sarasotan roots. Within just a year’s time, her identifiable wall work can now be found extensively throughout various local establishments. Take a field trip around town to her recent mural imprints, including the simplistic, black-and-white musings in the newly-renovated Libby’s Brasserie, the healthful veggies and cooking devices spattered around Lemon Tree Kitchen, a tropical Aloha-inspired collage throughout Fushipoke, abstract tinkerings displayed in the bathrooms at Urbanite Theater and colorful fairy wings painted on the exterior wall of SwimCity shop. LeBlanc’s contemporary brushwork not only enhances modern spaces, but creates a sense of stimulating warmth. She attributes her freeform flair to loosely restricting herself—focusing on primary colors, playful shapes, silhouettes and basic outlines. —B.Mattie Elleleblanc.com, @elleleblanc_
8 “I love the idea that such pure elements of design can come together into a composition that has never been executed quite the same way.” Elle LeBlanc, Artist
On the Cutting Wedge One inch, two inch, three inch, four . . .no one needs to explain the miracle of a platform shoe. Some extra altitude without compromising those toes? Genius. But the newest evolutionary phase has arrived, capable of dressing down a cocktail dress and dressing up a pair of jeans, all while seamlessly stretching calves and supporting ankles. Growth spurts have never looked so good now that The Platform Wedge has arrived in full style. With woven espadrille wedges combined with metallic, suede or see-through straps from T. Georgiano’s Boutique, or nude canvas tops and snakeskin straps from L Boutique, every combination of skirts, shorts, blouses, tees and dresses stands a chance. And the selection only gets funkier, like with Marmalade Salon & Boutique’s blush wedge booties with perforated tops. But please no socks with these high-standing sandals. —O.Liang T. Georgiano’s Boutique, 1409-B 1st St., Sarasota, 941-870-3727, @tgeorgianos; Marmalade Salon & Boutique, 1927 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, @marmaladesrqlove.
PICTURED RIGHT: Buddy Love blush snake tie-front blouse, $75, Treat Boutique, 1849-A Hillview St., Sarasota, 941-366-6369, @treatsrq. L’Agence Margot high-rise skinny snake pant, $325, The Met Fashion House. Dolce Vita Lesly Espedril wedge, $138, L.Boutique, @lboutiques. Wing mural outside of Swim City, 50 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, @swim_city ources.
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Good Baggage Surfs up, and your board deserves the royal treatment when being escorted to and from the beach. Surfers and SUPers are smartening up when it comes to protecting their precious cargo. Sheathing your board when not in use not only maintains its flawless form, but extend its shelf (and water) life. Boardbags and board socks do just that— effectively protecting the fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin from scrapes, nicks, dings and collisions with other boards. They also conveniently keep melty wax from rubbing off onto unwanted places and insulate your fishtail or longboard from harsh UV rays that cause delamination. Artist, illustrator and surfer girl Tash Chapman of Chapman At Sea designs bags as beautiful as the boards themselves. “My husband Joe and I like simple, rugged things and couldn’t find any surfboard bags that fit our style,” she says. “So we started making them ourselves, inspired by a tough, old WWII army bag I’d inherited from my grandfather. They were received really well and it was so much fun that I just kept designing.” Chapman focuses on hardwearing materials with a nautical touch— incorporating scraps of vintage or reclaimed fabrics and burlap sacks, thick felt for the inside and a protective patch of leather (or natural canvas for vegans) for the nose. Each creation is entirely handmade and comes finished with clean, reinforced seams and a bottom drawstring closure made of cotton sailing rope. “It feels good to be creating things that will be part of other people’s lives, go with them on their adventures and be a part of as many stories as my grandpa’s old army bag has been for me.” Chapman at Sea boardbags are made-to-order, ensuring a one-of-a-kind, customized creation—ready to make a splash leaning on your bedroom wall and atop the roof rack. —B.Mattie $160-$228, Chapmanatsea.com, @chapmanatsea
6 Samantha Benoit, soloist for the Sarasota Ballet is this year’s TrendSport’s model. Shown here checking for high-tide at The Sarasota Modern. Mata Roman leopard sandals, $35, Pineapple Lain Boutique, 407 South Pineapple Ave., pineapplelain.com; Cowrie earrings, $22, Treat Boutique; Cowrie/puka necklaces and bracelets, $10-22, Marmalade Boutique; The Apatchee
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Perks of Being a Wallflower
Below left:
Charlotte Osterman rolls out her new line of chic wallpapers.
Wallpaper had a hard time shedding its reputation as old-fashioned and intimidatingly permanent—until now. Peeling back for a big comeback, the polarizing paint alternative and longtime decor taboo has returned to fashion thanks to Pinterest’s 2019 Trends Report and hip lifestyle retailers like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. This return to form promises mod prints, dimensional fabrics that make it easy and economical to install (and remove) as ever before, plus eco-friendly materials that boast low VOCs (harmful gases sometimes created during the manufacturing process) and natural dyes. Offering more drama than wall paint or hanging art, the revival represents fearless fun and youthful innovation, a way to transform a room and reflect your personal style. Designers and homeowners are embracing some big, bold prints to paste across partitions. Insurge life into a space with tropical palm leaves, watercolor clouds, a sweeping landscape, marble specklings, whimsical botanicals or digitized geometrics. And if you’re still avoiding it because you’re afraid it’ll make a room feel stale or dated, local textile designer Charlotte Osterman is here to tear that faux pas down. The Sarasota native recently folded into the renaissance of wallpapers with a collection of bold, playful prints such as the ‘Azulejo’ and ‘Falling Orchid’ on premium matte paper. —B.Mattie Charlottetextiles.com, @charlotteosterman, shown below left.
0 Decorative tile junkie Brigid Hewes-Saah, Allied ASID and owner of Tile Market Sarasota, brings together the finest around the world, from Mediterranean to ultra-modern
Mosaic Milieus Grout-worthy arrangements of intricate, artful and geometric tilework are making statements and elevating bathroom floors, kitchen backsplashes and outdoor garden or pool areas. Designers, architects and homeowners are embracing a montage of ceramic or porcelain tile, terracotta, stone mosaics, inlaid decorative stones and metal or glass accents, as a decorative feature to create a focal point or bespoke border within a room. Decorative tile junkie Brigid Hewes-Saah, Allied ASID and owner of Tile Market of Sarasota, brings together the finest around the world, from Mediterranean to ultra-modern. For a coastal luxury home, or hotel lobby oasis, Oceanside Glasstile up-cycles high-end glass tiles from recycled glass bottles into geometric blends of iridescent patterns, in boundless shapes and colors. New Ravenna Mosaics handcrafts and fashions tiles into decorative borders, murals, field tile and medallions. Once cut, they can be tumbled, honed or treated to create distinctive imagery, subtle shade variations and texture tessellation. Through these purveyors, Hewes-Saah helps to curate these entangled looks of luxury that go far beyond a vapid, white subway tiling in the shower. “Tile can last a lifetime,” she says. “It is the most enduring element of design in your home.” Bursts of head-swiveling arrays of art seem to be around every bend, and they just so happen to be cemented onto the wall or floor. —B.Mattie Tile Market of Sarasota, 1962 Main St. #120,
Sarasota, 941-365-2356, tilemarket.com.
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Ready to Conquer Jazzercise, Zumba, Shake Weights, speed walking, kickboxing—fitness trends come in waves. But according to Dave Weiner, owner of Definition FIT, “the next natural step is to get out of the actual gym.” While exercising often becomes a task to check off the daily (or weekly… or monthly) docket, Weiner sees adventure goals quickly outnumbering the vanity goals for Sarasota residents. Think wanting to mountaineer versus gaining mirror muscle. Whether it’s due to a mid-life crisis or the dusty bucket list, Adventure Fitness Training has arrived with the help of personal trainers like Chase Pettey of ChaseFit, where you train with a purpose. Want to complete an Ironman, hike the Grand Canyon, rock climb in the Rockies, whitewater raft the Chattooga, go skiing in Tahoe or simply figure out what’s next? Adventure Fitness Training not only educates, trains and pushes you, but will get you up and out of the dreaded dumbbell doldrums. —O.Liang Definition FIT, 1471 5th St., Sarasota, 941-961-3271. Chase.fit, 941-444-9716, @_chase.fit_, @theadventuretrainer
Honey, I’m Home
All the Bzzz
11 years ago, Matt Goldy got married. Mazel tov. And his reception would have a special gift from the groom himself—home-brewed mead. At the time a rare commodity in town, the honey-based liquor had not quite caught on and commercial options were scant, if available at all. After all, the craft beer trend was just hitting Sarasota, so an old Viking brew made from bees rather than barley wasn’t quite on the radar yet. Goldy thought it would be a treat. He was right, and wrong. “It was underwhelming to say the least,” he says of his well-intentioned home-batch creation, “and I moved on.” But like those Vikings of old, mead had found a foothold and was set to conquer. Multiple meaderies have sprung up in Tampa, and this world’s oldest spirit sallies forth anew locally as well, to be found in liquor longhouses in both Bradenton and Sarasota, with options to be sampled at places like 99 Bottles, Oak & Stone, Mr. Beery’s, The Reserve, Lost Kangaroo, Good Liquid Brewing Co. and Mandeville Beer Garden, where Goldy manages the bar and rediscovered his love for the potent potable. “I was blown away at how good they were,” he says. “The diversity in meads is vast, from dry to sweet, fruity to herbal, spicy or nutty, wine-strength to beer-strength, still to champagne-style—the sky’s the limit.” Back to home-brewing his own mead, Goldy enjoys the freedom and enhances his by using local honeys and fruits, and hopes to start beekeeping in the future. —P.Lederer Mandeville Beer Garden, 428 North Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-954-8688. 99
We’ve all heard it. The sunrays paint over the Ringling Bridge, water rushes up and back on the Siesta shore, then the whirring flies in. You look up. A floating, buzzing, robot from the future peers down. Drones have successfully integrated themselves into the public sphere, so what’s next for them in the SRQ area? Brent Okuley, owner of The Artistry Network, an audio, video, photo and drone company, says that drone-use has reached an all-time high in the area due to the shootable shores. Tarpon swim the shoreline of Anna Maria Island, algae blooms grow in Manatee County and birds, boats and beaches never go out of style. But while anyone can purchase a drone online, a fraction of drone-flyers receive the proper certification and often shoot photos illegally, according to both The Artistry Network and John Vargues of VibeChaos Productions, two local drone cinematographers. Whether due to laziness, intimidation or indifference, state regulations are often ignored and many commercial pilots do not complete the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test in order to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate, leading to unsafe skies. So as drone magic and mayhem make their SRQ move, picture paradise with the proper paperwork. —
Bottles, 1445 2nd St., Sarasota, 941-487-7874. Oak & Stone, 5405 University Pkwy., Sarasota, 941225-4590. Mr. Beery’s, 2465 Mall Dr., Sarasota, 941-343-2854. The Reserve, 1322 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 888-417-3737. Lost Kangaroo Pub, 406 12th St. W, Bradenton, 941-747-8114. Good Liquid Brewing Co., 4824 14th St. W, Bradenton, 941-896-6381.
O.Liang The Artistry Network, @artistry-network.com. VibeChaos
Productions, @_vibechaos_
Mindful Media Now that you’ve likely “gone green,” stay there. Sarasota and Manatee Counties are winning the sustainability game by tirelessly educating the community and adding new, inventive ways to reduce local carbon footprints in everyday ways. An impressive amount of local foundations and organizations have formed over the last couple years with the same hands-on, purifying intentions to keep this paradise in tip-top shape. Rethinking Plastic Sarasota, Suncoast Rise Above Plastics Coalition, Beach.com, Zero Waste Sarasota and Surfrider Foundation: Suncoast Chapter, are tenacious local resources with helpful advice on recycling and insight on how to transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. Remember to avoid plastic straws/coffee stirs, use a canvas tote or basket for groceries instead of plastic bags, invest in a refillable water bottle instead of buying packs of plastic bottles and exposing of/cleaning up your trash properly. Head to any one of these forums for regional how-to guides or inspiration to get you back on the green line of the kinetic eco-friendly train. — B.Mattie 36 | srq magazine_ SEPT19 live local
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Justin and Tammy Norwood lend their baller fleet of luxury cars for private hire.
Rejoice The Royce In a world full of trends, it’s a nice break to take the classic route sometimes. Sarasota natives and husband-wife duo Justin and Tammy Norwood left their corporate jobs to redefine luxury transportation. Revving the engine of a boutique transportation company, Revvies Luxury Transportation came to life upon curating a collection of exquisite sedans from the golden era of the automotive design (the 1940s, 50s and 60s). The Norwoods’ coveted motor cars from yesteryear were once reserved for royalty, heads of state and celebrities only to step foot in. Today, they’ve been meticulously restored by local craftsmen/artisans, and retrofitted with modern technology essentials (air conditioning and bluetooth a must) for private hire service rentals with worldclass chauffeurs. Experience a serious timehop in the 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, a royal rig to transport you back to eras where transportation was at its zenith. Plan a grand getaway from your wedding at The Ringling in the timeless elegance of a 1947 Cadillac Series Sedan. Or arrive in style like Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner to the Sarasota Orchestra in a six-figure vintage cruiser. Just try not to miss the show by asking the driver for one more joyride around the block. Coming this fall, the Norwoods will expand the Revvies collection to take on a new direction—launching a more modern fleet including the latest models of Bentleys, LandRovers and Rolls-Royces, to serve the emerging Sarasota jetset lifestyle. “We believe that the birth of Revvies aligns with the broader story of downtown Sarasota’s transformation,” says Justin. “The conventional definition of ‘luxury’ in Sarasota is being challenged and recalibrated for today. Our goal is to provide Sarasota’s residents with a transportation experience that they weren’t even expecting—but will come to adore.” —B.Mattie Revvies Luxury Transportation, 941-356-4249, revvies.com, @revviesluxury
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Hammock Hangs, Family-Style
0 The Hembree family hanging around for sunset at Shell Beach in the ENO Double Deluxe Hammock. From left to right: Joe, James, Annabelle, Jacob, Joe and Melissa Hembree.
Time for a family nap? Pile in and snuggle for a sunset between two sturdy palms at Bird Key Park or the North Siesta Bridge for a swinging, cuddlesome hangout. It’s not hard to notice the uptick in hammocks hanging in scenic locales. Luckily locally-owned adventure shop Environeers carries industry-leading Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO). With a weight capacity of 400 lbs, the DoubleDeluxe Hammock allows mom, dad and even little ones to get close, while staying close to nature. Not only spatially palatial, suspend off-ground with multiple bodies relaxed and at ease, due to the DoubleDeluxe’s heavyduty triple-stitched seams and 70D high-tenacity Nylon Taffeta, with aluminum wiregate carabiners on each end for locked-in support. “The ENO DoubleDeluxe parachute hammock is big enough for two—and then some,” says Sheila Siegal, part owner of Environeers. “Your family can be blissfully relaxed in suspended comfort and it easily stuffs into the attached, compression sack, making it the ideal travel companion. Take it anywhere, set it up in seconds flat, lay back and relax!” —B. Mattie $85, Environeers Adventure Outfitters, 5373 Fruitville
Rd., Sarasota, 941-371-6208, @environeerssrq
Jack of All Trades Fresh, baked, boiled, fried, souped or saladed—jackfruit is packed with fiber, low in calories and only weighs 65 pounds. Well… the maturest of the mature. Often labeled as a pulled pork substitute, jackfruit shreds when young, then softens and sweetens into a banana-like consistency when fully ripe. Extremely versatile, the jackfruit fits into practically any dish: sandwiches to smoothies. Try The Overton’s JackFruit Tacos for a taste of cumin barbeque jackfruit over pickled green papaya, smashed avocado, spicy pumpkin seeds and cilantro, or veg-out with a Jackfruit Brisket Bowl with barbecue flavors and vegan sweet horseradish sauce from Veg. Of course, you could always live that permaculture life and plant a drought-resistant, easy-to-grow jackfruit tree in the backyard and never go hungry again. But for the less enthused, jackfruit is also available year-round from Detwiler’s Farm Market. Plant, pick, cook and crave this Southeast Asian tree fruit. —O.Liang The Overton, 1420 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota, 941-500-9175; VEG, 2164 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota, 941-312-6424; Detwiler’s Farm Market, Sarasota, 941-378-2727.
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Jersey Boys Gone are the days men succumbed to thick, itchy wool suits. For a slightly more casual vibe, and definitely a cooler one, jersey knits are being made into “performance suits” for menswear garments that perform, or function, to help active men be comfortable and avoid sweat-filled insulation. High-end designers are implementing “hightech fabric intelligence and moisturemanagement” by fashioning stretchy, breathable textiles for an athletic fit. Link up with Geoffrey Michel, coowner of The Met Fashion House, for a personal shopping experience of this welcomed, and likely here to stay, trend. At The Met, find Italian Designer Angelo Nardelli, who specializes in this “new formalwear,” with a 2019 collection of stylishly-stitched suits in the sporty, stretch jersey fabric. Sport it with a casual sneaker or a dress shoe— either way you’re keeping cool, looking sharp, and able to reach across the table without unbuttoning your jacket. —B.Mattie The Met Fashion House, 35 South
Blvd. of the Presidents, Sarasota, 941-388-3991, @themetfashionhouse PICTURED: Angelo Nardelli Salento navy suit, $795, John Smedley Adrian white polo shirt, $235, Good Man Brand Legend Lo Top shoe, $198, Eleventy First Class brown leather backpack, $795, The Met Fashion House.
Going Green While red tide threatens havoc on the shorelines, a green tide of medical marijuana has been helping to keep things a bit mellower inland, with the industry booming and patients of all sorts turning to the previously maligned plant for a variety of therapeutic applications. As of July, the state of Florida held more than 240,000 qualified and active patients, while adding an average 5,000 card-carrying cannabis connoisseurs each week, all fueling an explosion of 142 dispensaries across the state. “Florida is becoming the largest medical cannabis program in the country, very rapidly,” says Todd Beckwith, global marketing director for AltMed, the parent company behind the Müv dispensaries located throughout Sarasota and Bradenton. Opening its first dispensary in June 2018, the company already expanded to six locations, including a Fruitville Road store that services tens of thousands of patients. Part of this stems from a successful business model, Beckwith says, that includes a wide variety of delivery methods, ranging from gels, creams, sprays and patches to good old-fashioned flower to be smoked, all made available in something more akin to an Apple store than a black market. But much stems from location, and Southwest Florida’s role as “early adopters” of best practices and necessary infrastructure, including some 2,300 physicians certified to prescribe medical marijuana. And those expecting Reefer Madness Redux shouldn’t hold their breath, according to Beckwith. “The sky falling never happened,” he says. “Just the opposite.” And with a thriving market in place and full of competitors like Trulieve and VidaCann, he’s ready to see the stigma around medical marijuana erased and replaced with earnest efforts to make it even more available to patients in need. “This isn’t a red issue. This isn’t a blue issue. This is a healthcare issue,” says Beckwith. “Our mission is to bring cannabis out of the shadows and into the spotlight.” —P.Lederer Muv Medical Cannabis Dispensary, 5045 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 833-880-5420; Trulieve, 935 North Beneva Rd. #707, Sarasota, 941-444-6845; VidaCann, 5203 Cortez Rd. W Unit 6, 941-254-7494.
Polar Opposites
7 Adventure athlete and founder of Chasefit, Chase Pettey bending the rules in a performance-wear suit trending for men with athletic builds.
It’s time to freeze it off and sweat it out, folks. We’re talking Cryotherapy and Sweat Lodges, but maybe not one right after the other. Cryotherapy, often utilized by professional athletes for joint recovery, involves a 2–3 minute submersion in a liquid nitrogen tank, sinking to temperatures around -230°. The Athlete’s Room offers the only tank in Manatee County, which can benefit athletic performance, post-surgical recovery, metabolic boosts, anti-aging and weight loss effects and the reduction of stress, insomnia and depression symptoms. Or for those in fear of the tank, Cryo Studio Sarasota offers Cryo Slimming for fat freezing and reduction, Cryo Toning for stubborn cellulite and unwanted wrinkles, as well as Cryoskin Facials, a nonsurgical face-lifting to reduce the appearance of pores and improve skin elasticity. And then for those of you who like it hot, whether you’re in the mood for a detox, body healing or simply some you-time to disengage, Purify Sweat Lodge aids in speeding up metabolism, accelerating weight loss, clearing skin and even mending sleep patterns. Body wraps gently climb to 140° and with it, heart rate accelerates, blood circulates and sweat shall sweat. Get hot, get cold, maybe have someone’s hand to hold. —O.Liang The Athlete’s Room, LLC, 5534 34th St. W., Bradenton, 941-751-8069. Cryo Studio Sarasota, 3800 S. Tamiami Trl., Suite 26, Sarasota, 941-241-7358. Purify Sweat Lodge, 553 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-993-1931.
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Dispatch to the Pacific Pacific Rim flavors are juicier than ever—think tropical fruits from Oceania, Asia and western coasts of North and South America. Fresh guava, dragon fruit and passion fruit are popping up in Farmers Markets and cocktail menus around town. Match Rosemary & Thyme’s Guava-Glazed Salmon with Blasé Café’s Siesta Storm, a passionfruit, ginger beer and rum, citrus concoction. Or taste it all with guava ice cream, dragon fruit cookies and passion fruit dehydrated granolas at The Beach Market, available only at the Sarasota Farmers Market. Throw these fruits in a blender and see what comes out, or glaze and grill with cuttlefish from Big Water Fish Market, a fancy Pacific Rim cousin of octopus. Travel the world without ever leaving the table. —O.Liang Rosemary & Thyme, 511 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, 941-955-7600. Blasé Café, 5263 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota, 941-349-9822. The Beach Markets, 727-300-6551. Big Water Fish Market, 6641 Midnight Pass Rd., Sarasota, 941-554-8108.
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Guava-Glazed Salmon from Rosemary & Thyme.
Jack Be NIMBY Sarasotans are famously proud of the paradise in their backyards, as they are notoriously particular about what gets built there. For decades, development and preservation have been the yin and yang of Sarasota—with each side claiming the light for their own— and every significant structure a skirmish. Think Siesta Promenade last year. Think the “come as you are” shelter recommended in 2014 by urban homeless expert Robert Marbut was hailed as a good idea, and he a trusted source, until it came time to find a place to build the thing. Then the project went through 80 possible sites—each rejected for some reason or another—before being shelved entirely. Similar battles rage today as both the Sarasota Orchestra and Selby Gardens plan big moves. With donors and developers reluctant to build on the waterfront, the Orchestra already tried a move to Payne Park, only to be soundly beaten back by neighborhood advocates fighting to preserve green space. Selby Gardens designed its new parking garage to be so green as to be net-positive in its impact, but surrounding neighbors have still expressed considerable consternation at the idea of a multi-story development overlooking Marie Selby’s memory. And with fierce champions and staunch defenders on each side, the probability for peace seems low —P.Lederer
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It’s a Dog’s Life Somewhere between microwavable dinners and child leashes, it was decided that our canine companions would rather be chewing on hunks of rubber than bones and bits of actual animals, but plenty of owners and vendors have been pushing back against the trend—and to great success. Paradise Gourmet Healthy Pet Bakery has been making the rounds at regional farmers markets for the last few years, selling antlers and ears for pups to chew on, and 2016 saw the arrival of the Woof Gang Bakery, followed by Three Dog Bakery and Wet Noses—all emphasizing natural treats over processed foods and rubber doodads—but the trend reached new heights late last year with the arrival of Crate & Marrow in Venice. Only the second location in what could be a budding chain, owners Karen and Sean Quillen brought their grassroots and back-to-basics philosophy of puppy pampering to Venice as the couple moved here from Charlottesville, VA, and local pet owners are straining at the collar for more. From elk antlers to pig ears, no-hide chews and bully sticks, chicken feet, duck feet, beef cheek, quail jerky and a wide assortment of raw and lightly cooked foods (made with proteins ranging from kangaroo to alligator), Crate & Marrow offers near endless options and flavors to craft a “species-appropriate diet” for even the most finicky furry friend. “I supply what the dogs have taught me they want,” says Karen, but she encourages every owner see for themselves. “Put a Milk Bone Biscuit beside a chicken heart and let your dog choose.” —P.Lederer
9 Winston the English bulldog chewing on a “Bully Stick” dog treat, $8, from Crate & Marrow.
Crate & Marrow, 235 Miami Ave. W, Venice, 941-218-6770. Paradise Pet Gourmet Healthy Pet Bakery, 941-4790732. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, 28 South Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota, 941-203-8334. Three Dog Bakery, 8455 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton, 941-3550399. Wet Noses, 1465 Main St., Sarasota, 941-388-3647.
Printing Emulates Life Sometimes grandma just wants some peace and quiet, and other times she wants a three-dimensional sculptural profile of her grandson’s face. While the former may seem the more easily attainable, the proliferation of publicly available 3D printers in the Sarasota area says otherwise. “It’s insane the reach it has,” says Kelly Stuart of TotalSurface 3D, where an influx of personal projects has emerged alongside the usual industrial applications, with consumers from all walks of life finding fun and utility in the growing technology. Stuart herself has printed door hooks for her house and a Baby Groot for her desk, as well as equipment for her mother’s massage therapy business. And yes, a doting grandmother did ask to make a profile of her grandson’s face. And, yes, they did it and it worked. For those looking to try their hand, the Selby Public Library creation station has 3D printing classes available that have grown into some of the most popular on offer, with curious creatives from age six to 80 all helping each other learn the ropes. Keychains are common projects, and the printers are great for recreating simple shapes like missing pieces from board games, but artists have also tackled more complex shapes in the open lab, such as original character models and stencils for screenprinting. A student from New College even printed a robotic hand, piece by piece, for his thesis project. “Everything has to be done piecemeal,” says Selby Library’s Laura Hampton, “but people make it happen.” At the Faulhaber Fab Lab, a fourth 3D printer has just been installed, meeting a local demand by entrepreneurs and students alike. Great for prototyping, one woman used the Fab Lab to design a line of feminine hygiene products to launch her own small business. Another local business-owner uses Fab Lab machines to create custom pieces for violins, sidestepping pricy go-betweens for hard-to-get items. And in the Faulhaber Helping Hands Prosthetic Club, local high school students put their new skills to philanthropic endeavors, creating a functioning prosthetic arm for a man in Peru. And with more fulltime staff alongside new machines, expect even more success stories to come, says Jennifer Sams, Fab Lab’s director of marketing and communications. “We offer a place where people with all sorts of ideas can bring them to life.” —P.Lederer TotalSurface 3D, 2024 Whitfield Park Dr. C#22, Sarasota, 941-226-0770; Selby Public Library, 1331 1st St., Sarasota, 941-861-1100; Faulhaber Fab Lab, 4452 South Beneva Rd., Sarasota, 941-840-4394. SRQ
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Explore
REGIONAL COLLEGES NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA, MANATEE-SARASOTA (SCF)
Explore the opportunities to develop academically and professionally at the colleges in our region. From curriculum to the guiding philosophies behind each post-secondary institution, learn how two such prominent New College of Florida and State College of Florida, Sarasota-Manatee (SCF) provide diverse, enriched and responsive environments to prepare and advance you into your career pathway.
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NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
IMAGINE AN UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE THAT GOES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. At New Col-
CONTRACTS Instead of choosing classes that conform to a core curriculum, you’ll work with your faculty advisor and develop a contract that outlines your personal academic goals each semester. It is a comprehensive overview of the many ways you can put your passion into practice, including research projects, internships, and study abroad.
JANUARY TERM In January, you will spend the month working with a professor on a research project, lab experiment, or scholarly paper. You may also use the time to study abroad, participate in an off-campus internship, or put together your own art exhibit or performance.
SENIOR THESIS PROJECT The culmination of your New College education is the senior thesis project. Your project can be a significant research paper, findings from a scientific study, a body of artwork, or a theatrical production. You will present your thesis project to a committee of at least three faculty members.
lege of Florida, we prepare you to make your mark on the world through a rigorous academic curriculum paired with numerous experiential learning opportunities. You may find yourself tagging shark species in the Sarasota Bay, collaborating with a global team to define the future of urban spaces, or composing music for world-class musicians. At New College, you will tailor your educational experience to who you are as an individual and your goals for the future. Your professors will be with you every step of the way—helping you create a course of study that’s right for you, providing you with one-on-one mentoring, supervising your research, and advising you on your senior thesis. You can choose from 35 majors in mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences, or you can design an interdisciplinary concentration such as Computational Biochemistry or Creative Technologies. We focus on your individual strengths and abilities, which is why we go beyond traditional letter grades. Instead, your professors provide detailed performance evaluations every semester that highlight the tangible skills you’ve acquired and help you grow and develop as a student. Throughout your time at New College, the nationally certified career advisors at our Center for Career Engagement and Opportunity will help prepare you to thrive in today’s evolving job market. The CEO hosts career prep workshops, assists you with applications to internships and fellowships, and can connect you with peer and alumni mentors. You’ll have access to the Handshake career management portal, and the CEO staff is “New College of Florida there to help you find potential employers. If you exists to prepare intellectually are considering graduate school, the CEO has all of curious students for lives of the information you need for the required entrance great achievement.” exams and applications and will connect you with the college’s pre-med, pre-law, and MBA advisors. Donal O’Shea, President
New College of Florida, legislatively designated as The Honors College of Florida, is a public, residential college in Sarasota offering 35 majors in mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences, and a graduate program in data science. Students pursue an academically rigorous curriculum in small classes while taking advantage of numerous opportunities for undergraduate research and experiential learning options on and off the campus. New College regularly ranks among the top public colleges in the nation for the percentage of its graduates who go on to earn Fulbright fellowships and PhDs. It is also one of the most affordable small colleges in the country.
S P E C I A L C O N T E N T M A R K E T I N G F E AT U R E
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STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA
MANATEE-SARASOTA (SCF)
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS SCF’s Associate in Arts degree is for students who, upon graduation from SCF, transfer to a public or private college/university to earn a bachelor’s degree in a specific area of study. SCF’s Associate in Science degrees provide practical training and critical thinking skills to help you succeed today and advance tomorrow. SCF offers five baccalaureate degrees: Early Childhood Education, Health Services Administration, Nursing, Public Safety and Emergency Management, and Supervision and Management. SCF offers 36 technical and advanced certificates that train students in a specific field. Select certificates can be earned while a student is pursuing his or her associate degree. Offered in the fields of Biotechnology, Business, Education, Electronics, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design, Health Care Services, Homeland Security, Marketing, Paralegal/Legal Assisting, Technology and Web Development.
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA, MANATEE-SARASOTA (SCF) is committed to being innovative, responsive and the community’s resource for quality higher education. Together, its deans boldly engage students and stakeholders to ensure SCF’s curriculum meets workforce needs. The deans’ vision and expertise lead SCF’s concierge-style student services with flexible scheduling, convenient campus locations and an affordable education. The college offers resources that help students succeed at half the cost of a large university and classes include about 26 students on average. Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships, federal financial aid and/or payment plans. SCF’s 30 workforce degrees, 36 certificates and five bachelor’s degrees offer expansive career possibilities. An array of signature programs boldly engage students and the community. From accelerated dual enrollment, a top-rated nursing division, honors programs, rigorous science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees, to partnerships such as Gator Engineering and Florida A&M University (FAMU) IGNITE, SCF is at the forefront of teaching the skills today’s employers demand. Students also benefit from access to athletics, and the fine and performing arts. Corporate and Community Development provides noncredit continuing education, personal enrichment and some credit-related programs with ser“Our goal is to provide a vices at SCF locations and community, business and strong return on investment to industry sites. Workforce Solutions enhances the every student who makes an technical, leadership, management and interpersonal skills of employees and organizations with classes investment in themselves with provided on site, on an SCF campus or online. an SCF education.” SCF has campuses in Bradenton, Lakewood Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, President of State College Ranch and Venice as well as online. of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, guided by measurable standards of institutional excellence, provides engaging and accessible learning environments that result in student success and community prosperity.
S P E C I A L C O N T E N T M A R K E T I N G F E AT U R E
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LOCAL PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS+CULTURE
culture city
This page: Audiences at the first annual Modern Works Festival engage with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok (right).
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This page: Mercedes White (left) and Cindy De La Cruz engage in some workshopping at the festival.
THE SPACE IN BETWEEN
Modern Works Festival Gives Emerging Artists a voice AS MERCEDES WHITE WAITED IN THE DARKNESS OF THE URBANITE THEATER, the terror built inside
her. As an actor, she’d stood on the stage countless times, hundreds of eyes watching her every move, and as many ears hanging on every word, but this was something different. Now the playwright, her entire soul would be bared onstage, and her latest, The Space In Between, came from such a personal place, written in a two-week flurry of artistic outpour. One of only three selected for Urbanite’s inaugural Modern Works Festival, the budding playwright had been ecstatic, but now harbored second thoughts. A play from a black, Mexican, lesbian actor from Chicago? What would this surrounding audience of older white Sarasotans think? How could they relate? She prepared for disaster. And then she won. Returning to Sarasota this October 8–13, the Modern Works Festival exists precisely to give emerging voices like White’s the support and amplification they need to become confident creatives in their field. Accepting unproduced submissions from women playwrights in early summer, a panel of 15 volunteer readers narrows the list to a chosen three. This trio then comes to the Urbanite for a week of rehearsal, culminating in a series of staged readings for the voting audience, which determines the winner. “It’s an opportunity to champion women in the arts,” says Urbanite Co-founder and festival organizer Summer Dawn Wallace, and that mission extends beyond the chosen playwrights. In addition to being written by a woman, each production must also contain substantial female roles, meaning that both women actors and directors find opportunity at Modern Works as well, and the festival becomes a nexus of women-focused creativity and collaboration. Working with professional actors, playwrights hear their words come alive for the first time, making whatever tweaks prove necessary; working with provided dramaturges, they polish character arcs and shore up theme. Last year even saw a visit from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok, whose Cost of Living won the award
Phil Lederer
in 2018. Still, says White, few experiences measure up to thoughtful feedback from an engaged audience like at Modern Works. “Even if I didn’t win,” she says, “that experience alone would have made my day.” But she did win, and she cried. “It was affirmation that my stories are appealing, and I just need to keep writing.” This year sees the festival expand as it contracts, condensing the events into a smaller time frame, but with more of them. Patrons will now be able to
see more than one reading in a day, and supplement that experience with ancillary attractions featuring other local female artists, such as a solo performance from Roxanne Fay, who starred in Urbanite’s 2018 production of Apples In Winter. In a collaboration with New College of Florida, the festival will also feature special readings of a play written by a New College student. “I hope the festival just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” says Wallace, “and we can become something that not only Urbanite patrons look forward to, but something the whole city of Sarasota looks forward to every year.” SRQ
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culture city
This page: Sparks fly as sculptor Zach Gilliland wields the plasma cutter like a scalpel.
BUILDING A BRAIN
Moments of time converge and coalesce as sculptor Zach Gilliland maps his memories in steel. Phil Lederer THE DAY IS YOUNG, the sun is hot and the artist Zach Gilliland is going to the beach. With a degree in ceramics that he hasn’t touched in a decade, and burned out with his woodworking, he slathers on the sunscreen with full intention to try his hand at sand. A master sand sculptor offered to show him the ropes and Gilliland has big plans—a giant octopus with writhing tentacles that he sketched the night before. Unfortunately, Gilliland also has no idea what he’s doing. Upon discovering Gilliland’s miscalculation, his friend counters with a compromise. “Here’s a pile of sand,” he says. “Do a brain coral.” Gilliland tries—and fails—for hours, again and again, the gritty medium refusing to yield those signature squiggles to any satisfaction. “It drove me nuts,” Gilliland says, and for months after he would catch himself drawing coral-like shapes when his mind wandered. 50 | srq magazine_ SEPT19 live local
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culture city
This page, top to bottom: Gilliland in his studio space off Preston Drive.Sunglasses protect the eyes while plasma-cutting all day. Gilliland puts a final painterly touch on his latest sculpture.
At New College of Florida, Gilliland falls in love with steel. A technician in the shop department, he maintains and repairs dangerous equipment to forestall any potential classroom accidents. On this particular day, that means making sure the plasma cutter designed to slice through six inches of steel with superheated ionized gas doesn’t slice through six inches of student instead. Testing his repairs, Gilliland mounts a sheet of steel, sparks up the plasma cutter and begins to freehand across the surface. The steel melts like butter and Gilliland can’t stop. He’s addicted, and two hours slip by unnoticed before a supervisor interrupts. “What the hell are you doing?” he says. Scattered all around Gilliland’s feet lie countless, carven coral shapes. Gilliland doesn’t stop. It becomes something of a morning ritual—a bit of metallic meditation or mental stretch to start the day. “Brain Games” he calls it, cutting out his spindly shapes and then fitting them together like a jigsaw puzzle with no guidance beyond his own artistic intuition. But soon that’s not enough. He starts painting less and carving more, getting lost in the endless curves that wind and coil like grasping filaments. He acquires a studio space off Princeton Drive, where he can install his own plasma cutter and sculpt into the night. And as he does, he starts remembering his childhood, which wouldn’t be such a big deal to some, but Gilliland doesn’t remember so much these days. “We kind of lost track of head injuries when I was a kid,” Gilliland says, but between soccer, street hockey and cycling he knows he amassed at least 14 concussions before the age of 12. As a result, gaps appear in his memory and new ones may not stick so well, but working the steel seems to bring them back. What once appeared as coral begins to look more like neurons, and Gilliland’s sculptures like reassembled recollections memorialized in metalwork. “It’s kind of been my little therapy session for a few years,” he says. “This is the first time I’m able to see my brain and get comfortable with the mess that’s in there.” SRQ
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SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION
RECOGNIZING BUSINESS SUCCESS ON THE GULF COAST | SRQ MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019
As a locally grown, locally owned company, SRQ MEDIA pays tribute to our community’s visionary local businesses and the people behind them who work hard to create economic opportunities every day on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
SEPT 2019
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MSC FOUNDATION
“ W e are proud of our team of agents and
TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS ON THE GULF COAST
staff who give both time and resources to the
Shown left to right: Laurie Connelly, Drayton Saunders and Laurie Cichielo
communities we serve on the Gulf Coast.” – Drayton Saunders, President of the MSC Foundation
BUILDING UPON MORE THAN FOUR DECADES of giving back to the communities we serve, the MSC Foundation was created from a desire to involve our sales associates and employees and combine our philanthropic efforts for a greater impact. This commitment of community-minded professionals to enact positive change is one of the many things that make the people of Michael Saunders & Company so special. It is through the generosity of our agents who choose to donate a portion of their real estate commission on each transaction, and our staff who choose to voluntarily contribute throughout the year, that we are able to fund grants to the many amazing organizations throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties whose important work fulfills the Foundation’s mission of offering shelter, sustenance, education and a path to self-sufficiency. The Foundation is comprised of a volunteer council of individuals from each office and division of the company who collectively review and award grants twice a year. Assisting them in this effort is the support team of Laurie Connelly and Lori Cichielo who facilitate the extensive grant process. Since its inception in 2011, a total of $782,290 has been distributed to over 200 local charities and organizations. In addition to the financial contributions made by the foundation, we are exceptionally inspired by how many of our Michael Saunders & Company family donate countless volunteer hours each year, serving on boards, work with these organizations and passionately advocating for the causes they serve.
MICHAEL SAUNDERS & COMPANY | MSC FOUNDATION 100 S. WASHINGTON BLVD., SARASOTA | 888-552-5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM
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“A company, by definition, means a group of people working together. That’s what
PGT Innovations is all about. We focus on attracting talented, hardworking leaders, o u r t e a m d o e s w e l l , w e d o w e l l . ” — Jeff Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer, PGT Innovations
PGT INNOVATIONS FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS, PGT Innovations has created a strong business by investing in innovative growth. As the nation’s largest manufacturer of impact-resistant windows and doors, our highly-engineered and technically advanced products can withstand some of the toughest weather conditions on Earth. Our brands are a preferred choice of architects, builders, and homeowners throughout North America and the Caribbean. Innovation is at the heart of what we do and our products revolutionize the way people live by unifying indoor and outdoor living spaces. The custom windows and doors we design and build are available in massive dimensions that allow for unlimited design possibilities in residential, multi-family, and commercial projects. While our business is to make high-quality windows and doors, our company is made up of individuals who are dedicated to serving our customers and our community; leading the industry and the market; and thriving together. Our team members come together day in and day out to make PGT Innovations the best window and door
company in the industry. Without them, our products couldn’t be made and our customers couldn’t be served. Understanding all that our team members bring to us, we invest back in them by providing competitive wages, growth opportunities, employee-oriented programs, stock offerings, and many other non-traditional benefits. Much like the commitment we make to our team members, PGT Innovations also has a strong responsibility to support the communities that are home to our facilities. Our corporate giving and volunteer efforts are focused on local agencies and nonprofits in the five cities we’re based in throughout the U.S, as well as providing relief efforts to residents who have been impacted by storms. At PGT Innovations, our culture of Serving, Leading, and Thriving is the foundation of our organization. It is how we do all that we do and how we build relationships that allow us to lead our industry.
TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS ON THE GULF COAST
as well as developing and offering benefits to help our team members succeed. When
PGT INNOVATIONS 1070 TECHNOLOGY DR, NORTH VENICE, FL 34275 | PGTINNOVATIONS.COM | 1-800-282-6019
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“The past year has been a rewarding period for the staff at
TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS ON THE GULF COAST
PPi Technologies GROUP of companies. As the owner I am very proud
of their work ethic and dedication that has led
to recognition at the end of 2018 as one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to work for top 101 in the nation” and locally “Best Places to Work.”
— R. Charles Murray
PPI TECHNOLOGIES GROUP WE WERE RECENTLY one of Six Florida companies that received statewide recognition as the 2019 winners of the third annual Florida Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Awards. The awards, recognizing high performing manufacturers in six categories, were announced and presented May 31 at the Governor’s Sterling Awards Banquet in Orlando. The Florida Sterling Council and FloridaMakes collaborated on these statewide awards. The categories that Companies were judged on were leadership, future strategy, knowledge of our customer base and market focus, measurement of future plans, an analysis and knowledge of our management, our workforce plans and training program and finally the operations at the three companies, PGS Global Sales LLC, Redi-2-DrinQ Group LLC, and Penta5 USA LLC.
The 2019 Florida Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence award for:
Independent companies 51-125 employees Winner: PPi Technologies GROUP, Sarasota, which manufactures energy efficient high speed stand-up pouch machines, liquor distribution in sustainable pouches as well as wellness products with award winning VialPaQ and patented Pouch packaging solutions. The winners were selected from among 33 award finalists; 110 manufacturers were nominated.
FloridaMakes will feature the finalists and winners in webinars, plant tours and events that share best practices to benefit Florida’s manufacturing sector. About the Governor’s Sterling Award Established in 1992, the Florida Sterling Council is a public/ private not-for-profit corporation supported by the Executive Office of the Governor. The Council oversees the Governor’s Sterling Award for Performance Excellence, presented annually by the Governor to high performing, role-model organizations, both private and public, who demonstrate superior management approaches and role model results. Sterling’s Conference teaches participants how to elevate performance and increase productivity. More at floridasterling.com. PPI TECHNOLOGIES GROUP 1712 NORTHGATE BOULEVARD, SARASOTA, FL 34234 | 941-359-6678 PPITECHNOLOGIES.COM
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CALDWELL TRUST COMPANY
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TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS ON THE GULF COAST
MARINA’S LIFE MOTTO HAS BEEN TO, “Live a life of purpose and always love what I do.” Her pursuit of that goal has not come without big challenges and risks. After leaving a successful career as a highly sought after event coordinator and fashion stylist in Greece, Marina embarked on a new journey to follow her passion of yoga. At the age of 15 she began practicing Hatha yoga. This sparked her interest and led to the opportunity to be trained by some of the most renowned yoga teachers in India and Bali. She completed advanced trainings in Iyengar, Vinyasa, and the grueling 3 month long Bikram Method. Her practice and learning was not without setbacks. Three different car accidents caused debilitating injuries that would have sidelined most people. Instead, they fueled Marina’s passion for not just yoga, but for a deeper understanding of the biomechanics and functional movement of the body. By looking at Marina, you would never guess that her cervical spine is completely degenerated. “Through the continuous movement of yoga and the therapeutic heat, I have been able to strengthen what doctors classified as an ’80 year olds spine’ and live mostly pain free. Hope and healing, be it physical or mental is what I want to share with my students so they can all enjoy their lives to the fullest.” Initial plans were to open a yoga studio in Greece, but a wild turn of events led to Marina and her husband, Athanasios, choosing Lakewood Ranch to open their first studio in 2014. They quickly fell in love with the beautiful weather, beaches, and the most warm and wonderful people and students that they met. The success of this location led to the opening of ThaVma Sarasota in 2018. And while owning a business can certainly have its challenging days, the benefits of seeing lives changed for the better continues to drive Marina each day and affirm that she is truly living her life of purpose.
THAVMA YOGA
THAVMA YOGA 1821 LAKEWOOD RANCH BLVD BRADENTON, FLORIDA 34211
THAVMA YOGA SARASOTA
“Through the continuous movement of yoga and the therapeutic heat, I have been able to strengthen what
3800 S TAMIAMI TRAIL SUITE 17, SARASOTA, FLORIDA, 34239 THAVMAYOGA.COM
doctors classified as an ’80 year olds spine’ and live mostly pain free. Hope and healing, be it physical or mental is what I want to share with my students so they can all enjoy their lives to the fullest.” —Marina Bourantonis
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agenda INSIGHT ON POLITICS, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS
DRAWING THE LINE
Sarasota redistricting stirs political accusations. WHEN SARASOTA COUNTY VOTERS APPROVED a single-member district measure last November, the stakes on redistricting changed significantly. Now, County Commissioners also appear intent on moving up the timetable. The county commission in May voted to hire a consultant and begin the process of redrawing all districts ahead of the 2020 census. That means commissioners will be prepared to redraw five 58 | srq magazine_ SEPT19 live local
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county commission districts that will stand for a single election, before getting redrawn again based on different data provided by the federal government ahead of elections in 2022. It’s all in response to a dramatic change in how county commissioners get elected. Supporters of the switch to single-member districts say elected officials are looking to undermine a popular voter initiative to advance their own political needs.
Jacob Ogles
“Our Commissioners want to choose their voters, rather than letting the voters choose their Commissioners,” says Kindra Muntz, head of the Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections. But county commissioners themselves say the change in elections makes it important to balance the districts immediately. Otherwise, claims could be made about representation inequity in the future. “It’s smarter to do it right now,” says County Commissioner Nancy Detert. ILLUSTRATION BY WOODY WOODMAN
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SHIFT IN THE SYSTEM The divide over at-large or single-member districts has divided good government advocates involved in local elections everywhere, especially areas with partisan concentrations in the population. As Sarasota County, a solidly Republican area as a whole, saw the City of Sarasota and areas north of Clark Road trend steadily Democratic over the last decade, support grew for a shift in election methodologies locally. That came to a head last November, after a citizen initiative pushed by SAFE and other groups passed overwhelmingly at the ballot box. Almost 60 percent of voters countywide supported a switch to electing county commissioners based only on the desires of voters living within each of the five county districts. Through most of Sarasota County’s history, commissioners were required to live in those districts but were elected countywide. Detert didn’t support the measure, but she says there’s no intent to disrupt the will of voters. However, she says the shift makes it important that each of the county commission districts has roughly the same population. The districts were drawn in 2011 with little controversy based on the 2010 Census results. The county commission at the time kept districts within 5 percent of one another in size, and the difference from largest to smallest was 4,417 people— with 77,737 living in District 5 and 73,320 living in District 4. There will not be new census results until after the 2020 election, but consultants plan to look at other data for potential redistricting now. Voter registration numbers, which are readily available, showed that as of the 2018 elections, there were 72,157 registered voters in District 5, compared to just 56,135 in District 1. Of course, there’s always been a disparity in registered voters and in actual population. For example, in 2012, there were 51,206 registered voters in District 1, less than any other in the county, but census numbers showed there were 75,906 people living there. Still the great disparity in population between districts today, in Detert’s eyes, shows urgency to redistricting. She expects whoever loses elections in low population districts next year could file a lawsuit saying the county knowingly held elections that cut too many voters out of the process. It seems that argument has proved compelling to colleagues. With a 4-0 vote, the commission in May voted to bring on a consultant; County Comissioner Christian Ziegler was not present for that meeting and
says he likely would have voted against that approach just because of the expense. But while a consultant will provide population estimates, commissioners have made clear they will retain a final say in how lines get drawn.
CRIES OF MUTINY The approach has upset a broad swath of political activists in the county, particularly those who favored a switch. Democrats, who have not elected a county commissioner since the 1950s, see redistricting as a chance to get a party member on the board.
"Very few people can file for the next election because they don't know the district where they are going to be living. This is a great way to keep people out of the county process." —Mayor John Holic
For example, in 2016, County Commissioner Mike Moran easily beat Democrat Fredd Atkins countywide, but lost in his district, District 1. Atkins is exploring a bid in 2020 again, but won’t know if he still resides in District 1 until redistricting is concluded, and Moran gets one of five votes on how the map will look. But the issue has also upset Republican politicians. The Venice City Council in June sent a letter to county commissioners demanding an explanation why redistricting would be pursued. Mayor John Holic says the process has paralyzed all politicians considering a run in 2020. “Very few people can file for the next election because they don’t know the district where they are going to be living,” he says. “This is a great way to keep people out of the county process and make sure someone is selected who they want to fill the position.” North Port City Commissioner Jill Luke, an independent, says she has no county ambitions but remains flustered by the county actions. “It’s spending taxpayer money to accomplish, evidently, their own goals,” Luke says.
The move also impacts voters themselves. Many who expect to vote in 2020 elections for commissioners in Districts 1, 3 and 5 may end up getting drawn out of their districts. And there’s a possibility that, before 2022, many voters moved into District 2 and 4 will be drawn out of those districts again. Indeed, many of those suspicious that Republican commissioners want to draw safe districts for themselves expect heavily Democratic areas to get pushed out of District 1 before 2020, and out of District 2 before 2022. Should that happen, voters could go six years before they can vote for a county commissioner. And that presumes commissioners don’t redistrict once more before 2024.
MOVING FORWARD Of course, that presumes a great deal of ill intent on the part of county commissioners, something that has naturally upset the pols. “We’re not going to let activists dictate this process,” Detert says. And the board has its defenders. Jack Brill, acting chair of the Republican Party of Sarasota, says the need for redistricting was obvious. “Equal representation is imperative in representative government,” he says. Bob Waechter, a former party chair, notes that, historically, Sarasota County has frequently done off-year redistricting to balance districts. Every odd year in the 1980s, county commissioners did some type of rebalancing. “Frequent redistricting is more the rule than the anomaly in Sarasota’s history, and for good reason,” he says. “We are a growing county and we don’t grow evenly dispersed.” There’s also been a significant amount of backlash at media scrutiny. Detert notes there was little media attention when the Sarasota County School Board redistricted ahead of the 2018 elections, apparently for the sole purpose of keeping School Board member Shirley Brown’s new home in her political district, but along the way also writing unsuccessful School Board candidate Teresa Mast out of her prior district to prevent a subsequent run. Regardless, the process remains incomplete. Statute requires the process be completed in advance of an election year, so lines must get finalized before 2019 is over. But until consultant numbers and proposals for maps come back, it’s difficult to gauge the outcome of the process. SRQ
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BOUTIQUE SHOPPING, HOME DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE AND TRENDS.
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PINEAPPLE PARADE Doling out the crowning tropical fruit of liquid gold Olivia Liang, Brittany Mattie
IF YOU LIKE PIÑA CLUTCHES : Simply Southern hardshell eyeglasses case, $10, Molly’s! A Chic and Unique Boutique, 1874 Stickney Point Rd., Sarasota, 941-921-1221, @mollys_srq. Shiraleah cosmetic travel canvas bag with green fringe zipper pull, $22, Molly’s! C.R. Gibson Hide-A-Way Shaped Pouch in pink and gold, $14, Molly’s! Simply Southern navy and rainbow Pineapple Print clutch wallet, $15, Molly’s! Spartina 449 Kaia Pineapple clutch crossbody, $118. Molly’s!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
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PINING FOR A PARTY : Beer bottle cap wall hanging art by local designer and artist Amanda Seyler of Styles by Seyler, $40, Artful Giraffe, 1861 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-3883700, Mudpie Antique blue-bronze hook hanger, $12, Sarasota Architectural Salvage, 1093 Central Ave., Sarasota, 941-955-6699, @srqarchitecturalsalvage. Pineapple porcelain sponge or napkin holder, $14, Just/Because Boutique, 7 South Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota, 941-388-1939, @justbecausesarasota. Tropical fruit square black napkins, $5, Just/Because. Sandy Vansant Art Pineapple stationery greeting cards, $4, Molly’s! Two’s Company Pineapple Party shot glass set, $15, Molly’s! C.R. Gibson sheet notepad, $10, Molly’s! Gaspari coated and reusable placemat in ‘Tropical Fruit’, $12, Just/Because. Gold-plated butterknife, $20, Just/Because. 64 | srq magazine_ SEPT19 live local
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
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TROPIC LIKE IT’S HOT: SunnyLife white and gold pineapple string lights, $34, T.Georgiano’s Boutique, 1409-B 1st St., Sarasota, 941-870-3727, @tgeorgianos. SunnyLife inflatable pineapple luxe pool float, $67, T.Georgiano’s. Pura Vida black and gold charm bracelets, $10/each, Molly’s!. Simply Southern Double Strap sandals in pineapple print, $15, Molly’s! Billabong ‘Sunny Paradise’ kids pink tank top, $20, T.Georgiano’s.
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SCAVENGER SAVVY
The Copper Acorn takes thrifting next level—sourcing and staging the scene for enchanting vintage affairs. Brittany Mattie BEYOND THE METALLIC PAINTED OVAL NUT OF AN OAK TREE,
nestled on thrifted chinaware, atop a handcrafted farmhouse table, in front of a bookcase encapsulating a beguiling library of Old-World spines, there’s a charming couple somewhere within the warehouse. Meet the duo behind The Copper Acorn, for they hold the key to the holy grail of vintage furniture rentals. And that key unlocks an emporium of treasures. Husband and wife Joel and Sarah Benham had the backyard warehouse designed and built two years ago when they took on The Copper Acorn as a passion project for all things handcrafted and vintage. The Benhams may even consider their own relationship vintage—going steady since the 8th grade, the young entrepreneurs are closing in on almost two decades together already with a shared love for throwing and attending parties. The business provides event staging with a coveted collection of vintage furniture, venerable decor and rustic furnishings—transforming a wedding, or party, into a nostalgic, ethereal scene of old-fashioned enchantment. Like a true hunter and gatherer, Sarah scavenges items from “literally anywhere and everywhere,” she quips of foraged provisions from Goodwill, Craigslist ads and yard sales. “I’m always adding and continuously on the hunt, especially for goblets and unique sofas. Some of my favorite pieces are our settee Goldie and red sofa Harriet,” she points out. And if she can’t source it, handyman hubby Joel creates it—having built a beautiful willow wood bar and a cedar wood arbor, salvaged out of barn doors for a bride’s specific vision. Between the two of them, The Copper Acorn takes all things wonderfully romantic and transforms an event venue into a wistful setting, outfitted into a time period way back when. 66 | srq magazine_ SEPT19 live local
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To set the complete scene for a ceremony and reception, couples or wedding planners can come shop the warehouse to create a list of wanted items from the eclectic inventory of terrarium glass lanterns, vintage picture frames, Gothic mirrors, Persian rugs, floral garland, decorative throw pillows, embossed drinkware, ornate charger plates, a copper cake stand, patina pitchers and diamond cut vases. Beyond adding a card box and tables numbers for the reception, countless shabby-chic props fill every nook and cranny—from hanging macramé, Old World globes and vintage luggage trunks, to whiskey barrels, birdcages, antlers and antique typewriters. Meanwhile, stacks on stacks of seating brim floorto-ceiling, with rows of upholstered loveseats, bolted pouf ottomans, peacock chairs, Victorian style chaise lounges and velvet sofas. After creating a “Wish List,” either walking the warehouse or shopping online, everything is coordinated for day-of delivery to the venue, which Joel and Sarah together pack, transport and load in their trailer. And if clients don’t see or find what they’re looking for, Sarah will find it by the wedding date. “I actually just bought all rose-gold flatware for a bride that wanted it,” she says. “If they want it, I’ll get it.” Including brass candlestick holders. “I had another bride that needed 200 and I was like, ‘Okay, give me three months and I’ll make it happen.’” Having about 100 already, she went on the hunt to every thrift store she could find, picking up candlesticks here and there till she bagged 200. For the symmetry-minded perfectionists that need everything to match precisely, The Copper Acorn may not be their style per se, but for the avant-garde bohemians, it’s a revelatory trove of spellbinding goods. “The more mismatched,” Sarah says, “the better.” SRQ PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
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A BATHROOM EXPOSÉ Lock yourself in to some notably cool and unorthodox public restrooms found behind closed doors. Brittany Mattie
LE LUXURIANT LOO Upon the 3rd floor of this posh restaurant and bar, find a gleaming boudoir of Parisian glam in the women’s powder room— emanating amazing natural light from its French-style Juliet balcony, as well as elegant artwork, opulent marble walls and plush seating for cocktailfueled gossip. Interior design by owner Sharon Carole. SAGE, 1216 1ST ST., SARASOTA, @SAGESRQ 68 | srq magazine_ SEPT19 live local
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INKED UNDERWATER The bends are inevitable here, with an ominous sea creature taking over the entire bathroom in monochromatic grays. Crab friends await in the corner and a gothic-style mirror is set up to check out your fresh ink. Nautical “sketch mural” done by Oddity tattoo artist Will Ralston, (@willralstonart). ODDITY TATTOO ART UNIVERSITY, 6307 CENTER RING RD., SARASOTA, @ODDITYTATTOO ALOHA IN MIND: Dispatch to a paradisiacal ‘lua’ (that’s Hawaiian for bathroom) inside this Pacific island eatery and hangout. Inspired by Maui wowie life, you can almost smell the pineapple and hibiscus while touching up your makeup, surrounded by the brightened palm leaf wallpaper and tropical decor. Designed by owner Ty Fushikoshi. FUSHIPOKE, 128 NORTH ORANGE AVE., SARASOTA, @FUSHIPOKE
DOODLES FOR DAYS Got tickets for an upcoming show? At intermission be sure to take a peek at the quirky, abstract shapes exploding into a colorful smattering all around the walls at this downtown theater. The silver unicorn head on the bright blue door as a coat/bag hanger and the low, black ceilings feel peculiarly entertaining as well. Free-handed by local artist Elle Leblanc (@elleleblanc_). URBANITE THEATRE, 1487 2ND ST., SARASOTA, @URBANITETHEATRE RAINBOW RENDERINGS: Both the bathrooms at this modern drinkery are a bursting surprise of color spectrum. One, encompassing a fantastical explosion of vibrantly painted flowers covering every square-inch, and the other, an animated octopus keeps an eye on your beer for you. Selfies strongly encouraged by local artist Steph Swift of Restless Originals (@ restlessoriginals). 99 BOTTLE’S TAPROOM & BOTTLESHOP, 1445 2ND ST., SARASOTA, @99BOTTLES.SARASOTA
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FLASHBACK FRENZY: Whenever at this local brew hub, be sure to check in on the continual painted progress being made here. In the collaged mix of nostalgic
and contemporary, find identifiable celebs, beloved cartoons and movie characters from the ‘80s, ‘90s and today. Caricature depictions of The Ghostbusters, Big Lebowski, Wayne’s World, Mrs. Doubtfire, Prince, Ren and Stimpy, Godzilla, Ace Ventura and so many more are among your many bathroom buddies. Mural by Jack Quack Art (@jackquackart). JDUBS BREWING COMPANY, 1215 MANGO AVE., SARASOTA, @JDUBSBREWING
—William Morris
GANGSTER DIGS Head upstairs at this Prohibition-themed haunt to find artwork of a famous flapper, deep blue, glossy subway tiling, exposed lightbulbs around the mirrors and exquisite furnishings, coveted from the famous Biltmore Hotel in Miami from the Roaring ‘20s. Designed by co-owner Natalia Levey. SPEAKS CLAM BAR, 29 SOUTH BOULEVARD OF THE PRESIDENTS, SARASOTA, @SPEAKSCLAMBAR
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PROVISIONIST S P E C TA C L E G A L L E R Y
LOVE LOCAL BOUTIQUES :: SRQ MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2019
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A mural of Sophia Loren adds a bit of old-school cool to the Bavaro’s experience.
PIZZA’S MADE MAN
Bavaro’s Napoletana & Pastaria brings pizza panache South of the Bay Andrew Fabian
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Left to right: Plush leather booths welcome diners to stop and stay a while. Pasta and pizza options include Ravioli al Funghi, Arugula Pizza and Tagliatelle dal Mare. Enjoy a Margherita Pizza, Neapolitan-style.
IN NAPLES, ITALY, TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE WALK THE STREETS with an air that elicits reverence bordering on fear: mafiosos and pizzaiolos. “In Naples you’re either in the mafia or you make pizza,” says Dan Bavaro, who became the Tampa Bay region’s Made Man of Pizza in 2009 after a trip to Southern Italy that was equal parts ancestral pilgrimage and business research expedition—except where mafiosos use threats of violence against people to attain their status, pizzaiolos threaten violence against San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella or fior di latte cheese, and leavened dough. But more important than dubious observations or tawdry trinkets, Bavaro brought back from his travels a pair of classically trained pizzaiolos to teach him the codified art as proscribed by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, a cartel with the authority to consecrate a Neapolitan pizzeria. “One of the guys was 72 and I swear he was born in a pizza oven,” says Bavaro, and after six months of understudy and sweaty toil, Bavaro would become Boss of his own pizza operation. Now, with the opening of their sleek downtown Sarasota location at 27 Fletcher Avenue, the Bavaro family of restaurants adds an outpost to their territory, whose modern architectural sensibility belies the rich history of centuries-old methods from the Bel Paese. The doctrinaire observance of Associazione bylaws permeates every step of the pizza process. It begins with a low-hydration dough made from ultra-fine “00” flour and a 100-year-old yeast culture. Once the dough is risen (halleluiah!), it has become the clay from which the flaky, doughy crust is formed, a crust that can withstand the hellish heat of the traditional Neapolitan pizza oven. The oven itself looks as much like a stylized architectural feature as it does a primitive cooking hearth and was made to the Associazione’s exacting specifications. The inside floor of the oven is made from biscotto di Sorrento, a material made of volcanic clay prized for its heat conductivity, and along with special refractory bricks shaped into a dome, the oven becomes the 900-degree crucible through which only the most worthy pizzas may pass. The high cooking temperature allows for two noteworthy features of a Neapolitan pizza: a 90-second cook time and the juxtaposition of crispy charred bits on the cornicione (border) with gooey dough in the center. A 90-second cook time ensures that none of the toppings on a classic
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Margherita pizza become unrecognizable—the basil remains green, the cheese doesn’t bubble and burn and, if prosciutto, soppressata or Italian sausage are added in the case of Bavaro’s tre carne pizza, they don’t take on the texture of roasted rubber. No, these pies are delicate and fresh like a hot loaf of bread but with the comforting aromatics of garlic, oregano and basil. The consistency of the crust might be unfamiliar to an American pizza audience, but newcomers ought not fear, for a traditional Neapolitan pizza crust is meant to bend and droop like the outstretched arm of a ballet dancer and is often more easily consumed with a knife and fork (the pizza, not the dancer). “It took time to educate people in the beginning,” says Bavaro, with many early customers wary of a pizza pie that could not be thrown like a frisbee. Pizza aesthetics aside, the long arm of the Associazione has no authority to prohibit improvisation when it comes to salads, and, in the case of Bavaro’s, a deviation from tradition has yielded delicious results. For a paltry surcharge, Bavaro’s will take one of its humble salads and serve it on a freshly baked pizza crust. As if the Floridian salad wasn’t already a satisfying meal on its own, diners can opt for a warm, crispy bed of toasted pizza dough to help fill in the empty gastro-spaces a salad can sometimes leave behind. It features seared shrimp, mango-ginger wensleydale cheese and heirloom tomato tossed with house-made champagne vinaigrette and served atop a spring mix. The seared shrimp is savory and a bit smoky, pairing well with the tartness of the vinaigrette and the sweetness of the cheese. Think of the pizza crust base as a giant crouton that won’t chip a tooth. And though pizza rightfully accounts for the bulk of the Bavaro’s menu, no restaurant that boasts genuine Italian cuisine can survive without at least a small offering of pasta. The pastas are not flashy but are cooked perfectly al dente and tossed in any one of the familiar sauces— Pomodoro, arrabbiata, pesto or, for Italian-Americans, marinara. The house-made ravioli al funghi, stuffed with roasted mushroom and asiago cheese then tossed in a gorgonzola cream sauce, has the recognizable taste of a classic. A garnish of fried basil adds some color, a hint of crunch and a bit of aromatics to an otherwise rich, savory dish. SRQ Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria, 27 Fletcher Ave., Sarasota, www. bavarospizza.com, 941-552-9131
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
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FORKS & CORKS
Seeking shelter at The Ringling and looking at the glass half full at the 12th Annual Grand Tasting. Brittany Mattie
SARASOTA-MANATEE ORIGINALS TOASTED to its most successful year of Forks & Corks, a multi-day festival of epicurean exploratory events. The John and Mable Ringling Museum courtyard rose to the occasion for the world-class weekend this past May, hosting as the festival grounds for participating vendors and thousands of hungry/thirsty attendees. Foodies and winos came from far and wide to enjoy an international cast of wines, celebrity winemakers and winery owners, as well as the organization’s top independently owned restaurants and culinary innovators in the region. Guests swirled, sipped, savored and, at one point, sought shelter from the peppering rain while touring the lineup of tents. But the Grand Tasting prevailed and ponchos were handed out. “While we did experience a rain shower that quickly cleared up,” says Sarah Firstenberger, executive director of Sarasota-Manatee Originals, “our team was fully prepared and, along with the amazing Ringling staff, we decided that when it rains, we pour!” Quality wines from a collection of more than 350 vintages from around the world were sampled–each hand-selected and professionally tasted, judged and some recognized as medal winners. This year’s “Best in Show wines” declared 2014 Rombauer “Diamond Selection” Cabernet
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Sauvignon and 2016 Paul Cluver “Estate” Chardonnay as top winners. Mingled in with the imbibing, attendees explored culinary creations from 60 local restaurant members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals. Small plate samplings of elevated cuisine from the finest chefs in the region committed to uniting the energies of local ingredients and celebrating food that is indigenous to the Gulf Coast lifestyle. Among the prolific feast on foot, gourmet grab-and-go bites included house-made churros from Mi Pueblo, lobster sliders from Riverhouse Reef & Grill, bacon burnt ends in a sugar cone from Brick’s, paella de pollo from Mattison’s, sushi hand rolls from JPan, ham and gruyere profiteroles from Bijou Cafe, Thai pork tacos with sesame cilantro slaw from enRich Bistro, housesmoked fish spread on hemp crostinis from Beach House, smoked brisket on jalapeño polenta from Grove, seafood gazpacho from Crow’s Nest, Gator cookies from Oasis Cafe & Bakery, Bolognese lasagne from Cafe Gabbiano and grouper cakes from Pier 22. “I’m thrilled with the overall success of the 2019 Forks & Corks Grand Tasting,” says Firstenberger. “Our member restaurants truly shined, and the participating wineries showcased an amazing array of wines from around the world. We’re already looking forward to 2020.” SRQ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
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Left to right: Enjoy a homemade classic with Siam Gulf’s Shrimp Pad Thai, paired with Thai Tea. Varut and Kathy Hansapiromchak in front of a custom mural by a celebrated Bangkok artist.
BEST KEPT SECRET
Siam Gulf’s cover is about to be blown. Brittany Mattie BEFORE THAILAND WAS KNOWN AS SUCH, it went by a different name
for most of the country’s history: Siam. While the kingdom of Siam exists no longer, its prior name is still referenced in several places. One place in particular lies gulfside, in concealed existence within a nondescript, and often overlooked, stripmall on Tuttle Avenue. Siam Gulf is one of those coveted, hidden gems that you almost hope won’t blow up in mass popularity. A certain undercover charm lies in its humble, underrated existence. But Phenkhae (Kathy) and Varut Hansapiromchok, the husband and wife restaurateurs from Northeastern Thailand who put their heart and soul into Siam Gulf, deserve all the recognition this town can bring. During their last Thailand visit, Kathy and Varut were sure to bring back the art and culture and expose them to Sarasota. So pardon us while we spill the beans about the charming interior, enveloped in Southeast Asian vibes. Siam Gulf’s exotically rustic setting features an intricate red and gold painted mural, so detailed that it is the type of art usually only found in Thai temples. “The mural painting is the one that we’re so proud to present,” she says. “The artist is from Bangkok, working for the United Nations. It was our luck to know that he was in NYC last year for the UN, so we contacted him and offered him to come 78 | srq magazine_ SEPT19 live local
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finish our project. It was his last mural painting in the USA.” Meanwhile, amber light fixtures hang and giant orchids greet guests before walking up to handwritten chalkboards to read the menu. Diners simply order and pay at the counter’s wood-stained window, and meals are brought to the table within minutes. “Some come in and appear confused—they see the board and realize they’re meant to come up to order their meal themselves as opposed to sit down at a table and wait for a server,” mentions Kathy, “but then they are pleased when they see how easy it is.” The couple notes the restaurant’s setup and style is what differentiates them from other Asian restaurants and sushi bars in the area. And although it has a fast-casual business model, Kathy comes out from behind the window often—making her rounds to provide table service and check in on each patron in a genuine, pleasant manner. “We want you to come in and share a genuine experience with your friends and family,” she says. “You will see that Thailand is closer than you thought.” Whether authentic Steam Dumplings, Pad Thai or Papaya Salad, everything on the menu is authentic. “All the recipes are from our grandmothers, our mothers and our aunts,” Kathy says. “Some were written in pencil, or had splashes of food on them. To us, they were buried treasure, and this gave us a way to preserve them for ourselves, our children and future grandchildren.” The Thai Lettuce Wraps come served in chilled lettuce cups and filled with minced chicken, water chestnuts, mushroom, onion and crispy noodles, while the Drunken Noodle dishes up stir-fried flat rice noodles with fresh garlic, black pepper, fresh basil leaves, onions and snow peas. Traditional condiments such as Prik Nam Pla, a salty fish and pepper sauce, and Nam Prik Pao, a Thai chili paste, are bound in beautiful, porcelain Japanese bowls to carry over to your table. And if even more heat is requested, Varut will comply—kicking it up as many notches as one can take with tantalizing Thai chilies, before actual taste buds are burnt to oblivion. Simmer down with some traditional Thai tea or coffee—sweet beverages that immediately dispatch you thousands of miles from here. Watch Varut work his sushi-rolling magic in the exhibition kitchen, masterfully folding seaweed and rice into fresh tuna or tempura shrimp. Wrap up with an Asian custard cream puff, a vanilla roll, mango sticky rice or one of the many ice cream flavors including mochi, lychee and red bean. And after all is said and done—stepping back out into the bright light of the open parking lot—one often questions: how in the world has word not gotten out about this place yet? We never were good at keeping secrets . . . SRQ Siam Gulf, 1100 North Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, 941-312-4605, siamgulfsarasota.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
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nosh CROW’S NEST MARINA RESTAURANT 1968
Tarpon Center Dr., Venice, 941-484-9551. CASUAL FINE DINING The Crow’s Nest is a casual fine dining restaurant, serving fresh seafood, steaks and other traditional Florida favorites. Located on the Island of Venice and nestled between the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Intracoastal Waterway on the north and east, Crow’s Nest has become a waterfront fixture for surf ‘n’ turf. M–W 11:30am-10pm. Th 11:30am– 11pm. F-Sa 11:30am–12:30am. Su 12–10pm.
DUVAL’S FRESH. LOCAL. SEAFOOD. 1435 Main St., Sarasota, 941-312-4001. SEAFOOD Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood. is excited to announce: Duval’s Free. Local. Shuttle! Your experience at Duval’s should be what you’re expecting. For dinner, try the Chef Selected Fresh Catch, an offering of the freshest fish in the market, and fillet your fresh catch in-house. Featuring a 3-5-7 Happy Hour and late night. M–Th 11am–9pm. F–Sa 11am–10pm. Su 10am– 9pm. ELEMENT 1413 Main St., Sarasota, 941-724-8585. MODERN MEDITERRANEAN In the heart of downtown Sarasota, you don’t want to miss the upscale Mediterranean grill, Element. Try their Sambuca shrimp with bacon crème, crisp prosciutto, tomato fennel compote and pine nuts. For dinner, their 12 oz. bone-in center cut porcini-encrusted veal chop is delectable. For a large party, order the table an entire roast suckling pig; which serves four to six guests and is cooked with apples, figs and shallots. Equipped with an extensive wine list and an enticing array of craft cocktails, dining at Element is a must-try experience. M-Th 4:30pm-10pm. F-Sa 4:30pm11pm. Su 10:30am-2:30pm, 4:30pm-10pm. F-Sa.
GECKO’S GRILL & PUB 4870 South Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-923-8896. GRILL AND SPORTS BAR The Original Gecko’s—established in 1992—is known for hosting great parties and entertaining such sports celebrities as Michael Jordan and the White Sox, along with Sarasota’s locals and visitors alike. Gecko’s has continued its good fortune and expanded to the following locations: Twelve Oaks Plaza (Interstate–75 and S.R. 70) in 1998, Braden River Plaza (on S.R. 64) in 2002, Palmer Crossing (Clark Road and Honore Avenue) in 2006, Southside Village (Hillview Street) in 2010, S’macks Burgers and Shakes (Bee Ridge Road and Shade Avenue) in 2013 and Fruitville Road (Fruitville and North Cattlemen Avenue) in 2014.
GROVE 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch, 941-893-4321. CONTEMPORARY GOURMET DINING GROVE Restaurant, Patio and Ballroom is the newest offshoot of PIER 22, the award-winning waterfront destination headed by restaurateurs Hugh Miller and Greg Campbell. A full-service restaurant and events venue offering contemporary gourmet dining. The menu is elevated yet approachable and locally in-
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LOCALLY SOURCED ALWAYS IN SEASON
spired. Housemade dishes emphasize fresh seasonal ingredients as well as innovative cooking methods, and with 27,000 square feet of dining space including casual patio dining, private rooms, a relaxing lounge space and an elegant 400 person ballroom there’s room for everyone at the table! M-Th 11:30am-10pm, F-Sa 11:30am-12am, Sun 11am-10pm.
MARINA JACK 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, 941-3654232. SEAFOOD, STEAKS AND PASTA The Sarasota landmark offers its customers exceptional food and great atmosphere while dining on the water. Come to the dining room on the second floor and try some new items on the dinner menu. Start with braised mussels in a chorizo broth or short rib tostadas, which feature Gouda cheese and pulled slow-braised short rib. Open daily for lunch and dinner. M–Su 11:15am–11pm.
MATTISON’S 3 Locations: Mattison’s City Grille, 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-330-0440/ Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota, 941-9213400/ Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, 101 Riverfront Blvd., Bradenton, 941-896-9660. AMERICAN, EUROPEAN, PROVINCIALLY SOURCED MENU ITEMS Chef Paul Mattison, executive chef and proprietor of Mattison’s, operates a successful culinary group on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located in Sarasota and Bradenton, each Mattison’s restaurant location is unique to its neighborhood, offering Chef Paul Mattison’s signature menu items, outstanding service, and quality ingredients, while supporting the community, regional farmers, and culinary suppliers. Each Mattison’s location offers outdoor dining, happy hour and live music. Mattison’s Catering Company is an award-winning, chef-owned and operated company procuring fresh, natural, and local ingredients. Catering inhouse and off-site, Mattison’s Catering Company offers certified wedding and event planners, experienced professionals, and custom menus. Hours vary by location.
MORTON’S GOURMET MARKET 1924 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 941-955-9856. GOURMET GROCER It’s the place where you can spend a lazy Sunday morning sipping coffee and breaking off pieces of a scone, a frenetic Friday evening collecting rare cheeses, meat and wine for Saturday’s soiree or a quick lunchtime bite to go. For the latter, Morton’s fresh-made sushi, salad bar or ready-to-go tea sandwiches are longstanding local faves. M–Sa 7am–8pm. Su 9am–6pm.
OPHELIAS ON THE BAY 9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, 941-349-2212. FINE DINING With indoor and outdoor dining options boasting incredible waterfront views of Little Sarasota Bay, Ophelia’s On The Bay is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a delectable meal. From their PEI mussels presented in a saffron-anisette broth to incredible cocktails such as the Pink Lady, you can’t go wrong. Happy Hour M–Su 5pm–6pm. Dinner M–Su 5pm–10pm. Sunday Brunch 11am–2pm.
PBNT
1409 Main St., Sarasota, 941-9149955. AMERICAN PBnT is serving up delicious pizzas, burgers, tacos. There are options for everyone, including gluten-free pizza crust and lettuce-wrapped burgers. PBnT caters to every craving for America’s favorite foods. Try their When Pigs Fly pizza, which is a BBQ base, topped with cheese, roasted pork, chopped bacon, onion and a BBQ drizzle or their Momo burger which is a double patty, sautéed mushrooms and onions, mozzarella cheese and mayo. If you are really hungry, try their American Dream, which is a cheese pizza, cheeseburger and a taco of choice. Fast, fun and friendly – PBnT is the perfect choice. M-Su 11am-10pm.
PIER 22 1200 1st Ave W, Bradenton, 941-748-
8087. CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN Pier 22 takes waterfront dining to a new level. On the mouth of the Manatee River, the picturesque setting is relaxing and the perfect backdrop for any outing. With over 26,000 square feet of space, Pier 22 also offers catering and space for events. They focus on fresh, homemade fare and unique twists on everyday dishes. For lunch, try their soft-shell crab sandwich with jalapeno tartar sauce, with a side of poutine. While watching the sunset on the patio, dine on their fresh game of the day, sourced from around the world and always a surprise. M-Th 11:30am – 10pm. F-Sa 11:30am10:30pm. Su 11am-10pm. Happy hour daily 3pm-7pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm.
SHARKY’S ON THE PIER 1600 Harbour Dr. S, Venice, 941-488-1456. SEAFOOD After just one visit to Sharky’s On the Pier, Fins at Sharky’s or Snook Haven, you’ll understand why all three restaurants have become Venice-area landmarks, smack-dab on the water. Boasting unparalleled views of the 720-foot long Venice Fishing Pier and Gulf of Mexico for over 30 years, Sharky’s has made a name for itself as Florida’s No. 1 Beach Bar with complimentary live music and entertainment, family friendly fun and a whole lot of ocean. M–Th 11:30am–10pm. F–Sa 11:30am–12am. Sun 11:30am–10pm.
TSUNAMI SUSHI & HIBACHI GRILL 100 Central Ave, Suite 1022, Sarasota, 941-366-1033. ASIAN FUSION In the heart of downtown Sarasota Florida, Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill stands alone for creative sushi, fresh sashimi and a new spin on asian fusion--all at remarkable prices. The Tsunami team focuses on ensuring every meal exceeds your expectations. FRESH SUSHI- Made fresh before your eyes by their talented chefs. FULL BAR- They feature a full bar, with specialty cocktails like the Hibiscus Rose, Japanese Julep and Shinsu Sour. ASIAN ENTREES- Fresh and flavorful with the unique taste of Japan. M-F 11am-Close; Sat/Sun 12pm-Close; Closed Daily 2:30-4:30pm.
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STORIES FROM OUR PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY
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The couple in their seaside apartment.
FUNDING TECH FUTURES
giving coast
Tech has been good for Andrew and Judith Economos. Now they will give back to students in the field. Jacob Ogles
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giving coast In the days of office-sized computers with machines reading data off magnetic tape, well before anyone dared dream of a “computer industry,” Andrew and Judith Economos worked in the fledging field. There were no punch cards or motherboards or rockets to put men in space, but Andrew, a Sarasota son who spent summers working at Cape Canaveral, and Judith Economos, an Alabama native with her a doctorate in philosophy, ended up inside innovation centers like Sarnoff Labs in New Jersey in 1958. “This was the time of the big, huge machines,” Judith recalls. She still remembers the novelty when she worked for a company in California named Rand where engineers found a way to input information in one machine and have it accessible in another. “They had the first network sharing I’d ever seen,” she says. Andrew, who holds his own PhD in mathematics, not only saw the potential of technology, but built a fortune off it. While working at Sarnoff, he saw a way to use computers to help what was then one of the company’s troubled divisions—NBC. The burgeoning television network supported itself selling advertisement nationally but suffered embarrassing losses as staff struggled to keep track of time slots and videos. Inspired by a pioneering system used by American Airlines to book plane reservations, Andrew developed a way to reserve air time for broadcasts using available technology of the time. Nobody even thought to connect one of the screens at the network to a computer to use as a monitor. “We had to invent our own operating system,” he says. But it worked. Andrew ended up pioneering the use of computers in broadcasting and eventually broke out with his own company, RCS, in 1979 offering Selector— tech that would then revolutionize radio. Judith helped develop the business, while also teaching at Princeton University. The company remains a world leader in broadcasting software, but the Economos “sold the business in 2005. This first-hand prosperity at the hands of a burgeoning industry in its infancy informs the Economos as they promote a future for science-savvy students in Greater Sarasota. While living in New York, the
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Economos created the Archimedes Scholars Program providing financial prizes to Greek-American students studying science, technology, engineering and math. Now the couple, who relocated to Sarasota in 2005, will launch the Archimedes Scholars Program anew. The philanthropists in February re-established the program locally with a $500,000 gift, which New College of Florida will administer to give scholarships to New College students each year, as well as to high school graduates from Sarasota and Manatee schools. No longer limited to students of Greek heritage, the funding remains focused on encouraging the study of STEM fields. The first winners of the new scholarships were announced in May. Saurav Kiri, a Pine View School attending New College in the Fall, will receive a $10,000 annual scholarship to study biology or biochemistry at the Sarasota school. Additionally, Kevin Zhu, another Pine View School grad, received a $5,000 annual scholarship he will use to study biotechnology at the University of Toronto, and Griffin Keckler will receive a similar scholarship, which she will use while studying neuroscience at the University of Florida. New College President Donal O’Shea, who discussed the opportunity to bring the Archimedes scholarship here, said the Economos are leading the way for students, both by providing the scholarship funds and a shining example of what can be achieved in the STEM field. “The Economos exemplify the breadth and intellectual generosity that we seek to cultivate in our students,” he said. Judith says the awarding of Archimedes prizes in New York through the years proved a rewarding and inspiring experience. “They were all scary smart,” she says. Former recipients went on to study at Cal Tech and MIT. New College, the pair says, belongs in that echelon of institutions as well. And that’s just their most recent injection of funding into Sarasota’s fortunate philanthropic world. Shortly after moving to Sarasota, the couple connected with other science enthusiasts, including Fritz Faulhaber. The micro-motor CEO, who died in
2017, founded the area’s first Fab Lab and launched the Suncoast Science Center, and the Economos remain supporters of the Sarasota institution, as it continues under the leadership of Ping Faulhaber. The nature lovers also support the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The two credit their involvement in that institution to a connection with Executive Director Jennifer Rominiecki, whom they knew when they lived in New York and she worked at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. The two also provided seed money to Mote Marine Laboratory for the new Red Tide Institute. The couple owns multiple waterfront properties, so they personally felt the impact of last summer’s algal blooms. “The funding is going to bring some stability to the research,” Andrew says. “It looks like we are going to get $18 million from Tallahassee from the Legislature, but I’d really like to see more philanthropy supporting it.” The Economos’ dollars continue to empower innovation among young minds. But curiously, the couple’s own free time goes into decidedly old world hobbies these days. The walls of a Longboat Key condo primarily bear sculptures and paintings created by Judith. Steel panels on one wall create the shape of a running stallion. An acrylic of the Greek island of Santorini hangs near the entrance to the abode. And all the wood furniture inside the place was originally carved in Andrew’s 4,000-square-foot workshop at his old home in New York. Engraved art decorates the backs of swiveling armchairs and the fronts of oak cabinetry. Andrew points to one chair with engraving on the back carved personally by himself and his wife. A dining room set in the couple ‘s house overlooking Sarasota Bay took about two years to complete by hand. Other smaller pieces in the apartment he carved with a lathe in a matter of hours. It’s an old world hobby for two people who found success in designing revolutionary software. But it’s one more thing that keeps the two living on the cutting edge, whether that’s the world of technology or digging into the art world forming steel sculptures or wielding a carving knife. SRQ
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RSVP | CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 2019 COMMUNITY EVENTS SPONSORED BY SRQ MEDIA
26th Annual Fashion Show: Honoring America's Veterans
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH Show Fashion VAN WEZEL FRIDAY FEST
STARS, STRIPES AND STYLEHYATT 11AM SARASOTA 26TH ANNUAL Sarasota FASHION SHOW SEPTEMBER 4 Join the Women’s Council of Realtors
Sarasota Network in celebration of the 26th Annual Fashions by
Fashion show on Wednesday, September 4, at 11am. WCR will honor America’s veterans at the Stars, Stripes and Style fashion show featuring fashions by Goodwill Manasota. Enjoy lunch by The Hyatt Sarasota and a fun-filled fashion show by local realtors and business partners. There will be a live auction, lotto tree raffle, silent auction and shopping at tabletop boutiques. facebook.com/ events/439399883508162/
14TH ANNUAL INTERTAPE POLYMER GROUP Lunch by The Hyatt Sarasota LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST Women's Council Models SEPTEMBER 13 Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota LIVE! Auction County will honor Jaime DiDomenico, Cool Today/ LOTTO Tree Raffle Plumbing Today/Energy Today President, and Dr. Silent Auction Shelley, BookerBoutique High School Principal, at Shop beforeRachel the Show at our Tabletop
FEATURING ARI AND THE ALIBIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st 5:00 pm in Grand Court SEPTMEBER 20 Rounding out Friday Fest 2019 is Join us to unveilband, the list of 2019 Men Who Pink and Infusing the high-energy AriReal and theWear Alibis. raise funds for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Funk, Jazz and Samba with Blues Soul and Rock, this five-piece group has earned two Grammy® nods (Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance) and an award for “Best original song by a local group” in the Bradenton Times “Best of the Bay.” Don’t miss Ari’s powerhouse voice filled with emotion and strength—live at the Van Wezel’s Friday Fest. There will be food trucks, beverage vendors and more. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a summer sunset over Sarasota Bay. vanwezel.org
ACS REAL MEN WEAR PINK FASHION SHOW SEPTEMBER 21 Don’t miss the 2019 Real Men Wear Pink fashion show at 5pm on September 21 in the Grand Court at The Mall at UTC. The show will feature Sarasota and Manatee candidates, and each man will be dressed by one of the stores in the UTC Mall. This event raises awareness and funds to fight breast cancer in our community. The public is welcome and reserved seating is available. Contact Bethany Lynch at bethanyk.lynch@cancer.org to reserve your seat. cancer.org
the 14th Annual Intertape Polymer Group (IPG) Leadership Breakfast for their commitment to empowering our community’s future leaders to reach their full potential. The event will take place from 7:30am to 9am at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, located at 3100 Fruitville Road in Sarasota. Individual tickets are $50 per person andberlin patten ebling attorneys at law can be purchased the Boys & Girls Club website. CROSS COLLEGE ALLIANCE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Get Tickets NOW atcontact Tanya Orr, Community Engagement Please SEPTEMBER 21 Join us at 10am at the Sudakoff Manager, for more information by calling 941Sarasota Women's Council of REALTORS® www.wcr.org Conference Center for the inaugural Social or advancing emailing torr@bgcsarasota.com. We are a network of366-3911 successful REALTORS®, Entrepreneurship Conference hosted by Cross women as business bgcsarasota.com leaders in the industry and the communities we serve. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES College Allegiance. The free event features panels STILL AVAILABLE Goodwill Manasota www.experiencegoodwill.org addressing social issues, green initiatives and Melissa Watrobsky, 2019 Fashion Show Project Lead Goodwill Manasota, Inc. is VOICE an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit + VISIBILITY WOMEN’S SUMMIT creative endeavors, as well as an incubator program wcrsarasota@gmail.com organization that changes lives through the power of work.
SEPTEMBER 17 Rebel Heart returns to Friday Fest at the Van Wezel with some of today’s most popular country songs, mixed with a healthy dose of hits from pop, rock, dance and the blues! The five-piece band puts on a high-energy, powerful and melodic country rock act that you won’t want to miss. Bring along a blanket, lawn chair and have a good time. shannonrohrerphillips.com
and contest with cash prizes. Creative professionals will also be on hand for student portfolio reviews. The conference brings together students from the CCA’s member institutions: New College of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, and University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Free registration at seconference2019.eventbrite.com.
FORTY CARROTS FREE COMMUNITY SPEAKER EVENT SEPTEMBER 26 Save the date for the Forty Carrots 17th annual Free Educational Community Speaker Event, “Raising Human Beings: Creating a Collaborative Partnership with Your Child,” featuring renowned child psychologist and best-selling author Ross W. Greene, Ph.D. Greene will share how to cultivate a better parent-child relationship using his empirically supported model of collaborative problem solving. RSVP is required. fortycarrots.org.
THE ROSKAMP INSTITUTE GREY MATTERS, A SYMPOSIUM ON ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH SEPTEMBER 27 Don’t miss the Grey Matters luncheon symposium at 11am on September 27 at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. Hosted by The Roskamp Institute, the luncheon will include presentations and interactive Q&As from the Roskamp leadership team and will feature New York Times bestselling author Kimberley Williams-Paisley as the Keynote Speaker. Attendees will hear updates on various areas of brain health, potential treatments and information for caregivers, preventative measures, early symptom warnings and clinical research updates regarding the potential for new treatment. Proceeds raised go towards research and development at The Roskamp Institute. roskampinstitute.org/events
ACS REAL MEN WEAR PINK CRAWL FOR A CURE SEPTEMBER 28 Join the American Cancer Society for the inaugural Real Men Wear Pink Sarasota Manatee Crawl for a Cure. ACS’s football-themed pub crawl will transport guests from one sports bar to another, so as not to miss any part of College Game Day! Ticket includes trolley ride to five stops, food and drink specials along the way, Real Men Wear Pink swag and goody bag and dinner at the final stop. All funds raised through this event support lifesaving research and essential patient programs and services for those affected by breast cancer. Tickets are $75. Contact Bethany Lynch at bethanyk.lynch@cancer. org to purchase tickets. cancer.org SRQ
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