bserver O SARASOTA
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The Ballet highlights Ringling’s history in circus-themed ‘Nutcracker.’ INSIDE
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ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE | FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE | RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART SARASOTA BALLET | SARASOTA OPERA | SARASOTA ORCHESTRA SaraSota opera
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NOVEMBER2012
FREE • Thursday, NOVEMBER 1, 2012
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Look inside for our monthly Arts Calendar insert.
NEIGHBORHOOD Phillippi Elementary carves out fun time at pumpkin party. PAGE 1B
by Roger Drouin | City Editor
Vacant land attracts interest A city-private development in the heart of the Rosemary District could kickstart change in a neighborhood with a mixed identity.
Courtesy photo
Herb Lenk, Judilee Sterne and Ellen Lenk
+ Temple Emanu-El greets new members Temple Emanu-El greeted new members with a wine and cheese reception before Shabbat services Friday, Oct. 26. New and established members were able to mingle, and new members were given a mezuzah, which is a ritual object containing a small scroll inscribed with verses from the Torah, which is attached to the door frame of a home. The Temple has welcomed 45 new families since January.
A few of Sarasota’s up-andcoming restaurants, along with furniture shops and photography studios, dot the Rosemary District. And, a new café is expected to enliven one of the area’s central intersections. Yet, close by, empty storefronts and abandoned, vacant land vividly stand in stark contrast.
The juxtaposition reflects the mixed identity that exists for a neighborhood, which was once poised for revitalization before the recession and could once again be poised for change. At the center of possible changes in Rosemary District are two linchpin proposals gaining traction at City Hall.
One of those proposals would add on-street parking to meet anticipated future demand of new businesses and residences (see sidebar Page 2A). The other proposal involves a “catalyst project” for a key parcel of city-owned land at 1440 Blvd. of the Arts. City Manager Tom Barwin and
city staffers are moving ahead with a process to find out what kind of developments could fit on the city-owned parcel in the middle of the district. “As we begin to come out of the recession, there might be some serious interest in redeveloping our city parcel,” Barwin said. At least one developer has already shown interest in working
SEE ROSEMARY / PAGE 2A
ARTFUL ACROBATICS
Yaryna Klimchak
+ Fresh ink Fire Station 12 showed off a handmade sign at the 13th annual Firehouse Chili Cook-off Sunday, Oct. 28. The custom sign, created by Webber Street Tattoo, used an ominous flaming skull and crossbones to give fair warning to chili fans looking to try the “Dead Man’s Chili.”
+ Students discover science of life Students in the environmental-science program at McIntosh Middle School recently visited Selby Gardens for hands-on botanical research experiments. The students compared soil samples to measure for organic versus inorganic matter and used a turkey baster and a sieve to examine the tanks of bromeliads for microorganisms. They discovered that household plants often house living animals.
Rachel S. O’Hara
Anthony Cappetto wears a jester hat while working on his piece, “High Wire,” Wednesday, Oct. 31, on Pineapple Avenue during the fifth annual Chalk Festival. Nik Wallenda will be walking across Cappetto’s painted high wire at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1.
DOWNTOWN SHUFFLE
by Roger Drouin | City Editor
Bank move opens up commercial space Retail use will likely fill at least part of the impending vacancy on the first floor of one of downtown’s most prominent buildings. Bank of America is moving from the first floor of a 13-story tower at Main Street and Orange Avenue to a smaller, newly constructed building on Fruitville Road. The bank’s shift a few blocks east could bring big changes to Main Street —including the
possibility of more retail. In March, the bank’s downtown branch will move out of the Ellis Building, one of downtown’s most prominent towers, and free up more than 27,000 square feet of commercial space. The bank is moving into a
5,000-square-foot building that is currently under construction at the southeast corner of Fruitville Road and U.S. 301. Bank of America will also relocate one of its branches, now situated at the corner of U.S. 301 and 13th
SEE BANK / PAGE 6A
Roger Drouin
Bank of America will move into a new smaller building currently under construction at the southeast corner of Fruitville Road and U.S. 301.
INDEX Briefs.................... 4A Classifieds..........10B
Cops Corner........12A Crossword.............9B
Opinion................. 8A Real Estate...........6B
Sports.................17A Vol. 8, No. 52 | Three sections Weather................9B YourObserver.com