Longboat Observer 5.25.23

YOUR TOWN

Levels of

Firefighters take plunge for a cause

Dozens of first responders serving on area marine units joined Longboat Key firefighters and dived into the water near the Manatee County Marine Rescue at Bradenton Beach on May 16.

It was an act meant to raise awareness and show support for Islanders 4 Clean Water.

Participating organizations included West Manatee Fire Rescue, Manatee County Marine Rescue, North River Fire Rescue, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Longboat Key Fire Rescue, Manatee County Search and Rescue and Sarasota County Fire Rescue.

“This group of first responders is committed to helping keep our area’s waterways clean,” the press release stated.

Walking with a solemn purpose

On May 18, a handful of Carry the Load volunteers and supporters held a rally at the Sarasota National Cemetery, walked through Sarasota and then walked to the Longboat Key Fire Rescue station, arriving there in the evening.

Carry the Load was founded in 2011 and is a national nonprofit that honors the country’s fallen warriors each May with relay walks/bike rides.

Participants carry flags and raise awareness for veterans and first responders for whom funds are raised so those who have served their country can have access “to counseling, adaptive training, suicide prevention, equine therapy, service dogs, job placements” and more, according to the organization’s website.

“Ninety percent of what we raise goes to the nonprofits that cater to first responders, veterans and their families,” said Nayeli Fernandez, a Carry the Load volunteer.

This year, Carry the Load will have supporters in 50 states and 29 countries and will hold 85 rallies across a 20,000-mile national relay with five routes covering 48 states in 32 days (April 27-May 28).

on parking

“Gold Moon” by Frances Powers is one of the artist’s works that will be on display at All Angels By the Sea Episcopal Church’s gallery.

Courtesy photo Longboat Key firefighters jump into the water at Manatee County Marine Rescue headquarters.

The Longboat Key Police Department is seeking several new vehicles for its fleet.

Piping in

Country Club Shores asbestos pipe replacement has a start date — and a $9.5 million price tag.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Country Club Shores residents should expect construction on an aging, asbestos cement water line as early as the end of this summer.

Once the entirety of the project is completed, a brand-new water main, which supplies water to the area, will run through all of Country Club Shores. Country Club Shores IV and V are the first on the list for the pipe replacement as it has the most critical need and will be the most extensive piece of the project. The entire pipe measures about 15,000 linear feet.

“The whole project itself basically involves installing all new water mains throughout all of the phases of Country Club Shores,” Public Works

Director Isaac Brownman said. “It’s going to help significantly with operations, minimize the number of breaks that occur with the pipe. As the material breaks down over time, we don’t want to get to a point where we need to be mindful of the asbestos component of it. Right now, we’re in decent shape in terms of that. However, because of the fragile nature of the pipe and the breaks it experienced, we thought it prudent to replace the water system out there.”

Asbestos cement pipe materials are rarely used today, if at all. The one in the Country Club Shores neigh-

borhoods was installed in the 1960s.  Country Club Shores is the only area of the island that is still using the outdated pipe. Once completed, Brownman expects the project will cost about $9.5 million.

The project to replace the water mains is out to bid, and town staff is evaluating the ones it has received before deciding whom to contract for the work. Design for the first two phases, which cover the final two neighborhoods in Country Club Shores, is complete.

In these phases, workers will have to tear into the roadway due to the location of the pipeline and the lack of space in the right-of-way outside the pavement.

“We’ll be putting the water main under the roadways, which is not unusual from a utility standpoint,” Brownman said. “There’s no other room. It’s just the nature of what we are going to have to do on this project.”

The goal in the remaining two phases of the project, which include Country Club Shores I, II and III, is to limit effects to the roadway.

The town is currently awaiting final approval for $1.54 million in state appropriations from Gov. Ron DeSantis, and a federal grant for about $12 million is still unsecured. For several years, the town has had about $7 million in its capital budget for the whole project, knowing the water mains would need to be

replaced in the near future. However with the state of inflation, the majority of that initial $7 million is needed for the first two phases. Costs are higher for the first half of the project to cover tearing up roadways and resurfacing them after the pipe is placed.

The ask from the federal government is higher because of the reporting and extra hands needed to meet the requirements for the funding.

“There’s certain grants, particu-

PROJECT PHASES

larly federal grants, that once you get them there can be such significant strings attached it actually drives the cost up for the contractor to meet those requirements of reporting, minimum payrolls and other environmental things they are expected to look after,” Brownman said. “We don’t think the project costs $12 million alone on construction, but if you start adding all these other things into it, requirements, those can add up.”

Phases 1 and 2 of the project are expected to start as early as the end of this summer and take about 18 months to complete. For the remaining two phases, which cover the rest of Country Club Shores, start date remains unknown.

Once the initial phases near completion, town staff will evaluate what funds remain available and begin looking to set a schedule for completing the remaining phases.

Country Club Shores IV and V will be the first of the neighborhoods to get water mains replaced.

Longboat Key

Keeping up with the competition

Longboat police seek seven additional vehicles, each to be assigned to an officer, in hopes of increasing department morale and vehicle lifespan.

LAUREN TRONSTAD

STAFF WRITER

The Longboat Key Police Department wants to become more competitive with other police departments by adding cars to its fleet and allowing officers to take home their patrol vehicles.

Though the department faces issues with hiring and retaining officers, Chief George Turner is confident that adding vehicles will increase morale, commitment to the role and attract more officers to the department.

“Going forward with a take-home car program would improve a few different things,” Turner said. “One, it saves a lot of money. The cars are better maintained. They are assigned to individual officers. That is their office per se. The equipment stays in the car; we don’t keep moving electronic equipment from one car to another. Everything in the car lasts for the length of the car, which means all of our equipment will last eight to 10 years as well … another big reason is retention and recruitment of our officers.”

The Longboat Key Police Department is the only department in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Pinellas and other surrounding counties through much of Florida that does not have take-home cars.

“It’s a win-win for both the officers and for the town,” Turner said.

As discussions about starting such a program move forward, when the department could have the cars out on the road is still undecided due largely to supply chain issues.

“Right now, cars like everything else are backlogged; it’s hard to get them,” Turner said. “We’ve been searching for cars over the last few months. We ordered one that (the Town Commission) approved last year in February, and we still don’t have it on the ground.”

Turner mentioned the possibility of purchasing hybrid vehicles because they are more readily available, even if the cost is a few thousand dollars higher.

“I can tell you from personal experience that being able to take your vehicle home as a fire and rescue guy is a tremendous benefit to the

employee in terms of motivation and dedication to the job,” Commissioner Gary Coffin said. “It’s a big plus to be able to do that. I can’t really put a price on it, but I can tell you it makes them work harder. They feel more attached to the system.”

Having the take-home cars also serves the areas where police officers live by acting as a crime deterrent while the vehicle is present on their street.

“Having police cars in driveways and neighborhoods really does a tremendous amount to curb crime,” Commissioner BJ Bishop said.

OFF THE HOT SEAT?

Currently, the department has 11 “hot-seated” patrol vehicles. Hotseat cars are used 24 hours per day, seven days a week. It requires officers to move emergency response equipment assigned to them from car to car, which causes wear and tear to the equipment and adds downtime between shifts. On a typical day, the cars are used by an officer for a 12-hour shift and then reassigned to another officer for another 12-hour shift.

“The cars that we do have, we are running them a lot more than we should,” Turner said. “The miles are building up on them. These cars now will probably not last but two to three years.”

Currently, vehicles and equipment need to be replaced every three years. Adding additional patrol cars will increase that time frame to about eight years because the cars will be driven less.

Over the next six years, town staff estimates that adding the vehicles will save the town about $800,000. Over 15 years, that savings estimate increases to $1.75 million. A patrol car costs about $62,000 fully equipped, with yearly inflation increasing that number between 6% and 10% each year.

Another big savings is the number of additional miles the vehicles will be able to drive in their useful lifetime. A conservative estimate is about 45,000 additional miles of patrol on the barrier island per vehicle, said Turner.

As part of the take-home program, officers would be responsible for their vehicle’s routine maintenance.

Currently, the department utilizes the manufacturer’s warranty and

George Turner

“Going forward with a take-home car program would improve a few different things. One, it saves a lot of money. The cars are better maintained. They are assigned to individual officers. That is their office per se. The equipment stays in the car; we don’t keep moving electronic equipment from one car to another. Everything in the car lasts for the length of the car, which means all of our equipment will last eight to 10 years as well … another big reason is retention and recruitment of our officers.”

George Turner

maintenance plans for maintenance needed on the vehicles.

“Historically, the maintenance costs on take-home cars go down dramatically from the hot-seated cars,” Turner said.

WHO’S LIABLE?

Commissioners raised concerns about insurance costs and liability issues with officers driving the vehicles to and from work, on and off the island.

“Our policy is going to be very strict, very comprehensive in reference to what they can do on their way to work, back and forth,” Turner said.  The patrol cars would not be allowed to be driven for any personal uses.

According to department general order 9012, permissible off-duty uses of the vehicle include:

n Driving to or from the officer’s residence. It is permissible to make reasonable stops while en route to or from work. While en route to and from a tour of duty, the officer is considered in off-duty status.

n Servicing/maintenance of a vehicle.

n Traveling to and from court.

n Traveling to and from depositions, including those with private attorneys who represent a defendant of a duty-related case.

n Picking up uniforms or other related police equipment needed for duty.

n Traveling to and from assigned training for required educational programs and agency representation.

n Traveling to and from official town functions (awards, ceremonies, funerals, meetings, etc.)

n Other authorized departmentrelated travel.

When it comes to officer liability, if an officer is on the way to the town in a marked patrol car and gets in an accident, it remains the responsibility of the officer, not the town, to cover the associated costs. An officer is required to purchase non-owner car liability insurance to cover such incidents should they occur.

Discussions on the matter be followed by budget hearings. The next workshop on the preliminary budget is June 20.

File photos

New patrol cars assigned to individual officers will add years to the vehicle’s lifetime.

Chief

Chief

Town prepares for start of hurricane season

Town Manager Howard Tipton spoke with ABC7 Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan about the upcoming season.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Hurricane season officially kicks off on June 1. The town of Longboat Key is working toward preparing its residents to keep themselves, their families and their properties safe.

In May’s edition of “Tip Talk” formerly known as “Talk of the Town,” Town Manager Howard Tipton met with ABC7 chief meteorologist Bob Harrigan about the upcoming season and tips to stay prepared. Harrigan has been forecasting weather for the Suncoast for more than 30 years.

“We’re very vulnerable to getting hit by hurricanes each and every year,” Harrigan said.

Even with the area’s susceptibility to a number of  major storms each year, all it takes is one major hurricane hitting the area to cause destruction.

“Don’t take what the forecast is and make decisions based on it,” Harrigan urged. “If there’s going to be 20 storms this year versus five storms, should you prepare differently? No, you should prepare the same in each and every way when it comes to these hurricanes and tropical systems.”

The most important forecast, he said, is the one five days out from the arrival of the storm. It will be the most accurate for what the area can expect.  “I think we’re all conscious about making sure that we don’t over alert people because you get that alert fatigue,” Tipton said.

He asked Harrigan what specifically Longboat Key residents should pay attention to ahead of a hurricane season.

“Making your decisions, and I want to stress this to all Longboat Key residents, on past hurricanes is some-

thing you shouldn’t do,” Harrigan said. “If you say, ‘I’ve been through Charley’ or ‘I’ve been through Ian or Irma,’ it’s not the same.”

There is always a level of uncertainty with how a storm will behave or its final path. For example, Hurricane Ian was originally expected to hit Longboat Key in the way it impacted Sanibel Island, but at seemingly the last second, its course shifted south.

“You can’t wait; you have to make that decision (to evacuate),” Harrigan said. “Where that center makes landfall will make a big deal in determining if you’re going to get a big storm surge here on Longboat Key.”

Waiting too long to evacuate can be life-threatening. Even moving just

out of the evacuation zone between 24 and 48 hours before a storm is projected to make landfall can make the difference.

According to Climate Adaptation Center CEO Bob Bunting, this hur ricane season is predicted to bring 14 named storms to the area. Seven of those, he predicted, will be hur ricanes with two or three being Cat egory 3 or higher storms.

The beginning of the season could be tumultuous before becoming more favorable toward peak season. Peak season is anticipated for early September. The season’s storms could be similar to those in 2022, but more evenly distributed. Last year, there were about two months without storms.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SEMINAR

The town is hosting its annual disaster preparedness seminar June 1 in partnership with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

The annual event will take place at Longboat Key Club’s Harbourside Ballroom, 3000 Harbourside Drive. Registration starts at 3:15 p.m.

The seminar is free, but an RSVP is required. To secure your spot call 383-2466 or email info@ LBKChamber.com.

The theme of this year’s event is: “What if Ian hadn’t turned?” Speakers will also cover lessons learned from Sanibel-Captiva, reentry to Longboat Key, county response, preparation, recovery and a 2023 hurricane season forecast.

The seminar’s keynote speaker is Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Other speakers include:

n John Lai, president and CEO of SanibelCaptiva Chamber of Commerce

n Steve Litschauer, Manatee County Emergency Management chief

n Ed McCrane, Sarasota County Emergency Management chief

n Bob Harrigan, chief meteorologist at ABC7 WWSB

File photo

The town of Longboat Key is hosting its annual disaster preparedness seminar on June 1.

“Making your decisions, and I want to stress this to all Longboat Key residents, on past hurricanes is something you shouldn’t do. If you say, ‘I’ve been through Charley’ or ‘I’ve been through Ian or Irma,’ it’s not the same.”

— Town Manager Bob Harrigan

St. Regis multilevel parking proposal headed before the Town Commission

Public hearings will be held June 5 and June 20 on the parking garage.

TRONSTAD

The contentious issue of parking at the Residences at the St. Regis Longboat Key is set to visit the Town Commission on June 5 and 20 for public hearings.

The first meeting is 1 p.m. June 5. The regular agenda has been moved up to 11 a.m. to allow additional time for what is expected to be a lengthy meeting.

The town’s Planning and Zoning Board approved the developers’ plans for a multilevel parking garage in a 5-2 vote, on April 18.

Developers submitted plans in January for a three-level parking garage on the northeast corner of the property. If the Town Commission approves those plans, the parking garage would replace the original plan to install mechanical lifts in the already-approved, ground-level garage under the hotel building. The lifts were designed to multiply the available parking spaces on the property to satisfy town requirements.

If approved, the multilevel garage

would be built on the site of an already-approved outdoor surface lot.

In replacing the mechanical lift spaces and surface lot, parking spaces on the hotel portion of the site would increase from 100 to 156. Previously approved plans included 62 mechanical lift spaces and a 38-space surface parking lot.

In total, there would be 520 parking spaces on the St. Regis property, including residential parking, pending approval of the garage.

In 2018, town leaders approved Unicorp’s plans to move forward with the St. Regis project, ending years of back and forth with the town and town voters on how to proceed.

In the event new plans are not approved, construction of previous plans would move forward.

In 2017, voters rejected the initial plan to add residential density to the 17.6-acre property that was once home to the iconic Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. Once ownership of the land that housed the former colony units was secured, work began in late 2021 building the new complex, which is on track to open in 2024.

In 2021, developers had to make changes to parking plans to meet town requirements for the balance of spaces between residential and hotel spots.

Five buildings are working their way through construction, a fivestory hotel on the north end of the property, three five-story condo buildings on the south side of the property and a single-floor amenities building in between.

At the end of February, developers celebrated the project’s topping off, which signifies the completion of the structure.

The 166-room hotel will feature two restaurants, a beach grill and three bars. Additionally, a ballroom with seating for 425 is planned, along with six meeting rooms and two board rooms.

The condo complex will have 69 units with parking garages on the ground level. Prices range from $2 million to $22 million. All residences are sold.

RESIDENTS' OPINIONS

Since the issue was passed by the Planning and Zoning Board, commissioners have continued receiving emails from residents about the issue.

Here are some examples of what residents are saying about the proposed plans in emails to commissioners:

“This is a major change to the approved plans and indicates the developer did not represent the development appropriately to take in what is a major expense, and is not in line with the Longboat Key town aesthetics for this additional structure. (I) hope the commission will reject the proposal and ask the developer to build what was approved and make it work.”

Resident Bashar Nejdawi

“As a resident of Bay Isles, I am expressing my opposition to the three story parking garage proposal which has been recommended for approval by the Planning & Zoning Board on April 18th ... The reasons given by the St. Regis developers to justify a three story garage very close to GMD do not, in my opinion, have sufficient merit. I do not want LBK to resemble the development that is taking place in downtown Sarasota — ugly structures close to the street which ruin the aesthetic of the GMD.”

Resident Karen Gary

“This is not just about residents of South Bay Isles being very concerned about having a multilevel garage across the street on GMD. It is about a major deviation from (Longboat Key) residents’ vision articulated in years of town resident surveys.”

Residents Bob and Shannon Gault

“The only explanation for a new number (of parking spaces) at this late date is either driven by the incompetence of the developer or deception. Neither is acceptable to the people of Longboat Key. The issue surrounding an additional three minutes of guest wait time to get their vehicle is almost humorous given the hours that we all spend during high season getting through St. Armands Circle, Ringling Bridge and the Sarasota roundabouts.”

Resident Jim Spencer

941.383.6493

Weekly Activities in May:

Monday ~ 10am Stretch & Strengthen, [Thinking Out Loud – on hiatus for the summer]

Tuesday ~ 10am Qi Gong, 11:15 Yoga: extended through June! 1pm Mah Jongg (must RSVP!)

Wednesday ~ 10am Tai Chi

Thursday ~ 10am Zumba/Pilates, 1pm Open Mah Jongg

Friday ~ 10am Tai Chi, 11:15am Qi Gong & Meditation

Please Note: We close at 1pm on Fridays through September.

Medical Professionals Here on LBK Call each practice directly for appointments.

Primary Care (941)225-2258 Dermatology (941)926-6553

Daren Spinelle, MD Longboat Key Physicians Cary L. Dunn, MD Luminary Dermatology

Acupuncture (603)986-7366 Chiropractic (941)210-3637

Dorian Kramer, DACM, LAc Acupuncture & Chinese Medicin e Rhett Bogacz, DC Bee Ridge Chiropractic

Special Activities (please RSVP!):

Presents

Improv for Everyone!

Wednesday, May 31st 1-2pm

Lots of fun and great for your brain. No experience needed!

$10 Members ~ $20 Non -Members

Meditative Sound Bath

Thursday, May 25 ~ 4-5pm

540-546 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key TidewellFoundation.org 941.552.7546

546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key TheParadiseCenter.org

LAUREN

STAFF WRITER

Courtesy rendering

Rendering of planned parking garage at St. Regis with landscaping.

Read

Revenue up at Longboatbased Rumble, but with a loss

That increase, officials say, “is due to an increase in programming and content costs of $21.1 million, hosting expenses of $0.5 million, and other service costs of $0.7 million.”

Longboat Key-based online videosharing platform Rumble posted a large revenue gain in the 2023 first quarter — news partially overshadowed by an even larger net loss.

The company, which officially opened its Longboat Key office in late February and rose to national prominence by catering to a conservative-leaning audience, especially during the pandemic, posted $17.6 million in revenue in the first quarter, according to a May 15 statement. That’s up 336% year over year, from $4 million in the 2022 first quarter.

While the company touted the revenue gains, it also posted a net loss of $28.66 million in the first quarter, or 14 cents a share, according to its earnings report. That’s compared to a loss of $3.9 million, or $0.02 a share, in the same quarter last year. Shares of Rumble are traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol RUM. Shares dropped -3.7% in May 15 overnight trading on the earnings news, according to MarketWatch. But by May 16 the stock was mostly back to where it was trading last week, hovering around $10 a share. Shares closed May 16 at $9.62.

The revenue gain and net loss, in summary, stem from the high-cost model of providing video sharing services for advertising revenue. On the gain, the quarterly surge in revenue, officials say in a statement, is “due to an $11.8 million increase in advertising revenue and a $1.8 million increase in licensing and other revenue.”

On the flip side, Rumble’s “cost of services” in the most recent quarter was $26 million, compared to $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2022.

Rumble, according to an early March interview with Chairman and CEO Chris Pavlovski inside the company’s new Longboat Key office, intends to hire 25 people this spring, then hire more people in bunches of 25. While the earnings report doesn’t say how many employees the company brought on in the first quarter, it does say it incurred a “$1.3 million increase in staffing-related costs, as well as a $0.5 million increase in costs related to computer software, hardware and other administrative expenses.”

In other 2023 first quarter highlights the company:

n Announced it will exclusively manage conservative commentator and comedian Steven Crowder’s content, including his “Mug Club” community, which includes Bryan Callen, Nick Di Paolo, MrGunsNGear and former SNL cast member Jim Breuer, in addition to the show “Louder with Crowder.”

n Announced the company’s firstever pay-per-view content with the exclusive release of Russell Brand’s comedy special “Brandemic.”

n Reached agreement with Power Slap for exclusive global rights to Seasons 2 and 3 of the slap fighting league, following securing streaming exclusivity for Power Slap’s inaugural event.

n Announced Dan Bongino’s relaunch of “The Dan Bongino Show” as a live production on Rumble.

The company, subsequent to the end of the quarter, also announced an online streaming partnership with the Republican National Committee for the first debate of the Republican presidential primaries, scheduled for August. Rumble plans to feature the debate on the platform’s home page and make it available for viewers across the country on the RNC’s Rumble channel, the release states.

MARK GORDON BUSINESS OBSERVER

The streaming video platform firm’s high-cost model led to a quarterly loss of nearly $29 million.

File photo Rumble Chairman and CEO Chris Pavlovski (right) spoke with Russell Brand in the company’s Longboat Key office in February.

OPINION / OUR VIEW

Best in the U.S.

steps they had taken to transform the city, he replied, “We allow. We allow painting on walls. We allow dogs at restaurants. We allow skateboarding on streets. We allow music at bars.”

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT 20232024 RANKINGS

2.

BEST PLACES TO LIVE

Continually in the top 10 rankings in U.S. News & World Report, Sarasota is winning once again.

As recently announced, Sarasota ranked No. 5 in “Best Places to Live in the U.S.,” No. 1 in “Best Places to Live in Florida,” No. 2 in “Fastest Growing Places in the U.S.,” No. 7 in “Safest Places to Live,” and placing just shy of the top 10 as No. 11 in “Best Places to Retire.”

Accolades for Sarasota aren’t new. Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach, has named Siesta Key beach twice as the No. 1 beach in the U.S. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the only hospital in Florida to have earned the Federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s highest five-star rating for overall quality and safety since 2016. The Sarasota Chamber was recently awarded a four-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, making it one of only 11 chambers in the state of Florida to receive this accomplishment. The Sarasota Ballet has been invited by the Royal Ballet of London to perform in June, making its first international debut. And Sarasota’s society scene has such notable figures, it is continually written up in the New York Social Diary.

No doubt, Sarasota is on the international map.

With a mass influx of new residents moving to Florida, numerous New York and California license plates have been spotted driving around the Gulfstream Roundabout, no doubt here to enjoy our gorgeous beaches, diverse food and wine scene, acclaimed arts and entertainment, parks and recreational sports that help drive those top 10 rankings.

Yet, not everyone is happy about it.

While purchasing a birthday present for a friend at a local retail shop in Sarasota, I noticed a young man buying a T-shirt that touted: “Last Local. Sarasota Sucks.

Don’t Move Here. Your State’s Great.” Another friend shared the U.S. News’ rankings on social media only to receive negative comments: “Noooooo. We are FULLLLLL,” “Shhhhhhhh” and “Stay away pleaseeee” to “Make sure your NIMBY membership is paid up!”

NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) is the greatest risk to our celebrated and top-ranked city. But that is a column for another time.

In 2015, Rick Kriseman, mayor of St. Petersburg, gave a presentation to Leadership Florida about the city’s growth. Asked what

While we have a ways to go on “allowing” things in Sarasota, we have seen more acquiescence as of late. One example is the new Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar in the Rosemary District. A mural of happy dogs adorns the walls of the restaurant on Florida Avenue that specifically caters to dogs and their owners. Three different block parties took place downtown on Cinco de Mayo that resulted in only a few noise complaints. And perhaps the most significant is the approval of the redevelopment of 53 acres of city-owned land to create a public park, The Bay (of which I serve on the board, full disclosure).

Zoning issues and amendments are coming across commissioners’ desks (The St. Regis parking garage on Longboat Key and the One Park condominium development in downtown Sarasota come to mind.), and Sarasota’s skyline is full of cranes that rival the years before the Great Recession. Currently, the city of Sarasota has 40 active development applications under review.

At the behest of two 13-year-old boys, I recently had breakfast at Denny’s. Inside the restaurant is a blown-up image of Sarasota’s skyline that is already out of date.

The late Gil Waters is surely smiling down from heaven at the secondfastest growing place in the U.S.  So instead of lamenting about the way things used to be, grab your pooch, hop on a Veo bike, order a drink and raise your glass to the

Analyzing the 150 most populous metro areas. To qualify, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life.

1. Green Bay, WI

2.

3. Raleigh & Durham, NC

4.

5.

6.

8.

9.

Springs, CO

SAFEST PLACES TO LIVE

The safest places to live in the country are based on the metro areas’ murder and property crime rates per 100,000 people, determined by the FBI crime reports.

LONGBOAT

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com

Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com

Managing Editor / James Peter, JPeter@YourObserver.com

Staff Writers / Lauren Tronstad, LTronstad@YourObsever.com

Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com

Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com

10.

AR

BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN FLORIDA

The best places to live in the Sunshine State span the beaches, coasts, farmland and tourism centers

1. Naples, FL

2. Port St. Lucie, FL

3. Fort Myers, FL

4. Portland, ME

5. Lakeland, FL

6. Tampa, FL 7. Sarasota, FL 8. Worcester, MA

FL 10. Ocala, FL

BEST PLACES TO RETIRE

Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com

A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com

Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com

Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com

Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com

Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com

FASTEST-GROWING PLACES

The fastest-growing cities in the country are determined by the percent increase of net migration of each metro area, which is measured by

U.S. News analyzed data for the 150 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. to assess how well they meet Americans’ retirement needs and expectations. Top criteria include the happiness of local residents, housing affordability, tax rates and health care quality.

1. Lancaster, PA

2. Harrisburg, PA

3. Pensacola, FL

4. Tampa, FL

Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Brenda White, BWhite@ YourObserver.com

Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Lexi Huelsman, LHuelsman@ YourObserver.com

Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com

Sales Coordinator/Account Manager / Lori Downey, LDowney @YourObserver.com

Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma B. Jolly, EJolly@YourObserver.com

Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com

Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com

Marketing Specialist / Melanie Melone, MMelone@YourObserver.com

Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com

Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com

Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana

Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com

Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver. com

Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com

Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com

Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

Haters gonna hate. Last Local brand designs T-shirts that discourage tourists from moving to different places in the U.S.

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned.

Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, Key Life Magazine, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

CEO / Matt Walsh

President / Emily Walsh

Vice President / Lisa Walsh

Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles

1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

EMILY WALSH

We know Sarasota is great. Don’t hate. Let’s celebrate.

Getting played

Time for some frank talk about the St. Regis parking garage.

The developers did not make a mistake when leaving the parking garage off the plan they submitted for approval. The garage was left off intentionally. Why? Parking takes up valuable land, provides an ugly aesthetic, and a parking garage on Longboat Key was never going to be approved. They knew this. Developers leave parking off many projects just so their projects get approved. Once the developer feels that construction is past the point of no return, they play the “Oops, we forgot parking garages” card, counting on the local rubes to concede to their added parking demands. If the parking garage is approved, it will only be because the power brokers of Longboat were unacceptably played.

What can Longboat do? Easy, say no. One simple word. No.

The developers will not bail out of the project.  Even if they did, someone else would jump in and finish the job without the parking concession. Why? Because the project is a money maker even without the garage.  Longboat could also play the developers as badly as they tried to play Longboat: “Did we not tell you about the $100 a day per parking spot cost for parking garages added after initial development approval? That fee remains in place for as long as the parking garage stands, even if no longer used as a parking garage. Our mistake.”

Call the developer’s bluff. If they have to have a parking garage, they will agree to paying for it. I think you will be surprised at how soon the parking garage is not really needed.  Even if they do agree to pay it, they will just charge a valet parking rate of $175 a night, which no one will pay. Guests will selfpark and the valet parking garage becomes storage space — storage space that the developer also needs but did not bother putting in their plan. Oh, by the way, a sign at the valet desk that reads “please call valet XX minutes before you need your car” is a common sign at most hotels with valet parking. Also fine

print on the valet parking ticket and/or a simple hand-out reminder given at check-in with similar wording is common best practice. Having spent over 30 years in the business, I can confidently tell you that the time to get a car from valet parking is not a real issue, especially when the policy is effectively communicated. The issues valet parking will have are going to be scheduling, staffing, lost keys, flat tires, dead batteries, car accidents, dents, scratches, dings and stolen items from cars. (Accidents and thefts that, if reported to the Longboat police, will have Longboat looking like a community with a real crime problem within two years.)

If Longboat gives into this garage, we will be the rubes the developers are counting on us to be.

THOMAS BRENNAN LONGBOAT KEY

Better to have a more functional garage

I see the frustration in the response to the proposed parking changes at the St. Regis. I have a slightly different take on why we should let the changes occur. I lived in New York City where these lifts are common in garages. I can tell you they are dangerous and time restricting in moving cars.

I have heard of numerous injuries for the people who operate the lifts. They also break down and cause massive delays, which would probably run over onto Gulf of Mexico Drive to make for a more congested road.

I have no dog in this race but do believe it would be better for Longboat residents to have a garage that would operate more functionally to move cars in and out of the St. Regis.

MATT COSTELLO LONGBOAT KEY

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Headed on a trip? Snap a photo of you on vacation holding your Observer, then submit your photo at YourObserver.com/ ItsReadEverywhere for a chance to win a seven-night cruise for two, sponsored by Marc Bokoff - Cruise Planners.

FRIDAY, MAY 12

WRONG BUTTON

3:21 p.m., 5500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious incident: An officer was dispatched to the area from a report of a driver having pushed their vehicle’s SOS button. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with the driver, who said he had accidentally pushed the button when trying to open his sunroof.

SAFE AND SECURE

10:21 p.m., Gulf of Mexico Drive/

Longboat Club Road

Traffic hazard: While driving southbound, the officer observed a vehicle in the right-turn lane with its hazard lights flashing. The driver told the officer the stop had been to secure the removable roof to the vehicle and no further assistance was needed.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

NO VIOLATIONS

3:08 p.m., Greer Island

Boat-miscellaneous: An officer was dispatched to the area on report of five personal watercraft operating erratically, close to shore. Upon arrival, the officer observed no violations, but spoke to operators in the area and educated them on boating rules.

ALREADY WARNED

3:25 p.m., Greer Island

Dog on the beach: While on marine patrol, the officer observed two golden retrievers running on the beach. From the vessel’s public-address system, he advised the owner that dogs were not allowed on the beach. He got closer and verbally advised the owner. The dogs were put on a pontoon boat. About 10 minutes later, the officer observed the dogs back on the beach. After beaching his vessel, he asked the dog’s owner for his identification and wrote a citation for the violation. The owner claimed he had not heard previous warnings.

MONDAY, MAY 15

MISHAP

DELIVERY

9:23 a.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Property damage, not vandalism: A delivery truck struck cable lines at a hardware store, prompting a call to the police. The officer met with the delivery driver, who said he did not see the lines and the top of his truck hit them, knocking them off the pole. There were no signs of injury and parties said they will settle the incident privately.

LOST, FOUND, RETURNED QUICKLY

9:30 a.m., 100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Found property: An officer was flagged down by Longboat Key Public Works. Staff had found a wallet in Overlook Park. The officer was able to locate the owner, turned over the wallet and had the individual sign a property receipt.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

NOTHING TO SEE HERE

8:42 p.m., 6300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious person: A caller told police there was a drone flying over the water, dropping bait while multiple people were swimming. Officers checked the area and did not see anything that matched the scene described.

TUESDAY, MAY 16

HOT DOG

2:00 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles

Parkway Animal complaint: Officers were called to the scene of a dog locked in a vehicle with the windows shut and engine turned off. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the caller, who pointed out the vehicle. The dog was barking when approached but was not showing signs of distress. The owner of the car and dog spoke with officers and told them the dog had only been left in the car for about 15 minutes and was used to the heat. When the vehicle door was opened, the dog appeared to be in good health. The dashboard and interior of the vehicle was not hot to the touch. The owner was advised to not leave his pet unattended for an extended period of time.

THURSDAY, MAY 18

NEEDING CONSTRUCTION

PARKING

11:00 a.m., 500 block of Bay Isles

Parkway

Abandoned vehicle/boat: Police met with a store manager, who called about two abandoned vehicles. He told the officer that the vehicles had been parked in the same spots for several days. Construction equipment needed to be parked in the area, but the abandoned vehicles were preventing it. Because the vehicles were parked on private property, the LBKPD is not allowed to tow them. The officer told the manager to call a towing company to have them moved on his behalf.

WAITING FOR A SPARE

11:40 p.m., 5000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: A vehicle was parked on the shoulder of the southbound lane of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The officer pulled over to check out the situation and observed the driver changing a flat rear right tire. The driver said a relative was on the way with a spare tire.

FRIDAY, MAY 19

NOT A LOCKSMITH

3:12 a.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: A resident called police saying he or she was locked out of their hotel room. Security told officers they were assisting the guest and an engineer had been called to resolve the issue.

Chapel charity helps teen parents

SIDRA WALI CONTRIBUTOR

The Longboat Island Chapel held a charity event May 16 that helped pregnant teens and young parents.

“Every month we collect for charity, and this year we sponsored Cyesis. It’s a program based out of Riverview High School that supports teen parents. Cyesis actually means pregnancy in Greek,” said Karen Pashkow, charitable outreach committee member.

Pashkow explained Cyesis helps with not only physical and emotional well-being but schoolwork as well.

The chapel collected diapers, baby clothes, shampoo and other essential items for teen parents and their babies.

“One of the chapel ladies knitted blankets and hats to match for Cyesis, too, which was really sweet,” said Pashkow.

Meredith Piazza, a social worker for Cyesis, kicked off the event by giving an introduction to the program and explaining that Cyesis has been educating and helping teen parents for more than 40 years.

“Currently there are 16 mothers and two fathers in the program, and it’s pretty incredible because there’s a day care on the premises at River-

view, so the young parents can go to class and their children can go to day care,” said Pashkow. “We collected so many baby items that we filled Meredith’s car. It’s such an important program because some of these young mothers have been through very difficult moments in their lives and they are still trying to get their high school diploma.”

Pashkow explained that along with the chapel, Healthy Start and Children First also help Cyesis.

Once in the program, the babies are taken care of through kindergarten with health care provided and other means of support to help young parents and their children succeed.

“Cyesis works with girls that don’t know how they got pregnant. It’s an education support system centered around helping young parents and babies succeed in life,” said Pashkow. “One teen mother in the program went on to become a nurse who now mentors other girls in the program. It’s remarkable.”

WorshipWithUsAtOurChurch

SundayService10:00AM

TheRev.Dr.NormanPritchard

Men’sBibleStudy:Monday@9:00

Women’sBibleStudy:Wednesday@10:00

& Residents Welcome

Visitors&ResidentsWelcome WatchOur10:00AMServiceLive: www.bit.ly/cclbksermonsor www.christchurchoflbk.org (followYouTubelink) 401200-1

Watc hO ur 10:00 AM Service Live : www.bit.ly/cc lbksermons or www.christchurchof lbk.org (follow YouTube link)

To learn more about our Temple and all our educational, cultural, and social programs, please call us. We’d be delighted to talk with you. Questions? Email us at info@longboatkeytemple.org

Longboat Island Chapel donated baby items for young parents in Riverview High’s Cyesis program.

Courtesy photos

Longboat Island Chapel donated baby items to teen parents enrolled in the Cyesis Program.

The Rev. Brock Patterson, Meredith Piazza and Muriel Klosterman

Richard (Rick) Raymond Williams (almost 95 years around the sun!) of Longboat Key, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2023 surrounded by family and friends.

Rick, also known as Pop Pop to his family, was born to Helen Giesen and Charles Williams on May 29th 1928 in Portland Oregon along with his identical twin brother Roland Williams. Rick was a loving soul who loved to live by the water, play cards, travel the world and most importantly, spend time creating memories with family and friends. His unwavering faith in God, sense of humor, love of music, love for waffles and all things chocolate are just a few traits that are admired by so many.

Rick graduated in 1946 from Cretin High School in St. Paul Minnesota and joined the ROTC while enrolled there. Their experiences were so memorable, that Rick and Roland established the “Superior Cadet Scholarship” in 1999. After graduating high school, Rick enlisted in the Army and served in Italy and Greece, receiving the Army of Occupation Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

While stationed overseas, he met and married his first wife Patricia Devereaux Jennings in 1948. After Rick

was honorably discharged from the Army in 1949, he worked for the Voice of America Relay Station based in Tangier, Morocco. Upon returning to the States, he graduated in 1953 with a BBA degree from the University of Minnesota. Rick joined General Motors Personnel department in 1953. He was also a member of the Elks, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis and a friend of Bill W. After 32 years of a successful career in Personnel at GM, Rick retired in 1984. Post retirement and the passing

of his first wife in 1983, Rick went on to marry Dorothy Williams in 1986. Together they eventually settled on Longboat Key, creating many more loving memories, traveled the world, making new friends and spending time with family.

Rick is survived by his wife of 37 years Dorothy Williams and five children, Judith Williams, Deborah Bart, Melissa Alexander (Larry), Richard Williams Jr (Kimberly), and Patricia Wadors (Dave). He is also survived by two stepchildren, Bryant Dowden (JoJo), Alexis Johnette Dowden, 12 amazing grandchildren, five awesome great grandchildren, one great, great granddaughter and many nieces and nephews. What a legacy!

Rick is preceded in death by his first wife Patricia Williams, children Barbara Guess, Cynthia Williams, Geoffrey Williams and his

brother Roland Williams. Ricks family will host a service on June 3rd, 2023. The service will be held at St. Mary, Star of the Sea RC Church on 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida at 11AM. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard & Roland Williams scholarship fund at Cretin High School, St. Paul MN. www.cretin-derhamhall.org.

To sign the guest book please go to www.toalebrothers.com.

SERVICE:

Beloved wife of Dr. Steven Cohen; Devoted daughter of Betty Rudolph (Charles); Loving mother of Melanie Cohen Lee (Benjamin), Angela Lazarus (Evan), Michael Cohen, and Jeffrey Cohen; Adoring grandmother of Alex, Sydney, Serena, Isabelle, Charlotte, Sam, and Nora. Relatives and friends were invited to Graveside Services, Monday, May 15, 11 AM precisely at Montefiore Cemetery (Sec. Mem. Pk A), Jenkintown, PA. Following interment all were invited to the home of Angela and Evan Lazarus, Contributions in her memory may

403961-1

William I. Weiss, MD

Dr. William I. Weiss died on May 10, 2023, having just turned 101 years old. Athlete, scholar, builder, child of the Great Depression, it’s fair to say that whatever factors shaped him resulted in a measurable impact in service to medicine and humanity for more than a century.

Graduating from NYU undergrad and its College of Medicine, he began his 75year career as a physician in the U.S. Army during World War 2. He subsequently created a successful allergy practice in NJ, in addition to conducting numerous clinics at the VA and multiple NJ/NY hospitals. He also served terms as president of the Medical Society of New Jersey, The New Jersey Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Society, and the medical staff of St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. He frequently appeared on local newscasts in the metropolitan NY area with the latest pollen counts, front and center in the never-ending battle against ragweed. His retirement from private practice brought only more opportunities to be of service - to which he never said no. He was appointed Medical Director of the NJ State Board of Medical Examiners. Upon his relocation to Sarasota, FL, he volunteered as a physician at the Senior Friendship Center

and as a builder with Habitat for Humanity - both lasting into his nineties. He defied old age and he dismissed suggestions to slow down. He just had too much to do.

Perhaps his greatest life accomplishment occurred in 1953 when he married Lenore Holzer, the smartest, prettiest, and most charismatic girl in their hometown of Newark, NJ. For 66 years they were the model of a successful marriage that transcended and evolved through all of life’s challenges. The fact that she was her high school valedictorian and he finished second in his graduating class kept him humble. She never let him

forget it (although he did remind her that his Weequahic High School was twice the size of her South Side). He was a good man, and that’s what he aimed for above all else. There are long lives and then there are lives well lived. Bill Weiss managed to have both. He also had a great love of waterskiing and sailing, which he enthusiastically shared with his family. He leaves three children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren in his honorable wake.

retirement from private practice brought only more opportunities to be of service - to which he never said no.

INSIDE:

< EATING WITH EMMA: You don’t need a plane ticket to enjoy these world-class charcuteries. 17

BLACK TIE INSIDE:

HOT BEATS: Circus Arts Conservatory debuts

Wonderball event with DJ Steve Aoki. 18 >

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

LOVE LETTER IN THE SAND

WEDU’s vibrant documentary ‘The Sarasota Experience’ focuses on the city’s history, arts and challenges.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

“The Sarasota Experience,” the WEDU documentary directed and produced by Shaun Greenspan, is the talk of the town.

“Come look at me in this movie,” said one disheveled man carrying his possessions in a cart to a commuter while the two were sitting on a bench at the downtown transfer station for the Sarasota County bus service. “I’m on YouTube.”

Lots of documentaries gain fans among history enthusiasts, cultural elites, subject matter experts and the like. But if anecdotal evidence is any indication, “The Sarasota Experience” has captured the hearts of people who don’t typically embrace the genre such as young audiences and those on the fringes of society.

When the documentary was screened at the Sarasota Opera House on April 13, WEDU CEO and President Paul Grove said he had never seen so many young people at the venue.

One obvious reason for the wide appeal of “The Sarasota Experience” is the filmmaker himself. At 44, he is relatively young and spent his formative years here, having moved to Sarasota from Connecticut when he was 12. He is at home in the city and its different cultural subsets.

Like most documentarians, Greenspan is a history buff. In fact, his doc about the Historic Sarasota County Courthouse, “Original Splendor,” helped him get the job to direct “The Sarasota Experience,” according to Kristine Kelly, executive producer and director of content at WEDU.

But, unlike most documentarians, Greenspan spent about a decade producing music videos and commercials and working on TV shows in Los Angeles. He began his career as a club deejay specializing in electronic dance music. His email address pays tribute to his alter ego, DJ Solo.

Greenspan’s musical street cred is front and center in the opening scene of “The Sarasota Experience.”

Members of the Sarasota Orchestra perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, while a cavalcade of 60 artists representing organizations such as the Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, the Circus Arts Conservatory and many others embark on a spirited nighttime romp that begins in front of Burns Court Cinema.

Told the rousing set piece is reminiscent of the beginning of Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon,” the little-seen 2022 film about the early days of Hollywood, Greenspan cites Chazelle’s 2016 Oscar Best Picture winner “La La Land” as one of his inspirations for the opening sequence.

The others? Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing” because it “takes place on a single street,” and Orson Welles’ “Touch of Evil,” which opens with a four-minute tracking shot.

“I came up with the idea about four or five years ago,” Greenspan said. “Every time I walked by Burns Court Cinema, I thought of ‘Do The Right Thing,’ which takes place on a single street.”

It was undecided where the Burns Lane sequence would be used in “The Sarasota Experience,” according to Kelly. She says that everyone ultimately agreed that it made sense to open with the procession to establish a joyful, artistic sensibility.

“We wanted a real ‘Wow!’ at the beginning,” Grove says.

Starting the documentary with a parade of performers is a powerful way to signal the importance of the arts in Sarasota.

It evokes the lasting legacy of John Ringling, who made the city the summer home of his circus and built the Ca’ d’Zan mansion and the John and Mable Ringling Museum. “Life is short, but art is long,” Ringling is quoted by Ringling Brothers circus historian Deborah Walk in the film.

It’s not just its opening that sets “The Sarasota Experience” apart

Shaun Greenspan on being asked to work on “The Sarasota Experience”

from formulaic documentaries that weave talking heads with archival footage. Prodded about why his documentary doesn’t have the flat appearance of some others in the genre, Greenspan notes that he used three cameras instead of one for interviews.

He also took great pains to use the city’s natural beauty and its wellappointed museums as backdrops.

“In any movie, a location is a character,” he said. “Some of the places we filmed at normally cost thousands of dollars to rent, but because everyone believed in what WEDU PBS does for our community, we were lucky to have them donated to us. People were just so giving.”

Among the locations featured in “The Sarasota Experience” are the Ringling Museum, Sarasota Art Museum, Ed Smith Stadium and

Bayfront Park.

When Greenspan was dreaming of his Burns Court Cinema sequence, he had little idea of when and how it would become a reality. His lucky break came when he got an email in 2022 from Kelly, who wanted to produce a film commemorating the 100th anniversary of Sarasota County, which took place in 2021.

The city of Sarasota was founded in 1903, with John W. Gillespie as the first mayor, but it was part of Manatee County for nearly 20 years.

(Viewers of “The Sarasota Experience” will learn a lot about Gillespie, who is credited with bringing golf to Florida and gave Gillespie Park its name.)

WEDU had been planning a documentary to coincide with Sarasota County’s centennial, but it was put on hold because the pandemic, with

Courtesy photos

Shaun Greenspan introduces his film “The Sarasota Experience” at the Sarasota Opera House in April.

The poster for “The Sarasota Experience” looks like a postcard.

“It just came out of the blue. It was a dream come true.”

its lockdowns and quarantines, made such an undertaking impossible.

When it was time to get the project rolling again, she found Greenspan’s short courthouse documentary online and sent an email. “It just came out of the blue. It was a dream come true,” Greenspan recalls.

It wasn’t just “Original Splendor” that persuaded Kelly to hire Greenspan. “It was his love for the city and his ability to be true to people and experiences,” she says.

By the time Greenspan received his fateful email in 2022, time was of the essence. He shot interviews with historians, architects, community leaders and others in “The Sarasota Experience” in just 10 days.

Greenspan credits the archival research of co-producer Lera Juno, the Sarasota County Division of Historical Resources and the William Hartman Gallery for most of the historical images used in the one-hour film.

With a film celebrating a historic occasion or famous person, there’s always the danger of viewing the subject through rose-colored glasses. But Greenspan managed to avoid that pitfall. There’s no question that “The Sarasota Experience” is a love letter to a beautiful, unique city, but the camera doesn’t turn away from uncomfortable topics.

Among them are the violence and property theft inflicted on the Seminoles by the Spanish and other colonizers and the virtual disappearance of the city’s first African American neighborhood in what is now known as The Rosemary District.

Greenspan’s musical orientation is put to good use when he plays a 1950s ditty “Having Fun in Sarasota” for some interviewees and asks what the song means to them.

One of the most poignant answers comes from Vickie Oldham, president and CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition. “That song was the exact opposite of the African American experience,” she says. “No African American felt comfortable going to Lido Beach in 1952.”

While sit-ins to break the color barrier at luncheon counters in the mid-20th century have been welldocumented in print and film, few histories tell the tale of “wade-ins”

to integrate Lido Beach in Sarasota the way Greenspan does.

At first, it seems odd that the Blacks entering the water at Lido Beach are dressed in their Sunday best, but “The Sarasota Experience” notes that the demonstrations usually took place after church. The opportunity to change soci-

ety by getting involved is a recurring theme in “The Sarasota Experience.”

Exults entrepreneur Anand Pallegar in the film, “You truly have the ability to shape the fabric of this community by getting engaged and being passionate about what you care about.”

“The Sarasota Experience” aired

on WEDU on April 20 and screens again on June 1 and June 29. It can be seen anytime for free online. Those who can’t get enough will be happy to learn that WEDU plans to package unseen interview footage into a series called “Voices of Sarasota” that will air later this year.

“The Sarasota Experience” makes the most of outdoor locations such as Bayfront Park.

Sean Keller, Trishul Thejasvi and Shaun Greenspan

Entrepreneur Anand Pallegar is interviewed for “The Sarasota Experience.”

Members of the Sarasota Orchestra play Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 on the set.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

‘REEL MUSIC’

6 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret,1265 First St.

$34-$39

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Reel Music celebrates the movies that helped create the soundtrack to the last century, with classics like “Singing in the Rain,” “Circle of Life” and “My Heart Will Go On.” This lively music revue reminds us that movies and music have always gone hand in hand. Runs through June 25.

‘MAN OF LA MANCHA’

8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $35 and up

Visit AsoloRep.org.

Incoming Asolo Rep Producing

Artistic Director Peter Rothstein directs a modern-day version of the 1965 musical hit “Man of La Mancha,” based on the classic Cervantes novel about Don Quixote’s “Impossible Dream.” Runs through June 11.

‘BIG SEXY: THE FATS

WALLER REVUE’

7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.

$20-$50 Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

Nate Jacobs’ original tribute features Fats Waller’s signature songs, includ-

OUR PICK ‘MOVED TO MUSIC: VIOLIN ON THE BAY’

Hermitage Fellows Rebecca Crenshaw and Mazz Swift, two genre-bending violinists, share selections of their work and process at this iconic Sarasota venue.

IF YOU GO

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 26

Where: the Outdoor Terrace of Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail

Tickets: $5. Registration required Info: Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

ing “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “The Joint is Jumpin’” and many more. Runs through May 28.

FRIDAY

‘IN THE ROUND’

7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300 $20 Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

“In The Round” is an opportunity for selected choreographers from across the country to get feedback from audience members during performances.

SATURDAY

FAMILY ART MAKING DAY

9 a.m. to noon at Creative Liberties

Artist Studios & Gallery, 927 Lime Ave. Free Visit CreativeLiberties.net.

Artist Drita Dawn will lead families in a creative project suitable for all ages and skill levels.

ST. ARMANDS FINE ART FESTIVAL

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Free Visit ParagonFestivals.com.

The visions and creative talents of artisans from throughout Florida and across America will transform St. Armands Circle into an extraordinary outdoor gallery of original art. Continues Sunday.

SWIMWEAR | RESORT WEAR |

‘STEPHANIE J. WOODS: MY PAPA USED TO PLAY CHECKERS’ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail

Included with $15 museum admission Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org/ Exhibitions.

In her first solo museum show, Stephanie J. Woods presents multidisciplinary works focusing on transatlantic cultural continuity and memories. There is an artist talk with Woods at 1 p.m. on May 27. Runs through Sept. 17.

‘THE NEW BLACK VANGUARD: PHOTOGRAPHY BETWEEN ART AND FASHION’ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail

Included with $15 museum admission Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org/ Exhibitions.

“The New Black Vanguard” presents photographers whose vibrant images fuse the genres of art and fashion photography in ways that break down long-established boundaries. Runs through Sept. 17.

WEDNESDAY

‘SHEAR MADNESS’

8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $25 and up Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

There’s been a murder in a local hair salon, and it’s up to Sarasota audiences to outwit the suspects and catch the killer in this interactive comedy whodunit. Runs through June 18.

DON’T MISS MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT

When: 5 p.m. Monday, May 29

Where: Phillippi Estate Park

Tickets: Free

Info: Visit SarasotaConcertBand.org.

The Sarasota Concert Band will honor all branches of the military with a patriotic concert and a special vocalist. The Nokomis Boy Scout Troop 1001 will present the colors. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and snacks or buy something from vendors on-site.

Joseph Ditmyer, Lisa McMillan, Michael Kevin Baldwin and Juliana Black in Florida Studio Theatre’s 2011 production of “Shear Madness,” which opens again with a new cast at FST on May 31.

Sarasota Contemporary Dance presents “In The Round” on Friday, May 26.

Courtesy photos

Places that Put the Cute in Charcuterie

Where to celebrate National Wine Day on May 25 and National Cheese Day on June 4 in SRQ and Bradenton.

EMMA JOLLY CONTRIBUTOR

Chardon-hey readers! Cheesed to meat you. Forgive me for all the cheesy jokes and wineing I do throughout this column.

I can’t help myself — National Wine Day is May 25 and National Cheese Day is June 4. With those two holidays so close to one another, it’s as if the food gods were tempting me with a gouda time. So, sip back and relax as I take you on a grate journey of the cutest charcuteries to visit at wine o’clock in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

MALMOSTO WINE SHOP & KITCHEN 2085 Siesta Drive, Suite #3, Sarasota; 941-706-1460,  WineShopAndKitchen.com

Chef and owner Andrea Bozzolo, originally from Italy, saved me and my husband seats for date night and it was wine-derful. The vibrant space accommodating 20 people isn’t your standard wine shop. Wine down, snack on yummy and expertly paired cheeses (and more foodie findings), and you’ll see that great minds sip alike. This vino oasis deserves a reservation for a cheesy and romantic date night.

Un-Brie-lievable: Malmosto

“meats” my expectations with its mixed imported cured meats plate ($40), served with my new glutenous weakness, gnocco fritto, which are fried pillows of perfect bread. This platter features one-of-akind meats including Culatello di zibello ham, lonzino, bresaola, plus five others. Add a cheese plate (five cheeses, $25) and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled to Italy with mouthfuls of rare pecorinos from Sardegna alongside delicious other bites. Be sure to ask about the appetizer with black garlic truffle butter

and Genova salami. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one.

Time to Wine Down: You feel the passion from Bozzolo in the extensive wine list full of curated vinos from around the world. Bottle prices range from $38 for a Chardonnay Pearlston 2020 from South Africa to $750 for a 1990 Amarone Bertani. Bozzolo recommended the Vionier from Piedmont ($48/bottle), which won a gold medal at the Italian wine show in Verona. It was the perfect pairing for my palate.

BAMBOO ISLAND BAR

119 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach; 941803-6416, BambooIslandBar.com

I am exploding with excitement to share this gem I found while exploring the foodie findings in our community. The Bamboo Island Bar is full of good vibes and makes you forget that you didn’t fly to this dining destination; you were at home just a mere minutes ago (depending on traffic).

Un-Brie-lievable: The Monaco ($33) features a daily selection of cheeses and cured meats with fresh fruit nestled between nuts and crackers, pickles placed perfectly alongside sweet honey and housemade sauces that tie the tasty board together. But that isn’t the only board to browse. The Paris ($21) is home to a baked brie cheese with fruits, nuts, crackers, jam and looks like it should be in the Louvre next to Mona Lisa herself.

Time to Wine Down: While the wine list might not be the most expansive on our list, the gourmet food and lounge bar makes up for it with atmosphere and chic cheese dishes. Choose from 11 whites, six reds, prosecco and champagne or skip wine all together and order yourself a tropical beverage. We’re foodies, we make our own rules.

CHATEAU 13 RESTAURANT & WINE BAR 535 13th St. W., Bradenton; 941-226-0110, Chateau-13.com

According to Chateau 13 Restaurant and Wine Bar General Manager Jenn Sayko, “The best wine education is a row of empty bottles.” It’s hard to argue with that. The brainchild of a champagne-filled night at Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast, Chateau 13 transports you to a stellar cellar located, of all places, in Bradenton.

Un-Brie-lievable: You feta believe I’m ordering the to-go charcuterie signature box ($55). Bring it to a dinner party, take it to a beach picnic or transport it to your car to devour immediately. This box features chef’s selections and accoutrements like house-made fig jam and cranberry pumpkin crackers to start, and serves up to four. These beautiful boxes can be ordered online – and wine, champagne or both can be added to your order.

Time to Wine Down: If you stay in-house for your cheese and

charcuterie boards ($18-$46) you will have no shortage of wines to savor. Choose from over 30 selections by the glass ($8-$18) and over 150 bottle selections ($32-$350) focusing on French, Italian, Spanish and American wines. If you can’t decide, ask Jenn and she will be your partner in wine. She suggests Champagne Collet Brut, Gueissard Rosé or Guidobono Nebbiolo.

FINE WINE & TASTINGS ON MAIN

8111 Main St., Unit J105, Lakewood Ranch; 941-355-4718; FineWineTastings.com

Tucked away at the end of Main Street in Lakewood Ranch, Fine Wine & Tastings offers “pour decision” makers like you and me a rotating monthly menu of 35 wines by the glass plus seasonal charcuterie and small plates. The family owned business hand selects every bottle that is consumed in house — which amounts to over 300 wine selections from around the world.

Un-Brie-lievable: You won’t be board with your small plate options here. From a cheese board with

three assorted cheeses and season accoutrements to a full charcuterie board with meats, nuts and pickles, to the combination board, all wineers will be paired with tasty treats. Gluten-free crackers are available upon request.

Time to Wine Down: Happy hour is the time to wine. From 5-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, sip on $2 off all regularly prices 5 oz. wines by the glass. Be sure to check their Instagram page for upcoming events, wine tastings and special offers: I took full advantage of the 20% off Muga Rosado in March. Like they say, stop and smell the rosé.

VINO BISTRO

1419 Fifth St., Suite B, Sarasota, 941-952-3172; VinoBistroSarasota. com

Local live music, a long list of wonderful wines and cheese that has you thinking, “Nothing can get cheddar than this?” — nights in the Rosemary District just got oh so bottleful to me. Thanks to Theresa LaSalle, who opened the modernmeets-new world wine bar in 2021, you bet Shiraz this bistro made my list.

Un-Brie-lievable: Build your own charcuterie board for $24 ($8 per item, three-item minimum). Choose cheeses such as the gorgeous goat cheese, pleasing pecorino with truffles, enjoyable edam and more, plus meats like soppressata and the magnificent meat that always makes its way to my boards, prosciutto. I like to add the baked feta from the tapas section.

Time to Wine Down: The bistro’s mission is “uniting the world through wine,” and I agree because wine is always the answer. The reasonably priced wine list is nothing to miss — but the daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m. makes me beyond bubbly. The menu includes house sparkling, cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay ($6) with light offerings like charcuterie bites ($6) featuring a wedge of brie and prosciutto on a crostini topped with an olive.

It ain’t easy being cheesy, friends. Cheers!

Photos by Emma Jolly

Baked brie for me? Yes, please. The Paris cheese board ($21) at Bamboo Island Bar is a stunner.

Pecorinos from Sardegna, gran poderoso, fiore Sardo, e stravecchio, sweet gorgonzola from Novara and triple cream from California at Malmosto.

Courtesy photo

Gluten-free crackers are available upon request at Fine Wine & Tastings on Main.

Chateau 13 has to-go signature charcuterie boxes for $55.

TIE WONDERBALL

Friday, May 12, at Circus Arts Conservatory | Benefiting Circus Arts Conservatory

In the vein of trying something new, the Circus Arts Conservatory held its inaugural concert fundraiser May 12, coined Wonderball.

Two-time Grammy Award-nominated electronic music DJ Steve Aoki headlined the event, which welcomed more than 1,200 concertgoers to the Circus Arts Conservatory to enjoy live beats, drinks and plenty of dancing.

But any CAC event would not be complete without performances by students from the CAC’s Sailor Circus Academy, who entertained the crowd doing aerial acts before Aoki’s show. In addition, local DJs Tony Campos and Harrison Koffman, as well as New York City-based DJ Peter DiCaro, warmed up the crowd.

“We were absolutely thrilled with the success of Wonderball and are excited to welcome the event back next year,” said CAC Executive Vice President/COO Jennifer Mitchell in a statement.

The event benefited the CAC’s youth education program.

— OBSERVER STAFF

LORNA BIEBER NAtu RAL WORL d

Photos by Cliff Roles

Melissa Morsli, event Chair Donna Koffman, CAC Executive Vice President/COO Jennifer Mitchell and Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed

Longtime Sailor Circus Academy student Emma Clarke performs on an LED aerial hoop over the audience.

DJ Steve Aoki feels the love during the CAC’s Wonderball.

Heather Lauren

Longboat couple completes the Great Loop

The 10-month journey covered more than 6,000 miles of eastern U.S. seas, lakes and waterways.

Entering

*Route is approximate

PETER MANAGING EDITOR

It took more than 10 months, but they traveled some 6,000 miles by sea, by river, by inland waterway and lake.

Longboat residents Ziggy and Joni von Schweinitz joined a select club of boaters on Dec. 9, 2022, when they completed the Great Loop, a circumnavigation of eastern North American waterways that took them south from Sarasota, around the Florida Keys, then north along the East Coast of the U.S. all the way to New York Harbor before they headed west along the Hudson and into the country’s interior, via rivers, canals and lakes, eventually making their way back into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi, Tennessee and Tombigbee rivers.

It’s hard to come up with an exact number of people who complete the circuit each year, but annually, approximately 150-200 people report a completed loop to the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association, said Kim Russo, director of the AGLCA. By doing so, boaters earn a gold flag from the association, signaling the accomplishment to other captains and “loopers.”

Ziggy, 67, and Joni, 74, completed the loop and earned their gold flag on their 50-foot 1989 Defever named Faith.

While some “loopers” purchase a boat specifically for the voyage, the husband and wife pair had been living aboard their vessel part time for more than a decade when they got underway Feb. 1, 2022.

Ziggy essentially single-handed the passage. Joni made no bones about it: She was aboard as a “firstclass passenger” to take in the sights. Captaining the 50-foot boat solo through crowded waterways came naturally to Ziggy. He retired from his career as a Delta pilot two years ago after 44 years in the air, flying, among other craft, Boeing 767s. He’s also been boating for 40 years.

To prepare their boat for the voyage, Ziggy outfitted it with fender boards on both sides to protect the boat in the more than 100 locks that he and Joni would travel through. Improperly prepared boats can sustain damage in locks because boats are secured near rough concrete walls while the water level is changed.

The other main preparation was to convert a bunkroom to a storage room for canned goods and other supplies.

“We made a lot of meatloaf,” said Joni.

The challenges began immediately upon departure.The couple had planned to cut across Florida via the Okeechobee Waterway from Fort Myers to the Atlantic Ocean near Stuart, Florida, but the canal was under maintenance. Instead, the couple had to navigate around the Florida Keys, which meant dealing with traffic around Miami from cruise ships and party boats.

“The hardest part, the most expensive part of the trip was getting out of South Florida. Once we got north of Lake Stuart and Fort Pierce, then things started moderating in terms of marina cost and availability,” said Ziggy.

They made it as far as Annapolis,

Maryland, near the end of May without incident, before their generator began to fail. They had planned a week there, but ended up stuck for a month.

“All our air-conditioning systems, our stabilizer system, refrigerator, freezer — all that operates on that generator,” explained Ziggy. “(No electrician) could see me for months.”

Ziggy explained that he eventually persuaded an electrician to spend an hour (at double rate) on their boat with a voltmeter, testing various parts. The culprit? A $13 diode, which Ziggy had shipped overnight and installed himself.

After reaching Mackinaw, Michigan, there were issues with fuel contamination, and Ziggy described a harrowing moment on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway when the engines cut out as they were seeking a marina for the night. He had to replace a fuel filter in pitch-black darkness as the current carried them downriver amid barge traffic.

“So I put on the autopilot, which just holds a heading, went tearing downstairs to the engine room … to get the engines going again, then I went tearing back upstairs to the flybridge, and the engines fire back up, I hit the spotlight and we’re still in the middle of the river, and we didn’t hit anything — thank God. That was a little sporting event.”

Their schedule and planning normally kept them off the waterways at night. While there were some long days of 10 and 12 hours underway, Ziggy said, they would generally

shove off at 11 a.m. and four to five hours later, “be arriving at our next little town or marina, then go into town, look at what they had to offer.”

“There’s some days, I’d say, ‘Well, what day is it? You know, where are we?’” said Joni. “Because you’re here one day and then you’re leaving, and then you’re here for three days and you’re leaving.”

Weather was a concern, but Ziggy and Joni said they mitigated risks by forecasting and being flexible.

“The loop was about 50% fun and adventure and 50% work,” said Ziggy.

“There’s a lot, you know, just from the maintenance of the boat itself, you really have to keep up with all the systems and equipment on the boat.”

There was no shortage of highlights, quaint towns and beautiful views: West Point, New York; Georgian Bay, Ontario; Charlevoix, Michigan; Grafton, Illinois. But the industrial and commercial nature of stretches of the inland rivers was tiresome, the couple said.

But the biggest takeaway for Joni and Ziggy after seeing thousands of miles of the U.S. from the uncommon vantage point of its waterways?

“The biggest takeaway for me was it was like the Sarasota and Longboat Key Appreciation year. We’ve really got it made here,” said Ziggy.

BY THE NUMBERS

$2.50

Price of a gallon of diesel upon Joni and Ziggy’s departure $6.50

Approximate price of a gallon of diesel upon Joni and Ziggy’s return

320

Number of days spent aboard

115

Number of days spent cruising

229

Record (set in 2022) for the number of completed loops reported to the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association

JAMES

Courtesy photos

Joni and Ziggy von Schweinitz show off the gold flag they received from the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association for completing the Great Loop.

Joni and Ziggy’s view of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

‘Cooking with Friends’

JAMES PETER MANAGING EDITOR

Ever wanted to re-create one of Indigenous Chef Stephen Phelps’ starters or try your hand at “Top Chef” judge Graham Elliot’s risotto? Now all you need is a copy of “Cooking with Friends: An EHS Culinary Adventure.”

The recently released cookbook published by Sarasota-based EHS Recruiting Co. combines recipes from dozens of locally and nationally known chefs, and on Sunday at the St. Armands Circle Daiquiri Deck, several of the chefs featured in the book were on hand to sign copies.

There was a steady stream of food lovers with books in hand to have their copies signed and mingle with the chefs present, including Jeremy

Scott Rosenthal, EHS vice president of operations, said at least 1,000 copies were sold on Amazon ahead of the event and the books for sale on-site were going fast.

“Cooking with Friends” has a pair of unique hooks, said Malcolm Bell, an EHS recruiter. The book combines recipes from professional chefs with a handful of dishes from “members of the EHS family,” i.e. staff and recruiters, and every dish in the book boasts an accessible wine pairing. Local food and wine consultant Kelly Fried compiled the wine pairings from a selection of wines that can be readily found between $15 and $35. The book also has sections on common knife techniques, herb flavors and gluten-free cooking. The level of skill each recipe requires is also noted throughout.

“We couldn’t find another cookbook with such a variety of chefs,” said Matt Fried. “It’s almost a book of surprises.”

A COOKBOOK WITH A CAUSE

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises about “Cooking with Friends” is that a recruiting firm is publishing a cookbook at all.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, EHS specializes in recruiting for the hospitality and culinary industries, although the firm has branched out into other fields, including health care and construction. But the firm’s recruiters have a lot in common with the hospitality industry workers they serve — long, unpredictable hours, cyclical pay and nonexistent or insufficient health insurance.

Many of the firm’s recruiters are independent contractors, which means they don’t have employerprovided health insurance. Employers are not required to provide health insurance for contractors, often referred to as 1099 workers.

“It’s very common for the industry,” said Matt Fried. “Salary is usually minimal. It’s a commissionbased business.”

And like restaurant workers, hospitality recruiters faced a significant challenge during the pandemic as restaurants and hotels shuttered, which meant lags in pay for both hospitality workers and the recruiters who place them in positions.

“We created a nonprofit … (to help) anybody in EHS and their families” with unexpected medical expenses or similar challenges, said Bell. “But the idea of the cookbook just comes down to insurance.”

EHS Relief is a registered nonprofit with a board of directors and was established March 1, 2022, to support the firm’s 1099 workers.

From there, the firm’s recruiters reached out to EHS’ network of chefs for submissions for its cookbook.

The response was overwhelming, said Bell. EHS received recipes from 51 chefs from across the country.

“Recipes are often tweaked (for cookbooks) for a variety of reasons,” said Bell. “But what (the chefs) submitted, we printed.”

“It means a lot to them. It’s a big deal to be published. There’s a lot of chefs (in the book) who are only known in their area. But a lot of these guys have their own following,” said Matt Fried.

“Cooking with Friends” is not a one-off. Rosenthal said that EHS is

already collaborating with mixologists on a sequel, tentatively called “Craft Cocktails with Friends.” Its release is planned for December of this year.

AN EMPTY SEAT AT THE TABLE

There was a poignant absence among the chefs gathered at the Daiquiri Deck on Sunday. The book features a picture of Chef Keith Williamson on the cover and a recipe from him. He was a culinary fixture on Florida’s Gulf Coast, but he died of cancer during the book’s production.

“In the hospital, he was still talking about the book; he was excited about it,” said Rosenthal, who was a friend of Williamson’s.

In Williamson’s absence, the chef’s mother and sister made the trip to St. Armands. Rosenthal said Williamson’s caponata recipe is one of the book’s highlights.

‘Cooking with Friends: An EHS Culinary Adventure’ is available for purchase at Amazon. com or during business hours at the EHS Recruiting Co. office located at 238 S. Links Ave. in Sarasota.

Thayer of Daiquiri Deck, Phelps of Indigenous, Ben Lalande, Jessica LoRusso, Lauren Hodges and Phillip Valdez.

Locally published cookbook brings together recipes from standout chefs from the city, region and across the country.

Photos by Sidra Wali

Chef Jeremy Thayer and Chef Steve Phelps

Chef Jessica LoRusso signs a copy of "Cooking With Friends."

Kelly Fried paired beverages with recipes in "Cooking with Friends."

Chef Ben LaLande and Chef Bobby Brown

This 3 bedroom/3 full bath floor plan offers east and west terraces boasting direct beach views from the main living area and partial golf course/garden views from the guest rooms. Freshly painted and ready for new owner to add their special touches!

MLS# A4570237

This spectacular 2 bedroom first floor residence is situated perfectly for Sarasota Bay views. Located in the pet friendly, double gated community of Grand Bay, this residence also comes with TWO under building parking spots and exclusive access to the Bay Isles Beach Club.

MLS# A4570436

SIDRA WALI CONTRIBUTOR

The Paradise Center hosted the first of its spring improv classes at May 17.

Will Luera, director of improvisation at Florida Studio Theatre, taught participants the fundamentals of his art.

The class centered around “your authentic self” and had nine participants in the hourlong workshop.

“It’s everything you know about yourself, what’s in your head, and what your experiences are, which are all valid in improvisation,” said Luera. “The class was so enthusiastic and they surprised themselves because at first they were a little nervous. People think improv is all about being quick, witty and funny. As you get older, you build your filters and we focus on getting out of your own way.”

Luera explained that improv is about having quick access to what is in your head first and focusing on being funny later.

“We warmed up with an exercise called ‘thumper,’ which is saying your name with an action and then being able to remember everyone else’s name and their action. It’s a call and response exercise,” said Luera.

The class ranged from beginners to those who acted in college and amateur theater.

“We are thrilled to have Florida Studio Theatre bringing this workshop out to Longboat Key. It’s not only fun but also great for our brain health,” said Suzy Brenner, executive director of the Paradise Center.

Luera explained that improv is much like a sport. The more one practices, the more one builds muscle memory.

“When it’s game time, it’s different from when you were practicing, but you build that muscle memory that you’ll need later. It helps with spatial awareness, vocal inflection and physicality.”

Improvisation requires participants to think quickly, adapt to new situations and generate spontaneous reactions. This helps with memory, focus and recall, explained Luera.

The class ended with participants completing an exercise called “scene.”

Luera explained the exercise builds upon having a conversation with someone else focusing on “the right here and now.”

“I tried this class because a friend twisted my arm, and it was more fun and easier than I thought it would be. I didn’t know I had it in me,” said Barbara Koetsier, participant.

Amy Steinhauser, program manager at the Paradise Center, also joined the class.

“Honestly, I was terrified, but it was great. We got comfortable with one another quickly thanks to Will and laughed throughout the class,” said Steinhauser.

The next class will take place at 1 p.m. May 31. It will focus on “The Golden Rule,” explained Luera.

“It’s the ‘yes, and’ where you agree and say yes to the idea the other person gives to you and you build off of it. Improv is building off the idea of your scene partner,” said Luera.

Brenner plans to continue improv classes at the Paradise Center at least once a month.

21st Annual

Keynote Speaker: Kevin Guthrie

Director,

Speakers: John Lai

President & CEO

Steve

Ed

CALENDAR

YOUR

THURSDAY, MAY 25

MEDITATIVE SOUND BATH

4-5 p.m. at the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. $25 for members; $40 for nonmembers. Using Tibetan sound bowls, chimes, solfeggio tones and more, relax with healing frequencies that balance your body, mind and soul.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31

IMPROV FOR EVERYONE

1-2 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. $10 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Taught by Will Luera of the Florida Studio Theatre, this fun and fast-paced class will teach participants to think on their feet. The class will also help build confidence and boost creative thinking. Register by Monday, May 29, by calling 383-6493.

RECURRING EVENTS

WEEKDAYS LONGBOAT LIBRARY

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 555 Bay Isles Road. On Wednesdays, most books are on sale for $1 or less. Call 383-2011.

MONDAYS STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. This class is mostly seated and great for all fitness levels Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE

The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Donations are accepted during business hours. Call 383-4738.

TUESDAYS QI GONG

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qi gong is a mind-body-spirit practice designed to improve mental and physical health. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MAHJONG

From 1-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for

BEST BET

SATURDAY, MAY 27 –

SUNDAY, MAY 28

ST. ARMANDS FINE ART FESTIVAL

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday on St. Armands Circle. Free. Artists from across Florida will show their original work in sculpture, jewelry, painting, photography, glass, ceramics, mixed-media, metalwork, fiber art, woodworking and more. Artisans with works found in the top private and public art collections in the nation will be present.

Painter

his work at the St. Armands Fine Art Festival in April of 2015.

experienced players. To check availability at the tables, email Amy@ TheParadiseCenter.org.

YOGA From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Debbie Debile of Feel Good Yoga & Massage leads a gentle yoga class that can be done on a mat or in a chair. Cost is $15; free for members. Call 383-6493.

ROTARY CLUB

Meets at 5 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays in All Angels Parish Hall, 563 Bay Isles Road. To learn more, call Nancy Rozance at 203-6054066 or email Info@LongboatKeyRotary.org.

WEDNESDAYS BEGINNER TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

File photo

Robert Johnson shows off

LONGBOAT KEY

WATER CLUB $3,750,000

Spectacular 6th floor 3BR/4BA redesigned Dover plan. Highend finishes include private elevator opening to Sarasota Bay & city skyline views from floor to ceiling glass and mastersuite terrace offers Gulf vistas.. Luxurious resort style lving on beautiful beach w/all amenities.

PENDING

LONGBOAT KEY

SANCTUARY $3,695,000

Direct beachfront w/ amazing views. 8th floor offers fully unobstructed Gulf and Bay views. 3BR/3BA has private east & west terraces for gorgeous sunsets & sunrises . 24 hr guarded gate + full Sanctuary amenities.

LONGBOAT KEY EN PROVENCE $4,935,000

Spectacular 3BD/ 4BA 3,400sf open plan w/10’ ceilings & Gulf-side wrap around terraces. One of 21 in meticulously maintained Gulf front gated community w/ Gulf-side pool & spa. Conveniently located mid-key.

LONGBOAT KEY

L’AMBIENCE $3,695,000

Casually elegant, rarely available 3BR/4BA direct beachfront walk-out. Private staircase from your private Gulf front terrace leads directly to the beach & Gulf. Amenities include lobby concierge, 24hr guarded gate, olympic sized pool, 2 har-tru tennis courts, fitness center & more.

LONGBOAT KEY DREAM ISLAND ROAD $3,195,000

Your Dream House, lovely & tranquil on Dream Island Road. Completely remodeled updated home on lushly landscaped 1/2 acre. 100’ wide canal w/ great boat dock, open living & saltwater pool/spa.

LONGBOAT KEY

BOATERS DREAM $2,850,000 Meticulous 4 BD/3 BA wide deep water canal with direct access to Sarasota Bay - no bridges! Great dock. 2 boat lifts. Private beach access directly across the street.

LONGBOAT KEY EMERALD HARBOR $1,995,000

Updated & meticulously maintained split-plan 4 BR/3 BA pool home on wide canal w/ direct Bay access. A boater’s dream w/new dock and 10,000lb boat lift. Deeded beach access.

$1,995,000

• CANAL LOT#2 $1,995,000

Build your dream home on one of north LBK’s most desirable streets. Premier boating location. Great canal leads directly to Bay & ICW No bridges. Walk to beach.

Natural, fantastical — and digital

My later works are becoming more and more fantastical. It’s digital art that I create using a digital pen and tablet,” said Powers.

The electrifying colors in Powers’ work jump off the canvas as if looking at a screen.

SIDRA WALI CONTRIBUTOR

Digital art has been gaining popularity in the past decade, but combining it with a traditional form creates a new path to self-expression.

Frances Powers, a local artist, has been creating art all her life. Her art exhibit will be displayed at All Angels

By the Sea Episcopal Church in Longboat Key until June 29. It offers a vibrant view of the familiar and unfamiliar to form something anew.

“I have a bachelor’s in fine arts as well as a master’s in painting and animated filmmaking,” said Powers.

“I was one of the original founding members of HERA Co-Operative Art Gallery in Rhode Island.”

Her work has been shown in galleries and museums throughout the country and encompasses organic forms derived from nature.

Powers was creating abstract landscapes when Microsoft Paint first came out in 1985.

She opened the program and immediately began her journey into digital art.

“The work I do is mixed-media.

I’ve always done nature landscapes incorporating flowers and animals.

“I start most of the time with photos I’ve taken and then use them to create digital art on the computer using a specific software. I then print it out and finish the piece by using colored pencils, adding in highlights and accentuating the colors,” said Powers. “It’s almost like paint by numbers just for me.”

Although Powers creates digital paintings, no painting is ever the same.

“After I print my work and add the finishing touches with the colored pencils, even if I printed it out again and added the highlights afterwards, it would be different. Once someone has bought the digital painting, it’s done. I wouldn’t reprint it or enter that piece in a show or exhibit,” said Powers.

Powers explained that she can be far more creative with painting digitally.

“I can try different colors and different techniques without the painting getting muddy because I’m combining different colors compared to a traditional painting,” said Powers.

“If you make a mistake, you can just click ‘undo’ and start over again.

When I was creating traditional paintings, I wasn’t a loose painter. I

“I

Modern tropical style rises to meet urban sophistication in the heart of walkable downtown Sarasota. Pairing an intimate collection of luxury tower residences with the curated amenities of a boutique hotel, SOTA delivers serviced simplicity to a stylish new address overlooking the city.

L’Ambiance condominium tops the week’s sales at $3.2 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Acondominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Morton and Rochelle Tarter, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit C-503 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive to The Roby Co. Ltd. Partnership for $3.2 million. Built in 1992, it has two bedrooms, twoand-two-half baths and 2,634 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,119,000 in 1996.

JOHN RINGLING ESTATES

Wilson and Julia Bales, of Sarasota, sold their home at 315 Jackson Drive to Michael Lee Silverman and Robin Fay Rifkin, of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, for $2 million. Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,440 square feet of living area. It sold for $385,000 in 2011.

SLEEPY LAGOON PARK

Joel Ross and Teresa Leigh Turner, of Sag Harbor, New York, sold their home at 695 Marbury Lane to Thomas William Turner and Patricia Elizabeth Turner, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, for $1.9 million. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,530 square feet of living area. It sold for $630,000 in 2016.

MARINA BAY

Karen Marshall, of Mooresville, North Carolina, sold the Unit 322 condominium at 2550 Harbourside Drive to Fischer Family Real Estate Holdings LLC for $1,457,500. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,830 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 1992.

JUNGLE QUEEN WAY

Charles Richard Bielejeski and Joyce Holly Bielejeski, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 762 Jungle Queen Way to Mark and Shanna Thompson, of Longboat Key, for $1.25 million. Built in 1970, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,714 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,000 in 2020.

WINDING OAKS

Barbara Rollins Kaplan sold her Unit 42 condominium at 3444 Winding Oaks Drive to Wilson and Julia Bales, of Longboat Key, for $1,162,500. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,112 square feet of living area. It sold for $755,000 in 2020.

HARBOUR VILLA CLUB AT THE BUCCANEER

Esther Jean Higgins Griffin, trustee, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 208 condominium at 615 Dream Island Place to Matthew Todd Blanton and Nikki Lynn Blanton, trustees, of Longboat Key, for $945,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,293 square feet of living area. It sold for $228,000 in 1990.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

CLUB LONGBOAT BEACH AND TENNIS Gerald Digani, trustee, of Glenview, Illinois, sold the Unit 432 condominium at 5055 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Michael and Sharon Kurtz, of Parrish, for $755,500. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,484 square feet of living area. It sold for $275,000 in 1999.

INN ON THE BEACH Pamela McCullough and James Clabaugh sold their Unit 7304 condominium at 225 Sands Point Road to J & P Ventures LLC for $750,000. Built in 1983, it has

one bedroom, one bath and 642 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2017.

LONGBOAT HARBOUR Mark and Deborah Belcher, of Indianapolis, sold their Unit 202 condominium at 4320 Falmouth Drive to Edmund Francis Delgado and Sharon Kathleen Delgado, of Chuluota, for $650,000. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,072 square feet of living area. It sold for $495,000 in 2021.

Thomas and Alicia Grimes sold their Unit 303 condominium at 4410 Exeter Drive to Karin Kalda

and Frank DeSimone, of Milford, New Jersey, for $504,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 992 square feet of living area. It sold for $113,000 in 1985.

CASA DEL MAR

Jane Nutter Johnson and R.C. Johnson, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 10-B condominium at 4621 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Chad and Alexis Rogers, of Trumbull, Connecticut, for $635,000. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 864 square feet of living area. It sold for $118,000 in 1989.

File photo

A condominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club, with two bedrooms and two-and-two-half baths, sold for $3.2 million.

3 bed, 2.5 bath | 3,057 SqFt

Offered for $3,990,000

Luxury knows no Limits in this home. 3 bdrm residence laid out to perfection taking advantage of the Gulf of Mexico view through glass walls from every room and an oversized wrap-around terrace. Handcrafted interior finishes: wood floors in the main living area, a gourmet kitchen w/Décor oven & gas cooktop and Sub-Zero refrigerator, wood cabinets, granite counters opening to the family room. Perfect for entertaining. Enjoy the best of SRQ in The Ritz-Carlton tradition: Resort style pool/spa-social roomtheater w/tiered seating-fitness center-2 guest suites-2 pets, no weight limit. 2 underbuilding parking.

2 bed, 2 bath | 1,312 Sq Ft

Offered for $998,000 Sarasota Bay is your backyard. This residence has southeastern exposure with epic sunrises and Sarasota skyline views. Bright and airy. Imagine living in this renovated two-bedroom, two-bath residence where a high-end interior designer selected impressive new finishes and features. This resulted in a beautiful and peaceful sanctuary echoing the magnificent sparkling waters and beyond. The discriminating buyer will appreciate the gourmet kitchen, which boasts everything from quartz counters and backsplash to classic cabinetry to GE Profile stainless appliances. Enjoy a pool, tennis court, biking, and a DEEDED BEACH ACCESS.

5260 Gulf of Mexico Drive 404 | Banyan Bay - LONGBOAT KEY

3 bed, 3 bath | 1,453 Sq Ft

Offered for $719,000

On the Bayside at Banyan Bay, a pet-friendly Gulf to Bay community with pool and tennis court. Steps from the beach. The residence offers vaulted ceilings, white ceramic tile in the main living area, newer kitchen appliances, a newer water heater and air conditioner.

3 bed, 3 bath | 2,525 Sq Ft

The almost new residence offers magnificent sunrise and sunset views from its wraparound terrace. Elevator to your private foyer, where doors open to reveal elevated 10-ft ceilings and walls of glass, filling the room with natural light surrounded by tropical views. Offered for $2,600,000

bed, 4 bath | 2,525 Sq Ft

Updated to perfection is here and ready for enjoyment. Iconic luxury 270 degrees of endless views of the city and turquoise waters of the Gulf looking South. Wolf/Sub-Zero appliances. Offered for $4,200,000

Wishing You & Your Loved Ones a Safe & Happy Memorial Day (941) 587-1700

JUDY KEPECZ-

HAYS TEAM

435 L'Ambiance L207 | L'Ambiance - LONGBOAT KEY

1930 Harbourside Dr 122 | Fairway Bay - LONGBOAT KEY

1300 Benjamin Franklin Dr 907 | The Beach Residences - LIDO KEY

| Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“J HZJIT CMGT KVCCB PI IPH SMBH HZW

FAVXW FMH VCBP HZW PIWB UZP FWCJWXW HZWD FWCPIN HZWAW.”

IPXVT OSPTPXJG

“E’T X YES YZNEZBZA EF JBZAVJTEFS

XFU XVPEZBEFS XFU UJEFS RPEFSK XFU

FJR CZZNEFS KJAAL CJA LJDAKZNC.”

UAZM VXAZL

“H NHZK CKGCNK RLG MPK MONK EG

ZKKC CSJLHAF ELKUJKNWKJ MAB

YLMNNKAFHAF ELKUJKNWKJ KWKA MXEKP FPKME JSYYKJJ.”

BLENDED FAMILY by Shannon Rapp and Rebecca Goldstein, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

1325 WESTWAY DRIVE

ROGER SELLS LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES

$15,000,000

Step into this tropical escape through the hidden courtyard that connects the 3BR main home to the private 2BR guest house, as the perfect introduction to a contemporary masterpiece designed by DSDG Architect Mark Sultana and built by Voigt Brothers Construction. www.1325WestwayDrive.com

3030 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #346 $2,595,000

Panoramic direct views of Sarasota Bay, Harbourside golf course and downtown’s skyline are the star of the show as soon as you enter this lovely 3BR Antigua getaway. www.GrandBay346.com

3030 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #316 $2,495,000

Prepare to be enchanted by the stunning, awe-inspiring views that await at this luxurious 3BR residence. With its sprawling 2,925 SF Antigua floorplan, this exquisite getaway offers the ultimate in elegant single-family living. From the moment you step off the private elevator and into the grand entry foyer, you will be struck by the meticulous modern updates. www.GrandBay316.com

415 L’AMBIANCE DRIVE #PH-A $12,000,000

201 NORTH WASHINGTON DRIVE $2,195,000

The walkable location of this St. Armands home will immediately draw you in. Ideally situated on an oversized, 1/4-acre lot for you to design your dream home. www.201NorthWashington.com

3040 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #251 $2,295,000

Sunny bay views welcome you to this 5th-floor, nearly 3,000 SF retreat, featuring an open, 3BR layout waiting for you to add your personal touches. Includes private beach! www.GrandBay251.com

97 SOUTH WASHINGTON DRIVE $11,500,000

Experience this stunning bayfront estate in person! Just a sunny walk from famed St. Armands Circle. Situated on two private lots in a corner location, spanning more than a halfacre, this impressive 5BR residence is on the deep, calming waters of Sarasota Bay. www.97SouthWashington.com

You will love the convenience of moving right into this wellmaintained home, with its sunny, open interior, 3BR+den layout, and many resort-style amenities a short walk away. www.173CiprianiWay.com

816 JUNGLE QUEEN WAY $1,599,000

Turnkey furnished! This lovely 3BR waterfront on Longboat Key is ready to enjoy! You will love the deeded beach access and easy boating access to Sarasota Bay. www.816JungleQueenWay.com

5693 CABRERA COURT $499,000

Welcome to sublime city living, steps from downtown Sarasota’s “Cultural Coast”, where you can walk to the best this city offers. This newer retreat is move-in ready! www.5693CabreraCourt.com