Longboat Observer 6.22.23

A paws-itively friendly worker

Pippa, a lively 9-year-old Yorkshire terrier, is a beloved resident and hardworking member of Longboat Key’s year-round community.

As the cherished companion of Pastor Rev. Brock Patterson, she has won her place in the heart of the island’s tight-knit community. She also has a job to do.

Pippa brings joy and excitement to Longboat Island Chapel members as she happily fulfills her role as the official greeter and security officer at the church.

She does her job in a warm and affectionate manner as residents and visitors alike report.

Outside of work, Pippa enjoys leisurely walks along the shoreline and the thrill of sniffing out bunnies in the gardens.

A touch of authenticity

Though nearly 2,000 miles away from Mexico, La Villa Mexican Grill brings an authentic feel to traditional Mexican cuisine. If you want the full experience, complete with music, Wednesday nights are when to go.

That’s when the restaurant’s mariachi band plays from 5:309:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy their food while a mariachi band roams the restaurant, playing renditions from the Eagles, Jimmy Buffet and The Charlie Daniels Band. If you’d like to hear “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” mariachi style, then you may just be in luck.

La Villa began in the Tampa Bay region before opening their newest location at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive in August 2022. Their menu offers traditional Mexican foods such as Mexican street corn, chile relleno and flautas.

St. Regis parking proposal: To be continued

Mess up and play around, says artist Madeline Wikler. SEE PAGE

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

A watercolor painting by local artist Madeline Wikler

Courtesy photo

Safety initiative aims to prevent accidental water deaths

Local fire departments recently joined the ‘Stay Vigilant Initiative’ to raise water safety awareness.

Longboat Key beaches do not have lifeguards, the traditional stations nor the colored flags on the beach that indicate safe swimming. But fire departments in the area are coming together for the “Stay Vigilant initiative” to try to prevent accidental water deaths.

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department is responsible for responding to any distress calls on the water. Public Information Officer Tina Adams said the department received 2,040 calls in 2022. Of those, 127 were “water rescue” calls. This category could involve anything from a boating accident to swimmers in distress due to a rip current.

Rip currents are strong currents that flow away from the shore. They typically form at low parts or near

sandbars or structures such as jetties and groins. According to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, they could flow as fast as eight feet per second.

“Signs that a rip current is present are very subtle and difficult for the average beachgoer to identify,” NOAA’s website says. “Look for differences in the water color, water motion, incoming wave shape or breaking point compared to adjacent conditions.”

The National Weather Service tracks surf zone related deaths, which total 43 so far in 2023. Of those, 38 deaths were caused by rip currents in the U.S.; 15 rip current deaths occurred in Florida. An estimated 100 people die from rip currents every year, and rip current rescues account for 80% of all beach rescues, the U.S. Lifesaving Association estimates.

Although a rip current can happen on any coast, Adams said Longboat Pass and New Pass are where the fire rescue department has noticed the strongest rip currents occurring.

To try to combat this, Longboat

Key Fire Rescue recently joined the “Stay Vigilant Initiative” with the Sarasota County Fire Department, North Port Fire Rescue Department and the city of Venice Fire Department. The purpose of this initiative is to raise awareness of water safety and try to prevent accidental deaths related to water.

Residents who feel they can respond in case of a swimmer in distress can pick up a “water watcher” badge at these stations. This badge shows others that the person is capable of keeping an eye on children in or around the water. The idea is that volunteer water watchers are able to either help someone in distress in the water, or at least be able to call emergency services.

In the event that someone gets trapped in a rip current, NOAA makes it clear that the movement of a rip current is horizontal, not vertical — it will not inherently pull you under the water. The best practice, according to NOAA, is to stay calm and go with the current. Once you feel you are out of the pull of the current, swim parallel to the shore and

WHERE TO PICK UP A

WATER WATCHER BADGE:

Interested residents can pick up a badge at any of these locations Monday through Friday from June to September.

n Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

n Longboat Key Fire Station 91

5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key

n Venice Fire Rescue Station 52

200 Grove St. N., Venice

n North Port Fire Station 81 4980 City Center Blvd., North Port

For more information on Sarasota County’s beach safety tips, visit their website.

then eventually back towards safety.

For more information about rip currents, visit the resources on NOAA’s website.

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department can deploy its personal watercraft, seen here during a training drill, in the event of a water rescue call.

A tough act to follow

BY THE NUMBERS

SARASOTA COUNTY

Compared to April 2022, here are the county’s visitation numbers for April 2023:

n Visitors: 136,800, which is a decrease of 8.2%

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Last year brought an influx of tourists, breaking records across the board, according to county tourism data.

After the record-breaking year for area tourism in 2022, numbers seem to be returning to more typical levels. Local businesses shared this sentiment, saying 2022 was a standout year, especially coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit Sarasota County, a nonprofit corporation contracted with Sarasota County, reported that, in April of this year, tourism industry metrics were down compared to that same time in 2022 (see sidebar at right).

“I think it’s important to remember that (the lower numbers) are compared to the most amazing year we have ever had in tourism in our history,” said Virginia Haley, president of Visit Sarasota County.

She mentioned how a friend had compared 2022 tourism to Secretariat the racehorse.

“All those years since that horse has ran, no one has ever beat that horse’s fastest time, and I think (last year’s tourism) will be our case. I think last year will always be a landmark year.”

To gauge who might be coming to the area to visit or to move permanently, Haley said they use something called SITs, or signals of intent, which are an indicator of when a customer is about to make a purchase.

Other metrics used are meeting leads, when a corporation asks the area to host a conference in one of its hotels, as well as through requests for visitor guides or relocation packages either in-person or online.

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council presented a similar trend during its June 5 meeting. Anne Wittine with Research Data Services Inc. presented tourism data at the meeting (see sidebar).

“Last year, we were seeing that extreme peak of pent-up demand,” Wittine said at the meeting.

Mote Marine Laboratory reported complementary statistics. In 2022, Mote recorded 378,000 visitors, which was a record year, according to their annual report. The previous year saw 306,650 visitors.

THE LOCAL VIEW

Some local businesses on Longboat Key shared the sentiment that 2022 was a groundbreaking year for the area’s tourism industry.

Bob McFarland owns Longboat Key Paddleboard and Kayak and Sarasota PaddleBoard Co.

He agreed, saying 2022 was “booming.” When comparing this latest season to last, he said it hasn’t been drastic.

“It’s kind of hard to say,” McFarland said. “I don’t think there’s a huge difference from this year to last year, but there is a difference.”

In fact, McFarland said his business has been beating numbers this year, too. He said every month he has the goal of beating the numbers of that month the previous year.

Recent years presented his industry with challenges. First was the devastating red tide event in 2018 that took a toll on businesses like water recreation. McFarland said that the 2018 bloom put them out of business for a couple weeks. But, natural events like the 2018 red tide and Hurricane Ian in 2022 are just part of the business, according to McFarland.

“You always have to account for one to two weeks of something,” he said.

McFarland’s businesses have tours and rentals that run almost every day of the year. For them, he said, missing out on two weeks isn’t completely devastating.

“For us it’s a little easier to make up,” McFarland said. “For the hotels, once they lose those room nights, they’re gone.”

Harold Cullison owns the Sandpiper Inn with his wife, Christine. They said that 2022 was also a very good year for them.

“Last year was the best year that we’ve had in quite awhile,” Cullison said.

Cullison referred to the 2018 red tide as being the first in a series of setbacks. The following year was sort of a “hangover” from the red tide, he said. The Sandpiper Inn’s sales for 2019 had actually gone lower than 2018. Following that was the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, after which Cullison said business got a little better in 2021, but things still weren’t great.

“It wasn’t until 2022 until we finally went ahead of 2018,” Cullison said.

They measure success mainly in occupancy and revenue. Occupancy is how often the rooms are booked. For the Sandpiper Inn, 2022 had about 86% occupancy. This was actually down from 2021, which was 89%.

The Sandpiper Inn is a unique entity on Longboat Key. They are a privately owned hotel, smaller than many of the condo hotels in the area. One full-time employee helps them out, but Harold said he does all the laundry. His wife handles all the reservations, while Harold handles all

n Visitor spending: $177,372,100, a decrease of 1.9%

n Lodging occupancy average: 73.9%, a decrease of 5.9%

n Lodging average daily room rate: $293.33, which is a decrease of 0.1%

n Rooms sold: 332,400, which is down 5.2%

MANATEE COUNTY

Compared to April 2022, here are the county’s visitation numbers for April 2023:

n Visitors: 97,800, which is a decrease of 2.1%

n Economic impact: $143,973,100, which is an increase of 3.4%

n Room nights: 220,700, a decrease of 4.1%

n Occupancy: 78.8%, which is a decrease of 2.8%

n Average daily rate: $265.70, an increase of 7.9

the numbers through QuickBooks. They bought the property in 2005 and moved in around 2010. According to Cullison, they are the only privately owned Longboat hotel at which the owners live on-site.

Being privately owned, rising costs have been their biggest challenge. As costs go up, their net revenue decreases.

“When our occupancy goes down, our costs really don’t go down. Very little changes when a room is empty, because most costs are fixed,” Cullison said.

While they may no longer have a mortgage to pay, Cullison said property tax for each room is one major cost. On top of that, paying to file taxes is another cost.

Despite increasing costs, Cullison said 2023 has been a good year. Sales are a bit ahead, he said, but not occupancy. Around this time of year, the more common one-bedroom unit at the Sandpiper costs a little over $190 before tax.

“So far, the only thing that was down was that usually May is extremely good, but this May wasn’t as good as it normally is,” he said.

County officials and local businesses both report 2022 as being one of, if not the best, years for the tourism industry.

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

Longboat Key Public Beach Access

Courtesy photo

The Sandpiper Inn on Longboat Key is the only privately owned hotel where the owners live on-site. They said 2022 was one of their best years for business.

Continuance granted on St. Regis parking plans

building a structure or any heights.”

Mayor Ken Schneier commented on the fact that the corporation has been a good community partner thus far, but wished the issue had been addressed sooner.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Unicorp National Developments will have another chance to present plans for parking at the St. Regis project at a public hearing on Sept. 18.

During the June 20 special Town Commission meeting, Longboat Key town commissioners voted 7-0 in favor of granting Unicorp a continuance for a public hearing. This continuance will allow Unicorp CEO Chuck Whittall and his team to provide a new fully developed plan for parking at the St. Regis.

Whittall said these plans will not have a structure involved.

Whittall was the first to speak during the June 20 public hearing and recognized the public did not want a two-story parking garage. He stated an “honest mistake” was made and that there was an overallocation for the residential parking and an underallocation for the commercial parking.

He described the process of wanting a “quick solve,” with Unicorp first considering a plan to install mechanical lifts in the alreadyapproved ground-level garage under the hotel building. After that idea was realized as being too problematic, they moved to the parking garage, which was denied at the last public hearing on June 5. Now, Whittall said Unicorp’s engineers are working on a new plan and requested the continuance to present the plan.

“We’re going to come back through with a reconfigured parking lot that we can fit the 62 spaces in without having to do the lifts,” Whittall said. “And we don’t have to worry about

Whittall responded to Schneier’s comment by saying the town’s policies had been the reason behind waiting to present the parking garage plans. In most other jurisdictions, Whittall said they only require a basic site plan to be presented to the town council. For this project, Whittall said it took a lot of time and $200,000 to be able to present a plan in accordance with the town’s proposal requirements.

“In this case, we had to design the entire thing, which took a year,” Whittall said. “I would have loved to have brought it to you in 60 or 90 days after the fact, but it’s not possible based on your system.”

Commissioners were able to weigh in with their own thoughts or ask Whittall and town Attorney Maggie Mooney questions. Commissioner Gary Coffin said he wouldn’t apologize for the town’s requirements for a fully fledged plan, but had no issue with granting the continuance and seeing the new plans. Penny Gold, District 2 commissioner, also said she had no objection to the continuance and was interested to see the new plans.

In their final deliberations, the commissioners reinforced that they saw public feedback as crucial moving forward with this plan.

Bishop motioned to accept the continuance, requesting a completed and accepted application no later than July 6. She also motioned for that application to be fully reviewed by staff, including landscaping and traffic plans that conform with code. This was passed unanimously 7-0.

Next, Unicorp must present its plans to the commission by July 6, which will be heard during two public hearings. The first hearing date is set for Sept. 18.

Tuesday’s public hearing ended in approval of a continuance in favor of Unicorp. The firm will have more time to provide new plans for parking at the St. Regis.

Higher pay for high standards

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Thanks to less-than-competitive salaries and benefits, the Longboat Key Police and Fire Rescue departments have struggled to fill vacancies, but newly ratified and updated union contracts for each department are improving recruitment.

The new union contracts for the police and fire departments represent the “single largest investment to date” in public safety, according to Town Manager Howard Tipton. These contracts will help make positions in both departments more competitive in the workforce by increasing wages and other benefits. Both were ratified unanimously at the June 5 commission meeting.

The investment in the police force will be an increase of $95,750 for the remainder of fiscal year 2023 and $396,400 for fiscal year 2024. That includes a 29.7% increase in pay for officers and a 30.1% wage increase for sergeants. The second and third years of the agreement will also allow for a 2% adjustment to account for inflation and for the salaries to remain competitive.

This investment in the fire department will be $115,000 for the rest of this fiscal year and $716,850 for the upcoming fiscal year. A 23% pay plan increase for firefighter paramedics is anticipated, along with a 37.3% increase for lieutenants.

An interim memorandum of understanding for June to September will begin the updated agreement

Florida Police Benevolent Association. Following this memorandum, a three-year contract will go into place. The contract would have been negotiated this summer, but Tipton said it was necessary to negotiate and implement the MOU sooner due to the situation the department found itself in.

According to Tipton, the town found itself lacking “more than expected” when it came to wages, take-home vehicles and retirement contributions. He also said the departments were struggling to fill vacancies. Commissioner BJ Bishop was in full support of the contract.

“What concerns me is, with both police and fire, we got well out of the competitive range, and I am concerned at what point this was allowed to be this far out of the range that we are now down a considerable number of police officers,” said BJ Bishop. “I think we’re moving forward to hopefully never see this get this far out of kilt again.”

Chief of Police George Turner emphasized how the previous threeyear contract had left the department with a low, noncompetitive salary.

“These contracts last three years, so three years ago we may have been midrange, but by the end of the three years, we were definitely at the bottom,” Turner said.

Pay increases within the police department follow a set course of steps. Each year, officers or sergeants get a pay increase depending on the next step in the plan. The new contract reduced the number of steps in this plan, thus decreasing the time between higher salaries.

According to Turner, his department had as many as five full-time and a couple of part-time vacancies.

Before the new contract negotiations, he said no one had been applying. Now, he has already been able to

Town Manager Howard Tipton

“It has put me in a position as chief where I can recruit top-level transfers from outside of our area and that’s right now proving very successful,” Turner said.

A similar contract was ratified between the town, which employs the fire department, and the International Association of Firefighters Local 2546. Like the police department’s contract, this also reduced

the number of steps between salary increases. This MOU will remain effective from June 18 to Sept. 30, 2024, when a new contract will need to be negotiated.

According to Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, the new union agreement is helping the department be competitive once again. Dezzi hopes existing vacancies will be filled now that salaries are higher. He said the difficulty filling the vacancies has taken a toll on some of his responders.

“A lot of these guys have not been getting days off,” Dezzi said. “These guys have really been supportive and they understand the position we’ve been in.”

An added level of difficulty for recruiting fire rescue responders is the requirement that they also be paramedics. Emergency medical technicians can only operate basic life support and can also assist paramedics. Paramedics are able to administer advanced life support.

For perspective, an EMT can get an IV ready, but only a paramedic can actually administer it. All firefighter paramedics with Longboat Key Fire Rescue are also trained in pediatric advanced life support.

“We’re competitive now; we were not before,” Dezzi said.

Dezzi, Turner and Tipton all share the sentiment that the investment is important to the community in order to provide the best level of service. For police, Turner does not hire any officers fresh out of the academy. He requires all his new officers to have years of experience. In the case of fire rescue, the requirement to be a paramedic on top of the firefighter position is unusual.

“We’re looking to hire the best,” Tipton said. “When we look at the numbers we’re investing in police and fire, it’s because that’s what our residents are asking for.”

•

America

Courtesy photo

Longboat Key Fire Rescue’s Station 92 opened its doors in 2021.

“We’re

best.

Under the docks

installed 40 vertical Oyster Gardens on June 2. The project is one of Longboat Key’s green initiatives in collaboration with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. The town has been partnered with SBEP for more than three decades, according to the organization’s executive director, David Tomasko.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

The strings of oyster shells hanging from the docks at Bayfront Park may not look like much now. But over the next few years, those simple structures could evolve into hubs for crucial filter feeder organisms.

Oyster Boys Conservation

Each VOG contains 20 recycled oyster shells, meaning the project at Bayfront Park brought a total of 800 oyster shells. Oyster larvae tend to grow on existing oysters, so the goal of VOGs is to promote the recruitment of oyster larvae and other organisms such as sponges and fish.

“These vertical oyster gardens are a great way to get more habitat

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complexity and also to have a little bit more filter feeders in the water,” Tomasko said.

Oysters are a common filter feeder, making them an important part of the marine ecosystem. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. Oysters are able to remove pollutants in the ecosystem, thus improving water quality. Oysters are also sessile organisms, meaning once they attach to a surface they remain there for their entire adult life.

Developed areas like Longboat Key pose a problem — not everywhere has a natural shoreline. Seawalls are good for protecting properties but

Parade Food Games

Sand Art

lack the ability to enhance the biodiversity of an area because of their flat metal surface. Projects like VOGs are a good way to stimulate an environment in less than ideal conditions.

“We’re trying to deal with it as it is, not as we’d love it to be,” Tomasko said.

Carolyn Brown, support services director for Longboat Key, said a group of residents that has a strong environmental interest brought forth the idea of VOGs. This recommendation complemented the town’s overarching sustainability goals, according to Brown.

“The town wants to make an impression, wants to do the right thing and be somewhat of a leader to the extent that we can,” Brown said.

The VOG projects hit two out of the four main goals outlined in SBEP’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan: Wildlife Action Plan and Community Engagement Action Plan.

The first is simple. The oyster gardens at Bayfront Park are intended to increase the abundance of marine organisms in the waters nearby.

“Anything we do to increase the complexity of this kind of shoreline is going to be good, and anything we can do to get more filter feeders in the bay is good,” Tomasko said.

Second, Tomasko hopes more public engagement will encourage others to implement oyster gardens on their own docks.

“Our goal is not to have dozens of these things out there; our goal is to have thousands of these out there and maybe tens of thousands,” Tomasko said.

Brown said the town is hoping to continue working closely with SBEP on upcoming projects. This sentiment was shared by Tomasko. He hinted at possible projects, such as softening shorelines in the area and implementing a type of panel that attaches to seawalls and could effectively allow filter feeders to grow on that surface.

“We think it’s everyone’s responsibility to preserve the environment for future generations,” Brown said. “It’s important while we’re all here to be respectful of the environment, to take care of it and to do whatever we can to mitigate any impacts.”

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce

Longboat Key's of July TH4

9:00 to 11 a.m.

Tuesday, July 4, Bicentennial Park on Bay Isles Road

Face Painting

Balloon Artist

Stilt Walker

Chucko the Clown

"Hot Diggity Dog!"

Parade & Contest w/ Prizes

$500 Prize. Cannons Marina is offering a $500 cash prize to the most patriotic business entry in the parade (as long as there is a minimum of 10 business entries). Floats may be any motorized vehicle with 4 wheels e.g. golf cart, auto, van, trailer, etc. To enter, please call the chamber at 383-2466. Parade starts promptly at 9am.

Kid Games & Butterfly Release. Fun games for kids of all ages after the parade with loads of prizes for everyone. Kids can also take tours of Longboat Key's biggest fire truck and rescue unit. Kids will get to release dozens of butterflies, supplied by the Longboat Key Garden Club.

Presenting Sponsor

Vertical oyster gardens, though simple in structure, can improve water quality and provide habitats for marine life.

Courtesy photo

Oyster Boys Conservation recently installed 40 vertical oyster gardens under the docks at Bayfront Park.

Dredging gets green light

Delays caused by wildlife shifted the timeline of the project, but the town expects it to begin by mid-July without any change in cost.

CARTER

STAFF WRITER

After some delays caused by wildlife, residents and visitors will soon be able to pass through Channel 1A along Greer Island (Beer Can Island). The dredging project will be underway by mid-July.

Currently, a buildup of sand that gradually washed down shore from the beaches has made it impossible to boat through the channel. Formally named The Greer Island Sand Spit Management Plan, the dredging project will fix this problem.

The contract for the dredge was issued in April, and the project was set to begin in May. But nature had a different plan. A colony of least terns, a species of seabird, established itself on the proposed dredging site. The town of Longboat Key then needed to obtain a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to continue the project with “minor activity.”

Meanwhile, the start of sea turtle nesting season presented another challenge when a nest appeared on the project site. After the appearance

of the nest, the town worked with Mote Marine Laboratory to receive a nest relocation permit. Mote recently acquired the permit, and two new nests were able to be successfully moved from the site. However, since the first sea turtle nest was established prior to the permit being acquired, the town must let the nest hatch naturally.

Now, the least terns have vacated the site and all that’s left to do is wait out the turtle nest. The nest is expected to hatch by mid-July, according to Isaac Brownman, director of public works. In the meantime, workers have the green light to begin prepping the site without harming the turtle nest.

According to Tipton, residents can expect to see this activity begin around the first week of July.

Once removed and relocated back toward the beaches, the groins installed along the beach are able to block the sand from traveling down shore. The groin structures are positioned almost perpendicular to the shore and can trap sand as it washes down shore. This should prevent another buildup on Canal 1A from happening in the near future.

Courtesy photo

Sand on Greer Island has begun encroaching on the Land’s End pier.

LONGBOAT

Big Step for the SPAF

With the selection of Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation took a giant step toward bringing its vision to reality.

While Sarasota’s new performing arts hall is years from reality, the selection of an architect marks a crucial step toward opening curtain and answering two big questions: How much will it cost? How long will it take?

While I know next to nothing about the process of constructing a building or architecture, I do know what steps are required to put on a show. While putting words to print, recounting the news and information you seek every week is a show within itself, a former career in the ballet world gave me experience in performing arts.

When premiering a new ballet, a choreographer first must be selected. Next the choreographer picks a concept and selects the music to which the ballet will be danced. Then the formulation of the steps and movements the dancers will perform begins.

Following all that are countless rehearsals and coaching, costume design, set production, lighting design, stage management, marketing, ticket sales and more.

Finally: It’s curtain time for opening night. Without the choreographer, there is no show.

It’s not quite curtain time for the future Sarasota Performing Arts Center, but with the selection of the architect two weeks ago — Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation took a giant step toward bringing its vision to reality.

Renzo Piano’s selection, along with the caliber of the other 42 architects considered for the job, says a lot about Sarasota and what the other architects saw in this midsize city that is increasingly becoming discovered.

Indeed, each of the three finalists — Foster + Partners, Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Snøhetta — are all regarded as internationally acclaimed firms.

Snøhetta is currently leading the design of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s historic performance space, Powell Hall, with a 65,000-square-foot expansion to celebrate the performance hall’s centennial in 2025.

I recently visited the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, which is the center of the Dallas Arts District. Designed by Foster + Partners, the performing arts hall is brightly lit in red with the glass horseshoe center revealing a sweeping staircase to the multilevel lobby areas and provides different plazas outside for the public.

Nearby is a Renzo Piano project — Nasher Sculpture Center, which is a museum and sculpture garden

that provides sanctuary among the downtown Dallas skyscrapers.

Seeing the latter two finalists’ projects firsthand in April, not knowing they would be finalists for the SPAC, I knew either architecture firm would create a worldclass project for Sarasota. Yet, this “newsie” is a bit biased. One of the most impressive buildings I’ve ever visited is the New York Times building in New York City. The Renzo Piano-designed, 52-story building takes up half a block in Manhattan and hums with people devoted to putting out a newspaper every day.

Now that Renzo Piano has been selected as the architect for the planned SPAC, the big overarching questions can be answered:

n How much will it cost?

n How long will it take until the first curtain rises?

Much like Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and The Bay Park, before design firms and partners were selected, master plans were aspirational. Once architects and consultants were selected, budgets and actual construction costs were then developed.

“You can’t really get an estimate of costs until you have a concept,” says Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Selby broke ground on its Master Plan in June 2021 and plans to host a ribbon cutting in November 2023. Rominiecki also shared that once an architect translates its design to reality, that’s when the costs come into focus.

After Renzo Piano goes through the city of Sarasota’s procurement process, the City Commission must vote on a concept from Renzo Piano and adopt an implementation

agreement.

Having been through the same process, Rominiecki says the most important aspect is conveying the big picture vision and the need.

“The need is so important to the constituency understanding being patient,” she says. “If the need is there, the patience will be there.”

Renzo Piano’s first job will be a needs analysis to assess how to meet the needs of the community for generations to come. “They are doing a lot of diligence,” says Jim Travers, chairman of the board and interim CEO of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation. “This is much more than a building. They are engaging the entire 53-acres and how to broadcast what’s happening inside out so that children and entire families can understand the arts in an amazing way.

“To see that come to fruition is overall really exciting for the project and the community,” he says.

Travers added that the SPAC is a generational project and is expected to serve the community for the next 50 to 60 years, much like the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has performed since the 1960s.

“Sarasota’s history and reputation for the performing arts is why people are here and coming here,” Travers says. “This is about my grandkids and your kids being able to have something to support the current state of the arts and where things are going.”

Walking through Klyde Warren Park in the downtown Dallas Arts District makes the vision of having a Sarasota Arts and Cultural district more of a reality. Just think: With Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, The Bay Park and a world-class performing arts hall along our beautiful bayfront, our downtown core will rise to a new level, fulfilling untapped potential for decades to come.

In a former life, this ballerina couldn’t wait to step her toes on that stage. Now I’m looking forward to being an audience member. Thankfully, the SPAF has taken the first step, or in ballet, first position, to get there.

Emily Walsh was a part of the Van Wezel Steering Committee in 2018 to help envision a new performing arts hall for Sarasota until she joined the board of the Bay Park Conservancy in 2019. She currently serves as secretary on the Bay Park Conservancy Board of Directors. Walsh served on

“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

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the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Board of Directors from 2011 to 2017.

Stock photo Renzo Piano Building Workshop was commissioned to be the architecture firm of the New York Times building in New York, New York, through a competition in 2000.

EMILY WALSH

Emily Walsh

Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Texas, was designed by finalist firm Foster + Partners.

photo

Plans to meet demands

On her first day on the job, Erin Silk, the new president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp., explains how the organization will meet the demands of the County Commission.

ANDREW WARFIELD

STAFF WRITER

D

A fourth-generation Silk in Sarasota County, she said recalls her grandfather saying the Silks arrived here on horse and buggy. The Maryland native who began her career in the Baltimore area followed the family footsteps here in 2015 when she became CEO of Venice Main Street in 2015. She joined the EDC in 2019.

Last week, Silk was elected by the EDC Board of Directors as president and CEO, succeeding Lisa Krouse, who held the role on an interim basis for 18 months. She takes over at a crucial time, with the County Commission demanding greater communication and more measurables to justify the more than $1 million per year in county funding.

On her first day as the new leader of the EDC, Silk talked with the Observer about economic development activity in the county and how the seven-member organization will work to bring in new companies, help existing companies find new space to expand, address the shortage of light industrial sites needed to create those new jobs and meet the demands of the County Commission.

What brought you to Sarasota?

I was ready to be in Sarasota and Venice, and I was absolutely blessed and honored to get the position of

uring three of her four-plus years with the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County, Erin Silk has worked under two interim executive directors who worked to transition it into the more responsive, results-oriented organization demanded by its primary benefactor, the Sarasota County Commission.CEO of Venice Main Street in 2015. Venice Main Street is an economic development and historic organization in downtown Venice. It was there for about four-and-a-half years before I moved over to the EDC here, and I have now held four different roles within the EDC.

You joined the EDC at a time when the County Commission was questioning its effectiveness. How do you assess the changes since 2019?

What has kept us going is a strong board of directors and a strong commitment from the community to say they expect something different from the EDC. Sometimes change brings out good. Sometimes challenge brings out the best, and that’s what I see happening. Dave Bullock was the absolute best leader for the time period that he was with us (18 months). He only thought he was going to be with us for three months. And then Lisa Krouse was the absolute best person to lead us at the time that she did. And I hope that as we look back, the same will be said about me.

The County Commission expects measurable results. In an endeavor that is often intangible, how will you meet that demand?

Right now in our project pipeline we have 80 projects. About 50 are out of market companies that have identified or we’ve had initial conversations with about Sarasota County, logistics companies included. There are about 30 local companies that are here and growing like light industrial and hightech manufacturing. They’re having trouble identifying sites, and we’re helping them with that. These are

great companies and great fits for our community. We’re all working together for the greater good of our residents.

What we’ve done is above and beyond our contractual obligation for quarterly metrics. We are providing a monthly report to the commission that also goes to all of the interlocal partners. And it’s not just metrics, it’s also about seven projects that we are going to close (on the sites) in 2023. We have five more that are slated to close in 2024. It’s a deeper dive into our process of what is actually in our pipeline.

Additionally, we are having oneon-ones with our commissioners on a quarterly basis, and that’s brand new to us. We’re also inviting them to some of the projects that we’re working with and supporting our businesses. Getting to participate in our work I hope will have a real effect when you can see the connections being made. We can put that on a spreadsheet and it doesn’t mean anything until you actually get into our work, see it in action and hear from the people it impacts.

Give Back!

Why wait

JUNE 26TH - 29TH | 3:30 -

9:00

TRADITIONAL TURKEY DINNER. $28

Our restaurants & our team members are proud to support Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee & All Faith's Food Bank.

Help us help those in need in our community:

Bring a container of non perishable food items & receive a $10 "Lobster Loot" certificate, to use on your next visit.

It sounds like you are focusing on enhancing communications with the county. You can’t have an impact on something as large and nebulous as an economy unless you’re a collaborator, a good communicator and are able to bring people together around something. Some of the things that we’re working on, you’re not going to see an end product for five to 10 years, A really good example of our work recently has been a partnership with the city of Northport as they have about 1,000 acres that they’re putting utilities out to off of Toledo Blade Boulevard and Sumpter Boulevard. Right now that is the only area of land in Sarasota County with the potential for significant job creation. We launched a video that was underwritten by FPL in collaboration with Northport and the EDC. It shows drone footage of buildings coming out of the ground, what could be there so you know when those buildings are up and running. It might not be for five years or more, but being able to visually show that and communicate it, to tell the story and to get the community buy-in is what will make us successful.

How do you define the personality of the local economy?

What we’ve seen in downtown Sarasota is this incredible attraction to entrepreneurs who are relocating to the Sarasota area, and they’re not just brand-new entrepreneurs that are on their first start up ... They could go launch their next endeavor anywhere in the world but they want to be here in Sarasota County. Maybe they moved to Sarasota or Siesta Key with their family. Maybe COVID has brought them here and they find this is a great place for business. There’s been a really exciting and cool energy on tech entrepreneurialism particularly around downtown Sarasota.  Northport has immense opportunities with the land that they have. We’re talking to manufacturers and logistics companies and also high tech-manufacturers who would be a really great fit in Northport because of the space that they have and the workforce that they have. The beauty of our area is that it’s there’s a little something for everybody.

What is the economic future of the county?

We have become a serious destination for business. We have built a reputation as an exciting place for business, and I see it in the conversations that we’re having, the people that are reaching out to us. Our center of influence has gotten broader and wider where we’re having people reach out from Canada and France and they have an interest to be in Sarasota County. I think the beauty of Sarasota County when it comes to our economic direction is it depends on where you are.  Economic development means a whole lot of things, and this organization continues to evolve. It’s been about diversifying the economy. We have fantastic hospitality, tourism, construction and health care. We need to be diverse and we need to not be relying on certain sectors. Our niche is helping to diversify the economy, and it is a long-term investment. You can’t diversify an economy over the span of six months or a year. It isn’t a five-year or even a 20-year time frame.

Courtesy photo

Erin Silk has been named president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County.

Stay

Monday ~ 10am Stretch & Strengthen

Mostly seated – great for balance!

Tuesday ~ 10am Qi Gong – outdoors weather permitting! 11:15am Yoga 1pm Mah Jongg (must RSVP!)

Wednesday ~ 10am Tai Chi – outdoors weather permitting!

Thursday ~ 10am Zumba/Pilates, 1pm Open Games! 11:15am Yoga ~ Just added!

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 9 NO DOGS ALLOWED

5:52 p.m., 100 block of Broadway Dog on the beach: Police were alerted of two dogs on the beach, which they found being walked by a woman on the beach. They advised her of the ordinance and she obliged without issue.

OUTLAW FISHING

8:38 p.m., 7000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Trespassing: Police were dispatched to a report of people fishing on the bridge in between signs that say fishing is not allowed. When police arrived on the scene, the fishermen were already moving their gear outside of the no-fishing area. They received a verbal warning.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

KAYAK … RESCUE?

5:17 p.m., 4100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Water rescue: A woman in distress was reported as a water emergency, prompting the response of Longboat Key Police and Fire Rescue departments. Fire Rescue deployed fireboat 9 to reach the woman in her kayak. There was no emergency and she was in good health.

$15 per class – FREE for Members!

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

SNAKE IN THE CLOSET

8:20 p.m., 3400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Animal complaint: Police were called to a resident’s home after a report of a snake in a closet. Sarasota Animal Services arrived on scene with Longboat police to confront the three-foot corn snake. The snake was removed and released.

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

STALKING BOATERS

1:39 p.m., 5000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious Vessel: A homeowner reported that she believed two vessels were watching her. A beach patrol officer located the vessels and saw they were recreating and not in any violation; the case was cleared.

MONDAY, JUNE 12

INSURANCE IMPOSTOR

10:43 a.m., 3500 block of Fair Oaks Lane

Suspicious incident: A homeowner alerted police to a phone call re-

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14

ALMOST NUDE

4:05 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Road

Suspicious person: Police were alerted to a nude man pouring water over his head outside a parked semi-truck. No obscene acts or gestures were reported by the complainant. When police arrived on scene, the man was sitting in his truck. He later admitted to pouring water over his head while shirtless but said he was wearing boxer shorts.

ceived the previous week. The complainant said the caller claimed to be an insurance agent who needed to enter the home on June 13 to take pictures. No personal information was exchanged, and the complainant said the insurance company was called and assured the complainant no one from their office had reached out. The complainant said a friend would stay over at the house on June 13, and police recommended reaching out again if necessary.

TUESDAY, JUNE 13

AN ALARMING SOUND

2:35 a.m., 1900 block of Harbourside Drive

Alarm: Police were called to respond to an alarm heard going off at a home. The complex security guard and responding officer were able to locate the source of the alarm as the garage, and tried knocking on the front door of the residence with no success. The resident was reached via phone but was out of the country. The owner gave permission to the security guard to use the spare key to enter the home. No signs of forced entry or fire were observed, nor could the source of the alarm be located.

A Freedom Fest first

Now the club is building back, with 270 members.

JAMES PETER MANAGING EDITOR

Although the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce’s Freedom Fest will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this Fourth of July, the annual event still managed to break new ground this year — by choosing for the first time an entire organization rather than an individual as grand marshal of its July 4 parade.

“The Garden Club was chosen because they have done so much to beautify Longboat Key over many, many years,” said Gail Loefgren, president and CEO of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. “The money they raise from their fundraisers (is) plowed right back into making our island paradise even more spectacular. Our community owes them a debt of gratitude and the chamber appreciates their service.”

Prior to COVID, the club had about 300 members. But due to a lack of activities, membership dwindled slightly, said Susan Phillips, longtime garden club member and chair of multiple club committees.

Among the club’s many projects during its 54-year history was creating the Bicentennial Park in Longboat, where the Freedom Fest will take place on July 4, said Phillips. The shade trees in the children’s playground at Bayfront Park were a club donation as part of the Bayfront Park redevelopment in 2017.  The club’s beautification and landscaping efforts and fundraisers have supported countless highly visible sites on the Key.

“Our next project we are very excited about — a beautification project at the new Town Center Green and around the Karon Family Pavilion. This is a legacy project for us — something the entire community will enjoy for decades into the future,” explained Phillips. “We’ve also planted trees in every town park on the island.”

The club’s fundraising also supports a number of “meaningful missions” on Longboat, providing college scholarships to students in environmental, conservation, biology and marine sciences and sending children to summer camps at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

“We partner with Longboat Key Turtle Watch and the town for informational materials about turtle nesting and how to help sustain that species,” added Phillips. “Dozens of other organizations have partnered

with us or received grants annually.”

One of the club’s most beloved projects is the annual butterfly release as part of Freedom Fest. Planning for the release starts long before July 4.

The club orders 100 individually wrapped butterflies seven weeks in advance of the event, said Phillips.

Prior to July 4, the club replants the Butterfly Garden in Bicentennial

Park.

This year at 8 a.m. on June 25 the club will hold a group replanting with probably 35-40 new plants, explained Phillips. The plants improve the habitat for butterflies, offering nectar and host sites.

The butterflies are kept on dry ice until just after the parade.

“Then I open the container up to let them warm as we give them

out to kids and then to parents and anyone else who wants to release one,” explained Phillips. “The grand marshal releases the first one, and then everyone else … It is the most delightful thing you’ve ever seen — the kids’ faces when their butterfly flutters away, lights nearby on a plant, and sometimes they light on the kid!”

All are welcome at All

no exceptions

• In-person worship service Sunday at 10 a.m.

• Live-stream at AllAngelsLBK.org to participate on-line

• Discussion Groups on Tue & Wed at 10 a.m. 563 Bay Isles Rd • 941-383-8161 AllAngelsLBK.org

WorshipWithUsAtOurChurch SundayService10:00AM

TheRev.Dr.NormanPritchard

The

Men’sBibleStudy:Monday@9:00

11am, Thursday, June 29

Due: 3pm, Thursday, June 29

Masks Are Optional Visitors & Residents Welcome Watc hO ur

Women’sBibleStudy:Wednesday@10:00

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

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

You are invited to join us in worship,

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

Chamber names the Longboat Key Garden Club grand marshals of the Freedom Fest July 4 parade.

Courtesy photo

Longboat Key Garden Club officers Susan Loprete, Sharon Meir, Susan Mason, Melanie Dale, Lyn Haycock and Susan Phillips at the club’s Arbor Day Picnic & Annual Meeting, which was held on April 28 at the Longboat Island Chapel.

< PUGILISTIC PREMIERE: “That Must be the Entrance to Heaven” packs a mean punch. 17A

MUSICOLOGY TALE: “Black Pearl Sings” opens at FST’s Keating Theatre on June 28. 16A >

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT CREATING A CANDY-COLORED WORLD

“You’re wearing my colors,” exclaims Niki Butcher when a visitor wearing an aqua-and-pink dress arrives at the Venice gallery she shares with her husband, photographer Clyde Butcher.

Niki’s pastel-tinted photographs have their own room in the gallery, which is dominated by the massive black-and-white works of her husband.

Clyde’s stark environmental photography is often compared to that of the legendary Ansel Adams, whom he cites as an influence on his work.

Niki’s photographs also capture nature. It makes sense since the Butchers own a home and studio in Big Cyprus National Preserve in Ochopee. They’ve also shared cars, campers and boats in their 60-year journey together, which began in Palo Alto, Calif.

Like her husband, Niki starts out by taking a black-and-white photograph. But then she applies pastel pigments to the print and uses cotton swabs and balls as paintbrushes. What’s left behind is a candy-colored dream.

A TRIP TO OLD FLORIDA

Earlier this year, Niki published her first book of photographs, “Daydreaming,” which brings together her work spanning more than five decades.

Step inside the gallery room with Niki’s photographs and you’ll discover that the much-ballyhooed Big Sky of Montana has nothing on the panoramas of Florida, especially when they’re enhanced by the artist. In addition to large photos of mangrove, cypress and palm trees and idyllic sandy beaches, Niki’s room and her book feature smaller scenes of Old Florida.

These run-down fishing shacks, general stores selling a little bit of everything and salty, sun-dried characters are still around in the Sunshine State. Long after they’re gone, these vestiges of Old Florida will live on in Niki’s photographs.

For a woman whose creations depend upon embellishment, Niki is remarkably free of artistry. She doesn’t try to smooth out the rough edges of her life.

At 78, Niki’s not in a hurry, but maybe she never was. She’s delicate

but not frail and appears ready for whatever life sends her way. She’s the able first mate to Clyde’s skipper.

For many years, Niki was too busy helping with Clyde’s business and tending to her children to be a real artist. But then fate intervened.

As she recounts the story of her life, she pauses and asks: “Do you know what happens to a marriage when a child dies?”

Yes. Very few survive. What’s more, siblings also carry the weight of the loss.

Niki’s transformation from helpmeet to artist came after her son Ted was killed by a drunken driver in 1986. “Not long after Ted died, we were booked at an arts show in Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan,” she recalls. “Being around all those young people got me missing Ted so much.”

While the Butchers were in Ann

Arbor, Niki met a young man in a wheelchair who was cheerful and did not appear to feel sorry for himself because he was disabled.

BECOMING A REAL ARTIST

Shortly after that encounter, Niki said she decided to stop taking pictures of stuffed bears, rocking chairs and other saccharine subjects, work that was designed to open wallets at art shows.

She decided to create art that spoke to her. “It was Ted who helped me see what I needed to do,” Niki says.

When they got married in 1963 after meeting on a double date, Niki had studied fine art at a junior college, and Clyde was working as an architect. He was the breadwinner; photography was just a hobby.

But then he lost his job in one of California’s periodic real estate busts. According to Niki, a close

Niki Butcher

“The sun sets in the West, and I was used to sunsets over the ocean. I really liked that.

Once we moved to the Gulf Coast, I was happy again. The sun set in the right place.”

Niki Butcher

friend suggested that Clyde take down his photographs that were hanging on the walls of the Butcher house and sell them at an upcoming art fair.

By this time, the couple had moved to Los Angeles. Clyde’s photographs found favor with Angeleno art lovers.

“He made more in that one weekend that he had in a whole month as an architect,” Niki says.

Venice photographer Niki Butcher emerges from the shadow of her famous husband with a book capturing her pastel-hued work.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

The horizon seems endless in this tinted photograph of a dock on Loggerhead Key.

PRODUCING FOR THE MASSES

Clyde’s photographs were so popular that a friend approached him about starting a business to sell reproductions of Clyde’s images  through department stores like Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penney.

“Back then, photography wasn’t really considered art, so we put a clock in the corner of the photograph and they became wall clocks,” Niki says.

Fast forward a few years. The Butchers and their financial partner own a company called Eye Encounter based in Akron, Ohio, with 200 employees. After selling Eye Encounter to a corporation, the Butchers decided to hit the road and then the sea, all the while raising two kids. Along the way, Clyde gave up color photography and destroyed all his negatives. According to Niki, he lost the rights to most of his images when they sold their company. As former Californians, the Butchers love sunshine, the ocean and natural beauty. They didn’t

want to go home after selling their business in Ohio so they decided to give Florida a try.

But they didn’t get it right the first time — they settled on the East Coast. The people were nice enough, Niki says, but she couldn’t get her bearings.

“I was used to sunsets over the ocean. Once we moved to the Gulf Coast, I was happy again. The sun set in the right place,” she says.

The turning point in their lives, though, was when they were able to buy a property in Big Cypress, a stepping stone into Florida’s dark and wild interior. Clyde found the landscape that would cement his reputation as an environmental photographer.

But before visitors started coming to the Butcher Gallery in Big Cypress, Clyde and Niki had to hit the road to sell their art.

Long before the #vanlife craze hit social media, the Butchers were parking their camper in places like Central Park West in New York City to attend art festivals.

ALWAYS HAPPY TO COME HOME

Wherever the Butchers travel, Niki’s always happy to come back to Florida and its “weird and wonderful people,” she says. “There’s nothing like it.”

A visitor to a crowded open house in May at Clyde Butcher’s Venice gallery, located in a warehouse district, could rightfully assume that their success was predestined. That would be a mistake, Niki says.

“When you go to art fairs, you meet so many talented people. Why did we succeed with two galleries while other people are still selling at art shows? Because we had the experience of running a business,” she says.

These days, the Butchers’ daughter Jackie and son-in-law Neal Obendorf play a major part in the business, particularly since Clyde’s recent stroke. Even the grandkids are getting involved.

As Clyde and Niki celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this year, the couple knows their legacy is in good hands.

Niki Butcher

Niki’s embellished photograph of a mangrove tree on Money Key.

Courtesy photos Clyde and Niki Butcher are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

Niki Butcher uses cotton swabs and cotton balls as her paintbrushes.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

‘THE MAN I LOVE’ LECTURE

11 a.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail

$10

Visit OlliRinglingCollege.org.

This Osher Lifelong Learning Institute class recounts the 10-year affair between Kay Swift and musical giant George Gershwin, which lasted until Gershwin died. Swift was the

OUR PICK

BLUESTAR BAND PRESENTS

‘REAL DEAL BLUES’

Offseason got you singing the blues?

The antidote might be “Real Deal Blues” with Bluestar Band, featuring Johnny Guitar, who claims to have been living the blues his entire life. Guitar will be joined by former retinal surgeon Oren “Doc” Plous on keyboards, Chicago blues veteran Kevin O’Connor on guitar and Sarasota radio host Velvet Hammer on bass. The band will

first woman to completely score a hit musical.

SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR

2 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road $15-$20

Visit CircusArts.org.

Heidi Herriott, a third-generation American circus artist, presides over performances by hand balancers, clowns, jugglers and aerial rope artists, just to name just a few. Tickets are affordable, thanks to a partnership between the Circus Arts Academy and The Ringling. Runs through Aug. 12.

‘FAIRY TALE’

4:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail

From $30

Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Flutist Jasmine Choi and pianist Michael Adock play Dutilleux, while Jennifer Frautschi plays violin on Schubert’s “Piano Quintet in A Major.” The concert also features the works of Janacek, DeFalla/Kreisler and Kreisler. The festival continues through June 24.

‘REEL MUSIC’

6 p.m. at Florida StudioTheatre’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $34-$39

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

“Reel Music” celebrates the movies

THE SURFER BOYS

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret,1265 First St. $18 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

From the group that brought you The Jersey Tenors comes a rousing tribute to the band that took America on a “Surfin’ Safari” in the early 1960s. Runs through Aug. 13.

‘SHEAR MADNESS’

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

There’s been a murder in a Sarasota hair salon, and it’s up to FST audiences to outwit the suspects and catch the killer in this interactive comedy. Runs through July 2.

FRIDAY

‘RISING STARS’

2:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail From $15 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

The works of Fanny Mendelssohn, Brahms, Strauss, Ravel and other composers will be performed by the fellows studying at the Sarasota Music Festival. The festival continues through June 24.

SHINDIG BAND

7 p.m. at Centennial Park, Venice

artists who have been in residence on its Manasota Key campus. Details of the show have not been announced.

‘Traditions and Transformations’

7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. From $29 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

The works of Debussy, Ligeti, Beethoven and Mendelssohn will be performed. The festival continues through June 24.

SATURDAY

‘BEETHOVEN AND SCHUMANN’

7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.

From $30 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Nicholas McGegan conducts piano soloist Robert Levin playing Beethoven’s Piano Concert No.

4. The works of Emily Cooley and Schumann will also be performed.

DON’T MISS

‘BLACK PEARL SINGS!’

Set during the Great Depression, “Black Pearl Sings” tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a Library of Congress musicologist who wants to record undocumented slavery-era music and an African American prisoner who has the knowledge that the researcher needs.

IF YOU GO

When: June 28, Runs through July 30.

Where: FST’s Keating Theatre, 1265 First St.

Tickets: $25 Info: Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Courtesy photos

“Black Pearl Sings” runs June 28-July 30 at FST.

Punching on heaven’s door

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Franky D. Gonzalez’s “That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” just premiered at Urbanite Theatre. The play revolves around a quest for the title of World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

Fisticuffs aside, this isn’t your typical boxing play. It flips genre expectations. “Rocky” it isn’t. It’s more of an anti-boxing play. We’ll explain why later. For now, let’s talk about what it is. There are four contenders vying for the heavyweight title. All happen to be Latino. All have paid a heavy price to be in the competition.

Armando (Edgar Miguel Sanchez) defected from Cuba to make the boxing big time. His father considers him a traitor to the revolutionary cause. Was it worth it? Armando’s starting to doubt it. He’s discovered that boxers don’t age as well as wine.

Edgar (Peter Pasco) emigrated from Mexico as a child and blames himself for his mother’s death on the journey to America. He hopes that winning the title will earn him an “extraordinary ability” visa. (In the ring, Juan gives himself the visa’s name — “Extraordinary EB-1”.)

Juan (Juan Ramirez Jr.) hates the sport of boxing. But it’s the only thing he knows, and he keeps it up to support his family. Manuel (Rodney Nelson) is living in his champion brother’s shadow — and carries the weight of his sibling’s suicide after a powerhouse punch turned off his opponent’s lights.

Permanently. The story builds from there, but I won’t spoil it. Let’s just say it’s far from basic.

Kathleen Capdesuner’s direction makes the most of Gonzalez’s shattered structure. In boxing, keeping an opponent off balance is a tried-and-true technique. You feint, get the opponent to lunge, make them lose their center of gravity. That’s what the text demands. That’s what Capdesuner does.

Tom Hansen’s set isn’t a realistic boxing ring; it’s more like a boxing ring turned inside-out. (An accurate re-creation would make it hard for the actors to move around on stage.) Caroline Eng’s sound design and Ethan Vail’s lighting smartly evoke the playwright’s half-worlds. The black hole is a key motif in this play. Vail brings it to life without elbowing you in the ribs.

The actors make me forget that they’re actors. This doesn’t feel like looking at a performance. It feels like I’m looking at different people. I don’t mean it as a compliment. It’s just a fact.

Diego Villada’s fight choreography is brilliant. It’s possible to fake contact — championship wrestling proves it. But Villada takes a different approach. He shows you the movement patterns without impact. But this is boxing not ballet. The fight direction conveys the brutal, visceral violence of the sport. The actors’ moves feel real. (And so does their sense of pain and physical damage.)

You can tell that Villada’s fiercely trained them. Beyond accuracy, their punches, blocks

and dodges are characterization. The boxers’ moves tell you who they are. (That’s baked into Gonzalez’s script — and he has a keen grasp of boxing’s in-the-moment strategy.) Villada gets it. And makes sure you get it.

Gonzalez’s work is a higher level of difficulty. The playwright has a long list of bravura techniques. Mundane realism isn’t

one of them. Gonzalez’s speech is heightened. His dialogue feels like poetry — and sometimes feels like a contrapuntal fugue. His well-drawn characters don’t sound like each other. His boxers often talk to people who aren’t there — ghosts, memories. It’s soliloquy in disguise. These X-rays of the soul remind me of Chayefsky at his best. Or Shakespeare. Technique aside, Gonzalez’s implied philosophy sets his work apart. Yes, you heard right. “Philosophy.”

“That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” is a philosophical play with boxing gloves. Its philosophy is why it flips genre expectations. Boxing plays (and movies like

“Rocky”) typically get you rooting for one boxer to follow their dreams and win. Even if they lose, they’re still a winner. It’s a feelgood genre, with some notable exceptions like “Raging Bull.”

“Entrance to Heaven” is more of an anti-boxing play. (Anti-genre, not anti-sport. Just to be clear.)

Gonzalez makes you root for all four contenders. Then he makes you question their dreams of boxing glory. And all dreams, for that matter.

“ ... The weight of a dream suffocates the soul,” says the boxer Armando. The price the pugilists pay just to be contenders doesn’t seem worth it. Winning the title doesn’t magically solve anyone’s problems. There are no winners. Even if you lose, you win.

“Boxing” is clearly a metaphor for the human condition on this Earth. Life is a struggle. If you’re a Latino on the outside looking in, the struggle is harder. There are winners and losers. Your choices determine which one you are.

Time is a one-way street. There’s no going back.

Gonzalez contrasts that with another metaphor. A special kind of black hole (i.e., heaven’s entrance) that Juan’s mother told him about when he was a kid. Within its singularity, life isn’t a struggle. Here, every possible choice happens simultaneously. There is no time. And no need to go back.

And that’s just the short version.

This play has a lot going for it. Sometimes it feels like too much. And that’s my only beef. I sometimes lose the metaphysical thread in all its various complications — and keeping the thread is what I’m good at.

Gonzalez needs to play a game of creative Jenga and take out some of the philosophical meandering without making the narrative structure collapse. That’s a surface criticism. A matter of style, not the heart.

“That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” has miles and miles of heart.

It’s not afraid to break your heart.

Boxing meets black holes in Urbanite’s pugilistic premiere ‘That Must be the Entrance to Heaven.’

Courtesy photo

Edgar Miguel Sanchez and Rodney Nelson are two of four boxers in “That Must be the Entrance to Heaven,” which runs through July 9 at Urbanite Theatre.

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YOUR NEIGHBORS

Cool reads for hot days

Mystery, beach read or historical adventure? Longboat Library has new releases for every taste.

JAMES PETER MANAGING EDITOR

There’s no better way to beat the heat than with a good book and a little air conditioning, but with a dizzying array of new releases it’s hard to keep up with all the books worth your time.

Thankfully, the Longboat Library has a group of passionate volunteers willing to help readers sort through the stacks and find good reads for every appetite and imagination.

With help from her fellow Longboat library volunteers, Barb Torrence assembled the following list of picks from recent fiction and nonfiction releases to suit almost any taste. The Longboat Key Library, on average, purchases 25 new books each month plucked from top book lists and member suggestions, said Torrence. So whether you’re looking for a beach read, some thought-provoking literature or a historical adventure, chances are the Longboat Library has a fresh read just for you.

TOP OF THE STACKS

‘Fresh Water for Flowers’ by Valérie Perrin, 2020 Torrence said this bestselling novel translated from the French was one of the best books she’s read of late.

“It’s about a woman who is a caretaker at a cemetery and how she gets involved in the lives of the people who visit the cemetery,” Torrence said.

“There’s a lot of sadness, but she also finds joy.”

Through her encounters as a caretaker with the living and the dead, Violette discovers the power of love and resilience.

Torrence praised the lyrical writing style and language of the book along with its handling of the relationships among the characters.

SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE

‘Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization’ by Neil DeGrasse Tyson, 2022 Astrophysicist and science commentator Neil DeGrasse Tyson brings a scientific perspective to heady topics such as war, politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender and race. Tyson emphasizes the importance of the rationality of science in addressing the polarization that afflicts discussion of these issues. As always, Tyson writes in a clear and accessible manner as he reminds readers of our place in the universe.

purchased their own copies.  It’s the 1960s in America. Elizabeth Zott just wanted to be a research scientist, but after she loses her temper, she eventually finds herself (reluctantly) hosting a wildly popular cooking show.

MUSIC AND MYSTERY

‘The Violin Conspiracy’ by Brendan Slocumb, 2022 Torrence suggested this novel for its musical connections, treatment of issues of prejudice and mystery plot.

In this well-reviewed page-turner, Ray McMillian, a talented Black violinist, learns that the battered fiddle passed down through his family is actually a priceless Stradivarius. With that rare instrument, he sees a chance to fulfill his classical music ambitions. But on the eve of a prestigious competition, the violin is stolen. Ray embarks on a desperate quest to recover it, determined to prove his worth as a musician.

TRUE STORY

‘The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder’ by David Grann, 2023 The author of “The Lost City of Z” and “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” turns his nonfiction talents to a real-life story of survival at sea in “The Wager.”

“It has great reviews,” said Torrence.

In 1740, the HMS Wager left England chasing a Spanish galleon carrying gold. In 1742, 30 members of the HMS Wager’s crew washed ashore on a makeshift boat. They were barely alive. Their story of survival made them heroes. But six months later, three more men from the HMS Wager sailing another makeshift vessel made it to the coast of Chile. They had a different story to tell. One of mutiny and murder.

A WEIGHTY READ

‘The Covenant of Water’ by Abraham Verghese, 2023 Torrence recommended this Oprah’s Book Club Selection based on her reading of Verghese’s 2008 novel, “Cutting for Stone,” a bestseller that sold more than 1.5 million copies in the U.S. according to publisher Grove Atlantic. “The Covenant of Water” is set in India and tells the story of multiple generations of a family in which in each generation at least one person drowns.  As you might expect, it’s definitely not a beach read, explained Torrence.

ON THE ROAD ‘West with Giraffes’ by Lynda Rutledge, 2021

One of the most popular books at the Longboat Library, this tale of a Great Depression-era journey across the U.S. weaves historical figures together with fictional ones. Inspired by actual events and set in 1938, “West with Giraffes” follows the adventures of two men tasked with transporting a pair of giraffes from New York to the San Diego Zoo.

LAUGH LESSONS

‘Lessons in Chemistry’ by Bonnie Garmus, 2022 Torrence said this fun novel about a woman who teaches chemistry through cooking is one of the library’s most requested books and is almost always checked out. Due to the popularity of this New York Times No. 1 Bestseller, the library has ordered multiple copies and a couple library members

Photo by Sidra Wali Barb Torrence, Longboat Library volunteer

A happy dance of art

would selectively pour art and paint negatively around a subject. Another series she completed was in acrylics.

Alife lived in art is a life of exploration, where the artist’s spirit dances freely on the canvas.

Madeline Wikler, an artist and Seaplace resident, has such a spirit, which has been ingrained in her through a variety of arts. She has been painting, doing pottery, drawing and taking photos all her life.

But her painting didn’t take off until after she retired from her job working for a publishing company in 2001.

“I had a family and a job and I didn’t give myself permission to do it,” said Wikler. “A man was leading an art class that I went to and it’s like I had an epiphany. It started from there. Power of place.”

For Wikler, things just clicked.

“My watercolor journey actually started in Maine and I’ve tried pastels. It’s gorgeous. But I didn’t like the squeaky sounds or all the dust flying everywhere. I’ve even tried oils,” said Wikler.

Wikler has spent seven winters on Longboat Key and bought a home on the island in 2019.

Wikler explained that with watercolor, it’s either right or wrong.

“With oils, you can never truly finish,” said Wikler. “I believe that watercolor is the harder medium because you can’t correct anything.”

The paper, once pristine, comes alive as gentle waves of translucent pigments embrace its surface. Every stroke is deliberate. Her work is filled with an array of muted tones and soft hues.

Her artwork has been described as similar to stained glass.

Wikler paints in cycles, painting a series of works. For example, she

“I truly love to paint informal portraits as well as commissions if the reference photo is detailed enough,” said Wikler. “For me, my connection with a piece of art is with the viewer. I do it for the reward of making the art and having someone enjoy it. It’s not a way to make a living.”

Wikler owns a summer home in Maine, where she regularly paints plein air.

“I want my process to be simple. I have a watercolor palette, a light easel and a light chair. I have bug repellent and a hat and you’re good,” said Wikler. “I remember once I was out painting and some wild turkeys came by.”

Wikler explained how she was sitting outside and painting the coast of Maine. Someone approached her, quietly watched her paint and asked for her card.

“They asked me if I could email what the finished painting would look like because they wanted to buy it,” said Wikler. “It’s that connection that you make.”

Wikler has been featured in Longboat Key’s annual art exhibit at Town Hall for the past two years.

She graduated from Brown University and was a founding member of Gallery 302 in Bridgton, Maine. Although she is no longer an active member.

“When I’m in Maine, I paint more landscapes — the water and blue hills. While I’m in Florida, I tend to work on series,” said Wikler.

Wikler’s advice to anyone interested in painting with watercolor is to just pick up the brush.

“It’s like anything else, the theory of 10,000 hours. Use up a lot of paint, mess up a lot, play around and figure it out as you go. It’s all about the water. It’s a happy dance between the lack of control and intention. Watercolor is never the same twice.”

Longboat artist Madeline Wikler connects with her artwork through the viewer’s perspective. Courtesy images

Watercolor paintings by Madeline Wikler

Madeline Wikler’s painting from her travels to India.

Yacht club donates new shoes to local athletes

OBSERVER STAFF

The Bird Key Yacht Club put smiles on local tennis players’ faces by raising more than $1,700 to purchase 34 pairs of tennis shoes for The Haven and Tennis For Fun athletes.

The idea started with Molly Gleason, a BKYC member and Tennis for Fun volunteer, who got the ball rolling, explained Brenda Shields, director of Tennis For Fun.

Tennis For Fun is a volunteer organization with multiple locations in Florida and around the country, including Sarasota, that partners with the Special Olympics. It enables athletes to enjoy the sport of tennis, socialize and compete.

“Molly suggested the idea of providing new tennis shoes to The Haven athletes participating in the Tennis For Fun program. Her fellow club members at Bird Key Yacht Club raised enough money to purchase brand-new tennis shoes for The Haven’s TFF athletes along with many of their residents,” said Shields. “This is an amazing example of local generosity and we are very excited to share this program with our friends, neighbors and the Sarasota area.”

BKYC commodore, Tammy Hackney, club general manager, and Gleason delivered the shoes to The Haven on June 9.

Once the athletes received their shoes, many began trying them on immediately, explained Adams.

“It has been a privilege for members of the Bird Key Yacht Club to support (The Haven Tennis For Fun) athletes and residents. Our members have a generous heart and step up when asked to support worthwhile Sarasota community charitable initiatives,” said Adams. “When Molly suggested this idea, I immediately asked Tammy to pull a team together to make it happen. And she did with the help and enthusiastic support of our members. And here we are today.”

Gleason explained that Adams was quick to put the wheels in motion.

“Good things happen when good people make the effort. The athletes’ faces were at first a mix of disbelief and astonishment when I said to them, ‘I need your shoe size and I want you to tell me exactly what color of tennis shoe you want. Brand new, just for you,’ and the looks were replaced by delight. I mean, how do you decide between pink and purple?”

Lisa Adams,

The dedication of club members and support for their leadership fueled this initiative.

Courtesy photo

Kyle Pigott, The Haven resident, Tammy Hackney, Bird Key Yacht Club general manager and COO, and Jeff Ahlers, The Haven resident

SIDRA WALI CONTRIBUTOR

Amid the sun-drenched landscapes and swaying palms of Longboat, the Rotary Club of Longboat Key has been a pillar of service, fostering a legacy of philanthropy, camaraderie and positive change. Jeff Driver, who became president of the Rotary Club in 2022, talked about what the club has done this past season.

“Each year, we have signature and ongoing events. One of the things we do is host annual speaker programs where we invite two speakers a month,” said Driver. “They are in-person at All Angels Episcopal Church or via Zoom on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.”

Driver explained that the programs are for residents to learn about ongoing matters of interest.

“They are always free. Back in March, we had the CEO of Save our Seabirds. We also had Bernie Quinn, who is the president and CEO of Manatee County’s Habitat For Humanity visit us in May,” said Driver. “He spoke about sustainable and affordable housing, which is quite important.”

Driver explained that the club’s season started off with last year’s Hot Diggity Dog Parade, which will also take place again this year as part of July 4 festivities.

“It’s a parade that we participate in with the Longboat Key Garden Club. Dogs dress up in patriotic-themed costumes and their owners dress up, too. We get the fire department involved as well and they go down

Bay Isles Road adjacent to Town Hall. It’s a very fun event,” said Driver.

Driver explained the Rotary Club also takes part in the Children Literacy Program at Tuttle Elementary School. The club provides books to students for them to read and volunteers also read aloud to the students during the school year.

“Adding to that, the club also participated in ‘Remake Learning Days’ at Tuttle Elementary in April where families completed art, music and cooking projects,” said Driver.

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key also helped pick up trash off the highway this year as part of their Adopt-a-Highway initiative.

For decades, the Rotary Club has served as a catalyst for change, embracing the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self.” In addition to its local endeavors, the club is an active participant in global humanitarian initiatives.

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IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

READING ON THE ROW: Nancy Gornto with the Longboat Observer on a gondola ride near the Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy.

ONE PARK SARASOTA: AN EXCEPTIONAL RESIDENTIAL CENTERPIECE, DESIGNED WITH THE CITY IN MIND

One Park Sarasota remains fully committed to fostering a good partnership with the City of Sarasota and the local community to bring this oneof-kind luxury development to life for the residents of Sarasota to enjoy. Nestled in the heart of The Quay, One Park has developed an unmatched presence and level of interest from those within the Sarasota real estate market. Boasting stunning residences and a high-end range of public and private amenities, it has caught the eyes of buyers looking for a wholly luxurious residential experience. With its creatively inspired aesthetic, extensive offerings, and top-notch ambiance, One Park Sarasota is poised to not only redefine luxury, but also serve as a prime example of what luxury can be as the city expands and looks toward its bright future.

Beyond Elegant Interior Design

One Park Sarasota is more than just a residence; it’s a commitment to an unparalleled quality of life for its inhabitants. Every aspect of this luxury property has been meticulously designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of its residents, creating an environment that is both elegant and inviting, exceeding the expectations of residents and visitors alike.

One Park Sarasota’s residences, expertly designed by the renowned Hoyt Architects, exude an unparalleled level of sleek sophistication to perfectly capture the essence of elevated waterfront living.

They consist of 123 fully finished two, three, and five-bedroom units and six penthouse units that immerse residents into The Quay’s tranquil bayfront ambience. Every unit is equipped with 12-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, a contemporary lighting package with recessed lighting, dimmers, and lighting control, fully built-out closets, and a midnight bar in select primary bedrooms. Notable features also include expansive outdoor terraces with glass railing and summer kitchens, as well as an unprecedented level of efficiency through PMG smart home technology, delivering seamless personalization with a touch of a button. With these aspects in hand, one’s residential experience is not only pleasing to behold, but key for a more relaxed everyday life.

“One Park will be a one-of-a-kind development, with a flawless blend of finishes and understated designs, emphasizing beauty and functionality of the building, all while staying faithful to Sarasota’s established aesthetic,” said Gary Hoyt, President & Chief Executive Officer at Hoyt Architects.

Fostering Community Engagement

A key element of luxury living is an engaged and thriving community. One Park Sarasota will foster just that for both its residents and those at The Quay through a spacious and exquisitely designed breezeway above Quay Commons. This secure passageway will provide convenient access to The

Quay and The Bay Park, transforming the common space into a dynamic pedestrian walkway adorned with widened sidewalks and vibrant greenery. This one-of-a-kind communal area will serve as an engaging hub for both Sarasota locals and One Park Sarasota residents, creating a lively and safe atmosphere for making connections or taking a moment to enjoy the surrounding scenery as one travels. One Park Sarasota will also deliver plentiful gathering and communal spaces on the ground floor for the general public to partake in and enjoy at their leisure. The developers of One Park have planned over 13,000 square feet of retail space at the building’s base. This dedicated area will offer top-notch retail options, dining establishments, and outdoor café seating catering to individuals seeking to socialize with friends, seek shelter during inclement weather or hot summer days, or shop for the latest trends just steps away from home. This retail space will also contribute to the area’s vitality and commercial activity, ensuring the community’s energy and stability is sustained for years to come.

Amenity Spaces For Everyday Living

For One Park Sarasota residents, engaging experiences do not only exist outside the property or on the ground floor. Numerous leisure activities and five-star opportunities lie within the building itself, courtesy of 63,000 square

feet of expansive amenity space. Elevated offerings include a private One Park Wellness Spa, a resort-style pool, a state-of-the-art fitness studio with high-tech exercise equipment, executive office suites, a wine room, a private theater room and golf simulator room, a children’s playroom, and hospitality suites. Additional services led by the dedicated concierge staff include valet parking, package delivery, and dog walking. Daily access to this dynamic range of amenities ensures residents never are far from enjoying serenity, comfort, and enriching activities, nor experiencing the greatness of waterfront living in Sarasota.

Embracing a New Standard of Luxury

One Park Sarasota is establishing a new standard for luxury living in Sarasota. Its ideal location, purposefully designed spaces that foster a seamless sense of community, and its meticulously crafted living spaces are second to none and showcase an appealing bayfront lifestyle unlike any other.

To witness this unparalleled residential experience firsthand, interested parties are encouraged to visit the One Park Sarasota sales gallery. With the finishing touches being placed on its new model primary bathroom and various other spaces to explore, it gives a pictureperfect glimpse into this iconic property coming soon to Sarasota.

To schedule an appointment at the sales gallery, located on 20 N Lemon Avenue, please visit OneParkSarasota.com

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ARTIST CONCEPTUAL RENDERING

The Beach Residences condo sells for $3.91 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

The following residential real estate transactions took place between June 5 and June 9. A condominium in The Beach Residences tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Sandra Wuliger, trustee, of Moreland Hills, Ohio, sold the Unit 602 condominium at 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Southern Harbor LLC for $3.91 million. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,964 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,175,000 in 2009.

BIRD KEY James and Christina Mucha sold their home at 410 Meadow Lark Drive to Gregory Leonard, of Sarasota, for $3.45 million. Built in 1973, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,257 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.1 million in 2020.

THE BEACHES OF LONGBOAT KEY-SOUTH

Beaches LBK Properties LLC sold the Unit 906 condominium at 775 Longboat Club Road to Wayne Joseph DiBartola Jr. and Gloria Hawrylak, of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, for $1,675,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,524 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2021.

LIDO REGENCY

Donald Erwin and Patricia Provenzano, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sold their Unit 2-A condominium at 1700 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Jennifer Nappi and Brian McQuoid, of Bristol, Rhode Island, for $1,375,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,492 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,511,000 in 2022.

THE PLAYERS CLUB

Jams and Karen Schlater, trustees, of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, sold the Unit 303 condominium at 1485 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Jascott Enterprises LLC for $1.3 million. Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,569 square feet of living area. It sold for $821,000 in 2021.

SLEEPY LAGOON PARK

Linda Wilson, of Yountville, California, sold the home at 530 De Narvaez Drive to Scott and Kerri Carlson, of Longboat Key, for $1.05 million. Built in 1959, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,944 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 2002.

LIDO BEACH HOUSE

Arthur Wineburg and Susan Tucker Brown, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 2 condominium at 945 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Fred Grote and Jaqueline Grote, trustees, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, for $1,025,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,518 square feet of living area. It sold for $780,000 in 2021.

WHITNEY BEACH

William Jackman and Ingrid

Ann-Charlotte Ehrling, trustees, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 134 condominium at 6700 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Richard and Lu Ann Parker, of W. Lafayette, Indiana, for $585,000. Built in 1970, it has one bedroom, one bath and 990 square feet of living area. It sold for $215,000 in 2010.

VILLA DOS PALMAS

Uta Preusse, of Germany, sold the Unit 3-B condominium at 781 Saint Judes Drive N. to Andrew and Brooke Agnini, of Lakeland, for $515,000. Built in 1972, it has one bedroom, one bath and 882 square feet of living area. It sold for $75,000 in 1995.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of June 9-16 in order of dollar amounts.

Courtesy photos

A three-bedroom, three-bath condominium in The Beach Residences recently sold for $3.91 million. The Beach Residences at 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive

2023 SUMMER LUNCH & LEARN SERIES

Proudly Sponsored by Williams Parker Attorneys at Law

June 28 | July 19 | August 23 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Michael’s On East, Sarasota

Only $39 Per Lecture—Includes Luncheon!

Rebecca Klein

AJC’s Director of National Political Outreach

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023

Finding Common Ground in a Hyper-Partisan Environment

In an increasingly polarized political climate, finding areas of common interest can be challenging. Issues of concern for the Jewish community often bridge the partisan divide and provide an opportunity for meaningful conversations.

Benjamin Rogers

AJC’s Director, Middle East and North Africa Initiatives

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2023

The United States, Israel, and the Arab World: Where do we go from here?

As we prepare to celebrate the third anniversary of the Abraham Accords, where have there been successes, and where have there been challenges? Join us as we discuss the ever-shifting dynamics of U.S. – Middle East relations.

Belle Yoeli

AJC’s Chief Advocacy Officer

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2023

The State of Jewish Affairs: Around the World with AJC

There is never a dull moment for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Join us for an in-depth conversation as we tackle some of the most challenging current events and how they are impacting our community.

Reservations Required.

RSVP Online at AJC.org/Sarasota/summer2023

Or Email: sarasota@ajc.org

Or Call AJC at 941.365.4955

YOUR CALENDAR

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

CITY ISLAND TRIATHLON

7 a.m. at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. $45-$135. Run, bike and swim in a variety of race formats to suit different competitors. The main triathlon consists of a 1/4-mile swim, 10-mile bike and 3-mile run. There are also super sprint, duathlon (run/ bike), aquabike and swimrun categories available. Register at RunSignup.com/Race/FL/Sarasota/CityIsland by 11:59 p.m. on June 23.

RECURRING EVENTS

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 3836493.

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 AND FRIDAYS

LONGBOAT LIBRARY

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011.

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.

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.

MAHJONG

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

BEST BET

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

GUITAR BY AKIEM ESDAILE

6-9 p.m. at Whitney’s 6990 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Enjoy a drink or a meal at Whitney’s while listening to the sounds of a new generation of jazz guitar. Clear your mind and enjoy the smooth sounds of one of Sarasota’s finest jazz guitarists.

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

ROTARY CLUB

Meets at 5 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday in All Angels Parish Hall, 563 Bay Isles Road. To learn more, call Nancy Rozance at 203-605-4066 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.

MARIACHI MUSIC

From 5-8 p.m. at La Villa Mexican Grill, 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Enjoy dinner and a serenade by Mariachi Contemporaneo. Call 383-8033.

FRIDAYS

INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Reuben Fernandez teaches Chen-style class. Outside if weather permitting. Free for members; $15 for others. Walkins welcome. Call 383-6493.

The Owen Golden Gate Point

A Luxurious Lifestyle in Downtown Sarasota

The Owen Golden Gate Point, a new midrise boutique building being developed by the award-winning Ronto Group in partnership with Wheelock Street Capital, has been designed to provide a select group of just 29 condominium owners with a highly amenitized, luxurious lifestyle in downtown Sarasota. Situated on a coveted 1.18-acre site, the building’s four three bedroom, three and a half bath open concept floor plan choices will range from 2,265 to 3,073 square feet under air plus a balcony with a gas grill. Three of the plans also include a study. Framed by Sarasota Bay, the gated Owen Golden Gate Point will be the ideal spot to capture gentle bay breezes and the ever-changing colors of Southwest Florida’s glorious sunsets. The residences are fully customizable during the preconstruction phase of the project and extensive finish selections are available. The Owen Golden Gate Point is the only new downtown Sarasota building offering full customization for preconstruction buyers. Pre-construction pricing starts in the low $2-millions.

Ideally situated in one of downtown Sarasota’s most cherished historic locations, The Owen Golden Gate Point will put Ronto’s legendary commitment to creating a luxurious lifestyle on full display. Designed by MHK Architecture and Planning, the building’s contemporary design will be awash in the neutral tones of the shore with gentle curves suggestive of its setting on the Point. The site encompasses the southern tip of the Point, gracefully arcing from east to west while providing partial bay and marina views from the residences. The peninsula’s smart, relaxed personality is distinctive and perfectly suited to a luxury lifestyle. Urban dwellers appreciate Golden Gate Point’s easy access by foot, bike, car, or trolly to St. Armand’s Circle, the beaches, and the shopping, dining, and gallery venues that continue to proliferate in the Sarasota downtown district.

greeted in a grand two-story rotunda lobby with a reception desk, a concierge, and separate mail and package rooms. The lobby/amenity level will feature a club room with comfortable seating and a bar. A fitness center will offer state-of-theart equipment, and men’s and women’s locker rooms. A massage suite will allow residents to invite their favorite massage therapist to provide an on-site session. The fitness center will also include a separate stretching/yoga area, a steam room, and a spa. Residents may also invite

refrigerator/freezer with an internal dispenser. A Wolf single wall oven, a transitional five-burner gas range top, a vented exhaust cooktop wall hood, a wall microwave, and a Bosch panel ready dishwasher will also be included. A designer collection of Del Conca floor and shower wall material as well as a designer collection of flat panel or shaker style Miralis cabinets in a wide assortment of colors are available. Quartz countertops are also available in a wide selection of colors. A Blanco Quatras 18-gauge stainless steel super single bowl undermount kitchen sink will be equipped with a House of Rohl pulldown faucet. The residences will also feature ten-foot ceilings except where dropped, recessed LED lighting in the kitchen, hallways, and baths per plan, contemporary five and one quarter-inch baseboards, smooth finish drywall walls, and ventilated wood shelving in the guest bedroom closets. Sensitive to the comfort of each resident, Owen Golden Gate Point’s concrete block walls and ample airspace between floors will make noise transmission nearly non-existent.

personal trainers to work with them within the fitness center. Social seating and an indoor/ outdoor bar will be featured in a games room outfitted with an assortment of table and arcade games. Zoom rooms, work from home station areas, and a board/conference room will also be included. Secure parking under the building with two spaces per residence, one of which will be pre-wired for a 40-amp power outlet for electric vehicle charging using the vehicle owner’s charger, climate-controlled resident storage rooms, and secured bike storage are also included.

An infinity edge saltwater pool will be the centerpiece of The Owen Golden Gate Point’s expansive landscaped outdoor amenity deck. Billowing palm trees and tropical container gardens, lounge chairs, a separate spa that will be ideal for soothing aching muscles or enjoying a perfect moonlight plunge, a fire pit seating area, and an outdoor bar and grilling area with seating will also be featured. Additional outdoor amenities will include a fenced dog walk/park area, guest parking, and bicycle storage.

The Ronto Group is now accepting reservations for residences at The Owen Golden Gate Point. For additional information about this extraordinary opportunity, contact the LRM Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty located at the Plaza at Five Points, 50 Central Avenue, Suite 110 in downtown Sarasota. Call 941.544.3332.

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s amenities and common areas are being designed by Riley Interior Design Principal Carrie L. Riley,

Around the clock secured building access and semi-private elevators with controlled access will ensure that residents will enjoy a welcomed sense of privacy. Owners and their guests will be

Each residence at The Owen Golden Gate Point will showcase a private elevator lobby, an entry foyer and spacious island kitchen, and a flowing great room and dining area that opens to a spacious covered balcony with glass railings and a built-in stainless-steel Artisan Professional Series grill with a hood. Expansive impactresistant doors and windows will bathe the living areas with abundant natural light. The kitchens will be equipped to satisfy even the most discriminating gourmet. Standard appliances will include a SubZero side-by-side panel ready

owengoldengate.com

GATEWAY TO THE INCREDIBLE

ASID.

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s flowing great room and dining areas opens to a spacious covered balcony with glass railings and a built-in stainless-steel Artisan Professional Series grill with a hood.

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s kitchens will be equipped to satisfy even the most discriminating gourmet.

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

/

MOON PHASES

TIDES

By Luis Campos

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

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TYEC HLI JSD ET ... LNHYIG.”

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“DZKKYW TD PWHOJ NRTJPD TJ REZTDTHJH, REJS OTJPD TJ OUEKTJS, DXHPY EC YRKD HJP KHGRYD TJ JYO YJSRHJP.” HWVXTNHRP KHVRYTDX

©

COIN FLIPS by Alex Eaton-Salners, edited by Jeff Chen

Gabriella Barone took this photo of the sunrise over Longboat Key.