Longboat Observer 6.13.24

YOUR TOWN

Beach stretch

There is nothing like yoga on the beach with beautiful sunsets and the sounds of the Gulf.

Yoga instructor Angela Mali uses this to provide a relaxing setting for yoga. Join her for a free yoga class from 7:15-8:15 p.m. every Monday.

In a previous Observer article, Mali said she loves practicing yoga on the beach because of its connection to Earth and water.

Each class feels different due to the setting. Class is timed to end just before the sun sinks below the horizon.

Mali’s goal is to make everyone feel welcome and encourage them to move their bodies. All skill levels are welcome.

The free class is at the public beach access near Bayfront Park. Practitioners should bring a towel or mat, water and an “open heart.”

Exceptional EMTs

Longboat Key’s motto of “Premier Community, Exceptional Service” continues to be upheld, this time through the Fire Rescue Department.

Longboat Key Fire Rescue’s EMS facilities were recently called a “role model of excellence” by the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight.

The department is assessed every two years through a state EMS site survey that is essentially a site audit and inspection of the facility’s EMS services. Longboat received an outstanding rating in the assessment that reviews details such as proper handling and disposal, advanced life support medicine, equipment and driver’s licenses.

Jennifer McManus, with the Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight, sent a letter of congratulations in May to Fire Chief Paul Dezzi notifying him of the rating.

Petra Rivera

Julie Peterson and Sally Werner find a plastic tube while picking up trash along Gulf of Mexico Drive as a part of an Adopt-A-Road project. File image

Angela Mali

Value added

Preliminary taxable values rise from $8.34 billion in 2023 to $9.14 billion in 2024.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

The preliminary taxable values are in. And it’s another steady increase.

While the 2024 certified taxable property values for Longboat Key won’t arrive until July 1, the town’s finance department received the preliminary values on June 1 that will be used to further shape the budget.

Finance Director Sue Smith’s email to Town Manager Howard Tipton showed that Longboat Key expects an increase of about 9.61%, or 8.10% without new construction.

That’s an increase of about $801.68 million in taxable value from 2023 to 2024. In 2023, the town’s taxable values were at about $8.3 billion, and in 2024 the values are expected to reach $9.1 billion.

New construction has an estimated value of about $126,313,926.

The values without new construction are in line with nearby municipalities, Smith said in the email. For example, Bradenton Beach’s values without new construction increased by about 8.07%, Venice’s by about 5.71%.  Anna Maria’s increase is estimated to be a little higher at 12.01%.

At the town’s current millage rate of 1.9600, the updated taxable property values would produce about $1,508,454 more in revenue compared with the last fiscal year.

The June 1 preliminary taxable values showed an increase in Sarasota County’s values by $447,036,067 (7.78%) and an increase in Manatee County’s values by $354,650,862 (13.67%).

For comparison, in 2023 — affect-

ing the current FY2024 — the certified taxable property values increased 13.11% on Longboat Key.

GOING UP

The

In her email to Tipton, Smith said that even though the department doesn’t have all of the details

yet, she believed The Sage Longboat Key development contributed to the increase in the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key.

The Sage, which opened in 2023, had per-unit property values ranging from the mid $4 millions to a little over $6 million.

This summer, the St. Regis Longboat Key is expected to have its grand opening.

The resort’s sold-out residences ranged in price up to around $20 million.

Once those residences are active, the taxable property values will be a part of Sarasota County. The values will impact Longboat Key’s taxable value heading into fiscal year 2026.

Next up, the town will conduct the second budget workshop on June 17 as a follow-up to the first budget workshop held on May 20.

courtesy of Lisa Morris

Located at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive, The Sage, which opened in 2023, likely played a contributing role in the increase in taxable property values in the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key, according to an email from Longboat Key Finance

Director Susan Smith. Unit values in The Sage range from $4 million to more than $6 million.

The prep before THE STORM

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

With the threat of an active hurricane season on the horizon, more than 300 people packed The Longboat Key Club Harbourside Ballroom for Longboat Key’s 22nd Annual Disaster Preparedness Seminar.

It was the largest crowd ever drawn by the seminar, held on June 5, just four days after the official start of hurricane season on June 1.

Although the threat of hurricanes looms, the seminar speakers assured guests that preparedness is key, and now is the time to begin having those conversations.

INCREASED THREAT

First up was Brian LaMarre, meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service for the Tampa Bay Area.

LaMarre is also the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team Lead.

LaMarre presented a variety of facts and figures, most of which related to the idea that the intensity and frequency of major storms are increasing. He reiterated that the 2024 hurricane season is predicted to be an active one.

“Yes, it’s going to be a hyperactive season. The conditions are there,” LaMarre said. “The water in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico is actually much warmer than it should be this time of year.”

This has to do with the climate entering a La Nina season, coming out of an El Nino event. With warmer water temperatures and less wind shear in the Atlantic, LaMarre said there’s an 85% chance that this year’s season will be above normal.

A “normal” season is similar to 2023, according to LaMarre. Last season, there were 20 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

The 2024 forecast by NOAA predicts 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes and four to seven major hurricanes.

He also said that there were 18 weather- and climate-related disasters that caused at least $1 billion of damage in 2022. In 2023, that number was 28.

That goes along with another key part of LaMarre’s speech: A tropical storm or hurricane doesn’t have to make landfall in your area to cause significant damage.

Storm surge, he said, is one of the largest causes of that damage.

“Water is the No. 1 killer when it comes to hurricanes and tropical storms,” LaMarre said.

With these impacts in mind, LaMarre also shed light on how many people lose their lives after a storm, in what are called indirect fatalities. That includes things like carbon monoxide poisoning from mistakenly putting generators inside or medical issues like heart attacks.

One challenge LaMarre said exists is low lead times, meaning that there’s a short amount of time from when a hurricane develops, or intensifies, to when it makes landfall.

The average time for a storm to become a hurricane is 50 hours before landfall, according to LaMarre.

There’s also the danger that any small shift in the hurricane can greatly impact its path.

“Any little shift — five, 10, 15, 20 miles — means a world of difference when it comes to impacts,” LaMarre

With NOAA predicting above-average hurricane activity this year, local experts discuss readiness at the Disaster Preparedness Seminar.

said. With that in mind, LaMarre said that no tropical storm or hurricane should be considered weak. That term shouldn’t be used at all when talking about these types of storms, he said.

It’s important, then, to heed the warnings given by local and county officials.

“They don’t do it to scare us, they do it to save our lives,” LaMarre said about evacuation orders.

With proper preparation and evacuation, LaMarre said, “We can survive a hurricane. Anyone can.”

PLANS IN PLACE

Emergency Management Chief of Sarasota County Sandra Tapfumaneyi said she prefers hurricanes to tornadoes.

Coming from the Midwest, where tornadoes can appear suddenly, she said at least people have a fair warning about hurricanes.

Tapfumaneyi’s main message was about how the county operates in the event of a hurricane, and what residents should do to stay prepared.

She echoed LaMarre’s sentiment that storm surge is a particularly dangerous threat, especially for areas like Longboat Key.

Tapfumaneyi gave her eyewitness account of the devastation in parts of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island.

“We had boats where cars should have been and cars where boats should have been,” Tapfumaneyi said.

IMPORTANT REGISTRATIONS

Some speakers mentioned key resources and alert systems for Longboat residents to be in tune with.

First is Alert Longboat Key, the town’s local emergency notification system. This system sends messages for hurricanes and storms, but also boilwater notices, emergency road closures and other incidents. More information can be found on the town’s website.

There’s also Alert Sarasota County, similar to Alert Longboat Key.

If you are a resident in need of a medically dependent shelter, you need to apply beforehand. That can be done by calling 311 or going to SCGov. net/BePrepared.

After the storm passed, the bridges to Pine Island and Sanibel Island were inoperable. Tapfumaneyi said helicopters were needed to get people out of the islands — those who decided to ride out the storm and not evacuate.

That brought Tapfumaneyi to her main point: Do not make decisions based on experiences with past storms.

Just because the Sarasota area fared well — comparatively — in storms like Idalia and Ian doesn’t mean the next one to come through will be the same.

“That is a really dangerous mentality to have,” Tapfumaneyi said.

Tapfumaneyi also stressed the importance of speaking with one voice. Though Longboat Key is split into Manatee and Sarasota counties, the entire island follows Sarasota

County’s lead.

All of Longboat Key is in Evacuation Level A — the first to evacuate.

According to Tapfumaneyi, the emergency management team is eliminating the evacuation terms “mandatory” or “voluntary” this year to reduce confusion. Now, it’ll just be “evacuate.”

Now is the time to get a plan in place, Tapfumaneyi said. That means talking with family and friends, getting preparedness kits ready and knowing which hotel or storm shelter you go to.

COMING BACK

After evacuating from a hurricane, there’s one question usually on residents’ minds: “When can we come back?”

Longboat Key Deputy Police Chief Frank Rubino explained that the town operates on a tier system.

Once a storm’s winds reach 45 mph, the order is given for the remaining town employees to evacuate. The last ones on the island will be police, fire rescue and the town manager.

After the storm passes, a small first-in team of select Public Works employees and public safety officers will head to the island. This team evaluates the island’s condition and, if necessary, clears the roads enough for cars to get through.

Then comes Tiers 1 through 3. First will be the first responders and essential town personnel, then essential business owners followed by all residents.

When returning, Rubino said bringing a driver’s license, identification card or utility bill to prove residency is important.

FAST FACT

Brian LaMarre, who is the meteorologist-incharge of the National Weather Service for the Tampa Bay Area, said that the worst storm surge always occurs to the right of a hurricane’s path. So, for example, in Hurricane Idalia, Longboat Key experienced a worse storm surge than in Hurricane Ian. That’s because Idalia’s path went toward the panhandle, with Longboat Key to its right, whereas Ian went south toward Fort Myers.

“We are going to get hit in Florida. I would say with pretty much certainty that somewhere in Florida will get hit or impacted by hurricanes this year.”

– Bob Harrigan, chief meteorologist ABC 7 WWSB

File image

Damages on Longboat Key after Hurricane Ian.

Carter Weinhofer

Some of the large crowd stayed around for the raffle of several emergency preparedness kits.

Growth mindset

Town employees graduate from professional development course.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Aside from on-the-job training, Town Manager

Howard Tipton said the town wanted to do more for employees’ professional growth and development.

Last fall, the town sent out an employee engagement survey and found that was one of the key desires identified by the town’s employees. That led Tipton and town staff to develop the ENGAGE program, which the first 14 graduates completed on June 5.

“ENGAGE was our first attempt at providing a broader professional enrichment experience for employees,” Tipton said. “If we’re not growing and developing, it’s hard to keep up with our ever-changing reality.”

When thinking about who he could entrust to develop and run the program, Tipton said his No. 1 choice was Support Services Director Carolyn Brown.

The program began in January during an introduction meeting where the class heard from Tipton. Then followed two days of “crucial conversations training” in February — an assessment about the five archetypes, viewing three “TED Talk” videos, reading two assigned books and taking two LocalGov U courses that the employees chose.

On June 5, the first “class” of

WHAT DOES ENGAGE STAND FOR?

E: Energize yourself by engaging with your professional colleagues

N: Enhance your network with fellow professionals you can count on

G: Gain information that allows you to remain on the cuttingedge

A: Activate your career by increasing your knowledge on competencies necessary to excel

G: Grow as an individual and professional

E: Encourage those around you to invest in themselves

ENGAGE graduates convened in town hall along with Tipton, Mayor Ken Schneier and the town’s department heads. The 14 graduates were from all over the town’s departments, including Public Works, Tennis, Human Resources, Finance, Town Clerk and Planning, Zoning and Building.

“This graduation is a testament to your courage to step out of your comfort zone. You’ve shown that it’s never too late to learn and to grow,” Brown said to the graduates.

Aside from the required courses, reading materials and videos, everyone seemed to agree that one of the biggest parts of the program was getting to know other town employees, both personally and professionally.

“Getting to know each other a little better in this class, I hope, is one of the things that you’ve enjoyed

most,” Tipton said to the graduates.

“Spending time focused together can be enriching as you grow to appreci-

ENGAGE CLASS OF 2024

Julie Anderson

Lynn Curreli

Elma Felix

Grace Hackett

Cecilia Imbriaco

Stephanie Garcia

Guy Matricciani

Eileen Panza

Susan Phillips

Brad Sicard

Tate Taylor

Kay Thayer

Rich Walters

David Woods

ate the unique perspectives that we all bring, and understanding that it takes all of us in the workplace to see the whole picture.”

Cecilia Imbriaco, who works in the Finance Department, spoke about her key takeaways from the inaugural program and said that all the material learned throughout the course could be applied to both professional endeavors and everyday life.

The simplest way to put it, she explained, is like an “attitude adjustment” that transforms a mindset from “going to work” to “going to experience new things.”

“You get to make someone’s day better,” Imbriaco said. “And, through the program, I have learned how to do that a little more effectively with kindness and respect for other people.”

Public Works employee Rich Walters said his favorite parts were

learning about everyone’s different archetypes. The archetypes — wood, fire, metal, water and earth — correspond to different personality types.

In a professional setting, it helps to know each person’s archetype when talking through ideas and conflict, Walters said.

“I really enjoyed that portion, specifically because it kind of informed me about others and their attributes,” Walters said.

Overall, Tipton said that different results in the workplace come from engaging your mind, and courses like the ones in the ENGAGE program were an attempt to activate a growth mindset for the town employees.

“If you’ve learned nothing else, I hope you take away that life is a journey, and if we’re closed off to new ideas and viewpoints, then we’ll be stuck in a fixed mindset,” Tipton said to the graduates.

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Carter Weinhofer

Planner Tate Taylor celebrates graduation with his department director, Allen Parsons.

Future-proof planning

In response to new FEMA flood maps, commissioners approve measure to allow for additional freeboard in low-lying areas of the town.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Though not all commissioners saw a clear reason for it, the town passed an ordinance to allow for two feet of additional freeboard in low-lying areas.

On June 3, Planning, Zoning and Building Department Director Allen Parsons presented the ordinance to commissioners. It was an extension of an ordinance passed on April 1, both of which allowed for optional freeboard to be added to the design flood elevation of new construction on the island.

A building’s design flood elevation equals the base flood elevation plus the freeboard. The DFE is the height to the bottom of the lowest habitable floor.

The Florida Building Code requires one foot of freeboard. Freeboard is a flooding safety feature that is added to the BFE.

The BFE is the estimated level of surface water expected during a 100year base flood event.

Commissioners approved an ordinance on April 1 to allow for an optional two feet of freeboard islandwide, which brings the total allowance to three feet.

The ordinance was sparked in January, when Parsons presented to the commission new Sarasota County flood control maps developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These maps suggested a reduction in base flood elevation recommendations by two feet, gen

erally islandwide.  In 2021, FEMA also updated Manatee County’s flood control maps with a similar decrease in base flood elevation.

Parsons said that these reductions in BFE were possibly the result of better technology that can more accurately measure and predict flood elevations, according to FEMA.

“Surprisingly enough, I would say that the reduction of two feet is something that FEMA has indicated that maybe the prior maps were overestimating what the flood elevation was,” Parsons said.

After January, the Planning & Zoning Board worked on an ordinance to allow the optional freeboard to maintain the status quo after FEMA reduced the base flood elevation requirements.

The idea to adopt an ordinance for the extra two feet — or five feet total — in low-lying areas was brought up at a March 4 meeting. Still, commissioners wanted more research by staff before proceeding with the ordinance.

Commissioners unanimously approved the first freeboard ordinance — two feet of additional freeboard, or three feet total — and awaited staff’s research on the further addition, which came at the June 3 meeting.

DIVIDED DISCUSSION

At the commission’s June 3 regular meeting, Parsons presented the ordinance as it was outlined by the

The language included that the option to include two more feet of freeboard — five feet total — would only apply to low-lying areas “at or below three-and-a-half feet North American Vertical Datum, as determined by the Planning and Zoning Official based on a topographical survey … ”

The NAVD is a measurement from a surface of zero elevation — or sea level — from which the heights of other points are calculated.

Parsons said the town has recognized that properties flood frequently during high tides and rain events, and impacts come even without catastrophic events.

“So what this is providing for is low-lying properties to be able to choose to elevate without bringing in fill,” Parsons said.

Vice Mayor Mike Haycock spoke in opposition to the additional freeboard allowance. He felt like this wasn’t solving a current problem and worried this would allow for taller houses.

“What I’m concerned about is that

trying to solve, we’re going to put a code in that’s kind of complicated and it’s going to result in taller houses. And we do know that our public doesn’t like taller houses next to the small houses,” Haycock said.

Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop’s rebuttal supported the new freeboard ordinance, and said that the ordinance would allow for more resilient new construction through the added height.

“Part of our job is to look at what is the long-term impact on this community being viable and, right now, this community in 50 years, if we stay at grade the way we are now, there will be a community here,” Bishop said.

Town Manager Howard Tipton assured commissioners this ordinance would not allow the additional freeboard islandwide.

“And I think it’s clear that this is intended for a very narrow subset for the island,” Tipton said during

The design flood elevation is measured to the bottom of the lowest habitable floor and is a combination of the required base flood elevation and freeboard.

During the public comment section, Planning & Zoning Board member S. Jay Plager spoke to the commission about how the Planning & Zoning Board felt under pressure to deliver an ordinance to the commission as quickly as possible and agreed that some of the language may be confusing.

Plager also agreed with Haycock’s point that this ordinance does not address properties who currently experience flooding, and will only assist those constructing new houses.

“Nothing in this ordinance is going to help them directly,” Plager said about current residents experiencing flooding. “They need help but not through this ordinance.”

The commissioners in favor of the ordinance agreed that the threeand-a-half feet should be determined by topographical surveys, and the specific language of the ordinance could be modified later as

THE TRUSTED CHOICE

and

And he was cared for by a

Now I know why they are the

staff that showed professionalism and compassion throughout his

Progress made on lighting issues

While the town works on shielding GMD street lights, Moss Construction is getting the St. Regis site in compliance.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

The town of Longboat Key and Moss Construction are working on addressing several issues with sea turtle-friendly lighting on the island.

At the Longboat Key Town Commission’s June 3 meeting, resident and Longboat Key Turtle Watch Vice President Cyndi Seamon showed commissioners what she said is an improvement at the St. Regis Longboat Key construction site.

Previously, Seamon spoke to the commission at a May 20 workshop to bring up the lighting issues she saw while walking the beaches at night.

After the issues were raised at the commission’s May 20 workshop, Moss Construction sent a statement to the Longboat Observer regarding the situation.

“We deeply regret the recent violation of the Sea Turtle Lighting Guidelines,” the statement read.

“This was the result of an unforeseen electrical misalignment that coincided with the start of the season. We sincerely apologize for this lapse and any disruption it may have caused during this short timeframe. Moss is fully committed to environmental stewardship and the protection of wildlife. We take these guidelines very seriously and are currently implementing corrective measures to ensure compliance.”

Seamon said the lighting situation looks “a lot better” with amber lights now in place.

“When we talked last, I believe the hotel was working on getting their panel fixed so they could turn the lights off,” Seamon said. “Looks like they did. The rooms are dark, and there’s no light coming out of those rooms.”

Overall, there has been some improvement, but there is still more to be done. Bright lights are still an

issue in some parts of the construction site, like on the southwest condominium building.

Town Manager Howard Tipton said he met with the project superintendent of Moss Construction and shared that the crew was successful in getting the technology implemented to remotely control the lighting. He said there were still some issues with the southwest condo building, which was close to a solution.

In an update sent to commissioners on June 10, Tipton said the St. Regis site was in compliance with the town’s sea turtle lighting ordinance.

Aside from the St. Regis construction, Seamon said there were still issues with the town’s streetlights, which she also brought up at the May 20 workshop.

Tipton informed Seamon and the commissioners the shields for the streetlights were ordered and on the way. In an email shared with commissioners, Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Allen Parsons said installation of the shields is a priority for the department.

Artificial lighting that can be seen from the beach can pose a problem for both adult and hatchling sea turtles. The turtles can become disoriented when they confuse the artificial light with the moonlight, which they would usually use to guide them to the Gulf.

As of June 1, there were a total of 314 nests on Longboat Key. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the average incubation period for sea turtles is about two months. That means the first hatchlings on Longboat could break the sand in July.

“This was the result of an unforeseen electrical misalignment that coincided with the start of the season. We sincerely apologize for this lapse and any disruption it may have caused during this short timeframe.”

— Statement from Moss Construction

Style for a cause

Apparel brand with LBK ties launches partnerships with local nonprofits.

WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Looking to support local nonprofits and sport a unique, colorful T-shirt? SeaMonkey Apparel now allows customers to do just that.

Last month, co-owners Alexandra Lowe-Mains and her husband, James Mains, started the program called “SeaMonkey Gives Back” in which every month the company will partner with a local organization to raise awareness for and give back to the organization.

This month, SeaMonkey Apparel is spotlighting Longboat Key Turtle Watch with a specialty T-shirt. SeaMonkey will donate $3 from every sale of that shirt to LBKTW, and $1 from every other apparel sale.

Alexandra Lowe-Mains and James Mains credit Longboat Key as the birthplace of their business, SeaMonkey Apparel.

“The island is super special to us in many ways,” Alexandra Lowe-Mains said, also noting that their engagement photos were shot on Greer Island.

The couple spent about five or six years coming up with a business plan for an apparel business that sells T-shirts, long sleeves, hats, stickers and more.

During that planning period, Alexandra Lowe-Mains and James Mains said they spent many evenings talking about this dream, thinking about the “what-ifs.”

“A lot of that occurred while we were on the beach at Whitney Beach and brainstorming what this brand would look like,” Alexandra LoweMains said.

Later, one of the original T-shirt designs would include the beach’s coordinates on the bottom

CORRECTION

of the logo.

In November 2022, the couple decided to launch the brand. Alexandra Lowe-Mains stepped down from her full-time role as senior office manager for Longboat Key’s Public Works Department. This will be her 10th year with the town, and she still fills in part time as needed.

In that role, Alexandra LoweMains said she frequently worked with LBKTW and has followed the organization’s work through social media for a long time.

“When James and I were talking about who we wanted to partner with for the month of June, they just felt like a natural fit for us. And we already had a turtle design in the works, so all the stars kind of aligned,” Alexandra Lowe-Mains said.

When the couple started the SeaMonkey Gives Back program last month, Save Our Seabirds was its first partner. In the past, the brand had other partnerships with places like Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Florida Breast Cancer Foundation and Suncoast Aqua Ventures.

Now the program is official. Alexandra Lowe-Mains and James Mains said the goal is to keep the SeaMonkey Gives Back program running and choose a different organization for every month.

CARTER

Courtesy images

SeaMonkey Apparel’s Longboat Key Turtle Watch design for June.

Alexandra Lowe-Mains and James Mains coown SeaMonkey Apparel.

Courtesy image

This photo was taken June 1. Newly installed amber lights have since helped lighting issues at the St. Regis construction site.

A story in the June 6 edition of the Longboat Observer, “Stewards for Sarasota’s Shorebirds,” incorrectly stated the name of the organizing body for the volunteer shorebird steward program. The program is organized through Audubon Florida.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

LOCK-OUT

6:37 p.m., 5600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Disturbance: An officer was sent to investigate a vehicle left unattended and running on private property. According to the complainant, the car was in a unit’s spot for 15 minutes. The officer spoke with the HOA president and checked out the vehicle, which had keys in the ignition and a cellphone on the passenger seat. As the officer was writing a citation for an unattended vehicle, the owner approached. He said he had left the car there while unloading beach supplies and accidentally locked the car with the keys in the ignition. The owner said he had a locksmith on the way. But as the officer was finishing the citation, the man became irate, according to the officer’s report, calling the HOA president vulgar names. The officer called for backup until the locksmith arrived and unlocked the man’s vehicle. The report says he angrily left the scene.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

BRUSH BURN

6:14 p.m., 100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Fire: An officer noticed a small brush fire at Overlook Park and requested backup from Longboat Key Fire Rescue. Before backup arrived, though, the officer was able to put out most of the fire with his fire extinguisher. Longboat Key Fire Rescue hosed down the rest of the fire when the firefighter paramedics arrived on the scene.

QUICK DRIVER SWAP

8:15 p.m., 2800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Vehicle Stop: An officer on patrol noticed a car traveling down GMD at a high speed and attempting to pass another vehicle in a no-pass zone. The officer pulled the vehicle over after witnessing the car swerve

into the northbound lane and almost strike another vehicle. The driver said that he did not have a driver’s license or passport. The officer requested backup due to the man appearing nervous and attempting to put his hands in his pockets. Then, the officer instructed the driver to step out and walk to the rear of the car.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer stopped to assist until Longboat Key Police backup arrived. The driver was issued a criminal citation for operating a vehicle without a license and a traffic citation for failure to maintain a single lane. The passenger had a driver’s license, though, and was allowed to drive the pair away from the scene.

SUSPICIOUS SPOTLIGHTS

9:04 a.m., 3700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Officer Public Service: Dispatch sent an officer to investigate a group of people on the beach with spotlights. Upon arrival at the beach, the officer discovered a family who said they were crab fishing. The officer advised them that spotlights were prohibited on the beach due to sea turtle nesting season. The family claimed they were unaware of the issue and would leave the beach.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

TOPPLED OVER TIPSY

3:05 p.m., 2600 block of Gulf Drive South Family Disturbance: An officer met with the Manatee County Marine Unit for a disturbance that occurred on a boat near Jewfish Key. The complainant said she was on the boat with her family and friends when her stepfather put the boat in drive and she fell into the middle part of the boat. She said she got into a verbal argument with her stepfather because of it, and her mother got in between them both to break them up and avoid a physical altercation. While speaking with the complainant, the officer said he smelled a “strong odor” of alcohol from her breath and she was not making sense of some things. She said she was not injured and no physical altercation occurred, so she ordered a ride-share car back to the rental unit.

COPS CORNER

Charles R. Greenhouse died in Sarasota, Florida, on May 25. He was born in New York City, the only son of Charles A. Greenhouse, a physician, and the former Anna Raynes.

Greenhouse grew up in the Bronx and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School at age 15. He then spent one year at Horace Mann School. He majored in music at Harvard College, where he was the Glee Club’s accompanist. He served as a corpsman in the US Navy during Second World War and went on to earn his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1947, after which he did his internship and residency at Bellevue Hospital. During the Korean War he served in the Naval Medical Corps as a lieutenant. Greenhouse lived in Scarsdale, New York, and later in White Plains before moving to Sarasota. An internist, Dr. Greenhouse practiced medicine in Hartsdale, New York, between 1955 and his retirement in 1999. He joined the medical staff of White Plains Hospital (now White Plains Medical Center) in 1956. He served as president of the medical staff, chief of staff, and member of the hospital’s board of directors. He was also active in several area medical organizations, including the Westchester Health Care Foundation and the Westchester County Medical Society. A consci-

“A conscientious and caring physician, Dr. Greenhouse was beloved among his many patients throughout his long career.”

entious and caring physician, Dr. Greenhouse was beloved among his many patients throughout his long career. He was also a highly talented classical pianist, a lover of classical music, especially opera, a passionate fly fisherman who learned to tie his own flies, an avid golfer, and a competitive player of bridge and many

DONATIONS: In memoriam donations to Doctors Without

other games. A devoted family man, Dr. Greenhouse is survived by his children Nancy Greenhouse (Pat Canavan), Wendy Greenhouse (Michael Trenary), and Lee Greenhouse (Flora Lazar); four stepchildren, Barbara Multer-Wellin (Eli Wellin), Andrew Multer (Andrea Pincus), Shelley Lotter (Brian Gross), and Jamie Dresner (Jeff Dresner); four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his dear “little” sister, Rena Golub; and his partner, Fern Jaffe He was predeceased by his third wife, Eunice Lotter Greenhouse.

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The oblivious politicians

Mike Moran, Neil Rainford and Joe Neunder are on track to punish the EDC’s success. For what?

Are they really that knuckleheaded? Are they really that oblivious? Are they really that absorbed in their perceived self-righteousness and superiority, their pomposity and drunkenness for power? It must be so. Otherwise, Sarasota County Commissioners Mike Moran, Neil Rainford and Joe Neunder wouldn’t have done what they did and the way they did it June 4. Apparently seeing themselves as the vaunted, gallant, conservative protectors of taxpayers, they voted to repeal Sarasota County’s 30-year-old business tax.

This is a tax on every business that generates $472,421 a year, 28% of the annual $1.82 million budget of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County. The EDC, of course, is the not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to help expand and diversify Sarasota County’s economy by attracting new businesses and helping new and existing businesses slosh through the county’s and cities’ regulatory quagmires.

Moran, chair of the commission, has been on a different economic undevelopment mission. Even though he said last week he’s not against having an EDC, he has chafed over the EDC’s operations since his first election in 2016 — never satisfied that EDC leaders could justify their results on a spreadsheet.

He, like many others, saw the EDC in the mid- and late 2000s grant subsidies to businesses that shortly after went out of business. Sarasota County, mind you, while guilty, wasn’t the only place where those incentives backfired. Cities, counties and states all over the U.S. were engaged in the incentive giveaways. But Moran noted with derision at last week’s meeting the county dished out $37 million in incentives since 2009.

In 2021, when Moran previously attempted to end the business tax, he said his opposition to the tax “didn’t just spring up … From the very beginning, all I’ve ever asked for is clear, measurable goals. I made it very clear that I wanted less words on paper and more numbers on an Excel spreadsheet.”

Last week, he said: “I want to be able to leave this commission knowing that I did everything in my power to stop this tax.” Big talker.

Is the business tax really that nefarious?

In conversations with executives who served previously on the EDC board with Moran, the picture they painted was he didn’t understand — or care — that economic development is not measuring how many new barbershops opened in a month or producing a monthly spreadsheet. It’s multifaceted, complicated and time consuming. That didn’t matter. Observers of Moran have seen the same traits they’re seeing now: obstinate and a bully. Just ask members of the task force appointed by the commission to help devise a new method to distribute county funds to nonprofits. They labored for months to create a detailed plan, only to have Moran abruptly ignore it and then shove his plan through the commission. He made no apparent effort to work for any kind of mutual buy-in. My way or the highway.

With the EDC, it is more of the same: obstinance, bullying and no conciliation.

He is hell-bent on repealing the business tax. He insists the EDC

BUSINESS TAX CHRONOLOGY

As in most cases, it took a crisis to bring about the business tax.

From 1972 until 1991, Sarasota County had abandoned what was formerly known as the occupational license tax. But in 1991, well into a recession that began in the summer of 1990, Sarasota County was experiencing pain in its two main economic sectors — tourism and construction.

Mortgage rates were 9.25%.

Talk intensified in Sarasota’s business circles that the local economy needed to diversify to soften the shocks of Florida’s boom and bust cycles.

The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Council of 100 persuaded the County Commission to adopt a new occupational license tax with the funds dedicated specifically to economic development. The commission also created the Sarasota County Economic Development Board.

The tax went into effect in October 1992, with a provision to expire in 1998.

But in 1998, the commission voted to keep the tax and board going.

In 2004-2005, as the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County formally became a not-for-profit corporation, the county’s municipalities also signed agreements in which they would contribute annually $1 per capita for the EDC’s services.

In 2007, the Legislature changed the name of the occupational license tax to the business tax.

should go through the county’s general fund budget process to vie annually for funding like every other recipient of the commission’s beneficence. It’s not right, Moran argues, that the EDC has a dedicated funding source — even though that is what county commissioners have agreed to do for 30 years.

But put Moran’s tirading crusade in perspective. Consider how little tax money is at stake; the remarkable recent turnaround at the EDC; and the greater picture of Sarasota County’s opportunities for economic development — none of which had any effect on Moran or registered with Rainford and Neunder.

In the scheme of county government, the business tax — all $472,721 of it — is a teensy pittance of 0.08% of the $561 million the county collects in taxes and fees and 0.03% of the $1.445 bil-

FY2019-FY2023 the EDC supported 39 successful diverse business expansions.

• $69,100,000 in New Taxable Capital Investment 1,306 Projected New Jobs

• $67,580,000 New Yearly Payroll

• 500,000+ Square Footage Built or Leased

lion county operating budget. It’s rounding money.

What’s more, it’s not a tax that has any outspoken opposition, other than the three picayune commissioners. To the contrary, every business organization in the county endorses it, including the chambers of commerce of Sarasota, North Port, Venice, Siesta Key, Council of Business Associations, Argus Foundation, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange and Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, which together represent thousands of businesses.

It’s a tax for which nine speakers at the June 4 commission meeting pleaded with commissioners not to repeal because of its importance to their municipalities’ economy.

It’s a tax whose average cost on a business is a week of Starbucks coffee: $22.46 a year — even less for 13,209 businesses, each of which is paying only $14.43 this year.

It’s a tax that prompted Commissioner Mark Smith to make the paradoxical remark: “As a good Republican, we’re against all taxes. But the folks being taxed are the ones fighting to be taxed.”

How can it be that businesses want this tax to stay in place?

Because it actually is providing more value for businesses than it is costing them. It actually is providing economic growth and value to the citizens of Sarasota.

Consider the Big Top Brewing Co. slides that EDC President Erin Silk showed commissioners last week in her presentation (see below). It has taken four years to bring Big Top’s expansion to fruition. And look at the financial results.

Or how about this: Silk told commissioners the EDC has 14 clients in various phases of site selection, due diligence, permitting or construction, all projected to be completed between now and 2027. If all come to fruition: $49 million in new taxable capital improvements and 295 new jobs.

Or look at the “Diversifying Our Economy” slide above.

Would all of that have occurred without the EDC? No.

But it didn’t matter how much evidence Moran, Rainford or Neunder saw or heard about how the EDC has made a remarkable turnaround in the past three years. Moran, in particular, focused his remarks intensely on the past, telling commissioners and the audi-

“You

Big Top Timeline

■ Nov. 2020: Big Top Brewing Co. connects with EDC on expansion needs and information.

■ Feb. 2021: Rapid SMART Permit approved.

■ April 2021: EDC provides site selection and zoning research. EDC approves Rapid Permit assistance and coordinates with county staff.

■ Jan. 2022: Technical assistance provided by EDC.

■ April 2022: EDC issues new

Rapid Permit for project changes.

■ June-Sept. 2023: EDC provides permitting/planning assistance.

■ Sept. 2023: EDC visits company and provides support in coordination with FPL and other resources.

■ Oct. 2023: EDC team works with FPL to troubleshoot power access.

■ Feb. 2024: EDC launches video campaign to promote project completion.

■ May 2024: Open for business.

Source: Sarasota County

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ence that he has “endless stories” of how things went wrong.

It didn’t matter, either, how Silk and Vice President Joshua Ewen showed presentations that would have convinced any board of directors the EDC is the best it has ever been and moving forward still.

It didn’t matter what Commissioner Ron Cutsinger, a current EDC board member, said: “Frankly, I am thrilled at what I see happening. This is an entirely different organization.

“I appreciate the work that was done in past years, identifying the problems of the EDC,” he said. “One of the phrases that I heard several times, even this morning, is that no longer exists.

“Those things (in the past) were mistaken. They were wrong. They were a failure,” Cutsinger said. “What you do when you recognize that is you change course. You correct the failure … And frankly, that has happened here. There has been a huge course correction.

“We’ve turned it around … Everything we’ve asked the EDC to do, they’ve done and not only done, they’ve done an excellent job.”

Nor did it matter what Rod Hershberger, former CEO of PGT Industries, told commissioners. He cited PGT having operations in five states and communities, each of which has an EDC. “What I can tell you about seeing Sarasota’s Economic Development Corp. is it is definitely in the top tier. I could not have said that five years ago.”

Like Cutsinger, Hershberger said the EDC has fixed its problems.

“But if you’re looking backward and driving forward, you’re going to run aground … or you’re going to destroy your business.

“… Look at the trajectory we are on,” Hershberger said. “Look how it’s performing now and think about where it will be in the future. Once you crash your business, it costs a lot more money to fix that than it does to steer it correctly as we go forward. Continue the trajectory, and let them do their work.”

No matter what case anyone made or makes, Moran, Rainford and Neunder are stuck on getting their way — without a thought to some questions you would hope would come to their brilliant minds:

■ What is broken and not working? Whose lives are being hurt?

From all we’ve heard and seen, Silk and her colleagues are receiving rave reviews and producing economic growth.

■ What is the problem to be solved?

If we understand this, you three commissioners don’t like that a business tax, which businesses are OK with paying, goes directly to a business organization that uses the funds to grow the local economy and tax base and to help job creators navigate the costly regulations you create. You think it would be better if the EDC had to go on bended knee and beg for that piddling amount of money each year. All that sounds like is you three just want more power over the EDC.

■ What will be the consequences of repealing the business tax? You don’t know, nor seem to care. Every government action creates unintended, negative consequences and disruptions. A rock in a pond creates wide ripples — that will go beyond Sarasota.

Commissioner Cutsinger has it right: “What this will do is be a momentum killer in a lot of ways … You are punishing success.”

Just three more myopic, powerdriven politicians who have the brass to believe they know better than their constituents.

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MATT WALSH

Beyond First Class™

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

A PLACE IN THE SUN

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

It’s been a crazy couple of years for Sarasota author Robert Plunket, whom many know as a longtime local writer, including his tenure writing home stories for The Observer and as “Mr. Chatterbox,” gossip columnist of Sarasota Magazine. In 2022, Hurricane Ian forced Plunket to evacuate his Englewood home, which was subsequently destroyed. Last year, his first novel, “My Search for Warren Harding,” was reissued after 40 years, turning his world upside down. Suddenly, the Sarasota septuagenarian was featured in profiles in The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Paris Review and being celebrated at bookstore readings in New York, Sarasota and elsewhere.

We’ll take a victory lap here since The Observer was the first to notice that “My Search for Warren Harding” was about to get a second life. It’s been a year since we did our first Q&A with Plunket.

We decided to check in with Plunket again after his second novel, “Love Junkie,” was republished on May 14. In “Love Junkie,” a housewife-turned-arts-volunteer finds herself slipping into a demimonde of porn stars and gay tastemakers.

Unlike “My Search for Warren Harding,” which was funny all the way through, “Love Junkie” is a mixture of humor and pathos.

Although the book includes scenes of gleeful abandon, it ends on a somber note as AIDS is cutting down towering figures in New York’s fashion, design and arts scenes in their prime.

Before heading off to New York to promote “Love Junkie,” Plunket talked about how his life has changed in the last year and his plans for the future.

Given that Plunket has a gift for satire, some answers should be taken with a grain of salt (or two).

Congrats on the reissue of your second novel, “Love Junkie.” But before we get to that, remind me how “My Search for Warren Harding” was reissued in 2023.  I have a small army of fans, and both of them got together and pestered this fancy publisher to reissue it. The publisher was appalled. The book is politically incorrect to an incredible degree. But they decided to take a chance. And guess what? There was an audience for this sort of thing!

How has your life changed since the reissue of “My Search for Warren Harding”?

Well, the biggest change is that I got enough money to paint my trailer, which badly needed it. I was getting warnings from the management. Of course, I could only paint the exte-

rior; the inside will have to wait.

Yes, I went to New York and I’m going again. One of the bookstores up there has made special “Love Junkie” hard candies, and they promised I could have a whole bag full.

Tell us about “Love Junkie.” It was published in 1992, nearly a decade after “Warren Harding.” It’s the tale of a woman named Mimi Smithers, a lonely, naive housewife from an NYC suburb. While doing some volunteer work for the local arts council, she meets the charismatic Tom Potts, who runs an arts marketing agency. She is soon working for him — for free — and finds herself falling down the rabbit hole into the glamorous fast lane of gay life in New York circa 1980.

Soon she meets a famous porn star named Joe and falls madly in love. She becomes his administrative assistant and is put in charge of selling his “merch” — photo sets, used underwear, etc.

When her clueless husband goes off to India on an extended business trip, she sells her jewelry to finance Joe’s new movie. Then on the day when they are shooting the lesbian scene, the actress they hired fails to show up. What are they going to do? All eyes turn toward Mimi …

What inspired you to write “Love Junkie”? I was a part of that world during my thirties. I myself was no way cool enough, but I “married” into it. My lover (that’s what we called them) was a charter member of the cool set, and what a set. Gay men were running New York — fashion, the arts, design. I got to watch it all —

Sarasota author Robert Plunket is basking in the glow of late-in-life fame.

and take notes. What I didn’t realize (or maybe I did) was that the book is really about a civilization ending.

Can you tell us about the character Joe, the porn star in “Love Junkie”? He seems to inspire admiration among both women and men. Porn stars were major celebrities of the gay world at that time, and I got to know my share. Joe is an amalgamation of several but by far the most important was Al Parker. He was a legend. He’s even had a book written about him. (Two books if you count “Love Junkie.”) We worked on several projects together

Monica Roman Gagnier

Robert Plunket relaxes poolside in the Glen Oaks neighborhood of Sarasota, perusing what he hopes will be a summer best-seller.

Courtesy photo

After the success of last year’s “My Search for Warren Harding,” Sarasota author Robert Plunket’s second book, “Love Junkie,” has been reissued.

— some audio tapes, the soundtrack for one of his movies. Google him — if you dare.

Could “Love Junkie” be published today?

Sure. It’s not politically incorrect like “My Search for Warren Harding.” True, it is tasteless and has far too much sex, but so does the evening news. So I’d say it’s amazingly contemporary. Stormy Daniels could be a character right out of the book.

When I was reading “Love Junkie,” I mused that many people today don’t understand the toll that AIDS took. Have people have forgotten?

Yes. But many of them weren’t even born, so I cut them some slack. That particular generation of gay men has vanished from the world’s history. They were pre-internet; they had no children; they all died except for a few old geezers like me. So they’re mostly forgotten. It’s sad.

Is there any interest today in making a film adaptation of “Love Junkie” or “My Search for Warren Harding”?

The film rights to the Warren Harding book have been optioned and a screenplay is being written. Not by me. I’m no good at such things. “Love Junkie” is still available.

Are you working on any new projects?

Yes! I’m working on a novel about Sarasota. It sounds very farfetched, but here’s the plot: A young couple — charming, good looking and very well connected in the world of far-right politics — decide to spice up their marriage by having threesomes with attractive young women.

The wife sends the husband to local bars, where he scouts possibilities and surreptitiously takes pictures with his phone for the approval of his wife. They set up a hot date, but the wife has to work late at the school board, so the husband goes alone. I’m not sure what happens next. My big problem: Is anybody going to actually believe this?

I recently saw your performance in Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours” on the Criterion Channel. Have you watched the film lately? How do you think it holds up?

I saw it recently on TCM for the first time in years, and I was surprised at how well it holds up. In the past year or so, it’s been getting a lot of recognition, with special showings at the Film Forum in New York. There was also a screening at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Somehow my invitation got lost in the mail, but I hear it went very well.

Don’t just

and greet to see if

Sarasota author Robert Plunket’s second novel, “Love Junkie,” was reissued in May.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

JAZZ THURSDAY AT SAM

5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail Free to $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

Jazz Club of Sarasota presents the Tampa-based trio La Lucha, made up of three friends from different parts of the world: Alejandro Arenas (Colombia), John O’Leary (Mexico) and Mark Feinman (United States). Their versatility and varied influences result in engaging performances with lots of audience interaction.

‘THE WORLD GOES ’ROUND’

8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $39-$59

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Florida Studio Theatre kicks off its Summer Mainstage Series with “The World Goes ’Round,” a musical revue celebrating the works of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The show features memorable songs from hit Broadway

OUR PICK

‘HAPPY DALE’: A COMEDY BY DAN LANDON

If you Google directions to The Sarasota Players production “Happy Dale,” make sure you’re paying attention. You might end up in Estero, Florida, where there’s a Happy Dale Lane. In Dan Landon’s “Happy Dale,” a retired English teacher (Lee Gundersheimer) is sent to an assisted living facility after he begins acting strangely following his wife’s death. Happy Dale’s newest resident quickly turns the facility’s routines upside down. Runs through June 23.

IF YOU GO

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13

shows such as “Chicago,” “Cabaret” and more. Runs through June 30.

FRIDAY

SIGHTS & SOUNDS AT WATER-

SIDE PLACE: RING SARASOTA

6 p.m. at Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace

Free Visit RingSarasota.org.

No matter which Sirius XM or radio station you listen to, the Ring Sarasota handbell ensemble will play something you enjoy. Under the direction of Rick Holdsworth, Ring Sarasota’s repertoire crosses genres, including country, Latin and ’80s pop. Seating is limited, so feel free to bring a chair. No outside food or drinks permitted.

IN THE ROUND PERFORMANCE

7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300 $22

Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

Where: The Players Centre, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130

Tickets: $30; student $13 Info: Visit ThePlayers.org.

Sarasota Contemporary Dance Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott leads an interactive session that allows rising choreographers to receive audience feedback.

SATURDAY

SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR

2 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road $20 adults; $15 kids Visit Ringling.org.

Presided over by Ringmaster Jared Walker, the Summer Circus Spectacular includes contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, acrobatic hand balancers The Bello Sisters, hair hang artist Camille Langlois, slack wire performer Antino Pansa and clown Renaldo, a veteran of the Big Apple Circus. Runs through Aug. 17.

AMERICAN SOUNDSCAPES’

7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $30-$70 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

If you can only attend one of the more than a dozen concerts at the Sarasota Music Festival, this is the one. Fiddler/violinist Tessa Lark,

DON’T MISS JUNETEENTH ARTS FESTIVAL

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe hosts its second annual Juneteeth Arts Festival on Father’s Day with food vendors, live music and dance on an outdoor stage and indoor film screenings in the Donelly Theatre. The festival, which lasts until 6 p.m., includes Monessa Salley from Sarasota Contemporary Dance and musical numbers by WBTT’s Stage of Discovery students. There will be free seats to a 7:30 performance of WBTT’s summer production, “Coconut Cake.” The feature film is “Into The Storm,” a documentary about Booker High School’s 1966-67 state championship basketball team. There will be free haircuts for dads and a children’s show, Toni Kennedy’s “What’s Poppin’ Penny.”

IF YOU GO

When: Noon, Sunday, June 16

Where: at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012. N. Orange Ave. Tickets: Free Info: Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

cellist Mike Block and SMF Director Jeffrey Kahane improvise on beloved American songs. And that’s only part of the bill, which will include Block leading festival fellows in a rousing jam. Leave all your preconceptions about classical music at the door.

Courtesy photo

Image courtesy of John Jones

Matthew Peterson wins Ringling College Carl Foreman Award

Matthew Peterson’s “Swan Song,” about a film student and a father living with Alzheimer’s, won the first Ringling College Film Carl Foreman Award.

“Swan Song” was selected from among 30 entries by a panel of seven jurors.

The Carl Foreman Award, to be given annually, recognizes a graduating Ringling College of Art and Design senior majoring in film or creative writing for outstanding achievement in screenwriting, directing or producing.

The winner receives $5,000 as well as a Will Kane bronze statuette, inspired by the lead character in “High Noon,” Foreman’s classic 1952 western.

Foreman’s widow, Evelyn “Eve” Williams-Jones, originally created the Carl Foreman Award in 1983 in memory of her late husband, a screenwriter, director and producer who was blacklisted by Hollywood during the communist witch hunts of the McCarthy era.

He left the United States in 1951 for the United Kingdom. The original Carl Foreman Award was created in conjunction with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, known as BAFTA for short.

When Eve and her husband, Michael Williams-Jones, decided to bring the Carl Foreman Award back to the United States, they considered several film schools before bringing it to Sarasota.

“Initially, we considered the fabulous film schools of Los Angeles, a natural choice,” said Michael Williams-Jones. “But as great and as legendary as they are, none of them felt quite right because Hollywood had once turned its back on Carl. Then, we met the truly remarkable and inspirational Dr. Larry R. Thompson and discovered Ringling College with its world-class film program.”

The Sarasota Ballet names Charmaine Hunter community engagement director

The Sarasota Ballet has named former Dance Theatre of Harlem principal dancer Charmaine Hunter as its new community engagement director.

In her new role, Hunter will oversee “Dance – The Next Generation,” Joyful Movement through Parkinson’s, Silver Swans and other community engagement programs.

Before joining The Sarasota Ballet, Hunter served as director of community enrichment for Orlando Ballet, where she developed arts education programming for seven counties in central Florida.

As principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Hunter was known for roles such as “The Firebird” and “Medea.” While Hunter was still performing, she began working to improve access to the arts for

6:30

Join WBTT to celebrate Juneteenth! Enjoy live performances from local artists, a free art exhibit, and short films from Ringling College students. Local black-owned vendors will also be present and we will have a FREE performance of our summer production Coconut Cake A special screening of the Booker High School documentary Into the Storm will also be featured.

We have a special gift for dads including free haircuts and a special performance of What’s Poppin’ Penny, a perfect bonding experience for parents and their kids!

DONA & SAM SCOTT PENELOPE KINGMAN

the WBTT website for a schedule of events - WestcoastBlackTheatre.org

young people.

Toward that end, Hunter helped to launch Dancing Through Barriers, Dance Theatre of Harlem’s flagship outreach program in South Africa, before developing it for communities across the United States.

Hunter’s rich dance and arts career includes director of Disney’s “The Lion King” in Toronto, talent scout for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, co-founder of Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater and Upper School Principal with Texas Ballet Theater.

“Charmaine has an incredible background in both professional ballet and community engagement,” said Christopher Hird, education director of The Sarasota Ballet in a statement. “She has a passionate commitment to bringing dance to everyone, and we are extremely lucky to have her choose Sarasota as her new home.”

Image courtesy of Harry Sayer

Ringling College of Art and Design student Matthew Peterson, winner of the first Ringling College Film Carl Foreman award, and Foreman’s widow, Eve Williams-Jones.

Courtesy image

Charmaine Hunter

Once

in Georgia

ever since; and her unquiet spirit resides within. Year after year, Odella drags unwary Black teens and children into her watery realm as substitutes for her own lost child. (Once kids see her red eyes, they’re goners.) So the story goes.

MARTY FUGATE THEATER CRITIC

Terry Guest’s “Oak” has just premiered at Urbanite Theatre. His new play is philosophical, political, historical, metaphorical, hilarious and allegorical. Above all, it’s a scary ghost story. That story transpires with the double vision of magical realism.

On the realistic level, the setting is a mythical backwoods town named Oak in contemporary Georgia. The tale revolves around an African American family. Peaches (DeAnna Wright) is the matriarch. Although she’s still a young woman, motherhood defines (and confines) her. It’s been that way since she had her first child at age 16.

Instead of following her Hollywood dreams, Peaches got a backbreaking job at a burger joint — and still works there. Her daughter Pickle (Trezure B. Coles) is now 16 years old. The kid’s tough but not rebellious. Big Man (William Rose II) is Peaches’ 9-year-old son. He’s still a kid, but he acts big. Suga (Jaeda LaVonne) is their first cousin — not so tough, but imaginative.

“Oak” dives into magical depths at the start — with Pickle and Big Man telling competing versions of the same ghost story. “Odella” is the ghost in question. Urban legend has it that — back in the bad old days of slavery — Odella had a chance to escape but left her baby girl behind. She ran for her life — and fell to her death in a creek. It’s been called “Odella Creek”

Coincidentally, the town has a yearly “Snatching Season” when young African Americans go missing. It’s that time of year when Pickle and Big Man relate their ghost story. When their cousin Suga vanishes, the kids decide it isn’t fiction.

Pickle has seen the specter’s crimson eyes and figures she’s next. She seeks out a crazy old woman who somehow resisted Odella’s hypnotic spell. Pickle learns her spell-breaking secret. Does it save her? Don’t ask me.

The playwright keeps that card close to his chest right up the end. That’s the hand he wants to play; I won’t spoil it.

Guest’s dialogue sizzles, but “Oak” isn’t all talk. There’s lots of action, and clever bits of business, including a seriously creepy shadow-puppet show. Director Mikael Burke latches on to the play’s relentless forward momentum. The result is a pure adrenaline rush.

The shape-shifting actors do an excellent job with the main characters and also morph into ghosts and social outcasts as the play requires. Wright’s Peaches has an exhausted, flat affect — as if her dead-end job squeezed her like a damp rag until her life force was drained. But there’s no poorme attitude. Her character never complains. She does what she has to do right now. And then does the next thing.  Coles’ portrayal of Pickle is beautifully expressive. Her character can shout. But there are times (especially around her mother) when she keeps

make-believe with a forest of cutout oak trees (which the actors move around).

Alex Pinchin’s lighting is a cinematic horror show. It’s moody and murky, until strange (or stranger) things emerge. The actors aren’t lost. Pinchin keeps their expressions illuminated despite the gloom.

her thoughts to herself. With eye-rollings, shrugs and body language, Coles deftly conveys Pickle’s inner life.

Rose’s Big Man is another sharp portrayal. He’s an adult actor, not nine years old. But he moves, reacts and talks like a kid — convincingly. LaVonne’s Suga gets only a few scenes, but she makes the most of them. She’s the first to see Odella’s red eyes. With very few words, she portrays her haunted, hunted inner life. She knows she’s prey, and it’s driving her nuts.

Urbanite’s backstage talent does a killer job bringing Guest’s creep-show to life. Frank Chavez’ proscenium-arch set is a first for this black-box theater. You know there’s nothing behind that arch. This is the theater of the mind; the imaginary world-building is up to you. Chavez underscores this

Brian Grimm delivers the scary sounds behind this sight. These include sound trucks warning of “Snatching Season,” the ghost’s repetitious lullaby and suitable jump scares.

Adrienne Pitts’ costumes evoke the working-class vibe of a hardluck Georgia town. It’s never seen any better days; it’s always been a trap for folks who don’t get out.

Along with directing, Burke also designed, created and filmed the entire puppet-show-fromhell scene. His child-like designs evoke a horrific sense of innocence lost. Graffiti by Kaitlin Kelly adds to the lurking fear. It adds up to one wild ride. You’ll alternate between “Ha-ha” and “Ahhhh.” That horror-humor duality is baked into the playwright’s script. Guest’s magicalrealist mystery trip works on both levels.

On the human plane, the play’s characters are sympathetic and three-dimensional. On the ethereal realm, Guest’s ghost story kept me on the edge of my seat. The playwright takes a scary note from “Jaws” and takes his sweet time putting the Big Bad on stage. (What you don’t see can scare you.)  “Oak” tells a great story, both magically and realistically. Until the final scenes, the play’s natural and supernatural elements all weave together. But they come apart at the ending. Without giving it away, the climax is an allegorical response to tragic Black experience. (Survivors should soldier on and not look back.) Fair enough. But that tough-minded ending undercuts the war between good and evil the ghost story’s led you to expect. I could say more. For now, let’s just say I didn’t like it. But I don’t like a few of Stephen King’s endings, so take that as you will.

Ending aside, Guest’s philosophical, political, historical, metaphorical, allegorical, hilarious, horrifying ghost story is one of the best plays I’ve seen this season. I’m haunted by it still. But don’t be afraid. See it anyway.

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

Trezure

Pickle in Urbanite Theatre’s world premiere of Terry Guest’s “Oak.”

THE SUMMER READING LIST

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

Not sure what book to take on your next beach day?

Don’t fret because Longboat Library volunteers Barb Torrence and Susan Walters know what’s up in the literary world.

This summer, they’ve curated books by local and Florida authors along with a national bestseller. Here’s your summer reading list as assigned by the Longboat Library.

CLASSIC FLORIDA

‘SKINNY DIP’

By Carl Hiaasen

Walters said Carl Hiaasen’s outrageous stories will keep you laughing throughout with its many surprises and interesting characters.

‘NAKED CAME THE FLORIDA MAN’

By Tim Dorsey

Tim Dorsey puts a twist on the classic Florida stereotypes of hurricanes and ... interesting people.

IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS

‘BELONGING MATTERS: CONVERSATIONS ON ADOPTION, FAMILY AND KINSHIP’

By Julie Ryan McGue

From hurricane tales to a Longboat Key murder mystery, library volunteers recommend Florida-flavored books you won’t be able to put down.

ON THE BESTSELLER LIST

‘THE WOMEN’

By Kristin Hannah

Torrence and Walters said “The Women” completely changed their perspectives on the Vietnam War.

Frankie is a 20-year-old nursing student who joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps to follow her brother, who was serving in the Vietnam War. When she comes back home, she struggles to readjust to the changed and divided America that aims to forget about the war.

Torrence said she avoided reading anything about Vietnam because her husband served in the Philippines at the time of the war.

The book’s intense descriptions made her understand the hardship of the time, especially through the eyes of a woman.

KEEP YOU UP LATE

‘LONGBOAT BLUES’

By H. Terrell Griffin

Former Longboat resident H. Terrell Griffin takes you on a cozy murder mystery through all your favorite local spots.

‘THE SPY’S WIFE’

By Jane Elizabeth Hughes

Shelley always thought her mildmannered husband, David, was a management consultant.

This book follows a homicidal marine scientist, Chaz, who is illegally dumping fertilizer into the endangered Everglades. When he suspects that his wife, Joey, has uncovered his scam, he tries to kill her by pushing her overboard from a cruise liner.

She ends up surviving the fall and is saved by a former cop named Mick. Joey decides to get back at her husband by “haunting” him throughout his crimes with the help of her new friend Mick.

Serge A. Storms uses his unusual power of seeing the deceased to discover stories of those who were killed in Florida hurricanes.

While bouncing from cemetery to cemetery, his adventures bring him to a haunted sugar field that is rumored to have a bogeyman named the “Naked Florida Man” hiding in its stalks. Storms uses his knowledge of history and love for bestowing justice to solve this unusual mystery. Walters said you won’t be able to put this book down thanks to Dorsey’s unique characters, outlandish plot lines and ties to the Sunshine State.

Julie Ryan McGue talks about her experience with adoption and how this affected her identity and sense of belonging.

She hopes that the book will support the adoption community while opening a conversation with those who aren’t directly impacted by adoption.

McGue is a local author who was the recent guest of a library book club event at J. McLaughlin. Torrence said it was an eye-opening conversation that brought awareness to the taboo of adoption in society.

Logan Hamilton is the prime suspect in a murder when his girlfriend’s body is discovered on a Longboat condominium balcony.

To save him from the death penalty, his friend and former trial lawyer Matt Royal comes out of retirement to represent him.

Royal travels to Iowa, Chicago and South Florida on the case, and the trial shocks Longboat locals with surprising secrets. Royal is challenged when he faces off with a female prosecutor who never loses.

Torrence said Griffin’s references to local spots such as Chubby’s Lounge make it a great Longboat read.

But one morning when watching the news, she sees his face on TV with a headline claiming that he was a CIA spy.

After confronting him, Shelley is shocked to learn about David’s secret life.

Her whole life changes when her husband takes her along on secret missions around the world dodging foreign agents and international media hounds. This adventure causes her to question her formerly tranquil life when she forms a newfound attraction to her mysterious husband.

Longboat resident Jane Elizabeth Hughes wrote this book based on her real life of being married to a CIA agent. Torrence said she loves running into Hughes and hearing about her interesting life.

Petra Rivera

Barb Torrence and Susan Walters, Longboat Library volunteers

Turtle tracks lead to career path

A life-changing childhood turtle rescue inspired Caleb Jameson’s pursuit of a marine biology degree.

PETRA

RIVERA STAFF WRITER

When Caleb Jameson was 8 years old, he was too young to help at the turtle disorientation event that his mother Brenda was attending with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch. While the adults were doing paperwork, he looked for turtle tracks.

Walking the beach, Jameson found a tiny turtle hatchling that was covered with fire ants. He ran back to the Turtle Watch members, and together they were able to rescue the hatchling.

Jameson said that this moment was the turning point in deciding what he wanted to do with his life. He started attending the turtle walks every week with his mother to learn everything he could from the Turtle Watch.

At 12 years old, Jameson was the youngest Turtle Watch member to get his marine turtle permit under the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

He is now attending New College of Florida for a degree in marine biology and volunteering with the turtle tagging program through Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

He is also interning with the Anna Maria Turtle Watch this year.

With his Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission permit, Jameson can partake in all Turtle Watch activities. He helps with tracking turtles, marking nests, nest patrol, rescuing and attending different nesting events such as turtle disorientation.

Jameson also helps with the weekend turtle walks on Longboat Key during the summer. Turtle Watch members arrive at the beach at 6 a.m. to look for turtle tracks and mark nests.

At 6:45 a.m., the public is welcome to come to learn about turtle tracks, tips on how to protect turtles, how the group marks a turtle nest and other fun facts.

Connie Schindewolf leads the events. She’s been a part of the Longboat Key Turtle Watch since 1983.

“I remember that day Caleb found his first hatchling,” said Schindewolf.

“Just like when Caleb was little, seeing the kids light up when they learn about turtles is my favorite part.”

The Turtle Watch provides activity books for children to take home and learn more about what they saw on the turtle walk.

Just like Jameson, children can start young, learning about local sea turtles by joining the Turtle Watch’s Sea Turtle Defender Club for no cost.

This includes learning opportunities about what the Turtle Watch does such as a behind-the-scenes tour of Mote Marine Sea Turtle Hospital and exclusive turtle nest excavations.

Photos by Petra Rivera

Brenda Jameson, Caleb Jameson, Sam DiGiammarino and Connie Schindewolf

Sam DiGiammarino points out turtle tracks.

Bonnie Gallagher and her children Rex and Joy

Sam DiGiammarino marks a turtle nest.

Real talk

time to talk about world issues. Each time the group met, people would bring something new to talk about.

Retired trial lawyer Michael Karp spends his week reading and watching the news. Whether it’s politics, international issues or local news, you can bet that Karp knows the low-down on the matter.

Being from the Bronx, he isn’t afraid of a little confrontation, but his background also allows him to be open to differing opinions.

That’s why he’s the moderator for The Paradise Center’s Thinking Out Loud. The discussion group allows Longboaters a safe space to talk about current events and political issues going on around the world.

Karp said becoming a discussion group moderator was unexpected. He was meeting weekly with a group of men at the Senior Friendship Centers and encouraged them to use the

Karp took it upon himself to keep the conversation going.

Word got out about the discussion group and then he was approached to start another one. This group focused on the topic of aging and gave people a chance to speak about their experiences and coping mechanisms related to the subject.

Now, Karp is the moderator for four discussion groups a week around the Sarasota area. He’s started to see this as his purpose in life.

He said he doesn’t want to waste his retirement doing nothing in his house. Leading these groups keeps his mind fresh, allows him to give back and learn from the community.

Former executive director of The Paradise Center Suzy Brenner also heard about Karp’s group and thought it would be a unique addi-

Retired lawyer Mike Karp moderates discussion groups on current events and politics.

IF YOU GO

Karp leads a lively discussion at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, on current topics such as world affairs, national politics and local issues. Thinking Out Loud is from 1-2:30 p.m. every Monday. Bring questions, thoughts and an open mind. Call 383-6493.

tion to Longboat. He has been hosting Thinking Out Loud on Mondays for three years now.

“I usually start with ‘What do you guys want to talk about?’” said Karp. “I always want them to know that I am not a teacher. I am just there to move things along and keep everything fair.”

At the beginning of each week, Karp will send out an agenda with

topics that he has noted from different news sources. The subject line of this email is usually something along the lines of, “Sorry, not much happened this week. You think?” He emphasizes to each group that these are suggestions and always encourages the participants to start the conversation.

The groups will span from five to 40 people depending on the time of year. Based on this, Karp will adjust his approach in moderating, making sure that everyone can a word in.

If no one suggests anything for the discussion, Karp will ask about a topic that has interested him recently. He will gently urge those who aren’t saying much and give everyone a chance to speak if someone is taking over the conversation.

Karp comes to each meeting with

articles he has thoroughly read and questions prepared. Based on the atmosphere, he uses his intuition to move the conversation along. He usually bounces ideas off the person who is speaking.

Not an objective moderator, Karp will give his opinion based on his experience as a trial lawyer and his research. He also welcomes people who have opposing opinions for a well-rounded discussion.

“These discussions bring people together and give them an excuse to socialize, to connect with one another,” said Karp. “By nature, I believe that human beings need to be able to connect with other humans. So discussing these different happenings keeps us learning and connecting.”

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

Photos by Petra Rivera

Andrew Littauer and Michael Karp

Michael

David Langhaug and Maria Ray discuss a national issue in Thinking Out Loud.

Carol Edelman shares her views on political concerns.

Cleanup club

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

Car parts, beer bottles and a live fish. These are only a few of the items that the Manasota Track Club recounted picking up on June 8 along its adopted span of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

No matter what it is, the club members collect trash each quarter along the stretch of road between Ken Thompson Park and the Chart House. Starting Saturday morning with a run, the club met in City Island Park at 9 a.m., cracking jokes to turn what seemed to be a tedious task into a sociable event that impacts the environment.

proposing it to the club, they saw it as good exposure for the club and a way to give back to the community.

The club adopted the section in 2021.

“When you live in paradise, you want to keep it nice,” said club member Jason Richards. “It honestly becomes a bit addictive, like a game with these new grabbers we got. It is amazing to see the before and after and how amazing it looks when we finish.”

Board member Rob Loeffler presented the “Adopt-A-Road” project to the Manasota Track Club board after running that stretch of road onto Longboat most days during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the “Adopt-A-Road” sign irked him when he would see all the trash along the bridge. After

The June 8 trash pickup involved new vests and grabbers that the club paid for itself. The grabbers helped pick up hard-to-reach items and were a fun way for the members to work together.

The group of 30 members filled seven industrial-sized trash bags.

“The social aspect of this is the absolute best part,” said Loeffler. “Everybody gets together and spends time with each other — like after this a couple of us are going paddleboarding. Also, we get to be visible in the community. When we put on the vest and walk down the road, people honk, they slow down and call out and they thank us.”

Jason Richards and Andre Hidalgo joke around while picking up car parts on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The Manasota Track Club found a variety of trash.

Photos by Petra Rivera

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LONGBOAT

Ohana sale tops weekly transactions at $19.75M

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Atwo-property sale in Yonker tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Ohana Trustee LLC, trustee, sold two homes at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive to SISP 33704 LLC, trustee, for $19.75 million. The first property was built in 1950 and has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,933 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 2013 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,296 square feet of living area. They sold for $11.4 million in 2019.

EN PROVENCE

Windward Venture Partners LLC

sold the Unit 2 condominium at 2151 Gulf of Mexico Drive to 2151-5 GMD LLC for $5.25 million. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,800 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.6 million in 2012.

EMERALD HARBOR

Dolores Stevens, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, sold her home at 5941 Emerald Harbor Drive to Enton and Aferdita Hito, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for $2.3 million. Built in 1973, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,606 square feet of living area. It sold for $840,000 in 2011.

SLEEPY LAGOON PARK

Robert Spanos Jr. and Amy Luciano Spanos, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 672 Marbury Lane to Kristopher McDaniel and Amanda Lariz-McDaniel, of Gainesville, for $1,525,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,920 square feet of living area. It sold for $720,000 in 2016.

BAYVIEW ESTATES

Stephen and Janet Walter, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 569 Bayview Drive to Bayview Longboat Key LLC for $1.1 million. Built in 1954, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,264 square feet of living area. It sold for $294,000 in 2002.

Ohana Trustee LLC, trustee, sold two homes at 6633

33704 LLC, trustee, for $19.75 million.

HARBOUR OAKS AT LONGBOAT

KEY CLUB

Michael McCredie sold the Unit 305 condominium at 2211 Harbourside Drive to Victor Cuco and Melissa Rodocker, of Longboat Key, for $1,036,100. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,219 square feet of living area. It sold for $910,000 in 2022.

CLUB LONGBOAT BEACH AND TENNIS

Susan Davies, of Tampa, sold her Unit 116 condominium at 5055 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Stuart and Amy Smith, of New Canaan, Connecticut, for $985,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,484 square feet of living area. It sold for $385,000 in 2012.

REVISED LONGBEACH

Michael Riter and Kimberly Ross, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 591 Hibiscus Way to Stephan Richard Shenk and Kelley Henderson Shenk, of Longboat Key, for $950,000. Built in 1966, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,350 square feet of living area. It sold for $72,500 in 1983.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

NORTHGATE

Aaron and Yvette Hoff, of Wesley Chapel, sold their Unit 8 condominium at 490 N. Shore Road to Mitchell and Ann Marie Sher, of Media, Pennsylvania, for $813,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,350 square feet of living area. It sold for $356,000 in 2018.

ISLANDER CLUB OF LONGBOAT

H. Frank Harvey and William Harvey, trustees, sold the Unit 25-S

27-31

condominium at 2295 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Steven and Heidi Silton, of Minneapolis, for $600,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,235 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,000 in 2018.

SECOND LONGBOAT HARBOUR

James and Holly Waite, of Rocky River, Ohio, sold their Unit 306 condominium at 4380 Exeter Drive to Robert Seville, of Delanco, New Jersey, for $535,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,376 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2018.

SEAPLACE

Paul Howey and Lisa Howey, trustees, of La Salle, Michigan, sold the Unit G6-306-C condominium at 1955 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Seth and Aubrey Koches, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Scott Alexander Macnair and Lyndsey Koches Macnair, of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, for $512,500. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 933 square feet of living area. It sold for $454,000 in 2023.

SUTTON PLACE

Joseph Giaimo, of The Villages, sold the Unit T-30 condominium at 595 Sutton Place to RIMARSAL LLC for $460,000. Built in 1972, it has one bedroom, one bath and 1,450 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2008.

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB

Andrew and Michelle Tomko sold their Unit 164 condominium at 726 Spanish Drive N. to Matthew Cole Hayes, of Longboat Key, for $423,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,093 square feet of living area. It sold for $280,000 in 2020.

Gulf of Mexico Drive to SISP

Bright futures

Ocean Day challenges homeschoolers to learn how to protect our waters.

orld Ocean Day on June 8 at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium was swimming with information on how to keep oceans healthy.

Mote hosted homeschool students at its Ocean Day celebration to present the final projects that they have been working on all semester.

Mote’s homeschool program is for students ages 12-16 with an interest in marine life from throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Groups of three or four students teamed up to inform people about important issues impacting the health of oceans and the environment. Topics included clean water, rare turtle populations and toxic runoff.

“A lot of us are interested in a career in marine science when we are older, so I really enjoy exploring these different topics,” said student Ayden Croowe. “I also have met a lot of fun people my age, which I don’t usually get to do since I am homeschooled.”

Croowe’s group focused its project

on spreading awareness of problems affecting seagrass beds. He said that seagrass serves as a nursery for offshore fish and protection for marine mammals like manatees.

As an interactive activity for their project, Croowe’s partner, Isabelle Gunderson, used her 3D printer to make small models of manatees. Croowe promised a manatee to anyone who could beat him in a game of cornhole.

Another group focused on informing people about coastal plastic pollution and discouraged the use of single-use plastics. This team included Coco Claypoole, Addison Riesen, Solomyn Hionkas and Love Gordon.

Photos by Petra Rivera

Dalton Jordan’s group, the Runoff Rebels, informed attendees about efforts to stop toxic runoff.

Love Gordon, Addison Riesen, Solomyn Hionkas and Coco Claypoole show off their art made with recycled cardboard.

YOUR CALENDAR

of blue sails. Call 444-7495.

RECURRING EVENTS

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT

STORE

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

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. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

TUESDAYS

QIGONG

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qigong 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. Debby 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 experienced players. To check availability at the tables, email Amy@ TheParadiseCenter.org.

ROTARY CLUB

Meets at 5 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays in All Angels Parish Hall, 563 Bay Isles Road. To learn more, call Nancy Rozance

BEST BET

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

POP-UP LIBRARY

10-11:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road. On the first and third Tuesday of each month in the rear parking lot of Town Hall, the Library Pop-Up will be on Longboat Key with books for all ages. Swing by to sign up for a library card and read a book by the beach. Call 861-5475.

at 203-605-4066 or email Info@ LongboatKeyRotary.org.

TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

LONGBOAT LIBRARY

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday and Friday. 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 3832011.

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.

SATURDAYS

PUBLIC TURTLE WALKS

6:45 a.m. at 4795 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Free. Learn about protecting sea turtles. Participants will learn about turtle tracks and how volunteers scout the beaches for signs of turtle nesting. The walk will also provide information about keeping beaches safe for sea turtles. Arrive by 6:45 a.m. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring water and sunscreen. No unattended children. If severe weather, the walk may be canceled.

File image

Alyssa Rockey and Katie Dow

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

TIDES SUNRISE /

MOON PHASES

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BACKING MUSICIANS by Aaron Rosenberg, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Jenelle Alber captured

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