Longboat Key Garden Club is encouraging Longboaters to join a large-scale planting of sea oat plants, coordinated by Keep Manatee Beautiful.
To restore dunes and protect beach ecosystems, the organization is planning to replace 12,000 plants in one morning.
Helpers will get hands-on experience and learn about the role this subtropical grass plays in keeping coastal areas healthy and stable.
Volunteers can help from 7-11 a.m. on July 26 at Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S. Those younger than 16 years old need to be accompanied by a guardian.
For details or to register online, visit EventBrite.com.
Cirque named top new hotel
Cirque St. Armands Beachside opened in March, and the new luxury resort is already earning accolades.
Travel + Leisure recently named the circus-themed getaway on Lido Key among its top new hotel openings.
The 135-room luxury property on Benjamin Franklin Drive pays tribute to Sarasota’s history as a circus town with its design and name.
The travel magazine has made the rounds in the area lately. In March, the magazine named Longboat Key as the top island to visit in the South. And last month Siesta Beach was named one of its top 50 beaches in the world.
Cops to teens: Party’s over
Courtesy image
Lottie, a 4-year-old miniature poodle, rides to victory in a toy car with Magnolia and Goldie Lowry in the “Most Creative” category of the virtual Hot Diggity Dog contest organized by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key. The contest was delayed because of storms that washed out Freedom Fest July 4.
WEEK OF JULY 17, 2025
BY THE NUMBERS
$20 MILLION
Value of grants sought by the town’s grant coordinator in her first year on the job
PAGE 6
$12 MILLION
Cost of a city of Sarasota beach renourishment project on nearby Lido Key PAGE 9
3 Awards handed out in the Hot Diggity Dog costume contest, made virtual when bad weather prompted organizers to scrub most July 4 outdoor activities. PAGE 20
CALENDAR
n Network at St. Regis —
5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. Cost is $10 for chamber members; $15 for nonmembers. Complimentary valet parking is available. Call 941-383-2466.
“That was my entertainment. We didn’t have a TV at the time.”
Patricia Collado, on knitting as a child. Read more on page 14
Van recall affects Breeze
Effects of a safety recall that affected Sarasota County’s Breeze OnDemand this week was largely mitigated by the replacement of all but eight minivans in a fleet of about 70, officials said.
On Monday, Breeze alerted riders – many of whom travel to and from Longboat Key – to possible delays in connecting ride requests with available drivers. But by Tuesday, Breeze contractor Via had replaced 21 of 29 Chryslers sidelined by the National Highway Transportation
Safety Administration recall. Breeze was notified July 10 in writing of the recall, which involved potential air-pressure issues on the 2022-25 models’ side curtain airbags. On July 13, OnDemand contractor Via alerted Breeze it planned to pull the 29 affected minivans off the road but would replace 21 of them by Tuesday morning.
In a statement, Sarasota County Breeze said the affected Voyagers and Pacificas would remain off the road until a repair is devised and accomplished.
The OnDemand system typically has about 45 vehicles in operation daily.
The statement said compared to a 99% rate of ride requests being assigned on July 7, that 87% were met with assignments in the early portions of Monday, July 14.
In an email sent to BreezeOnDemand users, the county transit agency wrote: “We are working hard to bring in temporary vehicles and return service to normal as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Weather Service sets hurricane training
National Weather Service offices around Florida next week plan to present a free series of virtual training sessions on tropical weather. The daily sessions running July 21-24 take place three times a day and each cover a specific topic. The sessions are entitled: Monday: Seasonal Readiness & Monitoring the Tropics
Tuesday: Gearing Up for Potential Impacts
Wednesday: Sheltering & HunkerDown Mode
Thursday: Post-Storm Safety & Lessons Learned One-hour sessions take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be hosted by NWS professionals. Sign up at Weather.gov/Jax/FloridaTropicalTrainingWeek2025.
SMH rolls out robotic knee-surgery
devices
Ten hand-held wireless robots are assisting in knee replacement surgeries at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, which has deployed the TMINI Miniature Robotic System.
Developed by Think Surgical in partnership with Zimmer Biomet, TMINI is a next-generation robotic tool that provides the precision of robotic-assisted surgery into a compact instrument that easily integrates into a surgeon’s normal workflow.
Shaped like a traditional power tool used in knee surgery, TMINI leverages robotic technology and pre-operative CT scans to guide accurate bone preparation and implant placement during total knee arthroplasty.
Orthopedic surgeons Sean Dingle and Edward Stolarski began using the TMINI in select knee replacement cases this week, with additional surgeons set to follow in the coming months.
Cleared for use by the FDA in 2023, the TMINI system continues to evolve in both capability and compatibility, according to the release. The model in use at SMH is the latest version, approved in 2024 for exclusive integration with Zimmer Biomet’s Persona Knee System.
Courtesy photo
Breeze OnDemand operates on Longboat Key and around Sarasota’s other barrier islands.
YEAR ONE: DONE
ERIC GARWOOD DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
In reality, it’s a hard-and-fast fact when the largest resort on Longboat Key opened to the public. August 16, 2024. Right there on the calendar.
The lazy river, the lagoon, the hotel suites and restaurants, the beachfront Monkey Bar. All unveiled.
But the way Winfred van Workum, the general manager of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort and Residences says he sees it, that soon-to-conclude first year can at times seem far shorter, or much longer.
And nothing like he expected.
“I just sometimes feel like it’s 10 years, and sometimes I feel like it’s 10 weeks,” he said with a laugh.
Years in the making, through revisions, hours of haggling and more than two-and-a-half years of construction, the St. Regis launched with intentions of building expertise with its new staff before the region’s tourist season began.
Twin hurricanes came first, though, prompting a monthlong shutdown. Then what seemed like another grand opening, this time without weeks of prep work led by nearly 100 experts.
“We did all this amazing training; everybody knew what to do when we opened,” he said. “And then we
With the resort’s first anniversary coming up, St. Regis moves ahead, refining plans from an inaugural 12 months no one saw coming.
close for four weeks, of course, then we opened without all of the trainers.
“So, it almost felt like we had to reopen again.”
Since then, the St. Regis has made an undeniable impact on the region, fiscally, reputationally and municipally. Van Workum says he’s pleased with client reactions and those of the travel and leisure industry. And he said he’s happy with the local workforce, some of whom have already moved up to supervisory ranks.
Ideas are in the works for the future — though he wasn’t specific — to match better with customers’ wants and some of the basic workings of an 18-acre facility that Sarasota County says added nearly $200 million of property value on the hotel side alone. The individually taxed condos, in three buildings named Armand, Bateau and Champagne on the south side of the property, added another $361 million for 2025, tax records show.
OPEN, CLOSED, OPEN ... SEASON
Storm surge from Hurricane Helene destroyed the resort’s dune line in late September, sending salt water and sand across the property — indeed, across the island in general. Though teams remained on-site through it all, they found themselves cut off for days by flooding on Longboat Key, St. Armands Circle and beyond.
Clients couldn’t reach the property. Nor could staff. Gulf of Mexico Drive was impassable in places.
The resort had no choice but to close.
“I mean, we wanted to open. We never wanted to close,” van Workum said. “We wanted to open as soon as possible. But, you know, the first week alone, we couldn’t even get to the resort. In St. Armands there was 4 feet of water. So it actually took us a couple days before we could even access the resort.”
Sand was everywhere, except on the now-gone dune line. Newly set trees and landscaping was toppled or ruined.
“All of our dunes washed away, and they all went into our multiple pools,” he said. “To dig out a lazy river with 6 feet of sand, by hand, of course, is a lot of work.”
Ready to open again, St. Regis found itself on the edge of its first Sarasota tourism season. With a staff that had essentially taken a month off.
“I’ll never forget, like the front desk, they were behind the computer and they’re like, ‘Oh, shoot, how do you do this again?’” Van Workum said. “We had all of these people with amazing heart and amazing service attitude, but many of them never worked in a luxury hotel environment. So, they kind of forgot about these different things.”
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Van Workum said one of the focuses moving into Year 2 will be wellness. Success of the resort’s spa likely will lead to more and varied classes and events that tap into clientele’s goals of relaxation and health.
Further refinement of the guest experience is another focal point.
“I think it was really important to put a good restaurant together, and now we want to be an amazing restaurant, so adding a lot more unique touches from tableside preparations to unique dishes, or kind of defining more celebrity culinary events and wine tastings and things like that,” he said. “For us this coming year, it’s about what we call immersive experiences. We want guests to come on property, hotel guests but also locals, and really be immersed in their different experiences.”
Sports, too, possibly.
Van Workum said connections to the Colony Beach and Tennis Resort, which occupied the property from 1954 until it closed in 2010, are everywhere on the property. Suites bear the names of Sarasota leaders and figures from the Colony. The beachside Tiki bar bears the name of the Colony’s famous Monkey Bar.
One amenity not accounted for, though, is tennis. The Colony, known for its courts and the luminaries who played on them, was a mecca of the sport.
“We are working on some exciting, exciting events and things like that to really honor that history,” he said. “But of course, having some facilities on the property would be really, really fantastic. So we do have some
ideas and some thoughts on how maybe we can add that.”
Space on the property is at a premium, with a small patch of open space remaining in the southeastern corner.
Van Workum said on-site parking is also at a premium, which he attributed to a level of staffing higher than normal for a resort its size, especially during work-shift crossovers.
“Honestly, it is just as expected, so certainly not a surprise to us,” he said, adding that one shift often is still on property while the new shift first arrives.
“We can’t leave the guests by themselves for an hour.”
There are no formal applications with the town to add parking spaces or sports courts right now.
REACTION
The travel and tourism industry has largely praised the St. Regis in its first year. Most recently, AAA Travel awarded a five-diamond rating. Travel + Leisure named the resort to its “It List” of the 100 best new hotels. Forbes’ coveted rating is pending,
Van Workum said the attention has helped connect the traveling world to Longboat Key, a destination that has traditionally shied away from highprofile tourism.
“Most people will say this is more like a Caribbean resort or Hawaiian resort, a southeast Pacific resort, where you really don’t have to leave,” van Workum said.
Longboat Key’s financial reaction has likewise been positive. Town property values were up overall for 2025, based largely on the addition of the St. Regis.
Across the metro area, only North Port accounted for more new construction value — by about $300 million — in a city with roughly 10 times the permanent population.
LOCAL HELP
Van Workum said he has been pleased with the local segment of the resort’s 400-plus workforce. Though the core team came from around the St. Regis chain or from other luxury properties, most of the staff was recruited locally.
Some had no hospitality experience, and fewer at a level associated with the St. Regis brand.
At first, van Workum said, staffers stuck to their training, but of late he said he’s seen a transformation taking place from merely getting the job done to something on a higher level.
“It should all be an emotional experience,” he said. “And what happens a little bit is if you’re not fluent in your job, then it becomes a little transactional because you’re so focused on making sure that you do everything right. We always see this a little bit in the beginning ... everything feels a little bit robotic until people kind of get the confidence. I think that’s been a nice evolution always. Like a year later, I think now you can really see people blossoming their personalities and the warmth.”
“For us this coming year, it’s about what we call immersive experiences. We want guests to come on property, hotel guests but also locals, and really be immersed in their different experiences.”
— Winfred van Workum, general manager
Courtesy image
The Under the Sea Experience at the St. Regis.
Carlin Gillen
The Monkey Bar, located at the St. Regis Hotel.
Courtesy image
A hotel room overlooking the resort area at the St. Regis.
Dana Kampa
The Sutton family hand feeds the cownose rays at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort’s Under the Sea Lagoon.
of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
File image
General Manager of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort Winfred van Workum
Sarasota explores watercraft restrictions for South Lido Beach
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota are teaming up to place restrictions on the beach and in the water around South Lido Beach and Ted Sperling Park. And the city is taking it a step further to cover the 10th Street boat launch at Centennial Park and other waterfront parks.
To address a growing number of complaints from residents and to address safety issues, the two governments have tasked their respective staffs to draft ordinances to ban beaching of motorized boats and personal watercraft or anchoring them within 300 feet of shore.
The topic, discussed by the City Commission on July 7 and the County Commission on July 8, comes on the heels of the death of Luis Guevara, a 19-year-old player in the Baltimore Orioles farm system, who died while operating a PWC when he jumped a wake and crashed into another PWC off Lido Key on June 15.
Following the example of the county, the city also wants to explore regulating commercial operations — much of it not licensed — in those city parks.
Enforcement at Ted Sperling Park, where South Lido Beach is located, is a complex issue because it is a county-owned park within the Sarasota city limit. The county government itself has no enforcement capability and must rely on the Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota Police Department and/or Florida Wildlife Commission.
The City Commission tasked staff to develop an ordinance that largely mirrors the county effort, which was posed by District 2 County Commissioner Mark Smith to his fellow commissioners the next day. The county has already approved an ordinance to regulate commercial activities in its water-access parks, implementation of which has been suspended in the wake of the 2024 hurricane season that left some of its boat launches, piers and bulkheads inaccessible.
The effort also targets nonlicensed commercial operators, some of whom arrive with their own PWCs they rent and engage in other forms of non-sanctioned commerce.
“They’re buying alcohol. They’re vending. There is a slew of commercial activity that takes place when those boats get to the shoreline or above the riparian line,” said Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson. A riparian line is the boundary between a landowner’s property and a body of water.
“I would ask for a motion directing
staff to look into solutions pursuant or pertaining to commercial usage in our city parks, specifically Centennial Park and Ken Thompson Park, as it pertains to marine commercial uses,” Robinson said.
The effort should also include continuing to work with state and county partners to address weaknesses in ordinances that pertain to mooring and operating vessels within a certain distance of South Lido Beach and Ted Sperling Park.
Robinson helped craft two motions, both of which were unanimously approved. The first is to direct staff to investigate regulatory language related to commercial uses for rental of PWCs or other motorized marine vessels. The second is to direct staff to craft language to regulate mooring or operating vessels within 300 feet of South Lido Beach, Ted Sperling Park, Ken Thompson Park on City Island, Centennial Park and all beaches within the city limit.
Meanwhile, by unanimous vote, county staff has been tasked to bring back to the County Commission an agenda item for discussion to amend an existing ordinance to be specific to South Lido Beach and Ted Sperling Park that would ban anchoring or mooring any motor boats within 300 feet of the shore, unless permitted. Both the city and county commissions are aware there will be ample pushback, and interim City Manager Dave Bullock said a resolution may take longer to craft than Robinson’s estimate the city’s ordinance could be presented by the end of summer.
“I would just suggest that there are, and have been for decades, folks who use (Centennial Park) to drop off and pick up — charter captains and local folks who have been here forever,” said Bullock, who admitted he has beached his boat at South Lido. “There will be a another voice not heard from yet who finds that kind of access, and they’re well behaved.”
Andrew Warfield Sarasota County Commissioner
BLOCK PARTIES
Vacant vacation rentals on St. Armands Key and Lido Key have been ‘crashed’ into for three impromptu house parties.
ummertime boredom, vacant vacation rental homes and youthful indiscretion have converged to form a spate of break-ins by unauthorized occupants on St. Armands Key and Lido Key of late.
In recent weeks, trespassers, typically in their late teens and early 20s, have gained access to empty residences to hold house parties. The first reported incident of the summer occurred at 551 S. Washington Drive on St. Armands and, most recently, two at 460 N. Washington Drive.
The discovery of an incident at 551 S. Washington Drive after Memo -
rial Day weekend came when a real estate agent arrived to find empty alcohol bottles strewn throughout the house. The crime scene, however, was contaminated and evidence thrown out before law enforcement was called to investigate.
There was no sign of forced entry, said Sarasota Police Department Officer Helios Blanco, and the electronic door lock required an entry code.
“(The real estate broker) was going to look into it to see if any of her employees may have slipped something out or someone may have seen them typing in the numbers,” Blanco said. “Nothing was taken and nothing was destroyed. They just used the house just to have a party.”
Because there were no witnesses nor suspects identified in this case, Blanco said how many were in attendance could not be determined.
Such was not the case with a party held on July 2 at 460 N. Washington Drive. There, an estimated 100 people had packed a vacant vacation rental. An alarm did activate there, prompting a police response.
“According to the officers, they saw 100 kids running from the house, so they were having a party there without authorization,” said
Blanco, who was not on duty that night. In that incident, there was no apprehension of partygoers.
Following each incident Blanco said he sent an email to all residents associations and homeowners associations, asking they inform their members of the unauthorized uses and to urge them to take basic precautions to make sure they lock their vacant homes, alarm systems activated and functioning properly, and be on the lookout for suspicious activities in their neighborhoods.
Just two nights later, another party commenced at that same North Washington Drive address as reported by a neighbor heeding the call for vigilance. This time, with word already spreading via social media platforms, the organizer forcibly entered the home through a rear entrance.
Apprehended was a 19-year-old male charged with burglary because of damage done to the door while entering. That raised his charges from simple trespassing, which police would have charged other attendees with if they had been apprehended.
Like two nights before, they scattered into a rainy night when the first law enforcement unit arrived.
“That’s a felony charge,” Blanco
said of the arrested perpetrator. “If they come in, damage something or steal something, that trespass becomes a burglary. That means it goes from a misdemeanor up to a felony, which is more punishable depending on the person if they have a criminal history.”
A burglary conviction can carry a sentence of up to two years at the discretion of a judge. If the accused has a clean criminal history, Blanco said, it would likely result in a fine or community service. “But even then, as a 19-year-old that’s not a good thing having a burglary charge on your record,” he said.
Failure to properly secure and monitor a vacant home, be it a vacation rental or a seasonal residence, can leave it susceptible to other criminal activities, as well. About two months ago, Blanco said a woman, apparently in search of unlocked vacant homes on Lido Key, found one, entered the house for a brief period, left and returned some two hours later with her son, two dogs and packed suitcases. The owner checked his security cameras later that day, noting the unauthorized occupancy and called law enforcement.
“She claimed that she had paid for it on Airbnb, but nothing about her story panned out,” Blanco said. “She said she had the email but it wasn’t working.”
Her case, he added, is with the State Attorney’s Office.
In all those cases, there was no property stolen and the only damage, other than leaving a mess behind, was to the back door at 460 N. Washington Drive.
Eliminating opportunity, Blanco added, is the best prevention for future unauthorized entry and use of the homes.
“So far, it’s just been these few incidents, but summer is still in full effect and we have another month, at least until school starts up,” he said. “Some of the homeowners don’t even live in the state. They have property managers and alarm companies, depending if they’re even active. That’s why we remind the (associations) to inform their members so we can be notified and hopefully catch them and deter this because we’ve seen more than once that it goes unnoticed until it’s already too late.”
Carlin Gillen
This vacation rental home at 460 N. Washington Drive on St. Armands Key was the site of two unauthorized flash parties in recent weeks.
5 questions with Kalee Shaberts
Two years into her grants coordinator role, she focuses on relationship building and organization.
ERIC GARWOOD DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
One of the first things Kalee Shaberts did when she arrived as the town’s first grants coordinator in the summer of 2023 was get things organized, looking beyond Town Hall to network with not only grant providers but other professionals in Florida just like her.
She formed a group of about 40 members who can often serve as sounding boards and resources in the search for a variety of funding programs.
Employing connections and her powers of relationship-building and organization, she has accounted for millions of dollars flowing to the town, millions more than her salary.
With a background in grants and contracts in Manatee County, Sarasota County and elsewhere, Shaberts most recently responded to, applied for and collected on a $1.5 million grant for hurricane beach relief that popped up a little more than a week ago.
“When I first started, I noticed that we weren’t the only municipality with just one grants person,” she said. “A lot of places have grants teams, but smaller places only have one. So, when it comes to talking about grants, you don’t have someone else to bounce a lot of ideas off of. So, I created a group called the local grants professionals. It has about 40 members now of local municipalities around us and throughout Florida, that we can collaborate and bounce ideas off of and say, “Oh, have you talked to this funder? We’re there as supports.”
The Observer chatted with Shaberts recently to learn more about what she does, how she does it and
Education: University of Southern Indiana Experience: Previous experience include child welfare as well a grants coordinator for Manatee County, 2019-2022.
what it takes to succeed.
Could you explain the role of the town’s grants coordinator?
So, my job is to seek funding for projects we need throughout the town to get grant dollars and then to build relationships with funders, get to know different agencies — like state, local, federal — different types of funding sources that we can utilize to help offset our budget so that we’re not using tax dollars money for every single thing we’re doing.
What’s your greatest strengths on the job?
Relationship building, organization and time management. One thing I like to do is when I’m looking for funding and I’m looking for avenues or agencies that will fund the things we need, I try to see who I can talk to there and just meet and say, ‘Hey, can you explain to me what it is you’re looking for? What have you funded in the past? Do our outcomes align?’
Another thing is just making sure that we’re not wasting time applying for something when we’re not what they’re looking for. So, it’s a lot of time management and making sure that everything aligns perfectly when you’re going for money
“It’s
like a big family here, and I feel lucky to be a part of it. We all work so well together ...”
— Kalee Shaberts, Longboat Key’s
first grants coordinator
and grant dollars.
Has this role made you better at your job?
Absolutely. I’m here by myself. I knew about grants, but there’s so many different avenues that you can take. My main focus previously was all law enforcement grants. Now, I do law enforcement, fire, public works, parks — we’re going after every different avenue. So I would say 100% that this has like shaped me to be a better grants person because of the variety of work we do. We’ve been so aggressive in applying for grants. In the first year, I think I applied for over $20 million worth. I don’t care if it’s a $500 grant.
What do you like about working in Longboat Key?
The people. It’s like a big family here, and I feel lucky to be a part of it. We all work so well together. I had a resident come in my office last week just to be like, “Hey I
just wanted to tell you like you’re doing great.” The residents know what we’re doing, and I like things like that. I like them knowing what we’re up to, what we’re doing because they can call me anytime and I’ll talk to them on the phone and be like, “Well, we are applying for something for this or we’re looking for this.” And some of them even send me grant opportunities that I can look into.
Are you a music-at-work person or a silence-at-work person?
That’s why I really like the hybrid schedule I have because when I need to crunch down and do my writing or my reporting, I’m silent and there’s no one there, I can get things done really quickly. When I’m at the office, that’s when I try to set all my meetings, my in-person meetings and I do my collaborations and touching bases with projects and stuff like that.
Catherine M. Avery, Founder Winner Top Guns Award, Manager of the Decade on December 31, 2024
File image
Longboat Key’s first grants coordinator, Kalee Shaberts, started hunting for possible grants on July 17, 2023.
Corcoran’s compelling case
When you see what is occurring at New College, Richard Corcoran’s vision for consolidating three institutions deserves serious examination.
Editor’s note: This is the first of two parts on the future of New College of Florida, University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. This week’s installment focuses on the neglect of the campuses and the attacks on New College President Richard Corcoran’s vision.
Sometimes you don’t see it until you see it. So go see it. It just may change your mind. It changed mine. Take the drive … Drive to the University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee campus on Tamiami Trail and tour the property — all the way to the bayfront and around the Manatee Countyowned Powell Crosley mansion. Then go south on Tamiami to Edwards Drive, go west. Take that to Uplands Boulevard to the bayfront and go south. All that gorgeous land along the bayfront is state-owned land.
At the southern end of Uplands, you will come upon New College of Florida — its approximately 100 total acres stretching from the bay on the west and across Tamiami Trail to the east to the airport and including the late Charles Ringling’s beautiful bayfront mansion. The New College property stops at the northern border of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s 66 acres. And that, of course, encompasses the priceless Ca’ d’Zan on the bay; the Mable Ringling Rose Garden; the internationally famous Ringling Museum of Art; the historic and current Asolo Theaters; Circus Museum; Center for Asian Art; Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion, Ulla and Arthur Searing wing and Keith D. Monda Contemporary Art Gallery.
Just to the south of the museum property is the historic Ralph and Ellen Caples mansion and bayfront estate — also part of the New College campus since 1962. Altogether, from USF to the southern border of New College, Florida and Manatee taxpayers own 200 priceless and historic waterfront acres. Add in all of the education and museum structures and infrastructure, and you’re looking at close to $1 billion in total value. This is unmatched Sarasota and Manatee history. And priceless indeed.
Yet, you can also say much of this property — in particular, the Ringling and New College campuses — over the past five to 10 years has been mismanaged and neglected. In the case of New College: grossly mismanaged and neglected. Walk all of the campuses. USF looks the best, thanks in large part to the construction over the past two years of the $43 million student center and 200-room Atala Residence Hall. Down the way, thanks to the irrepressible drive of New College President Richard Corcoran, New College now looks dramatically different than it did before his arrival in October, 2023. Corcoran has poured more than $15 million state appropriations into renovating what was a mold-infested, dilapidating campus.
When Corcoran made his first visit to New College, here was the welcoming committee: The New College of Florida sign attached to the walkway over
Tamiami Trail had vegetation growing around the letters. Letters were chipped. Paint peeling. “It looked apocalyptic,” he said.
When he drove west on College Drive, two yellow, plastic corrugated greenhouses looked to be remnants of a hurricane damage — collapsed eye sores. When Corcoran asked how long they were like that, staff told him: two years.
Black mold was growing in the I.M. Pei dormitories around the air-conditioning vents. Refrigerators were rusty, bathroom counters worn and decades outdated. If you saw this as a college-bound student, you would have said: “No way.”
Inside the Charles Ringling mansion, chunks of ceilings were falling to the floor throughout the upstairs, a result of long-term lack of HVAC maintenance. All the chandeliers were broken. Stacks of paintings were stuffed into closets.
The entire campus was so tattered and neglected a donor who visited the campus for the first time said it looked like a place in the throes of bankruptcy.
Next door, the Ringling Museum had and has similar signs of neglect. Look at the accompanying photo of the famous Rubens gallery — trash receptacles to catch leaking water, while dehumidifiers hum in corners of the room to keep the priceless paintings from deteriorating. A volunteer said there are longstanding HVAC issues for which the museum has been trying for years to get the funding. Finally, he said last month, improvements should come this December.
Beyond that, walk the Ringling Museum campus. It doesn’t project the lush, manicured, cared-for feel or look of what you find at Walt Disney World. Weeds are in the sidewalks. Mildew dresses the rooftop sculptures. This is the state museum of Florida? The showcase of Florida museums?
Last week, nine months after Hurricane Milton, the museum
finally replanted the Mable Ringling Rose Garden. In the list of large capital expenditures for fiscal 202526 for Florida State University, the steward of the Ringling Museum, there is no major appropriation listed for the Ringling Museum.
Once you finish this tour, Cocoran’s vision — one unified campus under one, on-site leader and board — makes practical, and likely economic, sense.
Open your mind. There’s a compelling, if not convincing, case.
WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY
To begin, let’s first note we opposed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plans to reconstitute New College of Florida and the Legislature agreeing to invest what appears to be on track for $200 million of taxpayer money over five years to turn around what has always been a financially lostcause money pit.
Turnarounds so often require twice as much time, twice as much money and twice as much pain, disruption and perseverance as initially projected.
We made the case then that no sane business investor would invest in a New College turnaround. Certainly given the state’s many needs, we argued the amount of capital and time could be much better utilized. It made little sense for the governor and Legislature to use taxpayers’ money on this high-risk, expensive proposition whose return on investment would be a total guess.
Add to that, all of the angst and turmoil surrounding the nation’s public universities; the declining value of their degrees; and how they have been turned into woke, leftist, DEI sanitariums. New College had become ground zero for that among Florida’s public colleges and universities.
Surely, we said, state government has far higher priorities and issues on which that time and taxpayer money would be better spent (or saved).
In fact, we argued, DeSantis should sell New College and let it become someone else’s turnaround venture, not the taxpayers’.
ATTACKED FOR EVERYTHING
The skepticism was not unfounded about the pain and disruption that would stand in the way of a complete transformation of New College. Ever since Corcoran became president of New College in 2023, he has been excoriated and under relentless, hostile attack. No matter what he does, he is cast as the evil Darth Vader wielding an extreme right-wing light sword — in spite of facts to the contrary. A sampling:
■ He ordered the discarding of non-conservative books in a rightwing purge of LGBTQ materials. Not true. Roof leaks in the dilapidating library (thanks to previous administrations) destroyed hundreds of books.
■ He denies tenure to disliked professors. Not true. Corcoran told New College trustees he was unfamiliar with the tenure process and wanted to delay granting early tenure to seven professors. The board agreed. Protesters wore T-shirts that said: “Ban the fascists. Save the books. Protect academic freedom.”
■ Ruthlessly evicted the car museum. Not true. The owner of the museum was paying $10,000 a month on a month-to-month lease.
Research determined the property should generate $90,000 a month. The school was losing $900,000 a year. Corcoran told the museum owner he wanted to terminate the month-to-month lease and worked out a mutual year-anda-half departure.
■ Here is how the Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s editorial page described Corcoran’s efforts in April 2024: “his tireless quest to completely transform New College from a nationally high-ranking institution with an eclectic and left-leaning reputation into a decidedly middling-ranked, classical-oriented, right-wing college that seems obsessed with coveting property, talking trash, instigating conflict, destroying inclusivity, ignoring homophobia, worshipping jocks, alienating educators, avoiding transparency, denying tenure, making questionable hires and adding dubious courses.”
Then, of course, there is the gasping and screeching that exploded into a mushroom cloud when the news broke that Gov. DeSantis had included wording in his 2025-2026 budget to transfer the stewardship and operations of the John and Mable Ringling Museum and its assets from FSU to New College.
After that, USF and New College agreed on wording to transfer USF assets to New College.
Like Florida panthers protecting their lairs from predators, USF and museum trustees and partisans erupted. They rallied to lobby local legislators and anyone else who could stop what everyone dubbed Corcoran’s “land grabs.”
USF and museum trustees and supporters celebrated later when the Legislature ran out of time, leaving the proposals in the bin of dead bills. But the hostility toward Corcoran continues to fester.
Last month at a USF board meeting in Sarasota, much of the meeting was devoted to continuing to fight Corcoran’s one-campus idea. USF history professor Scott Perry told the USF Board of Trustees: “It is obviously far more advisable to create a synergy with FSU than with an institution as incompetently run and as scandal-ridden as New College.”
Professor Perry’s vicious, visceral comments reflect a lack of facts and closed-mindedness that pervades much of the community. They should tour New College as a start.
Indeed, the question that deserves serious examination is this: Instead of knee-jerk rejection, what is the best structure longterm for the three state institutions that sit on those 200 acres of historic, priceless land?
In two-and-a-half years, Corcoran has birthed and begun executing a fresh, compelling vision.
Next week: How the New College transformation is working. Imagine an alternative.
“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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MATT WALSH
Courtesy photo Garbage receptacles to catch roof leaks as well as dehumidifiers are stationed in the Rubens Gallery at the Ringling Museum.
With the exception of the Crosley mansion, the 200 acres inside the red boundaries are owned by the state.
PRIVATE PROPERTY USF
NEW COLLEGE NEW COLLEGE
RINGLING
NEW COLLEGE
NEW COLLEGE
New Pass sand propels Lido renourishment
New Pass sand will be used for the project, expected to begin late in 2025.
“The
— Liz Alpert, mayor
ERIC GARWOOD DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
Beaches will remain open while a new round of renourishment and dune restoration gets underway on Lido Beach this year, the city of Sarasota said.
Between 200,000 and 300,000 cubic yards — enough to fill about 75 Olympic-sized swimming pools — are expected to be added to 1.2 miles of shoreline. As another component, the creation of a dune system, south of the Lido Beach Pavilion, will add a layer of stormsurge protection.
Financing for the project comes from $12 million in federal money and is part of a multiyear agreement between the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The agreement’s initial renourishment of Lido Beach took place in 2021, when sand dredged from Big Pass to the south was used to bulk up the shoreline by hundreds of feet with 700,000 cubic yards. Erosionfighting structures were also built on the south end of Lido Key as part of that $12.7 million project.
Sand for the current project, expected to launch after Oct. 31 at the close of nesting seasons for shorebirds and sea turtles, will come from New Pass maintenance dredging to the north, the city said.
“The renourishment of Lido Beach will not only improve the area for residents and visitors but also increase the resiliency of our coastal community,” said Mayor Liz Alpert.
“We thank our local, state and federal partners for working alongside us in fortifying Lido Beach against sea level rise, tropical weather, and future climate impacts.”
The estimated completion of renourishment is in early 2026. The vegetative dune system is antici-
pated to be complete by spring 2027.
According to city documents, the dune system will have a maximum height of about 6.6 feet above sea level and feature a variety of plant species such as sea oats, beach morning glories, west coast dune sunflowers and more.
Since the original work in 2021, the city said, the recent series of storms has degraded the shoreline faster than anticipated.
“As Sarasota continues to face the growing impacts of severe weather and sea level rise, this project exemplifies a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to shoreline resilience grounded in long-term planning, scientific insight and meaningful collaboration with our community,” said City Engineer Nikesh Patel. “With strong federal investment and robust community engagement, the city of Sarasota is proud to lead this critical effort to protect and preserve one of our region’s most treasured natural assets for generations to come.”
To the north, Longboat Key is looking ahead to its next round of renourishment over the next three years.
The town is in the process of a claim through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with a project slated for 2027-28.
While replacing the losses is a necessity, the town hopes to conduct a more comprehensive nourishment of about 800,000 cubic yards that would likely cost about $32 million.
After FEMA reimbursements and expected contributions from the Florida Department of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the town likely would need to front $12.7 million for that larger project.
WORSHIP
SATURDAY, JULY 4
DONE FOR THE DAY
10:26 a.m., 3800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious person: A couple who did not live in a waterfront community but told police they had a friend who did departed willingly when asked. An officer was called to the property by a community board member who said the couple had previously been asked not to fish from a community dock. But they were back. The Pasco County woman and Hillsborough County man were told the community board member did not want them on the property, and they left without issue.
SUSPENDED LICENSE AND THEN SOME
11:17 a.m., 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Drug case: An officer who stopped a car flagged by the town’s licenseplate reading system first confirmed the car’s owner with a suspended license was indeed driving. He was. During his interaction with the Bradenton man, who surmised his license issue was likely connected to failed child support (It was.), the officer reported smelling raw marijuana. He asked the driver if he was in possession of the drug. He said he was and produced a bag weighing 27 grams (almost an ounce). The leafy material was confirmed to be marijuana through field testing, and the man was arrested on a felony charge. He was also cited for a suspended license.
SATURDAY, JULY 5
RESTING AFTER DRINKING
1:10 a.m., 500 block of Bay Isles
Parkway
Suspicious vehicle: A small sedan was spotted by a patrolling officer in a shopping center parking lot. It was running and occupied by people who might have been sleeping. The officer quickly learned the occupants had been to the beach. The driver had bloodshot eyes, according to a report, and the officer smelled a whiff of alcohol. After conceding he had a few beers before 6 p.m., the out-of-town driver was given a sobriety check, which did not reveal sufficient impairment to continue the investigation.
SANDY SOLUTION
3:45 p.m., 3400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: Police were alerted to the presence of a 3-by-4 hole in the sand, reported by a caller who was concerned someone could fall in. The officer filled the hole.
MONDAY, JULY 7
THE HELP OF HORSEPOWER
2:40 p.m., near Jewfish Key Citizen assist: Marine patrol officers spotted a paddler in an inflatable kayak struggling against the tide and current. Obviously
SATURDAY, JULY 4
DRINKS FOR YOU!
NO
11:39 p.m., 1600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Disturbance: Four women who had been reported to be drunk in a bathroom returned to a resort bar for more drinks but were denied additional service. This upset them. An argument followed, which attracted the attention of two men who also got upset. Before police arrived, though, the women had left. Management was told to call police again if the four returned.
fatigued, she and her craft were taken aboard the police boat and brought to land.
CLIP AND SAVE
8:54 p.m., 200 block of North Shore Road
Citizen assist: Police responded to a familiar call on the north end of the island: a blinking light offshore from Longboat Pass. The officer explained it was a navigational marker indicating to boaters the entrance to the pass.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
LOST, FOUND, ON HIS WAY
11:11 p.m., 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Citizen assist: Police helped the lost driver of a vehicle they noticed stopped on the road near the site of an unrelated traffic stop they were conducting. The man, who said he was from a Caribbean nation, told them he had set out from Fort Myers to meet family in Miami and ended up on the north end of Longboat Key. He said his homecountry cellphone was inoperable here. Police checked to ensure the man had no criminal record and that his license was valid. Officers then printed a map with directions, which the driver said he was confident he could follow.
THURSDAY, JULY 10
RISKY BUSINESS
6:08 p.m., 4200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious vehicle: Police found a man with a flat tire parked in a private lot. The man said he was waiting for a ride to return home, collect help and tools and return to fix the problem within an hour. The officer said rules regarding private lots make such a move risky because property owners were within their rights to have the vehicle towed if the out-and-back repair run took longer than expected.
The beginning of Sarasota’s renourishment of Lido
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
The 2025 Sarasota Improv Festival celebrates the evolution of an art form.
ALL EYES ON IMPROV!
MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR
Improv comedy is a living art form. Like all living things, it evolves. In 2025, the emerging variants are smart, musical, narrativedriven, genre-fluid and inclusive. These mirthful mutations are hitting the stage at this year’s Sarasota Improv Festival. Seventeen edgy improv troupes take their art form into the future. Thanks to Sarah Durham, FST’s new director of improv, they’re doing it here and now. She’s leading the festival that FST Managing Director Rebecca Hopkins started back in 2009. Spoiler alert: Evolutionary overlaps ahead. Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride ...
IF YOU GO
2025 SARASOTA IMPROV FESTIVAL
When: July 18-19
Where: Florida Studio Theatre campus, 1265 First St.
Tickets: Single tickets: $10-$25; festival passes: $75 (two days); $49 (Friday or Saturday only).
Info: Visit FloridaStudio Theatre.org.
Fractured fairytales (Silly stories, not short stories)
Forget quick-and-dirty punchlines. These troupes tell long-form tales with relatable characters, gripping story arcs and emotional depth — and make it all up on the fly. It’s probably how Homer created “The Odyssey.” It’s a 2,500-year-old technique, but it still works. What’s old is new again! And it’s still funny.
PARALLELOGRAMOPHONOGRAPH
(AUSTIN, TEXAS) These puckish sprites are the ninjas of shaggy-dog storytelling, well-drawn characters and interwoven plots. Their unscripted dramas feel like play readings; their cinematic snippets are grounded in savvy genre tropes. If brevity is the soul of wit, long-form hilarity takes a whole lot of soul. They’ve got it. July 18, 7 p.m. • July 19, 8 p.m.
The magical, musical improv tour
Time to face the music. Long-form stories are tough to improvise. Making up music and lyrics is an even higher level of difficulty. Ah, but listen carefully. You’ll hear the music playing in the 21st century improv scene — and at this year’s Improv Fest, too. You’ll hear everything from old-school Broadway show tunes to daredevil stunts on the hip-hop highwire. It’s all funny; it’s all good — and totally improvised. Here are four of this year’s musical mutations:
FORGOTTEN BROADWAY (ORLANDO)
The troupe’s name is a nod to “Forbidden Broadway,” a snarky satire of big-name Broadway blockbusters. Their show is a love letter to Broadway flops you’ve never heard of. This singing/dancing quartet mines (and mimes) the trajectory of falling Broadway stars. (Fictitious failures, so dry your eyes.) The show’s storylines and show tunes flow from audience input. The sidesplitting results are unscripted, unpredictable and unforgettable. July 18, 7 p.m. • July 19, 5 p.m.
NORTH COAST IMPROV (NEW YORK CITY) This talented troupe is the gold standard of freestyle hip-hop improv. Their act is a rapid-fire blend of rap battles, musical hooks and razor-sharp comic timing. It’s hilarious — but it sets a very high bar.
HOW TO IMPROVISE A BROADWAY MUSICAL
Shitzprobe! No, it’s not an unpleasant medical procedure. It’s a troupe headlining the Sarasota Improv Fest — where they’ll put on an improvised Broadway musical. We talked with Ali Reed, one of the show’s creators who is also in the cast.
How would you describe a Shitzprobe show? We improvise a Broadway musical without a script or prior rehearsals. We’ll showcase a special guest performer in the lead role. (Local performers) Joey Panek and Ben Liebert are our guests at the Improv Fest.
Sounds great. But let’s get back to “We improvise a Broadway musical.” That’s kind of like saying “We perform brain surgery wearing blindfolds.” (laughs) It kind of is.
You satirize Broadway styles, not specific works. What’s your secret sauce?
If I told you the recipe, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore. But I will say we’ve studied different storytelling structures in musical theater. We’ve narrowed it down to four variations. The Hero’s Journey is the big one. But that sounds too abstract. Like a diagram.
Or a chalk outline at a crime scene. Exactly! Our shows have a rhythm. What we do is in the moment. We’re not following a template.
You’re not thinking ... crikey! It’s time for the inciting incident! No. There’s constant communication. But it’s wordless.
Like telepathy?
More like scuba divers underwater. We’re on stage. All of a sudden ... it’s showtime! And we don’t have a show. The teammates and the band and our music director have to decide which direction we’ll go in. We gesture, we exchange looks. We’re not talking, but we’re asking each other questions ... “What’s a strong song structure? Who am I? Who are you? What’s the story?” We get on the same page — but just in that moment. What’s next? We don’t know yet. It’s fun ... but kind of like falling.
Do actual Broadway creators envy you?
One Broadway lyricist and composer (who will remain unnamed) saw our show. He said it was better than some of the stuff he’d seen on Broadway.
Great compliment! Yes, it was. But he didn’t sound happy.
The culmination of the Sarasota Improv Fest is the All Play show shown here in 2023.
New York City improv troupe Shitzprobe creates a Broadway musical based on audience suggestions.
Images courtesy of FST
2-Man, No-Show is another crowdpleaser returning to the Sarasota Improv Festival.
Don’t try it at home ... unless you’re in the shower. Never try it at parties.
July 18, 8 p.m. • July 19, 6 p.m.
SHITZPROBE (NEW YORK CITY)
These musical madcaps will improvise a full-blown, on-the-spot Broadway musical at FST. It’ll be a world premiere — like all of their shows. What’s the story? Audience suggestion plants the seed. Who stars? There are guest performers — who get thrown into the deep end of the improv pool. They’re always backed up by a troupe of seasoned pros, Broadway vets and a live band, so nobody’s drowned yet. But expect to be drowned in laughter. No S@!#. July 19, 4 p.m.
HERE: THE (IMPROVISED) MUSICAL (COLUMBUS, OHIO) “Here” is now here. The musical, that is. At the Improv Fest. Yes, another improvised musical. Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto are the musical’s improvisers. Yet again, the musical’s premise is an audience suggestion. But the show’s similarity to other improv musicals ends there. The core premise can be brilliant or bonkers. So what? Either way, it’s merely a launch pad for the duo’s spontaneous themes, characters, songs and storylines. It’s an intimate back-and-forth, not sensory overload. And 90 minutes of pure genius. July 18, 8 p.m. • July 19, 7 p.m.
Satirical genrebending
These fast-talking, quick-thinking improvisers entered the catacombs of high and low art — and emerged with comedy gold. Beautiful objects ... of ridicule. If there’s a pop culture balloon, these troupes will pop it. Trendy targets, sure. But they also poke fun at 1950s TV shows, old detective movies and corporate training videos. Expect lots of nerdy fan service — and plenty of dead references, too. Only one person might laugh. That’s enough.
AVAILABLE CUPHOLDERS (AUSTIN, TEXAS) These prodigal parodists have a treasure chest of cultural artifacts. From Shakespeare, to sit-coms, to sci-fi, it’s all fair game. They’ll spoof Godzilla or Galadriel
alike with razor-sharp timing and sizzling invention. Their satire is brainy — but not heartless. It’s the comedy of empathy. You laugh with their targets, not at them. July 18, 9 p.m. • July 19, 6 p.m.
Outsiders included. Diverse voices heard
Everybody’s different; that’s something we all have in common. Seems obvious, but comic voices outside the mainstream have been marginalized for years. But not at this year’s Improv Fest. They’re bringing the outsiders in. And putting their diverse perspectives on stage. It’s inclusive, experimental, incisive, funny stuff. You probably haven’t heard it before. Here’s an inside look ...
DAD’S GARAGE (ATLANTA) Garage rock is edgy and fearless. This improv ensemble is, too. They combine their inclusive cast with alt-comedy collaborators — and join forces with drag queens, puppet masters and a rainbow of nonconformists. The genre-bending satire they create? The dial goes from smart satire
to delicious idiocy. You might see Shakespeare’s mission to Mars or a game show hosted by a drunken robot. Whatever you see, it’ll be funny as hell. July 18, 7 p.m. • July 19, 7 p.m.
Metaphysical comedy, no. Physical comedy, yes
Athletic, acrobatic improvisers get laughs with fearless movement, absurdity and character-based action. As the Three Stooges knew, comedy isn’t confined to the mind. These troupes want to get physical. And do. You’ll bust a gut laughing.
2-MAN, NO-SHOW (TORONTO, CANADA) This dynamic duo (aka Isaac Kessler and Ken Hall) delivers a volatile blend of physicality, screwball comedy and mind-bending improv. They’re interactive, unpredictable and fearless. And a perennial cult favorite to improv insiders. July 18, 7 p.m. • July 19, 5 p.m.
Chaos theory
When in doubt, throw all the improvisers on stage, stir vigorously, bring their comedy to a boil and see what happens. What manner of comedy? Whatever they’ve got. Speech, song, physical comedy, conceptual comedy, new wave, old school — it’s all in the stew. That’s the theory. Here’s the practical application ...
ALL PLAY. The Improv Festival’s grand finale is a pyrotechnic playground of improv games, instant sketches and surprise song parodies. More than 80 improvisors drop any remaining inhibitions — and mix it up. The resulting comedy isn’t mere anarchy. Think Bebop at its best, when the musicians hit the same telepathic groove. Think unscripted mayhem with the energy of a Mardi Gras parade and a pillow fight. See what I’m saying? If not, stay up late and see for yourself. July 19, 10:30 p.m.
Sarah Durham’s official title is “resident artist” at Florida Studio Theatre. She’s also its director of improv. Her work includes teaching at the FST school, writing for children’s theater and cabarets and constantly performing. The year 2025 marks a new responsibility. Nothing less than this year’s Sarasota Improv Festival. It’s Durham’s baby now. And it’s a very big baby. But she’s not overwhelmed. Durham’s doing the work she loves. And she’s happy to tell us why.
What got you hooked on improv comedy?
Improv’s in my blood. There was no ah-ha moment, no lightning bolt. It’s just who I am.
Who taught you the art form?
I’m a Second City-trained improviser. I’m also a sketch writer, so I’m constantly teaching myself.
How’d you become FST’s new improv director?
I was Will Luera’s assistant improv director for about three years. When he left last November, I stepped into the main role.
Are you enjoying the job so far?
It’s been a blast. I’ve been an improv fanatic for so many years. Now it’s great to be doing what I love with such a strong team. We’re having a lot of fun.
Does it get scary sometimes?
It’s scary in terms of the sheer volume of work. It’s organizational work, with so many complex details that I have to nail down. It makes the improv possible at FST. But it’s kind of the opposite of improv.
What could possibly go wrong?
Yeah, that is the question. Nightmare scenarios flash through my mind sometimes. Like forgetting to pick up a team for the Improv Festival or walking on stage barefoot or naked — or both. Those
nightmares haven’t happened ... yet. But empowering the art of improv has been a dream come true for me. I’ve been at FST since 2018, so this is my community.
Let’s talk about the evolution of improv comedy. The mutations are on fast-forward these days. What’s new at this year’s Improv Fest?
Almost everything! But gamebased improv is always new. It’s a very commercial form but still a lot of fun. Sounds Funny Players create on-the-spot games with the audience every night. They’re constantly inventing new ones.
Now let’s talk about old-school comedy. As I recall, Second City’s sketches were hybrids. A sketch would emerge in improv; they’d write it down and refine it. Am I right?
Totally. Improv is sketch comedy lightning; a script captures the lightning in a bottle. Second City pioneered that approach — and it revolutionized comedy.
Are any groups following in Second City’s footsteps? Yes. Unauthorized from NYC, definitely. Their sketches are a blend of improv and script — and that’s the Second Citystyle. Their show constantly evolves. And their director, Kihresha Redmond, trained right here at FST.
What do you predict for next year’s Improv Fest? Ask me next year.
Sarah Durham
Sarasota Improv Festival was the brainchild of FST Managing Director Rebecca Hopkins.
THIS WEEK
DON’T MISS
‘THE TITAN AND THE MUSE:
LOVE DELUXE’
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stars Raleigh Mosely II and Jazzmin Carson join forces for a sexy concert featuring duets made famous by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, and other iconic duos.
After its debut at The Bay Sarasota, “The Titan & The Muse: Love Deluxe” makes its WBTT premiere for three performances as part of the company’s Sizzlin’ Summer Cabaret series. Continues July 19 and 20.
IF YOU GO
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17
Where: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
Tickets: $35-$98
Info: Visit WestcoastBlackTheatreTroupe. org.
‘TOO DARN HOT: SONGS FOR A SUMMER NIGHT’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $39 and up
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Alice M. Gatling stars as Dorothy, who introduces a troubled teen, played by Ethan Jack Haberfield, to the healing power of books.
Directed by Kate Alexander, the tale explores memory, identity and how relationships can transform our lives. Runs through Aug. 10.
SATURDAY
‘THE HIGH LIFE: CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE BIRDS’
10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. $28; $23 online Visit Selby.org.
Organized by the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography and curated by photography experts William Ewing and Danaé Panchaud, “The High Life” features some 70 works of birds by more than 50 photographers from around the world. The works will be displayed in the Museum of Botany & the Arts and outside throughout the gardens. Runs through Sept. 14.
SUNDAY
PATTI SMITH: A BOOK OF DAYS
MONDAY
RAUSCHENBERG: A CENTENNIAL
CELEBRATION
The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with $25 admission; Mondays free Visit Ringling.org.
The Ringling joins museums around the world in honoring the centenary of maverick artist Robert Rauschenberg, who burst onto the art scene in the mid-20th century with collages he called “combines.” The exhibition includes works that The Ringling has in its collection, including pieces Rauschenberg created during his time on Captiva Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Runs through Aug. 3.
TUESDAY
‘LILLIAN BLADES: THROUGH THE VEIL’ 10 a.m.. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail Free for museum members; $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Spectacular. This thrilling, 60-minute circus of fresh new acts is perfect for people of all ages with short attention spans. There’s room for walkers, strollers, wheelchairs, you name it — but please arrive early so ushers can store them. Make it a circus day by adding a ticket to The Ringling’s famed Circus Museum for just $5 on the day of the show. Runs through Aug. 9.
‘A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD’
7 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$15-$19
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Asolo Repertory Theatre rolls out a fun, family-oriented production that’s priced right. Adapted from Arnold Lobel’s children’s stories, Robert and Willie Reale’s musical follows the friendship of Frog and Toad through the seasons. Scott Keys directs. Runs through Aug. 3.
Carole J. Bufford easily skips eras and genres in this showcase of stories and songs featuring the months June, July, August and September. Whether Bufford’s singing songs by Janis Joplin or Randy Newman, she leaves the audience with something they never knew before. Runs through Sept. 14.
‘HOW SWEET IT IS’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave. $18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Led by Luke McMaster, an energetic trio demonstrates the enduring appeal of hits like “Tracks of My Tears,” “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” Runs through Aug. 3.
‘DOROTHY’S DICTIONARY’
8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $42 and up Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
10 a.m. at Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point, 401 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey Included with $20 admission Visit Selby.org.
Selby Gardens collaborates with poet and musician Patti Smith, its artist-in-residence, on an outdoor exhibition of large prints taken from her newly published bestseller, “A Book of Days.” Runs through Aug. 31.
OUR PICK
Award-winning artist Lillian Blades invites visitors to get lost in her first solo museum exhibition, at Sarasota Art Museum. Her installation of “veils” combines handcrafted and found objects to create a mesmerizing display. Blades attributes her use of dazzling color to her childhood in The Bahamas and her process of creating large-scale assemblages to her late mother, an accomplished seamstress. Runs through Oct. 26.
SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE IN STUDIO: SEA LEE
A former member of Sarasota Contemporary Dance company, Sea Lee is a choreographer whose work has been presented by SCD, Moving Current Dance Collective and Co-motion Dance Theatre. Lee has also performed at such venues as the American Dance Festival and Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival. Continues July 21.
IF YOU GO
When: 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19
Where: SCD Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300
Jazzmin Carson and Raleigh Moseley II star in “Titan and the Muse” at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe from July 17-20.
Asolo Rep replaces Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical with ‘Come From Away’
When Billy Joel canceled a 202526 tour in May because of a brain disorder, theater fans in Sarasota said a little prayer.
Joel was scheduled to come to town this fall with choreographer Twyla Tharp to work on an updated version of their hit Broadway musical “Movin’ Out,” which was to premiere at Asolo Repertory Theatre.
The original “Movin’ Out” featuring Joel’s songs and Tharp’s choreography won two 2003 Tony Awards, one for Tharp (Best Choreography) and one for Joel and Stuart Malina (Best Orchestrations).
But the new rendition of “Movin’ Out” will have to wait. On July 11, Asolo Rep announced the muchanticipated update will happen “in a future season.”
Instead, Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein will direct a homegrown version of “Come From Away,” which will run from Nov. 12 through Dec. 28.
“Piano Man” Joel, 76, has been recovering from normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition that creates problems with hearing, vision and balance. However, the
schedule change is not related to Joel’s health, an Asolo spokesman said.
An Asolo Rep production of “Come From Away” is good news for those who got shut out of the Broadway touring production’s brief run at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center on Feb. 18-20, including a Feb. 19 performance that was canceled due to sound problems. The show previously came to the Van Wezel for a weeklong run in 2021.
Written by the husband-and-wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein, “Come From Away” tells the story of a Canadian village’s hospitality to 7,000 travelers stranded after the 9/11 terror attacks. Its message of hope and brotherhood continues to resonate with audiences nearly a decade after its 2017 Broadway debut.
“As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I am honored to stage the docu-musical ‘Come from Away.’ Like the town of Gander, Newfoundland, where the musical takes place, Sarasota has a unique relationship to this watershed moment in American history,” Rothstein said in a statement.
While President Bush was visiting Emma E. Booker Elementary School, the president and the
CAT DEPOT SUPPLY & GIFT STORE
nation learned about the terrorist attacks, thrusting Sarasota into the spotlight.
Noted Rothstein, “Across the nation and around the world, people can recall where they were when they first learned of this tragedy and began to gather the strength to support each other through the difficult road to recovery that would lie ahead. ‘Come From Away’ is a chronicle of that strength and resilience, celebrating the best of humanity.”
In addition to Rothstein, the creative team for Asolo Rep’s “Come From Away” includes Kelli Foster Warder (choreography), Angela Steiner (music direction), Adam Koch (scenic design), Tracy Dorman (costume design), Paul Whitaker (lighting design), Michelle Hart (hair, makeup and wig design) and Greg Emetaz (projection design).
The remainder of Asolo Rep’s 2025-26 season remains unchanged. It will include the return of Rothstein’s moving a capella musical “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater on Dec. 3-9. The new year will open with the new Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Primary Trust” (Jan. 7-Feb. 11). It will be followed by Agatha Christie’s “The Mirror Cracked”
(Jan. 21-March 14), the U.S. premiere of “The Unfriend” (Feb. 18-March 22), “Fiddler on the Roof” (April 14-May 24), “Marie and Rosetta” (May 6-31) and the rolling world premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s “Lady Disdain” (June 6-27).
Subscriptions for Asolo Rep’s 2025-26 season are on sale now. Single-ticket sales begin Monday, Sept. 8. For more information, visit AsoloRep.org.
Selby Gardens names new board leadership
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees has elected new leadership and appointed three members to three-year terms. Katherine Martucci has been named chair and Jeannie Russell vice chair for the 2026 fiscal year. In addition, new board members are Sherry Koski, Kevin O’Donohue and Nikki Sedacca.
Martucci has served on the executive committee of the Garden Club of America, as well as other philanthropic boards and not-forprofit organizations. She previously served on the advisory board of the Northeast Community Center in Millerton, New York, as well as the chair of the board of Children First of Sarasota.
Russell is the former president of the Founders Garden Club of Sarasota, has served on numerous committees of the Garden Club of America and was a member of the Selby Gardens Advisory Committee. She mentors children for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and continues to support numerous philanthropic causes.
“Katherine Martucci has provided valuable insight as a trustee over the past several years, including leadership of our governance committee, and we are fortunate that she will lead our board as we embark on Phase Two of our transformative Master Plan with a groundbreaking ceremony later this year,” said Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki in a news release. “Jeannie Russell has also been a vital champion for Selby Gardens, and as a member of our Board of Trustees has helped Selby Gardens advance our
mission and vision for the future during this transformative time.” Koski, a former executive, is dedicated to philanthropy with an emphasis on health, children and education.
O’Donohue has more than 35 years of experience in private equity, finance and management consulting and serves on the boards of several private equity funds.
Sedacca is an entrepreneur and strategic business leader with more than three decades of experience in fine jewelry design, contemporary art, luxury retail and interior and spatial design. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards and chaired high-impact fundraising events across the arts and education sectors.
“Their combined expertise and their shared commitment to community will serve Selby Gardens well as we continue to grow and expand our mission,” Rominiecki said of the new board members in the release. “Together, they bring a wealth of professional experience and passion for community engagement that aligns with Selby Gardens’ focus on plant research, education and conservation.”
Continuing their service on the board of trustees are Ali Bahaj, Daniel Ball, Aaron Bellamy, Morgan Bentley, Mary Braxton-Joseph, Hosana Fieber, Renée James Gilmore, Jean Weidner Goldstein, Marcy Klein, Cornelia Matson, Marianne McComb, Keith Monda, Joel Morganroth, Michael Quillen, Audrey Robbins, Richard Sandor, Bruce Sorensen, Margaret Wise and Rominiecki.
Image courtesy of Matthew Murphy
Asolo Repertory Theatre will stage a production of “Come From Away” from Nov. 12 through Dec. 28.
Lori Sax Marie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki
Longboat boutique features work by local knitters.
SWEATERS
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Patricia Collado remembers first dabbling in crochet when her mother had a spare bit of yarn with which to practice, at about 5 years old.
“That was my entertainment. We didn’t have a TV at the time,” she said with a laugh.
Now, the artist is responsible for crafting many of the plush pieces at Three Island Monkeys, along with two of her sisters who live locally.
The high-end, local, artist-centered gift shop opened on the north end of Longboat Key in January.
Since then, owner Brigette Kubin said she has enjoyed sharing the works of talented local crafters with residents and visitors.
Kubin said she appreciates being able to offer goods that will remind tourists of their travels to Florida in a manner more unique than the same souvenirs found in other destinations, just with different logos.
She said she especially appreciated working with the Collados, who create everything from sweaters with the namesake three monkeys — along with plenty of other cuddly critters — crocheted onto the knitwear.
Kubin first heard about the sisters’ talents when she worked at Lazy Lobster with Fernanda Collado.
“She was hand-knitting and crocheting gifts, and when I saw them a year ago, I told her, ‘This is beautiful. You need to sell this.’ At first, she said she never, ever sells them because she’s a grandma and always did it for fun, just for friends,” Kubin said. “Eventually, when everything started getting underway with the store and we knew we were ready to open, I asked her, please, to share her and her sisters’ work.”
Originally from Chile, Fernanda, Patricia and Angelica started collaborating to create pieces for the store.
Patricia also makes everything
IF YOU GO
THREE ISLAND MONKEYS Where: 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 101.
Hours: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. TuesdayThursday; 11:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday; Closed Sunday-Monday The shop will take a brief hiatus from July 31 to Aug. 12 for vacations.
Info: Visit ThreeIslandMonkeys. com
from wine bottle covers to Barbie doll clothing, along with larger pieces like her table runners.
Patricia said she still finds it validating every single time someone pays for one of her works, often as a present for youngsters in the family. Crafting children’s clothes is especially meaningful, knowing that her mother made clothes for everyone.
Besides being a pleasant way to pass the time, knitting became a lucrative skill, as well. She put the proceeds from commissions for fellow students toward tuition and textbook costs while she was in college.
“Everybody was ordering sweaters,” Patricia said. “But I enjoyed it. I really loved doing it.”
Over the years, she worked in child care and as an art teacher in New York. But she eventually moved to Florida after having her second child, joining her older sister.
Now, with a little more time on her hands in retirement, she’s returning to her longtime hobby.
One advantage of working with a small business boutique is she has the freedom to create whatever patterns and projects strike her fancy, depending on what materials she has in stock. She enjoys setting new challenges for herself, recently teaching herself how to make pants for her doll clothes.
Barbie and pals look out the window of Three Island Monkeys gift shop, decked out in handcrafted clothing for sale by local artists.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Angelica Collado, Fernanda Collado, Brigette Kubin and Patricia Collado showcase some of the knitted and crocheted pieces the three sisters handcrafted for Three Island Monkeys.
BEST BET
THURSDAY, JULY 17
‘CIRCLE’ THE DATE
All day at St. Armands Circle, 300 Madison Drive. Every third Thursday of the month, participating shops and restaurants on St. Armands Circle will be hosting sales and giveaways. Visit the St. Armands Circle page on Facebook for updates.
THURSDAY, JULY 17
GET YOUR SHOP ON
4-6 p.m. at Whitney Plaza, 6838 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Support local businesses at the latest Summer Night Out while sipping on beverages and trying some treats. Participating shops include Design 2000 Salon, Driftwood Beach Home and Garden, and Ventura’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar. Call 941-960-0568 with questions.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
NETWORK AT ST. REGIS
5-7 p.m. at St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, 1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Join the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce for the latest Off the Clock networking event at one of the island’s premier luxury resorts. Cost is $10 for chamber members; $15 for nonmembers. Complimentary valet parking is available. Call 941383-2466 with questions.
RECURRING EVENTS
TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS
LONGBOAT LIBRARY
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-383-6493.
SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS YOGA
10-11 a.m. Sundays and 6-7 p.m. on Mondays at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle. This slow-flow yoga class is free to those 18 and older or accompanied by an adult.
Bring a mat or towel and water. Register at Paige@YogaWithPaige.us or visit YogaWithPaige.us to learn more.
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS
QIGONG
10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Learn all about this ancient healing art of movement and meditation. Fee is $20. Walk-ins welcome. Call 941-383-6493.
YOGA
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 $20. Call 941-3836493.
FRIDAYS UP YOUR TAI CHI SKILLS
10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Certified instructor Reuben Fernandez leads a weekly intermediate tai chi class, held outdoors when weather permits. Fernandez also leads a beginner class at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays, but builds off those skills with a focus on Chen Style, Lao Ca Dija. It’s recommended to wear close-toed shoes with low heels rather than running shoes. Cost is $20. Call 941383-6493.
Midsummer smoke
Atime of prayer, peace, community and good food were all found at the Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key.
On July 11 the temple celebrated midsummer Shabbat. The celebration included a Shabbat service followed by catered food from Mission BBQ that included many of the barbecue classics: pulled chicken, sliced brisket, baked beans, mashed potatoes, cornbread and much more.
Shabbat is seen as a day of rest and spiritual togetherness in the Jewish faith. Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates, the temple’s newest rabbi, has been sure to provide that experience for members.
“My goal always is whenever any-
one walks out of the synagogue that they leave having learned something and they feel better than when they walked in,” said Spitalnic Mates. “And I really think the temple and Jewish community can provide that.”
— CARLIN GILLEN
Dana Kampa
Members of Temple Beth Israel all line up for the Mission BBQ.
Debbie Nyman, Carole Cohen, Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates and Mack Spitzer are all smiles for the midsummer Shabbat barbecue.
Cantorial soloist Kei Sulhi gives out challah to start the celebration of the Shabbat.
Photos by Carlin Gillen
Dr. Kenny Newmark, Susan Newmark, Dianne Weiskopf, Daniel Weiskopf, Irwin Pastor, Sylvia Pastor, Deborah Winters, Howard Veit and Dr. Stephen Winters
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2BR/2BA • 1,503 SF • Gulf Front Community
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2BR/2BA • 1,090 SF • Frequent Rental Opportunity
Bay Isles home tops week’s sales at $7.13
ADAM
HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Darren Ross Edwards and Linda Edwards, trustees, of College Grove, Tennessee, sold the home at 500 Harbor Point Road to Kyle and Lindsey Richards, of Bracey, Virginia, for $7.13 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, four-andtwo-half baths, a pool and 6,556 square feet of living area. It sold for $5,237,500 in 2021.
BIRD KEY
Ronald Greenberg, of Bradenton, and Barbara Greenberg, of Sarasota, sold the home at 414 Meadow Lark Drive to Jason Tackitt and Megan Tackitt, trustees, of Sarasota, for $4.2 million. Built in 1979, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,885 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000 in 1992.
LA FIRENZA
Gilbert and Judy Shelton, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, sold their Unit S-201 condominium at 4125 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Best Bricks Real Estate BV for $3.85 million. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,521 square feet of living area. It sold for $3,862,500 in 2021.
WESTON POINTE
Gertrude Smith, of Sarasota, sold her home at 612 Weston Pointe Court to Stephen and Robin Blanz, of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, for $1.8 million. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,612 square feet of living area. It sold for $995,000 in 2008.
INN ON THE BEACH
John Kelly and James Kelly, trustees, sold the Unit 3501 condominium at 230 Sands Point Road to Evan and Sharon Gewirtz, of Woodbury, New York, for $1 million. Built in 1982, it has one bedroom, one bath and 725 square feet of living area. It sold for $148,800 in 1982.
SEAPLACE
Thomas and Laurel Suttmiller, trustees, of Dayton, Ohio, sold the
million
JUNE 30-JULY 4
Unit M2-516 condominium at 1945 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Lloyd and Katherine Taustine, of Longboat Key, for $950,000. Built in 1978, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,532 square feet of living area. It sold for $540,000 in 2013.
David Harper and Kristin Harper, of Fredericktown, Missouri, sold their Unit M2-110-C condominium at 1945 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Randy Wood, of Osprey, for $710,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 928 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000 in 2019.
Jems LBK LLC sold the Unit M1-207-G condominium at 2045 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Michael Shapiro and Michelle Carin-Shapiro, of Randolph, New Jersey, for $585,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,076 square feet of living area. It sold for $380,000 in 2009.
FAIRWAY BAY Deborah Horwitz, trustee, sold the Unit 621 condominium at 2120 Harbourside Drive to Pamela Lynn Beck, of Longboat Key, for $850,000. Built in 1988, it has three
TOP BUILDING PERMITS
order of dollar amounts.
bedrooms, two baths and 2,550 square feet of living area. It sold for $287,800 in 2020.
THE PLAYERS CLUB
Krista Sonne and Talis Abolins, trustees, sold the Unit 205 condominium at 1485 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Mark Cosentino and Jennifer Loesch, of Randolph, New Jersey, for $795,000. Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,569 square feet of living area. It sold for $333,000 in 1998.
Source: Town of Longboat Key
Treats & tiaras
Lightning may have canceled Longboat Key’s Fourth of July Freedom Fest this year, but the Rotary Club of Longboat Key wasn’t about to let the turn in weather rain on its doggy parade.
Winners of this year’s virtual Hot Diggity Dog contest collected their prizes on July 11 at Bayfront Park, taking home treats from Dog Perfect.
Twelve contestants emailed their best photos to the Rotary Club, and members awarded the “Most Patriotic Dog,” “Most Creative Dog Costume,” “Best Owner & Dog Combination” along with several honorable mentions.
Among those who came to claim their treats and toys was the Lowry family. Averil, mother to Magnolia and Goldie, brought the whole family to celebrate 4-year-old miniature poodle Lottie’s win for “Most Creative.”
“It’s a really fun, family-friendly event we look forward to,” she said. “They love the face painting and ring toss and other games.”
The winner of the “Best Owner & Dog Combination” was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Susie Q. —
DANA KAMPA
Linda and Rob Emery, from Dog Perfect, present awards for the virtual version of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key’s Hot Diggity Dog Fourth of July contest. They met pets and owners at Bayfront Park on July 11, one day before opening a new location. Rotarians are Carol Erker, Jim Chirgwin, Andy Sawyer and Philippe Koenig.
Photos by Dana Kampaherd-doodle mix, Sugar, collect a goodie bag
Micky, owned by Barbara Diznoff, won an honorable mention at this year’s Hot Diggity Dog contest.
This year’s “Most Patriotic” canine costume winner was Ahsoka, an Australian shepherdborder collie mix, owned by Anne Ambtman.
Courtesy images
New life thrives in Myakka’s habitat restoration zone
Plants and animals continue to respond favorably to re-created floodplain marshes.
MIRI HARDY CONTRIBUTOR
Free-flowing rivers with natural fluctuations are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. When a river is dammed, habitats, as well as the plant and animal species that depend upon them, are negatively affected.
In 2022, as part of efforts to restore the natural flow of the Wild and Scenic Myakka River, an exciting habitat restoration project began at the Upper Myakka Lake.
A critical part of this project was removal of a weir built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and filling in a bypass channel through the floodplain marsh, which was created in 1974 in an attempt to mitigate the weir’s negative impact.
Importantly, healthy floodplain marshes benefit not only Myakka’s ecosystems, but our human communities, too: By absorbing excess water during floods, they reduce the risk of downstream flooding. Vegetation and soil in floodplains also slows down floodwaters, preventing them from continuing to flow downstream to populated areas, where they can damage infrastructure.
Habitat restoration of a highly impacted area, especially floodplain marshes, which are seasonally underwater, takes time.
Over the past few years, the park established a habitat restoration exclusion zone, clearly defining the areas as off limits to park visitors. This helped reduce continuous trampling by park visitors, which suppresses natural revegetation due to degradation
of plant communities and soil compaction.
Importantly, plant life in this area is essential not only for controlling erosion but also for successfully restoring healthy habitats for our native wildlife, including insects, birds and reptiles.
This spring, with undisturbed endemic native groundcover coming into its own, wildlife continued to respond to the improved habitat, as well as to the protection provided by the restoration zones from human disturbance, with exciting results: To park visitors’ great delight, killdeer nesting efforts successfully produced chicks on both shores of the habitat restoration site for the first time.
Like all plovers, killdeer nest on the ground. Most successful nesting areas for this species have access to shallow water, which offers good feeding areas for newly hatched chicks. Myakka’s newly restored floodplain marshes now clearly fit the bill.
Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsOfMyakkaRiver.
Miri Hardy
Killdeer are dedicated parents known for their “broken-wing” display, feigning injury to lure intruders away from their chicks or nest.
The habitat restoration exclusion zone helped reduce continuous trampling by park visitors, which suppresses natural revegetation due to degradation of plant communities and soil compaction.
Resilient retailer
Despite hurricanes and fires, Sea Glass Lane anticipates reopening.
Sea Glass Lane is one of many businesses on St. Armands Circle that worked hard to recover from Hurricanes Milton and Helene, reopening by December.
Then in late January, the store experienced another blow when several businesses caught fire on the 300 block of St. Armands Circle.
“It was quite the year after the hurricanes,” owner Manon Giguere said.
Despite these challenges, the team at Sea Glass Lane found a way to adapt. Giguere moved to a temporary space at 59 S. Boulevard of the Presidents. Staff moved most of the stock in a matter of 24 hours.
“We were so glad to find a space that was available and ready to move in,” she said.
The boutique draws inspiration from its name, carrying breezy, natural-fiber clothing in colors inspired by sea glass, from teals to taupes. Giguere said she also likes offering inspirational books, calming candles and other goods to lift the spirits.
Giguere signed on for a sixmonth lease at the new space, and she said she deeply appreciated all the support patrons showed at the interim location. Now, she is turning her attention to preparing to reopen at the original location at 380 St. Armands Circle, right at the center of the shopping hub.
“We’re really grateful for the customers who went out of their way to find us during this time,” she said.
The timeline for reopening depends upon how quickly the building owner can complete necessary inspections and repairs. But she said the staff look forward to returning to their permanent home, ideally before the end of the year.
Through the end of July, the boutique is holding a sale to downsize before the move.
Dana Kampa
Finley enjoys some extra attention from Sea Glass Lane owner Manon Giguere as they oversee the boutique’s moving sale.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
FORECAST
SUNRISE /
SATURDAY, JULY 19 High:
MOON PHASES
TIDES
DON’T ROCK THE BOAT by Kareem Ayas, edited by Taylor Johnson
By Luis Campos
Jablonski
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