Sarasota Observer - Thursday, June 2, 2011

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SARASOTA

You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

PHOTO ESSAY

SPECIAL

DIVERSIONS

Sarasota Memorial Hospital organizes pet-therapy project.

Look inside for your guide to summer arts and society events.

OUR TOWN

Thursday, JUNE 2, 2011

Bob’s Train is one of the best-kept secrets in Sarasota.

PAGES 10-11A.

declining revenue

INSIDE.

by Robin Roy | City Editor

City discusses budget cuts City Hall received some good news with the taxable value estimates — property values declined less than expected. However, it still has to trim about $6 million from the budget.

Courtesy photo

+ Resident makes some fast friends George Davis, a resident at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch, is good at making friends with just about anyone — and anything. A recent vacation to Aruba took him on a guided tour that included a visit to an ostrich farm. Because ostriches can be aggressive, Davis was warned to stay on his side of the fence.

Judging by the photo, the ostriches and Davis, seem to have gotten along just fine.

Rachel S. O’Hara

Walter Gavin and Rhonda Post, one of the dessert judges, enjoy some of the desserts.

+ Family Promises hosts sweet event Family Promises held its third annual “Just Desserts” event Friday, May 20, at Selby Garden’s Great Room by the Bay. There were 37 different desserts from 29 different donors as well as a silent auction and raffle. Jean Etsinger, creator and chairwoman of the event, organized a similar event 10 years ago when she worked in St. Thomas.

The monies raised from the ticket sales, silent auction and raffle will go directly to helping fund the faithbased organization.

Property values did not drop as much as expected this year in the city of Sarasota, according to estimates. That, however, does not mean that drastic service cuts won’t be needed to balance the budget.

“It’s better news, but we’re still getting less than last year,” said Marlon Brown, deputy city manager.

The city had been expecting a decline of 8% to 9% in taxable values. Property taxes are the city’s main source of income.

The Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office has issued its initial 2011 property-value estimate, and it shows a value of $6.87 billion — 6.21% less than last year’s value of $7.32 billion.

As a result of the drop in rev-

INSIDE: Taxable values / PAGE 2A

enue, the city will have to cut about $6 million from its 20112012 budget.

Although that’s less than it expected, city staff will have addi-

tional expenses to deal with next year.

The county pressured the city to accept a new parks agreement that calls for the city to fund 16 neighborhood parks and Newtown’s Robert L. Taylor Center at a cost of more than $1 million.

Traditionally, parks funding

SEE BUDGET / PAGE 2A

HONORABLE MENTION Rachel S. O’Hara

Ted Oxman, 96 1/2, with his wife, Harriett, was singled out for being one of the oldest veterans in attendance Monday, May 30, at the “Honoring Our Fallen Heroes” Memorial Day ceremony that took place following the parade. See page 5A for more photos.

swap meet

by Robin Roy | City Editor

Wal-Mart eyes former Winn-Dixie North Trail residents and redevelopment leaders said they are happy to see a new grocery store planning to replace the shuttered Winn-Dixie supermarket.

Wal-Mart wants to build a “neighborhood market” at the 3500 N. Tamiami Trail site. Neighborhood markets only carry groceries. They are not typical Walmarts.

“Most of the people are pretty excit-

ed,” said former Commissioner Dick Clapp, who lives in the Indian Beach/ Sapphire Shores neighborhood. “A new grocery store would be great.”

North Trail neighborhoods have been without a supermarket since the Winn-Dixie, which had been there for four decades, closed last fall.

Currently, the nearest grocery store

SEE WALMART / PAGE 2A

By the numbers 0 — Existing Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets in Sarasota County 135 — Parking spaces to be built 33,803 — Size, in square feet, of proposed Walmart store 39,961 — Size, in square feet, of closed Winn-Dixie store

INDEX SEE OUR TOWN / PAGE 14A

Briefs....................4A Classifieds......... 16A

Cops Corner....... 14A Crossword.......... 15A

Opinion.................6A Permits.............. 13A

Real Estate........ 12A Weather............. 15A

Vol. 7, No. 30 | Two sections YourObserver.com

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

BUDGET / FROM PAGE 1A has fallen on the county.

Skyrocketing pension costs are also a concern. City leaders say those expenses will, for the first time ever, exceed tax revenue.

City management has just concluded budget review with individual departments. In July, it will conduct budget workshops with the City Commission.

It is up to commissioners what, if anything, should be cut from the budget.

During an informal workshop May 25, Vice Mayor Terry Turner said he believed reducing staff or their compensation may be the only way to trim costs.

Brown, however, balked at that suggestion.

“The last thing we want to do is cut personnel,” he said. “We’re down to the bone.”

Service cuts are more likely, unless the commission institutes the millage rollback rate.

State law allows local governments to raise, or rollback, the millage rate to allow them to collect as much tax money as it

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

did the previous year.

City leaders insist that is not a tax increase, because just as much property tax is collected as the previous year.

Last year, the commission voted to institute a partial rollback rate but reversed that decision after receiving pressure from city residents.

Brown said the city is looking to outsource some services but wouldn’t say which ones.

If services are cut, he said, residents will see things they don’t like.

“I get a lot of complaints about overflowing trash cans downtown,” Brown said. “It takes (employees) to maintain that.”

He said residents and business owners may have to contribute by emptying a public trash can or removing a fallen tree branch themselves.

“People may have to chip in,” he said.

Taxable value estimates show the county losing 6.31% from 2010. North Port, again, had the steepest decline at 8.12%, and Longboat Key, with a 4.8% drop, again maintained more of its taxable value than any other taxing authority in the county.

Robin Roy

The Winn-Dixie store at 3500 N. Tamiami Trail had served North Sarasota for about 40 years, but the store was one of 30 “underperforming” stores the chain closed last fall. Wal-Mart is proposing a supermarket on the same spot to serve the community.

WALMART / FROM PAGE 1A

Taxable values Taxing authority Sarasota County School Board City of Sarasota City of Venice Town of Longboat Key City of North Port

2011 estimate $39,467,686,577 $41,934,440,337 $6,867,166,690 $2,700,814,420 $3,335,795,728 $2,270,980,299

Assessment estimates

2010 final $42,128,065,358 $44,696,823,802 $7,322,222,525 $2,849,902,357 $3,504,013,002 $2,471,693,077

Property type All single-family residential parcels All residential condos Non-homestead exempt single-family residential parcels Non-homestead exempt residential condos Homestead exempt single-family residential parcels Homestead exempt residential condos

% change -6.31% -6.18% -6.21% -5.23% -4.80 -8.12%

2011 median % change market value from 2010 $116,700 -9.04% $138,350 -4.59% $96,400 -10.41% $136,600 -4.01% $129,300 -8.36% $143,600 -5.21%

is the Publix at North Tamiami Trail and 10th Street.

Wal-Mart is planning a store that is 33,803 square feet, which is slightly smaller than the Winn-Dixie.

The retail giant would demolish not only the existing building, but also the parking lot and sidewalks and would rebuild everything.

City staff is asking Wal-Mart to hire local workers to perform that construction.

As for the impact on nearby residents, city transportation engineers believe Walmart will have less of an impact on North Trail traffic, because the store will be smaller.

The city is also requesting that the store minimize idling trucks in the early-morning hours, before the store opens, so neighbors aren’t disturbed.

The neighborhood market would be the first one in Sarasota County. There are 27 statewide, including one in Tampa, one in Largo and one in Pinellas Park.

Although some neighbors will be happy to see a new store arrive, others are apprehensive.

“We’re not Wal-Mart shoppers, because of their (track record) on women’s issues,” said Dianne Saunders, a Bayou Oaks resident. “But we’ll check it out to support the neighborhood.”

Those overseeing the redevelopment of North Trail seem most encouraged.

Jay Patel, chairman of the North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, said Walmart would be a welcome addition.

“It’s very much needed,” Patel said.

Lorna Alston, general manager of North Sarasota redevelopment, said: “We look forward to the opportunity to have Walmart.”

Managing our water

for generations to come As Mosaic mines the phosphate needed to grow the world’s food supply, we make sure the area’s water supply is safeguarded as well. Mosaic monitors the water in nearby creeks and rivers and adheres to standards set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Any water that leaves our sites must meet Florida’s water quality standards. We take these responsibilities seriously – for our families as well as yours.

A better Florida and a better world

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www.mosaicfla.com

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SARASOTA Observer

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

don’t walk

by Robin Roy | City Editor

Pedestrians fail roundabout test

3A

heroic action

by Robin Roy | City Editor

Because more than 30% of people walking through the Five Points roundabout failed to navigate it properly, the city will pay about $11,000 to funnel people into the crosswalks.

Pedestrians just can’t seem to get the hang of the Five Points roundabout.

Instead of using the crosswalks to get across Main Street, Pineapple Avenue and Central Avenue, many are walking directly through the center of the roundabout or walking on its perimeter.

Concerned about the danger to pedestrians, the city is creating solutions to funnel people into the proper crossing points.

During a March 19 pedestrian count, more than 31% of people jaywalked through the roundabout.

The largest problem occurred at the Central Avenue crossing and the Pineapple Square crossing next to the First Watch restaurant (see sidebar).

As a result, the city will move one of the plant-

ers in front of The Plaza at Five Points to guide people into the Central Avenue crosswalk.

Ten planters will be installed along Pineapple Avenue next to First Watch, with the same purpose in mind.

Highly visible tape will better mark the other crosswalks and will be removed after pedestrians are trained on how to use the roundabout.

The project is scheduled to begin at the end of June. It’s expected to take a maximum of two weeks to complete and will cost about $11,000.

Guiding pedestrians into the crosswalks is expected to cure much of the problem, because the city’s consultant, HDR, interviewed some of the jaywalkers and found that they didn’t know where the crosswalks were.

DOWNTOWN PARKING

Robin Roy

Robin Roy

A woman walks on the perimeter of the Five Points roundabout between Selby Five Points Park and First Watch restaurant. Planters will be placed on the corner of the roundabout at First Watch to guide pedestrians to the proper crosswalk.

FIVE POINTS ROUNDABOUT BREAKDOWN Crosswalk location Total crossings East Main Street 371 West Main Street 276 North Pineapple Avenue 765 478 South Pineapple Avenue Central Avenue 488

Improper crossings 39 93 298 120 195

by Robin Roy | City Editor

Meter Reader

The new paid-parking system has both its supporters and detractors, but it has also puzzled some people trying to use it for the first time.

The city has employed “parking ambassadors,” many of them city employees, to volunteer their time to help people learn how to use the new downtown parking meters.

Depending on the payment method, it’s either a two-step or a four-step process.

However, because they’ve only been in use for a little more than a week, there is some confusion about them.

For example, at least one man has tried to insert a dollar bill into the credit-card slot. (The machines only take coins and debit/credit cards, because dollar bills cause too many jams.)

Meter enforcement is from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Frequently asked questions:

PAYMENT PLAN: Payment method: Coins or

debit/credit cards

 Paying by coin: Using keypad enter the space number, which is painted on the curb. Insert coins for desired length of time.  Paying by card: Enter space number. Use arrows to select desired length of time. Press “OK” to confirm payment amount.

Insert and remove card.

WHAT DO YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY? Charge is $1 per hour on

most streets; 50 cents per hour on Gulfstream Avenue. Payment can be made using nickels, dimes and quarters. For instance, a nickel equals three minutes on most streets and six minutes on Gulfstream Avenue.

Q: Does the meter provide receipts for my car?

A: No. Receipts aren’t needed.

Q: Do I have to pay from the closest meter to my car?

A: No. Drivers can pay from any downtown meter.

Q: I’m just running in a store for a couple of minutes, why do I have to pay for an hour?

A: You don’t. Payment can be made for various amounts of time using nickels, dimes and quarters.

Affected area: Orange Avenue

to Gulfstream Avenue and Second Street to McAnsh Square

Number of metered spaces: 497

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eddie Peoples, 34, celebrates with his 6-year-old son, Ikaika, after receiving a commendation from Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight.

Army officer chases down bank robber

After a gunman threatens his son inside a bank, a vacationing U.S. Army staff sergeant chases down the crook and disarms him.

Matthew Rogers calmly walked into a Bank of America May 31, allegedly pulled out a gun and started ordering employees and customers around.

He chose the wrong bank.

One day earlier, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eddie Peoples flew into the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport with his wife and four young children.

Peoples is from Bradenton and his wife from Sarasota, but the family now lives on a base in Italy. They were here to visit Peoples’ sick father.

The staff sergeant had promised his 4- and 6-year-old sons that he would take them fishing.

The three were on their way to catch some fish at about 3 p.m. May 31. Peoples just needed to make a quick stop at the bank first.

Once inside the Bank of America at 3600 Bee Ridge Road, they saw Rogers enter and pull out the gun.

“It was surreal,” said Peoples, during a June 1 Sheriff’s Office ceremony commending his bravery. “The gunman came in demanding things. I could tell it was real, but my kids thought it was a joke, so they started giggling.

And that brought attention to us.”

Rogers, 34, allegedly walked up to Peoples’ children and pointed a gun at his older son.

“He said, ‘If anyone does anything, the kid gets it,’” recalled Peoples.

Rogers allegedly took money from four tellers and left the bank.

The 34-year-old has been in the Army for more than 10 years. He’s done three tours in Iraq. One thing he tells his children each time he leaves for duty is that he’s “going to get the bad guys.”

When Rogers fled the bank, Peoples was once again going after the bad guy.

He made sure his kids were safe and then ran outside, got in his rented van and drove after Rogers, who was in his own vehicle.

Peoples blocked Rogers’ escape, and the alleged bank robber rammed the van.

Rogers then got out of his own vehicle and pointed the gun at Peoples, who quickly approached the alleged gunman, grabbed his wrist that held the weapon and twisted it back. He then clenched Rogers’ neck in a half Muay Thai hold and got him on the ground.

“By then, a deputy arrived, but that was bad, because I was holding the bag of money and the gun,” joked Peoples.

The deputy quickly sorted out the situation and placed Rogers under arrest. The gun turned out to be a fake.

Peoples walked back into the bank, and his kids asked him if he got the bad guy.

“I did,” said Peoples, and everyone inside the bank started cheering.

SARASOTA Observer

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NEWSBRIEFS

4A

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

+ DID plans to makeover historic district

YourObserver.com

The Downtown Improvement District believes its next move will be to make the Downtown Historic District look more like a historic district.

“We have to make something different about it,” said Ernie Ritz, DID chairman.

The federal government now recognizes as a historic district a stretch of Main Street from Orange Avenue to Gulfstream Boulevard. It also includes a few buildings just off Main Street on Pineapple Avenue and Palm Avenue.

Signs on I-75 and Fruitville Road point visitors to the historic district, but the DID thinks when people get here, there’s nothing that sets the district apart from the rest of downtown.

So, it is proposing the possibility of bricking the streets to give it an old-time look, as well as widening the sidewalks.

The DID wants input from the community at its next meeting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, June 14 in room 112 at City Hall, 1565 First St.

TOP FIVE

The most read stories online last week were:

1. Siesta Key home sells for $4.4 million (May 24) 2. ‘Thanks’ and ‘goodbye’ (May 26) 3. Cancer survivor treated to day of beauty (May 19) 4. Photo gallery: Sarasota Crew’s Night of the Stars (May 22) 5. Video: Man on the Street Downtown Parking Meters (May 25)

+ Patterson Foundation assists tornado victims The Patterson Foundation is increasing its contribution to help those impacted by the deadly tornado in Alabama.

The foundation had partnered with radio station The JOY FM and promised to match up to $33,000 in

donations received from the station’s listeners.

Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, announced this week that it would increase the amount of the initial donation up to $50,000.

“The outpouring of generosity and success of the initial $33,000 match inspired us to increase our commitment,” Jacobs said. “This community cares for one another. It is our intent that the $50,000 will give a boost to the local economy and help them begin to rebuild with purpose and hope.”

+ Mote Marine receives $1 million pledge Two longtime, anonymous supporters of Mote Marine Laboratory have pledged $1 million to fund key programs for the next four years.

The donation will be used to fund a post-doctoral fellowship program, outreach programs and red-tide research, as well as a new screen in Mote’s Immersion Cinema, which will allow

Meetings agendas

&

 Development Review Committee — 9 a.m. Thursday, June 2, Conference Room 2, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota  Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations — 9 a.m. Saturday, June 4, Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St., Sarasota  City Commission — 2:30 p.m.

Monday, June 6, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota  County Commission — 9 a.m.

Tuesday, June 7, Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice  County Commission — 9 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota

visitors to watch a high-definition film about red tide.

Hmm...

There are over 4,000 public parking spaces in Downtown Sarasota, including curbside, parking lots and garages.

For frequently asked questions and a map that details parking areas, please visit:

Observer

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Where can I park?

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

memorable day

5A

by Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

Sarasota remembers its ‘fallen heroes’ Thousands of people celebrated Memorial Day Monday, May 30 by attending the Memorial Day parade downtown and the “Honoring Our Fallen Heroes” Memorial Day ceremony that took place at J.D. Hamel Park.

The parade included veterans from different wars as well as highschool bands and JROTC groups and members of both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Sonny Bywaters led the ceremony at the park, and the guest speaker for the event was Janet Hamel Solomon.

The Pineview High School Quartet sang the national anthem and “God Bless America” and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. The ceremony ended with the Sarasota Military Academy bagpipers playing “Amazing Grace,” followed by Cody Hill playing taps on his trumpet.

Sonny Bywaters, American Legion Post 30, speaks to the crowd Monday, May 30, at the “Honoring Our Fallen Heroes” Memorial Day ceremony that took place following the parade.

The Navy League of the United States float parades down the street.

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

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Best friends Caitlyn Maszak and Bella Lane dressed up for the parade.

Russell Perkins, an Army veteran who served from 1950 to 1955 in Korea, came out to watch the Sarasota Memorial Day parade.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

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The lesson from Ley In the totality of his tenure, you can easily argue Jim Ley performed well as Sarasota County administrator. So his resignation last week — or to be more precise, the circumstances that led to his departure — should not forever or indelibly blemish his 14-year record.

But the entire saga stands as an instructive lesson.

Ley had no direct role — so far as the public knows, and we would be shocked if he did — in the employees who improperly used credit cards, improperly awarded contracts to favored vendors and otherwise unethically executed the county’s purchasing rules.

But viewing the incidents as an outside observer, you can see the transgressions that occurred as examples of what frequently undermines the careers of long-tenured chief executives. Over time, CEOs become comfortable and immune, and so do their boards.

The CEOs become complacent in areas where they shouldn’t; they let their guards down.

Their successes and achievements pump them up, unconsciously blinding them to weaknesses and sloppiness that eventually, and often, do them in.

Then one day the dam breaks. The trouble that was minor in the beginning grows, spreads and then bursts. And although the CEO has no direct role in what went wrong, ultimately he must accept responsibility. The buck stops here.

This is how it appears with Jim Ley. To be sure, Ley was smart, calculating and adept at nurturing and working all of his constituencies — his commissioners/bosses/ board of directors; the competing special

interests of homeowner/taxpayers and developers; and the county employees. You could call Ley a smooth “player” — comfortable on the social scene and certainly comfortable engaging with politicians and business people. You sensed he thrived and enjoyed his position of power and influence. At the same time, his public persona and behavior were that of an ethical chief executive who lived by the code of doing what’s right and in the best interest of the county’s many constituents. Give him credit, Ley was a capable leader.

To wit: During his tenure, the county’s property tax rate fell 25%; the county earned a triple-A bond Jim Ley rating, a rarity. While other cities and counties spent all they took in during the real-estate boom, Ley championed setting aside $150 million in reserves for the inevitable economic downturn — a move that softened the nasty recession.

Ley also cites as accomplishments road expansions; expanded emergency services; the addition of a new jail; turning the county from being a huge water consumer with no backup supplies to a water-rich county; helping campaign for and shepherd the acquisition of thousands of acres and the passage of sales-tax extensions to fund county infrastructure. We would also cite Ley’s leadership in hurricane preparedness; Sarasota County was ready and organized whenever hurricanes headed our way.

He proved his competence. You can’t take that away. Except for the blind spot that did

him in. Problems in the county’s purchasing practices, we now know, persisted going back to 2007. Ley told his bosses on several occasions he and his managers instituted changes to correct the problems. We also know now those problems didn’t stop.

It’s easy and understandable for the leader of an organization with a $1 billion budget and 2,000 employees not to be aware of every operational issue. There is no way Ley could control the actions of all of the county’s employees. No matter how honest or ethical Ley was or how much he preached those virtues, a thief is a thief.

Still, the circumstances of Ley’s departure provide an explicit lesson — to Ley and every CEO. It’s an oftrepeated lesson in the management of any organization: When a cancer appears, eradicate it. Quickly and thoroughly. Your career and reputation are at stake.

+ His fiduciary duty

It’s easy at this point to be post-game talking heads on the Sarasota County commissioners’ handling of Jim Ley’s resignation. But give them slack. Put yourself in their seats and in the fast-moving swirl of the circumstances.

While some people are criticizing Commissioner Joe Barbetta’s suggestion to put a clawback on Ley’s severance in the event of criminal charges, we’ll argue Barbetta was doing his job. In these situations, it’s proper for board members to think of every scenario.

my VIEW | EDUCATION

Reforms, not money, working School reforms have led to dramatic education results in Florida, even in the face of budget cuts.

The first thing to be said about Florida school funding is that the education of Florida’s students has been steadily improving. This is thanks largely to school choice and accountability reforms put in place by Gov. Jeb Bush. And, yes, this has everything to do with funding.

Because as much as the education establishment of administrators and unions would like you to think otherwise, the truth is that school funding and student education are not directly connected.

We all know the myriad examples of how many high-spending states churn out awful students while many low-spending ROD THOMSON states spit out the best.

Money, if it is any serious factor at all, is minimal in comparison to familial and cultural factors.

Good teachers make a difference, too, but after family and culture.

This is just such common sense. Why do inner city schools do so poorly? Because of less money? Obviously not. Because students largely come from messed up homes in highcrime neighborhoods where doing well in school can earn you a beat down? Obviously so.

Take Sarasota County, for example. The same is spent per student at the Booker schools as at other county schools, but student performance is worse. Why? Family break-down, drugs, violence, culture.

But more evidence keeps piling in. We have two sets of information that have been reportedly lately.

First, writing scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test improved at all levels, and dramatically in the younger grades. The percentage of fourth-graders graded as writing proficient rose from 68% to

81%. There was significant improvement in eighth- and 10th-grade scores, also.

Second, as everyone knows, schools have been cutting funding for the past four years, down to the bone, the marrow and taking off appendages. The hyperbole rolls on. So how can it be that at least some scores are actually improving — by a lot — when funding has been cut so drastically during the same time?

Because funding is not a primary indicator of education quality!

I feel like a broken record, but with the education establishment holding otherwise sensible people hostage to the charge of being against the children if you are not for ever large pots of money, and the media completely swallowing anything from that establishment, the obvious truth needs to be stated and restated.

Here’s another truth: By nearly any educational measure other than money, Florida schools went from near the bottom of the pack when Gov. Jeb Bush began his reforms in 1998 to near the top today. It is a counterintuitive assertion backed by facts that is being seen by some organizations outside the state.

Late last year, the American Legislative Exchange Council ranked Florida’s schools as the third-best in the nation in low-income education growth. In January, Education Week magazine ranked Florida’s schools fifthbest in the nation. Didn’t see those big news stories? There are more you may have missed.

This was all accomplished through sweeping reforms by Bush that were opposed by the moneyed education establishment at every step. They include the annual achievement tests known (and derided by the establishment) as FCATs; schools receiving letter grades on which funding is based to create incentives; strong school choice options; vouchers for poor children in lousy schools (which the Florida Supreme Court has now struck down); and scholarships for low-income families that is funded through corpo-

rate tax credits, to name a few.

They are slowly but surely having their effect, including for poor and minority students.

The Goldwater Institute dug into Florida’s data subsets and found that Hispanic students are at or above the average for all students in 31 states, and black students in Florida are at or above the average for all students in eight states.

The institute also compared Florida and Arizona on educational progress for nonEnglish-speaking students from 1998 to 2008. During that decade, Florida improved the percentage of students achieving “basic” competency by 33%. Arizona, starting at the exact same point, only improved by 14%.

Right now, about 32,000 poor children use the corporate tax credit scholarships. That could more than double in coming years, which will mean even more improvements for the poor, blacks and Hispanics.

The success has been so great, 17 other states are looking at legislation based on the “Florida model.” Aren’t you amazed Florida is seeing such success and you have read almost nothing about it but plenty about all the damage that budget cuts will cost?

The Legislature, with the blessing of Gov. Rick Scott, just expanded many of the Bush reforms. For instance, charter schools will get freer rein and will be allowed to expand faster — which is great news considering the waiting list for charter schools has ballooned to 37,000 students.

The Florida Education Association — the teachers union — spent millions to defeat Bush and others promoting these changes.

They’ve fought Scott. And, despite the measurable successes, they would do it again, because they have a vested interest in more money, not education outcome.

Remember that the next time you see the placards on the street corner lamenting that budget cuts are destroying our children’s future. It’s just not true.

Rod Thomson is editorial pages editor of the Observers and can be reached at rthomson@yourobserver.com.

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

rite of passage

by Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

by Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

Phillippi Shores students display talent

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Greg Galmin, Johnny Routt, Jereme Johnston, Manuel Chepote and Mario Lopez

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Cardinal Mooney seniors gather for graduation

Jackson Geach, second grade, and his sister, Cassidy, first grade, sing “The Climb.”

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School’s Class of 2011 graduated Friday, May 27, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Prior to graduating, the Andrew Winton-Burnett, William Jorgensen and Ricky Cusolito pose in their chicken costumes.

Kaan Kaya, fourth grade, plays “Back in Black” on his guitar.

Saylor Ellis, second grade, laughs as she gives her dog, Chance, a treat after Saylor showed off her dog-training skills.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

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SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

PET PROJECT

by Rachel

Crea

Heidee Regan points at Kirby and smiles while her mom, Nicole, holds her up to see the dog. Heidee was unable to touch the dogs due to her condition and cried when the dogs left her doorway.

Virginia Sanders enjoys having Kirby sit on her lap while she visits the recreational room on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation floor.

When Ginger, Alie, Finnegan, Parker, Kara and Kirby hear the phrase, “Time to go to work!” these canines know just what to do.

For an hour-and-a-half every Thursday afternoon, the five dogs visit three different units at Sarasota Memorial Hospital to work as therapy dogs. The dogs and their owners visit dog-loving patients in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit, the Pediatric Unit and the Oncology Unit. The dogs also visit people in Sarasota Memorial’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center off Clark Road.

When the dogs wear their pet-therapy bandanas, they know they are working. The patients eagerly await Thursday afternoon visits when they can hold and pet the pups.

The dogs do group visits as well as personal room visits for those who may not be able to leave their beds. Although the visits with the dogs may only last 15 or 20 minutes, patients say the healing benefits and enjoyment gained from these interactions last long after the dogs leave.

The dogs that participate in the pet-therapy program were carefully screened for health and behavioral issues by the Humane Society and approved by a pet-therapy certifying organization prior to being admitted to program. Hospital staff also screens patients prior to a visit to make sure they are not afraid of dogs.

ONLINE: See more photos from the pet therapy program. www.YourObserver.com

Charles Sholtis scratches Ginger’s neck while he talks to Ginger’s owner, Vivian Birkner, in the recreational room on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation floor at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

6

Barb McRae gets a personal room visit and kisses from Kirby.

Number of dogs that participate in the pet-therapy program

Each dog wears a personalized bandana while working.

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

11A

l S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

ature Comfort

Yolanda Vodila enjoys Parker’s company while she rests in her room. Vodila has five dogs of her own at home and talked about how eager she was to get back to all of them.

75

On average, the dogs will visit up to 75 patients and their family members each week.

Above: Wes McRae holds Parker, while his wife, Barb, enjoys a visit from Finnegan on the Oncology floor at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The dogs are not only beneficial to the patients but to the patients’ loved ones.

Left: Kirby makes his way down an empty hallway while the dogs head to their next rounds of visitation at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Chinyere Uwah-King, right, along with third-year medical students, leans down while on the phone to pet Ginger. Uwah-King is a big fan of the pet-therapy program and always stops to pet the dogs when they visit her floor.

12A

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

real estate | transactions

By Adam Hughes | Research Editor

Siesta Key home sells for $4.5 million N.C., sold their home at 655 41st St. to Andre and Lisa Rainwater, of Sarasota, for $335,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,215 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $98,000 in 1991.

A home on Siesta Key tops all realestate transactions from May 16 to May 20. Legacy Holdings Group LLC sold the home at 8588 Midnight Pass Road to Daniel Williams, of Newfoundland, Canada, for $4.45 million. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths, a pool and 5,727 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $5.15 million in 2008.

Pelican Cove

Simon Rosenthal and Emily Schilling, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 204 condominium at 1601 Bayhouse Point Drive to Jack and Susan Wayne, of Toronto, Canada, for $295,000. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,770 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $335,000 in 2003.

SARASOTA Indian Beach

Tami Salazar, of Longmont, Colo., sold her home at 3049 Bay Shore Road to Michael and Michelle Gacioch, of Orchard Park, N.Y., for $1.9 million. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,215 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $3.19 million in 2004.

Rivo at Ringling

Sapphire Heights

Rachel S. O’Hara

The Rivo at Ringling LLC sold the Unit PH303 condominium at 1771 Ringling Blvd. to Jehuda and Barbara Steinbach, trustees, for $700,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,296 square feet of living area.

Avondale

Alexander Newberry and Monique Joannett sold their home at 1950 Alta Vista St. to Robert and Emilie Kimbrough, of Sarasota, for $650,000. Built in 1940, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,501 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $447,000 in 2003.

Poinsettia Park

Edward Barrett, of Sarasota, sold his home at 1908 Rose St. to Daniel and Carole Brudzynski, of Novi, Mich., for

This home at 3049 Bay Shore Road in Indian Beach has four bedrooms, four-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 5,215 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.9 million. $375,000. Built in 1948, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,601 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $400,000 in 2004.

The Villas at Eagles Point

Ronald and Arlene Klein sold their Unit 1713 condominium at 1713 Starling Drive to Georges Chauvet and Sheira Smith, of Quebec, Canada, for $375,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,172 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $252,500 in 1996.

The Condominium on the Bay

Dennis and Trudy Archer sold their Unit 1115 condominium at 988 Blvd. of the

Arts to David and Joann Ferland, of Cumberland, R.I., for $367,500. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,555 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $360,000 in 2001.

Pine Shores Estates

Teresa Malesa, of Shelby Township, Mich., sold her home at 6440 Elmwood Ave. to Giles and Vivienne Overend, of Nokomis, for $350,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, six baths and 3,024 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $456,500 in 2002.

I.M. June’s

John and Olga Ronay, of Bakersville,

David and Michelle Young, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5033 Eastchester Drive to Lyn Fox and Ellen Fox, trustees, for $295,000. Built in 1960, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,518 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $362,000 in 2004.

The Landings Carriagehouse

Gloria Walsh, of Twin Falls, Idaho, sold her Unit 39 condominium at 1740 Landings Blvd. to Edward Barrett, of Sarasota, for $269,500. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,368 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $166,000 in 1998.

Renaissance I

Kanaya Properties LLC sold the Unit 1208 condominium at 750 N. Tamiami Trail to Alexander and Valentine Landsperger, of Sarasota, for $255,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,355 square feet of living area. It previ-

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SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

Broadway Promenade

Vincent Vizzaccaro and Michelle Morris, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 1120 condominium at 1064 N. Tamiami Trail to William Galvin and Arthur Ricci, of Framingham, Mass., for $220,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,084 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $225,000 in 2007.

Gulf Gate Woods

Lisa Wolfgang, of Sarasota, sold her home at 7304 Bounty Drive to Andree Derappe, of Serborn, Mass., for $210,000.

Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,877 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $155,000 in 2000.

SIESTA KEY Somerset Cay

Baquero, of Miami, for $230,000. Built in 1966, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 900 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $84,000 in 1994.

The Oaks II

Clark and Margaret Frame, of Osprey, sold their home at 530 Mac Ewen Drive to Joseph Scamardella, of Osprey, for $840,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,346 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.14 million in 2007.

Harriet Josenhanss, of Sarasota, sold her home at 460 E. Mac Ewen Drive to Alan and Dorothy Morrison, of Washington, D.C., for $575,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,691 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $925,000 in 2004.

Fishermen’s Bay

Sara Sands

The Woodslands at Rivendell

Whispering Sands Village

Andree Derappe sold her Unit V-1 condominium at 207 Whispering Sands Drive to Merrill and Bernette Hoyt, trustees, for $332,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,272 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $126,400 in 1993.

These are the largest city of Sarasota, Sarasota County and Siesta Key building permits issued by Sarasota County and city of Sarasota for the week of May 16 through May 20, in order of dollar amounts.

OSPREY

Michael and Ann Good, of Raritan, N.J., sold their Unit 43 condominium at 9122 Midnight Pass Road to Heidi Gillen, trustee, for $695,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,237 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $851,300 in 2004.

Virginia Mermin, of Sarasota, sold her home at 5049 Higel Ave. to John Bace Jr., of Berkeley Heights, N.J., for $427,500.

Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,867 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $214,000 in 1991.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

CITY OF SARASOTA Applicant

Amount

Pool Re-roof Pool/Spa Alterations Remodel Lanai Renovations Pool Cage Renovations

Anders Ebbeson Paul Chapman Ralph Prather Gregory Geidel Thomas Eyles Erica Barrett Larry Long Volodymyr Bazilevych Paul Cackett

$86,000 $45,000 $43,250 $18,000 $15,866 $13,150 $12,380 $11,500 $10,000

Permit Garage Re-roof Pool/Spa Re-roof Re-roof Addition Re-roof Spa Re-roof

Applicant Casiana Schmidt Thomas Farley Mick Wright Clinton McCall Roy Hollis Jr., trustee Theodore Pickul Jr. Michael Lang Carl Peterson Richard Angers

Amount $42,000 $40,000 $32,000 $26,915 $21,370 $20,000 $19,700 $19,125 $16,347

Address 281 Osprey Point Drive 4205 Palacio Drive 5350 Ruby Lane 475 Picasso Drive 5825 Driftwood Ave. 4587 Nelson Ave. 3303 Spring Mill Circle 5534 Lucia Place 1637 Caribbean Drive

DJR Stillwater Court LLC sold the home at 696 Stillwater Court to Vincent and Nancy LaMaida, Osprey, for $420,000.

Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,185 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $340,000 in 2009.

SIESTA KEY

Emerald Woods at Oaks III

Richard Falter, of Osprey, sold his home at 105 Turquoise Lane to Clark and Margaret Frame, of Osprey, for $360,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,606 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $455,000 in 2009.

Bernard and Joyce Dolan, trustees, sold their Unit 7 condominium at 145 Avenida Messina to Yakelin Queija and Margarita

Permit

1420 Bay Point Drive 1662 South Drive 3331 Old Oak Drive 2148 Hibiscus St. 33 S. Gulfstream Ave. 2624 Colorado St. 988 Blvd. of the Arts 1709 Devonshire Lane 33 S. Gulfstream Ave.

SARASOTA COUNTY

Stephen and Lisa Brannan, of Sarasota, sold their home at 8945 Fishermens Bay Drive to Gregory and Karla Rouse, of Sarasota, for $535,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,200 square feet of living area.

Villa Navarra

Address

Visit our website to read more transactions and to see a map

Address

Permit

Applicant

5740 Midnight Pass Road 5750 Midnight Pass Road 5780 Midnight Pass Road 5760 Midnight Pass Road 5770 Midnight Pass Road 7840 Midnight Pass Road 5780 Midnight Pass Road 100 Pierson Lane 9011 Midnight Pass Road

Repairs Repairs Repairs Repairs Repairs Addition Remodel Re-roof Remodel

Clarence Schawk Elloyd Hauser Shirley Katz John Colletti David Cella Bill Saggio Eunice Lazin Janusz Fillman John Kelley

Source: Sarasota County; city of Sarasota

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Simply call to reserve your time in The Spa or Salon. 941-309-2090. www.ritzcarlton.com /sarasota 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota FL 34236

Mike Montgomery - President, Unique Services

57718

56622

Call Today to Find Out How!! 941-487-2600

www.uniqueservices.com

*30 day supply

The Ritz-Carlton Spa and Salon’s

Dear Friend, I know this statement sounds too good to be true but, it is true! Right now is the best time to own a brand new high efficiency air conditioning system because the instant rebates and energy savings on the average system add up to as much as $7,382!! If you have even considered getting a new system then do not miss this opportunity because it may not be available again.

Sincerely, Mike Montgomery

4515 19th Street Court East, Bradenton, FL 34203

• $10 OFF 1st Visit • $10 OFF 2nd Visit • $5 OFF 3rd Visit

(500 mg. or 1000 mg.)

Hydrochiorathiazide - Loratidine*

M-F 8am - 5pm, Sat. 9am - 1pm | 8451 Shade Ave., Suite 108, Sarasota, FL, 34243 | 941-355-2500

How to own an 18 SEER Super High Efficiency AC system for as little as $1.00* per day!

For A Limited Time Only!

*represent true cost of ownership over 120 months.

FREE •

*One coupon per visit. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. Not valid with third party insurance. PRICE MATCH or federal funded. Discounts and offers at Pharmacist’s discretion. Exceptions do apply. Exp. 6/30/11

Mark Jacobs • Training Director/ Certified Dog Trainer Call 941-416-3489 •www.oncommandk9academy.com

“Serving All of Coastal Florida for over 50 years!”

• Home Delivery • Aspirin - Multivitamin - *Met Formin

OvER 300 GEnERics For Only $299

Guaranteed Results All Breeds, All Ages Obedience Training Behavioral Problems Lifetime Warranty Personal Protection Vet and Police K-9 Recommended

lic# cmc041072

Amount $183,333 $183,333 $183,333 $183,333 $183,333 $110,000 $59,000 $33,700 $19,500

57898

ously sold for $400,000 in 2007.

13A

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

OUR TOWN

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

Cops

>> Continued from Page 1A

+ Legacy Grill team creates new legacy with first-place win

Corner

May 24

May 25

8:45 a.m. — 1400 block of Main Street.

Animal Bite. A man in a pickup truck stopped a police volunteer to ask her about the new downtown parking meters. When she reached in his truck to hand him a brochure, his dog clamped down on her arm. The man gave the woman his information. The volunteer received hospital treatment for a minor laceration. There you have it — the unintended consequences of parking meters.

2:29 p.m. — 2200 block of Ringling Blvd.

Animal Abandonment. The complainant reported a dog locked in a vehicle appeared to be in distress. By the time an officer arrived, the pet owner had returned to the vehicle, and the complainant had given the dog some water. The owner was apologetic and said he thought because he had cracked the window, the dog would be OK. The officer gave the man a warning, but said, under certain conditions, he could have been arrested.

No second helpings

Role models

Noon — 3800 block of South Tamiami Trail. Petit Theft Shoplifting. A shoplifting team had been hitting several supermarkets in town. The manager of the supermarket at the above address saw the two women enter his store. Once they realized they were being watched, they walked over to the deli counter and ordered a box of chicken tenders and rolls and a soda. When they thought they weren’t being watched, they walked out of the store without paying. The manager caught them, though, and got the food back, before the women fled.

2:53 p.m. — 1 block of Bayfront Drive.

Suspicious Person. Parents at the children’s water fountain at Bayfront Park were complaining, because several homeless people were smoking some kind of drug and passing it back and forth to each other.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds

The Central Sarasota Little League AAA team Legacy Grill was undefeated in the playoffs and won its championship game Thursday, May 26 against Atlas Insurance, with a score of 16-12.

Legacy Grill was behind 9-1, but came back for the win in the fifth inning.

Pictured are Legacy Grill’s coach Barron Schimberg and assistant coach Charles Hampton, with players Race Lamboley, Sy Schimberg, Michael Hampton and Cole Dandy, first row, and Harrison Jones, Patrick McFadden, Richie Averill and Christian Vandergraaf, second row.

Rachel S. O’Hara

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE PHOTO CONTEST The Observer’s “It’s Read Everywhere” photo contest is now online at YourObserver. com. Visit our website, YourObserver.com, to upload your photo submissions from now until Oct. 15; photos submitted directly to the paper will automatically be uploaded to our website. Online voting takes place from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7.

Winners will be announced in the Nov. 10 issue of the Sarasota Observer. Email your entries to nschwartz@yourobserver.com or mail them to the Sarasota Observer, 1970 Main St., Fourth Floor, Sarasota, Fla., 34236.

SARASOTA

Dog days of summer

High-speed chase

Doesn’t look quite right 2:48 p.m. — Bahia Vista Street and Tuttle Avenue. Suspicious Person. The complainant spotted a man with a long gray beard, who was wearing a dirty white shirt. He was pulling two children in a wagon. The complaint felt something was fishy, because the man was filthy and the children were clean and well dressed. The complainant wanted police to check on the welfare of the children.

PARIS. The Sarasota Observer is always tough to top, but it recently reached new heights when it ventured to the top of the Eiffel Tower, in Paris, with Nancy Shuttleworth.

• • • • •

3:55 p.m. — 100 block of South Pineapple Avenue. Attempted Theft. Two police officers were eating lunch in a restaurant, when they saw a young man bolt past the window. A couple of seconds later, they saw another man run by. Sensing something was wrong, the officers joined in the chase.

The second man, who is a church employee, yelled to the officers that the first man had just tried toLab steal a television from the Computer church. They finally caught the suspect MicroSociety® three-and-a-half blocks from the scene of the crime. employee Science & The Math Lab said he had walked out of the church office to see the Operation S.M.A.R.T. suspect in the hallway and holding the flatscreen TV. The suspect and much more!dropped it and ran.

When police searched the suspect, they found a TV remote control in his pocket.

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Special Financing Available

Vinyl Impact Window Replacements

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He’s smart. He’s glib. He’s quick-witted. He’s inciteful.

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As a PGT Platinum Dealer, Mullet’s Aluminum is pleased to introduce PGT’s new PremierVue vinyl impact window that combines style and high performance to meet the needs of today’s discerning homeowner. PremierVue has among the highest industry ratings for energy, structural, air and water resistance in a vinyl impact product line.

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Presented by

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

RAINFALL

Wed., May 25 Thurs., May 26 Fri., May 27 Sat., May 28 Sun., May 29 Mon., May 30 Tues., May 31

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Month to date: 2011

1.97 in Year-to-date:

MOON PHASES

Sarasota

June 9 First

15A

WEEKLY WINNEr: BREATHTAKING BAY

June 15 Full

2010 0.84 in.

2011 2010 15.48 in 12.55 in.

July 1 New

June 23 Last

TemperatureS

Temps.

High Low 88 67 87 69 87 71 89 68 95 71 93 69 94 71

Wed., May 25 Thurs., May 26 Fri., May 27 Sat., May 28 Sun., May 29 Mon., May 30 Tues., May 31

Record Temps.

High Low 93 (2008) 58 (1931) 94 (1995) 55 (1979) 95 (1953) 52 (1979) 98 (1953) 59 (1942) 95 (2011) 57 (1935) 97 (1955) 54 (1911) 94 (2011) 57 (1971)

Average Gulf water temperature: 82.7

Paul Peterzell submitted this sunset photo overlooking Sarasota Bay.

RED TIDE

Sunrise/sunset Sunrise 6:36 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35

Sunset 8:22 8:22 8:23 8:23 8:24 8:24 8:24

PHOTO CONTEST: Enter your local sunset, sunrise or weather-related photos for The Observer’s weather photo contest, sponsored by Cool Today. Please include where you took the photo when submitting photos, as well as your mailing address. Each week’s winner will receive a $50 restaurant gift card. Please send your photos to the Sarasota Observer, 1970 Main St., fourth floor, Sarasota, Fla., 34236, or email them to nschwartz@yourobserver.com.

Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected alongshore or offshore Sarasota Friday, May 27, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

Visit YourObserver.com to click on our interactive weather button, which features current weather conditions, weather radar and a five-day forecast.

58129

Thurs., June 2 Fri., June 3 Sat., June 4 Sun., June 5 Mon., June 6 Tues., June 7 Wed., June 8

T H E O B S E R V E R C R O S S WO R D Edited by Timothy E. Parker

C R Y P T O G R A M S by Myles Mellor 1. W ’ H I A I X I E H W R . F C I J F I F I Z I P J Q N O P L P W J L QZPNJV

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wORKInG IT OUT by Paul Jenn 72 Judge again, as a case 1 Office furnishing 74 Bibliography 5 Fix a hot dog? notation 9 Breathing 75 Conquer partner? abnormality 78 Garb for Caesar 13 Food at the first 79 Petty quarrel Thanksgiving 82 Lennon’s bride 18 “Fifteen Miles on 83 Out sailing the ___ Canal” 19 About, before a date 84 Rig on the highway 85 Holiday icon Kringle 20 “The Last 86 Be in a different Command” Oscar form? winner Jannings 87 Cornrow, e.g.

21 Commonly 88 Heading in this 22 It could begin “Dear puzzle Sir or Madam” 90 “The Boys from 25 Hive member Brazil” novelist 26 “I think that I shall Levin never see ...” poem 91 Presentation 27 Leaning Tower city 93 Gum-producing 28 Green veggie plants 29 Unpack the truck 94 Snake, on occasion 32 Has staying power 97 Poison in classic 34 Pre-game exercises mysteries 38 Most azure 98 Golfer’s aide 39 Farm towers 99 Little Debbie 40 Milk of ___ competitor 41 One billion years 100 Feral shelter 42 Regard highly 101 “90210” actress 44 Tropical pudding Spelling bases 102 Bulgaria’s capital 45 Unlaid lawn 103 Hardly enthusiastic 46 Unaccompanied 106 Baseball, in America 48 Wooden pins 112 “My Cherie ___” 49 Wasted no time (Stevie Wonder hit) 50 Biddy 113 “Fine” or “liberal” 51 Pastoral work (Var.) followers 52 John Paul II’s title 114 “Huzzah!” or 53 Neighbor of Sudan “Hooray!”

55 From the beginning 115 “Et tu” day 57 It has three rings 59 Mount Kilimanjaro’s 116 Wrapped movie monster cover 117 Ark builder 60 Daisylike, late118 X-ray dosages blooming flower 119 Temporary shelter 61 Debilitating bug beds 63 Corporate owner 68 Ending for “brew” dOwn or “hatch” 1 “Runaway” rocker 69 You need speed to Shannon steal them 2 It may come before 71 “___ Lang Syne” long?

ACROSS

3 “Please, make yourself comfortable” 4 Kitchen whistler 5 Located 6 Yea-sayers 7 Take steps 8 “Fargo” assent 9 Upgrades, as factory equipment 10 Off the mark 11 Former Italian currency 12 “A Nightmare on ___ Street” 13 Contemporary people 14 Common chalet style 15 “What was ___ think?”

16 Buddhist sect 17 180 deg. from WSW 19 Whip up 23 Winged god of love 24 ___ salts (bath additive) 28 Indian shrine 29 Daggers, in printing 30 Type of natural disaster 31 Hanky-panky 32 Loyal subject 33 Pub choices 34 Carried on, as a war 35 Capt. Kirk’s command 36 Early settler 37 Singing the blues 39 Vast Russian plain 40 Popular street name 43 Animal’s track 44 Oboe’s predecessor 47 Bulldog booster 50 Possesses 52 Bake sale org.

53 Donald, to Dewey 54 “No news is ___ news!”

56 Humorous in a shrewd way 58 Car gizmo, for short 59 Poker variety

60 “I see,” at sea 61 “Most Wanted” agcy.

62 Manual worker 64 River nymph 65 Ads for new shows 66 Breastplate of Zeus or Athena 67 F.D.R.’s shelter org.

70 Former name of Tokyo 73 Pose a question 75 Noted Galapagos Islands visitor 76 “Love Boat” bartender 77 One of seven, to Salome 78 Towel materia 80 Buenos ___ 81 Kaiser cousins 84 Large quantity 86 Legal org.

87 Waterless, as a desert 88 Broadcast’s sound portion 89 Yom Kippur horn 92 Monotony 93 Truly gaudy 95 Wife of Osiris 96 Radio interference 98 Terra ___ 99 “High ___” (song that mentions a rubber tree plant) 101 Poi source 102 “Mush!” shouter’s vehicle 103 Topper worn with a kilt 104 Aussie non-flier 105 Half a cheerleader’s prop?

106 A Bobbsey twin 107 Cash register co.

108 “Bingo!”

109 Words that end bachelorhood 110 “When Harry ___ Sally ...”

111 Pluralizing letter

Last weeks Cryptograms 1. By the way, did you ever notice that dogs can’t dance very well? There’s a good reason. It’s because they have two left feet!

2. A professor saw a chicken cross the main street and stop halfway. When he asked why, the rooster told him, “she wants to lay it on the line.”

Thursday, June 2, 2011 Items Under $200 For Sale

Items Under $200 For Sale

Furnishings

300 HOURS of music/vocals on tapes.

Sony TC530 player/recorder included. $199 Details 941-377-8158

SOFA- PALE orange faint Oriental brocade $75. Desk $65. End tables, antique pair $55.

941-922-2046

ADVERTISE YOUR merchandise with the total value of $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month, 15 words or less. Price must be included. No commercial advertising. Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks.

Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com or online at: www.yourobserver.com/classifieds

YARD TOOLS- Craftsman Weed Wacker, 4 cycle $80. Craftsman Pressure Washer, Like New $100. 941-923-8937

SARASOTA BARGAIN Thrift Store & Consignment Center. 1635 12th St., Sarasota. Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, Freezers. Furniture, Beds, Dressers, Sofas, Tables, TV’s, Records, Books, etc. Don’t give your items away, let us sell them for you!

Delivery & pick-up available. 941-812-0587

CARDBOARD BOXES- For shipping.

18x18x28. I have 160 boxes. Sell for $1 each. 941-918-9171 COLLAGE PICTURE- Framed, matted, gold frame, 18x22, colorful, unique medium. Must see. $50 firm. 941-952-1097 FOLDING TABLE/ Padded Chairs. New. Steel frame, enameled durable, lock release $58. 941-266-4200 KENMORE REFRIGERATOR with ice maker, works well $75.00 941-377-2255 LUGGAGE- AMERICAN Tourister. 3 sizes, fits inside & 1 shoulder bag, black. $50 obo.

941-924-8477 MICROWAVE OVEN: new, still in box, $175.

941-927-5153, Hein.

4 EAsy WAys To Place your Classified Ad Call 941-955-4888 Reserved Space LP Reserved Space Fax 941-362-4808

Email classified@yourobserver.com

Online at

www.yourobserver.com/classifieds All major credit/debit cards accepted.

Autos For Sale 1998 BENZ ML320 SUV- Outstanding shape. Sunroof, Leather, New Radio, Heated Seats, Trunk Liner. Clean inside and out.

New brakes all around. Tires are in good shape. 139k miles. Car has no mechanical problems. Call to come and look! 941-3833313 or cell 201-452-2063 Asking $6,500.

2006 TOYOTA Sienna LE- Beige with tan interior. Full power. Nicest in town.

Like new. Reduced to $13,950 obo.

941-518-1321

Autos Wanted AUTOS WANTED! Let me take the hassle out of selling your car. Cash offered today!

Call Mike, 941-713-2277.

Boats HOT TUB: 5 person with lounger, 110/220, never used. Warranty, can deliver. $2595.

941-462-0633.

Furnishings LAKEWOOD RANCH ESTATEAluminum 5-piece patio (cost $1700Restoration Hardware) now $699; Sofa & loveseat (Robb & Stucky) like new $850.

Henredon and Drexel bedroom sets, Stearns & Foster Beds, Stiffe lamps, Stanley Entertainment Center for plasma/LCD ($350@Robb &Stucky) $995.

5-piece Cherry Home Office w/2-lateral files, La-Z-Boy sleeper, much, much, more.

Manatee Furniture

3015 1st St. Bradenton, 10 Blocks north of DeSoto mall on US Hwy 41.

941-745-2596 LIVING ROOM set, $150. Bedroom set, $130. 310-880-5370.

TWIN MURPHY BEDS with bi-fold doors and 4 drawer cabinet with 1 open shelf and 1 closed. 941-921-1892.

FREE STAND Up Paddle Board Lessons.

Fastest growing sport on water. Free lesson and 1hour Board Rental $35.00. Best deal around. Everyday at Bird Key Park, 11AM. MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE www.ikayaksarasota.com ,941-302-2677

Married Couple Available for Senior or Busy Executive. We have always felt a special bond with the 70+ year old generation. Experience working for senior couple living in country club community, who had a very active lifestyle. We were their House Manager, Personal Assistant, and Driver, and managed their daily household. We also helped Mrs. with her charity work. The last year of our employment, they both had serious health issues, and we provided “companion” support as well. We have been a church volunteer and Companion/Caregiver to many seniors who needed daily personal care. We also have experience working for a retired executive living in a gated estate.

House Manager/Housekeeper, Cook, Driver, Personal Assistant, Computer Guy, Companion. Husband loves the water and boats, and plays tennis. Wife can also help with dinner parties/events, wardrobe, or write your memoirs. We would love to work for someone who needed a “go to person” and have strong computer and business skills. Our references love to brag about how trustworthy we are. Available to travel as needed. Live-in position desired. Dan & Margie Curry 561.385.6424 (West Palm Beach) dancurry@bellsouth.net

Schools/Instruction

Condos/Apts. For Rent

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales RECYCLING PARTS, shells, electronics, furniture, more. Best buys! 1201 North Lime Avenue. Call Billy, 941-809-0934.

Merchandise Wanted LOOKING FOR memorabilia items, photos, etc. from the old Summer House restaurant on Siesta Key. Contact Jim, 262-510-3375 or E-mail info. to: jschlesing@gmail.com

Announcements 800-431-4635 MONEY PROBLEMS? Guaranteed help now. Free Call 24/7.

ORGANIST/ PIANIST AVAILABLE to substitute for church services. Please call 941-727-5512.

Recreation

EXCITING NEWS! We're building a Waldorf-inspired TUITION - FREE Charter School Please fill out the survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZTMCVRB right away, or call Joe Savage at 926-8591. We need to demonstrate sufficient interest by June 14, 2011 in order to proceed.

Storage STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer.

Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area. 941-809-3660, 941-809-3662

Help Wanted Homemakers/ Companions CNA’S/ HHA’S You Can Make a Difference. Help seniors stay independent. We provide: non medical care, personal care, meals, light housekeeping, transportation & companionship.

Flexible hours available- F/T, P/T, Overnight, Weekends and Live-In. Positions available in Sarasota/ Bradenton/ Venice. To work now fax resume to 941-929-7438 or email: joanieck@comcast.net

THE OBSERVER LP # 56740

Go online 24/7 to Go place your ad in online Go online24/7 24/7 ThetoObserver Classifieds place your adadinin to place your TheThe Observer Classifieds Observer Classifieds

www.yourobserver.com www.yourobserver.com www.yourobserver.com Your source for local Classifieds LV1238

Ready When You Are – Classified Ads, The Way to Sell Ready When You Are – Classified Ads, The Way to Sell Ready When You Are – Classified Ads, The Way to Sell

LV1238 LV1238

Your source forlocal localClassifieds Classifieds Your source for

Positions Wanted

VISUALLY IMPAIRED retired military officer located Bee Ridge/ Cattlemen area. Desires assist for household chores, errands and friendly, reliable companionship. P/T flexible hours. Please call Herb. 341-0908.

1BR CONDO with garage, lake view, gated community. Furnished or unfurnished. $1050-$1125 per month. 941-706-1948 1BR/1BA: IMMACULATELY clean, nicely furnished, pool, tennis court, walk to shops, near downtown. No pets. $625/mo. annual.

Assigned parking. Water, sewer, pest control included. 941-374-3401.

SIESTA KEY. Bayfront, super view top floor, furnished, oversized 2BR/2BA, enclosed lanai. All amenities with boat dock available.

Steps to beach. Annual or monthly, $1500.

941-383-1909.

This week’s crossword answers

THE OBSERVER LP # 56733

17A

SARASOTA Observer

THE SARASOTA OBSERVER YourObserver.com Thursday, June 2, 2011

2A Classifieds

www.yourobserver.com

Condos/Apts. For Rent

Condos For Sale

Adult Care Services

Personal Services

DOWNTOWN- 2/1, bayview, large lanai, no pets/ smoking. By owner/ agent. $950 month. 941-914-1759. Available late June

SIESTA KEY. Gulfside, Jamaica Royale garden apartment #76, furnished, 2BR/2BA, ceramic tile, great rental. $479,000. Owner, 847-927-7008.

COMPLETE IN-HOME PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE is available through ElderCare Services Unlimited.

Companionship/ caregiving, medical and non-medical, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation. Medicare/ Medicaid affiliated. 3 hours to 24/7. Lic. #30211372 Bonded/Insured.

941-377-4465, Eldercaresarasota.com

YOUR PERSONAL BOOKKEEPER, LLC Gail Sunray, Owner

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

FIRST LIDO 1900 Ben Franklin. Large 1BR/2BA condo. Gulf view from all windows, No obstruction. Rent for 6 months or longer. $1500. 513-541-1135.

HIDDEN LAKES: Studio, immaculate, balcony, pool, tennis courts, weight room, sauna. $595/mo. annual. No pets. 374-3401.

Condos For Sale

Homes For Rent DOWNTOWN - Across from park. 2BR/1BA $750 mo. + security. No smoking. NO PETS. Garage for storage. 941-955-7693 or 941-586-5672 GATED 2BR/2BA +Office, Living Room, Great Room, fully furnished (Ethan Allen), caged pool. Verizon Fios Internet & HDTV, security system & lawn service included. $2200/month. 941-918-4488

LUXOR MHP $425mo-1 bed/bath mobile homes.

55+ community. No Pets.

5811 14th St. W. Bradenton.

Sarasota Real Estate Assoc, Inc. Greg Nowak 941-809-6034 DOWNTOWN SARASOTA BAYFRONT GULF VIEWS. DOUBLE UNIT - REGENCY HOUSE - 435 GULFSTREAM AVE. 3330+ sq.ft. living area with split 2-3BR/3BA. Totally remodeled, parquet floors, granite kitchen, walk-in closets, office/den with built-ins. Hurricane shutters, a 180 degree view of the keys and the Gulf. A must see unit. Steps to downtown activities and restaurants. Price reduced. RON STAHL REALTY, 941-374-1671.

Riverfront Condo with dock at your back door! Central Sarasota Location $320,000

Homes For Sale SARASOTA HOMES & CONDOS One Site for All Your Needs!

Property Search Homes - Condos - Golf Communities Short Sales - Foreclosures www.LarrySellsSarasota.com LARRY BRZOSTEK RE/MAX Alliance Group.

941-993-3125

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals LBK: TIFFANY Plaza Beachfront Condos, 1st floor, 2BR/2BA, walk out to beach.

Beautifully furnished, heated pool, covered parking. 1 mo. min. 941-383-3338.

2BR/2.5BA with 2 car garage, 1583 SF Walk off your deck & onto your boat!

Direct access to ICW. Impeccable property, perfect condition. Priced to sell fast.

Harold Lasky 941-780-8514 Prudential Lakewood Ranch

HaroldLasky@gmail.com

PRIVATE DUTY HOME CARE Licensed Practical Nurse, Insured, experienced, for full or part time. Your cherished one deserves extra special attention and compassion. Geriatric, respite care, cleaning, meals, errands, caregiver relief.

Call 941-928-4611 or email: PrivateDutyHome@aol.com

Say You Saw it in

I come to your home or office.

 Bill Paying & Account Reconciliation  Organizing Personal and Business Files  Budgets & Financial Reports  Federal and State Tax Returns BONDED & INSURED Over 25 yrs. experience Telephone: 941-749-5646 yourbookkeeper@tampabay.rr.com

Cleaning

Pressure Cleaning

A CLEANING EVEN YOUR MOTHER-INLAW WILL APPROVE! Every time, guaranteed! Licensed/Insured. Bonded. www.CleanTimeServices.com Pamela, 941-320-0023.

RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL. Roofs, Pool Areas, Driveways, Lanais, etc. When Quality Counts! 941-565-3935.

CLEANING SERVICE RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL. Professional Service.

Excellent References. Affordable Rates.

Lic./Ins./Bonded. Call 941-284-7466.

24hrs./7 days.

Organizing, bookkeeping, appointments, shopping, etc. Experienced with references.

Call and leave a message 941-321-9615

EDLA’S CLEANING SERVICES: Residential Commercial, New Construction. Meticulous, deep cleaning top to bottom. We Guarantee.

Affordable & Reliable. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Licensed & Insured. 30% off first cleaning. 371-9869.

STEVE ALLEN FLOOR COVERINGS

FREE ESTIMATES! Call Dottie, detailed cleaning. 24 Years Exp. Lic./ Ins. Residential/ Commercial. Dottie, 941-321-6645.

Professional Services ***PERSONAL ASSISTANT***

Tile

PROFESSIONAL TILE & MARBLE INSTALLATION 20 YRS. EXPERIENCE CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE 726-1802 LIC/ INS

Home Improvement/ Remodeling WATER HEATERS, faucets and small plumbing repairs. Reasonable rates. License #CFC1426756. 941-737-0349.

O

PALM AIRE. Fabulously furnished 2BR/2BA condo. Screened lanai, golf views, W/D, community pool, carport. $1400 through $2500. Inquire: Eileen, 732-740-9398.

Personal & Business Bookkeeping Accounting/ Taxes

Painting/Wallpapering

CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing.

Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

We make it easy for you to place your classified ad

Online 24/7 www.yourobserver.com or call 941.955.4888

Your source for local Classifieds

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THE SARASOTA OBSERVER Thursday,YourObserver.com June 2, 2011

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ACCOUNTING

COMPUTER

HANDYMAN Frustrated depending on unreliable servicemen?

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

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SARASOTA Observer

20A

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

Great Expectations

Some are sure it has. Others that it hasn’t. On one thing, however, the experts are in total accord. While at the very least it is close at hand, we will never know for sure that our real estate market has truly bottomed until several months after it already has.

Well-informed buyers, in the meantime, are in no mood to wait while the experts split hairs and historically low interest rates are given the chance to rise. Moreover, the economy is improving, jobs are more secure, unemployment is declining, manufacturing is up; and pent-up housing demand has been on the back burner for way too long. Most significantly, buyer expectation of tremendous value in today’s prices has been met to such a degree by enough sellers that ours is frequently recommended to both buyers and investors alike as one of the nation’s most value-laden markets.

With property sales at a one-year high as inventories fall to a six-year low, buyers new to the process can master the learning curve much faster by drawing a few lessons from those who’ve bought most recently. They would tell you that to save time and avoid disappointment it’s wise to align your expectations to our fast-changing market from day one of your property search.

Here are some key suggestions for doing just that: Step 1: Even if you’ve purchased a home several times before, take time to review the entire process with your real estate agent. By doing so, you’ll

learn where today’s stumbling blocks to a smooth and successful closing are most often waiting to trip you up. Become familiar with a contract too; so that you are prepared to write one as soon as you find the right property.

Step 2: The best-priced properties are selling fast, with the most desirable increasingly on the receiving end of multiple, competitive offers. If you are unsure whether a property is priced correctly, consult with your agent to find out. Waiting for additional price reductions—or making too low an offer—could cause you bitter regret if a property “with your name on it” sells to a better-informed, faster-acting buyer.

Step 3: In conjunction with Step 2, ask your agent to review the latest statistics on actual property sales within your desired neighborhood and/or price range. For example, there’s been a tremendous amount of hoopla attending the number of additional bank-owned properties that are said to be coming before the foreclosure crisis subsides. Currently, the average foreclosure is being bound to contract within 26 days by buyers who are well-versed on the market and ready to pounce on every new opportunity.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. This may not seem like a much of a hurdle if your credit, income and employment histories are solid and unassailable. But overly-cautious lenders stung during the downturn are all-too-frequently causing many a worthy transaction to unravel. Plus, that you are pre-approved for a mortgage often adds to your negotiating leverage once a seller realizes you can not only afford the property you are bidding

on; but can also close on it.

Step 5: Discuss the process of home inspections and appraisals with your agent. These are two additional stumbling blocks to a smooth and successful closing in today’s market. In the event of a bad inspection or lowball appraisal, discuss with your agent what your next steps with the seller should be.

Step 6: Don’t invest yourself too emotionally into any one property.

Instead, discuss a back-up plan with your agent in the event that your first choice fails to materialize. That way you won’t spend too much time “mourning the loss” and will be prepared to move forward on your next priority property.

Step 7: If you are still months (or even years) away from purchasing, use the time you have to better familiarize yourself with the area while keeping abreast of the market and its fast-changing nuances.

Step 8: Realize that every major purchase often results in a modicum of “buyer’s remorse” shortly after you’ve made such a momentous commitment. It’s a normal reaction. Still, if you’ve taken all the steps outlined above, any such feelings should be fleeting since you’ve not only taken the most studied approach to buying, but have done so in a market where most buyers will be congratulating themselves for years to come once their expectations are met.

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425 Fieldstone Dr $424,900 #N5773106 Nancy Richardson

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Big kid choo-choo

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

by Loren Mayo | Community Editor

Loren Mayo

“There are actually more people living outside of the country who know about this train than people living in Sarasota,” Bob Horne says. “It’s designed for small weddings, business meetings and fashion shows. It’s still a work in progress.”

Off the beaten track Once upon a time, Bob Horne owned a diner chock-full of circus paraphernalia. Now, he’s running a circus train that serves lunch and Sunday brunch, hoping it will one day haul passengers from its home base to various cities and offer everything from circus acts to jazz music.

N

ot even Google maps can give you a good route to the faded red, white and blue railroad car tucked behind Fruitville Road.

Getting to Bob’s Train takes

some work, but it’s part of the fun that surrounds the train-turnedrestaurant’s appeal. Follow the curves of School Avenue north of Fruitville Road, make a hard right after the road bends at Bud-

get Self-Storage, cruise through a half-empty parking lot the size of a football field, continue past a faded, little, pink guard shack and stop just short of a giant warehouse building.

BOB’S TRAIN CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

INSIDE

BACKSTAGE PASS: First-time filmmaker / 4

Black Tie THE SOCIAL OBSERVER

Republican Club of Sarasota County’s Lincoln Day Dinner. 7

Mike Haridopolos and Chuck Volkert

EDIBLES Lee Roy Selmon’s / 5

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THURSDAY, june 2, 2011

COVER STORY

BOB’S TRAIN from 1 On the left, beneath the hunter-green awning laced with dangling gold stars, whose shadows shift on the ground whenever the wind catches them, is the main entrance to the train — your destination.

The train, as you might suspect, sits on top of real train tracks. The dining area is so squeaky clean you could eat a hamburger off the navy carpet without thinking twice.

Standing behind the bar is the owner and chef, Bob Horne. It’s Monday afternoon and he’s long since wrapped up breakfast and lunch and is relaxing in his usual attire — a blue button-down with the sleeves rolled up, which he says complements his blue eyes, and If you go black pants. A halfBob’s Train consumed bottle of is open for Beck’s rests next to lunch from him on the counter, 11:30 a.m. to signaling that the 2 p.m. Monday day’s work is offithrough Friday cially done. and for brunch If you lived in from 10:30 Sarasota five years a.m. to 2 p.m. ago, then you’ve Sundays. It’s definitely heard of located at Horne. If you ever 2211 Fruitville visited Bob’s Place Road, in in the Rosemary Sarasota.

District, you’d remember him and his extensive collection of circus photographs and posters plastered on the diner’s walls. Whether you tasted it or just heard about it, you’d recall his cream of skunk soup and beaver tails. (Don’t worry: Neither dish is made with real skunk or beaver.)

The red, white and blue “bar car” of Bob’s Train was originally a New York day coach that housed back-to-back seats for its trips from New York to Boston. When Amtrak took over the rails and began buying new rolling stock, it was sent to the Vandenberg Airport, in Tampa, and it used to take work crews out to missile launch sites. Horne purchased the bar car and two other cars — the utility car and a main dining car — from the Ringling Bros. Circus in 2005. At the time, the cars were compartmentalized with tiny rooms, similar to military barracks, in which families lived. They were last used during the circus’ 2004 blues show.

“When I was teaching at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, the thought was always, ‘If I had a chance to play with trains ... ’ This (train) is 345 feet long right

Loren Mayo

“This last car will be the main dining car that seats 96 people,” Bob Horne says. “It has about 400 or more photos of the world of circus and entertainment. I had a bunch of photos in the diner, but not even one-third of what I have here.” now and more than 250 tons — it’s a pretty good-sized toy.”

The utility and main dining cars contain historical photo galleries of famous people, past and present, who have come to Sarasota. They’ve all been involved in music, sports or the circus, but mostly the circus. There’s a photo of Pope John Paul II receiving his circus top hat and diploma as a circus ringmaster from The Rev. Jerry Hogan. There’s a drawing of John Ringling as a clown at age 18, as well as a photograph of the inaugural performance of the Ringling Circus Oct. 28, 1928, at Central Avenue and 11th Street.

Along one of the walls, Marilyn Monroe can be seen riding an elephant painted pink just for her.

“This is no longer my train,” Horne says, his eyes scanning the walls. “This is a museum, and it’s ending up being owned by the people of Sarasota. I get to play the ham, which is not difficult for me, because I’m a well-cured ham.”

Getting the train up and running has taken longer than Horne thought would be necessary. However, the original concept — a dinner train that runs from Sarasota to Tampa and to Gainesville, Raymond James Stadium and Jacksonville

PRIZED POSSESSION In addition to Bob’s train, Horne’s most prized piece of history is JOMAR — John and Mable Ringling’s private train car that he’s restoring.

Whenever Horne gives tours of the train, he likes to tell the stories of the Ringling’s travels aboard JOMAR. “I moved JOMAR down the street at 4 a.m. in 2004,” Horne said. “It weighed 80 tons. I had a police escort in the front and back, and circus fans watching as we set it back on the tracks.”

When Horne acquired the train, it was rusted through, and the roof was in deplorable shape.

Homeless people had broken into it and been living in it and under it, and anything of value had been stolen for scrap or burned.

Horne plans to return it to its original 1917 state and having the capability of hosting private parties and dinners. As Horne’s way of giving back to the community, JOMAR will become an auction item for organizations to raise money by offering nights on the car for up to three couples. for football games, which he’s gotten approval for through Amtrak — excites him.

“The most fun will be costume-party nights when we have 400 guests and staff dressed to the nines in period costume

from the 1880s and 1920s,” Horne says.

“The trolleys will meet the train and take everyone to the art galleries in downtown Tampa for a private champagne reception.”

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THURSDAY, june 2, 2011

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COLUMN

art scene HEARD

by Heidi Kurpiela and Loren Mayo

+ ‘Ghost-Writer’ scribe makes a case for hyphens

working for months without my presence, and then I show up at the end and see the fruits of their Playwright Michael Hollinger labor.” made a guest appearance May In addition to attending a per19, at Florida Studio Theatre, to formance of the show, Hollinger, discuss his latest work, “Ghosta professor at Philadelphia’s Writer,” which closes FST’s mainVillanova University, parstage season this weekticipated in a Q&A sesend. sion with audience memDuring his whirlwind bers and a brainstorming 24 hours in Sarasota, tête-à-tête with theater Hollinger, whose critiinterns. cally acclaimed “Opus” It turns out the writer’s ran during the company’s calculated decision to 2008-2009 season, hyphenate “Ghost-Writer” dined with co-producers didn’t go unnoticed by of the play, along with Courtesy photo discerning FST interns.

“Ghost-Writer” Director Asked why he opted Michael Hollinger Kate Alexander. for a hyphen in the title, The 49-year-old writer Hollinger replied, “It admits that although he rarely gets suggests the dual nature of the to meet the people who present ghostwriter in the play.” his plays, the connection is still To see what he means by this “weirdly intimate.” cryptic explanation, check out “My collaborators are usually so “Ghost-Writer” before it wraps June far-flung, especially this late in the 4. For tickets, visit www.floridasturun,” Hollinger says. “They’ve been diotheatre.org.

HOT TICKETS ‘Marilyn: Forever Blonde’:

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The play features 17 songs by songwriters from Irving Berlin to Harold Arlen that were all performed by Monroe in her films and are used to help explain her provocative journey. Opening night is at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Asolo Rep’s Mertz Theatre, 555 N. Tamiami Trail.

Performances start at 8 p.m. and run Wednesday through Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinee performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Tickets are $17 to $65. For more information, call the box office at 351-8000.

Courtesy photo

Sunny Thompson as Marilyn Monroe

+ Booker Middle spends a night at the Met For the past few weeks, 35 students from Booker Middle School have immersed themselves in Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.”

Nose in book, they’ve studied the story of the opera, learned the arias of the characters, explored Verdi’s life and documented their

work through journal writing, photographs and video.

The students, who are enrolled in creative writing and visual performing-arts chorus classes at BMS, attended the HD simulcast of “Il Trovatore” from the Metropolitan Opera Wednesday,

May 18, at Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20. They kicked off the evening with an Italian meal at Mediterraneo.

The program is a pilot of The Met: HD Live in Schools, which transmits opera performances live from the Met stage to students.

+ WBTT goes digital with donation The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will be able to ditch its antiquated computer hardware and purchase all sorts of cool, techy devices thanks to a $10,000 grant from The Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

The grant will enable the troupe to communicate seamlessly with each other, and the staff, via new computers, network office computers and provide Internet access at the theater, which will allow for credit card processing.

Courtesy photo

Booker Middle Schoolers attend the HD simulcast of “Il Trovatore.”

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4 ■ Diversions

BACKSTAGE PASS

THURSDAY, june 2, 2011

by Loren Mayo | Community Editor

First-time filmmaker One Sarasota resident is having a sidesplitting time producing a comedy, ‘The Lon Chaney Thing.’

You’d never in a million years picture Mark Troy as a mobster-goon-muscle-guy.

But that’s the exact role he landed for his first film gig two years ago, when a group of college students from the University of Tampa hired him for their film, “The Source.”

“I was Goon No. 3,” says Troy as he props his arm on the nearest pillow of his cushiony couch. He still looks like anything but a mean mobster. “They picked me because I looked kind of heavy built, and I can make a mean face if I have to. I didn’t have any lines — and I was thrilled with that.”

“The Source” helped Troy branch off into other arenas. He graduated from acting in student films and moved up to independent productions with seasoned professionals.

When Troy was 13 years old, he took to his neighborhood with his parents’ 8mm camera, making movies that ranged from science fiction and horror to comedies.

But he knew pursuing filmmaking as a career wasn’t an option, so he put it on the back burner, set his sights on college and entered the corporate world.

Two years ago, after spending 20 years in financial services, Troy knew the timing was right for him to reunite with his longtime passions — acting and filming. Wanting to take some professional lessons, he signed up for standup comedy classes at McCurdy’s Humor Institute, which went nothing like he expected. He bombed.

“At first, they have it set up so that a

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Film faves Jack Nicholson — “He was especially great as R.P. McMurphy in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’ He had a big impact on me.”

Jerry Lewis — “You either love him or hate him, but you can’t beat him for over-the-top comedy. I always liked his solo stuff more than his films with Dean Martin.”

Buster Keaton and Lon Chaney Sr. — “Two true masters from the 1920s.

Keaton owned physical comedy and Chaney, of course, ‘The Man of a Thousand Faces.’”

Loren Mayo

“The most fun I had in a role was playing Clint in ‘Sometimes Called Falling in Love,’” Mark Troy says. “He was this egotistical guy going on a blind date, and I ended up faking this overthe-top Southern accent and had camera guys laughing so hard they couldn’t even look at me.” friendly little audience comes in when you give standup, but after that, it’s miserable,” Troy says. “It’s a whole different thing trying to do your own thing with jokes you think are funny, and you’re trying to deliver and there’s dead silence. I still do standup, but only when I’m feeling masochistic and think I need some punishment.”

Troy did 10 to 12 films during his first year acting, but when work started to space out, he started making his own films here and there, but they were more for humor than anything else. One night while watching “Man of One Thousand

Faces” with his significant other, Patricia Woodruff, the two started blurting out silly movie ideas.

“It’s about the life of Lon Chaney, a superstar from 1920s silent movies, who had the ability to transform himself physically into anything you could imagine — grotesque people, women, the Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Troy says. “We thought it would be funny if I made a film of me being a bad Lon Chaney, someone who wants to be a master of disguises but isn’t good at it at all.”

So that’s what Troy did. His first task was

finding someone with the right equipment and a good sense of humor — someone who would see the silliness in the film.

He contacted Joel Godin, of Venice, who happily agreed to co-produce the film and direct the photography. He then tracked down the actors: David Vogel, Sarasota actors Sage Hall and Patrick McCall, and John Smith, who is appearing in the upcoming Robert Redford feature, “The Conspirators.” They started filming May 14 and shot scenes at the HuB, Broadway Bar and L Train, in St. Petersburg.

“This thing is way bigger than me and Patricia filming each other with a flip camera,” Troy says. “Playing (the character of) Mark is a blast, because he’s silly, dumb and doesn’t think about the consequences.

He’s a piece of my alter ego, a goofy child.”

In the film, viewers will see three episodes of Troy’s character trying out newfound methods of expressing himself. One method gets him fired, another gets his wife all fired up and the third finds him physically hurt.

“He does get a victory, but it’s despite his efforts, not because of them,” Troy says.

“Ever since we finished the scenes, everybody has told me to, ‘Please hurry and finish it up,’ because they can’t wait to see it.”

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by Molly Schechter | Food Editor

Lee Roy Selmon’s: ‘more than barbecue’ RECIPE

SELMON’S CHOPPED SALAD Yield: one serving

Photos by Molly Schechter

2 cups mixed lettuces, chopped 2 tablespoons red cabbage, chopped 2 tablespoons carrots in matchsticks or shredded 1 tablespoon corn kernels 2 tablespoons cooked bacon, chopped 2 tablespoons red peppers, diced 2 tablespoons tomatoes, diced 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese, grated 5 ounces cooked chicken breast (one breast), chopped finely 1 1/2 ounces honey mustard dressing 1 ounce potato sticks, optional Chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

In a mixing bowl, add lettuce mix, veggies, bacon, cheese and chicken, and toss well with a pair of tongs. Add dressing, and toss evenly to coat.

Mound mixed salad from the mixing bowl high in a salad bowl. Pile potatoes sticks high in the center of the salad.

Sprinkle chopped herb over the salad and serve immediately.

Lee Roy Selmon’s Matt Thomas a busy place. They served 1,238 covers on Mother’s Day; they expect to do that many or more on Father’s Day. It’s no surprise that Valentine’s Day is also a big one.

Thomas has been in the restaurant business 28 years. He started on the grill in the kitchen at Ruby Tuesday and has been with Lee Roy Selmon’s for 10 years. Chef Mike Koertgen is in charge of the kitchen, including the menu’s daily specials.

Selmon’s is a sports bar with a huge bar, lots of big-screen TVs and enthusiastic watchers but without the slightest hint of the grunge that sometimes characterizes the category. At the same time, it is a family restaurant that also does a healthy volume of business lunches. Most of all, Selmon’s is unique to Florida. Thomas says that arriving snowbirds make it one of their first stops. “(They want) Florida staples — what they don’t get a home,” he says.

RECIPE

SELMON’S FRIED GREEN TOMATOES Yield: one appetizer serving 6 to 8 green tomato slices, 1/4-inch thick, cut in half Flour Egg wash Cracker breading (unsalted saltine-type crackers crushed and mixed with flour) Oil for deep frying Green tomato sauce: mayonnaise seasoned to taste with horseradish and Creole mustard.

Toss the tomato slices in flour until coated completely.

Shake off excess flour.

Dip tomato slices into egg wash and evenly coat. Toss tomatoes in the cracker breading until well coated.

Heat oil to 350 degrees and fry slices for three minutes.

Remove and pat with a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Plate with a ramekin of green tomato sauce in the center, and garnish with chopped parsley.

Editor’s note: Egg wash typically consists of one to two tablespoons of water or milk per egg, lightly beaten.

This makes a generous appetizer serving.

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The quote comes from Matt Thomas, the managing partner of this big, friendly place located in University Park. While its signature dishes include the likes of pulled pork, Mama’s meatloaf and wings, the menu is unusually broad. Appetizers range from ahi tuna to cheese fries, and entrées range from citrus-glazed salmon to Hall of Fame ribs. Predictably, there’s a kids menu; less so, there’s a list of everything that’s gluten-free, including a beer — a nice touch.

Named for the famous No. 63 of the Tampa Bay Buccaners, Lee Roy Selmon’s presently numbers six restaurants, two in Tampa and one each in Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Fort Myers and Bradenton. A seventh is set to open in January in Palm Harbor. The Sarasota store seats 220 indoors and out (yes, there is an outdoor area where smoking is allowed). It can be

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THURSDAY, june 2, 2011

REVIEW

Music Without Leif

57369

>> Life

Another swell season begins at

Mic hael’s On Eas t

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Sarasota Orchestra’s Leif Bjaland Leif Bjaland is leaving. The announcement that the Sarasota Orchestra’s artistic director and conductor was departing sent shockwaves around the city, but when you think about it for a bit, it really doesn’t come as that much of a surprise.

Bjaland came in 1997 to Sarasota and took over an orchestra that had been under the leadership of Paul Wolf for decades.

Wanting to make his mark on the ensemble, the newcomer slowly etched away at the ranks of musicians, molding them to the sound he wanted and replacing those ready for retirement with a retinue of young, eager, facile instrumentalists.

The repertoire began to change, too.

Commissions were made for new composers to write works specially created for the Sarasota sound. Music that hadn’t made an appearance on a program for many years, if ever, began popping up on Masterworks concerts. Multi-media presentations crept in, illustrating, enlightening and entertaining audiences. And the “showman” side of Bjaland came out in its full glory, speaking, explaining, illumining and cajoling listeners to open their ears, sit up straighter and experience the new along

with the enduring.

The orchestra members were sitting up straighter, too. They were taking tremendous pride in their work because they were being given the opportunity to play, not only as a well-oiled ensemble, but also as soloists and chamber musicians.

Bjaland became an innovator. His “Journeys to Genius” programs illuminating the life of a particular composer or style through music, commentary and videos are nothing short of genius in themselves.

Innovator, orchestra-builder, clear, concise, emotional and inspirational conductor, Bjaland has brought a lot to Sarasota in more than 15 years. But, whether it was his idea to leave or whether it was a mutual decision or, perhaps, a misguided judgment from a well-intentioned board, it probably is time for a change — for all parties. Moving from here can only stimulate growth: for Bjaland, the orchestra and us.

The next two seasons should be fascinating. Let’s hope those making the choice are wise enough to look for someone who will build on the road Bjaland’s paved.

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CAMERA READY

Molly Schechter’s Birthday Party

Monday, May 23 | Michael’s On East Wine Cellar

Photos by Emily Walsh Parry

Nikki Seddaca, B.J. Creighton, Janet Hunter, Gloria Moss and Vicki Rollo

Molly Schechter and her sister, Sara Alexander

Lee Peterson, Betty Schoenbaum and Jewel Ash

Flori Roberts and Flora Major

Claire Love, Renee Sheade, Rosalie Krone

Photos by Stephanie Hannum

Beverly and Ray Broth with Frank and Barbara Hodalski

Lincoln Day Dinner Jennifer Retzer and state Rep. Greg Steube

Republican Party of Sarasota County Wednesday, May 25 | Michael’s On East

Drs. Jacqueline and Thomas Kelly

Debby and Burt Rosenfield

Steve and Inna Snyder with Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos

Guest speaker Sen. Rick Santorum and Joe Gruters

8 ■ Diversions

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Large Mstr BR w/sitting area. A3940371 Wellman/ • Learn the pros and cons of both Moffatt 923-1813 $299,000 Harbor Towers Light & bright, lovely For moreSiestainformation and directions: 2BR/2BA condo with newly re-modeled kitchen & new applivisit www.PruLWR.com or call 941-907-2000 ances. Gulf & pond views. A3940583 Mitchell Team 586-1754

$2,200,000 Longboat Key $1,100,000 Sorrento Shores 1 acre directly on Gulf, 100ft of beachfront.

One full acre, almost 200’ of waterfront , One-of-a-kind bay front lot.

A379491 Owner/agent 586-40528 A3941211 Rayman/Tan 504-9232

$595,000 Key Royale Home/ investment, Spacious floor plan, Private golf course.

A3941626 Michael Renick 400-8735

$599,000 Mainland Bayfront Near Downtown! Remodeled home & Pool, Dock.

A3935420 Linda A. Page 504-0123 K $95 ced Redu

$699,500 Beaches of Longboat Key Bay, golf, city & Gulf views. Fabulous complex. Furnished.

A3929329 Mark Huber 356-2435

941-926-7000 ~ Over 5,000 listings on our website: PrudentialPalmsRealty.com Offices to conveniently serve you including: Downtown Sarasota Lakewood Ranch ~ Longboat Key ~ Siesta Key ~ St. Armands Circle ~ Osprey

Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty and Prudential Palms Realty are sister companies serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties. © 2011. An independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license.

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