Diversions 7.31.14

Diversions YourObserver.com

HOME

Turquoise treasure on the bay PAGE 6

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

FOOD

The scoop on cool ice cream tools PAGE 9

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT | STAYIN’ ALIVE

BLACK TIE Hot Flash: Wild Little Comfies PAGE 10

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

STORIED TURNAROUND

Mallory Gnaegy

Howard Millman lounges on Banyan Theater Company’s “The Sty of the Blind Pig” set in the Cook Theatre — a stage with which he’s extremely familiar.

Director Howard Millman prepares to open Banyan Theater Company’s ‘Collected Stories.’

The man who saved Asolo Repertory Theatre from closing twice has a few stories of his own.

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: STAYIN’ ALIVE

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor (continued from page 1)

STORIED TURNAROUND Director Howard Millman prepares to open Banyan Theater Company’s ‘Collected Stories.’ The man who saved Asolo Repertory Theatre from closing twice has a few stories of his own.

Courtesy photos

Clockwise from top left: Sharon Spelman and Howard Millman act in “The Sisters Rosensweig” (photo by James Fry); Millman directs a cast on stage at the Mertz Theatre; Millman poses in front of an old armory remodeled into Geva Theatre in 1985.

Socks

Apparel

Men’s & Women’s

Kid’s Shoes

H

oward Millman sits comfortably in the lobby of Asolo Repertory Theatre.

It’s where he spent two stints and more than 23 years at the helm of the theater as managing director and producing artistic director. But he’s retired from running a theater these days — “Thank god,” he says.

Now, he advises Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe from the board of directors, and guest directs shows around the region.

August 7 marks the opening night of his most recent play direction, and his first for Banyan Theater Company, “Collected Stories.”

Millman directed “Collected Stories” for the first time in 2000.

It was on the same Cook Theatre stage as it is now, but last time it was for Asolo Rep. “It was 14 years ago,” he says with a chuckle. “I barely remember it.”

To be fair, it was just one of approximately 160 productions under his reign at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

He remembers it was, and still is, a well-written play. It’s about a relationship between a famous writer and her promising, young master student, and it describes the development and dangers of that dynamic. All with a triedand-true takeaway: Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.

Although Millman’s recollection of that play is a little foggy, he has collected many great memo-

Casual & Fashion Quality collections for women featuring

Bags

shoes, handbags, jewelry, and more!

WEEKEND SALE (941) 921-1221

STORE WIDE SAVINGS OF 20%–50% OFF OFFERING SHOES FOR KIDS & ADULTS

LET OUR FIT SPECIALISTS GUIDE YOU TO THE PERFECT SHOES & APPAREL

941.921.3696

www.nbsarasota.com

Join our mobile text club for exclusive offers.

Text NB to 71441.

1872 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, FL 8204 Tourist Center Dr., University Park, FL

ENJOY this offer now through September 30

10 OFF $50

$

CODE: NOBTN4

On all regular priced items. Expires September 30, 2014. Exclusions Apply.

Cannot be combine with other offers or promotions.

146871

*Tax Free offer is for all shoes $100 and under qualify. ALONG with our entire inventory of socks, apparel and most accessories based on Florida Department of Revenue Guidelines

(sizes Infant to 20 & widths 6A to 4E) A perfect time to buy items for Everyone!

No SALES TAX* on select items means great savings.

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

3

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT ries that are a little more, well, memorable. Howard Millman loves to tell stories — that’s why he enjoys theater.

“Sometimes I take an hour in rehearsal just telling stories,” he says.

His career is full of them, as you could expect with a career saving theaters from going under.

The first time he saved Asolo Rep (he’s saved it twice) is when he started there in 1968 as the managing director. His mentor and the first executive director of the theater, Richard Fallon, took him under his arm and said, “I’m so glad you’re here. We’re $250,000 in debt and may not open our doors in the fall.”

Millman took the last $12,000 from the Asolo Theater Festival association, a support group, and stretched it as far as it could go to make it work. The theater managed to open its doors that season, and it was able to slowly turn the debt around. Millman left in 1980.

“I was an artist supporting another artist’s work,” he says of his decision. “I was never in charge of what the artistic side looked like — it wasn’t enough to feed my soul.”

But, in 1995, he had the opportunity to come back as the producing artistic director and wear both a financial and artistic hat.

That brought about the second opportunity to save the theater.

Digging out of debt

In 1995, Asolo Repertory Theatre was $2 million in debt.

People thought it was hopeless and Millman was crazy for stepping in.

But he still had friends there; it was a personal connection and a theater company in which he believed.

You could say Burt Reynolds d of the muhelped him solve in the ‘70s in the courtyar an llm Mi the first million of debt. When Mill- seum On the line man came back, he Millman got used to people learned Asolo Repertory Theatre was suing Reynolds, who had thinking he was crazy. When pledged $1 million to support Millman wanted to open Asolo the theater, and had only paid Repertory Theatre’s 1996-97 season with “Nicholas Nickelby” $100,000.

This was all unbeknownst to — David Edgar’s adaption of the Florida State University (the Charles Dicken’s novel — people school that funded the building thought he was nuts.

“Nicholas Nickelby,” he exin which the company operates).

Reynolds was a former FSU foot- plains, is a production that has ball player and famed graduate a huge magnitude scenically and — an alumnus the school want- for the number of characters it requires. It’s a complicated and ed to keep in good standing.

Well, $900,000 was exactly the difficult show for any theater debt Asolo Repertory Theatre — especially one that had just owed in student tuition to FSU. barely climbed out of a $2 milSo, Millman said if the school lion debt. “(Arts writer) Charlie Husking forgave the theater’s debt, he’d trade the school the actor’s debt thought it would take the theater under,” Millman says. “He to do with it what it would.

The other million came from thought I was risking everything Sarasota Ballet, which was look- on that play — and I guess I was.”

In response to an article Husking for a home of its own. In a deal approved by Millman, the ing wrote, Asolo Rep regulars ballet put in the money to oper- and local wags started referring ate inside the other half of the to the production as “Howard’s End” (after the 1992 film based building.

I wanted to remind people of what Asolo Repertory Theatre was — we did plays of size, color and of incident.

– Howard Millman

on E.M. Forester’s novel). Millman thought otherwise.

“I wanted to remind people of what Asolo Repertory Theatre was — we did plays of size, color and of inMillman and his wife, Carolyn cident,” he says.

The reminder turned out tremendously well.

Even Husking gave it a favorable review. It wasn’t yet Howard’s, or Asolo Rep’s, end.

When he left in 1960 — be‘Collected Stories’ by cause “I was 75-years-old and it Donald Margulies was time,” he says — the theater When: Opens 8 p.m. Thurshad an $800,000 surplus. day, Aug. 7. Runs through “My whole career has either Aug. 24. been saving theaters or building theaters,” he says. “I didn’t set Where: FSU Center for the out to do that, to set the world on Performing Arts, 5555 N. fire, but I got a huge charge from Tamiami Trail being able to accomplish that.”

IF YOU GO

Cost: Tickets are $28.50

YOUROBSERVER.COM // Visit our website to hear more stories from Howard Millman.

Info: Call 351-2808 or visit banyantheatercompany.com

Bring the whole family and this summer Step out of the heat

And into

WILL TUCKETT’S‘ the ecret garden

S

8 - 16 AUGUST, 2014 24 - 26 OCTOBER, 2014

3979 SOUTH TAMIAMI TRAIL

FSU Center for the Performing Arts

| (941) DIAMOND | DIAMONDVAULTJEWELERS.COM

GIA Cer tified Diamonds | Engagement Rings | Fine Swiss Watches | Custom Design Private Estate Purchasing | Full-Service Repair

The Sarasota Ballet Box Office

145547

146387

941.359.0099 ext. 101 | www.SarasotaBallet.org

4

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS AJC WEST COAST FLORIDA

2014 Summer Lunch & Learn Series Final luncheon of the summer!

Filling up quickly – Reserve your spot today!

T H U R S DAY, AU G U ST 1 4

Rabbi Noam Marans AJC’s Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations

Muslim-Jewish Relations: The Next Interreligious Frontier During the second half of the 20th century, Christian self-reflection led to a transformation

Courtesy photos

in Christian-Jewish relations. Is a new era in

“The Sty of the Blind Pig” runs through Aug. 3, at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Call 351-2808 or visit banyantheatercompany.com for more information.

Muslim-Jewish relations similarly possible in the 21st century?

THEATER

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Michael’s On East, Sarasota Only $25 Per Lecture (Includes Luncheon!)

// ‘Sty of the Blind Pig’

Reservations Required: R.S.V.P. to 941.365.4955 or email: sarasota@ajc.org

Sponsored by

www.ajc.org

147005

West Coast Florida

“A change is going to come,” as Sam Cooke once prophesied. The Banyan Theater’s current production of Phillip Hayes Dean’s “Sty of the Blind Pig” explores a time when it seemed like change would never come.

It’s the story of four African-Americans in Chicago’s South Side in the mid-1950s, just before the civil rights movement catches fire. Like Joyce’s Dubliners, they’re trapped — paralyzed by self-defeating behaviors, racial injustice and the past’s dead hand. The action unfolds in a tidy apartment surrounded by condemned

WE ARE DOWNTOWN

buildings.

Thirty-something Alberta (Kimberly Webb) is still mourning (and questioning God) over an African-American aviator’s fiery fall from God’s heaven — the man she loved but never got around to telling.

She’s an unexploded warhead of anger and sexual frustration, working a humiliating maid’s job, and taking prescribed pills to keep it together. Alberta shares the flat with her mother, Weedy (Cassandra Small), an old-school church lady who goes by the book — the Good Book. Her brother, Doc (Alan Bomar Jones), prefers the Book of Numbers — the kind you bet on. One fine day, Blind Jordan (Ron Bobb-Semple) a wandering blues musician, knocks on the door and shakes things up. He gets close to Alberta. While Weedy is away at a religious convocation

EAT DOWNTOWN

SARASOTA SUMMER DINING Cafe Amici

Come see the hidden Tuscan Treasure

Enjoy Live Jazz Music

La Cucina Regionale Italiana Est. 1995

Early Dinner Duo 2 COURSE ONLY $2590

must be seated by 6:30 pm

Moroccan chef Dylan Elhajoui

Salut!

“puts soul” into “every single piece of food”...notable for “melding distinctive flavors and influences”

443 Burns Court 941.951.0101

LV8630

by Zagat staff, Dec. 2013

5 - 7pm Monday - Saturday

HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS

Bar Bites + Drink Specials

Daily 5 - 6:30 pm

Summer Dinner Specials Lunch: Mon.-Thru Thurs. before 6pm $13 95 plus tax Dinner For Two:

includes salad, entree & select bottle of wine

4995

$

plus tax.

(Limited time, not valid with any other offer)

1371 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236 www.cafeamicisrq.com 941.951.6896

LV8633

Wednesday - Saturday 6:30 to 9:30PM

• New Summer Menu • Happy Hour Daily 4-6pm • Late Night Live Music 10pm-2am

Golden Spoon Award ‘13 Diner’s Choice Award ‘14 WS Award of Excellence ‘14 Top 10 Best Food, Zagat ‘13

1377 Main Street | Sarasota, Florida 941. 951. 6272 | MozaicSarasota.com

1341 Main St • Sarasota • 941.957.0700 • barclasico.com

146862

LV8629

LV8637

1287 1 St. (941) 366 - 8111 www.bijoucafe.net

LV8631

Tampa & Sarasota st

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

5

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT in Montgomery, Ala., he gets very close.

Meanwhile in Montgomery, there’s a bus boycott going on. Weedy prefers old-time religion to this new-fangled activism.

She takes the next train back, and catches Alberta and Blind Jordan in the act.

And nothing is ever the same.

Director Mark Clayton Southers conveys this story with low-key naturalism, occasionally breaking the realism with scenes of hallucinatory intensity, like Alberta’s harrowing flashback to the dead aviator’s funeral. But, usually, the play keeps its feet on the ground. The characters invite you into their home. You can’t help but like them.

Webb puts in an amazing, very physical performance, deftly conveying Alberta’s struggle to keep her passions bottled up inside. Jones is an audience favorite as the witty, sporty, rascally Doc. The Weedy character could be a caricature (the aforementioned church lady); Small’s performance is multilayered and true to the real deal. In Bob Semple’s fine characterization, Blind Jordan is damaged goods, revealing a lifetime of hurt in his default politeness and the tentative way that he walks, moves and reacts. Great acting all around. But the story the actors told didn’t quite work for me.

Verisimilitude isn’t the problem. Dean’s characters are well-drawn and true-to-life — always a good thing in a character-centered play. The conversation has the feel of life; it doesn’t seem scripted so much as recorded. Dean has a good ear for dialect and sub-cultural references. (Doc’s use “chap” and other Southside slang; the religious pun implied in Weedy’s “I don’t have to run for office. I’ve been elected.”)

But the playwright mixed such closely observed realistic details with the mythic figure of the blind prophet.

It’s not an easy mix. In the classic, archetypal, Joseph Campbell-style narrative, the blind seer wanders in — a Tiresias with a guitar, oozing charisma, a natural man, a sexual pied piper. If Dean had fol-

lowed that narrative, you’d understand why Alberta would be drawn to Blind Jordan — and why Weedy would instinctively oppose him. He draws his seductive power from the earth. Her power comes from God. They have to be at war.

I wanted that story. The playwright didn’t want to tell it. Instead of a seductive godman, he created a broken man. Instead of a larger-than-life myth, he wrote a life-sized tale — an accurate, high-resolution vignette from a lost world destroyed by the earthquake of change to come.

That makes it all the more heartbreaking.

— Marty Fugate

// ‘Taking Shakespeare’ According to Harold Bloom, Shakespeare invented the modern concept of what it means to be human. John Murrell’s “Taking Shakespeare” puts that theory to the test on the Florida Studio Theatre stage. The plot, anon …

Murph (Graciany Miranda), a 24-yearold freshman, is on the verge of flunking out. Video games are his delight. Words are his problem, especially Shakespeare’s.

His mother (the dean of the humanities department) sends him for private tutoring sessions with an unnamed “Prof” (Kate Alexander). She’s a female Kingsfield who turns the tumblers of his mushy mind. Her method: a mix of Socratic dialogue and empiricism. (i.e.: the play’s the thing. To grasp the meaning of a scene — play it!)

Prof tosses Murph’s assigned reading (a mish-mash of comedies) and goes straight for “Othello.” Act by act, scene by scene, they hash it out. At first Murph struggles; he’s like a baby Popeye spitting out his spinach. Then he discovers he really likes Shakespeare — and the Bard makes him stronger. Along the way, the details of Prof’s life emerge. Her sweat-the-details approach isn’t the academic flavor of the month. She believes students should be consumed. The administration considers

them consumers — and tries to keep them (and their parents) happy with easily digestible lessons.

“Taking Shakespeare” offers its own set of lessons. Murrell wants you to chew them over, not swallow them whole. Tom Keys’ direction steers clear of didacticism. Murph and Prof feel like two human beings, talking, thinking and interacting. In Keys’ hands, the play never feels like a lecture.

Props also to the props.

Production designers Isabel and “Taking Shakespeare” runs through Aug. 17, at Moriah Curley-Clay nicely conFlorida Studio Theatre, 1247 First St., Sarasota. Call vey Prof’s amazing tolerance for 366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org for more ambiguity with their shabby and information. not-so-genteel set of Prof’s chaotic, book-stuffed, disorganized mental midwifery) a fully human intellect is home. Prof may know her Shakespeare. born. But of course, there’s a cost.

Feng shui? Not so much.

At the end, Murph comes up with an Within this shabby arena, Murph and original interpretation of Iago’s character Prof hash out their lessons like two boxers and motives. (No small thing. The problem circling in the ring. Alexander’s Prof isn’t of Iago is the problem of evil and nothing exactly rude — but she doesn’t suffer fools less.) Prof draws him out about the details gladly. Murph is more fool than not when of the gaming universe of Bandwitch (a she first meets him. Prof wrings the fool out massive, multiplayer game which only of him, and subtly gives you a sense of the exists in the play). Prof doesn’t patrontumblers spinning in her own consciousize — but Murph still wonders about her ness — all the mostly unspoken thoughts, curiosity. We find out that she’s been the ambitions, passions and hurts going on loser of a shabby academic game. The behind her eyes. It’s a tough-minded perproblem of evil exists in this world, too. formance, full of gravitas. Miranda’s Murph And Shakespeare has a solution for that as (an echo of Beckett’s Murphy, I suspect) well. (The answer’s in the scene. We won’t is an unformed mass of potentiality at spoil it.) the start. If he’s a fool, his is the folly of a Let’s just say it’s a painful answer. sleeping mind.

But, thanks to Prof and the Bard, Murph Nobody’s ever pushed him. Prof pushes is a reinvented human being. him. With excellent physical acting and And he can take it. a fine sense of timing, Miranda brilliantly — Marty Fugate conveys the sparks connecting in his mind that result. Sparks of self-consciousness — and a consciousness of the other. All those YOUROBSERVER.COM // ah-ha moments. (Iago is a nihilist, not a Visit our website to read film racist. He’s playing the race card to manipcritic Pam Nadon’s review ulate Roderigo. A-ha!) Murphy wakes up. of “A Most Wanted Man.” Thanks to Shakespeare’s words (and Prof’s

Now oPeN!

Your New Home Awaits... Come See It Today!

N o w o f f e r i N g e a r ly r e s e r vat i o N P r o m o t i o N a l P r i c i N g

Take a tour of our new, state-of-the-art memory care community and enjoy exclusive promotional pricing with your early registration.*

Make a Hassle-Free Move!

We will pick up your furniture

– Created for active living to move you in, or you can enjoy our furniture – Customized rooms and services FREE! – Fresh, personalized dining options – Revolutionary security technology for enhanced safety – The most experienced, highly trained staff

Call today to schedule a tour.

941.444.9398

3251 Proctor Road Sarasota, Florida 34231 info@AutumnALF.com AutumnALF.com

Assisted Living Facility License Pending

*Discount offer valid on all reservations made before August 18, 2014 146895

Designed for life. created for living.™

S TA F F C E R T I F I E D

6

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

// HOME&GARDEN: BRIGHT HUES AND VIEWS

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Assistant Editor

TURQUOISE TOKEN ON THE BAY THE BASICS • New construction, built in 2013 • 4,800 square feet • Two-story home, three-car garage, pebble stone driveway • Elevator • Four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths • Two outdoor showers • Outdoor kitchen • Camera system, home generator, surround sound, electronic shades and curtains, security system and motion LED lighting that is all controlled electronically with an iPad

If you are lucky enough to have a home with water views, it would seem a unanimous want, but hard or impractical to accomplish, to have pristine and unobstructed views from all areas of your home.

However, new Florida residents Jackie and Rick Meckstroth have accomplished just that.

The Meckstroths purchased the lot in 2011 and contacted Murray Homes to go over plans.

“We had a list of what we wanted and we went from there,” says Jackie Meckstroth.

The main request on the list was to get the most out of the view — other requests included lots of windows, an infinity pool, an open layout and a master bedroom on the first floor. The family got just that, and more.

The 4,800-square-foot, two-story home was completed in 2013 and every room has a view.

In 2013, Murray Homes completed the Meckstroths’ Country Club Shores home. It boasts 4,800 square feet and overlooks Sarasota Bay.

TOUR TIME

The home, which was designed with minimal, clean lines, has hints of turquoise scattered throughout.

A light-dark contrast makes up the design of the kitchen — white cabinets and dark leathered granite and dark wood and light granite for the kitchen island and table extension.

The master bedroom is located on the first floor of the home and has spectacular views of the bay.

I love this color, but I didn’t want to go too crazy with it. — Jackie Meckstroth 



A Complimentary Bottle of Wine!

from the Manager’s exclusive selection of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. With this ad & the purchase of two lunch or dinner entrees. (not valid with other coupons or discounts)

tic Most Roumraannt Resta 145635

~AMI Sun

2 Days ONLY... Don’t Miss It!

Fri., August 1st: 9am to 7pm • Sat., August 2nd: 10am to 4pm

Items starting at

1

$ 00

New Covered Deck!

New Menu Items!

Dock and Dine!

By Land...760 Broadway St. • Longboat Key

By Sea... Marker 39 • Intracoastal Waterway

SALE

LBO Offer Expires 8.14.14

383-2391

LBO Wine

Select Oriental Rugs

50

% off

Clothing • Jewelry • Household Items • Furniture & More

146876

Now Serving Raw Oysters on the Half Shell!

It’s Here! Our famous AUGUST

539 S. ORANGE | 941-955-7859 | OPEN MON-FRI 9-4 & SAT 10-4, 1st FRIDAYS TIL 7 PM

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

7

// HOME&GARDEN AN INFINITI POOL & VIEWS

The turquoise-painted wall in the master bathroom brings that added color to the clean, neutral design that Jackie Meckstroth wanted.

Photos by Heather Merriman

The infinity pool was one of the Meckstroths’ main things on their list of wants when building their home.

The second-floor balcony provides beautiful views and seating. The Meckstroths chose the rope wire balcony railing not only as a way to maintain views, but also because it is low maintenance and easy to keep clean.

TURQUOISE TOUCHES

Meckstroth’s interior designer used stone tiles to add interest to the cabinets off the entryway of the home. The neutral stone color also allows for the blue lighting fixtures to pop.

Teal Adirondack chairs on the Meckstroths’ dock carry the turquoise theme outside The dock, which is located on the canal side of the property, has both a 10,000 pound lift and a dual jet-ski lift.

The Meckstroths’ pool area features an outdoor kitchen and a fire pit surrounded by lounge patio seating.

The glass pool tiles in the home’s infinity pool reflect the colors of Sarasota Bay.

CLOSER LOOK: THE LIVING AREA The home has one large living area consisting of the kitchen, a dining room and a family room. This space was designed specifically to avoid obstructing any views. There are no walls or obvious room dividers.

The home’s powder bathroom has many turquoise design elements.

INSET: A typical entertainment center or family room built-in cabinets would greatly obstruct the view the Meckstroths intended to keep open. To combat this challenge, while at the same time adding a subtle room divider, they added a chest in between the family room and dining room areas of the main living space. The flat-screen television retracts back into the cabinet when the family is not watching, providing unhindered views from every area of the first-floor living space.

Café L‘Europe Presents

Passport Tour de Europe

Let’s go to Greece!

Throughout August, we’re taking an epicurean journey to the land of Hellas!

Savor an incredible three-course, prix-fixe menu featuring dishes prepared to please the great gods...

Zeus, Hera, Athena and Apollo!

$40

pp

Includes: choice of starter, entrée and dessert (tax & gratuity not included)

Andrew Vac Your Greek Passport Ambassasdor 141877

There’s only one person who that can represent Greece and Café L’Europe… that is Andrew Vac!

(tax & gratuity not included)

Wine pairings available

141452

Our Sarasota man-about-town was born in Athens, Greece. Dionysus would approve!

8

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

// FOOD&COOKING: HIGHLIGHTS

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Campers get schooled in pastry art Mattison’s Forty-One has hosted a cooking camp for campers ages 11 through 14 for the past four years. It’s so popular the four weeklong camps, which are limited to 15 campers, fill up the first day of signups — there’s always a waiting list.

Peanut Butter Pie Crust ingredients: • 2 ¼ cups vanilla wafers, crushed • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar • ¾ cup melted butter

These pastry camp campers learned to bake — many of them have never baked before. On the last day of the weeklong camp they serve up a meal for their parents to strut their newly acquired skills.

Filling ingredients: • 2 ¼ cups heavy cream • 1 ¼ pounds creamy peanut butter • 1 pounds cream cheese • 2 cups powdered sugar • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

 Back: Jay Piare, Kendall Peacock, Amber Johnson, Ezra Piare, Chef Ray Lajoie, Samantha Schanely, Megan Quinn and Annie Sutherland. Front: Emily Porter, Elvin Dekok, Lucas Nahon, Josh Cohen, Sara McCurry and Hannah McCurry

Method: 1. Combine all ingredients of the crust into a pie pan and bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes and allow to cool.

2. Whip 2 cups of heavy cream to soft peaks, set aside.

3. With a paddle, beat peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth.

4. Add ¼ cup heavy cream, sugar and vanilla.

5. Fold in whipped cream, pour into pie shell. Top with chopped peanuts, whipped cream and melted chocolate.

Courtesy of Chef Paul Mattison, Executive Chef and Proprietor of Mattison’s ® Chef Paul Mattison, 2014

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

 Kendall Peacock places name cards for each of the desserts the campers made  Chef Ray Lajoie shows Jay Piare (left) and Elvin Dekok (right) how to best cut and serve a pie.

In The

Kitchen

™

with Chef Scott & Owner Kay Ann Kropac

 Samantha Schanely prepares bread baskets

Alustra® Duette® Architella® Honeycomb Shades

Pirouette® Window Shades Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

Rebates of $50 to $100 on Motorized Systems

of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals Visit YourObserver.com/InTheKitchen For The Recipe And Video

Restaurant &

June 14-September 15, 2014

Come in and browse our showroom and Hunter Douglas Gallery for a huge selection of blinds, fabrics, draperies, wallcoverings and shutters.

First Place Reader’s Choice 21 Years in a Row!

Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc....Since 1989 4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings 941.925.7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com

Wine Bar

146870

 Sara McCurry presents the butterscotch fudge

* Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for purchases of Hunter Douglas window fashions with the PowerRise® or PowerGlide® motorized system made 6/14/14 - 9/15/14 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. ** Additional equipment is required for app operation; ask for details. ©2014 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas.

116 W. Venice Avenue Venice, FL 3428 5 941-484-1855 cafeveniceonth eisland.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

This Week In Sarasota For a list of local events or to submit your own, visit ThisWeekInSarasota.com/calendar

WATCH THE COOKING VIDEO and GET THE RECIPE Chicken Scaloppine Marengo

DineOriginal.com

143809

/InTheKitchen

music•theater nightlife•blogs trivia•food•drink LV7740

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

// FOOD&COOKING: TOOLS OF THE TRADE

9

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

ICE CREAM CRAZY I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream — especially during summer in Florida.

Here’s the scoop on a few of the coolest ice cream accessories found around town.

Zyliss scoops, from Sur la Table, $8.99

y Courtes

CREAM OF THE CROP This Breville ice cream compressor, from Sur la Table, makes ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet in one hour. $399.

WHERE TO FIND IT Woman’s Exchange 539 S. Orange Ave. 955-7859 As Good As It Gets 49 Palm Ave. 373-1839

Courtesy

GET BOWLED OVER Woman’s Exchange always has sets of colorful drinking glasses and vintage bowls that make the perfect eclectic arrangement for a colorful dinner party. Sets from $7.99 to $11.49 (prices may vary).

GET SAUCED Top a bowl of vanilla with a few tablespoons of this decadent Essense of Fig Puree; $40. Top it off with a brandy-infused, dark-chocolate covered Spanish fig.

Both products found at As Good As it Gets.

PUT IN YOUR BOWL AND EAT IT

Artisan Cheese Co. 1310 Main St. 951-7860 Asparagus 1938 Adams Lane 364-3900 Sur La Table 22 N. Lemon Ave. 365-0380

Chocolate bar, $7.50, and spicy chili caramel, $12, available at Artisan Cheese Co. Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Please, join us for Scallopalooza our annual fundraiser for scallop restoration.

SATURDAY, August 9 At the Sarasota Yacht Club 6pm Cocktail hour - Cash bar 7pm Dinner

85

$

per person includes dinner,

entertainment, and auction. A limited number of group tables are available:

10 persons for $750 8 persons for $650

Register at SarasotaBayWatch.org or call: (941) 232 - 2363 for more info.

143631

146401

Sponsored in part by:

10

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

// BLACK TIE: STYLIN’ BABES

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Assistant Editor

HOT WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE: FLASH

WILD LITTLE COMFIES Cassandra Sawyer saw a need and decided to create a comfortable, yet stylish apparel line for infants. Launching her first collection of Wild Little Comfies on July 14, the photographer-turnedinfant-clothing-designer sold out of the threads in less than a week.

With an Instagram following of more than 3,600, a sold-out line, and the raddest clothes we’ve ever seen, BT got to know more about Sawyer and her Wild Little Comfies.

WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND CREATING WILD LITTLE COMFIES?

Well it started because of a collection of things, but all centered around my photography business, Cassie Leah Photography. Having a newborn studio that is entirely organic friendly, I am always looking for unique and subtle ways to add some interest to my images, without distracting from the newness of the babies.

Without knowing a thing about designing or making clothes, I made a new pant to offer to my clients — in a nutshell that’s how this whole idea started. I wanted to create a brand that’s comfortable enough to sleep in and play in, while still looking “super fly” — adult clothes for tiny humans.

WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO MAKE THIS DREAM A REALITY?

Courtesy photos

I knew the style that I wanted to create, so I began with my logo so I could go ahead and start the branding. It’s really important to remain true to the brand and to remain consistent — to speak to the market and not confuse anyone in the process, as well as not to turn some people off. I’m not making something everyone will love; to me that means it’s not specialized enough.

Then I started looking into different fabric supplies, focusing on the importance of finding a fabric that was eco-friendly, which I found — a 100% organic cotton, bamboo knit and hemp fabric.

The sketching came next. All of the designs I created are very simple and complement everything about the company, from the logo, the marketing fonts, the types of photos and colors.

Eventually, I narrowed it down to five collections, which I will be releasing one at a time.

Follow @ WildLittleComfies on Instagram and visit wildlittlecomfies. storeenvy.com to shop organic threads for your spirited little.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME WILD LITTLE COMFIES?

I call my favorite clothes comfies, my pajamas are comfies, anything that is super comfortable and you can lounge around in all day are comfies. Further into the development of the style I decided on calling it Wild Little Comfies. All babies have a wild spirit in them, so part of the name came from that, too.

HOW ARE YOU USING INSTAGRAM AS THE MARKETING PLATFORM FOR YOUR BRAND?

I knew I had to build up a good following to have people interested before even launching my brand. I started contacting different brands and ordering clothes that would pair well with mine. I was extremely selective with brands with whom I would complement and not compete with. I began releasing images and the clothing and accesorries I accumulated for the shoot itself and tagged every brand I used, to give the companies a shout out and to promote them as well. In return, these companies began sharing my images to their followers.

I had basically partnered with these companies that had thousands and thousands of follow-

Photo by Heather Merriman

ers by using their great pieces to complement mine, while at the same time promoting them, to ultimately get my brand out there to the market we all appeal to.

It’s been two weeks since my launch and I have almost 4,000 followers — 4,000 people directly exposed to my brand.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY?

I’ve learned to just go for it and not worry too much about the “how” and to just take every step at a time and know that success is coming. The universe is like a mirror — it reflects right back at you what you put out there.

YOUROBSERVER.COM // Visit our website to read more of this Q&A.

Like Us

on Facebook!

But Not for Pat & Tom Hanly t a P & m To 331

141676

-2 (941) 388

Voted “Best Social Media Initiative” - 2012 Local Media Association

.

RES family rm CLUB SHO s, library, Y th a TR B r N U fo .5 O C R/4 dock treat. 4 B Protected Tropical re rious master suite. all. it s a h xu e m 00 elevator. Lu nificent ho $3,495,0 pool. Mag large boat, putter.com www.529

Hanly & Associates St. Armands Circle • Sarasota, FL www.HanlyHomes.com • pahanly@gmail.com

Talk to the team that has been selling Sarasota successfully for over 20 years

/ObserverGroup

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

YourObserver.com

11

Local News that’s Local News.

The East County Observer, Longboat Observer, Sarasota Observer and Pelican Press are weekly newspapers that connect readers to their communities in Greater Sarasota and Manatee counties with 100% local, unique content. Every issue is packed with news, photos, events and newsmakers to inform, entertain and delight readers and help build a sense of community. From backyard birthday parties to the black-tie social scene, if it’s news in your neighborhood, it’s in the Observers.

The family-owned Observer Media Group has been sharing stories locally for more than 35 years. The Observers are passionate about offering the communities we serve a relevant and trusted source to connect you, your neighbors, your neighborhood.

144264

DIVERSIONS

12

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Spectacular Views of Anna Maria Island with an incredible home and lifestyle to match

Winner of 9 awards at the 2014 Parade of Homes including Best Overall Community

I N T RODUCI NG

NEW WATERFRONT RESIDENCES ON FLORIDA’S LAST PRIVATE ISLAND Overlooking the classic, old Florida beach community of Anna Maria Island, Harbour Isle features award-winning Minto Island Coach Homes. Resort-style amenities include a kayak launch, pool with private cabanas, fire pit, and outdoor kitchen and dining areas. A proposed marina and planned Beach Club on Anna Maria Sound include a private clubhouse and resort-style pool. All in the heart of the vibrant Bradenton-Sarasota area. All yours for an incredible waterfront value.

Our Secret Is Out! Anna Maria has been named one of the Sunshine State’s “10 Best Secret Beaches” by USA Today/10Best.com and one of only four “Old, Classic Florida” destinations by the Wall St. Journal.

Award-winning Designs – Enduring Quality – Incomparable Value

Exquisite Island Coach Homes from the $400s LEED Certified – Move-in Ready – Maintenance Included

No CDD fees!

Unlike other communities, Harbour Isle does not burden you with Community Development District (CDD) fees, which saves you thousands of dollars during your home ownership.

Actual view from second floor residence

12300 Manatee Ave. West, Bradenton, FL 34209 | On SR 64, turn right just before the Anna Maria Bridge.

145068

(888) 358-8565 ~ mintofla.com

For location, hours of operation and further details about our award-winning communities throughout Florida, visit mintofla.com. minto creates better places to inspire life © Minto Communities, LLC 2014. Not an offer where prohibited by state statutes. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission Artist’s renderings, dimensions, specifications, prices and features are approximate and subject to change without notice. Minto, the Minto logo, Harbour Isle and the Harbour Isle logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affi liates. CGC 1519880. 7/2014