Sarasota Observer 2.9.23

YOUR TOWN

Taking matters in-house

SEE PAGE

Show of solidarity

Wawa opens new Fruitville store

With a measure of fanfare, the long-awaited Wawa store at 2257 Fruitville Road opened Feb. 2. Members of the Sarasota Police Department, local first responders and Mayor Kyle Battie — along with Wawa’s mascot Wally Goose, helped the new store open its doors.

“We may be SUB-par sandwich-makers but LETTUCE celebrate being backto-back Hoagies for Heroes champions!” SPD tweeted from the event.

The Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain known for its fresh-prepared foods and signature hoagies is planning to open 75 stores throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and Florida in 2023. The new Sarasota store employs approximately 50.

As a thank you to the community, customers can enjoy free coffee through Feb. 12.

Split decision on Super Bowl LVII

Mote’s manatees made their Super Bowl LVII picks on Tuesday morning, but it’s a split decision. Buffett swam his big snout straight to the Philadelphia Eagles sign, while Hugh pointed his flipper to the Kansas City Chiefs.

“We’ve done this for 15 years, and Buffet has selected right 11 out of 15 years, so he’s 11-4. Hugh is only 6-9,” Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Vice President for Communications and Strategic Initiatives Kevin Cooper said.

The now 16-year tradition is based on target training, which is necessary for the manatees basic care. Knowing a treat will follow, the over 1,000-pound mammals will happily agree to a blood draw or a Super Bowl pick.

More than 200 people participated in a cornhole tournament to support local police officer. SEE PAGE 17

Lesley Dwyer Buffett chooses the Philadelphia Eagles for the win.

Dariela Delgado

Dale Mahler and Daniel Olalder play cornhole as part of the Sarasota Police Foundation’s fundraiser for Officer Tim Dederick Feb. 4 at the UTC’s The Green.

Courtesy photo Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie and Special Olympian Mollie O’Connell celebrate the new Wawa grand opening.

WEEK OF FEB. 9, 2023

BY THE NUMBERS

Commissioner Erik Arroyo, Read more on page 5

Downtown luxury tower nearly sold out

out. The DeMarcay at 33 S. Palm Ave. has two of its 39 residences available for sale.

Vertical constriction of The DeMarcay is nearly complete.

The 17th floor deck is being poured this week and drywall is complete through the seventh floor. Installation of windows is complete through the 10th floor.

Unit 1301 is offered at $4.25 million, featuring 3,407 square feet of living space with three

bedrooms plus a den, three full baths and a half bath, two outdoor terraces with waterfront views and two parking spaces.

Unit 1601, the largest in the building occupying the 15th and 16th floors, is priced at $12.5 million. It includes 6,814 square feet of living space with four bedrooms, four full baths and a half-bath and three additional customizable rooms that can accommodate a library, wine room or home theater, among others.

The main living area and primary bedroom offer views of

Fruitville Road exit rebuild expedited

As part of his “Moving Florida Forward” initiative, Gov. Ron DeSantis this week announced a proposed $7 billion investment in 20 interstate and highway projects across the state over the next four years. The list includes reconfiguring the interchange at I-75 and Fruitville Road from a partial cloverleaf to a diverging diamond, similar to the junction at University Parkway and I-75.

The fast-track infusion of capital into the state’s highway system must be approved by the Florida Legislature.

The diverging diamond interchange project at Fruitville Road will span from Honore Avenue to Coburn Road and on the interstate from Palmer Boulevard to north of the exit.

In addition to widening about two miles of I-75 from Palmer Boulevard to north of Fruitville Road, the $192 million project will include widening 1.6 miles of Fruitville Road from Honore Avenue to east of Coburn Road. Both bridges across I-75 would also be replaced.

Construction can begin in 2024 if the appropriation gains approval.

St. Armands BID renewal falls short

The vote among St. Armands Circle commercial property owners to renew the Business Improvement District for another 10-year period has failed.

Sarasota Bay and the marina.

A formal guest suite is on the second level, a complete guest suite with kitchenette is on the first level, and a private internal elevator connects the two floors. Four parking spaces are also included.

The street-level facade of the historic DeMarcay Hotel has been preserved and incorporated into the architecture of tower.

The DeMarcay is one of several luxury residential developments underway in the heart of downtown.

On Monday, the BID’s business manager Julie Ryan told city commissioners ballots received were 48.89% yes and 7.28% no of the total weighted vote of the district, just short of the 50% required for renewal.

The voting is weighted on property value, not on the number of property owners.

Ryan said two of the ballots returned were deemed invalid for technical reasons; a total of 63 ballots were delivered via certified mail. The results don’t necessarily mean the BID will sunset on Sept. 30. A second vote is allowed, and Ryan said BID renewals historically take two votes to approve.

“Everything we do is for our residents. Now however, the question that we have to ask ourselves is which residents?”

Andrew Warfield

DeMarcay condominium tower on South Palm Avenue.

A NEW APPROACH TO WORKFORCE HOUSING

Commissioner Erik Arroyo suggests the city build and hold its own workforce housing developments. Staff is now working on a plan.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

MATH OF AFFORDABILITY

Here is a formula for a hypothetical feasibility model for a city-owned workforce housing development.

n The site would accommodate 200 units, assuming a value of $5 million.

n The city would cover $2.1 million for debt service, operating expenses and insurance costs over the construction period.

n Construction would be paid through issuing municipal bonds at a presumptive 6.5% interest over 30-year term.

n Rents would be approximately $1,400 per month for one-bedroom, $1,600 per month for a twobedroom, utilities included.

n Upon completion, the city would own 200 workforce apartments, all renting at 80% of the county’s average median income.

n The new apartments would have an estimated market value of $44 million, or $220,000 per unit. Cost to build is approximately $30 million, or $150,000 per unit.

SNAPSHOT OF FINANCES:

n Gross rental income: $3,720,000.

n Misc. income: $111,600 (various fees, lost keys, pet, application fees, late fees, etc.).

n Vacancy and credit loss (5%): $186,000.

n Net rental income: $3,645,600.

n Net operating expenses: $1,072,560. (utilities, insurance, maintenance, repairs, property management, etc.).

n Net operating income: $2,573,040.

n Annual bond debt service: $796,861.

n Net annual proceeds: $1,776,179.

Source: Mark Vengroff, One Stop Housing

Despite new comprehensive plan amendments and staff working to identify locations where zoning changes may create workforce and affordable housing opportunities, real progress in Sarasota’s housing shortage remains years in the making.

How to have a more immediate impact on creating workforce housing in the city was a topic of discussion during the City Commission’s Jan. 30 workshop. Free to engage in a more free-flowing exchange than permitted during regular meetings, commissioners embarked on some out-of-the-box brainstorming on how to bring hundreds of affordable rental residences on line at one time.

Why not have the city build workforce-priced apartments itself?

Commissioner Erik Arroyo said. It was an idea that gained traction with fellow commissioners and staff jumping on board as the discussion progressed.

The city’s comprehensive plan amendments and planned zoning text changes aim to incentivize a handful of units here and there on a voluntary basis, but short of going all-in on inclusionary zoning — in which the city must make a developer financially whole if it requires a percentage of affordable units included in a development — tangible results promise to be sporadic and long term at best.

“That’s a number of years down the road,” City Manager Marlon Brown told commissioners. “Just with the conversations that we’ve been having about a number of apartments coming to fruition, I just wanted to have a conversation with the commission on your thoughts on how can we really move this forward much quicker.”

Mayor Kyle Battie lamented the lack of progress that has been made toward providing workforce-priced housing for decades, only to be exacerbated by the crushing rise in property values here as a result of the pandemic. Housing stock in the city was far outpaced by the sudden rise in demand, causing even formerly affordable neighborhoods to be priced out of the reach of even mid-level professionals.

Apartments and other rental units followed suit, and today remain typically double pre-pandemic rents.

“We did everything we could to spread the affordable housing throughout the city and get these incentives to developers,” Battie said. “Are we really accomplishing that? We’ve done that, but yet we still find ourselves in the place where we’re begging developers to give us some affordable housing.”

Arroyo floated the idea of the city getting into the affordable housing business — not public housing per se, and nothing like the 1960s-era urban housing projects. His idea is to acquire or use currently owned city property, build apartment communities and cap rents at affordable and workforce levels — at or below 80% of the county’s average median income pricing — in perpetuity.

“How could it make sense for the city if it doesn’t make sense for developers?” asked Vice Mayor Liz Alpert.

Developers can’t do that, he said, because they are typically shortterm owners of the apartment communities they build, holding the asset for a few years before selling at maximum price. There are few that build and hold, he said, especially at workforce housing levels.

“I just heard another another story today where a landlord said ‘I’m raising your rent $1,100,’” Arroyo said. “We’re handicapped by the state in terms of what we can do in these situations, and I think we’re doing what

“We did everything we could to spread the affordable housing throughout the city and get these incentives to developers. Are we really accomplishing that? We’ve done that, but yet we still find ourselves in the place where we’re begging developers to give us some affordable housing

Mayor Kyle Battie

we can. We’re incentivizing workforce housing in certain scenarios at different tiered levels.”

Arroyo said no other local government in the state has deployed a similar strategy for building workforce housing. Planning Director Steve Cover described the feasibility of the concept. “You’d be investing in the property, maybe working with a private nonprofit entity to provide housing,” he said. “It can be in the form of land banking, eventually turning land over to entities that could be private or nonprofit. There are really a variety of approaches. Also, you could also create a revolving loan fund, which could be tied into where you build projects. You collect rent and then those monies eventually evolve into the creation of more projects.”

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

Since the City Commission approved the comprehensive plan amendments last fall, a sprinkling of developments that include workforce housing have been making their way through the political and administrative approval processes. One

example is the Bahia Vista Apartments, with 42 attainable residences. Another is the Bath & Racquet Club, which will offer 38 attainable condominiums for purchase.

Those projects and others in the pipeline  include a percentage of the affordable units priced at 100-120% AMI, which while by definition is in attainable housing, it remains out of reach for many, particularly when considering the that figure includes the wealthiest communities in the county. The housing mix in those developments include rents at 80% and below and 80%-100% AMI.

Rather than the handful of attainable housing units created per development, Arroyo’s proposal would bring entire developments priced below 100% AMI, built on cityowned land or land it would acquire.

“The city really kind of putting its money where its mouth is has some really good value,” Brown said.

The city would fund construction, own the development, and contract with a third party — Arroyo cited One Stop Housing of Sarasota as an example — to manage and operate it.

Rents at sub-market rates are feasible because, unlike the private sector, the city’s mission is housing, not maximizing profit. As a city-owned asset, it will also not be subject to property taxes.

“It will be our land and we’d have a developer come in and build it, then a property management company that would manage it,” Arroyo said.

“All we would do is get a check every month, but 100% of the units would be under 80% of AMI.”

Commissioner Debbie Trice likened the idea to a community land trust, with permanent ownership by a not-for-profit entity.

An example of what such a project might look like is Lofts on Lemon at Ninth Street and Lemon Avenue, which opened its first phase in October 2022. A Sarasota Housing Authority development, its 128 units are priced at workforce and affordable housing levels, all at 100% or less of AMI. That equates to a family of three earning roughly $50,000 a year paying $1,266 a month for a two-bedroom apartment.

Brown said he has been working with staff to develop a concept similar to Arroyo’s proposal.

“It stays affordable in perpetuity because we, the city, own the property and there are no issues about appreciation, trying to sell it to the highest bidder, and so on,” Brown said. “We’re exploring some things that we will bring back to the commission that I think really has some viability, and I think is worth taking a look at.”

Andrew Warfield

The first phase of Sarasota Housing Authority’s Lofts on Lemon offers 128 units are priced at workforce and affordable housing levels, all at 100% or less of AMI.

Rezoning approved for Bahia Vista Apartments

City commissioners voted 4-1 to allow for the 250-unit apartment project at the former Doctors Hospital site.

The years-long saga over redevelopment of the former Doctors Hospital of Sarasota site has neared its conclusion. On Monday, the Sarasota City Commission affirmed its 4-1 approval of Bahia Vista Apartments.  Commissioners on second reading upheld their prior decision to increase the density of the site, which allows the apartment to move forward as proposed. The second reading was required because the matter failed to garner unanimous vote on the first reading.

A site plan is expected to come before commissioners as soon as March.

With 250 rental units, Bahia Vista Apartments will include 42 priced as affordable. It is an early test case of the city’s 2022 comprehensive plan amendments that encourage development of affordable and attainable housing by providing density bonuses and other incentives to developers who include them in their projects.

The 6.09-acre parcel at the corner of Tuttle Avenue and Bahia

Vista Street stands at the edge of the Arlington Park neighborhood, whose residents have opposed plans for high-density apartments on the site since 2019. The developer, Bahia Vista Associates LLC, will raze the remaining buildings there, with the exception of the 400-space parking deck that will be refurbished and used by residents.

Doctors Hospital was demolished in 2016.

The approval did not come without one final, brief debate as Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch voiced her continuing objection to the project.

“The impact on the health and safety of the adjacent neighborhood and the community at-large I think is far greater than we can absorb and should be absorbing in the city,” she said. “I see no public benefit from this project, and I would ask that you vote no.”

Countered Commissioner Erik Arroyo: “It was a very difficult decision to make, but it’s whether we want housing on this site that is currently unused, or do we want a commercial enterprise, which would be an assisted living facility with employees and with deliveries coming in and out every single day, which would actually be more units in a more intense manner. We are giving them the less intense alternative of the two things that can go there.”

The project approval runs counter to the Planning Board, which by a 3-2 vote previously recommended denial of the rezoning and site plan.

Andrew Warfield

The parking structure at the Bahia Vista Apartments site will be renovated for use of the residents. The medical practice building to the right will be demolished. The grass area is the former Doctors Hospital location.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

St. Armands’ Winter Spectacular: One and done?

City Commission wants data from staff before deciding whether to permit a return of the Winter Spectacular.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Depending on whom is speaking, the first holiday season Winter Spectacular at St. Armands Circle was either a rousing success or a colossal nuisance.  Both sentiments were on clear display Monday as organizers of the sixweek festival were back before the Sarasota City Commission seeking to not make the first Winter Spectacular the last.

Twenty-three St. Armands-area residents, business owners and others spoke in roughly even numbers of support and opposition during Monday’s commission meeting, ranging in claims from taking an hour to get out of a driveway to traffic actually being lighter than usual. On the agenda was a request by Tom Leonard, owner of Shore restaurant and Jeff Koffman of Ride Entertainment to consider issuing a use permit for to operate the event again in 2023.

Leonard is also chairman of the St. Armands Business Improvement District board of directors. His involvement in the festival, though, is a personal endeavor not affiliated with the BID.

In addition to generating more customers for Circle merchants, Leonard said the festival boosted revenue for the city parking deck just off the Circle. He said data from the city’s parking department reported 47% more fees collected in December compared to the year prior — not from more cars, but rather cars parked there longer.

Koffman told commissioners the festival attracted approximately 20,000 visitors, but because they were dispersed over time during

festival hours, the additional traffic generated was negligible.

“We can continue to control crowds through the disbursements of tickets through time slots, diminishing any concerns about traffic, and the issue is traffic,” Koffman said. “At our peak, we had 400 people in a two-hour period. If you assume three people per car, that’s about a car a minute.”

Those speaking in opposition ranged from traffic complaints to questioning the legality of permitting an event that charges admission to be held in a public space. City

Attorney Robert Fournier reminded commissioners the circle park at St. Armands, as public right of way on a state highway, belongs to the Florida Department of Transportation, which has long-since ceded authority over use of the space, if not ownership, to the city. In addition, he

said, FDOT had no objection to the festival.

Leonard and Koffman pitched the Winter Festival to commissioners last October as a fitting celebration of the city’s $286,000 grant to replace St. Armands’ 20-year-old holiday tree. Pulling off the event in only 28 days, they brought their request early this year to facilitate more planning.

Citing most of the information provided by the two was anecdotal, commissioners unanimously voted to continue the matter to a future board meeting. They’re looking for traffic data, incident reports from the Sarasota Police Department, parking statistics and other numbers to take into consideration.

Commissioner Debbie Trice suggested continuing to an April meeting. Vice Mayor Liz Alpert asked if the research could be completed

“So that’s the rub. Does it belong to all residents or does it belong to a few residents?”

— Erik Arroyo

sooner. Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson responded that staff is already working under his direction to collect the data.

“We have been working on that since about mid-week last week, and as there are four or five different departments that are feeding into that I’m getting streams of information,” he said. “Instead of trying to piecemeal them out, I’d rather put something together and report back holistically on it, especially consid-

ering there’s been additional comment and questions that have come out of some of the citizens’ input some of the businesses’ input.”

Among festival opponents’ claims were charges that commissioners favor business interests over residents. That didn’t set well with Commissioner Erik Arroyo.

“Everything we do is for our residents. Now however, the question that we have to ask ourselves is which residents?” he said. “Some people believe that St. Armands belongs to the residents that live on St. Armands, whereas there’s another whole group of residents that believe that St. Armands, as a commercial district, is for everyone. It’s for all the residents of the entire city and even beyond.

“So that’s the rub. Does it belong to all residents or does it belong to a few residents?”

Added Mayor Kyle Battie: “We look out for the residents. You may not agree with all the decisions that we make, but make no mistake about it, we do have to take in consideration the residents of the city no matter where they are.”

Merchants who support the return of the festival told commissioners they noted no traffic impact in the Circle throughout the event. Residents who live off the Circle painted a different picture. Trice said the forthcoming traffic report may clear up that inconsistency, positing that drivers traveling to and from Lido and Longboat keys might have avoided the Circle and instead traveled neighborhood streets.

“”We have to take into consideration that the impact on the residents and what is being seen by the merchants on the Circle could be two different things,” Trice said. “I want to get the information on the staffing, on the cost and the impacts, and I want a better understanding of the impact on the actual stakeholders — the merchants, the business owners, the residents and the barrier island residents who have to go back and forth.”

File photo

A synthetic ice skating rink was a main attraction during the Winter Spectacular at St. Armands

Circle.

Our Two Exciting Series

Music Mondays

MUSICAL CONVERSATIONS WITH GREAT PERFORMERS

Monday, February 13 Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 3:00 pm

Dean Shostak, Glass Armonica Dean Shostak has dedicated his career to the revival of Benjamin Franklin’s glass armonica,and has toured the country. He taught glass armonica at Rutgers University Mason Gross Music School as a teaching faculty member.

Global Issues

Tuesday, February 14 Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 2:30 pm

How are the Great Powers Responding to Africa’s Population Growth and Economic Emergence?

Amb. Jimmy Kolker will discuss what that means for the U.S., other great powers, and for Africa’s future.

Wednesday, February 15 Sarasota,10:30 am

Lessons Learned from Fighting AIDS and Ebola in Africa. Did We Apply Them to Covid? Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic? Amb Jimmy Kolker will explain what we have learned is that health security is national security for the United States.

Thursday, February 16 Sarasota,10:30 am - Lakewood Ranch, 5:00

Friday, February 17 Venice,10:00 am

The Sneaky War: Russia, China, the U.S. and the Emerging Strategic Paradigm Dr. Sean McFate will explain what “sneaky war” entails, why it succeeds, and how the U.S. can use it to defend freedom globally.

City approves $5.29M budget for new Bobby Jones buildings

building instead of renting it,” said Sue Martin, the city’s Parks and Recreation general manager. “We did a cost analysis, and it’s actually costwise better to just purchase than to rent this module. The city will have the option to repurpose it somewhere else in the city, or we could always send it to auction and sell it.”

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

As progress continues toward a late summer or early fall opening of the restored Bobby Jones Golf Course,  buildings are being planned by contractor Jon F. Swift of Sarasota.

On Monday, city commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the contract with Swift for a design-build of a temporary clubhouse and some permanent buildings on the course. Swift has proposed a guaranteed maximum price of $5.29 million for a project scope that includes the Gillespie Building at the par-3 adjustable course, a driving range building and on-course restrooms in addition to parking lots and the temporary clubhouse.

The Gillespie Building will essentially be a starter’s house at the par-3 course across Circus Boulevard from the main entrance at Azinger Drive. It will include restrooms and a small sundries shop. On the main course, two restrooms will be located near the 4th and 12th tees. The driving range building will also include restrooms and a ball dispenser room.

Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch asked about the future disposition of the temporary clubhouse, a portable 2,400-square-foot module that will be used until a permanent structure is built.

“We’ll have the option of repurposing it because we will own the

Jason Swift of Jon F. Swift told commissioners the location of the temporary clubhouse will not affect the eventual construction of the permanent facility.

“The whole site plan is designed with knowing where that big envelope for where that future clubhouse will sit,” he said. “We are designing utility infrastructure within this package to serve that building so that when the building is ready to be permitted and the budget approved, (we) are able to start the construction on it without having it interfere with improvements that were already done.”

At $12.5 million, the golf portion of the 307-acre project includes the 18-hole restoration of the original 1925 Donald Ross layout, the adjustable par-3 course, practice facility, temporary clubhouse and eventually a new permanent clubhouse and other utility buildings. The golf complex will cover 187 acres, the remainder of the site comprised of a nature park and wetlands designed to purify stormwater runoff.

The projected is funded by a $20 million city bond, a $3 million Southwest Florida Water Management District grant for wetlands improvement with a 50% local match and a $487,500 Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant.  Golf revenues are planned to cover course operations and be applied toward the debt service.

The money will build restrooms, a starter building, range building and a temporary clubhouse at the city-owned golf course.

File photo A view from near the parking area toward where the driving range and eventual permanent clubhouse will be located at the Bobby Jones Golf Course.

The War of Education

The inevitable has been exposed: State-controlled, taxpayer-funded education doesn’t work. The power needs to shift from politicians to parents.

terrible place for public education.

In the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, Florida’s fourth graders ranked second in reading (behind Massachusetts and Wyoming) and third in math (behind Wyoming, Massachusetts and Nebraska).

While that is worth celebrating, when you look at student proficiency in these subjects, the percentage of students who are proficient is dismal. Reading proficiency: 39%; math: 41%.

to destroy education wokeness in Florida.

“We will never surrender to the woke mob,” DeSantis told his inauguration audience. “Florida is where woke goes to die.”

Yes, get rid of woke in the schools.

But in the process of eliminating woke-ism in education, DeSantis is also demonstrating what has been and will forever be a mortal flaw of State-funded and State-controlled education: It will be at the mercy of whatever politicians are in power. Customers will never be in control.

A FEW TRUTHS ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION

Milton and Rose Friedman

“Free to Choose”

First edition, 1979

n “Public education is, we fear, suffering from the same malady as are so many of the programs discussed in the preceding and subsequent chapters.

The second front of our nation’s Civil Cultural War continues: The War of Education: Who Will Control the Schools and Our Children’s Minds — the Progressive Elites and Professional Educrats? Parents? Or Politicians?

Perhaps another way to state the above is that we have reached the climax of the predictable results of our nation’s 175-year-old, government-controlled, taxpayer financed education system: Inevitable failure.

More and more parents aren’t going to take it anymore. The war for dramatic change — total parental choice — is underway. And Florida has become one of the fiercest battlegrounds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Legislature are using the force and power of the law as heavy artillery; ordinary, grassroots parents are in hand-to-hand combat with school boards; and the deeply entrenched, establishmentelitist, progressive educrats are scrambling inside their institutional fortresses to fortify the gates.

For nearly two centuries, the public-education rulers, university presidents, tenured professors and education union leaders have fooled most Americans into believing the taxpayer-funded, state-run public education systems have been the bedrock and source of America’s societal success.

But shame on us baby boomers.

More than any generation, baby boomers have ignored the obvious signs of what was always known about socialism and socialistic institutions: In time, they fail, leaving incalculable devastation behind.

Employers know the effects well. Just talk to them about the quality applicants coming from our schools.

As these socialistic, central-government systems reach their end, as happened after more than a century with Communism and the Soviet Union, their failures are exposed for all to see. And that’s what happened with the Chinese coronavirus and resulting shutdown of our schools. They brought to light what has been happening for decades in our children’s classrooms:

The nation’s public education institutions became indoctrination factories and laboratories to spread anti-American, radical, leftist beliefs, emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion at the expense of academic achievement and teaching students how to think.

For three generations, American students have flatlined in academic progress. U.S. fourth graders rank 36th out of 79 countries in math and 13th in reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. But from the pandemic in 2020 to 2022, average scores for 9-year-olds declined five points in reading and seven points in math, the largest average score decline in reading since 1990 and the first ever decline in math, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

As a state, Florida has been a rising star, compared to its longheld and earned reputation as a

Ok, we know the argument: The teachers and schools cannot control what parents are doing or not doing at home. Garbage in, garbage out.

But that goes back to pointing fingers at baby boomers. Products of an era when there was more emphasis on fundamental academics and almost none on saving the earth or DEI, baby boomers sent their children to the state-controlled public schools with confidence that the schools did what boomers experienced as students. We boomers let our children be treated as wards of the state.

But public education succumbed over the decades to what Milton Friedman wrote: the Theory of Bureaucratic Displacement. That is, “in a bureaucratic system, an increase in expenditure will be matched by a fall in production.”

In Florida and every other state, per-pupil spending increased year after year. Teacher unions flourished, embedding themselves with their legislators. Lawmakers in turn meddled and increased the state’s control over what went on in the classrooms.

Education became monolithic; parents had almost no choice.State centralization reduced the power of the consumers (parents) and increased the power of the producers (educrats and the state).

In 1999, though, Gov. Jeb Bush single-handedly began the state’s shift toward school choice and vouchers. Since then, Florida has become among the top three states for offering choice to elementary, middle and high school students. But expanding choice has been an intense battle for nearly 25 years. Proponents of choice still encounter fierce resistance at every step from the public-school believers. While Republican lawmakers continued to pass additional schoolchoice legislation, unbeknown to many, on the state’s university campuses the tentacles of the social justice believers (e.g. America is systematically racist) spread.

In May 2021, this space reported for our readers how the state’s major universities had entered the vortex of incorporating Critical Race Theory into every aspect of their operations.

Then UF President Kent Fuchs sent a letter to all students and faculty outlining the school’s plans:

n “UF will require training of all current and new students, faculty and staff on racism, inclusion and bias.

n “UF’s Office of Research will make available this academic year competitive grants to faculty on topics of race, equity, justice and reconciliation.

n “The 2020-21 academic year will focus on the black experience, racism and inequity. Each of our colleges will feature speakers, seminars and courses.…”

Simultaneously, when the pandemic required Florida public school children to attend school remotely, many parents suddenly became shocked by what was being taught. The Sarasota County School Board became ground zero for parent-school board confrontations.

The War on Education hit full scale — with Gov. DeSantis the Gen. Patton of being determined

To be sure, DeSantis is working on behalf of Florida parents and students to shift the state system’s focus back on teaching students how to write, read, do math and think. That’s the way it should be.

But consider his handling of New College of Florida and the Legislature’s new laws governing what books are allowed in the schools.

n New College: Dissatisfied with the school’s performance, DeSantis used his authority to pursue what he wants — a state-supported version of Hillsdale College.

With his authority and the belief he is doing what is right, he handpicked conservative trustees to change the direction of the school. In turn, the trustees abruptly fired President Patricia Okker, giving her and the board no time to determine whether she could do the job.

The perception of this to the public was not good: Authoritarian governor ousts university president because he thinks she is woke.

And then, DeSantis pledged, according to the Tampa Bay Times, an infusion of $15 million into New College to be spent on hiring new faculty and scholarships for students, with $10 million more every year thereafter.

Again, the perception: Authoritarian governor funneling taxpayer money into a university venture that in its 60 years of existence hasn’t proven to be financially viable. Call us a skeptical cynic, but it reminds us: Throwing good money after bad.

n Book vetting: In DeSantis’ and the Legislature’s efforts to keep inappropriate LGBTQ and transgender literature and pornography out of elementary and middle schools (Hear! Hear!), the Legislature created a new layer of education bureaucracy. It has the right intention, but when you read about the labyrinthine process for vetting books and multiply that by 67, you can’t help but think: More government control, more bureaucracy. The Politburo at work.

To be fair, you can argue DeSantis is doing what any governor would do — trying to shape state institutions to reflect what he believes is best for the taxpayers of Florida.

But therein is the fatal flaw of State-owned education: The power is in the hands of the politically powerful, not the hands of the marketplace or customer.

As long as Florida and the United States continue to have State-controlled, taxpayer-funded schools, the nation’s education system will be what it is today — in turmoil, mediocre at best, at the whims of political power. Ugh.

Longtime readers know we have advocated over the years (12 years ago, the last time) that U.S. education should be entirely privatized. It’s not a realistic proposition, given how Americans have been so bamboozled over the value of taxpayerfunded education.

But in this War of Education, great progress is occurring toward giving parents choice. Arizona is the model. For all Arizona children in kindergarten through high school, they can receive from $6,000 to $6,500 a year from the state to attend any private school or

comfortable. Often, they are nasty and ugly.

“More than four decades ago Walter Lippmann diagnosed it as the ‘sickness of an over-governed society,’ the change from ‘the older faith … that the exercise of unlimited power by men with limited minds and self-regarding prejudices is soon oppressive, reactionary and corrupt, … that the very condition of progress was the limitation of power to the capacity and the virtue of the rulers” to the newer faith “that there are no limits to man’s capacity to govern others and that, therefore, no limitations ought to be imposed upon government.”

n “… Power has gravitated to professional educators. The sickness has been aggravated by increasing centralization and bureaucratization of schools …”

n “There is no case for subsidizing persons who get higher education at the expense of those who do not. Insofar as governments operate institutions of higher education, they should charge students fees corresponding to the full cost of the educational and other services they provide to them.”

n “We believe that the growing role that government has played in financing and administering schooling has led not only to enormous waste of taxpayers’ money but also to a far poorer educational system than would have developed had voluntary cooperation continued to play a larger role.”

Murray Rothbard

“Education: Free & Compulsory,” 1971

n “… Since the State began to control education, its evident tendency has been more and more to act in such manner as promote repression and hindrance of education, rather than the true development of the individual.”

n “One of the best ways of regarding the problem of compulsory education is to think of the almost exact analogy in the area of that other great educational medium — the newspaper.

What would we think of a proposal for the government, Federal or State, to use the taxpayers’ money to set up a nationwide chain of public newspapers and compel all people, or all children, to read them?

“What would we think furthermore of the government’s outlawing all other newspapers, or indeed outlawing all newspapers that do not come up to the ‘standards’ of what a government commission thinks children ought to read?”

purchase state-approved tutoring, educational courses and materials for home schooling.

The tax dollars go with the child.

In Florida, that should be the next step.

The results will create what is needed capitalistic competition — the true bedrock of America’s social success.

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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can all expect another tumultuous chapter in the college’s

six-decade history, one that is likely to last at least two years …

“[E]xpect a lot of headlines and controversy. Turnarounds and throwing out old ways are never easy or

“But for sure, (Gov. Ron) DeSantis has sent his opening message: New College cannot and will not maintain the status quo …

“Whenever a business brings in new leadership and a new direction,

those two things result in a lot of blood, executions and exoduses of the old guard.”

The new New College Board of Trustees fired NCF President Patricia Okker Jan. 31 in its first meeting.

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned. Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles

1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

MATT WALSH

One Park project deadline extended

While legal complaints were being filed, Quay’s master developer says it has reached an agreement to extend its closing deadline as air rights challenge lingers.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Despite opposing legal filings between the master developer of The Quay and the partners comprising Quay 1 and 9 LLC, developer of the planned One Park condominium tower, its developers say the project remains a go.

On Wednesday, principals with GreenPointe Developers, which is developing The Quay under the name Quay Venture, said they have reached an agreement with Quay 1 and 9 LLC to extend the closing deadline on Blocks 1 and 9 until later this year.

An extended deadline to close on the property expired on Jan. 31, leading to complaints by both parties filed in 12th Judicial Circuit Court. Daniel Kaplan, principal with Property Marketing Group, said the complaints were a necessary legal maneuver. Meanwhile, however, negotiations were underway to extend the deadline beyond the next scheduled public hearing before the Planning Board in March.

In that hearing, Quay 1 and 9 LLC will be seeking an amendment to the development agreement between GreenPointe and the city, which could clear the way for the conveyance of air rights over Quay Commons to One Park, which plans to span across the private street, creating a breezeway at a height of 22 feet.

Residents of Block 6 in The Quay — commonly known as the RitzCarlton Residences, are challenging that the air rights above the road are required to be conveyed to the master association and may not be

transferred to Quay 1 and 9 LLC. That challenge, and that it has not yet been resolved, has resulted in the delays that caused the Jan. 31 closing deadline to be missed.

The public hearing won’t determine whether Quay Venture has the right to convey the air rights to One Park, only that the 18-story tower can be built over the road should the court rule against the challenge of Block 6. That hearing before the 12th Circuit Court is scheduled for a three-week trial period beginning May 8. Block 6 has been vocal before the commission on the One Park plan, charging the building will block views and that the breezeway will render a tunnel-like effect at the entrance to the community. Kaplan said plans are to make the breezeway a benefit to The Quay.

“It’s going to be highly amenitized and activated for the benefit of all residents in the The Quay,” he said.

“We are envisioning some combination of an outdoor café, coffee shop or other areas that are conducive to both social activities and light work. Despite the current controversy, Quay residents will be incredibly grateful when they have a place to take respite during the summer heat or the occasional heavy rainstorm.”

Immediately following the 5 p.m. deadline for the extended closing, Quay 1 and 9 LLC electronically filed complaints with the 12th Circuit Court. Kaplan characterized the actions as necessary protections for both parties, even as negotiations were continuing to extend the deadline a second time.

Quay 1 and 9 LLC, which in Sep-

tember 2021 entered into a contract to acquire the lots for $31 million, wrote that Quay Venture was in breach of contract as the air rights matter was not resolved in time to close. According to the filings, it had deposited into escrow a $1 million for the property, and committed to an additional $700,000, of which $232,500 was already paid, for the extension. In exchange, Quay Venture was committed to deliver clear title — including the air rights — to the buyer.

Conversely, Quay 1 and 9’s complaint demanded escrow release of the $1 million deposit and the remaining $465,000 closing fee extension.

One Park is planned as an 18-story, 249-foot-high building with 149 residences priced from $1.8 million. It would span across Quay Commons on Blocks 1 and 9 on the north end of the The Quay at Boulevard of the Arts. One Park launched sales for

condominiums in January 2022.

The city and Quay Venture entered into a the development agreement for the Quay in 2016. To date, only Block 6 has been completed. Construction is underway on Bayso, an 18-story condo tower near the Fruitville Road roundabout, and on Cordelia, a mixed-use residential and commercial project along Tamiami Trail.

Blocks 1 and 9 at the north end of The Quay next to the Hyatt Regency are currently serving as construction staging areas.

The One Park plan includes 123 luxury condominiums on 18 floors with a 63,000-square-foot amenity deck on the fourth floor. Although not the only 18-story building in The Quay, it would be the tallest building there.

The sales office for One Park at 20 N. Lemon Ave. remains open. The property is more than 60% sold.

Dr. Boldo is board certified and fellowship trained in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology. She is also certified in endocrine neck ultrasound. Dr. Boldo specializes in diagnosis and medical management of thyroid and parathyroid disorders and metabolic bone disease including comprehensive osteoporosis treatment. Dr. Boldo is fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish and German.

County votes to fund new headquarters

The new Sarasota County administration center will cost about $75 million and will be completed in late 2025.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

With no comment from the public or discussion at the dais, the Sarasota County Commission on Jan. 31 unanimously approved $28 million in capital improvement revenue bonds to finance construction of a new county administration center.

Located just east of Interstate 75 in the Fruitville Farms development, the county is planning a four-story, 120,000-square-foot administrative building near Celery Fields and the Fruitville Library.

With site preparation underway, the county plans to move from its Ringling Boulevard headquarters into the new building in late 2025, just in time for its downtown lease with Benderson Development Co. to expire.

The county sold its 170,000-square-foot administration center at 1660 Ringling Blvd. to Benderson in December 2021, plus two adjoining properties used for parking, for $25 million. In April 2022 it also executed a land swap with

Benderson, trading county-owned land at Nathan Benderson Park for the new site, which is on Apex Road.

The entire project is expected to cost between $72 million and $74 million.

A preliminary floor plan for the ground floor of the new crescent-shaped building shows a 3,500-square-foot meeting chamber, a 2,400-square-foot “think tank,” conference room, functional service areas and a 4,000-squarefoot gym.

On Tuesday, commissioners also approved amending the FY 2023 budget to include a general revenue appropriation of $75.1 million.

The bonds are expected to be issued

with an amortization period of 20 to 30 years. The bonds are secured by the county’s half-cent sales tax revenues and the repayment of bonds is budgeted from general revenues. The annual debt service is structured to be lower in the first five years to not affect current overall debt coverage ratios for the sales tax revenues, but will average between $2 million and $2.2 million a year.

The new building is 50,000 square feet smaller than the county’s current facility because some county departments, such as Recreation and Natural Resources, will have their own facilities.

ADMINISTRATION CENTER TIMELINE

SEPTEMBER 2020: Commission approves contract with Sweet Sparkman for consulting services for county administrative facilities and to develop space requirements.

MAY 2021: Commission receives update on the new county administration center and authorizes the next steps.

JUNE 2021: Commission adopts a resolution declaring certain property owned by Sarasota County surplus to county needs and authorizes staff to explore opportunities to dispose of the property.

SEPTEMBER 2021: Commission authorizes the County Administrator to commence negotiations with all six organizations interested in buying the county-owned building and land at 1660 Ringling Blvd., 1646 Morrill St. and 1703 Morrill St., Sarasota, and to bring back the top three best financial packages for Commission to consider.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021: Commission authorizes the county administrator to continue negotiations with Benderson Development Co. based on a revised offer and to develop an agreement for the county administrative building and land downtown.

OCTOBER 2021: Commission adopts resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2026 capital improvement program to add the new county administration center design project. Commission also adopts a

resolution amending the FY 2022 budget to appropriate $5 million in funding for the project.

FEBRUARY 2022: Commission considers a proposed land swap with Benderson for the Fruitville Farms Parcel for the location of the new county administration center.

MARCH 2022: Commission adopts a resolution amending the FY 2022 budget to transfer funding for the new county administration center project in the amount of $45 million.

APRIL 2022: Commission adopts a resolution approving the exchange of a portion of a county-owned parcel at 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle for a portion of land owned by Coburn Road LLC, located at 6700 Fruitville Road for the new county administration center.

MAY 2022: Commission authorizes the county administration to execute an agreement for architectural services with Fawley Bryant Architects Inc., for design and permitting of the new county administration center not to exceed $3.9 million.

Commission also authorizes county administration to execute an agreement for construction manager at risk pre-construction phase services with Ajax/Tandem Construction.

FEBRUARY 2023: Commission authorizes issuing $28 million in capital improvement revenue bonds and a $75.1 million budget amendment to fund construction.

Site work is underway at the site of the new Sarasota County Administrative Center in Fruitville Farms. To the south is Celery Fields, a county park.

More Than A PLAN

IT’S A PROMISE.

Pre-planning does more than provide your family with peace of mind. It’s making a promise to keep them free of future financial burdens and the responsibility of carrying out rushed arrangements during their time of remembrance.

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Create a plan and a promise for your loved ones. Give us a call today to start the conversation.

and then, with a third woman, arrived at the Woman No. 1’s home, the two of them yelling at the her to come outside and fight. After she refused, the perpetrators entered the home and a fight ensued and the parties were taken into custody.

JILTED MAN’S ISSUES EMPTY THREAT

7:18 a.m., 1000 block of Rhodes Avenue

MONDAY,

JAN. 30 RETURN POLICY DISPUTE

12:34 p.m., Boulevard of the Presidents

Civil dispute: A pair of pants and a strict return policy brought police to a boutique when a customer was upset that the retailer would not accept a return. The store manager explained the woman called police because she was refused a return of the purchase outside of the store’s 24-hour return policy. The officer then spoke with the complainant, who said she knew he could not force the store to accept the return, but that he should tell the manager that the policy wasn’t clear to her.

The disgruntled customer said she would refute the charge with her credit card company. The officer, as requested, explained to the store manager the customer’s dissatisfaction with the alleged lack of return policy clarity. No crime was committed and no further action was taken.

MONDAY, JAN. 30

MÉNAGE A QUAD

12:18 a.m., 2000 block of Adams Lane

Robbery: Two women who work together at an assisted living facility were arrested for events following a fight that began on social media over a “shared boyfriend” with a third woman. The victim told police she and one of the offenders had been in an “on again, off again” relationship with their shared boyfriend for months. The victim, call her woman No. 1, claims to have messaged the third member off the trio, Woman No. 2, with the intention of coming to an agreement and putting the fighting behind them.

Woman No. 2 allegedly became upset and felt she was being accused of stealing their shared boyfriend from Woman No. 1. Woman No. 2 stopped replying to messages

Dispute: Police responded to a disturbance at an Airbnb where a couple was engaged in a verbal dispute over infidelity. An officer spoke with a woman who said she and her boyfriend had been arguing because he had discovered that morning she was “cheating on him.”

The woman advised that during the argument the man said he would commit “suicide by cop,” then recanted the story by describing him as “blowing off steam.” The man was cooperative and advised the officer that at no time was he suicidal. A witness confirmed the man had made no suicidal statements. Both parties advised that there would no further issues and, after gathering belongings would be OK traveling back home together.

TUESDAY, JAN. 31

MAN’S SHIRT BECOMES A MIDRIFF

3:15 p.m., 1300 block of First Street Disturbance: An altercation during which a man’s shirt was sliced by a boxcutter-wielding woman resulted in no injuries and no charges being pressed by either party. The footage shows the man grabbing or slapping the woman’s hand, which was holding a cell phone, and the woman reacting with a swipe of her hand that held the cutting instrument, slicing through the man’s shirt. No injuries were sustained.

While under questioning, the man began to consume an alcoholic beverage in the officer’s presence and became belligerent and uncooperative. Placed in the rear seat of a patrol car the man began to kick the door, causing the officer to employ an ankle restraint. Despite all that, the man was released after the woman declined to prosecute. Both parties, however, were placed on a trespassing notice at the request of the property owner.

Please

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Fast Break

Sarasota’s Leonardo Dal Boni, who received the U.S. Tennis Association’s Florida Player of the Year Award in December, committed to Furman University on Feb. 6. Dal Boni is the No. 50 player in the national Class of 2023 per the Tennis Recruiting Network.

… Don’t forget about the Bridge A Life Superhero 5K, happening at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Nathan Benderson Park. The foster care awareness event is a chance to put on your favorite cape and get some exercise with the whole family. Registration is $30 (or $15 for the kids fun run). For more information visit 5KHero.com.

… Sarasota’s Jamier Jones who is playing his sophomore boys basketball season at IMG Academy after spending his freshman year at Riverview High, is one of the more sought-after recruits in the country. The 6-foot-6 Jones is the No. 11 player in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

… After a year on the bench, former Booker High boys basketball player Johnnie Williams IV has started to see some playing time at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Williams has seen action in nine games and is averaging 2.3 points per game. Not eye-popping numbers, but it is a start for the 6-foot-5 sophomore who has gobs of potential.

… Pitchers and catcher will report for Baltimore Orioles spring training on Feb. 16, with the full team arriving Feb. 21 and games beginning Feb. 25 against the Minnesota Twins. In other words, it is the best time of year. You can visit Orioles. com to look at the full game schedule (and promotions schedule) and purchase tickets. See you at Ed Smith Stadium.

TERRIFIC TRIO

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

Atrio of players is looking to lead Cardinal Mooney High’s girls basketball program where it has never been: to a state championship.

The Cougars, one of the premier teams in the state in recent seasons, are seeking their third-straight trip to the Florida High School Athletic Association state final four in Class 3A. As of Feb. 4, Mooney is 17-5 and on Feb. 3 captured its third-straight district title with a 70-30 home win over Bradenton Christian (12-10).

The team has a new coach in Marlon Williams, who has brought a new philosophy to the program, but the Cougars are led on the court by three players who have been to the brink of a state championship and are determined to bring one home in 2023.

Olivia Davis is the team’s lone senior. Davis, the team’s emotional leader on and off the court, is averaging 16 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game and has signed with the University of Tampa. The 5-foot-7 Davis is joined by two sophomores who have seen their roles and responsibilities expand from a sea-

son ago. Kali Barrett, 6-foot-1, is a versatile player who leads the team with 16.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game; Sy’monique Simon, 5-foot6, is an aggressive defender and leads the team with 1.7 steals per game while adding 12 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Williams and the Mooney coaching staff were bullish on the trio from the start and knew they could carry the load on a successful team.

It took the trio a bit longer to adjust to Williams’ coaching style, which puts an emphasis on conditioning and demands its on-court leaders getting the little things right.

“We hate running ‘suicides,’” Davis said with a laugh. “But they do pay off in games. We can full-court press the whole game. It’s the best thing for us.”

The Cougars run not only typical “suicide” drills — down the court and back, in sections — but a defensive variation, running sideways with bent knees and hands held high, which Barrett said is even more tiring. The trio may not always want to do them, but to set an example for their teammates, they complete them full bore.

Before the team saw the results of the intense training and defensefirst mindset, players were skeptical, Davis said. All it took was a few games for everyone to change their minds.

A 65-47 home win over Tampa Prep (20-8) was especially convincing.

Of the Cougars’ five losses, only one came against a team with double-digit losses, and that was a 54-51 loss to Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High (12-10), which MaxPreps has ranked as the No. 8 team in Class 3A. The Cougars beat the teams they should beat and can compete with anyone on their best days.

The trio’s leadership is even more important when its depth is considered. This year, the Cougars have just eight players on their roster. The lack of depth means lots of playing time for Davis, Barrett and Simon, a role the trio has embraced. They do have help — sophomore guard Bri Behn adds 7.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and junior forward Sam Kotasek adds 5.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, for instance — but when games get into crunch time, it’s going to be one of the three leaders taking the biggest shots.

Simon said all three players want responsibility put on their shoulders as players who have been to the state Final Four and know what it will take to get back.

“It’s fun to know we’re going to be pushed to new heights,” Simon said. “You’re going above your limit and reaching your full potential.”

The Cougars’ potential is lofty. Mooney is ranked fourth in Class 3A and 17th in Florida by MaxPreps. They will play Bishop Verot High (16-9) in the regional quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Feb. 9; the Vikings are ranked 33rd in Class 3A by MaxPreps. A win would put Mooney in a matchup with either Tampa Catholic (13-10; 24th in Class 3A) or Calvary Christian (12-11; 18th in Class 3A) at 7 pm. on Feb. 14.

Not that the Cougars much care about whom they play. After two years of reaching the Final Four, and reaching the state championship game a season ago, Mooney is not scared of any challenger.

Davis said she does believe there is any extra pressure to take home a state title because it is her senior year, and she always feels pressure to win every game, she said. Davis said the team is doing everything it can to make sure a return trip to the Final Four in Lakeland happens. The Cougars will worry about the rest once they get there.

“Sometimes we come into practice tired or we’re having a bad day,” Barrett said. “That stuff can’t matter. When we’re in the gym we need to block out everything else. By the end of practice we’re always laughing and having the best time, but during it we need to work. That’s how we’ll get back (to the state championship game).”

“...the more I play the more confidence I get and the more I get into the game.”

— Booker High’s Jakai Peterson SEE PAGE 16

File photo Leonardo Dal Boni received the 2022 USTA Florida Player of the Year Award on Dec. 16 at Payne Park Tennis Center.

The Cougars are seeking a third-straight trip to the state semifinals.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Cardinal Mooney won a district title Feb. 3 with a 70-30 win over Bradenton Christian.

East County’s Olivia Davis is Cardinal Mooney girls basketball’s lone senior. East County’s Kali Barrett (21) leads the Cougars with 16.5 points per game.

East County’s Sy’monique Simon averages 12 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

“It’s fun to know we’re going to be pushed to new heights. You’re going above your limit and reaching your full potential.”

—

Sy’monique Simon

Spring forward

As spring contests begin next week, a roundup of the teams and players to watch in each sport.

Of all the sports seasons, spring most consistently catches me off guard.  February does not feel like spring to me, as someone who grew up in the mid-Atlantic region and routinely spent the second month of the year with my heavy coat at the ready. In Florida, though, February is go time, and so it is once again: spring sports like lacrosse and baseball start regular season contests next week, with other sports to follow in the weeks ahead.

With the variety of sports we get at this time of year, the season is a blast to cover. Unfortunately, because winter sports are hitting their playoff peak, I can’t do a multi-week long preview like I do for football. So instead, as in years past, I have compromised by using this column as a preview space for all spring sports. The limitations of this mean I can’t mention all teams in all sports, but I have done my best to mention the ones I think will have an impact on their sport’s playoff landscape in 2023.

This year was especially tough to pack into one column, for there are several teams that I believe are primed for huge seasons.

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL

The 2023 baseball season will be a strange one, for it will be the first season without the now-retired Clyde Metcalf in the Sarasota High dugout since 1981. Former Cardinal Mooney High skipper Greg Mulhollen — who you may know as a basketball official — will take over

for Metcalf. What does this mean for the Sailors’ fortunes? I can’t wait to find out. The Sailors lost a lot of production to graduation but do return senior outfielder Cale Kreiger, who hit .395 in 2022, and senior pitcher Bernard Barnes Jr., who held a 1.83 ERA over 15 appearances in 2022.

At Riverview High, the baseball Rams are coming off an 18-9 season and a district championship, but also a tough 4-3 loss to East Lake High in the regional quarterfinals. The Rams will need to find some offense as they lose their top four hitters from 2022 to graduation, but they do return senior pitcher Sam Klanot, who held a 1.58 ERA and a 6-0 record in just nine appearances.

On the softball diamond, Sarasota should lead the way after a 17-8 campaign in 2022. The Sailors bring back a bevy of big-time hitters including senior Miranda Gill, who had a team-leading .419 average among regulars, and junior Brooke Bendel, who hit .392 with a team-leading eight home runs. On the mound, senior Ryleigh Bennett should be the Sailors’ workhorse; she had a 2.64 ERA and an 8-2 record over 21 appearances.

TRACK AND FIELD

The lone Sarasota-area medal winner at the 2022 track and field championships, Sarasota High’s Alec Miller, is back for more in 2023. As a junior, Miller finished second (4:13.50) in the Class 4A boys 1,600-meter run at the 2022 FHSAA state championship meet, approximately 2 seconds behind Hagerty High junior Braden Seymour. This year, now a senior, he finished second at the Class 4A cross-country state championships (15:40.3) in November, approximately 5 seconds behind Nease High junior Matt Ryan.

The cross-country success should serve as a nice warm-up

to track season. Miller will have to compete with Seymour again for the 1,600-meter crown, but running is a finicky sport in terms of development, so any improvement Miller makes could be enough to secure gold.

Other than Miller, the track and field, uh, field, is wide open. Cardinal Mooney High’s Addison Dempsey is one potential contender. Dempsey, a junior, did not compete in the 2022 track and field season because of an IT band injury, but finished second in Class 2A at the girls cross-country state meet in November (17:54). Dempsey only started competitive running in 2021, so she has plenty of time to crack into her potential.

LACROSSE As the sport of lacrosse continues to grow in Florida and the rest of the country, the tougher the local competition gets. Last year saw the Cardinal Mooney/Riverview rivalries continue to be tough-fought while adding Sarasota High into the mix as a contender for the first time.

In 2023, all three programs have reasons to be excited. On the boys side, Cardinal Mooney is slated to return junior goalkeeper Jacob Brown and six of its top seven goal scorers — and only one of those field players, Sean Laureano (43 goals), is a senior, meaning the Cougars have a ton of growth potential. Riverview does not have quite as much goal scoring talent returning, but does have junior JC Fleming (26 goals) and senior Solano Benitez (21 goals). Meanwhile, Sarasota High is coming off an impressive 11-7 record in its second season as a program and has its top four scorers coming back, including senior captain Kellen Rector (40 goals).

On the girls side, Riverview is coming off a 12-7 season that included an 11-7 district cham-

pionship win over Manatee High.

The Rams will be offensively led by junior Susan Lowther, who scored an 73 goals in 2022 while adding 45 assists; her 118 points points were 12th-best in Florida according to MaxPreps.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

The team to talk about in beach volleyball is Cardinal Mooney, the defending state champion. The Cougars will not have former star Jordyn Byrd, who enrolled early at the University of Texas to kickstart her college career, but Mooney has so much depth that Byrd’s departure should not change expectations too much.

The Cougars will also be playing on true home courts for the first time in 2023, with a new beach complex  situated in the back of the school next to the football field. Playing away from public courts is yet another advantage the Cougars will have over most local opponents.

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

PROSE AND KOHN RYAN KOHN

Ryan Kohn

Sarasota lacrosse players Kellen Rector and Cassius Caragiulo are seniors in 2023.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jakai Peterson

Jakai Peterson is a junior guard on the Booker High girls basketball team. Peterson scored 32 points Feb. 3. in the Tornadoes’ 63-42 win over Avon Park High.

When did you start playing basketball?

I started for real in sixth grade. I played a little AAU ball before then, but I didn’t take it seriously. Sixth grade was when I got serious. I found out that I could actually be good at it.

What is the appeal to you?

It builds my confidence. When I first started playing I was not as high on myself, but the more I play the more confidence I get and the more I get into the game.

What is your best skill?

Well, I also run track and field, so my speed helps me get up and down the court and finish at the basketball in transition.

What have you been working to improve? I have been working on my jump shot a lot. My coaches always tell me I have a nice shot, but I need to use it more, so I’m actually trying to take more shots this year.

What is your favorite memory?

Winning the district championship last year was cool. That win helped the team come together. Everybody was so happy we won. It helped us a lot going forward. (The Tornadoes reached the state semifinals last season.)

What does the team need to do this season to have playoff suc cess?

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@YourObserver.com.

during practice, we have to be better. We need to be more of a team in that way.

What is your favorite food?

I love chicken and noodles.

What is your favorite subject?

I like math. I don’t know why. It just is easier for me than other subjects.

What is your favorite TV show?

I don’t know if I have one favorite. I like crime shows like “Law and Order,” and I like “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Which superpower would you pick?

I would want super strength so I could move things around however I wanted.

Finish this sentence: “Jakai Peterson is …” … Goofy, once you get to know me. But I’m shy at first.

Cornhole for a cause

The Sarasota Police Department partnered with HaoleNaut 941 Cornhole to hold a charity cornhole tournament Feb. 4 at University Town Center’s The Green.

The relaxing ambiance fostered friendly competition as teammates tossed bean bags with a beer in hand.

A total of 108 teams registered in two divisions to help The Sarasota Police Foundation raise a little over $6,000 for the Dederick family.

The tournament was in support of Officer Tim Dederick, whose wife, Crystal Dederick, died in a car accident on Dec. 30, 2022.

Sarasota’s first responders and community members came out and

participated in the tournament with one thing in mind: supporting the Dederick family.

The cornhole tournament paused for an emotional moment as the crowd stood still and listened to Dederick speak of his late wife.

“I came to Sarasota as a deputy of Escambia County and wanted to make a better life for our family,” said Dederick. “When we moved here one of the things that my wife has always said was how appreciative she was of our community.”

Asked what kind of woman, wife and mother she was, Dederick peered at the sky and said, “She was strong.”

— DARIELA DELGADO

Photos by Dariela Delgado

The Sarasota Police Department held a charity cornhole tournament at University Town Center’s The Green on Feb. 4 that attracted 108 teams.

Stacey Monroe, Jeff Jamison, Karen Mann and April Shereda come out to support the Dederick family.

Officer Tim Dederick takes a moment to thank the community members for supporting his family.

Sam Monroe with his dog Blaze come out to support the Dederick family.

The Sarasota Police Department held a charity cornhole tournament in support of Officer Tim Dederick who lost his wife, Crystal Dedrick, in a car accident.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Students celebrate Booker nation

These tornadoes made landfall and stormed through with Booker pride.

Emma E. Booker, Booker Middle and Booker High School joined together to celebrate their initial year of Bookerfest Feb. 4 at Booker Middle.

What started with an idea of a music festival turned into something much bigger.

“We got the three Booker music teachers together and we all said, ‘Hey, let’s involve all of the arts,’” said Bookerfest co-coordinator Carlos Silva. “We started talking about this last year. This year, we started formally planning.”

Students, teachers and community members were invited to experience and watch Booker’s Visual Performing Arts students showcase their talents along with learning about the history behind the Booker schools.

“It’s a family — that’s the main thing,” said Booker High student Tristan Tran. “We are all open to each other. We are all friends.”

— DARIELA DELGADO

Bayfront mascot Cash, Ashia and Dakota Zayas.

Photos by Dariela Delgado

Booker High School Principal Rachel Shelley with Bookerfest co-coordinators Christine Reagan and Daniel Reagan.

Celery Fields’ trees get b-day TLC

Sometimes, trees need some tender loving care, too. Temple Emanu-El Religious School students celebrated “The Birthday of The Trees” Feb. 5 at the Celery Fields.

Students and families joined together to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the traditional birthday of the trees and celebration of nature.

The celebration started with a song followed by a lesson from Snait Ben-Herut. She explains that in Israel the almond trees start projecting their beauty and there it is the first sign of spring blooming.

“This is a Jewish month, and many people wonder why we celebrate the

birthday of the trees in the middle of the winter,” said Ben-Herut. “In Israel, which is where this holiday comes from, at that time of the year there’s one tree that starts blooming and it’s the almond tree.”

To signify this, students each received a small bag of mixed nuts before heading off to the various hands-on activities throughout Celery Fields. To honor the holiday, the kids spread hay on the trails, used binoculars to do some bird watching and played various games.

“Trees are very important to our lives because we need them to survive,” said Zach Heller.

— DARIELA DELGADO

Photos by Dariela Delgado

Snait Ben-Herut teaches the significance of the almond tree to the students.

Zachary Friedman looks through binoculars to admire the birds and trees.

STAY ACTIVE AND PAIN FREE

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BEST BET

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

VALENTINE’S DAY SIP & STROLL

Before 6:20 p.m. at The Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Start your date at The Nest Concession and enjoy a special chocolate martini. Be sure to head down to Sunset Deck by 6:20 p.m. to provide your special someone with an unmatched view of the sun setting. For information, visit TheBaySarasota.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

THROUGH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

SARASOTA SHELL CLUB 2023

SHELL SHOW 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Robarts Arena in Potter Building, 2896 Ringling Blvd. Summon your inner Floridian at this shell art show. There will be scientific and artistic exhibits, shell crafts, educational programs and shells for sale. Entry donation is $5 for adults. For information, visit SarasotaShellClub.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

STORYBOOK STREET

9-11 a.m. at Suncoast Technical College, 4748 S. Beneva Road. Join The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County’s family-friendly book giveaway featuring dance, drama, art and music performances. Children are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook character. This is a free event. For information, visit EarlyLearningCoalitionSarasota.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

RECKLESS SAINTS AFTERNOON

FOLK SHOW

2-5 p.m. at Fogartyville Community

Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court. Come out and listen to Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield play Blue-Twangled Folk ‘n’ Roll music. Tickets are $15. For information, visit WSLR.org.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13

CORESRQ: BOOTCAMP

5:30-6:15 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Enjoy a 45-minute outdoor program using

bodyweight exercises to improve your strength and conditioning. This is a free event. For information, visit TheBaySarasota.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

SAY ‘I DO’ AGAIN

6 p.m. at Nokomis and Siesta Key beaches. This Valentine’s Day vow renewal ceremony has been a Sarasota tradition for more than 35 years. Couples can register for $15 for a non-denominational vow renewal by visiting SCGov.net, or just watch the renewals for free.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15

HAVING FUN, WISH YOU WERE HERE! ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE POSTCARD IN FLORIDA

2:30-3:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail. Join Sarasota editor and veteran postcard collector Liz Coursen as she illustrates how Florida progressed from ox carts to trains and from alligator-infested waterways to bathing beauties on the beach, using museum-quality postcards to tell the tale. Tickets are $15. For information, call 309-5111.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16

CORESRQ AT THE BAY:

PRIMETIME

7:30-8:30 a.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Join in on this low-impact class that includes resistance training. This total body conditioning will target muscles in your core. Bring your own mat or towel. This is a free event, but registration is required. For information, visit TheBaySarasota.org.

Compeer celebrates buddy system

Grab a buddy and say, “Hello.” Compeer Sarasota hosted its 2023 annual brunch fundraiser, Pooling Our Strengths: A Match for Every Friend on Feb. 5 at Micheal’s On East.

The brunch started with a speech from Compeer Founder Bunny Skirboll, followed by Honoree Faith Goldman, who is a long-time Compeer supporter and mental health advocate. Compeer promotes mental wellness through one-on-one mentoring and friendship.

Compeer volunteers and mentees spoke on how impactful Compeer Sarasota was in their lives. Then, keynote speaker Allison Schmitt took the stage. Schmitt is a 10-time Olympic medalist, four-time Olympian and captain of the 2020 USA Olympic Swimming Team. Now, she is a mental health advocate and spoke about her personal struggles with depression and losing her cousin to suicide.

“Mental health is an invisible illness,” said Schmitt. “I believe, as human beings, we can be more conscious of the need to stop and say, ‘Hello.’”

Compeer Sarasota CEO Chris Munson expressed that Compeer is in need of volunteers and asked those who were interested to sign up. “Just four hours a month can change the life of a mentee,” he said.

For information about volunteering, visit CompeerSRQ.org

— DARIELA DELGADO

Photos by Dariela Delgado

Anne Virag and Brian Lipton

Anne Shackman, Faith Goldman, Tere Reis, Jane Rosenstein and Nancy Shapiro

Tavil

Compeer Founder Bunny Skirboll and Compeer CEO Chris Munson

Casey Key home tops the week’s transactions at $4.5 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome on Casey Key topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Michael and Lucille Brown, trustees, of Nokomis, sold the home at 4001 Casey Key Road to Waterside Properties LLC for $4.5 million. Built in 1964, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,812 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.2 million in 2021.

SARASOTA

BOOTH’S OF SARASOTA

HEIGHTS

Frank and Martina Kinslow, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1747 Arlington St. to Theodore and Virginie Niedermayer, of New York City, for $1.6 million. Built in 1942, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,329 square feet of living area. It sold for $695,000 in 2010.

MARK SARASOTA

Don and Barbara Costantino, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 1105 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Gary Wood and Lynn Wood, trustees, of Moultonborough, New Hampshire, for $1.5 million. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,500 square feet of living area. It sold for $932,200 in 2020.

TOWNHOMES OF ORANGE

CLUB

Peter and Jacqueline Borden, of Boca Grande, sold their Unit 656 condominium at 656 Rawls Ave. to Warren and Evelyn Silver, trustees, of Denham, Maine, for $1,425,000.

Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,092 square feet of living area. It sold for $950,000 in 2021.

Q James and Marta Hobbs, of Boca Raton, sold their home at 211 Cosmopolitan Court to Christopher Rex, of Sarasota, for $1.3 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,588 square feet of living area. It sold for $930,000 in 2021.

CONDOMINIUM ON THE BAY

William Denslow Jr., trustee, of Locust Valley, New Jersey, sold the Unit 109 condominium at 988 Bou-

levard of the Arts to John Brink, of Sarasota, for $1.25 million. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,315 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2001.

PINE SHORES ESTATES

Carl Myers, trustee, of Falls Church, Virginia, sold the home at 6239 Hollywood Blvd. to 6239 Holly Blvd Sarasota LLC for $1,165,000. Built in 1974, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,204 square feet of living area. It sold for $595,000 in 2017.

BAY VIEW HEIGHTS ADDITION

Cynthia Tremblay and William Tucker II, of Charlottesville, Virginia, sold their home at 1794 Cunliff Lane to Jennifer Jordan McCall, trustee, of Memphis, Tennessee, for $1,164,100. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,469 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,688,800 in 2015.

SARASOTA BAY CLUB

Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 302 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to John and Mary Jo Deckro, of Sarasota, for $955,000. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,832 square feet of living area. It sold for $611,000 in 2016.

ESSEX HOUSE

Marc David Thomas, trustee, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, sold the Unit 1003 condominium at 707 S. Gulfstream Ave. to Robert Fleshman and Lori Fleshman, trustees, of Fort Myers, for $950,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,305 square feet of living area. It sold for $145,000 in 1981.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

Other top sales by area

SARASOTA: $1.7 MILLION

South School Avenue Kevin Miller, of Sarasota, sold his home at 4101 S. School Ave. to SRQ RE Development LLC for $1.7 million. Built in 1945, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,698 square feet of living area.

SIESTA KEY: $1.55 MILLION

The Palm Bay Club of Sarasota Sarasota Palm Bay LLC sold the Unit G-103 condominium at 5966 Midnight Pass Road to Freeze Enterprises LLC for $1.55 million. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,164 square feet of living area. It sold for $864,100 in 2012.

PALMER RANCH: $625,000

Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club

TOSCANO Sean and Alison Fogarty, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 401 condominium at 205 Golden Gate Point to Ross and Meredith Switkes, of Haymarket, Virginia, for $950,000. Built in 1996, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,535 square feet of living area. It sold for $670,000 in 2020.

ONLINE

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

James and Betty Kernan sold their home at 8752 Pebble Creek Lane to Charles Sparks and Rhonda Marcus, trustees, of Sarasota, for $625,000. Built in 1996, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,728 square feet of living area. It sold for $545,000 in 2022.

OSPREY: $1.65 MILLION

Oaks II

Richard and Deborah Riley, of Osprey, sold their home at 438 E. Mac Ewen Drive to Lawrence Ariano and Moira Catherine Ariano, of Warrenville, Illinois, for $1.65 million. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,489 square feet of living area. It sold for $925,000 in 2018.

Courtesy photo

The home at 4001 Casey Key Road was built in 1964. It has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,812 square feet of living area.

2BAYVIEWS

OPENSUN1-4

1372 Point Crisp ON SIESTA KEY $5,750,000 VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS! Modern masterpiece with walls of glass and expansive north and south Bay views. Perfect escape, stunning Siesta Key home on exclusive Point Crisp. Guest casita, private beach, dock and pool.

16,872 SqFt Lot

MLS A4555983

ZENCHARM

New Listing: 3455 Anglin Dr $2,350,000

TOTALLY RENOVATED! Open floorplan, perfect for entertaining. On Bay Island, just minutes to the mainland, yet close to Siesta Key Beach and Siesta Village. New heated salt water pool and inviting outdoor living spaces. Move in ready.

MLS A4557968

22 Sandy Cove #502 $1,800,000 SIESTA KEY PENTHOUSE. Gulf front private beach. Panoramic views of the Gulf and Cedar Lake. 3 en suite bedrooms. Completely renovated unit in coveted Sandy Cove. Kayak storage, fishing pier. Near the Village. Big dogs welcome.

MLS A4533408

WATERFRONT

1030 Sylvan Dr $1,899,000 SYLVAN SHORES. Waterfront investment opportunity. Build your dream home or rent the existing cottage on Whitaker Bayou, just north of Downtown Sarasota. Direct access to the Bay.

MLS A4536183

PET PICS

Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them! Share them at YourObserver.com/contests/petpics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!

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SPLASHES AND SMILES: Sunny girl is a black Lab rescue from the Sarasota Humane Society living her best life in Sarasota.

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MOON PHASES

RAINFALL

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Becky Edwards captured this local cow mid bite in Sarasota.

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© 2023 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle One Clue: L equals K Puzzle Two Clue: R equals X Puzzle Three Clue: W equals F

I’M EXHAUSTED! by Fred Piscop, edited by David Steinberg

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

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Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

(Never know to fail)

Oh, Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity

There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you my Mother! Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands. Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances in my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you con rm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eter nal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. Published prayer

Thank you Blessed Mother~

INSIDE:

<AIR TIME: FST’s production of a story written in 1976 proves prophetic given today’s media culture. 6

BLACK TIE INSIDE:

PALM BALL: Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast takes a walk on the wild side 8 >

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

(GLASS) WORKS IN PROGRESS

GLASS IN THE GARDENS

Nathan Burnaman, associate director of horticultural exhibits with Selby, has had an idea for one of many art installations that will fill Selby Gardens for the Tiffany showcase.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens staff members always want to maintain a point of view when debuting new exhibits.

The mantra for the Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series — to examine master artists throughout history and highlight their relationship to nature — has led to creative and original approaches to bringing artwork into the gardens each year.

For their upcoming exhibit, the vision is clear. Staff members are taking guests back in time and showcase a type of practical but beautiful stained glass and decorative arts not shown in the garden before.

The “Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty In Nature” exhibit, set to debut on Feb. 12, will highlight the many works of American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The stained glass artist and designer put out a number of revered art nouveau works — including intricate lamps, multicolored mosaics, patterned windows and more — in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many of which will now be celebrated at the gardens.

“It’s (showcasing) the decorative

arts at the turn of the 20th century by looking at glass with a connection to nature,” Vice President for Visitor Engagement and Chief Museum Curator David Berry says.  The exhibit’s work is not yet done,

with many of the horticultural displays and museum designs still in progress. But the creative figures designing both sections are excited for guests to see what they have in store.

A mosaic of a wildflower dug right into the earth, with crushed glass and colored stone providing color. The outlines of the petals would be creeks with flowing water, and the remaining space filled of vibrant plant life to complete the image.

Burnaman felt it would be a union of nature and Tiffany’s style. Where the renowned artist used leading to create lines that delineated his colored glass, the Selby art piece would have streams of jetting water to create the shape of a wildflower.

A year ago, it was an idea. But now, standing in the middle of the installation, seeing the full design take shape and watching the various rivulets begin to fill with water, Burnaman feels a sense of pride.

“It’s super exciting in the beginning,” Burnaman says. “There’s infinite possibilities because we’re usually doing new things. It takes stretching your imaginations and looking for inspiration where you can find it.”

The Flowing Flower will be one of seven installations in the gardens that reflect Tiffany’s style and vision transformed into a tangible garden space.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens staff is preparing a number of stained glass installations ahead of its exhibit on Feb. 12.

David Berry and Nathan Burnaman have overseen much of the design of the upcoming Tiffany exhibit.

Photos by Harry Sayer

Nathan Burnaman has been visualizing and executing many of the gardens’ art installations.

Burnaman says he has been involved in the design process for the art installations from cradle to grave. That starts with generating ideas that will marry Tiffany’s stylings with the garden space and then finding ways to make them work.

“We ask, ‘what makes the artist distinct?’” Burnaman says. “We focus on those key elements and generate ideas that would be practical to execute … with the language of plants, sculpture and flowers. We’ll think of many ideas and whittle it down from there.”

Many are still works in progress, and all require a good deal of work to execute.

The Living Lampshade, for example, is a vignette that Burnaman says is one of the garden’s biggest ever.

Staff members have constructed a gazebo that has been lined with orchid-shaped, leaded glass shades with vibrant green, red and blue colors. A garden will fill the interior with additional color.

When guests stand inside the gazebo (imitating a lamp shape) and the sun hits just right, they’ll find themselves surrounded by dazzling shades of colored light.

“(The gazebo) is a permitted structure,” Burnaman says. “It’s built to withstand Armageddon.”

Color and light (and their relationships) are a common theme in many of the installations that will be seen at Selby this spring.

The Rooted in Nature section has the gardens’ massive Moreton Bay fig tree’s root area planted with more than 1,000 guzmania flowers of various colors to imitate Tiffany’s glass displays.

The Succulents in Silhouette piece that overlooks the succulent garden has a number of tall, colored panels that stretch color and light across the plant space.

As it is still leading up to the exhibit’s debut, other installations are still underway. That suits Burnaman just fine.

“I usually have one favorite (installation),” Burnaman said. “This year, I have a lot of them.”

A CURATED EXPERIENCE

David Berry has been preparing the museum space for the new Tiffany exhibit for some time, and work really kicked into gear once the previous exhibit wrapped.

But during all this prep work, he’s been waiting for one moment — the first time a guest walks inside the museum, stop, and take a look at a Tiffany lamp he placed ever so carefully. It may seem like a small thing, but it’s much more than that to Berry. It will be proof that his team’s design of the museum’s walk-thru has paid off.

“(It’s about) the object you placed in a particular place that just stops someone and they look,” Berry says. “That’s what it’s all ultimately about, when people make that connection. They have a better understanding of all this in the context of nature.”

The Tiffany exhibit’s museum segment will have guests entering and seeing a silhouetted display of glass designs meant to evoke Tiffany’s New York studio before walking through hallways and learning more about the artist and seeing his various lamps, mosaics and other designs. Much of the museum’s col-

Nathan Burnaman has been watching the Flowing Flower installation take shape from starting design to its finish.

Photos by Harry Sayer

IF YOU GO

“TIFFANY: THE PURSUIT OF BEAUTY IN NATURE”

Where: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St.

When: Feb. 12 through June 25

Tickets: $16 for adults; $11 for guests Info: Call 366-5731 or visit Selby.org.

lection of glasswork was loaned from a private party.

Unlike some earlier exhibits that had a more open floor plan, the Tiffany exhibit has a guided style that Berry hopes will help guests better understand the artist’s life and style when working in interior design. That approach has included putting in a new dividing wall in an opening room to give more of a walkthrough experience.

“There’s something always in front of you, to your left or your right,” Berry says. “We want to capture the viewer’s (attention).”

Picking the types of artwork and details from Tiffany’s life — especially those that highlighted his

relationship to nature — to adorn the new layout and gallery was another matter entirely.

“You have the artist and the artist’s work, but what are the stories you’re going to tell?” Berry says. “We dive in as fully as we can … once we commit to an idea, then there’s the research to flesh it out.”

Berry feels he was well versed in Tiffany’s work before the exhibit but says he’s now learned to recognize the sophistications that separate Tiffany’s glass work from other artists.

A Lotus Pogoda lamp, for example, has a water-lily inspired design with a delicate touch that Berry has come to love.

But more than that is Berry’s respect for the artist’s emphasis on creating lamps, windows and other glass work that have real function to go along with the aesthetics.

“With Tiffany, you have glass used for practical purposes at the highest level of craftsmanship and aesthetic quality with the windows and the lamps,” Berry says. “We can see it as fine art because it is, but they were sold with a practical purpose.”

The Living Lampshade installation will be filled with color and light.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

HANZHI WANG, ACCORDIONIST

11 a.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club

1100 John Ringling Blvd.

$60 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Young musician Hanzhi Wang is the only accordionist to ever earn a place on the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 61-year history. Hosted by the Artist Series Concerts, enjoy lunch and a performance by this musician, who was named Musical America’s New Artist of the Month in 2018.

THURSDAY JAZZ AT THE SAM

5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail

$20; members free Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

Hot Club of SRQ will perform as the Sarasota Art Museum invites patrons to sip on cocktails and dine on light bites in the Bistro. Hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, this event welcomes attendees to peruse the galleries during extended hours.

TEMPS, TOPS, SUPREMES, & GLADYS: A MOTOWN REVUE

7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W. $30-$55 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

For more than 60 years, Motown has held up as one of the most unique and fertile genres for music lovers. The Soul Sensations and their friends will play the classics and

invite the audience to sing, dance and enjoy the best of Motown. Runs through Friday, Feb. 10.

GREAT ESCAPES: DATE NIGHT

7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail

$45-$108

Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

What better prelude to Valentine’s Day than enjoying an evening of romantic music? As part of its Great Escapes series, the Sarasota Orchestra will take audiences on a journey through heartfelt stories paired with music that will make you swoon. Runs through Sunday, Feb. 12.

FRIDAY

YAKOV SMIRNOFF

6:30 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $37 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Russian-born entertainer Yakov Smirnoff has had a career that has spanned TV, movies and Broadway. Don’t miss his particular brand of comedy during this two-day special event. Runs through Saturday, Feb. 11.

BEATLES VS. STONES

7 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice $36-$100

Visit VenicePerformingArtsCenter. com.

Billed as “the greatest concert that

never was …” this performance presents a what-if of the biggest battle of the bands to answer the age-old debate: Which is the better band — the Beatles or the Rolling Stones?

‘A SEA SYMPHONY’ MASTERWORK BY VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

4 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road $35-$45 Visit KeyChorale.org.

Vaughan Williams’ large-scale symphony was one of the first to incorporate a choir throughout it, and it is still considered one of the best first symphonies ever composed. Key Chorale performs this work, which tells the story of a seaward voyage of the soul to uncharted waters. Runs through Saturday, Feb. 11.

SATURDAY

‘ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE’ WITH THE LIVERPOOL LEGENDS

7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way $30 Visit ThePopsOrchestra.org.

The Pops Orchestra welcomes the Grammy-nominated Liverpool Legends, who will delight with this Beatles tribute concert. The Liverpool Legends have a unique connection with Louise Harrison, George Harrison’s sister and a Sarasota resident. Runs through Monday, Feb. 13.

FST IMPROV PRESENTS ‘WHEN X MEETS Y’ (VALENTINE’S DAY EDITION)

8:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1265 First St. $15 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the hilarious improv troupe at Florida Studio Theatre will produce

“When X Meets Y,” a fully improvised musical love story. Inspired by one location and three random notes on the keyboard, the troupe takes it from there to spin a fun story with romantic twists and turns.

SUNDAY

LET’S CELEBRATE

3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.

$5 Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.

The Suncoast Concert Band presents this performance of local musicians, which is sure to delight with an afternoon of music in a casual atmosphere.

MONDAY

‘TOOTSIE’

7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail

$42-$97 Visit VanWezel.org.

When an out-of-work actor has trouble getting gigs, he reinvents himself as a woman to secure the role of a lifetime. This good-time musical packed full of laughs will be sure to give you a night off from the real world. Runs through Wednesday, Feb. 15.

TUESDAY

PETER FOGEL’S ’TIL DEATH DO

US PART ... YOU FIRST!

2 and 7 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W. $30-$38 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than making fun of relationships and romance? No matter what your particular situation, anyone will be able to relate to Peter Fogel’s take on marriage, sex and other things that end prematurely.

OUR PICK

‘CHICKEN & BISCUITS’

This comedy, presented by the Asolo Repertory Theatre, introduces the Jenkins family as they celebrate their recently deceased father and grandfather. When a secret is revealed, this new Broadway show leads audiences through all the hilarious drama and antics that only family can inspire from one another. Runs through April 13.

IF YOU GO

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail

Tickets: Start at $33 Info: Visit AsoloRep.org.

DON’T MISS

CIRCUS SARASOTA

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages, don’t miss your chance to take part in a long-standing area tradition: Enjoying a night of entertainment under the big top at Circus Sarasota. Be dazzled by a variety of performers all in the best venue for circus around.

SILLY LOVE SONGS WITH JIMMY

MAZZ

7:30 p.m. at Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130

$30

Visit ThePlayers.org.

For a light-hearted Valentine’s Day, take in a cabaret with crooner Jimmy Mazz, who will take a spin through some of your favorite romantic tunes. Cabaret seating features romantic tables in the front row, along with champagne and a sweet treat for you and your Valentine.

WEDNESDAY

EXHIBITION EVENING FEATURING

DYNASTY DANCE CLUBS

6 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St.

Tickets $60-$65

Visit Selby.org.

Stroll through Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ spring exhibition, “Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature,” and enjoy a reception and performance by Dynasty Dance Clubs.

IF YOU GO

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 through March 5

Where: Ulla Searing Big Top on Nathan Benderson Park’s Regatta Island, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle

Tickets: $20-$75

Info: Call 355-9805 or visit CircusArts. org.

VIRTUOSO NIGHT

7:30 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key $35 Call (219) 928-8665.

A 13-member professional string ensemble as part of the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota will perform some of the best works from virtuosos, including Mozart, Bach and Janacek, all in the intimate setting of St. Boniface.

PIANIST AWADAGIN PRATT

7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way $30-$85 Visit SCASarasota.org.

The Sarasota Concert Association welcomes acclaimed pianist Awadagin Pratt, who will lend his musical insight and intensity to a performance that spans everything from the works from Philip Glass to Rachmaninoff.

TV or not TV?

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Paddy Chayefsky was mad as hell at the top executives of American broadcast television. His anger was understandable. He’d written some of the legendary scripts of TV’s golden age.

In less than a decade, he’d watched the network’s corporate clowns turn this revolutionary new medium into the idiot box. Chayefsky also absorbed tons of insider information about the three big TV networks. For a writer of his stature, that was a stockpile of radioactive ammo. Chayefsky dropped his satiric A-bomb in the mid-1970s. “Network” was the name of his weapon of mass-media destruction.

In 1976, “Network” looked like a dark satire. In 2023, it resembles prophecy. Was Chayefsky a satiric soothsayer after all? Marty Fugate posed that question to Richard Hopkins. (He’s directing the theatrical adaptation at Florida Studio Theatre, and we thought he would know.) His answers may shock you.

Paddy Chayefsky wrote “Network” for the movies. But Lee Hall’s play adaptation made very few changes. Why does the original material survive theatrical translation when so many other brilliant screenplays wouldn’t?

I think it’s because Paddy Chayefsky wrote such great dialogue in his screenplays and teleplays. His command of human speech made his scripts for “Marty,” “Network,” Hospital” and “Altered States” the masterpieces that they are. In these examples, Chayefsky was writing for the screen. He also wrote plays. Whatever the medium, Chayefsky’s words were always the driving force. His use of language was highly theatrical from the get-go. In the beginning was the word? Exactly. And that’s especially true for “Network.”

Why? Because speech is its organizing principle. Like all of Chayefsky’s screenplays, “Network” has its cinematic moments. But it’s not cinematic by nature. It’s more about the words of characters with opposing philosophies.

Chayefsky’s dialogue has the back-and-forth rhythm of theatrical speech. His scenes are a series of fragments. His locations jump from the studio, to the living room, to the bedroom, to the boardroom. His scenes of back and forth — then come back together. They’re effective against the backdrop of a highly realistic set. But they’d also work in an empty black box theater. The flow of Chayefsky’s language pulls these disjointed vignettes together not action in physical space.

When I saw “Network” in ’76, I figured it was a dark, over-thetop satire of TV, not a prediction. Now much of his bizarre lampoon has come to pass. Am I crazy to think that?

No, you’re not crazy. Chayefsky was amazingly prophetic. “Network” holds a mirror to the media-saturated world of today.

For me, that’s why Hall’s play works so much better than the film. Chayefsky railed against the crush of media in the 1970s. Television was shaping and misshaping humanity! The omnipresent boob tube is manipulating our minds! That’s nothing compared to the crush of contemporary media. Chayefsky never fathomed that we’d all be carrying portable screens in our pockets. Our smartphones are little bitty televisions. They’re two-way televisions. It’s so much like “1984.”

Sure. But instead of one Big Brother, we’ve got lots of Little Brothers. Who rat on us. That’s hilarious, Marty. And weirdly terrifying.

Because it’s true?

Because it’s true. Our smartphones talk to us, watch us, listen to us, interrupt us, give us orders and record our geographic locations.

And constantly try to sell us stuff. Yes. They do that, too. And it’s not just our smartphones — that’s true

IF YOU GO

for all the screens of our office computers, home computers, tablets and other digital devices. Media technology is ubiquitous in 2023. We’re surrounded!

Hall could’ve updated his “Net

work” adaptation to reflect that reality. But he didn’t. He still set the play in the 1970s. The dominant media technology is still TV. Not cable TV. Broadcast television — on clunky, old-fashioned, low-res screens. I think Hall made a smart choice in sticking to that. The ’70s had big, fat analog screens; we have slim, flat digital screens. So what? “Network” isn’t about mass media technology. It’s a satire of the corporate executives who profit from it — and the viewers they manipulate.

Despite the 1970s tech, “Network” is still very 21st century. Fat screen, flat screen. Chayefsky’s mass-media satire applies either way. The FST audience will connect the dots.

Let’s unpack Chayefsy’s “mass media satire.” What’s he saying exactly?

I think he’s saying a lot of things. Mad prophets can be dangerous, even when you agree with them. Angry rants can be satisfying, but they get you nowhere. Those are some of his obvious points. But Chayefsky wasn’t always on the nose. “Network” also made a lot of indirect, subtle observations.

For example?

First and foremost, Marshall McLuhan was wrong. The medium is not the message. The “message” is just a commodity in network television. The TV set doesn’t create the shows people watch. Creative professionals do — directors, actors, writers, etc.  But it’s not “art for art’s sake.” TV creatives are hired hands. Network executives tell them exactly what to create — on the basis of ratings, which

are constantly fluctuating, based on viewer taste … or lack of taste. Who’s consuming media content? That’s important. Who’s controlling that content? That’s the most important question. Not the “message” on the boob tube. The owners and executives who profit from it.

“Network” zeroes in on the network executives at UBS. “Look at them! They’re the bastards in charge of TV.” That’s one thing Chayefsky is saying to us. And also showing us.

Look at the man behind the curtain! Or, in this case, the men and women behind the boob tube. Yes, exactly. The old guard executives at UBS had standards. But dinosaurs like Max Schumacher are mostly gone. A new breed has replaced them. They have only one standard: ratings. They try to give the people what they want — or what they think they want. Assassinations on live TV? Well, that depends on the ratings.

What’s the audience share? How many eyeballs are watching? That’s the new breed’s definition of success. I’d be shivering in fear to work with them.

They’re amoral and corrupt. But they don’t see themselves that way. “It’s a business. We’re doing our job … blah, blah.”

Sure. But Chayefsky also indicts the corruption of the viewers who passively consume the sludge that UBS pumps out.

What’s your ideal takeaway for theatergoers driving home from your FST production?

I hope it’ll inspire a great conversation; it’s just that simple. I also hope they’ll ask tough questions. What does “Network” mean? Why is its fictional world so broken? Why is the real world so broken? What can we do to fix it? I don’t claim to have the answers. But if theatergoers ask the questions, I know I’ve done my job.

PRESENTING SPONSORS

SPONSORS

Drs. Joel Morganroth and Gail Morrison Morganroth LEAD

Courtesy photo

What affect does TV really have on us? FST’s “Network” pierces the veil between television and reality.

Swordplay & silliness

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Back in 1844, Alexandre Dumas wrote a ripping yarn called “The Three Musketeers.” Not just a great story.

Like “The Odyssey” and “The Seven Samurai,” Dumas’ tale is amazingly elastic. The story is so strong, it survives adaptation, translation and appropriation into multiple forms. Speaking of which, it’s alive and well in Ken Ludwig’s farcical take in this Asolo Repertory Theatre production.

The action unfolds in France in 1625. The foppish Louis XIII (Peter S. Raimondo) sits on the throne.

The Musketeers of the Guard protect him. These elite warriors take their name from muskets, but they’re far more deadly with old-school swords. Good thing.

Cardinal Richelieu (Jay Russell) is the King’s enemy — and he’s got his own set of deadly warriors.

D’Artagnan (Evan Stevens), a clueless country kid, tries to join the Musketeers in their fight against the Cardinal’s sins. The unlucky lad gets on the bad side of three badass Musketeers — namely Athos (Leighton Samuels), Porthos (Dean Linnard) and Aramis (Ray Huth filling in for Rasell Holt). They initially want to kill him, but decide to train him instead. D’Artagnan’ sister Sabine (Erin O’Connor) joins the struggle. The fight against evil begins! After that, things get complicated …

Stevens shows panache as the plucky young D’Artagnan. He wants to fight evil? Be careful what you wish for, kid. His sister, Sabine, popped out of Ludwig’s imagination, not Dumas’ original novel. O’Connor brings her vividly to life on stage. Her Sabine loves her big brother. But she’s got a severe case of sibling rivalry.

Samuels’ Athos is the three musketeer’s leader. He’s brave and smart, not flashy and boastful. His Athos has mastered the art of swordfighting. He doesn’t yap about his skill. He lets his rapier

IF YOU GO

‘THE THREE MUSKETEERS’

When: Through March 26

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Tickets: $33-$93

Info: Call 351-8000 or visit AsoloRep. org.

do the talking. Linnard’s Porthos is also a masterful swordsman. But he’ll crack jokes and clown around. His silly antics make foolish foes drop their guard. Big mistake.

Huth’s Aramis is a darkly brooding romantic — a lover and a fighter.

Raimondo’s King Louis XIII is a royal poseur. Queen Anne (Imani Lee Williams) is doing a royal job of cuckolding him.  Jay Russell’s Richelieu is a nasty piece of work. He’s good at being bad. Why? Because he likes it. Deadly Machiaevillian schemes are Richelieu’s bloody game of human chess — and his idea of fun. He’s been playing the game so long, he’s reached the master level. Lane’s unladylike Milady is every Walt Disney villainess rolled into one. She can smile and smile — then stab a knife in your back. That’s her idea of having fun.

That’s not the entire cast by a long shot. But it’s a fair sample of the talent.

The actors are all pretty, pretty good.

Dumas’ novel ran to 700 pages or so. The playwright squashed his sprawling tale down to two, highvelocity acts.

Ludwig’s comedy doesn’t crush Dumas’ tough, elastic story. His adaptation of “The Three Musketeers” is still a rousing yarn. On top of that, it’s a love story, an adventure and a gripping struggle of good against evil.

Above all, it’s a celebration of solidarity. “All for one and one for all,” isn’t the fashion lately. Here’s hoping it’ll come back in style. Sounds crazy, I know …

It’s so crazy it just might work.

BLACK TIE

PALM BALL

Saturday, Feb. 4, at Bay Preserve at Osprey | Benefiting Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast brought wild color and energy to the Bay Preserve at Osprey during its annual Palm Ball on Feb. 4.

This year’s event had a “Call of the Wild” theme and boasted plenty of decor and color to match. The interior of the tented event space had a wild green aesthetic that played up the natural energy of Southwest Florida.

Guests dressed up in dazzling clothes to match and spent a lengthy cocktail hour at the preserve mingling and enjoying light bites and drinks near outdoor heaters.

Eventually, though, it was time for the program to start and guests took to their seats. There they heard from Conservation Foundation figures on the importance of the organization’s programs protecting land and water in Southwest Florida.

After food and been served, guests took part in a paddle raise for a number of nature-themed experiences, including a sunrise kayak and brunch, dinner at the Burrows-Matson house at the Bay Preserve and more.

The night finished with dessert and dancing.

— HARRY SAYER

Photos by Cliff Roles and Harry Sayer

Co-chair Jeremy Wright, honorary Chair Cornelia Matson, Co-chairs Rosemary Eure, Elizabeth Moore, Kathy Coffey and Leiza Fitzgerald

Dru Greene with Bill and Barbara Little

Paul McFee-

ley with Patricia and Charles Clark

The night had a wild green aesthetic.

Amber Lamerson, Webster McDonald, Lee Ann Rodriguez and Jennifer Johnston

Victoria and Jack Chapman

Lindsay Morrison and Luke Simonds

BLACK TIE & TALES HARRY SAYER

Project PRIDE SRQ donor party

Project PRIDE SRQ has had something of a busy year.

That involved merging with the Sarasota Pride organization, donating more than $102,000 to local organizations and helping organize a Say Gay emergency rally at the Ringling Bridge in early February.

It’s been a lot of work and activity, and Project PRIDE staff recently thanked its many donors and supporters with its first appreciation party on Feb. 4.

More than 150 Project Pride supporters met at the Benderson Family Finish Tower at Nathan Benderson Park, where they sipped on drinks and enjoyed light bites.

The audience heard from new President Jason Champion, as well as representatives from other Sarasota organizations Project PRIDE has supported, including ALSO Youth, SRQ Kickball, Second Chance Last Opportunity and the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

Project PRIDE’s upcoming events include supporting a transgender memorial garden dedication at the Church of the Trinity MCC on March 5, joining a Manatee Pride Parade in Bradenton on March 11 and being part of a 99 Bottles give-back night on March 12.

New RCLA lecture series, new RCLA executive director

It’s a new year, and that means a new slate of celebrity and influential figures speaking at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall as part of the Ringling College Library Association’s Town Hall lecture series.

But there’s also new leadership handling the series as well. After Stephanie Grosskreutz’s retirement from RCLA in early December, Lauren Kurnov has stepped up to serve as the organization’s newest executive director. It wouldn’t be a new season without some curveballs, of course. While the series’ opening lecture was meant for 2021 Nobel Prize win-

ner Maria Ressa, that was changed to inviting Carlos Alvardo Quesada, the 48th president of Costa Rica, to the Van Wezel on Jan. 17.

Kurnov introduced the political and climate change figure on stage and felt like the event went well.

“There’s always nerves when it’s your first time doing something, but I was excited,” Kurnov said.

Quesada spoke to his climate policies and programs pursuing sustainable energy while in office.

Fittingly, President Christine Johnson of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast served as moderator and spoke with Quesada on a number of ecological issues.

“We realized we didn’t have another speaker in the series that was a climate change policy expert,” Kurnov said.

Kurnov notes future lecture events will see additional community experts serving as guest moderators to bring more knowledge to the Q&A discussions.

“We want to strengthen the community connection,” Kurnov said. “We want the program to have deeper relevance to our community.”

Following the Michael Phelps lecture series event that was held on Feb. 6, the next event in the series will feature Admiral James Starvridis on Feb. 27.

Paul Seed, Startech.com

Jim and Susan Travers

PRESENTING

SPONSORS

Amicus Foundation

Julie A. Harris

HOST COMMITTEE

Gerald and Sondra Biller

Jenne Britell

The W. Dale Brougher Foundation

Jaclyn Brunckhorst

Design Works and Kirkplan Kitchens

Michele Hooper and Lemuel Seabrook

Joan K. Lieberman

Michael and Kathy Martella

John and Eilene Maupin

William and Elaine McClure

Karl and Ricky Newkirk

Walt and Donna Pearson

Drayton and Kara Saunders

*As of 2/2/23

For information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Julie

The 2023 Collaboration Celebration luncheon brings together nonprofits, businesses, and donors to celebrate the important work of collaboration on the Campus of Caring and beyond.

This event introduces the Emerging Leader Awards. Three individuals will be recognized in the categories of health, human services, and arts & culture, each winning a $1,000 grant to be used in their leadership journey.

The awards aim to develop the leaders who will shape Sarasota’s human services community in the years to come.

Harry Sayer

Antonio Pinho and Rogelio Capote were on hand at Project PRIDE SRQ’s donor party.

Junior League Legacy Luncheon

tiatives to develop the potential of women.

Legacy Luncheon Chairwoman Melissa Hembree welcomed the crowd before President Lindsay Nock took to the stage to thank the audience as well.

The Junior League of Sarasota celebrated 20 years of its Legacy Luncheon fundraiser with an emerald event Feb. 2 at Michael’s On East Guests met for a lengthy champagne reception to celebrate the organization’s many years of volunteer programs and ini-

Guests also heard from Georgia Pellegrini, host of PBS show “Modern Pioneering” and the event’s guest speaker.

Junior League staff later led a raffle drawing for a custom emerald necklace.

The event ended with closing remarks by Hembree.

— HARRY SAYER

Catholic Charities Ball 2023

The 2023 Catholic Charities Ball brought hope and elegance to The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota on Feb. 4.

The annual affair, put on by the Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Inc., had 300 guests attending the event.

Guests joined the Rev. Frank Dewane, the bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, during lively social hours accompanied by bagpipes from Kevin Wiegand of the Knights of Columbus.

Ray Collins emceed the program, which started with words from Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice CEO Eduardo Gloria.

Once dinner and the live auction had ended, guests heard from people who have benefited from Catholic Charities programs.

The night ended with music from pianist Giovanni Marradi, violinist Edgar Sandoval and the Phase 5 band.

Chairwoman Bridget Spiess, the Rev. Frank Dewane, pianist Giovanni Marradi, Mary Beth and Ralph Cotran and Edgar Sandoval

Co-chairwomen Beth Cannata, Marilee Roberts, Sabrina Gibson, Judy Kozlowski and Marcia Norris

Kathleen Gordon and Shirley Wiginton Nicole Randazzo and Kelli Soukup

Lauren and Candice Henry

— HARRY SAYER

Photos by Harry Sayer Scarlett and Riley Beaver

Photos by Harry Sayer

Special guest Georgia Pellegrini, middle, with the Junior League committee members

Steak & Burger Celebration

Friday, Feb. 3, at Lee

Wetherington Club | Benefiting Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties saddled up for its annual Steak & Burger celebration event at the Lee Wetherington Club on Feb. 3.

Guests dressed up in their most country attire for the annual Youth of the Year celebration that started with light bites and mingling before it was time to fill the Lee Wetherington event space for the event.

The audience heard from Boys and Girls Clubs President and CEO Bill Sadlo before the 2023 Youth of the Year was announced.

—HARRY SAYER

Brian Woodring, Lisa Kiesel, Sheriff Kurt Hoffman and Caroline and Lee Wetherington

Photos by Cliff Roles President and CEO Bill Sadlo