Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 6.8.23

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wants city to apologize

Taking flight

She wasn’t quite ready to leave Save our Seabirds, but she has another internship this summer.

Sarasota High graduate and Florida State advertising major Megan Mohrmann capped off her marketing internship at Save Our Seabirds by releasing a rehabilitated mourning dove.

Mohrmann said the bird arrived about a month ago at Save Our Seabirds. It had an injured wing.

The release was one of the highlights of her time at SOS, where her favorite part of the job was “(capturing) the positive stories and sharing them with the public.” One of those stories includes a new record.

“This month, we broke one of our records for most ospreys received,” said Mohrmann.

Four were transferred to the SOS facility for rehab, and two more were rescued that same day, explained Mohrmann. Four of the ospreys have already been released and two are working toward a full recovery, she said.

Getting his automotive fix

Michael Rodriguez’s career in automotive repair started online when he was inspired by the videos of Christopher Magello, better known as ChrisFix.

On June 1, Rodriguez had the chance to meet Magello during a greeting event in the parking lot of Lowe’s on Fruitville Road.

“I’ve seen him on the screen all the time — now he’s in person,” he said.

As a result of Magello’s stepby-step videos, which make up what is the largest car channel on YouTube at 9.63 million subscribers, Rodriguez was inspired to attend Suncoast Technical College, becoming a technician at Sarasota Ford.

Magello was joined by YouTuber Freddy Hernandez, whose channel on vehicle modification has 2.55 million subscribers.

Magello said he chose to hold the event in Sarasota due to its large car community.

John Ryan and Brandon Taaffe, with Sarasota Bay Watch, participate in its event to remove trash from Sarasota Bay June 3.

WEEK OF JUNE 8, 2023

BY THE NUMBERS

New GCCF President and CEO Phillip Lanham. Read more on page 6A

Public input needed for Ian recovery grant

Sarasota County residents are invited to participate in the newly launched Resilient SRQ survey to provide feedback for the upcoming action plan and potential use of $201.5 million in federal funds to support recovery efforts countywide from the impacts of Hurricane Ian. Projects will primarily assist lowto moderate-income households in housing, infrastructure restoration, economic revitalization and mitigation.

The survey is available at SCGOV. net/ResilientSRQ through June 28.

In addition to the survey, residents may also provide feedback during one of the Resilient SRQ public meetings at the following locations and times:

n 5:30-7:30 p.m., June 21, at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice.

n 6-8 p.m., June 22, at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota. n 2-4 p.m., June 24, at Shannon Staub Public Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port.

Ratings services give county top scores

Seven parcels near the Ringling Boulevard and Orange Avenue intersection in downtown Sarasota have been sold for $32 million.

The 3.1 acres, purchased by Virginia-based development company Orange Pineapple LLC, provides the opportunity to develop condos, apartments, hotels and retail, though no plans have been revealed yet, according to a press release.

“This and the $24 million deal we negotiated for the sale of the Zenith building downtown earlier this year are probably the most significant — apart from The Quay — to occur in downtown

Sarasota in a long time,” Steven Horn, partner at Ian Black Real Estate, said in the release. Capstone Group Holdings LLC and Ringling and Orange 3 LLC, the sellers, were represented by Horn and Jag Grewal, a partner at Ian Black Real Estate.

While no plans have been announced, the property is zoned to build up to 10 stories and 50 residential units per acre. The property never made it to the open market.

The press release states Horn and Grewal worked on the transaction for 10 months.

“We were looking for the right buyer who would have both the

financial wherewithal and experience to redevelop the property, and this offering was a great fit for Orange Pineapple LLC,” Grewal said. “This has a lot of potential to play a major role in downtown Sarasota’s continued transformation, and to expand commercial activity across Ringling Boulevard. “We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to the development and growth of downtown Sarasota, and we anticipate that our efforts will have a substantial positive effect on the city as a whole.”

Sarasota County has been assigned “AA+” ratings for its 2023 capital projects improvement revenue series bonds, affirmed “AA+” ratings on all capital improvement bonds, and reaffirmed the “AAA” rating for general obligation bonds by both Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings services.

The ratings reports determine the county’s perceived worthiness for investing. Similar to an individual’s credit score, higher bond ratings are typically accompanied by a lower interest rate. The rating also indicates lower risk to investors.

Proceeds from the approximately $24.3 million capital projects improvement revenue series 2023A bonds will fund portions of the new Sarasota County Mosquito Management Service facility and the new Emergency Services Administration building.

“More than just funding, community foundations are also very astute at convening, bringing parties together who otherwise may not naturally come together.”

Courtesy

the 3.1 acres shaded in yellow in downtown Sarasota for $32 million.

Opportunity knocking at upper Main Street

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

When he introduced plans to develop SOTA — the 12-story condo/hotel mixed-use project at the corner of Main Street and Goodrich Avenue — Rodrigo Trepp of Trepp Development called the area “what’s happening next” in downtown Sarasota.

Indeed, redevelopment is active on the eastern end of Main Street, also known as upper Main Street, with multiple residential and mixed-use projects either under construction or in planning. Located in one of four federally designated opportunity zones, the area bisected by the intersection of Main Street and U.S. 301 is ripe for investment.

“Sarasota is viewed as one of the better opportunity zones in the country due to its proximity to the downtown core,” said broker Kevin Robbins of Robbins Commercial. “Because of the zoning and density, this location is very attractive for development with as-of-right zoning in addition to the opportunity zone status. This combination will attract apartment developers, which will increase the opportunity for affordable housing.”

Already under construction is One Main Plaza, the first significant redevelopment project in the area, at 1991 Main St., bringing hundreds of apartments and thousands of square feet of street-level retail and commercial space. Soon to follow is SOTA, its location best known as the site of Il Panificio restaurant.

Meanwhile, planning is underway for the first phase of Park District, which will include 331 multifamily residences and nearly 8,000 square feet of retail just east of U.S. 301 bounded by Fruitville Road and Main Street. And still considering its final form is Artist’s Court at the corner of U.S. 301 and Adams Lane.

“The east end of Main, or upper Main Street, close to Highway 301 is ripe for development,” Robbins said. “The project located at 1991 Main St. (One Main Plaza) is serving as a catalyst for the entire area. This location has always had the ingredients for a vibrant area and has been known as Sarasota’s central business district, as there are numerous office towers and it houses the judicial center.”

Opportunity zones are an economic development tool that encourages investment in distressed areas to spur economic growth and job creation in low-income tracts while providing tax benefits to investors.

Low-income census tracts are nominated by governors and certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury into which investors may make qualifying investments into new projects and enterprises in exchange for certain federal capital gains tax reductions.

Up to 15% of the deferred gain is permanently excluded from income if the opportunity zone investment is held for more than seven years.

SOTA

Developer: Trepp Development

Location: 1703 Main St.

Best known as the site of Il Panificio Pizzeria, SOTA will be a 16-story tower with 35 condominiums, 120 hotel rooms managed by Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and a 4,500-square-foot restaurant. The site is located at the corner of Main Street and Goodrich Avenue. Demolition of buildings on the site and construction are expected to begin this summer.

Park District Developer: Brook Farm Group

One Main Plaza Developer: Belpointe

Location: 1991 Main St. Construction is well underway on The Aster & Links multifamily complex that will include 424 units at the corner of Main Street and Links Avenue. Units will range from one-bedroom apartments to fourbedroom town home-style penthouses in a seven-story building at the front of the development and a 10-story building in the rear. It will also include 900 parking spaces. One Main is also expected to include more than 55,000 square feet of ground-floor retail including, the recently announced 23,000-square-foot grocer Sprouts.

Artist’s Court

Developer: GK Sarasota Venture Location: Adams Lane at U.S. 301

Initially planned as a 139-unit apartment development before morphing into an eight-story, mixed-use project of 69 residences, a 120-room hotel and 3,500 square feet of commercial space, plans are in flux again at the northwest corner of South Washington Boulevard and Adams Lane. The site is currently occupied by three one-story commercial buildings, totaling 15,736 square feet, that will be demolished.

Location: Multiple addresses between Main Street and Fruitville Road Planning is underway on a mixed-use project consisting of 331 multifamily apartment units and 7,828 square feet of retail. The area is bounded to the north by Fruitville Road, to the south by Main Street, to the east by Audubon Place and to the west by North Washington Boulevard. Development is proposed only on the lots between Fletcher and East Avenue at this time, with future development to occur on the surrounding lots, totaling 8.5 acres.

Dr. Sergio Hernandez brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Cattleridge Medical Building I office a wealth of knowledge and experience in General Surgery.

Undergraduate: Florida International University, Miami, FL Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

Residency: General Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Certification: Board Certified, American Board of Surgery Hospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital; Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

SPAC architect selected for its ‘welcoming’ touch

number crunching may commence.

“I think the opportunity that we have here is once in a lifetime to be able to impact not only the community but also the arts here in Sarasota,” Hooper said during the selection meeting. “I just think we need to recognize that we have to choose one, but all three are really, really world class.”

Less than 24 hours after the three finalist firms made in-person presentations, the SPAC Architect Selection Task Force reconvened this past Thursday to select Genoa, Italy-based Renzo Piano Building Workshop as its preferred architect to design the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

It took seven months of meetings, international travel and debate to narrow the field of 43 candidate architecture firms to one.

“OK, now what?” task force member Michelle Hooper asked, perhaps rhetorically.

The answer from facilitator Cortez Crosby of consulting firm Paratus Group, was, predictably, nothing.

“Officially, your task is complete. You all have been sunsetted,” Crosby said.

The day, however, is only dawning for the realization of the new SPAC, which is planned for the northeast corner of what is now a parking lot for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Estimated at $275 million to $300 million, the public-private venture to replace the Van Wezel as the city’s primary live performance venue remains in its infancy.

The selection of an architect is a critical early step in the process that will eventually lead to an implementation agreement between the city of Sarasota and the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation, which is due to be finalized in fall 2024. Once an architect is officially on board and a design imagined, a construction cost can be estimated and the

Regarding the caliber of the finalist firms, task force member Mark Famiglio added, “This is amazing that we’re even able to do this. I still can’t get over it.”

At its May 12 meeting, the task force narrowed six semifinalists down to four finalists, but one of the four, Gehry Partners, likely sensing it was a long shot based on the discussion among task force members, declined to participate in the final presentation.

That left Snohetta, Foster + Partners and Renzo Piano Building Workshop, named after founder Renzo Piano, for in-person presentations in the Grand Foyer of the Van Wezel. Hooper, Famiglio and fellow task force members Jenne Britell and Mary Bensel were left to sleep on their thoughts overnight — although they said they didn’t get that much sleep — before making their decision June 1.

AN ABUNDANCE OF RICHES

The choice of Renzo Piano wasn’t unanimous. Famiglio preferred Foster + Partners, which designed the iconic Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, and the new PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach. The second choice of Foster + Partners, though, was unanimous, leaving Snohetta third in line.

That’s important because the process now turns to the city’s procurement staff to negotiate the contract with Renzo Piano. If the two sides cannot agree to terms, the city would then turn to Foster + Partners and then Snohetta. If it comes down to that, the task

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

A cultural center in Greece stood out to the task force in its search for a firm to design the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

force reiterated it would be comfortable with any of the three firms.

“We have an abundance of riches here in terms of the firms that we have before us to choose from,” said Hooper. “We could take a dart board and make this a very short meeting. We could take a dart, close our eyes, and we would be happy with any one of the three.”

With offices in Genoa, Italy, and

Paris, Renzo Piano Building Workshop is led by 12 partners. The practice employs about 100 architects and 30 support staff including 3D visualization artists, BIM managers, model makers, archivists and administrative and secretarial staff.

A boutique-style firm, Renzo Piano takes on only about two new projects per year, although several ongoing projects overlap, pulling

KEY TAKEAWAYS

■ The city’s procurement team will engage in negotiations with the architecture firm chosen to design the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

■ Firms were selected in order of preference in the event that negotiations with the first choice are unsuccessful.

■ Selection of the architect is a critical step toward developing the implementation agreement for the facility between the city and the SPAC Foundation.

design pioneered by architects Paul Rudolph and Ralph Twitchell.

Firm principal Norman Foster studied under Rudolph at Yale University. That influence of modern design is reflected in Foster’s Apple and PGA Tour building designs.

“In his video, Foster himself said that he was going to take this personally, and one of his heroes is Paul Rudolph,” Famiglio said. “We were able to see that emulated in some of his work.”

resources from across the firm to collaborate on the designs. Among its global projects is the Academy of Motion Pictures, which includes two theaters. That project, which was highlighted in its presentation to the task force, was completed in 2021.

The SPAC is planned to include a 2,100-seat main hall, a 300-seat flexible performance space and a total of 165,000 square feet of building utilizing inside and outside education, event and rooftop spaces. It will be owned by the city, the capital project funded by private donations, grants and tax increment finance revenues on a district surrounding The Bay, the city’s 53-acre waterfront park.

A WELCOMING PLACE

From the outset of the discussion, it was clear Renzo Piano was favored by three of the four task force members, the firm’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, Greece, stood out from their site visits. Famiglio, though, was set on Foster + Partners, in no small part to his connection with the Sarasota School of Architecture, which was a midcentury movement toward modern

Bensel admitted to leaning toward Foster as well during her overnight vacillations, but in the end favored Renzo Piano.

Britell said more than the building itself, it was how people interacted with the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center that left a lasting impression.

“When we saw the cultural center in Athens, it reflected extraordinary vision and sensitivity to a whole range of issues,” Britell said. “And it was filled with people, not just children but also the grownups. It just was welcoming. I talked to some of the people in Athens at the hotel and one of the assistant managers asked why we were there. When we told him and he said, ‘I love that place. I go there when I’m happy and I go there when I’m sad,’ and I thought it is very alive. It’s very welcoming.”

That Bensel said, is consistent with the city’s vision for The Bay.

“What I hope for this community with a new performing arts center is that we offer an experience, not just a performance, but an experience,” she said. “I think with The Bay Park that is coming more and more to fruition.”

Courtesy photo

Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center in Athens, Greece.

Andrew Warfield

The SPAC Architect Selection Task Force meets with representatives of Renzo Piano Building Workshop on Wednesday. On Thursday, the task force selected the firm to design the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

New GCCF leader wants to ‘level up’ its role in the community

On his second day, the new president and CEO explains why he moved from Cincinnati and how he plans to ‘level up’ the GCCF’s philanthropic ambitions.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Following a national search to replace the retiring Mark Pritchett, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board of Directors selected Phillip Lanham as president and CEO of the 27-yearold philanthropic organization.  Lanham’s first day on the job was June 1, joining Gulf Coast after serving as chief philanthropy officer of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. There, he successfully led the philanthropic partnerships team in providing strategic guidance for relationships with donors, nonprofits, businesses and private foundations. Spending his entire career serving the philanthropic and nonprofit communities, he is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy and a member of the 21/64 Network, a nonprofit specializing in understanding and engaging the next generation within family philanthropy.

Lanham was no stranger to the area, having vacationed here frequently. On his second day on the job, he spoke with the Observer about why he accepted the new role and how he plans to further elevate the foundation’s role in the community.

Why were you interested in serving the GCCF and this community?

The opportunity presented itself at a perfect time in my career. I was looking to level up to be a CEO of a community foundation, which I had fallen in love with the model of a community foundation because of all the potential that it can create inside of a community in partnership with nonprofits and donors.

How did you know this was the right place for you?

Meeting the members of the search committee, members of the leadership team and key leaders in the community, it became very obvious to me that this is a special place because of the people. The climate doesn’t hurt; it was the people, the culture of philanthropy that is in this region and the people I met during the process that just made it so special. And any time there was a hurdle put in front of me or my family during this process, the universe took that hurdle away. There was a solution within 48 hours, helping us make the decision that was right for everybody.

What were some of those hurdles?

We have a junior in high school and that he wanted to graduate from the high school where he spent his entire upbringing, and we did not want to disrupt that. My wife, Tami, and our younger son are staying Cincinnati until he goes off to college, so that will be a new element in my personal life and to navigate to the next year.

The hurdles were all personal.

Professionally, it was a no-brainer, knowing the type of culture, that the organization is aligned with my personal values and the type of growth mindset that the Gulf Coast Community Foundation has; it’s aligned with how I want to lead an organization. And again, the culture of philanthropy in this community was really appealing to me.

Another hurdle, and this is where there’s a higher power, is that my wife is an entrepreneur and has opened a second (child care) location recently, and so she was struggling with how that might be managed. Then someone who worked for her for over a decade had left town almost five

years ago, and within 48 hours of us seriously considering this decision, that person reached out to my wife to say she was moving back to Cincinnati. That’s one of the big hurdles we had was my wife’s business, making sure she had the right team in place.

What is it about community foundations and philanthropy that appeals to you as a career?

Community foundations are a unique entity in the nonprofit world. We work with donors and their philanthropic issues and efforts that they care about and help them make the greatest impact in the community. At the same time, we have the endowment created either through donors or other entities. Gulf Coast was initially founded by the hospital sale in Venice, so that was the seed funding for it. Donors make grants out of their individual funds that they have established inside the foundation and things they care about, and then the foundation also supports

key initiatives in the community. Gulf Coast is very much focused on affordable housing, the environment and mental health.

In what directions do you want to lead the foundation?

The area I’m passionate about is affordable housing. In my prior role, I was instrumental in creating an affordable housing impact investment pool. Impact investing is a tool that community foundations can use to leverage their full endowment, not just what is spun off every year, to create meaningful change and in partnership with donors and other key funders, the community impact investing program can really leverage resources to create more affordable housing units for those who need it the most.

Affordable housing seems to have many definitions. How do you define it? Some people call it workforce hous-

ing because affordable housing depends on one’s income. Someone who’s a multimillionaire, they live in a $10 million piece of property because it’s affordable to them. Workforce housing is very specific on who you’re seeking to help. Typically, it’s 80% of area median income or below.

What do you see as the needs here that may benefit from your experience and where you like to place resources?

During the recruiting process, an area that really stood out to me, that was not known to me, was water quality, and particularly red tide over the last several years and how could the region and the state come together to understand the root cause and then mitigate that to avoid future red tide.

Are you talking about funding research?

More than just funding, community foundations are also very astute at convening, bringing parties together who otherwise may not naturally come together. That’s the power of a community foundation. It’s that partnership as a convener that really moves the needle around the community issues by bringing all parties to the table.

What is your assessment of the foundation as you step into the leading role?

The organization that I have the privilege to lead has a great legacy along with the team that has been developed here under Mark’s leadership and the board’s leadership. The support of the board was a big part of what drew me here, not just as a collective, but individually. I’m inheriting an incredible organization. That’s a big burden on my shoulders to live up to the legacy of this foundation and to continue to grow its impact. I’m looking forward to working with the board and the team and looking at how we might level up everything we’ve been doing for the last 27 years.

Courtesy photo

Phillip Lanham is the new president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Q+A PHILLIP LANHAM

Say

SKYSCRAPER to a ADVERTISEMENT

• A massive 342-foot skyscraper towering over North Palm Avenue, more than 100 feet taller than any other existing condominium building.1

• Built on a tiny footprint (0.28 acre) abutting neighboring property lines by mere inches and potentially threatening their structural integrity. 2

• Requiring the demolition of seven retail businesses (6,350 sf) and replacing them with only one small retail space (640 sf).3

• Obscuring an architecturally distinguished building designed by famed Sarasota School architect Tim Seibert.4

THE PROPOSED 1260 N. PALM AVENUE TOWER IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE CITY’S STATED DESIRE FOR A PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY DOWNTOWN WITH A VIBRANT RETAIL CLIMATE.

WE URGE CITY OFFICIALS TO DENY THE PROPOSAL FOR THIS BEHEMOTH SKYSCRAPER.

EMAIL YOUR OBJECTIONS TO:

Lucia Panica, Development Services Director

Lucia.Panica@sarasotafl.gov

Marlon Brown, City Manager Marlon.Brown@sarasotafl.gov City Commissioners CityCommissioners@sarasotafl.gov

(1) Hoyt Architects, 1260 Palm Avenue Architectural Site Plan, dated October 28, 2022 (2) Hoyt Architects, 1260 Palm Avenue Architectural Site Plan, dated October 28, 2022 (3) Freedman Consulting & Development Application for Administrative Site Plan on behalf of Palm Properties, LLC, dated October 2022, page 1 (4) Bay Plaza, designed by famed architect Tim Seibert, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of Architecture 404867-1

Image: Hoyt/Hal/Imerza

OPINION / OUR VIEW

Florida highways among Top 10

Don’t be shocked. When compared to other states, Florida’s DOT keeps the state’s urban and rural highways well-maintained. Fatalities are a weakness.

HOW THE STATES’ HIGHWAY SYSTEMS RANK

“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.”

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Every year, the Reason Foundation ranks all 50 states’ highway systems. In this year’s report, examining 2020 data, the latest available, Florida’s highway system ranks eighth in the nation.

That is great, considering how important our roadways are to our economy, including tourism; to our own ability to get around and enjoy our quality of life; and to our ability to evacuate in the event of a hurricane.

Reason’s “Annual Highway Report” uses a broad range of performance measures on the condition and cost-effectiveness of state-controlled highways in 13 categories, including pavement condition, traffic congestion, structurally deficient bridges, traffic fatalities and spending (capital, maintenance, administrative, other) per mile. You can see Florida’s ranking on each of these categories in the accompanying table.

On most of the performance metrics in the table Florida either excels or struggles.

Compared to nearby states, Florida’s overall highway performance is worse than South Carolina (sixth) and Georgia (fourth), but better than Alabama (15th).

Florida ranks ahead of other comparable states, such as Texas (19th) and California (47th).

WHERE FLORIDA DOES BEST

Florida’s best ranking is in rural Interstate pavement condition.

The state does a crackerjack job of maintaining Interstate 75, Interstate 95 and Interstate 10 and others in those long woody stretches between cities. And I think anyone who drives around Florida and other states knows this. Our rural freeways are smooth and lovely rides.

Once those interstates get into urban areas, though, they are not in quite such good shape (ninth), but still pretty good.

Florida also does well on rural arterial pavement (second). These are all the rural highways like the U.S. 41, U.S. 301 and State Road 70, which are in great shape and provide vital links to most interior cities and towns and many coastal ones.

Those same roads in urban areas (urban principal arterials) are also in good shape (fourth).

Finally, Florida ranks eighth in structurally deficient bridges, which is not bad. These are bridges that score as “deficient” on feder-

ally mandated inspections of structural adequacy and thus qualify for federal funding to repair them.

Florida has a lot of bridges, given the extent of our wetlands, so this metric is vital to the overall health of the highway network.

The Florida Department of Transportation is at its best in maintaining our state highway system, with good road conditions driving all its top performance categories in the report.

WHERE FLORIDA CAN IMPROVE

Where the state’s highway system doesn’t rank so well is in safety and cost effectiveness.

Florida’s worst rankings are in urban fatality rate (49th) and rural fatality rate (45th). The state’s rural fatality rate is 2.2 times higher than peer state Pennsylvania and 1.2 times higher than Texas. In urban fatalities, Florida is 1.5 times higher than Pennsylvania and 1.4 times higher than Texas.

Nationwide, both rural and urban roadway fatality rates increased in 2020, with distracted driving being blamed the most.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data show distracted driving, speeding and driving under the influence are the primary causes of road fatalities.

To be fair, there is no evidence that Florida builds or operates its roads in a way that increases fatalities. The causes are behavior of individuals and cultural problems over which the state highway department has little influence. Nevertheless, the state is making major efforts to reduce all these causes.

Florida tends to spend more than average on its roads, and that creates poor performance rankings on cost effectiveness. On a per-lanemile basis, the state ranks 43rd in construction and bridge spending; 29th on maintenance spending; and 28th on administrative spending. All are ranked per lane mile to make fair comparison with other states. For example, Florida’s construction and bridge disbursement per lane mile is 1.5 times higher than Pennsylvania and 1.2 times higher than Texas. In other words, Florida’s highway system is in better shape than most other states, but we spend more to achieve that performance.

Source: Reason Foundation

HOW FLORIDA’S HIGHWAY SYSTEMS RANK

Here is how the Reason Foundation has ranked Florida’s highway systems nationally in the Foundation’s 27th Annual Highway Report.

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TAKEAWAYS Florida’s highway system is in great shape, and that helps the state rank in the top 10 in the nation on highway performance. That is valuable to our state economy and to our quality of life.

To improve the state’s rankings, we need to find ways to tackle problem drivers that make our road fatality rate among the highest in the nation. Also, finding ways to be more cost effective, such as more use of public-private partnerships, could really improve the state rankings on spending.

Adrian Moore is vice president of the Reason Foundation and lives in Sarasota.

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

ADRIAN MOORE

One Park investor demands apology from the city

answer was no,” Bridges said. “He looked at his partner and turned off his recorder. It was absolutely ridiculous.”

The question? Bridges wouldn’t say, only that it was not about Halflants.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Sarasota developer and One Park investor James Bridges wants an official apology from the city of Sarasota.

The developer of multiple local projects said his reputation was unjustifiably harmed by the city’s decision to initiate a criminal inquiry into a contact his company made with Planning Board member Michael Halflants regarding an unrelated project while One Park, the embattled condominium project proposed in The Quay, was awaiting a hearing before the Planning Board. Halflants is a principal in the architecture firm Halflants + Pichette with offices in Sarasota and Tampa.

Bridges wants the apology to come from Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly, who advises the Planning Board. During the board’s April 12 meeting, Connolly told the Planning Board the scheduled legislative hearing on a request to amend the general development agreement between The Quay and the city to allow One Park to span over Quay Commons was canceled because of the contact between Bridges and Halflants.

Connolly also said City Manager Marlon Brown asked the Sarasota Police Department to launch a criminal investigation into the matter, which shortly after was turned over by the SPD to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Since then, Bridges’ attorney has advised him that the FDLE has cleared him of any wrongdoing, although the inquiry remains ongoing. The FDLE has not disclosed the nature of its continuing investigation.

In his letter to the city, Bridges wrote:

“I am asking the city of Sarasota for an apology. The apology should come from Michael Connolly … I seriously doubt he will apologize, although he disrupted my life by making false accusations about me and my company, Jebco Ventures Inc. Jebco has been in business successfully for nearly 50 years. The criminal investigation initiated by Mr. Connolly totally exonerated me and my company from any wrongdoing … I will accept an apology from any city official who speaks on behalf of the city.”

City officials did not respond to requests for comment about Bridges’ letter.

A TWO-MINUTE INTERVIEW Brown initiated the investigation days after Halflants disclosed his contact with Bridges, a minority investor in One Park. The state agency’s initial inquiry was closed on May 9, then reopened the next day after new evidence was presented.

Residents of the Ritz-Carlton Residences have opposed One Park since it was introduced, primarily because of its design that adjoins Quay blocks 1 and 9 and spans over Quay Commons, the primary street into The Quay, above a breezeway. One Park is being developed by Miami-based Property Markets Group.

Collectively known as Block 6, some Ritz-Carlton residents have retained legal counsel to oppose the project before the city. Block 6 has also brought a case before the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, where it is challenging the planned transfer of air rights above Quay Commons by master developer Quay Venture to the One Park project.

Amid that activity, Jebco Ventures reached out to Halflants + Pichette and other architecture firms, accord-

ing to Bridges, to conduct a massing study on a potential development project elsewhere in the city.

“We had seen his work. It’s all over the town,” Bridges said of Halflants. “I don’t know how long he’s been here as an architect, but I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him.”

Bridges said he was impressed with Halflants + Pichette’s work in designing the redevelopment of the Bath & Racquet Club off South Tamiami Trail into a mixed-use project designed around a renovated tennis and pickleball complex. He never considered any potential for the appearance of impropriety, he

said, because no one in his company was aware Halflants was a Planning Board member.

“Nobody even knew he was on the planning board,” Bridges said. “I didn’t know, didn’t ask the question, didn’t think anything about it. Nobody did.”

According to Bridges, FDLE investigators didn’t think anything about it, either. The entire interview with investigators lasted only minutes, he said.

“We introduced ourselves. I sat in my office, my attorney was there with me, and (an investigator) asked me one question, to which the

As for One Park, Bridges said Jebco is a silent investor, and his attorney has advised him he has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

“I don’t get involved in any negotiations or any decision-making. I’m on the sidelines as an investor,” Bridges said. “It’s been difficult for me for someone to insinuate that I’m trying to buy a vote. I mean, what are they talking about?”

Until the FDLE inquiry is closed for good, One Park will not be placed back on the Planning Board’s agenda. The legal challenge over the air rights is on the docket in August before Judge Hunter Carroll of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, who told both parties in a preliminary hearing he plans to render his decision by the end of September. That could halt the process with the city, or not, depending on the verdict. If the air rights cannot be conveyed, One Park cannot be built as designed.

If One Park wins the case, the city’s legislative public hearing process before the Planning Board and then the City Commission would eventually continue.

Regardless, Bridges said the image of Jebco, which develops projects across the country, has been tarnished by the city’s actions. Locally, Jebco has developed multiple projects ranging from the Embassy Suites hotel near the bay front to the new Wawa location on Fruitville Road.

“If the city made it easier to communicate, the public would be more inclined to express their concerns and opinions,” Bridges said. “We used to have an open-door policy with no problems. The city was our friend, but these recent actions lead me to believe they are adversarial. I do not experience these policies in other cities we are working in.”

James Bridges, of Jebco Ventures, says the city’s inquiry request into a contact with a Planning Board member was unwarranted and harmful.

Courtesy photo

James Bridges says the investigation launched by the city into his contact with a Planning Board member about a project not related to One Park has unduly damaged his reputation.

JAMES PETER MANAGING EDITOR

After each trip down to Sarasota Bay’s bottom, scuba divers surfaced with more trash.

Kayakers ferried the garbage to the shore, where volunteers hefted it for sorting, recording and disposal.

This year’s Sarasota Bay Watch Underwater Cleanup tackled the area offshore from New Pass at City Island and Ken Thompson Park.

Although the June 3 cleanup didn’t begin until 9 a.m., within hours, the 49 volunteers had stacked up a large pile of marine debris onshore. There were old fishing nets, lawn furniture, cellphones, electrical wiring, plastic pipes and flashlights. And tangled within the trash was a variety of aquatic life — dozens of starfish, more than 100 crabs and seahorses — some living, some dead.

The discarded fishing gear, like nets, is especially hazardous for marine life, said Ronda Ryan, executive director of Sarasota Bay Watch. It leads to a phenomenon called ghost fishing, where after one fish or crustacean is entangled in a net, more aquatic animals are drawn to the fishing gear and become entangled.

Ryan led the effort onshore to catalogue the debris found and the wildlife rescued or found dead. The results will be shared with NOAA and the Ocean Conservancy to help further those organizations’ research.

In all, the cleanup removed 780 pounds of debris, according to Ryan.

The cleanup was great for the kid volunteers present because it allowed them to see up close the impact of garbage on marine life and ocean habitats, said Ryan.

The day’s effort included 17 divers, five kayakers, two snorkelers, and 25 volunteers working on the shoreline to collect and dispose of debris. The Sarasota Bay Watch partnered with the city of Sarasota, the Sarasota Police Department, Sarasota Sailing Squadron and Scuba Quest.

A dumpster from the city of Sarasota was on hand for disposal. Sarasota Police marine patrol officers kept a perimeter to protect divers. The police dive squad truck was also on hand to support divers.

THURSDAY, MAY 25

WALKER TUG-OF-WAR

5:49 p.m., 300 block of North Orange Avenue

Disturbance: A complainant told officers via telephone that she witnessed two subjects arguing outside a business. She reported that a man and woman were tugging on a walker, both attempting to gain possession of it from the other. The complainant also uploaded a video to police that captured the image of the two tugging on the walker before eventually separating and leaving the area.

Officers canvassed the surrounding area but were unable to locate either party. No further action was taken at that time.

FRIDAY, MAY 26

KEY RETURN

5:17 p.m., 400 block of South Pineapple Avenue

Civil dispute: An employee who had been terminated, but was not present, was in unauthorized possession of a building key, resulting in a dispute. The complainant stated he wished to have the key back, and if it was not returned he would have to change the locks on the doors. The complainant also stated the former employee made threats, however, further investigation indicated no threats had been made. An officer attempted to call the former employee but received no answer. No further action was taken.

TUESDAY, MAY 30

RIDE REQUEST

12:37 a.m., 1900 block of Main Street

Dispute: A couple formerly in a nine-month relationship was in an argument over a trip to Orlando.

Although no longer romantically involved, the man still provides the woman with a place to live and pays for her living expenses. The two were in the area of Fourth Street when the argument started. The woman was upset because she asked the man to drive her to Orlando, which he declined. She left the vehicle and began to proceed on foot toward Main Street.

The man followed her in his ve-

SUNDAY, MAY 28

BEACH MUSIC

5:45 p.m., 2200 block of Ben Franklin Drive

Noise complaint: A caller advised law enforcement of excessively loud music in the area of South Lido Beach. The complainant, who lives in a condominium facing the Gulf of Mexico, met an officer holding a decibel meter and stated music coming from the beach on the Intracoastal side was reading above 90 decibels. He also cited the city’s noise ordinance that amplified sound cannot exceed 75 decibels within the city limits.

The complainant lives in a sixthfloor condo approximately 500 to 600 yards away from the source of the noise. Officers walked to the beach area and observed more than 100 people not causing any disturbances. There were several tents set up and more than 20 boats docked. Most of the boats were also playing music. It was impossible to determine any specific noise disturbing the complainant, and no action was taken.

hicle because, he said, he feared for her safety. The woman told officers she was not fearful of the man nor had he ever become physical with her. She did, however, say she did not want to leave with the man, who offered to pay for her to take an Uber to Orlando. Police left both parties while the ride was arranged and told the woman to contact police if the situation escalates.

A+E INSIDE:

< ART: Stephanie J. Woods brings her eye-popping installation to Sarasota Art Museum. 15A

FOOD: Eating with Emma pays tribute to her dad with a sampling of his favorite eateries. 16A >

The 2023 Sarasota Music Festival devotes its program to storytelling.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E MANAGING EDITOR

Back in 2020, Jeffrey Kahane had an idea for the Sarasota Music Festival. Kahane, who has been the festival’s music director since 2016, wanted to organize concerts around storytelling. Along with many other people, he was forced to put his idea on hold by the pandemic.

But like an exotic mushroom that grows in darkness, the theme of storytelling took on a life of its own.

Three years later, it has come to fruition — with lots of hard work. The result? The 2023 Sarasota Music Festival, which brings together 60 student musicians and 45 faculty members from all over the country to study and perform.

“One of the most fascinating aspects of music history is that music eventually developed into a language with the capacity to tell stories and evoke images without using words,” said Kahane.

A renowned conductor and pianist who has appeared with many of the world’s great orchestras, Kahane is now conductor laureate of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, where he spent 20 seasons as music director.

The Sarasota Music Festival, which takes place from June 5-24, features 12 concerts, as well as coaching sessions, master classes and rehearsals. Many of the classes and rehearsals are open to audiences, giving a behindthe-scenes view of the event.

As an example of the festival’s emphasis on storytelling, Kahane points to “Pastorale,” the first orchestral program of the festival. Conducted by Yaniv Dinur, the program includes Mendelssohn’s incidental music to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the tale of young love that unfolds in an enchanted forest full of elves and fairies. (Dinur is one of two visiting conductors at the festival; the other is Kazem Abdullah.)

Pianist and festival alum AnneMarie McDermott will perform Schumann’s Piano Concerto in the “Pastorale” concert. This year marks McDermott’s debut as a faculty member. “Pastorale” concludes with the Beethoven symphony that gives

SEE MUSIC ON PAGE 14A

into a language with the capacity to tell stories and evoke images without using words.”

Jeffrey Kahane, music director, Sarasota Music Festival

SARASOTA MUSIC FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

‘Romance and the City’

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT WRITING A NEW CHAPTER

4:30 p.m. on June 8 at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail Beach, Schumann, Valerie Coleman, Brahms

‘Scenes and Seasons’

7:30 p.m. on June 9 at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Vivaldi, Janacek, Gabriela Lena Frank, Dvorak

‘Pastorale’

7:30 p.m. on June 10 at Sarasota Opera House

Mendelssohn, Schumann, Beethoven

‘Rising Stars’

2:30 p.m. on June 11 at Holley Hall

Previn, Schulhoff, Beethoven, Franck and more

‘Gold Standard’

4:30 p.m. on June 15 at Holley Hall

Weinberg, Sato Matsui, Caroline Shaw, Ravel

‘Appalachian Spring’

7:30 p.m. on June 16 at Sarasota Opera House Mozart, Copland, Brahms

‘Sound Stories’

7:30 p.m. on June 17 at Sarasota Opera House Respighi, Tchaikovsky, Mozart

‘Rising Stars’

2:30 p.m. on June 18 at Holley Hall

Dvorak, Brahms, Ibert, Faure and more

‘Fairy Tale’

4:30 p.m. on June 22 at Holley Hall

Dutilleux, Janacek, DeFalla/Reisler and more

‘Rising Stars’

2:30 p.m. on June 23 at Holley Hall

Fanny Mendelssohn, Brahms, Strauss, Ravel and more

‘Traditions and Trans-

formations’

7:30 p.m. on June 23 at Sarasota Opera House Debussy, Ligeti, Beethoven, Mendelssohn

‘Kahane Plays Beethoven’

7:30 p.m. on June 24 at Sarasota Opera House Beethoven, Emily Cooley, Schumann

Tickets: $32 and up

Information: Visit SarasotaOrchestra. org/Festival/ConcertSchedule

Courtesy photo

Music Director Jeffrey Kahane will conduct and play piano at the Sarasota Music Festival.

“One of the most fascinating aspects of music history is that music eventually developed

the concert its name, replete with the sounds of bird calls, gurgling streams and a dramatic thunderstorm, exemplifying how instruments can capture the sounds of nature.

MORE NEW

Along with McDermott, there are several newcomers to the festival’s faculty roster, including violinist Melissa White and oboist Marion Kuszyk. White will appear in the artist showcase “Romance and the City” on June 8 and in “Scenes and Seasons” the following night, when she will perform “Summer” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Kuszyk, who is associate principal oboe of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will join faculty hornist Michelle Reed Baker and six fellows in Mozart’s serenade for wind octet.

The serenade is part of the “Appalachian Spring” program on June 16 featuring the Aaron Copland work of the same name about a young pioneer couple just starting out in their marriage. The concert will feature Grammy-winning Attacca Quartet and Kahane playing in one of chamber music’s crown jewels— Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor. Attacca will also appear on June 15 in

“Gold Standard,” a program featur-

ing a composition by Caroline Shaw, whose works the quartet is known for performing.

In addition to members of Attacca Quartet, another artist guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser is Jasmine Choi, dubbed “the goddess of flute” by the Korea Times. Choi will play Dutilleux’s Sonatine for Flute and Piano alongside pianist Michael Adcock in the artist showcase “Fairy Tale” on June 22.

SUMMER SPECIAL

Many of Sarasota’s world-renowned festivals, whether they be jazz or film, take place during the Gulf Coast arts capital’s season. Not so for the Sarasota Music Festival, founded nearly 60 years ago as a one-week event by Paul Wolfe.

But Kahane doesn’t see the June timing of the festival as a handicap.

“We have lots of locals in the audience, and there are snowbirds who come back for the festival,” he says. It goes without saying that the festival’s two performance venues — Holley Hall and the Sarasota Opera House — are air-conditioned. Who cares if temperatures outside are in the 80s?

Asked to define what sets the Sarasota Music Festival apart from its peers, Kahane responds without

STARTS TOMORROW!

hesitation: “Intimacy.” The casual, welcoming backdrop of Sarasota lends itself to increased interaction between fellows and faculty and even between audience members  and artists, he says.

“There’s lots of opportunity to interact between fellows and faculty that you don’t necessarily have in other situations,” Kahane says. “There’s a wonderful atmosphere of collegiality among the faculty,” all of whom are selected by Kahane himself.

Paige Stafford, an oboist who is a returning fellow, agrees with Kahane’s assessment. Stafford notes the fact that all faculty and fellows stay at the same hotel, the Hyatt Regency, and eat breakfast and lunch together creates a fraternal environment.

“There’s really a great social aspect,” says Stafford, who will be entering her second year of a graduate program at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in the fall. She made a few friends during last year’s festival and has kept in touch via text and social media. “It will be fun to see whether our paths cross in the future,” she says.

At last year’s festival, Stafford didn’t get to perform at the same time as faculty members, but this year she will. She can’t wait. Stafford will be part of the orchestra for the

“Pastorale” concert and will play in chamber music performances.

“It’s really inspiring to be able to hear the faculty concerts,” she says. “All of the chamber groups have coaches. It helps you rehearse when you play alongside them. They lead by example.”

Last year’s festival marked the first time Stafford, a native of Jamestown, N.Y., visited Sarasota. Among extracurricular activities for festival fellows, kayaking in the bay through the Hyatt’s rental service was her favorite. Other off-campus highlights were trips to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and the downtown farmers market.

“I really liked the climate and seeing the wildlife, although those little lizards scared me,” says Stafford.

Not all of the fellows who participate in the Sarasota Music Festival will go on to become professional musicians, but the majority do, according to Kahane. Over the past 60 years, the program has enriched the careers of thousands of musicians.

“Every major orchestra has at least one Sarasota Music Festival  among its ranks,” says Kahane, who will close the festival on a high note on June 24 with the concert “Kahane Plays Beethoven.”

MUSIC FROM PAGE 13A

Courtesy photos

Oboist Paige Stafford is a returning SMF fellow.

Grammy-winning Attacca Quartet will perform in “Gold Standard.” Festival vet Anne-Marie McDermott is a new faculty member.

“There’s really a great social aspect. It will be fun to see whether our paths cross in the future.”

Paige Stafford, oboist and returning SMF fellow

Checking in on Stephanie J. Woods

Childhood memories of board games with her grandpa suffuse Woods’ Sarasota Art Museum show.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER

EDITOR

A+E

Be there or be square. The Beatnik-era saying needs a makeover in light of a bold new exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum: Be there and see squares. Lots of them.

“Stephanie J. Woods: my papa used to play checkers” is filled with black and red squares like the ones on a checkerboard. Woods’ first onewoman show runs through Sept. 17.

The name of her installation in Sarasota is also the title of a 2022 work, an inkjet print of a watermelon, hand-dyed cotton fabric, hair beads, barrette bows and afro hair.

A visitor to the gallery that houses Woods’ exhibition soon discovers that there are no mistakes or oversights. Even the smallest detail, like including her full name in the title of her show, is intentional.

Woods is an assistant professor of interdisciplinary art at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. In 2021, she was awarded the 1858 Prize of Contemporary Southern Art by the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina, for her personal yet culturally resonant art.

Family is a dominant theme in the works of Woods, who was born in Seneca, South Carolina, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Encouraged to learn sewing by her mother, Woods weaves childhood memories into her art.

Plastic evokes the slipcovers used to protect furniture in her grandparents’ home (and many others during that period).

Black hair, food, water and dirt are some of the other elements that play starring roles in Woods’ creations.

Asked how she is able to suspend part of a sandcastle she built by

hand on a beach in Galveston, Texas, within a hollowed-out melon without it disintegrating, Woods smiles and says, “I can’t give away all my secrets.”

Pressed further, she confesses, “Water.”

In a crowded talk on May 27 at SAM to discuss her installation and other works in her oeuvre, Woods cited a 2021 artist residency at Black Rock Senegal in Dakar as a life-changing

IF YOU GO

experience, in terms of her art and her perceptions of herself, her family and her heritage.  She said she hadn’t thought about playing checkers with her grandfather (who she calls her “papa”) in a long time until she took a batik class in Senegal where she learned to create fabric with different colored squares using wax and dye.

A shopping trip to a local market in Dakar yielded a red-and-black

‘STEPHANIE J. WOODS: MY PAPA USED TO PLAY CHECKERS’

When: Through Sept. 17

Tickets: Free with $15 museum admission

Where: Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail

Info: Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org

checked fabric that she bought and fashioned into a jumpsuit.

An idea was germinating, and it was full of squares.

The ultimate manifestation also has a rectangle. It was inspired by the infamous “Door of No Return” located in a museum on an island near Dakar that is a memorial to the victims of the Atlantic slave trade.

But rather than being a symbol of departure, exile and even death, the door-like structure in Woods’ installation at SAM is about return.

It is a testament to her exploration of the land of her ancestors and the connection she felt with people living in Africa today.

During her residency, Woods found joy in discovering how African traditions like making gumbo and playing checkers (known as “draughts”) sur-

vive in the U.S. today.

“I spent the past year wondering why I was so drawn to the checker pattern,” said Woods. “My interest in checkers stemmed from the time I spent with my papa and the memories we shared around this game.”

But that was only a starting point. Woods was in her studio in New Mexico one day listening to a podcast of a conversation between Helga Davis and artist Arthur Jafa on actualizing Black potential when she heard a snippet that hit home.

She shared it with those attending her talk at SAM. “If you sit down and you play chess or checkers, the board is flat. It’s a 2D thing, but fundamentally, it is a symbolic enactment of human conflict and opposing interests,” she quoted Jafa as saying. “That’s why we find chess or checkers interesting, because they are lifelike in that way.”

The game of life, some might say.

While Woods has mastered many art forms; she uses the talents of others to help create her work. She draws on the poems of her frequent collaborator, Laura Neal, and the musical compositions of her husband, Johannes Barfield.

Perhaps because her fellow artists know her well, these contributions don’t seem to be intrusions or afterthoughts; they are seamlessly integrated into “Stephanie J. Woods: my papa used to play checkers.”

“I have long wanted to bring poetry into the gallery space and have others’ voices respond to visual arts,” said Rangsook Yoon, senior curator at the Sarasota Art Museum in a statement. “Woods’ stunning, spare installation opens up a contemplative space with colors, sound, words and images.”

The dominant piece in Woods’ SAM installation is a huge moving “audio photograph” called “your destination is in a different time zone.”

A rear view of the artist dressed in her black-and-red checked jumpsuit is superimposed on a seascape. It is accompanied by an original score by Barfield and a poem by Neal. The overall effect is haunting.

Even though you are in a dark gallery in Sarasota, you are indeed transported to a different time zone.

Courtesy photo

Stephanie J. Woods’ artist residency in Dakar, Senegal, helped inspire her one-woman show at the Sarasota Art Museum.

Here’s to the father of the foodie

These Sarasota spots are great to take Dad for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.

EMMA JOLLY CONTRIBUTOR

Dear Dad, You are the first man that I ever loved.

You’re the mentor who taught me life lessons such as people are like plants and need to be repotted once in awhile to grow. You’re the coach who guided me on and off the field, the role model who continuously inspires my work ethic, the king who built a castle for his princesses and queen.

You encouraged me to learn twice as much from failure as from success. The list of your influences on the world, our family and me goes on and on. In short, you’re the dad every daughter deserves.

This Father’s Day, I planned a day around your favorite dishes. Simple yet special, salty and sweet, significant and sensational — just like you.

Let’s dig in for old times’ sake, shall we, Dad?

Love always, Your Little Girl PERQ COFFEE BAR 1821 Hillview St., Sarasota; 941955-8101; PerqCoffeeBar.us

When I reached out to owner Erin Zolner, who has run the shop with her husband for 10 years, she said, “We are closed on Sundays (including Father’s Day). We have a bunch of kids, so we’re definitely letting my husband have Father’s Day off,” and laughed. I knew you’d like her family-first mantra, Dad. So while we can’t ride our bikes over and grab a cup of joe at this shop on Father’s Day, we can go any other

day, Monday through Friday (until 2 p.m.) and Saturday (noon). Fun fact: They serve soft ice cream made from their own coffee.

The JKB Special: Dad, I know your appetite has evolved, but there is one dish that dominates all meal decisions: breakfast sandwiches (and not just for breakfast). My guess is you would order Perq’s egg sammy ($11) but add nitratefree ham and organic New Zealand cheddar to the baked egg and secret sauce on a tasty ciabatta. Or we could split the hash brown sammy ($15) with Parmesan baked egg, thick-cut bacon (extra crispy, just the way you like), pimiento hash browns, a dab of the shop’s secret sauce on griddled brioche, and the biscuit sammy ($8-plus) with parmesan baked egg and thick-cut bacon with special sauce on a flaky, fluffy and fantastic biscuit. Eat and repeat for the weeks to come.

Your Little Girl’s Order: As you know, there was a time in my life when I was gluten-free. Perq has the most attractive and appetizing GF doughnuts ($5) around town. Choose from flavors like cinnamon sugar, blueberry, chocolate peanut butter cup, maple pecan pancake and my delightful, delicious and destined-to-devour-in-one-bite favorite, the lemon poppy crumble. I do not know how these are sugarfree as well, but my mind, body and foodie soul thank the chef for creating guilt-free choices to start the day.

OWEN’S FISH CAMP

516 Burns Court, Sarasota; 941951-6935; 6515 University Parkway., Lakewood Ranch; 941-9515052, OwensFishCamp.com

We know it, we love it, we wish they took reservations. Unless this is the first Sarasota food column you’ve read, you’re aware of the delicious destination located in Burns Court (and now Lakewood Ranch too!).

Open at 4 p.m. daily, the landmark eatery is loved by locals and visitors alike. In Sarasota, the larger-thanlife banyan tree that dangles over the eclectic and homey backyard, the talented live musicians and the Southern hospitality are three reasons why my family will wait for hours during season to smash some of our favorite savory spreads — not to mention the mouthwatering menu inside.

The JKB Special: If you need to know one thing about the Burke family, it’s that we’re a big fishand-chips tribe. We’ve tasted them in England, Ireland and all over the United States. One of my father’s favorite renditions of the simple fried fish basket is found right here in Sarasota, at Owen’s. When we’re at certain restaurants, we have to make sure to order the meal “extra crispy.” At Owen’s, they have perfected the proportion of locally caught fish to crispy, crunchy beer batter. The best part, Dad? They now have Jack Daniel’s on the rocks.

Your Little Girl’s Order: If you told me 20 years ago that our table would be ordering the chargrilled oysters, I would have guessed it was a choice made by you and my little sister, Maddie. But nope, these are for me. I will share if we get at least two orders (maybe three). Head out to the backyard of the Burns Court location and order the out-of-thisworld oysters (three for $8) that are hidden under a beautifully decadent blanket of jalapeno bacon butter. Continue the Jack Daniel’s by ordering a Bourbon Tea and Lynchburg Lemonade ($9).

SHAKESPEARE’S CRAFT BEER AND GASTRO PUB 3550 S. Osprey Ave, Sarasota; 941365-5938; ShakespearesEnglishPub. com

I warned you foodies that I would be speaking about Shakespeare’s frequently. Like I’ve said before, Shakespeare’s is a place where you go when you’ve had a bad day to make it better and a place you go to continue celebrating the wins, big or small. Our family has sat at these tables for nearly seven years, and I wouldn’t change a thing about any meal we’ve ever had.

The JKB Special and Your Little Girl’s Order: My Dad and I have a lot in common. We’re both Leos. We both will fight to the nail that Michael Jordan was a better basketball player than Lebron James ever could be. We plan our work and work our plan. If there is bread pudding on the menu, we order it — especially if we’re sitting at Shakespeare’s, our favorite place to dine in Sarasota. This dessert defines decadence, delightful and dynamite. Traditional English bread pudding ($6.25), made with rai-

sins and cinnamon, paired with a velvety custard and topped with a pile of whipped cream. The perfect ending to a dreamscape meal.

Happy Father’s Day to the man, the myth, the legend—my hero John Kelly Burke.

Photos by Emma Jolly

Perq’s egg, ham and cheddar on a tasty ciabatta.

Cat Pennenga

Dad and me on my wedding day in November 2022.

The best chargrilled oysters in town, three for $8.

Like father, like daughter: Always order the bread pudding.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

JAZZ THURSDAY AT THE SAM

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

Free-$20

Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

Enjoy a performance by La Lucha on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza. Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. and galleries remain open until 7 p.m.

SQUEAKY WHEEL FRINGE

FESTIVAL

8 p.m. at Cook Theatre at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail

Up to $12 per show plus a $5 festival button Visit SqueakyWheelTheatre.org.

Sarasota’s first fringe festival shines a spotlight on affordable, no-holdsbarred theater, dance, puppetry, music, visual arts and spoken word. Runs through June 11.

‘SHEAR MADNESS’

8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.

$25

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

There’s been a murder in a local hair salon, and it’s up to Sarasota audiences to catch the killer. Runs through June 25.

‘MAN OF LA MANCHA’

8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $35

Visit AsoloRep.org.

Peter Rothstein directs a modernday version of the musical hit starring Mauricio Martínez. Runs through June 11.

FRIDAY SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR

2 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road

$15-$20

Visit CircusArts.org.

Circus fans of all ages can experience the best of the big top at affordable prices, thanks to the ongoing partnership of The Circus Arts Academy and The Ringling. Runs through Aug. 12.

KEITH ALBERSTADT

6:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

$25

Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

A native of Nashville, Keith Alberstadt couldn’t wait to move to New York City, where it didn’t take him long to land in the national spotlight. Runs through June 10.

SUNDAY LES VIXENS BURLESQUE

8 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre

$37

Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Voted Orlando’s best burlesque troupe four years in a row, these sultry seductresses are ready to rock Sarasota’s world.

TUESDAY THE SURFER BOYS

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1265 First St.

$18 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

From the group that brought you The Jersey Tenors comes a spirited tribute to the band credited with creating pop’s iconic “California Sound.” Runs through Aug. 13.

WEDNESDAY INTRO TO PLEIN AIR PAINTING

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St.

$84 Visit Selby.org

In the style of the French Impressionists, this open-air course focuses on the techniques of watercolor painting in nature.

Continues July 12 and Aug. 9.

DEREK RICHARDS

7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre,1923 Ringling Blvd.

$25 Visit MccurdysComedy.com.

A veteran of several Armed Forces Entertainment tours, Derek Richards has performed at U.S. base camps in Iraq, Afghanistan and 15 other countries. Runs through June 18.

OUR PICK

8-TRACK: THE SOUNDS OF THE ’70S IN CONCERT

DON’T MISS ‘THAT MUST BE THE ENTRANCE TO HEAVEN’

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 9

Where: Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.

Tickets: $39

Info: Visit Urbanite Theatre.com

In this world premiere by Franky D. Gonzalez, four Latino boxers all chase a world title to achieve their personal versions of heaven. But to get there, they must battle each other, their own battered bodies and the universe itself. Runs through July 9.

adoption promotion happening now through the end of the year. Seniors who are 60+ looking for a kitty companion can now adopt one of our amazing senior cats (8 years old and up) and the adoption fee is only $25! Thank you to “Pets for the Elderly” for their support and offering of the reduced adoption fee.

It’s time to get up and boogie as The Players present a fast-paced musical romp of a muchmaligned decade. Runs through June 18.

IF YOU GO

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8

Where: 3501 S. Tamiami Trail

Tickets: $30 Info: Visit ThePlayers.org.

FISHING GUIDES REEL IN AWARDS

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

There are plenty of fish in the sea and plenty of fishing guides in Sarasota, yet FishingBooker.com recently honored just three guides serving the Sarasota area.

As the world’s largest platform connecting the public with fishing guides, the website offers over 40,000 fishing trips in more than 2,000 destinations worldwide.

In October 2022, it began releasing its Angler’s Choice Award quarterly, with more stringent criteria than it had used in the past. Since then, three repeat winners out of 576, or 8% of captains on the site, serve the Sarasota area.

VASILIY OBUKHOV

NEPTUNE CHARTERS ENTERPRISE

INC

Since he was a boy, Lakewood Ranch resident Capt. Vasiliy Obukhov felt a strong interest in the ocean, reading nearly all of Ernest Hemingway’s books and eventually finding his way into spearfishing and scuba diving.

“I really liked whatever he did in Cuba and Key West — it was my childhood dream,” Obukhov said.

After he came to Florida in 2006, that dream began to materialize. While Obukhov had practiced rec-

Just Listed...

TOP QUALITIES

Qualities to look for in a charter captain according to Vasiliy Obukhov:

■ Fair and competitive pricing

■ Positive reviews and/or clients appear to be catching fish

■ Proper charter captain licensing, as well as licensing for the types of fish caught

■ A boat with two motors, for comfort and safety

■ Quality fishing rods (such as Shimano or PENN rods)

Obukhov said one reason for his success on FishingBooker.com is that he is the only Russian charter captain in the area, which means many Russians book trips with him, especially those who don’t speak English.

He also attributes it to keeping his rates fair and setting realistic expectations.

“They tell me, ‘We want to catch some marlin or sailfish,’ and I always tell them the truth — we’re going to catch some grunts, and snapper and grouper; if we get super lucky, maybe we’ll catch some mahi or tuna.”

STEVEN HERICH BEACH FISHING ADVENTURES

reational fishing in his former home of Brooklyn, New York, his career had centered on a dental lab and an import and export firm he opened after becoming a U.S. citizen, following his move from Russia in 1996.

After coming to Florida, his knowledge of fishing grew when his friend, a biologist who lived in Islamorada in the Florida Keys, traveled with him out to sea, providing him with information such as which fish were dangerous and which could be kept.

“I really liked it, and a lot of my friends saw that I knew what I was doing, and they said, ‘Vasiliy, you’ve got to go get a license and do it more commercially and make some money out of it.’”

As a result, he attended Sea School in St. Petersburg, Florida, earning his 50-ton master license and opening his charter business, Neptune Charters Enterprise Inc., for which he books trips through social media and sites like FishingBooker.

Guests can catch a variety of fish on his trips, he said, which generally take place nine miles offshore and as many as 100 miles, depending on the fish guests are seeking.

Guests have caught bull sharks, large cobia, tuna, jewfish and goliath groupers, while “a couple” have even caught sailfish.

It’s his clients that make the job interesting for him, he said.

“Every day, I’m meeting different types of people,” he said.

On the water, even customers who aren’t the friendliest undergo a change, he said.

“I always talk to them; I always just tell them about myself, about my family — I treat them like a family.”

He offers instructions on how to catch different species of fish, and will also teach people how to operate a boat.

For Longboat Key resident Steven Herich, a boat isn’t nearly as important as what you know, and a cart full of the right tools.

“Just to give the boat captains credit, I can’t get all the fish that they get,” he said. “But I can sure get a heck of a lot of them that they get.”

While he comes from the west coast of California, where he spent his days as a surfer, he has been fishing off Florida’s shores since 1990, when his friend, Army Rosenbaum, began mentoring him.

He started Beach Fishing Adventures in 2011, after becoming frustrated with the maintenance costs and being asked by others for advice on beach fishing. For about 17 years, he worked as an insurance agent with Banker’s Life and Casualty in

Sarasota.

“I just thrive on being outdoors and being in my element and sharing what Florida has to offer as far as an inshore fishery,” he said.

Herich said one of the best parts of fishing onshore is being able to see and follow the fish, in what ends up being a primal hunting experience.

His advice includes fishing during moving tides, using a brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses to be able to spot the fish, not fishing when winds are blowing toward the shore, and using a rake to catch mole crabs, also known as sand fleas, for bait.

“I’m not only a fishing guide, but I’m a fishing coach,” he said. “Just like you hire a coach for anything – a tennis coach, a football coach.”

Some fish that his clients catch include snook, redfish, pompano, black drum, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, crevalle jack, flounder, cobia and, on occasion, sea trout and large barracuda.

Trips can range from two to six hours, with four hours being most popular, and cater to all age groups.

Herich said he thinks the “No. 1” reason he received the award is that he is conscientious about returning customers’ calls and acknowledging their bookings. He said he is always up front about any potential issues such as red tide, and pays attention to the needed equipment. He thinks the service itself also plays a part.

“I think the reason I’ve won Angler’s Choice is that it’s real clear what I do — no boat, no seasickness, no worries or stress about going way out at sea and hitting rough seas,” he said.

Many clients have become lifelong shore fishers since joining him for a trip, he said.

“I’m getting people outdoors, off their devices, learning about nature, catching some fun fish and having some good dinners as well.”

Capt. Timothy Crowley of Windward Fishing Charters didn’t return requests for an interview.

FIND THE CAPTAINS

Captain Vasiliy Obukhov –Neptune Charters Enterprise INC

Website: FishingBooker. com/Charters/ View/9596

Captain Steven Herich – Beach Fishing Adventures

Website: BeachFishingAdventures.com

Phone number: 941­960­5690

Captain Timothy Crowley –Windward Fishing Charters

Website: FishingBooker.com/ Profile/View/742105

Phone: 941­2020746

TOP QUALITIES

Qualities to look for in a charter captain according to Steven Herich:

■ A good reputation, whether online or by word of mouth

■ Active and volunteering in the community at locations like Mote Marine Laboratory

■ Fair prices (Prices can vary widely)

■ Caters to the right age group and skill levels

■ Conscientious about returning calls

■ Shows appreciation for clients, whether through texts or emails

Two fishing charter captains discuss the services that won them Angler’s Choice Awards.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Capt. Steven Herich of Beach Fishing Adventures

Capt. Vasiliy Obukhov of Neptune Charter Enterprises

Sea Turtle Conservancy covers costs of turtle-friendly lighting

EASIER ON THE EYES

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Any light that can be seen from the beach can threaten the safety of sea turtles and other wildlife, said Rachel Tighe, lighting project manager at the Sea Turtle Conservancy. The conservancy is carrying out a project to replace lights across Southwest Florida’s coasts, covering 100% of costs, but the STC’s attention is focused on one area in particular.  Sarasota and Manatee counties have taken less advantage of the services than other counties in the project’s current range, which extends from Pinellas County in the north to Collier County in the south, Tighe said.

Sarasota County has the highest rate of turtles becoming disoriented — or led away from the ocean by onshore lighting — of all counties in that range, said Tighe.

“We’ve been really trying to work on getting more properties in Manatee and Sarasota counties interested,” Tighe said.

Now, the organization’s focus is moving toward smaller properties that can utilize grants of $25,000 or less. In the past, Tighe said, large condominiums had been the primary users of the project.

The conservancy is now emphasizing private homes, small condominiums, and small businesses, as well as some hotels and resorts, until June 2024, with the grant overall set to expire in February 2025.

The project’s research shows a decrease in disorientation rates detectable in areas where fewer lights are present.

The origins of the project go back to the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill in 2010, after which the conservancy received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Since then, it has retrofitted more than 300 beachfront properties in Florida. The project began in the panhandle, moving to Southwest Florida by 2019.

A sea turtle hatchling will often move toward a white, unshielded light on the beach, mistaking it for the ocean, according to an STC media release, which noted these lights can confuse adult turtles as well, resulting in them becoming dehydrated on the beach.

The conservancy’s goal is to replace lights with amber, orange or red lights that use long wavelengths of 560 nanometers or more, since sea turtles can’t see them as easily. Typically, amber lights are chosen.

“It’s about really coming up with that little happy marriage of, do you need to add more fixtures that produce less light? Fewer fixtures that produce more light? Also making sure you’re keeping that mounting height low. Do they really need light in these areas?” Tighe said.

Justin Pachota, owner of Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice, said the conservancy staff brought knowledge he could never have gathered on his own because many products that include a turtle-friendly label, in reality, do not meet local requirements, he said.

“It saved me years of research,” he said.

While not many electricians were willing to take on the job, Sunshine Electrical Services agreed to do so. While the lights are yellow, he said, his goal of 100% compliance with local ordinances has been met.

The advantages of the lighting also extend to the property owners as well, Tighe said. Owners have seen decreases in their utility bills.

The nonprofit wants to replace lights that can disorient sea turtles at beachfront homes, condos and businesses.

RULES FOR TURTLE-FRIENDLY LIGHTING

■ Keep it low. Place lights at lower mounting heights and use fewer lights with lower wattage and fewer lumens.

■ Keep it shielded. Direct light toward the ground and away from the beach.

■ Keep it long. Light must be 560 nanometers or longer on the electromagnetic spectrum; longer wavelengths are less disruptive to sea turtles.

To inquire about retrofitting, beachfront property owners can call Sea Turtle Conservancy’s lighting team at (352) 373-6441 or email Lighting Project Manager Rachel Tighe at Rachel@ConserveTurtles. org.

LIGHTING PLANS

The Sea Turtle Conservancy will cover 100% of the cost of replacement, Tighe said, which can likely begin in the Sarasota area by August or September.

The overall process can take from a few weeks to six months. Owners can submit requests by phone or email.

If there are not enough retrofits requested in an area to justify a trip by the Gainesville-based staff — two to four are usually needed — the

conservancy will place the requester on a waiting list.

Once staff plan a trip, they hold a virtual meeting with the requester, offering an informational presentation and asking about color preferences for fixtures, specifics on installation and voltage and any other concerns.

Within one to two weeks, they will conduct a day evaluation, visiting the property to examine existing lights and fixtures and taking meter readings of the light intensity.  Staff will then take a week to a month to assemble a plan that meets building and safety codes, which will include an aerial view of the location displaying the different fixture locations, what needs to be replaced, what the materials look like, and their specific model numbers.

The owner is typically offered about two weeks to review the plan, and once approval is given, the STC will seek out distributors in the area, sending a contract to the property owner after one to two weeks.

After the contract is executed, STC will provide 70% of the funding up front, providing the remainder after the project is complete and an evaluation is performed. For a singlefamily home, the cost can range from $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the size of the home and fixtures.

Pachota said the results of the retrofitting were a benefit for his restaurant, as well as the environment.

“If there were hatchlings on my deck, I can’t imagine anything worse from an environmental and public relations standpoint,” he said. “It feels good knowing we are doing our part.”

Courtesy photo

The conservancy replaces standard lights with amber, orange or red lights that use wavelengths of 560 nanometers or longer.

This spring, the industry’s most prestigious global real estate brand, Engel & Völkers will announce its expansion with local luxury real estate market leader, Victoria Stultz. It began with the opening of Engel & Völkers Venice Downtown in 2021. Now, her regional expansion has begun with the launch of Engel & Völkers Sarasota. As Engel & Völkers Sarasota, the combination of local expertise and an expansive international network brings home sellers and buyers a greater level of premium services and international reach.

Empowered through technology

The event on May 20 was the first collaboration between the Deb Kabinoff Fund and the Sarasota Police Department.

While some residents at Orange Avenue Trailer Park didn’t know what to expect from the May 20 event, they were pleased when they saw the gifts in store — iPads complete with a stylus, keyboard and charger, said Sarasota Chief of Police Rex Troche.

Deb Kabinoff, whose foundation, the Deb Kabinoff Fund, covered the cost of the project, described the kids present as “just jumping up and down.”

Kabinoff said she had driven past the same community many times in the past, even taking children’s books

to the residents on some occasions. She was surprised when, during the annual gala of the Sarasota Police Foundation in February, she and Troche struck up a conversation and he expressed a desire to bring her

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Photos by Ian Swaby

Deb Kabinoff and Chief Rex Troche speak with a resident.

A young resident receives a city of Sarasota junior officer badge.

ABOUT THE DEB KABINOFF FUND

The Deb Kabinoff Fund provides local individuals and nonprofit organizations in Sarasota County the ability to serve their constituencies through technology in a range of fields.

Among the initiatives it has supported are a multimedia studio at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, a media center supporting virtual programming at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a website for the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, the RC Custom Car Open at the Suncoast Science Center, and a software system for the Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee.

For more information, visit DebKabinoff.Fund.

efforts to the mobile home park, an area he said was lacking resources for children.

Troche suggested providing the kids with iPads, while Kabinoff suggested the giveaway take place near the end of the school year in May.

Kabinoff said it was important to host the event, which offered 100 iPads, at that time to help the kids maintain their language skills, which can be affected over the summer as they are exposed less often to Eng-

lish. She said users will be able to download programs that can help learning continue.

Kabinoff donated the money for a giveaway event on May 20, which was coordinated by the Sarasota Police Department.

“It really was a good fit, because they are committed to helping the community, and I am, too. I have the financial resources, and they have the knowledge of communities that need help,” Kabinoff said.

UnidosNow provided translation at the event, while Chick-filA donated chicken sandwiches and drinks.

She also said many adult residents were as excited as the children, if not more. She said some of them would be losing their jobs as servers or workers in restaurants during the summer, and planned to use the iPads to search for new jobs.

Troche said the partnership also includes the Barancik Foundation and The Pines, an assisted living facility across the street from the mobile home park. Those organizations, he said, are working out a schedule for the iPad recipients to receive further education on their usage, including how to access different platforms they will need.

Troche said having served for 20 years as a police officer in Sarasota, he has had contact with the residents of the park on multiple occasions.

“There are really hardworking people here,” he said. “They want the American Dream just like everybody else, but there are challenges when they come here because they don’t want to bring attention to themselves, and so I thought that this was a very underserved community within our community, and I thought it was important to do whatever we could to help those families.”

Troche also said many Latino communities do not report crimes to the police and hopes the project will improve communication between the community and the police.

“Here we have an opportunity to engage with families and engage with the kids in a positive atmosphere. The goal is to improve communication, let them know that we’re here to help them.”

Deb Kabinoff

Music and nature mingle

Although community members gathered in the city on Sunday evening, the event took place amid tropical plants and a small waterfall.

It was the summer session of Music in the Gardens by Sarasota Garden Club.

“It’s gorgeous; it’s wonderful,” said visitor Mary Strain. “It’s a little piece of paradise out amidst the high-rises.”

The evening featured live music by The JAM, along with Champagne, wine and hors d’oeuvres provided by the club.

Club President Kelly Goodwin said the summer version of the event, which is held in September, offers a chance to get the local community out to the venue.

Although the event has been held annually in the past, this was the second occasion since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Goodwin. Vice President CJ Danna said the turnout was higher than expected.

Guests had the chance to explore the Sarasota Garden Club venue, an area over an acre in size maintained entirely by garden club volunteers.

Visitor Heather George said the location one of her favorite spots for its beauty, and the event rocked, too: “The band was fantastic, with songs from every era.”

— IAN SWABY

Lei Stanhoe of The JAM offers a free-roaming performance.

Paula and Chuck Ayres

Photos by Ian Swaby

Mary Jo Zaksas, Joe Zaksas, Christy May, Glenn Carraher, Cate Stanczyk and Joe Stanczyk

Sapphire Shores home sells for $3.2 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Sapphire Shores tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Vincent Payne, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 337 N. Shore Drive to North Shore Manor Inc. for $3.2 million. Built in 1958, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 4,839 square feet of living area. It sold for $670,000 in 2019.

SARASOTA

MARINA TOWER

Mary Jo Deckro, trustee, and John Deckro, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 504

at 1233 N. Gulfstream Ave. to David Eugene Bass Jr. and Brenda Stafford Bass, of Sarasota, for $2.45 million. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths and 2,906 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.33 million in 2005.

HARBOR VIEW ON GOLDEN

GATE POINT

William Breidenbach, of Northborough, Massachusetts, sold his Unit 302 condominium at 650 Golden Gate Point to Michael and Stacey Campbell, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for $2.15 million. Built in 1962, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,949 square feet of living area. It sold for $965,000 in 2014.

THE MARK SARASOTA

John Herndon, of Bradenton, sold his Unit 519 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Jonathan Loomis and Kristen Walker, of Gainesville, for $1.55 million. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,498 square feet of living area. It sold for $907,100 in 2019.

BAYVIEW ACRES

Drew and Dianne Chace, of Reading Vermont, sold their home at 6711 Ave. C to Lorry Eible, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1.45 million. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,686 square feet of living area. It sold for $711,500 in 2019.

SOUTH CREEK

Albert William Glueck III, of Osprey, sold their home at 513 S. Creek Drive to Ryan Michael Kunker and Katie Kunker, of Osprey, for $1,325,000. Built in 1980, it has

three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,556 square feet of living area. It sold for $490,000 in 2008.

Q TOWNHOMES

Day Summer McQuown, of Sarasota, sold her home at 257 Cosmopolitan Court to Joshua Mark Newman, of Sarasota, for $1.3 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,586 square feet of living area. It sold for $930,000 in 2021.

ORANGE CREST PARK

2040 Sandrala LLC sold two properties at 2040 and 2030 Sandrala Drive to T&A Property of Sarasota for $1,175,000. The property at 2040 was built in 1972 and has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,854 square feet of living area. The property at 2030 was built in 1972 and it has four bedrooms, four baths and 1,854 square feet of living area. They previously sold for $865,000 in 2022.

ONE HUNDRED CENTRAL

Roman and Carmen Hurko, of New York City, sold their Unit K717 condominium at 100 Central Ave. to Jeffrey Alan Janoff, of Sarasota, for $1.17 million. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,707 square feet of living area. It sold for $680,000 in 2013.

EIGHTH STREET

Edwin Ortiz and Mary Irene Ortiz, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold two properties at 1928 Eighth St.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

The Unit 504 condominium at Marina Tower on 1233 N. Gulfstream Ave. ranks second highest in the week’s sales at $2.45 million. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths and 2,906 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.33 million in 2005.

Other top sales by area

SIESTA KEY: $2,075,000

Gulf View

Donald Weigel, of Meredith, New Hampshire, sold his home at 1140 Windsong Lane to 1140 Windsong LLC for $2,075,000. Built in 1959, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,870 square feet of living area. It sold for $909,000 in 2006.

PALMER RANCH: $867,500

Sandhill Preserve

Perra Weinstein, of Sarasota, sold the home at 11018 Sandhill Preserve Drive to William and Constance Sullivan, trustees, of Sarasota, for $867,500. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,100 square feet of living area. It sold for $474,500 in 2016.

OSPREY: $1.2 MILLION

Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club

to Candida Curridori, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1 million. The first property was built in 2015 and has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 1,563 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 2015 and has one bath and 464 square feet of living area.

ONLINE

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Keith and Kelley Hunter, of Osprey, sold their home at to Brian Hogue, of Osprey, for $1.2 million. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,850 square feet of living area. It sold for $440,000 in 2017.

NOKOMIS: $2,275,000

Casey Key

Erica Davis, trustee, of Osprey, sold the home at 4004 Casey Key Road to James and Melissa Newell, of Fair Haven, New Jersey, for $2,275,000. Built in 1950, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,188 square feet of living area. It sold for $780,000 in 2013.

File photo

BEST BET

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

SARASOTA PARADISE VS. MIAMI AC

7:30 p.m. (Gates open at 6:30 p.m.) at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field, Sarasota High, 1000 S. School Ave.

Tickets $0-$149. The Sarasota Paradise belong to the South Florida Division of USL League Two, the leader of pre-professional soccer in North America. In their second-ever game, the Paradise play against Miami AC. For information and to purchase tickets, visit SarasotaParadise.US.

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

TRIVIA NIGHT AT BAY PRESERVE

— ‘WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE!’

5-8 p.m. (Trivia at 6 p.m.) at Bay Preserve, 400 Palmetto Drive, Osprey. Each month, the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast hosts a family friendly trivia session for which this month’s theme is “Water, Water, Everywhere!” Questions will cover movies, music, science and nature, and a food truck will be present. Teams can have up to eight members, and multigenerational teams are encouraged. To RSVP and for information, visit ConservationFoundation.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

BIG GAY BEACH PARTY

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on North Lido Beach, 1-85 John Ringling Blvd.

Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with a day on North Lido Beach. Since it began in 2018 as a grassroots event, the Big Gay Beach Party has grown in popularity, attracting attendees from across Florida as well as the United States. Because there are no amenities at this section of the beach, guests are encouraged to bring their own supplies and drinks. For information, visit SarasotaOut.com.

SILVER PRIDE

Noon-5 p.m. at Senior Friendship Centers, 1888 Brother Geenen Way.

Project Pride SRQ and Senior Friendship Centers collaborate for

the inaugural Silver Pride event. Held in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community ages 50 and up, this event will feature live music, vendors, food trucks, and other offerings from community partners. For information, visit PPSRQ.org.

MINORITIES IN SHARK SCIENCES

FUNDRAISER

6-9 p.m. at Azul Steak & Sushi Lounge, 1296 First St. Minorities in Shark Sciences celebrates its third year of breaking barriers to accessibility in shark science. Dress in style and enjoy an evening of raffle drawings, trivia, food, drinks, live music, and more. Ticket purchases contribute to a fundraiser targeting $25,000 by June 30. For information and to purchase tickets, visit MISSElasmo.org.

WATCH IT! AT THE BAY:

BELMONT STAKES

6:50-7:30 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Watch the Belmont Stakes, the annual thoroughbred horse race at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, on the LED screen at The Bay. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at The Nest concession stand. For information, visit TheBaySarasota.org.

TUESDAY, JUNE 13 PICASSO & PROSECCO

7-8:30 p.m. at Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection, 1255 N. Palm Ave. Tickets $40. Create your own painting in the style of Spanish Cubist artist Pablo Picasso. Instructor Lisa Frechette leads the class, which also features a complimentary glass of wine. No painting experience is necessary. For information and to register, visit EventBrite.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14

CORESRQ: TAI CHI

8-9 a.m., Sarasota Garden Club at The Bay Park, 1130 Boulevard of the Arts. This event is free. This 45-minute, outdoor group class, held every Wednesday, allows participants to explore the ancient Chinese art of Tai chi. The low-impact class is designed for all ages, from young attendees to seniors. To register, visit TheBaySarasota.org.

Fast Break

DEAN MATT’S COMPLETED PICKLEBALL STOPS DURING THE 48-48-48 CHALLENGE

May 1: Mobile, Alabama

May 1: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

May 2: Jackson, Mississippi

May 2: Memphis, Tennessee

May 3: Jonesboro, Arkansas

May 3: Kansas City, Missouri

May 4: Wichita, Kansas

May 4: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

May 5: Amarillo, Texas

May 5: Colorado Spring, Colorado

May 6: Albuquerque, New Mexico

May 7: Scottsdale, Arizona

May 8: Henderson, Nevada

May 9: Rio Linda, California

May 10: Portland, Oregon

May 11: Vancouver, Washington

May 12: Boise, Idaho

May 12: Salt Lake City, Utah

May 15: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

May 15: Des Moines, Iowa

May 16: Rochester, Minnesota

May 16: Madison, Wisconsin

May 17: Chicago, Illinois

May 18: Kalamazoo, Michigan

May 18: Indianapolis, Indiana

May 19: Frankfort, Kentucky

May 19: Cincinnati, Ohio

The Florida Gulf Coast League, a summer collegiate softball league, will begin its 2023 season June 15, with the regular season running through July 2, followed by a postseason tournament which runs July 10-14. All games will be played at the Miss Manatee Softball League fields. Rosters for the 2023 season are still being announced, but former Riverview High star Holley Peluso (Florida Atlantic University) has been announced as joining the Lakewood Ranch Rodeo. In the past, former Rams star Devyn Flaherty (Florida State) has also played in the FGCL. For more information, visit FGCLSoftball.com.

… Speaking of Flaherty, her Seminoles (53-8) won Bracket 2 of the NCAA Women’s College World Series and have advanced to the best-of-three World Series finals against the University of Oklahoma (55-1). The series will hold games June 7-8, with a third game being held June 9 if necessary. All games will air on ESPN. Flaherty, a junior, is hitting .328 with 26 RBIs and 31 steals in 2023.

Riverview High rising senior defensive lineman Henry Fioriglio received a scholarship offer from Carnegie Mellon University on June 1.

The Florida Complex League baseball season is now underway. The 16-team league gives recently drafted or signed players their first experience with professional baseball. The Baltimore Orioles FCL team is scheduled to play 28 games between now and August 22 at Ed Smith Stadium. Games are free to attend. Games on weekdays will begin at noon and games on Saturdays will begin at 10 a.m., unless otherwise noted by the schedule. For the full schedule or more information, visit Orioles.com/Sarasota.

PICKLEBALL CHALLENGE SWEET, NOT SOUR

The journey started in Mobile, Alabama.

Then Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Kansas City, Missouri.

That was just the first three days. Sarasota’s Dean Matt went a whole lot longer than that.

On May 1, Matt set out to complete what he was calling the 48-48-48 Pickleball Challenge: playing 48 matches of pickleball in 48 different states in 48 days or less. It would be a world record, Matt said, considering no one, to his knowledge, has ever attempted such a feat. Matt has had the idea for years, ever since watching a documentary called “The Iron Cowboy.” The documentary revolves around James Lawrence, an Ironman competitor, who attempted to complete 50 Ironman events in all 50 states in 50 days.

Lawrence’s determination appealed to Matt, but so did the idea of traveling the country and completing a given task. It would be an excuse for Matt, who has had a pilot’s license since he was in high school, to take his plane for a spin. His first plan involved golf, but a hip surgery put those thoughts to rest. When Matt and his wife, Luanne Matt, moved to Sarasota two years ago, they discovered pickleball, and suddenly, Dean Matt had found the perfect sport for his trip.

“The pickleball community is wel-

coming,” Matt said. “It’s not like golf where you need to wait for your foursome to show up to play. With pickleball, you can just show up by yourself if you want to. You see the same people out there all the time. And when you’re playing, you don’t get into politics or anything too much. You just play and socialize with your fellow Americans.”

On May 1, Matt took off in his Cessna Turbo 206 and landed in Mobile, accompanied by his friend Ron Kenan. He always had someone with him, whether it was Kenan, his wife, Luanne, or other friends Rod Anderson, Kurt Lampke and Jimmy Santangelo. Though he was calling it the 48-48-48 challenge — Hawaii and Alaska were just too far away — he had his eyes set on completing it much sooner than 48 days. Specifically, he aimed for 26 days. That’s why he played in multiple states per day as often as he could. He also had help when sorting out the logistics of the trip. In some cities, Matt had friends who could accommodate him and set up matches to play. In others, he reached out to the visitors bureau for assistance. In all cases, he said, everyone was willing to help. He also received sponsorships from companies like Selkirk Sport, a pickleball paddle technology company, to help with the financial side of things.

As fun as the actual game of pickleball is for Matt, it was almost beside the point, he said. His real aim was to showcase the different places pickleball exists and the different people who play it. On his journey across the country, Matt played matches with politicians, like former New Hampshire governor John Lynch, as well as people like Minnie LaPoint, a

May 19: Lewisburg, West Virginia

May 20: Frederick, Maryland

May 20: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

May 20: Albany, New York

May 21: Rutland, Vermont

May 21: Concord, New Hampshire

May 21: Portland, Maine

May 22: Boston, Massachusetts

May 22: Providence, Rhode Island

May 23: Darien, Connecticut

May 23: Atlantic City, New Jersey

May 24: Dover, Delaware

May 24: Virginia Beach, Virginia

May 25: Wilmington, North Carolina

May 25: Hilton Head, South Carolina

May 26: Savannah, Georgia

May 26: Sarasota, Florida

97-year-old from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who is a beloved staple of the pickleball community there. He also participated in a fundraising event for the Special Olympics while in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and played on a court outlined in chalk on an airport runway in Frederick, Maryland.

The experience went smoothly, Matt said — except for two days in Salt Lake City, Utah, when ice-filled clouds filling the sky meant that Matt could not fly his plane. The inclement weather, which hit 18 days into the trip, forced Matt to make a decision: He could either ask each remaining city to move their accommodations for him forward two days, or he could skip four cities and then get back on schedule. To inconvenience as few people as possible, he chose the latter. It meant that Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and Nebraska got skipped. But once he was back on track, everything else went according to plan.

After 8,200 miles flown, Matt ended the experience with a match on May 26 back home at University Park Country Club against his friend Vince Golden, who is 93.

The best part, besides getting to play a lot of pickleball for free, was seeing the entire country in a new light.

“You see the farm fields and the mountains and the lakes,” Matt said.

“You see big cities like Boston and Chicago and Manhattan and all the humanity out there. And then out west, you see nothing, for miles and miles. And that’s America. People like all over. Whether you live in a rural area or wherever, we’re all Americans. It was good to see the whole tapestry.”

Would Matt do something like this again? He would, he said, but in a different way, perhaps with golf, if he’s feeling up to it, or just on a leisurely trip across the country with his wife.

For now, he’s going to rest on what he accomplished.

“People would ask me, ‘What are you going to do once this trip is over?’” Matt said. “I told them, ‘I’m going to take a vacation.’ Because this was not really a vacation. There was not time to sightsee or anything. It was just a little tour. It was boom, boom, boom.”

“I’d like to get over 1,800 total yards this year and average 200 yards per game.”

— Booker High’s Josiah Booker SEE PAGE 13B

Inclement weather held Dean Matt to 44 matches in 44 states, but he’s still grateful for the experience.

Sarasota’s Dean Matt attempted to complete the 48-48-48 Pickleball Challenge last month.

A map of Dean Matt’s planned stops on the 48-48-48 Pickleball Challenge. Matt started his trip in Mobile, Alabama, and ended it in Sarasota.

File photo

Former Riverview Rams softball player Devyn Flaherty is a star shortstop at FSU.

PROSE AND KOHN RYAN KOHN

Pre-pro soccer club shows fans Paradise

There’s officially a new team in town. The Sarasota Paradise, a “pre-professional” soccer team that plays in the United Soccer League’s League Two, began play in its first season in May, but hosted its first home game against FC Miami City on June 3 at Sarasota High. I was intrigued by what the experience might be like, so I attended.

I didn’t know what I would find.

I’ve been to a handful of semi-pro games in the past, and they are typically low-key affairs put on with minimum effort or care. But I had a feeling this would be different. The support the team receives from the USL helps, of course, but the team also just seems better run than most other teams of its ilk. It had a plan from the start and marketed itself well. That afternoon, the Paradise tweeted that approximately 500 people had tickets for the game.

The number made sense to me, but you never know how many people will actually show up or when they will arrive.

When I got to the stadium about 30 minutes before the game, there was a line of people waiting to get inside, stretching from the stadium gate almost to the Sarasota Art Museum entrance corridor. As the game got underway, more and more people filed into the stadium. After the game, the team tweeted that with walk-up ticket sales, the total number of attendees came out to 617. That matches what my eyes saw: The bleachers at Sarasota High were not 100% filled, but for an inaugural game of a pre-professional soccer team, it was a good start.

There were a few people in Paradise gear, but most people in attendance were families, and the kids in those families were wearing their own youth soccer jerseys. It made sense: The Paradise advertised the

evening as Youth Soccer Appreciation Night. Members of Braden River Soccer Club even served as the game’s ball boys, assisting the players and referees with keeping the game moving. Some people were also there for the curiosity of it. One woman, for instance, walked up to me during the first half with a simple question.

“Is the home team the one wearing black or white?” she said. “I don’t want to be embarrassed.”

The Paradise wore black, for the

record, a sharp look accented with shades of pink-orange and sea green. But more important than the crowd size or what people were wearing is what people were feeling. Based on the sounds the crowd made, the people were feeling a lot, and for good reason: The Paradise played a heck of a game.

It didn’t start particularly well, for FC Miami City got on the board via penalty kick less than four minutes into the game and threatened to add another. But as the first half

went on, things changed. Instead of playing on their heels, the Paradise players took the action to Miami City and controlled possession of the ball. Then, about midway through the half, the Paradise made all that time of possession count.

Felipe Rojas, a University of Central Florida grad who has lived in Sarasota since he was 5, received a cross from a teammate and buried a header past the Miami City goalie on the right side of the net. It was the first goal of the game, but also the first goal in team history; the Paradise was shut out 1-0 in each of its first two games.

There’s video of the play on the team’s Instagram account. In it, you can hear how loud the crowd gets for players most of them know little about. The crowd would roar even louder a few minutes later, when the aptly named Peekay Stoffle, a Barry University grad from Miami, smashed a PK through the heart of the net to give the Paradise a 2-1 lead. He celebrated with a group hug and a finger pointing to his head, as if to say he (and his teammates) know what they’re doing.

The same could be said of the organization as a whole. It was only one game, but it was impressive to see how the team translated its marketing efforts into having fans care about the team this early. They were rewarded with a fun game that saw the Paradise hang on for a 2-1 win, in no small part thanks to goalkeeper Charlie Farrar, a University of North Carolina-Asheville grad, who kept Miami City off the scoresheet when it pressured the Paradise in the second half.

That’s not to say there were no hiccups. The audio experience, in particular, was messy, as pregame music was interrupted by what sounded like a phone alarm for several seconds. The same thing happened during the national

anthem — then, once the anthem was finished, it started again, playing about halfway through, until someone cut it off. And at the beginning of the second half, Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” welcomed players back to the pitch, but it continued to blare from the speakers as play got underway.

But those are issues that are easily fixed. What’s important is that, unlike other pre- or semiprofessional teams that have tried to become a fixture in Sarasota, the Paradise seems to have succeeded in convincing a portion of the soccer community to support the club. It was something that club founder Marcus Walfridson stressed during the club’s launch event in November.

“What is Sarasota?” Walfridson said during that event. “It is beautiful. There are a lot of awesome people. A lot of art, a lot of culture. Those are good things. But I’ve been looking for the identity. I think we as a club, all of us here, can help form the identity. We can make it possible for people who move to Sarasota to come to our games, put up a scarf and say, ‘We are Sarasotans.’”

Time will tell if the fans continue to be there game after game, or if they’ll buy tons of merch and rep the team on the streets or at parties, spreading the word in the process. But at least for one night, everyone at Sarasota High was proud to call the Paradise their team, and that’s something.

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

Courtesy photo

Nico Villalobos controls the ball for the Sarasota Paradise.

Josiah Booker

Josiah Booker is a rising senior wide receiver at Booker High. Booker has received 12 offers from schools across the country, including Duke University, Purdue University and Marshall University. Booker had 1,152 all-purpose yards in 2022, averaging 16.5 yards per reception and hauling in nine touchdowns.

When did you start playing football?

I started when I was 5. My mom (Latressa Preston) put me in tackle football. I was interested in football before then, though. I wanted to try it, and I liked it right away.

What is the appeal to you?

I just like being around my peers on the field.

What is your best skill?

It’s my speed and my footwork.

That’s always been an ability of mine, to go fast, and it helps as a receiver. I only play receiver right now, but don’t think I couldn’t play DB (defensive back) also. (Laughs.)

What have you been working to improve?

I have been working on my catching and also, I’m just trying to get bigger and stronger and put on more weight. (247Sports lists Booker, a three-star player, as 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds.)

What is your favorite memory?

I was playing my U10 season with the Sarasota Seminoles.

We had a playoff game and it came down to the last play of the game. I scored the game-winning touchdown.

What has been the best part of the recruiting process so far?

Marshall was my first offer, and that was cool. That was like, “OK, I’m part of the game.” But when Duke offered, that changed my mindset. I said to myself, “I can do this for real.”

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

What are you looking for in a school?

I’d like to go to a place where I have a chance to play toward the end of my freshman year or at least going into my sophomore year. I also want to go somewhere that loves me for me and shows me they care.

What are your goals for the 2023 season?

I’d like to get over 1,800 total yards this year and average 200 yards per game.

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

“Martin” is my favorite show, and I have to say “Rush Hour” is my favorite movie.

What are your hobbies?

I like playing video games, but Madden is basically all I play.

What is your favorite school subject?

I like math. I’m just good at it.

What is the best advice you have received? Never care about what others think. You can accomplish anything.

Finish this sentence: “Josiah Booker is …” …Cool. But like, in all capital letters: COOL.

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WRONGFUL

by Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

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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FOUR ADJOINING BURIAL PLOTS in Garden of Prayer courtyard. Short walk to graves from road with shade trees, statues, fountains, benches for seating. Very comfortable area to spend time with loved ones.

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