SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Community touch
PAGE 10B FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2024
VOLUME 20, NO. 20
YOUR TOWN
City takes lead on housing A new proposal would add 192 affordable units across from city hall. SEE PAGE 4A
Ian Swaby
Web-worthy work
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
When Mike Masse picks up his 6-year-old daughter Madisyn Masse from school at Fruitville Elementary, it isn’t just any Tesla Cybertruck he drives. That much is obvious, due to the large bullhorns on front and the bullet holes on one side, but its owner also happens to be famous YouTuber Danny Duncan of Englewood. The owner of Masse Automotive, Mike Masse has served as Duncan’s creative manager and fabricator since 2020, modifying and fixing vehicles to aid in Duncan’s unusual exploits such as his recent test of the claim that Tesla Cybertrucks are bulletproof. The results are posted to the Danny Duncan YouTube channel, which has racked up 7.56 million subscribers and 1.92 billion views. “We come up with these dumb ideas, and we’re like, what if that was real? And that’s what I do. I make them real,” Masse said. Masse has also modified vehicles to create oddities like a scooter with a Jet Ski body and a riding lawnmower elevated high above its wheels.
Ian Swaby
Norah Mendoza and Jasmin Graham of Minorities in Shark Sciences at the Giving Challenge at The Bay. For preliminary Giving Challenge totals, see Page 2A. Courtesy image
Marcia Jean Taub and Peter Swain, co-chairs of this year’s Glitz at The Ritz-Carlton.
Nonprofits in the Giving Challenge showcase what they’re all about at The Bay. SEE PAGE 1B
Puttin’ on the Ritz
The Salvation Army Sarasota County Glitz at the Ritz luncheon March 27 raised funds to support essential community services and supportive programming that provides hope and fosters transformative journeys for thousands of people each year. The event featured Billy Dorsey, who shared his inspirational story of how he overcame stiff odds and faced seemingly insurmountable challenges in his life. Guided by his talent and strong faith, Dorsey fought to rise above homelessness and achieve recognition as an internationally acclaimed public speaker, life coach, record label CEO, songwriter, producer and philanthropist. Attendees also had the opportunity to double the impact of their generosity through a challenge grant issued by Marcia Jean Taub and Peter Swain, and the James and Maryann Armour Foundation.
A+E
Stormy days ahead File image
Michael Gregory looks at the rough seas from Siesta Key Beach after Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 30, 2023.
The Climate Adaptation Center predicts 24 named storms for the upcoming season. SEE PAGE 14A
Eye on intimacy INSIDE