Ralph Berger, 80, could never draw a face or a tree, so he made his own brand of art.
On July 19, at Creative Liberties, he celebrated retirement from approximately 20 years of producing his distinctive circular steel pieces with laser-cut designs. It all started with doodles he created while relaxing or watching TV before he was inspired to incorporate them into steel when he took a welding class while living in North Carolina.
Each unique drawing is traced over a saw blade using soapstone, followed by a special marker, then cut with a plasma torch. Complementary images are created from the inverse of each design.
Learning space
Although the journey to outer space was just a lesson in acting and life skills, the set’s entirely black walls and lighting gave it an interstellar vibe.
Drama Kids of Sarasota and Manatee Counties opened its studio along Interstate Boulevard in Sarasota in March, having formerly performed in community locations, including local schools.
Now, it can host offerings, like its Explorers of the Galaxy Summer Camp (pictured), in its own black box theater.
Since the site’s opening, classes have seen a boost in enrollment, and at the same time, all attendees are enthusiastic about drama and not just seeking any after-school activity, said Andrew Berent, who co-owns the franchise with his wife, Jessica.
City keeps tax rate steady
Ian Swaby
Alexia Swayka, 4, gets into the center of the action at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Bubbles Under the Banyans event July 20.
Photo courtesy Michel Denancé
Among Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s most notable projects is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, Greece.
Ian Swaby
Ralph Berger and Barbara Gerdeman of Creative Liberties
Ian Swaby
Giovanni Theiner, 9
WEEK OF JULY 25, 2024
BY THE NUMBERS
3.0
The max millage rate set by the Sarasota City Commission for fiscal year 2025.
PAGE 5
64
The number of public housing units that will be replaced with the construction of Amaryllis Park Place III.
PAGE 9
2
The number of former Sarasota Sailors baseball players who were selected in this year’s MLB draft.
PAGE 25
CALENDAR
n Sarasota County School Board budget adoption meeting — 5:15 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd. (black awning entrance).
n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, Aug. 5, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St.
“Even though we propose to use fund balance, by the time we do the reconciliation, we end up using either minimal or none at all.”
Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown. Read more on Page 5
Private gift restores exhibit’s cut funding
To fill a funding shortfall, Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse Jr. donated $107,643 to Embracing Our Differences to support the nonprofit’s annual outdoor exhibition. This contribution comes in the wake of the Sarasota County Commission’s recent decision to eliminate funding for the exhibit for the first time in 15 years. While allocating $2.1 million to 35 arts and culture programs, the commission denied a $46,696 grant to the organization, compounded by the loss of a $60,947 state grant.
The funds will support the 2025 exhibit at Bayfront Park and its corresponding education programs.
“We are beyond grateful to Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse for their contribution,” said Embracing Our Differences Executive Director Sarah Wertheimer in a news release. “Their support makes a world of difference to us, especially now when our county and state funding have been cut. Their outstanding example of generosity and commitment is crucial in sustaining our pro-
grams and inspiring positive change.”
This year, Embracing Our Differences attracted approximately 420,000 visitors to its exhibition and hosted 15,000 students on school field trips.
Embracing Our Differences harnesses art and education to celebrate and promote diversity through its annual outdoor juried exhibition and a series of educational initiatives, programs and resources designed for teachers and students.
FDLE clears officers in Feb. 26 shooting
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has completed its investigation into the Feb. 26, 2024, officer-involved fatal shooting that occurred near the intersection of U.S. 41 and University Parkway. The FDLE has determined the officers’ actions were justified and that they may return to duty. All five officers were placed on administrative leave following the incident, then on limited duty.
The incident occurred around 7:50 a.m. on Feb. 26, after SPD officers attempted to arrest William Michael Pickett on a warrant issued by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for the robbery of a Fifth Third Bank branch at 6265 Tuttle Ave. near University Parkway.
Officers pursued Pickett to a location near the entrance of SarasotaBradenton International Airport where, while in an apparent attempt to elude arrest, he backed his car into a pond just south of the road. Pickett then brandished a firearm, and following multiple warnings, shots rang out. When the partially submerged Cadillac was pulled from the pond, multiple bullet holes in the windshield were observed.
SPD, YMCA partner to ‘Pack
the Patrol Car’
To help ensure underprivileged students are prepared for their return to school, the Sarasota Police Department is holding its “Pack the Patrol Car” school supplies drive now through Aug. 2.
The SPD is partnering with the YMCA to accept donations of new school supplies.
Donations may be delivered to SPD headquarters at 2099 Adams Lane any day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Sarasota City YMCA, 1075 South Euclid Ave., during operating hours or via Amazon.com.
New school supplies for all ages and grade levels include backpacks, pencils, pens, highlighters, boxes of tissue, small bottles of hand sanitizer, folders, notebooks, glue, markers, crayons, erasers and notebook paper. Members of the SPD will sort donations before delivering them.
image
Jessie Ochsendorf, a seventh grader at Pine View School and winner of Best In Show Quotation, and artist Michael White stand in front of their work on Jan. 21, 2024, at the Embracing Our Differences public art exhibit.
Architectural harmony
The partner-in-charge of the design for the SPAC discusses the firm’s ‘light touch’ philosophy.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
While two members of the design team of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center were here preparing to meet the public in two workshops last week, Mark Carroll sat in the library of the Genoa, Italy, offices of Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the afternoon sun reflecting off the Mediterranean Sea and bathing the room in natural light.
Perched cliffside, the panoramic vista of the terraced building headquarters provides inspiration for the firm’s philosophy of designing structures that complement rather than dominate the surrounding natural environment.
Carroll is the partner-in-charge for the SPAC design project, responsible for assembling and supervising a team of architects and model makers who will, by November, create a preliminary concept design of the SPAC to be presented here to city officials, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation leadership and the public.
“I like to call it a sense of lightness, a light touch,” Carroll told the Observer via video conference.
“This is not just about the way we approach a production; it’s about the way we look at the site, the way we work with people and also the way we make architecture.”
In May, the city entered into a design agreement with RPBW in an amount of up to $36.9 million. That left only six months to produce a design concept for the SPAC.
Although global, RPBW could be described as something of a boutique firm with about 50 employees working in the Genoa office. The staff size is similar to the company’s Paris and New York City offices.
When making its pitch in June 2023 to the task force seated to select an architecture firm to design the SPAC, Carroll and his colleagues emphasized that the firm pursues only two or three projects per year.
“We take on very few projects if they’re the right size,” Carroll said. “We need two good-sized projects (per year) to keep this office running. We have no intention of becoming larger, and we know the needs of this office.”
Each project takes five to six years
WHO IS RENZO PIANO?
Born in Genoa, Italy, in 1937 into a family of builders, Renzo Piano founded the Renzo Piano Building Workshop in 1981 and has since grown the staff to 150, with offices in Paris, Genoa and New York. In 2004, he founded the Renzo Piano Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the architectural profession through educational programs and activities. In September 2013, he was appointed senator for life by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano “for outstanding patriotic merits in the social, scientific, artistic or literary field.” There may be up to five appointed senators for life at any given time.
from the first line drawn on paper to ribbon cutting. Once construction begins, RPBW maintains a presence on-site alongside its architect of record, in this case, Sweet Sparkman of Sarasota. The Genoa office, where the SPAC design will be born, averages 10 to 13 projects in the pipeline at all times.
“I think this is a benefit to the design because we can put in the right energy at the right moments,” Carroll said. “When you’re at 50, you’re flexible. When you start going over 50, it becomes a little more rigid, so I think we’re able to provide a better service to the clients staying at 50. For Renzo and people like myself, we follow the projects better. It’s just better all around.”
MODEL APPROACH
The team at RPBW covers multiple generations, from the 86-year-old Renzo Piano to interns, and each has its own approach to building design. All of it — from paper and pencil to scale model building to CAD, is incorporated into the creative process.
“We have this methodology that
we bring to the table, which is working with our hands and with a computer making models and drawing sketches. And then once you do that, we move back and forth between the digital world and the physical world. I’m more in the physical world. My young colleagues are more in the digital world.
“In the end, though, something that we do very different is we introduce mock-ups, which are full-scale models that try to simulate pieces of the building. We simulate making a facade or special roof details, etc. We do that in our early design development phase where we can actually use that information we learned from the mock-ups and put it into our final drawings.”
The RPBW team will work alongside one assembled by Sweet Sparkman, which Carroll characterizes as a partner. As the architect of record on the ground in Sarasota, partners Todd Sweet and Jerry Sparkman will take the lead in navigating state and local building standards, permitting and more, although Carroll said the firm is involved at the drafting table from the start.
Typically, the RPBW team will be more heavily involved in the beginning, gradually handing aspects of the project off to Sweet Sparkman as the workload shifts from Genoa to Sarasota.
That design process can take two to three years to complete as it collaborates with the various disciplines to imagine a building that not only inspires, but also functions. From there, construction can take two-plus years, with RPBW personnel on-site until the SPAC opens to the public.
Although the site is currently a sea of asphalt with a view, the shell will be designed for what The Bay Park is planned to become, which includes converting the current Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking lot into green space, perhaps elevated above parking.
“That’s the outside,” Carroll said. “On the inside any theater of 2,000 people or 2,500 are big challenges because of the acoustics, sight lines and the sense of belonging. It’s
important on every project not to lose sight of that. Otherwise, maybe you build a great building that’s not a great theater. You need to do both.”
PIANO MAN
Some of RPBW’s projects are worldrenowned, including the New York Times building in New York City. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Greece, in particular, captured the attention of the architect selection task force members. Stateside, RPBW’s projects include the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum, which includes a 1,000-seat theater beneath an openair domed terrace with views toward Hollywood, and the renovation and expansion of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.
They serve as examples of RPBW’s benchmarks of design that complement but don’t overwhelm their surroundings, and to provide opportunities to interact with the structures without having to pay admission.
In the case of the SPAC, as with many of its other projects, that will include shaded areas that offer vistas of an eventually completed The Bay park and sunsets across Sarasota Bay.
In addition to civic, commercial and residential buildings, RPBW’s design portfolio includes infrastructure such as the Ushibuka Bridge in Japan and subway stations and a motor vehicle tunnel in its home city of Genoa, among others.
All of them include the touch of Renzo Piano himself. The SPAC will be no exception.
More than a figurehead, rather than frequent travel to project sites, the 86-year-old now divides his time between the Paris and Genoa offices, preferring to work with projects under design.
“He wants to travel less so he can dedicate more time as a designer,” Carroll said. “That’s what he enjoys the most, working with us, working with young people, working with the model builders, working with whoever’s here. He does travel, but he prefers not making 12-hour trips to California or Florida. He’s starting to think that’s a waste of his time.”
Mark Carroll, of Renzo Piano Building Workshop, is the partnerin-charge of the design of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
Courtesy of Renzo Piano Building Workshop
The theater wing of the Academy of Motion Pictures museum in Hollywood as designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
Andrew Warfield
From left, Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s Kerry Joyce, Todd Sweet, RPBW’s Ronan Dunphy and Jerry Sparkman during the July 16 “Meet the Architects” workshop.
Courtesy of Stefano Goldberg
LET OUR HAND SURGEONS HELP!
SMH Board race sees renewed interest
With Democratic and write-in candidates on the ballot, Aug. 20 will be a closed primary.
The Sarasota Memorial Public Hospital Board race is one of the more crowded local elections in 2024, with 19 candidates running for four seats.
Because of the seven write-in candidates, who do not declare a party affiliation, and the fact each seat has Republicans and one Democrat on the ballot, the Aug. 20 primary will be closed, meaning only registered Republicans.
The lone Democrat in each race, along with the Republican primary winner and the write-in candidates, will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
INCREASED INTEREST
For decades, hospital board elections did not generate the interest that the positions do now, “because they (voters) had to do a little research,
and most people aren’t willing to do that,” said Villa Johnson, first vice president of the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County.
But in 2022, she observed, the pandemic changed that.
“In that election, three candidates were elected who rejected the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, and have opposed vaccines and that type of thing,” Johnson said. “There are more candidates in that vein running this year. And I think people are concerned.”
After the pandemic, critics claimed the hospital mishandled care by following CDC protocols, unnecessarily restricted visitation rights and discouraged the use of alternative, untested treatments for COVID.
An independent review of the hospital’s performance during the pandemic gave Sarasota Memorial generally high marks, noting the hospital’s COVID death rate was 24% lower than national benchmarks. Complication rates and length of hospital stays were also lower than others. SEE HOSPITAL BOARD, PAGE 12
Undergraduate:
Saint
Board
Jim DeLa
Sarasota County Public Hospital Board candidates Sharon Wetzler DePeters, Kevin Cooper, Pam Beitlich, Mary Flynn O’Neill, Sarah Lodge and Tanya Parus participate in a July 11 League of Women Voters forum in Venice.
City budget rises without tax hike
City residents will see the same millage rate next year.
the Sarasota City Commission on Tuesday unanimously set the rate at 3.0 mils, matching the current fiscal year rate. That means the owner of a home with an assessed value of $300,000 will pay $900 in property taxes to the city next year.
The City Commission ended its two-day budget workshop by setting the not-to-exceed millage, which means the final rate can be lowered, but not raised, following two budget public hearings in September. Given multiple departmental “budget issues” amounting to $3.8 million, including requests for 16 additional full-time employees, that’s an unlikely scenario.
The total proposed budget for next fiscal year is $305.6 million, an increase of $18.9 million, or 6.6%, over the current year. That includes $113.3 million in self-sustaining enterprise funds such as utilities, parking management, solid waste, Bobby Jones Golf Club and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall; capital project debt service of $8 million; and special taxing districts whose funds are reinvested in their neighborhoods.
Projected revenues are bolstered by an increase in assessed property value of 9.7% to $18.3 billion, resulting in a 9.7% increase in ad valorem taxes totaling $53 million. The value of one mil, not including the Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency and The Bay Tax Increment Financing District, is just more than $16.5 million.
“The expenditure budget has increased $9.4 million,” Director of Finance Kelly Strickland told commissioners. “This is primarily due to increased pension retirement
c ontributions, salary increases approved after fiscal year 2024 budget adoption, new programs, budget issues and increased cost of operating materials and supplies.”
The general fund proposed budget revenues are approximately $102 million with expenditures of more than $106 million.
“This leaves a deficit, or use of fund balance, of $4,664,000,” Strickland said. “The projected unassigned fund balance on Sept. 30, 2025, is $28,772,000. This is a 26.9% unassigned fund balance to our operating expenses.”
The city’s budgetary policy is to maintain a fund balance of 17% to 25% of spending. Including the revenue stabilization fund available for emergency spending, currently at $2.8 million, that brings the effective fund balance to 29.6%.
Still, the proposed spend down of the fund balance to equalize the budget captured the attention of Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch.
“I just want to get this out there that that is concerning to me as we go through the budget because we are a coastal city. We do have extreme weather events,” she said. “I don’t know if there’s an alternative for this budget than lowering that fund balance, but I just wanted to get that out there that that number concerns me.”
When the Monday workshop session resumed following a recess, City Manager Marlon Brown told commissioners that staff reminded him that although spending down the fund balance has been included in
“I don’t know if there’s an alternative for this budget than lowering that fund balance, but I just wanted to get that out there that that number concerns me.”
— Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch
TOTAL PROPOSED CITY BUDGET
PROPOSED SPENDING BY CATEGORY
prior budgets, it hasn’t been necessary by the time the books are closed.
“Historically, even though we propose to use fund balance, by the time we do the reconciliation, we end up using either minimal or none at all,” he said. “If indeed, there is angst about using fund balance, we can have a discussion as to what to cut. The only option is to raise the millage, and I would not recommend that. So it’s about cutting. It’s a policy decision.”
By the Tuesday afternoon special meeting to set the max millage rate, commissioners had heard from all department heads about their needs for the next fiscal year, and also those budgetary items not under the city’s control, such as insurance premiums, pension fund contribution requirements and others.
No suggested cuts to budget
requests were made at that time, and now that the max millage rate is set, it isn’t likely to change.
Still, given the number of unfunded capital projects on the city’s wish list, the fund balance vs. tax rate matter remained a point of discussion shortly before the vote.
“I was not suggesting we raise the millage,” Ahearn-Koch said. “I was just asking for the logic behind the recommendation because I have, in years past, had input from some citizens saying now is the time to raise the millage a little bit and capture funds to accomplish some of those projects.”
Two meetings remain in the fiscal year 2025 budget season. The first of two public hearings is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3, and the second on Monday, Sept. 16, when the budget will be adopted.
Youth sailing building hits headwinds
Plans for a new Sarasota Youth Sailing facility may be subject to a restriction against outdoor storage of boats.
ANDREW WARFIELD
Seeking to replace its inadequate facilities with a new home, the Sarasota Youth Sailing program of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron held a pre-application conference during the July 17 Development Review Committee meeting. It may seem simple to replace a building with a new one of identical use on the same footprint, but the plan may face some headwinds strong enough to sink the project.
Sarasota Youth Sailing site at Ken Thompson Park on City Island is in the Governmental zone district.
As a result, it is required to meet the standards of the most restrictive adjacent zone district, Residential Single Family. For all practical purposes, the site is separated from any homes by seven-tenths of a mile with the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, a marina, a boat dealer, a restaurant and other commercial buildings in between.
Because of the zone districts’ juxtaposition, though, its ability to store boats outside may be in jeopardy. As the current use predated city ownership of what was formerly a county park, outside boat storage was grandfathered. A new building permit, though, is subject to city zoning code.
“One question when you’re going through your comments is, are boats considered materials or equipment?
Because if it is, we can’t do this,” Joel Freedman, project consultant, said to the panel. “We can’t put all those boats into the building.”
“We’ll get into that,” replied Acting Chief Planner Noah Fossick.
Following the gauntlet of comments and suggestions from all the department representatives on the DRC, the issue of boat storage came back to Fossick, who at this time is unable to offer full clarity on the conflict between Sarasota Youth Sailing’s needs and the applicable restrictions of the adjacent zone district.
“I would need clarity to determine if a boat would be considered a material or equipment,” Fossick said. “Unfortunately, we don’t define either term in the zoning code, so we’re working off of commonly accepted definitions of such terms. So at this point, I don’t have an answer for you.
THE SUMMER SALE
“One question when you’re going through your comments is, are boats considered materials or equipment? Because if it is, we can’t do this.”
Joel Freedman
“It’s understood that there’s a long legacy of boats being stored outside on this property.”
Sarasota Youth Sailing wants to replace a nonclimate-controlled, warehouse-style building with a two-story structure of 3,000 square feet on the first floor for storage beneath 2,000 square feet of meeting space, offices and restrooms. Currently, the office is, “for lack of better words, an RV,” said architect Derek Pirozzi. “They’re in dire need of something new.”
Among the notable aspects of the building design are dual “double butterfly” roofs that will direct rainwater into a cistern, which will be used to wash boats.
The site sits on 1.39 acres of the overall 6.2-acre Sarasota Sailing Squadron site.
711 N. ORANGE AVE.
The DRC received a new submittal for a six-story, 19-unit condominium building planned for a 0.36-acre parcel at the northwest corner of
North Orange Avenue and Seventh Street. The development is proposed to include 2,444 square feet of commercial space and two attainable housing units.
The zone district is Downtown Edge with a future land use classification of Urban Edge. It is also located within the Rosemary Residential Overlay District. Vehicle access is proposed from Seventh Street. The project includes two attainable housing units via the RROD residential bonus density program.
The proposed unit mix is eight two-bedroom, three three-bedroom, six three-bedroom plus den and two penthouses. The developer is listed as Gillespie Park Development LLC.
A resubmittal of the project to the DRC is required.
HOMEWOOD SUITES HOTEL
The DRC also held a pre-application conference to provide input on a proposed four-story, 102-room hotel on 1.82 acres just south of University Parkway near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The property at 325 Royal Palm Ave. is bounded by a Hyatt Place hotel to the north, Sleep Inn to the west and a vacant residential parcel to the south. The property is zoned Residential Multiple Family 2 with a future land use classification of Urban Mixed Use.
Applicant United Hospital Group of Florida is proposing to rezone the property to Mixed Use 2.
The
Courtesy images
A rendering of the proposed Sarasota Youth Sailing building at Ken Thompson Park by PSDW Architecture shows outdoor boat storage, which may not be permitted there by code.
A rendering by Osborn Sharp Associates of the proposed 711 N. Orange Ave.
Beyond First Class™
Source of Manatee’s strife
The Manatee County Commission primary races are not elections between liberal and conservative. They are about whether to eliminate antagonizing behavior.
MATT WALSH
People do not like strife — in their families, with friends, in the communities in which they live. There is enough misery in the world. No one wants to be around people who create or whose narcissism fuels strife.
That is what the Manatee County Commission Republican primary election appears to be about — whether to eliminate the source of the strife that has fueled division and made the Manatee County Commission the leading dysfunctional public body in the region.
The four County Commission races are not elections between liberal and conservative or a fight over socialist or free-market agendas — in spite of the claptrap Manatee voters hear and see on TV ads and in election mailers.
For goodness sakes, as we have pointed out before, Manatee is one of the most conservative and Republican counties in Florida.
Republicans outnumber Democrats nearly two-to-one. The primary is not about left vs. right.
Nevertheless, over the past four years, Manatee voters have watched and endured one commissioner whose antagonistic, disrespecting behavior has tarnished the commission and has hurt the community.
Voters know who that is: Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge. His behavior has crossed the line of proper public-service decorum to the point it has created the perception and believed reality that five of the six other sitting commissioners — with the exception of Van Ostenbridge’s opponent, George Kruse — are merely stooges and puppets for Van Ostenbridge and two noncommissioners, political consultant Anthony Pedicini and Manatee homebuilder Carlos Beruff.
There is good reason for that perception and belief. Beruff has been funding his preferred slate of candidates for years, especially in the past four years, to purge the commissioners he and Pedicini have dubbed liberal and RINOs. On the target list: past commissioners Misty Servia, Carol Whitmore and Priscilla Trace, as well as Democrat Reggie Bellamy.
In the 2020 elections, Beruff and Pedicini succeeded with the elections of Van Ostenbridge, James Satcher and Kruse and reelection of Vanessa Baugh — four of the seven commission seats. Check. Then in 2022, they completed the mission, with the elections of Mike Rahn, Jason Bearden and Amanda Ballard.
Job done. Seven commissioners pretty much thought to be in lock step. But even before that 2022 victory, through 2021, it was clear Van Ostenbridge had ambitions and coveted the king’s throne — chairmanship of the board. At the end of 2021, the commissioners gave him his wish, electing him chair beginning in 2022 (a position he held in 2023 as well).
In 2022, Van Ostenbridge made this pledge: “My expectations are that this will be a year filled with accountability, civility and ethics at all levels of our government.”
OH, HOW POWER CORRUPTS
While our political philosophy of freedom for the individual, limited
CORRECTIONS
In last week’s sidebar editorial, “Speir takes issue with Buchanan’s votes,” the following was incorrect:
n The Observer incorrectly referred to H.R. 9, a bill on the Paris Climate Agreement, as “The Green New Deal Act.” The bill was not “The Green New Deal Act.” Congressman Buchanan has opposed the Green New Deal; he voted to block the U.S. from leaving the Paris Climate Agreement.
ELECTION ’24
MANATEE COUNTY COMMISSION; SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS; PROPERTY APPRAISER
MORE COVERAGE
n For the complete recommendations for Manatee County Commission districts and for the two Manatee School Board primaries, go to: YourObserver.com/Opinion.
n To see candidate profiles and questionnaires, click on the Elections tab on YourObserver.com.
‘LACK OF RESPECT FOR VOTERS’
Here is more to sour you on election politics: Candidates declining to participate in candidate forums or ignoring media requests. This has now become standard practice, especially for incumbents.
For the full text, go to: YourObserver.com/Opinion.
government, property rights, low taxes and population and economic growth aligns with Van Ostenbridge’s, it is not just the “what” that matters. It’s also the “how” — how the policies are achieved. Likewise, it is not just what the voters see. There is also the unseen — what occurs out of sight and earshot of the public.
The seen:
A month ago, when Sarasota attorney Dan Lobeck presented commissioners with a packet of information opposing development on a 17-acre parcel at The Concession, the Observer reported: “The moment the packet reached Van Ostenbridge’s hands, he stood up, walked over to the garbage can, threw the packet in and returned to his seat.”
Insulting, unbecoming.
During one of the contentious meetings on the county’s wetlands buffers, Van Ostenbridge opined to the citizens in the commission chambers: “We’re all Republicans sitting up here. We love President Trump. We support the greatest governor in America. It’s become clear that we have radical climate activists who are pushing the new Green Deal and brought a movement that is rooted in communism into Manatee County.”
So much for dignity.
Indeed, disagreements are part of policy making, but so is respect for the way your fellow citizens are treated — especially from the commission dais.
A true public servant is open to his constituents’ voices, but Van Ostenbridge also led the shutdown of public dissent, ending call-in and social media comments to commissioners.
The unseen:
The Bradenton Times obtained telephone call logs between Van Ostenbridge and the Manatee chief of code enforcement, showing 17 calls between March 1 and May 1, with Van Ostenbridge initiating 11 of the phone calls.
n The Observer incorrectly stated Buchanan's votes on two bills. Here are the correct votes:
n H.J. Resolution 46 (2019) — A vote to support Trump and build the border wall. Buchanan: No. Freedom Caucus: Yes.
n H.R. 863 — Vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Buchanan: Did not vote. Freedom Caucus: Yes.
That same report provided details on text messages between two code enforcement employees that directed one of the employees to “grab” an anti-Van Ostenbridge campaign sign off of private property and “hold on to it.”
The Bradenton Times reported that on the same day that the code enforcement officer was directed to remove the sign, Van Ostenbridge and a code enforcement supervisor exchanged four telephone calls. Commissioners set policy; they are not to jump over the county administrator and involve themselves in day-to-day operations.
That’s just one case.
Indeed, if you put the current county commissioners on a witness stand, there would be disclosures of Van Ostenbridge maneuvering behind the scenes with the county staff. Such behavior prompted former Commissioner Satcher at one point to motion for a re-vote on Van Ostenbridge’s election as chair. Commissioners, we’re told, backed down, wary of repercussions.
Suffice it to say, Manatee voters know well Van Ostenbridge has not lived up to the pledge of “accountability, civility and ethics.”
And yet, in a show of more brass, Van Ostenbridge, Pedicini and Beruff are now targeting Commissioner Kruse as a “liberal” who has strayed out of bounds and needs to be ousted. And talk about conceit, Van Ostenbridge, apparently thinking his MAGA-ism will carry him to victory, switched from running in his home District 3 to run against Kruse for the District 7 At-Large seat.
FLICKING THEIR NOSES
One last point: It’s the equivalent of this united band essentially flicking their noses at taxpayers.
That would be the $841,340 they voted to transfer from the general fund to help the flagging candidacy of Pedicini-Beruff-backed Satcher in his supervisor of elections race. Disguised as necessary funds to shore up and expand the supervisor’s operations, stunningly, the request for this cash came from Satcher with not a lick of detail of exactly how the money would be spent. No detail on the cost of leasing space; no detail on what new employees will be paid; no details on exactly how money would be spent on IT software and hardware. It didn’t matter; no questions asked. The vote: 6-1 (Kruse: voting no).
So let’s summarize the Manatee County Commission primaries: The Pedicini-Beruff team: Steve Metallo (District 1); April Culbreath (District 3); and Kevin Van Ostenbridge (District 7, at-large).
The opposition: Carol Ann Felts (District 1); Talha “Tal” Siddique (District 3); Robert McCann (District 5); and George Kruse (District 7, at-large).
And a standalone, albeit still seen as one of the pack: Ray Turner (District 5).
A vote for the Pedicini-Beruff candidates is a continuation of antagonistic business as usual. A vote for the opposition can begin a course correction back toward respectable representation of taxpayers, where differing points of view can be and often are healthy.
The American system is all about checks and balances. With differing views on the commission, may the best arguments win.
We recommend: Carol Ann Felts (District 1); Talha “Tal” Siddique (District 3); Ray Turner (District 5); and George Kruse (District 7, atlarge)
Supervisor of Elections
Candidates: Scott Farrington and James Satcher
When Americans’ trust in government and confidence in its competence are falling into a black abyss (e.g. prima facie No. 1: Secret Service protection of Donald Trump), voters need candidates who are and will be competent and who are and will be trustworthy.
In the Manatee supervisor of elections race, voters have an indisputable and unequivocal choice of a candidate who embodies those qualities.
There really is no need to detail what we have already commented
on twice and reported in our news columns about the differences between Scott Farrington, former 11-year chief of staff in the Manatee supervisor’s office, and the recently politically appointed incumbent supervisor, James Satcher.
If you are not familiar, take the time to go to these links: n Feb. 21: “Clash of merit vs. politics” — YourObserver.com/ News/2024/Feb/21/OpinionClash-Of-Merit-VS-Politics/ n May 8: “Shocker: DeSantis puts politics above competence” — YourObserver.com/news/2024/ May/08/Opinion-Shocker-Desantis-Puts-Politics-Above-Competence/
We have seen these two candidates in action for years, and if we were to be charged with hiring Farrington or Satcher for this job, there would be no point interviewing Satcher. The difference in qualifications and character for the job is stark.
Let’s cite just the one, recent instance:
Only one month — one month — into his new job as supervisor, a job where his predecessor and chief operating officer had both left and a job for which he had zero experience, Satcher apparently was able to determine with certainty that he needed $841,340 “to expand safety and security measures and audit vital information and operations;” upgrade hardware and software “to perform a complete and full audit of certified election results;” add a polling site in the North River Ranch area “to expand voter access and ease Election Day lines;” and “open two satellite offices in the Lakewood Ranch and North River Ranch areas … as our county’s population center trends eastward.”
Anyone in an unfamiliar, totally new business leadership or management role knows there is no way he or she can possibly know in a month’s time with certainty whether to take such significant steps.
What’s more, how would Satcher even know all that was needed without ever having experienced firsthand how the supervisor’s office works through an election?
Even worse: He presented no proforma in his request for more money showing the cost of leases, salaries to be paid to new employees, how much computers and software would cost, etc., etc.
In the 12 years, former Supervisor Mike Bennett and his chief of staff, Farrington, operated the most cost-efficient office in the state with nary a voter complaint, the $841,340 that Satcher requested is more money than Bennett requested altogether in all 12 years he served.
Gov. DeSantis erred when he chose a political ally over competence. Manatee voters should correct this.
We recommend: Scott Farrington
Property Appraiser
Candidates: Darin George and Charles Hackney
It’s a logical thought: Charles Hackney is 74 and has been Manatee County’s property appraiser for 31 years. That is a long time, and many might say long enough. Anyone in the job that long is bound to fall behind a step or two.
Ahem. Hello? Donald Trump is 78. Moses parted the Red Sea when he was 80 and led his Jewish followers to the Promised Land at age 120.
Let’s drop the age thing. The issue is our standard litmus test for incumbents: Are they doing a good job, deserving to stay in office?
Hackney’s opponent, Darin George, of Ellenton, simply says: “Charles Hackney needs to retire. Change is needed, and change will be good.”
But everyone also knows change for change sake is not always good. If it ain’t broke … What’s more, George doesn’t have a grasp of the job. (See the Observer candidate questionnaire, YourObserver.com/News/Elections.)
There is no debate: Hackney has demonstrated his commitment to serving Manatee County residents fairly and efficiently for three decades and continues to do a good job.
We recommend: Charles Hackney
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Amaryllis gets pruned
Sarasota Housing Authority project is approved despite a temporary reduction in residences due to funding.
ANDREW WARFIELD
STAFF WRITER
Although downsized because of a deadline it most likely can’t meet for $7 million in funding, Sarasota Housing Authority’s plan for a new affordable housing development was unanimously approved at its July 15 City Commission meeting.
Just more than a week after the SHA cut the ribbon at the adjacent Cypress Square apartments, it presented to the City Commission its plans to replace 64 aging public housing units with, ultimately, 144 units across four three-story buildings.
All will be priced as affordable for occupants earning 80% of area median income or less.
Affordable, but not attainable, as defined by the SHA President and CEO William Russell.
“To me, there’s a difference between affordable and attainable, but for this development, it’ll be 100% affordable, meaning all the residents will be at or below 80% of area median income,” Russell said. Added development consultant Joel Freedman, “whereas attainable goes all the way up to 120% AMI.”
The nonaddressed, 6.65-acre site is southeast of Amaryllis Park Place at 2012 N. Orange Ave. and south of Amaryllis Park Place II located on 21st Street.
Planned for four buildings plus a community center, for now, the proj-
ect will comprise only three residential buildings. At its July 9 meeting, the Sarasota County Commission told Russell that, because of timing requirements for spending the federal dollars, it cannot grant $7 million in Resilient SRQ funds unless the SHA can close on all other funding sources and be under contract for construction by September.
The request for the additional funding from Resilient SRQ, which has a pool of $40 million for affordable multifamily housing projects and $150 million in asks, was made because of escalating construction costs.
County commissioners were concerned SHA may not meet the deadline requirements for the grant, and the $7 in million federal funds would be lost.
Prior to that decision, Russell told county commissioners he didn’t expect to meet its requirements until nearly year’s end.
As a result, Russell, Freedman and Chris Gallagher of Hoyt Architects told city commissioners the project likely will require two phases to complete.
“Some of you probably know there were some recent funding discussions at the county, and so therefore
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in the application we show you in the site plan, three of the buildings will be going forward at this time,” Russell said. “The fourth building will be done at a future phase along with the community center.”
Amaryllis Park Place III will have a unit mix of approximately 20% onebedroom, 50% two-bedroom and 30% three-bedroom apartments.
Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch questioned why the project, unlike the new Cypress Square, doesn’t include four-bedroom units.
“We’re seeing projects now with more one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms than anything else,” Gallagher said. “This one still has a pretty high percentage of three-bedrooms, but the development team along with the Housing Authority must have, in terms of the number of four-bedrooms in Cypress Square, felt that they were meeting the market with that.”
With the displacement of 64 families prior to the start of demolition of the existing buildings followed by construction, Commissioner Erik Arroyo inquired about where those individuals and families will go.
“We are in the relocation process as we speak,” Russell said. “Approximately 25 of them are going to be
moving next door into the brandnew Cypress Square. Quite a few of them have already moved. They all have Section 8 vouchers. We’ve been meeting with them and helping to facilitate their relocation. There are 10 to 12 families who haven’t yet found a place, so we’re working with them.”
Russell told the Planning Board before it unanimously recommended approval at its June 12 meeting that assisting displaced residents includes covering all moving and relocation-related costs, such as utility deposits.
Absent the $7 million Resilient SRQ request, the SHA has secured $54.25 million, including $25.1 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, $10 million from the Florida Rental Recovery Loan Program, a $12.9 million permanent loan and $3.7 million in deferred developer fees, among others.
The aging current structures, Mayor Liz Alpert noted, are no longer habitable and were built without central air conditioning. Instead, they employ window units.
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“The buildings are like the ’60s projects, buildings that you shouldn’t be living in anymore,” said Alpert.
nickel, and black.
and
accessories from leading designers. Masterpieces
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A rendering of Amaryllis Park Place III by Hoyt Architects illustrates apartment buildings of modern design.
Manatees return to Myakka
Water
quality and abundant food
are key draws for these massive park regulars.
MIRI HARDY CONTRIBUTOR
The Wild and Scenic Myakka River meanders for 12 miles through Myakka River State Park and then continues to Charlotte Bay to the south, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The river, therefore, offers a gateway to Myakka River State Park for aquatic wildlife seeking safe refuge and food, including manatees.
Florida manatees are found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals and coastal areas. These gentle giants are typically nine to 10 feet long and weigh around 1,000 pounds. When water levels in the rain-fed Myakka River are high enough, manatees regularly find their way to the park. Shortly after a record period of drought-driven low water levels, manatees have already been spotted back at Myakka.
As mostly herbivorous marine mammals, manatees are known for their diet of submerged aquatic vegetation — such as seagrass. Such vegetation is rooted and grows completely under water. And, as would be expected due to their size, manatees eat a lot, consuming about 32 to 108 pounds of wet vegetation daily.
Unfortunately, poor water quality in Florida has been causing a decline in seagrass beds, leaving manatees literally starving to death. Additionally, runoff of pollutants into the Gulf of Mexico is causing repeat red tide events. These blooms coat submerged aquatic vegetation with neurotoxic algae that can poison manatees, making them seize and drown.
It is interesting to note that though manatees regularly seek refuge at Myakka River State Park, submerged
Grade: ‘A’
Sarasota County Schools announces ‘A’ rating.
IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER
Sarasota County Schools has announced it is the recipient of an overall “A” grade by the Florida Department of Education for the 2023-24 school year.
The achievement marks the 21st consecutive year in which the district has maintained the rating.
Additionally, the district improved 49 points on the overall district accountability system, which grades districts according to 12 components, including the third grade English Language Arts Achievement component added this year.
aquatic vegetation is unable to grow in the sunlight-blocked blackwaters of the Myakka.
So what do the manatees eat?
On the menu is a different type of aquatic vegetation known as emergent plants.
Bridging the gap between aquatic and terrestrial habitats, the roots of emergent plants are submerged in water, while their stems and leaves emerge above the surface — hence their name. They are typically found in wetlands or along the shore.
Emergent plants offer numerous benefits, including erosion control, wildlife habitat and water purification. And for manatees, the abundant emergent plants along the banks of the Myakka River and its two lakes offer a crucial benefit: ample, toxinfree food.
Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsOfMyakkaRiver
The ranking comes even as the Florida State Board of Education approved an increased grading threshold for middle, high, and combination schools and for the overall district grade.
BOARD APPROVES TENTATIVE MILLAGE AND BUDGET
The board also adopted the tentative millage rate of 6.131 and budget of $1.35 billion.
The total recommended millage is 6.131 mills, a slight decrease from the 6.18 that was levied last year.
Taxpayers would see a bill of $613 for every $100,000 of taxable value, a decrease of $4.90 per $100,000 in taxable value.
Chief Financial Officer Bonnie Penner said the district’s budget book offers comparisons dating back to the 1969-1970 school year, across which time the district has never levied a lower rate.
Despite decreasing rates, the district will see higher revenues, she said, about 1.28% higher than last year, because of increasing property values, requiring publication of a tax notice.
The only aspect of the millage altered from last year is the required local effort, which is the amount the
district must levy as required statewide.
The district’s required local effort was certified by the state at 2.873 mills, with an adjustment to the prior financial period of 0.010 mills, for a total of 2.883 mills.
This is about 1% lower than what the district levied last year, a total required local effort of 2.932 mills.
The school district’s tentative budget totals $1,353,707,737.
Some of the notable allocations, as highlighted by Penner in a June 16 workshop, involves Exceptional Student Education Programs, with $1,514,123 devoted to the results of a special education study and $2,316,312 allocated toward increasing ESE student enrollment.
Among other changes, the budget set referendum funds as the future funding source for preschools, with an allocation of $1,099,709, and devoted $1,453,517 to literacy, noting the swapping of the district’s former Reading Recovery program for the new Literacy for All plan.
Next week, a public hearing will be held to adopt the tentative millage rate and budget, and the board will finalize its decision on Sept. 17.
Miri Hardy
Plants, such as paspalum repens, a mediumprotein aquatic grass native to Florida, provide manatees with ample, toxin-free food at Myakka.
Ian Swaby
Superintendent
Terry Connor addresses attendees at the 2023 State of the Community Sarasota School Board Update lunch event.
Financial Planning for Families
A brief guide to thinking about your wealth and legacy
Hospital Board
FROM PAGE 4
Critics, however, remain skeptical of the report, and some candidates are saying they want the board to be more involved in policies involving patient care.
WHAT’S THE BOARD’S ROLE?
The responsibilities of the ninemember board are spelled out on the hospital’s website. The core responsibilities include:
■ Financial oversight
■ Quality oversight
■ Setting strategic direction/mission oversight
■ Self-assessment and development
■ Management oversight
■ Compliance oversight
Your legacy isn’t just about money. It’s about family values as well.
– John B. Leeming, CFP® President at JL Bainbridge
communication, and neglecting financial education for younger generations. Some create inflexible plans that can’t adapt to life’s changes, while others overlook tax implications or focus solely on monetary assets, ignoring the value of shared principles and life lessons.
Successful legacy building starts with open family discussions
THE CANDIDATES
At Large, Seat 1
■ Sharon Wetzler DePeters (R)
■ Ethan Garrett (write-in)
■ Suzanne Hatatah (write-in)
■ Tamzin Rosenwasser (R)
■ Alan Jerome Sprintz (D)
■ Jennifer Lee Zambrano (write-in)
At Large, Seat 2
■ Kendra Becker-Musante (R) (Withdrawn)
■ Kevin Cooper (R)
■ Stephen Guffanti (R)
■ Donna Hurlock (write-in)
■ John A. Lutz (D)
At Large, Seat 3
■ Pam Beitlich (R)
■ Emilio Carlesimo (write-in)
■ George Davis (D)
■ Curt Erlandson (write-in)
■ Mary Flynn O’Neill (R)
Central District, Seat 1
■ Emilio Carlesimo (Withdrawn)
■ Sarah Lodge (R)
■ Vicki Nighswander (D)
■ Tanya Marie Parus (R)
Building a lasting financial legacy is more than just accumulating wealth—it’s about creating a roadmap for your family’s future. Yet, many families stumble in this crucial task. Common pitfalls include procrastination, poor since 1981 1582 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236
about financial goals and values. It involves reviewing investment strategies and following plans that cover retirement, long-term care, and even estate planning needs.
More than anything, it requires a multi-generational vision. Also important: don’t underestimate increased life expectancies or the complexities of wealth transfer.
Remember, your legacy isn’t just about money. It’s about equipping future generations with financial wisdom, shared values, and the tools to build upon what you’ve started.
JL Bainbridge is an independent Sarasota-based family wealth management firm. For 43 years, they have been helping clients manage and control their financial well-being before and throughout retirement.
To learn more about JL Bainbridge, call (941) 356-3435 or visit jlbainbridge.com.
(941) 365-3435jlbainbridge.com
J.L. Bainbridge & Company, Inc.
Disclosure:
not imply any level of skill or training.
The board is also responsible for charting the direction of growth of the SMH Health Care System, including capital improvements and recent expansion into South Sarasota County, as well as recruiting the best medical talent possible.
The board approves and oversees quality-improvement initiatives, reviews recommendations of the medical staff regarding new physicians to the staff and oversees the performance of the hospital’s CEO.
The board’s listed responsibilities do not extend to decisions about medical treatment.
Current Hospital Board Chair Sarah Lodge, who is running for reelection for Central District Seat 1, said it’s not the board’s job to dictate treatment decisions.
“The board’s role does not oversee the medicine,” she said. “Now, we oversee patient (care) quality. We get an update on that all the time. As far as medicine goes, that is not our role.”
Kevin Cooper, a Republican running for Seat 2, echoed her sentiments.
“The business of the board is the business of the hospital, and not the practice of medicine.”
However, the board recently voted down a proposal in May by board member Victor Rohe, who was elected in 2022 on a “medical freedom” ticket, to post controversial
■ Barbara Miller Vaughn (write-in)
statements from Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who said COVID–19 vaccinations are risky and inappropriate for human use.
In a closed session, the board rejected Rohe’s proposal, but released an alternative statement that supported the doctor-patient relationship, reinforced patients’ rights and encouraged “patients and their health care providers to access all credible resources regarding their discussions and decisions.”
At a candidate forum in June hosted by the Tiger Bay Club, another medical freedom ticket candidate, Tanya Parus, running against Lodge for Central Seat 1, said board members should offer input on patient care.
“There’s committees that fall under that board, and you can be on those committees as a board member,” she said. “The role of the board is to kind of look towards the hospital and to also look towards the public.”
For more election coverage and candidate questionnaires, visit the “Election” tab at YourObserver.com.
SUNDAY, JULY 14
COLD FEET, HOT TEMPERS
11:39 p.m., 100 block of Marina View Drive
Dispute: Having overheard hotel guests involved in a loud argument, two officers were escorted by a hotel security officer to the room where, from the outside, a male and female could be heard shouting.
Interviewing the couple separately, the officers heard a corroborating story that the pair were arguing over the status of their relationship. Having dated for five years, the woman said she wants to get married, while the man said — even after half-a-decade — he does not feel ready to take the final plunge.
Both declined to identify themselves and said the argument was verbal in nature.
food and accommodations. It was determined no crime was committed, and no further action was taken.
FRIDAY, JULY 12
WEST SIDE STORY
10:28 p.m., 400 block of John Ringing Causeway Disturbance: In an incident reminiscent of the Broadway classic, a dispute had erupted between two groups of juveniles at a city pier. A witness to the scene told an officer he believed one group had broadcast via social media to another gang of youthful street toughs, after which more juveniles arrived and the altercation began. While no choreographed fightdancing was involved, the witness said the dispute had been verbal in nature only, and while the groups had been threatening to engage in fisticuffs, no actual blows were exchanged. By the time officers arrived on the scene, the bickering juveniles had separated, several of them already having left the pier, perhaps in search of other turf to claim as their own … until bedtime.
COPS CORNER
Pool floats were snatched from children by adults who claimed ownership of them at a hotel swimming pool. An officer met with a complainant who stated that she was watching her children at the pool when an unknown group of subjects approached and requested the floats because they owned them.
That’s when a male member of the group, the complainant alleged, became verbally abusive and grabbed one of the kids while repossessing the float.
The officer interviewed the subjects, who said they had purchased the floats and left them in the pool area earlier in the day, and that when they asked the family to return them, they refused. The accused said he did take the float, but did not lay his hands on the child.
There were no witnesses or security cameras covering the pool area. The hotel manager stated the complainant’s family had stayed at the hotel for several days and were chronic complainers regarding the
Officers made contact with the remaining juveniles and told them they needed to avoid future conflict if they wanted to remain on the pier without further police involvement. They advised them to keep their distance, and it was suggested to those who were not fishing to leave the pier and find somewhere else to loiter if they were unable to get along. One group agreed to leave and the others resumed fishing.
SUNDAY, JULY 14
MEAN STREETS
2:20 a.m., 1500 block of Main Street
Fight: During a routine foot patrol, two officers happened upon a large group of subjects involved in a physical altercation in the area of Main Street and North Lemon Avenue. With approximately 15 to 20 subjects in the middle of the road, the officers responded on foot and announced themselves as police.
Although the subjects swiftly dispersed, another large crowd began to form in the area as several more units responded to assist with crowd control. Officers did not receive any allegations or requests to document a report.
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
When you first look at Alfred Hair’s 1960 artwork, “Palms on the Florida Coast,” at the Museum of Botany & the Arts at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, it’s easy to assume Hair was a practitioner of plein air painting. That means he stood outdoors on a relatively unspoiled beach and captured the scene with his brush and paints.
But that assumption would be wrong.
Why? Because Hair was African American and was not allowed to paint or swim on Florida’s beaches at that time because of Jim Crow laws designed to segregate the races.
Like his fellow painters in the Fort Pierce area who have been dubbed the “Florida Highwaymen,” Hair worked from photographs or scenes in his head. Gallerist Jim Fitch is given credit for coining the term “Florida Highwaymen” in 1994 to describe the African American artists who sold their works out of cars parked along the road.
Unfortunately, we can’t ask the artist, also known as Freddy Hair, about how he drew his inspiration for “Palms on the Florida Coast,”
Selby Gardens stages a new Florida Highwaymen exhibition with links to Sarasota history.
because he died in 1970 at the age of 29 in a bar-room shooting. It was a rough-and-tumble life for the Florida Highwaymen, mostly self-taught artists who painted to survive.
Even though they were originally from Florida’s East Coast, the Highwaymen’s works have been getting a lot of attention in Sarasota as of late.
In January, the city of Sarasota mounted an exhibition in the lobby of City Hall with paintings borrowed from Roger Lightle, a Vero Beach collector who has amassed approximately 700 Highwaymen paintings. The show was refreshed in June and will be extended for another six months.
JACKS AND JILLS OF MANY TRADES
Back in 2004, 26 of the original Highwaymen artists were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in Tallahassee. Only one of the artists was female. Her name was Mary Ann Carroll, and she was known as the “First Lady” of the Florida Highwaymen.
Caroll’s daughter, Wanda Renee Mills, recently gave a talk about her mother’s life at Arts Advocates of Sarasota in the Crossings at Siesta Key mall. She recalled how her mother, in addition to being an accomplished artist, could do everything from fix a car engine to climb a utility pole to turn the power back on.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has been down the Highwaymen road before. Three years ago, it held a summer exhibition in the Museum of Botany & the Arts called “We Dream a World: African American Landscape Painters of Mid-Century Florida.” Sarasota attracts many tourists
IF YOU GO
‘THE FLORIDA HIGHWAYMEN: INTERSTATE CONNECTIONS’ When: Through Sept. 15. Where: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $28. Info: Visit Selby.org.
and retirees to its arts attractions, so it makes sense that there’s a market here for Florida Highwaymen shows even if the group, estimated to have produced more than 200,000 paintings from the 1950s to the 1970s, wasn’t local. Originally sold for between $20 and $30, the Florida landscape paintings by the Highwaymen dramatically increased in value after the 2001 publication of Gary Monroe’s book “The Highwaymen.” In her Arts Advocates talk, Mills referred to the rapid price appreciation of the paintings as a “gold rush.”
Indeed, the back of a painting on display at Selby Gardens has a price of $10,000, but that isn’t a recent price. Today, Florida Highwaymen paintings can fetch up to $45,000, though bargains can be found in thrift shops and garage sales.
MAKING THE SARASOTA CONNECTION
As the title of Selby Gardens’ latest exhibition, “The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections,” indicates, the show links the pioneering artistic work done on Florida’s East Coast with simultaneous efforts to desegregate Lido Beach in Sarasota. “Wade-ins” and other actions helped lead to the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, ensuring the rights of all Floridians to enjoy access to its public beaches.
One room in the Selby museum is dedicated to Sarasota history. It has a mural of the Lido beach wade-ins painted by Ringling College of Art & Design Chief Curator Tim Jaeger on one wall. On another hang photographs of leaders in the efforts to preserve the city’s African American history, such as Vickie Oldham, CEO and president of the Sarasota African
by
“The
Connections.”
It was a roughand-tumble life for the Florida Highwaymen, who were mostly selftaught artists who painted to survive.
The trunk of a 1958 Plymouth Savoy is filled with plants to promote Selby Gardens’ exhibition,
Florida Highwaymen: Interstate
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Photos
Monica Gagnier
Harold Newton’s 1960 painting, “Clouds over the Florida Coast,” is part of the “The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections” exhibition at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
American Cultural Coalition.
While efforts to desegregate buses and lunch counters loom large in the retelling of the U.S. civil rights movement, the quiet, persistent efforts of Sarasota’s waders have gone largely unsung. One exception is WEDU’s 2023 documentary, “The Sarasota Experience,” directed by Shaun Greenspan.
On a recent Friday, Walter Gilbert, vice president for diversity and inclusion at Selby Gardens, talked about his memories of the era. He recalled seeing the Florida Highwaymen selling their paintings out of cars on a trip to the Fort Pierce area. He also remembered how members of Sarasota’s Black churches traveled in a caravan of shared cars (“Most African Americans couldn’t afford to own a car then”) after church and waded into the water at Lido Beach. The weekly excursions took place for nearly a decade, until the Civil Rights Act was passed. “That’s a long time,” Gilbert noted.
CLASSIC CAR INSTALLATION
The Sarasota part of the “Interstate Connections” exhibition also celebrates the murals of early African American leaders such as Leonard Reid in Sarasota’s Overtown neighborhood, now called the Rosemary District.
If there’s one reason for making the trip to Selby Gardens for the Highwaymen exhibit, it’s to see Harold Newton’s painting, “Clouds over the Coast,” sitting in the trunk of a sawed-off blue 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. In the background is a giant reproduction of a 1950s-era postcard of the Causeway Bridge over the Indian River in Fort Pierce. Car buffs are sure to be delighted by the installation.
Although most of the Florida Highwaymen were self-taught, Newton and Hair received training from Fort Pierce painter A.E. “Bean” Backus. He convinced them and others that landscapes had more commercial value than religious scenes.
Selby worked with a custom body shop/salvager in Chicago to create the car installation, said David Berry, chief museum curator at Selby.
The trunk of a red 1958 Plymouth Savoy is filled with the botanical garden’s signature plants. It stands outside Selby’s new visitor center promoting the “Interstate Connections” exhibit.
If you haven’t made it over to Selby Gardens since it opened Phase 1 of its new master plan in January and flipped the switch in June on its new solar array panel to become the first net-positive energy botanical garden complex in the world, the Florida Highwaymen exhibit is a good excuse to go.
HOOKED ON HIGHWAYMEN
PAINTINGS
If you want to continue down the road with the Florida Highwaymen,
put a visit to the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee on your bucket list. It’s temporarily closed due to renovations, but will reopen in 2026.
There’s also a notable collection of the Fort Pierce artists’ works at the Smithsonian’s Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. It has 18 Florida Highwaymen paintings.
Be careful, though. Some collectors of Florida Highwaymen art can’t stop once they get started. The bold brush strokes and vivid hues of unspoiled Florida beaches and lush tropical flora are known to create intense feelings of happiness — and desire.
Florida Highwaymen artworks with livestock roaming in the countryside are in demand, says Berry, most likely because these scenes aren’t as frequently found in real life, as ranching and farming gives way to development.
Collectors of Florida Highwaymen paintings are known to become experts on various artists’ painting styles, materials and frames. To transport their works while the paint was still drying, artists created frames made from repurposed molding that could be easily stacked in the trunk of a car without damaging the art.
The Florida Highwaymen rabbit hole is a deep one.
Selby Gardens Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Walter Gilbert talks about Sarasota’s wadein protests at a preview of its “Interstate Connections,” its new exhibit featuring Florida Highwaymen painters.
Monica Gagnier
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
OPENING RECEPTION FOR ‘SMALL WORKS: BIG IMPACT’
5 p.m. at Creative Liberties, 901B Apricot Ave. and 927 N. Lime Ave. Free Visit CreativeLiberties.net.
View and purchase the work of more than 40 local artists — encompassing more than 225 pieces of art — at two Creative Liberties locations. Enjoy bites and beverages.
HELEN KEANEY
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $26
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
On its website, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre says that comedian Helen Keaney should have a warning sign at her shows that reads “Sit in the front row at your own peril.” Keaney has carved out an edgy, sexy niche for herself with comedy shows on cruise lines and by hosting TV shows for Comedy Central, Discovery Health and others. Her stand-up credits include A&E’s “An Evening at
DON’T MISS SARASOTA BALLET SCHOOL: ‘IN MOTION’
This performance showcases the students ages 12-21 who participated in the Sarasota Ballet School’s Summer Intensive. The program features new choreography from Sarasota Ballet principal dancer Maximiliano Iglesias, an excerpt from “Swan Lake, Act II,” staged by principal dancers Jennifer Hackbarth and Jessica Assef, and “Waltz of the Hours” from “Coppelia,” staged by Sarasota Ballet School Principal Jennifer Welch Cudnik. Runs through July 27.
IF YOU GO
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25
Where: at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
Tickets: $35-$40
Info: Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
the Improv,” Lifetime’s “Girl’s Night Out” and Comedy Central’s “Make Me Laugh.”Runs through July. 28.
‘RHINESTONE COWGIRLS’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave. $18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Created by Nancy Allen Productions, this musical tribute to some of the first ladies of country features such classics as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,”
Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” and Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name.” Runs through Aug. 4.
‘THE MUSIC OF LAUREL CANYON’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
If you know, you know. But not everyone knows about Laurel Canyon, the neighborhood above West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip that became home to folk musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and The Mamas and the Papas. Runs through Aug. 25.
SUMMER CIRCUS
SPECTACULAR
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road $20 adults; $15 kids
Visit Ringling.org.
Presided over by Ringmaster Jared Walker, the Summer Circus Spectacular includes contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, acrobatic hand balancers The Bello Sisters, hair hang artist Camille Langlois, slack wire performer Antino Pansa and clown Renaldo, a veteran of the Big Apple Circus. Runs through Aug. 17.
‘THE OUTSIDER’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $29-$46
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
After the last few weeks in politics, we could all use some laughs. Florida Studio Theatre comes to the rescue with a political comedy about the world’s least likely candidate for
governor, who just might be exactly what the voters want. Let’s hear it for democracy! Runs through Aug. 18.
FRIDAY
‘WE ARE STILL TORNADOES’
7:30 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$30 Visit TreeFortProductionsProjects. com.
Katherine Michelle Tanner’s Tree Free Productions throws its hat into the summer theater ring with “We Are Still Tornadoes,” Lou Harry’s coming-of-age story set in the 1980s. Runs through July 28.
SATURDAY
‘THE END OF THE WORLD’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Did the recent Sarasota Improv Festival open your eyes to the delights of spontaneous comedy? You’re in luck. FST’s in-house improv troupe will perform an improvised disaster movie based on a title supplied by the audience. Who needs “Twisters” anyway?
CABARET ON THE BOULEVARD: DECO
8 p.m. The Original Wolfie’s Rascal House, 1420 Boulevard of the Arts
$50-$60 Visit CabaretOnTheBoulevard.com.
Grae Productions is teaming up with The Original Wolfie’s in the Rosemary District to launch a monthly cabaret series. This Deco-themed program features an ensemble cast, including Animalia, Marshall Chandler, Brian Craft, Luna DeLust, Nadia Nirvana, Kathryn Parks and Alex Zickafoose.
SUNDAY
‘ROCK OF AGES’ YOUTH EDITION
6:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players Studio, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$15 Visit ThePlayers.org.
OUR PICK
‘DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE’
Acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig tells the story of his parents’ courtship during World War II. The play follows U.S. Army Capt. Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, who begins a life-changing pen-pal relationship with Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress living in the Big Apple. Runs through Aug. 11.
IF YOU GO
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, July 25
Where: FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. Tickets: $29-$46
Info: Visit FloridaStudioTheatre. org.
A showcase for The Sarasota Players’ summer camp students, this rock musical follows a city boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a smalltown girl, who have both come to LA’s famous Sunset Strip in 1987 seeking fame and fortune.
MONDAY
NEWISH JEWISH PLAYS:
‘DANCING ON GLASS’
7 p.m. The Players Centre, Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail $12 Visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org.
If it’s summer in Sarasota, it’s time for play readings. The Sarasota Jewish Theatre enters the derby with Newish Jewish Plays, a threeplay series on three consecutive Mondays. The third selection is “We Are the Levinsons” by Wendy Kout, directed by Carole Kleinberg. The play follows an adult daughter who moves in with her newly widowed dad and tries to take over his life.
Courtesy images
Sarasota Ballet School Principal Jennifer Welch Cudnik.
Contortionist Uranbileg Angarag performs at the Summer Circus Spectacular, which runs through Aug. 17 at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater.
EATING WITH EMMA
Wing it like a pro through the best chicken wings in town
Try the tastiest wings in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.
EMMA BURKE JOLLY CONTRIBUTOR
Once upon a time I was a vegetarian. I opted out of meatbased meals when I was about 14. My reasoning — not that you asked — stemmed from my dream of being a veterinarian and the haunting stories my dad told about strange menu options he encountered during his travels to Asia.
Weaning myself from McDonald’s nuggets was terribly trying during this time. But my veggie-baseddiet quickly came to an end when my then-boyfriend invited me to his parents’ house.
As the door opened, the smell of steak flooded my nostrils faster than an afternoon rain smacking your car during a Sarasota summer at 4:20 p.m.
To make a good first impression, I ripped apart that steak like I had a cameo on the National Geographic channel. I never looked back, and my iron levels were never low again.
I did what was right for me: I ditched my boyfriend after I caught him cheating and returned to the chicken wing train.
When my husband and I first started dating, we would frequent Buffalo Wild Wings using gift cards left over from when I worked for “The Jerry Springer Show.”
Let me unpack that for you: On the show, we gave guests gift cards to go out and eat. At the end of their stay, it wasn’t uncommon for them to return unused gift cards to the staff. So my husband and I got to know one another over platters of boneless wings.
But why settle for dining at a franchise when you can enjoy local options? Here are three of the best places in our community to spread your wings and fry.
Oh Cluck, That’s Good: Lakewood Ranch is the perfect place to wing it. Local legend Wolves Head Pizza & Wings has been in business since 2014. (That’s a long time in Lakewood Ranch years.) Designed as a neighborhood hangout, Wolves has a bounty of beers on tap, a mighty pub-style menu and wonderful wings. The signature wings are served with carrots, celery and ranch or bleu cheese and are fried, then charbroiled and tossed with a sauce of your liking: mild, hot, XXX, teriyaki, BBQ, honey BBQ, bourbon molasses, calypso and Par-
mesan garlic, or with dry rubs like Wolves Way or sriracha. Order five wings ($8.99), 10 wings ($15.99), 20 wings ($29.99) or boneless wings ($12.99).
Spread Your Wings: Feeling like an appetizer of wings rather than a main course? Prefer pork over chicken? Wolves Head has your back. It offers bourbon pork wings ($12.99) tossed in its famous bourbon molasses sauce with sesame seeds and scallions for a gorgeous garnish.
ORIGIN PIZZA CAFE
5170 Palmer Plaza Blvd., Sarasota, 941-217-6533; 1837 Hillview St., Sarasota, 941-316-9222; 8193 Tourist Center Drive, Bradenton, 941358-5850; 4944 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-922-1190; food truck at Cock & Bull at 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; OriginPizzaCafe. com
Oh Cluck, That’s Good: Every time I start brainstorming about what foodie favorites to feature in my column, I wonder if I should keep my picks to myself. That way, I won’t miss out on my weekly seat at the bar, or God forbid, have my wait time on takeout orders double after loyal readers jump on my recommendations. Case in point: Origin. Can’t find me on a Friday night? I’m either at home in my pajamas eating my hot wings delivered from Origin or I mustered the energy to walk to the Hillview location with my husband. Our family favorite is the Asian teriyaki or Buffalo (mild) with that delicious house ranch. Other flavors include Buffalo (hot), garlicParmesan, trifecta (delicious, but my tummy thinks otherwise) or mango habanero. Let’s get down to prices on these perfect bits: full order ($15), half order ($8). It gets better. Particular about your wings? Order only drums ($1.50) or only flats ($1.50).
Spread Your Wings: It is taking everything in me to not write about Origin pizza, but I must save that section of the menu for a later date. In the meantime, take a crack at the scrumptious Caesar salad ($9) with chopped romaine, Parmesan, carrots, croutons tossed in Caesar dressing. (Add trifecta chicken for $5.)
JR’S OLD PACKINGHOUSE CAFE
987 S. Packinghouse Road, Sarasota; 941-371 -9358; PackinghouseCafe.com
Oh Cluck, That’s Good: Although it’s around the corner, don’t wait until football season to try these tasty wings. This Sarasota stalwart is known for its burger and Cuban entrees, like the awesomely flavorful ropa vieja with shredded beef and garlic toast for $17.95, But there’s no place like JR’s to rip into some wings as a righteous blues band plays live. This eccentric tavern is a vanishing breed in Florida, so get it while you can. Its jumbo chicken wings, offered in portions of five ($9.95) or 10 ($17.95), come in a frenzy of flavors: teriyaki, killer garlic (my absolute favorite, but make a note not to canoodle after devouring said wings), BBQ, Thai spiced or Buffalo (mild to hot). These wings full of white meat are slathered in layers of sauce. I could swim in the garlic and Parmesan. Not feeling saucy? Get your wings “completely naked” or golden and fried.
Spread Your Wings: JR’s was recently ranked among the top 10 Cuban sandwiches in Florida by USA Today, so if you aren’t a wingman (or woman), I highly recommend the Cuban ($12.95) with fries.
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Courtesy image
Go for the Cubans; stay for the wings at JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe.
Aric Paul has viewed musical instruments with a romantic’s sensibility since he was a child.
“I came from a house where my dad’s Strat was like the Holy Grail,” Paul said. “So there’s still just part of me that’s ingrained that all guitars are these holy instruments that unlock our artistic creativity possibilities.”
What better place to invite the community to join him in his musings than in the Rosemary District, a slice of Sarasota increasingly embracing the city’s artistic background?
Tucked away in an unassuming corner of the district is a collection of rare guitars, such as a 2008 Gibson Holy V owned by James Root of Slipknot.
Paul said everyone is invited to check out the collection.
At just 16 guitars, as of press time, what it lacks in size, the collection makes up for in the legacy of its offerings, with Paul calling it a “melding of a fine art gallery and a music store.”
“Every guitar I have has a story,” he said.
Part of Paul’s interest in the community also involves creating new stories, as he prepares to search for young people to whom he can pro-
vide high-quality guitars, free of charge.
GUITAR DISPLAY
As a former record producer and performing musician, Paul has been involved in the music industry his entire life.
Born in Wisconsin and later based in Los Angeles, he has opened for Ben Folds and has performed at events
including Reggae Rise Up in St. Pete.
He said some of his friends have been on tours with Slipknot and Josh Freese.
Yet, after COVID-19, he decided it was time to step down from the stage and open the doors of his space at 325 Central Ave. in Sarasota, which he has owned for a little more than three years.
He moved into the ARCOS apartment complex next door and brought the studio for his podcast, “Keep the Hotel Empty,” into the space.
“I’m very grateful to have another thing to pour my energy into and try to help the next round of people,” he said.
In the back of the building, you can still find his recording equipment, which he uses to produce his own work, distributed under a pen name, and to help musicians with projects that interest him.
He hopes the storefront will keep alive the experience of perusing highly prized instruments in person, something he said can’t be replicated online.
“I wanted to get back to that human experience and let people fall in love with guitars the way I do. I’m not the only one, and falling in love with guitars online, it just isn’t the same thing.”
Other music stores are closing their doors, but it’s something he believes can be avoided.
“Yeah, we need to sustain businesses, but gouging our customers and just trying to bleed artists dry is why you see big box music retail closing; it’s completely unsustainable,” he said.
In May, Sam Ash, a 100-year-old retail chain, announced that it would be closing all its locations, including the one off Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
“I’m not here to be a publicly traded company. I’m here to give tools to artists to make art,” he said.
One of his next steps will be giving away guitars to young musicians, with a starting goal of three musicians per year.
He’s currently eyeing a “beautiful” Les Paul Studio he found offered at $800.
He is also looking to partner with Music Compound in Sarasota and Bradenton and The Rock Box Music School & Stage in North Port to find the lucky winner.
“When you pick up a guitar and you feel it, you feel the song in it, it makes you want to play it,” he said.
“It’s no wonder to me that kids don’t want to play guitar anymore because the things they play are uninspiring. If you put a quality instrument that someone cared about in their hands, they will be inspired by it. It happens 10 out of 10 times. It’s just that it happens zero out of 10 times with the wrong instrument.”
IF YOU GO Divergent Guitar, 325 Central Ave. DivGTR.com.
SNAPSHOT OF GUITARS AT DIVERGENT GUITAR
FERNANDES OWNED BY JOSH FREESE (NOT FOR SALE)
Of all the guitars on display, there’s one that’s too special to put up for sale: the Fernandes guitar from the late ’90s, formerly owned by Josh Freese.
“If someone wanted to make me a stupid offer for it, I could possibly entertain it, But Josh, he’s going to go down in history, no question about it,” Paul said.
The current drummer of the Foo Fighters, Freese has hundreds of album credits, having served as a drummer for artists like Sting, Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses, A Perfect Circle, Evanescence, The Vandals, The Offspring, Weezer and Devo.
“He’s a super, super, super awesome individual,” he said of Freese. “No rock star on that guy. He’s just cool.”
Visitors can view it exactly the way it was decorated by Freese and his daughter.
2018 GIBSON LES PAUL REDWOOD — $4,000
Paul said his favorite guitar to show visitors is the 2018 Gibson Les Paul Redwood, created from a felled redwood tree more than 100 years old.
“There’s tons of guitars and tons of different woods, but that one’s redwood,” he said. “It’s hard to be more American than that.”
He said despite being 6 years old, the instrument is in the same condition as when it rolled off the line.
According to Paul, there are essentially no other models in this condition, with an unknown number, perhaps around 150, ever produced.
“I got it still with the plastic between the strings and the fret board that Gibson ships it with. So that’s one of my personal special favorite ones.”
2016 GIBSON LES PAUL SUNKEN TREASURE — $4,000
If you look closely, you can see a hint of mossy green in this guitar’s sleek surface; the aptly named, limited-run Sunken Treasure is from wood over 100 years old dredged from lagoons in Belize.
“There’s lots of guitars that are made from swamp ash or wood that they get from river beds, but this is one that was in riverbeds, they estimate for over 100 years, and they went to the trouble to go to Belize to get it,” Paul said.
The body, top and neck are mahogany, and the fretboard is bulletwood, which Paul said is a rare material.
Paul said there is only one other such guitar of this model for sale, with an unknown number made.
“The big thing with this guitar is it’s really dense, like, you can tell,” he said. “... It’s got a feeling, like it’s a powerhouse.”
Photos by Ian Swaby
Aric Paul wants to bring unique instruments to musicians to inspire their play.
This Fernandes guitar was owned by the Foo Fighters’ Josh Freese.
Artistic groundwork
Sarasota Chalk Festival organizers are bringing a new art to Sarasota — and the U.S.
IAN
SWABY STAFF WRITER
In countries like Italy and Spain, massive images formed from flowers, stretching across streets in towns are religious and cultural traditions practiced across generations.
In other countries, like Japan, they are a new art form.
One Sarasota couple is traveling the world to help their own city find its place in this art form.
Denise Kowal and her fiancé, Bill Baranowski, manage the Sarasota Chalk Festival, which Kowal founded, and this year, another ephemeral art — flower carpets — joins the event’s lineup.
The “Floralia Infiorata” section of the festival will be a debut event for Sarasota and the U.S., with the country never having hosted a delegation of international artists devoted to the art, according to Kowal.
The reason it’s happening now, she said, is due to the international renown of the Chalk Festival and the worldwide community the couple have been building via the festival and trips abroad.
A trip in June, which included stays in Italy and the Canary Islands, brought them together with some of the world’s leading organizations and artists producing flower carpets.
“By being there, we’re able to bring more awareness to what we do here, and our event here,” Kowal said. “Anybody that knows me, knows our festival is built on relationships.”
PLANNING A HISTORIC EVENT
When it is held in November in Burns Court, the Chalk Festival will partner with nine floral carpet organizations.
These partnerships will bring over a hundred artists from Mexico, Spain, Japan, India and Italy, who were initially scheduled to attend in 2022 before Hurricane Ian disrupted
the event.
Popular in the community for its massive chalk paintings, which overtake the streets and often feature perspective illusions, the festival also showcases other arts, including sculpture.
The floral carpets will occupy about a fourth of the festival space.
Although the artwork will quickly become a memory as festivalgoers march across the flowers in the tradition of the art form, the couple hopes the idea takes root permanently.
Kowal and Baranowski are also ensuring they reciprocate the global relationship.
During their recent trip, they sought out flower carpets wherever they were found.
Among their many stops, they visited the town of Genzano Di Roma, which is also participating in the Chalk Festival, to help with what, at about 21,500 square feet, is one of the world’s largest infiorata and dates back some 250 years.
Baranowski said they received the “royal treatment,” being allowed to work on pieces that included an infiorata on the steps of the church.
Kowal is convinced that flower carpets are an ideal fit for Sarasota and the Chalk Festival.
“One of the reasons I so much want to bring this to Sarasota is I genuinely believe we have enough flora and fauna, natural materials, here that would make beautiful flower carpets,” she said.
Bringing it together, however, will add to the challenging logistics of the festival.
The effort will involve the purchase of tens of thousands of carnations, and collecting many local flowers and natural materials.
It will also involve bringing together teams of artists, including area residents, although artistic skills are not required to volunteer and lay the flowers within the designated areas
of the designs.
Also involved will be celebrations incorporating fantastical costumes designed around Florida’s flora and fauna, as well as stilt walkers and puppets.
THE FUNDING GAP
One of the major challenges of the festival each year, is funding.
“It’s so ironic that this year, the county commissioners decided not to approve our grant — right when I am traveling worldwide, exposing Sarasota and what we do, in such a
big way,” Kowal said.
The Sarasota County Commission cut funding to the organization on July 10.
The move also affected two other arts organizations, Embracing Our Differences and WSLR/Fogartyville.
Kowal noted the remark of Commissioner Neil Rainford at the time, “I don’t believe taxpayer dollars should be going to sidewalk chalk.”
“It’s like, wow,” Kowal said. “First of all, we don’t even give normal sidewalk chalk to the children when we have the children’s chalk area.”
IF YOU GO
Sarasota Chalk Festival When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 8-10
Where: at Burns Square Info: Visit ChalkFestival.org.
Kowal said the funding, which amounts to about $40,000, is important for an initiative to provide VIP tickets to local nonprofits, schools and other organizations that benefit people in need, like the Child Protection Center and Girls Inc.
Currently, the festival draws about half its funding from ticket sales and also receives donations and sponsorships from the community.
It has now launched the “Grow the Heart” program, which is targeting a goal of $50,000, and which allows the public to contribute to a GoFundMe account or purchase fundraising VIP tickets.
Kowal also plans to engage with some of the commissioners.
“I need my representatives to understand what I’m doing, and if they haven’t taken the time to understand what our organization is doing, I need to do a better job of reaching out to each of them individually … so that they do understand what we are bringing to our community, so that they can be supportive in whatever way they are able to be,” she said.
Total expenditures for the Chalk Festival are estimated at $400,000 to $500,000.
Some expenses include the artistic chalk itself, which totals tens of thousands of dollars; flights, lodging and food for artists; storage space and venues; road closures and police services; and this year, around $40,000 for the “Floralia Infiorata” materials. None of the grant money from the county was used to fund the international trips.
Kowal said everything ultimately goes toward a valuable service to the community.
“You have to be there to see how much it brings to people,” she said. “Our culture and our society needs memorable moments, and we need things to talk about. There’s so much going on that we need these things, we need these things that bring us together.”
The Paisley Craze, a talented band playing all your
music from the 1960s, covering the incredibly wide range of styles of that historic decade. Performers include Marty Bednar, Bob Dielman, Bob Lunergan, and Dave Mankes. AL#8979
Courtesy image
Denise Kowal and her fiancé, Bill Baranowski, in front of the infiorata in Genzano di Roma.
Bubbles and botanic beauty
here was something in the air on July 20 that spread cheer to visitors of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
There were bubbles of all sizes, flying in all directions, some of them appearing in clusters that engulfed crowds of children.
Bubbles Under the Banyans welcomed Blaise Ryndes of Tampa, the owner of Spheres Bubble Show and a contestant on Season 13 of “America’s Got Talent,” to the gardens for the two-hour performance.
Wendy Egan called the event an enjoyable outing for everyone, from grandchildren to grandparents.
It entertained her children Eliana Egan,
4, and Mcallister Egan, 6, as well as her mother, Phyllis Furrer.
“I loved it,” she said. “It was awesome; it was beautiful. It was actually very unique; I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“We were so happy that they asked us to come back,” Ryndes said. “It’s such a beautiful environment here, especially with the music and the bubbles. It’s just so magical, and you see the reactions from the kids. It’s just so much fun.”
The event has taken place throughout the month of July, and the final session will be July 27.
— IAN SWABY
A bubble collides with Alanna Phan, 2, and her father, Will Phan.
Oliver Milligan, 9, practices blowing his own bubbles with materials from Spheres Bubble Show.
Elizabeth Tiefenthal, 2, and her father, Chris Tiefenthal, welcome a stream of approaching bubbles.
Photos by Ian Swaby Izaac Deal makes bubbles.
The Tower Residences
condo sells for $3.25 million
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Acondominium in The Tower Residences tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.
Sheri Lublin sold the Unit 701 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive to Jeanne Guglielmi, trustee, of Sarasota, for $3.25 million. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,751 square feet of living space. It sold for $2.11 million in 2004.
SARASOTA
BAYSO SARASOTA
Kevin Young, of Paradise Valley Arizona, sold his Unit 1901 condominium at 301 Quay Commons to Thryth Hillary Navarro and Joe Navarro, of Sarasota, for $2.6 million. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,485 square feet of living space. It sold for $2,201,400 in 2023.
Barbara Hajjar, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 1606 condominium at 301 Quay Commons to Miklos Major and Scott Staub, of Sarasota, for $1,625,000. Built in 2023, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,766 square feet. It sold for $1,294,800 in 2023.
Holisticare Properties LLC sold the Unit 1007 condominium at 301 Quay Commons to Matthew Scott Jordan and Amy Jordan, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, for $1.5 million. Built in 2023, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,578 square feet of living space. It sold for $1,144,100 in 2023.
LAWRENCE POINTE
Clements Ripley and Ruth Gray Stone, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 402 condominium at 101 Sunset Drive to Andrew Leon Montague and Robbin Michele Montague, of Sarasota, for $1.85 million. Built in 1978, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,179 square feet of living space. It sold for $950,000 in 2020.
VISTA BAY POINT
Sean Patrick Casey and Laura Kristen Casey, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 301 condominium at 128 Golden Gate Point to Nicholan Martin and James Edward Martin, of Sarasota, for $1,595,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths and 3,000 square feet of living space. It sold for $1.2 million in 2021.
SARASOTA BAY CLUB
Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 421 condominium at 1299 Tamiami Trail to Agnes Immerman, of Sarasota, for $1.46 million. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,052 square feet of living space. It sold for $859,000 in 2020. Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit
125 condominium at 1299 Tamiami Trail to Rochelle McKinney, of Sarasota, for $1.18 million. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,524 square feet of living space. It sold for $722,000 in 2016.
Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 411 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to Ruthanne Koffman, of Sarasota, for $885,000. Built in 2000, it has one bedroom, one-and-a-half baths and 1,170 square feet of living space. It sold for $652,000 in 2021.
THE CONDOMINIUM ON THE BAY Jan Zingaro-Dascoli, trustee, of East Amherst, New York, sold the Unit 504 condominium at 888 Boulevard of the Arts to Jesse and Renee Spain, of Crown Point, Indiana, for $1.2 million. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,729 square feet of living space.
David Martin, of Nokomis, sold his Unit 411 condominium at 988 Boulevard of the Arts to Karen Kotz, of Sarasota, for $1,175,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,555 square feet of living space. It sold for $492,500 in 2019.
PHILLIPPI GARDENS
Carolyn Heffley, of Sarasota, sold the home at 5604 Merrimac Drive to Ryan Stankiewicz and Gillian Birnie, of Sarasota, for $900,000. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,196 square feet of living space. It sold for $88,000 in 1979.
WHIT-ACRES
Jason Trimble, of South Miami, sold his home at 1766 Fiesta Drive to Daniil Kovalchuk, of Troutdale, Oregon, for $825,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,403 square feet of living space.
SIESTA KEY: $1,442,000
Hidden Harbor Christopher Sahadath, of Ontario, Canada, sold his home at 5310 Hidden Harbor Road to Luciano Sorrentino and Felicitas Del Cioppo Arce, of Sarasota, for $1,442,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,295 square feet of living space. It sold for $715,000 in 2015.
PALMER RANCH: $1,001,300
Sandhill Preserve
Volker and Brigitte Petzold, of Sarasota, sold their home at 11227 Purple Finch Lane to Richard and Caroline Radice, of The Woodlands, Texas, for $1,001,300. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,505 square feet of living space. It sold for $706,600 in 2015.
OSPREY: $1,072,200
Pine Ranch
Ariel and Kenia Acosta, of Nokomis, sold their home at 403 Longbow Trail to Paul and Marianne Domican, of Osprey, for $1,072,200. Built in 1978, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,770 square feet of living space. It sold for $599,000 in 2021.
NOKOMIS: $1.1 MILLION
Sorrento Woods
Carol Werder, of Nokomis, sold her home at 1449 Vermeer Drive to Christopher Lee Gardner and Shannon Kathleen Gardner, of Nokomis, for $1.1 million. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,571 square feet of living space. It sold for $505,000 in 2010.
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The Unit 701 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive was built in 2003 and has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,751 square feet of living space.
YOUR CALENDAR
BEST BET
SATURDAY, JULY 27
THE Y: HIIT FITNESS
8 -8:45 a.m. at Bayfront Community Center, 803 N. Tamiami Trail.
Free. Give your body an efficient and effective workout, alternating between high-intensity intervals and short periods of lower intensity. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
FRIDAY, JULY 26
K.O.P.S. (KIDS & OFFICERS PROMOTING SOLIDARITY)
7-9 p.m. at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St. Free. Recommended for ages 12-15. Kids are invited to a fun-filled evening promoting solidarity between kids and officers featuring activities, games and opportunities to bond with local law enforcement. Visit EventBrite.com.
SATURDAY, JULY 27
BUBBLES UNDER THE BANYANS
10 a.m. to noon at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. Free with admission. Bubble artist Blaise Ryndes, who has performed for Disney, The Boston Children’s Museum, The Florida Aquarium and on Season 13 of “America’s Got Talent,” offers his immersive Spheres Bubble Show. Visit Selby. org.
WOODEN FAIRY WAND MAKING
10 a.m. to noon at Sarasota Children’s Garden, 1670 10th Way. $10 plus tax for each wand; admission not included. Children are invited to paint their own fairy wands, then decorate them using ribbons, bells, beads and sparkly gems. Visit SarasotaChildrensGarden.com.
MONDAY, JULY 29
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WITH SARASOTA COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
11 a.m. to noon at Fruitville Library, 100 Apex Road. Free. Meet your Sarasota County Emergency Management team and learn what you need to do to be prepared for a disaster. Registration required. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket. com.
BEACH YOGA
9-10:30 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and at sunset on Wednesdays, at Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Road. Free. Enjoy the benefits of yoga on one of the nation’s top beaches. Bring your own towel or mat and drinking water. Visit SarasotaCountyParks.com.
TUESDAY, JULY 30
KIDS SUMMER BEACH RUNS
5:30-7 p.m. at Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Road. Free. Ages 1-17
This one-mile fun run for kids is a summer favorite. Weekly registration begins at 5:30 p.m., with runs starting at 6:30 p.m. Kids receive a participation ribbon at each run and a custom T-shirt after completing four runs. Visit SarasotaCountyParks.com.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31
MAD SCIENCE PRESENTS ‘UP, UP AND AWAY!’
2-3 p.m. at 7112 Curtiss Ave. Free. Children can learn about the principles of air and pressure by watching an exothermic reaction take place and watching a hovercraft in action. Visit SCGovLibrary. LibraryMarket.com.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 TO SUNDAY, AUG. 4
FLORIDA STATE DANCE SPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Various times at The Ritz-Carlton, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive. $35 to $295. In existence for more than
THURSDAY, JULY 25 TO SATURDAY, JULY 27
CHRISTMAS IN JULY AT THE BAZAAR
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 821 Apricot Ave. Free to attend. The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime offers its annual Christmas in July. Live music by SRQ Hot Club of Sarasota will be on Saturday, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Visit BazaarOnApricotAndLime. com.
35 years, the Florida State Dance Sport Championships is one of the biggest dance sport competitions in the U.S. Visit FLStateDance.com.
THURSDAY, AUG. 1
EVENING NAMASTE AT THE BAY WITH ALONA BAUER
6-7 p.m. at Bayfront Community Center, 803 N. Tamiami Trail. Free. Alona, a well-being educator, certified multiyoga modality teacher, meditation teacher and well-being coach leads this session bringing together her diverse training. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
Connecting with your doctor when you need them most is
At Gulfshore Personalized Care, it’s possible to meet your medical needs anywhere at any time. Thomas Arne Jr., DO, FACC, proudly offers patient-centered care through concierge services, such as 24/7 access and same-day visits. Call us to schedule your no-obligation meet & greet with Dr. Arne today.
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The Bay Park has just introduced The Y: HIIT Fitness class.
SPORTS
Fast Break
a
TCourtesy image
he Sarasota Paradise pre-professional soccer team’s season came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Brave SC in the USL League Two conference quarterfinals on July 19. In its second year of existence, the Paradise won the league’s South Florida division with an 8-1-3 record.
… Former Cardinal Mooney High boys golfer Wyatt Plattner finished tied for 13th (209) at the Florida State Golf Association’s Florida Open Championship, held July 14-16 at The Golf Club at Crown Colony and Cypress Lake Golf Club in Fort Myers. Plattner is a rising junior at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
… Sarasota swimming Olympian Emma Weyant signed a Name, Image and Likeness deal with Visit Sarasota County on July 17. The deal will see Weyant featured in Visit Sarasota marketing materials and on its website and social media platforms. In a release, Visit Sarasota County said the deal sets a precedent for future partnerships with local athletes and personalities.
Former Sarasota High baseball star Vaun Brown, a member of the San Francisco Giants organization, was assigned to the Arizona Complex League Giants on July 15 after a stint on the organization’s development list. Vaun was previously with the AAA-level Richmond Flying Squirrels. Brown is 6 for 21 (.286) with a home run and four RBIs in six games with the ACL Giants as of July 23. The FC Sarasota U17 girls soccer team competed in the 2024 US Club Soccer National Cup Finals, held July 21-25 in Denver. The team went 0-2-1 in the group stage.
“Football is an outlet for me. When I’m playing, I can take my mind off anything. It’s fun. I love it. It just brings me joy.”
Sarasota baseball stars go pro
Conner Whittaker and Owen Ayers were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.
RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR
Adecade ago, Conner Whittaker and Owen Ayers played travel baseball together.
They had previously played youth baseball in the Sarasota Cal Ripken League at the same time, so they were already acquaintances, but through their team’s travel ball experiences, the two became good friends, despite Ayers being 10 and Whittaker being 8.
Years later, the two would again be on the same team, this time at Sarasota High.
In 2018, the pair helped the Sailors make a miraculous postseason run after a 10-10 start to the season. That run took the Sailors to the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 8A state championship game, where Sarasota fell 8-4 to St. Thomas Aquinas High.
The friends made their own paths at the college level. Ayers, a catcher, spent two seasons at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, before transferring to Marshall University; Whittaker, a right-handed pitcher, went to Florida State University and never looked back. But an honor bestowed on both of them on July 16 united them once again.
Ayers and Whittaker were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.
From Cal Ripken, to travel ball, to high school, to the pros.
“It’s cool to see how far we have come,” Ayers said.
Whittaker was taken in the 15th round by the Cleveland Guardians organization at pick No. 445 overall.
Whittaker, a junior, has a 12-8 record, a 4.27 ERA and 146 strikeouts over 175 innings pitched with the Seminoles, working as both a starter and a reliever. That includes a 5-0 record as a starter in 2024.
Whittaker also missed a month of the 2024 season with an arm injury, but returned to help the Seminoles’ bullpen down the stretch of the regular season and into the College World Series.
Ayers was taken in the 19th round by the Chicago Cubs organization at No. 572 overall. Ayers, a senior, hit .288 with 12 home runs, 48 doubles and 49 RBIs during his two years with the Thundering Herd. Ayers’ doubles mark is the second-most in program history, and he set a singleseason program record with 25 of them in 2024.
Both players referred to their selections as dream-come-true moments.
“I remember going to (Tampa Bay) Rays games as a kid and seeing guys like James Shields and wanting to do that,” Whittaker said. “Baseball is my life now. I have traveled so much. My family has supported me. It’s all coming together now. It was worth it. I’m ready for it.”
Whittaker said seeing his name pop up as a draftee was “surreal,” but also was met with a sigh of relief, since it ended the waiting game. Whittaker said he and his family celebrated with a dinner at Yard House at University Town Center. Nothing crazy, he said, but a nice way to kick-start the next chapter of his life.
Ayers similarly spent draft day with family and friends, then went to Evie’s Tavern and Grill to celebrate. Unlike Whittaker, who is locked into pitching, Ayers could play several positions for the Cubs organization. It is common for teams to ask players to switch positions based on organizational need and things they see in a prospect’s skillset.
Ayers said the Cubs have not mentioned their defensive vision for him yet, but he is open to playing wherever they need him to play — though his personal preference is to remain
CONNER WHITTAKER
Position: Pitcher MLB organization: Cleveland Guardians Draft position: 15th round, No. 445 overall College: Florida State University 2024 stats: 5-0, 5.28 ERA, 47 strikeouts in 592/3 innings
behind the plate.
Ayers said he has worked hard on his defense at Marshall, improving his pitch receiving and blocking, among other skills, and feels like he’s made real strides.
Ayers’ college coach echoed his analysis.
“I am very excited for Owen as he gets to chase his baseball dream at the next level,” Marshall head coach Greg Beals said in a release. “Owen earned this opportunity. He has worked extremely hard on his game behind the plate as a catcher.”
Both Ayers and Whittaker said they will soon report to Arizona to complete team physicals, sign contracts and see whether their teams want them to play in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League right away. They will be two of three baseball players from Sarasota-Manatee area to turn pro this year; the other, former Braden River High star Ryan Waldschmidt, also played with Ayers
OWEN AYERS
Position: Catcher MLB Organization: Chicago Cubs Draft position: 19th round, No. 572 overall College: Marshall University 2024 stats: .292 average, eight home runs, 25 doubles, 28 RBIs
Whittaker and Ayers offered some advice to current-day youngsters who someday want to be where they are now. For pitchers, Whittaker said, they need to enjoy the process of getting better every day and every pitch. Only worry about the next pitch and getting the next out, Whittaker said. The more calm a player is, the better that player will perform.
Ayers encouraged young players to work as hard as they can at all times. Ayers said he feels like he left some development on the table in high school, which would have allowed him to more quickly develop as a player.
But more than anything else, they said, be thankful for the opportunities you get.
“I have had a lot of support,” Whittaker said. “Sarasota High meant a lot to me. Coach (Clyde) Metcalf put me on the map and helped me get better. I’m just grateful for everyone who has been there for me.”
“Owen earned this opportunity. He has worked extremely hard on his game behind the plate as a catcher.”
— Greg Beals, Marshall head coach
and former coaches for all their support in helping him reach professional baseball.
— Dylan Wester, junior, Booker High football. SEE PAGE 27
and Whittaker in Cal Ripken ball.
Owen Ayers said he celebrated being drafted by going to Evie’s Tavern and Grill with family and friends.
Courtesy images
Conner Whittaker thanked his family, friends
Sarasota Paradise left back Felipe Rojas served as
team captain. His play helped the team win the USL League Two South Florida division with an 8-1-3 record.
The Sarasota watch guide to The Olympics
The Games, which feature several Sarasota-affiliated athletes, start July 26 and run through Aug. 11.
You can hear the John Williams-composed theme song in your head.
It starts low and slow on the drums: Bum, bum, ba-dum, bum; bum, bum, ba-dum, bum.
Then the triumphant horns enter, and you know you are about to witness things that only happen every four years.
Starting July 26, the world will again be watching. The 2024 Paris Olympics are here.
The summer edition of The Games will be free of the COVID-19 cloud that surrounded the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Seeing the stands full of cheering fans will be a welcome return to form.
But, like the Tokyo Games, the Paris Olympics will feature several athletes with ties to Sarasota, either by birth or by choice later in life. Because of the sheer amount of Olympic content available and the time difference between Paris and Sarasota, it can be difficult to keep track of when events involving our athletes are happening.
This column exists to solve that problem.
Here’s one hot tip to start out: Every event in every sport will be streamed live on Peacock this year, as will NBC’s primetime studio coverage, meaning there’s no reason to fumble for the remote. Just keep the TV locked to Peacock.
Below, you will find a rundown of all the sports involving area athletes, including a brief event description, a few notes on the athletes themselves, and information on when you can watch them compete.
Keep it with you throughout the Olympics, and you’ll never miss a moment that matters.
SWIMMING
Former Riverview High and Sarasota Sharks swimmer Emma Weyant is seeking back-to-back Olympic medals after taking silver in the women’s 400-meter individual medley (4:32.76) in Tokyo. It is again Weyant’s lone Olympic event. A podium finish will not be an easy task. She faces stiff competition from the likes of 18-year-old USA teammate Katie Grimes, the first American woman to compete in pool and open water swimming events at the same Olympic Games, and Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh, who holds the world record in the event (4:24.38).
Weyant is familiar with McIntosh. While McIntosh is obviously not from Sarasota, she often trains with the Sharks, to the extent that Sharks head coach Brent Arckey was brought onto Team Canada for the games to mentor McIntosh. In addition to the 400 IM, McIntosh is swimming the 200 IM, the 400 freestyle and the 200 butterfly in Paris.
The preliminary 400 IM race will be at 5 a.m. July 29, and the finals will be at 2:30 p.m. the same day. The rest of McIntosh’s schedule is as follows: the 400 freestyle final is at 2:52 p.m. July 27, the 200 butterfly final is at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 1 and the 200 IM final is at 3 p.m. Aug. 3.
The Sharks are holding a watch party for their 400 IM swimmers at 1 p.m. on July 29 at the South Siesta Key Daiquiri Deck.
SHOOTING
Former Sarasota Military Academy rifle shooter Mary Tucker will again represent the U.S. internationally, something the 23-year-old Tucker is used to doing.
Tucker won a silver medal in the
Mixed Team Air Rifle event in Tokyo alongside Lucas Kozeniesky, reaching the event finals before falling 17-13 to China’s Qian Yang and Haoran Yang. She’s out for more hardware in 2024, especially of the gold variety.
Tucker will compete in the 10-meter Women’s Air Rifle and the 50-meter Women’s Rifle 3 Positions in Paris — in the latter event, shooters fire in kneeling, prone and standing positions and combine their scores from each position, while in Air Rifle competitors only stand. More information on event scoring specifics can be found at Olympics.com.
The Air Rifle qualification is at 3:15 a.m. July 28, while the final is at 3:30 a.m. July 29; the Rifle 3 Positions qualification is at 6 a.m.
ny, which involved knee dislocation and torn ligaments, required three surgeries to heal. But 16 months later, Malone is ready for the spotlight again. He finished second in the All-Around at the U.S. Olympic Trials (170.30) and is in competition for a medal in Paris.
Malone’s U.S. teammate Stephen Nedoroscik has also spent time training with EVO Athletics this summer, as has U.S. alternate Shane Wiskus.
Men’s gymnastics qualification begins at 5 a.m. July 27. The Men’s Team Final is at 11:30 a.m. July 29, and the Men’s All-Around Final is at 11:30 a.m. July 31. The rest of the men’s gymnastics events run Aug. 3-5 at various times; check Olympics.com for a full schedule.
ROWING
After competing in the Men’s 4 boat at the Tokyo Olympics and finishing fifth (5:48.85), former Sarasota Crew rower Clark Dean is back on the international stage.
Aug. 1, while the final is at 3:30 a.m. Aug. 2.
MEN’S GYMNASTICS
Like Summer McIntosh, men’s gymnast Brody Malone does not have a connection to the Sarasota area by birth or by childhood.
The 24-year-old Malone was born in Summerville, Georgia, and went to college at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. But in preparing for the Paris Olympics, Malone trained with EVO Athletics, whose gym is just north of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, and Malone has moved to the city as a result.
Malone’s appearance at the Paris Games is something of a miraculous one. A knee injury he suffered at a March 2023 competition in Germa-
This time, Dean will be in the Men’s 8+ boat, an event the U.S. used to dominate, but has since become a struggle. Dean and his crew mates hope to change those fortunes; at the 2024 Rowing World Cup II in Lucerne, Switzerland, in June, the boat finished second (5:25.95) — 0.20 seconds behind Great Britain — against some of the top teams on Earth.
Initial heats for the Men’s 8+ are at 5:40 a.m. July 29, and the A Final — where Clark and his crew certainly hope to qualify — is at 5:10 a.m. Aug. 3.
Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.
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Sarasota’s Mary Tucker is going to her second Olympics this month in Paris, competing in the women’s air rifle and the women’s smallbore rifle.
Dylan Wester
Dylan Wester is a rising junior wide receiver on the Booker High football team. Wester transferred to the Tornadoes from Palmetto High this offseason. Wester had 26 catches for 433 yards and a touchdown in 2023. He holds college offers from the University of South Florida, the University of Toledo and Marshall University.
When did you start playing football?
I started when I was 5 years old with the Manatee Mustangs. My older cousins (Jaylen Wester, Lajohntay Wester and John Wester Jr.) all played football, and I looked up to those boys, so I wanted to play, too. My first year, I was not the best; I can’t lie. But I put in the work and got better.
What is the appeal to you?
Football is an outlet for me. When I’m playing, I can take my mind off anything. It’s fun. I love it. It just brings me joy.
What is your best skill?
I would say my speed and my route running. I take a lot of pride in my route running. I’ve worked hard at it.
What have you been trying to improve? My hands. I don’t want to drop anything this season, not a single drop. I’m also trying to get more physical and get bigger in the weight room.
What is your favorite memory?
When I was a freshman at Palmetto High, I was playing quarterback against Lakewood Ranch High. We called a read option. The defensive end crashed, so I pulled the ball and kept it, and I walked into the end zone. That was my first varsity touchdown.
What are your goals for the 2024 season? I want more than 1,000 receiving yards and 50 catches, and I want the team to win a state championship.
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
What
cially chemistry labs. It’s interesting.
What is your favorite movie? I like the “Bad Boys” movies.
What are your hobbies?
Well, the new “College Football 25” game just came out, so I have been playing that. I play with Colorado so I can play as my cousins.
What is the best advice you have received?
Work hard. Nothing is going to be given to me. Every play I have to go my hardest.
Finish this sentence: “Dylan Wester is … ” Outgoing.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
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WHAT A FEELING by Gary Larson, edited by Jeff Chen
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