It isn’t just the students at Faulhaber Fab Lab who have the chance to build and race custom cars, like those seen at the center’s annual RC Custom Car Open competition.
The organization also brought the experience to 12 elementary school students in the Housing Authority’s Youth Thrive Summer Enrichment program. During the final session on July 31, children had the chance to race their cars, as well as don Hawaiian flower necklaces in keeping with the “Lilo & Stitch” theme they had chosen for the vehicles.
Pitching in to help assist the kids, and funding the assembly kits, was the Sarasota Police Department.
Want a getaway?
Soon Sarasota travelers will have even more nonstop options for a little R&R.
Starting this fall, Avelo Airlines is adding a flight between Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and Philadelphia/Wilmington, Delaware (IHG). Service from SRQ to IHG will start Nov. 23. Flights will be in Boeing next-generation Boeing 737s, according to a statement.
In addition, Breeze Airways will be adding six new nonstop destinations at SRQ also starting this fall.
New nonstop destinations include Westchester County, New York; Akron-Canton, Ohio; Portland, Maine; Long Island-Islip, New York; RaleighDurham, North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.
There will also be one-stop service with no plane change to Syracuse, New York.
Debby deals damage
Erin Dietz
Courtesy image Courtney completed the course.
Jim DeLa
Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with Sarasota business owners affected by Tropical Storm Debby at the Philippi Creek Oyster Bar on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Kat Wingert
A sailboat washed ashore Monday morning on Sarasota’s bayfront.
WEEK OF AUG. 8, 2024
BY THE NUMBERS
6,000
“You all directed us to build a clubhouse
for
$9 million, and that’s what we’re going to be bringing back to you in August.”
DeSantis visits Sarasota to survey damage
Gov. Ron DeSantis made a stop at Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar in Sarasota on Wednesday, to survey damage from Tropical Storm Debby, meet with several small business owners and talk briefly to the media.
After DeSantis spent a few minutes inside the Creekside Trader gift shop, he walked to the restaurant, with staff, county officials, county commissioners and reporters in tow.
“Sarasota and Manatee counties definitely were the first to, I think, really see significant flooding. We saw some in North Central Florida yesterday,”
DeSantis said. “We were here to be able to talk to some of the business owners, some of the local folks, just to get a sense of the issues that they need.”
DeSantis predicted there would be a need for temporary housing.
“Maybe there’s probably going to be a need for some business support. We’ve already unlocked our emergency business zero-interest loan program. There are going to be pockets around the state where you have folks in low-lying areas near these bodies of water that may have issues still coming up
in a few days.”
The National Weather Service reported Wednesday a flood warning for areas around the Myakka River Areas immediately surrounding the river, especially low-lying areas, that may experience up to two feet of flooding between Thursday and Saturday. NWS said flooding will be experienced from north to south along the Myakka River: n North of Clark Road on Thursday, Aug. 8 n Near I-75 during the afternoon Friday, Aug. 9 n U.S. 41 during the early morning Saturday, Aug. 10
June tourism reflects yearlong decline
June tourism numbers for Sarasota County show continued decreases in visitors in year-over-year comparisons.
Visit Sarasota County reported 133,700 visitors in June 2024 compared to 134,580 in June 2023, a decline of 0.7%. This resulted in lodging occupancy of 65.2% last month compared to 69.7% and 265,000 room nights sold compared to 282,400 in June 2023. Visitor direct expenditures were $145.5 million compared to $149.9 million over the same period in 2023.
According to Visit Sarasota County, a shorter length of stay and a larger travel party size resulted in the decrease in visitors being less than the decrease in room nights. For the fiscal year, visitation is down 9.3% compared to the year prior. On a positive note, 27% of June 2024 visitors came to Sarasota County for the first time.
Fiscal year to date, the number of visitors from Canada remain elevated compared to 2023 with an increase of 4.8%.
Sarasota man booked for weekend homicide
A Sarasota man has been arrested in connection with the shooting death Saturday at Hart’s Landing at John Ringling Causeway.
Richard Minor, 66, of 507 Kumquat Court is accused of shooting an adult victim shortly after 2:30 p.m. The victim, who was not identified, was transported to the hospital, later dying of the injuries.
Minor was booked at Sarasota County Jail, where he is being held without bond on one count of homicide without premeditation and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. According to the jail website, he will be arraigned on Sept. 13. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sarasota Police Department at 941316-1199 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or going online to SarasotaCrimeStoppers.com.
Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown. Read more on Page 26
Jim DeLa Gov. Ron DeSantis met with local business owners affected by Tropical Storm Debby at the Philippi Creek Oyster Bar on
Aug. 7.
MORE THAN FAIRS
Sarasota County Fairgrounds operator calls the open space and civic buildings a community asset that runs ‘on its own dime.’
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
Neatly stacked around a conference table in a windowless room at the offices of the Sarasota County Agricultural Fair Association are redevelopment and improvement plans of years gone by for the Sarasota County Fairgrounds.
The nondescript office building overshadowed by the adjacent Robarts Arena is home to the equally modest SCAFA, the organization that puts on the annual county fair and manages the aging facilities on the 54-acre site on Fruitville Road, the eastern gateway to downtown Sarasota.
There, SCAFA President and CEO Rory Martin oversees the operations with his staff of four full-time and six to 10 part-time employees, depending on event needs, plus a small army of volunteers.
It’s a labor of love for the former citrus grower from rural Sarasota County, who took over in 2001, and ever since SCAFA has entertained overtures to transform the site in a variety of mixed-use schemes ranging from Major League Baseball spring training facilities to the Sarasota Orchestra, all with the goal of keeping a portion of the land for the fair.
A variety of visions have been created with the help of Ian Vingoe Consulting, which specializes in site evaluation, planning, programming and project management of public assembly facilities, civic centers, arenas, stadiums, convention and conference facilities.
Martin knows that an annual agricultural fair, acres of parking lot and an antiquated arena may not be the highest and best use for such prime property, but efforts to achieve greater function have failed to gain traction time and again. At one time, SCAFA even floated the idea, to no avail, of a land swap with the county government at Twin Lakes Park.
Sarasota County government has made overtures that it would like to regain control of the fairgrounds but, simply put, as long as SCAFA produces some kind of agricultural fair there at least every two years, the county cannot reclaim the property thanks to a reverter clause in the agreement with the county that dates back to 1947.
During their June 4 meeting, Director of Planning and Development Services Matt Osterhoudt provided county commissioners with that reality check.
“If the property ceases to be used for such purposes, title shall revert to the county of Sarasota,” Osterhoudt said at the time. “Additionally, if the property is not used by grantee for (agricultural fair) purposes for a period of two successive years, such failure to use said property shall automatically cause reversion to the grantor.”
In other words, pin one blue ribbon on a prize Brahman cow at least every two years and the land stays under SCAFA control.
Of course that’s not how Martin wants it, and as long as he is involved, the property will host an annual fair and Robarts Arena will be the site of numerous events from graduations to home shows to gun shows. In addition, the parking lot, when available, will serve as a training ground for drivers of emergency response vehicles, and two other buildings on the site will host small meetings and other special events.
What Martin does want for his efforts is to be taken seriously.
“I think there was a value to open space. Instead of poking fun at us, I just wish they’d see that really, the fair is helping the county,” Martin said. “It has created a public assembly facility that we’ve operated on our own dime, and neither Sarasota County nor the city have had to go to the expense of building a conference center/convention center/sports arena to accommodate the community.
“We’ve been the de facto facility, but we’ve gotten no public support to do it.”
JUST DOING IT
The annual county fair, of course, is the main attraction, but SCAFA operates the site year-round. Repairs and enhancements to the entire property are made as they can be funded by revenues the organization generates through building rentals, concessions and, of course, the fair.
Revenues produced by the Sarasota County Fair, which is the primary funding source, average about $350,000, $400,000 in a really good year according to Martin. Events held in Robarts Arena are generally breakeven propositions with revenues generated by concession sales, all carefully managed to keep SCAFA solvent.
“The rule of thumb was if we had $200,000 in the bank at the beginning of our fiscal year, we’d be broke by the time the fair comes,” Martin said. “We had a shooting out here a few years ago because some kid snuck in a gun and our insurance doubled. Two years ago Hurricane Ian hit and this building (the office) had the roof ripped off.”
The fairgrounds’ biggest profit center, though, comes at the expense of others. SCAFA doesn’t charge Florida Power & Light to stage emergency power restoration crews in the parking lot, but it does hold the exclusive concession rights and is responsible for feeding those crews three meals per day.
Not one to simply delegate, Martin rolls up his sleeves and works in the Robarts Arena commercial kitchen.
“I’m in the kitchen at 3 a.m.,” he said. “Then we’re doing supper at night and usually getting done by 11 p.m., getting to bed at midnight or 1 o’clock, then doing it all over again the next day.”
Often during FPL staging, Martin will spend the night in a suite above the Robarts Arena floor, sleeping those few hours on an inflatable mattress.
As healthy as hurricanes are for the SCAFA bottom line, they are not desired nor can they be factored into the budget. The windfall the power restoration staging provides, though, is typically applied to deferred maintenance and improvements otherwise not budgeted.
Two recent improvement projects are paving the midway and, just last month, replacing air conditioning equipment in Robarts Arena. Plans for paving the midway began in 2018, then were delayed by COVID as the price of oil and other inflationary pressures nearly tripled the original $300,000 price to $800,000.
“Our ride (amusements) company kicked in $125,000, and I got FPL to kick in $300,000, and we had to come up with the rest,” Martin said.
“I think it’s going to pay dividends over time because now when people come to the fair they can walk around and the midway is all paved.”
Proceeds from Hurricane Irma power restoration in 2017 paid to
FAIRGROUNDS FACILITIES FOR RENT
ROBARTS ARENA
The building’s 15,000-square-foot-floor provides room for a variety of sporting events, home shows, banquets, gun shows, concerts, graduations and more.
The maximum capacity for the building is 4,845 depending on the floor configuration. The newly renovated chair seating holds 2,696. It features a box office, remodeled bathrooms, renovated concessions and two renovated locker rooms.
POTTER BUILDING
At 6,600 square feet with a hardwood floor, the maximum capacity for the building is 299 occupants. It is best suited for medium-sized events such as meetings, banquets, small consumer shows, informational meetings and seminars.
KEN CLARK BUILDING
With a maximum capacity of 150, the building is ideal for receptions, holiday parties, meetings, seminars and sales.
replace one air conditioning unit in the arena and for some other targeted repairs. Martin also banked about $400,000 in a money market account that was intended for paving the midway, but instead was used toward replacing the remaining arena air conditioning systems.
The point is, as a nonprofit, SCAFA targets its limited resources for needs rather than wants. Martin would like to expand the arena frontage for more storage, more concessions space, a larger pre-function area and perhaps a portico across Ringling Boulevard. For now, though, the fairgrounds and its facilities won’t change much.
“I’ve got to rely on what I’m able to generate in my budget for payroll, for utilities and for upkeep,” Martin said.
“It’s difficult to generate enough revenue just from rental income to make meaningful improvements.”
First joining the SCAFA Board of Directors in 1993, Martin knows his time to affect significant change at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds is limited.
“I don’t know how many years I’ve got left here,” he said. “I like the challenge. I have a wife who is very understanding. We have four kids and we are almost empty nesters. I’ve been blessed. My wife is very understanding of my hours and dedication here and, coming from agriculture background of not being dependent on anybody.”
Photos by Andrew Warfield
Sarasota County Agricultural Fair Association President and CEO Rory Martin displays multiple redevelopment and improvement plans proposed in recent years. File images
In addition to the annual fair, Sarasota County Fairgrounds hosts high school graduations and is a staging area for posthurricane recovery efforts.
Where Your Child Will Thrive
DEBBY’S IMPACT
• Honor the unique character of each neighborhood, their history, and
Create
•
NOT accept funding from developers,
• Respect YOU along with your ideas, thoughts
The early effects of thenTropical Storm Debby began being felt in the Sarasota County area overnight Saturday into Sunday. By the time Hurricane Debby made landfall in the Big Bend area and trudged slowly toward the Carolinas, it left in its wake more than a foot of rain in some areas, closing streets and stranding residents in some neighborhoods.
In fact, Sarasota experienced historical flooding during this storm, which at 17.78 inches, according to National Weather Service official rainfall data, was the fourth most in the state. Debby dumped a reported 21.7 inches on Ruskin, 20.34 inches on Palm Harbor and 18.86 inches on nearby Parrish.
On Tuesday afternoon, Florida Division of Emergency Management
Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and Maj. Gen. John Haas of the Florida National Guard arrived in Sarasota to survey the impacts in person. It wasn’t the devastation of Hurricane Ian in 2022, and unlike Hurricane Idalia in 2023, which left much of St. Armands Key underwater, the most devastating flooding occurred inland, the Bahia Vista area among the worst where some residents were rescued from their homes by boat.
As one outer band of squalls after another took direct aim at Sarasota, inland flooding surpassed that of barrier islands, although one lane of Casey Key Road was washed away and repairs are in effect.
Sarasota County government posted a video showing heavy flooding at Celery Fields. Along Fruitville
OBSERVER STAFF
Richard Keith Dear
Looking toward Bee Ridge Road from the Tuttle Circle roundabout
“The golf course did exactly what it was designed to do. It took on millions of gallons of water to save neighboring communities.”
Road, Bobby Jones Golf Club and Nature Park, which in its recent restoration was engineered to handle floodwaters, still spilled over onto the adjacent roadway.
“The golf course did exactly what it was designed to do,” said Bobby Jones Golf Club General Manager Rory Sparrow. “It took on millions of gallons of water to save neighboring communities.”
Sparrow said about 80% of the course was underwater at one time, but all 18 greens remained above the flood line. Following the storm, the course and the nature park, he said, were draining quickly.
“The golf course restoration and nature park included sustainability and environmental features to take on regional stormwater to help protect neighboring properties from potential flooding,” Sparrow said.
Immediately after the storm passed, city and county crews hit the streets to begin damage assess-
ments. Over social media, local governments and residents shared details and photos of flooded streets and other water damage.
As sustained winds generally stayed below 30 miles per hour, wind damage and power outages were minimal. On Monday, Florida Power and Light had reported approximately 8,400 outages in the county.
Impacts at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport were also minimal.
“Lots of canceled flights and a few minor roof leaks,” said SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo of impacts there. “The airport is operational and functioning. I saw some standing water on University Parkway near the airport. Otherwise, all is fine.”
Across University Parkway from the airport, there are reports the parking lot of the former Sarasota Kennel Club was underwater.
SEE DEBBY PAGE 6
TROPICAL STORM DEBBY BY THE NUMBERS
While the final toll of the storm is still being determined, there are a few statistics that can help tell the tale. Here’s a look at Debby, by the numbers:
RAINFALL
Sarasota officially received 9.52 inches of rain on Sunday, Aug. 4, marking an all-time record for daily rainfall in August, shattering the old record of 8.12 inches set Aug. 26, 2017.
In the last seven days, big numbers were set at recording stations in several locations:
n Bobby Jones Golf Course: 14.72 inches
n Brink Avenue: 16.3 inches
n Arlington Street: 18.94 inches
n Celery Fields: 10.94
WIND A high wind gust of 64 mph was recorded Aug. 4. at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
EMERGENCY CALLS
The Sarasota County Fire Department responded to 495 calls for service between 8 p.m. Aug. 4 to 5 p.m. Aug. 5. The Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center logged approximately 402 incidents countywide involving water rescues, vehicles in water, or evacuations from flooded houses in Sarasota County between midnight Aug. 4 and noon Aug. 5.
Approximately 500 residents were rescued from rising floodwaters in the Conrad/Bahia Vista area along Philippi Creek.
POWER OUTAGES
Out of about 303,000 FP&L customers in Sarasota County, 45,000 were affected by the storm. As of 11 a.m., Aug. 6, fewer than 2,000 remain without power, due to flooding making some areas inaccessible to workers.
Sources include Sarasota County, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota Police Department, Sarasota County Water Atlas and Florida Power & Light.
— Rory Sparrow, Bobby Jones Golf Club general manager
Kat Wingert
A view from Bayfront Park on Monday morning.
Bobby Jones Golf Course Monday morning. Jim DeLa
DEBBY’S IMPACT
Government functions were also interrupted. Sarasota City Hall was closed and the City Commission meeting scheduled on Monday was canceled and rescheduled for Thursday beginning at 9 a.m. Also on Monday, City Manager Marlon Brown declared a state of emergency, which provides the city with more flexibility regarding expenditures and resource allocations required due to impacts from the storm. Sarasota County government offices were closed Monday and Tuesday as county employees focused on assessing damage and rescue operations. The county also opened an evacu-
ation center at Sarasota Technical College for those forced out of their homes by floodwater. Dana Judge, spokeswoman for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, said from midnight Sunday to noon Monday, the county’s Emergency Operations Center had logged 402 incidents involving water rescues, vehicles in water or evacuations from flooded houses throughout Sarasota County, including Longboat Key, Venice and Englewood.
Solid waste collections for both the city and county were shifted to one day later than regularly scheduled and access to the landfills was restricted Monday and Tuesday. The county’s Breeze transit services also operated on a limited basis. In contrast to previous storms with heavy rain, St. Armands Residents Association President Chris Goglia reported no significant flooding there as the pump and drainage system functioned efficiently.
Courtesy photo
City Parks and Recreation staff remove tree debris at Sarasota City Hall.
Beyond First Class™
Enough of the smearing
ELECTION ’24
Dishonest tactics and dirty falsehoods disgust voters. One Manatee candidate decided not to take it anymore.
It’s a wonder anyone who is decent, modest and eventempered and whose head and ego don’t swell when speaking to audiences would want to run for public office. It’s such a nasty, ugly, dirty business. Which often makes it no wonder we end up with the choice of the least worst person on our ballots. Indeed, other than the few sincerely motivated (naive?) idealists and power-hungry narcissists, who wants to go through what it takes to win an election?
Here in Sarasota and Manatee counties, it sure feels like we are seeing more than usual a surge in the vitriol and sleazy campaign ads. And the nastiness is coming from all sides (See “Republicans killing their own; ‘go negative to win,’ July 10, YourObserver.com/Opinion).
The consultants swear the sleaze brings victory, but voters are disgusted and turned off. When candidates constantly tear down opponents or engage in dirty tactics, they tarnish their character and integrity. Trust and likability are diminished. But they just keep doing it.
In Manatee County, one candidate and his wife, to their credit, decided not to take it and not to engage in it, either.
Tal Siddique, 30, is running for office for the first time, seeking the District 3 County Commission seat as a Republican. Siddique and his wife, Kristen Truong, 29, two super nice young adults who are involved in their community — just the kind of people we need more of — have been barraged with what must feel like cannon fire hitting the walls and windows of their home every day — negative, false, truth-stretched and twisted mailers and text messages. Unfortunately, they have the disadvantage of not being part of the Manatee Republican Party establishment. Siddique is running against the chair of the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee, April Culbreath. And no surprise, Culbreath has the financial backing of the traditional donors, developers and homebuilders. Perhaps most important, Culbreath signed up with the region’s notorious political hit man, Anthony Pedicini. Pedicini has relentlessly fired Scud-like missiles, one after another, via mailers into District 1 in west Manatee, attempting to viscerate Siddique. He has called him a “Biden Democrat” because Siddique formerly was a registered Democrat. Pedicini alleges Siddique “is connected to the radical, anticop Black Lives Matter Organization”; that he is a “Never Trump” guy; that “the Siddiques are softon-crime Democrats”; and that Siddique’s wife has “ties directly to the Clintons.”
One mailer has a doctored photo of Siddique and his wife standing with the Clintons; another with them wearing sweaters doctored with the Democrat Party mule embroidered on their chests. At first, Truong took it. “I expected there would be negative campaigning against Tal,” she told us. “I did not expect to be attacked or have negative campaigning against me as a spouse or a family member, let alone unfactual and defamatory falsehoods put out.
A SLEAZY TAKEDOWN OF A DECENT GUY AND HIS WIFE
OBSERVER RECOMMENDS
U.S. Senate — Republican: Rick Scott; Democrat: None
U.S. House, District 16 — Republican: Eddie Speir; Democrat: Neither Florida House District 72 — William “Bill” Conerly MANATEE COUNTY County Commission — Carol Ann Felts; Talha “Tal” Siddique; Ray Turner; George Kruse School Board — Mark Stanoch; Charles Kennedy Property Appraiser — Charles Hackney Supervisor of Elections — Scott T. Farrington SARASOTA COUNTY County Commission — D1: Now leaning toward Alexandra Coe; D3: Now Undecided School Board — Karen Rose; Gregory Wood Tax Collector — Charles Bear Sarasota Public Hospital Board — Sharon Wetzler DePeters; Kevin Cooper; Pam Beitlich; Sarah Lodge Charter Review Board — Nicholas Altier; Tom DeSane; Greg “Tex” Bukowski
“When they brought me in as the spouse, and I’m not a public figure. Yes, I’m involved in the community. I’m on the Manatee County Foundation board; I was elected to serve on the Bradenton Kiwanis board; I’m out in the community, but I don’t consider myself a public figure. To attack me to discredit his campaign is, honestly, despicable.
“People were calling, texting and emailing me saying, ‘What the heck is this? Why are you on these negative mailers? Why are they attacking you? It doesn’t make sense.’”
Her family members became especially upset when, in one mailer, it implied the Siddique and Truong had just moved to Manatee from Washington, D.C. “I was born here,” Truong said. She is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Bradenton Christian High School.
The tipping point came after mailers on July 25 and 26. “What Pedicini and his candidates have done to this county, which is my hometown, is so sad,” Truong said. “I said, ‘Enough is enough.’”
So they turned to Tampa lawyer
Mike Beltran, a Harvard law graduate and former undefeated light heavyweight wrestler from Brooklyn whose tag line is: “I’ll fight anyone, anytime, anywhere.”
Beltran sent a two-page ceaseand-desist letter to the lawyer rep-
resenting Pedicini and The Committee to Expose Fake Republicans.
“Fake Republicans’ text message falsely alleges that Ms. Truong is a ‘Democrat,’” Beltran wrote. “In fact, however, Ms. Truong has been a registered Republican since she was 18 years old. She has never been a Democrat.
“Second, the text claims Truong has a ‘direct connection to the Clintons.’ Ms. Truong has never met or spoken to the Clintons, and certainly lacks any ‘direct connection.’”
Truong is vice president of public affairs for the Washington, D.C., lobbying firm Capitol Hill Partners. One of its partners served as a chief of staff in the Department of Labor during the Clinton administration.
Beltran also takes issue with the doctored photo with the Clintons.
“The fabricated scene … is highly defamatory in that it seeks to show Ms. Truong in a negative light to Republican voters, damaging her reputation.”
On the accusation of Siddique’s connections to BLM, here’s the thin thread:
Truong is a registered lobbyist for the D.C.-based not-for-profit, Results for America. Its mission is to “elevate and amplify the voices of community leaders, particularly leaders of color,” and it says it is “inspired by the many groups and evidence-driven organizations that are pursuing solutions to reduce police violence and reform our legal system.” One of those groups it lists: BLM.
Clearly, that was the “a-ha” hook to smear Siddique and Truong.
To which, Siddique says: “I do not have any connection to BLM. In public forums I publicly deny any connection to BLM.”
Says Truong: “I have never lobbied for Black Lives Matter.”
Beltran went on to demand “full and fair corrections, apologies and/ or retractions” and that they be sent and mailed in the same manner and to the same people as the original mailers and text messages. He also recommended no further smears until after the Aug. 20 primary.
Predictably, Pedicini’s lawyer responded: “(N) o retraction, correction or apology appears to be warranted” and that Beltran’s threat of litigation is “a clear attempt to silence political speech on matters of public importance in advance of an upcoming election.”
For now, Siddique and Truong are pausing on whether to pursue litigation — at least until after the primary. But even then, the likelihood of prevailing in a libel and defamation suit would be difficult and costly. Truong would have to prove the mailers’ authors published false information with reckless disregard
President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com
Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com
Managing Editor / James Peter, JPeter@YourObserver.com
Sports Editor / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com
Staff Writers / Ian Swaby, ISwaby@ YourObserver.com; Andrew Warfield, AWarfield@YourObserver.com
Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com
Digital Content Producer / Jim DeLa, JDeLa@YourObserver.com
Editorial Designer / Luke Reasoner, LReasoner@YourObserver.com
A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com
Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com
Regional Sales Director / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com
Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com
Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com
Advertising Executives / Richeal McGuinness, RMcGuinness@ YourObserver.com; Lexi Huelsman, Lexi@ YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@ YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver.com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver.com; Brenda White, BWhite@YourObserver.com
Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Anna Reich, AReich@YourObserver.com
Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com
of the truth and that the information caused tangible damage to Truong’s reputation.
They know the hurdles. But as Truong told us: “To me, every penny we paid was worth it, because Pedicini has been getting away with way too much for far too long. The cease-and-desist letter is a start. Someone needs to put something out there and stand up to him and hold him accountable.”
At the same time, Siddique and Truong also have gone on the offense. On July 27, Siddique posted online: “Open Letter: Why I Joined the Republican Party.” (VoteTal. com/Media/Open-Letter-Why-IJoined-The-Republican-Party.)
Siddique explains how he grew up in the D.C. suburbs in a workingclass family and “experienced firsthand the slow decline which forced many families like mine into poverty or on our streets — the American Dream put out of reach.
My environment in a blue state taught me government should be the answer and that standing in lines for benefits was normal in America.”
But in his late 20s, he began “to enjoy a successful career. I felt I could relate to (Ronald) Reagan’s maxim: ‘Government is not the solution … (O)ne can only help themselves. My beliefs about limited government, personal responsibility and individual liberties aligned more with the Republican Party.”
Astutely, Siddique’s letter also made this point: “Reagan and Donald Trump switched parties based on their core values and vision for America.”
Siddique’s second retaliatory shot was loading his campaign website with a personal dossier that can make voters reach this conclusion: There is no relation between the real candidate Tal Siddique and the one Pedicini has made up. See for yourself. Go to Siddique’s site: VoteTal.com/#Meet-Tal. And for good measure, add to that dossier Truong’s own history in Bradenton: “I received the Manatee Community Foundation Spirit of Manatee Young Spirit Award in 2013 and Golden Herald honorable mention award for Citizenship in 2013. I’m not a newcomer to being involved in our community.”
Tal Siddique and Kristen Truong are not going to bring an end to sleazy mailers and dishonest campaigning. But if Siddique wins at least his primary, that victory can send a strong message.
Just imagine how the tone of America would be if candidates and their handlers focused on selling the candidates’ competence, qualifications and core beliefs.
speak.
Sales Coordinator/Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com
Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana
Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com
Information Technology Manager / Homer Gallego, HGallego@YourObserver. com
Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com
Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com
Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon @YourObserver.com
Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned. Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, Key Life Magazine, LWR
MATT WALSH
Sarasota schools add high-tech security systems
New metal detectors and an AI-driven video system are coming to middle and high schools.
JIM DELA
DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER
The Sarasota County School District is spending nearly
$2.5 million to beef up security on its campuses, installing metal detectors and a sophisticated video software system that can detect and track weapons on school campuses.
At its July 16 meeting, the school board approved spending up to $1.5 million to install OpenGate metal detectors at all high schools and middle schools this coming school year. Superintendent Terry Connor said a pilot program at Riverview High School this spring went well.
“We started in April,” Connor said. “We were able to work out … kinks within a two-week period and were able to move almost 3,000 students through our weapons detection systems each and every morning for the remainder of that school year.” Connor said he hopes to finish installations by the end of the coming school year, “but we will monitor that based on supply and demand.”
The OpenGate metal detectors are highly portable and can be set up in a matter of minutes, and will be used at school sporting events as well as building entrances.
“It’s a very unintrusive, easy flow system,” said Sean O’Keefe, director of security for the school district. “These are the same systems at sporting events, concerts, you know, most amusement parks.”
The school board also approved spending $917,000 for purchase and installation of an Omnilert Gun Detect system, which, according to the manufacturer, can detect a weapon being brandished and automatically alerts authorities who can launch an emergency response within seconds.
O’Keefe said the Omnilert system was also tested at Riverview High this past school year and performed well.
“It went very well,” he said. “We did testing on our own, along with letting it run through the school year physically on the campus. It functioned in the exact way we wanted it to function, and we’re very pleased.”
After the initial investment of $917,000, Connor said the cost of using the Omnilert system “will be about half of that on an annual basis.”
“It is a huge increase to our layered approach in safety and security,”
O’Keefe said.
Craig Maniglia, director of communications for the district, said the main concern is for students.
“You can’t put a price on safety,” Maniglia said, adding the school board was supportive of the new systems. “Our school board itself is very safety conscious because it’d be very difficult to learn in an unsafe environment.”
A SYSTEM THAT LEARNS
Omnilert is sophisticated, AI-driven software that connects to a school’s existing security camera system.
The software constantly monitors a school’s camera feeds. It can recognize when someone is holding a handgun or long gun, such as an
AR-15.
If a gun is detected, a notice, including an image from the video, can be sent to designated administrators via a cellphone app, text or desktop alert.
Once an administrator confirms the threat, an automated response can be launched, notifying police and ordering a lockdown with the touch of a button.
O’Keefe said although no two school campuses are the same, he said the number of surveillance cameras at any given school can reach “into the hundreds.”
“Luckily, we have the benefit of having a lot of infrastructure already in place to be able to utilize this,” O’Keefe said.
Having the software to constantly monitor every camera in real time will dramatically increase safety.
“We’re going to take a single camera that sits there and looks at one specific thing all day and make it a more proactive camera,” O’Keefe said.
And, with any AI system, the software “learns” over time. In a video posted by Omnilert on YouTube, the company claims the system will improve with every application.
“It learns from all of the true positives and false positives and gets better and better as it goes. The longer
First
it’s in the environment, the better it’s going to get at detecting guns in that environment,” according to the video.
The company addresses privacy concerns by saying Omnilert does not monitor customers’ video feeds or use facial recognition software.
“Facial recognition usage in the state of Florida is prohibited; we’re not allowed to do that anyway,” O’Keefe noted.
“It is a huge increase to our layered approach in safety and security.”
—Sean O’Keefe
“The only information that goes to Omnilert is when it does detect a weapon, or what it feels or believes to be a weapon,” he said. “So there’s not a daily log of anything that’s going to Omnilert unless it feels like it detects a weapon.” Maniglia said the response from parents of Riverview High students during the testing was overwhelmingly positive.
“It wasn’t like we had a lot of resistance. People like to know that their families are safe and that their children are safe, and so it’s a comforting fact to know that this step is happening and it’s going to be put out into all the schools at some point. ... These systems, when you put them in place like at a stadium or anything else, they’re a major deterrent to even want to bring something on campus.”
Courtesy images
The Omnilert Gun Detect system recognizes a rifle a man is holding as he approaches a building. The software can alert school personnel and police in a matter of seconds.
The Omnilert Gun Detect system sends an alert like this one seconds after it detects a weapon.
& FINE JEWELRY
School board raises student meal prices
The move came as the public urged the board to seek other solutions.
SWABY STAFF WRITER
he Sarasota County School Board voted unanimously to raise student meal prices by up to 75 cents on Aug. 7. The meeting followed a July 16 workshop in which the Food & Nutrition Services Department offered a presentation on issues it said made the decision unavoidable, some of which included rising costs and the loss of federal supply chain assistance funding.
The cost of a school breakfast this year will be $2.25 and the cost of lunch ranges from $3.25 at elementary schools to $3.75 at high schools. A dozen members of the public came forward to comment on the topic, asking board members whether they would continue to consider solutions and with some inquiring about the necessity of the decision.
“It is not just 75 cents, it is more,” said Lillian Williamson, a sophomore at Booker High School. “It is a promising education being ripped away from students because they cannot focus in schools when they are starving. Students need to eat. You won’t be able to please everyone in Florida, but you can start by trying to please the people in schools — the students.”
Some speakers, including Willliamson, asked the board about the possibility of enrolling in the Community Eligibility Program, a federal
program reimbursing schools for meals in low-income areas.
According to the CEP website, the Sarasota School Board was among the boards to receive notifications of the program, due to 43 of the district’s 62 schools being “eligible or nearly eligible” to participate.
Later in the meeting, board member Tim Enos and Chair Karen Rose thanked the community for recently stepping up to pay off existing student lunch debt.
Board members insisted that all other options had been exhausted.
“As soon as this was notified to me … your gut drops, because it’s the last thing anyone wants to do, especially … knowing how many families in our community are grasping with disruption from the storm, and so it makes it doubly hard,” said board member Bridget Ziegler.
She said the self-funding department operates as a business, and emphasized the difficult decisions necessary in the economic climate.
Board member Tom Edwards said he agreed with many of Ziegler’s comments.
Board members encouraged families to apply for the free and reduced meals program.
“I want to reinforce everything that my colleagues have stated — well said, and assure the public that no student goes hungry,” said Chair Karen Rose.
Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jody Dumas had stated about the program during the July 16 workshop, “It’s not funded from the general fund, it’s not funded from the capital fund, it is based on revenue and the revenue has to cover the cost of running the operation, and that’s the conversation.”
WELCOMES
Gainesville State College, Athens, GA
Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital Undergraduate:
Universidad Internacional del Ecuador (UIDE), Quito, ECU
Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
Board Certified, American Board of Internal Medicine
Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital
FRIDAY, JULY 26
TROUBLE ON THE TROLLEY
3:10 p.m., 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive
Disturbance: The driver of a Bay Runner Trolley told a responding officer that an unknown white female was yelling in the direction of the bus. The officer told the woman to stand by and stop causing a disturbance while he entered the trolley to speak with the driver and passengers. They were all consistent in asserting that the woman entered the trolley and was creating a disturbance by yelling randomly at passengers while expressing a racial epithet. After retrieving all the information, the driver advised she wanted a trespassing warning issued.
Unsurprisingly, by the time the officer completed his interviews aboard the stylish open-air trolley the suspect had left the scene and couldn’t be located. The driver was provided with a card and case number and was advised if she encountered the woman again to call law enforcement so the warning could be issued.
SATURDAY, JULY 27
BOYS WILL BE BOYS
11:15 p.m., 1400 block of Main
Street
Fight: Inside a popular night club an officer arrived to find two males fighting on the floor, prompting the officer to draw his agency-issued stun gun and aim at the subject on top of who appeared to be a victim. Once the subjects realized law enforcement was present the scuffle quickly ended.
MONDAY, JULY 29
SWEET REVENGE
5:36 p.m., 300 block of John Ringling Boulevard
Civil dispute: Officers were dispatched to a St. Armands Circle location known for selling delectable sweets where the complainant said she and other store managers were having issues with an ex-employee who now works at another nearby purveyor of confections. They alleged the woman still comes near the store property and causes damage. The complainant said she and other managers have caught the ex-employee going into the store’s employee parking lot and would throw “some sort of liquid” onto their cars. She also showed footage of the disgruntled former colleague throwing trash into the full receptacle outside the storefront, spreading the refuse onto the ground. The officer advised the complainant of a case number, but stated all of this is a civil matter for the time being.
The subjects were separated and their statements gathered. The first subject advised that although he was hit first he did not wish to press charges, did not provide his personal information and only wished to leave. The second subject two was bleeding from his nose was described as uncooperative. He, too, claimed to have been hit first. He refused any medical treatment and declined to make a report, although he did say the two had previously worked together and the fight resulted from an argument.
Based on statements given it was concluded that no crime occurred as the fight was mutual be-
tween the two and neither wanted to press charges.
MONDAY, JULY 29
OVERSTAYED HIS WELCOME
12:42 a.m., 1400 block of Main Street
Dispute: While on a call to dispatch, a complainant exclaimed in no uncertain terms his intent to harm a man who would not get out of his vehicle. Who the uninvited occupant was or why he was in the vehicle was not disclosed.
The man continued to yell into the phone, “I will kill him, I will put a bullet in his (colorful metaphor) head,” and “I have a gun, I will put a bullet in his (same colorful meta-
phor) head.”
Responding officers patted the man down for weapons. The incident report does not specify whether any were found. He then informed officers that the subject who would not leave his vehicle had finally done so, perhaps out of fear of a bullet entering his (colorful metaphor) head, and left the area on foot. Officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate him.
The complainant showed signs of intoxication, but did not meet criteria for the Marchman Act. An officer advised him to leave his vehicle in a parking space and to secure another ride home. He left the area without further issue.
SCARY SOLID EVIDENCE
6:45 a.m., 1000 block of Highland Street
Property damage: A punctured tire, scratched paint and multiple broken eggs on a vehicle appeared to be the result of revenge by a lover scorned. An officer met with one of the registered owners of the vehicle who stated upon return from St. Petersburg with her cousin, who was staying at the residence, she went straight to bed.
The complainant said her grandmother woke her up at 6 a.m. to alert her of the vandalism. An officer estimated that the damage totaled less than $1,000.
Both women suggested the complainant’s ex-boyfriend, with whom she had been fighting since a breakup, caused the damage. The victim contacted a nearby business with cameras and officers were able to view footage from the
overnight hours. Video captured a man parking a known vehicle nearby and exiting wearing distinctive pants and footwear, then walking toward the residence. Asked why they were so confident they could identify the shadowy figure, the complainant stated she purchased the pants with a pattern of horror movie faces — as in “Jason” and “Freddy Krueger” — printed on the fabric. He was also wearing a favorite pair of sandals, which were clearly visible. It was determined there was probable cause to charge the man with criminal mischief and the case was forwarded to the state attorney’s office.
AN OUTDOOR BATH
7:44 a.m., Central Avenue near Ninth Street Lewd and lascivious: While New York City boasts the infamous “Naked (but not quite) Cowboy,” Sarasota is now becoming known for its “Naked (completely) Bathers.” Combined with a recent spate of women found au naturale in swimming pools featured in prior editions of Cops Corner, last week another was discovered soapy and wet on a downtown sidewalk. When officers arrived, they discovered a female, completely naked and wet standing on the sidewalk. The woman was observed, among other things, as having white soap around her hair and body. She claimed to be taking a bath and did not know at first where she placed her clothes. Covered by a bedsheet from a bystander, she then walked with officers to find her bathing suit.
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
A bridge to art adventure
Five area museums collaborate on a fresh look at contemporary Florida art.
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Everyone knows about the Great American Road Trip. Long before the NBC reality show of the same name, Mom and Dad would pack the kids in the station wagon and head for national parks, Disney or Busch Gardens, staying in Howard Johnson’s or camping along the way.
But what if you’re an art lover and prefer to while away the dog days of summer in air-conditioned galleries before adjourning to the museum gift shop or cafe? We’ve got just the road trip for you.
Five area museums — two in Sarasota, one in St. Petersburg and two in Tampa —have collaborated to bring you the freshest in Florida art.
1. THE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART
If it’s scale you’re looking for, The Ringling’s “Skyway” installation won’t disappoint. The museum has devoted its Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing West, its largest rotating galleries, to the works of 13 artists.
The multimedia exhibition runs the gamut, from small pieces such as Caitlin Albritton’s whimsical jewelry to Kiko Kotani’s breathtaking installations of crocheted crepe satin. A native of Hawaii who lives and works in Gulfport, Kotani drew inspiration from watching her mother sew blankets and clothes when she was a child.
Kotani has two monumental pieces in The Ringling’s exhibit: “White Falls,” whose flowing structure evokes reverence for nature and spirituality, and “Neon Forest,” three conical structures whose lemon, lime and orange hues are plucked straight out of Florida’s fruit groves.
With “State of Waters,” a huge map of Florida
Their joint exhibition is called “Skyway,” after the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Interstate 275 that serves as the gateway to Tampa Bay.
Best of all, the cultural institutions — The Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Art Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, the University of South Florida’s Contemporary Art Museum in Tampa and the Tampa Museum of Art — are offering reciprocal admission.
That means you can see all five “Skyway” exhibitions for the price of one. Consult each institution for details.
To do all five shows in one day (or two), you’ll want to get the timing right. The window when all the exhibitions are open at the same time runs from Aug. 28 to Oct. 27.
This is the third “Skyway” collaboration — the others were in 2021 and 2017. It also marks the first time that five museums are included in the tri-
bookended by large images of flowing currents, the collaborative team of Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse, of Tarpon Springs, draw attention to the state’s creeping saltwater intrusion and warming waters.
Bradenton artist Jake Fernandez’ “Myakka Fork” invites the viewer to get lost in its 64 wood panels spanning 88 by 154 inches. Fernandez is a conceptual artist who paints representational work termed “durational” because it emerges over a long period of time.
The grandeur of The Ringling’s “Skyway” interpretation is sure to immerse viewers of all ages into a meditation on the beauty of Florida and the encroaching threats to our often paradisiacal surroundings.
5401 Bayshore Road. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 8 p.m. Thursdays. $30. (Free Mondays.) Through Jan. 25, 2025. Visit Ringling.org.
ennial show. This year’s newcomer is the Sarasota Art Museum.
THE RINGLING TAKES THE LEAD
Each museum and its curators have taken their own approach to the exhibition, which attracted submissions from nearly 300 artists.
Of these, 63 artists were chosen by the participating museums’ curators with the help of guest curator Evan Garza, a curatorial fellow at MASS MoCA, in North Adams, Massachusetts.
The big difference between this “Skyway” show and earlier iterations is the breadth and quality of the works, says Christopher Jones, curator of photography and media arts at The Ringling. “A lot of artists have moved to the Tampa Bay area since 2017, the year of the first exhibition,” Jones says.
Some of the newcomers came to study or teach art at Tampa Bay edu-
cational institutions and remained in the area.
How did the curators decide how the works of the show’s artists would be divvied up among the participating museums? Evidently, a bit of “horse trading” was involved, but some people in the rarified art world prefer not to call it that.
Read on for each museum’s take on “Skyway,” which explores such themes as identity, community and environment. The statement by the participating curators in the catalog says, “This exhibition is an investment in bold ideas, aspirational values and resilience in the face of division.”
In other words, prepare to be dazzled.
Akiko Kotani’s 2023 work of crocheted crepe satin, “Neon Forest,” is on display at The Ringling Museum’s “Skyway” exhibition through Jan. 26.
Museums
FROM PAGE 13
2. SARASOTA ART MUSEUM
Since Sarasota Art Museum, an arm of Ringling College of Art and Design, is, by definition, a contemporary art museum, the works of “Skyway” artists don’t seem unexpected in the galleries of the former Sarasota High School.
In some ways, the “Skyway” exhibition is just another day in the life of SAM. That’s not a bad thing. It’s a reminder of how lucky we are to have a museum dedicated to contemporary art in Sarasota 365 days a year.
SAM’s presentation isn’t as grand as the “Skyway” show across town at The Ringling, but its juxtapositions of multimedia works speak to the important contributions of Florida immigrants from places as diverse as Upstate New York and Cuba.
Some of the most arresting creations are by Havana native Tatiana Mesa Paján, who uses white “puffballs” from dandelion plants to surround religious statues and
other objects, one of which is called “Piedra.” Although the white milky material conveys ephemerality, says SAM Senior Curator Rangsook Yang, the plants are capable of traveling great distances.
Bradenton resident and New College Professor of Art Kim Anderson creates paintings that look like photographs. Her images at SAM let the viewer know that its female subjects are always conscious of the male gaze, Yang notes.
Those who like scale and color will be pleased with the works of Sue Havens, originally from Rochester, New York, and Kirk Ke Wong, who was born in Shanghai. Wong’s mural, “GimGong Road” honors the contribution of an Asian American to Florida’s citrus industry more than a century ago.
1001 S. Tamiami Trail. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $15. Through Oct. 27. Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
New College Art Professor Kim Anderson’s paintings have a photo-like appearance, are part of the “Skyway” exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum.
4. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM OF ART
Some participating museums in “Skyway” don’t have a theme for their exhibition. That isn’t the case for the University of South Florida’s Contemporary Museum of Art, which has named its exhibit “12 Ways of Looking at Landscape.”
In the interest of full disclosure, of the four “Skyway” exhibits I saw, this was my favorite. The USF galleries aren’t as elaborate or well-appointed as some of the others in the exhibition and the show is primarily paintings, with a few multimedia exceptions.
But the kaleidoscope of colorful, large-scale images of Florida’s landscape seems apt for a time when Earth has just experienced the highest temperatures on record.
Many images by artists such as Eric Ondina and Andres Ramirez include comforting symbols of the Sunshine State like Mickey Mouse, bountiful farms and poolside cocktails. Then they’re turned sideways or set against terrifying backdrops like wildfires. Paradise may not be lost yet, but it’s under assault.
Still, there’s much left to savor and even unexpected treasures to be found, stashed away in garages, attics and even lying on the ground.
One of the first pieces in the exhibition, “Archipelago” by Elizabeth Condon, looks like a cross between a puttputt golf hole and a topographical map.
Among the found objects embedded in the work made from detritus, polymer and acrylic is a golden charm from a baby cake traditionally served at Mardi Gras celebrations.
Finding the baby in your slice of cake is said to signify good fortune. But it also brings responsibility because the finder is usually asked to provide the cake at next year’s party. As Floridians, what is our duty to the environment?
Fans of the late Sarasota artist John Sims, who died unexpectedly in December 2022 at age 54, will want to make the trip to USF to see Keith Crowley’s painting, “Mid-Morning, 1639 10th Street (Letter to John).”
Crowley’s depiction of Sims’ studio is definitely the
3. MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
As is the fashion these days among museums, the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg has placed its contemporary art selections for “Skyway” within its existing galleries, allowing them to engage in “conversation” with legacy pieces.
Sometimes the dialogue is muted, as is the case with Anat Pollack’s bronze-cast fertility objects inspired by the Venus of Willendorf. They seem right at home among the other pieces in the MFA’s ancient Greek and Roman galleries.
The interchange between two marriage-inspired artworks in the MFA’s baroque gallery is more animated. The two pieces in dialogue here are the 2024 acrylic painting, “1974 (Mother’s Embrace)” by Emily Martinez, and “The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine” by Fabrizio Santafede.
While some of the art world’s conversations between old and new seem forced and even hamfisted, these brides — one who is marrying a human and the other who is forging a spiritual union with God — communicate brilliantly, as do other juxtapositions of “Skyway” pieces within the MFA’s galleries.
After conducting a tour of the MFA, Stanton
artist’s vision, notes Leslie Elasser, the museum’s curator of education, because the interplay of shadows seen in the painting isn’t possible in real life.
Another piece by Crowley, the watercolor “Dawn, Sunshine Skyway Bridge (A Letter to Strangers),” shows a closeup of the fence installed to stop suicides on the bridge. Sometimes, it’s just not possible to “Have a Nice Day,” despite the signature yellow smiley face and riot of flowers across the hall in Karen Tucker Kuykendall’s “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.”
3821 USF Holly Drive, Tampa. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, until 8 p.m. Thursday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Free. Through Nov. 23. Visit USFcam. USF.Edu/cam.
Thomas, curator of collections and exhibitions, encourages visitors to “exit through the gift shop.” Of course, Thomas is riffing on the 2010 documentary about the London street artist Banksy. But he’s also leading visitors in the direction of the last installation in the museum’s “Skyway” exhibition.
The work is a faux gift shop, which Tampa artist Emiliano Setticasi calls “Department of Contemporary Art, Tampa, FL is Selling Out.” Visiting the “shop” is an exercise in frustration, especially if you’re a fan of souvenirs. None of the tote bags, T-shirts and other collectibles is for sale.
Perhaps selling reproductions in an installation called “Selling Out” would be anathema to the artist. Not being able to buy any tchotchkes certainly makes them more coveted and can prompt reflection on the relationship between perceived value and scarcity. Luckily, the Museum of Fine Arts has a real gift shop where visitors can get their fix of retail therapy before leaving the museum.
255 Beach Drive N.E, St. Petersburg. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. $22. Through Nov. 3. Visit MFASt.Pete.org.
5. TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART
The “Skyway” exhibition at the Tampa Museum of Art doesn’t open until Aug. 28, but the “Skyway” catalog includes the artists whose work will be on display, providing some clues about its interpretation of the show.
A familiar name to Sarasota residents whose work will be in Tampa is Joe Fig, the department chair of the Fine Arts and Visual Studies programs at Ringling College. His multidisciplinary works focus on artists’ studios and the process of creating art. Fig is known for his miniature reproductions of artist studios.
One piece in the “Skyway” exhibition may be familiar to those who saw Marina Shaltout’s show at Sarasota’s Spaaces gallery in late 2023. Titled “Affirmation #1,” the work is made of tile, plywood and human hair forming the words “Live Love Laugh.” Shaltout’s work takes a deep dive into what she terms the self-care industry, whose products run the gamut, from scented candles and bath oils to pictures with reassuring slogans. As technology increases the demands upon our fragile selves, it takes more than a smiley face to keep us looking on the bright side, even in the sunny state of Florida.
120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday and until 8 p.m. Thursday. $25. Runs Aug. 28 to Jan. 5. Visit TampaMuseum.org.
Courtesy images
Keith Crowley’s painting, “Mid-Morning, 1639 10th Street (Letter to John),” depicting the studio of the late Sarasota artist John Sims.
The 2024 acrylic painting “1974 (Mother’s Embrace)” by Emily Martinez hangs next to the baroque painting “The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine” by Fabrizio Santafede at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg.
Courtesy images
Seminole tribe member Corinne Zepeda’s 2024 digital print, “Greetings from Florida,” reimagines the typical tourist postcard.
Courtesy images
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$20 adults; $15 kids Visit Ringling.org.
The 2024 Summer Circus Spectacular is heading into its final days. Presided over by Ringmaster Jared Walker, the summer circus 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.
JAZZ THURSDAY AT SAM
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail Free to $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents the
DON’T MISS
‘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 lifechanging 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., Friday, Aug. 9
Where: FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
Tickets: $29-$46
Info: Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Gustav Viehmeyer Quartet on the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza. The evening also features extended hours in the galleries, the Bistro and the gift shop.
ANDY HENDRICKSON
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$26
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
During his 20-year career, Andy Hendrickson has appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Late Late Show” on CBS and NBC’s “The Guest List” and has performed his brand of clean comedy at clubs and festivals around the world. Runs through Aug. 11.
‘ANYTHING GOES’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton $32-$42 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.
Can’t get enough Cole Porter? Then this Manatee Players revival of the 1934 musical “Anything Goes” is the show for you. Set sail on the SS American as two unlikely couples try to chart a course to lasting love. Runs through Aug. 18.
‘THE FOUR C NOTES’
8 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
With “The Four C Notes,” Florida Studio Theatre’s summer cabaret continues the tradition of doo-wop. This Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute show, created by John Michael Coppola, has been a hit in the Midwest. Runs through Oct. 13.
OUR PICK GREEN DAY’S ‘AMERICAN IDIOT’
Come get your grunge on at the rock opera created by Michael Mayer, Broadway director and playwright (“Spring Awakening,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”), and Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. This explosive production, directed by Brian Finnerty, is just the cure for the summertime blues. Runs through Aug. 16.
IF YOU GO
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8
Where: The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
Tickets: $30/ Student $13
Info: Visit ThePlayers.org.
FRIDAY
‘CLYDE BUTCHER: NATURE THROUGH THE LENS’
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Spanish Point, 401 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey $20 Visit Selby.org.
Venice photographer Clyde
Butcher’s large-scale photographs of Florida flora and fauna are on display at Selby’s Historic Spanish Point campus overlooking Little Sarasota Bay. The 30-acre waterfront park is filled with landmarks such as a prehistoric burial ground, Sarasota pioneer Bertha Palmer’s gardens and a Victorian chapel with a cemetery. Through Aug. 31.
SATURDAY
COMEDY LOTTERY
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$15-$18 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Everyone’s a winner in this FST Improv show where audience members select the night’s lineup of games, replete with scenes, sketches and songs designed to provoke laughter. Runs Saturdays through Sept. 28.
MONDAY
JAZZ JAM SRQ
5:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St.
Free Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Thanks to the efforts of Jazz Club of Sarasota, the jazz scene is growing in Sarasota. This bi-monthly jam session is open to professional and amateur musicians alike. Come play, sing, watch and enjoy jazz.
Courtesy image
Courtesy image
Taking aim at the politics of stupidity
Find out what happens when a nerdy lieutenant governor suddenly finds himself running the state.
FUGATE
MARTY
THEATER CRITIC
Paul Slade Smith’s “The Outsider,” now on stage at Florida Studio Theatre, is a lightweight political satire with a heavy target. Hold that thought. The play begins right after a sex scandal forces the governor of an unnamed state to leave office. His entire staff goes too — except for Dave Riley (Gil Brady), his former chief of staff.
Ned Newley (Sheffield Chastain), the former lieutenant governor, instantly becomes the new governor. The man’s a genius-level math whiz. He was once a state treasurer and still thinks like one.
Newley hates crowds, public speaking and TV cameras. Hiding in his office and running budget numbers is his idea of a good time. That’s no longer an option. Before Newley knows it, he’s mumbling the oath of office while surrounded by a firing squad of TV cameras. The embarrassing video goes viral.
Arthur Vance (Roy Stanton), a James Carville-esque political flack, sees it — and spots political gold. He flies in and sweet-talks the mortified Newley with twisted logic. Yes, the viral vid made him look like a moron. But that’s a good thing!
That’s what the people want! Keep acting like a moron and you’ll do fine. Riley’s disgusted by this fraudulent play-acting.
But Newley plays along, and puts on a lumberjack shirt for his next TV interview. The Q&A begins. The idealistic reporter
(Tatiana Williams) and her taciturn cameraman (Kevin Cristaldi) know something’s up, but Newley keeps playing dumb. And gets away with it — until Lulu (Eileen Ward) a scatterbrained temp with a Minnesota accent, barges into the shot and ruins his act.
What’s her job? Ditz that she is, Lulu has to think about it. Gee. Lieutenant governor, maybe? The interview ends, with no time for correction. Lulu’s now running for office! It’s on TV, so it’s official. Vance is delighted to his toes to be her campaign manager. If Newley’s political gold, Lulu’s platinum. This chick doesn’t have to pretend to be clueless. She really is clueless! In the play’s topsy-turvy world, this airhead just might win — or go further. But Governor Newley just might get real. That sounds like a tight political satire. But my summary paves over a few plot holes. The first act underwhelms. Its fast-talking screwball comedy dialogue’s funny. But it’s loaded with heavy exposition, and that drags it down.
Instead of showing you, the first act tells you. You hear about this scaredy-cat new governor, but he’s usually off-stage. Kooky characters, wacky situation. Haha. I chuckled a few times, and that’s it.
But the second act won me over. Gov. Newley finally shows up — and sticks around. He now feels like an actual character, not a rumor. The other characters also snap into focus. After that, I invested in their story — and started laughing out loud.
Director Kate Alexander has a
IF YOU GO
‘The Outsider’
When: Through Aug. 18
Where: FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. Tickets: $25-$42.
Info: Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
knack for comedy. She distracts you from the first act’s story problems with slapstick. When the second act gets the story straight, she takes it to comedy town. And makes the audience howl.
But the actors get credit, too.
Chastain’s Newley is a smarter, kinder cousin of Stephen Root’s character in “Office Space.” He’s a quiet man, a shadow man, a man who isn’t there. Chastain shines when his character drops the dummy act and explains how government works to the cameraman. His eloquent words are sincere and from the heart. It could’ve been a cornball scene, but Chastain makes it feel real.
Riley’s great as a sane man in a mad, mad world. His character heroically keeps a positive attitude, thinks the best of his crazy colleagues and always does the right thing. On top of all that, he
struggles to keep his own sanity. Stanton does a spot-on James Carville impression as the Vance character. (I’m not sure if that’s in the script, but Vance nails it.)
Paige Caldwell’s pollster digs his Machiavellian, chess-master mind — and probably digs him. Williams is perfect as Rachel — a low-level TV reporter with high journalistic standards. She’s constantly forced to compromise by bosses with no standards. Williams makes you feel Rachel’s simmering frustration. Cristaldi’s grunting cameraman reminds me of every cameraman I’ve ever known.
But Ward’s clueless Lulu steals the show. Her scatterbrained character can’t remember anybody’s name, which intercom button to push or where to find the door to the governor’s office.
But ignorance is bliss, at least for Lulu. Despite her constant screw-ups, Lulu is always a beam of sunshine. Thanks to Ward’s hilarious portrayal, she always gets big laughs.
Smith’s political satire unfolds in a Bizarro World where up is down, competence is stupidity and idiocy is the ideal image. It’s over the top and never even tries to be realistic.
Daniel Ciba’s Technicolor costumes are a perfect fit for
the playwright’s looking glass universe. But Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay’s drab governor’s office is realistic. Their set’s dominated by a grinning portrait of the disgraced ex-governor, and stuffed with cheap, shabby furniture. There’s zero glamor, and it’s utterly believable. Little else is in Smith’s play. “The West Wing” it ain’t.
But the playwright’s not going for verisimilitude.
“The Outsider” is a surreal political satire. As noted, the world of the play is Bizarro World. I didn’t believe in it for a second, but so what? It got me laughing, and that counts for a lot.
But I have one gripe. “The Outsider” is a political satire with very little politics. Its satire aims at a single political target. Just one. And it’s a narrow one. The politics of stupidity. That’s Smith’s satiric target. His play hits the bull’s eye on that one.
“The Outsider” ignores a massive shooting gallery of other political targets. But it’s still pretty funny. And it ends with a note of hope.
When Governor Newley finally drops the dummy act and reveals his high IQ, his voters love it. They might not be as stupid as Vance thinks.
Image courtesy of John Jones
Florida Studio Theatre’s comedy “The Outsider” runs through Aug. 18 at the Gompertz Theatre.
FREE TO BE IN CHARACTER
Cosplayers describe the experience, and effort, of bringing characters to life.
IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER
Joseph and Heidi Vavrik have been deeply invested in pop culture since they met.
The couple, who are now 52 and 39, respectively, found each other through the game “EverQuest Online Adventures” on Playstation 2 in 2004.
In 2010, they were married at Dark Side Comics, dressed as the Joker and Harley Quinn from the “Batman” comics.
They’re far from the only ones in Sarasota who are embracing their favorite characters to the point that they enjoy imitating their appearance.
Since founding the Central Florida group Gotham Underground in 2017, they’ve found more fellow cosplayers than they knew existed in the area.
“It’s nice to have locals, and I didn’t realize there were so many cosplayers that lived around here,”
Heidi Vavrik said. “Now we’re getting to know more, and more people are getting inspired by those who go, and the costumes are getting so great.”
GETTING INTO CHARACTER
Nienna Nir, 51, head of Tampa Bay Area Cosplayers and Costumers and a resident of Venice, attributes the growing interest in cosplay, the art of presenting oneself as a character, to Sarasota’s arts community.
“There’s a great deal of craftsman ship that goes into really well-puttogether cosplay, and that appeals to the artistic community as a whole,” she said.
She noted the area’s comic con ventions, though small, are wellattended.
Danielle Erickson, 39, a member of Gotham Underground and also a Venice resident, was surprised by the amount of fellow cosplay ers she found in the area after she began attending conventions.
She also said the profile of the activity is growing, even if not every one is always approving of the idea.
“I think there’s still a little bit of the like, ‘Yeah, but you’re an adult, why are you dressing in costume’ sort of thing,” Erickson said. “But when I was younger, it wasn’t more of a suspicious type thing, it was more of a, ‘That’s weird, that’s gross.
FIND COSPLAYERS AT SARASOTACON
SATURDAY, AUG. 10
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carlisle Inn & Conference Center, 3727 Bahia Vista St. $20. Free for kids. This comic convention offers comics and pop culture items that span different genres, meet-and-greets with fandom-related celebrities and vehicles on display. Visit TheSarasotaCon.com.
Don’t talk to me.’ So it’s getting more accepted in the mainstream.”
Ultimately, say costumers, most people appreciate what cosplaying offers — the realization of a character they love.
“I’ve had seniors come up and say, you made my day, you reminded me of my childhood,” Joseph Vavrik said.
“I think that’s why we costume up,” Heidi Vavrik said. “It’s just for smiles, reactions, definitely the kids.”
Lori Goldmeier, a member of the Tampa Bay group who lives in Sarasota, recounts the delighted reactions of children — including during a visit to Tampa General Hospital with Costumers with a Cause.
The group, with which she is regularly involved, collaborates with charities and attends various events.
“Even if they’re in a very dark place, they’re hurting, they’re sad, whatnot, when they see their favorite character in the room, their face will light up,” she said.
However, being a cosplayer is more than wearing the costume.
It’s a performance art that involves taking on their personality as well.
Joseph Vavrick has no character to which he is more committed than the “Batman” villain, the Penguin.
“Honestly, I don’t have to get into character, I am that character,” he said.
There’s a special reason why.
Once, during a comic event he was
original “Batman” TV series starring Adam West.
The meeting came about through a friend who was working on the set of the 1995 film “Grumpier Old Men,” in which Meredith was starring.
As Vavrik entered a backroom, he found Meredith smoking a cigarette. The actor simply met him with a stare.
Vavrik wondered if he had offended him and began to apologize, but Meredith stopped him and commented that the experience was like “looking in a mirror.”
“I just started crying,” Vavrik recalled. “And he goes, ‘If anybody could carry that character, on, it’s you now.’ That was the greatest compliment I could ever have.”
You may find Joseph and Heidi Vavrik in costume not only at the community’s various comic conventions, but also at business and charity events, or even a local Target, where Joseph Vavrik may stop in the toy aisle to mock the action figures of his nemesis, Batman. Heidi Vavrik will often be dressed as the Penguin’s henchwoman Lark.
Although he said many health issues have made cosplaying more difficult lately, he’s hoping to fully incorporate the scooter he uses to move around, dubbed the “Mayor Mobile,” into his costume by decorating it as the rubber duck vehicle seen in the 1992 film “Batman Returns.”
Goldmeier cosplays as characters including Princess Leia, SpiderGwen and Buddy the Elf.
“I choose my characters based on how much I can either relate to them, or how much they match my natural personality,” she said. “Leia matches my sass and my attitude, but on the other hand, Harley, I can really do her without even trying because my energy matches hers as well.”
Some cosplayers also enjoy the chance to realize characters of their own creation.
For Erickson, the enjoyment of the hobby comes from her interest in creative writing. She said it has
and character portrayal, so for me, it’s like getting into the character and bringing them to as much real life as I possibly can,” she said.
She created a costume of The Storyteller, a furry blue creature with a skeletal, bird-like face.
His role in the story is that of a guardian who eats the nightmares within one individual’s private land of dreams.
One day, just for a change, she decided to place a key around the character’s neck. Then, someone asked her about its purpose.
She went onto incorporate it into the story as one of the keys assigned to each guardian for the private dreamland they protect.
CREATING A COSTUME
People with costumes of all price levels can cosplay, but a recurring theme among cosplayers is the level of attention to detail with which the costumes are imbued.
These aren’t the standard Halloween items you can find at your local retail store.
Erickson has taught herself a lot about making costumes over time and is currently learning how to craft leather armor.
“Sewing wasn’t something I was taught as a kid, so I had to go out and learn how to do that... It’s been a learning process over at least 15 years, so just going, ‘OK, this character has this, I need to learn how to do this.’”
Goldmeier has become a professional seamstress since developing her interest in cosplaying in 2014, and she attempts to replicate even small details using screen-accurate fabrics.
She’s taught herself skills like embroidery and crochet.
“Cosplay takes time, effort, money, resources and it’s a work in progress,” she said.
“It’s an escape to be someone else, and that is totally OK,” Goldmeier said. “I’ve gotten people asking me, ‘Is this normal?’ Of course it is. We are an uplifting community, because we are trying to escape the monotony of everyday life, just for a little
Keegan Strype, Jordyn Pointer and Lori Goldmeier
Ian Swaby
Jospeh Vavrick as the Penguin and Heidi Vavrik as Lark. Courtesy image
His toy box runneth over
Richard Pierson hopes his Sarasota Toy Museum, which opens Aug. 8, is fun for all.
JAY HEATER EAST COUNTY OBSERVER
His 6,000-square-foot building on 17th Street in Sarasota is stuffed full of vintage toys. Everywhere you look — up, down, ahead or behind — is another toy, with another story, and another memory.
Lakewood Ranch’s Richard Pierson is ready to unveil his Sarasota Toy Museum Aug. 8.
Pierson has done much of the work himself, with the help of his sons, Jacob and Zachary. However, other than the extensive work done on the model railroad exhibit by volunteers, Pierson built all the display cases and placed the toys — by either era or subject — himself.
He will be saddened on opening day, though, for George Borsari, the founder of the Sarasota Bay Model Railroad Society, won’t be there to celebrate the opening.
Borsari, who was 84, said in an East County Observer feature in early May how he was excited about the opening of the museum, but died a few weeks later. Borsari and members of the Sarasota Bay Model Railroad Society put together the professionally built HO scale layout that Pierson purchased to be a feature in his museum. Borsari called it a “world class layout” that was meant to be a museum piece.
The layout, which includes 28,000 handmade trees, was in pieces, though, so Pierson sought out model railroad enthusiasts to help him. Borsari answered the call.
“George got his group together and they were the only reason I was able to put this (model railroad layout) together,” Pierson said. “I quickly became close with George because we were on a like-minded mission. He just did it because he loved it.”
Pierson’s love of toys is on dis -
play every day. He can’t take more than two steps in his museum without stopping to share a story about a particular toy, its era, and what made it special. His hope is that the museum’s patrons will feel the same. Pierson’s Moosehead Toys and Comics business will operate the museum. His idea for the museum came during an antiquing trip to Quechee, Vermont, the site of the Vermont Antique Mall. It was there he met Gary Neil, who had been curating a toy exhibit for more than 40 years and whose finds were on display at the mall.
Neil told Pierson that he wanted to retire and was looking for someone who would not only buy the toys but also keep them to be displayed in a museum. Pierson told him of his desire to start the Sarasota Toy Museum, and they struck a deal. It became an important part of the deal that Pierson’s 20-year-old son Jacob has autism. All special needs individuals will be admitted free to the museum.
As Pierson heads toward his opening Aug. 8, he noted 10 of the can’tmiss items for those who visit the museum.
1. Big Loo. This toy robot, which made its debut in 1963 for the Christmas holiday season, would shoot missiles out of his arm. Pierson said Louis Marx and Company only made about 2,000 Big Loos. “I love the (smiling) face on him,” Pierson said. “It’s not your classic robot toy. It’s not something you will see.” Big Loo was 3 feet tall and had two flashing battery-powered red eyes along with a hand-cranked mechanical voice box that played 10 messages. Big Loo also squirted water from his navel.
2. Fred Flintstone riding Dino. “This is a toy I never had seen,” Pierson said. “I like it because it was such a classic cartoon. It also was battery operated to make it move.” The 1960s toy was made by Louis Marx and Company.
3. Superman lunch boxes. Made first by Adco in 1954, Superman lunch boxes are extremely rare
according to Pierson (online prices soar over $2,000) and one of the most sought-after collector items in terms of lunch boxes. Although he never had a Superman lunch box as a kid, Pierson did have a Kung Fu lunch box, which is represented in the museum along with hundreds of other vintage lunch boxes.
4. Atomic Robot Man: Made in the 1940s by a Japanese manufacturer, the Atomic Robot Man, a windup toy, was copied many times over the years. Pierson said it was the first robot toy produced and is extremely hard to find.
5. Snoopy Riding Space Scooter: The catch on this toy made by Japan’s Masudaya is that it wasn’t a registered “Peanuts” toy. However, the lookalike capitalized on the popular figure. Snoopy fans obviously didn’t care as the toy goes for $1,000 or more online. Pierson said the toy is incredibly rare.
6. An HO scale model railroad scene. The scene, originally built by David Frary, is a replica of the Green Mountains of Vermont and modeled after the area around a ski resort in Killington, Vermont. As museum patrons walk around the exhibit, they will see that all four seasons are represented. Members of the Sara-
sota Bay Model Railroad Society will continue to monitor the exhibit and add to it.
7. Hot Wheels “redlines:” Mattel produced the Hot Wheels “redlines” from 1968 through 1977 in which the tires on the toys were marked by red lines using Spectraflame paint. Many clubs exist today for people who collect the “redlines.”
8. Cap guns: The museum’s considerable cap gun collection features models from the 1800s to the golden age of cap guns after World War II. “I love these,” Pierson said. “They are so classic and Western.” Pierson couldn’t put out some cap guns in the collection because he said they looked too real.
9. Hubley metal die cast toys: After reading about the museum in the East County Observer, a man donated many Hubley Manufacturing Company metal die cast toys from the early 1900s. The original Hubley toys were made of cast iron.
10. Superman String Puppet: Pierson still loves stopping by the Superman String Puppet, a prototype for stores made to boost sales of the Madison LTD puppet that sits in the middle of the museum. “He still works,” Pierson said. “I can make him dance.”
When: Aug. 8
Where:
Jay Heater Lakewood Ranch’s Richard Pierson will open his Sarasota Toy Museum Aug. 8.
TSuper day at camp
he city of Sarasota Summer Camp closed out its final session of the year on Aug. 31, but campers enjoyed plenty of adventures during each week of the camp.
The unique experiences included a field trip to the Miami Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays baseball game on July 31, at the Tropicana Field stadium in St. Petersburg.
Meanwhile, as campers returned to their regular activities at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex on Aug. 1, they could be found dressed as superheroes and other characters for the camp’s theme day.
The regular activities include gym games, outdoor games, arts and crafts projects and reading, while each week brings different special activities, such as the baseball game field trip, and an ice cream-making activity that was held this week.
Campers can also enjoy hot lunches and breakfast, and snacks, through the city’s program available on the site.
The experience is also a fun for the counselors, Morris said, noting they are all of high school or college age and many of them have not had work experience before.
“We actually have some counselors that were here as campers, so it’s fun to see them come back, kind of a full circle camp experience for them,” she said.
— IAN SWABY
Eli Daniel, 5, dressed as Iron Man, watches Jack Kushin, 7, practice his climbing skills as SpiderMan.
Courtesy image
Violet Bartolone, 8, Evelyn Lambert, 9 and Hazel Houser, 7 enjoy the rays touch tank at Tropicana Field on July 31.
Couneslor Sa’Riyah Pitts pushes Lilly Hill, 6, in the swing on the playground.
Photos by Ian Swaby
For Mote, every call counts
Information gathered from rescue calls, necropsies and bone study aids research on local species.
CARTER WEINHOFER
STAFF WRITER
Behind the scenes at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, the Stranding Investigations team takes on every necessary call, and every one could have a different end result.
Staff Scientist and Program Coordinator Gretchen Lovewell said the end result is important no matter the outcome.
If a rescued animal is able to be saved, Lovewell’s team works hand in hand with the rehabilitation teams at Mote, who take over once the animal arrives at the facility on Ken Thompson Parkway.
But even if the animal can’t be saved, what that animal’s necropsy, or animal autopsy, reveals can be equally as important. Any amount of data can help to show what happened to the animal or give insight into the local environment.
“If we don’t tell these animals’ stories, who will?” Lovewell said.
ANIMAL EMTS
On call 24/7, the Stranding Investigations crew receives about 600900 calls per year, according to Lovewell.
The department is fully dependent on public reports, which Lovewell said was made much easier with the introduction of cellphones. That not only increased their call volume, but made it easier to “troubleshoot” the issue with the caller.
For example, sometimes the call is more about educating the public rather than an emergency. Someone may call concerned about seemingly abnormal manatee behavior, but that could just be normal mating behavior that can be described over the phone after the caller sends a video.
But when the call does require a response, Lovewell’s team springs into action.
“When they’re alive, we put on our EMT or rescue hats, and we go out there and try to do the best thing we can for that animal,” Lovewell said.
In some cases, sea turtles or marine mammals that the team responds to can be released right away. This is relatively rare though, Lovewell said, and usually is when an animal is tangled in something like fishing line or buoy markers.
When new patients arrive at Mote’s hospital, Lovewell said teams immediately start taking things like vitals, blood work and pictures, while also starting necessary medicine and fluids.
Sometimes, the team has some help from local law enforcement. Lovewell said agencies such as the Sarasota Police Department and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office frequently assist the Stranding Investigations team on rescue calls given
they can launch boats quicker, and some officers have enough experience to help transport the animals.
“So it’s such a great partnership at all levels,” Lovewell said. “It’s remarkable.”
One recent rescue is a prime example. Lil’ Dougie, a current patient at Mote’s sea turtle hospital, was named after the SCSO officer that helped rescue her. She was found floating in Blackburn Bay, and upon investigation was found to be missing a piece of her front left flipper, possibly from a shark bite.
Lil’ Dougie arrived at Mote on May 27. She is healing well and almost ready to be released, according to Lovewell. Releases, Lovewell said, are some of the best days.
“When you see a lot of the sad, awful stuff that our team sees, it’s really good for us to be able to see that full circle,” Lovewell said.
EVERY BIT OF IMPORTANCE In cases that don’t end in release —
whether an animal is found dead or don’t make it through rehabilitation — the job isn’t done.
The next step for Lovewell and her team is a necropsy. Each one is different depending on the species, but could last anywhere from two to eight hours, Lovewell said.
She compared it to being crime scene investigators — trying to find the cause of death and investigating what happened to the animal.
A necropsy is a systematic process. Each one usually starts with photographs and measurements of the animal and an evaluation of any signs of human interaction. Then, the animal is opened up, which is a different process for each animal.
When examining the animal, Lovewell and the Mote staff are looking for any abnormalities in color, smell, texture or shape. Sometimes, tissue samples will be sent for pathological review and samples sent for biopsies.
“We’ve asked a lot of different
questions by doing that (necropsy),” Lovewell said. “It gives us a sense of the health of our local waters in our backyard, the sort of effects we’re having on the animals with human interaction.”
Human interaction, through things such as boat propeller strikes or fishing line, is a frequent cause of death, which is the case for 40% of sea turtle deaths, according to Lovewell.
But, there are times when the team can’t define a specific cause of death.
“If the animals are really decomposed, we can’t always get cause of death, but there’s still a lot of valuable information about life history,” Lovewell said. “We still find value in it.”
RENOWNED COLLECTION
Even after death, an animal can be important for research.
Mote is home to the Ruth DeLynn Cetacean Osteological Collection, named in honor of the Mote volunteer who started the collection and curated it for about 30 years.
“It’s really a biological library,” Lovewell said.
The skeletons, some dating back to the 1970s, have been used for studies on bone density, skull morphology, age, growth and other things.
According to Mote’s website, The Committee on Systematic Collections of the American Society of Mammalogists said the collection is “one of the most important and significant cetacean collections in the world.”
In the collection, skeletons of marine mammals — mostly dolphins — are preserved in boxes on bookshelves, each with an identifying number. Lovewell can go around the room, picking out boxes and telling the animal’s story.
Lovewell said that the information gathered in all stages — whether it’s the rehabilitation intake or the necropsy — can be valuable information to work toward advocating for more protection for these animals, and to help tell the story of a species.
Carter Weinhofer
If rescued turtles need rehabilitation, they may end up at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital.
$12,000,000
YOUR CALENDAR
FRIDAY,
1331 First St. Free. Join experienced educator and artist, Jessica DiLorenzo McHugh, on a yoga session that closes with a short art project. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.
‘TRANSLATION-TRADUCCIÓN’
6:30 p.m. at Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave. Free. Join Bookstore1Sarasota for a conversation and book signing presented in partnership with The Hermitage Artist Retreat and featuring Hermitage Fellow Mónica Lavín and translator and collaborator D.P. Snyder. Visit SarasotaBooks.com.
SATURDAY, AUG. 10
BREAKFAST WITH THE SHARKS
8-9:30 a.m. at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. $36 member adults; $40 nonmember adults; $27 member youth; $30 nonmember youth; Ages 2 and under free. Start your day with the sharks at Mote, before the aquarium opens to the public. Enjoy a light continental breakfast while learning about the animals and Mote’s shark research. Watch a narrated feeding of the bonnethead sharks, and have your shark questions answered. Visit Mote.org.
SARASOTACON
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carlisle Inn & Conference Center, 3727 Bahia Vista St. $20. Free for kids. This comic convention offers comics and pop culture items that span different genres, meet-and-greets with fandom-related celebrities and vehicles on display. Visit TheSarasotaCon.com.
BINGO NIGHT AT TEMPLE EMANU-EL
6:30 p.m. (doors open) and 7 p.m. (game begins) at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road. $20 per person. Join the sisterhood and brotherhood at Temple Emanu-El for a fun evening filled with Bingo. Register by Aug. 7. Visit SarasotaTemple.org.
TEL AVIV ON THE BEACH
7-10 p.m. at The Sunset Sand Garden at the Lido Beach Resort,700 Ben Franklin Drive. General admission $18. VIP access $54. The Young Jewish Adults of Sarasota brings a Tel Aviv beach party to Sarasota. This Israeli music festival-style party includes dancing in the sand, a cash bar, Mediterranean bites and music by SRQ Beats. A drawing offers opportunities to win prizes and support Israel. Proceeds from the event go to the Israel Emergency Fund. Visit JFedSRQ.org.
BEST BET
SATURDAY, AUG. 10
BACK TO SCHOOL CHILDREN’S EXPO
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Potter Building, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd. Free. Meet and greet area providers of educational and enrichment services spanning disciplines including dance, martial arts, gymnastics, cheerleading, soccer and swim. Learn about free VPK and child care centers, local charter and private schools, after school programs, tutoring and more. Visit GulfCoastGatherings.com.
SUNDAY, AUG. 11
BRUNCH AT THE BAY 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (live music 11 to 2 p.m.) at The Nest, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free to attend. Enjoy new brunch items at The Nest Café including waffles, muffins, bloody marys, mimosas and more. Listen to live covers of rock, blues, soul and funk songs by Julia Brown. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
TUESDAY, AUG. 13
ARTISTS IN THE LIBRARIES: BOOKS IN FULL COLOR WITH BARBARA GERDEMAN
1-2:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. During this program, participants will create a collage of old book pages on canvas. Afterward, they will perform photo transfers of images to canvases and use acrylic inks and paints to add color, followed by additional drawing to complete the project. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.
THURSDAY, AUG. 15
JOYFUL JOURNEYS: FROM THE BACK OF THE HOUSE WITH AUTHOR DAN LANDON
5-6:30 p.m. at Senior Friendship Centers, 1888 Brother Geenen Way. Free. Join Senior Friendship Centers and Dan Landon, who was a Broadway theater manager 37 years, and hear his stories about the stars he encountered during his time backstage. Registration required. Visit FriendshipCenters.org.
Grovelawn home tops sales $1,835,000
ADAM
HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Grovelawn tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. RJJM LLC sold the home at 2157 Wisteria St. to David Dague and Wendy Williams, of Sarasota, for $1,835,000. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,237 square feet of living area. It sold for $1 million in 2022.
SARASOTA
HIGH POINT CIRCLE
1912 High Point LLC sold the home at 1912 High Point Drive to John Devine, of Potomac, Maryland, for $1.8 million. Built in 1953, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,941 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.9 million in 2022.
SOUTH HIGHLAND
Alan Mieli and Guglielmo and Susan Mieli, of Northbrook, Illinois, sold their home at 1804 Kenilworth St. to Adam and Tiffany Rowe, of Tyler, Texas, for $1,275,000. Built in 2012, it has five bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,733 square feet of living area. It sold for $650,000 in 2013.
Beach Ranch Investments LLC sold two properties at 1837 Robinhood St. to War Realty LLC for $650,000. The first property was built in 1935 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,340 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1935 and has one bedroom, one bath and 480 square feet of living area. They sold for $635,000 in 2022.
PHILLIPPI GARDENS
Landz Management & Consulting LLC sold the home at 2473 Yorkshire Drive to Romulo Isaias Camargo and Gabriela Rivero, of Sarasota, for $1,135,000. Built in 1963, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,592 square feet of living area. It sold for $518,000 in 2023.
WASHINGTON PARK
Deborah Miller, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 651 Madison Court to CF Development LLC for $975,000. Built in 1953, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,664 square feet of living area. It sold for $317,500 in June.
PRIME
Pandora Seibert, of Sarasota, sold her home at 1703 Alta Vista St. to Scott Long and Susanna Long, trustees, of Sarasota, for $900,000. Built in 1949, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,176 square feet of living area. It sold for $67,000 in 1988.
BOATYARD
James Kompothecras, of Tampa, sold his Unit 402 condominium at 1554 Stickney Point Road to D&K; Beach LLC for $810,000. Built in
1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,270 square feet of living area. It sold for $461,500 in 2020.
SOUTH GATE
Diana Aliv, Managing Member of DA-FS-2504 Fruit Tree LLC sold the home at 2504 Fruit Tree Drive to Bryan Pigott and Cynthia Cazares, of Sarasota, for $665,000. Built in 1960, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,200 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in 2021.
MORNING GLORY RIDGE
Jovan and Violeta Ignatovski, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4127 Morning Place to Bonavi LLC for $655,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,239 square feet of living area.
THE 101 Ronald and Rosanne Balance, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 4D condominium at 101 S. Gulfstream Ave. to Norma Quigley, of Garden City, New York, for $610,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,220 square feet of living area. It sold for $250,000 in 2008.
THE ENCORE
Charles Fuoco and John Fuoco sold their Unit 3 condominium at 1257 Fruitville Road to Robert and Anne Twohill, of Storrs Mansfield, Connecticut, for $515,000. Built in 2004, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,629 square feet of living area. It sold for $427,700 in 2004.
SIESTA KEY TURTLE BAY
K.R. and Ann Schulz, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 406-B condominium at 8735 Midnight Pass Road to Lucinda Van Wagner, of Sarasota, for $750,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,357 square feet of living area. It sold for $749,000 in 2023.
PALMER RANCH
THE COUNTRY CLUB OF SARASOTA
Lisa Grillone and Gregory Grillone, trustees, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, sold the home at 3634 Torrey Pines Way to Slawomir Kostrubiec and Magdalena Saganska, of Sarasota, for $612,500. Built in 1984, it
has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,483 square feet of living area. It sold for $218,000 in 1986.
PROMENADE ESTATES
Peter Palmer Parvis and Sandra Lee Howard, of Timonium, Maryland, sold their home at 5744 Woodland Sage Drive to Michael Andrew Blackwell, of Topeka, Kansas, for $605,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,045 square feet of living area. It sold for $670,400 in 2022.
Other top sales by
SIESTA KEY: $1.8 MILLION
Siesta Isles
Clay and Leeann Keeley sold their home at 5515 Contento Drive to Jacqueline Maria McCool, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1.8 million. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,245 square feet of living area. It sold for $925,000 in 2018.
PALMER RANCH: $675,000
Deer Creek Rosita Herrick, of Parrish, sold the home at 4724 White Tail Lane to Castleco LLC for $675,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,976 square feet of living area. It sold for $270,000 in 1992.
OSPREY: $625,000
Meridian at the Oaks Preserve
Phillip and Gail Hruby, of Venice, sold their Unit 301 condominium at 3603 N. Point Road to Leslie Nath, trustee, of Osprey, for $625,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,680 square feet of living area. It sold for $440,000 in 2017.
Source: City of Sarasota
The home at 2157 Wisteria St. has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,237 square feet of living area.
Courtesy of Realtor Karen Greco
BREAKING PAR
Jones Golf Club is better than breaking even by exceeding financial expectations.
jected to end the year at $1,283,075.
Eight months removed from its grand opening, the Bobby Jones Golf Club is projecting self-sustainability through the end of fiscal year 2025, even banking an additional $290,000 into its fund balance.
During last week’s Sarasota City Commission budget workshop, city staff reported that the city-owned golf complex is projected to earn revenues of $4.1 million against expenses of $3.8 million, ending the year $289,777 in the operational black.
That’s including the $10,000 per month management fee paid to Indigo Sports and an $800,000 transfer to cover the debt service on $16.8 million in bonds that financed the restoration of the original 1926 Bobby Jones layout plus the par-3 Gillespie Course, the latter opening in June.
The Bobby Jones fund balance is expected to end this fiscal year with a fund balance of $933,298, and in the proposed FY 2025 budget is pro-
“There has been tremendous interest from the public to play the newly renovated courses,” City Manager Marlon Brown told the Observer. “It’s early, but so far Bobby Jones is exceeding earned net revenue projections. We anticipate a natural slowdown during the hot, rainy summer months, but the early numbers are strong and very encouraging.”
A large swath of the formerly 36-hole course was reclaimed as a nature park, which also serves as wetlands to capture runoff from the golf course. Working together, the golf course and wetland are removing hundreds of pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus as stormwater works its way through the property from north to south.
Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch remarked that the greens fees, which are subject to a dynamic pricing model similar to that of hotels and airlines based on demand at the time of booking, are higher than expected and that perhaps some the projected fiscal cushion could be returned to city residents in the form of lower fees.
“Like any of the enterprise funds, for example like the Van Wezel, we want to make sure that we have enough of a fund balance,” Brown. said “So let’s make sure that we do have a good, successful program before we start thinking about lowering fees because the last thing you want is a drop in the economy and we’re struggling to make ends meet. Be careful of trying to jump to lowering fees.”
Ahearn-Koch acknowledged
Brown’s caution, suggesting that fees be reconsidered when a longer data sample is available.
But she wasn’t done yet. AhearnKoch has been consistent in her opposition to the plans to build a $9 million permanent clubhouse, three times the originally budgeted amount, and pointed out the difference between the debt service and the original capital budget is enough to build a scaled-down facility.
“My other question is about the
debt service,” she said. “We have outstanding $16,835,000, but the amount of the total debt was for $20 million. That leaves a balance of a little over $3 million. There’s the potential debt for a future clubhouse and maybe that item is not necessary if we just worked within this.”
“Meaning that if the budget for the clubhouse is $3.8 million?” asked Brown. “That’s a commission policy because you all directed us to build a clubhouse for $9 million, and that’s what we’re going to be bringing back to you in August.”
Ahearn-Koch was otherwise complimentary of the work at Bobby Jones, and described the combination of golf course and nature park as “an incredible amenity” for golfers and nature enthusiasts.
“And to keep it a great amenity, we need a great clubhouse,” added Mayor Liz Alpert.
Commissioner Debbie Trice pointed out that with the upgrading of the city’s bond ratings — as discussed earlier in the workshop — by Moody’s and Fitch to the second highest available, perhaps if the city floats a new bond for difference in the clubhouse cost it would be at a lower interest rate.
“Maybe that would be a better approach anyway,” she said.
“I doubt it,” Ahearn-Koch responded. “Incurring more debt is not a greater thing than just sticking within your budgeted amount. I’ll disagree with you on that.”
There will be more opportunity to disagree publicly as a hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3, and a second on Monday, Sept. 16, when the budget will be adopted.
The Donald Ross course at Bobby Jones Golf Club works in harmony with adjacent wetlands to contain and filter stormwater.
Contractor Jon F. Swift of Sarasota is working on an Old Florida design for the Bobby Jones Golf Club clubhouse.
Courtesy photos
SPORTS
Fast Break
Olympics.
Former Sarasota Crew and Harvard University rower Clark Dean earned a bronze medal with Team USA in the Men’s Eight at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Aug. 3, finishing the 2,000-meter race in 5:25.28. It is Dean’s first Olympic medal and the first U.S. medal in the Men’s Eight since 2008. The boat was coached by Sarasota Crew Head Coach Casey Galvanek.
Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh, who often trains with the Sarasota Sharks, has won three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in the 400-meter individual medley (4:27.21), the 200-meter individual medley (2:06.56) and the 200-meter butterfly (2:03.03). McIntosh also took silver in the 400-meter freestyle (3:58.37).
U.S. men’s gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, who trained with Sarasota’s EVO Gymnastics prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, took a bronze medal in the Pommel Horse on Aug. 3, earning a score of 15.300.
Cardinal Mooney High football senior cornerback Chris McCorkle committed to the University of Kansas on Aug. 3. McCorkle is rated as a threestar prospect on the 247Sports Composite and is ranked the No. 46 cornerback in the national class of 2025. McCorkle had eight interceptions, 18 passes defended and 24 tackles in 2023.
The Riverview High football program will hold its annual Night of Champions event Aug. 17 at Grove restaurant in Lakewood Ranch. The event’s guest speaker is University of Florida Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and National Championship-winning Head Coach Steve Spurrier. A cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m., with the dinner and program running 7-10 p.m. Individual tickets are $225, with multiple options for group tickets. For more information, visit RiverviewRams.com.
“When I’m in the water I ignore everything else. I can focus only on swimming for a while.”
— Payton
junior swimmer,
Tsunami. SEE PAGE 29
Blazing a new trail
Sarasota Christian School makes the transition to 11-man football.
Sarasota Christian School is ready for the challenge.
After one season of flag football and two seasons of Sunshine State Athletic Association eight-man football, wherein the Blazers notched a 15-8 record and two postseason appearances, the program is making a transition to play in the SSAA 11-man ranks. The program will still be competing against smaller schools, like East County’s The Out-of-Door Academy and Bradenton’s Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, but the move is a sign that the Blazers want to grow their program and see what it can become.
At a Suncoast Gridiron Media Day event on July 26, Sarasota Christian Head Coach Jacob Spenn said the team is excited to show what it can do at this level of football.
“It will be different,” Spenn said. “We have never done a kickoff before. There are not any in eight-man. But everything else plays out the same.”
Spenn said that playing eight-man has shaped his program in unique ways. In eight-man, Spenn said, defenses have a normal number of defensive linemen, but offenses lose up to three blockers to stop them.
That, in turn, forces offenses to focus on developing skill position players, quickly getting them the ball in space — quarterbacks have approximately 1.5 seconds to get rid of the ball before taking a hit, he said — and letting them make plays in the open field. Moving up to 11-man, where teams have 3-4 seconds to throw on most plays, will be a luxury.
Still, Spenn is excited to get those extra blockers back, he said. It is likely that the Blazers will not have the size on the offensive line that some of their opponents do. That was also the case in previous seasons, Spenn
SARASOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Head Coach: Jacob Spenn (fourth season) 2023 record: 8-5, reached the SSAA eight-man postseason Key to the season: Adjusting to 11man football. The Blazers will have to get used to football being played with more emphasis on the offensive and defensive lines. If they can do that quickly, the Blazers have the skill position talent to compete.
Schedule (All games start at 7 p.m.): Aug. 10 vs. Canterbury School (preseason) Aug. 16 at Old Plank Christian Academy Aug. 23 vs. Bishop McLaughlin Catholic Aug. 30 at Bell Creek Academy Sept. 6 at Southwest Florida Christian Sept. 13 vs. Cambridge Christian Sept. 20 at The Out-of-Door Academy Oct. 4 at Gateway Charter Oct. 18 vs. Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Oct. 25 vs. Seffner Christian
said, and the team figured out how to win anyway.
Part of overcoming that size difference? Teamwide leadership and discipline, as well as an exuberant attitude.
Spenn said the team expected to have 55-60 kids at football practice when preseason practice opened July 29, a large number for a school of Sarasota Christian’s size and a sign that the program is in a healthy place, Spenn said.
Within that 55-60 kids are a number of talented players. The offense will be led by junior quarterback Ben Milliken, who played in just six of the team’s 11 games in 2023 because of an injury, yet still managed to throw for 1,079 yards and 13 touchdowns. Milliken will have a number of weapons to use, including junior athlete Justin Brock, who had 563 rushing yards, 260 receiving yards and seven combined touchdowns — and who was athletic enough to fill in for Milliken when he was injured, throwing for 1,115 yards and 15 touchdowns himself. Brock said he will primarily play receiver this season. Sophomore Daniel Jacinto (340 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) and junior Austin Kerle (318 yards, six touchdowns) will have a chance to make noise on the ground.
Junior receiver Travis Miller, who is coming off an ACL injury suffered during basketball season, led the Blazers in receiving yards (545) while senior receiver/tight end Randall Collins led the team in receiving touchdowns (10). Junior Colton Loftus (496 yards, six touchdowns) was also a major contributor.
“We’re going to have talented players that don’t get the ball as much as they should because we have other talented players,” Spenn said.
On defense, it was Jacinto, who doubles as a linebacker, that led the way with 110 tackles (5.5 tackles for loss), stopping anyone who came in his vicinity. But he did not do it alone. Senior defensive lineman Carson Spenn (15.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks) will put teams in poor position with backfield tackles, alongside Kerle (8.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks). The Blazers only had four interceptions a season ago — perhaps a result of eight-man football teams getting the ball out quickly — but Jacinto had two of them, and could have more in 2024.
The Blazers will play a nine-game regular season, plus a home pre -
“It will be different. We have never done a kickoff before. There are not any in eight-man. But everything else plays out the same.”
— Jacob Spenn
season game against Canterbury School on Aug. 10. All games begin at 7 p.m. Sarasota Christian will open regular-season play Aug. 16 on the road against Old Plank Christian Academy. The Blazers’ first 11-man regular-season home game is Aug. 23 against Bishop McLaughlin Catholic.
In Spenn’s mind, the transition to 11-man football is no reason to start slow. The team is playing to win games, he said, while also keeping its culture intact.
“We have been super young,” Spenn said. “We still are young. But the core of our team now is juniors and sophomores, and before it was freshmen and eighth graders. There’s a great camaraderie and they have a lot of fun. They are just looking forward to playing football.”
Griffin,
Sarasota
Photos by Ryan Kohn
Sarasota Christian School wide receiver Travis Miller (12) led the team in receiving yards in 2023 with 545.
USRowing
Clark Dean said his time with the Sarasota Crew got him started down the right path to eventually reach the
RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR
Sarasota Christian School Head Coach Jacob Spenn said his team is loaded with talent at the skill positions.
Non-football fall storylines to follow
The state title defense of boys and girls swimming champions headline the fall slate.
Football always takes center stage.
There are reasons for that. It’s the most popular sport in the area from a fan perspective, and there are lots of kids on a team, which engages them and their families. The Observer began its football team previews this week, and will continue them in the leadup to the Florida High School Athletic Association regular season.
But there is more to the high school fall sports season than football — and in Sarasota’s case, those other sports are where two of the most impressive feats I can remember seeing lie.
The Riverview High girls swimming team is currently a three-time defending state champion in Class 4A. Three years in a row, with talented swimmers graduating after each win, the Rams have had the depth and individual talent to make up for any losses.
The 2023 victory was arguably the Rams’ most impressive, as they beat second-place Windermere High by 138 points. The Rams were led by Florida Dairy Farmers’ Miss Swimming 2023, then-senior Gracie Weyant, who won the 200-yard individual medley (1:58.64) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:02.41).
Weyant, the sister of Olympic medalist Emma Weyant, also helped the Rams to a win in the 200-yard medley relay (1:40.81) alongside Taylor Schwenk, Addison Sauickie and Angelina Lista; and to a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:20.20) alongside Sauickie, Brynn Lavigueur and Brianna Deierlein.
It is a remarkable feat. And yet, it is not even the most remarkable feat achieved by a local swim team.
That’s because the Sarasota High boys swim team is one year ahead of the Rams’ schedule: The Sailors have won four-straight team titles, ensuring that some Sailors went an entire high school cycle knowing nothing but state championships.
In 2023, the Sailors won by 20 points over Braddock Senior High, and were led by then-senior Aidan Siers, who won the 200-yard individual medley (1:48.33) and was third in the 500-meter freestyle (4:25.58). He also helped the Sailors to a first-place finish in the 200yard medley relay (1:33.28) alongside Elias Corn, Bogdan Zverev and Victor Izquierdo.
Both programs will have to answer questions, again, in 2024. Riverview has graduated important swimmers like Weyant, who is University of Florida bound, and Sauickie, who will now swim for the University of Stanford. The Rams will need swimmers like juniors Taylor Schwenk and Brynn Lavigueur, who finished first (25.92) and second (26.32) respectively in the 100-yard backstroke last year among other events, to keep improving.
The Sailors will lose Siers, an Auburn University signee, and several others that provided the team with unmatched depth. The team will need multiple younger swimmers to emerge this season and take their place.
Neither team’s challenge will be easy. But until someone beats them at states, they are the champs, and they hope to stay that way.
While the title defenses are the biggest non-football storyline of fall, it is hardly the only one. Here’s a look at the other fall sports and notes on what, and who, to watch when the fall season officially begins Aug. 19.
INDOOR VOLLEYBALL
The Cardinal Mooney High volleyball program has a new coach in Allan Knight, but don’t expect that to slow down the Cougars. Knight has won FHSAA state titles with Bishop Moore Catholic (2015) and Timber Creek High (2008) and annually has his teams in contention. That, combined with Mooney’s innate talent, is a promising combination for Cougars fans.
Cougars senior Riley Greene is a Long Island University commit and a premiere middle blocker. Greene had 284 kills (3.6 kills per set), 55 serving aces and 77 blocks, all of which led the team. Greene will be helped by, among others, senior Izzy Russell (173 kills), senior Katie Powers (397 digs) and junior Layla Larrick (384 assists).
Riverview High, Sarasota High and Booker High have been on a downswing in recent seasons. Can any of them take hold of the second-place mantle and challenge Cardinal Mooney for the city crown?
GOLF
No Sarasota-area teams qualified for the FHSAA golf state tournament in 2023, but two players did make it as individuals: Cardinal Mooney’s Nico Bencomo and Jolie Pastorick.
senior at Mooney, and he will have one more shot at a state title before he graduates and heads to play for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Pastorick finished tied for 20th overall (74-74—148) in the girls division. She will be a sophomore this fall, so she has plenty of time to climb the leaderboard — though the 2024 season is as good a time as any.
Can any teams qualify this fall?
That is a wait-and-see question, but keep an eye on Sarasota High, where former PGA Tour golfer Barry Cheesman, also the director of instruction at Longboat Key Club, now coaches the boys team.
CROSS-COUNTRY
Last season, Cardinal Mooney High girls runner Addison Dempsey finished third (18:01.9) at the Class 2A state meet. Dempsey is now running for the University of Miami. Based on previous results, It is unlikely that any individual returnee will be able to match Dempsey’s finish this year, but if anyone can, it is Sarasota High junior Aubri Antczak, who finished 19th in Class 4A (19:16.8) in 2023.
The boys list of contenders for top area finish include Riverview High senior Ben Skaggs, who finished 61st in Class 4A (16:38.6); Sarasota High senior Austin Biller, who finished 68th in Class 4A (16:41.1); and Mooney senior Paul Svilokos, who finished 65th in Class 2A (17:26.0).
Beautiful AND Durable Exterior Door Hardware
Bencomo finished tied for third overall (73-73—146) in the boys division at Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills. He is now a
Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.
from
and
in an astounding
USA Gymnastics/John Cheng
Left: Cardinal Mooney’s Riley Greene committed to play volleyball at Long Island University on Dec. 10. Right: Rising senior golfer Nicolas Bencomo.
Payton Griffin
Payton Griffin is a junior swimmer with the Sarasota Tsunami swim team. Griffin finished eighth in the 200-meter freestyle (2:14.23) at the USA Swimming Futures Championship, held July 24-27 in Austin, Texas. Griffin also finished 22nd in the 1,500-meter freestyle (18:04.16) and 28th in the 800-meter freestyle (9:20.65).
When did you start competitive swimming?
I first joined competitive swimming when I was 7 years old. I always loved the water when I was little.
My mom (Ali Griffin) was a swimmer when she was younger, so we did lessons together, and I went from there.
What is the appeal to you?
When I’m in the water, I ignore everything else. I can focus only on swimming for a while.
What is your favorite event to swim?
I like the 500 freestyle. It’s a middle distance. It’s not too long — not as
If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.
What are your goals for the upcoming high school season? I just want to make the podium at states in the 500 free.
What is your favorite food?
I love plain pasta.
What is your favorite school subject?
I like English. I like reading and writing and being creative.
What is your favorite TV show? My favorite is “Gilmore Girls.”
What is the best advice you have received?
Don’t get in your head too much. Don’t overthink. I used to be hard on myself and think more negatively, but I know now that it helps to think positively about my races.
Finish this sentence: “Payton
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
for another. “C LROK RV KMDGRZCJV MKUXKK IXJP ZLK DVCOKXECZS JI PCVVKEJZR, RVM C ARE R ZKRGLKX IJX RYJDZ R PCVDZK.” TJVC RVMKXEJV
“YDP AKYD YR URUPTYZ RL SCPKYTPZZ JT WRHC IJLP BJII GP AKEPN, JT AKCY, BJYD WRHC ZAPFYKFHIKC LKJIHCPZ.” IPZIJP RNRU OC.
WAITING IN THE WINGS by Adam Simpson, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
/
Hours are 9am-2pm, Mon-Fri. Candidates must be able to type at least 75 WPM with great accuracy and proofread typed material and make corrections. Attention to detail is a MUST. Proofreading entails nding errors in the typed print that varies from the original document, not actually editing the documents for errors.
The ideal candidate will have strong computer software and hardware skills. Familiarity with Adobe InDesign and Filemaker Pro is a plus. Florida notary certi cation is also a plus.
Please email your resume and WPM typing speed for immediate consideration to kboothroyd@businessobserver . com. Please also specify your available date to start.
*This position must be performed in the of ce. No remote work is available.
Competitive pay, paid time off and health insurance available
Homes for Rent
**SPACIOUS 4BR, 3BA, 1500 SF HOME WITH POOL**
Well-maintained, clean, and perfect for families. Enjoy a fenced-in backyard, washer/dryer, and a short walk to Siesta Key Beach. $5,000/month, annual lease. Contact us for details! 941-350-4122
Homes for Sale
The Premier Golf & Marina Manufactured Home Community 55+ Active Lifestyle
**NEW & PRE-OWNED HOMES FOR SALE**
We have a wide range of homes FOR SALE
New Homes starting in the low $200’s Pre-Owned Homes starting in the low $100’s
