Spend a few hours with Bob Manteiga and you will come away with a deepened appreciation of the arts, culture and the importance of being receptive to alluring opportunities that come one’s way. Four words that come to mind in describing this ‘Renaissance Man’: educator, visionary, artist and leader. While he is extraordinarily humble, his upcoming photography exhibit at Arts Advocates Gallery in Sarasota prompted him to share the landscape of what was a highly impressive academic and artistic career.
J: Bob, where were you born and what was your early life like?
B: I was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey. I was very lucky to have wonderful grandparents who took care of me while my parents worked. They spoke only Spanish and so, until I started school, I spoke only Spanish.
J: You studied architecture at the University of Virginia. What was that like?
B: I enjoyed it but found the intensity of the work and the many “all-nighters” quite stressful. After being hospitalized with a serious case of mononucleosis, I decided that, perhaps, architecture was not the career path for me. Luckily for me, a professor of mine suggested that I spend my junior year abroad in Salamanca and Madrid taking Hispanic Studies classes. I took his advice. It was an amazing year and opened my eyes to the fact that a Hispanic Studies major was more than just studying Spanish, but involved comparative literature, film, history and culture – all subjects I loved.
It was in Madrid that my passion for film grew as I got to eat breakfast nearly every morning at the Plaza Hotel with actor Jack Palance. I also met
Cook, caterer, waiter, swimmer, rummikub champion, Uber driver, postal worker, immigrant, new American, farmer, spice merchant, husband, fisherman, and Muslim, all describe Apo.
New to The Landings with wife JT Thaler, Apo made a fascinating journey from his birthplace in Konya, Turkey, to Kusadasi, Turkey. He eventually went to Brooklyn, NY, Cliffside Park, NJ, and Nutley, NJ, before landing in Sarasota.
Apo grew up in a religious Muslim family. His father was a mailman and his mother a cook at a school. During the summers, he worked on his grandparents’ farm raising goats, sheep, cows, donkeys and farming beets, beans, corn, cherries and chickpeas.
He had a pet goat that followed him and came running when Apo called the goat by name.
He went to a vocational high school that specialized in hospitality and tourism services. After high school, he went into the Army, which was compulsory for all Turkish men. He rose to the level of sergeant and had
J: It seems like you really went with the flow in finding your path.
B: Yes. I let life guide me. I didn’t try to guide my life.
J: What happened when you returned to the U.S.?
B: I decided to continue with Hispanic studies. I earned a Master’s Degree in Spanish from NYU while studying in Madrid, and then my Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from the University of Virginia. After graduating, I ultimately landed a professorship at the University of Rhode Island (URI) teaching Hispanic Studies and Comparative Literature. During my 40- year tenure, I was Director of the Comparative Literature Program, Head of Hispanic Studies and one of the co-founders of the Film Studies Program.
J: It strikes me that your early years with your grandparents perhaps had an influence on your resonating with Hispanic studies.
40 men under his command working on the border with Iraq.
He met JT in 2002 while she was traveling in Turkey. They visited Ephesus archeological site, which was near where he lived. It was the first time he saw the famous archeological sites. From there they traveled together to Istanbul where Apo experienced the city for the first time.
Their relationship blossomed and JT worked, unsuccessfully, to get Apo a tourist visa to the U.S. It was right after 9/11 so tourist visas were held back for people from the Middle East.
She was able to get him a “fiancée” visa which only lasts for 90 days if you do not get married. They did get married and have been together ever since.
Apo’s parents were not happy with his moving to the U.S. and at first did not know that JT was Jewish.
She is an active member of the local Conservative synagogue, Temple Beth Sholom. Apo finds many similarities between Islam and Judaism, especially around burial procedures, circumcision, head coverings, and
The 2024 Father/Son Clay Court Championships
Dates:
Tuesday Nov.19 with the Ultra Seniors (80’s)
Wednesday, Nov. 20 Super Seniors (70’s)
Thursday, Nov. 21 Seniors (60’s)
Player’s luncheon is served on Thursday as well as dinner that evening.
Friday Nov. 22 Gold ball Pres. (Ultra’s)
Saturday, Nov. 23 Gold Ball Pres. (Super Seniors)
Play throughout the week.
Sunday, November 24 Gold Ball Finals (Seniors) presentation
United States National Championships
Looking for Ambassador’s
Sign up in Pro Shop
Responsibilities:
Welcome your team upon arrival, answering any inquiries.
Follow their matches
Contribute a hot or cold Pot-Luck dish enough for 10 people for the players luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Sign up for whatever you want to bring at the Pro Shop.
Ambassadors do not have to provide housing but are welcome to share comradery with their team and attend the Players Dinner only if your team is attending.
Why not get involved
If you just want to volunteer with the luncheon, or any other activities or be an ambassador, we thank you for your efforts giving the National Father/Son Tournament that special Landings touch.
Please call: Dee Ricapito at 941-356-7912, or Beverly Austgen: 941-685-0469.
B: Yes, it probably did.
J: And given that architecture is a visual medium, I wonder if that led you to your avid pursuit of photography, film and video. It seems like you really found outlets for so many of your passions.
B: I did.
J: Your life as an academic was quite varied. In addition to authoring five books and more than 60 articles about 20 th Century Spanish, Comparative
dietary laws. Apo and JT return to visit Turkey and see family every summer.
Apo loves the United States. He finds life here more organized and easier to make a living. He noted that people in the U.S. follow the rules more so than people in Turkey. He noted that JT has made his transition to life in the US much easier.
While JT and Apo were living in Brooklyn, Apo got a job at a Turkish restaurant in Manhattan. He worked in several high-end restaurants in Manhattan and also worked for a short time as a U.S. Postal Worker.
JT has brothers who live in Naples and Venice. While he and JT were visiting them, they ventured to Sarasota and liked it, eventually selecting a place in The Landings.
They love The Landings for many reasons…. the landscaping, being close to the water, shopping and having a big pool within walking distance.
JT doesn’t drive, so being near a bus stop is also very helpful as is being close to so many cultural venues. Apo is an avid fisherman and loves being able to fish at the gazebo. JT is in the
Literature and Film, you also taught courses in film history, the American Western, Italian Neorealism, writing for film, 20 th Century poetry and drama and so much more!
But, perhaps most unusual, and seemingly unrelated, was your founding the Spanish International Engineering Program at URI. How did that fit into your work?
B: It didn’t! I was coerced by the Engineering Dean into writing a grant to fund a first-of-its- kind undergraduate Spanish international engineering program.
process of starting a book club in The Landings and loves Trivia nights and mahjong. They are making more friends in The Landings. However, Apo hasn’t found many people in our area who are Turkish.
Apo is a very friendly, easy-going guy with a fascinating history. If you see him at the club or at activities in The Landings, introduce yourself and get to know this special Landings resident.
Telly Savales, Yul Brenner and other film industry legends. Madrid was a big hot spot for films at the time. I even played an extra in a few films and got to witness filmmaking firsthand. I had a fantastic time!
Your Landings
Born and raised in The Landings, there is nobody better qualified to handle your residential real estate needs. With over $300 million in residential real estate sold in my career, I have both the local and global connections to get your home sold. My clients receive white glove 24/7 concierge service to ensure a
and positive real estate experience. With a proven track record of exceptional results, I can help you achieve top dollar for your home. Call me today for a free consultation.
Evan Danzig
President’s Report ByJe Smith
Dear Neighbors,
I am writing this letter to you just before our October 17 board meeting . The meeting was postponed due to Hurricane Milton by a week and will be combined with the town hall originally scheduled on that date to discuss the 2025 draft budget.
It’s hard to decide where to start, so much has happened in the last few weeks…TWO HURRICANES WITH ONE BEING A DIRECT HIT FROM A CATEGORY THREE! Without question, the first thought is that we are thankful that we returned to our community where there were no reported injuries. Furthermore, although bruised and battered, what is damaged can be fixed, THE LANDINGS WILL BE RETURNED TO ITS FORMER BEAUTY!
I speak for the Emergency Task Force and your Board of Directors when I say we appreciate the overwhelming support we have received from the community. Our residents put their individual needs aside and supported what was necessary for the good of the community. I personally appreciate the support and willingness of task force and board members to devote countless hours often under stressful situations to aid the recovery of our community.
I would like to address the fiscal impact of both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. We expect the expense associated with Helene to be approximately $50,000 and the expense of Milton to be $230,000. Please understand that while these numbers are estimates, we are confident that there will not be a special assessment relating to these events. This is only possible due to the
emergency storm reserve that we established two years ago.
The next question to address is what impact the storms will have on our continuing operations.
The greatest impact will fall on our security operations with the increased expense of a day rover. The day rover will be necessary because our gates have been further damaged and gate replacement has been delayed by supply chain issues until late December (that will likely mean early January 2025). While this will contribute to a deficit in our 2024 security budget, the effect will be offset by positive performances in other areas. Our finance committee projects that we will exit 2024 with a profit in the $50,000 to $75,000 range.
We must expect there will be delays to our other initiatives. This will include the LINCS initiative (although the delay may be as little as two weeks), the North Gate area landscaping and the removal of dead trees and branches from Bayles Park (there are certainly more now than what we initially planned for).
There will be an impact on the 2025 draft budget. It will be important to reestablish the emergency reserve fund, and we think a level of $300,000 is the minimum level necessary to protect against the need for a special assessment when the next hurricane(s) are experienced.
We can achieve this amount
by combining three sources of funding. The first is by adding $150 storm premium to our 2025 dues. The Finance Committee was recommending a zero increase in dues from 2024 or a total of $1,850 prior to Milton. The addition of $150 will raise our dues to a total of $2,000. We know that many residents will be under financial pressure due to insurance increases as well as other year-end payments, we are offering residents the opportunity to pay 50% of the dues on January 1 and 50% on June 1. The other sources to raise capital for the reserve will be the annual 2024 profit and a reallocation of a part of the owners’ equity. The budget will be voted on at the November 7 board meeting. We encourage your questions leading up to the budget vote. Please contact: treas.LMA@ thelandingsofsarasota.com or pres. LMA@thelandingsofsarasota.com
Thank you for your support.
LMA BOARD
P resident Jeff Smith
Vice President Judy Greene
Secretary Elida Ramberger
Treasurer ..................................... Hans Hawrysz
Director Sue Camins
Director Eddie Goldstein
Director Louis Goncalves
Director Jackie Massari
Director ....................................... John Schmidt
Property Manager — Pinnacle Management Company Emily Riddle
LMA COMMITTEES & CONTACTS: A ssociation President Circle (APC) Liason Suzanne BeDell
Digital Communications Eddie Goldstein
Eagle Newspaper Norman Olshansky
Emergency Task Force .................... Jeff Smith
Environmental Maralyn Kaufman
Finance Hans Hawrysz
Governance John Schmidt
Hazardous Waste and Community Hauling Harvey Greller
Kayaks Jackie Massari
Lakes and Drainage Jeff Smith
LINCS Taskforce (Info for Communication/ Security- Jeff Smith, Judy Greene, Eddie Goldstein
Website.......................................... Eddie Goldstein
For contact information, see Landings Resident Website: residents.thelandingsofsarasota.com
The (Co-ed) LRC Movie Book Club
ByJeana“JT” aler
The Landings Racquet Club (LRC) is launching the “LRC Movie Book Club (co-ed). The group will meet monthly on second Tuesdays from October through May. Like typical book clubs, a small group will discuss a selected book, schmooze and snack.
Three things make us very different!
- The book has been made into a movie, TV series or documentary. We can watch and / or read the selection.
- Participants can take turns selecting a novel or nonfiction.
- Co-ed rather than women-only.
The chairperson is Jean Thaler (“JT”), new to The Landings but a life-long bookworm. JT retired from capital markets auditing at BNP Paribas in New York and previously was a bank examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She majored in Near Eastern Languages & Literatures and earned her MA in International Affairs.
Currently she pursues hobbies such as stock investing and
Egyptology. JT is looking for a co- chair; any interested LRC members could reach out to her.
The first selection is “The Lincoln Lawyer” by Michael Connelly (2005). The movie from 2011, having the same title, features an all-star cast: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, John Leguizamo, Michael Pena, Bryan Cranston and William H Macy. The book and movie DVD can be borrowed at the Sarasota libraries. The paperback or audio book can be purchased for about $10. The movie can be streamed at Paramount Plus, Apple TV or YouTube. A new Netflix series –confusingly with the same title –pertains to sequels. Nevertheless, participants could get an idea of the book by watching this Netflix series.
Our first meeting is scheduled on November 12 from 7 to 8 pm at the LRC. Please sign up at the LRC office. Beverages and snacks can be contributed by participants.
Future dates: December 10; January 14; February 11; March
Coffee Klatch at the Racquet Club
By:DeeRicapito
Coffee is more than a drink at The Landings. Friends walk, ride bikes or drive over to the Racquet Club twice a month to enjoy meeting up with friends and neighbors to enjoy a morning coffee in the Pool Side Clubhouse together along with fruit, pastries, and conversation.
Our Coffee Klatch seems to be a tradition started so many years ago no one remembers exactly when and how it began.
All other days, the Racquet Club offers members complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate on the pool deck, from 6:30 to 11:30 am. Some drink it alone or take it with them.
We all want our coffee first thing in the morning. Coffee drinkers have many options for their coffee: with or without cream, strong or light, and hot or with ice cubes. No matter how you prefer your coffee, it is a bond that unites us.
Coffee is not just a beverage; it is deeply woven into the cultural
fabric of many societies. The coffee culture continues to evolve, with innovations in brewing technology. (Just get in line at Starbucks). Overall, coffee remains a beloved drink, with a rich history dating back centuries. The earliest evidence of coffee drinking as a modern beverage is from the middle of the 15th century in Yemen.
11; April 8; and May 13. Suggestions for future titles have included: The Perfect Couple; My Brilliant Friend; Like Water for Chocolate; Breakfast at Tiffany’s; All The Light We Cannot See; and The Devil in the White City.
Questions or indications of interest may be e-mailed to jeanathaler@gmail.com with the subject line LRC Movie Book Club.
Tennis Events Calendar
“Welcome to all LRC members. Here is our tennis events through the end of the 2024 season. We have a nice schedule of fun activities for all level of play. All ofour pros, Mo, Jen, and Sandra are here and ready to help your game move to the next level.”
November 8- triples
November 19-24- National Senior Father/Son Clay Court Champioships
December 6- triples
December 20- “college football” round robin & exhibition ($7.50 pp/ refreshments provided)
Please contact the front desk to sign up if you would like to participate.
advertisers.
Contact the Landings “Fish Whisperer” to learn how to
Reviewed
July 14, 2024
Robert C., Florida
This a cool little spot in a strip mall on Tamiami Trail. There's ample parking and a couple of tables outside under the store rooftop. Inside is a nice dining room and bar seating facing the kitchen. A small "market" with fresh fish and shellfish is located at the rear of the dining room. Very casual. We were in for lunch and there was only one server, but service was excellent throughout and she was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and products like the canned non-alcoholic beverages.
We started with Devon's Lump Crab Cake which lacks any filler as advertised. Basically held together with some mayo and served with a grilled lemon and house remoulade. Delicious! We took two home!
I ordered the grilled triple tail (any fresh fish available grilled or blackened) on a melt in your mouth brioche bun with a little tartar sauce. Excellent!
My wife went with grilled snapper tacos and she was very happy.
Of course, we saved room for the famous key lime pie which was undoubtedly the best key lime pie we have ever encountered.
They have a good wine list and beer selection as well as some interesting non-alcoholic choices! If you're looking for fresh fish, GO!
From the Market
Large selection of fresh seafood
Stone Crab Season Starts October 15th
President’s Report ByBethCotner
In late October, The Landings was impacted by two major hurricanes.
Hurricane Helene, the first storm, did not significantly impact the club. Despite losing a few trees our development and club were largely unscathed.
Then came Hurricane Milton, a hurricane that was projected to make a direct hit in Sarasota. The club lost
Manager’s Report ByKevinLechlitner
For our seasonal residents who spend their summers away from Sarasota, welcome back! Some have already returned, and others will be heading back soon.
We had crazy busy summer full of capital improvement projects while you were away.
trees, power, and suffered some damaged canopies but the overall impact was much less than expected. Many residents, however, had flooding and wind damage. I’d like to give a big thank you to Kevin and the staff who quickly cleaned up any debris resulting from both storms. Following the hurricane on Thursday, our tennis courts reopened on Sunday!
If you see Hans and Marcus (and Kevin) at the club, please thank them for their efforts. On a positive note, pickleball is now in full swing, team tennis is ramping up, trivia teams are back in force, Rummikub groups are back in action, and we look forward to the many activities that the club offers. Don’t forget the Octoberfest dinner at the end of the month.
Our club elections are in January. If you would like to run for the board, please submit a brief resume and a summary of why you would like to be on the board, to Kevin prior to the end of the month.
Thanks to everyone who helped both the club and our neighbors during these traumatic times.
The Poolside Clubhouse and Fitness Center both received new roofs. The Poolside Clubhouse also had the kitchen renovated, new tables and chairs added, a new A/C unit and the attic was foam sealed.
The Lakeside Clubhouse bathrooms were also renovated.
Lakeside received new carpet and couches, too. The four canopies on the tennis courts were replaced. On top of that, we performed the annual court resurfacing on all the tennis courts.
News From the Court
ByAdrian“Mo”Moghina
We are all very grateful that after Hurricane Milton’s eyewall slammed directly into our community, we can still recognize our neighborhoods and club. I want to thank our hard- working staff that helped to prepare for the storm and then did the necessary repairs to get our facilities back and running almost immediately after the storm. Kevin made all the reasonable decisions and arrangements and then also helped Hans, Marco, and Leo get the club ready.
They did a phenomenal job as they do daily to secure our facilities. We are so lucky to have such a hardworking professional staff. I also want to thank Ron Pierce, Wayne Trotter, Jary Ernberger and Judi Smith for helping clean up after the hurricane.
I remember about 20 years ago how most of the experts in the tennis world thought that teenagers would never win grand slams again. They said that the players were getting bigger, stronger, faster and smarter because they were playing until their mid or late 30’s.
All of that is true but they forgot to consider the advances in equipment such as better strings and racquets that are continually improving about every three years or so. Players of any age now can have easy power, more control and
accuracy than ever before.
Also, there has been advances with the most important factors for success which are footwork, technique, timing and simple strategy. It is impossible to swing as hard as golfers and baseball players and keep the ball in consistently without effective and efficient footwork, technique, timing and aiming at clear big targets.
The younger players are watching the ball correctly and timing it to impart the appropriate spin that they need for their chosen shot selection and big targets. Plus, their footwork and movement is very simple but effective. Additionally, a clear understanding of the advances in the modern technique gives them the confidence and appropriate relaxation level to play their best tennis consistently.
The teenagers that have won grand slams in the last few years such as Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Bianca Andreescu, Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek have benefited from all these advances in our sport. Most of them won grand slams before coaching was allowed in tennis.
Don’t forget to come watch the exciting father and son tournament starting on Tuesday Nov. 19 through Sunday Nov. 24. See you on the courts
Then, the storms came. Hurricane Helene was a close call for us. Not long after that, Hurricane Milton headed our way. In fact, the eye of the storm went directly over The
Landings. Even so, I still think we were very lucky at the club. As expected, we had a lot of tree debris. Thankfully, we didn’t have any storm surge here. The buildings held up well. Milton did tear down the new tennis court canopies that were just installed a few weeks before. Other than that, the damage at the club was minimal. Beginning November 1, the “Peak Time” rule goes back into effect. It states that if you have a guest in your group at 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. you can only reserve the court one day in advance. Please see me in the Tennis Pro Shop if you have any questions about the Club’s guest policy.
November 2024
WEEKLY TENNIS CLINICS
Fine Art Show
Letter to the Editor
As we know, Helene caused major flooding issues with tragic consequences. The Landings fortunately fared very well – with avoidable exceptions. Some owners of electric vehicles did not heed requests to move their cars out of garages and to higher ground. They were cautioned about the danger of salt water short circuiting their vehicles’ lithiumion batteries and making them prone to explosion. These people paid heavily as their vehicles, from hybrids to Tesla’s, were flooded with salt water and are unlikely to be fixable. While non-electric vehicles were also flooded and destroyed, those leaving hybrid and electrical vehicles in their garages put all Landings residents at potential fire risk. The dangers of flooded electric vehicles, including cars, scooters, bicycles and golf carts, is not over yet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lithium-ion batteries that have been flooded with salt water can ignite up to several weeks, or even months, after battery damage. They urge all owners whose vehicles have been flooded to move them to higher ground at least 50 feet from any structure and arrange to have them safely towed away. Do not drive a flooded vehicle or attempt to connect it to a charger.
According to Palm Harbor Fire Rescue, only the vehicle’s manufacturer, such as Tesla, may be certified to safely repair the vehicle. It is unsafe to have it modified by anyone but the manufacturer. Fire Rescue says that if an electric scooter, golf cart or bicycle gets flooded it cannot be operated and must be hauled away by a private sector recycling company. Do not bring it to the local recycling facility or place it in a recycling bin.
Landings South VI Condo Association
adopted rules and regulations at their October meeting addressing this critical issue. They state that electric and hybrid cars cannot be parked in garages whenever a tropical storm, hurricane, storm surge or flooding event is either forecasted or occurs. Additionally, those vehicles must be moved at least 50 feet away from buildings. South VI has the authority to tow, at the owner’s expense, any vehicle not abiding by this regulation. If the Unit Owner, resident or guests ignore this rule and their car catches fire the Unit Owner, resident or guests who violated this rule will be held financially responsible for all damages incurred.
Additionally, South VI rules that scooters, bicycles and golf carts with lithium-ion batteries cannot be stored in garages or condos at any time because they have proven to be a very serious fire risk. The only exceptions are wheelchairs and mobility scooters with certified lithium or lithium-ion batteries.
There were several electric vehicle-caused fires during Helene. One home on Siesta Key and a few homes in Tampa Bay were destroyed. This is a very serious matter and calls for being responsible, good neighbors. Given the frequency and magnitude of storms this is a good time to revisit your condo or homeowners’ association documents to consider adding precautionary measures to your rules and regulations. Better yet, perhaps the LMA should consider adopting community-wide regulations concerning lithium-ion battery-based vehicles so that all Landings residences are protected.
The Landings’ Bob Manteiga - A Man of Multiple Talents!
Much to my surprise the grant came through, and I served as the program’s Director for ten years, while also teaching courses in my specialty areas.
J: What did that program involve?
B: We developed ties with international firms in Spain and Latin America; established internships for our students; and initiated international exchange programs in engineering with foreign universities.
J: Did you ever sleep?
B: I did but I was extremely busy, and doing a lot of travel to meet with CEOs of companies who funded our program and hired our students as interns.
J: And yet somehow you also found time to pursue your passion for photography. Tell me about that.
B: I always had a passion for both
landscape and street photography. In the 70s I workedas a freelance photographer for Paramount Picture Cards in Rhode Island.
J: What exactly is street photography and street art?
B: Well, you’ll have to come to my exhibit in November to learn more!
Essentially, street photography is a photographic genre that records everyday activities in public spaces.
It’s more than just documenting. It captures a fleeting yet eternal moment in time.
Street art, a term I coined, adds a distinctive artistic element to what could otherwise be a mundane scene. They both actively engage viewers in the creative process.
J: Many of us at the Landings have come to appreciate your wonderful photographs of birds. Why street
photography and street art?
B: I am fascinated by this genre and have been pursuing it for many years. While it’s still photography, it has an action component to it. So, it relates to my love of film as well.
J: Tell me about your upcoming exhibit.
B: ‘From Street Photography to Street Art, a Photographic Journey’ runs from Saturday, November 2 through November 30 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. each Saturday. During those times I will share my understanding and insights about this genre. It’s free and open to the public. Arts Advocates Gallery is a wonderful venue at the Crossings in Siesta Mall.
J: That sounds like a great opportunity for photography lovers to enjoy your work and learn from and about you.
B: Yes. I hope our Landings residents will come and bring their friends.
J: Before we finish up, tell me how you met Teresa and a bit about your daughter, Sara.
B: I met Teresa while visiting Salamanca one summer. She had a Master’s Degree in English Philology and was working as a tutor for the URI study abroad program. We started dating. Independently of that, the director of the program invited her to get her Master’s Degree in Hispanic Studies at URI and she accepted. After continuing to date in the U.S. we ultimately married!
J: Tell me about your daughter.
B: Sara is an incredible artist and a scientist. She works as a Ph.D. research scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston. We’re very proud of her.
J: So, what does the future hold for you Bob?
B: I want to continue deepening my skills as a photographer and videographer. I also love to cook and pair fine wines with my dishes. Plus, of course, Teresa and I thoroughly enjoy living at The Landings and all it has to offer.
J: Thanks so much Bob. I look forward to attending your opening at Arts Advocates this month.
Since June, The Landings has withstood four exceptional weather events: the June “Epic Rain Event”, Hurricane Debbie, Hurricane Helene, and the direct hit from Category 3 Milton. Each of these storms had different impacts resulting in damage ranging from minimal to major.
Fortunately, all the storms had one thing in common; they resulted in no injuries or loss of life here in The Landings and for that we are thankful!
June Epic Rain Event: June 11
What
- More than 10 inches of rain is recorded here at The Landings.
Categorized as a 1 in 200-year event
- More than 8 inches of rain fell in one hour (as recorded at Sarasota/ Bradenton airport). Categorized as a 1 in 500-1,000-year event
Impact for e Landings
- Flooding in the overflow area of Treehouse Lake
- Street flooding when drains were clogged
Mitigating circumstances
- Drainage Canals had been recently serviced with clear unimpeded path to the mangroves
- All lakes were at record low levels and able to absorb a majority of the storm run off
Hurricane Debbie: August 5 What
- More than 12 inches of rain were recorded in The Landings. Yet, another 1 in 200- year event seven weeks after the last 1 in 200-year event.
Impact
- Some flooding in areas of the Treehouses and street flooding
- Record flooding in and around Phillippi Creek (our southern border is Phillippi Creek).
Mitigating circumstances
- Despite Phillippi Creek rising five feet above its normal level (at The Landings) and a rapid and forceful current, the Creek held its banks here because of our mangroves that buffer the creek acted like a natural storm wall channeling the flow away from the top of our banks… but just barely!
The rainfall came in waves allowing time in between for the stormwater to flow through our drainage system.
- This was primarily a storm surge event. We measured between a minimum of 5.5 feet and 7.0 feet although wind and saturated ground contributed to numerous fallen trees
Impact
- Major flooding and damage at lower elevations in The Landings.
Mitigating circumstances
- Maximum surge occurred at low tide
- A low rain event, so that during surge, when drainage system will not work, our lakes were able to contain storm run off
Hurricane Milton: October 9
What
- A direct hit of a Major Category 3 Hurricane. Primarily a wind event but with a storm surge equal to Helene.
Impact
- Downed limbs/trees throughout The Landings impacting all roads. Roof damage throughout The Landings. Major flood and erosion damage for lower lying areas.
Mitigating Circumstances
- Last minute shift southward of landfall to Siesta Key instead of Tampa, shifted max surge southward to Englewood (devasting surge) instead of us.
Max surge came at low tide.
Lessons Learned: After the clean up for “Milton”, your board will review all aspects of all storms to determine what further steps we can take as a community to best prepare to withstand the “new norm” regarding the intensity of storms during the hurricane season. There are a few lessons we already know: Heed evacuation notices, do all we can to harden our drainage system and to continue to pull together as a community when the going gets tough. This summer, The Landings did just that and it’s a big reason why though bruised and battered we will restore The Landings to its former beauty.
Extended power outage for all The Landings. Two sewer lift stations and one sanitary street drain overflowed. Will take weeks for the clean up and before we are completely back to normal.
Landings Directory
These are new owner(s) in The Landings: - Marc & Martha Grinberg, 1598 Landings Terrace
For current owner information, use the online resident directory on The Landings
website. www.residents.thelandingsofsarasota.com as your source for current resident directory listings and other Landings information. Directory information is updated on the
site no less often than weekly and changes are made to other Landings information when available. If you want current information, use our website’s Resident Directory!
We encourage every resident to check their online directory listing for accuracy. Additions, changes, or corrections to the online directory may be requested by clicking on Update Your Profile.
What to know about new flood insurance rules
ByDavidMcMahon,MBA,AI AtlasInsurance
Living in such a beautiful and picturesque community comes with its perks and its responsibilities. Staying informed about ood insurance is essential to safeguarding your homes and keeping your neighborhood in top shape. Flood risks and insurance policies have changed, so it’s important to understand what’s new and how it a ects you. We know that the transition from FEMA’s legacy Flood Insurance Rating 1.0 system, which primarily based premiums on ood zone and Base Flood Elevations, to the new Risk Rating 2.0 system has been confusing and, in many cases, has resulted in higher rates. is new system uses multiple factors to assess individual property risk, marking a signi cant change. e purpose of this article is to outline these changes, understand the new rating variables, and provide some additional resources for future reference.
Flood 1.0: e Legacy System at Essentially Failed Flood 1.0, the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) original rating system, has been around since 1968 and has taken a lot of heat for being outdated and unfair. It based premiums on three rating variables: ood map and corresponding zone, base ood elevation, and foundation type. is old-school approach o en led to some pretty wonky risk assessments and mismatched premiums. So, some folks ended up with sky-high rates, while others paid way too little, no matter their actual ood risk.
Flood 2.0: “Equity in Action” - Higher Rates
Seeing the aws in Flood 1.0, the NFIP rolled out Risk Rating 2.0, or Flood 2.0, to make things
fairer and more accurate.
is new system, called “equity in action,” uses cutting-edge tech and data to evaluate the risk of each property individually. Sure, this might mean higher premiums for some, but it ensures that everyone pays a rate that truly re ects their speci c risk, making the whole program fairer and more sustainable (at least in theory).
e Rating Variables: Flood 1.0 Versus Flood 2.0
Switching from Flood 1.0 to Flood 2.0 changes the game in how ood risks are assessed, and premiums are calculated.
Here are the main di erences:
Flood 1.0:
- Based on three factors: ood zones, base ood elevation, and foundation type.
- Limited variables considered, leading to inaccurate risk assessment.
Flood 2.0:
- Utilizes more precise data for algorithm, considering more these key variables:
- Distance to Flood Sources and Flood Type (Coastal, Storm Surge, Heavy Rainfall)
- Building Occupancy (Single Family vs. 2-4 Family Bldg.)
- Construction type (Frame or Masonry)
- Foundation Type (Slab vs. Elevated)
- Ground Elevation
- First Floor Height Above Ground Level
- Number of Floors
- Prior Claims (At Renewal a er First Loss)
- Cost to Rebuild (Appraised Value)
- Provides a more tailored risk assessment and premium calculation.
VENUS MED SPA
#1 MED SPA IN THE COUNTRY
PROUD SPONSOR FOR 8 YEARS!
FOUNDED IN SARASOTA, FL 2009. BY BILL CLARKE, LANDINGS RESIDENT
- Notably, ood zone and Base Flood Elevation (BFE) are no longer rating factors.
Realities of the Flood Zone: Does Flood Zone Mean Anything?
With Flood 2.0, traditional ood zones still matter for indicating areas with di erent levels of ood risk, but they’re not the only factor anymore. ink of ood zones as just one piece of the puzzle. e new system dives deeper, considering a bunch of di erent factors to set your premium. So, even if you and your neighbor are in the same ood zone, your premiums might be di erent. Your property’s unique features – such as distance to water can make all the di erence.
Don’t be surprised if your ood insurance bill doesn’t match your neighbor’s—it’s all part of the new, more personalized approach. What to Expect from Premiums
As FEMA rolls out Risk Rating 2.0, you might notice your premiums creeping up a bit each year, capped at 18% per year for most properties. is will continue until you hit what’s called the Full Risk Rate, which is basically the premium that truly re ects your property’s ood risk. Once you reach this point, your premiums should level o , and you won’t see those yearly hikes anymore. Basically, the risk is actuarily sound.
e Landings Community Flood Status Alright, let’s talk about the ood status here in The Landings and why it matters for your insurance. Here’s a real-life example: Under the old Flood 1.0 system, the community was in a ood zone. e ood maps changed in Sarasota in March, shi ing each building out of the ood
zone. Despite this, a er careful review (including a discussion with the association’s lawyer), the community Board of Directors decided to keep their ood insurance. Why? Because the risk of ooding didn’t change, particularly one of the most important variables – distance to ood source. is just goes to show that even if the ood zone label changes, the actual ood risk can still be pretty signi cant. So, it’s crucial to stay on top of how these changes a ect you.
e Bottom Line
As The Landings gets used to the changes brought by Flood 2.0, it’s important to know how these updates a ect your ood insurance. e new system is all about giving you a fair and accurate premium that really matches your property’s risk. Make sure you stay on top of things by checking your policy, understanding your ood risk, and having the right coverage to protect your home and belongings.
With the community being close to water, you’re at risk of ooding from heavy rain or storm surges. Having good ood insurance means you’re all better prepared to bounce back a er a ood, keeping your property values up and your neighborhood looking great.
Resources:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Rate Explanation Guide
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Risk Rating 2.0 Methodology and Data Resources
ByBettyGreenspan
Wow, what a wild few weeks it has been! We returned to Florida just before Helene arrived and were confronted with a very important decision!
We had installed hurricane windows but uncertainty lingered about whether to stay or evacuate. Luckily, e Landings seldom loses power so we were pretty sure we wanted to stay as long as the storm stayed o shore. We did stay for Helene and were perfectly fine but only after many scary hours of waiting and watching TV and, luckily, the power stayed on THAT TIME!
When faced with an oncoming hurricane, the decision to evacuate or stay in your home can be overwhelming and one with signi cant pros and cons to consider.
Evacuating:
Pros:
Safety is the primary advantage of evacuation. By leaving the area, you signi cantly reduce the risk of injury or death from storm surge, ooding, and high winds. Evacuation also alleviates the stress of enduring the storm and its immediate a ermath, which as we well know, can include prolonged power outages, water supply issues, and possibly shortages of basic necessities.
Cons:
Those who remain may face extended periods without power, water, or access to essential services. On a positive note, a er the storm has passed, the challenge of returning to e Landings due to tra c jams, as well as the gas shortages we have seen, is negligible. I spoke to several
residents who had stayed, and the consensus was that it was terrifying and they would never do it again!!
Actually, we were lucky that the storm passed directly over Siesta Key sparing us the dangers of higher rain amounts, flooding and more ferocious winds!
I tried to nd ights out of Sarasota two days before the storm’s arrival but was unsuccessful…Motto, get out while the getting’s good! EARLY!
We ended up evacuating to Palmer Ranch where we were extremely lucky to have electricity and cable!
Still, the experience was harrowing.
I was able to record the howling wind that sounded eerily like screaming cats. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to share that recording!
Recommendations:
Create a Communication Plan
• Designate an out-of-area contact person for family members to check in with
• Share cell phone numbers for texting, as texts may go through when calls don’t
• Consider how you’ll communicate if there’s no cell service or landlines
• I understand that the new iPhone 16 has satellite capabilities with Star Link (wow, I’m getting the new iPhone)
Prepare Emergency Supplies
• Pack a “go bag” with essentials like medications, important documents, and basic supplies. I always include battery packs for charging cell phones and iPads
• Create a more comprehensive disaster supplies kit for extended evacuations
• Include items for pets, if applicable
Account for Special Needs
• Plan for family members with disabilities or medical conditions
• Consider how to evacuate pets safely
Stay Informed
• Sign up for local emergency notication systems
• Know where the designated Landings evacuation areas are
• Keep a battery-powered or handcrank radio for updates
Document and Practice
• Create a written evacuation checklist
• Conduct evacuation drills with your family to identify and address any issues
By following these steps and regularly reviewing and updating your plan, you can ensure a more e ective and e cient evacuation when necessary. Remember, the key is to be prepared before an emergency occurs.
While I o en tune into the Weather Channel, I nd it can be overwhelming at times. For reliable weather updates on Facebook, I recommend Mike’s Weather Page (MWP) and Denis Phillips’ page—both are excellent resources while tracking storms.
A big THANK YOU to our Volunteer Emergency Task Force who keeps us informed!! Doug Booth, Louis Conclaves, Judy Green, Elida Ramberger, Paul Weiner and Je Smith! Hurricane fatigue is for real and truly takes a toll and is mentally, physically and emotionally draining. Stay Safe!
The Beauty of African Birds ByStevePoyta
Mona and I, along with Neil and Sharon Goldman and two other couples, recently returned from three weeks in Southern Africa.
After flying into Johannesburg, South Africa our journey began at Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, staying in a tented game lodge. We then travelled to tented game lodges in Kafue, Zambia, and then Chobe and the Okavango Delta in
Botswana.
Our daily routine included safari game drives very, very early each morning, then relaxing at the lodge before another late afternoon adventure. Led by amazingly knowledgeable guides, the breadth of elephants, giraffes, wart hogs, hippos, myriad varieties of antelopes, zebras, baboons, monkeys, lions and even several leopards were
breathtaking.
My highlight that very first day was a large pride of lions casually strolling within feet of our open-air Land Cruiser and seven very scared observers. Experiencing these countries’ cultures, we spent an afternoon at a traditional rural village and enjoyed a family hosted dinner.
Next, we ventured to Victoria Falls at these countries’ intersection to
experience this magnificent wonder of the world, all framed by a beautiful rainbow.
Finally, we flew to Cape Town, South Africa where we explored Table Mountain, learned about Nelson Mandela and the horrors of Apartheid, tasted the wines of Stellenbosch, and enjoyed the penguins around the Cape of Good Hope. All in all, an amazing adventure. Easy to overlook amidst these animals of all sizes and shapes, were some of the most beautiful birds imaginable. I wish I was a better photographer to catch these birds in flight, but this was as good as I could capture. Enjoy!
ENGAGE ABUNDANTLY
Discover the heart of vibrant community living at Bay Village, where welcoming connections flourish and friendships blossom.
Please call us at 941.966.5611 to schedule a tour and learn more. Scan the QR Code to visit our website.
ByMackenizePalmer
Experiencing and creating art are two of the
Patty Narozny, Founder & Executive Producer of Hot Works Fine Art & Craft Shows not only enjoys art as a hobby, but also as her job. She has been doing this since 2003, though art wasn’t always her job. Initially, Narozny’s background was media and special events. She has a corporate finance degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
“I found out very fast that I didn’t like the corporate world,” Narozny said. “I worked at NBC in Detroit, and I worked at the Metro Times, an alternative news weekly so that’s how I learned how to work with the media,” she said.
Narozny soon figured out that she didn’t like her job at NBC and started looking for jobs she was interested in.
“I got experience working major events and then decided to start one show, the Orchid Lake Fine Arts Show in Michigan in 2003,” said Narozny, “I started that, and now it’s in West Bloomfield, Michigan and is voted in the top 100 shows in America.”
An artist who has unfortunately passed, Roy Schallenberg, did Narozny’s first Orchid Lake Fine Arts Show and he told her to, “quit working these other events, we need you.”
Narozny said, “Roy started helping me, as I had no art show background, but I had event experience and media experience. I had a great team of people who went to all the shows and solicited for me.”
The Sarasota shows started in November 2020. The government didn’t know anything about COVID yet, so they didn’t get their permit until seven days before the show.
“I had to plan the whole show, but couldn’t take any money, while the media was saying that everything is on hold until we have permission to go,” Narozny said. “Then we put the show together in seven days. I knew I could do that… we saved a lot of artists. We did it because it was our profession and our expertise.”
“We were able to slam in five shows at Phillippi Estate Park during
COVID when the rest of the country was shut down,” Narozny said. “We were outside, social distancing, and wearing the appropriate mandated face masks. That’s how this location got started.”
If you are interested in attending one of Hot Works Fine Art & Craft Shows you won’t have to wait long for them to come to you. There will be a Fine Art Show at Phillippi Estate Park November 16-17 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. This show will feature the work from diverse group of artists at their booths.
According to Narozny, “The media or discipline of art includes everything: paintings, sculptures, clay, glass, cyber, jewelry, wood, mixed media, and photography. Also, digital is a category now.”
There is something there for everyone. All work is original and personally made by the artists in the show. Top notch artists are a part of this event.
One of these artists is Micheal Coronius who is driving down from Michigan. He creates gorgeous chairs and is the featured artist of this show.
The show will have limited food available and working restrooms at the gazebos.
“The $5 parking ticket gets you a receipt to write off for the nonprofit and it gets you in and out access,” Narozny said. “If you come to the show and want to go home and think about it, you can come back without having to pay for parking a second time.”
The November show will also feature a Youth Art Competition involving kids ages 5-13.
“It’s a way we expose students to the rules and entrepreneurship opportunity of doing art shows for a living,” Narozny said. “We want to let them know that they can do something that they love for a living. The earlier they get started in life, the better.”
The application is available at Hotworks.org and it is $3 to enter up to two pieces of art. The artist can apply up to a week before the show, and the kids’ art is publicly displayed in the art show the weekend of the show. On Sunday at 3 p.m. the awards will be presented and there will be $250 in kids awards with four big prize ribbons.
If you are looking for something to do as a family during the fall or even by yourself, go to Phillippi Estate Park and visit the tons of artists waiting to show you what they can do.
Do you have brothers and sisters? I have one sister, Zoey. She is my twin.
How o en do you visit e Landings? Every few months
What do you like most about The Landings?
Cookie’s (Sandy) house because I love Cookie!
Favorites:
Ice cream: Orange Cream
School subject: Lunch
Book/s: Captain Underpants
Video game: Lego 2K Drive
Sport: Soccer
Sports Team: Real Madrid
Color: Orange
Song: Anything by One Republic
Movie: Despicable Me 4
Food: Sushi
Least favorite food: Chili
Holiday: Halloween
What do you do in your spare time? Legos
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Lego Worker
What clubs are you a part of? Golf
Do you take any lessons? Golf
What is your “go – to” candy or chocolate bar?
Reese’s
What advice would you give your parents? For mommy to have more discipline
If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring? Legos, food, and water
What famous person would you like to meet and have lunch with? Robert Downy, Jr. because he’s Ironman
If you could change anything about your school, what would it be? Longer recess
If you could wake up tomorrow with a superpower, what superpower would you want to have? I’d want to be able to y.
If you could have any three wishes granted, what would they be? For mom not to have epilepsy, for in nity wishes, and for us to have a million dollars
One thing you have always wanted to do but haven’t yet? Go to a Lego store
What is your biggest worry? Mom’s epilepsy
Where is your favorite place to be? My room playing with Legos
What are you good at? Legos
If you were invisible for a day, what would you do? Have in nite ice cream
If you had a million dollars, what would you spend it on? Finishing our basement
What makes you happy when you’re sad? Candy
What is the greatest thing ever invented? Candy
What’s the greatest thing about being you? Having a good mommy
What are your plans for anksgiving? We will be together in Sarasota
Pogona
Vitticeps
Perhaps the most popular pet lizard, bearded dragons are originally from the deserts of central Australia. “Bearded” refers to the expandable flap of skin under their chin that turns black when they are stressed, displaying dominance or being territorial. They are usually even-tempered, docile, easy to tame, bond closely with their caretakers and are generally hardy when cared for properly.
Typical appearance and behavior
• Tolerates handling and interaction with humans
• 10,000 feet of showrooms
• 25,000 gallons of freshwater, salt water and coral.
• In nature, their skin is tan-colored, but they have been bred for a variety of di erent colors and patterns
Communicate with each other through gestures such as “arm waving” in which they lift a front leg and wave it back and forth in submission to another lizard They also bob their heads as part of their mating ritual or to display dominance
• Will spend their day in a hiding spot, basking and climbing.
Happiness is…Serving Joy
At Abel's Ice Cream, they believe that ice cream isn't just a treat for kids—it's a universal joy. Their mission is to bring smiles to people of all ages with their delicious flavors and friendly service.
And as we finally transition into the Fall season, the folks at Abel's are excited to offer seasonal favorites that are sure to warm your heart. Dive into a cup or cone of Maple Walnut (Sweet Maple ice cream loaded with walnuts.) or indulge in Carrot Cake (The ultimate Carrot Cake recipe…Carrot Cake ice cream with fresh walnuts and a thick ribbon of cream cheese frosting.)
Whether you're young or young at heart, Abel's Ice Cream has something special just for you. Come by their shop to experience the happiness that only a great scoop of ice cream can bring.
Abel's Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at www.abelsicecream.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
The Landings Transforms
ByDeeRicapito
Armando Delgado | Tucson, AZ
Just For Laughs
Compiledby:DeeRicapito
So,
so busy with your family and your friends; and you’re in the process of getting everything ready, it might be worth taking a step back to experience the joy in it all.
If you find yourself needing a little comic relief then why don’t you go ahead and read these funny (and corny) Thanksgiving jokes? They’ll lighten the mood in no time!
What do you say to the winner of the corn shucking contest? Corn-gratulations. Why are Thanksgiving bread jokes always funny? Because they never get mold. What did the mashed potatoes say to the sweet potatoes? I yam what I yam! Why did the cornbread get in trouble? It wouldn’t stop loafing around.
What do you call a baker who only makes pies? The Pie-oneer Woman. What did one pumpkin pie say to the pecan pie? “You wanna piece of me?” What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta
Did you know the first French fries weren’t actually cooked in France? They were cooked in Greece!
Why should you never tell secrets in a cornfield? Because the corn has ears.
PS: Laughter is the best medicine—and the gravy on top of a special holiday!
Kitchen Ladies Recipe Corner
By:DeeRicapito
Sauerkraut (Easy)
Ingredients:
- 2 packages sauerkraut
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 small apple, quartered
- 1/4 box chicken broth
- 1/2 can beer (optional)
- Seasonings: caraway seeds or dill (optional)
Directions:
- Drain the sauerkraut
- Rinse with water right in the bag
- Pour contents into a saucepan
- Add the apple, sugar, and chicken broth, beer
- Slow cook over medium heat 20-25 minutes
- Add any optional spices (I do not)
- Serves 10 people. Enjoy!
“Leftover” Halloween Humor
Q: What is a ghost’s favorite meal for dinner?
A: Spook-ghetti!
Q: Female ghosts often go on diets. Wanna hear a reason?
A: They’re trying to maintain ghoulish figures.
Now is the best time to sell your home in The Landings. Call Judy and Tara today.
The Landings’ multi-million-dollar-producing team, Judy Greene & Tara Lamb. With world-class marketing, leading resources and local connections, our proven strategies continue to deliver exceptional results for our customers.
