August 2019

Old Sarasota Memories • Life at One Particular Harbour • Boomer Dream Home

the boomer issue scenesarasota.com

AUGUST 2019 $3.95 U.S.

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Robert’s Testimonial on All-On-4 Dental Implants

Click to View Video Tour of Residences

(941) 366-7667 ~ 1301 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida ~ SarasotaBayClub.com

Discover the Many Benefits of Luxury Retirement Living in the Heart of Downtown Sarasota Just minutes from the symphony, the ballet, the opera, and the museum, Sarasota Bay Club is surrounded by a rich array of arts, culture and some of the most incredible dining and shopping on the Florida Gulf Coast. When it comes to choosing the perfect location for your retirement lifestyle, Downtown Sarasota is truly a place of never-ending activity that can be found just outside your door.

Sarasota Bay Club offers exquisite condominium residences featuring a broad selection of expansive floor plans, designed for comfort and convenience, each with its own uniquely gorgeous view.

Sarasota Bay Club boasts an unrivaled list of first-class amenities, including award-winning dining and a wide range of healthcare services, all set in an exclusive resort-style campus overlooking sparkling Sarasota Bay, with Saint Armand’s Circle and Longboat Key just minutes away. You’ll enjoy a wide variety of activities in our state-of-the art theatre, including world-renowned live entertainment, lectures, and a full array of opportunities to enrich your life. For those who demand nothing less than the very finest of lifestyle choices, this is the ultimate retirement address. Right where you want to be!

Please Be Our Guest to Experience the Difference for Yourself!

Call Linda Ware Or Dana Moe At 941-552-3284 To Schedule Your Personal Tour of Sarasota Bay Club Today.

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CONTENTS features

63

37

37 THE BOOMER MEMORY BOOK A look back at an older Sarasota 56 PRIVATE ISLAND PARADISE One Particular Harbour on Anna Maria Island

By Sue Cullen

63 HOME SWEET…DREAM HOME

By Sue Cullen

68 BOOMERS REDEFINE RETIREMENT Plymouth Harbor Attracts a Younger Audience

By Sue Cullen

ON THE COVER Rendering of One Particular Harbor provided by Minto Communities.

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SARASOTA SCENE | AUGUST 2019

The Best Orthopedic Care More Agile As an established regional referral center for Orthopedics, Sarasota Memorial and its experienced surgeons specialize in the most advanced joint repair and replacement procedures.

Now the best Orthopedic care is located on the top floor of our Courtyard Tower.

Private rooms are spacious, healing and high-tech. A new physical therapy gym promotes post-surgery recovery and patients have our highly trained care team as their partners every step of the way. The best orthopedic care is now more agile than ever – and so are our patients.

Look Inside: www.smh.com/ortho

CONTENTS departments

SOCIAL SCENE

20 THE LIST August Events Calendar PARTY PICS

25 Fabric of India Exhibition

INSIDER 26 THE FIND Products That Are Write For You

32 PHILANTHROPY

Isabel Anchin Becker & the Campus of Caring

ON THE TOWN

ART & CULTURE

72 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW Memorable Quotes

By Gus Mollasis

76 EDUCATION MATTERS Creating Leaders at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

97 EAT & DRINK

Foot Stompin’ Eats

by Rick Dakan

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

102 INHEALTH Birth Tissue, Inflammation & Hair Regeneration

By Dr. Joseph Greco

105 LAUGHING MATTERS

BEACH READS 80 SALACIA

By KyKye Kostroun

85 MODERN ROMANCE

By David Galef

The One About BEA & Bookcon (& NYC)

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

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85

92 BEST SEATS Performing Arts Calendar

95 GET INSPIRED

Cultural happenings brought to you by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

100 LITERARY SCENE Interesting and Hot Picks from the Book Expo

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Be Informed Be Entertained Be SCENE scenesarasota.com

from the executive editor

I

I’VE HEARD FROM OTHERS THAT THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT TURNING 65 THAT CHANGES YOU. I didn’t think it would happen to me, but it did.

Reaching this milestone year has caused me to take a reflective look back and a contemplative look forward. I realized that since I took a job as a supermarket cashier when I was 15, I’ve been working. Yes, working 50 years is a long time.

I’ve been very lucky in that every job I have ever done, I’ve enjoyed it immensely—and no job have I enjoyed more than being the publisher and executive editor of Sarasota Scene. I came to Sarasota in 2005 knowing no one except my mom, who has lived here since 1994. That year I would meet my husband, Ron, and two years later in 2007, we would purchase Sarasota Scene. I quickly began to learn a lot about this great community and fell in love with its people and its passion. Yes, there is no doubt that the last 12 years as Scene’s publisher and executive editor have been an incredible part of my life.

The reality is that I have a terrific 92-year-old mother at home who, despite her self-sufficiency, needs some help.

My dear sister underwent treatment for an aggressive cancer this past year, and while I was able to be with her here and there, for me it wasn’t enough. The truth is that life changes, as do needs and priorities.

In order to be a better daughter, sister, and dare I say wife, I realized that it is time for me to step down handling the day-to-day operations of Sarasota Scene and prepare for retirement. Ron agreed. We are delighted to inform you that we have sold Sarasota Scene to Scene’s VP of Sales—and now Publisher—John Knowles.

Having worked with John for the past year, it didn’t take me long to see that he has what it takes to lead our Scene! John is a very experienced media executive with more than 25 years of management and sales experience for several Canadian media companies.

This experience, along with his understanding of the community, respect for the publication and its history, and his ideas to lead Scene into the future make him a great choice to take over.

But wait, there’s more! I said I was prioritizing and preparing for retirement, NOT leaving. You’ll still be hearing from me since I will remain Executive Editor of Sarasota Scene for a while. The difference is that I won’t have to be at the office every day to run things, which is important to me at this stage of my life. I want

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DID YOU KNOW ?

The millennial generation (Americans born between 1982 and 2000) has surpassed the baby boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964) in size.

According to 2015 estimates, millennials numbered 83.1 million compared to 75.4 million baby boomers.

(Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

from the executive editor

to reassure you that the magazine is not changing.

In fact, I have no doubt that it will continue to get better and better under John’s leadership.

Now that you know how old I am and what’s happening in my life, I can think of no better segue than to tell you that this is our Boomer issue.

Morton’s Gourmet Market, circa 1970s.

Ted & Pauline Morton, pictured here with son Eddie, opened their independent grocery in 1969.

Four generations of Mortons have contributed to the store’s success.

Are you a parrot head? Then you’ll definitely want to check out a new Minto community—One Particular Harbour, a 220-acre private island community directly across from Anna Maria Island. Be sure to read Sue Cullen’s story on this unique community, perfect for those who want to enjoy a relaxed yet luxe lifestyle. With its Margaritaville coastal-inspired design, this Boomer haven has 132 residences, its own “particular harbor” with wet and dry boat slips, restaurants, entertainment, shops, club, a fitness center, a big lounge and tons of other amenities.

You must check it out.

Back by popular demand, we feature some blasts from the past—photos from Scene’s archives of local people who, if they still live here today, you may recognize. And to bring you back even more down Memory Lane, we feature some old advertisements that may give you a chuckle and stir happy memories.

Thank You Sarasota!

Love to read? Since we definitely do, we like to give authors a platform to promote their books in our monthly Literary Scene. Similarly, I hope you’ll enjoy our annual Beach Reads—short stories written by local writers that are no more than a few chapters long.

Stop by our store for delicious prepared meals, gourmet goodies, and custom meats and seafood. Enjoy a sweet treat from our bakery or pick up some fine wine or fresh produce.

We hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

We are grateful to all our customers for allowing us to serve them over the past five decades. It is truly an honor to reach this milestone, and we couldn’t have done it without you!

I love chapters. They are what I believe life is made of. I know I’ve got a few good ones left in me. Can’t wait to see what they have in store!

Want to submit some comments or questions? We’d love to hear from you at julie@scenesarasota.com.

Visit Our Market in Historic Southside Village 1924 South Osprey Avenue ∙ Sarasota (941) 955-9856 ∙ MortonsMarket.com

A Sarasota tradition since 1969 14

SARASOTA SCENE | AUGUST 2019

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from the publisher

I

I AM THRILLED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF TO ALL OF YOU AS THE NEW PUBLISHER OF SARASOTA SCENE MAGAZINE. Since 1957, this publication has proudly served our community covering the people, events and happenings that make our town so great. To me, the history and longevity of the magazine is incredible, but it is the future of Sarasota Scene that really excites me.

Let me start with a bit about myself. My career has included more than 25 years of management and sales experience as a media executive with several Canadian companies. Most notably I served as Publisher at Quebecor, where I was responsible for operations, print and distribution of a daily newspaper, five weekly publications and four websites with a readership of over 180,000 households. I also served as Senior Director of digital products for TC Media, where I led sales, operations and product oversight over a $45 million budget.

With the many successes and challenges I’ve had throughout my career, I feel confident in my ability to take Sarasota Scene to even greater heights. There is tremendous growth in our market and Scene will continue to be an important vehicle to assist businesses in their marketing and branding efforts. I am committed to continuing the magazine’s legacy and its popular editorial content, expanding its content and reach across various platforms, and introducing new and exciting marketing opportunities for our advertisers.

So, as I lead this iconic publication into the future, I will be out and about the town quite often. I very much look forward to meeting our loyal readers and advertisers. If you would like to connect with me, you can reach me by calling 941.365.1119, extension 309, or you can email me at john@scenesarasota.com. I’d love to hear from you.

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Locally Owned and Operated Since 1957 Vol. 62 No. 8

Publisher H John Knowles Executive Editor Julie A. Milton Account Executive Alysia De Maio Art Director Darcy Kelly-Laviolette Marketing & Digital Content Jordan Kelly-Laviolette Distribution Mike Straffin Contributing Writers Sue Cullen Jacqueline Miller Gus Mollasis Ryan G. Van Cleave Rick Dakan Sylvia Whitman Contributing & Social Photographer Nancy Guth Contributing Photographers Jordan Kelly-Laviolette Kelly Kearns

443 John Ringling Blvd. Ste. #F, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.365.1119 | Fax: 941.954.5067 | scenesarasota.com H John Knowles LLC, dba SCENE Magazine publishes 12 issues a year. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address.

Sufficient return postage and self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany all manuscripts, artwork and photographs submitted if they are to be returned or acknowledged. Publisher assumes no responsibility for care of return of unsolicited materials. Subscription price: $12.95 per year, $19.95 for two years. All contents copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

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Services We Provide • • • • • • •

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social SCENE

THE LIST PARTY PICS

scenesarasota.com

The LIST

AUGUST 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR Don’t let the weather stop you from enjoying the August festivals and activities happening around town! Take the kids to a learn about sharks at Mote and pioneer days in Englewood. The awesome power of the planetarium is unleashed at The Bishop Museum. Move to the beat of Reverend Barry & The Funk bay front at the Van Wezel. Enjoy a wine walk in Venice, gallery walks and talks at The Ringling, and architectural tours. There’s no Dog Days here.

Just lots of Fun Days!

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August 1 – 2 » The Ringling ROAR! Ringling Order of Art Readers The Ringling’s Education Center 10:30 a.m.

Free | ringling.org

2 » Lakewood Ranch Music on Main 6:00 p.m.

LWR Main St. Free; food and beverage available for purchase. lakewoodranch.com

5 » Art and a Movie: Summer Film Series Ringling Museum Highlighting artists in Interpolations: Artworks from The Ringling and Monda Collections 1:30 p.m. | Free

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7 – 10 » Shark Days at Mote Mote Marine Laboratory Events and activities learning about sharks mote.org

7 – 28 » Yoga in the Gardens Selby Gardens 9:00 a.m.

Peaceful mind/body Yoga experience in the Gardens Adults: $75 | Members: $55 selby.org

8 » The Ringling Gallery Walk & Talk: Dog Days of Summer Ringling Museum Tour discussing paintings and sculptures featuring our favorite furry friends 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Free w/ Admission | ringling.org

8 – 10 » Sarasota Slam Fishing Tournament Marina Jack Proceeds benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation sarasotaslam.com

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6 » AJC’s Summer Lunch & Learn Michael’s On East Guest Speaker Holly R. Huffnagle, Asst. Director AJC, Los Angeles 11:30 a.m. $28 | ajc.org

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10 » The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature KidSpace 10:30 a.m. $5 – $8 | bishopscience.org

10 » Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Back to School Bash JUMP Dance Company 9:30 a.m.

Fun morning for kids with type 1 diabetes and their families Free | tammy.craft4@gmail.com

13 » Conservation Foundation August Evening in Art The Bay Preserve Enjoy Barbara Gerhardt’s exhibit, A Creative Life 5:30 p.m. conservationfoundation.com

13 » Manatee Chamber Business After Hours Firkins Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Mitsubishi 5:00 p.m. $10 | manateechamber.com

14 » The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature think + drink/science 7:00 p.m.

Reservations required $5 – $8 | bishopscience.org

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15 » Venice Main Street Wine Walk Downtown Venice 5:00 p.m. $10 | visitvenicefl.org

16 » Friday Fest Van Wezel Bayfront Lawn Featuring Reverend Barry & The Funk 5:00 p.m. | Free

17 » Sarasota Architectural Foundation Umbrella House Tour 1300 Westway Drive, Sarasota 11:00 a.m. $20 – 40 sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org

17 » Sarasota Architectural Foundation Cocoon House Tour 3575 Bayou Louise Lane, Siesta Key 1:00 p.m. $20 – 40 sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org

8/17 – 9/2 » Englewood Pioneer Days 2019 Family-friendly festival to celebrate the town englewoodpioneerdays.com

18 » Ringling Reflections The Ringling Museum Program designed specifically for people with memory loss and their care partners 10:30 a.m. | Free with Registration AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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Schedule a FREE Assessment!23 » Manatee Chamber

2019 Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards Manatee Performing Arts Center 7:30 a.m. $45 | manateechamber.com

24 » Women’s Equity Day Celebration Luncheon

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The Grove Guest speaker Erika Quartermaine, Circuit Court Judge 11:00 a.m. $35 | lwvsrq.org

24 » Arts and Crafts Fair Mixon Farms 10:00 a.m.

Free | mixon.com

29 » American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kick Off Reception The Ritz-Carlton 5:30 p.m.

Complimentary Valet makingstrideswalk.org/sarasotamanatee

29 » Sarasota Opera Guild Summer Salon III Bird Key Yacht Club Lunch with entertainment by Karen and Chris Romig 11:30 a.m. | $40 sarasotaopera.org/sarasotaguildevents.aspx

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Each office is independently owned and operated.

SEPT 21 | A Taste of Downtown Sarasota Opera House 1:00 p.m.

Benefits the Sarasota Youth Opera $75 | sarasotaopera.org

SEPT 21 | Suncoast Blood Bank 8th Annual Red Hot Event Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 6:30 p.m. $150 | redhottickets.org

SEPT 27 | Roskamp Institute Grey Matters Symposium Ritz Carlton 11:00 a.m. $50 | roskampinstitute.org

V ISI T S CE NESAR ASOTA .COM for the latest social scene party pics.

To submit your event for consideration, please send information to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com

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Virginia & John Harshman

FABRIC OF INDIA EXHIBITION The Ringling’s Circle Members enjoyed a reception celebrating the The Fabric of India exhibition which is on display until October 13 in the Searing Gallery.

The exhibition, which showcases 140 pieces of Indian textile material dating from the 15th century to now, is presented in collaboration with London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The evening concluded with dinner in the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Lecture Hall in the museum’s Center for Asian Art. Steven & Lisa High

Norma & Albert Cohen

COME SEE ...our transition to the future!

There has never been a more exciting time to become a member of Longboat Key Club! Find out what’s new and what’s on the horizon. With so many new and exciting amenities and events, you will want to make Longboat Key Club your club lifestyle.

Arrange your private tour today by calling 941.387.1661 or email Membership@ LongboatKeyClub.com

AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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1

Elysian Fields

insider

2

The FIND

Just Because

WE FOUND SOME PRODUCTS THAT ARE JUST WRITE FOR YOU!

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Bookstore 1

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insider 4

Malbi Decor

5

Shelly's Gifts

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Write-On AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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the perfect

August 10

gift

insider 1. PAPERBLANKS LEATHER JOURNALS Handmade leather gilded journals inspired by artists and cultural movements from different eras and cultures.

Elysian Fields $15.95 – $29.95 elysianfieldsonline.com

gift

2. PENCIL SET Made in the USA from all recycled material, comes with glass case that turns into a terrarium.

Just Because $12 | justbecausesarasota.com

3. UP WITH PAPER LUXE POP-UP NOTECARDS

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Summer Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Unique collection of paper engineered boxed notes sold in keep sake box set of eight with envelopes.

Bookstore1 $15 | sarasotabooks.com

4. RIVIERE LEATHER LUXURY BOX Italian handcrafted leather box with acrylic cover, bamboo handle and woven interior.

Malbi Décor $525 | malbidecor.com

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Note pad with adhesive back and decorative font displaying zip code.

Measures 8”x 6”.

Shelly’s Gifts and Christmas Boutique $10 shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com

6. LEATHER PORTFOLIO Black leather croc patterned portfolio $195

RACER DESK ORNAMENT Aluminum mini race car $100

LEATHER NOTEPAD Black leather croc pattern with silver trim $55

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FABER CASTEL PEN 14kt gold nibbed fountain style pen $395 Write-On Sarasota writeonsarasota.com

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philanthropy

Isabel Anchin Becker & the Campus of Caring

Lifting others up

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Photo by Nancy Guth

When Isabel Anchin Becker decided to leave her 28-year career as a realtor in New York and head to the Sunshine State, she knew just where to go. While her friends mostly chose the East Coast, she knew about Sarasota because her parents relocated here when they retired. “I visited them a few times and loved the cultural opportunities it offered, as well as the friendly spirit,” Isabel says. It wasn’t long before she made the switch from snowbird in 2010 to fulltime resident in 2015.

When Sarasota became her new home for good, Isabel chose to get involved. She checked out a lot of the local organizations and nonprofits, then heard good things about The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center. So, she set up a tour to see what many call the Campus of Caring. “When I walked in the front door,” she says, “I saw my mother’s art hanging on the walls.”

While it was a pleasant surprise to see her artist mother’s work displayed, what impressed Isabel most was the good work being done there. “I was thrilled to see how they supported other organizations.” She loved how the not-for-

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profit philanthropic proprietor of the five-acre human services campus provided affordable space for 20 nonprofits to work, meet, and interact on a daily basis.

“I soon became more than just a donor,” Isabel explains.

Among other things, she served on the committee for the April 2018 Collaboration Celebration at Selby Gardens that honored three agencies nominated by the campus community for their “collaboration, growth, and engagement”—Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, More Too Life, and Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness. Last year, she stepped up as co-chair of the event. Because Isabel is an artist like her mother, she was able to contribute her talents in helping with design work, collaborating with staff to create the look and feel of the invitations, program books, and beyond.

“I do art differently than my mother,” she admits, explaining that her mother, Anne Anchin, was an accomplished painter.

“She had unlimited patience that I don’t have. I like to sew and quilt, and that’s how I really got started.” These days, Isabel creates framed works of fabric art made from photos

“I care about people having healthy minds and bodies. I want the elderly to live well and have a positive frame of mind. I want the people who need it to have the wherewithal to get the services they need.”

– Isabel Anchin Becker

that she’s taken, which get printed directly onto fabric that she then sews. A collection of this work entitled “Fabric Play Arts” was exhibited in 2015 at the USF College of Education David C. Anchin Center in Tampa. More of Isabel’s work is now available for sale at the Selby gift shop, she proudly adds. “I’m so fascinated by the amazing orchids there,” she says.

When asked where her sense of philanthropy comes from, Isabel notes how, at one time, her father was on 13 different boards here in Sarasota. “And at age 85,” she adds, “he was given an award by the superintendent for his work in education.” As a retiree, her father created projects that became mandatory at teacher programs at colleges, where they learned how to impart important life skills to kids. “He felt they didn’t know how to cope with living in the world,” she says, so he built that education into school programs. During her father’s extensive volunteering, he met Dr. Kay Glasser, founder of The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, a kindred spirit who also believed in finding ways to effectively help others. “A strong ideal can capture an imagination and control a life,” Dr. Glasser once said, which both Isabel and her parents believed, as well.

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Isabel doesn’t serve on 13 boards like her father did, but like her mother, she remains consistently active in philanthropy. While she’s a member of the National Council of Jewish Women, Isabel also serves as a trustee on the boards of the Aviva senior life campus and The Sarasota Ballet. But Isabel continues to be drawn to the work done at the Center. “I care about people having healthy minds and bodies. I want the elderly to live well and have a positive frame of mind.

I want the people who need it to have the wherewithal to get the services they need.” She points out that Glasser/ Schoenbaum recently helped tenant partner CenterPlace Health expand their services by installing a new dental facility for young children. “It’s so exciting to see organizations such as that be able to thrive there.”

Isabel herself continues to thrive, too.

What’s her secret to success? “I keep a positive attitude and I keep busy. If things need fixing, I go fix them. I don’t dwell on ‘should we do this?’ or ‘what about that?’ where three months can go by and nothing happens. I jump in and do it.”

Part of that person-of-action mentality surely comes from raising four boys who’ve gone on to become successful men, including an artist working in virtual reality and a best-selling author. “They’ve all done so well,” she says about all four children.

One thing Isabel hopes for is that Glasser/ Schoenbaum becomes better known in our community. “It’s kind of hidden,” she says. “But the leadership there is made up of wonderful, wonderful people. And anyone who hears about the campus immediately understands its value. We just need more to hear that important story.”

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on The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, please visit GS-HumanServices.org or call 941.365.4545.

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ho doesn’t love an occasional walk down memory lane? People, places and things that helped make our lives a bit warmer, happier and fulfilled. And there’s no better treasure trove of memories than the archives of Sarasota Scene and those of a few long-time local residents. So Boomers, let’s jog your memory. Do you remember these people, places and things?

Recognize these ladies?

Learn who they are on page 55.

r e m boo The

k o o b y r o mem

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You’ve got to love it. The Sarasota Ballet and a “Gorgeous Show Girls” Las Vegas-style show in 1995. Would this, could this work today? Come on Sarasota Ballet. Give it a try!

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To this day, volunteers are vital to the success of The Exchange, which has given over $8 million in scholarships to local students and grants to deserving arts and culture organizations. And no big surprise, catering the event in 1995 was Michael’s On East—yes, even then!

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Memories of

Kathy Boudreaux

op e a rooft b o t d e ere us You each. Th B e e t shop. t if a g n a d n M a t ma he aurant Here I a the rest rner of t r o e c v d o n k a c tion de r right h at you observa he uppe t in water th it e f h o t it b in a tiny e pier artially c an s e e long, wid a o ls it was p a k s a in h w t e I er from. photo. Th other and fish d n e e re were h e t o Th t . n lk a nd orn dow could w Beach, a a m an d t in r u o t q s o a ed in end of C harks destroy e North h t n all the s o e s e r s ie o t p t ing t nigh long fish sharks etimes a m o s t fish for u o o t l o a g g o t if it’s le we u sed Not sure . e r e h t ught 70s! being ca 60s and e h t in s t this wa now, bu

My ticket from Grad Nite in1981.

They don’t do this anymore. We had the whole place to ourselves for only $11.00!!

Myself ( far left ,h

olding my frien

d’s little brother ) and e from our sch oolsponsored “Boo ze Cruise” in th e spring of 1981 . Yes, the school spon sored it, and a couple of teach ers were chaperones. Th e drinking age was 18 back th en and while a lot of us were of age, everyon e drank at sea! some of my frie n

40

ds arriving hom

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You couldn’t lose in a Lily in 1981 and you can’t lose in one today. Lily and St. Armands are still as colorful today as they were then!

In 1985, The Beach Club, which was founded in 1947, proclaimed in this ad that it was “all new”. Do you remember what was new 38 years after it was founded? Tell us!

Billed as the “bright place to shop”, Sarasota Square Mall boasted over 90 speciality stores in 1988. Don’t you wish we still had them?

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Still a Sarasota favorite, ladies’ hats are always the highlight at Pique-Nique sur la Baie. The event was created by the late Paulette (Crabtree) Vitrier, mother of long-time Sarasota Realtor Michelle Crabtree.

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The Florida Winefest & Auction, under the leadership of the tireless and big-hearted Sandy Loevner, continues to be a major event in our town, raising millions throughout the years for children’s charities.

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Memories of

Rod Kent

I arrived in Sarasota in 1948 as a five-year-old from a dairy farm in Finger

Avenue were a huge treat. Emmett Kelly was a favorite customer

Lakes, NY. We built our home at 2724 Ringling Blvd. just West of Tuttle

on my Herald Tribune paper route on Osprey Avenue. On Saturdays

Avenue and the fairgrounds. La Tosca trailer park and Canestrelli’s

during my route, I remember lots of 15 cent burger lunches from

restaurant were just East of us. The little La Tosca trailer park housed many

our new McDonald’s across from the hospital. Sarasota High Sailor

circus performers like the Doll Family, the bearded lady, the circus giant,

Circus was a bigger draw for students than sports. Sarasota was a

and others. I sold rattlesnakes to Jim at Texas Jim’s Reptile Farm just a

very circus-centric town then. Drive-in movies and skating were

block SE on Fruitville Road. The cannon truck the Zacchini’s used that

prime evening pastimes as was dip-netting shrimp off Midnight Pass.

shot Hugo out of the barrel with compressed air was always parked just

Sarasota Bay was full of fish and you could see the bay bottom almost

West of Texas Jim’s on Fruitville.

anywhere in the bay. Bird Key was still a grass flat where the baby fish hid. Much of Siesta Key was still mosquito infested, and Longboat Key

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There were several vacant lots just across from us on Ringling Blvd. In 1952,

was only developed at the North end at Broadway. We could camp

when they made the movie The Greatest Show on Earth, Betty Hutton and

out and sling our hammocks between the Australian Pines on the

Cornel Wilde practiced on the French trapeze as we watched from our

Longboat beach in the late 50s and not a light could be seen. It was

lawn. Circus parades down Main Street to the circus quarters on Oriente

like having your own private island.

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I attended Central Elementary, Brookside Junior High, and Riverview High. Many of my junior high friends went to Sarasota High after Riverview was built, and students of both schools were buddies during the late 50s and early 60s. Sarasota was a delightful place to grow up, but even then, watching them build Paver Park, and Southgate homes and shopping centers, we all knew Sarasota was going to become a much larger city. I worked at the Southgate Publix as a bagboy for two months in 1961 while waiting to join the Navy. My wife, Lucy (SHS-’62), and I traveled all over the world during my 25-year Navy career and retired back in our beloved Sarasota in 1987.

These are but a few of my fond memories of growing up in

On the corner of 17th Street and 301 sits Sarasota’s oldest drive-in

Sarasota while it was still a little

established in the early 50s. The Hob Nob promoted its delicious burgers

town with huge charm. I only wish

and milkshakes in this 1995 ad, and they are still delicious today.

I had many more memories from my childhood here.

Also in 1995, the original Broken Egg Cafe on Siesta Key was quickly becoming the gathering place for breakfast and lunch on Siesta Key.

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In a 1992 ad, Marina Jack’s smartly promoted the restaurant’s free waterfront view which included plenty of sea life and birds.

Does anyone see leaping mullet today? Hmmm...

Our vote for one of the best ads goes to Soto Opticians. This 1981 ad is simple, catchy and to the point. Love the “Clearly Visible on Florida’s Gulf Coast” tag line!

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The Bijou Cafe is still going strong, serving great meals and cool cocktails in Downtown Sarasota for thirty four years. This 1994 ad rightfully mentions its talented owner, the well-known Jean Pierre-Knaggs.

This is our other favorite ad. You’ve got to chuckle at its 1992 sexy vibe. So, tell us. Was Mehmet the right man for you? Since he was here a long time, we bet the answer is yes.

Memories of

Roberta Straff

I found Sarasota by accident. I was designing and manufacturing

twice a year. What fun! There were

ladies clothes in 1990 under the name Roberta Lawrence. My first

benches and tables where people

client was Lorry Eible who owns Foxy Lady. Once I put my foot

would just sit, talk and meet. Lots

in the Gulf of Mexico with its near 90 degree water temperature,

of dog walkers. Our office has big

I loved it here—the small town feeling, the Friday night walk on

windows so Larry would sit at his

Main Street, riding our bikes to breakfast. I just loved everything.

desk with either our dog Tennis or our dog Racket and wave to everyone.

In 1997 we moved our business, LHS Enterprises, to Northgate off

Some popped in. Small town. Great

of 301. A couple of years later, we got lucky and moved our business

people. Loved having The Colony for

to Avenue of the Flowers. Larry and I got married at the old Plaza

weekends too and our small airport!

Restaurant and bought a home on the bayou. What a year that

It was very safe here. Big news would

was! Our business was wholesale but eventually we became a

be that someone stole a bike. No one

stopping point for many to shop or just say hello. We got to meet

really worried about locking their

hundreds of people we would never have had the opportunity to

doors.

meet. We then moved the business to a space that Paul Mattison owned right next to the Jewish deli. Those were the days.

I’ve now enjoyed living here for almost 30 years. I learned to play tennis and

Avenue of the Flowers was the best. It had everything—a Chinese

joined the Longboat Key Club. We’ve

restaurant, tennis shop, nails, sportswear, drug store, market,

been so lucky to have great friends!

Realtors, UPS, a beauty shop and a men’s store. We had art shows

Avenue of the Flowers 1992

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Verdict? Guilty. It seems that in 1994 the Scene team didn’t have spell check. They must have been too busy solving the murder at the Cotton Club for Forty Carrots. Sorry Betsy Kane-Hartnett and John Harnett and whoever else’s name was spelled incorrectly on our social pages from yesteryear!

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Yes, shoes are not created equal and neither are plastic surgeons. Great, educational 1995 ad from some local plastic surgeons.

A shout out to the Turoff Family and the many memories made at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre (1988 ad).

Love this 1981 ad for shipping fresh fruit, especially oranges! The Albritton Family is still selling and shipping top quality fruit from its Proctor Rd. location.

Longtime Sarasota favorite Nellie’s Deli was quite a bit smaller back in 1995. My, how it’s grown!

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A Steak & Burger Mardi Gras-themed event? Not sure about that one! This event, without the Mardi Gras theme, is still going strong 24 years later for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.

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The 1994 UnGala Gala set a new event fundraising record for this incredibly popular event in The Ringling Courtyard.

Where you there? The event returns to The Ringling Courtyard on October 19, 2019.

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Founded in 1957, Sarasota Scene magazine qualifies for Boomer status too! Do you recognize any of the people or places from some of the magazine covers from the 1980s?

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We especially want to know who was so comfortable with Scene, holding her glass of wine, in a 1995 photo and ad promoting subscriptions.

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About the Opening Page From the 1985 issue of Sarasota Scene Two enterprising young Sarasota women, Deanna Natarajan and Denise Sturiale, put together two concepts that are as integral and appealing as apple pie and ice cream. “Fashion and Figure” all in one place is a successful concept that has enable Somebody Workout Studio & Boutique to become a popular center for looking and feeling your best. The success story of these two Sarasota entrepreneurs has been the traditional scenario of long hours, hard work, and the belief that their concept would appeal to women of all ages and lifestyles. top designer sportswear, high fashion coordinates and From its beginnings as a basic workout studio on the

separates, and accessories. This dual facility provides the

second floor of Midtown Plaza, Somebody now occupies

opportunity to participate in workout formats that are

the street level Bahia Vista side of the Plaza, with both

designed to trim, slim and tone the body, so that the figure

the workout facilities and a beautiful scale boutique that

will be the most compatible and beautiful showcase for

features action/dancewear, cruise and resort collections,

flattering fashions.

The Natarajan/Suriale team structured the workout studio on a non-membership basis so that any participant only pays for the actual class attended. The exercises are designed to specifically assist various figure problems, and are coordinated with music and rhythms that make exercising fun.

Prior to initiating Somebody, the two young ladies were involved in separate endeavors that have been advantageous to the development of their own business. Deanna Natarajan is a registered nurse, while Denise Suriale brought forth a background of advertising and retail clothing sales. Their collective thoughts and efforts have enabled Somebody Workout Studio & Boutique to be recognized as a center for fashion and figure…all in one place.

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Private island paradise

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By Sue Cullen Dreams of a toes-in-the-sand lifestyle with a fun, casual Jimmy Buffett-inspired vibe have come to life at One Particular Harbour on one of Florida’s last remaining private islands.

This tropical getaway is home to 132-luxury waterfront residences adjacent to a brand new marina on a gated-access 220-acre island directly across from Anna Maria Island. The community is aptly named for the title song of Buffett’s One Particular Harbour album.

One Particular Harbour, on Anna Maria Sound, is being developed by Minto Communities in partnership with the global lifestyle brand Margaritaville Holdings.

The new development is within Minto’s Harbour Isle community and construction on all of the buildings is complete with a number of move-in ready residences still available, according to William Bullock, President of Minto’s Latitude Margaritaville Division.

“There aren’t enough words to describe the beauty of One Particular Harbour,” Bullock says. “Residents have spectacular views of Anna Maria Island Sound and Anna Maria Island and enjoy the laid-back coastal living.” One Particular Harbour homeowners have easy, walkable access to boating, dining and entertainment.

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Although One Particular Harbour is steeped in the casual-luxe Margaritaville vibe, life is not all about lounging around Jimmy Buffett-style with a cool beverage–not that there’s anything wrong with that. Resort-style amenities support an active lifestyle. Two miles of walking paths encircle the island allowing enjoyment of its natural beauty with lush tropical flora, including majestic royal palms and mangrove preserves along with a 38-acre lake. Private community amenities include a resort-style pool, refreshing splash zone for cooling off among dancing fountains of water, kayak launch, outdoor kitchen and barbecue area, and a tot lot playground area.

Homeowners also have access to the 23,000 square foot Harbour Isle Beach Club, which includes a 4,200-square-foot fitness center and boasts sweeping views of Anna Maria Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Beach Club also has a resort-style swimming pool and spa, yoga lawn, kayak and paddleboard launch, and event lawn. Residents can soak in sun on the beach, relax in hammocks and Adirondack chairs, cool off in the Cabana bar or lounge in private cabanas. Inside, neighbors can socialize 58

SARASOTA SCENE | AUGUST 2019

“It’s just beautiful here, and it’s very pleasant and relaxing . . . I like being so close to Anna Maria Island that you can ride your bike over. You also can ride your bike to Robinson Preserve, and it has walking paths throughout.”

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59

in the balcony dining area on the second floor or gather in the nearby Sky Bar Lounge to chat or play billiards.

“It’s just beautiful here, and it’s very pleasant and relaxing,” says One Particular Harbour resident Glenn Hitchcock. “The people here are great, and I enjoy all of the amenities at the club, especially the fitness center and Sky Bar. I like being so close to Anna Maria Island that you can ride your bike over. You also can ride your bike to Robinson Preserve, and it has walking paths throughout.”

Hitchcock, like other Harbour Isle residents, keeps his boat at the marina, which opened earlier this year and provides direct deep water access to Anna Maria Sound, Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and points beyond. The marina has 55 wet slips for boats up to 45 feet, an enclosed 150 mph-rated boathouse for 128 vessels up to 42 feet, floating welded aluminum docks, and a ship’s store.

Both the marina and One Particular Harbour residences feature Margaritaville’s coastal-inspired design. Residences range from 1,483 to 1,650 square feet with base prices from $473,030 to $565,690. Floor plan choices include two or three bedroom options with two or three baths. All include luxury finishes throughout with large master suites and open floor plans with gourmet island kitchens. Spacious screened lanais offer views of the Sound or lagoon. Tours of two furnished model homes are available. “One Particular Harbour has a range of ages that includes singles, couples and retirees,” Bullock says. “For some, this is a second home getaway, and some owners make their home available for short-term

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lease when they aren’t making their own escape to the island.” The rental program is professionally managed and allows rentals with a minimum stay of five-days.

“The Margaritaville theme is very positive and relaxing,” says resident Don DeCarbo. “Everyone is always glad to meet you, and making friends is not a challenge. Also, everything is very accessible. The many walkways are tremendous and having the Beach Club with a bar and restaurant handy is great.

Everyone also is really looking forward to the new hotel and restaurant.” Sarasotabased Floridays Development Company is constructing a Compass Hotel by Margaritaville, a 131-boutique hotel along with a freestanding Floridays Restaurant and Grill. The restaurant will seat up to 300 guests and plans to offer poolside bar service.

Melding the laid-back tropical island vibe with luxury living has resonated with many homebuyers. “The people who are attracted to One Particular Harbour are seeking their own private island escape, access to boating and beaches, fine resort-level amenities and easy care, livable homes,” Bullock says. “I cannot think of a more spectacular place to live the Margaritaville lifestyle on the west coast of Florida.” Those interested in finding out more about One Particular Harbour can visit the sales center at 12340 Manatee Avenue W in Bradenton, check online at ophmintousa.com, or call 888.827.3061.

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BY SUE CULLEN One of the benefits of reaching a certain age is the certain knowledge of what it takes to go beyond creating a life “style” to making a life that is uniquely pleasurable and satisfying. Living that kind of life on a daily basis requires the right environment, and Danny and Patricia Woodson have achieved that with their new home on a spectacularly beautiful stretch of Sarasota Bay.

The one-acre property has been in the Woodson family since 1969 when Danny’s parents bought it and built the family homestead. It’s in the area known to local commercial fishermen as “The Kitchen” because of its teeming sea life and is a perfect location for the Woodsons. The couple stays busy with work and family and especially loves spending time on the water. Danny grew up commercial fishing from his backyard and is CEO for a seafood company in Tampa. Patricia is a marine biologist who came to the U.S. from Mexico City in 1989 and now owns Pet’s Life Naturally in Palmetto.

Being right on the water, the family home was an ideal place for them. However, development of the surrounding area created serious flooding problems, so the Woodsons decided to build a new home on the property, honoring his parents’ wish that it remain in the family. The result is a harmonious fusion of sleek modern style with the inviting warmth and comfort of coastal design in a home that fits compatibly with the lush tropical setting.

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“We saw how we could enjoy life here and had a complete design on the computer,” Danny says. “When we showed it to Jonas Yoder, our builder, he said we couldn’t build it because we are in a velocity zone and the house has to be on pilings.”

Yoder and Jon Coulthurst of JC Drafting and Design incorporated the Woodsons’ design ideas into a plan for a three-story home with two wings adjoining a central entrance tower. Alan Gravley of Beginning to End Interiors also was on board from the start to consult on colors, finishes and design elements.

Gravley was tasked with ensuring seamless flow through the house’s three distinct “cubes”. On one side of the entrance tower is a wing with the master bedroom, living areas and kitchen. The other side is a separate wing for guests with two bedrooms, two baths, a living area with outside deck, and an efficiency kitchen.

“The home is coastal modern, which means it’s very modern but not a cold cube,” Gravley said. “This house has extraordinary views, and we kept the interior neutral because we wanted all of the outside to come in. You feel like you’re up in the sky with the views of the sky and the water.”

DREAM HOME

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Luxury vinyl flooring serves as a unifying backdrop throughout, and its durability was a must with the Woodsons’ two large Rhodesian ridgeback dogs and leisure time spent on the water—including the dogs. Muted gray walls along with soft blue and green create the neutral background for contemporary artwork, sleek furnishings and accessories that emphasize the home’s clean lines and foster a soothing environment. The central staircase serves as a focal point throughout the house with floating wooden stairs and cable railings.

An elevator was another must-have alternative to climbing 40 stairs. It makes five stops including the ground floor garage, front door, second floor master bedroom level, and the guest wing. The last stop is to the kitchen and great room on the top floor, which is an aerie with sweeping views of sky and water.

The Woodsons spend a lot of time in the kitchen, cooking at home six nights a week often with produce picked from their garden. They searched extensively for the right piece of countertop granite. “Years ago I saw granite that looked like ocean waves. We searched and searched for something like it,” Patricia says. “There was a piece in Naples we went to see, and I fell in love with it. It looks like waves in different tones.” Another special touch

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highlighting the marine theme is pendant lighting that resembles sea anemones.

The master bath also is distinctive with a “wet space” housing a shower and sculptural freestanding tub overlooking Longboat Key bridge. “It’s like a room within the room,” Gravley says. “When I saw the tile, I knew the blues were right for the bath with the backdrop of the sky.” Patricia, who had prior experience with renovations, commends Gravley for making the process easy and efficient. “Alan worked hard on all the choices, and people who come here are impressed with how harmonious it is,” she says.

“He made our lives much easier by picking up on our taste right away and bringing choices we liked and that worked well with the house.”

After living in their new home for a little over a year, there are no regrets. “Pat says most people are downsizing at our stage of life, but I hope to finish my last day here, and she feels the same way,” Danny says. Patricia sums it up, “It’s an eternal vacation.”

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Boomers

REDEFINE

By Sue Cullen As a generation that brought massive changes in everything from societal issues and music to lifestyles and hairstyles, baby boomers also are shaking things up when it comes to retirement living. This is a generation marked by interesting contrasts. Independent yet valuing community involvement.

Self-indulgent (at least in their youth) but also hardworking and diet and health conscious. While these generalizations don’t apply to every boomer, there are consistencies when it comes to retirement. Doing it their way, and being more proactive about planning their futures are hallmarks of the boomer generation.

Plymouth Harbor, a life plan community on Sarasota Bay which offers a continuum of care from independent living, assisted living/memory care through skilled nursing, is already addressing these differences as the boomer generation ponders its golden years (941.365.2600). “Boomers are far more proactive than previous generations. We are seeing a younger audience getting on our wait list. The average age is going down to the late 60s and early 70s with their desired timeframe for moving here between 75 and 80,” said Gordon Okawa, Vice President of Marketing and Community Affairs. “They want to have an active part of what happens to them as they age and direct it.”

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RETIREMENT Previous generations often defined independence as remaining in their homes as long as possible. Boomers have experienced the sometimes-unfortunate outcomes for loved ones who have taken this approach. They understand the toll a lack of planning takes on the entire family. “Boomers understand that anything can happen, and when it comes to health issues, that’s something they have no control over,” Okawa said. “They’ve seen others who are desperate and looking for a place to go at an older age. These people waited too long, and boomers don’t want that to happen to them. It’s a reality check for some families who are very pragmatic and willing to listen. That’s the trend we are seeing.”

One way Plymouth Harbor is adapting to baby boomers’ preferences is by becoming more engaged through social media and connecting through Facebook and Instagram.

Another area that has seen a complete makeover is its Wellness Center, which underwent more than $1 million in renovations. The former fitness facility was transformed into a 10,000-square-foot space that not only provides a place for state-of-the-art workouts—with spectacular views of Sarasota Bay—but also has become a natural gathering space for residents to socialize.

AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

69

“They want to have an active part of what happens to them as they age and direct it.”

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“Our residents come here vibrant and want to stay active as they age. They want to be able to continue kayaking and using their stand up paddle boards, and we try to integrate what they want in what we offer,” said Wellness Director Summer Rentsch. “We’re getting a biking group together and are putting in a new kayak launch. We also have 30 class options for residents each week.” These cover a variety of fitness levels ranging from a dynamic Total Fitness class to sit fit sessions that allow a wide range of movement for those who are concerned about stability.

The classes also address a multitude of interests with yoga, tai chi and meditation as well as various styles of dancing and a range of water workouts for the indoor and outdoor pools. Rentsch finds that boomers also are more aware about their health in general. “They are all about eating to manage their health,” she said.

“Residents may be managing a chronic condition or there’s some health issue within the family that is starting to creep up. They are much more proactive, and that is a big shift.”

This has meant new dining options with gluten free and organic choices and continued emphasis on other stimulating enrichment and social opportunities for which Plymouth Harbor has been known.

A modern performing arts hall hosts a variety of lectures and performances, and residents have access to an artists’ studio and wood/hobby shop.

The design of the building itself fosters whatever degree of connection someone wants. Independent living areas are divided into “neighborhoods” of 18 to 25 residences called Colonies, which provide a natural initial social group for new residents. Cultivating an environment that is welcoming for a diverse population of residents also is an important goal, Okawa said. “Plymouth Harbor has always attracted those who look to stay relevant and connected to community. We manage the health component, security, and maintenance for our residents. That frees people up, and the planners see this for themselves,” he said. ”We are affirming what boomers are already feeling, and that is the main message we send. Plan ahead.”

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on the town

Scenes from AN INTERVIEW: MEMORABLE QUOTES

by Gus Mollasis

Every month, I love meeting and interviewing many interesting people of influence and impact for Scenes from an Interview. Most are people who contribute so much to our local culture while a few others are visiting celebrities and notables here for a festival or performance. No matter who they are and what they’ve done, what they tell us is usually quite inspirational and interesting. This month, we flashback to some of the best quotes from this year’s and last year’s Scenes from an Interview.

FEBRUARY

2018

2018

PRESIDENT OF MICHAEL SAUNDERS & CO.

COMEDIAN JACKIE MASON

DRAYTON SAUNDERS

Tell me where your comedy comes from?

Are you pleased with the path that Sarasota is on as it pertains to growth and development?

It comes from my mind. Where do you think it comes from? It doesn’t come from anything that has to do with you. You’ve never contributed to anything in society. You haven’t accomplished anything on this earth. All you do is stand there and look for other people to entertain everybody. You make a living while I’m telling the jokes.

That’s a good and fair question. Absolutely. We often in this community get into a debate about growth, and it’s a fair and healthy one to have.

We should always be concerned with the direction of the community. I think that you must first accept that there is no way to prevent growth.

In fact, if you look at communities that aren’t growing, there are so many symptoms of unhealthiness. Look at the devastation of the Rust Belt and so many other communities that don’t grow. They are in reverse. The great news about Florida and Sarasota is that we’re in a forward direction. It’s more a question of “how do you want growth to look?” You have to be fair and ask, “are we focusing on the core issues?” Or “are we focusing on a symptomatic outlier?”

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PHILANTHROPISTS GRACI & DENNIS MCGILLICUDDY The McGillicuddys are passionate about ending child abuse and are building a brighter future in foster care through its All Star Children’s Center.

“Can you imagine being taken away from your home in the middle of the night, the home where you grew up, as you watch your parent being arrested while your brothers and sisters are placed in separate police towncars?” As Graci speaks these words from a place deep in her soul, you can feel her pain for these children, so real and so raw. “And not only that, try to imagine that in the coming days your future is uncertain. You might have a safe place to live or you might not. Getting enough to eat and having decent clean clothes to wear to school becomes an issue, and that should not be an issue for any child.”

“Finally, after all that trauma,” Graci pauses, “After all that, can you imagine that nobody even asks you about what happened to you on that night and other nights? Can you imagine that?” It is a scenario that has been played out countless times in America, and it’s a scenario that’s playing out every minute of every day.

OCTOBER

2018

MAY

2018

OSCAR WINNER

CONGRESSMAN VERN BUCHANAN

OLYMPIA DUKAKIS

America to me is…

What is your advice to those who want to pursue their dreams and how did you keep believing in yourself?

...a land of opportunity, where a blue-collar kid could grow up with nothing and become anything he wanted. It has unlimited possibilities in terms of the American Dream and that’s what I want to fight for so that the American Dream is not there just for my kids, but for everybody’s kids and for my four grandkids What are your biggest concerns for your district and the great state of Florida?

Many years ago, when I was head of the Chamber of Commerce in Sarasota, our area was voted by Money Magazine as the best to live and work in the United States. That’s still my focus. I think this area is the best place in the United States, and I want to continue to fight so that it remains that way. We can’t bury our head in the sand, we have to fight red tide, opioids and other issues that come up while at the same time focusing on growing our economy.

If there is really nothing else you can do, then you should go for it. But if you have some other things that are calling you maybe you should do them, because this is a tough business. I had no choice. There was nothing else I wanted to do. Absolutely. I lived in a hallway. I had no peripheral vision. I had to do it.

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PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM CO-FOUNDER TOBY PERLMAN

EMMY AWARD WINNING TV JOURNALIST MARY BRAXTON-JOSEPH

Do you feel there is a spiritual component in his (Itzhak Perlman) God-given talent?

Searching for the right words to describe the great man (Mandela), she pauses and then lands on the word DIGNITY.

If you asked him this question, he wouldn’t even know what you’re talking about. He really wouldn’t. Because for him playing is like breathing is for us. So some days he feels he plays better than others, just like a regular person, except the fact that we’re listening to him, the world is listening to him, and the world feels differently than he feels about his playing. You know the world can’t wait to hear the next concert, or the next note, or the next phrase. Personally speaking, do I feel that it’s a gift from God? Absolutely. Of course.

But I’m not speaking for him, only for myself. For me, it’s a perfectly logical, reasonable explanation that God loaned him this gift while he’s on earth, and will take it back at some point.

“When he walked into a room, everybody wanted to be like him. He was a champion of reconciliation. He learned to reconcile differences, so much so that even though he had been in prison for some 27 years, when he got out and became president, he invited some of the people who used to guard him to his inauguration. Every time I get angry about something, I think of that Mandela spirit and it just helps me reframe my attitude. Because if you can see the humanity in the adversary and take time to listen to another point of view, it might not change your mind, but it will definitely broaden your horizons.”

JANUARY

2019

DECEMBER

2018

CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST DR. XERNONA CLAYTON The Trumpet Awards, initiated in 1993 by Turner Broadcasting, is a prestigious event highlighting African-American accomplishments and contributions. What do the Trumpet Awards mean to you?

The world. Let me tell you why. Growing up black in America, I understood one thing that Dr. King taught me amongst many things. He always felt that all white people didn’t hate us because they loved to hate. It was his belief that some white people hated us because they just didn’t know us. So we have a kind of responsibility to educate them. You know, the richness of our vast contributions were not known – even in black communities. I created this show because I got tired of watching our people on TV being portrayed as buffoons, looking silly and acting irresponsibly like clowns. I knew that’s not how all of us are and that I’ve got to do something.

Because I was working at CNN and had television at my disposal, I wanted to create something. So, I used the tools there to put on a show that really described the contributions of our people. I started

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FEBRUARY

2019

the program trumpeting loudly and broadcasting to the world that our people are not all lazy.

There is story that proved Dr. King’s point and validated my efforts for what I was doing. A white mother from mid-America called me and told me that her parents taught her to hate all black people.

She told me that “they never said some black people, they said that all black people were lazy; that all black men would rather stand in line for a welfare check than they would for a paycheck; and that every black woman would rather have a baby than have a job.” This woman ended up hating all of us, so when she got a glimpse of the Trumpet Awards, it piqued her interest. She said, “I have two little girls and I don’t want them to grow up with the same prejudice that I grew up in, so send me those tapes. I don’t care what they cost.”

We heard many stories like that. The program brought pride to our people while educating other people. I’m very proud of it. The awards have taught and encouraged many little boys and girls to be something when they grow up.

on the town

EDC PRESIDENT MARK HUEY Huey is pleased with what they’ve (the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County) done to promote our film industry.

“What we are hearing is that all the major production facilities in Georgia are booked through 2021 with content producers. So it’s our hope that if that plays out, some of that film business will end up at Ringling College’s Studio Labs. We do have a local incentive program that pivoted immediately to smaller scale productions. Jeanne has done a great job in that space. For us, it’s always figuring out, at any given time or place, where can we compete and get some wins.

And every once in a while, you get an MTV – which is now producing the third season of Siesta Key. They‘re going to spend a lot of money here.”

APRIL

JULY

2019

2019 MAY

2019

MUSICIAN DAVID AMRAM

BISHOP FRANK J. DEWANE OF

Was there a moment of discovery when you knew that music would be that thing for you?

THE DIOCESE OF VENICE

It was a constant process of evolution that still is going on for me at the age of 88. So instead of saying I’m going to retire on my laurels, I don’t even feel like I have any laurels. I’m interested every day in trying to learn and create new things and understand the old things that I thought I knew about, while being able to revisit them. It’s an endless process. Just like all major religions refer to the deity or deities as the great unknown. There is something out there that is bigger than all of us. And that’s a wonderful thing to realize, because then you can remain humble in knowing that you are just another tiny presence that’s here for a while and that there’s something bigger that was here before you and will be here after you’re gone. If you can get in touch with that while you’re here and share what you’ve learned with others to help them on their journey, whether its music or anything, then you’ve had a good life.

What advice do you give those who lose or question their faith? Have you ever lost your faith?

Lose my faith, no. I think we have to be honest when we go to prayer to the Lord. “Come on Jesus. Cut me a break on this one. I’m trying.” We have to be who we are with our heart. With our joy and our sorrow. With our challenges and what we are grateful for. Other times things turn out great. That’s when we have to remind ourselves, “I didn’t yet thank the Lord. This turned out really well.” Faith is bigger than ourselves. But living it is when the real rubber hits the road. You got to live it.

I sometimes ask people, “Who here wants Jesus as a friend?” And their hands will go up. And I ask, “How often are you talking to your friend Jesus?”

AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

75

on the town

Education MATTERS

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

CREATING LEADERS AT THE GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE When Sara Rachon moved to Sarasota ten years ago, it was to work as a dancer for The Sarasota Ballet. After it was time for her to move on from a career as a dancer, she switched over to working as the outreach coordinator for the ballet—and she loved it. Interacting with such a range of people, organizations, and nonprofits proved especially appealing. That’s why she applied to work for The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce as their Program Coordinator, a position she started in January 2019.

“I liked that idea that working with the Chamber meant interacting even more with both for-profits and nonprofits,” she says. Sara works with the Chamber’s two main programs, The Leadership Program and the Young Professionals Group. The Leadership program consists of Adult Leadership, Youth Leadership and the Engage Sarasota series.

Established in 1992, the Youth Leadership Program is for rising high school juniors, who apply as sophomores. The

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SARASOTA SCENE | AUGUST 2019

program runs with the school calendar, so it begins in late August and the students graduate from it in late April. “This year,” Sara says, “we’ve had a record number of applicants.

For the first time ever, every single area high school—including home school and Montessori—has at least one student who sent us an application.”

The goals of the Youth Leadership Program are to nurture and develop positive leadership qualities in area youth, and, along the way, help them learn about Sarasota with an eye toward seeing how young people can make it a better place. One of the ways that happens is by having them participate in a half-day of community service work. “This year they removed debris from the shoreline on Little Sarasota Bay,” Sara explains.

“They weighed the debris at the end and talked about some of the impacts to the environment, with guidance and support from the Elling Eide Center.” The Chamber hopes that the program in general, and activities like this in particular, will help these young leaders see the appeal and merits of living in Sarasota so that they choose it for their future home.

“The program evolves every year,” Sara says. “The students are always excited to go to new locations and meet leaders who take the time to explain what they do and how they do it.” It’s a rewarding, fun experience for everyone. But a terrific perk for students is how great this leadership training looks on a college application. And for those who might have trouble affording the program’s $175 cost? There are a limited number of partial and full scholarships built into their budget, which is funded by dues, event fees, and fundraising.

on the on town the town

Sara says, “We want this opportunity to be available to any young person in our area who demonstrates an interest in leadership.”

Targeted at a slightly older demographic, the Young Professionals Group has been around since 2003. Part of its ongoing popularity—witness 400+ members who pay the annual $60 dues—is the high-quality monthly happy hour networking meetings, and the opportunity for professional development classes/workshops at a highly discounted rate.

“We are always encouraging local young professionals to join the group,” Sara notes. “We have such good offerings for them to take advantage of.” Membership is open to all individuals aged 21–40 who live, work, or spend time in the Sarasota area.

The adult leadership program goes another step further, allowing members access to additional positions of community leadership in an informed and responsible manner and the opportunity to communicate with present and future leaders.

Applications open in April every year and around 40 applicants are selected for the program.

Besides taking advantage of the many training opportunities, the adult leadership program participants take on a significant community service project each year. This past March and April, all 39 members of the Leadership Sarasota Class of 2019 renovated the Sarasota YMCA Robert Leventhal Sudakoff Youth Shelter, which provides temporary housing and safe care for kids 10 to 17 who have run away, are experiencing

family conflict, or have been locked out of their homes.

The adult leaders painted everything—including creating a striking mural—added additional seating areas, created an interactive chalk wall, restored a storage shed, and enlarged a kitchen passthrough window in the dining area.

The Engage Sarasota series is a community orientation program, where participants can attend a monthly lunchtime event to establish civic and business relationships, meet area leaders, and increase their knowledge about the innerworkings of Sarasota. “It’s an appetizer for our other leadership opportunities,” she says. “It’s inexpensive and it’s a good place to begin for people who don’t yet have the time to commit to one of the other programs.”

A group of “tremendous and amazing” volunteers helps keep things running and make Sara’s job far easier than it might otherwise be. But what really makes her job so rewarding, she reports, is the clear impact she can see in the community and in the lives of the aspiring leaders of all ages she encounters on a daily basis.

F O R M O R E IN F O R M AT IO N

about The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s programs, please contact srachon@sarasotachamber.com.

AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

77

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Beach reads What’s better than lying in a lounge chair, toes tucked into the sand, relaxing to the sounds of breaking waves, all while immersing yourself in a great story? This month, we feature a couple of exclusive short stories for you to enjoy, all illustrated

by Sarasota Scene’s talented designer and illustrator extraordinaire, Darcy Kelly-Laviolette. Enjoy!

AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

79

Beach reads

•

•

•

By KyKye Kostroun | Illustrations by Darcy Kelly-Laviolette 8 80 0

SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE || AUGUST AUGUST 2019 2019

Beach reads

M

I.

om names me Salacia, after the Roman Goddess of the Sea.

Unlike the other kids in our village, I’m not afraid of the water, but mesmerized by it. One day, when I am three, she walks me down by the waterfall. I learn to swim that same day, in the deep end of the sparkling pool. It doesn’t require much thought. I just hold my breath and flap my arms, my legs kicking in slow motion against the thick world below. Mom laughs, then lays me on my back.

The water tickles my earlobes and the tippy top of my forehead.

She tells me to shut my eyes, so I do.

“Home sweet home,” he says.

“This isn’t my home,” I tell him.

“It is now.”

For dinner, we have corn flakes in almond milk. I spit it out.

“I can’t eat this,” I say. “May I have some fruit instead?”

“Check the fridge,” he replies.

I do. No fruit. Just more almond milk, a six-pack of Bud Light, and a box of Chinese leftovers.

“Salacia, you are my world,” she whispers, pulling me close to her chest. I play with the wooden dolphin pendant that dangles from her neck.

“On second thought, I’m not very hungry.”

One morning, when I am twelve years old, I wake before Mom does for the first time in all my life. It’s unlike her to sleep in late. I climb into her bed, shocked to see her still snoozing, and sweep her hair away from her face.

For my thirteenth birthday, Dad makes breakfast. He goes to the grocery market and picks up a pound of green bananas. He slices them up and puts them on top of my corn flakes in almond milk.

“Mom, wake up,” I say. “It’s morning.”

I rip the covers off and shake her gently. “Time to get up!”

She doesn’t budge.

A sudden wave of nausea attacks the pit of my stomach. Something isn’t right. I hold one finger under her nose. No air. I fling my arms around her.

She’s gone.

When no one in the village can afford to take me in, I cry an ocean and am shipped halfway across the world to live with the man who is supposed to be my dad.

New York City’s phony waterfalls are cold and black. Not a single one is safe for swimming. Dad’s apartment is located on the second story of a grimy building that looks nearly identical to the ones surrounding it.

I’m afraid of the staircase. It terrifies me but I follow him up, clutching the railing with all my might. I don’t dare look behind me. It’s steep. The metal pangs each time my flip flop hits a new step. When we finally reach the top, he unlocks the door. Inside, the bare walls are peeling. I can’t tell what color they are because it’s so dark. I can’t tell what time of day it is.

I step into my new room. No dolls, no plants, no knitted blankets or hand-sewn pillows. Only a single window in the center of one of the walls, but it’s too high for me to see out of it.

“Suit yourself,” he says.

For my fourteenth birthday, he does the same.

For my fifteenth birthday, again, the same.

On my sixteenth birthday, he tries to kill me.

What had I done?

The pile of clothes topples over my head. He picks it up again only to throw it back down. Again. And again.

“Do it! Do it now, Salacia!” he barks.

I cover my ears.

He looks up at the ceiling. “I swear to God I’m gonna kill her.”

“Kill me?” I cry. “Go ahead! I’m already dead.”

“Do you think I’m playing games? I told you to do something.

Now do it.”

“No.”

He grabs my arms and yanks me to my feet. “Now!”

I shake my head.

“Take the goddamn clothes to the laundromat!”

I say nothing.

“That’s it!”

AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

81

Beach reads He shoves me out the door. Everything moves in slow motion.

My eyes watch me fall down the stairs before my body hits them. I fumble, reach for the railing, the doorknob, a hand, something, anything. I miss.

When I open my eyes, I feel warm. There is no New York breeze.

I am home. Mom is outside in the yard dancing in the sunlight.

She looks like an angel.

“Mom?”

“Salacia.” Her lips move, but I can’t hear her voice.

I step closer and can see my reflection in her eyes. She reaches out her hand. I go to touch it.

As my skin meets hers, the moon replaces the sun in the sky.

I can hear the familiar sound of water rushing in the distance.

Bewildered, I glance down at my hand resting on the face of a tree, where Mom’s hand should be.

“Where are you? Where did you go?” I call out.

The sound of the water crescendos. I follow it through the trees until I approach the waterfall. My face is moist from the mist of white. The normally teal water looks gray in the darkness, still lighter than the color of the New York falls. The full moon reflects on the surface of the water. In that reflection, I see myself as her.

“Wow,” I whisper. I raise my arms. Hers do too. I begin to dance. With every turn, I lock my eyes onto the water. I watch her dance. Our long, dark hair flows all around us. We smile and we leap and we cry. I stare into our eyes before I let myself into the water.

II. I regain consciousness and hear the static of the living room television. I open my eyes, for real this time, and find myself in bed. I am sore but nothing is broken. I throw the covers off me.

Stumbling with one hand on the wall for support, I make my way over to the living room. I flinch when I hear my dad burst into laughter. I pause, watching him watching the television.

He places an arm around my shoulders as I sit down beside him on the sofa. Then we are watching the static together.

“Look, kid. I got a little out of hand earlier. Forgive me,” he says.

“I want to go home, Dad. I just want to go home.”

“Someone’s tired, I see. How about you get a good night’s sleep? But first, why don’t you grab your old man a beer from the fridge?”

“Okay,” I say. “But just know I won’t be here when you wake up tomorrow morning.” I hand him his beer.

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“Thanks, kid. Get some rest.”

I turn to leave. I pack my bags and am off once again. Only this time, I won’t stop until I’m home.

I use forty of the hundred dollars I steal from my dad’s wallet to get a cab to JFK. I don’t have enough money to buy a plane ticket, so I’m wandering aimlessly around the airport when I hear a woman’s voice.

“These plants have less germs than that dog’s ass.”

“Ma’am, all plants have to go through inspection,” says the security officer.

When I turn around, our eyes meet. I feel obligated to walk over.

“Um, hello,” I say. “Auntie, I’ve been waiting for you…”

A puzzled look crosses her face, but it melts into a smile.

She plays along. “Ah, yes. See, sir. My niece has been ever so patiently waiting for her Auntie Martisha.”

“That’s right. Ever so patiently.”

“You’re not going to let this pretty little girl wait any longer now, are you?” She holds my face in her hand, which smells of nail polish remover masked by cherry blossom scented lotion.

The officer squints at me.

“This girl here is my niece. My brother married an Asian woman. Get over yourself already! This is a disgrace. Come on, niece. We are out of this place!”

The officer lets us go and when we get outside, she thanks me.

“What’s your name?” she asks, her faded ginger flyaways whipping my face.

“Salacia.”

“Cynthia, you really saved my life in there. Now, what can I do for you?”

I consider her request.

“Well,” I say. “I could use a ride.”

As we approach her car, I see a wood-carved dolphin charm hanging from her rearview mirror on a long silk string.

“See something you like?” she asks.

Beach reads

“My mom loved dolphins.”

“Yeah, I got this little guy when I was traveling in the Philippines last summer. Supposed to bring me protection. Must be working good. I haven’t crashed this baby yet!”

We are racing down the street when we come to a sudden halt. Martisha backs up. I thank God no one is behind her. She rolls down the passenger seat window and yells at a couple of hitchhikers.

“Hey, Marge! Pablo! Tinka! I didn’t even see you guys. Hop in!”

We spend the night driving around the city until sunrise. Tinka points out her favorite places in the city to photograph and offers me a job at her studio, if I want it. Pablo sleeps with the uninspected plants cradled between his legs. Marge and Martisha cackle like an old pair of good friends always do. And I watch the street, tracing the raindrops as they race down my window.

Timed to her first yawn, we arrive at Martisha’s apartment. It’s not much bigger than Dad’s, but I feel soft inside as I walk up to it. I’m not afraid. She lives on the first story of the building.

As the five of us enter, we take off our shoes by the door, just as I used to back home. The window sills are lined with happy plants and short trees, green, pink and purple. Pablo and Tinka crash on the floor. Marge and Martisha share her bed. I take the guest room, upon their request.

The early morning light bleeds into the room through the windows. I feel myself drifting in and out of consciousness.

III. When I wake up, the three hitchhikers are gone. Martisha and I spend our Sunday afternoon at Central Park. She purchases two fruit bowls from a vendor down the street and we eat while we walk.

“Alright, Cynthia, this is it. This is my favorite place in the city: The Conservatory Garden. Here, I can actually hear myself think. And look, this one is my favorite. It’s called the Three Dancing Maidens.”

“It’s so peaceful.”

As we approach the fountain, my eye is drawn to the stream jetting from the center of the sculpture. I see the joy in each of the maiden’s faces. Then I find myself staring into the outer pool of water that surrounds them on all sides.

“I travel a lot. I’ve been a lot of places, Cynthia. I love them.

I love this whole wide world. But I’m always happy to come home. I always want to come back.”

“Have you always lived here?”

“No, I grew up in Connecticut in some wacky town with some wacky people. Let me tell you, I don’t make a lot of money. I inherited most of it from my parents when they went to hell.

I spend it good though. Better than they could have.” She

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Beach reads picks a blackberry seed from between her teeth and flicks it onto the concrete. “Am I really supposed to stuff it away forever in a drawer for my rotting corpse? Better to put it out there and let it circulate, you know? Spending is spreading and spreading is sharing. That’s my motto.”

“I like it,” I say.

Just then, I see Mom’s reflection in the water. She laughs when Martisha does. She claps her hands together when Martisha does. She hugs me when Martisha does.

I spend the next two months living with her and officially drop out of school so I can begin working full-time at Tinka’s photography studio, where I hold my first camera and fall in love.

There is something comforting in knowing that a single event captured at just the right moment has the potential to live on forever. Life always goes on, and what remains at the end of it all, is not the people, the places, or even the memories; it’s the photographs. And there are some things in this life I just don’t want to ever forget.

Martisha and I cook dinner together on Thursday nights. As soon as I get back from the studio, she blasts Def Leppard and hands me the apron she bought for me, identical to her own.

She never asks me to leave or questions how long I’ll stay. She likes my company, or so it seems.

Until one day.

Martisha comes home from the grocery market with a flyer in her hand that has my face on it.

“Salad! Is that your name? All this time I’ve been calling you Cynthia,” she says.

“It’s Salacia, but I don’t mind.”

“Oh, shit. You’re right. That’s what it says here. Well, you should care! A name is highly important information. So is the fact that your daddy is out there looking for you.”

My knees buckle. “I won’t go back there. I just have to save up enough money and I promise I’ll leave. But I won’t go back.

Please, don’t take me back.” I beg her.

Martisha rips up the flyer and tosses the pieces of paper into the recycling bin. She places her hand on my back and guides me to sit down at the kitchen table.

“Talk to me,” she says.

I tell her everything.

For my seventeenth birthday, Martisha and I travel to the Philippines.

But nothing in this world, not even water remains the same. On All Souls Day, we visit Mom’s grave.

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For my eighteenth birthday, we return to New York.

IV. I’m walking through Central Park on a Sunday afternoon. I see a mother and a father, each one holding the hand of a little girl walking between them. She hears my camera click. Then she turns around and looks at me, wide-eyed and curious. She isn’t afraid. I smile at her.

As I turn around to head back to my studio, where Martisha will meet me before we grab dinner, I spot a familiar face sitting on top of an unfamiliar body. He’s on the wooden bench across from the Three Dancing Maidens.

“Salacia?”

“Hi, Dad.”

He scans me from head to toe.

“You look different,” he says.

“So do you.”

He opens his arms to hug me and to my surprise, I don’t resist.

He is an old man now, I tell myself as my arms make their way around his skeleton. He’s fragile, almost childlike, but still just as stubborn and stiff as I remember him.

“Need some cash or something?” he asks.

“I have everything I need.”

I can see why Mom loved him once. The deep sadness that rests behind his hardened stare taunts me, trying to break me and make me beg for his forgiveness.

“Well it’s good to see you again. I’ve missed you,” he says.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I won’t hold you up now.”

“You’re fine.”

I imagine his eyes are glimmering with tears and realize that even if they were, it wouldn’t make a difference to me after all these years.

“Salacia, did you find home?”

I look at him one last time. His eyes are still dry. Still empty.

Click.

Beach reads

Modern romance

By David Galef | Illustrations by Darcy Kelly-Laviolette

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Beach reads

O

n her way to Bar-Rista, Yelped by 62 people as having the most Instagram friendly macchiato in Tampa, Sandra had already lost reception twice because of some weird interference—the Centro Ybor sign? extreme humidity?—that reduced her bars to zero.

When a text to Li’l D, her #1 comadre, refused to send, Sandra gave up and dropped the phone into her snatch bag. One more block and she’d arrived: a green storefront identified only by a Mercator projection of a coffee cup as the world. Framed with rubber matting, the door sucked open, sucked closed.

At 2:24, all five tables were occupied. A three-day-scruff espresso drinker typed laconically on his laptop; a woman wearing three shades of black gulped at a cup where only froth was left, thumbing her phone with her other hand; a trans individual

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sipped at a cappuccino while scowling at something on their iPad. An older woman, at least 30, sat in the far corner of the 10’ x 10’ space, snapping a keyboard onto her tablet, ignoring the madeleine on the saucer in front of her. A couple in identical RAGE T-shirts sat across from each other, texting.

The tables fit only 1.75 people, which seemed unfair. Even the three window-counter semi seats looked occupied. Suddenly the one at the end was open, freed by a patron shoving a day-glo Samsung Galaxy into her back jeans pocket as she got up to leave. Sandra claimed the stool in three quick strides, plopping her bag onto the seat and heading back to the counter to order a soy latte with an extra shot. In afterthought, she added a double-cocoa brownie. She tapped her foot, logged onto BarRista’s signal, and checked her phone while waiting. Never mind L’il D. The battery was down to 17%. Her charger was AWOL, of

Beach reads course. Anyway, five texts all in the last five minutes. Had to be Bvörk, the guy she’d linked up with on Kik last week, claiming he was related to the singer Björk. Fun only the first few days.

She scanned the series: sup baby where r u miss u u like otters right? check out this site otterbody lol wait otterbodies She blocked his 941 Sarasota number. But she accessed DiverCity to see whether an abandoned baby otter story had made the cut—Bvörk the dork was right: she dug otters—then saw it’d been upstaged in favor of a ten-year-old boy who’d hacked into Tumblr. 74 upvotes. The featured clips on YouTube she’d already seen mid-morning, including Rockstar Mom. But while she was watching that a second time—those licks!—she checked whether anyone had viewed her cat trick video: pretty awesome for a kitten to crochet, at least that’s what it was supposed to look like, for all her coaching of Mew Mew. Only three new viewers had registered, one of whom had left the message “get a Dog!” Ugh. She’d have to make her friends Alex and Destiny from her local Ning give it another FB plug.

By the time Sandra walked back to her stool with her coffee and brownie, she was over her 941 fling. Whatever. Installed in her window nook, she took a deep sip from her drink, ignoring the brownie for the moment, and went back to her phone. March 27, 14:31—as well as the phase of the moon, from some weather app she’d downloaded and never gotten around to uninstalling.

No one had called—almost no one ever did these days, except her mother—but she made the mistake of checking her Gmail. Two messages from work sat in her inbox like grim sentinels. Sandra had a sort of job at Kress, a vegan catering shop nestled by Riverwalk. Her boss, a waif named Sheila, awarded her seven hours a week, mostly to answer inquiries and place orders. Sheila was old-school but recognized how much the game had changed. “I’ll do the cooking, you do the tech,” she’d told Sandra on more than one occasion. Sandra entered the shop every time feeling as if she’d crossed back into the 20th century. She thumbed off. She’d check email later.

Now she was making up for the lost hour of cutting across and downtown. She accessed her tunes, selected Mardi Mix, and tucked in her buds. She checked into Slalom but received only 1 point since she’d been here before. Try the americano! raved some idiot in the lower right portion of the screen. She took a pull at her latte and found it too hot. Since it was already mid-afternoon, she checked her newsfeed. PETA was again picketing in Key West against python exploitation. Flick. Tom Cruise carried up the Great Wall of China by his bodyguards.

Flick. Yoga with Alec Baldwin, wondering out loud about having a sixth kid. Smile wrinkles around his eyes. God, the guy was getting old.

In another tab, she toggled over to Jezebel and was just scanning yet another piece about the death of twerking when a “hey” came from Skype, since she hadn’t bothered to make herself invisible. Alex? Alexis? “Hey hey,” she typed. A lewd custom emoji appeared, and she X’d out the exchange without bothering to find out which contact it was.

Guys.

The steam was still rising from her cup, and Sandra thought the pattern it made in the air was extremely artistic. Like a swan made of smoke, with her as the sculptor. She snapped one, two, three shots of the swirl and was about to post one on Snapchat when she realized it could really use a filter. Onscreen with Sepia, the shots didn’t look nearly as cool, and neither did any other geofilter. She took off the filters and tried again, but by the time she’d framed the mug just right, the steam had gone. She took a long sip, relishing the nutty soy taste that Mike, three boyfriends ago, had taught her to like. Another afternoon, she tweeted in her mind, but at the same coffee shop, drinking the same coffee. Then, because she liked the sound of that, she got on Twitter (@SandraS)—but not before checking out Mike’s latest microblog on FriendFeed—and sent it off into the flow.

Within 30 seconds, @devon.man wrote back: u left out what kinda coffee Sandra wasn’t sure, so she walked over to the counter, where today’s brew was chalked up in block letters. Harrar ethiopian, she tweeted back, whatever that is what would u say, devon-something-or-other replied, if i told u that im part ethiopian—with a crooked-smile emoji. For the first time, Sandra thought that the yellow face looked cute.

At this point they switched to Hangouts, though Sandra was already checking him out on FB. Devon turned out to be a good-looking guy in his twenties, maybe, relationship status available, with a lot of curly brown hair and no man bun, thank God, one of the reasons she’d broken up with Dennis last week.

But you never knew how accurate the images were. Sandra’s main pic was current, within the last three years, but her friend, Tom the computer geek, had Photoshopped the hell out of it, as a favor for a favor that both had put behind them.

She’d been blonde, briefly pink, for the last five years. She was still petite but had been told by several people that she made up for it by being way assertive. No way to show that on FB, except for her typed-out list of likes and dislikes, the dislikes outnumbering the likes 5 to 1. Sense of humor, too: she claimed to dislike people who made lists of likes and dislikes. Beyond the photos, including one of her with whatsisname at that piñata party, her stats were fairly basic: timeline, which fixed her at 25, having graduated from USF three year ago. Marital status single, of course. Unsure what to list for activities, she’d put down hiking, figuring that sounded green.

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Beach reads Was Devon checking her out? Unclear. He asked if she knew the band Hot Coffee, and she googled it right away. love that song outta my way, she thumbed. She sometimes found time in between messages to access her PinIt bookmarks, but not now. She reached over to her latte, which was now barely breathing, but she didn’t mind. Much. purple rinse and repeat ?

That group she did happen to know and also happened to like. stairway to nowhere! for sure

drummers awesome

Devon was so right. What could she do but agree? She did. was glued to the holly would concert last nite on nubandz OMG yes Holly Would really was a new fave of hers, especially after that video featuring Holly in half-body spandex, singing on top of her lead guitar player. not as hot as the video tho instrument

holly playing him like an

Bingo—Devon’s description dead-on, her thoughts exactly. For a second, she wondered whether Devon was using some new mind-reading app. No, this was just a sympatico vibe. But nice. u write well He sent her a blushing smiley face, along with an aww She had to ask, probably should’ve five messages ago: r u in a band ? um yeah name pls lemon drop link pls He sent her one to a song called “Through All of You.” It had a catchy rhythm, and what she could understand of the lyrics sounded clever, including a rhyme that linked “had more than a few” with “up my paddle without a canoe.” When he asked her what she did, she only half-lied and told him she was in the catering business. any desserts

blondies ?

Gluten free blondies with a killer brown sugar kick were a specialty of Sheila’s. This was so right. yes & red velvet cupcakes too A lip-licking smiley face.

She matched it with the one where the second yellow square hugs and kisses the first.

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A pause. Then came a link to a hologram rose.

She posted it to FB and, after some deliberation, sent him a photo of her in her tightest jeans. not for posting but to enjoy in private wow ur so hot u dont mean that do Another pause. Then Devon started talking cyber hangouts.

Kennedy Country Club, Prana Pool. The last place she’d visited, Pianos, the session had lasted till two a.m., she got sick from the Ranch Doritos she’d finished a bag of, and left the screen with an odd ringing in her ears. So when Devon asked whether she’d like to visit Bembe this evening, she typed maybe and left it at that.

After ten more minutes of exchanges, she found herself falling for him. He was quick on the draw (essential), good looks (ditto), and seemed to be into the same things she was into (perfect). Good sense of humor. The one about the ass-backwards iPhone was on today’s JokeDaily, but so what?

This, as she’d once heard on some oldie video, could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. The Mardi Mix was now on Dreamland’s “I Think I’m Falling in Love”: karmic.

Beach reads

Florida’s Oldest Gun Shop

She typed that she would visit Bembe with him, and what about virtual tapas at Arepa? They set it for 8:00. face time? she typed, and he invited her.

His icon was a tiny Viking. When the video connection opened, she saw that he was even hotter than in his FB photo, his shaggy brown hair hanging over a pair of blue eyes that drew in all the pixels in the area. He was framed against what looked like—a coffee bar.

She barely trusted her voice. “Where are you?”

“I’m at Caffeine.” He smiled, curving white teeth like the gateway to some inviting cave.

“The place with the pinball machine? God, that’s where I almost went this afternoon!”

She reached over her head to pull back her hair.

“No Harrar Ethiopian here. No you, either.”

He leaned in, looking both humorous and sad. His voice, even through her buds, was a rich tenor that made her vibrate.

“That could change. Whatcha doin’ now?”

She opened her mouth as if she were going to eat him, glad she’d put on a scoop-neck this morning.

His eyes widened. His vintage T with the orange Würzburg logo made him look like a very young Sting. They back-and-forthed for a while longer, Sandra sinking deeper and deeper into the screen. When he said something about double-chocolate brownies, she laughed. “Oh, my God, I love you. You are so me.”

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Devon bit his lip adorably. Finally he murmured, “Back atcha.”

They beamed at their screens.

Five seconds, ten.

It might’ve been eternity.

Finally Devon sighed, gestured upward.

“Um, listen. I’m going to have to stop soon. Got a million texts to put out. Trying to get some action on a video the band’s releasing.” He made a what-I-have-to-putup-with face. “But I’ll text you, promise.

Twenty-thirty minutes, okay?”

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Beach reads Sandra blew him a kiss with a little tongue.

What to do now? More of the latte, which by now had cooled almost to room temperature. In fact, she’d brought a project, a flash fiction she’d been working on since yesterday, about a virtual city park where everyone plays with everyone else, from kids to adults, but that was as far as she’d gotten. For inspiration, she opened a new window and googled images of playgrounds, but they all looked disturbingly real, whereas hers was more . . . conceptual. After staring at the screen for a minute, she realized that was as far as she was going to get today. She kept visualizing Devon’s wide smile, Devon’s texts.

Just thinking about contact with him made her hot. On came Voodoo zydeco, “Somethin’ Change Your Days.” She loved when her music lined up with her life. The thought of Devon emerged again: clicking on a 3D dish of patatas bravas with him at Arepa. Without thinking, she ate the entire brownie on the plate. Then she got onto YouTube, didn’t check the cat trick video, exited, and replayed “Through All of You.” She couldn’t help noticing this time that some of the lyrics applied to her, especially the line “Won’t leave you stranded in a small-town café . . . .”

Funny how being in love could mentally rearrange all your apps. One part of human nature they hadn’t been able to computerize.

To distract herself from her distraction, she checked BuzzFeed: U.S. government in shutdown mode, celebs behaving badly on planes. She IM’d Erin, her #2 comadre, and was slightly hurt when no immediate reply came. She always answered Erin right away. Finally, she went back to Hangouts to reread some of Devon’s replies.

She scrolled happily. Good opening line, cute follow-through, neat stuff about bands, bars, and one of those smiley faces, the reaction to spicy food, was lmfao. Devon was clever and probably had clever friends, too. More lines, leading to the date at Arepa this evening— But resting at the bottom were three extra lines addressed to someone named Kyra, whom he called “sexy girl” and confirming a “steamy rendezvous @ the Loco Cyber Lounge.”

Huh? He’d clearly typed into the wrong box without realizing.

The display blurred surrealistically into her last year’s laptop blue screen of death before coming back into hard focus.

Dido rejected by Aeneas, from that mini-classics course she’d taken her junior year. Which she’d gotten a C in, but some things you don’t forget. She’d bookmarked a Wiki page about it. Like that scene in Game of Thrones. She blinked back a few tears, felt herself on the pyre, began to grow dizzy. Fading.

Sandra put out a hand to steady herself, but she got no support from her phone. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them onto the same screen, which she minimized.

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What else could she do but open another window? She couldn’t stand this. She’d have to. Her entire future had skidded offline—maybe. She still wasn’t 100% sure, and she’d be damned if she’d reach out first. An old Angry Birds app her only company, she waited for Devon to text her.

When he did, a full forty minutes after she’d last spoken to him, with a sorry babes, she asked him about Kyra.

A pause that lasted longer than a 25MB download. Then came: u know kyra? no but u do rt?

Another long hesitation. Too long. just someone ... girl i used to date Sandra’s turn to pause. She felt something shift within her, like a screen turned sideways. Sadness, then anger. She saw all the minutes she’d wasted, spilling downward in the hourglass app she’d downloaded but never used. Was that it? Was that all there ever was? Was this the pattern of all history, of the whole internet? She flexed her fingers. sooo? wait pls wait for what Devon typed nothing.

Sandra signed off. Which was like falling upon Aeneas’s sword, but she did it.

For a while, she sat with her hands in her lap. It had been so promising. Hadn’t it? Hadn’t it? Brendan Maclean’s “Stupid” was channeling through. She felt like crying, shook her head, and removed her buds. When she looked into the depths of her drink, she was surprised to find it all gone.

Espresso man was still typing into his laptop, and the woman in blacks was now smiling at her phone, but half the other patrons had left, leaving an empty rectangle around her.

Another latte? No. She sat there another minute in silence, but finally found it unbearable. She couldn’t remove the image from her mental screen: Devon laughing, talking to her and her alone. The future they might’ve had in cyberworld.

She was close to dead. Her phone was now down to 2%.

She found breathing difficult, as if she’d used up the air surrounding her. Time to face reality. Packing up to leave, she felt as if escaping from a hole, but when she exited by the tinted glass door, she felt sharp regret. Compared to the washed-out gray of the sidewalk, her love had seemed so much more solid than what was outside.

about the authors KyKye is a writer, currently pursuing her BFA in Creative Writing from Ringling College of Art and Design. She is also an actress, Thespian alumni, and graduated Theatre major from the Academy for Performing Arts in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Connect with her on Instagram KyKye Kostroun Salacia

@_eclectickye.

David Galef has published over a dozen books, including the novels Flesh and How to Cope with Suburban Stress (one of Kirkus’s Best 30 Books of the Year) and the short-story collections Laugh Track and My Date with Neanderthal Woman (Dzanc Books’ Short Story Collection Award). His work has been translated into Russian, Spanish, and Japanese. His latest volume is Brevity: A Flash David Galef A Modern Romance

Fiction Handbook. See more at davidgalef.com.

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VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL 941.955.7676 / vanwezel.org Friday Fest Reverend Barry & The Funk August 16

THE VENICE INSTITUTE FOR PERFORMING ARTS 941.218.3779 veniceperformingartscenter.com Sandy-Toes Stand-Up Comedy August 10

VENICE THEATRE 941.488.1115 / venicestage.com Urinetown Through August 11 Cabaret Festival Through August 25

Connect with us on Social Media! @sarasotascene @scenesarasota @sarasotascene @scenemagsrq

For a full list of this season’s performing arts events, view our Arts & Culture Guide.

SCENESARASOTA.COM

AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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arts&culture

Meet Artist

BART BLANKENSHIP of Highway Blues Guitars

After graduating high school in Palmetto, Bart joined the Navy on his 18th birthday and was a nuclear engineer on the USS Mississippi. During that time, he’d take his shipmates camping, canoeing, scuba diving and sailing, and found they were a better crew after bonding with these outdoor adventures.

They also played a lot of guitar. Bart found out about Outward Bound, a school originally started to toughen merchant sailors so they would survive the hardships of being in lifeboats after their ships had been torpedoed by Hitler’s submarines in WWII. After 6 years in the Navy, Bart worked for Outward Bound in Colorado and still leads courses for them in various locations. His philosophy has always been: Go outside! For Bart, that’s where the magic happens, where you find inspiration and realize your capabilities. It was after he started building his cigar box guitars that something happened. A feeling of well-being crept throughout his body while playing one day. It was if he’d just ran ten miles and had that runner’s high.

Bart reached out to the VA at the Bay Pines Hospital and volunteered teaching a guitar-building workshop.

Last month, over 4th of July weekend at the Veterans Healing Farm in Hendersonville, NC, Bart taught eleven Vets to build cigar box guitars.

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He’s really excited to be performing at Art Ovation Hotel on Palm Avenue August 12 to the 19th. Bart says the hotel has a great sound system and he’ll get to plug in! Cigar box guitars are easier to play than traditional guitars, so he encourages anyone wanting to learn not to be hesitant.

Ric Ledford

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ALEXART INTERNATIONAL alexartinternational.com | 813.465.1249 Beautiful Venezia August 2 A Colorful Summer August 1 – 31

ART UPTOWN GALLERY artuptown.com | 941.955.5409 11th Annual Dog Days Juried Open Art Exhibit July 27 – August 30

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THE JOHN AND MABLE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART ringling.org | 941.359.5700 Sun Xun: Time Spy August 11

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Eat &Drink DELICIOUS DISHES AND DRINKS + THE PERFECT PLACES TO PARTAKE

The Blue Rooster

AUGUST AUGUST 2019 2019 || SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE

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The Blue Rooster

on the town

FOOT STOMPIN’ EATS

By Rick Dakan

There are a lot of advantages to living in a tourist town. Yeah, yeah, we all complain about the traffic, but in addition to all the economic benefit stuff there’s a more tangible benefit: way more entertainment and dining options than most cities of our size. Sarasota is swimming in live music, especially in the more touristy areas, and there are also a ton of terrific venues with great food and great bands.

THE BLUE ROOSTER 1525 Fourth Street, Sarasota 941.388.7539 Monday: Closed Tuesday & Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM Thursday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM Saturday: 5:00 PM –11:30 PM Sunday: 11:15 AM – 2:30 PM The Blue Rooster was designed from inception as a music venue, and the restaurant’s event calendar is packed with live acts every night they’re open. The southern cuisine inspired menu reflects the rock, blues, jazz, and gospel acts that fill the space to the rafters with music. There’s a hearty gumbo and Brunswick stew for the spoon-fed inclined, and for the knife and fork crowd there’s fried chicken & waffle, and cornmeal coated catfish with collard greens (why would I order anything else?). Regular acts at The Blue Rooster include some well-established Sarasota favorites. The Al Fuller Band takes over every Wednesday evening for their boisterous Blues Jam. Local Grateful Dead tribute band Ship of Fools are also frequent performers, bringing their full panoply of Dead head favorites and deep cuts to the stage.

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For a truly inspiring and filling entertainment extravaganza, you have to wait for Sunday and you better make reservations. The Blue Rooster’s Sunday Gospel Brunch is an experience not to be missed. It features Truality, a tremendous, award-winning gospel band under the music direction of Dennis Clove, who started the group with some members of his church’s choir. Their uplifting, family-friendly gospel music accompanies a feast of brunch buffet goodness: biscuits and gravy, waffles, eggs, bacon, fried chicken, catfish, Brunswick stew, fried green tomatoes, and more and more.

Held every Sunday from 11:15 AM to 2:00 PM, it costs $24.95 for adults, $12 for kids 6 to 12, and children under 6 eat free.

MATTISON’S CITY GRILLE 1 North Lemon Ave, Sarasota 941.330.0440 Sunday and Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Tues to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM Does anyone else remember The Depot? A literal hole in the wall with a liquor license and a sad little stage-like platform. No roof, no real seating, no food. Just a booze hole and some place a band might play. Mattison’s City Grille, still al fresco, built out a huge bar,

on the town

Lisa Ridings at Mattison’s City Grille a large roof, and installed plenty of fans. The result is a downtown landmark—an open-air stage with great sound and great acts.

Every Saturday, the Lisa Ridings band takes the stage and delivers their high-energy set-list of rock, blues, Motown, and soul hits.

Thursdays are just a little more chill (just a little), with The Venturas bringing their jazz, blues, rock, and country. Mattison’s menu is full of mildly upscale crowd pleasers, including a Cucumber & Avocado Gazpacho soup that will keep things cool if you’re rocking out on a summer’s eve. Along with a tasty variety of brick oven pizzas, seafood, and salads, there’s a lot of meat on the menu: lamb, meatloaf, ribeye, filet, pork ribeye, half chicken, burgers, and bolognese—all from humanely raised sources like Niman Ranch.

FOGARTYVILLE 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota 941.894.6469 Check wslr.org/event for dates and times.

Fogartyville is a unique and wonderful venue in Sarasota, with a completely different vibe than most of the other live music venues in town. Attached to and part of WSLR community radio, it carries the communitarian ethos out of the radio studio and into a funky facility they call “Sarasota’s premier listening room.” The space is

There’s always great talent at Fogartyvlle. Pictured is the performer Melanie, known as the “female Bob Dylan”, who sang her hits “Lay Down” and “Brand New Key”. also host to cultural, educational, and community events, but the eclectic and entertaining variety of music acts that come through Fogartyville are a special delight that all local music lovers should pay attention to.

One of the highlights of the Fogartyville calendar has always been Very Merry Jerry Day, a daylong family-friendly celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead, which takes full advantage of Fogartyvilles spacious outdoor area as well as the indoor seating. The only downside of the event in past years was its August date, which has gotten just too hot. But this year the event is Sunday, November 3, which should be a whole lot nicer.

Chef Richard’s Kumquat Kitchen Food Truck provides much needed sustenance at Fogartyville shows, parked just outside the front door. As with many food trucks, the menu may vary, but there’s something fun and inspired going on inside the mobile kitchen. As befits the Fogartyville demographic, there are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten options, including vegetarian chili and naan bread served with spinach and grilled vegetables. The carnivores are well-served too, with beef, chicken, and seafood options always available.

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arts&culture

LITERARY Scene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

THE BOOKEXPO EDITION

BookExpo—the largest publishing industry trade show in North America—took place at the end of May in New York City. And I was there to scoop up as many advance reading copies as I could carry. (Actually, I cheated by shipping a couple of boxes home!)

Here are some of the most interesting and hottest forthcoming titles with their release dates and some teaser material. Watch for full-sized reviews of some of these down the road!

ARTEMIS FOWL: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL A graphic novel by Eoin Colfer (25 June 2019) About the book and the series, Colfer said, “Young people love Artemis for the power he wields over adults. Most kids are just as smart as their parents, but this intelligence does not translate into responsibility, and so they love the passages where Artemis bamboozles his teachers and enemies, because they would love to do that themselves. Wish fulfillment on the page!”

In graphic form, no less!

THE MAGICIANS: ALICE’S STORY

eyes of the brilliant, determined Alice Quinn. I’ve read this with my kids twice already—it’s terrific.

IS THERE STILL SEX IN THE CITY? a nonfiction book by Candace Bushnell (6 August 2019) The writer of Sex and the City just turned 60 last year, and this book focuses on a period of life that she feels doesn’t get enough attention—the 50s. “For me,” she said, “the book is about not having the answers—we don’t know what the answers are, but we’re still looking and still trying.”

a graphic novel by Lev Grossman

JUST BEYOND: THE SCARE SCHOOL ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

(16 July 2019)

a graphic novel by R.L. Stine (3 September 2019)

You likely know him from the HBO series, The Magicians, based on his bestselling The Magicians trilogy. This graphic story reimagines the entire first novel of the series, but through the

1 00

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We all love him from his ridiculously popular Goosebumps series, and he’s still delivering on the thrills and chills. In this story, a

arts&culture

deadly monster is roaming the halls of the middle school (The Scare School), and Josh, Jess, and Marco head to the boiler room to uncover its secret. Suitable for kids 9-12.

THERE WAS A BLACK HOLE THAT SWALLOWED THE UNIVERSE a picture book by Chris Ferrie (3 September 2019) Far more fun and giggles than one might expect from the #1 science author for kids, considering the apocalyptic title! Spoiler: there’s secret, invisible text and art that reverses the story, going from nothing back to the creation of everything! Suitable for kids 4-8.

THE TRIALS OF APOLLO, BOOK FOUR: THE TYRANT’S TOMB a middle grade book by Rick Riordan (24 September 2019) He’s called “the storyteller of the gods” by Publisher’s Weekly, thanks to five bestselling middle grade series on myths, gods, and legends. This new installment looks like quite a bit of fun. After all, in Rick’s version, the 4,000-year-old Apollo has been punished by being sent to live in New York City as a human teenager named Lester Papadopoulos who doesn’t have magic. Suitable for kids 10-14, but just like the Harry Potter series, plenty of older people—like me!—dig these books.

MEDALLION STATUS: TRUE STORIES AND COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADES a humor book by John Hodgman (15 October 2019) It’s kind of a sequel to Vacationland, but not really. In this new book, Hodgman explores the strangeness of his career, which began as a literary agent (in his 20s) who tried his own hand at writing. Then he appeared on The Daily Show to promote one of his books, and he got invited to return. It gets weirder—and at times, quite moving—from there. Lots of fun, if you like the type of often-deadpan fun that Hodgman brings.

THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS a thriller by Lisa Jewell (29 October 2019) A gifted musician. An inheritance. A cryptic message demanding a return to London. A dark family legacy. This book has the wellplotted suspense that Jewell’s readers fully expect.

ALI CROSS a young adult book by James Patterson (25 November 2019) You know the Alex Cross series—it’s sold 100+ million copies.

Now meet his son, Ali, who’s eager to follow in the family detective business. Good thing, too, because this story’s about how Ali’s friend goes missing!

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insider

InHEALTH

BIRTH TISSUE, INFLAMMATION & HAIR REGENERATION

BY DR. JOSEPH GRECO

Inflammation causes acceleration of male and female pattern hair loss and is the common thread with all autoimmune hair loss diseases like Alopecia Areata (AA), Discoid Lupus (DL), lichen planopilaris (LPP) and other cicatricial alopecia’s.

Therefore, reducing systemic inflammation is critical in modifying (slowing down) the side effects such as hair loss and scarring.

Defects in the immune system also have effects on hair and a study, published online May 26, 2017 in Cell, suggests “defects in Tregs could be responsible for alopecia areata, a common autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss and could potentially play a role in other forms of baldness, including male pattern baldness”. 1

The following Greco Medical Group patient exemplifies the theory that stem cells and immune cells must work together to make hair regeneration possible.

The patient below is a 63-year-old male with Male Pattern hair loss and a positive scalp biopsy for lichen planopilaris (LPP), a scarring hair loss disease. Hair transplantation was not an option with LPP, so Umbilical Cord Stem cells were used to reduce inflammation systemically, support the immune system and this is his result 8 months after one treatment.

“We think of immune cells as coming into a tissue to fight infection, while stem cells are there to regenerate the tissue after it’s damaged,” M. Rosenbloom said, “But what we found here is that stem cells and immune cells have to work together to make regeneration possible”. 1

IV MSC PRP/CRP 1 02

SARASOTA SCENE | AUGUST 2019

MONTH 8

insider The patient’s hair color darkened significantly, the character and aesthetic density of his hair increased. Systemically, positive side effects occurred when the patient PSA dropped from 2.9 to 2.1 and LDL Cholesterol dropped from 121 to 95 with no lifestyle change.

A second patient suffering hair loss from diffuse Alopecia Areata, who failed all traditional therapy, was successfully treated with Stem Cell therapy and these were her results at 7 weeks.

DIFFUSE ALOPECIA

IV-UCT-MSC

WEEK 7

Finally, this novel treatment may be an alternative protocol to regenerate hair and modify the progression of inflammatory diseases in cicatricial alopecia’s when hair transplantation is not indicated and other systemic treatments fail. More studies are definitely warranted.

In 2007, Joseph Greco published our Preliminary Experience and Extended Applications for the Use of Platelet Rich Plasma in Hair Restoration Surgery 2 then, in 2009, he published The Effects of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma on Non-Transplanted Miniaturized 3 and the use of PRP as a non-surgical treatment for hair restoration was introduced.

In 2009, he received a Research Grant to Study the Effects of Autologous Growth Factors in Alopecia Areata2 and reported the results in Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2010. A patent was then granted for a Skin Treatment for Promoting Hair Growth4 utilizing PRP for hair regeneration on Jan 5th, 2016.

Dr. Greco has trained physicians from 20 countries in the use of PRP and continues in advanced biologics treatments for hair restoration as well as pain and orthopedic injuries with GMG proprietary methods. These proprietary hair restoration treatments have evolved over the past 12 years and 8,000 treatments.

REFERENCES 1- Rosenblum, MD, PhD, 2017. Online pub UCSF News Center New Hair Growth Mechanism Discovered, Faulty Immune H. Cells May Play Role in Alopecia, Other Forms of Baldness, published on-line May 26 in Cell 2- Greco, J, Brandt, R., Preliminary Experience and Extended Applications for the Use of Platelet Rich Plasma in Hair Restoration Surgery, International Hair Transplant Forum, July/August 2007 3- Greco, J, Brandt, R, The Effects of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma on Non-Transplanted Miniaturized Hair, International Hair Transplant Forum, March –April 2009 4- Greco, J. Research Grant Report Presented in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, ISHRS Meeting, 2010

Joseph Greco, PhD, PA/C 1990 Main Street, Suite 700, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.952.3300 grecomedicalgroup.com

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Kathleen Services J. Houseweart Kathleen J. Houseweart Director Sarasota Guardianship Director Guardianship Program,Sarasota 941-358-6330.

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Kathleen J. Houseweart Director Sarasota Guardianship Program, 941-358-6330.

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Kathleen J. Houseweart Director Sarasota Guardianship Program, 941-358-6330.

Most people will never need a guardian. If you plan well, talk to family about your wishes, and prepare legal documents to designate someone to

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insider

Laughing MATTERS THE ONE ABOUT BEA & BOOKCON (& NYC)

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Illustrations by Darcy Kelly-Laviolette

I

just got back from BEA—that stands for BookExpo America, which is North America’s largest publishing industry trade show. Basically, it was me and 10,000 other writers, editors, agents, publicists, and booksellers geeking out about books for three days in New York City.

Also, there were librarians. And mole people.* (*Though to be clear, I’m not at all sure those latter two groups weren’t just one group that blurred together in my memory. Big apologies here to the mole people, if so!)

BEA was paired back-to-back with BookCon, a new event billed as “where storytelling meets pop culture.” I like pop culture (Smurfs, American Idol, baby panda videos, etc.).

Plus I like stories (if knock-knock jokes are stories). So, how could I NOT go to this 1-2 writerly punch, right?

Thank your lucky pancakes that I did, because taken together, these two events left me with valuable, humorcolumn-worthy stuff which I’ll share here just in case you want to attend BEA and/or BookCon next year. Or if you just want to have the up-to-date 411 on what the heck’s wrong with New York City now.

Regarding the events: • 49.1% of male writers have manbuns.

• The average number of books people brought from home to be signed by James Patterson? 481.

• The amount of time I spent in the BEA pressroom: zero minutes, zero seconds.

• The amount of time I spent in line to get a gyro at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center food court? Fourteen minutes, nine million and seven seconds.

• The exact number of my own books that I saw on display at BEA and/or BookCon? 1.6 • The only thing in kidlit hotter than a book about a unicorn? A book WRITTEN by a unicorn. (I think Random House has one of those coming out in November.)

• Asking Rick Riordan if he’s related to Dexter (from the TV show)?

Not a good idea.

• Asking Rick Riordan why the Percy Jackson movie series tanked?

Equally poor idea.

• Asking Rick Riordan what’s the dealio with his wife’s birthday being the same day as his, and didn’t that type of dating criteria limit the pool a bit? Oof. • Asking Rick Riordan why he got married on—of all 365 options— his and his wife’s birthday? Zounds.

• Librarians wear shirts that say things like “I like to party . . . and by party I mean read books” and “I’m a book dragon, not a worm.”

• Overheard librarian stories are hilarious. Actual things they’ve (apparently) had to say to library patrons: »» “No, I don’t know your email password.” »» “Someone better check on porn guy. Again.” »» “The library staff cannot watch your baby while you run to Walmart.” »» “No one’s hiding the tax forms. They’re not in yet.”

AUGUST 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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insider Regarding New York City: • Way too many restaurants are cash-only. (What type of dinosaur-times person carries cash?)

• The clipboard mafia is alive and well. (They linger in pairs outside subway stops and ambush you, insisting you sign whatever #$!@#%$!_ petition they’ve got going. Like “Bring back 32 oz. sodas!” or “Parker Posey for President!”)

• I am an important part of every aspiring rappers’ PR plan.

(How do I know? During my week in NYC, about 8 zillion of them approached me on the street, saying, “Yo yo, playa, don’t you love rap?” as they thrust a homemade CD into my hands and asked me for a “donation.”)

• Rats. Like WAY more than one, which is entirely too many.

A particular jumbo-sized rat monster perched atop a moldering garbage heap off 48th Street and flexed right at me, as if saying, “You want a piece of me? You want a piece of THIS?” (“No, sir, Mr. Rat!” I said, fleeing the scene for the safety of a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts, which, incidentally is pretty much only good for fleeing a scene into. The coffee? Meh. The donuts? Abyssmal, both in taste and selection. The flee-ability factor? Not bad at all.)

• Lead-footed cabbies with a death wish. Oodles of them.

Except the guy I got the one time I used a cab, who turned out to be turtle-slow, he took all the wrong turns, and he kept apologizing by saying, “I don’t speak English!” in perfect English.

• People on the street howling at nothing. Seriously. Maybe it was just that my hotel was in the whack-a-doodle part of Midtown, but I encountered dozens of these noisy folks every day, railing aloud and waving their arms like overcaffeinated cartoon characters. One accused me of listening in on his brain. I didn’t mean to! I was just looking for a bodega without a $10 minimum for credit card purchases.

• $14 for soup “lunch bowls” that end up being the size of those marinara cups you get when you order the fivemozzarella-stick appetizer at TGIF. • The noise. For the love of god, the !@#$!@#$ noise.

On the plus side, I met R.L. Stine (see photo in the Literary Scene column), got yelled at by Rick Riordan’s handlers (see prior page), and came home with nine BEA lanyards. Booyah!

All things considered, I think this pretty much sums up the trip, scoreboard style.

Ryan 14,329,213 NYC 7 But I hear NYC wants a rematch, same time, same place, next year. Watch for it!

PS—No Rick Riordans were harmed in the making of this month’s humor column.

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PPS—I’ve never actually met nor spoken with Rick Riordan.

I’m lousy with names, so I simply use “Rick Riordan” for any famous writer whose name I can’t recall. Like how people say “Coke” to mean a Sprite, a Mug root beer, an orange Fanta, a Pepsi, or any soft drink.

PPS—Librarians rule. To prove that I mean it, here’s a librariansonly joke. Just for them.

• How many librarians does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

• Answer: 645.5 • Clarification for non-librarians: (It’s the Dewey decimal classification for Household furnishings—lighting fixtures)

Have you own disastrous conference experience, perhaps one involving a busload of penguins, a giant pineapple, and a parachute? Ever bump into “Rick Riordan” in a crowded movie theater and end up sharing popcorn with him? Have you made the pilgrimage to NYC only to find that the urine stink in the subways made you realize all the travel brochures were hooey and that it’s NOT the best city since Atlantis? Ever arm-wrestled a reference librarian?

If so, zoom off an email to ryan@sarasotascene.com with full details ASAP. Bonus points for stories over 12,000 words!

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