February2015

TableSeide

Birth The

of A New Hospitality Concept John Moffitt:

From Beatlemania to Robin Williams

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The Best Heart Care Pumped Up Sarasota Memorial’s cardiac care is exemplary; world-class, in fact. From robotic cardiac surgery in the iSuites to TAVR in the Hybrid OR, our cardiac specialists, in affiliation with Columbia University, provide the area’s best heart care.

Now in our new Courtyard Tower, two state-of-the-art cardiac floors feature private, healing rooms equipped with advanced technology for all types of heart patients and their care teams. How do you improve upon the best care?

We do it with an enhanced patient experience that promotes faster recoveries.

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City Life February 2015

Volume 58 No. 2

37 TAKING SHAPE Studio South Fitness

42

42 TURNING THINGS ‘UP-SEIDE’ DOWN A New Concept in Hospitality from the Seidenstickers

By Sue Cullen

52 PROUDLY INDEPENDENT Eddie & Todd Morton Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

56 CITY PULSE Sarasota Delivers Eclectic Entertainment Mix Photography and Art Direction by John Revisky

65 COMFORTS OF HOME Doctors Hospital’s Orthopedic and Spine Institute

By Sue Cullen

72 FST’S KEATING THEATRE CENTENNIAL

By Steven J. Smith

75 SARASOTA OPERA’S VERDI CYCLE The Penultimate Season

By Steven J. Smith

56

78 BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA Fins at Sharky’s is Making Waves

By Sue Cullen

80 LIGHT CHASERS Plein Air Painters Paint Out!

82 BRADENTON HOT SPOTS

By Susan Wilcox

84 DESTINATION: ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE A Perfect Day in Sarasota

By Sue Cullen

COVER

Cover Photo & Concept by John Revisky

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DEPARTMENTS

48

SOCIALS 18 JFCS Puttin’ on the Ritz Gala 20 La Musica’s Sonata a Due 21 Asolo Rep’s Starry Night Dinner 22 Sarasota Ballet’s La Fille mal Gardee 64 JFED Silent Disco

24 EVENTS CALENDAR 30 PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

50

34 CULTURE MATTERS Presented by The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

GIVING 48 Building Stronger Community Connections Stewart & Trudy Moon and Amanda & John Horne

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

50 Environmental Legacy Rob Patten & Babette Bach

By Jake Hartvigsen

86 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW John Moffitt – From Beatlemania to Robin Williams

By Gus Mollasis

94 EDUCATION MATTERS Asolo Rep’s Outreach Programs

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

99 BEHIND THE SCENE Sarasota’s Society Maven Gives the Latest Scoop

HEALTH MATTERS 107 Major Innovations in Breast Enlargement

By David Mobley, M.D., F.A.C.S., Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center

108 New Hearing Technology Is a Game Changer

By Doug Gibson, Gibson’s Hearing Technologies

By Debbi Benedict

110 LITERARY SCENE

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

113 SCENE LOCALLY News Shaping Our Community

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February 2015

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Exclusive Kitchens and More The Kitchen is the Heart of your Home

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We’ve always been impressed by the accomplishments of our Financial Advisors.

Barron’s seems to agree.

Congratulations to Aimee Cogan, named to Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors for 2014.

Morgan Stanley is pleased to announce that Aimee Cogan was recognized

by Barron’s on this year’s list of “Top 100 Women Financial Advisors.” Her professionalism and experience are examples of our firm’s culture of excellence.

We thank Aimee for the work she does each day on behalf of her clients.

The Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley Aimee Cogan

Executive Director — Wealth Management Sr. Investment Management Consultant Wealth Advisor Two North Tamiami Trail, Suite 1100 Sarasota, FL 34236

Source: Barron’s “Top 100 Women Financial Advisors,” June 9, 2014. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. Barron’s “America’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors” bases its ratings on qualitative criteria: professionals with a minimum of 7 years financial services experience, acceptable compliance records, client retention reports, customer satisfaction, and more. Financial Advisors are quantitatively rated based on varying types of revenues and assets advised by the financial professional, with weightings associated for each. Because individual client portfolio performance varies and is typically unaudited, this rating focuses on customer satisfaction and quality of advice. The rating may not be representative of any one client’s experience because it reflects a sample of all of the experiences of the Financial Advisor’s clients. The rating is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee to Barron’s in exchange for the rating. © 2014 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

BAR041 CRC935381 CS 8008351 09/14

The Bellwether Group Founding Partners — Aimee Cogan CFP® CIMA,® Executive Director, Wealth Advisor Scott L. Rockwell, Vice President, Financial Advisor Richard T. Williams III CFA,® Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor

Risk management is not a do-it-yourself job.

Risk is a delicate issue. You know you should find the right balance between risk and opportunity, but how does that translate into investment choices?

As Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors, we have the experience, knowledge and resources to help you maintain that balance within your investments. As your Financial Advisors, The Bellwether Group will help identify risk, recognize how it could affect your The Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley Two North Tamiami Trail, Suite 1100 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-363-8514 www.morganstanleyfa.com/ bellwethergroup/ rochelle.nigri@morganstanley.com

portfolio and work toward minimizing its impact. These are times that demand professional guidance. Meet with us to learn more.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP,® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA,® Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (with graph element),® and Certified Investment Management Analyst.SM © 2015 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1089267 01/15 CS 8112054 MAR002 01/15

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February 2015

Curt Bowen

Address

5939 Approach Road, Sarasota, FL 34238

Phone Fax Website

941-365-1119 941-954-5067 www.scenesarasota.com

SCENE Magazine publishes 12 issues a year by RJM Ventures, LLC. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address. Sufficient return postage and self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany all manuscripts, art work 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. ISSN 1535-8895. scenesarasota.com

364 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota | 941-388-1974 | dreamweavercollection.com

FROM THE EDITOR

C

ulinary dynasties. Centennial celebrations.

LIST YOUR PROPERTY WITH ME AND YOUR FORECLOSURE DEFENSE IS FREE!* At Solutions Realty, we work in conjunction with a Board Certified Real Estate Attorney to defend your foreclosure and negotiate your short sale approval.

Artists chasing light. The penultimate of an important composer’s work. Talent at

work. Hot spots. Givers. Doers. It’s February, it’s our town, and there’s so much happening.

In our cover story, the Seidensticker family – known for its local successes Libby’s, Louie’s Modern, The Francis, and Modern Events Catering and Venues –

embark on a new hospitality

concept called TableSeide. Read all about it in Sue Cullen’s interview with this talented family, led by patriarch Steve.

From the Beatles to Robin Williams, John Moffitt has worked with a host of illustrious stars, and he gives Gus Mollasis the inside story in Scenes from an Interview.

We all enjoy history. So what, “looks quite comely for 100 years of age, but like many other well-preserved Floridian beauties, she’s had some work done”?

No, it’s not me, silly. According to SCENE contributing writer Steve Smith it’s the former Woman’s Club of Sarasota, Sarasota’s first library and social center, which is now Florida Studio Theatre’s Keating Theatre. This year, FST proudly celebrates the

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centennial of this building so rich in history and meaning.

Love the visual arts? Well this is an event you won’t want to miss. It combines art and history. The Plein Air Painters’ 3rd Annual Paint Sarasota Paint Out event and the Master Artists Show takes place from February 19 through February 26. If you’re rusty in your French, Plein Air means outdoor painting. Funds raised from the sale of the art will help complete the restoration of the Keith Farmhouse in Philliippi Estate Park. Read more about it on page 80.

Figaro, not the cat, returns to the stage as Sarasota Opera’s winter season begins this month. And what a line-up it is starting with Puccini’s Tosca, then Mozart’s comic opera The Marriage of Figaro, Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Golden Cockerel, and ending with Verdi’s Don Carlos. Don Carlos marks the penultimate of Sarasota Opera’s Verdi cycle, a massive artistic undertaking exquisitely executed by Sarasota Opera. If you’ve never been to a production by Sarasota Opera, you are missing something very special. Our opera company is one of the best – anywhere.

Creative artist John Revisky captures talent at work and our Bradenton reporter, Susan Wilcox, tells us of some of her favorite hot spots.

Of course we have our usual features on people who give, events that shined,

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and businesses that are a community mainstay.

Michael B. Edwards, Broker

care and support.

And to all of our many SCENE readers, Happy Valentine’s Day. May your hearts continue to love not only romantically, but love others who need your

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SOCIAL JFCS Puttin’ on the Ritz Gala Puttin’ on the Ritz for the Betterment of the Community was the theme of this year’s JFCS Gala. More than 545 guests filled the Ritz-Carlton to celebrate the impact of the programs and services offered by JFCS. The evening featured the Big Band Era Swing Sound performed by the Sarasota Orchestra, Dirk Meyer, conductor, and vocalist Michael Andrew. Photos by Nancy Guth Clockwise:

1. Scott & Jill Levine with Lisa & Steve Seidensticker 2. Joe Mendels & Rose Chapman 3. Stewie Bitterman, Barbara Brizdle & Marjorie Bitterman 4. Dr. Richard & Jessica Fields 5. Judy & Fred Cuppy 6. Skip & Gail Sack, Mary Jane Landphier & Brian Lipton 7. Clare & Rich Segall 8. Ora Mendels

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CHE R IS H E VE RY M OM E NT

Sterling silver charms from $25

Introducing the 2015 Valentine's Day Collection from PANDORA

SARASOTA MALL AT UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER • CENTER COURT 941.893.3948 © 2015 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved • PANDORA.NET

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12/11/2014 11:56:31 AM

SOCIAL La Musica’s Sonata a Due Music, good food, and good fellowship reigned at La Musica’s annual Sonata a Due. Devotees celebrated the start of the new festival season with sonatas played by some of La Musica’s musicians followed by a festive holiday dinner. Attendees enjoyed the Victorian setting of the Charles Ringling Mansion as an ideal backdrop for Federico Agostini’s violin and Derek Han’s piano to enchant a capacity audience. The performance featured sonatas by Mozart, Brahms, and Saint-Saëns.

SCENE Magazine was the event media sponsor. Photos by Cliff Roles Right: Renee Hamad, Gloria Moss & Marian Ross Below: Hillary Steele & Molly Schecter Frederick Derr & Sally Faron Derek Han & Federico Agostini

Family owned and operated since 1978, Roessler’s Restaurant is one of the most romantic restaurants on the west coast of Florida. This hidden gem features an award-winning* wine list, traditional continental cuisine crafted with the highest quality ingredients, and an unforgettable dining experience of impeccable service. Beautifully situated on a lake overlooking manicured gardens, a bridge and a gazebo, Roessler’s is an experience not to be missed. *Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence

2033 Vamo Way, Sarasota, FL 34238 | 941-966-5688 | RoesslersRestaurant.com

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SOCIAL Asolo Rep’s Starry Night Dinner for The Matchmaker Guests at Asolo Rep’s Starry Night Dinner 2 were treated to two previews. Actors from The Matchmaker performed a short scene from the play, and the event was held at the new luxury model home in The Forest at Hi Hat Ranch. Morton’s supplied a wealth of delectable bites. The evening was sponsored by PNC Wealth Management and SCENE Magazine. Photos by Jessica Tasetano 1. Eddie Morton & Bonnie Williams 2. Veronica Brady & Jeff Boyd 3. Wendy Feinstein & Michael Edwards 4. Judy Green & Len Garner

The thrill of opera,

LIVE

The 2015 Winter Opera Festival FEBRUARY 7–MARCH 28

Tosca Puccini

| OPENS FEBRUARY 7

The Marriage of Figaro Mozart

| OPENS FEBRUARY 14

The Golden Cockerel Rimsky-Korsakov

| OPENS FEBRUARY 21

Don Carlos PARIS VERSION Verdi

| OPENS MARCH 7

Real-time English translations above the stage Seats start at just $19— get your tickets now!

SARASOTAOPERA.ORG (941) 328-1300 IMAGE: TOSCA 2009 SARASOTA OPERA PRODUCTION (RICHARD TERMINE) SEASON SPONSOR

scenesarasota.com

Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

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SOCIAL Sarasota Ballet’s La Fille mal Gardee The intimate crowd of ballet aficionados who attended the Sarasota Ballet’s pre-performance holiday dinner got a real treat with classic dining on filet mignon and chicken cordon bleu by Mattison’s and Sir Frederick Ashton’s brilliant version of the lighthearted La Fille mal Gardee. The event was chaired

by Lydia Landa. Photos by Nancy Guth Right: Eileen Hampshire, Elizabeth Colbert & John Hampshire Vivian Kouvant & James Jordan Below: Harold & Wanda Libby Chef Paul Mattison & Marcia Jean Taub Hillary Steele & Scott Anderson

A Tribute To The Great Russian Master

Rudolph Nureyev

BALANCHINE ASHTON NUREYEV

27 - 28 February 2015 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

George Balanchine APOLLO Sir Frederick Ashton JAZZ CALENDAR Rudolf Nureyev RAYMONDA ACT III

The Sarasota Ballet Box Office 22

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941-359-0099 x 101 | www.SarasotaBallet.org scenesarasota.com

SunTrust Private Wealth Management Creating Financial Well-Being One Family at a Time

Front Row: Paul Finocchiaro, Karen Rivot, Michael Gibson, Linda Dennard, Karen Dee Middle Row: Kristine Schmelzer, Lisa Doe, Nicole Penland, Judy Mellett, Kelly Christiansen, Alina Cemitier, Tom Beames, Frances Kokowicz, Elizabeth Rabbitt Stephen, Angelica Wolf, Kimberly Parker, Angelo Lombardo Back Row: Craig Tuley, Dale Wolf, Greg LeBar, Keith Johnson, Jim Roque, Doug Fowler, Mark Maretka, Matt Otto, Bill King

F

or more than 25 years, local families have counted on

what is being recommended, always putting clients’ needs

SunTrust Private Wealth Management in Sarasota to

first, being entirely independent and objective in making rec-

manage their wealth. That trust has been built over the

ommendations, all of which support SunTrust’s purpose – to

years through SunTrust’s track record of crafting personalized

light clients’ way to financial well-being. Also to better serve

plans and devoting a local team of experienced professionals

clients’ needs, SunTrust combines its best thinking across both

to serve the needs of each individual client family. “Our ser-

brokerage and trust environments so that strategic direction,

vices are comprehensive across all the major facets of their

manager selection, and market assumptions are consistent for

financial lives, including investing, banking, financial plan-

all clients. That client-focused approach has helped the Sun-

ning, risk management, and legacy management,” says Tom

Trust Private Wealth team in Sarasota grow to 418 family rela-

Beames, Senior Vice President and Managing Director. “We

tionships with assets under management of nearly $1 billion.

bring together a team of experts in those areas and use that collective intellect to explore their needs, create solutions,

The 25 professionals on SunTrust’s Sarasota Private Wealth

and deliver objective advice instead of merely offering al-

Management team have generously shared their success com-

ternatives from which the client chooses.” A Client Advisor

munity-wide. Together they support more than 60 local organi-

serves as a consistent point of contact to prioritize and coor-

zations by serving on boards and committees and contributing

dinate the team’s resources on behalf of the client. Collective-

their time, talent, and treasure. “With everything we do for client

ly, SunTrust’s 25 professionals have an average tenure of 11

families, we ask ‘does this create financial well-being for them?

years and industry experience averaging 23 years.

The answer will be ‘yes,’ or we are not going to do it,” Beames says. “We open our offices to anyone who wants to explore

Beames defines his team’s success by working with three gen-

what we are offering and invite them to see if it makes sense for

erations of a family, allowing advisors to understand and meet

their family.” To discover how the SunTrust Private Wealth Man-

clients’ needs in ways that suit them best. That means never

agement team can help families achieve their financial goals, call

moving forward unless clients can articulate for themselves

941-951-3315 or visit www.suntrust.com/wealthmanagement.

Mr. Beames is a Registered Representative of SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. Investment and Insurance Products: • Are not FDIC or any other Government Agency Insured • Are not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value SunTrust Private Wealth Management is a marketing name used by SunTrust Banks, Inc. and the following affiliates: Banking and trust products and services, including investment advisory products and services, are provided by SunTrust Bank. Securities, insurance (including annuities) and other investment products and services are offered by SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., an SEC registered investment adviser and broker-dealer, member FINRA, SIPC, and a licensed insurance agency. scenesarasota.com

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CALENDAR

February Calendar For a complete listing of community events please visit scenesarasota.com

Photo by John Revisky

Planned Parenthood’s Manatee Choice Affair Luncheon February 5 Renaissance on 9th, 11:30 am. Benefits Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. Tickets: $60 | 941.365.3913 x 1157 | plannedparenthood.org Conservation Foundation’s Palm Ball February 7 Bay Preserve in Osprey, 6:30 pm. Cocktails, dinner, and dancing under the stars by the bay. Benefits Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. 941.918.2100 | conservationfoundation.com Saint Stephen’s 11th Annual Falcon 5k River Run and Inaugural Boys & Girls Clubs 1-Mile Family Fun Run February 7 Riverview Boulevard. Part of the Bradenton Area RiverWalk Regatta, this community coordinated event will have runners of all ages. The race concludes with a pancake breakfast, drawings, and awards ceremony. saintstephens.org/5k YMCA’s Indigo Nights Gala February 7 Venice YMCA, 6 pm. Dinner, music, and dancing.

Annual fundraiser for Venice YMCA children and family scholarship fund and programs. 941.375.9108 | veniceymca.org

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Sarasota Music Half Marathon and Rockin’ 4-Miler February 8 Van Wezel, 7 am. Bands and entertainment along the route. Benefits 20 local nonprofits. 941.735.5822 | sarasotahalf.com Sarasota Ballet’s Principal Film Series February 9 FSU Center for Performing Arts. Watch a film of a ballet in the Ballet’s repertoire while listening to two of its principal dancers’ behind-the-scenes experiences. $35 | 941.359.0099 | sarasotaballet.org JFED Presentation of Nathan Miller February 9 Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Campus, 7 pm. Miller will speak about Israel’s Relationship with the United Nations – from an Insider. Free. RSVP required.

941.522.6301 | jfedsrq.org Fabulous Art Boutique’s 13th Annual Art Exhibit & Sale February 11 – 14 South Gate Community Center. Showcases local and regional artists featuring high quality and fashionable items such as luxurious hand dyed silk, artist designed clothing, woven goods, jewelry, and more. An opening reception is February 11, 6 pm. fabsarasota.com scenesarasota.com

SPARCCle on the Runway Fashion Show & Luncheon February 12 Ritz Carlton-Sarasota, 12 pm. Benefits Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center. 941.365.0208 ext. 106 | sparcc.net

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6th Annual Compassion in Caring Luncheon February 13 Ritz Carlton Sarasota, 11:30 am. Benefits Tidewell Hospice. 941.894.1777 | tidewell.org 52nd Annual Sarasota Shell Show February 13 – 15 Bradenton Area Convention Center. One of the largest shell shows in the world. Beautiful shell crafts and rare shell exhibits from around the world. Admission $5 | sarasotashellclub.com 27th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts February 14 – 15 Main Street, downtown Sarasota, 10 am. Festival will include paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, glass, wood, handmade jewelry, and more. artfestival.com

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Catholic Charities’ Venice Veterans Gala February 15 2 pm Venice Community Center. A salute to United States military veterans with a special tribute to soldiers of the Korean War. Proceeds benefit Catholic Charities programs for veterans. 941.484.9543 | catholiccharitiesdov.org Sarasota Ballet’s Inside the Studio Series February 16 FSU Center for Performing Arts, 6 pm. Brings patrons into the studios for behind-the-curtain experiences and demonstrations by dancers. $35 | 941.359.0099 | sarasotaballet.org Goodwill Manasota Mardi Gras Gala February 17 Michael’s on East, 6 pm. A fun-filled night of New Orleans-style food and entertainment complete with a king and queen crowning, colorful characters, and beads galore.

Tickets $175 | 941.355.2721 ext. 104 | experiencegoodwill.org Catholic Charities’ Mardi Gras Madness February 17 The Francis. An exciting evening of dinner, dancing, and Mardi Gras festivities. All proceeds benefit Bethesda House.

Tickets $125 | 941.355.4680 ext. 307 | catholiccharitiesdov.org scenesarasota.com

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Selby Gardens’ Orchid Ball February 14 Selby Gardens, 6:30 pm. Get swept up in the romantic atmosphere of the tropical, fragrant surroundings.

Proceeds support Selby Gardens’ education programs, botanical displays, and research. selby.org Cat Depot’s Love Me Tender Gala February 14 Sarasota Hyatt Regency, 6:30 pm. Valentine’s gala will include a buffet, open bar, silent and live auctions, music, and dancing. Proceeds will benefit homeless, abandoned, and injured cats and kittens. Tickets $150-$175 | 941.366.2404 | catdepot.org.

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Hand-picked by Billy Joel for the starring role in the Broadway musical, Movin’ Out, Grammy and Tony nominated Michael Cavanaugh won the hearts of audiences and critics. In this tribute to Billy Joel, you’ll hear many of the Piano Man’s biggest hits including She’s Got a Way, New York State of Mind, Uptown Girl, Just the Way You Are, It's Still Rock n Roll, Longest Time and River of Dreams.

20 14 _ 15

Tickets from $32 941-953-3434 www.SarasotaOrchestra.org Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Historic Spanish Point Annual Luncheon February 18 Historic Spanish Point, 11 am. Proceeds benefit the programs of Historic Spanish Point. 941.966.5214 | historicspanishpoint.org RCLA Art Lecture Series February 18 Ringling College Academic Auditorium, 9:30 am Clifford M. Scholz, A.I.A., owner and President of CMSA, will speak. 941.925.1343 | rclassociation.org USFSM Knowledge-A-Bull Speaker Series February 19 USFSM Selby Auditorium, 5:30 pm. College of Hospitality & Technology hosts a panel discussion with international chefs, including Yaron Azuolay of Israel. usfsm. edu/series First Step of Sarasota’s Caring Hearts Luncheon February 19 Michael’s on East, 11 am. Award ceremony honoring Mollie Cardamone. Benefits First Step‘s Mothers and Infants program. 941.552.2065 | fsos.org CPC’s Blue Ties & Butterflies Pre-Party February 19 Saks Fifth Avenue, Mall at University Town Center, 6 pm. Mix, mingle, and partake in food and fashion. All proceeds support Child Protection Center’s work to alleviate child abuse.

Suggested donation: $50 | 941.365.1277 | cpcsarasota.org

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Perlman Art of the Violin Auction February 19 Private home on Longboat Key, 6 pm. The Art of the Violin reception and auction of one-of-a-kind violins that have been transformed by local and international artists. Tickets $75 | 941.350.2338 | pmpsuncoast.org Sarasota Exotic Car Fest February 20 – 22 Various locations and times. Interactive cocktail theater, downtown Sarasota concours, road rally, and more. Benefits United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida. 941.348.9039 | sarasotaexoticcarfest.com SCF Foundation’s Avenues des Artistes February 21 SCF Bradenton campus, 6 pm. Fun, casual, entertaining event featuring students and faculty of the SCF art department. 941.408.1418 | scffoundation.net SEGD Bradenton Walk-a-Thon February 21 Rossi Waterfront Park, 9:30 am. Event includes a 3k walk, live music, vendors, and family-friendly fun. Benefits Southeastern Guide Dogs. 941.729.5665 | guidedogswalkathon.org Light Chasers’ Plein Air Art Event February 22 – March 1 Phillippi Estate Park. Various locations and times. Watch 75 to 100 artists from around the country at their easels. An opening gala is on February 27, 6 pm, and there

scenesarasota.com

February 28, 2015

LES SABLER

DOOBIE BROTHERS

THOMPSON SQUARE

SAM WOOLF WAR

www.lwrwinterfest.com TO BUY TICKETS AND FOR MORE DETAILS Vendor and artisan area and Family Fun Zone See complete music lineup at: lwrwinterfest.com

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! General Admission $45 advance / $60 at gate

VIP Admission $125 Advance sales only

Premier Sports Campus 5895 Post Blvd.

Lakewood Ranch, 34211 Outdoor music festival, bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on

EIGHTEEN AGENCIES ONE PLACE ONE PURPOSE ONE PASSION For more than 24 years, the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center has served at-risk individuals, families and children in need. Each dollar received supports 18 human service agencies that help to improve the lives of approximately 10,000 underserved community members every month.

is a free Gala Opening for the public in the Edson Keith Mansion on February 28, 5 pm. 941.924.0818 | lightchasersinc.com Gulf Coast Community Foundation Better Together Luncheon February 24 the Bayfront, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Innovation pioneer and X PRIZE founder Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, author of the best-selling book Abundance, is the featured speaker. Tickets $50 | 941.486.4600 | gulfcoastcf.org Van Wezel 45th Anniversary Celebration with Ringo Starr February 24 Van Wezel, 5:30 pm cocktails and dinner followed at 8 pm with concert by Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band. $280 | 941.955.7676 | vwfoundation.org Fourth Annual Scrub Away Cancer Benefit February 24 Libby’s Café, 6 pm. Proceeds benefit Center for Building Hope. Tickets $35 | 941.921.5539 | centerforbuildinghope.org Junior League’s 13th Annual Legacy Luncheon February 25 Michael’s on East, 11 am. Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author Anna Quindlen is the keynote speaker. 941.953.5600 | jlsarasota.org

Please call or visit our website to learn more about how you can help make a difference.

Catholic Charities’ Our Mother’s House Wine Tasting, Auction, Dinner Dance February 26 Plantation Golf and Country Club, 5:30 pm.

Benefits Our Mother’s House, a program of Catholic Charities, that helps homeless mothers and their children achieve self-sufficiency. 941.485.6264 | catholiccharitiesdov.org Make-A-Wish’s 5th Annual Cooking for Wishes February 26 Michael’s on East, 11 am. Guests will prepare a four-course meal led by the executive chef at Michaels on East. Benefits Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida, Sarasota Region. Tickets $150 | 941.952.9474 | cnfl.wish.org 4th Annual Save Our Seabirds Sunset Soiree February 26 Mote Marine Aquarium, 6 pm. Gourmet buffet, entertainment, and silent auction. Benefits Save Our Seabirds. Tickets $85 | 941.388.3010 | saveourseabirds.org

1750 17TH STREET, SARASOTA FL 34234 941.365.4545 Kameron Hodgens, PhD; Executive Director

khodgens@gs-humanservices.org

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Sarasota Ballet’s 24th Season Gala February 27 Van Wezel. Celebrate the Ballet’s 24th season by paying tribute to one of the greatest male dancers in the world. Enjoy dinner, performances of Balanchine’s Apollo, Ashton’s Jazz Calendar, and Nureyev’s Raymonda Act III. 941.225.6505 | sarasotaballet.org Education Foundation’s Evening of Excellence Gala February 27 Michael’s on East, 6 pm. Art pieces from area scenesarasota.com

high school students are sold to the highest bidder at a lively auction following a gourmet dinner. Proceeds provide scholarships to student artists and monetary awards to high school art departments. 941.927.0965 | edfoundation.net LWR Winterfest Music Festival February 28 LWR Premier Sports Camp, 12 pm. Music, food, drink, and artisan village. Tickets $30-$125 | lwrwinterfest.com Venice Symphony’s An Evening with Dick Hyman February 28 Venice Performing Arts Center. Dick Hyman performs the world debut of his concerto written specifically for The Venice Symphony. Dessert reception to follow.

Tickets $50 | 941.488.1010 | thevenicesymphony.org Upcoming Events Asolo Rep’s Gala – An Evening Live at the Sands March 7 Ritz Carlton, 6 pm. Cocktail reception, dinner, paddle raise, live music, and dancing. Music by Vegas’ Rat Pack Tribute Show starring The Martinis. Tickets start at $300 | 941.351.9010 ext. 4702, | asolorep.org/annualgala Saint Stephen’s Grand Gala – Venetian Masquerade March 7 Manatee Performing Arts Center. 6:30 pm. Signature fundraiser with dinner, dancing, and auctions. Benefits the Saint Stephen’s Parents’ Association. 941.746.2121 | saintstephens.org

Available for immediate delivery.

Asolo Rep’s Our Betters Dinner March 11 Asolo Repertory Theatre. Dinner, play, and opening night festivities for Our Betters. 941.351.8000 | asolorep.org 25th Annual Florida Winefest & Auction March 19-22 Various locations and times. Includes Banquet on the Block March 20 at Lemon and Main streets, downtown Sarasota, wine lunches and dinners, and more.

Proceeds assist local disadvantaged children. 941.952.1109 | floridawinefest.org JFCS Celebrity Chefs March 24 The Resort at Longboat Key Club. Food and wine tasting and golf challenge. Benefits Jewish Family and Children’s Service of the Suncoast. 941.366.2224 | jfcs-cares.org 14th Annual Van Wezel Foundation Gala March 27 Van Wezel, 5 pm. Cocktails by the Bay, dinner, and a performance by Sarah McLachlan followed by an after party. Tickets $375 | 941.366.5578 | vwfoundation.org Forty Carrots Firefly Gala March 28 Ritz Carlton Members Golf Club. Cocktails, dining, auctions, and a private concert with rocker Bret Michaels. Presented by The Dart Foundation and benefiting Forty Carrots. 941.365.7716 | fireflygala.org/2015

PAMARO SHOP F U R N I T U R E

Complimentary in-home design consultations.

For The New Look Of Florida

64 years of providing Sarasota with an ever-changing Florida look.

Pamaro North

7782 Tamiami Trail | 941.355.5619

Pamaro East

5465 University Parkway | 941.359.0025

Pamaro South

4586 S. Tamiami Trail | 941.923.3299

thepamaroshop.com scenesarasota.com

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PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE 941.351.8000 / asolorep.org

Good People Through March 21 Faced with the reality that her neighborhood is providing her with a lack of opportunities, Margie concocts a plan to solve all her financial problems that might just be crazy enough to work.

The Matchmaker Through April 11 Wealthy hat merchant Horace Vendergelder can’t see the value of love, even as he searches for a wife. He gets more than he bargains for when he employs a matchmaker.

Both Your Houses

Banjo and Guitar February 21 Hall of Famer, Tim Allan, plays classics to country.

Shorts Aloud Festival February 28 – March 1 A laugh-filled performance with twists and surprises.

MANATEE PLAYERS

941.748.5875 / manateeplayers.com

Into the Woods February 12 – March 1 The Brothers Grimm hit Broadway with an epic fairytale where worlds collide.

Through April 12 Imagine an idealistic young Congressman determined to expose corruption by introducing a bill so stuffed with pork it is sure to oink itself to death.

Agnes of God

As You Like It

THE PLAYERS THEATRE

Through April 12 Shakespeare’s most beloved and charming comedy.

CIRCUS SARASOTA

941.355.9805 / circussarasota.org

Circus Sarasota Winter Performance February 7 – 23 Under the Big Top, enjoy an international lineup of circus artists with an array of acts.

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE 941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org

Dancing in the Street Through February 7 Featuring the Prima Donnettes.

Dancing Lessons Through February 27 A young man with Asperger’s seeks the instruction of a Broadway dancer now sidelined with injuries.

American Pie Through April 23 Featuring songs such as The Sounds of Silence, Sweet Caroline, and New York State of Mind.

Fly February 4 – April 4 Fly follows four African-American military pioneers from training through WWII.

February 19 – March 8 A court-appointed psychiatrist is charged with assessing the sanity of a novice accused of murdering her newborn.

941.365.2494 / theplayers.org

Circle Mirror Transformation Through February 8 When the students in Marty’s community acting class experiment with harmless theater games, hearts are quietly broken and painful lessons learned.

Violet February 11 – March 1 Based on the short story The Ugliest Pilgrim, Violet is about a disfigured girl who embarks on a journey to be healed.

THE RINGLING

941.359.5700 / theringling.org

New Stages: A Celebration of Harold Pinter February 6 and 7 A humorous and fascinating solo performance by the acclaimed British actor, Julian Sands.

New Stages: Documerica February 20 and 21 Musicians of ETHEL tap EPA photo archive’s evocative potential by juxtaposing the music of today’s composers with the imagery of the photographs.

SARASOTA BALLET

941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org

Balanchine, Ashton & Nureyev

February 18 – June 7 Celebrate the greatest musical artists of vaudeville.

February 27 – 28 The program will include an Ashton premiere of Jazz Calendar, Balanchine’s famous Apollo as well as Rudolf Nureyev’s Raymonda Act III. Live music by the Sarasota Orchestra.

LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE

SARASOTA OPERA

Never Marry a Girl with Cold Feet

941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com

Lettice and Lovage – A Comedy Through February 15 Lettice Duffet is a tour guide at Fustian House, and when she begins to stray from the facts, Lotte Schon, an inspector from the Preservation Trust, must fire her.

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941.366.8450 / sarasotaopera.org

Tosca February 7 – March 28 A diva’s jealousy leads to tragedy in Puccini’s most powerful drama. scenesarasota.com

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Links on Longboat Featuring chefs from some of our premier local restaurants, select wines, silent auction, golf challenge & live music.

FOOD & WINE TASTING CO-CHAIRS

Ruth & Mike Harshman and Barbara & Joe Najmy GOLF CHALLENGE CHAIR

Shaun Benderson CHEF CHAIR

Robert Weil, C.E.C. For tickets or to become a sponsor visit www.JFCS-Cares.org or contact Monica Caldwell 941.366.2224 ext. 142 n mcaldwell@JFCS-Cares.org CelebrityChefsSarasota

MEDIA SPONSOR

VENUE SPONSOR

The Marriage of Figaro

Diana Ross

February 14 – March 27 A comic night of lies, lust, and love – one of Mozart’s most charming creations.

February 13

The Golden Cockerel

The Piano Men

February 21 – March 19 The Golden Cockerel is the tale of the bumbling King Dodon who enlists the help of a magical Golden Cockerel to protect his country from attack.

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA

The Sinatra Centennial February 14 February 15

Dancing Pros Live!

February 16

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre February 17

941.953.3434 / sarasotaorchestra.org

Discover DaVinci and Michelangelo

Chamber – Oboe

February 18

February 5 Vivaldi’s Concerto for Oboe in D Minor. Based on an Edgar Allan Poe short story, Andre Caplet’s Fantastic Story featuring harp. In a violin and tuba duet, Koetsier’s unusual pairing is magical with its joviality. The oboe focus returns in Cuban-born D’Rivera’s sexy wind quintet Aires Tropicales.

Garrison Keillor

Side-by-Side – Thrill of a Lifetime

941.488.1115 / venicestage.com

February 7 Youth Philharmonic performs side-by side with the professional musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra.

Great Escapes – Be Mine February 11 – 14 Romance reigns supreme in this concert of touching love songs.

Masterworks – Fantastique February 20 – 22 Two great masterworks, Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, are unleashed in this all-orchestral program led by Mexican conductor Carlos Prieto, music director of the Louisiana Philharmonic.

VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL 941.955.7676 / vanwezel.org

Golden Boys

February 19

Ringo Starr/All Starr Band February 24

VENICE THEATRE Ring of Fire

February 6 – March 1 Ring of Fire packs a score that provides a rich fabric in which to lay down the story of Johnny Cash.

Mary Poppins February 17 – March 15 Using a combination of magic and common sense, Mary must teach the family how to value each other again.

Kingston Trio February 22 – 23 These Grammy-winning legends of folk music keep getting better with time.

VENICE SYMPHONY

941.488.1010 / thevenicesymphony.com

Carmina Burana

February 3

Les Ballets Trockadero February 4

106 Years of Broadway February 5

Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra February 6

The Piano Guys February 7

The Time Jumpers February 8

The Duke Ellington Orchestra February 9

Harry Connick, Jr. February 10

February 13 – 14 Collaboration of the orchestra and Exsultate!, Venice’s Chorale, performing Carl Orff’s cantata inspired by a collection of medieval student poetry.

WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE 941.366.1505 / wbttsrq.com

Knock Me A Kiss Through February 8 Fictional account of the 1928 marriage of W.E.B. DuBois’ daughter to one of Harlem’s most talented poets.

Jazz Hot Mamas February 25 – April 4 Salutes the great women performers of the jazz era such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Etta Jones, and Peggy Lee.

Irvin Mayfield/New Orleans Orchestra February 11

Peter and the Starcatchers February 12

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Cesar Millan LIVE! Mar 26 • 8pm

don’t miss our

MARCH Line-up

Sarah McLachlan Mar 27 • 8pm The 14th Annual Van Wezel Foundation Gala at 5 pm

TICK E T S! 941.953.3368 vanwezel.org Jekyll & Hyde Mar 5 • 2pm & 8pm

Matinee added!

Jersey Boys

8 S h o wS! Mar11-15

Jackie Evancho Mar 24 • 7:30pm The Manhattan Transfer March 18 • 8pm

Itzhak Perlman Mar 21 • 8pm

Anything Goes Mar 16 • 8pm

Russian National Ballet: Gala Program Mar 3 • 8pm

Call 941-953-3368 Web vanwezel.org Box Office Mon-Fri 10am-6pm • Sat 10am-4pm • Open later & Sunday on Show Dates Group Sales 941.955.7676 x 2225 Mattison’s Bayside at the Van Wezel - dine before the show 941-921-3400 Performers, prices, dates and times are subject to change without notice.

Sponsored by: ABC7, Bright House Networks, SRQ Media Group, The Pittsburgh Pirates/ The Bradenton Marauders, Van Wezel Foundation, Wilde Lexus of Sarasota and WUSF Public Media

ARTS & CULTURE

PRESENTED BY:

The Color of Life and People, Places & Fascinating Faces Dabbert Gallery February 6 – March 2

James Griffin’s exhibit The Color of Life showcases his work, which is at once classic and up-to-the minute in its focus, moving between vivid realistic depictions of sunlit streets, to rhythmic abstract compositions in a painterly dance.

In Robert Baxter’s exhibit People, Places & Fascinating Faces, sophisticated patterns of rich color create a milieu for the fascinating faces that populate his world of art.

For more information on these exhibits, visit dabbertgallery.com.

Re:Purposed

The Ringling Museum of Art February 13 through May 17 The Ringling Museum of Art will present a major museum exhibition highlighting contemporary artists who incorporate castoff or disposed materials in their creation of new works. The exhibit will feature 10 artists including established artists such as El Anatsui and Nick Cave in addition to emerging and mid-career artists such as Jill Sigman and Mac Premo. Re:Purposed will explore several of the distinct trends among artists who consistently “repurpose” garbage or detritus in their respective practices.

Evolving from Marcel Duchamp’s early 20th century development of the “readymade” and continuing the tradition of assemblage, these artists reinvent non-traditional materials to create artworks, encouraging new thinking about the objects and materials that surround us.

Showcasing approximately 20 works of art, Re:Purposed will bring these inventive artists together for the first time and will present their work across three themes: identity, index, and environment. These themes were selected as points of entry into this diverse and complex body of work, which encompasses expanded notions of sculpture, collage, and monumental installations all made within the last 10 years. ringling.org

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NEW STAGES 2015 RE:IMAGINED

A FIVE-PART EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE

MAR

6&7

FEB

JULIAN SANDS IN A CELEBRATION OF HAROLD PINTER 7:30 PM, Historic Asolo Theater Photo by James Ewing

6&7

DUŠAN TÝNEK DANCE THEATRE: CAMERA ILLUMINATA 7:30 PM Historic Asolo Theater

FEB

20 & 21

MAR

20 & 21

ETHEL'S DOCUMERICA 7:30 PM, Historic Asolo Theater

HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO: CINEMA VIVANT 7:30 PM, Historic Asolo Theater

Purchase Tickets TODAY! 941.358.3180 or ringling.org $30, $25, $20 / $25, $20, $15 for Members

MAR

25 – 28

LARS JAN: HOLOSCENES 12:00 PM to Close Free performance on Bolger Campiello

There’s an Art to Cosmetic Dentistry.

We’ve Mastered It.

DR. MICHELLE SCALA & DR. S. FRENCHMAN 8430 Enterprise Circle, Suite 100 Lakewood Ranch, FL Call today for a free consultation!

941.907.4777 LakewoodRanchSmiles.com

Oh Baby! Life Cycles of the Seas Mote Marine Aquarium February 14 – September 27

“Love my portrait Smile!”

– Erin (actual patient)

One Trusted Office for All Your Dental Needs

• Cosmetic Dentistry • Gentle, Private-Practice Dentists • Sedation Dentistry • Implant Dentistry • Invisalign • ZOOM! Teeth Whitening Most insurance accepted. Interest free financing available.

“Where do little fishies come from?”

If you ask a fish, get ready for awkward silence. If you ask a marine scientist, get ready for amazing answers. People of all ages can learn how ocean life renews itself during the limited-time, marine-science exhibit Oh Baby! Life Cycles of the Seas, starting February 14 at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota.

This family-friendly, educational exhibit will invite visitors to discover ocean animal “romance” and reproduction, babies of many species and the survival challenges facing new generations of marine life.

These topics are central to marine research around the globe, including the world-class science of Mote Marine Laboratory.

Mote raises and breeds many marine species — such as sport fish for ecosystem restoration and seahorses for conservation and education. Understanding marine animal life cycles — including how and where they mate and give birth — is vital for conserving populations of keystone marine species and their future generations. mote.org

The Art of the Violin

Perlman Music Program/ Suncoast February 19

Twenty unique violins featured in the Art of the Violin are on display at the Herald-Tribune building. See a violin you like? It can be yours. These instruments have been transformed by local and international artists to be auctioned off at a reception February 19 at 6 p.m.

The Perlman Music Program/ Suncoast is hosting the reception with signature cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Special guests include the violins and their artists. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by calling 941.350.2338. perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org/

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Taking SHAPE

By Sue Cullen | Photos by Curt Bowen

Whether you’re a newbie, a devoted exerciser, athlete, or a corporate exec with limited time, you’ll want to be part of Studio South Fitness’ leading-edge programs and plush amenities in its new and luxurious Palm Avenue location. scenesarasota.com

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tudio South Fitness made a splash when it hit Sarasota’s scene two years ago with founder Tiffany Liashek’s science-based, yet entirely down-to-Earth, approach to fitness. Now, Liashek is raising the bar again with the opening of her new luxury fitness studio in the heart of downtown Sarasota.

The new 12,000 square foot facility at 55 Palm Avenue triples the space of her former fitness studio on Osprey Avenue, and the move was necessary because her business has quadrupled since she opened in December 2012. The new facility was custom-designed to provide a spa-inspired atmosphere for luxury personal training along with leading-edge fitness technology and equipment. Studio South Fitness’s Performance IQ system helps everyone from newbie exercisers to athletes achieve their goals with a customized program and real-time tracking of calories burned and heart rate optimization.

“ Our trainers have coached professional athletes, competed as

an Olympic weightlifter, and performed in the ballet,” Liashek says. “Each has two or three advanced certificates, including credentials from the American College of Sports Medicine.”

Although she emphasizes the importance of a personalized program for achieving optimal results safely and the motivation a personal trainer can inspire, Liashek also has shared her own struggle with weight and fitness and her desire for a fitness program that is compatible with “real life”. That’s what led her to launch Studio South Fitness.

Now, with the larger facility, in addition to personal training, she plans also to offer a limited number of general memberships, and is launching a corporate program for employers who are interested in promoting health and wellness and want to incentivize their employees to keep fit. While Liashek’s approach has attracted athletes and serious fitness buffs to her studio, she also has ensured that the facility remains welcoming to those, like her, who want to create a healthy lifestyle by fitting fitness into a busy life.

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“Our clients say we have a friendly, non intimidating atmosphere,”

and receive encouragement or other messages even when they

Liashek says, “and that’s what we want, particularly for the new

are not at the gym.

exerciser who would like to start a program in a friendly facility

However, the spa-like amenities at the new Studio South Fitness

with a great welcoming vibe.” For those who would like to see the

actually encourage members to linger. A luxe relaxation lounge

facility, tours are currently being offered with Kevin Curtis, Studio

with complimentary WiFi and a massage therapist on staff are in-

South’s new Director of Sales and Business Development.

ducements to stay after working out. Posh locker rooms and show-

Everyone starts with a science-based Functional Movement

ers modeled on upscale spas, salon-quality products, and big fluffy

Screen™ (FMS), which provides a full mobility assessment through

towels led one client to remark that she’d rather shower at Studio

a seven step screening system. Basic movements are evaluated,

South than at home, Liashek says.

allowing Studio South’s trainers, all of whom are FMS certified,

Along with ultramodern cardiovascular equipment, the new

to rate baseline abilities and identify any limitations or asymme-

facility houses a weight room, Pilates area, and two exercise

tries. Clients then receive a custom fitness plan that incorporates

rooms designated for group fitness programs. Studio South also

exercise to improve strength, mobility, stability, and basic motor

has dedicated parking for members, a definite luxury in the heart

control allowing them to achieve their fitness goals. “This is a sys-

of downtown. And while they exercise, members have the oppor-

tem that has been used extensively in professional sports, and we

tunity to get their vehicles in shape as well with access to a mobile

wanted to bring it to amateur fitness enthusiasts so they could

car wash and detailing service.

benefit from the safest, most effective supervised training program

The project was completed through a collaboration among Li-

possible,” Liashek said. “I suffered an injury because I was advised

ashek, Sarasota architect Barron Shimberg, and commercial real

improperly at a big box fitness chain, and I am determined that

estate property manager Mindy Kauffman of Red Property Manage-

we do all we can to advise and educate our clients about how

ment. “Working with Tiffany was enjoyably challenging,” Shimberg

to exercise safely and most effectively. That’s also why I place so

says. “Our job was to find a balance between what we suggested,

much emphasis on highly-credentialed and experienced trainers.”

what Tiffany wanted, and what will work best. We designed a high-

And clients have seen the results.

end fitness club that’s friendly and very inviting—a great balance.”

“ I could not believe the improvement in balance and flexibility

I gained from the corrective exercises,” says client Steve Appelbaum.

“I lost eighteen pounds and five percent body fat in eight weeks with the recommendations I was given. I also improved my golf drive.”

The space had been empty for some time until Liashek came along with the vision to see its potential as an upscale fitness facility with appeal not only for residents of downtown Sarasota’s luxury towers, but would also be a draw

FMS has been used for personalized “pre-hab” programs aimed

for anyone seeking a healthier life-

at injury prevention by focusing on correcting muscle imbalances,

style in a supportive atmosphere. Kauffman shared her belief. “The

decreasing mobility restrictions, improving range of motion, and

big box gyms I showed the space to had no vision,” she says,” and

increasing stability. It also has proven beneficial prior to surgery

now they’re kicking themselves. It’s a perfect fit for Studio South,

by helping the individual attain optimal physical condition ahead

and we have no doubt Tiffany will be wildly successful there.”

of time. Results have shown that those who are in good physical

Liashek also has willingly shared her success with the commu-

condition pre-surgery have an improved chance for a successful

nity as she has grown. In addition to event sponsorships, she has

outcome, she said.

donated more than $30,000 in services and funds to local non-

Studio South clients also may continually monitor their perfor-

profits, such as Forty Carrots and United Cerebral Palsy. Her gener-

mance throughout their workouts with the Performance IQ/Wahoo

ous community support has landed her in the Sarasota Chamber of

Heart Rate Monitors. The wireless device can be purchased at the

Commerce Winner’s Circle where she has earned a Gold Award for

front desk or online, and will monitor heart rate and calories burned

Hiring Our Neighbors and a Silver Award for Investing in the Future.

during the workout. A client chooses a nickname and can watch his

“The Sarasota area is our home, and the people who come

or her progress on large monitors placed around the studio.

to us for help in achieving their fitness goals are our neighbors,”

“The comment I hear time and time again from clients once

Liashek says. “We want to provide the best tools and the best

they start wearing the heart rate monitor is that they didn’t realize

guidance we can to help them achieve those goals. We take that

they weren’t working hard enough,” says Michael Brigger, Gen-

very seriously along with our commitment to helping keep down-

eral Manager. “Success is not easy so maximizing every minute

town an attractive and thriving destination for those who want to

of every training session is important.” Another technology aid to

workout and stay to eat and play.” For those interested in addition-

staying inspired to meet goals is an app available through Wahoo

al information about Studio South Fitness’s approach, visit studio-

Fitness that lets clients communicate with their personal trainers

southfitness.com, or to see the new facility, call 941.365.4584.

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Name: Mason Home: Sarasota, Florida Age: 2 years Education: Graduate with honors, Southeastern Guide Dogs Profession: Making sure my gal gets where she’s going Favorite Activity: Grocery shopping—always ends with a treat Hobbies: Long walks by the water Attributes: Professional on duty / Grown-up puppy when off Legacy: Sue’s independent life

Meet Mason, Sue Spicer’s personal guide, occasional counselor and full-time friend. He is faithfully helping his human partner achieve her full potential. But it wasn’t easy getting Mason where he is today. It took two years—and the $25, $50, $100 or more donations from generous people like you—for him to become the no-cost blessing he is now.

Thank you, Mason, for the gift you are and the freedom you bring.

Make your secure donation online today at GuideDogs.org.

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The Seidensticker Family Launches

TableSeide scenesarasota.com

a New Concept in Hospitality

By Sue Cullen | Photo by John Revisky

From L-R: Patrick, Joe, Lisa & Steve Seidensticker with Jeff Greco

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The Francis

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O

nce the decision to dine out is made, everyone knows the follow up question.

What are you in the mood for? That speaks to the desire not just for sustenance but also for the total dining experience. High quality food — familiar or surpris-

ing depending on your mood — is paramount. As important, of course, are the décor, the full menu itself, and the atmosphere created subtly by everyone from the person who welcomes us to those who serve tableside. All of those factors determine whether our “mood” is satisfied.

Judging by the contrast between the cozy relaxed warmth of Libby’s and the chic urban energy of Louie’s Modern, the Seidensticker family clearly understands the concept of creating a breadth of experiences. So much so, in fact, that some people familiar with both restaurants are surprised to learn they have the same owners. Now, the Seidenstickers, along with partner Jeff Greco, are leveraging their experience in the hospitality industry, including their special events ventures with The Francis and Modern Events Catering and Venues, with a new family enterprise called TableSeide Restaurant Group.

TableSeide, a play on the Seidensticker name, has been launched this year to pull it all under one umbrella organization as plans develop for growth both in Sarasota and outside of the area. “TableSeide ties it all together, and although each venture is unique, what is consistent in everything we do is our dedication to genuine hospitality,” says Steve Seidensticker, who focuses on new business development and operational oversight for the group’s ventures. “We have lots of opportunities and are ready to grow.”

Steve’s children also are involved in the business, and each has a primary role although each is involved to some degree with overall operations. Joe has been spearheading concept development, Patrick is Chief Financial Officer, and Lisa is the event specialist. Jeff is a partner and oversees daily operations. “All of us have different personalities and different strengths that we bring to everything we do, and we want to grow but stay very family oriented,” says Joe, whose education and experience includes working with a national corporate-style restaurant organization and whose acceptance into the prestigious Culinary Institute of America was sidetracked (fortuitously) by the family’s purchase of Libby’s. “We’re hands on,” he says. “Most times you’ll find a family member on site at our properties, and as much as we want to grow, we want to keep that closeness as much as we can.”

It’s clear that the group is optimistic about what the future holds with TableSeide, but predicting that future doesn’t necessarily mean repeating the past. And while many in the restaurant and hospitality world seek concepts that can be cloned elsewhere, that is not necessarily TableSeide’s direction, although — characteristically — they are ruling nothing out. “We have been driving new ideas and concepts here and really have been trying to develop a culinary world in Sarasota,” Joe says. “We’re good at creating concepts that are unique. Libby’s and Louie’s Modern are so different. We could do Italian, modern, vintage. It’s just a matter of fitting the right niche in a particular location. If we found the right location for an Asian sushi concept, a ramen noodle place, or a sandwich shop, we could do it.”

Louie’s Modern is an example of that versatility and how TableSeide plans to operate for the future. The original idea for the Palm Avenue location was to replicate Libby’s downtown. The space had been renovated for restaurant use with an orientation toward Main Street. However, scenesarasota.com

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when considering the space itself, it became clear to them that a

Lisa is the family event maven with responsibility for catering and

Libby’s-style restaurant was not the right use for the high-ceilinged,

event planning on and off site. The business grew organically initial-

open, downtown space. They also determined — boldly — that the

ly through Libby’s because people liked the location and the menu

conventional wisdom dictating a Main Street orientation was just

and not only wanted events at the restaurant but in their homes, too.

not right and embarked on a major renovation that basically turned

Lisa, having grown up in the restaurant business, loved the variety

the floor plan end to end by moving the restaurant itself to the back

and the satisfaction of creating new, updated, and fun events. “With

and relocating the entrance to Palm Avenue. Having the vision to

TableSeide, I do hope we’ll be a household name that gives people

trade Libby’s cozy neighborhood charm for Louie’s cosmopolitan

confidence in our product,” she says. “I also hope that all we are

urban style, also friendly and intimate, resulted in a gathering place

doing will benefit the Sarasota market by bringing people to the area

that could be equally at home in New York City or San Francisco.

to get married, go to arts events, or have dinner.”

And it has hit exactly the right tone with downtown diners.

For Jeff Greco, TableSeide will allow them to encapsulate all they “We’ve looked at a lot of projects, and turned a lot of things down.

are doing under one brand that regardless of the specific con-

We have a strong set of core values, and regardless of the con-

cept will let people know they will be dining in an environment

cept we develop, our core values remain the same when it comes

that represents hospitality at its finest. “At each of our locations,

to what we want to see in our restaurants,” says Patrick, who,

we try to make people feel comfortable and provide that warm

as CFO, manages the finances with an eye to the future. Like all

feeling. It’s easy to write rules and regulations, but some things

the Seidensticker siblings, he grew up in the hospitality world at

come from the heart,” Jeff says. “In this business, you put your

the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande. While at Tulane University, he

reputation on the line with every plate, and you are only as good

was exposed to the New Orleans food scene and gained back-of-

as your last meal. Our objective for any location is for guests to

house restaurant experience. “If a new concept has our corporate

come out to have fun, good food and drink, and to leave with a

values in place, we get a feel for the area and the demographics,

smile on their faces.” That is something each of them shares, he

then TableSeide can craft the building to the concept and put it in

adds, along with a true passion for the hospitality business. “The

place. When that is done, it almost opens itself.”

bottom line is that we are a small group with the ability to open in multiple locations while maintaining the same standards and

Catering and event ventures and venues like Modern Events and

quality of the experience in each place,” Joe agrees. “We come

The Francis are also potentially in the mix, Steve says. “The kids

from Sarasota, and we are trying to grow the TableSeide brand

and I all have a hospitality background. That is another aspect

out of Sarasota. Our hub is here, we want to market our brands

of this,” he says. “Having a venue like The Francis gives an op-

here, and to grow here, too.”

portunity to create unique spaces for larger parties.” The Francis’ capabilities range from accommodating a gathering of 275 to

Now, looking back at how far they’ve come since 2008 when

private dining for up to 30 people. Modern Events has the flexi-

he first peeked into the windows of the defunct Fred’s and con-

bility to draw from Libby’s or Louie’s Modern if clients happen to

sidered what it would mean to tackle a new restaurant to re-

like their culinary styles or to create something entirely different

place the former Sarasota icon, Steve has nothing but optimism

regardless of the size of the event. In fact, Modern Events fed a

for what is to come. “I’m incredibly proud of what our partners

crowd of 3,500 for the event of the year in 2014, the grand open-

and kids have put together, and I’m encouraged by our endless

ing of the new Mall at University Town Center.

potential,” he says. “Stay tuned.”

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Building Stronger Community Connections Stewart & Trudy Moon with Amanda & John Horne Story by Ryan G. Van Cleave | Photo by Daniel Perales In December, John and Amanda Horne of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar and Trudy and Stewart Moon of Air & Energy teamed up to host a fundraiser called The Horne & Moon Social. The theme of the night was a swinging Jazz Age social featuring special Prohibition-era-inspired drinks and food plus “music, dancing, and gaiety in downtown Bradenton” explained the fliers. Guests dressed up in 1920s speakeasy clothes and lived it up like Gatsby. “Ninety percent of the attendees were in flapper outfits or zoot suits,” says John Horne, “and many had fake Tommy [machine] guns.” The goal of the event? Raise funds to support education and local scholarships in Manatee County.

The fund is managed by the Manatee Community Foundation, and it helps students at State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Manatee Technical Institute, and University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Dennis Stover, who serves as Regional Vice Chancellor of Advancement at USFSM, says that both the Moons and Hornes value giving back to the university’s students to help change the future by investing today. “Partnering together with the Manatee Community Foundation and the Moons and Hornes provides gap scholarship resources for our students and builds stronger community connections,” he says. “Students who are helped through scholarships pay that forward as they can.”

For the purposes of this fund, a gap scholarship covers things that aren’t covered with other scholarships, or gaps people have that keep from them achieving their educational goals. A student who has the tuition covered but comes up short in covering books. A student who needs a $95 online course fee or a $2,000 1,200hour course through MTI. Someone who’s in a dead-end job and needs new skills — perhaps Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop — to change careers. These are all people who should apply for financial support.

Trudy Moon — co-owner of their family heating/cooling business and a recent recipient of the Spirit of Manatee Volunteer Award — explained that the idea for the event came about when she and her husband were sitting down with the Hornes last July, enjoying some wine, and they decided they wanted to partner on somescenesarasota.com

thing. Both families had done fundraising before. Why not work together on a fundraising project of their own? A common element among all of their interests was education. “It’s an awesome thing to make education better in our community. We have to give that opportunity to every person who wants it,” says Moon.

Like one in three Americans, John Horne worked in the fast food industry as a youth, moving on from his job at Wendy’s to working in 1990 at Fast Eddie’s. He loved it from day one, quickly moving on from being a busboy to opening the Anna Maria Oyster Bar in 1996. Horne has been very supportive of USFSM’s culinary program. He’s been on the board for several years, taught in the classroom, and brought culinary classes to the restaurant to see firsthand how things actually work. Helping their students, and others at area schools, was well in line with his interest in education.

The event was a smash. “Ridiculously successful,” says Moon.

“The whole evening was magical, and the generosity was overwhelming.” Sure, there were a lot of sponsors signed up in advance such as Feld Entertainment, Bright House Networks, Florida Blue, and the Herman E. & Helen H. Turner Foundation Trust, but the attendees themselves kept donating all night long — even after the place was “raided” by fake police for people drinking during Prohibition.

Horne explains that starting up and supporting a fund like this is “our way to give back to our community that gives so much to us.” And putting together two families with like minds and a shared idea creates a synergy, but agreeing on everything helped make planning for the event so much fun. Moon adds that it feels great to give back. If someone has the means to do something, she can’t imagine not doing it. “It’s easy. Let’s just do one thing at a time, and it all adds up to making quite a difference.” And from the success of the party, it’s clear that she’s right.

“Don’t miss the next party,” warns Moon. “It’ll be a sellout right after the announcement goes up.” The details aren’t set yet, but she promises it’ll be exotic. For more information on The Horne & Moon Fund, visit www.manateecf.org or call 941.747.7765.

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Environmental Legacy Rob Patten & Babette Bach Story and Photo by Jake Hartvigsen Sitting on the porch of Rob Patten’s and Babette Bach’s rustic cabin along the Myakka River, you can’t help but feel that you have been transported back in time. Cabbage palms twist and arch their way skyward as they stretch for light through a forest canopy created by centuries-old live oaks. Overhead, a great blue heron swoops past, while just beyond the tree line a deer moves silently through the underbrush.

And then, of course, there is the river. Crystal clear and burnished gold in the late afternoon sun, it meanders along sandy banks toward a final destination in Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico.

This is a picture of Old Florida that some only experience through the photography of Clyde Butcher and other artists, yet for Rob and Babette it is a living reminder of the natural beauty that exists in southwest Florida even beyond our world-famous beaches.

Their commitment to preserving ecosystems like this for future generations is why they are so passionate about the work of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, a regional land conservation organization.

“I grew up in the wetlands of the St. John’s River near Jacksonville,” says Rob, “so I understand how special Florida’s natural environment is. Yet, because of that experience, I also understand just how fast that environment can be changed and lost forever if there is no one trying to protect it. That is why it is so important to have organizations like Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.”

His knowledge about the value and importance of environmental preservation extends far beyond childhood memories. In the 1980s, he helped form Sarasota County’s natural resources department, building programs to establish local parks and replenish vegetation on coastal beaches. Then, after launching a successful environmental consulting firm involved in large-scale habitat restoration for clients that included The Nature Conservancy and National Audubon Society, he returned to Sarasota County government in the late 1990s to head its environmental sciences division.

During that time, he also met Babette, a local elder law attorney scenesarasota.com

who had recently lost her husband. With a shared love for travel and the outdoors, the couple immediately hit it off. “Rob and I both see environmental protection as something that you do not only for your own current enjoyment, but so that your children and grandchildren can benefit from the beauty and the experience of the outdoors as well,” she says.

That belief in the importance of creating an environmental legacy for future generations of Floridians is something voters, both locally and statewide, have endorsed overwhelmingly through the years, including this past November with the passage of Amendment 1. It is also a key reason behind Rob and Babette’s support for Conservation Foundation.

“Because it is a private nonprofit organization, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast can do things in a way that local governments can’t,” says Rob, who has served on Conservation Foundation’s board since 2008. “For instance, we have far more flexibility in establishing partnerships and negotiating contracts than a government agency would. We also can work more creatively with landowners to preserve and protect their property through estate planning and conservation easements.”

As an example, he points to current negotiations with the landowners of three separate parcels surrounding Myakka State Park.

Once completed, the easements will connect the park with the Crowley Preserve in the north, create an environmental buffer for the park’s campground in the west, and help protect a key water source for North Port’s water supply in the south. All will be accomplished while allowing the current property owners to maintain their ownership.

“Preserving and restoring the environment is about more than just saving trees or protecting certain species,” says Babette. “It’s about understanding nature as an integrated system and realizing that the actions we take today will impact our quality of life for generations to come. That is what Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is all about.” For more information about Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, visit conservationfoundation.com.

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PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Photos by Daniel Perales

As the largest independent grocers in Sarasota, Eddie and Todd Morton proudly carry on a rich family tradition of impeccable service, products and commitment to the community.

P

art of what makes Sarasota terrific is that small-town stores aren’t just part of the landscape — they’re part of the fabric of our community. They’re not just window dressing where people old enough to remember Dwight Eisenhower’s

presidency, the first BBC episode of Dr. Who, and Ford Motors’ first Mustang rolling off the assembly line can feel nostalgic looking at. People actually shop at these icons of the past because there’s always an old school commitment to individual customer attention. Nowhere is that more evident than at Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering, which is run today by father and son team Eddie and Todd Morton, though their family’s connection to this store runs back decades.

This Southside Village business started off as Slee’s Food Store in 1928, and then later became Marable’s Market after being bought by M.E. “Eddie” Marable. In 1952, a former Nabisco salesman named Ted Morton — Eddie’s father — who had been relocated to Sarasota, began working for Marable’s Market and soon became its general manager. Within 15 years, the original store space of 1,500 square feet had increased by more than double to accommodate the wider selection of groceries. This also made it Sarasota’s largest independent grocery store. Ted’s idea to include a section of hot, ready-to-eat food and pre-made salads made it one of the first grocers on this side of

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the U.S. to have a deli.

After Eddie graduated from the University of West Florida, his father asked him if he wanted to work with him at the store. He did. This was 1969; the same year that Marable sold the business to the Mortons. Despite the change in ownership, they kept the same name for eight years before renaming it Morton’s Market to better reflect the family’s sense of pride and commitment to the store and the community. It’s no surprise that Eddie’s brother, D.K., was recently recognized for 30 years of service at Morton’s Market. Clearly others feel the same commitment to the store since employee Wally Hoppe was also honored for his three decades there as well.

While the business was sold to Epicurean Life in 1997 because the pressure to compete with the big chain grocery stores was too great, it was done so with the promise that Eddie would stay on for two years to use his expertise to run the store, which now had a new two-story building and a well-stocked wine section. They also kept the name that had become synonymous to quality food for Sarasotans. Eddie’s son, Todd, joined the business as general manager in 1999 — the same year the name changed to Morton’s Gourmet Market — after a successful time in the restaurant

myself and Todd presently. The personal service

business throughout the southeastern U.S. By

and quality given by our staff to customers is

2007, he’d become partners with his father.

another thing that keeps people coming back.”

Along the way, Morton’s changed from a

He also notes, “Todd and I both try to

grocery store to a grocery store with a deli to a

give back to the community through time and

grocery store with a deli that also had upscale,

money given to different non-profit groups we

high-end food items. The market also fell into

are associated with. We are also very proud of

the catering business thanks to the Wallendas,

our foundation, Morton’s Culinary Education

who lived close to Morton’s. During filming at

Foundation, where we give scholarships through

the Wallenda house for The Karl Wallenda Story,

the Community Foundation to graduating high

the crew would regularly walk to Morton’s for

school seniors who are going into the hospitality

lunch. Soon, Morton’s started bringing food to

industry.” The Mortons also make themselves

the film set and before long, started catering for

available to scholarship winners to share their

a lot more local families, businesses, and events.

expertise with the students.

Today, Morton’s is somewhere you swing by

The Mortons feel blessed by their ongoing

to get fresh grouper stuffed with crab, sautéed

relationship with the community. And if Todd has

Brussels sprouts, butternut squash ravioli, and a

anything to say about it, a Morton will be running

2001 Clos Vougeot.

Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering for many

When asked about the store’s enviable

decades to come.

longevity, Eddie says it’s due to the family

For those who would like to find out more

atmosphere started by the Marables in the 1950s

about Morton’s gourmet and prepared foods or

“and continuing on through today by my dad,

upcoming events, visit MortonsMarket.com.

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MASTER JEWELER ON PREMISES 1922 Bay Road | Sarasota, FL | 941.926.3335 | CaratsFineJewelryandWatches.com

City Pulse

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Sarasota delivers an eclectic entertainment mix of the classics, the hip, the cool, and the hot.

Photography & Art Direction:

John Revisky

Photo Assistant: Brett

Felsenfeld

Moving Ethos Dance Company is revered for deeply human performances that fuel conversations and build human connection. Location and props courtesy of Beth Kompothecras at So Staged Events & Rentals. scenesarasota.com

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Maestro Victor DeRenzi, artistic director and principal conductor of Sarasota Opera, stands on the Act 1 set of Tosca, Giacomo Puccini’s powerful melodrama, which opens Sarasota Opera’s 56th Winter Opera Festival on February 7.

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Hail Dale rocks its own brand of Southern Garage and Blues at Growler’s Pub.

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Charming and overflowing with humor, love and adventure, Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker is on stage at Asolo Repertory Theatre through April 11.

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Scotty Felsenfeld, videographer and video editor, at HuB Studios, belts one out during open mic night at Clasico Cafe Bar.

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Blake MacIntyre cracks ‘em up at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre at a special open mic night for local stand up comics.

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SOCIAL JFED Silent Disco More than 200 revelers gathered on Louie’s Modern Rooftop to ring in 2015 at Sarasota’s first-ever Silent Disco presented by The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee. Guests donned wireless headphones, danced to their choice of music on two dance floors, and enjoyed a spectacular view of the fireworks. Rachel and Darren Saltzberg chaired this unique event. Photos by Nancy Guth Right: Michael, Allie & Dan Markman Rachel & Darren Saltzberg Below: Ben & Stacy Hanan with Lauren & Dr. Steven Fineman Below & Below Right: Michele & Robert Lomnitz with Lynn Yunis Eric & Kate Pressman

3rd AnnuAl

April 15, 2015 - 6 pM MichAel’s On eAst $175 per persOn

Help the Child Protection Center create a community where all children are safe from abuse.

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co-chairs: Donna Koffman, peg roberts, & nikki Williams reservations: 2015btb.eventbrite.com Or 941.365.1277 ext. 103

Gold Butterfly sponsors: Graci and Dennis McGillicuddy silver Butterfly sponsors: Gulf coast community Foundation the Arthur s. Karp Family Foundation saks Fifth Avenue Design Works

scenesarasota.com

All

Comforts of Home the

Doctors Hospital’s Renovated Orthopedic Unit offers top-notch care & amenities.

By Sue Cullen

I

f the notion of hospitals as sterile, forbidding – shall we say inhospitable – places persists, then Doctors Hospital of Sarasota’s upgrade to its Orthopedic and Spine Institute may change that perception once and for all.

As the first phase of a planned $17 million renovation, patient rooms were significantly enhanced with the special needs of orthopedic patients and their families in mind. “The hospital environment can make a significant impact on patient healing, said Robert Meade, Doctors Hospital CEO. “This renovation allows us to continue providing an atmosphere that’s restorative and restful.”

The renovated orthopedic unit includes 44 private patient rooms and suites, which have been totally updated. “It provides patients with a relaxing environment that gives a hotel-like feel to the entire floor,” said Billy Troy, Director of Orthopedics. “The difference with our patients is that when they come in, they are not sick and don’t feel bad. Their minds are active, and we try to keep them busy.” All rooms have flat screen monitors for television and movie viewing, and the 14 larger suite rooms are equipped with touch screen computers. Patients also are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet computer since the entire hospital has WiFi.

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Those amenities are nice for whiling away time between physical therapy sessions and visits from doctors and nurses during stays that can range typically from one or two days for spinal surgery patients and up to four days for knee replacements. Family members also often accompany orthopedic patients to assist during the day, and many times overnight. The rooms have been designed with them in mind as well.

“All the rooms have at least a recliner that pulls out into a twin bed, and the larger rooms have a pull out couch,” Troy said. “We try to use the larger rooms for people traveling from a distance if we can.”

Family members and ambulatory patients also can hang out in the Java Joint, a cozy dining area equipped with an upscale coffee machine that can deliver a steaming espresso or cappuccino with Danish in the morning. Soup or hot cider is available in the afternoon, and it also may be used to gather for a family meal. “The physical plant of the new renovated floor is very nice,” said Dr. Charles Rush, an orthopedic surgeon with the Kennedy-White Orthopedic Center.

“The TLC program is an added perk for my patient’s. It’s a nice little touch for some people and can especially help someone who lives in Port Charlotte or near Tampa, who otherwise may have to drive down at 3 a.m.”

Instead, the person can choose, for the cost of a moderate dinner and hotel room, to stay in their hospital room the night before surgery and eliminate the stress of a drive to the hospital in the wee hours on top of the stress of preparing for surgery. TLC stands for transportation, lodging, and comfort, and patients can arrive for dinner in the concierge dining room, a relaxing evening with popcorn and a movie in their room and a restful night’s sleep.

Also as part of Doctors Hospital’s planned $17 million renovation are an expansion of the emergency room and the addition of two large operating rooms designed to complement the hospital’s robotics program. “It’s a big asset to have the new state of the art equipment and operating rooms to go along with what they already have,” Rush said.

Just last year, Doctors Hospital added a new FDA approved robot for minimally invasive spinal surgery, the Mazor Robotics Renaissance ™, making it one of only 37 hospitals in the nation to offer this technology.

The robot allows spine surgeons to perform even complex surgeries without long incisions that are a part of traditional open spine surgeries.

“Our practice is 100 percent minimally invasive, and this has made a huge change in our practice in the last year,” said Dr. Thomas Sweeney of the Southeastern Spine Center and Research Institute.

With the Mazor robot, a CT scan of the patient’s spine is uploaded allowing the surgeon to pre-plan the surgery, which may include

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placement of bone, rods or screws for stabilization.

The robot then guides the surgeon during the surgery resulting in very high accuracy. “We have a 3D model and can plan placement of screws and skin incisions, and the robot moves to position and acts as a precision guide for our hands with one-tenth of a millimeter accuracy,” Sweeney said. “That’s much more accurate than a human can be, and outcome data over 10 years has shown results are better with a robot.” The Mazor also reduces radiation exposure for the patient and staff to about 20 percent of what it was with previous methods. Advantages of minimally invasive surgeries in general are well known and include less blood loss, lower risk of infection, faster recovery times, and minimal scarring.

On the staff side, nurses, physical therapists, and other health care professionals at the Orthopedic and Spine Institute specialize in orthopedics, neurosurgery, and spine surgery. “Patients see a lot of familiar faces here,” said Troy. “We have low turnover because people like it here. Our hospital is a smaller, more family oriented facility. The nurses know the other nurses on the floor and work well together, and patients and their loved ones feel that.” All of that has earned the hospital a host of awards, including from Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Florida for spine surgery and knee and hip replacement and Becker’s Hospital Review for orthopedic and spine.

The Joint Commission named it a top performer on key quality measures in a number of areas including spine surgery and hip and knee replacement.

The investments Doctors Hospital has been making and is planning to make are intended to accommodate anticipated growth in demand and to stay on the leading edge of medical technology and patient care. “Not only is medical technology advancing at a rapidly accelerating rate, our area also is growing and evolving,” Meade says.

“The investments we are making, and will continue to make, ensure that our community can rely on us to deliver the high-quality, personalized care they expect.” scenesarasota.com

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A New Year, a New Café Gabbiano Peter Tracy with Laura & Marc Grimaud

Come see what’s in store for your 2015 dining experience!

Café Gabbiano reopened in October after closing for two weeks to complete a kitchen and dining room remodel. The kitchen was transformed to accommodate Café Gabbiano’s expansion into offsite catering, including being one of the preferred caterers to Sarasota’s new event venue, The Devyn, as well as growing guest interest in onsite special events. The sought after wine room provides a more intimate dining experience following the relocation of the bar to the outside patio. While guests seated at the bar and on the patio can take in the sights and happenings in kitchen as the magic happens while they dine.

Café Gabbiano has always been an ideal setting for wedding receptions and showers, cocktail parties, corporate holiday and employee appreciation gatherings, and social club networking events. They have re-vamped their special event menu offerings to accommodate any event setting and budget.

On the already extensive wine list, Café Gabbiano offers more wine by the glass options and has added some great new producers in varying price ranges. Have you ever wanted to try some Tignanello or Caymus without committing to a bottle? Now you can at Café Gabbiano.

With the new digs comes a new face as well. Café Gabbiano’s stellar culinary team has grown by one with the addition of Chef Kurt Wortmann, formerly of Redondo Beach, California. Among his many specialties is a melt-in-your-mouth, decadent chocolate brownie. Watch for it to take its place on the dessert menu soon! Kurt will work behind and continue to support our head Chef Paolo DiCostanzo. Paolo will continue to work with his culinary team and with Marc and Peter to keep Café Gabbiano on the culinary edge.

Where Casual Ambiance

Meets Authentic Italian

5104 Ocean Blvd. | Siesta Key | 941-349-1423 | cafegabbiano.com OPEN DAILY 5PM-10PM. TASTING MENUS AVAILABLE SUNDAY TO THURSDAY.

Mainstage

Cabaret

“Perceptive play”

“Powerful”

-Sarasota Herald-Tribune

- Venice Gondolier

Dancingby MarkLessons St. Germain “Brilliant dialogue” “Heart and humor” -The Observer

- Sarasota Magazine

“Richly entertaining” - Venice Gondolier

Ben Mackel and Sarah Hund. Photo by Brian Braun.

Vanessa Morosco and Jason Cannon. Photo by Cliff Roles.

Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director

by Richard Hopkins and Rebecca Hopkins

941-366-9000

Sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida.

0oridastudiotheatre.org 2015

Evening Of Excellence

20th Anniversary

Gala Dinner & Auction of Exceptional Student Art

to benefit the 42,000 students in Sarasota County Schools through the work of the Education Foundation February 27, 2015 Michael's on East 6 pm Cocktails 7 pm Dinner & Art Auction

Media Sponsor:

For Reservations 941.927.0965 or www.EdFoundation.net · Patron Tickets $250 | Individual Tickets $200

ae·gis

/'ejis/ noun: aegis

Definition: The protection, backing, or support of a particular person or organization.

Home Defender Aegis Tactical of Lakewood Ranch Joe Krawtschenko knows a lot about self defense. A retired law enforcement officer from New Jersey, Joe is the owner, manager and lead firearms instructor at Aegis Tactical, which offers self and home defense training, firearms training, gun and ammunition sales, and gunsmith services.

Joe worked as a contractor for two years in Iraq, starting off as a police advisor and trainer and ending up as the firearms expert and tactical operations advisor. “I trained the Iraqi police while I was there,” he said. “I also worked a lot with the Kurds in Kurdistan, teaching them how to use and shoot fire-

By Steven J. Smith | Photos by Daniel Perales

I like that Aegis Tactical is all about teaching “you safety. My entire family has attended their classes. They taught my 14 year old son about self defense and my 26 year old daughter better ways to protect herself. Aegis really helps educate people about how to be safer in their homes and how to avoid situations that may be dangerous.

– Tina Darling, Sarasota

”

arms, how to oversee tactical operations, how to set up raids,

you learn how to get out of a bad situation and potentially save

how to set up ambushes. I trained their personal security details

your life. A lot of our students are young women getting ready

as well as those for U.S. forces.”

to go off to college. We also go out to people’s houses and help

Looking to settle down, Joe returned to the U.S. in 2011 to

them set up a strategy to protect themselves and their homes.

launch his own business in Lakewood Ranch. “Everybody laughed

We train about 5,000 people a year here. All of our instructors

at me when I said I was going to do this,” he said. “They said it

are retired law enforcement officers and have a military back-

would never work. When I began, I shared 300 square feet of of-

ground. And we know the laws.”

fice space with someone else. Now we’re over 4,000 square feet.”

Classes start at $34.99 and go up from there, depending

That additional space has afforded him the room to hold classes

upon the nature of the course and its complexities. Aegis Tac-

in firearms and attaining a license for a concealed weapon. Aegis

tical is at 5103 Lena Road in Lakewood Ranch. It is open from

Tactical also offers training in self defense, while providing a wide

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

variety of quality firearms, accessories and gunsmith services.

on Saturday and Sunday. Specific dates and times for classes

“Our unarmed self defense training consists of roughly a sixto twelve-hour class covering a couple of weeks,” Joe said. “In it,

and additional information may be found at aegisguns.com or by calling 941.755.1610.

Fun times at the Sarasota Woman’s Club

Interior pre-remodeling

Circa 1920s

C entennial

FST’s Keating Theatre She looks quite comely for 100 years of age, but like many other well-preserved Floridian beauties, she’s had some work done.

By Steven J. Smith

I

n 1915, the building now occupied by Florida Studio Theatre’s 173-seat Keating Theatre was erected to house the Woman’s Club of Sarasota. Originally named the Town Improvement Society, this group consisted of Sarasota women dedicated to the enhancement and beautification

of the area — later expanding to promoting and providing educational, scientific, and charitable activities and opportunities to the community.

On January 1, 1915, the clubhouse cornerstone was laid at the corner of Palm Avenue and Park Street (now Cocoanut Avenue). The clubhouse served as Sarasota’s first library and hosted numerous club and public committee gatherings such as the Cemetery Committee, the Juvenile Dancing Class, the Education Committee, welfare committees and music committees. The Woman’s Club also maintained a census and birth registration, an area Parent Teachers Association, and a Red Cross Auxiliary.

In 1953 the building was remodeled and rededicated, but by 1976 the Woman’s Club of Sarasota had relocated. The building was slated for demolition and was to be turned into a parking lot.

Marion McKenna, a patron and supporter of the arts who received her first kiss in that building, did not want to see it destroyed, so she and her husband bought the clubhouse and sold it to Florida Studio Theatre in 1982. Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, who joined the theater in 1980, played a significant role in the purchase.

“Joe and Marion McKenna had been giving us the building rent-free for five years, so the idea of taking on a fundraising campaign to buy it was an arduous task for a small theater company with an overall operating budget of under $250,000,” Hopkins said. “Buying something with a price tag of $140,000 at that time was daunting.”

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Exterior pre-remodeling

Circa 1970s

Box office today with plaque commemorating Sarasota Woman’s Club

The McKennas forgave $40,000 of that amount and FST paid off the remaining $100,000 over the next three years. Ever since, the building has served as the anchor for all FST operations. The structure is among the oldest surviving buildings in Sarasota and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Hopkins said altering the clubhouse into a working theater was a challenge. “It was a very graceful, beautiful building, but over the years changes occurred,” Hopkins said. “It was basically a ballroom with a wraparound veranda on three sides. The veranda wasn’t very useful because of the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter, so they started enclosing it. Also, dormers on the roof were removed and an asphalt-shingled roof was put on. It wasn’t very attractive.”

Hopkins and his colleagues turned to architect Stuart Barger to restore the building’s original beauty. “It took us about 20 years to really finish it, because it needed so many basics, like plumbing and electric,” Hopkins said. “There were two toilets in the entire building. There was very little electricity with open, exposed wiring everywhere. Now the whole place has been replumbed and rewired. In 2003 we took it down to its studs — interior and exterior — to make sure the structure was strong. We now have a building that was built inside a building. It was named for Ed Keating, who gave a very large endowment gift to the theater in exchange for having it named after him.”

Hopkins added FST is about to undertake more renovations of its Palm Avenue properties, including the Keating and the Goldstein Cabaret, which will incur more than $1 million in costs.

“The Keating is a magical space, first and foremost,” he said. “Every actor and director who’s ever worked in the space — and audiences agree — say it’s a wonderful place to put on and see a show.

Frequently, found spaces are better theaters than those constructed for the purpose, especially the older architecture. You just can’t match it. Our main challenge is that we have very limited wing space and low ceilings. Other than that, there’s not a bad seat in the house.”

FST celebrated the building’s centennial with a special presentation in the Bea Friedman room that explored the legacies of both the Woman’s Club and the theater. Throughout the month of February a display in the Keating lobby will showcase the history and importance of the building as well as the accomplishments of the Woman’s Club of Sarasota.

“We frequently overlook that the Woman’s Club was the social center of Sarasota for almost half a century,” Hopkins said. “People got married there, the mayor’s office was there, and it was Sarasota’s first library. Also it was in 1915 that these women set up boycotts to encourage equal education for girls as well as boys.” Sarasotans will be looking forward to the history that will continue to be made there for the next 100 years. scenesarasota.com

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WHERE GREAT MEMORIES, INNOVATIVE CUISINE AND IMPECCABLE SERVICE COME NEATLY WRAPPED.

So good, you’ll look for reasons to celebrate.

941.388.4415 | 431 St. Armands Circle | cafeleurope.net

Tour of Europe Passport Series is back!

The

VerdiinC ycle Penultimate Season

Audience favorites and a lesser-known gem in Sarasota Opera’s winter season

By Steven J. Smith scenesarasota.com

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S

arasota Opera’s winter season — beginning February 7 and running to the end of March — boasts a diverse mix of two old favorites, a rarely done chestnut and another masterpiece in this penultimate year of the acclaimed Verdi Cycle.

Richard Russell, Executive Director of Sarasota Opera, said he is excited to see another stellar line up set for the season. “It’s really hard to say which opera I’m looking forward to most,” Russell said. “To start, we’re doing Tosca with two of our favorite singers — Kara Shay Thomson and Rafael Dávila — who performed it the last time we did it six years ago. It was a huge success.”

Puccini’s famous melodrama, which features powerful melodies while telling the story of how a famous diva’s jealousy leads to tragedy, will be followed by The Marriage of Figaro, one of Mozart’s most charmingly comic creations. Next up is Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Golden Cockerel, which relates a tale of the foolish King Dodon who enlists the help of a sorcerer to place a magical golden rooster on a spire to protect his country from attack — with problematic results. Finally, Verdi’s Don Carlos, an epic story of love, betrayal and tragedy, takes the stage in Sarasota’s next-to-last season of staging all of the master’s works.

Russell related the assembling of Sarasota Opera’s season to piecing together an intricate jigsaw puzzle. “We knew we had to do Don Carlos, because we’re getting to the end of The Verdi Cycle, and that’s one of three we need to do to complete it,” he said. “Our first opera, Tosca, had to be a popular piece, because we do the most performances of it. The Marriage of Figaro was perfect for our second spot, because it’s a piece we haven’t done for a long time.”

For The Golden Cockerel, Russell said Sarasota Opera always likes to do something out of the ordinary.

“It’s not mainstream, but it attracts savvy opera goers who have not had a chance to see it done,” he said.

“It’s not been done in the States since the late 70s. Also size-wise, it’s a smaller piece, so it was a good piece to do in the middle of the season.”

Sarasota Opera Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Victor DeRenzi said The Verdi Cycle began inauspiciously in 1989, but as time went on and audiences demanded more, he was more than happy to comply. “Actually, the second opera of our Verdi Cycle, back in 1990, was one of his least performed operas, called Aroldo,” DeRenzi said. “It was a huge success. The audience really loved it. I felt if there could be such a response to this completely unknown opera, maybe there was much more to be uncovered.”

DeRenzi added doing The Verdi Cycle has revealed much to him — both as a Verdi enthusiast and as a

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Golden Cockerel Backdrop (left) & The Marriage of Figaro (below) photos by Richard Termine Don Carlos photo by Deb Hesser

conductor of his work. “First, I’ve learned an incredible amount about his life and the period in which he lived in addition to the music, which is the most obvious aspect,” DeRenzi said. “He wrote from the 1830s to the 1890s, which is a very long period of time. Also I’ve seen audiences surprised by Verdi’s work. They have learned that there are Verdi operas they’ve never heard of that also have something to say about the human condition and about the times Verdi lived in and also the times we live in.”

As successful as The Verdi Cycle has been, both Russell and DeRenzi agreed Sarasota Opera would probably not do a complete cycle of any other prominent composer. “In the future I know we want to do some of the lesser known works of Puccini,” Russell said. “But there’s not really another composer who would work as well as Verdi has in our theater and would have the same kind of impact. Also doing Verdi every year has limited us in some respects. There are some bigger works we haven’t been able to do because so many of Verdi’s operas are big productions.”

“The Verdi Cycle has been a great thing for us, but a cycle is a big commitment,” DeRenzi said. So as this cycle ends, we’re going to be doing a lot of different repertoire that we have not done before — some operas that are new to our audience and revivals of some classic ones.” Those who want to attend or know more about Sarasota Opera’s winter season can visit SarasotaOpera.org or call 941.328.1300. scenesarasota.com

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By the Beautiful Sea

Fins at Sharky's is Making Waves

By Sue Cullen

H

aving just sailed past its first anniversary, Fins at Sharky’s has steadily gained a following of

loyal enthusiasts who appreciate its casual fine dining menu, ambience, and show-stopping views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Owned and operated by the Pachota family, Fins seaside dining perfection is the culmination of 28 years of experience delivering well prepared coastal-style cuisine with heavy emphasis on fresh seafood and Floridian settings at Sharky’s on the Pier and the riverside Snook Haven.

“Sharky’s is the original casual beach-side, islandstyle restaurant specializing in fresh seafood, but definitely anchored in an older style menu with a little more fried food,” says Mike Pachota, the original owner of Sharky’s who now oversees business operations and the three restaurants.

“Fins is more of the modern day casual fine dining. The food and wine are on the high end of fine dining but served in a friendly, polished beach casual atmosphere. If you go to Sharky’s, leave your flip-flops on, but if you come to Fins, put your Dockers on. If it’s a special occasion, a suit and tie are not out of place.”

Fins is adjacent to Sharky’s on Venice Beach, but at a

seafood definitely has a prominent place on the lunch and

higher elevation giving it panoramic views of the Gulf that are

dinner menus, which vary depending on what the freshest

unique to the area. The restaurant seats 182 guests inside and

catch and ingredients of the day happen to be. Selections

on an outdoor terrace. A private events room accommodates

include a variety of raw oysters. The restaurant also features

20 to 50. “We built the restaurant to maximize the view,”

a sushi station with a robust list of about 20 items including

says Justin Pachota, co-owner and general manager of Fins.

a California roll filled with blue crab salad and topped

“When people call and ask for a seat with a view, they think

with salmon, tuna, and yellowtail. Perennial favorites

we’re not serious when we say that every seat has a view.”

include a decadent seafood chowder and a grilled romaine

While the view may bring patrons to the restaurant, it’s the food and service that bring them back, Mike says. Fresh

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wedge topped with Gorgonzola dressing, Neuske’s bacon, anchovies, and plum tomatoes. scenesarasota.com

With Venice’s dearth of upscale steakhouses, Fins has stepped in to fill the gap by investing in a Josper ® wood burning oven.

Using a special mesquite charcoal helps oven temperatures soar to 850 degrees producing a juicy, flavorful steak with a nicely charred exterior. Even the Seminole Pride™ beef is special.

“Seminole Pride is operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and the cattle are 100 percent raised and processed in Florida,” Justin says. Steakhouse-style veal chops and heritage kurobuta pork chops also are on the menu.

While Fins brings in familiar patrons who are enjoying the more fine-dining style menu and atmosphere of Fins, Mike says he also has noticed new clientele. “We’ve attracted a very loyal group of customers from some of the country clubs around town who are looking for a nice place to go when they are not dining at their club,” he says. “We’re not only drawing people from Sarasota, but also from Casey Key and Manasota Key. Really, we appeal to anyone who enjoys an inventive menu, good service, and extensive wine list enhanced by a terrific view.”

If history is any judge, Fins will follow in Sharky’s successful path. Sharky’s started as a 78-seat restaurant on the beach in Photo of Justin & Mike Pachota by Daniel Perales

1987. From that beginning, the property has grown to a total of 500 seats and employs 220. Mike credits Justin’s hard work and expertise with Fins’ quick success. “It was a big project developing the recipes, menu and wine list, and hiring the people,” he says. “Justin developed it into a brilliant restaurant.” Justin, who is a hospitality graduate of the University of Central Florida with experience both in the family business and at a large national multi-restaurant corporation, credits the staff, many of whom have been with Sharky’s for many years.

The Pachotas also understand the importance of giving back, and as their success has grown, they have generously supported many local nonprofit organizations, including Children First, Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, Our Mother’s House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and arts organizations such as the Venice Theatre and the Venice Symphony. “We look for a personal connection and local impact,” Justin says. “We’re proud of our community, what we’ve done here, and where we are going.”

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Keith Farmhouse before renovation

Light Keith Farmhouse by Dominic Avant

Plein Air

One of Sarasota’s favorite art events has joined forces with a well-loved historic destination to sell beautiful art and raise funds to complete the restoration of the Keith Farmhouse in the Phillippi Estate Park. The Light Chasers: Plein Air Painters of the Sun Coast is hosting its 3rd Annual Paint Sarasota Paint Out! event and the Master Artists Show and Gala February 19 through March 1 with a variety of events to treat artists and art lovers alike.

During the Paint Out event February 19 through 26, Plein Air painters will be at a variety of locations, including beaches, parks, and historic districts to capture the area’s tropical beauty. Plein Air is the French term for outdoor painting, and the Sarasota Pergula by Terry Mason

Paint Out is the largest in Florida with 75 to 100 artists from around the country at their easels. This year, a special quick draw painting contest, with Bill Farnsworth as judge, will be held at the park from 10 am to 12 pm on February 25 during the weekly farmer’s market. Prizes will be awarded and the public is invited to come paint and buy off the easel right on the spot.

Weekend events kick off February 27 with the opening Master Artists Gala from 6 to 8 pm. For just $25 a ticket, guests can enjoy paintings exhibited by national artists at the historic Edson Keith Mansion along with refreshments, music by Kitt Moran and her Jazz Trio, and decorations in the tradition of the mansion’s heyday. This is the major fundraiser of the week. A free reception at the mansion will be on February 28 from 5

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Chasers Painters Paint Out! Bill Farnsworth shares technique

Saturday night raffle painting by Bill Farnsworth

Plein Air painters all in a row

Coming Home by Dominic Avant

to 8 pm, and on March 1, the show, which is free, will run from 12 to 5 pm with an outdoor jazz concert at the gazebo on the scenic 60 acre Phillippi Estate Park.

The Light Chasers is a group of nearly 500 artists who gather to paint every Thursday morning at various locations in Sarasota County. The group will donate a portion of the week’s sales to support completion of the renovations to the Keith Farmhouse prior to the house’s 100th anniversary in 2016. For those interested in learning more details about the Light Chasers and the Paint Out event, visit lightchasersinc.com. More information about Phillippi Estate Park and the Keith Farmhouse is available at scgov.net/ phillippiestate. scenesarasota.com

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BRADENTON

HOT SPOTS

By Susan Wilcox

Energetic. Young. Vibrant. Not the words traditionally associated with downtown Bradenton, but the city is experiencing a renaissance of sorts and is home to a wide variety of restaurants, bars, pubs, and microbreweries.

The hub of the action centers on the stretch of Old Main Street from Manatee Avenue to the municipal pier where more than half a dozen bars line the blocks. A recent stroll on a chilly Thursday evening found all of them filled with cheerful patrons.

The first stop on our tour was at the Lost Kangaroo Pub at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Old Main Street. The “Roo” is one of the oldest watering holes on the block. It started more than a decade ago in a spot across the street but moved to its present location five years ago. The bar is friendly, with a casual-but-not-a-dive atmosphere. It has an impressive lineup of draft beers, cheerfully served up to us by bartender Rico Antonelli. Like most of the places, it has tables outside and features a pool table and jukebox inside.

We headed south on Old Main Street and passed by Pub 88 (“not a piano bar, but a bar with a piano”), Cork’s Cigar Bar, and the Loaded Barrel Tavern on the way to our next stop, O’Brick’s Irish Pub and Martini Bar. O’Brick’s is the most upscale of the hot spots on Old Main Street, and it was crowded at

Lost Kangaroo Pub

6 p.m. We got a spot next to a big group of new marketing associates for Sysco who were celebrating the end of their training course. Others in the crowd included local attorneys and businesspeople who had walked from their offices for a happy hour beverage. The young crowd arrives later in the evening.

O’Brick’s has one of the best restaurants in town next door, and the full menu is available in the bar.

The food choices range from flatbread pizzas and sandwiches to full dinners.

Heading north on Old Main Street, we passed McCabe’s Irish Pub and the granddaddy of the downtown bars, the Old Main Pub, and arrived at our final destination, Pier 22. The restaurant and bar is at the end of Old Main Street on the old municipal pier overlooking the Manatee River. A few tables in the small interior bar were occupied but the patio bar was full. Once an open deck, it is now glassed-in, preserving the water view but keeping out the chill in the winter and the heat and no-see-ums in the summer. All of the stools at the three-sided bar were occupied by regulars and many of the tables were full as well. While it has an established bar scene, Pier 22 is primarily known as a restaurant, specializing in seafood and fresh sushi. We finished up our evening with dinner and headed home.

While we didn’t venture off of Main Street, there are a lot more vibrant hot spots to draw you to the area. Yacht Sea Grille is a destination overlooking the Riverwalk park. Two microbreweries, Motorworks Brewing and Darwin’s Brewing Company, are located in the area near the Village of the Arts and McKechnie Field, and Tarpon Pointe Grill and Tiki Bar is on the Manatee River, just east of U.S. 301. If you haven’t been to downtown Bradenton in a while, you might want to add that to your to-do list soon so you can tell everyone about the new hot spot you’ve discovered.

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CPA Byron Shinn & wife Jody enjoying Pier 22

Patrons of O’Brick’s Irish Pub and Martini Bar scenesarasota.com

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Destination: St. Armands Circle

A Perfect Day in Sarasota

By Sue Cullen | Photo by John Revisky

W

hen it comes to finding the perfect way to spend the perfect day in Sarasota, whether it’s just for us or for the chance to showcase our wonderful hometown to visitors, options abound. Art, music, wonderful restaurants, lush tropical surroundings, and pristine beaches, we’ve got them all. And one destination offers so much of all of the above that it has become an internationally renowned destination all on its own.

“St. Armands Circle is a destination footsteps from the beach where people can come for world class dining and browse an array of shops across the spectrum,” says Scott MacDonald, Director of Operations for Crab & Fin restaurant and President of the St. Armands Circle Association. “When you want to bring people somewhere to show what Sarasota is all about, we are a true destination. You can stroll the Circle, dine, shop, have dessert or a pastry, and then walk over to the beach for a fun afternoon or evening. What better place to show off the area?”

Since the Circle has more than 140 shops, boutiques, jewelers, galleries, and restaurants, each visit can be a unique ex-

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perience with or without out-of-town guests. The Circle has a rich, and somewhat uniquely Sarasota kind of history. Although Charles St. Amand (his name was misspelled “Armand” on the land deed) homesteaded the jungle-like mangrove island in 1893, it was John Ringling who had the vision to see what it could become. Ringling purchased the property in 1917. He (with the help of some circus elephants) labored to clear the island and build a wooden causeway, but economic woes led to its eventual abandonment. It wasn’t until 1953 that business resumed on the island.

One can’t help but think that Ringling would have approved of St. Armands as a setting for 33 Italian statues from his personal collection, which includes a pantheon of figures from Greek mythology, a full figure marble statue of Michelangelo, and a seven statue collection titled Allegory of Sarasota – Its Seven Virtues. Walking tour maps showing the statues’ locations and stories are available online from the St. Armands Circle Association.

For those craving a dose of old-fashioned retail therapy — the kind where an interesting window display leads to a onescenesarasota.com

of-a-kind find — St. Armands fulfills retail dreams and then some. Dozens of shops and boutiques offer distinctive clothing miles away from run of the mill. Dream Weaver Collection, with clothing from U.S. and European designers and textile artists, has a definite fashion forward vibe that has made it a Circle mainstay for 32 years. Dream Weaver strives for stylish, timeless pieces for everything from chic casual to knock-‘emdead glamorous. Founder Joan Morgan is unabashed about extolling the Circle’s virtues. “A perfect day on St. Armands would be to arrive around 10 a.m., shop for a couple of hours, and have lunch outside at one of the fabulous restaurants with a glass of wine,” she says. “Then on to more shopping, stopping around three for a scoop of delicious ice cream to get energized for even more shopping before dinner.” If you have any energy left over, she suggests freshening up for an evening of dining, music, and dancing.

Perhaps some pampering is in order, and again, the Circle comes through with places like The Met or Les Ciseaux where you can indulge in day spa and med spa treatments before strolling over to Café L’Europe to show off your spa glow at scenesarasota.com

one of Sarasota’s most venerable fine dining venues. Surf and turf anyone? Then it’s a short stroll across the Boulevard of the Presidents to gear up your easy-living look at Oh My Gauze for a fresh take on breathable, 100 percent cotton comfort in dress-up or dress-casual styles. This is Florida after all. Or maybe you’re looking to accessorize. A quick trip across the street will bring you to Tilden Ross Jewelers to pick out some interesting adornments. A pair of scrumptious chocolate pearl and diamond earrings should do the trick.

One of the great things about St. Armands Circle is that strolling around listening to a smattering of German here or a phrase of French there is like being transported to a traditional European city square with diners happily chatting in sidewalk cafes on streets dotted with bright umbrellas. Stores like Ivory Coast, Binjara Traders, and Décor de France bring the world to our doorstep. Merely walking in to the Spice & Tea Exchange is an olfactory trip around the globe, and we get to experience all of this without venturing too far from our own backyards. So next time you’re up for a little stay-cation or just a perfect day Sarasota-style, St. Armands may be just the spot.

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SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW When he was a little kid growing up, John and his pal Jerry wanted to be in the circus in the worst way. But instead of running away and joining the circus, they did the next best thing by producing their own circus in their backyards.

Now many years later, legendary TV producer and director John Moffitt has rediscovered the circus town of Sarasota

— and his old pal renowned composer, arranger, and musician Jerry Bilik — for what promises to be an interesting second act. The first act was filled with an abundance of TV credits too long to name here. Still, when the Beatles invaded America and The Ed Sullivan Show, John Moffitt was there as an associate director. And when he had his chance to direct the Rolling Stones, he made sure he got his shot by not letting them get away. In between working on that “really big show” and creating his own acclaimed TV show, The Show, he met his hero Edward R. Murrow; won the first and only Emmy ever given to a director for directing the Emmys; and directed nine Comic Relief shows starring Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and his friend the late great Robin Williams, who got his first break in the business from Moffitt. Over his illustrious career, he has garnered numerous CableACE awards and another Emmy for his variety show starring Dick Van Dyke while working with a who’s who list of comedians that includes legends Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Jerry Seinfeld. He’s always kept his child-like sense of wonder comfortably nearby to help direct him to the right project. The result? He’s produced a lifetime of good television that we are all the better for. When I visited this TV legend and his lovely wife Donna, at their downtown Sarasota bayfront condo, I thought of all the greats he’s worked with over the years, and I felt like a kid going to the circus. I didn’t know what I would see or hear next, but I sure was excited to take a look at some incredible scenes from an interview of his life.

John Moffitt Where were you born?

New Rochelle, New York, which was the fictional home of Dick Van Dyke’s character Rob Petrie because Carl Reiner lived there. It was also the home of George M. Cohen, who wrote Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway about this wonderful bedroom community to New York. Howdy Doody also lived there. (Laughs) As a child how did you entertain yourself?

In the neighborhood, we all went to the same school and on our block we had our stick ball games.

I was the youngest kid to move there so I got to play back-up catcher. The street went downhill, so as backup catcher I was the guy who ran for the ball when the catcher missed it. I was thrilled. What did I know?

Tell me about the kids from the neighborhood.

My earliest and best friend is Jerry Bilik. We’ve been friends since kindergarten, and we lived a block apart from each other. We would always play together in these fantasy games. It’s ironic because we eventually ended up working for Ringling Brothers Barnum

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– By Gus Mollasis

and Bailey Circus. But as kids we had our own backyard circus. We charged admission — a penny. We were lucky if we got two or three kids to come.

What was your first memory of TV back then?

Jerry Bilik’s father was a doctor, and he had one of the first TV sets in New Rochelle. We would go over there to watch Your Show of Shows with Sid Caesar and Milton Berle.

What TV family life most closely resembled your family growing up?

My early family life was very much like early television family lives. We would all have dinner together and on Sunday nights, we would all watch The Ed Sullivan Show, never realizing that someday I would be on the other side of that television set working for the man.

Your dad worked in publishing. Tell me about the impact that had on you choosing a path in the arts.

My father worked for Scribner’s and was the head of the art book department. I got a lot of books as a kid. scenesarasota.com

Like a true Gemini, you said you were torn between the sciences and the arts.

(Laughs) Yes. I had two best friends growing up, Jerry, who was my friend for doing plays and anything theatrical, and my nature friend Carl Schnizler who I would collect bugs with. We were literally nature bugs. The two friends never mixed so I had two distinctly different worlds, like a Gemini.

What was the nudge that ultimately focused you on your life’s work?

My father was ill and couldn’t afford putting me through college. So my great aunt was going to put me through college to be a doctor. I went to Dartmouth for pre-med. After a year, I was so involved with the Dartmouth Players, the radio station, and writing film notes for the Film Society, I changed my major at which point my great aunt cut me off completely.

They were real estate barons and thought theater types to be undesirable. My uncle, thank God, came to the rescue. He actually talked them into giving me a very small scholarship. I had a lot of student loans, and I had three jobs. That’s how I got through Dartmouth.

When they took out my tonsils I almost died, and I was out of school for a year recovering in Florida. I taught myself to read by reading comic books. When I went back to school the next year, I could read just as well they did. Growing up we had a great library of books and a wonderful stamp collection because he got letters from all over the world.

That influenced me tremendously in the arts.

scenesarasota.com

You have always had a fondness for radio. Tell me how it influenced your career.

In high school, we had a local radio station. I actually got to do a show that was largely school news and occasionally we would fall into something resembling Regis and Kelly. The heartthrob of our school got the show because she was the heartthrob. I got to do it because I wrote them. This experience definitely influenced what I wanted to do later in life on TV.

Speaking of books, tell me about the many bound scripts from your life in TV that I’m staring at on your shelf. They literally are a history of the television medium.

I bound them because the only thing left after a live show is the script. In the early days we did not have videocassettes or anything to put them on. I wanted something tangible to remind me of the shows that I did.

What was your first big break in show business?

Lee Hats was trying to get students to wear hats again and had a commercial writing contest. I was one of the winners who were brought to New York for a day at Grey Advertising and at CBS television.

When I went to CBS, which had two beautiful brand new television studios above Grand Central, I loved that it was radio, theater, and film all combined and that it was live and immediate. So I said to myself, “I really want to get into this.” Eureka, everything clicked for me at that moment.

What were your early influences in high school, and how did you initially get the theater bug?

Jerry and I went to a wonderful high school. It had a beautiful theater and that was unique for a public school. We did four plays and a musical a year plus many one act plays. It was just a fantastic experience.

Tell me about that Ed Sullivan and Beatles experience. As 73 million watched at home, you were a young man making his bones in the business so to speak.

I was the associate director, and my job really was to ready the shots that the director would take. In the February 2015

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case of the Beatles appearance I would say, “Camera two: ready head to toe on George.” I had the shot list, and the director would take the shots after telling me what he wanted in rehearsal. But what happened on air that night was unbelievable. The theatre was filled with screaming teenage girls, and the cameramen could not hear a word coming from the director.

Luckily I don’t think anybody missed a shot. Still with the Beatles, we thought, “here’s another act. They’re going to be a flash in the pan.” They were booked for three shows, and Ed was not happy about that. I remember Sullivan saying to Jack Babb who had booked them, “What have you done? It’s not the money, but who the hell’s going to want to see them three times?

You’re going to have to pay them off.”

The side street, where the stage entrance was, had so many people you had to fight your way through.

There were so many photographers, press people, and screaming girls that the producer of the show let them in for a half hour to get it done. The Beatles were fine.

They were gentlemen and modest. They came in and rehearsed on time. We took all the pictures and then they left. They were very nice. Today you see stars come in with publicists and a list of demands. Back then the Beatles didn’t ask for anything. They went to their modest dressing rooms and got ready for the show.

The next week I went to Miami with associate producer Jack Babb to prepare everything. Jack tried to get the chief of police in Miami Beach ready for the British invasion, but I remember him saying, “Mr. Producer you don’t have to worry about us.

We have handled bigger things than this. We do this all the time.” I remember saying, “They don’t know what they’re getting into.” And they didn’t. Next week all the kids found out the Beatles were staying at the Deauville Hotel. Kids would get into the hotel and press the bells that were outside every hotel room expecting that a Beatle was going to come out. All the other people were furious. The police came, and then more police came, and then more police came. They never really did control it. The night of the show, we had them upstairs and held them until the last possible minute. The cops had to form a flying wedge to get the Beatles on stage, and they just got there in time. By then we knew this was a big deal. After the show, the Deauville Hotel had a private dinner for the staff and the Beatles. I was sitting next to Ringo, and we heard him kind of moaning and saying something in a warning tone, so we asked him what was the matter. He said, “This is going to be the pinnacle of our lives. What can get better than this? It’s all going to be downhill

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after this.” He was brilliant. Who would think that he would be the most sensitive one to say that?

You had an opportunity to direct the Rolling Stones that almost didn’t happen. Can you paint that picture for us?

I was a director, and we were in Television City about to tape the Stones. We got word that somebody at the gate didn’t know who the Stones were, and that they were upset and going to leave. So I ran as fast as I could to the parking lot, and they were getting into their limo and starting to leave.

I threw myself on the hood of the car. Thank God they stopped. I pleaded with them and said, “Guys this is my big chance to actually direct you. Don’t do this to us. Everybody here loves you. Don’t leave because some guard made one stupid statement.” I persuaded them to get out of the car and actually got to tape three numbers with them.

You worked at CBS, which at the time was regarded as the Tiffany network. What was it like for a young man working at CBS in those early days?

I started in the mailroom, which is how a lot of people got their first opportunity at the network. It got me into all the offices at the time. I scheduled my lunch around Arthur Godfrey’s office, because he had three shows with a lot of sponsors and always had free food. I went up to the news floor where Murrow’s boys would operate. At one point I really wanted to be Edward R. Murrow. As I made my mail runs for the first months before I got promoted, I wandered around and went to every corner of CBS. I was like a kid in a toy store because these were my idols. It was an incredible time. scenesarasota.com

Edward R. Murrow was one of your heroes and one of the giants in the history of television. What was he like?

His voice was incredible. I remember it from recordings of World War II where he was on the top of a building in London with flames around and planes flying overhead. When I went to a scout camp in Pauling, New York, which is where Murrow lived, he came over to do an evening program. After the program the staff could stay and ask him questions. We’d ask him about London and how he got into the news because many of us wanted to get on that news path. I asked him a couple questions, and he was very friendly and very giving of his time. Well two years later, I think it was after he went to Korea, he came back to do another program. I put my hand up to ask a question, and I swear to God he said, “Yes John.” What the heck I asked I have no idea. All I can remember is he called my name. I had goose bumps.

What is the first thing that pops in your head regarding some of the giants you’ve worked with?

Richard Pryor: Brilliant. The funniest man on earth when I worked with him. Directing his TV series, I saw how versatile he was creating characters.

George Carlin: He was the ultimate wordsmith.

He loved to play with words and wrote fantastic monologues.

Ricky Gervais: He had to get to trust me with what I wanted to in regards to shots, camera angles, etc. I had to convince him, but ultimately I gained his trust. To build trust with the performer is the most important thing a director can do.

Jerry Seinfeld: He is the most prepared and has everything he does down to a science. Jerry’s got scenesarasota.com

great energy, has clean material, is extremely funny, and is a real nice person.

Bill Maher: Very controversial. Some people love him and some don’t. It depends on your politics. We gave him one of his first shots. While very irreverent in many ways, there is a politeness to him.

Dick Van Dyke: One of the most talented people I have ever met. A lot of people don’t know about how great a physical comedian he truly is. In the series I did with him that won an Emmy for best variety show, we got to see this other side of him.

Larry David: We discovered him and gave him his first big break. Larry David is the exact same person he is on Curb Your Enthusiasm, if not worse. (Laughs) What are your recollections on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and working with Dick Clark?

I did the second one. It was the perfect concept.

The world was waiting for it, and the show is still there rocking today. Dick Clark was beloved.

What was your greatest satisfaction producing?

I’ve been so happy with so many of the projects I have done. Directing my first Emmy was a thrill. I love live TV. I’m most happy with Not Necessarily the News.

What are the common threads or traits that the great performers share?

They’re unique and not like anybody else. They’re originals.

Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and Billy Crystal. Describe their chemistry working together.

I did nine years of Comic Relief with them hosting, and we basically had the who’s who of comedy. Robin February 2015

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and Billy knew each other and worked well together, and Billy was the best at hosting. Whoopi came into the mix late and said she was the “Oreo in reverse.” It was a labor of love and they enjoyed each other.

Regarding Robin Williams, what can you tell me about this special talent we lost way too soon?

He was a total original and was the nicest person in the world. Robin never lost it from the time I first met him to the last time I worked with him. He was always the same. Fame never went to his head. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He was not controversial. He’d back away from an argument because that wasn’t him. He just wanted to do what he did and enjoy life. He loved an audience. One on one with him, Robin was very quiet, and you couldn’t bring him out. When a second or third person entered the room, now he had an audience and would go off and be hilarious. There was a private person there.

Robin was a great loss, and he was loved as evidenced by all the people who commented on him after he died. Everybody loved him. I gave him his first television job. We were doing a Richard Pryor Show, and we had to cast to all the sketches. Richard said, “I want my friends from The Comedy Store.” And I said, “But can they act?” And he said, “I want my friends from The Comedy Store.” So I got his friends from The Comedy Store and one of them was Robin Williams. Yes they could act, especially Robin. Robin was so young and respectful and called me Mr. Moffitt. It would become a running joke when we worked together later and he would still call me Mr. Moffitt.

How do you stay calm producing live shows like the Emmys or American Music Awards?

You have to be better prepared when you do a live show because you can’t go back and fix it. The good news is that when it’s over, you go out and have a drink. It’s done. Amazingly the first Emmy show I ever directed I won an Emmy for. I relied heavily on the script, which helps keep you organized. You can’t fly off the handle because you will lose it. If you’re not calm, then the rest of the crew won’t be. Director Tim Kiley gave me this advice, “If nothing else get a good night’s sleep before the show.”

If you could go back to one shot that you are most proud of, what would it be?

The opening helicopter shot of the 1976 Emmys where I came around and revealed the two Century Plaza Towers and the Emmy Statue. scenesarasota.com

Finish the following sentences…

Working on Comic Relief was….

A labor of love. It did a lot of good for a lot of people. We raised over $50 million.

Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert…

Don Kirshner was stiffer than Ed Sullivan.

(We share a big laugh) Not Necessarily the News might have been the most…

Original show or series I have done in my career.

Mr. Show was…

One of the most fun things I ever directed. It made me hip all over again to a new audience.

To be a great TV director you must….

Want to do that more than anything in the world.

To be a great TV producer you must…

Be a great diplomat.

To be a great TV star you must…

Have something very original in you.

With whose talent were you most surprised?

Dick Van Dyke’s physical comedic abilities.

How did you find your way to Florida?

On August 15, 1971, I did a Doodletown Pipers syndicated special, Doodletown Pipers Beach Party on Longboat Key. The next time was when Irving Feld hired me to produce and direct Ringling Brothers’ TV show, which we taped in St. Petersburg, and I ended up doing for five years. I would drive from St. Petersburg to Venice and then fly to L.A. to do the edits.

Knowing that I was coming to the end of my career and I was going to be termed out as Governor of the Television Academy, Donna and I had a two-year plan to get out of Los Angeles. We looked in a lot of places, but we kept coming back to Sarasota. We loved that Bayfront drive, and it reminded us both of Cannes in France. It had all the things that we love, the beach and cultural amenities. “And coincidently it had Jerry (Bilik),” Donna chimes in. (We all laugh) Your favorite way to hang out on Florida’s Gold Coast?

We like cruising. This unit where we live is shaped like an owner’s suite on a cruise ship, so when the wind and water is moving one way it looks and feels February 2015

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like we are sailing that way. I love to sit out on our balcony with a drink and enjoy the sunset. Donna adds, “There are so many beautiful sunsets that we are going to become alcoholics.” (We all laugh) Tell me how you met your wife.

I married my landlord. She was managing Sunset Gower Studios, which used to be Columbia Pictures. We had a lot of offices there when I was doing a lot in TV. Donna adds, “He was my biggest tenant.” I paid my rent on time so I was good bet for her.

(They both laugh) Top three accomplishments you are most proud of from your career?

An Emmy for directing the Emmys, Not Necessarily the News, which won more CableACE Awards than any show, and our involvement in the Aspen comedy festival.

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What makes good television?

The unexpected. I think people want to see the unexpected.

What is the best thing television has done for us?

At its best, television has brought us together as a nation during world events like JFK’s assassination, the Challenger disaster, and 9-11. Families watched together and TV became the great communicator.

What is the worst thing that TV has done to us?

It’s taken too much time away from living lives.

Do you agree with Oscar Levant’s line “Television is a medium that’s rarely well done.”?

It used to be true when we only had three networks. Now we have hundreds of channels, and there is always something worth watching out there. It’s no longer a vast wasteland. Today is the golden age of television.

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What do you watch?

We enjoy Homeland, Orphan Black, Walking Dead, and Big Bang Theory.

You are writing your memoirs. What would you call the book?

From the Really Big Show to Mr. Show.

Many years from now after all the TV sets have been turned off, how do you want to be remembered?

I’ve given up a lot of my personal life with my family for the industry. I would like to be remembered as a loving husband and father.

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EDUCATION

Education Matters

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Asolo Repertory Theatre’s Outreach Programs If you’ve been in Sarasota for more than four minutes, you already know about Asolo Rep. It’s one of the only true rotating repertory theaters in the country, the largest Equity theatre in Florida, and it features an annual lineup of shows and musicals that’s as exciting as anything you’ll find in New York City, San Francisco, or Boston. But what most people don’t realize is that Asolo Rep has a robust commitment to education, too.

Faces of Change.

Photo by Cliff Roles.

The theatre’s Director of Education & Outreach, Kathryn Moroney, says that Asolo Rep is quite lucky the community supports so much of what it does, particularly in terms of public programming and post-show discussions, but the community admittedly knows less about the outreach programming. “Before the regular season even begins, our New Stages Tour travels to schools and community venues with a condensed production of Shakespeare, serving an audience of approximately 14,000. Once our season productions open, about 2,000 high school and middle school students view daytime performances that are put on just for them,” Moroney says. “Before they see the show, these students typically have an in-classroom workshop at their school that’s given by a teaching artist who discusses themes and the inspirations for the production — basically it’s providing a special lens through which the students can view the performance.” After a post-show talk-back discussion session, the students often go through further discussion, analysis, and appreciation back in their own classrooms.

Carrie Mills, Visual & Performing Arts Department Chair at Booker Middle School, says “For my theatre kids and non-theatre kids alike, having a conversation with a professional artist deepens their understanding, and gives them more opportunity to ruminate on the ideas that art brings 94

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up. It truly completes their experience to have that space for questions and sharing.”

Moroney is proud of the fact that so many students get to experience the full production of these shows — they aren’t shortened or dumbed-down in any way. She also notes that the schools receive their show tickets for their performances for free or for greatly reduced prices to ensure their students are exposed to the arts.

In February alone, there’ll be three separate student matinee performances. Two of these dates are for The Matchmaker — a Thornton Wilder play that inspired the Broadway musical Hello, Dolly! — and the other is for Both Your Houses, a political satire about lawmakers more interested in cashing in than serving the interests of the people. Talk about a play that’s as relevant today as it was when it won a Pulitzer Prize in 1933! For this production, students will have preparatory workshops, see the play, then have two more classroom visits from teaching artists to talk about what came up in the play, compare what was true then to what’s true now, and discuss any issues about politics or government that the students have. Both Your Houses is a political satire that paints a picture of government dysfunction, notes Moroney, “but scenesarasota.com

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we absolutely don’t want to leave these future voters feeling apathetic about the political process.” Their ongoing discussions are one way to ensure that doesn’t happen.

In speaking about the role of Asolo Rep’s outreach, Moroney says that if we look at what’s on the stage as the first pebble that drops into the pond, the ripples spread outward. Thanks to theatre, important, meaningful conversations can be had with young people, community organizations, and the general public. Asolo Rep is open to any way to have discussions and engagement before or after any play. “Working with schools is a large part of what we do,” Moroney admits, but she’s quick to emphasize that she hopes audiences of all ages — whether it’s an individual ticket buyer or an entire group — are welcome.

The public programming, the pre-show lecture, The Scoop series, the Tuesday Talkbacks. Everyone is welcome to be a part of Asolo Rep’s outreach and education commitment.

One notable project that engages with the community is the documentary theatre project Faces of Change, now entering its third year. For 2015, Faces of Change takes its inspiration from the Tony-nominated play by David Lindsay-Abaire, Good People, which opened in January. This play examines

the truly difficult decisions individuals have to make in the wake of an economic crisis. Asolo Rep then will host story circles and interviews with members of the community who have their own perspective for these types of decisions.

“Their voices, their ideas, their stories will come together as a piece of documentary theater here at the Cook Theatre,” says Moroney, “as well as a to-be-determined local venue.”

When asked “Why do the arts matter?”, Moroney answers that “the arts create both an inspiring and a safe space for us to look at stories that can be both similar to our own and sometimes completely dissimilar. To watch characters in profound moments of change in their lives — to participate in those stories, those moments of choice — truly informs the way we see and hear the world around us and how we think about ourselves.”

“We carry the examples of the characters we admire,” she adds. “We carry stories about those situations we wish could’ve been avoided.” If that were the only lesson the Asolo Rep’s outreach and education program delivered, it’d already be worth their extraordinary efforts. To find out more about Asolo Repertory Theatre and its Outreach Programs, visit www.asolorep.org or call 941.351.8000.

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SOCIAL

Behind the Scene

Society Maven Debbi Benedict Gives the Latest Scoop Season is off to a roaring start, Poodle. We are definitely in ball gown month! Are you ready?

One of my favorite and one of the most elegant black-tie galas in town is the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast’s Palm Ball, this year with the theme of A Passion for Conservation, emphasis on the word “passion”, I am told. The ball is held at Bay Preserve, possibly the most beautiful site for a gala, with the Spanish moss dripping from the ancient oaks surrounding the historic mansion and overlooking sparkling Sarasota Bay. In the twilight hours of the setting sun, there is no more magical spot. One of the fun things about this event is they always give you a color directive for your gown. This year’s colors are red, pink, and black, the colors of passion!

Chairs are Janelle Beruff, Ariane Dart, Mickey Davis, and Margaret Wise, with honorary chair, Cornelia Matson. Michael’s On East is the caterer and South Town Fever is the band. The dance floor is crowded to the max at this event with folks of all ages. One of the highlights of the evening is the paddle raise, where unique opportunities and experiences are offered to bidders.

There will also be a surprise auction item from June Simmons Jewelry. Morgan Bentley is the emcee. Top sponsors are Dick and Cornelia Matson, followed by Tom and Ann Charters, Ariane and Bob Dart, and Octex and Albert Joerger. SCENE Magazine is the media sponsor.

Long-time readers of this column know the Junior League Sustainers’ Legacy Luncheon is close to my heart, as I founded it and chaired it for the first five years. This year the featured speaker is Anna Quindlen, the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author.

The chair of the 13th annual event is Susan Powers. The day always starts with a champagne reception in the atrium of Michael’s On East, with an opportunity to mingle with the guest speaker. Belinda Coffrin and Coffrin Jewelers have been involved since the second year and she always provides a stunning piece of jewelry for the raffle. This year it is a yellow-gold leaf pendant with diamond accents that she designed. Other items include a Sarasota Yacht Club weekend membership, a St. Petersburg Vinoy Hotel getaway, and a round of golf at the Resort at Longboat scenesarasota.com

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Key Club, with a spa trip to the Ritz-

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be a big deal? OK, good. Little extras will be featured this year, such as a Dillard’s fashion show and a makeup bar. There is an Asian theme with lots of lanterns, and I am told it is the year of the goat. Not quite sure what that means in regard to décor. Chairs are Terri Klauber, Renee Phinney, Fran LaCivita, and Rebecca Blitz, with Phil Mancini running the show. As you know, the event is an interactive cooking demo with each table selecting chefs for each course and then serving the delish dishes they prepare. Lots of wine is consumed during this process!

Sponsors include JCI Jones Chemical, Bayside International Realty, and John and Fran LaCivita.

Dancing lemurs, well, dancers in lemur costumes from the Alice Farley Dance Theater of New York City, were the big hit of last year’s Lemur Conservation Foundation’s An Evening of Lemur Love at Michael’s On East and they are returning once again this year. I wasn’t able to attend last year and heard so many fabulous reports of the event, that I just had to make sure I had it on my calendar for 2015 as a must attend event! Charlene Wolff is the chair and actress, Blair Brown, currently being seen in Orange is the New Black, is the emcee. Scientific advisor, George Amato, will speak and guests will see the short animated film, MadagaScars, by Camille Wainer, on conservation in Madagascar and why the lemurs are endangered. There

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will be a silent auction of items from Madagascar and a live auction that includes a Lake Como villa. Ravi Said will provide a musical interlude. Top sponsors are John and Emily Alexander, followed by Anne and Bob Essner, and Pat and Ron Pantello.

I love that the Education Foundation’s Evening of Excellence Gala always uses a winner from last year’s exhibition of student art for this year’s invitation and this year it’s a stunner! Last year’s Sherry and Tom Koski Merit Award Winner, the colorful Guacamaya, by Sabino Lops, is perfect for this year’s theme of Carnaval de Colores. This is the 20th anniversary of the auction of the top student art in the county.

Twenty five pieces are chosen out of the 350 pieces submitted to the competition by high school students.

First the art is displayed at Ringling College of Art and Design for a juried art show and then you can bid the night of the gala on the winning pieces at Michael’s On East, where Jimmy Dean will once again be the auctioneer. The evening’s chair is Cathi Bell, with Cindy Kaiser as Honorary Chair. Title Sponsor is Williams Parker, followed by Dart Foundation, SCENE Magazine, Herald Tribune Media Group, and Suncoast Credit Union Foundation.

A new luncheon on the horizon is New College - Daughters for Life Scholarship Luncheon and will be held at Michael’s On East. In 2013 New

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and Dr. Karen Hamad and Dorothy and Sue Jacobson. Honorary chair is Georgia Court. Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, the founder of Daughters for Life, will speak. The luncheon is a fundraiser to match a $250,000 challenge gift the college received from the Heidi Turner estate. Expect lots of Middle Eastern music and food, too, though I

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with more clothes from SPARCC’s that you have never seen so many

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women from Longboat Key fight over a used purse, albeit a designer one, until you have witnessed the tuggle over the offerings in the hallway of the Ritz, so

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AFP – Association of Fundraising Professionals PODi – Print on Demand Initiative

Embrace your inner Crockett and Tubbs, don your pastel linen suit, and grow a little stubble (no, not you, ladies, only the men, please) and make plans for the Sarasota Exotic

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SerbinPrinting.com The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce PAF – Printing Association of Florida

Webel followed by gold sponsors Bert Goldman, Linda Zuffa, and Lancaster

Higher Education

Nonprofit

Manufacturing

FPRA – Florida Public Relations Assoc.

XEROX – Premier Partner

Car Fest weekend benefiting UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) and chaired by Gary and Marilee Roberts. The entire weekend is themed, “Miami Vice” and scenesarasota.com

So Simple Chocolates, Flowers & BAUBLES Mmmm. . . Happy Valentine’s Day

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starts out with the Miami Vice Jet Port Reception at the Rectrix Aerodrome Center where Miami 80s club inspired attire is encouraged. SCENE Magazine

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fabulous classic and new luxury cars, jets, and motorcycles. The next day

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there will be an interactive cocktail heard of this type of event – interactive cocktail theater, hmmm) at The Devyn with world renowned mixologist Rob

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Floyd, and then the closing road rally will be followed by a closing brunch at The Founders Golf Club. Presenting sponsors are Southern Jet and S&S

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Motorsports, followed by Rolls Royce and Rectrix Aerodome Center.

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College Library Association’s Town Hall lecture series will already have had their first speaker, Dr. Charles Krauthammer.

104381

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By the time you read this, Ringling

Following the popular commentator at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in February and March will be Ambassador Jon Huntsman; best-selling author, Dan Buettner; women’s rights advocate and author, Ayaan Hirsi Ali; scientist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson; and former chair of the Federal Reserve, Dr. Ben Bernanke. The biggest night of the series is the prestigious Platinum Dinner at the Hyatt Regency. The dinner is only



for Platinum tickets holders and the speaker will be Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The lecture series’ chair

         

 

 

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is Nancy Morgan.

Ah, Rudolf Nureyev, be still my heart. Sarasota Ballet’s Gala, chaired by Sydney Goldstein, is planned around the evening’s performance of Balanchine, Ashton, and Nureyev classics and will celebrate all things Russian in honor of Nureyev. The evening will start with cocktails in the Van Wezel’s Grand Foyer, followed by the performance.

Afterwards, dinner by Michael’s On East will be served and the evening will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display. A silent auction will feature a scenesarasota.com

Judith Leiber handbag, a pearl and amethyst bracelet, and a Nureyev gift bag, which will include a personal letter from the great dancer from the private collection of the ballet’s director, Iain Webb. Sponsors include Richard and Marsha Johnson, John Simon, Ken and Peggy Abt, and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

If Phil Mancini is planning it, you know it’s going to be a great party! Goodwill Manasota’s Mardi Gras Gala is celebrating its 10th anniversary and King Phil is pulling out all the stops.

Greeting you on Bourbon Street, I mean, in the Michael’s On East atrium, will be a special Hurricane drink, but try not to be blown away as your taste buds are whipped into a frenzy. The party is pure fun with only drinking, dancing, and eating lots of Cajun food. Live auction items include a week in New Orleans, of course! Also a trip to South Africa and Taylor Swift tickets. Chairs are 106.5 WCTQ’s Maverick and Lulu. Sponsors are Rapid Security Solutions, ReMax Alliance Group, and CS&L CPAs. Marie Selby Botanical Garden’s Orchid Ball will be chaired

by Margie Cooper and Jenn Smith Stutler on the grounds of the gardens with the theme of The Ruby Affair and catered

by Michael’s On East. Well, what can I say? All they said they could share with me was that it was going to be “a night of surprises”, so I will leave it at that. Use your imagination. The

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Presenting Sponsor is the Community Foundation

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followed by the Amicus Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Kelvin Cooper, Shumaker, Loop, and Bruce Saba Homes.

You remember Donald Trump’s first season winner on The Apprentice, Bill Rancic, don’t you? You might also see him on his own show now with his wife Guiliana. Bill will be sharing his unique perspective of caregiving at Tidewell Hospice’s

Compassion

in

Caring

Luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton. Cindy Stuhley is the chair. Speaker sponsor is the SunTrust Foundation.

Until next time…TaTa!

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HEALTH MATTERS

Major Innovations in Breast Enlargement

By David Mobley, M.D., F.A.C.S. Exciting new innovations have made breast enlargement a better procedure with improved results. The use of shaped cohesive gel “gummy bear” implants now gives the surgeon unprecedented ability to shape the breast and maintain volume in the upper breast. Smaller incisions, gentler techniques, and use of the Keller Funnel make the recovery easier and decrease complication rates.

Dr. David Mobley practices at

Silicone gel implants are now by far the most common choice of patients seeking

Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center

breast augmentation. Considering silicone gel implants look and feel more like a real

2255 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34239 941.366.8897 sarasotaplasticsurgery.com

breast this is easy to understand. In addition, they practically eliminate the problem of rippling and visibility sometimes seen with saline filled implants. One problem that silicone implants did not solve was maintaining fullness in the upper breast. This upper breast fullness is what gives natural breasts a more youthful appearance and almost all patients desire this fullness. It was often hard to always achieve with round silicone gel implants.

The new Style 410 tear-drop shaped implants, also called “gummy bear” implants, take breast augmentation to a whole new level by giving patients something no other implant can, long lasting fullness in the upper breast. This gives the patient a youthful and perky appearance usually only seen in young natural breasts. This new shaped cohesive gel implant appears to be very safe and was studied for more than 10 years before being approved by the FDA. I have noted that with this implant I have far greater control over the final shape of the breast, and I give patients the coveted upper breast fullness they desire.

A second important innovation, the Keller Funnel, has changed how implants are placed into the breast pocket. Most implants are now placed under the pectoralis major muscle, which improves appearance and reduces the chance of hardening (capsular contracture). Capsular contracture rates are also less if the implant never comes in contact with the skin during the procedure. The Keller Funnel makes this possible. It works like a cake decorator’s cornet for icing a cake. Once the pocket is ready, the implant is placed into this sterile cone-shaped plastic funnel. The implant is then literally squeezed into the pocket without ever touching the skin or the surgeon’s gloves.

Finally, breast augmentation today is performed in only 45 minutes to an hour and through very small incisions. The typical incision is just over an inch long and located at the edge of the areola (colored area of the nipple) or in the crease beneath the breast. The implant is sterilized with antibiotic foam and placed into the pocket with a Keller Funnel.

The surgery is performed very gently in order to reduce the pain after the surgery.

Unfortunately, not all doctors who perform breast augmentation are plastic surgeons. Many call themselves cosmetic surgeons, but are unqualified to perform breast augmentation. In order to find a surgeon who is using the latest innovations and techniques it is important to seek out a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A board certified plastic surgeon is uniquely qualified and will use the latest innovations to help you obtain the best result possible. To check doctors’ qualifications, contact the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at 1.800.514.5058 or check its website at plasticsurgery.org.

scenesarasota.com

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HEALTH MATTERS

New Hearing Technology Is a Game Changer

By Doug Gibson For years, I have been traveling around the country to find the best answer for my hearing deficiencies, which were caused in a soccer accident while I was Doug Gibson owns Gibson’s Hearing Technologies, Inc.

attending the University of Florida almost 20 years ago. Since then, I have been searching for the cure.

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I have always been a skeptic when it comes to manufacturers’ claims and be-

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lieve “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true!” How-

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ever, when Siemens claimed its latest hearing technology gives better speech understanding in noisy situations than people with normal hearing have, I was intrigued. I flew to Siemens’ North American headquarters to try them myself.

They worked! The science made sense, and I bought a pair for myself along with a few more for some of my patients who have struggled with understanding in noisy environments.

This new technology has been a game changer for me. I took them to a crowded Walt’s Fish Market on a Saturday for lunch. I sat at the center of the outside bar next to U.S. 41 amid all the road traffic and with music piped in from above, which was roaring. Everyone was talking, and I made it a point to meet everyone I could to strike up a conversation. It was delightful. Rather than sitting quietly alone keeping to myself, I was for the first time hearing better than most people at the restaurant. I truly was having fun meeting with different people from all walks of life, which made my day so enjoyable, I stayed for dinner!

As far as watching TV, I have a Bose home theater system that I no longer use.

Now I stream directly into my hearing aids. The sound quality is so much better than the Bose. The dialogue comes through so well that I can even understand the British films. Additionally, when the phone rings, I hear it through both aids, and the sound of the TV stops. I can answer the phone through my aids in stereo without looking for my phone, which could be in another room. When the phone call is over, the aids switch back to the TV show without doing a thing.

I am so impressed with this Siemens’ technology and invite you to try it for yourself free of charge so you can experience what you have been missing!

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scenesarasota.com

Proud Sponsor

$7.8 million awarded since 1991 to programs assisting disadvantaged children, youth and families in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Literary Scene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Outsmarting Overeating: Boost Your Life Skills, End Your Food Problems The holidays are over, and if you’re

One of the skills she teaches is emo-

at all like me or millions of other Amer-

tional management, which includes

icans, you probably tip the scales a bit

recognizing when you’re feeling stress

more now than at the start of December.

or distress, identifying a specific emo-

Is another diet book going to save the

tion, and then effectively handling that

day? Probably not. But that’s why Sara-

emotion without food. “By recognizing

sota resident, Karen R. Koenig LCSW,

emotions that drive them toward food,

M.Ed., wrote Outsmarting Overeating.

it has dawned on many of my clients

It’s not a diet book, but rather a book

that they eat mostly to quell anxiety,”

about lifestyle change and improve-

she says. “This has led them to a shift in

ment. And it’s written in a clear, acces-

what they perceive as their true prob-

sible style based on 30 years of training

lem: longstanding anxiety. From there

and experience, plus it’s informed by

they can apply techniques to relax and

her own long-ago struggles with eating.

self-soothe themselves, and food be-

“To eat what I’d call ‘normally’ —

comes less of an issue.”

mostly regulated by appetite and a de-

Outsmarting Overeating starts with

sire for good health — the number one

a life skills pre-assessment to help

behavior real people can do is make

readers get a sense of any strengths

food shopping, meal preparation, and

or deficiencies. The book ends with a

eating mindful events,” says Koenig.

post-assessment to show your growth.

“That means making conscious deci-

If you give the advice in this book a

sions every step of the way, especially

good faith effort, the changes in your

by eating only when hungry, choosing

body — and your life — could be

foods that they enjoy, eating slowly and

impressive. I know this is one book I

thoroughly chewing foods, and stopping

won’t tuck in a pile at the back of my

when they’re full or satisfied.”

closet anytime soon.

More information about Outsmarting Overeating: Boost Your Life Skills, End Your Food Problems and the author is available at karenkoenig.com (New World Library, softcover, 232 pages, $16.95) 110

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scenesarasota.com

Neurotic November

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Mary Magruder Katz, the heroine of longtime Miami judge Barbara Levenson’s latest mystery, is having quite a month. While she’s back with her hot Latin boyfriend, Carlos, her law practice is in trouble. Katz’ paralegal’s abusive ex-husband has been murdered and Carlos’s cousin is arrested

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for the crime. Carlos’s father is under investigation for money laundering at the bank where he serves as vice president. And Katz’s new client is the first African-American quarterback at the University of Miami, and he’s been accused of raping a high school girl. The attorney the school recommended the quarterback use? Franklin Fieldstone, Katz’s former fiancé and boss.

Levenson’s fourth installment of the Mary Magruder Katz mysteries is as good as the previous three. This is a book that has a combination of twists and turns plus a double helping of fun.

This series is really coming into its own For those who love bonuses, Levenson offers up two Thanksgiving recipes, traditional Southern cornbread stuffing

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February 2015

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111

Flying in to

Hidden Power

140 W. Tampa Ave.

Feb. 17 - Mar. 15

ALSO PLAYING The Sounds of Harry James

and the Andrews Sisters - Feb. 2 The Kingston Trio - Feb. 22 & 23 The Music of Johnny Cash In the Cabaret Feb. 6 - Mar. 1

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I’m a fan of young adult books, and I’m not just talking about Harry Potter, The Book Thief, and the obvious mega-bestsellers. Among many merits, I find that young adult books have satisfying endings — happy, sad, or something else entirely. Hidden Power by Kissimmee resident Tracy Lane is no exception.

In this fantasy novel, we encounter Kayne, a mage in training, and Aurora, a farmer’s daughter. These two youngsters find themselves embroiled in a Good versus Evil situation when they

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race to return the Orb of Ythra to its creators, the Oracles of Light. While there’s action aplenty, one of the real selling points is the establishment of the magical world. The sudden appearance of crystal city. A ruling council of dark and light mages. An Orb with the “power of the universe.” What more do you need?

If you’re tired of the current trend of dark, edgy young adult novels, give this one a try. It’ll leave a smile on your

BEFORE YOU GO TO THE DEALER CALL MR. MOBILE QUOTE TO LEARN WHAT YOUR CAR IS REALLY WORTH. 112

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face.

For more information about Hidden Power or the author, visit tossysbooks.blogspot.com. (Pants On Fire Press, hardcover, 230 pages, $11.99.) scenesarasota.com

LOCALLY

NEWS SHAPING

OUR COMMUNITY SARASOTA MEMORIAL HIRES NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Sarasota Memorial Health Care System hired Lorrie Liang, a senior healthcare executive from Maryland, as its new Chief Operating Officer. Liang, who currently serves as vice president of the not-for-profit LifeBridge Health System/Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, will assume her new leadership role at Sarasota Memorial on Feb. 16. smh.com

SALES AT THE CONCESSION UP 70 PERCENT IN 2014 The Concession sold 55 home sites in 2014, an increase of more than 70 percent compared to 32 sales in 2013. Total sales volume equaled $13,959,000 last year with an average home site sales price of $253,800. Located between Sarasota and Manatee counties, the luxury development offers sites from the mid $200,000s and home and lot packages from $1 million. theconcessionrealestate.com

JOINT COMMISSION RECOGNIZES BLAKE MEDICAL AS TOP PERFORMER Blake Medical Center was named one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, a leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. The program recognizes hospitals that attain excellence on accountability measures for certain conditions. blakemedicalcenter.com

GULF COAST AWARDS $3.4 MILLION IN GRANTS Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $3.4 million in grants. The bulk of the funding— approximately $2.8 million—was in grants recommended by donors who have established charitable funds at the foundation. A full list of grant recipients can be found on the Gulf Coast website. gulfcoastcf.org

PLYMOUTH HARBOR ANNOUNCES 2015 BOARD, NAMES FINLAY CHAIR Plymouth Harbor announced its 2015 Board of Trustees with scenesarasota.com

newly elected officers G. Duncan Finlay, M.D., Chair; Sarah H. Pappas, EdD, Vice Chair; Cindy Malkin, Secretary; and Brian D. Hall, Treasurer. F. Thomas Hopkins will assume the role of Immediate Past Chair. New members include John M. Cranor, III, Nora Patterson, and William Woeltjen. plymouthharbor.org

SCF AWARDS GRANTS FOR MLK COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, awarded grants to 27 recipients for community projects as part of the communitywide 2015 MLK Day of Service. SCF received funding from the Florida Legislature to allow local organizations to complete service projects with a day of community service on Martin Luther King Day January 19. scf.edu

SAINT STEPHEN’S WILL OPEN NEW K/1 SCHOOL IN LWR Saint Stephen’s will open a new school for kindergarten and first grade students in Lakewood Ranch for the 2015-2016 school year. The new facility will accommodate growing enrollment from the Lakewood Ranch area. saintstephens.org

GOODWILL MANASOTA RECEIVES $20,000 GRANT; SURPASSES JOB GOAL Goodwill Manasota recently received a grant of $20,000 from the Mildred & Bernard Doyle Charitable Trust to assist in hiring an additional Job Connection specialist. Job Connection specialists provide comprehensive support and training for individuals with significant barriers to employment. Goodwill Manasota also recently surpassed a goal for the Supported JobsPlus Program by creating 100 jobs for Goodwill team members with significant disabilities. experiencegoodwill.org

USFSM BUSINESS DEAN ANDERSON RETIRES, CURRAN NAMED INTERIM DEAN Dr. Robert Anderson retired as dean of the College of Business on December 31 after 43 years in the USF system. Dr. Jim Curran, an associate professor of marketing, was named interim dean. usfsm.edu February 2015

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BLALOCK WALTERS ATTORNEYS ELECTED CHAIRS OF MANATEE CHAMBER, BRADENTON EDC Jonathan Fleece, Managing Partner of Blalock Walters, has been elected 2015 Chair of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation has named Mark Barnebey, Principal at Blalock Walters, Chair of its 2015 Board of Directors. blalockwalters.com

FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY FOR ACTOR TRAINING RECEIVES SELBY GRANT

Michelle Crabtree A third generation local and Broker Associate since 1982, Michelle is dedicated to serving your needs in Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch.

2014 Five Star Real Estate Agents “Best in Client Satisfaction” – 7 Years | Women’s Council of Realtors 2013 “Entrepreneur of the Year” & 2009 “Business Woman of the Year” | 2013 & 2007 SAR “Meritorious Service Award” | 2013 Florida Realtor Honor Society – 7 Years | 2010 Director, Sarasota Association of Realtors (SAR) – 3 Year Term | 2008 WCR Sarasota Chapter President | 2005 WCR Sarasota “Realtor of the Year”

Realtor®, Broker, Associate

c 941.724.4663 | o 941.907.9541

CLHMS, CRS, CIPS, GRI, PMN, ABR,

michelle.crabtree@sothebysrealty.com www.crabtreehomes.com

SRES, TRC, RSPS, AHWD, GREEN

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training has received a $22,250 grant from the William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation. The gift provides the funding needed to repaint fully the Conservatory’s Jane B. Cook Theatre’s interior and refurbish the stage’s proscenium arch. asolo.org

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS RECEIVES FUNDS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has been awarded $15,000 for the Juvenile Justice Mentoring Initiative in Sarasota and Venice by Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation for prevention and early intervention for youth at high risk of entering the justice system. United Way Suncoast has awarded $8,831 to Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring program. bbbssun.org

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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scenesarasota.com

HOPE for Heart Disease

New

When you suffer from severe aortic stenosis, you give up much of what makes life enjoyable, but don’t give up hope. Blake Medical Center is one of the few hospitals in the nation approved to provide transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for those considered high risk or inoperable using traditional valve replacement surgery.

Isn’t it time you take back your life?

Learn more about the Heart & Valve Institute at BlakeMedicalCenter.com. To discuss TAVR and see if it is right for you, call 1-855-FL-HEART, or ask your doctor for a referral.

2020 59th Street West

Bradenton, FL

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