January 2018

REBOOTRECHARGE REFRESH

BENEFITS SALT THERAPY BEST

SOULFUL RETREAT

HEALTHIER DINING ADVANCEMENTS IN NEUROSCIENCES

DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION

JANUARY 2018 $3.95 U.S.

+ LOCAL WEDDINGS, EVENTS, PARTY PICS JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

1

2

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

3

4

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Inspired by you.Created by us.

3534 South Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239 941.924.1868 NutterCustomConstruction.com LEED Accredited Professional Florida Licensed Building Contractor CBC 060004 Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker BK3222256 Florida Licensed Home Inspector HI4630 JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

5

Let your heart lead the way.

SarasotaBay Club Luxury Retirement Living On Sarasota Bay Come For A Personal Bay Club Tour – Call Linda Ware or Dana Moe (941) 552-3284 6

(941) 366-7667 • SarasotaBayClub.com • 1301 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

BEEN TO LATELY? There’s much to discover at the most exclusive village in Lakewood Ranch.

With magnificent residences, a splendidly reimagined Grande Clubhouse underway, and enhancements that include indoor/outdoor dining, tennis, bocce, fitness center and resort-style pools, we’re sure to turn a few heads.

We invite you to tour our collection of fully furnished & ready-to-enjoy homes, featuring captivating designs from the area’s premier luxury homebuilders.

MATERA from the $700s VINEYARDS from the $800s LAKE VIEW ESTATES from $1 million CUSTOM HOME ESTATES from $1.4 million

MODEL PREVIEW CENTER: 8307 Lake Club Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 | (866) 498-5253 | thelakeclublwr.com ANCHOR BUILDERS | ARTHUR RUTENBERG HOMES | JOHN CANNON HOMES | LEE WETHERINGTON HOMES LONDON BAY HOMES | MURRAY HOMES | NUTTER CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION | STOCK SIGNATURE HOMES BROKER PARTICIPATION WELCOMED. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. NOT AN OFFERING WHERE PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

CONTENTS features

54 49

49 BREATHE EASY The many benefits of salt therapy

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

58

54 ADVANCEMENTS IN NEUROSCIENCES

By Sue Cullen

58 HEALING TIME A look at the luxurious Lake Austin Spa Resort

By Jacqueline Miller

66 TAKING MEMORY CARE TO A NEW LEVEL Plymouth Harbor expands its assisted living and adds state-of-the art memory care

By Sue Cullen

71 DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION A Sarasota Scene special profile section

8

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

TRUST. KNOWLEDGE. SERVICE. For over 30 years The Plumbing Place has worked hard to earn the trust of our customers and contractors. And with over 150 years of combined experience, our friendly and knowledgeable staff delivers exceptional customer care.

“Everything about the place is beautiful, we should call it the pluming boutique, so clean, organized, big selection of items, friendly staff…” - RANDA Z.

Shop our 6,000 sq.ft. Showroom for the Best & Most Extensive Collection Anywhere.

JOHN SMITHMAN, OWNER 5678 FRUITVILLE ROAD | SARASOTA, FL 34232 941.378.5678 | THEPLUMBINGPLACE.COM

CONTENTS departments

105

SOCIAL SCENE 20 THE LIST January Events Calendar PARTY PICS

28 Sarasota Garden Club

Anniversary Party Wit & Wisdom of Aging Luncheon 30 Callaghan Tire Charity Pro-Am 31 La Musica’s Sonata a Due 32 JFED’s Women’s Day Luncheon SCENE TOGETHER Couples on their wedding day

By Jacqueline Miller

89 Rachel Palladino & Shawn Sanders 92 Gabriele Vest & Justin Harris

INSIDER 39 THE FIND

Products and services for your health and wellness

109 LAUGHING MATTERS

PHILANTHROPY 44 PRESERVING A HERITAGE

Simone & Robert Knego dedicate themselves to JFED’s Young Leadership Cabinet

By Steven J. Smith 94 THE “TAKE A LOOK – BUY A BOOK

– DONATE” CAMPAIGN Sheila Birnbaum’s new initiative to promote literacy

By Ryan Van Cleave

121

103 EDUCATION MATTERS Students at USFSM make the most of internships

By Ryan G. Van Cleave 97 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW Sarasota Mayor Shelli Freeland Eddie

By Gus Mollasis 105 EAT & DRINK Delicious dishes and drinks and the perfect places to partake

By Rick Dakan

ART & CULTURE

47

Be Informed Be Entertained Be SCENE scenesarasota.com

10

ON THE TOWN

112 BEST SEATS Performing Arts Calendar

117 GET INSPIRED Cultural happenings brought to

you by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County 121 LITERARY SCENE Ryan G. Van Cleave reviews three new page-turners

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

89

Ryan Van Cleave on life, liberty and the pursuit of laughs

SAR ASOTA’ S NEW EST HOT EL D ESTI NATI ON. D EVOT ED TO C REATI VI TY, ART IST IC L UX U RY, AND E X PER IEN CES THAT AROU SE T HE IM AGI NATI ON.

D E BU T I N G THI S SEASON

ArtOvationHotel.com For more information, contact Asa Thomas, Director of Sales 813.417.1489

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

11

109

109

Relax and mingle at the bar...

From its inviting old world charm and sophistication

36

to its timeless, artistic cuisine, let the legendary

Cafe L’Europe take you on an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota | 941.388.4415 | cafeleurope.net

ESTABLISHED 1973 REBORN AUGUST 2016

CONTINENTAL CUISINE | FINE WINES | CRAFT COCKTAILS | PIANO MUSIC 12 SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018| ALFRESCO DINING PRIVATE DINING | ON- OR OFF-PREMISE CATERING

from the executive editor

TIME FOR A Reset?

W

WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNING SARASOTA SCENE’S ANNUAL EDITORIAL CALENDAR, it always seems fitting that we start off a new year with our Health & Wellness issue. After all, don’t we all have grand plans for new beginnings? We may be eager to lose some weight, change the way we eat, exercise more, finally get rid of a chronic condition, discover our “inner self,” or have a cosmetic procedure we’ve always wanted. Yes, it’s a new year yet again, so what are you going to do?

My 2017 ended with a real bang - literally. A computer cord, which was unplugged during Hurricane Irma, was errantly placed under my desk chair after the power went back on. I looked at that misplaced cord for two months, all the while thinking I’d better move it before I trip on it. Too late.

While taking a giant step as I got out of my chair, my foot caught under the cord and I could not control my fall. I hit the corner of my file cabinet very hard and put a big hole in my forehead. Now as bad as that was, I have to tell you that I know how blessed I was. It could have been my eye.

Did You Know?

According to statisticbrain.com, 44.3% of us make self-improvement or education-related resolutions and 32.4% make weight-related resolutions. Unfortunately, 42.4% fail at their resolution each year.

As a relatively healthy person my whole life, I was a bit down because this fall took a lot out of me. The forceful hit caused a concussion, which is not an easy thing to deal with when you are a magazine publisher and you’re on your computer all day long. I suffered through the concussion funk for some time, only able to work short periods, unable to play sports, and lying in bed in the dark for what seemed like an eternity. I was beginning to feel sorry for myself. But despite my brain funk, I know my problem pales in comparison to the real illnesses that so many people deal with every day of their lives. So, no more woe is me!

But what this accident did do for me is make me realize how being stationary and unable to do the things I love to do changed the quality of my life. So many times prior to the fall I would come home at night too tired to take a walk, take a class, or pursue a hobby. No more. For the first time in my life I now know what it is like not to have these options at all, and I hated every minute of it. So I am hopeful my 2018 will begin with a better outlook on what I need to do.

Given my concussion, I did some research on who is doing interesting work locally for neurological conditions. I discovered the new RE3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute in Sarasota. The Institute is combining the latest academic research advancements with the most sophisticated technological advancements in neuroscience. Treatment includes a whole mind, body and spirit approach. You can read all about the Institute in this issue.

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

13

from the executive editor

The 2018 winter opera festival

Victor DeRenzi, Artistic Director Richard Russell, Executive Director

Bizet’s

Carmen Feb 17–Mar 24

fate united two lovers, now fate will tear their lives apart

Also in this issue we bring back the popular Doctors of Distinction - profiles of various local doctors to better inform you of their specialties and credentials. Who doesn’t want to know more about the person who is about to treat them or operate on them?

As always, we have stories of people who give and inspire, events and party pics, and we feature two beautiful local weddings in our quarterly Scene Together feature.

To our thousands of loyal readers, the Sarasota Scene team wishes you a very happy and healthy 2018 filled with love and happiness. Here’s to a terrific 2018 for all!

PUccini’s

Manon Lescaut Feb 10–Mar 23 puccini’s first great success

julie@scenesarasota.com

Bellini’s

Norma Mar 3–24

a struggle of love and duty in ancient times d’albert’s

Tiefland Mar 10–25

a young woman’s journey from oppression to freedom

All operas performed in the original language with English translations projected above the stage.

tickets start at $19 and are going fast—Subscribe and save 10%

sarasotaopera.org (941) 328-1300

Sarasota Opera box office located at 61 N. Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

14

Have you heard about the many benefits of salt therapy?

The popularity of salt rooms is rising fast and Sarasota has a brand new one - Salt of the Earth. There are salt beds and booths for adults as well as a children’s salt room. According to the company’s website, salt therapy is helpful to those suffering from asthma, arthritis, joint pain, cystic fibrosis, allergies, COPD, psoriasis and a host of other ailments. It also helps melt the stress. Contributing writer Ryan Van Cleave visited Salt of the Earth to find out for himself. You can read all about his salty experience in this issue.

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! “The List” on page 20 of this issue highlights so many must-attend events this month and next. My picks?

Sarasota Memorial’s Hospital Gala, Circus Arts Conservatory Gala, Catholic Charities Ball, Sarasota Opera Gala, Conservation Foundation’s Palm Ball and the Van Wezel Foundation Gala starring Barry Manilow.

Art for your floor.

Locally Owned and Operated Since 1957 Vol. 62 No. 1

CEO/President Ronald Milton Publisher/Executive Editor Julie A. Milton Account Executive Linda Krysinski Graphic Designer Darcy Kelly-Laviolette Cover Designer Jason Garvale Communications Specialist & Editorial Assistant Bobbilynn Hollifield Distribution Dick Jackson Contributing Writers Sue Cullen Bobbilynn Hollifield Jacqueline Miller Gus Mollasis Steven J. Smith Ryan G. Van Cleave Photo Director John Revisky Contributing Photographers Nancy Guth Kelly Kearns

Rugs As Art ...And More!

6650 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231

941.921.1900 www.rugsasart.com 16

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

443 John Ringling Blvd. Ste. #F | Sarasota, FL 34236 941.365.1119 | Fax: 941.954.5067 | scenesarasota.com RJM Ventures LLC, dba SCENE Magazine of Southwest Florida publishes 12 issues a year. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address. Sufficient return postage and self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany all manuscripts, artwork and photographs submitted if they are to be returned or acknowledged. Publisher assumes no responsibility for care of return of unsolicited materials. Subscription price: $12.95 per year, $19.95 for two years.

All contents copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Let us plan, design, build and install the storage solutions of your dreams.

Beautiful Storage Solutions Can Be Affordable

CLOSETS

WALL BEDS

LAUNDRY ROOM

GARAGE CABINETS

HOME OFFICES

PANTRIES

UTILITY ROOMS

A ffordable Closets CALL OR VISIT OUR SHOWROOM TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION 941-926 -7674

AFFORDABLECLOSETSINC.COM

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

6320 DANNER DR, SARASOTA

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION

LIFETIME WARRANTY JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

17

Hepatopancreaticobiliary Cancer We speak GI Oncology

Sound like a foreign language? Not to us. We speak GI-Oncology.

In fact, Sarasota Memorial is the only regional hospital with expertise in this area of specialized medicine.

Our experienced, multidisciplinary team is fluent in gastrointestinal cancer from esophagus to colon, including liver, pancreas and bile system (“hep-ato-pancrea-tico-bili-ary�) cancer.

We speak GI Oncology and that translates to the most advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatments, and better outcomes for our patients.

For more information, visit smhspeaks.com/GIonc

SUNRISE SUNSET to

and every moment in between

MAKE EVERY MINUTE COUNT BLVD is the area’s hottest, new luxury condominium, overlooking the dazzling Sarasota Bay. From sunrise till long after the sun sets, you’ll be immersed in the vibrant Downtown Sarasota, a haven of arts and culture, including world-class entertainment, museums, art galleries and restaurants. With only 49 exclusive residences, a rooftop zero horizon pool and expansive wrap-around terraces, BLVD Sarasota will make every moment remarkable. Pre-construction pricing starting at $1.7 million.

SALES STUDIO FEATURING VIRTUAL REALITY NOW OPEN

500 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

BLVDSarasota.com | 941.316.1499 ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES,TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. NO FEDERAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THIS PROPERTY. ALL PRICES AND FEATURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL DRAWINGS ARE CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS AND DEVELOPER EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS.

social SCENE

THE LIST PARTY PICS SCENE TOGETHER

scenesarasota.com

jan 4

Perlman Celebration Concert Sarasota Opera House 5:30 p.m.

Itzhak Perlman with PMP students and faculty perform.

Tickets: $40 - $80 PMPsuncoast.org

13

31st Anniversary Circus Ring of Fame St. Armands Circle 1:00 p.m.

Featuring a Windjammers concert and a circus memorabilia flea market Free Admission circusringoffame.org

14

We Love Israel Shuk Jewish Federation Campus 12:00 p.m.

Celebrating Israel’s 70th anniversary of statehood with food, entertainment, and more.

Free Admission jfedsrq.org

15

Sarasota Jewish Food Festival

The LIST JANUARY 2018 EVENTS CALENDAR

Temple Sinai 9:30 a.m.

9th Annual event benefiting All Faiths Food Bank Free Admission jewishfoodsrq.com

15 PICK YOUR FAVORITES!

20

Although the holidays are over, our real work continues, as January is a month chock full of galas, benefits and good causes that need our participation. Many of our community’s most benevolent organizations rely on us to keep them going – so put the holiday crush behind you and start the year off charitably!

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Ballet Showcase Luncheon: Staging a Production Michael’s On East 11:30 a.m.

Hosted by the Friends of The Sarasota Ballet + honoring Margaret Barbieri Tickets: $35 sarasotaballet.org

FROM

ALEMBIKA’s LATEST COLLECTION JANUARY 25TH & 26TH TRUNK SHOW

364 ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE SARASOTA | 941-388-1974 DREAMWEAVERCOLLECTION.COM

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK CUSTOMER PARKING BEHIND STORE

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

21

social SCENE

16

The Muse Luncheon Michael’s On East 11:00 a.m.

Hermitage Artist Retreat’s annual luncheon with featured speaker Bill T. Jones Tickets: $125 hermitageartistretreat.org

19

Sevillian Nights Spanish Tapas Party The Powel Crosley Estate 5:30 p.m.

A Sarasota Opera Mini-Event, featuring performances by Opera artists.

Tickets: $95 sarasotaopera.org

19

The Gatsby Gala The Venice Institute for Performing Arts 6:15 p.m.

Twenties-inspired Gala to benefit Venice High School’s Interclub Council Tickets: $5.00 veniceperforming artscenter.com

20

Taste of St. Armands St. Armands Circle Park 5:00 p.m.

Benefits Take Stock in Children Sarasota Tickets: $55 - $65 starmandscircleassoc.com 941.388.1554

23

Friends for Friendship Naples Sailing & Yacht Club 6:00 p.m.

4th annual event to benefit Senior Friendship Health Center Tickets: $300 friendshipcenters.org

24

National Council of Jewish Women’s Women in Power Luncheon Michael’s On East 11:00 a.m.

Honoring four local activists Tickets: $75 ncjwsarasota-manatee.org

25

The Ringling / Michael’s On East Various event times Popular annual event held in the Ringling Museum Courtyard.

Tickets: Pricing varies eatlikealocal.com

27

Rollin’ on the River Casino Night Riverhouse, Palmetto 6:00 p.m.

Black tie casino-themed event benefiting We Care Manatee Tickets: $175 wecaremanatee.org

Selby Five Points Park 10:30 a.m.

Champagne reception followed by luncheon + show Tickets: $150 selahfreedom.com

Sarasota Antiques Art + Design Show Sarasota Municipal Auditorium 10:00 a.m.

Supports Designing Women Boutique Tickets: $8 sarasotaartand antiques.com

SARASOTA SCENE sponsored events!

SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION’S THE HOSPITAL GALA The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota 6:00 p.m.

Triennial event benefiting SMHF. For ticket info, contact sally-schule@smh.com (941) 917-1286 | smhf.org

22

Forks and Corks Food & Wine Festival

5th Annual A New Beginning Fashion Event

19 – 21

13

26 – 28

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

27

CIRCUS ARTS GALA Ulla Searing Big Top (Benderson Park) 6:30 p.m.

Annual gala benefiting the Circus Arts Community Outreach Programs Tickets: $250 circusarts.org

27

CATHOLIC CHARITIES BALL The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota 6:00 p.m.

Benefits the services of Catholic Charities Tickets: $300 catholiccharitiesdov.org

social SCENE

800.235.3493 • TropicalBeachResorts.com Directly on Sunny Siesta Key, Florida!

27

31

Palm Aire Country Club 6:00 p.m.

17th annual event benefiting OASIS Tickets: $75 operaforanimals.org

Holley Hall/Sarasota Municipal Auditorium 6:00 p.m.

Private concert & dinner to benefit the Orchestra.

Tickets: $275 sarasotaorchestra.org

Opera for Animals Benefit Concert and Fundraiser

27 – 28

Sarasota Orchestra Black and White Gala

St. Armands Winter Art Festival St. Armands Winter Art Festival St. Armands Circle 10:00 a.m.

Unique jewelry, pottery, paintings, and more Free to attend starmandscircleassoc.com

Where Relaxation Meets Paradise

800.255.8471 • InnAtTheBeach.com Venice Florida’s Premier Beachside Hotel!

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

23

social SCENE

UPCOMING events

Palm Ball

FEB 3 | Palm Ball Bay Preserve 6:30 p.m.

Benefits Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast Tickets: $500 conservationfoundation.com

FEB 3 | The Opera Gala The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota 6:30 p.m.

Celebrating the beginning of Sarasota Opera’s Winter Festival Tickets: $325 sarasotaopera.org

FEB 10 | Bethesda House Mardi Gras Madness Michael’s On East 6:00 p.m.

Benefits Bethesda House, a program of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. Tickets: $150 catholiccharitiesdov.org 941.752.5390

FEB 23 | CreateSRQ: The Bash Art Ovation Hotel 6:00 p.m. edfoundationsrq.org

FEB 8 | Goodwill Manasota Mardi Gras Gala Michael’s On East 6:00 p.m.

Goodwill’s signature fundraising event Tickets: $200 experiencegoodwill.org

S C EN ES A R A S O TA.C O M for the latest social scene party pics

24

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

One Donor 90 Funded Performances

800 Unlocked Imaginations

1600 Standing Ovations

Be The One Each one of us has the potential to impact a person, a cause, a community. For more than 35 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has matched donors to the right causes, creating lasting impact. You can be the one to make a difference. Call us today, (941) 955-3000. cfsarasota.org

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

25

205 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE, SUITE 102, SARASOTA LICENSE: CGC 1510640

|

941.366.7280

|

MGBBUILT.COM

LIVE YOUR DREAM

You’ve earned the right to build the home of your dreams. Your vision requires a unique design and finishes that match your lifestyle and taste, requiring a master craftsman’s experience and touch, and a builder that knows how to execute every last detail. That’s where we come in. Building unique, sustainable custom-tailored homes is something our team has been doing for the past 11 years in Sarasota and the surrounding islands and waterways – with a combined team experience of 150 years of fine custom home building. Our portfolio of homes is as individual as our clients, designed to make dreams come true. Check us out at MGBbuilt.com and call to discuss building your dream.

“IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IT, WE CAN BUILD IT.” STEVE ELLIS & GRANT CASTILOW

social SCENE

Fred & Janet Leonberger

PARTY pics

Carol Alexander, CJ Danna & Yvonne Zaccone

Linda & Bob Salisbury

SGC’S THE ROAR OF THE TWENTIES — A GRAND AFFAIR! The Sarasota Garden Club members celebrated 90 years with “The Roar of the Twenties — A Grand Affair!” in honor of the Club’s origination in 1927. Proceeds support the Garden Club’s mission of preserving local historic landmarks and providing education relating to environmental sciences and conservation in Sarasota County, as well as the many community outreach programs the Club Al Besse, Jean Ruff, Ann Durloo & Tom Yortyrty supports.

Christy Linke, Clare Milligan & Sue Angle

Peggy & Ken Abt

Janet Ginn, Gerri Aaron & Jane Hunder Matt Walsh, Lori White & Nate Jacobs

28

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

WIT & WISDOM OF AGING LUNCHEON A crowd of nearly 300 gathered for Pines of Sarasota Foundation’s 8th annual Wit and Wisdom of Aging Luncheon, co-chaired by Jane Hunder and Gerri Aaron.

This year’s panel included Nate Jacobs, Lori White and Matt Walsh, with moderator Ray Collins of ABC7. The event raised more than $200,000 to support the Pines of Sarasota Rehabilitation & Senior Care Community.

Tom & Sherry Koski with Dick Smothers

Graci McGillicuddy & Sue Jacobson

5+ct Cushion Cut (GIA)

3979 SOUTH TAMIAMI TRAIL | (941) DIAMOND | DIAMONDVAULTJEWELERS.COM GIA Cer tified Diamonds | Engagement Rings | Fine Swiss Watches | Custom Design | Private Estate Purchasing | Full-Service Repair

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

29

social SCENE Bob & Christy Towne with Patty Virglio

Mike Bell

CALLAGHAN TIRE CHARITY PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT The Callaghan Tire Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament brought out amateurs and legends alike, among them pros Bobby Nichols, Jim McLean, Larry Laoretti, Tony Jacklin, Larry Ziegler, Hollis Stacy and Tom Shaw. The tournament was played at The Ritz-Carlton Members Club and Lakewood National Golf Club.

This first-class charity event, started by Callaghan Tire CEO Dan Callaghan, supports cancer research, with 100% of the tournament profits going to “Golfers Against Cancer.”

Alison & Jason Fleming

Betty & Dan Callaghan

Larry Laoretti with Warren, Astrid & Tony Jacklin Matt Kupec

LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL YOUR HOME?

Denise Nicole

THE MEI TEAM

Denise Mei Broker-Associate GRI, CLHMS, CIPS

941.685.3198

DeniseMei@michaelsaunders.com

1605 Main Street, Suite 101 | 941.951.6660 30

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Nicole Mei Realtor® GRI, CLHMS

941.400.0540

NicoleMei@michaelsaunders.com

social SCENE

Liz & Hugh Cannon, Jeanne & Ron Oliver

Hillary Steele, BJ Creighton, Renee Hamad & Lois Lucek

Federico Agostini

Donna & John Moffitt

LA MUSICA’S SONATA A DUE La Musica International Chamber Music Festival kicked off its 32nd season with its annual Sonata a Due event held at the beautiful Field Club. Guests enjoyed a recital featuring the works of Johannes Brahms performed by Federico Agostini on violin and Derek Han on piano. La Musica has established itself as an artistic and critical success and an outstanding cultural institution. It begins its concert season on April 9 at the Sarasota Opera House.

Helga & Jerry Bilik

Closer than you think but a world apart...

THE

FOUNDERS CLUB

Join now and be one of the 275 Exclusive Equity Members and enjoy golfing with no tee times required.

Approximately 3 miles east of I-75 on Fruitville Road (Exit 210), less than 20 minutes from downtown.

3800 Golf Hall Drive I Sarasota, Florida 34240 I Phone: (941) 371-9720 I TheFoundersGolfClub.com JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

31

social SCENE

JEWISH FEDERATION WOMEN’S DAY LUNCHEON The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee held its annual Women’s Day luncheon with featured guest speaker Olympic Gold Medalist Aly Raisman. The event was chaired by Lauren Fineman and Emily Stroud. In a discussion moderated by Florida Studio Theatre’s Kate Alexander, Ms. Raisman discussed her new book, Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything, Jewish pride, positive body image, and being a role model for young girls.

Anne Spindel, Aly Raisman & Barbara Ackerman Amy Drake, Ian Black & Marcy Person

Bunny Skirboll, Lois Lucek, Faith Goldman & Hannah Weinberg

Sepi Ackerman, Lauren Fineman & Emily Stroud

Our Most Amazing Fitting Pant Ever!!!

LISETTE TRUNK SHOW Friday January 26th Siesta Key 941.349.6644 Saturday January 27th St. Armands

941.388.5239

32

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

33

34

AN EXCEPTIONAL, LUXURIOUS NOT-FOR-PROFIT SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER |

SARASOTA SCENE

JANUARY 2018

MEDICAL CARE & SUPERVISION

SPECIALIZED REHABILITIATION SERVICES

• Accepts Medicare, Insurance and Private Pay Patients

• Through the innovative Bounce Back Rehab inpatient and

• With its 120-bed Skilled Nursing facility, the amenities and services are exceptional

outpatient program, you can Rehab, Recover, Return Home®

• Personal Physicians

• State-of-the-Art Therapy Equipment

• 24/7 RN, LPN and CNA Staffing

• Evidence-based care & Individualized Treatment

• Licensed Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapists

• Physical, Occupational & Speech Rehabilitative Therapies

• Registered Dietician and Nutritional Management

• Case Management to Maximize Benefits

• Social Services

• AJs Fitness, an onsite fitness center, helps you focus on flexibility,

• Full-Time Activities Director

strength training, balance & endurance for those who have

• Interdisciplinary Team of Experienced Professionals

graduated from inpatient or outpatient rehab

License # SNF130471051

EOE

CALL OR STOP BY FOR YOUR PERSONAL TOUR 5381 Desoto Road | Sarasota, FL 34235 | 941.355.6111 | www.hawthornevillageofsarasota.com JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

35

Since 1973...

Cumberland Advisors has been a trusted source for professional, personalized money management.

Our firm manages nearly 3 billion dollars in fixed income and equity accounts for Individuals, Institutions, Retirement Accounts, Non-profits, and Government Entities.

• • •

National firm Four decades of experience Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida

•

Cumberland’s professionals include PhDs, MBAs, 19 Series 65 accredited individuals, CFA® charter holders, and a CFP® certificant

Inquiries and conversation are always welcome!

Communicate with us at info@cumber.com Follow us on Twitter @CumberlandADV

(800) 257-7013 www.cumber.com @CumberlandADV One Sarasota Tower 2 N. Tamiami Trail Suite 303 Sarasota, FL 34236

®

M y B a l a n c i n g Ac t “The free assessment helps determine your risk of falling and gives you tips to help you stay on your feet. I’ve taken the test, and so should you!”

Dickie Smothers

TV Personality, Comedian, and Ready & Steady Spokesperson

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE BALANCE ASSESSMENT

941-552-1882 Offered by Rehabilitation & Senior Care Community

36

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

1501 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota FL 34236 www.pinesofsarasota.org Main Number: 941-365-0250

Together we can strengthen healthcare We are the foundation for Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. We rely on the philanthropic support of the community to maintain Sarasota Memorial’s position as a nationally recognized leader, providing world-class patient care throughout our region.

Your Support Makes a Difference.

To make a donation call (941) 917-1286 or visit

smhf.org

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Consumer-Services.

REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. (REGISTRATION # CH103)

Tea for the Sea

Celebrating Women and Philanthropy in the Pursuit of Science

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 2:30 – 5 p.m.

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club 7650 Legacy Boulevard, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Tickets: $150 | mote.org/tea

PRESENTING SPONSOR

P R E S E N T I N G S P O N SO R

M E D IA S P O N S O R

Hats Encouraged!

FOR SALE

68' TRUMPY

ARE YOU THE ONE?

This elegant and historic boat needs a special owner who appreciates its glamour, style, workmanship and class!

Her integrity is that of the man for whom it was built multimillionaire socialite John Kimberly, founder

of Kimberly Clark - who entertained heads of state from around the world on this Rolls Royce of boats.

The boat is completely restored and every piece of its mahogany and double-planked white oak was completely refurbished.

For pricing, multiple charter options & details call Captain Jerry L Chitwood 36’ & 42’ Grand Banks and 50’ & 53’ Selenes Available for Charter. Visit website for more info.

941.383.5232 | Chitwood-Charters.com

38

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

insider

The FIND

THE BEST APPROACH TO BEAUTY, EXPERTS SAY, IS HEALTH. HERE ARE OUR TOP LOCAL PICKS FOR PRODUCTS AND TREATMENTS MEANT FOR KEEPING YOUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL.

JANE IREDALE’S MINERAL COSMETICS LINE is formulated with the highest quality ingredients available for healthy and radiant skin.

Makeup application from $65 Spa Hollywood spahollywood.com

AUTERRA OIL (a CBD, or Cannabidiol) helps the body to manage homeostasis, appetite, mood and sleep. $40-90 Wild Ginger Apothecary wildgingerapothecary.com

CRYOTHERAPY can increase metabolism, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote overall health.

Whole-body treatment: $69, special $45 Cryofacial: $49 BluFit Recovery blufitrecovery.com

STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING engages your entire body, improving balance and strength inside and out.

Half-day rental: $45

WOMEN’S TECHLOOM PHANTOM ROSE GOLD RUNNER features a metallic Techloom upper that offers 4-way stretch to keep your feet comfortable, while the 3D grid pattern provides support where you need it. $185

Sarasota Paddleboard Company 941-650-2241

Lotus Boutique lotussarasota.com

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

39

insider HEATED HIMALAYAN SALT BED SESSIONS alleviate inflammation and skin conditions, detox the body and promote relaxation.

25-minute treatment $45 Salt of the Earth sotesarasota.com

FLOAT (SENSORY-DEPRIVATION) TANK treatments can alleviate a host of ailments. The tank contains magnesium-enriched Epsom salt dissolved into water, creating a zero-gravity experience. $65 for a 1-hour session Mind Spa Integrative Wellness Center mindspasarasota.com

Teaming up with a cosmetic chemist, Dr. Orlando Cicilioni has created his own brand called ALTIORA SKIN CARE, made of the highest potency and quality and formulated for optimum results. $46-$94 Altiora Plastic Surgery & Spa AltioraPlasticSurgery.com

The lightweight FUELCORE SONIC features ultra-breathable mesh that helps you stay cool during your run. $110 New Balance newbalancesarasota.com

For a beginner or tea connoisseur, a gift set is the perfect introduction to a variety of LOOSE-LEAF TEAS. $5.49-$6.89 Spice & Tea spiceandtea.com 40

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Award Winning Memory Care!

At HarborChase of Sarasota, you’ll discover a host of innovative health services and customized programs that will enhance your health and happiness, now and into the future. We proudly offer friendly supportive services that simply make life easier and more enjoyable.

HarborChase offers: • 24-hour compassionate assistance • Chef-prepared dining options • Generous amenities • Innovative health services • Scheduled transportation *Limited time only

Ask us about our Memory Care Special!* Call now!

(941) 451-7983

5311 Proctor Road, Sarasota, FL 34233 (941) 451-7983 www.HarborChaseSarasota.com

Assisted Living and Memory Care

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

41 ALF #12753

�orida studio theatre sarasota’s contemporary theatre

NEW WORKS

BROADWAY HITS IMPROV COMEDY

MUSICAL REVUES

OCTOBER 2017 - SEPTEMBER 2018

Jannie Jones, Gabriel Aronson, Joe Casey and Nygel D. Robinson. Photos by Matthew Holler

42

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Ben Paul Williams, Sarah Hund, and Chris Blisset in Once. Photo by Mathew Holler

�oridastudiotheatre.org |

941.366.9000 JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

43

Heritage philanthropy

Preserving a

BY STEVEN J. SMITH

SIMONE AND ROBERT KNEGO AND THE JEWISH FEDERATION’S YOUNG LEADERSHIP CABINET One of the best ways to guide the destiny of the next generation is to play a prominent role in the course it takes, which is exactly why Simone Knego, with the support of her husband Robert, has dedicated herself to the Jewish Federation of North America’s Young Leadership Cabinet.

“I got involved with the organization five years ago through two other friends who were also involved,” Simone said. “I loved it from the beginning. The organization does a great job building leaders and I’ve enjoyed taking active leadership roles each year with Cabinet.”

Cabinet is the Jewish Federation’s elite leadership training program for people ages 30-45. Simone is its incoming chair as well as a member of the Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee’s board of directors.

She is also chair of the Jewish Federation’s Israel@70 Ethiopian-Israeli Hip Hop Concert and Cultural Day scheduled for February 17-18, 2018 and has traveled with her husband on philanthropic missions to distant countries.

44

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Simone said Cabinet’s aim is to attract young, successful business and philanthropic-minded Jewish professionals seeking to enrich both their lives and those in the Jewish community through education, skill development and programming designed to deepen the understanding of local, national and community needs.

“Cabinet also reaches out to the global needs of Jews all around

the world,” she said. “I’m in charge of young leadership for North America versus other roles I’ve had, such as being in charge of the study mission. Each year, Cabinet goes on a study mission somewhere in the world. The year I led it, we went to Berlin and Israel. It’s a way to see the Jewish community in a country where dollars from the Jewish Federation of North America are going.”

philanthropy

“Each year, (North America’s Young Leadership) Cabinet goes on a study mission somewhere in the world. The year I led it, we went to Berlin and Israel. It’s a way to see the Jewish community in a country where dollars from the Jewish Federation of North America are going.”

Simone Knego

The Knegos have been married for nearly 25 years and have six children. Simone hails from Buffalo, N.Y. and Robert grew up in Indiana and Tampa. They have lived in Sarasota for 17 years. He is a neurosurgeon with the Neurosurgery and Spine Specialists in Sarasota. Simone, a CPA, has worked in medical sales for the last five years.

Although Robert has aged out of actively participating in Cabinet, he voiced his full support for his wife’s activities in the organization.

seen that actually lives without anti-Semitism. And if they want to make pilgrimages to Israel, the government allows it. I think it’s the only group that’s actually allowed to leave Cuba.”

According to the Jewish Federation’s website, 4,000 people are Cabinet alumni and many of them are today’s top Jewish leaders. In addition, current Cabinet members raise $2,400,000 each year to support its programs.

Simone plans to use her newly appointed position to make Cabinet a stronger leadership program with an even more robust curriculum.

“Anytime Simone has to travel, my contribution is to say, ‘You go and I’ll keep everything covered on the home front,’” he said.

Simone quickly added he will accompany her to Cuba in January on a study mission to examine the results of contributions the Jewish Federation has made to the Jewish population there.

“Yes, there is a community of Jews in Cuba,” she said. “We visited there before, about ten years ago.

It’s a very interesting population.”

“A very close-knit community,” Robert added. “And the Cuban government very much supports them, in my opinion. I remember thinking it would be more oppressive and problematic for them, but it wasn’t.”

“I don’t know exactly how things are there now,” Simone said. “But when we were there before, it was one of the few groups I’ve

“I think it’s important to include more alumni in the leadership training we do,” she said. “Some of these people have amazing jobs and great stories to tell. That makes them perfect mentors to new Cabinet members.”

Simone added that she would like to see Cabinet reach its potential in growth and foster a greater awareness of its mission.

“Even speaking on behalf of a relatively small federation like Sarasota, we want to make sure that all the other federations — especially the smaller ones — know what Cabinet is,” she said. “And know that as young leadership, we’re here to support their young leadership in their communities. I want them to know we’re here for them.”

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

about the Jewish Federations of North America’s Young Leadership Cabinet, visit jewishfederations.org/young-leadership-cabinet.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

45

The Bash A C o n t i n u e d EAv no lEvening u t i o n o of f AExcellence n E v e n i n gA new of Excellence b e nbenefitting efitting

02.23.18

0 2 . 2 3 .18 A RT O VAT I O N H O T E L

A R TCO VAT I O N H O T E L ocktails I Dinner C o c k t a$i2l s5 0I p pD i n n e r $ 25 0 p p Ti c k e t s a n d S p o n s o r s h i p I n f o r m a t i o n

Tickets & Sponsorship Information EdFoundationSRQ.org/Bash EdFoundationSRQ.org/Bash

46

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Sarasota Opera presents

The Opera Gala Saturday, February 3, 2018, 6:30 pm The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota $325 per person Black Tie Gala Chairs: Carol English and Patricia Jones Please join us for Sarasota’s most elegant evening Parisian style!

Cocktail Hour Silent Auction Four Course French-Inspired Dinner Performance by Sarasota Opera Artists Live Music for Dancing For reservations, please call the Box Office at (941) 328-1300 Online tickets available at SARASOTAOPERA.ORG Sponsored by:

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

47

26 - 29 January 2018 | FSU Center Juan Gil in Ricardo Graziano’s Valsinhas | Photography Frank Atura

“MARVELS OF POETRY” The New York Times

Paul Taylor’s AIRS Ricardo Graziano’s VALSINHAS Robert North’s TROY

GAME

941.359.0099 |SarasotaBallet.org 48

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

e Br athe Easy

The Many Benefits of Salt Therapy

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

IT STARTS WITH A TICKLE IN THE NOSE AND A SENSE OF SOMETHING… DIFFERENT…IN THE AIR. A KIND OF TINGLING. A HMMMM MOMENT. BEFORE LONG, THERE’S THE TYPE OF CALM EVERYONE ASPIRES TO HAVE ON THOSE WEEKEND VACATION BINGES BUT PRETTY MUCH NO ONE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCES.

JANUARY JANUARY2018 2018| | SARASOTA SARASOTASCENE SCENE 49 49

T

his is the story of my visit to Salt of the Earth (4037 Clark Road, Sarasota, 941.702.8300), a new company that advertises itself as “Sarasota’s Premier Salt Therapy Center.” I first tried out their Halo Booth Pro, where I sat on a sleek modern chair inside a glass enclosure that was lit by a polychromatic light system that cycled through a range of soft colors. The air I breathed was full of invisible amounts of pharmaceutical-grade salt that’s ground up by a machine and blown inside. “No more than you’d get by spending two or three days at the beach,” explains owner Dianna Manoogian about my salt intake during that 20-minute session. While some might choose to listen to music, I opted for silence (or rather the quiet hum of the generator whirring away), which let me focus more fully on the amazingly tactile experience which I confess seemed both calming and refreshing. And a day later, I think I can safely say that it helped my seasonal allergies and maybe even soothed my rough elbow skin (“like an alligator’s hide,” my wife has commented on occasion).

I also tried out the Salt Bed with Chromotherapy, which is like sprawling atop a masseuse table but instead of being on squishy material, it’s a bed of gently-warmed salt. “A lot like dozing away an afternoon right on Siesta Key Beach,” I thought as I snuggled in for 25 minutes, the usual time for a single session on the Italian-imported bed that Manoogian notes was a quite a bear to import, but it’s up and running now and it’s comfortable as anything. I don’t know how Michael Phelps and others can sleep in hyperbaric oxygen chambers, but I certainly COULD see how someone might sleep soundly through the night on a bed like this one.

Halo Booth Pro

"And a day later, I think I can safely say that it helped my seasonal allergies and maybe even soothed my rough elbow skin."

50

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

I asked Manoogian what got her interested in salt therapy and learned that she’s always been interested in healing her family in a natural way. But once she saw a salt cave in a cousin’s hair salon in Massachusetts, she asked, “Why don’t we have something like this in Sarasota?” That was August 2016. She signed the lease for her Clark Road property in December, and Salt of the Earth opened June 3, 2017. “The permits worked out. Plus Baldwin Construction was amazing,” she says. “From the start it was clear—this was what I was supposed to be doing. The universe put it all right in line.”

After a long career in the corporate sector where she traveled the world, her goal has become to provide a different health option for our community—especially the elderly.

Why not have options other than taking drugs? With salt therapy, you keep your clothes on, no one’s touching you, and you can sit back, relax, and unplug. Even just the 20 or 45 peaceful minutes of the sessions allows you to quiet your mind and de-stress the body, which allows healing to being with virtually no side effects.

“Why salt?” you might be asking.

I know that’s what I did when I first heard about a salt cave and salt therapy. But it doesn’t take much sleuthing to find out that salt is antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. Plus I know that when I got my ears pierced two or three years back, the tattoo artist said to skip the hydrogen peroxide or alcohol and simply use sea salt and distilled water. It worked wonders for my healing process. So when fitness expert and founder of myosapp.com Ryan Swift tells me “When the micro-particles of salt land on your skin, it relieves oozing, itching, and scaling symptoms from skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne,” I find it easy to believe.

Still, we all know that too much salt is bad for you. That’s true for eating table salt, but has nothing to do with this kind of salt experience. The difference? Table salt is processed like crazy and all the good parts of it are essentially removed. Pink Himalayan and natural sea salt retains dozens of trace minerals that help flush toxins from the body and regulate the pH level in your skin.

Heat these salts and they release healing negative ions, which can give you that feel-good sense you might get at the beach or in a quiet spot deep in the woods.

With the nasty cough going around these days, plenty of moms are taking their kids into the special Moms and Kids room at Salt of the Earth, where the floor is covered in salt, which is no surprise since they have 3 ½ tons of it in use there.

The kids play and don’t realize they’re getting treatment, but the whole time their allergy symptoms, coughs, nasal congestion, and runny noses are getting better.

“I had that cough,” admits Manoogian, “and so did my family.

Two sessions in the booth knocked it right out.”

Maybe it sounds a little crazy. But plenty of people are having good results. One of Manoogian’s clients needed allergy shots once a week.

After a period of twice a week salt therapy, though, she’s down to one shot a month. Some Massachusetts insurance companies are now paying for COPD patients to sit in salt rooms, and for hundreds of years in Eastern Europe, people have been going to salt mines to improve their breathing.

Yet ultimately, I can really only speak for myself. After my 20-minute session in the booth and 25 minutes on the bed (I toyed with the idea of the 45-minute session in the big main room with the eight La-Z-Boy style recliners but didn’t take the plunge), it felt like I’d gone swimming in the ocean. A whisper of saltiness remained on my lips and in my nostrils. Nothing about it was unpleasant. And I can’t deny it—I felt pretty darn good.

Moms and Kids Room

"The kids play and don’t realize they’re getting treatment, but the whole time, their allergy symptoms, coughs, nasal congestion, and runny noses are getting better."

Salt Bed with Chromotherapy

So consider trying out a pink Himalayan salt lamp or salt pillow on your own. See how it works for you. And if you decide you want to give it a good faith effort, come on by Salt of the Earth and tell Manoogian to give you “the works.” New client visits are only $35, she says, and veterans and first responders always get 20% off.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

51

Join usfor

International

Holocaust

Remembrance Day Honoring the Italian Community Sunday, January 28, 2018 3:00–4:30pm

first united methodist church 104 pineapple ave, Sarasota

Perfect for those times when you don’t want or have time to cook but still crave something delicious. Morton’s kitchen offers an amazing array of gourmet entrees and comfort foods, all prepared from scratch and packaged to go.

Save time, money and effort while savoring the city’s best take-out, hands down. Don’t miss our huge selection of freshly made salads too!

Special Guest

Consul General of Italy

Gloria Bellelli

featuring guest speaker

roberto mei

The Mei family was honored by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations for having helped save and sustain countless Jewish residents of their village in Pitigliano in Grosseto, Italy, during WWII. Members of the Sarasota Orchestra and the Sarasota Opera will perform.

REGISTER ONLINE AT JFEDSRQ.ORG/EVENTS

Historic Southside Village 1924 South Osprey Avenue Sarasota ∙ (941) 955-9856 MortonsMarket.com 52

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Free Event

Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232

For more information please contact Debbie Sanford 941.706.0033 dsanford@jfedsrq.org

Friday, Feb. 9

Sunday, Mar. 4 For Tickets: 941.355.9805

Celebrating 250 years of Circus!

CircusArts.org

Under the Big Top!

at Nathan Benderson Park behind the Mall at UTC

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

53

Advancements in

Neurosciences Leading Edge Medicine and Traditional Practices are a Powerful Combination for Healing

By Sue Cullen | Photos by Nancy Guth

T

HE RE3 INNOVATIVE NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE was created to combine some of medicine’s highest technical achievements with age-old practices to promote natural healing.The Institute’s physicians believe the best results can be achieved when highly advanced neurological and neurosurgical care is combined with additional approaches often overlooked in conventional medicine.

These other modalities aid patients’ recovery and quality of life and can effectively manage many conditions without resorting to medications or surgeries.

“We bring technology combined with a lot of skillsets and have a practice that is a hybrid between conventional medicine and some more traditional ways of healing, such as diet, yoga and acupuncture,” said Dr. Arash Farahvar,

54

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

who is a neurosurgeon. “Patients’ ability to recover, even from bad things like brain tumors and traumatic brain injuries, is impressive, and we help them with mind, body and spiritual methods in combination with high-tech medical practices.”

Farahvar and his colleagues, Dr. William Olivero, Dr. John Wang and Dr. Bonnie Wang, founded Re3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute to help address issues in medicine today that are troubling to many patients who would prefer to consider alternatives, if possible, to surgeries and medications.

“All of us trained at the University of Illinois and have academic backgrounds. We’ve practiced together for many years, and we know each other very well. We also know each other’s patients very well,” Farahvar said. “We want to operate with principles and integrity, but also to do something different that will change medicine.”

"We bring technology... that is a hybrid between conventional medicine and some more traditional ways of healing, such as diet, yoga and acupuncture.”

Just walking into Re3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute at 4012 Sawyer Road in Sarasota, telegraphs the message that this is not an ordinary medical office. The Re3 Healing Institute is on site with a studio for yoga and Pilates. It also offers health coaching, rehabilitation and personal training, nutritional education, and aesthetic medicine. “Our patients are not just anatomical entities to us, we view them with wholeness as a person. We really want to elevate the care of our patients and send a message that we are doing something different,” he said. “You don’t see a lot of yoga studios in doctors offices.

We’re putting our money where our mouth is.”

30 years of experience as a surgeon and is a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Illinois. He also received fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery at the Barrows Neurological Institute. His expertise includes cranial surgery and complex brain tumors.

Dr. John Wang has specialized training required to conduct surgeries of the skull base. He also is the only neurosurgeon in the area experienced with minimally invasive endovascular approaches using catheters to treat brain and spinal disorders. His fellowship training was at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He is an associate professor of neurosurgery at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Farahvar has extensive experience in complex spine surgery, deep brain stimulation and trauma. He is fellowship trained at the University of Miami and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Neurotrauma Research Center/Ryder Trauma Center and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

Farahvar also has a Ph.D. in stem cell transplantation for the brain and spinal cord with a particular interest in rejuvenation following brain and spinal cord injuries.

Although they consider diet, exercise and traditions that engage mind, body and spirit to be an important part of helping patients achieve the quality of life they desire, traditional medical options are also an important part of the practice.

So is continuing to participate in clinical research at the forefront of medical advancements and offering treatments, such as stem cell procedures, that can be an effective alternative in the hands of an experienced practitioner.

While Re3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute’s physicians are well versed in all aspects of their field, each also has particular areas of interest and expertise. They have participated in many clinical research studies, been invited to speak at professional symposiums, and have published extensively in peer-reviewed journals in their field. Dr. Olivero has more than

Dr. Arash Farahvar and Dr. John Wang prepare for an image-guided stem cell procedure.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

55

Dr. Bonnie Wang is an internal medicine physician and specializes in neurocritical care, which involves comprehensive case management of patients experiencing life-threating neurological illnesses, following very serious neurosurgeries, and those with debilitating degenerative neurological diseases. She is fellowship trained in neurological care at the University of Pennsylvania.

Re3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute specialists employ a full complement of today’s highly advanced tools for minimally invasive and high precision procedures to battle neurological diseases and conditions as well as trauma. These include microsurgical techniques, robotic and laser targeting, 3-D computer-assisted navigation systems, stereotactic radiosurgery for highly precise delivery of radiation to brain tumors, and minimally invasive endoscopic treatments that can reach brain tumors that were previously inaccessible. All of this can result in shorter hospital stays, faster healing, and minimizes intrusion into surrounding healthy tissue.

Among other treatments, Re3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute will also offer deep brain stimulation and ultrasound ablation for Parkinson’s disease, intracranial arterial stenting for strokes, and a variety of back and neck pain management procedures, such as injections, spinal cord stimulation, pain pumps, and platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapies, which use the patient’s own blood to deliver healing factors to the site. Re3 Innovative

Nicky Farahvar, certified Yoga and Pilates instructor, teaches a Gentle Yoga class in the multi-function studio at Re3 Stem Cell and Healing Institute.

Dr. John Wang. & Dr. Arash Farahvar 56

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

“Our patients are not just anatomical entities to us; we view them with wholeness as a person.”

Neuroscience Institute also offers PRP through the Re3 Healing Institute as an aesthetic treatment for skin rejuvenation.

Investigational stem cell therapies also provide hope for chronic back and neck pain, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and strokes. “We currently are using different stem cell lines, and we stay within current guidelines,” Farahvar said. “The population in Sarasota embraces novel ways of looking at things, and they want that healthy lifestyle. We are planning to do clinical and investigational studies with clinical research backed priority.”

Although technology has its place and Re3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute surgeons are skilled at employing them, technology only goes so far. “Medications and surgeries help people live longer, but not necessarily better. We want to help people get back to golf or whatever else they want to do,” Farahvar said. “Traditional methods can help with that.”

Studies show that herbs and spices like turmeric have powerful antiinflammatory properties and can slow degeneration of Alzheimer’s disease as effectively as the most commonly prescribed medication, and it is as good for joint pain as ibuprofen. Parkinson’s disease can be slowed by nutrients in leafy green vegetables, which also are effective with stroke prevention.

“There are scientific papers on

these, but many doctors are not familiar with them,” he said. “Our goal is to eliminate narcotics and medications and move to diet, exercise, meditation, biofeedback and acupuncture. More physicians are starting to embrace that, and we want to bring these to our patients in a big way.”

Community involvement also is important to Re3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute physicians.

As educators, they regularly hold community programs on neck and back pain and are planning a charitable arm that will help patients who have difficulty paying for therapies they need.

“We want people to know we are concerned with their health, and they will get personalized care. Patients are given options because we have no vested interest in surgery. Sometimes surgery is needed because a patient is getting weak, but I’m also going to be concerned that they quit smoking before the surgery and get the proper rehab afterwards,” Farahvar said. “In this community, the number one thing people want is to be active and enjoy the quality of life we have here. We are the physicians who can help them get better, and our patients know we won’t give up on them.”

To connect with Re3 Innovative Neuroscience Institute, call 941.893.2688 or visit re3healing.com.

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. JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

57

HEALING TIME 58

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

by Jacqueline Miller

W

HEN IT COMES TO OUR COMPLETE WELLBEING, a great way to get our mind, body and spirit in sync is to take time away to soothe the soul. So where’s one of the best places to go within our shores to find delicious and nutritious food, mind altering spa treatments and unforgettable activities?

That would be Lake Austin Spa Resort, voted the #1 destination spa in the US and one of the top in the world from several esteemed travel publications.

Nestled along the shores of scenic Lake Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Lake Austin Spa Resort has a relaxed atmosphere, and offers all-inclusive vacation packages, which include accommodations in one of 40 charming lakeside guest rooms, three gourmet meals daily, indoor and outdoor fitness activities and classes, a selection of spa and body treatments, comfortable public areas, peaceful grounds and nature and wildlife trails.

The 25,000-square foot LakeHouse Spa offers more than 100 massage, body and skincare treatments and therapies.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

59

Healing and indigenous treatments, many using herbs grown in the organic Healing Gardens, are based on ancient principles of aromatherapy, Ayurveda, hydrotherapy, Moortherapy and Thalassotherapy.

The Pool Barn is home to an indoor Junior Olympic-length lap pool, 30 treatment areas including garden tents and suites and the Bamboo Room - a private outdoor treatment suite with in-ground hot tub, the Iris Salon, the Aster Café and two acres of terraced foliage and aquatic gardens.

More than 20 activities for all fitness levels are offered daily, ranging from BodyFlow® and Trek & Spin to Gentle Yoga and Nia Dance classes. Other offerings include canoeing, Hydro-biking™, kayaking, sculling, hiking, yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Spinning®, meditation and dance. Aquatic aerobics and swimming classes take place in one of three pools. The training center overlooks Lake Austin and features stateof-the-art cardiovascular, circuit and free weight training equipment.

60

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Both the mind and the body are enriched through discovery classes in healthy cooking, nutrition, communication skills, body image, relationships and sexuality, journaling, crafts, gardening and others. Special weeks and seasonal topics include programs such as Just Breathe, Reboot Camps, Feng Shui Beauty, Mother/Daughter, the Culinary Experience™, For the Love of Books and Ripple Effects: The Wellness of Water.

There are also special events planned around holiday seasons.

More than 1,000 species of plants, herbs, vegetables, spices and wildflowers fill the abundant organic gardens. Lake Austin Spa Resort was among the first to create gardens specifically for growing herbs used in spa treatments. Classes and demonstrations on gardening topics and aromatherapy are offered weekly by the Director of Flora and Fauna.

Executive Chef Stéphane Beaucamp serves three delicious healthy meals daily, which are served in the resort dining room and the spa. He blends French

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

61

"More than 1,000 species of plants, herbs, vegetables, spices and wildflowers fill the abundant organic gardens."

62

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

influences with local inspirations to cook up healthy creations. Healthy cooking classes are scheduled throughout the week.

The Lakeside guest rooms feature casually elegant dĂŠcor and furnishings sourced from around the world by co-owner Mike McAdams and his team. Fourteen newly renovated Luxury Lakeview rooms and ten new Luxury Garden Rooms offer spectacular views of Lake Austin and the Texas Hill Country and the interiors evoke reflection and relaxation with every detail. The Lady Bird Suite honors Lady Bird Johnson and includes a sitting room, fireplace, private wildflower garden and hot tub.

If you’re seeking to reset and renew this year, I suggest taking a look at this all-encompassing destination spa experience. Visit lakeaustin.com or call 800.847.5637.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

63

64

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

65

Memory Care TAKING

TO A NEW LEVEL

66

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

By Sue Cullen PLYMOUTH HARBOR’S 25-STORY TOWER

“Residents have the freedom to walk the neighborhood, experience the outdoors, and satisfy their desires for large social gatherings, small groups or solitude.”

has served as a landmark at the gateway to St. Armands Circle for 52 years. Throughout that time, the Life Plan Community has evolved to meet the needs of its residents and the changing desires of upcoming generations of retirees. On January 10, Plymouth Harbor will mark a new chapter in its history with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Northwest Garden Building, the latest addition to its 17-acre Sarasota bayfront campus.

MEETING FUTURE NEEDS “We want to be sure Plymouth Harbor stays relevant into the future and offers residents a full continuum of services,” says Harry Hobson, President and CEO. “Now, in addition to independent living, we have expanded our assisted living and added memory care so that our residents can consistently receive the most appropriate level of care.”

The Northwest Garden Building is three stories on top of an underground parking garage and includes 30 memory care residences on the first floor, 30 one- and two-bedroom assisted living apartments on the first and second floors, and 10 luxury two-bedroom independent living apartments on the third floor. It is located next to Plymouth Harbor’s award-winning Smith Care Center skilled nursing facility.

The Martha Jane Phillips Starr Memory Care Residence, named for the late Starr and her major contribution, has been carefully designed to be a safe and enriching environment for residents suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases and is open to those outside the Plymouth Harbor community as availability permits. It is

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

67

divided into two neighborhoods of 15 private residential suites with private baths. “We want to create a homelike and secure environment, rendering it as non-institutional as possible, including family-style, casual, 24/7 dining choices,” Hobson says. “Residents have the freedom to walk the neighborhood, experience the outdoors, and satisfy their desires for large social gatherings, small groups or solitude.”

Emphasis also is placed on eliminating institutional routines. Caregivers avoid clinical language when interacting with others, and there is no visible nurses station. There also are no medical carts, overhead signage or paging systems. Residents have the opportunity to participate in familiar household tasks, such as preparing meals in the neighborhood’s kitchen or doing laundry. A family room, which includes a cozy hearth, is available for residents to gather with each other or with family and guests for musical experiences, wine and cheese, or a casual coffee klatch.

RICH IN AMENITIES AND PROGRAMS Each neighborhood also has a Life Enrichment Center for daily activities, which can include art therapy, music therapy, dancing, and small group fitness classes. A Sensory Circle gives residents stimulating, tactile experiences using textures and items that are familiar to them. The Reflection Room serves as a private space for soothing sensory experiences or a quiet space for a family member to visit. An enclosed courtyard with a water feature and greenery provides fresh air and sunshine within a safe space. A wide range of salon services is available in the salon/spa along with manicures, pedicures and specialty services.

Inspirational programming to enhance residents’ wellbeing has been as well thought out as the building’s physical attributes. It’s Never 2 Late technology provides a variety of programming designed to keep individuals with dementia engaged and their minds

active. In addition, all Plymouth Harbor staff members have received training in the Positive Approach™ to Care (PAC) techniques developed by Teepa Snow, who is well known for her expertise in dementia and Alzheimer’s care. “The PAC approach is all about focusing on the positives and what the person has that we can work with,” says Brandi Burgess, Plymouth Harbor’s social worker. “That way we are care-partnering and not just caregiving.”

Helping to bring these amenities and programming on board, The Plymouth Harbor Foundation has successfully completed A Commitment to Memory Campaign, which has raised more than $3.3 million, exceeding its $3 million goal, according to Becky Pazkowski, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy. The campaign is providing $1 million for capital resources and directing $2 million into a designated investment fund that will generate the annual funds needed to deliver innovative, inspirational programming and educational leadership. Plymouth Harbor intends to have educational resources for residents and their families and continual training for employees through nationally recognized leaders.

“We are planning the Doyle Trust Lecture series, supported by the Bernard and Mildred Doyle Charitable Trust, with speakers of national and international expertise to help us understand the latest in research, technology and treatment for dementia and to give us hope that someday there will be a cure,” Pazkowski says. “We also want to do more one on one counseling and support groups for families. Statistics show that for every person with dementia, five family members are affected. Our responsibility is to help them and let them know they are not alone in this disease process.”

68

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Saturday, February 10, 2018 Michael’s on East

MAdNESS Presented by Bethesda House

Enjoy an exciting evening of dinner, dancing and Mardi Gras festivities!

6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception 7:00 p.m. Dinner Cocktail Attire Chair - Terri Maze For Information: 941-355-4680 ext. 301 nmuth@ccdis1.org

Media Sponsor

All proceeds will benefit Bethesda House, a program of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. which provides professional and compassionate support services for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

www.catholiccharitiesdov.org JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

69

1 7

t h

T 3 0

H

A N N U A L

A N N I V E R S A R Y

starring

BARRY MANILOW Friday, February 16, 2018 5:00 P.M. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities call 941-366-5578 or visit

VWFOUNDATION.ORG Cocktails by the Bay | Dinner Reception Live Performance by Barry Manilow After-Party

Reserve Your Tickets Today!

Proceeds help support the Van Wezel’s Schooltime Performance Program, community outreach and special needs of the Hall.

JAGUAR SARASOTA EVENTS OF DISTINCTION

STORY PROJECT PARTNER

l

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Joan Lieberman John & Rachel Payne Jakes

EVENTS OF DISTINCTION

STORY PROJECT PARTNER ATTENTION TO DETAIL

SA R ASOTA

/

MANATEE

Doctors

OF DISTINCTION

A SARASOTA SCENE MAGAZINE SPECIAL SECTION JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

71

World Class Dentistry

Left to Right: Kelton Johnson Sydney Johnson Cameron Johnson Jill Morris, D.M.D. Burr Bakke, D.D.S.

Dr. Jill Morris and Dr. Burr Bakke have built reputations for impeccable general, cosmetic and implant dentistry and for scouring the globe to master techniques that bring patients better health and brighter smiles. “Burr and I love integrating multiple innovative solutions to help our patients reach their unique goals. Everyone is different. With over 30 years of experience we are always in a quest to expand our knowledge and help our patients,” Dr. Morris says. “We have a comprehensive practice and take care of patients’ needs from start to finish. Many of our patients have never heard of, or experienced, the type of dentistry we do for them.” With their children now joining their World Class Dentistry and Facial Esthetics practice, that commitment to leading edge dentistry is continuing into the second generation.

Dr. Morris and Dr. Bakke bring together complementary specialties, giving patients the convenience of having their dental needs met in one location.

Services range from laser treatment of gum disease to highly advanced procedures such as nonsurgical facelifts and relief from TMJ and sleep apnea.

72

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

“Standard orthodontic treatment for many baby boomers was to extract four teeth and then move the remaining teeth into place,” Dr. Bakke says.

“This can result in narrow arches and receded chins, reducing the airway causing sleep apnea and TMJ pain later in life. Our treatments include cranial orthopedics and alternative orthodontics, which stimulate stem cells in children and adults.

Cranial orthopedics corrects that condition and also has a beneficial effect on facial aesthetics, creating wider, less gummy smiles and giving faces more attractive proportions.” The technique also helps children avoid braces and corrects breathing issues. Both dentists also are skilled at neuromuscular dentistry to address bite issues and TMJ and have degrees in naturopathic medicine that focuses on treating the whole person and supports the body’s inherent healing abilities.

Dr. Morris and Dr. Bakke have invested in the latest technology, which includes an on-site CAT scan, robotics, cold laser, same day dental restorations, and a state-of-the-art in-house dental laboratory. Dr. Morris is the only area dentist accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and she also received training in Europe for facial aesthetics. Both dentists have taught extensively at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Dr. Bakke was one of the early practitioners to surgically

place implants using the All-on-4® implant system where implants are surgically placed and restored with fixed bridges the same day. “The functional and cosmetic benefits of receiving the implants and fixed teeth the same day are tremendous,” says Dr. Bakke. “My patients who are losing all of their teeth or wear dentures are so relieved to never have to go without teeth with this system.”

The practice has grown significantly as people actively seek healthier and more advanced alternatives that Dr. Morris and Dr. Bakke provide, and they are making plans to continue this level of care as their children join the practice. Their son, Kelton Johnson, is their dental laboratory technician and provides services through his Higher Aesthetics on-site dental laboratory. Sydney Johnson, also a dental laboratory technician, has been accepted into LECOM’s school of Dental Medicine’s Early Acceptance Program, while their oldest son, Cameron Johnson, is in his second year at LECOM’s School of Dental Medicine.

“The children are passionate about what we do and hope to continue to improve the service of dentistry,” Dr. Morris says. “Together, we hope to pioneer some interesting concepts that we can bring to our patients, and we also would like to provide post graduate education for dentists.”

3951 Swift Road Sarasota, FL 34231 941.923.6363 SarasotaDentist.com

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

73

Mary Sanders, D.M.D.

Comprehensive Dentistry 2677 S Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34239 941.203.4250 marysandersdmd.com

Dr. Mary Sanders understands the importance of good dental hygiene for her patients’ overall health and wellbeing, and she also is aware that fear and other concerns can keep them from seeking the care they need. “The staff here knows how to take care of patients, and they become part of our dental family. We know the dentist’s office is no one’s favorite place to go, so we make them feel welcome, relaxed and comfortable,” Dr. Sanders said. “Patients don’t feel like they are pushed into treatment, and with all the technology we have now there should be no pain. Sedation dentistry means you should not be afraid.”

Dr. Sanders offers nearly every aspect of dental care from cleanings and fillings to orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. She also treats periodontal issues with laser technology and topical antibiotics to help patients avoid surgery. Keeping abreast of the latest technology also is important, and Dr. Sanders was one of the first dentists in the area to invest in a Cerec machine, which produces permanent crowns in one visit. Knowing that

74

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

waiting can increase anxiety, she strives to stay on time and, with televisions in all operatories, patients find treatment more pleasant. Being given a variety of treatment and financing options also helps relieve stress.

That devotion to her profession has earned Dr. Sanders two very prestigious honors. She is a member of Omicron Kappa Epsilon, an exclusive national dental honor society, and earned the peer-selected C.W. Fain Award for outstanding ethics and professionalism. Dr. Sanders spent six years in the U.S. Navy Reserve and was selected as the Navy League Honor Recruit from among 880 men and women with whom she trained.

Although that gave her the opportunity to attend the Naval Academy, she chose to pursue her goal of becoming a dentist. She still believes in the idea of service and uses her expertise to help restore healthy smiles for those who may be down on their luck. “It’s amazing what happens,” Dr. Sanders said. “When people feel better and their self confidence is up, they can turn their life around.

With the skill of an experienced plastic surgeon and a sculptor’s eye for beauty, Dr. Alissa Shulman helps patients make the most of their natural assets. Dr. Shulman specializes in breast and body sculpting including fat grafting, liposuction, tummy tucks, thigh and arm lifts, and breast lifts, reductions and augmentation. She also is highly regarded for her work on breast reconstructions for cancer patients, including nipple-sparing mastectomies. “Being a sculptor gives me an appreciation for all kinds of body shapes.

There is no such thing as ideal proportions,” Dr. Shulman said.

“I want to help people accept the basic shape they’re given and to make it better. People should feel good about how they look.”

Alissa Shulman, M.D., F.A.C.S Sovereign Plastic Surgery

Dr. Shulman is very experienced with leading-edge fat grafting techniques for reshaping the buttocks or to increase bust size (in place of implants). She views fat grafting as a more natural approach since it uses the patient’s own purified fat, which is taken from an area where stubborn, unwanted fat accumulates, such as the hips or belly. “I like fat grafting because it is all you. Even with breast reconstruction, I’ve been amazed at what fat grafting can do,” she said. “I also use it for breast lifts, which I think do better than anything else. People here stay active, and I hope I’m known for athletic, perky breasts. I think B or C cup is ideal. Bigger breasts can look matronly especially for women after 50.”

Along with her successful practice, Dr. Shulman has been very active professionally. She currently serves on the board of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons and is working on development of Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s cancer center. She is very proud to have been named the hospital’s 2017 Physician of the Year. As busy as she is, taking time to give patients the best experience possible is always her goal. “Sometimes people feel that we are going to judge them from head to toe, which is not true. Actually, most people leave feeling better about their body than when they arrived,” Dr. Shulman said. “Helping people feel good because they look good makes me happy.”

1950 Arlington St., Suite 112 Sarasota, FL 34239 941.366.5476 www.sovereignps.com JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

75

Confronting the challenges and confusion in modern healthcare is often daunting for many patients. Dr. Jonathan Yunis is a board-certified surgeon in a solo practice who focuses on making his patients happy. His expert office personnel are sensitive to the problems that patients encounter. Access for appointments is enhanced and questions are answered with confidence. The philosophy at Center for Hernia Repair is “we put ourselves in the patient’s place.”

Jonathan Yunis, M.D., F.A.C.S Center for Hernia Repair

Dr. Yunis specializes in hernia surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction. A national database reveals that he currently performs more abdominal wall and hernia operations than anyone else in the country. He performs over 650 operations annually and limited his practice to hernia and abdominal wall surgery over 15 years ago. As a former vascular surgeon, Dr. Yunis is experienced in performing technically complex surgeries.

His patients come from all over the country with complex hernias.

Many have undergone several failed operations and come here for the expertise that Dr. Yunis can provide.

Dr. Yunis has traveled extensively to observe and work with other experts in his field all over the world. His pursuit of ongoing knowledge allows for confidence in decision making in the office and surgical success in the operating room. All technologies are offered including laparoscopic and robotic approaches. Robotic hernia repairs utilize tools that can mimic the human hand through 1-inch incisions. Dr. Yunis has made it his mission to be expert at all options. This allows a unique solution for each patient’s case.

A 40-year-old triathlete and an 82-year-old golfer with the same type of hernia will often benefit from two different operations and anesthetic options.

1435 S. Osprey Ave Suite 201 Sarasota, FL 34239 941-953-5917 www.centerforherniarepair.com

76

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Dr. Yunis understands the physical and emotional distress that goes along with complex and recurrent hernia problems. Not only do many experience pain but they also have extraordinary cosmetic deformity that requires attention. Many larger and advanced hernias can be cured while emphasizing improved cosmetic outcomes.

Doctor Yunis offers abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to his patients at the same time as their hernia repair. “Patients are thrilled with their new life and appearance after these operations,” he said.

“All options are offered and sometimes observation without intervention is the best answer for patients.”

Dr. David Mobley, Dr. Scott Engel, Dr. Braun Graham & Dr. Brian Derby

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

Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center is one of the region’s leading practices offering comprehensive services with a team of four devoted and well-credentialed plastic surgeons with a combined experience of 60 years. Their goal is to provide patients with the highest level of care. “Our role is to keep up with the latest technologies that are safe and exceptionally beneficial to our patients,” says Dr. Braun Graham, who has been named among America’s Best Doctors since 1996. “The principles of ‘tried and true’ procedures are based on years of successful patient outcomes with procedures that emphasize patient safety and reliable results.”

The goal is to provide patients with the “gold standard” of proven care. “We deliver profound improvements safely while maintaining a natural appearance,” says Dr. David Mobley. “We are extensively trained, have many years of experience, and perform procedures that we know will produce great results time and again.” Dr. Mobley is triple board certified in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology and has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2007.

With offices, medical spa, skin care services, and a federally certified surgical center in one location, patients can have their needs met conveniently.

Surgical procedures include facial rejuvenation, liposuction, breast and body contouring, tummy tucks and labiaplasties. The Center also offers proven advancements in noninvasive techniques, such as SculpSure, a body contouring system that reduces stubborn fat with no down time.

“The relationship I develop with patients helps me understand their goals, and together, we develop a plan. I treat my patients as if they were my family,” says Dr. Scott Engel, who is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and serves on the clinical faculty at the worldrenowned Cleveland Clinic. A patient-centric approach also is an important value for Dr. Brian Derby who has advanced specialty training in oculoplastic and aesthetic facial, breast and body surgery. “We want safe and beautiful results, and our patients’ opinions on how close we are to achieving these goals matter,” he says. “We enjoy our patients’ consistently high praise and take time to understand ways we can make the experience even better.”

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

77

Florida Urology Specialists

Left to Right: William J. Tingle, M.D., FACS A. Joseph Bilik, M.D., FACS Tracy B. Gapin, M.D., FACS Matthew J. Perry, M.D. Thomas H. Williams, M.D., FACS

78

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Delivering world-class urologic care with an eye to the convenience and comfort of patients is a hallmark of the board-certified physicians and staff at Florida Urology Specialists. This dedication spans 35 years, and today that means providing state-of-the-art technology including an in-house surgery center where they are able to maximize patient’s comfort with IV sedation if desired. On-site lab, pathology, radiography, CAT scan, and ultrasound means many patients can have tests and procedures completed in one visit.

In addition to treating general urologic conditions, such as interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, male infertility and more, the physicians are skilled in robotic surgery and oncology, and offer prostate patients leading edge diagnostics and treatments. Those include high-precision MRI fusion prostate biopsy, HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound treatment), radiation high treatment, cryosurgery and focal therapy.

Understanding that talking about some conditions can be uncomfortable for patients, staff and physicians treat them with professionalism and compassion often earning the compliment that Florida Urology Specialists has a great team. All the physicians give back to the community by taking emergency room calls and participating in Sarasota Memorial’s Community Medical Clinic.

Dr. Thomas Williams is board certified in adult urology and is a sought-after speaker who conducts many free community seminars. Dr. Williams received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee, which awarded him a Research Scholarship Award, and completed his urology residency at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He has been published in the Journal of Urology, was past chairman of Sarasota Memorial’s Cancer Committee, and has served on the Board of Doctor’s Hospital.

Dr. William Tingle is board certified in general urology with 24 years experience. Dr. Tingle has particular expertise in treatments for kidney stones, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction/penile prosthesis, and vasectomy; with a high success rate with vasectomy reversals. He earned his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University, medical degree from the University of Florida and completed a surgical internship and urology residency at the university’s Shands Hospital.

Dr. Joseph Bilik is a recipient of Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Hero Award and has been a Castle Connelly Top Doctor for multiple years. Dr. Bilik is board certified in urology and treats a wide range of conditions. He received his medical degree from Georgetown University and completed general surgical training at Massachusetts General Hospital and urological surgical training at Lahey Clinic Medical Center, where he was Chief Resident of Urology. Dr. Bilik also served as a medical officer on two U.S. Navy carriers, the last during Operation Desert Storm.

Dr. Tracy Gapin is one of the most experienced urologists with 3-D MRI prostate imaging and targeted ultrasound fusion biopsy. Dr. Gapin was a pioneer for HIFU, the minimally invasive FDA approved treatment for prostate cancer. He is board certified in urology, earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern.

Dr. Gapin completed a general surgery internship and urology residency at the University of Florida.

Dr. Matthew Perry completed six years of urology training at the Mayo Clinic where he also served as chief resident and as a clinical instructor. Dr. Perry’s practice focuses on prostate, bladder and kidney cancers, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, erectile dysfunction and female incontinence.

He also is experienced with robotic surgery and minimally invasive procedures. He has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for multiple years.

A Division of 21st Century Oncology 1 South School Avenue Suite 200 Sarasota, FL 34234 941.309.7000 flurologyspecialists.com

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

79

Joseph Greco, PhD, PA/C

1990 Main Street, Suite 700 Sarasota, FL 34236 941.952.3300 grecomedicalgroup.com

As an innovator who remains at the leading edge of regenerative medicine, Joseph Greco, PhD, PA/C, has developed patented, proprietary processes that have helped patients from 70 countries. People seek help from Greco Medical Group for conditions ranging from hair restoration and cosmetic procedures to chronic pain and orthopedic issues. “I have specialized in hair restoration for 35 years, and after working as clinical director for a biotech company for 10 years, we began offering regenerative medicine at our Sarasota clinic,” Dr. Greco said. “We treat patients using our patented methods to concentrate healing proteins from their own blood and with amniotic and umbilical cord tissue, which contain proteins for healing and regeneration.”

In addition to helping relieve pain and promoting healing in tendons, ligaments and joints, these regenerative cells heal chronic wounds, treat dry eye, stimulate hair growth, and rejuvenate skin for a more youthful appearance. As a full service alopecia clinic, Greco Medical Group offers these nonsurgical biologic treatments along with medical and surgical approaches using all forms of hair transplantation, 80

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

including follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). Dr. Greco has pioneered biologic treatments for Alopecia Areata and Androgenic Alopecia. These biologic therapies also have proven safe. Dr. Greco has performed 8,000 treatments in 10 years with no adverse side effects.

Along with developing patented procedures and earning international recognition for hair restoration methodologies, he currently serves on the faculty of George Washington University’s Department of Metabolic and Integrative Medicine where he teaches a post-doctoral course in regenerative medicine and also is Medical Director for Hair Restoration at New Life Regenerative Medicine. “There is an art and science to Regenerative Medicine. Ten years ago people were skeptical, now the use of regenerative cells is becoming mainstream and we are more advanced because of our experiences,” Dr. Greco said. “We’re not just people who have taken a weekend course. We taught the weekend course for many years, including physicians in 18 countries. Done correctly, this is the future.”

If you are looking for a facial plastic surgeon with an Ivy League pedigree, who is double board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive as well as Head and Neck Surgery, and who is progressive in terms of techniques for optimal surgical outcome, look no further than Dr. Sumeet Bhanot.

Following a decade at Yale University completing his medical and surgical training in Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Bhanot further honed his skills with a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The rigorous training he underwent in the management of the complex anatomy of the head and neck exclusively has enhanced his skills in the art of Facial Plastic Surgery. His specialty is in performing deep plane facelifts where the lift not only supports fascia, but helps recontour the entire face, lift fat pads, restoring natural volume in areas where it has fallen, recreating the natural, youthful shape of the face that you once had (perhaps 20 years ago). By using only the natural tissue without overly stretching skin or overly plumping with fat or fillers, a deep plane facelift creates a very natural, rested and youthful appearance.

Sumeet Bhanot, M.D., F.A.C.S Bhanot Facial Plastic Surgery

Bhanot Facial Plastic Surgery is a practice where one can receive specialized care in an intimate setting. All consultations and procedures are performed by Dr. Bhanot himself; personalized care for his patients is his first priority. His practice is not one in which patients are passed over to mid-level providers.

Dr. Bhanot’s passion is surgery for the aging face (facelift, necklift, eyelid lift, browlift), cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty, and facial reconstructive surgery. He also performs the full gamut of noninvasive procedures (fillers, Botox, lasers, peels, etc.).

Dr. Bhanot believes that the true art of plastic surgery achieves dramatic rejuvenation for a naturally beautiful, refreshed, youthful appearance. Hist blend of artistry, expertise, methodical eye for detail, and relentless pursuit for perfection, combined with a compassionate, soft spoken, warm manner has earned him a ranking as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for six consecutive years. Dr. Bhanot is a dedicated family man who enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Kelly and their three adorable children. He has resided in and served the Sarasota area for the last fourteen years.

2038 Bee Ridge Rd Sarasota, FL 34239 941.966.3223 JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

81

Moufid John H. Abdo, M.D.

Lakewood Ranch Office 8433 Enterprise Circle Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941.366.9222 earsinus.com

Dr. Moufid John H. Abdo’s interest in medicine began in childhood and continues to spur his desire to bring patients effective treatments for head and neck disorders. Dr. Abdo is a general ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who is board certified in head and neck surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology and treats patients of all ages. “I like to stay at the forefront of what is available, and I’m always trying to get the best technology and treatments,” he said. “I am eager to learn new things that I can apply in my practice to benefit my patients, and I don’t mind filling gaps, if needed, to provide additional service to the community.”

One of the advanced treatments Dr. Abdo performs is the ultra minimally invasive balloon sinuplasty, which is done in the office under local anesthesia to establish natural drainage of the sinuses. He also is skilled at sinus surgery, including difficult sinus polyp cases, repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and nasal obstructions. Dr. Abdo also works

82

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

with adults and children with obstructive sleep apnea, and he treats head and neck masses, such as enlarged lymph nodes, which can be caused by infections such as Lyme disease or cat scratch disease. “I also see many patients with a broad range of throat complaints,” he said, “which can include hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.”

Dr. Abdo has 30 years of experience and joined the Silverstein Institute from a practice in upstate New York where he earned recognition from colleagues and patients. He also served as the Chief of ENT Section for the Department of Surgery at UHS Hospitals and Clinics in Johnson City and as Clinical Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology at the Binghamton Campus, Upstate Medical University, College of Medicine SUNY. “I try to be as thorough as possible, and I believe patients should expect to be really taken care of. I don’t take a cookie cutter approach,” Dr. Abdo said.

“Every patient is special, and I try to give each one the attention they deserve.”

Dr. Alfred Hernandez is an experienced dermatologist with a strong academic background. Dr. Hernandez specializes in dermatological surgery, Mohs surgery and skin cancer but also offers cosmetic procedures. Following graduation from medical school at the University of Miami, he was a dermatology resident at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute.

Alfred Hernandez, M.D. Hernandez Dermatology

Following his residency, he held a research position at the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Hernandez spent 10 years as a professor of dermatology at the University of Maryland and University of Tennessee. For 25 years, he taught courses at the national board review course for dermatologists preparing to take their certification examination. Dr. He continues to teach medical students and dermatology residents. Dr. Hernandez also has a record of successfully handling cases that have been difficult to resolve. His academic approach and experience enable him to diagnosis and treat complex skin problems.

“I enjoy taking care of people and resolving their problems. I take care of hair, nail and skin diseases although a large part of my practice is treating patients with skin cancer,” he said. Dr. Hernandez is a highly experienced Mohs surgeon and utilizes this procedure for effectively treating skin cancer because of its high cure rate. Patients feel that his surgical skills result in excellent cures and cosmetic results. “My patients see me because I do not use physician assistants and my teaching background helps me explain their diseases and treatments,” he said. “This combination results in great patient satisfaction.”

1849 S Osprey Avenue Sarasota, FL 34239 941.957.4767 hernandezdermatology.com

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

83

Orlando Cicilioni, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

443 John Ringling Blvd., Suite K Sarasota, FL 34236 941.388.1110 AltioraPlasticSurgery.com OCicilioni@orlandocicilioni.com

Dr. Orlando Cicilioni is a skilled plastic surgeon with expertise in surgical and non-invasive facial enhancement and body sculpting who also is widely recognized for his aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgeries. Dr. Cicilioni successfully practiced in Orlando for 19 years where he chaired the plastic surgery department for Florida Hospital’s seven campuses for 10 years. “My goal is to create a more refreshed and youthful appearance with what the person already has rather than changing who they are,” Dr. Cicilioni said. “My background in the arts allows me to combine my sense of aesthetics and beauty with an understanding of the human body.

My patients won’t come out looking overdone.” As the father of triplet girls, he understands the needs of women who desire mommy makeovers and specializes in those procedures.

All major cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries are performed at accredited outpatient facilities at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and The Doctors Hospital.

Dr. Cicilioni also offers full aesthetician services at the MedSpa, which is located on St. Armand’s Circle,

84

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

and he personally performs all the Botox and filler injections. Dr. Cicilioni is a board certified plastic surgeon who graduated Summa Cum Laude in biology from the University of Scranton and who was at the top of his medical school class at Thomas Jefferson University. He completed a general surgery residency and plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Florida. Dr. Cicilioni also developed a new surgical procedure for repairing the breastbone after open heart surgery and has toured the world to teach the technique to other physicians.

“My patients know that my goal is to give them the best possible result and make them happy,” he said.

“I listen to their concerns and needs respectfully and try to find out what they want to achieve. Then I consider how I can best and most safely accomplish it for them.” Dr. Cicilioni also uses his surgical skills to aid children in Mexico with cleft lips and palates.

When he’s not taking care of patients, he assumes his role as a family man. Dr. Cicilioni and his wife, Lori, have seven children. Their five school-age children attend Pine View School.

Since Dr. Fabian Ramos established the Ramos Center for Interventional and Functional Pain Medicine in 1999, he has been known for offering the latest advancements and multiple modalities for providing his patients with relief from chronic pain. Dr. Ramos now has new hope for patients with debilitating pain in their lower backs, legs, necks and arms with a new generation of high-frequency spinal cord stimulation. The 10 kHZ High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulator helps patients with persistent pain despite previous surgeries, complex regional pain syndrome, previously known as RSD, and chronic compression of the nerve roots, among others.

“This is greatly improved compared to previous technology with 10,000 hertz versus older stimulators with very low frequency, which could cause sleep disturbances or issues while driving,” Dr. Ramos said. “These potential side effects are eliminated with this new device, and outcomes are much better. Current ongoing studies are also showing the device has great results for patients with chronic abdominal pain from conditions such as adhesions following surgery or gastroparesis and for chronic visceral pain.”

The stimulator works by blocking nerve signals from reaching the sensory cortex in the brain, eliminating or greatly reducing pain sensations. Implantation of the device, including for the initial one-week trial and permanent placement, are done minimallyinvasively on an outpatient basis.

Dr. Ramos is one of the first board certified specialists in the U.S. to be recognized by the prestigious World Institute of Pain, and he is triple board certified in anesthesiology, pain medicine and interventional pain medicine. At his Sarasota and Bradenton locations (and soon Venice) all insurance is accepted, and he offers a wide range of leading edge and minimally invasive treatments along with medical management for pain. These include pain management for cancer patients such as pain pumps and targeted radiofrequency ablation of metastatic spinal tumors. He also treats pain from vertebral fractures as well as offering pumps for generalized spasticity for patients with traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis among other conditions. A variety of nerve blocks and injections provide relief from nerve, spinal, joint and muscle pain. Patients also have access to physical therapy, clinical hypnotherapy, and behavioral health support.

Fabian Ramos, M.D. Ramos Center

100 3rd Avenue West Suite 110, Bradenton, FL 5741 Bee Ridge Road Suite 550, Sarasota, FL 941.708.9555 RamosCenter.com JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

85

Mark Mathieson, M.D.

1950 Arlington Street Suite 112, Sarasota, FL 34239 941.213.BODY (2639) drmarkmathieson.com

Dr. Mark Mathieson has a passion for medicine that began at an early age and just a touch of obsessiveness about his work as a plastic surgeon that has created tight bonds of loyalty with his patients. Dr. Mathieson’s practice, Sterling Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, encompasses services from body contouring and skin cancer surgery to surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. “I knew since kindergarten that I wanted to be a doctor. It was the only thing I ever wanted to do,” he says. “During my general surgery training, I was attracted to reconstructive plastic surgery. I liked the challenge of manipulating tissue to make a noticeable, and positive change for someone.”

Not a “white coat” kind of doctor, Dr. Mathieson has a personable professional demeanor and tries to create a friendly office atmosphere with attention focused solely on his patients. This creates a bond of trust that has patients returning for additional services, including from his previous practice in Ohio. “Kindness, compassion and thoroughness

86 86

SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE || JANUARY JANUARY 2018 2018

are my goals. I try to create a personal experience with my patients rather than having them deal with an ancillary person. I know my patients and their families,” he says. “I get enriched from working with my patients, and I hope it is the same for them. I value taking care of people, and I want them to be treated as patients were in the past. The best thing anyone could ever say is that he treated me better than any other doctor.”

In addition to Dr. Mathieson’s experience with breast reconstruction, augmentations, lifts and reductions, he is known for his body contouring procedures, such as tummy tucks and arm lifts as well as liposuction.

He also performs skin cancer surgeries with and without MOHS services. Dr. Mathieson is skilled at facial injectables including wrinkle relaxants and fillers along with a variety of laser treatments for hair reduction and skin resurfacing and tightening.

Aesthetician services include facials, masks, peels and microdermabrasion.

world class theatre • made in sarasota

941.351.8000 | asolorep.org

an “ absolute

joy from

beginning to

end.”

—Daily Express

JAN 12 – MAR 28 PREVIEWS JAN 10 – 11

Based on the screenplay by MARC NORMAN and TOM STOPPARD Adapted for the stage by LEE HALL Directed by RACHEL ROCKWELL

Laura Rook and Jordan Brown. Photo by John Revisky.

SPONSORS

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

87

NEW SARASOTA TOWNHOMES FINAL OPPORTUNITIES Resort-style community pool and cabana

DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY – ONLY A FEW NEW SARASOTA TOWNHOMES REMAIN LONG BOAT KEY

Receive special savings and HOA dues paid for 1 year*

789

SARASOTA DOWNTOWN

789

41

LIDO KEY BEACH

S BENEVA RD

• New Townhomes with 1,388 SF - 1,807 Sq.Ft. • Gated entry, resort-style pool & cabana • Low maintenance, Sarasota lifestyle • Lock up and be at the beach in a few minutes • Premier location close to Siesta Key & Downtown

780

MATTAMY HOMES THE ENCLAVE AT FOREST LAKES

Townhomes from the upper $200s

SALES CENTER

WEBBER ST

758

3637 Tin Cup Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34232

75

SIESTA KEY

2 decorated models open daily

Pre-sales begin this month for new paired villas and single family homes at Sunrise Preserve. Don’t miss out – join our VIP Interest List today.

To explore our other Sarasota communities – Harmony at Lakewood Ranch & Renaissance at West Villages – visit mattamyhomes.com/Tampa.

To learn more or schedule your personal tour call 813- 563- 0349

* HOA Fees will be paid for 12 months and value will not exceed $2,604. Valid on new contracts for select homes only, that are signed 12/15/17 - 1/30/18 and close upon completion.

All pricing, availability and plans subject to change without notice. Please see a Mattamy Homes New Home Counselor for additional details. Terms and conditions apply. E.&O.E. Builder CGC #1524054

MAT_TPA_039_ForestLake_Scene_Magazine_HalfPage.indd 1 MATTAMPA - FOREST LAKE - Scene Magazine - Magazine

Due: Dec 4, 2017

File Name: MAT_TPA_039_ForestLake_Scene_Magazine_HalfPage Trim: 7.25”x 4.875” Bleed: NA

Publication: Scene

Safety/V.O.: N/A Colours: CMYK

2017-12-04 4:31 PM

DPI: 300

Envision the wedding of your dreams.

We’ll make it a reality.

Built: Dec4, 2017 MC

We welcome you to discover the endless possibilities for your perfect day and say “I do” with Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Our savvy event planners and culinary experts will collaborate with you to create a truly memorable occasion in any of our flexible indoor and outdoor spaces.

Plus, as a Hyatt Gold Passport® member, you can earn points for your wedding booking, redeemable for honeymoon nights at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide.

For more information, call 941 363 2603 or visit sarasota.regency.hyatt.com.

HYATT REGENCY SARASOTA 1000 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, Florida, USA, 34236 The trademarks HYATT®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Gold Passport® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2016 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

| JANUARY 2018 88SRQSS5333_HR SARASOTA SCENE Sarasota Scene Magazine Half Pg Ad.indd 1

6/2/2016 6:54:24 PM

social SCENE

Scene TOGETHER

NOVEMBER 10, 2017

RACHEL PALLADINO & SHAWN SANDERS

COUPLES ON THEIR WEDDING DAY

JANUARY JANUARY2018 2018| |SARASOTA SARASOTASCENE SCENE 89 89

social SCENE

PALLADINO & SANDERS If there is such a thing as the quintessential American couple, it just may be beautiful preschool teacher Rachel and handsome firefighter Shawn.

Rachel is the daughter of Susan and Nick Palladino of Nashville, who are in the film and entertainment industry. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Rachel’s path would take her out of “Music City” to Sarasota where she has lots of family, including her aunt and uncle, Cafe Baci owners Denise and Roberto Mei, and her cousins Lea Mei Buchanan and Michael Mei. She now teaches preschoolers at Forty Carrots Family Center and loves every minute of it.

Shawn was born and raised in Sarasota, graduated from SCTI’s Fire Academy, and boasts a lineage that brings us back to old Sarasota. His parents are artists Rick and Diana Sanders. Shawn’s grandfather on his mother’s side was well-known Sarasota artist Bob Chase, who along with his wife, Jean, ran The Chase School of Art and Studio Gallery, which they opened in 1952. He and Jean were great friends with Marie Selby.

In honor of his dear friend Mrs. Selby, Bob, who died a few years ago at age 94, volunteered for many years at Selby Gardens, greeting visitors and telling stories of old. So when it came time for Rachel and Shawn to decide where to have their wedding, was there really a choice? It was held at Selby Gardens, of course!

Rachel and Shawn were introduced through a good friend five years ago. While having dinner, her friend told her about someone she thought would be perfect for her. She showed Rachel a photo of Shawn and Rachel thought he was really cute. She told her friend to give Shawn her number. He called her two days later and the rest is history. Shawn proposed in December of 2016 while they were enjoying the morning on their boat. There was only one special witness to their pledge of love - their precious lab mix Sierra.

Planners: Affairs in the Air and NK Productions with lead planner Rachael LaMagna; Flowers: Beneva Florist; Venue: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens; Hair and Makeup: Brides by Kelly Anne; Catering: Michael’s on East; Dress: Blush By Haley Page; Photographer: Alisa Sue Photography; Videographer: Eric Welch; Officiant: Notary to go - Jen Moore; DJ: Fitz Otis; Ceremony music: IBEX productions; Invitations/all paper: Write-On Sarasota; Cake: Honeycomb Cakes; Transportation: Primetime Limos 90

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

They married among family and friends and during the beautiful reception, best man Tyler Rodrigue surprised them by bringing in a firefighting ladder truck. The couple went to Sri Lanka for their honeymoon.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

91

social SCENE

NOVEMBER 18, 2017

GABRIELE VEST & JUSTIN HARRIS

VEST + HARRIS She’s beautiful, charming and smart. He’s dashing, interesting and creative. When Gaby met Justin, it was love at first sight. For Justin, it was wait a minute (or a month), but inevitably their love was meant to be.

The granddaughter of Dr. Gabriel and Mrs. Cora Massaro of New Port Richey, Gabriele was born in Rockville, Maryland, raised in a small town in Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee. She moved to Sarasota to be with family, and worked her way up the ranks at Grapevine Communications, a top local public relations agency. She now serves as its vice president of business development.

Born in Sarasota, Justin lived for nine years in Cape Town, South Africa, his dad’s homeland. At age 11, he moved to England, his mom’s homeland. After completing school, he lived for a year in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef as a flare bartender (Gabriele says he’s still doing tricks in the kitchen!) and then found his way back to Sarasota. Justin designs and sells custom closets for California Closets and his mom, Nichola Derbyshire, now lives on Siesta Key.

92

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

They met when Justin moved in across the hall from Gabriele’s downtown Sarasota condo building. She was smitten as soon as she saw him, but Justin had just ended a relationship and wasn’t ready to jump into another. They were always running into each other. Their friends started becoming friends, and the groups ultimately merged into one.

They eventually went on a date and became inseparable. Six years later, the couple have a home in Lakewood Ranch and two fur babies Lola and Huey.

Their romantic engagement could be a Hallmark movie scene. They flew to England on a Christmas Eve to spend the holiday with Justin’s mom. They went for Christmas dinner a local event venue, where Santa arrived, visiting each table and giving gifts to the children. When Santa eventually made his way to their table and gave Gabriele a present, she was mildly confused, since only children were receiving presents. The thought of a ring never crossed her mind until, several layers of wrapping paper and boxes later, she was left with a ring box. She opened the box, snapped it closed and cried. Justin proposed, which she excitedly accepted.

Gabriele called Selby Gardens as soon as she got off the plane. She knew that was where she wanted to get married; for her, there was no other choice. With more than 130 of their closest friends and family, they wed at the Selby Gardens gazebo, watched the sunset over the bay, enjoyed cocktails under the Banyans and danced into the night. Their wedding was everything they dreamed of.

One special touch Gabriele and Justin incorporated into their fairytale wedding is a tradition honoring Jason’s South African and English heritage. The ladies were encouraged to wear hats and fascinators to the wedding, which they excitedly did.

The exhilaration of their wedding day didn’t end there.

Gabriele had planned a very special surprise. Justin had always told her wanted a motorcycle, to which she would reply that he couldn’t get one until she got a ring. Making good on their joke, Gabriele had a 1987 (Justin’s birth year) BMW Cafe Racer custom built by Iron Thrills Motorcycle Co. in Fort Myers. Needless to say, he was shocked and thrilled.

For their honeymoon, Gabriele and Justin enjoyed exploring, relaxing on the beach, and scuba diving in the beautiful country of Bali.

Venue: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens; Wedding Planner: Ashley Gruters, SRQtees; Photographer/Videographer/DJ & Photo Booth: Fairytale Productions; Caterer: Michael’s On East; Cakes: A Slice of Heaven; Lighting: Affairs in the Air; Florist: Flowers By Fudgie; Dress & Veil: “The Dare”

by Hayley Paige from Calvet Couture Bridal; Makeup: Olivia Gibson; Invitation Design: Lisa Grasso, Grapevine Communications; Rehearsal Dinner: Louies Modern

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

93

philanthropy

Buy a Book

The “Take a Look—

—Donate” Campaign

BY RYAN G. VAN CLEAVE

WHEN SHEILA BIRNBAUM SEES A NEED, SHE FEELS AN OBLIGATION TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THAT’S SURELY THANKS TO HER LONG CAREER UP IN THE NORTHEAST AS A PATIENT ADVOCATE, WHICH MEANS SHE SPENT DECADES HELPING OTHERS. Birnbaum’s first initiative was The Pajama Game. She sent hundreds of letters asking people to donate new pajamas and books when they come together for social gaming, such as card games, board games, or bingo.

That initiative gave more than 250 children books, cozy new pajamas, and soft stuffed animals. These items provide a sense of comfort and security to at-risk children who are served by JFCS of the Suncoast.

And three years ago, when she realized that veterans and the homeless in our community often don’t have an adequate supply of socks, she acted. “It’s unacceptable,” says Birnbaum.

“Some of the homeless walk 4,000 miles per year but don’t have any socks. And when veterans come back home and start looking for jobs, many don’t have dress socks. They come to career counseling but suddenly realize they don’t have the appropriate brown, black, or

94

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

blue socks required to look professional at a job interview.” So she partnered with JFCS of the Suncoast to address that need. Soon after, the community responded by giving 4,000 pairs of socks.

Her latest cause? Fighting illiteracy. “Over 35 million people can’t read beyond a third-grade level,” she says. “It’s a staggering statistic, but it’s why I’m making an ongoing commitment to fight the illiteracy crisis on a local level.” That’s what her “Take a Look—Buy a Book—Donate” campaign is all about. Designed to promote literacy to children from Pre-K to 5th grade— with an emphasis on low-income and at-risk children—the program seeks to provide new books to area youth. She ran the program last February and March, and thanks to its success, she plans to do it again in 2018 during those same months.

philanthropy

Last year, some of the 2,200+ donated books netted by the “Take a Look—Buy a Book— Donate” campaign went to the sheriff’s department.

Why? Officers kept a few in their car in case they ever had a situation where a child needed to be distracted while the officer had to interact with parents. Plus they kept some in the waiting room at the police station for the same reason. Other books found their way to local hospitals, especially to the waiting rooms in pediatrics and maternity floors. “We really simply want the books to reach the community,” adds Birnbaum. JFCS of the Suncoast case workers and case managers directly deliver most of the books to children they know, Birnbaum adds, since they know exactly where the greatest needs are.

A huge win for the program is partnering with the Library Foundation of Sarasota County to allow “Take a look—Buy a book” to piggyback on James Patterson’s February 7, 2018 visit to Sarasota. When someone buys a ticket for that event, they’ll be invited to donate a book. Birnbaum will have a drop-off bin at the event, too, with signage about the program. She says, “It’s going to be a sellout lunch crowd of 600, so

“Designed to promote literacy to children from Pre-K to 5th grade— with an emphasis on low-income and at-risk children—the program seeks to provide new books to area youth.”

Sheila Birnbaum

having a presence there and showcasing the program is a great opportunity.”

themselves, then drop off in person, and they will take comfort in knowing they had a big impact on the life of a kid who lives right here in our own backyard.

The Sarasota County Library system, too, has gotten behind this program, allowing Birnbaum to have bins in all nine county libraries during the month of February. They’ll be easy to spot, Birnbaum promises, since each bin will be wrapped in children’s designs.

Want a way to help? Drop off a new, unwrapped children’s book at JFCS of the Suncoast on Fruitville Road. But, Birnbaum notes, there are other ways to participate. Having a dinner party? When the guests ask if they can bring anything, mention that they could bring a book to donate to “Take a Look—Buy a Book—Donate.” What about those who have a poker, mahjong, or bingo group? Ask for everyone to bring along a book donation for the next gathering. Having a birthday? Maybe suggest a book donation versus another gift you might not have a use for. And what about those who aren’t shoppers but still want to help out? “Pick up a gift card and send it along to JFCS earmarked for the book drive,” Birnbaum says. “We’ll take it from there.”

Birnbaum counts herself lucky to have so many willing partners, such as the National Council of Jewish Women, the Kiwanis Club, Bank of America, the Junior League of Sarasota, and Designing Women, which are just some of the other partners willing to help. But there’s always room for more support.

Birnbaum adds that while the people of Sarasota and Manatee counties are very supportive and giving, they don’t always know where that donation goes. With her program, they can touch it.

They can feel it. It’s something tangible that they can buy

“The spirt of volunteerism is alive and well in our community,” explains Birnbaum. “Despite the pace and pressure of everyday life, thousands of our friends and neighbors are quietly reaching out in order to make a difference in a variety of ways.” But she doesn’t take it for granted. After the book drive is over, she sits at her kitchen table and sends out thank you notes. “Success is sweetest when it’s shared,” she says. Her hope is to see much to be proud of and, when it’s all said and done, reported in the JFCS of the Suncoast newsletter and website.

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

about JFCS of the Suncoast or the “Take a Look—Buy a Book—Donate” campaign, please visit www.jfcs-cares.org or call 941.366.2224.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

95

96

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

on the town

Scenes from AN INTERVIEW

by Gus Mollasis

Sarasota Mayor Shelli Freeland Eddie

H

er appointment book is filled; her days are full. As both a practicing attorney and the mayor of the city of Sarasota, there is little time to spare and it is so precious. Shelli Freeland Eddie chooses to spend her precious time advocating, fighting and being committed to causes for which she is passionate about, like affordable housing and providing assistance to women who are in crisis situations.

Born in Louisville and educated at the University of Kentucky, Ms. Eddie moved to

Sarasota with her parents, made it her home, and now spends every day tending to the needs of the folks who are both her constituents and friends. And she’s doing an outstanding job, as evidenced by the Presidential Award for Community Service she received in 2016 from President Obama’s administration.

As I sat down to talk with her, I could sense her passion and excitement about our city, as we took a look at some scenes from an interview from her life.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

97

on the town developers; it takes nonprofits; it takes community. We’re all working together.

It looks as if there is some momentum, and I’m happy about that.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I wanted to be a lawyer.

Did you wear the other hat and run for class president?

In high school and college, I was involved in student government. I always had one foot in that world.

What was the greatest lesson your mom and dad taught you?

They introduced me to Christ.

Is being mayor of Sarasota what you expected it would be?

(Smiles) Well, I had never done it before.

I had no real frame of reference. As you know, by nature the city commission position is a part-time job, which it’s not; it’s way full-time. And the mayor is the ceremonial appointment. I didn’t know how involved it would be regarding staff and with meeting leaders of the community. I knew that there would be meetings and events and those types of things. For me, I wanted to be involved in policy decisions and really get into the weeds on some of our issues. Thankfully, they have been accommodating in allowing me to do that. Each mayor has a different personality and they work with who is there, and they’ve worked with

98

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

me to allow me to have a seat at the table where possible. I didn’t know what to expect, so it’s been a learning experience.

What has been your biggest challenge and your greatest sense of accomplishment thus far?

The biggest challenge has been balancing traffic and development in our growing community, which is a compliment, but also a challenge. Biggest accomplishment I would say is that I’m really happy we were able to provide relief to our retired firefighters. It’s been a struggle to provide some assistance to the rising costs from insurance premiums from the city to our retirees. It’s been a struggle for the last several commissions. We actually moved the needle with this term, so I’m really proud to have been a part of that.

What is the one thing that you hope to accomplish during your term?

Affordable workforce housing in our community.

Are we getting closer?

We’re getting closer, but we still have a long way to go. But we’re just a piece of the puzzle. It takes the county; it takes

Are some of these high-rise buildings that we are seeing downtown solving part of the equation?

No. They’re not affordable at all. And that’s why we still have work to do.

So we’re going to look at other parts of the community where there is land where we can build. We’re going into the revision of our zoning code, the form-based code, and we’re going to be looking at zoning and some ways to make it easier for developers to be able to afford to build workforce housing.

There has to be, in my opinion, a commitment and a want to do it by all of the stakeholders. We’re slowly getting there.

One of your other passions is helping women in crisis, and in particular with the Women’s Resource Center, where you offer some legal services. Tell us about that.

Both Women’s Resource Center and More Too Life are nonprofits that work with women in the community and they have an “Ask the Lawyer” segment.

I go to each organization once a month and just have consultations with women. It could be someone homeless who needs help with housing. It could be someone newly divorced who needs to go back into the workplace.

It could be a woman who, because of criminal consequences, had some rights terminated and wants to fix that process. At More Too Life, it is women and young girls who have been victims of sexual and human trafficking who are beginning to rebuild their lives legally and socially. Legally the state and the federal government are beginning to change and write laws that allow women to have their previous records sealed or expunged that were created out of their victimization. A

on the town

case in point is a woman who was involved in sexual trafficking often has several prostitution charges and convictions. Well, that woman or young lady was forced into that lifestyle because she was a victim of human trafficking. The legal result is that she’s been arrested and convicted several times for prostitution. So now she’s on the other side of recovery, trying to rebuild her life, trying to gain employment, trying to be a good candidate for stable housing. But now she has a record and doesn’t qualify for housing assistance. So we’re working with state lawmakers to remove those barriers which were not her fault.

What did you feel when you received an award for community service from the Obama Administration?

It was an honor. Number one because I didn’t even know that it existed and to receive the letter, the certificate and the pen from him was just special. It kind of reminds you that we are still in this together.

Describe the challenge of balancing your time between being an attorney and mayor.

It is time and it is tough. Part of the problem for me is that in order for the city to move forward, they will have to decide if they want the mayor’s position to be a full-time position so that folks can give it their all and not be divided if they’re vocational. For me as a business owner, I have the ability to make myself available to attend to the needs of the city, but it’s at a balance to my career. For folks who are looking to get involved and get engaged, they don’t always have that luxury of either being self-employed, having their own schedule, and being able to afford

to reduce what they might make so that they can serve. For me, it’s been a struggle from a time perspective. But also there are times when one life flows into the other. We might be in a commission meeting until midnight and I have a trial the next morning. So I have to plan and work differently.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What is your best quality as a city leader?

I think two things. One is my ability to listen and put myself in the other person’s shoes. The other is to be prepared to discuss the issues. I pride myself in knowing what we’re supposed to talk about. It does not mean I have all the answers, it just means I’m prepared to discuss the issue and that I’ve taken the time to get the background information to ask the right questions. I think that’s critical. I think the city deserves informed commissioners.

The homeless issue is complex. How do you strike a balance between being compassionate and helping downtown business owners who say that vagrant loitering hurts their business?

I think we continue to offer services and work on our housing crisis, which is not only for working families, but also for chronic homeless. I also think we have a responsibility as law enforcement that if a law is being broken, we should do enforcement. We’re doing all three. Our

With Lester Holt In the Newtown community after Hurricane Irma - 2017

Help film director Steven achieve his dream.

Invest in our community’s professionals one graduate at a time.

Investments can be made in the form of recurring or one-time donations, equipment, supplies, and/or scholarships to help students reach their graduation milestone.

Contact Barbara Bourgoin 941-752-5398 or bourgob@SCF.edu

SCF-Foundation.org JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

99

2018 Season Presenter CAN Community Health

SIXTH ANNUAL

student ten-minute playwriting festival

A collection of original works by students from local high schools

At the JANe B. COOK theAtRe At ASOLO/FSU CeNteR FOR the PeRFORMING ARtS 5555 North tamiami trail, Sarasota

February 3rd 2018 7:30 February 4th 2018 2:00 Reserved Seating $12 Students $5 with ID For more information, call 941-799-7224 or visit www.theatreodyssey.org

Photography By: Dick Disammartino

The 2018 Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival is sponsored in part by our Season Presenter, CAN Community Health, and the Dorothy B. Templeton Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Sarasota Scene Magazine, Leona Collesano, Donna DeFant, Ron & Pat Pantello, and The Bobs...Trisolini & Nosal 100

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

on the town hot teams are the leaders on the city side in terms of educating individuals who are homeless to make sure that they are aware of services, options and resources that we offer, while at the same time attend to the concerns of our business owners who desire a clean and safe place to do business that attracts folks so that their bottom line is not impacted.

Providing resources for both helps not pit the two against each other.

What is the one issue regarding the city that keeps you up at night?

Again, it’s housing. I get the benefit of meeting with so many different groups of people in various community centers.

For a teacher or person who works in retail, or in a restaurant, or in health care, they have good jobs that are steady paying, but it doesn’t keep up with the cost of living. They are driving to work in Sarasota from North Port and Parrish, and sometimes even coming from St. Pete and Pinellas County. They drive back because they can’t afford to live here. That quality of life is in part what contributes to our traffic concerns and congestion. But it also creates a distressed work force in my opinion, because you sit on I-75 to get to work. What do we have to do to get to a place where you can afford to live in the city where you work? It’s not a one-party solution. We’re all going to have to see how we can all play a role. This is an issue that continues to be a challenge for me because, if you think about it from the 30,000-foot view, how does it impact industry? How does it impact traffic?

How does it impact your workforce?

What about the college student who would like to come back here and work?

I think affordable housing is definitely a tool in attracting college students who’ve graduated to at least give us a second look. We are implementing on-thejob training in colleges and vocational schools where people are given the skills to start out, but we’re not providing them with affordable housing options so that they can stay here. We also have our established retirees who live on fixed incomes, and now because of rises in property tax values, they are beginning to be priced out of their homes. Then we have our low and very low-income

residents who will never get out of public housing, which is supposed to be temporary and not a permanent place.

There are so many different dynamics to the affordable housing question and issue.

Do you have a mantra that you live by?

I don’t think there’s just one. I try to live by the faith principles I was raised on and what I believe. But I also try not to judge folks. It’s easy for us to assume why somebody does what they do, and you can place anybody into that person. It could be our development community; it could be an individual; it could be the person who has found themselves homeless; it could be the low-income worker; it could be any of us. And life happens and we are very quick to judge. We blame them for circumstances. Practicing as a defense attorney in the community and seeing folks who are at their worst, I have learned that we treat people like we want to be treated and we expect and believe the best about people and we don’t judge an entire group based upon a decision that one person may have made. To me it’s just using fairness.

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t consequences either, because there is order. There are times, and criminal law is an example, where if a crime has been committed, and facts have been proven, then there should be consequences.

But we also have the ability to fashion a remedy that makes both the community and the person better on the other side of it.

Years from now, what do you hope for you and for Sarasota?

For me family is important. Years from now I hope to be married with a family, and hopefully raise a child or children who have a mindset of service and not see color, and work with folks and do the work that needs to be done. For our community, I hope that if we raise our children in that way then we will have the kind of community that we like to see and live in. But we also have to be willing to be able to sacrifice some of what we have in order for others to get what they need.

on the town

And this town does that in bushels?

It does to a certain extent. But if you ask people how they feel about affordable housing, they assume that affordable housing means poor, lazy people who more likely than not are persons of color.

That’s a negative mindset that needs to be addressed. It’s not about that. It’s about working families. It’s about single college students. It’s about people having the right to live in nice clean place and not be reduced to a certain part of town, wherever that is, in order to have access to the same services. It doesn’t mean that were not going to all have to live out on Lido. I’m not saying that. There should be a variation in between.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

101

Keeping their lights on.

Lightening their burden.

The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center provides reduced overhead expenses and rent at nearly half the market rate to its 16 nonprofit tenant partners, all in one location. Keeping their lights on means their doors are open to more people in need.

It just makes sense... dollars and cents.

Glasser/Schoenbaum is a nonprofit organization too. Consider supporting your community with a contribution to our Campus of Caring.

1750 17th St Bldg J-1, Sarasota, FL 34234 | (941) 365-4545 | GS-HumanServices.org

In 1989 I purchased “Eco-Conscious Dry Cleaning�

Carlson Cleaners.

At 23 years old I worked

tirelessly as any young

ENTREPRENEUR

would do to grow their business.

I have learned the ins & outs

of running a smooth operation.

I think you will see this in our

QUALITY & SERVICE. Sincerely,

Don Carlson Sr. 3115 Southgate Circle Sarasota, Fl. 34239

(941) 275-4647

5193 Clark Road Sarasota, Fl. 34233

102

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

on the town

Education MATTERS

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

USF SARASOTA-MANATEE STUDENTS MAKE THE MOST OF INTERNSHIPS With the job market only growing more competitive, college students are eager to find ways to stand out from the crowd and secure job placement. Internship experience is one of those ways, with over 80 percent of college students graduating with an internship under their belt as of 2017, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

“It’s a good way to test out a career they may have an interest in but don’t yet have experience with,” said Lauren Kurnov, assistant vice president for student success at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM). “They can just get their feet wet.”

Last year alone, 318 of approximately 2,000 students at USFSM were paired with an internship through its Career Services office. NACE reports 60 percent of college grads with internship experience received at least one job offer, compared to 36 percent of students with no internship experience.

“It’s a terrific way for students to get the real-world, practical experience that employers are looking for,” Kurnov said.

Over 91 percent of employers prefer that their candidates have work experience, with 56 percent preferring that it come from an internship, according to a recent NACE report.

“It’s also an ideal way for local employers to get to know our local students.”

The majority of USFSM students have previously established roots in the Sarasota-Manatee community, having graduated from local high schools or State College of Florida. Having students with established ties in the area encourages year-round community involvement and increases the likelihood that students will remain in the region after graduation. Building relationships with local employers throughout students’ college careers takes that a step further, helping our community retain the best and brightest students after graduation.

Jay Riley, director of business outreach and engagement

for USFSM, said the relationships students build now with local businesses can extend long after graduation.

through coursework, hands-on experience and available internship opportunities.

“It’s a mutually beneficial relationship,” Riley said.

“Our students gain realworld experience, and these businesses get a chance to cultivate the talent within our walls. It’s a win-win.”

“We aim to provide our students with the tools they need to go out and impress our community,” Riley said. “We want to build a reputation among local businesses that USFSM students are well educated and eager to learn.”

USFSM has existing relationships with multiple community partners, such as Mote Marine Laboratory and The Resort at Longboat Key Club, where students have the opportunity to make the most of these relationships

Finding the right internship is essential in creating these long-lasting relationships.

Sami Araboghli, a sophomore interdisciplinary social sciences major at USFSM, is interning at the office of Congressman Buchanan.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

103

on the town

“My internship is a perfect fit for my future career plans,” Araboghli said. “I aspire to work in the field of diplomacy, and having actual experience in politics is a great benefit. I have been given the opportunity to network with many influential people in our community, and that will definitely aid me in reaching my career goals.”

While he is only a sophomore, the learning experience for Araboghli has proven to be invaluable, preparing him for a future career in politics.

“The most important thing I have learned so far during my internship is the important role that politics and the federal government plays in our everyday lives,” he said. “I get to see the relationship between the people and the government, and it is wonderful to see its operation and its diligent work.”

For Victoria Yoder, a senior professional and technical communication major at USFSM, her internship at Fuse Media allowed her to try something new in a learning-friendly environment.

“I’m learning to try new things even if I don’t feel fully qualified,” she said.

“It’s easy to feel like we have to know

104

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

everything and have it all figured out before we pursue new opportunities, but sometimes those challenges are what will develop the skills we need.”

Her internship has allowed her gain valuable experience and insight that she might not have gotten in a classroom.

“Learning how to write for a target audience, to research new topics and to work with an editor are three things I will take anywhere I go,” she said. “I also gained experience with WordPress and online publications, which plays directly into my career plans.”

Whether sophomores or seniors, future politicians or writers, students at USFSM are surrounded by opportunities to expand their knowledge outside of the classroom, build relationships with local employers and cultivate their future careers. At the same time, our entire community thrives when talented, forward-thinking graduates choose to launch their careers locally.

“We’ve got dedicated, hard-working students here,” Kurnov said. “These internships are a way for employers to find out just how good they are, too.”

“We aim to provide our students with the tools they need to go out and impress our community . . .

We want to build a reputation among local businesses that USFSM students are well educated and eager to learn.”

- Jay Riley

F O R M O R E IN F O RM ATI O N

on University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, please visit www.usfsm.edu or call 941.359.4200

on the town

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

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

105

on the town

Organic Quinoa Rice Pilaf. Recipe on next page.

Healthy Eating Made Easy at Café Evergreen

By Rick Dakan “You can eat as much as you want and lose weight and feel great.” Oh, I wish that were true! It’s a new year, and a new round of resolutions. Live healthier. Feel better. Easier said than done, especially in the face of all the delicious salt, fat, and sugar-soaked temptations that lurk in every cupboard, grocery aisle, and restaurant menu. But Ted Weinberger’s got some great advice. “When you eat clean, fresh food, you can eat as much as you want and lose weight and feel great. It’s not true that healthy food doesn’t taste good.” And he’s right, especially if you eat at Ted Weinberger and Annette Schmitt’s Café Evergreen in Nokomis.

For eight years, this casual, health-conscious eatery has worked tirelessly to spread the good word about eating your way to a better life. For the first half of its existence, Café Evergreen served customers at the Warm Mineral Springs in North Port.

Then it moved and expanded into its current locale, a quaint building that dates back to 1923, added dinner service and breakfast on weekends, and has been serving bigger and bigger crowds every year since.

Their regulars include “lots of doctors and health care workers,” according to Ted. “People who know that what you put in your body really affects you.”

Café Evergreen works hard to make everything they serve affects diners for the better. “Everything’s made from scratch, no preservatives, less salt,” explains Ted. “It’s meant to be eaten,

106

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

not stored.” The restaurant doesn’t even have a fryer, because they don’t want the smell of oil in the restaurant and can cook healthier without it. For example, baking their sweet potato fries, a decision that exemplifies the restaurant’s whole approach to cooking and even life: don’t give up on flavor, just do the extra work to find a healthier, equally satisfying approach. “It has to taste great or I’m not going to put it on our menu,” Ted repeats over and over again, and it does.

One of the most popular dishes is the avocado sliders. Served on bread made in the café from dehydrated onions, these delicious, aromatic starters are seasoned with micro greens that deliver an intense flavor. For their stir fry dishes, Evergreen uses kelp noodles, which are gluten free, healthy as heck, and add a nice crunch while absorbing the flavors of the sauce, veggies, and proteins they’re served with. The Roasted Beet Reuben has roast beets instead of corned beef, homemade sauerkraut and vegan 1000 Island dressing. But it’s not all veggie and vegan, there’s also a version with Ted’s own baked corned beef recipe, and there’s fish and meat on the menu too.

Café Evergreen puts just as much care and thought into its healthy beverage options. Their homemade Kefir Water, a probiotic drink that promotes a healthy gut and better digestion, is made from water instead of dairy. Ted has kept this probiotic strain going for twelve years. “You won’t find it anywhere else because it’s very sensitive.” The kefir water tastes nice on its own, just a hint of apple juice-like flavor,

on the town but it’s great as an ingredient in other drinks, like the refreshing watermelon and mint summer cooler. But the most surprising sip I took was the Florida blueberry wine, which the menu touts as having the goodness of two pounds of blueberries in every glass. I expected cloying, sweet juice, but was startled to taste a crisp, dry, fruity wine that reminded me of a young Beaujolais.

I came into Café Evergreen with an open mind, ready to hear what Ted had to say, “People need to realize there’s a whole wave of food coming that is healthy and tastes great.” But I came away with more than just a new restaurant to frequent and some great ideas for cooking at home. I found a new mantra for the new year. “Don’t get hung up on calories.

Eat something healthy that’s tasty in a different way. That has good calories.”

I’m not saying there are no donuts or decadent dining experiences in my future, but I figure if I strive for those good, tasty, satisfying calories much more often than not, it could be a pretty great new year.

Organic Quinoa Rice Pilaf 1/2 cup organic red quinoa 1/2 cup organic brown rice 2 cups water 1 tablespoon organic olive oil 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic 1/4 cup diced organic carrots 1/4 cup diced organic onion 1/4 cup diced organic celery 1/2 cup organic gluten free tamari Bring water to boil and add the dry rice and quinoa. Simmer until water is absorbed. While rice/ quinoa is cooking, start sautéing the veggies and garlic in olive oil. When vegetables are tender add to the rice and mix in the tamari. Enjoy on its own or with your favorite healthy protein.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR REST WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK. AFFORDABLE MATTRESSES HAND CRAFTED TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS.

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 4035 Clark Rd, Sarasota unlimitedcomfort.co | 941-921-7771 JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

107

20l8 Mardi Gras Gala The Event of the Year is Back!

Thursday, February 8, 2018 Michael’s On East 6:00 - 9:00 pm

experiencegoodwill.org/events Co-Chairs: Brent Greeno & Ryan Inskeep Honorary Co-Chairs: Jaime & Julie DiDomenico 108

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

insider

Laughing MATTERS

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Y

ou might be asking yourself, “Why does this Ryan Van Cleave person have a humor column in Sarasota Scene Magazine and I don’t?”

Great question. I’ve been asking myself this very same question for about two weeks now. I’ve come up with three answers.

• After a bout of particularly successful class clowning some years back, my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Birkeback (imagine the fun we had with that name!), cornered me outside the boys’ bathroom and confessed that I was “mildly amusing.”

I heard “wildly amusing.”

Like Silly Putty and the Sunday funnies, a heavenly match was made.

• I’ve read exactly three Miami Herald pieces by humorist Dave Barry. Two of them made me laugh.

• I asked my editor, Julie Milton, if I could write a humor column for Sarasota Scene Magazine.

“Are you funny?” she asked.

“Not particularly,” I said.

She shrugged.

I shrugged.

And a column was born.

BOOM! Case closed. Not even Johnny Cochran could argue against evidence like this.

But here’s the thing. On more than one occasion, my wife has declared me to be less than hilarious. If memory serves, the latest evidence of this was when she said I was “as funny as a colonoscopy by a nearsighted proctologist.”

column. People want to share their best LOL stories and jokes.

Often unsolicited. As in pummeling me with material cribbed directly from online sources like “Another 40 OMG-Good Jokes” while my mouth is full of croutons and Romaine lettuce.

What could I reply with but “Mmhph!” right?

So just in case they took that as an affirmative “Mmhph!” here are some of the gems I’ve been assured are slam-dunk knee-slappers.

From my parents: “Talk about that time with the breadbox. You know. The thing. With the other thing? Hilarious.” (They’ve mentioned this “thing” so many times over the years that I’m not too embarrassed to ask what the heck they’re talking about!)

From my two-desks-over colleague at work: “Trump and toasters and I forget the other thing. I had it a moment ago.

Hmmm. I’ll email you when I remember it. But it was so, so awesome. Terrific stuff. Trust me.”

From Daughter #1: “What do you call a seagull that flies over the bay?” (“A bagel.”)

This strikes me as a potential setback for somebody who DOES have a monthly humor column in Sarasota Scene Magazine, after all. It also got me thinking about sending my own proctologist a Pearle Vision gift card for Xmas.

From Daughter #2: “Where does a king keep his armies?” (“In his sleevies.”)

A week back, long after the kids went to bed, I snuck away from a “Gilmore Girls” marathon with my wife to fetch a blueberry Pop-Tart from the kitchen…and en route, I stepped, barefoot, on a LEGO brick, generating about 18 zillion Pascals of pressure and, from the depths of my soul, let loose with a scream so loud that it might’ve launched shock waves all the way down to Naples. My wife told me to stop being a baby. I replied with “I’m pretty sure this hurt more than childbirth,” which caused her to bonk me on the head with a Bounty roll.

With material like this, the column pretty much writes itself!

It really makes me wonder if Lenny Bruce, Jerry Seinfeld, and Chris Rock all were equally blessed with such first-rate source material. Surely, odds are that we all can’t be so lucky.

Clearly her judgment is way off-kilter, so her challenge to my humor IQ can be dismissed. Whew! Crisis averted.

Here’s something I’ve discovered about having my own humor

From Daughter #2 again after gathering her composure after that “sleevies” hit: “Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl in the bathroom?” (“Because the ‘P’ is silent.”)

It only seems fair, though, to give you a clearer sense of the things I do find funny. So here are some of those things, listed in the precise order that they come to me as I sit here in a Cheetos-induced haze, laptop propped up by three neveropened Yellow Pages books, as I watch Thursday Night Football in Mandarin because my TVs SAP button is messed up.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

109

insider •

Penguins wearing hats

•

Quinoa

•

British protest signs (“What do we want?

Evidence-based change!

When do we want it? After peer review!”)

•

Spouses who say “I was just going to start that chore that I notice you’re already doing.”

•

People who pick the seeds off a strawberry.

•

Yellow Pages (my kid once saw one of those dinosaur-age things in our driveway and asked, “Daddy? Why are people leaving trash in our

yard?”)

•

Wives who ask husbands what they want for dinner . . . then tell the husbands that they’re wrong.

50¢ Admission • 50¢ Bud Beer • 50¢ Hot Dogs & Sodas

•

Shoving 45 gummy bears in my mouth at once

Super Saturday $1 Night*

•

Flavored nail polish

$1 Bud Beer • $1 Hot Dogs & Sodas

•

Sports haiku

*concession stands only

•

Slowly replacing all the photos in the house with pictures of Ryan Gosling

Matinee Races Monday thru Saturday 12:30pm

Evening Races Friday & Saturday 7:30pm

50¢ Friday Matinees*

Clubhouse reservations & more info call: (941) 355-7744 5400 Bradenton Rd. Sarasota 34234

SarasotaKennelClub.com

Live Simulcast Horse & Dog Racing Year Round - Matinee & Evenings

Extended Hours: Monday - Thursday 9am - 2am Open 7am Friday thru 2am Monday

Now that I’ve shared a bit of what makes me tick, I trust that we’re beginning to understand each other.

But just to make sure I have a solid sense of what YOU find funny, please do feel free to come up to any person wearing a brown t-shirt next month (it’s probably me—my wife just alerted me to the fact that I now own not one, not two, but THREE brown t-shirts and if I don’t start wearing them, consequences are forthcoming) and list away as many things as you can think of that make you chortle. Bonus points if the list of these rib-ticklers includes the word “chortle.”

So I’ll see you back here next month. And in the meantime, rest assured—I’ll look into finding out who invented the traffic roundabout, and who invented the inter-office memo. If I were a betting man, I’d say it was likely the same jerk.

Vegas Style Games!

Daily High Hand Jackpots State-of-the-art poker room located on the 2nd floor of the Sarasota Kennel Club. Live action cash games and tournaments offered daily.

110

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

Have something special you want to share with Ryan about life, liberty and the pursuit of laughter? Email him at ryan@scenesarasota.com.

There’s Nothing Like an Event Catered by the Legendary Cafe L’Europe

Sarasota’s iconic Café L’Europe restaurant on St. Armands Circle has built an unparalleled reputation for its elegant and delicious European-inspired cuisine, award-winning wines, and professional service.

In one of our beautifully decorated private dining rooms or at your home, let our catering staff create magic at your special event giving you and your guests an unforgettable five-star experience.

ESTABLISHED 1973 R EBORN AUGUST 2016

941.388.4415, Ext 4 | cafeleurope.net WEDDINGS | SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS | BUSINESS DINNERS/LUNCHEONS | HOLIDAY PARTIES

arts&culture

Best SEATS

Venice Institute Performing Arts Center

Larry Hamm’s “The Clown” from Theatre Odyssey’s 10-Minute Play Festival

PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS 941.306.1200 / ArtistSeriesConcerts.org Young Concert Artists International: Bella Hristova, violin, and Amy Yang, piano January 21 Pablo Ziegler Quartet for New Tango January 28 Lunch, Look & Listen: Corda Voce January 25

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

GUITAR SARASOTA

941.351.8000 / asolorep.org Main Stage Shakespeare in Love January 10 – March 28 The Morning After Grace January 17 – March 4 FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training The MotherF***er with the Hat January 2 – 21

941.260.3306 / GuitarSarasota.org Federico Musgrove January 8 Xavier Jara January 13

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE

JAZZ CLUB OF SARASOTA

941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org Main Stage Heisenberg Through March 4 Native Gardens January 26 – March 25 Cabaret Mack The Knife: The Bobby Darin Songbook Through February 4 Blue Suede Shoes Through April 1

941.366.1552 / JazzClubSarasota.com Skip Conkling Dixie January 5 Kitt Moran January 19 Mark Feinman La Lucha January 26

FOGARTYVILLE COMMUNITY MEDIA & ARTS CENTER 941.545.5635 / Fogartyville.org An Evening in Mayberry with Rodney Dillard January 5 Jazz Quartet featuring Fred Johnson January 13 112

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

THE ISLAND PLAYERS 941.778.5755 / TheIslandPlayers.org Beyond A Joke January 11 – 28

LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE 941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com Sh Boom! Those Fabulous 50’s

by Marcy Downey January 6 Crimes of the Heart January 17 – February 11

MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 941.748.5875 / manateeperformingartscenter.com

Broadway Series Nine January 11 – 28 Studio Series Driving Miss Daisy January 2 – February 11

MANATEE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP 941.358.0235 / manateeuuf.org New Year’s Romance on the Piano January 7 Great Romantic Piano January 21

NEW MUSIC NEW COLLEGE 941.487.4888 / NewMusicNewCollege.org Lerner/Filiano/Grassi January 20

PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM/SUNCOAST 941.955.4942 / PMPSuncoast.org USF Sarasota-Manatee 14th Annual Sarasota Winter Residency December 21, 2017 – January 6 Sarasota Opera House Celebration Concert January 4 Neel Performing Arts Center Works-In-Progress Chamber Music Recital January 6

arts&culture SARASOTA ORCHESTRA

Sarasota Orchestra’s Musical Landscapes

941.953.3434 / sarasotaorchestra.org Discoveries Musical Landscapes January 6 Masterworks Firsts January 12 - 14 Chamber Soiree Splendid Colors January 18 & 21 Pops Doo Wop Project January 19 - 20 Great Escapes Amadeus January 24 - 27

STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS

THE SARASOTA BALLET

941.365.2494 / theplayers.org Main Stage Singin’ in the Rain January 18 – February 4

41.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org FSU Center for the Performing Arts Moving Identities January 26 – 29

“Singin’ in the Rain” is the perfect example of a story that sings, dances and entertains all while exposing the inner workings of this crazy thing called ‘show biz.’ ” – Jeffery Kin, Artistic Director, The Players Centre For Performing Arts

RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART 941.359.5700 / ringling.org Historic Asolo Theater Ethel: Circus Wandering City Jan 26 – Jan 27

SARASOLO PRODUCTIONS (GOTTA VAN) 941.400.2036 / SaraSolo.org 2018 SaraSolo Festival January 27 - February 4

SARASOTA CONCERT ASSOCIATION 941.225.6500 / scasarasota.org Great Performers Series Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall & Riverview Performing Arts Center Royal Philharmonic Orchestra January 11 Cleveland Orchestra January 29 Gil Shaham & Akira Eguchi January 30 Music Matinee Series Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center & David Cohen Hall/Holley Hall George Nickson and Samantha Bennett January 17 John Miller, jazz trio January 17

941.752.5252 / SCF.edu Neel Performing Arts Center Works-In-Progress Chamber Music Recital January 6 SCF Music Student Showcase Concert January 19 Sundays at Neel Jukebox Junction January 21 Tusk January 28

URBANITE THEATRE 941.321.1397 / UrbaniteTheatre.com Northside Hollow January 26 – March 11

SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY 941.345.5755 / SarasotaContemporaryDance.org Jane B. Cook Theatre Dance Makers – 12th Annual Concert January 25 – 28

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

113

arts&culture

Tango Fire at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

“We felt it was time to recognize and honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy” VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL 941.953.3368 / VanWezel.org Salute to Vienna January 3 Peter Cetera January 5 A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder January 6 - 7 A Night with Janis Joplin January 8 Cannoli, Latkes & Guilt - Steve Solomon January 9 Ramsey Lewis & John Pizzarelli: Nat King Cole Tribute January 10 Tango Fire January 12 Legendary 5th Dimension January 15 Renée Fleming January 16 Chita & Tune Two for the Road January 17 The Drifters, The Platters and Cornell Gunter’s Coasters January 18 Musical Thrones: A Parody January 21 Tapestry: Tribute to Carole King January 23 Paul Anka January 25 Masters of Illusion January 26 Michael Feinstein: Celebrating The Crooners January 28 Cabaret January 30 - 31 Peter Noone 114

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

THE VENICE INSTITUTE FOR PERFORMING ARTS 941.218.3779 / VenicePerformingArtsCenter.com Jim Stafford January 6 Emotional Landscapes: Conductor: Stilian Kirov; Soprano Soloist: Angela Brown January 12 – 13 Tommy Dorsey Orchestra January 14 Here, There and Everywhere January 22 Harry Allen with Wycliffe Gordon, Ed Metz, Rossano Sportiello and Nicki Parrot January 24 The Pure Zeppelin Experience January 26 It Ain’t Easy Baby – Nick Bollettieri and Reno Manne LIVE! January 27

– WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs

WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE 941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org The Mountaintop January 10 – February 18

THE VENICE SYMPHONY 941.207.8822 / TheVeniceSymphony.org Venice Performing Arts Center Emotional Landscapes, Directed

by Stilian Kirov January 12 – 13

VENICE THEATRE 941.488.1115 / venicestage.com Main Stage Smokey Joe’s Café: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller January 9 – February 4 Stage II Last Train to Nibroc January 11 – 28

Emerald Rose Sullivan

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

2

WAYS TO GET SARASOTA SCENE MAGAZINE Sarasota SCENE Magazine is available locally for purchase at:

• Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • BookStore1

Sarasota’s Premier Salt Therapy Center

Seeking Wellness & Relaxation?

Suffering from . . .

Allergies Asthma Bronchitis COPD Cough/Cold

Eczema Psoriasis Rosacea Smoker’s Cough And more…

Alleviate your symptoms in our Salt Room, Salt Booth, Salt Bed and Family room.

www.sotesarasota.com

$35 New Client Special!

Hours: Tuesday-Satuday 10-6PM 4037 Clark Rd. Sarasota

(941) 702-8300

• Davidson’s Drugs You can subscribe to Sarasota SCENE Magazine: • Phone: 941.365.1119, ext 305 • Email: subscriptions@ scenesarasota.com • Online: scenesarasota.com

BE INFORMED...

BE ENTERTAINED… BE SCENE

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

115

AAA Flat Rate Moving & Storage

RING IN THE NEW YEAR

PAIN FREE !

EXPERIENCED, FAST & RELIABLE Over 25,000 Satisfied Customers Since 1980 Need Storage? Our air-conditioned warehouse can accommodate you and our certified technicians are the best for all your packing, moving & storage needs.

• Cryotherapy • Infrared Pods • Compression Therapy • PEMF

WE CREATE CusTomERs foR lifE! Voted Best Mover in Sarasota every year since 2009 by the US Small Business Commerce Association!

Jack Wallace, owner

SCHEDULE

NOW! 3529 S. Tuttle Avenue Sarasota, FL 34235

941.677.CRYO (2796) blufitrecovery.com

941-922-4466 | AAAMovingSarasota.com

k u h S L E A W E LOVE IS R unday

70

sh

COME CHECK THESE OUT! • American Idol contestant Shira Gavrielov onthe Main Stage

• Amiel Tours: Giveaways • Megemeria: Ethiopian-Israeli • • • • • •

jewelry Traditional Israeli Foods: Falafel, hummus, Israeli wine and more!

Christian Goods & Judaica from the Holy Land Children’s Activities and Games Israeli Music Sights, Smells and Tastes of Israel!

Photo Exhibit: Israel from the Eyes of the Community SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MEDIA PARTNER

A FULL LIST OF ALL SPONSORS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE S P O N S O R E D

B Y

n atio r e Fed

S 14 y r a u n Ja 12-5PM s

pu Cam

ad, Sarasota 580 McIntosh Ro

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING ISRAEL’S 70TH BIRTHDAY

by attending our WE LOVE ISRAEL SHUK: a place for gathering, shopping, tasting new treats, finding new jewelry or Judaica, and experiencing life like an Israeli! Vendors will wow you with their challah covers, sparkling Ethiopian-Israeli made jewelry or the perfect mezuzah for your home. Musicians and speakers will share their love for Israel.

FREE PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

• Cardinal Mooney High School (4171 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota) • St. Martha’s High School (4380 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota) TRANSPORTATION VIA THE SIESTA KEY TROLLEY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO AND FROM THE FEDERATION CAMPUS * Federation parking lots will be used for handicapped parking ONLY

ION F R E E A DM I S S

For more information visit jfedsrq.org/Israel70 QUESTIONS? Contact Jessi Sheslow at jsheslow@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2109 116

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

arts&culture Photo by Jeremy Teran

GET Inspired CULTURAL HAPPENINGS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY Sarasota native Nya Chambless has been drawn to acting ever since she saw Annie at the ripe old age of one and a half! During the performance, she tried to get on the stage because she “had to be up there.”

When Nya was four years old she was taken to The Players Centre for Performing Arts, where she spontaneously began acting out a scene from The Hobbit in front of everyone. She asked if she could sing a song and was told, “Yes, but only on the stage.” Nya was so excited, she ran onstage and sang “Animal Crackers,” bowed and walked off stage.

When Nya was six, she had a “serious” conversation with her dad about her future in acting. She wanted to act full-time and explained that she likes to see

people smile and laugh, and she loves to tell stories. And Nya has been involved ever since.

Nya has worked with several production companies such as Illum Productions, Up All Night Productions, Triforce Pictures, and starred in the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County’s 2016 Giving Challenge video. She has acted in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and several productions at The Players Centre for Performing Arts. She’s been in several student films and commercials for Ringling College of Art and Design and Riverview’s IB Film program, in several national commercials, has even shot and directed her first two-minute short film, and is currently in production as Ivonka in Once at Florida Studio Theatre.

We asked Nya how and why the arts in Sarasota influence and inspire her:

“My dad and mom were my first inspirations. I loved working with my dad on film sets since before I can remember, and both inspired me to follow my dreams, believe in myself and never lose my imagination.

When I saw Annie at The Players, I wanted to be on stage with those girls, having fun and singing for the audience. Since working with all the wonderful theaters and people here in Sarasota, I know I am sharing myself with the audiences, following my heart and making everyone laugh and have fun. The arts are what I love to do, to never give up and always look on the bright side, to act, express and imagine everything.”

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

117

arts&culture

JAN 1- 19 Art Center Sarasota 707 N. Tamiami Trail 10:00 a.m.

New exhibitions: Interior by Jeff Schwartz Floating Cubes by Akiko Kotani.

The Art Center Sarasota Instructors Show New and Now juried by Taylor Robenalt 941.365.2032 | ARTSARASOTA.ORG

JAN 5 - 26 Art Uptown Gallery 1367 Main Street 6:00 p.m.

Red Bird & Friends by Janet Mishner ARTIST RECEPTION: JANUARY 5.

941.955.5409 | ARTUPTOWN.COM

JAN 5 - 29 Dabbert Gallery 46 S. Palm Ave 6:00 p.m.

Five new gallery artists.

941.955.1315 | DABBERTGALLERY.COM

The Man in the Chair by Jeff Schwartz

JAN 7 Bookstore1Sarasota Poetry LocalMic 12 S. Palm Ave. 2:00 p.m.

Featured poets: Joan Magiet, Carlo Andre, Michael Maul and Steve White.

941.365.7900 | SARASOTABOOKS.COM

JAN 7 - 28 Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 900 S. Palm Ave. 14th annual Rainforest Masks of Costa Rica exhibition and sale.

SELBY.ORG

Rainforest Masks 118

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

arts&culture

NEW TO THE AREA AND NOT SURE WHERE TO BUY? Whether you are looking to buy a new home or sell your existing home we can assist you.

There are many real estate companies and Realtors® to choose from, so we would be honored to speak with you regarding your real estate sale or purchase.

DON’T WANT TO BE JUST ANOTHER LISTING? We aim to provide personal service that only a small, locally-owned company can provide.

Michael Edwards has been a licensed real estate broker since 2002 and has more than 25 years of experience in managing and selling real estate in Sarasota.

MICHAEL B. EDWARDS LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER

941.302.4812 500 S. WASHINGTON BLVD, SUITE 400 SARASOTA,FLORIDA 34236 WWW.SOLUTIONSSARASOTA.COM

Painting by Katie Cundiff

Ringling College of Art + Design presents: JAN 9 - MARCH 24 Cast, Cut and Cold Glass Richard and Barbara Basch Gallery 10:00 a.m.

Free and open to the public

JAN 12 - MARCH 24 As Many Hours as it Takes, 10 Years of Impractical Labor.

Lois and David Stulberg Gallery 10:00 a.m.

Free and open to the public

JAN 12 - MARCH 17 Peace Paper Project in collaboration with Yale University Willis Smith Gallery 10:00 a.m.

Free and open to the public

Exhibitions are free and open to the public.

I OFFER

HOME INSURANCE

OPTIONS

Here in Florida, your choice is clear.

Everyone likes options. My office not only offers car insurance backed by a company with 80 years of experience, but also offers home insurance from several companies. Call me today!

George Dakkak, CLU, ChFC 941-921-6630 3629 Webber Street, Suite A Sarasota georgedakkak@allstate.com

Allstate has no financial responsibility to you for any home insurance policy you purchase and would not be responsible for any claims.

Allstate does not make any representations or accept liability related to operations of home insurance companies, including, but not limited to, their financial conditions. Subject to terms, conditions and availability. © 2012 Allstate Insurance Co.

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

104381

2700 N TAMIAMI TRAIL 941.359.7563 | RINGLING.EDU/GALLERIES

119

arts&culture

JAN 10 - FEB 2 Alfstad& Contemporary 141 5th Street Shine the Light Artists: Laura Donefer, Charlotte Schmitz, Dave Marshall and Deborah Haber.

ALFSTADAND.COM

JAN 12 - 31 Island Gallery West 5368 Gulf Dr., Holmes Beach New Horizons by Marlane Wurzbach.

941.778.6648 ISLANDGALLERYWEST.COM

Colorful Koi by Marlane Wurzbach

JAN 13 - FEB 23 Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center 525 Kumquat Court African-American Culture featuring Vocalist Fred Johnson.

941.545.5635 | FOGARTYVILLE.ORG

JAN 26 - 27 The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Ringling New Stages: ETHEL: Circus - Wandering City 941.359.5700 | RINGLING.ORG

JAN 27 - FEB 4 Historic Crocker Memorial Church 1260 12th Street The Starlite Room 1001 Cocoanut Ave 4th Annual SaraSolo Festival.

941.479.8084 | SARASOLO.ORG

120

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

arts&culture

LITERARY Scene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

THIS MONTH, RYAN REVIEWS A SINATRA MEMOIR, AN EROTIC ROMANCE, AND WWI HISTORICAL FICTION

THE WAY IT WAS: MY LIFE WITH FRANK SINATRA

by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi I confess—I’m not a Sinatra fan. Not that I dislike him or anything, but rather I’m simply too young to have appreciated how The Voice was one of the most influential music artists of the 20th century. But after reading Weisman’s story here, I’ve now got a far more robust sense of the star-studded wild life that Ol’ Blue Eyes enjoyed for decades as well as a good glimpse at this mega-star who clearly trusted few and kept much of his own life private. And who better to help us past that veil of secrecy than Parkland, Florida resident Eliot Weisman, who served as Sinatra’s longtime manager and ultimately as the executor of Sinatra’s estate?

Whether it’s how “this crowd” (what Sinatra called the zoo that was his family) drove him bonkers or describing the neardisaster that was the Duets session (which became his best seller) or how Weisman chose prison over participating in the legal trap designed to catch Sinatra, Weisman was there. This book reveals it all in clear, non-egotistical prose that keeps the spotlight where it belongs—on the Chairman of the Board.

One thing that I really learned from this book is how generous he was. As Weisman shares: When a Las Vegas casino refused to allow Sammy [Davis Jr.] in the front door in the 1960s, Sinatra famously said, “Let him in or I’m out.” He provided financial help to boxers Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson when they fell on hard times, and gave them the use of his plane when they needed it for medical treatment. I borrowed his plane to pick up Liza in Minneapolis when she completed her first stint in a rehab at the Hazelden drug rehab center.

He was an avid reader of the newspaper in every town and city we went to. When he read a story about someone in need, especially if it was a policeman or fireman, he would have someone call Golden [his accountant] and send anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 anonymously. Frank’s father had been a fireman and he had great admiration for their service.

This book is interesting, well-written, and compelling. It gives a real sense of Weisman’s affection for and commitment to the Boss, but it’s Sinatra who—as always—steals the show. Highly recommended.

Rating:

CONSTANT CRAVING

by Tamara Lush Florida author Tamara Lush’s third novel, Constant Craving, is a page-turner of a romance.

Like Lush herself—a reporter and correspondent for the Associated Press—the story’s heroine, Justine Lavoie, is a journalist. She’s just inherited her grandfather’s newspaper company, yet things don’t go as smoothly as they might. Before long, she’s forced to seek out a loan from Florida Capital, and the new head is her Cuban ex, the once-broke-now-loaded Rafael. All he wants in return for giving her the money so desperately needed by her business and all its workers who now depend on her? Spend a month with him and see what happens. One sultry Cuban dance later, and she’s accepting this offer.

Ultimately, Constant Craving is a story of second chances.

These two lost their virginity to each other and both know on some level that they’re perfect for each other, yet they have 15 years of mistrust, ill will, and betrayal to push past.

Lush is a fine writer and her knack for creating catchy banter and well-wrought characters is evident throughout the book.

And for readers aching for some real romance? I offer three words. Steamy. Sexy. Smooth.

A fine, fine read.

Rating:

www.tamaralush.com

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

121

arts&culture

THE LÜBECKER

by M.J. Joseph

Open 7 Days A Week 1439 Main St. Sarasota | 941-373-6333 www.RUESRQ.com

This debut novel by Florida author M.J. Joseph—and published by Florida-based publisher Peppertree Press—is a work of historical fiction centered around World War I. While the story showcases the life of David Rosenberg of Lübeck, a city in northern Germany, the cast of characters is quite large. One of the more memorable characters is Dr. Sam Yoffey, a young Florida panhandle doctor working in the late 1880s who has fallen in love with a nun.

This book touches on a range of topics, ranging from philosophy to religion to the complexities of interpersonal relationships of any type. And those who are drawn to the slower, more methodical pace of older British novelists will likely find this to suit their needs.

Here’s one example of Joseph’s characteristic style:

MICHELLE CRABTREE Broker Associate, REALTOR® A third-generation local and broker associate since 1982, Michelle is dedicated to serving your needs in Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch.

941.724.4663 michelle.crabtree@premiersir.com crabtreehomes.com

He looked at her intently, her features undiminished in this aspect.

Amazing high cheekbones; widespaced, almond-shaped eyes; and finely formed nose and ears. Her complexion was clear and the light brown color of her skin centered upon the very red and full lips.

Ephraim thought: This really is a beautiful woman!

Joseph has created a very ambitious book here. If you’re open to that kind of reading commitment and you like historical fiction, then by all means, give it a shot. You just might be the ideal reader.

Rating:

PREMIERSOTHEBYSREALTY.COM Each office is independently owned and operated.

122

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018

made With a valued reputation as an award-winning builder, a strong presence in today’s market, a variety of furnished models to tour and wonderful residential opportunities at Lakewood Ranch and The Concession, your search for a quality home just got easier. Stock is ready to make your dream home come true. Come find yours in COUNTRY CLUB EAST, THE LAKE CLUB, ESPLANADE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB AT LAKEWOOD RANCH and THE CONCESSION.

LAKEWOOD RANCH from the $600s SALES CENTER: 7245 Seacroft Cove, Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202

941.208.3940 | StockDevelopment.com STOCK REALTY, EXCLUSIVE SALES AGENT, LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER BROKER PARTICIPATION WELCOMED. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. NOT AN OFFERING WHERE PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

FLStockDevelopment

JANUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE

123

Sneak a peek of Heaven.

Find the luxury vehicle of your

dreams .

Schedule a test drive today.

A DIVISION OF DIMMITT AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

Ultra Luxury Vehicle Sales Center 1518 State Street Sarasota FL 34236 124

Ph. 941-621-5672 TheSarasotaStudio.com

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2018