January 2019 by SARASOTA SCENE Magazine

MODERN DENTISTRY FOR BETTER HEALTH • ALZHEIMER’S PREVENTION INITIATIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAVEL • DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION • BEAUTIFUL WEDDINGS

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Party Pics + Events Civil Rights Leader Dr. Xernona Clayton

Meet Dr. Burr Bakke and Dr. Jill Morris Click to View Video

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CONTENTS features

53 MODERN DENTISTRY FOR BETTER HEALTH By Sue Cullen 58 DONATE YOUR BRAIN TO SCIENCEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; NOW By Sylvia Whitman

62 TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAVEL By Jacqueline Miller

73 SARASOTA/MANATEE DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION A Sarasota Scene Magazine Special Section

88 THE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL A Collaboration of Passion & Commitment By Gus Mollasis

58 12

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

ON THE COVER Photography by Alex Bertha.

Click to View Featured Models

CONTENTS departments

ON THE TOWN

SOCIAL SCENE 24 THE LIST January Events Calendar PARTY PICS

30 JFCS Gala 32 The Florida Center Winter Gala 33 Pines of Sarasota Wit and Wisdom of Aging Luncheon

34 36 38 40

Women’s Resource Center: Deja Blues JFED Women’s Day 37th Annual Debutante Ball

102 Kym Smith and Gerret Copeland 106 Paige Pierro and Sean Jacklin

INSIDER Take a post-holiday breather with these relaxing picks

129 LAUGHING MATTERS

The One Welcoming 2019 By Ryan G. Van Cleave

By Gus Mollasis

109 EDUCATION MATTERS New Academic Programs at USFSM By Ryan G. Van Cleave

125 EAT & DRINK

New Eats for the New Year By Rick Dakan

ART & CULTURE 112 BEST SEATS Performing Arts Calendar

118 GET INSPIRED

you by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

122 LITERARY SCENE Ringling College writing students share their favorites classics By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Frank & Katherine Martucci

Be Informed Be Entertained Be SCENE

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

scenesarasota.com

PHILANTHROPY 46 EMBRACING THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

Dr. Xernona Clayton

Cultural happenings brought to

42 THE FIND

94 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW

La Musica’s Sonata a Due SCENE TOGETHER

102

Robin’s furry therapist is a real pro

For someone fighting cancer, Robin feels pretty fortunate. There’s good news from her cancer team and her girlfriend is helping her celebrate in Sarasota Memorial’s Courtyard. She’s given Robin rock-solid support, including a few perfectly timed corny jokes. A nd then there’s Webster, with his wagging tail and furry hugs. Robin doubts he’ll ever know how much he’s given her. The Courtyard is a unique healing space where our patients can enjoy sunshine, fresh air, and our amazing Pet Therapy dogs. They’ve offered comfort and kindness to our patients for over 15 years.

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from the executive editor

“Make yourself a priority once in a while. It’s not selfish. It’s necessary.”

THIS PAST YEAR WAS A YEAR OF HEALTH CHALLENGES FOR MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY. My dear sister was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer, undergoing an operation and many rounds of heavy-duty chemotherapy. The treatment left her with debilitating neuropathy, which may never go away, a chronic “chemo cough,” and of course all of the other terrible side effects of undergoing strong chemo. My wonderful brother-in-law, her husband, developed heart problems requiring many procedures, lots of prescriptions, an operation and much worrying. Really? They’re both only in their late 60s! Too young to go through this, I kept thinking. The truth is that these health issues consumed much of their year and will significantly affect the quality of their lives in the future. Most of us believe we can escape from these devastating and life changing illnesses, and maybe we’ll just be one of the fortunate ones. But the odds are not in our favor. What bothers me the most is the early ages many of us are having to deal with these dreaded illnesses, like my sister and brother-in-law, enjoying life with the young grandchildren, then bam—health issues. And while I am speaking from my heart and head, and not from any credentials, I truly believe so many illnesses are a result of our not-so-great diets, including many of the adulterated foods we eat, as well as environmental factors that exist in our air and yes, even our water. Interested in knowing some of the cancer-causing substances in our environment? For a list and to learn how we are exposed to these substances, visit cancer.gov/ about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances. And when it comes to food, look at the labels. If you see tons of ingredients with names you don’t know and can’t pronounce, put it back on the shelf. I am trying to be more aware, reading lots of books and research papers on how we can minimize our risk. Pastured eggs, organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef, a good water filtration system. Cutting back portions. Trying to lose weight. Exercise, even if it is only 20 minutes a day. We’ve heard it all, but we really need to do it. And for heaven sakes, we need to cut way back on the white sugar. It is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and yes, cancer. 2018 was definitely a year of reawakening for me—yet another wake-up call that I need to pay attention to, otherwise I’ll be

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

dealing with the same issues as my dear sister. And I am really trying. That treadmill next to my bed that used to be my clothes rack at night is now seeing some action. I have cut way back on sweets. I am eating cleaner foods. Whatever my health fate will be, at least I know I am trying not to contribute more to the risk I already have. I don’t know about you, but I love life and don’t want to spend it in a chemo chair. We’ll see. So, for 2019, I know we hear it every year, but it truly should be a starting point for a better you. Let’s all challenge ourselves to get better. And whatever our fate, let’s show more love and respect for one another. That right there is a wonderful prescription for feeling better.

In my July 2018 letter, I talked about “Glam-mas”—a glamorous woman who is far too youthful, stylish and fabulous to be called Grandma. I thought it would be fun to have a Gorgeous Grandma contest (exclusively for grandmas over 75) for amazing women who have taken great care of themselves and whose children and grandchildren think they rock. We then asked Scene readers to submit gorgeous grandma

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from the executive editor

photos and tell us why you think their grandma should win. Well, there was a clear winner. Her name is Sue (“Sukie”) Mandell.

Save the Date Eight Over 80 Date: March 17, 2019 Time: 10:30 am Place: Michael’s On East Brunch Supporting the residents of Aviva – A Campus for Senior Life Aviva – A Campus for Senior Life is Sarasota’s only senior living campus which offers all levels of care on a rental basis. Inspired by the Jewish values it was founded on, Aviva allows residents in Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and Rehabilitation to live life to the fullest while experiencing a world of possibilities. For additional information or sponsorship please contact Lynne Georgette, 941-203-6237 or lgeorgette@jewishhcf.org

Save the Date! 20

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

Sue’s daughter, Marianne, wrote to me about her mother, who, according to Marianne, is 93 going on 45. She is grandmother to Michael and Melissa, who both love her more than anyone. Michael says his grandmother “represents all that is good, treating everyone with kindness and wisdom.” Melissa adds that her grandmother is one of her idols and her best friend. The family believes her to be one of the most brilliant people they know. Sue was an RN until she was 75 and was married for 69 years. She swims daily, plays bocce ball, rides a three-wheeled bike, and is captain of her shuffleboard team. Sue also plays competitive bridge at least three times a week. She is definitely aging with grace, and is our pick for a woman who demonstrates both “glam” on the outside and on the inside. We hope you are inspired by Sue!

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

Let your heart lead the way.

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G EN

TION S of J A Z Z A ER

Media

AZ Z

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

CEO/President Ronald Milton Publisher/Executive Editor Julie A. Milton

Main Stage Concerts

Featuring

KEN PEPLOWSKi Music Director

with

Alejandro Arenas Shelly Berg Randy Brecker Bill Charlap Roxy Coss Mark Feinman Dick Hyman Aaron Johnson John Lamb John O’Leary Houston Person Randy Sandke Mary Stallings James Suggs Charles Turner U of Miami Big Band

7 days 48 Events 110+ Musicians Hyatt Regency Hotel March 3-9 4 New “Themed” Afternoon Stages BLUES Selwyn Birchwood Betty Fox Lauren Mitchell

Communications Specialist & Editorial Assistant Bobbilynn Hollifield Distribution Dick Jackson Contributing Writers Sue Cullen Jacqueline Miller Gus Mollasis Ryan G. Van Cleave Rick Dakan Sylvia Whitman Contributing & Social Photographer Nancy Guth

LATIN Thomas Carabasi Joe Delaney Frankie Pineiro

Contributing Photographers Jordan Kelly-Laviolette Kelly Kearns

For tickets and information visit: https://www.sarasotajazzfestival.org

Graphic Designer Darcy Kelly-Laviolette

CLASSIC Gene Bertoncini Katt Hefner Allan Vache’ CONTEMPORARY Marlon Boone Jeremy Carter Hiram Hazley

PLUS......A Workshop Production “Lil & Louis” an original play by Jo Morello

The Harold and Evelyn R. Davis Memorial Foundation

Vice President, Sales & Marketing H John Knowles

Venice L

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

Magazine

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.

“THE BRITISH ARE COMING” From ‘across the pond’, The Plumbing Place, Sarasota’s foremost showroom of quality kitchen and bath products, proudly presents Crosswater-London’s premier collection of luxury bathroom products. Featuring groundbreaking designs, exquisite styling, and sophisticated functionality, Crosswater’s distinctive faucets, showers, sinks and tubs are all beautifully finished to create your perfect bathroom. Whether you love the classic British ‘tap’, or sleek, contemporary European designs, find out what our friends across the pond already know – Crosswater’s next generation bathroom designs are truly extraordinary.

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social SCENE

THE LIST PARTY PICS SCENE TOGETHER

scenesarasota.com

The Humane Society Winter Fine Art Festival

12 – 13

The Humane Society of Sarasota County 7th Annual Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival Gulf Stream Ave 10:00 a.m. Free | paragonartevents.com Circus Ring of Fame

The LIST JANUARY 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR

Circus Ring of Fame Foundation 32nd Anniversary Circus Ring of Fame Induction Ceremony Circle Park 1:00 p.m. Free | circusringoffame.org

13 PICK YOUR FAVORITES!

With the holidays behind us, a new year brings many new ways to give charitably and celebrate community-mindedness. Galas, benefits and good causes continue to depend on our participation, serving to remind us that the holiday season isn’t the only time for giving.

JFED Sarasota One Thing I Wish You Knew Mental Health Awareness Event Beatrice Friedman at the Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life 4:00 p.m. jfedsrq.org/events

AJC West Coast Florida Winter Lunch & Learn 11:30 a.m. $28 | bit.ly/2FPrd6F 24

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

You’ve Got To Go To Know! An Eclectic Selection Of Lighting, Fans And Home Décor That Will Leave You Breathless

A Lighting and Home Decor’ Showroom That Will Take Your Breath Away

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Take a Virtual Tour of Our Showroom at lyteworks.com JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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sponsored events

CATHOLIC CHARITIES BALL The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota 6:00 p.m. $300 | catholiccharitiesdov.org

Visible Men Academy Impact Awards Art Ovation Hotel 6:00 p.m. $100 | vmacademy.org

Opera for Animals Benefit Concert Palm Aire Country Club 6:00 p.m. $75 operaforanimals.org

26 – 27

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

We Care Manatee An Evening at the Flamingo: Casino Night 2019

IMG Academy Golf Club 6:00 p.m. $175 | wecaremanatee.org

Selby Gardens 6:00 p.m. $175 | sarasotaorchestra.org

Sarasota Orchestra Chamber Dinner

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FEB 16 | Van Wezel Foundation 18th Annual Gala Van Wezel Performing Arts Center 5:00 p.m. $600+ | vwfoundation.org/events/gala-2019

FEB 23 | SCF Foundation Avenues to the Future SCF Bradenton Campus 5:30 p.m. $150 | scf-foundation.org

V IS IT S C EN ES A R A S O TA . C O M for the latest social scene party pics. To submit your event for consideration, please send information to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com 28

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Co-Chairs Rich & Clare Segall, Margie & Chuck Barancik

Jerry & Wendy Feinstein with Robert Feinstein

Heidi Brown & Dean Miller

PARTY pics To view all photos, visit scenesarasota.com.

Alan Gravely & Stan Writesel

JFCS IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE CELEBRATION This year’s JFCS Celebration, It’s a Jungle Out There — co-chaired by Margie and Chuck Barancik and Clare and Rich Segall — provided an important platform to showcase how JFCS works with the Suncoast community to change lives forever and support clients through the jungle of life. Guests donned bright, colorful costumes and attire to reflect the bright futures of JFCS clients.

John Knowles & Karen Cash-Greco

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Ross & Kathryn Nash with Wayne Nash

Melissa Dunlap, Kathryn Shea, Sandy Humenik & Sylvia Zimmerman Judith & Stephen Altier

THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD’S 31st ANNUAL WINTER GALA Co-chairs Sandy Humenik, Melissa Dunlap and Sylvia Zimmerman brought together over 200 guests in support the organization’s mission of building strong families and expanding the potential of young children. Generous donations were made for the cause and guests ended the evening dancing to the sounds of Jonathan Cortez. Proceeds support therapeutic services, early education and healthy development programs for young children and their families. Drs. Jill Morris & Burr Bakke

Kristen Theisen & Merab Favorite

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Dickie Smothers, Marie Krupp, Marji & Stewart Bitterman

Ray Collins, Michael Klauber, Judi Gallagher & Peter Abbott

Sherry & Tom Koski

THE WIT AND WISDOM OF AGING LUNCHEON A crowd of nearly 300 gathered for Pines of Sarasota Foundation’s 9th annual Wit and Wisdom of Aging Luncheon, co-chaired by Sherry and Tom Koski. The event celebrated Pines of Sarasota’s 70th anniversary. Pines Foundation President Janet K. Ginn shared a moving tribute to the Pines, noting that love is at the heart of Pines’ mission to care for seniors even after they have outlived their resources. The event raised more than $200,000 to support Pines of Sarasota. Bob Griffiths & Sydney Goldstein

Carol Green & Sophia LaRusso

TRENDS & FASHION THAT WOMEN LOVE!

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WOMEN RESOURCE CENTER’S DÉJÀ BLUES Women Resource Center’s signature Manatee County fundraiser, Déjà Blues, welcomed more than 350 guests, who enjoyed food and libations from O’Bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar and performances by blues artist Shakura S’Aida and local aerialist Caitlin Hayley. Also highlighting the day were raffle and auction prizes. Dean Hastings & Jon Seeley co-chaired the event. WRC’s next year’s event is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2019.

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Helen Glasser & Patti Wertheimer

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF SARASOTA-MANATEE’S 12TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S DAY Co-chairs Susan and Michelle Mallitz welcomed accomplished film producer and philanthropist Nancy Spielberg, and almost 400 guests, to the Art Ovation Hotel. Nancy Spielberg’s films have expanded our view and understanding of the Jewish experience during the Holocaust and beyond, as well as giving us a glimpse into the private challenges of our contemporaries. Guests were inspired and entertained by Spielberg’s stories – both those of her own life and those of the lives she shares with the world through her films. Co-Chairs Michelle Mallitz & Susan Mallitz

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LA MUSICA INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL La Musica International Chamber Music Festival kicked off its 33rd season with a sold out Sonata a Due. Guests enjoyed the festive ambience of The Field Club and a recital of Beethoven sonatas performed by Federico Agostini, violin and Derek Han, piano. Chairman of the board Samuel Schackow announced that Federico and Derek will be recording the sonatas in 2019, with a release date timed to coincide with Beethoven’s 250th birthday celebration. La Musica begins its concert season on April 8 at the Sarasota Opera House.

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THE 37TH ANNUAL DEBUTANTE BALL Twenty-two notable young ladies representing 12 area schools were recognized at the 37th annual Debutante Ball. The program raises funds to benefit the Sarasota Orchestra Youth Programs. 2018 Debutantes: Halle Christine Beach, Haleigh Mackenna Brown, Hannah Claire Cavis, Caroline Norma Diesel, Zoe Adeline Gavette, Alexa Kaitlyn Hann, Claudia Rose Hassler, Lia Evelyn Jin Horger, Abigail Leigh Kapusta, Martha Kathleen Kelly, Sydney Anne Koon, Nicole Lynn McKinnon, Grace Elizabeth Menke, Anabella Donna Nelson, Madisyn Taylor Opstal, Alexis Chaney Seyer, Abigail Grace Sinclair, Sena Lee Szczepaniuk, Ava Victoria Vandroff, Madeline Frances Voigt, Ava Charlotte Wittmer and Christina Maria Wyatt.

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BY RYAN G. VAN CLEAVE | PHOTO BY NANCY GUTH Like so many area residents, Frank and Katherine Martucci started off as Sarasota snowbirds. “We rented here for one month out of the year,” reports Katherine. Then it was two months. And in 2017, she explains that “we found we were spending more and more time here. We felt like THIS was our home. So we became residents.” While they still spend a few months each summer at their working farm in upstate New York, the Martuccis live here full time now, and they love finding ways to get involved. And one of their great loves is The Sarasota Ballet. They knew Executive Director Joe Volpe from his time as General Manager of The Metropolitan Opera, so it was an easy sell to get Frank onto their board. “What we love so much about The Sarasota Ballet is the caliber of performances,” Katherine explains, and the Martuccis know about good ballet, having attended the best that New York City offers—American Ballet Theater, the Joffrey, Martha Graham Ballet, and others. In short, they’ve seen the best of the best. “When we came down here,” Katherine admits, “we didn’t know what to expect, and we were completely bowled over. Iain and Margaret do such a fine job—they’re so committed and devoted. But what I like most about ballet here is the variety. It’s never stagnant. You don’t just see the same thing over and over again.” Frank has a slightly different take on ballet, largely due to his interest in philosophy. After a successful 20+ year career on Wall Street, he decided to attend Fordham University to pursue a master’s degree in philosophy. “I’m an acolyte of Ralph Waldo Emerson,” he explains, “and one of his acolytes was Henry David Thoreau. When Thoreau was asked after he had spent two years at Walden Pond, ‘Why did you leave?’ he answered that he left Walden Pond for the same reasons that he went there—he wanted to experience another life.” That’s why Frank embraces philosophy—it’s a way for him to experience another life.

And it’s through this hard-won critical lens of philosophy that Frank views the world. “Art is a vehicle to give you a sense of another world,” Frank says. “Ballet, in particular, has the capacity to bring you to that level. It has a transcendent quality that everyone—if they allow their feelings to take over—can experience.” Ever the pragmatist, he adds that another reason he’s so committed to helping The Sarasota Ballet and other organizations is that they become a draw to bring others here. Part of the reason the Martuccis came to Sarasota versus another Florida Gulf coast town is the vibrant arts and culture scene, and the ballet is so much a part of that. Frank adds that from his standpoint, watching a professional dancer move gives him the sense that there’s another world out there, and that there truly is a reality to the unseen. “It’s the biggest gift that can be given to sight,” he claims. When asked where the philanthropic spirit in his life comes from, Frank again draws from philosophy. “We’re all connected. There’s a spiritual overlay to it all—we’re all deeply connected,” he says before hearkening back to his philosophical hero. “Emerson uses the word ‘ought’ as in that one ‘ought’ to be part of the human race, and because of that, we should be helpful wherever that help is needed.” Both Katherine and Frank embrace this spirit of giving. They’ve also sought to pass on that commitment to service to their family. “We have three wonderful children and five equally wonderful grandchildren,” Katherine notes. “We’ve tried to teach them how fortunate they are, and that giving back is imperative— we’re proud to say that our kids have learned that lesson well.” And it’s not just the idea of wanting to help, but that the JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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MODERN DENTISTRY for

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By Sue Cullen | Photos by Nancy Guth

odern dentistry goes far beyond good oral hygiene and sparkling smiles thanks to the growing understanding of the major impact dental health has on overall health and wellbeing. Past research also backs what we each know for ourselvesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;that looking in the mirror and liking what we see is a powerful confidence booster and mood enhancer.

JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

Dr. Jill Morris and Dr. Burr Bakke of World Class Dentistry and Facial Esthetics (941.923.6363/sarasotadentist.com) have created a comprehensive, holistic dentistry practice over the past 32 years that has been dedicated to staying on the forefront of dental medicine. The two dentists also have degrees in naturopathic medicine and offer patients leading edge treatments in general, cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry that range from supplements to help prevent tooth decay and safe removal of old mercury-laced fillings to neuromuscular bite correction, relief from sleep apnea and TMJ, orthopedic orthodontics and nonsurgical face lifts. “Integrative doctors realize dentists are at the forefront of a person’s health. We get training in Europe and all over the world and try to stay at the leading edge,” Morris said. “Our goal is to get someone back to health with the hope that they will not need more dental treatment again other than maintenance.” This focus on oral health has become more crucial as gum disease has been linked to heart and lung disease, diabetes, stroke, certain cancers, premature birth and low birth weight as well as autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. “We find there are an extremely small number of dentists, holistic or not, who treat as comprehensively as we do,” Bakke said. “We go through everything we can do for someone’s health, and a beautiful smile is the bonus.” 54

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

The link between gum disease and diseases of the body likely comes down to inflammation, which is being linked to a growing number of health issues. Diseased gums allow bacteria to invade the bloodstream constantly, which triggers the immune system, and inflammation is a by-product of the body fighting off those invaders. As an alternative to gum surgery to correct the problem, Morris and Bakke have used advanced lasers to remove unhealthy tissue and sterilize the pocket surrounding the tooth since 1996. They also take an extra step in all dental cleanings by employing ozone for its antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic properties. Growth factors in a patient’s own blood are isolated and used to speed healing following surgeries, implants, and bone and tissue grafts. “Physicians refer very sick patients to us who have cancer or autoimmune diseases,” Morris said. “They want us to get unhealthy dental situations taken care of in a safe way. Patients who are very sick also find us through the internet. We just saw a cancer patient who went through chemotherapy and radiation and wanted her mercury fillings out safely.” Old “silver” fillings often are 50 percent mercury, and mercury vapor is very toxic. “Mercury is a neurotoxin and affects the immune system and how cells communicate with each

other,” she said. “It is important to remove it safely or the patient can get a huge dose. To protect our patients, we put them on a different airway, use a special dam and place mercury catchers in the room. It’s like a hazmat situation.” One cancer patient who traveled from Sun City Center to have her mercury amalgam fillings out safely also suffered from dry mouth, a common condition with serious dental consequences that can be caused by medications, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Not having enough saliva to wash away food and reduce plaque buildup can lead to decay and gum disease. “Dry mouth is devastating to dentition, and in this patient’s case, she did not have the immunity to fight decay due to her treatment,” Morris said. “Because of our holistic training, we have found nutritional supplements that reverse decay. They re-harden teeth so patients don’t have to have enormous dental expenses and eventually lose their teeth.” Recommendations for supplementation are made following a blood analysis and often include boosting intake of vitamin D. They recommend taking a D3 supplement–which is essential for calcium absorption–in conjunction with dental surgeries. “People aren’t getting enough vitamin D from the sun,” Bakke said. “The most recent research shows that if a patient’s vitamin D3 level is low, there is a much higher incidence of implant loss. The bone does not heal well.” As a result of their approach to seeking alternative solutions, Morris and Bakke have brought a number of dental advances to the area including orthopedic orthodontics, which can alleviate overcrowding and correct misalignment of the teeth and jaw in adults and children. It also can correct breathing issues by expanding airways and has offered relief for those suffering from sleep apnea and TMJ, which causes jaw pain. “Because of our poor diet, people are starting to look different structurally. We are growing narrow dental arches that impinge on the airway and impact breathing,” Morris said. “We are reversing that with orthopedic orthodontics and bringing these narrow arches to their DNA potential.”

For children, poor breathing can affect sleep, concentration, ability to play sports, and has been linked to ADHD. Treatment also can give children a better quality of life throughout their life. They can avoid sleep apnea as adults, which may shorten life span by 15 years. One fortunate side effect of treatment is that it produces more aesthetically pleasing facial proportions for children and adults. Former orthodontic treatments to alleviate overcrowding of teeth have involved the removal of several teeth and then straightening and realigning the remaining teeth, but this can create issues later in life. “Orthopedic orthodontics can help. When teeth have been pulled out, the jaw recedes back, which leaves no space for the tongue so it drops back into the throat causing sleep apnea,” Bakke said. “Bone grows at any age, and we can help a lot of people with sleep apnea and TMJ.” Even patients in their 70s can be helped. An oral appliance is worn at night and treatment typically takes less than a year. For sleep apnea, lasers also can be employed to stimulate collagen production to tighten tissues that have become flabby and inflamed. Both dentists pay meticulous attention to ensuring patients’ bites are correct because an incorrect bite not only can damage teeth and cause migraines, but affects the entire body. With aging, teeth may become misaligned, which causes deflection in the jaw that can lead to headaches and pain in the neck, shoulders and back. Morris and Bakke often work with specialists, such as functional chiropractors and osteopathic physicians who refer patients for bite correction. Combining advanced technology with a neuromuscular approach to correcting a patient’s bite can provide high precision outcomes. “Without correcting the bite first, the correction to the neck or back will relapse. With neuromuscular bite correction, we relax the muscles and track the jaw to find the most comfortable

JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

position and then restore the jaw to that position through Once a person’s dental health has been restored and their orthodontics and dental work,” Bakke said. “We have a teeth are healthy and sound, a patient’s cosmetic concerns new computer in the lab that can fine tune that bite within can be addressed, such as porcelain crowns or veneers hundredths of millimeters so we can avoid excess pressure and even a nonsurgical facelift, which is an outcome of in any area, which can create a deflection in the jaw.” neuromuscular bite correction. Bringing the jaw and teeth into proper placement improves saggy facial skin, jowls, One study found that an imperfect bite can set off the sunken facial appearance and facial proportions and often body’s fight or flight response. “The study found that is used with cosmetic dentistry, which creates more youthful, restoring the bite produced less triggers to the adrenal and sparkling smiles. World Class Dentistry also offers esthetic sympathetic nervous systems,” Morris said. “Eliminating services including Botox for minimizing lines and wrinkles those triggers can help with a person’s overall feeling and dermal fillers for cheek sculpting and perfectly shaped, of wellbeing because their system does not feel under well-proportioned lips. Anti-aging skincare options include attack.” For some patients, other procedures may provide lasers, micro-needling, PRP treatments and other technologies the solution to bite issues including orthodontics or dental that stimulate collagen production, which improves skin implants, and they have intentionally created a practice elasticity and appearance. that offers those options in one location. Morris has trained in Europe for facial aesthetics using Staying at the forefront of available technology also neuromodulators and fillers. “People trust us because we has helped them do such major work for create successful them, so it is convenient outcomes. Bakke for them to have esthetic was one of the first work here as well,” she in the country to said. “A lot of times use a dental CAT patients want us to do scan for dental their lips or another implants. Today, procedure while they are using a CAT scan still numb from dental for implants is work, and Botox lasts c o n s i d e re d t h e about three months, so standard of care some patients schedule because it allows that along with their for precise surgical teeth cleanings.” placement of the– typically titanium– Effectively incorporating post into the jaw. so many advanced -Jill Morris, DMD The post then treatments into their acts as the “root” practice is a result of to which a crown is attached replacing the tooth. They experience and education. In addition to having more than recently invested in the newest generation CAT scan 30 years of experience, both Morris and Bakke are committed with the ability to generate a 360-degree view of a single to education for themselves and their patients. They taught tooth. It also takes facial photos and can superimpose for many years at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental those on the underlying teeth and bone so the dentist can Studies where dentists bring their patients for the most up to evaluate facial aesthetics as well, which is an additional date treatments and technologies. Both also have degrees advantage for cosmetic dentistry. in naturopathic medicine from the College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry, which focuses on supporting the Bakke also was one of the early pioneers using implants body’s built-in healing capabilities and treating the whole with fixed bridges in the All-on-4™ system. Now, Bakke person. Morris also is the only local dentist accredited by is again at the forefront of implantology by offering nonthe American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. metal zirconia dental implants. Zirconia has been used in dental crowns in the U.S. for many years and is valued “People come to us who may not even be able to chew or for its strength and appearance. Although it has been just don’t like the way they look. That can affect your outlook used in Europe for implants, it is now available here as on life,” Morris said. “We are able to give them back their an option for people who are reluctant to put metal in function, their smile and help them look years younger. A their bodies or who may have sensitivities to metal. There lot of patients feel they get back their lives. You can smile are no known allergies to zirconia. and feel good about your smile.”

“The study found that restoring the bite

produced less triggers to the adrenal and

sympathetic nervous systems. Eliminating those triggers can help with a person’s

overall feeling of wellbeing because their system does not feel under attack.

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JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY JANUARY 2019 2019

DONATE YOUR BRAIN TO SCIENCE—NOW BY SYLVIA WHITMAN | ILLUSTRATION BY DARCY KELLY LAVIOLETTE

According to a global Harris poll, 62% of adults around the world worry that they may develop Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This fear is not unfounded. The National Institute on Aging reports that more than 5.5 million Americans may have AD, “an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.” Recent estimates have ranked AD as the third leading cause of death in older people, behind heart disease and cancer. As caretakers have so poignantly observed, AD robs people of their past as well as their future. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. Yet. That’s where you might come in. Sarasota’s Roskamp Institute, a world-class research institute focusing on neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and addictions, is recruiting volunteers for clinical trials of a treatment

to prevent or delay the onset of AD in people at greater genetic risk of developing the disease. Sarasota is more than 100 sites in the United States collaborating with global healthcare company Novartis, biotech firm Amgen, and Banner Alzheimer’s Institute on this study. If you qualify, you will receive an experimental drug or a placebo, genetic counseling, and close monitoring over the 5-8 years of the trial—at no cost. As principal investigator Dr. Andrew Keegan emphasizes, the trial follows strict FDA protocols for informed consent, so clinicians will explain risks and benefits, and you may exit at any time. That Harris poll mentioned earlier found that an overwhelming number of respondents believe that the solution to health problems lies in medical research, and 79% are willing to participate. Trouble is, most of them said they have no clue how to get involved.

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So, here’s the 411 on Roskamp’s Alzheimer’s prevention initiative, Generation Program. DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GUINEA PIG? For this study, researchers are looking for men and women between the ages of 60-75 who have not been diagnosed with any memory impairment. Participants also need a study partner (anyone, not just a spouse or child) who sees them regularly and is willing to accompany them on required visits several times a year. To enter the trial, volunteers must have one or both of these AD risk factors: 1) one or two copies of the APOE e4 gene and 2) elevated amyloid plaques. Everyone has a pair of APOE genes, one inherited from dad and one from mom. Only the e4 variation has been implicated in AD dementia. Similarly, everyone’s brain produces amyloid plaques, but a higher-than-normal level of these proteins has been linked to dementia. Just because you have one or both of these conditions does NOT mean that you will automatically develop Alzheimer’s disease. Most folks don’t know if they have these risk factors, so Roskamp screens candidates. STEP 1: Learn more about Generation Program through the website (generationprogram. com/#Main) or by phone (1.866.244.8907). STEP 2: If you don’t know your APOE gene variation, you need to give a DNA sample through a cheek swab. You can request the kit and submit this through the mail or do the swab at the Roskamp Institute. Investigators will call back only a subset of people after the cheek swab. Some will have one or two APOE e4 genes; others will have other variations. Why call back those with both negative and positive results? Investigators want to offer genetic counseling rather than delivering that message indirectly. STEP 3: If you’re eligible and want to enroll, investigators will educate you about what lies ahead. They determine amyloid plaque levels through either a PET scan, which pictures the brain with a radioactive dye.

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STEP 4: After a full physical exam, tests, and blood workup, participants receive either the new drug being tested or a placebo pill. After the “intense” first three months, the time demands fall sharply. Participants return several times a year for follow-up visits. RISKS AND BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, but finding out that you carry a higher-risk gene or amyloid protein concentration can rattle your equanimity. Receiving screening through this study—rather than through a mail-order DNA kit, for instance—guarantees you genetic counseling, of use to you and perhaps other blood relatives. Should the (free) medical monitoring reveal unrecognized cognitive impairment or other health problems, the Roskamp team will make referrals, allowing early intervention. Volunteers may receive compensation for time and travel. But the modest financial perks pale beside the greater good of the study. Yes, experimental drugs sometimes have unexpected side effects on the heart and liver, says Dr. Keegan. All the sites in this study pool their ongoing data, “regularly reviewing the safety parameters.” Sometimes a negative outcome can shut down a study. But so too can an overwhelmingly positive trend. Investigators may end a trial early because the drug is so outperforming the placebo that they want to offer it to a wider pool of patients. If you are at higher risk of AD, you may be receiving the cutting-edge treatment that holds it at bay. “You could be the one that gets helped,” confirms Dr. Keegan, a practicing neurologist as well as researcher. “But the best people we recruit aren’t looking to help themselves. They’re really doing it to help the next guy. If it benefits them, well, that’s a total win. But they’re really doing it to help others out.” Even if you don’t qualify for this study, you can still join the fight against Alzheimer’s or other neurological diseases. Roskamp Institute runs other studies. And you can spread the word about how to take care of yourself into old age. “It’s the same old story,” says Dr. Keegan. “Don’t smoke. Treat sleep apnea. Eat right. Exercise is my big thing. And socialize—make sure you’re with people, sharing stories.” This could be one of them.

TRANSFOR TRAVEL BY JACQUELINE MILLER

on’t think work will survive without you? Or perhaps you think everything is going to fall apart if you go away? If you are one of “those” thinkers, then you really need a transformational vacation. In this new year, think more about your health. According to the Framingham Heart Study, the gold standard for long-term health studies, men who didn’t take vacations were 30% more likely to have a heart attack and women were 50% more likely to suffer an attack. The body just can’t handle year after year of stress. It catches up to those of us who don’t take care of ourselves. To help you reset toward a healthier lifestyle, look at your calendar, pick the time that works best and book it. You owe it to your life. Here are two relaxing and healthy getaways you may want to explore. And if you’re interested in these or other transformation vacations, I recommend contacting Sarasota’s best travel resource—Lisa Silvestri of Silvestri Travel (941.966.6535). Having traveled the globe since 1969, she is truly a travel expert.

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MATIONAL

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OJO CALIENTE MINERAL SPRINGS RESORT & SPA Sixty miles north of Sante Fe, New Mexico sits one of the oldest natural health resorts in the U.S., Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa in Ojo Caliente. It opened its doors in 1868. The sulphur-free, geothermal mineral waters on the resort property have flowed from a subterranean volcanic aquifer for thousands of years. Over 100,000 gallons per day come to the surface, revitalizing those who soak in what is long-believed to be healing waters. Ojo Caliente is the only hot springs in the world with four different types of mineral water including lithia, iron, soda and arsenic. There are twelve pools filled with different types and combinations of these waters, with temperatures ranging from 80 - 106 degrees. All of the Springs and the Spa are located within a whisper zone so that guests may have a quiet and peaceful experience at this unique retreat. Surrounding the springs are the ruins of the cities populated before the birth of history. Posi or Poseouinge, â&#x20AC;&#x153;village at the place of the green bubbling hot springsâ&#x20AC;? was the largest of four Pueblos surrounding the springs and home to thousands of people. 64

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It was not until the 19th century that westward expansion caused Ojo Caliente to emerge from its prehistoric origins. In 1868, Antonio Joseph, New Mexicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1st Territorial Representative to Congress, built the first bath house and Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs became one of the first natural health resorts in the country. Three original buildings have been caringly restored and maintained and today are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, including the Historic Bathhouse built in 1868; the Historic Hotel, built in 1917; and the Adobe Round Barn built in 1924. In addition to soaking in the healthy waters of Ojo Caliente, guests can enjoy the many therapeutic and restorative spa services, yoga, bird-watching, hiking, biking and more. When it comes to sustenance, Ojo Farm, located on the property, produces seasonal herbs, fruits and vegetables, and their farm-to-table program uses organic and sustainable practices. The sister property to Ojo Caliente, Sunrise Springs, is located in Sante Fe and is the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only destination spa. There are 70 tranquil acres of gardens, walking paths and scenic high desert landscape surrounding the historic spring-fed waters. The Sunrise Springs experience is customized for each guest to create harmony amongst the four aspects of wellbeing: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. They blend fitness, nutrition, spa therapies and wellness services with ancient wisdom and healing traditions. JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

THE LODGE AT WOODLOCH This $42+ million luxury destination spa debuted in June 2006 and is considered one of the finest full-service luxury destination spas in the Northeast. Set on over 500 pristine wooded acres with a 15-acre private lake, the property offers a serene escape. It is located in the Lake Region of Northeast Pennsylvania. The exclusive property, features 58 finely appointed guestrooms and suites, a 40,000-square-foot Spa, exceptional dining, complete fitness programs and educational forums. The Lodge embraces a philosophy of personal awakening. Here you can reconnect to the creative and stress-relieving outlets that will continue to benefit you long after you return home. When you enter The Lodge, there is a set of three oversized chakra bowls, which, when rung, creates sounds and vibrations that resonate within the individual setting the tone for the rest of the stay. The Spa is a sanctuary for the senses. Guests can JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

relax at the coed Whisper Lounge or immerse themselves at the Aqua Garden, complete with therapeutic soaking pools and dramatic hydromassage Water Walls surrounded by native boulders. Active indoor pursuits take place in the expansive windowed cardio/weight training studio, spinning room, rowing room, yoga/ meditation studio and dance/fitness studios. Spa services are offered in 27 treatment rooms and focus on the use of natural ingredients, incorporating therapies from Europe and the Far East as well as indigenous elements. Nutrition and lifestyle counseling, health and wellness classes and fitness training complement the world-class facility. Activities include guided hikes, mountain biking, a two-

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mile recreational trail, fly fishing, bird-watching, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, archery, geocaching, tennis, and golf at an adjacent award-winning private club. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also an art program that includes painting, sketching, wild-crafting and other creative arts classes. The Lodgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gourmet restaurant offers elegant cuisine featuring farm fresh, local and seasonal creative and healthy dishes, as well as cooking demonstrations. A walk on the nature trails (paved and unpaved) will find some of the unique property highlights such as the new custom-designed Lotus Labyrinth, a Healing Garden, a Pollinator Garden, a Hammock Grove, an Orchard and the Blackmore Farm-to-Table Garden with four honey bee hives.

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Experience a Circus Gala that promises to be different from all circus galas before it! Under the Ulla Searing Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park, South of the Mall at UTC World Class Circus Performances Valet Parking on Site

Gala Committee Chairs: Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Donna Koffman, Tomeika Hunter-Koski and Jaclyn Brunckhorst

Friday February 1, 2019 6:00-11:00pm

Proceeds from the 2019 Gala support Circus Arts Conservatory human services programs that promote accessible and inclusive outreach, education, healthcare and intergenerational connections through circus arts.

PRESENTING SPONSORS

SPONSORS

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

tickets 941.355.9335 or circusarts.org SARASOTA SCENE | DECEMBER JANUARY 2019 2018

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5100 Ocean Boulevard | Sarasota, FL 34242 | 941.349.3444 JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

Enjoy live music in our piano room...

From its inviting old world charm and sophistication to its timeless, artistic cuisine, let the legendary Cafe Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

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SA R ASOTA

MANATEE

DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION

A SARASOTA SCENE MAGAZINE SPECIAL SECTION JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

Left to Right:

Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr.

Austin Hill Joshua Green Gray Swor Thomas Williams Larry Silverman

Dr. Gray Swor 3210 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34237 941-364-8887 www.21co.com 74

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21st Century Oncology As a global leader in integrated cancer care, 21st Century Oncology provides patients with the latest, most advanced technology and therapies with care provided by leading, patient-focused physicians. For more than 30 years, 21st Century Oncology has delivered academic quality therapy and other cancer treatments by continually investing in new software, training and equipment. 21st Century Oncology believes in fighting for patients like an army and caring for them like a family with their skilled integrated cancer care providers. Dr. Joshua Green’s primary focus is on men’s health. Dr. Green believes in a comprehensive approach to treating male infertility and sexual dysfunction and strives to bring the latest technology to patients along with minimally invasive treatments for benign urologic disease. He is board certified in urology and completed undergraduate and medical school at Penn State University/Jefferson Medical College and underwent general surgery and urology training at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Green’s desire is always to make his patients as comfortable as possible, to answer questions thoroughly and to act as their decision-making partner. Dr. Austin Hill is a urologist and urologic surgeon with a specialty in prostate disease including benign enlargement and cancer, bladder control issues and renal stone management using an integrative approach to care in his practice. Treatments range from nonsurgical and minimally invasive endoscopic surgery to highly advanced robotic surgeries. Dr. Hill is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine and trained at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine in general surgery and urology. He serves on the Manatee Memorial Hospital Board of Governors and has served as its past Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff.

Dr. Joshua Green 3325 S Tamiami Trail Suite 200 Sarasota, FL 34239 941-917-8488 urologytreatmentcenter.com

Dr. Austin Hill 200 3rd Ave West Suite 210 Bradenton, FL 34205 941-792-0340 urology-partners.com

In his practice as a radiation oncologist, Dr. Larry Silverman specializes in lung, breast, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers as well as those of the head, neck and central nervous system. Dr. Silverman’s approach is to treat patients as he would members of his own family and to bring them the latest technology, including stereotactic radiosurgery and body radiotherapy along with HDR brachytherapy. He is board certified in radiation oncology and subspecialty board certified in hospice and palliative care. Dr. Silverman has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for many years. Dr. Gray Swor followed her father’s footsteps into medicine and practices general adult radiation oncology with a special interest in breast cancer. Dr. Swor believes in providing individualized patient care that revolves around listening to their concerns and tailoring recommendations based on personal needs, medical condition and lifestyle. Her intention is always to be approachable, offer reassurance and instill hope. Dr. Swor earned the title of Chief Resident at Duke University Medical Center, is board certified in radiation oncology, and provides leading technology combined with a team approach to patient care aimed at improving outcomes. Dr. Thomas Williams is a general urologist treating adults who is devoted to providing the best options for patient care along with the education they need to make informed decisions about their treatment. Dr. Williams is board certified in urology and an experienced urologic surgeon who has practiced locally for more than 20 years. He was born in Florida, attended the University of Tennessee for medical school and completed urology training at DartmouthHitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Williams served in the past as Chairman of the Cancer Committee at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Thomas Williams 1 South School Ave. Suite 200 Sarasota, FL 34237 941-309-7000 flurologyspecialists.com

Dr. Larry Silverman 3663 Bee Ridge Road Sarasota, FL 34233 941-924-8700 www.21co.com

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Rebecca S. Cohen M.D. A quote from Maya Angelou prominently displayed above her desk captures the essence of what Dr. Rebecca Cohen has strived to achieve throughout her career as a psychiatrist. The late author once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” And Dr. Cohen has dedicated herself to helping patients feel better by creating a comfortable, supportive environment and staying on the leading edge of treatments. Now, she is making transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive FDA-cleared treatment, available locally for those struggling with persistent major depression. “I am a psychopharmacologist, and that is a psychiatrist who specializes in nuancing medications for improved treatment outcomes. I work with adults who have a wide variety of diagnoses from mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD and PTSD to sleep disorders and depression,” Dr. Cohen said. “I make the best assessment of the most difficult symptoms and adjust various types of medications so people are the most functional and healthiest they can be. We always want to achieve remission, but even with the best combinations and a comprehensive treatment plan that includes the right therapy, improved nutrition and other wellness activities, a certain number of patients don’t respond.” These patients are identified as having treatment resistant depression (TRD). Dr. Cohen was working for a large private practice in Boston when she learned about TMS as a promising treatment for helping patients manage TRD. She began researching TMS and traveled to see it in practice. “I was struck by its efficacy. TMS works well and is well tolerated by patients,” she said. “People were telling remarkable stories about how much better they felt, and clinicians were saying ‘you won’t believe how well it works’. I thought this is the frontier of neuroscience, and I felt I was doing a disservice to patients by not making it available.” Encouraged by the results, Dr. Cohen was certified in TMS and began treating patients. She was named TMS Director of Newton Wellesley Psychiatry in Massachusetts and began training others to use the device. TMS works by focusing

short bursts of magnetic energy–the same strength as an MRI machine–on the mood centers of the brain. A coil is placed directly over that portion of the patient’s head and, unlike electroconvulsive therapy, no general anesthetic is needed and no seizure is induced. Treatment duration is 17 minutes with minimal or no discomfort. While TMS is a well-regarded and accessible therapy in larger cities, it was not well known in Sarasota when Dr. Cohen moved her practice here in 2012. As a highly experienced psychiatrist, she quickly built a private practice here with a focus on spending time with patients and actively listening so they feel heard and understood. In addition to her own patients, Dr. Cohen plans to bring TMS to other private practitioners. “In Boston, more than half my patients got significantly better and an exciting percentage went into complete remission,” she said. “I want to make TMS more accessible here so patients on the Suncoast are getting the best possible care. I believe in patients having more options because hope comes from believing there will be something else to try. My dream is to see multiple TMS centers throughout the area.” Dr. Cohen’s experience includes research at the Harvard Medical School Neurology Department and serving as Chief Psychiatry Resident at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she received multiple awards, including the Resident Pearls of Wisdom and Resident of the Year awards. She currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor at FSU College of Medicine and is part of the outpatient psychiatry rotation for students.

1217 S. East Ave., Suite 209 Sarasota, FL 34239 941.404.0545 drrebeccacohen.com

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Fabian A. Ramos, M.D. FIPP, DABA, DABIPP, DABPM

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

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Dr. Fabian Ramos has been helping relieve suffering for those in chronic pain for more than 20 years and recently received an award for his diligent advocacy of using non-pharmaceutical options for pain management to prevent and reduce substance abuse. Dr. Ramos, who is founder of the Ramos Center for Interventional and Functional Pain Medicine, received Drug Free Manateeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 Champion of Prevention Award in the healthcare category. As an interventional and functional pain specialist with more than 20 years of experience, he uses a comprehensive, multiple modality approach on the leading edge of medicine. That allows Dr. Ramos to offer a range of non-pharmaceutical options and to prescribe opioids only where medically necessary. The Champion of Prevention Award recognizes his volunteer outreach to other local physicians by hosting educational seminars to share his insight and knowledge about the recently passed Florida House Bill 21 on prescribing controlled substances. Dr. Ramos is triple board certified in anesthesiology, pain medicine and interventional pain medicine. He has built a strong reputation with other physicians and major insurance companies and earned patient accolades as one of the best reviewed practices in the country. The Ramos Center physicians keep abreast of the latest in emerging treatments producing good outcomes, including minimally invasive vertebral fracture stabilization, out-patient ablation of metastatic spinal tumors, targeted denervations for persistent disc pain, minimally invasive decompression techniques for spinal stenosis or pinched nerves and next generation spinal and peripheral nerve stimulators. The Ramos Center has also had great success with selective pain path ablations for patients with failed hip or knee replacements, and also incorporates advancements in regenerative medicine for other ligament, tendon and joint problems with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies. The Ramos Center also tackles pain through in-house physical therapy and balance reconditioning. Understanding that chronic pain has life-changing consequences for patients and their families, the Ramos Center also has a licensed mental health counselor and clinical hypnotherapist on staff. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are offering our community the best alternatives for treatment to relieve the intensity of pain, improve function and rehabilitate the mind and the body,â&#x20AC;? Dr. Ramos said.

Left to Right : Dr. David Mobley, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Scott Engel, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Braun Graham, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Brian Derby, M.D., F.A.C.S.

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

Braun H. Graham, David L. Mobley, Scott J. Engel & Brian M. Derby Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center offers a powerful combination of comprehensive services delivered with skill by a caring team of experienced, board-certified and patient-focused plastic surgeons. “We are the first practice in Sarasota to have a complete suite of plastic surgery services on site with our own operating room suites, medical spa and skin care under one roof,” said founding partner Dr. Braun Graham who focuses on aesthetic surgery of the face and breast. He has been named one of America’s Best Doctors since 1996 and is listed in Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors. “As a perfectionist, I want to give my patients the best version of themselves possible while keeping things natural and giving them a big improvement.,” said Dr. David Mobley. “One method is adding fat grafting. We can correct laxity with a lift, but fat grafting adds back the volume and turns a good facelift into a great facelift.” Dr. Mobley is triple board certified in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, and otolaryngology. He has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2007. Patient safety is a priority, and the practice’s on-site ambulatory care center is state-licensed and federally certified. Only board

certified anesthesiologists are used along with a staff that is highly experienced in cosmetic surgery. “We stay abreast of all new procedures and provide only the highest level of care. Not all new procedures are safe or effective, and they need to be proven before they are implemented,” said Dr. Scott Engel. “We want effective results and happy patients.” Dr. Engel is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and serves on the clinical faculty of the Cleveland Clinic. Surgical procedures offered include facial rejuvenation, breast lifts and enlargements, liposuction, body contouring and tummy tucks. Nonsurgical options also are available, such as CoolSculpting for fat reduction with no down time. “We provide care that is second to none as a unified team of surgeons working together to offer the gold standard of care with the highest level of expertise,” said Dr. Brian Derby who has advanced specialty training in aesthetic eyelid, facial, breast, and body surgery. “You can trust the decisions made and recommendations offered are the same as we would give our own families.”

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Jonathan P. Yunis, MD FACS More than 20 years ago, Dr. Jonathan Yunis began building a surgical practice focused on hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction. Dr. Yunis’ highly specialized experience and successful track record of dealing with even the most complex cases means he currently is recognized as performing over 700 hernia operations annually–more than any other surgeon in the nation. Being a solo practitioner means he and his staff provide patients highly personalized care.

1435 South Osprey Avenue Suite 201 Sarasota, FL 34239 941.953.5917 www.centerforherniarepair.com

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

“I’m the only local surgeon in solo practice so the experience of patients in our office is completely different and a lot more pleasant,” Dr. Yunis said. “We have no voicemail and everyone knows your name. Because we are so specialized, my staff truly understands what our patients are going through and develops a relationship with them. Their approach is to put themselves in the patient’s place.” That means providing enhanced access for appointments and giving patients the confidence of knowing their questions were answered knowledgeably. Dr. Yunis is not one to rest on his laurels. He remains at the leading edge of technology and techniques through involvement with the American Hernia Society and travels extensively to work with, and learn from, other international experts. His prior experience as a vascular surgeon uniquely qualifies him for technically complex surgeries, and patients with complex issues–including previous failed hernia surgeries–travel from around the country for his help. Dr. Yunis is expert in utilizing highprecision laparoscopic and robotic instruments for minimally invasive procedures, and recently published articles in two major medical publications on robotic hernia surgery. Because he is highly specialized, Dr. Yunis has expertise in all options ranging from observation without intervention to correction of complex issues, which allows him to offer personalized solutions for each patient’s individual situation. He has extensive experience in performing non-mesh surgeries and also is known for his expertise at removal of failed surgical mesh. For patients with large–sometimes disfiguring–hernias, he performs abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) at the same time as the hernia repair. “Some patients have such large, painful and unsightly hernias, it is a very dramatic improvement,” Dr. Yunis said. “Their whole life is changed.”

Petra Travnicek, MD, FACP & Bart Price, MD Concierge Medical Services helps patients who are looking for primary care that emphasizes wellness and prevention as well as those managing acute and chronic conditions that require enhanced medical attention. Dr. Petra Travnicek and Dr. Bart Price are board certified internal medicine specialists with 20 years of experience who have formed a strong partnership that offers patients access to a doctor of their preferred gender with whom they can feel comfortable. Converting to a concierge practice 12 years ago allows the physicians ample time to spend with patients creating a relaxed and friendly environment. The physicians also focus on preventative care with a goal of avoiding hospitalizations. If needed, they make daily visits when patients are hospitalized and are available after hours for emergencies. Dr. Travnicek treats the whole body and sees patients for a wide range of needs including management of acute and chronic conditions. She is one of only a few local fellows of the American College of Medicine. Dr. Travnicekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extensive background includes medical studies in Europe and rigorous clinical training in the United States. She and Dr. Price believe strongly in continual learning to stay up-to-date with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapid medical advances. Dr. Travnicek is currently enrolled in the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Fellowship. She also has been a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Florida State University and has taught medical students in her clinic for 10 years. Dr. Travnicek conducts preventative breast and pelvic examinations for women who prefer to receive their medical care at one location through their primary care physician. She strongly believes in leaving no stone unturned to help patients achieve a healthier and happier life. Dr. Price is skilled at managing multi-system illnesses and develops comprehensive plans for patients that take into consideration necessary testing, referrals to specialists, medications and therapies along with recommended dietary and lifestyle changes and patient education. Dr. Price completed undergraduate studies at Cornell University. He is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine where he completed an internship and residency at Georgetown University Hospital before entering private practice in 1996.

1250 S. Tamiami Tr., Suite 301 Sarasota, FL 34239 941.365.1321 www.manasotamed.com

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1950 Arlington St., Suite 112 Sarasota, FL 34239 941.366.5476 www.sovereignps.com

Alissa Shulman, M.D., F.A.C.S Known for her body sculpting expertise as a plastic surgeon, Dr. Alissa Shulman is looking forward to a busy year helping her patients look their best and assuming key roles professionally. Dr. Shulman has been named Chief of Staff-elect for Sarasota Memorial Hospital, which also previously named her its Physician of the Year. She will be Chief of Staff in 2020. Dr. Shulman also is serving as President-elect for the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons and will be its President next year. Although this will definitely make a full calendar, she plans to maintain her current medical schedule–including spending the time needed to be sure patients feel comfortable and are thoroughly prepared for their procedures. With a degree in fine art and as a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Shulman has built a reputation for sculpting breasts and bodies. She performs cosmetic breast lifts, augmentations and reductions as well as breast reconstructions. In addition, she is well known for her skill in grafting with a patient’s own purified fat, which results

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in a very natural look–especially important when old implants need to be removed because they have become encapsulated and feel hard and/or look unnatural. Women also are removing larger implants they got in their 20s or 30s that have started to make them look matronly. “They want perkier more athletic breasts,” she said. “They have the confidence of older women and are not as affected by what society says they should look like.” Dr. Shulman also performs body-contouring procedures, including tummy tucks and liposuction. W ith an uncompromising approach to patient safety, she does all surgical procedures at Sarasota Memorial Hospital with its full medical capabilities on site. “Being on staff at the hospital means I know who to call if anything needs to be addressed for my patients, and being on the state board alerts me to the latest advancements or areas of concern,” Dr. Shulman said. “That way, I can give my patients what they are looking for, which is to look as great on the outside as they feel on the inside.”

Federico Richter, MD, RPhS Dr. Federico Richter of the Vein Center at Erasers is the third generation of a family of doctors treating venous conditions. Dr. Richter specializes in bringing patients the latest advancements in minimally invasive treatments for a spectrum of venous conditions. These range from varicose veins and inadequate blood circulation due to venous insufficiency to cosmetic issues with spider veins. “Many people’s impression of treatment is vein stripping with a lot of pain and down time, but that is no longer true,” Dr. Richter said. “We have new minimally invasive treatment options that are pretty much painless and done in the office with little or no downtime. People usually are back to daily activities by the next day.” Modern treatments are done through small catheters, and problematic veins are closed through lasers or radiofrequency technologies. Dr. Richter also offers a new procedure with medical grade “superglue” that can seal veins from ankle to groin with a small injection. Often patients suffer for many years with the swelling caused by venous insufficiency because its symptoms can be mistaken for restless leg syndrome, plantar fasciitis or diabetic neuropathy. “When they come here, we do a venous ultrasound to find the root cause of the swelling,” he said. “We put them at ease, treat them like family, and patients feel they are at home here.” Dr. Richter has more than 10 years of experience diagnosing and treating vein disease and is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. After receiving his medical degree, he completed a year of general surgery and a Fellowship in vein and lymphatic disorders. He became fascinated with the specialty as a child. His grandfather was one of the first vein specialists in Argentina and his father has treated veins for more than 45 years. “Treating veins has always been a passion for me. Patients who could not walk two blocks before treatment now can walk miles. They are more active, can sleep through the night without cramps, and be on their feet at work,” Dr. Richter said. “That is life changing, and we see it every day.”

6050A 53rd Avenue E Bradenton, FL 34203 941.907.3400 veincenterflorida.com vein@veincenterfl.com

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8614 East State Road 70, Suite 200 Bradenton, FL 34202 941.727.1243 office@beimonline.com, appointments@beimonline.com beimonline.com

Karen O. Brainard, M.D. & Samantha Notman, D.O.

Bradenton East Integrative Medicine unites the best of complementary therapies with traditional primary care family medicine and esthetic services to go beyond treating symptoms to nurturing wellness. Patients’ individual medical and personal needs are addressed through a full range of healing options, including newly emerging, evidencebased treatments. Taking a compassionate approach, practitioners look beyond symptoms and seek out the underlying cause of disease to provide the most effective treatments. Bradenton East Integrative Medicine is one of the only integrative medicine practices in the area to accept insurance because of a commitment to bring this comprehensive approach to as many people as possible. Dr. Karen O. Brainard, Co-Founder and Medical Director, has 30 years of experience as a family doctor caring for patients of all ages and is board certified in family medicine and integrative holistic medicine. Dr. Brainard views healing as service and spent the first 25 years of her career at a community health center in rural New Hampshire. She stays at the forefront of natural as well as pharmaceutical and technological treatments because 84

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she believes each has a place in an integrative approach to medicine. Dr. Brainard takes a partnership approach in guiding her patients to optimal health and believes healing is most profound when a patient’s community, family and personal life are assessed along with physical needs. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of Virginia, studied medicine at Medical College of Virginia and completed her training at the Maine-Dartmouth Family Practice Residency. Dr. Samantha Notman is a board certified family physician who was raised in Bradenton. Dr. Notman attended Bradenton Christian School, received her Bachelor of Science degree in molecular and microbiology from the University of Central Florida and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University. She completed her family medicine residency at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami. Dr. Notman has a particular focus on preventative medicine and also in providing care for patients with acute and chronic illnesses. The health and wellbeing of her patients are Dr. Notman’s main focus, and she cares for patients who are age 10 and older.

Joseph Greco, PhD, PA/C Women who suffer hair loss have more–and more effective–options for hair restoration today than they ever have thanks, in large part, to Joseph Greco, PhD, PA/C, who is a pioneer in biologic surgical and nonsurgical hair restoration methods. “Today, seven in 10 patients are women who want the same treatments men have, and 40 percent of those are surgical hair restoration patients,” Dr. Greco said. “Women can choose a permanent solution or a nonsurgical solution to improve their hair. The most important thing is keeping and improving the hair you have.” Having specialized in hair restoration for more than 35 years, he offers a range of FDA-approved therapies and has helped patients who travel from 70 countries to Greco Medical Group’s Sarasota office for leading-edge treatments. Dr. Greco is recognized internationally as a pioneer in regenerative medicine biologic hair treatments. Using patented, proprietary methods that he helped develop, Dr. Greco can concentrate healing proteins and growth factors from a patient’s own blood far beyond those available in traditional platelet rich plasma treatments.

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

These stimulate hair regrowth and increase density along with promoting healing and reducing scarring following surgery. “We not only use a patient’s own cells, we also use amniotic cells or umbilical cord cells to enhance treatments,” he said. “We are doing a lot of treatments with IV stem cells for autoimmune conditions, including those causing hair loss. The common thread is inflammation, and if we reduce inflammation and build the immune system, we can slow progression.” Biologics also are very safe therapies. “I have been using them for 12 years with not one adverse side effect,” Dr. Greco said. His work has earned the attention of major publications including Vogue, The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report and USA Today. Dr. Greco also has taught his techniques to physicians in 18 countries, is on the faculty of George Washington University, and his work has been published in medical journals. “My family is the only three-generation family in the world doing hair restoration,” he said, “and when people say women are not great candidates for hair restoration, I know that is just not true.” JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

25 - 28 January 2019 | FSU Center for the Performing Arts

Sir Frederick Ashton’s

MEDITATION FROM THAÏS David Bintley’s

FOUR SCOTTISH DANCES Ricardo Graziano’s

WORLD PREMIERE Sir Frederick Ashton’s

VARII CAPRICCI FEATURING GUEST ARTIST MARCELO GOMES

The Sarasota Ballet Box Office

Katelyn May & Ricardo Graziano in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Meditation from Thaïs | Photography Frank Atura

941.359.0099 | www.SarasotaBallet.org

ARTHUR MILLER’s

“Heartstopping, bone-chilling masterpiece.” — New York Post

JAN 11 – MAR 10, 2019 Previews: Jan 9 & 10 SPONSORS

SEASON SPONSORS Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

941.351.8000 | asolorep.org

Amanda Fallon Smith and Coburn Goss in The Crucible. Photo by John Revisky.

Directed by MICHAEL DONALD EDWARDS

1 8

t h

A N N U A L

SEAL starring

Saturday, February 16, 2019 5:00 P.M. Cocktails by the Bay Dinner Reception Live Performance by Seal After-Party

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities call 941-366-5578 or visit VWFOUNDATION.ORG

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

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

EVENTS OF DISTINCTION

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

STEP UP TO A RANGE ROVER

LAND ROVER SARASOTA WILDELANDROVERSARASOTA .COM • 941.924. 3019 • 4883 CLARK ROAD

Brunckhorst Family Joan Lieberman EVENTS OF DISTINCTION

Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel

THE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

BY GUS MOLLASIS 88

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f film truly is the most collaborative and challenging of all the art forms, then putting on a successful film festival that leaves a lasting impression is every bit as collaborative and challenging.

Both depend on good stories, a great producing and director team working together diligently to create something special – something that engages, entertains and educates the movie-goers who love the power of film. And that’s just what The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has been doing for the last nine years – producing a festival that focuses on the eclectic nature of the Jewish experience portrayed on film. As they get ready to produce their tenth annual Jewish Film Festival starting with the opening night film on March 6, Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel, through the closing night film ten days later on March 17, The Mamboniks, one thing is certain. This Festival will be a diverse slice of the Jewish life that has something for everyone. Festival Co-chair Fran Braverman emphasizes why “there is great need for these festivals, not just for Jewish people, but for all people.” “I love good, interesting and entertaining films that teach me something,” Braverman said. “We certainly provide that each and every year at the festival. We have films on the Holocaust, and that’s important to educate the next generation about those atrocities so that they will not only never forget them, but also prevent them from happening again, but sadly, they are happening around the world even today.” Festival Co-chair Cheryl Shapiro echoes Braverman’s words. “It’s important that we continue to share our stories with the world. Film has a way of informing the public in a way that no other art form can. It can be very powerful in building bridges.” Jeremy Lisitza, Director of Innovation and Volunteer Engagement at The Jewish Federation, could not agree more. “Film builds bridges because it educates. Every single one of these films has a message. A very poignant message. You go away knowing or experiencing something you didn’t know before.” Braverman, Shapiro and Lisitza are very excited about this year’s Festival. “This will be our biggest, best and most important festival yet. This Festival, we’re excited to provide a record breaking 18 films that round out a diverse line-up. We have documentaries like The Optimists, which is about a small community living in

a kibbutz in the desert in Israel, representing an alternative path to current Israeli society; a unique love story named Keep the Change; and the closing night film, The Mamboniks, that deals with the little-known story of the Jewish love affair with Latin music. There is something for everyone,” Lisitza says. Something for everyone indeed. “We really focused this year on having a wide variety of documentaries, narratives, films about the Holocaust and regular Jewish experience as well as comedies,” Lisitza continued. The opening night film, Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel, is the David-and-Goliath story of Israel’s national baseball team, as it competes for the first time in the world baseball classic. Back to Berlin is touted as the first biker flick-meets-Holocaust feature documentary. In this film, eleven bikers take the Maccabiah torch from Israel to the site of the infamous 1936 Berlin Olympics for the first Jewish Olympic Games on German soil. Along the way they trace the heroic journey of the original 1930’s Maccabiah riders and discover how they survived the Holocaust. A film that both co-chairs, Fran Braverman and Cheryl Shapiro, look forward to is My Dear Children. The film is the story of Jewish faith, family, and a tragedy that reverberated for generations. The pogroms after the Russian Revolution of 1917 killed tens of thousands of Jews and began the near obliteration of Jewish life. The film is the stunning account of Feiga Shamis, a Jewish mother of 12, who wrote about those years in an unbelievable, rare first-hand account. “As Jews, we have been aware of the pogroms and the evil that they did. It’s an important part of our history,” Braverman states. “The evil acts of Hitler and the Nazis were not new to us and our Jewish experience,” Shapiro added, citing an old saying, “Those who cannot remember history are doomed to repeat it.” Braverman also sights the need for education and is shocked at recent studies that claim that significant numbers of millennials have never heard of the Holocaust and Auschwitz. “I wonder what they are teaching them in school. This is unacceptable,” says Braverman. And that’s just one more reason why movie festivals like the Jewish Film Festival are even more important today. Still, producing a festival, just like a film, has many moving parts and can be quite a daunting task. Lisitza explains the process. “Our staff starts the process the previous summer watching 60 to 70 trailers of film. A large committee reviews and votes on original trailers, narrowing JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

The Mamboniks our films to the top 30 with highest number of votes. Each member of the committee then views 10 films. We tabulate their scores from two questions – “do you think this film should be in the Jewish Film Festival?” And, “do you think The Jewish Federation should screen this film?” We narrow the 30 films to 22 films finally, as in this year’s case, the final 18 films. It’s a long process, but a collaborative one. It’s interesting because often in that group you get a film that someone may not care for, but they feel that the Federation should show the film.” Chairs Braverman and Shapiro are proud of this year’s diversity. “We have a wide variety of films that will expose our Jewish community and lifestyle to our neighbors,” said Shapiro. “I love that film can educate, engage and entertain in one place.”

to the Jewish experience than the 10th Annual Jewish Film Festival starting this March in Sarasota. A grateful Lisitza adds, “We have a great team of people who work many long passion-filled hours to pull this off, headed by our two chairs. They all know the importance of what this festival has become to the public.” According to Lisitza, since he lives and works in the Jewish community, he has films available to him that he can see anytime. The availability is not there to the general public and people call him early on asking when the festival starts, because they specifically come to Sarasota so they can attend the Jewish Film Festival. “When I hear from people, they just love seeing quality Jewish-themed films,” he said.

When I asked Lisitza why he’s such a cinephile, he simply states, “I love getting lost in the story conveyed. Film can take you to different places. To me it’s about escapism.”

For Lisitza, his enjoyment is when people exit the theater, knowing the movies they just saw and the questions they’ll have. “They want to probe more and find out how we chose the films or they want to talk about the ending. The conversations that happen when people huddle with people who they don’t even know when they’re walking out of the film, you don’t see that when you go to a typical Hollywood film. These films compel people to talk because it touches their Jewish being.”

For film fans seeking good films, there is no better place to go to get lost in the magic of storytelling and become enlightened

For tickets and information on the 10th annual Jewish Film Festival on March 6 -17, visit jfedsrq.org/jff19.

Braverman has her own take on the importance of festivals like these. “A film is more affordable than going to the theater, and sadly, it’s much harder for these messages and stories to be told in a book that can then be talked about in a public forum.”

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2019

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Sarasota Opera Invites You To

The Opera Gala Saturday, February 2, 2019, 6:30 pm The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota $325 per person Black Tie Gala Chairs: Larry English & Carol English Please join us for Sarasotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most glamourous evening! Cocktail Hour Silent Auction Dazzling Four-Course 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 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

on the town

SARASOTA SCENE | DECEMBER JANUARY 2019 2018

SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW

Dr. Xernona Clayton

TRUMPETING FOR A BETTER WORLD BY GUS MOLLASIS

R. XERNONA CLAYTON HAS SPENT A GOOD PORTION OF HER LIFE ENSURING THAT AFTER SHE IS GONE, people will judge her by her words, deeds and her character, and not by the color of her skin. It is a lesson taught to her by her friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She learned many things from the great man and has taken the torch from him – fighting the good fight for civil rights, embracing love over hate, character over color. She trumpets her belief that we are a lot more similar to each other than we are different and has preached patience in her struggle to fight against prejudice, bigotry and racism. A trailblazer in television, she was the first black person to have her own TV show in America’s South. Dr. Clayton climbed the corporate ladder at Turner Broadcasting, becoming one the highest-ranking female executives, while working under the renowned media rebel Ted Turner. Rightfully recognized over the years with a “Meryl Streep” number of awards for her varied accomplishments, including the Leadership and Dedication in Civil Rights Award presented by the State of Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, the first Coretta Scott King Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and the Madam C. J. Walker Award from EBONY Magazine’s Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications, Dr. Clayton is obviously highly regarded. She has trumpeted the value of the African-American community by producing The Trumpet Awards, which highlights African-American accomplishments. But what really makes her tick is telling good stories about a man who was a king and a friend, and who, while on this earth, did Godly things to bring the races together. You can catch her one-woman show this coming February at Manatee Performing Arts Center when she shares her stories about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., capturing the true spirit of the man from someone who really knew him. As I spoke with her, she was on the road in Las Vegas, and I couldn’t wait to sit back and talk to this incredible woman about her life’s journey and the importance of character in some very spirited scenes from her life.

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on the town

As a child, what did you dream of being when you grew up? I wanted to be a church musician. I think it stemmed from the fact that my father was a minister. At age 12, he thought I was mature enough to take over as the choir director for the senior choir of the church.

not known – even in black communities. I created this show because I got tired of watching our people on TV being portrayed as buffoons, looking silly and acting irresponsibly like clowns. I knew that’s not how all of us are and that I’ve got to do something. Because I was working at CNN and had television at my disposal, I wanted to create something. So, I used the tools there to put on a show that really described the contributions of our people. I started the program trumpeting loudly and broadcasting to the world that our people are not all lazy.

What is the greatest lesson you learned from your parents? There is a price that you pay for your behavior. When my mother would give us an 11:00 p.m. curfew, she didn’t mean ten after, she meant 11:00; if we weren’t there on time, she would give us a good spanking. And of course, we hated her for that, but you get over the pain. There is a price you pay for your behavior. She would say, “Don’t be mad at me. You created this.”

There is story that proved Dr. King’s point and validated my efforts for what I was doing. A white mother from mid-America called me and told me that her parents taught her to hate all black people. She told me that “they never said some black people, they said that all black people were lazy; that all black men would rather stand in line for a welfare check than they would for a paycheck; and that every black woman would rather have a baby than have a job.” This woman ended up hating all of us, so when she got a glimpse of the Trumpet Awards, it piqued her interest. She said, “I have two little girls and I don’t want them to grow up with the same prejudice that I grew up in, so send me those tapes. I don’t care what they cost.” We heard many stories like that. The program brought pride to our people while educating other people. I’m very proud of it. The awards have taught and encouraged many little boys and girls to be something when they grow up.

The Trumpet Awards, initiated in 1993 by Turner Broadcasting, is a prestigious event highlighting African-American accomplishments and contributions. What do the Trumpet Awards mean to you? The world. Let me tell you why. Growing up black in America, I understood one thing that Dr. King taught me amongst many things. He always felt that all white people didn’t hate us because they loved to hate. It was his belief that some white people hated us because they just didn’t know us. So we have a kind of responsibility to educate them. You know, the richness of our vast contributions were 96

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The Xernona Clayton Show made you the South’s first black person to have her own primetime talk show. Please give me some perspective on that compared to today. I feel like I absolutely opened the door. And so when you open the door to opportunity, the door just keeps on widening. It’s so wide open today that the presence of an African-American is no longer new – it is commonplace. It was brand new when they first saw me. I was considered a success when I went on the air. It didn’t scare everybody off; it was a positive step. Back then, some people were fearful because I was on air. Somebody at my station wouldn’t work that night because they were fearful that the white community would come and burn the station down. But it didn’t happen. It ended up being a completely positive experience around the country.

on the town What was your greatest takeaway from working at Turner Broadcasting? Mr. Turner’s personal belief, the changing times and the attitude of “let’s get us one.” So I became the one. But by that time I had already built up a positive reputation in the community. I was responsible and good at what I was doing. I took what I was doing very seriously. I never acted like I was special, and I always wanted to do well and excel. As one of the highest-ranking female executives in Turner Broadcasting, was that a big deal to you, or did you just shrug it off and say, ‘what’s next?’ I didn’t shrug it off, but I wasn’t pompous about it either. I used the experiences I’d had as teaching tools for other people. Excel at what you do and be serious about what you do. Every success I’ve had has been based on that. What is your greatest quality as a person? Reliability. You can count on me in every way. Will I do it? Yes. Late? No. On time? Yes. Do it well? Yes. I know in my heart and in my spirit that I’m reliable and other people know that. That’s how people describe me. In 1965 you accepted a position with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with Dr. King. What are your thoughts on what made him a man who deserved all the reverence he’s received over the years? The man practiced what he preached. And that, to me, covered all of who he was. When he said that there was no way he could hate, I saw him prove that. When he said, “You can’t separate us

into black and white people,” I saw him act on that. When he said, “We have to be true to ourselves and true to our God,” I saw that. As busy as he was, he was a family man, who when he was coming home from trips on which he was trying to solve the problems of the world, he took the time to play games with his children. He told me the most painful thing he ever endured was to tell his 12-year-old daughter she couldn’t go to Funtown, an amusement park in Atlanta that is no longer there. You would pass it every time that you would go to the airport. Every time his little girl was in the car, she would say, “Daddy when are we going to go to Funtown?” She would be excited just at the mere sight of the amusement park. He kept telling her that one day he was going to take her, and he would say, “When I come back…When I come back…When I come back.” He was dodging the real answer. One day he said, “I can’t do this any longer. I can’t be untruthful to my little child any longer. I’ve got to tell her the truth.” So he sat her down and said to her, “You can’t go to Funtown because you are black.” What was so painful to Dr. King was that he was teaching her about being good and going to Sunday school, going to church and praying, because there are good people in the world. He said it almost contradicted what he was teaching her and what she was learning. So now his little girl says, “What do you mean I can’t go? Why would someone want to deny me going to Funtown? I’m a good person.” He said it was the most difficult task. He finally told her that it was because of racism and that’s why he was working every day trying to change these kinds of things. You tell your children that people are good, but then they find out that some of what you say may not be the truth.

Dr. Clayton with Dick Gregory, Comedian/Civil Rights Activist (deceased) and Charlie Pride, Country Singer

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on the town What is the greatest thing you learned from Dr. King? To be patient and that we can’t stop until every white person feels the same way about race relations that we do as African-Americans. And that as people we are more alike than we are different from each other. Until a man’s heart is changed, you will never be able to regulate his behavior. You have to work every day to regulate the heart and behavior. You’ve traveled extensively with the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King on her nationwide concert tours. What’s the greatest thing you learned from her? Being a wife and mother and living in the segregated South was challenging for anybody. Mrs. King never wavered. She had a big heart and a lot of times she had to be the mother and the father because Dr. King was out working trying to change the nation. She was so good and could organize the house from afar. She had great rare and unusual strength that allowed her to keep going, to change people’s hearts and minds. Finish the following sentences: The key to great television is… Honesty. Ted Turner’s greatest gift was… Compassion. Racism will disappear when… When we all understand that we are more alike than we are different. Love is simple, not difficult.

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When I think of Martin Luther King, I see a man who… Practiced what he preached. How close are we to being able to judge a person by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin? The behavior will always bespeak the truth. The way a man acts is usually the way he thinks. Patience and understanding and the will to help correct people and channel them in the right direction will also work. But you can’t change the world with one step. You have to be committed to it every day. Wherever racism raises its ugly head, you have to have the tenacity to say come on, we can do better. Please tell me about the time you fought against the dragons of prejudice and bigotry in 1968, and when the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan denounced the Klan and credited you with influencing his change. This man would come to visit and confront me with examples of racism and he tried to have me accept it. For example, he’d ask me how many colored people in Detroit own their own homes? I would answer I don’t know. He’d follow up asking me how many colored people in Mississippi own their home? Again I would say I don’t know. Then he would tell me figures that more black people owned their own home under segregation and did better under that treatment than those that moved to the desegregated North. Then he would just laugh and laugh. I told him that he could take numbers and make them do what he wanted. But every Friday he would put on a white robe and dress his family in comparable clothing and go out and do harm to black people. And I said, “You call yourself a Christian and are a deacon in your church, a

on the town

“

We haven’t yet reached the pearly gates. We have not reached the part of understanding each other. We have not reached the part of serious love and respect for each other. We have not reached the part where we can let everybody be themselves and accept people as they are. We don’t have the good America yet.

”

high position, where you are supposed to being doing Godly works, but these are not Godly.” I told him that I wanted him to do me a favor. I want you to stand and look in the mirror in your bathroom and ask yourself the question: “What kind of parent am I passing this bigotry on to the next generation and what kind of Christian am I standing in church in front of God filled with such bigotry? Think about that. The Bible says to clothe the naked and feed the hungry. It doesn’t state only if they look like you. Take all of that in and analyze it, and then see what you’ve been doing here on earth.” I think the patience I had to share my views on his bigotry worked on him. He was a tall, handsome man and I told him that he was blessed with an outward appearance, but not with a heart to match, and that he was not appreciating what God had given him. So I told him to think about it. I was not swayed or influenced by his craziness and then I saw him a little speck at a time making a change. One day he left my office and drove a few blocks and saw a man eating out of garbage can. He called me and told me that he saw the guy. He said, “I’ve seen colored people eating out of the trash can before, but somehow, since I’ve known you, I see that differently now. He

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on the town Dr. Clayton with Dr. Joseph Ripley, prominent minister, College Park, GA

we need in order to, as they say, “make the country great again.” Until that happens we have to keep marching forward. Tell me about your one-woman show. When I was sitting around in private settings, people would always ask me to tell them a story and as you can see, I don’t mind talking. One story leads to another and people would tell me that I had stories they never heard of, that I should share these stories with the public because they need to be told. And so, it grew from there. The stories are intimate and personal and people relate to them. Once, when I was in Boston, the Attorney General told me that he had never heard anybody graphically describe a person like Martin Luther King so effectively. We continued to get compliments and, as they say, the rest is history. You are a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, formerly co-pastored by both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Martin Luther King, Sr. Do you feel their spirit there with you on a Sunday morning? Not just Sunday, but Saturday, Friday, Thursday…every day.

picked the guy up and drove him to nearby restaurant, fed him and went on his way. I called the restaurant to verify the story. I gave him some plaudits for that and said, “I bet you feel good about what you did, feeding at least one man.” I think that I was so patient that I did not show anger was the key to my success with him. Then, one day I went out shopping and I came home to find all these cars in front of my home, police cars and newsmen all wanting to ask me what had happened. And I didn’t know what had happened. What had happened was he had called a press conference and had announced that he was coming out of the organization and was denouncing the KKK. He credited a black woman with changing his negative attitude. And I was that black woman. Can love really conquer hate? Oh yes, yes, yes, yes absolutely. What do you hope the main takeaway is when people read your autobiography, I’ve Been Marching All the Time? In this book I talk about Dr. King and my personal relationship with him. Here was a man so big, many people saw him as untouchable, so to speak. People want to hear stories from people who knew Dr. King personally. He won’t make any more news. In the book I tell the stories that actually happened and put them into the proper context. As Andrew Young said, I’m probably the one who has spent more time with him than anybody. And I thought maybe he was right. I thought he had spent so much time with him, but I spent time with him as my boss and then time with Mrs. King, traveling with her, and then I ended up being his confidant who he shared private thoughts and incidents with. I served many purposes in his life and he in my life as well. I knew what his private thoughts were. Why is it important to keep marching? Because we aren’t there yet. We haven’t yet reached the pearly gates. We have not reached the part of understanding each other. We have not reached the part of serious love and respect for each other. We have not reached the part where we can let everybody be themselves and accept people as they are. We don’t have the good America yet. We don’t have the love that 1 00

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What kind of qualities are you seeking when you are presenting someone with the Xernona Clayton Scholarship? The same thing I’ve been talking about. Plan your life in the direction you find it and it’s going to be your path. Work hard at reaching the goals of what it takes to be good at that. Be timely as you do that. Be good at what you do. Don’t half-step where you’re going. Do you have different advice for white and black students on how they can make the world a better place? The message is the same. You’ve got to do something. Each individual must take it upon himself to make the changes he can make. It could be the neighbor next door or the hungry man in the street. The man who is eating out of a garbage can doesn’t have to be lazy person, maybe he is sick and has had some bad experiences. You don’t even have to know why he’s eating out of the garbage can. The Bible says to feed the hungry. The message is the same – do what you can, as often as you can, but just never sit on your can. You’ve received a “Meryl Streep” number of awards over the years for your accomplishments. When you’ve finished your march and you have put all of life’s awards and rewards in perspective, how would you like to be remembered? As a person who gave as much as she could, as often as she could, under all circumstances.

Dr. Clayton will be at Stone Hall at Manatee Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 2 at 2p.m. For tickets, call 941.748.5875 or visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com

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COUPLES ON THEIR WEDDING DAY by Jacqueline Miller

NOVEMBER 17, 2018

KYM SMITH & GERRET COPELAND, JR. PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAT PENNENGA

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social SCENE SMITH + COPELAND If you were one of the fortunate ones to be invited to the wedding of Kym Smith and Gerret Copeland, Jr., then you were blessed to witness the union of a match made in heaven. Watching these two incredible people profess their enduring love for each other was so heartwarming and special to the 175 guests in attendance, but especially so to those who were instrumental in bringing the beautiful Kym and handsome Gerret together. It all began in early March 2017 when Kym’s friend, Sue, invited her to the Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Tournament benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County at Concession Golf & Country Club. She wanted Kym to meet new people. Fate would seat them next to Melissa. Conversation flowed and Melissa learned that Kym was single. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Melissa suggested that Kym meet her “brother from another mother,” someone she thought the world of – Gerret Copeland, Jr. Gerret had lost his fiancée to cancer and Melissa knew he was ready to find love again. Two weeks later, Melissa arranged for the three couples to meet for dinner at Lakewood Ranch Country Club. As Kym entered the room, Gerret’s face lit up. She was dazzled by his smiling eyes, which were totally focused on her. They hit it off immediately and their whirlwind romance began. As their relationship grew stronger and stronger, Kym and Gerret enjoyed trips to many places including Venice, Italy and to New York and Maryland to meet Gerret’s family and friends. They became inseparable. A trip to New York City nine months later included a stop at his favorite restaurant, the 21 Club. There, in front of family and friends, Gerret got down on one knee and proposed. Their wedding weekend began with a rehearsal dinner on Friday evening at Bijou Café. Kym’s brother flew in from Portland, Oregon and Gerret’s godparents and aunt were also in attendance. On Saturday, the bride and her attendants all got ready at the Ritz-Carlton, which was used as their base for the weekend. Their beautiful sunset ceremony took place in front of the Ca’ d’Zan Mansion at The Ringling. Immediately after the ceremony, guests were brought to the mansion’s bayside terrace where they enjoyed cocktails and appetizers. To the left of the terrace was an incredible reception tent resplendent with glowing chandeliers and other twinkling lights where guests dined on a scrumptious multi-course dinner and danced to the tunes of East Coast Entertainment’s We Got the Beat band. Gerret surprised Kym with an elaborate, over-the-top wedding cake designed by luxury JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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cake artist Julie Deffense. At the end of their fairytale evening, Kym and Gerret thanked everyone as they parted in a classic 1959 Rolls Royce and headed back to the Ritz-Carlton. It was a truly heavenly wedding that everyone there will be sure to remember for many years to come. Kym, a Delta Airlines flight attendant for 29 years, has lived in Sarasota since 2002. Her parents, Dr. and Mrs. James Smith, live in the Lakewood Ranch area. Gerret, who is involved in real estate management, has lived in Sarasota since 2001. His family lives in the Northeast. The couple, who both love world travel, are still debating honeymoon plans with Singapore or a West African country leading their choices. In the meantime, Gerret has more special honeymoon plans up his sleeve for Kym, which will be a big surprise.

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OCTOBER 27, 2018

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PAIGE OLIVIA PIERRO & SEAN ANTHONY JACKLIN

PIERRO + JACKLIN Paige Olivia Pierro and Sean Anthony Jacklin became inseparable from the time of their first date—an unconventional one for sure—as seniors at Manatee High School. The smart and beautiful Paige was celebrating her 18th birthday with a costume party. She and the handsome and high-spirited Sean took off for Goodwill to get costume ideas. What was meant to be began to take shape that evening, with the couple spending much of their time together until it came time to go off to college. Faced with the challenge of a longdistance relationship, they talked about going their separate ways. She was going to Florida State University and he was headed to UNC Chapel Hill. Surely, the distance would dictate different directions for both of them. But they would have none of that. They pledged to visit each other at least once a month, saving their money to do it, and they made that happen until Sean moved back to pursue a career as a PGA professional and seeing each other more frequently became much easier. It’s no wonder why golf is in Sean’s DNA. Born in Scotland, but raised in Bradenton, he is the son of Bradenton residents Astrid and Tony Jacklin. His father just happens to be the most successful British golfer of his generation and the most successful European Ryder Cup captain ever. 1 06

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Paige, the daughter of Cynthia and Richard Pierro of Bradenton, graduated FSU and works with her father, who is CEO of K & P Benefits Consulting Group in Sarasota. She serves as a client relations manager for the company. On July 29, 2017, Sean took Paige out to dinner at Veronica’s Fish & Oyster restaurant in Southside Village. After a lovely dinner, Sean asked Paige if she would like to walk Lido Beach to watch the sunset. While strolling the beach, Paige was looking at a turtle nest when Sean called her name. She turned to see him on one knee asking her to spend the rest of her life with him. They celebrated the rest of that evening sipping champagne and FaceTime calling family and friends. Their wedding weekend began with a rehearsal dinner for the bridal party, family and close friends, in a private room at the legendary Café L’Europe, followed by cocktails on the rooftop of Art Ovation hotel. Of their wedding the next day at Lakewood Ranch Country Club, Paige said, “The wedding was a dream, and went off without a hitch. We lucked out with breezy, perfect weather in the 70s. Family and friends traveled from near and as far away as Germany, Italy and England.” There was a lot of dancing at this fun wedding, with guests on the dance floor even before food was served. Paige and Sean took

some ballroom dancing lessons to make sure they could dance to every song, including their first dance song, “Beyond” by Leon Bridges. Another special moment came when Sean’s father, Tony, sang Jimmy Roselli’s “When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New” to his wife, Astrid. Everyone danced well into the night until Paige and Sean left surrounded by a sparkler sendoff in a 1957 Cadillac. The couple honeymooned in Saint Lucia at the Sugar Beach resorts located in the valley of the two Piton mountains, enjoying a week of sunshine, snorkeling, and sunsets. One of their favorite days was spent going to the one active volcano on the island and bathing in the sulphur springs before going for a swim at a local waterfall.

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on the town

Education MATTERS By Ryan G. Van Cleave

NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AT USF SARASOTA-MANATEE The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee prides itself as a university that tailors its educational pathways to meet each student’s goals and interests, and also as an institution that responds strategically to trends and opportunities in the marketplace. With this personalized approach to providing educational opportunities that meet the needs of students and regional employers alike, USFSM developed a new Risk Management & Insurance (RMI) program that is expanding rapidly. The RMI program started as a minor in 2015 and, after a period of success, grew into a full bachelor’s degree program in 2017—one of only two such programs offered by Florida public universities. USF Sarasota-Manatee regional chancellor Dr. Karen Holbrook explains that “our RMI program will be one of the signature programs for the USFSM campus and an important economic driver to the region.” Equally important is that it features a robust internship program that offers students the opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders in our own community, such as those at Sarasota-based FCCI Insurance Group. Gert-Jen de Vreede, Dean of the College of Business, notes that “FCCI has been a great partner with USFSM over the years.” De Vreede adds that there’s a “natural partnership” between RMI and the growing cyber security programs within the USF system. This fall, USFSM upgraded its Information Technology degree to Cybersecurity and Information Technology, thanks to a combined $100,000 grant awarded to USFSM and Florida International University by the Florida Center for Cybersecurity, a statewide research facility located on the USF campus in Tampa. With cybersecurity having a projected job growth rate of nearly 30% by 2026, this new offering provides students new opportunities in this well-paying field. De Vreede sees the potential for future offerings that blend the two areas—RMI and cybersecurity—in exciting ways. In addition to the new RMI and cybersecurity offerings, USF Sarasota-Manatee partnered with USF Health College

of Nursing to bring a new nursing program to its campus this fall. “It has been a priority in our community to meet a critical need for well-trained, highly-skilled nurses,” says Dr. Holbrook. “Our regional health care providers have been asking us to help address the need.” A 2018 Regional Job Market Assessment reports that the health care and social assistance industry accounted for the greatest demand for jobs in Sarasota in the past 12 months, accounting for 1/3 of vacant positions. Now USFSM has a pre-nursing curriculum that leads to an associate of arts certificate. The goal is to launch a four-year nursing program on the USFSM campus by 2020 to help meet those industry needs and retain USFSM graduates here in our community. USFSM is clearly making important academic strides that position the University—and its graduates—for success. In addition to the new RMI and nursing programs, USFSM also has added a new 4+1 option to its hospitality and tourism leadership program that enables students to earn their master’s degree while still enrolled as undergraduates. “This is a new program that is designed to offer our hospitality students a world-class education while at the same time saving them both time and money,” says Dr. Faizan Ali, an assistant professor who oversees the program. To make things even more convenient for students, these students also have the option to utilize “distance-live learning,” which blends in-person and online instruction. Students can opt to attend regular face-to-face classes on campus, watch the classes in real-time on their computers from anywhere they choose, or view

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on the town

recorded sessions at a later point. That level of choice is indeed a personalized approach to learning. There’s more to the story: USFSM also launched a new master’s degree in social work in 2017, a one-year master’s program in criminology in 2017, and a new master’s program in teaching in secondary education in 2016, and is participating in a system-wide Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program by offering courses at USFSM. The Florida Department of Education reports that English is the highest critical shortage area in public education, and this degree program is positioned to help since it’s focused on serving students who already hold bachelor’s degrees in English or language arts and want to become middle or high school language arts teachers. USFSM also makes a difference in our community as the home to The Florida Center for Partnerships for Arts Integrated Teaching (PAInT), a statewide center that offers training for pre-service teachers and professional development for practicing teachers to increase their capacity to deliver high-quality instruction that integrates the arts into classrooms. USFSM recently hosted two PAInT events, a workshop on the

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business of computer gaming for students and teachers, and a Careers in the Arts workshop for about 200 middle school students from the region. PAInT partners with community arts organizations, area school districts, arts-focused charter schools, and teaching artists to provide much-needed professional development for faculty and students, as well as opportunities for both research and service. It’s clear that USF Sarasota Manatee’s ongoing commitment to providing a personalized education that includes firstrate, expanding academic offerings that meet the needs of the community is what makes USFSM far more than your traditional hometown university.

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

about USF Sarasota-Manatee, please visit www.usfsm.edu, or call 941.359.4200.

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

Artist Series Concerts Asolo Repertory Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS OF SARASOTA

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE

941.306.1200 / artistseriesconcerts.org

941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org Mainstage Straight White Men Through March 1 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time January 23 – March 17 Cabaret Unchained Melodies Through February 3 Guitar Girls Through March 31 Children’s Theatre Snow White January 12 – February 16

Classical Recital:

Best SEATS

Images: Who Stole the Mona Lisa? January 12 – 13 Brahms B Major Piano Trio January 24

PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

Pops:

BROUGHT TO YOU IN

Forbidden Broadway January 27

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE

Lunch Look & Listen

ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY.

Brahms B Major Piano Trio January 24

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE 941.351.8000 / asolorep.org

Main Stage The Crucible January 9 – March 31 A Doll’s House, Part 2 January 16 – March 31

Inside Asolo Rep

941.351.9010 / fsuasoloconservatory.com Ghosts January 1 – 20

The Crucible and A Doll’s House Part 2 January 22

THE ISLAND PLAYERS

OUT@AsoloRep

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FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY FOR ACTOR TRAINING

The Crucible January 24

941.778.5755 / theislandplayers.org I Hate Hamlet January 10 – 27

CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY

JAZZ CLUB OF SARASOTA

941.355.9805 / circusarts.org Windjammers Performance January 20

941.366.1552 / jazzclubsarasota.org

Jazz at Two Concert Series Dan Miller Quartet January 4

arts&culture

Ringling Museum of Art

Lemon Bay Playhouse

Mary Radamacher-Reed January 18 Tom Ellison Quartet January 25

KEY CHORALE 941.921.4845 / keychorale.org Honoring Heroes: Sarasota Choral Festival January 26

LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE 941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com Chuck Gillespie: Tribute to Andy Williams January 5 Men are Dogs January 16 – February 10

MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 941.748.5875 / manateeperformingartscenter.com

Broadway Series Pirates of Penzance January 10 – 27

Studio Series Oh Freedom January 24 – February 10

Community Artistic Collaborations

RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART

Carpenters: Once More January 26

Powel Crosley Theater Performances

941.359.5700 / ringling.org Bill Bowers: All Over the Map January 18 – 19

An Improve to Murder January 15 – 27

SARASOLO PRODUCTIONS

NEW MUSIC NEW COLLEGE 941.487.4888 / newmusicnewcollege.org Ensemble Dal Niente with George Lewis January 26

PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM/SUNCOAST 941.955.4942 / perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org 15th Anniversary PMP Sarasota Winter Residency Through January 5 Works-in-Progress Recital January 3 Celebration Concert January 5

THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS 941.365.2494 / theplayers.org Broadway Season Hairspray January 17 – February 3

941.400.2036 / sarasolo.org SaraSolo Encores Inner Voices: Sex, Intimacy and Aging with Hedda Matza-Haughton January 11 Will Rogers Revived with Steve McAllister January 25 2019 SaraSolo Festival January 24 – February 3

THE SARASOTA BALLET 941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org Inside the Studio World Premiere January 16 FSU Center for the Performing Arts Transcending Movement (Program 4) January 25 – 28

SARASOTA CONCERT ASSOCIATION 941.225.6500 / scasarasota.org Great Performers Series Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall & Riverview Performing Arts Center Anderson & Roe Piano Duo January 14 JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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Larry Hamm’s “The Clown” from Thea Odyssey’s 10-Minute Play Festi

Artist Series Concerts

Sarasota Opera

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center January 24 Music Matinee Series Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center & David Cohen Hall/Holley Hall Marc Mannino, classical and jazz guitar January 16

SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY 941.345.5755 / sarasotacontemporarydance.org

Jane B. Cook Theatre Dance Makers January 31 – February 3

Nabucco January 21 Rita and Susanna’s Secret January 28

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA 941.953.3434 / sarasotaorchestra.org

Masterworks Summer to Winter January 4 – 6 Ax Plays Beethoven January 17 – 20 Round Trip to Paris January 31 – February 3

Chamber Soiree

SARASOTA OPERA

French Flair January 13

941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org

Pops

Community Events

La La Land in Concert January 11 – 12

Celebration Concert January 5

Sarasota Opera Guild Socials & Singers January 15

Great Escapes Shuffle January 23 – 26

Performances/Lectures

STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA

Understanding the Libretto January 24

941.752.5252 / scf.edu

Prologues

District Honor Choir Concert January 19 Music Student Showcase January 24

Turandot January 7 The Magic Flute January 14

Neel Performing Arts Center

The Venice Institute for Performing Arts

Sundays at Neel The Kingston Trio January 13 Simply Streisand January 20

URBANITE THEATRE 941.321.1397 / UrbaniteTheatre.com Angel January 11 – February 17

VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL 941.955.7676 / vanwezel.org

See website for list of performances. THE VENICE INSTITUTE FOR PERFORMING ARTS 941.218.3779 / veniceperformingartscenter.com Artrageous January 18 Decades Rewind January 19 Artrageous: Art Exhibition and Gallery Auction at Venice Art Center January 24 The Filharmonic January 26

VENICE THEATRE 941.488.1115 / venicestage.com

Venice Performing Arts Center Strauss, Schumann and Mendelssohn January 11 – 12

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Stage II See Rock City January 4 – 20

Special Events America’s Diamond Live January 13 – 14 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone January 20 – 21 Rocket Man January 27 – 28

WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE 941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul Through January 13 Martin Luther King Day Celebration January 21 The Amen Corner January 23 – March 3

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

JANUARY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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The Cast of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, 2018. Photo by Jonathan Roberts.

HONESTLY HUMAN: How Florida Studio Theatre is getting to the heart of the character By Linda Hunt Alexander Stuart isn’t the first autistic actor to play an autistic character on stage. But he is certainly among the first to draw from personal experiences to help build awareness about autism through art. Stuart stars this season in Florida Studio Theatre’s Mainstage production of the five-time Tony Award-Winning British blockbuster play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, where he will play a curious boy named Christopher who is on the autism spectrum like Stuart is in real life. “My goal is to break the mold of how autistic characters are played,” Stuart shared. The play opens on Stuart’s character, Christopher, an exceptionally intelligent teenager, who discovers the neighbor’s dog speared by a pitchfork in the backyard. Christopher, an animal lover and a Sherlock Holmes admirer, sets out to investigate whodunit. Along the way, Christopher encounters new people and unearths secrets

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that take him on an eccentric and endearing journey outside the comforts of the familiar and into the scary outside world. This is Stuart’s second time taking on this role, following his performance in Curious Incident at The Actors Theatre of Louisville. “Many people tend to remember Christopher for his remarkable intellect, but the thing I value most about him is his honesty,” shared Stuart. “The best part is that Christopher’s journey teaches us that we can be honest about what we think and what we feel, and that can get us absolutely anywhere.” A technically demanding scenic, sound, and light design helps further immerse audiences in experiencing the world as Christopher does. When a nearby train speeds noisily into the station, the audience will experience the exaggerated, somewhat overwhelming blaring sound of a train horn that Christopher hears. “It plunges you straight into the mind of another human being,” explained Stuart. “All the design and storytelling within this play exists to show you the overstimulated brain of an adolescent on the autism

Tina Chilip and Alexander Stuart in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, 2018. Photo by Jonathan Roberts.

spectrum. In creating this extrasensory world, the audience undergoes a true test of empathy as they walk a couple hours in my shoes.” FST’s Producing Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins, who is also the Director on the show, was first drawn to the play because of its extraordinary view of the universe. “In this play, a grain of sand can become magnificent, and the Milky Way seems manageable,” Hopkins explained. “Curious Incident demands our attention, asking for a heightened sense of what it means to be alive.” “I think we should be able to look at Christopher at any given moment and know exactly what he’s feeling and thinking,” continued Stuart. “I want audiences to see an autistic person who experiences emotions the same way anyone does. Because he is, after all, human.” Alexander Stuart in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, 2018. Photo by Jonathan Roberts.

For Stuart, it’s not just autism that connects him with his character, Christopher. “I remember the last performance at The Actors’ Theatre when I had to deliver the final line for the last time - ‘Does that mean I can do anything?” - I remember choking up because at that exact moment, both Christopher and I realized we could. For the first time in our lives, we fully realized our potential. We labored tirelessly our whole lives to work up to that moment, when he became a scientist and I became an actor.” The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time plays beginning January 23 at Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota’s Contemporary Theatre. Tickets are now on sale at floridastudiotheatre.org and 941.366.9000.

Alexander Stuart and Brian Slaten in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, 2018. Photo by Andrew McCawley.

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arts&culture

Meet Artist

DUNCAN CHAMBERLAIN

Sarasota artist Duncan Chamberlain is part of S.V.A.S., or Sarasota Visual Artist Studios, a handful of artists who open their studios every first Saturday of the month through March for tours and sales. He is constantly gets asked where he gets his inspiration for his work. His answer is from all over. “I’ll doodle things I notice in everyday life for some pieces and freestyle for the rest,” said Duncan. Currently, he is using aluminum as his medium. “I make many abstract shapes to be assembled into one finished piece. While I like to think of myself as an abstract sculptor, this last year has turned out to be quite “figurative,” with table-top human figures and larger floor pieces that are abstract and figurative, at the same time. I use a 4 ½” angle grinder as my paint brush to perk things up. It brings out a shine and texture to the surface. When parts are ground to desired smoothness, I do a final grinding. I use the grinder to “paint” different patterns on the surface.” Duncan is represented by Gerald Peters Galleries (petersprojects.com) and can be reached by emailing chamberlainiron@yahoo.com. His work will be on display January 24 at Art Center Sarasota. 1 18

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arts&culture

Art Ovation: Jan Schlegel

Art Ovation: Luis Cabrera

ARTCENTER MANATEE

GET Inspired

artcentermanatee.org | 941.746.2862 Women Contemporary Artists Annual Exhibit Through January 11

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ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY sarasotaarts.org Expansion of Abstraction: Laurie Maves Guglielmi A New Series: Frank Creaturo January 2 – 31 Opening Reception: January 9 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

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arts&culture

Palm Avenue Fine Art

Art Uptown Gallery

ART UPTOWN GALLERY

ISLAND GALLERY WEST

artuptown.com| 941.955.5409 Maro Lorimer: In a New Light Through January 25 Opening Reception: January 4 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

islandgallerywest.com | 941.778.6648 Sue Elliott presents “Companions” January 11 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

DABBERT GALLERY dabbertgallery.com | 941.955.1315 Figuratively Speaking Through February 28 Opening Reception: January 4 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

DISCOVER SARASOTA TOURS discoversarasotatours.com | 941.260.9818 Public Art Trolley Tour January 16 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

GRACE HOWL CONTEMPORARY ART gracehowlart.com | 941.539.5302 Open Studio - Sarasota Visual Art Studios January 5 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Reception: January 26 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

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NORTH PORT ART CENTER northportartcenter.org | 941.423.6460 Members Art Show “Anything Goes” January 18 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

PALM AVENUE palmavenue.org First Friday Walks January 4 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

PALM AVENUE FINE ART palmavenuefineart.com| 941.388.7526 Landscapes January 4 – 18

RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN | ENGLEWOOD ART CENTER ringling.edu/eac | 941.474.5548 Warren Loranger: A Retrospective January 2 – 31 Paul Spyropoulos January 2 – 30

D DeLong January 2 – 31 Suzanne Canner January 2 – 30 Opening Reception (All Galleries) 350 S McCall Road, Englewood January 12 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

THE RINGLING MUSEUM ringling.org | 941.359.5700 Bill Bowers: All Over The Map January 18 – 19 | 7:30 p.m. Ringling by the Bay January 21 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The King and I (Onscreen) January 11 | 1:00 & 6:30 p.m. National Theatre Live: Antony & Cleopatra January 25 | 1:00 & 6:30 p.m.

Have an upcoming visual art event? Send your event details to COMMUNICATIONS@SARASOTAARTS.ORG

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arts&culture TWILIGHT

LITERARY Scene CLASSIC YOUNG ADULT BOOKS REVISITED

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

RINGLING COLLEGE WRITING STUDENTS SHARE THEIR FAVORITE Y.A. CLASSICS For some bizarre reason, it’s cold in Sarasota this week, so, like a 1,500-pound Kodiak bear, I’m going to curl up in my cave and hibernate a bit. But don’t worry—students from my Writing for Young Adults class at Ringling College of Art and Design are stepping in to share some of THEIR favorite young adult book classics. See for yourself what the young’uns are reading!

ARE YOU THERE, GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET by Judy Blume Judy Blume’s Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret was as fearless back in 1970 as it is today, handling controversial subject matters like female puberty and religion with humor and wit. After relocating from the bustle of Manhattan to a quiet town in New Jersey, eleven-year-old Margaret struggles with her religious identity; her mom being Christian and her dad Jewish, Margaret was raised as neither. As she looks for a religion she fits into, Margaret and her new friends navigate the sixth-grade social landscape. The teens meet periodically to discuss sex, periods, boys, and busts. Girl’s puberty is still considered taboo in children’s media, but Blume managed to tackle it head-on almost fifty years ago. Relive middle school and rethink religion with this hilarious classic! —reviewed by Emma Pettinelli

HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE by Diana Wynne Jones Diana Wynne Jones’ classic novel, Howl’s Moving Castle, follows Sophie Hatter, a young girl cursed by a witch to live as an old woman. Sophie sets out to seek help from the wicked wizard Howl who roams about in his moving castle, snatching up the hearts of young girls. While battling old age and Howl’s vanity, Sophie makes a deal with a fire demon, becomes a notorious cleaning witch, and confronts the Wicked Witch of the Waste in what is possibly the most unusual romance and coming-of-age tale ever told. Through whimsical writing, Jones tips fairy tale tropes on their heads and invites readers into the lives of a colorful cast of characters who try to find love and fortune in a world rampant with magic. —reviewed by Madi Brake

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by Stephenie Meyer Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight has always been a conversation starter. It’s a breeze to read through the story of high schooler Bella Swan and her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Older fans of the series can reexamine this tale of romance and danger to find a new perspective that challenges the meaning of their favorite book. The novel touches on several talking points such as the example Bella sets for young girls. New readers may find a curious love story with tense choices that plague both Bella and Edward. Twilight is a fantastic introduction to critical thinking due to the social commentary careful readers can home in on. As a new reader or a veteran, Twilight is worth revisiting for those interested in feminist conversation. —reviewed by Jasper Egan

THE BAD BEGINNING (A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, BOOK 1) by Lemony Snicket In the very eyewall of a nostalgia-storm that is sweeping a generation, one might suggest reading (or re-reading, in my case) Lemony Snicket’s The Bad Beginning. This classic book is clever, but also endearingly dark and completely enthralling on all fronts. Follow the Baudelaire children through their very first unfortunate event all over again while maybe (definitely!) rooting for Count Olaf, who is one of the most resilient, persistent, and outright ostentatious villains around. Snicket’s words, accompanied by Brett Helquist’s delightful, gorgeous illustrations, makes this book a joy to visit time and time again. —reviewed by Samantha Mask

THE OUTSIDERS by S.E. Hinton Greasers, Socs, Oklahoma and gang violence: this is the story of The Outsiders. Written in 1967 while Hinton was still a junior in high school, this coming-of-age novel depicts the world of Ponyboy Curtis, a young gang member who flees his home, but not before a fateful night that leaves blood on his hands. Prompt but beautifully written, Hinton’s storytelling still holds up in modern times because of its immersion and charming

arts&culture tone. It’s an easy read, but has a very distinct voice that you won’t find anywhere else about themes like identity, growing up, violence and family. —reviewed by Angel Campo

THE LIGHTNING THIEF (PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS, BOOK 1) by Rick Riordan If you haven’t yet read Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief, you’re missing out on a wonderful adventure. (Even if you have read it, you should go back and read it again immediately!) It takes a nice afternoon and a glass of lemonade to finish. The characters are fun, the dialogue bounces, the action is enthralling, and the terrific use of Greek mythology is enough to inspire rocks to pick up a history book just to learn a bit more. I couldn’t put it down. Since it’s the first in a series, you will have four more wonderful stories to follow the heroic tween Percy Jackson. So go ahead and dive deep into the fantastic world of mythological monsters and mayhem. From start to finish, it’s an amazing ride. —reviewed by Jacob Shapiro

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd This novel by Sue Monk Kidd is a delightfully rich story about finding strength through diversity in the American South in the 1960s. Despite facing abuse and haunting family memories, 14-year-old Lily Owens goes on an adventure to learn to take control, but she ultimately finds real family instead. Her adoptive family of black beekeeper women teach her about womanhood, kindness, faith, beekeeping, and the racial prejudice they face. Just like the honeybee, the women in this story are as delicate as a wing, but strong as a stinger. —reviewed by Esther Sitver

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on the town

NEW EATS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Fushi Poké

By Rick Dakan It’s traditional to start off a new year with a new diet, right? In 2019 I’m still going to try to eat healthier, just like most of us, but I’m also going to double down on eating more widely. I want to expand my dining palate in every direction, and think a new year is the perfect time for new restaurants. I’ve got three recommendations this month, all of them quick service, a little unusual, and new to Sarasota.

CURRY UP KING 935 N Beneva Rd (Sarasota Commons shopping center) 941.552.8684 I love Berlin, Germany and have been there many times. I expected to be fascinated by the history and enthralled by the art scene, but had no idea I’d come to love German street food. Currywurst is the iconic Berliner sidewalk snack: sausage with curry ketchup on it and either french fries or a crusty roll. It can’t be good for you, but I became addicted to it. Now I can (and do) get my currywurst fix right here in Sarasota at the new Curry Up King. This petite eatery serves a focused menu of German street food classics: sausage, pretzels, schnitzel, and strudel with fries, sauerkraut, red cabbage, or potato salad on the side and German beer to wash it all down. Despite the sausage and schnitzel-focused menu, Curry Up King has not forgotten the vegetarians. One thing I’ve found in my doctordirected mission to eat less meat is that vegan sausages are often 1 26

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almost as good as the real thing, and you can get your currywurst in plate or sandwich form with veggie sausage instead of pork. I have to admit though, as much as I like revisiting my old curried friend, I really like Curry Up King’s schnitzel sandwich. Served on a crispy roll with curry lemon mayo, it’s hot and fatty and delicious. And here’s my pro tip: go ahead and get a side of the curry sauce and dip the sandwich in it as you eat. The best of both dishes.

on the town CHARLIE’S BULGOGI 4567 Bee Ridge Rd Sarasota has been behind the the curve when it comes to Korean cuisine, but thankfully that has finally changed. One of the local trailblazers was Charlie’s Bulgogi, which started out as a small food truck in a gas station parking lot, then grew to a full-sized food truck that’s become a regular at local events, and has now become a full service restaurant with tables and everything. Korean flavors have gone mainstream, and it’s now easy to find “Korean Barbeque” flavored chips or beef jerky or probably popsicles someday, but those are usually pale imitations of the deep, rich flavor profile of Charlie’s speciality. Bulgogi is the real deal, marinated meat in a delicious sauce, served over rice or noodles. Charlie’s other specialty, BiBimBob, is a traditional Korean rice dish, with warm rice, vegetables, and usually a fried egg over it, making it a delicious vegetarian option. Or there’s the option of some meat as well, if you’re looking for a different but equally tempting change from the bulgogi. Since Charlie’s is still new, the menu is still evolving and growing. Just recently they added dongas, a fried pork cutlet sometimes referred to as “Korean Schnitzel.” So there’s two good schnitzel recommendations for you!

COMMUNITY

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DR. DANIEL GORDIS

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Dr. Daniel Gordis is the author of more than ten books. He is a regular columnist for both The Jerusalem Post and The New York Times. Gordis’s most recent book is a history of the State of Israel entitled Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn, which received the 2016 National Jewish Book Award as “Book of the Year.” Gordis is now writing a book on American Jews and their relationship to Israel.

FUSHI POKÉ 128 N Orange Ave 941.330.1795 Definitely one of my new favorite places for a quick and healthy lunch, Fushi Poké brings the Hawaiian fishermen’s dish to Sarasota, served quick and fresh in their stylish and welcoming downtown location. Poké refers to slices of fish, served raw like sushi and cut into bite-sized cubes. These are served in a bowl with a base of rice, noodles, or kale and then topped with condiments. It takes just a couple of minutes to assemble, and is all about the quality of the ingredients. I’m happy to report that, in my experience, everything at Fushi Poké is top quality and delicious. They offer raw tuna and salmon for the fish fiends like me, but for vegetarians there’s tofu and for carnivores there’s chicken. The restaurant has some tried and true set combos, like the Hawaiian (tuna, nori, maui onion, pickled radish, traditional spicy soy sauce, and white rice), but creating your own is as easy and fun as picking toppings at an ice cream sundae bar. I like a base of half kale and half soba noodles, topped with tuna, pickled radish, seaweed salad, scallions, traditional sauce, and the wonderful tempura flakes which give it a great crunch.

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Laughing MATTERS THE ONE WELCOMING 2019 by Ryan G. Van Cleave | Illustrations by Darcy Kelly-Laviolette

ince 2018 is now safely in our rearview mirror, let’s repurpose this month’s column to provide a big-time hearty-hi-ho welcome to 2019 and all the wondrous goodness it’ll bring . . . which surely has to be better than what 2018 offered up, right? I’m looking at you: • Toys R Us closing • Nine-year-old rapper Lil Tay getting her own TV show • France winning the FIFA World Cup So, the added bonus here is that the original idea for this month’s column was to do some absurd riff on the greatness that is Grey’s Anatomy, but admittedly, it might have stumbled into TV territory that Shonda Rhimes would surely have reacted to with litigious lawyers, social media smashing, and daily deliveries of fruitcake to my door. “No, not fruitcake!” you’re surely saying. And you’d be right. I’m guessing that fruitcake was exactly what Kurtz was talking about in Heart of Darkness when he intoned those famous words: “The horror! The horror!” And now without further introductory ado, I give you . . . 19 Things to ACTUALLY Be Thankful for As We Embark Upon a New Year! (Why “19 Things”? Because 20 is clearly too many and 18 just feels wimpy.) 1—The word “ado,” not to be confused with its homonym “adieu.” I’m glad these words exist. Now I’m 100% against any human being actually using either ridiculous word in public. But I’m totally pleased that they’re safely tucked away in the darkest depths of www.Dictionary.com. Just in case.

2—Eating a whole tube of chocolate chip cookie dough. Then chasing it with a long pull right from the Reddi-wip can. 3—People who dress as piñatas. (Yep—it’s a thing.) 4—Inflatable bouncy houses big enough for kids older than 8. And by “kids older than 8,” I mean ME! 5—NBA stud Anthony Davis’ mega-unibrow. (In case you didn’t know, he trademarked it, along with the phrases “Fear the brow” and “Raise the brow.”) 6—Amazon Prime, so I can finally get around to watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. 7—People who call McDonald’s to ask for the phone number to Burger King. 8—Autumnal mead. Who knew we needed a wacky Bud Light commercial to find out about the existence of such malty, full-bodied awesomeness? 9—BioFreeze. And yes, I’m not at all embarrassed to say that I probably use it as much—or maybe more—than Jonny Knoxville and those other bozos who make the Jackass movies. 10—My t-shirt that reads: “Why didn’t the cat go to the vet? He was feline fine!” 11—Jimmy Fallon’s “Thank You Notes” segment. (Hey, Jimmy—what about doing one on Dunkin’ Donuts Bacon and Egg on a Donut breakfast sandwich?) 12—When my daughters are offered candy they don’t like at Halloween, and they say, “No, thank you,” then move on to the next house.

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13—Lobster traps being used as Christmas trees and other holiday decorations. Why didn’t some genius think of this earlier? (It makes me wonder what the lobsters are doing to decorate their homes . . .) 14—Truly first-rate WiFi home network names. • Mom Use This One • It Hurts When IP • One Simply Does Not Connect to WiFi • Does God Know That You Steal Internet? 15—The Crayola colors Purple Mountain Majesty, Tickle Me Pink, Mango Tango, and Smaragdine Dream. (I confess—I made that last one up, but wouldn’t you love to see it, too? “Smaragdine” is a shade of emerald green.) 16—Lawsuits against Mars Inc. because Skittles do NOT taste like a rainbow. 17—Penguins wearing tuxedos. (Bonus penguin joke: What’s smarter than a talking penguin? A spelling bee!) 18—Stand-up comedy routines about spreadsheets. 19—Sarasota Scene magazine. Because otherwise I’d still be writing my sometimes-humorous observations on Friendster posts. So, see ya, 2018. Don’t let the door whack you in the rump on your way out. And hello, 2019! My, my, my, what pretty eyes you have. And what shiny teeth you have. And what . . . Uh oh . . .

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Got your own things to be thankful for? Want to rail against the video game phenomenon Fortnite? Got a hankering to crab about K-pop septet BTS appearing on Ellen? Need to vent about how Google removed the “View Image” button in Google Images? Fire off those humdingers to ryan@scenesarasota.com as soon as humanly possible. I’ll be waiting for them!* *waiting not guaranteed

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