January 2022

Health & Wellness be happy, be mindful sarasota mindfulness institute healthy new year reader submissions pool potential HIIT water fitness mental health matters the here4YOUth initiative

scenesarasota.com

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live

Tidewell serves our community with a range of world-class home health and hospice care services, from grief counseling for kids, to art, music, and pet therapy to relieve pain and improve patients’ well-being.

Your generosity makes it all possible.

Brighten lives today.

TidewellFoundation.org

Tidewell Foundation is grateful to our sustaining annual corporate partners for their ongoing sponsorship of the Foundation’s mission.

Partners in Excellence: Partners in Compassion:

CONTENTS features

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48 POOL POTENTIAL Making the Most of Water Fitness

By Lisa Codianne Fowler

51 A NEED FOR NURSES Local Organizations Step Up To Care For Those Who Care For Us

By Chloe Cuyler 55 DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION Profile section of leading local medical professionals 68 Here4YOUth: Because Mental Health Matters

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

36 8

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

48

72 THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG How to Survive Making Nothing Go Right

By Lisa Codianne Fowler

ON THE COVER Staying mindful and fit with underwater aerobics.

Photo by Haurashko Ksu.

T here aren’t a lot of places quite like here.

When it’s time for more space or relocating near a top-rated school, choose the locally-known company that’s best at helping families reach milestones in our little corner of the world.

Nowhere but here.

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CONTENTS departments

SOCIAL SCENE

86

PHILANTHROPY

18 THE LIST 44 CHARTING A COURSE January Events Calendar WITH SARASOTA OPERA PARTY PICS Joan Lovell & Wally Kraemer 32 Feast Upon the Fields

By Sylvia Whitman Cocktails at the Cottage 33 ARTS & CULTURE 34 The Florida Center 90 BEST SEATS Annual Winter Gala Performing Arts Calendar 35 Donation & Empowerment Center 92 ART SCENE Grand Opening Gallery Exhibits & Events 36 SCENE SNAPS 94 MEET THE ARTIST Healthy New Year Joe Palmerio SCENE TOGETHER 97 LITERARY SCENE 76 Karen S. McKeivier + Sarasota Author’s Debut Ronald Michael Croce Book on Leadership Tricia To +Joel Stillson 80

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

INSIDER

10

36

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

42 THE FIND Self-Care Products

By Gina Liga 82 SPOTLIGHT Be Mindful, Be Happy: Sarasota Mindfulness Institute

By Laura Shoemaker 86 EDUCATION MATTERS Saving Special Places: Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Be Informed Be Entertained Be SCENE scenesarasota.com

42

from the publisher

“

The beginning is always today.

—MARY SHELLEY

W

WHAT’S ON YOUR WISH LIST FOR 2022? Tickets to special performances? Fun activities to share with friends? New ways to get fit and enjoy our balmy weather?

Whatever resolutions or healthful plans you’ve made for the New Year, this issue of Sarasota Scene has something for you. Our January issue is all about local resources, amenities, and activities that support, reinforce, and assist your path to healthier living.

Cycling the Legacy Trail to Venice is one of the ways I pursue health and wellbeing. Along the way, I regularly see my friend Louis Kosiba, President of Friends of the Legacy Trail, and his team promoting the organization.

On my last outing, I took a bit of a tumble and ended up with bloody road rash on my shin, knee, forearm, and shoulder. Fortunately, the next rider who arrived said she was a nurse and asked if I needed first aid. The next couple pulled out paper towels. I cleaned myself up feeling more embarrassed than anything else.

Actually, what I experienced was true community. Other riders didn’t just ride past and ignore me; I am grateful so many people offered assistance. Of course, being 6’5” with a 64 cm road bike and sprawled over a six-foot-wide paved trail had nothing to do with why people stopped, right?

That was just the start of my December. I also made it out to Sarasota Orchestra Great Escapes 2: Holiday Lights, for great music and a wonderful evening that included an audience participation version of White Christmas. The Great Escapes series continues, and I highly recommend catching a performance or two. You’ll be well entertained.

One of my favorite events is the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast’s Feast Upon the Fields, which was held this year at Old Miakka Ranch. Christine Johnson, President, leads a wonderful, well-honed organization. The weather was perfect for the sold-out event.

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SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com

from the publisher December saw the return of the Florida Center for Early Childhood Winter Gala. We were treated to some amazing stories of how this wonderful organization supports local families in our community. I had the chance to tour the Humane Society of Sarasota County’s facilities in North Sarasota, and saw firsthand how the care and housing of these cats and dogs is truly amazing. This no-kill shelter also supports a separately located veterinary clinic.

Sarasota Scene celebrated the end of a great year with a staff get-together early in December at Le Colonne, hosted by Giulia Salustri. Not only did we enjoy the wonderful dining experience, but it was also a welcome opportunity for co-workers to meet face-to-face for the first-time despite, in some cases, working together for more than a year. I’m happy to report the party was a success.

My holiday season also included a series of wonderful family visits. First, I got together with my sister and brotherin-law over in Palm Coast for Thanksgiving. Then I very much enjoyed a Saturday ride with their cycling group: The Flagler Flyers.

From special occasions to daily dining, Morton’s Market has got you covered. Stop in for fresh seasonal produce, prime cuts of meat and seafood, and hot-from-the-oven baked goods. Choose from our tempting array of chef-prepared deli and gourmet to-go items, as well as fine wines, exotic cheeses and cut flowers. Think of us for your catered events, holiday menus and gift baskets too.

Fortunately, I was prepared and was able to dress appropriately for the 46-degree morning temperature— anything north of Daytona is truly Northern Florida! Thanks to the Waze app on my phone, I was able to navigate smoothly around Orlando and arrive home in 3 hours and 25 minutes. If Orlando is no longer a traffic nightmare, I may go more regularly.

I then traveled diagonally across the continent to visit my one-year-old grandson Swift (and his parents, of course). It was totally worth the three days it took to get there on an itinerary of 15 hours confirmed business class reservations.

Those three busy days were crammed full with COVID re-testing, itinerary switching, flight switching, plane hopping, missed connections, sleeping in the terminal, flying standby, and more. Not an easy three days, but totally worth it.

The Scene is definitely worth making, even when it’s hard to get there!

Serving the Sarasota area for over 50 years Historic Southside Village 1924 South Osprey Ave. Sarasota ∙ (941) 955-9856 MortonsMarket.com 14

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com

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A S O L O R E P E R T O RY T H E AT R E

Locally Owned and Operated Since 1957 Vol. 65 No. 1

Publisher H John Knowles Editor–in–Chief Wendy Lyons Sunshine

JAN 12 – MAR 26

BY THORTON WILDER DIRECTED BY DESDEMONA CHIANG

SPONSORED BY

Strategic Partnerships Julie A. Milton Art Director Darcy Kelly–Laviolette Social Media & Digital Content Gina Liga Distribution Mike Straffin Accounting Sally A. Bailey

JAN 19 – APR 1

BY BESS WOHL DIRECTED BY CELINE ROSENTHAL

Artwork created by Manuel Gonzalez Ruiz & Mago Atelier

SPONSORED BY

Tom Garriott Call/Text 317.797.8135 | tom@scenesarasota.com Sharon Castellano Call/Text 203.984.7577 | sharon@scenesarasota.com

FEB 9 – APR 2

BY LAUREN YEE DIRECTED BY VANESSA STALLING

SPONSORED BY

941.351.8000 | asolorep.org SEASON SPONSORS: Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation

16

Advertising Enquiries Paul McNamara Call/Text 917.751.6506 | paul@scenesarasota.com

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

Contributing Writers Ryan G. Van Cleave Sylvia Whitman Carol Brzozowski Lisa Codianne Fowler Chloe Cuyler Laura Shoemaker Contributing & Social Photographer Nancy Guth 1834 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.365.1119 | Fax: 941.954.5067 | scenesarasota.com

Subscribe at scenesarasota.com/magazine/shop H John Knowles LLC, dba SCENE Magazine publishes 12 issues a year. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address.

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

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The LIST JANUARY 2022

January twinkles with starry nights, astral sights, and garden wonderlands!

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SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

January 1 The First Day Hike & Scavenger Hunt A National State Parks event. Hike the trails, find the signs, and take a photo of each one and get a prize. Find them all and bring the images to the Nature Center and claim a prize.

Oscar Scherer State Park | stateparks.org 1-2 Lights in Bloom Explore and view life-size garden-themed holiday lights that transform the gardens into a tropical wonderland. Don’t miss a holiday photo opportunity, children’s arts and crafts, activities, and entertainment.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | selby.org

Wine Dinner join us thursday, january 20th | 6:30 pm Hors D’Oeuvres & Cocktails • Four Course Dinner

Please RSVP Before January 7th $225++ Per Person (Must be Purchased in Advance) Call 941.388.4415 ext. 4 to Reserve

Call or Go Online for Menu Details 941.388.4415 • cafeleurope.net • 431 St Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL 34236

Celebrating

49 YEARS

3 Asolo Repertory Starry Night Dinner Experience an exclusive dinner themed to one of Asolo Rep’s 2021/22 productions. Enjoy fine wines, exquisite foods from the area’s greatest gourmet chefs, and exciting entertainment by Asolo Rep performers.

Sedacca Residence | asolorep.org 4 Sidewalk Astronomy Check out some heavenly bodies during this event courtesy of the local group of Deep Sky Observers.

Telescopes will be up and available for public viewing from sunset.

Robinson Preserve | ldgso.com 7 Music on Main The Derek Lersch Band will fill the air with high energy rockin’ country music from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Beer, wine and food. Check out the fountain area for a balloon twister, face painting and more fun for the whole family.

Lakewood Ranch Main Street | lakewoodranch.com

SIESTA KEY • 941.349.6644 ST. ARMANDS • 941.388.5239 JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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Proceeds Benefit:

22

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

8 SMHF Hospital Gala One of Sarasota’s premier events, the Hospital Gala has raised more than $4.3 million to benefit Sarasota Memorial ER/trauma services, cardiac services, cancer care services and other critical needs.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | smhf.org 8-9 Orchid Expo The annual event will spotlight thousands of award-winning orchids in the displays created by orchid vendors and local orchid societies.

Interact with growers, attend seminars, purchase orchids or just enjoy their beauty.

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | sarasotaorchidsociety.org 8-9 Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival Marvel at unique creations by 120 of America’s top artisans in the mediums of painting, jewelry, sculpting, photography, woodworking, ceramics, glass, fiber art, mixed-media and more.

J.D. Hamel Park | destinationdowntownsarasota.com

WE ARE READY TO OPEN THE CURTAINS FOR

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28,2022 Under the Ulla Searing Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park near the finish tower

Your support of the 2022 CAC Gala will support collaboration & teamwork, creativity & imagination, critical thinking & problem solving through circus arts education.

CircusArts.org | 941.355.9335 JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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13-23 Manatee County Fair Join the fun with youth agricultural exhibits, Miss Manatee pageant, fair rides, vendors and more.

Manatee County Fairgrounds | manateecountyfair.com

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SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

14-16 Sarasota Dollhouse Miniatures Festival Dolls, teddy bears and more are being featured, along with workshops and opportunities to shop.

Holiday Inn, Sarasota Airport | miniaturiaunlimited.com 14-16 Gems, Jewelry and Beads Show Featuring exhibitors with a wide variety of the finest gem, jewelry and bead collections and more.

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | frankcoxproductions.com 14-16 Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival Family entertainment, local bands with a variety of live music, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, kids activities, magicians, face painters and more.

J.D. Hamel Park | paragonartevents.com

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ACCOUTREMENTS • ANTIQUES • CONTEMPORARY • JEWELRY

Not Just Chinese!!

15 Sarasota Beer & Burger Festival A worldwide plethora of accoutrements, 72 South Palm Avenue 941.552.8505 This family-friendly, live, in-person antiques, contemporary & jewelry Sarasota, FL 34236 www.BurkeAntiques.net Schedule a FREE Assessment!event includes at least a dozen 72 South Palm Avenue 941.552.8505 burger artisans, craft brewers with inSarasota, FL 34236 www.BurkeAntiques.net person sampling, and 4 live musical performances, plus sponsored giveaways, shop local market, and a 5-day full carnival with fun for all.

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17 Ringling by the Bay Featuring live music and dancing with Big Z Band on the Bolger Campiello. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Ringling Museum Grounds | ringling. org 21-23 Sarasota National Stamp Expo See historic stamps during the Sarasota Philatelic Club’s Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition. The show will feature dealers along with philatelic and literature exhibits. Free appraisals, seminars and door prizes.

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | sarasotastampclub.com

WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL Tosca

by Giacomo Puccini February 12 - March 19, 2022

The Pearl Fishers

by Georges Bizet March 5-19, 2022

The Daughter of the Regiment

by Gaetano Donizetti February 19 - March 18, 2022

Attila

by Giuseppe Verdi March 12-22, 2022

“One of the finest venues for opera in the United States.”

— Musical America

SCENE Magazine advertising made possible through the generous support of the AUDREY ROBBINS / HARRY LEOPOLD Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Tickets on Sale SarasotaOpera.org | (941) 328-1300

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21-23 Bradenton Boat Show A huge selection of new boats, boating accessories, fishing gear and more. Plus the Captain Joe Fishing School where you can learn from expert anglers.

Bradenton Convention Center | facebook.com/tomgboatshows 21-23 Sarasota Bradenton Home Show Featuring everything from kitchens and baths to landscapers and pools, solar, builders, contractors and more.

You’ll pick up some great ideas or find just the folks who can help you with everything for your home.

Robarts Arena | sarasotafair.com 27 Van Wezel Foundation Inspiration Gala Enjoy cocktails by the bay, an elegant dinner and premium performance seating all while raising funds to support arts education for our community. With special guest Harry Connick Jr. Robarts Arena | vanwezel.org 28 Circus Arts Gala An elegant evening for a good cause under the big top.

Ulta Searing Big Top at NBP | vanwezel.org

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SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

the kaleidoScope oF nature BeN eF itiN G Co NServatioN FouNdat ioN oF tHe G u L F CoaSt

Please join us

Saturday, February 5, 2022 for an elegant evening and reimagined experience at Bay Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay Help protect the beauty and vibrancy of Florida’s Gulf Coast, forever.

Now accepting sponsorships and reservations for this exclusive event.

941.918.2100 conservationfoundation.com/thepalmball

JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

29

Together Again

Providing Help. Creating Hope. Serving All. We seek to serve and empower ALL in need, regardless of religion, nationality, race or creed.

Accepting Sponsorship and Reservations for this Elegant Evening Bishop Frank J. Dewane Northern Trust Bank James and Marcia Norris Bridget Spiess

Diocese of Venice, Inc. • 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, Florida 34285 941-484-9543

UPCOMING events FEB 5 | Highland Games & Celtic Festival The sound of the pipes, the beating of drums, food vendors, merchandise vendors, dancing and athletic events. A celebration of Scottish heritage that’s fun for the whole family.

Sarasota Fairgrounds | facebook.com/sarasotagames FEB 5 | Conservation Foundation Palm Ball Invest in saving more land and protecting more water along the Gulf Coast for endless generations to come. Proceeds benefit conservation initiatives vital to the beauty and vibrancy of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Conservation Foundation | conservationfoundation.com FEB 5 | Catholic Charities Ball Funds raised by this event will support the programs in Region I including Sarasota, Manatee, Highlands, Glades, Desoto and Hardee counties.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | catholiccharitiesdov.org

V ISIT SCE NESAR AS OTA .COM To submit your event for consideration, please send information to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com

59 | OPEN MON-FRI 9-4 & SAT 10-4 | www.sarasotawex.com

4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905 www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

THANKS TO YOU...

The Exchange has been a proud supporter of the arts of our community since 1962.

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social SCENE Stephen & Terry Stottlemyer

Sue & Mike Fetty

Judy Malton & Mario Bernardis

Chef Paul Mattison

PARTY pics FEAST UPON THE FIELDS

Conservation Foundation’s sold-out lunch on the land raised over $175,000 for land conservation. Mattison’s provided the farm-to-table meal enjoyed at the recently protected Old Miakka Ranch.

Sandy Morris, Sharon Patrice, Dan & Rhonda Deems

Christine Johnson

2022 Fri Feb 11 –

Sun Mar 6, 2022 Tickets: $20 - $60

20% OFF first 10 shows thanks to 2022 NEW LOCATION!

Nathan Benderson Park’s Regatta Island near the Finish Tower. Tent has A/C! See website for safety protocols.

CircusArts.org | 941.355.9805 32

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circus is back!

social SCENE John Knowles & Andy Sandberg

Arron Bellamy & Jon Thaxton

Ned & Mickey Davis with Margaret Wise & Tom Taylor

Harry Sayer, Audrey Robbins & Harry Leopold COCKTAILS AT THE COTTAGE

Chairs Jeannie Russell, Renée James Gilmore, Mary Evelyn Guyton, Cornelia Matson & Jennifer Rominiecki

A casual, open-air evening of cocktails and conversation to celebrate and support the Historic Spanish Point campus, which Selby Gardens adopted last year. The event overlooked Little Sarasota Bay from the iconic White Cottage Lawn, Sunken Garden and Pergola. President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki delivered brief remarks about exciting new developments at the Historic Spanish Point campus and a toast to its bright future.

Enjoy a Delectable Pre-Opera Meal with 481 Gourmet $39 /person .00

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Drs Burr Bakke & Jill Morris, Sydney & Kelton Johnson with Sofie Sofolenko

Jill & Jack Dowd

Dr. Jackson Sullivan & Christa Sullivan

Chairs Michele Miller & Kristie Shoglund

THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD ANNUAL WINTER GALA

The Florida Center for Early Childhood’s 34th Annual Winter Gala: Lighting the Way, which took place on Friday, Dec. 3 at Michael’s On East, was their most successful fundraiser to date, raising enough to fund a full year of early education services for 20 local children in need.

Kristen Theisen, Kevin Pustay & Mareb Favorite

SPARCC

Runway • SRQ2022 • Fashion Show | Luncheon | Boutique Shopping Friday, March 18, 2022 10:00 AM - 1 PM The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Tickets: SPARCC.NET/EVENTS

Platinum Sponsors Susan Erhart & Katie Hayes Joan Castellani

JoAnn Heisen

Diane Muldoon

Benefiting:

Media Sponsors

*Art by Karen Chandler

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social SCENE

DONATION & EMPOWERMENT CENTER GRAND OPENING

Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay celebrated the Grand Opening of its Donation & Empowerment Center. The Center was originally donated by Weintraub’s Gold & Diamond Source, and its rebuilding was sponsored by Tampa Bay builder Windstar Homes. It will be a place where individuals and children overcoming crisis, survivors of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking, and others facing hardships can come to receive items and services free of charge. The Center includes a women’s boutique, men’s closet, children’s department, baby area, food pantry, personal care/ household items and more.

JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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Scene Snaps This month, readers show how they have fun moving and staying fit for the New Year!

asota ys Sar a s ” ! t me fi o even keeps g in c ja, wh n h a a d T y r “Bell teache r and e m water. r o f per under it o d es to manag

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ayers of

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and Siegel y d n a S der Hollan y t r a M n iking o enjoy b lso Trail. A Legacy er, r swimm a maste d in ompete Marty c nior rida Se the Flo r this yea games k home and too tion of a collec . medals

ers ractition Tai Chi p nday enjoy Su ont s at Bayfr morning pril, Dr. Park. In A ed uhn help Aihan K te p celebra the grou y. i Chi Da World Ta

Join us! Enter before January 10 for the theme: Gardens and Gardeners Whether you specialize in urban gardens, orchids, vegetables, fruit trees, or xeriscaping, we want to see your green thumb. Show off your finest gardening efforts!

Email photos and description to wendy@scenesarasota.com by January 10.

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philanthropy philanthropy

Charting a Course WITH

Sarasota Opera Joan Lovell & Wally Kraemer

By Sylvia Whitman • Photo by Nancy Guth

Siren songs didn’t lure skipper Wally Kraemer to the Gulf Coast, but the arias of Sarasota Opera convinced him to tie up here.

Opera has long been Wally Kraemer’s port in a storm. “I’m a workaholic,” confesses Kraemer, 84. As a hard-charging business lawyer in New Jersey, “I would be working into a frazzle, and then I’d go over to the Met”—The Metropolitan Opera in Manhattan—“to watch an opera.

When I came back to the office, it was like I’d been on a two-week vacation.”

Kraemer’s opera-philia had bloomed slowly but magnificently. “When I was starting out, at seven years old or so, my parents took me, and I hated it,” he says.

“And then I went in my 20s, and it was okay. And probably in my late 30s, early 40s, I began to love it.” He flew to Seattle and San Francisco for performances of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. “Now, I’ve seen probably 170 different operas, 500 performances. It’s just something I find wonderful and relaxing and delightful.”

As Kraemer phased down his high-powered career, he and his wife, Joan Lovell, wintered on their boat in the Caribbean. Seafaring was Kraemer’s other escape from 44

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

the office. Chartering barebones, he had navigated the eastern and western Mediterranean and sailed solo all along the East Coast, from Maine all the way to Grenada. He even learned celestial navigation. But in the Bahamas, Kraemer developed a medical problem, something beyond the scope of care available on the Out Islands, so he and Lovell visited Sarasota and looked for a two-week rental.

Besides seeking health care, they were weighing where to spend the winters. Kraemer stopped by the Sarasota Opera House downtown to ask questions and bumped into Sam Lowry, then director of audience development.

“He was a singer before he went into the PR end of the opera,” Kraemer recalls. “I had a long meeting with him, and I was sold on Sarasota.”

Kraemer and Lovell saw an open-house sign, bought the place, and moved here full time in 2011. “It’s a love affair both with the opera and Sarasota,” Kraemer says.

At Home Among the Opera-Loving Landlubbers Kraemer sold his boat—”too much keel depth to get in and out easily”—and took up golf. Opera has served as

philanthropy

the couple’s anchor and entrée into Sarasota. Lovell says she doubts most people appreciate how much of a draw the opera is for soon-to-be-retirees. “Opera lovers will select a city based on a good regional opera—because they’re the kinds of enthusiasts who really want to be able to experience this art form live. It’s so special when it’s live.” Also, she and Kraemer have found the local opera community “extremely welcoming,” with opera guilds where people get together for lectures and dinners.

Discovering a fellow opera aficionado seated next to her at a charity function, Lovell asked what he loved about opera. His answer: “’I love the people. The community here.’”

Lovell came to opera fandom by marriage. As Kraemer tells it, he was a widower with an extra ticket to the Met walking around the office asking if someone would accompany him. “She’s the only person in the office who would go with me. I thought Joan felt sorry for me.”

“I had studied a few operas in college and was really glad to have the opportunity to go to the Met, which I had only been to one time before,” Lovell says.

Some couples’ courtship songs play on the radio; theirs vibrated from the stage of the Met. Once they married, “we had a subscription there with about six operas a year,” Lovell says, “so I got a solid grounding in the grand opera experience.” They also attended Glimmerglass, the summer opera festival in Cooperstown, NY. When they traveled, they put opera on their itinerary—in Toronto, London, even Ho Chi Minh City. Lovell lobbied for that last one in Vietnam: “I want to see different art forms,” she says.

And still their first Sarasota Opera wowed them. “I’d probably seen Carmen five or six times before I saw it here, and it had a certain clarity I had never seen in that opera,” Lovell recalls. “Wally said, ‘That’s the first time I really understood the emotion driving those characters.’”

Lovell credits both the performance and the staging.

“Grand opera in an intimate theater environment—it’s like the best of all worlds.”

JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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philanthropy

“Grand opera in an intimate theater environment—it’s like the best of all worlds.”

— Joan Lovell

Ready Forward and Hard-a-Lee Sarasota Opera quickly tapped Kraemer’s enthusiasm and workaholic tendencies. He joined a study committee for the organization’s first big fund drive and then ascended to the board of trustees, picking up more and more responsibilities—committee chairmanships, titled roles as secretary, treasurer, vice chair. His two-year term as chair began June 1.

A strategic plan is in the works, Kraemer says. “The other thing is dealing with our budget.” Tickets pay for about 38% of the opera’s costs. Donations are stable, but “costs keep inflating over time. As the expression goes, if you don’t increase butts in seats or donations, you’re going to have to cut things.”

Pandemic uncertainties complicate the picture, despite the “superb leadership” of artistic director Victor DeRenzi and general director Richard Russell, says Kraemer. In the fall, Sarasota Opera returned to live performances but chose “a lovely little Rossini opera to keep our costs down”—20-some musicians instead of a 70-piece orchestra, no chorus, one set. “I thought it was charming and wonderful,” Kraemer says. “Everybody I talked to who went liked it.” But sales were flat. “Someone who knows nothing about opera might say, ‘The Silken Ladder?’

Never heard of it.”

Kraemer also attributes the smaller audience to COVID fears. And the pandemic scuttled Sarasota Opera’s usual fall Youth Opera production with a professional orchestra, conductor, and stage crew. Even with vaccines rolling out, “there was no time to rehearse.”

Nonetheless, Kraemer’s hoping for a big turnout for Tosca in February. He’d like to reel in opera neophytes. “There are many people who’ve never been to an opera who say, ‘I hate opera.’ And you get them to go, and some of them will love it and some of them will not. But you won’t discover whether you like it or not unless you see it. It’s like someone goes to a restaurant and never tries anything new. Steak and potatoes every time.”

Lovell also observes that opera is not a monolith.

People who like rock music, for instance, rarely do so indiscriminately. “They might like certain groups; they might not like others. I don’t know that many people would go to concerts of every single pop star.” She’s a fan of Philip Glass, some Wagner, some French opera, and some early operas, she says. She’s seen three productions of a certain Wager opera—at the Met, at Glimmerglass, and at Sarasota Opera, which happens to be the one she liked the best.

Don’t ask Kraemer, though, to name his top opera.

“You’re asking which of my children is my favorite? It’s an impossible question. I can give you a core group of them.

I love the Wagner Ring cycle. I love a group of Mozart operas. I could name 20 operas I love, and I can’t pick between them. There are very few I dislike.”

Aye, aye, Captain.

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

about Sarasota Opera, please visit sarasotaopera.org or call 941.328.1300.

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SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

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Pool Potential MAKING THE MOST OF WATER FITNESS

By Lisa Codianne Fowler Of all the wonderful ways we can refresh in our pools, water exercise is one of the most gratifying. But not all aquatic workouts are equal. Sarasota resident Mark Grevelding, a personal training and fitness expert with decades of experience, insists that everyone—no matter what their fitness level, body type, or age—can get a great workout in the pool.

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Mark Grevelding

BEYOND SWIMMING “If you gave up on running and other fitness activities because of joint impact issues, or chronic injuries, I have good news for you,” says Grevelding. “With water fitness, you can run again. Working out in the pool enables you to be athletic and achieve your health and fitness goals.”

All these health benefits are achieved in the lowimpact environment of water where uplifting buoyant forces limit stress on joints. Studies have also found that working out in the water burns an average of 400-600 calories in a one-hour workout, while also burning calories and increasing metabolism for up to 24-hours post-workout. One study showed an average of 9.8 calories being consumed per minute during deep water exercise, which is equivalent to calories burned on a 10-minute walk.

According to medical studies, water fitness has numerous health benefits, including positive impacts on weight loss, cardiovascular health, core strength, bone density, muscular endurance and strength, flexibility, balance and more.

Deep water exercise is “zero gravity fitness,” meaning zero impact and zero stress on your body, allowing participants to exercise for a longer period and at a higher intensity level. The “zero gravity fitness” experienced in aquatic exercise cannot be recreated in any other environment or achieved on land, offering an enhanced athletic training fitness regimen.

AT YOUR OWN PACE Thanks to these powerful health benefits, water aerobic classes have become popular offerings at local fitness and aquatic centers. People who prefer to workout at their own pace, on their own schedule, or in the privacy of their own home pool need another option.

“One thing that I stress is that it’s really important for people to feel comfortable,” says Grevelding, a native of Rochester, New York, who has trained

and certified fitness instructors in more than 40 countries.

To help people who shy away from group classes or want a more tailored experience, Grevelding developed PoolFit.com, an online resource called that offers more than 100 water workout videos available by phone, table, TV, and web browser.

All workouts are led by an Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) certified trainer and personal training instructor, providing an expertly guided workout experience in the comfort of your own pool.

“All of the pool workouts are led by an extremely well certified qualified instructor trainers, so that you know you’re getting quality, safe, effective workouts,” he explains.

PoolFit.tv water workouts range from water walking, flexibility, yoga, stretching, light cardio, and arthritis workouts, to High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), kickboxing and full body bootcamps, meeting the full spectrum of fitness levels.

Whether you are an athlete working to hone and build on your strengths or a health-impaired beginner, following a water workout program can dramatically enhance your level of wellness, says Grevelding, “And people love the variety.”

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15-MINUTE HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) POOL WORKOUT While you can view and follow several water workouts for free at PoolFit.tv, here is a shorthand version of an HIIT workout. The terms used are fairly common, but if you are unsure of how to execute the moves described, visit PoolFit.tv to see them in action.

Work Cycle: Perform each exercise for 30 seconds.

Rest 1 minute.

Repeat two more cycles.

1. Jumping jacks with arms sweeping horizontally in and out 2. Cross country skis with arms sweeping front to back 3. Jump both feet side-to-side (ski moguls) 4. Jump both feet front to back 5. Alternating front kicks 6. Alternating rear kicks (speed skaters) 7. Knee-high jogs/sprints in place 8. High heel jogs (leg curls)

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a Need forNurses

Local organizations step up to care for those who care for us

fatigue, lack of space in local nursing education programs, and the barrier of time and money needed to attend post-secondary educational courses, vacancies have increased in the nursing field.

By Chloe Cuyler

At present, over 1,300 nursing positions are available in Manatee and Sarasota counties. An October 2021 report from the Florida Hospital Association predicts that by 2035, Florida will have over 59,000 unfilled nursing positions available.

Imagine working long hours on your feet, constantly moving about. Navigating complicated healthcare bureaucracies. Facing a steady stream of worried and disgruntled patients. Coping with emotional exhaustion after losing a patient you had grown to love. This is the reality of many nurses in today’s healthcare field.

When COVID-19 arrived, challenges increased. Seemingly overnight, nurses became the only point of contact between critically ill patients and their families. While caring for these patients, nurses also had to protect themselves from the pandemic. Between workplace

To address this pressing need, a group of organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties are tackling this shortage head-on. The State College of Florida, University of South Florida, CareerEdge, and the Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition have all been developing programs to provide nurses, aspiring nurses, and other healthcare facility workers opportunities to advance in their careers, get formal education, and manage the pressures of their jobs.

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State College of Florida: Making Education More Accessible State College of Florida is creating a new way to give current members of the workforce, parents, and whoever else cannot attend college during traditional hours, a chance to get the education that they desire and deserve.

Beginning in fall 2022, SCF will be offering a new nursing degree program with classes at night and on weekends. This program is designed not only to give aspiring healthcare professionals a chance to learn after their working days are finished, but it will also give them the opportunity to put newly acquired knowledge and skills to good use by lending a helping hand at our community hospitals.

This outstanding program is being launched thanks to a $450,000 grant from The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. This upcoming fall, 30 students will kick off the new nursing program, a number that State College of Florida hopes to continuously grow over time.

Visit scf.edu to learn more.

University of South Florida: Improving the Working Environment The University of South Florida is doing its par t by providing current and future nurses with a way to care for themselves, while still caring for others. In partnership with Sarasota Memorial Hospital, USF Health College of Nursing will launch a new program in Spring 2022, titled Excellence in Nursing During COVID-19 and Beyond, aimed to help workforce retention.

This program will offer tools and strategies to help nurses manage the stress and demand of their jobs, which has multiplied greatly since the beginning of the pandemic.

Part of the program is a clinical preceptorship-to-hire program available to USF nursing students who have committed to employment at Sarasota Memorial Hospital or its Venice facility after they have graduated.

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Behind the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s training and research program is a generous $400,000 grant from The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. In addition, David Kotok and Christine Schlesinger were major donors, giving $115,000 to the effort. Other support has been received from private donors, the USF foundation, and a $25,000 grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Visit health.usf.edu/nursing to learn more

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative: Helping Employees Reach Their Full Potential “Workforce development is ultimately investing in your team members so you can grow, and ideally, retain them,” says Kristi Hoskinson, Vice President of CareerEdge, a workforce development initiative driven by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. It offers grant-funding dollars to organizations that are committed to developing and educating their workforce through a process called upskilling.

This grow-from-within approach allows organizations to take entry to mid-level employees—whether that be a custodian wanting to begin their career in healthcare or an LPN wanting to become an RN—and, through training, aid in the growth of their own workforces.

In fall 2021, CareerEdge gave $42,500 to Manatee Memorial Hospital. These funds will offset the $207,000 the hospital is investing in the upskilling of 25 of its entry to mid-level employees. The two organizations have been working in tandem to further develop the workforce since 2010 and have, thus far, aided 200 workers in advancing in their careers.

“CareerEdge ser ves ver y specific industries within the Sarasota-Manatee County regions,” says Hoskinson. She says that Manatee Memorial has “a deep belief in what we do and not just helping improve their own workforce, but impacting the healthcare community.”

“CareerEdge serves very specific industries within the Sarasota-Manatee County regions. A deep belief in what we do and not just helping improve their own workforce, but impacting the healthcare community.”

— Kristi Hoskinson

Visit sarasotachamber.com/careeredge-funders-collaborative to learn more.

JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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“It’s extremely important that they be taken care of so they can take care of others.”

— Jan Mauck

Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition: Allowing Nurses To Reach Their Educational Goals The Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition (SNAC) focuses on educating and qualifying nurses so they can teach nursing students in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. SNAC was started by Jan Mauck, a former chief nursing officer who worked in the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System for 41 years, and Charles Baumann, an Of Counsel member of Kerkering & Barberio.

So how does SNAC go about increasing the education of nurses within the four-county region?

One major way is through scholarships. “We’ve given over a million dollars in scholarships to students that either want to go back and get their bachelor’s degree or decide to get it from the beginning,” says Mauck. Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition also works with students who would like to pursue their doctorate degrees and begin teaching.

SNAC also helps ensure there are enough accredited nursing schools in the area. “There’s not a lack in the number of people who want to go into nursing,” begins Mauck. “What there’s a lack of is qualified, credentialed schools that have enough slots to provide programs for nursing. We had no traditional BSN programs in this region.”

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Thanks to the help of SNAC, there are now two traditional nursing programs in the region, in which students can earn their BSNs. In addition, colleges have streamlined their programs.

This means that students can go directly into a four-year program after completing their first two years, without any additional courses being required. “I would say that’s probably our biggest accomplishment,” says Mauck.

The workforce is forever changing and evolving. Jobs that our grandparents could never have imagined in their wildest dreams have come about. Jobs that were once a staple of our society are becoming obsolete. But one career that will always remain is that of nursing.

Nurses are so much more than just a part of our workforce, they are capeless heroes much needed in our communities— now more than ever. “It’s extremely important that they be taken care of,” says Mauck. “So they can take care of others.”

Visit snac4fl.org to learn more.

SA R ASOTA

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MANATEE

doctors &dentists OF DISTINCTION

A SARASOTA SCENE MAGAZINE SPECIAL SECTION JANUARY 2022 || SARASOTA SCENE JANUARY 2022 SARASOTA SCENE

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Mahfouz El Shahawy MD, MS, FACP, FESC, FSCCT, FASH, FACC, FAHA 56

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

Cardiovascular disease silently emerges in the body long before it manifests as a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or sudden death. It remains the leading cause of death for men and women.

Standard screenings such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks used to monitor risk factors don’t always present the most accurate picture and may present someone as low risk when newer technology reveals otherwise.

Knowing there had to be a better way, Mahfouz El Shahawy, MD, MS, FESC, FSCCT, FASH, FACC, FAHA, a board-certified cardiologist with a subspecialty in cardiovascular disease prevention and a member of European and American Societies for cardiovascular disease prevention, brought a new approach to his Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota where he has been practicing for over 46 years.

In 2008, he established the Cardiovascular Health Assessment Center, offering a state-of-the-art 18-point heart inspection, testing that transcends traditional risk factors for actual evidence of disease such as risk markers.

The evidence-based, scientific method combines standard risk assessments with more advanced tests, such as retinal scans, arterial elasticity analyses and l aortic ultrasounds to uncover the earliest markers of heart and vascular disease.

The assessment relies on a sophisticated scoring system targeting and isolating the most reliable disease markers for early cardiovascular disease detection and prevention.

Dr. Shahawy is president of the International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (ISCVDP), an organization advocating for the assessment.

He points out the ISCVDP board members are some of the most renowned names in cardiology.

“Our main mission here is to emphasize the importance of something which unfortunately had been neglected for decades, even by experts in the field, which is early detection of cardiovascular disease,” he says. “Early Detect to Protect”

The mission is two-fold: early detection and for those who have cardiovascular disease, optimal treatment.

The cardiovascular disease scoring system was originally engineered by Jay N. Cohn, MD, vice president ISCVDP and professor of medicine in the University of Minnesota Medical School cardiovascular division and director of the Rasmussen Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

“Over the years, he learned that the current scoring system to assess the risk is not that accurate and many times is misleading and underestimating the risk,” says Dr. Shahawy.

“Furthermore, he believes – and I completely agree – if you go to a doctor for cardiac assessment and prevention, you want to know what is your state now, not 10 years from now, which may or may not be the case based on epidemiologic data.”

Dr. Shahawy also works on active medical research trials, lectures worldwide and is the author and co-author of numerous papers for prestigious medical journals. His work has earned him multiple awards.

Dr. Shahawy also holds several certifications and is a life member and fellow of numerous national and international medical organizations.

Dr. Shahawy graduated summa cum laude from the University of Vienna Austria as first in his class and was awarded the Ring of Honor by the President of Austria in a special ceremony. He is the first non-Austrian to have received this honor till today. After moving to the U.S. in 1967, he spent one year at the New York Medical Center. Throughout his career, he has served as a fellow at the Mayo Clinic and a senior fellow and junior faculty member in the Medical College of Georgia division of cardiology.

Dr. Shahawy was the founder and first medical director for the cardiovascular disease prevention program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

In addition to maintaining his practice, lecturing and writing, Dr. Shahawy is a clinical professor in medicine/cardiology at the University of Florida and a clinical professor at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Shahawy says the feedback he gets from patients regarding the cardiovascular assessment is positive.

“They are very grateful and appreciative,” he says. “They’re adhering to any advice I give them more than ever.”

Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota 1950 Arlington Street, Ste 300 Sarasota, Florida 34239 (941) 366-9800 mshahawy@cardiologycenter.net www.cardiologycenter.net JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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Ronald Andari, M.D. • Arun Khazanchi, M.D. Avantika Mishra, M.D. • Tonantzin Matheus, M.D. Each of the doctors at Florida Digestive Health Specialists is a prominent gastroenterologist, but it’s not only their technical expertise that has earned them recognition from patients. Doctors Arun Khazanchi, Avantika Mishra, Tonantzin Matheus, and Ronald Andari share a gift for meaningful human connection.

“Patients need to know they are heard and are working with someone that is invested in their care,” says Dr. Mishra.

“An essential part of this relationship is continual patient education and engagement.” Dr. Mishra specializes in gastrointestinal and liver diseases, obesity and nutrition, cancer prevention and women-related GI issues.

Since the pandemic, patients have mistakenly attributed symptoms to COVID while disregarding possible indications of other illnesses, particularly colorectal cancer, a deadly disease. Having patients experience a warm, comfortable environment encourages them to discuss potentially embarrassing symptoms and helps ensure the patient’s wellness is prioritized and our community is healthy, particularly in the middle of a pandemic.

“We find that the outpatient setting allows for more coordinated, streamlined care that is convenient for

the patient and their family members,” said Dr. Ronald Andari. “The doctor-patient relationship also thrives.”

Dr. Ronald Andari specializes in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. His clinical interests include chronic abdominal pain, hepatobiliary and pancreatic pathology, endoscopic ultrasound, and cancer prevention.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Arun Khazanchi treats digestive health disorders including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, esophageal and swallowing ailments, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. Dr. Matheus specializes in colorectal screening, GERD/dysphagia, and esophageal disorders.

The team serves Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, and they have been recognized throughout the state and the nation for their extremely advanced procedures and high scores from patients and peers. They were recently designated as Top Doctors in Sarasota and Manatee. The progressive treatments they offer are ordinarily only available in an academic medical center or a large hospital in a city such as Orlando, Jacksonville, or Miami. The team is proud to provide these specialized, lifesaving services so close to home.

Florida Digestive Disease Specialists 11505 Palmbrush Trail, Suite 200 5741 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 550 Lakewood Ranch Florida 34202 Sarasota Florida 34233 941.361.1100 | FDHS.com

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Rebecca S. Cohen, M.D., LLC 1217 S East Ave #209 Sarasota, FL 34239 941.404.0545 www.drrebeccacohen.com What patients love about Dr. Rebecca S. Cohen, a psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist, is that she never runs out of treatment options and is always seeking to improve patient outcomes. “Neuroscience is always advancing, and I work hard to stay in the forefront of being able to do what’s best for patients,” she says. Everyone at Dr. Cohen’s practice has that same goal—have ample current, evidence-based scientific options available to help people make real progress toward healing and living a healthier life.

Dr. Cohen is a pharmacologist, so she specializes in strategically selecting and fine-tuning medications to get the best patient outcomes. “The only way I select medication for a client is based on their client profile and their history. I also prefer to use the most current genetic testing to individualize and personalize treatment decisions, because it provides such useful prognostic indicators for both tolerability and efficacy.” And every medication choice is made in collaboration with patients after they’ve been fully informed.

One important and novel treatment option Dr. Cohen offers is FDA-approved TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) therapy. It’s non-invasive, and the side effects are essentially non-existent. “It’s an incredibly effective option for patients who aren’t responding well to other medications. 60 to 70% of our patients who undergo TMS therapy get better, which is higher efficacy than just about any other medication available.”

Dr. Cohen innovates in other ways, too, such as launching a telemedicine option to offer improved access to highquality care to people unable to come to the office during COVID-19. “I’ve set up a state-of-the-art video system,”

Rebecca S. Cohen MD she says, “so patients feel like we’re in the same room together.” It’s become such a popular option that even after pandemic concerns have waned, some patients plan to continue telemedicine visits because it’s logistically favorable, pirvate, and extremely effective.

“I want patients in the Sarasota community to get the best care possible and I’m committed to doing my part,” Dr. Cohen says. “It’s an honor to be part of people’s lives and to help them in stressful, difficult moments.”

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Matthew Perry M.D.

Florida Urology Specialists 1 S School Ave #200, Sarasota, FL 34237 941.309.7000 • www.flurologyspecialists.com Florida Urology Specialists offers eight Urologists who provide specialized treatment for a comprehensive spectrum of urologic disorders that effect both men and women. These include prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer, elevated PSA, BPH, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, erectile/ sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and male infertility.

At Florida Urology Specialists, Dr. Matthew Perry, along with his partners Dr. Eihab Akary, Dr. Winston Barzell, Dr. Jeremy Bergamo, Dr. Joseph Bilik, Dr. Joshua Green, Dr. William Tingle, and Dr. Thomas Williams have been providing urology services to the community for decades and are committed to providing the best quality care to all patients, offering the latest treatments and minimally invasive technology.

With six locations from Bradenton to North Port, Florida Urology Specialists accommodates patients throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Onsite diagnostic services are offered at its main location in Sarasota.

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Dr. Matthew Perry has enjoyed a lifelong interest in science and nature. He was particularly attracted to Urology as it is a highly interesting field with both major and minor surgical procedures and chronic care of patients, providing the ability to develop long term relationships with his patients. His training led him to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic where he served as Chief Resident and as Clinical Instructor.

Dr. Perry’s practice focuses on robotic surgery and endourology in the treatment of prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and kidney stones as well as other urologic conditions.

He specializes in nerve sparing and continence preserving robotic prostatectomies and in robotic partial nephrectomies.

He has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for the past five years – reflecting an appreciation of his high caliber of care and collaborative and collegial spirit within the local urology community. Dr. Perry and his Physician Assistant, Yuliya Grabo PA, seek to combine the clinic’s model of state-ofthe-art medicine with a strong culture of compassionate caregiving to patients.

Dr. Perry and Yuliya Grabo PA are of the mind that a broad range of treatment options need to be considered to discover what is the best fit for an individual patient.

A Miami native, Dr. Perry embraces Sarasota’s smaller town atmosphere and its natural bounty with family and friends.

In his time off, he enjoys many sports including kayaking and skiing, on land he tends a garden, growing vegetables, fruit trees, and herbs.

Reichbach Center 2415 University Parkway, Building #3, Suite 215 P: (941) 213-4444 F: (941) 213-4440 info@findpainrelief.com www.findpainrelief.com

As a national center for the treatment of chronic pain and mental health disorders, the local pain relief practice formerly known as the Gulf Coast Ketamine Center is now called Reichbach Center. While they continue to call the Gulf Coast home, they have intentionally grown to help patients and guests from all over the country transform their lives through individualized and compassionate care. Reichbach Center continues to provide solutions to combat treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain and a range of anxiety and mood disorders on a national and regional scope.

“Our new name is simply a reflection of our great devotion to helping more people experience relief,” Reichbach Center President and Founder Dr. Steven Reichbach said.

Dr. Reichbach and his staff have committed to the mission of providing hope to those suffering from pain and mental health illnesses since first opening the Gulf Coast Ketamine Center in 2016. In 2020, the practice began a partnership with Veterans in Pain, a national nonprofit dedicated to solutions for U.S. veterans suffering from physical and emotional chronic pain. Serving as the director of the ketamine division for Veterans in Pain, Dr. Reichbach proudly offers discounted services through Reichbach Center for veterans and their immediate family members.

Because patient-guests hail from coast to coast across the nation, the new name better represents their commitment to helping people from all backgrounds and zip codes, from soldiers and first responders to spouses, parents, caregivers and friends. Reichbach Center delivers the same level of expertise, care and comfort under their

Steven Reichbach MD new name and continues to offer ketamine infusions, medical cannabis assessments and essential oils.

“There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your patients improve—feeling and living better,” Dr. Reichbach said. “Under our new name, we are honored to provide that degree of exceptional, dedicated care to people locally and nationally.”

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Florida Vein Center 6050-A 53rd Ave E Bradenton, FL 34203 941.907.3400 4051 Upper Creek Dr #108 Sun City Center, FL 33573 813.634.9260 www.floridaveincenter.com the cosmetic aspect of the veins to the more severe advanced stages of venous insufficiency like venous ulcerations and chronic skin changes.

Federico Richter MD, RPhS, DABVLM Board Certified After receiving his medical degree in Argentina, third-generation vein specialist Dr. Federico Richter decided to practice medicine in the United States, where all the best treatment options are available. “I love helping patients with venous disease,” he says. “As a child, I used to go to my father’s office and see before-and-after pictures of veins. I got fascinated that patients can have such good outcomes with non-surgical procedures.”

Today, Dr. Richter is a board-certified provider at the Florida Vein Center, a state-of-the-art vein care practice that has the latest technology to treat all stages of venous disease from

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“For cosmetic purposes, we use liquid visual sclerotherapy,” he explains. “This is performed with a very small needle—it’s thin as a hair and is painless—and a liquid solution is injected. For big varicose veins, we use a ultrasound machine and guide a needle inside the vein so we can inject a foam solution that closes the veins with a chemical reaction and then the vein gets absorbed by the body with time, so there is no more need of doing phlebectomies or pulling the veins out with a hook— an old-fashioned way to remove vein can leave scars and gives the patient post-operative pain and risk of infections.” With ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, patients can return to work after the procedure and even exercise that same day.

One problem Dr. Richter faces is educating people about chronic venous disease. Some patients have been told for years by primary care doctors that their situation is cosmetic. Sometimes, however, it’s actually advanced venous disease, which means irreversible chronic skin changes. If someone suffers from leg pain, night cramps, or neuropathy, the input of a vein expert is vital. Working with a specialist like Dr. Richter who is uniquely trained and experienced to offer all forms of diagnosis and therapy might be the pathway to a pain-free future.

Ruth Rojas DMD

was stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey where she treated thousands of military personnel, supervised 20+ general dentists, and served as director of the base’s implant board and dental laboratory.

Dr. Ruth Rojas Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry 3400 S Tamiami Trail #301 Sarasota, FL 34239 941.951.7711 www.drruthrojas.com While Dr. Ruth Rojas handles general and cosmetic dentistry, she’s also able to provide a higher level of care because she has a specialty in Prosthodontics, which requires an additional three years of schooling to prepare for handling the most complicated dental cases. While most dentists are taught a limited number of specific ways to solve a dental problem, Dr. Rojas has far more options available to her. “I’m both an architect and an engineer,” she explains. “Other dentists refer patients to me when things get complex, and we need to get creative.”

Prosthodontists are in such high demand that after Dr. Rojas finished her Prosthodontic residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, she had multiple job opportunities, including the Air Force. “My dad and my brother were in the Navy, so working for the military wasn’t a foreign idea,” she says. After accepting that offer, she

Five years later, Javier, her Pathologist husband, was offered a job in Florida, so Dr. Rojas left the military and moved with him to the Sunshine State. She worked for a year at LECOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) in Lakewood Ranch to get a sense of the community before launching her own Sarasota practice. Her goal was to create a stress-free environment where she and her team can educate patients to help them decide together on a plan to achieve results that last.

One way to meet patient’s needs is to keep track of rapidly advancing dental technology. “Many things that I did five years ago, I don’t do anymore,” Dr. Rojas says.

“For example, we now scan and take 3D images instead of taking impressions. We use the latest technology to plan procedures from implant surgeries to Smile Designs, minimizing complications while increasing accuracy and accelerating the healing process. Technology has allowed us to offer higher quality of care and more comfort to our patients.”

Her dental team, too, is second to none, says Dr. Rojas.

“They’re amazing. They make everyone feel at home and cozy. They care about patients as much as I do.”

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Alissa Shulman M.D., F.A.C.S.

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

What sets Dr. Alissa Shulman apart is her expert eye for aesthetics and use of natural methods whenever possible to create her art. She says that using the patient’s own fat can be a healthy alternative to artificial devices and a way to “upcycle” unwanted fat.

While she has extensive experience performing a variety of procedures, i.e. liposuction, fat grafting, tummy tucks and arm lifts, her specialty has increasingly focused on the breast—implant removal, augmentation, reduction, lifts and reconstruction.

One’s body and self-image change over time. What seems like a nice shape at 25 can gradually age into “matronly” at 65. The increasing challenge to stay and look “fit” can be thwarted by large droopy breasts—small and perky become preferable.

“I like to be known as the person who can make you look as good as you can without implants,” says the doctor, who encourages women to be comfortable in their own skin. This philosophy is ingrained in her teenage daughters Ayla and Mallory.

“I’m raising my girls to believe that they possess their own unique beauty,” she says. “I strive to be a role model; I make sure they understand the concept of hard work and the need to perform to the best of their abilities. They know that this is how I live my life.”

When not operating, Dr. Shulman can be found in her art room with her daughters. She translates her sewing expertise into costumes needed in the girl’s many activities.

The doctor admits to feeling fortunate because her mother facilitates her hectic schedule. “My Mom is not only my Office Manager, but the ‘go-to’ chauffer/grandmother.”

Dr. Shulman is excited to be part of the new Jellison Cancer Institute in Sarasota. Active in professional circles, she just wrapped up her three year “term” as SMH Chief of Staff. In addition, she was the first female Chief of Surgery and previously the hospital’s Physician of the Year. She was also the first local female named President of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons (and currently on their board).

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Christine Wildeman M.D.

Virtue of Health 4161 Clark Rd, Sarasota FL 34233 941.724.6399 Info@virtueofhealth.com www.virtueofhealth.com The Virtue of Health Wellness Center in Sarasota combines integrative medicine and functional medicine, offering patients healing through a balance of science and holistic modalities.

One of the newest members of the medical team, Dr. Christine, brings 20 years of experience in primary care-ranging from the emergency room to full spectrum primary care and as medical director for a large corporate rehabilitation hospital system.

“Throughout my medical career, I enjoyed helping patients heal from their illness but over the last few years became frustrated with the state of our current traditional health care system, as the focus has shifted into more of an ‘ill care’ system and away from a meaningful health care system,” she notes.

“As a board-certified integrative physician, my passion is helping patients achieve optimal health and well-being by healing the whole ‘you’ with a custom assessment and treatment plan combining the best of complementary and conventional medicine.”

Dr. Wildeman is board certified in integrative medicine and an IASIS Level 1 certified medical provider with a special passion for brain health and healing.

“One of my professional goals is to stop the stigma of mental illness and encourage all those who suffer from neuropsychological symptoms to seek help from a qualified integrative/functional provider.

“We have made huge gains in understanding how the brain and nervous system work and why we are seeing the incidents of mental illness significantly increase, including in our youth, in the U.S. over the past decade.”

Like other organs in the body, the brain will not work efficiently or effectively if there are cellular imbalances present such as nutrient deficiencies, cellular toxicities or damaged neurons due to physical or emotional trauma, notes Wildeman. She performs a comprehensive neurobiologic assessment and from those results develops a personalized holistic treatment plan to repair and restore optimal brain function.

Her treatment plan includes replacing all nutrient deficiencies, removing toxic substances from the body—including repairing and balancing the gut microbiome—and enhancing gentle and safe brain healing with micro-current neurofeedback therapy.

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Passport Health

Health worked with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to administer antibiotics and vaccine to those who may been exposed to Anthrax.

Passport Health 2195 Ringling Blvd Sarasota, FL 34237 941.362.0304 5190 26th Street West, Ste F, Bradenton FL 34207 941.462.4338 www.passporthealthsarasota.com

Passport Health was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1994 to fill a void in the travel medical services market.

Now a nationwide network of travel medicine clinics with locations in Sarasota, Port Charlotte, and Bradenton, the organization serves as a one-stop solution for the immunizations, medications, supplies, and travel health counseling necessary for those traveling overseas to meet criteria and stay healthy.

Over the years, Passport Health has expanded its medical services—rendered by a trained team of travel medicine specialists—in keeping with current medical situations. After the 2001 Anthrax attack, Passport 66

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

The health services organization was called into action by the U.S. Department of Defense, the White House and the Health Ministry of Singapore for training on the administration of the smallpox vaccine. During the war in Iraq, Passport Health operated a 24/7 call center for vaccination questions for the U.S. military and Defense Department.

In response to the current pandemic, Passport Health offers antigen and PCR testing for COVID-19 at its sites.

The focus is on those needing to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to fly or return to work or school. Passport Health specializes in international travel requirements beyond COVID, such as yellow fever, typhoid, malaria prophylaxis, and more.

Overall, Passport Health has more than 270 locations.

While continuing to specialize in travel medicine services, it now offers specialty exams, wellness services, and vaccine records management services. Passport Health also offers onsite vaccine services and is an onsite flu clinic provider, providing flu vaccine throughout the U.S. from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Also available are immigration physicals to help meet visa, Green Card, and U.S. citizenship requirements.

941-306-1202 ArtistSeriesConcerts.org

Visit scenesarasota.com to read about local women of impact & inspiration in Sarasota Scene’s special triennial issue of Women on the Scene.

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Stars on the Rise Building on our Legacy

MERZ TRIO

Brigid Coleridge, violin Julia Yang, cello Lee Dionne, piano with Jordan Bak, viola January 23 • 4:00 pm Temple Sinai “Riveting. Stunning virtuosity and ensemble work.” – Reading Eagle

ANTHONY TRIONFO, flute ALBERT CANO SMIT, piano

February 6 • 4:00 pm Temple Sinai

“Spellbinding, playing with expressive maturity and authoritative intellect.”

– The Santa Barbara Voice This project is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture (Section 286.25, Florida Statutes).

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Here4YOUth:

Because Mental Health

Matters

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

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SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

“We need more services and support where the youth are.”

—Jennifer Johnston Our nation’s youth are facing a mental health crisis, says the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association.

And over recent years, the situation has become even more critical. The COVID-19 pandemic has left tens of thousands of children nationwide without a primary or secondary caregiver—contributing to soaring rates of youth anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and violence.

that—improve the community and help it thrive, even in the face of a global emergency.

The idea for Here4YOUth came about in 2018, Johnston notes, when “key partners—the school district, nonprofits, and law enforcement agencies— came to Gulf Coast and said the lead issue in the Sarasota community was the need to improve mental health care for youth and families, because our system of care wasn’t working.”

Locally, the Child Protection Center is reporting more acute issues of abuse than ever before.

These children have greater needs because there’s greater trauma—and trauma often translates into behavior issues. It’s hard to imagine, but we have three- and four-year-old kids being kicked out of preschool for disruptive behavior because of trauma, anxiety, and an inability to cope.

RESEARCH-BASED APPROACH Gulf Coast and Barancik Foundation commissioned the University of South Florida to study the strengths and gaps in our mental health system of care for youth. They identified youths as people up to age 24, because three quarters of all chronic mental illnesses begin by the age of 24. “We thought that if we could start there and improve the system of care for youth up to age 24, then that would really help us as a community to get the largest return on investment,” Johnston says.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP Enter Here4YOUth, a mental health initiative spearheaded by Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Gulf Coast’s Senior Community Investment Officer, Jennifer Johnston, has been involved with the initiative from the start. The good news, she says, is we have a community that’s able to respond.

“We have expert local providers and treatments that work. We will continue to fund interventions that bring care to children and students—to fill the gaps. We need a strong safety net for families and children.”

“Working at Gulf Coast allows me to partner with all sectors- nonprofits, government, business, and local stakeholders,” Johnston says, “to look at how we can improve our community in the long run and discover how we can build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Clearly, Here4YOUth is designed to do exactly

The study concluded that families need better support in navigating existing services. People feel reluctant to talk about mental health challenges, so they’re less likely to share what they’ve learned and help one another. “And we need to strengthen the system of care, particularly with recurring funding,” Johnston adds. “We need more services and support where the youth are.”

Those findings led to more than 100 meetings of community stakeholders. One of the first action plans to emerge was funding for a new position for the Sarasota/Manatee branch of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Sarah Miller, who serves in that new position as the Family & Peer Services Director, is right there in meetings with families in crisis, and when they’re overwhelmed, she says, “Okay, here’s the next step.” And she JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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“Families often complain of their child’s inability to cope or to use appropriate social skills, perform general life skills . . . The Here4YOUth Initiative enabled NAMI to be responsive to our families’ needs and concerns.”

—Sarah Miller

helps them move effectively through the system so both youth and families get adequate mental health support. It’s making a difference, but there’s more to do.

PROVIDING MORE SUPPORT NAMI has often been referred to as “the best-kept secret” for mental health. Although NAMI doesn’t offer clinical services, support networks are found at NAMI, and these are critical components to long-term mental wellness. Students can use NAMI’s services for free, after all. “Sadly, so many youth and families are not aware of NAMI and so miss this valuable partnership on their recovery journeys,” Miller reports.

The pandemic has increased stressors for families and youth mental health. For example, physical isolation exacerbated pre-existing mental health challenges, increased social anxiety, and enabled social media/tech addictions among youth.

“Families often complain of their child’s inability to cope or to use appropriate social skills, perform general life skills (cleaning up after themselves) or daily self-care, such as showers and brushing teeth,” along with decreased academic performance and disinterest in other social activities, says Miller. “Furthermore, while many mental health services were only being offered virtually, many youth refused to engage in virtual appointments and parents were frustrated by the limitations of options to address these mounting concerns. The Here4YOUth Initiative enabled NAMI to be responsive to our families’ needs and concerns, committing to offer support to both the parent and youth as requested, often in-person, following CDC recommended guidelines.”

Those who need help can’t always get it right away. For example, there’s often a sizable waitlist to see a psychiatrist or to get into intensive therapy. One strategy under consideration is funding a Mental Health District, the first in the state. In addition, an expert Mental Health Advisory Task Force has been formed to share findings with the county commission.

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Photo by Nancy Guth

Based on the experts’ recommendations, changes are expected to follow. One likely goal will be to eliminate wait lists. After all, early intervention is far less expensive than waiting until problems escalate into criminal justice or substance abuse issues, child welfare concerns, or involuntarily admittance to a mental health facility through the Baker Act. MEETING THE NEED Research shows that about $44 million is being spent each year on youth behavioral health in Sarasota County, with almost 75% of that coming from local sources, including philanthropy. Yet there’s more to be done. Emergency services are far more costly than supporting families when issues first arise, but local human service providers are overwhelmed with calls and needs. There’s not enough clinical staff and support available. “Stable, recurring funding would be a game-changer in terms of being able to make care accessible when people need it,” Johnston says, versus waiting until things become a crisis.

What happens when there is a crisis? Well, that’s a Here4YOUth success story—the formation of a mobile

behavioral health crisis response team. They’re now able to go directly to wherever they’re needed so they can help de-escalate a crisis and help young people get counseling, social support, and mentoring. They can stabilize the youth and help them avoid involuntary admission to the hospital, which can be traumatizing. If there’s a crisis at school and a child gets handcuffed and put into a police cruiser, that’s adding trauma upon trauma. The mobile crisis team helps get a situation under control and sets up youth and families for the wraparound support they need.

Miller says, “My hope for the Here4YOUth initiative is to continue to shift the culture of our system of care to value family and youth voice, increase access to care, and enhance community partnerships to remove barriers. The initiative has offered a highly responsive and collaborative approach to finding solutions. I am fortunate to witness firsthand the positive impact this has made in the lives of youth and families in our community.”

For more information on the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, please visit gulfcoastcf.org or call 941.486.4600.

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THE PLAY THAT GOES

WRONG

BY LISA CODIANNE FOWLER

HOW TO SURVIVE MAKING NOTHING GO WRITE

t h g i R

William Connell (Chris) and Greg Balla (Robert) in Pioneer Theatre Company’s 2019 production of The Play That Goes Wrong, directed by Karen Azenberg with scenic

72

design by James Kronzer. Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Theatre Company.

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

Greg Balla (below) and William Connell (above) in

Eric Santagata (Dennis) and Brandon Contreras

Pioneer Theatre Company’s 2019 production of The

(Jonathan) in Pioneer Theatre Company’s 2019

Play That Goes Wrong, directed by Karen Azenberg

production of The Play That Goes Wrong, directed by

with scenic design by James Kronzer. Photo Courtesy

Karen Azenberg with scenic design by James Kronzer.

of Pioneer Theatre Company.

Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Theatre Company.

Brandon Contreras (Jonathan) and Ruth Pferdehirt (Sandra) in Pioneer Theatre Company’s 2019 production of The Play That Goes Wrong, directed by Karen Azenberg with scenic design by James Kronzer. Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Theatre Company.

Ever think you’ve had a bad day? Then now is the time to see The Play That Goes Wrong at Florida Studio Theatre (FST). This play-within-a-play takes a lot of ingenuity, creativity, and careful direction. Producing this play is much more demanding than a layman would suspect. Happenstances don’t just happen.

Timing, costumes, scenery, and combat choreography—needed for safe illusions of punching, kicking, slapping, falling—come together to create the magic of the show.

THE MYSTERY This comedy is set on opening night of an amateur community theater’s production of a murder mystery. Without revealing the play’s delightful secrets and tricks, suffice it to say that just about everything that could go wrong does. The action really heats up in Act Two, but the mayhem starts even before the play-within-the-play begins. Is all of that planned? You decide for yourself.

“It probably has more light cues, sound cues, and stage movement cues in it than any play I’ve directed,” Jordon shares. “But I think that always in your theatre career you have to bite off a little more than you can chew.”

Though he sounds a bit stressed when discussing the process, he looks incredibly happy. “It agrees with me. I think we all do our best work under a little stress.” Not surprisingly, under Jordon’s direction, it is clear that everything and everyone is in perfect sync.

Director of FST’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong,

This hilarious on-purpose misadventure is directed by Bruce Jordan, who made his film debut opposite Barbara Streisand in “The Way We Were,” appeared in 40 roles as an actor, including three commercials for the Superbowl, and became legendary for directing and producing countless shows around the world, including Shear Madness, the longest running show in the history of the United States. Directing The Play That Goes Wrong, winner of an Olivier Award —the highest honor in British theatre—is a new challenge for Jordon.

When CEO Richard Hopkins invited him to direct this show for FST , Jordan pointed out that “comedy with this kind of technical overlay is extremely hard.” Hopkins was perfectly aware of these logistics, having seen the production with an appreciative eye just months ago in London.

JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

Bruce Jordan. Photo Courtesy of the Artist.

THE DIRECTOR

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Jordan Sobel (Max) and Greg Balla (Robert) in Pioneer Theatre Company’s 2019 production of The Play That Goes Wrong, directed by Karen Azenberg with scenic design by James Kronzer. Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Theatre Company.

Sketch of the set for The Play That Goes Wrong by Isabel and Morian Curley-Clay.

Image Courtesy of the Artists.

THE DESIGNERS Award-winning scenic designers and twin sisters, Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, are an integral part of the talented production team that comprises about a dozen people.

Moriah shared that reading this script had her laughing out loud, something that doesn’t happen very often. And she added that if they’ve done their jobs right, the audience won’t see the surprises coming.

What is a scenic designer? This role coordinates with specialists in set construction, costume design, technical direction, and fight choreographer to ensure safety and consistency of action throughout each performance. It may sound straightforward, but it’s not.

“We read the script, then we do research. For this show, it features an English country manor house that’s been put on stage by this group of amateur thespians. Then, we work out how everything is going to fit on the stage,” she says. “We’ll do a sketch for the director and the producer and do the technical drawings. It’s like an architect’s draft of everything you’re going to see on stage; it has specifications of what the items are made from, what the materials should look like, and what the paint looks like .”

From the sketch and technical drawings, they build a proportional model in quarter-inch scale, which means a quarter inch in the model is equal to a foot in real life.

“Basically, we create a tiny version of everything. The model goes to the theatre staff and director to figure out their staging, and then it goes to the shop, because they need to see how things are going to work. So, if there’s something that has to turn around, we’ll make that turn around in the model. We oversee everything on the set, how it looks and how it functions, but we’re not in charge of how it’s built. So, we have to approve all the props, all the curtains, all the furniture, all the canned props.”

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Brandon Contreras (Jonathan)and Eric Santagata (Dennis) in Pioneer Theatre Company’s 2019 production of The Play That Goes Wrong, directed by Karen Azenberg with scenic design by James Kronzer. Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Theatre Company.

THE PLEASURE A slew of surprises will keep the audience laughing through the end of the final act. According to Jordon, The Play That Goes Wrong is just what we need. “It’s a very fun evening. It’s very escapist. Silly fun. And what is better than an audience laughing together?”

The Play That Goes Wrong, by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer, will play beginning January 19, 2022, in FST’s Gompertz Theatre. Run Time: 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission. Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org or call 941-366-9000 to reserve your seat; tickets are selling fast.

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KAREN S. MCK E +

R O N AL D M I C

I VI E R

H AE L C R O C E

vier and n Karen McKei ee w et b g tin e A chance mee d the adventur late-life love an to d le ce ro C Ron of a lifetime. h al f- d ay e d u p af te r a m m la g ill st fessional K ar e n w as ating her pro d up ly al fin photoshoot— nddaughter— ing of her gra g ur e th at t o headsh opped at the ry when she st ng hu ly us no r and glass and rave a steak dinne r fo le ril G l UTC Capito of wine. at the bar. ded, so she ate ow cr as w nt ra stranger The restau r opened up, a he to xt ne at d, and When the se The two chatte n. w do t sa ce . named Ron Cro ly look like this “I don’t normal , d se es ” nf t. o co Karen e my headsh shoot to updat I had a photo n found oodbye, but Ro g ng yi sa t ou e Karen left with l months befor “It took severa k. oo b ut B ce .

Fa its her on e,” she adm to a dinner dat had drawn I would agree took. “Cupid it l al as w e at heart.” one real d me right in the ot sh d an w ro his bow and ar o at the Marie ed in the gazeb os p ro p n Ro , s In Bloom.

In 2019 s during Light en d ar G al ic an nfirmed Selby Bot 55-year-old, co e th ,” es “y r 67 And with he ed to a young ecame engag b e tt re lo he bac year-old. how my e the script for rit w to d ha I f “I to Karen says, n this creative uldn’t have bee co I e, b ld ou w life

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write the chapters; the universe did it for me. The blessings keep rolling in, one after the other.”

“In just four short years, we have shared a lifetime of love, romance, and adventure. He is always planning the next experience, which is bigger and better than the last. There is never a dull moment. Between us we have six children and six grandchildren and plenty of room for more.”

Karen works as a Senior Custom Cabinet Designer for Sarasota Architectural Woodworking and Ron is Executive Vice President Worldwide Sales and Chief Revenue Officer at Cirrus Data Solutions.

The couple said their vows at an outdoor, sunset ceremony at Selby Gardens on the Sarasota Bay. The bride was walked down the aisle by her son Charles Thomas DiBiasie II, who wore a kilt specifically designed in Clearwater to reflect the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A bagpipist dressed in the same kilt serenaded the wedding party. The groom and his best man wore custom-made Italian suits from Canali that matched the blues in the kilts. Also participating were children Alex Croce, Amanda Croce, Morgan Croce, and Tyler Croce.

“Some people say, ‘You are too old to have a wedding like this’,” says Karen. ”I say ‘You’re never too old to be a princess.’ And a princess I was, even for one day. It was a magical experience that went flawlessly.”

VENDORS | Wedding Coordinator: Be Wed • Photography: Alisa Sue Photography • Venue: Selby Gardens • Catering: Michaels on East • Dress: Pronovias • Cake: Cakes by Ron • Ring: Tiffany’s • Flowers: Flowers by Fudgy 78

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Florida Artists Hall of Fame Inductee

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MAY 29, 2021

T RI C I A T

O

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JOEL STI

LL S O N

On a beautiful Sarasota sunset cruise, Joel Stillson surprised Tricia To with an engagement ring and a proposal.

Although Tricia said yes, the pandemic caused multiple postponements to the wedding. The pair finally said “we do” during a distinctive wedding at Mote Aquarium.

The happy occasion marked the first time many of their beloved friends and family had been together since COVID began. Ideal weather was the perfect topper to the day’s celebration.

Among the wedding attendees were Tricia’s mother Thuy To, her father Bao To and stepmother Monique, as well as Joel’s parents Connie and Stephen Stillson.

Tricia, a native of Fairfax, Virginia, went to George Mason University. Joel grew up in Naperville, 80

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Illinois and attended Eastern Illinois University. The couple met while working together in Chicago, IL. Tricia is currently an enterprise account executive for a software company, while Joel works as a regional s a l e s m a n a g e r f o r a m a n u f a c t u r i n g c o m p a n y.

After the wedding, the pair enjoyed an extended stay in Sarasota and explored local attractions together. By year end, they honeymooned in Hawaii—snorkeling, shopping, relaxing by the pool and beach, and sipping Mai Tai’s—and delighted in an ocean-side concert featuring Dave Matthews.

VENDORS | Wedding planner: Jennifer Matteo Event Planning • Venues:Mote Marine Laboratory, Westin Sarasota • Cake: Sweets Bakehouse • Catering: Tableseide • Music: Breezin Entertainment • Florals: Beneva Weddings • Hair + makeup: Brides by Kelly Anne

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SPOTLIGHT

Be Mindful Be Happy Sarasota Mindfulness Institute

By Laura Shoemaker The Sarasota Mindfulness Institute (SMI) aims to help people lead happier, healthier, and less stressful lives through the practice of mindfulness meditation. They offer classes and activities, a wealth of web-based resources, and a supportive community for connecting with others and practicing mindfulness. The Institute, founded in 2009, is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization formed to share the positive benefits of mindfulness meditation with residents of Sarasota, FL, and beyond.

Locally, SMI also partners with other organizations to deliver meditation programs. Two recent public outreach activities include hosting a regular, monthly meditation for staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and a collaboration that combines art exhibits with mindfulness meditation for visitors at the Art Center of Sarasota.

Mindfulness has its roots in ancient traditions, but modern science supports its many benefits. Practicing mindfulness meditation can bring a whole range of health improvements, like reduced stress, increased feelings of happiness, better sleep, and pain management. Maurer noted that research from the University of Miami’s UMindfulness program suggests that as little as 12 minutes a day of mindful meditation can significantly affect physical and mental health.

Kurt Maurer, Ph.D., chair of the Institute’s board of directors and a mindfulness meditation facilitator, explains that practicing 82

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“We become more aware of our bodily sensations, our breath, and our thoughts. We learn to respond skillfully to challenges rather than just reacting to them.” mindfulness meditation not only helps people slow down and appreciate the present moment, but with practice: “We become more aware of our bodily sensations, our breath, and our thoughts. We learn to respond skillfully to challenges rather than just reacting to them.”

Kurt Maurer

MANY OFFERINGS TO TRY From regular weekly group “sittings” to special, themed classes and other events, there are many ways to dip into mindfulness meditation with SMI. Teachers are highly trained with decades of practice in mindfulness meditation.

The Institute’s ongoing sitting meditations are scheduled two days a week and led by experienced mindfulness facilitators.

Practitioners can also learn more about mindfulness through participating in the accompanying reading series. These weekly meditations take place on Zoom.

Other regular classes that currently take place on Zoom are Qigong and Tai Chi, guided movement and breath practices that offer a gentle way to reduce stress and increase mindfulness. In addition, yoga Nidra, or “yogic sleep,” is a guided meditation that supports relaxation and can also help improve sleep and manage chronic pain.

More recently, SMI has initiated some outdoor opportunities for mindfulness meditation. One such in-person offering is Mindful Walking: “the practice of learning to be aware of the sensations and movements of your body as you move through the world around you.” These hour-long group classes take place in area parks and combine walking in nature with awareness and mindfulness practices.

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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This program was developed over 40 years ago at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and is “the best-researched mindfulness technique in the world, boasting hundreds of clinically proven health benefits.”

SLOW DOWN AND BUILD RESILIENCE

GET INVOLVED

Being still and listening to the sounds around you or following the rhythm of your breath doesn’t sound hard, but the practice can be surprising at first.

In addition to their high-quality, low-cost educational classes and courses, the Institute hosts a resource-rich website with audio recordings of guided meditations and talks, a suggested reading list, links to retreats, phone apps, and more.

While some SMI attendees report feeling more centered and grounded in their lives since taking up mindfulness meditation, Kurt says a typical experience for some people can be frustration. “It’s easy to become frustrated because the mind will wander off. Everybody’s mind wanders about 50% of the time. So how do you deal with that? Just bring your attention back to your breath without judgment, noticing how the abdomen rises and falls with each breath.

That is the practice.”

Maurer explains there are other ways to bring the mind back to the moment. One such technique is “scanning” the body and its sensations. Start by slowly moving your awareness from the top of the head to the feet while noticing areas of tension, coolness, pressure, and other sensations.

Integrating mindfulness into your life over time can help build resilience. In addition to traditional “sitting” meditation, cultivating mindfulness can be an ongoing activity throughout the day. Pausing to be mindful of specific cues, such as each time you open a door. Being aware of sensations when brushing your teeth is another way to integrate mindfulness into your life. According to Maurer, small mindful moments, many times a day, add up with regular practice.

For those wanting to go deeper into the practice of mindfulness meditation, SMI offers an 8-week course called 84

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Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Institute has shifted most of its offerings online, which has turned out to have benefits in terms of convenience and accessibility. No longer do participants have to drive to weekly meditation or stop attending when they travel north for the summer, as many of these activities now take place on Zoom. The addition of new outdoor activities every month provides opportunities to enjoy some of the area’s local beauty and see friends face-to-face more safely.

With a small group of volunteers responsible for all the programming, outreach, and communication, and only one part-time, paid administrator, Maurer says SMI has many volunteer opportunities. Many activities are free, and donations help cover the cost of expenses.

SMI will offer the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in February 2022. The course teachers are Lisa Patterson, MA, LPC, CT, RYT-200, and Bharti Thakkar BS, CYT-500. This course is fee-based.

For much more information about SMI’s programs visit sarasotamindfulness.org, where you can sign up to receive the newsletter, register for classes, and inquire about volunteer opportunities.

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Education MATTERS

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

SAVING SPECIAL PLACES: CONSERVATION FOUNDATION OF THE GULF COAST While our beautiful coastal region attracts tourists and offers scenic views that defy the imagination, it’s all more fragile than one might think. So much so, in fact, that in 2003, a group of concerned residents came together with the goal of protecting the land and waterways that defined our incredible region. Nearly 20 years later, that initiative has become Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, which has earned national accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Perhaps more important, they’ve established permanent protection of Orange Hammock Ranch, Robinson Preserve Addition, Felts Audubon Preserve, Old Miakka Preserve Addition, The Quad Parcels at the Celery Fields, and Myakka Headwaters Preserve, just to name a few. Altogether, Conservation Foundation has protected more than 18,500 acres, which is 29 square miles. And they’ve got plans to do much, much more.

Christine Johnson, who’s served as President of Conservation Foundation since 2011, explains that their goal is to save special places, not just for nature itself, but also for people. “Sometimes the land that we save is open to the public, and people can get on it and enjoy it. Sometimes protection is a conservation agreement with the landowner so that they won’t ever develop it,” she says. “Yet that still has benefit for people, whether it’s cleaning water, or bringing back native species, or keeping food local. We have clean air too, because of the trees on the land.”

Helping people see the interconnectedness of it all is something Johnson and her colleagues hope will be an outcome of their new Nature Interpreter position. Gulf Coast Community Foundation just granted funding for its first year, and the goal is to have the position filled

by March 2022.

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Christine P. Johnson

“People only love what they know, and people only know what they experience,” Johnson says. “So, we want to give people experiences, especially since the vast majority of the people who live here aren’t from here. And the vast majority of people who live in Florida live on the coast or within 10 miles of the coast. But what about more inland areas of Florida and how they relate to the Gulf Coast? What do people need to know about native plants or the importance of their own yard to the Gulf of Mexico? What about the birds we see stopping traffic when they’re in the road? Or how land keeps the water clean? The Nature Interpreter is going to help people understand more about where they live.”

Conservation Foundation’s Next Gen Conservation Youth in Nature program, which seeks to give kids WOW moments in nature, is another example of how the organization is creating connections. After all, Conservation Foundation says they’re saving land for the next generation. The kids in this program ARE the next generation. “We’re creating the next generation of land conservationists and people who want to make sure that our special places are protected and taken care of.” To ensure that happens, they’ve partnered with more than a dozen youth-serving organizations, from Tidewell Hospice Blue Butterflies

Laurel Civic Garden.

Photo Credit Kerri Gagne Photography.

Two Rivers (Myakka Headwaters Preserve).

Photo Credit Mary Lundeberg.

to Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties to Laurel Civic to Girls Inc. These organizations know the value of helping kids have meaningful experiences outside. Too many children live within one mile of the Intracoastal Waterway but have never set foot in the water.

Youth in Nature showcases career possibilities that kids can aspire to that mostly or entirely take place outside.

“One of my favorite stories is when a girl asked our environmental programs coordinator, Sabrina Cummings, ‘Wait a minute! You get PAID to do this?’ And she told her ‘Why don’t you go to school for a job like this so you can be outside all day too?’ It’s so rewarding to show them that there are other careers and educational opportunities than the usual.” With COVID-19 restrictions lessening, Conservation Foundation has been able to resume their other Next Gen Conservation program, Nature Explorers which focuses on citizen science activities and showing kids how they can help scientists across the country with meaningful information.

Now that Johnson has served as President for a decade, she’s eyeing what can be done in her next decade of running the foundation. “We have this big dream of a connected corridor from the Duette Preserve in northeast Manatee County all the way to Myakka Island down to Babcock Webb in Charlotte County and on to the Everglades. It’s a big, big goal,” she admits. “I’m sure

most of your readers have heard about the Florida wildlife corridor. It doesn’t touch our five coastal counties, however, except for a tiny bit at the eastern part of Sarasota County.

That’s it. The rest is all in the middle of the state. So, we have our own wildlife corridor, with thousands of acres that people can experience now and forever.”

Something Johnson wants people to understand is the word “conservation.” It’s been diluted by overuse, yet some still see it as a scary thing. When Conservation Foundation says they’re conserving land, they mean forever. Other than improvement, that land is never going to be changed. “Not everything needs to be conserved,” she adds. “The important stuff does, such as land adjacent to bodies of water. And special places that have a high biodiversity of plants and animals or that connect to other protected lands to create corridors.”

A good example of how fluid the word “conservation” can be is what’s happening with Payne Park. One hundred years ago, that land was gifted to be a park. Today, people are interpreting that as meaning it’s okay to put up a public building. Conservation Foundation makes sure that when they protect land, there’s no room for confusion in a hundred years. Every agreement they make with landowners has specific language outlining what is and isn’t permitted, and they have an endowment to enforce the agreement, if it comes to that.

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They do more than just sign agreements. They care for that protected land, too. One of the reasons Florida doesn’t have terrible wildfires like they do out west is because we have prescribed burns. “Oscar Scherer State Park requires burning to keep the scrub jays there because scrub jay habitat requires periodic fire,” Johnson explains. “So, just like the State Park Service, when we own land, we maintain it in the sense that we help it with prescribed fire if that’s what it needs. We help with maintenance, keeping invasives out, or even restoration, like we’re doing on about 400 acres south of Flatford Swamp in Manatee County, or the property that we just purchased out in Myakka.”

“We’re in a race against time”, warns Johnson. But it’s not too late yet—we can still make a difference by protecting special places and our waterways by supporting the efforts of Conservation Foundation. The time is now.

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Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, please visit www.conservationfoundation.com or call 941.918.2100.

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ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE 941.351.8000/asolorep.org Our Town January 14 – March 26 Grand Horizons January 21 – April 1

Best SEATS PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR JANUARY 2022 ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS OF SARASOTA 941.306.1200/ artistseriesconcerts.org Harumi Hanafusa, Piano January 8 Hanafusa Sisters, Piano Duo January 9 New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players January 20 Merz Trio with Jordan Bak, Viola January 23 Hanzhi Wang, Accordion January 27

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FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE 941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org Winter Mainstage: America In One Room Through February 27 The Play That Goes Wrong January 19 – March 13 Winter Cabaret: The Wanderers Through February 6 Friends in Low Places Through March 27 Children’s Theatre: Hare & Tortoise January 8 – March 6 Imrpov: Rebel in Paradise Through January 22 KEY CHORALE 941.921.4845/keychorale.org Choral Splendor in 40 Parts January 14 – 15

LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE 941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com Paisley Craze January 8 Old Ringers January 19 – February 13 MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 941.749.1111 / manateeperformingartscenter.com Chaplin: The Musical January 20 – 30 MCCURDY’S COMEDY THEATRE 941.925.3869 / mccurdyscomedy.com Al Romas January 5 – 9 Rahn Hotman January 12 – 16 Kevin Nealon January 21 – 22 Humor Institute January 26

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THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS 941.365.2494 / theplayers.org John Patti Steels the Classics January 7 Forbidden Broadway January 19 – 30 THE SARASOTA BALLET 941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org Program 4: Love & Betrayal January 28 – 30 SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE sarasotacontemporarydance.org Dance Makers 2022 January 27 – 30 Virtual Dance Makers January 28 – 30 SARASOTA OPERA 941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org Celebration in Song January 9

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SARASOTA ORCHESTRA 941953.4252 / sarasotaorchestra.org Ohlsson Plays Rachmaninoff January 7 – 9 Great Escapes: Comedy Tonight January 12 – 16 Revolution: The Music of the Beatles January 21 – 22 URBANITE THEATRE 941.321.1397/urbanitetheatre.com The Smuggler January 14 – February 20 VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL 941.953.3368 / vanwezel.org Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert January 3 Renée Fleming January 5 IL Divo January 6 Jay Leno January 15

VENICE SYMPHONY 941.207.8822 / thevenicesymphony.org Under the Big Top: A Tribute to the Circus January 14 – 15 VENICE THEATRE 941.488.1115 / venicetheatre.org Ain’t Misbehavin’ January 14 – February 6 Lift Every Voice January 16 Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill January 21 – February 20 An Evening with Norm Lewis January 23 – 24 Let’s Hang On! January 30 – 31 WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE 941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration January 17 Ruby January 12 – February 27

V IS IT S C EN ES AR AS OTA. C OM To submit your event for consideration, please send information to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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JANUARY 2022 VISUAL ARTS EVENTS ARTCENTER MANATEE

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ART REVIEW SRQ

DABBERT GALLERY

941.306.3278 / artreviewsrq.com North American Fine Art Collection (1700 - 1900) Current Limited Edition Serigraph Current European Fine Art Collection (1700 - 1900) Current Abstract Art Current

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941.746.2862 / artcentermanatee.org Searle & Reid Hodges Gallery: Members Juried Exhibition January 4 - February 4

ART UPTOWN

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CHASEN GALLERIES

941.365.2032 / artsarasota.org Gallery 1: Bassmi Ibrahim, A Meditative Experience Gallery 2: Untitled Cup Shop Gallery 3: George Pappas, Selected Works Gallery 4: Modes of Abstraction Through January 15

SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

State of the Arts Gallery

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Creaturo Gallery

941.955.5409 / artuptown.org Glass Shapes January 1 – 31

941.260.5787 / chasengalleries.com Karen Weihs & Mark Bettis: Luminous January 20 – February 2

CREATURO GALLERY 941.953.6163 / creaturogallery.com Recent Work January 1 – 31

EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES 941.404.5710 / embracingourdifferences.org Winter/Spring Showcase January 19 – April 10 Bayfront Park, Sarasota

LIGON FINE ART 832.361.0308 / angelaligonart.com New Year, New Beginnings January 7

MEG KRAKOWIAK GALLERY & STUDIO 941.400.2478 / megkrakowiakstudios.com Plunge into Color January 1 – 31

NORTH PORT ART CENTER 941.423.6460 / northportartcenter.com Get Inspired by the Holidays Through January 7

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941.487.8001 / stakenborgfineart.com Appice Heck Drum City— Virtual Exhibition Current

SARASOTA ART MUSEUM 941.400.2478 / sarasotartmuseum.org Danner Washburn: Effigy Hemric Through May 8 Judith Linhares: The Artist as Curator Through April 3 Felix Gonzalez-Torres Through May 15 David Budd, Motion Within Stillness Through March 20

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WYLAND GALLERIES 941.955.4785 / wylandgalleriesofthefloridakeys.com/ wyland-gallery-sarasota-2 Wendy Norton January 7 – 9 James Coleman January 21 – 23

941.753.7755 / southernatelier.org See Website for Classes & Studios TO SU B M IT YO U R EV EN T / EX H IB IT IO N F O R C O N S ID ER AT IO N , please send information to gina@scenesarasota.com

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Cassandra Holmes 941-752-5390 HolmesC@SCF.edu SCF-Foundation.org JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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arts&culture

meet artist JOE PALMERIO Joe Palmerio, a resident of Sarasota for the past twentynine years, is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia. and the Barnes Foundation In Lower Merion, PA. He studied sculpture at the Frudakis Academy and metal sculpture at Tyler School of Art, Temple University.

Palmerio is a multiple award-winning artist who has taught painting In Philadelphia and Colorado, been an artist-In-residence In multiple locations, and featured In the media. His painting donations have helped fundraisers throughout the country.

His plein air paintings emphasize a soft brushwork that captures the fleeting moments of nature. His abstractions originate from the natural environment, which bursts forth into a dynamic flow of painterly rhythms.

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SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2022

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arts&culture

LITERARY Scene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

SARASOTA AUTHOR’S DEBUT BOOK ON LEADERSHIP This month, we’re spotlighting Wisdom from the Wild: The Nine Unbreakable Laws of Leadership from the Animal Kingdom, a debut book by local author and leadership expert, Julie C. Henry. A former zoo and aquarium senior leader, Julie is president of Finish Line Leadership, a training and consulting firm, and has worked with over fifty organizations across corporate, nonprofit, government, association, and community sectors.

What’s the elevator pitch for Wisdom from the Wild?

I use insights from wildlife and wild places to help people lead change.

Where did the idea for this book come from?

When I was in college in 1996, I was given a project: “Pretend you’re an education director of an aquarium.”

I invented the Sarasota Aquarium and created activities for each age level. When it came to high school students, I thought, well, what can I teach them? Let me use the analogy of a coral reef to teach them business, because kids that may not be interested in the sea might be interested in business, but the kids who are interested in the sea can still learn about business. It was hitting two angles and casting as wide a net as possible. From there, it just grew.

The book is coming out this month, January 2022.

Why did the book take so long to come out?

My first job out of college was at the Shedd Aquarium.

Actually, the summer before that, I’d been at Cincinnati Zoo, and at both of those places, I was pioneering these ideas around with folks who may not be the typical audience for this topic. I brought them in and did retreats where I used these ideas as a hook to teach them different concepts. I came to Sarasota to work at Mote in 1999, and a few years later, the Sarasota County tax collectors’ management team came to the aquarium and I got to take them down to the coral reef habitat and work with them.

I focused on the assumptions we make about animals in their habitat based on the way they look or how they move, etcetera, and how that relates to the way we assume things about our colleagues and how they

“

At its heart, it’s about change, and being able to not just manage the change in front of you, but to be able to lead it effectively.

“

communicate based on how their posture might be or how they’re looking at us when they’re talking and how those assumptions many times are wrong.

After twenty-five years, I had enough experiences and enough meat on the bones, if you will, to put it all down on paper and share it more broadly.

What’s the most important thing people should know or understand about leadership?

At its heart, it’s about change, and being able to not just manage the change in front of you, but to be able JANUARY 2022 | SARASOTA SCENE

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“

I wanted to give leaders a new perspective on old challenges as well as a fun, creative lens through which to view their world.

“

to lead it effectively. In order to do that, you have to lead it in the way that you were designed to lead and have a process behind it. That’s how people trust change. And that’s how change sticks.

In all of your experience with leadership and consulting leaders, what has surprised you the most?

That change becomes this monstrous process. It’s scary, and it turns people away. And then our default mechanism is to either not participate or to dig in too deeply. We make it super, super complicated.

What was the biggest challenge you faced in creating this book?

Trying to make it digestible, so people could take away something no matter who was reading it, with a dose of inspiration and motivation along the way. I’m used to teaching and talking and training—writing was really a nervous prospect for me.

I wanted it to be able to stand alone without my voice behind it.

What was the most important or useful thing you learned about writing along the way?

I have an entire new appreciation for the editorial profession.

And the entire profession around creating books—I had no idea. We had five rounds of editing! But I can say for sure that my book is 1,000% better for it.

If there’s one more thing I learned from writing a book, it’s the importance of staying on deadline.

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Is this a book that’s just for CEOs and upperlevel management?

I wrote this book for all leaders, regardless of their position, years at the company, or even years on Earth. I wanted to give leaders a new perspective on old challenges as well as a fun, creative lens through which to view their world.

What’s next for you in terms of writing?

I would like to take Wisdom from the Wild and translate it for middle school and high school audiences because that’s where I started. Those are my roots—teaching kids. Starting leadership lessons at a young age is important and using animals as the hook is an easy way to get kids involved. I want them to be thinking about leadership early because they are already leaders themselves at that point.

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