SCENE SARASOTA | MANATEE
M AGA ZINE
Behind The Concession Gates with Developer Kevin Daves
REAL ESTATE POP CHIC
Summer Fashion
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FROM CONTEMPORARY TO KEY WEST AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN... THE VISION GROUP IS KEEPING ITS EYE ON THE DETAILS. Mike Padgett, Jim Powers and Cary Vorbeck are The Vision Group. They know this community well having built more than 400 homes during their more than 20 years of experience in building, remodeling and commercial construction. Together they provide custom services to build your dream home or you may choose among a wide variety of designs from The Vision Group’s portfolio of plans – all of which are extremely energy efficient. Providing a unique 3-D color rendering before construction allows you to visualize everything right from the start. Looking to remodel or expand? The Vision Group is on the forefront of efficient and well-planned lifestyle changing projects of all sizes.
The Vision Group’s current projects showcase their wide range of capabilities including a waterfront custom home in Siesta Cove, a Key West style home near Siesta Village, a contemporary home in Harbor Acres and several custom homes west of the Trail. And the best part? You can be sure you will deal with a member of The Vision Group from start to finish ensuring a smooth and delightful experience.
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YOU HAVE A VISION. WE WANT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. 941-961-9688 | thevisiongroupllc.com
AT
LAKEWOOD RANCH
Real Estate June 2014
Volume 57 No. 6
44 38
34 FLOOD INSURANCE REGULATION AND PREMIUMS By Sue Cullen
36 FREEDOM FRONT & CENTER Patriot Plaza
38 THE CONCESSION: IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN By Sue Cullen
44 SUMMER FASHION
53
Pop Chic Produced by John Revisky
53 THE LAKE CLUB Old World Beauty Meets the 21st Century By Sue Cullen
REALTORS OF DISTINCTION 58 Brandy Coffey 59 Michelle Crabtree 60 Denise & Nicole Mei 61 Amy Robinson 62 Michael Holderness
COVER Cover photo of developer Kevin Daves standing in front of the gates of The Concession by Herb Booth/Booth Studios.
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Stuart J. Roth Founder and President
Salt & Light Productions is the award winning non-profit organization dedicated to providing multi-media program services to charities across the nation.
Salt & Light Radio WITH
Stuart J. Roth
Saturdays at Noon
WSRQ
1220 AM/106.9 FM
Salt & Light Radio with Stuart J. Roth shares compelling testimonies from people in our community who inspire us to greatness and action. We strive to address many of the social, economic and spiritual issues confronting families and individuals in life’s most challenging situations. Our radio program reflects the same commitment to public service that has been exemplified by our video program services at Salt & Light Productions.
Our mission is to serve others and be a source of inspiration and encouragement to those less fortunate. We remain cognizant that “to whom much is given, much is required.”
7357 Merchant Court • Sarasota, FL 34240 • Phone 941.487.4061 • Fax 941.487.4062
www.saltandlightproductions.org
DEPARTMENTS
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21 EVENTS CALENDAR SOCIALS 16 Concession Cup 18 CVA Hall of Fame Luncheon 26 Florida Winefest & Auction 28 Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Golf Tournament 29 Children First Fairytale Ball
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64 Habitat Sarasota’s Fore the Love of Habitat 65 SFF’s Tribute Luncheon 88 USF Sarasota-Manatee HospitaBull Evening
24 PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR 30 CULTURE MATTERS Presented by The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
66 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW Golf Legend Tony Jacklin By Gus Mollasis
74 EDUCATION MATTERS Van Wezel Foundation’s Schooltime Performance program By Ryan G. Van Cleave
76 BEHIND THE SCENE Sarasota’s Society Maven Gives the Latest Scoop By Debbi Benedict
83 LITERARY SCENE By Ryan G. Van Cleave
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86 BEACH READS Lines By Julieanna Blackwell
89 SCENE LOCALLY News Shaping Our Community
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Exclusive Kitchens and More The Kitchen is the Heart of your Home
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Visit our Showroom: 6051 N. Washington Boulevard, Sarasota FL 34243 • www.exclusivekitchensandmore.com
FROM THE EDITOR
ONE PLACE. SEVENTEEN AGENCIES.
ONE PURPOSE. For more than 23 years, the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center has been a place for low-income and at-risk individuals, families and children to find help
T
he month of June brings our long, hot summers, but I think things have been hot around here for some time now. What a good year it has been. Sarasota “season” was rockin’,
new businesses sprouted, and optimism seems to abound. I don’t know about you, but I am thrilled about the new
when they need it most. Each dollar received
developments, homes and condos being built in our local
serves a wide array of human service agencies
market. With the extra harsh winter weather around the country,
who in turn help improve the lives of approximately
I have little doubt that there are many who can’t wait to sell their
10,000 underserved community members per month.
homes and move to warmer climates. I get the feeling that our real estate market will be on an upward cycle for quite some time. Besides, who wouldn’t want to move here? Also exciting is the building progress at the University Town Center Mall. It’s going to be awesome. I can’t wait for the grand opening. Not only am I thrilled to have more shopping choices, but I am also excited about two of the restaurants that will be opening there in the fall – Capital Grille and Seasons 52. My husband and I got engaged nine years ago at the Capital Grille in Tampa. Not only do I love the food, but it holds a special meaning to me. There’s something about a beautiful diamond ring in your calamari that you never forget!
Please call or visit our website to learn more about how you can help make a difference.
In this issue, developer Kevin Daves brings us behind the gates of The Concession – a spectacular development built toward the end of last decades’ real estate boom and now experiencing the resurgence it deserves. Ditto for The Lake Club, Lakewood Ranch Communities grand development, which is also experiencing a renaissance. Need an experienced Realtor? Look no further than the highly qualified Realtors featured in this issue. You also won’t want to miss reading Gus Mollasis’ interview with golf legend Tony Jacklin – a Bradenton resident whose life stories we can all learn from.
1750 17TH STREET, SARASOTA FL 34234 941.365.4545 • www.gs-humanservices.org Jay Berman, Executive Director jberman@gs-humanservices.org 12
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There’s so much to look forward to and so much to smile about. But that’s just Sarasota.
scenesarasota.com
Family
is Life.
Enjoy it to the Fullest.
Member-owned since 1999, at Laurel Oak you will find very warm, welcoming, and friendly members. Whether you enjoy playing 36 holes of championship golf or hitting the balls on 12 har-tru tennis courts, swimming in a junior olympicsize pool, or like to socialize, dine and party with friends in a warm and inviting 45,000 sq ft clubhouse, we have a membership plan for your lifestyle. Don’t wait any longer. Call for your personal tour and enjoy family and life to the fullest.
CALL NOW FOR DETAILS OF OUR TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS
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Fairytale Ball Children First thanks the 2014
LOCALLY OWNED, OPERATED & PRINTED FOR MORE THAN 57 YEARS
sponsors
CEO/Publisher
Ronald Milton
diamond sponsors Gerri Aaron & Marvin Albert Gerry Daniel~In Memory of Ruth Daniel FCCI Insurance Group Ruth Magness Rollins
Executive Editor
Julie A. Milton
Business Development
Salena Wilhoit
platinum sponsors The Observer gold sponsors Jean Cooper & Kristine White Jean DeLynn DOCC ~ Distributer of Containers & Closures Dawn & Mitchell Epstein ~ In Memory of Eric Wishnie Nola & Larry Hietbrink Alexandra Jupin & John Bean Julie & Brock Leach Elenor & John Maxheim Mindy & Wayne Rollins Spotlight Graphics silver sponsors Sally & Bill Altman The Bullet Hole Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A. DOCs - Dermatology & Oculoplastic Consultants Floridian Sportfishing Charters Freeman Orthodontics Gulf Coast Community Foundation Stephanie & Allen Hochfelder India Benton Lesser Foundation MBA Insurors PGT Industries Publix Super Markets Charities Rotary Club of Sarasota Southside Jo & Stan Rutstein Gail & Skip Sack SCENE Magazine Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni & Walsh Maggie & Mark Sharff Bronze sponsors Artefact Design R.E. Crawford Gateway Bank Construction, LLC Leslie & Lindsey Glass Joy P. & James Rogers Diana Lager Wallace, Welch & Camilla & Erik Popham Willingham Veronica Porter & Sally Yanowitz John Gwynn
1 7 2 3 n . o r a n g e av e . s a r a s o ta , F l 3 4 2 3 4 (941) 953-3877 w w w . C h i l d r e n F i r s t. n e t
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Account Executive Art Director Editorial Assistant Special Issue Director Distribution Contributing Writers
Tammy Whalen Michelle Cross Cheryl Galbraith Debbi Benedict Dick Jackson Debbi Benedict Sue Cullen Gus Mollasis Steven J. Smith Ryan G. Van Cleave
Photographers
Herb Booth David Dessauer Daniel Perales Cliff Roles
Address
7269 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34241
Phone Fax Website
941-365-1119 941-954-5067 www.scenesarasota.com
SCENE Magazine publishes 12 issues a year by RJM Ventures, LLC. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address. Sufficient return postage and self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany all manuscripts, art work and photographs submitted if they are to be returned or acknowledged. Publisher assumes no responsibility for care of return of unsolicited materials. Subscription price: $12.95 per year, $19.95 for two years. All contents copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. ISSN 1535-8895. scenesarasota.com
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SOCIAL
Concession Cup The inaugural Concession Cup was recently held at The Concession Golf Club with the best mid-am and senior golfers from the US, Great Britain and Ireland competing in various formats over three days and an Am/Am on opening day for sponsors and supporters. Concession Cup Honorary Captains and World Golf Hall of Fame members Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin and event honorary chairman Paul Azinger were featured guests at the inaugural Opening Celebration. NBC Sports’ Gary Koch served as emcee and host for the evening, which benefited four charities - The Nicklaus Children Health Care Foundation, Orphan’s Heart, The First Tee of Tampa and The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee. This new annual event is free to the public for all three days of golf. concessioncup.com.
Photos by David Dessauer
Vinny Giles, Jack Nicklaus, Tony Jacklin & Garth McGimpsey
Opening Ceremony Day 1 – US Team / Great Britain & Ireland Team
Nancy Nicklaus & Astrid Jacklin
Paul Azinger
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Jack Nicklaus & Ron Milton
Jimmy Wright, Tom O Toole & Dan Callaghan
Day 3 – Match Play scenesarasota.com
Established 1976 1515 Ringling Boulevard, Tenth Floor | Sarasota, Florida 34236 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3018 | Sarasota, Florida 34230 Telephone (941) 957-1900 | Facsimile (941) 957-1800
www.fergesonskipper.com
SOCIAL
CVA Hall of Fame Luncheon The 24th Annual CVA Video Premiere Luncheon delighted a capacity crowd at Michael’s on East when four new honorees were inducted into the CVA Hall of Fame, considered one of the most prestigious honors of our community. Video biographies of the four honorees were shown and each honoree gave a brief and emotional expression of gratitude. The 2014 CVA honorees are Gerri Aaron, a well-known philanthropist who generously gives her time and wisdom to numerous and varied organizations; Alexandra Quarles, Sarasota Healthcare Foundation’s President, CEO & Trustee, a strong leader who has helped raise over $250 million for non-profits; Dan Kennedy, Founder & CEO of the Sarasota Military Academy, acclaimed for providing the highest quality education, incorporating leadership, patriotism and honor; and, Sam Shapiro, a caring, nurturing philanthropist inspired by the needs of children and the love of art & community.
Photos by Cliff Roles
Barbara Simon, Renee Hamad & Valerie Leatherwood
Larry Thompson, Carisa Campanella & Art Wood
Phil King & Barbara Zdravecky
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Dan Kennedy, Chris Pfahler, Alex Quarles, Gerri Aaron, Annette Scherman & Sam Shapiro
Stanley Kane
Graci McGillicuddy & Hillary Steele
Rita & Ron Greenbaum & Patricia Caswell
Pedro Reis & Dolly Jacobs-Reis
Bobby Wood & Janice Zarro
Iris Starr, Phil Delaney & Lisa Berger scenesarasota.com
CALENDAR
June Calendar For a complete listing of community events please visit scenesarasota.com
Photo by Cliff Roles
The Ringling Art After 5 Every Thursday through November 5 at 5:00 pm. Explore the art in the Museum of Art and Circus Museum or catch a romantic sunset on Sarasota Bay as Ca’ d’Zan. Enjoy music and insights into the collection through gallery discussions. Tickets: $5 - $10 | 941.359.5700 | ringling.org
Savor Sarasota June 1 – 14 Sarasota celebrates the highest concentration of Zagat-rated restaurants in Florida with two weeks of three course feasts from participating restaurants. $15 for lunch; $29 for dinner. For a list of restaurants, visit savorsarasota.com
Sarasota Music Festival June 2 – 21 The Festival runs each Thursday through Saturday the first three weeks of June and includes artist showcases at Sarasota Orchestra’s Holley Hall and Saturday Symphonies at the Sarasota Opera House. 941.953.3434 | sarasotaorchestra.org/sarasotamusicfestival.org
Village of the Arts June Artwalk: Village in Bloom June 6 – 7 Enjoy the galleries, shops and restaurants, chat with artists, and view the largest selection of local art in the region. 941.747.8056 | villageofthearts.com
Music on Main June 6 Lakewood Ranch Main Street 6:00 pm. Free concerts the first Friday every month. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mark Wandall Foundation, a local non-profit organization. lakewoodranch.com scenesarasota.com
June 2014
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Dakin Dairy Farms Dairy Day Festival June 7 Dakin Dairy Farm. Family fun festival with calf scram-
ThE ciRcUS ARTS cONSERVATORY AND ThE RiNgLiNg PRESENT
bles, pig races, a cow train, pony rides and food made with Dakin’s own dairy. dakindairyfarms.com
World Oceans Day Family Festival June 7 Mote Marine Laboratory. Celebrate world ocean day with games and crafts focused on green practices, marine science and conservation. Free with regular admission. 941.388.4441 | mote.org
South Florida Museum’s Family Night – Food Fest June 7 South Florida Museum 4:00 pm. Enjoy an evening of family fun which includes the movie Ratatouille, dance party, Live Star Talk, Space Park 360, and Rock Hall of Fame. 941.746.4131 | southfloridamuseum.org
Brides Against Breast Cancer June 12 Old School Bar & Grill 6:30 pm. Join local celebrities for an evening of fun and entertainment. Benefits Brides Against
JUNE 17 – AUG 2 Incredible Family Entertainment
AT ThE hiSTORic ASOLO ThEATER
Breast Cancer. Tickets: $35 | bridesagainstbreastcancer.org
Bradenton Marauder’s Pirates and Princesses 5K Home Run June 13 Old Main Street, downtown Bradenton 7:00 pm. Participants are encouraged to dress as pirates or princesses. A one mile option is also available. Tickets: $15 - $30 | 941.747.3031 | bradentonmarauders.com
TicKETS:
chiLD
$ 12
12&UNDER
$ 15
ADULT
TUES – FRi 11AM & 2PM SAT 2PM & 5PM
941-360-7399 ringling.org
13th Annual St. Armands Craft Festival June 14 – 15 St. Armands Circle Park 10:00 am. Featuring more than 175 artisans and crafters. Open to the public. artfestival.com
The Ringling’s Summer Circus Spectacular June 17 – August 2 Annual Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater. Presented in collaboration with Circus Sarasota, this on-stage exhibition of circus artistry provides delightful summer entertainment for children of all ages. Tickets: $12 - $15 | 941.360.7399 | ringling.org
22nd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival June 21 – 22 Miami Ave. Downtown Venice 10:00 am. Firstrate outdoor-juried craft showcase featuring a vast array of craft media. Open to the public | artfestival.com
30th Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival June 28 – July 6 This week-long celebration is filled with fun, excitement and a variety of events up to and around the powerboat race. Benefits the Suncoast Charities for Children. 941.371.8820 x1800 | suncoastoffshore.org
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PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR
ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE
MANATEE PLAYERS
I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti Through June 15
Peter Pan Jr. June 27 – 28
This hilarious play celebrates Italian home cooking as both an expression of love and a source of comfort when the romance goes cold.
A modern version of the timeless tale about a boy who wouldn’t grow up.
941.351.8000 / asolorep.org
Baritones Unbound: Celebrating the Uncommon Voice of the Common Man June 7 - 29 In this brand new musical, a trio of some of Broadway’s top baritones will take you on a captivating musical tour of the baritone voice through the ages.
BANYAN THEATER COMPANY 941.358.5330 / banyantheatercompany.com The Price June 26 – July 13 A story of two brothers: one a successful surgeon and the other a policeman who sacrificed his education and career to care for his invalid father. After harboring a lifetime of jealousy and anger toward each other they reunite after 16 years to dispose of their deceased father’s belongings.
FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE 941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org Pump Boys & Dinettes June 4 - 29 Between changing tires and baking pies, the gang performs a rousing, down-home mix of country western, rock ‘n’ roll and blues.
At The Hop – The Alley Cats June 10 – July 6
941.748.5875 / manateeplayers.com
SARASOTA MUSIC FESTIVAL
941.953.3434 / sarasotaorchestra.org/sarasotamusicfestival The Festival runs each Thursday through Saturday at Sarasota Orchestra’s Holley Hall and Saturday Symphonies at the Sarasota Opera House.
Artist Showcase June 5, 12, & 19 Friday Festival June 6, 13, & 20 Festival Lectures June 7, 14, & 21 Saturday Symphony June 7, 14, & 21 Student Recital June 8, 15, & 20
SARASOTA OPERA
941.366.8450 / sarasotaopera.org Opera in HD: Driving Miss Daisy June 5 - 8 Starring Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones.
Opera in HD: La traviata June 19 - 22 A star-studded cast including Renée Fleming, Joseph Calleja, and Thomas Hampson.
THE PLAYERS THEATRE 941.365.2494 / theplayers.org The Dixie Swim Club June 12 – 22 Celebrating their 25th anniversary, America’s Premiere doo-wop group will perform songs from the 50s and 60s. Lonnie Rowell, Emily Mikesell, Jason Edwards, Dan Wright, Linda Edwards, and Guy Strobel. Photo by Amy Steinmetz.
This comedy is about five women whose friendship began while members of a college swim team, they meet every August to recharge their relationships, laugh and meddle in each other’s lives.
Becoming Dr. Ruth June 25 – July 27
VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL
A moving, funny portrayal of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America’s most famous therapist.
LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE
941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com
Set in New York in the 1850’s, an aristocratic but shy and plain young woman lives under the scrutiny of her successful father. When a handsome but penniless suitor proposes, her father threatens disinheritance. SCENE
Julianne Hough and Derek Hough Move Live On Tour June 15
VENICE THEATRE
941.488.1115 / venicestage.com
The Heiress June 11 - 29
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941.955.7676 / vanwezel.org
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June 2014
aactWorldFest June 16 -21 Performances from 17 top-quality theatre troupes from around the globe with over 30 performances and 15-20 workshops and master classes. scenesarasota.com
Remember the good old days when your banker knew what was going on in your life?
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Iwan Mohamed, SARASOTA MARKET PRESIDENT
941.739.7028
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SOCIAL
Florida Winefest & Auction Florida Winefest & Auction just completed its 24th annual year of celebrating ”Parties with a Purpose”. This year’s events included winemaker dinners and tastings, a lunch event, a POPS dinner with the Sarasota Orchestra, a street party “Banquet on the Block”, a grand brunch and auction and “Wine on Water”. Since 1991, over $7.5 million has been awarded to 77 different nonprofits in Sarasota & Manatee Counties. The benefiting organizations serve disadvantaged children’s programs and include monies to purchase baby cribs & diapers, after school supervision and a hot, substantial afternoon snack to children before going home, and assisting families to get back into temporary housing who have lost their homes and living in their cars. Photos by Cliff Roles
Heidi Napolitano, Nikki Curran & Paul Matisson
Ken Hall, Cathy Rustin & Chip Gaylor
Shelley Farr, Adam Armbruster, Sharlene Hillier & George Farr
Marjorie Floyd & Sandy Loevner
Hugh Shields & Shawn Lutz
Est. 1957, Region’s First and Largest Public College Bradenton • Lakewood Ranch • Venice • Online
scf.edu State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin/ethnicity, color, marital status, disability, genetic information and sexual orientation in any of its educational programs, services or activities, including admission and employment. Direct inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies to: Equity Officer, 941-752-5323, PO Box 1849, Bradenton, FL 34206.
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HOLLIDAY GROUP
Expert Building from Concept to Completion Craig Holliday
CUSTOM HOME AT THE CONCESSION
NEW CUSTOM HOME AT THE CONCESSION
CUSTOM HOME UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE CONCESSION
CONCESSION LODGE, OPENING FALL 2014
Residential Commercial LEED AP Contractors Developers Construction Managers 3906 Mockingbird Hill | Sarasota, Florida 34231 941-951-2699 | www.hollidaygroup.com | CGC 040533
Interior Design of Holliday Group Concession homes exclusively by
A NFOLSOM NE SMITH
I N T E R I O R
D E S I G N
SOCIAL
13th Annual Healthcare Foundation Golf Tournament Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. hosted its 13th Annual Golf Tournament at Laurel Oak Country Club on May 2, 2014. Both the East and West courses were included to help facilitate play for more than 160 golfers. Winners received their awards and prizes at a dinner following the tournament. Chaired by Carroll Hunter, the annual event raises funds to benefit the Physicians Endowment for staff education. Scene Magazine was the Premier Media Sponsor and SKANSKA was the Golf Cart Sponsor.
Photos by Curt Bowen
Richard Redmon & Lisa Intagliata
Ron Schofield, Alex Quarles & David Fouche
Ron Milton, Alex Quarles & David Verinder
Doug Plattner, Matt Auen & Cucho Jimenez
For Those Who Love the Very Best... MK Designs & The Golden Image Jewelry Store 30 South Palm Ave., Downtown Sarasota • 941.364.8439 www.mymkdesigns.com M-F 10-4:30 or By Appointment Anytime
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SOCIAL
Children First Fairytale Ball
Guests at the Children First Fairytale Ball were treated to a mystical evening in an enchanted forest at Michael’s on East. This sold out event was co-chaired by Dr. Heidi Anderson & Dr. Paul Brannan, Nola & Larry Hietbrink, Jo & Stan Rutstein and Matt & Lisa Walsh. Event proceeds will provide child care scholarship assistance, purchase classroom supplies, provide nutritious daily meals, and support family strengthening programs to approximately 600 of Sarasota County’s neediest children birth to five years of age.
Photos by David Dessauer
David & Molly Jackson
Dr. Paul Brannan, Dr. Heidi Anderson, Matt & Lisa Walsh, Jo & Stan Rutstein & Larry & Nola Hietbrink
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ARTS & CULTURE PRESENTED BY:
1 1) The Price by Arthur Miller Banyan Theater Company June 26 – July 13 Banyan Theater Company begins its summer season with The Price by Arthur Miller. The Price is the story of two brothers: one a successful surgeon who walked out on his family demands to pursue personal success, the other a policeman who sacrificed his education and career as a scientist to care for his invalid father. The play was produced at the theatre
2
company in 2003 as well and received a great response from patrons and the press. The other summer shows include The Sty of the Blind Pig by Phillip Hayes Dean and Collected Stories by Donald Margulies. Why it Matters: Each season, the Banyan selects plays that give audience members some-
thing to think about long after the curtain call. Whether set in the past or present, the themes of the plays have significance in our daily lives and connect to current world events.
2) Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week Visit Sarasota County June 1 - 14 This much-anticipated culinary celebration is in its ninth year. Special-priced lunch and
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dinner menus at participating restaurants, from fine dining to casual beach cafés and eclectic urban. Participating restaurants include a mix of annual favorites and new participants. Five restaurants are new to the program this year. Inkanto and Jalea are two Peruvian restaurants flaunting fresh flavors; Oh Mamma Mia, where the chef-owner brings his Milanese culture to the kitchen and tables, Wave Restaurant located in the Ramada Venice Resort and waterside dining at the Table Restaurant Creekside. Why it Matters: Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week is a great way for residents and tourist
to explore new restaurants at affordable prices. The celebration also helps restaurants stay busy and full during a slower time for business. It’s basically a win-win for everyone.
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3) Sarasota Music Festival Sarasota Orchestra June 2 – 21 Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Sarasota Music Festival is again bursting onto the local arts scene, breaking fresh artistic ground. Known around the world for attracting the top college-aged student participants and faculty artists from the best music programs and symphonies, the Festival provides unique experiences for audiences to enjoy 12 different breathtaking concerts. Why it Matters: The Sarasota Music Festival is a magical combination of youthful promise
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and acclaimed talent that carries a repu-
ARTS & CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY
GUIDE TO ARTS AND CULTURE COVER CONTEST The Sarasota County Arts Council Presents
2010|2011
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
2011|2012
arts
arts
guide
guide
culture
culture
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
2014 | 2015
arts
culture
guide
tation as one of the finest classical-music events in the nation. Nearly 500 students from top music programs at colleges and conservatories worldwide audition to participate in the Festival each year, but only 60 are accepted. These exceptional students work side-by-side with a group of 40 music masters, which comprise the guest faculty artists.
4) aactWorldFest Venice Theatre June 16 – 21 Every four years the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) holds aactWorldFest an international festival hosted in the United States only every four years. It is America’s international community theatre festival, the only one
Published by SCENE Magazine
Published by SCENE Magazine
held in this country. Venice Theatre host-
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
2012|2013
2013|2014
ed this festival in 2010 and was selected
arts
culture
guide
arts
to host again in 2014, based on the won-
culture
derful experience had by those attending.
guide
Seventeen top-quality theatre troupes from around the globe will present over 30 performances in one week. Each group may perform in its native language, but all productions are chosen so that anyone can follow what’s happening, in whatever theatre form it’s presented. Published by SCENE Magazine
Published by SCENE Magazine
Published by SCENE Magazine
Local artists, including college and high school students, are invited to submit artwork representative of our vibrant arts and culture scene. The winning selection will be used as the cover of the
Why it Matters: This is a unique op-
portunity for arts patrons in Sarasota to experience a variety of theatre and performance styles from around the globe. Traditional forms like Chinese opera and Commedia dell’Arte as well as contempo-
2014/2015 Guide to Arts and Culture. Over 40,000 copies of the
rary multimedia presentations, puppetry
guide will be distributed throughout the community in early October
and circus arts will all be represented.
2014. There is lots of recognition for you from SCENE as well as the
The workshops are a cultural bonanza
Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.
for performing artists to learn new things
DEADLINE: July 1, 2014
great management workshops for arts
Media & Submissions:
Digital entries only will be accepted via email no later than July 1, 2014 to the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County Inc. For guidelines and specs, contact Amanda Heisey at 941-365-5118 ext. 304 | aheisey@sarasotaarts.org. 32
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June 2014
and hone their crafts. There are also some leaders including volunteer management, senior theatre, and publishing as well as some technical workshops. Finally, this is a chance for theatre lovers to meet other theatre lovers from all over the world. scenesarasota.com
AAA Flat Rate Moving & Storage
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For more information on AAA Flat Rate Moving & Storage, visit them online at www.aaamovingsarasota.com or call 941-922-4466.
Eric R. Hoonhout, Sam D. Norton & Peter Z. Skokos of Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A.
The Latest on Flood
Insurance Regulation and Premiums By Sue Cullen
Even though recent Congressional action has provided some relief to property owners impacted by shockingly steep flood insurance rate hikes, anyone who owns a property or plans to buy or sell one needs to understand what has and has not changed. The sharp increases for properties most at risk of flooding have been tempered, but not eliminated, and in Florida, being informed of the new flood insurance regulations.
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Real estate attorneys familiar with changes in the law gov-
immediate negative impact skyrocketing premiums would have
erning flood insurance caution all buyers to be aware of the
on many homeowners and homebuyers and the resulting
premium rates associated with any property they are con-
damage it would do to a still-fragile real estate recovery.
sidering. All of the recent turmoil grew from an attempt by
“The changes in the law impact every homeowner and
Congress in 2012 to stabilize the National Flood Insurance
business owner in Florida, and flood insurance is a topic
Program (NFIP), which had amassed $24 billion in debt. That
that has generated a lot of questions from people who are
debt grew in large part from subsidized rates for properties
concerned about the significant increases in insurance pre-
that are most at-risk, said Sam Norton, who is a Board Certi-
miums that are still coming,” Norton said. “People saw rates
fied real estate attorney and a Shareholder of Norton, Ham-
rising from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars
mersley, Lopez & Skokos P.A.’s Real Estate Practice Group.
in some cases.” In January, just four months after most of
The NFIP was also severely impacted by huge losses from
the rate increases went into effect last year from the Biggert
Hurricane Katrina and a series of hurricanes that affected
Waters Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of
Florida and other Gulf states in the early years of this century.
2012 (Biggert-Waters), the National Association of Realtors
Unfortunately, in addressing this serious debt issue, leg-
released a report showing that more than 40,000 home
islators did not take into account the consequences of the
sales were delayed or cancelled because of those increases.
June 2014
scenesarasota.com
“Although Congress recently passed legislation soften-
gert-Waters, but rolls back certain rate increases and creates
ing the more immediate impact of the changes, it still has
certain caps on rate increases. It creates a $25 surcharge
the potential to affect the real estate market adversely,” ac-
on all residential properties and a $250 surcharge on all
cording to Norton Hammersley Shareholder Peter Skokos.
business and non-residential properties to address the pro-
President Obama signed the Homeowner Flood Insurance
gram’s debt issues, Hoonhout said. The HFIAA eliminated
Affordability Act of 2013 (HFIAA) into law on March 21,
the Biggert-Waters premium flood insurance rate increases
2014. “People need to be informed about this whether they
to full insurance premium risk rates for properties not in-
are buying or selling a property or if their goal is to stay in
sured by the NFIP as of July 6, 2012, properties purchased
their current home,” Skokos said. “Buyers should look at a
after July 6, 2012, and policies under the NFIP that have
flood zone map to see if a particular property exposes them
lapsed in coverage, unless the lapse in coverage was a re-
to a high risk premium.”
sult of the property no longer being required to be insured.
81 percent of NFIP policy holders are unaffected by these
Also eliminated is the provision of Biggert-Waters that re-
changes. "Only 19 percent of properties in the most flood
quires policies for newly purchased pre-Firm buildings to
prone areas have been paying subsidized rates," said Eric
be issued at full-risk premium rates. “Homebuyers now can
Hoonhout, an Associate Attorney with Norton Hammer-
assume an NFIP policy at the existing rate, but on renewal,
sley. Of course, the highest concentration of higher risk
they will see annual premium increases rise no more than
properties is in the Gulf states, including Florida. These pol-
18 percent per year until they are paying premiums that re-
icies are the ones most at risk for premium increases.
flect the full risk. 18 percent will be the general rule.”
The NFIP was created in 1968 following Hurricane Bet-
HFIAA offers no relief from the Biggert-Waters provision
sy, a huge storm that slammed into New Orleans in 1965,
governing rate increases for pre-FIRM non-primary resi-
causing massive devastation. The NFIP was created to
dences, business properties, severe repetitive loss proper-
establish a federal market for flood insurance due to the
ties, any property that since July 6, 2012 has sustained flood
failure of the private sector to do so.
damage that exceeds 50 percent of fair market value, or any
Biggert-Waters, as originally passed, was intended to grad-
property that has been improved by more than 30 percent of
ually increase policy premiums to rates reflecting the true
its market value. These are still subject to 25 percent annual
flood risks, Hoonhout said. Flood insurance premium rates
rate hikes until full premium risk rates are reached. The new
are determined by where a property is located on a Flood
law also reverses Biggert-Waters’ elimination of a provision
Insurance Rate Map (FIRM.) In most cases, those properties
that allowed post-FIRM buildings to be “grandfathered,” a
vulnerable to high rate increases are those in high-risk zones
pre-Biggert-Waters standard that allowed these properties to
that were built before a community adopted its first FIRM.
continue to use flood data from earlier FIRMs if it meant the
“The result, as we know, were massive rate increases for
premiums would be less than if the latest FIRM were used.
these properties. In one case I read about, the flood insurance
For homeowners and businesses in high-risk areas, Skokos
premium for one Louisiana property was said to have gone
recommends obtaining an elevation certificate if they do not
from several hundred dollars to over $10,000.00,” Hoonhout
already have one. “A base flood elevation is set within each
said. These new rates went into effect immediately for newly
flood zone. The property’s elevation is what determines
purchased pre-FIRM buildings in high-risk areas, new poli-
the premium the property owner will pay,” he said. Some
cies issued, or policies issued after a lapse in coverage. “Pre-
owners whose older buildings are not above the base flood
FIRM primary residences continued at the subsidized rates
elevation have hired firms to elevate them, although this is
until the property was substantially renovated, sold, or the
not always possible. Skokos stated that, “when it comes time
policy was allowed to lapse,” he said. “Non-primary resi-
for a sale, many buyers may not want to inherit those high
dences and all business and commercial properties in high
rates.” That could mean finding a cash buyer who is not re-
risk areas were required to pay a 25 percent annual increase
quired by a lender to purchase flood insurance.
until the full-risk premium was reached. The same also was
“The bottom line is that despite the changes in the law,
true for severe repetitive loss properties, or properties with
many home and business owners are still facing drastic in-
four or more claims payments of over $5,000 totaling more
creases in their flood insurance premiums within the next
than $20,000 or two claims that in total exceed the market
few years. Also, anyone purchasing property should be
value of the property.” Under Biggert-Waters as originally im-
aware that the flood insurance premiums the current own-
plemented, pre-FIRM condos and certain other multifamily
er is paying may be considerably lower than what they will
properties were not yet subject to premium rate increases.
have to pay eventually,” Norton said. “Knowing a prop-
Post-FIRM residences in high risk areas and residences in
erty’s exposure can mean saving thousands of dollars in
moderate to low risk areas were not affected because these
premium payments. Consulting an insurance agent or a real
properties are already paying full-risk rates.
estate attorney can help one understand how to deal with
The new HFIAA legislation does not eliminate Big-
these new realities.”
Connect: Real Estate Practice Group: Sam D. Norton, Peter Z. Skokos, Michael Infanti & Eric R. Hoonhout
Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos | 1819 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941-954-4691
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June 2014
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Front & Center Patriot Plaza, the new amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery opens June 28, harnessing our region’s best features to honor America’s heroes Few spots in our country are as sacred as the American national cemetery. Established following the dark hours of the Civil War, it is a place that echoes the legacy of our country’s greatest heroes, many of whom gave their lives defending our freedom. Within its vast rows of white headstones lie stories of valor, loss, triumph, heartache and honor – the lifeblood of our nation.
Rostrum roof structure at Patriot Plaza
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Patriot Plaza’s artists used a variety of mediums to illustrate the experiences of our veterans and military families. Nearly 50 photographs of scenes from the Civil War to our most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are displayed on a series of white marble plinths. More have been imprinted onto glass slabs and enshrined within large tablets featuring images and accounts of not only veterans but also the families for whom they serve. Through centuries of conflicts, the story of service to our nation is unbound by the constraints of a particular time or era. The images are windows to the lives of our heroes. The joy of families reuniting following deployment. A brief moment of humor in a place often devoid of any. The wounds to both bodies and minds. The sorrow survivors endure following a loved one’s ultimate sacrifice. The stories within Sarasota National Cemetery will take on new life this summer with the addition of Patriot Plaza, which will be dedicated June 28 at Sarasota National Cemetery. A 2,800-seat ceremonial amphitheater, which broke ground in 2012, Patriot Plaza is a tribute to the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans and military families. Designed, built and donated by The Patterson Foundation in partnership with the National Cemetery Administration, the venue is also a reflection of the city in which it is located. “Sarasota National Cemetery is one of 131 national cemeteries where veterans, their spouses and minor children can find their final resting places – whether they pass away in service or decades later,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “Patriot Plaza provides a place where the living can reflect on that service and sacrifice. We are honored to donate one more jewel in the crown of this region’s assets.” Art at the Heart of Patriot Plaza A nod to Sarasota’s rich history of arts and culture, the venue features permanent art installations crafted by nationally and internationally renowned artists. While visually striking, the installations are far more than showcases of creativity – they represent the experiences of heroes past and present. They bring vibrancy to an already powerful narrative, turning the site into a living memorial for veterans and military families. “When I say that military families are a little bit different – I’m sure there are civilian families that have six kids and jam them into their station wagon and move across the country,” said Larry Kirkland, lead artist for the art at Patriot Plaza and a former military child. “But military families do a lot. It gives us a unique perspective on life.” scenesarasota.com
Bronze eagles maintain constant watch over one of Patriot Plaza’s entrances. The walls of a second entrance are adorned with two eagles’ nests containing a quote from Abraham Lincoln imploring the nation to take care of its veterans and the relatives they leave behind. A map of the world, reflecting the global impact of veterans, lies in the shape of a star set in granite on the floor between the front row of the amphitheater and the stage. The stage features a mosaic spanning 50 feet, illustrating the extreme separation service members and their families endure during deployment. Twin mosaic spires stretch toward the sky, carrying the same theme of space and time. Encouraging a Community to Honor Veterans The Patterson Foundation’s public-private partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs — National Cemetery Administration is the first of the 131 national cemeteries across the nation. The Patterson Foundation will provide an endowment for future structural replacements of the space, and following the fully funded dedication ceremony June 28, the site will be donated to Sarasota National Cemetery where it will be a fitting backdrop for events honoring veterans for generations to come. This dedication ceremony is the culmination of The Patterson Foundation’s Legacy of Valor campaign, which launched in April 2013 to rally our community to honor veterans, inspire patriotism and embrace freedom. Many of Sarasota’s marquee events have adopted Legacy of Valor’s mission to raise awareness about the value veterans and military families bring to our region. The public is invited to join us June 28 at Sarasota National Cemetery as we celebrate our nation’s veterans and their families. For event and ticket information, please visit patriotplaza. thepattersonfoundation.org. June 2014
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The Concession In A Class Of Its Own By Sue Cullen | Photo by Herb Booth
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June 2014
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A little more than a decade ago, Kevin Daves was looking for that rarest of all things in Florida, untouched land on which he envisioned building a world-class golf course and clubhouse along with a private community of homes on spacious lots in a pristine setting. Daves’ other requirement was that it be near all the amenities people come here to enjoy. While that may have seemed like mission impossible, that is exactly what he achieved in developing The Concession.
scenesarasota.com
As Developer and CEO of Core Development,
available much farther inland, but instead, The Con-
Inc., Daves has extensive experience developing luxu-
cession literally is just minutes from the hottest loca-
ry properties including the Ritz Carlton Sarasota, and
tion in Sarasota. In addition to what is already some of
he had a clear vision of how to create a communi-
the best shopping and dining in the area, the new Mall
ty that, like the Ritz, would be in a class of its own.
at University Town Center will open in the fall as the
Daves scoured the area and found a 1,200-acre tract
area’s premier location for upscale retailers. Given the
adjacent to Lakewood Ranch on what was to become
unique nature of the community, it’s not surprising that
University Parkway. “I looked all over because I real-
it also has a somewhat unusual luxury amenity avail-
ly wanted a piece of land that was undisturbed,” he
able to homeowners, a 53-foot yacht. Yet the com-
said. “Most land here had been cleared and used for
munity, with 24-hour security on site, has extremely
agriculture, but this 1,200 acres was preserved for a
affordable fees. Residents pay no Community Devel-
hunting facility, and they did not touch a thing.”
opment District (CDD) costs because the developers
Daves partnered with Property Markets Group of
paid up-front for the roads and utilities, meaning the
New York City to carry out the original vision. The
community is debt free and homeowner association
result is a community and golf course unlike any other,
fees are an impressively low $740 per quarter.
set amid 100 year old pines and stately 200 year old
The Concession homes are behind manned gates
oaks that were just stretching their roots into the sandy
and adjacent to The Concession Golf Club with its
soil as the first non-indigenous settlers were making
championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course de-
their way into south Florida. “In my mind, I saw this
signed in association with Tony Jacklin. The name of
as a three-legged stool. The first was to build a great
both the golf club and the community commemorate
golf course, and Jack (Nicklaus) just carved through
one of the most generous acts in sports history when
existing trees and did a layout to fit the land,” Daves
Nicklaus conceded a 2-foot putt to Jacklin in the 1969
said. “Second was to build a great clubhouse, and the
Ryder Cup. The course was named Golf Digest’s Best
third is to build a great residential community, which
New Private Course when it opened in 2006, and it
we’re well on our way to doing.”
was named the ninth Best Residential Course in the
Today, homebuyers can enjoy the same private,
nation by Golfweek in 2009. Residents of The Conces-
spacious lots and natural surroundings generally only
sion have first priority for both private golf and social, June 2014
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The Amalfi model is part of the architecturally-rich Amalfi Collection by Arthur Rutenberg Homes. The wall between indoor and outdoor living disappears in this spacious home rich in dramatic touches including boxed wood beams and vaults. The Amalfi Collection Modena model is now open at Concession.
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Photo of Kevin Daves, Developer; Mark Bruce, Director of Sales and Marketing & Tom Howe, Project Manager by Herb Booth
culinary memberships. Every effort has been made to ensure the golf course, the clubhouse, and the community reflect
the homes are 20 or 30 feet from the curb, and it’s impossible to get the same estate feel that we have.”
both the grandness and the graciousness of Nicklaus’
Although an estate-style dwelling would feel right
gesture. The course and clubhouse were built on
at home on the expansive lots, many homeowners
about 600 acres, as opposed to the 150 or 200 acres
have chosen to build homes in the same size range
that is more typical for such projects, Daves said. On
as the development’s five models, which are from
the remaining 600 acres, 236 1/2- to 1-acre lots were
about 3,400 to 5,400 square feet. Particularly given
planned, which is extremely low density for home
the unique nature of the community, well-appointed
sites so near coastal areas and leaves expansive, pris-
homes are very affordable, starting at about $900,000
tine natural beauty for residents’ enjoyment. About
for 3,000 square feet on a ½ acre lot.
half of the lots have now been sold, and some buy-
“A homebuyer can build a 3,000 to 4,500 square
ers are purchasing more than one lot for their homes,
foot home, for example, and still have plenty of
which should result in a community of about 215
room to expand later if they want to, unlike in oth-
homes when complete, he said.
er developments where the home is maxed out on
“We could have built five times as many homes on
the lot,” Daves said. “People seem to like that a lot.
this land, but we would have had to take out the trees
They look at their home and know it meets their
and lose the estate feel. Because the lots are so deep,
needs now and will in the future. They can even do
we are able to set the houses well back, and people
a separate building on the lot, and we are seeing
like the expansiveness from the curb to the house. The
separate guest quarters, mother-in-law suites, and
driveways are long and are exactly what you want
offices. Most lots with that kind of expandability are
them to feel like so that a 3,200 square foot house can
far out in the country and don’t have county utili-
seem much larger,” Daves said. “We may never have
ties, which we do have the benefit of.”
that again in this area because so many developers scenesarasota.com
max out the density. Even in very nice developments,
One couple, whose house is now under construcJune 2014
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The single story Verona model by Lee Wetherington Homes blends the impressive living areas with large wide open spaces. This 3,600 square ft home has 3 bedrooms, four bathrooms, a den, bonus room and a Florida basement.
tion in The Concession, was looking for a neigh-
attractive gourmet culinary membership. “We also
borhood in which to create a home more like their
like The Concession because it has such a nice, nature
custom built home in Ohio. “We had trouble finding
preserve atmosphere, but it’s only 10 minutes from the
good lots, and we looked from Tampa to Naples,”
greatest shopping and restaurants,” he said. “The lo-
said Jeff Meissner. “Lucky for us, The Concession
cation is great.”
started late in the cycle prior to the downturn, and
The Concession appeals to homebuyers in a va-
we had our pick of a ton of great lots that are still
riety of ages and stages of life. Some are retired or
there. Although there weren’t many homes under
semi-retired, but the community also is attracting
construction when we bought last year, now there
families with children. Quite a number already live
are 22 homes under construction and five models are
in the Lakewood Ranch/University Parkway area but
almost finished. There’s a lot of activity, but there’s
are interested in The Concession because they want
still a good selection of lots.”
to build a different kind of home or want more land,
While Meissner and his wife, Jan, initially sought
Daves said. “We have a lot of people from the Vir-
a golf course community where they could meet new
ginia and D.C. area. They like the trees because it
friends and socialize, he believes that having the club
is more like the home sites they are used to having.
next door is an attraction even for those who are not
In their minds they are downsizing, but still build-
interested in a golf membership because it offers an
ing good size homes,” he said. “We do have some
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June 2014
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avid golfers and people who want to live close to a
bikes,” Daves said. “They like that we’re gated with
course where their kids can play world class golf.”
24 hour security. They know someone is there all the
The Concession Golf Club was ranked one of the 75
time if they need them.”
Best Practice Areas in the U.S.
scenesarasota.com
Seeing his entire vision becoming reality – un-
Residents also have exclusive use of a 53-foot Se-
changed despite the challenges posed by the eco-
lene motor yacht docked at Marina Jack’s and com-
nomic crisis – is gratifying. “I built the clubhouse at
manded by the well-known Capt. Jerry Chitwood of
a time when no one was building. We could have
Chitwood Charters. The yacht is used for everything
gone smaller, but chose not to cut back. It is still
from sunset cruises and family outings to extended
the quality we initially told people it would be,”
cruises. Daves says it is a great tie-in to the water for
Daves said. “The people who came in early say
the community and is particularly popular for viewing
that we told them we would build a golf course,
fireworks at the Fourth of July and for the annual holi-
but they had no idea it would be that caliber of golf
day boat parade. Perhaps the most appreciated amen-
course. It was the same with the clubhouse, and I
ity, however, is all of the walking trails, and many res-
believe it will be the same with the residences. It’s
idents also walk along the streets because there is so
always fun to see the last one built, and then walk
little traffic. “People want a safe place for themselves
away hearing people say that it is better than what
and for their kids and grandkids to play and ride their
we promised.” June 2014
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POP
CHIC
Produced by
John Revisky Hair & Makeup by
Ana Molinari Salon & Spa
Model: Anastasia,
Molinari Talent Production Coordinator: Salena Wilhoit
Orange Aylin top by Mashiah. White diva skirt by Sympli. Gold mesh bracelet by Fahrenheit. Sustainable purse by Spathose. Dream Weaver Collection | St. Armands Circle | 941.388.3706 scenesarasota.com
June 2014
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Diamond earrings set with 2.75 carats of natural colored pavĂŠ diamonds in organic inspired yellow gold mountings by Hakimi Designs. Bracelet of hand carved black onyx with polished gemstone links connected by eighteen karat pink gold, each set with white diamonds by S. Gol. Coffrin Jewlers | Southside Village | 941.366.6871
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Tank dress and long faux hoody vest by Annette Gรถrtz. Red rubber bag by Neo. Red seed pod and gold link bracelet by Lucious. Dream Weaver Collection | St. Armands Circle 941.388.3706
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White Denim Jacket by Helmet Lang The Met | St. Armands Circle | 941.388.3991
Sterling silver and champagne diamond heavy link necklace. Silver knuckle ring set with diamonds and tanzanites. Teardrop diamond earrings set with 2.41 carats. June Simmons Jewelry | St. Armands Circle 941.321.1737
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June 2014
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Fuchsia silk gown by Marchesa Voyage. The Met | St. Armands Circle | 941.388.3991
Sugilite earrings set with black and white diamonds in 18k yellow gold and oxidized silver. Black diamond flame ring set with a carved gray agate in 14k yellow gold. June Simmons Jewelry | St. Armands Circle | 941.321.1737
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32.17 carat natural topaz ring in 14 karat white gold, surrounded by 6 zircons and 26 diamonds. Vintage Swarovski crystal clutch. MK Designs | Palm Avenue | 941.364.8439
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June 2014
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White cotton cowl dress by Dressed to Kill. Silver earrings & bracelet by Sophie. Dream Weaver Collection | St. Armands Circle | 941.388.3706
Porsche Carrera 4 in Sapphire Blue Metallic. Suncoast Porsche | Sarasota | 941.923.1700
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June 2014
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WHERE GREAT MEMORIES, INNOVATIVE CUISINE AND IMPECCABLE SERVICE COME NEATLY WRAPPED.
So good, you’ll look for reasons to celebrate. 941.388.4415 | 431 St. Armands Circle | cafeleurope.net
Tour of Europe Passport Series is back!
Old World Beauty Meets the 21st Century
The Lake Club By Sue Cullen
Resplendent with the Old World beauty, charm and the seductive romance of Tuscany, The Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch is a community with timeless elegance and beauty, yet built to satisfy upscale 21st century lifestyles.
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The Tuscan-inspired ambiance begins with a one-acre vineyard and sparkling lakes that flank the entrance drive to the majestic 24hour gatehouse at the residents’ private entrance. Natural vistas continue throughout with interconnected lakes and preserves, a mile-long park, and lush landscaping. “The infrastructure at The Lake Club is beautiful, and the amenities are five-star caliber,” says Jimmy Stewart, vice president of sales for LWR Communities, LLC. “With all of this to offer, The Lake Club is the preeminent neighborhood in this area, and when you consider our price points, we are absolutely unmatched.” The crown jewel and social hub of the community is the Grande Clubhouse, a regal 20,000-square-foot Tuscan-style facility flanked by water on three sides. The clubhouse is for the exclusive use of residents and houses voluminous spaces such as The Grande Room – designed for larger-scale events – as well as more intimate spaces for meetings, dinner parties, or a romantic dinner and tête–à–tête. Residents can gather to socialize in the Billiard Room with its warm, herringbone
wood
floors,
comfortable
seating, full bar and cheery fireplace. A resort-style pool area features a palm-shaded, freeform, geothermally heated and cooled pool accented with a towering rock waterfall. A separate children’s pool has a zero-depth entry and entertaining, whimsical tropical water features. Residents and their guests also have exclusive use of a day spa, Stewart says. This private retreat, tucked into the lower level of the Grande Clubhouse, offers spa-style pampering that includes massages, facials, aromatherapy, manicures and pedicures. Also included is a private fitness center on site stocked with ample, state-of-the-art cardio fitness and strength training equipment along with luxury locker rooms and private steam rooms and saunas. When it’s time to take the workout to the next level, personal trainers are available. Golfers are minutes from five premier golf courses and all residents have the option of joining the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. Likewise, residents have access to 18 lighted tennis courts at the Lakewood Ranch Athletic Center, and two
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courts are planned for the Grande Clubhouse as well. “In keeping with the exclusive nature of The Lake Club, private concierge service is available to help residents with everything from booking travel, getting theater tickets and even scheduling maintenance,” Stewart says. The amenity-rich community has had strong appeal to a variety of homebuyers, evidenced by its robust growth as the local real estate market has recovered. “We have a mix of people choosing to live here. There are empty-nester early retirees, captains of industry, and families with children,” he says. “It’s not uncommon to have working professionals joining our community, like two dentists or two doctors in a household.” Currently, The Lake Club, which has a total of 328 developed sites, has 40 homes under construction and average sales prices yearto-date are slightly above $1.5 million. Part of the appeal stems from the variety of custom and semi-custom options available. This allows for the creation of distinctive homes perfectly designed for homebuyers, while ensuring they are in harmony with architectural guidelines that preserve the European style for which The Lake Club is known. Architectural styles include time-honored classics like Mediterranean, French Country, English Estate, Neoclassical, and West Indies. Prospective homeowners can see a variety of home styles and size ranges with seven models on site and more on the way. Seven of the areas top luxury home builders are approved for the development: Anchor Builders, Arthur Rutenberg Homes, John Cannon Homes, London Bay Homes, Nutter Custom Construction, Todd Johnston Homes, and Westwater Construction. The Lake Club satisfies many lifestyle needs with a range of lot sizes and neighborhoods to appeal to a wide variety of buyers, according to Stewart. Anchorage Place is a gated section of the community with average lot sizes of 160 by 270 feet and a minimum square footage of 4,500. The Vineyards, on the other hand, has a minimum square footage of 2,200 on lots that average 84 by 170 feet, with price points that have been ranging a little above $1 million, Stewscenesarasota.com
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art says. Matera Villas were designed for those who like the idea of a maintenance-free lifestyle and the villas offer average lot sizes of 65 by 130 feet, with minimum square footage of 2,500. Regardless of the style and type of housing they choose, all residents enjoy the meticulous attention to providing open space and natural surroundings within the community. “We have a unique linear park system that stretches through the neighborhood and not only provides a green buffer zone for the homes, but is a great place to set up a game of croquet or to have a romp with your dog,” Stewart says. “Probably our number one amenity is our jogging, walking and biking trails and sidewalks, which stretch for more than 100 miles through Lakewood Ranch. It’s not just a great place to get some fresh air and exercise, but also to enjoy the beauty of nature and luxury touches like stone bridges, pergolas, and trelliswork.” The Lake Club is a green community, and all homes meet standards for energy efficiency, sustainability, clean indoor air, and drought resistant landscaping. Outside the gates, residents are minutes from some of the area’s best attractions for a wide range of interests, which is one reason why the Lakewood Ranch area has been growing. In addition to the Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, a shopping, dining and entertainment destination, the Ranch is home to such attractions as the Sarasota Polo Club, Premier Sports Campus with its 22 fields on 140 acres, the Ancient Oak Gun Club, and the Sarasota International Cricket Club. In the fall, it will be adjacent to the area’s premier luxury shopping center, the new Mall at University Town Center, scheduled to open in October. “People love this area because we can live, work, play, learn, shop and worship here,” Stewart says, “which is why Lakewood Ranch has been ranked among the nation’s top 10 best-selling master-planned communities for the past three years. I don’t know too many communities that have 40 homes under construction like The Lake Club currently has, and that really says something about the attractiveness and value it offers those who are looking for a new place to call home.”
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As a licensed broker with a lengthy list of real estate designations and certifications, Brandy Coffey has built a team of professionals who are equally committed to honing their skills to deliver the highest level of client service. Coffey began establishing her team when she saw that adding well educated and experienced people with diverse strengths allowed her to provide an even broader menu of services to her clients. She sets the standard by being a good listener and determining not only clients’ needs and desires, but also individual communication preferences; skills that are aided by her psychology degree from the University of South Florida. Coffey’s clients also benefit from the understanding she has gained from nearly 30 years as a Sarasota resident. Her ability to discern clients’ requirements and match them with the area’s wide array of lifestyle choices has led to an enviable referral rate. Although Coffey is an Accredited Buyer Representative, as the market has settled into recovery, listings have burgeoned. Sellers appreciate her designations as a Certified Residential Specialist and Certified International Property Specialist. Coffey represents a wide variety of properties, currently ranging from 40 acres in Myakka to an Art Deco home in the Oaks Bayside. Because so many of her properties are very customized, she understands that pricing is more nuanced than just price per square foot and knows how to market unique features effectively. Having qualified through education and experience to be part of Keller William’s Luxury Division, Coffey has access to leading edge technology and marketing with an international reach through the nation’s top real estate franchise. Just this year, Keller Williams opened a new market center in downtown Sarasota, where Coffey’s team is now based. She also appreciates the firm’s commitment to aiding local organizations like the Child Protection Center and its support of agents through Keller Williams Cares, which helps those who
PHOTO BY CLIFF ROLES
are impacted by illness or natural disasters and cannot work.
ABR,CIPS,CLHMS,CRS,RSPS,TRC Licensed Real Estate Broker Coffey & Company Keller Williams Luxury Homes International 22 S. Links Ave. Suite #204, Sarasota FL 34236
877.308.6311 www.insarasotarealestate.com
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Michelle Crabtree For Michelle Crabtree, happy clients are the most rewarding part of her profession. As a seasoned Realtor ®, she understands how to provide great customer service. Her success has been built on her love of the community, growing up as a third generation Sarasotan. One of her clients, a world leader in evaluating customer experience, acknowledged her with a blog “Building advocacy – a good example from a Realtor.”
PHOTO BY CLIFF ROLES
Michelle is a leader in her field and most recently honored by Sarasota Association of Realtors® with its 2013 Meritorious Service Award and Women’s Council of Realtors® as 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year. She is a member of Florida Realtors® 2014 Leadership Academy and the state Honor Society for seven years, in addition to “Five Star Professional – Best in Client Satisfaction” for seven years. Michelle enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge of the area, from the Manatee River to Venice, and has expertise in relocation, resale, waterfront, new, and golf course communities. She also is very knowledgeable about the burgeoning Lakewood Ranch, having spent four years working with the developer and managing its Visitor’s Center. She notes that her affiliation with Michael Saunders & Company provides extensive services with marketing, education, and worldwide reach through Leading Real Estate Companies of the World to 35 countries and through the luxury affiliation of Christie’s International.
CLMS, CRS, CIPS, GRI, ABR, PMN, RSPS, TRC, SFR, AHWD, SRES, GREEN Realtor, Broker Sales Associate Michael Saunders & Company®
941.724.4663 sales@crabtreehomes.com www.crabtreehomes.com scenesarasota.com
Education has always been a priority for Michelle, who has been a broker sales associate for over 30 years and has a marketing degree from USF. Her continued education includes Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Certified International Sales Professional Specialist, Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate Realtor Institute, Resort and Second Home Property Specialist, Senior Real Estate Specialist and more. Michelle is a strong believer in giving back to the community and volunteers her time regularly. Last year she co-chaired a fundraiser for the Salvation Army, worked with fundraiser for SPARCC, and chaired a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity in addition to working on their homebuilding and renovation projects. June 2014
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Denise & Nicole
PHOTO BY CLIFF ROLES
Mei
Family real estate teams are not uncommon, but Denise and Nicole Mei’s relationship is unique. They are mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and both are quick to say that working together is great. As Nicole explains, “We work together to achieve the real estate goals of our clients. We bring diverse skills, strengths and experiences to complement our shared passionate approach to every transaction.” Denise adds, “We both love working with our clients and with each other. Our goal for every transaction is that everyone leaves the closing table happy.” The duo joined forces a year and a half ago after Nicole married Denise’s son, Michael. Denise’s real estate career was so busy that she needed help so she asked Nicole to become her partner. Nicole’s five years in property management gave her the foundation she needed to make the transition so as soon as she received her real estate license she joined Denise at Michael Saunders & Company. They both credit their outstanding customer service as the main factor in their success. Denise spent 22 years as a flight attendant perfecting her skills dealing with people and her 25-plus years in Sarasota have given her a deep knowledge of the area. “Now that Nicole has joined me, our clients always have someone looking out for them and they appreciate that. Most of our customers have become really good friends and we know they will refer their friends,” Denise says.
Realtors®, Michael Saunders & Company 1801 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236
941.951.6660 nicolemei@michaelsaunders.com denisemei@michaelsaunders.com meiteam.michaelsaunders.com
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The duo’s dedication to their clients has them consistently ranked in the top tier of agents at Michael Saunders & Company. Both are Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists and they had over $15 million in sales last year, including the highest-priced sale in eighteen months at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club. They are anticipating another busy year since national real estate sales are expected to increase by seven percent in 2014 and say they are already seeing very heavy traffic. When they aren’t helping their clients, Denise and Nicole are enjoying more family time and can often be found at their popular family restaurant, Café Baci. Denise and her husband, Roberto, have owned the restaurant for 23 years and Michael now manages it. scenesarasota.com
Robinson
Amy
PHOTO BY DANIEL PERALES
Realtor, Broker Associate, Amy Robinson Real Estate Advisors Group RE/MAX Alliance Group 5140 Ocean Boulevard Sarasota, FL 34242
941.928.2044 amy@amyrobinson.com www.amyrobinson.com
Amy Robinson has made a name for herself with a winning combination of marketing and business savvy, an entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to exceptional client service. Robinson and her husband chose to relocate to Siesta Key, and she immediately elected to apply her experience with corporate powerhouses like Motorola, Dell, and General Bandwith to building a full time real estate career and thriving business. Deftly combining a highly professional aptitude and approach with a lighthearted Florida icon, the pink Flamingo, has given Robinson an edge in her own branding. The distinctive glowing pink bird evokes a feeling of the Florida experience and excitement in buyers and sellers, reflects Robinson’s love of whimsy, and brings a smile to people’s faces. It’s not an icon just anyone could pull off, but Robinson has the personality, bolstered by a proven track record, to make it work. For sellers, Robinson uses her corporate marketing experience and bachelor of business administration to finetune a proprietary marketing program that is unique to each scenesarasota.com
property. With an extensive network of buyers, Robinson has a track record of selling her own listings, consistently at 97 percent or more of list price. As someone with seemingly boundless energy, when working with buyers, Robinson gleans as much information as possible about her clients’ Florida dream lifestyle and expectations of their perfect home. She also specializes in new construction, helping clients navigate the complexities of negotiating favorably with a builder. Having her broker’s license provides another level of expertise and professionalism, which is steeped in Robinson’s conviction that success results from delivering excellent service every day. She also has earned recognition as a member of RE/MAX’s Platinum Club, an honor shared by only 3 percent of agents worldwide. Giving to the community she loves also is important, and Robinson supports Mothers Helping Mothers, Center for Building Hope, Wounded Warrior Project ®, Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, and Little Dog Rescue. June 2014
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Holderness
Michael
Michael Holderness, Jr. has been licensed as a Realtor for nearly 20 years working in the family brokerage, SaraBay Real Estate. However, his career really began much earlier. “I remember going to open houses as a kid and I started showing properties in high school,” he explains. “As a third generation Realtor, I guess you could say it’s in my blood.” This early experience has given Michael a solid foundation in providing families with the best possible service. He is consistently in the top one percent of agents in sales and he believes that his success is due to his desire to help all of his clients achieve their goals. He receives lots of referrals and repeat business from customers, which he considers the ultimate compliment. Michael devotes full attention to each transaction, whether he is representing the buyer in the recent purchase of a $5.67 million home or helping a newly-widowed customer sell her modest home. A native of Sarasota, Michael has a first-hand appreciation of all the area has to offer. “I love the diversity of our region. Of course, everyone wants to see the beaches, but we have something for every interest. Since I grew up here, I know that it is a great place to raise a family but it is also perfect for retirees and seasonal residents.” He also studies the Sarasota/Manatee market, particularly as the economic recovery continues and expects real estate transactions to soar within the next 12 months. “This past year’s hard winter convinced many people that the Florida sunshine is much better than shoveling snow, but the harsh weather prevented them from preparing their homes for the spring real estate market. They are taking advantage of the summer months to get ready and I predict that sales will skyrocket in 2015,” he says. He is such a strong believer in the future of Sarasota County that he has ventured into commercial development. Michael recently acquired several bungalows on Siesta Key and is in the process of transforming them into a boutique resort. He is enthusiastic about this new project since the location is in the heart of Siesta Village and he recognizes that the area has a shortage of vacation rentals with a personal, yet upscale feel. He says, “I want to give vacationers a beautiful place to stay while they are here. They will have memories that last a lifetime.” However, he has additional motivation for the purchase. “When I show Sarasota to out-of-state clients, I want to show them how strongly I believe that this area is a good investment. This is a great way to demonstrate my own commitment to Sarasota’s future.” Besides his work in the business community, Michael devotes time to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides walk. He has a very personal interest in this cause since his mother, Judy, was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. He says, “My mother is a fighter. Not only is she the strongest woman I have ever met but she is simply inspiring, doing great and recently received some phenomenal news!” In his free time, he can be found cross fit training, scuba diving and boating on Sarasota Bay with his beautiful German Shepherds, Queena and Karma.
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Realtor SaraBay Real Estate, Inc. 7333 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243
941.725.0338 mike@mikeholderness.com www.mikeholderness.com scenesarasota.com
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SOCIAL
Habitat Sarasota’s Fore the Love of Habitat Fore the Love of Habitat, the third annual golf tournament to benefit Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, was recently held at Laurel Oak Country Club. Golfers enjoyed breakfast, lunch and a silent and live auction, emceed by Les McCurdy. Event chair was Rich Gerrity and the title sponsor was Stabil Concrete Pavers. SCENE Magazine was media sponsor. More than $40,000 was raised, which will be used to underwrite half the cost of a Habitat home.
Photos by Cliff Roles Rick Dies, Rhonda Leibernick & Doug Plattner
Rich Gerritty & Renee Snyder
Dina Malloch & Dave Whalen
Robert Dean & Maria Pugliese
Les & Pam McCurdy
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SFF’s Tribute Luncheon Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe spread words of love and told her inspiring story to a captivated audience that included schoolchildren brought to the Sarasota Yacht Club to hear this amazing woman’s story and learn how they can help women in Uganda. The Tribute Luncheon was just one of many outstanding events hosted by Sarasota Film Festival. This year’s Festival presented more films than ever before and honored filmmakers and their achievements. Stars including Elizabeth Moss (MAD MEN), Jason Momoa (GAME OF THRONES, THE RED ROAD), and Richard Jenkins (GOD’S POCKET) arrived in support of their latest films. Incredible parties were held at the Sarasota Yacht Club and The Francis, and SFF’s awards for extraordinary achievements in filmmaking and closing night film were presented at the Sarasota Opera House.
Carol Buchanan & Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe
Photos by Cliff Roles
Mark Famiglio & Patrick Harrison
Shelley Sabrey, Karin Gustafson & Debbie Maltese
Charlie Ann Syprett & Penny Hill
Ann Logan & Sarah Stern
The way to Dad’s heart is not through his yard. Let dad get his own mower blades. From our mouth-watering Kentucky Bourbon Pie cupcake (featuring real bourbon whiskey), to our baked-from-scratch Stuffed Cookies, nothing will blow him away like a box of award-winning Gigi’s Cupcakes gourmet treats. Shop online and order ahead for pick-up on Saturday or Sunday. FOR FAT H E R ’ S D AY QUICK PICK-UP
Gigi’s Cupcakes of Sarasota 8435 Cooper Creek Blvd • Bradenton, FL 34201 • Tel: (941) 355-4380 • www.GigisCupcakesUSA.com
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Scenes from an Interview:
Golf Legend
Tony Jacklin
by Gus Mollasis
Tony Jacklin has won a lot in the course of his life including a British Open and a US Open Championship. He’s also had his share of heartbreaking losses both on and off the course. But it was the 1969 Ryder Cup for which he will be most remembered in golf history. With Jack Nicklaus’ simple gesture of conceding a short but missable putt at the 18th hole, the two will forever be linked in the minds of golf enthusiasts as representatives of good sportsmanship during an intense and hotly contested competition that ended in a draw. Now many years later on the Gulf Coast of Florida, a golf course named The Concession celebrates the noble chapter of golf history these two champions wrote together. The life of this English steel worker’s son, turned assistant golf pro, turned Open Champion, turned developer, turned artist reads like a guide on how to get the best out of life by giving the best to everything that you go for in life. Tony Jacklin is an English gentleman and golf legend who looks you straight in the eye when you talk to him. Recently I sat down with this good father, husband and all around good egg in his Bradenton home and we took a look at some scenes from an interview of his life. Where were you born? I was born in North Lincolnshire in Northern England, east of Manchester in a steel town called Scunthorpe. Fill in the scorecard of your childhood memories. Was it filled with mostly Birdies, Bogeys or even Pars and how did you get introduced to the game of golf? My father was a steel worker and I took to the game of golf in the summer of 1953 when I was about nine. It was kind of an accidental thing – the neighbors started to play and thought that my dad would like it. I was in the garden with him and he said to me, “Why don’t you come with me?” My dad became smitten with the game and I used to go with him and pull the trolley. And when we were away from the clubhouse, he would let me have a go. I also became smitten with the game. I was drawn to golf and intrigued with the fact that the ball was not going to move until I made it move. And back then, that was of course the summer that (Ben) Hogan won his three major championships. There was no golf on television, we didn’t have a television anyway, or telephone. It was a different world. I spent summers practicing days and nights. I was self taught and by the time I was 13, I had a 12 handicap and progressed from there. We didn’t have the funds to play amateur golf. I was a county player when I was 15 and left scenesarasota.com
school. I got down to a one handicap when I was 16. I wanted to go straight into golf, but the way you got into golf then was that you became an assistant to a professional. There was only one club in the county that could afford to have an assistant, so it meant leaving home. My parents wanted me to get a trade because they didn’t think golf was necessarily a way forward. So I went into steel work for a year as an apprentice fitter. That was a nightmare but unbeknownst to my parents, I applied for some jobs as an assistant pro from ads I found in Golf Illustrated magazine. I got an interview in the fall of 1961 with a guy named Bill Shanklin who was at Potter’s Bar Golf Club in North London. My father took me for the interview. I told my dad that if he didn’t like what he heard, then I won’t do it but that this is what I want. Shanklin was an ex-rugby player from Australia and a fair golfer who finished third in the Open a couple of times. He was a sweet, rough and rugged sort of guy. He told me, “You’ll be great and you’ll do well here.” And then he said, “I’ve had 33 assistants through here.” We thought that was marvelous, but of course if you think about it, he had 33 assistants go through because they couldn’t stand him. (Laughing) He was a bloody nightmare. I started in January 1962 when there was two feet of June 2014
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snow on the ground and it took us four or five hours to drive 150 miles to get there in my father’s old banger of a car. When we got there, Shanklin said, “You better go home. There’s no golf. There’s two feet of snow on the ground and no prospect of golf and I’d be paying you for nothing.” I said, “We can’t go home now; it’s taken us five hours to get here. I’ve got my suitcase and my five pounds.” That’s how it all started. I stayed. My dad went off. I didn’t speak to my parents for seven months. I would write them every week and eventually I found digs as one of the caddies from the club put me up in his place where I stayed for seven years. Even when I became the Open champion, I would go and stay there. What is the most important life lesson that your mom and dad taught you while growing up? I came from a big family and was brought up properly and learned table manners and that sort of thing. When you meet someone, you look them in the eye and shake their hand. They taught me discipline, I would say. My dad was very tough when I was young. He had a tough upbringing growing up with eight kids. When you have that many kids there is no room for anybody not doing what they are told, when they are told. I’d get a whack across the ear if I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to do. He softened as I got older. What was the advice your dad gave you regarding handling the pressure of competing with the greats of golf? When he would reference the great players, he would say, “They have two arms, two legs and a head on their shoulders Tony, just like you have.” Was your dad your mentor and your biggest influence on your approach to the game? Yeah. He was my past pal. I eked out from the magazines my whole golf swing, which was based on having good fundamentals. When I spent all those hours practicing, I used my imagination. I imagined Ben Hogan, who for me was the epitome of a ball striker (I got to play with him later in my life), critiquing me every time I swung the club. I’d tell myself, “That was too fast, that was too strong,” whatever it was, as I practiced all those hours, I imagined Hogan there over my shoulder watching me.” How soon did you know that you might want to do this for a living? That spring of 1962, we played in the Middlesex Professional Championship and I won the assistant’s flight. I had been there about four months and knew damn well I didn’t want to be there dusting shelves in a pro shop and selling golf balls. The teaching was alright but when you’re teaching people who have no chance of being any good, well, I saw the light. I practiced harder and kept improving with the goal of doing this for a living.
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You won two major championships in about 11 months time – you made this game look easy. We all know it’s not. How hard of a game is golf? You never perfect it. You learn that quite early if you’ve got any intelligence. All we ever do is get close, as close as we can to what we do. It just sits there all the time, never changing. It’s a supreme test of patience, perseverance and mental wellbeing. You’ve got to learn to be self-sufficient. One of the things that I don’t quite understand about today’s golfer is that they rely on so many other people to tell them what to do. I was learning and playing with the best players in the world in 1963. When I qualified for the British Open, I finished 30th and I beat Arnold Palmer. I was 19 years old. That was the start for me. There was no European tour but there was an Irish circuit I played on. That was a learning curve, because whatever happened everyday, you had to come back and analyze what went wrong. By 1967, I was a very good player, and in fact had the first hole in one ever broadcast on British TV. Back then of course, most people forget that they only televised the last three holes of the tournament. That same year, I played the Canadian Open and was paired with Palmer and Nicklaus in the last round. I remember vividly Jack coming behind just as Arnold was teeing up on 16, and he said, “Watch him when the red light is on.” That was Arnold’s whole deal – all those mannerisms and stuff. Back then we could hardly get on TV. Today you can watch four tours in the same day. What drove you to work so hard on your game and what was it that you worked on the most to prepare you for those moments in the sun? When I won those two tournaments in ‘67, I wanted to be as good as I could be. I wanted to be the best player in the world. I knew I was good, but I also knew that I was having difficulty maintaining my swing tempo under pressure. That year I decided to come to America to get my tour card at Palm Beach Gardens. Jack and I became quick friends. I befriended Tom Weiskopf and Burt Yancey and they were the ones that taught me how to be a great player. I needed to know the answers. For me, it was understanding that the golf swing is from the ground up. My lower body, my legs, you play through your legs. The only way you’re going to be able to maintain great tempo all the time under extreme pressure is for your legs to work first. The tempo of the swing is down here (points to his legs). When you get nervous, your upper body wants to go quicker and overtake your legs. If you make the legs the main criteria by shifting them through the hitting area first and you keep the smaller muscles and the wrists and hands behind, you develop tempo. So I hit thousands of golf balls. Weiskopf’s mentor was Tommy Bolt, who had one of the great swings along with Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan. They knew about the ground up and they knew the importance of not jumpscenesarasota.com
ing up when you get nervous with an adrenalin rush. They knew the importance of the legs. Once I learned that, I won Jacksonville in 1968, which was the first PGA tour win by a European. It was a stepping stone to be able to let me handle the pressure of the British Open in 1969. What was that feeling like returning home to England after playing in the US and winning? When I got back from playing in America, I realized that the British public had been watching my progress. They all turned out for me. It was like I was Palmer with the galleries following me. It was a great feeling because I didn’t have that advantage when I played in the States. It gave me a lift and made me feel important and it made me dig deep. I got off to a nice start at Lytham and maintained my composure. By this stage, I took care of the golf swing but beyond that it’s purely mental. Obviously, the hardest thing of all is to stay in the moment and not let your mind wonder, “Will I? Or, Can I?” If you do this, you are not where you need to be. When you were 25 years old and standing on the 18th tee leading the British Open Championship, you were about to take the most important shot of your life. Please describe that memory. On the 18th tee at Lytham, I was very conscious of the fact that a number of other British players had come to grief with their tee shots. It was a very difficult tee shot. You couldn’t play safe because there was a bunker across the fairway and you had to get over that bunker to get on the green. You had to drive the ball. I was aware of the circumstances. I was playing alongside Bob Charles and I had a two shot lead. I had been working diligently for two years on this swing. I just stood in there and I remember vividly what I was thinking like it was yesterday. “TJ, this is what it’s all about.” I teed the ball up and looked down the fairway and said to myself, “Keep it wide and smooth, wide and smooth.” I used to work on tempo the whole time, saying it as I’m doing it. And I looked up and my ball is flying down the middle of the fairway, and that’s when TV commentator Henry Longhurst said, “Oh, what a corker! It’s by far the longest drive today.” Describe the joy that you felt winning that first Open Championship. I was 25 years old. I had been married just three years and had just bought a house. Both my mom and my dad were there. It was a wonderful feeling. For the last five years my game was ascending. I was learning to become better and better. Through analyzing the swing and working on things, we didn’t have the benefit of psychologists. Johnny Walker was my psychologist (Laughing). You have plenty of bad days in golf. More bad days than good, but you have to learn from them. I was young and determined. I remember scenesarasota.com
saying at the Awards Ceremony that any player who wanted to be good should go to America. That went down like a lead balloon with the media. That was my opinion. If you want to be the best, you have to be where the best are. I was playing all my practice rounds with Nicklaus, Palmer and Trevino. I was playing with Weiskopf and Yancey and we were like the three musketeers. We all wanted to be better. This was just before the stretch where Weiskopf finished 2nd in the Masters four straight times. Tom was a great player, but I think his problem was that he held Nicklaus in such high regard. It was a mental thing and that’s why when people used to ask me, “Who are your heroes?” I’d say that I never had a hero. Tell us about your incredible win in the wind at the US Open in Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. I got a putting tip the day before the tournament from Jim Yancey, Burt’s older brother. My putting was pretty ordinary. As we were walking around during the practice round, he asked, “Have you ever tried putting while looking at the hole?” I said, “What are you talking about?” He said, “Line up the putt and then look at the hole and putt.” “I’ll be damned. I’ve never done that.” We get through the practice round and I go to the putting green and I start hitting putts like he’s telling me. All of a sudden, I have this beautiful feel for distance, and I’m thinking why didn’t I know this before? This is unbelievable. The first day comes and there are 30 mph winds blowing, gusting up to 40 mph. Well that’s just what I was weaned on in England on the links courses. I got on the first green in two. The feeling was there. I wasn’t looking at the hole when I was playing in the Championship. I holed a twenty-footer on the first hole. I finished the first round double-bogey, bogey, par and was the only one in the field to break par with a 71. I had a two shot lead after the first round. Well it was the week of my life and I played the best golf I ever played and I putted like I wished I could putt all the time. I increased my lead every day and ultimately won by seven strokes. How different is the pressure from winning and competing in a regular tournament versus a major? I knew majors were the most important to me and to be considered a great player you have to win the majors. If you haven’t put in your psyche that this is what you are going to have to do to be a great player, then it’s much more difficult. I put it in there. A good example is Lee Westwood, who was quoted as saying he just wants to be in the mix. Well he’s been in the mix a lot, but there’s a hell of a difference of wanting to be in the mix and wanting to win. If you’ve made a pact with yourself and you visualize that this is what’s supposed to happen, when you get the opportunity, you’re not in awe. You’re more prepared. You’re more apt to think this is where I’m supposed to be and this is what I’m supposed to do – this is my time. June 2014
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Your involvement in the Ryder Cup has been prominent and legendary. Describe the importance of that event in your heart and what it means to you. Initially it wasn’t important. It was a match against America. It was a foregone conclusion – 300 million people against 60 million. You don’t need a bloody college education to realize there’s a big advantage. Essentially through the 60’s and 70’s, we were being sent out by administrators who didn’t know what it was like to stand over a five foot putt. There was no money in the British PGA so we had to go begging for uniforms. We would wear anything somebody would give us. In 1967, my first Ryder Cup, most of the British players were in awe of the American players with the likes of Hogan, Nicklaus and Palmer. They weren’t going to say it, but they wanted to watch how they did it. Once in a while there was a bit of bravado like, “We can beat these buggers,” but bravado is a heck of lot different than confi-
(Laughing). The final challenge was getting Seve Ballesteros to agree to play after having been banned for taking endorsements, a practice that would soon prove to be common for all players. I told him that I could not do it without him. Thankfully, he played, yet we narrowly lost at Palm Beach Gardens. Still Seve put it in perspective saying that it wasn’t a loss, but a victory. It was the first time we had ever done anything like this in America and of course it was a stepping stone. The message was that we were on the right track. The self-esteem of our players was lifted. We weren’t one or two down before we hit a ball. The playing field had been leveled. I am extremely proud of those three Ryder Cup wins. It’s all about learning. Just like I tell my boy who has played six tournaments missing half the cuts yet getting two top 25 finishes, it’s all about doing it and learning. You can talk all you want. You have to do it. He’d say, “Dad, I’m learning so much more out there than I would on the Florida
dence and truth. Golf is a game of truth. Pure truth. If you don’t put in the time, you’re never going to get what you want at the other end. Because when the pressure comes, you have to know you’re worthy. I experienced the Ryder Cup seven times as a player, with the last time being the first European gathering. Through those times, we more or less went into it thinking here we go again; we’re going to get creamed, but let’s give it our best shot. For many of those years, I was the best player on our team. There was no fun going into a battle when you knew the outcome was basically inevitable.
West Coast tour. I’m learning.” Stepping stones, I tell him, and you’re talking to a believer.
You captained the Europeans to their first Ryder Cup victory and three consecutive wins. Is that the accomplishment in golf of which you are most proud? I thought I was done with the Ryder Cup in 1981 when Mark James, a player who had behaved badly in a previous Ryder Cup, was picked over me as captain and they asked me to come as an official. I wasn’t interested and I was done with it. I thought the administration just accepted this as an event we must just turn up at without any chance of winning. In 1983, you could have knocked me down with a feather when they asked me if I would be Ryder Cup captain. My first instinct was to tell them no, but I ended up sleeping on it. The next day I told them that I wanted carte blanche to do what I want. They asked what that meant. I said, “I want a Concorde. The caddies travel with us. I want the best of everything. I want suits from Austin Reed. I want the best across the board. I want an extra player picked.” They kept saying yes. “I want a team room.” We used to huddle in the corner of a sweaty locker room. We wanted a team room with food and beverage so that you would never have to leave if you didn’t want to and where we could bring in an atmosphere of team spirit. They kept saying yes. And because of that I said I would do it. Finally, when we picked out our suits and uniforms, I told them that I wanted our guys to look better than the Americans on color television
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Take me back to the Ryder Cup in 1969 with you and Jack Nicklaus on the green and the famous concession. Were you shocked at Jack’s gesture? I was shocked at the time. It never entered my head for him to concede the putt. I was at the top of my game. The softest thing about me was my teeth. When you walk on the course, mentally you have to be that tough. Jack and I were good friends. We both had it in total perspective. This was Jack’s first Ryder Cup. We were playing two singles and I beat him in the morning. I was back to playing well again. By the time we got to the 18th tee, we both hit our tee shots, and he hollered after me because I was in front of him walking. He put his hand up motioning for me to wait and talk to him and he said, “Are you nervous?” I said, “I’m bloody petrified.” He said, “I thought I’d just ask, because if it’s any consolation, I feel just the same way you do.” You got all your teammates around the 18th green, and everything is on the line. My captain, Eric Brown, walked toward us down the fairway and said, “You know what you got to do?” (Laughing) I said, “Eric, I know what I got to do.” We hit good shots onto the green. We weren’t real close. I putted first. Jack took a rush at this putt that he had to win outright from about 20 feet and knocked it five feet passed the hole. I thought about saying good to both putts, but it was too far to give. It meant so much to our team because we hadn’t won since 1957. There was a pregnant silence. Being the great player that he is, Jack knocked it in. As he bent down to pick his ball up, he picked my coin up first and said, “I don’t think you would have missed it, but I would never give you the opportunity in these circumstances.” I was shocked and obviously relieved. Prior to that, I was standing there saying under my breath, “TJ, no matter what happens, you have to make this putt.” I was ready. Through the years people ask me if I think I would have made the putt. I think I would scenesarasota.com
have made it, but who the hell will ever know. It was a gesture. All those years went by, my senior career started and ended, and now thinking about that gesture, it represented to me a man who had true perspective. In majors, Jack had 19 second place finishes and 18 wins. In that cauldron of pressure that you experience in major championships, clear thinking is the key. When you’re only good enough to have two or three or four opportunities to win majors, you’re hyper, you’re anxious, you’re human. But like anything else, the more practice you get, he was so good and focused on majors and made it his mission. He’d had more practice at this mental exercise of winning under extreme pressure. He knew he was nervous, but he knew everyone else was more nervous. I’ve talked to him about it. He thought that the majors were the easiest to win because 95% of the guys out there didn’t believe they could do it because they hadn’t set the seed. Back to the Ryder Cup, he knew that America would retain the trophy and that he wasn’t relinquishing it. “If he would have missed his putt, you can bet your bloody life I would have had to putt mine (Laughs heartily). Jack had it in perspective, we were friends, and more than anything Britain had a hero in me having won the first Open for a Englishman since 1951, and he didn’t want anything to spoil that. Jack cared and has always played with the sportsmanship and spirit of the game he loves. How did this venture with Jack at The Concession come about? We were just toasting the venture at Concession Cup. (Concession Cup is a biennial team competition played between teams comprised of leading male Mid-Amateurs, Senior-Amateurs and Super Senior-Amateurs from the United States and Great Britain and Ireland at The Concession). I had stopped playing golf and I just got back involved in golf course design. I heard that Sarasota wanted to put a golf course together with Jack and one night around three in the morning the idea came to me. “That’s it!” I said to my wife Astrid. Jack and I have always been bound and tied to that one moment, and there’s never a Ryder Cup that goes by that you don’t see footage of that time on the 18th green with the two of us walking off the green with arms around each other. So I took this photograph of us to Kevin Daves (Concession developer), who was meeting with Jack, and I said, “It’s a wonderful gesture that is worthy of maybe having a golf course named after it, if you are doing more than one course. I wasn’t trying to take any of Jack’s thunder, but I was also looking for something to do for myself. Nothing happened for a while, but eventually many years later, we found this big piece of land through my neighbor George, and as they say the rest is history. Describe what you hope people will take out of playing a round at The Concession Golf Club. We know the course means so much about sportsmanship and that gesture. I believe that it is the only golf course ever scenesarasota.com
built to memorialize a moment in time. It’s about perspective. The Ryder Cup is not a war. One of the other things we did at the 1983 Ryder Cup was to introduce the idea of gifts that the players would give each other. This is history that represents memories and a wonderful experience. It’s about trying to beat the other guy, but then you have to be able to look him in the eye after and shake hands and say, well done you S.O.B., let’s have a drink. That’s what it’s all about. It’s an arena to show off your skills, but more than that, it is an arena to show off your attitude toward the game of golf. It’s pure. It’s truth. For a few years you were at the top of the golfing world. What advice would you give young golfers today who find themselves suddenly being on top and playing seemingly invincible golf? Keep doing what you are doing. The game, if you listen to it, teaches you everything you need to know. Be humble. You can’t go around boasting about a win in this game because it will turn right around and pop you in the nose. You can’t win before you play and every day is a new day and you start fresh. They have all lost more than they have won. It teaches you throughout your life. This is where the lessons are. Some name associations: Arnold Palmer The actor. Brought the game to the public’s attention and resurrected the British Open by winning it in the early 60’s. Arnold was in the perfect place at the perfect time and he took the game from the black and white days to color. Jack Nicklaus The greatest player that ever lived. Jack managed his life – family, children, major wins, with total perspective. I look at Jack and see the best example of everything. Tiger Woods A truly great player who came along with all the modern equipment and technological improvements in the game that allow the ball to go a million miles, but Tiger has not handled the rest of his life as well as Jack did. Gary Player The most extraordinary person I have ever met. Gary represents the personification of the will to win, dedication and mental fortitude. It is truly amazing how this little whippersnapper came to a foreign land and kicked everyone’s butt. Greg Norman Big business tycoon. He took what he did on the golf course and bridged it into the business world better than anybody I have seen. When he was talking about the “great white June 2014
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shark” being turned into something, “I thought this guy’s nuts.” What did I know? Nothing. (Laughs) Seve Ballesteros A genius with great confidence. He was an amazing guy who never lost that caddie mentality in that he couldn’t trust anybody. To see him on the golf course, a handsome, swashbuckling, incredible player, he was one of the most exciting players, if not the most exciting player ever. Ben Hogan Best ball striker that I ever saw. Nobody did it like Hogan. Your Dad My best friend.
How did you find your way down to the Sarasota/Bradenton area? By accident when I was here about a business deal that I never got involved in. We found this home on the golf course and we have been very comfortable here. Aside from being on the golf course, what is your favorite way to spend the day here? When I’m not doing business things, I’m doing marquetry, which is a big part of my life. I consider myself an artist. My artwork gives me more pleasure than anything other than my family. You recently renewed your marriage vows to your wife Astrid of 25 years. What is your secret to a good marriage? Apart from attraction, I think compromise, knowing that we all have a life to live and we’re getting through it the
Finish the sentences: The game of golf is the greatest because… It’s a microcosm of life. I owe golf…. Everything A great golfer must… Be a good person If I had one shot to take a mulligan on, it would be… My first putt on the 71st hole at the 1972 British Open. I was just short of the green in two. Trevino was over the green in four. I walked off with a 6 and he made 5 with his miraculous chip. It broke me. My fashion sense on the course was…. Trendy. (Smiling) What was your greatest strength as a golfer and your biggest weakness? Boy oh boy. My greatest strength was my mind and my biggest weakness was being too emotional. What is your greatest strength as a person and something you need to work on? I’ve been around the block that’s all I can tell you. My patience is something I need to work on. I do have patience for my marquetry (the art of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns, designs or pictures).
best way we know how. I have seen your dance moves on British television. In golf terms, do you think they make the cut? (Tony appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing) (Laughs) No. I had a slave driver as a partner. I could write a book about the whole experience. I had no idea of the work ethic of some of these dancers. It is unbelievable. Four hours of training ever day and after six weeks, I wanted my life back. I said to the one guy filming segments, “Is there anyone who has died from doing this?” That got their attention and they started taking it easy with me. What is your advice to the Sunday duffers like me and my uncles as we take to the links? Good fundamentals of course. But beyond that, tempo, swing the club with rhythm and don’t let that rhythm change. All the current marketing focuses on the player killing the ball, where there should be more an emphasis on accuracy. How do you want to be remembered? A good egg. If you have one round of golf left to play in your life and you can play one course, where is it and who would round out your foursome? Pebble Beach with my dad, my second son Warren, and Sean my final son, who my dad never saw play.
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EDUCATION
Education Matters By Ryan G. Van Cleave
Everyone knows the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and its season of shows and educational programs. It’s the 1,741-seat bayfront venue right near the intersection of Fruitville Road and Tamiami Trail. And it’s got a distinctive purple and lavender color scheme that was suggested by Frank Lloyd Wright’s widow, Olgivanna. (Some have even called it “The Purple Cow” or “The Purple People-Seater.”) This landmark Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation hall is a premiere location to see world-class events. Music. Dance. Theater. Magic. Comedy. And a whole lot more. Something that is less well-known is that through a partnership between the Hall and the Van Wezel Foundation there are a range of education and outreach programs that serve approximately 25,000 students in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties each year. Kelli Bragdon, Director of Education and Community Engagement for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, explains that each season has over 20 Schooltime Performances, with 2014-2015 having 23 performances of 9 different shows for school audiences. “These shows tie specifically to school standards and are based on literature or core subject areas, such as science or math,” she adds. “Additionally, through study guides available for all performances, teachers are provided with tools to integrate the content of the show into their lesson plans.” This past season, the Van Wezel has provided even more opportunities for learning by developing lessons that cover additional content areas. For example, Alta Vista Elementary School students who attended the play Five Little Monkeys (based on the popular children’s book series) had a lesson exploring living and non-living things, and through a grant from the Broadway League, Booker High School Law Academy
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students experienced the Broadway musical Chicago, then had a series of seminars that explored crime and criminal celebrity. What makes the Schooltime Performance program so unique is that in addition to helping fund these content-rich shows, the Van Wezel Foundation also supports transportation for public schools unable to pay for buses through the bus reimbursement program. Without this opportunity schools would not have the ability for students to attend performances, which encourages a love of learning and the arts. For an example of that love, look no further than Tatum Ridge Elementary School first-grader Veronica Van Cleave who recently saw the Junie B. Jones musical. “I didn’t like it . . . I LOVED it!” For days after the performance, she danced and sang “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax” with pure joy. The Van Wezel Foundation isn’t just serving students — they’re also committed to helping veterans and their families through the Van Wezel’s Military Access Program which offers professional live performances at no cost. Monica Van Buskirk, President and CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation, adds that this year, the Foundation was one of 12 organizations that received a dollar-for-dollar matching gift through The Patterson Foundation and its Legacy of Valor campaign. Though it was an inaugural event, they raised over $26,000 including the match. “We are proud to say that over 200 veterans and their families are benefiting from this initiative,” says Van Buskirk. The Van Wezel Foundation also funds and manages their own Community Outreach Grant Ticketing Program that serves low-income families, persons with disabilities, and seniors. “Each year,” says Donor Relations and Community Outreach Manager Elsie Merrill, “we invite local non-profit agencies and provide them with tickets to performances at significantly reduced prices.” These agencies include Special Olympics of Sarasota County, Christ United Methodist Church Child Care Program, Jewish Family Children’s Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast, Jefferson Center, St. Jude’s Hispanic American Center, and Step House Corporation. This fiscal year, Merrill reports, the program provided tickets to over 500 individuals. A source of potential confusion, explains Van Buskirk, is that unlike the Van Wezel, the Foundation is a distinct organization that operates independently of the city owned and operated Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. It is a private, charitable organization with a 501(c)(3) designation that works with the Hall while remaining a separate entity. “It is important that the public recognizes these differences,” Van Buskirk asserts, “so that they will feel comfortable that they are not donating money to the city.” If helping support the Van Wezel Foundation interests you, consider making a donation of your time or money that will go toward the education programs and capital improvements of the Van Wezel. And if you have tickets for a Van Wezel-sponsored show that you suddenly realize you can’t use, you can donate those tickets up to one week before the event. The proceeds of those donated tickets will also go directly to the Foundation. Bragdon explains her own ideas on why the arts matter, saying that they teach us to think creatively and look at the world from more than one perspective. “From an educational standpoint,” she adds, “they are an engaging avenue to enter into a subject area as well as teach it. More and more employers are looking for creativity and problem solving skills from their job candidates, and this is something that the arts is perhaps more adept to teach than ‘core’ content areas. They teach our children that there is more than one way to come to a conclusion and the world is more than a right or wrong answer on a test.” Most importantly, they also create impactful experiences that are far more lasting and meaningful than most things learned through textbooks and in a classroom. Just ask Veronica Van Cleave who now knows that “Mind your own beeswax!” means “Keep out of my business!” and that beeswax is used for making candles, soaps, cosmetics, leather, wood polish, and even some candy coating. Thank you, Junie B. Jones! (And the Van Wezel Foundation, too!) For more information on the Van Wezel Foundation, please visit www.vwfoundation.org or call (941) 366-5578. For more information on the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, please visit www.vanwezel.org or call (941) 955-7676. scenesarasota.com
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SOCIAL
Behind the Scene
Society Maven Debbi Benedict Gives the Latest Scoop Everyone’s favorite column is back! My “What are you reading this summer” column is hot off the presses, Poodle, so sit back and peruse what the swells of Sarasota are filling their beautiful minds with during this sultry, steamy season. Splitting his time between Lake Forest, IL and Casey Key, the great-grandson of Bertha Honore Palmer, Art Wood, looks forward to reading Sanibel Island author Randy Wayne White’s latest novel, Bone Deep. He has read all of his fiction and highly recommends that people read his books in sequence. Randy comes to Bookstore1 for signings, which Art has attended twice. What does Art most enjoy about Randy’s work? He likes that his books all take place on our gulf coast and readers will encounter a lot of familiar names and places. Of Bone Deep, Booklist says, “White keeps the action churning forward as Doc encounters both human and animal foes, but the real interest here is the archaeological backdrop. Masterfully seeding the plot with information on Florida’s ancient natural history — and its contemporary environmental challenges — White delivers a novel that perfectly blends story and landscape. We often say that fine nonfiction has the narrative drive of a good thriller, but we rarely have occasion to say that a fine thriller has all the mind-boggling fascination of compelling nonfiction.” Sounds like something I might like to read, too! Doctor and mom of three active daughters, Allison Silver Schwartz told me she has been on a reading binge for the last month. She’s read The Postmistress by Sarah Blake; The Signature of all Things by Elizabeth Gilbert; The Light Between the Oceans by M.L. Stedman; The Lowlands by Jhumpa Lahiri (her favorite author); The Divergent trilogy of
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books - Allison likes to read the same books as her girls so they can see the movies together; and finally, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. She is currently reading this year’s Pulitzer winner, The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt. She said it is almost impossible to explain these books. They are all very different, from historical fiction like The Invention of Wings and The Signature of all Things, but even those are difficult to categorize since the Signature of all Things is also botanical fiction, a new category Allison invented! The Goldfinch explores the world of art and antiques through the eyes of a 13 year old boy growing into manhood. She chose it for a simple reason- it’s long! It’s over 750 pages and she needed a book for a series of plane rides and gets very anxious if she runs out of reading material! I, too, have read The Light Between Oceans and I will tell you one thing about it – when I finished it, I had to go into the bathroom and cry my eyes out for literally 30 minutes. I did like it, though! SunTrust Private Investment Manager, Matt Otto is reading The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically
Street. Cliff says that Mr. Lewis is an astute writer with the unique capacity to explain the most arcane and challenging topics in a manner that even he can understand them. Retired Herald-Tribune social columnist, the iconic Marjorie North, is spending lots of time reading right now to get her mind off husband Bill’s broken hip, her broken shoulder, her flooded kitchen floors, and five months with having her beloved daughter, Laura, and grand dog at home. She is reading P.D. James’ Death Comes to Pemberley, which comes six years after the end of Pride and Prejudice, where Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett are happily married and living at Pemberly with their two sons. It quickly reviews P& P and the last six years, and then starts on the night before they are set to host their annual autumn ball. I have to read anything remotely Jane Austen-ish, so I think I will put this one on my reading list too! Marjorie is also reading The Last of the Wallendas by Delilah Wallenda and Nan DeVincentis-Hayes, which she borrowed from Dan Sweeney who just moved into the Oaks with wife, Jane. She tells me that the petite Delilah makes
Rational Blueprint for Success by William N. Thorndike. Warren Buffet said, “An outstanding book about CEOs who have proven to be the best allocators of capital,” Matt said, “If you are in business, how could you not want to read this?” The book is #1 on Mr. Buffett’s Recommended Reading List in the 2012 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Letter. Another good read is Unleashing the Second American Century: Four Forces for Economic Dominance by Joel Kurtzman. There is so much negativity out there, Matt suggests that we get some optimism going and rejuvenate our good old American spirit! Lastly, he likes David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell. He thinks anything by Gladwell is fascinating, this one is no exception. Also currently reading Malcolm Gladwell’s David and Goliath is Clarke Advertising’s President and COO, Patricia Courtois. She loves his keen insight that can be applied not only to business but life itself. Amazon says Gladwell weaves an “extraordinary journey that takes him from art to basketball, the brain to revolutions, along the way weaving unforgettable stories of misfits, outsiders, tricksters and underdogs who have faced outsized challenges and won.” The other books she’ll be reading this summer are children’s books like the Curious George and Babar series, since Patricia now has an adorable little 14 month old grandson, Davis. She loves snuggling up and reading to him. The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism by Doris Kearns Goodwin is what is capturing the attention of Blalock Walters’ attorney, Cliff Walters. He tells me it is an engaging historical look at a tumultuous time in America with parallels to our current circumstances. Of course the topic is timely, but Ms. Goodwin is an exquisite writer and a joy to read. He is also reading Never Go Back by Lee Child. It’s pure unrelenting action entertainment featuring the character Jack Reacher and for pure escapism, the Reacher series is hard to beat. Flash Boys by Michael Lewis is about how the smartest guys in the room continue to suck money out of the rest of us with high frequency trading on Wall
all of son Nik’s high-wire walking shoes. Marjorie also has some Larry Baldacci novels lined up for mystery and mayhem. Hmmm, I bet she needs something to replace all the local mystery and mayhem of the social scene she used to cover! Williams Parker attorney, Dan Bailey, shared with me that he has just completed Bill Bryson’s tome, One Summer: America 1927, a snapshot in a year jam-packed with significant events: Lindbergh’s historic flight which brought him unprecedented fame; Babe Ruth’s 60 home runs; Jack Dempsey’s loss to Gene Tunney; below-the-radar changes in fiscal policy that precipitated the collapse of Wall Street; construction of the Mount Rushmore memorial; the forces that made prohibition sound like a good idea at the time; Al Capone’s intense but mercifully brief celebrity; the beginnings of television; and much, much more. Dan kiddingly said that Bill Bryson and he use the same alphabet and dictionary, but Bill’s sentences evolve and flow with so much more grace and his words sing. Dan’s addiction to Bill’s writings prompted him to read two other Bryson books within the past few months: At Home: A Short History of Private Life, a room-by-room tour through his own house, using each room as a jumping off point into the vast history of the domestic artifacts we take for granted, and Notes from a Small Island, which Amazon says, “Veering from the ludicrous to the endearing and back again, Notes from a Small Island (England) is a delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation that has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie’s Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey. The result is an uproarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain, from the satiric pen of an unapologetic Anglophile.” I am enthralled with anything English myself, so I think I am going to have to give this book a gander. Bradenton mover and shaker, Susan Wilcox, shared with me that her book group just finished reading The Son by Philipp Meyer, which is an epic book about the early history of Texas. Susan learned a lot about that time, but the group’s reviews were mixed. She thought it was worth the time, though this is
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a long book! Her summer reading tends to be lighter after the more serious books that her book group reads. Currently, her “playlist” features Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg and Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. Susan picked these books because she really likes both authors. According to the dust jacket cover, Home Safe is about a recent writer who has lost her husband and her ability to write. It explores her relationship with her daughter and the new life they are working to build together. Sarah Addison Allen’s novels always have a bit of magic in them, which Susan loves. This book is about a woman who owns a resort in South Georgia and the eclectic group of people who come together to save it from being sold to a developer. She is currently reading - well, listening to - The All Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion, by Fannie Flagg. The book is set in two locations, current time in Point Clear, Alabama, and during the 30s and 40s in Wisconsin. It is about a 59 year-old woman who learns she is adopted and her search for her birth mother. But it is also about the woman’s relationship with her adopted mother, the formidable Lenore. Fannie Flagg reads the book and her perfect Southern accent takes Susan back to her Georgia and Alabama roots. The book is really funny and tender at the same time. Sounds like a winning combination! Former President and CEO of Tropicana and most recently a Unitarian Universalist minister, Brock Leach is also currently reading the publishing juggernaut, the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. This story, told through the eyes of 13 year old Theodore Decker from Manhattan, is a Carl Hiaasen-type tale of social hyperbole grounded in recognizable reality. The book is especially noteworthy for its lush, detailed portrayal of contemporary American characters and sub-cultures. Very long and extremely well-written, Brock hopes it is worth the journey. Next up for him is the Gilbert King book, Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys and the Dawning of a New America. This is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning book about racial scenesarasota.com
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injustice in the Florida orange groves and the legacy of Thurgood Marshall. It was sent to him by Dave Lawrence, former publisher of the Miami Herald and founder of the Children’s Movement of Florida. Since part of his corporate career was at Tropicana, he feels a special obligation to educate himself on this episode in Florida history. Another Williams Parker attorney, Carol Ann Kalish said to me, “Isn’t it funny how we all think of summer as a good time to get great reading done, even though for most of us, life doesn’t really slow down all that much in the summer anymore?” And that is so true. Summer in Sarasota used to mean they basically rolled up the sidewalks, but that is no more. We are a
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June 2014 Final
full-fledged year-round city now and we barely slow down once the snow birds leave. Carol Ann said, “This has been a hard year to be a reader because let’s face it, once you’ve read The Goldfinch, everything else pales in comparison. But tradition calls and true to the “summer reading list” tradition, I will begin this summer as I be begin every summer by re-reading the entire Jane Austen library.” She usually reads them in ascending order of how much she loves them, which means that she ends with Miss Elizabeth Bennett and Pride & Prejudice. She just finished A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby, which she said was surprisingly sweet at the end of the day, and will start her Jane-a-thon soon. After that, she plans on alternating between fiction and nonfiction this summer. Her first new book this year will be The Headmaster’s Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene. She loves books that start with the conclusion and work backward, and this one unravels the story of how a respected New England headmaster ends up running naked through Central Park wrongly believing that he has killed his wife. Her first non-fiction book will be one she stumbled across recently while reading a book review of a different book. It is The Education of Laura Bridgman: First Deaf and Blind Person to Learn Language, by Ernest Freeberg. Carol Ann has always loved stories about the power of communication and this biography speaks both to that and to the
May 2014
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One of the seminars was hosted by Judge Charles Williams with the author Gilbert King, which Scott attended. As you read above, Mr. King is the author of Devil in the Grove and Scott is thrilled that he will finally get to read the novel. Arts education advocate, Nancy Roucher, tells me, “I am not reading Monica Lewinsky’s new book, but I am planning to read Elizabeth Warren’s book, A Fighting Chance.” It’s about her life, how she grew up in modest means, and went to college, became a Harvard law professor, a U.S. Senator, and developed insights and expertise about income inequality. Nancy is interested in her life and ideas and learning more about her. And lastly, yet another Williams Parker attorney (and no, I am not pushing William Parker attorneys – they are just readers I know!), Ric Gregoria, is reading A Pirate Looks At Fifty by Jimmy Buffet, which is the ultimate Jimmy Buffett philosophy on life and how to live it, as he brings readers along on the remarkable journey which he took through the Southern hemisphere to celebrate this landmark birthday, and Thank You for Your Service by MacArthur Fellow, David Finkel It’s a profound look at life after war. And there you have it! Happy reading and happy summer! Until next time…TaTa!
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seemingly unavoidable conflict between science and religion. Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Scott Anderson, says he loves politics hence he is finally going to read Double Down. It is a political novel about the 2012 Election between President Obama and Mitt Romney and is by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. He will then read YOU – the Owner’s Manual by Dr. Oz. Scott met Dr. Oz when GCCF sponsored an event for Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and loved what he was saying. Florida Studio Theatre performed the play, Thurgood, and had a series of seminars about civil rights.
Debbi Benedict is SCENE’s society maven FPRA – Florida Public Relations Assoc. XEROX – Premier Partner
and Special Issues Director. Contact Debbi at 941-483-4460 or debbibenedict@verizon.net scenesarasota.com
cene
LITERARY S By Ryan G. Van Cleave
Each month, I receive far more books and manuscript .pdfs for potential coverage in Literary Scene than I can possibly review. This Literary Scene tries to remedy that by giving literary “quick hits” on a number of the most interesting self-published books I’ve run across in recent months. See what you think of these enterprising, do-it-yourself authors!
Alias: Mitzi & Mack by Victoria Landis (CreateSpace, softcover, 444 pages, $15.95).
A humorous crime novel set in South Florida has would-be retirees Shirley and Stanley running afoul of a recession and some bad investments. Before long, these seventy-somethings are broke and willing to do anything to get back on their feet, which means that they wouldn’t have to beg their grown-up children for a financial bailout. How far will a straight-laced pair of suburban senior citizens go to return to a life of leisure on the sunny shores of Florida? Read Landis’ newest novel to find out. For more information on Victoria Landis or Alias: Mitzi & Mack, please visit www. victorialandis.com
Mystic by K. D. Rausin (CreateSpace, softcover, 172 pages, $7.28).
This children’s book features a wheelchair-bound girl, Amelia Dean, who experiences a strange accident that transports her, her friend Greg, and Grandma K, to a world of magical creatures. One of the most striking denizens of this new land is Winston, a talking lion. But what’s truly noteworthy is the fact that while in this wondrous land, Amelia Dean can walk. But is the reality of walking again – her long-held dream to be just like the other kids – what she wants most? This inspiring fantasy from a former elementary school teacher has lots of positive messages for young readers, and a storyline that will hold kids’ attention. For more information on K.D. Rausin or Mystic, please visit www.kdrausin.com
Wellness: The Good, the Bad, and the Opportunity by Ronald C. Stoll (Xlibris, softcover, 150 pages, $19.99).
Stoll knows his stuff — he’s the Vice President of Wellness in Team Excellence, Inc., a Houston-based organizational development and management consulting firm that spescenesarasota.com
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cializes in performance management, leadership development, and behavior development. In his book, Stoll takes the lessons learned from his years in the business world and offers realistic solutions to companies dealing with the unknowns of employee healthcare. It’s not an adversarial relationship between employer and employee, Stoll explains, but a holistic wellness that all stakeholders should embrace. And that’s where his OmniWell model for holistic wellness comes in. The second subtitle of this book says it all: “Healthcare is not a right or an entitlement; wellness is an organizational imperative and an individual responsibility.” For more information on Ronald C. Stoll or Wellness: The Good, the Bad, and the Opportunity, please connect with the author directly on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Team Covenant: The Revolutionary Performance Management Approach That’s Turning Companies into More Competitive, Profitable, and Sought-After Employers by Randy Hopkins (Xlibris, softcover, 178 pages, $19.99).
As the President and CEO of Team Excellence, Inc., Hopkins has an enviable list of clients, including IBM, Xerox, Bechtel, Kraft Foods, Bank of America, Procter & Gamble, and Nabisco, to name just a few. In this book, Hopkins shares some of his key ideas on how to build a culture of self-motivated employees through a revolutionary performance management approach. Some of the ideas? “How knowing this Kool-Aid isn’t for everyone can uniquely position your enterprise” and “Profit from understanding the difference between apathy and futility and how it can greatly benefit your company.” Whether you run a Fortune 500 company or head up a local store with a half-dozen employees, the ideas Hopkins reveals can show you how to revitalize the workplace through effective teamwork and a shift in attitude. For more information on Randy Hopkins or Team Covenant: The Revolutionary Performance Management Approach That’s Turning Companies into More Competitive, Profitable, and Sought-After Employers, please visit www.myteamcovenant.com
All the Difference: A Memoir by Daniel C. Lavery (CreateSpace, softcover, 414 pages, $22)
On one hand, this memoir is the story of a civil rights lawyer with 30+ years of experience litigating wrongful termination, defamation, police misconduct cases, and appeals. On another hand, it’s the story of a child who was ordered at age five to leave his mother and move in with his naval officer father. Lavery went on to became a Duke University two-sport athlete and frat brother, Annapolis graduate, naval aviator, ship navigator, and peace activist. This is a true success story that encourages readers to make the most of their own lives, no matter what trials and tribulations they’ve faced. For more information on Daniel C. Lavery or All the Difference, please visit www. danielclavery.com
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Lines By Julieanna Blackwell Illustration by Jael Jackson
The hallway leading from the elevator to his office door held
morphed colors appeared rich. He talked on the phone and by
a cold air of formality and yet still smelled inviting. She always
the tone of his muffled voice she could tell he spoke to a new
thought the grout between the faux marble tiles along the floor
friend. He reached that point where he took the opportunity to
appeared wrong, almost slanted.
define friendship, present the benefits of said friendship, and
His closed door was no different from the other doors in
how wonderful friendship could be.
the building, nothing more than heavy wooden frames outlining
She was acquainted with his choice of words. “Delightful.”
frosted glass with professional surnames acting as firms painted in
“Inspiring.” “Secretive.” “Soft.” “Sweet.” “Moist.” Even the word
the middle. His door included the word “private.” At one time, he
“fond.” He was very fond of the word “fond.”
would hold that door open for her. These days, he went in first.
She watched him hang up the phone then sit straight in his
There was a fine between fidelity and morality. At a pervious
chair to tighten his tie. She understood the flick of his fingers so well
point in her life she never imagined such lines existing. Why should
that she actually felt him smooth the hair from his eyes. He stood,
something separate decency from grace, or step between devotion
shut his briefcase, and then disappeared beyond the window frame
and empathy, mark the boundaries of honesty from sincerity. To
She was no longer afraid.
her, such ideals were never meant to blend, remaining separate, just
She watched him tug on his coat and circle around his desk
as love and hatred were detached by their pure definitions. With
to turn off the light. she listened to his footsteps coming through
him, there were never definitions, only directions.
the darkness toward the door. The knob squeaked, then the door
She sighed. He was truthful. He told her from the beginning he was bound to hurt her and she should feel sorry for him. She thought that was a clever line. Though she disliked when men declared early proclamations of their expectations of relationships by
that separated them pushed open. “Why, hello, Kay,” he said. She smiled, then exhaled the last air she would ever have to share with him. “I saw her.”
setting the bar height while seated at a bar holding a drink, she
She watched him falter and weaken under the same ugliness
fell for him instead. Happy, she allowed herself to grow blind as
she found inside him and beyond his office door. She turned
the lines anchoring her to what was familiar blurred and twisted,
and walked from him, stepping over the crooked lines falling
until he tripped, then everything between them formed a grid.
across the hallway. Ahead was the stairwell and beyond that, the
Like the tilting grout lines of his hallway.
outside world where everything made so much more sense. Her
The elevator dinged as the car traveled upward, passing the floor and the hallway leading to his office.
footsteps dwindled into silence. Heavily, he leaned against his door.
She inched the tip of her red pump to the edge of the third tile away from the door. His door. She figured three tiles offered the right amount of distance. She could argue that she teetered along another line, one suspended between revenge and mercy. She did not seek revenge. She stood there for mercy’s sake. She licked her lips without smearing her new lipstick, ignoring the plastic taste.
Julieanna Blackwell is a short story writer and essayist. Her humorous column, Skipping Down the Slippery Side of the Slope, appeared in the Naples Daily News. A native Chicagoan, she lives with her family in Bradenton where she is completing her first novel.
His silhouette moved inside beyond the glass and the
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SOCIAL
Michelle Crabtree
Realtor, Broker Associate, CLHMS, CRS, CIPS, GRI, PMN, ABR, TRC, RSPS, AHWD, SFR, GREEN
2014 Five Star Real Estate Agents “Best In Client Satisfaction” – 7 Years Women’s Council of Realtors 2013 “Entrepreneur of the Year” & 2009 “Business Woman of the Year” 2013 & 2007 SAR “Meritorious Service Award” 2010 Florida Realtor Honor Society – 6 Years 2010 Director, Sarasota
Cell: 941.724.HOME (4663) Office: 941.907.9595 Email: Sales@CrabtreeHomes.com www.CrabtreeHomes.com
Association of Realtors (SAR) – 3 year term 2008 WCR Sarasota
A third generation local & Broker Sales Associate since 1982; dedicated to your needs. Serving Sarasota, Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch.
Chapter President
USF Sarasota-Manatee HospitaBull Evening The USF Sarasota-Manatee College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership held its 4th HospitaBull Evening at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch. Forty hospitality management students in event management, introduction to food preparation and restaurant management classes worked over 48 hours to conceive, cook, serve and present a multi-course meal with an international ìPort of Callî theme as their final exam. Over 200 guests helped raise money for student trips to hospitality industry conventions and conferences. Two 2013-2014 Hospitality Leadership Awards were presented to Burton “Skip” Sack, a restaurant investor, donor and past president of the National Restaurant Association, and Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
2005 WCR Sarasota “Realtor of the Year”
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LOCALLY
NEWS SHAPING
OUR COMMUNITY SMH NAMED AMONG NATION’S GREATEST PLACES TO WORK
Becker’s Healthcare has named Sarasota Memorial Health Care System one of the 150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare for 2014. Each year, Becker’s Healthcare publishes its 2014 list of “150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare,” a compilation of hospitals, health systems, ambulatory surgery centers, physician groups and other healthcare organizations that provide excellent work environments and outstanding benefits to their employees. www.smh.com
USF SARASOTA-MANATEE ANNOUNCES NEW REGIONAL VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS
of the group for five years, Mr. Merrill served as vice president the
previous year and replaces outgoing president R.G. Kelly Caldwell, Jr. Joining the organization as new board members for 2014 are: Charles G. Brown III, Chairman of the Board/CEO of Insignia Bank; F. John LaCivita, Vice President of Willis A. Smith Construction; and Keith A. Mercier, Partner/Regional VP of Bouchard Insurance.
THE GLASSER/SCHOENBAUM HUMAN SERVICES CENTER OPENS NEW CHILDREN’S HEALTH CLINIC The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center announces a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 29th at 5:00 p.m. for the Sally & Sam Shapiro Babies & Children’s Medical Center at 1750 17th Street, Sarasota. The new clinic will have four physician pods, an onsite pharmacy and a WIC program. It will include desks for other
USF Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Arthur Guilford
campus agencies that concentrate on child wellbeing, such as the
announced the selection of Terry A. Osborn, dean and professor
Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. The Center hopes to
of the College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee since 2010,
eventually add a dental clinic and a family practice specialist for
to fill the position of regional vice chancellor for academic and
parents who bring their children to the clinic. The Center houses 17
student affairs being vacated by Bonnie Jones. www.usfsm.edu
agencies, virtually rent free, which offer approximately 97 unique
ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK EARNS COVETED 4-STAR RATING FROM CHARITY NAVIGATOR All Faiths Food Bank has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for its sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency. All Faiths Food Bank also adheres to, or surpasses the standards and
programs that deal with problems from children’s issues, alcohol and substance abuse to mental health, developmental disabilities, health, family, legal issues and more. www.gs-humanservices.org
SUNCOAST BLOOD BANK TEAMS WITH RESTAURANTS TO PROMOTE BLOOD DONATIONS SunCoast Blood Bank (SCBB) is launching an SOS – SAVING
regulations required as a member of Feeding America, as well
OTHERS this SUMMER campaign. By teaming up with five local
as state and national food safety guidelines. In recent months,
restaurants now through August 31, SCBB hopes to avert a blood
the Food Bank fulfilled the rigorous requirements necessary to
shortage during the slow summer months. Anyone donating blood
receive this top distinction from Charity Navigator, America’s
or platelets in the months of May and June will receive a $5 coupon
largest independent charity evaluator. According to Ken Berger,
good at their choice of one local restaurant. After they donate a
President and CEO, Charity Navigator, “Out of the thousands
second time, by August 31, they will receive a $10 coupon to the
of nonprofits Charity Navigator evaluates, only one out of four
restaurant of their choice and be entered to win a meal a month for
earns 4 stars.” www.allfaithsfoodbank.org
a year. Participating restaurants include Anna Maria Oyster Bar in
THE ARGUS FOUNDATION NAMES NEW PRESIDENT
Manatee County, Gecko’s Bar and Grill in Manatee and Sarasota counties, Cosimo’s Trattoria and Bar in Sarasota, Salt Water Café in Nokomis and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Arcadia location only. For
William W. Merrill III, a senior shareholder at Icard Merrill, has been
donor center hours and a schedule of bloodmobile locations call
elected President of The Argus Foundation for 2014. A board member
1-866-97-BLOOD or visit scbb.org.
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Lois & Domenick Falconetti
Š2014 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.
Every car should be a sports car. Introducing our latest proof of that belief. It's more than a new car. It's a belief system. A 340-horsepower twin-turbo V6. Standard PDK doubleclutch transmission. Active all-wheel drive with Porsche Traction Management for maximum grip in varying conditions. The new Porsche Macan S is built around our defining belief that every drive should be an unforgettable thrill. Discover a more intensified life with a test drive. Porsche. There is no substitute.
The new 2015 Macan S
Suncoast Porsche 5005 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota FL 34231 (941) 923-1700 www.suncoast.porschedealer.com
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