May 2024

House Beautiful

Neighborhoods

CLIVE DANIEL Luxury Interiors

STEERING THE SHIP

Mote CEO

Dr. Michael Crosby

Burr Bakke, DDS

• Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association

• Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantologists

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics

• Member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry

• Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

Jill Morris, DMD

• Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (only 550 accredited dentists worldwide)

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics

• Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

• Member International Academy of Oral Biological Dentistry and Toxicology

• Practicing dentistry for 33 years

Cameron Johnson, DMD

• Member of North American Association of Facial Orthotropics

• Member of the American Orthodontic Society

• Member of the International Association of Orthodontics

• Member of American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

• International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

SBC Resident Burt Herman: “Come

“We considered many alternatives, but in the end it all came down to Sarasota Bay Club. It was our son who encouraged us to settle here and, now that we have, we know it was the right move. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re not ready!”

We invite you to make Sarasota Bay Club your home! Experience our unique community firsthand by scheduling a private tour.

Call Mimi Nowak or Dana Moe At (941) 256-2618 Today.

1301 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Find us online at SarasotaBayClub.com

hot pockets

Best NeighBorhoods from VeNice to Lakewood raNch

By Christy Pessemier

hoUse BeAUtIFUL desigN treNds & products for your home

By Julie Milton

On the COver

LUXURY LIVInG at cLiVe daNieL home By Christy Pessemier

iNterior desigN By queNtiN macdoNaLd of cLiVe daNieL home. photo By NichoL as ferris. 64 71 80 90

the LIVInG cLAssRooM

fiNdiNg a teacher withiN Nature at seLBy gardeNs By Kaileia Suvannamaccha

Ciaccio

pics

Children First Fairytale Ball

SMHF Women & Medicine Luncheon

Artist Series Concerts Gala

HSSC Paws in Paris

SPAF Transformation Gala

Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ Set the Bar

Hermitage Greenfield Prize Celebration

The Exchange Volunteer Luncheon

Second Heart Homes “Hands Up for Homes”

Sarasota Sister City Celebration

An Exchange from the Heart

Kaileia Suvannamaccha

from the • p UBL ishe R

ome & Design is the theme of our May issue. The look of home exteriors is oftentimes guided by the neighborhoods we live in, but it is our home interiors that tell who we really are—modern, boho, traditional, comfy, and more. Whatever the look behind your front door, Sarasota homes are as unique as the people who live here and who come from all over our country and the world.

In “Hot Pockets”, Sarasota icon Michael Saunders takes us through the amenities and beauty of many unique neighborhoods from Venice up to Sarasota. In “House Beautiful”, some of our most well-known local family businesses share what’s new and trending in home products and décor. We also spotlight Clive Daniel, the 70,000 sq. ft. home furnishing showroom brought to us by the father/son duo of Clive and Daniel Lubner.

With so many people moving here in the past few years and moving trucks continuing to roll in, those of us who live here already know why Sarasota is so desirable. Personally, I never tire of talking about the many reasons why Sarasota is so truly special. So, if you’re new to the area, please indulge me as I share my passion for life in Sarasota and why it is so truly special.

Natural Splendor

Sarasota’s natural beauty extends far beyond its beaches. The city is adorned with lush parks, scenic trails, and captivating wildlife preserves, inviting residents to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature at every turn.

Nowhere in Sarasota is the natural world more present than at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The Phase One completion at Selby is just the start of improving our environmental education. Selby Gardens stands at the forefront restoring the connection between society and nature.

Cultural Riches

Sarasota’s cultural scene is as diverse as it is vibrant, offering a rich tapestry of artistic expression and cultural contributions. From world-class museums, eclectic theaters and galleries to groups offering events and programs that enhance our lives, Sarasota pulsates with energy year-round.

Some of my personal favorites include Sarasota Opera, The Sarasota Ballet, the Sarasota Art Museum, and Asolo Rep, but you can also find me toe tapping at West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, or marveling at nature at Selby Gardens and Mote Marine.

And speaking of Mote Marine, in this month’s popular “Around Town” feature, we interview Dr. Michael Crosby, president and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. It’s a must read!

Sense of Community

From neighborhood farmers’ markets to community festivals and events, Sarasota offers countless opportunities for residents to come together, celebrate, and forge meaningful bonds. Whether you’re savoring local cuisine, dancing the night away or participating as a volunteer at many of the civic initiatives, the sense of camaraderie and belonging is palpable wherever you go.

H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER

john@scenesarasota.com

at Asolo Rep’s Dial M for Murder Mystery Event

frustrating reality for many Gulf Coast homeowners – discolored, pitted and tarnished door hardware caused by our harsh

air.

TRENDS

eventually learn that the tease of “lifetime really means a lifetime of maintenance repair. There is a practical solution to this common problem – Bronze or Stainless materials offer excellent salt tolerance and oxidation/corrosion resistance minimum of maintenance. A variety of and finishes provide a perfect match to color schemes including rich patinas of bronze, contemporary polished or nickel, and black.

Architectural Hardware, located

frustrating reality for many Gulf Coast homeowners – discolored, pitted and tarnished door hardware caused by our harsh

air.

The Plumbing Place, displays many door hardware in beautiful styles for home that are well suited for our demanding environment, and will create the impression your front door deserves.

eventually learn that the tease of “lifetime really means a lifetime of maintenance repair. There is a practical solution to this common problem – Bronze or Stainless materials offer excellent salt tolerance and oxidation/corrosion resistance minimum of maintenance. A variety of and finishes provide a perfect match to

Beautifully crafted bathroom and kitchen fixtures, fittings and accessories from leading designers. Masterpieces of functionality and style showcased in an astounding showroom. Visit our showroom or call to arrange an appointment.

COUNTRY CLUB Palm Aire

36 Holes of Golf for Every Skill Level

Complete Practice Facility with a Driving Range, Short Game Area and Two Putting Greens

Exciting Social & Dining Calendar with Monthly Trivia, Music Bingo and More

Full Racquets Facility with Tennis, Pickleball and Padel

Fitness Center

Heated Salt Water Pool

Contact Suzanne Gile for Membership Information

THE BELLARA | STAR FARMS AT LAKEWOOD RANCH

4210 BUTTE TRAIL, BRADENTON, FL 34211

The Bellara by John Cannon Homes represents a harmonious blend of contemporary sophistication and rustic charm, offering an inviting sanctuary characterized by organic materials, earthy hues, and industrial accents. This unique fusion creates an atmosphere of casual refinement, where elegance meets simplicity.

Though the Bellara has found its owner, John Cannon Homes is committed to crafting personalized residences tailored to your desires. Whether you seek to replicate its allure, or wish to customize according to your preferences, our team is dedicated to bringing your vision to life. With options to build in one of our communities, or on your own lot, we stand ready to create a home that reflects your legacy. Come explore the possibilities with John Cannon Homes, where every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed your expectations.

67 No. 5

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

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

Serving the Sarasota area for over 50 years

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

Publisher/Executive Editor H John Knowles

Strategic Partnerships

Julie A. Milton

Executive Creative Director

Darcy Kelly–Laviolette

Communications Specialist Gina Liga

Distribution Mike Straffin

Accounting Sally A. Bailey

Advertising Enquiries Paul McNamara

Call/Text 917.751.6506 | paul@scenesarasota.com

Sharon Castellano

Call/Text 203.984.7577 | sharon@scenesarasota.com

Contributing Writers

Julie Milton

Christy Pessemier Tom Reese Kaileia Suvannamacchia

Contributing Graphic Designer Laura Guzman

Contributing & Social Photographer Nancy Guth

Contributing Photographers

Harry Sayer Lori Sax Janet Combs 1834

CORVETTES ON THE CIRCLE CAR SHOW

Check out over 150 models of an American automotive classic. The show will include all Corvette model years from the classic 1953 C1 to the current Stingray. Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 in each generational class.

g R E C O R E A L E S TAT E

Join SMHF for its 22nd annual Golf Tournament. Proceeds support the Physician’s Endowment at SMH, which provides continuing education and the opportunity to earn new certifications and update existing credentials.

Laurel Oak Country Club | smhf.org

3

Dick Vitale Gala

This year’s honorees will be Derek Jeter, Jeff Gordon and Rick Barnes. Organized by Mary Kenealy Events. Each ticket sold in the raffle benefits Dick Vitale Pediatric Research Fund at the V Foundation.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | v.org

SCIENTIST

RESEARCHER

Robert and Beverly Bartner | Kathy Brown and Veronica Brady

Daniel Welch Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation | Daman and Randy Kowalski

Lorraine and Richard Schwarz Family Foundation | Diane and Dick Mayer

Barbara and Gary Rodkin | Elsa Soderberg and Libby Soderberg

Sandi Stuart and Mike Murray | Robert and Angelia Wood

DISCOVERER

Carl Battle and Charmaine Downie | Charles Perry Partners, Inc.

Gwen and Doug MacKenzie | Barbara Mei | Sandi Stuart and Mike Murray

Runway SPARCC

Thank you to all who helped make the event a huge success!

Benefiting:

RINGLING UNDERGROUND

Enjoy live music, art and atmosphere in the Ringling Courtyard. This event features an eclectic mix of local, regional and national live music as well as fine art by up-and-coming artists.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art | ringling.org

SARASOTA PRIDE: BE FABULOUS ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Formerly the Harvey Milk Festival, this celebration will be held at various locations around Sarasota, including Fogartyville Community Center, Rosemary Art & Design District, Blvd of the Arts and more. Check website for more details.

Various Locations | fabaf.org

Seasons of Sarasota

Presenting Sponsor

Darci Jacob & Vickie Smith

Event Co-chairs

4 STAR WARS NIGHT WITH THE BRADENTON MARAUDERS

Star Wars characters will make an appearance at the ballpark and the Marauders will wear Star Wars themed jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. The evening concludes with post-game fireworks.

LECOM Park Stadium | milb.com

4-5 ANNUAL SARASOTA SPRING CRAFT FAIR

A variety of jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, paintings, clothing and more, all handmade and on display at this annual event. Five Points Park | escape-to-sarasota.com

5

SIESTA KEY CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT

This private golf outing presents a unique opportunity for Chamber members and guests to play a round of golf on a private, championship-style course. Continental breakfast and awards lunch included.

Prestancia Golf and Country Club | my.siestakeychamber.com

9 SPARCC CELEBRATION LUNCHEON

This annual event celebrates the incredible results of the organization’s fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Laurel Oak Country Club | sparcc.net

12

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH AT SELBY GARDENS

Celebrate Mother’s Day and Mother Nature at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota Campus. Enjoy a delicious brunch buffet catered by Michael’s On East, and a special performance by female vocal trio The Vocalitas. Afterwards, treat Mom to a stroll through the gardens included with brunch!

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | selby.org

12

MORNING PADDLE

Start your day off right with a guided kayak tour of Sarasota Bay. Paddle across shallow seagrass beds and take in the wildlife that depends on this ecosystem Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium | mote.org

15

PAINTING WITH THE POLICE

Get creative and get to know officers from the Sarasota Police Department while you follow along with a step-by-step painting lesson. $10 per person includes painting supplies and the work of art you create. Robert L. Taylor Community Complex | sarasotapd.org

15

MOTE MARINE SEASHORE SEAFARI

AT ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Get the insider scoop on Mote research at Mote Marine Laboratory’s newest satellite campus at the Anna Maria

Island City Pier. After a guided tour of Mote’s Marine Science Education and Outreach Center, participants will take a stroll down the pier and the beach to learn about the local flora and fauna and be introduced to the rich history of Anna Maria Island.

Anna Maria Island | mote.org

18

FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE 4TH ANNUAL CELTIC FEST

Presented in partnership with the Cultural Heritage Center of Southwest Florida and the New World Celts, visitors will experience authentic Celtic musicians from all over the country.

Fisherman’s Village, Punta Gorda | fishermansvillage.com

Mark Sarasota, Inside The “Breezeway”, 107 S. Pineapple Ave. (941) 350-9992

Happy Mother's Day

TOM MAROSZ HOBBS SERIES

BABY WINGS WITH GOLD STRIPS

20

RINGLING BY THE BAY

Live music and dancing with Biz Z Band on the Bolger Campiello. Food and drinks are available for purchase.

Ringling Museum Grounds | ringling.org

25

FLAGS FOR FALLEN VETS

All are welcome to take part in Flags for Fallen Vets, which will place an American flag at each gravesite at Sarasota National Cemetery. Registration is required in advance.

Sarasota National Cemetery | flagsforfallenvets.com

25

MEMORIAL DAY 5K

SRQ Vets is hosting this year’s 5K and hike to honor the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. The hike will start at JD Hamel Park, go over the Ringling Bridge, then back to the park for an afternoon of fun that includes a cookout, music and inflatables for the kids.

JD Hamel Park | srqvets.us

25

SNOOK ADAMS KIDS DAY

Celebrate the end of the school year with the Anna Maria Privateers. Free hot dogs, pizza and drinks and lots of games, prizes and fun for kids of all ages. Holmes Beach City Field | escape-to-sarasota.com

25

FAMILY SATURDAYS AT SELBY GARDENS

The first of four monthly Family Saturday events. Kids and kids at heart will enjoy fun, art and nature on the beautiful grounds of Selby Gardens. Art-focused project stations are set up in the Children’s Rainforest area during each monthly event.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Downtown Sarasota Campus | selby.org

25

PATRIOTIC POPS AND FIREWORKS

Music Director Troy Quinn will lead the Venice Symphony in a concert of great American music, including a salute to armed forces. Joining the symphony is Liberty Voices, a world-famous a-cappella group.

CoolToday Park | tickets-center.com

26

TRIBUTE

TO HEROES BLOCK PARTY

Thousands will line Main Street in Lakewood Ranch in support of our local veterans and heroes. The annual parade features local bands, choir groups, drum lines and dance teams. Proceeds benefit the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters.

Main Street, Lakewood Ranch | lakewoodranch.com

27

PHILLIPPI ESTATE PARK ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT

Featuring the Sarasota Concert Band. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and snacks and enjoy the music.

Phillippi Estate Park Gazebo | sarasotacountyparks.com

June 1-3

THE SARASOTA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Artist showcases, Friday festivals, Saturday symphonies and more. Sarasota Orchestra is celebrating its 60th anniversary with three weeks of thrilling performances, coaching, masterclasses and recitals.

Sarasota Orchestra | sarasotaorchestra.org

June 4-5

KIDS SUMMER BEACH RUNS

The one-mile beach runs are held every Tuesday in the month of June. These fun runs are a great opportunity for families to exercise together and have fun at the beach.

Siesta Key Beach | visitsarasota.com

June 6-9

YOUTH NATIONAL ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The US Rowing Regatta features more than 3,500 rowers racing for medals in as many as 43 events. There are entries from 210 clubs across the nation.

Nathan Benderson Park| nathanbendersonpark.org

June 14

SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR

The Ringling Museum in collaboration with The Circus Arts Conservatory present the Summer Circus Spectacular. This circus highlights some of the finest circus acts from around the world.

The Historic Asolo Theater | ringling.org

pAR t Y pics

CHILDREN FIRST’S FAIRYTALE BALL

On April 6, a sold-out crowd of more than 300 guests gathered in celebration of Children First’s 24th Annual Fairytale Ball: Majesty Under the Moonlight presented by PGT Innovations. Event chairs were Hank & Phyllis Battie, Jeff & Lisa Jackson, and Keith & Adrienne Johnson. Parent Yolonda Turner was the keynote speaker and shared her story of triumph and transformation. Michael Klauber led an incredible live auction and paddle raise in support of at-risk children and families. Photos by Harry Sayer.

Frank & Katherine Martucci

Phillip Tavill

Co-chairs Keith & Adrienne Jackson, Hank & Phyllis Battie and Lisa & Jeff Jackson

Jessica Rogers

Marcy and Michael Klein with Diana Rios-Sayer

Yolanda Turner

Kathleen Coty

SMHF WOMEN & MEDICINE LUNCHEON

Approximately 420 guests attended Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s 11th annual Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon held at Michael’s on East. The program featured a panel discussion from leading lung cancer experts which primarily focused on screening options and advancing treatments that are changing the way we view and treat lung cancer in women. Over $255,000 was raised. Proceeds will help SMH continue to bring world-class healthcare to our community.

Amie J. Miller, Amy Budke & Blair Marshall

Sally Schule

Deb Kabinoff, Gail Morganroth & Marcy Klein

Gwen Mackenzie & Sandi Stuart

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS GALA

This annual scholarship fundraising event was held at Laurel Oak Country Club and was an elegant and engaging evening enjoyed by all. Both the silent and live auction bidding was lively and two cruises secured by VIP World Travel Sarasota were a live auction hit. Previous Suncoast Competition winners Matrick Thorpe, cellist, and Caleb Horner, pianist, delighted the audience with several compositions. Gala proceeds helped support the organization’s local high school Suncoast Competition held in April, the 2024 State Competition for Piano in June, and many in-school and outreach programs.

Matrick Thorpe, Caleb Horner, & Daniel Jordan

Sherrill Morse

Leiland

Daniel Jordan, Cyndi Mumm, Peter & Melody Kretzmer

HSSC PAWS IN PARIS

The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) hosted its annual fundraising luncheon, Paws in Paris, at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Area artists and retailers greeted attendees, creating “A Stroll through Paris” welcome. In the ballroom, “An Ode to Paris” greeted guests including a vocal performance of “La Vie en Rose,” cancan dancers, an accordian player, and dancing mimes. Speakers included HSSC executive director Anna Gonce, HSSC board president Janet Boyden, Paws in Paris event co-chairs Donna Koffman and Daria Fairchild, 2024 HSSC Founder’s Award Winner Caryn Wilbraham, Bill Buckingham and Sarasota Scene publisher John Knowles. $311,000 was raised at the event to support HSSC’s lifesaving mission and no-kill shelter. Photos by Lori Sax.

Daria Fairchild & Donna Koffman

Bill Buckingham, Janet Boyden & John Knowles

Hank Foster, Bill Murphy & Melinda Foster

SPAF TRANSFORMATION GALA

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation recently held its annual Transformation Gala with 300 guests attending the gala dinner followed by a Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall performance by Tony and Emmy-Award-winning artist Kristin Chenoweth. The gala raised $1.5 million and was the most successful fundraising event in the organization’s history. Contributions will help fund SPAF’s mission to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance its education initiatives, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts. Photos by Nancy Guth.

Donna Turner & Larry Genkin

Lolanda Goodfellow, June Saltzman & Pamela Reilly

Donna Santos, Mary Bensel & Lynn Singleton

Mike McDonagh, Andrew Mahoney, John Krenicki, Bill Krugler & Mike Gervasi

SARASOTA-MANATEE ORIGINALS’ SET THE BAR

Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ Set the Bar Cocktail Competition brought festive fun to Ed Smith Stadium. Over 500 people enjoyed sunshine, delicious cocktails, and friendly competition. Twenty five mixologists showcased their talents, vying for top honors from expert judges and the crowd’s “People’s Choice” vote. It was a celebration of creativity and Sarasota-Manatee’s vibrant independent restaurant scene.

Denise Nerland & Kelly Dungan of Dorals

Liza Kubik, Caryn Hodge, Darcy Kelly-Laviolette & Evan Csulik

George McCormick of Pops Sunset Grill

Joe Farrell

Andrew Cruz, McKenzie Downer, Jen Roden, Caroline Follos, & Emily Hendrickson of Fins at Sharkys

Michelle Bundy,A nn Karwoski, Jessica Blagson, Linda Bair & Alyssa Simons of Children First

Cristal Hernandez of Mi Pueblo

HERMITAGE GREENFIELD PRIZE CELEBRATION

This annual celebration, which honored Hermitage Greenfield Prize winner playwright and theater maker Deepa Purohit, raised more than $300,000 in support of the Hermitage’s mission. Special live performances and appearances included Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Awardwinning star Rachel Bay Jones, Broadway performer Randy Redd, singer and composer Kavita Shah, and a world premiere concert by 2022 HGP winner Angélica Negrón. The event was co-chaired by Pauline Wamsler and Stephanie & Gene Jones. Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg served as master of ceremonies and announced that Asolo Repertory Theatre will be the presenting partner for the first public presentation of Deepa Purohit’s commission in Sarasota in 2026.

Roxie Jerde

Esther Smith & Mark Smith

Angélica Negrón

Rachel Bay Jones & Randy Redd

Pauline Wamsler, Andy Sandberg, Deepa Purohit, Stephanie Jones, & Gene Jones

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

THE EXCHANGE ANNUAL VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON

This year’s luncheon hosted at Michael’s on East was in honor of the organizations more than 260 volunteers.  The event featured great food, friendship, tons of gratitude and a rowdy game of bingo.  Each of the 12 winners received a $200 gift card to either Pietro’s, Michael’s on East, or Fleming’s restaurant.  The “Rhoade Family Charitable Fund” donated the gift cards in memory of Kathy Rhoade, a muchloved volunteer and employee of The Exchange.

Addison & Maureen Williams

Kathleen Schulte, Jody Hulse & Patty Hysell

Patti Hall & Suzy Fink

Alan Clark & Judy Ferrell

Stacey Clark & Patricia Klump

Nancy & Tom Pollack

Flo Boland & Yvonne Schweitzer

SECOND HEART HOMES “HANDS UP FOR HOMES”

Second Heart Homes and Art Avenue hosted the 3rd annual Hands Up for Homes art auction with around 150 people coming together to raise over $80,000 in support of Second Heart Homes’s housing and support needs to help the homeless and those with mental illness. The event was sponsored by Art Avenue, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Sandbox Financial Partners and Tsunami Sushi. Jack Dowd was the featured artist with one of his works selling for $50,000 in the paddle raise which was then donated back. Second Heart Homes also announced the opening of its 10th home, which increases its capacity to help 62 adults with mental illness get off the streets.

Kathy Moore & Megan Howell

Diane Weaver & Dave Zaccardelli

Ingrid Bens & Joe Palmerio

Paul Sykes & Gigi Sanchez

SARASOTA SISTER CITY CELEBRATION

The mayor of Sarasota sister city Dunfermline, Scotland, Jim Leishman, wore the official tartan kilt of Dunfermline in downtown Sarasota and stopped traffic everywhere he went. The tartan that he wore was the winning entry by a 15-year-old student in the City of Dunfermline official tartan competition. Sarasota mayor Liz Alpert, donning the official Sarasota Dunfermline tartan sash, welcomed Mayor Leishman to City Hall to commemorate and reaffirm our 22 years of partnership of citizen diplomacy. After an exchange of gifts, a Proclamation in honor of Dunfermline was read aloud by Mayor Alpert with the hope that both cities will continue to foster peaceful exchanges between its citizens. Photos by Harry Sayer.

Dumferline Mayor Jim Leishman, Mayor Liz Alpert, Sister Cities president Diana Friedman & City Manager Marlon Brown

SELBY GARDENS’ SPRING 2024 LUNCH IN THE GARDENS

Chaired by Nikki Sedacca & Montana Taplinger, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Lunch in the Gardens series features engaging speakers with interactive elements during a delightful lunch in an unforgettable bayfront setting at the Downtown Sarasota campus. Proceeds support Selby Gardens’ community education programs, international research, conservation, and beautiful world-class horticulture displays. Photos by Janet Combs.

Ashley Jimenez, Zelia Trueb & Gina Ellis

Rob & Jennifer Rominiecki

Nikki Sedacca & Montana Taplinger

Marjorie Floyd, Audrey Robbins, Katherine Martucci & Caroline Amory

the find

By Gina Liga

1. PRETTY FARM GIRL SKINCARE

Pretty Farm Girl Skincare products are handmade with the freshest organic ingredients to support your skin’s natural beauty without harsh chemicals. Locally made with love in Myakka City.

Mae Reid Mercantile | @maereidmercantile

2. CHEESE BOX TO GO

Grab your Mom and a fancy cheese box from Sarasota’s Artisan Cheese Company and head to the park for a relaxing picnic. Or just chill on the couch and watch a movie. The Ultimate comes with 5 cheeses, 2 meats, crackers, pickles, fruits, veg, fig jam, honey and mustard. Serves 2-4..

$65 | Artisan Cheese Company | artisancheesecompany.com

3. SWEET PEACH SORBET ROSE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT

There’s nothing sweeter than this striking bouquet! Vibrant hues of orange and pink will get her excited for sunny summer days ahead. Includes vase, eucalyptus, pink and orange roses, Kahala roses and dusty miller. Suncoast Florist offers same-day delivery for last minute gift giving.

$70-$100 | Suncoast Florist | suncoastfloristry.com

4. MACKENZIE-CHILDS PILLOW

Sure to brighten up mom’s living or bed room, this 3 dimensional appliquéd and embroidered pillow from MacKenzie-Childs measures 20” x 20”.

Shelly’s Gift and Christmas Boutique | $192 | shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com

5. LAVENDER STARFISH BOGG BAG

Give her the gift of a stylish, durable tote for summer that’s spacious enough to store all of her beach and pool essentials and cute enough to turn heads. Comes with a set of two insert bags to keep things organized. Add a starfish charm to make it even cuter!

The Paper Store UTC | thepaperstore.com

6. HANDMADE JEWELRY

Help mom sparkle and shine with handmade jewelry from Boca Boutique. Collections come in a variety of styles and materials, including beaded, gold, sterling silver, and more. Boca Boutique | Prices Vary | bocaboutiquesrq.com

All Hands on Deck!

for All Faiths Food Bank’s

Campaign Against Summer Hunger

By Tom Reese • Photo by Nancy Guth

Over 40,000 children in Sarasota and DeSoto counties will not have sufficient food this summer break. All Faiths Food Bank is determined to change that and provide the community with the necessary resources to keep these children fed properly while they don’t have access to meals they would typically have at school.

Many families in our community are struggling to put food on the table on a daily basis and rely on free or reduced meals at school for nutritious meals for their children. Having all the kids home for the summer exacerbates the issue and creates a massive need for community intervention.

In addition to the high cost of living and growing inflation, Florida has recently opted out of the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program, which would have provided $250 million in funding to help families in need buy food this summer. This makes All Faiths Food Bank’s campaign even more necessary than it already was.

Every year from April 1 - May 15, All Faiths Food Bank raises funds through its Campaign Against Summer Hunger with help from partner organizations and various other summer programs such as mobile food pantries. Donations are matched dollar for dollar by the generosity from lead investors like Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

The campaign kicked off on March 24 at Nathan Benderson Park where the annual Walk to End Summer Hunger took place. The event was sold out and it included the option of participating in a 1 mile fun walk or a 5K walk to raise awareness and funds. Lead investors pledged at least $1 million to the campaign.

In 2023’s campaign, over $2 million was raised and over 38,000 children were fed throughout the summer as a result of those funds. Since the inception of the

campaign in 2014, over $16 million in donations have been accumulated as a direct result of the Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

While the current focus of donations and resources are going toward the Campaign Against Summer Hunger, All Faiths Food Bank works around the clock all year long through various other programs and strategies to provide for those in need of nutritious meals. All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties that works directly through Feeding America and Feeding Florida.

According to United Way of Florida’s 2023 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) study, 45 percent of households in Florida were below the threshold and could not afford basic needs such as housing, childcare, food, health care, and transportation. The ALICE population represents those among us who are working, but due to

childcare costs, transportation challenges, high cost of living, and so much more, are living paycheck to paycheck.

“We recognize that while we are reaching 67,000 of our neighbors in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, there is still a huge meal gap in our area,” says Nelle Miller, President and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank. “We are currently reaching only about a third of the people that we could be reaching who may have hunger issues. What we are really focusing on now is how we get into parts of our communities that we haven’t been able to before.”

All Faiths Food Bank is currently hard at work on its newlyimplemented five-year strategic plan for 2024 by forming collaborations and talking to potential partners throughout the area to identify what the best method for delivery of resources could be. There is a lot of research involved into finding out where the needs of the community may lie both geographically and culturally. The data gathered will

“We wouldn’t be able to feed anyone without the volunteers and bodies physically passing out the food. Nothing is too small, everyone has a piece of this and we couldn’t do this without the help of our community.”

help to efficiently distribute meals and reach an even larger demographic than All Faiths currently reaches.

Adequate warehouse storage space is another obstacle in the way of the organization’s goal of providing food to those in need. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 resulted in a drastic increase in the amount of food needed to achieve goals. With warehouse space quickly filling, a temporary solution to storing food was found in renting large coolers to place outside the facility to properly store everything. As All Faiths continues to grow and serve more community members, the need for new infrastructure continues to grow.

The need for individuals to volunteer is also a pressing issue All Faiths Food Bank constantly faces. Over 3,000 volunteers log over 50,000 hours each year to help with various tasks like passing out meals, storing and sorting food, and fundraising efforts.

“I’m so proud of the work we do and I couldn’t ask to work with a better group of people,” says Denise Cotler, Chief Development Officer. “I challenge everyone to get that same feeling by helping us. We wouldn’t be able to feed anyone without the volunteers and bodies physically passing out the food. Nothing is too small, everyone has a piece of this and we couldn’t do this without the help of our community.”

Traditionally, a lot of people may think that physical donations in the form of cans or non-perishable items

are the best way to donate to food banks. However, monetary contributions can actually be stretched out in a much more efficient manner.

“While we appreciate any help or donation, when someone gives us a dollar, we have the buying power through Feeding America and 200 other food banks to make that dollar stretch further. In addition, it allows us to purchase culturally appropriate items and healthy produce that our neighbors need and want,” says Cotler.

“In my opinion, when we are born we have inalienable rights to food, water, and air,” says Miller. “There is enough food on this planet to feed everyone, but there is a massive distribution problem, among other things. If we are not feeding people properly, it’s harder for them to be healthy, to be educated, to find a job, to do everything. To me, there is nothing more important than making sure that everyone has equity in food and that nobody goes hungry.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION on contributing to All Faiths Food Bank’s Campaign Against Summer Hunger and having your donation matched dollar for dollar, visit www.allfaithsfoodbank.org/campaignagainstsummerhunger.

If you are interested in volunteering your time or contributing in other ways, please visit www.allfaithsfoodbank.org/volunteer/ or contact them at info@allfaithsfoodbank.org or 941-379-6333.

Paws Committee:

Janet Boyden, Jennifer Douglas, Lisa Eldridge, Daria Fairchild, Sonia Gibson, Anna Gonce, Eve Gonzalez, Cheryl Goss, Jenny Hamner, Alisa Heedy, Hannah Howard, Elizabeth Joiner, Teresa Jones, Tammy Karp, Donna Koffman, Mark Kowalski, Jaime Limoges, Michelle Matson, Marty Piatt, Michele Royals, Autumn Steiner, Caryn Wilbraham, Rachael Zucker

Humane Society of Sarasota County Founder’s Award

Caryn Wilbraham

Event Co-Chairs

Donna Koffman & Daria Fairchild

puppy love Sponsors

Smitten kitten sponsors

Contributed Photo

Humane Society of Sarasota County Spirit of Paws

Jody Mayo

Best Dressed (Individual)

Charlie Ann Syprett

Akuwa Solutions Group

Beneva Flowers, Plantscapes, Weddings & Events

Gray Photography Art & Design

KindVet of Sarasota Urgent Care

Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A.

Cori S. Hvideberg, DMD

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

The Foster Family

Hank & Melinda Foster

Strata Research Truist

pawtron sponsors

underwriters

Arthur S. Karp Family Foundation | Bayside Pet Resort

Beneva Flowers, Plantscapes, Weddings & Events

CCAV Event Productions & Rentals | June Simmons Jewelry

Alan Jay Automotive Network | Daria Fairchild | Elizabeth Kelly

Gray Photography Art & Design | Friends of Jody Mayo

International Diamond Center | Janet Boyden/ Premier

Sotheby’s International Realty & Marlow Med Aesthetics

Kimberly Tocci (In Memory of Ginger) | Melinda Foster

Sarasota Scene Magazine | The Gold & Diamond Source

SpeedPro Affinity Solutions | Synovus | The Old Salty Dog

TheWineToBuy.com/ Mitch & Deb Soffer | TPC Prestancia

Williams Parker Attorneys at Law

Photo by Harry Sayer

Photo by Harry Sayer

Photo by Gray Photography

Photo by Harry Sayer

dr. miChael around towN

B y julie milton

Sporting a natty sea captain’s beard, the man at the helm of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium not only looks like he came right out of central casting, but he is the perfect choice to steer what is a vitally important global ark of marine science and technology.

Dr. Michael Crosby has worked tirelessly and successfully for more than a decade to expand and solidify Mote’s role as a global leader of science, leading the best and brightest minds in marine science and engineering to solve the major challenges of our oceans and coastal ecosystems. His goal is for Southwest Florida to soon be the Silicon Valley of Science & Technology, and he needs the generosity of many to push the frontiers of marine science and achieve his vision.

We are thankful Dr. Crosby graciously agreed to take time from his busy schedule to answer our questions, so please, dive in!

You are celebrating your 11th year as Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium President & CEO, and your 14th year with the organization. With so many diverse research projects and educational programs at Mote under your leadership, please share what you believe are the top three most important and why. I am deeply honored and privileged to serve as the President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. The most important facet of Mote is not its diverse research projects and educational programs, although they are so impactful in addressing the need for enhancing the levels of ocean literary amongst the public and addressing so many of the grand challenges facing our oceans. Rather, it is the people who I am blessed to work with and have as part of the Mote family culture. Together, the Mote family of trustees, staff, volunteers, and members have indeed grown Mote into a global powerhouse of diverse and innovative marine research and science education that is focused on rescuing, restoring, conserving, and sustainably using the species and habitats of our shared ocean and coastal ecosystems. Each person in our Mote family shares a passion for and contributes uniquely to furthering Mote’s vital mission and goals. Just as it would be impossible for a father to choose one of his children over another, it is not possible for me to select a “top three” from 27 diverse research programs, nine centers of excellence or over 60 science education

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programs. I am equally proud of the people and impacts of them all. It’s through the collective efforts of all our dedicated scientists, educators, and supporters that Mote continues to make meaningful strides in better understanding and protecting our marine and coastal ecosystems.

Mote is the number one revenue-generating cultural nonprofit in our region with eight operational campuses from Tampa Bay to Key West and a ninth campus under construction (Mote SEA), over 40 PhD-level scientists, more than 300 staff members, 1,300 volunteers, and 10,000 members. What are the complexities and rewards of running such a large and diverse operation? WI am proud that Mote was recently named the #1 revenuegenerating cultural nonprofit in the entire Tampa Bay region, as it reflects the dedication, passion, and impact of our entire Mote family. My job is to help provide a vision, support, and encouragement to everyone across incredibly diverse, energetic, and complex programs, project and initiatives that cohesively are the essential components of one of the most unique and impactful independent marine research, science education and public outreach enterprises in the world. Successfully attracting and nurturing some of the best minds in marine science, technology, education, and animal husbandry who come from diverse perspectives and backgrounds

to join in furthering the mission of Mote is rewarding. Delegating responsibility and empowering the individual creativity of our staff across and amongst our broad suite of programs that are part of a broader shared mission helps build a synergy that produces impacts far beyond what single isolated projects can achieve. It sparks creativity, fosters innovation, and enriches culture, ultimately deepening society’s understanding of the world’s oceans. Collaboration across multiple campuses further cultivates that synergy, which enhances research endeavors and educational initiatives. As a result, Mote makes substantial contributions to scientific progress, conservation efforts, and community engagement, leaving a tangible mark on both local and global scales.

While I now spend far more time enabling others to do great science, I am rewarded by living vicariously through their successes. However, there is one research activity I insist on making sure I actively engage each year and that is also one of the most rewarding professional experiences for me – joining with the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge (CWVC) in our annual dive operations coral restoration mission. The men and women of the CWVC are patriots who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we all enjoy in this country. I consider it an honor and privilege to be a part of their new mission in restoring coral reefs with Mote. It also provides me great joy to be able to facilitate the

additional engagement of SCUBAnauts International with our Mote-CWVC restoration effort each year. This next generation of 12-18-year-olds gains informal science education through underwater exploration and gain such great insights to live by being part of this collaboration with our CWVC. Together, through this very special component of Mote’s Coral Reef Research and Restoration Program, we are deploying sciencebased strategies to restore depleted coral reefs in our lifetime and achieve so much more.

Mote’s ninth campus, Mote SEA (Science Education Aquarium), is being built in Nathan Benderson Park just off I-75 between Sarasota and Manatee. It will become Mote’s new public aquarium and the current aquarium on City Island will become an enhanced international research park. Please give us an update on Mote SEA and what it means for our area and beyond. Mote SEA will embody Mote’s vision of Oceans for All, doubling the number of visitors whose lives are enriched by marine science each year and providing no-cost opportunities for 70,000 students from Sarasota and Manatee County schools to utilize specialized STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teaching labs to ensure that every child has hands-on marine science and technology experiential learning opportunities.

Mote SEA will not just deepen students’ education—it will also help bridge gaps between education and careers through four Workforce Development Labs on the second and third floors: the Aquaculture and Fisheries Lab, Conservation Lab, Coral Lab, and Veterinary Clinic and Diagnostic Center.

In these labs, interns and program participants including high schoolers, undergraduate and graduate students will gain technical skills, hands-on research experience, and careerbuilding networking opportunities by working alongside Mote scientist mentors on their ongoing projects.

The rebirth of Mote’s public aquarium as a Science Education Aquarium on the mainland will significantly amplify our ability to provide science education and enhanced levels of ocean literacy to a much larger and more diverse population throughout Florida and from around the world. Mote SEA will be a highly visible gateway to our community that will ensure ‘Oceans for All’ for our teachers, our children, and the next generation of leaders in marine science and technology.

It is anticipated that the certificate of occupancy (C.O.)—a formal approval from Sarasota County certifying that Mote SEA meets all required construction requirements and is safe for occupation— will be applied for in late summer 2024 and with Mote SEA set to open in Winter 2024, it’s an exciting time for our community as we look forward to this amazing addition to our community and beyond.

Now a question top of mind for many in our area—red tide. At its Red Tide Institute, Mote has been working on ways to lessen harmful red tide (algal) blooms. Please tell us about the progress, what we may expect, and ways we can help. Mote’s Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative has been leading innovative solutions to mitigating harmful red tide blooms, a pressing concern for Gulf of Mexico coastal communities, since its inception in 2019.

Through the Initiative, Mote developed a multi-tiered process to safely develop and test mitigation tools and technologies taking proposals from literature research or lab-based work, to incrementally larger tank-based research testing to ensure no harm to non-target species of fish, crustacean and other invertebrates, to eventual field testing, all while considering regulatory compliance and numerous commercialization challenges for actual use.

Since the inception of the Initiative, Mote has examined well over 300 compounds and devices and more than 35 projects have been completed or are underway. Mote has guided the science while

also assisting with ten separate federal and state agency regulatory requirements, aligning aerial, submerged, vessel, and shoreline deployment technologies, and beginning the commercialization connections to public and private entities for field testing.

The goal for 2024 is to complete all mesocosm and raceway testing, secure all regulatory approvals and field testing, and guide commercialization.

Securing research grants and philanthropic support for marine research and education is vital. For research grants, how is Mote faring and how competitive is it to secure important research grants? Mote is first and foremost a global research enterprise, but with a much bigger purpose than simply applying for and being awarded grants and writing peer-review publications for science journals. We seek to also translate and transfer our research to address many of the grand challenges our ocean and coastal ecosystems are facing, to serve as the foundation for expanding a sciencebased economy, to improve the quality of life in our communities, and to enhance the overall level of ocean literacy across the broader public.

Over half of Mote’s approximately $38 million FY2024 annual operating budget results from our scientists securing competitive research and technology development grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements from various funding agencies.As a completely independent, nonprofit non-government institution, and unlike government research agencies and universities, Mote has no guaranteed state or federal funding for operations and no guaranteed or tenured staff positions. In addition, most government research funding agencies tend to view paradigm challenging ideas as high risk, while at Mote we instead have the strong culture of viewing such ideas as visionary and potentially transformative in nature. Therefore, philanthropy will always be the vital fuel for Mote innovation that allows us to continually challenge existing paradigms of marine science and technology. Philanthropy provides Mote with the independence, freedom and strength that enable us to take a vision and make it reality.

When it comes to local philanthropic support, Mote has some of the most recognized local philanthropists as passionate supporters. For new people moving here, please share why it is so important to become a Mote supporter for today, tomorrow and for generations to come. We truly and deeply value the philanthropic support we receive from our community, and without that support Mote would not have been named the #1 revenue-generating cultural nonprofit in the entire Tampa Bay region. Becoming a Mote supporter holds immense significance for newcomers and longtime residents alike. The oceans are fundamental to sustaining life, providing vital resources, and regulating our climate. By supporting Mote, individuals directly contribute to advancing research-based solutions aimed at preserving and restoring our oceans. From ensuring marine biodiversity to addressing pressing environmental challenges, such as red tide, coral disease, and the recent unusual mortality event of the endangered smalltooth sawfish in the Florida Keys, Mote’s efforts have far-reaching impacts on our planet’s health and resilience. By supporting Mote, donors join a legacy of stewardship, safeguarding our oceans for present and future generations to enjoy and benefit from.

There are always special things happening for children at Mote Aquarium. What are some of the summer fun options this year? Mote hosts an array of exciting summer options for children. Kids can dive into the wonders of the ocean through Mote Camps, which feature a range of engaging themes suitable for campers from kindergarten to 8th grade. From exploring marine life to hands-on activities, these camps offer a unique blend of education and adventure.

Additionally, younger children aged 2 to 5 can participate in the monthly Shark Pups & Grownups programs. In these programs, they embark on ocean-themed adventures alongside their favorite adult, creating unforgettable memories while learning about marine ecosystems.

Mote also offers the Summer High School Volunteer Program (SHSVP) for students passionate about marine science and education. Open to current high school students or those entering high school in the upcoming year, this program provides an opportunity to earn service hour credits required for graduation while serving as Aquarium Guides, interpreting exhibits to guests.

Collaboration with other local nonprofits has been important for Mote. Please tell us about the special initiative underway between Mote, Selby Gardens, and Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast have entered the third phase of Project Nature

Bridge, an initiative to increase environmental literacy and increase appreciation and use of nature by the underrepresented and underserved area youth. It is funded by the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation. Since 2018 this project has fostered transformative experiences in local youth through education and hands-on experiences. Mote and our partners provide expertise, guidance, additional training, and support in developing and implementing naturefocused programming. This approach is rooted in the research-supported idea that individuals who are not already strongly connected to nature view it as unsafe, uncomfortable, and not enjoyable. By creating positive nature experiences in a hyperlocal context, youth participants will understand that nature is all around and not something you have to go to, resulting in more relevancy and a sense of belonging.

What is your dream for Mote 50 years from now? From our base of operations right here on Florida’s Gulf Coast, we now conduct research and engage in partnerships in all the world’s oceans. Over the last decade, Mote has achieved dramatic growth and impact with our national and internationally respected innovative research, experiential science education and public outreach. When we open the doors to Mote SEA in less than a year, we are transitioning into a new era of Mote’s globally significant marine research, science education and public outreach. Our focus as we enter this new era next year will be to initiate the evolution of Mote’s City Island research

campus into a state-of-the-art, International Marine Science & Technology Innovation Park by adding or renovating 60,000 square feet of research infrastructure to our existing 40,000 square feet already existing on this campus. This will expand our global leadership in challenging existing paradigms of science to develop solutions for addressing grand challenges our oceans and coastal ecosystems are facing by attracting and nurturing the next generation of the best and brightest entrepreneurial minds in science, engineering, and innovations from Florida and around the world. Achieving this vision will have Mote becoming the catalyst in the next decade and beyond for the evolution of Southwest Florida into a Silicon Valley of Science & Technology through expansion of innovation opportunities for transitioning intellectual property to fuel environmentally sustainable economic growth and improve quality of life in our communities.

Mote is pushing forward the frontiers of marine science and technology to positively impact the restoration, conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats, and natural resources in Florida and around the world –and with the continued support of our community, we will continue to do so for the next 50 years.

When you are not at Mote, what are some of your other interests? Even when I am not at Mote, I am never not always working to further the mission of Mote. However, I am truly blessed to have a beautiful loving wife of 41 years who makes me happiest when she smiles at me, and who gave me the best gift possible when she gave birth to our daughter, who in turn with her husband brought our wonderful grandson into this world, and I am so looking forward to having our grandson attend his first Mote summer camp later this year. My selfish pleasures are working up a sweat doing yardwork at home on a hot day, then relaxing in the evening by smoking a large La Gloria Cubana Serie R maduro wrapper cigar accompanied by a generous pour of straight bourbon, a pint of Guinness and/or a Finhead Lager while I grill a steak or fish on an old-school charcoal grill. I am at absolute peace when diving on a coral reef with perfect buoyancy so as to become one with the ocean while observing the behavior of a pair of obligate corallivore butterflyfish and a humpback whale sings off in the distance just beyond site.

Whether planning a wedding or a corporate event, The Ora is the place to be. With versatile spaces to choose from, including one of the largest ballrooms in the region, you will find the perfect space to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

For more information on Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, please visit mote.org.

A Triumphant Trio Leading the Way in New Construction Luxury Homes

By Tom Reese

The real estate industry is constantly evolving. As trends disappear as quickly as they originated, it’s difficult to build exciting new homes that stand the test of time. However, the Sarasota trio of real estate developer Elizabeth Seymour, homebuilder Mike Bachman and real estate advisors Andrew Tanner and Natalie Laughlin Tanner with the Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, are determined to leave their mark on the community for the next generation.

After being introduced by industry friends in 2020, Elizabeth and Mike quickly realized their unique sets of skills and ambition were a perfect match for developing and designing eye-catching luxury homes in the hottest neighborhoods of Sarasota county.

Mike is the proud owner of Elegant Custom Homes, and has been an expert at building remarkable houses in Florida for over 20 years. When Elizabeth met Mike, she was still in the early stages of her career as a real estate developer. After

brainstorming ideas and finding the capital for their first project together, they got to work.

“We found a really gorgeous home site in Arlington Park, an area that is very hot right now,” says Mike. “Everyone is moving there, the neighborhood is transforming rapidly, and the homes being built are absolutely stunning.”

“East of Trail is a very desirable location undergoing an extreme makeover as professionals who want to live close to work, schools and recreation demand bigger and better homes,” explains Andrew. “In the last year, 11 new construction homes sold in Arlington Park ranging from $1M to $2.9M. Currently, there are 34 new construction homes for sale ranging from $1.5M to $3.5M.”

As the project continued to gather steam, Mike and Elizabeth continued to form chemistry as business partners. They found

PHOTO BY PIX360

themselves to be a great fit both professionally and socially, as they both derive from Eastern European descent and tend to cut right to the chase when communicating and making decisions. They both want to leave a lasting impact on the community.

“While we’re in this for a return and to make money, we also want to build something that’s nice for the community,” says Mike. “Something that stands out. Something that’s a little bit better than what everyone else is doing. We want to build somebody a home that means something to them and will look good in the area for quite some time.”

Their first project in Arlington Park was sold before it was even constructed. The immediate success and profit fueled their second project, which both of them consider to be their masterpiece.

Located in McClellan Park, just north of Siesta Key, this breathtaking classic contemporary house was built on a double lot. The home features 3,894 square feet of living space across 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms with a timeless aesthetic inside and out. It was during this project that Andrew first partnered with Elizabeth. He sold it for $3.55 million before it even went on the market.

“We want to build somebody a home that means something to them and will look good in the area for quite some time.”

The original house on the property was built in 1940 and had served its purpose. Elizabeth bought the property, and together they tore the house down, and started from scratch. With the help of esteemed architect Wayne Visbeen, they created one of the most visually attractive homes in the area and blended it in perfectly with its surrounding trees and landscaping.

Their latest project is currently on the market for $1.85 million and is located just north of Arlington Park on Pelican Drive. While construction is not yet complete, the bones of the home are established and it is already catching the eye of potential buyers with its unique and elegant architecture.

The 4/2.5 house shows off a timeless contemporary style defined by a classic approach to luxurious simplicity throughout its 2,691 square feet. It features an ultra-stylish metal roof that provides a unique sculptural presence and a grand open floor plan with high ceilings. Quality construction includes concrete block exterior, standing-seam metal roof, oak wood flooring, impact glass windows and sliding glass doors, solid-wood cabinets with dovetail joinery. Luxury finishes include quartz countertops, kitchen island with waterfall quartz detail, 48” induction double oven, contemporary lighting, and linear fireplace with board-and-batten accent wall.

“We worked very closely with Wayne Visbeen on this project and he really wanted to design this home to blend in with the rapidly evolving neighborhood and not stick out like a sore thumb, but certainly catch the eye of anyone

PHOTO BY PIX360

PHOTO BY PIX360

driving by. Decades from now this house will still be in style and everyone will love it,” says Elizabeth.

Mike explained that a lot of their decision making regarding the layout and design of the homes they build go toward making sure it fits the needs of every type of potential buyer. Whether you’re a first time home buyer, starting a family, or even settling down as empty nesters, this home and its layout will fit the lifestyle needs of everyone.

“The homes being built by Elizabeth and Mike strike the perfect balance between classic design and contemporary living,” says Andrew. “Although new to the neighborhood, they look like they have gracefully evolved over the years. Buyers love that.”

A major aspect that goes into the design and budget of their home building is sustainability. When Elizabeth and Mike make decisions on various things such as appliances, flooring, and finishes, they don’t cut corners.

“While we do our best to save money on certain aspects, we always make room in our budget for the best possible products,” says Elizabeth. “We only use Viking appliances, we choose flooring, granite, and quartz meant to last. We believe in extending the budget for the fundamental aspects of the house to be the best of the best, both inside and out.”

Their extreme attention to detail and planning for the future is a big reason the two have had such success in their early projects.

“Our main objective when building these homes is creating something that is currently tasteful and will still be tasteful

20-30 years from now. We try not to duplicate or keep up with trends, but make safe, elegant choices that last,” says Elizabeth.

“There are a lot of trends and designs that people get very excited for and you tend to see all over TV and in magazines, but two years later, they disappear,” says Mike. “Our style choices are refined. It’s not that they are neutral or conservative, they’re just the right selections. We know that people are going to bring their own flair to the home, whether it’s through accent pillows or walls, so we make sure we make smart decisions that appeal to everyone across the spectrum.”

Mike and Elizabeth have high praise for their new partner, Andrew, and the Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. Despite only connecting professionally in the Fall of 2023, Andrew and his team quickly became an integral part of what Mike and Elizabeth are trying to accomplish.

“They are incredibly knowledgeable and bring years of experience to the table for us as agents, but they’re also a big inspiration for our creativity. It’s easy to pick their brain and get their opinions on design. They really help with the overall process of home building for us and have a clear understanding of what buyers want.”

The team will continue to be opportunistic and expand their projects to new neighborhoods, but they aren’t going to try to take on too much at once. Their goal is to continue working on one or two projects a year and to do them right with the most attention to detail possible. With the addition of Natalie and Andrew to the team, the four individuals are set to leave their legacy on the Sarasota community for quite some time.

2345 PELICAN DRIVE. RENDERING BY WAYNE VISBEEN.

HOT POCKETS

by christy pessemier • photos courtesy of michael saunders & company

Florida’s Suncoast, including Sarasota and its surrounding areas, are known for having something for every age group. The area continues to rank in top ten lists for places to live and retire in Florida and the U.S. In fact, if you had a checklist of the top things to look for, our region would easily check off every box.

With a thriving art scene, a wide variety of cuisines and dining options, awardwinning beaches, a strong focus on conservation and community, and top educational opportunities—this area fits the bill for all ages and personality types. So, it’s no surprise that the moving trucks keep coming, and even after a challenging market in 2023, our real estate scene continues to draw throngs of newcomers from all over the United States.

According to Michael Saunders, Founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company, people relocating here are often surprised at the variety of options available to them along the Suncoast.

“Many people from out of state are coming from places where there’s not much available land,” Saunders said. “And they’re amazed to know what’s available here—particularly new construction.”

She says the region has much to offer with “incredible communities” and points out that the real estate market here has picked up with more activity since last year.

“What’s different here than other parts of the country is that we now have inventory,” Saunders said. “And we’ve had a real uptick in people looking and making decisions.”

Wellen Park, Venice

According to Saunders, one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Sarasota County right now is Wellen Park, an 11,000-acre mixed-use community that includes 7,000 acres of undeveloped land. Wellen Park’s downtown weaves in shopping and dining with single-family homes and condos. Apartment complexes, an assisted living facility, hotel accommodations, walking trails and pedestrian-friendly streets are all included as part of the entire community’s design.

“The name Wellen Park comes from the Dutch word for wellness, and that’s very appealing to all age groups,” Saunders said. “It’s an amazing master planned community; a best-kept-secret joining Lakewood Ranch as an award-winning community.”

“They’re building a new high school, and there are miles and miles of trails. It’s just an amazing way for someone who is not from here to instantly have not only lifestyle, but access to multiple neighborhoods, amenities, and gathering spaces to get to know other residents,” she added.

“It’s an amazing master planned community; a best-kept-secret joining Lakewood Ranch as an award-winning community.”

Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in the area and has been since it first began in 1995. Formerly a cattle ranch, it’s a family-focused community now home to thousands of residents of all ages.

Like Wellen Park, Lakewood Ranch is a mixed-use community, with the appeal of a small city. Residents and visitors love the wide-open green spaces, lakes, nature, and fitness trails. It also has a small, quaint downtown area with plenty of shopping and dining, and a yearround weekly farmers market. But stay tuned because there’s much more coming to this area.

Lakewood Ranch’s motto of “Live, Work, Play,” is something many newcomers want a slice of, which is why listings move so quickly there.

“People love buying homes and condos in Lakewood Ranch where they have access to a multitude of amenities including shopping, dining, pickleball, golf, and even polo,” Saunders said. “They love being in that cocoon of having everything.”

With new villages and neighborhoods in the works, and plenty of new construction—Lakewood Ranch is slated to continue its reputation as one of the most sought-after neighborhood communities in Sarasota and Manatee counties and in the U.S.

Luxury Waterfront and Vertical High-Rise Condo Neighborhoods

“The upper end of the market, I’m happy to say, has been very active,” Saunders said. “Luxury buyers are seeking new or fully renovated properties with fine finishes, sensible floor plans, combined with outdoor living space, which is well located and properly priced. This is a very healthy market right now.”

Some of these high-demand areas are in Downtown Sarasota, Harbor Acres, Bayfront, Siesta Key, St. Armand’s Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Bird Key. Downtown Sarasota and Bayfront

“There are maybe ten new condominium buildings of different sizes working their way through city planning right now,” she commented. “The Ritz Carlton Residences, Sarasota, One Park, Rosewood Residences, and the Sota Residences are some of the newest to the market.”

Owning a condominium in Downtown Sarasota provides residents with easy access to all downtown offers, including its many theaters, museums, galleries, dining, and restaurants. The icing on the cake for most residents is being close to the water. For those who own condos with a water view, it’s an even bigger bonus.

Many of these state-of-the-art condo buildings are designed as mixed-use communities and include valet and concierge services, pool access, as well as upscale lounge, bar, and restaurant facilities.

The Barrier Islands

“The island lifestyle is still very appealing,” Saunders shared, pointing out the popularity of homes in these areas.

Though each key has its own feel and community—most residents have the benefits of easy access to beaches, tropical weather and gulf breezes, boating, watersports, and breathtaking views.

Siesta Key is consistently top ranked nationwide for its sugar sand beach. Buyers are drawn to the small-beach town feel, along with well-loved Siesta Village shops and restaurants.

Longboat Key, a barrier island separated from the mainland by Sarasota Bay, is known for its beautiful 11 miles of beaches, island-style restaurants, and luxury resorts including Longboat Key Club—which hosts golf, condos, and waterfront homes. Also opening later this year is the five-star St. Regis Longboat Key Resort which includes residences. The Key has many more popular

high-end neighborhoods. Residents appreciate the close community feel, and slower pace of life.

Sought after St. Armands Circle, on St. Armands Key, with its European style shops and famed restaurants, is just a short walk or drive to Lido Beach, on adjoining Lido Key.

Bird Key has a desirable location between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle. It’s known for its luxury waterfront homes with expansive views of Sarasota Bay.

Casey Key, with its gracious waterfront mansions, many with their own private beaches, sits on the southern end of Sarasota.

To the north is Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, another hot community that continues to draw newcomers.

Also, further to the south are several islands that hug the coastline—Manasota Key, Palm Island, and Boca Grande. The area is popular for fishing, boating, shelling, beautiful beaches, and laidback island living.

All the barrier islands offer a plethora of lifestyle choices where you can enjoy the beauty of living on an island, spend all day in your swimsuit and flip-flops, and feel right at home.

West of Trail

The West of Trail neighborhood includes homes to the West of Tamiami Trail (Route 41), along Sarasota Bay, and features a mix of home styles like historic bungalows, waterfront villas, and luxury estates. It’s known for having a charming community feel.

Residences here are some of the most sought after in Sarasota County. Newcomers are attracted to the affluent lifestyle, and easy access to downtown and Sarasota beaches.

“It’s perfect for people who want to be close to everything,” Saunders said.

Equestrian Neighborhoods

If you take a short 20 to 60 minute drive from Downtown Sarasota to East of I-75, in Sarasota and Manatee County, you’ll see a whole different world. Instead of repeated housing developments, spacious one to five acre horse farms spread throughout the open landscape. It’s almost as if you’d gone to a completely different area of the state, because it’s such a contrast to being right along the coast.

Since the 1930s this has been a draw for horse lovers wanting space and acreage for equestrian training centers and clubs, horse boarding, breeding and show, along with riding lessons.

Some horse farms properties even come with a tennis court, barn (or space to build one), and a swimming pool.

Saunders says buyers coming here from out of state are doing their homework, and they have a specific focus.

“Most buyers today are coming to us well prepared in terms of the research they’ve done,” she said. “They’re not only looking for a certain type of home, but they’re also concerned about the environment and the quality of life they have when they come here,” Saunders said.

As someone who has her finger on the pulse of the region’s real estate for nearly five decades, Saunders’ company of real estate professionals are known for finding the right neighborhood for a buyer. She says it all comes down to listening closely to what their needs and wants are. Saunders advises real estate agents to pay close attention to the lifestyle newcomers are after.

“You’ve really got to be very, very good at actively listening to what your customers want,” she said. “Do they want the attractive lifestyle of planned communities like Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park, or the luxury and proximity to everything that Downtown Sarasota and Bayfront homes and condos offer? Or do they want waterfront estates on the keys—or lovely neighborhoods like West of Trail?”

She points out that many of the home and condo sales are the result of people who moved here during Covid and bought whatever was available, but now are looking for the home that really suits their lifestyle and personality.

“We’ve been spending time with consumers who spent last year not making decisions and we’re helping them now with all the information and data they need and want,” she added.

Along with listening well and providing the data they’re looking for, Saunders says a big driving force behind the success of the market today is pricing well.

“Aspirational pricing is not getting any activity,” Saunders comments. “Properties in these neighborhoods that are priced well are selling. And now with this growing inventory we have available to us, it’s good news.”

Some other notable mentions for the most sought after neighborhoods and communities in the region are Southgate, Gulf Gate, and Arlington Park, which continue to attract buyers.

House beautiful

design trends & products for your home

By Julie Milton

the plumbing place

941.378.5678 | 5678 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

We love this store. It feels special as soon as you enter the doors. It’s 6,000 sq. ft. of the most extensive and beautiful kitchen, bath, hardware, and other special home products that will make you ooh and aah and want to change everything in your house.

Owner John Smithman brings the latest trends to his store every year. His picks for this year are the cottage/ beachy style of the Savannah vanity by James Martin Vanities; the Groovy luxury bath fixtures by Franz Viegener; and the Rupert back-to-wall freestanding tub by Oceania.

“GROOVY” LUXURY BATH FIXTURES

Franz Viegener is known for its finely crafted award-winning sculptural faucets. Its new Groovy faucet line is named for its deep grooves and aesthetically pleasing curves. The Groovy collection is a model of the brand’s expertise in precision engineering and streamlined design. It pushes the boundaries of luxury bathroom fittings, injecting a chic and sophisticated sense of style into your luxury bath. Plus, the name is groovy!

60” SAVANNAH JAMES MARTIN VANITY

Brimming with charm and shutter-style doors, this vanity is perfect if you love a cottage/ beachy feel. This elegant hand-crafted piece has a whitewashed driftwood finish, pewter drawer and door pulls, shelves for storage, and five drawers with the bottom center draw being double height for taller items. Soft close hinges and brushed aluminum line drawers complete this beauty that shouts, “Hello Florida West Coast!”

OCEANIA BACK-TO-WALL TUB

Oceania’s freestanding tubs are made of the finest materials with an emphasis on durability and aesthetics. So, what’s new in freestanding tubs? Oceania’s Rupert tub is unique because there is no space between the back wall and the tub. When a freestanding tub is placed away from the wall, it creates a space behind the tub that is hard to clean and wastes a bit of room. While it appears freestanding, this tub closes off that space and provides a ledge for the tub fixtures and for wine glasses, candles, and more.

BOCCHI NUOVA PRO FARMHOUSE SINK

Designed for easy retrofitting, the Bocchi Nuova Farmhouse short apron, super smooth surface sink fits on standard cabinets, so customizing your existing cabinets is not necessary. The unique face also hides imperfections in cuts on cabinet faces. Its design offers a workstation, the ledges on the front and rear of the sink accommodate accessories including a cutting board, roller mat and colander.

rugs as art

This store is a Sarasota treasure. It is an award-winning “superstore” with area rugs of all types, sizes, and prices plus many cool home décor products gloriously displayed in 20,000 square feet of showroom space. Please, don’t buy your rugs sight unseen. The Murse Family at Rugs as Art can get you anything you want at the best prices. Their professional and courteous staff is among the most knowledgeable and friendly in town, and you’ll be glad you ventured in. We asked Jesse Murse to tell us what’s hot this year. He was most excited about a new line of vintage inspired rugs, a new modern rug line, and one of the store’s unique home décor items.

VINTAGE STUNNER

Inspired by timeless vintage rugs, this patent pending collection recreates a vintage aesthetic and variable-pile texture using a newly invented craft process. Motifs are woven with individual threads to create the intricate design, including white cotton threads that mimic a vintage rug’s authentic wear patterns. The result is a stunning area rug with an uncanny resemblance to an antique textile. These rugs are made of polypropylene, polyester, and wool for thicker, variable texture and soft blended pile. This collection is OEKOTEX certified, ensuring its materials don’t contain harmful substances.

MODERN BEAUTY

Is modern more your taste? Influenced by the avant-garde cubism art movement, this abstract design takes form in soft geometric shapes juxtaposed with deeply saturated hues for an exciting color-block effect. Hand-knotted in luxurious silk and wool by skilled artisans, this work of art brings a sense of elegance and sophistication to any decor.

FEEL GOOD ART

In Japan, the crane is a symbol of both longevity and fortune. Cranes are one of the most popular origami creations, and they are a symbol for recovery, messages of peace and hope in Japan. This calming work is one of several interesting home décor pieces you can find at Rugs As Art. It is a 48” X 48” acrylic shadowbox work with folded paper cranes that will work beautifully with many coastal home designs.

florida design works

For over five decades, Design Works has been a leader in kitchen and bath products and home building or remodeling projects including tile, flooring, natural stone, custom cabinetry, and countertops. Their team works with homeowners, as well as builders, designers, architects, or contractors to personalize spaces that offer sophisticated functionality, contemporary trends, and the latest styles.

WOOD-LOOK PORCELAIN FLOORING

Wood-look porcelain tile flooring has become an increasingly popular choice for interior designers and homeowners alike. Blending the timeless charm of hardwood with the durability of porcelain, this flooring option offers a range of benefits that contribute to its widespread appeal.

SMART STORAGE

Designers are prioritizing intelligent storage solutions to declutter and organize kitchen spaces efficiently. From pull-out pantry shelves to customized drawer dividers, every inch of the kitchen is optimized for usability. Embracing a minimalist aesthetic, homeowners are investing in concealed storage options with customized cabinetry that seamlessly blend into the overall design, ensuring a sleek and clutter-free cooking haven.

mullet’s appliances

941.921.5531 | 4233 Clark Road, Sarasota

MIELE BUILT-IN COFFEE MAKER

Mullet’s Appliance is yet another deeply rooted Sarasota business that we love. With over 50 years of hard work and expertise in premium appliances, Mullet’s has built a strong reputation for excellence with homeowners, builders, designers, and architects throughout the greater Sarasota area. Today, the third generation is taking care of business. Scott Mullet and Kelby Hochstetler employ nearly 50 friends and neighbors in two locations—Sarasota’s original Clark Road headquarters and the showroom on Trade Center Way in Naples.  So, what products are hot trends for 2024 and beyond? Here are their picks.

There’s nothing like the aroma of freshly brewed morning coffee. This Miele built-in beauty features a large touch display with proximity sensor, individual coffee enjoyment with three bean containers for different flavor options, a fully automatic descale and cleaning feature, a cup sensor feature to pour the right amount into your cup, and the ability to brew two cups with one touch at the same time. This premium appliance provides a true taste sensation and will make having your first morning cup something you can’t live without.

SUB-ZERO 48” CLASSIC FRENCH DOOR

The Sub-Zero Group of top alliances includes Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove and Mullet’s Appliances is your local source for all three brands. These products are known for unmatched value, superior craftsmanship, innovative features, and timeless design. This 48” Classic French Door Sub-Zero refrigerator has tons of innovative features including a “Split Climate: intelligent cooling system that keeps food fresher for longer; an LED lighting system that fully illuminates the interior; a “max ice mode” to temporarily increase ice production; lots of expandable and adjustable shelf options; a night mode light option; plus its Wi-Fi enabled for convenient remote access using the Sub-Zero owner’s app. We love the look and its many options, so if you’re looking for a change, take a drive to Mullet’s and check it out!

eurotech cabinetry

941.351.6557 | 1609 Desoto Rd, Sarasota

Celebrating its 40th year in business, Eurotech Cabinetry is a premier cabinet purveyor in Sarasota. Their expansive showroom displays many different types of cabinetry, from contemporary to transitional to traditional.

CONVENIENT CABINETRY

One style that’s been trending is a bright, white kitchen with a 1” thick recessed panel door style finished in white paint.  Pictured here, this kitchen is trimmed at the top with Natural Wenge Wood display cabinetry. Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances also help make this a great working kitchen. The appliance garage conveniently hides the countertop appliances for not only a sleek look, but efficiency too. Attached to the kitchen is a custom bar with a Wenge Wood veneer countertop with a radiused solid Wenge Wood front edge.

LUXURY LIVING

Taking Design to the Next Level at Clive Daniel Home by Christy Pessemier

When you walk into Clive Daniel Home’s newly constructed massive storefront location just east of I-75 in Sarasota, you’ll see luxury and design on a whole new level—and you probably won’t want to leave for a while. With a 70,000 sq. ft. furniture showroom that’s filled with every spectrum of color, unique textures, shapes, and opulent statement pieces—the choices are endless.

“There’s so much immense care that’s taken into choosing exactly what items go into the showroom,” Sarasota Clive Daniel Home PR Specialist, Lisa Colando said. “Everything is hand selected and hand picked.”

Clive Daniel Home is not only wowing Sarasota homeowners with stunning custom design, but they’re also turning heads nationally. As the recipient of over 430 awards, Clive Daniel Home has been recently recognized as Best Furniture Store by the 34th ARTS Awards Gala. They were also recently named Best Showroom in the USA by The Collier Building Industry Association’s Sand Dollar Awards, an honor they’ve received for 11 consecutive years.

Aside from its elevated level of quality and sophistication, there’s a lot more to Clive Daniel Home than luxury furniture and decor. The company specializes in concept-to-completion design, and Clive Daniel Home has over 110 highly trained interior designers on staff throughout all their locations; something that really sets them apart. They also have a commercial and hospitality division. Repeat clients and word-of-mouth drive their growing regional and national customer base.

“Since we opened our doors, we’ve seen a huge outreach of people who are looking for the things that we offer,” Sarasota Clive Daniel Home Director of Business Development Torri Brown said. “First and foremost, we’re a luxury design firm, and our furniture showroom supports our design firm. Anyone can come to shop with us and remodel an entire home, or just one room.”

Since opening, Brown says Sarasota residents and professionals have been waiting for a company like theirs to move here.

“We have a construction division, and we have relationships with developers, builders, Realtors®, and clients in the area, and we’re very excited about that,” she added.

The timing for their new Sarasota location has worked out well. During the mass Covid migration to Florida from all over the United States, many real estate buyers purchased homes that didn’t fit the criteria they were looking for. Now, a lot of these new residents are ready to either renovate, or have purchased new homes and want to make them fit their own personal style.

“People didn’t buy homes in Florida, they bought Florida—their freedoms, the beach, and more things to do outdoors,” Brown said. “It’s great because there’s a lot of opportunity for us to reimagine these homes for people.”

The company is named for father and son duo Clive and Daniel Lubner, who immigrated here from South Africa, with a strong family background in interior design and custom carpentry. After establishing a well-respected luxury furniture and design firm in Naples, they sold that company. At that point, Daniel continued by creating Clive Daniel Home in 2011. They opened their first location, an 85,000 sq. ft. showroom in Naples, Florida, in 2012.

“I think that speaks to Daniel’s strengths. He spun it and made it stronger than it ever was before. He knows how to put a team together, and find the right people,” Sarasota Clive Daniel Home Senior Interior Designer Quentin MacDonald said. “With Clive Daniel Home, he really showed that he can take his father’s taste and spread it out and make it become more than it ever was.”

Brown agrees, pointing out that a big part of the tight-knit culture comes from the origins of the company.

“Clive and Daniel really are the American dream,” Brown says. “They came here and created this furniture company that was extremely successful.

Daniel decided to continue what his dad created for him. When you work here, you feel that family energy. We want everyone to have success, and that comes from Clive and Daniel.”

Aside from the company’s diverse offerings and ability to take on both small and large projects, their reputation is a big secret to their success.

“Personally, I was chomping at the bit for Clive Daniel to come to town. I think they are mavens in the industry, real tastemakers, and I really looked up to both of them, even before I knew they were going to be here,” MacDonald said. “I had it in my mind that I was going to work here.”

Today, the company is not only one of the leaders in luxury home design, but also commercial, and hospitality design. Their reach spans across the state with additional showrooms in Fort Myers, Boca Raton, and Naples. Clive Daniel Home also has many clients outside Florida, throughout the United States, and internationally. Their mission is to offer full-service luxury design through a large portfolio and team and to bring clients’ unique visions to life through collaboration and innovation.

Brown, MacDonald, and Colando say Daniel is very involved with all the company locations, and regularly communicates with staff.

“Clive comes to Sarasota every couple of months, and we see Daniel in the office several times a week. He’s very involved in decisions we make, leadership team meetings, and in touch with everyone,” Brown said.

According to Colando, Daniel’s French bulldog, Stella, also visits on occasion.

“There’s a video of Daniel’s son coming in with the puppy, and it’s adorable,” Colando said. “It’s Stella running through the entire space of Clive Daniel Home. But really, when you talk about Clive and Daniel and Stella and bringing the boys to work, you can kind of see how the company operates.”

Another way Clive Daniel Home stands out in a fiercely competitive industry is how well they manage each arm of their company, something that isn’t easy to do.

“That’s one of the many ways Clive Daniel is innovative. We stock everything that we show on the floor, meaning you can come and purchase an item as it shows on the floor, and we can have it delivered in seven to ten days, which is why we have this massive distribution facility in Fort Myers,” MacDonald said.

“On the other hand, we have the ability to do custom, which is a great thing,” he added. “We’re a furniture

DANIEL LUBNER

store and we’re a fully custom design firm and that’s innovative because we serve both markets. Whether you need something in a rush, or completely custom made, we got you.”

According to MacDonald, there are a lot of exciting trends in design right now and they involve moving away from a neutral color palette.

“Honestly, I’m really excited to see customers leaning into doing things that are more bold. A recent project I worked on was very bold color-wise, and I got nothing but positive reactions about it,” he commented.

He says bold color choices are going beyond just painting a wall, but moving to furniture and decor options as well.

“A few years ago, things were really streamlined with straight lines, and I think now we want a little more,” MacDonald said. We’re moving into painting with different blocks and levels of paints. Wallpaper has come back strong and there are some amazing products available. We want things that bring more joy.”

MacDonald says there’s also a demand for design that incorporates multiple layers and textures, as well as mixed metals.

In one of his recent projects, the client was a world traveler, lived in Europe, and had been curating a collection for the last 30 to 35 years.

“It was our task to make everything work together. She has beautiful furniture, but we wanted to make it feel relevant,” he said. “So we added a lot of cut goods, like drapery, window treatments, and wallpapers. And that’s one of the things I’m really proud of with working here—not every home is going to look like our showroom floor, which is beautiful, but if that’s not your style—you can get what you want.”

MacDonald said each project begins with a discovery meeting to find out what the client loves and what inspires them. Then they create the design inspiration, and final presentations. The entire process is curated to make sure the client and what they love is going to be reflected in their home.

He says projects vary in the amount of time they take. Custom residential and commercial construction builds can take one to three years. Move-in ready model homes are much quicker and usually take three days to two weeks.

A recent project, and his favorite to date, included lacquered walls and pattern on pattern design, and a

THE SHOWROOM. PHOTO BY NANCY GUTH.

level of maximalism he had never worked with before.

“I thrive when there’s a challenge. I think that’s when innovation happens,” MacDonald said.

As they continue to broaden their offerings, Brown says she’s excited about the direction Clive Daniel is going in.

New plans for growth include working with more builders and developers, including a recent partnership with Sarasota premier home builder, Sam Rodgers Homes, another strong local family-owned company with a reputation for quality and respect.

“One of the things that Sam Rodgers has done for this community is that he’s kept conservation in mind. There’s a certain amount of land that’s going to preserve trees, much more than you would usually see. We’re working on some fun stuff—biophilic design that’s bringing the outdoors in, and Q (McDonald) is heading up that project.”

With new residential and commercial developments popping up everywhere in Sarasota, and a busy real estate and home renovation market, Clive Daniel Home seems to be exactly what Sarasota needed.

What started out as a modest team of 40 at their flagship Naples store has now grown to a powerhouse team of 200 talented individuals across multiple locations.

“After Naples’s luxury market, our Sarasota numbers are second in line,” Brown said. “So that’s really impressive. We’re seeing great growth.”

THE SHOWROOM. PHOTO BY NANCY GUTH.

A L AstinG LeGAcY

When Dr. Carol Probstfeld assumed her role as President of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) in 2012, the college was still adjusting after a massive transformation as it began offering its first baccalaureate degrees just a few years prior. Since then, SCF has greatly expanded upon the various degrees and certificates offered and become a true destination for all types of students seeking undergraduate education.

Dr. Probstfeld began her career in higher education at Notre Dame College in Ohio as Vice President of Finance. When her mother became ill, she moved to California and continued a similar role at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont.

After her mother passed, Dr. Probstfeld moved to Florida to be closer to her husband’s parents. She accepted a role as Vice President of Finance and Administration at SCF in 2003. At that point, the college’s name was still Manatee Community College and its Lakewood Ranch campus had just been completed. She became well acquainted with the school and its culture as she oversaw the budgets and administrative efforts.

dr. caroL proBstfeLd retires from state coLLege of fLorida

By tom reese

Dr. Probstfeld was inaugurated as SCF’s sixth president in 2013. With her “lead by example” approach to her position, she immediately set out to get the school back on track and focused on its students.

“We had fallen a little bit behind in terms of programs we needed to be appealing to students and also responsive to the workforce,” said Dr. Probstfeld. “Our facilities had started to get a little bit older and needed updates. So we built a new library, new science buildings, and a new studio for performing arts. I wanted to update all these things so we could give our students the very best.”

Under her watch, SCF has grown to serve 14,300 credit students annually and another 11,600 noncredit participants. The college has raised over $6 million since she launched the first capital campaign for the State College of Florida Foundation, benefiting students, programs, and projects. The college has doubled the number of scholarships given to students annually. She also secured a $3.6 million job growth grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to establish a Center for Advanced Technology & Innovation at the Bradenton campus.

Dr. Probstfeld led SCF’s efforts to “Boldly Engage” its students, faculty, staff, and community partners as part of a five year “Boldy Leading Strategic Plan.” Her efforts from this plan throughout 2015-2020 resulted in several improvements and achievements, including the purchase of property for a campus in Parrish, the addition of programs to the Venice Campus, new strategic enrollment initiatives, and the creation of a Leadership Development program to mentor future College leaders. The current five year strategic plan is set to conclude in 2026, beyond the point of her retirement.

“The most important thing we can do as educators is to help students be critical thinkers and problem solvers,” says Dr. Probstfeld. “That way they will be able to do anything you want in life and reinvent themselves over

and over again. The technical skills are the easy part, it’s mastering all the rest that makes you interesting and the most flexible person you can be throughout your life.”

As she concludes the final months of her tenure as president, her main focus is securing the funding necessary to complete Phase 1 of SCF’s new campus in Parrish, Florida. They’re well on their way to completing their goal, but there is still work left to be done. She is also spending her time preparing everything necessary for her successor.

One of her favorite aspects of serving as president was being on campus and getting involved with the students. As SCF’s biggest fan, she has traveled thousands of miles and hours to cheer on SCF students at their concerts, sporting events, plays, competitions and graduation

ceremonies. She has even donated over $200,000 of her own money to the SCF Foundation and volunteers throughout the community with her husband, Bill.

“What I’ll miss the most, is the students,” says Dr. Probstfeld. “Whenever I was having a bad day, I’d walk out on campus and pick a student and start talking to them. They’re excited about what they’re doing. They’re excited about their future. They’re working hard and overcoming all kinds of obstacles. I leave knowing that the future is in good hands.”

Over the years, there have been several individuals in the community that have served as mentors and friends for Dr. Probstfeld.

Former SCF President Dr. Sarah Pappas had high praise for Dr. Probstfeld’s time as president: “Dr. Probstfeld deserves a happy and healthy retirement. Her many contributions to SCF over 22 years of service will leave a lasting legacy. When I first hired her for the VP of Finance position, she transformed the college budget process and quickly became a state-wide leader in higher education budgeting models. She has always

been student-oriented and strategically planning for the future. I wish her and her husband Bill the best.”

Dr. Probstfeld has been an active member of the CrossCollege Alliance (CCA), which consists the five higher education institutions in the Sarasota-Manatee area: State College of Florida, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, New College, Ringling College of Art and Design, and the Ringling Museum (part of Florida State University).

Throughout her time as president of SCF, she has worked closely with Dr. Larry Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design since 1999.

“Carol has been a superb leader and a delight to work with,” shared Dr. Thompson. “She is not only exceptionally intelligent, she is also a very warm and caring individual. I love how Carol has always put her students at SCF first and foremost, and as a result, she has impacted thousands and thousands of students. I believe that one of Carol’s greatest strengths is her strategic thinking. She is a visionary who saw where the institution needed to go and developed a plan to get

it there. I will sorely miss Carol. She has done such a wonderful job for State College of Florida and the Sarasota-Manatee area. I wish her only the best on her retirement.”

Regardless of the numerous incredible people she has worked with, Dr. Probstfeld claims the biggest inspiration for her throughout her career and life was her mother: “In my entire life, the number one most important person that influenced me was my mother. She always said ‘Your education is the most important thing about you, because what’s in your mind and what’s in your experiences, nobody can take away from you. Everything else is just material.’”

Dr. Probstfeld plans to enjoy her retirement by splitting her time in the Sarasota area and her cabin in North Carolina with her husband and four dogs. She loves diving and hiking and plans to continue her quilting groups and reading clubs. But the first thing she is going to do upon retiring is a month-long cruise through Europe.

“My husband and I are going on a Viking River Cruise through France. I’m going to eat and drink everything they put in front of me and it’s going to be wonderful. I’ll figure out everything else I’m going to do when I get back!”

THE LIVING CLASSROOM

Finding a Teacher within Nature at Selby Gardens by Kaileia Suvannamaccha

Did you know that mangroves act as powerful sea walls, offering natural protection and resilience from wave action?

At Selby Gardens, these natural barriers were strategically planted along Sarasota Bay in the 1990s to safeguard botanical diversity. Today, they also serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and understanding the delicate balance of Florida’s coastal ecosystem.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, established in 1973, has continuously evolved to educate the Sarasota community in diverse and innovative ways. Most recently, the completion of Phase One of their Three-Phase Master Plan in January 2024 marked a significant milestone. A number of impressive new features were unveiled, including the soon-to-be first net-positive restaurant in the world.

Pioneering as the world’s first net-positive botanical garden complex, Selby Gardens stands at the forefront of environmental education, playing a pivotal role in restoring the connection between humans and the natural world. Sustainably designed in accordance with biomimicry, the conservation organization is fully powered by solar panels that mimic the process of photosynthesis, turning solar rays into usable energy.

The gardens are uniquely positioned to offer an enriching curriculum year-round, with the transition from a bustling spring season to the leisurely pace of summer bringing an exciting lineup of opportunities for visitors of all ages.

THE PERFECT SUMMER CAMP FOR SARASOTA’S NATURE-LOVING YOUTH

For young nature enthusiasts in grades 1 through 5, Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota Campus presents its long-standing, annual Camp Lookout. Running from June 3rd through the 28th, Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm, each of the four one-week sessions is designed to spark curiosity and help Sarasota youth build a symbiotic relationship with the natural environment.

Weekly themes for this year include Flowering Artist, Plant Detective, Budding Naturalist, and Nature Explorer. Each session encourages discovery and appreciation for different aspects of the botanical world through hands-on activities, focused explorations, and interactive learning experiences.

“Working with our hands is a powerful modality for building confidence,” says Tracy Calla, Director of Education.

With an educational approach that extends beyond the confines of classroom walls, campers will have the chance to step into historically significant roles, imagining what life would have been like as settlers, citrus farmers, or boat builders. Nature-based experiential learning activities are

proven to help children develop basic survival instincts and critical thinking skills as they begin to contemplate how to use natural resources for shelter, sustenance, and clothing.

Selby Gardens effortlessly lends itself to contextualized interdisciplinary learning. “You can teach everything in a garden,” Tracy adds, noting a distinctive difference between studying life cycles on a worksheet versus observing them firsthand in Selby’s butterfly garden.

A cap of 30 students per weekly session ensures campers receive personalized attention and guidance from licensed classroom teachers during daily activities. Tracy refers to Camp Lookout as, “a wild child summer,” where children can unleash their curiosity, explore the natural environment, and create lifelong memories. Campers may enroll for a single week or all four sessions.

ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS AND COLLABORATIONS

Beyond seasonal programs, Selby Gardens offers a variety of year-round in-person experiences that celebrate the rich history and natural beauty of Sarasota, including field trips and boat rides to and from Historic Spanish Point, Selby Gardens’ second location. This less curated site, adopted in 2020, invites deeper explorations into topics such as foraging, native plants and their indigenous uses, archeology, and the history of early pioneer life in Florida. Selby Gardens has also been known to partner with local organizations. For example, in collaboration with Carefree Learner, Selby Gardens offers educational tours centered on mangroves and estuaries, teaching coastal ecology while illustrating a reciprocal relationship between land and water.

For those seeking guided exploration, visitors are typically able to schedule hour-long tours of the gardens, led by knowledgeable docents, depending on staff availability. Alternatively, individuals, couples, families, and organizations are always welcome to indulge in self-guided tours during open hours daily, 10am to 5pm. At Family Saturdays, parents and children can participate in nature-inspired arts and craft activities that echo the themes showcased in the Gardens’ seasonal exhibitions. Then, for those who wish to unwind amidst the serene beauty of the garden while staying active, weekly yoga sessions are held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Selby Gardens’ virtual briefing lectures are popular with adults, and cover a wide range of historical, botanical, and horticultural topics. From virtual tours of the gardens to expert-led workshops on gardening techniques and plant care, these online videos teach valuable insights and practical tips for plant enthusiasts of all levels at the viewer’s convenience on the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens official YouTube channel.

FAST FORWARD TO THE FUTURE: PHASE 02 OF SELBY GARDENS’ MASTER PLAN

As Selby Gardens continues to grow and evolve, Phase 02 of their Three-Phase Master Plan is currently in its planning stages, with transformative changes aimed at safeguarding botanical treasures. This phase includes the relocation of greenhouses to protect them from hurricanes and create a more resilient environment for rare and endangered plant species.

Plans to establish a dedicated education center are in the works, soon to provide the gardens with a centralized hub for immersive learning experiences, where the outdoors can also be experienced indoors. Through these forwardthinking, community engagement initiatives, Selby Gardens affirms its commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Visitors can look forward to tours of the newly constructed Research Center alongside many other big plans that are brewing.

As a passionate advocate for social and therapeutic horticulture, Tracy looks forward to bringing 2-Gen workshops to Selby Gardens, where multiple generations can work together and learn from one another, while basking in the therapeutic benefits that come from experiencing nature through all of the senses.

“In these types of classes, participants of all ages have a chance to create something out of nothing,” she says. “It’s all about the process, more so than the product. It’s mindfulness in motion.”

Each intentionally-crafted experience at Selby Gardens aims to inspire a lifelong love of learning and a deep appreciation for all nature has to offer. Whether you’re seeking educational enrichment, family fun, or intimate moments of tranquility, Selby Gardens has something for everyone to enjoy throughout the summer season and beyond.

Soon, visitors may say hello to ducklings as they pass by the Selby Gardens’ lily pond. For now, Mama and Papa ducks, affectionately named after Bill and Marie Selby, patiently await the arrival of their little ones!

Be sure to check the calendar of events on the Selby Gardens website to stay up to date with their current as well as future offerings. Visit selby.org to learn more and plan your visit today.

‘A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY’

Two-Time Cancer Survivor

Lives His Dream to be a Published Author

Many of us have heard the expression, “be the author of your own life story,” and while we may appreciate the sentiment, it’s not something usually taken literally. But, then again, few of us have lived the life Tyler Kingsbury has.

The Palm Harbor resident and current University of South Florida student lost a promising soccer career, endured years of grueling treatments, and was quarantined for a year following a bone marrow transplant, all before the age of 20. The culprit was cancer, and what should have been carefree teen years for Tyler were stolen away.

LIGHT AMONG DARKNESS

In the midst of all the negatives, however, there were also some positives. With the support of family and friends, Kingsbury ended up beating both Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was also eligible for the services of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, a Sarasota-based nonprofit that grants life-changing wishes for critically-ill children. And while the organization offered a world full of wish possibilities including meeting a celebrity, traveling to an exotic location, or attending a top-tier event, Tyler only wanted to share his story, in a real book he’d write that would be professionally published.

The result was “Tenacity,” an effort that was both therapeutic for the author to write and helpful to other children and families dealing with diagnosis and treatment. Chronicling Tyler’s multi-year battles with cancer, it’s a story told from the perspective of the person that both lost and gained through the experience. Make-A-Wish not only helped Kingsbury with the writing of his autobiography, but also hosted an author signing at Barnes & Noble that included family and friends on hand to celebrate the book’s publication.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to finally get a book published like this,” said Kingsbury. “A lot of people don’t get this opportunity, so I’m thankful for everything.”

PAYING IT FORWARD

Kingsbury recently shared that perspective and more at “Cooking for Wishes,” an annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser that helps underwrite the cost of wishes for sick children on the Suncoast. The event, held at the Circus Arts Conservatory in Sarasota, featured a four-course, interactive

dinner where guests at each table prepared their own meal under the direction of Executive Chef Jamil Piñeda and Phil Mancini from Michael’s on East. The evening also included wine selections by Emcee Michael Klauber, and live and silent auctions. Terri Klauber, Renee Phinney, and Lauren McComb Dixon were event co-chairs.

Approximately 400 supporters attended, raising nearly $700,000, enough to grant wish experiences for more than 87 children and families facing battles like Tyler and his family recently did. “Having an opportunity to make dreams come true for those in our community who have gone through so much is what motivates us each year. The more people we reach, the greater impact we can have for kids and families on the Suncoast,” said Terri Klauber, who has been a driving force behind all 14 Cooking for Wishes events.

--2024’s “Wizard of Oz” theme ensured the evening would feature a Kansas backdrop (with a twister on the way) as guests entered the event area. Once inside, attendees, many dressed as their favorite characters from the movie, found themselves on a yellow brick road that led to a night unlike any other. Flying monkeys hung from the ceiling, the Scarecrow and Tin Man walked on stilts, and angelic voices sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Even the Wicked Witch of the West was there, flying through the room between courses of the meal. Presented by Exceptional Dentistry of Sarasota, it was a fun time for members of a caring community whose very presence will make a difference in the lives of critically-ill children and families.

-MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

“Wishes change the lives of the children we serve. It changes the trajectory they’re on and leaves a lifelong impact on the families that receive them,” said Norman Wedderburn, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. “The only way we’re able to continue to provide the experiences that do that is to generate the resources required to make magic happen, and that’s why this event is so critical to our success.”

More than 14,000 life-changing wishes have been granted by Make-A-Wish’s Southern Florida chapter since 1983, but there are still children in the community waiting for their turn, and others who would be eligible that haven’t been referred (anyone with knowledge of a child’s medical condition can make a referral at www.wish.org/ refer-a-child). Once a doctor certifies that the child has a life-threatening medical condition, that individual will receive a wish.

Wish kids most often ‘wish to be’ (something), ‘wish to meet’ (someone), ‘wish to go’ (somewhere), ‘wish to have’ (something), or ‘wish to give’ (something) and the nonprofit organization makes this happen for the child and their entire family at no cost or obligation.

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida aims to grant a wish for every medically-eligible child referred to it, including assisting other chapters when their kids come to Florida, understanding these experiences are more than nice, they’re necessary to the health and well-being of families at a critical time in their lives.

That was the case for the Kingsbury family when the story Tyler got to share, in book form, helped put that chapter of their lives behind them. “It was a long journey with cancer, and I’m just glad to be healthy,” the published author said.

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida is active in 22 counties/ four regions in the state: the Suncoast (Sarasota, Manatee, and surrounding counties), Tampa Bay, southeast and southwest Florida. Its territory also includes the U.S. Virgin Islands. The goal is to grant a life-changing wish for every critically-ill child.

For more information on Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, visit wish.org/sfla or follow them on social media.

ed U c Ation matters

A Safe Home for Lifelong Learning at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

By Kaileia Suvannamaccha

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is trailblazing a new era of educational enrichment and engagement, providing one of the nation’s fastest-growing Jewish communities in America with broad and stimulating opportunities for learning and facilitating cross-cultural dialogue.

The development of the Larry Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life is well underway, as previous challenges have been surmounted. Board President, Deb Kabinoff reflects on fundraising for the renovations, “First, the challenge was, ‘How are we going to build this?’ It was gratifying to see so many generous philanthropists step forward to provide us with the funding we needed. Then it became a matter of, ‘What are the best uses of this campus? How do we fit it all in? How are we going to prioritize and make sure that we’re offering a wide variety of things that are meaningful as well as fun?’ That’s been a wonderful, ongoing challenge.”

Dr. Liat Alon, the Federation’s Chief Learning and Engagement Officer, highlights the significance of inclusivity in shaping the sprawling campus’s educational programs. “We want to offer top-rate education that will allow people to have conversations that go beyond

and across divides, differences, and disagreements. We want it to be intriguing, fascinating, and exciting.”

Expanding Educational Horizons

At the heart of the campus lies the Chaifetz Holocaust Memorial and Education Center.

“One area we have really prioritized is Holocaust education. In the state of Florida, Holocaust education is mandated, so teachers in Florida public schools are required to include it, but they still need resources and training in order to do that well,” says Shepard Englander, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

Dr. Alon emphasizes the center’s unique value and approach to Holocaust education of offering a transformative experience through history and outdoor art installations. “We’re deeply committed to offering memorable experiences that make the lessons of the Holocaust relevant to all people, whether they’re students or adults, groups or individuals, Jewish or non-Jewish,” she says.

The education center offers a trail between stations that present Jewish life in Europe before World

“We want to offer top-rate education that will allow people to have conversations that go beyond and across divides, differences, and disagreements. We want it to be intriguing, fascinating, and exciting.”

War II, through the Holocaust, resistance, liberation, resilience, the establishment of the State of Israel and the growth of the American Jewish community. Each station encourages visitors to contemplate and discuss challenging topics that remain relevant today, such as democracy, discrimination, and antisemitism. Over the last decade, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has conducted off-site sessions in schools. Now, with a dedicated location for exhibitions, schools will be able to arrange customized field trips and on-site teacher training sessions to enhance the Holocaust education experience.

A Multi-Purpose Communal Space

From hosting the annual Jewish Film Festival, to renting it for other organizations’ speakers, dinners and events, The Ora at the Joel and Gail Morganroth Event Center is shaping up to be a dynamic venue for programs of all kinds. The versatility of the newly opened building allows it to host a broad range of events, from weddings to performances. This will be complemented by a lushly landscaped event terrace and an industry standard commissary kitchen operated by the locally esteemed Michael’s on East, The Ora has already garnered widespread community excitement and support, having hosted both Federation’s own special events and those of other premiere non-for-profit organizations and businesses. Ample, convenient parking, plus partnerships with neighboring organizations, ensure seamless accessibility for guests.

At the heart of The Ora is the Kaplan Ballroom, boasting an expansive capacity of up to 1,000 people auditorium style and over 750 seated for an elegant meal. This makes The Ora the premiere level venue with the greatest capacity in Sarasota.

“We planned The Ora to serve as a gathering place for people from all parts of our community, whether they need something huge, or small and intimate,” says Kabinoff. “These spaces are available to everyone, so

they have a place that isn’t just downtown at a hotel, but a central location in Sarasota where they can plan personal and customized gatherings of all kinds. Whether that’s something serious like a lecture, or something wonderful like an outdoor wedding, all those things are available at The Ora.”

Ritter-Wolk Security and Training Center

As the Federation continues to evolve, it remains committed to educational excellence. The next phase of campus development will see the completion of the Ritter-Wolk Community Building. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a training center, offering programs in health and safety, like CPR, and security workshops.

Englander emphasizes the importance of safety and security in today’s climate. “Unfortunately, security has become more important for all Americans, but especially for Jewish Americans. So we use our knowledge to protect our community and also to partner with our neighbors and law enforcement,” he says. “In September, we’re going to finish the renovations of the building, which has always been used for education. It was once a preschool, and then a music school, and now it’ll be a training center.”

Programs for People of All Ages

The Federation aims to offer programs not only for the Jewish community but also for the wider SarasotaManatee community. Most notably, this summer the Federation is bringing day camp back to the Campus, which was beloved when the former Jewish Community Center ran it for many years. It will have many of the same wonderful programs and experiences, under a new name—Camp Yonnie.

“Sarasota already has many specialized day camps— one in botany and one in fine arts. But there are very few that are broad, general day camps, where kids can do sports, art, or music, and where people from many different backgrounds can come together. While a good

number of campers come from Jewish families, there are probably an equal number who do not,” explained Englander, noting the camp’s history of forging lasting

Alongside Camp Yonnie, the Federation boasts an extensive lineup of programs that cater to various age groups, including teen programs, young adult initiatives, and adult education courses. The diverse array of offerings reflects the Federation’s commitment to fostering community engagement and creating a welcoming environment for all.

The Federation’s Future

“These days, it’s harder and harder to find places where people can really exchange ideas respectfully. We know how to do that, and we’re committed to making that possible. We will continue to respond not only to the needs of the Jewish community, but to those of our friends and neighbors,” says Englander.

“We are blessed to have this wonderful 32-acre campus, new buildings, and new spaces—a resource for all kinds of conversations and gatherings. We want people to be able to come here and learn new things, have new experiences, and hear new voices as we continue to build our campus out with educational and recreational opportunities for everyone,” Kabinoff adds.

Dr, Alon, who also teaches Middle Eastern studies at Ringling College of Art and Design, adds, “We’re offering a wide array of programs here on our new campus and will continue to add to them. But we’re also offering programs off campus and welcome partnerships with fellow organizations, schools and colleges and local communities. Our commitment to education is a core value, not just of the Federation, but in Jewish life and culture as well, and we want to offer it as broadly as we can.”

The Federation encourages dialogue, promotes understanding, and creates a space where individuals can learn and grow as part of a larger community. With a commitment to inclusivity and innovation, the Federation is poised to become a cornerstone of Sarasota-Manatee—a beloved safe home for lifelong learning.

on the Federation’s programs and upcoming events, please visit jfedsrq.org.

may 2024 | PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

artist series concerts

941.306.1200/artistseriesconcerts.org

Miró Quartet

May 5

Trio Gaia

May 14

asolo repertory theatre

941.351.8000/asolorep.org

Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical

May 8 - June 9

choral artists of sarasota

941.387.6046 / choralartistssarasota.org

Memorial Day Concert: United We Stand

May 26

circus arts conservatory

941.556.5349/circusarts.org

Sailor Circus Spring Show

May 4-5

florida studio theatre

941.366.9000/ floridastudiotheatre.org

WINTER MAINSTAGE: Troubadour Through May 19

WINTER CABARET: The Flip Side Through June 16

CHILDREN’S THEATRE:

The Power of Peanut Butter and Other Winning Plays Through May 4

IMPROV:

Comedy Roulette Through May 25

2024 BURDICK NEW PLAY FESTIVAL: The Fifth Domain

May 3

fogartyville community center

941.894.6469 / wslr.org/fogartyville

Chuchito Valdés Trio

May 3

Trad Music Jam

May 5

Screening of 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted…

May 7

Kyshona

May 9

Tim Grimm and Passernine

May 10

Holt and Cabe

May 12

Singer Songwriter Series: Justin Layman, Emily Frost

May 13

Alex Cuba

May 17

Victor Furtado

May 18

hermitage artist retreat

941.475.2098 / hermitageartistretreat.org

Hermitage Sunsets at Selby Gardens: Sound and Silence, Historic Spanish Point

May 2

Waves: Movements that Move Us, Hermitage Beach

May 10

Seeing Oneself and Celebrating Identity, Asolo Rep

May 15

A Piano Performance: Sonata in Memoriam Lloyd Arriola, Oak Street Stage

May 24

island players

941.778.5755 / theislandplayers.org

The Woman in Black

May 2-12

lemon bay playhouse

941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com

Sicilians in the Basement Through May 12

manatee performing arts center

941.749.1111 / manateeperformingartscenter.com

Kiss Me, Kate, Stone Hall

Through May 12

CreArte Latino Presents SANCOCHO, Bradenton Kiwanis Theater

May 3-4

Celebrate Broadway!

Spring Musical Theatre Show, Stone Hall

May 11

Dramature’s All-American Road Trip, Bradenton Kiwanis Theatre

May 15-16

Art & Soul Dance Company, Stone Hall

May 18

International Ballet of Florida

Presents The Wizard of Oz, Stone Hall

May 26

CreArte Latino Presents Voces de la Maternidad, Bradenton Kiwanis Theatre

May 30 – June 2

The Rosemary Youth Ballet at Onyx Studio 2 Presents “Insectos”, Stone Hall

May 31

mccurdy’s comedy theatre

941.925.3869/mccurdyscomedy.com

Open Mic Competition

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Bermuda Mavericks

May 2

Robert Kelly

May 3-4

Jim Mccue

May 9-11

Humor Institute Class Performance

May 15

Mike Paramore

May 16-19

Tom Rhodes

May 23-26

Drag Queen Bingo Extravaganza

May 26

Open Bar Comedy

May 28

Bear Webb

May 30-31

the players center for performing arts

941.365.2494/theplayers.org

Bring It On

May 9-11

the sarasota ballet

941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

May 11

sarasota contemporary dance

941.260.8485 / sarasotacontemporarydance.org

Voices: Rising Choreographers 2024 May 2-5

sarasota cuban ballet school

941.365.8400 / srqcubanballet.org

End of Year Performance

May 4

sarasota jewish theatre

941.365.2494 / sarasotajewishtheatre.com

The Immigrant

May 1-12

sarasota opera

941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org

Coppelia presented by Diane Partington

Studio of Classical Ballet

May 4

Gulf Coast Honor Band by Sarasota Concert Band

May 5

Becoming Tchaikovsky by Sarasota Orchestra

May 11

Star Academy of Dance presents 5-Star Standouts, Musical Stars

May 18-19

Memorial Day Concert by Choral Artists of Sarasota

May 26

sarasota orchestra

941.953.4252/sarasotaorchestra.org

Decades: Back to the 80’s May 3-4

Becoming Tchaikovsky

May 11

theatre odyssey

941.799.7224 / theatreodyssey.org

Twelfth Annual Student

Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival, Jane B. Cook Theatre

May 11-12

urbanite theatre

941.321.1397 / urbanitetheatre.com

Oak

Starting May 31

van wezel performing arts hall

941.953.3368/vanwezel.org

George Thorogood and The Destroyers

May 1

The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

May 4

Kenny G

May 5

One Night of Queen

May 10

Jimmy Failla: Everybody Calm Down Tour

May 11

Friday Fest: Hot Tonic Orchestra

May 24

venice performing arts center

941.218.3779/

veniceperformingartscenter.com

VHS Spring Chorus Concert

May 7

VHS Jazz Bands Spring Concert

May 8-10

The Brothers Doobie

May 12

Long Time Gone: The Music of Crosby, Stills and Nash

May 13

Herman’s Hermits

Starring Peter Noone

May 19

the venice symphony

941.207.8822 / thevenicesymphony.org

Patriotic Pops Concert

May 25

venice theatre

941.488.1115/venicetheatre.org

Pinky’s Players

May 2-5

Bank Job May 3-19

The Brothers Doobie

May 12

Long Time Gone

May 13

Herman’s Hermits

May 19

westcoast black theatre troupe

941.366.1505/ westcoastblacktheatre.org

Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul

Through May 26

Charlie Melton

May 19, 30

VISIT SCENESARASOTA.COM TO VIEW FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

530 burns gallery on palm

941.957.6439 / 530burnsgallery.com

On the Waterfront: Debbie Danneisser Through May 15

art center sarasota

941.365.2032/artsarasota.org

North Sarasota County Schools

Spring Art Show Through May 11

Annual Juried Regional Show: Beyond Comfort

Starting May 23

artcenter manatee

941.746.2862 / artcentermanatee.org

Dreamscapes Open Juried Show Through May 31

chasen galleries

941.260.5787/chasengalleries.com

Chasen Galleries @ The Mark: California Glass Artist, Nic McGuire Through May 31

2024 | VISUAL ARTS CALENDAR

clyde butcher gallery

941.486.0811 / clydebutcher.com

Niki Butcher Exhibit, Marco Island Historical Museum Through June 8

creaturo gallery

941.953.6163 / creaturogallery.com

Art Walks Every First Friday

May 3

creative liberties

941.799-6634/creativeliberties.net

Art Immersion with Lina Rincon (kids)

May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29

Taste of Art

May 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 21, 24, 28

Falling in Love with the WeftWeaving Class

May 4, 11, 18

Drawing the Portrait from Life

May 5

Sarasota Studio Artists Association

May 11

Family Art Day

May 25

Sarasota Rocks Rock Painting

May 25

island gallery & studio

941.778.6648 / islandgallerywest.artspan.com

David Tejada

May 3-30

mara art studio + gallery

941.914.8110 / marastudiogallery.com

Urban Perspectives

May 3-30

marie selby botanical gardens

941.366.5731/selby.org

Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe Through June 30

Clyde Butcher: Nature Through the Lens Through August 31 (Historic Spanish Point)

palm avenue fine art

941.388.7526/palmavenuefineart.com

Oleg Trofimov

May 3-4

Alex Art International

MARA

530 Burns — Debbie Dannheisser

Chasen Galleries — Nic McGuire

Palm Avenue Fine Art

ringling museum

941.359.5700/ringling.org

Watermelon Regatta Through May 19

Embodied Through September 21, 2025

Shinique Smith: Parade Through January 5, 2025

Michele Oka Doner: The True Story of Eve Through June 2, 2024 Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond Through June 23, 2024 On the Road: Photographs of the Traveling Circus and Carnival by Jill Freedman and Randal Levenson Through August 25

The Greatest Show on Earth Gallery Through August 25

sarasota art museum

941.309.4300/sarasotaartmuseum.org Impact: Contemporary Artists at the Hermitage Artist Retreat Through July 7

The Truth of the Night Sky: Anne Patterson and Patrick Harlin Through September 29

SPAACES

941.374.3492/spaaces.art The Petticoat Painters May 3-June 1

state of the arts gallery

941.374.3492/spaaces.art

Collecting Art is a Ball Through May 31

Collecting Art is a Ball April 1 –August 1

the southern atelier

941.753.7755 / southernatelier.org

See Website for Classes & Studios

TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT/EXHIBITION FOR CONSIDERATION , please send information to editor@scenesarasota.com

State of the Arts Gallery

State of the Arts Gallery

Creative Liberties

meet the artist de BB ie dA nnheisse R

To Debbie Dannheisser, painting is a place for personal growth. When painting doesn’t feel like fun, or if she gets too close to a piece, too attached to how it looks, she takes a step back and gives space to the project. “I use that as a metaphor for life,” she says. “ It has also taught me to quiet the voices that speak of the self doubt and the need to control. Each new piece has helped me trust the ebb and flow of the evolving painting, and in turn, to trust the ebb and flow of my evolving life.”

Debbie lives in Sarasota with her husband, Dan, both of whom are well known for being active within the community. While she’s taken a few art classes locally, art was not Debbie’s major in school. Before becoming an artist, she was a personal growth coach and transformation seminar leader. Providing people with a path to their personal expression and growth was her passion.

Debbie’s drive for painting all started 22 years ago. “I awoke late one night driven by a vision. I sat down to a canvas that night and painted a mother with a blue-eyed baby. A month later I found out I was pregnant! Assuming that our baby would have brown eyes matching mine and my husband’s, I changed the eyes of my painted baby to brown. To my astonishment—we had a blue-eyed boy! I have been painting ever since. It feels meant to be.”

Now, Debbie’s fine art paintings live in homes all over the country, appear in various galleries in Florida, and hang in offices of several nonprofit organizations where she’s donated her art for their auctions to help raise money for their causes. “Painting is a gift I allow myself and it is my way to touch and connect with people. It is my wish that through my art, I can share my desire to inspire others to feel. We all need reminders of how much love, joy and beauty permeate our lives if we only open our eyes to their presence, regardless of the moment to moment challenges that can obstruct our true visions.”

Debbie’s fine art paintings can be found this month at 530 Burns Gallery in Downtown Sarasota. Visit www.530burnsgallery.com to learn more. In addition to her paintings, she also sells a line athleisure-wear with patterns created from her art. Visit www.debbiedannheisserthreads.com for more information or to view or purchase her work.

“Radiant Disco Ball.”

Photo by Trey Jones.