October 2020 by SARASOTA SCENE Magazine

BACK BUSINESS SHIFTING SPACES

scenesarasota.com

coworking vs. covid

OCTOBER 2020 $3.95 U.S.

A NEW LANDSCAPE ATTRACTING VISITORS commercial remix

a tourism partnership

joyful work + lovely weddings investing with a family touch

WEALTH IS ABOUT MORE THAN MONEY. At PNC, we understand that wealth is about more than just your finances. Security, health, family and your future are all important aspects of your wealth. You can rely on a PNC Wealth Manager to take all this into consideration. With our personalized approach and flexible solutions, we can provide you with the right guidance, even as your plans evolve. When we combine what we know with what we know about you, it’s easier for you to protect what matters while pursuing your goals. Call Jeff Boyd, Wealth Director, at 941-363-5060, or visit pnc.com/wealthsolutions

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The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) uses the marketing name PNC Wealth Management® to provide investment consulting and wealth management, fiduciary services, FDIC-insured banking products and services, and lending of funds to individual clients through PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”), which is a Member FDIC, and to provide specific fiduciary and agency services through PNC Delaware Trust Company or PNC Ohio Trust Company. PNC does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice unless, with respect to tax advice, PNC Bank has entered into a written tax services agreement. PNC Bank is not registered as a municipal advisor under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. “PNC Bank” and “PNC Wealth Management” are registered marks of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. ©2020 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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CONTENTS features

45 36 A NEW LANDSCAPE Commercial Realtors Respond To Changing Workspace Needs By Ryan G. Van Cleave

45 SHIFTING SPACES The Sarasota Ballet Celebrates 30 Years By Sylvia Whitman

52 ATTRACTING VISITORS AMID A PANDEMIC Miles Partnership and Visit Sarasota County By Ryan G. Van Cleave

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

ON THE COVER Back to business in the age of Covid-19. Figurine montage by Nancy Guth.

CONTENTS departments

SOCIAL SCENE

18 THE LIST October Events Calendar 66 SCENE TOGETHER Couples on Their Wedding Day By Wendy Lyons Sunshine

PHILANTHROPY 28 Haven Industries: Where Work is a Joy By Sylvia Whitman

ON THE TOWN 24 THE FIND Home Sweet Work-From-Home By Gina Liga 61 SPOTLIGHT Investing With a Family Touch By Gus Mollasis 76 EDUCATION MATTERS Transforming Tomorrow by Embracing Our Differences By Ryan G. Van Cleave

ARTS & CULTURE 80 82

BEST SEATS Performing Arts Calendar GET INSPIRED Cultural happenings brought to you by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County LITERARY SCENE Enjoy Three Scary Tales for Halloween! By Ryan G. Van Cleave LAUGHING MATTERS The One About Quarantine Ryan By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Be Informed Be Entertained Be SCENE scenesarasota.com

66 10

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

Giving Breast Cancer

The Knockout Punch If you’re stopped cold by

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while interventional

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from the publisher

OCTOBER IS THE START OF SEASON FOR MANY NOT-FOR-PROFITS, FOUNDATIONS, AND PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS. Although these organizations have been gearing up, this year’s Season will be like none that we have seen in the recent past. Many events are being canceled, even while the community is still in need of support provided by these civic and cultural groups. Sarasota Scene has ramped up our social media and email postings and will be sharing more content about these community groups. Please visit these organizations’ web sites to see what they are up to, follow them on social media, and share their postings among your friends. Sarasota is starting to establish a rhythm with people venturing out, however cautiously. I am thrilled to be fully back to work after a bout with the Covid -19 virus. For me, each new week is a positive step forward. My fatigue continues to subside and energy returns. I am getting out among people again, reestablishing relationships, enjoying restaurants and weekend cycling, and am so pleased to reconnect with the community. I’ve also discovered a bit of a community among the Covid recovered. We each have different stories to tell, despite the common flu symptoms. Some of us had no symptoms or mild symptoms, others had varying degrees of severe symptoms. Those of us who have gotten past the virus feel gratitude, and at the same time deep sympathy for the families that have felt the ultimate tragedy. Two frightening moments during my virus journey fortunately resolved well. On day 13, I went to the Emergency Room at Sarasota Memorial Hospital with labored breathing. Doctors there diagnosed a secondary bacterial infection. Medication eased the problem in a few days. But two weeks later, I still hadn’t shaken fatigue headaches or flu symptoms and questioned if I would ever fully recover. It took another 15 days to really feel better and finally get negative test results. What a relief! Recently I stopped by my friends at the Suncoast Blood Bank to make a second donation of plasma. Normally I donate at the Mound Street location, but A.J. Janson invited me to tour the new state-of-the-art Lakewood Ranch location. Mound Street will soon see extensive renovations as well, and both locations have a great team. While in LWR, I met with CEO Scott Bush. He explained that their organization is participating in a groundbreaking nationwide study of coronavirus antibody-rich plasma and its use as a therapeutic. Wouldn’t it be amazing if our small contributions help medical researchers change the course of history for the better? We will all look back at 2020 as a year of change. Across Sarasota, businesses are exploring ways to cope with new economic realities. This month’s magazine explores how our local business environment is shifting to survive and thrive. Here at Sarasota Scene, we’ve been working remotely since mid-March. Video “hangout” calls are now the norm for me. I still cannot believe how efficiently Hunter, Erika, and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

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from the publisher

team ran our awards committee using Zoom. We truly could have been around a boardroom table—with the added benefit of a second monitor for each of us to manage our notes. While technology has helped businesses cope, I am sure we are all looking forward to in-person interactions in this wonderful community. Sarasota Scene also has another change to share with you this month. Julie Milton is handing off her editorial role to focus exclusively on Scene’s strategic partnerships. Under her leadership and guidance, Scene has become one of the best written and produced community magazines in the country. We continue to be fortunate to benefit from her deep understanding and leadership in the arts and philanthropic communities. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Wendy Lyons Sunshine as Scene’s new Editor-in-Chief. An award-winning journalist and writer, she has contributed to The New York Times, AARP Magazine, American Way, and many other publications. Wendy co-authored a bestseller, The Connected Child, which has sold a quarter million copies, and a new release, Raising the Challenging Child. She taught at Ringling College of Art and Design, and she’s worked with nonprofits including University of South Florida Health, JFCS of the Suncoast, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Next month she introduces, “Scene Snaps,” a new section of reader-shared photography that showcases how people are entertaining themselves, continuing with work and education, and following their creative muse during this unusual season. Feel free to reach out to her at wendy@scenesarasota.com. Unfortunately, this October I won’t get to see Scene readers at galas like Red Hot or The Ungala. But I hope to hear and see you through social media, dining out, and spending time at many of our wonderful outdoor venues. As always, say hello, enjoy everything you can, and let us know your thoughts. I can be reached at john@scenesarasota.com. Giving blood saves three lives, John

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SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

Shirley Fein, SBC Resident

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Sarasota Bay Club has implemented every possible measure to ensure the safety of residents and staff, including facility lockdown, temperature checks, delivering food and newspapers, installing sanitizer equipment, wiping down elevators, and more. The attention to detail is remarkable!â&#x20AC;? If you would like greater control, security, and easy access to safe lifestyle options, we invite you to join us. Linda Ware or Dana Moe (941) 552-3284 1301 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Find us online at SarasotaBayClub.com

Priced from $450,000 to Over $2 Million

Luxury Retirement Living On Sarasota Bay

Locally Owned and Operated Since 1957 Vol. 63 No. 10

Publisher H John Knowles Editor-in-Chief Wendy Lyons Sunshine Strategic Partnerships Julie A. Milton

Simple. Delicious. Done. Morton’s makes holiday shopping simple with a wonderful array of gift baskets that can be tailored to suit anyone on your gift list. Choose from champagne and caviar, prime steaks, seasonal fruits, decadent chocolates, gourmet goodies and much more. Morton’s gift cards are always in good taste too. Online ordering and delivery services available.

Account Executive Alysia De Maio Art Director Darcy Kelly-Laviolette Editorial Assistant Gina Liga Distribution Mike Straffin Accounting Sally Bailey Contributing Writers Sue Cullen Gus Mollasis Ryan G. Van Cleave Sylvia Whitman Contributing & Social Photographer Nancy Guth

1834 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.365.1119 | Fax: 941.954.5067 | scenesarasota.com

Serving the Sarasota area for over 50 years Historic Southside Village 1924 South Osprey Avenue ∙ Sarasota (941) 955-9856 ∙ MortonsMarket.com 16

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

H John Knowles LLC, dba SCENE Magazine publishes 12 issues a year. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address. Sufficient return postage and self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany all manuscripts, artwork and photographs submitted if they are to be returned or acknowledged. Publisher assumes no responsibility for care of return of unsolicited materials. Subscription price: $12.95 per year, $19.95 for two years. All contents copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

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social SCENE

SCENE TOGETHER THE LIST

scenesarasota.com

The LIST

OCTOBER 2020 EVENTS CALENDAR

Sarasota’s season kicks off with inventive and innovative events, with your pick of online and socially distanced, in-person options. Come explore imaginative offerings from your favorite organizations!

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

2 – 4 » Sarasota Gem–Jewelry–Bead Show Municipal Auditorium, Sarasota frankcoxproductions.com

4 » Craft Festival Downtown Sarasota 10:00 a.m. festivalnet.com

6 » Virtual Storytime: Swimming with Sharks Mote Marine Aquarium Free | 9:00 a.m.

mote.org

TOGETHER / tə-'ge-thər / adj.

the harmony that plays when lives converge

Our community can thrive in challenging times—but only when we lift each other up. Through the warmth of human connection, the Tidewell Foundation advances care and brightens the lives of those who need it most. From the exceptional services of Tidewell Hospice, to grief counseling for children, to music and pet therapy, your generosity makes it all possible. This is care, redefined.

Make life brighter. Visit tidewellfoundation.org

It doesn’t need to be NEW to be

AWESOME!

Voted Sarasota’s #1 Consignment Store

AWARDING MORE THAN $8 MILLION LOCALLY IN GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

There’s no limit to the BARGAINS you’ll FIND! Supporting local ARTS related programs & education for more than 50 years.

Volunteer • Donate Consign • Shop 539 S. ORANGE | 941-955-7859 | OPEN MON-FRI 9-4 & SAT 10-4 | www.sarasotawex.com

7 » A Taste of Sarasota Sarasota Event Center 5:30 p.m. atasteofsarasota.com

9 » SEA Show: Celebrate Cephalopods (Virtual) Mote Marine Aquarium Free | 1:00 p.m.

mote.org

9 » SMHF Golf Tournament TUMMY TUCKS | BREAST LIFT | ARM & THIGH LIFTS | COOLSCULPTING

OPTIMIZE YOU

FAT GRAFTING | BODY SCULPTING | BREAST AUGMENTATION | LIPOSUCTION

Laurel Oak Country Club 9:00 a.m. smhf.org

10 » The 45th Anniversary Orchid Show: Women Breaking the Glasshouse Ceiling Selby Gardens Downtown Campus

Selby.org

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

BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

941.366.LIPO (5476) WWW.SOVEREIGNPS.COM 1950 ARLINGTON STREET, SUITE 112 20

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

10 & 24 »The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature KidSpace on Zoom 10:30 a.m. Free | Facebook.com/bishopsciencefl

discover the possibilities

107 ELM AVE • Anna Maria Island 3B/2.5B • Beachfront Home Offered at $3,850,000

1340 WESTWAY DR • Lido Key 3B/3B • Lido Shores • Beach Access Offered at $1,159,000

16 – 18 » Sarasota Oktoberfest Downtown Sarasota 11:00 a.m. escapetosarasota.com

1661 CATALONIA LN • Sarasota 350 GOLDEN GATE PT #23 • Sarasota 3B/3B • Totally Renovated • Fireplace 2B/2B • Bay And Bridge Views Sold for $785,000 Offered at $725,000

I ND

16 – 18 » Sarasota Celtic Music Festival Motorworks Brewing Company 11:00 a.m. celtoberfest.org

17 » Avant Garde: Game On! Ringling College of Art and Design A live broadcast fundraising event from Soundstage A. For registered guests as of March 20th. 6:00 p.m. Ringling.edu

4734 E TRAILS DRIVE • Sarasota 4B/3B • Fireplace • 3-Car Garage Offered at $499,000

5575 WILDE OAK WAY • Sarasota 4B/2B • Caged Pool • New Roof Offered at $360,000

STEPHANIE CHURCH • 941.724.5448

COURTNEY CHURCH • 941-323-0028

Stephanie@StephanieChurch.com StephanieChurch.com

Courtney@CourtneyChurch.com CourtneyChurch.com

22 » Wine Cellar Social Club Michael’s Wine Cellar 5:00 p.m. michaelswinecellar.com

BROKER ASSOCIATE

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24 –25 » 42nd Annual Siesta Fiesta Siesta Key Village 10:00 a.m. artfestival.com

28 » The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature  Stelliferous on Zoom  7:00 p.m.  facebook.com/BishopScienceFL

30 » Pique Nique Sur La Baie Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Grounds 11:00 a.m. floridawinefest.org

31 » Lakewood Ranch BooFest Lakewood Ranch, Main Street lwrcac.com/events

Beginning to End Interiors & Blinds 941.924.4481 | www.B2END.com

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SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

31 » Venice Children’s Halloween Parade Venice Main St reet visitvenicefl.org

31 » Fright Night on St. Armands St. Armands Circle starmandscircleassoc.com

PLEASE VISIT WEBSITES FOR OFFICIAL STATEMENTS/ UPDATES ON EVENT STATUS DUE TO CHANGING STATE OF FLORIDA AND CDC GUIDELINES.

4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905 www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

UPCOMING events NOV 1 | Ringling College Golf Tournament Laurel Oak Country Club Benefits Ringling College Student Scholarships. Socially distanced event. ringling.edu/golftournament

For those ready for what’s next

NOV 1 | Rock the Roof 2020 Sarasota Memorial West Parking Garage Rooftop concert under the stars benefitting Women and Children’s Services at Sarasota Memorial and honoring nurse Patricia S. Snyder. Sponsorship Available | 6:00 p.m. smh.com

NOV 14 | JDRF Night of Hope Virtual Gala Virtual fundraising event and raffle benefitting T1D research through Fund A Cur. Jdrf.org 6:00 p.m.

Michelle has been a third-generation local and broker associate since 1982. Some of her awards include: • Five Star Professional - 13th year and the Florida REALTORS® Honor Society - 13th year. • Her designations of importance are: Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), • Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS). • She also earned the Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) endorsement from the National Association of REALTORS® for agents who are committed to practicing business at the highest standards.

MICHELLE CRABTREE 941.724.4663 Michelle.Crabtree@PremierSIR.com MichelleCrabtree.PremierSothebysRealty.com Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

ononthethetown town

1 2 The FIND HOME SWEET WORK-FROM-HOME By Gina Liga

3 24

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

ononthethetown town

6 OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

M OV E - I N 2 0 21 RESERVE NOW!

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SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

4. THE SIMPLIFIED PLANNER/ DAPPERDESK BUNDLE The weekly edition covers 12 months and features a bookbound, lay-flat binding, a navy inside liner and pocket, 4 lined notes pages in the front and 27 in the back, and Mohawk Via paper. Emily Ley $115 | emilyley.com 5. LOTUS & LUNA ASSORTED MASK BUNDLE Hand-crafted from up-cycled materials by talented artisans in Thailand. Each mask is hand sewn from soft, breathable fabric. Wild Ginger Apothecary $40 for 5 | wildgingerapothecary.com 6. CLASSIC FOUNTAIN PEN IN PERNAMBUCO WOOD Well engineered mechanisms and robust details ensure that the joy of using this pen is as timeless as the design. Write On Sarasota $575 | writeonsarasota.com

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philanthropy philanthropy

Haven Industries

Where Work is a Joy BY SYLVIA WHITMAN Megan Maus, 33, adores her job at The Haven. Five days a week, she and her team cook lunch for the Selby Preschool on campus. They make pizza. Spaghetti. Chicken cacciatore. “We do a lot of taco days,” she says. Her specialty? Meatloaf. “I feel like I’m making it with love.” Founded in 1954 as the Sunshine Day School for kids with special needs, The Haven has grown into a multidimensional nonprofit that serves 800 individuals with disabilities every month. About half have Down Syndrome; the rest live with a variety of disorders, from cerebral palsy to developmental delays. Autism is an increasingly common secondary as well as primary diagnosis. In addition to preparing about 50 youngsters for elementary school, The Haven enrolls another 50 students ages 14-22 at its private Haven Academy. For adults, the organization runs six group homes on its 32-acre campus in north Sarasota, housing 48 residents. On weekdays they are joined by roughly 150 commuters for Adult Day Training—which for most clients, like Megan, includes several hours on the clock at work.

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

This emphasis on employment distinguishes The Haven. When Brad Jones became CEO almost five years ago, he led a shift in focus from a “day-care type environment” to a workplace. After years on staff in the residential program, Jones knew clients craved both a social experience and a sense of purpose. The Haven envisioned people with disabilities learning job skills on campus while earning a paycheck. The ultimate goal was launching those who proved capable into full- or parttime positions out in the community. Jones was hunting for real work, not make-work. He knew The Haven’s clients loved routine and excelled at repetitive tasks. “They’re sticklers for quality,” he says. “And they won’t stop until the job’s done and they have exactly the number that they need.” So, he and The Haven’s leadership went looking for companies willing to partner. Jones talked up the win-win relationship. With no HR hassles, employers can contract out tasks like assembling and packaging that other workers find tedious—while simultaneously doing a good turn for a marginalized population. Florida’s Agency for Persons with

philanthropy philanthropy

Disabilities funds the infrastructure for Adult Day Training, including staff instructors. So when the nonprofit signs a contract with companies, all the income goes into worker pay. The rate varies depending on the number of steps involved in a job, but now every employed client earns at least minimum wage. PARTNERING WITH PURPOSE “Sun Hydraulics was one of the first employers we landed,” says Jones. “That was really the key. Some of the work we complete for Sun Hydraulics actually goes into space. NASA uses it. It’s stuff that needs to be right.” Sun Hydraulics’ trust and confidence in The Haven opened doors. “Once we were able to show that track record, then more and more companies came to us,” says Jones. “It just bloomed from there.” Bealls department store also signed on, hiring The Haven’s clients to sort and bundle hangers. Commercial Refrigerator Door Company has contracted for workers to build hinges and refrigerator locks. Adult Day Training now encompasses everything from lawn care and janitorial services to weaving and a culinary arts program that staffs an on-campus bakery and prepares school meals. “Clients are learning how to learn a skill,” says Becky Forest, who came on two years ago as director of Haven Industries. “They’re learning how to follow directions, how to work in a group setting, not just be home with mom and dad. Those simple things we take for granted, like taking turns. Please, thank you, excuse me.” Adult Day Training is anything but a sweatshop. Each client makes an individual plan, choosing how many (if any) days

to work. Between breaks for snack, lunch, and recreation, the average worker logs about three hours per day. Forest points out that the pace and the flexibility suit clients with disabilities, who also benefit from an instructor’s support. About 15-20% of clients graduate to “competitive employment,” usually part time. Haven Industries helps clients find jobs and checks in with them regularly. Government rules limit out-in-world hours for people who quality for Social Security disability income. Fortunately, most clients have insurance through their parents or Medicaid. “They’ll work maybe 10 hours at Publix,” says Jones, “and then they’ll come here three days a week. They’ll split the time.” He notes that many clients don’t want to leave the oncampus program. Older “retirees” return. “We have our own fitness center, with personal trainers who work with clients. We have our own aquatic complex. There are parties, dances. A lot of times, people with disabilities, specifically adults, don’t have a social life. They come here for that. That’s a big component of their well-being.” Even in the warehouse, he says, they’re having fun. Music’s playing. “It’s a party atmosphere. But they’re still getting work done and getting paid by these companies.” The existence of a paycheck matters more than its size. Although clients understand money, Jones estimates that half can’t really tell the difference between $1 and $100. “They just know they’re getting a check. It’s payday. They’re getting rewarded for their work.” Parents and caregivers mind the books. When there’s jockeying, Jones says, it’s usually about working with a buddy, or a girlfriend, not about flaunting pay. “There’s really that sort of socially driven high school/college campus atmosphere.”

OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

philanthropy

"They’re sticklers for quality . . . And they won’t stop until the job’s done and they have exactly the number that they need.” —Brad Jones

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

SUCCESS = A SATISFIED WORKER After graduating from Sarasota High in 2006, Megan Maus headed into the job market. She had worked in the high school cafeteria. But finding a job around town wasn’t easy, she says. She worked at Goodwill for a while, then at Publix, but struggled to fit in. “The people outside did not treat me right. They made me a little bit sad or mad,” she says. “At The Haven, they treated me the way I want to be treated.” Now, Maus says, “I love getting up in the morning when I have to go to work.” Much as she likes getting paid—Maus just bought herself a laptop—she loves working more. “I like to do anything. I like to do everything,” she says. The commute is easy, a walk from the group home on campus she shares with 7 other residents and two staff members. She reports to the kitchen at 8 am, and the crew delivers a cart full of lunch to the preschool around 10:30. “I love the kids,” she says. Then Maus’s team cleans the kitchen—“makes it all nice and shiny.” She eats lunch, has some free time, and leaves with all the other clients at 2 pm. “It feels really good inside to have a job. Some people outside this world don’t even have jobs,” she observes. “I enjoy my day with my friends and my teacher. You do what you need to do and then go home.” PANDEMIC FALLOUT AND FUTURE PLANS The coronavirus upset plans at The Haven, as it has everywhere. With Adult

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philanthropy

Day Training, “we definitely were going full steam ahead and getting bigger contracts,” says Jones, “and then we had to close.” To protect both residents and commuting clients, the organization shut down from mid-March to mid-July but managed to avoid mass layoffs, furloughing only 15 of its 119 employees.

front, big annual events are being replaced by intimate fundraising and calls to donors. Looking forward, The Haven is considering buying land for another residential/ vocational campus since the current one has a waiting list of 170. Parents on the whole prefer that model to single group homes sprinkled throughout Sarasota neighborhoods.

As the lockdown eased, Forest polled families. Some parents and guardians weren’t ready to send clients back. But clients who can wear masks and practice social distancing are slowly returning to Haven Industries, which, like the pool and other facilities on campus, is operating at reduced capacity. The warehouse, usually staffed with about 100 clients, is now averaging 40, though Forest predicts it will be back in full swing by the end of October.

“More independence in the community sounds good,” says Jones, but it’s often hard for people with disabilities to access adequate public transportation. “The campus setting gives them a place where they can hang out with their friends down the road and ride their bikes,” says Jones. The Haven, for instance, has a big nature trail.

Although Jones worried that employers might desert The Haven, contracts have actually increased. “A lot of these companies had to lay off workers, so they were searching for a more economical source of labor,” Jones says. “Now Bealls has 3 semi-trucks parked here, instead of one.” Both Forest and Jones anticipate even more expansion in Haven Industries. They’d like to build a bridge between Haven Academy, the high school, and Adult Day Training. However, planning in these uncertain times remains the biggest challenge, according to Jones. On the budget 32

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“One location for work and home takes the burden off parents,” he adds. “Like the clients, the parents want the more social aspect of having residential and employment options all in one place.”

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

about the Haven, please visit www.thehavensrq.org or call 941.355.8808.

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A NEW LANDSCAPE

Photo Courtesy of SVN

Commercial realtors respond to changing workspace needs

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

By Ryan G. Van Cleave My buddy Jeff owns a beer-andburger joint in Wisconsin, and when Covid-19 arrived in his neighborhood, it hit his business hard. Because of positive cases among his employees, Jeff shuttered his doors for a few days, then a few weeks, and now it’s been months. He’s finally decided what to do—let the lease lapse and move on to another career after fifteen years in the restaurant business. That got me wondering. What’s the situation with the commercial real estate market in our own community? Will we see more empty storefronts and closed signs? Will there be an exodus of small—or even not-so-small— businesses? Or are things a bit more hopeful than all this? To get an expert take on the situation, I asked folks at three different firms serving Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast to share their experiences. Michael Saunders & Company’s Commercial Division, SVN Commercial Advisory Group, and Harshman & Company, Inc. all seemed well positioned to answer my questions.

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In all your experience with the COVID-affected real estate world, what has surprised you the most? The number of commercial real estate sale/lease transactions continuing to take place during the pandemic has surprised me. Yes, the activity of commercial real estate sale/lease transactions is less compared to this time last year, but I expected a much larger drop. It will be interesting to see how the third and fourth quarter of 2020 play out. —Scott Cietek, Director of Commercial Real Estate, Michael Saunders & Company’s Commercial Division

If one was anticipating a complete STOP in the commercial real estate market, that person would be pleasantly surprised. There has been “non-stop” interest by developers for multi-family sites and demand by investors for incomeproducing real estate has remained strong. Some leases and tenants have failed due to COVID19 lock down but the percentage of “newly vacant space” is relatively small. The shake out in the restaurant and fitness businesses has yet to be fully realized. Interestingly the demand for Sarasota residential real estate has remained strong during COVID-19. The movement to the SunCoast has been strong for several years and residential activity has been further buoyed by buyers and tenants fleeing the unrest and confusion in many major metropolitan areas and moving to safe havens like Florida and Texas. —John B. Harshman, Principal, Harshman & Company, Inc. 38 38

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How are companies changing their mind about space needs? Office users are wondering how the ability of their employees to work remotely will impact their office requirements going forward. Companies are reevaluating the use of private offices, conference room layouts and technology, the nature of shared space, and the impact of virtual work on their human resource policies, as well as their space needs. As this all sorts out, many businesses are holding steady with their real estate in order to evaluate the new realities of their real estate requirement. The result is often a pause or shortened term commitments. It is likely that the office use will change but it will not be eliminated. The need for 6 feet of separation will be with us for a while whether by a real or psychological mandate. The balance of virtual work with the need for corporate culture, face-to-face interaction, and innovation ensure continued reliance on office space in a new form. —Susan Goldstein, Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), MBA, Michael Saunders & Company’s Commercial Division

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What is the landscape (and future) of commercial real estate? The coronavirus has caused considerable economic disruption in our market, but some sectors of commercial real estate are faring better than others. Prior to the pandemic, many areas of the industry were on pace for another record year. Retail has seen several closings and appears more exposed to the effects of the pandemic than any other property type. Sarasota office vacancies are currently around 5.5%, with an expected annual rent growth of about 2%. While the full impact of the pandemic remains to be seen, we are already seeing signs of shifting preferences. Several local employers are finding remote work successful and some firms are reconsidering their requirements and moving into smaller office space. The medical office sector, on the other hand, has been growing precipitously due to nearly half of our population being 65 or older. The multifamily market remains in an extraordinary supply trend and construction activity has been exceeding the national average for nearly a decade. The pandemic may have given developers some pause as new starts fell recently. However, Sarasota is still building at a level of nearly twice the national average when measured by percent of existing inventory. —Matt Christian, Managing Director, SVN Commercial Advisory Group

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Are as many leases being broken as I imagine? The majority of my day-to-day business is in the office leasing market. And when the pandemic and ensuing lockdown hit—we feared the worst. Was this the end of the office market as we know it? As it turns out, no, it wasn’t. The market is simply shifting to adapt. We’re still getting a healthy amount of office inquiries, large and small. People need that workplace connection. And people need that separate location to help facilitate a healthy work/life balance in the long run. It won’t be surprising to see a shift in the type of floorplans that companies want to ensure regular separation inside the offices. But for the most part, the Manatee-Sarasota market seems to be of the resilient mindset that this is a temporary setback and we’ll weather the storm and be back to a normal life soon. Or at least fairly close to it. Commercial real estate will always be a wise avenue for the overall health of your financial investment portfolio. There are many different “food groups” of commercial real estate (Office, Retail, Land, Multi-Family, Industrial) and in that diversity, when one section of this market begins to underperform, another tends to pick up. For example—in this season of Coronavirus, when office demand initially declined due to remote working and retail stores suddenly took a hit from forced closings—then warehouse demand increased because online shopping exponentially increased. So, retailers and distributors saw the immediate need to acquire more fulfillment space. Many others who had been renters and had their futures in the hands of a landlord, have now decided to put their destiny in their own hands, causing much more shopping of freestanding buildings or vacant land to build their own locations. It’s an ebb and flow, but the boat stays steady. —Benjamin Bakker, Commercial Realtor, Michael Saunders & Company’s Commercial Division

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Why should “regular people” care about what happens to commercial real estate? Consumer consumption is the lifeblood of our economy. We track our successes and failures based on spending. When consumers are confident in their financial position to spend their discretionary income, both “regular people” and commercial real estate wins. To elaborate, let’s review the big picture of a single vacant retail or restaurant space. It is not simply a landlord missing out on rental income. It is also the potential unemployment of a number of employees and restaurant staff. And without the employment of those “regular people,” they cannot be consumers elsewhere. Not to mention the void that was once a potential consumer venue. —Lee DeLieto Jr., PA, Michael Saunders & Company’s Commercial Division

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Is residential real estate undergoing the same effects of COVID? Due to a shortage of inventory, demand in the Sarasota-Manatee-Charlotte county residential real estate market is performing very well right now. The overall supply is still low in our tri-county market, which leads to a seller’s market. The last time we had this low a level of active inventory in our Tri-County area was back in 2015. Residential appointment showing requests and new pending contracts are rising and holding steady. Home prices continue to rise during the pandemic. —Gareth Watson, Senior Research Analyst, Michael Saunders & Company’s Commercial Division

OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

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shifting spaces COVID-19 MEETS COWORKING By Wendy Lyons Sunshine

uring the early months of 2020, a new era of office life dawned.

Executives and employees began hunkering down at home, rigging out laptops in cozy spots, and converting dining rooms into Zoom studios. This tidal wave of work-from-home provoked employers into rethinking office space needs. Companies began right-sizing. Reconfiguring. Downsizing. The coworking industry, which provides turnkey access to communal office spaces, has also felt the squeeze. I spoke to three Sarasota area cowork executives to ask how theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re weathering the Covid-19 storm.

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BOLD Cowork

SAFETY “Our model is a shared workspace,” says Tom Frascone, a founder of BOLD Cowork on Fruitville Road. “And right now, we’re in a time when people don’t want to share workspace.” Frascone saw occupancy drop by about half in March. To help clients feel more comfortable, his venue now requires face masks in all common areas and provides hand sanitizer at entrances, elevators, and workstations. Seating capacity has been reduced and physical dividers were installed. For added protection, Frascone loosened access to private, enclosed office spaces and installed higher MERV rated air filters in the building’s HVAC systems. Common areas such as hallways, elevators, kitchens, worktables, and bathrooms get more frequent deep cleaning.

CREATIVITY Coworking venues typically feature seating and desk choices, high-speed online connectivity, conference rooms, and refreshment areas. Some sites encourage networking between members and provide professional development events. In the past, BOLD Cowork has hosted angel investors for Shark Tank style pitches. This year they launched a “community empowerment program” that offers

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BOLD Cowork

OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

Cowork LWR Cowork LWR

coworking accommodations on a scholarship basis to qualified, budding entrepreneurs. “What really sets us apart,” says Frascone, “is Regus International Workplace we also have this apartment building now. And Group the two buildings are literally next door.” He and his family became BOLD Lofts’ first tenants at the beginning of the year and he loves the convenience of walking next door to his office. Lofts residents get a free cowork membership; coworking customers can pay an add-on fee to use the pool and gym next door. “We’ve been able to attract people who aren’t just looking for a workspace solution, but people who are looking for a home base,” he says. Boutique-sized Cowork LWR in downtown Lakewood Ranch has its own unique offering: a private and quiet studio complete with professional microphones and audio mixers, making it easy to conduct podcasts, webinars, and video trainings. “We’ve had it since opening in 2016. And we’re proud of it,

4 48 8

SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE || OCTOBER OCTOBER 2020 2020

“

We’ve been able to attract people who aren’t just looking for a workspace solution, but people who are looking for a home base.

Regus International Workplace Group

— Tom Frascone, BOLD

Regus International Workplace Group

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“

People are really uncertain about time. They want to do a shorter term, and nothing long term, because no one seems to know how long this is going to go on. So we try and offer a lot of flexible options for them. — Karen Symos, Cowork LWR

because we’ve had big name podcasts come through here and record sessions,” says CEO Keith Pandeloglou. One member’s podcast was ultimately acquired by Spotify. Another show wound up on NBC Sports Radio. For road warriors, coworking space in downtown Sarasota hosted by Regus International Workplace Group (IWG) offers a perk: access to a vast network of coworking locations across the state and beyond. In addition to downtown Sarasota, the network has nearby locations in Fort Myers, Naples, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.

REBOUND Over the past few months, local cowork sites have seen an uptick in demand. Prior users have begun to venture out again. And perhaps not surprisingly, venues are fielding new inquiries from frustrated work-at-home employees who crave a quiet place to concentrate. “We

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have displaced workers showing up and saying, ‘I can’t work with the kids at home and the dogs around,’” says Frascone. Pandeloglou has seen this too. “People are probably getting tired of being home with their kids all the time and looking for different four walls.” His location encompasses a compact 1,300 square feet, and occupancy has been reduced for social distancing. Potential new on-site clients are being wait listed. With growth constrained by pandemic occupancy limits, Pandeloglou has chosen to expand through virtual office plans. Still the pandemic remains, and long-term commitments remain elusive. “People are really uncertain about time,” says Karen Symos, Team Lead and Sales Manager of the IWG Sarasota branch. “They want to do a shorter term, and nothing long term, because no one seems to know how long this is going to go on. So we try and offer a lot of flexible options for them.”

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Attracting Visitors

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

Amid a Pandemic Miles Partnership and Visit Sarasota County By Ryan G. Van Cleave You might not know the name Miles Partnership, but this Sarasota-based strategic marketing firm—a company that’s focused exclusively on travel and tourism—is quietly doing a lot to help support Sarasota’s local tourism community and businesses. How? Through names you probably do know, like Visit Sarasota County, which is the official tourism marketing entity and provider of visitor information for Sarasota county. Visit Sarasota County operates three official sarasota visitors information centers and a visitor information vehicle that appears at popular tourist spots and events. It also produces the “Official Sarasota County Visitors Guide” that is distributed to 100,000 potential visitors each year.

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Arts & Cultural Attraction

Tourism is one of the biggest economic drivers we have. In 2019, nearly 3 million visitors to our area produced a $3.1 million impact. It’s high-profile Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) like Visit Sarasota County that help make that happen. And in a time where COVID-19 makes travel potentially less attractive than ever, promoting tourism is a challenging task.

ph oto by Na nc y Gu th

Miles is ready to assist, says Andrea Wood, Vice President of Marketing at Miles Partnership. Together, Miles and Visit Sarasota County have identified shifts in target audiences and messaging, building on “Miles-led research and insight into how traveler sentiment has evolved in tandem with the pandemic’s evolution.” Visit Sarasota County has always pursued quality over quantity, says its vice president, Erin Duggan. “We want to target the right kind of visitor for our destination— someone who will enjoy all of the attributes that makes Sarasota County so special. We have always targeted specific types of consumers, like those who enjoy arts and culture, or ecoadventurers.” With less funding for advertising, they’re still seeking those types of visitors, but they’re also looking for visitors who exhibit key behaviors that would indicate that they’re genuinely interested in traveling.

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Power of

Destination Marketing

Destination marketing and management organizations such as Visit Sarasota County are official local government organizations or public/private partnerships that have the mission to promote and help manage a critical part of local economies—tourism. The biggest misconception about DMOs, says Wood, is about how they are funded. Wood explains that most DMOs—especially convention and visitor bureaus—are actually funded by taxes and fees raised directly from visitors themselves. That means hotel room bed taxes and general sales taxes, namely. About 92% of this visitor funding goes to support local government initiatives, including roads, schools, police departments, and public parks. That leaves just 7% of this tax revenue paid by visitors in 2019 (down from 9% in 2009) for DMOs. And for state tourism organizations, their share is more along the lines of 2%. In return for the funding they do receive, DMOs undertake marketing to attract more visitors who in turn spend more money and pay more taxes. “DMOs also work increasingly in the management of tourism in the community to ensure that the benefits of tourism are widely shared,” Wood says. “This includes city and county planning, supporting small and startup businesses, and helping build vibrant community events.” How did Miles Partnership come to understand all this? Because they partnered with Civitas, Tourism Economics, the U.S. Travel Association, and Destination Marketing Association of Canada to create “Funding Futures,” the largest study ever done on tourism and DMO funding. The main takeaway from that analysis is this— far from being “corporate welfare” recipients, DMOs are a key part of an industry that hugely supports public finances in the U.S.

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EVERYONE CAN PITCH IN

How can we help ensure Sarasota remains a mustexperience destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast? One easy way to make a difference, says Duggan, is get on social media and share the fun things you enjoy doing here, along with images of the gorgeous area where we all live, work, and play in daily. “Helping us market Sarasota County as a destination to friends and family,” explains Duggan, “in turn increases attendance in our local shortterm rental accommodations, thus increasing sales at area businesses that rely on tourism.” Duggan also recommends we patronize local businesses to help them thrive. “Eat out in the restaurants, whether dining in or taking out. Shop at our local stores—again, most are open and offering curbside

Promoting Paradise Miles recently launched the Tourism Business Marketing Academy, an online portal where local businesses can find tools and resources to help them optimize and improve results from all aspects of digital marketing. “Since launching the program just a few months ago, we’ve had more than 600 businesses from destinations across the country log in and utilize the system,” says Wood. Visit Sarasota County has signed up for the program and will be rolling it out to partners in October. Here in Sarasota, we get it. Tourism is vital. “Miles has been a trusted partner of Visit Sarasota County for many years, working together since 2003,” says Duggan. “It is amazing to have such a powerful resource that specializes in destination marketing headquartered right here in the same county that we represent.”

delivery for those who need it. Here at Visit Sarasota County, we have a great program called

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SPOTLIGHT

Investing With a Family Touch By Gus Mollasis

hen Jerry and Fay Bainbridge met 60 years ago, building a business together side by side as a husband and wife team was not in the plan. Yet for the last 33 years they have been helping grow and manage the wealth of clients.

Jerry studied mathematics and worked as an engineer for many years at AT&T. But he never really liked engineering. His true interest? Investing.

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61 61

on the town

In 1981, the couple began to explore that dream. “At that time, we were only managing money for family and friends,” says Jerry. “In fact, Fay’s mother was our very first client.” Over the next six years, their investments did well. Well enough that Jerry and Fay were able to put their children through college. Well enough to resign their jobs and dedicate themselves to building a new business. “Like many small businesses, we started ours in a spare bedroom in our home,” says Jerry. “We worked hard and we got up to 100 clients in a matter of about six months.” The couple moved to Sarasota, leased an office and, over time, built an office at 1582 Main Street. As years went by, they continued to add clients and personnel. Today their investment firm, J.L. Bainbridge & Company, manages more than $650 million dollars. “There are eight people in our firm,” says Jerry. “Essentially it’s become a dream come true.” SHARING THEIR AMERICAN DREAM The key to success was having a very conservative, disciplined investment approach. Jerry believes it has helped them weather all kinds of financial storms calmly, with a steady hand. “In addition, we made our management fee totally payable dependent upon our client’s satisfaction.”

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“That got us through the crash of 1987 essentially unharmed. It got us through the crash of 2000, when the technology boom exploded. It got us through the 2008 – 2009 recession, which was by far the worst recession of our lifetime,” he says. “And it’s now getting us through the Covid-19 situation.” Currently, Jerry and Fay own 42% of the company, and 58% of the company is owned by team members. This way, everybody has a stake in the company and everybody is committed to the success of the company for clients. TAKING THE LONG VIEW Who’s their ideal client? Individuals or families who want to invest in their future and who have realistic goals. Those who hope to double their money in three years are not a good fit. As far back as 1981, Jerry made an observation. “It’s amazing, people who go out to buy furniture or a new car take more time in reaching that decision than they do in many cases investing in stocks. You see it over and over and over.” Jerry spells out the firm’s philosophy from the very first meeting. Once on board, clients receive a letter every month that talks about an aspect of Bainbridge’s business investments. “Then the client sees through various markets that we never deviate

on the town

from our philosophy,” he says. “And we communicate often. That builds the relationship and trust.” Bainbridge invests only in quality companies that have a long history of earnings growth, very conservative financials, limited debt, and very high cash flow. “We followed that philosophy in 1981 and we follow that philosophy today,” he says. “And we are now instilling that into all members of our team so that once Fay and I do leave the company, which hopefully is several years from now, the company will move forward.” About the year 2020 versus the market of 2008-2009, Jerry says there is no comparison. “To me, 2008 to 2009 was much worse. The market actually declined almost 50%. Technology stocks lost at least half their value. The real speculative stocks lost 90% of their value and have never recovered.” Amid the Covid-19 era, he is both realistic and optimistic. “The only thing that may change that is if we don’t get a vaccine,” he says “Then the economic recovery will probably falter and then we could be in some serious trouble. But I’m pretty optimistic from everything I read that there will be a vaccine.”

. . . the client sees through various markets that we never deviate from our philosophy. And we communicate often. That builds the relationship and trust.” — JERRY BAINBRIDGE

His biggest conviction about investing? “The biggest mistake that investors make is that they take too much risk,” he says. “If you lose

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on the town

money, time is not on your side. You never make it up later, because the compounding of money over time is what ultimately makes you very wealthy.” MONEY AND MEANING What do Jerry and Fay hope their clients will remember from doing business with them? “I hope that they think that we have been instrumental in their financial success. I’ve gotten letters from clients that say, ‘Thank you for the great retirement.’ I hope that they would think that they were fortunate to have found our company and fortunate to utilize our philosophy. We’re here to serve clients.” Jerry and Fay have long invested their own money the same way they invest clients’ money. That has allowed them a high level of financial security, and in turn, to make a meaningful contribution. “You look around and see what you can do with the money to help society. That’s why we formed a family trust and foundation 12 years ago,” Jerry says. Their foundation gives away a million dollars each year to organizations that make an impact. “We give money to a charity that serves abused children. We give money to an organization that is supporting families and individuals that are in danger of becoming homeless. We give money for low-cost housing. We support local programs to help those students not achieving at full level,” says Jerry. In addition, the couple sponsors about 40 scholarships a year at the school where they graduated from up in Wyoming, Michigan. Even with all these accomplishments, Jerry and Fay still enjoy going into the office—together. “We’re just so close. We literally don’t argue and we don’t have disagreements. Some people think that it’s crazy that we work together day and night. But that works for us. Fay is in the office with me every day, and I guess we just complement each other.” Jerry says, “It’s really not work to us. If it was, I wouldn’t be doing it at age 79.”

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e often partner with our clients to build speculative homes, in fact, just this month we have started a new spec project on Longboat Key. Throughout our forty years in business, we have been highly successful honing a formula that equates winning projects. Even during the great recession we designed and built two homes that each set sales records during one of the most tumultuous markets in history. Building spec homes can be a lucrative investment strategy, however, just like any investment you need to set yourself up for success. Here are some basic pointers on what have made our ventures in the luxury speculative $2-8 million market successful. PROPERTY: It is imperative to team up with a top realtor who understands the neighborhood you are looking at extremely well. Comps are real and if you design beyond what a neighborhood will support price wise you will inevitably be disappointed. DESIGN: Savvy buyers tend to gravitate towards timeless highend design and quality construction. Hire a talented architect and a builder with a reputation for quality. The right combination here can pay dividends by name recognition alone. As a builder who has spent four decades building for luxury clientele, we bring an understanding of the subtle details and features that this type of buyer is after that others cannot. CUTTING CORNERS: A penny saved is not a penny earned in luxury spec building. This tactic only works in lower end speculative homes. We build our spec homes exactly like we build for our custom home clients. Buyers in this market segment are discerning and understand quality at a very high level. They will pick up on subpar materials and construction quickly. I welcome anyone interested in talking spec or new home construction to give me a call!

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Scene TOGETHER

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COUPLES ON THEIR WEDDING DAY By Wendy Lyons Sunshine By Jacqueline Miller

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

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AUGUST

15, 2020

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R OU S E

JAMES O’Q U

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n at the top James proposed to Mega re hiking in of a mountain, while they we ding “Yes!” Colorado. Her reply? A resoun Megan and Friends since high school, ile visiting James had reconnected wh me dia tel y fam ily in Sa ras ota an d im couple was became inseparable. The life together eager to begin their new the happy and wouldn’t let a virus delay jus ted the occ asi on . Ins tea d, the y ad the moment. celebration and event to fit we chose to “In light of the pandemic, home,” says have our wedding close to and, in lining Megan. “We love Sarasota the mu sic , up ven do rs for my dre ss, to patronize flowers and cake, we chose p support only local businesses to hel eco no mi c the m du rin g thi s diffic ult season.” and Mitchel Megan is the daughter of Lisa an attorney Krouse. She currently works as

OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

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rofit legal sident of nonp and is the pre . James is r the Disabled fo y rit io Pr , group is president a O’Quinn. He the son of Tin business d agriculture an ile xt te e of th Global. , Palm Group holdings group , th e ir fi rs t th e w e d d in g F o r p la n n in g d safety wing health an llo fo as w y rit prio n of friends r the protectio guidelines fo one feel to help every d an ily m fa and , instead of For example comfortable. eals were ing buffet, m d ed w l ua us the uest list was vance. The g planned in ad e event 0 to 20 and th 15 m o fr ed uc red ith covered e open air, w was held in th er. of bad weath seating in case d sh o u ld e rs w as h e ad an e u n ve r u “O ions,” says quired regulat above the re

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Megan. They had sanitizer stations, social distancing signs, and suggestions for masks at certain times. Staff wore masks and were always available to meet individual guests’ needs. Despite the scaled-back guest list, the couple still enjoyed live music, tossing the bouquet, popping champagne bottles, and fun photo shoots. Their best friend’s dog, a pocket-sized Pomeranian, wore a tuxedo for the occasion. Megan and James included guests who couldn’t attend in person, thanks to livestream and online technology. Beautiful pictures were shared through an online link. For their honeymoon, Megan and James will be going to North Carolina to enjoy a bed-and-breakfast and see the seasons change.

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We welcome you to discover the endless possibilities for your perfect day and say “I do” with Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Our savvy event planners and culinary experts will collaborate with you to create a truly memorable occasion in any of our flexible indoor and outdoor spaces. Plus, as a Hyatt Gold Passport® member, you can earn points for your wedding booking, redeemable for honeymoon nights at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide. For more information, call 941 363 2603 or visit sarasota.regency.hyatt.com. HYATT REGENCY SARASOTA 1000 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, Florida, USA, 34236 The trademarks HYATT®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Gold Passport® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2016 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

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OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

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SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

FEBRUAR Y 1, 202 0

L AUREN

CHRISTI

PHOTOG

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k Shortly before Covid-19 too hold, Lauren and Christian e for celebrated their mutual lov Potter. each other – and for Harry Lauren, who grew up in Class Bradenton and graduated High of 2011 from Braden River Scott School, is the daughter of rently and Sherri Frieler. She cur works as a manufacturing ostics. technician at Lumos Diagn Juan, Christian grew up in San d in the Puerto Rico and graduate High Class of 2007 from Bayshore The son School in Bradenton, FL. rently of Alicia Martinez, he is cur ast/ General Manager for Comc Xfinity Sarasota. working The pair connected while of an in different departments “We electronics store in 2012. r love originally bonded over ou

OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

deo comics and vi for the same Harry utual love for games. The m onship d as our relati Potter evolve only uren. “He had did,” says La before f the movies seen a few o since ether and has we got to tog tless y many coun sat through m r Harry he real love fo marathons. T me after we beca Potter came tudios to Universal S passholders Orlando.” a posed during Christian pro of d izarding Worl visit to the W tudios. at Universal S r e tt o P ry ar H m e “Escape fro Adjacent to th Dragon ide, with the R s” tt o g n ri G d her rop, he offere as the backd g the 6th ent ring usin m e ag g n e e th lder. book as a ho Harry potter

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

Their backyard wedding was magical and whimsical, with close to 100 guests. The event drew inspiration from the wedding of Fleur and Bill, two characters in the Harry Potter movies, along with traditional wedding styles. Lauren’s 3-year old daughter Serena and niece Mila joined the festivities as flower girls. Nephew Aiden was the ring bearer. Following a delicious meal of prime rib and roasted turkey, the couple treated guests to an exclusive wedding cake–toasted coconut with coconut cream frosting and topped with the couple’s favorite anime characters! The newlyweds hope to honeymoon on a 7-day cruise with a stop in San Juan, PR, next year.

on the town

Education MATTERS By Ryan G. Van Cleave

TRANSFORMING TOMORROW BY EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES

Anyone who’s been in Sarasota in the early part of the calendar year has surely seen the most visible facet of what Embracing Our Differences (EOD) does—the large-scale juried public art exhibit in Bayfront Park. “The annual international outdoor exhibit is at the heart of our entire program of activities,” says Sarah Wertheimer, the not-for-profit organization’s Executive Director, who joined them a little more than six years ago. “It’s a great catalyst to promote diversity and create awareness.” This year’s exhibit received 16,118 entries from people in 127 countries and all 50 states. While the Bayfront Park exhibit is the most public-facing thing EOD does, it creates a misconception, reports Wertheimer. “When people learn that I work with the art exhibit, they say, ‘Oh, and what do you do for the rest of the year?” Yes, it’s true that the art exhibit runs each year from mid-January to mid-April. But what many people don’t fully realize is that EOD has activities and events throughout the year. Despite having only three full-time employees, they manage to run one of the largest education programs in southwest Florida. Since 2004, over 400,000 students have participated in EOD education programs. In 2020, more than 1,000 teachers and 36,000 students took part in events and activities through their organization. Thanks in large part to 400+ volunteers, EOD runs workshops and retreats that provide diversity curricula for area educators, student docent programs in high schools, and free visits for classes in our community to visit cultural venues.

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The impact of these events is impressive. For example, a two-day art teacher workshop at the end of July had 41 participants. The actual student reach of those art teachers in our community? More than 13,000, because a single art teacher in a single school often reaches every single student there. “We do a lot with teachers because it’s so impactful. They take the information and resources into the classroom and pass the information on to so many children,” says Wertheimer. “Last year, we worked with 1,000+ teachers through the school year, though not all of that was exclusively professional development.” Those professional development opportunities are always free, and sometimes they can even offer a small stipend for attendees. What teachers surely appreciate most is how many resources EOD makes available to provide Florida-standardssatisfying curricula and lesson plans relating to art appreciation, character building, and diversity education. “We’ve now generated far more virtual resources, too,” Wertheimer adds. “That’s one positive outcome of the current situation.” EOD has been able to quickly adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic in creative ways via online and virtual platforms.

on the town

They worked with educators and curriculum specialists to redesign upcoming education programs to be easily accessed. For example, instead of face-to-face class visits throughout Manatee and Sarasota County schools, volunteer readers will visit K-3 classes virtually and read to the students in the November “bucket filling” event that uses a series of book by Carol McCloud to teach kindness, appreciation, and love by “filling buckets.” “We picked the books entirely on their own merit,” says Wertheimer. “But we were so surprised and excited to learn that Carol spends half the year in Venice. This last year, she worked as a volunteer reader for us at Venice Elementary and Fruitville Elementary. We’re already talking with her about how she can participate in this year’s event, too.” Among EOD’s many activities and initiatives is a noteworthy new scholarship program. Two Riverview High School seniors who start classes at the University of Florida this fall both received $1,000 four-year renewable scholarship for their fine work in the Coexistence Club, which has chapters at Booker, North Port, Sarasota, and River View high schools. The club members all serve as docents for the thousands of students who visit the outdoor exhibition each year, as well as create

OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

on the town

student-driven initiatives in their own schools to promote acceptance and inclusion.

discipline to help them get their students writing about diversity, respecting differences, and rejecting prejudice and hatred.

“The fierce commitment of Coexistence Club members to promote diversity, inclusion, integrity, and respect in their schools and at EOD’s annual exhibition led us to consider how we could further honor their efforts while also supporting their education after graduation,” says Ben Jewell-Plocher, EOD’s Education Director. To apply for the scholarships, students simply need to demonstrate how the Coexistence Club and their participation as docents has had an impact on their life, point of view, and high school career.

“We really want to create a community—and, hopefully, a world!—where people treat one another with respect and kindness,” Wertheimer says. “We like to think that one day, our organization and mission won’t be needed. But the reality is that the values Embracing Our Differences stands for are more important now than ever. Creating a climate where everyone feels valued, respected, empowered, and included is what’s at stake. A future that honors those values cannot be taken for granted. We’re here to promote these values—and we invite the entire community to join us.”

If you haven’t been to the Bayfront Park art exhibition, you might not realize that it’s not just about art—it’s about using words powerfully, as well. To that end, there are separate competitions, with the selected works being paired together later in the process. “The words and art are judged by two separate committees,” Wertheimer notes. “You don’t have to have visual art skills to be able to participate. The writing part can be a really fun project in the classroom.” And, of course, they have ample lesson plans available for teachers in any 78

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

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

about Embracing Our Differences, please visit www.embracingourdifferences.org or call 941.404.5710.

Want to see yourself in Sarasota Scene?

We’re launching a new section called “Scene Snaps” —and

YOU’RE invited to participate!

Send us your very best photos . . .Amaze us with imagination and creativity! We’ll select the most fascinating, interesting, beautiful, and amusing photos to appear in an upcoming issue. Current Theme: Having Fun While Social Distancing! How have you been staying entertained lately within social distance guidelines? We want to see photos of yourself, your friends or family. Photos may be taken with a phone or camera. Be sure to tell us when and where each photo was taken, and who/what is in the photo.

We look forward to seeing your artistry! Submission deadline: October 9, 2020. Email submissions and any questions to Wendy Lyons Sunshine, Editor-in-Chief, at wendy@scenesarasota.com by October 9th for consideration to be in the November issue of Sarasota Scene.

arts&culture

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Best SEATS PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR WHILE THEATERS ARE DARK RIGHT NOW, TAKE A COMFORTABLE SEAT AT HOME AND ENJOY VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES AND CLASSES PRESENTED BY SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS. ALL LISTINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.

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941.306.1200 / artistseriesconcerts.org Women of Note: A Celebration of Female Composers of the 19th and 20th Centuries October 1 – 12 Hanzhi Wang, Accordian October 13 Under the Stars October 26

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE 941.351.8000 / asolorep.org Monday Musical Moments Every Monday Online Engage: On Air Every Wednesday Online

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ENSEMBLENEWSRQ ensrq.org Peculiar Dreams October 20 – 21

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE 941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org The Playwrights Project Online

JAZZ CLUB SARASOTA 941.366.1552 / jazzclubsarasota.com Forty Years of Jazz Online

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THE RINGLING 941.359.5700 / Ringling.org Kinky Boots October 9 National Theatre Live: Present Laughter October 16 National Theatre Live: The Lehman Trilogy October 23 Virtual Talks & Lectures  Through December 16

SARASOTA OPERA

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VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL

941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org Digital Program 1: TBD October 23

941.953.3368 / vanwezel.org A Virtual Escape Room Experience October 7

941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org Sarasota Opera Online From living room and driveway performances to historic anecdotes, creative efforts keep virtual audiences entertained. Links for more information: -sarasotaopera.org/throwback-thursday -youtube.com/SarasotaOpera -facebook.com/SarasotaOpera

New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players October 24 “Virtually” Gather with Your Friends & Family October 28 A Killer Party — Streaming October 31

WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE 941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org WBTT LIVE! Online See a select show via your Computer, Tablet, Smart Phone or Smart TV. Once you purchase your ticket, you will receive an email confirmation with instructions.  The Soul Crooners — Live October 7 – November 22

For a full list of this season’s performing arts events, view our Arts & Culture Guide. SCENESARASOTA.COM OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

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GET Inspired CULTURAL HAPPENINGS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY

Note: Events are subject to change. Please check event online before attending.

941.746.2862 | artcentermanatee.org In The Making Open Juried Show Kellogg & Searle Galleries Through October 9 ArtCenter Manatee Instructor Showcase Reid Hodges Gallery Through October 9 Fishing For Diamonds Open Juried Show Kellogg, Searle & Reid Hodges Galleries October 13 – November 20

ART CENTER SARASOTA 941.365.2032 | artsarasota.org Carl Abbott, Victoria Trespando, Art Center Instructors October 15 – November 27] Online Peer Juried Exhibition Through October 2

SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

CLYDE BUTCHER VENICE GALLERY & STUDIO 941.486.0811 | clydebutcher.com Platinum Palladium Collection Exhibit Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Live — Ongoing

DABBERT GALLERY dabbertgallery.com | 941.955.1315 Live: Boundless Color - Florida Style 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Through October 31

FLORIDA SUNCOAST WATERCOLOR SOCIETY (FSWS) 941.792.0608 | suncoastwatercolorsociety.com Online Fall Exhibition October 15 – November 30

• Listen to your loved ones. No one wants to take away driving privileges, but if l oved ones are worried, there are generally reasons. Be prepared. Have a “driving retirement plan” and seek out resources like ITN Suncoast (www.itnsuncoast.org) as options to get where you need to go if you have to give up your license.

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Meet Artist

DIANA DE AVILA My path to becoming an artist was untraditional. Actually, I was never even interested, or talented, in art. In 1984 I suffered a traumatic brain injury. Years later, in 2017, my condition worsened and a severe relapse of MS led to a diagnosis of Acquired Savant Syndrome and synesthesia. My vision and cognition became affected, granting me artistic abilities that I had never before possessed. Synesthesia is a rare condition that triggers the senses in new ways. One sense modality occurs when another modality is stimulated (like tasting sounds or hearing scents). This condition enables me to see colors as distinct shapes and images in three dimensions or layers. As one of 300+ people over the world with my syndrome, I simply do not perceive the world as most people do. Now I create cosmic digital art rooted in fractal geometry. My chosen palette has become multiple sof tware programs, algorithms, and ar tificial intelligence. The fractal is my friend! It is a detailed pattern that repeats ad infinitum. Such self-similar patterns occur throughout nature, in trees, seashells, and crystals. One fascinating example of a natural fractal is Romanesco broccoli, in which a single floret resembles every other floret and the entire head of broccoli. Usually, my pieces are printed on acrylic or metal. My art is prolific, compulsive and rewardingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and my gift is still a mystery. To learn more about my work, please visit www.dianadeavila.com.

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arts&culture

LITERARY Scene By Ryan G. Van Cleave

ENJOY THREE SCARY TALES FOR HALLOWEEN!

NIGHT OF THE MANNEQUINS BY STEPHEN GRAHAM JONES

Let me start by sharing three things. 1. I know Stephen. We went to graduate school together at FSU (in the late 90s). 2. I’m trying hard to bring him to Ringling College as a speaker in spring 2021. 3. He’s an incredibly talented writer, period. While I’ve never reviewed any of his many books before here or elsewhere, this one prompted me to do so. Night of the Mannequins is a contemporary horror novella (136 pages) about…yep, a plastic human figure. Told by a terrifically unreliable narrator, Sawyer Grimes, it all starts innocently enough—a group of friends find a mannequin in a swamp, name him “Manny,” and use him to screw with other kids in the neighborhood. What’s wrong with a bit of weird fun, right? Eventually, they get busy with their teen lives, and Manny gets forgotten. But now those kids are nearly ready for college, and they want one last childhood romp before they all pass into the humdrum world of adulthood. Re-enter Manny and one final prank to top all previous pranks. How does it go? The opening line clues us in about the well-wrought horror to come. So Shanna got a new job at the movie theater, we thought we’d play a fun prank on her, and now most of us are dead, and I’m really starting to feel guilty about it all. This book is chock full of dark humor, trope-bending twists, and absurdity that just works. Sawyer’s a first-rate narrator with a great voice and the right amount of teen angst and half-truths. It’s a fine, fine read.

RYAN’S RATING: WWW.DEMONTHEORY.NET

8 86 6

SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE || OCTOBER OCTOBER 2020 2020

LAST CASE AT A BAGGAGE AUCTION BY ERIC GUIGNARD

I’m sucker for good book covers, and the spooky antique gramophone player here promises the kind of supernatural/ horror/thriller tale that I’m always game to read. And this book delivers on that promise. It’s Detroit in the early 1960s, and Charlie Stewart—a hoarder of sorts—loves to bid on items at the weekly baggage auctions. He lands a mysterious suitcase containing an old gramophone and some records. When played, there’s clearly something unnatural about the music that soon turned to eerie chanting that proves so captivating that Charlie’s friend, Joey, becomes enthralled. Spookily so. And then a voice spoke. Or, rather, chanted. Joey and I looked at each other. I immediately felt nauseous, the way castor oil curdles in your guts, and I saw Joey felt the same. The voice was a man’s and he spoke in slow solemn words, the

arts&culture intonations seeming to reverberate throughout my room in low bass rumbles. The words were unfamiliar, but emotions dripping with wet fog somehow filled each syllable, and my head swooned. The chanting’s like an addiction. Charlie’s not quite as hooked as Joey is, and so he seeks to find out who the suitcase belonged to, and what’s the story with its mysterious—perhaps deadly?—contents. I’ll hold off saying more, but this is a fine novella clocking in at just over 100 pages, complete with lovely black-and-white noir-style illustrations throughout. The historical details feel spot-on, and the prose is smooth. Charlie might be a fool at times, but he’s entirely believable, and it’s easy to root for him as he tries to vanquish the unholy, unignorable music that could well be the cause for people in the Detroit community to go missing.

RYAN’S RATING: WWW.ERICJGUIGNARD.COM

WINTER OF THE WOLF BY MARTHA HUNT HANDLER

Sam’s sister, Bean, is devastated when her brother is found dead in his bedroom during a frigid winter in small-town Minnesota. Everyone thinks it’s a suicide. Yes, it’s sad and horrible, but he simply hung himself, they decide. Bean doesn’t buy it. She might just be fifteen, but she knows him better than anyone—better than her other two older brothers, she thinks—and she’s determined to find out what actually happened. Bean enlists her friend Julie to uncover the truth. Sam’s interest in Inuit beliefs cause them to immerse themselves in that world to try to figure out what might’ve happened, and the exploration of spirituality quickly becomes a key part of this book. Readers who aren’t already fluent in Inuit beliefs and customs might feel they’ll be at a disadvantage, but that’s not the case. You’ll learn plenty as you read, and you’ll likely be caught up in both the family’s attempt at coping with loss and Bean’s ongoing pursuit for answers. Somehow, this YA book manages to deal with tough topics like suicide, grief, loss, and animal death without being a total downer. It might even provide a sense of hope for readers

who’ve known losses of their own, since the book affirms that those who leave this world are never truly gone. From her bio as well as her writing, it’s clear that the author has deep passion for animals in general and wolves in specific. She’s the president of the Wolf Conservation Center, Protect Our Wolves, and all proceeds from the book go to that organization.

RYAN’S RATING: WWW.MARTHAHUNTHANDLER.COM | OCTOBER OCTOBER 2020 2020 | SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE

87 87

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arts&culture

Laughing MATTERS THE ONE ABOUT QUARANTINE RYAN By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Illustrations by Darcy Kelly-Laviolette

ome of you have likely been thinking about asking, “Ryan? How is it that you’re able to stay shockingly productive and remain so well adjusted when you’ve haven’t put gas in your car since March 11th, you’ve forgotten what your hair stylist looks like, and your relationship with your C3PO pajamas has gotten overly familiar?” Great question. And I’m happy to share my secret. Here it is—I have absolutely no idea, save for how I find myself dreaming of singing flamingos most nights who regale my nighttime hours with renditions of Sinatra’s “My Way.” But just in case there’s wisdom to be had in the moment-by-moment doings of a hiding-fromCOVID life like mine, I’ll share the happenings of last Thursday, which is a pretty fair approximation of a day in the life of Quarantine Ryan.

7:13am 7:23am 7:33am 7:34am 7:35am 8:39am 8:52am 9:03am 9:09am 9:10am 9:12am 10:22am 10:55am Noon 12:13pm 1:10pm 2:10pm 2:55pm 4:11pm 5:55pm 5:59pm 7:10pm 8:45pm 9:00pm 9:45pm 9:46pm 9:47pm

Hit snooze Hit snooze Tell Alexa to play Wake Up music Threaten Alexa with obliteration Yank power cord from Alexa Wake up for realsies Enjoy breakfast of cold pepperoni pizza and two bottles of Yoohoo Begin reading Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time 14-book series in preparation of the Amazon Prime series starring Rosamund Pike and Madeleine Madden Quit reading Robert Jordan’s 14-book Wheel of Time series Use 1 Wheel of Time book as bathroom doorstop List remaining 13 books in Wheel of Time series for sale on Amazon Feel guilty about Wheel of Time book fiasco— shove them all under my bed Have a regular vs. vanilla vs chocolate vs. dark chocolate Oreos taste test Play online trivia with local brewery to win “Quiz King” crown and $5 coupon Quit trivia after refusing to believe the world’s largest desert is Antarctica Sign up for Harvard’s “Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science” online class (knowing I’ll never actually start it) Download Duolingo to learn Spanish Put together a beautiful charcuterie board, using only foods I have in my fridge Read all of The New Yorker issues piled under my desk Stare at myself in bathroom mirror—attempt a selfportrait in green crayon Google The Rock—give myself his pecs Construct life-size Spiderman out of pipe cleaners Delete Duolingo Rewatch the beginning of Frozen 2—really belt out “Into the Unknown” Begin walk around neighborhood for exercise Stop at next-door neighbor’s house for margaritas on patio Gripe about trying to drink margaritas through a straw while wearing a mask

OCTOBER 2020 | SARASOTA SCENE

arts&culture 10:09pm 10:25pm 10:48pm 11:34pm

Return home—brag about robust COVID exercise regimen on social media Narrate making popcorn with game show announcer voice See how much ice cream I can fit in my mouth Fall asleep to reruns of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour

Rinse, repeat, etc. I’m sure it’s more than a little intimidating to see what a jampacked life I lead while being stuck in my house like a crook with an ankle monitor. But to be totally fair, I was far less capable of being productive when COVID first hit. So, don’t judge yourself too harshly if your own daily doings don’t quite compare. It’s perfectly understandable.

Helping Children Diagnosed With Epilepsy

If you’re still yearning for ways to power through the days, wait until next month’s column, where I’ll reveal how you too can play Dungeons & Dragons with Norwegian subtitles. Sound great? I agree! [hvor fantastisk er det?]

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can strike ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. In fact, 1 in 26 people will have a seizure during their lifetime. The stigma and social isolation; the uncertainty of when the next seizure might occur; and the fear of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) are the frightening realities for many families in our community. JoshProvides pulls back the curtain on epilepsy, through community awareness, education, offering a monthly Epilepsy Support Group, and providing seizure detection & alert devices, transportation assistance and assistance with medical services. Our families are NOT defined by their disorder… they are warriors who will overcome these obstacles thanks to your support!

Mission: To improve the quality of life for those living with epilepsy or other seizure disorders. (800) 706-2740 90

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SARASOTA SCENE | OCTOBER 2020

If you’d like to share your own COVID-avoiding daily doings, please drop me a line at Spam@SceneSarasota.com. I’d love to know how our days stack up against one another. I suspect we’re all doing pretty much the same thing, but you just never know, right? See you next time, folks!

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