SRQ Magazine | Love Local May 2019

ANNUAL DONOR GUIDE TO NONPROFIT GIVING

MAY / JUNE 2019

BRAND STOR Y THE BAYSIDE CLUB TM

L I V E L O C A L | L O V E L O C A L

TRANSFORMING LIVE LOCAL. LOVE LOCAL SARASOTA | BRADENTON

GOOD EATS

CELEBRATED LOCAL CHEFS COLLABORATE WITH THE CITY’S GALLERIES TO CREATE ARTISTIC FEASTS

CREATING EXPERIENCES THAT TRANSFORM HOW WE LIVE LOCAL

NEW AT THE TABLE

THE DAILY BIRD, LEMON TREE KITCHEN AND THE SPICE BOYS

MAY/JUNE 2019

RAIDERS OF THE LOSTART SOLVING A DECADES-OLD MYSTERY

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THE WILD BUNCH

MEET THE BEST IN SHOW “PETS WE LOVE”

ALL WRITE, SOME PLAY

FST’s MODERN PLAYWRIGHT MARK ST. GERMAIN

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contents May/June 2019

The Slobbery Survivor, BRODY 56 THE WILD BUNCH it’s hard to put into words what our pets mean to us. It doesn’t matter what breed or age, where we find them or how we find them— they become part of you, and your home. You love them hard, and they love you back even harder.

Well, cats might be another matter, but as long as we feed them, right?

Written by Brittany Mattie Photography by Wyatt Kostygan.

18-MONTH-OLD LAB/BLACK MOUTH CUR MIX, RESCUED FROM THE FLOODS OF HURRICANE IRMA AND ADOPTED FROM GAINESVILLE PET RESCUE, @THE.TAILS.OF.BRODY.

38 BEST OF SRQ LOCAL COMMUNITY CATEGORIES

Biggest community accomplishment, Biggest community blunder, Love Letters to SRQ! Enjoy this final installment of this year’s Best Of Local Competition!

Written by Jacob Ogles, Phil Lederer and Brittany Mattie.

56 DISH+ART Pairing some of the area’s most celebrated local chefs with art from some of the city’s most celebrated galleries, the result is a slew of new culinary creations that will have readers making reservations and diners secretly hoping their eyes are bigger than their stomachs.

Written by Phil Lederer Photography by Wyatt Kostygan.

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Gulf Breezes Blow in FromThe Bay and Downtown Energy is Just Blocks Away.

Ever wanted to live at a high-end hotel? Now, you have your chance.

Baysiders don’t have to worry about any routine maintenance or repairs at their condo–it’s one of the Signature Club Services offered.

There are also concierge services for everything from dog walking to dry cleaning. No more waiting for deliveries, or having to schedule maintenance and repairs around your busy schedule. Just call the front desk and they will ensure that you maximize enjoyment of your day.

The open concept Club Bar & Lounge

We want you to seize your day, every day.

Bruce and Josh Weiner, owners of The Longboat Group and developers of the amenity-rich CitySide Apartments, are taking it one step further with The Bayside Club. The Bayside Club, a Downtown condominium complex, has an incredible array of amenities, but owners will also have all the hotel services that go along with resort-vacationing.

CitySide has gained notoriety for its lifestyle and sense of community. For this reason, its apartments are in the highest demand of any building in the area. During late-night Bayside Club planning sessions, Bruce and Josh consistently asked themselves the question, “What can we do to ensure that our residents spend even more time doing the things they love?,” and used the answers to develop The Bayside Club concept.

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BAYSIDERS WILL ENJOY A RESORT STYLE POOL

with beach-entry where they can lounge, be served a healthy lunch, and even order a cocktail or two.

The pool’s lap lanes make for a refreshing way to get your exercise. Or, just find a cabana to kick-back with friends and enjoy some good conversation.

Catch bay breezes from the Rooftop Terrace

In The Bayside Club’s north courtyard, residents will find a serene Zen lanai and pavilion. The charming pavilion will be surrounded by water features that make you feel as if you are on a floating island.

Residents can enjoy indoor/outdoor yoga classes on the pavilion’s floating deck or take in a lecture on various wellness topics as part of The Bayside Club’s outdoor lecture series. Afterwards, curl up with a book or Kindle near the fire pit and soak in the peace. Universal internet means you can use your devices in any corner of the building.

Each Bayside Club residence is wired for a sophisticated smart home system which allows residents to monitor happenings in their home from anywhere in the world. When out-of-town guests arrive, residents can remotely open the front door, set the a/c, and even play some relaxing music to make them feel at home.

The Bayside Club’s panoramic rooftop deck is an ideal spot to sip on a glass of wine while absorbing an iconic Sarasota sunset over the bay. After sunset, head down to the Colson lounge and culinary studio to prepare dinner with friends or play a few rounds of poker. The Bayside Club boasts a state-of-the-art gym, as well as a fitness studio, with options for solo workouts or group classes such as Zumba, all-levels yoga, and Pilates.

May Lane, a private roadway located adjacent to the Bayside Club, will be transformed into a treelined café street where neighbors will meet for breakfast, coffee, and people watching. The Bayside Club’s private club lounge and bar will open up to May Lane, giving residents the opportunity to relax in an exclusive club environment with friends – in a place where the bartender knows your name.

At night, May Lane will also be closed regularly for farmers markets, block parties, and concerts – like the first Music On May Lane concert that occurred in March. The Bayside Club is also working with Mark Caragiulo, on a new restaurant concept that will include a coffee bar and general store with prepared foods for takeout. Other retail-like spa services are planned for May Lane with at least two more spaces to serve the needs of the neighborhood.

(No high-end jewelry stores need apply.)

The luxurious culinary studio and lounge.

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Relax on the Zen Lanai and Pavilion.

A S U N R I S E - TO - S U N S E T LI F E S T Y LE

Club members are not just purchasing real estate, but investing in an active lifestyle that includes enriching excursions, fun social gatherings, and learning new skills and hobbies. Baysiders have golf and tennis privileges at nearby clubs, and access to nearby beaches. There will be daily activities on and off the complex — members can enjoy concerts only blocks away and even some chartered bus excursions to sporting and cultural events throughout the Gulf Coast. Each day, residents can choose their own adventure.

They may choose to relax solo in the privacy of a pool cabana or on the rooftop deck. Or, sweat it out with friends in a group fitness class, refresh, and then walk over to the Van Wezel for a show.

Let us take care of things for you.

The Club lounge opens to the pool courtyard.

W H O I S A B AYS I D E R ?

The Bayside Club is just one block from the Bayfront park, soon to be developed into a world-class bayfront environment, and a five minute power walk or ten minute leisurely stroll to downtown Sarasota’s eclectic Main Street. A Baysider is someone who wants to live downtown and take advantage of all that Sarasota has to offer; lovely restaurants, enriching cultural events, energizing music, and more are just blocks away. A Baysider would gladly avoid wasting time searching for parking spots and, instead, take the friendly Bayside Club shuttle into town for shopping, to St. Armands for lunch, to the beach, to the country club for golf or tennis, or out for a night on the town.

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Welcome to the family.

A L E A D I N G P I O N E E R A N D V I S I O N A RY,

Bruce Weiner proudly sits at the helm as Founder and CEO of The Longboat Group, a property development and management company which has gained recognition in Sarasota based on the success of CitySide. Weiner has now set his sights on taking downtown Sarasota condo living to a new level.

Bruce says, “I have been coming here for 37 years, Josh was two years old on our first trip, and five years old when we bought our first property here at Beachplace on Longboat Key.” His partner in this venture is his son, Josh, who heads up the day to day operations of the business. Josh thrives in dreaming up new ways to enhance the resident experience at Longboat’s developments. CitySide has pioneered high-service apartment living in Sarasota including complimentary fitness classes, monthly socials, Saturday breakfast, and even an adventure vehicle to take residents on paddleboard and kayak excursions.

Both Josh and Bruce are proud that they can take the service to another level at The Bayside Club. Over the course of the year, Bruce, Josh and the Longboat team developed Bayside’s lifted concept – continually bouncing ideas off each other and escalating the Club’s programs – all the while asking each other, ‘What do our residents want?’ ‘What can we do more of?’ “We’ve got an amazing team that we’re really fortunate to have started here at CitySide,” says Josh. “Everything we’re doing now…we’re taking it up a notch.”

The Bayside Club is a luxury community set to exceed the boldest expectations, providing unparalleled hotel services, amenities, and offering resort-style activities. Calling The Bayside home, means living where most people would only ever dream to vacation.

Join the club.

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contents

SRQ360 14 Inside the Brand 30 SB2 Highlights 68 RSVP MARKETING FEATURES 7 47 51

BRANDSTORY The Bayside Club Provisionist Nosh

This page: The Daily

Bird’s signature “bones” doused in the sweet and spicy Crazy Rich Asian glaze, photography by Wyatt Kostygan. Robert and Nicole (shown here) Zaleski, photography by RZ Creative Productions.

Mark St. Germain on the FST stage and the Lemon Tree Cocktail from Lemon Tree Kitchen, photography by Wyatt Kostygan.

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The husband-and-wife storytelling team behind RZ Creative Productions never stays in one place for long. A budding young playwright finds her voice on the Florida Studio Theatre stage.

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An estate sale find yields answers —and more questions—in decades-old Sarasota art mystery. Step inside the playwright’s process with Florida Studio Theatre favorite, Mark St. Germain.

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Louies Modern gets a rebrand as the healthful and hip Lemon Tree Kitchen. Fried chicken makes a comeback on State Street with The Daily Bird.

Global chefs bring modern Israeli cuisine Gulf-side with the foodtruck Spice Boys.

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From Geckos to Goodwill and from the Ringling Museum to Cuban ballet, catch up on the goings-on in the nonprofit communities.

Cover: Sabich Pita from The Spice Boys’ food truck, photography by Wyatt Kostygan.

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CEO / PRESIDENT / EDITOR IN CHIEF

LISL LIANG

SENIOR EDITOR

Phil Lederer

ART DIRECTOR / PHOTOGRAPHER

Wyatt Kostygan

CONTRIBUTING SENIOR EDITOR

Jacob Ogles

STAFF WRITER, SPECIAL PROJECTS

Brittany Mattie EDITORIAL INTERNS

Jena Robustelli Tricia Robustelli

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER

WES ROBERTS

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT

Ashley Grant ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Ashley Ryan Cannon

SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVES

Suzanne Munroe Julie Mayer Magnifico

CLIENT SERVICES AND MARKETING MANAGER

MARKETING INTERN

Ashley Jimenez Erin Motherway Aidee Rodriguez

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GET SRQ DAILY The magazine in your hands offers enormous insight into our community, but the most informed in our community follow our constant coverage of Sarasota and the Bradenton Area in SRQ Daily. The electronic newsletter is a must-read in thousands of inboxes. Check our special editions: the Monday Business Edition, the Wednesday Philanthropy Edition, the Friday Weekend Edition and the much-discussed Saturday Perspectives Edition, featuring a diverse range of opinions from the region’s top pundits and newsmakers. SIGN UP ONLINE AT SRQMAG.COM

ORIGINS OF “SRQ” The “SRQ” in SRQ magazine originates from the designated call letters for the local Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

“SR” was the original abbreviation for the airport before the growth in total number of airports required the use of a three-letter code. Letters like “X” and “Q” were used as filler, thus the original “SR” was revised to “SRQ,” much as the Los Angeles airport became “LAX.” As a regional publication committed to the residents of and visitors to both Sarasota and Manatee counties, SRQ captures the place that we call home.

PUBLISHERS OF SRQ MAGAZINE. LUX LIFE MAGAZINE. ROCKET KIDS MAGAZINE. MODERN HOME MAGAZINE. SHE ROARS MAGAZINE. LOVE LOCAL MAGAZINE. SRQ DAILY 331 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 | Phone 941-365-7702 Fax 941-365-0853

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PRINT AND DIGITAL EDITION Join our readers in the pleasurable experience of receiving SRQ magazine in your mailbox every month. To reserve your subscription, provide your information and payment online. You can set up multiple addresses, renewals and special instructions directly through your online account. When you subscribe online, your first print issue will arrive in your mailbox in 4–6 weeks. For immediate access to the digital edition, subscribe directly at our flipbook. Subscribe online at SRQMAG.COM/SUBSCRIBE. Contact us via email at subscribe@srqme.com Vol. 22, Issue 217 Copyright © 2019 SRQ MEDIA. SRQ: Live Local | Thrive Local. Sarasota and Bradenton is published 12 times a year. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The entire contents of SRQ are copyrighted by Trafalger Communications, Inc. Column and department names are property of Trafalger Communications, Inc. and may not be used or reproduced without express written permission of the publisher. SUBSCRIPTION: Subscriptions to SRQ are $36 for 24 issues.

Single copies are $4 at area newsstands.

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Inside the Brand NEXT—SB2 INNOVATION IN PHILANTHROPY, THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019—11AM

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TGIF BEST OF SRQ LOCAL PARTY APRIL 5, 2019 ALOFT SARASOTA We had a blast at the 2019 Best of SRQ Local TGIF Party! On Friday, April 5, the SRQ MEDIA team and over 250 foodies and local enthusiasts gathered at Aloft Sarasota to taste signature dishes courtesy of fifteen winners from this year’s Best of SRQ Local competition. To celebrate the best locally owned establishments in the region, every year SRQ MEDIA asks our astute readers to vote for their favorite local eats, shopping, arts, luminaries and hotspots, culminating in the buzzworthy special “Best of SRQ Local” awards feature published in the April magazine.

Innovation in Philanthropy Symposium THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019, 11AM-1PM HYATT REGENCY SARASOTA Join us as we explore the outer regions of philanthropic innovation this July at the SB2: Innovation in Philanthropy Symposium hosted at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota on Thursday, July 25, 2019—registration opens at 11am and the program begins promptly at 11:30am. The SRQ Transformation in Philanthropy luncheon and panel discussion will explore the organizations and individuals who are changing the face of the nonprofit world through innovative approaches, strategic alliances and groundbreaking initiatives that foster and employ engagement to make a difference. How do nonprofits maximize their leadership to steer through change and make it stick? SB2 is a community and business initiative produced by SRQ Magazine featuring a series of collaborative luncheons, modified oxford style debates and powerful parleys on key regional issues and topics. SB2 focuses on the collaboration between Sarasota and Bradenton and catalyzes relevant and future-focused regional dialogue on topics impacting our regional economy: from education to the environment, from economic development to philanthropy and from healthcare to tourism.

Tickets are $55 per person. Table sponsorships at $500 for a full table and $250 for a half table available online at SRQSB2.COM SERIES AND EVENT SPONSORS

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This year, readers nominated nearly 300 restaurants, businesses, and organizations for a Best of SRQ award. Local pride runs deep in our region and we’re honored to help voice the enthusiasm that our community has for keeping it local. This year, to celebrate SRQ magazine’s 20th anniversary, the Best of SRQ Local printed feature and TGIF party shared a ‘90s theme. DJ Rus Deep kept ‘90s throwbacks spinning throughout the evening, giving guests the opportunity to rekindle their love for the decade that brought us Ace of Base, Nirvana and TLC. The Best of SRQ Local TGIF Party attendees enjoyed samplings from a selection of winning food and drink vendors who served up some seriously delicious tastings: Calusa Brewery, CROP, Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood., Element: Modern Mediterranean Grill, El Toro Bravo Restaurant, Five-O Donuts, JPan, Mattison’s, OfKors Bakery, Ophelia’s On The Bay, The Overton, Patricks 1481, Pazzo Southside, State Street Eating House, Zildjian Catering & Consulting. Between cocktails and mocktails, cold-pressed juices, sliders, sushi, tacos and donuts for dessert, there was no shortage of great tastes from these award-winners. Best of SRQ Local winners from a multitude of award categories ranging from realtors to designers were also in attendance to celebrate, mix and mingle among the smooth sounds of Boyz II Men. Thank you our spectacular host, Aloft Sarasota, to MOJO Photo Booth for the fun photo ops, and DJ Rus Deep for keeping the ‘90s soundtrack rolling during TGIF. And, of course, we extend our thanks to the food and drink vendors who gave partygoers a sample of the very Best of SRQ. Photos from the event are available on clicksrq.com and the full list of Best of SRQ Local winners are listed in the SRQ April magazine in print and online. Keep a beat on what’s happening in the area, readers -- we want to hear from you about your favorite local go-to when the voting for the 2020 Best of SRQ Local Competition opens later this year.

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VISIT CLICKSRQ.COM FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE BEST OF LOCAL EVENT.

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READER SURVEY

Consider yourself a localvore?

We do too.

Which is why we’ve created a survey to get your take on how we can make our publications even more engaging. You know best what you want to read in the magazine. Does our food photography make you hungry? Are we telling stories that matter to you? How can we do more to share the live local, love local culture?

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ENGAGE WITH YOUR HOMETOWN SRQ MAGAZINE.

To take part in the survey, go to SRQMAG.COM/HelloReader

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STORIES ABOUT THE LOCAL PEOPLE, PLACES AND EXPERIENCES THAT DEFINE OUR HOMETOWN

srqist

VAN WILDERS Belonging to no one zip code, the Zaleski’s home (and office) is where they park it.

Brittany Mattie

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Previous page: Robert and Nicole Zaleski of RZ Creative Productions enjoy the ever-changing scenery from their office window. This page: Sometimes work at RZ Creative looks a lot like camping. Sharing office space is key.

LIFE VERILY IS A HIGHWAY

for digital nomads Robert and Nicole Zaleski—the husbandand-wife team behind RZ Creative Productions. Needing only a hot spot and a parking lot, Nicole, the creative producer, and Robert, the director of photography, run their business entirely from the comfort of a cozy, built-out Mercedes Sprinter. Nimble and responsive, RZ Creative positions itself to be a brand’s experiential storyteller through palpable photography, custom visual content and full-scale video production—working with a cargo of name-dropworthy clients such as National Geographic, Backpacker, Outside Magazine, Pandora, Men’s Journal, AirBnB and Animal Planet. Whether peeking out at the foggy mist engulfing the Golden Gate Bridge, cruising at altitude in the Rockies or cautiously camping swamp-side in the Everglades, they answer to not only the call of the wild, but also the call of their clients, who seek their original and engaging digital content. So while the traditional path of marriage unfolds for others—a landscaped yard fenced in with a Labrador retriever, in a quiet suburban neighborhood and a single mailing address—this couple took a hard left turn and buckled up for an indefinite journey traversing state lines.

How did you retrofit the van? We purchased our van used, and after lots of research and countless hours pouring over YouTube “Van Life” videos and tutorials, we felt confident in taking on the challenge of building out the van ourselves. We built it with our specific needs in mind and were sure to include elements that not

18 | srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE19 live local

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only felt like home, but also supported our workflow.

Transitioning to life on the road caused us to change the way we think, live and obtain work.

Where has van life taken you thus far? Since heading out on the open road in May of 2018, we’ve visited 23 states and also spent time exploring Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

We were thrilled to see the leaves change in Maine, as well as escape the cold by spending most of the winter in Florida. While neither of us are from here, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed calling Sarasota and the surrounding areas ‘home’ for the past several months.

What’s on the road map for this year? Travel plans for 2019 are coming together with stops in the Carolinas before heading up to the Northeast.

We’re driven by our work, so life on the road can be really spontaneous.

How has being mobile opened the door for RZ Creative Productions?

We’re a one-stop-shop when it comes to marketing needs, and life on the road has allowed us to work with all kinds of businesses and agencies, putting all of our skills to use. We’re in a unique position because we’re mobile, so we can be wherever our clients need us to be. Traveling to new locations on a regular basis also allows us to create and deliver fresh content to a wide variety of clientele.

What are perks of van life?

Our favorite part is having the freedom to explore new areas of the country while connecting with new people and expanding our network of clientele along the

way. Traveling has allowed us to wake up in some of the most beautiful and scenic places, all while maintaining our busy schedule of servicing clients, planning for upcoming shoots and connecting with local businesses.

What’s next for you two?

While living this way is not without its challenges, we’re not ready to settle back into a stationary life just yet. We often joke that we’re just on one big tour to discover where we want to settle down next. When that time does come, we look forward to finding a new place to call home and starting a whole new kind of adventure. SRQ Follow Nicole and Robert Zaleski’s travels and projects at rzcreativeproductions.com and @rzcreative

IMAGES COURTESY OF RZ CREATIVE PRODUCTIONS.

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ACT ONE

Young playwright Viviana Serrano proves there’s no age requirement to earn your artistic license.

Phil Lederer

COMPETING FOR A SPOT in Florida Studio Theatre’s annual Young Playwrights Festival, 5000 submissions come from all around

the world, from Israel to Italy, Russia to France, and even New Jersey, but one local playwright from right here at Garden Elementary continues to rise above the competition, submitting a winning play for four years in a row now. From her first play, Princess Poetry Saves the Day, to last year’s A Beary Big Adventure (which just finished a run on the FST stage) and this year’s A Matter of the Heart, Viviana Serrano has proven herself a budding wunderkind of the stage—and found a place where she can raise her voice. “[Viviana] definitely has an introverted personality,” says her mother, “and writing is where she likes to express herself.” The young playwright agrees, briefly breaking her silence. “I express myself through the dialogue and the characters,” she says. “It always turns out better than I could imagine in my head.” And for folks like FST Director of Education Caroline Kaiser, it further proves what they knew all along. “Children have so many great stories to tell, and we treat them the same as we would Shakespeare or any other contemporary author,” Kaiser says. “We use exactly the words they give us and we bring them to life.” SRQ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

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LOCAL PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS+CULTURE

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RAIDERS OF THE LOST ART

An estate sale find solves one decades-old mystery and sends an amateur treasure hunter down a dead-end path to an unsolved murder.

Phil Lederer

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Sarasota treasure hunter Eric Bowyer uncovers a missing masterpiece in Lee Corbino’s “Palette.”

IT’S LATE ON A SATURDAY MORNING AND ERIC BOWYER,

Sarasota treasure hunter, makes his rounds of the local garage and estate sales, as he does just about every Saturday.

“Every weekend you miss,” he says, “you might miss a treasure.” And treasure abounds in these waters. He’s found Renoirs before, unnoticed and underpriced, and countless gems of mid-century modern design, from Eames lounge chairs to bubble lamps by George Nelson. One piece he found for $10 in a neighborhood off I-75, and sold this year in New York for more than 43 grand. But on this day, as the sun nears its peak over north Sarasota, in an apartment complex overlooking Palme Aire Country Club, Bowyer finds the missing piece of a decades-old Sarasota mystery, and steps into a world of art heists and unsolved murder.

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at the front door of an empty apartment once belonged to a dead woman whose name he did not know. Knocking likely a futile gesture, Bowyer returned to his car. But with the apartment number he found a name, a name attached to an obituary without further leads. Another dead end.

A month later, Bowyer would be driving by the neighborhood when a sign advertising an estate sale would catch his eye. It wouldn’t be, he would think. It couldn’t be, he would say. But he would turn his car anyway, following the signs to that same apartment door. But this time the door would be open.

A Mystery Unearthed The painting stood out amidst the knickknacks and tchotchkes that comprised the rest of the estate sale, Bowyer remembers. Odd and out-of-place, it burst with energy and color alike, a circus-themed fairy tale rendered on a painter’s palette. “You The Plot Thickens Entering the apartment, Bowyer recogcould see the quality right away,” Bowyer says. And something about nized items for sale. He recognized the old woman selling them. She the signature caught his eye. It seemed familiar. It escaped him. It recognized him, and remembered the “pretty” piece he’d purchased bugged him. All the seller could say was that, like the rest of the items when last they met. But she couldn’t (wouldn’t?) tell him where it was and the apartment they were in, it belonged to her dear old sister, now from or how her sister came to have it in her possession. Bowyer played deceased. The price tag said $25. Bowyer bundled it with another piece it cool, not yet tipping his hand, pushing for answers without raising and the old woman gave it to him for $20. suspicion. The woman called a younger man over, Back at home, Bowyer began his research. “To identifying him as her nephew and son of the deEva Lee,” read the inscription on the painting, ceased.

Now outnumbered, Bowyer asked his “She doesn’t know and the signature attributed it to none other questions again and the son paused for a moment. if I stole it, who stole His mother had that painting for a long time, he than Jon Corbino—the famous Italian-born American painter of the mid-20th century, whom said. “She was storing it for some fellow,” he said. it or whatever,” he Life magazine once dubbed the “modern-day She never hung it and he never came back for it. thoughts, and set off None of this seemed odd to them.

Rubens” and whose work sits in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Carnegie Satisfied of their innocence in the matter, to preemptively clear Institute and others. He reached out to experts Bowyer filled the pair in on what he knew of the his name. He had to for authentication, including the artist’s daughter, painting’s less-than-legal path to their relative’s retrace his steps. He Lee Corbino. The work was genuine, she said, and keeping. “Oh my god, my sister’s a thief!” the the title Palette. And in 1991, she said, it was stolen. woman exclaimed, before collecting herself and had to find that old Originally created for a New York gallery turning to Bowyer. “Please don’t tell anybody!” woman again. owner—the aforementioned Eva Lee—Corbino But the son had more to say. He remembered the painted the work in the early ‘60s, shortly before man, who would occasionally bring items to his his 1964 death here in Sarasota, and it would eventually find its way mother’s house, saying they had come from his own mother’s house up into the hands of one William Flook, whose widow would donate it to in Venice, and ask her to hold on to them. He couldn’t say why the man the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota in 1972. For nearly 20 years after that, had never returned for this one, but he did remember the man’s name. it would be undisturbed, on display at the Van Wezel Performing Arts A quick bit of research revealed that the man lived in the Jefferson Hall, until, one weekend in late November, when it simply disappeared. Center towers, right across the street from the Van Wezel. And he had It’s likely that George Burns himself was onstage at the time of the been murdered years before. “So obviously he didn’t come back and theft, but unlikely Burns was ever seriously considered as a suspect. But get his stuff,” says Bowyer. The crime was never solved, but Bowyer Bowyer worried that he might be. looked at the police reports anyways. The reports from the theft were “She doesn’t know if I stole it, who stole it or whatever,” he thought, gone, ruined in a flood years back. Still, Bowyer was satisfied that the and set off to preemptively clear his name. He had to retrace his steps. man “probably was the culprit,” or at least cut a better suspect than he.

He had to find that old woman again.

Having exonerated himself and the dearly departed sister, he contacted the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota.

On the Case It had been near a month since the sale, but Bowyer recalled the general area. “Unfortunately,” he says, “those apart- A Treasure Restored They came by Bowyer’s office in the ments all look alike.” He scanned Google Earth, found a likely sus- Rosemary District, a pair of representatives from the Fine Arts Sociepect as best he could and hopped in the car. He was a couple blocks ty. They went downstairs to enjoy a lunch at Lolita Tartine, and Bowoff. Bowyer prowled the streets looking for something familiar. And yer told his story. “What do you want?” they asked. “Nothing,” said while he didn’t see the port-a-potty and construction materials that Bowyer. “I just want to make sure it gets back on display at the Van he parked beside when he got himself into this mess all those weeks Wezel.” They thanked him, paid for lunch and took the painting. Then ago, the budding detective did spot a conspicuously new roof above they sat on the news for nearly two years, sorting out the fine print a street scarred by recent architectural activity. Perhaps not enough of the painting’s return and finally unveiling it at the organization’s for a warrant, but enough for another round of amateur sleuthing. 50th anniversary earlier this year. 150 people attended, excited to see Throwing the vehicle in park, he set off on foot. what some refer to as the most popular piece of the Fine Art Society’s Quickly orienting himself, familiarity crept over Bowyer’s neck as he collection. And while a free lunch may not be the biggest payday, it’s followed his old footsteps as best he could, his instincts and recollection worth more to Bowyer than any piece of stolen art ever could. “Stoproving true with every turn and every turn a confirmation. His pace len art doesn’t have value,” he says, “because it’s been taken away quickens. A left here. A right here. He’s almost there and then he is—back from the public.” SRQ 24 | srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE19 live local

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culture city

ALL WRITE AND SOME PLAY Modern playwright Mark St. Germain on his latest work at FST. Phil Lederer

CURRENTLY ONSTAGE AT FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE, Wednesday’s Child marks the sixth

work from playwright Mark St. Germain to grace the FST audience, and the second collaboration between the writer and the theater. A murder mystery surrounding the killing of a surrogate mother, St. Germain’s latest blends tension and plot with moral quandary, as all are suspect and none prepared for the ultimate twist. A veteran of TV, film and theater—and a rare breed who still writes longhand, “which is ridiculous,” he admits—St. Germain took a moment with SRQ to talk Wednesday’s Child, writer’s block and the realities of a playwright’s life.

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culture city What is Wednesday’s Child really about?

St. Germain: Primarily, it’s a

mystery. And within the mystery, it’s about a surrogate mother. But it ends up involving everybody in the circle—the parents who wanted the child, the detectives investigating, a lawyer who’s trying to help out the parents—so you have a lot of people being able to talk about life, death, having children, not having children.

Why address these questions via a murder mystery? To make it palatable to an audience. The first thing we should think about is when they come out. They’re not going to be arguing about the issues so much as the play and guilty/not guilty.

There are a lot of twists. And then, indirectly, they’re going to be thinking about the issues. But, primarily, it’s a mystery.

But was there something particular you wanted to say?

A lot of times, I write something just to see what I think about it, to understand it. So I thought this would be a real chance to do a lot of research, talk to a lot of people, and come to some kind of conclusion.

Did you reach any conclusion?

The more you know, the more difficult it is. So, I didn’t come out with any answers.

And this has been in development for five years? Super in development for the past two, maybe even longer. It was put in the drawer many times. And it was the staff here—Richard, Jason, Kate—who just kept saying, “Look at it again, look at it again.” We did a reading last year, and, for the first time, everybody seemed satisfied with it. There were some people

who came up and said, “I’ve been seeing this for five years. Now it makes sense.”

Did you understand what they meant? There’s a noticeable difference. Big difference. When you have a first talk-back and most of the questions are, “I don’t understand,” or, “Explain this,” it’s just not working. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with it, I don’t think, at the beginning.

Did you feel trepidatious wading into these waters and, as a man, commenting on issues such as surrogacy? That kind of thinking really gets a writer in trouble. A writer writes about what interests them, and I don’t think there’s anything that anybody would take exception to here. Even if they don’t agree with something, then you can see another point of view in another character.

This is your sixth play with Florida Studio Theatre. Is this sort of collaboration common? I wish all playwrights had this, but they don’t. This is really rare, and I’m really fortunate.

And Wednesday’s Child was born of this collaboration?

Richard Hopkins was the person who really got me thinking about this, and he was talking about the plays that are not written, the issues that aren’t usually dealt with. The danger with this is it just becomes a rant. And I thought, “Well, a mystery is always fascinating.”

And there aren’t that many done in the theater.

How did you approach crafting a mystery? I did this in a really stupid way. I had never written a mystery before. Sometimes I’ll start out with an idea where I’m going.

This, I had no idea, but I just kept going. And so, all of a sudden you get to the second act and you’re saying, “Wait a minute.” Then you have to go back to the first act. So many

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changes. But it taught me a lot. And finally, it got to the point where it logically works out. I don’t know if I’ll do it again. It’s a life-shortening experience. Mysteries are tough.

Do you believe in writer’s block? I have it.

What do you do when you hit that block? You have to force yourself to sit down, whether you’re writing or not, and at least give yourself an hour or two a day. Sooner or later, you’re going to be bored, you’re going to write something.

Even if it’s terrible. Because walking around saying you have writer’s block, that’s easy. You force your butt in the seat for at least an hour.

And maybe it won’t happen. But a writer has to write.

Do you make yourself put in that hour every day? Yeah, I’m trying to get through a block now.

You’ve worked in film as well, but what do you love about theater? I always loved theater the most, but to raise a family, you can’t live on theater. You can’t do it. I don’t know anybody who does it. So, I started to do TV, then I started to write spec screenplays, and all the while I just kept writing. I enjoyed, particularly, the spec screenplays.

And I enjoyed some of the TV stuff.

But the theater kept calling you? It’s a whole different world.

The advantage of doing this is that you have far more input than you do over anything else. When you sell something as a movie, they’ll pay you well, but then you’re gone. They can do anything. I’m taking my name off one that’s going be coming out soon. Better not talk about that, because I haven’t told them yet.

What do you hope audiences will take away from Wednesday’s Child? They’re going to find it an entertaining mystery with a lot of humor in it. SRQ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

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engage 2018 GOOD HERO PHILANTHROPIC AWARDS

DIALOGUE FROM THE NOVEMBER 2018 PHILANTHROPY SYMPOSIUM

SB2 AGENDA

The philanthropic agenda | Good Hero Philanthropic Awards WINNERS MELISSA WANDALL MARK WANDALL FOUNDATION

ARNOLD SIMONSEN AND RONDA MONTMINY THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

MARK MORIN (in memory)

STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION

ANTONIA QUIROS GOODWILL MANASOTA

PHYLLIS SISKEL

CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY, ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK, SARASOTAMANATEE ASSOCIATION OF RIDING THERAPY, SARASOTA MILITARY ACADEMY AND THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE GULFCOAST The SRQ Magazine Good Hero Philanthropic Awards program recognizes individuals for their big hearts and for reaching out with their gifts to strengthen the impact of our regional philanthropic core.

We would like to thank the readers of SRQ magazine and local nonprofits for nominating this year's individual honorees from the philanthropic sectors of healthcare, arts and culture, human services, the environment, education, youth and childrens services and development and social awareness.

On November 19, 2018, SRQ MEDIA welcomed leaders from the philanthropic community for a conversation about current trends, focuses and challenges in philanthropy. As part of the SB2 Luncheon Series, Philanthropic Agenda featured a moderated panel discussion with six industry experts: Susie Bowie, Executive Director, Manatee Community Foundation; Mark Brewer, President & CEO of Central Florida Foundation; Teri Hansen, President & CEO, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation; Roxie Jerde, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Sarasota County; Mark Pritchett, President and CEO, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Brian J. Mariash, Senior Vice President, Mariash Lowther Wealth Management. After an insightful discussion, the luncheon culminated with the inaugural presentation of The Good Hero Awards to honor individuals who are making strides in the community. Here are some key highlights from the discussion about the psychology of giving, the importance of impact and how to catalyze the next generation of philanthropists: “Sarasota is very different than a lot of other communities in Florida in terms of philanthropy.

Sometimes we find that people are charitable first, and they’ll write a check here and there.

Then, over time, they want to see more impact and to get that impact, they become more philanthropic. They’ll study issues more and try to leverage their money with other investors to become big change agents in the community.” MARK PRITCHETT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

“People who move here are often retired so they have an opportunity to start volunteering to get involved. They get so immersed which drives them to say, ‘I want to stay here. I want to support this community.’ The oppor-

tunities that you give people to volunteer can really translate into so much more.” ROXIE JERDE. PRESIDENT & CEO, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY

“There is a much more educated base of philanthropists than in the past, who ask a lot more questions. They want to know about board engagement and want to know measurable outcomes. Not just how many participants are served, but how do people get better and how did that process improve?” BRIAN J. MARIASH, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MARIASH LOWTHER WEALTH MANAGEMENT

“You have to have a strong board and a strong CEO to have a strong organization.” TERI HANSEN, PRESIDENT & CEO, CHARLES & MARGERY BARANCIK FOUNDATION

“Millennials and Generation Z’ers are global citizens that are really engaged in communication and social media on a much bigger level. They’re not thinking about what’s going on down at the end of the street. They’re thinking about how we go after big social or global problems.

It’s really up to us to engage them at home.” MARK BREWER, PRESIDENT & CEO OF CENTRAL FLORIDA FOUNDATION

“We’re seeing the next generation of advocacy. One of the things we talk about is that philanthropic dollars can only go so far. If we get involved in being more effective with working at the government level, we’ll be able to really change the system.” SUSIE BOWIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MANATEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

PRODUCED BY SRQ MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2019 GOOD HERO AWARD OPEN ON JULY 1, 2019.

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IT’S HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS what our pets mean to us.

It doesn’t matter what breed or age, where we find them or how we find them—they become part of you, and your home. You love them hard, and they love you back even harder. Well, cats might be another matter, but as long as we feed them, right? Pets give us an unsurpassable amount— from simple companionship to reliable emotional support and physical guidance. Whether canine or feline, they stand by our side through breakups, comfort us when loved ones pass and celebrate the birthday song in frenetic barks and yowls when candles are lit. Through thick and thin, pets have, and forever will, remain a powerful symbol of family, unconditional loyalty and support. And they never have to say a word—a helicopter tail dance does just the trick. From cuddles to puddles, it’s time to honor those fur creatures for all they do in our every day. Give a warm welcome to the Best in Show winners of SRQ’s Pets We Love Contest, chosen from the numerous submissions the SRQ team received.

We thoroughly enjoyed all the stories about your partners in crime and their talents, quirks and tricks, naughty habits and adorable attributes. You’re all in for a real treat.

The Slobbery Survivor, BRODY 18-MONTH-OLD LAB/BLACK MOUTH CUR MIX, RESCUED FROM THE FLOODS OF HURRICANE IRMA AND ADOPTED FROM GAINESVILLE PET RESCUE, @THE.TAILS.OF.BRODY.

“After all the joy he continues to bring us, we are not sure who rescued who,” say owners Alyssa and Eric Acquaviva. “He is pawsitively the best, even though he can’t control his licker!”

IF BRODY HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Secondhand

Dogs Make First-Class Pets.

BRODY, THE SLOBBERY SURVIVOR

THE WILD BUNCH STORIES FROM OUR FIRST ANNUAL “BEST IN SHOW” PETS WE LOVE CONTEST.

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The Mini Hippo, YETI ONE-YEAR-OLD SHARPEI/ COCKER SPANIEL, #YETISTRUNK.

“Loves sunsets, sand between his toes,the wind blowing in his hair and bouncing through waves,” says owner April Rubenstrunk.

IF YETI HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM , WHAT WOULD IT BE? Yachting with Yeti

WRITTEN

BY BRITTANY MATTIE PHOTOGRAPHY

BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

YETI, THE MINI HIPPO

Thank you to Mary Volkert of Haute Pawz Boutique and her Schnauzer sidekick Gracie, who provided the costuming (collars) for all our starring pet pals. Hand-sewn and durably glued with stylish beading, jewels, stones and fun charms, her Sarasota-based boutique can be shopped on Etsy, where matching leashes and custom personalizations are also available. Shop HautePawzPets. com and follow @ hautepawzpet.

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The Fearless Feline, PETRIE ONE-YEAR-OLD, EYELESS HOUSE CAT RESCUED FROM FOX FOSTER KITTENS, A NONPROFIT FOR HOMELESS, SICK, HANDICAPPED AND ABANDONED CATS, @FOXFOSTERKITTENS.

“When I adopted this cat, she’d just gotten both eyes removed. They were so infected they became necrotic and she required a bilateral enucleation,” says owner Kristen Hogentogler. “For the longest time, she couldn’t find her toys—she’d run into walls and would get frustrated that she’d never be able to find it, even if it was a few inches from her face. So I bought her these crinkly toys that made noises. I threw one across the room and that’s the day Petrie became a fetching fiend. She’ll now jump off my bed with such confidence, get the toy, jump back up on the bed and drop it in, or near, my hand. She figured out how to adjust so that we could still play and enjoy playtime together. We play fetch for 30 minutes before bed every night and she rarely loses the toy.” IF PETRIE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Love is Blind

The Runaway Lion & The Sixth Sense,

PETRIE, THE FEARLESS FELINE

YOKI & MAJES

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD HALF TORTI/ HALF-MAINE COON RUNAWAY AND A STRAY AMERICAN WIREHAIR ORANGE TABBY CAT (UNKNOWN AGE).

“Yoki came to my dad when she was just eight-weeks-old, during a thunderstorm, so I named her after the Hopi word for rain,” says owner Sorcha Augustine. “She very rarely wants to snuggle, but she is always around when I’m having a bad day. She’s incredibly sensitive, conscious and loyal. Her personality can be seen as very subtle to people that don’t know her, but, after a while, she will find a way to make you laugh. She is constantly battling hairballs.” Says Sorcha, “I’m convinced that Majes is an oracle and that he sees spirits,” says Augustine. “He came to me right after the death of my college friend, who I learned, tragically too late, was schizophrenic. After his death, I ordered a book on Amazon he had written under the pen name Majes Souldag.

I decided to snuggle in with my friend’s book one night when my soon-to-be cat came to the door, right off the street. He was meowing at the door as if he already lived with me, so I let him in. Mr. Majes and I have been big buddies ever since.” IF THEY HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER THEM, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Okie Dokie Yoki: Adventures of a Fuffle Puffle That Always Gets Her Way. Mofo Majes: The Most Magical and Majestic of all Mangey Mages.

YOKI, THE RUNAWAY LION

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best in show The Lock-Ness Monster, BOONE THREE-YEAR-OLD RESCUE MUTT FROM FLORIDA PUPPY HILL FARM, DNA TESTING SHOWS MIX OF PLOTT HOUND, AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER, FOXHOUND, AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG AND BASSET HOUND.

“We try to take Boone along everywhere we can,” says owner Jaime Estes. “So at the end of a trip to Gainesville, we’re packing up and saying goodbye to our friends. Boone’s already in the car and we’re about to get in with him—I throw the keys on the driver’s seat, turn around and the door accidentally shuts and locks behind me. I figured I’d call AAA and they’d have him out in a jiffy. Well, my friend was like, ‘What if we get him to step on the key fob and he unlocks the car?’ Before I know it, she’s running from one side of the car to the other, getting him hyped up and following her to try to get one of his paws to hit the fob just right. Within a minute, his paw is on the fob, and all of a sudden we heard the trunk pop open. We crawled through, opened the car and in no time we were on our way home. Who needs AAA when you got Booney?” IF BOONE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? What Shoes to Chew (spoiler: they’re only mom’s shoes; never dad’s)

BOONE,THE LOCK-NESS MONSTER

MAJES, THE SIXTH SENSE

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best in show Matching Bowling Bowls, HONEY & CHARLOTTE HONEY (LEFT) AND HER SISTER CHARLOTTE (RIGHT)

ONE-YEAR-OLD FRENCH BULLDOG TWIN SISTERS FROM BREEDER FUNTASTIC FRENCHIES.

“They love Bow Wow Camp, The Golden Girls, downward dog yoga pose, vanilla gelato and each other,” says owner Sheila Serino. “Heroic acts are a work in progress—I’m not sure they have that DNA—but they are clown dogs that will make you laugh a lot!” Husband Brian Serino adds, “The dogs get so much attention every day—we can’t even make it through the entire Farmers Market on Saturday.” IF THEY HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER THEM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Whose Snort is it Anyway?

LOUIS, KING OF THE CASTLE

King of the Castle, LOUIS 11-MONTH OLD PUREBRED SILVER MAINE COON, @LOUISTHEMAINECOON.

“He jumps onto his tree house and climbs to the tower, then waits for me to open the living room curtains and turn on the TV to his favorite show, Animal Planet,” says proud mama Veronica Rosas. “We head to the kitchen together to feed the fur baby breakfast. When the refrigerator is open, Louis jumps inside see what’s for lunch. Then, I fill his food bowl and Louis starts to play hockey by taking his paw and scooping the food across the kitchen to hallway and back to kitchen.” IF LOUIS HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? The Morning Show with Louis the Maine Coon.

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The Mystery Solver, SCOOBI THREE-MONTH-OLD BASENJI MIX RESCUED AT HUMANE SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY, 2331 15TH ST., SARASOTA, 941-955-4131, HSSC.ORG, @HUMANESOCIETYSRQ.

“Scoobi is a playful snuggle pup. He has three brothers—two pitbulls, named Mister Man and Whopper, and a cat named Leo (who thinks he’s a dog)—plus a human sister named Sydnei,” says owner Kristin Cooper, Director of Marketing and Engagement for HSSC. She also claims Scoobi is the last one she’s bringing home with her. IF SCOOBI HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Scoobi-Doo!

SCOOBI, THE MYSTERY SOLVER

WEMBLEY, THE ADVENTURE BUDDY

The Adventure Buddy, WEMBLEY ONE-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN/CREAM RETRIEVER, @WEMBLEY_THEGOLDEN.

“Loves the beach, paddle boarding and exploring all the adventures, friends and food Florida has to offer,” says owner Shea Yates. “His best tricks are ‘Eskimo Kisses’, ‘Play Dead’, ‘High Five’, ‘Get the Mail’ and ‘Speak’.” IF WEMBLEY HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Wembley’s World srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE19 live local | 37

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The Siesta Key Dogs, BIGLY & RUSTY TWO-YEAR-OLD BLACK LABRADOR AND FIVE-YEAR-OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER ARE MASCOTS FOR SIESTA KEY DOG WALKING & PET SITTING SERVICE, 941-376-2711, WOOF@SIESTAKEYDOG.COM, @SIESTAKEYDOG.

“These two know how to ride in style about town! Don’t worry about all the heavy traffic in Sarasota this season—Bigly and Rusty are out there too—making everyone smile as we all get to where we’re going this busy season,” say Pam West & Kelley Hightower, full-time owners of Siesta Key Dog. IF THEY HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER THEM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Bigly and Rusty: Friends Fur-Ever

BIGLY, BEST FRIEND FOREVER

RUSTY, RIDING IN THE CAR

NOT PICTURED: THE SCAREDY CAT, LOLA— The five-year-old Mackerel Tabby cat couldn’t make it to the photoshoot because Lola’s a self-proclaimed scaredy cat around others, but considers herself an Instagram influencer: @le.lush.lola. “Lola is a rescue kitty from Staten Island who has lived in NYC, Philadelphia and now sunny Sarasota,” says owner Suzanne Bokish. “She loves to lounge, sunbathe and chase lizards. We couldn’t imagine not having this crazy little kitty in our life.”

TAILESS TABBY, ROO— The two-year-old tailess tabby cat. “Roo loves to “drown” things in her water bowl,” says owner Letitia Peace.

“I have found clothespins, hair ties, tennis balls, socks, bottle caps, and whatever else you can imagine.” THE BIPED, HUCK— The one-anda-half-year-old Labrador, “My boy Huck thinks he is a person,” says owner Laurie Schroeder. “He gives hugs, snuggles, walks on his hind legs and is one of the smartest dogs I have ever had. Funny fact about Huck is he will pick up his blanket bring it into our bedroom and tuck himself in for a nap during the day. He even puts his head on the pillow. He is such a lover and we are so blessed to have him in our life.”

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The Ball Buster, RAMBO EIGHT-YEAR-OLD FEISTY MALTIPOO RESCUE

best in show

“Rambo is our faithful friend, alarm clock, security system, enthusiastic greeter of incoming friends and intruders alike, and an unwavering and tireless protector of our (his) domain,” says owner Stephanie Lederer. “He works hard and cuddles harder. His day job involves reminding suspicious passersby, alleged joggers and anything on two wheels that he’s got an eye on the neighborhood—and on them. It’s a thankless job, but someone has to do it.” IF RAMBO HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Bite Me. (He’s only 8 lbs., but don’t tell him that)

Seat Belt Escape Artist, RALPH FOUR-YEAR-OLD SHEPHERD MIX ADOPTED FROM NATE’S HONOR ANIMAL RESCUE, THE RANCH ADOPTION CENTER,4951 LORRAINE RD., BRADENTON, NATESHONORANIMALRESCUE.ORG, @NATESHONORANIMALRESCUE. RAMBO, THE BALL BUSTER

“When Ralph was a new addition to our home, we still had much to learn about his talents. We brought him with us on his first extended car trip to meet some of his extended family. As eager as he was to join us in the front seats, it was a little cramped in the coupe with two grown adults and a 70-lb. shepherd. Therefore, for his safety and our sanity, we chose to attach his harness to the rear seat belt” says owner Laney Brown. “About an hour or so into our adventure, however, we noticed that his range of mobility had increased dramatically, as he worked his way into our laps. ‘A magic dog! An escape artist’, we proclaimed. As we completed our journey, searching the internet for ‘replacement seat belts’ and ‘reinforced steel cable’, we felt nothing but awe and pride in Ralph’s abilities. We currently await his Hogwarts letter with great anticipation.” IF RALPH HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Hairy Chewdini - The Incredible Escaping Pup

RALPH, THE SEAT BELT ESCAPE ARTIST

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BEST LOCAL COCKTAIL State Street Eating House+Cocktails

THE RETRO ‘90S EDITION : THE CONTINUATION

BesT ofSRQ Local featuring this year’s big best of srq local recognition to overall community achievements and blunders, the best contribution to downtown sarasota, best local cocktail, best peruvian restaurant, best kitchen design and your love letters to srq.

Dive into the liquid culture Sarasota has collectively crafted, and check out the movers and shakers doing it best, with intricate craft recipes and farm-toglass ingredients around town. Top-shelf contender and seven-time winner State Street Eating House+Cocktails and its charismatic Bramble-making bartenders highball Platinum by a land (mud)slide.

Jack Dusty sneaks its way up from last year, winning Gold for its lush Siren. Veronica’s Fish & Oyster Bar debuts in the competition for the first time with a celebratory clink of her flute. Battling for the most seductive atmosphere, liquor selection and intriguing concoctions, Pangea Alchemy Lab and Cask & Ale Kitchen tie for Bronze. —BM Kelly Fried (on State Street): Brambles and bubbles and bush, oh my. Ethan Weiss (on State Street): They hit hard. Joani Spadaro (on State Street): When I’m here I feel like I’m in a fancy New York bar, except that everyone is friendly and nice. The mixologists will make custom drinks depending on your taste and will be happy to do it. The atmosphere is sophisticated and homey. The bar food is excellent. A perfect experience.

Crystile Carter (on Jack Dusty): The Siren is the best cocktail I’ve ever tasted, beautiful scenery and amazing service! Rebecca Pendergast (on Veronica’s): The barrel cocktails that they serve with the ice balls are strong and different. You can taste the wood in the liquor. Minta Getzen (on Pangea): From the mystery of entering through the alley, to the magic of the mixologists—this place is a treasure! Charles Ross-MacCormack (on Cask & Ale): Wildly creative and always working on bringing something new to the table.

BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT Selva Grill

Written by Phil Lederer, Brittany Mattie and Jacob Ogles.

Photography by Wyatt Kostygan.

A spontaneous trip to South America may not quite be in the budget (not to mention the hassle of finding a last-minute babysitter for your dog and kennel for the kids), but your mouth can take a voyage to Peru almost any night, thanks to the winning restaurants in this new category. Selva Grill and its stunning ceviches emerged a clear winner, holding the Platinum trophy up high on the shoulders of twice as many votes as any competitor.

Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine holds a solid Gold finish, with diners raving about creative dishes and fresh fixin’s straight from Peru, while Peruvian Grill takes home the Silver alongside scrumptious yucca fries. And battling neck-and-neck for a dead tie across the finish line, Maemi Peruvian Cuisine and Brasa & Pisco tie as Bronze winners. —PL Nancy Schulman (on Selva Grill): Chimichurra Steak with Plaintains—probably my favorite meal in town. Steak is flavorful and tender, service is always good. They even serve it in a smaller portion for happy hour! We like to sit in the bar area—cozy dark red walls.

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Becky Brodkorb (on Selva Grill): My absolute favorite! I have been to Peru and this is by far my favorite Peruvian around here. Michael Henshaw (on Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine): This is one of my favorite

BEST KITCHEN DESIGN

go-to spots outside of downtown Sarasota. The steak tacos, chicharron de calamar, and truffle chive risotto are amazing. Any time we have friends in town, we stop here for a quick meal and every time everyone leaves happy.

Sheila Vincent (on Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine): I have been a fan of Darwin Santa Maria since his days on Swift Road. He and his wife, Lelys, always strive for the best flavor, the best presentation, the most authentic

Imagine what your kitchen looked like back in the 90’s, and it’s easy to conclude how far modern design has come since then. These are the Home Improvement folks replacing your dated oak wood cabinets and your garish vinyl flooring. Campbell Kitchen and Bath close the pantry with Platinum. Metro Cabinet Company and SRQ Woodworks Co. share the Gold knobs. Paradise Kitchens nail down the Silver, while Taylor James Fine Cabinetry and Affinity Kitchen & Bath take home a tie as well, in Bronze. —BM Cindy Balliette (on Campbell): Campbell Cabinetry Designs installed a new kitchen

Campbell Cabinetry Designs

for us. They have the highest quality product, construction and installers.

Darrin Campbell was our designer. He listened to us and gave us exactly what we were looking for. Darrin was always pleasant to work with and always available to us. We could not have been happier. Steffani Drass (on Campbell): As an architect, I always feel confident recommending Campbell Cabinetry to clients because I know they will be provided with excellent customer service and the upmost attention to detail. Charon Schwartz (on SRQ Woodworks co.): Wonderful talent creating your dream kitchen. Impeccable perfection. Jade Custer (on SRQ Woodworks): Everything is custom- designed and hand-crafted by true wood craftsmen. Mercedes Movilla (on SRQ Woodworks co.): Their kitchens are pieces of art. I’m talking as an architect. Beck Boydston (on Paradise Kitchens): They remodeled our kitchen and did an outstanding job. They came up with great ideas, stayed within our budget, communicated well and did super work. Highly recommend them. Diane Lane (on Affinity Kitchens): Tiffany Farrell runs her business with the utmost level of integrity, and her granite products are gorgeous. Chris Miller (on Affinity Kitchens): Tiffany has done an outstanding job of developing a team who cares about their customers.

BEST COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENT The Bay Peruvian food. The success he has brought to Selva Grill, to Darwin’s on 4th and now to Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine shows his creativity, market-savvy, and excellent public relations. Not only an excellent chef but a wonderful and philanthropic human being. Shari Shepard (on Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine): Darwin is a local chef and owner. He is inventive in his menus.

He brings his children in to assist with meal prep, teaching them the beauty of cuisine. He travels home to Peru often searching for the ordinary to extraordinary! Evolutionary is not just a name: it’s Darwin. Marie Bonilla (on Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine): Elegant Peruvian food, amazing flavors and presentations. Marie Bonilla (on Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine): Elegant Peruvian food, amazing flavors and presentations.

Chris Grandstaff (on Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine): Fresh, exciting dishes with flavors that dance. April White (on Peruvian Grill): Peruvian Grill is a favorite of mine and my fiancé. We probably pick up takeout at least once a month from here. My favorite dish and the thing I order every time is the shrimp picante. So yummy! Kim Fineout (on Maemi Peruvian Cuisine): Yucca fries are amazing. James Meade (on Brasa & Pisco): The menu had many delicious entrees. Music during dinner was provided by the Hot Club of SRQ—my favorite acoustic jazz band. It was a memorable evening.

Sarasota’s not a place that’s known for getting everybody on board with the same plan. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that simply approving a master plan for The Bay rose up as Platinum winner for the top community accomplishment in the region. Approving support for The Legacy Trail completion won Gold mention as well. But the many hotels rising in Downtown Sarasota won Silver support, with readers particularly pleased with Art Ovation Hotel. And while not everyone loved them, roundabouts spun into the hearts of many voters and squealed into a Bronze win. —JO Kelly Fried (on State Street): Brambles and bubbles and bush, oh my. Carey Beychok (on The Bay): Approving the Sarasota Bayfront project was such an accomplishment. It will be fabulous. Charles Ross McCormack (on The Bay): Deciding on the revitalization project for the Van Wezel and waterfront space around it was a big deal. I can’t wait to see the result down the road. Joan Parks (on Legacy Trail): I’m so happy we passed the Legacy Trail extension. So worth it. Karen Kanis (on Downtown Improvement): I love the Art Ovation Hotel completion with the rooftop bar, landscaping and surrounding improvements on the street/circle.

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best of srq local BIGGEST COMMUNITY BLUNDER Red Tide Gulf Coast residents loved their waterfront views this fall. Not! Toxic red tide blooms gets this most dubious of Platinum awards and distinction as the region’s biggest blunder of the year. Overdevelopment in the region got a bundle of votes itself, with many calling out approval of Benderson Development’s Siesta Promenade plans in buildup to this Gold selection. But parking meters, a long bugaboo to readers, got the Silver for big blunder. And roundabouts apparently pique off as many as they please, getting the Bronze here as well. —JO Laurie Chandler (on Red Tide): The contribution of businesses to the whole mess they created and no one taking responsibility. So much was lost. We are taking the Gulf and its inhabitants for granted—they are worth less than the almighty dollar. So incredibly sad. Steffani Drass (on Red Tide): There was such a lack of public health information. Toxic air and water affects everyone. Amy Confer (on Parking Meters): Tried. Failed. Tried.

Failed. Hey, let’s do it again! Scott Stevens (on Parking Meters): Again? This is probably the most un-original set of managers of this city ever. Laura Steber (on Roundabouts): Nobody knows how to use them!

BEST CONTRIBUTION TO DOWNTOWN SARASOTA The Vue / The Westin Dread it, run from it, development arrives all the same. The Sarasota skyline is as everchanging as it is controversial, and saw a handful of notable additions this past year. With cranes still swinging through the sky, SRQ voters took note of what they think builds us up the most, giving The Vue/The Westin the Platinum and Art Ovation Hotel the Gold.

—PL Mary Murphy (on The Vue/Westin): Rooftop view of downtown is amazing. April White (on The Vue/Westin): Love the architecture. David Ohrenstein (on Art Ovation Hotel): The architecture takes into account visual delight and the pedestrian experience. It is also a wonderful scale for the street, connecting the fabric of the building surrounding it. Diane Lane (on Art Ovation Hotel): I love being on the roof at night and enjoying the view below.

It’s not expansive, yet feels more like a wonderful little enclave of culture. Stephanie Savalii (on Art Ovation Hotel): Beautiful design that is scaled perfectly for downtown SRQ.

BEST LOVE LETTERS TO OUR HOMETOWN Quality of life The beauty. The culture. The sunset. Many elements of life in the SRQ inspired the affection of our readers. Here’s some samples of voters’ most affectionate phrases. —JO Abby Odiema: Dear Sarasota, I grew up with you since I was born and you have never failed to amaze me with your beautiful sunsets and endless attractions to attend. Yes, snowbird season can be ugly, but, when it’s over, we live where others vacation and I am so grateful to call this small city my home.

Terri Barcus: Beach violins and light winds, palm harps, and starry symbols... your serenity and beauty keep my heart alive. Jayme McHale: It was love at first sight back in December 2013—my first visit to Sarasota. I remember driving past the marina and across the Ringling Causeway, and I thought, ‘I could live here.’ So I made it happen. I returned to Michigan, quit my job, packed up my car and moved a month later. It’s a decision I haven’t once regretted. Sarasota is a gem, and no matter where I travel, it always feels good to be home! Emily Lane: Sarasota, you are simply magnificent!

Beautiful natural areas from the beaches to the parks to our neighborhoods; friendly and intelligent people; amazing cultural life; excellent schools. I live in Paradise! SRQ

Thank you to our readers for the incredible outpouring of completed ballots for this year’s 2019 Best of SRQ Local Competition. We appreciate you investing the time to live and love local! To read more love letters, stay tuned to SRQ Magazine’s Facebook page this month as we share our reader’s letters from this year’s competition.

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forage LOCAL EPICUREAN ADVENTURES AT THE TABLE

LEMON AID

Tableseide to the rescue—foraging a mindful zest and vibrant aesthetic with its new main squeeze, Lemon Tree Kitchen.

Brittany Mattie WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, MAKE AN ENTIRE KITCHEN OUT OF THEM, RIGHT? Lemon Tree Kitchen bloomed before

our very eyes this past March in the former Louies Modern space on Palm Avenue—giving health-centric foodies exactly what they’ve been hankering. “Diners are craving to eat out and enjoy nutritious meals that are not only delicious, but good for them,” says Joe Seidensticker, CEO of Tableseide Restaurant Group. “Sarasota has so many locals and visitors who are passionate about their healthy lifestyle. At Lemon Tree Kitchen, they can enjoy dishes that they’ll feel good about, without sacrificing taste.” Now breathing a radiant openness draped with lush leafage and hanging Vitamin C-filled fruits, LTK sets the scene with an analogous color scheme of yellow-greens, rustic wood furnishings, motif murals and light cage fixtures.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

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THE MENU PROVIDES A TWIST (if you will) on American classics, like the timeless BLT or grilled cheese sandwich, suspiciously elevated to now fit into a cleaneating lifestyle. In that pursuit, LTK doesn’t restrict itself to purely one dietary genre, and foodies with strict diets will be delighted to learn that the kitchen happily accommodates vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, paleo, keto, Mediterranean and other eating habits. The hyperfocus lands on fresh, local ingredients and salubrious takes—rendering truly wholesome salvations without sacrificing bold flavors or serving sizes—squeezing out the stigma that eating healthy means an unsatisfied belly growling for more.

For starters, the Blistered Brussels Sprouts is the perfect rendition of the trendy veggie, accompanied with the house lemon aioli that will fall nothing short of a strange, overindulging addiction—seriously, this stuff goes with everything. Sea salt baked plantain chips supplement the sublime dippage of Roasted Beet Hummus, which alleviates the earthy potency of beets and accentuates just the right amount of citrus and sweetness. And when was the last time you remember seeing toast having its own entire section on a menu? Crunch into farm-fresh gourmet toasts like the Smashed Avocado, Marinated Cured Tuna, Vegan Tartare and House Pimento Cheese.

Louies Modern loyalists, don’t fret—many favorites make special appearances on the menu. Lock eyes with your former lover, the beloved Bedeviled Eggs, garnished with paprika, turnips and tofu. Rejoice in finding also

the Vegan Kale Caesar and the Louies Tribute Burger.

Don’t be surprised however, if entirely new items wedge a place in your heart, and stomach. The Ancient Grains Chopped Salad combines fresh veggies, faro and fried tofu in a cold-pressed apple vinaigrette dressing. The Seared Beef Carpaccio is a light and tasteful option, with horseradish crema, cherry tomatoes, asparagus and sprouts. The Homemade Kale Cavatelli invites you to finish off a pasta bowl in a spicy eggplant arrabiata sauce and grated parmesan, while the Wood-Grilled Cauliflower Steak’s presentation is as easy on the eyes as the gut, with honey-roasted carrots, broccoli rabe, butternut squash puree and chimichurri sauce.

From the revamped bar, count on low-sugar, citruscentric cocktails to pair the fare. Get your buzz on with the refreshing Honey Bee martini or some next-level “lemonade” with the Lemon Tree, crafted with lemoninfused Tito’s Vodka, fresh lemon juice, soda water and a lemon oleo saccharum (pure cane sugar mingled with the oil a citrus peel releases), an ingredient that adds just enough nuance and sophistication to the base of a punch for the utmost thirst-quencher. While the forbidden fruit may taste the sweetest, dessert here is quite sinless.

A shameless surfeit of Coconut Mango Panna Cotta comes chilled with non-dairy Chantilly cake, while the Sweet Blue Corn Crème Brulee with fresh mint, Vegan Chocolate Mousse with dairy-free whipped cream and Lemon Polenta with mixed berries and lemon sorbet make up the rescue team to our dining distress. SRQ

Above left to right:

Lemon Tree Kitchen’s Ancient Grains Chopped Salad combines fresh veggies, faro and tofu with an apple vinaigrette.

Diners enjoy a fresh redesign with the same friendly service. The Seared Beef Carpaccio comes with horseradish crema, cherry tomatoes and asparagus.

Lemon Tree Kitchen, 1289 North Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-5529688, @thelemontreekitchen.

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PROVISIONIST APRICOT LANE OH MY GAUZE S P E C TA C L E G A L L E R Y

LOVE LOCAL PORTFOLIO OF BOUTIQUES :: SRQ MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2019

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FLIPPING THE BIRD

A new chicken shop on State Street brings fried chicken back to its glory days. Phil Lederer

IT’S A SAD AND SIMPLE FACT of the modern menu that

fried chicken just doesn’t command the same reverence it once did. In a pre-war world of boiled vegetables and bland meats, the words flashed like a neon beacon in the darkness, a culinary respite on that long, lonesome highway to one’s inevitable Last Supper. It thrived in the Great Depression, coming through with a new champion in the form of a monochromatic Kentucky Colonel. And amongst the irradiated meatloaves of the mid-century microwave craze, it brought a nostalgic authenticity to the dinner table that not even the most sophisticated science oven could hope to replicate. An ode to excess that mirrored the true American spirit, when the 1980s saw the popularization of “too big to fail,” they might as well have been talking about fried chicken.

But alot has changed in 40 years. Salt is bad for the blood pressure, grease clogs the heart and those carbs are making you fat, so they say. All natural, organic, coldpressed and asbestos-free is in; battered and fried is out.

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taste. And as the calorie counters and cholesterol critics wage war from their temples of tofu, Sarasota restaurateurs Tom Gumpel and Mark Caragiulo make their stand like half-crazed culinary outlaws on the parapets of a breaded and battered Alamo they call The Daily Bird.

Settled into the space freshly abandoned by Atlantic Beer & Oyster, a speedy renovation has transformed the cold and vaguely nautical into something offbeat and welcoming—a strange and irreverent hybrid of downhome and upscale, where a joke-filled menu smacks equally of traditional fare and global inspiration, and a wall mural with Godzilla-sized chickens wreaking havoc with laser-beam-eyes looms over it all.

The menu comes largely from Gumpel, who, after serving 14 years hard time as vice president of product development at Panera Bread, finally gets to let his creative juices flow freely. From the spectacularly spicy Trashville Hot to the delightfully balanced Early Bird (chicken sage sausage, white cheddar, bacon jam and a fried egg) and the Korean-inspired Kim Chee Yum with ssamjang relish, the sandwich selection borders on the unhinged just enough to be wildly creative, while sides

Above left to right:

The Daily Bird’s signature “bones” (fried chicken) doused in the sweet and spicy Crazy Rich Asian glaze. You can order a fried chicken basket and have it tossed and glazed with one of three sauces: Havana Mojo, Crazy Rich Asian or Trashville Hot. Mural featuring the Godzilla-sized chickens.

Daily Bird, 1534 State St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-360-3103 daily-bird.com

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like deviled eggs and a central offering of Daily Dirty Poutine remind diners that this is no ordinary “southernfried” chicken shop. (“We’re New Yorkers,” Gumpel says flatly. “Faking authenticity is the worst.”) But Daily Bird is still a chicken shop, and the defining question for Daily Bird will be the selfsame interrogative that doomed KFC—is the fried chicken actually any good?

“It’s a little bit of an illness,” says Gumpel, selfdiagnosing his pursuit of perfect chicken as perhaps something more than healthy. Before making their own, he and Caragiulo sampled fried chicken from around the country, looking for the best—looking for something so good it could possibly dissuade them from the necessity of their endeavor. From Vegas to New York, each leaves him unsatisfied. “I don’t think we found great chicken out there,” he says. “Using culinary fundamentals and a passion for it, we could do better.” He admits to an obvious bit of ego in the statement, but does not apologize. Rather, he explains.

Better fried chicken begins with a better bird, so sayeth the Gospel according to Gumpel, and so the Daily Bird sources its chicken from Springer Mountain, a small chicken farm in Atlanta, GA, where the standards are “higher than organic.” Some birds are raised for speed, hitting maturity in record time, others are raised for egg production and ostensibly still more are raised for all manner of chickenly duties that the peaceful among us will live lives blissfully unaware of. “In the case of Springer Mountain,” says Gumpel, “they’re building the best-tasting bird.” And while 2,500 Panera Breads was too much for the folks at Springer Mountain to handle, for Daily Bird they helped Gumpel and Caragiulo build a whole new supply chain to make it possible.

Above left to right:

The Kim Chee Yum sandwich pairs fried chicken with kim chee slaw and Korean pickle ssamjung relish.

Once arrived, the birds immediately go under the knife, with Gumpel or one of his acolytes breaking the bird down into two legs, two thighs and four chunks of breast meat. These will be the “bones,” or the bonein fried chicken. Not yet ready to fry, the bones must be brined for at least a day in a water-based solution of salt, sugar, garlic, cumin and enough Spanish paprika to colonize a small country. After 24 to 28 hours, the water has been forced out of the bones, replaced with so much brine that it keeps the meat pink even after cooking.

From the brine, the bones hit the dredging station, where they’re dipped and dragged through a flourbased dredge with salt, oregano, thyme and even more paprika, then into buttermilk and then once more into the dredge. Once satisfactorily smothered, it’s straight to the pressure fryer. “Inspired by the Colonel,” Gumpel says. “It draws a lot of flavor to the bone and pushes the brine through. It’s just beautiful.”

Served up hot, crispy and with a big knife plunged through the breast like some poultrified Polonius, it’s juicy and flavorful enough to eat naked, but can be tossed with one of three signature sauces, including the Crazy Rich Asian and the aforementioned Trashville Hot. An homage to the famous Nashville Hot, the Sarasota version significantly reduces both the heat level and lard content.

It’s not the only accommodation the menu makes to a more health-conscious lifestyle, cause while Gumpel and Caragiulo may be fried chicken fanatics, they’re no fools—and no business benefits from encouraging coronaries in its customer base. Gumpel proves a secret sprouted grain enthusiast, almost as excited to show off the trays of baby grains as he is those baskets of bones.

Wheat, quinoa—the grain changes with the day—but Gumpel coaxes each to a point of just barely sprouting, before harvesting the lot as a bed for the day’s salads.

“That’s when grain is at its most nutritious,” he says, before it expends its resources growing into a full sprout.

Topped with sliced and feathered grilled chicken, the lean and light fare offers a purposed and flavorful counterpoint to an otherwise unabashedly heavy menu.

Et tu, Gumpel? The senators brought their knives for the chicken, but will this betrayal direct their blades elsewhere? Under a deep-fried veneer of devil-may-care defiance and derring-do, has yet another health food operation full of rabbit food and empty promises arisen unchallenged? Gumpel remains unconcerned, regarding the aberration as evidence of his dedication to flavor over all else, following the tastes but not the trends in the pursuit of something wonderfully simple. He points to the sandwiches, all made with brined and boneless dark thigh meat, sourced from Springer Farms just for that purpose. It’s a risk, he says, but also a statement. “Every other company takes a big slab of breast, puts it on a bun and you’re biting into this big, thick piece of flesh,” he says. “We’re making it better.” SRQ

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nosh 15 SOUTH RISTORANTE 15 S Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota, 941-388-1555. ITALIAN RESTAURANT Right in the hustle and bustle of St. Armands Circle, 15 South Ristorante is an authentic Italian restaurant serving primarily Northern Italian fare with additional options to satisfy every craving. Whether you order a homemade pizza baked to perfection in their authentic wood-burning oven or prefer an authentic and fresh pasta dish – options are endless. Full Dinner 4:30pm-10pm. Pizza, Light Dinner 4:30pm-Closing.

CROW’S NEST MARINA RESTAURANT 1968 Tarpon Center Dr., Venice, 941-484-9551. CASUAL FINE DINING The Crow’s Nest is a casual fine dining restaurant, serving fresh seafood, steaks and other traditional Florida favorites. Located on the Island of Venice and nestled between the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Intracoastal Waterway on the north and east, Crow’s Nest has become a waterfront fixture for surf ‘n’ turf. M–W 11:30am-10pm. Th 11:30am– 11pm. F-Sa 11:30am–12:30am. Su 12–10pm.

DUVAL’S FRESH. LOCAL. SEAFOOD. 1435 Main St., Sarasota, 941-312-4001. SEAFOOD Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood. is excited to announce: Duval’s Free. Local. Shuttle! Your experience at Duval’s should be what you’re expecting. For dinner, try the Chef Selected Fresh Catch, an offering of the freshest fish in the market, and fillet your fresh catch in-house.

Featuring a 3-5-7 Happy Hour and late night. M–Th 11am–9pm. F–Sa 11am–10pm. Su 10am– 9pm.

ELEMENT 1413 Main St., Sarasota, 941-724-8585.

MODERN MEDITERRANEAN In the heart of downtown Sarasota, you don’t want to miss the upscale Mediterranean grill, Element. Try their Sambuca shrimp with bacon crème, crisp prosciutto, tomato fennel compote and pine nuts. For dinner, their 12 oz. bone-in center cut porcini-encrusted veal chop is delectable. For a large party, order the table an entire roast suckling pig; which serves four to six guests and is cooked with apples, figs and shallots. Equipped with an extensive wine list and an enticing array of craft cocktails. M-Th 4:30pm-10pm. F-Sa 4:30pm11pm. Su 10:30am-2:30pm, 4:30pm-10pm. F-Sa.

GECKO’S GRILL & PUB 4870 South Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-923-8896. GRILL AND SPORTS BAR The Original Gecko’s—established in 1992—is known for hosting great parties and entertaining such sports celebrities as Michael Jordan and the White Sox, along with Sarasota’s locals and visitors alike. Gecko’s has continued its good fortune and expanded to the following locations: Twelve Oaks Plaza (Interstate–75 and S.R. 70) in 1998, Braden River Plaza (on S.R. 64) in 2002, Palmer Crossing (Clark Road and Honore Avenue) in 2006, Southside Village (Hillview

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SRQ’s Foodie Content Channel LOCALLY SOURCED ALWAYS IN SEASON

Street) in 2010, S’macks Burgers and Shakes (Bee Ridge Road and Shade Avenue) in 2013 and Fruitville Road (Fruitville and North Cattlemen Avenue) in 2014.

GROVE 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch, 941-893-4321. CONTEMPORARY GOURMET DINING GROVE Restaurant, Patio and Ballroom is the newest offshoot of PIER 22, the award-winning waterfront destination headed by restaurateurs Hugh Miller and Greg Campbell. A full-service restaurant and events venue offering contemporary gourmet dining. The menu is elevated yet approachable and locally inspired.

Housemade dishes emphasize fresh seasonal ingredients as well as innovative cooking methods, M-Th 11:30am-10pm, F-Sa 11:30am-12am, Sun 11am-10pm MARINA JACK 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, 941-3654232. SEAFOOD, STEAKS AND PASTA The Sarasota landmark offers its customers exceptional food and great atmosphere while dining on the water. Come to the dining room on the second floor and try some new items on the dinner menu. Start with braised mussels in a chorizo broth or short rib tostadas, which feature Gouda cheese and pulled slow-braised short rib.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. M–Su 11:15am–11pm.

MATTISON’S 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota/ 7275 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota/ 101 Riverfront Blvd., Bradenton, 941-330-0440. MODERN AMERICAN Chef Paul Mattison, executive chef and proprietor of Mattison’s, operates a successful culinary group on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located in Sarasota, each Mattison’s restaurant location is unique to its neighborhood, offering Chef Paul Mattison’s signature menu items, outstanding service, and quality ingredients, while supporting the community, regional farmers, and culinary suppliers. Mattison’s Catering is a chef-owned and operated company procuring fresh, natural, and local ingredients. Catering In-house and off-site, Mattison’s Catering Company offers certified wedding and event planners. Hours vary by location.

MORTON’S GOURMET MARKET 1924 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 941-955-9856. GOURMET GROCER It’s the place where you can spend a lazy Sunday morning sipping coffee and breaking off pieces of a scone, a frenetic Friday evening collecting rare cheeses, meat and wine for Saturday’s soiree or a quick lunchtime bite to go. For the latter, Morton’s fresh-made sushi, salad bar or ready-to-go tea sandwiches are longstanding local faves. M–Sa 7am–8pm. Su 9am–6pm.

OPHELIAS ON THE BAY 9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, 941-349-2212. FINE DINING With indoor and outdoor dining options boasting incredible waterfront views of Little Sarasota Bay, Ophelia’s On The Bay is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a delectable meal.

From their PEI mussels presented in a saffron-anisette broth to incredible cocktails such as the Pink Lady, you can’t go wrong. Happy Hour M–Su 5pm–6pm. Dinner M–Su 5pm–10pm. Sunday Brunch 11am–2pm.

PBNT

1409 Main St., Sarasota, 941-9149955. AMERICAN PBnT is serving up delicious pizzas, burgers, tacos. There are options for everyone, including gluten-free pizza crust and lettuce-wrapped burgers. PBnT caters to every craving for America’s favorite foods. Try their When Pigs Fly pizza, which is a BBQ base, topped with cheese, roasted pork, chopped bacon, onion and a BBQ drizzle or their Momo burger which is a double patty, sautéed mushrooms and onions, mozzarella cheese and mayo. Fast, fun and friendly – PBnT is the perfect choice. M-Su 11am-10pm.

PIER 22 1200 1st Ave W, Bradenton, 941-7488087. CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN Pier 22 takes waterfront dining to a new level. On the mouth of the Manatee River, the picturesque setting is relaxing and the perfect backdrop for any outing. With over 26,000 square feet of space, Pier 22 also offers catering and space for events. They focus on fresh, homemade fare and unique twists on everyday dishes. For lunch, try their soft-shell crab sandwich with jalapeno tartar sauce, with a side of poutine. While watching the sunset on the patio, dine on their fresh game of the day, sourced from around the world. M-Th 11:30am – 10pm. F-Sa 11:30am-10:30pm. Su 11am-10pm. Happy hour daily 3pm-7pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm.

SHARKY’S ON THE PIER 1600 Harbour Dr. S, Venice, 941-488-1456. SEAFOOD After just one visit to Sharky’s On the Pier, Fins at Sharky’s or Snook Haven, you’ll understand why all three restaurants have become Venice-area landmarks, smack-dab on the water. Boasting unparalleled views of the 720-foot long Venice Fishing Pier and Gulf of Mexico for over 30 years, Sharky’s has made a name for itself as Florida’s No. 1 Beach Bar with complimentary live music and entertainment, family friendly fun and a whole lot of ocean. M–Th 11:30am– 10pm. F–Sa 11:30am–12am. Sun 11:30am–10pm.

TSUNAMI SUSHI & HIBACHI GRILL 100 Central Ave, Suite 1022, Sarasota, 941-366-1033. ASIAN FUSION In the heart of downtown Sarasota Florida, Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill prepares creative sushi, fresh sashimi and a new spin on asian fusion--all at remarkable prices. The Tsunami team focuses on ensuring every meal exceeds your expectations. Fresh Sushi: Made fresh before your eyes by their talented chefs. Full Bar: They feature a full bar, with specialty cocktails like the Hibiscus Rose, Japanese Julep and Shinsu Sour. Asian Entrees: Fresh and flavorful with the unique taste of Japan. M-F 11am-Close; Sat/Sun 12pmClose; Closed Daily 2:30-4:30pm.

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IDENTITY CRISIS

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The Spice Boys draw their culinary inspiration from a global platform. Brittany Mattie

Previous page: Head Chef Stephen Schmitt and Sous Chef Carl Kolber take their culinary show on the road as The Spice Boys. Above left to right: The kofta plate comes with Middle Eastern-inspired lamb and beef meatballs. The Spice Boys preparing fresh pita for the next order. A traditional Israeli breakfast, the sabich sandwich unites eggplant, potato, cabbage, poached egg and more.

Follow The Spice Boys whereabouts and evolving menus at spiceboyskitchen. com and @spice boyskitchen.

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU COMBINE an Amazon-

inspired food truck, Mediterranean-Israeli cuisine, a stay-at-home dad turned chef from Germany and a selfproclaimed scatterbrain traveler/restaurateur from Switzerland—best friends from their crazy college days in London? Nobody really knows how The Spice Boys began, or how they got to Florida, but they’re very much here now. Head Chef Stephen Schmitt kicks on the generator in his Hawaiian shirt and bandana, while Sous Chef Carl Kolber preps in the back, in a flamboyant tiger button-down and his own bandana—their standard uniform for Sarasota’s newest, most noticeable food truck, The Spice Boys. Making stops at the Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market on Wednesdays, the atLarge studio’s parking lot in the Rosemary on Thursdays and various local destinations/events on Fridays, you may want to do yourself a favor and hunt down this foodie vessel breaking the standard American mold, aiming to be part of a more elevated movement, with a variety of high-end dishes curated with quality and rich in culture.

“But without all the frills and refinements of fine dining,” says Kolber. “We enjoy balanced levels of acid and heat, evenly mixed with hearty veggies and meat.”

Not exactly fitting into any one food category, but struggling to brand their fare, the wordly partners-incrime ultimately decided on ‘Modern Israeli Cuisine’, because many of the dishes are, in fact, Israeli. “All the food we make is what we most like to eat ourselves,” says Schmitt. “And we tend to gravitate to the healthy, bold flavors of Israel.” Having traveled there multiple times, they were heavily influenced by the popular breakfast sandwich, sabich. The Spice Boys’ sabich consists of a

baked pita kofta, stuffed with eggplant, crispy potato, cabbage, poached egg, tahini, schug (Israeli green salsa and sesame paste) and amba (tangy, yet potent mangopickled sauce).

At times straying from the Holy Land, many migrant dishes integrate a worldly mosaic of Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean flavors—spicy, colorful, zesty, bold and you’ll be hardened not to identify an entire spice rack. Everything from cumin, coriander, tzatziki, cloves, garlic, tahini, chilies and cayenne makes its way into eclectic menu. The Spice Boys will sometimes even find an ingredient truly amazing, and collaborate on dishes unexpected to come through a food truck window. “This is definitely not fast food,” says Schmitt. “There’s a lot of labor and love that goes into our food.” Take the 24-hour sous vide oxtail, the eight-hour braised pulled lamb burger or the Benton’s ham aged 14 months and served with a “red eye” coffee mayo, housemade pickles and fresh challah bread. The Chicken Brioche is a tenderized thigh, deboned by Schmitt himself, and cooked with bacon, slaw, avocado/peanut-harissa mayo and banana peppers, while the Roasted Whole Cauliflower is as much about taste as presentation with watercress pesto, almonds, pomegranates and labneh (strained Greek yogurt).

Considering the extreme intricacy and processes of many of Kolber and Schmitt’s dishes, the scratchkitchen menu remains limited to three to six dishes a day.

Beef or fish shawarmas (kebabs) one day, homemade hummus the next, but the ‘Spice Boys Wings’ seem to be staying put on the chalkboard by popular demand— tossed in a secret sauce and “numbingly spicy.” SRQ srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE19 live local | 57

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DISH+ART Celebrating the arts from the canvas to the kitchen.

Phil Lederer

(though we might count the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of wowed viewers and ‘mmms’ and ‘wows’ of contented diners to make it a solid five), this yearly feature encapsulates part of what makes Sarasota living so enviable and enjoyable—a combined dedication to the aesthetic and culinary arts. Pairing some of the area’s most celebrated local chefs with art from some of the city’s most celebrated galleries, the result is a slew of new culinary creations that will have readers making reservations and diners secretly hoping their eyes are bigger than their stomachs.

AN ANNUAL TREAT FOR AT LEAST FOUR OF THE SENSES

Respite, KATIE CASSIDY 530 BURNS GALLERY

“I PAINT WHERE THE QUIET SPIRIT LIVES.” WHETHER WORKING IN OILS OR ACRYLICS, A RICH PALETTE REFLECTS A FASCINATION WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, WHILE A PENCHANT FOR ABSTRACTION REVEALS A MEDITATIVE SOUL.”

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Chef Gerard Jesse, SEAFOOD SHACK HOMARDS DE LA MER

“HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MIMIC THIS PAINTING WITH FOOD WAS TRULY MY PRIVILEGE. THIS PAINTING WAS UNIQUE IN THE SENSE THAT IT REQUIRED A LITTLE MORE THOUGHT. FOR ONE, BLUE IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE RAREST COLORS IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. BEING THAT THIS PAINTING WAS ALL ABOUT WATER, THE PROTEIN HAD TO BE SEAFOOD. ALTHOUGH ALL THE OCEANS ARE VISUALLY BLUE, MOST OF THE

ANIMALS IN THAT WATER ARE NOT. EXCEPT OF COURSE ONE. THE SCOTTISH BLUE LOBSTER. THIS LOBSTER WAS GIFTED WITH A GENETIC MUTATION THAT PRODUCES TWO EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF PROTEIN CALLED RED CAROTENOID AND ASTAXANTHIN. TOGETHER THEY FORM A BLUE COMPLEX KNOWN AS CRUSTACYANIN. TAKING THIS INTO CONSIDERATION, I HAD TURNED THE BLUE LOBSTER MEAT INTO A SEAFOOD STUFFING. THIS WAS SLOWLY ROASTED OFF UNTIL DELICIOUSLY GOLDEN BROWN. IN ORDER TO RETAIN THE DEEP BLUE COLOR, THE SHELL OF THE LOBSTER WAS SCRUBBED, CLEANED AND SANITIZED. ONCE THE STUFFING WAS BAKED, IT WAS TRANSFERRED BACK INTO THE SHELL FOR PRESENTATION. NEXT, IN ORDER TO CREATE “CLOUDS,” I MADE A FLUFFY WHITE LOBSTER RISOTTO TO MIMIC THE SKY. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY USING FRESH PEA TENDRILS AND GREEN ONION CURLS TO REPRESENT THE SEAGRASS AND SEAWEED ALONG THE PAINTING. JUST AS THE PAINTING, IT WAS CREATED USING SIMPLE INGREDIENTS BUT ULTIMATELY MAKING A POWERFUL IMPACT UPON THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER. MY MESSAGE THROUGH THIS DISH WAS SIMPLE, “THE WAY YOU CHOOSE TO SEE THE WORLD, CREATES THE WORLD YOU SEE.”

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Chef Steve Phelps, INDIGENOUS

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CONGAREE AND PENN INSPIRATION

“MICHEL’S IMAGE INSTANTLY MADE ME THINK OF THE INTENSE YET RARE FOOD COLOR THAT COMES FROM THE CONGAREE AND PENN RICE MIDDLINS FROM JACKSONVILLE, FL. PURPLES AND BLUES ARE NOT COMMON IN CUISINE, BUT MICHEL USED THEM BEAUTIFULLY IN THE IMAGE AND I FELT COMPELLED TO CREATE SOMETHING UNUSUAL AND COMPLEMENTARY.”

Butterfly 15, MICHEL TCHEREVKOFF STATE OF THE ARTS GALLERY

“I LIKE TO FIND THE EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY, AND THEN MAKE OTHER PEOPLE SEE IT.” A CELEBRATED CONCEPTUAL PHOTOGRAPHER WITH INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS RANGING FROM AT&T TO AVON, AVANT-GARDE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE CRAFTING A COUTURE DRESS FROM TOOTHBRUSHES FOR JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND TRANSFORMING A SALAD SPINNER INTO A MINIATURE ROLLER COASTER FOR BED BATH AND BEYOND.

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Executive Chef Jamil Pineda, MICHAEL’S ON EAST EARTHY CONNECTION TO NATURE

“WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS GORGEOUS PAINTING, THE WATER, TREES, AND SUNSET REALLY STOOD OUT. TOGETHER, THE COLORS SEEM TO EVOKE A SENSE OF BALANCE AND A CONNECTION TO NATURE. WHEN CREATING THIS DISH, I WANTED TO GIVE OUR GUESTS A NEW VEGETARIAN OPTION WITH EARTHY INGREDIENTS. THE GRILLED SCALLIONS, SPRING VEGETABLES AND RED TOMATO NAGE ACCOMPLISHED THIS GOAL PERFECTLY, TOPPED OFF WITH MICRO GREENS. THE BABY KALE, SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND RICOTTA FOLDED INSIDE THE AGNOLOTTI ARE A SPECIAL TREAT, SIMILAR TO TREASURES WHICH MAY BE HIDDEN BENEATH THE WATER’S SURFACE IN THIS PAINTING.

Inspiration, LINDA RICHICHI 530 BURNS GALLERY

“PAINTING IS A PILGRIMAGE.” FROM PORTRAITURE TO PLEIN AIR, OIL TO PASTEL, INTUITION AND A SENSE OF HARMONY UNITE IN THE ARTIST’S HAND TO CELEBRATE MOMENTS LARGE AND SMALL AND INSTILL A FEELING OF PEACE.

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Chefs Adam Ruth & Noriko Tamaru STATE STREET EATING HOUSE ETHEREAL ROLL CAKE

“ASIDE FROM BEING TAKEN ABACK BY THE UNIQUENESS AND EMOTIONAL MESSAGE OF THE PIECE, I WAS CHALLENGED BY THE NOTION OF TRANSLATING THE SUBTLE COMBINATION OF PASTELS AND EARTHY COLORS INTO FOOD. AFTER DISCARDING SEVERAL IDEAS FOR TRADITIONAL ENTREES, I SETTLED ON REPRESENTING THE COLLAGE’S DELIGHTFUL MIXTURE OF ETHEREAL CALM AND UPLIFTING JOY—DESSERT WAS THE ANSWER! THE TRADITIONAL ROLL CAKE WAS PREPARED IN VARIOUS STAGES. AFTER SKETCHING OUT THE DESIGN—COMPLETE WITH COCOA-FLAVORED FLYING BIRD SILHOUETTES—PORTIONS OF THE SPONGE CAKE BATTER WERE COLORED, FLASHED, BAKED AND THEN INCORPORATED INTO THE WHOLE. AFTER BAKING, THE CAKE WAS FILLED WITH WHIPPED STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE AND ROLLED. IN SOME WAYS, THE PROCESS MIRRORED THAT OF CREATING A COLLAGE. “

Nesting, OLAN QUATTRO STATE OF THE ARTS GALLERY

A MIXED-MEDIA ARTIST STEEPED IN THE CALIFORNIA ARTS SCENE BEFORE HEADING EAST, THE COMPOSITE NATURE OF THE WORK SPEAKS TO AN INTEREST IN THE POWER OF MEMORY, AND HOW DISPARATE RECOLLECTIONS FORM PERSONAL MYTHOLOGIES GREATER THAN THE SUMS OF THEIR PARTS.

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Pastry Chef Lauren Bland MORTON’S GOURMET MARKET ON CLOUDS OF BLUE GREEN

“I LOVE THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF ART; IT SINGS SPRINGTIME IN SARASOTA TO ME—THE COOL BLUES LIKE THE GULF, AND THE HINTS OF SPRING WITH A TOUCH OF YELLOW AND GREEN, LIKE THE FIRST BLOOMS OF THE SEASON. AS I STUDIED THIS WORK OF ART, IT INSPIRED ME TO CREATE SOMETHING WITH SWEET SPRING FLAVORS, A HINT OF TART AND COLORFUL DECO. BELOW THE CLEAN WHITE SHELL LIES A RASPBERRY MOUSSE FILLED WITH LEMON CURD AND BLUEBERRY JAM AND A BASE OF SIMPLE, FLUFFY VANILLA GENOISE. THE WHITE CHOCOLATE MOSAIC HAS BEEN PLAYFULLY COLORED WITH HUES OF BRIGHT BLUE, DEEP GREEN, VIBRANT YELLOW AND A TOUCH OF SPARKLE. WHILE SIMPLE BY DESIGN, THE MANY COMPLEX FLAVORS COME TOGETHER LIKE A SYMPHONY AT SPRINGTIME. THE PLATE IS GARNISHED WITH LEMON CURD, A HINT OF BLUEBERRY, COLORFUL WHITE CHOCOLATE MOSAIC PIECES AND PETITE BASIL LEAVES. THIS DISH, AS WITH THIS PIECE OF ARTWORK, BRINGS THOUGHTS OF A SPRING DAY, GAZING OUT ON THE COOL WAVES OF THE GULF WITH THE BEGINNING BLOOM OF SPRING IN THE BACKGROUND.”

Transcending Surface GILLIAN ST. GEORGE ART UPTOWN GALLERY

“MY CHALLENGE IS TO APPLY BALANCE BETWEEN THE OPPOSING BUT COMPLEMENTARY ASPECTS OF NATURE.” THE EVER-PRESENT TUG OF WAR BETWEEN ORDER AND CHAOS PLAYS OUT IN FULL COLOR, AS DESIGN BATTLES INTUITION AND GEOMETRY GIVES WAY TO ABSTRACT EXPLORATION THROUGH LAYERS OF PIGMENT.

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Chef _________, SAGE RESTAURANT VEGETABLE TERRINE

“AFTER MEETING WITH MR. CREATURO, AND SEEING HIS PIECE “GOOD EARTH”, I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF PAIRING THIS INCREDIBLE WORK OF ART WITH MY VERY OWN VEGETABLE TERRINE. I CHOSE THIS DISH DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF FLAVORS, LAYERS, AND TECHNICAL PROCESS BY WHICH WE BUILD IT. INSIDE OF THE LAYERED TERRINE WE ADD THINLY SLICED ROASTED EGGPLANT, YELLOW SQUASH, RED PEPPERS AND TOP WITH MICRO GREENS. THIS BRINGS THE EARTH TONES FROM THE PAINTING TO LIFE WITH SPLASHES OF YELLOW AND RED. YOU CAN ALSO SEE THAT I AM TRYING TO CAPTURE THE COLORS IN WHICH HE USED AND TURN THEM INTO FLAVORS.“

Good Earth, FRANK CREATURO CREATURO GALLERY

JUMPING FROM MEDIUM TO MEDIUM WITH RELATIVE EASE, THIS BROOKLYN-BORN ARTIST OPERATES OUT OF HIS EPONYMOUS GALLERY OFF 1ST STREET IN SARASOTA. ABSTRACT PAINTING, SCULPTURE AND EVEN COLLAGE COMBINE TO CELEBRATE EVERYTHING FROM GOLDEN AGE HOLLYWOOD TO THE SIMPLE JOY OF PURE COLOR.

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I LOVE YOU AND THEN . . .

Sue Ellen’s Floral Boutique

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STORIES FROM THE FOREFRONT OF REGIONAL INDEPENDENT NONPROFITS

giving coast Goodwill Manasota announces 2019-2020 Board of Directors Brad West has been elected as the new board chair for Goodwill Manasota 2019-2020 Board of Directors. New to the board this year is Matt Nessetti; he joins directors Peter Crowley (Emeritus), Debbie Douglas, Rae Dowling, Rod Hollingsworth, Sandy Kirkpatrick, Jacqueline Moore, Allen Weinstein and Richard Wharton.

West has been a director on the Goodwill Manasota board since 2016. He is the current senior vice president of corporate development and treasurer for PGT. experiencegoodwill.org

The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading: Mind in the Making Mind in the Making workshops are an unprecedented effort to share the science of children’s learning with the general public, families

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and professionals who work with children and families. Mind in the Making focus areas include: focus and self-control, perspective taking, communicating, making connections, critical thinking, taking on challenges and self-directing.

The workshops focus on essential life skills that every child needs now and to thrive in the future.

Mind in the Making is made possible by the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, with support provided by The Patterson Foundation. gradelevelreadingsuncoast.net

Did You Know . . .

They can run up to 30 miles per hour. On average, they can live for about 12 to 15 years. They cannot taste anything sweet. When they are fully grown, they can grow 30 adult teeth and on average, they sleep 16 to 18 hours per day. Who are they?

Cats! Cat Depot shares all these fun cat facts on their website for anyone interested in these furry friends. Cat Depot is a local nonprofit

that is recognized for its innovative design and commitment to helping homeless, abandoned and injured cats and kittens. catdepot.org

Spare Change Does Make a Difference Hosting a coin donation bank at your business is all it can take to feed needed dogs and cats. Business owners can make a difference in saving the lives of pets in Manatee County. Spare change given to the Humane Society of Manatee County has the impact of feeding one dog or five cats, with just one dollar. “Last year alone, over $5,000 was raised through our Coin Bank Program,” say the folks at the Humane Society. “With an average cost of $500 to care for an animal in the shelter, the coin bank program enables us to execute our mission of saving lives, four paws at a time.” . humanemanatee.org

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giving coast Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County Launches Club Blue Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County has announced the launch of Club Blue, an initiative that will unite local young professionals through volunteerism, advocacy and mentorship.

This young professionals group will help the organization advance its mission to provide thousands of youth across Sarasota and DeSoto counties with greater opportunities to excel in school, become leaders, adopt healthy habits and create plans for success after high school graduation. The founding members of Club Blue are five young professionals in Sarasota County from diverse career backgrounds including Kaitlyn Perez, Jon Pierce, Britney Guertin, Jeremy Shelby and Samantha Gholar. bgcsarasota.com

SCBS Summer Intensive Program Sarasota Cuban Ballet School is accepting applications for its 2019 Summer Intensive Program running June 17 to July 27. SCBS offers both six-week and three-week programs for dancers ages 11 to 22 looking to strengthen and polish their technique, and to develop their artistry.

If you or someone you know is interested in being a part of a world-class summer ballet experience, call

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(941) 365-8400 to set up an audition appointment at SCBS studio or send a video audition to info. sarasotacubanballet@gmail.com. Don’t miss the chance to hone your craft at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet. srqcubanballet.com

Fruitville Gecko’s Teams with Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a four-county effort in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties to help all children, especially those from low-income families, succeed in school by ensuring they read on grade level by the end of third grade. The campaign being hosted at Fruitville Gecko’s Sarasota needs up to 40 volunteers who are interested in helping share the gift of literacy. A small commitment of two hours in the morning once a week for four weeks in June 2019 will create a large and long-lasting impact. gradelevelreadingsuncoast.net

Sarasota Teacher Recognized with Agriculture Award for Excellence

campus, recently received the “2019 Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture” award from the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom (FAITC) organization.

As a nonprofit organization, FAITC has the mission to increase agriculture literacy through PreK-12 education in Florida. As the winner of the award in the middle school category, SMA-MAJ Walker will represent Florida at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, held in Little Rock, AR, June 18–21. SMA-MAJ Walker was awarded for her role in teaching middle school cadets about opportunities and ways to feed a growing population. sarasotamilitaryacademy.org

The Ringling Museum of Art: Art After 5 Don’t know what to do this Thursday evening?

Enjoy spending time at The Ringling Museum of Art. The museum allows guests to enjoy discounted admission rates of only $15, compared to regular prices of $25, on Thursdays only. From 5pm to 8pm, the Museum of Art, including special exhibition galleries and the Circus Museum, are available to explore. ringling.org SRQ

Sarasota Military Academy Major (SMA-MAJ) Deb Walker, a teacher at the SMA Prep middle school

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COMMUNITY EVENTS IN MAY/JUNE 2019 SPONSORED BY SRQ MEDIA

rsvp MORTON CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

SRQ MARGARITA FESTIVAL

MAY 19 Don’t miss out on Morton’s Gourmet Market 50th Anniversary party! Come celebrate the past five decades that Morton has been with us in Sarasota.

The independent grocery store that began in 1969 has grown to be a staple in our community. It couldn’t have reached this milestone without the help of all of its supporters in the community. While celebrating, you’ll be enjoying food, music and raffle prizes.

MortonsMarket.com

MAY 25 Experience the inaugural SRQ Margarita Festival, the perfect combination of live music and margaritas. Enjoy a variety of margarita flavors, five great bands, the area’s best food trucks, games and a spectacular firework display to end the night. Tickets are limited and are on sale now.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Turning Points, Barking Out Loud Rescue and Farm Dog Fosters. srqmargaritafest.com

YOGA WARRIOR POSES FOR WARRIORS: ON STAGE AT THE OPERA HOUSE WITH OWR

FRIDAY FEST- BIG NIGHT OUT

SARASOTA VS CANCER MAY 18 The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is the world’s largest movement to end cancer.

Money raised from Relay For Life helps the American Cancer Society save lives by funding groundbreaking research to discover cancer’s causes and cures, and help people facing cancer today with free programs and services. Help break through the biggest rivalry: us vs. cancer. It takes things like 24/7 cancer helplines and free rides to chemo, but most of all, it takes you. Join the Relay For Life and help attack cancer in our community RelayForLife.org/SarasotaFL

MAY 23 Head to the Sarasota Opera House for an evening of yoga and sound immersion, led by Ashley Stewart, YTT-500, Sarasota’s go-to yogi for rejuvenation and vibe transformation. All proceeds will benefit Operation Warrior Resolution, a Sarasotabased 501c3 that provides innovative and alternative mental health approaches to improve the mental health of military service members. Operation Warrior Resolution holds veterans healing retreats where veterans engage in powerful mind and body healing modalities. operationwarriorresolution.org

EVOLVING / REVOLVING MAY 2–5 “Evolving / Revolving” is Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s annual homage to the ‘upbringing’ of its academy. The final performance of the season will bring singular works by past company collaborators and/or dancers. This season will also be bringing back works that have been on popular demand. 2019’s production will feature Gerri Houlihan, Pamela Pietro and an aerial work by SCD Co-Founder Rachael Inman.

SarasotaContemporaryDance.org

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JUNE 21 Kicking off Friday Fest 2019, The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s free outdoor summertime concert series, is Big Night Out, a grooving sixpiece dance band performing Latin, R&B and Island dance music. A powerful horn section and Latin percussion add to the commanding vocals of Frank Alverez. Dance the night away with a perfect view of the Sarasota sunset as Big Night Out’s kicks off Van Wezel’s annual summer concert series. Friday Fest events run from 5-9pm and are located on the Bayside Lawn of the Van Wezel. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a summer sunset over the Bay. vanwezel.org SRQ

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Giving Coast SRQ MAGAZINE

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PHILANTHROPY MARKETING SECTION :: DONOR GUIDE TO GIVING

DONOR'S GUIDE TO GIVING ON THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA

YOUR GUIDE TO GIVING OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL IMPACT THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN THE REGION. BECOME A PART OF THE LOCAL PHILANTHROPIC STORY BY FULFILLING THEIR GIVING BACK WISH LISTS!

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DONOR GUIDE

Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation A cancer diagnosis can change everything. For some, it may mean the added stress of financial hardship. The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization, provides financial support to qualified adult cancer patients in the state of Florida for expenses such as rent or mortgage, car payments and car insurance, and utility bills. By giving patients peace of mind in knowing that their bills are being paid while they are undergoing treatment, the FCS Foundation allows them to concentrate on what really matters – fighting cancer. This financial assistance immediately impacts cancer patients and their families in local communities.

Due to the generosity of the Florida Cancer Specialists physicians in covering all overhead expenses for the Foundation, 100% of donations received go directly towards paying the essential non-medical living expenses of an adult battling cancer.

The FCS Foundation is proud to serve veterans and first responders.

Our WishList Make a general donation or donate in memory or honor of a loved one. All donations go towards helping cancer patients with their non-medical living costs, and can be made by credit card, phone or check.

Volunteer to be a Financial Aid Screener at our Sarasota Foundation office—answer phones, help process incoming online applications, determine patient eligibility and ensure all required documentation has been submitted, so a grant approval decision can be made as quickly as possible.

Become a Patient Support volunteer—spend quality time with patients in the cancer center treatment area to provide comfort and companionship, a smile, beverage, snack, or a listening ear.

FCS Foundation Mission: Providing non-medical, financial assistance to adults undergoing cancer treatment in Florida to allow them to focus on fighting cancer.

5204 PAYLOR LANE, SARASOTA, FL 34240 941-677-7181 | FOUNDATION.FLCANCER.COM

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Become an Event Volunteer— assist with special event set up, registration and clean up. Pre-event opportunities include joining event committees, soliciting donations for event auctions, obtaining prospective sponsors and preparing event decorations.

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DONOR GUIDE Imagery Courtesy of Dani Zeris Photography

Our WishList Angel Fund Veterinary Clinic fund that is used to provide treatment for animals when their families cannot afford the cost of needed medical services.

Spay and Neuter Funding to provide these surgeries at low cost/no cost for lowincome residents Shelter Operating Funding to provide medical care for animals in our Second Chance Adoption Program.

Educational Outreach Funding for our school-age children outreach programs.

Feral Spay and Neuter Funding for our TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) program for Feral and free-roaming community cats.

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Humane Society of Manatee County Humane Society of Manatee County is committed to leading Manatee County in fostering compassion and respect for animals through care, education and collaboration.

Humane Society of Manatee County is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit animal welfare organization that was originally formed in 1970, and today is regarded as the lead animal welfare agency in Manatee County.

The Humane Society of Manatee County operates a shelter, the Second Chance Adoption Center and a veterinary clinic / high volume spay and neuter clinic located at 2415 - 2515 14th Street W in Bradenton.

Each year, the Second Chance Adoption Shelter re-homes more than 1000 dogs and cats through adoptions. Many of the animals that enter our Second Chance Adoption Program are medically challenged or have behavioral issues. Each animal receives the highest quality of care, including medical treatment and behavioral training to complete the rehabilitation process and becoming adoptable. In September of 2015, the Humane Society of Manatee County opened a new 10,000-square-foot veterinary clinic on its campus to expand the high-volume spay and neuter clinic and provide high quality, low-to-moderate cost veterinary care for dogs and cats in Manatee County. From October 1, 2017 through September 31, 2018, more than 14,000 animals received medical care at the Humane Society of Manatee County Veterinary Clinic.

Expanding beyond high volume spay and neuter services and vaccines, the clinic has added wellness services, dental procedures, minor surgeries and has digital x-ray capability. Services continue to be expanded or added to meet the growing and changing needs of the community's dogs and cats.

2515 14TH STREET W, BRADENTON, FL | HUMANEMANATEE.ORG 941-747-8808 | INFO@HUMANESOCIETYMANATEE.ORG

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Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee To assist individuals to live independently by providing nutrition and caring, supportive services. Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee offers comprehensive care and essential programs including The Food Bank of Manatee, Daybreak Adult Day Center, Enrichment Center at Renaissance on 9th, and Friendship Dining. While initially founded in 1972, with the purpose of providing hot, nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled residents of Manatee County, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee became so much more.

The organization grew in response to community needs, and eventually the “PLUS” programs were added. Today, we deliver over 700 lunch and dinner meals on 55 routes throughout Manatee County with the assistance of hundreds of volunteers. In 2018, we started mobile produce distribution providing fresh produce delivery to home-delivered meal clients, the Manatee County Health Department’s Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC), and title I schools in Manatee. Since 1985, The Food Bank of Manatee has cumulatively distributed over 35 million pounds of food and is the largest hunger relief organization servicing over 100 food pantries and agencies throughout Manatee.

Over the last summer break, we distributed over 110,000 meals to food insecure students through our “Sack” Summer Hunger program. WE FEED MANATEE!

Our WishList Year of Fresh Produce Delivered to Seniors - $12,000 New Food Bank Pallet Jack –$5,000 Adopt-a-Senior, 1 meal a day for a year – $2,000 Adopt-a-Senior, 2 meals a day for a year - $4,000 Meal Delivery Volunteers – FREE

941-747-4655 | WWW.MEALSONWHEELSPLUS.ORG TEXT2GIVE TEXT FEEDMANATEE TO 243725

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All donations to the Journey Home Capital Campaign will be matched dollar for dollar!

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue

6 new dog cottages Will double the dogs saved each year to over 3,000 New cat habitat A new indoor/ outdoor cat enclosure complete with cat café for patrons to interact with adoptable cats Family Friendly Education and Community Center This 20,000 sq ft building will allow adopters to socialize with potential new pets, have a children’s resource and education room, and a large community room for birthday parties, events, and community meetings Animal Care Center A new state of the art medical facility and a highly trained veterinary staff specializing in shelter medicine that will allow us to save more sick and injured animals.

Since we began as a foster based rescue in 2007, our vision of what animal rescue is has always been different. It is what sets us apart from any other shelter. We created a unique environment for animals that was less stressful and healthier for them and more inviting for adopters by eliminating large warehouse-like housing and creating smaller kennel cottages. That innovative vision has led to the highest adoption rates in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. In ten years, we have seen our adoptions go from 150 animals a year to over 2100, and we are ready to grow again. The Journey Home Capital Campaign includes major site work to remedy current flooding issues while increasing our capacity by 50%. We have become a destination shelter, with families coming from hours away to adopt a pet. We have responded to the demand for help by expanding our partnerships with high kill facilities in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Desoto, and other rural counties. We don't want to "just" save animals. We believe we will change the way people think about shelters and shelter pets. With a volunteer to staff ratio of 20:1, we know our community believes it too. Help us answer the call and complete the Journey Home.

All donations to the Journey Home Capital Campaign will be matched dollar for dollar!

Behavior and Training Center Training classes to make shelter pets more adoptable and behavior interventions to help current pet owners so pets don’t end up in a shelter SRQ MAGAZINE

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THE RANCH | 4951 LORRAINE ROAD, BRADENTON, FL 34211 NATESHONORANIMALRESCUE.ORG | 941-538-6206

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SunCoast Blood Bank February 14, 2019, marked the 70th anniversary of SunCoast Blood Bank, one of the oldest nonprofits in our community. In 1949, it was known as the Lower West Coast Blood Bank. Although the name has changed, the guiding principles of remaining an independent, local healthcare provider, governed by a local board and local management have remained intact. In 1949, the Blood Bank collected 551 pints of blood, now called units. Today, SunCoast operates four donor centers, and hosts more than 1,300 blood drives annually. The success of the organization rests completely on the generosity of volunteer donors. We also rely on financial donors to fund the technology necessary to keep the blood supply safe and readily available. We are proud that 93 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to our mission.

Our WishList More platelet donors!

Platelets are vital for the treatment of cancer patients and only last 5 days.

Funds to purchase the technology needed to equip our new bloodmobile. A single blood collection instrument costs up to $65,000.

Larger facility to house our entire operation as the need for blood products increases.

Photo Story: Diagnosed with Triple Positive breast cancer In June 2018, Karissa’s doctors attacked this aggressive form of cancer with a four-drug chemotherapy regimen before she underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Following surgery, Karissa experienced a small-vessel hemorrhage and required three units of blood. We often tell you about the catastrophic traumas that require massive amounts of blood, but did you know the majority of blood products we collect treat cancer patients? Whether a patient needs three or 30 units of blood, the result is the same – a life can be saved. “My husband has been a SunCoast blood donor for over 10 years. I never imagined I would be a recipient of this precious gift from other donors like him. When you donate blood, you not only save lives, you save families,” said Karissa.

SCBB.ORG 1.866.97.-BLOOD SOCIAL MEDIA (FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE, LINKEDIN)

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Proud to serve Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, Manatee Memorial Hospital. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Complex Care Hospital of Ridgelake, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, North Port Emergency Room, Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Englewood Community Hospital, DeSoto Memorial Hospital.

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Our WishList Funding for Jewish families in need.

Support for the local Holocaust survivor population and Holocaust education.

Scholarships for teen travel to Israel.

Funding to provide books and music for Jewish children.

Support for comprehensive Jewish programming for the community.

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee For 60 years, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has worked diligently to fulfill its mission: to strengthen Jewish life and identity in our community, provide for Jewish people in need, and promote support for Israel. We support programs that care for the vulnerable in Sarasota-Manatee, in Israel and around the world. We build community through strong relationships with partners in education, cultural arts, social services and area nonprofits. The Jewish Federation is the only local Jewish organization focused on the whole – all of us thriving together. We are the center of Jewish life – serving as community convener; fostering an open exchange of ideas; developing programs and strengthening services that connect our constituents to their Jewish identity; and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of all programs and services. Our goal is to create a thriving community that embraces diverse individuals and offers meaningful Jewish experiences. By engaging both the Jewish and secular communities, we build relationships that allow us to broaden the menu of touch points through which individuals can connect – with the Federation and with one another. With your help, we will continue to work together to achieve our vision of a vibrant local Jewish community.

THE LARRY GREENSPON FAMILY CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE 580 MCINTOSH RD, SARASOTA, FL 34232 941-371-4546 | WWW.JFEDSRQ.ORG

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Our WishList Hearing Loop Installation Help us make our performances more accessible to the hearing-impaired.

Sponsor an Intern The next generation of theater professionals are getting their starts right here at Urbanite.

Urbanite Theatre Urbanite Theatre is committed to creating visceral, shared experiences by fearlessly lifting up the boldest new voices in theatre. We believe in inclusive, artistfirst storytelling, daring honesty, and the powerful connectivity of an intimate space.

1487 2ND STREET, SARASOTA, FL 34236 941-321-1397 | WWW.URBANITETHEATRE.COM

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Uber/Lyft Gift Cards We frequently have guest artists in town without local transportation, help us make their experiences better!

Student Ticket Sponsorships $27 subsidizes the cost of one of our $5 student tickets. Over 500 students per year take advantage of this program.

Commission a A New Play We're fiercely dedicated to growing the next generation of great theater artists, are you?

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Animal Rescue Coalition

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Our WishList

Celebrating 20 years of lifesaving work, Animal Rescue Coalition provides and promotes spay ing and neutering to end shelter overcrowding and stop senseless euthanasia. ARC is open to the public and to 501(c)(3) rescue organizations. Over 60,000 surgeries performed since 1999.

Your gift of $20 will give an animal a microchip to help them find their way home.

Your gift of $200 will spay or neuter three animals.

Your gift of $2000 will allow our transport to provide a day of free spay/neuter surgeries to the communities that need it most.

6320 TOWER LANE, SARASOTA, FLORIDA 34240 941-957-1955 | ARCSRQ.ORG

Big Cat Habitat Our mission is to provide a safe, loving and permanent home for big cats and other exotic creatures in need, and to educate our guests on the importance of species preservation to ensure the survival of these magnificent animals for future generations. We are firmly committed to keeping alive the Human-Animal connection in our world and in our community.

Our WishList Learning Center for All Ages to communicate and educate on Conservation issues relating to the survival of endangered species, and preserving our local environment.

Expansion of habitats and enrichment areas for the big cats in our care.

7101 PALMER BLVD., SARASOTA, FL 34240 941-371-6377 | BIGCATHABITAT.ORG

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On-site animal care clinic/senior center to provide veterinary care for animals without the stress associated with off-site transport of animals in need of veterinary supervision.

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County

Our WishList

GUIDE

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County has been a leading youth-serving organization since 1970, and provides enriching after-school and summer programs to thousands of youth, ages 6 to 18, at six Clubs in Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Arcadia. The organization’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need services the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Scholarship support for a child to obtain a one-year Boys & Girls Clubs membership Support for programs in Character and Leadership Development, Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills, the Arts, and Sports, Fitness and Recreation Funds for curriculum supplies for teens in leadership, service, entrepreneurial, vocational and college and career prep programs

3130 FRUITVILLE ROAD, SARASOTA, FL 34237 941-366-3911 | BGCSARASOTA.COM

Cat Depot Cat Depot's mission is to save lives, find loving homes, and provide resources and education to improve the destiny of homeless cats.

Cat Depot, a nonprofit, free-roaming adoption, rescue, and education center, is recognized for its progressive design and commitment to helping homeless, abandoned, and injured felines. In 2018, Cat Depot found loving forever homes for 1,424 cats and kittens.

Our WishList Wet and Dry Cat Food for the Community Food Bank Photos courtesy of Laura Towle.

2542 17TH STREET, SARASOTA, FL 34234 941-366-2404 | WWW.CATDEPOT.ORG HOURS: MONDAY – FRIDAY, 11 AM TO 7 PM AND SATURDAY – SUNDAY, 11 AM TO 5 PM

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Powder Kitten Formula (KMR) for Kitten Season Volunteers

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The Circus Arts Conservatory

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Our WishList

The Circus Arts Conservatory’s mission is to engage and educate students using unique and innovative learning programs, to measurably improve the quality of life for individuals in care facilities, and to advance the extraordinary legacy and heritage of the circus.

10 Sailor Circus Academy Student needbased scholarships $1,000 each.

Program for area nursing home by human service outreach team $250 each facility.

Supplies for Title 1 Classroom circus-arts integrated STEAM education program $100 per classroom.

2075 BAHIA VISTA ST., SARASOTA, FL 34239 941-355-9335 CIRCUSARTS.ORG

Community Foundation of Sarasota County We believe everyone has the power to impact another person, a cause, a community.

Powered by philanthropy, we help our donors create a community where we all want to live.

Our WishList Season of Sharing Helping individuals and families on the verge of homelessness in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

Student Emergency Fund Assisting students in Sarasota County with basic needs.

2365 FRUITVILLE ROAD, SARASOTA, FL 34237 941-955-3000 | CFSARASOTA.ORG

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EdExploreSRQ Providing students with explorations that connect classroom learning to community arts, science and history experiences with local nonprofit organizations.

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Our WishList

Neuro Challenge Foundation

GUIDE

Neuro Challenge Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.

Serve the estimated 9,000 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in our region–we currently provide services to 2,700+.

Educate the medical community at large how to identify and better treat people with Parkinson's.

Create a community of support and empowerment by providing Parkinson's specific resources to people with PD and their caregivers .

722 APEX ROAD SUITE A, SARASOTA, FL 34240 941-926-6413 | NEUROCHALLENGE.ORG

St. Martha Catholic School In partnership with Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church, the mission of St. Martha Catholic School is to provide each student with diverse opportunities, which develop strength in faith, and excellence in knowledge and learning. Students build character through their Christian service to the school, parish and world communities.

Our WishList Sandbox for Preschool Interactive Panels for each classroom New technology tools for the STREAM Lab

4380 FRUITVILLE ROAD, SARASOTA, FL, 34232 941-953-4181 | STMARTHASCHOOL.NET

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The Ringling

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Our WishList

The Ringling serves as the legacy of John and Mable Ringling—a place of art, architecture, and circus in an environment that inspires, educates, and entertains. Our vision is to be an extraordinary center of art and culture that engages the local, state, and global communities and is accessible to and inclusive of all.

Conservation of John and Mable’s home in Sarasota, the Ca d’Zan. Enhancement of community engagement and family access.

Reinstallation of Museum of Art Galleries.

5401 BAY SHORE ROAD, SARASOTA, FL 34243 941-359-5700 | RINGLING.ORG

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