Siesta Sand - April 2022 by Brion Palmer

CIGARETTE BAN COULD BE RETURNING TO SIESTA KEY page

MUSIC NIGHTLY! YOUR HOME FOR LIGHTNING HOCKEY page

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NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

Why the world comes to Sarasota

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A market gone mad At all price levels, for buyers and renters alike, experts say Sarasota’s hot real estate market will continue to affect Siesta prices for the next 18 to 24 months — at least By Hannah Wallace In January of this year, the Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Emerging Housing Markets Index revealed nationally what local Realtors had already been dealing with for months: The Sarasota housing market is red hot. WSJ/Realtor.com named North Port-

Sarasota-Bradenton No. 2 among the country’s “top metro areas for home buyers seeking an appreciating housing market and appealing lifestyle amenities.” The rankings were based in part on numbers from the fourth quarter of 2021. (Naples was No. 1.) Seeing a hot market get even hotter, local

homeowners have been moving to put their properties on the market to take advantage of the growing demand. Prospective buyers are looking to pull the trigger now as prices seem destined to climb. Continued on page49

Drone on, David! Annual visitor creating some special aerial photography of Siesta Key, and is happy to share it on social media By Jane Bartnett

etting that perfect shot is for what every photographer strives. When photographer David Geyer first began working with a drone camera, he was instantly captivated. This winter, his beautiful aerial drone images of Siesta Key sunsets and area landmarks that he posted on Facebook have made him a bit of a local celebrity. “The perspective that a drone offers is amazing,” he said. “It’s so liberating.” Most of his pictures were posted on the page entitled SIESTA KEY, with dozens of positive comments and “likes” coming his way.

Above, David Geyer operates his drone camera at Nora Patterson Park (photo by Jane Bartnett). Far left, lifeguard “Scooter of the Beach” welcomes a flyover; near left, sting rays from above. (photos by David Geyer).

Continued on page 39

By Phil Colpas In the continuing battle to determine how Siesta Key will handle future development, the last several rounds have gone to the developers. The county recently greenlighted two large-scale hotel projects for the island; approved a setback variance at the Saba Sands property, 636 Beach Rd., to allow for the construction of a four-unit beach condo; and granted exceptions to allow for the construction of a swimming pool seaward of the property at 104 Beach Rd. Concerned citizens have filed two lawsuits against construction of the hotels, alleging, among other things, that the county did not have the authority to change its own Comprehensive Plan or alter established density from 26 hotel rooms per acre on a barrier island. Sarasota County wants the second lawsuit dropped. The lawsuit in question was filed late last year by four plaintiffs fronted by James Wallace, who has been a resident of Siesta Key since 1964. Wallace’s hotel lawsuit targets both the 170-room Siesta Village hotel and Dr. Gary Kompothecras’ 120-room hotel and parking garage project at Old Stickney Point and Peacock roads. In their complaint, Wallace, 222 Beach Owners Association, Robert Sax, and Marina Del Sol Condominium Association allege that the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners acted illegally and in violation of their own procedures by adopting the Land Development Code changes without first Continued on page 22

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Go ahead and trash this guy

It’s the perfect place to park it

This month’s fishing forecast

• Village Map/business listings PAGES 28, 29 • Crescent Beach Map/ business listings PAGE 34 • Gulf Gate Shops PAGE 43 • Music Calendar PAGE 46 • Accommodations Map/ Listings PAGE 55

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Greetings from the Gulf

A-riffin’ and a-road-ragin’ on what is a-rockin’ and a-ruin’my world By John Morton

aby, you can drive my car. Well, that was a nice offer by the Beatles, but where the hell am I going to drive it? Straight into gridlock? No thanks. I don’t care how Fab you Four are. Billy Ocean, you asked us to get out of your dreams and into your car. Nope. Sounds like a nightmare to me. Then there’s the Cars. The new-wave wonder was a favorite in my late teens. The group is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But that name? Horse and Buggies would have been so much better. My Amish readers along Bahia Vista are pumping their fists on that one. Then there’s Steve Winwood. His former band Traffic is also in the Hall. But that name! So irresponsible. What would have been so hard to call it No Traffic? Remember the classic tune “Crosstown Traffic?” Jimi, that may not have been what killed you, but it is killing me. Thought I’d let you know. Meanwhile, Judy Garland’s “Trolley Song” never sounded better. Clang on! “Magic Bus?” Never too much. “Walk This Way?” Good idea. “Bicycle Race?” Yeah, I’m ready to pedal. Despite Florida’s allure and inevitable growth, I never thought I’d see this – especially in Sarasota. The congestion is mind-blowing. Of course, seeing as Sarasota is an amazing place, I suppose this makes sense. But for so many years, it somehow flew below the radar. And now, this influx goes far beyond the “secret is out about Siesta Key” talk. It’s an unprecedented ambush and it won’t get any better. The new secret is this: What a wonderfully frustrating place to live.

And the fact that the cluster is now yearround is something to behold. It’s also no secret that rents are skyrocketing, housing inventory is nearly non-existent, and still folks come here in droves. Droves. Past-tense of drives (kind of). Ha! Rush-hour humor. No, not the band. I can only take those guys for about 30 minutes. It’s also no wonder that development here is on steroids. Hate it all you want, but I suppose we do need to have places to house the unstoppable migration. But will any be affordable? Meanwhile, down here, we call this time of year “season.” Forget that term forever more. It’s 365. Spring break? Hey, I’m now breaking in all four seasons. And my apologies to Frankie Valli. Keeping with my theme, someone on Facebook came through as always with this post: The fact that there’s a “Highway to Hell” and only a “Stairway to Heaven” says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers. Another favorite: Fact … Sarasota is an hour away from … Sarasota. Isn’t that the truth? Part of the problem, clearly, is how Interstate 75 now serves as an arterial road. Away from the Key, if you want to go from Clark to Bee Ridge you take the highway. The parallel roads of Swift, McIntosh, Tuttle, Beneva, and Honore don’t get it done. And nothing in the name of Eminent Domain – he had some hits in the ’60s, I think – can widen those roads. Houses and businesses are right on top of them. Near the Key, the Tamiami crawl is another form of misery. I was talking a few days back with a

friend who lives on Siesta Key at Peppertree, and the topic of cars came up. He had just spent a trunk load on high-priced repairs. It was then it hit me: Residents of the Key don’t need a car these days! We have two small grocery stores at both ends of the Key, Publix delivers and probably always will (the only good to come out of the pandemic?), plenty of food and social joints are within a stroll, and you’ve got the trolley, Uber, and (hopefully improving) bike lanes. Golf carts are another idea. Kudos to the chamber for pushing this concept, hoping to encourage an influx of parking spots for them. Yes, they also take up space on the road, but it’s not the same. Not at all. Just ask the residents of The Villages up near Orlando. They are celebrating such a lifestyle with an – ahem – interesting lifestyle. To hell with the car. If there was ever a place to be quasistranded, it’s Siesta Key. Which brings me to my latest car insurance bill: $1,154.20 for six months for a 2013 Nissan Rogue. And I have a clean record. Then then there are the nasty gas prices. I wrote a story a few years back about a legitimate guy with a NASA background who was trying to convince Pinellas County to support his idea of an above-ground monorail system – like you see at Disney. Folks chuckled. Nothing funny about it now. Twenty years ago, many northerners remember how cities fought for plans for light rail, or people movers, and how everyone’s insistence on the freedom that comes with the car usually won the battle. Now we’re trapped in that supposed freedom.

The city of Sarasota in early March debuted an open-air free shuttle that travels from downtown over the Ringling Bridge to St. Armands and Lido. Good idea. Yes, we have the Breeze trolley here, but it needs to go beyond the Key. Getting onto the Key is the issue. Oh, and how delightful to see sporadic Stickney Point Road lane closures in the height of tourism season – all in preparation of the massive upcoming Siesta Promenade development. Near Fort Myers Beach, Lee County created an off-island park-and-ride service where you leave your car a few miles inland and shuttle back and forth to the beach. With that in mind, is there any spot near Stickney where this could happen? Maybe near Publix in the Sarasota Pavilion? That would be ideal, as long as the Hooters there isn’t knockered down to make room. Oops -- knocked down. My bad. In closing, remember Gary Numan’s 1979 one-hit wonder? It was called “Cars” and it was a twisted ode to our dependence on them. Three-plus decades later, looks like it’s a song that was going in the right, yet fatefully wrong, direction. His final stanza: Here in my car, I know I’ve started to think About leaving tonight, although nothing seems right, in cars Wow! What utter nonsense! Still, I wonder how many locals are starting to contemplate a departure from our fast-changing area? Are some at the end of their road? I’ve said several times recently that Siesta Key is at a crossroads. Perfect wording, as it turns out. Our sleepy little island now has so many issues in its face, and traffic is honking as loud as any of them. Quite the wake-up call, eh? And a tough one to answer. (John Morton is managing editor of Siesta Sand.)

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From the Publisher’s Desk

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By Brion Palmer

Changes in the Sand

elcome to the April issue of the Siesta Sand. This issue of Siesta Key’s No. 1 newspaper has a couple of very distinct differences than past issues. First, at a whopping 56 pages, the April 2022 issue of the Siesta Sand is the largest issue of the paper ever published. This is made possible by the ongoing support of our advertising customers. A very sincere thank you to all our advertisers, because it is their commitment and loyalty to the paper that allows us to expand and invest in the additional content we produce for our readers. We encourage all our readers to support the businesses with your patronage as a way of saying thank you. The second distinction is the paper quality upon which this issue is printed. We have invested in a higher quality paper to make your reader experience much more enhanced. The heavier and whiter paper stock will make the text easier to read, pictures and images pop off the page, and no more ink on your fingers as a reward for reading the Siesta Sand. Alas, the Siesta Sand newspaper is printed on paper as white as the sand on our beloved beach. These aren’t the only changes to the Siesta Sand

media brand. We also now publish a weekly eNewsletter free to those that sign up. The Siesta Sand Weekly eNewsletter always includes content not published in the newspaper and includes a video story, too. To subscribe, simply go to the SiestaSand. US website. Speaking of the Siesta Sand.US website, it too has been refreshed with a whole new look and design. If you don’t have your copy of the Siesta Sand with you, simply go to SiestaSand.US to access all the content we have published over the years. As we grow, the Siesta Sand is continuously looking for people to work for us in a part-time capacity. If you are a writer, salesperson, or would like to deliver the paper, just reach out to us at info@27statemedia.com and we will happily discuss the available opportunities. Thank you again for reading the Siesta Sand. We hope you are enjoying the enhancements and improvements we are making.

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Island Chatter

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Siesta lands No. 2 ranking among America’s beaches We’re No. 2! We’re No. 2! OK, so maybe Siesta Beach doesn’t get to triumphantly raise its index finger again this year, but TripAdvisor users did indeed rank it as the top beach on America’s mainland for 2022, according to the website. The top U.S. choice for its Best of the Best Beaches Traveler’s Choice Awards went to Hawaii’s Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, on the Big Island. In 2020, Siesta Beach was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. It held the No. 17 spot last year. Regarding the 2022 rankings, Siesta Beach was also No. 14 in the world. In 2020, it was No. 11. It wasn’t ranked globally in 2021. Nine Florida beaches for 2021 ranked in the top 25 spots, which is more than any other state. Along the Gulf, that includes Pensacola Beach at No. 11, Henderson State Park Beach in Destin at No. 12, Treasure Island at No. 19, Panama City Beach at No. 21, St. Pete Beach at No. 22, and Clearwater Beach at No. 24. Rankings for Florida beaches on the Atlantic Ocean went to St. Augustine Beach at No. 14 and Fort Lauderdale Beach at No. 18. Last year, St. Pete Beach took the top honors for America. The world’s top beach for 2022, according to TripAdvisor’s poll, is Grace Bay Beach in Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands, in the Caribbean. Continued on page 28

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Community Spotlight All of our trash is this man’s treasure

David Skaggs brings beach debris and litter to life

David Skaggs, you create some of Siesta Key’s most celebrated artistic creations with what you literally find on our beach. Wow! Can you tell us how this came about? It’s quite a story. I had a widow-maker heart attack eight years ago at 51 years old. It brought life to halt. I had to close my remodeling business down and it took about eight months to get back on my feet. I was looking for a purpose as to why God kept me here on earth and it seemed that all the palmfronds, beach treasures, recycled items all gave me that purpose. In that time, money was very tight with my business gone. I was trying to amuse myself at home alone while my wife was at work. I started picking up palm fronds and making them into fish, lamps, anything that popped in my head that day. As time passed the sculptures started progressing to full-sized 3D creations. My mind got creative after the heart attack and God really guided me through. My doctor told me I needed to exercise more so I started walking Siesta Beach every weekend. Siesta has always been my happy place where I find peace. I started picking up items washed ashore and implementing them into my art. Killing two birds with one stone … cleaning up our beaches and creating cool art. A win-win!

other waste so it really woke me up. I was disgusted with all the garbage on our beautiful beach. It really fired me up to make a difference any way I could to improve the situation.

Q A

We hear that you even have residents who collect items for you. Is that right? Yes, there about a dozen people that collect items, rinse them off and bag them up. Then they put them in the back of my truck in the Siesta Beach parking lot. So, when I’m hauling my own finds back from my walk, I’m met with more items already delivered to me. It’s a wonderful feeling

Q A

Has your work been showcased in some prestigious settings? Oh yes. I’ve had my own one-man show at Historic Spanish Point as well as shows and awards at the Modern Pentathlon at Nathan Benderson Park, Art Center Sarasota, Art Center Manatee, and Art Center Venice. I’ve conducted a class for the summer program at USF, and I’ve created a display and educational booth at Mote Marine. I’ve put on a show at Café in the Park and the Florida Maritime Museum. And I’ve been on the Suncoast View multiple times, SNN, Tampa WFLA, and have been in local newspapers and the University of Louisville Magazine.

Q A

knowing more people are making an effort to keep our beaches clean and support a local artist. It’s like I get treasures every weekend!

Has environmentalism always been important to you?

I wish I could say yes, but honestly it’s become more important to me as I’ve gotten older. I used to go to the beach and lay there and watch people. Then, when I had to start walking more, I noticed the trash, cigarette butts, and

Can you name your favorite creation? And why? That’s a hard one. I put my heart and soul in every sculpture and they are all original. I never duplicate a piece. They are like my children. But Snooty the Manatee is my favorite because I got to work with another local artist, Ray Lawler, who is a fabulous painter. We really enjoyed the collaboration during the two-year process of making the manatee and became best friends.

Q A

Tell us your history with Siesta Key.

I moved to Sarasota to be near Siesta Beach. My family traveled here from Continued on next page

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Community Spotlight

Continued from previous page

Indiana when I was a kid and we just fell in love with it. My parents live here now, too -- right next door to me and my wife. It’s so incredibly beautiful and it fills me with peace and tranquility. One of the best things about it is that it’s different every single day. There’s no other

Every Seat has a

Water View

Large outdoor seating area overlooking the Intercoastal waterway at Siesta Key Southbridge

beach in my mind to compare to the quartz sand, blue water and friendly people. It really refuels my soul each weekend to get me through the week.

How can people see and potentially purchase you work?

People can check out my work on my website at davesworldart.com as well as on Facebook at Dave’s World Art. I’m also on Instagram as skaggs9779. People are welcome to come to my home in Sarasota to view as well. On the weekend mornings my truck

is parked in the public lot at Siesta Beach and I always have pieces on display in the back. I’m a collected artist and love when people purchase my creations for their personal enjoyment. Local restaurants have purchased my sculptures to adorn their businesses as well.

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Cigarette ban back in play Thanks to legislature vote, cigarette smoking at county beaches, parks may be illegal again -- and a Siesta Key businessman is elated By John Morton

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Mike Holderness has for years been fed-up with cigarette butts on Siesta Key. As a manager of several beachfront properties, part of his business routine was to pick through the surf and sand, plucking the debris. “After a hard rain, a few days later we’d be filling an entire trash bag with cigarette butts,” said Holderness of him and his staff. “And that’s just between Beach Access 2 and 3. “When you litter your cigarette butt in the Village, it eventually ends up in the Gulf. People need to know that.” With the permission of several businesses in the Village, Holderness even placed several signs warning people that cigarette litter carries a whopping $250 fine. “It’s not a real fine -- although it should be -- but I was hoping to pull on people’s heart strings,” Holderness said. “And it did make a difference.” But not enough to keep state Sen. Joe Gruters, who represents Siesta Key, from pressing for a bill to ban smoking in Florida’s public beaches

and parks -- presuming a county or municipality chooses to enact such a prohibition. First introducing his bill in 2019 and never seeing at get through the House for three straight years, it not only won House approval late in February but was also cruised through the subsequent Senate vote on March 2. Both votes were in overwhelming support, the Senate being 30-8. Now, unless Gov. Ron DeSantis overturns the vote, beginning on July 1 a local governing body can vote to put the measure into place.

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Continued on page 52

Ramirez adds new anti-hotel strategy By Phil Colpas

Florida Stone Crab

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While Holderness’ threat of fines is fake, this time around they’d likely be real. What they’d be would be determined, as far as Siesta Key is concerned, by the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners if indeed it supports the ban. Back in 2007, the county did indeed impose such a ban with a 4-1 vote. However, in 2013, a circuit court judge ruled that state law governs smoking when it comes to Holderness public spaces, stripping local governments from their power to enforce it whatever they set in place. The ACLU played a big role in fighting the issue, but not this time. Most opposition in Tallahassee among lobbyists came from entities related to tobacco. Gruters, however, did not get

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Longtime Siesta Key resident Lourdes Ramirez filed a petition in February with the Florida Department of Economic Development alleging that the Sarasota County Commission greenlighted construction of hotels in violation of the density limits in its own Comprehensive Plan. Some notable civic organizations — including the Siesta Key Coalition, which was founded specifically to fight big development on the island, and the Siesta Key Association — also oppose construction of these hotels because the infrastructure is simply not there to support the increased density on the already overcrowded barrier island, they maintain. Ramirez previously filed a lawsuit against the county in November to fight construction of a proposed eight-story, 170-room hotel to be built between Beach Road and Calle Miramar in Siesta Village. She has set up a legal fund and is asking fellow concerned citizens to contribute. “At this point, I’m using two avenues to address the fact that Sarasota County violated our local growth laws (Comprehensive Plan),” Ramirez said. “One is the court case and the other is a formal complaint to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.” The DEO is a state agency that oversees the Community Planning Act that requires counties and municipalities to have a comprehensive plan for growth, and to ensure that counties comply with Continued on page 35

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A Timeline of Success

1744 Sotheby’s Auction House established in London.

1964 Sotheby’s Auction House established in New York.

1976 Sotheby’s International Realty established in USA.

2005 Sotheby’s International Realty established in Sarasota.

2006 Peg joins Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Sarasota as one of the original REALTORS®. Her first sale was a Siesta Key residence in the same year.

2014 Peg was recognized as a Top 50 Premier Sotheby's International Realty associate.

2020 Peg participated in the highest sale on Siesta Key. Working with one of the most global time-honored brands, Peg has been successfully selling real estate on Siesta Key for 16 years. Whether you’re thinking of selling or buying, call her. The time is now.

Peg Davant 941.356.4552 Peg.Davant@PremierSIR.com PegDavant.com

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Voters uphold single-district election format By Phil Colpas Sarasota County’s voters have spoken: Commissioners will continue to be elected by voters in their own districts, and not by voters countywide. In a March 8 referendum, voters decided to keep county commission elections as single-member districts, with representatives elected by the residents of those districts and not by residents of the entire county.

This upholds the change that voters previously put in place in 2018, which passed with about 60% of the vote. This time around, approximately 57% of voters rejected the referendum to again allow citizens to vote for any commissioner, regardless of what district they may live in or which district that commissioner would represent. The Siesta Key Association opposed returning to a countywide system, and conducted a survey that indicated citizens’ strong support for the singlemember districts: 84% favored voting against returning to countywide voting, 11% favored voting for it, and 5% were undecided.

Commissioners authorized the question of at-large voting to appear on the March 8 ballot on the advice of the county’s Charter Review Board. This would have reversed a 2018 referendum, when voters decided to discontinue countywide elections in favor of allowing citizens to cast ballots for a single county commissioner from the district in which they live. Both county seats that represent Siesta Key are up for election in November. District 2 includes the northern half of the island, and is currently held by Republican Christian Ziegler, who is also vicechair of the Republican Party of Florida. District 2 is also notable because it is the only district in the county that has more registered

Democrats than Republicans. District 4 comprises the southern half, and is held by board chair Alan Maio, also a Republican. No Democrat has held a county seat for more than 50 years. At-large, countywide elections have long been a tool of political strategists to keep the majority party in power. Republicans in Sarasota campaigned to restore countywide elections. On the other hand, Democrats both in 2018 and this year campaigned against countywide votes, urging voters to reject this charter amendment. Four of the five current commissioners were selected under the countywide election format. (Vice-chair Ron Cutsinger, District 5, was elected in 2020

under the current single-member district system approved by voters in 2018.) The deadline is June for potential candidates to enter the race, and primaries (if applicable) are in August. At press time, Ziegler (who won in 2018) had not officially announced he’s running again. Meanwhile, Maio has reached his term limit of eight years. As of now, Sarasota city commissioner Hagen Brody has announced his candidacy for District 2. So has Siesta Key resident Mike Cosentino. (Cosentino ran for District 4 in 2018, when the map was different, losing in the Democratic primary.) They, and other potential candidates, will face off in the Aug. 23 Democratic primary.

Happiness is...Sunshine, Berries, and Chocolate Doesn’t that sound like a delicious combination? The longer April days mean plenty of sunshine and that’s just one of the reasons why Jerry Williams, owner of Abel’s Ice Cream, says it’s his favorite month.The warm, golden rays of sunshine mean it’s time to break out Abel’s featured flavor, Gold Mine (Rich Chocolate and French Vanilla ice cream swirled together with a caramel ribbon). Jerry and Jill Williams, owners of Abel’s Ice Cream

April is also tops in Jerry’s book because the crew at Abel’s gets to celebrate

co-owner, Jill Williams’ birth month! (Happy Birthday, Jill!!) To honor her, berries and chocolate come out in full force. Enjoy her two favorite flavors all month long – Cherry Oblivion (Creamy Black Cherry ice cream loaded with black cherries & luscious liquid chocolate chips) and Purple Daze (Black Raspberry ice cream with a black raspberry crinkle, and dark chocolate black raspberry cups). Come in to Abel’s in April and join the joy! Abel’s is

located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at our website, www.abelsicecream.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Awarded their Certificate of Excellence for SIX years straight!

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APRIL 2022

27th State Media LLC

If it’s not one thing, it’s another

Bill to create more hurdles for incorporation is withdrawn, but now Save Siesta Key needs a county vote for a straw poll By John Morton The twists and turns continue at a dizzying pace for the Save Siesta Key group that is seeking incorporation of the island as its own municipality. It no longer has to worry about House Bill 1035, which was withdrawn at the end of the state’s legislative session that wrapped up March 11. The proposed bill, filed by state Rep. Jayer Williamson, was asking for many measures that add hurdles in the incorporation process. It included that the required feasibility studies by applicants include not only petitions of support from 60 percent of the registered voters in an area, but also a 60-percent approval rate in a non-binding straw vote with those results included in the study with an Aug. 31 deadline of the year prior to a legislative session. The bill also called for additional measures of verification of data offered in such studies. It would have possibly tacked on another nine months to an incorporation application and about a year and a half overall. Williamson has been involved in an incorporation effort in unincorporated Navarre in Santa Rosa County in the Panhandle to which he has expressed concern. As result, if things go well for Save Siesta Key, the island could still become its own town by Dec. 31 of 2023. Next year’s Florida Legislature meets March through May. However, a straw vote here on

Siesta Key was highly encouraged by state Rep. Tommy Gregory if Save Siesta key was to potentially earn his support. He was one of three no votes in a 3-3 tie by the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation that on Jan. 4 killed Save Siesta Key’s initial attempt at sending a bill for incorporation to Tallahassee. Gregory said he wanted not only 50-percent-plus-one of registered voters to sign a petition of support, but the same in a straw vote. That would likely take place in November on the general election ballot, on the heals of a second feasibility study being due Sept. 1, but there’s quite a catch: Only the five-member Sarasota County Board of Commissioners can approve such a straw vote going on a ballot. Yes, Save Siesta Key would be asking the very governing body it wants to shed to support a measure that could possibly open the door to losing the Key from being under its rule. The county’s decision on land-use issues has triggered the incorporation effort, including the approval of the massive Siesta Promenade project at the gateway to the island at U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road, the dredging of neighboring Big Pass in order to provide beach renourishment to Lido Key, and the approval late last year of two high-density hotels on Siesta Key. Two more are waiting in the wings. “Yes, I would have a concern that the three commissioners that voted

Petitions and receptacles are located on Siesta Key in both Davidson Drugs locations -- one at Southbridge Mall and one in the Village. (file photo).

for both hotels wouldn’t support a straw vote or anything that helps the incorporation effort,” said Tim Hensey, chairman of Save Siesta Key. Still, Hensey was pleased about House Bill 1035 falling to the wayside. “Adding additional criteria to the process of incorporation was unnecessary,” he said. However, had it gone through, it would have been a state initiative and that could have resulted in the county having no say. Whether it would have played out like that remains an unknown. If the bill’s language did indeed bypass any county involvement, the extra requirements in the long run could have been a huge positive for Hensey’s team -mostly because he said he has no fear of a vote.

“We generally believe we would have a very strong turnout for a straw poll,” he said, “with those in favor of incorporation at 80 percent. “You will recall, at the (December) town hall meeting at Siesta Chapel where somewhere around 500 people showed up, there were only two people in the audience against incorporation.” Meanwhile, Save Siesta Key is pushing hard again for another round of petition signatures. It formed in late March of last year, and by the time petitions came into play the group found that many snowbird residents that designate Siesta Key as their home were already elsewhere. “April is a huge month for us,” Tracy Jackson, Save Siesta Key’s vice-chair, said. “We need to reach as many people as possible, now.” Petitions must be hand-signed. They can be downloaded from savesiestakey.org and mailed to P.O. Box 35214 Sarasota, FL, 34242. Also, both Davidson Drugs locations on the Key (the Village and Southbridge Mall) have petitions and receptacles. The state’s incorporation-related statute (Florida 165) calls for only a 10-percent petition threshold from registered voters to meet application requirements, which would equate to only about 750 based upon the island’s roughly 7,500 registered voters (from a population of 8,915, per the Save Siesta Key feasibility study). However, Save Siesta Key members say they were encouraged by state

Sen. Joe Gruters – a member of the delegation who cast a supportive vote – to shoot for at least 2,000 signatures combining both voters, property owners, and business owners. Save Siesta Key exceeded that goal in time for the Jan. 4 vote. Yet, despite meeting with Gregory months prior to his vote, Save Siesta Key members report that he never voiced an insistence on 50 percent – mentioning it only after he said no. Besides Gregory, opposing votes came from state Rep. Will Robinson and state Rep. James Buchanan, a former Siesta Key resident. Gruters, state Rep. Fiona McFarland, and state Rep. Michele Rayner cast yes votes. As of now, Save Siesta Key has collected roughly 2,350 total signatures, of which roughly 1,650 belong to registered voters (the only ones allowed to participate in any straw poll). That’s about 22% -- far shy of the level Gregory has put on the line. Hensey and Jackson have said they are treating Gregory’s request as a requirement, noting he said he’d only consider another submission for incorporation is the goal is reached. The organization is also recruiting neighborhood ambassadors to help collect petitions. Email tracy@ savesiestakey.org if interested. The group has also raised more than $124,000, with about $45,000 left in its coffers.

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Siesta Key’s Jordan Letschert pursues many causes and owns many accomplishments, and he is just getting started By Hannah Wallace

ordan Letschert lives his life in terms of service. A first-generation American who grew up on south Siesta Key, the former law-enforcement officer now serves his hometown as an affordable housing advocate, an LGBTQ-plus and minorityrights activist, and a husband and father. Letschert’s public service stems from a lifetime of private encouragement, motivations, and inspiration. When you work patrol as a police officer, he said, “You look at your own life, and you realize your problems are rather minuscule. The calls you go on — someone lost a child, drug overdoses, terrible car accidents, you name it. You sit back and reflect and think, ‘My problems are pretty small.’” Letschert, 39, credits a loving family and an idyllic Siesta Key childhood with his service-oriented spirit and entrepreneurial instincts. His father and uncle, Trudo and Titus Letschert, both emigrated from the Netherlands. Titus founded legendary St. Armand’s restaurant Café L’Europe in 1973, and Trudo later created the Galleon Resort in Key West. Letschert attended Siesta’s St. Boniface preschool, then Out-of-Door Academy for kindergarten through 12th grade. He spent childhood free time with his brother exploring the Intracoastal Waterway, and at his uncle’s restaurant playing hide-and-seek with the employees. He earned a degree in hospitality management from UCF. But a lifelong passion pulled him toward law enforcement. At the same time, a romantic relationship took him to northern Texas. Letschert, who came out as gay when he was a senior in high school, graduated from the regional police academy second

Jordan Letschert (third from left) receives recongition from the city of Sarasota. He’s joined (from left) by Commisioner Hagen Brody, mayor Erik Arroyo, Commissioner Liz Alpert, Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, and Vice-mayor Kyle Battie. (submitted image)

in his class. He saw positive generational differences in how his fellow officers responded to his sexual orientation. “Younger officers really didn’t care,” he said. “Sometimes I found I had to prove myself more than my straight counterparts. Luckily, I’m a physically big guy. People would be surprised when I received certain certifications. I had to sort of break down this stereotype. But it didn’t bother me. I was happy to rise to the occasion. “Conversely,” he added, “my sexual orientation had nothing to do with policing

when I was stepping out of the patrol car to help someone after a 911 call.” After three years in Texas, Letschert returned to Sarasota in 2010 with entrepreneurship in mind. He partnered with his brother and father (both named Trudo) to form TTJ Investments, a real estate company focused on flipping foreclosed homes. The partners soon began working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8 to establish affordable housing within their portfolio, which stretched from Manatee County to

North Port. In 2014, TTJ Investments sold its 75 properties to a New York firm. Two weeks later, after a chance encounter with a friend at what was then Gold’s Gym on Beneva and Bee Ridge roads, Letschert embarked on his next entrepreneurial project: a partnership with Crunch Fitness. He and his partners now operate 40 locations in Florida and Georgia, with more to come. But even as his professional career flourished, Letschert’s personal life had reached an impasse. He and his partner, Robby Price, met in 2012 and had long wanted to start a family. “We’d looked into the surrogacy process. In Florida, you had to be married, but we couldn’t get married,” he said. “I had served people I didn’t know. Now I was just seeking to have a family. And the state was denying my right.” Though at the time the two could get married in other states like California, Letschert wanted to be married in his hometown. “I had always enjoyed learning about history and politics,” he said, “but this was what lit my fire for civil rights advocacy.” Letschert became one of the initial 100 first responders in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in an amicus brief opposing Florida’s then-Attorney General Pam Bondi’s support of the state’s gay marriage ban. That same group became part of the 2015 Supreme Court decision, which ruled to grant and recognize gay marriages throughout the country. Letschert and Robby were married at Historic Spanish Point in 2016. Their son, Kellan, was born a year later. Continued on page 48

CONVENIENCE YOU NEED, ATTENTION YOU DESERVE Have you ever wished your primary care practitioner could spend more than a few minutes with you? Or, better yet, that they could come to you? Now, that’s possible! NP On The Key gives you a direct connection to a Nurse Practitioner, in your home or online. Get the personal attention you need from a provider who takes a whole-person approach to health and wellness. You can pay a la carte for home visits and telehealth appointments, or you can join our concierge practice for ongoing care on Siesta Key or in the Sarasota region. Tiffany Tompkins is a board-certiﬁed Family Nurse Practitioner who brings over 15 years of medical experience and a compassionate, attentive bedside manner right to your door. She specializes in family and integrative medicine, and is committed to treating her patients as people, not numbers, with outstanding, personalized attention. Tiffany graduated with honors from both Simmons University (Boston, MA) with a Master of Science in Nursing degree, and Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Prior to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, Tiffany worked as a registered nurse in med-surg, critical care, neuro/stroke and pre-/post-operative units, both in hospital and ambulatory settings.

A PARTNER IN YOUR CARE Tiffany takes great care to partner with her patients on their medical journey from a holistic point of view. She looks at the whole person – mind, body and spirit – so she can treat and serve each person with shared decision-making and a level of health care delivery that’s hard to achieve in the typical clinical setting. Her mantra is to treat others as she would like to be treated and as if her family member is the patient sitting in front of her, whether in person or virtually. Tiffany loves living in Siesta Key, Florida, where she and her family are avid paddle-boarders, pickle ballers, boaters and golfers. Tiffany is also passionately involved in her community through her work at a nationally recognized charitable organization that serves Sarasota County.

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27th State Media LLC

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Let it flow A Long Island poet channels Siesta Key inspiration By Hannah Wallace

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“The beach is my office,” said Joan to them, “I want to show you a beach.” Beverly, a Long Island-born poet and “A beach is a beach,” said Beverly’s journalist who lives half the year on husband. Siesta Key. “I go to the beach with The friend responded, “Not this paper, yellow pads, pencils and pens. one.” She took them to Siesta Key. I sit on my beach chair. I look at the Beverly fell in love first with the sand and the water. Inspiration comes beach and then with the Village. to me. Thoughts flow to my head.” “We couldn’t believe our eyes, it was Whether teaching English on the gorgeous — the sand, the openness, Long Island north shore, covering the bars, the boutiques.” the Manhattan arts scene, or hosting She and her husband purchased a Sarasota poetry readings, Beverly’s home almost immediately and have lifelong literary career has been one lived here “six and six” ever since. of natural flow. Her latest book, a After more than two decades, lighthearted collection of haikus Beverly continues to draw new about motherhood, is set to be inspiration from the tropical setting, Joan Beverly released later this year. and from the people she meets here. “The first time I was published Just as she had in Long Island, she I was 10 years old,” she said, sought out Sarasota poetry readings remembering the time a Manhattan newspaper and soon hosted her own at Books-a-Million and Selby published her Father’s Day ode. “I was always writing, Library. She workshopped new pieces over lunch with bringing up little poems for my teachers to look at.” fellow Sarasota writers at Turtle’s, Marina Jack and Her affinity for words grew from there. She wrote C’est La Vie. award-winning pieces through high school and served In May 2021, she published Tender Chains, a poetry as editor of her school newspaper. She cultivated her collection, through Sarasota’s Peppertree Press. professional writing career while also teaching English Throughout her as an assistant professor at Nassau Community career, Beverly has College (now SUNY Nassau). worked to share Once, while in line at her favorite yarn store, she insights, inspiration overheard a conversation between the store owner and and even playfulness an ad manager for the Port Washington News. Beverly in her writing, no suggested the store use the slogan, “Let us keep you in matter the medium. stitches.” The ad manager liked it so much he offered In addition to future her a job. Soon Beverly had earned local fame with her plans for a children’s own weekly column, “Joanie’s Corner.” book, one of Beverly’s From there Beverly wrote for a number of Long upcoming poetry Island-based newspapers, then North Shore Magazine, collections will be then Good Living, Night Life Magazine, House Magazine, Haikus for Jew-talian and Spotlight Magazine. She went to Hawaii as a travel Mothers, embracing the editor and covered the Manhattan gallery scene as an joyful idiosyncrasies arts writer. of Jewish and Italian In her spare time, as a self-described “perpetual parenthood. student,” she began attending poetry classes and “I like the sounds workshops. “I liked what I heard, and I liked doing it.” of language, the sounds of the words,” she said. “I Some of her poems, too, were published nationally and love the crisp language of poetry, the idea of saying so earned awards from organizations like Long Island’s much in as few words as possible.” Performance Poets Association and the National While COVID-19 has hindered many in-person League of American Pen Women. literary events, Beverly continues to look for ways to “I’ve been lucky,” she said of each new opportunity. share her insights. She encourages new writers to soak Similar good fortune first brought Beverly and her up every resource they can find and embrace their husband to Siesta Key more than 20 years ago. own inspirations — including their community. “We got lost,” she laughed. “My husband and I “You need the support of people around you,” she had been staying (regularly) on Longboat Key at the said. “Let your mind go. Don’t censor anything. Take a Colony. We became acquainted with St. Armand’s course, read a book, do some research. And then let it Circle. We really got to know this area.” flow, and go from there.” Then, in 2000, a friend who lived in Englewood said

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From the Grill...

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County approves setback variance for beachfront pool By Phil Colpas

Sarasota County Commission members have said yes to a variance to allow for a beachfront pool at this Beach Road property. (photo by John Morton).

Score another round for the developers. Despite objections from Commissioner Nancy Detert and the Siesta Key Association, county commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a coastal setback variance to allow a swimming pool to be built a maximum of 230 feet seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line at 104 Beach Rd. Although this portion of the March 8 meeting of the Board of Sarasota County Commissioners was declared a public hearing, no speakers were present. Commissioner Michael Moran made the motion to pass the coastal setback variance, which was seconded by Commissioner Ron Cutsinger. The motion carried 4-1, with Detert as the only

dissenting voice. “Once again, I think we are opening Pandora’s Box [by] not keeping our own rules,” Detert said. “I intend to vote no on this because it’s a proposed swimming pool and a pool deck, which are accessory structures. If you’re not able to have a swimming pool, that’s not recognized as an unreasonable hardship on yourself or the land. “This is the first pool to be in that row,” Detert continued. “Once again, we always say we’re not setting a precedent, but we are, because everyone uses the prior as their rationale to have the same thing. And we have sand that comes and goes, and I’m just going to consistently vote no, and hope

you do, too.” Siesta Key Association president Catherine Luckner echoed Detert’s concerns in a letter that was shared with the commissioners, but not read aloud at the public hearing. “The Siesta Key Association of Sarasota (SKA) supports property rights on Siesta Key,” Luckner wrote. “We note the property is within a State of Florida defined area of Critical Beach Erosion. The seawall, defined as an enclosure for an accessory pool structure, could become a high impact point of wave energy, resulting in ‘wash out’ as well as over-wash of property, with accompanying changes in beach profile and sand loss.” Continued on page 38

Here’s a look at the ‘new retirement’ Sarasota Local Brings Experience & Trust to Siesta Key Once you retire, what can you expect from your life? You might be surprised by the things that current retirees are saying about their lifestyles, priorities, relationships and hopes for thefuture. And you also might find this knowledge quite helpful as you prepare for the day when you become a retiree. First of all, retirement today is far different – and potentially far more rewarding – thanwas the case a generation or so ago. Of course, people are living longer now, but the new retirement environment isn’t just about longevity – it’s also about using one’s time in a meaningful way, deepening connections with family and contributing to communities. All these capabilities fit into a framework of four key “pillars”: health, family, purpose and finance, described in a study by Edward Jones and Age Wave called Four Pillars of the New Retirement: What a Difference a Year Makes, which also looks at how attitudes and opinions have changed during the COVID-19

retirees say that all four pillars are essential to this well-being.

• Having a sense of purpose in life

Let’s look at these pillars and see what you can do to support them:

Those with a higher sense of purpose have better overall health, greater cognitive functioning, higher life satisfaction, increased mobility/functioning and longer lifespans, according to the Four Pillars report, citing research from the International Journal of Aging and Human Development.

• Having good physical/mental health

Joe St. Onge outside his office on Siesta Key.

pandemic. Among the study’s findings is a piece of good news: 76% of Americans credit the pandemic with causing them to refocus on what’s most important in life. And one important element in the life of retirees is, not surprisingly, their optimal wellbeing in their retirement years. The overwhelming majority of

Health care and long-term care costs are the greatest financial worries in retirement, according to the Four Pillars study. A financial advisor can recommend ways of addressing these expenses, but you can also take familiar steps, such as getting regular exercise and following a well-balanced diet, to maintain and improve your health. • Having family and friends that care about me Retirees say that the top contributor to their identity in retirement is their relationships with loved ones, again according to the Four Pillars study. Clearly, it’s important to keep up your relationships with family and friends, before and after you’re retired.

So, by volunteering and getting involved in community activities, you’ll not only be helping others, but also yourself. • Being financially secure During the pandemic, retirees fared better than other demographic groups because they had stronger financial safety nets, including Social Security, Medicare and a high degree of home ownership. Still, just 56% of men and 40% of women are confident about their reirement savings, according to the Four Pillars survey. So, if you haven’t yet retired, you’ll still want to bolster your finances by

contributing as much as you can to your investment accounts. And once you do retire, you’ll want to make sure you don’t take too much from these accounts too soon, helping you avoid the risk of outliving your money. As you can see, it’s important to take a holistic approach to retirement in the 21st century. And when you do, you can find your days as a retiree to be greatly fulfilling. NEW OFFICE ADDRESS: 5011 Ocean Blvd., ste 205 PAID ADVERTORIAL

Your Go-To Store on the Island Morton’s Siesta Market is your one-stop shop for easy island living. We offer a large selection of staple groceries, beer and wine, as well as fresh produce, meats and seafood. In keeping with our Morton’s tradition, we also carry a delicious array of prepared foods, perfect for take-out, picnics, parties and more.

Please stop in and say hello!

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Breakfast at Victoria’s: an Italian-American love story Couple’s dream of running a restaurant of their own in Sarasota comes true By Jane Bartnett Your first visit to Breakfast at Victoria’s may well be the start of a brand-new tradition. You’ll want to go back again and again. Located at 4141 S. Tamiami Trail in the center of the Chili’s Plaza shopping center, this cheerful and welcoming restaurant and Italian bakery serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, as well as delicious breads and pastries that are ready to take home. It also caters and can accommodate small private parties. With indoor and outdoor seating, the restaurant can seat up to 125 people. “We are family friendly,” said chef and co-owner Eleanora Raso, who along with her husband, Luigi Raso, runs the new eatery that the couple named in honor of their first daughter, Victoria. The story of how this new addition to the Sarasota breakfast and lunch dining scene came to be is as endearing as the food. Owning a restaurant was a long-time dream for the young couple, who met in the kitchen of another Sarasota restaurant in 2013. Both are trained chefs who studied at a leading culinary school in Italy. Both bring years of experience in the restaurant industry to their new business, which opened in September. A native of Naples, Luigi spends the majority of his day in the kitchen. Eleanora, who hails from Florence, manages the front of the house. Although the two chefs excel at creating many dishes, both say that baking is their passion. Sarasota became their home because of Eleanor’s family ties. As a child and young adult, she vacationed in Sarasota for more than 30 years. Her grandfather first came to Sarasota in the 1950s and became a U.S. citizen. “I always loved coming to Sarasota,”

Far left and clockwise: Eleanora and Luigi Raso in the kitchen; the exterior of the new establishment, located at 4141 S. Tamiami Trail; pastries and breads are baked fresh daily. (photos by Jane Bartnett)

Eleanora Raso said. “I grew up here, and in Italy.” The couple married and are now the parents of two young daughters. “Sarasota is our home,” she said. Last year, the couple’s plans to create a restaurant and bakery that paid tribute to their Italian heritage, as well as to their new home, came true. Their restaurant and bakery blend classic American breakfast and lunch favorites along with Italian delicacies that highlight the regional cooking of the couple’s Italian homeland. “All of our ingredients are locally sourced,” Raso said. “We believe that we have created very interesting menus.” For breakfast, diners can choose from eggs, avocado toast, pancakes and waffles, along with French and Italian style breakfast items. American coffee as well a cappuccino

and espresso are available. There’s also a kids’ menu. For lunch, there are platters and paninis, a pear salad with walnuts and gorgonzola cheese; roast beef with blue cheese and spring mix; seared tuna, olives and tomatoes and more. Tempting brunch offerings are more exotic and include truffled eggs; eggs Benedict; seared tuna on a brioche bun; fried soft-shell crab; pork belly with sautéed black figs and a vinegar/honey glaze; Millefoglie di Melanzane, a grilled eggplant dish with fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes and basil; as well as avocado toast and Cornetto French toast with sautéed apples, brandy and cinnamon topped with creme fraiche. Mimosas, bellinis, Aperol spritzers and sangria, Italian white and red, as well as sparkling wines, are sold by the glass or

the bottle. Tempting desserts, baked fresh daily in the kitchen, include a selection of pastries, tiramisu, ricotta e pera, caprese al cioccolato, cheesecake alle fragole, mousse al cioccolato, torta della nonna and profiteroles al cioccolato. On your way out the door, stop at the bakery counter and select from a variety of fresh baked breads that are ready to take home. Bestsellers include focaccia, ciabatta, multigrain cranberry and Sfilantino -- “a softer version of the baguetteit which is crusty on the outside, but soft on the inside,” Rosa explained. Speaking of baked goods, “We also have wonderful croissants. People say that they’re the best in town,” she said. Continued on page 54

DINE WIT H U S

Beer • Wine • Pizzeria • Wings Subs • Salads • Catering

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1703 Main St. • Sarasota

Curbside Pickup • Delivery • Dine-In • PanificioUSA.com

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Sheriff’s Report Feb. 14: trespass and theft A store in the Village reported that a male who was previously trespassing on the property came into the store and, after refusing to leave, poured himself an extralarge coffee and then left the store without paying for it. Through video footage a suspect was identified. Feb. 17: theft Victim reported that his backpack and a case containing his Mavie 2 pro drone was taken from his locked car. The car parked in the north parking lot of the Siesta Key public beach. Feb. 20: bike theft Complainant reported that between 1 and 4 p.m. her NCM Milano Plus E-bike was stolen from the community bike rack at Siesta Key public beach. The bike was locked but the suspect was

able to take off the bike’s wheel and remove the lock. The bicycle is black, with brown handlebars, brown seat, and a brown front backet. The bicycle also had two rear black saddlebags that contained certain personnel items. Feb. 20: bike theft Complainant reported that between 6 and 8 p.m. her bike was stolen from the community bike rake at Siesta Key public beach. The complainant is a foreign exchange student who was on Siesta Key with her tennis coach. Feb. 25: theft Victim and friend reported that they took an Uber to a Village restaurant. Victim and friend left cell phones in the Uber. After receiving no response from Uber, the victim tracked a cell phone to the dumpster near a jewelry store. The cell phone was smashed. Video

footage from the jewelry store was requested. March 1: package theft Complainant indicated that she had ordered three pairs of shoes from Nordstrom and that they were delivered by a shipping company which left them by her front door. She reported that such package was stolen from the frontdoor area. March 3: grand theft Victim reported that a black Magnum electric bicycle, valued at $2,000, was stolen from a bike rack where it was locked with a chain. The bicycle had a black rear tire and a brown front tire. There was a kiddie cart art attached to the bike that was also stolen. March 5: theft Store in Village reported a theft from the store of three beverages.

Video footage showed juvenile females, likely between the ages of 14-17, enter the store where one such female grabbed three beverages on different occasions in the cooler area. The juvenile,

who was carrying a black-andwhite bag, then walked to the store exit and left without paying for the beverages. The store wishes to press charges if the suspect is located.

The Inside Scoop on Made In Rome Organic Gelato Owner Diane Theron-Cuna invites you to watch the process as she creates a batch of her sinfully delicious gelato from scratch every 15 minutes. “We are very proud and happy each day. to be here on Siesta Key,” says Theron-Cuna. “My husband’s family recipes used to create our gelato comes directly from Rome, Italy and only certified USDA organic ingredients are ever used.” There are 48 flavors to choose from and the staff at Made In Rome Organic Gelato generously provide samples of their made-from-scratch, in-house gelato. No hydrogenated fats or colorants, or preservatives are ever used so you can really taste the difference. Sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan options are also made fresh each day. Besides their gelato, the shop

also carries Italian coffee, cakes, and focaccia sandwiches. If you’re lucky enough to catch Theron-Cuna at the shop, she will happily entertain you with stories of her earlier days as a circus performer. She comes from three generations of circus entertainers and has traveled around the world performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The family earned their own “Star of Fame” at St. Armands Circle The Theron Cycling Troupe. Made In Rome Organic Gelato is located at 5204 Ocean Blvd, in the Siesta Key Village. Their hours are Mon. - Thurs: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Fri. - Sun. Their holiday hours are 11:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m. (941) 960-5344. ADVERTORIAL

Owner Diane Theron-Cuna proudly displays the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award presented to Made In Rome Gelato in January 2022. Diane would like to sincerely thank those that nominated and voted for her business.

Best Burgers & Tacos on the Island! 5110 Ocean Blvd. • Siesta Key Village 941-487-8116 • IslandHouseTapAndGrill.com

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‘Everything old is new again’

Butter Curated Thrift in Gulf Gate provides a tasty selection of retro gems By Jane Bartnett The old saying “everything old is new again” sums it all up. Behind the door at Butter Curated Thrift, a small Gulf Gate boutique at 6625 Superior Ave., is a marvelous treasure trove of finds. The ever-changing collection ranges from a beautiful and surprisingly comfortable red velvet love seat to sets of colored wine glasses, martini shakers, books, clothing, paintings, chairs, tables and unique small finds for the home. “People ask me all the time why I call it Butter,” said Lili Kinsman, Butter’s curator, designer and owner, who began her professional career as a chef in Connecticut’s River Valley, working at quaint New England inns in Essex and Chester, as well as at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. “Naming the store Butter was my homage to Julia Child. She was a big influence in my life. And really, who doesn’t love butter?” “The items that I have curated and sell here at Butter are retro, not vintage,” Kinsman added. Explaining the difference, she noted that the term retro applies to furniture, clothing, and all items from the 1970s through the year 2000. “We are a curated store, not a consignment store,” she said. As for the store’s vibe, “My aesthetic is slightly funky,” Kinsman said. After moving to the Siesta Key area from Connecticut in 2016, Kinsman filled her own home with furnishings form Sarasota re-sale stores. As a result, she decided to pursue her love for fashion and design and began assisting others in curating their new homes. As her collection of finds grew beyond her storage unit and the long days of the pandemic set in, she decided to open

Lili Kinsman, owner of Butter Curated Thrift, is all smiles around her collection of offerings at her Gulf Gate store on Superior Avenue. (photo by Jane Bartnett)

Butter. The store was a natural extension of her career. “When people come to me for design help with their home, I ask them what they want their house to say. From there, we find pieces that reflect their taste and their lives,” she said. The trend for the kind of furnishings and home items found at Butter is here to stay.

Designers report that there has been a sea change in the home decorating world. The old rules are out and eclectic is now in vogue. Kinsman says that she sees this new attitude reflected in Generation X and millennial buyers as well as younger baby boomers who have moved to the Siesta Key region and left their old furniture behind.

“They want a new look,” she said. Mid-century pieces are among those most requested by Butter buyers. “People are discovering that it’s fun to entertain at home. Colored glassware is very popular. Pink, yellow and green-gold is really trending,” Kinsman said. Nationwide, re-sale furniture sales are booming. According to Statista, a provider of American furniture industry data, the market for used furniture is expected to grow by 38% by 2025. Forbes Magazine reported that dressers, desks, dining tables, coffee tables and sofas that seat three or more people are most in demand. Reasonably priced and in most cases instantly available, retro furniture has great appeal. “If you like a table or chair or something else in this store, once you buy it, it’s yours,” said Kinsman. “That beats waiting six months for a delivery.” Buying retro pieces as opposed to new furniture also benefits the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2018 Americans tossed out 12 million tons of furniture. When shoppers visit in search of interesting retro clothes and accessories, Kinsman asks “What’s your personal statement?” In fact, young social media influencers such as model and actress Brinley Steen (@ brinley.steen) have discovered Butter. Steen’s posts show the model wearing a classic black and white wrap dress that sells for $16 at Butter and a majorette jacket with original buttons and epaulettes found at the store for $85. Mixing retro looks with new items is very much on trend and Steen’s posts have Continued on page 48

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Continued from page 1

amending their Comprehensive Plan policy which limits hotel room density to a 26 units per acre maximum on Siesta Key. On March 18, Judge Stephen Walker of the 12th Circuit Court of Sarasota heard arguments in a public hearing on Sarasota County’s motion to dismiss the Wallace, et al, lawsuit. An earlier circuit court decision allowed the owners and developers of the hotels planned on Calle Miramar and Stickney Point to intervene in the lawsuits. Walker will provide his written ruling at an unspecified date. According to the plaintiff’s response in opposition to the county’s motion to dismiss the case: Plaintiffs/petitioners all reside on Siesta Key and are injured to a greater degree and in a different way than the general

public who reside on the mainland. Their access to their properties is limited to two points of access (the north and south bridges). Their access will be adversely affected by the increased number of hotel rooms allowed for each of the hotels which will generate additional traffic on both of the already overcrowded, heavily and unacceptably congested barrier island access routes. David Pearce, an assistant county attorney, cited different coapplicants filing on different days and the “co-mingling” of claims as reasons for dismissal. Further, he stated that the amendment was to the Unified Development Code, not the Comprehensive Plan. “UDC is separate and distinct from the Comprehensive Plan, which sets out land development use underneath the Comp Plan,” he said. “The UDC

implements the plan.” Count 1 “should’ve been dismissed because they should’ve gone through DEO,” Pearce said. (DEO is the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.) “The plaintiff admits that Counts 2 and 3 are weak, citing no case law, statute or authority influenced by this decision.” Pearce contended that plaintiffs did not prove that they were more impacted by this than anyone else on Siesta Key, citing Putnam County, Florida vs. Kaiser (1998), in which the court determined that the land owner would not be adversely affected by the project. Scott McLaren, a Tampa-based attorney also representing the county in this case, echoed Pearce’s comments that the accounts from co-applicants must be shared at the same time. He also alleged that

the petition for certiorari was not filed within the required 30 days, as well as a number of technical violations, including failure to file an appendix and failure to move to amend the petition. (Petitions for certiorari are filed to claim that a lower court has incorrectly decided an important question of law.) “The plaintiff’s strategy is to drag this out as long as possible. That is not allowed within the rules,” McLaren said. “There was no Comprehensive Plan amendment in this case. An ordinance was adopted and some special exceptions were involved. That’s it. The only thing they laid out is a consistency challenge. You cannot consider consistency challenges in a certiorari petition.” David Smolker, a Tampabased attorney representing the plaintiff, responded: “The county

Local Easter services ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 10 Saturday, April 9th 4 pm Sunday, April 10th 8 am and 10 am 10:15 am (outdoor under canopy) HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 14 Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7 pm Adoration following the Mass concluding with Night Prayer 9:45 pm

HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Blessing of Easter Food/Baskets 12:00 Noon Easter Vigil Mass 8:30 pm

St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 17 Sunrise Mass 6 am Masses (Church) 7:15 am, 8:45 am, 10:30 am Masses (outdoor under canopy) 9 am and 10:45 am

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 15 Passion of the Lord 3 pm

Palm Sunday Eucharist 8:45 and 10:45 am Easter Sunday Festal Eucharist featuring choruses from Handel’s “Messiah”

5394 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key 941-349-4174 StMichaelsSiesta.com

SIESTA KEY CHAPEL Holy Week Services PALM SUNDAY April 10, 10 AM

MAUNDY THURSDAY Tables for 12

April 14, 5:30 PM

GOOD FRIDAY with Taize music

April 15, 12:00 PM

EASTER SUNDAY with Communion

8:45 and 10:45 am

5615 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key 941-349-5616 • BonifaceChurch.org

6:30 a.m. on April 17th

Siesta Key Public Beach near historic pavilion ~ Bring a Beach Chair or Blanket ~ Palm Sunday

April 10 at 9:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary th

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Stay connected to life on Siesta Key.

Holy Week Meditations

April 11 -15th at 10:00 a.m. - Meditation Chapel th

Maundy Thursday Service

April 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Living Last Supper with Chancel Choir

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 16th at 10:00 a.m. - Community Center Free and open to the public

Traditional Easter Worship

9:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary with Full Choir & Brass Nursery Provided • Hearing Loop System Available

941.349.1166

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church 6116 Crestwood Avenue (941) 922-1597 ~ www.pineshorespres.org

4615 Gleason Ave., Siesta Key

Stay connected to life on Siesta Key.

Community Easter Sunrise Service

April 17, 8:45 AM & 11:00 AM

SiestaKeyChapel.org

is attempting to recast this as a consistency challenge; it is nothing of the sort. A detained procedural process is required to amend a plan. This was not done. They updated the Comp Plan by simply amending the UDC. That’s not the way it works. This is a violation. The Charter says density increases must be done by a supermajority.” Smolker contended that all of the county’s arguments spoke to merits, which re not sufficient to dismiss these claims. “Their argument — that a citizen can’t challenge a government in their own violations of the law — should not be the law,” Smolker said. “We are arguing they failed to follow procedure for amending a Comp Plan.” If it is not dismissed, the trial is slated to begin in May of 2023.

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Benderson purchases another property in Village By John Morton Benderson Development now owns side-by-side buildings in the heart of the Siesta Key Village. The company in January, according to records, purchased the property at 5214 Ocean Blvd. for $1.8 million. The mixed-use building, which boasts 9,458 square feet, houses the Bonjour French Cafe, which occupies 2,141 square feet. The rest of the building features two additional retail spaces and four vacant apartments. The premises has 16 parking spaces and sits on .31 acres. The seller is SRQ Ocean Blvd., LLC. The future use of the building is undetermined, according to Thie Raynal, owner of Bonjour French Cafe. “I haven’t been told anything,” he said. “I don’t know yet.” The business began in 2012, Raynal said, and he bought it and signed a lease at the Village location in 2018.

A new, adjusted six-year lease would follow, and year one of that lease ends at the end of 2022, with five more years remaining, he said. Next door, at 5212 Ocean Blvd., sits another Benderson acquisition made in December. It is home to four storefronts, one of which is currently vacant. The businesses operating there are $10 Jewelry Market, Coral and Reef Boutique, and Studio Yooga. Benderson did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Benderson is the mega-developer that currently has underway the early stages of the Siesta Promenade project at the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. It will bring 414 apartments, a 130-room hotel, and 14,000 square feet of retail space to the parcel.

The building that houses Bonjour French Cafe is now wned by Benderson Development. (photo by John Morton)

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#1 SHOPPING DESTINATION ON TRIP ADVISOR! What makes this store so unique? As you walk into the store, you are always greeted by the friendly staff and you automatically feel the family-like atmosphere. The staff “is family”, according to Monica, owner, of Silver City Sarasota. Debra and Suzanne have worked for Monica since its inception 15 years ago. Arlene joined the family three years ago. Ask any of the staff and they will tell you how much they love working at the store. “The big chain corporate jewelry stores hold no appeal for this generation, Monica, owner of Silver City Sarasota comments. Our customers like the warmth and care we offer. Walking into any larger retailer you can never seem to find the same sales associate you met the first time. Reading the reviews on both Trip Advisor and Google confirms this fact. You will find compliment after compliment not only on the beautiful jewelry, but on the awesome customer service the staff offers.” The main attraction for this retailer is the trademarked “Siesta Key Watercolor Gemstone” collection. The inspiration came to the retailer because as Monica realized, “Tourists always wish they can somehow take their vacation memories with them”. With this in mind, Silver City Sarasota designed the Siesta Key Watercolor GemstoneTM. They were able to capture the colors of Siesta Key’s blue/green water and put it into a quartz gemstone. The Quartz gemstone is a fusion of the tropical colors that surround us. Just looking into the clear beautiful gemstone will transport you back to our island of paradise representing our sea, sky and the beautiful sand of Siesta Key Beach. Each piece is designed by them with a beautiful variety of designs both in sterling silver and 14k gold. Silver City Sarasota also carries a collection of jewelry made with actual Siesta Key Beach Sand. The simple elegant collection is their second-best selling item according to Monica. Giving back is also at the heart of the staff of Silver City Sarasota. They felt the need to help Mote Marine Aquarium after the difficult bout of red tide in our area in 2018. They took it upon themselves to invest their own finances into designing, creating and trademarking the “Tide Away” Save Our Beaches Collection. 25% of the proceeds from this collection go directly to fund Mote Marine Aquarium’s red tide research department. It’s no accident that this gem of a store has been chosen by locals and tourist alike as Siesta Key’s #1 “must stop” shopping destination. They are located in the Southbridge Mall shopping center at 6539 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key.

Silver City Sarasota was chosen best Silversmith/Goldsmith in Sarasota for 2021.

Silver City Sarasota • 6539 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL. 34242 941-349-5030 • Open Monday-Saturday 10am to 5pm

www.SilverCitySarasota.com

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About Glebe Park 1000 Glebe Lane, Siesta Key (behind St. Michael’s church) • approximately 10 acres in size • 2 youth soccer fields • youth baseball field • basketball court • playground • covered pavilion • concession/restroom building • walking trail • park hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. • to rent ameninties, call (941) 861-7275

Nature and recreation blend beautifully at Siesta Key’s Glebe Park. (photos by Trebor Britt and courtesy of Sarasota County)

The great Glebe Tucked away off the beaten path, you’ll find a piece of Siesta Key paradise in the form of a perfect little park

wo spring seasons ago, while visiting Siesta Key from Chicago, Allen Jahn discovered Glebe Park. “It was during the pandemic, right at the start, and the island was empty. Heck, even the beaches were closed,” Jahn said. “We were looking for things to do, and we ended up here while biking.” This year, he’s mighty happy he knows about the place. “Boy, what a difference. We feel so much more safe riding our bikes back here, away from all the traffic,” Jahn said. This time around, he brought his son, Tim Jahn, by bicycle to check it out. “It’s my second time on Siesta Key and I had no idea this was here,” he said. “It’s so nice to be back here, going at your own pace, away from all that congestion.” Added his father with a laugh, before they biked away, “Don’t tell anyone about it!” Indeed, that is the common sentiment from those who have discovered the little hidden at the end of Glebe Lane, behind St. Michael the Archangel church, off of Midnight Pass Road shortly after the road veers inland. Just a few hundred yards away, massive crowds spring break are pouring into Siesta Beach to find some relaxation. “I’ll take this instead of trying to walk the beach right now,” said Theresa Wright, visiting from upstate New York, as she exited Glebe Park’s nature trail. “You can tell this park is a well-kept secret. There’s what – only about 10 of us out here in the middle of a perfect day?” Eddie Weeks knows that secret like few others, calling the park his second home. The former Siesta Key resident in many ways grew up here, as it was his father, Steve Weeks, who used to help keep the 10-acre parcel in decent shape after he, 25 years ago, brought the growing Suncoast Sports Club to the park as its home turf. Now, Eddie is the incoming president of the club, replacing his father. The club is now large enough to rent out all the soccer fields every Saturday morning.

By John Morton

“This is considered a hidden gem because, for the locals, it is tucked away from the public eye,” Weeks said. “Thousands of visitors are attracted to Siesta Key each year, but most would not venture down a side street which dead ends.” No roadside signage points to the park. Only at its entrance does a small Sarasota County sign welcome you. “Many families host parties back here,” Weeks said. “Others work out, bird watch, run bare-foot on the soft grass -- it gives an almost private, intimate experience for each individual because of its exclusiveness. “And, with Siesta Key traffic, it offers busy mothers a safe place to push the stroller without having to constantly watch for traffic. It offers two restroom facilities and baby changing tables as well, and is monitored by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department. “There is also a large charcoal grill that nobody has to fight over -- unlike the grill situation at Siesta Beach.” The park has come a long way. Originally belonging to the Sarasota County School District, it was swapped out and became county land, according to John McCarthy, who formerly managed the county’s parks division. Today, McCarthy is V.P and

historian for the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ campus at Historic Spanish Point in Osprey. It was in 2000, under McCarthy’s leadership, that the park began to take shape. Previously, it was in rough shape. And largely ignored. “It’s not like other communities, where parks and athletic fields are needed to keep up with the population growth,” McCarthy said. “That’s not Siesta Key. The area wasn’t attractive, so it didn’t get much attention.” But resident Steve Weeks was the exception. “It was mostly just sand and weeds,” McCarthy said. “It was Steve Weeks who kept it mowed and clean. He’d be out there, picking up trash.” The land even had an old well that needed to be capped off, McCarthy said. Meanwhile, soil upgrades were needed. It eventually resulted in the lush grass you see there today. Back to McCarthy’s initial involvement, he decided to engage in discussions with surrounding homeowners -- and he listened. Their desire to maintain peace and tranquility were high on their list. As a result, some early suggestions to create the Key’s first dog park, or add desperately needed public tennis courts, were eliminated.

“While we wanted things that attracted people, we had to respect that buffer,” he said. “But we also didn’t want to eliminate athletic activity.” So, youth soccer and baseball fields became focal points, providing large open spaces rich with greenery, as did a walking trail. A pavilion added a family atmosphere, ideal for picnics. The number of basketball courts was limited to one. “It was an early example of how public participation resulted in a better product,” McCarthy said. “The neighbors also wanted an attractive park, but with limits. This wasn’t the place to put up a merry-go-round.” How did Glebe Park get its name? The word Glebe as an Old English word referring to a piece of land that supports clergy. However, it never did serve that role – officially – for St. Michael’s. “That name is a default name, I believe,” McCarthy said. “That was the name of the little street that was already there, so it’s how people referred to the land. The common name became the formal name when it became a county park.” That’s not to say the park doesn’t have a special relationship with the church. “It is such a good neighbor,” said Fr. Michael Cannon, the church’s leader, said of the park. “Steve Weeks has always been wonderful to us. It’s a great relationship.” For example, when a Saturday soccer tournament comes to Glebe, as many as 130 cars need parking. The church allows for overflow in its lot, he said. Conversely, with the Key bustling this time of year, the church leans on the park to help with the influx of Sunday parishioners. The beautiful setting also lends itself to many of the church’s activities, including family picnics. In fact, it will be holding its first Easter egg hunt in two years – cancelled due to the pandemic – on the park grounds. “We are truly blessed to have it next door,” Cannon said.

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Captain Curt’s has everything you need to feel Totally Refreshed!

CRAFT BEERS Get That Old Florida Flavor! CAPTAIN CURT’S CAPTAIn

WORLD FAMOUS CLAM CHOWDER 1200 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key FL 34242

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Mind Body Soul: Whole Wellness By Dolores Day “We do not stop playing because we grow old -- we grow old because we stop playing.” -- Benjamin Franklin

top a moment after reading this quote and reflect. Go way back to when you were growing up. Yes, you were a child once. We all were. What kind of activities filled your days? What did you absolutely love to do and would have done all day long had your parents not called you in for dinner? What filled up your moments before society, responsibilities and “adulting” got in the way? At a point in our lives, many of us felt as though we had to stop doing these things for fun and focus on more goal-oriented and financial outcomes. Do you still participate in these activities now? Many of us will answer, undoubtedly, “no.” Sad really, because many of us even despite having difficult childhood experiences, can no doubt find at least two to three activities that we so loved doing and would have done until the cows came home just because we were so happy. And what a shame, really, because those were the very things that lit us up -- made us feel most alive and happy. I help others get in touch with their inner lost child (soul) and rediscover what they love to do for fun. Dancing? Walking in nature exploring? Reading? Painting? Designing? Cooking? Yoga? Gardening? Scribble down your thoughts right now and take a real hard good look at the activities you enjoy. Are you making time for any of them in your life right now? If doing what we love is by far the quickest way to bring more energy into our life and help us stay young, then we need to prioritize our day and incorporate these back into our daily life. I stopped reading and writing

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for decades. I finished college and thought, “Who has the time for this learning and reading bit.” Funny thing though, I found it again in my 40s and my passion and excitement for life just grew. I became ravenous to read and write again for hours. I completely forgot how much I loved it. And just like that, my excitement and energy for life expanded because I made time for doing what I loved! Maybe it’s not reading for you -- maybe it’s studying rocks, or kayaking, paint by numbers or simply walking on the beach. But whatever it is, if you want to stay youthful then you need to put what you love at the top of your list of to do’s and get after it. Love is a powerful energy source. Benjamin Franklin was right -- the body begins to decay and grow old with sickness when we are not bringing more love (energy) into our cells through fun play. Often times, in the absence of doing the things we love, we even begin to fill this void with other activities that are not so high-vibe. For example, mindless consumption of food or hours of television brain-rotting. As a kid, your parents probably had to force you to sit and eat. And, in older generations, many of us didn’t even have cable television or

movies. Yes, things change, but we still have a choice as to what we spend our time doing. We can fill up our time with creative, fun, exciting activities, or we can waste it doing things with little to no reward that may even be insidiously stealing our health. The choice is always ours. Many people I work with have lost their “spark,” their joy for living, their childhood wonder. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We must begin to think upon the things that once nourished our soul when we were a child. Our inner child knows how to be in the moment and have fun. Do you remember once having boundless amounts of energy, enthusiasm and curiosity for life? We don’t need to lose these beautiful qualities and mindset just because we reach a certain biological number. Yes, we still have responsibilities and work does call us to earn an income. However, the secret to living a life of joy is simply remembering what we did for fun before expectations and responsibilities grew too heavy and thread those back into our lives. The very things that once inspired us and filled us with energy and life are the what we need to take hold of and begin to participate in more often. So, begin to give yourself permission to play again. You will find yourself fueled with unlimited energy and feel young and joyful again. Go play! (De Day is an empowerment life coach who specializes in helping women create and live their best life by teaching them mind-body-soul truths and implementing powerful transformative practices. To work with her privately, please contact her at info@de-day.com or visit her website at de-day.com)

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LIVE MUSIC, page 46

VILLAGE MAP, pages 28 -29

ACCOMMODATIONS, page 55

CRESCENT BEACH MAP, page 34 GULF GATE SHOPS, page 43

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Everyone has a story Welcome to some local history and international adventures aboard the Key Breeze, courtesy of the Solomons By Hannah Wallace

an Hamel Solomon and her husband, Tim Solomon, can tell you some stories. Since purchasing Key Sailing (nee Siesta Key Charters) in 2007, the seasoned sailors have hosted more than 40,000 guests across more than 25,000 miles, almost entirely in the idyllic waters of Sarasota Bay and the inshore Gulf of Mexico. The goal is to provide a peaceful, almost otherworldly experience aboard their 41-foot Morgan sailing yacht, the Key Breeze. But, upon request, the husband-and-wife team, both Sarasota High grads who took up sailing as teenagers, will also happily regale passengers with tales of their own true worldwide adventures — from escaped circus lions to transoceanic voyages to foiled Columbian kidnappings. Jan has collected all of these stories — including never-before-told details — in a memoir titled Sailing Home Sarasota. She hopes to release the book in its entirety later this year, both in print and online; the first chapters are now available at sailinghomesarasota.com. In April, she and Tim, who is a U.S. Coast Guard master captain, will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary, surrounded by their children, family, friends and even some previous Key Breeze passengers. While leading their tours, the Solomons have made a point of hearing as many stories as they tell. “We made a decision to show each person that they are the hero of their own story,” Jan

Sailing and stories told out on the water are music to the ears of Siesta Key’s Tim and Jan Solomon. (submitted photos)

said. “All of us have a story. You don’t go to heaven without a story.” Jan and Tim, who reside on Siesta key, were married by their fathers on Easter Sunday, 1977. Their own stories began even earlier.

Their parents met in college, just after World War II, the men studying at seminary while the women earned teaching degrees in music. Jan’s mother, Jean, played first violin for the Florida West Coast Symphony. Her father, J.D. Hamel, served as chaplain

to the Sarasota sheriff’s, police and fire departments. For his service, Aug. 8 has been declared “J.D. Hamel Day” in Sarasota, and Chaplain Hamel was awarded the key to the city. While Tim traveled with his family as a “missionary kid,” Jan grew up on local beaches, in her own words, amid “circus stars and Amish people playing in the sand together.” She once discovered an escaped lion from a local circus family. Because of her father’s ministry to local law enforcement, she reported the animal herself on a police radio. As adults, Jan and Tim’s travels have taken them to northernmost Asia, South Africa, and South America. Many of their experiences have been joyous. Tim has sailed across the Pacific. Together they’ve embarked on a co-mission in Siberia and lived among the Waodani of Ecuador. But while they lived as missionaries in Colombia in 1989, Jan nearly fell victim to a kidnapping attempt. The experience left her with physical and emotional scars, though she manages to keep them in perspective. “Every life has a few scary chapters, whatever they are,” she said. “People get on our boat and say, ‘Wow, you’ve lived through so much!’ But I’ve never been divorced, I’ve never had cancer. Every person’s story can be used by God and is very valid.” These days the Key Breeze often sails across Continued on page 46

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Big G’s Oyster Happy Hour from 3-6 Every day 1/2 Priced House Oysters

Mote Marine’s 36th annual Run for the Turtles takes place April 2 on Siesta Beach. Both a 5K race ( 8 a.m.) and 1-mile Fun Run (7:30 a.m.) are on the schedule. The 5K is sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club. Packet pick-up and registration begins at 6:30 a.m. To register in advance, visit mote. org/events/details/36th-annualrun-for-the-turtles. All participants receive a racethemed T-shirt.

Easter egg hunt to be held April 16 on Turtle Beach An Easter egg hunt and children’s party will be hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce from 9 a.m. to noon on April 16 at Turtle Beach, 8918 Midnight Pass Rd.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it, is the hangout with the laid-back, beachy atmosphere that will get you right into the Island Spirit. One of the things that set SKOB apart from the other restaurants in Siesta Key Village is that we have some of the best food on the Key.

Easter Sunrise Service returns to Siesta Beach

After two straight years of being cancelled due to the coronavirus, Pine Shores Prebyterian Church will hold its traditional Easter Sunrise Service on Siesta Beach near the pavilion at 6:30 a.m. April 17. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair.

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At Siesta Key Chapel (Presbyterian), 4615 Gleason Ave., Palm Sunday service is at 10 a.m. April 10, Maundy Thursday at 5:30 p.m. April 14 (tables for 12), Good Friday at noon April 15, and Easter Sunday at 8:45 and 11 a.m. April 17. At St. Boniface Church (Episcopal), 5615 Midnight Pass Rd., services for both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are at 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. At St. Michael the Archangel (Catholic), 5394 Midnight Pass Rd., Palm Sunday services April 9 at 4 p.m. and April 10 at 8 and 10 a.m. Holy Thursday April 14 at 7 p.m. Good Friday April 15 at 3 p.m. Holy Saturday April 16 at noon and 8:30 p.m. Easter Sunday April 17 at 6 a.m. (sunrise), 7:15, 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. (church) and 9 and 10:45 a.m. (outdoors under canopy).

Siesta Key resident authors children’s book

Siesta Key’s Ritu Anand has written a children’s picture book entitled Kara’s Dreams. The book is descibed as “an engaing nature tale that emphasizes themes of resilience, bravery, and respect for the elements.” It’s available for purchase on

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MEDICAL - DENTAL Siesta Village Dentistry.................... Map-D #63 Siesta Dental........................................Map-B #49 Siesta Key Physical Therapy............ Map-D #20 MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce...................Map-D #67 Prime Audio Video..............................Map-E #1 Roberti Enterprises........................... Map-A #39 Village Arcade................................... Map-C #53 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Attorney Fleming.................................Map-E #1 Edward Jones Investments.............Map-D #68 Smith Architects................................... Map-E 74 REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES Amy Robinson RE................................Map-E #1 Beach Palms................................................... B-74 Coldwell Banker Realty.................... Map-D #20 EXP Realty............................................Map-E #4 Judith Guzzi & Assoc........................Map-E #74 Keller Williams Real Estate.............. Map-D #11 Michael Saunders Realty.................Map-E #72 ReMax Alliance Group................... Map-C #29 RentSiestaKey.com.............................. Map-D #9 Robasota Rentals & Real Estate....... Map-A #39 Siesta Key Rental Prop..................... Map-D #10 The Ringling Beach House Rentals......Map-D #9 Tropical Sands Accommodations....... Map-D #67

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RESTAURANTS / CAFÉS Another Broken Egg................ Map-C #54 & 55 Blasé Café..........................................Map-A #38 Bonjour French Cafe......................... Map-C #47 Café Gabbiano................................... Map-D #71 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar.............. Map-B #42-43 Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar.................Map-B #29 Flavio’s Italiano Ristorante...............Map-B #30 Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill......... Map-B #33 Island House Bar & Grill................Map-D #69 Lobster Pot......................................... Map-C #23 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company........ Map-B #31 Old Salty Dog Rest. & Pub..................Map-E #2 PI Pizza & Craft Beer........................Map-A#37 Ripfire Pizza........................................Map-B #47 Siesta Key Oyster Bar...................... Map-B #45 IL PANCIFICO.................................Map-D #15 Subway Sandwiches..........................Map-B #30 Summer House.................................. Map-C #57 Sun Garden Café............................... Map-D #19 The Cottage........................................ Map-C #58 The Hub - Baja Grill.......................... Map-C #59 The Seafood Joint.............................Map-D #15 The Star Thai Sushi.................. Map-D #17 & 18 Village Café.......................................Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY Sassy Hair Salon...............................Map-A #40 Sassy ... the Little Day Spa.............Map-D #62 Siesta Key Nails & Spa.....................Map-D #9 Shaman Sanctuary Salon.................... Map-D #9 SPORTS INTEREST/RENTALS CaliFlorida.......................................... Map-C #29 Robin Hood Rentals........................ Map-B #34

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MARKETS/FOOD STORES Circle K Store........................................Map-E #6 Morton’s Siesta Market................... Map-C #25

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MAILING - SHIPPING US Post Office.................................... Map-D #65

GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Beach Bazaar..................................... Map-C #28 Gilligan’s Gift Store...........................Map-B #32 Island Trader...................................... Map-C #51 Sea Pleasures & Treasures............... Map-C #29 Siesta Key Outfitters........................Map-D #13

INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs...............................Map-D #65 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company........ Map-B #31

Siesta Beach is an attractive destination, and Sarasota County has listed some of the reasons: It requires more than 50 people to operate the beach’s offerings, between parks and recreation staff, law enforcement, and concession staff. Close to 2,800 volunteer hours were contributed last year -- which equates to $80,000 of service to the county. It’s the only beach in the county which has never required renourishing. In fact, it has grown from 40 acres to 60 acres.

Coffee Shop • Tea Room • 5138 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village

GAS STATION Circle K Store........................................Map-E #6

ICE CREAM/SWEETS Big Olaf Creamery............................ Map-C #52 Curly Cream Ice Cream...................... Map-D #9 Local Chill Ice Cream......................Map-D #60 Made in Rome Organic Gelato........ Map-C #53 Meany’s Mini Donuts....................... Map-C #24 Stefano Versace Gelato..................... Map-C #50 SubZero Ice Cream/Yogurt............. Map-D #16 The Fudge Factory............................ Map-A #36

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce’s monthly networking lucheon is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 1 at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave. The theme is “picnic Under the Pines.” Anna’s Deli will be catering this outdoor event, held on the church’s beautiful tree-covered grounds. Registration closes March

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FASHION & ACCESSORIES Beach Bazaar’s & Swin Shack........ Map-C #28 Blvd. Beachwear.................................Map-B #30 Casa Smeralda Fashion’Style............. D #12-11 Comfort Shoes-Birki & More........Map-D #64 Foxy Lady Fashions.........................Map-A #40 Ganja Mon Vibes................................. Map-D #9 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions........... Map-B #44 Island Boutique..................................Map-B #50 Island Style......................................... Map-C #53 Lilly Pulitzer.....................................Map-D #66 Sea Shanty.......................................... Map-C #24 Siesta T’s..............................................Map-B #30 The Sandal Factory............................Map-B #46

HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ............... Map-D #10 Siesta Healing...................................... Map-D #9 Siesta Key Fitness............................ Map-B #73 Studio Yooga ................................... Map-B #51

‘Picnic Under the Pines’ is chamber’s April luncheon

30. To register, contact the chamber at (941) 349-3800 or email Mandi Green at mandi@ siestakeychamber.com. Cost per person is $20 for members of the chamber and $30 for non-members.

• Organic and Fair Trade Coffees & Teas • Cold Pressed Coffee • Organic Smoothies • Light Lunch (Sandwiches) • Breakfast Sandwiches, Bagels & Lox • Homemade Pastries

DRUGSTORE Davidson Drugs...............................Map-D #65

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Continued from previous page

WHAT BETTER WAY TO START YOUR DAY IN PARADISE!

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both Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. Also, a storytime and art session with Anand will be held at 11 a.,m. April 23 at the Selby Public Library, 1331 First St. The event is recommended for ages 4 to 9, but all ages are welcome. Pick up a ticket at the library’s youth desk 30 minutes prior to the event. Space is limited.

Siesta Key churches offer Easter services

ACCOMMODATIONS Beach Palms ........................................................ B-#74 Siesta Key Beach Resort & Spa............. Map-A #38A ATM / BANKS PNC ATM........................................... Map-C #61 Sun Trust Bank & ATM.......................Map-E #4 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blase Café..........................................Map-A #38 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar.............. Map-B #42-43 Gilligan’s........................................... Map-B #33 My Village Pub............................ Map-C #53/54 Siesta Key Oyster Bar...................... Map-B #45 The Beach Club.................................. Map-D #22 The Cottage........................................ Map-C #58 The Hub-Baja Grill............................ Map-D #59

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Island Chatter

Continued from page 5

Among the highlights are photos with the Easter Bunny, an animal education seminar featuring Ziggy the Ruffed Lemur, a sheriff’s mounted patrol, a coloring station,, Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s coffee, plus games and prizes. Advance registration is required. Do so at siestakeychamber.com Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact the chamber at (941) 349-3800 or email events coordinator Mani Green at mandi@ siestakeychamber.com.

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Arts on the Horizon By Rodger Skidmore April showers bring musical flowers

ost often a chamber group is composed of two violins, a viola, and a cello. On April 3, this format is expanded by adding a piano and another cello. Having a piano and two cellos adds heart, depth of feeling, and, emotionally, both pathos and joy. All of this will be on display at the concert that starts this year’s La Musica concert series at the Sarasota Opera House. Derek Han, who co-founded La Musica, and who died this past year, is being celebrated by having his favorite music performed by Wu Han (related only by music) and a lovely chamber string quintet. Ms. Han, co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, will be heard playing on Beethoven’s Piano Trio in G Major and Brahm’s Piano Quartet in G Minor. Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and

Violoncello will also be featured. Robert Sherman, longtime music critic for the New York Times, will be doing pre-concert talks at all the La Musica concerts. And students from either the Suzuki Institute’s School of Music or Booker High School will be providing miniconcerts outside, in the Opera House courtyard, before each concert. Wu Han will also be heard in the early evening on the 5th at Selby Botanical Gardens when she performs with Violist Daniel Avshalomov. Truly a case of flowers set to music. These two will be back together the next evening with additional chamber artists as they perform Mozart’s String Quintet in Bb Major and César Franck’s Piano Quintet in F Minor at the Opera House. Sandwiched between these pieces will be Romberg’sSonata in E Minor for Violoncello, Viola, and Bass. If one wishes to be a bit closer to the artists there is a musical soirée, with hors d’oeuvres and wine, at Dolphin Aviation on the 8th and/or a full dinner with them at Michael’s On East on the 11th. To vary La Musica’s

instrumental spectrum, the concert on the 10th starts with Luigi Baccherini’s Guitar Quintet in D Major, followed by the U.S. premiere of Susani’s Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet. The concert finishes with Dvořák’s, Piano Quintet in A Major. The final concert in the series, on the 13th, features a piano quartet, a serenade and a string sextet by Mozart, Kodály, and Tchaikovsky. The Beyond Van Gogh immersion experience is continuing at University Town Center through April 24, but there is an immersion of a different kind at La Musica. All the music being played at the concerts has to be rehearsed/perfected prior to being performed. This means, by attending rehearsals, you can hear it all, over and over again. Full info. at Lamusicafestival.org.

Quite a brouhaha

The French word, brouhaha, dates back to the 15th century and meant, roughly, the cry of the devil disguised as clergy. Now it is more like a tempest is a teapot. So, in whose teapot is this tempest brewing? Priscilla has purchased a house far from where normal folk live and wishes to turn it into an AirBnB -- what could go wrong? A Skeptic and a Bruja, besides being the name of this play, is also the title of a TV ghost-hunting show where the two protagonists put this funhouse in their spotlight. Rosa Fernandez’ play opens at the Urbanite Theatre on April Fools’ Day and runs for the entire month. And, if the suspense / humor that goes on in this tale of horror is your cup of tea, then you should be running too - straight into its crooked arms. Skeptic/ Bruja (bruja is Spanish for witch) went through the reading and workshop phases of development last year in Sarasota and is having its world premiere here. When one says, “That play is derivative,” it usually means that a new play is based on another, better play -- and why should one watch this lesser work, when they could watch the better, original version? In the case of Knoxville, a new play (yes, another world premiere) previewing April 15-22,

and opening April 23 at the Asolo Rep (next to the Ringling Museum) is based on the novel/play/movie A Death in the Family by James Agee, and on All the Way Home a play by Tad Mosel, also based on that novel by Agee. Were those plays any good? Perhaps, as they both won a Pulitzer Prize. So, why a new version? One reason is that this is a musical (from the folks that wrote the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime). A second, more important reason is, the times they are a-changin’. Agee’s novel was published 65 years ago, based upon his experiences from 1915. Those times have changed many times over, and how we look at things that took place then, with today’s eyes, always brings about a new prospective. To add to the scope of the original play, the story is expanded to include the problems that Agee had in writing his novel. To bring those who wrote the music and lyrics to Ragtime (Stephan Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens), and the man who directed it (Frank Galati), together in Sarasota is, in itself, an achievement. This new musical will be as well. Info at Asolorep.org.

The Three Musketeers

There were actually four musketeers -- the fourth was D’Artagnan. So, it was not “three for one, and one for all,” but four for one. And that is what you get when you go to Art Center Sarasota through the end of April -- four art shows -- and all are completely different. As you go into the art center and

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take an immediate left, you will enter a world titled The Sea is Alive in Me by Osa Atoe, a local thrower. Yes, baseball season is here but Ms. Atoe actually throws pots -- and in a good way. She uses a potter’s wheel to build the form for her ceramics and then colors, etches, glazes, and finally fires them. Turning to the right when entering the building brings you into a labor-intensive world of Signs and Wonders, created by Philomena Marano. Every piece of art that you see either looks like a hand painted sign that you would find on the side of a barn, or an oil painting hung on a gallery wall. But no, all are hand colored cut paper constructed with more patience and skill than can be imagined. Continuing down the building’s center core takes you to Susan Sidebottom’s A Place in the Sun. These photographs are not of flowers or feathery birds but of real life, captured in the moment, full head on. At this time of year, the ACS puts on its Annual Members Juried Show. Whether it is an oil or acrylic painting, watercolor, batik or bits of painted fabric used in a collage, glass, metal or wood sculpture, or photography, there is something great for everyone to see. By the way, everything at these exhibits is for sale so, if you see something you like, it can be yours. Or, take a class there and make it yourself. Info at Artsarasota.org.

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A little magic goes a long way for business owner By Jane Bartnett Siesta Key, with its clear crystal quartz sand, is the “chakra” -- or energy point -- of the ocean, says Gaelle Wizenberg, who has created a new company called Objects of Magic. Her Gulf Gate store offers gifts of candles -- “powered with premium essential oils,” Wizenberg said -and uplifting spells to recite while the candles burn. It also features an array of crystals and oils. “That’s why Siesta Key is a healing place that attracts people who want positive change in their lives,” she said. Wizenberg knows quite a lot about positive change. A former toy company executive and designer, Wizenberg was born in Paris and raised in the French Caribbean. She enjoyed a very successful career and lived with her husband, who was also an executive in the toy business, in Montreal and Ottawa, Canada. The couple moved to Hong Kong for several years before returning to Ottawa, and then on to Los Angeles. As a young working mother, Wizenberg began to think “What is my place in the world?” Drawing on her design and business experience in the toy world, she decided to create a company devoted to reusable baby items, including a line of cloth diapers. In 2010, she oversaw the launch of an international luxury brand of eco-friendly, cloth diapers and organic baby products called Charlie Banana -- named for her young daughter Charlie. Drawing on her business contacts,

Gaelle Wizenberg arranges some crystals in her Objects of Magic store in the Gulf Gate neighborhood. (photo by Jane Bartnett)

Wizenberg was able to place Charlie Banana products in the U.S. at Babies R Us, Bye Bye Baby, and Target, as well as in 66 countries around the world. After great success, in 2020 Wizenberg sold her company to Procter & Gamble. In 2021, after she and her family vacationed on Siesta Key, they decided to relocate from Los Angeles to Sarasota. “We all fell in love with Siesta Key and the whole region,” she said. Following a cross country move and the sale of her company, Wizenberg was ready for another challenge. “I needed another baby,” she said with a laugh. She added, “I have a need to be creative, I’m an artist. After COVID, I felt that by creating Objects of Magic I could create a business that can inspire people to be more

hopeful and to stay positive. “Especially today -- we all need help. If you ask the universe for what you want, it will come to you. If your serenity is good, the rest of your life will be, too. We are all effected by nature.” While living in Los Angeles, she studied Feng Shui with a master and became fascinated by natural crystals and what they do. “Crystals,” she explained, are a part of nature and each crystal has a different energy. “Tourmaline offers protection, rose quartz offers happiness, amethysts help with sleep, and amber is believed to absorb pain and negative energy.” Drawing on this principal of positive energy, the company’s message is to “Nurture the witch in you; surround yourself with powerful energy and to be strong

and get ready to set your goals and achieve your biggest dreams,” Wizenberg said. Object of Magic offers sets of the company’s own votive candles, crystals, Coventry Creation candles and oils, sage and smudging sets, home sprays, beautiful crystals both small and large, and a line of soy- and corn-free meat. The candles and crystals are ethically sourced to create a “Wishing ritual to each moon cycle,” Wizenberg said. She explained that taking the time to set goals and true intentions is important for an individual’s peace of mind and life success, and finding extra assistance from the universe. “The moon brings energy,” she said. “Have faith in the things that you ask for. Meditate quietly on the

days that the moon changes. As the candle burns, ask the universe to help with what is going on in your life. All religions make use of candles. They help to restore our faith.” Sold in groups of five, Objects of Magic’s own brand of boxed candles are color-coded to match the desired wish or spell and retail for $13.99. Sets include these titles: Abundance, Career, Clearing, Cryptos, Good Luck, Happy Home, Health, Love, New Path Success, Open, Prosperity, Protection, Self Love & Happiness, and Sell Your House. A subscription candle service is also available. Each set of candles and matching spells carries with it suggested crystals that will complement the spell or wish and with its own energy. “We wanted to make it easy to feel better when you need that extra assistance from the universe,” said Wizenberg. Objects of Magic products are available online at objectsofmagic. com and in the store at 2106 Bispham Rd., in Gulf Gate. Hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thavma Yoga, at 3800 S. Tamiami Trail, and The Higher Realm, at 4232 S. Tamiami Trail, also feature the items. “I’ve been told that I inspire people to be better and to find their purpose,” Wizenberg said. “I hope that Objects of Magic will help people to find their passive energy and to learn to ride the energy that is sent to you.”

BEFORE

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APRIL 2022

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The great egret is an elegant heron adorned in white, magnificent plumage and is nearly the size of the great blue heron. Inhabiting six of the seven continents, this long-legged and long-necked marvel is at home near most bodies of water, salt or fresh. The great egret serves as the “spokesbird” for the Audubon Society’s emblem. It was the first critically endangered bird whose nearly tragic end was prevented by the society’s conservation efforts through legislation. Like all babies, the one pictured here is still totally dependent on its parents for food and protection. For a sense of size and scale, egret nests are 3 to 4

feet across and 12 inches deep. Baby egrets are nest-bound until four weeks old when they gain the strength and balance to begin exploring, on foot, the branches supporting its nest roughly 50 to 100 feet off the ground. Talk about a tightrope act! In another two to three weeks, this bouncing baby will test its fledgling wings and become a newly-minted aviator under the parents’ watchful eye. It takes a closely knit community to raise all the baby egrets that will, in about two years’ time, keep the colony going strong in adulthood. Jan Baumgartner’s handmade notecards are available at BLVD Beachwear, 5239 Ocean Blvd., and Shelly’s Gift and Christmas Boutique, 4420 S. Tamiami Trail

Blooming this month: Sweet alyssum

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Few annual plants can match the heat and drought hardiness as sweet alyssum. These flowers are so-named for their lively fragrance and are members of the mustard family. They will selfsow and can provide you with year after year of bright color in milder climates. These small plants may get to 3 to 6 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. They produce clusters of tiny blooms in clumps of either white, pink, or purple colors. They are a great addition to your butterfly gardens. Sweet alyssum plants prefer

soil that is moist and welldrained. They can also be planted in a hanging basket, borders, planters, or in soil. A bonus is pollinators like butterflies and bees are drawn to these plants. White and purple alyssum are currently in bloom in the Butterfly Garden of the Sarasota Garden Club. 1131 Boulevard of the Arts. For more information, visit SarasotaGardenClub.org. Submitted by Kay Weber, Sarasota Garden Club, Botanical Gardens chair

www.siestasand.us

941.312.0665

APRIL 2022

What’s new ... beyond the bridges

pril is a wonderful month to be in Sarasota. It’s the perfect time to do some local exploring. Visit downtown Sarasota and park in the convenient, low-cost municipal parking. Then, hop on the brand new, FREE, openair trolley called the Bay Runner. It will whisk you over to St. Armands Circle and Lido Beach. Running seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight, the brightly painted trolley picks up passengers every 20 to 30 minutes, inbound and outbound. There are central downtown stops. Both the Palm Avenue Parking Garage and the State Street Parking Garage are a short walk to a Bay Runner stop. On St. Armands Circle, the Bay Runner stops steps away from the Filmore Drive Parking Lot and the St. Armands Parking Garage. Lido Beach has three stops. Each trolley is wheelchair equipped. Visit sarasotabayrunner.com. *** Heading north in the coming months? There’s exciting transportation news from Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ). Beginning in June, Breeze Airways is offering discounted introductory one-way fares on direct flights from here to Hartford, Connecticut. Breeze will also offer special rates for direct flights from SRQ to Norfolk, Virginia. In May, 2021, the airline began direct flights from Tampa to Charleston, South Carolina. Visit Flybreeze.com. Avelo Airlines began direct flights from SRQ to New Haven, Connecticut in January. Visit aveloair.com. *** Around town, we have some exciting news on the restaurant front to share with you. In the thriving culinary land called Gulf Gate, Healthy To Go, at 6582 Superior Ave., opened its doors just weeks ago. Featuring fresh Mediterranean vegan/ vegetarian cuisine, customers can create their own combinations of dishes in the restaurant, or order online and pick it up to go. The online menu offers selections that include lentil and orzo soups as well as a delectable collection of enticing vegetable dishes such as stuffed artichoke bottoms, stuffed grape leaves, and Celeriac with orange, a tempting Turkish dish. Salads range from tabouleh to quinoa, and classic Greek. Tempting desserts such as baklava and walnut stuffed figs to which are hard to say no.

Call (941) 447-3700. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit HealthytoGoFlorida.com. *** At 1920 Hillview Ave., in the Southside Village neighborhood behind Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the long-awaited Meliora restaurant has opened in the space formerly occupied by Blase Southern Style. Run by a celebrated Michelinstar chef from Washington, D.C., the vibe here is comfortable and coastal. Decorated in teal, black and white, Meliora offers a contemporary “new American” menu with small Tapas-style plates featuring seafood, pasta and pork dishes as well as an exotic cocktail menu. Open for dinner, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Call (941) 444-7692. Make reservations at resy.com. *** This summer, The Landings Shopping Center on South Tamiami Trail will welcome Florence & The Spice Boys restaurant. The new eatery will open with an immediate fan base, seeing at it began as a popular food truck offering delicious Middle Eastern dishes. Follow its progress as it transitions to a brick-and-mortar operation at Facebook.com/ spiceboyskitchen/. *** The UTC shopping center continues to welcome popular new eateries, and bagel fans are rejoicing. Jersey Girl Bagels is now open at 5275 University Parkway. A family owned and operated business, it has the bagels made daily from scratch. Drop in and find plain, everything, salt, sesame, poppy, onion, garlic, wheat, cinnamon raisin and French toast bagels to which you can sink your teeth. Bagels are sold individually, by the half dozen, and by the baker’s dozen (13). Specially bagels are also offered daily. A selection of spreads and sandwiches, along with some sweet treats, are also on the menu. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (941) 388-8910 or visit jerseygirlbagels.net/. Meanwhile, Five-O Donut Co. is opening yet another location at the UTC Mall at 81 N. Cattleman Rd., near Target and Chipotle. Check out some of the most beautiful and fancy donuts that you’ve ever seen

Stuffed grape leaves are among the Mediterraanean vegan and vegetarian dishes being served at Gulf Gate’s Healthy To Go restaurant. (image courtesy of Healthy To Go)

27th State Media LLC

By Jane Bartnett or tasted. There’s just no end to the creative talents of the Five-O. team. Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the donuts are sold out. Saturday and Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until sold out. Call (941) 358-7661 or visit fiveodonutco. com. Two more great dining spots are expected to open soon at the UTC mall. One is 3 Natives, a cafe focused on healthy juices, smoothies, aca bowls, salads and wraps. Look for it in the west district. Visit 3natives. com. Another anticipated new arrival in the west district is the Lebaneseinspired Al Forno De Libano. Kebabs, pita bread sandwiches, and other fresh Lebanese dishes will be on the menu at its location of 83 N. Cattlemen Rd. *** In other news around town, the Tidewell Treasures resale shop held its grand opening on March 14 at 5441 Palmer Crossing Circle, in the Palmer Crossing Shopping Center. Set in a bright and spacious locale, it’s just several doors away from Bealls, Office Max, and the Walmart Neighborhood Market. Shoppers will find an abundance of great vintage and retro buys. Previously loved furniture, books,

clothing for men, women and children, glasses, dishes, paintings and all kinds of unique treasures are waiting to be discovered. Proceeds benefit the Tidewell Foundation. The foundation “provides grants to Tidewell Hospice for charity care, complementary patient services, and free grief service for more than

8,000 clients. Call (941) 552-7555. Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit tidewellfoundation.org/ about-us/tidewell-treasures/. *** The Easter Bunny is coming to Lakewood Ranch on Saturday, April 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Hop to it and get to the annual EGGstravaganza at 7301 Island Cove Terrace, at Waterside Park. Kids can hunt for more than 10,000 Easter eggs by age groups and enjoy face painting and pictures with the Easter Bunny. A $10 admission for Lakewood Ranch residents. $20 for nonresidents.

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Siesta Sand

APRIL 2022

BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Capt. Curt’s Backroom Saloon................B-3 #7 Crescent Club.......................................... C-3 #13 Sniki Tiki....................................................B-3 #8 COFFEE SHOPS Coffee Garden................................... B-3 #8 DELIS / BAKERIES Anna’s Deli & Sandwiches.................. C-3 #14 Nutritious You......................................... C-3 #14 The Beach Deli @ Crescent Beach Grocery......B-3 #1 DRUG STORES Davidson Drugs..................................... C-3 #14 FASHION & ACCESSORIES Fin Island Co.............................................. A-3 #2 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters........................ A-3 #4 Coconuts Fashion......................................B-3 #1 Green Turtle Swimwear......................... C-3 #14 Key Casual Fashions............................... D-3 #17

941.312.0665

CRESCENT BEACH SHOP INDEX

Things You Like...................................... C-3 #14 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Capt. Curt’s Souvenirs.............................B-3 #8 Green Turtle Shells & Gifts................. C-3 #14 Sunshine Sand Hidden Treasures...... D-3 #17 Silver City Jewelry................................. C-3 #14 HEALTH & BEAUTY Eye Style Optical ....................................C-3 #17 Sanctuary Siesta Key............................... A-5 #12 Siesta Key Salon & Spa........................... D-3 #17 The Key Spa & Salon.............................. A-5 #12 ICE CREAM & TREATS Orange Octopus ........................................B-3 #8 Siesta Creamery....................................... C-3 #14 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs..................................... C-3 #14 Mail Pack Center..................................... C-3 #14 LIQUOR STORES

Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1 Crescent Club...........................................B-3 #13 Siesta Spirits............................................. C-3 #17 MAILING & SHIPPING Mail Pack Center..................................... C-3 #14 US Post Office Sub Station..................... C-3 #14 MARKETS 7-11 Store.................................................. C-3 #16 Big Water Fish Market.......................... C-3 #17 Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1 REAL ESTATE / RENTALS Beckmann Properties.............................. C-2 #15 Homes & Condo Rentals........................ D-3 #17 Re/Max Tropical Sands............................B-3 #1 Siesta 4-Rent............................................ C-3 #14 Waterside Realty.................................... C-3 #17 RESTAURANTS / CAFES

www.siestasand.us

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill...............A-5 #12 Capt. Curts Crab & Oyster Bar.................B-3 #7

Clayton’s Siesta Grille.............................B-3 #9

Daiquiri Deck.................................................A-3 #2

Pizza ‘N Brew Siesta Key...................... D-3 #17 Spear Fish Grill..............................................A-4 #5 Toasted Mango Cafe....................................C-3 #17

Miguel’s Restaurant................................ C-3 #17 WATER SPORTS - FISHING - RENTALS A to Z Beach & Bike Rentals.................. A-5 #12 FIN Island Co. ........................................... A-3 #2 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters........................ A-3 #4 Parasail Siesta........................................... A-3 #2 Siesta Key Bike & Kayak ........................B-3 #8 Siesta Key Marina.................................... A-4 #5 Siesta Key Jetski ........................................ A-3 #2 Siesta Sports Rentals............................. C-3 #14 Waves Boat & Social Club...................... A-5 #12

Big Water Fish Market................................C-3 #17

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941.312.0665

APRIL 2022

Ramirez

27th State Media LLC

Continued from page 8

that plan when approving ordinances. Siesta Key resident James Wallace also filed suit in late 2021. His case targets both the Siesta Village hotel and Dr. Gary Kompothecras’ 120-room hotel and parking garage project at Old Stickney Point and Peacock roads. In his complaint, Wallace alleges that the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners acted illegally and in violation of its own procedures by adopting the Land Development Code changes without first amending its Comprehensive Plan policy which limits hotel room density to a 26 units per acre maximum on Siesta Key. His trial is tentatively slated to begin in May of 2023. Here is an update on Ramirez’s court case and petition: In the court case, Ramirez said that she and her attorneys agreed to allow the developer of the proposed hotel on Calle Miramar to be “intervenors” in the lawsuit but do not have full status as defendants. “We agreed to let them become intervenors since the judge ruled the developers can intervene in the other hotel lawsuit (Wallace’s), and we figured he would do the same with my lawsuit,” she said. Next, Ramirez and her team requested documents from the county, such as the 1989 zoning regulations and all documents related to the Calle Miramar hotel public hearing. “This is part of the discovery phase,” she said. “We are waiting for the county to comply with our first request for documents.” The state petition complaint case is a more informal process. “We filed a complaint with the county and after we got their response, we filed a complaint with the state,” Ramirez said. “Since it is informal, there are no public hearings. We are waiting for the state to provide us with a response.” Ramirez’s lawsuit challenges the county commission’s decision to approve an application for a mega-hotel development because it alters the density or intensity of use on a particular piece of property in a manner that is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. “It is my hope that both of these legal actions will send a message to our county that they must abide by the laws of our Comprehensive Plan,” she said. “I appreciate the support of those who donate to the legal defense of Siesta Key. Every little bit helps our cause.” You can donate to Ramirez’ legal defense fund through her organization’s website: siestakeycommunity.com.

F L OAT I N G

TIKI BAR EXPERIENCE

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A genre-fusion of Bluegrass and folk meets choral music Featuring the tight vocal harmonies and virtuosic playing of The Lubben Brothers, an acoustic group made up of triplet brothers, Michael, Tom, and Joshua. The brothers specialize in sublime vocals as well as a unique blend of folk instruments including banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, accordion, hammered dulcimer, and fiddle. Classically trained at a young age, their modern songwriting style incorporates folk roots, pop and bluegrass. Joining the Lubben Brothers will be a women’s trio, an audience favorite, known for their close harmony and artistry, featuring powerhouse mezzo soprano Amy Connours; alto Michelle Jessogne; and soprano favorite Madison Spahn returning home from Boston. They will be performing several arrangements by The Wailin’ Jennys, a Canadian music group that specializes in Bluegrass and folk and winner of two Juno awards including: Glory Bound, Storm Comin’, and Long Time Traveler. The trio will be highlighted in the opening number, Bright Morning Stars arranged by Caulkins for this program. “This old Kentucky folk song

has a beautiful melody that seems to be rooted in a deep emotion. It is scored for women’s trio, and our Chamber Singers, and is written in such a way as to imitate the sun rising,” said Caulkins. “We have several other new commissions for these concerts including Come, Ye Sinners and Promised Land, both from the creative minds of the Lubben Brothers.” Well-known songs like I’ll Fly Away, Poor Wayfaring Stranger, and The Unclouded Day round out

a program like no other as Key Chorale showcases this unique fusion in their American Roots series. Three performances only! April 8, 7:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church April 9, 4:00 PM at St. Boniface Episcopal Church April 10, 4:00 PM at Venice Presbyterian Church Tickets are $30-$40. For tickets, go to keychorale.org or call the box office at 941-552-8768.

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2022

941.312.0665

Art shines bright this night Halo Arts Project celebrates the best of the best at Siesta Key Wine Bar By Jane Bartnett Siesta Key has always welcomed artists. It was only fitting that the Halo Arts Project, a Sarasota-based non-profit arts organization that supports a diverse range of local visual artists, chose the Key as the place to celebrate this year’s Halo Arts Fellowship Award winners in early March. When speaking to the artists and friends of the Halo Arts Project gathered at the Siesta Key Wine Bar for the event, Jackie Cutrone, president and co-founder of Halo Arts Project, expressed her appreciation for the artists’ talents and the need to support the visual arts. “Our mission,” Cutrone stated, “is to support artists by providing them with financial support so that they can do what they do best. Create art.” A visual artist herself, Cutrone understands the financial pressures that artists face. “I know what it’s like to struggle with the cost of supplies and living expenses,” she said, recalling her days as a young artist. “The arts are vital. They make our lives better. We are here to give them a hand up, to ease the pressure so that they can pursue their talents.” The 13 local artists chosen for this year’s fellowship awards represent Halo Arts awards criteria of supporting emerging artists, mid-range artists, and established artists who are working in the area.

Halo Arts Project honoree Diana de Avila (right) shows off some digital art with Jackie Cutrone, the organization’s founder. (photo by Jane Bartnett)

This year’s awards ranged from $1,500 to $2,500. Funds from the fellowships will allow the artists to take part in special projects, purchase art supplies and attend classes. The monies may also be used to cover studio rental costs and exhibition fees. The Halo Arts Fellowship website states that “this gift is intended to be used toward enriching your creative process.” “As our organization grows, we hope to reach many more artists in the Sarasota and Siesta Key community,” Cutrone said.

A long-time Sarasota resident with ties to New Jersey and the Northeast, Cutrone has blended her work as a visual artist with her fundraising talents and strong passion for improving the lives of those in need. In 2010, following Haiti’s devastating, 7.0 magnitude earthquake, she founded the Passion for Haiti Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. As a result of her efforts, a medical center and school were built in Atrelle, Haiti to support the 280 children of the Atrelle Orphanage. When the hospital was

www.siestasand.us

Halo Arts Project honorees • Lucy Barber -- A fine-art oil painter of landscapes, still life and figure work. Lucybarber.com. • Diana de Avila -- A digital fine artist who creates fractal and motion art and crypto NFT art. Dianadeavila.com. • Mara Torres Gonzalez -- Owner of the Mara Studio Gallery in the Rosemary District. Marastudiogallery.com. • Grace Howl -- An abstract artist working in acrylic paints, graphite, sand, texture media and collage. GraceHowlart.com. • Daniel Houston -- A contemporary abstract artist who works in acrylic on canvas, paper or Masonite wood. Architecturalwalldecor.com. • Traci Kegerreis -- A photographer working in glass mosaics, up-cycled hand-painted furniture, collage, soft pastel and painting. Zeroemptyspaces.com. • Cassia Kite -- An interdisciplinary artist who created a multimedia project called Soundstiching. Casiakite.com. • Janet Mishner -- A painter of large, contemporary abstract paintings. Janetmishner.com. • Laine Nixon -- An artist’s coach and contemporary oil painter. Nixon held a residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat. Lainenixon.com. • Craig Palmer -- An abstract artist who creates large paintings. Craigpalmerart.com. • Meg Pierce -- A mixed-media artist who works in fiber and painting. Megpierce.com • Anita Wexler -- A painter, sculptor and Sarasota High School art teacher. Artistgallery.com/anita-wexler. • Samantha Wuerfel -- An abstract contemporary artist. Samwuerfel.com. completed in 2019, Cutrone turned her attention to launching the Halo Arts Project. She saw a growing need to support visual artists and to provide them with financial support so that they can continue to create their art. She believes that support for them is vitally important to the area. “The arts in this community,” Cutrone said, “are essential not only for tourism, but also for the quality of life that we enjoy here. Art brings people together.” Studies, she explained, show that in towns and cities where the arts thrive, the quality of life, health

and education all improve. “This year’s group of fellows showcases the diversity of talented artists working here in our community. Halo Arts celebrates different points of view,” Cutrone said. Standing side-by-side with her fellow artists who had gathered on Siesta Key for the celebration, recipient Diana de Avila said, thoughtfully, “Passion and energy are our common thread.” Added honoree Meg Pierce, speaking with the passion of an artist, “It’s hard to overstate how validating this award is.”

Mo Sher unt iﬀ ’s ed Pat rol

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Saturday, April 16 9am - Noon Turtle Beach 8918 Midnight Pass Rd. Register at siestakeychamber.com or call (941)349-3800 Advance registraaon required for egg hunt Children 1-6 welcome $10 per child Goody bag for each registered child

SiestaKeyChamber.com 941-349-3800

www.siestasand.us

941.312.0665

APRIL 2022

27th State Media LLC

A store with personality and a sense of purpose Sunshine & Sand HiddenTreasures has it all, including a desire to help make a difference By Jane Bartnett Searching for that special something to keep the magic of Siesta Key in your heart or home? Look no further than the Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures boutique on Midnight Pass Road in Crescent Plaza, where you’ll discover a wealth of hidden tropical treasures. Shop owner Dawn Henson’s carefully curated items are not only colorful, fun and hard to resist, but they are -- as she says -- “products with a purpose.” As the store’s owner, buyer and manager, Henson selects items that give back. There are socks that benefit Doctors Without Borders; aprons, oven mitts and towels that help organizations that fight hunger; and beach towels and blankets that return part of their proceeds to saving marine life. When Henson opened the store in 2017, she decided that she “Wanted to offer something different, offer products that give back or help the environment. I pride myself on being a unique one-of-a-kind shop,” she said, thoughtfully. Local Siesta Key artists and crafts people are well represented at Sunshine & Sand. “I carry numerous local artists’ work,” Henson said. “We feature artwork, jewelry, and home decor items and lots of other specialty items.” Strolling through the store, beautiful decor for the home includes local paintings and prints of Siesta Key beach scenes and

Above, leggings that showcase Siesta Key’s iconic lifeguard stations. Right, Dawn Henson in her gift store, arranging her wide array of beachthemed T-shirts. (photo by John Morton)

wildlife. Having something in your home from Siesta Key is a great way to keep memories alive of happy days on the beach and in the village. Whimsical hand-painted glasses, cheese boards, and salt-and-pepper shakers are sure to add a happy vibe to any kitchen. True to her mission to offer items that make a difference, in the front

of the shop Henson offers bright and colorful flip-flops featuring tropical designs for men and women. Not only fun to look at and comfortable to wear, these flipflops also help the environment because they are made from recycled rubber. No matter where your travels take you, slip a pair of these flip-flops on your feet and you’ll feel as though you’ve been

transported back to the white sandy beaches of Siesta Key. A few steps away, there’s a large selection of great-looking sunglasses and readers made from natural fibers as well as recycled materials. The sale of each pair of these cool “shades” helps someone in-need who will receive a pair of glasses. Ladies who love Siesta Key’s iconic lifeguard stands will want to take home a pair of beautiful, brilliantly colored leggings that depict the Key’s blue, yellow, red and green lifeguard towers. Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures is the exclusive dealer of these special leggings, designed by a local artist. A wide selection of T-shirts and hoodies made from recycled plastic bottles are found at the back of the store. The fabric has a soft, silky feel making them remarkably soft to the touch. They come in a selection of colors with beach and environmental messages. Choose one to wear to the beach or as a gift for someone special. Tasty treats are also in store at Sunshine & Sand. Be sure to check out the local Florida sea salt used for cooking, Sarasota’s own Tiger Fire Hot Sauce, and Tennessee Whisky barbecue rub. Candles, small gift items and sea-inspired gifts for children are also here. As Henson prepares to celebrate Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasure’s fifth anniversary this

November, she is proud of what she’s accomplished. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Henson learned about small business as a girl in her parents’ print shop. As an adult, she moved into the corporate world at Limited Brands in Columbus. An entrepreneur at heart, in 1997 she left Limited to start her own home-based business, providing office support to a variety of retail businesses, lawyers and “everything in between,” she said. Looking back on those days, Henson recalled, “My kids were young and it allowed me to be the room and a football mom while still earning money.” When her youngest child went off to college in 2011, Henson moved to the Siesta Key area and continued running her business virtually. Opportunity knocked on her door when, Henson said, “A lady who had a different shop here told me she was retiring.” Henson said she decided to open her type of gift shop because so many other shops carry the same type of items. “I wanted to offer something different. My shop has a lot of fun/ funny things,” she explained. “I get to hear people laughing all day as well as seeing their joy when they find that perfect hidden treasure.” Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures is at 6635 Midnight Pass Rd. Visit its Facebook page or call (941) 346-0226.

HotWorks.org 9th

Sarasota Open Air Fine Art Show ™

April 2 & 3, 2022

At Phillippi Estate Park, Sarasota COVID safety guidelines in place: Social distancing, all booths spread apart, face coverings recommended and more

Professionally Juried Fine Art & Fine Craft Show At Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota All Art is Original, Personally Handmade & for Sale by the Artist Present at the Show Saturday, March 12 & Sunday, March 13 ~ 10am-5pm Daily

Free Admission; Parking $5 supports Plus! Call for Budding Artist Competition Grades K-8 or Ages 5-13. More info www.ArtsAndEducationInc.org

See Art, Love Art, Buy Art!™

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Joan Michlin & Skip Ennis, Jewelry Sculpture

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2022

941.312.0665

Getting Your Phil

www.siestasand.us

By Phil Colpas

Talking development, sand, and more sand

ith all of the hullabaloo lately about whether big development on Siesta Key (read “hotels”) is a good idea, I thought it might be a good time to look at what a barrier island actually is, and how too much development can threaten the very island itself. By their very nature, barrier islands are malleable. The movement of sand, erosion, accretion -all of these are part of their makeup. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a barrier island is a constantly changing deposit of sand that forms parallel to the coast: Barrier islands form as waves repeatedly deposit sediment parallel to the shoreline. As wind and waves shift according to weather patterns and local geographic features, these islands constantly move, erode and grow. They can even disappear entirely. Tidal creeks, bays, and lagoons typically separate barrier islands from the mainland. The side facing the sea, or in our case, the Gulf of Mexico, may have beaches, dune systems, or marshes; while the side facing

the bay may contain tidal flats and maritime forests. Barrier islands are an important habitat for seabirds, fish, shellfish and nesting sea turtles. The U.S. has several barrier islands off its east coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal communities and ecosystems rely on these islands for protection against extreme weather events. Barrier islands’ beach dunes and grasses absorb the energy of waves, resulting in less flooding and a smaller storm surge on the islands and on the mainland the barrier islands are protecting. But the barrier islands are disappearing. Erosion is exacerbated by human development. The amount of sand and sediment that is available to fortify barrier islands is lessened by infrastructure, damming and dredging projects. Rapid sea level rise and extreme weather events associated with climate change can also increase erosion. A few concerned citizens have filed suit against construction of the hotels, alleging the county did not follow the rules pertaining to amending the county’s Comprehensive Plan, and that it unlawfully exceeded its own laws concerning transient

Variance for pool approved Although accretion has been noted since 2016, this beach area is prone to severe erosion, with gulf front wave action and wind. Surrounding streets continue to be flood prone with a westerly storm approach. “We do not find that strict enforcement of the code would impose unreasonable or unjust

density on barrier islands. Other civic groups, including the Siesta Key Association and the Siesta Key Coalition, have been outspoken opponents of these hotels. If the recent past is any indication, the county commission has shown itself to be on the side of developers. While most agree that responsible development is good, just from a geological perspective, the more that humans displace the sand that comprises the island itself, the less capable the island will be at defending itself and protecting the coastline. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. SKA asks county to pause approval of Turtle Beach repairs Speaking of the SKA, in February, organization member Bob Luckner requested that the county commission pause approval of Turtle Beach repairs to consider new facts and to accept comments from Siesta residents. Originally scheduled for 2026, the project may be moved ahead to 2024 as a result of FEMA-requested changes. Specifics of the project, such as sand specifications, are yet to be finalized. SKA

asked for a presentation by the county on the project at a future SKA meeting. The next meeting of the SKA is 4:30 to 6 p.m. April 7., at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Rd. Sand sculpture contest -- the 49th annual! -- is set for May Celebrating its 49th Anniversary in 2022, the Siesta Sand Sculpture Contest for amateurs is slated for Saturday, May 7, at Siesta Key Public Beach. The event has become an annual “must see” for remaining snowbirds, vacationers and locals alike, and the competition has been featured on the Travel Channel. With several categories of competitors: Adult Humorous, Adult Miscellaneous, Children 10 and under, and Youth 11-17, there are more than enough talented sculptors to watch as they toil on their creations. The contest is free and open to all. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Siesta Key Beach just south of the pavilion. Judging commences at about 1 p.m. and winners are announced around 2 p.m. Judging is usually done by a local group of celebrities and/or art aficionados.

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hardship upon the land itself,” Luckner continued. “In fact, enforcement supports benefits to the land, beach accessibility and property security.” The original GBSL/Coastal Setback Variance, granted in 1999, established the minimum reasonable use of the existing property, and redevelopment of the

site was permitted. According to Luckner, the county commission at that time exceeded the criteria by expanding the footprint, allowing the current “beautiful structure” to be built. “Therefore, minimum reasonable and ‘just use’ criteria of this property is attained, and presently occupied by the

same owners (2005) under that 1999 Coastal Setback Variance. Approval of this variance would create a singular property of its kind within this section of beach front along Beach Road. Based upon the fluctuating beach profile, open to Gulf storms, the history of erosion and overwash vulnerability, wisdom

and guidance of environmental regulation suggests denial of this accessory structure on the beach front.” Despite objections, this is the latest in a slew of county commission decisions supporting both private and commercial development on Siesta Key.

Spa Experience Siesta Key

Maintain that Youthful Look with Microcurrent Treatments Microcurrent Facials are a powerful anti-aging treatment that tightens and tones facial muscles and stimulates the lymph and blood flow to the face and neck, restoring suppleness and a youthful glow while tightening the facial muscles. This machine based treatment sends electrical impulses of very low voltage but high frequency through the skin resulting in a more youthful appearance. Crow’s feet begin to disappear, eyebrows lift, and cheekbones are more defined. Clients normally fall asleep during the facial as it is extremely relaxing and painless. There is no downtime and clients may go outside with no concerns after treatments. Spa Director, Connie Lewis has been performing micro-current facials since 2005 after learning the technology during her studies at Fashion Focus Academy where she earned her Facial Specialist Certification. “I was so ‘wowed’ by the results I personally experienced on my own face I immediately acquired the machine right out of school,” says Lewis. Results of the treatments are cumulative and the best visible results are after a series of 5- 10 treatments then monthly or weekly treatments are recommended depending on skin condition and desired result. The system is completely safe and treatment is non-invasive. The current is extremely low, less than the output of a pacemaker. The system operates on a per-programmed setting and contains calibrated internal data monitoring and resistance meters. This allows full comfort to the client as well as optimal performance and results for the operator.

Microcurrent treatments are usually performed within 45-60 minutes, and are usually prescribed in a series of 6 to 12 treatments over a course of 60 days with one to two treatments a week recommended for maximum results. The number of sessions in a series is specific to each client. Once the series is complete, a monthly “booster” treatment is required to maintain results. Our non-invasive treatment usually offers noticeable results even after just one session and effectively gives you the benefit of a nonsurgical alternative to a facelift. Like exercise for the other parts of the body, the facial muscles need a regular workout to achieve good muscle tone. Muscle reeducation by microcurrent is often referred to as “sculpting” and “lifting.” The lifting and strengthening action have an accumulative effect on the face with each systematic series of treatments, increasing the holding action of the muscles. Through repeated sessions, facial muscles will hold their tone. Just like the stomach muscles will “re-tone” after repeated sessions of sit-ups. During the initial program, we recommend one to two visits a week with the total number depending on the individual needs. A typical course of treatment will range from six to twelve sessions. And after that a visit once a month is usually all that is required to maintain good facial muscle tone and youthful appearance. When you stop exercising the body, over a period of time the muscle will lose their increased tone and return to a more flaccid state. The same is true for the face. It will not suddenly “fall,” but overtime will begin to resume its normal aging process. ADVERTORIAL

Most individuals will see immediate changes in facial contour after the first treatment. Your skin specialist can lift half of your face to show you the difference compared to the other side. But the improvement is increasingly obvious over a period of time with the series of sessions. Results depend significantly on the individual’s age and lifestyle. What can microcurrent do for you? Originally developed for treating facial palsy, microcurrent in the esthetic realm can: • Re-educate muscles • Increase blood and lymph circulation • Enhance the penetration of the active ingredients of skin care formulations • Increase the production of collagen and elastin • Increase protein synthesis, gluconeogenesis and cell membrane transport. Additionally, research has shown that microcurrent may help with anti-aging at an even deeper level. In 1982, researcher Ngok Cheng led a study that provided hard evidence of microcurrent’s role in cellular vitality by proving that microcurrent increased levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in lab-rat skin cells by 500 percent. ATP is the fuel a cell needs to function. Actually, ATP is a really big deal as it is the energy that fuels all biochemical functions in the body. It boosts protein synthesis, necessary for tissue repair. If you are interested in seeing the results on yourself, you can book an appointment online at www.spaexperiencesiestakey.com or by calling 941-349- 4833. Spa Experience Siesta Key is conveniently located at 5700 Midnight Pass Road, Suite 1B, Siesta key (next door to the fire station).

www.siestasand.us

941.312.0665

APRIL 2022

Drone photographer

From left and clockwise: Captain Curt’s and its giant flag, with an open drawbridge in the background; the Sun Deck at the public beach; a pair of lovely sunsets on the Key; a full moon glows bright above the island; things are hopping in the Village at the Hub . (photos by David Geyer)

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Having documented numerous corporate and commercial events, weddings, and local news events in his hometown of Merrimack, New Hampshire with a traditional camera, Geyer found that a whole new world opened up before him when he began using a drone. Geyer and his wife have been visiting Siesta Key since 2017, recently staying at Siesta Dunes where they’ll be back next winter, and this past visit he spent many days capturing the natural beauty of the island with his drone. He never tires of the ever-changing images that he discovers in his tropical island haven. Geyer’s favorite Siesta Key location for his drone photography? “I don’t know that I have a favorite spot to fly on Siesta Key,” he said. “It’s all so beautiful.” What is his favorite Siesta Key drone image, to date? Again, that’s a tough call, Geyer said. The ones that appear in this article are on the top of his list, he said, for one reason or another. They include the Gulf, sunsets, moons, the beach, the Village, and the Stickney Point area -- all Siesta Key focal points. Meanwhile, gone are his days of wondering how to get an ideal vantage point. “When I first got a drone, I realized that for a photographer looking for that perfect angle the drone gives you more options. I can get a high shot and keep my feet on the ground,” he said with a laugh. “It’s great not to have to kill yourself trying to get that shot.” Speaking of the many advantages that drone cameras have over traditional hand-held digital cameras and cellphone cameras, Geyer said “Drone cameras have all kinds of details in the phone app that controls the drone. Using the app, I can control the shutter speed, the white balance, and the ISO -- allowing for more or less light.” Getting a variety of images was Geyer’s goal, which meant his take-off-and-landing spots also varied. He went from one end of the Key to the other. “Drone operators are bound by regulation to keep their aircraft within their sight,” he said. “So, in order to get the shots I got, I was operating from pretty much all over the island.” For amateur photographers interested in trying their hand at drone photography, Geyer urges anyone considering the hobby to first became familiar with federal rules and regulations regarding drone usage. The FAA’s webpage devoted to recreational drone users has all the vital information clearly spelled out at faa.gov/uas/recreational_ fliers/. “Everything is there for a new UAS (unmanned aircraft system) pilot to know how to fly legally,” he said. Knowing the rules is especially critical in a populated place like Siesta Key. There are restrictions on flying above large groups of people and too close to buildings. “Unlike what many of my fellow drone flyers have reported, I have never had an angry or negative confrontation,” Geyer said. Instead, he has attracted many a spectator and many an inquiring mind. “People are curious. They’ve heard about this new phenomenon and want to learn more about it,” Geyer said. “Many of them have considered getting into it and want to know what’s involved in terms of cost, effort, learning, and regulations.” And Geyer’s always learning to share what he knows. “I may have made a few sales,” he said. As of June 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began requiring that anyone operating a drone for fun or personal enjoyment purposes have an FAA-issued recreational certificate. “A lot of people, even if they have been doing this for years, don’t know about it since the new rules only went into effect less than a year ago,” Geyer said. To obtain the free FAA recreational drone certificate, all applicants must take a free, short online course and then take the multiple-choice test called The Recreational UAS (unmanned aircraft system) safety Test, or TRUST. All recreational drone operators must carry the FAA certificate with them when the drone is in use. Geyer also noted that drone photographers must be aware

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of the FAA’s distinction between recreational and nonrecreational drone use. Drone users who are not compliant with FAA rules and regulations may face penalties. The FAA states that the non-recreational category includes things like taking photos to help sell a property or service, roof inspections, or taking pictures of a high school football game for the school’s website. Goodwill or other non-monetary value can also be considered indirect compensation. This would include things like volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a nonprofit organization. Photographers who want to use a drone for nonrecreational purposes are required to take an FAA course and to pass a test to obtain their Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate with Small UAS Rating. Visit the FAA at faa.gov/

uas/commercial_operators/ to learn more. Popular Mechanics Magazine made its picks for the best drones of 2022 and cited the DJI Mavic Air 2 as the “Best Drone Overall.” It sells on Amazon for $787.95. The DJI Mini 2 won the “Best Small Drone” pick at $449. It is available from Amazon and Walmart. The publication’s “Best Drone for Photographers” was the DJI Air 2S, coming in at $999 from Amazon. Geyer’s advice for would-be drone photographers? “Start slow. Get your FAA certificate. Fly in your own backyard at a low level until you get used to the controls and keep the drone in sight,” he said. “Watch YouTube videos and join some Facebook groups for drone photography. “Most of all, have fun.”

APRIL 2022

Siesta Sand

941.312.0665

Notes from the Island Fishmonger

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Forecast

Florida Fish of Siesta Key

Red Snapper

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters (941) 923-7799

Florida Puffer

Florida Puffer Sailfish Sailfish Spanish Mackerel

Mangrove Snapper Scoolmaster Lane Snapper Scamp Black Mullet Snook Red Drum “Redfish”

Tarpon

Baracuda

Gulf Flounder

Florida Pompano Jack Crevalle

AmberJack

Spotted Sea Trout

Cobia

Mike Hutchinson with a Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay. (submitted photo)

here should be good action with reds, trout and snook in skinny water this month as baitfish become more plentiful. Look for Spanish and king mackerel, cobia, tripletail and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf. Night snook fishing in the Intracoastal Waterway should also be a good option. Look for early season tarpon that may start to show in backcountry areas. These are usually adult resident fish that are making their way out of rivers and creeks. They may be “laid up” or rolling on deep grass flats, on edges of shallow flats or along bars when it is calm. An accurate cast with a DOA Shrimp, a Deceiver or Tarpon Bunny fly may result in an explosive strike! Look for them in areas of Sarasota Bay, lower Tampa Bay or in Gasparilla Sound on some of the same deep grass flats where you find trout. Reds should be more active as the water warms and baitfish become more plentiful. Higher tides, as we head into spring, will allow them to spend more time feeding in shallow water. Look for them above shallow grass, along mangrove shorelines and around oyster bars when the tide is high. You should find them in potholes and along sand bars when the tide is low. I like the shallow flats of north Sarasota Bay for reds this month. I like 1/16-ounce CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms to locate reds. Fly anglers should score with my Grassett Flats Minnow fly, fished on a 10- to 12-foot leader. When using a long leader be sure you are able turn it over, otherwise you’ll need to shorten it until you can. The butt section should be at least 50% of the total length of the leader and stiff enough to transfer energy from your fly line to the leader. You might also find reds around docks when the tide is low. Look for deep water under docks with a good tidal flow for the best action. A 1/8-ounce CAL jig with a shad tail or grub or a weighted fly fished on a clear intermediate sink tip fly line with a 6-foot leader with should work well for dock fishing. You may find big trout in skinny water in many of the same places that you find reds. Blind-cast seams where grass meets sand or focus on light colored bottom, in potholes on top of sand bars, where you may be able to sight fish them. These big fish, usually females, are important to the health of our fishery. You should also find trout plentiful on deep grass flats aong with Spanish mackerel, blues, flounder or pompano. I like to make a series of drifts, casting ahead of the drift with CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos or an Ultra Hair Clouser fly tied on a long shank hook and fished on a clear intermediate sink tip fly line to locate fish. Also look for birds, bait showering out of the water or boils on the surface that will indicate fish feeding below. When mackerel and blues are around, you may need to add 6 inches of 40- to 60-pound fluorocarbon or wire to your leader. Top water plugs and fly poppers also work well when blues and mackerel are around and may help locate them by attracting them from further away. Flounder may be found on sand or mud bottom areas on both shallow and deep grass flats or around docks. Pompano may skip on the surface when you drift or run past them, giving their location away. Fish deep grass flats with a mixture of grass and sand and a strong tidal flow for the best action.

Catfish

CatchSarasota.com

941-586-0204

Kid Catch of the Month!

King King Mackerel Mackerel

Blue Marlin

Black Grouper

Sheesphead

Tre with a beautiful snook. (submitted image)

Continued on page 54

APRIL 2022 TIDE CHART

Siesta’s Premier Fishing Charter Operation!

Black Drum

Healthy fish and the sensational citrus sidekicks

lorida is famous for its fresh and pepper snapper. Cook snapper fish, and rightly so, but many filets in a cast-iron skillet for around outstanding fruits and vegetables 3 minutes on each side. Steam also have the spotlight here. or boil asparagus for 3 minutes, leaving slightly crisp. Then, in a Obviously, that small pot, combine includes oranges, 1 cup orange juice lemons, limes, and 2 tablespoons of papaya mangos, low-sodium soy sauce. and strawberries Cook over medium – which are all in heat to reduce by half. season. I always plan Add 2 tablespoons of my weekend fish butter. Salt and pepper dinners by picking to taste. Plate your out my fruits and fish and asparagus, veggies such as garlic, then pour your citrus avocados, carrots, Grouper mashed and sauteed sauce on top. Squeeze a cabbage, corn on the spinach. lemon and enjoy. cob, and spinach from the Phillippi Estate farmers market every Wednesday. GROUPER MASHED & SPINACH Brown’s Grove Citrus and When plated with a homemade Produce has the goods. garlic mashed potatoes and While you’re there, make sure sautéed spinach, it is my favorite you get some organic brown eggs. combination. Surprisingly, mashed Best eggs ever! potatoes are not just for meat but Listed below are some wonderful pair extremely well with fish and sautéed spinach with butter and fresh, healthy, fish-fruit-anddust as the topping on the cake. vegetable combinations to cook with at home. I never talk exact Spinach is an extremely nutrientrecipes because everyone has rich vegetable including vitamin their own likes and dislikes, A, C, B6, B9, E, iron and calcium. which provides many recipe Combined with a high-protein, lowoptions, unlike when you go out calorie fish like grouper, of course to a restaurant. You will usually be we get our carbs from the almighty served a set-menu recipe. buttered potatoes. At home, I like to be creative and This is also a great combination I encourage the same for you. to serve with a thick-cut whitefish like halibut or Chilean sea bass. For this reason, I have been writing a cookbook for two years now. Look for a Big Water Fish BLACKENED MAHI-MAHI Market cookbook, with no exact WITH MANGO CORN SALSA recipes, coming to Siesta Key soon. Swordfish and amberjack are both bold fish that like to be SNAPPER & ASPARAGUS, blackened. You simply oil and TOPPED WITH CITRUS SAUCE season your fish with a blackening spice and cook at medium to high There are 17 types of snappers heat on a grill or cast-iron skillet. harvested off Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts. American red Anytime is a perfect time for snapper, mangroves, and yellowhomemade salsas that can consist tail snappers are most common of many main summer ingredients found in Florida markets. such as pineapple, mango, or a traditional tomato Pico de Gallo. Red snappers are best known My summer favorite is a fresh and are easily distinguished by cherry-tomato-based salsa with their rosy red skin and bright eyes. corn, pickled jalapenos, mango, Yellow-tails are a local favorite onion, canned black beans, from here to Key West. They have avocado, cilantro, lime juice, a distinguishing yellow stripe dust, and then tossed in a good running from nose to tail and are unfiltered olive oil. I can’t give you found in warm waters all summer. an exact recipe because this one My snapper is usually served comes out differently every time, with steamed asparagus and a but it’s always good. simple citrus sauce. Lightly salt

Yellowtail

Dohlpin “Mahi-Mahi”

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