bserver O SARASOTA
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NEWS
+ We would love to hear your stories For Valentine’s Day, we want to hear your love stories. How did you meet the love of your life? What’s your favorite thing to do together? What do you love most about them? How long have you been together? Whether it’s the love you share for a spouse, sibling, child or even pet, all kinds of love would be, well, lovely! If you’d like to share your story, please email your story, along with a photo and contact information to Community Editor Nick Friedman at 366-3468, Ext. 330, or email nfriedman@yourobserver.com.
Creative displays draw art-lovers to Five Points Park. PAGE 18A
Chic Silber rummages through his Broadway toy box. INSIDE
meter meltdown
by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor
Bag-wearers to say, ‘Bag meters’ Opponents of the city’s parking meters will hold a rally Monday at Mattison’s City Grille, then march to City Hall to voice concerns. To demonstrate the gravity of their demand that the Sarasota City Commission bag all downtown parking meters, business owners and residents — with all types of bags over their heads — are planning a rally at 5 p.m. Monday at Mattison’s City Grille in downtown Sarasota. They will leave the restaurant in a silent march to City Hall for the 6
p.m. City Commission session. James Derheim, president of European Focus, is the organizer of the protest, whose momentum was building Wednesday, as both the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association and the Downtown Sarasota Alliance pledged their support for shutting down the meters as soon as possible.
The organizations’ decisions came in response to pleas from more than 400 merchants and residents who signed a petition opposing the meters, along with the Downtown Improvement District’s endorsement Tuesday of bagging the meters.
AUTHENTIC APPAREL
SEE METERS / PAGE 2A
Palmer Ranch adding homes, jobs, businesses Approximately 600 homes and hundreds of jobs in new businesses are coming to Palmer Ranch.
+ The Glenridge finishes expansion The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch recently completed construction of a 10,700-square-foot expansion to The Carroll Center, the neighborhood in the community that provides Medicare-approved skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. The addition has 28 new private rooms, more nursing stations, utility rooms and activity areas. The completion of the new wing, for which ground was broken in May 2011, marks the culmination of The Glenridge master plan. “The Glenridge will be able to offer a more seamless care continuum solution for our community members,” said CEO Charles Tirrell in a news release. “Most people will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime,” he added. “The Glenridge allows for aging in place – providing options ranging from the active and independent lifestyle to skilled nursing care, which is provided at The Carroll Center.”
FESTIVAL
DIVERSIONS
Gov. Rick Scott reflects on his first year in office. PAGE 3A
OUR TOWN
Thursday, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
Rachel S. O’Hara
Duane Whitehorse displays the back of his ceremonial attire during the fifth annual Sarasota Indian Festival Jan. 27 to 29, at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. For the story and more photos, see page 1B.
Call it a new boom on the South Trail. Palmer Ranch Holdings LLC Vice President Justin Powell confirmed for the Sarasota Observer this week that Palmer Ranch is under contract with Taylor Morrison, which wants to purchase approximately 100 acres off Palmer Ranch Parkway, near where the property comes to a dead end on the east side of Honore Avenue. Taylor Morrison plans to build approximately 260 homes behind The Glenridge community there, including a clubhouse with amenities for residents. Plans also are in the works for another nationally known home construction firm to purchase 110 acres of Palmer Ranch property between The Isles of Palmer Ranch and The Village Walk, to construct approximately 350 homes.
Representatives from two other national home builders and apartment companies have toured Palmer Ranch recently, according to reports, and are also in discussions to purchase property for additional housing sites. “There has been a lot of activity right now at Palmer Ranch,” Powell said. “We expect the sale of homes and land to continue at a high rate.” Palmer Ranch, located near Gulf Gate and Osprey, already has about 9,000 dwelling units. Homebuilding isn’t the only activity planned for that part of Sarasota. The opening of new businesses has been adding jobs to the economy, and more are expected in the coming months. More than four years after
SEE EXPANSION / 2A
INDEX Briefs....................4A Classifieds......... 10B
Cops Corner....... 13A Crossword............ 9B
Opinion.................8A Real Estate.......... 6B
Sports.................. 4B Weather............... 9B
Vol. 8, No. 13 | Three sections YourObserver.com