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In This Issue
A few dozen regional business and community leaders hustled across the grounds of the St Thomas Church. We were bundled against the unseasonably cold weather, but nothing would stop us from hearing the good news from futurist Bob Treadway of Treadway and Associates. The Coalition of Business Associations (COBA) had flown Treadway into Sarasota via SRQ Airport to engage a roomful of change agents in planning for local economic recovery. His message was clear; the future is going to change, that’s a guarantee.
Admitting the disappointing track record for "predictions", Treadway advised each person in the room to turn instead to "forecasting". This heady formula draws from foresight, adjusts for a margin of uncertainty and then has the capacity to adjust over time with the introduction of new data. In contrast to visioning workshops, Treadway got straight to the point. Each of us is accountable for building the strategy to forge a sustainable future. When he declared that; "Our commitment to take action creates one of the most critical indicators," heads nodded forcefully around the room. The once cold chamber was warmed as the heated desire for change seemed tangible-initiative and tenacity transformed into engines that lit the fires at the foot of our local business hearth.
Over the holidays, I had the pleasure of experiencing several truly remarkable cultural performances. I committed several rather chilly holiday evenings to the ambitious and talented students who arrived in Sarasota from all over the world for the annual Perlman Music Program Winter Residency led by the gentle maestro Itzhak Perlman. Watching Perlman perfect the balance of honest critique and authentic caring is a reminder that you lead by listening. Next year make this Perlman experience part of your holidays, and remember these three things: wear layers, BYOB (bring your own blanket) and be prepared to be transformed by the raw and invigorating collaborative process required to perform live orchestral music. Perlman led the students in the stirring composition “Air and Simple Gifts”. This piece was made most famous when Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma performed it recently at the inauguration of President Barack Obama, only it had been personally recomposed for a stringed orchestra by John Williams for this amazing Sarasota-based program.
I also congratulate the Sarasota Ballet for choosing to accompany their memorable performance of Giselle with a live orchestra as the kick-off to their 2009-2010 season. Performing at the Sarasota Opera, international ballet stars Alina Cojocara and Johan Kobborg floated, flew and soared across the stage. Many years ago I had the treat of seeing Les Sylphides and Giselle in Copenhagen with the Royal Danish Ballet—and the new performance had the rare success of outstripping my memories despite how they might have been burnished over time. Attending live performance of great art is worth making time for and I am thrilled to have shared these experiences with similarly transported audiences.
Finally, turning to the tummy, if you are a seafood lover, pace yourself, or this issue will have you booking reservations at each of the eighteen seafood havens for crustacean and fish connoisseurs featured. And speaking of bold change, we’d love to hear from you on our redesign. Enjoy!
Locally grown. Locally owned.
—Lisl Liang, Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director
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