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SRQ DAILY Feb 27, 2015

Friday Weekend Edition

Friday Weekend Edition

"I'm proud of the way the current commission operates. Civility and collegiality have created a functional governing body."

- Eileen Normile, Sarasota City Commission candidate
 

[Festival]  Sarasota Jazz Festival Arrives
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

It’s prime festival season and the Sarasota Jazz Club does not disappoint with the 35th Annual Sarasota Jazz Festival, bringing acclaimed musicians from around the country for seven days of jazz celebration. This year’s line-up, featuring world-class performers such as Doug Cameron and Dick Hyman, the return of the Jazz Trolley and a special live debut of vocalist Karla Harris’ latest project, packs everything from big band concert to intimate cool.

“We hope that in our small way we can contribute and give back to the community,” said Peg Pluto, president of the Sarasota Jazz Club and the first woman to hold the position in the 35 years since the club’s founding. “We hope they come away with a feeling of contentment with music—good music—and enjoyment.”

Under the guidance of Pluto, the Jazz Club hopes also to bring more attention to the genre and the club, which peaked with around 2,500 members at its founding and now sits at about 600. This year, she looks to “make it a bit more lively and bring in some younger members.”

The festival begins Sunday afternoon with a free “Jazz in the Park” concert at Phillippi Estate Park, featuring the Doug Cameron Quartet and performances from the Pine View Jazz Quartet and the Riverview High School Jazz Ensemble. An L.A. studio musician, Cameron’s credits include work with Tom Petty, Cher and The Allman Brothers. Tuesday night brings a Big Band Concert with former Duke Ellington bassist John Lamb and Canadian vocalist June Garber teaming up with the Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band at the Riverview High School Performing Arts Center.

Midweek marks the ever-popular Jazz Trolley and Pub Crawl, seeing Sarasota’s jazz aficionados spirited between nine local venues, living the nightlife and enjoying more intimate performances from artists like Betty Comora, David Pruyn and Skip Conkling. With Marina Jack’s, The Gator Club and Darwin’s on 4th among the many stops, it’s a night of good food and good tunes.

Returning to the Riverview PAC, The Freddy Cole Quartet takes the stage. The younger brother of Nat King Cole, singer/pianist Freddy Cole and his backing members—drummer Herman Burney, bassist Henry Conerway and guitarist Randy Napoleon—bring some old school cool and bluesy atmosphere to the affair. The following night, singer Karla Harris will perform a series of vocal versions of the pianist Dave Brubeck’s compositions, using lyrics from the late composer’s wife, Lola. Teaming up with the Ted Howe Trio, this will be Harris’ live debut of the project, only recently recorded and released.

The Sarasota Jazz Festival comes to a close Mar. 7 with a final evening concert from a trio of masterful performers. Pianist and composer Dick Hyman, with over 50 years under his belt and a reputation for versatile style, will play out the night with clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski and vocalist Kitt Moran.

The Sarasota Jazz Festival opens Mar. 1 with a free concert at Phillippi Estate Park. Future evening concerts will be at the Riverview High School Performing Arts Center and are ticketed events, as is the Jazz Trolley and Pub Crawl.

Pictured: John Lamb. Photo by Carol LoRicco. 

[Recognition]  SRQ: Home of the Year 2015
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Top talent in Southwest Florida’s home sector was honored at the annual SRQ Home of The Year reception at SRQ Media Group’s corporate headquarters, where architect Guy Peterson led the way in awards with an unprecedented sweep of the Best Overall Home—Over $2 Million category. “It is rewarding just to have other professionals view your work and determine its merits,” said Peterson, who also won the Platinum Award in the Best Overall Home Under $2 Million category. “This is more than just a beauty contest.”

Trophies at the event were given out to architects, contractors, designers and other professionals in the field. The event was sponsored by Tempus Pro Systems, a home systems integrity installing everything from security to entertainment and lighting systems. “Tempus Pro is interested in supporting all the new home-building that is going on,” said Michael Stelzen, director of sales for the company.

Professionals in attendance said the awards were a good chance to spotlight the top-in-field work being done through the region and learn what was most impressive to the jury of out-of-market professionals. “This is about work we are doing in modern design,” said Punit Patel, principal at Sawa Design, which won a Gold Award for Best Renovation.

The event, emceed by SRQ Media Group Publisher Wes Roberts, provided a chance for professionals around the region to network together. Winners of Platinum, Gold and Silver Awards in seven categories were invited to the reception. “This is a wonderful event to acknowledge good design, and it’s important to the community,” said David Young, owner of DWY Landscape Architects. His company won a Platinum Award for Best Landscaping. 

To see the full list of winners and details on all award-winning homes, pick up the March issue of SRQ Magazine, on sale starting today. 

[Q&A]  Eileen Normile, Sarasota City Commission District 2

Editor's Note: This is the third installment in a six-part series. Each candidate for Sarasota City Commission was asked to answer identical questions on city issues in advance of the March 10 city election. Eileen Normile is running in District 2.

What would be the first priority at the start of your new term when you get elected? My first priority would be to continue to push the initiative I proposed regarding a Traffic Summit. The traffic problems are crippling the city and we have to work to solve some of the problems before next season. We also have to work with the FDOT to solve some of the larger long-term problems. It’s important to remember the roads with the most pervasive issues are state highways and the city actually has very little to say about how they are operated. It is time all levels of government sat down at one table and discussed the short and long term fixes to our traffic and transportation problems. The sooner the better.

What past or present Sarasota City Commissioner do you believe you would be most like in terms of how you govern? Without naming one individual—there have been several who had the ability to listen to all sides and vote the decision that best serves the entire city. For instance, there have been commissioners who could understand the interests of business and neighborhoods and promoted healthy understanding between the two. There are pulls and tugs in many directions and I admire those who can resist one over the other. I would wish to be as visionary as the commissioners and City Manager who in the 1960s had the courage and foresight to build the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall that placed our city ahead of all other cities in  Florida. 

What do you believe should be the city’s next step in terms of handling the homeless issue in Sarasota? First, I am committed to working with the County Commission in a collegial problem-solving manner.  I would like to see both the County and City Commissions discuss details of the “Housing First” program which has statistics to back up its success. I am willing to look at any model that has a verifiable track record. I am not in favor of having a Come As You Are shelter in the City of Sarasota. That is one program (based on the model in Pinellas County) that does not have the stats we would need to fund it. 

 What is the greatest financial challenge for the city right now and what is the most prudent way to handle it? The unfunded pension programs are a tremendous challenge.  It has gotten a bit better in the last few years.  At this point, the City’s three pension funds are funded as follows:  General Employees—70 percent, Police—75 percent and Firefighters—almost 80 percent. 

What is one change you would like to see in the way city business is conducted today? There have been complaints of City Commission dysfunction and lack of collegiality over the past few years. I’ve seen it myself. I’m proud of the way the current commission operates. Civility and collegiality have created a functional governing body.  I would describe our methods as “research leading to fact-based decisions.” I hope the voters will wish us to continue working together in this productive way. 

[Daily Shop]  Perforated Perfection
,

Designer Kelly Wearstler has been dubbed "the presiding grande dame of West Coast interior design." Her distinctive style, which juxtaposes refinement with rawness, color, sophistication and swank, has been translated into collections for home accessories, as well as jewelry. Her Romare collection features this artful necklace that will add attitude and industrial chic to any look. The necklace, available at Lotus, is hand-crafted in Los Angeles, California in burnished 22-karat gold.  

Lotus. 1451 Main Street, Sarasota. 941-366-6369.

[Exec Moves]  Walters on Insignia Board

Insignia Bank announced the addition of Clifford L. Walters, III to its board of directors. Walters is a partner in the firm of Blalock Walters, attorneys at law. In his firm, Walters concentrates on business counseling and planning, complex real estate transactions, commercial law, and strategic estate planning. Walters was recently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2015. 

Insignia Bank

[Groundbreaking]  Haven Opening New Group Home

Following a donation from the Fry Family Foundation, Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities will have a groundbreaking ceremony on March 5 to mark construction of a group home that will benefit adults with developmental disabilities. Through the collaboration of the contractors, the architect, Community Haven Staff, the future residents and their families, Marlene’s House was custom designed for the benefit of its eight future residents. The first of four homes being built around what will become an amphitheater, Marlene’s House features single occupancy rooms and a co-ed atmosphere. 

Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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