Party politics seem here to stay, even in the nonpartisan Sarasota City Commission races. A week after Republican leadership offered a sort of truce in advance of elections in a largely Democratic city, no deal is being entertained, and party leaders on both sides say they will work to ensure candidates in their respective parties win the seats. “There is no such thing as a nonpartisan race,” said Christine Jennings, Sarasota Democratic Party chairwoman.

Joe Gruters, chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota, sent an open letter to Jennings last week offering an agreement neither political party be involved in nonpartisan contests like the Sarasota City Commission races scheduled for Tuesday. That deal was rebuffed, and Gruters said an offer won’t come again. “I’m not going to allow the Democrats to give their candidates an unfair advantage by me sticking by and hoping they don’t play a role,” he said.

Jennings notes the timing of the offer came conveniently before an election in the one jurisdiction in Sarasota County where Democrats hold an advantage, the city of Sarasota. No such truce was entertained in November, she said, when candidates such as School Boardmember Bridget Ziegler won with Republican Party support in nonpartisan races. Gruters said the offer was made now because Jennings just took the reins of the Democratic Party over from past chair Rita Ferrandino. But he suggested the offer was one that actually benefitted Democrats, who are at a disadvantage in countywide races for the school board and judgeships, not to mention municipal seats in Venice, North Port and Longboat Key.

Among candidates, feelings on partisan races ranged across the spectrum. In the District 2 contest, Democrats sent mailers to Democratic voters noting Liz Alpert is the only registered Democrat on the ballot Tuesday. Alpert's core team includes Democratic leaders, mostly because she ran for partisan office before. She won’t tell her party to back off and doubts voters care. “Knocking on more than 1,700 doors, I can tell you not one voter said to me their issue was whether the Democratic Party sent out mailers,” she said. But Eileen Normile, incumbent for District 2, said such party politicking violates the spirit of the city charter, and noted during the last charter review, not one citizen asked that city contests turn into partisan affairs. Normile applauded Gruters for making the truce offer and expressed disappointment Democrats ignored that. “The horse is out of the barn for this election, which is very unfortunate,” she said. She stressed her campaign team includes registered Democrats and independents. David Morgan, District 2 candidate, said party involvement was unfortunate, but not worth bemoaning. “I have more influence over the weather than I do over what the parties can do,” he said.

District 3 candidate Shelli Freeland Eddie took a similar approach, figuring voters were not concerned with party at all. “I’m just not focused on it.” Democrats in District 3 have noted in outreach materials that Eddie and candidate Matthew Wooddall are Democrats. District 3 incumbent Stan Zimmerman has largely tried to stay out of the matter, but said party involvement was unwise in a race about local issues. His greatest concern is losing control of his own messaging. “If indeed the parties decide to come into this race with both boots on, I as a candidate lose control of my campaign,” he said. But Wooddall said it would was difficult to spurn help in a contest. “If someone wants to advocate on your behalf, I don’t know how much choice you have,” he said. 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat, Florida Studio Theatre and Alfstad& Contemporary join forces this Friday for a night combining the art of storytelling and live portraiture. Entitled Storied Paintings the night will culminate with the opening of a new exhibition at the gallery.

The show begins in FST’s Keating Theatre, where FST founder and current Hermitage artist-in-residence Jon Spelman will regale the audience with a collection of stories written over the course of his solo career, which launched upon his departure from FST in the 80s.

“It’s in my blood,” said Spelman, who has since performed on NPR, at the Smithsonian Institution and around the world, earning three Emmys and multiple honors. But Friday’s presentation will be a little different, with Spelman joined onstage by fellow Hermitage artist, Felix de la Concha, who will be painting Spelman live, as he speaks.

“It’s the belief in the power of talking directly to an audience,” said Spelman, of his shift from theatrical performance to solo storyteller. “Which is why this thing is going to be pretty hard.”

To facilitate de la Concha’s portraiture, Spelman will not only be forced to remain relatively still, forgoing the usual storytelling flourishes, but will also have to engage the audience indirectly, by going through de la Concha, on whom Spelman will have to direct his attention – and his face – while de la Concha works.

“My job is to sort of ignore the audience in a visual sense, which is new to me,” said Spelman, “like a live TV show.” But while Spelman may be looking at de la Concha, the audience will be keeping a close eye on both via two large monitors, allowing unobstructed views of the storyteller and de la Concha’s portrait in progress.

“It’s been great to watch him work,” Spelman said of de la Concha, whom Spelman indicated was a good match, due to familiar interests. “His painting is interested in extreme detail, and that’s what performance is about. The way to art is through the details.”

Following the performance, the artists will engage in a question and answer session with the audience, before convening - with the portrait – at Alfstad& Contemporary for the opening of de la Concha’s latest exhibit, Hermitage Artist Intrigue, inspired by the architecture and landscape of the Hermitage.

“It’s a friendly, open, relaxed place that provides people serious time to devote to their work,” said Spelman of his time at the Hermitage. “Any practicing artist appreciates the chance to get away.”

As for the founder’s return to FST – “What FST has done in the 35 years since I left is amazing, astonishing. This is a generous tidbit on top of all the great experiences I’m having here.”

Storied Paintings begins 3pm at FST. Reservations are recommended.

This is the first in a two-part series regarding Storied Paintings. Felix de la Concha weighs in tomorrow. 

Cutting Loose Salon in University Park, owned by Coral Pleas, recently was named to the Salon Today 200 by Salon Today magazine, the top business publication for salon and spa owners The magazine’s 18th annual SALON TODAY 200 issue profiled the selected salons in its January 2015 edition. The 200 salons were honored for their best business practices from applications submitted by  readers, who represent the 20,000 top-producing salons and spas in the country. 

Cutting Loose Salon

Helen Pastore, a teacher at Oak Park School, has been selected to receive the 2015 Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Award from The Council for Exceptional Children, the world’s largest special education membership organization.The Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding teacher of children with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. The award honors a CEC member whose work reflects significant educational success for students, continued professional development and the highest standard of educational quality. 

Oak Park School

Dee Danmeyer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, announced Blaise Castellano was elected to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors. Castellano moved to Englewood in 1976 and has worked in HVAC for 40 years. Castellano is the owner of Castle Air Heating and Cooling and Lemon Bay Cooling which serve Sarasota, Charlotte and Manatee Counties. He has supported numerous non-profit organizations, including Loveland Center, Englewood Youth Foundation and The Sky Family YMCA.  He currently serves as secretary/treasure of Manasota Air Conditioning Contractors Association and is a Board Member of the Englewood Rotary Club.  

Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County

If your dog is gentle and friendly, and doesn't have too much "prey drive,” he may be a good candidate for successfully living with a cat. In general, kittens and laid back cats are good candidates for successfully living with a dog. Without these  behavioral elements, this task will be more challenging. It’€™s up to you to protect your new cat and set up introductions carefully so that she feels safe and has a mellow experience getting acquainted with your dog. You want the initial meetings to be as stress free as possible. Prepare for the arrival of your new cat by working with your dog to refresh his obedience skills. Two exercises that are important for him to do well when cued, are a recall (coming when called) and a “leave it”� exercise. These skills will help you control him if he gets overexcited around your cat.  

At first, confine your new cat in a room with her food, water and litter box. You can start to introduce her to your dog by the doorway to that room. Fill your pockets with treats that your dog loves, (and have treats that your cat will love as well). Use a baby gate in the door, and walk your dog slowly by the doorway several times each day for a couple of days. Praise and treat him for calm behavior, and then toss the cat a treat as well. This way, she associates your dog with treats. If your dog overreacts to the cat, distract him and get his attention focused on you. Avoid accomplishing this by using leash corrections or treat bribery. Instead, ask him to do basic obedience skills, like "sit' or "down". Use treats to reward him for his obedience in the presence of something as tempting as your new cat. Your cat should be free to approach the baby gate to get closer to the dog or to retreat if she wants to. Reward her any time she approaches the baby gate by tossing her treats. More on this next time.

A native of Louisiana, SRQ Daily Columnist Gregg Flowers owns Dog's Best Friend Dog Training Services here in Sarasota, where he "teaches dogs and trains people." Gregg became fascinated by our relationship with dogs as a boy in the '60s, and by 1985 had developed his own unique style of working with dogs and their humans 

Dog's Best Friend