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SRQ DAILY Jun 8, 2017

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"The Rosemary District has the potential and, I firmly believe, could be the most exciting, diverse, inclusive neighborhood in Sarasota, and perhaps the state of Florida."

- Howard Davis, Rosemary District Planning Initiative
 

[Government]  Sarasota Ponders Future of Rosemary
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A special district designed to spur development in the Rosemary District has been so successful Sarasota officials expect to reach a goal on new residential units more than a year earlier than expected. Now, city commissioners have started to explore whether to allow construction at up to three times the normal density to occur on more properties in the area.

“The Rosemary District has the potential and, I firmly believe, could be the most exciting, diverse, inclusive neighborhood in Sarasota, and perhaps the state of Florida,” says Howard Davis, director of the Rosemary District Planning Initiative. Davis and other leaders in the Rosemary spoke to city commissioners Monday night about a hope to continue the redevelopment renaissance happening north of Fruitville Road.

But while city commissioners say the success of an overlay district in spurring development certainly proved successful, they also want to explore whether needs like the opening of parks and creation of affordable housing will be met in the future. “The idea was to increase density by allowing smaller units and units that were more affordable—not attainable levels that we have been talking about, just affordable,” said Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch. “In my mind that has not happened.”

The city in 2014 approved an overlay district where some developments could build up to 75 residential units per acre, while the normal zoning allows just 25 units per acre. That resulted in construction of rental housing like that found at CitySide Apartments. Officials elected then not to include requirements for affordable housing, in hopes market forces would keep prices of smaller units low. 

The district ended up working faster than anticipated. While there were 386 units in the district when the overlay got approved, the city now calculates that 1,525 units have been built or have building permits or site plan approvals issued. The original plan for the district capped the entire area at 1,775 units, and set an expiration date for the district in December 2018. With nearly 86 percent capacity achieved already, commissioners on Monday voted to have the district terminate whenever the cap is reached. 

Bruce Weiner, developer for CitySide, says he would like to see development continue in the Rosemary. Site plan approval for the apartment complex’s second phase triggered the city looking at the district’s future. While Weiner notes he owns no more property and might benefit from being one of the only developments in the neighborhood with so high a density, he says continued development will benefit everyone in the area. “It’s really turning into a viable downtown neighborhood,” he says.

City Commissioner Hagen Brody says he would like to see activity continue in the district. “I love what’s happening in Rosemary,” he says. But other commissioners say they want to make sure other needs get met. 

Mayor Shelli Freeland Eddie says she’d like to see an affordable housing requirement implemented. The Sarasota Housing Authority owns three acres in the district, and officials there would like the ability to develop at higher densities. Eddie wants that need considered. Ahearn-Koch says the city needs to consider roadways, greenspace and a number of other issues now as the district matures. 

[Ryan Flies]  From the Cockpit Part 23: Flight Design CT
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Editor’s Note: This is part 23 of an ongoing series documenting the flights of active-duty US Navy Pilot Ryan Rankin on his journey to fly 52 planes in 52 weeks through the year 2017.

This week, Rankin returns to St. Elmo, AL, where he last flew the Quicksilver GT500 with Herb Tipton in May (From the Cockpit Part 19), this time to take a flight in one of Tipton’s personal favorites—the Flight Design CT. A German-built aircraft, the CT debuted in the late ‘90s as a remarkably capable cross-country flyer with a composite frame built for speed. As Rankin would discover, the folks at Flight Design succeeded, but maybe a little too well.

“It’s a safe airplane,” says Rankin at the outset, “and it’s a plane you can get in and go relatively long distances without spending a lot of money.” The CT may not rival some of Rankin’s military craft for range, but topping out at just over 1,000 miles is no mean feat, especially considering a low initial cost and fuel efficiency that makes the CT a viable option for pleasure-cruising and hobbyists. However, unexpected challenges stemming from an overachieving aerodynamic design bring an extra level of difficulty that makes piloting the CT its own experience, even for Rankin.

Maybe that’s why the CT can also come equipped with a Ballistic Recovery System—a lever-deployed parachute for the entire plane—in case of drastic pilot error. But even then, it would be a rough ride down, says Rankin, and what remained likely salvage. Rankin and Tipton did not test it.

Instead, they practiced landings, running touch-and-gos on the strip. Because while the CT is a smooth flyer in the air—“One of those hands-off airplanes,” says Rankin—it can be difficult to get back on the ground. Largely, it just doesn’t want to slow down. A composite aircraft, the CT sports a smooth airframe, without the rivets and seams and other drag-inducing components found on metal-skinned aircraft. As a result, “there just isn’t much for the wind to hold on to,” says Rankin. Easing the throttle back to its minimum without shutting the engine off, he’s forced to turn and bank on the way down, the descent only adding velocity, in an attempt to slow down enough to land. “It’s crazy,” he says. “I’ve never encountered a plane like it.”

For more about the flight in Rankin's own words and a video of the flight, follow the link below. 

Pictured: Ryan Rankin flies the Flight Design CT. Photo courtesy of Ryan Rankin.

Ryan Flies

[Daily Shop]  Heart of Stone
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Handmade by local artist Debbie Lynn Griffin, each piece starts with finding the right stone. Jasper, agate and green beryl stone make regular appearances, with the artist favoring those stones that evince earthen character through their swirling, irregular and imperfect surfaces, embracing nature’s paintbrush as opposed to polishing it to uniformity. With a stone to her satisfaction, Griffin meticulously wraps the piece in spiraling threads of pink gold or Argentium Silver, not only securing the stone in its setting for a pendant or necklace but offering its own artistic element to the design as a whole. Available in the shop at ArtCenter Manatee, similar and more intricate pieces are also available at the artist’s website: https://designsbydebbie.net. 

Pictured: Jasper stone wrapped in pink gold by Debbie Lynn Griffin. Image courtesy of Debbie Lynn Griffin.

Designs by Debbie

[Exec Moves]  Steve Zeris Joins RE/MAX Alliance Group

Steve Zeris has returned to RE/MAX Alliance Group as a realtor in the University Park office. He has 29 years of experience in the real estate industry, including serving as a mortgage broker, appraiser, short sale negotiator and trainer. A graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI), Zeris received the 2016 President's Award from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee and was the 2016 MLS Express Chairman. Zeris is President-Elect of the Manatee County Women’s Council of Realtors. RE/MAX Alliance Group is the #1 RE/MAX franchise in Florida for both transactions and sales volume. With more than 300 agents and staff, RE/MAX Alliance Group offers residential and commercial real estate solutions throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, with offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, University Park, Venice, Siesta Key and Englewood. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group

[Recognition ]  Chamber Awards Caldwell Trust Company

At the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce  2017 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards, Caldwell Trust Company was doubly honored when the Chamber named Caldwell as winner in the professional services category and also as winner of its Top Honor Small Business of the Year Award. The honors were announced before an audience of over 400 attending the Chamber’s annual awards luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. The Frank G. Berlin Award recognizes member businesses and individuals with locally owned and operated business while the Top Honor Small Business of the Year Award chooses its winner across all six categories. R. G. “Kelly” Caldwell Jr., CEO, president and co-founder of Caldwell Trust Company, accepted the awards on behalf of the 24-year-old company, which provides a full range of fiduciary services to individuals as well as management of retirement plans for employers. 

Caldwell Trust Company

[Expansion ]  Commercial Permit Program Expands to Turtle Beach

Starting July 1, Sarasota County's permit program for operators of non-motorized water vessels will expand to Turtle Beach, following the program's successful launch at Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach in 2014. With the implementation of the permit program expansion, commercial operators who desire to launch their rental and tour customers from Turtle Beach will be able to purchase a permit. As of July 1, any commercial vessel launching from the permitted location must bear a metal tag, or "medallion," which can be moved from vessel to vessel as launch needs dictate. Medallions for Turtle Beach will cost $250 per vessel. This rate is for the initial program period ending March 31, 2018, and is subject to change. Currently, Sarasota County prohibits commercial activity at Turtle Beach and other county parks. Permitted operators will comply with a shared set of rules and regulations. Among other requirements, operators must carry insurance, store equipment appropriately while on-site, report launch numbers in advance and provide customers with briefings on safety as well as appropriate interactions with the natural environment. In addition to the ability to operate and conduct transactions within the park, benefits to permitted operators include limited designated parking as well as on-site staff resources during peak periods. 

Sarasota County Government

[Opening]  Daiquiri Deck Opens Fourth Location

Daiquiri Deck has opened its newest location at 1250 Stickney Point Rd., near the intersection of Midnight Pass Road. Venice-based J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp. completed construction on the new three-story building for Daiquiri Deck on south Siesta Key, which is now open. The new structure features a 1,000-square-foot full bar with televisions on the ground floor, which will have casual and coastal vibe and will feature the full Daiquiri Deck raw bar food menu. Refrigeration and storage is kept on the second floor, and the 3,500-square-foot Daiquiri Deck restaurant, with its signature daiquiri machines, occupies the third level. To date, Daiquiri Deck has four locations. Its original Siesta Key location opened in 1993. The restaurant later expanded to St. Armands Circle in 2011 and Venice in 2013. 

Daiquiri Deck



[TODAY]  GALA: GSAHECs 2017 HEAL Awards , June 8, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Join Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center in celebrating the Health Education Advocacy & Leadership (HEAL) awards. This year Heidi Godman and Dr. Kirk Voelker will be honored for their outstanding leadership in the health and wellness community within the Sarasota area. Godman graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelors of Science in journalism and has since become an award winning news anchor, reporter, and editor enlightening her audiences with skillful passion. Dr. Voelker is a renowned pulmonologist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital who received his medical degree from University of Florida College of Medicine and has been practicing for over 20 years. Tickets are $125 and include a carving station, heavy hors d’oevres, beer, wine, and a silent auction. Enjoy delicious food in an inspiring environment and come to Michael’s Wine Cellar June 8. Kindly RSVP by May 31.

Michael’s Wine Cellar , 1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239

[TODAY]  THEATER: Older Than Dirt , February 8 – June 11

A musical comedy providing a witty and heartfelt 360 degree view of aging. Featuring songs by Shel Silverstein, Adam Sandler, and Neil Young, this play takes the audience on a journey through the pitfalls and perks of aging, and is a part of the Sarasota Festival of New Plays.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave.

[TODAY]  PERFORMANCE: Naming True , June 2 – July 2

Amy, a transgender teenage girl from Seattle, and Nell, a dying woman who’s lived most of her life on the streets of Detroit, find themselves in an unlikely meeting in a Florida motel room to discuss publishing Nell’s childhood memoir. An intimate tale of survival, redemption, and the desperate need to share our stories, Naming True investigates how to persevere in the absence of hope. For more information please visit www.urbanitetheatre.com for show times and tickets.

Urbanite Theatre , 1487 Second St., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GALLERY: National League of American Pen Women , May 30 – June 22, Monday- Friday 10am-1pm and 1:30pm-4pm

For their annual community exhibition, Basch and Smith Galleries will showcase work by the Sarasota chapter of the National League of American PEN Women, the oldest milti-discipline arts organization for women in the United States. 

Willis Smith and Basch Galleries, Located on the ground floor of the Larry R. Thompson Academic Center.

[SOON]  THEATER: Shirley and Me , June 9, 8pm

Shirley and Me is the first encore presented from the SaraSolo Film Festival. This one woman play stars Jan Wallace and is about is about her relationship over the years with her beloved theatre and movie character, Shirley Valentine. Tickets are $15 at the door. 

Starlite Room , 1001 Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Mean Mary & Frank James , June 9, 8pm

Mean Mary is known internationally for lightning-fast fingers, haunting vocals, and intricate lyrical storytelling. This Nashville-based musician will be joining us at WSLR for a night of summertime fun! Spanning the genres of Americana, folk-rock, bluegrass, and blues, Mean Mary is accomplished on no less than 11 instruments, including banjo, fiddle, and guitar. She is joined by long-time collaborator and brother Frank on guitar and vocals.  

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center , 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Salon D'Art , June 9, 4-5pm

A lively and informative discussion group free and open to everyone. A selected famous artist(s) is featured each month. Join the fun and chat with artists, art lovers and the curious minded. The upcoming artist will be Marc Chagall.

Art Center Sarasota , 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , June 7 – July 2

Take a plunge into the pages of Jules Verne's classic science fiction story and get swept away in this dazzling multisensory experience. Our modern day storyteller Jules finds himself transported on board the Nautilus submarine, where he joins the mysterious Captain Nemo on a journey to the depths of the sea... and the edge of your seat. Brought to stunning life through a mix of unforgettable characters, eye-popping projections and interactive technology, this time-honored tale explores our place in time and space, and illuminates the mysteries of the deep blue sea. 

The Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 N. Tamiami Tr. Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads , June 9 – June 1

The Ringling is pleased to announce the presentation of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s 12 monumental bronze sculptures, Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads. A sculptor, photographer, installation artist, architect and social activist, Ai is one of the most renowned artists working today. Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads was inspired by the fabled fountain-clock of the Yuanming Yuan, an 18th-century imperial retreat just outside Beijing. The 12 bronze Zodiac Heads stand on bronze columns. Each animal head measures approximately 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. The animal heads on their columns reach between 9.8 and 12 feet high, with each one weighing approximately 800 lbs. The sculptures will be on The Ringling’s grounds, which are free and open to the public. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art , June 9 – September 10

Demonstrating The Ringling’s continuing commitment to the study of Asian art, Eternal Offerings showcases nearly 100 Chinese bronze objects from the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Its collection of this material is generally considered to be one of the most important in the United States. The works span millennia, revealing the evolution of the use of bronzes in Chinese society. The exhibition highlights how these objects were employed to conduct religious rituals, record significant events and represent elite status from the Shang through Han dynasties (1600 BCE to 220 CE). This exhibit is free with admission. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Powerhouse Dance Recital , June 10, Starts at 7pm

Powerhouse Dance presents the 2nd Annual Recital Showcase. Come be a part of this fabulous year end event as the Powerhouse dancers dazzle you with an exceptional array of dances highlighting their skills and passion for dance. Don’t miss the opportunity to support and acknowledge all the hard work and dedication the girls have shown.

Manatee Performing Arts Center , 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton

[SOON]  GALLERY: Claudia Ryan – drawings , June 12 – August 11

Abstract drawings and prints by Claudia Ryan will be featured in the college’s new gallery at the Basch Visual Arts Center.  Ryan’s works on paper are densely layered and threaded with color, creating a map for a journey that becomes the viewer's own.

Lois & David Stulberg Gallery, 2700 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Jeffery A. Cornwell , June 12 – September 22

Featuring paintings by Ringling College Fine Arts alumnus Jeffery Cornwell. Showing across the United States in galleries and alternative spaces, Cornwell draws inspiration from the natural environment and the relationship of sky to land.

Patricia Thompson Gallery , 2700 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Art Making , July 13, 5-8pm

Drop by the Children’s Welcome Center in the Visitors Pavilion which has been transformed into an art studio for the evening. Instructors will teach you how to become comfortable will many different materials that artists use. This event is free and all ages are encouraged to participate. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Museum of Art Mondays , June 12 – July 24, 11am-2pm

Join The Ringling on Mondays to receive free admission to the Museum of Art as well as a special art-making program tied to works of art you can find in the galleries. You can also pick up a Museum of Art Family Guide for a new way to enjoy the art museum as a family. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: IncrediBello! , June 13 – July 29

This summer promises to be a hair-raising event when Feld Entertainment brings Bello Nock back to the Sarasota stage. Bello, the world-renowned, gravity-defying comedic daredevil with the unmistakable foot-high hair, returns to his hometown to engage audiences with his lovable personality, trademark humor and playful antics.

Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Jersey Tenors , June 13 – July 16

A combination of Opera and Rock creates a mash-up sensation of a explosive blend of iconic music. From the opera classics to artists such as Queen, ABBA, Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons, Frank Sinatra, Springsteen, and more – The Jersey Tenors will have you singing along as they raise the roof with their powerful voices. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Beau Jest , June 14 – June 25, 7:30pm and 2pm

Directed by James Sherman, Beau Jest is about a Jewish girl named Sarah and her parents wanting her to marry a nice Jewish boy. Sarah hires an aspiring actor to meet her parents but eventually ends up falling in love with him. Single tickets are $18.

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

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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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