Following an election that produced significant turnover on the Sarasota City Commission, appointments were made to the Planning Board that similarly recast the high-profile advisory panel. Patrick Gannon, president of the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association, and David Morriss, president of the Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores Association, were appointed to fill open seats on the five-member board. Both appointees said they would carefully balance the needs of neighborhoods and developers, but definitely would have an eye on the future. 

“There is still a desire to maintain and have growth toward a more vibrant city,” said Gannon. The new board member has served in various officer positions, including president, for the Condo on the Bay board, and more recently has been engaged in the Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 Stakeholders Committee. He promised careful deliberation over such matters as comprehensive plan changes, and was hopeful the city would task the Planning Board with investigating the future of the Bayfront. As the city plans its future, he hopes a multi generation vision exists. 

Morriss, who also serves as vice chairman of the North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, looks forward to reviewing recommendations from the Urban Design Studio and to discussing transportation master planning efforts for the city. He said needs for vibrancy need to be balanced with the needs of residents. “Obviously downtown is never going to be dead again,” he said. “It will have some noise to it. But people still live there.” His own interest in the North Trail’s future, he hopes, will serve the city on that front. In Morriss’ assessment, little has been done to help the North Trail redevelop for the past three decades, and he hopes that can change.

Morriss and Gannon join other board members Robert Lindsay, Chris Gallagher and Vlad Svekis. The two replace outgoing members Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and Mort Siegel, who were termed out and could not apply for reappointment. 

Savor Sarasota is my favorite time of year – not only do some of the better restaurants in town give us a chance to enjoy their fabulous cuisine at ridiculously reasonable prices but it’s a chance to rediscover restaurants we haven’t thought about in years. Case in point: Philippi Creek Oyster Bar. For of those of you picturing fried seafood platters, I’m here to tell you the menu has improved dramatically thanks to the influence of Executive Chef, Pedro Flores (also of the The Table Creekside). For example: the Savor Menu features such delights as Baked Oysters with Bacon Onion Vinaigrette and delicate Salmon with a Bourbon Glaze. The Summer Ahi Tuna Salad with peaches and Valencia orange vinaigrette which features a rub made of coffee, coriander and black pepper is a delightfully satisfying twist on a steak salad. The Fish Tacos with crispy tempura fried snapper, roasted tomato salsa, homemade guacamole, feta, sour cream and Mexican rice are huge and served in blue corn tortilla shells. I’ve never tried feta, fish and guacamole together but I intend to go back, before Savor Sarasota is over, and try it again. 

Philippi Creek Oyster Bar, 5353 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-925-4444

The Government Finance Officers Association recently granted the City of Sarasota Finance Department with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The award honors the City's annual financial plan for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. It is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and is granted to governmental entities that make complex government budgets user friendly for taxpayers. Sarasota earns the award for the 25^th consecutive year.  

The City of Sarasota

A boutique of customized investment and lending solutions is creating through the partnership of Lendacy and First Sarasota Capital Advisors (FSCA). FSCA will now offer private equity funds and expand opportunities with Gulf Coast real estate developers. In addition to private equity funds, Lendacy partnership gives FSCA clients access to unique credit lines. 

FSCA

True U Fitness, a new super slow high intensity strength training program, has opened in downtown Sarasota. Personal Trainers Keith Jobin and Joe Muscatell have opened the facility to offer a strength and fitness program that takes less time and effort than traditional programs. The facility offers a one-on-one private environment for client focus, and is located at 1727 Second Street, Suite 1, Sarasota. 

True U Fitness