The phrase rare bird is often used to describe something or someone truly unique—fitting, then, that RAREBIRD, a one-of-a-kind boutique, opened its doors on Palm Avenue earlier this year. RAREBIRD lives up to its name, offering shoppers a fresh, stylish experience that encourages authenticity and individuality.

Located just across the street from Kojo and Palm Avenue Deli, RAREBIRD is a thoughtfully curated boutique designed to resonate with both local shoppers and global visitors. Founded by avid travelers Kirsten Kleinman-Ling, who goes by “Kiki” and her husband, Eric, RAREBIRD was born from their desire to share a fresh perspective on the everyday items we all use and value. Inspired by the cultures, cuisines, music and communities they've encountered around the world, the couple is passionate about exploring diverse ways of living and bringing those influences home.

“We offer slow fashion—meaning our pieces are produced in limited quantities, with a focus on ethical practices and sustainability, as opposed to the mass-produced world of fast fashion,” says Kleinman-Ling “These are brands we discovered abroad, and we took the time to ensure each item is thoughtful, unique and not redundant. We aim to support small communities, women and underprivileged areas and we prioritize minimizing the environmental impact with the brands we carry.”

After a 22-year career as a chef, Kleinman-Ling discovered her passion for the fashion industry while working at an Anna Maria Island boutique. "I went from decorating plates to decorating people," she says with a laugh. Since opening in February, her store has been well-received by the community for its unique brands. Future plans for RAREBIRD include adding men’s clothing and further developing its online presence. Eric will be an integral part of building both.

With a large portion of the items catering to women in their 40s through 70s, Kleinman-Ling wants to help her customers feel comfortable in their own skin when they see themselves aging and changing: “I want them to reconnect with themselves and be the rare, unique individuals that they are.”

1282 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, 1282 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, 941-362-4196. 

Pictured: With RAREBIRD, Kiki and Eric focus on ethically responsible slow fashion brands inspired by their travels. Photo courtesy of RAREBIRD.

Bart H. Lambergman, a nationally respected attorney and thought leader in collegiate athletics, has joined Shumaker’s growing Sports Law Team. Bart brings with him a deep understanding of the legal and policy landscapes shaping NCAA Division I athletics and a track record of advising athletic directors and institutions on some of the most pressing issues in college sports today. Bart currently serves as General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer for the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Athletic Directors Association (formerly LEAD1), where he plays a central role in guiding policy and strategy for the nation’s top athletics departments. His work spans a broad array of issues, including Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy and implementation, advising athletics departments on NCAA compliance and governance, institutional planning related to the House v. NCAA settlement, high-stakes investigations within higher education, and complex athletics director and coaching contracts and separations. 

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Manatee Memorial Hospital (MMH) has reached another milestone in structural heart procedures to treat atrial fibrillation and reduce dependency on blood thinners. According to Boston Scientific Corporation, Manatee Memorial is one of the top ten hospitals in the country for total WATCHMAN implants since 2015, out of more than 650 major medical centers in the United States. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, currently affecting up to seven million Americans.1  People with AF may be at greater risk for stroke than those with normal heart rhythms. The WATCHMAN implant closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced and, over time, patients may be able to stop taking blood thinners.  

The Sarasota Bradenton international Airport (SRQ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Podsiad, CPA as its new Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Kevin brings over a decade of experience in aviation finance and a strong record of strategic financial leadership to SRQ.
Prior to joining SRQ, Kevin served for ten years at Tampa International Airport, most recently as Director of Financial Planning & Reporting. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing key financial functions, including financial reporting, debt service management, investment strategy, payroll, and financial planning. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Florida, Kevin also holds the Certified Member (CM) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Florida and a Master of Accounting from Saint Leo University. 

Caldwell Trust Company is proud to honor James R. “Jim” Woods for 20 years of exceptional service on its board of Directors with a $5,000 donation to the Loveland Center, a nonprofit organization that reflects Woods’ lifelong commitment to community service and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jim Woods joined the Caldwell Trust Company board in 2005 following a distinguished career in higher education, healthcare, and civic leadership. He previously served as Executive Officer of the Venice Campus of Manatee Community College, Dean of Academic Affairs at Hillsborough Community College, and President of the bon Secours Venice Hospital Foundation. A past Venice City Council member and a respected figure in Sarasota County, Woods holds degrees from Muskingum College (B.A.), Chapman University (M.A.), and a Ph.D. from George Peabody College for Teachers at Vanderbilt University. 

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Sarasota County homeowners affected by Hurricanes Ian, Debby, Helene and/or Milton are invited to apply for assistance through the Resilient SRQ Housing Recovery Program. This program offers help with repairing or rebuilding homes or reimbursing eligible out-of-pocket expenses. Sarasota County was awarded two separate allocations totaling $411.6 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program. Resilient SRQ initially launched the Housing Recovery Program in June 2024, with $55 million allocated to rehabilitate and reconstruct homes and reimburse eligible homeowners affected by Hurricane Ian. An additional $33.3 million is proposed for homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, with the draft Action Plan for the 2024 storms submitted to HUD on April 25, 2025. 

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Christopher Alan Homes has advanced to No. 82 on Home Builder Executive’s “Top 100 Home Builders” based on 2024 closings, moving up two spots from the previous year. The largest privately held homebuilder in Southwest Florida, Christopher Alan Homes closed 580 homes in 2024 and a cumulative total of nearly 3,000 homes since its 2017 inception. Home Builder Executive also recently named Christopher Alan Homes 58th among its “Top 100 Private Home Builders.” Home Builder Executive, a leading news network for industry leaders, compiles the Top 100 Builders list by evaluating companies based on their annual closing performance, reflecting their ability to meet market demands effectively while maintaining exceptional standards of quality and service. 

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NDC Construction Company today announced the appointment of Les Snyder as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Snyder, a nationally recognized construction executive, assumes day-to-day leadership as longtime NDC President Ron Allen transitions to the full-time role of Chairman and Owner. Snyder’s career spans major infrastructure, commercial, and defense projects across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. His leadership roles have included C-suite executive positions at firms such as American Bridge, Barton Malow, and S&B USA (formerly i+icon USA/Fay). Les is actively engaged with the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and is former President of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).  

Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) has once again been nationally recognized for its excellence in specialty care, earning top honors from Newsweek in its 2025 rankings of America’s Best Hospitals for Specialized Care. This latest recognition reflects SMH’s continued commitment to delivering exceptional, evidence-based care across a broad range of specialties. 

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U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Daniel Beesting and his family received the surprise of a lifetime at a ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday, May 23, when they learned they would receive a brand-new mortgage-free home in the Lakespur neighborhood at Wellen Park. Sgt. Beesting, joined by his wife and three children, believed they were coming in for a final interview as part of the application process, but were instead met with cheers from over 200 attendees, including community leaders, residents and partners from PulteGroup, Building Homes for Heroes and Wellen Park. The new home is being built through national homebuilder PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® program, which provides the gift of new mortgage-free homes to deserving veterans and their families across the country. The home is being donated in partnership with Building Homes for Heroes, a national nonprofit organization that has provided over 400 mortgage-free homes to veterans, emergency first responders and their families since 2006. For more information about Pulte Homes at Lakespur, visit www.Pulte.com/Lakespur or call 941-265-6300.  

It's time to clean out the garage and gather discarded household items, yard waste, appliances, junk and tree trimmings, as Sarasota County hosts a free community cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 7. Sarasota County Neighborhood Services staff will be on site to share information and resources available through Sarasota County neighborhood programs. Free dumpsters for residential customers will be available at the following location: Sarasota Baptist Church, 7091 Proctor Road, Sarasota. For more information, visit scgov.net.