wcw MAY 2022

MAY 2022 

Mica 

England 

Owner and Head Chef 

at Blvd Café in Sarasota 

Also in this issue: 

■ Women’s Travel Groups 

■ Feature: Forks & Corks 

is back 

■ Travel: Deals for 

Florida Residents 

■ WCW Shopper 

■ and lots more!

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2 WEST COAST WOMAN MAY 2022

MAY 2022 

contents 

Editor and Publisher 

Louise M. Bruderle 

Email: westcoastwoman@comcast.net 

HAPPY 

Contributing Writer 

Carol Darling 

Contributing Photographer 

Evelyn England 

Art Director/Graphic Designer 

Kimberly Carmell 

Assistant to the Publisher 

Mimi Gato 

West Coast Woman is published 

monthly (12 times annually) by 

LMB Media, Inc., Louise Bruderle, 

President. All contents of this 

publication are copyrighted and 

may not be reproduced. No part 

may be reproduced without the 

written permission of the publisher. 

Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs 

and artwork are welcome, but return 

cannot be guaranteed. 

HOW TO REACH US: 

Email: westcoastwoman@comcast.net 

Here are our columns: 

n Out & About: includes 

fundraisers, concerts, art exhibits, 

lectures, dance, poetry, shows & 

performances, theatre, film, 

seasonal events and more. 

n You’re News: job announcements, 

appointments and promotions, 

board news, business news and 

real estate news. 

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YEARS 

WCW Mailing Address: 

P.O. Box 819 

Sarasota, FL 34230 

email: 

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website: 

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west coast 

WOMAN 

happening this month 

Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival is back and runs 

May 9-15. Support local independent restaurants and “Eat 

Like A Local” while enjoying great dining and culinaryevents. 

p6 

departments 

4 editor’s letter 

6 happening this month: Forks & 

Corks is back 

7 Out & About: listings for things 

to do live and/or online 

9 healthier you: The Benefits of 

Quitting Tobacco 

11 focus on the arts: Venice Symphony 

12 focus on the arts: West Coast Black 

Theatre Troupe 

focus on the arts 

women’s travel feature: 

savings on Florida travel 

Florida residents in need of a break will find an array of 

discounts and special offers this summer at a variety of 

resorts and destinations. Check out these offers stretching 

from the Atlantic shoreline to Gulf coast beaches. 

p20 

The Venice Symphony is back with its third annual Patriotic 

Pops Concert and fireworks on May 28 at CoolToday Park. 

This year’s guest artist is the acappella group, Rockapella. 

13 healthier you: The Renewal Point 

15 your money: Access Advisors 

16 west coast woman: 

Mica England, Owner and Chef 

at BLVD Cafe in Sarasota 

18 women’s travel issue: 

Travel news and tips 

19 dining in: Recipes from around 

the world 

p11 

women’s travel feature: 

considering a women’s 

travel group? 

What about Women’s Travel Groups? They’re a 

great option if you don’t want to travel alone. We 

look at one group that offers trips all over the world. 

p24 


Discount and deals for Florida residents 

22 travel feature: The Karol Hotel in Clearwater 


Considering a women’s travel group? 

25 healthier you: Discover Craniosacral Therapy 

26 you’re news 

28 dining out: Kona Grill in Sarasota 

30 wcw shopper 

on the cover: Photo of West Coast Woman Mica England, Owner and Chef at BLVD Cafe in Sarasota. ■ Photo by Evelyn England. 

MAY 2022 WEST COAST WOMAN 3

just some 

thoughts 

Louise Bruderle 

Editor and Publisher 

Heidi Anderson 

West Coast Woman Mica England 

This month’s wcw 

Hers is a great story — right up WCW’s “alley” so 

to speak — a new restaurant, owned and cheffed 

by a woman with a great track record caring 

for the palates of wealthy patrons in New York 

City and various resorts, and who worked at top 

notch resorts and hotels. Her restaurant here 

is BLVD Café and it’s in the heart of the burgeoning 

Rosemary District. But, after we spoke 

for a while, it turned into two amazing stories. 

Mica England 

There’s Mica’s amazing skills as a chef and, as 

Photo by Evelyn England 

we got talking, her almost career in law enforcement 

in Texas. Two different trajectories, but with different outcomes. 

It was fun hearing about Mica’s career - the celebrities she’s cooked 

for and the places in New York, The Hamptons and others where she 

catered to their gustatory wishes. Then it was about Mica’s early years 

when she wanted a career in law enforcement. I wish I could say it was 

just as successful and just as enjoyable, but as you’ll read, the police force 

where she applied for a job was not welcoming and resulted in actions 

that made them reform their hiring procedures. I’ll leave it there—please 

read the full article in this issue. 

And please, stop by her lovely BLVD Café at 1580 Boulevard of the 

Arts, Sarasota, for a delicious breakfast or light lunch. The Rosemary District 

is a happening place and we hope to feature it in a future issue. 

Hurry on this one 

If you hurry, you might be able to get a ticket to one of the most enjoyable 

and inspiring events of the season. Girls Inc. of Sarasota has its 

annual luncheon on May 3. This year’s honorees include the late Chuck 

and Margie Barancik, Dr. Laura Kingsley and Dr. Heidi Anderson with 

daughter Avery Brannan. All will be honored at the Annual Celebration 

Luncheon on May 3rd at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. 

If not, it’s still a great to share news about this year’s event. The Girls 

Inc. Visionary Award is designated to honor those who not only believes 

in the mission of the organization, but also see the larger vision 

for the organization in the community and region. 

Girls Inc. are recognizing Chuck and Margie Barancik posthumously. 

They were ardent supporters of Girls Inc., and their efforts have 

changed the trajectory of the organization. Chuck, Margie and the 

team at Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation lead the way for the 

Solar & Conservation Project that included the installation of 564 solar 

panels, which now provide 100% of Girls Inc. energy needs. Additionally, 

the Baranciks have supported Girls Inc.’s Family Strengthening 

Program and the August Match Campaign providing significant funds 

to match donations from individuals in the community. 

The She Knows Where She’s Going Award will be presented to Dr. Laura 

Kingsley and Dr. Heidi Anderson with her daughter Avery Brannan. 

The She Knows Where She’s Going Award recognizes individuals who are 

role models for women and girls in our community, have been supportive 

of Girls Inc. and its programs, and have demonstrated commitment to 

community activities, professional organizations or non-profit work. 

Dr. Laura Kingsley recently retired as the Assistant Superintendent 

and Chief Academic Officer for Sarasota County Schools. Kingsley 

began her career as a teacher at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in 

1988. Prior to this role, she served as the district’s executive director of 

elementary education. She has spent her career working with foundations, 

school administrations and teachers to help students strengthen 

reading abilities, led taskforces to close the achievement gap between 

white and minority students, and supported community programs 

such as Girls Inc. to bolster school attendance. 

Dr. Heidi Anderson has known medicine was in her future since sixth 

grade. As the owner of her private dermatology practice, 

Anderson has invested in our community through philanthropy, 

voluntarism and support of organizations like 

Girls Inc. A Sarasota resident for over a decade, Dr. Anderson 

chose to raise her children here for the educational 

opportunities available in Sarasota. Her daughter Avery is 

currently studying Peace, War, and Defense at the University 

of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and is a local Pine View 

School graduate. She was a four-year elected member to 

a service club through her school and a participant of the 

Boys and Girls Club STAR leadership program. As a graduate 

of STAR, she joined the Girls Inc. Board, serving for three years. 

In addition to these awards, two Girls Inc. girls will be recognized 

this year. The She Knows Where She’s Growing Award will be presented 

to a middle school student, and the Leadership Award will honor an outstanding 

member of the Girls Inc. high school program. 

Hurry, tickets are available at www.GirlsIncSRQ.org or 941-366-6646. 

More Good People Helping Out 

Family Promise of South Sarasota County (FPSSC) received $20,100 

from 100 Women Who Care of Greater Sarasota with a matching grant 

of $5,000 from a foundation for a total of $25,100. FPSSC received 

these funds as part of their capital campaign to purchase 10 houses in 

Venice to utilize as transitional affordable housing for families in South 

Sarasota County 

experiencing 

homelessness. 

There are over 

450 children in 

South Sarasota 

County schools 

who have been 

identified as 

homeless. Children 

experiencing 

housing instability 

have five 

times higher risk 

for developmental challenges and poor health. They’re also five times 

more likely to miss school, nine times more likely to repeat a grade, and 

four times more likely to not graduate. In 2021, Family Promise of South 

Sarasota County helped 283 families with a total of 432 children in need. 

Family Promise is a national non-profit agency with 202 local affiliates 

in 42 states. The local affiliate, Family Promise of South Sarasota County, 

helps families with minor children who are in temporary need of housing. 

100 Women Who Care of Greater Sarasota is a local organization that 

launched in January 2018 that provides local charities with member donated 

fund to help improve the lives of those in need. They bring together 

100+ women who meet for one hour twice each year and select a local 

charity at their meetings. Each member writes a check for $100 to the selected 

organization and award that local charity with over $20,000 twice 

yearly. To learn more, visit 100womenwhocare-greatersarasota.org. 

A familiar Face: Gwen MacKenzie 

On March 25, over 350 guests attended 

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare 

Foundation’s ninth annual Women 

& Medicine Educational Luncheon. 

The program featured a panel 

discussion from oncology experts 

on gynecologic cancers, including 

genetic testing and personalized 

treatment. Proceeds support the expansion 

of the Genetics Counseling 

Program at Sarasota Memorial. 

Co-chairs were Healthcare 

Foundation board members, Gwen 

MacKenzie and Sandi Stuart. Lorrie 

Liang, President, Sarasota Memorial 

Gwen MacKenzie and Sandi Stuart 

Hospital–Sarasota presented an update on key initiatives at Sarasota 

Memorial Health Care System. The educational program included a 

panel of women’s cancer experts: Elizabeth Guancial M.D., Medical 

Oncology/Hematology, Florida Cancer Specialists; Beverly Long, M.D., 

Gynecologic Oncology, First Physicians Group; and Nicole Wood, M.S., 

Lead Genetic Counselor, Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. 

Louise Bruderle | Editor and Publisher | 


We welcome your thoughts and comments on this column and on other columns and features in this issue. 

You can reach us at westcoastwoman@comcast.net. We’re on the web at www.WestCoastWoman.com. 


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happening this month 

FORKS & CORKS 

Food and Wine 

Festival May 9-15 

Support local independent restaurants and 

“Eat Like A Local” 

A Week-Long 

Culinary Celebration 

MAY 9-15, 2022 

FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCES 

A week of wine and food festivity thoughtfully presented by 

our Member Restaurants! These limited-time special events will 

include wine dinners, unique food-and-wine pairings, special 

menus, bottle discounts, cooking classes, tasting experiences 

and more throughout our Gulf Coast communities. 

UNIVERSITY MASTER CLASSES 

Led by a panel of world-renowned wine industry professionals, 

these engaging wine seminars are always a festival highlight. 

Designed for those who want an educational experience and 

tastings, this year’s classes will again present a rare opportunity 

to learn about wines by those instrumental in crafting them. 

ONLINE FOOD & WINE AUCTION 

Our Virtual Paddle Raise once again promises a swank collection 

of lots featuring rare and exquisite wines, international and 

domestic travel, and special dining and party experiences 

made possible by generous donations from friends of Sarasota- 

Manatee Originals. The auction will open for preview on May 5 

with real-time bidding from May 9 at 8AM to May 15 at 7PM. 

Visit eatlikealocal.com 

or scan the QR code 

to learn more! 

IT WAS NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO 

that the Sarasota-Manatee Originals 

was founded: a collaborative of independently-owned 

and operated 

restaurants and culinary innovators 

committed to uniting the energies of local 

restaurants and celebrating the food 

and friendship that’s indigenous to our 

Gulf-coastal lifestyle experience. 

Today the “Originals” are over 60 restaurants 

strong and provide diners with unique 

local flavor from the north shore of Anna Maria 

Island down to the southern beaches of 

Venice and every neighborhood in between. 

In 2008, Forks & Corks was designed as 

a fun and engaging showcase of the enormous 

talents of our area’s locally-owned 

restaurants, highlighted by an esteemed 

cast of visiting winery owners and winemakers 

from literally all over the world. It is 

considered one of the area’s biggest social 

celebrations of the year. 

The 15th Annual Forks & 

Corks Food and Wine Festival 

While it will once again look a little different 

than in past years, the Forks & Corks 

Food and Wine Festival, hosted annually 

by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, returns 

in early May to Florida’s Suncoast with a 

palate-pleasing menu of events, ranging 

from the always popular University Master 

Classes, to an enticing Virtual Auction and a 

bountiful selection of Food and Wine Experiences 

from which to choose. Foodies and 

fun-seekers can mark their calendars for 

May 9-15, 2022. 

For the second year in a row, missing 

from the roster of events will be the popular 

Grand Tasting that normally takes place 

in the Ringling Museum Courtyard. The difficulties 

that restaurants and wineries continue 

to face in the wake of COVID-19 made 

the decision the right one, tho’ difficult. 

The 2022 celebration will offer many opportunities 

to participate, and for visiting Vintners 

and our own Restaurateurs to showcase 

their talents in the local restaurants that we 

are so fortunate to have in our community. 

This year’s epicurean event will include: 

UNIVERSITY MASTER CLASSES 

(Saturday, May 14) 

Led by a panel of world-renowned wine 

industry professionals, the University Master 

Classes are always a festival highlight. 

This year’s classes will once again present a 

rare opportunity to learn about wines from 

those instrumental in crafting them. 

SMO FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCES 

(May 9-15) 

An array of limited-time “Food and Wine 

Experiences” will be available during 

the week, including Winemaker Dinners, 

unique food-and-wine pairings, special 

menus, bottle discounts and more - offered 

at participating Member Restaurants. 

FORKS & CORKS ONLINE AUCTION 

(May 9-15) 

Raise your virtual paddles at an Online 

Food and Wine Auction featuring rare and 

highly sought-after wines, international and 

domestic trips, and one-of-a-kind dining 

and party experiences made possible by 

generous donations from friends of Sarasota-Manatee 

Originals. The Auction will open 

for previewing on Thursday, May 5, with 

bidding opening on Monday, May 9. 

The Originals’ Forks & Corks is the 

organization’s primary, annual fundraiser, 

bringing critical marketing dollars to the 

organization to promote dining in local, independently-owned 

restaurants while also 

providing its most powerful opportunity for 

its Member Restaurants to highlight their 

product offerings and engage with their 

communities’ locals and visitors. During the 

first 13 years, the Forks & Corks Food and 

Wine Festival grew to encompass 24 events 

over five days, welcoming over 4,000 guests. 

In a normal year, planning for the Forks & 

Corks Food and Wine Festival begins immediately 

after the prior event wraps, providing 

almost a year to tweak, organize and 

execute. The Originals are already committed 

to being back to normal in April 2023. 

Additional details on the festival and tickets 

to Forks & Corks events are available 

at www.EatLikeALocal.com And you can 

follow @941Originals for updates on Facebook 

and Instagram. 


out &about 

Special Events 

Pride - Be Fabulous LGBTQ+ 

Music & Arts Festival is on May 

12-14. Formerly known as Harvey 

Milk Festival, LGBTQ+ organization 

Fabulous Arts Foundation hosts this 

festival that concludes with a daylong 

concert in Sarasota’s Rosemary 

District, with this year’s musical 

headliners including alt-pop artist 

Jax Anderson, R&B/electronic project 

Rituals of Mine and queer-pop musician 

SuperKnova. Info: fabaf.org. 

t 

Hats & Heels & Bow Ties Luncheon, 

benefiting Turning Points, is on May 

20, 11:30am-1:30pm at GROVE Restaurant, 

Patio and Ballroom. 

Hats & Heels & Bow Ties centers 

around a friendly interactive competition 

between the guests. Celebrity 

judges score the guests on several 

categories regarding the guests’ hats 

or fascinator, and/or heels or flats 

and/or bow ties. Guests attend the 

luncheon wearing a hat or fascinator 

of their creation or purchased. They 

can also wear special or unique heels 

or flats. They can also wear a special 

or unique bow tie. Prizes are awarded 

to the winners. 

Tickets are $60 and include a glass 

of prosecco/champagne, a sit down 

lunch, dessert and photo booth pictures. 

Arrive early to shop the raffle 

prizes. Tickets: https://tpmanatee. 

org/events/. 

t 

UnidosNow has its 10th Anniversary 

Musical Celebration in May that 

will merge the dynamic exuberance 

of traditional mariachi with the emotional 

power of a classical symphony. 

The musical celebration will feature 

the internationally-acclaimed 

Mexican folkloric group Mariachi 

Cobre performing with the Venice 

Symphony on May 20 and 21 at the 

Van Wezel and the Venice Performing 

Arts Center. 

NocheUnidos offers a tapestry of 

musical delights combining traditional 

mariachi with a classical symphony. 

The program will showcase 

the most treasured musical artforms 

of the Old and New Worlds to create 

an unforgettable experience. 

Tickets: www.unidosnow.org/ 

nocheunidos. UnidosNow offers 

educational and professional outreach 

initiatives to the Hispanic/ 

Latinx communities in Sarasota and 

Manatee counties. The organization 

achieves this through education initiatives, 

leadership training, community 

services, and civic engagement. 

t 

Learn about the importance of soil 

at Southface Sarasota at the Florida 

House on Saturday, May 7 in partnership 

with Transition Sarasota 

and Sunshine Community Compost. 

Join them for hands-on learning 

about soil, compost and food production. 

Runs 10 am - 1 pm at The 

Florida House, 4454 Beneva Rd. Ages: 

3rd-12th Grade. 

Get your hands dirty on the first day 

of this 10-day festival of free events 

and activities for children and families. 

Register: https://bit.ly/3qWdwbb 

t 

Punta Gorda Crab & Music Festival 

is on May 13-15. Paragon Festivals 

offers live music, food vendors, 

libations and free general admission 

with Punta Gorda Crab & Music Festival 

at Laishley Park. Info: paragonfestivals.com. 

t 

Twenty food 

trucks including 

Smokin 

Momma Lora’s 

BBQ will be 

at the Food 

Trucks, Tunes, 

and Brews 

event on May 

14. Enjoy a 

music lineup 

headlined 

by Jah Movement. 

Enjoy 

local craft 

brews at this 

event held at 

Fruitville Grove 

in Sarasota. 

Info: facebook. 

com/smokinmommaLorasBBQ. 

t 

The Sarasota 

Shrimp & 

Music Festival 

runs May 

20-22. Enjoy 

live music, 

seafood and 

libations with 

free admission 

hosted by Paragon 

Festivals 

takes place in 

downtown Sarasota’s J.D. Hamel 

Park. Info: paragonfestivals.com. 

t 

The Sarasota International Dragon 

Boat Festival is on May 21. The 

festival returns to Nathan Benderson 

Park, featuring the titular dragon 

boat races along with a food truck 

bazaar, beer garden, cultural expo, 

health and wellness village and more. 

Info: mldb.gwnevents.com/sarasota. 

t 

Elling Eide Center 

Arboretum Tours 

Join docent Norman Burr on a 

90-minute trek through their historic 

grounds. Walk through the arboretum 

and learn about rare, interesting, 

and exotic plants. Norman will discuss 

the geologic history of Florida 

and how plant life evolved. He will 

also share the history of the inhabitants 

of the Elling Eide Center from 

pre-history to today. 

Then, venture inside and see Elling 

Eide’s personal collection of Asian 

art and artifacts. Arboretum Tours 

are held every Tuesday/Thursday 

of every week. Register at www.ellingoeide.org 

for the Arboretum Tour 

and their other events. Elling Eide 

Center, 8000 South Tamiami Trail, 

Sarasota. Admission: $5. Tour is 2 

hours with 60 minutes of the tour is 

outside and 30 minutes of the tour is 

of the inside of the Eide Center. 

t 

Hamlet’s Eatery 

A jazz brunch with Hot Club SRQ 

is on May 15, 10-2pm in the outdoor 

courtyard of The Bazaar on Apricot & 

Lime at 821 Apricot Ave, Sarasota. 

Enjoy gypsy jazz style live music by 

Hot Club of SRQ. Led by violin and 

vocalist Keven Aland, bass playing 

by Glenn Stevenson, and Jon Mc- 

Laughlin on guitar. Beyond the genre 

of Gypsy Jazz, their vast repertoire 

includes Rhumba, Flamenco, Bossa 

Nova, Samba, Tango, Swing, and lots 

of tunes from the great American 

songbook. 

t 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith: 

Flowers, Poetry, and Light presents the creative work of two contemporary icons in 

dialogue with nature throughout Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota. 

Hamlet’s menu options will include 

both traditional and vegan 

dishes plus, bloody Mary and mimosas. 

Tantalize your taste buds with 

Macbeth’s morning meal or tropical 

vegan pancakes. Dine outside with 

seating under a covered patio. Held 

rain or shine. For more information 

visit www.HamletsEatery.com or call 

941-445-1938. 

Experience 

Nature 

t 

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota 

County offers these events: 

• May10—EcoWalk: Unique Preserves 

of Sarasota County - Sleeping 

Turtles South. Join a UF/IFAS 

Extension Sarasota County educator 

and learn more about the Florida 

ecosystems. Take a leisurely stroll 

through beautiful and environmentally 

sensitive lands that have been 

preserved in Sarasota County and 

learn more about what makes these 

areas so unique and important, the 

plants and animals that inhabit 

them, how to be watershed wise, and 

the management issues faced when 

trying to preserve these lands for future 

generations. 

• May 19—EcoWalk: Meditation in 

the Parks - Red Bug Slough. Join 

them for an exploration of finding 

peace within nature along a mostly 

silent walk. They’ll draw upon many 

traditions and cultures for a non-denominational 

approach to connecting 

with ourselves and nature and get 

healthier along the way. 

Many traditions use some form of 

meditation, focus, contemplation, 

reflection, or breath work to quiet the 

mind and center the body and spirit. 

Instructor: Dr. Katherine Clements, 

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County 

ecology and natural resources educator, 

or guest facilitator(s). Appropriate 

for ages 12-102. 

Register ONLY at ufsarasotaext. 

eventbrite.com rather than any third 

party websites, as they are not affiliated 

with their 

classes and 

events. For 

further information, 

call 

941-861-5000 

or email sarasota@ifas.ufl. 

edu. 

Summer 

Art 

Camps 

Art Center 

Sarasota offers 

Summer Art 

Camp through 

August 5. Each 

week campers 

will explore 

their creativity, 

learn about 

art, and make 

original masterpieces 

that 

will be “exhibited” 

on Friday 

afternoons 

for friends 

and family. 

Instructors 

provide age 

appropriate 

activities for campers in two groups: 

Creative Kids for ages 6-10 and 

Emerging Artists for ages 11-15. 

Camp runs M-F, 9:30 am-3 pm. 

Before and after care available. Info: 

https://www.artsarasota.org/summer-camp. 

t 

t 

The Island Players on Anna 

Maria plan to offer its Children’s 

Drama Camp, in partnership with 

the AMI Center, led by actress Pam 

Hopkins, with two public performances 

planned for July 23. Evening 

performances will be at 7:30 p.m. in 

the new season. Auditions will be 

held at 7:30 p.m. on August 1. For 

information, call 941-7785755 or 

visit theislandplayers.org. 

ArtCenter Manatee offers sprouting 

artists, ages 4 to 6, an opportunity 

to express their creativity. In Marvelous 

Mondays, children ages 6-10 will 

make drawings, paintings and prints. 

In Thrilling Thursdays children will 

have fun playing in clay. If they want 

more, this age group can attend oneweek 

KidsArt Camps from 9-3 Monday 

through Friday. 

Every week has a different theme, 

from animals and aliens to artists 

and super heroes. Emerging Artists, 

ages 11-15, are challenged in 

weekly half-day camps where they 

can make clay sculptures and learn 

on the potter’s wheel, learn mosaics, 

painting, drawing, fiber, collage and 

more. Scholarships available. Camps 

begin May 31. Location: 209 9th St 

W, Bradenton. Info: / 941-746-2862 

/ https://artcentermanatee.org/kidsart-overview/. 

t 

Selby Gardens has a summer 

camp with weekly sessions June 6 

- July 15. They offer six one-week sessions 

(Monday-Friday) from June 6 to 

July 15. The first three weeks are at our 

Downtown Sarasota campus, while 

the final three take place at the Historic 

Spanish Point campus. Sign up 

for individual weeks of your choice. 

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At Mote Marine 

Mote Aquarium has a new exhibit 

from National Geographic. SHARKS: 

On Assignment with Brian Skerry 

includes large-scale images that 

highlight the work of National Geographic 

Explorer and award-winning 

photojournalist, Brian Skerry. 

The exhibit runs through Aug. 7, 

2022. The exhibition strives to raise 

awareness about the status of sharks 

around the world. Visitors can dive 

into the ocean depths to swim alongside 

tiger sharks, great whites, oceanic 

whitetips and shortfin makos while 

learning about each species’ habitat 

and threats they face. Additionally, 

they’ll get a glimpse into National 

Geographic’s ocean conservation 

efforts. 

National Geographic Explorer and 

award-winning photojournalist Skerry 

has spent more than 10,000 hours 

underwater exploring the world’s 

oceans with a camera to show why 

sharks need to be protected and appreciated 

as integral species within 

the ecosystem. The exhibition will 

include large-scale images and videos—all 

highlighting Skerry’s passion, 

skill and life-long commitment 

to conservation of the world’s oceans. 

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■ Join Mote for some fun outdoor 

exploration. Participants will use 

dip nets to explore the nearshore seagrass 

beds and learn about the plants 

and animals that call the Bay home. 

All ages. Fee: $15. Held 11:30 a.m.- 

12:30 p.m. May 14, 30 and June 18. 

Pre-registration (including parents/guardians) 

is required. This is 

an outdoor program and participants 

will wade in water up to waist deep. 

Details here: https://mote.org/experiences/details/kayaking-with-mote 

■ Seashore SEAfari allows you to 

explore a mangrove forest. Put on 

your adventure hat and come along 

as you tour a mangrove boardwalk, 

use science tools to test water quality 

and complete a seashore scavenger 

hunt with one of the best views in 

Sarasota. All ages. Fee: $15. Held 10 

a.m.-11a.m. May 14, 30 and June 18. 

Pre-registration (including parents/ 

guardians) is required. This is an 

outdoor program (not water-based) 

that involves walking. Details 

here: https://mote.org/experiences/ 

details/kayaking-with-mote. 

Choral Artists 

Next up: American Fanfare on 

July 4. Celebrate America with choral 

fireworks, rousing marches and 

patriotic fervor. Old Glory and Uncle 

Sam are feted in this annual performance 

featuring the Lakewood 

Ranch Wind Ensemble and Choral 

Artists of Sarasota. Musical fireworks 

abound in this annual salute 

to America at the Sarasota Opera 

House at 4 p.m. For more information, 

visit www.ChoralArtistsSarasota.org. 

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At The Van Wezel 

Coming up: 

• Boz Scaggs: Out of the Blues Tour 

2022 (May 4) 

• One Night of Queen starring Gary 

Mullen and the Works (May 7) 

Tickets can be purchased at www. 

VanWezel.org, by calling the box 

office at 941-263-6799. 

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continued on page 8 


out and about continued 

Lots of Fun 

Outdoor Events 

The Palm Avenue First Friday 

Walks in downtown Sarasota gives 

art lovers a backdoor peek without 

the hustle and bustle of the crowds 

but with the cool breeze and moonlight 

sky the evening brings. The 

event is held the first Friday of every 

month, running 6-9 p.m. The next 

ones are on May 6 and June 3. Info: 

https://palmave.com/ 

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Start your Saturday with a sunrise 

stretch at The Sarasota Farmers Market. 

They’ve partnered with Pineapple 

Yoga Studio to bring free, weekly 

sunrise yoga to downtown Sarasota. 

Participants meet at the Mermaid 

Fountain in Paul Thorpe Park, near 

the Intersection of Pineapple and 

Lemon Avenues. Enjoy Artful Movement 

with Bianca, a 45-minute guided 

practice accompanied by a playlist 

to match the intention. 

Starting at 7 a.m., participants 

will enjoy a gentle yoga flow suitable 

for all ages and levels. The weekly 

45-minute yoga practice will focus 

on movements that foster inner and 

outer balance. 

For information, call 941-225- 

9256 or visit sarasotafarmersmarket.org/yoga 

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Arts Advocates has a walking tour 

on May 11, 11 am -noon. Join them 

for a Manatee Performing Arts Center 

Backstage Tour. The Arts Advocates 

walking tours, organized and led by 

art lovers and docents Judy Levine, 

Stephenie Frasher and Nanette Crist, 

offer participants an opportunity to 

learn about our area’s public art legacy, 

individual works, and the artists 

who created them. 

Reservations required: Cost: $30. 

To register, visit ArtsAdvocates.org. 

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Marie Selby 

Botanical Gardens 

t 

Robert Mapplethorpe and 

Patti Smith: Flowers, Poetry, and 

Light presents the creative work 

of two contemporary icons in dialogue 

with nature throughout Selby 

Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus. 

The immersive, multi-sensory 

exhibition includes original photographs 

of flowers by Mapplethorpe, 

excerpts of poetry, lyrics, and music 

by Smith, and new horticultural displays 

inspired by their work. It marks 

the sixth annual Goldstein Exhibition, 

which examines major artists 

through the lens of their connection 

to nature. The exhibit runs to June 

26 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 

1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 

is one of 12 participating gardens 

across 6 countries offering “Seeing 

the Invisible” which features works 

by more than a dozen international 

artists such as Ai Weiwei, Refik 

Anadol, El Anatsui, Isaac Julien CBE, 

Mohammed Kazem, Sigalit Landau, 

Sarah Meyohas, Pamela Rosenkranz, 

and Timur Si-Qin—including several 

artists’ first work in AR. 

Visitors will engage with “Seeing 

the Invisible” via an app designed 

for the exhibition downloadable to 

smartphones and tablets. The exhibition 

fosters collaboration between 

institutions, artists, and audiences, 

highlighting the power of art to connect 

people around the world. “Seeing 

the Invisible” runs to August 31 

at the Historic Spanish Point campus. 

Information: www.selby.org. 

Live Music 

WMNF and Suncoast Blues Society 

present The Jimmys on May 20 at 

Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper 

Rd., Tampa. Doors at 7pm, music 

starts at 8pm. Tickets: $25 at the door. 

Enjoy food and bluesy music with 

WMNF’s Larry Lisk of Mo’ Blues Monday 

who will be emceeing the event. 

The Jimmys’ feature band leader, 

Hammond B-3 keyboardist, singer, 

and songwriter Jimmy Voegeli; an 

experienced rhythm section steeped 

in blues with Perry Weber on guitar, 

Chris Sandoval on drums, and John 

Wartenwieler on bass; and the best 

horn section in the Midwest: Pete 

Ross on saxophone, Mike Boman on 

trumpet, and Joe Goltz on trombone. 

WMNF also has a Tribute to Creedence 

Clearwater Revival and 

John Fogerty on May 28. Twelve 

Tampa Bay bands will perform 3-4 

songs each, with over 35 songs from 

Creedence Clearwater Revival and 

lead singer/guitarist John Fogerty 

throughout the night. 

Hear the classics and deep cuts that 

influenced bands such as the Foo 

Fighters, Tom Morello, Bob Seger, 

and My Morning Jacket, all of whom 

performed with Fogerty on his 2013 

album, “Wrote a Song for Everyone.” 

Tickets: https://www.wmnf.org/. 

t 

Aviva Senior Living is continuing 

its Amicus Classical Concert Series. 

The concerts are free and open to the 

public as well as residents of Aviva. 

On May 10 at 1:30 p.m., the concert 

series will spotlight cellist Dr. 

Claudio Jaffe. Hailed by The New 

York Times as “an elegant and accomplished 

artist,” Jaffe delights his 

audiences with his colorful and passionate 

virtuosity. The program will 

include an intimate encounter with 

music written for the cello, from Bach 

to the present. 

On June 14 at 1:30 p.m., the series 

will conclude with a concert by Catherine 

Lan and Tao Lin, otherwise 

known as Duo Beaux Arts. The duo 

has performed all over the world to 

critical acclaim. La Belle Epoque is 

a program of romantic and virtuosic 

French music for piano solo and duet 

including Faure’s Dolly Suite and the 

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Hamlet’s Eatery has a jazz brunch with Hot Club SRQ is on May 15, 10-2pm. in the outdoor courtyard of The Bazaar on 

Apricot & Lime at 821 Apricot Ave, Sarasota. 

always popular Clair de Lune. 

Each concert is free and held at Aviva’s 

Kretzmer Center, 1951 N. Honore 

Ave., Sarasota. To RSVP, call Melinda 

at 941-702-2597 or at mhaney@avivaseniorlife.org. 

On May 21 at 2:30 pm experience 

“Romanticism Throughout the 

Ages: An Expression through Music, 

History & Literature” with world-acclaimed 

piano virtuoso, Eleonora 

Lvov at Selby Public Library in the 

Geldbart Auditorium. 

Eleonora Lvov, Internationally 

acclaimed Russian virtuoso, plays 

a broad spectrum of music with the 

artist’s own personal impressions 

and historical remarks. The program 

includes works from Beethoven, Chopin 

and Liszt to Rachmaninov and 

Gershwin among others. Call 941- 

358-0235. www.eleonoralvov.com. 

Register at scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com/events. 

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Art Exhibits 

Princeton Street Arts, a collective 

of artists hosting monthly open 

studios and exhibitions offers open 

studios on May 20, 6-8 p.m. Location: 

12 Princeton Street, Sarasota. Info: 

https://www.princetonstreetarts.info/. 

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Sarasota Art Museum has Felix 

Gonzalez-Torres runs through May 

15, 2022. Gonzalez-Torres (1957-1996, 

Cuba) used everyday materials, such 

as lightbulbs, paper, and candy, to 

engage viewers in deeper consideration 

of intrapersonal and cultural 

issues. After moving to New York City 

in the early 1980s, Gonzalez-Torres 

joined Group Material, a community-based 

artist collaborative 

that repositioned the relationship 

between artist, artwork, and viewer 

through direct involvement and education. 

Gonzalez-Torres conveyed 

this intention in his own practice 

through works that challenged the 

notion of what defines art and how 

people should experience it. 

Also Daniel Lind-Ramos’ Las 

Tres Marías runs through August 7, 

2022. Las Tres Marías is comprised 

of two new assemblage sculptures 

created specifically by Lind-Ramos 

for the Museum’s exhibition, Baño 

de María and María Guabancex, 

in addition to his previously-made 

work, María de los Sustentos. 

Daniel Lind-Ramos (b. 1953, Puerto 

t 

Rico) creates assemblages from found 

and reclaimed objects, many of which 

were collected in the aftermath of 

Hurricane Maria. Through the combination 

of natural and manufactured 

materials, Lind-Ramos’ sculptural 

assemblages recall the experiential 

elements of the hurricane—wind, 

rain, thunder, and lightning—as well 

as cultural signifiers of Puerto Rico, 

specifically, the city of Loíza, where 

the artist was born and still resides. 

The devastating impact of Hurricane 

Maria (2017) in Puerto Rico is still visible 

in the physical destruction, and 

felt in the memories and collective 

consciousness of Puerto Ricans, but 

Lind-Ramos’ Las Tres Marías serves 

as a testament to the resilience of the 

people and community. 

Las Tres Marías will be exhibited 

in the 3rd Floor’s Tom & Sherry Koski 

Gallery and Lois & David Stulberg 

Gallery to August 7, 2022. 

■ Sarasota Art Museum is at the 

Ringling College Museum Campus, 

1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 

https://www.sarasotaartmuseum. 

org/visit/ 

Art Uptown Gallery’s May exhibit, 

“Different Strokes,” showcases 

the paintings of Diane Boone and 

Gillian St. George. Diane is an intuitive 

abstract painter, and Gillian is 

a hard-edge abstract painter. Both 

local, full-time residents of national 

recognition. Meet the artists on May 

6, 6-9 p.m. at the First Friday public 

reception at the gallery and Saturday, 

May 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

■ The exhibit runs through May 

27. Art Uptown Gallery is located at 

1367 Main Street, Sarasota. Call 941- 

966-5409 or visit www.artuptown.com. 

t 

The Harmony Gallery features 

local artists showcasing their work 

in solo exhibitions throughout the 

Orchestra’s season. The next artist is 

Tony Reinemann. His exhibition is 

called Night Gallery and is inspired 

by Hopper, Renaissance Perspective 

and Film Noir. 

Reinemann has created vivid, eccentric, 

nighttime portraits of his 

hometown NYC for more than 35 

years. A graduate of the School of 

Visual Arts where he received the 

Rhodes Family Award for Excellence 

in Arts. Tony’s works have been 

shown at the National Academy of 

Design, the Whitney Museum of 

t 

American Art and in a variety of galleries. 

Additionally, Tony has worked 

extensively in the field of illustration 

and digital imagery. His creativity has 

been displayed in advertising campaigns 

for global consumer products. 

■ The Harmony Gallery is in the 

atrium of the Beatrice Friedman 

Symphony Center at 709 North Tamiami 

Trail, Sarasota. Free and open 

to the public. Runs through May 27. 

Information: https://www.sarasotaorchestra.org/about/community/ 

harmony-gallery. 

SPAACES Foundation has “The 

Queue: Beyond The Surface,” a 

solo exhibit by Nneka Jones. Runs 

through May 7. 

Also, “Ah Who Run Dis,” A Solo 

Exhibit by Krystle Lemonias runs 

May 21-June 11. Opening reception: 

May 20, 6 – 8pm. By appointment only. 

The SPAACES Foundation is a notfor-profit, 

with an evening of food, 

music, art and more. The Princeton 

street corridor is a growing community 

of warehouses converted to 

working art studios. Anchored by 

the SPAACES foundation, this little 

neighborhood has evolved into a premier 

location for contemporary and 

conceptual artists. 

■ If you have any questions contact 

marianne@spaaces.art or at 941- 

374-3492. 

t 

Artist Series 

Concerts of 

Sarasota 

Here’s what’s coming up: 

• May 4, 4 pm at Sarasota Opera 

House. Lin Ye, piano with Daniel 

Jordan and Samantha Bennett, violin; 

Rachel Halvorson, viola; Natalie 

Helm, cello; John Miller, double 

bass. Artist Series Concerts welcomes 

the return of pianist Lin Ye, a 

former winner of the organization’s 

2017 National Piano Competition. 

Ye performs piano concerti by Bach, 

Mozart and Chopin with principal 

string players from the Sarasota 

Orchestra. Ye’s performance is 

part of State College of Florida’s 

Pianopalooza festival, taking place 

through May 8. 

For more information, visit www. 

ArtistSeriesConcerts.org 

Venice Symphony 

Venice Symphony has Songs 

from the Screen and Stage with 

Linda Eder on May 6-7. Broadway 

and recording star Linda Eder joins 

The Venice Symphony for an unforgettable 

concert of classics from 

Broadway and Hollywood. Eder has 

been called “one of the greatest voices 

of our time” and routinely sells out 

performances all over the Country. 

Location: Venice Performing Arts 

Center, 1 Indian Ave, Venice. Tickets: 

https://www.thevenicesymphony.org/ 

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Sarasota Orchestra 

May 14 at the Sarasota Opera 

House. Discover Mozart 3: Genius of 

Youth. Stephen Mulligan, conductor; 

Maria Ioudenitch, violin, Jordan Bak, 

viola. Program: Britten – Sinfonietta 

No. 1; Mozart – Sinfonia concertante 

for Violin, Viola and Orchestra; 

Mozart – Symphony No. 25 in G Minor 

The season closes with Mozart’s 

Symphony No. 25, Britten’s first opus, 

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continued on page 10 


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out and about continued 

and Mozart’s showpiece for violin 

and viola. Stephen Mulligan leads 

this tribute to the accomplishments 

of young artists. Mozart wrote this 

symphony at 17 and the Sinfonia concertante 

at 18. It’s the Sarasota debut 

of Maria Ioudenitch and Jordan Bak. 

• May 6-7, 8 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium: 

Outdoor Pops: Iconic Songs of 

the ‘70s with Christopher Confessore, 

conductor and Swearingen & 

Kelli, vocalists. 

Grab your bell bottoms and come 

out to the Orioles’ Ed Smith Stadium 

for a night of music from a time when 

“catch you on the flip side” referred to 

vinyl records. 

Sarasota Orchestra backs the vocals 

of Nashville-based duo Swearingen 

& Kelli, who recreate the magic of 

‘70s singer-songwriters such as James 

Taylor, Carole King, Neil Diamond, 

Joni Mitchell, and more. Get yourself 

some ballpark fare, kick back in the 

stands, and enjoy the Orchestra performing 

from the field. A fireworks 

display closes out the evening. 

Tickets available at the Orioles’ Box 

Office, by phone at 941-893-6312, or at 

Orioles.com/arts. 

For the other concerts, www. 

SarasotaOrchestra.org. 

At The Ringling 

On exhibit is “As long as there is 

sun, as long as there is light.” Selections 

from the Bring Gift and The 

Ringling Collection of Modern and 

Contemporary Art. The exhibition 

runs through Aug. 13, 2023, in the 

museum’s Searing Wing. 

Highlights include minimalist 

work by Anne Truitt and a monumental 

work on canvas by Gene 

Davis, both artists affiliated with 

the Washington Color School, an art 

movement during the 1950s to 1970s 

in Washington D.C., made up of abstract 

expressionist artists. 

Additional work represent a generation 

of prominent artists who 

work, or have worked, in abstraction, 

including Clement Meadmore, Jules 

Olitski, Beverly Pepper, Rebecca Salter, 

Kenneth Snelson, and Yuriko Yamaguchi, 

among others. Also on view 

are sculptures and paintings by African 

American and Latin American 

artists from The Ringling collection, 

including William Edmondson, Eduardo 

Mac Entyre, Omar Rayo, Baruj 

Salinas, and Joyce de Guatemala. 

The Ringling has Haitian-Canadian 

artist Rhodnie Désir for the world 

premiere of her first gallery installation, 

Rhodnie Désir: Conversations 

in the Ringling’s Monda Gallery. In 

her multidimensional choreographic 

career, dancer/choreographer Rhodnie 

Désir created BOW’T TRAIL, a 

choreographic-documentary journey 

in which she has conducted research 

throughout the Americas since 2015. 

Her work included visits to countries 

such as Martinique, Brazil, Haïti, 

Canada, Mexico, and the United 

States to immerse herself within the 

African and afro descendant cultures 

and rhythms generated from 

the ingenuity of her ancestors since 

the Slave Trade. 

The Ringling also has Eleanor 

Merritt: Remembrance, running 

through Aug. 21. The exhibition 

celebrates the life and artwork of 

Merritt who was a volunteer at The 

Ringling for many years as a docent 

and board member. She also served 

as president of the Venice Art Center 

t 

and was active in 

other arts organizations 

as well. 

Eleanor died in 

2019 leaving a 

legacy of art and 

public service. 

This exhibition 

is dedicated to 

her spirit and 

creativity and 

represents a 

small sample of a 

significant body 

of work the artist 

created over her 

long career. The 

exhibition highlights 

her creative 

use of materials, 

movement 

between figuration 

and abstraction, 

and her 

commitment to 

women’s rights. 

Arriving in Sarasota in the 1980s, 

Eleanor exhibited widely in Florida. 

Her final exhibition in 2017 at the 

Arts & Cultural Alliance celebrated 

her 60 years of painting. In 2013, she 

received national recognition with 

an exhibition at the Houston Museum 

of African American Culture. 

And there’s Ballroom Florida: 

Deco & Desire in Japan’s Jazz Age 

on view to September 25. This exhibition 

celebrates a recent gift of 

six paintings from Mary and Robert 

Levenson by Enomoto Chikatoshi 

(1898–1973) and a photograph by Hamaya 

Hiroshi (1915–1999) depicting 

the women of the Florida and its chic 

décor. The exhibition is augmented 

with loans that elaborate on themes 

that define this group of artworks: 

Art Deco design, the exotic, and elegant 

pleasures. Learn more 

Metadata: Rethinking Photography 

from the 21st Century is on 

view until August 28. This exhibition 

explores new paradigms for understanding 

the ecology of the photographic 

image. The term “metadata” 

is used to describe the information 

that travels with a digital image file 

but is unseen within the image itself. 

The John and Mable Ringling 

Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., 

Sarasota. Info: www.ringling.org. 

Theatre 

Asolo Rep has the world premiere 

of Knoxville through May 

11. The musical features lyrics by 

Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen 

Flaherty and is adapted and directed 

by Frank Galati, reuniting the 

Tony Award-winning creative team 

behind the musical Ragtime. Knoxville 

is based on James Agee’s Pulitzer 

Prize-winning autobiographical 

novel A Death in the Family and 

based, in part, on the play All 

The Way Home by Tad Mosel. 

Asolo Rep will present a new 

American play, EUREKA DAY (May 

11-June 4), by New College alum 

Jonathan Spector and directed 

by Bianca LaVerne Jones in the Cook 

Theatre. An explosive comedy that 

skewers sanctimony and the nature 

of our politics, EUREKA DAY asks: 

when does “us” become “them?”. 

The season concludes with another 

new musical, HOOD (June 

3-26), featuring music and lyrics 

by Lewis Flinn (Lysistrata Jones), a 

book by five-time Tony-nominated 

t 

Elling Eide Center Arboretum Tours—Join docent Norman Burr on a 90-minute 

trek through their historic grounds. Walk through the arboretum and learn 

about rare, interesting, and exotic plants. 

playwright Douglas Carter Beane 

(Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, 

Lysistrata Jones, Sister Act, 

Xanadu) and helmed by Mark Brokaw 

(Heisenberg, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 

Cinderella, After Miss 

Julie). Rediscover Robin Hood, the 

renegade crusader, his Merry Band 

and a Maid Marian who definitely 

does not need saving in this madcap 

musical. 

Tickets: asolorep.org or call the Box 

Office at 941-351-8000. 

FST’s final Cabaret of the season, 

Laughing Matters (Variant 6): 

Paranoia on Parade , is playing in 

FST’s Court Cabaret. This edition 

of FST’s musical sketch comedy 

revue is inspired by today’s culture 

and politics. 

Featuring parodies of popular songs 

and musical theatre classics interspersed 

with original comedic sketches, 

Laughing Matters pokes fun at 

everything—from the impact of social 

media and the steep rise of inflation 

to Sarasota’s rapid development and 

the seemingly endless COVID-19 pandemic. 

Runs to June 19. 

Florida Studio Theatre has The 

Legend of Georgia McBride’s 

young, he’s broke, his landlord’s 

knocking at the door, and he’s just 

found out his wife is going to have 

a baby. To make matters even more 

desperate, Casey is struggling with 

his gig as an Elvis impersonator in 

a run-down, small-town Florida 

bar. When the bar owner brings in a 

B-level drag show to replace his act, 

Casey finds that he has a whole lot 

to learn about show business—and 

himself. Runs in FST’s Gompertz 

Theatre. Call for dates. 

Tickets: FloridaStudioTheatre.org or 

call the Box Office at (941) 366-9000. 

t 

Manatee Performing Arts 

Center has: 

• Murder at the Juice Joint presented 

by DraMature (Interactive Theater) 

is on May 4 at 5 p.m. 

• Go Ask Alice Opens Thursday, May 12 

• Titanic The Musical runs to May 15 

Manatee Performing Arts Center, 

502 Third Avenue West, Bradenton. 

Ticket/Box Office: 941-748-5875 or 

https://www.manateeperformingartscenter.com/ 

t 

t 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe 

(WBTT) presents: From Birmingham 

to Broadway 

& Float Like 

a Butterfly. Their 

New Playwrights 

Series presents 

the world premiere 

of these 

two one-act plays 

May 4-29. 

A tour-deforce 

tribute to 

Broadway singer 

and TV actress 

Nell Carter by 

powerhouse 

performer Tarra 

Conner jones, 

From Birmingham 

to Broadway 

combines music, 

comedy and 

drama as jones 

embodies Carter’s 

never-giveup 

spirit. 

Earley Dean 

becomes the iconic boxer Muhammad 

Ali in Float Like a Butterfly, 

who took a stand against the Vietnam 

war and injustice in America. 

Ali showed the world he could 

“float like a butterfly, sting like 

a bee” — far beyond the boxing 

ring. From Birmingham to Broadway 

& Float Like A Butterfly is 

directed by Nate Jacobs. 

Call the Box Office at 941-366-1505 

or visit westcoastblacktheatre.org. 

Meetings 

The Venice Area Women’s College 

Club invites you to a lunch on 

May 10, 11:30 a.m. at the Plantation 

Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley 

Blvd, Venice. 

The May meeting (last of the season) 

is for the installation of new club 

officers, members can mix and mingle 

and get to know each other better. 

A great time for prospective members 

to come and check out the club, answer 

any questions you may have and 

to meet new people. 

To inquire about club membership 

and/or lunch reservations ($25), call 

309-635-3058. 

t 

Farmer’s Markets 

The Sarasota Farmers Market 

is open on Saturdays with normal 

hours of 7 am-1 pm, rain or shine. 

http://www.sarasotafarmersmarket. 

org/ (941) 225-9256 

t 

Venice Farmers Market has 

more than 40 vendors on Saturdays, 

many based during the week 

in Venice, Englewood and other 

areas of Sarasota County. Held at 

Venice City Hall, 401 W. Venice Avenue, 

Venice. Call (941) 445-9209 or 

visit https://www.thevenicefarmersmarket.org/site/ 

t 

The Newtown Farmer’s Market is 

open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Friday 

and Saturday. The market is located 

at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 

at the corner of Cocoanut Avenue and 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

t 

Bradenton Farmer’s Market 

offers fresh produce, local art, 

music, demos by local chefs, and 

family activities. Parking is free 

on weekends, and dogs on leashes 

are welcome. Held every Saturday 

through May, from 9am – 2pm, on 

t 

Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton, 

400 12th St. W. Bradenton. 

Old Main Street is a tree-lined retail 

district of cafes and restaurants 

running three blocks north from 

Manatee Avenue to the Manatee 

River, where it meets the Bradenton 

Riverwalk. 

The Farmers Market at Lakewood 

Ranch is now at Waterside 

Place. Their Farmers Market currently 

has about 60 vendors and 

went this past summer from a seasonal 

market to a year-round event. 

When the market transfers to Waterside 

Place, taking up space all along 

Lakefront Boulevard and Kingfisher 

Lake, more than 80 vendors will line 

the street.The Farmers Market will 

stick to a 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. time slot 

on Sundays. 

t 

At Benderson 

Relay for Life: May 7, 4:30 p.m. 

Benefits the American Cancer Society. 

More info at acsevents.org 

• USRowing Southeast Regional 

Championships: May 14-15. More 

info at https://usrowing.org/sports 

• Zumba: May 14, 10 a.m. Join Yael 

Campbell for a total workout set to 

Latin rhythms, combining all elements 

of fitness – cardio, muscle 

conditioning, balance and flexibility, 

boosted energy and a serious 

dose of awesome. At the base of the 

finish tower. $5 cash, due before the 

session begins. More info at https:// 

www.zumba.com/en-US/profile/ 

yael-campbell/1295823 

• Sarasota International Dragon 

Boat Festival: May 21. More 

info at https://mldb.gwnevents. 

com/sarasota. There is a special 

five-week Experience Dragon 

Boat opportunity for people to 

try dragon boat paddling, which 

ends with racing at this festival. 

See https://mldb.gwnevents.com/ 

experience-db?hsLang=en for more 

information. 

• NCAA Rowing National Championships: 

May 27-29, for Divs. I, II 

and III. Host school is the University 

of Central Florida. 

• International Dragon Boat Federation 

13th Club Crew World Championships: 

July 18-24, 2022. More 

about IDBF at https://www.dragonboat.sport/ 

The Ronald A. Balducci Playground 

is open during regular park 

hours (6 a.m.-8 p.m.), but hour-long 

closures at 8 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. 

allow crews to clean playground 

equipment. 

Only electric boat motors are authorized; 

gas motors must be raised 

to indicate they aren’t in use. (This is 

in accordance with Sarasota County 

ordinances.) 

Operating hours are 6 a.m.-8 p.m. 

through Halloween, then 6 a.m.-6 

p.m. through March 30, and variances 

on closing time (such as for NBP’s July 

3 fireworks) are by permit. Follow the 

park at NathanBendersonPark.org. 

t 

Note: 

Be sure to send season 

schedules for 2022 to 


t 



2022-23 SEASON 

at the Venice Performing Arts Center 

THE VENICE SYMPHONY 

has its annual 

Patriotic Pops Concert and fireworks 

ON MAY 28 

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS 

AND GROUP SALES 

AVAILABLE NOW 

Music Director Troy Quinn 

Venice Performing Arts Center 

Free Parking and Valet 

T 

he Venice 

Symphony is back 

with its third 

annual Patriotic 

Pops Concert and 

fireworks, May 28 at 7:30 pm, 

at CoolToday Park, the spring 

training home of the Atlanta 

Braves. This year’s guest artist is 

the renowned a cappella group, 

Rockapella. Gates open at 5:30 pm. 

“The Symphony is excited to 

once again partner with the Atlanta 

Braves Florida team and 

CoolToday Park and share this 

popular concert with more people 

than ever before,” said Christine 

Kasten, President/CEO of The 

Venice Symphony. “Troy Quinn has 

planned an outstanding and inspiring 

program for our orchestra 

and our guest artist, the world-renowned 

group Rockapella.” 

Music Director Troy Quinn will 

lead the orchestra in a rousing 

concert that will include classic 

music from the great American songbook, 

film music and an Armed Forced Medley. 

Vocal group Rockapella achieved national 

fame on PBS’s Where in the World is 

Carmen Sandiego? They have toured the 

world with their powerful and astonishing 

“full band” vocals and will accompany the 

orchestra on several contemporary and 

popular tunes. 

The Venice Symphony and CoolToday 

Park have collaborated to expand the 

event for optimal viewing of the stage 

and fireworks, allowing for seating for 

approximately 5,000 people. Said Michael 

Dunn, VP of Florida Operations, “We are 

thrilled to welcome the Venice Symphony 

back to CoolToday Park. This evening 

of exceptional music in a nontraditional 

setting has grown in popularity over the 

years. We look forward to a new and 

exciting stage placement that will make 

this evening a night to remember.” 

As in previous years, the Community 

Foundation of Sarasota County is the 

concert’s presenting sponsor. “The Venice 

Rockapella 

Symphony has been steadfast the last 

several years in bringing our community 

together at the beautiful CoolToday Park to 

celebrate patriotic classics and along the 

way has created new traditions that unite 

people through music,” said Roxie Jerde, 

President and CEO of the Community 

Foundation of Sarasota County. “We are 

proud to be a partner with The Venice Symphony 

to build new opportunities like this 

welcoming concert that make our community 

so unique.” 

FAST FACTS: 

Tickets for Patriotic Pops are on sale 

at CoolToday Park box office at 

18800 S. West Villages Parkway, Venice, 

and Ticketmaster.com. Box office 

phone is 941-413-5000. 

The Venice Symphony: 941-207-8822 

Box office: 700 U.S. 41 Bypass North, Suite 4, Venice, FL 34285 

thevenicesymphony.org 

SPONSORED BY: 

Lisa & Scott Zelniker 

McCarver & Moser 

Fresh Start Cafe 

celebr ate 

YOM HA’ATZMAUT 

JFEDSRQ.ORG/events 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: 

Kehillah Collaborative 

Sarasota-Manatee Rabbinic Association 

StandWithUs 

Michael’s On East 

Paisano’s Italian Bakery 

Baca Bread (Kosher challah) (as of 4/12/2022) 

Israel 

Music by 

SRQ Beats 

Contact: Trudi Krames 

tkrames@jfedsrq.org or 941.706.0037 

Independence Day 

JOIN 

US! 

THURSDAY 

MAY 5, 2022 

5:30 – 7:30PM 

THE BAY CIVIC GREEN 

(nextdoor to Municipal Auditorium) 

ENJOY ISRAELI FOOD 

& FESTIVITIES WITH 

FAMILY & FRIENDS! 

LISA ZELNIKER, CHAIR 

FREE 



WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE 

Closes Season with One-Act Plays 

Two world-premiere one-act plays 

– paying tribute to Nell Carter and 

Muhammad Ali – to be 

presented together 

under the auspices 

of WBTT’s New 

Playwrights Series 

Tarra Conner 

jones wrote and 

stars in her ode to 

Nell Carter, ‘From 

Birmingham to 

Broadway’ 

Darius Autry is making his 

WBTT mainstage debut in 

the one-act play, ‘Float Like 

A Butterfly,’ which pays 

tribute to legendary boxer 

Muhammad Ali 

Photos by Sorcha Augustine 

Westcoast Black 

Theatre Troupe will 

close its 2021-2022 

season with two 

world-premiere one- 

act plays, under the auspices of its 

New Playwrights Series. These plays, 

“From Birmingham To Broadway” 

and “Float Like A Butterfly,” will be 

presented together May 4-29. 

“From Birmingham to Broadway” 

was written by and stars WBTT artist 

Tarra Conner jones (that’s the way she 

spells her name). A tribute to Broadway 

singer and TV actress Nell Carter, 

the play portrays Carter’s determination 

to excel in entertainment despite 

her non-traditional appearance. 

Through a combination of music, 

comedy and drama, Conner jones 

embodies the never-give-up spirit of 

this star of stage and screen. Director 

is WBTT Founder/Artistic Director 

Nate Jacobs. 

Conner jones is a gifted singer, actor, 

performer and playwright. She 

has played many roles over the years 

but she’s most proud of her work 

as: Matron Morton in “Chicago” at 

The Fulton Theatre, Mama Ogre and 

Dragon in “Shrek” at The Alhambra 

(the show that made her a member of 

the Actors’ Equity Association), and 

Nell Carter in “Ain’t Misbehavin’” at 

Theatre By The Sea in Rhode Island. 

Locally, she has been featured in 

WBTT’s productions of “The Wiz,” 

“How I Got Over,” “Ma Rainey’s Black 

Bottom” (Ma Rainey) and "Black 

Nativity" (Archangel Gabriel) as well 

as been featured during the recent 

WBTT April Fools Fête. 

Most recently, Conner jones portrayed 

Motormouth Maybelle in 

“Hairspray” and Tressa in “Flight” 

aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony 

of the Seas; she sailed with the cruise 

line for nearly seven months. She also 

worked under contract in Shanghai, 

China several years ago, performing 

in jazz and funk clubs. 

“Float Like a Butterfly” was written 

by Nate Jacobs and his brother, Michael 

Jacobs, and will feature musical 

compositions by Derric Gobourne Jr. 

and Henry Washington. Darius Autry 

becomes the greatest-of-all-time 

heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali 

in this homage to a man who took a 

stand against the Vietnam war and 

injustice in America. Ali was much 

more than a boxer: he was and remains 

an icon who showed the world 

he could “float like a butterfly, sting 

like a bee.” Director is Nate Jacobs. 

Autry – who was introduced to 

WBTT audiences in February in a 

rooftop play reading of Dominique 

Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew” in the 

role of Dez – is a Tampa native who 

was last seen on stage as Romeo in 

Jobsite’s production of “Romeo & 

Juliet.” He has brought other roles to 

life in the theatre, such as Lincoln in 

“Topdog/Underdog,” Martin in “Seminar,” 

and Woodson Bull III in “Third.” 

Between his theatrical commitments, 

Autry acts on-camera and writes film 

scripts. He can currently be seen on 

multiple domestic and international 

streaming platforms in the titular 

role in “Harvey,” an independent feature 

film. 

“The New Playwrights Series fits 

perfectly into our mission of supporting 

and developing African American 

artists, offering emerging as well as 

established minority playwrights the 

opportunity to present new works on 

an established and nurturing stage,” 

said Nate Jacobs. 

He adds, ”These one-act plays will 

shine a spotlight on two very important 

figures in Black history, offering 

insight into their motivations, their 

respective journeys, and the lasting 

impact they have had on American 

society as well as future generations.” 

These plays will be presented together 

from May 4-29, 2022. Showtimes 

are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays 

and 2 p.m. for Saturday and 

Sunday matinees. Performances 

take place in The Donelly Theatre at 

WBTT (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota). 

Tickets are $47/adults, $20/students 

and active military (prices include all 

applicable fees). Call the Box Office 

at 941-366-1505 or visit westcoastblacktheatre.org. 

About Westcoast 

Black Theatre Troupe 

The mission of Westcoast Black 

Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is to produce 

professional theatre that promotes 

and celebrates African American 

history and experience, engages a 

broad base of patrons and audiences, 

supports the development of a 

dynamic group of aspiring artists, 

and builds self-esteem in youth 

of color. For more information, 

visit westcoastblacktheatre.org. 



healthier you 

Experiencing Brain Fog 

since the Pandemic? 

If you’re feeling more forgetful or 

distracted than usual, you’re not alone 

According to a 2021 survey 

from the American 

Psychological Association, 

more than three-quarters 

of Americans report 

that the pandemic has been and still is 

a significant source of stress. One of the 

side effects of that stress may be brain 

fog. If you’re feeling more forgetful or 

distracted than usual, you’re not alone. 

In this article I will discuss how to 

beat that very brain fog brought on by 

Post Pandemic Stress. 

Stress can cause our hormones 

(including neurotransmitters and 

adrenals) to get out of balance resulting 

in more stress issues (either lack of 

sleep and/or being tired all the time…. 

wired and tired), adrenal fatigue, brain 

fog, loss of libido, etc. 

Many people’s routines were disrupted 

by the pandemic. You may not 

realize it, but your routines give your 

conscious brain a chance to rest while 

your unconscious brain takes over and 

proceeds on autopilot. For that reason, 

building predictable new routines is one 

way to help lessen brain fog. 

If you have been experiencing these 

issues, we recommend reducing stress 

through the following ways: 

a. Getting back on a routine, as 

much as possible 

b. Exercise, but not to exhaustion 

c. Nutrition 

d. Regular sleep patterns 

While these recommendations will 

work for most cases, if you have been 

trying these suggestions and they haven’t 

worked, you may be dealing with 

something other than a stress syndrome. 

If this is the case, we recommend getting 

tested for such medical problems as: 

autoimmune disorders, adrenal fatigue 

syndrome; hormone issues such as, thyroid, 

pituitary and gonadal imbalances, 

or chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Since the Pandemic has begun, we, 

at The Renewal Point, have noticed an 

increase in early autoimmune activation, 

adrenal fatigue syndrome and a reactivation 

of old infections, such as; Lyme disease 

and EBV. And, indeed, it is reported 

that these conditions may be responsible 

for much of the Long Covid syndrome. 

If you have been experiencing unrelenting 

stress, loss of libido, lack of 

sleep, brain fog, exhaustion, or a “wired 

but tired” feeling, we encourage you to 

give us a call at 941-926-4905 to schedule 

an appointment or you can visit our 

website at www.TheRenewalPoint. 

com to learn more about our services 

and view our education library/blog. 

We are here to help! 

————————————————— 

With over 30 years of experience and 

numerous board certifications and 

credentials, Dr. Watts, MD, ND, MSNM 

and Lynne Streitmatter, APRN, MS 

are experts in the Science and Art of 

Integrative Medicine and Bio-identical 

Hormone Balancing. Bio-identical Hormone 

Balancing requires individualized 

therapy and ongoing dosing changes 

based not only on a patient’s diagnostic 

lab values, but also their symptoms. 

Due to the sensitive nature of hormone 

balancing, it is imperative that you 

work in partnership with an experienced 

provider and program. 

For more information or to schedule 

an appointment, 

you can call us at 

941-926-4905, 

email us at info@ 

therenewalpoint. 

com, or visit our 

website The 

RenewalPoint. 

com. 

Dr. Dan Watts 

MD, ND, MSMN 

The Renewal Point FOUNDER/ 

DIRECTOR 

4905 Clark Road, Sarasota 

Phone: 941-926-4905 

www.TheRenewalPoint.com 



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Our menu showcases fresh smoked meats and fillet of salmon, 

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Mother’s Day — 

a good time 

for a heart-to-heart talk 

While you’re celebrating your 

mother this Mother’s Day 

start thinking about having 

that “conversation” with her 

and perhaps your dad. And no, I don’t 

mean that last very awkward convo they 

had with you about the birds and the bees! 

This conversation is about how you as a 

family can work together to aid your parents 

when they start needing a little and 

then ever-increasing amounts of help with 

daily living. 

Now just like that earlier conversation, no 

one wants to have this one either! First of all, 

no one wants to admit that they are going to 

get “old,” much less a senior who needs care 

now and is in denial. There will be those 

parents, grandparents, other relatives who 

will refuse to have ANY conversation until 

something happens. At that point they will 

no longer be in control of their situation, a 

social worker at the hospital or other relative 

may have to make decisions for them. 

So, none of these conversations will be the 

same. There is no script. The best way forward 

is to do some active listening. In this 

case you are listening to obtain information 

and to understand. What you are NOT doing 

is waiting to jump in with a rebuttal, or to 

judge their decisions (or lack thereof). 

Your primary goal is to establish a dialogue 

that you can come back to as situations 

will change. That you want to help 

make sure their wishes are met, not to take 

control away from them. You will find that 

these conversations can be very very sensitive. 

Sharpen your listening skills if needed. 

Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize winning 

journalist, started the Conversation Project 

after caring for her mother. You can find it 

online, it’s a wonderful resource. 

Pick your time to start your dialogue, when 

no one is in a rush, get a private place to chat, 

and maybe piggyback off a situation of someone 

else. For example: one of their friends 

may be downsizing to a one level living situation. 

You could start off with asking if that is 

something your Mom would like? Ask if she 

has any concerns about her life in retirement. 

Talk to your siblings to see if they’ve had 

any conversations with the parents. What 

did they find out? 

Finances 

Be careful as the first thing that can get your 

parent’s back up is asking directly about 

money and wills. Ask instead if they have a 

plan for retirement and retirement income. If 

they work with a financial advisor, they may 

have already mapped this out. Is Mom worried 

about any debt they may currently carry? 

How do your parents want to 

live after a health event? Have 

they made living wills? Where are 

they? Its not about taking control, 

its about making sure their wishes 

are carried out. Ask where you 

could find them if needed. Get 

that living will or health care directive 

onto your phone, as that 

is what you will have with you 

in the emergency room at 2:00 in 

the morning and you can show 

the doctors. The lawyers office 

will not be open. 

If they have not made a will or living will 

or durable power of attorney, you can help 

them get that accomplished. Perhaps one of 

their friends can recommend a lawyer they 

would be comfortable with. 

Continuing with financial details, is there 

a list of accounts they may have, with passwords 

if they use online banking. Are they 

getting threatening letters from companies 

about past due bills? You could offer 

to review and pay the bills, or write out the 

checks for them to sign. 

Do they have long-term care and life insurance? 

If the main earning spouse passes, 

would the other partner be able to still live 

in their home? 

Remember that everyone’s situation is different 

and depending on the age and health 

level of your parents some of these questions 

may not be a fit yet. 

Health 

Have you noticed changes in your parents? 

These are often very very difficult items for 

parents to discuss with children. Perhaps asking 

one spouse if they are concerned about 

the other and is there anything you could 

do to help. How are their driving skills? This 

can be a huge hot button issue. Are they going 

to the doctor? Has anyone reviewed the 

medications they are taking? Have you noticed 

any changes in personality? That could 

be a sign of encroaching dementia. 

End of life 

I can think of no greater gift than to be able 

to ensure that your parents have a graceful 

transition, hopefully painless and surrounded 

by family. Have that conversation and get 

started on the path. 

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Mica 

England 

She's the owner 

and chef at Blvd 

Cafe, a breakfast 

and lunch eatery in 

the Rosemary District. 

Mica’s previous career 

was cheffing for a 

host of celebrities and 

wealthy clientele that 

took her to places 

like the Hamptons, 

Jamaica, Fisher Island, 

Anguilla, Nantucket, 

St. Barts and New York 

City. Before that she 

was an executive chef 

in New York City 

and Dallas. 

Prior to Mica’s career 

as a chef she wanted to 

be in law enforcement, 

but it didn’t go as 

planned as she faced 

harassment and 

discrimination - until 

she got mad and got 

active and ultimately 

won a landmark case. 


Iactually met her food and her 

restaurant first…but this isn’t 

a restaurant review, though I’ll 

say that it was a delicious meal 

enjoyed al fresco in the Rosemary 

District. Little did I know that the 

woman doing it all behind the 

counter and who owns the restaurant Blvd 

Cafe, has previously worked for numerous 

celebrities acting as their personal chef. 

Discretion keeps her from naming some 

names, but she’s worked for Ron Perelman 

(who owns Revlon) and was her first private 

chef job. Others include Regis Philbin, The 

Hess Family (oil company) and an heiress. 

Then there are the celebs she’s met, chatted 

with, or shared foodie experiences with 

such as Art Garfunkel (who serenaded her. 

“I didn’t know if I should stop chopping,” 

Mica recalls) and Don Henley, to name a 

few. She’s cooked for former Prime Minister 

of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu in Southampton 

and can name-drop with the best of 

them having met Michael Douglas and his 

wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary Hart and 

Fran Dresher (a big fan of Mica’s cuisine). 

And those locales: Malibu, Jamaica (for the 

heiress), Fisher Island, Anguilla, Nantucket, 

St. Barts, The Hamptons and New York City. 

Many were by private jet. 

You become a personal chef by working 

through an agency. Word of mouth plays a 

major part and thus, if you’re good, you get 

referrals. Mica had lots of referrals. 

Prior to cheffing, Mica worked as an executive 

chef at restaurants in Dallas and New 

York City. While in New York City a couple 

asked her to be their private chef and then 

the couple moved to Sarasota and asked her 

to join them. After some time, Mica moved 

on from that job, started Global Market Cuisine 

and went out on her own. 

But this is her first foray as owner of 

her own restaurant. On this cool day back 

in March, Mica said Blvd’s business was 

“steady and growing,” adding that her patrons 

have been locals primarily, and “I love 

that they’re finding me.” The restaurant 

opened Dec. 15, 2020. Mica had driven by 

the Rosemary District location numerous 

times and says she “had a gut feeling” about 

the space and signed on. 

Many of her early customers were people 

who drove by or were walking their dogs 

from the many apartment buildings in 

the area. Blvd has a compact kitchen 

where Mica does it all. She’s helped by 

Josh Hardinger (a Ringling student), 

Diane, Jasmine and her sous chef, Tyrone. 

And her wife Lori also helps out with 

administrative work. 

After and before restaurant hours Mica 

does all the shopping to go with the cooking. 

And, like so many, her business started 

during the pandemic. But what was more 

challenging than that - if that’s possible - 

was Mica had a double mastectomy and a 

knee replacement in 2021. But this is a person 

who perseveres and has steely determination 

belied by her serene expression. 

There’s another story to Mica — beyond 

being a talented, experienced chef launching 

her first restaurant in Sarasota. Early in 

her life, Mica wanted to work in law enforcement. 

Family members were in the military 

and a grandfather was a sheriff. It’s a long, 

but compelling story briefly summarized 

here (WCW will do a lengthier feature on 

this aspect of Mica’s life in a future issue). 

If you Google “Mica England” and add 

Dallas or discrimination, or settlement, or 

any of those key words, you’ll see she fought 

a tenacious but stressful battle with the 

Dallas Police Depart. to make them change 

their discriminatory hiring practices. And 

she won. Not without great emotional toll - 

the stress and isolation talking on a Goliath, 

but she simply would not back down confronting 

something that was wrong. 

In 1987, Mica applied for a job on the Dallas 

Police Department and proceeded to fill 

out the application. There was a question 

that asked about an applicant’s sexual activity. 

She balked and asked questions and 

disclosed that she was a lesbian. She was 

told, “We do not hire homosexuals (the term 

used then) and Mica was summarily denied 

employment. Encouraged by a recruiter, she 

applied again in 1989, told it wouldn’t happen 

again and yet it did. Furious, Mica decided 

to take action in 1990, filing lawsuits 

against the Dallas Police Department, city of 

Dallas, the chief of police and Texas. 

She won her case with the court ruling 

for her, declaring barring municipal 

employment due to sexual orientation 

unconstitutional. The application forms 

were redone. “We dragged the state of Texas 

into the ’90s ... screaming, but they’re 

there,” Mica said in a story by the Associated 

Press published in 1992. Summarized like 

this, it seems pretty easy, but it wasn’t. There 

were hateful phone calls, death threats and 

a Dallas police officer who asked Mica if 

she knew what “friendly fire” was. It was all 

enough to make Mica pursue another career 

and all those well-fed, grateful celebrities 

are probably happy she did, too. As for celebrities 

- Mica was on the Larry King show 

twice discussing her court case. 

Mica has been married to Lori England 

since 2017. Lori is a teacher in the Sarasota 

school system. Lori’s children from her previous 

marriage are Jena, who graduated USF 

Tampa and is now at SMH, and Justin who 

is in NYC with his dad. “We all get along,” 

Mica states. 

Also in 2017, Mica was inducted into the 

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. 

Her story is on permanent display in 

the “Upstander” section of the Museum that 

honors her heroism along with others. On 

that same visit, Mica was asked to meet with 

the top brass at the Dallas Police Dept. who, 

at the same time, had a woman of color as its 

chief. “She said, ‘thank you for being here’ 

and she wanted me to tell my story to her 

deputy chiefs.” 

Looking back, “It all seems surreal sometimes, 

but it was so long ago.” As for today’s 

many changes in Florida and other states 

that harken back to where things used to be, 

she says, “People should sue. I’m astonished 

at the hate and ignorance.” 

But back to Blvd Cafe where you can 

find croque monsieur, Maine lobster omelet, 

burrata frittata, chocolate and vegan 

elderberry-raspberry croissants, ham and 

cheese croissants, vegan cinnamon rolls, 

gluten-free coffee cake, gluten-free mixed 

berry muffins and vegan and gluten-free 

blueberry and lavender muffins as well as 

NYC Davidovich bagels. She also offers two 

daily soups - one veggie and one meat to 

go along with salads. Her crispy breakfast 

potatoes are one of the most popular items 

on the menu. All are made from scratch and 

frozen dough comes in from Paris for some 

of the pastries. 

Mica will be offering private dining at 

night in the restaurant and she’s applied for 

a wine license, too. BlvdCafé is at 1580 Blvd. 

of the Arts in Sarasota's Rosemary District 

and open Mon.-Fri. 7-3 and Sat. 8-3. For 

information, call 941-203-8102 or visit blvdcafesrq.com. 

Stop by and say thanks for the 

great meal and for standing up against discrimination 

- or both. 

STORY: Louise Bruderle 

IMAGES: Evelyn England 

Mica’s makeup is by Joshua Hardinger 

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Traveling with Wine 

Whether you’re 

going away for a 

long weekend or 

coming back from a winery, 

you’ll love knowing that 

your favorite bottles of wine 

are along for the ride — 

and safe from breakage. 

The VinGardeValise by 

FlyWithWine is a line of 

tough suitcases that are 

gentle on glass, thanks to 

dense foam inserts created 

to cradle wine bottles. 

The VinGardeValise 

Piccolo doubles as an 

anytime, anywhere airline 

carry-on piece of luggage or as a checked 

wine travel case to travel safely with up to 

5-bottles of wine - with room for your clothes 

Holiday River 

Expeditions Adds 

More Outings 

Holiday River Expeditions has 

announced a series of new Affinity 

Trips designed for both the 

LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender 

and Queer) communities and 

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of 

Color) communities. 

Following the launch of two successful 

LGBTQ trip outings in 2021, the 

company has expanded its offerings to 

include more extended, senior-oriented, 

and sober trip departures. Holiday has 

teamed up with The Venture Out Project 

on its LGBTQ trip offerings, inspired 

by a collaboration with Mikah Meyer 

& Outside Safe Space. 

Affinity Based Trips for 2022 Include: 

• BIPOC Westwater Canyon Rafting 

Trip - July 29-31, 2022 

Join a team of BIPOC collaborators and 

veteran river guides. Holiday guides 

handle all the work leaving time to enjoy 

a long weekend connecting to the natural 

world, and yourself in an entirely BIPOC 

and belongings on the other side. Cost: $279. 

Available at: https://www.flywithwine.com/ 

products/piccolo-5-bottle or Amazon. 

First Major Exhibition Devoted 

to Matisse in the 1930s 

Book this for fall if you love Matisse! 

The Philadelphia Museum of Art, 

in collaboration with the Musée de 

l’Orangerie in Paris and the Musée Matisse 

Nice, will present the first exhibition ever 

dedicated to the pivotal decade of the 1930s 

in the art of Henri 

Matisse (1869–1954), 

one of the giants of 

twentieth-century art. 

Opening first in 

Philadelphia, the only 

United States venue, 

the exhibition Matisse 

in the 1930s will 

present more than 100 

works, ranging from 

both renowned and 

rarely seen paintings 

and sculptures, to 

drawings and prints, 

to illustrated books. 

Dates: Philadelphia 

Museum of Art - October 19, 2022– 

January 29, 2023; Musée de l’Orangerie 

-February 27, 2023–May 29, 2023; 

Musée Matisse Nice - June 23, 2023– 

September 24, 2023. Image: Henri Matisse 

“Large Reclining Nude” 1935. 

community 

of fellow 

expedition 

members. 

See: https:// 

www. 

bikeraft. 

com/affinity-based-trips/bipoc-westwater-canyonrafting-trip/ 

• LGBTQ Lodore Canyon Rafting Sober 

Trip - Aug 18-21 2022 

Soliciting feedback from participants 

after 2021’s successful LGBTQ trip, there 

was interest in creating a sober trip option 

for those looking to disconnect from 

the ‘real’ world and from substance-abuse 

culture. Lodore Canyon provides a 

balanced trip with time for relaxation, adventure, 

tranquility and thrills, all within 

a safer and vulnerable space of a dedicated 

queer and trans affinity trip. See: https:// 

www.bikeraft.com/affinity-based-trips/ 

lgbtq-lodore-canyon-rafting-trip/ 

Austin Adventures’ Top Seven Picks for 

Best Family Adventures 

of 2022 

Austin Adventures Family-focused 

travelAustin Adventures’ Top 

Seven Family Adventures for 2022 

feature a combo of new destinations and 

tried and true favorites . 

New Family Adventure 

Trips for 2022: 

New Zealand - South Island Explorer. 

Families will explore the landscapes 

of New Zealand’s South Island – from 

Christchurch to Queenstown and back 

again. Guests can step into a giant playground 

of extraordinary natural beauty as 

they experience jet-boat rides on the Rakaia 

Gorge, overnighting in Mt. Aspiring National 

Park and visiting a high-country sheep 

station near Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park. 

Maine - Acadia National Park 

This adventure promises the best of the 

state’s natural landmarks and includes the 

coastal towns of Boothbay, Camden, Islesboro 

Island and Bar Harbor. Families will 

bike in Maine’s Acadia National Park, hike 

for views of the sprawling coastline and sail 

across the waves on a 1935 schooner. Lobster 

is of course included. 

North Carolina - Blue Ridge Mountains 

Guests will hike, bike and paddle through 

rolling countryside to view waterfalls and 

rich forests that cover the southeastern Blue 

Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. During 

a two-night stay on the sprawling 8,000- 

acre Biltmore Estate, guests will tour the 

historic mansion and explore the grounds 

by bike or on foot. 

Returning Favorites 

Popular for 2022 Include: 

Alaska - Kenai Fjords National Park 

This family adventure on Alaska’s Kenai 

• LGBTQ Westwater Canyon Extended 

Rafting Trip - Aug 22-25 2022 

This extended 4-day has added time to 

relax, bond and get into the slow-time of 

river life within an affinity group space. 

For queer and/or trans identified folks 

wanting to enjoy being in an inclusive 

community space while enjoying some 

whitewater, this is the perfect trip. 

See: https://www.bikeraft.com/affinitybased-trips/lgbtq-westwater-canyonrafting-trip/ 

For more details on Holiday’s Affinity 

Trips see: https://www.bikeraft.com/ 

affinity-based-trips/. 

travel news 

Peninsula begins with a scenic train ride 

aboard the Alaska Railroad. Kayak the waters 

of Resurrection Bay alongside seals, 

sea otters and puffins. Guests hike the 

panoramic vista of Exit Glacier and Harding 

Icefield and get up close and personal 

with orcas and humpback whales on a 

private nature cruise of the Kenai Fjords. 

Costa Rica - Arenal Volcano National Park 

Families explore two of Costa Rica’s 

national parks. Guests will ride through 

forests and pastures by horseback to reach 

postcard-perfect views of Arenal Volcano. 

They will venture into the dense vegetation 

of Arenal National Park in search of 

screeching toucans, endangered poison 

dart frogs and curious spider monkeys; 

learn to surf in the Pacific Ocean and boat 

through the mangroves of the Sierpe River. 

Montana - Glacier National Park 

The Wild West history of this UNESCO 

World Heritage Site comes into focus as 

families hike and raft through Montana’s 

Glacier National Park. The distinctive 

accommodations and delicious regional 

food are complemented by the awe-inspiring 

grandeur found in one of America’s 

most celebrated but often overlooked 

national parks. 

For more information, visit activeadventures.com 

and austinadventures.com. 

SRQ Breaks 1 Million 

Passenger in First 

3 Months of 2022 

For the month of March, 442,846 passengers 

traveled through the Sarasota 

Bradenton International Airport, a new 

record for the most passengers served in a 

single month. This is a 59.5% increase over 

passengers served in March 2021. Passengers 

traveling through the airport year-to-date 

total 1,085,500 compared to 564,066 year-todate 

for 2021, an increase of 92%. 

The airport has responded by increasing 

aircraft fuel storage, expanding the screening 

checkpoint, adding additional parking 

lots, and opening more food and beverage 

concessions. For 2022, they expect to break 

ground on over $150 million in construction 

projects including a new 5 gate terminal. 

Also at SRQ, Allegiant Air started nonstop 

service to Austin, TX (AUS) on April 14. The 

newest airline, Breeze Airways, will start 

service at SRQ with nonstop flights to Hartford, 

CT beginning June. 


dining in 

Travel to other countries via their cuisine 

Okay world-travelers, take to the kitchen and experience classic 

dishes that have a surprising twist. 

Begin a meal with this 

twist on a traditionally 

French confection, featuring 

a tangy center 

of feta, fresh tomatoes 

and basil. Be sure to 

spread the filling gently 

or use a piping bag 

to prevent damaging 

the meringue cookies. 

F Tomato-Feta-Basil Macarons 

Tomato-Feta-Basil Macarons T 

F Frango Na Púcara 

Frango Na Púcara T 

Savor this slowcooked 

chicken 

entrée from Portugal. 

Customarily 

prepared in a púcara, 

a traditional 

clay pot, you can 

substitute any covered 

baking dish. 

This recipe comes 

from the city of 

Alcobaça on Portugal’s 

west coast. 

COOKIE: 

3/4 Cup almond meal 

3/4 Cup confectioners’ 

sugar 

2 lg egg whites 

3/4 Cup water 

3/4 Cup sugar 

COOKIE: Preheat oven to 340°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a 

damp kitchen towel on counter. Place almond meal and confectioners’ sugar in medium 

bowl; stir to combine. Place one of the egg whites in another medium bowl and beat 

with an electric mixer until firm shiny peaks form. 

Spoon into almond mixture, folding in gently to combine. Place remaining egg white 

in a medium bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Set aside. 

Place water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Place over medium low heat, 

stirring frequently until sugar has dissolved. Continue to boil until mixture reaches a 

temperature of 245°F on a candy thermometer. Very gradually pour sugar syrup into 

egg white, constantly beating with an electric mixer until shiny peaks form. Add almond 

mixture; gently fold in. 

Spoon mixture into a large pastry bag fitted with a large round tip and form 24 small 

disks about 2 inches across, leaving an inch of space in between. Let stand at room 

temperature 20 mins. Bake for 12 mins. Remove from oven and, leaving macarons on 

parchment paper, move paper to damp kitchen towel. Let cool to room temperature. 

FILLING: To make filling, place feta, cream cheese, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper 

in a small bowl, mashing with a fork to combine. Stir in tomatoes. To assemble, spread 

mixture thinly between 2 macarons. 

Makes 12 servings. 

3 slices bacon 

1/4 Cup unsalted butter 

3 stalks celery, chopped 

1 med onion, diced 

3 Tbsp flour 

6 Cup low-sodium chicken broth 

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium high, turning occasionally, about 10 mins. Transfer 

to paper towels to drain; cool; crumble and set aside. Reserve bacon drippings. In a 

saucepan, melt 1 T reserved drippings and butter over medium; add celery and onion 

and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, about 4 mins. 

Sprinkle with flour and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and 

bring to a boil, whisking until incorporated. Add potato and asparagus stalks; season with 

salt and pepper. Reduce heat; simmer 20 mins., then remove from heat; cool 5 mins. 

Working in batches, purée mixture in a blender until smooth; transfer to a clean pot. 

Place skillet with remaining drippings over medium high and add mushrooms and 

asparagus tips; cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms give up their liquid, 5–8 

mins.; season with salt and pepper. Add mushrooms, asparagus tips and half-and-half to 

purée and simmer over medium low for 10 mins. Ladle into bowls; garnish with bacon. 


FILLING: 

2 Tbsp feta cheese 

2 Tbsp cream cheese 

2 Tbsp basil, finely chopped 

Few drops lemon juice 

Salt and pepper to taste 

2 med ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely diced 

F Cream of Asparagus Soup 

Cream of Asparagus Soup T 

Delight in the delicate 

flavors of spring 

with a creamy soup 

of fresh asparagus, 

mushrooms and a 

garnish of crumbled 

bacon. Asparagus 

is best enjoyed 

during its short 

growing season (April 

through June). 

1 med potato, peeled and diced 

1 lb fresh asparagus, tips set aside and 

stalks chopped 

8 oz mushrooms, sliced 

3/4 Cup half-and-half 

Salt and pepper to taste 

6–8 lb chicken, cut into 8 pieces 

2 cloves garlic, crushed 

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 

Pepper to taste 

1 Cup smoked ham, 

cut into 1/4-inch cubes 

4 med tomatoes, skinned, 

seeded and diced 

Rub chicken pieces with garlic and mustard; sprinkle with pepper. Chill 1 hour. Preheat 

oven to 375°F. Place chicken in a Dutch oven or lidded casserole; add ham, tomatoes, 

mushrooms and onions; drizzle with olive oil; add wines and brandy. Cover and bake 50 

mins.; remove lid and continue baking 30 mins. more or until chicken is golden brown. 

Serve with roasted or mashed potatoes, rice or crusty bread. 


Your meal ends with 

this moist, incredibly 

fragrant dessert 

topped with an orange 

blossom whipped 

crème fraiche. 

Italy is the seventh 

largest producer of 

pistachios, grown 

in Sicily where trees 

flourish in Mt. Etna’s 

volcanic soil. 

TORTA: 

1/3 Cup flour, plus 

additional for dusting 

1/2 tsp baking powder 

Pinch of salt 

7 oz pistachio paste 

1/4 Cup sugar 

8 Tbsp unsalted butter, 

room temperature 

2 Tbsp honey 

3 lg eggs 

2 Tbsp Amaretto liqueur 

1/2 Cup pearl onions, peeled 

1 Cup button mushrooms 

1/3 Cup olive oil 

1 Cup dry white wine 

1/2 Cup port wine 

1/3 Cup Macieira Royal Brandy 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line bottom of an 8-inch springform pan with parchment; 

grease and flour pan, including parchment. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking 

powder and salt; set aside. In another bowl, cream together pistachio paste and sugar 

with paddle attachment on low. Add butter; increase speed to medium and beat until 

light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Drizzle in honey, beating continuously. Add eggs one 

at a time, beating after each addition until completely combined. Beat in Amaretto. 

Add flour mixture; beat until just combined. Pour into prepared pan; smooth top with 

a spatula. Bake 25 mins; let cool 20 mins. before removing ring. Cool cake completely 

before serving. 

PANNA ACIDA: Whisk together crème fraîche and orange-blossom water until it just 

begins to get stiff; refrigerate. 

HONEYED ORANGES: In a frying pan, melt butter and sugar over medium until butter 

begins to foam and brown. Add orange rounds; cook about 1 minute or until edges just 

begin to caramelize. Add honey and pinch of salt, swirling pan. Remove from pan and 

either serve immediately or cool to room temperature before serving. 

PLATING: Top cake with the chopped pistachios and dust with confectioners’ sugar. 

Serve with a side dollop of panna acida and honeyed oranges. 


F Pistachio Torta 

Pistachio Torta T 

PANNA ACIDA: 

8 oz crème fraîche 

1 tsp orange-blossom water 

HONEYED ORANGES: 

2 Tbsp unsalted butter 

1 Tbsp sugar 

3 oranges, peeled and cut into 1/4-in rounds 

1/3 Cup honey 

Pinch of salt 

PLATING: 

1/2 Cup roasted shelled pistachios, chopped 

Confectioners’ sugar 

SOURCE: Viking Cruises. https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ 

cruise-destinations/index-v2.html 


FLORIDA RESIDENT RATES, 

COAST TO COAST 

Close-to-Home Savings for Sunshine State Families, Couples 

As travel resumes, 

Florida residents in 

need of a break are 

finding an array of 

discounts and special offers this 

summer at some of the state’s 

most spectacular resorts and 

destinations. In addition to being 

easy on the wallet, these offers 

give families plenty of room 

to spread out, relax and enjoy 

outdoor adventure and spacious 

accommodations. Here is a summery 

sample of available offers 

stretching from the Atlantic 

shoreline to Gulf coast beaches. 

Fenway Hotel – Dunedin 

Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek 

Margaritaville Beach House Key West 

Epicurean Hotel – Tampa 

This South Tampa boutique, 

food-focused Epicurean Hotel, 

is a member of the Autograph Collection 

of Marriott International, Inc. The 

137-room property is offering Florida 

residents up to 30% off* room rates, 

along with two complimentary glasses 

of house wine or beer. 

Rates start at $216 per night and the 

offer is valid through Dec. 31, 2022. 

Overnight guests may enjoy a craft 

cocktail at EDGE Rooftop Cocktail 

Lounge, dinner at the hotel’s signature 

Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar, a treat 

from Chill Bros. scoop shop, or pay a 

visit to the award-winning Bern’s Steak 

House, right across the street. 

Guests can have a massage or facial 

from Evangeline full-service spa or 

experience a class in the state-of-theart 

culinary classroom known as the 

Epicurean Theatre. For information or 

reservations, call (855) U-AWAKEN (829- 

2536) or visit EpicureanHotel.com. 

*Proof of Florida residency required at check 

in. Tax is additional. Blackout dates may apply. 

Fenway Hotel – Dunedin 

Fenway Hotel is a historic, Jazz Age hotel 

that has 83 standard rooms and suites, 

a resort-style pool, the HEW Parlor & 

Chophouse, and Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar. Rates 

start at $199 per night and Florida residents 

may receive up to 20% off* room 

rates, as well as two complimentary 

beverages, and bike rentals for two to 

explore downtown Dunedin. Package is 

valid until Dec. 31, 2022. Fenway Hotel is 

a member of the Autograph Collection 

of Marriott International, Inc. For more 

information or reservations, call (727) 

683-5999 or visit FenwayHotel.com. 



The Karol Hotel – Clearwater 

The Karol Hotel is centrally located in 

Feather Sound between Clearwater, 

St. Pete and Tampa, and is the first 

member of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio 

in Pinellas County. The Karol Hotel is 

offering up to 20% off room rates and 

two complimentary 

cocktails at their Vantage 

Rooftop Bar overlooking 

Tampa Bay. 

Florida resident 

rates begin at $209. 

The boutique hotel 

features 123 guest 

rooms and suites, the 

K Club Bar & Bistro, 

a combined 7,340 

square feet of event 

space, and an outside 

pool and fitness center. 

Promo Code (F9L). Book this online 

offer HERE. TheKarolHotel.com. 



Margaritaville Beach House 

Key West – Key West 

The recently opened (Nov. 2021) 

Margaritaville Beach House Key West 

offers Florida residents an offer of up 

to 30% off, in addition to its all-new 

Summerzcool package with up to 25% 

off a three-night or more stay, including 

a $100 credit to the property’s signature 

Tin Cup Chalice Bar & Chill restaurant 

per stay. 

Sitting oceanfront along Smathers 

Beach, the property offers 186 suites, a 

lagoon-style pool, and lounging hammocks 

throughout the grounds. Exclusive 

amenities include poolside entertainment, 

daily refreshments, a 24-hour fitness 

center, kids’ activities, lawn games, 

and easy access to beachfront fun. 

The resort is just one mile from Key 

West International Airport, and provides 

complimentary shuttle service to the 

airport, Duval Street, and the Downtown 

Seaport Harbor. For more information 

or to make a reservation, call 305-292- 

9800 or visit MargaritavilleBeachHouse- 

KeyWest.com. 

*Subject to availability. Cannot be combined 

with other offers. Not valid for groups or other 

contracted rates. Offer excludes taxes, gratuities, 

and resort fees. Summerzcool offer requires 

a minimum of a three-night stay. Offers 

valid for stays June 1-Sept. 30, 2022. 

Plantation on Crystal River – 

Crystal River 

The Plantation on Crystal River is surrounded 

by the natural springs of King’s 

Bay and pristine lakes and rivers, as well 

as wildlife refuges and state parks. The 

Plantation features a full-service marina, 

18-hole golf course, 9-hole executive 

course, dining, inviting accommodations, 

and plenty of outdoor lawn space 

for personal yard games. Guests can enjoy 

manatee snorkeling tours, as well as 

guided scalloping tours for the summer 

scalloping season. 

From July 1 through Sept. 24, Florida 

residents can enjoy a 10% discount on 

best available room rates*. Rates during 

this timeframe begin at just $119. For 

more information or to make reservations, 

call (800) 632-6262 or visit PlantationOnCrystalRiver.com. 

*Subject to availability. Blackout dates apply. 

RumFish Beach Resort by 

TradeWinds – St. Pete Beach 

RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds 

on St. Pete Beach is offering Florida residents 

15% off* the best available rate, 

Sunday through Thursday, until Dec. 26, 

2022, with rates starting at $239. A visit 

to the TradeWinds always includes lots 

of value-added items with the Resort 

Amenity Fee (additional), including the 

all-you-can-ride High Tide Slide (located 

at Island Grand), Surf WipeOut and 

Zing Ray Zip rides, beach cabana for 

two, Wi-Fi, self-parking, fitness 

center, campfire s’mores, 

Touch Tank Experience, and 

beach games, such as volleyball, 

bocce ball and cornhole. 

There are also tennis courts, 

mini-golf, a Family Pirate 

Show (Tuesday and Saturday 

nights), Magic Show (Monday 

and Friday nights), Dive-In 

Movies, and paddleboats 

along the waterway at Island 

Grand. TradeWindsResort.com. 

*Offer price is for two adults. 13% tax 

applies. Rates and dates subject to 

change, based on availability. Minimum 

night stays may be required. Promotion 

cannot be combined with any other special 

offers or discount. Blackout dates may apply. 

Must show valid Florida ID at check-in. 

Wyndham Grand Orlando 

Resort Bonnet Creek – 

Orlando 

Located five miles from Walt Disney 

World Resort with complimentary 

shuttle service, Wyndham Grand Orlando 

Resort Bonnet Creek is offering 

a Florida Resident Rate of 20% off. The 

resort offers five pools, two lazy rivers, 

eight hot tubs, 18-hole putt-putt, jogging 

trails, fitness center, and nearby championship 

golf. 

A 10-acre lake and spa add the right 

amount of tranquility and serenity. 

Whether staying in a deluxe guest room, 

family bunk bed option, or an expansive 

suite, all accommodations feature a 

55-inch flat-screen LG LED 4K Ultra TV, 

high-speed internet, mini refrigerator, 

Keurig coffee maker, and more. 

Guests can fuel their fun at five different 

dining outlets – from seafood, sushi 

and sophisticated cuisine, to casual 

poolside fare and contactless in-room 

delivery. For more information or to 

make a reservation, call (407) 390-2300 

or visit WyndhamGrandOrlando.com. 

*Subject to availability. Valid Florida ID required 

at check-in. Cannot be combined with 

other offers. Not valid for groups or other contracted 

rates. Offer excludes taxes, gratuities, 

and resort fees. 


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travel feature 

The Karol Hotel in Clearwater 

Great place to launch a visit to St. Pete and Tampa 

Guest Room 

• OTHER 

ATTRACTIONS 

IN ST. PETE: 

• Carillon Park Nature 

Preserve—Situated 

directly across 

from the hotel, this 

sanctuary is ideal for 

morning and sunset 

walks. Watch for 

turtles, fish, and alligators 

as you wander 

along the boardwalk, 

which loops around 

the entire lake. 

C 

onsider that you’ve 

seen most of the 

sights in our area 

and you want to head 

north and across the 

Bay to the St. Petersburg area 

and visit museums, attractions 

and try some new restaurants and 

experiences. Rather than drive the 

Skyway numerous times, consider 

decamping in the area. 

There’s a newish hotel called 

The Karol that sits in Feather 

Sound which may not ring any 

bells, but it’s north St. Pete, but 

gets a Clearwater address. Still 

not sure where it is? It’s east of the 

St. Pete Airport (BTW, there is no 

airport noise) and has views of Old 

Tampa Bay and the Tampa skyline. 

The Howard Franklin Bridge 

nearby gives easy access to Tampa 

attractions including Ybor City and 

the many museums there, though 

truthfully, St. Pete has lots to offer. 

The Karol Hotel is named for 

the hotel developer Fred Bullard’s 

wife, Karol (she’s the blonde bathing 

beauty, a former Miss Florida 

and local “weather girl” seen in 

images around the hotel) and her 

namesake extends throughout 

the property from the K Club Bar 

and K Club Bistro, down to the 

Princess K Ballroom. 

The Karol opened March, 

2020, unfortunately in the thick 

of the COVID outbreak, but has 

been busy since then as we have 

emerged and are getting back to 

life. Everyone loves new hotels 

and this one - in the reviews - is 

consistently commented on as 

being bright, cheerful, and with a 

nice staff. After arriving, I’d have 

to agree. Cool colors that suggest 

sky and water plus lots of white 

are the design trends these days 

and why not? This is Florida after 

all, but psychologically, it’s very 

uplifting 

The 123-room hotel is part of 

the Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio 

Collection and, depending on your 

room choice, offers views of St. 

Pete or Old Tampa Bay— the latter 

of which I would recommend. 

Rooms are bright and cheery 

with marble floors in a spacious 

bath that includes bathrobes and 

a magnifying mirror. Another nice 

touch: an espresso coffee maker. 

These are little things, but things I 

like in a room. 

The restaurant is downstairs 

and it’s the K Club Bistro serving 

local seafood and an assortment 

of other items. The K Club Bar is 

on the other side of the ground 

floor and it has that clubby dark 

wood look. My favorite spot was 

the Vantage Rooftop Bar, though 

you won’t be standing on a rooftop 

per se - more like a breezy bar 

with one side open and pointed towards 

a great view of the area and 

Tampa. I just wish it was open on 

more sides because it really was a 

nice place to order light bites and 

drinks. They also have a swimming 

pool and a fitness center. Around 

the hotel you’ll find local art. 

The Karol is a AAA Four Diamond 

hotel located conveniently 

three miles from St. Pete-Clearwater 

International Airport and 

twelve miles from Tampa International 

Airport if you have family or 

friends joining you. 

• ROOMS 

They offer city or bay views. I had 

a “Classic Two Queen with City 

View” but I would go for the view 

of the Bay. On their website, a 

search for a room Friday, May 13 

to Monday, May 16 is $253/night 

for a Classic King. For $287 you 

get the same room, but with a view 

of the Bay. 

• AMENITIES 

• Outdoor Pool 

• Fitness Center 

• DINING OPTIONS 

• K Club Bar & Bistro 

When friends tip you off with a 

“they have good food” 

comment, you’re off 

to a good start. K Club 

has woodsy tones and 

is not formal, but not 

too casual. They have 

a patio available in 

nice weather. Sample 

menu offerings: 

appetizers: fresh 

oysters, shrimp cocktail, 

house-smoked 

fish (Faroe Islands 

salmon), New Orleans 

oysters. Entrees: 

roasted chicken, filet 

mignon, maple-glazed 

pork chops and 

braised short ribs. The 

ribs were great. 

Seafood: grouper 

champagne (also very 

good), shrimp and 

grits, cedar planked 

salmon. They also 

have three pasta 

dishes. They offer 

signature cocktails: 

daiquiris, mules, mai 

tai and a refreshing 

lavender lemonade. 

The rooftop bar 

offers smaller portions 

of the dinner entrees 

as well as filet tartare, 

a cheese and meat 

board, hummus and 

more. They pour local 

craft beers and wines. 

It’s climate-controlled. Try their 

Happy Hour. 

• THINGS TO DO: 

• St. Petersburg: 

The Museum of Fine Arts has 

“Women’s Work A Survey Of 

Female Photographers” running 

through September 11, 2022. This 

a wonderful museum to visit and 

a personal favorite for its beauty 

and the depth of its collection. 

The Dali is also a wonderful 

museum that is in contrast to the 

MFA, as it is modern looking plus 

it’s dedicated to Salvador Dali 

alone with a collection of over 

2,400 work by the Spanish Surrealist. 

I’ve had many great lunches 

there inside and out. 

• EDITOR’S PICK 

Mazzaro’s Italian Market offers an 

endless display of gourmet food, 

fresh baked goods, wines and a super 

takeaway counter. Order and 

enjoy and take some home with 

you - make this your last stop on 

the way back to Sarasota and be 

sure to bring a cooler bag (or two). 

Vantage Rooftop Bar 

K Club Bar 

• Clearwater 

Marine Aquarium 

is home to numerous 

rescued and 

rehabbed marine 

animals, including 

the star of the movie 

Dolphin Tale. Encounter 

great white 

pelicans, stingrays, 

sharks, and otters. 

• TAMPA: 

• The Florida 

Aquarium 

• Glazer Children’s 

Museum 

• ZooTampa at 

Lowry Park 

• Empower Adventures 

Tampa Bay 

• Busch Gardens 

• Tampa Museum 

of Art 

• SPECIAL 

PROMOTIONS: 

There’s a Florida 

Resident Friends 

& Family Rate that 

offers up to 20% off 

room rates and two 

complimentary cocktails 

at the rooftop 

bar. Use promotional 

code: F9L 

• GETTING 

THERE 

GPS says about an 

hour via the Skyway 

Bridge 

• FINAL NOTE: 

Be sure to get those 

Marriott Bonvoy 

PointsMarriott Rewards. 

Marriott Bon- 

K Club Patio 

voy is the 5th best hotel rewards 

program, according to WalletHub 

research. Some of the Marriott 

Bonvoy rewards program’s biggest 

strengths include points worth an 

average of 1 cent apiece, lots of redemption 

options and few earning 

limitations. 

THE KAROL HOTEL 

2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater 

Reservations: 1-833-928-1437 

https://www.thekarolhotel.com/ 




What about Women’s 

Travel Groups? 

It’s a good alternative to traveling alone 

Helping Children Diagnosed With Epilepsy 

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can strike 

ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. In fact, 1 in 

26 people will have a seizure during their lifetime. 

The stigma and social isolation; the uncertainty of 

when the next seizure might occur; and the fear of 

SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) are the 

frightening realities for many families in our community. 

JoshProvides pulls back the curtain on epilepsy, through 

community awareness, education, offering a monthly 

Epilepsy Support Group, and providing seizure 

detection & alert devices, transportation assistance and 

assistance with medical services. Our families are NOT 

defined by their disorder…they are warriors who will 

overcome these obstacles thanks to your support! 

Mission: To improve the quality of life for those 

living with epilepsy or other seizure disorders. 

(800) 706-2740 | JoshProvides.org 

Editor’s Note: There are a number 

of women’s travel groups out there. 

This is just one, but they have been 

around for quite a while. In future 

issues, WCW will explore other travel 

groups for women with different 

itineraries, styles and features. 

A 

s with many successful businesses 

the Women’s Travel 

Club started as idea born from a 

need. Women wanted to travel and see 

the world but didn’t always have someone 

to travel with. 

Women’s Travel Club offers women 

only tours. Their small group tours 

encompass everything from short 

getaways to adventure travel. They welcome 

members from all over the world, 

but most are from North America. 

Women of all ages travel with them and 

most join their tours as solo travelers. 

The small group, women-only tours 

consist of 10 to 15 women per tour and 

are lead by a Women’s Travel Club tour 

leader. The tours offer inclusions that 

women enjoy, including sightseeing, 

shopping, cuisine and wine. 

The Women’s Travel Club offers tours 

for the women traveler, from the very 

active to the more relaxed. Tours are 

experience-intensive with exceptional 

inclusions.Women join these tours because 

they “don’t have anyone to travel 

with. Their husbands are busy, or their 

friends are not interested or (don’t) 

have the money to travel.” Women-only 

travel companies report that most of 

their customers are 40 to 70, with a core 

group in their 60s. Many are married. 

Depending on the company, trips range 

from outings in the U.S. to international 

excursions to exotic adventures. 

Sample Trips coming up: 

March 18-23, 2023 — 

Argentina with Buenos Aires 

and Iguazu Falls . Get to know cosmopolitan 

Buenos Aires, home of the 

tango, before experiencing wonders of 

a different kind at the Iguazu Falls, the 

largest waterfalls system in the world, 

on this six-day Buenos Aires to Iguazu 

Falls Tour 

March 7-17, 2023—Antarctic 

Expedition Cruise and enjoy 

views of dramatic ice formations, 

humpback whales swimming alongside 

the ship, leopard seals diving beneath 

your Zodiac, penguins sliding off 

icebergs into crystal waters, or giant 

petrels soaring above the crackling sea 

March 2023 — Chile with Easter 

Island This seven-day Santiago 

to Easter Island Tour takes you from 

the sophisticated capital to the mysterious 

islands, two of Chile’s most popular 

destinations. Enjoy modern-day city life 

interwoven with history in the capital, 

drink in the culture of Valparaiso, then 

head to Easter Island aka Rapa Nui i 

December 10-18, 2022 — 

Christmas Markets River 

Cruise. Enjoy the festive atmosphere 

from Prague to Vienna and all along the 

legendary Danube on a river cruise vacation. 

Guided sightseeing in each city 

and experience centuries-old Christmas 

markets in Vienna, Regensburg, 

Nuremberg, and Prague. Highlights include 

a guided visit of the Benedictine 

Abbey in Melk, a wine tasting, fun beer 

tasting, and a visit to Hradcany Castle 

grounds in Prague. 

April 17-24, 2023—Tulip 

Time River Cruise. Set sail for 

destinations in Holland and Belgium. 

On this garden-and nature-themed 

Tulip Time cruise, visit Keukenhof near 

Lisse, Antwerp’s Botanical Gardens, and 

small, hidden-away private gardens in 

Amsterdam. 

If you are new to traveling solo and 

not sure where to begin, connect with 

them at info@womens-travel-club.com 

or 1-844-749-0725. View available tours: 

http://www.womens-travel-club.com/ 

tours.html 


your healthier health you 

Craniosacral Therapy Can Be Life Changing 

CST treats the whole body physically, physiologically, mentally, emotionally and energetically 

Clients come to me because they are in physical 

pain such as neck, back, pain and TMJ as well as 

for chronic headaches and migraines. 

Pain and stress caused by 

shortened Fascia 

Fascia (strong connective tissue) encases all 

our muscles, organs, brain and spinal cord. 

Whenever fascia shortens any place in the 

body, the entire network of fascia creates an 

increased tension affecting the functioning 

of our physical body as well as our organs, 

our brain and spinal cord. 

Our body is the history of every major 

trauma we have experienced physically and 

emotionally beginning with birth issues, falls, 

head trauma, car accidents, childhood abuse 

issues, death, divorce and other emotional 

issues. Our body tries to minimize each trauma 

by shortening fascia to isolate the energy 

coming into the body from that trauma. 

Shortened fascia results in pain, loss of mobility 

and range of motion, organs becoming 

less efficient and with parts of the brain and 

spinal cord becoming stressed. 

To keep the brain functioning, the body 

transfers some of your functional work play 

energy (7:00 AM-10:00 PM) to the brain resulting 

in less energy to make it through each 

day. As we age, the accumulation of all the 

tightened fascia, from every major trauma 

in life, begins to restrict every aspect of our 

body’s functions resulting in pain, loss of mobility, 

mis-functioning organs, loss of energy, 

as well as our brain losing some its sharpness. 

How Craniosacral 

Therapy Works 

The Craniosacral Therapist creates a safe 

place, with gentle holding techniques, that 

engages your body’s ability to self correct, 

reorganize and heal itself with the release 

of some of that tightened fascia during 

each session. As the Craniosacral Therapist 

engages your body, you will feel fascia releasing. 

As the fascia releases, pain begins to 

decrease, range of motion and mobility improve, 

organs begin functioning better and 

with less stress on the brain feels, it returns 

the energy it borrowed at the time of each 

trauma resulting in an immediate increase in 

your energy levels. Rarely does anyone leave 

from my first session not feeling better. 

Short Leg Syndrome 

Eighty-five percent of my clients have one 

of their legs pulled up 1/2 to 1 by shortened 

fascia. The tension from short leg syndrome 

on the sacrum (5 fused vertebrae at bottom 

of the spine) is transferred up the dural tube 

that encases the spinal cord into the lower 

and upper back, the neck, the cranium and 

The physical stress in bodies caused by shortened 

fascia (connective tissue) shuts down 

energy flows to certain organs. Short leg syndrome 

by ½ to 1 in (where one leg is pulled up 

by shortened fascia) shuts down energy flow to 

the spleen (an important part of your immune 

system) and the small and large intestine. With 

the release of that shortened fascia, energy returns 

to these organs. 

the brain. Headaches, migraines, TMJ and 

neck problems can originate from the fascial 

stress in the sacrum. 

Releasing this sacral stress increases energy 

in the bladder, sex organs, kidneys and 

the chakras as well as releasing major stress 

in the upper part of the body. 

Cause of Shallow Breathing 

A great majority of the clients who come to 

me for various problems are also shallow 

breathers. Fascial stress in the diaphragm 

restricts the depth of breathing by restricting 

energy flow to the lungs, the pericardium 

and the heart. With the release of fascial diaphragm 

restriction, the client immediately 

starts breathing deeply and energy is restored 

to the pericardium and the heart. 

Shoulder blades that are cemented to the 

body also restricts how much the rib cage can 

open and thereby also restricting depth of 

breath. Without proper breathing, your cells 

do not get enough oxygen. Everyone, especially 

people suffering from bronchitis, asthma 

and COPD as well as shallow breathing can 

benefit when the fascial stress is released. 

Specialized Training 

to work with Brain 

Dysfunctions 

Just as the body physically gets stressed from 

physical and emotional trauma, the functioning 

of the brain is also affected by fascial stress. For 

our brains to remain healthy, we need dynamic 

production of craniosacral fluid which performs 

the important function of bringing nourishment 

to all the cells in the brain and spinal 

cord as well as cleansing all the metabolic 

wastes given off by those same cells. 

Once the craniosacral fluid cleanses these 

metabolic wastes, efficient drainage of these 

metabolic wastes into the lymph system is 

absolutely necessary. Research has shown, 

that at night, craniosacral fluid cleanses amyloid 

plaques from the brain. If the drainage 

is inefficient, then the brain is being bathed 

in a toxic slurry. How does 15 or 20 years of 

your brain being bathed in a toxic slurry 

affect you: senile dementia, Parkinson’s, 

Alzheimer’s and other brain dysfunctions? 

A Craniosacral Therapist, who has received 

training in working with the brain, can reverse 

that stress on the brain that eventually can 

result in those brain dysfunctions. As we all 

know, the proper functioning of the body is 

dependent on a healthy functioning brain. 

Babies and Children can benefit 

■ Our little boy Leo, four years of age, had a 

difficult birth and at 7 months was put on antibiotics 

for an ear infection and as a result developed 

c-diff. His development came to a stop. 

At 3 years, with the help of an OT, he started 

to walk and talk. In spite of the improvements, 

he was unable to answer questions and his 

communication skills were very poor. Leo 

had very poor muscle tone, a lot of stress in 

his body and physical activities such walking, 

jumping and climbing were difficult for him. 

Beginning with the first session with Terry, 

he began showing improvement and with each 

following session. Everyone from his teachers 

to his grandparents noticed an increase in his 

■ “I was in awful pain and the 

MRI showed 2 pinched nerves 

and stenosis. I scheduled surgery. 

My daughter suggested Craniosacral therapy. 

After only 2 visits the pain was reduced to 

advanced craniosacral about 80% and therapy I canceled the surgery. I went 

for a 3rd visit and I am about 90% better.” 

■ “Simply Amazing! One visit was all it took for 

Terry to relieve 85% of my year long, nagging 

(sometimes severe) neck/shoulder tightness/ 

pain!! My breathing improved tremendously.” 

physical strength, as well as improvements in 

comprehension, speech and communication 

skills. For the first time, he started participating 

in class lessons and interacting with his 

classmates. Terry has made a huge impact on 

getting Leo to a place a little boy should be at 

age four. We cannot thank Terry enough. 

■ Terry’s treatment helped our 6 week old 

baby boy from recent hospitalization into 

the first series of healthy bowel movements 

when seemingly nothing could help. Our son 

was able to latch onto the breast and for the 

first time completed his feeding. He was much 

calmer after working with Terry. 

■ “He was able to relieve tension that I have 

been carrying around for 15 years or more. 

I left his office table with more energy than I 

have had in years.” 

■ “I began working with him because I was 

dealing with anxieties, depression and lots of 

emotional pain inside and out. You don’t realized 

how much stress can cause damage to 

your body, mind and soul. I can say Terry was 

a big help.” 

Terrence Grywinski 

of Advanced 

Craniosacral Therapy, 

B.A., B.ED., LMT #MA 6049 

Testimonials from Clients 

SOURCE: 

■ Terrence Grywinski of Advanced Craniosacral Therapy, 

B.A., B.ED., LMT #MA 6049. Terry has specialized in Craniosacral 

Therapy since 1994 when he began his training at the Upledger 

Institute. Described by his teachers, clients and colleagues 

as a “gifted healer”, Terry’s intuitive sense and healing energy 

provides immediate and lasting relief from injury, pain, mobility 

issues as well as dysfunctions of the body and the brain. Part 

of Terry’s ongoing education, he has completed 4 craniosacral 

brain and peripheral nervous system classes which enables him 

to work at a cellular 

level and with brain 

dysfunctions. 

Call 941-321-8757 

for more information, 

Google Advanced 

Craniosacral 

Therapy. 

■ “On a recent vacation to Siesta Key, I re-injured 

my back. I found Terry online. I can say 

with complete joy that was the best decision 

I made in the history of my back pain. I have 

sought many modalities and visit a CST regularly 

and never have I had such a healing in 

my entire body. 

After 3 sessions, I made a 16-hour drive 

home with no pain or discomfort in my entire 

body. Unbelievable. My body has a sense of 

moving freely and that is completely new. I’m 

advanced craniosacral therapy 

so grateful to Terry for his knowledge, for his 

sensitivity to my needs and his kind generosity 

in healing my body. I will see him when I return 

next year.” 

■ “I am a snowbird who spends 7 months 

in Sarasota. I have had back problems for 25 

years. Terry’s techniques have led to a great 

deal of release and relief in areas that have 

been problematic. I have been seeing him over 

the years when my body says ”it’s time”. Usually 

after a few sessions, I can tell a huge difference.” 



you’re news 

Appointments 

■ Rita Lowman, a banking executive 

in the Tampa Bay area for 

over four 

decades, 

has joined 

the board of 

directors of 

regionally 

based Caldwell 

Trust 

Company, a 

wealth management 

Rita Lowman 

company in Venice with a presence 

in Sarasota and the central Gulf 

Coast area. 

In announcing Lowman’s 

appointment, R. G. “Kelly” Caldwell 

Jr., CEO/president, praised 

Lowman’s all-around record of 

accomplishments, which encompass 

business sectors as well as 

community causes. “Rita’s experience 

with banking issues, combined 

with her financial expertise 

and passion for serving nonprofit 

institutions, makes her an ideal fit 

and very welcome addition to our 

board,” he said. 

Lowman began her banking career 

45 years ago as state administration 

executive for NationsBank/ 

Bank of America and has blazed 

trails ever since—especially for 

women—up to her most recent 

position as president of Pilot Bank. 

Having managed over 20 acquisitions 

during her career including 

the Nations Bank-Barnett Bank 

merger in 1997, she brings valuable 

experience in the areas of mergers 

and acquisitions, branding and 

community involvement. 

Lowman has been honored 

multiple times with a mix of awards 

that cross boundaries between 

business and volunteer sectors. 

In 2017 she was elected as only 

the third woman in the 130-year 

history of the Florida Bankers 

Association to serve as its Chair. As 

a member of the FBA’s executive 

board of directors, she contributed 

her skills to its government 

relations council, where she served 

as Chair. She provided similar services 

as past chair of the American 

Bankers Association’s executive 

board of directors and its government 

relations council. 

Lowman also chaired the Florida 

School of Banking at the University 

of Florida, American Cancer Society 

Cattle Baron’s Ball, American 

Heart Association Go Red, American 

Cancer Society Tampa Bay 

Council and the Centre Club. 

Besides Caldwell Trust Company, 

she is a current board member 

of Southeastern U.S. American 

Cancer Society and Tampa Bay 

Bowl Association. She previously 

served on executive boards of directors 

of the Tampa Bay Chamber 

of Commerce and the St. Petersburg 

Chamber of Commerce 

Lowman’s community service 

has seen her named as 2020-2022 

chair of the Tampa Bay Bowl and 

serving on its board of directors 

from 2013 through present day. 

In 2022 she was honored as 

Gracepoint’s Guy King Mental 

Health Champion. She was also 

the recipient of the 2021 Dottie 

Berger MacKinnon Woman of 

Influence Award and the 2019 

Outstanding Leader of the Year as 

president of Pilot Bank, both presented 

by the Tampa Bay Chamber 

of Commerce. The Girl Scouts of 

America honored her in 2019 with 

its Women of Distinction award. 

Previously, in 2018 she was named 

as Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 

Business Woman of the Year. In 

2018 and 2019 the Tampa Bay Business 

Journal named Lowman to 

its prestigious list of Power 100. In 

addition, her book From the Farm 

to the Board Room was selected 

among the top Business Books of 

2017 by Richter Publishing. 

Caldwell Trust Company is an 

independent trust company chartered 

in the state of Florida, with 

offices in Venice and Sarasota. 

■ Ringling College of Art and 

Design welcomes Dr. Phyllis 

Brown as Director of the Osher 

Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) 

at Ringling 

College, 

located on 

the Ringling 

College of Art 

and Design 

Museum 

Campus. 

Phyllis 

brings more 

Dr. Phyllis Brown 

than 30 years 

of experience in higher education, 

a strong vision for leadership in the 

field of education, and a passionate 

commitment to lifelong learning. 

Phyllis has held key leadership 

positions locally with the Manatee 

Literacy Council, Friends of the 

North Sarasota Library, and the 

State College of Florida, Florida 

Heritage House. Most recently she 

served as associate dean/campus 

director for the School of Professional 

and Continuing Studies, 

Springfield College in Tampa, 

Florida. She also led undergraduate 

studies at Goddard College, 

Plainfield, Vermont and Port 

Townsend, Washington. Prior to 

Goddard, she served as assistant 

professor of education, School 

of Education, Lesley University, 

Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

A native of Rhode Island, Phyllis 

graduated from the University of 

Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Arts 

degree in history; earned a Master 

in Management of Human Services 

from Brandeis University, Waltham, 

Massachusetts; and a Doctorate in 

Education from the University of 

Massachusetts, Amherst. 

OLLI at Ringling College is one 

of 125 Osher Lifelong Learning 

Institutes in the country, offering 

quality education for students age 

55 or better. To learn more about 

OLLI, visit www.OLLIatRingling- 

College.org. 

■ Gulf Coast Community 

Foundation has announced the 

promotion of Jennifer Johnston 

to Director of Community 

Leadership, and welcomes Dr. 

Kameron Partridge Hodgens as 

she joins the community leadership 

team to serve side by side 

with Johnston as a Director of 

Community Leadership. 

Johnston has served on the 

community 

leadership 

team since 

2017, working 

with Senior 

Vice President 

for Community 

Leadership 

Jon Thaxton 

on initiatives 

Jennifer Johnston 

fueled by 

research-driven Regional Scans. 

She leads the Here4YOUth Mental 

Health initiative together with 

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. 

Johnston’s background is in 

public health, and she received her 

Master of Public Health (M.P.H) 

from University of North Carolina 

at Chapel Hill. 

Dr. Kameron Partridge Hodgens 

joins Gulf Coast from The Glasser/ 

Schoenbaum Human Services 

Center where 

she served as 

the CEO|Executive 

Director 

since 2014. In 

her role, she 

was responsible 

for the 

management 

Kameron Partridge 

Hodgens 

of the five-acre 

campus that 

houses regional nonprofit partners, 

fundraising efforts for the 

sustainability of the organizational 

mission, vision, and values, as well 

as overall strategic planning. She 

received her Masters and Ph.D. in 

Lifespan Developmental Psychology 

from University of Alabama at 

Birmingham. 

Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org. 

■ Muffy Lavens is the new Press 

and Public Relations Director and 

part of the Van Wezel’s marketing 

team. 

Muffy joins 

the Van Wezel 

following an 

almost decade 

long career 

in public 

relations and 

marketing. 

A New York 

Muffy Lavens 

University 

graduate, she began her PR career 

at a boutique agency in the city 

before moving to the Suncoast for a 

position with Feld Entertainment. 

Most recently, Muffy held the role 

of media relations manager at 

Southeastern Guide Dogs. 

Most recently, Maldonado 

served as the director of education 

and community engagement at 

the Van Wezel. Prior, she held arts 

and education positions at Asolo 

Repertory Theatre here in Sarasota 

and Manhattan Theatre Club and 

New Amsterdam Theatre in New 

York City. 

Maldonado will continue the 

Foundation’s 30-year partnership 

with the Van Wezel and continue to 

underwrite popular, philanthropic 

educational programming that 

serves more than 50,000 students, 

teachers and families annually, 

while creating a lifelong learning 

program for the new Sarasota Performing 

Arts Center. 

■ The Van Wezel Foundation 

has announced the promotion of 

Suzanne Hudson-Smith to the 

newly created position of director 

of leadership 

and legacy 

giving. Hudson-Smith 

will 

be responsible 

for the strategic 

growth 

of legacy and 

planned gifts 

Suzanne Hudson- 

Smith 

to advance 

fundraising 

goals in her new role. 

Hudson-Smith joined the 

Foundation team in 2020 as associate 

director of leadership gifts 

where she has been instrumental 

in managing the expansion of 

Foundation proposals and public 

funding grant opportunities while 

cultivating relationships with new 

donors increasing support for 

the Friends Society and Annual 

Giving program. She acquired her 

certified fundraising executive 

certificate in 2013 and is currently 

working to attain the chartered 

advisor in philanthropy credentials 

to create opportunities for deeper 

conversations for legacy gifts that 

honor donor passions around the 

performing arts. 

Hudson-Smith’s previous 

positions have included executive 

director of the Jacksonville Public 

Library Foundation, director 

of development for the historic 

Florida Theatre, vice president 

of development for WNIN 

Public Media for PBS/NPR and a 

corporate background with Frito- 

Lay Community Relations. 

Accolades 

■ Temple Sinai honored Elana 

Margolis at the March 25 Rhythm 

& Jews Erev Shabbat Service with 

a tribute by Laura Freedman, Director 

of Early Childhood Education, 

Bethany Leinweber, Director 

of Youth Education, Outreach & 

Engagement, and Andrea Eiffert, 

Program Director. 

Laura spoke about Elana’s 

successes during her eight years 

as vice president of membership. 

As a reflection of her accomplishments, 

the sanctuary was 

filled with many congregants and 

the recent new members who 

were given a special blessing by 

Chazzan Cliff Abramson. The evening 

included the sounds of the 

Bruno Trio along with Chazzan 

Abramson. 

Elana has been a vital part of 

the growth of Temple Sinai as she 

always welcomes and encourages 

new members on a regular basis. 

She has been involved with all 

aspects of life in the synagogue, 

including her years as co-president. 

As outgoing vice president of 

membership, she was presented 

with gifts and a memorial book 

with photos and individual statements 

about how important she 

has been. 

Elana is a lover of all things 

Micky and Minnie Mouse, so Minnie 

Mouse ears were worn. She has 

also handed out M&Ms at special 

occasions so M&Ms were distributed 

at the end of the service. 

Send us your news! 

Send to: westcoastwoman@ 

comcast.net. You will also find 

more You’re News on our Facebook 

page West Coast Woman. 

You’re News will be posted on 

Facebook in May so be on the 

lookout to see if your name is 

there! We also publish this page 

on our website (westcoastwoman. 

com) and in our monthly e-blast. 

Want to subscribe 

to our e-blast? 

Send us your email address. 

Send to westcoastwoman@ 

comcast.net. 


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MAy 4–MAy 29, 2022 

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1012 N ORANGE AVE, SARASOTA 


dining out 

Sushi, steaks, traditional and non-traditional sushi and more for the whole family 

I 

I 

happen to love sushi - 

the classic version - so 

I guess that’s being a 

sushi snob. Anyway, I’ve 

also had the California 

rolls, the rolls with cream 

cheese, avocado or jalapeño, 

etc., and they’re nice, but I go 

for the classics. As an aside, 

I have only one friend who 

will partake of classic sushi 

with me - the rest - well, it’s 

not their thing, let’s just say. 

But I think they’d all like what 

Kona Grill has to offer. 

Kona Grill, Inc. is based 

in Scottsdale, Arizona and 

serves American cuisine, 

sushi, and cocktails. The 

company started in 1998 and 

owns and operates around 40 restaurants 

in 23 U.S. states, as well as three 

international locations. This Kona 

Grill is at the UTC Mall in Sarasota 

behind SAKS. 

To start, they have a whole page of 

drinks including eight sakes as well as 

sake flights, but they also have cocktails 

and Margaritas. There’s a great selection 

of beers including Sapporo (the 

oldest beer brand in Japan, founded in 

1876) which always complements fresh 

fish so well. 

They’re playful with the appetizers, 

entrees and sides. Where else can you 

get miso mashed potatoes? Sounds 

delicious, actually. Or seared sea bass 

sliders. The latter come with furikake 

(a Japanese seasoning typically made 

with toasted sesame seeds, nori, salt 

and sugar), miso aioli, pickled veggies, 

King’s Hawaiian rolls, cucumber salad 

and russet chips ( $ 19). 

As for the entire menu - it’s long and 

quite a read, deciding to go seafood or 

meat or a combination of the two. For 

sushi there’s the Bama roll that has 

crab salad, cream cheese, jalapeño, 

tuna, avocado, soy paper, smelt roe and 

spicy motoyaki mayo ( $ 20). I’d call it 

sushi playfully reconstructed. 

Leaning more traditional are the 

crunch, spicy tuna rolls with cucumber, 

tempura crunch, togarashi (a spicy 

powdered assortment of dried chili 

peppers and other seasoning), spicy 

motoyaki mayo and eel sauce ( $ 16). 

And there are steaks, Korean-style 

ribs, their own version of the poke 

bowl, sashimi and traditional sushi 

rolls with yellowtail, salmon, smelt roe 

and more. 

Atmosphere? It’s like a dressed up 

sports bar with large screen TVs over 

the bar and large booths and tables 

elsewhere. Compared to traditional 

sushi places there are no women in 

kimonos offering hot towels, but show 

of hands, how many need that (though I 

Kona Grill 

again, in the minority, liked it)? 

To make sushi palatable and user-friendly 

to more, Kona Grill caters 

more to the American palate without 

neglecting traditionalists like me. It’s 

smart and the sushi I had was really 

good like the yellowtail sashimi ( $ 12- $ 19) 

which is such a palate-pleasing dish 

that must be super fresh with just 

a little bit of brine and a little bit of 

sweet. This buttery yellowtail, paired 

with a cold Sapporo, was delicious and 

a great start. 

I ventured off the grid with avocado 

egg rolls with honey-cilantro dipping 

sauce ( $ 17) which I chose because they 

were one of their most popular items 

on the menu. Avocado lovers will no 

doubt like the crispy dough brimming 

with creamy goodness and nothing 

fishy about this dish. 

Next time I will try the popular New 

England-meets-Vietnam Lemongrass 

Clam Chowder ( $ 13) and the Seared 

Seabass Sliders ( $ 19) both of which, 

sadly, they were out of. 

For entrees can you guess? I had 

the Yamada plate which was tempura 

sea bass, crab salad, avocado, cucumber, 

soy paper, sweet and spicy sauce 

and fried wonton slivers ( $ 18) and the 

crunchy spicy tuna rolls with tuna, 

cucumber, tempura crunch, togarashi, 

spicy motoyaki mayo and eel sauce ( $ 16) 

which was quite good. 

The menu has flavorings from Korea, 

Japan, New England, California as well 

as classic diner food like mac ’n cheese. 

Their signature Surf & Turf gives you 

a Kona specialty or traditional roll; a 

choice of a filet, New York strip or a big 

island ribeye. And it comes with green 

beans and miso whipped or crispy 

garlic fingerling potatoes ( $ 39). 

Happy Hour is Monday - Friday 2pm 

- 6pm and Monday - Thursday 9pm 

- Close. Food choices include sushi 

rolls, sashimi, sliders, lettuce wraps 

and fish tacos. 

Reviews online rave about their 

Power Lunch, a three-course lunch for 

$ 

19 available every Monday-Friday from 

11am-2pm. They promise to get you 

served and on the road in 45 minute. 

Includes an appetizer, a main and a 

brownie to go. 

If you read them, Kona Grill gets 

good to very good reviews pretty 

consistently.They’re open for dine-in, 

delivery or takeout and they offer lots 

of kids’ food. 

Desserts? Carrot cake, butter cake, 

coconut rum cake, brownies and coffee 

bread pudding. Not a bit of sushi 

there for sure. 

At Kona Grill, they’ve gone against 

convention and definitely “played with 

their food” to not only offer the classics, 

but also clever variations on Japanese 

food. East meets west with spicy tuna 

rolls and the California roll both under 

one roof. Or is it American food with an 

Asian twist? Either way, it’s good. 


JUST THE FACTS 

Kona Grill Sarasota 

150 University Town Center Dr., 

Suite #150 Sarasota 

Dine inside or out, 

depending on the weather 

Phone: 941-256-8005 Visit KonaGrill.com. 

HOURS: 

 

A Picasso 

roll - spicy 

yellowtail 

mix, 

avocado, 

yellowtail, 

jalapeño, 

cilantro, 

togarashi, 

sriracha 

and yuzu 

ponzu 

BrunchSaturday & Sunday: 

9:30am-2pm 

Dining Hours: 

Monday-Thursday: 11am-11pm; 

Friday: 11am-12am; 

Saturday: 9:30am-12am 

Sunday: 9:30am-10pm 

Lunch: 

Monday - Friday: 2pm-6pm; 

Monday - Thursday: 9pm-close 


Choose a trusted, professional nursing team to ensure the years ahead and your health 

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skilled nursing to helping with groceries 

and companionship—for clients in any 

home setting. We remain dedicated to 

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wcw shopper 

Up your sunglasses game 

and a great offer 

America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses offer a great selection of stylish 

sunglasses with frames by Ray-Ban, Guess, Vera Bradley, Nike and Converse 

at discount prices. Right now they’re offering two pairs and a free, quality eye 

exam for just $69.95. 

Locally, find America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses at The Market at UTC, 5275 

University Parkway in Sarasota. There are over 800 of their stores in the U.S. 

https://www.americasbest.com/location/fl/university-park/the-market-at-utc 

 

Mini Sticks without 

all the unwanted stuff 

Looking for a protein packed, yummy snack for camp, car rides, workouts, 

picnics, hikes and more? Then consider smokehouse-made Vermont 

Smore & Cure’s mini sticks. New flavors include bacon, barbeque beef, 

and turkey pepperoni flavors. With hurricane season looming, these are 

great to have on hand because they don’t have to be refrigerated. 

Vermont Smoke & Cure’s Mini-Sticks are antibiotic and hormone-free 

snacks as well as packed individually. With nine flavors, Vermont Smoke 

& Cure offers meat sticks that are cured in a real Vermont Smokehouse 

where they use natural hickory or maple hardwood chips. More info at: 

https://store.vermontsmokeandcure.com/collections/all-products 

Find store locations here: https://store.vermontsmokeandcure.com/ 

pages/store-locator but they are sold at Whole Foods, Earth Origins, 

Fresh Market, Target and other places. 

Winehive for 

displaying your collection 

Mother’s Day is May 8 

Mother-daughter owned business 

Bonnie & Pop offer premium 

chocolates, cookies, nuts, and more 

for Mother’s Day. Their elegant 

spring holiday gift boxes and baskets 

are filled with the highest quality 

chocolates, cookies, nuts, candies, 

chocolate-dipped pretzels, dried 

fruits, and other favorites. 

“The company is named for our two 

beloved and exceptional grandparents 

- my father’s mother (Bonnie) and my 

mother’s father (Jake (Pop),” 

says company owner Mookie D. 

What mom could say no to the B&P 

Pink Mosaic Chocolate Covered 

Pretzels and Truffles Basket. Indulge 

her with more than a pound of 

assorted truffles including various 

white, dark, and milk butter pecan 

patties, cashew clusters, pretzel 

clouds, pecan snappers, sea salt 

caramels, english toffee, peppermint 

patties, Bavarian pretzels, double 

silk truffles, coconut haystacks, and 

peanut clusters. Cost: $35.99. 

For those who prefer healthier choices, 

options like the gluten-free Dried 

Fruit Apple Basket, the Nut Crate, 

and the Deluxe Crate are perennial 

favorites. All gift boxes and baskets are 

kosher. Each chocolate is individually 

wrapped to promote comfortable 

sharing and a fresh experience, even if 

you (try to) save some for later 

Use this Discount Code: PR BONNIE 

and get $5 in savings on your order at 

https://www.bonnieandpop.com/ 

Meet the WineHive — a tabletop or wall-mounted wine display. Made 

of anodized recyclable aluminum, WineHive’s modular and modern 

design holds wine bottles horizontally to keep their corks moist, and is 

fully customizable to fit your space. 

Modeled after the honeycomb structure, the WineHive was designed 

with customization in mind. Their modular honeycombs allow simple, 

in-home displays to large, wall-filling restaurant displays. As a tribute 

to the design’s inspiration, one per cent of every WineHive order is 

donated to Washington State University’s Pollinator Program. 

See more and purchase at : https://www.winehive.com/ 


in May, these 45-Minute classes run 

Starting 

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & 

every 

Windows and Patio Doors! 

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heat in and 

the cold out. 

1 

DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 5/31/2022. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or entry/patio door, get one (1) window or entry/patio door 40% off, and 12 months $0 money down, $0 monthly payments, 0% interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 1/1/2022 and 5/31/2022. 40% off windows and entry/patio doors are 

less than or equal to lowest cost window or entry/patio door in the order. Subject to credit approval. Interest is billed during the promotional period, but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without 

regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. License number available upon request. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and 

operated. 2Values are based on comparison of Renewal by Andersen® double-hung window U-Factor to the U-Factor for clear dual-pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code “Glazed Fenestration” Default Tables. "Renewal by Andersen" and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. 

© 2022 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. RBA12848 *Using U.S. and imported parts. 

Thursday at 8:00am. 

SCAN TO LEARN MORE 

All skill levels invited, registration requested. For more 

details and event dates, scan the QR code. 

TheBaySarasota.org 

@TheBaySarasota 


Looking for Balance? 

(Synonyms: steady, stabilize, poise, level) 

“At The Renewal Point, we believe you can spend the rest of your life discovering 

new levels of vitality and vigor – not simply trying to rescue what’s left.” 

At The Renewal Point we offer a 

Bio-identical Hormone Balancing Program 

Reasons People Participate: 

Dan Watts, MD, ND, MSMN 

Board Certification: 

American Board of Integrative Medicine 

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology 

Post-doctoral Certification in Metabolic 

Endocrinology 

Post-doctoral Master's in Nutritional and 

Metabolic Medicine 

Fellowship: American Academy of Anti-Aging 

Medicine: Anti-Aging, Regenerative, and 

Functional Medicine 

Fellowship: American College of Surgeons 

• Restoring mental and physical balance 

• Enhancing athletic performance 

• Gaining control over emotions 

• Reducing anxiety and depression 

• Improving relationships 

• Losing and managing weight 

• Normalizing sleep/wake cycles 

• Increasing energy and focus 

• Boosting intimacy and sexuality 

• Improving bone strength and joint health 

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Call today 941.926.4905 

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4905 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34233 | 941.926.4905 | www.TheRenewalPoint.com

wcw MAY 2022

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