Wetherington, Lee. The hard-driving homebuilder is a softie when it comes to kids; he’s one of the biggest donors in the history of the Boys & Girls Club and, with his “Building Bridges” campaign, now encourages others to give to the Community Foundation.

Wise, Margaret. She took the town by storm when she arrived 20 years ago and hasn’t let go since. Of all the society grande dames, she’s in a class by herself. Famous for her energy, problem-solving, matchmaking—and her well-applied Southern charm.

Zdravecky, Barbara. Brave, bold CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida, she’s attracted leaders and politicians to her cause through charm and total conviction. Now expanding her organization, with new clinics in Sarasota’s Rosemary District, Manatee, Hillsborough and Pinellas.

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POWER FAILURES

Mike McNees. Sarasota’s city manager guided downtown through six years of dynamic growth but resentfully resigned this spring right before the commission, fed up with communication problems, perceptions of arrogance and the Van Wezel mess, planned to fire him.

John Wilkes. The arts community loved the longtime executive director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, but that couldn’t keep him from going down after stories broke about financial and other improprieties at the Big Purple.

Katherine Harris. The most polarizing politician in America crashed and burned (and seemed to unravel) in her effort to jump from freshman Congressman to the U.S. Senate.

Bill and Carla Griffin. Though no longer a couple, the once ultra-prominent Griffins own the properties—Morton’s Market, Fred’s, Annabelle’s and The Tasting Room—that made Southside Village fashionable. The recent abrupt closing of all but Morton’s left neighbors and nearby retailers shocked and worried.

POWER BOARDS

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. If you want to be a leader in Sarasota, better put in some time (preferably as president) on this large and influential board.

The YMCA Foundation and Metro boards. Power attracts power, and the top boards of the town’s biggest not-for-profit are living proof. If members don’t care about disadvantaged kids and families when they sign on, they soon will.

The Ringling Museum. Being on this board proves you’ve made it. Board members are bigwigs from all over the state, appointed by the governor; to score a seat you need to be wealthy, important—or both.

Asolo Repertory Theatre. Big donors, from socialites to business leaders, populate this board, and the staff knows how to make each one feel like part of the Asolo family.

Van Wezel Foundation. Stepping eagerly into the current power vacuum at the hall, the feisty foundation board, chafing under the city’s bureaucracy, is determined to play a bigger role in its future. Stay tuned.

POWER HANGOUTS

The University Club. The sweeping view of Sarasota from this 12th-floor downtown club is spectacular, and the members make up a Who’s Who of commerce and leadership. How’s the food? Like we said, the view is spectacular.

Neoderm Skin Care. The beautiful people (yes, men, too) get more beautiful after being peeled, lasered and botoxed at this intimate, state-of-the-art clinic. Etiquette tip: What happens (and who you see) in Neoderm stays in Neoderm.

Carr’s Corner Café. Bigshots, arts leaders and politicians love the food and off-the-record conversation at this hole in the wall on the North Trail.

Saks Fifth Avenue. The counters and racks attract Sarasota’s most stylish, and if you want to see a rich person get excited, just asked her about triple points days.

First Watch. Breakfast is power hour at this downtown restaurant, where leaders meet to plan business deals and fund-raising strategies over the egg-white omelettes, banana pancakes and big carafes of coffee.

The YMCA. The rich and powerful get more powerful on the weights and elliptical machines at the Y’s three locations.

Dolphin Aviation. Private jet traffic is soaring in Sarasota, and the lobby of this private aviation facility at the airport has become a private club for some of the highest fliers in town.

Bijou Café. Some top dogs even have their own tables at John Pierre Knaggs’ comfortable, elegant downtown restaurant. Best power-sightings: on the barstools in the Gossips Lounge.

Spring training baseball at Ed Smith Stadium. Even hard-to-get celebs show up for the boys of spring—that’s where one savvy civic promoter recently spotted Jerry Springer sitting a few rows away and promptly invited him to speak at an upcoming meeting.