Sarasota Magazine

Friday, March 12, 2010

New Films and Festival Excitement

Long day’s journey into night for die-hard movie fans.

By Charlie Huisking

The Sarasota Film Festival begins April 9, but you don’t need to wait until then to take a sneak peek at some promising new features and a powerful documentary.

At 7 p.m. March 20, an organization called Universal Film Focus is presenting a premiere screening of the comedy Expecting Mary at the Historic Asolo Theater in the Ringling Museum visitors’ center.

Elliott Gould, Lainie Kazan, Cloris Leachman, Cybill Shepherd, rocker Gene Simmons and Della Reese are featured in this story of a young girl who learns about love and family in an unlikely place—a run-down trailer park. Starring in the title role is Olesya Rulin, well-known to teenagers through her appearances in the first three High School Musical movies. Rulin will be attending the screening. Tickets are $25.

But if you’re a real film buff who can handle not one but several movies on March 20, you might consider being part of the Film Forecast Focus Group.

From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Historic Asolo, up to 50 people will have the chance to play movie critic and share their opinions of three films with industry representatives. The titles aren’t being announced ahead of time, so viewers won’t be influenced if they read about the productions on the Internet. “We want people to come in without any preconceptions or expectations,” says Craig Prater, who is helping coordinate the event for Universal Film Focus.

But he did say the first film is a comedic drama starring two well-known actors “and the grandson of a Hollywood icon.” The film didn’t get a theatrical release and is going straight to video. “The audience reaction will help the filmmakers determine how they’re going to promote it,” Prater says.

The second film is a 15-minute short. “The filmmakers are raising funds to turn it into a feature film,” Prater says. “The audience reaction will help them determine whether it has the potential to be a full-length film.”

The final film is a “heavy-duty documentary” about child rape in Africa, according to Prater. He says the central figure was featured on the CNN “Heroes” show at the end of the year. According to my research, that would be Betty Makoni, a Zimbabwe native who founded the Girl Child Network, which helps victims of sexual abuse.

How do you know you’re the target audience for this focus group? The group’s promotional material has some clever tips:

-Must have the ability to loll the day away watching films

-Must be able to lift 32 oz. of soda and the occasional 64 oz. of popcorn

-Opinions are required. If you have no opinions, please do not apply.

Tickets to the Film Forecast Focus Group are $200. The ticket includes admission to the three afternoon movies and the screening of Expecting Mary, a mid-day lunch and an evening reception with visiting filmmakers. For information about the daytime and evening events, go to universalfilmfocus.com, or call (702) 982-0587.

Enthusiastic reaction to Ringling Festival.

Audience members at the Ringling International Arts Festival announcement this week were so excited that they immediately begin filling out their ticket orders in the lobby of the Ringling visitors’ pavilion.

Couples were in animated discussions about how many performances they could fit in –an evening of dance with Mikhail Baryshnikov, the world premiere of a play by Pulitzer Prize-winner Nilo Cruz, and perhaps a puppet show from the Czech Republic and a concert of Bach and Philip Glass by violinist Tim Fain.

The scene reminded me of the glory days of the Van Wezel 20 years ago. Back then, managing director and consummate showman Curt Haug convinced patrons that they needed to fill out their order forms as soon as they arrived in the mail. And hundreds of people did. The traffic at the main post office was so heavy that extra workers were stationed at the curb to pick up the forms as motorists drove by and rolled down their windows. Haug even arranged for a jazz band to play at the post office entrance.

It’s nice to see that the Ringling festival seems to be generating a similar amount of enthusiasm.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Ringling Festival News

A sneak peek at Sarasota’s second Ringling International Arts Festival.

By Kay Kipling

Previous supporters and backers of the Ringling International Arts Festival were among the first to hear about the event’s upcoming second season, to take place Oct. 13-17.

At a reception and announcement held at the Historic Asolo Theater, festival manager Dwight Currie welcomed guests and Stanford Makishi, executive director of the New York-based Baryshnikov Arts Center, which is responsible for the artistic programming for the festival. First up: Currie and the audience decided on the correct way to pronounce the festival’s acronym, RIAF (that’s RE-aff from now on); then Currie introduced Makishi and the two presented the festival line-up.

The festival’s opening night, Oct. 13, is billed as a “night of premieres,” and includes four productions. The fourth , The Forman Brothers Theatre Obludarium, will be housed in a tent brought from the Czech Republic and set up on the Ringling grounds. The others will fill the three theaters already on the FSU/Ringling property.

Among those premieres: Rising violin star Tim Fain performs an evening of Bach and a new work (a RIAF commission) by Philip Glass. Makishi called the handome Fain “the matinee idol of musicians,” but assured the audience he’s a great talent as well as good looking.

Another opening night offering is also an RIAF commission: It’s a short play titled Capricho by Pulitzer Prize winner (and Florida native) Nilo Cruz, a piece that will also feature an Asolo Rep actor. And the fourth premiere of the night will be the most exciting to Mikhail Baryshnikov fans: The acclaimed dancer, who was a presence during last year’s festival but did not perform, will this year take the stage with fellow dancer David Neumann in another RIAF-commissioned evening featuring works by Susan Marshall.

That will be hard to follow, but Makishi assured his listeners that they will also be intrigued by the John Jasperse Company, which performs Magic, Mystery and other mundane events during the festival, saying the company “always challenges audiences to accept his concept of beauty.” More dance will come from Les Slovaks Dance Collective, a company that Makishi said he and Baryshnikov watched on a DVD and were immediately excited by. And the Rubberbandance Group presents a meeting of street cool and high art with choreographer Victor Quijada’s Loan Sharking.

There’ll be more music with Romanian-born singer Sanda Weigl and her Takeishi Band, paying tribute to Gypsy music with Gypsy in a Tree, and with young bassist and jazz singer Kate Davis (she’s not yet 20 but has already performed at the White House and the Kennedy Center). And theater is well represented with performances of the one-man show Space Panorama by Brit Andrew Dawson (who somehow manages to take audiences to the moon and back using just his body and acting skills) and by a company Makishi said Baryshnikov was most excited of all to present: The Theater Art Studio, which will perform The Boys, a powerful adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, in Russian with English surtitles.

Currie also said there will be later announcements, including more creative involvements with both Sarasota and Bradenton’s visitors’ and arts groups, to come. But for now, those interested in learning more about RIAF or purchasing festival passes (single ticket sales will not be available until May) should call 360-7399 or visit ringlingartsfestival.org.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Artful Living on Siesta Key

Two unique Sarasota artists’ homes.

By Robert Plunket

Today’s homes show us why Siesta Key has appealed so strongly to artists over the years. One is artistic in spirit; the other speaks directly to the key’s heritage as an artist’s colony and nest of creativity.

324 Siesta Drive

Let’s start with the larger of the two. It’s located on the very upscale northern tip of the island; and although it dates back to 1950, it’s been remodeled several times over the years and now has the atmosphere of a new house. Its previous owner was an artist and designer who specialized in color, and he had a sense of what the great Mexican architects like Luis Barragan were up to—strong primary colors that hold their own against the tropical sun, yet at the same time serve to define the space.

The living room.

It’s a big house—over 2,500 square feet, with five bedrooms and three baths. High ceilings and clerestory windows are in all the rooms, and I particularly like the horizontally paneled glass doors and windows. The pool area—yes, it’s heated—is exactly what you want in a Siesta Key house but so often don’t find: perfectly accessible from the living areas and surround by tropical palms and rare bamboo.

It’s priced at $725,000, a substantial reduction and a good example of the bargains to be found these days on the key. Call Felix Power at (941) 349-4411.

8338 Midnight Pass Road

Our second house is several miles south, on Heron Lagoon. It belongs to a prominent local family who have owned it for generations, and back in the ’50s and ’60s it was a regular stop on the partygoing circuit of such Sarasota icons as painter Syd Solomon and writer John D. MacDonald.

The bedroom.

It was built in 1957 as a three-bedroom but now it has but one, as it is a mere 780 square feet. It has dramatic skylights and an Asian look, with a green ceramic tile roof. It’s known as the Moonhouse; the shell landscaping and the white marble floors cause the property to glow in the moonlight. And if you’re wondering about the numerous pine trees on the property, they are leftover Christmas trees. The family would plant them each January rather than toss them out. And here they are, decades later, still going strong.

Old Christmas trees.

There’s a melancholy note to this sale. The house is set on a wonderful piece of land; it fronts the lagoon and is nearly two-thirds of an acre. Whoever buys it will probably tear it down and build two new houses, as allowed by zoning. I hope not, but what can you do? In the meantime let’s run extra pictures of this piece of Siesta Key history. For more information call Tak Konstantinou at (941) 374-1606.

Underwear, Actors and Auctions

With an underwear fashion show, gala dinners and a book signing, it's a typical week in Sarasota.

If there was ever a social event that needed pictures rather than words, it was the underwear fashion show put on by Sea Cup and Up and Coffrin Jewelers to benefit the Women’s Resource Center. There were eight models who donated their “time and bodies” to prove that “a good-fitting bra does wonders for a woman’s self-esteem.” Not to mention a good-fitting thong.

Let’s cut right to the chase. Here’s Suzette Jones and Anne Chauvet in a sample of Sea Cup’s wares.

Notice Anne’s wide-set Jackie Kennedy eyes. Yes, she’s Sarasota’s sexiest veterinarian, but so much more. She’s French, raised in Africa and educated in Saskatchewan. She has an amazing background—particularly when you see her sashay off a runway. And Suzette—she brought along her daughter, Canyon, who helped out Mommy in the dressing room and on the runway.

The producers of the event were wise to include Kenny Middleton, who looks just as good in underwear as the girls. To paraphrase a line from All About Eve, Kenny is a graduate of the Chippendales’ School of Dramatic Art. When he bent over to pick up an artfully dropped beach ball, well, it was a master class in bending over. Congratulations to all involved. I’m hoping it becomes an annual event. Or maybe even a bi-annual event. Or maybe even a bi-weekly event . . .

Managing Maxine opens at the Asolo Rep Friday night and I can’t wait. It’s got the classic Sarasota theme—love among the over 60 set, and all that entails: nosy friends, greedy children, a lifetime of “baggage.” It’s already famous around town as Sharon Spelman’s comeback—she’s the dearly beloved Asolo actress who retired several years ago. And her co-star is also coming out of retirement to do it.

His name is Granville Van Dusen, and his face is instantly recognizable even if his name isn’t. He’s one of those classic character actors who have been in everything. In his case, over 300 TV shows, things like The West Wing. He usually plays a slick villain, and like so many film villains turns out to be the most charming guy in the world. I had dinner with him the other night at David Hagelstein’s house, part of the Asolo Rep’s Starry Nights dinner series.

Actor Sonny Van Dusen, me and director Mark Rucker. Photo by Gary Sweetman

What a career. Making movies all over the world. Italy. Mexico. Listening to him was a peek into that rarified world of successful actors and their bonds and friendships. (I wish I could say feuds too, but Granville—or Sonny, as his friends call him—was actually rather discreet, no matter how much I prodded him. Oh, well, maybe next time.)

Sonny and the director, Mark Rucker, treated the guests to a short excerpt from the play, with Mark playing Sharon. And guess where it took place? The Hob Nob! I hear there’s another scene that takes place at Sarasota Magazine but it was taken out. It had to do with Sharon Spelman being caught rigging the voting in a Best Pets contest.

And you should see the Hagelstein home. It’s where the Roskamps used to live and is classic old-time Sarasota—big and lavish, right on the bay, the best of taste. My favorite objects: the amazing Tiffany lamps and the Reginald Marsh drawing.

Guess what? I had to do a charity auction! It was for the Artist Series of Sarasota, that group that presents performers, mostly—but not all—classical musicians in intimate recital-type settings. Needless to say, I was more than a little nervous, as live auctions don’t always work these days what with the economy. But the audience came through and responded beautifully and bought every item—all at top prices.

The only hitch was that my pants kept falling down. I was dressed as the Sandman (the theme was A Dream A-Fare) and let me tell you—it’s hard to summon up the “gravitas” a good auctioneer needs when your pants keep sliding to your ankles. But I just forged ahead, begging for bids on the week at a luxury condo in Zug, Switzerland.

I was sitting with the president of the series’ Friends group, Janice Landauer, and we had a ball. Also at our table: Doreen Sutherland, Heidi Godman, a dog named Mozart (yes, a very nice lady brought her little white dog, who attended the event just like any other guest) and Jack and Shannon Collins.

I had never met the Collinses before, even though back in the old days I knew Jack’s grandfather, Jerry. The Collinses own the dog track; Jerry bought it on the courthouse steps back in 1943 and built it into a Sarasota institution. They caught some flack from the animal people back in the 1980s but instituted a greyhound adoption program and that seems to have calmed down. A lot of the business these days comes from poker—it’s the only place in town you can legally play poker—and no, it’s not just rednecks. “We get doctors, lawyers, priests,” Jack explained. By the way, Shannon owns Spice Girls, that tea and spice store/café down by Chili’s. Everybody raves about how it’s the best place in town to have and/or buy tea.

And those with long memories may remember how when Oral Roberts threatened to die and go to heaven unless somebody gave a million dollars to his ministry, Jerry was the one who stepped up and made the donation. Boy, we sure had our share of characters back in those days . . .

And finally, I am totally engrossed in Leslie Glass’ new book, Sleeper. Even though it is set in Portland, Oregon, it’s about the financial scam perpetuated by Neil Husani et al right here in Sarasota. Nobody writes detective fiction like Leslie. I am still enamored of her April Woo series, and this one easily meets that high standard.

Renee Hamad had a book signing party for Leslie on Sunday. Renee has a gorgeous house down near Coral Cove, and with the French doors open to the water and the warm (finally!) sun streaming in, it was a perfect afternoon. Lots of champagne and tiny quiches and crab cakes, and some fudge Leslie made herself. Her secret? Add some pitted cherries.

Author Leslie Glass signing away.

Leslie is a Sarah Lawrence girl who straddles both the social and intellectual sides of Sarasota. She writes frequently for Sarasota Magazine, and her piece on the Art Nadel scandal was our biggest “read” of anything we printed last year. Leslie also has a new Web site for those dealing with addiction issues. It’s called Ilovequitters.com. Check it out—you’ll also find info on how to order some of Leslie’s many books.

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Asolo Rep's 2010-2011 Season

A Broadway-bound show opens the Asolo Rep’s 2010-2011 season.

By Kay Kipling

As we can see the end of the 2009-10 arts season approaching, theaters are, naturally, turning their eyes to next season. That includes the Asolo Repertory Theatre, which on Monday announced to the press and public most of its 2010-2011 season.

The theme for the upcoming year might seem to be “Broadway Bound,” especially in the case of the season opener, a musical production of Bonnie and Clyde written by Frank Wildhorn (whose Svengali played at the Asolo Rep a number of years ago), Don Black and Ivan Menchell that tells the story of that Depression-era criminal couple. The piece premiered in La Jolla, Calif., last year, where Asolo Rep artistic director Michael Donald Edwards saw it. It’s being reworked for the Asolo Rep staging, with at least two new songs added, and there will be a national search for the actor to play Clyde Barrow. It opens here Nov. 14, with a Broadway run set to follow in early 2011.

Bonnie and Clyde is followed by a comedy from writer David Hirson, La Bete, that follows a 17^th-century acting troupe forced to add a popular street performer to the company against the troupe leader’s will. Edwards will direct the show, which, as it happens, will receive a new production on Broadway (not the Asolo Rep production) soon also. That play opens the winter rotating rep season, Jan. 7 through Feb. 24.

Next up is the classic courtroom drama by Reginald Rose, Twelve Angry Men, running Jan.14 through March 31. A co-production with a Jupiter, Fla., theater, this Drama Desk Award-winning piece will be directed by Frank Galati, who helmed Broadway productions of The Grapes of Wrath and Ragtime.

A recent smash on both London and New York stages, the farce Boeing, Boeing will play Jan. 21 through April 23 and will be directed by FSU/Asolo Conservatory head Greg Leaming. Edwards calls this one “a laugh riot”; rights to it were confirmed just a couple of hours before the Monday announcement.

The Asolo Rep then switches gears to do a mystery-thriller (something Edwards has not yet presented here), Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, about a once celebrated playwright who enlists a younger writer to help him on his latest piece. A highly successful and popular “whodunit” when it first bowed, this show plays March 11 through May 14.

A play receiving only its second production anywhere runs March 18 through May 15; that’s Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage’s Las Meninas (The Waiting Women), based on a piece of history from the court of King Louis XIV. “It’s a fascinating untold story,” according to Edwards, centered on the relationship between Louis’ unhappy queen and an African pygmy. Now that sounds unusual.

The second Asolo Rep Unplugged new play festival will takes place in April, followed by the world premiere of a new play that may or may not come out of this year’s first Unplugged, to run April 15 through May 14. And last but not least, Hershey Felder presents his one-man show George Gershwin Alone May 19 through June 5, followed by a short run of his new piece Beethoven As I Knew Him, June 8-12.

The Conservatory season was also announced, and it includes Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona (Oct. 26 through Nov. 14), Neil LaBute’s Reasons to be Pretty (Jan. 4-13), Henrik Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea (Feb. 22 through March 13), and Moliere’s classic satire Tartuffe (April 12 through May 1), which may serve as sort of a companion piece to both Las Meninas and La Bete in its period and French setting.

For more news about the Asolo Rep’s 2010-2011 season, call 351-9010 or go to asolo.org.

Gauging Nonprofit Success

By Kim Cartlidge

Philanthropy meets heresy at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

What’s the most sinister question a donor can ask a nonprofit? Speaker and author Dan Pallotta addressed the query to a well-heeled, sold-out crowd at the Ritz-Carlton recently.

It’s “What percent of my donation goes to the cause vs. overhead?”

As he laid out his compelling arguments about how and why that question undermines both nonprofits and donors, I witnessed a number of heads nodding in recognition.

Dan Pallotta, author of Uncharitable, says we need a better system for evaluating charities.

Pallotta founded Pallotta TeamWorks, which created the multi-day, four-figure pledge minimum fund raisers, including the original breast cancer three-day walks and original Out of Darkness overnight event, as well as AIDSRides and AIDS Vaccine Rides. His company’s events grossed $556 million in contributions and netted $305 million for charity over nine years. He also took a healthy salary, and was criticized for it, despite the results he produced.

Now he has written Uncharitable, a deconstruction of our implied expectations about nonprofit management and fund-raising. According to Pallotta, we have two rule books—one for charities and the other for the rest of the economic world—and this creates an “economic apartheid” and sabotages the problem-solving and effectiveness of nonprofits.

Boards and donors are averse to financial risk-taking and investing in marketing, development and staff training. We all expect to see lower-end salaries, even for executives, which creates a disincentive for the most talented and visionary people to work in the nonprofit sector.

“We force nonprofits to obsess over keeping short-term overhead low. Solving the problem becomes an entirely secondary matter,” Pallotta said.

In Uncharitable, Pallotta has proposed a new list of questions to ask to measure how effectively a nonprofit is being managed and how much good is being accomplished with donors’ dollars. Despite his heresy, Pallotta was persuasive, and Circle Books sold out its 100 copies of his book that day.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice CEO Teri Hansen with Pallott.a Photos by Barbara Banks Photography

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice brought Pallotta to town and plans to keep the conversation going locally, according to marketing and communications director Greg Luberecki. Mark Pritchett, vice president of community investment for the foundation, will be inviting the nonprofit leaders who were in attendance to devise a new, common set of measures and indicators for local organizations. The foundation will also make Pallotta’s talk available on DVD to donors and nonprofits.

After spending less than an hour listening to Pallotta, I can say he convinced me that the overhead/cause ratio should not be the sole or the most important assessment of a charity. But right now, it’s the only uniform measure we have. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation process is on the mark and right for the times. We need a new system that makes it easy for all levels of donors to size up a charity before they give.

Circle Books on John Ringling Boulevard has ordered more copies of Uncharitable (941-388-2850), and there’s more information about Dan Pallotta at www.danpallotta.com.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Catching My Breath

I enjoy occasional downtime amid mad parties.

By Hannah Wallace

In slower times, I’m a little more unsure about what to do with my free time. I don’t know how to gauge if I need relaxation or excitement, nostalgia or adventure. So now that my social life has gone from seated and semi-reclined to full-on, quad-burning sprint, well, at least I know to use those free moments to catch my breath.

One of these days I’m going to learn to use a pocket calendar of some sort, too, I swear to god. Trying to remember my plans (if I have any) for any given evening is like trying to tap into some nascent psychic ability. “I’m seeing…blue…and the letter ‘M’…and new beginnings.” I spent three days last week insisting to CCB that we already had plans for March 27, though I had no idea what those plans were—or if they involved a fancy dinner party or camping trip or sporting event or what. (Psst, it’s Chillounge.)

If I had a calendar, the next few weeks would be scribbled appointments every which way—especially with the beginning of a new kickball season and the advent of a Wednesday-night women’s hockey clinic. Then you add in, well, things like Chillounge, our March issue “Bachelor” party on Wednesday, CCB’s parents coming down for a visit, a weekend hockey tournament in Brandon and a gazillion other things I can’t think of right now. I’m seeing…March 26, too…and something next weekend…I have no idea.

Anyway, I’m thinking about all of this because, thanks to our crazy Saturday night this past weekend, I had no qualms about a chilling out for the rest of the weekend, including Friday night dinner (at Winghouse) and a movie (at home), as well as a mid-Sunday movie and a nap. Because Saturday night we actually had to pack for our evening out. Our Saturday night required luggage. First was Club Forty—though noticeably scaled back from last year, still a good time. (And can I just say, something about leaving a hangar and walking to the restroom trailer on the tarmac is pretty freaking cool. Like, top five places to pee in Sarasota, seriously.) Also: cornhole tournament! Creative, active and “cornhole” is fun to say. Cornhole cornhole cornhole.

We only planned to spend an hour or so there, though, just because we had other places to be. But on our way out, CCB decided to drop $50 at the blackjack table, and I found myself trying to look like I knew what I’m doing (hint: I didn’t)—especially hard when you’re struggling to do math in your head. But in the race to be our vacation destination, Las Vegas has started a late charge from the back.

From there we went to Little J’s house in Sarasota to change: Rock Stars Kim and Kreg have been planning their 90s party since 2002, so this was not one to be missed. And I like the way they throw parties: Whereas CCB and I just hope a bunch of people show up and mingle and maybe create some random craziness, Rock Star Kim’s parties build a whole theme around costumes, refreshments, décor and activities. And the 90s party was no disappointment: An incredible turnout, with costumes ranging from approximations of 90s style to awesome recreations of pop culture characters and headline-makers. Kreg had collected six hours' worth of 90s hits that were pumped through a house-wide sound system (and outdoors, too). The activities? Open mic (a la Central Perk) and a Real World-style video “confessional” (can’t wait to see how that footage turns out). Check out the pics; I’d call that a success.

CCB and Little J as Jay and Silent Bob. (Little J got his gorgeous locks courtesy of a princess wig. I love costume parties.)

90s decor.

Wayne entertains.

The backyard fire pit scene.

Scully and Mulder.

Included in this shot: Monica Lewinsky, the Soup Nazi, Marsha Clark and
Judge Lance Ito, Garth and the bad guy from Scream.

Firefighter Thank-you Cookies

A happy ending for burnt toast, with a yummy recipe for chocolate cookies.

By Lael Hazan

The blaring in our ears awakened the entire family. At first I thought it was the morning clock going off; it took a few seconds to register that it really was the fire alarm. We quickly got up and looked to see what the problem was, the children running into our room frightened. It was four in the morning and very dark. Nothing in the kitchen seemed to be amiss, but there was a smell of burnt toast. Ironically, our dog, a usually exuberant toy poodle, continued to sleep soundly.

The phone rang. It was ADT on the line, asking if we were all right. When I told the lady that we hadn’t been able to find the source of the fire, she said she was notifying emergency services and that we should leave the house. Feeling like one of those people in a State Farm commercial, we bundled the girls up and got ready to leave.

All of this probably took place in less than five minutes; however, it felt like hours. On the advice of the lady on the other end of the phone, we turned off the circuit breaker and were plunged into the unseasonably cold and dark Florida night. Immediately after the ADT lady hung up, I received a call from the fire department letting us know they were on their way. I was worried about our neighbors and asked if they could come without using sirens, but they said they had protocol to follow.

Soon firefighters in huge yellow suits were walking down the driveway. Our drive is so narrow that the truck didn’t fit; however, firefighter/paramedic Lieutenant Leigh Flynn said that if she had seen flames, the truck would have come, probably taking some trees with it. The firefighters looked through our home, and said that they, too, smelled “burnt toast.” But even with their thermal scanner they couldn’t find a heat source. Eventually they did find burnt toast in the toaster, although the toaster was cold. They told us to make sure the alarm was reset and that we should probably throw out the toaster.

My husband, being male, wasn’t ready to throw out the toaster. The very next day someone again tried to make toast, and yes, the fire alarm went off. This time the department didn’t need to come. Right now the toaster is sitting on our lanai. Has it become an art piece to be donated to the next bayfront Season of Sculpture, or are we just too lazy to throw it out?

We are very appreciative of the Bee Ridge Fire Station. http://www.scgov.net/EmergencyServices/FireDepartment/fireoperations.asp Yes, it was their job, but they were efficient and kind. The girls were so impressed with the firefighters that they wanted to thank them. In our house, making cards isn’t enough. We need to make food, too. I’m of the belief that when kids want to do something for others, one does it as soon as possible. Therefore, we raided the pantry to find items to make cookies. Who knew we could be out of chocolate chips? Here is our recipe for chocolate cookies made with cocoa. The firefighters were pleased with their gift, and we feel very fortunate that they came to our rescue.

No Michela, its not time to lick the bowl.

Firefighter thank-you chocolate cookies

Adapted from the Droste Cocoa box

Just out of the oven.

These are fun and easy cookies to make. Even the smallest child can assist. The greatest challenge is to get them to actually make the cookies rather than just eating the yummy dough. It is important to chill the dough before shaping the cookies, as it gets too soft. We also found that the larger cookies melted together, so keep them small and far apart.

Good quality vanilla extract and cocoa powder are a must, as they improve the flavor dramatically.

Makes 4 dozen cookies

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2/3 cup butter

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

Let eggs and butter come to room temperature. Whip brown sugar, butter, water and vanilla in an electric mixer. Beat in eggs.

Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in another bowl. Slowly add flour mixture to sugar mixture. Mix until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls, roll them in confectioner’s sugar, and place on cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Bake 7-9 minutes.

Firefighter Allen Simonovic and the girls at Bee Ridge firehouse.

Quite a Catch

Happy days are here again at Owen's Fish Camp.

By Judi Gallagher

I could give you a little history of Owen—that is, Sarasotan Owen Burns, who loved to fish and work with money—but fellow writers will go into more detail on the cottage and Owen. I need to focus here on the food. Can I just say I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Always sure to be a good night when dining out with buddy Matt Orr (aka unofficial mayor of Sarasota). Dining, or shall I confess to “pigging out,” at Owens’s was a culinary rodeo of creative, impeccably prepared dishes, great service and an atmosphere that says “Where have you been all these years?”

I travel up to Star fisheries in Cortez when I need a hit of laid-back, fishing village, hot-off-the-boat grouper sandwiches. For years I have seen other local chefs and restaurant owners wait at Star for an hour in line for a great piece of simple fish kinda place. Owen’s is that and so much more.

Belly up to the bar at Owen's for some socializing and a cold beer.

Now that's what I call good dinner company: Paul Caragiulo and Matt Orr.

Now Matt, ever so predictable by ordering the same thing—if it ain’t broke don’t fix it theory—shared (well, let’s just say I assumed he would share so dug my fork right into) his fried catfish with spicy collard greens, the best I have ever tasted in these here parts. In return, I shared, somewhat reluctantly, my fried soft shell crab BLT sandwich with basil mayo. I could not get enough of this succulent, sweet fried crab, very so slightly dripping down my arm as I jumped in with a huge bite, and I felt the need to cry out to all those within earshot “Get the soft shell crab, even if you already ate.” And believe me, folks like Michael and Terri Klauber did just that and couldn’t agree more.

Fish tacos are good, but it's the side of red potato salad that seals the deal.

Desserts are fun, but I wish they would call the apple pie an apple tart—keeping more to its style. The root beer floats are going to save us all in the heat of the coming summer.

"Catfish dancing on the end of this line," as the Springsteen song goes--with grits and unbelievable collard greens.

Next visit I am planning the oyster po’ boy, and on our wonderful server’s suggestion, soft shell crab sautéed instead of fried…but trust me, that sandwich is going to be hard to beat.

Paul Caragiulo is having a ball with this newest restaurant venture and it shows. Worn baseball cap attire and a whole lotta hospitality—Owen’s Fish Camp just makes you feel good, and the food—well, let’s just say my soul is full and happy.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Machinal

Enter a world of anomie with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory's Machinal.

By Kay Kipling

You don’t know what to expect before seeing a production of a 1928 play that’s seldom seen and barely even known by those outside the theater world. After all, there’s usually a reason why a piece is not often revived; buried treasures are not lying around everywhere just for the taking.

With Machinal, Sophie Treadwell’s stage work loosely based on the true-life case of 1920s murderess Ruth Snyder, I can’t say that I exulted over seeing this piece at last. But in the FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s production (now at the Cook Theatre), there were certainly some intriguing aspects.

The piece, now set in contemporary times, begins with the entire cast walking (almost sleepwalking) to chairs placed before a large screen (both video and audio design are important parts of the production). One young woman (Kim Hausler) has to leave the simulated subway; she can’t take the press of the crowd around her anymore, the noise, the rush. But she’s no better off when she arrives at her workplace, to the derision of her co-workers and the unwelcome advances of her boss (Danny Jones). He’s attracted to her because of her hands initially—ironic since she can’t stand the touch of his—and wants to marry her.

The woman, whom we soon come to know as Helen, rebels against the idea of marrying without love. But her mother (Lindsay Bytof), whom she supports financially without getting much support in return, can’t see anything wrong with that. Her bleak view of life (you get up in the morning, put your clothes on, eat, work, come home and wait to die) is only enforced by what Helen finds all around her. When she does marry and has a child, she again is assaulted by the institutions around her, which do nothing to cure her depression. She, along with others seeking some sort of pleasure in their trapped lives, ends up at a bar where she meets a man (Dane Clark) who offers her at least a glimpse of love. But will that be enough to sustain her?

The plot is probably familiar enough; it’s what Treadwell and director Dmitry Troyanovsky (who scored with a Conservatory production of The Bacchae a while back) do with it that’s more unusual. Helen’s interior monologues are projected close up on the screen (a device that can prove annoying at times); while visual stimulation is otherwise limited, we are bombarded by sound, from phones ringing to computer keyboards clicking to a mix of music from classical to rock. Characters for the most part interact with each other only from a distance; physical contact is rare and brief. And the dialogue is deliberately written and spoken to explore the playwright’s intentions, more than to sound like real-life conversation.

So, sometimes audience members may find themselves almost as frustrated as the characters in the play. That may be intentional, but it does mean that Machinal won’t be for all tastes.

It is a learning experience for the Conservatory cast, though. Jones and Hausler, in particular, succeed in making us feel for their situation, with Hausler especially compelling in her final scenes. For those who want something different in their theater going, Machinal does provide a change of pace. It continues through March 21; call 351-8000 or go to asolo.org.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Great Sarasota Home Tours

Your chance to peek into someone else’s wonderful house.

By Robert Plunket

Click here to see our Real Estate Junkie discuss these tours on ABC7.

This is the time of year when Sarasota goes all out with its various home tours. That means you – for a very nominal fee that goes to charity – can become what is known as a “lookie-loo” – snooping around somebody’s else house, or a glamorous decorator show house, just for the sheer pleasure of it, without having to pretend you’re going to buy something.

The one not to miss is the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation Home Tour, with five older homes in the Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores neighborhood open this Sunday, March 7, from 11 to 5. The cost is $20. This tour is an annual tradition among the town’s architecture and preservation crowd, and one of the things I like best is meeting them in full force.

Here’s a quick look at three of the homes on the tour.

4451 Charles Lane

This is one of the famous Sears Roebuck kit houses that were sold by the thousands during the early part of the 1900s.You sent Sears a couple of thousand dollars and you got back a house on a railroad car, which you then assembled from simplified blueprints. Over 70,000 were sold. This particular example is Dutch Colonial and is thought to date from 1909. It was built by an early winter resident from Connecticut and moved several blocks to its present location in 1995. Sears houses are an important part of Americana; don’t miss this opportunity to study a beautifully renovated one in person.

5030 Bay Shore Road

One of the grand old homes of Sarasota, this Spanish house epitomizes the town in the 1920s during the land boom and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. It’s big and grand and in excellent condition. It was a runner-up in SarasotaMagazine’s 10 Prettiest Homes competition. It’s also the only home on the tour that’s currently for sale.

567 45^th St.

Imagine how rustic Sarasota must have been back in 1924, when this semi-craftsman bungalow was built on a great big lot. This one is really a trip back in time. The previous owners kept chickens in the yard, and the current owners have recreated the kitchen in a rural farmhouse style from the 1930s. Check out the three fireplaces and the 100-year-old pecan floors.

You can join the tour at any of the participating houses, and they will have a trolley to take you around. Call 941-953-8727 for more info.

And the following Sunday, March 14, from 11to 4, we jump forward several decades for the Sarasota Modern Home Tour, with houses from the modern period, starting with the Sarasota School in the 1950s up til the present day. Tickets are only $5 and benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Here’s an example of what you’re going to see: the beautiful Rupp house, from 1960. (This one, plus several others on the tour, are currently for sale.) For more information call 941-724-1118 or martie@modernsarasota.com.

Finally, don’t forget the Sarasota Orchestra Designer Showcase at Legends Bay in El Conquistador, which end this Sunday, March 7. Golf champ Paula Creamer’s big new house, decorated with inspiration provided by tropical cocktails.

And the Parade of Homes ends the same day. Thirty builders models, mostly in Lakewood Ranch. Paradeofhomesinfo.com.

And keep March 27 and 28 open for ASID’s Designer Digs – decorators’ own homes. More on this later.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Classic Sicilian at Ortygia

Bradenton's Ortygia is a welcome taste of Sicily.

By Judi Gallagher

You have to love a restaurant that has the tag line, “The flavor of Sicily—The flavor of Civilization.” It’s a statement of what coming to the table is all about—being civilized.

Ortygia offers exactly what it promises, a place at their Sicilian table, or in this case a place at unique little eating bins in almost hideaway rooms and an outdoor space that welcomes the true essence of Italy—feasting in a joyous open atmosphere, where Chianti and the stars become one. Imagine all this in a not so desirable neighborhood on the fringe of Village of the Arts in Bradenton.

The cooking is classic Monzu style Sicilian. The French-trained Sicilian chef added such wonderful ingredients as consomme and foie gras. Even today the term Monzu refers to a great chef—fitting for this charming owner.

Fennel roasted in a chardonnay cream graced with black olives and pancetta transcends Italian island cooking. Fresh fennel, when cooked properly, is an incomparable flavor. No one does fennel better than the Italians and the French. Perhaps that is why most American chefs choose to use fennel uncooked in salads, in salads with oranges and goat cheese—a smart move.

The rustic savory tart os to die for, and the stuffed tomato with currants and pine nuts is a flavorful appetizer.

Ortygia is a destination for authentic savory tortes. Torto di Carciofi, another rustic classic from its homeland, is artisan crafted with a freshly made tart filled with artichoke and caramelized onions baked in a hand-rolled crust with a slight sweetness. Pre-order a full torte to bring home; you will need something to hold on to after experiencing something so exquisite in its comfort.

The rustic chicken breast is a classic Sicilian dish.

The entrée sides offer several comfort chicken dishes, but the nightly special of fresh tilapia, capers, olives, extra virgin olive oil and a reduced fresh tomato sauté was nearly sinful. Farsumagru—a freshly ground sirloin steak stuffed with provolone, prosciutto, sweet Italian sausage, hard-cooked eggs, asparagus and pancetta that is slowly braised in red wine and tomato reduction—is not your mama’s meatloaf. It’s large enough to share if you have overindulged in torte.

Dear friend Bob Siccone fits right in with the Ortygia family.

Sure, these food descriptions might send a message of delicisio! It is the feeling of family, from the greeting at the kitchen door to the offering of several different samples of wine to the icing on the cake—a table visit from Dorothy, proud mother of chef/owner Gaetano Cannata. As we lingered over espresso and limoncello, we tried to convince Dorothy, a native of New Jersey, to stay another month. Her sweetness and stories made an already wonderful meal a meaningful gathering of newly found friends.

Ortygia serves both lunch and dinner, and is closed on Mondays. (941) 741-8646

Monday, March 01, 2010

This and That

Tidbits from my life of late.

By Hannah Wallace

--Well, that happened.

--Our Ms Conduct travel season ended on a high note last weekend with a second-place finish in the state tournament. Given our history, you might liken that to the Bucs winning the conference championship. Or, perhaps, to the upstart American men’s hockey team winning silver.

--But we keep skating along: In an attempt to take advantage of all the Olympic hullabaloo—in which Ellenton itself played a supporting role—we’ve partnered with the rink to offer women’s ice hockey clinics Wednesday nights, 8 to 9:30 p.m. No experience necessary. C’mon, $20 gets you the Winter Olympics silver medal experience!

--Even as the travel season ends, CCB and I find ourselves all sported out for the weeks ahead: Sunday hockey, Monday boxing, Tuesday roller hockey at Bradenton’s Police Athletic League, Wednesday women’s ice clinic, Thursday or Friday kickball. I wonder if there’s a Saturday steer-wrestling or something I could get involved in…

--Perhaps we can find a new activity through the silent auction at this Saturday's Club Forty night-club-in-an-airplane-hangar party. Last year’s Club Forty silent auction introduced us to Uppercut Boxing. What new and interesting activities might we embark upon this year?

--Party-going jet-setters that we are, we won’t be able to linger at Club Forty: Rock Star Kim is hosting a 90s party Saturday night, too, and Rock Star Kim’s once-a-decade parties are not to be missed. I’ve been frequenting Goodwill to assemble a My So-Called Life-inspired outfit, but I’m really really tempted to just snag a Scream stalker mask and take the easy-but-iconic route. CCB’s hoping to pair up with Little J to be Jay and Silent Bob, which: brilliant.

--Perhaps because of this busy springtime party schedule, CCB and I don’t have any regularly scheduled annual bashes to worry about hosting this time of year. Still, a Canadian snowbird teammate has requested that we host something in the springtime so she can attend, and we’ve found our muse: Due to an unfortunate and rage-inspiring set of circumstances affecting another Canadian teammate, Lefty, we’re now in the planning stages of the first-annual “Eff That Guy” party. Because “anger” was a theme missing from our party repertoire. And, y’know, great excuse to go nutso on a piñata. We’ve never been host to any serious injuries, so, well, fingers crossed.

--And in the midst of all this madness, we’ve got to find time to see all the Asolo Rep shows—especially the ones staged managed by my mother. Ma’s retiring at the end of this season—did you know that? Forty-one years as Asolo production stage manager. Dad’s already settled into his retirement, so this is pretty heartbreaking for a stage brat hanger-on like myself. But in anticipation of freedom, Ma’s been counting her frequent-flyer miles with a wicked grin on her face, so it’s hard to get too down about it.

Li'l Abner

Step back in time with the Golden Apple's Li'l Abner.

By Kay Kipling

The first question you might ask yourself before seeing the current production of Li’l Abner at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre could very well be, “Does it feel dated?” The answer: yes and no.

What does sometimes feel dated in this 1956 musical, adapted from the long-running comic strip by Al Capp set in mythical Dogpatch, U.S.A., is the cornpone humor (although admittedly it’s appropriate for the characters as conceived) and the general ignorance of the Dogpatch citizens. It’s harder and harder to find isolated yokels such as these in the age of the Internet. What doesn’t seem dated—and probably never will—are the satirical jabs at the way the government in Washington works. Some things never change.

Of course since Li’l Abner is derived from a comic strip, it’s only fitting that the costumes (by Dee Richards), the set (by Michael Newton-Brown) and the performances (by a larger than usual Golden Apple cast) feel cartoonish in coloring and tone. From the minute Abner (Matthew C. Scott), Daisy Mae (Heather Kopp) and Mammy and Pappy Yokum (Ellie Pattison and Bob Trisolini) step onstage, they immediately bring to mind the characters as drawn by Capp (at least for audience members of a certain age, since the strip ended in 1977).

Michael Bajjaly and cast of the Golden Apple's Li'l Abner.

The plot here involves Daisy Mae’s eternal attempts to land Abner as a husband in the traditional yearly Sadie Hawkins Day race. Complicating matters this year, however, is a government plan to move all the Dogpatch citizens away from their benighted hometown in order to test a bomb on the site. Seems there is nothing “necessary” enough in Dogpatch to preserve. Before long we’re meeting scientists and politicians (including Robert Turoff as the avaricious General Bullmoose) who may change forever the way Dogpatch sees itself. Will the town survive? And will Abner and Daisy Mae finally get hitched?

Li’l Abner tends to work best on the big country-spirited production numbers, like Jubilation T. Cornpone, the lampooning The Country’s in the Very Best of Hands, and Rag Off’n the Bush, when Dewayne Barrett’s choreography has the cast stepping lively to these Gene DePaul-Johnny Mercer tunes. But there are also good moments courtesy of the ever-spunky Pattison as bossy Mammy, Trisolini as boot-kicking Pappy, and Michael Bajjaly as the enterprising Marryin’ Sam. Heather Kopp is appealing as the buxom Daisy Mae, and Sevasty Antoniades has the right bimbo moves as General Bullmoose’s “assistant,” Appassionata Von Climax. As the title character, Scott looks the part, but he could punch up Abner’s signature traits (like his fear of commitment but overall upright nature) more than he does to maximize the comic effect.

Li’l Abner may appeal more to generations that remember Al Capp’s heyday than to younger ones that don’t. But as a seldom-presented show, it’s worth taking a peek for musical theater lovers. The production continues through April 4; for tickets call 366-5454 or go to thegoldenapple.com.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Five Years!

Happy anniversary to me.

By Hannah Wallace

Just a quick note to point out that today is my five-year anniversary with the mag. Who would’ve thunk it? I’ve been here longer than I was in college—or any other school for that matter. And I can certainly say that this has been very educational.

I just updated my Facebook status: “Hannah Wallace celebrates five years with the mag today. How should I mark the occasion?” First three responses, received within five minutes of posting, were:

“Beer, of course!”

“Blog it.”

And “Celebrate like the Canadian women. :)” –yeah, thanks for that last idea, Lefty. (In case you hadn’t heard, after winning the gold medal in women’s hockey, the Canadian team came back on the ice to celebrate with stogies and champagne.)

So I figured, what the heck, I’ll do all three. Although I’ve got my usual post-hockey-tournament cold, so the cigars are probably out. But anniversary or no, CCB and I had already planned a dream evening at home tonight, starting off with the donning of pajamas the second I walk through the door.

I’m curious, though: How long do people stay at their jobs these days? I overheard someone the other day mention that, a generation ago, people worked one job nearly their entire lives. But now? I’m ecstatic for the stability, so I guess I’ve forgotten that some people, for all manner of reasons, change jobs more frequently. Heck, in some cases it’s almost a requisite of a career to have experienced at least several different companies. Does that mean they actively look to change, or do these things just happen?

Anyway, five years feels like a heck of an accomplishment for fickle ol’ me—plus it ignites that competitive spark, all, “Let’s see how long we can keep this going!”

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Test of Time

Plymouth Harbor still stands tall among Sarasota retirement communities.

By Robert Plunket

Plymouth Harbor may the most recognizable building in Sarasota. At 25 stories, it certainly is the tallest. But it has also earned a place in the city’s history. It’s our most prestigious retirement residence, and always has been since it was built in 1966. Legends are attached to it – the crazy billionaire conservative ensconced in the penthouse, the glamorous Broadway star making secret visits to an old lover. There are newer places and some are more lavish. But Plymouth Harbor is the one with the mystique.

It’s also the one with the location. On the eastern edge of St Armand’s Key, five minutes from downtown, it’s pretty much right in the middle of all the most desirable parts of town. Its enormous tower shocked the town so much when it was built that the zoning laws were changed. Time – and all the new high-rises – have mellowed the controversy, and today the height of the building means it has the most spectacular views in Sarasota. Period.

The Plymouth Harbor campus is built in a grandiose version of 1960s minimalism – lots of long planes and empty space. There’s a sense of endless space and endless views. It’s elegant, but a spare and simple elegant, like the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York. Top decorator Anne Folsom Smith just redecorated most of the ground floor. (Her husband Frank Folsom Smith designed the building and has won many awards for it.)

Combined with several low-rise garden buildings, Plymouth Harbor has over 200 units, ranging from 580-square-foot studios to penthouses of over 2,000 square feet. The units are a little small by today’s luxury standards, but that’s sort of the point. You want things close at hand, and cozy becomes more important than spacious. Imagine the agony of being 85 and living in a McMansion and having to spend five minutes just walking from the bedroom to the kitchen.

Plymouth Harbor is the type of retirement community where you pay a “membership fee” rather than purchase a condo. The fee starts at around $130,000 for a studio and goes to over a million for the big penthouses. This means you and/or your heirs do not get the money back. What you get instead is the security of knowing that you have a place to live and will be taken care of for the rest of your life. Exactly how and under what circumstances depends on your long term insurance, but Plymouth Harbor goes out of its way to stress the “caring community” aspects of retirement living.

A monthly fee is also charged, ranging from around $1,500 up to over $5,000. Just about everything is included: utilities, activities, weekly housekeeping, local phone, transportation, and 15 dinners per month.

I know many people who live in Plymouth Harbor and they all love it. I like the feeling of camaraderie when I vist--everyone is super-friendly and they're pursuing their hobbies and activities like mad. This week they're performing an original play they wrote themselves about a dog who may or may not be living on the 17th floor. Yes, they sadly do not allow pets. This is the one drawback. Change that rule, and Plymouth Harbor will move from an A rating to an A-plus.

For more information call Gordon Okawa, (941) 361-7514 or go to plymouthharbor.org.

High-Low Dressing Hits Home

Boys & Girls Club showhouse integrates bargains with couture.

By Carol Tisch

Sarasota’s cleverest interior designers were mixing affordable pieces with trade showroom finds long before the phrase “high-low dressing” was coined to describe Michelle Obama’s politically correct mix and matching ($540 Lanvin sneakers; $48 J. Crew top). And at the 15th Annual Jewels on the Bay Showhouse 2010, benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, designers artfully incorporated high-low dressing into their idea-packed rooms.

The show closed Sunday, Feb. 21, but many of the designers continue to offer products shown in the two participating Longboat Key homes at their studios and stores—plus several let us in on secret sources, from Lowe’s to favorite resale shops. Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner of Collins Interior Design combined high-end couture fabrics with finds from Sarasota Architectural Salvage in the master bath of the $2.5 million, 5101-square-foot home at 991 Longboat Club Road, facing the Longboat Key Golf Club.

“The bathroom was dark and dreary, very brown—so we used reflective surfaces to brighten it up,” said Gardner, pointing to a pair of floor candlesticks and an old metal luggage rack discovered at Sarasota Architectural Salvage. The vintage budget pieces were silver-leafed to complement faux finishing on the walls, and hold their own against Barbara Barry’s new crystal decanter and wine glass and couture fabrics (including new linen by Barclay Butera for Kravet, and silk from Lee Jofa). A showhouse visitor scooped up a pair of antique chandeliers Gardner found at Treasures on Fruitville, and the silver tray (sans luggage rack).

Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner and associate Gail Forest of Collins Interiors.

Terrance Leaser of Terrance Leaser Décor did a small but luxurious bedroom in black and neutral tones, the dark wenge bed from Copenhagen Imports, a surprise source to me because I thought of them as Scandinavian leather chairs. “We sold almost everything in the room,” Leaser said, “the bed, the armoire, Mongolian lamb pillows, even the wool pillows on the bed.” A great-looking C-shaped lamp (he said most designers wouldn’t admit it had come from an inexpensive source, American Signature on University Parkway) was stunning against high-end sheer curtains with burn-out black velvet leaves and the exquisite faux finishing by artist Laura Lazenby.

Terrance Leaser and his bedroom.

William Tidmore and Robert Henry of Tidmore-Henry & Associates are members of the board of directors of the Miromar Design Center in Estero (which loaned furniture and accessories from several of its 45 showrooms to designers for this year's project). Naturally, the designers took advantage of Miromar tenant Roche-Bobois’s offer, borrowing dramatic contemporary sofas (upwards of $11,000), funky wood side chairs and silk Italian floor lamps for their room. They contrast the couture with a hand-tufted Thai rug from a line Tidmore-Henry inventories (especially gorgeous at $590), and floating black shelves from Lowe’s (around $400).

Bob Henry of Tidmore-Henry.

Bob Henry’s signature at every showhouse —drop-dead draperies—did not disappoint, the green and white panels seamed together with a distinctive French hem overlap. But one signature I didn’t recognize was “Capps,” which happens to be Tidmore’s middle name (also his mom’s maiden name). It seems Capps has hidden talents: He did the two acrylic paintings on fabric over the demilune tables, and created with Henry and the Tidmore-Henry team the striking mobile ($650) that grabs your attention as soon as you walk in the room.

The Tidmore-Henry living room.

Designer Cheri Pachter-Neary, the showhouse captain for the Longboat Club Road house, also mixed high-end furniture from Roche-Bobois and Baker in the Estero design center with products available at retail. Her floating shelves were from Pottery Barn, the plants and trees from Lux Art Silks and TV from Advanced Audio—all local stores.

Cheri Pachter-Neary and her handiwork.

Also available locally are the Vanguard upholstered headboard and affordable Robb & Stucky brand furnishings in the master bedroom created by Joyce Miller Hart, one of the store’s top designers. Everything adorning designer Sally Trout’s cream and white library is available at Current, the store adjacent to her studio just brimming with treasures.

Robb & Stucky master bedroom.

Sally Trout's cream and white library.

But perhaps the most memorable piece of furniture on display was at the second showcase home (which was designed by architect Tim Seibert in 1960). It was Rod Arad’s Voido indoor-outdoor rocker ($1,250). As designer Alison Bishop of Living Walls says, “It’s a perfect complement to the home’s mid-century Sarasota school of architecture style.”

A Voido rocker.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Shear Madness

Comedy cuts with Florida Studio Theatre's Shear Madness.

By Kay Kipling

Interactive or improvisational comedy is never as easy as it looks, and it’s also risky when a show starts weaving lots of local references and jokes into its established storyline. All in all, Florida Studio Theatre’s current production of Shear Madness (at the Gompertz Theatre) pulls it off quite well.

Of course, the inventive minds behind Shear Madness have had plenty of time to work on getting things right; this long-running whodunit first bowed more than 30 years ago (making its off-Broadway debut in 1980), and its creators (Marilyn Abrams and Bruce Jordan, who’s billed as director here) have presented it in many cities since then, adapting many of its lines as the times and the venues have changed, while sticking to the original format.

That format is simple but allows for lots of variation. The show is set in a hair salon (hence the name), where several richly comic stereotypes are gathered: the light-in-his- loafers hairdresser, Tony (Michael Kevin Baldwin); the gum-chewing manicurist in leopard-skin pants (Juliana Black); the middle-aged matron customer (Barbara Bradshaw); and an on-the-make “used antiques” dealer (Joseph Ditmyer). They’re the perfect bunch of suspects when the salon’s upstairs landlady is murdered, and the two cops on the case (the not-so-bright Mikey (Nick Caruso) and the take-charge Nick (Timothy Goodwin) have to solve the mystery—with the help of audience members, who must pay close attention so they don’t miss the clues.

Juliana Black and Barbara Bradshaw in Shear Madness (reading Sarasota Magazine, of course).

I don’t want to give any more away about the show’s plot twists. But the production moves along swiftly and surely (a comic pantomime prologue, set to carefully chosen rock music, engages us even before the official show starts, with pseudo customer Mikey getting a shampoo that almost kills him from a scatterbrained Tony). Each of the cast members is well suited to his or her role, although it’s hard not to single out Baldwin, a bundle of naughty-innocent energy clad in pink who occasionally manages to make his fellow cast members lose their composure.

Most of the local or topical references work for laughs (Bradenton, Toyota and Sarah Palin all get their jabs), with an occasional groaner (that may or may not be intentional). At intermission, audience members get a chance to vent their suspicions or questions on a note-taking Nick in the lobby before heading back in for Act II, where everyone votes on the most likely killer (thus making each evening’s conclusion a different one).

It’s great fun, and it continues at least through March 13 (there’s always the possibility of an extension). For tickets call 366-9000 or go to floridastudiotheatre.org.

A Suitable Salad

A barley and tomato salad is the perfect potluck dish.

By Lael Hazan

It is the social season in Sarasota, a time for charity dinners, visitors, and dinner parties. Potluck dinner parties are very popular. Sometimes the parties have themes, such as “bring a dish that starts with the same letter of your last name” or maybe an Asian theme. However, sometimes they are just get-togethers for fun and relaxation, and one can bring anything one wishes. When that occurs, it’s always difficult to figure out what to make.

Ideally it should be something easy to make, easy to transport, and something that holds up well sitting on a counter. We were recently invited to Melanie and Stephen Russell’s beautiful home on Longboat Key and were asked to bring a side dish. Giuliano and I decided to make a barley and tomato salad. It’s easy to make and great at room temperature.

Larry and Rachel Silverman and hostess Melanie Russell.

The ingredients for the barley and tomato salad are few, but the key is to get the freshest and tastiest tomatoes possible. We like to use Florida “ugly ripe” tomatoes. Although they live up to their name in appearance, they tend to have the most flavor of any tomato in the market. Cooking barley is just like rice, yet the grain has a nutty flavor that gives depth to the dish. Add the tomato, parsley and onion to the dish and you are set with an easily transportable dish that all will enjoy. Our host for the evening, Melanie, enjoyed the dish so much she saved some to have the next day for her lunch!

Cooking barley is just like cooking rice.

Chop, chop chop.

Mixing the salad.

(From How to Cook Italian by Giuliano Hazan)

Barley and Tomato Salad

A simple and nutritious salad that is perfect for a picnic or a buffet.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Total time from start to finish: 50 minutes

Serves 4 people as a single course meal or 6 people as part of a multi-course meal

salt

1 cup farro or barley

1/4 sweet yellow onion (1/3 cup sliced crosswise)

1 tablespoon flat leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped

1 pound fresh tomato

8-10 basil leaves

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Put about 2 quarts water in a pot and place over high heat. When the water comes to a boil, add 1 tablespoon salt and pour in the farro or barley. Lower the heat to medium, cover the pot, and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain it and let it cool.

While the barley is cooling, thinly slice the sweet onion crosswise and soak the slices in cold water. Chop the parsley and cut the tomato into about ¾-inch chunks.

When the barley is cool or at least lukewarm, put it in a serving bowl with the tomatoes and parsley. Drain the sliced onion and add it to the bowl. Coarsely chop the basil leaves and add them to the salad. Season to taste with salt and the olive oil. Toss well and serve.

Kindled

Read any good books lately?

By Hannah Wallace

I’m woefully under-read for an English major. And because I’m insecure about that, it’s nice that recently I’ve found the time (and the patience, and the attention span) to settle into some books and get through them in less than six months. And actually, y’know, enjoy the experience.

On top of that, CCB got me a Kindle for Christmas—very awesome. It takes a little getting used to, and there’s something to be said for the old-fashioned, tangible experience of flipping pages (please god, for my career industry, tell me there’s something to be said for that). But wow, I never predicted how convenient it would be to have your reading material stay flat and open on the table while you dig into your gyro with two hands. (And then you can flip the page with one tzatziki-soaked finger, too.) Plus, how great to have fluffy gym reading and sappy lunchtime reading and hardcore weekend reading all together wherever I go?

The problem? Finding all that material.

CCB done good for the prep work. He checked with the fam for some recommendations and pre-loaded the Kindle with some favorites—The Shipping News and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, etc. Plus, I’d been mid-Duma Key when I got it, so I had that to occupy my initial Kindle time.

Not to get too far off topic, but what did you all think of Duma Key? I spent the first hundred pages or so engrossed in the Sarasota setting, so the first freaky-ass Stephen King scenes got me but good. And I enjoyed it, too. But…did anyone else find it a little reminiscent of trying to keep up with Lost? Like, I had been trying to piece together each little creepy occurrence in the beginning, but it turned out it was all just a gobbeldygook of random supernatural…stuff? So I’m trying to figure out what the missing arm and the scary paintings and the old lady and

RED

have to do with each other, then the characters are all of a sudden like, “Well of course it’s a thousand-year-old monsterlady on a boat in a China doll with the candlestick in the study.” Could be par for the course with King (haven’t read much of his stuff), but yeah: freaky as hell, fun Sarasota references throughout, but points off for plot assemblage.

So anyway, I’m done with that now, and as usual, I can’t remember any of the 30-odd books I had on my “read this next” list. And until I pick something else out, I default to reading The Shipping News for the 10th time—not exactly a bad thing, but rereading the same books doesn’t make me feel any more well read.

Suggestions? Books to avoid? I’m open to nonfiction, too, or whatever. Today feels like an incredible spring day, and I’m sure I’m going to enjoy reading my Rolling Stone over lunch at Citrus Café, but what’ll I read tomorrow?

Friday, March 12, 2010

New Films and Festival Excitement

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Ringling Festival News

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Artful Living on Siesta Key

Underwear, Actors and Auctions

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Asolo Rep's 2010-2011 Season

Gauging Nonprofit Success

Monday, March 08, 2010

Catching My Breath

Firefighter Thank-you Cookies

Quite a Catch

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Machinal

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Great Sarasota Home Tours

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Classic Sicilian at Ortygia

Monday, March 01, 2010

This and That

Li'l Abner

Friday, February 26, 2010

Five Years!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Test of Time

High-Low Dressing Hits Home

Monday, February 22, 2010

Shear Madness

A Suitable Salad

Kindled

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