Local art leaders and community patrons rejoiced today with the official groundbreaking of the incoming Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Made possible by donations from Philip and Nancy Kotler and Warren and Margot Coville, the planned 5,500-square-foot addition to the John M. McKay Visitors Pavilion will not only provide the first dedicated space for the exhibition of studio glass at the museum but also serve as the new formal entrance to the Historic Asolo Theater. “We are just delighted to do this for the museum and the city,” said Philip Kotler. Warren Coville remarked on the juxtaposition of contemporary glass and the landmark theater. “This is a true blending of the new and the old,” he said.

Designed by the Tallahassee architectural firm Architects: Lewis + Whitlock, the virtually all-glass construction maximizes the potential for natural light and pays homage to its eventual occupants, while an array of adjustable blade-like fins linked across the outer wall allow curatorial control over glaring sunlight. Scheduled for a Fall 2017 opening, the pavilion will initially house selections from the donated Kotler and Coville collections, but according to Ringling Executive Director Steven High, serves as a greater signal to the community of the institution’s dedication to a future continued exploration of contemporary and studio glass. “Today is a culmination of dreaming about what glass could be at The Ringling,” he said.

Alongside the new entrance, construction will entail an expansion of additional Historic Asolo Theater facilities, including new dressing rooms and a rehearsal space roughly the size of the existing main stage. A “major milestone,” according to Florida State University President John Thrasher, the combined enhancements “will serve as a chief reminder that The Ringling is the place to experience the best in visual and performing arts.” 

Pictured (Left to Right): Philip Kotler, Steven High, Nancy Kotler, John Thrasher, Margot Coville, Warren Coville and Paul Hudson. Photo courtesy of The Ringling.

Step through the unassuming door of Apartment 12 salon and be transported to a Brooklyn loft, eclectically curated with reclaimed wood tabletops, a Jim Morrison portrait and vintage globes. Under the hum of blow dryers and animated chatter of stylists and their customers, indie music wafts down from the high ceilings. Located on a strip of Main Street mainly populated by other salons, the narrow, exposed-brick-lined studio sets itself apart from competitors as one of the only salons in the area to carry the forward-thinking, stylist-driven brand R+Co, which independently reached out to the salon to kick-start a collaboration two months ago.

R+Co products are equally beautiful inside as out. Parabens, sulfates, mineral oil and petrolatum never make an appearance in their shampoos, conditioners, and styling products, which are all vegetarian, cruelty-free, gluten-free and color-safe. R+Co also shines when it comes to packaging; try the Bel Air smoothing shampoo, complete with a bottle covered in black and white California palms, or the Gemstone color conditioner, laden with shimmering diamonds and stones. For a more masculine scent, guys can grab the Dallas thickening shampoo. Like R+Co, Apartment 12 is all about evoking a feeling, a place, and most importantly an attitude. 

Apartment 12, 1636 Main St, Sarasota, 941-954-7670

In 1976 Steve Harner saw an ad for “Space for lease above marina suitable for restaurant.”  He called, took one look at the location at the Venice south jetty and knew it was the spot! Ignorance and youth blinded Harner to the pitfalls of the situation which had discouraged other prospective tenants. Along with Janis Payne and investors Larry LaRocca and Harp Harner, Steve forged ahead anyway, leasing the 2nd floor space in October of '76. Ten weeks later the Crow’s Nest opened with Harner in the kitchen, Janis Payne out front and two employees. The acquisition of the Tarpon Center Marina in 1981, major renovations in 1989, 2000, 2013 and continuous updates have created the restaurant you see today.

Along with a dedicated staff including Harner's wife and Crow's Nest General Manager Cheri, daughter Jessica, son-in-law Matt and Cheri’s son Brad, The Crow’s Nest is truly a family run establishment. Steve Harner has remained active in the marina and restaurant operation and has also been active in the community. He has served in leadership positions on numerous boards throught his 40 years in business, including the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, the Venice Little League, Miss Venice Fastpitch, the Venice Foundation, the State College of Florida and is currently President of the Sarasota Manatee Originals, an organization of over 50 independent restaurants that encourage diners to “Eat Like a Local.” 

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, The Crow’s Nest is planning numerous events for the entire year. For more information on the celebrations ahead, visit www.crowsnest-venice.com. 

Coastal Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Pain Management, a comprehensive and full-service orthopedic, sports medicine and pain management practice, hired Allison Stewart as the company’s new marketing manager. In her new role, Stewart will manage all marketing efforts, including the company’s online presence, marketing campaigns and its involvement in the community. Prior to joining Coastal Orthopedics, Stewart was a senior advertising account executive for a Sarasota-based internet marketing company.  

Coastal Orthopedics

Florida Blue designated Manatee Memorial Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ in the Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care program, part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community. To receive the designation, a hospital must demonstrate expertise in delivering safe and effective cardiac care focusing on cardiac valve surgery, coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous coronary interventions. 

Manatee Memorial Hospital