A new solar co-op could ensure more Sarasota residents power up through sunlight. Florida Solar United Neighborhoods, or FL SUN, announced the creation the Sarasota Solar Co-Op at a special event Wednesday morning at the Florida House. “We’re forming this co-op to make saving money with solar energy as simple as possible,” says John Lambie, FL House Institute Executive Director. “Working with the group helps members learn about the technology so they feel confident in their decision to go solar.” 

Of 100 people attending a press conference on Wednesday, Lambie figures three quarters were people interested in getting solar on their own homes. The Florida House offers examples of how sustainable technology can be used at a home, but the co-op may actually assist people in paying for the service, he says. “The biggest value proposition when you look at this is the collaboration in the community,” he says. “That’s good for everybody.”

The concept behind the co-op involves buying equipment in bulk to save money and share knowledge. Groups hold competitive bidding procedures, then buy from a single company to install panels on a number of participating homes. Organizers say this can save consumers as much as 20 percent on equipment and help them navigate an intimidating process. FL SUN has launched a similar effort on the Space Coast, and is following the model of other co-ops in other stated like Maryland.

The group will be sponsored by the Florida House Institute, League of Women Voters Sarasota, Sierra Club, Sarasota Classified Teachers Association and Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, in addition to FL SUN. The effort will also be launched with funding from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “This is right in our wheelhouse of environmental grant-making,” says Teri Hansen, executive director of the Barancik Foundation. “The fact Florida ranks third in the nation for rooftop solar potential but only 14th in solar installation made us want to have a role in giving this a shot.” 

Jon Thaxton, senior vice president of community investment at Gulf Coast, says the co-op could prove transformative, and the foundation was pleased to have the opportunity to help the program launch. “You have to show leadership on order for this organization to gain the support they need,” Thaxton says. “We do believe the opportunity for augmenting electricity to homes in Florida by solar is meritorious, and it’s a market-based solution.”

The co-op will need 40 participating households to start in earnest, and information sessions will be held over the next couple months to inform interested residents. Events scheduled so far include January 18 at 1pm at the Venice Community Center, January 19 at 5pm at Selby Library and February 24 at 11am at Twin Lakes Park. 

New year’s resolutions come in all shapes and sizes. For some, it’s a vow to eat better and hit the gym more often. For others, it’s to face their fears and go skydiving or eat a hot dog. But for Ryan Rankin, an active-duty United States Navy pilot stationed in Pensacola, 2017 means taking off on a yearlong, globetrotting adventure to fulfill his passion for aviation and fly 52 different aircraft in the span of a year—one for each week. As Rankin embarks on this quest, SRQ will be manning the radar safely on the ground with weekly updates in the ongoing series From the Cockpit.

To reach 52 aircraft, Rankin’s endeavor will span a wide berth, from vintage, open-canopy planes of a bygone era to ubiquitous workhorses like the Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior—planes that most every pilot has trained on at some point or another. It’s a trip through the history of aviation more than a high-altitude joyride—although it certainly is that as well—and Rankin says the point is to not only fly the flashy planes but highlight the significant if not exciting ones as well. Still, for his part, the World War II-era planes hold the most draw and he hopes to land a P-51 Mustang before the year is out.

To find flight schools and collectors with available aircraft, Rankin will crisscross the country throughout the year, as well as make trips to Poland and the UK, where a few old fighter planes await takeoff. Many of the planes will be completely new to him—some only seen before in pictures. “There’s going to be an adaptation phase,” he says. “There are no surprises, but there are differences that I need to be prepared for. All aircraft fly a little differently.” For this reason, Rankin will fly with a copilot who knows the plane well whenever possible. It’s not about trying to show off as a hotshot pilot, but being a student of aviation looking to learn. “I’m going to make mistakes,” he says, “and I’m very much going to be instructed throughout the year.”

Each week, Rankin will check in with SRQ to discuss his latest flight for continuing installments of From the Cockpit. Additionally, as Rankin conducts his flights, he will be creating videos to document his experiences. These videos can be viewed on his website at the link below. 

Pictured: Ryan Rankin. Photo courtesy of Ryan Rankin.

Ryan Flies

Next time you are on your weekly grocery haul at Trader Joes, make a pit stop at the square flower stand at the front of the store, bend down and find tiny succulent blooms waiting to be potted in itty-bitty containers. From cotton white micro flowers to mini rose-like heads peeking up toward the sun, grab several and place on windowsills far and wide in your home or office. These small plants nicely fit into old candles, especially ones with lovely packaging that you hate throwing away even after they've burnt out. 

Try the Hi Wildflower Botanica Sweet Tobacco candle (available at Perq Coffee Bar) or any of the selections from PF Candle Co. (available at Able + Willing Supply Co.) like the one pictured here.  

Trader Joes, 4101 South Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-922-5727.

Six local nonprofit organizations were awarded funding on January 3, 2017 by the Bradenton Kiwanis Club. The organizations are: Art Center Manatee, with $4,800 to replace A/C unit in children’s classroom, Boys and Girls Club of Manatee, with $100,000 in support of capital campaign, Easter Seals Southwest Florida, with $20,000 to purchase a van for children’s transportation, Giving Alliance Myakka City, with $4,950 to fund school backpack program for needy children, Mark Wandall Foundation, with $2,400 to fund two children who have lost a parent or sibling to attend therapeutic grief camp and the South Florida Museum, with $50,000 to fund capital expansion. The Bradenton Kiwanis Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process.  

Bradenton Kiwanis Club

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner is accepting applications for a scholarship to be awarded by the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE) this year. The FSASE is offering three $1,200 scholarships to eligible college/university juniors or seniors enrolled or accepted as full-time students in an accredited Florida university or college. eligibility requirements are listed on the application and in the scholarship guidelines, which are available online at www.SarasotaVotes.com. Applications may also be picked up at the Supervisor of Elections office, Terrace Building, 101 South Washington Blvd., 7th Floor, Sarasota. Completed applications must be received by Wednesday, March 29. 

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections

The Harold C. and Jacqueline F. Bladel Foundation awarded Child Protection Center’s Personal Safety and Community Awareness Program (PSCA) $5,000 to provide primary prevention and educational programs on child maltreatment throughout the community. The ultimate goal of this multifaceted program is to eliminate child abuse in the community through educational programs for children, parents and community members. Workshops are designed to introduce children to basic personal safety information, promote pro-social behaviors and teach self-protective skills, all of which reduce a child’s vulnerability to abuse and exploitation. Strategies to effectively respond to threats of physical or sexual abuse, abduction, bullying, harassment or dangers online are taught during these lessons. PSCA programs are designed to be developmentally appropriate and consistent with current research and are taught throughout the public and private school system, in preschool and daycare classrooms and at community youth serving organizations throughout Sarasota County. 

Child Protection Center Sarasota

This cutie pie has been a loyal reader since birth—Baby Elena just loves her January copy of SRQ magazine. You may recognize Elena's adorable face from our May 2016 "Hello, Baby" feature, where five new mothers talked about their pregnancies, labors and postpartum experiences.  

Hello, Baby