It’s Betty Friedan meets the WCW this Saturday night with the debut bout from the Sarasota Lady Arm Wrestlers (SLAW) and the Backyard Brawl: Battle for the Belt. A combined philanthropic and performance art event, one Sarasota backyard transforms into a ribald and risqué rumpus as four costumed contenders step up to the table and match muscles for arm-wrestling supremacy, all in the name of female empowerment and under the watchful eye of Celebrity Judge Barbara Zdravecky, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida CEO.

Part performance art, four local challengers stand poised to win over the crowd and take home the title. Battling in tournament fashion, the colorful roster includes the intimidating and “gloriously spray-tanned” Jersey She-Devil, the notorious Florida Woman of headline-infamy and Miss Andry, armed with a nutcracker and a bottle of male tears. The final brawler, Polly Dexter Rose, brings the sweetness with a massive sugar addiction and penchant for biting. “They’re ready to throw down and give it everything they’ve got,” says SLAW Mistress of Ceremonies Madame von Drumpfanator. But to win, they’ll need more than brawn.

Corruption is rampant—nay, encouraged—at any and all SLAW events and the biggest biceps don’t always win. Judges, referees and even wrestlers are open to bribery from the audience, but only in SLAW Bucks. The event costs $5 to enter, at which point one is given five SLAW Bucks. This currency can then be used to sway judges or buy off referees to support a particular wrestler. And more SLAW Bucks are available for purchase at any time, should a particular bout need a little extra push to go the right way. This is how SLAW events function not only as a raucous good time where women can be loud, in charge and generally free from societal expectations, but as fundraisers—regardless of who wins, 100% of the proceeds go to the charity or organization of the night. In the case of Saturday’s Brawl for the Belt, Planned Parenthood is the beneficiary, leading to Zdravecky’s appearance as the night’s celebrity judge.

“As CEO of an organization that has been delivering preventative health and educational services to women and their families in this country for over 100 years, I am grateful to the local CLAW group for bringing their message of empowering women and strengthening communities through theater, arm wrestling and philanthropy,” says Zdravecky. “The girl power movement is growing and Sarasota in particular is a great place to blend a unique sporting event with a theatrical twist. And since Planned Parenthood is the beneficiary of the fundraiser, count me in for the countdown.”

The Sarasota Lady Arm Wrestlers’ Backyard Brawl: Battle for the Belt kicks off 8pm this Saturday, March 4, at an undisclosed location. Space is limited and filling fast. Contact SLAW Mistress of Ceremonies Madame von Drumpfanator at vondrumpfanator@gmail.com to RSVP for one of the final seats and directions to the bout. 

Pictured: Madame von Drumpfanator defuses a title belt tug-of-war. Photo courtesy of SLAW.

Editor’s Note: This is part nine of an ongoing series documenting the flights of active-duty US Navy Pilot Ryan Rankin on his journey to fly 52 planes in 52 weeks through the year 2017.

Crossing state lines to St. Elmo, Alabama, Rankin meets with M-Squared Aircraft Founder Paul Mather at the M-Squared hangar where his team has just finished constructing one of its signature aircraft, the Breese 2 X/D. With its fabric wing, exposed tubing and tricycle-style setup, Rankin expects something similar to the GT450 he flew weeks prior—if looks are to be trusted. “But that’s about the only similarity,” he says. “It doesn’t fly like anything I’ve flown before.”

It all comes down to the rudder, he says. While most modern aircraft disguise rudder control with stability augmentation—using computer sensors to automatically synchronize the rudder’s movements with the pilot’s manipulation of the ailerons for what’s called a coordinated turn—Mather’s Breese 2 X/D calls for a pilot’s direct engagement with both the rudder and the ailerons. When the rudder and ailerons are not in sync, the result is an uncoordinated turn, the worst of which can result in the plane ripping its own tail off mid-flight. It’s tricky, says Rankin, requiring a lot of attention and precise, small adjustments.

But the Breese 2 X/D is a rugged beast as well, he says. Nimble and light, but solid with a “very sturdy” feel. Taking to the skies in 30-degree weather in an exposed cockpit, Rankin and Mather flew for around 30 minutes, taking careful note of the parachute’s placement but never needing it. Saving the aerobatics for next time, Rankin practiced turning and landing while Mather intoned “Rudder, rudder…” in the seat next to him. He doesn’t mind.

“The flights where I go up and get taken to school are the ones I enjoy the most,” Rankin says. They’re all enjoyable, but there’s something about exploring the unfamiliar and expanding his horizons that harkens back to the entire point of the endeavor. “I like being challenged,” he says. “I’m engaged and I’m learning.”

For more about the flight in Rankin's own words and a video of the flight, follow the link below. 

Pictured: Ryan Rankin and Paul Mather in the Breese 2 X/D. Photo courtesy of Ryan Rankin.

Ryan Flies

Summer may still be a few short months away, but take a whiff of this seasonal, mango banana leaf scented candle from Sarasota Candle Company and you’ll immediately be transported to the simpler days of sweet summertime. Stop by Sarasota Candle Company’s stand at the Sarasota Farmer’s market every Saturday for a quick laugh—each week the owner writes up a witty remark on a chalkboard—and, of course, the strong aroma of home-made, tropically blended pillars, floating coconuts, SRQubes and Soyflakes—all of which have become local favorites over the years. With a 50-hour burn time, each candle gets lit before being sold, showing respect for the old wives tale: it’s unlucky to have an unlit candle in one’s home.

Sarasota Candle Company, Sarasota Farmer's Market

Calling all rhymers—the Crow’s Nest is hosting its 41st annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Friday, March 17. Entries for the annual Limerick Contest will be accepted March 1 through March 15 at noon. Up to 30 finalists will be selected by the Crow’s Nest for final judging by the lively crowd in the Crow’s Nest Tavern on the 17th after 9pm while Darryl O’Lawhorne entertains and presides over the judging. The Crow’s Nest will also be serving traditional corned beef and cabbage along with other St. Patrick’s Day favorites and Irish-inspired beverages all day long. Winning limericks will receive a $100 Crow’s Nest gift certificate for 1st place and $25 Crow’s Nest gift certificates for 2nd through 5th places. Official rules and entry forms are available at the Crow’s Nest or online at crowsnest-venice.com. Limerick entries may be mailed to or dropped off at 1968 Tarpon Center Dr., Venice, FL 34285, faxed to 941-485-9154 or emailed to mgreen@crowsnest-venice.com. 

Crow's Nest, 1968 Tarpon Center Dr., Venice, 941-484-9551.

The Sarasota Architectural Foundation has hired Tamara (Tammy) Hauser as its first executive director. Last fall, SAF worked with her when she consulted on the Gulf Coast Community Foundation i3 (Invest in Incredible) capacity-building grant. Over the past few years, SAF’s educational programs, SarasotaMOD Weekend and opportunities to help preserve historically significant Sarasota School of Architecture structures have expanded tremendously. With Hauser and her team on board, the SAF board looks forward to the opportunity to focus more time on advocacy and preservation. Tammy is the CEO of Blue Sky Thinking, a consulting firm based in Sarasota that manages small nonprofit arts organizations. In her new role, Hauser and her team of local consultants, Caitlyn Sanderson, Jonathan Talit and Paula Wright will manage operations, events, fundraising, marketing and governance for SAF.

Sarasota Architectural Foundation

According to Becker’s Hospital Review, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is one of the best places to work in healthcare. The local health system was included in Becker's annual list of "150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare,” and it’s not the first time. SMH also made Becker’s list in 2016. An annual tribute to US hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies that demonstrate the greatest commitment to fulfilling missions, creating outstanding cultures and offering competitive benefits to their employees, Becker’s Hospital Review accepts nominations for its annual list and follows an editorial review process to identify organizations that have gone above and beyond to make their hospitals, health systems and companies great places to work. 

Becker's Hospital Review