As the wheels of commerce attempt to spin in the wake of a paralyzing hurricane, business slowly is getting back to normal.

The City of Sarasota on Wednesday announced it would waive all standard fees on storm-related emergency building and electrical permits. And one co-working space in downtown Sarasota, BOLD Cowork Sarasota, said they would allow displaced businesses to operate there for free for the moment.

Sarasota officials say they want to fast-track permitting for projects, so long as applicants state the work is related to damage caused by Hurricane Irma. "We ask for your patience," says building official Larry Murphy. "We will make every effort to cover all inspections that are called in, but expect some delays while we fast track and assist those impacted by Hurricane Irma." The city will waive fees for remastings on buildings, roofs, electric meter cans and sewer lines on private property.

Meanwhile, private sector help for entrepreneurs came with BOLD Cowork announcing it would open up its doors through Sept. 22 to entrepreneurs and startups in need of a safe and powered work environment. Community tables have been set up on the third floor of the BOLD building and extra space will also be made in the building lobby and cafe. Businesspeople can sign on to the BOLD Guests wi-fi network, and can reserve private space through building manager Bryan LaRosa.

BOLD owner Jesse Biter says the decision to open space was made after several requests came in to the facility. “We were just thinking of ways to help,” he says. “We had a few people reach out to us for temp space so we gave it to them.” FPL has announced that it expects to restore all power on the Gulf Coast by Sept. 22, the last day when BOLD plans to offer space. 

Sarasota County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a deal with the Atlanta Braves to contribute $21 million toward a North Port stadium. The move came weeks after Florida economic officials agreed to pay $20 million toward the deal, financing similar to what the state has done to retain Grapefruit Leagues in the state. The last major piece of the spring training puzzle will now come Tuesday, when North Port City Commissioners vote on contributing $4.7 million toward the deal.

Updated renderings were released Tuesday showing the proposed stadium in the West Villages District, which is providing the land for the stadium. The Braves have expended roughly $10 billion on design and architecture, and will pay the remaining costs of the $100 million stadium, county leaders said. The Atlanta Braves plan to begin spring training in the new stadium in February 2019. 

Editor’s Note: This is part 37 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.

Heading out to Ferguson Airport in Pensacola for an interview with a local news station, Rankin finds himself with the rare opportunity to fly an OH-6 Cayuse helicopter, thanks to Ross Ansell of Ansell & Brown Aviation. Eager to get more whirlybird experience under his belt, Rankin hops in the cockpit and straps in.

One of the most iconic helicopters ever made, the OH-6 was introduced in 1963 and first saw military service with the US Army in 1966, the same year it set 23 world records for speed, endurance and speed of climb. Nimble, versatile, reliable and with the ability to deliver troops in and out of small areas, the OH-6 became a mainstay in the Vietnam War, and variants continue to serve. A favorite in special ops, if one sees a bunch of bad looking dudes holding serious firepower and dangling off the skids of a helicopter, it’s probably an OH-6, says Rankin. An OH-6 variant, the MH-6, also offered crucial support during the Battle of Mogadishu, the inspiration behind the book and film, Black Hawk Down.

Ansell’s OH-6 saw combat in Vietnam, surviving three tours before making it back stateside. Rankin’s flown a lot of WWII-era aircraft, including planes that saw combat, but he admits there’s something a little different about this one. “The history is different and I appreciate that,” he says, talking not only in terms of recency, but knowing that many soldiers were drafted and many uncertain about the conflict. “It was a different war, a different vibe and it had a different feel to it.”

Flying with Ansell, Rankin performs basic maneuvers and handles himself well, but the crowning moment comes in a 30-40 second hover—what he considers his first “real” hover. “Up until this moment, I had transient moments of hovering,” he says. But this time Rankin conquered the minute movements required, and, in the video, one can see his feet working ever so slightly to manage the tail rudders. “The helicopter is much more finesse, much more a ‘feel’ thing,” he says. Would flying barefoot help? “Honestly,” he says, “I wouldn’t doubt it.”

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

Pictured: Ross Ansell's OH-6 Cayuse. Photo courtesy of Ryan Rankin.

Ryan Flies

Serve creativity in the kitchen or light up the living room with these antique, customizable 10-inch letters from Sarasota Architectural Salvage. A decorative phrase or word, hung from the wall or arranged on a table, built in vintage tin style will put the finishing touch on any space. The perfect complement to a bare wall, these rustic letters range from A to Z. Put a do-it-yourself twist on any plain space to get guests talking. $20 each. Numbers, symbols and smaller sizes also available. 

Photo by Rebecca Thompson.

Sarasota Architectural Salvage, 1093 Central Ave., Sarasota, 941-362-0803.

With a view as stunning as Sharky’s on the Pier offers, it's only fitting they would boast an outstanding menu to pair it with.  As you dine right on the Gulf, it is easy to be drawn to one of their mouthwatering seafood selections. A favorite on the menu is their Hogfish Paradise. Fried flaky snow-white Hogfish filets are topped with creamy smooth brie and a fresh mango salsa. We know fruit and cheese are a great combination but adding fresh Florida fish to the mix? A whole new level of deliciousness. This plate is topped off with the seasonal vegetable and a choice of starches for the perfect dish.

Photo Credit: Wyatt Kostygan

Sharky’s on The Pier is a member of Nosh, the SRQ magazine content marketing program for local restaurants. 

Sharkys on The Pier, 1600 Harbor Dr. S, Venice, 941-488-1456

Sharkys on The Pier

Sarasota Film Society (SFS) has announced the passing of its president and CEO, Barbara Ann Caras, on August 24, after a “short but fierce” battle with cancer. Caras began her time with SFS as a bookkeeper in 2003 and was eventually promoted to chief financial officer. When SFS founder, Dick Morris, stepped down, he appointed Caras executive director and eventually president. With her passing, SFS Managing Director Nick Caras has stepped into the role of president, and Alma Eason has joined SFS as CFO. Sarasota Film Society asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory. 

Donate to the American Cancer Society

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County President and CEO Mark Huey has reached out to the community with information for small businesses on the road to recovery. If a business has sustained damage, owners can visit Florida's Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center. This is the primary portal for private sector preparation, damage assessments and recovery, and damage assessment forms are available at http://www.flvbeoc.org/index.php?action=bda. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations. The loans can be used for loss and damages not fully covered by insurance. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 9, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2018. A Disaster Recovery Center location will be set up in Sarasota County for applicants who need in-person assistance with either FEMA or SBA programs. More information will be announced. Locally, foundations have established funds to assist with Hurricane Irma disaster relief, including Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and United Way Suncoast.  

Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

To assist in the Hurricane Irma recovery effort, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County is seeking cash donations, which will be used to purchase and replenish much needed classroom supplies in Sarasota Count Schools. Many of the supplies were used during the storm and teachers already personally contribute to their classrooms. The Education Foundations asks the community help Sarasota’s teachers focus on their students and feel affirmed by the community. 

Education Foundation of Sarasota County