It’s noon on a Tuesday, but David Dabbert is not in Dabbert Gallery—at least not the familiar location down at 76 South Palm Avenue. And he’s traded out his traditional suit for a set of (still rather dapper) work clothes—shorts and a white button-down. With the deafening sound of power tools in the background, he steps outside of what will very soon be Dabbert Gallery’s new home on 46 South Palm Avenue, previously Hodgell Gallery, to talk about the new space and the Art Parade on Palm he and gallery co-founder Pat Dabbert have planned for their triumphant move this Friday.

“I hope this will mean a new chapter,” says Dabbert. Since leasing the space, remodeling and revamping have been extensive, calling in plumbers, electricians, painters and, having fun with the power tools in the back, carpenters constructing cabinetry and storage. But it will all be worth it once people see the new gallery, he says. Coming in at 1,500 square feet, the relocation represents a sizable upgrade for Dabbert Gallery, with an additional 400 square feet to display more artwork from member artists and let more viewers in. Once inside, the new Dabbert Gallery exudes a far more modern atmosphere than the old. Gone are the carpets and deep color walls, replaced with pure white, unadorned floors and walls embracing the clean line. And with an extended frontage sporting great glass windows for easy viewing from the street, the gallery’s presence on Palm should be more prominent than before.

But more than increasing the gallery’s presence, says Dabbert, the upgraded space should increase the artists’ presence, which is what really matters. “It’s all about the artist,” he says. “If the artist is successful, then we’re successful.”

With all of the dirty work well underway, what remains is to transport the almost 70 paintings stored within the old Dabbert Gallery into their new home down the street. Towards that end, and enlisting the help of member artists such as James Griffin, Dabbert Gallery will be hosting an Art Parade on Palm this Friday, Sep. 29 at 4:30pm. Along with the Dabberts, the artists and their families and friends will march from the former Dabbert Gallery to the shiny new one, carrying their artwork and delivering it to the gleaming white walls of the new Dabbert Gallery. But the party isn’t limited to artists. “Bring your friends and relatives,” says Dabbert. “And if you know anyone who plays a musical instrument, bring them along and join in the fun.” Times are hectic, post-Irma, but he hopes they can wrangle a trumpet player or a drummer to lead the march Big Easy-style.

Afterwards, the gallery is open and all are invited in for some wine, cheese and the Dabbert’s famous Sarasota Citrus Champagne Punch. “We may not have everything hanging just right,” says Dabbert, “but we’ll be open.” 

Pictured: "Evening Breeze" by James Griffin. Photo courtesy of Dabbert Gallery.

Pulling off miracles isn’t easy. But on 17^th Street they are happening every day, thanks to the 18 determined nonprofits located at The Glasser Schoenbaum “Campus of Caring”. These nonprofits provide services ranging from housing the homeless, to literacy training, to children’s medical care. Last year, they collectively served over 45,500 individuals.

Glasser Schoenbaum’s role in these miracles is simple: providing quality offices and amenities for rent at nearly half the current market rate. Tenant partner agencies pay $8.50 per square foot per year, which covers approximately 50% of the annual expenses to run the Center. This nominal rent includes all utilities, security, maintenance, cleaning, and building insurance. The reduced overheard cost turns those dollars back to accomplishing their missions and serving people who are in need. The icing on the cake? The proximity of the campus community means each nonprofit has more opportunity for partnerships and referrals right where they live on 17^th Street. 

Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has welcomed a veteran Internal Medicine specialist to the health system’s First Physicians Group (FPG) network and community this month.  With more than 30 years experience, Jeffrey Humbarger, MD, joined the FPG Internal Medicine practice, providing a full spectrum of adult and geriatric care. He joins Drs. Lalita Bhamidipati, Joseph Ferrari, Elizabeth Jungst, Sherri Sanders and Maria Velasco-Ferrari in FPG’s Internal Medicine practice. Humbarger relocated to Sarasota from Boca Grande, where he spent the past six years as physician and three years as medical director of the Boca Grande Health Clinic. From 1996-2011, he served as consultant in Executive and International Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. In addition to his practice, he serves as a preceptor for students in the University of South Florida’s nurse practitioner program. His research and clinical focus includes fractures and rehabilitation in the elderly, early diagnosis of cardiac disease and environmental risks associated with the Zika virus, red tide and other marine-related illnesses and injuries. 

First Physicians Group

Dominic Casanueva, senior vice president, and senior financial advisor of the Merrill Lynch Branch Office in Sarasota, FL, was recently named to Forbes’ inaugural “America’s Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors” list. Casanueva focuses on retirement planning strategies for businesses and individuals, helps corporations develop 401(k) and retirement plans for their employees and works with individuals to help develop wealth management strategies. Within Merrill, his team, GBSDC & Associates, is one of the top groups for 401(k) planning for companies and corporations. The list, developed by SHOOK Research, acknowledges the industry’s future leaders, who were born in 1980 or later. According to Forbes, to qualify for this ranking, advisors must have been born in 1980 or more recent; and Forbes/SHOOK considered advisors building their own teams, and those on teams that are likely to assume a leadership position. In addition, advisors were interviewed by telephone and in person, and measured qualitatively, examining service models, investing processes, experience levels and integrity. Each advisor completes a lengthy survey and factors considered include: compliance records, client retention, revenues produced for their firms and assets managed. 

GBSDC & Associates

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight has announced that Mounted Patrol member ‘Valor’ was recognized as the 2017 Thoroughbred of the Year through the The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P). The Thoroughbred of the Year Award recognizes a thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive career, such as equine-assisted therapy or law enforcement work, and includes a $5,000 grant to a non-profit organization. In Valor’s name, the funds will be donated to the Sheriff’s Activities League of Sarasota County, also known as ‘SAL’, where Valor is one of two horses used in the organization’s SADDLES program, which was developed for at-risk youth to learn about team building, non-verbal communication and how to care for horses. 

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office