If you follow the local music scene in Sarasota, then you’ve heard the name Physical Plant. And if you follow the band Physical Plant, then you’ve heard they’re working on an album. Likely, you’ve heard that for two years now. But the long wait is finally over and the band will release its full-length album debut this Saturday, Jan. 6, at 6pm, with a free outdoor concert and CD release party at JDub’s Brewing Company. “It’s our Chinese Democracy,” jokes founding vocalist/guitarist Josh Scheible, invoking the long-awaited sixth album from the boys of Guns N’ Roses. But, for Physical Plant, this is just the beginning.

Entitled What’s Laid Down and comprising 12 tracks of material from the band’s early days, the long-gestating album has weathered a lot in the years intervening, including the departure of one of Physical Plant's three founding members, Lake Elrod, who left the country for graduate studies. But the largest delay came from the band’s “rampant perfectionism” in production and constant editing, to the point of second-guessing. “When you don’t have an outside editor to hold you back,” says Scheible, “you just keep making changes.” Now, finally satisfied, the album stands as the final word on the band’s “New College era,” and the last of the unreleased material from that period.

And the community has come out to celebrate, with JDub’s not only hosting the band’s release party and concert this Saturday, but brewing up a special beer for the occasion, called Fizzical Plant. Artist friend and former Ringling College student Matt Decker supplied the album art, taking a break from designing concert posters for the likes of Tame Impala and The Flaming Lips, not to mention his work with Dead and Company. Up on stage, local concertgoers will recognize the musicians of The Beat Down, as well as those of the Lesa Silvermore band. And, of course, Physical Plant will take the stage themselves, playing some of their old work, but largely new material from the current lineup. “You can never stop bands from wanting to play their new material all the time,” laughs Scheible. “Even to the chagrin of the people listening.”

But the album release serves not only as a celebration of the music of the band’s early days, but a “turning point” for the current band—Scheible, fellow founding member Caegan Quimby, longtime bassist Dave Baker and, the most recent addition, drummer Ryan McCarthy. “Now we can focus exclusively on brand new stuff since Ryan’s been with us,” says Scheible. “And Ryan is real hot right now and the chemistry is there with the band.” With enough material for a second album at least as long as What’s Laid Down, Scheible plans to get back into the studio for sessions this year. “Nothing makes you want to cut a record like finishing a record,” he says. “It’s Sysiphean.”

The Physical Plant concert and CD release party for What’s Laid Down begins this Saturday, Jan. 6, at JDub’s Brewing Company at 6pm. The event is free, family-friendly and open to the public, but CDs and other merchandise will be available for purchase. Fans who cannot attend can also find the album online through Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp and SoundCloud. 

Pictured, from left: Dave Baker, Caegan Quimby, Ryan McCarthy and Josh Scheible of Physical Plant commune with the Disco Egg. Photo by Shane Donglasan.

The Sarasota YMCA has been listening and responding to our community’s most critical needs for over 70 years. From early learning to diabetes prevention, youth sports and swim lessons to after school care, mentoring and counseling to summer camp, and a youth shelter to foster care and adoptions, the Y continues to affect lasting change in Sarasota.

By building a culture of philanthropy to meet community needs, the Y is also on the forefront of preventing chronic disease through several programs: Diabetes Prevention (a small group for adults at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes), LIVESTRONG at the YMCA (a 12-week initiative for people affected by cancer), Biggest Winner (helping people to develop healthy habits and work with a nutritionist), and Pedaling for Parkinson’s (a cycling class to increase motor skills).

The Y’s Annual Caring Campaign allows us to realize initiatives such as: providing shelter and basic needs to ten homeless youth ($5,000); the gift of discovery and exploration for a child at summer camp ($500); and providing seniors with access to aquatics, exercise and socialization ($250).

As a nonprofit organization serving over 50,000 people annually, the Y never turns anyone away due to their inability to pay. We’re for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. To learn more about Y programs and services visit sarasotaymca.org.   

Sarasota YMCA

Dr. Timothy Novak, director of Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM) Masters in Health Services Administration (MHSA) program has announced that 40 new graduate students are enrolled to begin their online classes, starting this month, marking sizable growth since the program's inception. Students begin their MHSA study with a four-day on-campus orientation either January 4-7, in Erie, PA, or January 11-14, in Bradenton, FL. The inaugural MHSA class began in January 2014 with 11 students. Enrollment included dual-enrolled students from all three of LECOM’s professional programs and practicing hospital administrators, physicians, pharmacists, dentists and medical practice administrators. The MHSA program has since added new elective concentration pathways, including Long-term Care Administration for those seeking Nursing Home Administrator licenses and Executive Nurse Management. MHSA delivers 98 percent of the curriculum through a Web-based distance-education platform, and degree completion is in 18 months for January cohorts and 24 months for June cohorts. 

LECOM Masters in Health Services Administration

Brooke Chase Associates, Inc., a premier executive search firm specializing in the recruitment of executive management professionals within the building materials and kitchen/bath industries, has announced the successful placement of Patrick Jarvis as Vice President Sales and Marketing with Hydro Systems. Jarvis will be responsible for the development of the sales staff and business opportunities to progressively expand Hydro Systems market share in all product categories. He will serve as a hands-on leader to inspire, motivate and lead the sales organization. With an extensive background in commercial plumbing sales at Rothenberger USA and Kohler, Jarvis was most recently Vice President Sales and Marketing with Dornbracht America, where he developed a rebate sales program and developed sales plans, strategies and forecasts. For more than 40 years, Hydro Systems has been manufacturing a full line of high quality bathtubs and accessories. 

Brooke Chase Associates

This coming Monday, January 8, 2018 the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) has invited the public for a community dialogue led by local community organizer Pat Rounds and architect Bill Zoller regarding the rowing facilities at Nathan Benderson Park and concerns about public funding and structuring of tourism-related public-private partnerships. Invitees for the panel include Stephen Rodriguez of the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Association (SANCA), Fredrick Piccolo of the Nathan Benderson Park Foundation and Dennis Maley of the Bradenton Times. Focusing on concerns about the park, the discussion will include the grand vision, priorities, realities and how this partnership will be able to fulfill its costly commitments. A Q&A will follow. 

CONA Sarasota

In Southwest Florida, most days are perfect for paddleboarding on the bay or through South Creek at Oscar Scherer Park. Where’s your Best Place to Paddleboard? Tell us in this year’s Best of SRQ Local Competition!  

Vote Here!