Powersport enthusiasts patiently awaited for Haus of Trikes & Bikes to open its second location, a new 10,000 square-foot showroom in Bradenton. Similar to its headquarters in Fort Myers, Haus of Trikes & Bikes Bradenton will carry inventory and provide service for a mix of motorcycle manufacturers, including household US names such as Harley Davidson and Indian, while also being the official dealership for harder-to-find international bike brands including Aprilia and Moto Guzzi, both Italian made. Haus is also the official dealership for Royal Enfield, a rare breed of models to find on the streets here in Florida—including the Classic 500 cruiser, the Himalayan street bike, the Continential GT cafe racer and the Int650 roadster. Royal Enfields are typically referred to as "the oldest global motorcycle brand in continuous production," manufactured in factories in Chennai, India, and popular throughout Southeast Asia and Europe. 

“We are thrilled to become an integral part of the Bradenton/Sarasota area,” says VP of Operations and Co-Owner Jeff Free. “In addition to our large inventory of new and pre-loved motorcycles, our state-of-the-art service center will provide repairs and custom conversions for most touring metric brands and Harley Davidson models." And for two additional wheels, Haus also stocks fun powersport vehicles to take off-road such as CF Moto ATVs, UTVs and Side-by-Sides. 

Its Grand Opening Party is sure to rally bikers and moto admirers to Saturday, March 21st festivities. Ride up and enjoy live music with 30OT6 Band, various vendors, storewide sales, bites and beverages from local food trucks, and most importantly, the chance to finally check out over 100 motorcycles, trikes and more across the newly-renovated facility. 

Pictured: VP of Operations and Co-Owner Jeff Free. Courtesy of Haus of Trikes & Bikes

6823 14th St. W, Bradenton, 941-375-4200, @hausoftrikesandbikes

Like the cultures and cuisines of the Levant in the Middle East, Sahara Mediterranean Café has maintained a distinct identity in Sarasota even as the region has undergone dramatic changes to its makeup. Every few years, the owners spruce up the décor, slap on a fresh coat of paint and maybe hang up some new art, but the one thing they never change is the flavor profile of the food that has made them so successful for 20 years. Average customers gravitate towards their gyro wraps, and rightfully so. Others might go for a vegetarian platter of hummus, grape leaves, tabbouleh and falafel. But we direct our attention now to kibbeh.

Kibbeh comes from the Classical Arabic word for “ball,” but unlike its more spherically inclined vegetarian cousin falafel, kibbeh often takes the shape of a football. The shape comes from the small cones that are used to mold the delicious morsel, but more important than the shape is its contents. Minced beef gets sautéed with onions, parsley, pine nuts and various spices that may include cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, pepper, allspice or whatever else tickles the fancy of its maker. The spiced meat is then stuffed into a pocket of a crudely made cracked wheat dough, then deep-fried. An exquisitely browned and crispy treat similar to a croquette is the final result, and it makes the perfect fried and meaty compliment to accompaniments like tabbouleh and hummus. 

Photo taken by Andrew Fabian.

Sahara Café and Mediterranean Foods, 1121 South Tamiami Trl., 941-954-1423.

Timothy Novak, D.B.A., M.S.A., FACHT, dean of LECOM’s School of Health Services Administration (SHSA), announced licensing approval by the Florida Department of Education’s Committee for Independent Education for the LECOM Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) three-year concentrated research track terminal degree program. The LECOM D.H.A. degree qualifies healthcare industry professionals as faculty members, preparing them to perform research and teach “the business of healthcare” at the college level and equips senior healthcare executives for advanced career opportunities. D.H.A. graduates will have a next-generation understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning and the ability to conduct rigorous research and analysis with the objective of applying the findings to real-world decision-making throughout the healthcare industry and effectively interfacing with local, state and federal governments related to healthcare issues. This program is focused on next-generation patient-centered healthcare delivery, support and wellness. 

“The LECOM DHA program creates a unique opportunity for executive healthcare administrators and other professionals seeking to advance their career opportunities by obtaining a terminal degree that is relevant, innovative and provides the essential knowledge and skills required to ‘teach the business of healthcare’ to our next generation leaders,” said LECOM Senior Vice President, Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs Silvia M. Ferretti, D.O.   

For more information about how to apply for the DHA program’s July cohort or any other SHSA master’s degree programs, call (941) 405-1533, email SHSA@lecom.edu or visit lecom.edu/academics/shsa/ 

The City of Sarasota has selected Apollo Sunguard as the contractor to design and install a shade sail structure at the historic Lido Beach Concession Building. The shade will provide a refuge from the sun and heat for patrons enjoying the beach and concession area. Custom engineered to suit the location, the shade structure will include multiple fabric shade sails set at different heights and angles. The design will maximize the amount of shade provided in the courtyard while placing the steel structure on the outside to keep the courtyard and walkways clear. The shade panels will block up to 94% of UV rays and lower temperatures underneath by up to 20 degrees, helping reduce exposure to sun damage and heat-related illnesses. Apollo Sunguard was selected for the Lido Beach project by the City of Sarasota's Parks and Recreation department following a Request for Proposal process. Kevin Connelly, president of Apollo Sunguard, says, “We’re especially proud to be selected for projects in our own hometown. We emphasize form and function, so this project for Lido Beach will have a coastal and nautical feel while providing the UV reduction and cooling shade that beachgoers need on a hot day. It will also be designed to withstand the winds that we know will come over the lifetime of the shade.” The structure is engineered to withstand winds up to 90 mph with the sail shades installed and up to 150 mph with the shades removed. A quick-release system allows the shade panels to be easily removed and reinstalled if needed. The shade structure is one of several improvements being made to the Lido Beach concession area.

The installation of the sunshade is expected to begin in April or May. The concession stand is currently closed, but the installation of the sunshade will not interfere with concession or restroom operations. No installation will take place on Saturdays or Sundays. 

Conceptual drawing of Apollo Sunguard shade structure to be installed at Lido Beach Pavilion.

To learn more about this project or Apollo Sunguard

Following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declaring a public health emergency over the weekend, local business owners need to do what they can immediately to ensure their team in the workplace is protected in the event of a coronavirus outbreak. In an effort to promote awareness, local health care technology firm First Day Films is offering their educational video on preparing for an outbreak in the workplace for free to all business owners and managers. The four-minute animated video breaks down exactly what the CDC recommends for business owners to prevent, plan for, and respond to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. “At its inception, our employee benefits, health, and wellness video library was built to educate the workplace. We know that preventing the spread of the coronavirus is the first defense, which is why First Day Films has built a video to build awareness and reduce transmission,” First Day Films founder and CEO Nick Altier said. This comes after two Florida residents (one in Manatee County) testing “presumptively positive” for coronavirus. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases and a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.  Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. To access the video for use in your workplace, email First Day Films at info@fdfnow.com or visit the website. 

To learn more about First Day Films or to access the video for use in your workplace

This year, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is exploring all of Florida's watery finery during Wonders of Water, a celebration of everything that's wet and wonderful about the state of Florida, the planet, and the universe! Take a deep dive into manatee awareness and celebrate Manatee Appreciation Day on Wednesday, March 25, with bonus Manatee Appreciation Day activities on Saturday, March 28. The Bishop has been doing manatee rehabilitation since 1998 and the Museum was a founding partner of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership — a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal organizations that participate in manatee population management or manatee rescue and rehabilitation. The Bishop has cared for 42 manatees, including the four currently living in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat: Felicia, Doscal, Viva and Collie! Leave with special take-home manatee activities for kids — paper-bag puppets and coloring pages — along with extended presentations focused on manatee rehabilitation and awareness. 

To learn more about The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

The School District of Manatee County’s Food and Nutrition Services Department will provide free lunch to kids during Spring Break, which runs next week from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, 2020. The free meals will be offered to ages 18 or younger, as part of the Spring Break Food Service Program. Two Food and Nutrition Services Mobile Feeding Buses and a Caboose will deliver the meals to seven stops. This program is designed to ensure that children have access to nutrition during the time when school lunches are not available and to help ensure that their students have a healthy body and mind for the remainder of the school year. This service is not based on income status, and all children in Manatee County who are 18 and younger will be able to participate. Many favorite school menu items will be featured on the Mobile Feeding Buses including tornados, cheeseburgers, corn dogs, and pizza, along with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. The buses will have indoor and outdoor seating to allow kids to enjoy their meal in the comfort of air conditioning or in the shade of an awning. Times and locations of the mobile feeding bus stop, along with complete spring break menus can be found on the Manatee County Food and Nutrition Service’s website manateeschoolfood.net. 

To view a full list of times and locations of the mobile feeding bus stop, along with menu options

360 ORTHOPEDICS is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey A. Silverstein, MD as Chief of Surgery at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota. Dr. Silverstein is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee reconstruction.  He is Managing Partner and President of 360 Orthopedics with three locations in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice. Dr. Silverstein hails from West Virginia and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Indiana University.  He holds his Medical Degree from the West Virginia University School of Medicine. He performed his orthopedic residency at the University of Illinois Chicago Medical Center and completed Fellowship in hip and knee reconstruction at Florida Orthopedic Institute in Tampa. Dr. Silverstein treats patients at all three of the 360 Orthopedics locations where same day and next day appointments are available when needed. The facilities are full service offering MRI, X-ray, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Aquatic Therapy, EMG, Nerve Conduction Studies, and the dispensing of durable medical equipment. 360 Orthopedics was established in 1978 to offer comprehensive orthopedic care for the community. 

For more information on 360 ORTHOPEDICS