After two years of candid back and forth between the Sarasota Orchestra and the City of Sarasota, it now looks all but certain the cultural institution will relocate outside the city limits. In a lengthy statement released by Orchestra President and CEO Joseph McKenna, he said the organization will focus on sites outside the city for a new performance hall.

The decision closes more than two years of controversy that started when the Orchestra expressed interest in building a new hall at Payne Park, drawing pushback from the community and ultimately the Sarasota City Commission.

“Our detailed, multi-year planning work identified the need for seven acres,” McKenna’s statement explains. “This has been our plan throughout our process, and we are committed to bringing it to reality, even though it will not reside in Payne Park. We have not ruled out options within the city limits, but at this time there appear to be no viable options. Since Payne Park is not an option, and other locations we reviewed with City Officials have all been ruled out, we are currently concentrating on opportunities in Sarasota County.”

A joint statement from Mayor Hagen Brody and city Manager Marlon Brown expressed some resignation at the choice, underlined in frustration no locale beyond Payne Park had met the Orchestra’s criteria.

“Of the city locations previously offered and considered, including its current location on the Bayfront and in or around Payne Park, the Sarasota Orchestra is clearly not open to those locations and desires to look elsewhere,” the statement reads. “We wish the Orchestra the best of luck in its relocation search and extend our continued offer to assist with any additional support with a location in the city limits that it may find suitable. That offer remains on the table.”

But the McKenna statement seems to signal the Orchestra may already be in tune with other locations. “The Orchestra is engaged in confidential site analysis work and that process is expected to last until the spring given the impact by the ongoing pandemic. When that process is completed, we look forward to sharing more details,’ McKenna explained.

“The Orchestra continues to be diligent in its efforts and has looked at numerous sites throughout its planning process. For privately owned sites that have not worked out, the Orchestra has appropriately guaranteed confidentiality and privacy to the involved parties. Because the City owns Payne Park, that process was appropriately open and transparent. As an independent non-profit, our focus is currently on privately owned parcels, so it would not be appropriate for us to comment publicly until the process to negotiate terms and determine site suitability is completed. We are as eager as the community to share news as soon as it is possible, and we remain very committed to our mission and our goal of bringing a world class music center to our Sarasota community.”

Of course, this notably isn’t the first time the Orchestra and City and have seemingly parted ways;. McKenna released a similar statement in January 2020.

The potential departure of the Sarasota Orchestra adds to a list of losses for the city. The Players will relocate soon from a long-time home in Sarasota to The Players Center for Performing Arts in Lakewood Ranch on 4.5 acres there. Mote Marine Laboratory, while maintaining a science presence in Sarasota, broke ground in November of a new aquarium site at Nathan Benderson Park. 

Rendering of one-time plan for permance hall in Payne Park.

As the third installment of a new weekly series, we're rolling out local thrifting destinations for those frugal shoppers to get their fair share of gently-used, recycled bargains.

If you searching for some serious treasure, look no further than SPARCC. The local nonprofit's mission to stop domestic and sexual violence doesn't stop there. Through their retail sector Treasure Chest, which relies on thoughtful and quality donations — from home accessories, antiques, collectibles and clothing — they're able to provide help, hope and healing for victims. With a background in quality furniture and clothing, the manager Linda Thull refers to their stock as "the high-end of resale." Florida brands and items that fit the quintessential Floridian lifestyle are always popular. “Sometimes, having just moved to Sarasota, people come in to look and leave having furnished nearly their entire home,” she says. Furniture, clothing and jewelry have been selling particularly well as the masses migrate. “We have people who come in for hours or in groups; they play dress-up and imagine their lives with our pieces,” she says. She invites the community to support a great cause, find gently-loved pieces for heavily-loved prices, and enjoy an experience with Treasure Chest. Walking into Treasure Chest is more than a shopping spree; it is truly an adventure, or rather, a hunt.  

Photo courtesy of the organization

SPARCC Treasure Chest, 1426 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-953-7800.

Peripheral neuropathy can be an agonizing and painful condition that is a result of nerve damage, and, if not treated, can result in a person being confined to a walker or wheelchair. Neuropathy can be due to a number of causes, such as diabetes, traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes, even exposure to toxins, such as chemotherapy. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are tingling in the hands or feet, burning pain, muscle weakness, sensitivity, electric-like pain, numbness and even problems with coordination.

Many people revert to taking dangerous opioids that just mask the symptoms; those medications don’t fix the problem. Today there are cutting-edge treatments that can help a person live their life pain free with no drugs, no injections, and no surgeries. The focus should be regenerating nerves and arteries that are damaged or dead with treatment that is safe, non-invasive, and FDA cleared.

The best way to determine if someone has peripheral neuropathy is to get a consultation and exam. Today’s diagnostic tools allow healthcare professionals to calculate the exact percentage of sensory loss someone has in their hands or feet. Once a patient has reached 80% nerve loss, it may have become permanent. That is why it is critical to identify and treat the condition as soon as possible. The Roots Neuropathy is offering a $49 Neuropathy Special which includes a personal consultation, exam, and report of findings. Call 941-877-1507 to set up your consultation today. You can visit TheRootsNeuropathy.com for more information. The Roots Neuropathy is located at 8209 Natures Way, Unit 115, Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202. 

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During this month’s professional development program, the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) will present “The State You’re In: Florida Men, Florida Women and Other Wildlife” on Tuesday, September 21, from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM via Zoom. The event will feature Florida native Craig Pittman, an award-winning reporter and author. During the presentation, Pittman will take attendees on a journey through Florida, exploring Florida men, Florida women, and all the other wildlife in between through the lens of books, media, and journalism. Pittman graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him "the most destructive force on campus." 

After 31 years at the Tampa Bay Times, where he covered a variety of beats and several natural disasters — including the Florida Legislature — he now writes a weekly environmental issues column for the Florida Phoenix and co-hosts the popular podcast "Welcome to Florida." He's the author of six non-fiction books about Florida, including the New York Times bestseller “Oh, Florida: How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country” and “Cat Tale: The Wild Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther." His most recent, published in September, is The State You're In: Florida Men, Florida Women, and Other Wildlife.

“We’re living in interesting times in an interesting state, and no one writes about that better than award-winning author and journalist Craig Pittman,” says Melanie Reda, APR, CPRC, president of CWC-FPRA. “CWC is thrilled to present this virtual program, and we welcome anyone who is interested to join us.”

Tickets for the program are $10/FPRA members, $15/guests. To register, visit cwcfpra.com/events. This event is sponsored by Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast and Next-Mark. Visit cwcfpra.com for more information. 

Photo courtesy of the companies.

Manatee Community Foundation has welcomed Amy Treis to the position of Events and Administrative Manager. In her capacity at the Foundation, Treis will provide administrative management and event management for donor, community and nonprofit events. Previously, she served for six years at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance supporting the staff team, business and nonprofit members, sponsors and event participants as Membership Manager. “Amy is energetic, passionate about the charitable sector, well-connected, and an experienced professional with customer service at the heart of her work,” said Susie Bowie, MCF Executive Director. “We look forward to the difference she will make in philanthropy, working with the caring people who partner with the Foundation.”

Visit ManateeCF.org to learn more. 

Wellen Park will host a Community Tree Planting Day to beautify and protect Downtown Wellen landscapes and shared community spaces surrounding the Grand Lake. Resident volunteers of all ages will be planting a variety of pine tree saplings to enhance walking trails, picnic spaces and bike paths and create a natural habitat for wildlife. With guidance from landscapers, volunteers will dig holes, add soil enhancers, plant the saplings and water the new trees. Residents are expected to plant 300 trees in Downtown Wellen on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 9 am - 12:30 pm at the tree planting staging area located on Preto Blvd. Venice. Wellen Park representatives will also be onsite for the event.