A new political mailer added controversy to an already contentious debate on how Sarasota elects county commissioners.

The Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections sent out flyers to Republican voters in the county attaching the same “Stop The Steal” language associated with former President Donald Trump’s false claims about election chicanery with a special election vote that may soon reverse a switch to single-member voting.

The mailers on one side have a picture of Trump and the phrase “Stop The Steal.” On the flip side is a picture of Democratic President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by the phrase: “Don’t Let Them Steal Our Votes Again.”

The rest of the type on the mailer lays out objections to a county referendum being voted on March 8. If passed, the county will hold county-wide elections for commissioners and abandon single-member elections, a system approved by voters less than four years ago.

Former Sarasota County Commissioner Paul Caragiulo called the latest mailers “outrageously pathetic.” He supports county-wide elections and says voters should have a say on all five commissioners. He suggested it was irresponsible to conflate emotions around the 2020 election outcome to a local political issue.

Kinda Muntz, president of SAFE, defended the language and said “Stop The Steal” is a phrase that predates the last presidential contest. “We’re not referencing that directly,” she said. “We are talking about elections and trying to steal the vote. The one we are referencing now is the one in Sarasota County. If you think back that language was used in 2018— about the original single-member districts vote.”

Sarasota County Commissioner Christian Ziegler, also supports a switch back to county-wide elections. He found the flyers laughable. “Are Sarasota Democrats finally admitting there was voter fraud in 2020,” he said, “or are they using that issue to steal Republican votes in order to influence the results of an election in Sarasota County in 2022?”

Notably, Ziegler was elected countywide in 2018 before single-member districts took effect. He now lives in a district where, as of book closing for the March election, Democrats slightly outnumber Republicans 25,790 to 23,474. The results of the March 8 referendum will determine if he runs county-wide for re-election in November or runs in a district election.

Muntz for her part said the shifty move is holding a special election now and trying to persuade voters to reverse a decision made just four years ago.  

Sarasota Memorial was recognized among the world’s best hospitals today in Newsweek’s fourth annual global ranking of hospitals. This is the 4th year that Newsweek, in collaboration with global market research and consumer data company Statista Inc., has published the global list. The World’s Best Hospitals 2022 list recognizes the best medical institutions across 27 countries, including 414 hospitals in the United States. The World’s Best Hospitals 2022 list includes more than 2,200 medical institutions across the United States, Canada, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Israel, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Thailand, Italy, Brazil, India, Spain, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. SMH has made the list four years in a row. It is the only hospital in southwest Florida ever to make the list since the global rankings began in 2018.

Newsweek compiles the list to help consumers discover the ways leading hospitals—close to home and around the world—are shaping the future of medicine. Hospitals are selected based on numerous performance indicators, including a survey of doctors, health care professionals and administrators across four continents. Results are validated and checked for quality assurance by a global board of renowned medical experts. 

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Kind Vibes Outfitters joins a growing number of businesses and restaurants coming to Downtown Wellen Park, the central hub and gathering destination for Wellen Park, the master planned community. Offering kayak, paddleboard, bicycle and e-bike rentals, Kind Vibes Outfitters will be located in a statement-making building of glass, wood and corrugated shipping containers adjacent to downtown’s 80-acre Grand Lake and floating dock. Kind Vibes Outfitters is operated by Jamie Albano and business partner Ryan Lane, who own nearby Venice Outdoor Sports and discovered the outfitters opportunity during a visit at Wellen Park. Kind Vibes Outfitters is expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2022 with the completion of Downtown Wellen’s first phase. It will offer single and tandem paddle- and pedal-powered kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, e-bikes, trikes and scooters. Albano is also exploring other rental options to offer at Kind Vibes Outfitters and plans to offer paddleboard yoga, guided sunset tours with certified Florida naturalists, and e-bike, kayak and paddleboard tournaments. People will be able to take equipment offsite to explore nearby biking tails and blueways. Wellen Park residents will enjoy white-glove service with rentals delivered right to their door or preferred launch location. Wellen Park’s wellness focus is holistic and practical, designed to give residents greater opportunities to connect with one another, take care of themselves and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, all within an inclusive, genuine community vibe. 

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Doctors Hospital of Sarasota is one of more than 450 HCA Florida Healthcare affiliated sites of care across the state uniting as HCA Florida Healthcare. HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital signals the hospital’s connection to a leading collaborative health care network in the state. To celebrate, the hospital will host celebrations throughout the day and open a new Zen Lounge for caregivers. The Zen Lounge is a calm, quiet lounge with massage chairs and peaceful environment for caregivers to relax and recharge during their break times. When: Thursday, March 3, 2022, at noon. Where: First Floor, Sarasota Doctors Hospital, 5731 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota FL 34233.

HCA Florida Healthcare connects approximately 11,000 staff physicians, 77,000 colleagues, 49 hospitals and more than 450 physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As a comprehensive and connected network, HCA Florida Healthcare continually strives to improve quality, expand patient access to care, address the ongoing nursing shortage, respond during times of disaster, advance diversity in healthcare and fund and collaborate with non-profit organizations to address high-priority community needs. 

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There’s a sense of freedom that accompanies flight, an escape from the world as you’re soaring above it. It’s a feeling that not many of us get to truly experience - unless, however, you call the Sarasota area home.

833-LET’S FLY is a flight school based on Anna Maria Island that specializes in the instruction of weight-shift controlled aircraft or ‘trikes' as they are commonly called. Trikes are open-cockpit aircraft that have evolved from hang gliders - a carriage with a motor and propeller is suspended from a delta wing.

“Our aircraft have retractable wheels and floats so they can land on water or at airports,” says Hans Brown, 833-LET’S FLY owner and flight instructor.

The outfit offers ‘Discovery Flights’, that take off from Anna Maria island that start at $159 for the half-hour flight and $279 for the hour-long flight. On the back half of the hour-long flight, students can even take control of the aircraft and experience what it’s like to truly fly on their own - all under the guidance of their instructor of course.

“Our Discovery flights are technically an introductory flight lesson, but there’s nothing that says we can’t have a lot of fun doing it. During the flight you’ll learn a ton about the aircraft and aviation in general, plus have a lot of fun doing splash and gos, water skimming, and taking in great views of St Petersburg and downtown Sarasota,” says Brown.

What makes these aircraft so unique is that in addition to experiencing the open air from high above the ground, they can also fly safely over and even atop the water.

“These aircraft create a lot of drag, which allows them to go low and slow over the water. You can actually land on the water and fish from the aircraft if you wanted to,” attests Brown.

More than just an outlet for a fun afternoon, 833-LET’S FLY offers lesson packages for those interested in obtaining their Light Sport Pilot certification and also doubles as a full on repair and maintenance center as well.

833-LET’S FLY, Phone: 833-538-7359. Discovery Flight Departures: Anna Maria Islandat Kingfish Boat Ramp - 752 Manatee Ave, Holmes Beach, FL 34217

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La Musica International Chamber Music Festival, which celebrates its 36th season this year with events and concerts from April 1 to April 13, is pleased to announce changes and additions to its season. For the safety of guests and La Musica musicians, the venue for the Musical Chefs Dinner on April 11 has been changed from Michael’s Wine Cellar to the outdoor atrium at Michael’s On East. Due to scheduling conflicts, open rehearsals will now be held at both the Bayfront Community Center at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium and at the Sarasota Opera House. Festival rehearsal passes are valid at both locations. Rehearsal schedule can be found at LaMusicaFestival.org. This year, the La Musica school outreach program involves children by offering free tickets through Musical Kids Go Free, and by inviting students from the Suzuki Institute School of Music and the Booker High School VPA program to share their music in the Sarasota Opera House courtyard during the half hour prior to each concert. Booker High VPA students will play prior to the evening concerts, and Suzuki Institute students will play prior to the afternoon concerts. For subscriptions, event tickets, and more information, visit LaMusicaFestval.org or call the LaMusica box office at (207) 266-7999. Single concert tickets can be purchased by calling the Sarasota Opera box office at (941) 328-1300. 

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) has received a $14,850 grant supporting the nonprofit’s Therapy Programs dedicated to treating victims of child abuse. Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation has generously provided this funding in a continuation of their lengthy support of CPC’s treatment services. The funding from the Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation will directly assist the nonprofit in providing individual, family, and group therapy services to children and families experiencing traumas of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or problematic sexual behaviors by children. The Child Protection Center’s mission is the Prevention, Intervention, & Treatment of Child Abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 40 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida, and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. 

Postscript: Children participating in art therapy. Photo courtesy of CPC Sarasota.

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