A modern condominium building designed by Halflants & Pichette is set to transform the streetscape of North Tamiami Trail.

The site plan for Whitaker Lofts won approval from the Sarasota Planning Board. That allows for construction of a four-story structure with 19 condo units and almost 9,000 square feet of first-floor retail space. Across the street from Whitaker Bayfront Park, the curved façade fronting U.S. 41 will bring a distinct look to the trail, with deep balconies and a dramatic grand staircase. 

“The property is going to serve as a landmark piece of architecture for the city of Sarasota as you enter driving south toward Downtown Sarasota,” said Gabe Nisula, one of the project managers.

Nisula told the Planning Board the curvature to the building aims to complement the immediate surroundings. 

“Our solution for this site is to create a simple curve which reacts with the newly constructed roundabout at the intersection of 14th Street and Highway 41,” he said.

Ana Menenes, the other project manager, said activating the area both with shaded, ground level retail and an accessible courtyard would spur public activity in and around the new structure. That could be valuable related to the under-used Whitaker park but also retail along the trail the city has worked for years to revitalize.

“It will become a destination to everyone and it will increase visitors,” said project manager Ana Menenes, “not only in our site but the park as well as the area.”

The stairs will lead to an elevated courtyard but managers with Halflants & Pichette hope to preserve a grand oak already standing on property, and worked with the city arborist to do so.

Planning Member Dan Clermont at a public hearing questioned the fact the architecture plans for balcony overhangs to reach beyond the property line and into public right-of-way, but architects and city officials researched and said that complies with city regulations and state building codes. Ultimately, the project won unanimous 4-0 approval; Planning Board Member Michael Halflants of Halflants & Pichette recused himself from the vote.

An announcement on the project approval from Halflants & Pichette noted the architecture firm has a perfect record over 16 years of winning approvals in public hearings in front of city boards and commissions. 

They did it in the long haul, the short sprint, and now, Nathan Benderson Park's paddling program has swept its competition to take three more world championships, for a total of six. The park is playing host this week to the 2022 International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) 13th Club Crew World Championships. This biennial event brings together the world's best crews after they won their national club competitions.

The NBP Paddling Program's crews competed Saturday in the classic 500-meter dragon-boat sprint. They competed Tuesday in the 2000-meter oval competition, which has been called "stock-car racing on the water," and Thursday in the 200-meter sprint. In the 500-meter sprints, three NBP crews took gold and top international honors. Two of those honors are considered unofficial until the medal presentation Sunday morning. The NBP Dragons community team's senior-B (ages 50 and older) short boat was presented its gold medals Saturday morning. That boat also claimed a silver in the 2000-meter oval and a bronze in the 200-meter sprint.

NBP Survivors In Sync will claim its title Sunday morning in the 500-meter after its Saturday win. The crew snagged a world championship gold medal in the 200-meter sprint, and a silver in the 2000-meter oval competition Tuesday. The team paddles in the breast-cancer survivors (BCP) division with a standard 20-paddler boat.

The NBP Warriors, a team competing in the all-cancer survivors (ACP) division with a short-boat entry of 10 paddlers, will claim its third set of gold medals Sunday morning after its Saturday performance in the 500-meter. They took a world championship home in the 200-meter sprint, after claiming the world championship in the 2000-meter ovals Tuesday.

“Today was an exciting day of racing to watch three of our four crews sweep their races and end their week of competition with three golds," said Stephen V. Rodriguez, the president of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy. "These are truly world champions who’ve been working hard all year to hone their skills on the water and to deliver a truly world-championship performance. We congratulate all of NBP Paddling for this win, whether they were on the water, supporters, or future world champions.” 

AeroVanti Air Club recently announced it has engaged Network1 Financial Securities Inc. to raise up to $9.75 million in a Series A fundraising round.

The company believes this capital infusion will position the charter aviation club, which has experienced 20X growth since launching in June 2021, to continue to scale its operations, grow its fleet, and expand its destination offerings and flight availability to its growing roster of delighted customers.

AeroVanti has completely reimagined air travel and is in the midst of redefining the entire charter aviation industry, a $25 billion-a-year industry. Through its unique, tiered membership model and competitive hourly pricing at a fraction of the industry standard, AeroVanti has created a completely new market segment in private aviation. AeroVanti members are not burdened by costly initiation fees, expensive hourly rates, capped miles or inconvenient booking restrictions like other membership-based charter services.

Its namesake aircraft’s (Piaggio P. 180 Avanti) speed and efficiency reduce operations costs without sacrificing luxury, and the fleet expansion will keep the member-to-aircraft ratio lower than the industry average, ensuring a magnificent member experience.

“Since launching last summer, we have relentlessly pursued the ultimate charter aviation experience for our members and to prove that luxury and convenience are not mutually exclusive,” said AeroVanti Founder and CEO Patrick Britton-Harr. “Amid remarkable growth, we’re always looking to enhance that travel experience. This includes our fleet and personnel expansions to acquisitions to support our increased operational efficiencies to adding more available and new destinations.” 

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From August  1st through 31st, Palmetto Historical Park & Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 515-10th Ave. West, Palmetto, will be closed to the public. This time will allow staff and volunteers to make some needed repairs, change some exhibits, and spruce up the sites. They look forward to seeing visitors again when they re-open on Thursday, September  1st at 10:00 AM. 

EXCELLence Performance is excited to announce that they've partnered with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce to become a Chairman's Circle Silver Investor. The team at EXCELLence Performance is delighted to elevate their support of the Manatee Chamber as they continually recognize what the Chamber's leadership has done to support and stimulate local businesses while fostering a strong sense of community. "The heart and soul of our business is helping other businesses grow and succeed," said Tony Daum, CEO & Head Coach of EXCELLence Performance. "It is what we do. I cannot imagine a better collaboration in our community than to work with the Manatee Chamber to grow and improve businesses in our home and community. The Manatee Chamber is a top-flight organization, and it is a privilege to be a silver investor." 

The new school year is quickly approaching, and for many families, the required classroom supply lists can be overwhelming. That’s where JFCS of the Suncoast’s annual Backpack Drive comes in.

As one of the area’s leading mental health and human services agencies, JFCS has once again partnered with Hope 4 Communities to help prepare children in need for their next school year. Together they provide backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, family photos, vision screenings, school physicals, gift cards for school clothing and shoes, snacks for school, and more. These events are hosted at local churches throughout the community that provide homeless and needy children with everything they need to begin the first day of school with dignity.

JFCS has provided funding and 500 books from its “Take-a-Look, Buy-a-Book” book donation drive to be given to children during the events. JFCS is seeking additional school supply donations so volunteers can fill backpacks to distribute to those families who missed the deadline to attend Hope 4 Communities’ Days4Hope events. Donations can be dropped off or delivered to our main office at 2688 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. The deadline to donate items is July 29. 

For more info.

The road could be yours as a Transit Operator in Manatee County. Looking to bolster their driver ranks, Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) leaders are hosting a special Job Fair this Saturday, July 30 from 9am to 1 pm at the MCAT Transit Complex, 2411 Tallevast Rd 34243. With a competitive starting wage of $17.80/hour and outstanding benefits, it’s a great opportunity to make good living while providing a vital service for so many in our community. “Serving as a bus driver for Manatee County Area Transit is a gratifying job,” said Transit Operator Pat Adams—who is the 2021 Manatee County Employee of the Year. “Each day you provide riders with a vital connection to services and goods. It is truly a rewarding feeling.”Drivers who hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) may receive a conditional offer of employment on the spot. Drivers who do not have their CDL can qualify for paid training. 

For info and to apply.