After a long and stressful week of preparing for, hunkering down during, and cleaning up after Hurricane Ian, my family needed some comfort. We found it on the north end of Longboat Key at Shore.

As we re-emerged this past weekend, still worried about our friends, family and neighbors to the south who continue to struggle through the storm’s aftermath, one word kept coming up in conversation: grateful. Recognizing that our circumstances could have been far worse, and watching the devastation and harrowing accounts continue to unfold in Lee, Charlotte, and South Sarasota counties, we were reminded constantly of what could have been.

Looking for mental respite, a chance to leave the house, and desirous for someone else to handle cooking duties, we headed to Shore in search of an experience that would remind us of all the reasons we still love living here. We were quite familiar with Shore’s St. Armands location, but we’d never experienced the three-year-old Longboat Key version, which features a panoramic view of the Intracoastal Waterway.

We sat outside, marveled at the swooping and diving pelicans, and ate family style. The Allens then took down the entirety of a well-appointed charcuterie board that featured a combo of meats, hard and soft cheeses, pretzels, crostini, olives, grapes, spiced nuts and a tiny flavor punch dollop of a chutney that featured cherry tomatoes mixed with pickled yellow biquinho peppers.

For the entrees, we eschewed healthy, steered clear of the tempting seafood options that beckoned, and went straight for the classics: fried chicken and a cheeseburger. The chicken is free-range, organic, and marinated in a tabasco honey mix that infuses every bite with a sweet heat that mixes marvelously with the crunchy breading. Served with a side of mac ‘n’ cheese that made a nice Monday leftover lunch and a crisp slaw, this dish was a massive crowd pleaser.

So was the burger. Made from grass-fed beef that is ground in house, and adorned with Tillamook cheddar, a bacon jam and a side of truffle fries, it was thick, elegant as a burger can be, and a hearty dose of everything we needed in the moment.

While the food and service were top notch, the part of the experience we’ll remember is walking down to the end of the pier, where we snapped a family selfie while the sun set to the west, splashing the sky to the east with hues of deep orange, soothing purple and perfect pink. This work of natural art reminded us that despite the week’s events, there’s still plenty for which we can all be grateful.

Shore Longboat Key, 800 Broadway St, Longboat Key, (941) 259-4600, dineshore.com. 

Pictured: Shore offers a sleek setting with sweeping waterfront views--a perfect backdrop to enjoy some island-inspired comfort food. Photo taken by Janet Allen.

Over a two day period, Hurricane Ian knocked out electricity to almost 3 million Florida homes and businesses, representing nearly a quarter of utility customers. Among the hardest hit was Southwest Florida. Ian littered the West Coast of Florida with a massive amount of debris and destruction. Michael’s On East has partnered with Chef Jose Andres and the World Central Kitchen to help feed thousands in Southwest Florida affected by Hurricane Ian. Michael’s has sent over 10,0000 meals and is supplying up to 5000 meals per day during the recovery process, aimed at providing relief for Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota Counties.

“I’ve long admired Chef Jose Andres, and the work he’s doing across the globe with the World Central Kitchen is just exceptional. It’s a tremendous honor to partner with them, because this kind of work comes from our hearts. This is what we do at Michael’s On East, and have always done – accept the call to give back to a region that has given so much to us for over 35 years,” says Michael Klauber, Co-Proprietor of Michael’s On East. “We are fortunate that our kitchen is operational even though the majority of the second story roof of our building is gone.... 35 members of our staff showed up the first morning at 6 a.m. ready and excited to help! We have always been fortunate during some of the most challenging crises and this is a great way for us to contribute our expertise and time to help so many,” adds Phil Mancini, Co-Proprietor of Michael’s On East. 

Pictured: Co-Proprietor Phil Mancini (left), Executive Chef Jamil Pineda, and Co-Proprietor Michael Klauber at Michaels On East. Photo taken by Billy Hoyle.

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As Manatee County residents continue to clean-up after Ian, Manatee County Development Services will be working with them to help make faster fixes by expediting permits for hurricane- damaged structures. As of Monday morning, residential damage has been estimated at $69 million and commercial damage at $13.5 million. Those figures are forecasted to rise higher as more areas, currently inaccessible, are investigated. To help Manatee County residents, Development Services is waiving residential and commercial property building permit fees through January 1, 2023, for aluminum structures, roof coverings, siding, soffit and fascia. Staff will continue to evaluate the fee structure as repairs and rehabilitation of properties continues. In emergency situations, temporary repairs, equipment replacement, and work done to mitigate wind, water or flood damage and prevent further deterioration of residential and commercial structures can be executed without a permit. However, the permit application MUST be submitted on the next working day to the building official. For further detailed information on permitting requirements and what type of work is exempted and not exempted from permit requirements, please refer to the Manatee County Development Services section of the mymanatee.org Website or call (941) 748-4501, x6893. An executive order has been signed in the wake of Ian which allows General Contractors to perform roof repairs. Residents who use unlicensed contractors are at risk for faulty work and injury in their own home or business. Homeowners need to verify that their contractors have Workers' Compensation Insurance and also ask to see their general liability insurance. The homeowner is financially responsible for any uninsured contractors who get hurt while working on their home. Consumers are urged by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation to verify their contractor license online at MyFloridaLicense.com or by calling 850-487-1395. Manatee County residents can also call the Building and Permitting Department at (941) 748-4501, ext. 3800, to determine if their contractor is registered here and if they have any local complaints. They also can get their permit history.  

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In an effort to support our community the United Way of South Sarasota County’s Board of directors has launched a South Sarasota County Hurricane Ian Recovery & Relief Fund.
This fund will provide financial resources for individuals and families in Venice, North Port, Englewood, Nokomis, Laurel and Osprey who are disproportionately impacted by Hurricane Ian. Contributions to this fund are designed to fill the gaps arising from the hurricane and to address community needs as efficiently as possible. United Way plays a unique role in convening conversations for open dialogue across sectors and to coordinate efforts addressing community needs. As a result, United Way is establishing a South Sarasota County Hurricane Ian Fund Distribution Subcommittee which will hold fiscal responsibility for the fund. “Our goal of this fund is to support the immediate needs of the economically vulnerable populations in South Sarasota County,” said Barbara Cruz, President/CEO of United Way of South Sarasota County. “Any contribution, small or large, is immensely appreciated and unites our community for the greater good. ”To donate to this fund, visit www.uwssc.com. Checks can be mailed to United Way of South Sarasota County at 4242 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL. 34293. United Way of South Sarasota County is also operating as a donation site for community members in need. The United Way office will be open to accept donations Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The donations items that are being accepted at this location are as follows: tarps, zipties, flashlights with batteries, batteries, propane cans, bug repellent, can openers, hand sanitizer, tooiletry products, baby formula, diapers, wipes, feminine products, water falvoring packets, contracot bags, gargage bags, generators. If you need assistance, please call the United Way of South Sarasota County office at 941-484-4811. For questions regarding the United Way of South Sarasota County’s Hurricane Ian Recovery and Relief Fund or The United Way Supplies Drop Off Site, please contact Jaiden Johnson by calling 941-484-4811 or emailing jjohnson@uwssc.org. 

Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery, based on a foundation of artists helping artists, hosts a Green Bazaar's "Shop On Apricot” Market event, Saturday, October 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring talented local creators and food and beverages. On Monday, October 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., artists can drop off art work to be included in the October exhibition, entitled "Favorite Places: Real or Imaginary,” a non-juried show that is open to artists of all ages, mediums, and experience levels. Exhibition will run October 6-31. The exhibit, "Favorite Places: Real or Imaginary, opens Thursday, October 6, 5-7 p.m. The public is invited to the opening reception, which features art, wine and cheese—and music by DJ Reggie. Exhibition will run through October 31. On October 8, Creative Liberties is presenting its “Fall Fest: Trick or Treat Artists Market” featuring artisan vendors, tricks and treats for kids, a kid’s art tent, and live music by David Munoz. Costumes encouraged for some terrifyingly great family fun. As a member of the Sarasota Studio Artists Association, Creative Liberties will be participating in the Second Saturday Open Studio on the same day. Get ahead of your holiday shopping at the Third Thursday Open Studio, Thursday, October 20, 5-7 p.m. Meet studio artists, watch them work, buy their art and enjoy beverages and lite bites. Creative Liberties Artist Studios is located at 901-B Apricot Avenue, Sarasota, in the Limelight District. For more information, visit www.creativeliberties.net or call 941-799-6634. 

In supporting our region’s focus on recovery this week, we will be moving the launch of the nominations phase of SRQ Magazine’s 2023 Best of SRQ Local Readers Competition back by a week to next Wednesday, October 12, 2022.

We look forward to sharing the “Best Of” love with our local businesses starting next Wednesday!