SRQ DAILY Jan 15, 2024
Monday Business Edition
"When you walk into the backyard, it feels like the Ritz-Carlton or the Four Seasons,"
A new water mark was just set for real estate in Lakewood Ranch. Premier Sotheby’s International Realty announced the $6.3 million sale of a home on Anchorage Place, the highest transaction ever recorded in the community.
“We are thrilled to have played a role in facilitating this groundbreaking transaction, setting a new benchmark for the Lakewood Ranch real estate market,” said Donna Soda, the real estate associate representing the seller.
The 2012 London Bay Homes house sits on a 1.5-acre property with lakeside views, and it overlooks the clubhouse at The Lake Club. And as residents of The Lake Club, owners have access to the restaurant, two resort-style swimming pools, fitness center and other amenities.
The four-bedroom home has four full bathrooms and three partial ones, and the interior boasts travertine stone and wood flooring, archways and designer lighting. Sotheby’s said the home was ideal for entertaining, with an owner’s suite with a spa-inspired sanctuary and French doors. The property also has an office, elevator, wet bar and climate-controlled wine room. The home also has a two-car garage and remote-controlled patio screens.
Soda also said the property served as an attractive asset.
“When you walk into the backyard, it feels like the Ritz-Carlton or the Four Seasons,” she said. Glass sliding doors allow access to the outdoor oasis, which includes seating areas, an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and saltwater infinity pool.
Soda said the home was on the market 291 days before a Dec. 12 contract date. The home, originally listed at $6.995 million, always seemed bound to set a sales record, she said. Owners never changed the listing price.
“We were waiting for the person who could appreciate what we were offering,” Soda said. After heavily marketing the luxury estate, a buyer from Boston surfaced as the ultimate buyer, but wasn’t the only interested party. Soda gave multiple showings to more than one prospective purchaser. 
Photo courtesy Premier Sotheby's International Realty.
Wellen Park invites the public to visit 34 professionally decorated model homes during the second annual Model Home Showcase Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event highlights the latest in home and interior design and previews three new neighborhoods, including Wellen Park’s first for active adults 55 and over, four new builders offering semi-custom and custom homes in EVERLY, and neighborhoods with private resort-inspired amenities. The self-guided tours span 11 neighborhoods and nine builders and feature fully furnished paired villas, single-family homes, estate, semi-custom and custom homes with two to four bedrooms and 1,400 to 3,700 square feet of living space. The models are base-priced from the $430,000s to $1.7 million. To receive access to an expansive tour book with full details of all model homes, homebuilders and Wellen Park, guests should register for the complimentary event at wellenpark.com/modelhomeshowcase. The Model Home Showcase also includes live music, games and activities in Downtown Wellen, where visitors will also enjoy a variety of dining options, shopping and outdoor recreation. Now in its second year, the model tour provides an inside look at Wellen Park’s lifestyles and homes overlooking lakes, nature preserves and golf courses. Boasting a variety of architecture and interior design – from coastal, craftsman, British West Indies, Florida and soft contemporary with an emphasis on natural color palettes and textures – the homes illustrate enhanced outdoor living, large open-concept great room floor plans, and the many possibilities and options available to homebuyers, including pools, three-car garages, dens and guest cabanas. The showcase introduces some of Wellen Park’s largest homes with six luxury custom models in EVERLY, the community’s first multi-builder neighborhood. Nestled along a 50-acre lake with sweeping sunset views and private amenities, the enclave features residences by new regional builders Homes by WestBay, John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes and Neal Signature Homes. Visitors will have a first look at Brightmore, which redefines the active adult lifestyle with an emphasis on social connections, well-being and exciting new experiences. Mattamy Homes, North America’s largest privately owned homebuilder, has completed seven single-family homes and paired villa models. Mattamy also offers additional models in the Sunstone and Renaissance neighborhoods. National homebuilder Pulte Homes has joined the preferred builder program at Wellen Park and showcases two model homes in Lakespur, a multigenerational neighborhood with private amenities and a site plan featuring lakes, heavily forested preserves and wetlands. Neal Communities, a private regional builder, offers model homes in two neighborhoods, each featuring single-family homes and paired villas: Wysteria, an enclave of only 153 residences and Avelina, an intimate neighborhood of only 96 homes.Lennar, a national builder, is showcasing three model homes at Wellen Park Golf & Country Club, a bundled golf community of 1,300 estate and executive single-family homes, coach homes, terrace and veranda condominiums. A model home in Antigua, a neighborhood of 177 single-family homes is also available to tour during the event.Sarasota-based builder Sam Rodgers Homes offers three semi-custom single-family models in Gran Place, an exclusive enclave of only 42 residences. In Solstice, a gated community of 270 attached villas and single-family homes, luxury national builder Toll Brothers features three single-family model homes. Builders in Wellen Park also offer a variety of move-in ready homes available for move-in now and in coming months. The homes feature professionally curated design and style options, saving homebuyers considerable time in the building process.
PGT Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: PGTI), a national brand and innovation leader in the fenestration and garage door industries, was recently bestowed two awards in the annual Window + Door Awards by Window + Door Magazine. Each year, the Window + Door Awards recognizes innovations in the residential fenestration products industry. This year, PGT Innovations was awarded in two categories: Most Innovative Window and Best Dealer Support/Marketing Program. As award recipient for Most Innovative Window, the Envista Window Wall and Bay Window by WINDOOR was recognized due to its new and unique approach to the function, design, and aesthetics of residential windows. WINDOOR Envista panels arrive pre-glazed and cut at a requested angle. With the pre-glazed panels and modular design, installation is made faster and more efficient for installers, while also delivering uninterrupted sightlines for consumers and without sacrificing quality. The triple-laminated glass provides superior impact protection, and includes options for any tint and LoE, contributing to improved energy efficiency and reducing overall heating and cooling costs for consumers. As award recipient for Best Dealer Support/Marketing Program, PGT Innovations’ PGTI University was recognized for its commitment to supporting its dealer network by providing training, education, marketing materials, lead programs, and other unique provisions. PGTI University is a customer-focused education team that was established in April 2000. The team has a product and technical curriculum that offers training on products from within the PGT Innovations family of brands through several modalities. Its dedicated Learning Management System offers the convenience of 24/7 eLearning courses, with courses designed to help those brand new to the fenestration industry, as well as seasoned professionals desiring to stay current with product, energy, and code updates. The courses lead to a comprehensive certification program of varying levels — ranging from associate, professional, masters and expert level — both in product knowledge and installation and services knowledge. Instructor-led training sessions take place through Zoom webinars, as well as training camps throughout the southeastern U.S., utilizing a state-of-the-art stage trailer as a mobile classroom to better reach those wanting to deepen their understanding of the industry. PGTI University also recently launched a pilot program with local technical colleges to offer their entry level certification courses to students enrolled in construction programs. This benefits the industry and dealer network by ensuring the next generation of workers has a solid understanding of their chosen trade. Additionally, PGTI University offers an educational podcast that launched in 2021 to serve dealers and building industry professionals. Clear Impact Podcast has over 100 episodes available for listening on a variety of topics, including Intro to PGTI, Windows and Doors 101, Running a Successful Business, Workforce of Tomorrow, and more, and is currently streaming on major music streaming services. To determine the winners of the 2023 Window + Door Awards, a panel of judges that included previous winners and a broad mix of executives, consultants, and personnel involved in product development, marketing, production, sales, and distribution was compiled to select winners based on a specific set of criteria for each category. All nominees per category were evaluated against the same standards. This year marks the second year in a row that PGT Innovations was acknowledged with an award from Window + Door. In last year’s award program, the manufacturer was awarded with Most Innovative Support/Marketing Program for its LeadMatch program, a proprietary sales tool and customer relationship management system that was designed specifically for the fenestration industry and includes features defined by feedback from dealers.
Pictured: Patrick Jameson, PGTI University Manager of Customer Education, presenting to a group of PGTI University students.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently appointed two Sarasota Memorial leaders to advisory councils that impact critical services provided throughout the state. Sarasota County Public Hospital Board member Britt Riner was appointed to the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers, a council that assists the Florida Department of Health in implementing a statewide system of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary interagency programs providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Since 2019, Riner has served on the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, which governs Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. Riner represents At-Large Seat 3 on the Hospital Board, which includes nine citizens elected by local voters. Born and raised in Sarasota, she gave birth to all four of her children at SMH. A business and civic leader, Riner currently serves as the president of Liber Consulting. She also has served as former chair of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and as president of the Junior League of Sarasota. Riner earned her bachelor’s degree at Duke University and her master’s degree from Stanford University. The governor also appointed Sarasota Memorial Trauma Program Manager Jennifer Sweeney, DNP, RN, CEN, TCRN, to the Florida Trauma System Advisory Council, which creates recommendations on issues impacting emergency and trauma care, including standards governing trauma center operations, equitable access to trauma care for all Florida citizens and the continued development of the statewide trauma system. Sweeney is the current secretary of the Association of Florida Trauma Coordinators and previously served as president of the Emergency Nurses Association, Manasota Chapter. She joined Sarasota Memorial in 2011, and played a leading role in establishing and opening the hospital's Trauma Center — the first and only Trauma Program in Sarasota County — in 2015. The SMH Trauma Program recently earned re-designation as a Level 2 Trauma Center after meeting or exceeding all Florida Department of Health Standards, with zero deficiencies identified by a team of American College of Surgeons trauma experts who performed an in-depth, on-site assessment last year. Sweeney earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Nevada, her master’s degree in nursing education from South University and her doctorate in nursing from Walden University.
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners has unanimously approved Patrick Shea as Director of the Utilities Department. Shea comes to the County from Minnesota, where he was the General Manager for St. Paul Regional Water Services. In that role, he was responsible for a regional water system serving 452,000 residents, overseeing water treatment, supply, storage and distribution and providing leadership and accountability for a dynamic staff. He graduated from St. Cloud University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Dakota.
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved $2.1 million to be added to the design and construction budget for segments of Manatee County’s Gateway Greenway Multipurpose Trail system during their January 9 meeting. This trail system is a vital component of the multi-county, non-motorized Gulf Coast Trail, stretching from Hernando County to Collier County. This approval serves as a significant reference point for Manatee County's endeavors in applying for grants dedicated to trail planning, design and construction. It will facilitate the progression of construction for Manatee County segments of the trail system which will then link to adjacent counties. In December, the board gave their approval to a master trail plan, encompassing the Gateway Greenway Trail System within Manatee County.
For four consecutive years in our annual Sarasota County Citizen Opinion Survey, county residents say growth and development are their top concerns. From Siesta Key to Lakewood Ranch Southeast, changes to our Comprehensive Plan and other growth management policies are impacting our communities. The League of Women Voters invites you to attend an informational event at Gulf Gate Library, 6 p.m., on January 24. about growth and the planning process and how citizens are getting involved. Presenters include Lourdes Ramirez, the president of Siesta Key Community, and Susan Schoettle, a former assistant county attorney and president of Keep the Country. Lourdes will discuss her organization’s legal victories over two large hotels on Siesta Key. She will also discuss the current challenge Siesta Key faces due to proposed changes to Sarasota’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code (UDC), which could also affect the entire county. Schoettle will provide a brief overview of the community planning process in Florida and Sarasota County and how the protections they provided have changed since the latest Comprehensive Plan was adopted. Both Ramirez and Schoettle will discuss recent and ongoing development issues and projects in Sarasota County and explain how citizens countywide can get involved and provide input to the planning process.
What You Need to Know about Sarasota’s Growth Management, Jan. 24, 2024, 6 p.m., Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave, Sarasota.
Calendar year 2023 proved to be another record-breaking year for SRQ with over 4.3 million passengers using the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). For the month of December 406,113 passengers traveled through the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, a 7.5% increase compared to 377,775 passengers in December 2022. The 12-month activity through December 2023 totaled 4,322,408 passengers, a 12 % increase in passengers for the calendar year as compared to the year of 2022 with 3,847,606 passengers. This significant growth has presented various challenges for management who have been diligently working to meet the airport's evolving needs. Over the past five years, several essential construction projects were successfully accomplished. These include expansion of the jet fuel storage facility, which tripled in size, the enlargement of the screening checkpoint by 33%, and the creation of additional parking lots. Furthermore, the airport is currently undertaking several ongoing projects including constructing a new concourse with 5 additional aircraft gates, expanding the ground transportation area, and adding new food and beverage concessions. For 2024, we anticipate continued growth as future airline schedules reveal increased seats inbound and outbound at SRQ. By December, we expect construction to be complete on the new 5 gate terminal which is scheduled to open to the public in January 2025. The new 5-gate terminal will not only alleviate congestion in Concourse B, but also allow the airlines serving SRQ to expand their flight offerings and introduce new destinations,” stated Rick Piccolo, President, CEO of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
THE WAY TO WELLNESS | Forge your own path to good health by exploring alternative and integrative approaches to wellness, January 2024.
2024 marks the 53rd anniversary of Sarasota Institute of the Lifetime Learning Global Issues series. This hard-hitting series, which runs January 9-March 29, features 24 internationally renowned experts discussing a vast range of domestic and global issues. The lectures are presented on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Sarasota; Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center in Venice; and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 5 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church in Lakewood Ranch. Lectures will also be available for purchase on video. https://sillsarasota.org/index.htm.
The 2024 season of Sarasota Institute of the Lifetime Learning Music Monday Series presents performances and lively conversations with renowned and emerging performers, January 8-March 25, on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms in Sarasota; and Mondays at 3 p.m. at Venice Presbyterian Church in Venice. https://sillsarasota.org/index.htm.
Join us for our Coffee With A Scientist series, a free public event held on Tuesdays in Boca Grande and hosted by Mote Marine Laboratory. Hear from Mote scientists on January 16, February 13 and March 26 as they share with you the latest in their groundbreaking research and their plans for the future with a Q and A session to follow. On Visit mote.org/pages/coffee to sign up and for more information.
Connect with local business owners at every Thursday at Oscura. Lets Connect is a community of collaborative business professionals from the Manatee and Sarasota County areas. RSVP on Eventbrite to attend, admission is free.
Attention all business professionals. Join us for a productive and inspiring coworking event every Tuesday at Out and About Coffee in downtown Sarasota. Take advantage of this opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow professionals in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Limited spots available, so register now on Eventbrite. O and A Coffee Supply, 1316 Main St., Sarasota.
Explore labor through The Ringlings Working Conditions photography exhibit, running until March 3, 2024. The Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries radically changed the nature of human labor. That era is defined by a global shift from producing goods by hand to manufacturing by machines and technologies that emphasized efficiency. Working Conditions explores the myriad ways in which photographs have communicated ideas about labor since the nineteenth century through examples from The Ringlings photography permanent collection. For more information, visit ringling.org.
Siesta Key Rum runs free year-round tours for guests to learn the story of the craft distillery, the awards they have won and the secret to how they make their rums taste so good. During our 30-45 minute tour we will discuss the following topics: history of Siesta Key Rum, an overview of the awards our small company has won, what makes our rums taste so good, the rum-making process from mashing and fermentation to distillation, barrel aging and bottling of our rums. After the tour, we welcome you to sample a freshly made Siesta Key Rum cocktail, stock up on your favorite rums and browse our gift shop. 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota.
Natural wonders of the tropical rainforest as depicted on the handcrafted masks of the Indigenous artists of Boruca, Costa Rica will be on view in the Museum of Botany and the Arts from January 6-21, 2024. The cultural practice of mask-making honors the heritage of the Borucan people and reflects the strong connection they maintain with their beautiful natural environment. This exhibition will highlight the history and tradition of Borucan mask-making, as well as celebrate the 20th anniversary of displaying masks at Selby Gardens. Since it was first launched in 2004, this popular annual event at Selby Gardens has brought the beauty of a unique art form to a wider audience, while also empowering the artists to earn income from mask sales that help support their village and their growing conservation efforts. Proceeds from mask sales support the Borucan village and also benefit Selby Gardens education, research, horticulture, and scientific work. Learn more and purchase tickets at selby.org.
Clyde Butcher: Nature Through the Lens will be on view through August 31, 2024 at the Historic Spanish Point campus. Selby Gardens is excited to present the extraordinary imagery of photographer and conservationist Clyde Butcher throughout the grounds of the Historic Spanish Point campus. Large-scale prints on aluminum of Butcher’s beautiful photographs of plants, animals, and habitats of Florida will be exhibited amid the natural landscape of the 30-acre waterfront preserve, enabling the public to engage with the artist’s work like never before. In the tradition of earlier landscape photographers like Ansel Adams, Butcher captures the beauty and majesty of America’s natural treasures in dramatic black and white. The unique environments of Florida have been subjects of particular interest to Butcher since the 1980s, when he was first introduced to the magic and mystery of sites such as Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. Nature Through the Lens will include Butcher’s photographs of regional locales such as Myakka River State Park and Casey Key. This exhibition is presented in partnership with the Clyde Butcher Gallery & Studio in Venice, Florida. For more information, visit selby.org.
Enjoy the extraordinary opportunity to experience the work of contemporary artist Shinique Smith in conversation with the collection of European art at The Ringling. Unfolding across six galleries of the Museum of Art, the exhibition creates a series of unique stories that together form an abstract narrative of the parade as a metaphor for life. Well known for her monumental sculptures created from an array of materials, including luxurious textiles, personal clothing, dyed fabrics, ribbon, and wood, and for her abstract paintings of calligraphy and collage, Smiths work in this exhibition speaks to various facets of the European artistic tradition, such as classical drapery and religious iconography, while foregrounding notions of Black femininity and the history of the circus. Learn more at ringling.org.
MARA Art Studio and Gallery presents ChromaShock: A Modern and Vibrant Exploration, an exhibition of work by 13 artists that pushes the boundaries of chromatic expression, inviting viewers into a mesmerizing world of vivid hues and dynamic compositions. The exhibit runs January 4-31, with an opening reception on Friday, January 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The exhibit features work by Laura Arteaga Charlton, Ralph Berger, Bill Buchman, Lori Childers, David Erdman, Christina Jensen Vicente, Midge Johnson, Pamela Olin, Julia Rivera, Ashley Rivers, Jack Shapiro, Javi Suarez and Mara Torres Gonzalez. The gallery is located at 76 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. MaraStudioGallery.com.
The Manatee County Fair returns Jan. 11-21, 2024, and for the first time, fair lovers can purchase admission tickets online. Daily admission and parking prices are unchanged from recent years with adults 13 and older, $10, active duty military, $6, children ages 6-12, $6. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Parking near the Fair is available in several locations for $10. Adult tickets can be purchased at a $1.50 discount per person online at www.manateecountyfair.com and clicking on the Buy Tickets button at the top of the page. An individual ticket price is $8 and a 50-cent-per-ticket fee is added at checkout. The Fair begins Thursday, Jan. 11 when gates open at 5 p.m. Daily hours are listed on the website. This Fair theme is Fun is in the Air at the Manatee County Fair. The 2024 Fair is packed with fun activities for families of all ages including livestock shows, a petting zoo, camel rides, a one-man band, circus performers, pig racing, blacksmith demonstrations and more. To learn more about the 2024 Manatee County Fair, visit www.manateecountyfair.com.
SPAACES is proud to present Odyssey, featuring works from the Ringling College of Art and Design Fine Arts graduating class of 2024. Odyssey features eight artists who explore the nuances of human connection through painting, fiber arts, and time-based media. Each artist delves into individual odysseys of their own experiences to create a harmonious group exhibition. A reception will be held on Thursday, January 11th 2024, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, SPAACES, 2051 Princeton St., Sarasota, https://spaaces.art/.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College, OLLI, presents its fifth annual Listening to Women, a six-session series that recognizes women whose brilliance and fortitude have reshaped industries and who are making a difference in our communities. The series takes place on Thursdays at 1 pm, from Jan. 18-Feb. 22, 2024, at Sarasota Art Museum, the Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Registration for the complete series is $81 for OLLI Gold Members and $90 for OLLI Silver Members and general admission; register at www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org.
Wellen Park invites the community for an evening of illumination and music Saturday, Jan. 20, in Downtown Wellen. The Luminescence Festival, from 6 to 10 p.m., will have hundreds of glowing luminaries light up the Grand Lake shoreline. The festival includes signature jazz performed by Orlando-based Eighth Note Collective on the Solis Hall outdoor stage and a table-decorating contest as part of exclusive VIP experience. Guests must register in advance at wellenpark.com/events to receive a lantern bag, marker, and tealight. The Luminescence Festival VIP experience is $75 per person and includes a reserved seat at a communal table for eight with a premium location on the event lawn and a chef-driven six-course tasting menu with wine from The Banyan House restaurant. VIP guests also receive stemware, linens, plates, cutlery and a luminary. All VIP guests are encouraged to decorate their table with specialty linens, floral arrangements, candelabras, and more to create the ultimate tablescape. An undercover and incognito local design professional will judge tables based on overall design and creativity. Each person at the grand prize-winning table receives a $75 gift card to The Banyan House. Each person at the runner up-winning table will receive a $25 gift card to The Banyan House. For more information and to register for general admission tickets or VIP tickets, download the new Wellen Park app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit wellenparkapp.com.
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