What can you do to acknowledge a team that brings $23 million to Newtown? Any thoughts? Lemme know, short of a huge party.
Don Hadsell and his crew at the Sarasota City Office of Housing and Community Development were able to pluck the bucks from the federal government, with the city’s having been among a slew of applicants nationwide.
Hey, Don and friends: Yay!
The money will be used in the Newtown area of north Sarasota – call it University Parkway to Ringling Boulevard, north to south; Lockwood Ridge Road to U.S. 41, east to west. It’s a huge hunk of property in what is generally considered the under-acknowledged part of Sarasota.
The money will be used to buy, re-hab or sell 100 foreclosed homes with a total estimated price tag of $17 million. Also on the palette of artistic improvements is Phase III of Janie’s Garden, the housing complex at Central and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, at a cost of $2.5 million.
(From l.) Sarasota County Commissioners Carolyn Mason and Nora Patterson are all smiles as they and Sarasota Mayor Richard Clapp hold a mock-up of a $23-million check from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist with new housing in the city for low-income residents. Photo by Jan Thornburg, City of Sarasota.
Then there is the $1.7 million appropriated toward construction of 17 houses on vacant property, plus razing as many awful houses as $100,000 will cover.
‘MOTOWN’ STAYS
There were a lot of happy feet and clapping hands at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s performance of "The Motown ’60s Review" late last month. Audience appeal was so great that four new dates have been added to the show at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, next to the Municipal Auditorium.
The "Motown" show is great. Even one of the local newspaper critics was nodding his head in appreciation, something virtually unseen at local performances.
The additional "Motown" shows are 2 p.m. on Feb. 14; 8 p.m., Feb. 17; and 8 p.m., Feb. 19 and 20.
Nate Jacobs is the founder of the troupe. The group has been at it for 10 years and deservedly is selling out shows.
Tickets are $20, or $45 for all three of the performances this season: the "Motown" production; plus "The Magnificent Mills Brothers" by Jacobs, March 17 through April 4; and "Jar the Floor" by Cheryl West, April 21 through May 9.
For more information, call the troupe at 366-1505.
HIGH WIRE ACT
Nik Wallenda will bring his high wire act to the Downtown Sarasota bayfront Thursday morning, as he walks from the One Watergate condominium building 600 feet to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Height: about 200 feet. Time: maybe 20 minutes.
Wallendas are famous for doing high-level high wire stuff, and Nik is a Sarasota native. He’s earned a couple of Guinness records for similar stuff.
See you on the bayfront Thursday. Oh, and see you at Circus Sarasota Feb. 12-28 across from Ed Smith Stadium.
PALM PARKING FAÇADE
The grand finale of the Palm Avenue parking garage saga – the selection of a façade from a trio of proposals – will be at 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4, at city hall.
Three designs will be presented to the city commissioners for a decision later this month.
Here’s a thought for a design option: The parking garage is at the northern end of Palm Avenue, one of the more historic streets Downtown. Near the other end of Palm Avenue is the Mira Mar, one of the more historic buildings on one of the more historic streets on Palm Avenue.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have "bookends" of Palm, with the historic Mira Mar reflected in a modernistic Mira Mar at the other end, in the form of the retail shop/parking structure of the new city facility?
SURRENDER? NOT THIS TIME
The controversial statue titled "Unconditional Surrender" on the Bayfront that has produced love, hate and controversy for years Downtown appears destined to remain in its spot for at least the next 10 years.
The city commissioners Monday approved a final agreement, based on an offer by World War II veteran Jack Curran to contribute $500,000-plus to the city if the 26-foot statue of a sailor and nurse kissing can remain on the waterfront near U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.
It wasn’t an easy decision for the commissioners.
Most people seem to liken the image to that captured by Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, titled "V-J Day in Times Square."
Sculptor Seward Johnson disagrees. He has said he based the image on a picture taken by a military photographer.
Hiding in the background is the possibility of a copyright infringement lawsuit. There are licensing offers proffered, licensing denials proclaimed if the licensing offers are accepted; legal fees proffered if legal action is taken on any copyright claims; total cost of the statue dropped if any legal action is taken ….
Then there’s the bottom line on "Unconditional Surrender::" Art or not?
More to the point: Like it or not?
Seems that there’s some statement regarding art which involves the clause that if it doesn’t stir the senses, stimulate emotions or cause one to love it or hate it, it’s not that powerful.
What do you think about "Unconditional Surrender?"
... AND BEYOND
This mention is a shameless plug for one of Sarasota’s most wonderful dining establishments, which needs our help.
The Hob Nob at 17th Street and U.S. 301 has been a tradition on the north side of the city for, well, forever.
It’s not quite a diner, since it’s mostly open-air, and not a drive-through, although you can drive up within a couple of feet of your table.
What the Hob Nob has is great burgers, terrific onion rings, incredible specials served daily, breakfast to die for, all served every day of the week.
And the "help" part?
U.S. 301 is in the midst of a huge renovation. Traffic is snarled. People seem to be avoiding the area. Business at the Nob is down. A lot.
We’ve got to help.
How many times have you just had a few bucks and gone to Nob, had a burger and beer and left happy? Probably more than a few.
Go back now, but this time throw a few more bucks into the clothes pin for the waitresses when you pay for your meal.
See you there. I’ll be the one eating the Hob Nob.