Politics at Christmas...BAH HUMBUG!!

A Politically Correct Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...

How to live in a world that's politically correct?

His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",

"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.

And labor conditions at the North Pole,

were alleged by the union, to stifle the soul.

Four reindeer had vanished without much propriety,

released to the wilds, by the Humane Society.

And equal employment had made it quite clear,

that Santa had better not use just reindeer.

So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,

were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!

The runners had been removed from his beautiful sleigh,

because the ruts were deemed dangerous by the EPA,

And millions of people were calling the Cops,

when they heard sled noises upon their roof tops.

Second-hand smoke from his pipe, had his workers quite frightened,

and his fur trimmed red suit was called "unenlightened".

To show you the strangeness of today's ebbs and flows,

Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose.

He went to Geraldo, in front of the Nation,

demanding millions in over-due workers compensation.

So...half of the reindeer were gone, and his wife

who suddenly said she'd had enough of this life,

joined a self help group, packed and left in a whiz,

demanding from now on that her title was Ms.

And as for gifts...why, he'd never had the notion

that making a choice could cause such commotion.

Nothing of leather, nothing of fur...

Which meant nothing for him or nothing for her.

Nothing to aim, Nothing to shoot,

Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.

Nothing for just girls and nothing for just boys.

Nothing that claimed to be gender specific,

Nothing that's warlike or non-pacifistic.

No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.

Nothing that seemed to embellish upon the truth.

And fairy tales...while not yet forbidden,

were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden,

for they raised the hackles of those psychological,

who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.

No baseball, no football...someone might get hurt,

besides - playing sports exposed kids to dirt.

Dolls were said to be sexist and should be passe.

and Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.

So Santa just stood there, disheveled and perplexed,

he just couldn't figure out what to do next?

He tried to be merry he tried to be gay,

but you must have to admit he was having a very bad day.

His sack was quite empty, it was flat on the ground,

nothing fully acceptable was anywhere to be found.

Something special was needed, a gift that he might,

give to us all, without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy - with no indecision,

each group of people in every religion.

Every race, every hue,

everyone, everywhere...even you!

So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth...

"MAY YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES, ENJOY PEACE ON EARTH"


by Harvey Ehrlich, 1992

So Much to be Thankful For!

Thanksgiving as a national holiday has an illustrious past. In 1789, George Washington introduced the event as a national holiday. It was not until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln set the final Thursday in November. Fast forward to 1989 President George H.W. Bush, when granted the first official pardon to a turkey, a tradition that continues today, including this year. Humorously, it’s time for us to grant a few turkeys we know a pardon or two as well, right? 

Seriously, it’s in the spirit of thankfulness that reminds me how lucky I am and how important it is for me to let others know how thankful I am. Sometimes we don’t often share that thought out loud. So let’s all stop and take a deep breath right now…stop time passing for just one or two minutes. What are you thankful for right now? Is it having a wonderful home and having time to enjoy the people in your life that you are thankful? That would be a ‘yes’ for me…I have a lot to be thankful for!

• I’m thankful for the opportunities I have to make good on promises I’ve made.
• I am thankful because of challenges which serve as a vehicle to train me to be a better person.
• I am thankful for those who read, use, and share my Sarasota Hometown Blog content about my memories of Sarasota, my hometown.
• I am thankful for you…my family, friends and clients
• I am thankful for the most incredible and eclectic group of Real Estate clients who entrust me to help them make the right decisions about the largest purchase of their lives. And they not only give me the pleasure of using my gifts and experience to serve them, but they pay me, too, so I can provide for my family and live well!
• I am thankful for like-minded friends and mentors in the Real Estate industry who energize, challenge, influence, and help me.
• I am thankful for clients who entrust me with helping them to buy or sell their home in Sarasota.
• I am thankful for the United States of America. As broken as our federal government appears to be, I remain a proud patriot and could not be more thankful for the freedom we enjoy, those who have sacrificed to keep us safe and free, and the unlimited opportunities available to those who call this great nation home.
• I am thankful for the beauty of nature I experienced this past year, whether as dramatic as the Colorado Rocky Mountains or as simple as a ‘staycation’ at the beach here in my hometown.
• I am thankful to a talented and passionate wife who allows me to do what I do and is always by my side not only as my wife, but my administrative assistant. (Long hours, 7 day a week!) I just want to say thank you to Liz, without whom I would be lost half the time.

Yes, I have much to be thankful for. From my family to yours please know that we keep you in our thoughts, and hearts and we are thankful for each of you. We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

See Sea Life in Sarasota!

My wife Liz and I just returned from a week in Atlanta. Probably like most of you, we have traveled through or around the city on our way somewhere not to mention in and out of Atlanta’s airport. But this is the first time we have actually made Atlanta our destination for a sightseeing trip. We enjoyed the CNN Center, the Botanical Gardens, and the Jimmy Carter Museum and Library. But the best part was The Georgia Aquarium. This surprised us! We obviously have lived by the Gulf of Mexico all our lives and we have the Mote Marine Laboratory, but we decided to go to the Atlanta Aquarium anyway, mainly because it is the largest aquarium in the western hemisphere. It was fantastic…but in a different way than our own Mote Marine. For one thing, it’s really huge compared to Mote and we easily could have spent an entire day there. Also, there were many cold water animals and sea creatures we had never seen, along with the fantastic beluga whales. Did you know that they are the only whales that have ‘necks,’ which allows them to move their heads up and down and side-to-side?

But given all that, we realized that we are so very fortunate to have Mote Marine Laboratory right in our backyard! While the Georgia Aquarium is loaded with great exhibits, Mote is by far the best learning facility for marine science and those interested in nature. So here’s a little information about the six decades of Mote Marine Laboratory.

Mote has a long history of shark expertise, having been founded out of a combined effort by Dr. Eugenie Clark, the “Shark Lady,” and philanthropist Anne Vanderbilt, according to a history on Mote’s website. Clark’s work focused mostly on the behavior of sharks and the lab became known for it, and still is today. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is an independent, nonprofit research institution founded in 1955. Mote began and flourished because of the passion of Dr. Eugenie Clark and her partnership with the community and philanthropic support, first of the Vanderbilt family and later of the William R. Mote family. The one-room facility in Placida where it all began doubled as a dock where the wealthy Vanderbilt family could store a boat, and existed chiefly so Eugenie Clark could quietly study the migration patterns of sea life in the Gulf of Mexico. It was known as Cape Haze Marine Laboratory until its 1967 renaming in honor of major benefactors of the laboratory William R. Mote, his wife Lenore, and his sister, Betty Mote Rose. Since 1960, it has been based in Sarasota, Florida, and has been located on City Island since 1978. 

More than six decades later, the laboratory continues to provide a foundation for marine and science-based industry in the region. Today, Mote is one of the top attractions in Sarasota, Florida and has five campuses stretching from Sarasota to the Florida Keys. Mote has more than 20 world-class research programs studying oceans locally to internationally, with an emphasis on conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing the Lab’s research is Mote Aquarium. 

On a recent visit to Mote, Liz and I had our eyes really opened about all the plastic pulled from the oceans. All of the art was formed from that plastic and it was something to behold. (see photo of the huge shark made from plastic.) The ‘Sea Debris’ exhibit was a fun and creative way to start a conversation regarding an issue that is affecting all of the world’s oceans on a macro and microscopic scale. The hope was that exhibit opened guests’ eyes, not just to the problem, but to the solutions regarding sea pollution. It sure opened ours!

Ground will be broken in 2020 for a brand new facility, the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) will be an iconic, educational and outreach hub that vastly improves access to marine science and technology for an estimated three million residents living within a 60-minute drive and visitors from around the world, representing a rebirth of the current Mote Aquarium. According to Mote’s website, Mote SEA will be built on 12 acres in the Sarasota County-owned land within Nathan Benderson Park. Mote SEA will be an iconic facility with 110,000 square feet containing more than 1 million gallons of exhibits featuring marine life and scientific displays from around the world, onsite diving programs, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) resource center for students, teachers and the general public, conference and special event space, educational galleries with interactive, advanced, digital and augmented reality technology to enhance learning, two STEM workforce training labs and three K-12 STEM teaching labsMote SEA is expected to be complete in 2022.

If you have never visited Mote Marine Laboratory, it is a ‘must see’ attraction in Sarasota, Florida and just one more reason to live in Sarasota paradise! If you are looking to buy or sell your home or condo in the Sarasota, Englewood, Bradenton area, call me!

Sources and Credits: Mote Marine Laboratory, Mustdo.com, Wikipedia, Your Observer, Sarasota Herald Tribune

An 18th Century Jewel in Sarasota, Florida!

One of the many things my wife and I enjoy as ‘life-timers’ in Sarasota, Florida is the arts. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by the arts in all forms and we were both exposed to the theater in our youth, thanks to The Asolo Theater. 

The Asolo was on the Ringling Art Museum grounds and was the only theater we knew...other than The Players and movie theaters! As a teenager, it was wonderful to see ‘live’ actors as opposed to movie actors. There was just something special and exciting about sitting in the boxes in that ornate, horseshoe shaped theater. We even knew some of the actors. My wife Liz graduated from Sarasota High School with Paul Rubenfeld who was in Asolo productions and went on to become a famous improvisational comedian and stage actor in Los Angeles with The Groundlings troupe. (He is also known as Paul Reubens and…Pee Wee Herman!) Liz also ushered at The Asolo as part of a youth program so she was able to see almost every production. 

The original performance space for our Asolo Repertory Theatre was housed in that historic theatre which was built in 1798 and initially located in Asolo, Italy just outside Venice. In 1930, the Asolo Theatre was dismantled and put into storage. In 1949 the museum director of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art learned of the theatre's existence and saw the theatre as an ideal acquisition for the museum. The State of Florida agreed and purchased the theatre which was crated and shipped to Sarasota, Florida. In 1952, the theatre was set up in a gallery in the Ringling museum. In the late 1950's it was decided that the theatre should be reconstructed so that modern theatre performances could be staged. The Asolo Theatre opened its doors on January 10, 1958. After a few ups and downs along the way, the theatre was moved to its current location on the Ringling grounds and is now known as The Historic Asolo Theatre.

As the arts grew more and more popular in Sarasota, the adjoining Jane B. Cook Theatre was opened in 1994 as a primary performance venue for the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training Program and to host Asolo Rep productions, rounding out the two theaters that comprise the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. For visitors who are interested in learning more, tours of the theaters are available. Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, which is unique in that its productions take place in three theaters, two of which are historic theaters in Florida and one of which is imported from Europe. The Florida State University Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts is home to the primary venues, the Mertz Theatre and Jane B. Cook Theatre, where the Asolo Repertory Theatre acting company performs regularly. The Historic Asolo Theater, where the Asolo Repertory Theatre also occasionally performs, is still housed on the Ringling Museum property.

The Historic Asolo Theater is truly a jewel that gave me a lifetime appreciation for wonderful live productions. So if you are looking to live in a town that is known for The Arts, Sarasota, Florida is it! Call me for all of your Real Estate needs in the Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice and Englewood area…and maybe we can take in a play or two together!

Here’s a great video about the history of The Asolo:

Sources and Credits: Visit Florida, Asolo Rep, The Ringling Museum, Wikipedia, YouTube

Live Like a Native...Floridian That Is!

When one has lived in Sarasota or anywhere in Florida most (or all) of their lives as we have, we are sometimes surprised (or amused) at some of the questions we are asked by those who are vacationing or here looking to buy a home. So I thought I would answer some questions and put to rest some assumptions visitors have!

• Do you go to the beach every day? No, we do not go to the beach every day or even every week! In
  
  fact, other than to drive to Siesta Key to watch an occasional sunset or to eat at Turtles on Turtle Beach, we prefer the quiet of our own lanai. However, we do not take for granted that we live in paradise and can drive to the beach any time we want to. And no, we do not live in flip-flops and bathing suits either.
• Do sharks bite you when you go swimming in the Gulf of Mexico?  The odds that the average Floridian you come across will have been bitten by a shark are statistically slim. In 2018, there were only 16 unprovoked shark attacks in Florida, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. Actually, they are beautiful creatures and we regularly go visit them at Mote Marine. 
• Do you miss having ‘Seasons’? Yes, just a little. But from November to April, our friends up north would rather be here than there shoveling snow and so would we! We occasionally rent a cabin in the Georgia mountains around New Year’s just to get a taste of cold air (and sometimes a little snow) but for the most part, we love having the fresh ‘winter’ air blowing through the house and are grateful for the A/C in the summer. (By-the-way, my wife and I did not grow up with air conditioning here -there wasn't any.)
• Do you go to Disney World and all the other theme parks all the time? Um, no. Not everyone is a fan of the “Most Magical Place on Earth” or that very large mouse. Sometimes even the people who live right next door to these parks are less than enamored with the flocks of tourists who crowd into the Orlando theme park every day. Of course we have been there over the years. I was one of the first visitors at Disney World back in the 1970’s and have a slight desire to go see The World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
• Is there a gator in your backyard? In our case, yes, we have an alligator who hangs out in our backyard
  lake. His name is Al. And the same goes for snakes. My wife names our black snakes and garden snakes and is grateful that we have them to control rodents! (Yes, rodents live here too!) Sure, Floridians have acquired a bit of a reputation for their swamp-lurking alligators. With at least 1.3 million gators roaming around the state, it’s inevitable that some Floridians have encountered a sunbathing reptile on their property. Still, that doesn’t mean that you should assume that every person in Florida has an alligator residing in their backyard and that they will attack you. And if you are wondering what gators taste like, it’s like the dark meat of chicken but slightly fishy. You can check it out at one of our favorite ‘locals’ places to eat, The Sea Hut, formerly known as The Crab Shack, in Palmetto.
• If you’re from Florida, where do you go on vacation? Though the blue water and white sugar sand beaches might seem irresistible to visitors, the fact of the matter is, when you’re looking for a vacation, you’re often in search of someplace that does not look like Florida. We just returned from Pike’s Peak and Rocky Mountain National Park, and yes...we saw snow!
• Do you worry all the time about storms and sinkholes? We feel very fortunate in Sarasota to NOT have to worry too much about natural disasters. Our area does not have the geology of the limestone layer which can contribute to sink holes in other area of Florida and thankfully, we have not had a serious storm directly hit Sarasota in many years. All we had from Irma last year was a few downed tree branches. I am just thankful that we don't have to worry about earthquakes, serious droughts, freezing in the winter, dust storms, industrial pollution, and volcanic eruptions. Almost every place has some issues but for the most part, what we have experienced in the past has been easily handled.
• Is Florida only for retirees? Florida is known for its high population of retirees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 20 percent of the state is made up of people 65 and older. And the Sarasota area was recently voted one of the best places to retire. But…I am not retired, nor is my wife nor are the many young professionals who live here and are moving here in high numbers. And when I do retire, I will be staying right here. Not because it is a great place for retirees, but because Sarasota is my hometown and…it’s a great place for everyone! 

So if you are looking to buy (or sell), give me a call and I will help you find the perfect home in Sarasota paradise. And remember...it's only a short drive to the beach from anywhere in Sarasota!

There's No Place Like Home in Sarasota!

It’s the dog days of summer in my hometown of Sarasota, Florida and Liz and I are heading to the Colorado mountains for a much needed vacation and to cool off! Having said that, we find that we are leaving (albeit for only 2 weeks) one of the best places to live and retire! U.S. News & World Report has released its 2019 Top 125 Cities in the country and Sarasota, Florida ranked #3 in Best Places to Retire and #18 as one of the best places to live. 

Since I’m on vacation this month, rather that my usual Hometown Blog story, I wanted to share this great article with you. Here is the full U. S. News article for you to enjoy and to remind you how lucky we are to live here. Vacations are great but if you live in Sarasota, there’s no place like home! 

What's it like to live in Sarasota, FL?

Warm temperatures year-round, award-winning beaches and a thriving arts and cultural scene have made Sarasota a go-to place for retirees and families, not to mention a handful of celebrities (including Stephen King and Rosie O'Donnell). This southwest Florida region, which is about an hour from Tampa and two hours from Orlando, continues to attract new residents with great restaurants and plenty of shopping options. Living in Sarasota has elements of what many consider paradise, mixed with some hints of reality. As the population grows, the area struggles to keep up with infrastructure needs. Traffic congestion is becoming more common. Those who live, work or visit downtown Sarasota will see their share of construction cranes as the region copes with an influx of residents and a record-breaking number of tourists. However, as the Sarasota community flourishes, so does its economy. Sarasota offers a sizeable job market for those working in health care, small business and tourism. 

Rankings

U.S. News analyzed 125 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there.

Sarasota, Florida is ranked:

 #18 in Best Places to Live

 #3 in Best Places to Retire

What's the cost of living in Sarasota, FL?

Sarasota is relatively affordable compared to larger Florida regions like Miami, though young families are finding it increasingly harder to buy a home at a reasonable cost. The continuing influx of wealthy residents has affected the cost of housing, as there has been more of a focus on upscale living.

What's the weather like in Sarasota, FL?

Although heat and humidity are a regular part of life in South Florida, that doesn't stop many people from enjoying the area's outdoor activities, such as golfing, boating and fishing. Still, residents know to keep their umbrellas handy for the fierce rain storms that usually pass through from April to October.

What's the best way to get around Sarasota, FL?

The majority of people in Sarasota get around by car, and traffic is becoming more of an issue as new residents and visitors come to town. Year-round residents will tell you it can take almost twice as long to get places during the winter tourist season. The region has a bus system, the Sarasota County Area Transit, or SCAT, which is seeing an increasing number of users. The bus system is fairly extensive, but heavy traffic can cause schedule delays. Sarasota has some neighborhoods that are particularly pedestrian-friendly, such as downtown, the Rosemary district, St. Armand's Circle and Southside Village. The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport connects residents to destinations in the U.S. and abroad. Residents also have access to intercity bus service provided by Greyhound.

Who lives in Sarasota, FL? 

Sarasota has a significant amount of residents over the age of 65 and that population is predicted to increase; as you make your way around town, a silver boom is pretty evident. A retiree in Sarasota likely has a busier social calendar than someone half his or her age, as the area caters to its older residents by offering lots of activities, such as shopping and golf. This is especially true during the “in season” from October to April when snowbirds from colder climates come to enjoy Florida's more temperate weather. That said, families also feel at home in Sarasota, and there are plenty of good schools, clean parks and local attractions for them to enjoy. Young single people won't have the diversity or nightlife available as they would in a metro area like Miami. This could be advantageous for someone who likes things a little more low-key, and there still are millennials who take over Sarasota's nighttime scene at local bars, clubs, restaurants and craft breweries. People in Sarasota tend to be not as religious as people in more rural parts of the state.

What is there to do in Sarasota, FL? 

Sarasota is a great place for those who enjoy the outdoors. There are a number of parks in downtown Sarasota, not to mention the massive Myakka River State Park. Golf courses also abound. And then, of course, there are the beaches. Siesta Beach has earned acclaim for its white sand and clear water. Lido Beach, just south of St. Armands Circle, is another wide stretch of shoreline that's easy to access. If those get crowded (as they often do), beachgoers opt for Longboat Beach, Venice Beach, Bradenton Beach or the beaches of Anna Maria Island, all of which are a short drive from Sarasota. Meanwhile, locals take advantage of the booming restaurant scene around town, which serves up everything from fresh seafood to farm-to-table specialties. There are also a handful of farmers markets open in the fall, winter and spring, with the Sarasota Farmers Market open all year.

What kind of jobs are there in Sarasota, FL? 

Major industries in Sarasota include education, trade, transportation and, of course, tourism. Unemployment rates in the leisure and hospitality sector are several percentage points lower than the region's overall rate (which is still slightly lower than the national average). Health care is also a prominent sector, with facilities like the Venice Regional Bayfront Health, the Englewood Community Hospital and the Doctors Hospital of Sarasota employing a large number of residents. There is also an enthusiastic small business community. Because of a high volume of low-paying jobs in the service industry, the average annual income in Sarasota is lower than the national average.

How good are the schools in Sarasota, FL?

Sarasota encompasses 27 public elementary, middle and high schools. Sarasota also has 57 private schools. Five high schools are recognized on U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools rankings.

How safe is Sarasota, FL?

The metro area's violent and property crime rates are both lower than the national rates.

Click below for the U. S. News & Report's article with the all of the very informative charts:
 https://realestate.usnews.com/places/florida/sarasota

All Aboard!!

If you are from one of the larger cities up north, taking a train on a regular basis is not a new thing. In Sarasota however, it is likely that you have nerver seen a passenger train in Sarasota! This has not always been the case. When I was a kid and visitors were expected, they usually came by train. You have most likely had a meal or visited a professional in locations that used to be Sarasota’s train stations! So here’s a little history.

The very first passenger train roared into Sarasota in 1924 and by 1928, tracks had been laid near Fruitville Road and Payne Terminal on Sarasota Bay to serve the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus Winter quarters. The Seaboard Air Line Railway was the first with tracks along Lemon Avenue and a station at Main Street where Mattison’s City Grill is today. The Atlantic Coastline Rail Way opened in 1925 at the eastern end of Main Street where the Kane Building is today. 

The yearly arrival and departure of the Ringling trains was one of the highlights for all Sarasotans! I was an Altar Boy and along with Monsignor Elsander, the pastor of St. Martha’s Church, we got to bless the train before the circus went on its national tour. It was a well attended event!

As a youngster, I traveled a few times by railroad with my parents and my most vivid memory is the dining car. Train travel was once the elegant way to get from place to place across the U.S., boasting opulent interiors, plush seats, porters for your every need and gleaming dining cars. The dining car was a place for passengers to relax and enjoy a delicious meal among good company. I remember the beautifully set tables with white linen clothes and napkins and all the fashionably dressed adults enjoying champagne. There were also rail cars with games and sing-alongs but I was too young to enjoy the lounge car. Oh well!

Sadly, fewer and fewer travelers heeded the “All Aboard” call due to air travel and in 1967, the two railways that served Sarasota County merged and became the Seaboard Coast Line railroad. By 1971, passenger service was discontinued. However, the train continued to transport the circus performers, animals and equipment to their winter home in Venice until 1992.

Sarasota County bought the old rail corridor in 2004 in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, calling it “The Legacy Trail”, which opened in 2008. It is a beautiful stretch from south of Clark Road to Center Road in Venice and is enjoyed by 250,000 walkers, runners and bikers every year. In 2017, Sarasota County bought nearly a mile of railroad corridor that would extend the trail north 1.7 miles to Ashton Road and in November of 2018, 70.6 percent of voters approved a referendum which authorized the county to issue $65 million in bonds to pay to extend the trail north to Payne Park in downtown Sarasota.

It’s a little sad that most of us don’t travel by train any longer. There's something old-school and charming about riding trains. Between the food car, the conductors, and the world flying by outside your window, there's a nostalgic appeal to train travel. Trains are one of my really happy memories about growing up in Sarasota!