Palm Avenue Association Elects 2007 Officers

Palm Avenue Merchants Association recently elected new officers for 2007. Selected to serve are president Lance Licciardi (Madison Park) and treasurer Eileen Bedoukian Hampshire (Art to Walk On).  Other positions will be filled in the beginning of the year.

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"The Inventive Eye" Opens at Peter Paul Gallery

A reception was recently held at the Peter Paul Gallery with more than 200 guests, artists and patrons attending. The newest gallery in the cultural and art center of Sarasota is relocated at 45 S. Palm Avenue in the Mira Mar Plaza (former Palm Avenue Gallery).

The gallery includes four separate exhibits. The Antiques and Collectables section, the Interior Design Series, the Permanent Collection and the Featured Works section includes the work of noted Sarasota artists. The gallery is owned by local artist, designer, arts advocate and businessman Peter Paul. Paul is a founding member of the Ringling Fan Club and Art-in-Business.

Sarasota is growing by leaps and bounds. The current rate of expansion is staggering and Palm Avenue is part of this growth. Click the images below to follow the progress of our new neighbors.
Burns Ct. Villas Dec. 06	The Savoy Dec. 06	1350 Main Dec. 06

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The Sarasota City Commission, in special session on December 2006 approved a density increase for the Palm Avenue condo project at the current site of the historic Hotel DeMarcay and Roth Cigar Factory.   This project, proposed by The Leiter Group of Peoria, IL, would allow 39 condo units. The condos would rise 18 floors from Palm Avenue and include a multi-level street-access restaurant and an innovative self-contained 24-hour valet-attended elevator system. The Leiter Group has committed to mitigate the impact of their project and has offered financial support for Palm Avenue merchants marketing efforts. In addition, an offer is on the table to postpone construction for one year. Units will be price from $300,000 to $2M. As an offsetting requirement, the developers have agreed to make substantial contributions to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Office Suites Available on Palm Mira Mar Plaza office suites on historic Palm Avenue are now being offered for sale as commercial condos . Both second and third floor locations are available. Suites range in size from 302 to 2,593 square feet. Prices range from  $275 to $375 per square foot. Some units for sale have west-facing balcony views on Palm Avenue. About half of the units have been sold or are under contract. Twelve units or so remain (as of Dec. 2006). Contact Diane Lawson at Sarasota Commercial Management, 954-4044, dlawson@visitscm.com.

Sarasota's annual Arts Day was celebrated downtown on Sunday, January 14, 2007. More than 30,000 people attended, according to an estimate by the Sarasota County Arts Council.

Palm Avenue was the site of the main performing artist's stage as well as several hands-on kiosks and tents. Performances were staged by several companies and groups like the Sarasota Ballet and Booker High School.

Also from this main stage, noted urbanist and consultant Andres Duany spoke to several hundreds about the important opportunities to preserve Sarasota's cultural nature while addressing some of the access, infra-structure and development issues.

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Fashion Show and English Tea to benefit local charities
 
The Women’s Outreach Ministry of the Church of the Redeemer presented a fashion show and English tea for the community to benefit local charities.  The event was held Saturday, February 17th, from 2 to 4 p.m., in Gillespie Hall at the church and featured the music of well-known local pianist Jimmy Cox.
 
Fashions, including many designer labels, for the event was provided exclusively by the Episcopal Thrift House of Sarasota, and modeled by Redeemer parishioners. 
  
The Women’s Outreach Ministry and the Episcopal Thrift House support local charities such as Caritas Food Pantry, the Literacy Council of Sarasota, Resurrection House, Sarasota Council of Concern, Prospect House, the Helen Payne Day Nursery, and Booker Elementary. 
 
The Church of the Redeemer is located at 222 S. Palm Avenue in Sarasota.  For more information, call 955.4263 or visit www.redeemersarasota.org.

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Is this Phillipe Parvenu on Palm Avenue?

Who is this mystery man who always comes dressed for the occasion?