NEIGHBOR SPOTLIGHT

Johnny Sokhon

Arbor Lakes Estates

With a global background spanning IT, business, and real estate, we are excited to introduce you to our neighbor profile this month: Johnny Sokhon of Premier Sotheby's International Realty.  

Johnny's journey into real estate has been shaped by the vibrant landscapes of Paris, Beirut, and now Florida, fostering a multilingual fluency and intercultural understanding that allows him to connect with clients from an array of backgrounds. Having lived across three continents, he understands what clients seek when searching for a home that feels like home.

Professionally equipped with a Computer Science degree, IT background, and an MBA, he combines technological prowess with business acumen to provide clients with data-driven guidance on listings, pricing, staging, and more to efficiently buy or sell their home. This analytical approach paired with creativity empowers him to view each home through the lens of what gives it appeal, value, and meaning. He draws on his lifelong passion for beautifying landscapes to help homeowners showcase their home’s unique value and attributes. 

A long time resident of Arbor Lakes Estate with his partner and beloved rescue dogs, Johnny and his family can often be found landscaping and involved in a myriad of home improvement projects on their Mote Ranch home. They are always looking for ways to beautify and protect the unique landscape of this neighborhood. 

He works actively with the Humane Society as a foster parent for homeless pets, and is a volunteer with the Red Cross using his diverse background to help those in need. Additionally, Johnny has been a member of the board of directors of Mote Ranch and is running for re-election this year.

Having lived on three continents, Florida is now his final stop on a long but exciting journey. His passion for his work as well as his environment helps both the community as well as his clients to preserve the special place he calls home.  This dedication stems from a profound belief in nurturing communities and supporting individuals and families as they embark on one of life’s most meaningful journeys – finding home.

Please contact Mary McElvogue if you have a suggestion for the Neighbor Spotlight. 

Little Free Library

Many thanks to Pete Sportiello, carpenter extraordinaire (Chaparral subdivision) for his rebuild of our Little Free Library at the Rec Center. The new library features better water proofing and is larger to accommodate more books. Remember to use the library to donate books for your neighbors to read and share. This is a good place to find children's books for when you have those cute little visitors and to share those books with others.

Events within the Ranch

Mote Ranch Music Jam, Sunday, January 21 from 2 - 4 pm at the Rec Center. Come enjoy wonderful music and mingle with other homeowners! Bring a chair! [email protected]

The Water Exercise water class meets Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 am at the Mote Ranch pool.

Mondays bring just yourself

Wednesdays bring a ball, an empty gallon jug or water belles

Friday bring 2 noodles.

Contact: Jeanne Blodgett – [email protected]

Mote Ranch Golf opportunities

Mote Ranch Men's Golf Association plays at Palm Aire Country Club at 8:30 am Tuesdays. Louie Gallucci is the contact: [email protected] or 941-355-5957

Bunco - interested in joining the Bunco group? There are 2 positions open for this monthly gathering and substitutes are needed as well. Contact Kathy.   

Organizer: Kathy Modrcin, [email protected]

Date: 2nd Wednesday of month at changing venue

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Events Outside the Ranch

Jigg's Landing Outpost

Jiggs Landing Preserve is located on a freshwater reservoir fed by the Braden River. Jiggs is a boating, birding and fishing haven, ecological and historical tourist attraction and a great place to hang out, listen to live music, take boat tours, enjoy a craft beer. Boat Ramp is free and rentals for Jon boats, kayaks and canoes are available. Check out their website here. Live music is on hand several nights a week and you can find a calendar here

January 6 - 7: Annual Orchids Expo Show and Sale put on by the Sarasota Orchid Society. The show will spotlight thousands of award-winning orchids in the displays created by orchid vendors and local orchid societies. Sat: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission $5. It all takes place at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail

January 6 - 7: 10th Annual Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival Unique creations by 120 of America’s top artisans in the mediums of painting, jewelry, sculpting, photography, woodworking, ceramics, glass, fiber art, mixed-media and more. Free admission. Sat & Sun: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. JD Hamel Park at Gulfstream and Main Street, downtown Sarasota

January 6 - 7: Sarasota Open Air Fine Art Show. The focus is visual arts and fine arts and fine crafts created by award-winning artists from around the world with all disciplines for sale – paintings, clay, glass, sculpture, fiber, wood, jewelry, and more – all juried by art professionals. Great food from local area restaurants and music adds to the ambiance of this beautiful show. Sat & Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $5 parking supports Inst for the Arts & Education. Free admission. Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S Tamiami Trail

January 11: Ringling Underground. Enjoy live music, art and atmosphere in the Museum of Art Courtyard during Ringling Underground 8 p.m. -11 p.m. This event features an eclectic mix of local, regional, and national live music. $15 / Free for Members. Free with Art after 5 Admission. The Courtyard at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota (941) 359-5700

January 11 - 21: It's not peanuts and crackerjack, but cotton candy and elephant ears at The Annual Manatee County Fair taking place at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, General admission: $10 for ages 13 and older, $6 for daily military, $6 for kids 6-12, free for ages 5 and under. Parking $10. 303 17th St. W., Palmetto

January 12: Get your fingers snappin' and toes tappin' at Jazz at Two which presents Synia Carroll and Friends. Joining Synia are Tom Pizzi, piano, Chuck Stevens, guitar, Grant Cuthbertson, bass and Tony Antonio, drums. Concert from 2 - 4 pm Admission $15-$20 at the door. Unitarian Universalist Church 3975 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota

January 13 - 14: 5th Annual Sarasota Beer & Burger Festival 

with Burger Vendors, TONS of Craft Beer, Live Music, Beer & Burger themed activities, vendors & more! Located in Parking Lot 4 (East Grand Entrance) of The Mall at University Town Center, next to the Sarasota Winter Carnival! Parking is FREE. Kids under 18 are FREE. In 2023, entry was $15 per adult at the gate. Gates open at 12 p.m. The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota

January 18 - 21: St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show is the Largest Boat Show on the Gulf Coast. Thursday (1/18) from 10am-6pm, Friday (1/19) from 10am-6pm, Saturday (1/20) from 10am-6 pm, Sunday (1/21) from 10am-5pm. General admission tickets are $22. Tickets are only available online. Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg

January 19 - 21: Sarasota Bradenton Home Show. Featuring everything from kitchens and baths to landscapers and pools, solar, builders, contractors and more. Admission is free with online registration or $10 at the door & free parking. Fri & Sat: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Robarts Arena, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota

January 26 - 28:  8th Annual Sarasota Seafood and Music Festival featuring family entertainment, local bands with a variety of live music, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, kids activities, magicians, face painters and more. Free admission and parking where you can find it. Friday 4 p.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. JD Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Dr, downtown Sarasota

January 27 - 28: 21st Annual St. Armand's Circle’s Art Festival. Usually held on the last weekend in January on St. Armand’s Circle in Circle Park, there are over 200 artists and craftsmen displaying their works from across the globe in a prestigious show encompassing life-sized sculpture, fine jewelry, exquisite works of art and hand-crafted apparel and decor. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free

The Mote Ranch Gardener

contributed by Kelley Anderson

January 2024

Happy New Year fellow Green Thumbers! 

Already we are experiencing very cool mornings, but luckily we are enjoying warm 70-degree weather during the day. With Global Warming there is no way to predict what  will happen in 2024; we can only go by what has happened in previous years and add an ounce of common sense to arrive at what may happen this year. And please note that our region used to be classified as hardiness Zone 9b; but warming temperatures in the Sarasota/Bradenton have resulted in reclassifying our area to hardiness Zone10a! Having said that, historically the cool months are the best time to plant cool weather crops (and we don’t have many of  those months to enjoy these great plants) such as herbs like Dill and Parsley. Many of the other herbs like Rosemary and Thyme (go ahead and hum away) will do well in the  summer here but Dill and Parsley will dissolve in the heat so enjoy them now.  

You can also begin to introduce some cool season pops of color to enjoy now because  these plants will certainly be gone once the hot weather hits. Begonias (some do well  in shade and others take the sun, be sure to ask before you plant), Dusty Miller, Blue Browallias that pop in the shade, Pansies, Snapdragons, and Violas. I will add that  despite warnings that my Dianthus would die in the hot summer, my colorful red and  white Dianthus that was planted last spring, away from the afternoon sun, is still going  strong! I did deadhead the flowers all season long which made a difference. This  “annual” is entering its second year in my garden.  

Bulb plants like Agapanthus, Amaryllis, and Caladiums can be planted now. Again, I normally don’t see my caladiums appear for another month or so, but they have been up since the middle of December so tradition is knocked on its head once again.  

If you have been wanting to grow your own vegetables, it’s time to plant now! Beets, Carrots,  Lettuce, Green Onions and Turnips do well, especially in an Earth Box but remember to water well.  

Of course texture and constant color is what is desired by most who live in Florida. Our  landscapes may not be quite as vibrant right now but planting shrubs and plants with vibrant leaf color such as Bromeliads, Ti and Variegated Ginger will more than make  up for dormant flower color but remember; these plants, like most plants with colorful  leaves, do best in part to full shade.  

Remember to mulch, fertilize and irrigate no matter what you are planting. At least we don’t have the blistering heat but those roots will dry out in the cool winter winds.  

Get out and enjoy your garden!