Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/107047
Professional photographers say the best photo is the one you take with the camera you have. How many of us have gazed at a beautiful sunset, watched a baby's first steps or spotted puppies frolicking in the grass … and wished we'd had a camera? The biggest story in Sarasota this week was Nik Wallenda's daredevil trek across U.S. 41 on the city's bayfront. Norm Schimmel, our staff photographer, was in an ideal position to capture it — from the roof of One Watergate, and you will see his excellent chronicle in this issue. But the photo that adorns our cover was taken by Tatyana Sharoubim, owner of T. Georgiano's Shoe Salon, using her iPhone. We think you will agree that it was a fantastic shot, and it was taken with the camera she had. Of course, while Wallenda's walk was a welcome respite from the usual news this week, we found no dearth of other issues that demanded coverage. The County Commission pondered everything from updating its 2050 master plan to Siesta Key trolleys to offering to buy out North Port's interest in Warm Mineral Springs. The City Commission considered options for its pension funding shortfall, as it prepared for another busy regular meeting on Feb. 4 — which City Editor Stan Zimmerman kindly previews for us. We also have a story about a Palestinian physician who suffered a heart-wrenching loss in the Palestinian conflict with Israel but still preaches peace and Tyler Whitson's informative article on Humanistic Judaism and our local Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. And I will warn you: Otus's column will leave you misty-eyed as he wraps up his installments on the lives of Great Egrets. Your only question now is, where to begin? Editor and Publisher