+ Sarasota novelist strikes up movie deal
Sarasota writer Ward Larson chose well when he picked local publishing house Oceanview Publishing to put out his first novel, “The Perfect Assassin.”

Earlier this month, the Longboat Key publisher announced that it was partnering with Los Angeles and London-based production company Amber Entertainment to adapt some of its titles into feature films, starting with Larson’s “The Perfect Assassin.”

Ward’s espionage thriller about an American female doctor whose boat gets hijacked by an Israeli assassin recently caught the attention of New Line Cinema veteran Ileen Maisel, who started Amber Entertainment last year with former New Line execs Mark Ordesky and Jane Fleming.

Maisel and Lawrence Elman will produce the film together with Oceanview founders and Longboat Key residents Robert and Patricia Gussin.

According to Oceanview’s publishing manager, Frank Troncale, Ward –– a former Air Force pilot who flew 22 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm ­­–– will soon begin meeting with a screenwriter to begin the book-adaptation process.

Once the script is finished, the crew will begin scouting for — you guessed it — the perfect assassin.

+ s/ART/q branches out with invitational
The popular Sarasota arts collective has expanded its reach by including local artists in its latest downtown arts exhibition.

In addition to the usual stable of s/ART/q artists, the 2010 Invitational will feature work by Kim Anderson, Aaron Board, Ariana Franco, Caui Lofgren, Paul Matkowsky, Vanessa Mayoraz, Jen Nugent, Michael Panarella, Andrew Scott Ross, Kim Russo and Steven Strenk.

The opening-night reception runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at 1549 State St. The exhibit will also be up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.

That’s only two days, people, so flock to State Street this weekend before the temporary gallery space vacates.

+ G.WIZ adds a Fab Lab to its inventory
Our philanthropist-of-the-week award goes to Dr. Fritz and Ping Faulhaber, of the Faulhaber Family Foundation, for their $400,000 donation to G.WIZ Science Museum for the creation of a Fab Lab.

Short for “fabrication laboratory,” the lab, which was originally developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will serve as a platform to demonstrate the design and fabrication process through the use of advanced manufacturing tools.

From a practical standpoint, it can be used to turn actual ideas into physical products.

Faulhaber, a Sarasota County resident, is CEO of The Faulhaber Group, a leading innovator in the field of miniature electric motors and micro-drive systems.

If this job description sounds confusing to you, sign up for a tour of the Fab Lab when it opens in the spring.

Below: Chris Menzies, Carol Blivas, G.WIZ Director Molly Morgan, Ping and Dr. Fritz Faulhaber, Kelley Lear and Don Blivas

 

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