Jessica Swenson, left, and her sister, Alma Johnson, put a diaper on Muffin-Top, a Silkie chicken that they keep as a pet at their home in Sarasota. Swenson makes her own line of chicken diapers that she sells to others who keep chickens as pets. STAFF PHOTO / DAN WAGNER

The weekend started with chickens, ended with unity

Carlos Munoz |
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The first piece of artwork to center  inside a roundabout will remind visitors to Sarasota’s downtown that while we may disagree, we can meet in the middle.

Blessing Hancock, a Seattle-based sculptor whose work is displayed in many of America’s biggest cities, was selected from a pool of 39 artists who applied to a world-wide call to design art for the city of Sarasota.

Hancock visited the city and created a site-specific design for the roundabout at Orange Avenue and Main Street. It is the first of many sculpture’s that are expected to be placed in Sarasota’s roundabouts, according to city officials.

The developers of One Palm Avenue — Dennis McGillicuddy, John Meshad and iStar Financial of New York City — donated Hancock’s sculpture to fulfill a public arts contribution required of large downtown construction projects. One Palm Avenue, located at Ringling Boulevard and South Palm Avenue, includes the Aloft Hotel.

The city’s criteria for public art must include a balance of artistic styles, excellence, durability, and moderate price, a news release from Embracing Our Differences says.

It’s design as an infinity symbol, and multi-colored panels meant to symbolize differences, were inspired by local non-profit, Embracing Our Differences, logo.

It also lights up!

Saturday was a big day for the Unravel staff. Four of our finest cornhole players poured themselves a beer as they participated in the Suncoast BBQ Bash at Venice Airport.

Make no mistake, our defeat was epic but the BBQ was delicious.

This guy didn’t make it after the long wait to leave:

But who would want to leave when this band is on stage:

If eating BBQ made you feel like you needed to burn a few calories off you could try to qualify for the Olympics! OK, I mean you have to pre-qualify to even qualify, but still.. OLYMPICS!

Road to Rio is a masterpiece detailing how Olympic Qualifiers are quietly enjoying the sweet Sarasota sunshine as they prepare for an attempt to qualify for the Summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.

The mascot for the Olympics.. it’ll make you giggle inside:

Seriously, tho, the guy wearing the mascot gear better have A/C in there:

I’m going to leave you with this note… Chickens. In. Diapers.

Thank you Billy Cox.

Click here to read more about Chickens in Diapers.

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