All entries for April 2016

Blackketter Resigns as President of SANCA

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Thursday Apr 28, 2016 12:16 pm

Paul Blackketter, Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates president and CEO, today announced his resignation from the organization with plans to work now as a consultant. He has offered to stay on as land as Sept. 30 until a new president is hired by SANCA. “I feel very grateful that I was given the opportunity to be part of such a significant and impactful project that will shape the Sarasota-Manatee community for years to come,” Blackketter said.  “Creating the world-class rowing venue at NBP has been an incredible journey and something I will always hold near and dear to my heart. It’s time for me to pursue new avenues that will allow me continue to do what I love on a grander scale.”  

Blackketter was a major force in the creation of the organization and of establishing Nathan Benderson Park, which SANCA is contracted by Sarasota County to operate, as a world-class venue for rowing and other sports.

Officials credited Blackketter with the organization’s rapid ascension as one of the most popular venue for rowing in the world. Nathan Benderson Park will host the World Rowing Championships in 2017 and the World Masters Rowing Championships in 2018. Last weekend, the park hosted the US Olympic and Paralympic Trials. The Florida Sports Foundation in 2015 named the park as the Sports Venue of the Year.

“After seven years devoted to the development of Nathan Benderson Park as one of Florida’s foremost parks and one of the world’s premier rowing venues, Paul has decided to pursue a career in consulting,” said Bill Robinson, SANCA’s board chair, in accepting Paul’s resignation.

Brian Johnson: "No choice" but to leave AC/DC tour, but 'not retiring'

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Tuesday Apr 19, 2016 11:20 am

Sarasota rock icon Brian Johnson issued a statement to media today that he was "personally crushed" hearing issues will sideline him for the rest of AC/DC's world tour, but assures fans he is "not retiring." "My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that."

Johnson is most famous for fronting the Aussie metal act, but also founded Brian Johnson Racing. In late 2014, Sarasota Memorial Hospital opened the Brian Johnson Music Therapy Center for patients after recieving a donation from Johnson and his wife Brenda. It was announced on March 8 that Johnson had to leave the tour immediately because of hearing issues, and this weekend news broke that Guns 'N' Roses frontman will fill in for the singer on rescheduled tour dates. Read Johnson's full statement below:

As many AC/DC fans know, the remaining shows for the 2016 AC/DC Rock or Bust World Tour, including 10 postponed U.S. shows, are being rescheduled with a guest singer.  I want personally to explain the reason because I don’t believe the earlier press releases sufficiently set out what I wanted to say to our fans or the way in which I thought it should be presented. 

On March 7th, after a series of examinations by leading physicians in the field of hearing loss, I was advised that if I continue to perform at large venues, I risked total deafness. While I was horrified at the reality of the news that day, I had for a time become aware that my partial hearing loss was beginning to interfere with my performance on stage. 

I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage and because I was not able to hear the other musicians clearly, I feared the quality of my performance could be compromised. In all honesty this was something I could not in good conscience allow. Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can’t deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC.  I am not a quitter and I like to finish what I start, nevertheless, the doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond. That was the darkest day of my professional life. 

Since that day, I have had several consultations with my doctors and it appears that, for the near future, I will be unable to perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness. Until that time, I tried as best as I could to continue despite the pain and hearing loss but it all became too much to bear and too much to risk.

I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before. Being part of AC/DC, making records and performing for the millions of devoted fans this past 36 years has been my life’s work.  I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person.

Most importantly, I feel terrible having to disappoint the fans who bought tickets for the canceled shows and who have steadfastly supported me and AC/DC these many years. Words cannot express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks not just for the recent outpouring to me personally of kind words and good wishes, but also for the years of loyal support of AC/DC.  My thanks also go to Angus and Cliff for their support. 

Finally, I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that. For the moment, my entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Only time will tell. 

Once again, my sincere best wishes and thanks to everyone for their support and understanding.

Love,
Brian

Homeless Grow in Number, According to PIT Report

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Friday Apr 15, 2016 1:21 pm

An annual census on homelessness in the region shows the number of individuals and families without homes has gone up in Sarasota and Manatee counties even as the issue elevated to become  the high-profile social problem in the region. 

The 2016 Homeless Point-in-Time Community Report, released by the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, shows the number of people identified as homeless jumping from 1,198 in 2015 to 1,468 this year, an increase of 270. Manatee County has 201 more homeless people this year and Sarasota County had 69 more, according to the report.

“The population that remains our biggest challenge is the adult population without children, which represent 92 percent of the homeless counted—individuals, couples, unaccompanied older youth and the elderly,” writes Leslie Loveless, Suncoast Partnership executive director, in an executive summary. “Services for this demographic are more fragmented and less intensive. Within that group are over 311 chronically homeless individuals.”

The report shows that while homeless declined from 2009 through 2012, it has increased each year since 2013, when the census identified 1,049 homeless  persons.

The numbers are based on the annual Point-In-Time Homeless Census conducted on the night of Jan. 25, coinciding with a national annual census of homeless people conducted nationwide.

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