A new program designed to cut down on infant mortality rates will launch this week in Sarasota, according to Department of Children and Families officials. If successful, the Safe Sleep Sarasota Initiative could expand to other parts of Florida as well.

"The overall goal is to reduce unsafe and preventable child deaths in Florida, and also within that region," said Natalie Harrell, DCF communications director. "It's a matter of education and an understanding that unsafe sleep is the direct result for a lot of the infant deaths we've been experiencing all along."

The program launch on Oct. 30 will attract to town DCF Secretary Mike Carroll and state Surgeon General and Department of Health Secretary John Armstrong, alongside Community Foundation of Sarasota CEO Roxie Jerde. Partners in the Safe Sleep Sarasota Initiative include Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Department of Health in Sarasota County, Family Safety Alliance, Florida Department of Children and Families, Safe Children Coalition, Sarasota Y, Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, Early Learning Coalition, The Florida Center, Children First and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. 

The effort will stress the ABCs of Safe Sleep, according to Harrell. That is: A, alone sleep instead of with another child or adult; B, back sleeping to allow for open airways; and C, crib sleeping, whether in a permanent crib or Pack-N-Play-type device as opposed to an adult bed. All of this will cut down on the chance of "positional asphyxiation," which most medical officials now consider one of the worst causes of infant deaths.

The initiative focuses on babies in the first six months of their life, with an emphasis on those in the critical 3- or 4-month-old age group. 

The effort is launching in Sarasota in large part thanks to the philanthropic support of the community foundation here, Harrell said. A $5,000-grant awarded for the project allows for the effort to move forward without excessive government funding. 

Bridge Street Bistro sits across from a beautiful stretch of palm-laden beach just as Longboat Key turns into Anna Maria Island. The dining room boasts spectacular views so the popular balcony tables fill up quickly. My mom and I spent a lovely Sunday evening having dinner and watching the sun dip slowly into the water and both of us remarked upon the strong desire to return with a romantic partner. Something about the setting, the balmy breeze and the decadent food puts one in mind of dancing in the moonlight. We tried the chilled beet soup from the Octoberfest menu, a candied confection of sweet and tangy fuchsia beets and sour cream which I highly recommend you hasten to try before October gives way to November. The Duck l’Orange achieved perfectly crispy skin and moist and tender duck meat dressed in an intense citrus glaze and a trio of subtly flavored crème brûlée airily complemented the decadent meal.  

Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach, 941-782-1122.

Icard Merrill welcomed Lori Molnar, who is part of the Steven Greenberg Group. Molnar joined the firm in August as a real estate closer and will work closely with Steven R. Greenberg and Natalie A. Greenberg in the real estate law division. She has more than 11 years of experience in the title insurance industry and is a licensed Florida title agent. Molnar has worked as a real estate closer and marketing representative in previous positions with both attorneys and title companies in the greater Sarasota area. 

Icard Merrill

Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota, was presented with the John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund. Rosinsky was honored for his leadership of Goodwill Manasota, which in 2013 served 16,000 people, placed 537 in jobs and assisted hundreds of local veterans and their families in need of employment, housing and personal services.  

Manasota Goodwill

Legacy Builders announced the hire of General Manager Tom Collins.  Collins comes with over three decades of sales and management executive experience from the Midwest. 

Legacy Builders

The Florida Hospital Association installed its 2014-15 Board of Trustees at its annual meeting Oct. 16 in Orlando, installing newly elected Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder to its 2014-2015 Board of Trustees. Verinder joined Sarasota Memorial as chief financial officer in 2006 and has served as a key member of the public health system's executive team for eight years. He became Chief Operating Officer in 2010 and CEO this past July.  

Florida Hospital Association

The Southeastern College Art Conference announced Jeff Schwartz of Ringling College of Art and Design has won the SECAC Award for Excellence in Teaching. The SECAC Award is given in recognition of outstanding teaching by a SECAC member who demonstrates an exceptional command of his or her discipline through the ability to teach effectively, impart knowledge and inspire students. 

Ringling College

Join SRQ | The Magazine and panelists Carlos Buquera, Executive Director of Port Manatee and Mark W. Stuckey, Vice President of Special Projects and Development for the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, to look ahead at how the growth of these two regional assets will impact economic development, business opportunities, demographics and tourism. This SB2 symposium is hosted on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, from 11:30am-1pm at the IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton; 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy, Bradenton. Symposium tickets are $35/person and include a plated lunch. 

4350 El Conquistador Pkwy, Bradenton

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