Like many families throughout the nation, Leslie Glass has seen the challenges of addiction unfold in her own home. But even if her children had never experimented with drugs and alcohol, she had a pretty good idea what substance abuse could do to people. “Everybody knows what addiction looks like,” Glass said. “We have all seen that produced in movies and television series.” But as she led her daughter Lindsey through recovery, Glass hungered for different imagery, and when she didn’t find it, she made a documentary herself, the 2011 film The Secret World of Recovery.

The film, shot as Leslie and Lindsey traveled the country speaking with people about the recovery process, will be honored on Saturday by the American Society of Addiction Medicine with the organization’s annual Media Award. After its debut five years ago, the documentary has become a widely viewed film among others seeking recovery. 

Glass figures the film also has earned the attention of the medical community now in large part thanks to her and Lindsey’s other work for recovering addicts. Glass serves today as the founding CEO for the Sarasota-based Reach Out Recovery, the largest nonprofit recovery portal on the internet. The website shares personal stories of recovery and directs users to resources for fighting addiction. 

But while the personal honor gratifies Glass, she most appreciates that more professionals identify substance abuse not simply as a social problem but a public health matter. She notes startling statistics, such as the 38,000 annual deaths from opiate abuse, a mere 11 percent of identified addicts undergoing treatment. “Addiction is the No. 1 health issue in America, and it has been for a long time,” she said. “The world is beginning to understand and does not want to tolerate the number of deaths we have.” 

The award will be given to Glass at the ASAM Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday. 

Relax and unwind to the ocean breezes from the Gulf of Mexico. Open daily starting at 11:15AM the Recently renovated Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill features your way to dine al fresco in a family friendly environment while enjoying your favorite tropical beverage.

This time of year, one of the best ways to live local is to take in the sunset along the water. At Marina Jack's popular bay-view patio, nightly music on bay breezes makes for one of the most popular nightly happy hours in all of Sarasota. The menu at Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill features local seafood favorites and scratch-made classics with a fresh twist. 

Check out the website for a calendar of events and live music schedule of favorite, local musicians and bands.  

Bring a group of friends to enjoy sharable appetizers and a round of cocktails while you take in the sunset and a view of the Ringling Bridge. The Blue Sunshine Patio outside deck area is also "Doggie" friendly, so bring your favorite four legged friend (leash required) for a unique experience. 

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Italian artist Massimo Meda this summer will open a new gallery in Sarasota. Meda, Italian painter and master of the 3D technique, chose to open a gallery in the United States after the success of his galleries in Italy and China and picked the “vibrant and artsy Sarasota.” as the community to sell his art. Alexa Scanziani, founder and president of AlexArt International, announced an opening would be held on May 21, Saturday, at the North Pineapple Avenue location. 

Massimo Meda

Willis Smith Construction appointed David Carey as chief financial officer. Carey joined the Company in 2014 as the director of Accounting and has over 20 years of experience in the management of finances for construction firms. He is a graduate of the Western Governor’s University with a bachelor of science in Management and Finance. Willis A. Smith Construction is a construction management firm headquartered in Lakewood Ranch, primarily serving Southwest Florida since 1972.  

Willis Smith Construction

Troy Built Models will debut the latest Phantom 4 drone on Saturday at its Cattlemen Road.  Company president Gene Payson will speak about unmanned aerial vehicle regulations and safety and UAV uses, especially for police departments, fire departments and photographers. Payson is the chief pilot at Unmanned Vehicle University and Troy Built Models. 

Troy Built Models