Political leaders left an SRQ-led Where The Votes Are event anxious to find ways to motivate voters to polls this year. The precinct-by-precinct analysis of the August 30 primary elections in Sarasota and Manatee counties showed voters registered with the Democratic or Republican parties turned out at nearly three times the rate of voters registered third party or with no party affiliation. When general election contests come on November 8, victors will be decided on who motivates the most supporters to come out when it most counts. 

Contributing Senior Editor Jacob Ogles led the discussion, which showed Republicans with the highest turnout, with 32.2 percent coming out in Sarasota County and 34.68 percent turning out in Manatee County. “Jacob's ability to break down the vote totals and turnout numbers by precincts and demographics helps give me insight to the Republican Party's successes and areas we should focus more on in the future,” says Christian Ziegler, Republican state committeeman for Sarasota County. The event drew out candidates like Joe Gruters, the Republican Party of Sarasota chairman who narrowly won a state House primary in District 73 by carrying all Sarasota precincts even while losing Manatee County to conservative activist Steve Vernon. And with demographics favoring groups that tend to vote Republican, the study of the results in August portends well for GOP performance in November.

But Democrats arrived anxious to find a path to victory themselves. Fredd Atkins, former Sarasota mayor and current Sarasota County Commission candidate, hopes to run a different type of campaign and find victory, and Manny Lopez, now the Democratic nominee challenging state Rep. Julio Gonzalez’s re-election in District 74, was anxious to learn which voters could be activated. Cramer Verde, president of the Hispanic Caucus for the Democratic Party of Sarasota County, said at the event that a growing number of naturalized citizens anxious to vote in this year’s presidential election could shift turnout. In August, 11.85 percent of Sarasota Hispanics turned out. “I appreciate the minutes you took to talk about the Hispanic vote,” Cramer says. “I don't think either party is giving them importance—at least not yet." 

A new hotel may soon morph the area around the Bradenton Area Convention Center to a full-scale conference attraction. Manatee County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a development agreement for a 250-room hotel on Haben Boulevard. “A convention center hotel will no doubt enhance the urban core redevelopment plans by helping bring in conferences to our beautiful community,” says Elliott Falcione, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau director.

The board entered into the deal with Improvement Network Development Partners, and the plan is to bring in a Sheraton hotel managed by Starwood Resorts. Sandvick Architects plans for the six-story hotel show an 18,000-square-foot, two-story entertainment complex, an 8,000-square-foot ballroom and a 240-seat hotel restaurant with some outdoor dining. There will also be a space abutting the hotel and center allowing for 110,500 square feet of temporary event space.

Plans were negotiated with the county, the City of Palmetto and INDP. "Palmetto has been working very hard on redevelopment and strengthening our infrastructure, thus positioning the city for a bright future. Visitors to the Convention Center as well as residents county-wide have long awaited the reality of a hotel in this location,” says Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.  

At Simon's Coffee House, the porridge is just right. Hand cooked to order and baked slow, the creamy bowl of large-cut oats marks an excellent start to any day; the Patriot a tried-and-true favorite (and what better timing?). The emblematic breakfast comes topped with ripe strawberry chunks, juicy blueberries and coconut shavings, making for a subtly sweet, slightly crunchy and 100 percent delicious variation of your basic cereal. A little tip for those with an extra-sweet sweet tooth: ask for a side of brown sugar and a saucer of milk to mix in to your oats. As the weather cools down, grab an al fresco table and pair your porridge with a piping hot mug of java. 

Simon's Coffee House, 5900 South Tamiami Trl., Unit G, H, I, Sarasota, 941-926 7151.

Music Compound provides local musicians with a venue for band rehearsal, concerts, album release parties, music videos and more. The studio consists of eight large studios and 6,000-square-foot event venue. Music Compound houses an open lounge, comparable to coffee shop, for musicians to inspire, collaborate and educate one another. Music Compound provides a safe and inspiring environment for all musicians, beginner to advanced, elementary to retiree. Local music teachers can rent the compound for recitals.  

Music Compound

J. Chris McGee has been hired as vice president of investments at Caldwell Trust Company and will be based in the company’s Venice headquarters. With an MBA in finance and marketing, McGee had previously been senior investment adviser and senior vice president at PNC Wealth Managements in Sarasota for nearly a decade. He was also previously a portfolio manager for five years with US Trust in Sarasota.  

Caldwell Trust Company

Maribeth Snyder was hired as a marketing assistant at Coastal Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Pain Management for its four outpatient facilities and surgical centers across Florida. Snyder will support all departmental projects directed at increasing the practice’s brand recognition and footprint, with a focused effort on increasing patient volume.  

Coastal Orthopedics

The largest Internet retailer of Amish furniture, JMX Brands, has made the Gulf Coast 500 for the seventh year. The company moved to position 391 from 435 last year. The Gulf Coast 500 ranks the largest 500 companies by revenue from nine Gulf Coast counties from Polk to Collier.  

JMX Brands

Almost overnight, Korean cuisine has suddenly taken off, with multiple locations creating their own visions of the Asian delights. This month in Hidden Kingdom, we wander to Bradenton's Sam Oh Jung for an authentic bulgolgi bento box, take a hike to bountiful bibimbap at Oriental Food and Gifts and hoof it to Baker and Wife for their take on Korean BBQ Ribs. Take the road less traveled with us in these last days of September.  

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There is still time to register for SRQ SkillSHARE speed mentorship and networking summit on Thursday, October 20 at 5pm at SRQ Studios! Made for speed, SkillSHARE compiles the basics of mentorship concentrated into mini-sessions that encourage honest interactions and allow for spontaneous connection. This event is a way to meet like-minded professionals, make valuable connections and get straight to your most burning questions about career and personal development. Each participant will be paired with several mentors for mini-sessions lasting from 10–12 minutes. These sessions are unstructured, allowing for an easy flow of conversation, guidance and direction from each mentor. 

Opportunities to gain mentorship and advice from some of Sarasota and Bradenton's most notable women don't arise everyday. Register now and enjoy an evening of mentorship, networking and conversation. 

Applications are accepted through Friday, October 7, 2016!  

SRQ SkillSHARE