Just arriving yesterday, the latest residents at the Hermitage Artist Retreat are wasting no time in getting to know the community, scheduling a free community event this Friday, Oct. 13, at 6pm at Hermitage Artist Retreat beach. Playwright/director Lisa Peterson and writer/actor Denis O’Hare, regular collaborators and award-winning artists in their own right, will share readings of their work, followed by an informal conversation with attendees. “Superstars-in-residence abound at the Hermitage,” says Bruce Rodgers, executive director for the artist retreat, “and these two artists are no exception.”

Known for his work on the stage and screen, O’Hare has performed both on and off Broadway, been a regular on American Horror Story for the last five years and appeared in hit shows like The Good Wife and True Blood, in addition to appearing in every Law and Order series. His first screenplay, The Parting Glass, has been filmed and produced, and is expecting an imminent release. As a director, Peterson’s credits include Earnest Shackleton Loves Me, We’re Gonna Be Alright and It Can’t Happen Here, and world premieres from prominent American writers such as Tony Kushner and Beth Henley. As collaborators, Peterson and O'Hare wrote The Good Book and An Iliad, which won an Obie Award, a Lortel Award and a Drama Desk nomination. Currently, the pair has been working on a new commission for the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ, called The Song of Rome.

At Friday’s reading, attendees may even get an early glimpse at The Song of Rome, though that’s ultimately up to the artists and Rodgers can’t say for sure. Either way, they’ll get an inside look at work at various stages of development and production, bringing with it an opportunity for insight into the artists’ process as well. As for the artists, they get honest feedback and “it’s a win-win for everybody,” says Rodgers. And after the reading, both Peterson and O’Hare will stick around for an informal Q&A and conversation about their individual and collaborative processes, as well as topics such as the role of improvisation and foundational literature.

The event is free, but reservations are requested. Especially seeing as the weather forecast for Friday means the reading could likely be moved indoors. And while the beach has supported as many as 450 people for events like this, the indoor backup location can only hold about 150, as much as Rodgers would like to include more. “Like all nonprofits, we belong to the community,” he says. “We belong to them, and we have an obligation to somehow share what it is they’re supporting. They deserve to share in the benefit.”

Reservations can be requested by calling 941-475-2098, ext. 8. 

Pictured: Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare. Photos courtesy of Hermitage Artist Retreat.

In an effort to introduce parents and teenagers to the confounding world of college and career paths, Sarasota’s annual State of Jobs Conference serves to delineate and demystify the sometimes-vague connection between the way an education can provide employable skills for the modern workforce. First began by the Young Professionals Group and now a regional event organized by CareerSource Suncoast, the yearly seminar/job fair hopes to inform and hopefully excite attendees about the limitless possibilities of the 21st century career landscape, rather than leaving teenage students to grapple with their post-high school lives unprepared. And just yesterday, CareerSource welcomed crowds of these students and their parents to the latest State of Jobs Conference at Robarts Arena.

The morning sessions ran from 8am to 2pm and primarily for students, who numbered over 800 in this fourth year, after the first-time inclusion of Manatee County schools. “We want students to start thinking about their future now,” says Chris Laney, director of education and community investment with CareerSource Suncoast. His hope is that the sophomores in attendance can “explore some of their options earlier,” he says, so that by the time they graduate they have a plan. Six possible career tracks were given special attention this year, including healthcare, information technology, hospitality/tourism and arts/culture.

The exploration is thorough, as it features talks given by 75 speakers, many of them industry leaders in the private sector, in addition to admissions counselors from the 18 schools represented from around the state. Variety was key, with speakers coming from disparate organizations such as the Baltimore Orioles, Wells Fargo and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, with plenty of local representation from arts organizations like Florida Studio Theatre and the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, as well as schools like New College of Florida and Keiser University. The program’s success is in the pudding, as many former attendees have gone on to have careers directly boosted by the networking opportunities available at the seminars. Ranging from engineering and IT talks to healthcare and humanities information sessions, students get the kind of trustworthy behind-the-scenes tips that can help clarify their interests and channel their strengths into a viable, productive living.  

Nearly 20% of all Floridians who qualify for the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) federal credit don’t know to apply for it on their tax return. It’s a startling figure given the EITC is one of the most effective anti-poverty tools enacted, often returning thousands of dollars to low-to-moderate income households.

This past tax season, Suncoast’s VITA program in Sarasota/Desoto grew 8% over the prior year, exceptional considering VITA programs across the country experienced a decline. In Sarasota/Desoto nearly 2,000 tax returns were prepared, resulting in an estimated $384,000 in preparation fee savings and $2.4 million in tax refunds for Sarasota residents, including over $800,000 in Earned Income Tax Credits.  These are funds that go directly into the pockets of local, hard-working families who need it most and provide a boost to the local economy.

This is one of the primary reasons United Way Suncoast organizes and funds the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program in our community. Through VITA, hundreds of volunteers, from retirees to student, and homemakers to professionals, receive free training and IRS certification to prepare tax returns to help some of our most vulnerable citizens. 

VITA volunteers are being sought now and VITA tax sites will open in January for individuals earning less than $66,000 annually.  VITA is a key pillar in United Way Suncoast’s mission to fight for the education and financial stability of every person in our community. 

United Way Suncoast

Breakfast and lunch hot spot Word of Mouth in downtown Sarasota will open as a new Latin American street food restaurant called Sabrosa Kitchen and Bar on Oct. 12, under the leadership of culinary artist and owner Shannon Lugannani. Sabrosa, which means “tasty” in Spanish, will serve breakfast offerings including chorizo hash, huevos benedictos and huevos divorciados. The lunch menu boasts antojitos or “little cravings,” such as street tacos with chicken, pork, beef, Portobello mushrooms, chorizo and fish fillings. The dinner menu offers a full selection of street food dishes. The restaurant’s full bar will serve a variety of drinks, including signature agave-inspired cocktails and 12 craft beers on tap. Sabrosa is located at 711 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota.  

Sabrosa Kitchen and Bar

WWSB, Sarasota's ABC affiliate, has announced Matt Moldovan as director of sales for the station and its digital operations. Moldovan will guide ABC7's sales vision and strategy, and work across the Raycom Media Sarasota operation to identify and develop new business opportunities. Prior to joining WWSB, Moldovan held key sales management roles as local sales manager in Charlotte, NC for the NBC affiliate WCNC, as well as the ABC Affiliate WSOC. He also served as Senior Account Executive at the ABC Affiliate in Atlanta, GA, WSB-TV. He started his broadcast television carrier as an Account Executive at the NBC affiliate WXIA in Atlanta, GA. 

WWSB My Suncoast

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has announced that flutist/composer and Hermitage Fellow Claire Chase has received the 2017 Avery Fisher Prize at Lincoln Center. This prestigious award is part of the Avery Fisher Artist Program. It was established for solo instrumentalists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and excellence in music. Since 2004, chamber ensembles have also been considered. There is no age limit, but recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. A marble plaque in David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher Hall) at Lincoln Center commemorates all who have received the prize, which includes a monetary award of $100,000. Among the winners are Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Pianist Andre Watts and Violinist Joshua Bell, Claire Chase is the first flutist to receive the prize.  

Hermitage Artist Retreat

RE/MAX Platinum Realty has opened an office in the West Villages community at 19503 South West Villages Parkway, Venice. West Villages of North Port, Venice and Englewood is a new 10,000-acre, master-planned community in south Sarasota County. The new 1,200-square-foot office enables prospective homebuyers to meet onsite with RE/MAX Platinum Realty agents, tour the community and learn about the new-home opportunities offered by top homebuilders. 

RE/MAX Platinum Realty