On December 1, Amore Restaurant opened its doors for the first time on Pineapple Avenue, relocating from its famous locale on Longboat Key. But it opened without a key member of the Amore family—head chef Sam Hatfield. Less than a week prior to the opening, while riding his motorcycle, Hatfield was struck by a truck. He survived the incident, but with extensive injuries to his left hand, arm and leg, leaving him unable to work but facing mounting medical bills. Not one to abandon family, Amore Restaurant will be hosting a fundraiser at the restaurant this Sunday, Dec. 17, to help the young father of twin five-year-old girls back on his feet.

“He’s part of the family,” says Amore’s Liana Vitorino, who runs the restaurant with husband Tito and owner Howard Rooks. “At Amore, we will always be a big family.” And you always help family, says Vitorino. The restaurant did open on schedule, with Stefano Sasso from Café Epicure stepping in as head chef (“An angel,” says Vitorino.), and now Vitorino wants to help Hatfield.

The event begins Sunday at 2pm, when, in addition to fine food and drink from Amore, three local musicians will take the stage in a series of mini-concerts throughout the day. Coming out in support of Hatfield, the multilingual crooner Michelet Innocent takes the stage and injects some romance with love songs in French, Spanish, Italian and English, followed by the Latin boleros of Yusuke Horiguchi and the “voice of solid gold” John Rinell. Admission is $20, which includes free hors d’oeuvres and one complimentary drink (from 3pm to 4pm). The event lasts until 9:30pm, nominally, though Vitorino says it doesn’t really end until the last person wants to leave.

In addition, Amore will host a silent auction featuring donations from local businesses, including gift cards from the restaurant itself and a ring from Artisan Jewelers. Proceeds go to Hatfield.

“We are grateful to be part of the community as a new restaurant in the heart of Sarasota,” says Vitorino. “We are also compassionate and care for those who are in need, such as Sam. It is our hope that he and his family feel the love and support of not only the Amore staff, but the Sarasota community at large.” 

Abigail Oakes graduated from New College of Florida in 2014, and the lessons she learned on campus have kept her in Sarasota, working to improve her community.

Abby studied sciences, but took her academic work in novel directions: For her senior project, she used sailing to teach high school students about physics and math.

She also spent much of her time doing community service. She tutored children at Newtown’s Robert L. Taylor Community Center, and was a founding member of SailFuture, a non-profit that started at New College and uses sailing to mentor at-risk youth.

Now Abby is manager of nonprofit services for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, where she helps the region’s charities be more effective in doing their good works.

“I get to work with organizations in multiple fields and on multiple topics, and see how they interact,” Abby says. “I love what I do because I get to be a tiny part of the good that each organizations contributes to our community!”

Abby is also pursuing a master’s degree in non-profit management at Northeastern University through its distance-learning program. She already sees the degree helping her in her work.

“I’m looking forward to how I can grow and have an impact on the community here at the Foundation. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” she said. “And it all started with the things I did at New College.”

New College of Florida

Manatee County Commissioners elected District One Commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace as chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for 2018.  Additionally, Commissioner Robin DiSabatino will serve as first vice chairman, Commissioner Carol Whitmore will be second vice chair and Commissioner Charles Smith will be third vice chair. Commissioner Vanessa Baugh will continue as Port Authority Chair, and Commissioner Whitmore as Tourist Development Council Chair. Commissioner Stephen Jonsson will serve as first Vice Chair of the Port Authority, where Commissioner Betsy Benac will be second vice chair and Commissioner DiSabatino will serve as third vice chair.  

Manatee County Commission

Nominated by fellow Public Safety employees, voted on by Manatee County employees and unanimously approved by Manatee County Commissioners, Emergency Medical Technician Aaron White has been named Manatee County's 2017 Employee of the Year. As an EMT, White responds and cares for medical and trauma patients in northern areas of Manatee County. He provides patients with basic life support, and assists with advanced life support patients. Emergency Medical Services Chief Paul DiCicco said White has an outstanding attitude and he provides much-needed levity in a stressful position. 

Manatee County Government

Manatee County Commissioners unanimously confirmed Cheri Coryea as Deputy County Administrator. Coryea has 28 years of experience, including 26 in management with Manatee County. She has served as interim County Administrator since former Deputy Administrator Karen Windon retired over the summer. She has been Director of the Neighborhood Services Department for the past 10 years, recently overseeing the merger of the Community Services Department into the Neighborhood Services Department. As Neighborhood Services Director, she managed an annual budget of over $44 million including federal, state and local grants. She focused on building community relationships and interacting with the over 150 not-for-profit agencies, hospitals and intergovernmental organizations that collaborate with Manatee County to serve citizens. Coryea has also led the development of several key Manatee County initiatives including: the creation of the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDI), Health Care for the medically needy, Children’s Services Tax, Manatee Millennial Movement (M3) and more. 

Manatee County Government

Gulf Coast Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its next Gulf Coast Board Institute, a governance training series for new and experienced nonprofit board members. Gulf Coast will select up to 25 applicants to participate in the Board Institute. The group will take part in four full-day training sessions from February 2 to March 2. Topics covered include the basics of nonprofit board governance, financial and legal oversight responsibilities, organizational planning and how to create a highly functioning and engaged board. Participants will be selected through a competitive process with the intent of creating a group of individuals with a variety of experiences. Gulf Coast will provide all components of the Board Institute at no cost to participants in exchange for their commitment to use what they learn to strengthen the governance capacity of a nonprofit in the region. Applications for the Winter 2018 Board Institute, which begins in February, are available on the foundation’s website and the deadline to apply is December 29. 

Gulf Coast Board Institute

Sarasota's historic, municipal golf course Bobby Jones Golf Club will host an open house on Thursday, December 14 from 4pm to 7pm at the Bobby Jones Grille. The grille recently relaunched with a brand new food and beverage manager called Landscapes Management Company. The open house will offer the public a first look at the newly relaunched grille with complimentary appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. The event will also include half-off rentals of the grille space for events along with other special promotions for 2018. With more than 40 years of experience in the golf business, Landscapes Management Company has revamped the menu to cater to golfers before, after and during their rounds. 

Bobby Jones Golf Club

Restaurateur, Joe Bastianich, shares, “Pasta is the one food I can't live without. It's the food I eat to fuel my running.” This is the case for many of us, even if we don’t plan on going running afterwards! Where do you go for the Best Local Pasta in town? Cast your vote in the 2018 Best of SRQ Local Raeder’s Competition.  

Vote Here!