SRQ DAILY Dec 27, 2017
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"It's insane, and a great chance to change your lifestyle."
Something new is cooking down at the Seafood Shack in Cortez, and Executive Chef Gerard Jesse says it’s “a gamechanger.” Just introduced to the Seafood Shack menu, the Impossible Burger redefines the veggie burger, going beyond a pale substitute to become something that Jesse believes could be a true replacement.
Not that he’s saying beef (or meat in general) necessarily needs to be phased out of the human diet, but that the Impossible Burger may succeed where many previous experiments have failed. Unlike most veggie burgers, which these days gravitate toward the chickpea or black bean burger and stand relatively on their own, the Impossible Burger, though made entirely of plant matter, looks, smells, tastes, feels and even sizzles like a real all-beef hamburger. As a result, it’s not simply “the vegetarian option,” but an option for meat-eaters who love the taste of meat as well.
Invented and made by the team at Impossible Foods, the Impossible Burger comprises largely water, wheat protein, potato protein and coconut oil, with smaller amounts of binder like xantham gum and lots of different sorts of vitamin B. But the breakthrough ingredient, the one they call “magic,” is the one they call heme. Reportedly found in abundance in animal muscle (myoglobin, in particular), heme gives meat that wonderful sizzle, taste and bloody look. A basic building block of life, heme can also be found, in a slightly different form, in plants as well. Known as leghemoglobin, the folks at Impossible Foods harvest theirs from soy.
Arriving “raw,” the “meat” looks much like any other raw ground beef, and, when it cooks, it sears and browns and smells almost exactly like real beef. And seasoned however one pleases, the finished product tastes pretty much like any other burger. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” says Jesse, who tried for more than a year to get the attention of Impossible Foods, which was expanding and looking more for chains to boost their product. “It’s insane, and a great chance to change your lifestyle.”
And not only does the Impossible Burger present a relatively healthier option for the individual (and can be prepared “rare” without any additional risk of foodborne illness), the production also benefits the planet as a whole. Using 100% less cow, the production also uses 95% less land, 74% water and creates 87% less greenhouse gas emissions. “It’s definitely a breakthrough,” says Jesse. 
Pictured: The Impossible Burger ready to eat and served with fries at Seafood Shack. Photo courtesy of Seafood Shack.
Mine Dogucu was far along in her job search when she heard New College of Florida was seeking a statistics professor, but she visited Sarasota anyway.
“I came here for my job interview, and I fell in love,” she says. One reason was that New College students stood out: “One thing that really affected me was that students asked me questions.”
“In statistics, usually students are hesitant” – they're afraid to ask what they fear is a silly question, she says. “Here, students here are always engaged and they are always curious. They are not afraid to ask questions.”
That benefits teachers as well, because it encourages them to teach in new ways, she says: “Risk-taking is welcome here.”
Dogucu is innovating in the community as well as the classroom. She has founded R-Ladies Sarasota, a group for women interested in learning R, a popular open-source statistics program. Information is available at this link on Meetup.
She’s also organizing the local event of the American Statistical Association’s Hackathon, where teams analyze a major dataset, unearth trends and present their findings – all in 48 hours. It will be April 13-15 at New College.
But Dogucu sees statistics as more than just math. One morning she heard a radio news story claiming married people were less likely to develop dementia. She walked into class and asked students how they could test the finding.
“I want my students to be able to distinguish fact from fiction,” she says. “I don’t see it as, they’re going to calculate something. It’s about building this reasoning, for them to do evidence-building.”
“Statistics is all about uncertainty, and we’re trying to teach that – how to make a choice when you’re uncertain.”
Take Stock Manatee’s Year End Campaign is in its final five days, and that means time is running out for gifts to count double. Take Stock has announced that gifts made before the end of the year will still be matched up to $20,000 by an individual donor. The nonprofit also welcomes donations of long-term appreciated securities, including stock, bonds and mutual funds. Compared with donating cash, or selling appreciated securities and contributing the after-tax proceeds, donees may be able to automatically increase their gift and tax deduction.
Anyone who’s brought a toddler in for shots knows the value of a patient pediatrician. “Both of our sons absolutely love Dr. Meyers. He has an incredible way with children, so gentle and kind.” — Effie Peterson. Dr. Ted Meyer of Meyer Pediatrics, once again claimed the title of Best Local Pediatrician in this last year’s competition. Readers also praised Dr. Katherine Keeley, Drs. Scott Featherman and Robert Weiss for their excellent service. Who will take home the title this year? Cast your vote and share your thoughts in SRQ Magazine’s 2018 Best of SRQ Local Readers Competition.
The Perlman Music Program’s (PMP) intensive 17-day Winter Residency offers unparalleled musical training for international students, ages 12 to 20+, who play the violin, viola, cello and bass. With a faculty led by Toby and Itzhak Perlman and comprising some of the most gifted musical talents of our time, the PMP Sarasota Winter Residency offers an artistic and personal experience that changes students' lives forever. The winter residency’s free public events include orchestra and chorus rehearsals, master classes, and works-in-progress student recitals. Question and answer sessions with the Perlmans, PMP students and faculty follow many of these events that take place in a heated, outdoor performance tent on the grounds of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. Each year, the winter residency culminates with the Celebration Concert with Itzhak Perlman conducting the PMP String Orchestra and Patrick Romano leading the PMP Chorus at the Sarasota Opera House.
USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL
The 7th Annual New Years Eve Fireworks Celebration at Marina Jack will be bigger and better than ever. Enjoy a variety of entertainment and menu options onshore at Marina Jack along with a sparkling midnight fireworks show. Climb aboard the Marina Jack II for a four–hour celebration dinner cruise, complete with party favors, live music and fireworks on Sarasota Bay. Either way, you are sure to have a sparkling New Year!
Marina Jack , 2 Marina Plaza Sarasota, FL 34236
The Dillards are a a musical group with a history dating back to The Andy Griffith Show over 50 years ago. Join them for an evening in Mayberry, and have the opportunity to relive musical memories and meet some of the Mayberry friendly faces. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door.
Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota
See the world from your seat with an evening of musical panoramas. Whitacre's luminous reimagining of the River Cam, which flowed past his window at Cambridge University, features Sarasota Orchestra's own principal cellist Natalie Helm. Hailed for his "energy and enthusiasm," guest conductor Stefan Sanders dynamically guides guests on this matchless musical tour.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Technically amazing and visually stunning examples of creations by more than two dozen masters of glass art including Peter Bremers, Vadlec Ciglar and Irene Frolic astound in this exhibition. Numerous examples, styles and methods of glass casting and etching are represented in this one-of-a-kind gallery.
Ringling College of Art and Design Gallery, 2700 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
SRQ MEDIA is calling for 6th, 7th & 8th grade girls to find your inner “roar” at the 2018 SMARTgirl Mentorship Summit and Luncheon on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 10:30am-1:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.
Explore the possibilities and celebrate every girl’s potential at SMARTgirl. Participants will engage in an innovative program designed to educate middle school girls in 6th, 7th and 8th grades on career imaginings and the tools they need to succeed through mentorship, soft skills training and hands-on workshops with some of the community’s top women leaders.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota , 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
This three-tier, multi-media exhibition focuses on the current and historical aspects of refugee displacement, persecution and the struggles of finding home. The show features a glass installation by Laura Donefer, photo essay exhibition by Charlotte Schmitz and a short film preview by director Dave Marshall and Deborah Haber. The exhibition is curated under the direction of Deborah Haber, executive artistic director of DEEP Arts, a nonprofit arts organization whose mission focuses on the promotion of new works.
Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419 5th St., Sarasota.
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, Shakespeare in Love will offer an entrancing theater production that follows the story of Will Shakespeare, a struggling playwright tormented by writer’s block. To his rescue comes the vivacious Viola, Will’s greatest admirer. But Viola has a secret and Will finds himself star cross’d.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
This performance depicts a fictionalized portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his last night of his life. With a theatrical imagination, the play gives viewers a window into what went on in the legendary man's life, and what his hopes, vulnerabilities and fears were.
Westcoast Black Theatre , 1646 10th Way, Sarasota
Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) was one of the greatest fashion icons and screen legends in history whose innate style and kindness captivated the world. Pamela Fiori, former editor in chief of Town & Country and Travel & Leisure magazines and six-time published author, presents a portrait of a much beloved woman, award-winnng actress, devoted mother, humanist, passionate gardener and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. Join SRQ MEDIA and WIB Trailblazer Honoree Pamela Fiori for an enchanting evening of sparkling cocktails, conversation and exploration into Hepburn’s luminosity through images, film and stories.
Mildred Sainer Pavilion, New College , 5313 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Guido Contini is a wreck and dreading his 40th birthday, a dread that stifles the easy flow of his creative juices. He runs off to Venice in search of inspiration. In a swirl of present issues, revisiting traumatic memories and grasping at women likes straws, Contini finds himself on the verge of total annihilation.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. W., Bradenton
This exhibition celebrates the ten-year anniversary of Impractical Labor in Service of the Speculative Arts (ILSSA), a social engaged art project founded in 2008 to investigate labor, time, and what we value. A selection from the first ten years of the project will be featured, and ILSSA co-founder Emily Larned will be in-residence in the gallery for the first two weeks of the show.
Ringling College of Art and Design Gallery, 2700 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Join us for the 2018 Hospital Gala at the Rtiz Carlton to raise funds for the Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Emergency Services team. All proceeds work to ensure that our families and communities receive the best care and that the accidents or traumas people suffer from can have their urgent medical needs be addressed.
The Ritz Carlton, 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive Sarasota, Florida 34236
Fred Johnson is an accomplished musician who has toured with the likes Aretha Franklin, Chick Corea and Miles Davis. A jazz, world music singer, and percussionist, Fred has been collaborating with Tampa Bay musicians for a series of performances with the theme of unity. Don't miss the evening of inspirational poetry, music, and art.
Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe
