SRQ DAILY Feb 22, 2018
Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning
"There is absolutely a strong passion and motivation to not just sit and talk things to death but for our plans to be actionable"
In the wake of a mass shooting in South Florida, leaders from around the state, including from the Gulf Coast, gathered in Tallahassee this week to discuss ways to better keep schools safe from such disasters in the future. Gov. Rick Scott said input gathered at meetings will be used to create a reform package for state lawmakers to debate in the last couple weeks before the end of the regular legislative session.
Sarasota County School Board Chairwoman Bridget Ziegler says she left the Tallahassee meetings struck by demands from students for better security on campus. While she feels confident plans for single-entry campuses are on track in Sarasota, she says many leaders around the state need to listen to the voices of students more. “There is absolutely a strong passion and motivation to not just sit and talk things to death but for our plans to be actionable,” Ziegler says.
The meeting came after the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjorie Stonemason Douglas High in Parkland, where expelled student Nikolas Cruz went on campus with a firearm and killed 17 people, mostly students.
Scott Hopes, chairman of the Manatee County School Board, says his takeaway from a task force meeting was that schools across the state need a hardening of security. “We need funding so the school systems are able to implement this,” he says. Hopes wants to see more retired military and police officers employed as student resource officers on campus, and for state law to be tweaked so they have the same tools at their disposal as cops.
Ziegler noted suggestions by Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight were similar and should be employed regarding campus security. At the state task force meeting, Ziegler spoke about how concerns with students can be identified at a young age, but school professionals need to follow up with parents and guardians to make them knowledgable about what students need to be successful instead of becoming more troubled over time. Before the meeting in the state capitol, she was promoting improvements to facilities that allow one entry point but numerous exit points on campus.
But Ziegler says the most striking points at the task force meeting were raised by Stephen Marante, a student from Coral Springs High School who had gathered input from student body presidents at schools around Parkland. Marante advocated for schools to have at least one student resource officer per 1,000 students, and he also called for active shooter drills involving students. “When was the last time anyone heard of a fire burning down a school, yet we do fire drills every single year,” Marante said. “With school shootings, there is one every month.” Many adult leaders, Ziegler says, raised a concern about whether security measures like metal detectors and added guards would make schools feel like prison institutions. She feels the same concern, but says hearing from students made her realize those growing up today are more concerned about safety. “As we reflect on our own education, we didn’t grow up in an environment like that. But we also didn’t exist with social media, which changed everything culturally. The 24-hour news cycle changed everything dramatically,” Ziegler says. “It’s almost about nostalgic memories of what we remember in our educational facilities and environments, but that’s not the environment these students are living in.”
Hopes, who was appointed by Scott to his School Board seat, says he believes the governor has been emotionally affected by the outcome and is willing to broach a number of issues from safety codes to even raising the age requirement for purchasing guns in Florida. “I don’t know if that will solve the problem because it won’t mitigate access to guns,” Hopes says. He’d also like to see the state employ some of the security entities operating in Florida that keep major facilities like NASA safe and utilize the expertise for better defending schools. In general, Hopes felt optimistic the plethora of ideas presented at the task force would be turned into a cohesive proposal to send to the Florida Legislature.
Scott in Tallahassee says he will look at proposals that give more resources to schools in order to fund solutions. Ziegler believes there will be policy issues that get debated in the wake of the shooting, including talk about gun control at the federal level and funding at the state level. But Ziegler also says school boards statewide need to find solutions that can be acted on immediately and which don’t require more funding. 
With Daylight Savings around the corner, we excitedly anticipate longer and brighter day time hours. But at no point really should we ever be awaken in darkness, with light known to help regulate our mood and energy of the body and mind. So if your interior needs more brightening luminescence, meander over to meet Nicole and Chelsea at Blu Home’s enviable retail showroom, offering an array of stylish furniture, modern art, home decor accessories and you guessed it, lighting. Find yourself geeking out over their hip selection of lamps. These little fellas will light up your life in more ways than one.
The Marble Switch Lamps are designed with brilliance in mind, providing a trendy touch to any desk or shelf. The Polished Nickel Table Lamp offers a chic metal base and mood lighting with a futuristic hanging lightbulb. See your home or office in a whole new light by replacing your old, dull lamps with some upscale ambiance. Be a real glow-getter and spring forward this season by vamping up your space with some updated illumination from Blu.
Interior Design services also available– 1830 S Osprey Ave #101, Sarasota, FL 34239, 941.364.2900
Images provided by Blu Home
One of the major draws you’ll notice at Ophelia’s By the Bay is their prime real estate, spoiled with views of Little Sarasota Bay. As entrancing as the unfettered scenery from their open air patio can be though, you’ll find yourself seriously distracted once your meal reaches the table. The Burgundy Escargots is made with elf mushrooms, copious garlic, black truffle champagne nage, sweet basil, fine herb butter and served with warm garlic-infused bâtard.
Haven’t considered yourself adventurous enough to try snails before? Well the time and place has come my friend. While maybe out of your comfort zone, this French delicacy is internationally renowned and undeniably tasty! Chef Olson has found joy in bringing Sarasota foreign flavors, aromas and textures to create a dish for his diners’ delight. His inspiration– to make a ridiculous, over-indulgent "last meal" style escargot. He explains in mouth-watering detail, “We've had escargots on our menu before in many different preparations, but this one takes the cake with the toasted garlic coating a bowl full of delicate snails, the creamy perfume of truffle and grilled bread to soak up every drop of luscious sauce.” Now a staple on Ophelia’s menu, go try some French snails with a Florida sunset.
Ophelia’s is accessible by land or via water (Marker 48) – 9105 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242 (941) 349-2212
Photo Credit: Wyatt Kostygan
Seeking to maximize the exposure of the Bradenton Area’s rich arts and heritage tradition with tourists and residents, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) has announced the appointment of Judith Tilton to the newly created role of Director of Cultural Affairs. Tilton, a Florida native who calls Bradenton home, will work as a liaison between the arts and heritage community, BACVB and County staff. After the County hosted multiple “ArtVersations” to hear directly from local arts and heritage organizations, the need for dedicated professional support to assist with sharing information, supporting collaborative efforts, providing resources and lending expertise to increase awareness about the array of cultural opportunities offered in the Bradenton Area was identified. As a direct result, The Tourist Development Council (TDC) approved adding a marketing and outreach specialist to work directly with arts and heritage leaders, volunteers, gallery owners, the county’s Historical Commission, area nonprofits and businesses to help increase overall awareness and visitation.
The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board has selected Flad Architects to design its new cancer inpatient and surgical tower and outpatient radiation treatment center, and chosen general contractors Brasfield & Gorrie and CPPI/Willis Smith Construction to build the two facilities simultaneously over the next two to three years. The hospital board last month approved $220 million to develop a comprehensive cancer program to care for a growing number of cancer patients in southwest Florida. When complete, SMH’s new Cancer Institute will serve as a center of excellence that concentrates a widening range of fellowship-trained oncology specialists and subspecialists in our region and offers individual patients a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach to diagnose and treat to achieve the best possible outcome. The first two facilities in SMH’s master plan include the Inpatient & Surgical Oncology Tower, a 170,000-square-foot, seven-story tower to be built on SMH’s main campus and completed in 2021, and the Radiation Oncology Center, a 25,000-square-foot center to be built on the health system’s University Parkway/Honore campus and completed in early 2020. SMH will host neighborhood meetings in the coming weeks to discuss plans with interested community members and residents who live in nearby neighborhoods, and working with city and regional planning officials to finalize site plans.
Advice Inc. has garnered inclusion in the 2017 Top 75 Women-Owned Businesses listing, produced by Tampa Bay Business Journal. The award is given annually to businesses throughout the Tampa Bay area that are headed by women, and is based on company performance over the previous year. Based in Lakewood Ranch, Advice Inc. is a full-service advertising and public relations agency owned by Linda Gross. The company was established in 1998 and specializes in the real estate, development, retail and non-profit industries. Gross’ résumé includes two decades of marketing experience and multiple national ad campaigns. She also currently serves on the board of directors of Designing Women Boutique and is a member of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association.
Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center (GSAHEC) has partnered with local middle and high schools, assisting the HOSA Future Health Professionals clubs as technical advisors and, when funding is available, supporting students as they travel to the state and international competitions. Joan Dixon, GSAHEC’s Director of Student Programs, visits local HOSA students monthly to help them prepare for competitive events (over 55 events are offered). Dixon is currently advising students at North Port High School, Lakewood Ranch High School, Martha B. King Middle School, State College of Florida Collegiate School, Palmetto High School and Electa Lee Magnet Middle School. The program is sponsored by the Health Resources Services Administration, as well as by donors from the community.
This presentation will be led by Linda Jones. Following an extensive journalism career, Jones uses her writing skills to help others hone theirs. She is an advocate for writing as a practice to preserve life stories and to promote healing and self-care.
Family Heritage House Museum, 27th St. West, Bradenton.
Coming to Sarasota is Signature Sounds artist, Heather Maloney. Maloney has toured nationally as a headliner as well as in support of acts like Lake Street Dive, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Gary Clark Jr., Colin Hay and Mary Chapin Carpenter. In 2014 she collaborated with the rising Boston quartet Darlingside on the Woodstock EP, a tribute to the Joni Mitchell-written, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young-covered 60’s anthem. The cover was featured on the New York Times and garnered attention from Graham Nash himself. Her sound is inspired by a mix of 60's and 70's rock and 90's radio hits from women like Fionna Apple and Mariah Carey.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
Exhibition of glass works by Esther Jensen and luminous gold leaf paintings by Cecile Moran.
Art Uptown Gallery, 1367 Main St., Sarasota.
Internationally acclaimed violin legend Midori makes her Sarasota Orchestra debut with this tribute concert to iconic American conductor Leonard Bernstein. Settling on the theme of love, Midori interprets Bernstein’s serenade for violin and orchestra, bringing the passion and virtuosity that audiences first saw when Midori took the New York Philharmonic stage at age 11.
Van Wezel, 777 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Men, Whiskey and Watches South County held at the Suncoast Air Center will feature a deluxe tasting from local restaurants, open bar and casino entertainment. Also enjoy whiskey tasting from select distillers, an assortment of fine luxury watches, premium cigars, and live and silent auction. Network with the area’s business community and help us raise awareness about child abuse in our beautiful community. Proceeds will support Child Protection Center’s mission in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse.
Suncoast Air Center, 400 Airport Ave. E Venice, FL 34285
This pop up art exhibition will feature the work of all of the talented artists of SVAS. Artists include Bill Buchman, whose work combines the principles of music, color and drawing in exciting abstracts and Dasha Reich, who is known for her epoxy resin, multi colored and layered paintings. The artists have a wide ranging works and mediums, including photography and sculpture. Experience these exhibits each day from 11am to 8pm.
Since its founding in 1970 by Venezuelan-American dancer and choreographer Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico has dedicated itself to the exploration and celebration of Latin dance of all kinds. Now under the direction of Eduardo Vilaro, the Manhattan-based company fuses classical, contemporary and Latin dance into one beautiful presentation.
Sarasota Ballet, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
The party will feature Mauricio Rodriguez on Bass, Gabriel Hernandez on Piano, Patriciochino Diaz on percussions and Adanyer Guzman Delfino on trumpet. Guest singer Miriamne Martinez Ramos. A native of Santiago, Cuba, Renesito's music fully exploits the possibilities and techniques of the tres guitar. Through the veins of this young artist flow the melodic cadence coined by Miguel Matamoros. Hailing from Cuba, Gabriel Hernandez is an extraordinary pianist and composer who studied in the conservatory of Camagüey, and who has been performing in jazz festivals and clubs for the past 30 years with his own projects and with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and Cubanismo.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
Brooks and Scarpa principal, Jeffrey Huber will lead a panel discussion with professor of environmental studies at Ringling College of Art and Design, Tim Rumage and architect, professor at University of Kansas and recipient of the AIA Upjohn Research Initiative Grant, Keith Van de Riet entitled "Wicked Water". The discussion will emphasize the importance of understanding that the coastline is not static and of adaptation in urban planning to accomodate changes.
Center for Architecture, 265 South Orange Ave., Sarasota.
The story of Aztec Two-Step is intertwined with the history of folk/rock music in America. Originating from a chance meeting at an “open mic night” in a Boston folk club in 1971, Rex & Neal’s first four albums on Elektra & RCA Records helped usher the music of the 60’s into the 1970’s and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the musical genre. As their recording career continued, so did the critical acclaim. In 1986, their album “Living in America” was named in Billboard’s year-end critic’s poll. It also received the New York Music Award for the Best Folk Album.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
Regarded as the world's greatest living violinist, Itzhak Perlman is no stranger to audiences in Sarasota and Manatee counties. In Itzhak, we learn about Perlman's struggles with polio as a young child, tales of growing up as the child of Polish survivors - where his mastery of the instrument takes him from his small neighborhood in Tel Aviv to the world's most prominent stages.
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, The Beatrice Friedman Theater, 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota.
With influences across the globe, Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica references everything from Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich to George Gershwin, for a jazzy sound all its own, sprinkled with world music traditions from Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans and Latin America. Performing as a quintet, selections range from Gershwin’s Preludes to the original “Would You Like Bongos with that Fugue?”
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice
Alone in a room for the first time in years, a couple is brought back together again after a harrowing breakup. As the play progresses, old wounds re-open, new truths surface, and the real reason behind their separation is learned. Delicate yet hard-hitting, Poison holds up a hopeful mirror to humanity where love and humour can still be found in the midst of so much pain.
Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St., Sarasota.
Two-time Chopped winner Israeli chef Einat Admony will be hosting a dinner featuring a variety of the best Israeli cuisine. Admony additionally is owner of several establishments in New York City, including Balaboosta, Bar Bolonat, and the Taim restaurants.There will be two seatings so as many as possible will be able to attend this event; tickets are $150 per person.
Louie’s Modern, 1289 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
In this musical, audiences will get an in-depth look at the legendary musical performer Billie Holiday and one of her final performances. Listen to beloved classics in this riveting portrait of one of the greatest jazz vocalists of this time.
Westcoast Black Theatre , 1646 10th Way, Sarasota
Ringling Underground is a monthly happening that combines live music and experimental artwork in the Courtyard for one night only. This month's event will include the music of Millionyoung, DieAlps! and Eduardo Correa. Among the art featured will be Maggie Dillon Designs, her work is influenced by old film from the 1930s to the 1950s and Elizabeth Goodwill, whose art is described as "playful, bright and natural." This event is rain or shine.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
Golfing with heart takes on a new meaning at The Concession Golf Club as two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin partners with The Concession Charities for the 8th Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic. More than 20 professional athletes are expected to attend, including current and former NFL players Eddie George, Joey Galloway, Leroy Hoard, Isaac Curtis, Will Allen, Michael Merriweather, Robert Smith, Louis Breeden and Keith Byars. Proceeds from the celebrity tournament will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, empowering more than 7,000 youth to reach their potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Full event details are available online including an up-to-date list of attending celebrities and sponsorship opportunities
The Concession Golf Club , 7700 Lindrick Ln, Bradenton, FL 34202
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
