SRQ DAILY Mar 15, 2018
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"I probably filed more bills related to immigration than anyone in the Legislature."
A recent vote in favor a gun bill has earned state Rep. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, a dose of scorn on the left and the right. But as he braces for a run at state Senate, the longtime party leader hopes voters see him as someone willing to do what’s right when it comes time for a major vote. “The Orlando Sentinel listed me as one of the guys most likely to break ranks and to do what’s right,” Gruters says. “I’m willing to find solutions rather than score political points.”
Gruters has formally announced he will not seek a second term in the state House and will instead run for state Senate in District 23, where incumbent Greg Steube has already announced he will resign his seat to run for Congress.
He plans to run on a platform of promoting job creation, and believes his center-right voting record during two years in Tallahassee makes him a good fit for a district encompassing all of Sarasota County and a chunk of north Charlotte County. The positioning as a moderate conservative may sound curious in ways for an official with a long history of partisan politics. He’s served a decade as chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota County, acted as state co-chair for Donald Trump’s presidential election and also served a stint as vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.
And as he hopes to discourage any Republican challengers in the primary, he stresses a strong record on issues like immigration. He reminds that thanks to his role with the Trump campaign, he helped right the national platform on immigration, including penning a section supporting “Kate’s Law,” a law that passed in the U.S. House, which would increase penalties for deported individuals who try to return to the U.S. Gruters sponsored similar legislation in the state House. He also pushed legislation on sanctuary cities and the state e-verify system. “I probably filed more bills related to immigration than anyone in the Legislature,” he says.
He’s taken hits on the gun bill, which would raise the age to purchase a semi-automatic weapon to 21 and ban bump stocks. Still, Gruters calls himself a “strong supporter” of the Second Amendment, and said he would not vote on any bill that banned guns. But the bill, since signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, has already drawn a lawsuit by the National Rifle Association. At the same time, the reform drew rebuke from most Democrats for a “guardian” program allowing more school personnel to carry guns on campus. And while he supported efforts to prohibit classroom teachers from carrying weapons, Gruters said that provision wasn’t enough to warrant a vote against the bill. That, he said, would also mean a vote against the $400 million for school hardening and funding for mental health.
While this seat has long remained in Republican hands, Democrats have discussed posing a challenge, especially after picking up a seat in a February special election in a district entirely contained within the Senate district. But Gruters expects the seat to be fairly safe come November. He notes while House district 72 won an area Trump won by 4.5 points in 2016, Trump won Senate District 23 by 15 points.
The Florida Republican primary, if needed, is scheduled for Aug. 30. The mid-term general election is scheduled for Nov. 6. 
Photo: State Rep. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, speaks on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives.
The new Tommy Bahama Swim Collection for Spring/Summer ‘18 is among us! Find yourself spellbound from their freshly released catalog: LONG LIVE THE ISLAND LIFE. Pages upon pages filled with ocean wide varieties for you Bahama Mamas. Limitless two-piece styles and bikini cuts for all ages and body types, as well as the iconic one piece—making a clear comeback from the high-waisted, retro 90’s Baywatch babe attire. The flattering fit and killer silhouette of these onesies appear to be the real crowd pleaser in Tommy Bahama’s featured Spring/Summer collections. Note your indecisiveness triggered for every option that awaits you, with their new artful conception of prints: Amongst Fronds, Fuller Fronds, Breton Stripe, Petals of Paradise, Winding Wave, Island Active, Indigo Cowrie and Tropical Swirl. Gentlemen, we’re not leaving you out here; Tommy’s not forgotten about you. The classic swim trunks come in combinations of preferred inseam lengths and branded styles: Naples Bay, Coasta, Baja and Cayman.
This year’s tropical collection honestly offers immeasurable versatility for swimwear. From sophisticated one pieces with cheeky side cutouts, to the more sporty look of striped halter tops with matching hipsters. There’s also vacation ‘must-have’ reversible suits and flowy cover-ups that can take you from beach to boardwalk. Lest we forget to mention for those of you who are more water dwellers than sun-bathers, Tommy Bahama shows off an exciting H2O centric activewear line, made to move with you during aquatic activities. Specifically their rashguards, for both men and women prove maximum breathability and fast drying LYCRA® Xtra Life fibers. Also designed to resist chlorine and saltwater, as well as fight off harmful sun rays with UPF 50 built in it’s durable fabric. Whichever Key you decide to frolic on this season, you can sleep at night knowing you’ll be looking like an island icon in every capacity.
Tommy Bahama Store, 371 St Armands Cir., Sarasota, 941-388-2446
Image provided by Tommy Bahama
No, not BurgerKing. This is not your average cheeseburger. Repeat— this is not your average cheeseburger. Pier 22 Executive Chef, Greg Campbell has royally outdone himself with this beefy number. Chef proudly prepares most of the menu completely from scratch and this is no exception. He mentions, “We try to be as food sustainable as we can, using as much of our own food as possible. We make it as difficult as we possibly can on ourselves.” Knowing now how much goes into preparing their dishes, it’s astonishing to see how effortless they end up looking on the plate. Exhibit A above, the Pier 22 Burger. This 8 oz certified Angus beef is grilled to order, awaiting the drop down on some sliced avocado and spread of basil mayo. Powering above, lies melted smoked cheddar, a fried egg and five-spice brown sugar bacon. Lettuce, tomato and raw onion fixings garnish the very top, all one big happy family living together between the homey walls of a fluffy bun. Pier 22 modestly mentions that they make their own bread—burger buns, dinner rolls, pizza dough, desserts, all made in their in-house bakery.
All sandwiches/burgers are served with your choice of house fries, coleslaw, house chips or side salad. If you’re feeling like a baller, you can upgrade to fruit, balsamic chips or their ever popular poutine—made of local cheese curds and homemade gravy. The Pier 22 Burger is available during lunch everyday and is also on their Sunday Brunch menu. Whatever time of day you decide to go and try this crowning burger, be sure to go with an entirely empty stomach! Food coma awaits.
Image taken by Wyatt Kostygan
London Bay Homes, a leading southwest Florida custom homebuilder and developer for nearly three decades, captured 23 awards, including four “Best Overall” at the 2018 Parade of Homes, landing in the top three of 38 builder participants. The 2018 multi-site Parade of Homes showcased 117 models and 10 new-home communities throughout the Manatee and Sarasota counties. Two of the models receiving Best Overall awards are part of London Bay’s Sarasota Collection of custom estates on prime homesites on Siesta Key and near downtown—the Camberdale and Mandeville. The homes each received top honors in the residential categories for Best Curb Appeal, Best Kitchen, Best Master Suite, Best Floor Plan and Best Architectural detail. The Adalia located in in the maintenance-free Matera neighborhood at The Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch also received the Best Overall award in its category along with Best Curb Appeal, Best Master Suite and Best Floor Plan awards. London Bay’s Girona and Delfina model homes in The Founders Club, Sarasota’s premiere private golf and social club, each received top honors for Best Architectural Detail. The Girona was also honored with Best Overall, Best Curb Appeal, Best Kitchen, Best Master Suite, and Best Floor Plan awards.
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County has acknowledged the 2018 County Health Rankings & Road-maps tool released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This study highlights the many community factors that influence health and uses established data, much of which is available from the department. These rankings use data related to physical environments, social and economic factors, health behaviors and clinical care. In Sarasota County, the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is designed to address specific opportunities for improved health that have been identified by the community. The department has partnered with many stakeholders to implement the CHIP and collaborates regularly to track progress. The priority areas are healthy weight, behavioral health, including substance abuse and mental health, and access to care. The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps confirm the direction of the priority areas and work in the community. To explore more health indicators in your county, visit the website below.
More than 3,000 runners and walkers are expected to turn out for the 13th Annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, which returns this Sunday, March 18, with a new, dedicated 10K course and charity fundraising partnership with Save the Children. Accommodating downtown construction and to provide a safer and wider corridor for the start/finish, the course has been modified to now head south of Boulevard of the Arts before turning left onto 6th Street and then right onto Tamiami Trail. The finish will follow the same route in reverse direction. In addition to a modified start/finish, the race will begin 15 minutes earlier at 6:30am. The course modification allows race organizers the opportunity to provide a new, dedicated 10K course route to this year’s race, providing three different distance and race options for participants, which also include the half marathon (13.1 miles) and two-person relay (6.2-mile and 7.6-mile legs that follow the half marathon course). The 10K runners will start with the rest of the field and follow the course up and over the John Ringling Bridge, around St. Armand’s Circle and then back to the start/finish line. Registration for the 10K, with special pricing to the first registrants is now open at the website below.
Shakespeare's comedy brings together a group of star-crossed lovers, an inept band of actors led by the pompous Nick Bottom, and the king and queen of the fairies and their impish henchman Puck, who creates romantic and comic havoc for all.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W., Venice
Though best known for his Sarasota houses and monumental concrete institutional buildings, beginning in 1965 Paul Rudolph designed many innovative, NYC residences with fantastic qualities that have received little attention. Always experimenting and fascinated by lighting, Rudolph achieved otherworldly effects using elements scavenged from the city’s restaurant and manufacturing supply stores along Canal Street. Inspired by New York, Rudolph successfully transformed himself at mid-career in the 1960s into an interior architect who could transport himself and his clients into other dimensions using just mirrors and plexiglass. This lecture will be given by Timothy M. Rohan, an associate professor in the Department of the History of Art and Architecture at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Ringling College of Art and Design, Larry R. Thompson Academic Center Auditorium, 2363 Old Bradenton Rd., Sarasota.
Mike Solomon's exhibition "Native Shore" focuses on the artist's return to his native shore and hometown of Sarasota after 40 years of living away. His work is inspired by Sarasota's shoreline. The resplendent light of the neotropics radiates from the paintings and editions, drawing viewers into vibrant aqueous colors and translucent depths, the rhythmic rise and fall of the horizon.
Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419 5th St., Sarasota.
The Resonant Rogues is the songwriting soul child of partners Sparrow and Keith Smith. Since meeting in 2012, they have dedicated their lives to crafting and sharing their music with the world, touring extensively across the US and Europe. The Resonant Rogues are difficult to define, but easy to enjoy.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
There are many aspects to building a new art museum, but the most visible, of course is the curatorial program. In addition to the 15,000 sq ft of dedicated exhibition space, there are numerous Curatorial Zones on the Museum Campus where visitors will experience and engage with art. Join us for a presentation and interactive discussion about the formation of our communities' new art museum.
The Works, 891 South Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
Mike Solomon's exhibition "Native Shore" focuses on the artist's return to his native shore and hometown of Sarasota after 40 years of living away. His work is inspired by Sarasota's shoreline. The resplendent light of the neotropics radiates from the paintings and editions, drawing viewers into vibrant aqueous colors and translucent depths, the rhythmic rise and fall of the horizon. Show runs March 15 – April 14.
Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419 5th St., Sarasota.
The Price is a 1968 play by Arthur Miller. It is about family dynamics, the price of furniture and the price of one's decisions. The play premired on Broadway in 1968 and has been revived on Broadway four times since.
The Players Centre of Performing Arts, 838 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
No piece of classical music may be better at taking our imagination on a breathtaking journey toward outer space than Holst's The Planets. Performances at the Van Wezel will include projections of NASA images that make this experience a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. Roger Zare's Lift-Off is a celebration of human space exploration.With a sound that some have described as out-of-this-world, soprano Pureum Jo will join Sarasota Orchestra to sing a variety of Mozart's best and most beautiful concert arias.
Van Wezel, 777 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
Experience these timeless and melodic selections including Die Fledermaus Overture from the operetta by Johann Strauss, Dvorakʼs iconic and influential New World Symphony, and Samuel Barberʼs Violin Concerto featuring recording artist and violin soloist, Irina Muresanu.
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice.
Open to youth 8-13 years of age. Come and learn about horticulture producation and research. Participants will go on a laboratory and greenhouse tour, visit a Manatee County plant nursery and talk with researchers and people with various careers in agriculture. This will be an outdoor event so wear closed toed shoes and bring sunscreen. Admission fee will cover activities and group transportation.
Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Services Office, 1303 17th St. West, Palmetto.
Acclaimed pianist and winner of four Telly Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment Richard Glazier takes the audience down memory lane with a concert dedicated to some of Broadway’s most famous tunes to make the jump to cinema. Bringing in medleys from West Side Story and My Fair Lady, Glazier shares origin stories and backstage tidbits alongside rare film clips.
Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Cole Quest and The City Pickers are a group of New York City musicians connected by friendship and a love of bluegrass. Cole Quest, grandson of the folk icon Woody Guthrie, has brought together a collection of eclectic pickers who have gained recognition on the local scene. Performing both Quest's original tunes as well as traditional favorites. The 502s are a raucous indie folk group formed by three cousins from Central Florida. The 502s have taken their swaggering blend of Americana across the coast including Okeechobee Music Festival and Communion Records' NYC showcase. Their album is a heartfelt invitation to good old-fashioned fun.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for Live, Laugh, Love Extravaganza. Guests will be able to shop at a variety of vendors selling their wares and enjoy a delicious lunch. Guest speaker Dr. Karen Holbrook, Regional Chancellor at USF Sarasota-Manatee will speak on embracing the concept of women in education, women as mentors, and women as entrepreneurs. Guests will also be treated to a fashion show featuring Bigs and their Littles modeling fashions by Panache & Tommy Bahama.
Ritz-Carlton Sarasota , 111 Ritz Carlton Dr Sarasota, FL 34236
Consider the kaleidoscope of color: rainbows and Rubik’s Cube, Easter eggs and cherry Kool-Aid, the Green Flash, a four-leaf clover and swimming pool blue. Imagine a rainbow as groovy as tie-dye or as fun as Fruit of the Loom. Roll out your red watermelon or scatter like Skittles or come as a Sarasota sunset. Save the date for the 2018 Avant-Garde annual scholarship fundraiser to benefit the vibrant Ringling College palette-the students.
Ringling College of Art and Design , 2700 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
The famous works of Salvador Dali are coming to Sarasota. The Argillet collection is on exhibition and available for acquisition. The exhibition will also allow for opportunities to meet Madame Christine Argillet, daughter of Dali's publisher, Pierre Argillet.
Chasen Galleries of Sarasota, 1830 South Osprey Ave., Suite 102, Sarasota.
The Silver Foxes are a troupe of professionally directed, volunteer performers who have been bringing entertainment to the area for nearly 26 years. Their annual MainStage production evokes Carol Burnett-style variety shows with singing, dancing, and hilarious sketch comedy.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W., Venice,
Based on a classic book, this production is a powerful telling of Tim O'Brien's personal journey from his innocent years in rural Minnesota to the jungles of Vietnam. A one-person Tour-de-force this play explores the lines between truth and reality as fact and fiction blur in this unforgettable soldier's journey.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.
This concert will future music from a wide array of classic, beloved movies. Prepare to Strike up the Band for our Flight to Neverland as we travel Over the Rainbow. Enjoy a Star Wars theme from a new movie and the classic score from To Kill a Mockingbird. The Pomp and Circumstance of this concert will remind us all of some of our favorite things
Holley Hall, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
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