Joe Gruters helped President Donald Trump win the White House. Now can he help get the trains to run on time? The Sarasota state representative told leaders in Washington on Wednesday he will focus on safety and efficiency if confirmed as a member of Amtrak’s board of directors, and promised he’d try and expand service in the Sunshine State. “As a Floridian, I look forward to working with you for a reasonable way to make this work,” he told senators.

Gruters told SRQ after the hearing that he wants to make Amtrak more profitable, and that if he can prove better rail connecting the Gulf Coast to the national train network would be viable, he'll try to make that happen. "There are so many snowbirds coming from the Midwest and the Northeast down to Florida," he says. "Now it [Amtrak] goes to Orlando. Why not an expansion into Southwest Florida? If it needs more profitable routes, this is a destination people want to come to. If we can expand alternative transportation options with rail, I'm all on board."

President Trump appointed Gruters to the Amtrak board in February, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a confirmation hearing Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, serves as the ranking Democrat on the committee, and stressed the importance of the train service to the state both he and Gruters call home. “Florida relies on having reliable, on-time long-distance service to the state,” Nelson said in an opening statement. He also made note that since Hurricane Katrina struck the region in 2005, there’s been no Amtrak service in the Florida Panhandle, where a route connecting from New Orleans to Jacksonville once made numerous stops.

During questioning from U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, on that route, Gruters said he’s heard requests since his appointment to speak to leaders from towns along that former route. “It’s important to them to get this particular trail up and running,” Gruters said. As an accountant, he said he hopes he could find financial efficiencies that would help in that mission. He also accepted an invitation from Wicker to ride Amtrak in Mississippi with the senator and discuss the importance of the service with riders there.

Following questions from U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and Maria Cantrell, D-Washington, Gruters promised to enforce safety standards at Amtrak, which had four fatal train crashes over a two-month span earlier this year. Gruters praised current Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson for hiring a chief safety officer tasked with enforcing new safety protocols.

The appointment marks a major foray into national politics for Gruters, who currently serves in the Florida House of Representatives and is running for state Senate. Gruters previously worked for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R- Sarasota, and serves as chairman for the Republican Party of Sarasota. Perhaps most relevant to the Amtrak appointment, he served on the Florida State University board of trustees as finance and audit chairman. Gruters served as co-chair for Trump’s presidential campaign in Florida.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Okeechobee, introduced Gruters to the Senate subcommittee today and stressed Gruters history of community and political leadership. “President Trump is fortunate to have an appointment of Joe’s caliber willing to serve,” Rooney said.

Amtrak has train stations in Tampa, Clearwater and Sebring, and connects to public service that runs through Sarasota and Manatee. The eight members of its board of directors get appointed by the Presidents and require Senate confirmation. While technically a private corporation, the federal government is the only investor for Amtrak. 

Amtrak service map.

Nestled alongside Fruitville Rd by Whole Foods sits a local gem called SPARCC Treasure Chest, a thrift store constantly stocking its shelves with high-end antiques, collectibles, clothing, furniture and more, for both men and women. With donated inventory always in flux, you never know what you will find with each visit.

One hundred percent of the Treasure Chest’s profits go toward the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC), an organization in Sarasota that provides free services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Treasure Chest encourages visitors to purchase items at the store as well as donate their own possessions.

Volunteers at the Treasure Chest aim to ensure their customers remain satisfied while benefiting the great cause they represent. Supplying everything from old books and vinyl records to novelty coffee mugs and rugs, SPARCC ensures a catering to any individual interest. The Treasure Chest also houses a plethora of furniture styles suitable for nearly every design of home. Pictured is a vintage, seven-piece dining room table set adorned with black and cream floral-printed chairs sure to bring personality into any room.

Not only does SPARCC provide customers with bargain prices, but it features special deals every Saturday. All items in the store stay marked with varying colored price tags, and some examples of these specials might include “50% off all red tags,” “30% off all handbags,” “50% off of everything in the store,” etc. Paying a visit to the Treasure Chest is worthwhile, whether you embark on a hunt for home décor on a budget, a new denim jacket, some dapper vintage pins, or simply just peruse for nifty little trinkets and finds. 

SPARCC Treasure Chest, 1426 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-953-7800.

Sidestep from the bustling sidewalks of St. Armands Circle into this bi-level Italian eatery providing dinner and a show every night of the week. Inside 15 South’s Mediterranean-inspired walls, revel in the nightly offerings of entertaining experiences, because this place is so much more than just a restaurant. Sway your way from the ground floor to the top floor, as each level designates itself to its own musical features and ambiance.

In the charming dining room, which also consists of an elegant piano/wine bar with high top tables close to the action, discover an eclectic array of live entertainment playing worldly music with soulful instrumental vibrations. Sounds range from Blues/Motown to Jazz to Latin and Classic Italian/American music—a master at the trumpet plays on Sundays and Monday, a piano savant on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, a romancer on the Spanish guitar on Thursdays, and a popular Latin band on the weekends to get you on your feet for salsa and merengue. Many of the artists play without sheet music, so have your requests ready and be blown away by some seriously underrated talent.

After a delicious dinner, continue your evening by heading upstairs to the nightclub for cocktails at the horseshoe-shaped liquor bar in the back, while moving to the upbeat music of a DJ playing into the wee hours of the night. Enjoy a drink on the large, open balcony overlooking the Circle, then shimmy over to the stage-front to tear up the granite dance floor amongst great company.

15 South Ristorante is a member of Nosh, SRQ Media's content marketing program for local restaurants. 

15 South Ristorante Enoteca, 15 S Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota, 941-388-1555.

Ringling College of Art and Design is looking for feedback from the community regarding its gallery programming and presentation. To that end, the college has invited all who have attended galleries throughout the year to take part in a quick survey to share their opinions. As an added incentive, those who participate are eligible to win a Fujifilm instax 210 camera and 20 exposures of instant film. To see the survey, follow the link below. 

Ringling College Gallery Survey

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has recently named Scott Ferguson as its marketing and communications director. In this role, Ferguson will oversee all facets of the organization's marketing and public relations efforts in order to support ticket sales, assist in donor cultivation and satisfaction, and maintain positive relations with the media. Most recently, Ferguson has served as media relations consultant for the Classical Music Celebration, a showcase of international musicians staged at the Sarasota Opera House in May. Previously, he held the titles of manager and media relations specialist of the Communications and Community Relations Department for Sarasota County Schools; he worked for the school district from 2007-2018. Ferguson’s role will be particularly vital for WBTT as the organization prepares to embark on the second phase of its campus renovation project, funded by the ongoing $6 million Heart & Soul Capital Campaign. 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Forbes has named Sarasota investment advisor Raul Elizalde as a full-time contributor for its website Forbes.com, which boasts a monthly digital readership of roughly 53.9 million. Elizalde has been a guest contributor for Forbes for over a year; beginning May 2018, he will write under his own byline, covering market trends, investment mistakes, and overlooked risks. Elizalde focuses on analyzing historical trends to avoid current and future market risks and minimize investment vulnerability for his clients.  As a former Wall Street strategist, Elizalde has advised portfolio managers across the US and the globe, and has made presentations at the World Bank. Elizalde is the past chair and current member of the Asset Management Committee at State College of Florida, as well as the founder and chief investment officer of Path Financial, a Florida-registered investment advisory firm located in Sarasota. 

Path Financial

Realtor David Polosky has joined RE/MAX Platinum Realty as a team member with his wife, Jessica Bow (The Golden Group), in the Downtown Sarasota office. He was formerly with Bright Realty. An Ohio native, Polosky moved to Sarasota in 2006. He brings extensive local knowledge and strong customer service skills, and offers extra services including free home/termite inspections and home warranties. In addition, his background as a home inspector gives his clients a decided advantage in selling or buying a home. As a bonus, Polosky’s team also provides free labor his clients to spruce up their home, whether buying or selling. RE/MAX Platinum Realty offers full-service residential real estate solutions in Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida, specializing in luxury and waterfront properties. With offices in downtown Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Osprey, Venice and the West Villages, the company leverages RE/MAX corporate resources to market homes to more than 90 countries in 32 languages. 

RE/MAX Platinum Realty