SRQ DAILY Jun 6, 2018
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"If you never give it 100%, you never really know what you're capable of."
Staring down his 41st birthday, the server Jay Tyler Steele reflected on his journey thus far, with less than complete satisfaction. The son of two animators, a creative youth full of painting and photography, pen and ink and stone-stacking, had fallen to the wayside of a “pseudo-career” in fine dining restaurants that lasted longer than he’d ever intended and left little room for creativity. But Steele still had one artistic outlet in the carven creations he’d construct from reclaimed wood. With urging from his fiancée, he took the plunge. Today, roughly two months later, the artist Jay Tyler Steele operates his own booth out of the Bazaar at Apricot & Lime, selling his handmade artwork.
“I finally took control,” Steele says, “and took my life by the reins.” And, for Steele, the reins look a lot like a handheld jigsaw. Working from reclaimed pallet wood or construction materials, the artist transforms what would be scrap into three-dimensional works of art, carving silhouette images across multiple planks and utilizing the natural wood texture and wear and tear as part of the charm. He’s not the first, he’ll admit. “But I decided to expand the concept as far as I could,” he says. To that end, Steele eschews simple silhouettes, looking for more engaging, and challenging subjects, both for him and his audience. “A simple silhouette really isn’t enough,” he says. “There isn’t enough depth.” Still, despite making everything with only a handheld jigsaw, screwdriver and a paintbrush, his creations range from wildlife to landscapes, from Beatles portraits and Abbey Road crossings to kids flying kites and daydreaming mermaids. Not wanting to be pigeonholed, he hopes the breadth of subject matter will itself become a signature.
Not content with the carving alone, Steele then takes his work to the next level by installing LED lighting to backlight each piece. Not only does the modern lighting offer an intriguing counterpoint to the rustic medium, but, to Steele, brings the whole piece to life. “It doesn’t seem like just an inanimate object on the wall anymore,” he says.
“I finally took control, and took my life by the reins.” Steele says, looking to a future filled with creation and art, with an audience and a place at Bazaar at Apricot & Lime. And it looks good, with no room for regret. “If you never give it 100%,” he says, “you never really know what you’re capable of.” 
Image courtesy of Jay Tyler Steele.
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded more than $240,000 in 2018 Giving Challenge grant prizes to organizations for a variety of special “Best Of” categories during the Challenge. An event was held on Friday, June 1st at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing to announce the recipients and award them their prize certificates.
For months leading up to the 2018 Giving Challenge, which happened on May 1st and 2nd, nonprofits worked on fundraising plans, communications campaigns, and planned events around the Giving Challenge in order to leverage the opportunity to generate unrestricted funding and develop relationships with new donors. Participating nonprofits were eligible to apply for prizes based on their strategy and success, such as best giving challenge video and event, best nonprofit-nonprofit partnership, best nonprofit-business partnership, best overall campaigns, and many more.
Volunteer committees made up of community leaders reviewed and judged the more than 430 applications submitted by the participating nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations were broken down into three categories: Small (budgets under $100,000), Medium (budgets between $100,000 and $750,000) and Large (budgets greater than $750,000). The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $200,000 to be awarded for this year’s prizes, with additional funding support Manatee Community Foundation, the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, and the Charlotte Community Foundation. The 2018 Giving Challenge raised more than $11.7 million in just 24 hours for 636 local nonprofits, thanks to support from The Patterson Foundation. In total, six combined Giving Challenges have helped to provide more than $40 million in unrestricted funding since 2012.
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to partner with SRQ Media Group to highlight stories about community impact powered by philanthropy in our region, thanks to the support of donors and our local nonprofit partners. The Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community.
Photo provided by The Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources has launched a new all-in-one library mobile app, offering a new way to streamline the library experience. The new app is compatible with Apple, Android and Amazon devices, enabling patrons to manage their accounts from the convenience of their devices. Users can search the library catalog, renew items, place holds, download books, magazines and music. The app also allows them to view the event calendar, request a meeting room and browse resources for research and learning. To download the free app, search "Sarasota County Libraries" in the app store.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its Summer 2018 Gulf Coast Board Institute. The deadline to apply is this Friday, June 8. The Board Institute is a high-level governance training series for volunteer nonprofit board members. The summer session will consist of four full-day trainings from mid-July through early August. The foundation will select up to 25 applicants to participate in the summer Board Institute. The group will meet on four consecutive Fridays from July 13 to August 3, covering topics such as the fundamentals of nonprofit board governance, financial and legal oversight responsibilities 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 Community Foundation provides all training and resources at no cost to participants in exchange for their commitment to serve as advocates for good board governance in current and future nonprofit board roles. Applicants must be currently active board members at a nonprofit in the region to be considered. The online application is available at the website below.
CareerEdge has supported leader training in the healthcare sector with much success for the last four years, and now turns to the manufacturing industry. With input from employer partners, CareerEdge developed a pilot consortium training for “Emerging Leaders” in the industry. The manufacturing training launched in May 2018 with two separate classes in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The program was delivered by trainer Lori Ann Roth, President of LARG (Learning and Reflective Growth) and included team building, personality differences, communication styles, conflict resolution and exploration of individual strengths. PGT Industries and Pierce Manufacturing hosted the CareerEdge-funded course and 50 individuals from 17 local manufacturing employers participated in the opportunity. Employers included: Atlantic Mold and Machining, Ergotronix, KHS USA, RND Automation & Engineering, Safran Electrical & Power, Air Products and Chemicals, Osprey Biotechnics, Berry Global, Tervis and more.
Over the past 23 years, Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center, Inc. (GSAHEC) has been successful in providing training and education to health professionals and students, achieving positive outcomes in tobacco cessation, providing language access training and inspiring and preparing youth to enter the health care professions that communities desperately need. Through funding received from the State of Florida Department of Health, the Tobacco Free Florida AHEC Cessation Program works in every county of the state to help reduce the use of tobacco by delivering effective evidence-based tobacco cessation services for tobacco users and training programs for health care professionals. GSAHEC’s Recruitment & Educational Assistance for Careers in Health (REACH) Program inspires students to choose a career in the health professions and care for underserved populations. Finally, the Advanced Cultural Competence Education and Support Services (ACCESS) Program strives to reduce health disparities and liability risks by assisting local health and human services organizations in providing effective care to linguistically and culturally diverse communities.
Sabal Palm Bank has announced that Jack Pilkington has joined the team at the new 1950 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota location as vice president in commercial lending. He will be working out of the downtown office to bring in new commercial business loans and to service existing business loan customers. Pilkington brings more than 37 years of banking experience with him, the last 26 with a focus on community banking in the local market, most recently with Insignia Bank. He was raised in St. Petersburg and graduated from FSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting then went on to complete his education at the BAI School of Banking in Madison, WI. Actively involved in the community, he is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Sarasota and has been a past board member and treasurer. He is currently a board member of Pines Home Health Services.
Julie Henry is the president and founder of Finish Line Leadership a company dedicated to helping leaders implement strategic and lasting change. With 20 years of experience as a dynamic corporate consultant, facilitator and speaker, she specializes in high stakes visioning and strategic initiatives helping her global clientele to face change head-on, lead boldly and achieve sustainable results. She is viewed as a trusted, credible insider with the invaluable perspective of an outside expert who can accurately pose questions and challenge the status quo. She regularly donates her time and expertise to help others in the areas of youth leadership development and marine conservation and sustainable use.
Tickets are $45/per person, which includes a mouth-watering plated lunch provided by The Francis. Reserve your spot online at SRQSB2.COM
Fleet Feet Sports Sarasota, the local retail leader in building and supporting the Sarasota running and physically active community, will join in Global Running Day as part of a nationwide 5K Big Run celebration. Designed to unify the efforts of running communities in different locations across the U.S. behind one event, the more than 70 participating Fleet Feet stores across the country collectively drew more than 12,000 participants in 2017. The event is open to all ages and ability levels and the 3.1-mile-long course will take participants down to and around Sarasota’s Bayfront.
Fleet Feet Sarasota, 711 South Osprey, Sarasota.
Join Mowgli, Baloo and friends when Asolo Rep presents the world premiere of Jungle Book from the creators of the hit show Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Using the same jaw-dropping multi-media theatrical approach, Jungle Book re-imagines Rudyard Kipling’s classic stories through modern eyes to transport audiences to the world’s jungles. Family Day is June 16; Family Package pricing starts at just $15 per ticket when one person in the party is 18 or younger.
Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243
The biennial conference has a 30-year history of featuring speakers on the cutting edge of the profession from the U.S. and abroad. This year's theme, Designing for Change, focuses on how architects are responding to changes in climate, agriculture, society transporation and technology. There will be six speaker presentations, a panel discussion, architecture tours and a workshop titled Salty Urbanism, where participants will increase their knowledge on flooding and building resilient environments. A free presentation of the workshop results will be held Sunday, June 10, at 12:45.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota.
As the warm summer heat sets in, 530 Burns Gallery is pleased to highlight artists who hail from Florida. Summertime and sunshine always bring inspiration, and each artist uses his or her diverse style to create innovative and original art works. Featured artists include Gary Borse, Linda Richichi, Katie Cassidy, Todd Andrew Babb, Randy Colbath and Bettina Sego.
530 Burns Gallery, 530 Burns Ct., Sarasota
In a cerebral journey through neuroscience, amnesia, and the theft of Albert Einstein’s brain, playwright Nick Payne investigates the nature of identity in a series of mysterious and touching interwoven tales.
Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St., Sarasota
The 2014 and 2015 highly-anticipated vintages of Bordeaux available through Michael’s Wine Cellar will officially debut, hosted by Michael’s Wine Cellar Co-Proprietor Michael Klauber immediately following Klauber’s return from a Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club wine-buying journey through Bordeaux, France. Admission is $50 per person, with each guest receiving a $25 retail voucher for purchases of $50 or more to be utilized the evening of the tasting for the purchase of featured Bordeaux wines. Advanced reservations are required. Admission includes hors d'oeuvres and tastes of more than 20 Bordeaux wines.
Michael's On East, 1212 South East Ave., Sarasota.
Come enjoy Latin Jazz with the Viva Cal Sextet, featuring an All Star cast of musicians including Jose Antonio Lao on Timbales, Michelle Salazar on Bass, Hector Mayoral on Vocals, Bongos, Bell and Chekere, Alexis Montalvo on Piano, Cole Hazlitt on Vibraphone, Frankie Pineiro on elongated bongos. Band leader Frankie Pineiro has long been a fixture of the Tampa Bay Jazz community.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
American performer, choreographer and educator Kira Blazek Ziaii will provide tools for the body and mind to deal with the demanding dance practice of the 21st century. Within a clear structure of exercises, the class thoroughly prepares the body for rehearsal and performance, enabling dancers to move bigger, more fluidly and more spatially, while becoming stronger and more flexible.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts Ste. 300, Sarasota.
The 2018 Circus Spectacular will amaze and dazzle you. Join the performers for an hour of incredible family fun at affordable prices. Presented in collaboration with The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota, this onstage exhibition of circus artistry provides delightful summer entertainment for “children of all ages.”
Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Be transported back in time with Carole's Kings, an all-male Carole King tribute that mixes fabulous music with clever writing by The Second City, the legendary home of sketch comedy and improv. With a cast fresh from Broadway, Carole’s Kings will have you singing and dancing along to “The Locomotion,” “You've Got a Friend,” and “I Feel the Earth Move.” Jam-packed with humor, this salute to Carole King will take you back to when she was the queen of the airwaves.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.
Come out and enjoy an open rehearsal with Choreographer Kira Blazek Ziaii and Sarasota Contemporary Dance dancers followed by a Q&A session.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts Ste. 300, Sarasota.
Artistic Director of Kompany Malakhi in the United Kingdom, Kewsi Johnson will show dancers his passion for creating imaginative and inspiring narratives that often hold a message. He specializes in fusing dance styles such as UK Jazz dance, contemporary, Funk styles, and Breakin', with physical theatre and the unexpected to create a style that is incomparable. The workshop equips you with the skills to transform and reinterpret image, spoken and written language into 'physical theatre.'
Sarasota Contemporary Dance Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts Ste. 300, Sarasota.
The Bradentucky Bombers will compete during their first official season as an Apprenticeship League with the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), an international governing body for the sport of women's flat track roller derby. Their relocation to the Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex gives them the opportunity to extend their promotional reach to their local tri-city community. Doors to the game will open at 4:30pm. Tickets are $10 presale, $12 at the door, $6 for kids 6-12 and free for kids 5 and under. Stay for a Meet & Greet with the Bombers, and an after party at Darwin Brewing Company and Taproom.
Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex, 5309 29th St. E., Ellenton.
Opening the Friday Fest series on June 22nd is reggae band Jah Movement. Fronted by hometown hero and vocalist extraordinaire Shantel Norman, Jah Movement plays top 40, Funk, Soul, R&B and Calypso Dance music. Winners of Creative Loafing’s 2016 ‘Best Local Reggae Band’ in the Tampa Bay Area and recent 2nd place winners of Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Best Local Entertainment for 2017, Jah Movement is made up of some of the best musicians in the South West Florida Region. The event will feature food trucks and beverage vendors. Attendees welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota
Come out and enjoy an open rehearsal with choreographer Kwesi Johnson and Sarasota Contemporary Dance dancers, followed by a Q&A session.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts Ste. 300, Sarasota.
The African savannah comes to life with Simba and Nala, Pumbaa and Timon, Mufasa and Scar, and more unforgettable characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again in this inspiring, coming-of-age story. This vibrant tale has captivated worldwide audiences. With Sir Elton John's music, dazzling costumes and extraordinary talent, this is a show not to be missed.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. West, Bradenton
Opening the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s Friday Fest summertime concert series is reggae band Jah Movement. Fronted by hometown hero and vocalist extraordinaire Shantel Norman, Jah Movement plays top 40, Funk, Soul, R&B and Calypso Dance music. Winners of Creative Loafing’s 2016 ‘Best Local Reggae Band’ in the Tampa Bay Area and recent 2nd place winners of Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Best Local Entertainment for 2017, Jah Movement is made up of some of the best musicians in the South West Florida Region. Each of the four events will feature food trucks, beverage vendors and more – it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a summer sunset over Sarasota Bay. Don’t miss out - “The Movement” is sure to get you dancing!
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
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