SRQ DAILY Nov 29, 2018
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"I know several of us are concerned about what's next."
Weeks after Florida went through an unprecedented three statewide recounts, elections supervisors from around the state will convene in Sarasota for an annual conference.
The 2018 Mid-Winter Conference for the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, scheduled at The Westin Sarasota from Sunday through Wednesday, has been planned for some time, but the agenda suddenly changed after renewed scrutiny on Florida’s electoral process.
Ron Turner, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections, agreed to host the event well before the recount. He anticipates election reform will come up at the meeting. The Association forms a list of legislative priorities each year, and members will want their voices heard at a time lawmakers in Tallahassee hint at changed to the law.
Mike Bennett, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, knows the agenda for the conference didn’t originally focus on recount regulations but now expects the matter will be a source of conversation. “I know several of us are concerned about what’s next,” he says.
Turner, for example, would like some discussion about Florida’s strict time frames for recounts. While Sarasota and Manatee both met all deadlines, larger counties like Palm Beach could not do so. “I’m of the mind that the recounts in a recount,” Turner says. “Let’s put it that way. I don’t know how those need to be addressed. It’s a quick turnaround to do things now.”
Supervisors in every county this year had to finish an initial tabulation of votes between poll closing on Tuesday and noon Saturday, then had to complete a machine recount on the Governor, U.S. Senate and Agriculture Commissioner races by the following Thursday afternoon. Then the Senate and Agriculture races went to a manual recount that had to be finished by the following Sunday.
But Bennett also has other concerns, notably the recent passage of a Florida Constitutional Amendment automatically restoring voting rights to felons once they finish their restitution to the state. Right now, it’s unclear how that will take place with an estimated 1.4 million voters immediately, much less in the future.
“Who is going to verify that someone has done all the stuff that needs to be done as part of a sentence?” Bennett says. That could fall on law enforcement, the prison system or prosecutors. He hopes elections offices won’t be tasked with independently verifying that kind of information on voters themselves. 
Photo courtesy Sarasota Supervisor of Elections.
Serving bibliophiles, bookaholics and aspiring writers since 1956, Brant’s Books prevails as one of the largest and last-standing privately owned bookstores in the state of Florida. With an inventory of 150,000+ titles, including eclectic genres, classics, out of print, hard-to-find selections and today’s award-winning bestsellers, Brant’s invites you to leave your E-reader at home and get figuratively and literally lost in the endless stacks of printed paper at its blowout sale this weekend. The Fun-Raising Book Sale will percolate throughout the wonderland warehouse and offer boxes upon boxes of more than 25,000 books for sale. On Friday, November 30, all books will be marked at a whopping $3 each, with a buy-five-get-one-free option, while collectibles and modern firsts will sell for $5/each. On Saturday, December 1, a “Fill a Box/Bag” for $25 will be avaiable, plus prices from Friday. And owner Barbara Brant mentions Sunday, December 2’s surprise sale entails, “pricing you won’t believe.”
So expect to leave with a fully-loaded restock for your bookshelf or coffee table with some fantastic novels, scholarly tomes and informational treatises. “All books are unsorted and unscanned, so be prepared to dig and find treasures!” Barbara notes.
Brant’s is also currently undergoing some exciting renovations in the backlot, manifesting a makeover for lounging and reading in a relaxing garden setting, with intention for hosting events and festivals in the future as well. “I do this because it’s important that stores like this stick around—they improve communities and bring people together,” she says. “That’s why, after 62 years, I am still passionate about my business.”
The Fun-Raising Book Sale runs Friday, 10am-3pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am- volume. “Cash & Carry” only (no holds). Free books to all volunteers willing to lend a helping hand. If interested, email availability to brantsbooks@gmail.com.
Brant's Books, 429 North Lime Ave., Sarasota, 941-365-3658. But parking and warehouse entrance is located on Apricot Ave. (take Lime Ave. to Aspinwall St. to Apricot).
For over thirty years, the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights has dazzled denizens of the Sarasota community, with thousands of sparkling lights and the musical sounds of Christmas filling the air. Proudly presented by Marina Jack, the 2018 parade will take place on Saturday, December 8th beginning at 6:00PM, and is sure to put even the most grinchy of Scrooges in the holiday spirit!
The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights will kick off from City Island, making its way across Sarasota Bay to Centennial Park and then south under the Ringling Bridge, across Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. Viewing is available all along the shores of Sarasota Bay, but for a truly spectacular experience, Marina Jack is offering a special four course dinner menu in both the main dining room and the Deep Six Lounge and Piano Bar. Reserved seating will also be available for the evening at the Blue Sunshine Patio Bar and Grill, with live performances by Kettle of Fish from 6:00PM - 10:00PM. You’ll have a front-row seat to the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights award presentation at 8:30PM, and the decorated boats will dock at Marina Jack; perfect for snapping a few pictures and snagging that perfect Christmas-in-Florida holiday card photo!
This week, Sarasota County Schools Police Department Chief of Police Tim Enos took his Oath of Office amidst family and friends, Sarasota County Schools personnel, law enforcement officials, public officials, students, members of the media and the public. The crowd heard remarks from Superintendent Todd Bowden, Sheriff Tom Knight and Florida Department of Education’s Office of Safe Schools Executive Director Damien Kelly. The Honorable Judge Lee Haworth presided over the ceremony, which was held at the Riverview High School Performing Arts Center. “I am humbled and honored to begin my service as Chief of Police of the Sarasota County Schools Police Department,” noted Enos. “I am a proud product of Sarasota County Schools, and it has been my joy as a parent to see my children thrive in this community.”
The Tiny Hands Foundation has announced it will distribute more than 1,500 holiday gift baskets decorated and filled with holiday food, Christmas treats and toys to Sarasota community children and families in need on Saturday, December 22 from 9am to 12pm. The Tiny Hands Foundation is seeking donations, sponsors, partners, press and volunteers to assist the foundation in achieving this year’s goal. Those who are interested in helping The Tiny Hands Foundation with the 2018 Holiday Basket Brigade please contact:Camille Bauman. $25 sponsors a local family.
A solo exhibition presenting recent video projects by internationally acclaimed writer and interdisciplinary artist Coco Fusco. Works explore the current political and social climate in Cuba as the Revolution enters its twilight years. Fusco will be premiering her lasted video project currently in production. This newest project, made possible by her 2016 Greenfield commission at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, is a short video-essay on contemporary Cuba that reflects on the anxieties emerging as the country faces an uncertain future. Fusco will also be unveiling a new sculpture on The Ringling’s grounds.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
Celebrating the Japanese art of ink wash painting, also called Sumi-e, this exhibition brings art from around the country to Bradenton for a show dedicated to the delicacy, beauty and history of the medium. Spanning across all three galleries, this is another flagship exhibition for one of Bradenton’s leading art centers.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W, Bradenton.
Written by Hannah Benitez, a Cuban-Jewish-American millennial originally from Miami, Dike follows a pair of sisters from a religious family who reunite after two years of separation to navigate the cloudy waters of identity. An awkwardly hilarious and gripping exploration of love, sexuality, and sisterhood, with an all-female cast, Dike questions the limitations religion and social conditioning raise within all of us.
Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St., Sarasota.
After several years of requests from theater patrons, Sheldon Rhoden will reprise the role of Marvin Gaye. This original show begins in the 1950s at the start of Gaye's career with Motown and follows its twists and turns until his untimely death in the mid-1980s.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 North Orange Ave., Sarasota.
A celebration of female singer-songwriters who have used their music to give themselves a voice in contemporary America. Artists like Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, and Carly Simon have made indelible marks on the music industry.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
Art Center Instructors exhibition will feature the talented local and visiting Art Center Sarasota instructors. A second gallery will offer Stephen McMennamy, an Atlanta-based artist, his first solo exhibition featuring his time-based video collages. Artist Peter Gatzambide will exhibit a recent series of assemblage paintings and works on paper in his first solo exhibition at Art Center Sarasota.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.
The SRQ Philanthropy Agenda luncheon and panel discussion will explore the dynamic and ever changing world of non-profits. What's trending, who's innovating, why are donor-advised funds growing so rapidly and what exactly are donors looking for? The luncheon will culminate with the SRQ Gives Good program at which we will honor the Non-Profit Innovation in Philanthropy Award and the Local Philanthropy Hero Award honoring individuals who have meaningfully impacted our community for good in the past year.
The Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
Santa Claus narrates the story of Buddy, who was raised at the North Pole. Prior to Christmas, Buddy learns he’s human, not an elf. He convinces Santa to let him return to New York City to find his real father. He finds his father (who’s on the naughty list) and a step brother who doesn’t believe in Santa. Buddy decides it’s up to him to bring back the spirit of Christmas to his family and all of New York.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton
Crackling with his signature bravado and high-energy physicality, Raphael Xavier shares the stage with a multigenerational cast, performing a series of solos, duets and quintets in his newest work, featuring a soundscape of beats, spoken word poetry and musical rhythms.
Distilling the art of break dancing to its purest form, Raphael Xavier takes this movement vocabulary to uncharted territory. Point of Interest ventures into the "mature" space for hip-hop dance, following the standard of traditional Breaking aesthetics while pushing the boundaries of a culture and dance form commonly associated with youth.
The Ringling
Ward Stare leads Sarasota Orchestra in a program pairing exquisite French music with rich German orchestral fare. Twin sisters Christina and Michelle Naughton provide double the drama in Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos, while Ravel’s masterwork appropriately uses the word “delicious” in its subtitle. Mozart’s music from Thamos, King of Egypt is a rarely heard delight and German Romantic giant Richard Strauss’ operatic suite concludes the program in an explosion of orchestral virtuosity.
Sarasota Orchestra, 709 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
In the season opening, the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School presents a production of this timeless classic alongside Tchaikovsky’s much-loved score. Travel through this fanciful world and dance along with the sugar plum fairies, as Clara and her Nutcracker Prince journey into the whimsical Kingdom of Sweets.
Sarasota Opera House , 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
This sixth annual festival features a stellar lineup of top blues musicians, including Welch-Ledbetter Connection, Mr.Sipp, Shakura S’Aida, Chris Cain, Harper & Midwest Kind, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Kelley Hunt, & Trey Wanvig in between sets. Food, drinks and merchandise will be available for purchase on this beautiful riverfront setting.
Bradenton Riverwalk Event Pavilion, 452 3rd Ave. W, Bradenton
Acclaimed twin brother tenors Will and Anthony Nunziata put their vocal versatility on stunning display with fresh takes on classics from Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Frankie Valli, Billy Joel, Nat King Cole, The Righteous Brothers, Etta James, Adele and more.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Two exhibits open up in the four galleries, including an all-media juried show featuring artists from all around the region. Women's Contemporary Artists is a group of women artists from Florida's Gulf Coast. Opening reception on December 5.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W, Bradenton.
The Field Club as La Musica kicks off its 33rd season, with its own spin on a gala event. Take in the beauty of the bay and the historic mansion during the cocktail reception. Sit back and relax while a duo of our musicians performs a recital. Cap the evening with an exquisite dinner in the Club’s flagship dining room with designed by architectural icon Tim Seibert.
The Field Club, 1400 Field Rd., Sarasota
One part Shakespeare (Twelfth Night) and a whole bunch of the great Elvis Presley and you have the makings of Rock ‘n’ Roll Musical Theatre heaven. So, “Don’t Be Cruel,” grab that “Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender,” this holiday season. Because, everyone needs a hunka hunka “Burning Love” for Christmas.
The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.
"Voices of SCD" is a truly unique platform that provides rising choreographers in the field of dance with an opportunity to set work on SCD dancers and premier that work during SCD's main stage season. This performance provides the audience with an equally exciting and rare opportunity to see the early stages of bold contemporary choreographers that will make up the next generation. Choreographers are selected by adjudication through SCD's Summer Intensive Program. This year's selected crop happen to all come from within the company - so if you want to know more about the pulse behind Sarasota Contemporary Dance, you do not want to miss this!
Jane B Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
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