With the ribbon-cutting barely two weeks ago, the new post-production facility at the Ringling College Studio Labs already has its first guests, with actor and filmmaker Justin Long (Galaxy Quest, Live Free or Die Hard) and writer/producer brother Christian Long (The Real Stephen Blatt) arriving on the Ringling College campus this week to shape up their latest project, produced by Semkhor Productions. “I’m sure this will be the tiniest footnote in the history of this place, which is capable of so much,” says Justin, “but we’re just sort of breaking it in.”

Currently at work editing a proof of concept short for a new web-series, the Long brothers have for the last two days posted up in one of the editing suites in the Ringling College Studio Labs, where editor Taylor Hicks—“The Taylor Hicks,” interjects Justin—works the computer while the trio sift through footage and staple the short together. An absurdist take on the talk show format, the yet-untitled project puts hosting duties in the hands of a pair of four-year-old twin girls, who grill their unwitting guests with increasingly pointed questions fed by the Longs. It’s a concept the brothers are excited for, and actor Jake Johnson volunteered his time and talent gratis for the pilot, but working with child actors has its challenges, and now the team has 2.5 hours of footage, from which they’ll grab maybe a few minutes of final product.

Enter the comfy chairs and state-of-the-art tech in the editing suite, where movie magic comes at the click of a mouse. And that’s just one room in the facility, which also holds soundstages for sets or live musical performances, a foley room, screening rooms, a color correction bay and more. “You could shoot a whole movie here,” says Justin. “You could record a whole symphony.”

This time around, the Longs admit to using only a fraction of the facility’s potential. “It’s like taking a professional baseball mitt that will one day be used by–” Justin pauses and looks to his brother.

“Bryce Harper,” Christian offers.

“Bryce Harper,” Justin agrees, “but just letting a little league borrow it.”

“In this analogy, we’re the little league?” asks Christian, looking perhaps less than pleased with this development. “It’s maybe accurate, but not exactly flattering.” Absent another analogy, he offers explanation. “This facility can do so much,” he clarifies, “but we only need a small bit for our purposes.”

“This time,” says Justin. 

Pictured, from left: Christian Long, Justin Long and Taylor Hicks work on their latest project in the Ringling College Studio Labs Post Production Facility. Photo by Rich Schineller.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County Board, its staff and donors are delighted to be the Sarasota Lead for the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, by approaching grade-level reading (GLR) efforts through a two-generation lens. "We don’t focus solely on the child or the parent, rather on a continuum of support for both children and parents together with the goal of harnessing a family’s full potential," says Kirsten Russell, Director of Community Investment for CFSC. 

Sarasota is particularly fortunate of the many sectors of our community committed to a holistic approach to GLR. Improving educational outcomes for children and their parents is the best way to elevate families out of poverty. Ascend at the Aspen Institute for instance, provides creative opportunities for families living in poverty, while helping people envision a country that provides a legacy of economic security and educational success that passes from one generation to the next.

"The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading movement is a marathon, not a sprint. These are our kids. Our community. Our collective future. The only thing worse than these families giving up, is us giving up on them," notes Russell. "Together we harness the potential to close the opportunity gap—one child and one family at a time." 

Photo provided by Ascend at the Aspen Institute.

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

Registration is open through January 18 for the 2019 Gulf Coast Games for Life, a regional competition of amateur athletes ages 50 and older. Seniors will compete in 16 sports for medals and qualifying for the 2019 Florida Senior Games State Competition. The games will take place February 2–10 around Manatee and Sarasota counties. Events include bag toss (corn hole), basketball shooting, bocce ball, bowling, cribbage, cycling, golf, horseshoes, pickleball, racquetball, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, target shooting, track and field and volleyball. All participants must fill out registration form by the registration deadline. There is a one-time registration fee of $12, which includes an event T-shirt. Each event, including the first event, costs an additional $3. The annual event is sponsored by Manatee County, Sarasota County and the City of North Port. Download registration forms at the link below and submit them to Gulf Coast Games for Life, Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road Sarasota, FL 34241. The top five finishers per age group qualify to participate at the 2019 Florida State Games. 

2019 Gulf Coast Games for Life

CenterPlace Health is Sarasota’s newest name in healthcare, formerly the Community Health Centers of Sarasota County. Designated as a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) this past August, since that time CenterPlace Health and the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County have focused their efforts on a seamless transition of services for more than 24,000 individual clients.

CenterPlace Health has now assumed full operational responsibility for providing comprehensive quality healthcare, assuring healthcare access and reducing financial barriers for Sarasota County residents. CenterPlace Health continues to provide medical, dental, and behavioral health services, with these services available in the same locations—William L. Little Health and Human Services building located at 2200 Ringling Blvd., the Sam and Sally Babies and Children’s Medical Center on 17th Street in Sarasota, and the North Port Health Center located at 6950 Outreach Way.

CenterPlace Health provides its services under a Sliding Fee Discount Program. This program assures that patients have access to all primary health care regardless of their ability to pay. 

CenterPlace Health

The Sarasota YMCA recently received a grant of $132,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support a new effort, the Street REACH program. A project of the YMCA's Schoolhouse Link program, Street REACH (Reconnecting Employment, Academics, and Community Housing) funding will support staffing, including a REACH Case Manager and a part-time Licensed Mental Health Counselor, supplies such as basic needs packs and clothing vouchers, and bus passes for clients. The goals of Street REACH are to keep unaccompanied homeless youth safe, help them enter stable housing, gain education and employment, improve interpersonal relationships and both mental health and physical wellness, and learn the life skills necessary for them to become self-sufficient. Street REACH is projected to contact and serve 130 youth per year. For more information, go to the website below or call 941-923-6100. 

Sarasota YMCA