Kevin Cooper, president of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, will step down to take on a new position at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

“Ever since I began working with the team at Mote on the creation of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic sand-sculpting event, I’ve admired the organization,” Cooper says. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to devote my time to Mote’s transformative efforts.”

Mote officials announced late Wednesday that Cooper would join the organization as Vice President for Communications & Strategic Initiatives starting in early 2019. The move comes as Mote looks to expand its footprint and its research initiatives. Mote leaders announced plans earlier this year to open a new aquarium in Nathan Benderson Park while devoting its existing Sarasota aquarium to research space.

Mote President Michael Crosby says Cooper will also help evolve execute a long-term vision and strategic plan for the organization.

“A critical role for Kevin will be to work with and influence people across the entire organization and external stakeholder groups, and provide me with recommendations related to optimal effectiveness and efficiency of overall Mote operations,” Crosby says. “Mote’s mission depends on strategic thinking coupled with caring commitment—this is exactly what we see in Kevin.”

Cooper has played increasingly significant roles in the region’s business community since his arrival here in 2008. He led the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce before coming on as vice president at the Sarasota Chamber. He briefly left that organization to work as director of Community Investment for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation before returning to serve as president of the Chamber again.

Cooper will remain with the Chamber into 2019 before making the switch to Mote, and he plans to work with organization leaders on a transition. “In the meantime, Kevin will continue working hard on initiatives that will further The Chamber’s mission in our community,” says John LaCivita, Chamber chairman.

LaCivita says the Chamber remains strong as Cooper looks at his next move. “I am proud to say The Chamber could not be in a better place, and membership is continuing to grow within the community,” he says. 

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan: Kevin Cooper

‘Tis the perfect time to gear up for that brewhead on your gift list. Calusa Brewing is hosting local ink purveyors Oddity Tattoo Studio and Gallery at its brewery this weekend for a killer glassware release party, ‘Art & Ale.' The event features 15 different Oddity artists and their collectable artwork printed on glass. Uniquely cool for gift giving or collecting, each artist stands out with their own drawing styles, ranging from traditional tattoo imagery to abstract designs, futuristic creatures and fun colorful cartoons. Different size glassware is also available for artists' designs, including tumbler, pint glass, can glass, becher and tall boy.

Meanwhile, Calusa will also be releasing bottles for sale and consumption at noon of its Seas of Infinity Sour Brown Ale, a two-year red wine barrel-aged with black currants. And Taste Time to Love Us food truck will be providing a little bit of Philly, with authentic cheese steaks, sandwiches, fries and more.

Preorder the Oddity Glass Collection here. 

Art & Ale, Saturday, December 15 at 6pm at Calusa Brewing, 5701 Derek Ave., Sarasota, 941-922-8150.

Photos provided by the Facebook event page

PIER 22, downtown Bradenton’s landmark restaurant invites you to celebrate New Year’s Eve by the waterside! Serving a special holiday menu from 4:00PM - 11:00PM, the first floor and terrace dining areas will boast party DJ entertainment, photo booth access, New Year’s Eve party favors and a champagne cash bar for revelers 21+. Those looking to take their celebration to the next level should make their way to the second floor and the VIP Ballroom Party, where they will receive exclusive access to the newly renovated PIER 22 Grand Ballroom and enjoy a premium dinner buffet created by Executive Chef Greg Campbell, as well as a premium open bar for adult guests. Take to the al fresco terrace dance floor for party DJ entertainment throughout the night, and kick off 2019 with a midnight toast and balloon drop.

Reservations are strongly recommended for both celebrations, and tickets are required for the VIP Ballroom Party. 

1200 1st Ave W, Bradenton

While Goodwill Manasota does extensive study of geography and real estate in the region to plan where its stores and attended donation centers (ADCs) should be located for maximum impact, there are still numerous areas where appropriate facilities aren't available or the costs are too high. But now, with Goodwill's brand new Giving Mobile, there is no corner of the community that can't be reached in order for donations to be conveniently made to the local nonprofit. For its debut deployment this week, the Giving Mobile was brought to St. Boniface Church on Siesta Key, where there are no Goodwill stores or ADCs. The hours for the dedicated donations vehicle are 9am–5pm. Items accepted include clothing, shoes, small household items, books and electronics—basically anything that might fit in someone's trunk (not large furniture). Goodwill is currently reaching out to other locations, such as shopping centers, country clubs or any community that could use the mobile Goodwill presence for varying lengths of time. For more information, or to request the Giving Mobile at your location, call 941-355-2721, ext. 131. 

Goodwill Manasota

The American College of Cardiology has awarded Sarasota Memorial full accreditation this month as a designated Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation for demonstrated expertise in treating patients with chest pain. Sarasota Memorial is the first hospital in Sarasota County to receive the highest-level designation, which followed a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

To earn this high level Chest Pain Center designation, hospitals must maintain a “No Diversion Policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients and demonstrate exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms, including offering primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) 24/7, every day of the year. Also known as coronary angioplasty, PCI is a non-surgical, catheter-based procedure that uses balloons to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries to reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack, and inserts stents to keep the arteries open and prevent further heart disease. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Registration is now open for two upcoming workshops for nonprofit organizations presented through Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Invest in Incredible initiative. A January 10 workshop will cover human resources compliance and best practices for small organizations, while a January 18 workshop focuses on grant-writing strategies. Each morning-long workshop costs $25, which includes breakfast, and will take place at Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s headquarters in Venice.

Registration and more information is available online at the website below.

Invest in Incredible is Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s nonprofit capacity-building initiative. Through free online resources, group training workshops, and customized consulting engagements, Invest in Incredible helps nonprofit organizations across the Gulf Coast region improve their board governance and operational effectiveness. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Workshops