SRQ DAILY Jan 15, 2019
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"We're looking forward to exposing Elite Airway's guests to all that Maine's Western Mountains region has to offer."
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport ended the 2018 calendar year with a 16% increase in passenger traffic over calendar year 2017. This past December was the 9th straight month of increased passengers with the last eight months incurring double-digit increases averaging 28%, and December 2018 showing an astounding 39% increase from 2017 in transit and consumer volume. Growth first began in April 2018 with the addition of Allegiant Air—SRQ’s first ultra-low-cost carrier—and was then followed by Frontier Airlines—a second ultra-low-cost carrier—in December. The airport now hosts eight leading airlines. Much of the double-digit passenger growth was in large part, due to the addition of 20 new routes and 15 new destinations—tallying a humble total now of 26 nonstop destinations. SRQ served six airlines and only 10 nonstop destinations less than one year ago.
It only really takes one airline to make a huge difference in business at an airport, something we saw after Allegiant entered the Sarasota-Bradenton market and began offering its economical fares to several new cities, while airlines like American Air, Frontier and United added transit to Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Atlanta (ATL), Newark (EWR) and Philadelphia (PHL). Now maybe frequent flyers can look at SRQ's flights first, before looking at a drive up to Tampa International Airport, as costs may not always be higher than TPA, like they so often were before.
And according to Fredrick J. Piccolo, President & CEO of SRQ, the local airport is expected to continue its upward growth trend just as steadily in 2019. Showing no signs of taking his hand off the throttle, he announced new air service additions starting over the next few months. These additions include Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and Asheville (AVL) starting late February, as well as Harrisburg (MDT), Syracuse (SYR), Columbus (LCK), Richmond (RIC) and Cleveland (CLE), Grand Rapids (GRR) and Nashville (BNA) all starting early April 2019. He also would like to see new nonstop Northeast and Midwest destinations added to places such as Buffalo, Detroit and Minneapolis, and more of a westward reach, including Houston. If all goes well, Piccolo foresees international destinations added, perhaps to Montreal, London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam.
Meanwhile, that’s not the only exciting travel news for Sarasota-Bradenton County locals. Elite Airways recently announced a partnership with Sugarloaf Ski Resort. Located in the Carrabassett Valley, Maine, it is the largest ski area in the East. Offering exclusive winter vacation packages for its Florida-based passengers, the Maine Ski Package will include round-trip airfare on Elite Airways from SRQ to Portland (PWM), along with to-and-from airport transfers, lift ticket and the first-checked bag or oversized ski/snowboard bag for free. Packages also include mountain lodging at the Sugarloaf Inn, starting at $699 per person for either a 3-night Thursday-Sunday stay, or a 4-night Sunday-Thursday stay, based on double occupancy. Sugarloaf also reaps the number one golf course in Maine according to Golf Digest. So as not to leave out the beautiful summer months of New England, Elite and Sugarloaf are also planning summer and fall vacation packages to include golfing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and autumn leaf-viewing getaways.
“Today’s announcement reflects Elite Airways’ commitment to expanding opportunities in our home state of Maine, and to bringing new business to Sugarloaf and surrounding communities,” says John Pearsall, President of Elite Airways. In the same breath, Joe Christopher, President of Sugarloaf Inn states, “We’re looking forward to exposing Elite Airway’s guests to all that Maine’s Western Mountains region has to offer.”
For more information or to book a vacation package, call the airline at 877-393-2510 or visit its website at EliteAirways.com. 
Photo courtesy of Elite Airways.
Local Chill Artisan Ice Cream’s recently moved on to Ocean Blvd. and plans to redefine the concepts of traditional ice cream parlors. The new hangout's white and blue modern milieu and 16 farm-to-cone ice cream flavors, already set itself apart from the typical 'one or two scoop?', 'cone or cup?' experience. Additional menu options such as gourmet-baked cookies, barista-style hot chocolates, frozen “chillitas” and Italian-style affogatos take center stage. For those who have not had the pleasure, an affogato is a scoop of vanilla gelato/ice cream topped or "drowned" with a shot of hot espresso. But customers can order the boost of caffeine with really any of its artisianl flavors. For a real kick in the pants, go all out with the Cold Brew Sumatra Coffee flavor or keep it simple, but smooth with Valrhona French chocolate. The Butter Pecan and Burnt Sugar Honey Brittle also deem to go particularly well, with their sweetness perfectly combatting the bitter notes of espresso. Forget the sprinkles and get buzzing.
The Local Chill, 5140 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, 941-388-7672.
With the Vision Van visiting Manatee County schools, dozens of students will receive much needed eye care this week, thanks to the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program. Students who pre-registered will undergo free vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams and will receive a new pair of prescription glasses in the coming weeks. The program is provided by Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and provides eye care to uninsured school children—at no cost to their families. The mobile eye care clinic is visiting three Manatee County schools through January 17, 2019. Nearly sixty students were signed up for eye care exams yesterday at Oneco Elementary School. The van will visit Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary today, and Southeast High School on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Sarasota YMCA recently received a grant of $15,000 from the Harold C. & Jacqueline F. Bladel Foundation to support its Operation Graduation Continuum of Care, an innovative range of educational programs offered free of charge benefitting youth from early childhood through high school. The Continuum programs emphasize providing direct support to at-risk, minority, low-income, low-achieving and other disadvantaged youth, as well as youth who are not on track to graduate and those at greater risk of becoming involved with gangs, substance use, criminal activity and/or any other delinquent behaviors. The Bladel Foundation has supported YMCA programs since 2009; this year's grant is the largest to date.
The programs impacted by the Bladel Foundation grant include: Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), a home-based, early childhood education program for caregivers with children ages 3-5; the YMCA Achievers, which empowers students to set and achieve goals in both their educational and personal lives; and Operation Graduation, which provides an enhanced afterschool program focusing on literacy and reinforcing daily academic work, along with the opportunity to have recreational time in a safe and secure environment. This year, the Sarasota YMCA will serve at least 540 minority, at-risk and/or disadvantaged youth in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club is hosting a job fair to fill full-time and part-time positions at the boutique waterfront resort. Opportunities include maintenance technician, public attendant, housekeeping attendants, food and beverage supervisor, servers, kitchen supervisor, cooks and more. The job fair will be held at the Waterline Resort’s Plimsoll Ballroom, at 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on January 29 from 10am to 6pm. Applications are also accepted online at the website below.
Artists are local, national and international, and Art Center Manatee is one of only five venues in the country to host the exhibit. Admission is $5. In a neighboring gallery, and on display for the same period of time, the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society will also be showing work from its member-artists.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W, Bradenton.
In the black of night, a Salem village reverend discovers a group of teenage girls dancing devilishly around a fire in the woods. When his daughter exhibits strange catatonic symptoms the following morning, the townsfolk are frenzied with rumors of witchcraft. Deep-seated jealousy, deadly accusations, and seething resentments pit neighbor against neighbor as a deeply religious community is thrown into turmoil, in this Arthur Miller classic.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., 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
This exciting new series taught by Lululemon Ambassador Ashley Stewart Yoga will offer three classes in different locations throughout the estate in January, February and March 2019. After the class, explore the galleries and visit with friends at the Art After 5 lounge which features a cash bar.
Museum Galleries, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Jane Brody is coming to Sarasota! The "High Priestess of Health," New York Times Columnist and American Author is the keynote at ITN SunCoast's annual luncheon. Health and wellness exhibits, and giveaways will precede the sit down lunch and "Jane Brody on Living Well to 100". Seating is limited. Tickets are $50.
The Carlisle, 3727 Bahia Vista, Sarasota
“Welcome to the 60s” where Tracey Turnblad, a pleasantly plump teenager dreams of fame and fights to racially integrate the Corny Collins Show. This winner of eight Tony Awards (including “Best Musical”) is based on the John Waters film and proves that “You Can’t Stop The Beat.”
The Players Theatre, 838 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Through movement, mime, and comedy, a veteran solo artist recalls and recreates the indelible memories from thirty years of touring twenty-five nations.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
In the final scene of Ibsen’s 1879 masterwork, Nora Helmer slammed the door on her marriage and family life, leaving her family. This sequel imagines her 15 years later as a successful writer and independent women, but she must return home to the one man who can help her. Universally acclaimed during its recent Broadway run, this new comedy raises questions about marriage and the roles of women have—and have not—changed.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
The Ringling Art Library’s Special Collection includes a number of 17th to 19th-century travel books, many of which are extremely rare. This presentation from Elisa Hansen, Head of Library Services, will explore these fascinating journeys and the authors who wrote about them.
Chao Lecture Hall, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s novel of the same name , Christopher is exceptionally intelligent, but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an ear-shattering discovery.
In Gallery 1, Sarasota Visual Artists Studios will present an exciting exhibition featuring the work of Andrea Dasha Reich, Barbara Banks, Bill Buchman, Duncan Chamberlain, Grace Howl and Larry Forgard. A collaboration between Jen Nugent and Jack Arbough uses drawing, collage and video to address competing impulses to conserve and explore in Gallery 2. In Gallery 3, the Manasota branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History highlights African-American artists from Sarasota and Manatee counties. And Gallery 4 features an open, juried exhibition.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Join SRQ Magazine for SB2 for the State of the Economy at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota with a panel of regional experts from small businesses, economic development, finance, hospitality and real estate including Jacki Dezelski of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Cooper of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Drayton Saunders of Michael Saunders and Company, Mark Huey of the EDC of Sarasota County, Philip Rich of Seaside Bank, Jeff Mayers of The Resort at Longboat Key Club and Sharon Hillstrom of the Bradenton Area EDC. The winners of the 2019 Localpreneur of the Year Competition will also be announced and recognized during a special awards program. Tickets are $55/person, $250 for a half table of four and $500 for a table of eight. Registration begins at 11am. The program runs from 11:30am to 1pm. Ticket online at SRQSB2.COM.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, Florida 34236
The Ringling is proud to welcome over 10,000 students to their museum each year. During this tour, Katie Nickel, School and Teacher Programs Coordinator, will walk through the galleries through the eyes of a child and explain how she strategically designs school experiences for different ages and subject areas.
Museum of Art , 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
The Ringling is proud to welcome over 10,000 students to their museum each year. During this tour, Katie Nickel, School and Teacher Programs Coordinator, will walk through the galleries through the eyes of a child and explain how she strategically designs school experiences for different ages and subject areas.
Museum of Art , 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Kicking off 2019 with a bang, Program 4 features a world premiere from Sarasota Ballet’s Resident Choreographer and Principal Dancer, Ricardo Graziano, alongside David Bintley’s Four Scottish Dances and the company premiere of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Varii Capricci. This will be the eighth full work choreographed by Graziano for the Company.
FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
An ever-changing spoof of Broadway musicals, sing and laugh along with the roast of such timeless Broadway hits as LesMiserables, Cats, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof and many more. The costumed cast of four talented singer/entertainers wrap highly professional performances with musicality and laughter.
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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