On a normal Tuesday, the sight of stilt-walkers at 10am could be surprising. Throw in a trio of besequined jugglers, and the whole situation would be downright strange. But yesterday was no normal Tuesday, as the Circus Arts Conservatory—and all its local friends and supporters—gathered outside the freshly renovated Sailor Circus Arena to cut that big red ribbon and see what CAC and the Sailor Circus Academy have in store for the next 70 years.

It’s been little more than a year since the Sailor Circus Arena shuttered its doors, and in that time Tandem Construction and the minds behind the CAC have transformed a 40-year-old facility with no air conditioning and more potential than space into an iconic arena—and the largest event venue in town.

Boasting 28,050-square-feet of open space, the upgraded arena can comfortably seat 2,287 spectators, light any show or performance with 160 lighting relays (complete with dimming system) and, all told, a 100,000 square foot, four-story building could fit under the metal dome. But in perhaps the most important addition for the performers and teachers who will be sweating away in the space, a new dual set of massive air conditioning units keep the air as cool as the aerialists twirling through it. Thanks to the expansion, the CAC will also now offer new programming for all ages and abilities, and be open year-round.

With a $4.35-million price tag, the project represented a joint effort, and CAC leaders took their time in front of the ribbon to thank the many supporters gathered. The institution—CAC and Sailor Circus Academy—is “much more than just a circus,” said CAC Founder Pedro Reis, and this new arena a “milestone” and a “dream come true” for the school and the greater circus legacy. “Life is about making a difference,” added Dolly Jacobs-Reis, fellow CAC founder, “and we have made a difference for these kids.” CAC Board Chair Jack Brown agreed. “It has taken a village of caring people,” he said in his brief remarks. “Here’s to caring people.” 

And not only the young performers of the Sailor Circus Academy will benefit from this substantial upgrade, according to CAC COO Jennifer Mitchell. In addition to being available to rent for any performing organization or business looking to put on a production or host an out-of-the-box conference, the new facility will be put to work as the CAC finds new ways to create even more educational opportunities for surrounding high schools. “I guarantee that’s coming,” said Mitchell. 

Photo by Cliff Roles, courtesy of Circus Arts Conservatory.

It has been my pleasure to lead the horticultural operations of Selby Gardens for the last 15 years. I’m very excited about our Master Plan, which will dramatically increase our ability to achieve our mission and serve our diverse visitors.  

This plan is thoughtfully crafted and will unify our property as a botanical garden in perpetuity, significantly expanding our garden space without increasing our footprint. Our Master Plan will enable us to better protect and care for our world-renowned living and preserved collections. New hurricane-resistant structures with cutting-edge sustainable technologies are needed at the Gardens, in fact, as hurricane season is fast approaching, it is a reminder that we need to act sooner than later.

Selby Gardens has earned a reputation for high quality programs, exhibitions and research, and I am certain that our planned improvements will also be of the highest caliber and a source of pride for Sarasota. As we look toward the future, we must take the necessary steps that will enable us to uphold our reputation. I’m very appreciative of our community’s support for Selby Gardens’ future- one that better provides our visitors, scientists, and local residents with a verdant downtown oasis for generations to come.

Mike McLaughlin is senior vice president for Collections and Site Operations at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. 

Sarasota County is celebrating National Library Week by inviting the community to check out the new Living Library program, which started yesterday at all locations. The program is an effort to enhance relationships and encourage open dialogue among the members of the community in a one-on-one setting. Library patrons will sign-up for 20-minute sessions with a "book," which are featured speakers that represent the diversity of Sarasota County. A similar program was started at North Sarasota Library in 2018. It proved so successful, the decision was made to expand the access to the program for citizens in all areas of the county. 

Sarasota County Libraries

Just in time for residents to clean out the garage and gather discarded household items, appliances, junk, tree trimmings and other garbage for Spring Cleaning, Sarasota County will hold a free community cleanup in the Kensington Park area from 8am to noon, Saturday, April 13. 

Dumpsters will be available at the following intersections: Tee Road and Tee Lane (Main Site); Prudence Drive and Melgert Lane; and Randa Boulevard and 24th Parkway. Hazardous materials will be accepted at the main site only. However, hazardous materials may also be taken to the Sarasota County Chemical Collection Center 8am to 4pm, Wednesday through Saturday. 

Sarasota County Government

Coming Together Against Cancer (CTAC) has announced the expansion of its physician/researcher/donor engagement model by adding four new pioneering physicians to the upcoming CTAC 2019 event being held on April 13 at Eloise Werlin Park. CTAC is a donor-driven community uniting donors with pioneering physicians, researchers and institutions as ‘Partners in Discovery’ with the common goal of eradicating cancer. CTAC’s medical advisory staff, led by Dr. Dean Hautamaki, helps select leading edge programs from candidates across the country in order to bring four new pioneering physicians each year to Sarasota.

Attendees at this year’s free event will be treated to presentations by physicians about their research, their progress and a look ahead at the treatments for cancer by the people most in the know. Participants in the inaugural 2018 CTAC event collectively donated $750,000 and 100% of the funds went to directly benefit 35 cancer programs from coast to coast. These institutions included Johns Hopkins, Duke, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Moffitt, M.D. Anderson, U.N.C.-Lineberger, Sloan Kettering, Cleveland Clinic, University of Florida Cancer Center, NYU Lagone Health and Dana-Faber Cancer Institute. Local organizations supported through CTAC include Breast Health Sarasota, Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Team Tony Cancer Foundation. 

Coming Together Against Cancer

Impact 100 SRQ, a group of local philanthropists committed to high-impact strategic grant-making, recently announced it will award two transformational grants of $114,000 to Sarasota and Manatee nonprofits in the Fall. The two grants, which are open to nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee counties, will be awarded at the organization’s Annual Awards Celebration on November 3, 2019. Grant applications may be submitted online for projects in any of the following areas: Arts & Culture; Education; Environment & Recreation; Family; Health & Wellness. Applications should have a focus on serving residents in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

There will be a nonprofit workshop on Tuesday, April 9, from noon to 1pm at the Selby Library. RSVP is required. The workshop will focus on the Impact 100 grant application process for the 2019 review of all required forms and instructions in the digital grant submission.

The Impact 100 SRQ grant application is open from April 1 to June 18, 2019 and available online at the website below. 

Impact 100 Grant Applications

The Junior League of Manatee County will be hosting a free event, The Mark Wandall Foundation Partnership Camp Reunion, a safe, fun, family event that empowers children and families to grieve, heal and grow in healthy ways. The Mark Wandall Foundation Partnership is national nonprofit organization that provides a safe and fun place for kids grieving the death of a parent, sibling or significant person in their life. The Junior League of Manatee County will sponsor the reunion event, for the attendees of the Mark Wandall Foundation Partnership Camp and local Manatee County families, to further develop and foster the mission set forth by the Comfort Zone Camp held in early April 2019. This event will help children and families in Manatee County continue to grow a safe network of grief support, to help facilitate ongoing healing and growth in healthy ways.

The program will include food, games, and entertainment. Participating youth must be between the ages 7-17 (18 if still in high school), and have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or significant person. The event will be held Creekwood Park on Sunday, April 28, from noon to 3pm. 

Junior League of Manatee County