SRQ DAILY Jun 27, 2019
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"There's a lot more to be tapped here."
From the classic golfer’s tan to service dogs on the hunt for stray balls, no golfing reality or fantasy lies out of reach for cartoonist Marty Glass and marketeer Michael Duranko, the brains behind Golf-Toons. A side-hustle between these long-time golfing buddies, the cartoon venture is now in full swing after it recently surpassed 1,000 followers on Instagram, appealing to golfers, observers and the unathletic alike. And while golf and cartooning may seem a finite pairing, life lessons and inside jokes like capturing the “Infamous Just-A-Wee-Bit Short Pose” have yet to miss the green. “There’s a lot more to be tapped here,” says Glass. “I never would’ve thought [golf] would yield so much material.”
With cold beverages in hand after a round with their golf league, the dynamic duo realized their potential: Duranko brainstorms the topics and Glass brings them to life. In a New Yorker black and white, distinct style, somewhat reminiscent of Gary Larson’s The Far Side, Glass creates everything from golf moms to mid-life golf crises: “I have to break 80 before I’m 40,” thinks one Golf-Toon on the fairway. First with a pencil sketch then with a Rotring Cartridge or old fashioned dip pens, Glass illustrates the golf life that both he and Duranko wish to celebrate. It can take one draft or 30, but the partnership maintains high hopes for the future. “We intend to become wealthy from this,” says Glass, cheekily referencing Charles Schultz while fantasizing of assistants and fellow writers. “Our goal is a Saturday morning cartoon or a Netflix show,” adds Duranko. And Sarasota seems the perfect spot to tee off.
Wary of excluding any golf skeptics, Duranko provides an accompanying blog post with every Golf-Toon, breaking down the game and jokes for those on and off the green. After joining the golfing community at ages seven, both Glass and Duranko hope to share what their fathers taught them: a love for the sport that ages perfectly with you. And while Duranko has traveled the many greens of the world, spanning everywhere from Ireland to Pebble Beach, his favorite course hailed no hesitation: Sara Bay Country Club in Sarasota, Florida. With Sarasotans in mind, Golf-Toons plans to possibly include more Sarasota golf history, course name drops or even Ringling references in future cartoons. Clowns at the tee? Only in SRQ.
Subscribe to Golf-Toons at the website below and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Coming soon, Golf-toons will join the SRQ Daily on a weekly basis. 
Pictured, from left to right: Michael Duranko and Marty Glass of Golf-Toons. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.
Visit Sarasota County (VSC) has partnered with the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce (VACC) to offer visitor services in the south portion of Sarasota County. The new welcome center is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday and is inside VACC, located at 597 Tamiami Trail South in Venice.
Since March 2019, VSC has partnered with VACC to create a welcome center at the chamber, including the hiring of a part-time staff member, Linda DiDonato, with extensive knowledge of the area to assist visitors and the organization, as well as seven volunteers to welcome and guide guests at the information center. Both organizations have been working together to complete the installation of wall racks to hold collateral, including the Official Visitor Guide of Sarasota County and business partners information. Aesthetic enhancements also include a new wall map of Sarasota County, branded artwork, and a front door decal. In the coming weeks, VSC plans to add outdoor signage to ensure those driving by know they are welcome to come in to learn about all there is to see and do throughout the county.
ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design has earned a spot on Landscape Management magazine’s Top 150 list for highest, revenue-generating landscape firms in the country. The 29-year-old company ranked No. 107 on the list with $19.7 million in revenue for 2018, a 4-percent increase from 2017. It is the only independently owned company in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties to make the list.
Founded in 1990, ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design specializes in planned community/commercial maintenance and landscape design/installation. Services include community maintenance, pest control, irrigation, tree service, landscape design and installation, hardscape installation and landscape lighting.
During their regular meeting this week, School District of Manatee County Board Members approved the appointment of Genelle Zoratti Yost to serve as Interim Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services beginning July 1, 2019. Yost served as the superintendent of St. Lucie County Public Schools in Florida from June 2013 to June 2015. She previously served as a deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent in St. Lucie County from 2003 to 2012, and as a principal there from 1983 to 2003. She started her educational career as a teacher in St. Lucie in 1975.
Sarasota County has invited the community to a kick-off celebration for the Legacy Trail Extension this Friday, June 28, when the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners will unveil the signed bond that finances the voter approved project. The event, to be held at Payne Park, brings together elected officials, volunteers and the community to mark the official start of the "Race to Completion." The event runs 8:30-10am.
The Legacy Trail was opened in 2008 and currently provides over 10 miles of trail from the Venice Train Depot to Culverhouse Nature Park. Voters approved a referendum in November to extend the trail by nearly eight miles and enhance connectivity from the City of North Port, through Venice and downtown Sarasota. An estimated quarter of a million people use the trail annually, and it provides safe recreational opportunities to walk, bike and run.
The Sarasota County Fire Department has received the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award for the third year in a row, which highlights quality improvement measures for treating patients who experience severe heart attacks. The Mission: Lifeline initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care, following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines. Mission: Lifeline's EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify medical centers and trigger early responses from hospital personnel. Sarasota County Fire Department has over 500 emergency medical service (EMS) staff that undergo training for basic and advanced cardiac life support. This is the third year in a row Sarasota County has received this high-level recognition.
Join us for the SB2: Transformation in Philanthropy Luncheon on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota from 11:30am to 1pm. The topic of discussion will be creating bold and resonant impact through the nonprofit mission. Registration opens at 11am. Panelists include special guests: David Moore of Moore Strategic Consulting, Sabeen Perwaiz of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance and Lilly Weinberg of the Knight Foundation. Tickets: $55/person. Table Sponsorships Available. Purchase tickets online at SRQSB2.COM.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota
In Gallery 1, Monumental, a group show, features small-scale sculptures. Next door, local artist Keith Crowley will exhibit a recent series of his meticulously layered photographically-based oil and watercolor paintings in his first solo exhibition at Art Center Sarasota. In Gallery 3, and featuring incisive and satirical investigations of the ego, sexuality, and competitiveness found on full display at gyms, Caitlin Albritton’s paintings and drawings of contorted figures address questions of gender issues and body politics.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Frank Bibbins has used infrared and low color imagery to capture the evolving landscape of the Myakka River and State Park over the past decade. This photography exhibit not only presents an intimate look at the preserve but concentrates on conservation and preservation. A public reception will be held June 7, 6-9pm.
Art Uptown Gallery, 1367 Main St., Sarasota
This powerful musical biography celebrates the life of actress and singer Ethel Waters. From abject poverty to Broadway and Hollywood stardom, Ethel Waters crossed racial barriers to become a legend. No matter what challenges she faced, music gave Waters strength, solace, and success.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave., Sarasota
From his romantic ballads to his lively jives, embark on a journey through the era of Elvis. Choreographed and directed by world-renowned three-time World Champion, Wilson Barrera, this production is performed by both the professional dance instructors and students of Wilson's Dance Club International. Experience Elvis like never before.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W
There's still time to connect with the team at SRQ Magazine | Live Local and Love Local for the 2019 Readers Engagement Survey. We invite readers to share their thoughts on how they want to enjoy their time with the magazine—from the types of stories we cover to the way we lay them out in our pages. We want to know what you'd like to see more of in our coverage. Thank you for sharing your insights with us. To take the survey, visit SRQMAG.COM/HelloReader before July 1st.
Kickoff the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival and 4th of July weekend at one of the biggest parties of the year! This event is a fundraiser for Suncoast Charities for Children. Guests will enjoy an open bar, island style food stations, live music and exciting live auction destination packages. Dress is Patriotic/Island Casual.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall - Grand Foyer, 777 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Celebrate Independence Day a night early with music, food, concessions and a sky show on the water. Join in on a family fun, four-mile, patriotic themed race just before sundown, followed by the annual fireworks display on the lake. The race begins at 7pm, followed by fireworks at 9pm. Race participants get VIP parking for the fireworks, and a front row seat in the park after completing the race.
Nathan Benderson Park , 5851 Nathan Benderson Cir., Sarasota
The first Sarasota Boat Races, called the Suncoast Offshore Racing Grand Prix, took place in 1984 and have become an annual event for thrill seekers and offshore boat racing enthusiasts. 2018 marks its 34th Anniversary.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota , 1000 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota
Sarasota County is looking for volunteers to help clear trash on the beaches hit the hardest by the July 4th celebrations. Cleanup efforts will take place on Siesta Key Beach, Lido Beach, South Lido Beach, Nokomis Beach, North Jetty Beach and Blind Pass Beach. All volunteers should report to the Site Captain at their cleaning location.
Sarasota County , Various beaches
The Village is a residential neighborhood with a commercial overlay that creates a true live/work/play atmosphere. For 15 years, it has grown from a neglected neighborhood to one of the most unique and visited places in Manatee County. Come visit, shop, dine and stroll through galleries and restaurants with live music and unique indie art during Artwalk Weekend.
Village of the Arts, 12th St. W
Join the Gazebo Starlight Cinema series with this month’s movie: Percy Jackson & The Olympians. With a screen stretched around the Gazebo pillars and family flicks back-projected from within, what better place than the facing grassy knoll to relax in a beach chair or curl up on a blanket? Bring the whole family to kick off your weekend while enjoying the park! Support local Venice Avenue businesses by bringing snacks, dinner, ice cream (or gelato!) to the Gazebo to enjoy during the movie.
Downtown Venice Centennial Park, 200 West Venice Ave.
Join us at Splashin’ Selby Saturdays for water-themed activities, including water slides and games specifically geared for toddlers on up to children 10 years old. Enjoy the cool shade and Bay breezes under the banyans and around the lagoon and waterfall of the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden from 10am to 12pm.
This event runs Saturdays from July 6 until July 27.
The PATIO PAW-TY takes place rain or shine at Oak & Stone's University location. The event fully benefits Nate's Honor Rescue, a Bradenton based animal rescue organization. There will be a raffle with prizes for both pups and people, as well as dogs available for adoption.
Oak & Stone (University location), 5405 University Pkwy., Sarasota
This exhibition showcases over 140 examples drawn from the internationally-renowned holdings of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and private collections. This exposition illustrates the variety, technical sophistication and adaptability of Indian textiles from the fifteenth to the twenty-first centuries. Through a range of historical dress, carefully preserved fabrics, and cutting-edge fashion, discover how Indian textiles have been interwoven with religion, politics and global trade for centuries. Or join the Curator of Asian Art Dr. Rhiannon Paget for a tour at the Gallery Walk and Talk, 10:30am–6pm on July 25.
The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road
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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