Sarasota County Commissioners on Wednesday moved ahead with a controversial redistricting plan, and narrowed options down to two proposed maps for commission districts in 2020.

One of those maps wasn’t designed by a professional consultant, but based on a proposal from long-time political activist Bob Waechter.  Three out of five commissioners said they were comfortable with that map, which turns District 1 from a Democratic district to a Republican one while moving Newtown into District 2. That improves County Commissioner Mike Moran’s political ambitions next year, especially since it draws Sarasota Mayor Fredd Atkins, who already filed to run in District 1, out of the area.

But the map treats District 2 County Commissioner Christian Ziegler, the only member of the all-Republican commission to vote against pursuing redistricting now, poorly. That said, county commissioners will have to review the map again after the 2020 Census, and could completely redraw lines before the 2022 elections, when Ziegler is up for re-election.

The three commissioners who favored this map said they like that each major city in the county—Sarasota, Venice and North Port—will span more than one district. “I have always been a fan of the cities having more than one commissioner,” said County Commissioner Alan Maio, who is term limited.

Ziegler heavily criticized the action. He said if the county should move forward with a map, it should be one of three options generated by consultant Kurt Spitzer. He said a map that dramatically reshapes districts is a bad idea. “This entire process from the beginning has reinforced and stated over and over that the perceived goal was to get populations as even as possible,” he said. “If that’s the case, then take what we have and simply adjust it.

The county commission did vote to advertise one of the Spitzer-conceived maps. County Commissioner Charles Hines, who has supported balancing district populations, noted the map based on Waechter’s proposal had the least balance in the five districts and may be less defensible in court.

County Commissioner Nancy Detert, who pushed hardest for redistricting, criticized the citizens who testified for hours that changing lines ahead of the census was a bad idea.

“I’m disheartened by a lot of he public input, which was accusartory and in some cases vicious,” she said. 

Tableseide Restaurant Group is expanding its restaurant namesake Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie, to Lakewood Ranch. The new, casual dining location will officially open today at 8445 Lorraine Road in University Corner. Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie offers a warm and inviting environment with indoor seating for 119. Guests may also enjoy al fresco dining on Libby’s patio which accommodates 70 people. The highlight of the 3,200-square-foot restaurant is an open kitchen and the intimate interior design features exposed brick and a high ceiling. “We’re extremely excited to bring Libby’s to Lakewood Ranch,” said Tableseide co-owner, Joe Seidensticker. “Lakewood Ranch is a growing community that appreciates local businesses. We believe Libby’s modern casual menu has something for everyone. We look forward to our guests making Libby’s a regular dining location and also sharing life’s special occasions with them.” 

The restaurant will open for dinner only beginning at 3 pm until November 7, when Libby’s will open for lunch and dinner during its regular operating hours of 11 am – 9 pm Monday – Friday and 10:30 am – 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit tableseide.com or make a reservation by calling 941-357-1570. 

Stroll amidst dozens of Ferraris on St. Armands Circle this Saturday, November 2 when the Sarasota Ferrari Drivers Group hosts Ferraris on the Circle, an event to benefit Flight to the North Pole, a charity with deep roots in the greater Sarasota area. A percentage of the proceeds gathered from the event will go to help terminally ill children and their families, not only during the Christmas holidays but also year-round. “We anticipate a terrific turnout and the venue—the lovely St. Armands Circle—couldn’t be better," says co-organizer Joe Brielmann. The event is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For additional information, contact Joe Brielmann 941-544-3130 or Jurgen Otto (941) 356-4626. 

Niche online retailer JMX Brands has been named a 2019 Next 1000 company by Internet Retailer, the leading source for ecommerce news. In its inaugural year, the Next 1000 list ranks North American midsized online retailers by ecommerce sales. The Sarasota-based parent company of DutchCrafters Amish Furniture, the largest online retailer of Amish furniture, ranked 1443 overall and 39 in the primary merchandise category of housewares/home furniture. This marks the sixth time the small business has been named to an Internet Retailer list having previously ranked on the publisher of Internet Retailer Magazine’s Mid-Market 500 lists from 2012-2017. JMX Brands has remained competitive by focusing on putting the mobile experience first, creating content with an emphasis on video, and growing the business’ presence on Amazon. The small business has also embraced the complexities of working with small Amish and Mennonite woodshops where communications and culture intentionally slow down the furniture making and delivery process.  “We’ve innovated around that with better options menus on our website, chat support, and really strong personalization by phone. We unapologetically sell slow furniture on a fast platform,” said JMX Brands CEO Jim Miller.  

JMX Brands 3709 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota.

Coming this weekend, November 1-3, is the inaugural Sarasota Country Music Festival. The downtown country music festival will feature live music, local craft beer, activities for the kids, arts and crafts from local artisans, special attractions for family fun, including a bungee trampoline, mechanical bull and rock climbing wall. Enjoy Southern BBQ and other great food and drinks while listening to local and national bands. The festival will deliver three days of everything from classic country to folk to bluegrass to Cajun, zydeco music and blues. This event is dog-friendly and free general admission, located at J.D. Hamel Park on the Bayfront, Downtown Sarasota; Friday, November 1 from 4pm-10pm; Saturday, November 2 from 11am-10pm; Sunday, November 3 from 11am-6pm. 

See the lineup and learn more about Country Fest Florida here.

Break out the tie-dye and hula hoops for WSLR's annual celebration of Jerry Garcia on Sunday, November 3, 4:30-9pm at Fogartyville. Playing guitar and singing for his band, The Grateful Dead, as well as several others, Garcia took his hippie movement from the 60s into the 90s. Musicians honoring the Dead this year will be Experimental Farm Road, the Stillhouse Shakers and Ship of Fools. Jamming and dancing are encouraged and food will be provided by Chef Richard of Kumquat Kitchen. This is a family-friendly event, with kids’ activities and local vendors tabling. Attendees can bring t-shirts, socks, etc. for tie-dying, but no coolers please. Come out and celebrate the music of the Grateful Dead.  Tickets are $12 for WSLR members and $15 for the general public; half-price for students and free for children under 12. Tickets are available at www.wslr.org.  For more information call WSLR at 941-894-6469.  

Master Gardener Volunteers are holding an “Open Garden” celebration on November 8 and 9, 9am - 12pm, to commemorate 40 years of volunteer service to the Manatee County's University of Florida/IFAS Agriculture and Extension Service.  Friday will include self-guided tours of the award-winning garden, as well as Information stations and demonstrations geared toward inspiring the creation of Florida-Friendly landscapes. The Information Stations will educate visitors on the many services provided by the Master Gardeners, such as the plant clinic, soil and water testing, school and community gardens, rain barrels, vermicomposting, the Landscape Assistance Program, classes for all ages and much more. Master Gardener Volunteers will also provide several container garden demonstrations followed by a drawing for each item created. Saturday, November 9 is devoted to families and children. In addition to self-guided garden tours and Information Stations, the morning will include fun activities for children. Home Depot will be on site to build a make and take craft with the children and Boyd Nature Preserve will entertain families with several birds of prey and reptiles. Complimentary cookies and beverages are available both days and on Saturday, Kona Ice food truck will be on site as well. 

The free event, open to the public, is taking place in the Master Gardeners’ Educational Gardens on the Extension grounds, located at 1303 17th St. West at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto. Contact the Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service at 941-722-4524. 

Women For Trump Florida has lined up some of the biggest names in national conservative politics for the Road To 2020 Speaker Series, including Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe and Economic Advisor to President Trump, Stephen Moore. “Our success in getting some amazing and prominent speakers shows the importance of Florida and of the Sarasota and Manatee region to President Trump’s re-election,” said Caroline Wetherington, President of Women For Trump Florida. “We’re excited to be able to offer this educational series and price it affordably for students.” The series, entitled Keeping our Constitutional Republic, kicks off November 7 with O’Keefe speaking on “Guerrilla Journalism: Uncovering Corruption and Fraud in America.” O’Keefe goes undercover to investigate corruption, dishonesty, waste and fraud in both public and private institutions. He is best known for his undercover videos of governments and organizations. A special guest with O’Keefe will be Eric Metaxas, national radio host and New York Times bestselling author and is a regular guest on national news programs.

The program will include a VIP Reception at 6 pm and the program at 7 p.m. at the Christian Retreat Center, 1200 Glory Way Boulevard, Bradenton. The Road To 2020 Speaker series is an educational series, not a fundraiser. Women For Trump Florida is charging the minimum to cover venue, food and speaker costs. In a desire to get as many young people as possible, student ticket pricing is $5. An event pass for all four of the evening events is only $150 for VIP and $90 for General Admission — only available until November 6. For more information or to make reservations, contact 949-734-9200, Women4TrumpFlorida@gmail.com or visit eventbrite.com/o/women-for-trump-florida-20174270224. 

SRQ MEDIA is pleased to share Every 1 Counts, the latest video documentary produced by Moving Stories, SRQ’s new in-house video and documentary division. Created for Step Up Suncoast, Every 1 Counts highlights the nonprofit's ongoing Every 1 Counts campaign as well as the critical early childhood programs offered by this community-focused organization.

Check out the latest post on our SRQ Inside the Brand Blog  to learn more about the project and the SRQ Moving Stories division. 

Click here to view Every 1 Counts