SRQ DAILY Feb 3, 2020
Monday Business Edition
"Even our existing carriers who have been with us have added to their existing service."
Passenger counts continue to fly high at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Fredrick Piccolo, president and CEO, said traffic was up 44 percent in 2019 over the past year. “And business continues to boom,” he said.
The growth can be credited to interest in carriers, which in turn have found success connecting more cities and passengers to the Sarasota-Bradenton area.
Piccolo said the airport two years ago served six airlines offering flights to 11 different destinations. Now, nine airlines boast service to 38 destinations.
Frontier Airlines and Sun Country have both started service in the Sarasota airport. And existing carriers like Allegiant Air expanded offerings, growing from service to three cities to 21. Meanwhile, American Airlines has enjoyed the second highest rate of raw growth at the airport, followed by Unites.
“Even our existing carreirs who have been with us have added to their existing service,” he said.
The growth has meant escalating traffic through the year. In December, always a big month for travel, traffic spiked about 53 percent at SRQ airport. Piccolo anticipates similar growth in January flights once those numbers are finalized and released.
That’s not all a windfall for the airport itself. While the new traffic means more revenue through parking, rental fees and sales at gift shops, on top of money from new airlines, maintenance and facility costs have gone up as well. The airport authority this year doubled its janitorial costs from $600,000 to $1.2 million to accommodate the mess left by half as many guests. Similarly, the airport needs more police and maintenance workers on the payroll.
But the growth remains a net positive. And it creates buzz within the industry.
“We doing fine and making a surplus,” Piccolo said, “and the addition revenue is poured back into capital projects.” 
Photo courtesy Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
The buzz throughout Ringling Museum's picturesque courtyard brought one of the largest and liveliest crowds to date for the anticipated, annual foodie and wino festival. "Guests at the 13th annual Forks & Corks 2020 Grand Tasting were welcomed to the Ringling with gorgeous weather as well as world-class wines and delicious dishes from the area's Sarasota-Manatee Originals' restaurants," shares Sarah Firstenberger, executive director of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals. "Sarasota area restaurants were well-represented alongside 47 total locally-owned and operated Suncoast eateries."
Among them, was one the newest members to join the organization, Avli Mess Hall. The recently opened which featured a sampling of its acclaimed Alexandria Kefta, a Mediterranean-inspired dish of beef, Muhammara and pita. Meanwhile, two like-minded French restaurants provided crepes as their featured dish. The Bijou Café impressed the masses with its Duck Leg Confit Crepes with Boursin and port wine cherry sauce, and Miguel's Restaurant kept it sweet and simple, with peaches and cream. Ophelia's on the Bay repped Siesta Key and brought the ever-pleasing seafoodie favorite, Tuna Wontons with Tropical Pico, while Bradenton's Ortygia Sweet Stuffed Peppers showed its Italian colors, and Tsunami hand-rolled its faved Party Roll, sushi with spicy tuna, shrimp and lobster. For a traditional American staple, Webber's Hot Dogs offered its hot dogs, with build your own toppings, and Reyna's Taqueria kept it authentic Mexican with Blue Corn Sopes with chicken in mole poblano, garnished with crema and sesame seeds. It appeared each team of culinary experts stuck to what they do best and gave the crowd what they wanted: an epicurean adventure that represents the local, yet worldly talent of this region.
Pictured: Ophelia's Tuna Wontons, taken by Peter Acker.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than $84 million has been awarded to 21 communities impacted by Hurricane Irma through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program. That included $250,000 for the City of Sarasota to improve critical emergency power sources to lift stations.
Halfacre Construction Company, a Lakewood Ranch-based commercial construction company, is currently working on the Myrtle Street road improvements. Sarasota County has approved the lane closures at Myrtle Street from west of Central Avenue to Booker High School's west entrance from Monday, February 3, 2020 to Friday, June 5, 2020 in order to complete the road updates. Both lanes and sidewalks will be closed. Message boards were installed on January 20, 2020 to advise motorists of the closure. Detour signs will be posted for alternative routes. During the closure, Booker High School and APAC Florida Inc. will be accessible at all times.
For more information, please contact: Candice Brown-McElyea at 360Candice@gmail.com or 941-232-9046
Halfacre Construction Company, a Lakewood Ranch-based commercial construction company, recently completed the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch. The new 6,300-square-foot facility houses a full-scale medical center – outfitted with seven exam rooms, a surgery suite, a full laboratory, a dental suite and a spacious reception area. Large storefront windows and doors boost the building’s natural light and several architectural features enhance the exterior. The clinic’s lab is equipped with the latest diagnostics to treat everything from minor issues to life-threatening diseases. The on-hand laboratory equipment includes multiple in-house blood machines, ultrasound machines, digital and dental x-ray devices and intensive care unit oxygen. The Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch team provides concierge veterinary care with a personalized approach, including extended office visits and treatment plans tailored for each patient. Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch also offers in-home euthanasia in the comfort of the client’s home. Located off Lorraine Road and State Road 70 at 15205 Garnet Trail in Lakewood Ranch, Halfacre Construction Company also supervised the site work, paved the parking lot and installed the landscaping. Situated on a 1.2-acre parcel, the project began in March 2019.
To learn more about the new Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch
The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is celebrating couples this Valentine’s Day by sponsoring and performing a special group wedding ceremony at 2pm that day. Performed by Angel Colonneso, the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, the planned event will consist of a single group ceremony that will unite all couples in attendance. Each couple will receive a printed photo and a special certificate of marriage to commemorate the occasion. Colonneso will waive the $20 photo fee and the $30 ceremony fee for couples participating in the group wedding. However, the standard license fee will still apply. Following the ceremony, couples and their guests will celebrate with refreshments and cake. In order to comply with state mandated time requirements and to be eligible to register for this event, application for marriage licenses must be made between December 19, 2019 and February 11, 2020. To apply for a marriage license, both applicants must appear in person at the office during its hours of operation on Monday through Friday between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. To participate, contact the Marriage and Passport department at 941-741-4020 or marriageandpassports@manateeclerk.com by January 31. The ceremony will take place in the gazebo in the front lawn of the historic courthouse at 1115 Manatee Ave. West, in Bradenton.
To expedite the visit, access and fill out the marriage application online
Just 45 hospitals have earned the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ highest 5-Star rating for overall quality and safety since its inception. The federal government released new report cards for the nation’s hospitals this week, and Sarasota Memorial is the only hospital in the region to receive the top 5-star quality rating for overall performance. SMH is the only hospital in Florida — and one of just 45 across the nation — to earn the highest possible rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in every reporting period since the program began in 2016. Of 4,586 U.S. hospitals evaluated, less than 9 percent earned the five-star rating in the January 2020 update posted this week on CMS’ Hospital Compare website. As in previous years, most hospitals received two, three or four stars. CMS’ star ratings are based on performance across seven quality areas: mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience, effectiveness of care, timeliness of care and efficient use of medical imaging. The first four areas having the greatest weight.
A young woman from Israel, Ayelet, reluctantly joins her grandmother on a trip to the United States. Circumstances both absurd and tragic bring Ayelet, who has little command of the English language, together with Josh, a young American man who has little command of romance, on Christmas Eve. Is their inevitable love an accident…or is it destiny, generations in the making?
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236
Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) is preparing for its 49th year of extremely popular global issues lectures and musical conversations. In 2020, these programs will begin in January and continue through the end of March. Speakers of global issues lectures are well-known, highly experienced experts, and guests on musical conversations are internationally renowned musicians, singers, and performers. SILL is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. In its 49th season, its programs will include 96 lectures and musical conversations presented in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch. SILL audiences mostly consist of highly educated and intellectually curious seniors living on the Suncoast year-round or during winter months. SILL also simulcasts some of its lectures to selected senior communities. Last year, attendance at SILL events exceeded 40,000. Single tickets to SILL events are only $10 at the door when available, and a season ticket for 12 same-day lectures cost just $85, which represents substantial savings. For program schedules, venues, speaker bios, and ordering season tickets visit sillsarasota.org
First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave.
Guests can “step back in time” to see an in-depth history of both Ferrari and Porsche, and the incredible cars that were released along the way, at Sarasota Classic Car Museum’s upcoming exhibit. The exhibit will showcase over 16 Porsche models, from 1951 to 2004, as well as six classic Ferraris ranging in years from 1965 to 2011. This exhibit is included in the price of admission to the museum.
Sarasota Classic Car Museum, 5500 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
A workshop where you will learn energy-, water-, and cost-saving strategies at home. Attendees will receive a free Do It Yourself Energy Saving Kit (one per household) that includes ENERGY STAR LED light bulbs, WaterSense faucet aerators, a smart power strip, weatherization materials and outlet insulating gaskets, and other items so you can start saving. Attendees will also learn no cost, low-cost and investment tips, which combined with the kits can save energy and water costs at home. This FREE workshop is presented by Sara Kane of the Sarasota County Extension Office. Tickets are limited and advanced registration is required.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Anyone’s Game is a tabletop game conference that explores Creativity, Design, and Openness in gaming. Here, up-and-coming tabletop game developers can test their game designs with players from the community and industry professionals from around the country. Hosted at Ringling College of Art and Design, one of the world’s premier art and design colleges, the conference will include Game Design Panels, workshops and Playtest new and innovative unpublished games.
Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234-5895
Chilean director and puppet artist Aline Kuppenheim discusses puppetry and her collaboration with renowned playwright Guillermo Calderon. $5/ free for members.
Chao Lecture Hall, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
After the success of the inaugural LECOM Suncoast Classic, the tournament will return to the Korn Ferry Tour (previously the Web.com Tour) the week of February 10-16, 2020. Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Florida will again host the 144 professionals competing for a $600,000 purse and a chance to contend against the world’s best golfers on the PGA TOUR.
Lakewood National Golf Club, 17605 Lakewood National Parkway, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211
Join the Sarasota World Affairs Council for the next program in its 2019-20 Lecture Series, “Not with a Bang: Moving toward the Endgame with a Nuclear North Korea,” featuring Evans Revere, Senior Director at the Albright-Stonebridge Group. Mr. Revere will discuss whether the U.S. prepared to live with a nuclear North Korea and the implications for America's security. Each SWAC lecture is followed by a members-only reception with the speaker in a historic building on Sarasota Bay. The lecture is free, but reservations are suggested.
Mildred Sainer Pavilion, 5313 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
A thoughtful portrait of a renowned artist, this documentary shines the spotlight on New York City painter Jean-Michel Basquiat. Featuring extensive interviews conducted by Basquiat's friend, filmmaker Tamra Davis, the production reveals how he dealt with being a black artist in a predominantly white field. The film also explores Basquiat's rise in the art world, which led to a close relationship with Andy Warhol, and looks at how the young painter coped with acclaim, scrutiny and fame
Historic Asolo Theatre at the Ringling , 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Participants in photo class will have a brief lesson in Digital Photography covering topics like exposure, composition and lighting. Types of opportunities to practice behind the camera will vary, but will include taking photos indoors using the light boxes, portrait photography and walks to nearby places like the Garden Center. Ages 10-17 years old. Students are required to bring their own memory cards and should bring either a Digital SLR Camera or Point & Shoot (that has variable settings). Cameras will be available for use during class for campers that do not have a camera to bring. Taught by Barbara Gerdeman. Students must be registered by the Thursday before the session starts. Sessions will be canceled Friday morning if we do not have enough students registered. Click here for more youth programs.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Charles Gounod’s opera Romeo & Juliet will open Valentines day weekend. Set in 14th-century Verona, the deep love between Romeo and Juliet rivals the longstanding feud between their families, the Montagues and the Capulets. In this story — overflowing with lush melodies — the young lovers pursue their great passion to the grave. Romeo & Juliet will have nine performances through March 20, 2020. Individual tickets start at only $19 and are available at SarasotaOpera.org and the Sarasota Opera Box Office. For more information on Romeo & Juliet as well as the rest of the 2020 Winter Festival season—Puccini’s La bohème (opening February 8), Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love (opening February 22), and Catalani’s La Wally, (opening March 7)—contact the Sarasota Opera Box Office by visiting SarasotaOpera.org, call 941-328-1300, or visit the box office at 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236.
Sarasota Opera House , 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
The SRQ State of the Regional Economy luncheon and panel discussion will explore the forecast on the horizon of small business, regional economic trends and economic development. What's trending, who's innovating, why are donor-advised funds growing so rapidly and what exactly are donors looking for? The luncheon will culminate with the SRQ Localpreneur of the Year program at which we will honor the finalists and winners of the annual cometition recognizing business leaders who have forged a successful path for their entrepreneurial endeavors in our region.
The Hyatt Regency, Sarasota , 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
Get on the bus for an amazing tour of Frank Lloyd Wirht architecture at Florida Southern College! Tour departs from Center for Architecture Sarasota for Lakeland, FL where attendees will experience an expert docent-tour of the campus. The tour is followed by a buffet lunch at the historic terrace Hotel. The cost of the tour is $125, includes transportation, tour, and lunch. Center for Architectures mission is to heighten understanding of and appreciation for innovative architecture, good design and resilient urban planning. The gallery is free to the public and open Tuesday-Friday 12:00pm-5pm, and Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm.
Center For Architecture Sarasota, 265 South Orange Ave., Sarasota
Shattering Boundaries is a portrait of artist Grace Hartigan, a courageous and key figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement in American Art. Attendees are invited to see Hartigan’s work on display in Remaking the World: Abstraction from the Permanent Collection after the film. Admission is $5/ free for members.
The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
SRQ Strong is bringing nationally-recognized trauma expert Rev. Paul Abernathy, CEO of Pittsburgh’s Neighborhood Resilience Project, to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ for a community presentation, “Building a Community of Hope and Healing; Addressing Trauma, Building Resilience.” Rev. Abernathy, whose work is informed by both a personal and a collective experience of trauma, will discuss the framework he has developed in Pittsburgh’s Hill District to promote resilient and healthy neighborhoods by creating opportunities and support for residents to reach their full potential. SRQ Strong is a growing group of Sarasota County residents committed to learning about trauma and responding to its impact on our community. Its mission is to promote community-wide trauma awareness through healing, education, action and leadership; its vision is to create a community that cares for itself.
The event is free to the public, but space is limited. Please RSVP to reserve your seat at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/89307259417
To learn more about Rev. Paul Abernathy and his work, you can view his latest video at https://youtu.be/hstV63MVVDg.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Community Room, 900 South Palm Ave., Sarasota
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