SRQ DAILY Jun 25, 2020
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"We have right now a potential 50-something beds that we could create, and we're using six of them."
More than 1,000 patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sarasota County. But Sarasota Memorial Health Care System officials say the increase in diagnoses doesn’t necessarily mean the hospital has been significantly stressed.
Dr Kirk Voelker, director of clinical research for Sarasota Memorial Hospital, said that on Tuesday, the hospital had just six patients in its COVID-19 intensive care unit, which has a standing capacity of about 32 beds. That means the hospital can handle what’s coming its way, but Voelker also said professionals there can quickly expand resources to deal with any surge.
“We have right now a potential 50-something beds that we could create, and we’re using six of them,” he said.
The 1,091 cases reported in Sarasota County by the Department of Health sate back to the first recorded case, at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, on March 1. That said, the recent spike in Florida cases included 286 Sarasota County cases in the seven day period from June 17 to June 23, representing more than 26% of all diagnoses in the county.
Voelker said there’s no question both that there’s a spike in cases and in positivity rates in the region. The county has seen roughly 0.5% of tests coming back positive jump to about 7.5% as of Wednesday morning, a greater than tenfold increase.
But the majority of those are subclinical. The hospital in the same time has seen admissions for COVID-19 hospitalizations go from one every other day or more to now seeing one or two a day. That’s an increase, “but not near the levels needed to overwhelm the hospital,” he said.
An important caveat, the spike in testing over the last week could still deliver greater consequences in coming days. Often patients who contract and test positive for COVID-19 don’t develop the most serious potential symptoms, notably a stomach inflation that causes sickness, for up to a week. “We should see in the next week if this results in more hospitalizations. 
Screenshot: Dr Kirk Voelkeranswers questions from the media in a video-conferencing session..
While the idea is very much alluring, successful plant propagation is one of the more challenging, patient skills to pull off as a gardener. The process of propagating is an inexpensive, resourceful way to grow new plants from plants you already have. This reproduction produces a growth that is genetically identical to its parent, the OG plant you acquired and want to clone. There are a variety of plant propagation tools and methods, from taking a stem or leaf cutting to dividing or layering its roots, or germinating a spore/seed. Propagation for many plants is best done in soil or airing out by itself, but some plants can be propagated in water. Depending on the genus/species, it's not always simple or successful on the first few tries, but we encourage you to start somewhere because it’s wonderfully rewarding when it works! And then, you've got yourself a more lush gardenscape for half the price and double the pride.
Kathy Crowley of Crowley Nurseries & Gardens in Myakka City puts the "pro" in propagation and answers the question this gardener had on helping a friend reproduce plumeria flowers from a single cutting.
SRQ: We have a large plumeria plant in the back yard that is flowering right now. A friend saw them and asked if she could have a cutting for her own yard. I’ve never done a cutting before. What’s the best way to do this so she can grow another plumeria tree from the cutting, while not damaging my own?
Kathy: To cut a plumeria (Frangipani), choose the size of one stem; maybe a 1 to 2 ft-long, clean cut on an angle, and set aside in the shade to dry out at the end. About two weeks later, if the end is dried and tiny roots have begun to sprout at the bottom, you can re-plant in a container with soil to continue rooting outwards. Water only the outside edge when center is dry to make the roots grow to the water's edge. It may take many months for the roots to fill out in the container. You will see them coming out in the holes in the bottom of the container. Your plant is then ready to put in the ground to grow into a flowering plumeria tree/shrub.
If you have a particular gardening question you'd like answered and featured in a future column, email SRQDailyGardening@srqme.com
Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is preparing for the second year of Sarasota Big Pass and is excited to announce it will open registration for the annual program to any Sarasota County tourism related business. This discount program is during the months of August and September allowing consumers to enjoy buy one get one free, 25 percent off and $5 off deals at participating businesses.
“This program was initially designed to help local businesses during a slow period, in September. Back to school shopping is over and holiday shopping hasn’t quite started,” said Virginia Haley, VSC President. “However, we expanded the program to August and September this year. COVID-19 majority impacted our typical busy season and businesses need consumers; and consumers want to support local businesses but are facing financial burdens as well. Hopefully, Sarasota Big Pass can offer some reprieve for both sides by offering deals that encourage business sales. If anything, keeping these businesses top of mind is very important during any recovery.” Registration will be accepted throughout the program and there is no deadline to participate.
A new report by Construction Coverage that ranks U.S. metropolitan areas according to the share of homeowners who have paid off their homes. In the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL metro area, 33.2 percent of homeowners own their homes free and clear. Out of all midsize metropolitan areas, North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton has the 15th largest share of owner-occupied homes that are paid off in the U.S.
Kerkering, Barberio & Co., Certified Public Accountants, is pleased to announce that Jenny Glassmoyer, CPA, Jocelyn Jordan, Alex Kryssine, Annie Landy, and Nels Matson have all passed the exam to obtain the certification of Sage Intacct Accounting Specialist. The Sage Intacct Accounting Specialist certification allows our team to transform our client's financials into a streamlined dashboard to provide insightful, time efficient, and comprehensive reporting. As a result, companies can quickly create reports that analyze real-time business performance by business drivers without having to manage a chart of accounts with hundreds of segments. "We are very proud of our outsourced accounting team and their ability to further assist our clients with Sage Intacct. This, in combination with their background and experience, makes them all integral members of our firm," said Rob Lane, Managing Shareholder.
The Team Tony Cancer Foundation, a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization that provides free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers so no one on Florida's Suncoast faces cancer alone, recently promoted Kelly Deam to Executive Director. Deam brings more than 17 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector to her position at the Team Tony Cancer Foundation, and had been serving as the organization’s Program Coordinator. In her new role, Deam is responsible for the overall implementation of the Team Tony Cancer Foundation mission and will report to the Team Tony Cancer Foundation Board of Directors. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing the overall strategy and vision of the organization, including financial operations, revenue generation, program development and activities, personnel management and strategic planning.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this hurricane season is predicted to be more active than normal. The COVID-19 pandemic will continue into the hurricane season, compounding the problem of hunger in our region. All Faiths Food Bank has taken additional measures to handle hurricane-plus-pandemic scenarios. All Faiths is ready with resources, training and communication to respond to the communities it serves. The Food Bank has already secured supplies of emergency meals and water and has leased additional warehouse space for storage. As in the past, the Food Bank will work directly with local emergency management operations to provide food, water, and hygiene items during crisis situations. Similarly, as part of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks, All Faiths is prepared to provide emergency assistance to its sister food banks statewide and nationally, if needed.
In times of disaster, All Faiths Food Bank and its agency partners represent a vital emergency food supply for storm victims in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. Hunger relief is challenging enough in areas impacted by natural disasters; any storm response this year will be complicated by the coronavirus. While there is still a temporary hold on consumer donations of food and water due to public health concerns related to the coronavirus, financial contributions are most welcome.
In a year when graduation ceremonies and cap and gown photos transitioned to drive-thru parades and virtual commencements, so too changed scholarship announcements. As part of awarding more than $1,304,230 to 407 students in May, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County turned to surprise scholarship announcements, leveraging creative, digital solutions from Zoom calls to hand-delivered personal plaques and yard signs to provide memorable experiences for all award recipients. “While nothing can replace invaluable milestones, such as graduation or homecoming, our hope is that we can shine a little light for students and their families as they chart their path forward to success. Wherever this path may take them, we are excited to be a part of their story and support them along the way,” says Lindsey Masterson, Manager of Scholarships and Grants at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Many of this year’s recipients were awarded through the Community Foundation’s Traditional Scholarship Program, which offers opportunities for more than 70 different types of scholarships through a single application. Recipients were selected based on need, merit, or a combination of both, and the scholarships are designed to satisfy and fulfill a diverse array of academic goals. With this support, students graduating within Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties, as well as current college students under 24 years of age who graduated from high schools within these four counties, have the opportunity to pursue higher education at colleges or technical schools and fulfill their personal and professional goals.
The 337 Traditional Scholarship recipients were selected from 595 student applications. Those applications were submitted electronically to the Community Foundation, and a dedicated group of 63 volunteer community members meticulously reviewed submissions through our online application system and select committee members conducted thorough Zoom interviews as part of the awards process. “Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the resiliency and flexibility shown by our local students is reassuring about our future,” said Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. “As these future leaders enter the next stage of their academic lives, we are so proud to support them on this journey of knowledge. Our donors recognize that education is the gateway to a lifetime of success, and it’s thanks to their vision that we can invest in these outstanding individuals.”
Matt Buchanan, GM and Managing Partner at Sarasota Ford, represents the Buchanan Family Foundation in awarding two $1,000 College Scholarships to Youth Leadership Sarasota County graduates to Lindsay Farb and Alina Jeglie.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sarasota and Manatee Counties would like to welcome three members to our Board of Directors; Lorrie Renfrow, Gene McIntyre and Anne L. Weintraub.
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast announces the juried selections and winners for its inaugural Summer Photo Contest exhibit. Photographers of all ages and experience levels were invited to submit their original work showcasing the beauty of Florida’s natural lands to be considered for exhibition. Jury members included presenting sponsor, Elizabeth Moore; noted photographer, Cliff Roles; noted photographer, Stephen B. White; and executive director of Art Center Sarasota, Lisa Berger. Nearly 200 entries were received for consideration and jurors assessed the entries for composition, color, contrast, overall quality, as well as subject interest, originality, and ability to tell a story. Fifty photographs were selected for the exhibit and jurors awarded a winner in each category as well as a Best-In-Show.
People’s Choice voting will take place June 15 through August 15 on the Conservation Foundation Facebook page. At the end of the Facebook voting period, the photo with the most likes/loves in each category will be deemed the People’s Choice Category Winner. The image with the most likes/loves will be the overall People’s Choice Winner. All voting will take place on Facebook and the likes/loves must be on the original image in the Conservation Foundation 2020 Summer Photo Contest gallery in order to be counted.
Cassia Kite soundstitches Mable's roses.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.
The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) was selected as the recipient of a $7,500 grant for virtual programming from the COVID-19 Response Initiative of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. This grant supports CPC’s Children and Families Supervised Visitation Program (CFSVP), which has transitioned to providing virtual visits to continue its vital services during the pandemic. CPC has seen a sharp increase in the number of visits being performed, despite a reduction of funds. 100 virtual visits were conducted in the month of April and 109 in the month of May, while 746 visits took place in fiscal year 2019. “Seeing families reunited is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I have seen that most parents just want a second chance and will do what it takes to make that happen,” said a CFSVP volunteer.
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota announces a special phone line established to help people with health coverage options based on their personal situation. The phone call is free and available for people trying to navigate the complexities of finding insurance coverage. This may include those facing a recent job loss or those who are now uninsured and need help navigating their options.
Experienced patient advisors are available to listen to needs and help callers understand their options at 833-867-8771 from 8:00am to 6:00pm EST, Monday through Friday. Advisors can discuss eligibility and advocacy services appropriate for a variety of situations. They are not representing any other company or selling insurance plans. Additionally, this is not a billing a line. The goal is to assist those impacted by the pandemic by providing an information resource.
Call 833-867-8771 for more information.
After two days of lengthy debate over whether to make face masks mandatory in public, County Commissioners today approved a statement endorsing recommendations from the Florida Surgeon General that state all individuals in Florida should wear face coverings in any setting where social distancing is not possible. All individuals over the age of 65 and all individuals of any age with high-risk health conditions should limit personal interactions outside of the home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. All individuals should refrain from participation in social or recreational gatherings of more than 50 people. For all gatherings of fewer than 50 people, individuals should practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least six feet from each other and wear a face covering.
Ultra-white sand beaches and magnificent sunsets have long defined our region, but just nine miles east of I-75 you’ll find an environment just as alluring, exotic and primal at the Myakka River State Park. For more than 20 years, Clyde Butcher has explored the deeper regions of Myakka and spent seasons experiencing its changes and its diverse ecosystems. Designated as a Florida Wild and Scenic River, the tannic waters flow through bottomland swamp and freshwater marsh spilling into lakes and sinkholes. Alligators, turtles and cottonmouths swim in the river. Herons, cranes and limpkins strut through its shallows, feeding in the muck. In the rainy season, the river rises and floods. In the dry months, the river shrinks and wildlife once again lines the banks of the Myakka River. Myakka River: A Florida Treasure features large-format, amazing photographs taken by world-renowned landscape photographer Clyde Butcher, known as the “Ansel Adams of Florida.” The special exhibition will remain open through September 6, 2020. Visiting is included in the price of admission.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W, Bradenton
Experience the best of Sarasota's LGBTQ-Friendly businesses with Project PRIDE's first annual TASTE of PRIDE event happening June 15 to 30. ​Businesses are offering a discount, pre-fix menu, or free item to celebrate pride month. Some locations are even adding rainbow items to the menu. Participating locations include Clasico Bar, Tsunami Sushi, FST Improv, AVLI Mess Hall, EVOQ at The Westin Sarasota, Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria, Umbrella's 1296, Live Wells Vegan Meal Delivery, Leaf & Lentil, Sage, Rayna's Taqueria, Mitches Kitchen, Mellow Mushroom, and Petals & Sugar.
Join us for "virtual" coffee with your Chamber President/CEO, Heather Kasten and Guest Speaker Jim Shirley, Executive Director of the Arts & Culture Alliance of Sarasota County for an update on the impact of Covid-19 to the Art & Culture community and the innovative ways they are adapting.
Insects inhabit every domain of our daily lives, performing essential functions that balance our fragile ecosystem on Earth — functions that often go unnoticed because of their small size or scale. Now, using cutting-edge technology and custom methods that put tiny insects on a human scale, artist and photographer Bob Sober allows visitors to see the patterns, textures, colors and details that have always been present, but too small to appreciate in The Bishop’s newest special exhibition: Small Wonders: Insects in Focus.
Creating human-scale images of insects, with resolution so high that every hair, dimple and tiny structure is clearly revealed, was impossible prior to the technological advancements of the past 10 years. Now, Sober’s skills allow us to see the intersection of natural science and art in the smooth metallic finishes and heavily stippled textures, strange body shapes, delicate wing structures and beautifully engineered body components in this series of 30 images that will are on display in the Museum’s second-floor Rincon Gallery and throughout the Museum.
Small Wonders: Insects in Focus features 30 of Sober’s spectacular images and viewers will find themselves at the intersection of art and science. The exhibition, which is included in the cost of admission, is organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance and will be open at The Bishop through October 20.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W, Bradenton
The 2020 Players New Play Festival has gone virtual. In order to stay safe and to still have our friends listen and experience our 5 finalists. See these brand new, never-before-performed plays through Zoom. The five chosen plays are performed in readers-style theater by actors under the leadership of a local director with a talk-back following the show to give the playwright some constructive criticism led by Managing Artistic Director Jeffery Kin. Tickets must be purchased by noon the day of the show. If you want to take advantage of the group pricing, make sure you decide that when you first purchase, please. The day of the show you will receive a Zoom link to your email by 5pm that evening. Experience a different show each night. Echo Nevada on Monday, June 29. The Manager on Tuesday, June 30. The Rabbit Test on Wednesday, July 1. Next Wife on Thursday, July 2. Medium Well Done on Friday, July 3.
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