SRQ DAILY Jul 16, 2020
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"I discovered you never know what a small act of kindness can lead to if you just look for the opportunity."
The next person serving on the Sarasota County School Board from District 2 will know the district from the outside and working within it.
Two candidates have their names in the ring for the open seat: Karen Rose, a former executive director middle schools for the district, and David Graham, an analytics worker. The nonpartisan race will be decided on Aug. 18 in an election open to all voters.
Rose, who in 2018 came within 1,000votes of unseating School Board member Shirley Brown, hopes experience on the campaign trail serves her well this election. But her background as a teacher, principal and district level administrator will be what makes her a strong School Board member, she said. “I have a wealth of experience that will be of advantage for students, staff performance and the community,” Rose said. ”We have skilled folks on our School Board, and I’d like to see them become a team where their skills compliment each other.” She also notes that helping launch smart classrooms in the district will be especially valuable as the district navigates more online learning needs in a pandemic.
Young is running his first race now, and said he too would bring some classroom experience to the board. While he works on data for the district, he has taught at the college and adult level. He felt motivated to run after attending numerous meetings and ultimately hearing a suggestion that if he wants the board to run differently, he should run. “I drove down and went to [Supervisor of Elections] Ron Turner’s Office immediately,” he said. He feels his experience in district operations from procurement to studying testing results will be of use with setting district-level policy.
Both candidates have been distressed at the fractious board discussions over the past few years, and the divisive rhetoric impacting the entire district under now-departed School Superintendent Todd Bowden. The board this week offered the top staff position to Brennan Asplen, and candidates hope to see the district move in a new direction, but that will require more of a team relationship at the board level.
For his part, Graham said he’s been surprised at the level of politics involved in a school position, and he’s criticized Rose for raising so much for a $38,000 a year job; records show Rose pulled in $70,000 in contributions and chipped in $4,700 in loans this cycle. He’s sworn off dark money. With that much money flowing, he says, “there’s a reason someone wants to be in a seat and itdoesn’t have to do with the kids.”
Rose dismisses the concern, noting she has the most individual contributions to her campaign to demonstrate she holds broad support. She’s a rare candidate backed by the teacher’s union and the Republican Party. “I have a well respected cross section of the community endorsing me and supporting me,” she said. “That includes business folks, teachers and a lot of families.” 
Photos: Karen Rose, David Graham
The Sarasota County Commission awarded the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key a $33,028 Tourist Development Cultural/Arts grant to help fund its 2020-2021 community arts and cultural programs. The award-winning creators across all artistic disciplines who stay at the Hermitage provide free public programs that attract thousands of residents and tourists every year. These programs take place at the Hermitage and throughout our region in collaboration with leading arts, cultural, and educational institutions.
“The artists creating work at the Hermitage are shaping the artistic and cultural landscape of the future,” says Sandberg. “The Hermitage has been the birthplace and incubator for works that have gone on to leading theaters, museums, and concert halls around the world.” He adds that audiences attending Hermitage programs often have the rare opportunity to see a brilliant new work in progress, or to take part in conversations with artists who are truly at the top of their respective fields.
“We are honored that the Tourist Development Commission continues to recognize the Hermitage as a vital artistic leader in our region,” Sandberg adds. “These funds make it possible for us to share the talents and experiences of our extraordinary Hermitage Fellows with tourists and residents throughout our region. Moreover, at a time when arts organizations are facing immeasurable challenges due to COVID-19, we are grateful that the arts continue to be recognized as essential to our culture and community here in Sarasota.”
The Van Wezel Foundation is pleased to announce the fiscal year 2021 officers and board members confirmed for service at its recent annual meeting.
"As the Van Wezel Foundation evolves into the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation, the Board is committed to best practices in governance," noted Chairman of the Board, Jim Travers. "The success of our mission starts with the passion and leadership of the Board. We are so fortunate to have this incredibly talented group to share their breadth of experience and invest in the future of our community."
The Foundation Board Officers includes Chairman of the Board, Jim Travers, former Chairman and CEO of Fleetmatics, Inc.; Vice-Chair, Jenne Brittel, Ph.D., former Chairman of United Rentals; Treasurer, Vern Chalfant, former Executive Chairman and CEO of McLarens Global Limited and Secretary, Julie Harris, civic leader.
Executive Committee leadership includes Governance Committee Chair, Ali Bahaj, former Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, Japan; Strategic Planning Committee Chair, Jenne Brittel; Audit Committee Chair, Michael Wilson, Partner with Williams Parker; Finance Committee Chair, Vern Chalfant and Arts Education and Community Engagement Chair, Nanci Ross-Weaver, former award-winning news and content producer with CNN, CBS and ABC News.
After a nine-month consolidation process, First Step of Sarasota and Coastal Behavioral Healthcare have officially – as of July 1 – begun operations under the First Step name and brand. The core services and programs will still be available to community members in need but organizational leaders assert that the merger will result in stronger, more comprehensive solutions for those with mental health and addiction disorders.
The nonprofit agencies share a similar focus of providing addiction recovery programs and behavioral health services in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. By combining operations, First Step will now be able to offer a more collaborative approach to solving issues related to addiction disorders and behavioral health care, provide more comprehensive services, operate more cost-effectively, and improve efficiency while its staff – many of whom note that they were often referring clients to each other prior to the merger – will be better able to ensure a better continuum of care for its clients.
“We’ve really been working on making sure that – no matter where a client decides to access care or if a change in care is needed – they have seamless transition to additional services,” said Tracey Weeden, LCSW, First Step’s chief inpatient and residential services officer. “Now there aren’t any areas of a situation with regard to someone's personal wellness that we can't assist with.”
Pictured: First Step’s leadership team includes (front) Gwen M. MacKenzie and (back, l-r) Phillip J. “P.J.” Brooks, Tracey Weeden, Mournira Ragsdale and Vickie Tiutyama
Mikael and Karen Hansen, owners of Copenhagen Imports will give shoppers up to $500 off the famous Norwegian Stressless Recliners and $200 off on every Stressless Sofa Seat when they donate $50 or more to the Resurrection House or All Faiths Food Bank. Resurrection House has been serving Sarasota’s homeless population in the heart of the Rosemary District for more than 25 years. They provide a range of services, including but not limited to showers, laundry, counseling, medical treatments, veteran’s assistance, food and clothing.The Stressless brand is one that will last you a lifetime and there’s no better time to purchase if you’re in the market for sustainably, extremely comfortable, and fashion-forward furniture. Copenhagen Imports carries the original Stressless chairs, loveseats, and sofas in a wide variety of colors. Come visit the family-owned Copenhagen Imports store before August 3 when the promo ends.
More than 250 eighth graders in science teacher Sara Kuhar’s class at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences learned about the importance of conducting water quality monitoring research at local beaches. Working in small groups, students did not hesitate to wade thigh-high into the waters of South Lido Beach to collect samples to test for water quality measures, particularly the presence of microplastics.
Students’ investigations included selecting independent and dependent variables, hypotheses, experimental procedure, data collection, analysis of data, drawing conclusions, and communicating results. Students compared water quality indicators and the presence of microplastics and summarized their research through essays and presentations. The data was provided to the Florida Microplastics Awareness Project and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris tracker. Educator Sara Kuhar noted that the project helped her students become more engaged in community involvement while developing an improved sense of teamwork and cooperation as they collaborated in small groups to conduct research.
“Students learned how to take water samples using scientific tools to measure, and they were excited when they successfully identified plastics in their samples,” Kuhar said. “Before this project, most students had very little understanding of the impact of plastics, but after helping clean up plastic waste on the beach and then finding it in water sources, they gained a deeper appreciation for efforts to minimize plastic waste.”
Kuhar credited the EducateSRQ grant opportunity with helping engage her students’ curiosity, leadership abilities, initiative and self-direction, while increasing student motivation and improving participation and attentive behavior. “Several students, who typically were unmotivated and low-performing, discovered that they love working with the water quality sensors and microscopes. These types of opportunities could be the inspiration needed to lead more students into science-based careers,” Kuhar said.
Funded by EducateSRQ, the teacher and classroom grants signature program of The Education Foundation of Sarasota County.
Education Foundation, 1960 Landings Blvd, Sarasota
Halfacre Construction Company, the construction manager for the project, is seeking submissions from qualified subcontractors for the construction of the new classroom addition with a courtyard and covered walkways. Construction is scheduled to start in fall 2020, with a projected completion date of summer 2021. Several trade packages are included in the request for bids, such as electrical, plumbing, concrete, masonry and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), among other trades. Bids must be received via email by Wednesday, July 22. “Halfacre Construction Company is proud to continue work with Sarasota County Public Schools,” said Jack Cox, president of Halfacre Construction Company. “Safety is our priority and moving forward to construction, COVID-19 safety measures will be implemented through the on-site work environment for the entirety of the project.”
For more information or to place a bid, contact Priscilla Harsham at 941-907-9099 or pharsham@halfacreco.com.
Ideal-LIVING, a Southern living and real estate magazine, recently named Lakewood Ranch to its “Best Health & Fitness Community category in the fifth annual “Best of the Best” issue. The community was recognized for its wellness-centered master planning, extensive recreational amenities, and health-conscious lifestyle program. “When the editors of ideal-LIVING looked at top communities with some of the best health and fitness opportunities, Lakewood Ranch immediately came to mind,” said Kelly Godbey, editor and associate publisher. “From its many amenities including golf, tennis, pickleball, parks, and walking trails, to yoga in the park, as well as the open-air farmers’ market and on-site medical care, the entire community is built around fitness.” “We are honored to be named as a ‘Best Health & Fitness’ community by ideal-LIVING magazine,” said Laura Cole, senior vice president of LWR Communities. “In these uncertain times, home buyers are placing a higher priority on connectivity, open space, and an active lifestyle. Lakewood Ranch has all the qualities and conveniences of an established town with the added benefit of resort-level recreational amenities in your own neighborhood. It’s plug and play here.”
Save water. Save money. Save nature. And do it all safely, with a suite of online Rain Barrel Workshops and a new contactless rain barrel purchase option launched by Sarasota County. The updates to the county's popular Rain Barrel Program allow individuals to attend an online workshop, rather than in-person, to learn the myriad benefits of using rain barrels at home or around your business. Participants also will learn about basic setup and operation. "We are excited to offer this popular program again, and help our residents learn and apply water saving techniques for maintaining their landscape," said Lee Hayes Byron, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County director. Sarasota County launched the Rain Barrel Program in 2009, with the aim of helping participants conserve water and save money while reducing stormwater runoff and protecting our natural environment. Since then, residents and business owners have bought more than 3,300 barrels, or enough to collect 18 million gallons of our area's annual rainfall. Upcoming online Rain Barrel Workshops are set for July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19.
Rain barrels beside a home collect stormwater to be used for irrigation and other non-potable uses. [CREDIT: UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County]
Learn more and register early (to save your spot) at tiny.cc/ufsaraext_rainbarrel.
The Latest COVID Positive Patient Numbers at SMH: The hospital continues to see an uptick in hospitalizations, now reaching more than 100 COVID positive inpatients. SMH continues to monitor all resources to ensure we can meet the needs to the community. While SMH has enough PPE, equipment and beds, there are growing concerns about proper staffing and the hospital is working hard to combat these challenges.
Keeping Patients & Employees Safe: To reduce the risk of community spread in the hospital, SMH continues to implement a number of precautions to keep employees and patients safe. The no visitor policy is still in place to reduce risks of exposure. SMH is now also requiring eye protection in addition to masks for all staff. David Verinder encourages staff to wear masks in the community as well and be role models to everyone they are around to help slow the COVID-19 spread locally.
The Community Effort: While SMH continues to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital is asking the community to take this seriously and take all proper precautions including hand hygiene, social distancing when possible and wearing masks to reduce the spread of the disease.
Clinical Research Update: It is rare for a community hospital to have such a robust clinical research program, but SMH has emerged as a leader in COVID-19 research and is the first in Florida to enroll patients in a new study. SMH will continue to work to bring needed resources to the community to help fight this disease.
Moments captured during the pandemic.
Click here to read the full article in SRQ's Summer 2020 issue.
Looking for fun and engaging programs that you and your child can do at home? Try these pre-packaged STEMventures. These themed packets delivered via email will include education materials and links to videos of our early childhood educators introducing topics and activities. Follow along with us from the comfort of your own home, pause when you need to and complete at your own pace. The Coast Counts: Join us to learn how humans and animals alike count on our coasts. Roleplay as a Mote scientist while learning how to monitor the health of Florida's coastal habitats and the inhabitants found there. Hide and SEAk: Ready or not, here we come: to learn all about how animals hide from predators and "SEAk" out their prey. Investigate the adaptations ocean animals have at their disposal like patterns, textures, bioluminescence, and more. Sea Shapes and Sizes: From the smallest plankton to the biggest blue whale; round pufferfish to arrow shaped barracuda; the ocean is filled with all shapes and sizes. Join Mote Educators to learn what this variety does for ocean animals then explore the shape of the ocean floor. Each Pre-Packaged STEMventure Theme: $45 for members, $50 for non-members. Upon registering for any OSM program, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to your weekly Guide to help prepare for a virtual week with us. Supplies for all of our OSM programs should be easily found around the home. The guide you receive in your confirmation email will detail what you need so you can prepare for your OSM week.
We unleash the awesome power of The Planetarium during KidSpace, where kids can become scientific masters of the universe! Join us as we take off from the Earth’s surface and fly to places humans have never been: the Sun, planets, other moons in our solar system, newly discovered solar systems in our galaxy and beyond. KidSpace is designed for grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome.
Introducing Asolo Rep Young Artist: Online Classes, designed for ages 8-18. From demystifying Shakespeare to exploring innovative ways of creating theatre together, these classes will spark your young artist’s imagination and help to hone their theatrical technique. See below to find out more about the exciting content and amazing professional artists who will be leading these classes. Classes are $50 to $75 to register. Contact Asolo Rep Education & Engagement Department: education@asolo.org
Online Program.
Summer vendors will offer produce, fresh baked goods including breads, pies, bagels and pretzels, wild-caught seafood, Florida-grown mushrooms, boutique cheeses, locally roasted coffee, kettle corn, hand-crafted soap, essential oils, nursery plants and fresh-cut flowers. In addition, local artists will be attending the market offering award-winning photography, unique clay art and jewelry, hand-designed clothing for children and adults, and more. Market staff and vendors have created a CDC-compliant and safe socially distanced outdoor shopping experience for the community, states Farmers Market Manager Lee Perron. All staff and vendors will wear masks and gloves and sanitizing stations will be available. The plan has been reviewed and approved by the City of Venice in order to comply with all federal, state and local guidelines for food and personal safety. During the construction of Fire Station 1 and expansion of City Hall, the market will relocate out of the parking lot but will still operate at City Hall. The Farmers Market will set up on W. Venice Avenue between Harbor Drive and Avenue des Parques, located between City Hall and the Hecksher Park tennis courts.
Venice City Hall, 401 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Sarasota Orchestra is now midway through our first-ever online music education program. The Education Edition of Music Moves Us invites the whole community to learn something new about the music that moves us all. The video courses in this free program cultivate skills and habits of self-motivated, independent musicians, instill sustainable practice routines, and make the fundamentals of music fresh. Students can submit questions about each day’s tutorial for feedback from our Education department. From building the basics to thinking about a professional music career, the Education Edition of Music Moves Us holds enrichment for every stage of developing musicianship. Video lessons include Guide to Learning New Music (July 14), The Art of Practicing and Developing Your Own Practice Routine (July 14), Learning Rhythms with Rhythm Ball (July 15), Being a String Team-Player: Playing in Ensembles (July 16) and How to Prepare for an Audition (July 17).
Each three-class session focuses on demonstrations and a variety of watercolor techniques. Students with some previous experience will enjoy the freedom to experiment, create their own compositions, or paint along with the instructor. Instructor: Carolyn Merenda. Class Fee per Session: $140, members $125.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota, 900 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
The State of Talent Conference is presented by CareerSource Suncoast and is the premier one-day conference experience completely focused on the future of workforce and talent development. This leadership-focused conference provides a unique insight into the current state of talent and what leaders need to do to tackle one of business’ most complex challenges, their people assets. While the original live conference was cancelled this year in light of COVID-19, we are pleased to provide a completely immersive digital experience. Free. Fully Immersive Digital Experience. 4+ CEUs (SHRM/HRCI).
Virtual.
Join Yoga Instructor Ashley Stewart on July 16, August 20 and September 17 for a yoga session the front lawn of Ca' d'Zan. Participants can begin entering at 6:30pm. Yoga will begin at 7:00pm and will last for an hour. Participants should bring a yoga mat and water or drink as desired. Participation is limited to 50 to help maintain proper social distancing. Tickets are $15, $13.50 for members and must be purchased online, in advance of the event.
The Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Manatees. Museum mysteries. Space. These are the topics on tap this year for The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s annual Summer Learning Day — which will take place virtually this year because of social distancing guidelines. This day full of FREE interactive online sessions is sponsored by Mosaic and will take place on Saturday, July 18, for students in grades K-8. Participating students will receive free passes to visit the Museum in person (accompanied by a grownup) and have opportunities to earn more for reading accomplishments by downloading a free reading log and tracking reading. All programs will take place online via Zoom. Preregistration is required. Students must RSVP for each session they want to attend in order to get the Zoom access code to participate. Students will receive a special admissions code that entitles them to one free child and one free adult admission to visit the Museum in person between July 19 and Dec. 31, 2020. Students will receive a code for a free pass for themselves and an adult for each session they attend. (Children must be accompanied by an adult during their in-person visits.)
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
A Zoom Workshop will be offered Tuesdays at 6:00 pm on July 28, August 4, August 11, August 18. Led by store owner, Georgia Court, this is a chance to give poetry writing a try. They will be using Ted Kooser’s The Poetry Home Repair Manual as a guide. As a bonus, two experienced and well-published poets, Phil Terman and Rick Hilles, will be making guest appearances. A fee of $30 is required for participation. This includes a copy of The Poetry Home Repair Manual and all four sessions.
Bookstore1
Walk or run on your own or with a group of friends anytime between August 1 - August 31, 2020. Participants will receive an event t-shirt, lanyard and Players swag. Prizes and incentives are offered! Please list shirt size in order notes. Registration Deadline is July 15.
Regional artist Isabella Adams who’s clientele includes luxury retailers Nieman Marcus, The Atlantis, Ritz Carlton and the Beverly Hills Hotel, to name a few, will be doing her part to help The Exchange, (formally the Woman’s Exchange) get back on their feet after being closed for two months due to Covid-19. For the first time since its inception, Isabella Adams will be selling 1st quality Swarovski crystal gifts and accessories, including signed and numbered pieces from her collection at wholesale prices during this two-day only “Charity” Trunk Show. This two day only charity event will take place at The Exchange on August 7th and 8th. Supplies are limited and will be sold on a first come first serve basis. No orders will be taken. In addition to the “Charity Trunk Show” The Exchange will have a large selection of sterling silver jewelry starting as low as $5.00 per piece. Other local artisan pieces will be available at discounted prices.
The Exchange, 539 S Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Paint along with Carolyn, working freestyle in watercolor – allowing the colors to flow freely using a large brush and finishing with an impressionistic study of florals. Instructor: Carolyn Merenda. Class Fee: $70 (Members $55).
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota, 900 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Get ready for the biggest sale weekend of the season, presented by Venice Main Street and downtown merchants. This year is a little different as everyone will be practicing safe distancing and adhering to the CDC guidelines that are in place. With that said, bring on the holiday cheer. The businesses in Historic Downtown and beyond will have Christmas themed windows and a whole lot more.
Downtown Venice
Gather the kiddos and settle in for a story to spark their curiosity about science and nature! Join us at 3pm on Facebook for this storytime. Bishop staff choose a book focused on science and nature and read to you from their own homes.
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