SRQ DAILY Jul 20, 2020
Monday Business Edition
"Due to the significant increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the area, we have made the decision to postpone elective procedures to a future date."
Manatee Memorial Hospital will defer all elective surgeries starting today, a measure taken as a novel coronavirus challenges the region’s medical infrastructure.
“Due to the significant increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the area, we have made the decision to postpone elective procedures to a future date,” said Kevin DiLallo, Manatee Memorial Healthcare System CEO. “We will continue to monitor this on a week-by-week basis.”
As of Sunday morning, Manatee County had seen 6,569 people test positive for COVID-19, a number that dates back to the first known Florida case on March 1. Of those cases, 1,457 positive test results came back in the past week. A total of 143 residents of Manatee County has died with COVID-19.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has not completely stopped elective procedures, but has taken steps to reduce the number performed in order to free up intensive care unit beds for patients hospitalized with the virus.
Dr. James Fiorica, SMH chief medical officer, said the hospital system has seen an upswing in COVID-19 hospitalizations. “Each day we’re seeing 10 to 15 more patients a day,” he said. “What used to be one or two patients a day, we’re now seeing 10 new COVID patients.” That’s concerning especially as with MMH hospitals full, the demand at SMH will increase to serve additional patients in both counties.
Sarasota County as of Sunday morning had 4,245 total cases of COVID-19 reported since the start of the pandemic, including 1,139 whose test results came back in the prior week. A total of 106 county residents died.
Put another way, about 1.63% of Manatee County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. About 0.98% of Sarasota County residents have as well.
Health leaders are doing more to increase testing and treatment capacity. The Department of Health in Sarasota scheduled additional drive-through testing sites to operate at the Venice Community Center on Wednesday and Thursday, with appointments required. There’s still walk-up sites at the Robert L. Taylor Complex in Sarasota, as well as a drive-through site at The Mall at University Town Center. 
The Allegiant Private Advisors team helps their clients prepare for the unexpected thanks to a personalized approach informed by real data and independent analysis conducted with their best interests in mind. When things got tough, and some investors panicked and others took no action at all – the Allegiant Private Advisors team took bold and meaningful action in advance of and throughout these challenging times on behalf of their clients.
Utilizing proprietary research and working as fiduciaries, Allegiant makes informed decisions and responds swiftly – as the Investment Research team did throughout the recent market volatility. The Wealth Management team has been helping clients navigate provisions of the CARES Act, serving as a trusted “thinking partner” to implement swift changes to business plans and reexamining college funding strategies. Advisors have also been assessing Roth conversions for IRA accounts, supporting conversations about estate planning and evaluating tax-loss harvesting by liaising with tax professionals. Allegiant continues to connect personally (virtually!) with each client’s well-being and health in mind. The boutique firm’s continued focus is to serve as an advocate and confidant through good times and bad.
As we are all faced with the economic downturn and hardships surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, the Allegiant team believes their clients are comforted and confident in their future even during unprecedented challenges because they have trust in professionals who are helping them succeed.
If you’re seeking a trusted advocate to help guide your financial success, contact the Allegiant Private Advisors team at (941) 365-3745 or allegiantpa.com.
Pamela Michele Nadalini of Nadalini & Company, Inc.®, A Licensed Real Estate Broker has been awarded the At Home with Diversity® certification from the National Association of REALTORS®. Nadalini joins more than 17,000 other real estate professionals in North America who have earned the certification after completing an eight-hour course addressing topics of diversity, fair housing, and business planning development. The program is designed to meet the nation's fair housing commitment by educating and equipping NAR's members with the tools they need to expand homeownership opportunities.
The new Mote Science Education Aquarium is in the final stages of design and a groundbreaking is on the horizon, thanks to tremendous supporters for our Oceans for All campaign. This exciting step is possible because generous supporters have committed $75 million toward the campaign to create Mote SEA—Oceans for All: Improving Access to Marine Science & Technology. They are well beyond the halfway point of the $130-million goal, and well on the way to realizing the amazing benefits this new campus will bring the region.
Today at its monthly Open Commission Meeting, the FCC voted to designate 988 as the three-digit dialing number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which connects callers to life-saving suicide prevention and mental health crisis services. This vote establishes rules which require all telephone service providers to direct 988 calls to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022.
Suicide has ranked as the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S since 2008 and claims the lives of tens of thousands of Americans each year. Establishing an easily-remembered three-digit telephone number, similar to 911, will make it easier for Americans in crisis to connect with mental health professionals and access the services they need.
“As the nation remains in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know more and more Americans are struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. We are anticipating that these issues will only worsen the longer this pandemic lasts,” said David Guth, chief executive officer of Centerstone. “That is why Centerstone applauds today’s announcement by the FCC to implement a nationwide three digit telephone hotline for mental health emergencies, 988. Today’s historic decision is a giant step toward breaking down barriers for Americans struggling with mental illness and providing those in need with immediate access to lifesaving supports. All of us at Centerstone thank the FCC for their leadership to advance mental health for all Americans and now look forward to the full implementation of the 988 National Suicide Prevention Hotline over the next two years.”
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces that it plans to open its 2020-2021 Winter Season after the New Year. FST’s Winter Mainstage and Cabaret Seasons, which were originally set to begin in November and September, respectively, will now start in early 2021. This decision was made in effort to protect the health and wellbeing of FST’s staff, artists, and the Sarasota community during the current COVID-19 health crisis. “We took our time with this decision because we care,” said Richard Hopkins, FST’s Producing Artistic Director. “The safety of our artists, staff, and audience is paramount. The uncertainty of when the pandemic will end is difficult for us all, but one thing is certain—as soon as the ‘all clear’ signal is heard, FST will be back on the stage. We are dedicated to producing the best in contemporary theatre while also assuring our audience’s safety and security.”
Due to the ongoing word health crisis, Irish Supergroup Celtic Thunder has moved its 2020 US and Canadian tour dates to 2021. Their Van Wezel performance on Sunday, December 20, 2020 has been rescheduled to Wednesday, November 17, 2021. Show producer Sharon Browne cites current US Visa Entry Restrictions for non-US residents, the uncertain timeline for reopening of venues across North America and varying quarantine regulations for movement between States as contributing factors for moving the tour to 2021. “We, like everyone else the world over, are concerned about the health of our families and community and wish for our fans to remain safe and protected in these troubling times. The prospect of our future tour is something positive that we carry with us now, and we very much look forward to welcoming our fans to a Celtic Thunder show again soon” says Celtic Thunder soloist Ryan Kelly.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, the only professional Black theater company on Florida's West Coast and one of only three in Florida, was thrilled to recently receive its first-ever grant from the Shubert Foundation. The funding in the amount of $10,000 will support WBTT’s 2020-2021 performance season. The Shubert Foundation is the nation's largest funder dedicated to unrestricted funding of not-for-profit theatres, dance companies, professional theatre training programs, and related service agencies. “Especially as we work to overcome challenges due to the economic impacts of the coronavirus, securing new funding streams is critical to our long-term financial well-being,” said Julie Leach, executive director of WBTT. “We are particularly excited since this is our first year receiving a grant from the Shubert Foundation. We look forward to developing a deeper relationship with this generous and vital funder in coming years.”
Pictured: Performing as the Soul Crooners during WBTT's 2019 '70s Soul Party at Ed Smith Stadium were (l-r) Charles Manning, Michael Mendez, Sheldon Rhoden, Nate Jacobs and Leon S. Pitts II Photo by Sorcha Augustine
The hands behind Sarasota's selfless sewers.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.
DOH Sarasota has scheduled two by appointment only COVID-19 testing dates at the Venice Community Center July 22 and 23. DOH Sarasota will have 100 COVID-19 tests available per day, appointments are required as demand for testing is high. DOH Sarasota is prioritizing COVID-19 testing for anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, recent loss of taste or smell) or who works in a health care setting. To be evaluated and to make an appointment, please call (941) 861-2883, Monday through Friday from 8:ooam to 5:00pm.
Wednesday, July 22, 8:00am-12:00pm Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Avenue South on the island of Venice.
Thursday, July 23, 8:00am-12:00pm Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Avenue South on the island of Venice.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Members of the Discovery Society are invited to join us for an exclusive event on July 21 that will allow you to experience the universe — from its smallest wonders to its biggest, light-bending scales — during small-group sessions hosted by our curators and astronomy experts. This exclusive event will showcase our newest special exhibition Small Wonders: Insects in Focus with images by artist-photographer Bob Sober and include access to images from the collection that aren’t yet on public display. These human-scale images of insects from around the world have such a high resolution that every hair, dimple and tiny structure is clear and the insects’ amazing colors and adaptations are revealed as never before. We’ll also head into The Planetarium, where we’ll take you on a special narrated tour created just for you to showcase the coolest features of our all-new Digistar 6 dual planetarium system. Our new system, installed during our temporary closure, includes state-of-the-art projectors and software that makes it 1½ times brighter than our previous system with four times the contrast. The new system, combined with the size of our dome, enables us to recreate a dark sky natural environment and even show you the light-bending tricks of black holes.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Please join us for a virtual Artist Talk with Jennifer Packer, celebrated visual artist and 2020 recipient of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize at the Hermitage Artist Retreat; and Ola Wlusek, The Ringling’s Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, as they discuss Packer’s work and influences in anticipation of her future exhibition at The Ringling. This program will be moderated by Andy Sandberg, Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO. Space is limited.
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