SRQ DAILY Aug 24, 2020
Monday Business Edition
"The election results show voters are ready for a change. I think voters are concerned with the general economic condition and with the direction the city is going in financially, and I think they are concerned they are not being heard."
A six-person battle in August becomes a two-person fight in November, as former Sarasota City Commissioner Terry Turner challenges incumbent City Commissioner Liz Alpert in the District 2 election.
On Tuesday, 1,950 votes were cast for Turner, making him the top vote-getter in the primary for Sarasota City Commission District 2, while Alpert won 1,886. Separated by about 1 percentage point in the vote, the two registered Democrats led a field of Republican opponents, with Alpert besting third-place finisher Joe Barbetta, a former County Commissioner, by 842 votes, or about 13 percentage points.
While this is the first time in decades the election was held in the general election cycle, Turner said it did not feel altogether different from a traditional city election. Certainly, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced forums onto Zoom and limited the ability to go door to door to meet voters, had the bigger effect. He expects significant differences competing for attention with the presidential election in November. But he feels good.
“The election results show voters are ready for a change,” Turner said. “71% voted for change. I think voters are concerned with the general economic condition and with the direction the city is going in financially, and I think they are concerned they are not being heard.”
Alpert, of course, disagrees. She feels good about her standing in a primary fending off a number of critics, and feels her own support remains solid. “It feels almost like the same group of voters who were not supporting me in 2015," she said. "I’m running against the same kind of entity and someone who holds the same stance on a lot of city issues (as I ran against then)."
In 2015, Alpert defeated incumbent Eileen Normile, who had been appointed to the City Commission to fill out Paul Caragiulo’s term after his election to the City Commission. Normile would later help form the group STOP, which was driven by neighborhood activists. Turner was politically aligned with many of the same leaders during his term on the City Commission from 2009 to 2013.
Alpert feels she performed well with voters in the primary thanks to support for number of recent issues, including her vote for a mask mandate and for the city’s proactive grant program supporting small businesses during the pandemic. “We just have to work that much harder to get our message out,” she said.
Turner, though, said many of Alpert’s votes give voters pause. From a plan approved with Alpert’s support to lease the Lido Beach pavilion to a private vendors to a master plan for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens shot down but with Alpert dissenting and cheerleading the project, Turner said the incumbent remains out of step. Meanwhile, his background leading the city while it recovered from a recession should help this year. “I thinking we’re coming into a much worse recession now," he said, "and I think my financial experience will be important."
This summer may have reached all-new lows in certain aspects, but one thing to perk up the spirit is to reach all-new depths. The best social distancing out there starts with swimming further from the surface, into the crystalline blue waters of the Gulf where abandoned shipwrecks and coral reefs abound with a frenzy of fish and marine wildlife await. That’s no prophecy; there’s some warranty backing that claim—Florida is spoiled with endless dive destinations from miles of clearwater coastline to deep water caverns/caves and freshwater springs.
Scuba Quest not only sells top-quality dive gear and the latest high-tech diving equipment, but offers scuba diving certification classes and exotic dive charters throughout the year to locals and visitors alike. The full-service shop is ready to teach, excite and guide watersports enthusiasts to a quiet, enchanting underworld. So if you’ve got some extra time to spare nowadays, and have always wanted to get certified in scuba diving, here’s a chance to carve out a few days to make it happen with the Scuba Quest guys. They provide the BCD, regulators, tanks and wetsuits as part of your class, in addition to the eLearning course, classroom, pool and boat dives. Students are responsible for their own personal mask, fins, snorkel, weight belt, weights and surface marker buoy—which can all be picked up right at the shop where the guys will help you pick the best individual size and style for you.
Aside from beginner courses to get entry-level certification, they teach advanced courses as well as specialty courses such as First Aid/CPR/Oxygen rescue, Technical diving, NAUI Leadership courses, Divemaster courses and more. For avid divers already exploring many feet deep, know that Scuba Quest provides additional services such as tank fills of air and Nitrox with whatever mixture desired for your next diving adventure, along with visual inspections, Hydrostatic inspections, tumbling and valve repair. And if your gear is getting overly used or old from wear and tear, don’t hesitate to take it to the guys for some ultrasonic cleaning, degreasing of parts, replacement of all o-rings, seats and seals per your manufacturer’s guidelines. For the adrenaline junkie watermen and waterwomen, Scuba Quest and Splash Charters will be hosting a Night Dive Swim Off Sarasota excursion on Wednesday, September 2. The two-tank night dive will kick off with a meetup at 5:30pm at Nora Patterson park and then head to the launch site at twilight to explore the dark night underseas. Participants must have two lights (primary and backup).
And if after reading that, you got all hot, sweaty and nervous, maybe scuba diving isn’t for you, and that's okay. If the whole tank and regulator thing seems too out of your comfort zone, perhaps consider becoming more like the fish you want to swim alongside of. Conveniently enough, Scuba Quest has also been partnering with local freediving instructor and spearfishing professional, Danyar Diving to host Free Freediving Seminars at the Sarasota and Bradenton shops this summer. The next one on the calendar is set for Saturday, August 29 from 12pm-2pm at the Sarasota location where Danyar will be covering beginner freediving topics including increased breath-holding tips and techniques, safety concerns, equipment needs, and will be discussing the upcoming Level 1 Certification Course.
RSVP to the events is preferred. And you can book a private or group lesson by calling or emailing either of the Scuba Quest shops: 1055 S Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-366-1530, sarasota@scubaquestusa.com, and 3318 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, 941-745-2511, bradenton@scubaquestusa.com, @scubaquest.
Pine View senior Mary Kathryn "Kaki" France has spent significant time on the pageant circuit, earning "Outstanding Teen" titles in the Miss Manatee (2018), Miss Largo (2019) and, most recently, the Miss Orlando pageants, among other honors. Particular areas of focus for Kaki are education and early childhood literacy. She says, "I feel like education is the foundation of everything. When there's reading in the home, when you have a library at home, so many things can happen - it can catapult you to a great future!" To support these areas in our community, Kaki founded "Royalty for Reading," a platform through which she collects donated books - approximately 2,000 to date - and then distributes them to deserving children through organizations such as All Faiths Food Bank, Children First, Easter Seals, Girls Inc., United Way and more. She also does service work with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, donating her time reading to students and speaking with parents about the importance of education and reading at home. Kaki will host a virtual live reading of one of her favorite childhood books, "Belinda and the Glass Slipper," on Thursday, August 27 at 10am. Free and no RSVP necessary.
Pictured: Kaki France (center, back) with rocking readers Dylan, Marley and Presley Krumm
Caregivers at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota got a comedy break recently. Local comedians Les McCurdy and Al Ernst did quick sets for employees during their lunch breaks. Caregivers have been on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19 for almost six months and the comedians wanted to deliver some laughter to help those who have been helping so many others. Bonefish Grill donated the lunch. It was hard to see, but there were lots of smiles behind the masks.
An exciting new Canopy Zone feature is now open at Manatee County’s Robinson Preserve, allowing visitors to experience nature from a fresh perspective while exploring amidst the treetops.
Situated at the edge of the historic Reasoner Tract at Robinson Preserve South, the Canopy Zone is nestled among century-old botanical giants that once formed the test plot for Royal Palm Nurseries. Follow the boardwalk as it extends past the Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science and Technology (the NEST) and find yourself climbing among the limbs and leaves.
The project was designed by Stantec Engineering and built by Tandem Construction, taking inspiration from the natural elements surrounding it. Thanks to careful planning, the Canopy Zone was built amongst the existing trees, allowing for a densely shaded environment and a cool experience to combat the summer heat. The boardwalk features LED lighting allowing it to be used for staff-guided evening programs for the public and permitted special events.
The compact, two-story structure is filled with adventure park elements including a series of boardwalks, rope bridges, climbing nets, and slides. Crawl through the net tube to catch a bird’s-eye view of the newly built waterways of the Robinson Preserve Expansion or climb the tower, zigzagging through platforms to top and then take the spiral slide all the way to the understory loop on the forest floor. While some of the more challenging elements are recommended for ages 5 and older, all ages and abilities are welcome on the accessible tree-top boardwalk loop that emerges overlooking the Robinson Preserve Expansion, complete with mounted binoculars for viewing the wading birds and other wildlife within the preserve.
The project complements the ongoing habitat restoration on 135 acres located at the expansion area of Robinson Preserve to enhance fisheries habitat and install native plants. Additional amenities are also being constructed including new pavilions, restrooms, kayak storage tubes, benches and trailside shade structures. These habitat and amenity improvements are expected to be completed and re-open this winter.
The Canopy Zone is now open to the public the same hours as Robinson Preserve, sunrise to sunset seven days a week. Parking can be found near the NEST which can be reached from the preserve’s South Entrance at the end of 9th Avenue Northwest.
Manatee County is seeking public input on a planned renovation for a popular local road that leads to Robinson Preserve. County planners want residents to prioritize what amenities they’d like to see along the way, including sidewalks, bike lanes, street lighting, cross walks, landscaping, and modifications to existing vehicular travel lane widths. From now through Oct. 1, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to visit www.mymanatee.org/mobility to view a short video about Complete Streets design concepts and to provide feedback with a nine-question survey. “Now, with limitations on gatherings due to COVID-19, we are making an effort to get important information about the project out through different means. We hope that providing an extended period for public input online will allow for more participation than we would see for a one-time meeting.”
Icard Merrill attorneys selected for the 27th Edition of Best Lawyers are Charles J. Bartlett (Commercial Litigation, Banking and Finance Litigation, Construction Litigation, Real Estate Litigation), Michael J. Furen (Land Use and Zoning, Real Estate), Thomas F. Icard, Jr. (Construction Law, Mediation), Robert G. Lyons (Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs), William W. Merrill III (Administrative/Regulatory Law, Land Use and Zoning, Land Use and Zoning Litigation), and Jaime L. Wallace (Family Law). In addition, two of the firm’s attorneys are listed in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch: Anthony J. Manganiello III (Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs) and Jordan J. Riccardi (Real Estate).
Manatee Memorial Hospital's Heart and Vascular Center's Structural Heart team were the first on the Florida West Coast to implant the Next-Generation WATCHMAN FLXT Left Atrial Appendage Closure. Congratulations to Daniel Friedman, MD, Bradenton Cardiology Center/Manatee Physician Alliance and our Director of Watchman, for being the first electrophysiology (EP) physician to perform this procedure in the State of Florida. Pictured with Dr. Friedman is Brian Holyk, MD, also from Bradenton Cardiology Center/Manatee Physician Alliance, who performed the transesophageal echocardiogram for the procedure and all the other team members.
Tim Jaeger revisits memories captured in humble swatches of mail.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.
At the request of former Board Chair Brad Prechtl and his wife Terri, the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation (FCSF) is transferring all proceeds from the Brad & Terri Prechtl Fund to a newly-created special fund for immediate financial assistance to cancer patients who have been affected by COVID-19. The FCS Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that helps cancer patients with their non-medical, essential living expenses, such as overdue rent, mortgage, utility bills and car payments, while they undergo treatment.
Lynn Rasys, Executive Director of the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, said, “When Brad and Terri presented the idea of using the $70,000 in their namesake fund to help patients affected by COVID-19, we enthusiastically agreed. As our founding Board Chair, Brad was instrumental in establishing the Foundation and has always championed our mission and, as a volunteer in the Lakewood Ranch clinic, Terri saw first-hand the immediate relief patients feel when they no longer have to worry about overdue bills.”
Foundation Board Member Shelly Glenn, who also serves as Chief Marketing & Sales Officer for FCS, explained, “The Brad & Terri Prechtl Fund is a tribute fund honoring our founding FCS Foundation Board Chair Brad Prechtl, who also served as CEO of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) for nearly 11 years, and his wife, Terri, who was Lead Patient Support Volunteer for over five years at the Lakewood Ranch location of Florida Cancer Specialists. The fund was created in January 2018 to recognize Brad and Terri’s leadership, personal financial support and dedication to the FCS Foundation.”
Prechtl, who recently retired as CEO of FCS, added, “Cancer patients and their families are among those most severely impacted by COVID-19. Patients and their spouses may have lost their jobs or cannot work because they are in active treatment. Their stress is compounded because their immune systems are compromised and, if they contract the coronavirus, they may not survive. The Foundation seeks to eliminate some of this stress by providing financial assistance for non-medical living expenses, so that patients can focus on what is most important . . .their recovery. Terri and I are honored to support this noble mission.”
Due to the ongoing generosity of the Florida Cancer Specialists physicians in covering all overhead expenses for the Foundation, 100% of donations received go directly towards patient grants.
Foundation Board Chair Michael Diaz, MD, who is also Assistant Managing Physician for FCS, emphasized the urgency surrounding financial assistance to cancer patients, especially because of the COVID-19 crisis. “When a patient applies for a grant from the FCS Foundation, we are able to process their request quickly and can often provide assistance within a few days. This immediate response is critical for patients who are facing having their electricity or water shut off, or potentially being evicted from their home.”
Click to apply for assistance or to make a tax deductible donation.
JFCS of the Suncoast’s Healthy Families / Healthy Children Program partnered with Legal Aid of Manasota to offer free online webinars to share information about the COVID-19 eviction moratorium. Attorneys will discuss the current eviction moratorium and how it impacts individuals and families in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Information presented will include:
- Who is covered under the COVID-19 eviction moratorium?
- How are individuals and families protected?
- What is the timeframe for protection?
- What are the steps in the process?
- What if you are facing a foreclosure action?
- There will be time for questions and answers during the session.
The online informational sessions will be offered in English and Spanish. English sessions are on Wednesday, August 26, 6:00-7:00pm and Thursday, August 27, 11:00am to 12:00pm. A Spanish session will be offered on Thursday, August 27, 6:00-7:00pm.
Lakewood Ranch, in collaboration with the Brain Health Initiative and their meditation expert, Trish Hart of Hart Mind Body Solutions, will be providing weekly mindful moments to help kick-off your week with a healthy brain boost. 10-15 minute video clips featuring Trish Hart who will provide a mindful moment to implement into your Tuesday routine. Mindful moments will include brief meditations, affirmations, short readings, yoga practice tips, and more. RSVP and invite your friends and neighbors to be notified when a new video is posted on Tuesday mornings. The Brain Health Initiative (BHI) is a cutting-edge, new approach to studying brain health that's set to revolutionize neuroscience research and position the Gulf Coast as a global leader in scientific innovation. Formed in 2018 and headquartered in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, the BHI features collaborative leadership from the Academy for Brain Health and Performance and Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital. Brain health clinicians, researchers, academics, and innovators from across the Harvard system and throughout the state of Florida, as well as national and global collaborators, are engaged in this collective impact effort to support significant positive brain health and performance outcomes for the greater Gulf Coast region and beyond. Trish Hart is a facilitator of the Massachusetts General Hospital's, Benson Henry Institute's (SMART) Stress Management and Resiliency Program, trained in Mindfulness for Professionals through Duke Integrative Medicine, and is an Ananda Meditation and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra teacher.
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.
Art Uptown's regionally acclaimed artists offer passage to worlds unseen and under explored through the upcoming Summer Sojourn showcase on view from Tuesday, August 4 through Saturday, August 29. The exhibit features a wide array of media: photography, jewelry, fabric, glass, ceramic, sculpture and painting. Hungering for a reminder of Provence? Take in Jill Krasner's Yellow Daffodils (top left) or Jana Millstone's Tulip Trip (lower left). Seeking a little Zen-like serenity? Pause at Joan Libby Hawk's ceramic vessel, Elegy (top right). Marlane Wurzbach's Egret's Buffet (lower right), Bill Swanson's Juvenile Angelfish and Maro Lorimer's Haze take you right to the water's edge of your choice. Elijah (below left) by Janet Mishner invites the viewer to a more spiritual place and Liz Cole's abstract Bring on the Sun (below right) pushes the darks to brights. More than twenty other accomplished artists' work fills the Summer Sojourn showcase with unexpected, art-inspired journeys. The gallery continues its commitment to visitor and staff safety by the use of masks, sanitizer, frequent cleaning and social distancing.
Art Uptown Gallery, 1367 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join a museum educator for a live virtual tour (rec. ages 8+), and a virtual Roar storytime for our littlest learners (rec. ages 2-8), on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Each month will feature a new theme, with rotating arts resources that you can use all month long.Beginning August 20th with the exhibition Being Seen, each month will feature a new theme, with rotating arts resources that you can use all month long. Tickets are required, space is limited.
The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Yoga Instructor Ashley Stewart will lead a yoga session the front lawn of Ca' d'Zan. With your health and safety as a top priority, these classes are limited to 50 participants and at least 7 feet of distance will be maintained between people. Class size is limited, tickets must be purchased in advance
The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road
The 3rd Annual Event, Hosted by Hotel Venezia, will feature 15+ Local Eateries Serving Up Awesome Tastes. Early Bird Tickets are available for $15 until they’re Sold Out and General Admission is $20. Tickets include all Food Tastings and Beverages are available at the Cash Bar.
Hotel Venezia, 425 US 41 Bypass N Venice, Florida
Healthy communication during COVID. Maintaining relationships and proactive communication to customers, employees and the community. Presented by Gabriele Harris, Chief Development Officer, Grapevine Communications. This meeting will be held virtually. A ZOOM meeting code will be emailed to registrants 24 hours prior to the event. You do not need to have a ZOOM account to register for this event.
Join Historic Spanish Point for incredible stories on the artists that shaped and influenced history around the world. We are proud to offer this art lecture series with Baila Miller as part of our monthly programming. Baila’s unique storytelling presentations will connect you to the art world in a whole new way. All presentations take place at Historic Spanish Point’s Visitor Center Classrooms. Tickets: $15 for Historic Spanish Point members and $20 for future members.
Jennifer and Austin delighted judges and audience members alike at Artist Series Concerts’ 2016 National Voice Competition, where they took first and second place respectively. Fast-forward to 2020 and the duo, each now pursuing a busy music career, returns to Sarasota to perform together at the first soirée series concert of the organization’s 25th season. Soprano Jennifer Kreider is pursuing a performer’s diploma under the guidance of Jane Dutton at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Her past roles include Musetta (La Bohème), Dew Fairy (Hansel and Gretel), Linfea (La Calisto) and many others. She has been a young artist at Opera in the Ozarks, the CoOPERAtive Program in Princeton, New Jersey, and the Franz Schubert Institute in Baden bei Wien, Austria. A native of Brandon, Florida, tenor Austin Cripe is currently pursuing his master’s degree at Florida State University. He has performed with Florida State Opera in the roles of Gastone in La Traviata, King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, the title role in Candide and others. He has also performed with Red River Lyric Opera, the Savannah Voice Festival and Opera Tampa. Tickets are $53.
From Young Concert Artists comes one of the most versatile string quartets in classical music today. The Omer Quartet is quickly gaining a reputation for “fearless renderings” (the New York Times) of the standard quartet repertoire as well as compelling performances of works by today’s composers. The ensemble burst onto the scene with top prizes at Borciani, Trondheim, and Bordeaux in Europe all in one year, having already captured the Fischoff National Competition Grand Prize. The quartet was awarded first prize in the 2017 Young Concert Artists (YCA) International Auditions and recently debuted at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. Joining the quartet from Young Concert Artists is accordion virtuoso Hanzhi Wang. Praised for her captivating stage presence and performances that are technically and musically masterful, this groundbreaking young musician is the only accordionist in 59 years to win a place on the YCA roster. 3pm Pre-Concert Wine Reception. Tickets are $42.
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