SRQ DAILY Aug 27, 2020
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"Survival is an artform. In every moment, the only thing I have power over is what I choose to focus on."
Sarasota City Commissioner Willie Shaw said he’s worked for years to encourage economic vitality in North Sarasota without dismantling the community there. But Kyle Scott Battie, who is challenging Shaw for his District 1 in November, said preserving the community means ensuring its residents have income and means to thrive in the city as it grows.
With just two candidates on the ballot, the District 1 race was the only one in the city this year without an August primary, and since Shaw faced no opposition last time he ran, it’s been more than nine years since voters in the community weighed in on their district representation. Battie believes they are ready for change. “(Shaw) is stuck in the past and he lives in the past,” Battie said. “We can’t have that type of leadership.”
Shaw, of course, disagrees and points to a list of achievements since his 2011 election to the City Commission. That includes bringing a Sarasota Memorial Hospital facility to the district, the revitalization of the Rosemary District and Myrtle Avenue improvements 20 years in the works. “I find myself in a very good place to be heading into this race as an incumbent, and I think my legacy speaks for itself,” he said.
He’s especially proud of a historical preservation district designation that he says will allow the city to “maintain Newtown as Newtown” as the city grows. He hopes that eases any concerns about gentrification that arise as Ringling College of Art and Design expands and development occurs in areas around the neighborhood. “The relationship between the community and the College has grown tremendously in terms of speaking and talking to each other,” he said. “That has been a most inclusive conversation.”
Battie, however, said other conversations have gone decidedly sideways based on Shaw’s leadership. He notes the decision to vote down a master plan for the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens that included an apprenticeship program for Newtown residents. Shaw voted it down, and notoriously slammed the project as doing too little for Newtown while bringing investment into wealthy regions of the city, and went so far as to question Michael’s On East hiring practices as far as minorities. “When the city shot down that project they basically helped start the process of gentrification of Newtown,” Battie contends.
That’s because the greatest threat to the neighborhoods is the fact there’s not enough homeownership of residents; Battie said estimates he’s seen figures suggesting only 30 percent of residential space in the district is owned by people who live there. Considering the region, boasting proximity to major roadways, the airport and downtown, remains ripe for redevelopment, he sees a risk of investors buying land from remaining residents and displacing the community.
The way to change that isn’t by shooting down inevitable growth but by educating residents on finance and the value of home ownership to encourage investment in the community by those who cherish the land and don’t just look to cash out. If that’s done, the community can see more coffee shops and business open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way without breaking up neighborhoods surrounding it.
Shaw said he had fought tirelessly to ensure healthy redevelopment occurs, whether through the Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency or through cooperation with the Sarasota Housing Authority to create housing for professionals working at Sarasota Military Academy or Sarasota Academy of the Arts. Everything has helped the city and District 1 in particular make strides forward, and he would like to see that continue. 
Photo: Kyle Scott Battie, WIllie Shaw
SRQ magazine is on the hunt for out-of-the-box backyard experiences. During the pandemic, more people are staying at home and finding ways to invest in and re-envision their abodes. SRQ is looking to highlight the creative ways people have utilized their spaces—from professional resort style pools and formal entertaining spaces to DIY outdoor movie theaters, gardens and treehouses. We are looking to feature creative outdoor spaces that capture alfresco living at its best. Send photos of your backyard to stories@srqme.com by September 10th to be considered.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) partnered with the Motion Design Department at Ringling College of Art and Design to create an animated video to assist travelers at the TSA checkpoint. The Motion Design Department features a fall semester senior thesis course specifically designed to replicate the challenges and deadlines of a professional studio and the airport was among the potential client projects. SRQ Airport was pleased to collaborate on the project. “SRQ Airport was excited for the opportunity to collaborate with Ringling College of Art and Design on this project," says Rick Piccolo, President, CEO. "It was a unique opportunity to team with local talent which resulted in a quality production that the airport is proud to display. We hope to continue this partnership with future projects.”
As communities and organizations across the country continue to make adjustments in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Goodwill Manasota is working to address current and urgent needs with a new program. Through Community Connection, which was launched in May, community members can access information and referrals for employment, food, housing, clothing, veterans’ services, financial needs, medical services, academic services, counseling services, technology services, and more. These services can be provided face-to-face or virtually, depending upon customer preference. "With the impacts of the coronavirus, we knew that we were going to have a lot of people looking for services that did not necessarily include employment and we also wanted to ensure that those seeking our services had choices about how to access assistance from us," said Margie Genter, vice president of mission services for Goodwill Manasota. "While this program is similar to the information and referral programs we have always had, we rounded out the program with a virtual option as well as an intensive customer service component that enables us to consistently learn and improve, and benefit quickly from customer feedback."
Contact Goodwill Manasota at 941-355-2721
JFCS of the Suncoast has disbursed $475,727 since April to families in Sarasota and Manatee counties experiencing financial hardship resulting from COVID-19. JFCS established the JFCS COVID-19 Emergency Hardship Fund in late March as the pandemic began to impact the community. A $250,000 lead gift from the Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust initially funded the program. “We established the emergency fund to prepare for the COVID-related need that we knew was coming,” said Arthur Lerman, JFCS CEO. “The response to the announcement of available funding was overwhelming operationally and emotionally. The actual need exceeded our expectations, and the stories we have heard are heartbreaking. JFCS greatly appreciates the partnership we have with our funders that allowed us to make this program possible.”
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and you are challenged to virtually walk or run with your herd for the Children's Cancer Center. In place of the annual 5K run/1 mile walk they challenge you to set a mileage goal to complete by the end of September. Drive by the COVID-19 compliant Packet Pick Up Party on Monday, August 31st from 8am- 10am or 6pm-8pm where all participants will receive a t-shirt, swag bag and a Chick-fil-A sandwich.
Fruitville Chick-fil-A, 5384 Fruitville Rd
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year program has celebrated the inspirational journeys of outstanding teens across the nation since 1947. Recent Pine View School graduate Marguerite Andrich currently holds the Youth of the Year title for both the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County and the state of Florida. After the judges’ deliberation, they selected Marguerite and the Georgia Youth of the Year as the two finalists for the regional title. Boys & Girls Clubs of America will announce the winner on September 10, 2020, at the Southeast Youth of the Year Virtual Celebration. The finalist who secures the regional title will receive $20,000 in scholarships and advance to the National Youth of the Year Celebration in October with five winners from the other regions across the country.
Blending an active community and resort lifestyle with a sought-after Palmer Ranch address, Hammock Preserve is a popular choice for today’s Sarasota homebuyer. And now, the opportunity for a new Hammock Preserve home is limited, with more than 75% of homesites sold within the community. The final phase of water, preserve and landscape views has just been released for single family and twin villa homes. The community’s lifestyle director, Carly Seitz, keeps residents busy and happy with a full schedule of fun activities and events. “Our residents remain engaged in our active community,” said Seitz. “Along with virtual events, Happy Hour in our Barefoot Bar, live music poolside, and food trucks have been a huge hit. We’re also so excited to start our Farmers Market.”
Pictured: Hammock Preserve offers a vibrant lifestyle with resort-style amenities including a clubhouse with room for community gatherings and events, a resort-style pool with lap lanes and an outdoor bar.
Andy Sandberg, artistic director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, recently announced that the organization has welcomed Elizabeth Power in the newly created role of deputy director/operations manager, working closely with Sandberg in his role as CEO. Power joins a team that also includes Patricia Caswell (Hermitage co-founder and program director), as well as fellow new hire Michael Salimbene (executive assistant/program coordinator).“We are incredibly excited to be welcoming these new talents and creative thinkers to our Hermitage family,” says Sandberg. “Elizabeth’s strong work ethic, her passion for the arts, and her longstanding commitment to the community make her an invaluable addition to the organization.” He adds that Power has had a career as a professional musician and comes to the Hermitage with impressive leadership and management experience. “That rare combination is a perfect reflection of what the Hermitage is about.”
Moments captured during the pandemic.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.
A new state-run mobile Coronavirus testing unit will be making stops in Englewood in early September. This community based COVID-19 testing is for anyone who is five (5) years old and up regardless of symptoms and no appointment is necessary. The sites will have a capacity of 100 PCR, or "swab" tests available each day. Antibody testing will not be available during these testing events.
- September 1 - 3, 9am to 12pm - Englewood United Methodist Center, 600 East Dearborn Street, Englewood.
- September 5, 9am to 12pm - Charlotte County Tax Collector, Mac V. Horton County Annex, 6868 San Casa Road, Englewood.
- September 6, 1pm to 5pm - Charlotte County Tax Collector, Mac V. Horton County Annex, 6868 San Casa Road, Englewood.
- September 8 - 10, 9am to 12pm - Englewood United Methodist Center, 600 East Dearborn Street, Englewood.
Additionally, while these are primarily drive-thru sites, they can accommodate walk-ups, and people on bicycles.
The third annual summer glass show, In Dialogue with Nature: Glass in the Gardens, opens Saturday, August 8 at the Downtown Sarasota campus. This year, nature-inspired glasswork, exclusively created by Duncan McClellan and his studio artists, will embellish the Tropical Conservatory and Koi Pond against a backdrop of lush flowers and plants. Many spectacular pieces will also be on view in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The botanically-themed glassworks will be available for sale with a significant portion of the proceeds benefiting Selby Gardens’ mission.
Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound Street
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.
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
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.
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
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
We are excited to announce that Selby Gardens will celebrate 40 years of the annual juried photographic exhibition and sale with a virtual edition hosted in partnership with The Observer Group! The virtual exhibition will be viewable August 27 to September 20 on Selby.org and YourObserver.com. As we pivoted to the virtual photographic exhibition format, we adjusted the photo submission deadlines and details as well as the dates of the exhibition. Please review and mark your calendar with the new dates below: Online Photo Submissions: Sunday, August 9 to Friday, August 14. Winners Announced: Thursday, August 27. Virtual Exhibition: Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, September 20. To minimize person-to-person contact, photos must be submitted digitally. Please stay tuned for more step-by-step details on how to submit your photos. Entry is open to all amateurs, but photos must have been taken at either Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota or Historic Spanish Point campuses. Please refer to the entry details below for more information.
Selby's Museum of Botany & the Arts, 900 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Visit the Sarasota Farmers Market in Downtown Sarasota from 7am-1pm, rain or shine. We understand the severity of COVID-19; therefore, we are instituting some guidelines for both vendors and customers to follow as you join us downtown. Customer Code of Conduct: Stay home if you are sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick, Make a shopping list before coming, Pre-order and prepay vendors online if possible, Designate one shopper per household, Leave pets at home unless it is a service animal, Wear a mask, Look with your eyes only touch what you will buy, Maintain 6 feet of space between you and any others, Shop quickly and get everything to go, No gathering keep walkways clear, Hand sanitizer available at all vendor booths and sanitizing stations.
Downtown Sarasota, Lemon Avenue and State Street, Downtown Sarasota
Forty Carrots Family Center announces its 18th annual Free Educational Community Speaker Event, presented in partnership with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. This year’s event transitions to a virtual platform, broadcasting at 7 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 23rd. The event is free and open to the community, but advance registration is required. Dr. Brackett will present insights from his book; “Permission to Feel” helping parents, caregivers, teachers and professionals understand how emotions influence our lives; cultivate emotional intelligence in our children and develop tools for greater well-being and success. Dr. Brackett is a research psychologist and the founding director at Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University. He has developed a remarkable effective plan to improve the lives of children and adults – a blueprint for understanding emotions and using them wisely to help, rather than hinder, an individual’s success and inspiration in equal parts. Advance registration is required. Click to register online.
Virtual.
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