SRQ DAILY Sep 17, 2020
Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning
"Sitting at my sewing machine reminds me of her and weaves her memory into every piece I make."
Growing up in Guatemala, Claudia Maria and Jessica Michelle would spend sweet, hot summers on the shores of Lake Atitlan—surrounded by volcanoes and sipping on iced Rosa de Jamaica (Jamaican Rose tea, or hibiscus iced tea). Claudia and Jessica each eventually became a mother of three and found themselves making pitcher after pitcher of the refreshing treat to enjoy with their kids as they did as kids. When the women moved from Guatemala to Birmingham, they brought with them the tropical version of their favorite ice tea to enjoy in the southern Alabama sun.
According to the sisters, hibiscus encompasses natural refrigerant properties that have a way of keeping the body cool and refreshed on blistering days. “As more and more evidence of Rosa de Jamaica's amazing health benefits became available, my sister Claudia Maria and I found ourselves needing to make Rosa de Jamaica available to everyone!” says Jessica. “The one problem we both had with Rosa de Jamaica was the unpractical way of preparing it.” Enter Two Sisters Tea. Through trial and error, the sisters were able to figure out how to simplify the making of Rosa de Jamaica tea so it's as easy as making America's classic sweet iced tea. “As mothers, we know that a parent's time is of the essence,” they say. Making fresh-brewed, naturally-infused hibiscus iced tea has never been easier than with Two Sisters’ teabags, which cut the preparation time by more than half—lessening time spent in the kitchen and increasing time spent enjoying the tea and sunshine.
One of the beauties, they say, of Rosa de Jamaica is its versatility. “You can brew it light or strong, enjoy it sweet or unsweet, no matter your preference the one constant is the wonderful vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you are adding to your diet.” Amid the rich flora of the tropics, the hibiscus flower produces a salubrious, caffeine-free herbal tea—chock full of vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, and an innate ability to help reduce anxiety, inflammation and high blood pressure.
Claudia and Jessica now reside here in Sarasota with their families and have garnered a loyal following through social media and word of mouth of Two Sisters’ bold teabags filled with whole hibiscus flowers. Available to shop online through Amazon or their website are four different tea flavors including cinnamon, cardamom, dried pineapple and the original hibiscus. 
Photo courtesy of Two Sisters Tea.
Sarasota County began accepting applications on Wednesday for CARES Act Funding, and between noon and 5 p.m. collected 168 applications for small businesses and 173 for individuals seeking federal aid.
As more requests come in, officials will decide how to dole out some $18.9 million in federal assistance allocated to the county’s Coronavirus Relief Fund. The money can be used for economic recovery, or for such basic needs as food, housing and water.
"As the nation, our state and our community continues to wrestle with the effects of COVID-19 on their professional and personal lives, it was vitally important to the county commission that the monies are distributed out to the community,” said Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis. “In order to do that, we did our due diligence to make certain these funds will be properly distributed."
The eager entry of applications shows the pent-up demand for help more than six months after the first reported coronavirus infection in Florida surfaced at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota. As of Wednesday morning, Sarasota County health officials reported there have been 7,709 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of March, including 241 deaths.
The pandemic also caused a statewide lockdown order through most of April, which had a huge economic impact on businesses not deemed essential. Restaurants continue to operate at 50% capacity, and bars and nightclubs have been closed through most of the pandemic, coming back online this week.
The money made available as of Wednesday represents disbursements already issued to Sarasota County. Lewis says the county could ultimately be eligible for up to $75 million in funding.
More information is available on the application process for individuals and businesses at scgov.net/CARES.
County spokesperson Brianne Grant said a system is also in the works to present information to the public in dashboard form tracking daily applications. That could launch as soon as early next week.
Lewis said county leaders are working in concert with area nonprofits, chambers of commerce and other agencies to ensure the funding gets directed in ways that most effectively meet the needs of the community.
Image: screenshot from Sarasota County CARES Act Small Business Grant Application Process instructional video
An exciting program is this September that will connect you to dozens of deals countywide. Welcome back, Sarasota Big Pass—Visit Sarasota County’s one-stop-shop of local deals and discounts in three distinct categories: Buy One Get One Free (BOGO), 25% Off and $5 Off.
Enjoy
Take advantage of big savings at local attractions and shops. See Sarasota County like never before and save $5 off your ticket with $5 off tours at Discover Sarasota Tours. Feeling wild? Head inland for $5 off tickets to TreeUmph! Adventure Course or BOGO child tickets at Big Cat Habitat. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, enjoy 25% off a signature massage at The Spa and Salon at the Westin Sarasota or 25% off any waxing service at Waxing the City. Make Sarasota Big Pass is your ticket to some of the best attractions and adorable shopping in Sarasota County.
All these deals and more are available online. Show the deal’s digital listing on your phone or mention “Sarasota Big Pass” to redeem the discount.
Visit the Sarasota Big Pass Website to learn more.
SRQ MEDIA is proud to sponsor Sarasota Big Pass in partnership with Visit Sarasota County and local businesses.
Images courtesy of Visit Sarasota
Image courtesy of VisitSarasota.com
Through the generosity of the John J. Clopine Fund, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded the Hermitage Artist Retreat a $30,000 Strategic Partnership Grant to support the Hermitage’s nationally renowned artist residency program and to again serve as “Grand Sponsor” of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner and Celebration in April 2021. The Hermitage Greenfield Prize is a groundbreaking partnership between the Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Greenfield Foundation. This prestigious national prize seeks to bring into the world works of art that will have a significant impact on the broad as well as the artistic landscape.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents, in partnership with Florida Studio Theatre’s Suffragist Project, “Women of Note,” a virtual celebration of female artists and composers in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passage of women’s right to vote. The performance will be available for viewing online from October 1 through October 12. Tickets are $15 and will be available at www.ArtistSeriesConcerts.org during those same dates. Patrons will receive a link and password to the video that will be available for online viewing anytime during that time. Joseph Holt, director of artist programs for Artist Series Concerts says, Florida Studio Theatre’s Suffragist Project provided us with the perfect vehicle to present works by Fanny and Clara plus two other formidable but often overlooked female talents, Amy Beach, the first composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra in 1896, and Marion Bauer, a contemporary of Aaron Copland and a key figure in the shaping of 20th-century American music."
A community task force formed by the The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County and Visit Sarasota County has been guiding the creation of a series of murals on the Lido Beach Pavilion to showcase the history and spirit of Lido Key. Local artist Tim Jaeger was selected to lead this project. The first two murals will depict the Lido Casino and the car caravans for the Lido Beach wade-in protests. Multiple spaces and subjects have been identified for future murals at the Lido Beach Pavilion which will be completed in phases over several years.
Mural renderings by artist Tim Jaeger.
Hershorin Schiff Community Day School, a Sarasota-based private Jewish day school serving children of all faiths in preschool through eighth grade, has announced it will be moving. The school is in the final stages of purchasing a new campus: the former Suncoast School for Innovative Studies / Temple Baptist Church property at the corner of McIntosh and Wilkinson Roads. The next step – the impending $5 million “Owning Our Future” capital campaign – will fund upgrades to the current spaces and the construction of two new buildings. The school plans to move onto its new, nearly 9-acre site, for the 2021-2022 school year. “We are at a critical time in our history and we want to send a clear message that we care and recognize the importance and benefits of a CDS education to the children and to our community as a whole,” said board of trustees co-chair Mitch Blumenthal. “Even in the midst of a pandemic, we have been thrilled at the response from supporters who believe in our educational philosophy and understand how crucial it is for our school to design and own its future.”
In celebration of Arts in Education Week, the Van Wezel Foundation is pleased to announce that in fiscal year 2020, $575,000 was granted to support arts education and integration programming, touching the lives of 35,000 children, educators and families across the Suncoast. In response to COVID-19, the Foundation provided the seed funding to establish and continue to provide on-going support for Artworks Anywhere, a program from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Education Department that delivers remote learning opportunities to students, families, educators, early learning centers and school districts These grants were made possible through the generosity of individual, corporate and foundation donors whose annual support brings the Foundation's mission to life. "The Van Wezel Foundation is fueled by the power of our community's commitment to philanthropy," noted Cheryl Mendelson, CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation. "We are incredibly fortunate that despite the overwhelming challenges due to the global pandemic, our supporters recognize that investing in arts education is essential to shaping the fabric of a child's life."
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce that the following associates have affiliated with the company’s Sarasota area office locations: Lauren Bates - Venice, Devon Davis -Downtown Sarasota, Corinne Fallacarro - St. Armands, Cynthia Griffin - St. Armands, Laura Josephson - Lakewood Ranch, Anna Osetrova - St. Armands, Kim Rossi - St. Armands and Kim Vogel -Venice. “We are very happy to welcome these new associates to Premier Sotheby’s International Realty,” said Budge Huskey, chief executive officer. “Their real estate industry experience, deep knowledge of the Sarasota region and commitment to excellent service lead to making customers for life. We are so pleased to work with these talented associates.”
One week from today the Compromise Master Plan for Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus will be heard by the City of Sarasota’s Planning Board. The hearing on Tuesday, September 22, at 1:30pm will have a follow up session scheduled for Wednesday, September 23 at 1:30pm, if needed, it is important to note the process set forth by the City of Sarasota. This year, due to COVID-19, the hearing will take place virtually via Zoom. Pre-register by emailing your request to the Planning Board at planningboard@sarasotafl.gov by 5pm. on Friday, September 18.
FCCI Insurance Group ranked 42 out of 148 insurance carriers in the Super Regional Property & Casualty Insurers. FCCI has been on the Super Regionals P/C Insurers list since 2011. "Being named as a Super Regional Property/Casualty Insurer™ is a testament to the efforts and commitment of our agents and teammates in sustaining our growth and momentum," said Cina Welch, FCCI Insurance Group's president and CEO. "We are proud to be recognized as a stable and strong market for agents and the businesses we protect."
Doctor’s Choice Home Care, Inc., the state’s largest independent home care agency, welcomes Rita Margolis, RN to its Orlando location. Starting as the office’s Director of Clinical Services, she recently transitioned to the role of Executive Director. In her role, Margolis is responsible for the overall management of clinical, regulatory, and financial direction of the agency. She’s also responsible for ensuring Doctor’s Choice’s mission of helping patients keep an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their home while creating a work environment of respect and support is carried out in an efficient and caring manner each day.
Melanie Reda, APR, of the Central West Coast chapter of The Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) recently earned professional certification in public relations, receiving the designation of Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC). Reda now joins an elite group of approximately 125 practitioners throughout the state who have demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and advanced consultation skills in the practice of public relations.
Erica Giesler has joined RE/MAX Alliance Group as a Realtor in the Sarasota office. The Sarasota office is located at 2000 Webber Street. Giesler can be reached at 813-352-4008 or erica.giesler@gmail.com.
Trendsport: Creative Cocktail Garnishes.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's New September 2020 edition.
Individual and business assistance applications will be available starting noon Wednesday, Sept. 16, for the community to access Sarasota County's Coronavirus Relief Fund allocations of $18.9 million. The monies, which will help to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19, are available to businesses, individuals and non-profit agencies in the following categories: Economic Recovery and Food/Water/Housing. Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis says, "As the nation, our state and our community continues to wrestle with the effects of COVID-19 on their professional and personal lives, it was vitally important to the county commission that the monies are distributed out to the community. In order to do that, we did our due diligence to make certain these funds will be properly distributed."
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.
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.
Join your Lakewood Ranch Ambassador, Greg Spring, on the third Saturday of each month from 8am to 9am October-March for a 10-mile, 1-hour casual bike ride through Lakewood Ranch. We will meet at the fountains on Main Street. This is a great way to see the Ranch. Don't forget to bring your helmet.
Welcome to Out of the Blue 2020 – a unique Live Online Event and Costume Contest supporting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Throughout the month of October, you will have the opportunity to enter a picture of your best “BLUE” costume. On October 29th from 6:30-8:00 pm, NAMI will host a Live Online Zoom event emceed by entertainer Jonathan Cortez and featuring local artists and talent all in support of NAMI. Our evening will wrap up by announcing the Costume Contest winners with a “Best in Blue” winner in each category. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to have fun creating a “Bluetiful” costume along with an enjoyable – and safe – evening of entertainment.
Bruce Hornsby, the creatively insatiable pianist and singer-songwriter from Williamsburg, Virginia, always has succeeded on his exceptional gifts, his training and his work ethic. He has collaborated with Ricky Skaggs and the Grateful Dead. He has scored films and performed with symphony orchestras. Hornsby describes his new album Absolute Zero as “a compendium of what I like and moves me.” Prepare for a multi-faceted ride on November 11, 2021 at 7pm.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail
WBTT lovingly presents its Christmas card to the community, Langston Hughes' Black Nativity. The show is a celebration of the Nativity story, with gospel, blues, spiritual and Christmas music paired with the poetry of Langston Hughes and the creativity of WBTT. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by this high-energy, inspiring show. The show will run at 2pm and 7:30pm from December 2, 2020 until December 27, 2020.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 North Orange Avenue
Nostalgia can be a powerful trigger of emotions and memories, sometimes even invoking forgotten past events, places, and moments. Nostalgia also sells. Products replicating or calling back to the 1980’s and 1990’s have seen a surge (resurgence?) of popularity recently. These products are often marketed to younger generations who are fascinated with the decades, right along with the adults who actually owned the original items - or still do.
Dean photographs both the popular and old toys he still has from his childhood. Well-known toys that evoke nostalgia in others, the obscure tokens, and the items made by companies that no longer exist; all have histories which have been lost to time. In doing so, Dean found himself pondering the origins of the objects, who might have designed and created them, how many of them were made, the persistence of similar colors, and how many still exist. Over time, each object also picks up its own unique set of bumps and scratches, becoming tiny fragments of years that only grow more distant. Dean creates new art out of the mass-produced trinkets. He makes new memories out of the old, playing with color and shape; creating something for the viewer to enjoy looking through. Perhaps connecting with them as well by unlocking a buried snapshot of a distant time and place.
Patrician Thompson Gallery in the Keating Center, 2700 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
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
Learn about the rich circus history of Sarasota on an unforgettable trolley tour! Pass by key city landmarks as our informative and passionate tour guide, Bob Collins, tells stories about the colorful cast of circus characters, showmen, and performers who called Sarasota home. Meander through historic neighborhoods such as the Rosemary District, known for its vibrant food and art scene. Learn about the rich history of the Ringling brothers, the five brothers who owned and operated the circus renowned as the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Pass by the 21-gallery museum John Ringling constructed to house his extensive artwork collection, which opened to the public in 1931. Explore several other locations intimately involved in Sarasota’s circus history, including Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Circus Arts Conservatory, and the Circus Ring of Fame on St. Armands Circle. This 90-minute trolley tour is perfect for all ages and shows you a whole new side of Sarasota. Get ready for a fun-filled circus adventure during this show on wheels. It’s an illuminating experience you don’t want to miss. Runs from March 11, 2020 through December 31, 2o2o. Hours vary.
Join Motorworks Brewing every Tuesday night at 7:45pm in the spacious outdoor Beer Garden for a one hour, all-levels yoga flow led by RYT Rachael Croll from Salty Buddha Co. Spread out your yoga mats in the fresh, open air of Florida’s Largest Beer Garden then, once safely distanced, stretch out your body, mind & soul… one delicous, cold beer at a time. Classes are just $10 and include a complimentary core four pint (V Twin Vienna Lager, Intellectual Property Ale IPA, Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA, Midnight Espresso Coffee Porter or Rollcage Red Ale). No sign-up required; you can just show up before the class begins & sign-in/pay at the brewery. Please bring your own mat to practice on, invite all your friends, and come vibe out in our spacious Beer Garden with like-minded souls and recharge during a relaxing hour under the stars.
Motorworks Brewing, 1014 9th Street West Bradenton, Florida 34205
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
Music Compound is officially launching a new program, The Academy, for grades 3-8, that offers core curriculum through Florida Virtual School and then afternoon electives in the arts. The registration deadline is July 31. Education Session (Education Coordinator position) is offered daily from 8:30am to Noon Monday through Thursday. Students have the option to attend two, three or four days a week. This portion is being offered with Florida Virtual School. Deadline to register is July 31st. Lunch and relaxation time offered daily from Noon to 1:00pm and available to FULL day students only. Students will have time to enjoy lunch and outdoor play. The last 20 minutes will be reserved for quiet time. Our team will offer yoga or meditation sessions. Students can opt to read a book, nap, or check out in another capacity. Enrichment Session is arts related. (Elective and credit based) and offered daily from 1:00 to 4:00pm Monday through Thursday. The afternoon session will include a daily afternoon snack break for students. The afternoon sessions are based on interest. Afternoon classes sizes will range from 6-12 students per class. Classes that have more than 6 students will be hosted in our large 3,000 sq. ft. event venue. Electives are One hour and 20 minutes per session. Electives are offered quarterly, by semester, or yearly. Courses offered: Art, Dance, Drama, Music / Group Instruction / Music Theory / Music Appreciation, Musical theatre / Show Choir, Band program (Kidz Rock, Rising Stars, Youth Bands) and Career Exploration.
The 20th annual Fall Class features 17+ Local Eateries Serving Up Awesome Tastes. Early Bird Tickets 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.
Sarasota Event Center, 600 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL
Featuring Dick Hyman on piano, Peter BarenBregge on saxophone, Randy Sandke on trumpet, Mike Treni on trombone and Mark Neuenschwander on bass. This six-piece ensemble, comprised of legendary pianist Dick Hyman and some of South Florida’s top jazz musicians, swings the house with top-notch classic and original jazz. The stellar sextet performs music by Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Benny Goodman, Thelonius Monk, Cole Porter, Dick Hyman, Randy Sandke, Harry Warren, Mike Treni and others from 5pm to 7pm on December 6, 2020.
Historic Spanish Point, 337 North Tamiami Trail Osprey
Celtic Thunder storms onto the mainstage with their latest live show, IRELAND. IRELAND is a brand-new revue show that revisits their most popular Irish and Celtic songs of the past decade and celebrates the influence of Irish and Celtic music around the world. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 3 at 10am and the show is on November 17, 2021 at 7:30pm. The Celtic Thunder IRELAND live theatrical show embodies the essence of the public television stars, delivering a blend of lively, fast paced and upbeat songs “A Place in The Choir,” “The Galway Girl” and “Raggle Taggle Gypsy,” classic ballads “Mountains of Mourne” and “The Wild Rover” and renowned Irish love songs such as “She Moved Through The Fair” and “Danny Boy” – all with a special Celtic Thunder twist, of course.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail
Timeless music, dazzling costumes, breathtaking dance, stunning floral designs. Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on January 3, 2022 at 7pm for an unforgettable New Year’s celebration that will enchant and delight audiences of all ages in Sarasota. Freshly updated each year with a new cast and musical programme, the exuberant music of Johann Strauss and his counterparts will spring to vibrant life in a joyful spectacle featuring European singers, dancers and a full symphony orchestra. The Maestro, an expert in Viennese music, will lead the orchestra and the audience on a journey through the Golden Age of Vienna with wit, charm and more than a few jokes along the way. Energetic, lighthearted and full of romance, Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert is a celebration of music, beauty and every exciting opportunity the New Year has to offer.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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