SRQ DAILY Oct 14, 2020
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"We have all been through a lot in 2020 from social unrest, to a divisive election, and a worldwide pandemic. But the human spirit has an amazing way of finding the good through our ability to overcome."
The future of four pieces of important land at the intersection of Palmer Boulevard and Apex Road that have come to be known as the “Quads.” If you’ve followed the issues surrounding the Celery Fields over the last several years, then you’re likely aware that Sarasota County claims ownership of the four parcels of land, and thus, decides the ultimate fate of Celery Fields. The “park” has come to be frequented by foot by many runners, picnicers, photographers, nature goers, dog walkers and sunset seekers. Many Sarasota County citizens, and volunteers of The Fresh Initiative, have been fighting to keep it the big green, lush hill as it stands. And thanks to the Conservation Foundation and to Sarasota Audubon, three Quads parcels have come under perpetual easement, and are set to be restored as habitat that will extend and buffer the Celery Fields.
Though there was much back and forth over the years on how to liquidate the County’s “surplus lands,” developers have put in bids to build a Restaurant Depot and a much-opposed recycling dump. And in August of 2017, County Commissioners unanimously voted down the idea of developing over the environmental attraction. But in the time since that decision, still, much discussion has taken place about the future of the beloved land. Hundreds of man-hours have been invested in cultivating and refining ideas, led by the volunteers of the Fresh Start Initiative. And after intense public input, public hearings, multiple letters and emails, and almost a year of working out the terms with the County, the Quad parcels officially became public lands on Tuesday, October 6.
Sealing the deal and helping to get it in ink was Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Sarasota Audubon Nature Center and Sarasota County — all of whom created a three-fold private-public partnership that permanently protects the Quad parcels under a Conservation Easement. The Conservation Foundation will hold the Conservation Easement, while Sarasota Audubon will be in charge of the restoration and management of the Quad. Audubon has set up a special fund strictly for the restoration of these public lands.
“It was a historic moment when the Quad parcels legally became protected forever,” says Jeanne Dubi of Sarasota Audubon.“This is a win-win-win for all of us. It is a win for the County – their environmental legacy is strengthened and will be protected in perpetuity. It is a win for citizens of Sarasota – with the dedicated grassroots movement, our community came together to advocate for the environmental importance of this land. And above all, it is a win, a big win, for nature – for birds, wildlife, and the fragile web of life that is perched against the backdrop of our busy, dynamic urban environment.”
Both organizations have worked with six different county departments, negotiating the placement of the conservation easements on the northeast, southeast and southwest Quads parcels and the terms of management. The fourth parcel already has a fire station on it and any subsequent building/development on part of the SW parcel will follow conservation easement guidelines.
"It was, in large part, due to the trust that the BCC has in Sarasota Audubon and the Conservation Foundation, that the unanimous vote came about," says Dubi. What began as a community/foundation effort, turned into a private-public partnership. The next steps now, are for Sarasota Audubon and the Conservation Foundation will be working with environmental and hydrology engineers to develop plans for the 25+ acres. All of this depends on the success of the fundraising campaign they are undertaking to cover the substantial costs associated with any future plans.
You can be part of this conservation effort today by donating to Sarasota Audubon. Click on SAS Quad Fund, established for this purpose.
Photo courtesy of 'Save The Celery Fields' community volunteer group
This fall, All Faiths Food Bank is turning its attention to community members who may be struggling during the holiday season. Through October and November, All Faiths’ “ThankFULL Tummies” campaign will help to provide holiday meals for Thanksgiving. “The holiday season is going to be very different this year and will likely change the way we celebrate. Needs will be different, too,” said All Faiths Food Bank CEO Sandra Frank. “How do you furnish a feast if your paycheck has vanished? With the help of our community, we can provide a holiday celebration and healthy meals for families who are struggling to put food on the table.”
Pictured: All Faiths Food Bank is hoping to raise enough money through the 'ThankFULL' campaign to provide 9,000 turkeys for Thanksgiving and 4 million meals for community members who are struggling to put food on the table.
Local plumbing companies are partnering with CareerEdge and Manatee Technical College (MTC) to offer a free Fast-Track Plumbing course, which will launch in January. This training provides a gateway career for individuals to enter an industry with upward mobility opportunities to earn higher wages with benefits.The tuition-free class will begin January 23, 2021 and concludes in June with classes held in the evening Monday through Thursday from (6pm to 10pm) and every first and third Saturday of the month (8am – 4:30pm). Classes will be held at MTC’s campus, 6305 ST RD 70 E, Bradenton, FL 34203. Interested applicants must apply by November 9, 2020.
La Musica International Chamber Music Festival, in collaboration with Harbour Productions and Mark of Man Films, is pleased to announce the launch of “La Musica at Home,” a monthly series of documentaries exploring the personal lives, musical passions and performances of its renowned musician artists. Award-winning artist/filmmakers Shawn Convey and Alexander Berne co-directed these vignettes from across the world. Says Berne, “We have all been grateful for the use of technology in this ‘staying at home’ time – seeing and hearing artists in their living rooms is intimate and reassuring in difficult times. Yet for me, in these ‘La Musica at Home’ performances, the goal was to present the musicians with the highest possible respect for the sounds they can create.
The series will be available through multiple online platforms, including YouTube and La Musica’s website, LaMusicaFestival.org.
Executive Director Richard Russell and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi announced that Marco Nisticò will become the new Artistic Administrator of Sarasota Opera beginning December 1, 2020. Mr. Nisticò will fill the position held by the recently deceased Greg Trupiano, who had worked for Sarasota Opera since 1987.On his return to Sarasota Opera, Mr. Nisticò states, “I’m so honored to return to Sarasota Opera in this new function as Artistic Administrator. I believe deeply in the company and in the artistic staff led by Maestro DeRenzi, and its core artistic values. Sarasota Opera brings great music and great performances to the wonderful Sarasota community and beyond.
The streaming online season opener Together We Rise: Celebrating the Resilience of the Human Spirit brings us together to experience the healing and hope of music. Premiering October 30th, The Key Chorale Chamber Singers will present an inspirational program of favorites, uplifting spirituals and music that celebrates the resiliency of the human spirit. Artistic Director, Joseph Caulkins says, “We have all been through a lot in 2020 from social unrest, to a divisive election, and a worldwide pandemic. But the human spirit has an amazing way of finding the good through our ability to overcome, even when times are as challenging as these. When many choirs across the country have gone silent, we have found, and will continue to find, ways to bring us together to experience the transformative power of music."
The online streaming concert will be available from the premiere on October 30th until November 22nd. Tickets to watch the 90-minute streaming video are $25 per household.
After sitting through more than her share of boring Zoom presentations, communications expert Joan Lowery decided to do something about it. She knew that virtual meetings can be engaging. That’s the reason she created Virtually Speaking—a program that teaches the fine art of creating first-rate virtual presentations. Lowery, who heads up the Sarasota-based Lowery Communications, has more than 30 years experience working as a professional communicator both domestically and internationally. “Pandemic or no pandemic, remote meetings are here to stay,” says Lowery. “There’s never been a better time to invest in training and the right equipment to deliver stellar virtual presentations.”
For more information, visit www.lowerycommunications.com/training-programs/mini-programs or call 941-927-2998.
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Vice President of Community Impact, Kirsten Russell, will participate in an online panel discussion with other regional foundation leaders and funders as part of the Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations, held virtually on October 26-27 by the Kansas Association of Community Foundations. Entering its 14th year, the Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations is a two-day online gathering designed to enhance foundation capacity and share best practices related to community impact.
Whitney's brings 1950s charm, California surf vibes, Cuban bodega flavors and open-garage-door fun to LBK.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's September/October 2020 edition.
First 1,000 Days Sarasota County is a community initiative to improve the health and well-being of babies and families. The initiative, and its nearly 70 community partners, launched a website to empower all parents and caregivers with simple tools proven to promote quality early childhood development. Known as The Basics, these actions are the artistic theme for the mural artwork competition. Artists are encouraged to creatively express one or more of The Basics in their design.
- Maximize love, and manage stress.
- Talk, sing, and point.
- Count, group, and compare.
- Explore through movement and play.
- Read and discuss stories.
Three murals will be commissioned and artists will be paid for their time and supplies. The murals will be located in Sarasota, Venice, and North Port. The deadline to submit artwork for consideration is Friday, October 30.
Sarasota Opera opened the 2020 season of “HD at the Opera House” with Carmen from the Zürich Opera House on Sunday, October 4th. The presentations will continue on October 18th with Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty ballet from Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and on November 1st with Puccini’s Madama Butterfly from Teatro Real in Madrid. Each presentation will begin at 1:30pm. More titles may be added to the schedule in coming weeks. Tickets to “HD at the Opera House” are $20 for single ticket buyers and $18 for current Sarasota Opera subscribers. All seating will be reserved and distanced for safety. Ticket buyers are encouraged to purchase tickets before arriving at the theater. Information and tickets can be found online at SarasotaOpera.org or by calling (941) 328-1300. Sarasota Opera subscribers who wish to receive the 10% discount of HD at the Opera House tickets must contact the Sarasota Opera box office directly.
October 17th & 18th and October 24th & 25th. Tickets for this popular event go on sale to the general public on August 12th at 10am, tickets will be available on the museum's website at www.frrm.org Early access for members are on sale now by calling the ticket office. The Ticket office is open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Special Note for Covid 19; For 2020 the event will operate at 50% capacity. Due to the complicity of ticketing in reserved seat cars, window seats will only be sold. However, you may consolidate your group using unsold aisle seats within your seating area. Mask requirements will be based on Manatee County mask ordinance at the time of the event.
Special guests outside in the courtyard including: Myakka Gold Apiary Honey, Your CBD Shop, Kiln Fired Diffusers, Koontz Kultery, EB Henna, Ioni’es, There is No Nomal, and two adorable young girls making masks and lanyards with a portion going back to charity. Plus, rescue dogs looking for their fur-ever home.
The Sarasota County Democratic Jewish Caucus (SCDJC) will host guest speaker Dr. Mark Paul in “Climate Change: The Threat and the Opportunities” on Sunday, October 18, 11 a.m.-12:30pm, via the Zoom platform. This virtual meeting is part of SCDJC’s “Nosh and Knowledge” series. Admission is free but registration is required.
Carving a pumpkin is old news - join Fab Lab and laser etch your pumpkin just in time for Halloween! Use CorelDraw to make any design imaginable and then the high-tech laser cutter will etch the design in your pumpkin. A $35 registration fee includes two children and one parent/guardian. Pumpkin included. Hour long slots available from 2-7pm. Only 6 slots per hour due to COVID-19 social distancing.
For over three decades, AIA Florida Gulf Coast Chapter has hosted the Sarasota Design Conference, a unique event in a unique city. The Conference aims to be motivational for both attendees and speakers and has created a history of featuring design-innovative speakers both established and up-and-coming who are able to interact with their attendees in a casual setting that encourages dialog and learning. This biennial event is well attended by industry professionals, primarily architects in the Florida Caribbean region. Registration for virtual attendance is open now through October 25, 2020
Please join in celebrating the architectural legacy of Carl Abbott FAIA at this year's SarasotaMOD.
Sarasota Opera's first live-streamed performance will take place on Friday, November 13 at 7:30 PM at the Sarasota Opera House, featuring favorite opera selections by Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Wagner, and Mozart, accompanied by piano. A limited number of tickets will be available for an in-person, distanced audience at $25-45. Tickets for the live stream are $10. The live stream will be available for viewing for two weeks.
Mote’s Learning Labs are a series of virtual, interactive college and career preparatory labs that will provide students the opportunity to develop and hone professional skills for future STEM careers. Participants will gain basic knowledge in marine science concepts and experience in lab/field work. Additionally, marine science professionals will introduce participants to a variety of career opportunities and conduct career explorations. The intention of this program is to offer participants a head start toward their future goals in STEM and advance the next generation of STEM professionals. Learning Labs take place monthly on Wednesdays from 5pm to 8pm, via secure Zoom webinar. Registration for each Learning Lab is $10 and covers all necessary materials for your session.
Two outdoor concerts featuring songs celebrating nature and accompanied by piano will take place on Tuesday, November 17 at 5:30pm at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota and on Thursday, November 19 at 5:30pm at Historic Spanish Point. The musical program will be identical at both garden locations. Attendance at each concert will be limited to 100 people, with tickets at $35.
Back by popular demand, SCD continues to bring their collaborations to a nuevo level with renowned harpist, Ann Hobson Pilot. This performance is originally choreographed by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, inspired by la música of Astor Pantaleon Piazzolla. Pilot’s arrangement for the harp, violin, and bandoneon, inspired by Piazzola’s compositions, infuses the composer’s melodías into a contemporary mix of música de tango with jazz and classical influences. Through an invigorating visual and emotional experience, SCD brings a passionate and poignant performance to the Historic Asolo Theater with Piazzolla from November 19, 2020 until November 22, 2020. Performances at 7:30pm, except Sunday at 2pm.
This sumptuous ballet, choreographed by the great Rudolph Nureyev, returns to the stage with magnificent sets created by Oscar winner Franca Squarciapino, and Felix Korobov conducting the extraordinary score by Tchaikovsky. International superstar Polina Semionova stars as the lovely Princess Aurora, who after being cursed by an evil fairy (Beatrice Carbone), must fall into a death-like sleep until a handsome prince (Timofej Andrijashenko) awakens her with a kiss. From Teatro La Scala.
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
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
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