SRQ DAILY May 5, 2021
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"We are on target to rescue and adopt over 500 cats and 900 kittens this year in the shelter. In addition, we will feed 6,000+ community cats and privately-owned cats belonging to income-qualified pet owners, and treat nearly 4,200 felines in the Cat Care Clinic."
Cat Depot kicked off its 'Help Meowt Giving Day' challenge yesterday, which runs for 24-hours only. Any gift you make to Cat Depot will be doubled thanks to a generous gift from a longtime supporter, Maria Molnar, so any and all donations made up to $50,000 will be matched dollar-for-dollar today so gifts go even further to save the cats and kittens entrusted to Cat Depoit's care this year. If you've adopted a cat(s) from the Depot, or volunteered, are a devoted cat lover, or just looking to partake in some philanthropic good today, your $25 donation automatically becomes $50; $100 becomes $200.
"When the Giving Challenge—presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County—is not held, we hold our very own “Help Meowt” Matching Gift Challenge in the hopes of spreading awareness for our lifesaving mission as well as raising much-needed funds for the thousands of cats we will assist this year through the shelter and our emergency response team, community programs and affordable-care Cat Care Clinic," shares Claudia A. Harden, Director of Communications & Development for Cat Depot.
Funds raised will be used towards both the daily care and medical care of the cats currently in the shelter as well as those we will assist throughout the remainder of the year. "We are on target to rescue and adopt over 500 cats and 900 kittens this year in the shelter," shares Harden. "In addition, we will feed 6,000+ community cats and privately-owned cats belonging to income-qualified pet owners, and treat nearly 4,200 felines in the Cat Care Clinic."
Help Meowt ends today. Donations may be made by calling 941-366-2404 or by visiting online at catdepot.org/help-meowt 
Medical Staff with newborn kittens, courtesy of Cat Depot.
Dignity Memorial™ providers of Florida recently held a ground breaking to mark the new development of Robert Toale & Sons Lakewood Ranch to better serve the communities of Sarasota and Manatee counties. The new facility will be located near the corner of Lakewood Ranch Blvd. and 44th Ave., and will feature a state-of-the-art multipurpose event center. The facility will provide the latest technology, including a process system like environmental projection, which allows for an immersive experience through visuals, arts and media that can be customized to fully highlight the passions, interests and hobbies of a loved one’s life. Event planners on staff will help develop life story vignettes to create meaningful, dignified and personal Celebration of Life events. The flexible, open design will also serve as the ideal venue for a variety of events such as celebrations of life, catered receptions and community gatherings.
All Faiths Food Bank recently received grants and support from the following foundations: $25,000 from the Bank of America Client Foundation in support of hunger relief programs. $5,000 from The Harold C. and Jaqueline F. Bladel Foundation in support of Nutrition Education. $35,000 from The Walmart Foundation through Feeding America in support of the SNAP Application Assistance program.
Applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program will be available beginning Wednesday, May 5 for Sarasota County residents financially impacted by COVID-19 and seeking assistance paying rent and utilities. Sarasota County received $13 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance program to help households unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three months if needed to ensure housing stability, as long as funds are available.
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of two new board members, John Giglio and Diane Mayer. “Despite the challenges of this past year, the Healthcare Foundation remained committed to broadening our board representation to support the hospital’s expansion to the south,” said Philip A. Delaney, Jr. board chair. “We are extremely fortunate to add John and Diane, two accomplished leaders from the communities of Venice and Boca Grande.”
There is no denying that vision connects people with their surroundings. In Jacqueline ‘Jacqui’ Putrino’s case, precise vision is necessary to connect her golf club to her golf ball at just the right angle and speed. Touting the fact that she is the first player, male or female, to win all three Florida Junior Tour age divisions, the high school junior initially struggled with perfecting her craft due to worsening eyesight before becoming what you could call a child prodigy. Luckily, she had access to the perfect person that could help: her father Dr. Charles Putrino, an optometric physician at Center For Sight. Noticing the problem with her vision was the first step in the right direction for Jacqui. “I was aware that I wasn’t reaching my full potential,” Jacqui said. “Golf is an incredibly visual sport. I couldn’t imagine fumbling with glasses on the course, but contact lenses helped tremendously. Without my contacts from Center For Sight I wouldn’t have been able to take the next step in my golf career and reach a level of consistent wins.”
Fifth Third Bank employees will celebrate Fifth Third Day by providing 1 million meals to the hungry. The meals are being donated to various food organizations across the Bank’s 11-state retail footprint in honor of the Bank’s annual companywide community celebration in May, centered on May 3. The date, 5/3 on the calendar, is recognized as Fifth Third Day. “We are honored to serve our community by helping to provide meals for those who are hungry, especially during the pandemic,” said David Call, regional president of Fifth Third Bank, South Florida. “We are proud to play a part in fulfilling the Bank’s commitment to serving our communities.”
Safe Children Coalition was recently pleased to bring back its popular annual conference, featuring mental health and child welfare experts who addressed a variety of topics. This year, due to the pandemic, the conference was held virtually; the event took place April 29-30. The conference is held every year in April, in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. "As our organization has taken on new adventures, so did our conference," said Safe Children Coalition President and CEO, Brena Slater. "Conducting our conference virtually served to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and actually made participation possible for guests from across the state, while supporting our continuous efforts of educating child welfare professionals and the community."
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) moves forward with its plans to return to full production with one change to its original Summer Season lineup first announced in December 2020. FST’s Summer Season will feature a three-show Mainstage Series and a three-show Cabaret Series running June through October. On the Mainstage, FST will present two contemporary plays as well as one of the most successful shows in FST history that all celebrate the strength and resilience of the human spirit. In the Cabaret, some of the country’s top Cabaret artists bring the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Michael Bublé, and the Jukebox to life.
Disney Concerts presents Disney Princess — The Concert, a nationwide tour kicking off this November! “Be our guest” at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall as an all-star quartet of Broadway and animated film icons, their magical Music Director and enchanting Prince celebrate all the Disney Princesses in an unforgettable evening of songs, animation and stories on November 3.Experience the Sarasota premiere of Disney Princess — The Concert on Wednesday, November 3 at 7pm.
On behalf of the Ringling College of Art and Design community, we would like to invite you to our virtual Commencement Ceremony honoring the Classes of 2021 and 2020. This year’s Ceremony is scheduled for 3:30pm on Thursday, May 13, 2021 and will continue to be accessible for viewing on our website through the summer at www.ringling.edu/commencement. We are pleased to announce our Commencement speaker for this year, Aubrey O’Brien. Aubrey graduated from Ringling’s renowned Interior Design program in 2009 and went on to establish her own design firm, Aubrey O’Brien Inc. In her address, Aubrey plans to encourage the graduates to take risks, step out of their comfort zones, and travel the path that takes courage. Armed with their Ringling education, professional experiences, and their intuition, they will go on to accomplish great things. The online Ceremony will proceed as follows: Invocation, The National Anthem Vocalist, President’s Remarks, Introduction of Student Speaker, Student Address, Introduction of Commencement Speaker, Commencement Address, Conferring of Degrees, Announcing of Degree Recipients, Charge to Graduates and Benediction.
Join us on Saturday, May 15 from 8:30pm to 10:30pm at Robinson Preserve, 9 in the Expansion, 10299 9th Avenue NW, Bradenton for our last Seeing Stars program of the astronomy viewing season. You’ll enjoy a beautiful night sky overlooking the bay at Robinson Preserve, thanks to our partners at Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Weather permitting, Mercury, Venus, and the waxing crescent moon are expected to be spectacular sights. We provide the telescopes and the expertise; you enjoy the wonders of our universe. The program is free, but advance tickets are required. We are limiting audience size to allow for social distancing. Masks are required for staff, volunteers, and guests.
Join Hamlet’s Eatery for a Jazz Brunch on Sunday, May 9 from 10am to 2pm. Located in the outdoor courtyard of The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime at 821 Apricot Ave, Sarasota. Plenty of room to social distance and seating under a covered patio. Rain or Shine. Starting at 10:30am until 1:30pm, enjoy live jazz music with Hot Tonic. Fronted by bassist/vocalist Victoria Woods and guitarist Josh Hindmarsh, Hot Tonic are a swinging acoustic band merging classic jazz with vintage Americana/roots music. Expect to hear Jazz standards, a Patsy Cline song, and some Postmodern Jukebox style interpretations, HOT TONIC is a truly unique experience not to be missed. Hot Tonic front-woman Victoria Woods is an American jazz bassist and vocalist. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, she is the daughter of Dr Jon Woods, the director of the Ohio State Marching Band for 28 years. Coming from this prestigious musical upbringing, Victoria has crafted her musical skill since the age of 8 and always brings her creative sparkle to the band stand. Her unique skills and high energy show make for a unique visual and musical experience. From swinging jazz to down home blues and all points in between, New Zealand born guitarist Josh Hindmarsh is a dynamic and original musical artist, and has been featured on many albums, and shared the stage with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz and blues giants in the industry including Ronnie Cuber, Roy Hargrove, and Joey Defrancesco. Hamlet’s Eatery menu options will include both traditional and vegan dishes from build your own omelettes with fresh organic eggs to tofu scrambles. For more information visit www.HamletsEatery.com or call 941-445-1938.
Opening the season is “Eubie!” a toe-tapping revue of Eubie Blake songs that stormed Broadway in the 1970s and was nominated for three Tony Awards. Blake's infectious style is evoked in over 20 wonderful songs, including the classic "I'm Just Wild about Harry." With its sizzling score and energetic dance numbers, "Eubie!" is a crowd-pleasing salute to a Black Broadway pioneer. It's also one of the first shows staged by WBTT in its 22-year history – back by popular demand! Jim Weaver will direct. Runs from October 6 to November 21, 2021. Ticket sales are scheduled to begin in the late summer. Call the Box Office at 941-366-1505 or visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.
Originally scheduled for the 2019-2020 season and highly anticipated, the next production is “Ruby,” a world-premiere musical. It tells the story of the 1952 murder in Florida of a white doctor by a black woman, guaranteeing a conviction for the woman bold enough to commit such a shocking crime and bringing celebrated writer Zora Neale Hurston to town to cover the story for a northern newspaper. This powerful and haunting musical explores the secrets just beneath the surface of the idyllic, genteel exterior of a quaint Florida town. The book and lyrics are written by Michael Jacobs, Nate’s brother; Nate will direct. Runs from January 12 to February 24, 2022, Evenings at 7:30pm and Matinees at 2pm. Call the Box Office at 941-366-1505 or visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.
Honoring the significant contributions of African Americans over the years on the “Great White Way” is “Broadway in Black.” Broadway musicals have charmed the world for decades; WBTT salutes that genre with an original revue by Nate Jacobs – who will direct – that was first presented in the summer of 2017. Sing along with your favorite songs from award-winning shows and breakthrough roles that helped launch the careers of such African-American artists as Melba Moore in “Purlie,” Ben Vereen in “Pippin,” Jennifer Holliday in “Dreamgirls,” and Nell Carter in “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” It’s Broadway, WBTT style! Jacobs will direct; resident choreographer Donald Frison will take the production to the next level with thrilling new choreography. Show runs from March 9 to April 24, 2022. Ticket sales are scheduled to begin in the late summer. Call the Box Office at 941-366-1505 or visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.
This season, WBTT is also thrilled to present two world premiere one-act plays under the auspices of its New Playwrights Series. Tarra Conner jones has written and stars in an ode to Nell Carter, titled “From Birmingham to Broadway.” Nate Jacobs and his brother, Michael, have written a play about Muhammad Ali, titled “Float Like a Butterfly”; staring Darius Autry. These plays will be presented together from May 4 to 29, 2022. Ticket sales are scheduled to begin in the late summer. Call the Box Office at 941-366-1505 or visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.
During the holiday season, WBTT presents its Christmas card to the community, the world-premiere musical revue “Joyful! Joyful!” Enjoy high-spirited, uplifting songs of the season as only WBTT’s singers, dancers and musicians can perform them. A blend of new takes on traditional holiday tunes, gospel-infused classics and pop songs, the concert will include a twist on the carol “Joy to the World,” a version of “Carol of the Bells” that’s an homage to the O’Jays, and a lively gospel rendition of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” to name a few. Some talented Stage of Discovery students will be featured; Jacobs will direct. Show runs from December 1 to 30, 2021. Ticket sales are scheduled to begin in the late summer. Call the Box Office at 941-366-1505 or visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.
Honoring its Mexican heritage with some added contemporary spice, El Melvin Cocina Mexicana will be bringing downtown Sarasota to life with its annual Cinco de Mayo block party on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Highlights of the day-into-night fiesta include lunch service which begins at 11am with DJ Nando spinning tunes inside the restaurant starting at 1pm, the block party starts at 4pm and continues until midnight with live music, food and drink stations, with live music and food and drink stations, spanning the block from El Melvin Cocina Mexicana to Palm Avenue. Food and drink specials include a preview of the upcoming debut of El Melvin’s new street taco enterprise, Taqueria Azul, as well as street corn and guacamole, chips and salsa stations. Margarita and beer specials will also be offered throughout the day.
In her travels around the world, Bertha Palmer took note of emerging styles in art, and began collecting the work of the French impressionists. Her favorite appears to be Claude Monet, as she purchased 90 of his paintings. She visited Giverny on her trips to France, and rumor has it she met and conversed with the artist. She kept many of the paintings and sold others – introducing a wider audience to the French Impressionist’s work. Several of the Monet paintings that graced her Osprey home “The Oaks” were later bequeathed to the Art Institute of Chicago, while other works are still cherished by family members. This virtual program will explore Bertha’s interest in impressionist art and her collection of paintings by Claude Monet virtually on May 5 from 12pm to 1pm. Members will receive an exclusive email with the registration link for this event.
On view from May 5 to May 14, 2021, is one of our favorite shows. The Art Center will be filled with the art work of Sarasota County's young artists, from grades K-12. There will not be opening receptions for this show this year. Please call the Art Center - 941-365-2032 - to make arrangements to see this awesome show.
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