SRQ DAILY Aug 12, 2021
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"The relationships I have in my sphere have been there for a very long time and are very important to me. That really is my inspiration in agreeing to move into this role."
Lisa Krouse is no stranger to the Sarasota business community. She has chaired the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and served on nonprofit board for All Faiths Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and others. Now, she’s the President and CEO of the Economic Development corporation of Sarasota County, where she expects years of partnerships will pay off in dividends for the region.
“The relationships I have in my sphere have been there for a very long time and are very important to me,” she said. “That really is my inspiration in agreeing to move into this role.”
Krouse served since June as interim CEO before a nationwide search was called off and the EDC announced her permanent hire. Now, she’s planning to lead the economic development effort at a time when expanding existing business and attracting new ones has become especially competitive, and as Sarasota and Florida as a whole enjoy significant momentum in the world of business.
The EDC’s focus in the recruitment realm right now broadly includes companies that do a majority of their revenue building and sales outside the community, but want their headquarters to be in paradise, according to Erin Silk, the EDC’s new vice president of Business Development Services.
Krouse certainly knows a bit about that. She worked for years as executive vice president and chief administrative officer at FCCI Insurance Group, a giant in the world of insurance and one of Sarasota’s largest employers. The company does business around the nation, but Krouse said there was always a corporate culture that valued support in Sarasota.
“FCCI is deeply rooted within the community, and no doubt there was an expectation and a commitment we all made when we became senior leaders at the organization that we are going to give back to the community,” Krouse said.
In her executive role at the company, she also learned about the local needs of growing an major company. Whether that was hunting down properly zoned and assembled real estate or seeking out local talent with the right skills for high-paying jobs there, she sought out answers to the questions many a potential relocating business must pose before choosing a location. 
Join Selby Gardens for an opportunity to purchase your own landscape paintings by five “Florida Highwaymen” African-American landscape painters. All proceeds directly benefit the artists. Access to the Art Fair and Sale Weekend is included with daily admission and is FREE to Selby Gardens’ members. Saturday and Sunday, August 21 and 22, 2021 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Downtown Sarasota campus: 1534 Mound St., Sarasota.
Workforce shortages in the early education sector are creating a ripple effect as childcare providers cannot fill open positions and working parents cannot find facilities with available spots for their young children. The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) hopes to help close some of these gaps by providing an online information session, August 25, noon-1 pm, about free training programs and career opportunities in the early childhood education sector. The webinar is part of WRC’s monthly Career Connections webinar series, which links women to quality jobs and funded training programs.
Panelists include representatives from the Early Learning Coalition (ELC), Children First, the Sky Family YMCA, and State College of Florida (SCF). Participants will learn how to enroll in a free “Introduction to Child Care” 45-hour training program with the ELC, as well as receive information about scholarship opportunities available at SCF for its A.S. and B.S. degrees in Early Childhood Education and stackable childcare certificates.
Many job openings are available to start working immediately in this high-demand field, serving children from infants to Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK), which Florida offers free to all 4-year-olds. No experience or credential is necessary for some positions.
Participants can attend by phone or computer and will be able to ask questions via a chatbox. Those interested can register at mywrc.org/earlyeducation or call 941-256-9721 for more information.
The Florida Center for Early Childhood’s Training Institute is hosting a virtual training called 'A Wave of Calm in A Sea of Chaos: Helping Children Navigate Life with Mindfulness and Movement' on Wednesday, August 25, from 5 pm – 7 pm.
The course, which is recommended for parents/caregivers, teachers and early childhood professionals, will demonstrate the importance of the connection between the physical body and the mind and emotions. "Attendees will learn the importance of normalizing strong emotions for children and helping them regulate those emotions through simple practices like breathing,” said Dr. Johnna Brynn, director of training and professional development. “They will also learn to help children by make relaxation and healthy movement accessible and fun.”
The event presenter, Margaret Ross, is a licensed mental health therapist based at Fruitville Elementary School. Ross is part of the Florida Center’s school-based mental health therapy program, in partnership with the Sarasota School District and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which places therapists at public elementary schools across the county.
The training is $29 and attendees can earn two continued education credits, or CEUs, provided by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.
Click here to register for the event or visit FloridaCenterTraining.org for more information and upcoming training opportunities.
Bianca Brown has been named Chief Program Officer at Education Foundation of Sarasota County, announced Jennifer Vigne, foundation president. As CPO, Brown will oversee all existing direct student and teacher services. A key member of the organization’s senior leadership team, she also will work collaboratively and strategically to develop emerging programs, and to plan, design and implement timely and relevant new direct services programs supporting the Education Foundation’s vision to unite its community to prepare each and every student for life.
"The Education Foundation has a unique opportunity to provide extra support and access to Sarasota County students, teachers, and families, especially those underserved,” Vigne said. “With her extensive experience in education and strong commitment to developing college and career readiness throughout the curriculum, Dr. Brown will help us to expand and deepen our student success and teacher support services.”
La Primavera Supermarket will host a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic Saturday, Aug. 21, in partnership with the Department of Health-Sarasota County, the City of Sarasota and The Mallard Law Firm.
The walk-up clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 21 at La Primavera, 901 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota. The Pfizer vaccine will be available to individuals age 12 and older. No appointments are necessary. Bilingual Spanish speakers will be on site to help coordinate the event.
“In an effort to increase the vaccination rate in our Hispanic community we’re building creative partnerships to overcome lingering access and hesitancy issues,” said Sarasota Mayor Hagen Brody. “Enlisting trusted community institutions like La Primavera in our vaccination efforts is a natural step towards stopping the spread of COVID-19.”
For questions and more information about the vaccine clinic, contact La Primavera Supermarket at 941-366-5321.
Local job seekers will have dozens of public sector careers to learn about and apply for at the County's August 26 Hiring Expo at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Hiring managers from Manatee County Government will be on hand with job opportunities and are prepared to make on-site conditional job offers to qualified candidates.
"Our hiring expo is an incredible opportunity for skilled workers, young professionals and anyone seeking a career in public service," said Kim Stroud, Manatee County Human Resources Director. "I hope local job seekers will stop by and learn about our our outstanding benefits and opportunities for a fulfilling career with Manatee County Government."
The hiring expo will be held Wednesay, August 26 from 3 pm - 7 pm at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Boulevard in Palmetto.
A program about the joys of youth, written by the young and young at heart on Sunday, September 26 at 4pm at Holley Hall. Inspired by Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends. The progam consists of Josef Suk Piano Quartet in A Minor, Op. 1, Janacek Mladi ("Youth Suite"), Kenji Bunch Shout Chorus, and Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 1, Op. 12.
We are please to announce that the 7th Annual Manatee Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2021, once again at the beautiful downtown Bradenton Riverwalk, from noon to 5 pm. We credit our sponsors, donors, vendors, volunteers, and patrons for making Manatee Pride the success it has become. We know and appreciate that you have supported Manatee Pride in the past, and we also know LGBTQ+ youth in Manatee County would not have a safe space in Manatee County without the corporate and community support we've received since 2010. We would welcome your continuing support at our 7th Annual Festival. In the past, all of the proceeds benefited Prism Youth Initiative Inc., a non-profit Florida corporation, however, in October of 2020, Prism Youth merged with Also Youth. Also Youth continues to provide even more services to the LGBTQ+ youth in Manatee County and all the proceeds will benefit the youth in Manatee County. Also Youth’s mission is Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth and their Allies, and Creating Inclusive Communities. Manatee Pride 2021 will again have live performers and renowned bands, great food at reasonable prices, beer, cider, health checks and more. We expect our attendance to meet or exceed our previous attendance record. Our all inclusive community is growing every day. 452 3rd Ave W., Bradenton
Manatee Pride
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto and Intertape Polymer Group present the 15th Leadership Breakfast on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 3100 Fruitville Rd. honoring Archie Griffin, two-time Heisman Trophy Winner, and Lisa Bechtold, Executive Director of Take Stock in Children Sarasota. Registration and breakfast service begins at 7:30am and the program begins at 8am. Tickets are $50 per person.
Grove Restaurant, Patio & Ballroom and Knock Out Marketing & PR presents, “LAUGHTER in LWR™!” a stand-up comedy event on August 28, 2021. The event will have two show times, 5 pm & 8 pm and feature three nationally-accredited comedians at each show: Happy Cole, Mariannetta Torres and Jeff Jena. A portion of the event proceeds will be given to The Players Centre for Performing Arts and The Humane Society of Manatee County.
Ticket prices range from $40 to $60, and the show style encompasses three hilarious comedians back-to-back, creating non-stop laughter. Cash bars will be available as well as service throughout the show by Grove’s finest staff. (Cash and credit cards accepted). The event organizers encourage you to come early and socialize with your friends, as doors open 45 minutes before each show time. Grove is also offering a 10% off voucher with each ticket. You are welcome to enjoy dinner in the Grove restaurant (connected to the ballroom) before or after your show time. Reservations are recommended.Wind down the evening with a night cap and meet-and-greet with the comedians after each show. Leave with a smile and laughter exhaustion.
Grove Restaurant, Patio & Ballroom , 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch
Join SRQ Strong Monday, August 23 from 6 pm - 7:30 pm for our next community conversation. In this diverse country, immigration (past or recent) is an almost universal experience. This event will feature personal stories from people who have recently arrived in the United States. They will share the challenges they left behind, the difficulties experienced on their journey, and their experiences raising a family in a new culture. The focus will be on Spanish-speaking newcomers and will highlight the positive impact of Hispanics in our community. Leaders from community agencies will also discuss how we can make our community more welcoming. The forum will be delivered twice, once in English and a week later in Spanish.
SRQ Strong, Virtual
On the eve of Tracy Samantha Lord's wedding, her blue-blood ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven returns. C.K. discovered that a national tabloid plans to do an expose on Tracy's philandering father and has agreed to smuggle a reporter into her wedding if the magazine kills the story on the elder Lord. But C.K. never expects that the woman he still loves will suddenly fall for the undercover reporter. Before the evening is over, Tracy will be forced to take an unflinching look at herself and to realize which of these three men she truly loves. This multiple Academy Award-winning romantic comedy stars Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart. Tickets: $10. Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes.
Classic Movies at the Opera House , 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
FST is presenting three staged readings of new work by members of its Playwright Collective, a select group of artists dedicated to developing new work for FST’s stages, in the 2021 August Play Reading Festival. After over a year of developing new plays virtually over Zoom and holding reading series online, this Festival will be FST’s first live, in-person New Play Development event since March 2020.
The three playwrights featured in this Festival—Thomas Gibbons, Kenneth Jones, and Jason Odell Williams—will each travel to Sarasota for one week of rehearsals and play development sessions with FST’s artistic staff, followed by a staged reading of each of their plays for live audiences. Professional actors from across the country will also fly to Sarasota to help bring these new works to life. After each reading, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback to the playwrights. These sessions are essential to the development and creation of new plays, giving playwrights direct access to artistic support as well as valuable audience feedback.
FST has played a role in the development of each of the featured plays. Last year, the theatre commissioned Jones to write Last Call at the Old Slave Quarters Lounge and Williams to write America In One Room. Gibbons has been working closely with FST’s artistic team to develop Steal Her Bones since its first draft.
The 2021 August Play Reading Festival will take place in FST’s Keating Theatre on August 2, 9, and 16 at 7PM each day. Subscription packages to see all three readings range from $28.50-48.00. Single tickets are $20 per-person for each reading. Subscription packages and single tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or 941-366-9000.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave., Sarasota
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast invites the community to a monthly Food Truck Friday Night this summer at their Bay Preserve headquarters in Osprey. Enjoy food and fun with friends while taking in a summer sunset at this family-friendly event. Each month, July through September, a different food truck will be onsite serving up local flavor on the shores of Little Sarasota Bay. Members of the Conservation Foundation team will be available to answer questions about their work and the Burrows-Matson House will be open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket for this picnic-style gathering. The dates and food trucks are as follows: Friday, July 23, 5pm to 8pm - Curb Your Appetite (classic American fare) Friday, August 20, 5pm to 8pm - Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company (creative versions of a family favorite) Friday, September 17, 5pm to 8pm - Killik’s Kitchen (modern Asian-Hawaiian fare) “After the isolation of the last year, connection is what we are all craving,” notes Christine Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. “Connection with other people and connection with nature. We hope these Friday nights help our community reconnect with each other and with our beautiful natural environment.” Bay Preserve is located at 400 Palmetto Avenue in Osprey, Florida. This series is free and open to the public, however in an effort to ensure plenty of parking, RSVPs are requested. To RSVP for any of the dates, visit conservationfoundation.com/events. Food prices vary by truck. Learn more about each truck’s menu on Facebook.
Conservation Foundation, 400 Palmetto Ave., Osprey
When people think of the Apollo program, they tend to remember Apollo 11 (the first moon landing) and Apollo 13 (the successful failure), but Apollo 15 was an extremely important mission as well. Mission commander David Scott and lunar module pilot Jim Irwin became the first humans to drive a vehicle on another world — the 460-pound Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)! Scott and Irwin traveled 17.5 miles (compared to Apollo 14’s previous record of 2.1 miles) and Scott and Irwin set a record for most time on the lunar surface during extravehicular activities: 18 hours and 37 minutes. Have you ever imagined what it was like to drive a rover on the Moon’s surface? You can experience one of humanity's greatest achievements in The Planetarium during 15: Mission of Discovery, a new show created exclusively by The Bishop to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 15 moon landing! Playing July 20-August 31 only at The Bishop! Tuesday-Friday: 12:15 and 2:45pm Saturday: 12:15 and 2:45pm Sunday: 12:30 and 2:30pm
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature , 201 10th Street West., Bradenton
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