SRQ DAILY Aug 26, 2021
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"COVID has awoken people to the issue that airborne contaminants are a real thing."
In a case of necessity birthing medical invention, a Sarasota design firm helped bring technology to market that could revolutionize how airborne pathogens get contained in ambulances and hospitals. ROBRADY in partnership with SafER Medical Products has the first 1,000 units ready to kit and sell for a product line of portable negative pressure devices.
“It almost takes my breathe away to think about it,” said Rob Brady, founder of ROBRADY. And taking breathe away is literally the goal.
The line includes shields and medical face mask accessories tooled for optimal use by paramedics, doctors or nurses for a variety of environments. The devices can be attached to respiratory machines and will vacuum away exhaled germs from patients. That solves a problem facing medical professionals dealing with COVID-19 patients. A respirator typically helps patients inhale oxygen and often medicines, but then allows the patient to exhale into the open environment. That leaves other patients and frontline medical workers exposed to the coronavirus causing the disease.
The SafER Medical Products team conceived of the solution to this medical challenge exacerbated as the virus spread worldwide. The group of emergency room physicians approached ROBRADY in need of engineering and design expertise. Learning about the Sarasota firm’s long history of bringing products to market with full Food and Drug Administration approval, the partnership was formed in August 2020. Just over a year later, devices are ready to sell to hospitals, first responders and assisted living facilities.
Brady said while this project came together with urgency, it wasn’t always easy. The greatest engineering challenge came in making a safe and working vacuum system, one that could fit over a standard medical mask, and successfully suck out the pathogens normally exhaled into the air. As it happens, engineers at ROBRADY managed to solve within a 90-day timeframe. Since then, the product has been tested and engineers designed additional clips and valves while developing shields optimized for various situations like emergency rooms and ambulances.
Brady said there’s a need for negative pressure systems even when the pandemic finally quells. “Doctors were inspired to develop this product because of COVID, but there’s a vast number of uses,” he said. Anytime a patient comes to the hospital with an undiagnosed ailment, physicians want them isolated in case the condition is contagious. And even the spread of the common cold could be contained if negative pressure devices could be employed immediately after a patient receives treatment. “COVID has awoken people to the issue that airborne contaminants are a real thing,” he said.
Image courtesy ROBRADY
As we approach the dog days of summer, it's time to turn our attention to our dogs at home, as today is National Dog Day. It's the perfect time to pause and appreciate the joy and comfort dogs bring as well as the companionship they provide, even in the most isolated of times (cough cough, the past 17 months, or so).
According to the American Pet Products Association, dog ownership increased by nearly 11% in 2020, with roughly 108 million dogs in U.S. households — up from 97 million in 2018. Millions of people craved canine camaraderie and welcomed new dogs and puppies into their homes over the past year and a half. So that means there are a lot of new pet parents to celebrate National Dog Day today!
DOGPerfect: The Dog Marketplace, is a locally owned and operated one-stop-shop for all things dog supply. With three locations (The Landings of Sarasota, The Square at University Town Park and The Green at Lakewood Ranch), you can source everything from dietary, grooming and playtime needs.
From healthy and nutritional dog food, chews and treats to cooling mats/beds, adventure vests and floating toys, DOGPerfect is offering a 'Fun in the Sun' promo from now until September 21, 2021 with coupons to splurge on your wet-nosed companion. Additionally, they offer a variety of caring services and resources — including professional grooming, self-serve dog wash, dog training and even a DOGPerfect Arena, designed for your pup to exercise, socialize, meet and play with other pups.
Curbside pickup and local delivery is also available with purchases.
The Sarasota County Commission awarded Embracing Our Differences a $43,157 Tourist Development Cultural/Arts grant to help fund its 2022 exhibition season, which runs January 15 through April 10 in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. For 18 years, Embracing Our Differences has drawn on the passion and perception of artists, writers, students and others to create powerful statements of diversity and acceptance in its annual outdoor public art exhibition consisting of 50 billboard-sized works of art and accompanying quotes. The scale and impact of this outdoor exhibition has continued to grow, attracting more than 3.6 million visitors since its inception in 2004. This exhibit is the heart of a year-round program of initiatives designed to use art and words as a catalyst to create awareness and promote diversity.
“This generous grant supports our commitment to engage viewers locally, nationally, and even internationally,” says Sarah Wertheimer, Embracing Our Differences’ executive director. “It’s a powerful vote of confidence for our important work.” Wertheimer adds that the 2021 exhibit attracted 384,000 visitors, of which 29 percent came from counties in Florida outside of Sarasota County; 33.5 percent were visitors from out of state; and three and a half percent were international tourists.
A call for art and quote submissions for the 2022 exhibit is ongoing through October 6. For more information about Embracing Our Differences, call 941-404-5710, or visit embracingourdifferences.org.
Photo courtesy of the organization.
As sales have exploded five-fold in the past two years, Sarasota-based Cruise Car has expanded its factory space from 15,000 to over 50,000 square feet and tripled its workforce — making Cruise Car the largest manufacturer of specialty low- speed, street-legal vehicles in Florida. One of the driving forces behind the company’s growth is its affiliation with Moke America. Cruise Car is the exclusive North American assembler and distributor for the iconic Moke vehicles, updated as a fun, sturdy electric collectible for some people and a green-friendly fun ride for others. “We’ve identified a market of people who want more than a street-legal golf cart,” said CEO Adam Sulimirski. “Our factory-direct service is providing the value that people are seeking in these higher-end low-speed vehicles.”
In addition to exclusively assembling Mokes for the American market, what is catapulting Cruise Car is the factory-direct advantage it provides to buyers in the market. The success of this factory-direct option for buyers is shown in the bustle that can be seen in the rows of Moke vehicles in the factory, and the trucks leaving the facility daily for destinations nationwide. Cruise Car currently has over 750 pre-sold Mokes and new orders daily.
While the Moke is a collectible icon, a whole new generation is finding the unique electric car to be whimsical, fun to drive and always a head-turner.
Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors, a multi-disciplinary architecture and planning firm headquartered in Sarasota has hired 10 new team members since March 2020, increasing from 21 to 31 employees since the start of the pandemic. Team members recently joining Sweet Sparkman come from various professional backgrounds spanning from project manager, to interior designer, project designer and professional service roles.
With the industry and country in the midst of a labor shortage, recruiting top talent has reportedly remained a challenge for many architecture firms. But, according to Sweet Sparkman partner Michele Demperio, the company’s brand of culture and caliber of work has boosted its ability to attract new hires.
Company leaders credit the substantial growth and need for additional staff to a variety of factors, including the accelerated state of the housing market and an expansion of the firm’s scope of services beyond architecture, with the addition of a full-scale interior design arm in 2018. According to Sweet Sparkman, the addition of interior design as a service offering has allowed the firm to offer clients a more turn-key experience. With the inclusion of interior design considerations at the beginning of a project’s design process, the details of the spaces are more thoroughly realized.
“With equal considerations to the architecture and finished interior design, we are able to beautifully accommodate the lifestyle of the client through space planning and adjacencies. This slight change in process creates a more holistic design, by both thinking of the building from the outside in and the inside out,” said Demperio.
Representatives from Sweet Sparkman expect to continue their hiring spree through the conclusion of the year, with a push to onboard additional experienced project managers and architects in the coming months.
For more information about Sweet Sparkman’s services, team members, portfolio of work and more, visit sweetsparkman.com
Neal Land & Neighborhoods, a Manatee and Sarasota-based master-planned community developer, announces 234 home sales, more than 42% above the goal of 160 sales, at North River Ranch during the first six months of the year. North River Ranch, the developer’s flagship community, is in Parrish. All six home builders at North River Ranch sold homes throughout the six-month period, including Centex, KB Home, Homes by WestBay, Park Square Homes, David Weekley Homes and Neal Communities.
Sales prices average $369,000, nearly $40,000 lower than other Manatee County neighborhoods, according to the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee June housing report. “There’s a very small window of opportunity at North River Ranch for prospective home buyers to purchase a home under $400,000,” said John A Neal, President of Neal Land & Neighborhoods. “It is typical to see regular price increases as a new home community progresses in the construction process, and North River Ranch is no exception.”
In the coming months, Neal Land & Neighborhoods will deliver additional homesites to the existing builders for the final phase of the Brightwood neighborhood. Once the lots are delivered, home prices in Brightwood will range from the $300s to over $800,000. “Interest in the remaining Brightwood lots is especially high right now, and while average prices are lower than what can be found in other parts of Manatee County, we are seeing an upward trend,” said Neal.
To date, nearly 140 homeowners now call the community home, with an additional 80 families expected to move in before the year’s end. Homeowners at North River Ranch are most commonly young families and first-time home buyers. Many home buyers already live near North River Ranch, predominantly coming from Bradenton, Parrish and Palmetto. “In addition to local buyers, we’re starting to see an upswing from St. Petersburg families that are outgrowing rentals and Tampa buyers looking for new construction,” said Neal. “The strong housing market demonstrates the value of real estate investment, which is driving new home sales among first-time and move-up buyers. We are still balancing the heightened demand for housing with construction industry challenges, which we and our home builder partners are improving each day.”
A selection of quick move-in homes is expected to list in late summer/early fall of this year in a variety of home sizes and price ranges. For more information on Neal Land & Neighborhoods, including the company’s latest development news, visit NealLand.com.
Photo courtesy of Neal Communities.
This design team hits a homerun for a pro-baseball player and his family's AMI vacay pad.
Click here to read the full article in SRQ's July/August 2021 edition.
Learn about the rich circus history of Sarasota on an unforgettable trolley or van 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 or van 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. Tours with fewer than 10 guests will travel in our comfortably air-conditioned high-top van. Tour tickets are $34.99 and include FREE Parking.
The dream of one man became a cultural tour de force for Sarasota’s performing arts community. In 1999, actor and playwright Nate Jacobs founded the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, establishing a unique dramatic company to present and explore the Black experience. After twenty years of challenges and hard-won triumphs, the troupe experienced one of its toughest years yet in 2020. The killing of George Floyd ignited a national reckoning on race, and the COVID-19 pandemic made theatres go dark. Drawing on the resilient spirit that carried the troupe across previous hardships, WBTT has reimagined ways to stage its performances and fulfill its mission to promote inclusion and diversity in the arts. As a new generation of artists comes onboard, the troupe also finds successful approaches to address racism and lift others up through opportunity, mentorship and outreach. Produced by WEDU PBS in partnership with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with generous funding from the George J. & Alice Pugh Donor Advised Fund. The film is available at https://www.wedu.org/shows/documentaries/this-light-of-mine/
The DSA Presents First Friday Gallery Walk. Enjoy your walk or stroll in Downtown Sarasota with participating galleries, including State of the Arts Gallery on State Street, AlexArt International located at 25 North Pineapple Avenue, Dabbert Gallery on Historic Palm Avenue, Art Uptown Gallery on Sarasota’s Main Street, and 530 Burns Gallery in Historic Burns Court.
Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS) invites everyone to join them at the February Yappy Hour at Motorworks Brewery. FoMCAS will be the featured nonprofit and will have over $4000 in raffles and silent auction items plus a 50/50 drawing to help fundraise for the Manatee County Animal Services shelter animals. The family friendly and pet friendly event will be held on Sunday, February 21st in the Motorworks Beer Garden from 1pm to 4pm. The event will feature vendors selling an array of pet and non-pet related products with drink specials and food from local food trucks all in the 12,000 sq ft. artificially turfed beer garden. Raffles and silent auction items include resort stays on Anna Maria Island, spa packages, restaurant gift cards, sailing excursions, fabulous gift baskets, pet items, tickets to sporting events and a golf package, handmade arts by local artisans, jewelry, baskets of spirits, gourmet gift packages, and much, much more. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their leashed pets to enjoy the day and help contribute to the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services whose mission it is to work hand in hand with Manatee County Animal Services to enrich the lives of the shelter animals by raising funds to provide additional resources, medical care and heartworm treatment. Animal Network is the event partner with Motorworks Brewery for the monthly Yappy Hour held on the third Sunday of each month. It features different local nonprofit animal organizations that support, rescue, and find loving homes for dogs and cats in our community. Each month, the guest organization receives the funds raised through the silent auction, raffles and 50/50 split drawing. Over the last three years the event has raised over $100,000 shared among the various guest organizations. Animal Network, Dawg Phonics and Motorworks are sponsors of the Yappy Hour.
Florida Studio Theatre’s resident improv troupe, FST Improv, will return to a weekly live performance schedule with Triple Play, a full-length show created specifically to entertain from a distance. Drawing inspiration from audience suggestions, a rotating cast of three improvisers will perform games, scenes, and songs—all made up on the spot. Starting Saturday, March 20, Triple Play will take place Saturday evenings at 8:30pm for socially-distanced audiences in FST’s Keating Theatre. Tickets are $15 per person and are now on sale. To purchase tickets, call FST’s Box Office at 941.366.9000 or visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org. FST's musical improvisers, Jim Prosser and Helena Rankin, will provide comical accompaniment as performers play some of Sarasota's favorite improv games - all while maintaining social distancing. In addition to live audiences, the cast of Triple Play will draw inspiration from prompts submitted virtually through text or via Twitter. With this added virtual element, FST Improv will engage with audiences in Sarasota and beyond. Triple Play performances will be socially-distanced and in compliance of all CDC guidelines, including socially-distanced seating, paperless ticketing, and limited theatre capacities. Facial coverings must be worn at all times - including throughout performances - when on campus at FST, aside from dining in FST's Green Room Cafe & Bar. Socially-distanced pre-show dining is available indoors and outdoors in FST's Green Room Cafe & Bar one hour before each Triple Play performance.
First 1,000 Days Sarasota County is a community initiative to improve the health and well-being of babies and families. At the end of 2020, the initiative and its 75 community partners launched a website to empower all parents and caregivers with simple tools proven to promote quality early childhood development. The initiative partners are now using the power of art to celebrate families and promote local educational resources available to them. Utilizing free curriculum with fun activities for parents to do with their children and a sidewalk chalk festival, First 1,000 Days Sarasota is encouraging the community to get involved this spring in the “Color the Community” campaign. The campaign kicked off with the unveiling of three new works of art across Sarasota County: “Swing Out Into the World,” by Laura Pommier at 14212 Tamiami Trail in North Port, its sister mural, “Bubbles,” by Truman Adams, at Forty Carrots Family Center, 1500 South Tuttle Avenue, in Sarasota; and a traveling artwork, “Making Roots,” being created by Traci Kegerreis, are designed as gateways for young families to learn about resources available to support parents in being their child’s first teacher. Artists were encouraged to creatively express one or more of the fundamentals of early childhood development, known as “The Basics.” First 1,000 Days Sarasota County is now asking the broader community to follow suit. Children and families can easily get involved by: Creating sidewalk chalk art (or your preferred medium) inspired by The Basics early learning principles: Maximize love, manage stress, Count, group, compare, Talk, sing, and point, Explore through play and movement, and Read and discuss stories; Posting photos of you and your masterpiece to social media. Tag @First1000DaysSarasota on Facebook and Instagram and use hashtags #First1000DaysSarasota #ColortheCommunity; and Visiting First1000DaysSarasota.com to sign up for free text tips on The Basics and connect with local resources for parents and young children.
Life on the Circle only gets better when days are bathed in the summer sun. Enjoy a breath of fresh air and immerse yourself in the perfect setting for adventure and fun. Join us for the “Sol of the Circle,” a series of special events for the entire family. Breathe: An Outdoor Yoga Series will take place every second Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm. Dates are June 9, July 14, August 11, and September 8.
"Oh, the places we can go!” is a juried exhibition of handmade fine crafts where artists have created imaginative pieces inspired by places they’ve been or would like to go. From around the state, 37 artists created more than 80 pieces in ceramics, fiber, glass, metal and wood. At the opening and awards reception on Friday, July 9 at 6 p.m., people will have the opportunity to meet many of the talented artists and the show’s judge, Desmond Clark of St. Cate Fine Art.
Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Selby Gardens and the Duncan McClellan Gallery in St. Petersburg present the fourth annual summer glass show at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus from July 10 to September 26. This year’s exhibition, featuring nature-inspired glass work created exclusively by Duncan McClellan, will be displayed in the Tropical Conservatory and the Gardens against a backdrop of lush flowers and plants. All artworks are available for sale with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Selby Gardens.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , 1534 Mound St., Sarasota
Florida State University usually sese over 1000+ students in attendance who are seeking part-time employment within the Tallahassee region or wanting a virtual job. 10 am – 2 pm EST. Online via Symplicity Virtual Fairs in NoleNetwork $50 registration fee. Virtual Event.
Florida State University
The John and Mable ringling Museum of Art is pleased to present Ecoperformance Week, Sept. 6- 12, 2021. Ecoperformance events at The Ringling have an arts-driven focus on conversations, performances, activities and films about ecology, climate, culture and environmental justice. The field of eco-performance looks at climate change and environmental justice as multifaceted environmental and social phenomena that can be transformed through cultural engagement. The week will kick-off with a streaming presentation of Ludic Proxy: Fukushima on Sept. 6. Set a few years after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Fukushima, Japan, the film is a video adaptation of Brooklyn-based theater-maker Aya Ogawa’s play Ludic Proxy. The presentation, which runs approximately 35 minutes and is presented in Japanese with English subtitles, may be viewed anytime during the day. Additionally, all ticketholders will have access to an “on demand” version, available from Sept. 6-12, 2021. Performance and Environmental Justice: A Panel Discussion will be offered via ZOOM on Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. This panel presents perspectives that elucidate and redefine environmental justice and how culture, performance and storytelling impact awareness and social transformation around these issues. The series will include two films that will be screened in the Historic Asolo Theater. TrashDance will be presented Sept.9 th at 1 p.m. Trash Dance follows choreographer Allison Orr as she finds beauty and grace in garbage trucks, and in the unseen men and women who pick up our trash. Waste Land will be shown Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The week will close with a workshop on Sept. 11 via ZOOM. Decolonizing Theatre Basics with Groundwater Arts will examine the nuances of colonization and how they intersect with how we live and work. The workshop will entail both active and passive activities, videos and discussions, creating radical access points for everyone of all levels to leave empowered.
The Ringling Museum , 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
We are pleased to announce that the 7th Annual Manatee Pride Festival will be held on September 18, 2021, at the beautiful downtown Bradenton Riverwalk from noon to 5pm. Manatee Pride is a fund raiser, and all proceeds benefit ALSO Youth Sarasota/Manatee a 501(c)(3) non-profit Florida corporation, providing Advocacy, Leadership, Support and outreach for LGBTQ youth in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and dedicated to supporting, affirming, encouraging, enabling and empowering all LGBTQ youth. We would welcome your participation and support at our Festival on September 18, 2021. Our 7th annual Festival, Manatee Pride 2021 will again have live performers and renowned bands, great food, beer, refreshments (and other favorites), health checks and more. We expect our attendance to meet or exceed our previous attendance record. Mark your calendars & tell your friends. We look forward to seeing you in September for a safe & fun Manatee Pride. If you are looking for ways to get involved as a volunteer, participate as a performer, have a booth as a vendor or support our non-profit via a donation, please reach out to Craig@ALSOYOUTH.ORG.
This free virtual event will feature Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. who teaches the power of showing up in her book How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired. Become a community partner and SUPPORT free quality educational programming for those who care for kids in our community. The virtual speaker event will be held Wednesday, September 22 by the Community Foundation of Sarasota.
Community Foundation of Sarasota
Classic Albums LIVE returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, September 24 at 8 p.m. The group will bring Led Zeppelin II to life on stage – note for note, cut for cut. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 9 at 10 am. “One thing I know for sure is that Zep fans are unrelenting in their love for the band. Many people don’t realize that during the ‘70s – no other band or artist came close to selling as many albums as Led Zeppelin.” – Craig Martin, Founder of Classic Albums LIVE. Tickets are $32-$72 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To view a full listing of upcoming events, visit www.VanWezel.org.
The Van Wezel, 777 N Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
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