SRQ DAILY Nov 8, 2021
Monday Business Edition
"This move positions us to continue providing a platform to content creators without the threats from big tech monopolies. "
Video-sharing platform Rumble will soon open its U.S. headquarters on Longboat Key, an expansion that comes after Sarasota County Commissioners approved an incentive grant worth up to $825,000.
"Moving to Longboat Key is a win-win for Rumble and the Sarasota community," said Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski. "Sarasota County is growing rapidly, and we are excited to be part of the growth. We plan to fill 20-25 new positions in Florida immediately for our U.S. headquarters, with many more planned for the future. This move positions us to continue providing a platform to content creators without the threats from big tech monopolies. We are excited to invest in Florida in the coming years while we continue to grow Rumble."
According to a Sarasota County memo, the local funding will be payable over nine years and pay for 165 jobs to be created, a notably larger workforce than that promised in Rumble’s announcement of the move. The money will be awarded as jobs come online, according to a memo by Sarasota County Government Relations Director Robert Lewis.
The company told Sarasota County it has location a 4,800-square-foot facility on the key which would accommodate 50 to 70 employees, and the company committed to growing to the larger 165 number by 2026.
The company, which boasted 40 million monthly average views on its platform as of August, announced publicly it intends to invest $50 million in the state of Florida. The company committed to Sarasota County it will make capital investments in this area of $500,000 by 2025.
Rumble has made a name for itself in recent years for placing few limits on what content can be shared, including for users banned from YouTube. For example, while YouTube suspended Right Side Broadcasting Network immediately before it was set to livestream a Donald Trump rally in Sarasota earlier this year, Rumble carried the feed. 
Screenshot of Rumble content on Nov. 7, 2021.
Three Sarasota County teachers were surprised Thursday, November 4, when they were revealed as finalists for the district’s elementary, middle and high school Teacher of the Year honors. The Education Foundation of Sarasota County (EFSC) sponsors the Ignite Education: Teacher of the Year annual recognition in partnership with Sarasota County Schools.
This year’s finalists are Elementary: Shannon Haddad, Ashton Elementary School; Middle: Jennifer Jaso, Sarasota Middle School; and High: Loridia Urquiza, Booker High School. The Teacher Tribute Tour Team celebrated the finalists in person at their schools with balloons, flowers, and enthusiastic fanfare custom-planned by each school’s leadership. This year’s Teacher Tribute Tour team included Vigne; Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer Chris Renouf, district executive directors Steve Cantees, and Dr. Brandon Johnson. In addition, principals Kristi Jarvis, Jennifer Nzeza, and Rachel Shelley, along with family members of the honorees, participated in their schools’ celebrations.
“We are so excited to return to an in-person celebration of our Teacher of the Year finalists,” said Education Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Vigne. “This is the third school year impacted by the pandemic, and our wonderful teachers continually inspire us by rising to the incredible challenges and keeping their focus on helping students rise to their individual potential.”
All 43 school-based Teacher of the Year finalists will be honored, and one of the three finalists will be named the overall Sarasota County Teacher of the Year, at the Education Foundation of Sarasota County’s Ignite Education Awards Celebration on December 9 at Michael’s on East.
The district Teacher of the Year will represent Sarasota County Schools at the Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Program and will serve as a spokesperson for and representative of the teaching profession at various events throughout 2023. “Our school communities have not let the pandemic hinder their progress, especially our resilient Teachers of the Year,” said Dr. Brennan Asplen, Superintendent of Sarasota County Schools. “These special teachers have invested considerable time, heart and talent into their students. Their collective impact is truly tangible and life-changing.”
More information about the Ignite Education Awards Celebration, including ticket availability, will be updated online at EdFoundationSRQ.org/ignite.
Pictured: Shannon Haddad of Ashton Elementary School getting surprised with the 'Teacher of the Year' Award, photo courtesy of Education Foundation
Celebrating its 11th year, November 12-15, The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is a visual and cultural arts festival held on our #1 rated Siesta Beach. The Classic hosts over 300,000 attendees each year—with over 125,000 of these visitors hailing from outside of Sarasota County.
Among the many family-friendly activities that the festival hosts during its four days, the event that keeps visitors coming back every year is the master sand sculpting competition that is held during the first three days of the festival’s opening. This competition attracts 24 master sculptors from all over the world who compete for 1st place on Siesta Beach.
In just 24 sculpting hours, the master sculptors create sand masterpieces, some over 10-feet tall, and transform the always beautiful Siesta Beach into an outdoor art gallery. It represents some of the most beautiful, ephemeral works of art your eyes will ever see.
And it’s more than just sand—the festival also features live music daily along with a large village of shopping and food and drink vendors. Other activities include the popular three-day “Quick Sand” competition, sand sculpting lessons and an amateur competition. And, hours are extended on Saturday until 9 pm with colored lights on all the sculptures as well as live music by Fleetwood Max on Saturday night.
The 11th annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic takes place on Friday, November 12 through Monday, November 15, 2021. More information is available at siestakeycrystalclassic.com.
Skyway Classics invites the public to attend their Grand Opening Car Show & Celebration on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 12pm. The event will be held at the Skyway Classics showroom located at 10420 Portal Crossing, Bradenton. Skyway Classics was previously located in Palmetto, and has expanded to their new location with a state-of-the-art showroom and storage facility.
The grand opening celebration will begin at 12pm and end at 6pm and is free and open to all ages. Events will include a classic car show, hourly raffles and showroom tours with local food trucks and beer vendor on site. In addition to the celebration, Skyway Classics is also debuting their new Skyway Motor Club, which provides concierge storage and maintenance services for classic car enthusiasts.
“We are incredibly excited to be opening our new location Lakewood Ranch and what this means for the Skyway Classics Community. This expansion will not only offer us the space to expand our sales operation, but also bring new services to the market like starting our Skyway Classics Motor Club: a premium classic car service and storage community,” says Max of Skyway Classics. “This new building is the launching point to unite our national brand and continue doing the work of ‘Making Classics Great Again’."
Participants interested in registering a classic car for the car show may register the day of the event or by contacting Lance’s Cruzin to the Hop at 941-371-1061 or via email at Lance@CollectorCarsTV.com.
That untapped power of a woman's potential is the inspiration behind the Women’s Resource Center’s Wonder Women Collective, a new initiative that launched in October 2020. According to Ashley Brown, WRC’s president and CEO, “The Collective brings together diverse voices with different experiences and perspectives to build unity and create conversations that engage, support, inspire and challenge.” She adds that the initiative was created in response to recent trends that often split women apart. “Today’s divisive climate prompted us to step away from negativity and connect as women,” Brown says. “The Collective is empowered by the belief that every woman is a Wonder Woman.”
WRC will kick off its 2022 Wonder Women Collective with a live event, Thursday, December 2, 4pm-7pm, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Brown adds that the Collective series will then follow a hybrid model—with virtual and in-person sessions throughout the year. The kick-off event will follow an innovative model as well. “We’re reinventing the way we present our fundraising events,” says Brown. “We’ve moved away from the speaker/luncheon format to an interactive concept—one in which participants can easily connect and engage.” She adds that, for the second year of the Collective, WRC is partnering with Game On Nation, a Bradenton-based firm that uses improvisation, game dynamics and role playing to open up doors of communication.
“We create spaces where women can come together to share ideas and concerns—and a place where they can find encouragement and learn from one another.” She adds that the diverse mix of participants makes these sessions invaluable. “Our groups are comprised of donors, community members and WRC clients and staff,” Brown says. “We’re breaking down barriers and sharing our message in a new way.”
Tickets for the season launch event are $50 and include complimentary appetizers and drinks. All proceeds directly support the programs of the Women's Resource Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit mywrc.org/collective/ or contact Anne Carter at 941-256-9721 or acarter@mywrc.org.
Photo of courtesy of Women's Resource Center
For the 12th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers collaboratively announced the release of the “Best Law Firms” rankings, naming Shutts & Bowen LLP to the 2022 list. Shutts is nationally ranked in 17 practice areas and regionally ranked in 42 specialties across eight metro areas, including Sarasota’s Tier 1 ranked specialties in Real Estate Law and Corporate Law.
In order to rank on the list, a firm must have a lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, which acknowledges the top six percent of practicing U.S. attorneys. The Shutts partners recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 list included Charla M. Burchett (Trusts and Estates), John Patterson (Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Real Estate Law) and E. Zachary Rans (Real Estate Law).
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) - Sarasota encourages all women to receive regular screenings to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Important advances have been made through increased awareness, breast cancer screenings and better treatments. “Breast cancer screening remains the best way to detect cancer early when it is easiest to treat,” said DOH – Sarasota Health Officer Chuck Henry. “We want to ensure that women know when to screen and have access to screening.” According to Henry, in general, women ages 50-74 should screen every two years, and women below age 50 with symptoms or a family history of breast cancer should talk with their healthcare provider about screening as well.
Make plans to receive a Free 3D mammogram by registering for Breast Fest, scheduled for 8 am - 3 pm, Saturday, December 18 at the Light of the World International Church located at 3809 Chapel Drive, Sarasota. Individuals ages 40 to 49 are asked to call 941-917-7322 and those ages 50 to 64 are asked to call 941-861-2676 to register for an appointment. Appointments are required.
The Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (FCCEDP) provides access to the breast and cervical cancer screenings doctors recommend. The screenings are free or low cost if you meet the program eligibility requirements.
ALSO Youth announced last Friday they will begin providing free LGBTQ+ affirming therapy for youth and young adults ages 10-24 with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. ALSO Youth was created with the mission to address and support the mental health needs of LGBTQ+ youth through counseling.
Spots are limited—schedule an appointment by emailing therapy@alsoyouth.org or calling 941-951-2576.
WAR PAINT: Profiles of Courage was created as a tribute to the bravery of veterans who have served and those currently serving our country. Ringling College of Art and Design students, faculty, and local artists will create portrait profiles of veterans in variety of mediums. The images tell stories from WW ll, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and current enlisted troops that will enrich the Ringling College community for years to come. This exhibition will be held from November 1 to December 10, 2021 at Ringling College’s newest gallery, Project Space 340, located in the Arcos Building at 340 Central Ave., in the heart of Sarasota’s historic Rosemary District. The exhibition, War Paint: Profiles of Courage, was organized by the Galleries of Ringling College and Matthew Troyer, president of the Ringling College Veteran’s Club. Matthew is a combat veteran, former combat photographer, and is currently majoring in Photography and Imaging. Admission is free and open to the public, Monday - Friday 10am-3pm.
Starke, Florida has everything: agoraphobia, ‘80s nostalgia, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, kleptomania, strippers, flan and disco. Get your seats early… Trailer Park filled every seat in 2009, 2011, and 2013. The Great American Trailer Park Musical from show from October 29 to November 28 at the Venice Theatre. Includes adult language/themes. Audience discretion advised.
Come out and meet the organizations that are bringing Sarasota County to the forefront of sustainability as part of the Sustainable Communities Workshop on Thursday, November 11, 2021 from 9am to 12pm. Sarasota Audubon Society hosts this event at their LEED Green Nature Center and Native Gardens. Tour the building which is net zero solar powered. Then tour the gardens and discover the beauty and essential nature of native Florida plants. Stocking Savvy independent consulting firm will be in the picnic area sharing their techniques for restoring Florida using ecological principles. This can be done in your own backyard, or on a large landscape scale. Native Plants will be available for purchase. Eco-Flora Project with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to assemble new, original observations and data on the state’s flora Florida Veterans for Common Sense Fund will lead a tour to the native micro-forest that was planted last year in cooperation with Sarasota County NEST to sequester carbon in the soil. Tour is in four 20-minute segments and will last 1 hour and 20 minutes. Please arrive 10 minutes before your start time to allow for registration.
Fifth Third Bank is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for its annual Giving Tree Toy Drive campaign. The Giving Tree Toy Drive program will begin on November 8, 2021 and end on December 3, 2021. Each Fifth Third financial center will host a “Giving Tree” decorated with gift tags with specific information that pertains to the need of a child in the community. We encourage you to visit any local Fifth Third Bank financial center in South Florida during the month of November to pick up your gift tag. Your donation of a gift or gift card will help make a difference and ensure a brighter holiday season for the underserved youth in our community. All donations can be dropped off at any local Fifth Third Bank in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Broward and Palm Beach. To find the nearest location, visit 53.com.
The Sarasota Medieval Fair is Back - NEW LOCATION: Woods of Mallaranny. Welcome one and all to four weekends of exciting tournaments, scrumptious feasts, & pure family fun at the Sarasota Medieval Fair. We are so proud to announce the triumphant return of the renowned 17th Annual Sarasota Medieval Fair. The fair will be November 6th-28th, running every weekend on Saturday and Sunday at our much anticipated and beautiful NEW LOCATION, Woods of Mallaranny. Visit us each weekend as each weekend features a full new line-up of different nationally renowned acts! Plus, don't miss our returning favorites such as the Washing Well Wenches, the Human Combat Chess Match, and full-armored full-contact jousting tournaments held twice daily. Live the majesty and madness of knights, jesters, minstrels, belly dancers, wenches, and sword swingers! Watch the full contact joust and human combat chess tournaments! Ride rides and play games. Feast on turkey legs and hearty ales from the English pubs. Plus, join in on the fun with this years Scottish scenario, the Battle of Falkirk, 1298 AD. We encourage all to interact with our cast of characters, ask questions, and participate in the grandeur of color, sound, taste, and festivities. Come one and all to four weekends of exciting tournaments, scrumptious feasts, & pure family fun at the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
A city tour led by one of Sarasota’s Founding Women: Rose Wilson, Mable Ringling, Marie Selby, and Bertha Palmer, as portrayed by actress and guide Kathryn Chesley. History comes to life on this Sarasota City Tour led by Rose Wilson, Mable Ringling, Marie Selby, or Bertha Palmer, as portrayed by actress and guide Kathryn Chesley. Each week’s 90-minute tour features a different leading founder and focuses on her contributions to Sarasota. Tour ticket includes FREE Parking.
Duty Free will have an in-person screening and local panel discussion on Tuesday, November 9, 7pm and a FREE Virtual Screening November 7 – November 10. Rebecca worked every day of her life as a hotel housekeeper to give her two sons, Sian-Pierre and Gabriel, every opportunity life could afford. When it was time for Sian-Pierre to go to college, she even cashed out her 401K to give him the best education possible. But when she was suddenly fired from her job at 75, Rebecca was left with nothing: no savings, no safety net, and no future job prospects. Now, Sian-Pierre is giving her back the life she sacrificed, and helping her to reclaim her future, one bucket-list adventure at a time. Ageism and Financial Insecurity in America are pervasive. Older folks are invisible in their communities, workplaces, and, sometimes, within their own families. An estimated 25 million won’t have enough money to get through retirement age. Duty Free examines ageism, the care crisis, and economic insecurity in America. Who will care for and support our moms and dads? Our grandmothers and our grandfathers? Who will support us as we age?
Treat yourself to a peaceful mind and body Yoga experience at our beautiful Downtown Sarasota Garden campus. The focus is on alignment, breathing techniques, and relaxation. Designed for both beginners and advanced students. Recommended supplies include: water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, a towel or yoga mat. Open to students of all ages/experience levels. Yoga in the Gardens will take place on Mondays & Wednesdays from 10am to 11am. November Yoga Pass 1,3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24. Fee per drop-in class: $20. Monthly Fee: $160.00 (Members $120). Class Size: 30 Students. Instructor: Michelle Roy.
Experience the true story of Buddy Holly’s meteoric rise to fame, from “That’ll Be the Day” hitting the airwaves in 1957 to “The Day The Music Died” two years later. With over a dozen of Holly’s greatest hits brought to life by performers playing their own instruments, Buddy celebrates the legend who changed the face of Rock & Roll forever. Featuring Holly’s “Peggy Sue,” “Everyday,” and “Oh Boy,” plus Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and The Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.” Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story by Alan Janes will play beginning November 3, 2021 through January 2, 2022 in FST's Gompertz Theatre.
Marvin has left his wife for his male lover and is struggling to keep his family together. In classic William Finn fashion, Falsettos has themes of Jewish identity, gender roles, and gay life in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Single tickets available Sept. 1, 2021 ($26.50 preview/ $29.50 single/ $14 student). Subscriptions are available now. The show dates are Nov. 3-6, 9-13 at 7:30pm and Nov. 7, 13-14 at 2pm.
This November, Art Uptown Gallery will feature the work of local photographer Frank Bibbins in an exhibit entitled ”Cortez, The Fishing Village” with art that captures the beauty, energy and determination of the historic village and its people. The exhibit runs from Sat., Oct. 30 through Fri., Nov. 26. The public is also invited to a public reception on November 12 from 6pm-9pm. Art Uptown Gallery welcomes you to the 1367 Main Street gallery, where the diverse art works of 29 local artists are shown Monday-Friday 11am-5pm (except First Friday when open until 9pm), Saturday 10am-3pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm. Telephone: 941-955-5409 for further information. www.artuptown.com.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is pleased to welcome Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer Sculpture. The exhibition will run Oct. 31, 2021 – Jan. 23, 2022, in the museum’s Searing Wing. Since Neolithic times, craftspeople across East Asia have used the sap of the lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum) to coat and bond together wood, bamboo, textiles, and ceramics to make articles for daily and ritual use. The natural polymer refined from the sap forms a durable, waterproof surface that protects and beautifies. Lacquerware was — and continues to be — prized for its luster, which artists learned to accentuate over the centuries with inlaid gold, silver, mother-of-pearl and other precious materials. However, lacquer is not an easy material to work with. Years of technical training are necessary to master the medium. Nonetheless, lacquer continues to attract young artists who are undeterred by these rigors and continue to expand its’ possibilities. Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer Sculpture will present over 30 works by 16 artists. Hard Bodies is the first — and to date, only — survey exhibition of contemporary Japanese lacquer sculpture in the United States.
The Eighth Annual Alumni and Veterans Show will run from November 11 to December 13, 2021 with a Zoom Reception on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 5pm to 6:30pm. You are invited to view exciting new work by Ringling College Alumni and Veterans. This multi-media exhibition includes artwork from this extraordinary group. The show features a wide variety of media, styles, and approaches from emerging and established alumni and veterans practicing a diverse range of art using mediums including painting, digital design, drawings, prints, and mixed media. All artwork will be on display online only on this page from November 11 through December 13. To purchase please call 941-822-0442 and make arrangements for curbside pickup or shipping.
Moonlight & Melodies Dinner Series is a new dining experience for opera lovers. This year Sarasota Opera welcomes our community into the Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard for an immersive themed dinner series that highlights composers from the season. As we come together to share our awe for the exquisite art these composers created, enjoy curated cocktails and food prepared by the best of Sarasota’s chefs in a setting that will transport you to a different location each evening. Make your reservations now so you won’t miss out on this exciting and new event. Moonlight & Melodies Dinner #1 will take place on Monday, November 1 at 6pm and Moonlight & Melodies Dinner #2 will take place on Monday, February 21 at 6pm.
Next week, the Argus Foundation will be hosting its annual Lifetime Achievement Awards honoring SRV Ventures President Bob Soran, and Jack Shea, posthumous honoree who served as president of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Policymakers, community members, The Argus Foundation leadership and members will take place at the Sarasota Hyatt Regency Ballroom, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts on Thursday, November 11th from 6pm to 9pm. The Lifetime Achievement awards are presented once a year to honor business leaders of Sarasota County who have made tremendous contributions to the community throughout their lives. Interested community members must register to attend. Seating is limited.
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