According to a UN Women study, almost one in three women have been subjected to intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life. Further, the ongoing global pandemic has negatively impacted that number for the safety and security of women in many countries. This issue remains common, yet in the shadows, as UN Women USA aims to bring it to light and de-stigmatize it. In a leap to combat this figure, the nonprofit organization announced its first national campaign to raise awareness, advance global programs and funding to prevent and end violence, in all forms, towards women and girls. 

“Gender-based violence does not discriminate by race, ethnicity, marital status, religion, age or socio-economic status,” said Elizabeth Thompson-Locke, President of UN Women USA. “In our first grassroots, nationwide campaign, we aim to shed light on the root causes of gender-based violence, reduce any stigma against speaking out and encourage more men and women to become advocates.”

The Women’s Empowerment (WE) Walk: Strides Against Violence campaign launched last month among the seven UN Women USA city chapters: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Durham, Chicago, Sarasota and the Washington, DC headquarters. 

The Sarasota Chapter happens to be one of the oldest (and the largest) of the seven national UN Women USA Chapters. “Our Chapter has actually already been doing this Walk in Sarasota for 15 years – in neighborhoods, at the beach and at Payne Park downtown,” says Scott Osborne, President of the UN Women USA Gulf Coast. “When the pandemic hit, we refused to abandon the Walk. We knew that many, many women were at higher risk of intimate partner violence during lockdown, so we made the Walk virtual. Many of our Chapter member programs now have their own virtual Walk teams. Our Walk is significant because it helps people make a difference—we broaden their understanding of the issue, give them tools to change their day-to-day lives and channel resources to global programs that need it most.”

Osborne went on to share that the organization experienced a record year in terms of support and growth during the pandemic from all walks of life and around the world. 

So the second pivot, after going virtual, for UN Women USA Gulf Coast this year was that the Chapter took the lead in getting all of the other city Chapters to join in—making it a bigger event with great impact. “We are chairing the National effort and are delighted at the creativity and enthusiasm of our fellow Chapters,” says Osborne.

“All our proceeds will go to support UN Women programs such as those in Thailand, where San May Khine, a social worker, is supporting women migrant workers to move past experiences of violence, or Argentina, home to one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, where Irene Cari provides violence prevention training to women in their own indigenous languages.” 

UN Women USA Gulf Coast’s Strides Against Violence campaign will culminate with a virtual recognition event on December 10, which is International Human Rights Day. Registration is now open to the public at WE Walk: Strides Against Violence. 

Follow along on UN Women USA's social media and hashtags: #stridesagainstviolence / #walk4women for up-to-date fundraising events and stories. 

Pictured: Kuda Mariam, a domestic violence survivor, with two of her children. Through a UN Women-supported program in Cameroon, Kuda received counseling and training to manage a business. Photo credit: UN Women/Ryan Brown

The Florida Center for Early Childhood will host its 34^th Annual Winter Gala: Lighting the Way at Michael's On East on Friday, December 3, 2021. The event, formerly known as Festival of Trees, is the organization’s primary fundraiser, helping to ensure services are available for over 3,500 children and families annually.

Guests attending the winter gala will enjoy a gourmet dinner, entertainment by the band Ovation, a chance drawing, live and silent auctions which will feature a private Happy Hour Cruise for 20, a John Lennon statue created by esteemed sculptor Jack Dowd, a week stay in Key West, the organization’s signature Wall of Wine and more, all for a very worthy cause. The silent auction, which is open to the public, will go live on Black Friday (November 26). There is something for everyone with exciting packages featuring some of the area’s best restaurants, spas, sports, entertainment and unique experiences. “We are so glad to be celebrating the successes of our children and families with this fun event,” said Florida Center CEO Dr. Kristie Skoglund. “Even those not attending in person can participate through online options.”  

New this year is an opportunity to recognize people who have been lights in your life with a $25 donation. Each “Luminary” will have their name showcased in a light display at the event, on our website and on social media. “We all have people in our lives who really helped us become who we are,” said Skoglund. “This opportunity to recognize them with a small donation will provide a brighter tomorrow for children with special needs.”

To participate in the event or contribute, visit TFCWinterBenefit.org 

The top sand sculpting champions were declared during the 11th annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival, held November 12-15, which drew thousands to Siesta Public Beach. Awards were presented November 14, to the winning doubles teams and solo master sand sculptors. Eight doubles teams and eight solo artists competed. 

First Place Doubles: ($6000) “Skull Duggery” by team sculptors Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher;  Second Place Doubles: ($3,000): "Twas the Tide Before…" by Matt Long and Brian Wigelsworth; Third Place Doubles: ($2,000): "Hand Me Down Genes" by Matt Deibert and Ian Deibert; First Place Solo: ($3000) "A Rose Without Thorns" by Thomas Koet; Second Place Solo: ($1,500): "Angel of Death" by Chris Guinto; Third Place Solo: ($1000): "Let the Light In" by Rick Mungeam; Sculptors’ Choice Artist Team: “Skull Duggery” by Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher; Sculptors’ Choice Solo Artist: "A Rose Without Thorns" by Thomas Koet; People’s Choice: Solo: ($1000) Thomas Koet, “A Rose Without Thorns” and, Doubles: ($2000) Brian Wigelsworth and Matt Long, “Twas the Tide Before...”

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Siesta Key Crystal Classic will benefit scholarships at Ringling College of Art and Design and will assist talented, creative students so that they may be able to pursue their dreams of higher education in art and design. The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is presented by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.  

Pictured: First place 'Skull Duggery' with sculptors Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher

At the 64th Annual Kiwanis Club of Bradenton’s Farm City Week luncheon yesterday, Cliff Coddington of Myakka City was named the 2021 Manatee County Agriculturalist of the Year. Cliff is a 6th generation lifelong resident of Manatee County who can trace his ancestors to some of the original homesteaders of the county. 

Cliff discovered his passion for cattle through his great grandfather who started him in the cattle business. Shortly after graduation, he went to work for Schroeder Manatee Ranch as a ranch hand and equipment operator. During his 25 years of service, he worked his way up through the ranks to the Cattle, Farm Lease and Bahia Sod Manager. At the time Schroeder Manatee Ranch was a 28,000-acre diversified agricultural operation. At their peak the ranch was home to over 3,000 head of momma cows. During his time at Schroeder Manatee Ranch, he was able to improve the herd genetics and transform the herd into a highly productive Brangus herd. Today, you know this ranch as Lakewood Ranch. 

Cliff went to work for Buster Longino at Longino Ranch in eastern Sarasota County as the general manager. Longino Ranch is a vast family-owned agriculture operation in Eastern Sarasota County. Along with the cattle, he has diversified the operations at Longino Ranch to include Rangeland Management, Timber, Citrus, farming and sod along with several other operations. Under his direction Longino Ranch was awarded the Farm Bureau CARES Award for voluntarily implementing Best Management Practices and promoting environmentally sound and economically viable farming and ranching practices. Cliff’s nomination was summed up by saying “he has been a cowboy and a rancher for many years. But much more than that, he’s an industry leader.” 

Photo courtesy of Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources Department

Manatee Memorial Hospital is now offering severely calcified coronary artery disease patients a new treatment option that uses sonic pressure waves to safely break up calcium blockage that can reduce blood flow in the heart. The new shockwave technology, also known as intravascular lithotripsy or IVL, allows physicians to fracture the problematic calcium - using sonic pressure waves - so that the artery can be safely expanded, and blood flow is restored with the placement of a stent and without unnecessary complications. S. Jay Mathews, MD, performed the first case with the Heart and Vascular team in August. James Nguyen, MD, Anthony Pizzo, MD, Enrique Rivera, MD, Jeffrey Rossi, MD, and Gino Sedillo, MD, are also trained in this procedure. Currently the hospital has completed 55 procedures. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Each year, more than 600,000 people in the United States die of heart disease. As people with heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease, grow older and their disease progresses, plaque in the arteries evolves into calcium deposits, which can narrow the artery. Physicians often use stents to open an artery, and of the approximately one million patients that undergo a stent procedure each year, 30 percent have problematic calcium that increases their risk for adverse events. Calcium makes the artery rigid and more difficult to reopen with conventional treatments, including balloons, which attempt to crack the calcium when inflated to high pressure, and atherectomy, which drills through the calcium to open the artery. While atherectomy has been available for several decades, its use remains low, as it can result in complications for patients who are undergoing stent procedures. 

For more information click here

The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC), the non-profit organization responsible for overseeing the redevelopment of 53-acres of City-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a public park, announced that the second amendment to the Partnership Agreement between the City of Sarasota and the BPC was approved unanimously by the Sarasota City Commission on November 15. This milestone moment, backed by tremendous community support, allows The Bay Park Conservancy to bring The Bay Park to fruition at least five years sooner than expected. The amended Partnership Agreement, which enables a high-functioning, long-lasting partnership between City and the Bay Park Conservancy, will save an estimated $15-20 million in capital costs and an additional $5-10 million in BPC operating expenses, while accelerating the development and completion of The Bay for the benefit of all.

“The Commissioner's unanimous vote will accelerate the development of The Bay, a park designed for all - the full and rich diversity of our Sarasota community,” said AG Lafley, Founding CEO for The Bay Park Conservancy. “We are extremely grateful for the support of the City Commission, the City Manager Marlon Brown, City Attorney Robert Fournier, city management staff and supporters throughout the community who helped us achieve this historic decision.”

The amended Partnership agreement proposed a simple, streamlined process by which The Bay Park will be designed and planned, funded and built, operated and sustained. It simplified multiple agreements into one and includes the BPC Guiding Principles, the City-approved Master Plan for the park, the Implementation Agreement for managing the park, and both a Naming Rights and Conflict of Interest policy. “Smart delegation to qualified people is a sign of good governance and good leadership,” said Commissioner Hagen Brody. “We’re excited to take this next step in ensuring that we develop a park that can soon be enjoyed by our entire community.”

With its passing, the amended Partnership Agreement eliminated redundant approval steps and delegated operating responsibilities to City management/staff and the BPC, saving time and resources for the City, the public and the BPC. It speeds up design and development, co-funding from private and public sources, activation and programming, and the enjoyment and use of the park by the entire community

To read the amended Partnership Agreement discussed at the November 15 Commission Meeting, visit the Resources page on the BPC website or visit here.

For more information about The Bay Park Conservancy, visit thebaysarasota.org 

Pictured, City Commission Approval, courtesy of The Bay

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in partnership with Manatee County Government and the Manatee County Bar Association, announced they will be hosting a renaming and dedication ceremony of the Manatee County Law Library in honor of the first African American member of the Manatee County Bar Association, the late Honorable Layon F. Robinson, II. The ceremony will take place on November 29 at 11 a.m at the law library located on the first floor in the Manatee County Judicial Center at 1051 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, 34205.

In 1973, Mr. Robinson passed the Florida Bar Examination, thus becoming the first African American member of the Manatee County Bar Association. Throughout his life, Mr. Robinson was a generous and devoted public servant.