SRQ DAILY Dec 21, 2021
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"This is a huge win for water quality in our community."
By this point, avocado toast has seen it all. Some are stacked high, some are stacked low. Some are topped with Tex-Mex fixings, some are topped with eggs. Some come served as a side, some come served as a main dish. At Kefi Streetside Café, the avocado toast goes full Greek.
The “Fancy Like” option at the walk-up window café in downtown Bradenton brings together some iconic sun-soaked flavors from the Peloponnese Region of Greece. More specifically, it includes diced bits of Kalamata olives from the region to go along with sundried tomatoes, feta cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Finished off with a sprinkle of oregano, the two slices of toast are savory, creamy, rich and filling with a touch of something new. And at just $10, there’s enough moolah left over to snag one of the café’s signature coffee drinks, which feature a full menu of options from Buddy Brew.
Kefi Streetside Café, 1201 6th Avenue West, Bradenton 
Photo taken by Andrew Fabian
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Sarasota County a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan, which will be used to help finance upgrades to the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility (BRWRF). The approximately $105 million WIFIA loan will fund about half of the enhancements ot the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility including conversion to Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) process and expansion of daily treatment capacities. The upgrade ensures that the nutrients in the reclaimed water will meet AWT requirements by December 2025. The facility is also being expanded to increase treatment capacity from 12 million gallons per day to 18 million gallons per day. County commissioners approved the upgrades in June 2019. Additional improvements to the BRWRF include the addition of two-aquifer recharge wells fpr effluent disposal during wet weather. Due to the county's financial stability the interest rate on the loan is a low 1.84 percent and will save nearly $10 million from the original projection. In addition, Sarasota County was one of only 55 communities nationwide selected to receive these funds.
Public Utilities Department Director Mike Mylett, whose team will also start the process of converting the Venice Gardens Water Reclamation Facility to AWT soon, said the loan is a welcome support of projects that are vital to the community and environment. “This is a huge win for water quality in our community,” he added.
Because I Thought of You Bakery has a sweet holiday treat to share with friends, cookie shot glasses. The optimal holiday party gift or fun stocking stuffer, the handmade chocolate chip cookie-shot glasses are in packs of 6 for $24.00. Each cookie cup is made fresh and wrapped for freshness. Please allow at least one day for preparation. Direct-to-door delivery is available in Sarasota and Bradenton.
"Our chocolate chip cookie-shot glasses are great with milk, iced coffee, Bailey's, or other holiday spirits like egg nog," said Geri Silber, owner of Because I Thought of You Bakery. To view menu of offerings, visit the online store: BecauseIThoughtofYou.net, or call (941) 806-8381.
Pictured: Festive cookie-shot glasses. Photo courtesy of Geri Silber.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce the results of the agency’s fifth annual holiday toy drive. From December 1 through December 12, employees, local businesses, and citizens brought toys and gift cards to the agency’s headquarters to benefit children enrolled in the 12th Judicial Circuit’s Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program. Gifts were selected for children ranging from newborn to 18 years old, who reside in Sarasota, Manatee, or Desoto counties, and have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. In 2020, the sheriff’s office donated 3,608 toys including $11,340 in gift cards. This year, the agency again surpassed its previous contribution by collecting 3,835 gifts including $12,005 in gift cards. On Friday, sheriff’s office personnel made the official delivery to the GAL offices, where over the next several days, guardians will select individual gifts for children in their care. This year’s initiative was supported by significant financial contributions made by US Health Advisors GP Region, Pamaro Shop Furniture in Sarasota, and Janice Farber. Special thanks to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Public Safety Department and Sam’s Club Cattlemen for their support.
Children First staff member Bonnie Eskell and the agency’s entire Diamond Circle were honored for their incredible contributions to our community at the SRQ Good Hero Philanthropic Awards. As a long-time employee, Bonnie serves as an Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator on the agency’s Comprehensive Services team, working to provide support to every child enrolled in the program with a diagnosed disability. Disabilities can include, but are not limited to, developmental delays, autism, or sensory processing disorder. She previously served as site Manager of Children First’s main campus, the Dr. Elaine Marieb Center in Sarasota, where she helped lead more than 40 staff in serving nearly 150 children and their families across 11 classrooms. As part of Children First’s 60th anniversary celebration, key supporters came forth with the idea to present a challenge match to our community, resulting in the formation of the Diamond Circle. Their leadership and generosity put forth a challenge of a collective $1,060,000 that inspired our broader community to raise more than $2.3MM in support and recognition of the thousands of children and families whose life stories have been changed over the past 60 years and continue to be changed as part of the Children First family.
Celebrated as the finest retro holiday party in the southeast for 5 years running, Johnny Wild brings his acclaimed Christmas Spectacular to life for two wild nights of winter wonderland fun. With classic Christmas tunes, your favorite Sock Hop melodies, guest appearances by Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and even the big man in red, you won’t want to miss Johnny Wild & the Delights’ Christmas Spectacular. Christmas Spectacular will show on December 21 and 22.
Sameer Patel leads a program of intimate favorites on Wednesday, December 22 at 7:30pm at the Sarasota Opera House. The pastel colors of Debussy's Petite Suite are followed by Respighi's entrancing Adoration of the Magi. Young violinist Geneva Lewis will perform Massenet's moving "Méditation" from Thaïs and the icy "Winter" concerto from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Mozart's "Paris" Symphony, among the master's grandest works, is guaranteed to leave the listener rejuvenated.
AL Ernst was voted Carnival Cruise Lines "Entertainer of the Year." You've seen Al on TV, heard him on numerous national radio outlets, now a regular on the Blue Collar Network on Sirius/XM radio. AL Ernst will perform on December 23 at 7pm in The Green Room.
A brand-new rendition of everything that makes the holidays in Sarasota special. With all-new songs and sketches, audiences should get ready to celebrate the holidays – Florida style – palm trees with decorations, swimming in the sea, sand snowmen, and more. An annual Sarasota holiday tradition, Deck the Halls invites families to deck the palms and join in on the fun at this interactive family show. Deck the Halls, by Sarah Durham and Caroline Saldivar, will play Saturdays and select Sundays from November 27, 2021 - December 24, 2021 in FST's Bowne's Lab. Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale and can be purchased by clicking the button above or by calling the Box Office at 941-366-9000.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County will be hosting their 67th Annual Christmas Tree Lot at the Westgate Shopping Center (Publix), 3913 Manattee Ave. W. Bradenton beginning on Friday, November 26 from 9am to 7pm and will be open Saturday, November 27 from 9am to 7pm. It will be closed Mondays - Wednesdays, open Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm to 9pm, Saturdays from 9am to 6pm and Sundays from 12pm to 7pm.
Sailor Circus presents Let It Snow from Sunday, December 26 to Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. Sunday at 1pm and 6pm and Monday through Thursday at 7pm. America’s longest running youth circus presents amazingly talented student performers in this highly anticipated annual holiday show. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors: Shari and Stephen Ashman and Phyllis Siskel and Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors.
Rus Anderson has spent years perfecting the piano playing, vocals, and mannerisms of Elton John and has traveled the world over with thousands of performances to his credit. This insanely energetic performer is endorsed by the official Elton John Fan Club. Rocket Man will show from December 29 to 31 at the Venice Theatre.
Les McCurdy and Ken Sons are.... The Bermuda Mavericks. With the perfect combination of stand up comedy and improvisation, they are a favorite of audiences all over the country. The Bermuda Mavericks will perform on December 30 at 7pm in The Green Room.
FST Improv celebrates the year’s end on December 30 and 31 in FST’s Bowne’s Lab with Resolution Rewind, two special New Year’s Eve performances providing a humorous look back at 2021. Audience members shape the show by voting for their favorite improv games from the past year online, determining which twelve will make the lineup for Resolution Rewind.
During December join us for a special holiday trolley or van tour complete with cocoa, carols & Christmas stories about Sarasota. Step onboard our Holly Jolly Trolley or Van with guide Jenny Jingle for our special daytime holiday tour with cocoa, carols & Christmas stories of Sarasota. Visit city spots with Christmas story connections, hear about our Sarasota traditions during the holidays & sing along to your favorite Christmas songs. Includes FREE cocoa at the Trolley Cottage before the tour. We award prizes for best Ugly Sweater on our Holly Jolly Trolley Tours during December so dress in your holiday best. Tour ticket includes FREE Parking.
JEFFERSON STARSHIP has toured all 50 U.S. states, five continents and countless countries around the world, drawing from a massive setlist of hit after hit! In addition to original member David Freiberg, the band includes drummer Donny Baldwin (whose Jefferson Starship roots go back to 1982), keyboardist Chris Smith (who joined in 1998), guitarist Jude Gold (who joined in 2012), and singer and guitarist Cathy Richardson (who joined in 2008), after founding member Paul Kantner saw her tour with Big Brother and the Holding Company. This show will take place on Friday, December 31 at 8pm.
Join us to toast in the New Year at McCurdy’s. Les McCurdy will be Hosting and the Headliner is Al Romas. Al's TV credits include "Standup Spotlight, "Evening at the Improv" + Comedy Central. There will also be a few guest performers. Al Romas will perform on New Years Eve, December 31, at 9pm in The Green Room.
Ring in 2022 at the Downtown Sarasota Block Party and Pineapple Drop at Five Points Park, 100 Central Avenue, starting at 1pm on Friday, December 31, through 1:30am on Saturday, January 1. Admission to this family-friendly event is FREE. The festivities will include amusement rides and games; live music; food, drinks and full bar concessions; and a Pineapple Drop at midnight followed by a fantastic fireworks display on Sarasota Bay. Enjoy a great view…without leaving the party. Enjoy performances by Kettle of Fish, the Dr. Dave Band and Twinkle.
Sarasota’s most sophisticated black tie New Year’s Eve experience includes private access to Lights in Bloom®: An Open-Air Holiday Light Show, an exquisite four-course dinner, view of the fireworks over the Bay, and entertainment by the Sarasota Ballet. New Year’s Eve at Selby Gardens will take place on December 31 2021 from 7pm to 1am at the Downtown Sarasota Campus.
Ring in the New Year at GROVE. Join us in the Ballroom for food, drinks, friends, and fun as we say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022 on December 31, 2021 from 9pm to 1am, check in from 8:30pm to 9pm. This unforgettable night will feature an all-you-can-eat hors d'oeuvres buffet, premium open bar, a spectacular light show, lively DJ entertainment and dance floor, plus a midnight champagne toast and live ball drop.
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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