SRQ DAILY Jan 22, 2022
"The aim is to meet the growing need for nursing students to care for the area’s aging and chronically or acutely ill populations."
A year ago, it seemed 2022 might be a fairly sleepy political cycle at the legislative level. We had incumbents running in every state House and Senate district in the area. But with a redistricting map that just cleared a critical subcommittee in the state House, there could be tumult ahead.
The cartography just approved by the House Legislative Redistricting Subcommittee reframes Sarasota County, shifting it from five House districts to four. It does that partially by knocking a St. Petersburg minority access district completely out of Sarasota (or Manatee) counties. That makes it significantly less likely this region will have a black representative in its delegation in come November, and less certain there will be a Democrat, though the latter isn’t out of the question.
But getting to the most urgent consequence, this map as drawn today places Reps. James Buchanan, R-Venice, and Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota, in the same House district. The new House District 74 would include most of east Sarasota County, including everything east of Interstate-75.
Both incumbents have said they will run where they live. Ahead of Session, Buchanan was emphatic about where he would run. “74,” he said. “Where I live and represent.”
Gregory held off until maps could morph but says there is a 100% chance he will run for another term and a 0% chance he will move. “I have lived in that district since I retired from the Air Force,” he said. “We bought land here, and I built my home here… We chose this region to live because I love it here.”
But put these complimentary words on a map and they turn east Sarasota into a political war zone.
The maps probably provided good news to Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, who doesn’t have to move to stay in the new House District 73. She also ended up in district where Republican Trump won the presidential election — just barely with 49.7% of the vote to Joe Biden’s 49.3%. That’s substantially closer than the break-down for McFarland’s existing district, which went for Trump with 50.2%, but she outperformed Trump percentage-wise then, and this looks to be a good Republican year.
My guess is an affable, if somewhat green, incumbent like McFarland will do fine in a year like 2022 and a district like the one drawn. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be difficult campaign cycles ahead, potentially before she terms out of the House. Historically, this district by any number hasn’t seen a representative in decades who actually termed out with eight years rather than quit or lose along the way. Keep an eye on this district straight until 2032.
Rep. Mike Grant, R-Port Charlotte, will see a district sweep up and pick up coastal parts of Venice and North Port, but there’s not much drama with the Charlotte-centric district until the incumbent reaches his limit on years next cycle.
But all eyes now will turn to the north, where Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has already expressed interest in quitting her current office to run in the new state House 72. “If they afford that as an opportunity, I’d like to take it,” she said.
The Lakewood Ranch leader likely goes into that race a favorite, though a scandal with a vaccine VIP list where she placed her own name will likely dog her. Some other Republican almost certainly will put up a fight. That said, the bulk of that public episode centered around Baugh working to make sure a vaccine pop-up site set up shop in Lakewood Ranch, serving the very voters who will decide the next election. One voter’s favoritism is another’s salvation. Guess which voters will decide that race?
Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 
How to recruit and retain healthcare heroes? Laurie Bennett, who oversees human resources at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, told the County Commission last week that there are 1,000 positions that hospital managers are seeking to fill county-wide. With the opening of the new full-service hospital in Venice, as well as the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute in Sarasota, there are opportunities for specialists and entry-level professionals alike.
Addressing the national shortage of nurses and other healthcare providers will take multiple sectors working together. Gulf Coast Community Foundation applauds our healthcare essential workers and supports the institutions that sustain them.
In partnership with the University of South Florida College of Nursing and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Gulf Coast Community Foundation invested in the Excellence in Nursing During COVID-19 and Beyond pilot program. It is designed to create a local nursing workforce that is healthy, highly educated and resilient. Through training and coaching, it provides nurses and students with the skills to reduce burn out. The program creates a pipeline of baccalaureate-prepared nurses while providing mentorship, to facilitate their transition from academia to practice, which improves patient safety. The goal is to positively affect nurses’ well-being -- thus patients’ well-being -- and the well-being of our region.
Together with area hospitals, the state of Florida, and local foundations, Gulf Coast Community Foundation is supporting the expansion of State College of Florida’s Nursing Center of Excellence. The aim is to meet the growing need for nursing students to care for the area’s aging and chronically or acutely ill populations. State College of Florida offers the only state-of-the-art Medical Technology & Simulation Center on Florida’s west coast.
Pineapple Yoga & Cycling Studio downtown also is contributing to the effort. With funding from Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and the COVID-19 Response Initiative of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation, employees of Sarasota Memorial Hospital can access healing workshops at low to no cost. There are small group retreats, trauma-sensitive yoga, spin classes, mindful movement, sound healing and positive meditation in the studio and out in the courtyard. Being on the front lines of the pandemic has left our healthcare workforce in need of restoration and rejuvenation.
Artist Karen Chandler painted the bright, heart-centered murals at 1717 Second Street in Sarasota to express appreciation to the individuals who care for us when we’re most in need. For those inspired to go into a healthcare profession, consider applying for a scholarship from one of the local foundations.
Colleges are working to recruit and train the workforce and healthcare facilities are focused on retaining and promoting talent. I’m trying to do my small part. I offer a friendly hello and thank you every time I see my neighbor returning from his shift in scrubs as I begin my day. I’m usually heading out for a walk -- my personal health plan to hopefully avoid needing his treatment services.
Jennifer Johnston is director of Community Leadership for Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
Photo by Jennifer Johnston
Schubert's bewitching "night music" leads to the joyous sunshine of Mendelssohn's most beloved work on Sunday, January 23 at 4pm at Holley Hall. Inspired by Goethe's The Beautiful Night. This program consists of Schubert Nocturne (for trio) and Mendelssohn Octet.
BERNADETTE PETERS, Broadway's brightest star, in an evening of song from the Broadway shows she's received accolades for, as well as from all her Grammy Award®-winning and nominated albums including standards, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, among others. A glamorous evening as only Bernadette Peters can do. This show will take place on Sunday, January 23 at 7pm.
Broadway and TV star NORM LEWIS can currently be seen starring in the SAG, Critics Choice, and NAACP Image Award-nominated Netflix film “Da 5 Bloods” by Spike Lee and in the groundbreaking FX series, “Pose.” He was previously seen in the NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper. He recently appeared in the Broadway revival of “Once on This Island” and as Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at the Barrow Street Theatre, receiving the AUDELCO Award for his performance. In May of 2014, he made history as “The Phantom of the Opera’s” first African American Phantom on Broadway. An Evening with Norm Lewis will show on January 23 and 24, 2022 at the Venice Theatre.
German Cornejo’s TANGO FIRE encompasses and defines all that is Argentine Tango; dancing which sizzles with sensuality, accompanied by the unforgettable music of the great Tango masters including Piazzolla, Pugliese and Gardel. As one of the world’s most popular dance forms, this exhilarating show combines the rawness and sophistication, seductive and sultry side of Tango, evoking the intoxicating passion of late-night Buenos Aires. This show will take place on Monday, January 24 at 8pm.
They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their first note. While their harmonies were perfect on stage, it was a very different story off stage — a story that has made them an international sensation yet again. Go behind the unmistakable music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony® and Grammy Award®-winning true-life musical, JERSEY BOYS. This show will take place on Tuesday, January 25 at 7:30pm and Wednesday, January 26 at 7:30pm and 1:30pm.
Sarasota High School Theatre's I Never Saw Another Butterfly will show January 26-28, 2022. Over 15,000 Jewish children passed through Terezin, and only about a hundred were still alive at the end of the war. One of the survivors, Raja, having lived through it all, teaching the children when there was nothing to teach with, helping to give them hope when there was little enough reason for hope, creating a little world of laughter, of flowers and butterflies behind the barbed wire, tells the true story of the children. There were no butterflies at Terezin, of course, but for the children, butterflies became a symbol of defiance, making it possible for them to live on and play happily while waiting to be transported.
In this version of the future, expectant parents learn within the first few weeks of pregnancy which traits their child will have and what behaviors it is likely to exhibit. This intriguing new play follows the extreme lengths two couples go to in order to have a baby. Babel probes the world of modern eugenics, explores the societal value of a baby, and asks us what we are willing to risk for love. NNPN Rolling World Premiere. Babel will show from January 26 to February 18, 2022.
New College Students will be stationed in gallery 21 ready to share their research and insights on a selection of nineteenth-century artworks. This event is the culmination of an independent study project focused on "Bringing Art to Life in the Museum" and directed by Professor Katherine Brion, a specialist in nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century French art. This event is included with Museum Admission and will take place on January 26 from 2:30pm to 4pm.
Halo Arts Project presents the 3rd annual Angels for Artists Art Auction and Rock n' Roll Benefit. Funds support Visual Artists Fellowship Award. The Virtual Auction will take place on Wednesday, January 26 from 5:30pm to 7pm. The Silent Art Auction will take place on Thursday, January 27 from 5:30pm to 8pm at MARA Gallery, 1421 5th St. and will feature cocktails and a meet the artists. Join the Halo Arts Project for 2 fun filled evenings that include live rock n' roll music by a local favorite, and over 100 artworks by local artists auctioned on January 26 and 27 with bids starting at $75. This is a great opportunity to add exceptional art to your home or office collection.
Each of these extraordinary composers learned the "family business" from his father on Thursday, January 27 at 5:30pm at Holley Hall. Inspired by Bruce Weigl's The Harp. This program consists of Beethoven Quintet Op. 16 for Piano and Winds, Michael Tilson Thomas Street Song, and Mozart String Quartet No. 17, K. 458, "The Hunt."
The Van Wezel Foundation announced the return of its annual Inspiration Gala on January 27, 2022, featuring a performance from Grammy® and Emmy® Award-winner Harry Connick Jr. Now in its 20th annual year, the Inspiration Gala further enables the Foundation to fulfill its mission to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts. Harry Connick Jr. has exemplified excellence across multiple platforms in the entertainment world including music, film, television and Broadway for over three decades. But music and live performances remain the foundation of his art, and he will showcase classics from his remarkable career. Susan Travers and Kathy Martella are returning co-chairs for this year's Inspiration Gala, which also includes a Host Committee of dedicated benefactors. The evening will feature a program that boasts a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, live auction and other special surprises, all leading to Harry Connick Jr.’s performance on the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall stage. As part of the annual celebration, the evening will also announce the Appleton Arts Integration Award, honoring an individual who best incorporates arts integration techniques in their approach to better our community. The Award is made possible by a legacy gift from Mrs. Louise Appleton, a local philanthropist who had a passion for arts and its connection to education. Sponsorship opportunities for the Gala are available from $50,000 to $10,000. Sponsorships can be reserved online by following this link: https://bit.ly/3zooiIF. To request additional information or inquire about becoming an event sponsor, please contact Carly Evans at 941-271-4185.
This year, Dance Makers features new imaginative dance pieces created by nationally acclaimed contemporary choreographers. This year’s program includes dances from Dazaun Soleyn (San Francisco, CA), Jennifer Nugent (NYC), and Christal Brown (NYC) who was recently in residency at Jacob’s Pillow. Excitingly, Dance Makers will also revive Kinda Cagey, the fan-favorite grand piano and dancer duet from SCD’s 2nd season, performed by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Francis Schwartz. The choreography is diverse, the impact profound, and the dancers utterly captivating. Dance Makers will take place Thursday, January 27, 2022 through Sunday, January 30, 2022. All shows are at 7pm, except Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $10 - $45. Available Virtually Friday, January 28, 2022 through Sunday, January 30, 2022. Virtual Tickets are $25.
HARRY CONNICK, JR. has exemplified excellence across multiple platforms in the entertainment world — in music, film, television and Broadway — garnering Grammys®, Emmys® and Tony Awards® and nominations. But music and live performances remain the foundation of his art, as he will showcase classics from his remarkable career. This show will take place on Thursday, January 27 at 8:30pm. You are invited to party with a purpose. Join us for cocktails by the bay, an elegant dinner and premium performance seating all while raising fund to support arts education for our community. Now in its 20th annual year, the Inspiration Gala further enables the Van Wezel Foundation to fulfill its mission to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts. For more information on the Foundation, visit https://vwfoundation.org/. For sponsorship and table sales, please call 941-366-5578 or visit the Inspiration Gala Page.
Curator Talk: Inside Look for Fall/Winter Exhibitions will take place on Thursday, January 27 from 6pm – 7pm at Sarasota High School Alumni Auditorium. This event is FREE for Members and $20 for Not-Yet Members. Join Assistant Curator Emory Conetta in exploring this season’s new exhibitions. The program will discuss the Museum’s newest initiatives and provide insight into the behind-the-scenes work that made these exhibitions possible. Enjoy the exhibitions prior to the program. Gallery hours are extended until 6pm this evening.
With a legendary career spanning nearly five decades, KANSAS has firmly established itself as one of America’s iconic classic rock bands. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 and has gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. Composing a catalogue that includes sixteen studio albums and five live albums, KANSAS has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of KANSAS), one platinum live album (Two for the Show), one quadruple-platinum single “Carry On Wayward Son” and another triple-platinum single “Dust in the Wind.” This show will take place on Friday, January 28 at 8pm.
The Circus Arts Conservatory Gala 2022 will take place on Friday, January 28 at 6pm under the Ulla Searing Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park's Regatta Island near the finish tower. Valet parking on site. Help keep the Circus Arts alive and thriving while you experience a Circus Gala curated with your safety in mind. The Gala will feature a festive cocktail hour, world class circus performances, and elegant dining by Michael's On East.
Born into hip-hop culture in the late 1970s and grounded in Artistic Director Kyle Abraham’s artistic upbringing in classical cello, piano, and the visual arts, the mission of the company is to delve into identity in relation to personal history. His work entwines a sensual and provocative vocabulary with a strong emphasis on sound, human behavior and visual representations in an effort to create an avenue for personal investigation. Founded in 2006 by choreographer Kyle Abraham, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham is a Black-led contemporary dance company that provides multifaceted performances, educational programming, and community-based workshops. The mission of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham is to create a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history. The work, informed by and made in conjunction with artists across a range of disciplines, entwines a sensual and provocative vocabulary with a strong emphasis on music, text, video, and visual art. While grounded in choreographer Kyle Abraham’s artistic vision, A.I.M draws inspiration from a multitude of sources and movement styles. This performance will show on January 28 and 29 at 7:30pm. Post show talk back following the Saturday evening performance.
Program 4 – Love & Betrayal sees the return to The Sarasota Ballet’s renowned triple bills, with the choreography of Royal Ballet alumni Dame Ninette de Valois, Sir Frederick Ashton, and Johan Kobborg coming together for the first Program of the new year. Ashton’s Valses nobles et sentimentales holds a special place in the history of The Sarasota Ballet. Having worked with Ashton on the 1987 revival, Webb returned the ballet to the stage after almost 25 years for The Sarasota Ballet’s 2012 American Premiere, reviving the almost-lost ballet and allowing audiences to experience Ashton’s vibrant musicality. In contrast to Valses’ romanticism is de Valois’ The Rake’s Progress, a dramatic cautionary tale of betrayal and excess, showcasing the downfall of a wealthy merchant’s heir through de Valois’ extraordinary choreography and theatricality. Kobborg’s production of August Bournonville’s Napoli rounds out Love & Betrayal. This marks the world-famous dancer, choreographer, and director’s return to Sarasota since 2014. Love & Betrayal will take place on January 28 2022 at 7:30pm, January 29 2022 at 2pm and 7:30pm, January 30 2022 at 2pm and 7:30pm, and January 31 2022 at 2pm and 7:30pm at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trail.
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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