SRQ DAILY Mar 17, 2022
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"I am interested in the stories that can be told through these fossils and be passed down from generation to generation. It makes me feel more complete."
It’s been nearly two years since Marie Selby Botanical Gardens took over Spanish Point. Now, the Sarasota organization will make a substantial investment in the Osprey campus.
The Florida legislature on Monday approved a state budget that includes $1.4 million for land restoration.
“The amount secured for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens by Senator Gruters and Representative McFarland is $1.4 million for our Historic Spanish Point campus.
“With this important funding, we will be able to protect the shoreline of our invaluable 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus on Little Sarasota Bay, which is very vulnerable to storms and erosion,” said Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Selby Gardens. “As a result, we will reduce runoff, improve the quality of state waters and protect historic structures important to the State of Florida. There is 5,000 years of Florida history to be protected on this campus.”
The money will be matched with a little more than $1 million provided by Selby through other sources.
Gruters said landing money to enhance Selby Gardens was a top priority for him heading into this year’s legislative session. The details were presented last year at the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation.
A state appropriations requests emphasized the environmental benefits that come from the project. “This necessary improvement will protect the shoreline on pristine Sarasota Bay, including mangroves, vulnerable to storms and erosion,” it said. “… The site has two flood zones in the highest risk for annual flooding and one internal flood zone of moderate risk. Shoreline erosion is already present. It is critical now to reduce runoff, improve quality of State waters, and protect historic structures important to the State of Florida.”
The need when verified through an analysis by OLIN Studios in September 2020.
That advances Selby’s scientific mission in addition to improving a public land enjoyed by the general public. Selby will monitor the shoreline for the facility in the future. Spanish Point has seen a 118% increase in attendance since the start of the pandemic in 2020. 
If any place were to evoke connotations of old Florida - a land untouched by time itself - it would be the Peace River. For it is here, only an hour away from Sarasota, where evidence of a primordial world, lies in the riverbed.
Fossil Expeditions, run by the husband and wife team Mark and Marisa Renz, have been leading guided Fossil Trips along the Peace River for the past 25 years.
The outfit offers both walk-in trips - $75 for Adults, $50 for Children 6 to 12 - and kayak trips - $100 for Adults, $65 for Children 6 to 12 - by reservation, each lasting around 5-6 hours. A group permit waives the need for individual fossil licenses. Venturous souls first meet Mark in Arcadia, before following him to one of the many fossil hotspots along the Peace River.
“We wade waist deep into the river and screen wash for fossils of prehistoric sharks, mammals, and reptiles. We’ve found over 20 different species of shark including the Megalodon, Mako, and Great White. In terms of mammals, we’re looking at everything from prehistoric horses, to llama, bison, mammoth, mastodon and even elephants,” says Fossil Expeditions owner Mark Renz.
Because of Florida’s unique geologic history, the fossils found in the Peace River range across geologic periods from the Miocene (estimated 20 million to 5 million years ago) all the way to the Pleistocene or Ice Age (estimated 2.5 million to 11,000 years ago). This has in essence, made the Peace River a time capsule for these ancient treasures.
“You’ll find a Sea Robin nose bone next to a horse tooth alongside a shark’s tooth - all three come from different time periods and habitats, yet here they get jumbled together as the river cuts through geologic eras,” attests Mark.
For Mark, the goal is never to find the biggest or most complete fossil. “I’m interested in the stories that can be told through these fossils and be passed down from generation to generation. It makes me feel more complete,” he says.
Fossil Expeditions, Phone: 239-368-3252, Email: fossilx@earthlink.net, Office Address: 213 Lincoln Ave, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936. Fossil Trips Location: Peace River between Arcadia and Wauchula, FL - call at 7pm night prior to reservation for exact details on meeting location.
Pictured: American Mastodon Tooth found in the Peace River. Photo courtesy of Fossil Expeditions.
Master Max G. Yan, a native of China with extensive training in ancient martial arts and an intimate understanding of the benefits of Tao exercise, will be leading a Tai Chi class at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key, Friday, April 8, 2022. Master Yan currently resides and teaches Chen Taiji in Florida. He has been promoting traditional Chinese health care exercises for over 30 years and is a 27th generation practitioner of Dragon Gate Taoism. Master Yan is also the principal author of, “What is Chi?” by Endless Forest Publishers. Tai Chi is a form of exercise that involves slow movements and deep breaths and is known to have many physical and emotional benefits, such as decreased anxiety and depression, improved cognition, reduced stress, better moods and sleep, reduced pain from arthritis, improved balance to reduce risk of falling and more. Tai Chi is beneficial for all ages but is ideal for seniors.
This Master Tai Chi class will take place outdoors, 10-11:30am Friday, April 8 at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key. Rain Date: April 9. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes. Water provided. This class is free for Members of The Paradise Center and $20 for Non-Members. Cash at the door is preferred. Check or credit card may be used in advance (prior to April 8) at The Paradise Center, Mon-Fri 9:30am-3:30pm. The Paradise Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life on Longboat Key by promoting accessible healthcare and providing year-round lifestyle enrichment programs. Its exercise classes and educational seminars are designed to keep seniors active both mentally and physically, and their new Medical Suite is home to a variety of medical services, such as dermatology, ENT/audiology, podiatry and primary care.
Pictured: Master Max G. Yan leading the class at The Paradise Center in 2021. Credit: DS Blaney, The Paradise Center.
Goodwill Manasota is pleased to announce its 2022-2023 board of directors. Steve Boone is in the second year of his term as the board chair. New to the board this year is Richard Cautero, who joins directors Xtavia Bailey, Betsy Benac, Debbie Douglas, Shawn Hanlon, Rod Hollingsworth, Eric Kaplan, Rob Morris, Laurie O’Loughlin, Allen Weinstein and Brad West (chair emeritus). Rae Dowling has rotated off the board; Goodwill is grateful for her service.
In 2022, some of the top priorities to be addressed with the board’s input and guidance will include: expanding the American Veterans and Their Families program, to better support veterans’ needs in North Port and Venice and serve additional veterans with case management, career services, emergency assistance and networking opportunities; expanding the Supported JobsPlus program for team members with significant disabilities, through the hiring of an SJP program manager and adding at least 10 new SJP team members; enhancing services and increasing the number of community members served in DeSoto County through the Job Connection office located there; expanding the JobsPlus Language program to Goodwill’s Arcadia retail store; doubling the budget for educational assistance for ESOL classes, post-secondary education, market-valued certificates, and leadership programs; and the continued expansion of mission development services, which provide training and support for other Goodwills and generate additional revenue for Goodwill Manasota.
Fergeson Skipper, P.A. is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Mary Lou Chuinard as firm administrator. Ms. Chuinard is responsible for overseeing the daily operation and management of all administrative areas of the firm. The Chicago native brings more than 15 years of HR experience and operational insight to the Suncoast firm. Prior to joining Fergeson Skipper, Ms. Chuinard was the office administrator for the Chicago office of Husch Blackwell LLP, a Midwest-based national law firm, where she was responsible for the administration of firm policies and procedures in HR, budget, facilities, events, and systems. Ms. Chuinard also served as administrative manager for Colliers International, HR manager for Topel Forman LLC, and as director of HR and administration for Ocean Tomo, LLC. Ms. Chuinard is a certified professional through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She has volunteered for Dress for Success and in her spare time, enjoys bicycling, travel, and dining at fine restaurants. Ms. Chuinard resides in Sarasota with her husband.
Featuring original paintings and drawings by renowned illustrator and long-time Ringling College Faculty member, Regan Dunnick (Class of 1976 + 1992) from January 22 to March 18, 2022 at Project Space 340 (PS340), 340 Central Ave. Regan Dunnick is an internationally known illustrator. He has won numerous awards and his works are in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress. He has been selected to such major exhibitions as the United Nations Environmental Show, The New Pop Show — which toured Europe and chronicled innovators, American Illustration, and The Hiroshima Memorial Design Show (Hiroshima, Japan).
The Daughter of the Regiment (La fille du regiment) by Gaetano Donizetti with poetry by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard. Love for Marie, a girl raised by a French regiment, will lead the young Tonio to unexpected lengths in this colorful comedy set in the Tyrol during the Napoleonic Wars. The Daughter of the Regiment will run from February 19 until March 18, 2022.
On Sunday, March 20 at 7:30pm, the historic Sarasota Opera House will be filled with singers of all ages and experience, along with a full orchestra, to present “Voices of Sarasota Opera.” This festive concert will feature Principal Artists, Studio and Apprentice Artists, the Sarasota Youth Opera, and the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, performing beloved arias, ensembles, and orchestral passages, conducted by Jesse Martins. Other operatic excerpts will include selections from Bizet’s Carmen, Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Puccini’s Turandot, and many more. The concert will also include the American premiere of ballet music for Verdi’s Nabucco, and a sing-along of the grand chorus “Va pensiero” from Nabucco, conducted by Maestro DeRenzi. Sarasota Youth Opera alumni of all ages are invited to participate in the singing of “Va pensiero,” and can register for this and other alumni activities at https://form.jotform.com/213504774806155. Tickets to “Voices of Sarasota Opera” are $10 for adults, and $5 for students.
David Budd: Motion Within Stillness from October 9 to March 20, 2022. After painting for only six years, David Budd (1927-1991, Florida) dove into the New York art scene in the 1950s —immersing himself in Abstract Expressionism and working alongside iconic names of the movement, such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Franz Kline. His paintings, like others of the time, relied on the bodily relationship between the artist and canvas —each stroke and mark of the artist encapsulated in viscous gestures of paint—and spontaneity; although, this is not to say that Budd painted hastily—each mark was placed with intention to animate the canvas’s surface.
Join an unfolding murder mystery as the orchestra, conducted by Steven Jarvi, travels the fabled route of Europe's most famous train, enjoying the music along the way on Wednesday, March 16 at 5:30pm, Thursday, March 17 at 7:30pm, Friday, March 18 at 5:30pm, Saturday, March 19 at 8pm, and Sunday, March 20 at 4pm at Holley Hall.
STEVE SOLOMON'S award-winning show has been met with rave reviews and great audience acclaim throughout the country, becoming one of the longest-running one-man shows in Broadway history. Once again, we meet the people that we’re all too familiar with — the family members that make you remember why you left home in the first place. It’s a laugh-filled fest of everybody you know, have known, and some you’d want to forget, but can’t — all brought to life on stage by the comic magic of Steve Solomon. Steve Solomon will perform on Monday, March 21 at 8pm.
Attila by Giuseppe Verdi with words by Temistocle Solera. Attila the Hun has conquered most of Western Europe and is about to take Rome itself, but is brought to his knees by his love for a female warrior, Odabella. Attila will run from March 12 until March 22, 2022.
In both the life of the artist and of the college student, finding oneself becomes as vital as gaining skills and knowledge. Ringling College graduates Tom and Peggy Root managed to find both themselves and each other. After meeting at and graduating from Ringling College, the married pair went on to pursue their art in parallel careers, including continued study at Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Connecticut. Peggy’s body of work picks up right where the original plein air painters left off, though she shies away from the label because of differences in practice and aesthetics. Tom’s paintings focus primarily on portraits and figures, with an exquisite understanding of the subject borne of his uniquely thorough process of observation. In-person viewings are free and open to the public Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm from January 8 to March 22, 2022. The Thompson Alumni + Skylight Gallery is located at 2621 Bradenton Road, on the first floor of the Keating Center. This exhibition was made possible by the Ringling College Library Association and in part, by WUSF 89.7, and paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.
PROUD Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner starring Caroline Borole and featuring a special guest performance by Belinda Davids on Tuesday, March 22 at 8pm. Get the electrifying concert experience of Tina Turner, brimming with Tina hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s & ‘90s. The powerful, raspy vocals, high-intensity dancing and thrilling stage presence live on stage, plus band, brass section, backing vocalists and dancers, making this the definitive tribute and a fabulous night out.
Join the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus for their 10th annual HospitaBull on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6pm at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. Enjoy a night of exquisite dining while supporting USF's Hospitality Management program. This sophisticated dining experience is organized and brought to you by USF Sarasota-Manatee campus students and faculty.
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