SRQ DAILY Apr 14, 2022
Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning
"The children in our community need our support, perhaps now, more than ever."
A Democrat has filed for a new state House seat in north Manatee County. But the Republican field remains in flux.
Eleuterio Salazar, Jr., who previously has run for Bradenton Mayor and Bradenton City Council, filed in Florida House District 70, which covers Manatee communities including Terra Ceia, as well as Hillsborough County communities like Apollo Beach and Sun City Center. Salazar, a Democrat, lives in Ruskin now.
“In the new District 70, we have voters who care about the same issues I do,” he said. “Our environment, our homeowners’ insurance skyrocketing while the Legislature is not doing anything about it. Affordable housing. Whether you are Republican or Dem, you care about these issues.”
As a queer parent, he’s also upset at a law, labeled by critics as “don’t say gay,” which prohibits teachers in kindergarten through third grade from instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity, and limits talks to “age appropriate” instruction at any grade level.
“It affects my child and her ability to talk about her gay father,” Salazar said.
Of course, it could be an uphill battle to win the state House seat. Partisan analyses show 54.29% of voters in the new district voted for Republican Donald Trump in the 2020 election, compared to 44.54% who backed Democrat Joe Biden. That makes the seat almost seven percentage points more Republican than Florida as a whole.
If there’s a saving grace for Salazar or any other Democrat right now, it’s that the Republican field remains in stasis thanks to an unrelated dispute between the Governor and Legislature over congressional district lines.
State Rep. Mike Beltran, R-Lithia, announced in March he will move into Florida House District 70 to run for re-election. That choice came after legislative redistricting placed him in a seat with Rep. Andrew Learned, D-Brandon. As happened in cases where a district paired two incumbents, one elected to move.
Meanwhile, Ellenton businessman Dennis Cooley already announced he was running, but his campaign has made clear he’s not trying to primary an incumbent. Most likely, Cooley won’t run if Beltran runs, and will instead wait to run until after Beltran faces term limits or runs for another office.
Where congressional redistricting comes in is that Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed a congressional map approved by the Legislature. Lawmakers will reconvene in Tallahassee for a Special Session on Tuesday, when leadership for the Florida Senate and House say they won’t try to produce a new map and instead will ask DeSantis’ office to present its own plan. DeSantis submitted a map Wednesday for consideration. The map includes a north Manatee County-south Hillsborough County seat many thing would be attractive to Beltran.
Of course, that’s territory where U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, could choose to seek another term, or he could run in a Sarasota County based seat. That could also impact where U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, may run, as he also previously represented Manatee County in the statehouse.
If Beltran runs there, Cooley will likely stay in the House District 70 race, where he remains the only incumbent. In the meantime, neither Beltran or Cooley has done much fundraising since mid-March, when the regular legislative session ended.
That said, Salazar has raised just $275 as of the end of March and is still planning his formal campaign launch. Cooley, meanwhile, has $111,250 in cash on hand, including a $50,000 candidate loan. Beltran, who holds strength as an incumbent who already represents a portion of Hillsborough voters in the district, has $88,288 in the bank should he run. 
Graphic courtesy FloridaRedistricting.gov: Gov. DeSantis' proposed Congressional map.
As spring turns to summer, and days grow longer and the weather gets hotter by the minute, many are scrambling to find any way to beat the heat. For Sarasotans, however, a unique oasis from turning weather is right in their backyard - the sparkling waterways and coastlines of South West Florida.
“Boating season for us is from February to Mother’s Day, during which we're on the water constantly - that’s when everyone from up North comes down to enjoy the water and the weather,” says Captain Rachael Russo, owner and operator of local outfit Shellebrate Boat Tours LLC.
Russo, who hails from New Jersey, was drawn to the area for that very reason - the ability to be on the water all year round. She started Shellebrate Boat Tours - a play on the word ‘celebrate’ - in June of 2019 and hasn’t looked back since.
Russo offers a bevy of different tours on her 24’ Pursuit Center Console motor vessel. "Some of my most common tours are tiki bar hopping, sand bar hopping, dolphin and manatee viewings, and sunset and stargazing tours as well,” states Russo. "My advice? Book the stargazing and sand bar hopping tours before summer arrives - the water around the sand bars grows murkier with the daily rainstorms and residual cloud cover can blot out the night sky. Once summer is upon us, however, cool off with a cold drink on a tiki bar hopping tour or reap the benefits of the daily storms by catching a spectacular sunset on the water."
Shellebrate Boat Tours, 941-219-5315, $150/hour with 2 hour minimum, 6 passengers max, lifejackets provided, dogs allowed.
Pictured: Shellebrate Boat Tours offer spectacular sunset views. Photo courtesy of Rachael Russo.
The Annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run will travel through the streets of Sarasota County on Friday, April 15, 2022. Beginning at 8:00 a.m., members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and local Special Olympic athletes will start the trek along U.S. 41 from Gulf Gate Pavilion and head north until the torch is passed to the Sarasota Police Department in front of Paradise Plaza at Bee Ridge Road. Citizens should be aware that traffic delays may occur on U.S. 41 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., so drivers may want to avoid the area or plan accordingly. The goal of the Special Olympics is to help people with different intellectual abilities to participate as productive and respected members of society by offering a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs. Each year more than 5,000 law enforcement officers carry the torch on a 1,500-mile relay through more than 60 Florida counties. Anyone interested in contributing to or volunteering with the Special Olympics can visit www.SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org.
ALSO Youth, a nonprofit organization serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties LGBTQ+ youth community is pleased to announce the scholarship program process is now open for multiple scholarship opportunities. ALSO Youth administers two scholarship programs and awards multiple scholarships annually. The ALSO Youth General Scholarship program is open to LGBTQ+ youth under the age of 22 as of August 1st of the year of application. The youth must be a resident of Sarasota or Manatee counties and be accepted for enrollment in an accredited non-profit academic or vocational institution in the summer or fall of the year of application. The Greg Jung Scholarship program, administered by ALSO Youth, was established to celebrate the life and work of local educator and LGBTQ+ activist, Greg Jung. The Greg Jung Scholarship is an annual $1,000.00 award to a high-school senior or college student under the age of 22 who is planning to pursue a degree in the field of education from an accredited college or university. The deadline for scholarship applications is May 13, 2022. For more information and to apply for a scholarship, go to www.alsoyouth.org.
Florida Winefest & Auction, Inc. is pleased to announce it will once again be accepting grant requests. Due to Covid and the subsequent cancellation of events, the last requests were received in 2019. Sandy Loevner, President, Board of Directors of the non-profit organization, is thrilled to announce her team is ready to jump back in and continue their support. She says, “The children in our community need our support, perhaps now, more than ever.”
Florida Winefest & Auction /Caring for Children Charities will be accepting Grant Applications commencing April 15, 2022 through June 30, 2022. Grant monies will be distributed in 2023. Qualified 501(c)(3) charities in Sarasota and Manatee Counties who have programs benefiting at-risk children and youth may apply. Organizations receiving grants will be announced at the Truffle Dinner November 12, 2022. The application will be available at www.floridawinefest.org. Simply complete the application on-line and submit it pursuant to the instructions. Any questions regarding the grant application or to receive one via USPS should be submitted via e-mail to sandy@floridawinefest.org or by calling 941-952-1109.
RADD is proud to present Scenes of Ukraine, a photography exhibit showcasing the powerful images captured by Allan Mestel, a local photographer who traveled to the Poland-Ukraine border to document the ongoing refugee crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The free exhibit will take place at the PINC Pop-Up Studio (580 Central Ave) on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 8 pm - 11 pm. Despite challenging conditions, Mestel has never been one for shying away from taking powerful photographs. Much of his work has centered around documenting the lives of vulnerable populations, including Sarasota’s homeless population, immigrants being deported from Texas, and individuals seeking asylum in the United States. In March, DreamLarge hosted RADD for Ukraine, a fundraising event that raised over $35,000 in monetary contributions and generated more than 400 boxes of supplies. This exhibit follows the successful event, providing another opportunity for the community to show support for those in Ukraine. There will be opportunities to purchase Mestel’s prints and make monetary contributions. 100% of every dollar contributed will go to support those in Ukraine. For any questions, please contact hello@dreamlarge.org or visit www.RADDforUkraine.org.
Pictured: Photo from Scenes of Ukraine by Allan Mestel.
Officials with Art Ovation Hotel, an Autograph Collection, announced an on-going series of art displays by six internationally renowned artists and organizations that will run through Tuesday, September 6, 2022. The announcement was made during a gala event hosted at the hotel that featured narrated tours of the exhibitions, as well as a champagne toast to the artists. The hotel is operated by Shaner Hotels, an award-winning, international hotel owner, operator and developer. The six new exhibits include Tribute to Andrés Valerio; Ana Albertina Delgado: The Human Mysteries and the Indifference of the Universe; Alexander Solotzew: Life in Colors; Peter Jacob Christ: Disappearing Signs of Life; and The Rainer Hildebrandt Collection: Original Painted Slabs from the Berlin Wall, as well as The Florida Watercolor Society (FWS)’s 2021-2022 Traveling Exhibition. Visitors are invited to enjoy the works at their own leisure or can request a guided tour for a deeper understanding of the artists and their works. Located at 1255 North Palm Avenue, the eight-story hotel hosts distinctive artworks, culinary experiences and live, interactive events that allow guests to enjoy a uniquely Sarasota stay.
Pictured: Alexander Solotzew Faith, Hope, and Love.
The Venice Symphony welcomes Broadway and recording star Linda Eder for her only area appearance at Songs from the Screen and Stage, May 6-7 at the Venice Performing Arts Center. In January 2020, Broadway World hailed Eder as “dazzling” and “one of the greatest voices of our time.” She starred on Broadway in Jekyll and Hyde, has performed to sold-out crowds at venues in the United States and Europe, including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and the Kennedy Center. Eder has recorded 18 solo albums and collaborated with Marvin Hamlisch, Michael Feinstein and others. The concert program includes songs from Hello Dolly, Funny Girl and The Sound of Music along with beloved standards Almost Like Being in Love and more, performed with the orchestra. Season sponsors of The Venice Symphony are Gulf Coast Community Foundation and proceeds from the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax. The concert sponsor is the Edmund and Elizabeth Campbell Foundation. The Symphony will offer its free Meet the Maestro Pre-Concert Talks at 6:30 pm before evening concerts and 2:30 pm before afternoon concerts. These insightful and entertaining programs feature Maestro Quinn and guest artists, are sponsored by FourThought Private Wealth.
Art of the Garden is a juried exhibition of original art showcasing fine handcrafted work inspired by the natural beauty of gardens. Fifty artists created 90 pieces from fiber art and delicate jewelry to ceramic garden sculptures. The show runs from March 4 through April 19, when the People’s Choice Award will be presented. People can vote for their favorite work of art in the Florida CraftArt Exhibition Gallery and on Facebook. Docent tours are available upon request. Mark your calendar for... Wednesday, March 9, 6pm: Virtual tour of the exhibit and awards presentation with judge Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. (Zoom link on FloridaCraftArt.org). Saturday, March 12, 5-9pm: Second Saturday ArtWalk and visit ArtLofts on the second floor. Wednesday, March 16, 6pm: Discover the beauty of Florida native plants with garden expert Marquette McManus of Wilcox Nursery. Sunday, March 27, 2pm: Enjoy a garden-inspired poetry reading with Helen Pruitt Wallace and other poets. Saturday, April 2, 11am: Learn about Ikebana - the art of Japanese flower arranging. Saturday, April 9, 5-9pm: Second Saturday ArtWalk and visit ArtLofts on the second floor. Sunday, April 10, 1-3pm: Workshop: Make a macramé plant hanger with artist Elizabeth Neily. $35 fee includes all materials and a handcrafted pot by a Florida CraftArt artist. Space is limited; call FCA to register.
“Trashed ”—an art show where 85% of the materials have been found or otherwise set aside to be “Trashed”. This seven-week show focused on “Turning Trash into Treasure” is meant to shed some light on what we so easily toss aside to be sent to our landfills and waterways. Artists have a unique way of looking at objects through a different lens. These artists have taken “trash” and transformed it into imaginative pieces of unique artwork. The show includes sculptural, functional and beautiful objects, this will be a rare chance to snag one of a kind pieces for the local art lover. “Trashed” will encompass different events during the show’s run, including a Trashed” Comedy show, on March 25th. Visual artists and comedians will come together to present an experience of laughter and good times. This collaboration only highlights and cultivates the growth of a dynamic arts community here in St Petersburg. Hosted by Lauren Dufault, she brings a group of the area's favorite comedians: Shellie Harris, Brad Gilmore and the headliner John J Murray. “Trashed” will finish out with an Earth Day Celebration on April 22nd. Opening is March 4th 6-9pm, Art Walk is March 12th 5-9pm, Comedy Show is March 25th 8pm, Art Walk is April 9th 5-9pm, and Earth Day Celebration is April 22nd.
Immerse yourself in the world of Vincent Van Gogh like you've never experienced before from March 4, 2022 to April 24, 2022 at the Starry Night Pavilion at University Town Center, 195 University Town Center Drive. Beyond Van Gogh is a rich and unique multimedia experience, taking the viewer on a journey through over 300 iconic artworks including instantly-recognizable classics "The Starry Night", "Sunflowers", and "Cafe Terrace at Night", now freed from their frames. Set to a symphonic score and using the artist's own dreams, thoughts, and words to drive the experience as a narrative, Van Gogh's art comes to life by appearing and disappearing, flowing across multiple surfaces and heightening the senses with their immense detail. Guests will leave with a new appreciation of this prolific artist's stunning work. Hours of Operation are Sunday through Thursday: 10am to 9pm and Friday & Saturday: 10am to 10pm. The visit will take around one hour with final entry one hour before close.
Wise, heartfelt, and often comical, this anthology of award-winning short plays celebrates imagination. These winning plays, written by elementary school students from our community and around the world, are brought to life by a cast of professional actors. From a star who could not twinkle to a dragon plagued by hiccups, we've shined a spotlight on the magic of children's creativity through this beloved annual production for over 30 years. Join us in celebrating what stories young playwrights have imagined this school year in an all-new play filled with laughter, lessons, and learning for us all. The Grandma That Eats Everything by award-winning Young Playwrights will play Saturdays and select Sundays from March 26, 2022 - April 16, 2022 in FST's Keating Theatre. 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.
Tony Reinemann, Saturday, March 26 – Saturday, April 16, 2022. Fine arts painter Tony Reinemann’s oil paintings have been described as a blend of social and magic realism that evoke a highly exaggerated Edward Hopper in a Hitchcock film. With multiple themes running throughout his works, his sharply defined visuals tell stories limited only by the viewer’s imagination. Reinemann earned a B.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His paintings have been exhibited at the Museum of the National Academy of Design in New York and the Whitney Museum of American Art. His painting, “Long Island City,” won First Prize in Art Center Sarasota’s Staying Connected exhibition in 2021.
Liony Garcia is a dancer and choreographer based in Miami, FL. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New World School of the Arts. As a performer, he has worked with BodyTraffic (LA) performing choreographic works by Guy Weizman and Roni Haver (NL) and Barack Marshall. Locally he's worked under the direction of Alexey Taran with Bistoury Physical Theater and is a founding member of Rosie Herrera Dance Theater. Liony is currently a dancer in Brigid Baker’s WholeProject. He’s worked director Celia Rowlson-Hall on her latest short film entitled Swamp Lake. He's recently worked with filmaker, Claudio Marco Tulli on his film installation, Blasting Pixels. As a solo performer, Liony has performed at Mana Contemporary , International Noise Music Conference and most recently at Bas Fisher Invitational, along with modular furniture designer Deon Rubi. This performance will show on April 14, 15 and 16 at 11am and 7:30pm.
Enjoy delicious food during this special event at Nathan Benderson Park celebrating restaurants of University Town Center (UTC) and benefiting Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), your future neighbor in the UTC community on Thursday, April 14 from 6pm to 9:30pm, Finish Tower at Nathan Benderson Park (event takes place outside). Ticket price is $125.
The Queue: Beyond The Surface, A Solo Exhibit by Nneka Jones. In this exhibition, Nneka Jones comments on topics such as identity, stereotypes and the digital age. Jones embeds and camouflages portraiture, making some of her subjects almost unrecognizable. Contrasting technological symbols, such as barcodes and QR-codes, with the soft edges and skin tones of the figure, Jones creates a timely discussion on humanism vs. futurism. She brings to light a growing struggle to maintain true identity in the face of our highly influential social media sites. Jones believes social technologies create a digital mask ultimately causing issues with mental health and social segregation. She aims to magnify these issues in the hope of starting conversations surrounding identity and unity. Opening Night Reception is Friday, April 15th, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm. Open Exhibition Dates are April 16th through May 7th By Appointment Only.
"Bach Immersion III," A collaboration performance featuring Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Anna Zwanzig (photographer). Natalie Helm explores J.S. Bach’s Six Suites for Solo Cello as they’ve never been experienced: through a multi-sensory interactive performance, which Helm titles Bach Immersion. Over the course of this three-part concert series, the audience will travel into each Suite’s unique world through a live musical performance alongside a myriad of other art disciplines, including dance, painting, photography, spoken word, fashion design, and food. With guest artists collaborating with Natalie and interpreting the music in conjunction with the audience, Bach Immersion will create a unique and one-of-a-kind experience. This performance will take place on Friday April 15th and Saturday April 16th 2022 at 7pm and its Virtual Stream will take place on Saturday, April 16th at 7pm.
The 1st Annual “Remember When” Vintage Car Show will be held Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 10am to 2pm at newly renovated Water’s Edge of Bradenton. This event is FREE to the public! Come join us for Classic Cars, Great Food, Cool Beverages, Door Prizes & Free Giveaways, Craft Vendors and Classic Music from the 50's, 60's, and 70's. We also welcome you to take a tour of the 37-acre campus and experience the over 19,000 square feet of amenities that Water’s Edge of Bradenton has to offer residents. If you have any general questions about the event, please contact Helena at 941-757-2311. To schedule a tour of the property in advance, please contact Theresa at 941-705-4584. Vehicle Registration: If you would like to pre-register your classic car for the event, please download the event flyer at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dqe7wcrSJoPfnVwE_SMn-Hziusnhm1DF/view?usp=sharing. Complete and return the form on the second page of the flyer along with your $10 donation. You may also register your vehicle on the day of the event at the show with a $15 donation.
The most ambitious and expansive exhibition to date of contemporary artworks created with augmented reality (AR) technology will premiere at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, opening on September 25, 2021 and ongoing through August 31 2022, as one of 12 participating gardens across six countries. Seeing the Invisible features works by more than a dozen international artists such as Ai Weiwei, Refik Anadol, El Anatsui, Isaac Julien CBE, Mohammed Kazem, Sigalit Landau, Sarah Meyohas, Pamela Rosenkranz, and Timur Si-Qin—including several artists’ first work in AR. Visitors will engage with Seeing the Invisible via an app designed for the exhibition downloadable to smartphones and tablets. Forging new links between botanical gardens located in diverse biomes around the globe, the exhibition fosters collaboration between institutions, artists, and audiences, highlighting the power of art to connect people around the world.
For the first time since its founding in 1969, Arts Advocates has its own gallery to display works from its collection of Florida artists. Located in the Siesta Mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 119, in Sarasota, the opening exhibit features works by Sarasota Art Colony artists. Docent-guided tours of the exhibit are open to the public from 11am to 11:45pm on the first Wednesday of each month: November 3, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, and June 1. Tours are $10 per person, or $5 per person for Arts Advocates members, and can be booked below. Attendance is limited to 10. Group and special tours can be arranged by contacting Stephenie Frasher, docent team leader, at docent@artsadvocates.org.
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.
Your favorite weeknight hangout has arrived at its new home, Waterside Place, the newest town center in Lakewood Ranch. Ranch Nite Wednesdays will take place from 6-9pm, every Wednesday, starting November 10, 2021 and through May, 2022. It will feature New food trucks + dessert truck each week, Weekly live music from local artists, Night market every 2nd Wednesday hosted by Main Street Market LWR, Outdoor bar hosted by Waterside Place tenant Good Liquid Brewing & Scratch Kitchen, and The 2nd largest recreational cornhole league in the nation hosted by MVP Sports & Social.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is pleased to announce the opening of As long as there is sun, as long as there is light. Selections from the Bring Gift and The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art. The exhibition will run Nov. 21, 2021 – Aug. 13, 2023, in the museum’s Searing Wing. In 2020, The Ringling received a significant gift of art from Murray Bring and Kay Delaney Bring, in support of the modern and contemporary collection. Highlights from the gift include an important minimalist work by Anne Truitt and a monumental work on canvas by Gene Davis, both artists affiliated with the Washington Color School, an art movement during the 1950s to 1970s in Washington D.C., made up of abstract expressionist artists Additional works in the gift represent a generation of prominent artists who work, or have worked, in abstraction, including Clement Meadmore, Jules Olitski, Beverly Pepper, Rebecca Salter, Kenneth Snelson, and Yuriko Yamaguchi, among others. Also on view are sculptures and paintings by distinguished African American and Latin American artists from The Ringling collection, including William Edmondson, Eduardo Mac Entyre, Omar Rayo, Baruj Salinas, and Joyce de Guatemala.
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 |
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe
