« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Aug 22, 2022

Monday Business Edition

Please allow images to view this email properly

Monday Business Edition

"I want Sarasota to be a city that works for everyone, someplace where everyone has a voice and a place."

- Debbie Trice, Sarasota City Commission candidate
 

[Politics]  Trice Wants a Sarasota That Benefits All Citizens
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Politics can be a divisive practice, but Debbie Trice said that’s not a necessary function of good government.

“My main message is we are all in this together,” the Sarasota City Commission candidate said. “I want Sarasota to be a city that works for everyone, someplace where everyone has a voice and a place.”

Trice, a 25-year resident of Sarasota County, is one of six candidates seeking two at-large seats in the commission. A prior manager at IBM, she has already held leadership positions including as president of the Rosemary District Neighborhood Association. After spending two years as part of the Sarasota County Charter Review Board, she hopes to bring her vision for governing to City Hall.

She feels the city would benefit from having more public input on growth and development, not less. She’s concerned about proposals to expand use of administration review to allow more construction moving forward without public hearings if plans include affordable housing. The inclusion of that element doesn’t eliminate the insight neighbors can provide to make a development better.

She uses an issue like growth on the North Trail, which could potentially result in people having a harder time getting in and out of their own driveways. Consulting with existing homeowners often can result in a solution that doesn’t hurt a proposed development but protects the quality of life and even safety of residents.

Her greatest issue with a proposed change to the comprehensive plan, though, remains its massive scope. Pushing through a 270-page change in the city’s master planning document without more community workshops involving both the Planning Board and City Commission is a mistake, she said.

“I don’t fault commissioners themselves for that,” she said. “The problem was the requested change grew too big to consider without an education.”

As to the issue of affordability itself, Trice has some concerns that much of the work at the city aims at specific segments of the population. Sarasota needs to handle challenges and needs impacting low and moderate income citizens alike, she said.

Closer to home, she’s worked on an extremely slow process of establishing a public park serving the Rosemary. Creating more amenities will make the area a more inviting home for working families, something that ultimately will also benefit employers in the city. This is one more sign, she said, that the city needs to have processes aimed at finding solutions. 

Trice appears on the ballot Tuesday along with five other candidates: Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, Dan Lobeck, Sheldon Rich, Terrill Salem and Carl Shoffstall. The top three candidates will advance to a runoff in November. There, the top two candidates will win at-large seats on the Sarasota City Commission.

All voters in the city of Sarasota can vote in the Tuesday election. 

[The Bay]  Sara and Zota Named at The Bay

Thanks to the participation of the community, the two larger-than-life Ibis at The Bay's new playspace now have a name... Sara and Zota. A nod to the past, present and future of Sarasota, Sara and Zota have found a forever home in the heart of The Bay. The Ibis will soon experience the laughter and joy of the young (and young-at-heart) as they explore the park when it opens in October.  

[New Business]  River Street Sweets, Savannah’s Candy Kitchen Set to Open

River Street Sweets, Savannah’s Candy Kitchen, one of Entrepreneur’s Top Candy Franchises in 2021, is set to open its next location in the bustling shopping area of St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, FL. River Street Sweets, Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is expected to begin serving up handmade sweets and ice cream for guests in Sarasota and surrounding areas on Thursday, August 25th, and will have a ribbon cutting ceremony with giveaways and free samples beginning at 11am.

“We’ve seen time and again that our Southern confections, family-friendly atmosphere and old-fashioned approach to candy making appeals to people nationwide,” said Jennifer Strickland, co-founder and co-CEO. “We’re confident the people of Sarasota will fall in love with our historic brand, and we’re excited to bring it to southwestern Florida. We’ve come to enjoy St. Armand’s Circle, the history and beauty of Sarasota,” adds her brother and co-founder, co-CEO, Tim Strickland.

River Street Sweets, Savannah’s Candy Kitchen will be located at 318 John Ringling Blvd in St Armands Circle and will feature the same Southern confections that guests have come to know and love since the flagship store opened in 1973 in Savannah, GA: World Famous Pralines®, handmade chocolate Loggerheads and Homemade ice cream and gelato, just to name a few. Friends, associates, fellow Chamber members and the Strickland family will be on hand to officially welcome River Street Sweets • Savannah’s Candy Kitchen to Sarasota. A portion of the proceeds from all Chocolate Loggerhead® sales on opening day will be donated to Caretta Research Project, a charity partner of River Street Sweets • Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. 

For more details.

[New Hire]  Land Development Manager Joins Neal Land Team

Neal Land & Neighborhoods, a Manatee and Sarasota-based master-planned community developer, welcomes Christopher Wand to its land development team. In his role as Land Development Manager, Wand will manage and coordinate day-to-day site development primarily at North River Ranch, working closely with site contractors, sub-contractors, service utilities, engineers, site planners and landscape architects for community infrastructure. Wand brings over 8 years of construction and project management experience with a focus on scheduling, budgeting, and customer service. He is well versed in managing contract terms and conditions, as well as implementing standard practice project management systems. Wand’s project portfolio includes several single-family and multifamily projects across Florida, like Oasis at Highwoods Preserve and Laurel Highlands. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida.This new hire comes as Neal Land & Neighborhoods continues construction and development progress and plans for future new communities. At North River Ranch, the development of its new phase, Wildeaf, continues. Homebuilder Neal Communities is set to start home sales in late 2022 / early 2023. Announcements for a second homebuilder at Wildleaf is forthcoming. Further, Wand is involved with the community’s upcoming central amenity. Land and site preparation is in progress. Projected ground-breaking on the first phase of the amenity complex is for fall 2022. For more information on Neal Land & Neighborhoods, including the company’s latest development news, visit https://nealland.com/.  

Pictured: Christopher Wand. Photo by Rob-Harris.

[Recognition]  The Golden Group at RE/MAX Platinum Realty Named Among America’s Best

The Golden Group at RE/MAX Platinum Realty has been recognized in the 2022 “America’s Best Real Estate Professionals” list by REALTrends + Tom Ferry. The prestigious survey is based on 2021 transaction sides and sales volume for participation agents and teams in the United States.Consisting of Jessica Bow, Brad Dunleavy and Liza Knipe, the Golden Group was named among America’s Best teams for sales volume. To qualify for America’s Best, participating teams were required to have completed at least 75 transactions or closed $30 million in sales volume. Only 1.5% of all Realtors in the country make up “America’s Best.” The Golden Group closed almost $40 million in 2021. With a combined experience of almost 35 years, since its inception in 2015 The Golden Group has been unstoppable, recently adding a Golden Group Commercial Division to its repertoire. The Golden Group is known for going above and beyond for all of their clients in every transaction. While being based out of RE/MAX Platinum Realty’s Downtown Sarasota office, they consistently work throughout Southwest Florida.Jessica Bow is a consistent top producer earning RE/MAX Chairman’s Club status. She is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), ePro, Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI), Certified Waterfront Specialist (CWS) and Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), among others.Liza Knipe has been a residential sales specialist for more than 19 years. She has earned the Certified Waterfront Specialist (CWS) designation and is in the last stages of completing the GRI and Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) designations.Brad Dunleavy, the Team’s Tech Guru, has been a Realtor for seven years and is a construction expert, as well as heading up the Team’s Technology and Marketing/Video Production divisions.The Golden Group can be reached at 941-356-2585, 941-586-0576 or Sales@SoldByGoldenGroup.com. 

Pictured: Jessica Bow, Brad Dunleavy and Liza Knipe,

To learn more, visit

[Bond Rating]  Manatee County Receives Highest Bond Ratings

Investing in Manatee County is a sound idea. At least that’s what prominent investor ratings show. Both Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service have assigned top ratings to Manatee County. The two services also provided a very high grade for the $212 million revenue improvement and refunding bonds series 2022.

An issuer rating is an assessment and provision of an opinion of an issuer's overall capacity to pay its financial obligations, focusing on the issuer's ability and willingness to meet its financial commitments. The investor ratings reflect the County's historically solid operating performance characterized by high independent revenue raising ability, solid expenditure flexibility and maintenance of sound reserve levels. Expectations for strong long-term revenue growth trends and a low long-term liability burden also support the scores.

“We are pleased with the ratings,” said Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes. "This shows that we are maintaining our fiscal responsibilities now, with a careful eye toward the future.” 

For more details.

[Advisory Board]  Children's Services Advisory Board Seeking Judge and Physician

Manatee County is accepting applications for two seats on the Children’s Services Advisory Board (CSAB). The CSAB makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners about priorities and expenditures of the County’s dedicated millage for children’s services. The CSAB typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Manatee County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, during the annual program funding review process and participates in a full-day retreat in October each year. The seats are three-year terms, beginning October 1, 2022, ending September 30, 2025. The vacant positions must be filled by a judge and a physician who are Manatee County residents. To qualify for consideration, applicants must submit the applicationbby Friday, August 26, 2022 at 3pm. 

Click for application.



[Podcast Launches]  Watch the First Episode of SRQ Magazine's Women Who Roar Podcast

Join us for the launch episode of SRQ Magazine's Women Who Roar podcast featuring special guest Dr. Carol Probstfeld, President of the State College of Florida, Manatee Sarasota. Special guest interview by SMARTgirl Ambassador Autumn Pepper Rhodes and a Moment of Inspiration with Karen Medford of Sirius Day Spa. 

Click to watch the first episode.

[SOON]  THEATER: Manatee Performing Arts Center: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING! , August 11 – August 23, Varied

Wouldn’t it be great if you could become successful with a single book? Well, J. Pierrepont Finch seems to have hit the jackpot. “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” follows Finch from being a common window washer to a high executive with the help of a small book. However, does that book help with all the problems that he faces to reach his dream? Does it answer how to handle betrayal, caffeine addiction, or love? With music by Frank Loesser (composer of “Guys and Dolls”) we’ll follow Finch and his struggle to balance business power and true love. For more information visit www.manateeperformingartscenter.com, Ticket Office
941-748-5875

Manatee Performing Arts Center , 502 Third Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205

[SOON]  GALLERY: The Ringling: Metadata: Rethinking Photography from the 21st Century , March 6 – August 28, Museum hours.

The exhibition features work from the past decade by an international selection of artists and visual activists that are working to make palpable the unseen information, or metadata, that undergirds the image regime. This includes not just the tags or descriptors attached to image files, but the power relationships, biases, and economic interests that are not always visible in the image itself. The exhibition emphasizes an expanded concept of photographic practice that includes research-based projects, installation, conceptual work, and activism as well as analog and digital photographs. Artists featured are Mohsen Azar, Viktoria Binschtok, Mladen Bizumic, Joy Buolamwini, Jason Lazarus, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Lilly Lulay, Trevor Paglen, and Penelope Umbrico. Metadata: Rethinking Photography in the 21st Century will be held at The John and Mable Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida from March 6 through August 28th, 2022. The exhibition is curated by Christopher Jones, Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Curator of Photography and Media Art.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Bar Bingo at Geckos on Hillview Street , August 1 – August 29, 7:30 pm

Join Geckos in Southside Village every Monday at 7:30 pm for Bar B-I-N-G-O! Free to play. Sponsored by various local craft breweries and distilleries with prizes galore from our sponsors and Gecko’s. We’ll play between 5-7 rounds of Bingo each week and a special chit will be given out each Monday to be collected by attendees. Every four weeks the final round of Bingo for the night will be a grand prize round and the collected chits will be used to exchange for bingo cards for a grand prize round; this month on 8/29. The more Mondays that a guest plays, the more bingo cards that they will have to play for the grand prize. August Bingo is sponsored by Sierra Nevada Brewery and Nolets Finest Gins. wwwgeckosgrill.com

[SOON]  THEATER: Manatee Performing Arts Center: Gypsy , October 20 – August 30, Varied

A mother who wishes for stardom, and two daughters who were dragged into it because of her. Considered to be the best musical, “GYPSY” tells the story of how a mother uses her two daughters to achieve the dream she has, ignoring the strain it puts on them. Throughout the story, one daughter has all the attention, while the other has almost none. Will both girls succeed because of their mother’s efforts, or will the dreams of their mother crush their relationship with her? For more information visit www.manateeperformingartscenter.com, Ticket Office 941-748-5875

Manatee Performing Arts Center , 502 Third Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Selby Gardens: Seeing the Invisible , September 25 – August 31, 10am-5pm

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.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Tap Takeover Tuesdays at Geckos on Hillview Street , August 9 – August 31, 7:00-8:00 pm

Still going strong on the second Tuesday of each month. We are local and we support local! Join us from 7:00-8:00 to sample flights of the latest craft beer offerings from our local craft breweries as they take over our taps, along with all your favorite Geckos fare. August is Sierra Nevada Brewery’s five newest craft beers to enjoy. Hillview-Southside Village, 1900 Hillview Street, Sarasota. wwwgeckosgrill.com

Gecko’s on Hillview

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: To Rum or Not To Rum: That is Not Even a Question , August 31, 5-6 pm

Hamlets Eatery and Siesta Key Rum have come together to create a fun and delicious experience on Wednesday, August 31 from 5-8 pm. Chef Lisa of Hamlet's Eatery will tantalize your taste buds with a five-course tasting menu paired with Siesta Key Rum craft cocktails. Between dishes Chef Lisa and Nicole of Siesta Key Rum will guide you through the pairings. Live Steel Drum music by Nax Steel throughout the evening. Timeline: 5-6 pm Enjoy Siesta Key Rum Tasting, a craft cocktail and live steel drum music; 6pm: Dinner; 8pm: Take your full and happy belly home. Hamlets Eatery is located at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. The event will be outside under a covered patio with fans. Casual attire. Must be 21+ years of age. Tickets are $80 per person and must be purchased in advance. Non-refundable. Purchase tickets here: https://bit.ly/ToRumOrNotToRum For more information call 941-445-1938. Cheers!

[SOON]  FILM: Summer Movies at Sarasota Opera House , May 22 – September 23, Varies.

Sarasota Opera is pleased to announce the lineup for the 2022 summer movie series: HD at the Opera House and Classic Movies at the Opera House. HD at the Opera House featuring filmed performances of opera and ballet from around the world will open on Sunday, May 22nd at 1:30 p.m. with Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London, with tickets at $22, and $20 for Sarasota Opera subscribers. The Classic Movies at the Opera House series will open with In the Heat of the Night on Friday, July 8th at 7:30 p.m. with tickets at $12. (Tickets will go on sale starting Monday, May 2nd.)

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Forty Carrots Family Center 20th Annual Free Virtual Community Speaker Event , September 21, 7:00 pm

Registration is open for Forty Carrots Family Center’s 20th annual free educational community speaker event Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine, presented in partnership with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The virtual presentation will feature educational psychologist and best-selling author Michele Borba, Ed.D. at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21st. The event is free and advance registration is required. Michele Borba’s latest book, Thrivers, is a sharply insightful, science-backed guide that helps parents and educators teach the essential character traits kids need to become “thrivers” – young people who flourish in rapidly changing, digitally-driven and uncertain world. Borba will identify seven teachable strengths that will safeguard kids for the future, offering practical “how-to” strategies and ideas for everyday activities that build up kids’ strength, resilience, happiness, and success. Certificates of Attendance and CEU’s will be available. The previous 19 speaker events have reached nearly 14,000 parents, professionals, and educators in our area. To register for this free virtual community event visit www.fortycarrots.org, email events@fortycarrots.com or call (941) 365-7716. RSVP is required and registration is open at www.FortyCarrots.org.

[SOON]  FILM: BookStore1 Bookseller and Local Film Reviewer Film Discussion , August 28, 7:00 pm

Film Discussion August 28th 7 pm showing of 3000 Years of Longing starring Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba at Burns Court Theater 506 Burns Lane Sarasota. BookStore1 Bookseller and Local Film Reviewer will moderate a talk back after the 7 pm showing of 3000 years of Longing as part of a Script to Screen Series. The film is based on the short story The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye by Booker Prize Winning Author AS Byatt. Film Discussions include details about the stars and director, audience opinions and questions. A fun way to interact as a community!

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Bookstore1Sarasota: Author Talk & Book Signing with Jason Cannon , September 3, 12pm-1pm

This Above All: How to Live an Artistic Life. Author Talk & Book Signing with Jason Cannon. Bookstore1Sarasota 117 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 September 3rd, 2022. 12pm-1pm. Price $0 – $8. Is there something holding you back from what you know you can do? From who you know you can be? Are you always starting, but never finishing? Your novel? Your music? Your painting, poetry, sculpture, or play? Do you struggle to maintain passion and balance in your work, your exercise routine, or your relationship? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then this book is for you. Come participate in a Q&A with Jason, buy the book, and get it signed. For more information visit www.sarasotabooks.com

Bookstore1Sarasota , 117 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236

SRQ Media Group

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

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Making His Mark

Making His Mark

Kate Wight | Dec 1, 2024

Comic Corner

Comic Corner

Barbie Heit | Dec 1, 2024

Manatees on Main

Manatees on Main

Eliana Burns | Dec 1, 2024

Well-Crafted

Well-Crafted

Kate Wight | Dec 1, 2024