Those recovering from Hurricane Ian will have a little bit more time to obtain financial reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. During a visit by President Joe Biden to Southwest Florida to survey storm damage, the administration announced it would double the amount of time governments, individuals and other entities have to seek full reimbursements.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said communities declared major disaster areas automatically have 30 days from a disaster in order to apply for full reimbursement costs on debris removal, emergency overtime and temporary repairs. Once FEMA surveys the severity of a storm’s impact, extensions may be granted. For areas affected by Ian, that has been expanded to 60 days, double the normal allowed timeframe.

 “The situation is catastrophic,” Criswell said. “Many homes remain underwater. We want to encourage people to remove debris faster, but we know it’s hoing to take them a long time to get in there.”

Biden has declared 19 counties in Florida as major disaster areas, with Sarasota and Manatee counties among the first to receive the designation.

At the same time, Sarasota County in particular continues on a road to recovery. The Department of Education announced 70 of 75 school districts in the state are open with in-person classes again. Still, school at five districts, including Sarasota, will be closed for the time being.

That doesn’t mean school will be out for all students forever. All schools from Venice north intend to open as soon as Monday, October 10, as part of a first phase reopening. A second phase of schools will open the following week on Oct. 17, including Atwater Elementary, Cranberry Elementary, Englewood Elementary, Glenallen Elementary, Lamarque Elementary, Toledo Blade Elementary, Heron Creek Middle Woodland Middle, North Port High and Suncoast Technical College-North Port.

Screenshot courtesy C-Span: Gov. Ron DeSantis greets President Joe Biden during a visit to areas impacted by Hurricane Ian.

If you have questions about the commercial fishing industry in Florida, come on down and ask them this Saturday, October 8th at The 24th Annual Cortez Nautical Flea Market. Adults and children of all ages are invited and encouraged to chat with local fishermen, Art Shiver and Tim Caniff. No questions too big or too small!

The free event is hosted by The Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum, a nonprofit group that supports the museum through community outreach, education and financial support and educates the public on the transformations facing Florida's present day commercial fishing industries.

This event is a part of “Stories from the Gulf Coast Commercial Fishing Industry in Cortez: Environmental Changes,” a multi-dimensional project with a primary focus on oral histories. The project was grant funded early in 2022 by Florida Humanities with matching funds provided by Bradenton Area Arts and Culture. Art Shiver and Tim Caniff were a part of the ten oral history interviews that were conducted earlier in the year as a part of the grant. Art is a part-time mullet fisherman and Tim is a bait fisherman. Art will be available for questions from 9:30AM to 10:30AM and Tim will be available from 11:00AM to 12:00PM at the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum’s booth during the Nautical Flea Market. They will share information about the equipment they use and what they’ve seen out on the water.

“We are so excited to host this fun event where everyone from commercial fisherman to kayaking enthusiasts to art-lovers can interact and engage over a shared love of our local waters," says museum supervisor, Tori Chasey. “We think Nautical Flea Market is the perfect venue to facilitate these types of interactions. Who hasn’t wished for a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with an expert?”

In addition to the informative question/answer sessions, the Flea Market will feature bargains on marine gear and nautical arts & crafts, a food truck, fun activities for all ages, and freebies from local community organizations.

Nautical Flea Market will be held on Saturday, October 8th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Cultural Center. Free event parking available in F.I.S.H. Preserve at 116th St. and Cortez Ave. 

Pictured: Coastal arts and crafts and nautical bargains will be plentiful at the Nautical Flea Market. Photo courtesy of Florida Maritime Museum.

The fifth annual Laps for Life event hosted by Knights of Columbus will take place Sunday, October 16th. The event will benefit Solve Maternity homes in Sarasota, a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides cost-free maternity housing and support for at-risk women/teens during and after pregnancy. The first two years of the race were held at Benderson Park. Year three and four were virtual due to covid restrictions and this year, participants will meet once again in person, this time on the beautiful white sands of Siesta Key Beach.

“I am so excited about this community event and I look forward to seeing families having a fun day in support of Solve maternity homes in Sarasota,” says Charity Event Organizer for Knights of Columbus, Joe Gina. There will be free food and beverages for the post-race celebration, along with music and games like cornhole and giant connect four. Spin-the-wheel to win great prizes for kids and enjoy face painting and other entertaining activities for all ages. The race will be chip-timed by Beach Bum Timing.

Racers should plan to meet at the pavilion nearest the playground for check in. The race will start at 8:00am and end at 10:00am. The Cost for the 5K walk/run is $40 until October 7th and $45 on race day. Kids 9-13 $20 (under 9 free fun run). 

Pictured: Previous races took place at Benderson Park while this year's event will be held at Siesta Key Beach.

To learn more click here.

Hard Heart Burlesque is back at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre Oct. 16 at 8pm for an evening full of ghosts, goblins and other creatures that go bump and grind in the night! Hard Heart Burlesque features the art of the tease with stellar variety acts from all over Florida, and they’re all ready for a freak fun time. Created by your producers "the sweetheart with a switchblade," Miss Marina Elaine and "the quadruple threat," Karma Kandlewick, this Halloween treat is sweeter than candy corn and twice as cavity-causing, featuring the talents of Ruby Tesla, Lila Starlet, Phoenix Midnight, Tank and Tilly and our hostess with the mostest Sarafina Herself as Elvira.

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, Tickets: $37. 

To learn more click here.

Hurricane Ian’s destruction has left many people with little to nothing and in need of basic items like shoes and socks. Here’s a way you can spread kindness to those in need by clearing out your closet. Drop off your new or gently used shoes, sneakers and boots for men, women and kids as well as new socks at one of our 4 locations: New Balance Sarasota: 1872 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota; New Balance University: 315 N. Cattleman Road, Sarasota; Fleet Feet Sarasota: 711 S. Osprey Ave, Suite 1 Sarasota; Molly’s Boutique: 1874 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota. Drop locations will accept your donations between Thursday Oct. 6 thru Monday, Oct. 10th. Items can be dropped off Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Please tie or rubber band shoes together with a tag noting gender and size of the donated items. Donated shoes, sneakers, boots and socks for men, women and kids will be distributed locally in south Sarasota County as well as Fort Myers, thru a partnership with Fleet Feet Fort Myers. According to Molly Jackson, Director of Marketing for 5 locally owned and operated retail shoe stores in Sarasota, anyone donating gently used or new shoes, sneakers or boots will receive $10 off their next regular price men’s or women's shoe purchase valid through the end of November 2022 at either New Balance Sarasota, New Balance University, Fleet Feet Sarasota or Molly’s Chic and Unique Boutiques. These stores are locally owned and operated by Molly and David Jackson. Their family of employees are celebrating their 20th year in business in our community. In 2019, the National Shoe Retailers Association named Molly and David Jackson the National Footwear Retailers of the Year. 

Our heartfelt thoughts are with the community and all those affected and currently struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Our organization has served this area for over 50 years. During that time, we have weathered many storms but this is certainly the most consequential. Our primary objective is always the safety of our young people. We are working hard to continue to serve local families with their well-being remaining paramount. We are in this with you. At this time, we are making check-in calls to our Club families and working with community partners to assess damages and immediate needs. With schools being closed and people returning to work, we understand this is a crucial time for local families. Our mission is to serve those who need us most and our dedicated staff has been working around the clock to provide hurricane relief.

The following Clubs will be open full service starting Tuesday, October 4 from 8 am to 6 pm. Please understand that due to staffing and safety issues, we can only open to current Club members at this time: Lee Wetherington Club | 3100 Fruitville Road | Sarasota; Roy McBean Club | 1790 21st Street | Sarasota; Robert and Joan Lee Club | 920 Gulf Coast Boulevard | Venice. A nutritious lunch will be provided at all locations. In addition, we are working closely with community leaders and local foundations to facilitate relief and direct resources. We have partnered with All Faith’s Food Bank to host food pantries throughout Sarasota and DeSoto counties. The first food pantry site will be at our Roy McBean Club this Wednesday, October 5 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. All community members are welcome. Additionally, our Gene Matthews Club in North Port experienced extensive damage and will remain closed until that damage can be addressed. In Arcadia, home of our Louis and Gloria Flanzer Club, the community is struggling with many challenges after the storm, including significant flooding. We will continue to provide updates about Club openings and community resources as new information becomes available. In the meantime, we encourage you to follow our social media channels for additional updates. We are working hard to do everything we can to support our local youth and get all of our facilities back to being fully operational as soon as safely possible. 

To learn more click here.

JFCS of the Suncoast has started a fundraiser to collect money to purchase groceries and hot meals for people impacted by Hurricane Ian. Several food trucks will host an event in the JFCS parking lot from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 12, to help feed hurricane victims. Donations made to JFCS’ fundraiser will help cover the cost of the hot meals prepared and served by the food trucks. Organizations, churches, subdivisions, businesses, and community representatives can pick up the free meals during the event to distribute to community members in need. The funds will also be used to purchase groceries at a discounted rate for community members who cannot afford to replace the food they lost during the hurricane and power outages.

JFCS of the Suncoast, 2688 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota. Participating food trucks: Smokin Momma Lora’s BBQ, Dee’z Diner, Florida Poutine Co, and Q&S Kool Kups will donate their time, energy and resources to prepare meals on-site. 

To donate click here.

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority is proud of its first responders including Firefighters and Police Officers that provide safety and security to the traveling public at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). Recently, these first responders were recognized with bonus checks of $1000 each. Approximately 100,000 first responders across the state received bonus checks with funds set aside from CARES Act funds. Governor Ron DeSantis  approved the bonus checks for the 2 nd consecutive year in appreciation of the work first responders provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These bonuses are a well-deserved recognition to our law enforcement and first responders for all they do for Florida,” DeSantis said. “Our first responders at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport work hard every day to provide a safe and secure place for employees, tenants, and the traveling public to enjoy. Their bravery and dedication are greatly admired and appreciated,” stated Rick Piccolo, President, and CEO of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. 

On October 4, Nikki Fried, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visited a food distribution at Church of the Palms in Sarasota, with food provided by All Faiths Food Bank. Church of the Palms is All Faiths’ largest agency partner. Commissioner Fried spoke with All Faiths Food Bank’s CEO, Sandra Frank, and Chief Development Officer, Denise Cotler, helped to organize and move product, and assisted in loading items onto shelves, for community members to select from there. She also spoke to community members who were there for assistance. While its regular schedule of mobile pantries is on hold at this time, All Faiths is holding numerous emergency distributions throughout the community each day as well as providing food for partner agencies to distribute. An up-to-date listing of distribution dates, locations and times can be found at allfaithsfoodbank.org/foodfinder. 

Due to continued power outages at the Recycling Processing Center, the City of Sarasota will be suspending collection of all recyclable materials until further notice. The City of Sarasota will continue to collect garbage on the regularly scheduled days. As a reminder, storm debris collection starts Wednesday, October 5th. Do not mix household waste, bulk waste, fencing or recyclables with storm debris. Vegetative storm debris does not need to be placed in containers as it would for regular yard waste pick up. Bagged debris will be picked up; however, it may not occur during the first collection cycle. Bagged debris must be kept separate from the vegetative storm debris pile. Further information on recycling collection will be provided as the storm recovery process continues. 

Sarasota Opera’s Curtain Raiser Dinner will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of General Director Richard Russell on October 16, 2022. Attendees will welcome the 2022-2023 Season at this annual event taking place at Michael’s On the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Sip on cocktails whileenjoying the beautiful grounds and socializing with fellow opera patrons. The event features a three-course meal, highlights about the upcoming season, and reminiscences of Richard Russell’s history with the company. Sarasota Opera Artists from the fall season will perform a special program for dinner guests.Purchase tickets for this event atSarasotaOpera.org/CurtainRaiser, by calling the Box Office at (941) 328-1300, or by emailing soaevents@sarasotaopera.org. 

A FAMILY LEGACY | By offering a place of belonging, connection, and freedom, Harvest House CEO Erin Minor helps create a second chance for those who need it most.

Hear more about all that Erin does to help Harvest House through this link, on our social media, or in the October edition of SRQ Magazine! 

Read Here!