With weeks to go until the General Election, the region’s most competitive state House race continues to heat up. State Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, hopes leadership in her first term impresses voters enough to deliver her a second term representing Florida House District 73. But Democrat Derek Reich hopes anger at Florida’s new abortion restrictions will leave voters wanting change.

McFarland for her part has stressed her commitment to the Sarasota community. An ad that started airing on TV last week covers her biography as a Navy veteran, as well as work she did in her first term in the House where she secured $362.7 million for affordable housing and $200 million for environmental protection. It also shows her raising her two children in her Sarasota home.

The incumbent said the work on behalf of all Sarasota citizens will hopefully be rewarded with a second term.

“I’m proud of what my team and I have accomplished for the district in my first term, and am focused on the work that lies ahead for working families, the property insurance market, and our hurricane recovery efforts,” she said. “There is more that unites us than divides us and I have to hope we all want elected officials who believe that.”

Reich, for his part, focused on rights the Legislature took away this year. In particular, he has focused much of his messaging in the final stretch of the campaign on a new restriction on abortions 15 weeks into pregnancy, a law that offers no exceptions for rape or incest.

“This race is about if you believe a rape victim should have access to abortion services,” he said. “My opponent voted for a ban even in cases of rape or incest. If you believe a woman should have control of her body, vote for Derek Reich. If you believe a government bureaucrat should decide, you should vote for Fiona McFarland. I’m proudly pro-freedom.”

He’s drilling that message in on all of his political signage, and in a set of mailers highlighting the incumbent’s vote in support of the abortion restriction. He’s also sharing his own story, as a teacher angered by House Republican proposing cuts to the school district budget over a mask mandate and deciding to run for office. He has shared the story and stressed his view on protecting access to abortion with hundreds of voters, knocking on up to 200 doors a day after school each day and more on weekends.

For her part, McFarland has stressed her own support for a final budget that spent $4 million more this year on teacher salaries. That notably was signed into law while no proposal for stripping the district of money made it out of the Legislature.

To get her message out, McFarland’s re-election campaign has spent $108,395 through Oct. 7, out of $253,390 she raised to that date. She also has $141,142 cash on hand left in a political committee, Friends of Sarasota.

Reich comparatively has raised $58,885 and spent $37,648 of that in his campaign account. A political committee supporting his efforts also launched, the Freedom First Fund, but that has raised just $1,000 through Oct. 14.   

For the month of September, 190,405 passengers traveled through the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. This is a 1% increase as compared to September 2021. Passengers traveling through the airport year-to-date totaled 2,802,331, a 26% increase compared to 2021 year-to-date passengers. The 12-month activity thru September 2022 totals 3,746,571 passengers which is a 47% increase compared to 2,555,495 passengers for the 12 months thru September 2021. “Even with over 90 cancelled flights due to Hurricane Ian, totaling an estimated loss of over 20,000 passengers, SRQ still experienced an increase in passengers for September over the prior year. Our seasonal service is beginning to return, and we are noticing much higher passenger load factors than last year. With 1 new route and 11 returning routes starting next month, we expect to continue to break passenger records as we begin the peak season,” stated Rick Piccolo, President, and CEO of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. 

The Women’s Resource Center continues to expand its Wonder Women Collective series with “Communication and Cultural Identity,” Friday, November 4, 5-7 p.m., at 6513 Street W., in Bradenton. The speaker is Elise Rodriguez, Esq., and the program will be presented in Spanish. The event begins at 5 p.m. with complimentary food and a chance to network before the speaker begins her presentation. Tickets are $15. RSVP at mywrc.org/LTN or call 941-256-9721. This is the last event of the 2022 Wonder Women Collective series before the launch of the 2023 season in December.  

TAKING THE CEO ROLL OF TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN MANATEE in Oct. 2019 has been my biggest challenge yet. We had to totally pivot our structure and organization to serve our students in a virtual world. Also, learning to raise funds for a nonprofit virtually and making huge strides in growth for our organization. Learning also how to relate to others on a virtual platform. 

PERSONAL LIFE Women mentors in my life inspired me to become the woman I am today. I learned the value of integrity and giving back and strength. Mentoring is my passion and passing on my learned knowledge to help others is my key to success. I was a single mom and raised two daughters on my own. I learned perseverance and the real meaning of strength. Women are built so much stronger than we realize. My motto is to never give up! Always being grateful and having a positive realistic attitude. 

MY SECRET SAUCE Gratitude! Do something that scares you every day! I tell my students I mentor this all the time.  

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Resilient Retreat, a new non-profit that provides free and confidential programs for survivors of abuse and trauma in our community, including but not limited to first responders, medical professionals and teachers, proudly announces the dates of its upcoming campus building dedication and open house, Tuesday, October 19, 9 am- 12 pm. In celebration of Resilient Retreat’s new opening in Sarasota, the non-profit organization will be hosting a free event that is open to the public. The Campus Building Dedication and Open House will give visitors access to the new facilities via small group, guided tours. Attendees will experience samplings from Resilient Retreat’s programming, a sage ceremony and the placement of a time capsule to help commemorate this important milestone for the local community. Trauma and abuse have no- socioeconomic, gender or age boundaries. The center will allow Resilient Retreat to provide free and confidential programs for survivors of abuse and first responders/professionals to heal from the impacts of trauma on the mind, body and spirit. In addition to workshops and educational opportunities, the retreat will offer participants the opportunity to try a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities, such as equine therapy, yoga, art and music therapy, experiences in nature, and more.

Resilient Retreat, 13010 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. 

Food banks in Sarasota and Manatee counties rushed to help people impacted by Hurricane Ian, dipping into their reserves to help out after the storm. Now the non-profits are low on food and funds as Thanksgiving approaches, and leaders are asking for help. The Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program coordinates with 34 non-profit agencies in communities throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. Together the network provides food and grocery gift cards to local households facing food insecurity. Over the past 35 years, The MFTHP has distributed more than 600 tons of food and $4.2 million in food gift cards. But now, due to Hurricane Ian, the cupboards are nearly bare. Non-profit organizers are asking members of the community to donate in time for the holidays so more families can look forward to full bellies on Christmas. All donations stay in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Financial donations are especially appreciated. They allow food pantries to give out gift cards, which means participants can buy the foods they like and know how to prepare. As an added bonus, the Flanzer Trust is matching donations made through their site, FlanzerTrust.org. Make sure to select The MFTHP from the list of charities. Donors can also learn about giving their time or non-perishable food items at MayorsFeedTheHungry.org.

DreamLarge is bringing a RADD Night to The Bay for one special night during The Bay Park’s 10-day long Grand Opening. The evening will highlight some of Sarasota’s greatest local vendors, artists, musicians, and food, with more surprises to come. The event takes place on Thursday, October 20 from 5 pm to 9 pm at The Bay Park. DreamLarge, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and generous Friends of The Bay have partnered to host fundraising efforts for Hurricane Ian victims. Throughout the event, every donation, 100% of beverage sales, and 10% of every purchase goes directly to hurricane relief efforts. Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Friends of The Bay are generously matching all funds raised, dollar-for-dollar. RADD Night is being brought to The Bay to highlight and support the small businesses in the Rosemary District community and connect them to The Bay, Sarasota’s newest signature public park. The evening event will feature a night of live music from local artists including Kara Nally Band, Me Umbra, and DJ Ba$$God. Local vendors including Painted Neon Art, Paper Moon Origami Co., and an array of food trucks including Shiny Gumbo, Willy Yums, Nakos Tacos and more will also be featured at the event. Attendees are encouraged to make purchases to help support our local small businesses and provide aid to those suffering from the effects of the hurricane. “RADD Night began as an opportunity to bring the community together to support and highlight local small businesses,” says Anand Pallegar, DreamLarge Founder. “After our community suffered the unimaginable, it only makes sense to use this as a platform to provide further aid and support to the victims of Hurricane Ian.” The Bay Park Grand Opening, 10 Days at The Bay, begins on Friday, October 14 and ends on Sunday, October 23. For any questions, please contact hello@dreamlarge.org or visit www.dreamlarge.org. 

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Asolo Repertory Theatre has received an $80,000 Arts Appreciation Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation that will be used to support the 2022-23 season. In addition to the season sponsorship, Gulf Coast’s contribution supports Asolo Rep’s 2023 Annual Gala, the Starry Night Series, the IllumiNation Series and the Artistic Excellence Society. The grant will provide essential support for the 2022-23 mainstage season, which is an engaging mix of the classic and the new, bookended by the iconic musicals Cabaret and Man of La Mancha. The four-show rotating repertory season of plays includes Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers, Silent Sky, Chicken & Biscuits and Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. In addition to the theatrical season sponsorship, Gulf Coast’s funds will support the IllumiNation Series, which explores the social, political, and cultural themes threaded throughout Asolo Rep's productions. This season, attendees will discuss topics related to Cabaret, Silent Sky, Chicken & Biscuits and Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Gulf Coast Community Foundation is recognized as a platinum-level sponsor for Asolo Rep’s Annual Gala, set for March 4. The theatre company’s biggest fundraiser of the season, the evening features a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a seated dinner, paddle raise, live music and dancing. Gulf Coast will also support the Starry Night Series, which presents exclusive events at amazing locations themed to this year’s productions of Cabaret, Silent Sky and Man of La Mancha. Finally, in honor of Asolo Rep Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, Gulf Coast is designating support for the Artistic Excellence Society (AES) for the first time. AES is a devoted group of donors whose mission is to support Edwards’ vision, ensuring that bold artistic choices can be made in selecting works that embody a spirit of risk-taking, collaboration and innovation. 

ASOLO REPERTORY’S CABARET | Shedding new light on old favorites.

Catch a glimpse of Cabaret through this link, on our social media, or in the October edition of SRQ Magazine! 

Read Here!