Pediatric chiropractor Dr. Jina Foltz first met Tatiana Fernandez and her young daughter, Penny, at a coffee shop. As other patrons worked and hung out in the quiet environment, Penny would squeal, a classic activity of babies the world over. Fernandez would become nervous because there wasn’t a place for her and Penny to go where she could be a child and there would be no awkwardness when she cried, a desire that Foltz saw reflected in her patients.

“Being a natal and postpartum chiropractor, we found that many moms in the office would come for their visits and vocalize that they were isolated and didn’t have anywhere to go with their small children. They would tell us that they were leaving the office and were going to shop and spend time at Target because they had nowhere else to go,” says Foltz. “We also found that they would stay and linger for an hour after their appointment because they wanted to not only talk to adults and create community with our other practice members, but they also wanted their children to play indoors in an air-conditioned environment. I knew and was feeling so bad that there was a whole community of people who didn’t have any place to go with their young children.”

Together, Foltz and Fernandez dreamed up The Flock SRQ, a where parents can come with their children and build relationships with other families. The Flock SRQ features a lounge with WiFi, a private nursing area and separate open play areas for 0-18 months and 2-4 year-olds. Patrons can enjoy retail products like coffee, kombucha on tap, healthy snacks and drinks, branded merchandise and assorted baby items like clothes and toys. “We have a big variety of classes that we offer for all age groups,” Fernandez adds, including daddy and me classes, baby massages, arts and crafts, books and bubbles, circle time, mommies in motion and more. We can be booked out for parties.” Families can become monthly members, drop in for open play, which has no time limit, or participate in a class. To learn specifics about programming and pricing, visit the website. 

“Female and male flamingos will lose their color after giving birth from depletion. With flamingos, it’s from nutritional depletion and sleep deprivation, and the same is true for our human parents. They’re depleted, isolated and completely drained,” says Foltz. “When we think of postpartum we think of a one-year-old, but that period lasts through their first 1,000 days of life, which are the most important time for parents and babies. We are helping families find their flock while keeping their pink.”

The Flock SRQ, 1977 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, 786-354-0695, theflocksrq.com. 

Pictured: The warm and inviting play area at The Flock SRQ. Photo Courtesy of The Flock SRQ.

The Flock SRQ

New College of Florida applauds Governor Ron DeSantis for instructing Florida’s public colleges and universities, which collectively rank as the nation’s best public higher education system, to “waive certain transfer application requirements that would otherwise unnecessarily burden the transfer of Jewish students who have a well-founded fear of antisemitic persecution at their current postsecondary institution.” This directive is an important and necessary escalation from New College’s November directive by President Richard Corcoran to provide a haven for students “facing intolerance or physical danger” at Harvard University—or elsewhere. “Governor DeSantis has made Florida a model for our nation, and the fervor with which he is standing up for the oppressed and those left behind by elitist university administrators is bold leadership,” said Corcoran. “New College is eager to welcome students from across America facing danger from the latest wave of identity politics. All students should feel comfortable being open and vocal about their identities without fearing for their personal safety.  We are proud to belong to a state and a university system taking the lead in protecting Jewish students amidst the disturbing rise of campus antisemitism—particularly given the abdication of leadership we all saw when the Presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania testified before Congress.” Governor DeSantis, State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, and Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. have offered the following support to Jewish students facing discrimination: Waiving credit hour requirements for transfer applications that would typically be a hurdle for otherwise academically eligible first- and second-year postsecondary students; Waiving application date windows for transfers that would again burden otherwise academically eligible students who are seeking to flee discriminatory circumstances. Governor DeSantis additionally urged colleges and universities, at their discretion, to use their existing statutory authority to grant out-of-state tuition waivers on a case-by-case basis for those students who may have a financial hardship when transferring from another state to a Florida postsecondary institution. New College will begin reviewing prospective cases on these terms without delay. As we have stated before and will hold true in perpetuity: New College will not tolerate violence, intimidation, harassment, or threats against the Jewish Community, or any other group. Free speech and expression, with the goal of fostering civil discourse, are required at New College. 

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner is accepting applications for a $1,200 scholarship to be awarded by the Florida Supervisors of Elections Association (FSE) in 2024. The FSE is proud to announce an exciting scholarship opportunity aimed at supporting our next generation of leaders. In a commitment to furthering education and civic engagement, the FSE is offering three $1,200 scholarships to college students across the state, according to Turner. To be eligible, an applicant must: Be enrolled or accepted as a full-time student in a senior college or university in Florida, have maintained a “C” average or above the previous school year, be majoring in political science, public administration, business administration, journalism or mass communication. Additional eligibility requirements are listed on the application and in the scholarship guidelines, which are available online at SarasotaVotes.gov. Applications may also be picked up at any of the following elections offices: Sarasota County Terrace Building, 101 S Washington Blvd, 7th Floor, Sarasota, R.L. Anderson Administration Building, 4000 Tamiami Trail South, Rm 114, Venice, Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port. Applications must be received by Friday, March 8 to the elections office of the county in which the applicant is registered to vote. Applications may be delivered in-person to any one of the elections offices listed above or mailed to: Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 4194, Sarasota, FL 34230-4194. In 2023, Kate Rumisek, a Sarasota County student studying at the University of Central Florida, was awarded one of the FSE scholarships. Students or educational institutions may call 941.861.8606 for more information.  

Jessica Kane, assistant principal at Palm View K-8 since 2021, has been named the principal for the same school. Mrs. Kane will replace Kaththea Johnson, who has served as principal at Palm View K-8 since 2018. Mrs. Johnson has moved to a district-level administrative position. Mrs. Kane was recently named Manatee County Assistant Principal of the Year. Prior to becoming an assistant principal at Palm View K-8, she served as assistant principal at King Middle School from 2017 to 2021, dean of students at Lakewood Ranch High School from 2015-2017, also as a student support specialist at Haile Middle School, ESE Department Chair at Horizons Academy, ESE Teacher at Manatee High School, and Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach. She began her career in Manatee County in 2006. Mrs. Kane started her new position on January 8, 2024. 

Embracing Our Differences celebrates the start of its 21st anniversary with a free Grand Opening Celebration on Sunday, January 21, noon-3 p.m., in Sarasota’s downtown Bayfront Park. The event features three performances by Jah Movement. Local arts and education organizations, including The Ringling, Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, CreArte Latino, Van Wezel, Asolo Rep, ALSO Youth and Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading will have booths featuring interactive, kid-friendly activities. Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company, El Indio Tacos y Snacks, and Krewe Du Snoball food trucks will be stationed at the event. EOD will also recognize Best-in-Show winners and many of the artists and quoters who had their works selected for display. For more information, visit www.embracingourdifferences.org.  

Pictured: Me, Myself, and I by Leung Wing Yan Janet, Taichung, Taiwan.

To learn more, visit

The Women’s Resource Center presents “Unlock Your Career Potential: How to Land a Job Fast,” a webinar designed to equip participants with essential strategies to accelerate job searches and secure meaningful employment, Wednesday, January 24, noon to 1 p.m. The speaker is Hannah McGowan ED.M., C.A.S., a professional trainer and coach, who provides custom talent development solutions to individuals facing engagement, retention, and productivity challenges. The session is part of WRC’s Career Connections program that links women to quality jobs and funded training programs. This is a free program, but participants are asked to register at www.mywrc.org/LandJob.  

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, in partnership with Friends of The Legacy Trail (FLT), announced this week the start of the 2024 surrey ride program. This popular program offers a fun option for residents and visitors who are mobility-challenged or might otherwise be unable to enjoy the experience of riding on the trail. Sarasota County volunteers pedal the canopy-covered surrey and guide passengers on a free 45-minute ride. The rides begin at Laurel Park on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Jan. 9 through April 10 with times available each day at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Pre-registration is required by calling Central Reservations at 941-861-PARK (7275) or heading to sarasotacountyparks.com. Space is limited to four participants per ride, per time slot. Registrants must have the ability to climb up one step onto the surrey. Riders should wear sun protection, a light jacket on cooler days and sturdy walking shoes. Passengers meet inside the Sandra Sims Terry Community Center at Laurel Park, 509 Collins Road, Nokomis. All Sarasota County programs prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets. Scheduled riders will be notified if there is a cancellation due to weather. The surrey ride program has been well-received by passengers, and Sarasota County volunteer pedalers have benefited greatly from meeting and visiting with the riders, organizers say. The surrey was a donation by FLT to Sarasota County to promote The Legacy Trail and other county parks. The Legacy Trail is the regional backbone of a recreational and nature-based trail system connecting communities across Sarasota County. It offers several areas to stop, rest, learn about the trail's history or just enjoy the natural beauty. For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 311 and ask for The Legacy Trail surrey rides or visit friendsofthelegacytrail.org or sarasotacountyparks.com. 

Seashell collectors and enthusiasts, beachcombers and artisans of all ages are invited to attend the 2024 Sarasota Shell Show. Last year’s annual show attracted thousands of visitors over the successful two-day event. The Sarasota Shell Show offers a great way to learn about seashells and the critters that created and inhabited them, plus view unique shell art and learn from scientific exhibits. Visitors will enjoy a variety of vendors who display and sell common, exotic and rare shells, rocks and minerals; shell-inspired jewelry; clothing; shell crafts and art; and more. There will be a raffle for shells and coastal-inspired prizes. The annual Sarasota Shell Show will be held Feb. 9 and 10, 2024 at the Robarts Arena (Sarasota fairgrounds) in the Potter building, 2896 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota FL. Hours are 10 a.m. -5 p.m. both days. Guests receive a free bag of shells with their $5 paid admission fee. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult and the fee is half-price for students ages 12-18. Save the date and enjoy the opportunity to “shellabrate” with the seashell community at this unique event! The Sarasota Shell Club always welcomes new members. Club activities include monthly meetings with guest speakers, exclusive shelling excursions, and social events. Learn more about the Sarasota Shell Show and the Sarasota Shell Club at www.sarasotashellclub.com. 

The North Port Library on Tamiami Trail is the newest recipient of a North Port Spirit Award. Randy Moore, the publisher of South County Healthy Living made the announcement today. The award recognizes an individual, couple, business, or nonprofit making a sustained and meaningful contribution to the health and vitality of the region. The North Port Library is part of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. The North Port Library is the seventh recipient of the North Port Spirit Award since 2019. Prior award winners include Caddy Carts, Cocoa Yoga Café, Lolablue Artisan Bath + Beauty, the Gulf Coast Scratching Post Cat Hospital, North Port Art Center, and Kokokahn Pure Essential Oils. 

PLAY CROQUET | The Solomon Trophy Event brings competitive croquet to Sarasota, January 2024. 

Read Here!