SRQ DAILY Mar 17, 2025
Monday Business Edition
"Joy is something that we all need, it is something that binds us together."
On March 11, Architecture Sarasota hosted Paul Kalbfleisch as part of their lecture series, Downtown Sarasota: Beyond Our Borders. Kalbfleisch is a multi-disciplined speaker and writer and is the co-author of The Joy Experiments: Reimagining Mid-Sized Cities as a Tool to Heal Our Divided Society. Below is an excerpt from the full Q&A interview that will appear in the May/June 2025 issue of SRQ Magazine.
SRQ: You’ve talked about creating a sense of collective joy. What do you mean by that?
Kalbfleisch: To me, joy is not a reward for having a great life. Joy consists of the moments where you feel connected to something bigger than yourself, whether it's a community, an idea, a feeling or a person and it’s an outburst of joyful optimism that comes out of everyday experiences. These are the things that give individuals and cultures and communities the resilience to carry on. Joy is a tool of resilience. It’s not a reward for getting somewhere, it’s a tool to help us work to get into a better world and a better life. Joy is something that we all need, it is something that binds us together. Big cities have these moments of serendipity, these moments of collective joy all the time.
We’ve gone through a period of time where we thought the future is all about growth and then the future is all about technology. I think now that the future is societal. The deciding factor in whether our future is going to be better or worse is on what we do and how we divide or unite society. Cities are this place where we can actually make that difference.
I heard someone give a talk not too long ago where he said that cities are serendipity machines. I thought it was an amazing idea, because it questions how we’re going about building our cities. You can say let’s create bike lanes and better parks and more interesting architecture, but what’s the point of it? What’s it leading to? What’s our why? Maybe our why is to build cities that prioritize the connection of citizens because that will make them vibrant and economically viable in the innovation era. Until we find a way of bringing people together a little better than we are currently, the big, complex challenges facing society in the future are going to be hard to overcome.
Paul Kalbfleisch. Provided photo.
Each year, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System selects an exceptional staff member and leader from its 10,500-member team to be honored as the EXCEL Employee and Leader of the Year. This year’s Employee of the Year recipient is Diane Troupe-Bryant, who works as a health unit coordinator on the Respiratory Progressive Care Unit at SMH-Sarasota. This year’s Leader of the Year is Jackie Gould, Clinical Manager for the Orthopedic-Surgical Department at SMH-Venice. Established in 1986 by former Sarasota County Public Hospital Board member Jim Tollerton, the EXCEL Program honors outstanding employees for their dedication and excellence. Tollerton continues to support the program through the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.
Cheer on Olympic-level riders and horses every weekend from February 15 to March 16! Join us as a VIP on Saturdays at 11am, with your table in the beautiful pavilion. Enjoy panoramic views of the competition and a gourmet brunch buffet from our all-new Executive Chef, Christopher Capstick. Experience the best in Grand Prix Show Jumping with the $65,000 International Grand Prix on Weeks 1-4, and the Split Rock Jumping Tour $100,000 Grand Prix on Week 5 for an incredible finale! Come back on Sundays for Family Breakfast in the Pavilion at from 8am to 11am during the $25,000 TerraNova Prix and bring the kids for a hands-on experience at Mini Horsemanship Camp. Family Breakfast tickets are sold at the door. Mini Camp and VIP require reservations. General admission is free with bleacher seating and food trucks for your enjoyment!
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital announced today that it has been recognized as a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects Fawcett Hospital’s clear commitment to safe, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety. In addition to this recognition for patient safety, Fawcett Hospital was recently named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for surgical care and America’s 100 Best Hospitals orthopedic and spine surgery. These achievements further underscore the organization’s commitment to delivering compassionate, individualized care at every step of the patient journey.
HCA Florida Englewood Hospital has been recognized with the prestigious 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ from Healthgrades, placing it among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety. This marks the seventh consecutive year (2019-2025) the hospital has ranked among the top 10% or better in the nation for patient safety performance. "This recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our physicians, nurses and entire care team," said Kelly Lindsay, CEO of HCA Florida Englewood Hospital. "Every day, our teams prioritize patient safety, ensuring each individual receives safe, high-quality, compassionate care."
Atlas Insurance Agency, a trusted name in insurance solutions since 1953, announces its acquisition of Atlas Employee Benefits. This move expands the agency’s ability to serve businesses and families with even more comprehensive protection. "For generations, our priority has been helping clients protect what matters most," commented Rob Brown, Atlas Insurance President. "Bringing employee benefits into the Atlas family allows us to offer even more services for business owners, ensuring their employees' well-being. What was already a strong, full-service solution is now even more complete."
Construction is progressing on HCA Florida Venice Doctors Emergency. The free standing emergency room is a department of HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. It is expected to open in May on the US 41 Bypass in Venice. The hospital is holding a hiring event to fill open positions at the new emergency room and the hospital’s main emergency room in Sarasota. Experienced registered nurses, new graduate registered nurses, clinical nurse coordinators, and CT technologists are encouraged to apply.
March 25, 4:00pm- 7:00pm, Joey D’s Venice, 750 N US 41 Bypass, Venice.
We're gearing up at all six Gecko's Grill & Pub’s for a traditional Irish feast on St. Patrick’s Day, featuring a menu with locally sourced Bangers from Geier’s Sausage Kitchen! We will also be featuring some fun and festive Irish cocktails all month long! The Guinness will be flowing for hoisting a pint for a traditional Slainte!
Gecko's Grill & Pub, Multiple Locations
Jack Dusty will be offering two unique specials on Sunday, March 16 and Monday, March 17 in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Sip on an Irish Grasshopper, crafted with Teeling Irish Whiskey, Green Chartreuse, Fernet Branca Menta, Crème de Cacao, lime juice and cream. For those with an appetite for a grand Irish meal, enjoy the Old World Classic: New York-style corned beef, braised savoy cabbage, red bliss potatoes, heirloom baby carrots, mustard velouté and a crispy cabbage garnish. Sláinte!
Jack Dusty Coastal Cuisine and Crafted Cocktails, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive Sarasota, FL 34236
Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar will serve multiple Irish libations, including Jameson, Proper Mule, Q Ginger Beer & Guinness Draft for $6 with single cocktails for $5. Our Butcher Block Special will be Lamb Ossobuco w/ Cheddar Mash and Blumenberry Farms organic Cabbage and Gulf Grouper Reuben using cabbage from Blumenberry Farms for the housemade sauerkraut.
Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar, 428 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Get ready to eat, drink, and be Irish at Anna Maria Oyster Bar this St. Patrick’s Day! Join us on Monday, March 17, for a festive celebration featuring delicious Irish-inspired specials, plenty of green beer, and a whole lot of Five-Star Fun.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar, All Anna Maria Oyster Bar locations
Arts Advocates presents monthly luncheon programs at the Sarasota Yacht Club, featuring engaging speakers discussing local arts-related topics. Barbara Ramsay, chief conservator of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Art conservators identify potential risks and aim to prevent damage to works of art so restoration treatment will not be required. Ramsay will outline the role of the art conservator and reveal details of some recent painting conservation treatments. $45 for Arts Advocates members; $50 for non-members. Lunch is included.
Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236
SCFD is proud to welcome the community into the fire stations, continuing the tradition of open houses. These open houses are a wonderful opportunity for residents to engage directly with neighborhood firefighters. Visit our website to view the open house schedule.
Multiple Location, Multiple Locations
Every Wednesdat at 6 pm a 5k Fun Run starts and ends at 99 Bottles. Course runs through Downtown Sarasota and along the Bayfront, all skill levels, all fun. Each time you finish a run, you mudy get yout card punched to get an attendance credit and receive 99 bottles prizes. All runners are expected to obey all traffic laws, be courteous to other runners, pedestrians, cyclists, animals, etc.on the route and to know your limits - running and/or drinking!
99 Bottles, 1445 2nd St Sarasota, FL 34236
Be surrounded by the celebration and sounds of Sarasota Opera's most outstanding Apprentice and Studio Artists being honored. Enjoy a gourmet lunch with new and old friends and performances by the awardees. Awards are presented through the generosity of visionary individuals as well as the Sarasota and Manatee Opera Guilds.
Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join All Faiths Food Bank to kick off the 2025 Campaign Against Summer Hunger with a walk around Nathan Benderson Park. The walk will mark the start of a six-week-long campaign to raise funds to feed children at risk of hunger over the summer.
Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL, 34235
Introducing, Booked for Lunch: Supporting Manatee Libraries 2025. The Library Foundation of Manatee County is thrilled to announce our return to our in-person author events this spring! Join us for a luncheon celebrating and supporting Manatee County's wonderful public library system. While guests enjoy a beautiful lunch prepared by GROVE, our Library Services Manager, Tammy Parrott, will moderate a fireside chat with our special guest, Jenna Bush Hager. Attendees will have an opportunity to get a photo with and/or a book signed by Jenna at the conclusion of the luncheon.
Grove Ballroom, 0670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) will host its annual fundraising luncheon, PAWS 2025: Mission Pawssible at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. You don't want to miss the fun-filled annual event! At Mission Pawssible, guests will be immersed in an exciting, interactive experience with animal “agents” on a mission to find their forever homes. It will be an inspiring afternoon featuring live entertainment, heartwarming stories, and an opportunity to support the lifesaving work of HSSC. It’s a chance to make a real impact on the lives of homeless cats and dogs. The mission is simple: raise crucial funds to help provide shelter, medical care, food, and enrichment activities for more than 3,000 animals yearly.
Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Toss some fun into your Thursday! Join us at Waterside Place for a fun morning of Casual Cornhole! Whether you’re a cornhole pro or a newbie, don’t miss this chance to show off your tossing skills and have a blast with friends! Grab a partner or go solo, we’ve got enough beanbags and boards to keep everyone entertained!
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace Lakewood Ranch , FL 34240
502 Gallery is pleased to present ‘TOM STEPHENS: Textures of Experience’, a solo exhibition showcasing a compelling new body of work by Florida-based artist Tom Stephens. Known for his ability to capture the essence of Florida’s natural and built environments, Stephens' paintings masterfully balance realism and abstraction, inviting viewers to engage with his dynamic use of light, texture, and form.
502 Gallery, 502 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
In the 60s and 70s, a new sound came into mainstream music that changed the scene forever. Led by early folk-rock artists like John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez, this musical revue celebrates their top hits and the songs that transcended generations. 59th Street Bridge is a celebration of the timeless music such as, “Annie’s Song,” “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” and “Both Sides Now.”
Florida Studio Theatre, 1239 North Palm Ave Sarasota, FL 34236
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 |
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