[Philanthropy]  Foundation Leaders Tout Patience, Collaboration
Jacob Ogles, Jacob.ogles@srqmediagroup.com

Foundation presidents for a community-based group that helped a Tennessee city find its way and for a national organization which works on projects throughout Canada both touted the need for better cooperation among public, private and non-profit leaderships when it comes to successful projects capable of positive change.

"People have to feel a part of it," said Tim Brodhead, president of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. "That is hard to achieve when driving something by yourself."

Brodhead's foundation serves causes all over Canada, and he said whether building support for an educational initiative and broadening involvement in environmental improvement, it is important to have a process which brings people together and allows them to create a shared vision.

Bruz Clark, President of the Lyndhurst Foundation in Chattanooga, Tenn., said it can often be easier than one expects to find a joint vision. If a community is engaged, leaders realize how many shared goals they can achieve together. He discussed a 20-year plan to improve the core of Chattanooga, and noted most of its objectives have been achieved in 10 years.

But both Clark and Brodhead said patience must be used when engaging in philanthropy and community projects. Almost all take twice as long as expected. But that is why the involvement of charities can be so important. "Patience is one thing foundations can have," Brodhead said.

Foundations also need to be willing to take risks. He noted efforts to cross racial divisions in the 1980s in his city could have resulted in riots, but instead brought a watershed moment in unity. "Things could have ended right there, but that is what we call risk," he said. Share:

[Daily Shop]  Get Your Shop On at Write-On
Sarah Walch, sarahw@srqmediagroup.com

Write-On Sarasota announces its Sizzling Summer Sale now through July 10. Take 20—70 percent off a whole slew of top-notch gift and personal items. Indulge in small pleasures such as chic Juliska glassware, innovative Point a la Linge candles, painfully detailed pens by Italian-designed Montegrappa and Bosca small leather goods. Share:

Write-On Sarasota, 1423 First St., Sarasota, 941-953-2800

[Good Bite]  Six Courses and Six Pours
Allison Milam, allisonm@srqmediagroup.com

Attention food and wine connoisseurs: join Dinners by Design tonight for a wine dinner fit for your high-class tastes. This is just one of the seven remaining dinners planned for the very near future, with each event featuring a region of the world known for impeccable vino. This time, it’s all about Italy—six courses and six wine pairings inspired by Italy, if we’re talking numbers. Taking place at the Chef’s Kitchen at Finecraft Cabinetry, the festivities start with a Loch Duart Salmon, prepared with parsley root, toasted almonds, apple and lemon, and a 2005 Castelli di Semivicoli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. Four courses later, it ends with a Valrhona Chocolate Tiramisou, served alongside a glass of De Bortoli ‘Black Noble’ dessert wine. Make sure to reserve one of the eighteen available seats online at least three hours before the start of the event—and to save plenty of room beforehand. Share:

Dinners by Design, winedinnerssrq.eventbrite.com; Finecraft Cabinetry, 1725 Barber Rd., Sarasota, 941-929-9463

[Expansion]  Southeast Guide Dogs in Sarasota

Southeastern Guide Dogs is opening a satellite facility on Main Street. The Southeastern Guide Dogs Discovery Center will allow residents and visitors to learn more about guide dogs. The facility, located at the corner of Orange Avenue, will also be a base camp for trainers as they work with dogs in training and for students of the school to get real world experience. Share:

Southeastern Guide Dogs

[Closing]  Buddha Belly to Leave Town

Buddha Belly Donuts will close in downtown Sarasota, according to co-owner Bill Thompson. The owners of the restaurant are relocating to Philadelphia for family medical reasons involving long-term care of an expected child. The last day of business at the donut shop will be on July 23. Share:

1990 Main Street, Sarasota, 941-952-0700

[Exec Moves]  Rivera Joins Coastal Orthopedics

Dr. Abraham Rivera has joined Coastal Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in the Pain Management practice. Rivera specializes in spinal cord stimulations and intraspinal infusion pumps, as well as radio-frequency ablation and vertebral fracture cement repair. Previously, Rivera was Chief Medical Director for a surgery center and pain management practice in Tampa, and before that was a faculty member at Albany Medical Center in the Anesthesiology department. Share:

Coastal Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

[Today]  DRAW: Themed Sketch Night, Art Center Sarasota, 5:30—8:30pm

This is a summer series for adults, with each session featuring unique and unusual models, settings and genres. Tonight’s theme is “Degas Night.” Capture the essence of grace. Two young, classically trained ballerinas will pose in tutu and toe. Allow yourself to be inspired by these titillating, yet tasteful, drawing soirees. This is an excellent opportunity to refine your drawing skills in the company of your fellow artists and explore fresh, new poses. Sketch nights are held in a drop-in basis so no registration is necessary. Cost is $12 for ACS members and $16 for non-members. Must be of age 18 or older. Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-365-2032. Share:

[Today]  EXHIBIT: “I AM HOME,” Art Center Sarasota, 10am—6pm

This special art exhibition explores the concept of home—how and where we dwell. Artists from around the state have been invited to reflect on the concept of home as an idea, a feeling, a structure—home as a space and a place, as well as an expression of privacy, security, one’s culture, identity, family, a memory or its presence or absence. Be sure to experience this exhibit as it is only on display until this Saturday, July 9. Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-366-0585. Share:

[Today]  SHOW: CIRCUS-CIRQUE-CIRCO, Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 11am and 2pm

In every language–in every land–there’s only one word that means fun for the entire family—Circus! Join Circus Sarasota and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of art as they bring family fun to the stage of Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater with astonishing feats performed by circus stars young and old, including Ty Tojo the world’s greatest 12-year-old juggler. Tickets are $10 for children age 12 and under and $12 for adults. Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, 941-360-7399. Share:

[Today]  KIDS: “Music is Instrumental” Class, Little Bookworms Children’s Bookstore and Boutique, 1pm

Children ages 1—6 can sign and dance to popular children’s music performed by local musician Dean Johanesen. Kids will then be given the opportunity to take turns playing various instruments. Cost is $3 per child and $2 for each additional sibling. Little Bookworms is an independent, locally-owned boutique in Lakewood Ranch that offers thousands of books for infants through teenagers and a unique selection of apparel and shoes for boys and girls. Little Bookworms Children’s Bookstore and Boutique, 811 Lakewood Main St. #103, Lakewood Ranch, 941-907-3808. Share:

[Soon]  THEATER: PAINTING CHURCHES, Lemon Bay Playhouse, July 9, 7:30pm

This play takes place in a townhouse in the Beacon Hill area of Boston, as an elderly couple, Fanny and Gardner Church, are packing. They are moving to a beach home on Cape Cod. Gardner is a poet and Fanny is from a "fine old family." Their daughter Margaret (Mags), an artist who lives in New York, has arrived to help them pack and paint their portrait. Over the course of several days, Mags sees her role in the parent-child relationship changing. This play will be performed through July 11. Painting Churches opens this Wednesday with a show at 7:30pm. Lemon Bay Playhouse, 96 West Dearborn St., Englewood, 941-475-6756. Share:

[Soon]  FAMILY: Photo Safari, Urfer Family Park, July 9, 9—11am

Join Parks Naturalists on a guided nature walk through Urfer Family Park. Learn tips about nature photography and how to spot photo opportunities in a natural setting. Visit pine flatwoods, forested wetland and cattle pasture. The trail is approximately 1.5 miles and is relatively flat. Wear walking shoes and sun protection and bring your camera or binoculars. Don't forget to bring water. Register at the number provided. Open to ages eight and up. This is a free event. Urfer Family Park, 4000 Honore Ave., Sarasota, 941-650-2487. Share: