[Flight]  Frankfurt on Horizon for SRQ
Jacob Ogles, Jacob.ogles@srqmediagroup.com

The first nonstop service to Europe from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport could be just over the horizon. A delegation of tourism leaders is in Frankfurt, Germany now lobbying Condor Airlines to arrange flights.

"What we're talking about is service from March to October twice a week nonstop between here and Frankfurt," said Frederick Piccolo, director for the airport.

Officials expect about 30,000 passengers total on those flights. According to Piccolo, the majority of those passengers would likely originate in Europe and come here. Frankfurt is also one of the major flight hubs for Europe, so a nonstop flight there means a connection to numerous other airports across the sea.

"Frankfurt has global connections around the world," said Ray Alexander, owner of the Engel and Voelkers in Holmes Beach. "It would be very beneficial to us, but it is beneficial to Europeans as well."

Alexander's company is a branch of a German firm, and he has been working to generate local enthusiasm for nonstop service. Through the local 'Operation Condor' effort, he has secured marketing commitments from the Longboat Key Club and Resort, promotional offerings from Holiday Inn and a variety of other supportive gestures from businesses benefitting from international tourism.

Tourism leaders have touted SRQ's proximity to some of America's wealthiest communities. One of the top 10 most affluent zip codes in the U.S. is on Longboat Key, and another is in Bradenton.

Condor officials told Piccolo a decision will be made in August. The German airline announced nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale in May. If the airline decides to offer flights, permission must still be obtained from Customs and Borders Protection, but SRQ already has a customs office to handle flights from Canada. Share:

[Daily Shop]  The Dish on Soap
Sarah Walch, sarahw@srqmediagroup.com

As Simply Spoiled’s new location takes Main Street by storm, dive into the fresh digs and check out the skincare boutique’s luxe space. There’s always an excuse to buy soap (we hope), so take home some Zum Bar. Savory scents such as sea salt, eucalyptus and patchouli-orange are delivered in an all-natural, goat’s milk bar. Or shop posh U.K.-based Bomb Cosmetics which dishes out dainty spheres for bath time bliss. Share:

Simply Spoiled, 1471 Main St., Sarasota, 941-364-3337

[Good Bite]  Cuckoo for Coconut Cake
Allison Milam, allisonm@srqmediagroup.com

After enjoying lunch at Citrus, the café just as sunny and fresh as its name, snag a simple slice of heaven. Relish the quintessential coconut cake with nothing out of the box about it—and that’s what we love about it. The café does it right, with the cake looking to be straight out of a food mag. It’s tall (but not towering), tender, and brimming with rich, snow-white goodness. When the cake arrives, it makes an entrance. The portion is anything but a sliver and the layers of white icing keep it impeccably sweet and moist. Of course, the obligatory sprinkling of coconut shavings that powder this layered lovely make for a nice crush sensation, and when a forkful is dunked in the whipped cream served alongside, the colorless confection is made that much more vibrant. Share:

Citrus, 543 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-957-0432

[Honor]  SMH Among Best Heart Hospitals

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaids Services ranked Sarasota Memorial Hospital as one of the best hospitals in the nation for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia patients. CMS ranked the hospital No. 2 nationally for having the lowest heart attack readmission rates and No. 8 for lowest heart failure readmissions, a better ranking than another other hospital in Florida. SMH also made the top 100 hospitals with the lowest pneumonia readmissions. CMS looked at more than 4,000 hospitals and analyzes a three-year period from mid-2006 to 2009. Results were posted by USA Today and the government's Hospital Compare website. Share:

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

[Honor]  Halflants and Pichette Wins Tampa AIA Awards

Halflants and Pichette won two design awards from the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The winning entries were for the Tampa Korean United Methodist Fellowship Hall and the Seminole Residence. The competition featured firms from seven counties. Added with six awards won at an earlier competition this year, Halflants and Pichette has won eight AIA awards in 2010, the most ever won by a Gulf Coast firm in a single year. Share:

Halflants and Pichette

[Synergy]  Suncoast Workforce Wins Stimulus Funds

Workforce Florida distributed $4.3 million in federal stimulus grants for local technology training and digital literacy programs, including $250,000 for Suncoast Workforce Housing. The money went to 19 regional workforce boards and is intended to create new programs or add to existing ones which help Floridians get technology-related jobs. Share:

Workforce Florida

[Honor]  Bors Wins Student Academy Award

Jennifer Bors, a 2010 graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design, was awarded the Gold Student Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for her senior thesis animation Departure of Love. Bors is one of 13 students who received prizes in the national competition. Nominees were hosted in Los Angeles for a week of activities, including an awards ceremony at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. A clip of the film is appears on the Oscars website. Share:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

[Acquisition]  Stantec Buys WilsonMiller

WilsonMiller, a Naples-based firm with 10 offices in Florida, has been acquired by Stantec, a design firm with more than 150 locations around North America. WilsonMiller has an office in Sarasota and provides planning, design and engineering services for public and private clients. WilsonMiller CEO Alan Reynolds will continue with Stantec and said the sale will offer clients a wider range of services and employees more opportunities to grow their careers. Share:

WilsonMiller

[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 “Burlesque Night.” There will be bizarre theatrical poses featuring two exotic and erotic dancers. 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]  OUTDOORS: Dip Net in the Grass Flats, Ken Thompson Park, 6:30—8:30pm

Tonight, join a naturalist guide to catch critters in the grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Participants will discover the nursery of the sea and all of the amazing creatures that begin their life cycle in the estuary. This event is suitable for all ages. You must wear closed toed shoes—old sneakers work great. Cost is $15 per person. This event is put on by Around the Bend Nature Tours. All of the Around the Bend guides are Professionally Certified Master Naturalists through the University of Florida and the National Association of Interpretation. Call to reserve your space. Ken Thompson Park, 1700 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, 941-794-8773. Share:

[Today]  COMEDY: Comedian Al Ernst, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 7:30pm

Al "the E-Man" Ernst is proudly the “enforcer of euphoria”. His shows, speeches and seminars come from the mind of a comic whose only attitude is to see the humor, inspiration and passion of everyday life. He has been an opening act at a gas station to a headline act for Carnival Cruise Lines, from local cable access TV in Dallas, to a professional wrestling announcer, to the host of his own show, A View from the Cheap Seats. His TV credits list a multitude of major networks including CNN, TNN, ESPN, A&E, Comedy Central and HBO. Ernst will be performing at McCurdy’s both tonight and tomorrow night. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 3333 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-925-3869. Share:

[Soon]  HEALTH: Tai Chi in the Gardens, Selby Gardens, July 22, 9—10am

Explore the ancient yin-style art of Tai Chi. Connect mind, body and spirit through simple breathing techniques and fluid movements for beginners to more advanced students. Improve your health, posture and well being in the serene and gorgeous environment of Selby Gardens. Instructors are Cody Templeton and Gina Stapleton. A package of four classes is $55 for members of Selby Gardens and $75 for non-members. Registration is required. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-5731. Share:

[Soon]  KIDS: Kids Club Sushi Class, Whole Foods, July 22, 11am—12pm

Join Whole Foods for a fun-filled, hands-on sushi class designed for children ages 6—12. This class is provided free of charge and will be held in the Whole Lifestyle Center in Whole Foods Market. At Whole Foods Market, you will find the expertise and advantages of a farmer’s market, a specialty wine and cheese market, a grocer, an old-fashioned butcher, a fishmonger and a team of chefs making the finest quality global cuisine—all under one roof. This is the first Whole Foods Market location on Florida’s West Coast. Please pre-register for this special class at Whole Foods customer service. Space is limited to the first 12 children who register. All participating children must be accompanied by an adult. Whole Foods Market, 1451 First St., Sarasota, 941-955-8500. Share:

[Soon]  THEATER: FAMILY SECRETS, Florida Studio Theatre, July 22, 8pm

One woman single-handedly brings to life her five Jewish family members, transplanted from the Bronx to Southern California in this unique play. This is both a hilarious and deeply moving portrait of the head of household father, the manic mother, the earth mother, a short-fused sister and Grandma Rose. Family Secrets is the longest running one-woman show in Off-Broadway history. This play will be at the Florida Studio Theatre through July 25. Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-9000. Share: