[Government]  Sarasota Settles With Mooring Contractors
Jacob Ogles, Jacob.ogles@srqmediagroup.com

A potential legal fight with MillMac over the failed installation of mooring balls was averted when Sarasota City Commissioners voted to settle out of court with the contractor. Fearing greater losses for the City, Commissioners voted to give the company $85,000 for the work done and equipment purchased before it became clear the job could not be finished.

Whether the City does go to court against Coastal Engineering, the consulting firm which designed the mooring field, remains unclear. But officials strongly hinted the fight with Coastal is not over.

"They wrote specs that were guaranteed to fail," said Mayor Kelly Kirschner. He said he was unhappy paying $85,000 for work that could not be completed. "That is an unacceptable amount of tax dollars, and something we should pursue recourse on," he said.

After MillMac faced difficulty installing moors because of a rocky Bay bottom, City officials initially explored legal action against the contractor. But MillMac said the Coastal designs were the problem. Coastal has disagreed, placing blame on MillMac. But a review of the situation by City Attorney Robert Fournier earlier this year found Coastal has been negligent in properly testing the Bay for suitability.

While Commissioners unanimously supported settling with MillMac, there is disagreement among city staff about how to move forward with the long-planned mooring field. Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown said a settlement should have waited until after the City decided whether to conduct its own geological tests and determine if a mooring field was possible.

Commissioner Suzanne Atwell said the settlement with MillMac should not be interpreted as a decision not to go forward with mooring field, but said that debate will happen at a later date. Share:

[Daily Shop]  New Summer Selects at Lotus
Sarah Walch, sarahw@srqmediagroup.com

Create your own hat trick this summer. Beach styles by Hat Attack just in at Lotus offer all kinds of fancy feats. Cotton wide-brim hats are crushable and packable. (Long weekend in Costa Rica anyone?) Gold thread-infused lightweight raffia toppers and classic Panama style hats with beaded leather bands promise style along with the obligatory UV blockage. Make your statement ahead of next month’s Eat, Pray, Love—Julia wears of the line’s styles in the soon-to-be blockbuster. Share:

Lotus, 1451 Main St., Sarasota, 941-906-7080

[Good Bite]  It's Prime Time
Allison Milam, allisonm@srqmediagroup.com

Sure, a juicy prime rib would make for a great dinner tonight, but sticking one in the oven after work? No way! The Colony Dining Room has you covered with its Signature Prime Rib special on Thursday nights. Revel in the tender cut that garners so much acclaim when served at the Colony’s Famous Sunday Brunch. It’s slow roasted, herb encrusted and aromatic as can be. The special ensures that you get you get your daily intake of greens with a caesar salad served alongside, made the traditional way and dubbed to be just as famous as the Signature Prime Rib. And for just under $26, we’ll be itching for it to be Thursday everyday. Share:

The Colony Dining Room, 1620 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 941-383-5558

[Honor]  Lynch Principal at CS&L

Aubrey Lynch has been named as a principal at accounting firm Christopher, Smith, Leonard, Bristow and Stannell. Lynch specializes in estates and trusts, international tax and the healthcare industry. She previously worked for a Big FOur firm in Atlanta and joined Christopher, Smith, Leonard, Bristow and Stannell in 2006. The firm has offices in Sarasota and Bradenton. Share:

Christopher, Smith, Leonard, Bristow and Stannell

[Exec Moves]  Latin Chamber Seeks Development Director

A search commitee has been appointed by the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce to find a new Development Director for the organization. The committee includes board members Carlos Cardenas, Gilberto Corona, David Cumberland and Ervin Helmuth and business leaders Luis Eduardo Baron, Manuel Chepote, Jim Delgado, Norma Marton and Alina Mugford. Share:

Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce

[Honor]  Haley to Lead Visit Florida Committee

Visit Florida named three officials from the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau to serve on committees for the official state tourism marketing corporation. Most notable, SCVB President Virginia Haley was named chairwoman of the Cultural, Heritage, Rural and Nature Tourism Committee. In addition, SCVB Communications Director Erin Duggan was appointed to the corporation's Communications Committee, and SCVB Sales Manager Kelly Defebo was named to Visit Florida's Sales Committee. Share:

Visit Florida

[Today]  LUNCHEON: What's Up Downtown, Best Practices in American Downtowns, 11:30-1:30pm

National downtown expert Gary Ferguson, author of “Characteristics of Great Small City Downtowns,” and Brad Edmondson, a national writer, city authority and consultant, who recently ranked cities across the United States for the “AARP Guide to Great Places,” will be speaking Thursday, July 22 at the Hyatt Regency of Sarasota. The topic is “Best Practices in American Downtowns.” This event is part of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Assignment Downtown 2010 event series. Tickets: $25 Members, $35 Non-Members. Hyatt Regency, 1000 Blvd of the Arts, vhillerich@sarasotachamber.com. Share:

Sarasota Chamber

[Today]  EXHIBIT: “Power of 3: Love, Life, Light”, Longboat Key Center for the Arts, 10am—3pm

This is a collaborative exhibit features photographers Ed Parker, James Corwin Johnson and Mary Lou Johnson. Ed Parker explores the concept of love in his photographs while James Corwin Johnson explores nature, beauty, music and art through his work. Mary Lou Johnson explores life in the ever-changing beauty of our world through a camera lens. This special exhibit will be on display through July 22. Longboat Key Center for the Arts, 6860 Longboat Drive S., Longboat Key, 941-383-2345. Share:

[Soon]  LEARN: Tech Boot Camp, July 26-30

The Senior Friendship Centers Foundation presents the 3rd annual Tech Boot Camp. This event will feature classes daily from 10am to 5pm on topics such as cell phones, digital cameras, social media, Skype, GPS and more. This event flips mentoring on its head with teenagers instructing adults. The camp runs from July 26-30 and classes are $20 each. Senior Friendship Center, 1888 Brother Geenen Way
Sarasota, (941) 556-3223. Share:

Senior Friendship Centers

[Today]  CRAFTS: Making All Natural Skin Care Products, North Port Library, 2—3pm

Ever wonder what is in the products you use on your skin? Have you ever read the label and not been able to pronounce the ingredients? Join the North Port Library for this special “Save the Planet, Save Your Face Natural Skin Care” class and learn how to make some all-natural alternatives. This program is recommended for those ages 12—17. North Port Library, 13800 South Tamiami Trl., North Port, 941-861-5000. Share:

[Today]  ART: Art After Five, Ringling Museum, 5—8pm

Experience the Ringling Museum of Art and Circus Museum after hours this evening for cocktails and observation. Enjoy the Museum of Art’s permanent collection and special exhibition galleries including paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters such as Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco and Gainsborough. Explore the Circus Museum’s colossal parade and baggage wagons, sequined costumes and a sideshow banner line that document the circus of the past and of today. Socialize by enjoying cocktails and great conversation on the loggia. Cost is $10 for admission and there is a cash bar. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, 941-359-5700. Share:

[Soon]  BUSINESS: It’s a Digital New World, Whole Foods, July 23, 8—9:30am

The experts at New World Collaborative will be sharing the latest and most effective techniques used by small and large businesses to build brand awareness, overall visibility and actions from prospects and clients using tactics that are guided by a well thought out strategy. You will learn how to engage your audience and build relationships by leveraging your fully optimizing website and strategic social media activity. Stay in front of your competition and be informed of all that the Internet has to offer with SEO/SEM, digital pr, social media marketing and more. Cost is $10 and members of the Downtown Sarasota Alliance attend free. Please RSVP by calling the number provided or by emailing DSA@downtownsrq.com. Whole Foods Market, 1451 First St., Sarasota, 941-366-7040. Share:

[Soon]  COMEDY: Comedian Helen Keaney, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, July 23, 7:30pm and 9:30pm

Helen Keaney has appeared in over 100 National commercials and hosted numerous TV shows, appeared on Comedy Central, HSN, TBS, GSN, Sex Drive on Discovery Health, An evening at the Improv on A&E, NBC's Friday Nights and Lifetime. Keaney has also performed in the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada and on the nationally aired Bob and Tom Show and she is a favorite on XM Radio’s comedy stations. Keaney will be performing at McCurdy’s through this Sunday and in two shows on Friday and Saturday. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 3333 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-925-3869. Share:

[Soon]  CELEBRATE: Brides and Baseball, McKechnie Field, July 24, 6pm

The Bradenton Marauder’s minor league baseball team will host a special bridal show during this Saturday’s game. Prospective brides will be eligible to win a diamond ring valued at $2,400 courtesy of Suncoast Gem Labs. Brides will compete in a scavenger hunt during the baseball game to try and win the stunning, custom-set ring up for grabs. 100 prospective brides can register for the hunt that will take place inside McKechnie Field that evening. Contestants will be narrowed down to four with the finalists digging for the diamond immediately following the conclusion of the game. The bridal show will take place throughout the ballpark during the game. More than twenty of the top bridal vendors in the area from all categories will be on hand to talk with brides to assist them with their wedding plans. Scavenger hunt participants will need to pre-register, and only the first 100 will be accepted. Registration forms are available at Suncoast Gem Labs and online at bradentonmarauders.com. McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton, 941-747-3031. Share: