Mote Marine Laboratory has a complicated relationship with Cuba; while a commerce embargo has been in place for decades, Mote scientists have been allowed to work with Cuban scientists to study the shared ocean system touching Florida and the island nation. So when President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced the U.S. would reopen diplomatic relations with Cuba, Mote scientists watched with interest.

“It could be very important in terms of making it a little easier to do collaborative work.” said Robert Hueter, Mote associate vice president for research. “Having embassies in both countries, hopefully the process gets more streamlined.” For scientists from Mote to get visas for an authorized trip to Cuba can take three to six months, Hueter said. The process can be even longer for Cuban scientists coming here. That’s not even touching on logistical challenges. Mote scientists in Cuba must bring cash for expenses that gets carefully budgeted beforehand, but Obama on Wednesday said use of credit cards and debit cards by Americans in Cuba may soon be allowable for the first time. Hueter hopes internet access now improves in Cuba, where scientists can’t even open large attachments to email or respond in a timely fashion to requests.

The politics of Cuba relations are a different story. A bevy of national politicians criticized the decision to open relations. “Revisiting relations with a Castro regime that has long been designated a state sponsor of terrorism is irresponsible and sends the wrong message to dictators across the globe,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, in a statement to SRQ. Buchanan, chair of the Florida Congressional Delegation, in 2011 filed legislation to stop Cuba from drilling for oil off Florida's shore by authorizing the Secretary of Interior to deny leases to companies doing business with Cuba. He joined figures including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a child of Cuban-American immigrants, and Gov. Rick Scott in condemning the White House move.

Hueter said politics will sort themselves out. “But I’m very hopeful this will make our work be a little bit less difficult and allow us to continue to push along the road of collaboration.” 

Escape the holiday stress and ring in the winter solstice in style with the Ringling Museum of Art this weekend at Greet The Light. Not your typical party for this time of year, the focus is not so much the holidays as it is just having a good time and getting away from the all the planning and gift-buying and cooking that can make the holiday build-up so taxing.

Evoking a lounge-style atmosphere in the open air of the courtyard, guests will be schmoozing and sharing, drinking and dining, all with a soft light and cool breeze. Seasonal comfort food will be on hand from Treviso Restaurant, as well as ample servings of Red Apple Ginger martinis. With DJ Imminent working the crowd, playing classics and requests and whatever seems right in the moment, the dance floor is certainly open, and guests are expected to cut a rug and work out their worries with a bump and a shake. For the twirling-averse, the Hoola Monsters pick up the slack, covering their looping hoops with flames and LED lighting, putting on a circus-worthy performance. But be sure to take a quiet moment for the James Turrell Skyspace “Joseph’s Coat,” which opened with the inaugural Greet The Light in 2011. Lie back on the floor or one of the museum’s teak benches and enjoy the LED display for a little “Zen” amongst the frivolity.

“We are part of the community and have a great relationship,” said Alyssa Esteban, public functions coordinator for Ringling Museum. “The estate goes so far back for Sarasota, that it’s only fitting that we have something for Sarasota where people can come and relax and de-stress.”

Greet The Light in the Ringling Museum of Art courtyard on Dec. 20 from 7pm-11pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for Museum members. 

Photo Credit: Cliff Roles

The Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees and CEO Alex Quarles announced the newest member of the Foundation’s team, Nikki Taylor, who has been volunteering with the Foundation in various capacities for the past five years and has a long history regarding marketing and fundraising as a volunteer for the Foundation in areas such as past chair of the Key to the Cure, committee member for Women and Medicine, Dr. Oz event supporter and Samaritan level donor. 

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation

Sarasota's Akuwa Solutions Group, an advanced technology and network Integration firm, is now supplying Ruckus Wireless equipment to United Nations offices around the globe. Akuwa is a supplier of Ruckus Wi Fi Solutions in the education, hospitality, manufacturing  and retail markets. In addition to the UN, Akuwa has provided high density Wi Fi Solutions to SRQ Airport, DeSoto and Hardee County School Districts,  Diocese of St. Petersburg, Verifone, EverBank Field and numerous hospitality venues. 

Akuwa Solutions Group

Bonnie L. Polk was recently elected chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Twelfth Circuit.  The commission selects and nominates to the Governor candidates most qualified to fill judicial vacancies in the Twelfth Circuit, which includes Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. Polk practices in the firm's litigation section, focusing on the representation of clients in trust proceedings, will contests and other fiduciary litigation. She also represents clients involved in corporate and real estate disputes. 

Williams Parker

The Downtown Sarasota Alliance announced the 2015 Board Chair and Officers, including: Chair Casey Colburn, attorney; Vice Chair Mike Beitzinger, IberiaBank vice president and branch manager; Treasurer Francine DiFilippo Kent, qualified appraiser at DiFilippo Kent Gallery; and Secretary Tony Abate, Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick. 

Downtown Sarasota Association