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SRQ DAILY Dec 31, 2014

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"To further benefit the community, their investments show others that the Bradenton area is a great place to locate and grow a business."

- Sharon Hillstrom, Bradenton Area EDC
 

[Year In Review]  Commerce, Giving Both Saw Growth in 2014
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Whether through strides in helping the homeless or success in the expansion of numerous area businesses, Southwest Florida leaders in business and philanthropy say 2014 proved a banner year. 

Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, noted record-breaking efforts locally in raising funds to help regional charity efforts. More than $2.1 million was raised through the Season of Sharing, she said, helping more than 2,800 stay in homes. “Knowing it takes $8,000 for a homeless family to get back in their homes, not only is this a tremendous economic savings for our community, more importantly the stress on a family is reduced and the psychological ‘savings’ are priceless,” she said. Education strides were made in the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and through the Ascend Network. That all came before the opening of Patriot Plaza, an effort of The Patterson Foundation, and the rallying of community support around the Bayfront 20:20 visioning process.

Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, noted local institutions like the South Florida Museum and Southeastern Guide Dogs earned regional recogonition throughout Tampa Bay for strides forward this year. The 24-Hour Giving Challenge raised another $3.1 in local donations, greater performance than any other community in America, Isham noted. She also said regional collaboration between businesses was on the rise in 2014.

Sharon Hillstrom, CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, said the pace of business expansion this eyar was encouraging. "When companies hire employees and invest in facilities and equipment, they are demonstrating confidence that their sales will continue to grow,” she said. Bright House Networks, RND Automation, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Star2Star Communications and Verde GSE all announced plans to expand jobs or capital investment. 

[New Year's]  WSLR Plays Out 2014
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

They’re closing streets downtown, but that’s not the only party around this New Year’s Eve. WSLR Community Radio plays host to its own festivities at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center tonight, bringing locals together for a night of music, dancing, frivolity and food, all in benefit of WSLR’s mission to provide quality programming and build community.

Featuring live music from Renesito Avich, the Cuban-born world-class tres player and former guitarist for the salsa band Elito Reve y su Charangon nominated this year for a Cubadisco Award, The Dram, an Americana six-piece blending punk and Southern rock, violins and distorted guitars, and David Smash, Lithuanian virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist who will be performing a variety of styles, including blues, rock, gospel, country and jazz, it’s shaping up to be a party in classic WSLR style – foot-stomping, raucous and just a step from the beaten path. Electronica group Rhythm Inlet will provide late-night atmosphere.

“It is a conscious decision to expose the public to a diverse array of music,” said WSLR station manager David Beaton. “Acceptance of diversity breeds understanding of cultures and people. I look forward to a gathering of great people who support this station and our diverse music.”

In addition to the musical attractions, yearly favorites such as the Midnight Kumquat Drop and the hat-making station will make an appearance, giving guests the opportunity to gather round to ring in the new year and look good doing it.

The WSLR New Year’s Eve Celebration kicks off tonight at 8pm and runs until 1am. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Children 16 and under admitted free. Partygoers are encouraged to bring their own food. 

[Good Bite]  Cheeseburger in Paradise
Kaye Warr

There’s nothing more satisfying than a bacon cheeseburger and French fries washed down with a cold root beer (or real beer, if you’re so inclined). The only way to improve the experience is to eat this all-American treat while staring at the big blue Sarasota sky and the deep blue Sarasota bay. New Pass Grill and Bait Shop is not fancy and it’s not trying to be. Walk up to the window and place your order and then wait – how long? Wait as long as it takes. You can wander around the bait shop, bird watch, sit at a picnic table and stare at the water, arrange a boat trip, or follow my lead and get your condiments ready. Whatever you choose to do while you’re waiting, once they call your name you can enjoy one of the simplest and tastiest pleasures available to us here in Sarasota: a bacon cheeseburger in paradise.  

The New Pass Grill and Bait Shop, 1505 Ken Thompson Parkway, 941-388-3050

[Exec Moves]  Maryland Taps Moyer for Cabinet Post

Sarasota Police Deputy Chief Stephen Moyer was appointed on Tuesday as the next Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services for the State of Maryland. Gov. Larry Hogan made the appointment. Moyer has accepted the post and begins in late January. Moyer will oversee more than 11,000 employees and a $1.3 billion budget in the new post. Moyer first came to the Sarasota Police Department in April 2013. 

Maryland Department of Public Safety

[Real Estate]  Alliance Insurance Leases Space

Alliance Insurance has leased 897 square feet of office space in a suite on Beneva Road in Sarasota and signed for a three-year term. Eric Massey with Michael Saunders and Company represented the transaction. 

Massey and Massey



[Women In Business] 

The SRQ Women in Business Leadership Circle meets each month for a breakfast at Sophie’s in Saks Fifth Avenue at the mall at University Town Center. At each of our monthly gatherings, a member of the Leadership Circle shares their story of challenges they have met along the road to success. This month, Lee-En Chung, P.E., Founder and Construction Consulting Engineer of Ivy Ventures engaged the Leadership Circle with her honest insights on the challenges and hard-earned accomplishments as a construction engineer. We can officially say that Lee-En has done it all. She has overcome tremendous obstacles; she is fiercely committed to achieving her goals and has the ability to light up a room with her sincerity and strength. We learned a lot about “sticking to your guns” and the power of believing in yourself from her story. And we consider ourselves privileged to count her among our friends at SRQ. To read more about the event, visit Inside the Brand.  

SRQ Media Group

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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