Olympia Dukakis didn’t know when she filmed Steel Magnolias that it would be a movie embraced by generations of women as a prime reason to gather and gush about the good and bad times included in the film. “It really startled me,” Dukakis told SRQ. “But I think it’s because it is a film about friendship. Women know they can have it, and they yearn for profound friendships with one another. That movie is about that.” 

It may not be quite as colorful a friendship as that of Clairee and Ouiser, but Dukakis can now be called a friend of the Sarasota Film Festival. The 84-year-old Academy Award winner will be the honoree at today’s Tribute Luncheon, where journalist Regina Heinrich will moderate a special In Conversation event with Dukakis at the Sarasota Yacht Club at 11:30am. Dukakis’ arrival in Sarasota on Thursday afternoon marked the start of a star-studded closing weekend for the 10-day festival.

In addition to Dukakis, Matthew Modine has come to town both for a special screening of the Stanley Kubrick classic Full Metal Jacket last night and screenings of the new Jen Sesko-directed documentary The Brainwashing of my Dad today at 7:15pm and Saturday at 3:45pm.

The last grand festivities of the festival come on Saturday night at the Closing Night Film and Awards. Political comedy The Congressman, the closing night film, brings with it Rep. Robert Mrazek, who wrote the film, and actors George Hamilton and Treat Williams. The filmmaking team for The Congressman will sit for a special In Conversation piece at Florida Studio Theare on Saturday at 4pm before going to the screening at the Sarasota Opera House. 

Read more at SRQ Backlot

With Michael’s On East getting ready for its 29th birthday on April 27, it seemed the perfect time for the restaurant to share the recipe for a celebratory signature dish to share with the world. Check out this pasta recipe for a special occasion in your kitchen.

Michael’s Bowtie Chicken Pasta

Ingredients: ½ oz. blended oil; ¼ Tbsp. chopped garlic; ¾ oz. rendered pancetta; 1 oz. Shiitake mushrooms; 4 oz. diced marinated roasted chicken (recipe below); ¾ oz. sun-dried tomatoes; 1 oz. white wine; 6 oz. heavy cream; 8 oz. bow tie pasta; 1 ½ oz. grated parmesan cheese for dish, 1/2 oz. for garnish; ½ oz. julienne snow peas; salt and pepper to taste.

Cook pasta until al dente, reserve.

Heat blended oil in sauté pan over medium heat. Add pancetta, then garlic and sauté until garlic is golden brown. Add mushrooms, chicken and sundried tomatoes. Cook for 30 seconds then deglaze with white wine.

Add cream, then cheese and cook until thickened. As sauce thickens, immerse pasta in boiling water for 15 seconds to heat, strain, then add to sauté pan. Add parmesan cheese and sauté until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Season to taste with salt and pepper then place in a pasta serving bowl. Garnish with julienne snow peas and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients (for Chicken Marinade):  ¼ tsp. powdered ginger; 1 cup Teriyaki sauce; ½ Tbsp. sesame oil; ¾ Tbsp. dark mushroom soy; ½ Tbsp. chopped garlic; 1 Tbsp. brown sugar.

Marinate 8 oz chicken breast in chicken marinade for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Mark on grill, roast in 350 degree oven until moist and tender, about 10 minutes. Cut chicken into medium diced sections for pasta. 

Taylor Morrison West Florida announced the promotion of Cammie Longenécker to vice president of operations for the Southwest Florida Division and introduced Joe Fontana as the new division president of its Tampa Division. Longenécker has led the West Florida team as vice president of sales and marketing for the past five years, and will now assume the responsibility of leading and supporting land resources, construction, sales/marketing and customer service. She originally joined the company as an area sales manager. She helped introduce the company’s brand to the Sarasota area with the opening of Esplanade Golf and Country Club at Lakewood Ranch. Before joining Taylor Morrison, Fontana most recently served as Tampa division president for Ryland Homes and has held similar leadership positions with other area builders.  

Taylor Morrison

Grapevine Communications announced the addition of two members to its staff. Britney Guertin was hired as public relations and social media associate and Heidi Cook, who previously worked with Grapevine from 2006 to 2013, rejoined Grapevine as Special Projects coordinator. 

Grapevine Communications

The Humane Society of the United States will present Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, with the 2015 Legislator of the Year award at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol next Tuesday, attributing Buchanan’s leadership on fighting animal cruelty and protecting endangered species. Buchanan’s recognition marks the first time a member of Congress from Florida has earned the Humane Society’s top annual award since it was established over a decade ago.  

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan