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SRQ DAILY Feb 27, 2017

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"We're in the 21st century, but a lot of the technology and infrastructure is 20th century. We need to be technology-forward."

- Mikael Sandstrom, Sarasota City Commission candidate
 

[Politics]  Sandstrom Wants 21st Century Solutions
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Editor's Note: This is the seventh in an eight-part weekly series profiling candidates for Sarasota City Commission.  

If he gets elected to the Sarasota City Commission, one thing Mikael Sandstrom doesn’t want to see is two-foot-tall piles of paper memos. He was surprised when he started visiting the City Commission offices how much gets communicated through printed packets of information, comparing the detailed meeting agendas to iconic pictures of the ObamaCare legislation. “We’re in the 21st century, but a lot of the technology and infrastructure is 20th century,” he says. “We need to be technology-forward. Instead of printing out packets of paper, I have to have everything digital. It’s a small thing, but it’s a step forward, and we need to reduce our impact anywhere and everywhere. You start somewhere.”

Sandstrom, one of eight candidates seeking two at-large seats on the commission, gets his political start with this race. The Sarasota-raised candidate, the 33-year-old studied master’s degree-level courses on political science in Sweden before returning home and making his first run for office this year. Attending forums as a candidate, he says he has learned a tremendous amount about the interconnectivity of government and which public matters go to state, county of city officials. That has emphasized to him the importance of having City Hall leaders get along with those in Sarasota County government and at state agencies.

Other environmentally minded priorities for Sandstrom include using solar power to fuel golf courses on the city-owned Bobby Jones Golf Course. But even more than green issues, Sandstrom’s campaign has been most focused on pedestrian safety issues. In pursuit of a more walkable community, he’d like to see more pedestrian overpasses on US 41, even speaking to several business owners about how it would impact commerce. At an Alta Vista forum this week, he heard plenty from citizens worried about how easy it was for walkers to get hit by cars in the neighborhood. He’s also upset the city has pushed events like Thunder By The Bay, which moved to Lakewood Ranch this year. “That had a $2.7-million economic impact,” he says. “If you want to elect a commissioner that embraces these events, you should vote for me.” He worries the city could push other major events out as well.

In the private sector, he serves as vice president of marketing and technology for Sweden Trade, a retail business his parents own on St. Armands Circle, and he previously worked as chief financial officer for Sarasota-based ZV Studios. Regardless of the outcome of this race, he hopes his involvement brings certain issues to the fore and also inspires younger candidates to run for office.

A citywide election is scheduled for March 14, with a runoff likely on May 9. Other candidates include: Tahiti Park neighborhood leader Jennifer Ahern-Koch; former Sarasota Mayor Fredd “Glossie” Atkins; former prosecutor Hagen Brody; incumbent City Commissioner Susan Chapman; Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association president Patrick Gannon; Gulf Business Systems owner Martin Hyde; and former stockbroker Matt Sperling. 

[TV]  New College Alum Defends Jeopardy! Title Tonight
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Local Jeopardy! fans can cheer for one of their own tonight as Florida native and New College alum Kirstin Cutts returns to the program to defend her title. With a three-day total of $41,602, Cutts has defeated six contestants so far and faces two new challengers on tonight’s episode of the answer-and-question trivia show.

Currently attending grad school for arts education in Austin, Texas after graduating New College in 2013 with a degree in French and English literature, the decision to go on Jeopardy! was “kind of a whim” says Cutts, and last January, sitting in bed with a glass of wine, she took the online test and promptly forgot about it. What happened next, happened very quickly. An email in July turned into an audition in August turned into a flight to Los Angeles in October to be on national television.

Readying for the competition, Cutts shored up the weak spots, “absorbing” the Wikipedia pages for every president and rooting through J!-Archive, an online repository of every question ever asked on Jeopardy! and every answer given. But she already had a strong foundation, she says, and New College prepared her well. “It definitely made me confident in my decision to go to a liberal arts college,” she says.

With no runaway victories yet, Cutts says a big part of the preparation was learning to bet strategically. “I’ve been very cautious, very conservative,” she says. “I’d rather be right than rich.”

Cutts defends her title as champion tonight on Jeopardy! at 7:30pm. 

[Exec Moves]  Sarasota County Appoints Osterhoudt PDS Director

Sarasota County has appointed Matt Osterhoudt as the new director of Planning and Development Services (PDS), effective March 6, 2017. Osterhoudt has served Sarasota County for 17 years, most recently as interim director of the department since 2016. Previously, Matt served as senior manager for PDS, and oversaw development services and environmental protection. Osterhoudt earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University. 

Sarasota County

[Recognition]  Haines Earns New Home Certifications

Marty Haines, a broker-associate in the Venice office of RE/MAX Alliance Group, has earned the Certified New Home Specialist (CNHS) and Residential Construction Certified (RCC) designations, demonstrating her knowledge, professionalism and success in the new home market. The CNHS and RCC designations are recognized as the premier real estate certifications representing professionalism in working with new home buyers, sellers, appraisers, inspectors, lenders, designers, engineers and construction professionals. They indicate an understanding of important elements of new home contracts, new home construction financing options and considerations, residential construction materials, methods and terminology, blueprint reading, residential building site design and topography and more. Haines serves Sarasota County with an emphasis on the South County area from Osprey and Venice to Englewood.  She has more than 30 years of experience in real estate sales and property management, and holds the Accredited Buyer's Representative, Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate, Realtor Institute designations. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group

[Synergy]  Christy Joins Teen Court Making HERstory Event

Williams Parker attorney Erin Hope Christy will participate in Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc.’s inaugural Making HERstory event. In celebration of Women’s History Month, students and professionals from the community are invited to a presentation featuring keynote speaker Nora Demleitner, professor of law and former dean of Washington and Lee University School of Law, and a panel discussion focused on sharing stories of career successes, struggles, and advice. The panel discussion will take place March 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota and includes Christy as well as Christine Robinson of The Argus Foundation and Tonya Willis Pitts of McIntyre Thanasides. Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc.’s mission is to introduce area youth to activities and services that promote feelings of self-esteem and self-improvement when they develop a healthy attitude toward authority, while instilling and teaching the benefits of law-abiding citizenship and civic engagement. All proceeds from Making HERstory will benefit Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc.'s continued growth as an organization, reaching over 4,000 youth each year. 

Making HERstory



[TODAY]  MUSIC: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone , February 26 – February 27

Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone is a multi-talented entertainer, who has been delighting audiences’ all his life. Throughout the seventies, no one performed, composed songs and produced recordings with such artists as David Bowie, Debby Boone and Graham Gouldman. Accompanied by his band Hermn’s Hermits, Noone plays to sold-out venues all over the world. Tickets are $61. Show times February 26- 8pm, February 27- 3pm, and February 27- 8pm. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit https://venicestage.com/portfolio/hermans-hermits-starring-peter-noone/

 

Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice

[TODAY]  FESTIVAL: First Responder Appreciation Month , January 1 – March 31

The Downtown Improvement District (D.I.D) kicks off the New Year with the first ever First Responders Appreciation month to honor firefighters, police officers and EMS professionals.  The D.I.D encourages you to show your gratitude for our first responders the entire month of January. Wear D.I.D sponsored First Responder Appreciation Month buttons, display D.I.D sponsored First Responder Appreciation Month flags, give a thumbs up to first responders, write a letter to a first responder, wear your red, whites and blues, or lunch on the D.I.D, in the D.I.D.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: SB2: RUMBLE , February 28, 5:30pm-7:00pm

Has Our Region Failed Our Young Professionals?
Prepare to have your preconceptions challenged when the rhetoricians take the stage at SRQ’s SB2 Rumbles!

Join us in the Powel Crosley Mansion for lively debates on issues that some consider “too hot to handle” where our modified Oxford-style debate gives us civil discourse designed to sway though both factual information and rhetorical skill. Attendees are asked their position on the topic of the day before and after the debate-the success of the participants being judged on those they sway from their initial positions. SRQ launched SB2 to bring together our two sister-counties with collaborative programming-now, with our Rumbles we will inspire a return to respectful disagreement, an admiration of the art of rhetoric and a reminder that we should always challenge our own preconceptions in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Powel Crosley Estate , 8474 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243

[SOON]  GALA: Mardi Gras Gala , February 28

Goodwill Manasota invites you to the most anticipates event of the season, the Mardi Gras Gala. Guests dress in beads and masks, enjoy amazing Cajun food such as shrimp etoufee, crab cakes, jambalaya, New Orleans-style drinks with open bar, fabulous silent and live auction items, live music and dancing. 

Michael's On East , 1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239

[SOON]  SEMINAR: Meet the Artists of "Dialogues of the Carmelites" , February 28, 5pm

Sarasota Opera’s artistic director Victor DeRenzi interviews the singers and artistic staff responsible for bringing the new production of Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites” to the Sarasota Opera stage. Sarasota. More info at www.sarasotaopera.org.

Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  MUSIC: Rejoicing in Ravel II with David Davani, baritone and Joseph Holt, piano , March 3, 12pm

Baritone David Davani, a semi-finalist in Artist Series Concerts’ 2016 National Competition for Voice, performs with Joseph Holt. More info at NPCSarasota.com.

Northminister Presbyterian Church , 3131 E. 61st St., Sarasota

[SOON]  MUSIC: The Outside Track , March 3, 8pm

Hailing from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton and Vancouver, this five member band is united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to creating new music on its foundation. Using fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar, flute, step-dance and vocals these five virtuosos blend boundless energy with unmistakable joie de vivre. Each player within The Outside Track is a master of their chosen instrument with the band stacking up an impressive amount of international awards. Tickets are $15 dollars in advance and $20 day of the show.

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Poulenc's "Dialogues of the Carmelites" , March 4 – March 12

Set during the French Revolution’s infamous "Reign of Terror," the opera follows the story of Blanche de la Force as she dedicates her life to God’s service by joining a Carmelite order. As the story unfolds, the revolution threatens to destroy all that’s most sacred to the nuns. Blanche’s journey will lead her to learn the true meaning of faith. March 4, 7, 15 and 24, 7:30 p.m. and March 12 and 18, 1:30 p.m. Tickets and info at www.sarasotaopera.org.

Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Remembering Warhol: 30 Years Ago , March 3 – April 1, 5:30-8:00pm

Thirty Years Ago exhibits a collection of historic photographs of Pop artist Andy Warhol’s 1987 Memorial service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, captured by photographer Christophe von Hohenberg on assignment for Vanity Fair. The archival photographs and silver gelatin prints are exhibited with corresponding celebrity remembrances and anecdotes that von Hohenberg collected from the attendees. The exhibition open with a reception on March 3 and runs through April 1, culminating with a special event that evening on the 30th anniversary of the Warhol's memorial service. 

Alfstad & Contemporary , 1419 5th St., Sarasota

[SOON]  MUSIC: Faithfully French Choral Gems , March 5, 7pm

Conducted by artistic director Joseph Holt, Sarasota’s professional chorus performs Duruflé’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria, with guest organist Stephen Hamilton and soloists Jenny Kim-Godfrey, soprano, Amy Jo Connours, mezzo soprano and David Davani, baritone. Tickets and more info at www.gloriamusicae.org

First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  SPORTS: Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic , March 6 – March 7, 12:00pm-9:00pm 8:00am-5pm

Golf and mingle with two–time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin and a star–studded field of celebrity friends at the Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic on March 6 and 7 at The Concession Golf Club. All proceeds will benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.

The Concession Golf Club, 7700 Lindrick Ln. Bradenton, FL 34202

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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