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SRQ DAILY Jul 3, 2017

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"There won't be a lack of opportunity for people in need to get marijuana."

- Chief Bernadette DiPino, Sarasota Police Department
 

[Government]  Sarasota Considers Ban on Dispensaries
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

As businesses hoping to enter Florida’s medical marijuana industry await regulatory decisions from the Florida Department of Health, one of the most prominent municipalities on the Gulf Coast today will vote whether to ban dispensaries within the city limits. Sarasota City Commissioners will decide today whether to allow businesses selling marijuana to operate similar to pharmacies or whether to demand the work be conducted outside of city limits.

“There won't be a lack of opportunity for people in need to get marijuana,” says Police Chief Bernadette DiPino. “It will be available regionally and people can drive and get it themselves. The biggest thing is it can delivered. But there are a lot of safety and criminal-related things associated with dispensaries that really need to be ironed out.”

The Florida Legislature in special session this year approved state rules for dispensaries, months after voters statewide approved a constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana for debilitating medical conditions. The referendum won support from 71.3 percent of voters statewide, and 78 percent of voters in the city of Sarasota supported the amendment.

But the city put in place a moratorium on dispensaries until state regulations could be enacted, and City Attorney Robert Fournier, based on lawmakers’ actions, recommends the ban become permanent. That’s because commissioners won’t be allowed to put in place zoning restrictions to prevent dispensaries from opening in certain commercial districts. Because of an “all or nothing” choice in state law, “the legislature has not chosen to leave it entirely to local governments to determine what would work best within their jurisdictions,” Fournier wrote in a memo to commissioners.

For example, he notes the city could not require a distance of 100 feet or greater from residential property, could not require a distance from houses of worship or put restrictions on what times a dispensary could do business. Officials also couldn’t prohibit the installation of a drive-up window on a dispensary. Language in the state amendment does allow for cities to impose a requirement for dispensaries to be separated by 500 feet from schools. 

DiPino says medical marijuana transactions will be a cash-only business because federal law still lists marijuana as an illegal narcotic, meaning federally insured banks can’t allow check transactions. State law says anywhere in town where a pharmacy can operate, including downtown, the north trail and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, would be open grounds for a dispensary to do business. 

Commissioners will consider an ordinance banning dispensaries in the city limits at a 6pm regular meeting today.

Right now, medical marijuana companies are still awaiting rules on licenses. The state will allow 17 licensed companies to sell medical marijuana at up to 25 dispensaries, but restrictions could be imposed as soon as today on how many such dispensaries will be allowed in each region of the state. 

[Synergy]  United Way Suncoast to Expand VITA Program

The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has awarded United Way Suncoast’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program a grant of $60,000 for program growth in Sarasota County. The grant will help support a dedicated VITA Program Coordinator for Sarasota County, a position that is critical to increasing the number of individuals served through this program. In addition, United Way Suncoast will expand program marketing during tax season, technology upgrades and additional training for volunteers. This past tax season, Suncoast’s VITA program in Sarasota grew eight percent over the prior year, despite VITA programs across the country experiencing a decline overall. In this past tax season, the United Way Suncoast VITA Program in Sarasota/DeSoto prepared and filed 1,924 tax returns for members of the community. Consumers who visited United Way Suncoast VITA sites saved, on average, $200 in simple tax preparation fees. When multiplying that by the 1,924 tax returns that volunteers prepared, the result is an estimate of more than $384,000 in preparation fee savings, adding further value to the overall economic impact that VITA has on residents. 

United Way Suncoast

[Exec Moves]  Manatee County Bar Association Announces Board

The Manatee County Bar Association has announced its 2017-2018 Board of Directors: President Paul Grondahl, President-Elect Alix St. Paul, Secretary Jennifer Fowler-Hermes, Treasurer Charles Telfair, Past President Andrea Johnson and directors Lori Dorman, Mary Hawk, Jay Horne, Liz Moneymaker, Marissa Powers and Rebecca Proctor. Byrony Swift will serve as Young Lawyers Division President. 

Manatee County Bar Association

[Recognition]  Chancey Earns ACP

Jordan Chancey of RE/MAX Alliance Group has earned the Accredited Commercial Professional (ACP) designation. This achievement means he is qualified to work knowledgeably and professionally with fellow commercial real estate brokers, agents, asset managers, sellers, buyers and leasing clients. Chancey is a broker-associate in the company's Bradenton office at 3007 Manatee Avenue West. With more than 300 agents and staff, RE/MAX Alliance Group offers residential and commercial real estate solutions throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, with offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, University Park, Venice, Siesta Key and Englewood.  

RE/MAX Alliance Group



[TODAY]  FESTIVAL: Sarasota Powerboat 2017 Grand Prix Festival , June 24 – July 4

The 33rd Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival returns June 24-July 4 with events for the entire family to enjoy. Powerboat and AquaX Pro race teams will compete for the checkered flag on July 1 and 2 just off Lido Beach with televised coverage to over 100 countries beginning late July.  New events this year include a Grand Prix Comedy Night at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, a venue change for the Festival Kickoff Party to Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens, and a Grand Prix Fan Fest on July 1 and 2 in the Van Wezel parking lot.  The Fan Fest is free with Suncoast Charities for Children producing the entire Festival, including the July 4th Bayfront Fireworks.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: 9th Annual Sarasota Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular , July 4, 11:00 am-10:00 pm

Join Marina Jack for their annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular on Independence Day between 11:00 am-10:00pm. Indulge in the decadent menus from the Dining Room, Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill and Deep Six Lounge & Piano Bar all while enjoying the magnificent display of lights in the sky. Marina Jack II will host a three hour cruise featuring a buffet, live music and premier viewing of the fireworks display.

Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  BUSINESS: The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne , July 5 – August 6

In this award winning southern regional premiere, tenacious and flamboyant 14 year-old Leonard Pelkey disappears. A small town New Jersey detective slowly unravels the mystery, portraying over a dozen eccentric characters along the way. A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is gone, the town’s citizens question how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Venice Summer Cabaret Festival , July 6 – August 27

Venice Theatre is delighted to invite audiences to its 5th Annual Summer Cabaret Festival. The popular event keeps music lovers and theatergoers entertained throughout the summer months with a variety of music in a nightclub setting. The irrepressible Eric Watters will kick off the festival on Thursday, July 6, 2017 with his tribute to Johnny Mercer, "My Huckleberry Friend." The festival will continue in “Pinky’s Cabaret” (the theatre’s black box Pinkerton Theatre) through Sunday, August 27, 2017. Tickets are $20 for each show and will go on sale June 6, 2017.

Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave.,Venice

[SOON]  GALLERY: Florida's Finest , July 6 – August 11

This juried exhibition showcases the wide-ranging talents of Florida-based artists, and includes two- and three-dimensional works in a variety of media. R. Lynn Whitelaw, the founding director and curator of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art at St. Petersburg College, juries this year’s exhibition to be installed in all four of the center’s galleries. 

Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: YPG After Hours at Escape Countdown , July 6, 5:30-7:30pm

Come join us YPG Thursday, July 6th at Escape Countdown for the area's largest monthly networking event, YPG After Hours! With an average of 80-100 young professionals gathering on the first Thursday of each month you're guaranteed to make new friends, secure new clients, and learn more about what Sarasota has to offer. Along with great drink specials, enjoy appetizing lite bites for the duration of the event.

Escape Countdown , 6525 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Ringling College of Art and Design at the Englewood Art Center , July 7 – July 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

With original works of art created by more than 20 area artists, this free, family-friendly event features art in a variety of media, including paintings, watercolor, ceramics, fiber art, sculpture and photography. The two-day event also features artist demonstrations, live music, food trucks and activities for children.

Englewood Art Center , 350 South McCall Rd., Englewood

[SOON]  MUSIC: Madera Fina Brings Tropical Sounds to Sarasota , July 9, 7pm

The singer-songwriter Abraham Dorta and percussionist Delvin López give life to the Afro-Caribbean music duo Madera Fina that demonstrates the wide range of genres that unfold in the Puerto Rico independent music scene. In the hand of Abraham's guitar mastery, Madera Fina blends a broad amalgam of tropical styles including bossa nova, classical and Caribbean styles.  

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

[SOON]  THEATER: The Marvelous Wonderettes , July 12 – July 23, 7:30pm and 2pm

This smash Off-Broadway hit whisks you away to the 1958 Springfield High Prom where four girls with hopes and dreams serenade you with over 30 classics from the 1950s and 1960s. Single tickets are $18.

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Little Black Dress: Salute the Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon , July 13, 11:30 am- 1:00pm

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida will team up with local women veterans through the Goodwill Manasota Veterans Task Force to recycle dresses from Goodwill and put together an amazing fashion show. Join us at the Hyatt July 13 and discover the unique creations of these wonderful students while supporting a good cause!

Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  THEATER: Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr. , July 13 – July 17

Join the Blue Fairy, Stromboli and a lively cast of characters as Geppetto journeys beyond his toyshop to discover the meaning of family. When the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto’s wish to bring his beloved puppet to life, the new father quickly learns about the challenges of being a father.

Venice Theater , 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice

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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