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SRQ DAILY Jan 9, 2018

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"It gives the opportunity for the highest possible percentage of the voting public to participate."

- Suzanne Atwell, Decide The Date
 

[Politics]  NAACP Joins Push to Shift Election Date
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A push to change the timing of Sarasota’s city elections got a lift Monday with an endorsement from the NAACP. But while leaders of that group see a shift to November elections as a way to boost minority turnout, critics of the measure remain skeptical that city issues would get more attention at the bottom of the ballot than they do now.

Trevor Harvey, president of the Sarasota County branch of the NAACP, released a statement Monday backing the Decide The Date campaign, which wants Sarasota’s city elections held in sync with state and national elections, meaning in the fall of even-numbered years. “Not only does this save taxpayers money, it also increases the overall participation in the African-American community by 86 percent,” says Harvey

Critics, though, say that turning out a higher percentage of voters who want to weigh in on president, governor and other high-profile offices won’t necessarily mean a higher turnout for city contests and issues. “The people that vote within the city are the ones who are going to vote anyway,” says City Commissioner Willie Shaw, who represents a minority-rich district in north Sarasota.

In May this year, 22.75 percent of city voters came out for a city commission runoff, but just 7.97 percent of black voters turned out. Earlier this year in March, 10.55 percent of black voters came out in a city race that drew 19.2 percent of voters citywide. That contrasts sharply with elections in November 2016, when 76.8 percent of voters in Sarasota County came out, including 63.86 percent of black voters.

Of course, that was when the presidential election topped the ballot. In August 2016, only 25.76 percent of Sarasota County voters came out for a state and county primary election, and 15.44 percent of black voters turned out. Those numbers are only slightly higher than the city elections the following spring. And critics of the Decide The Date petition note the measure calls if there are more than two candidates for an initial election concurrent with state primaries, then to hold a runoff in November if necessary.

Former Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell, a co-chair for the Decide The Date, said the fine details of the debate can wait until after the petition drive, which should just be about whether voters this November should have the choice to move the election. But she said the potential boost in turnout drew her to the cause; she noted she twice supported putting similar measures on the ballot when she sat on the city commission. “This is good governance,” Atwell says. “It gives the opportunity for the highest possible percentage of the voting public to participate.” 

[The Venice Symphony ]  Emotional Landscapes at The Venice Symphony!

The Venice Symphony will present “Emotional Landscapes”, at 7:30pm, Jan. 12 and 3:30pm, Jan. 13 at the Venice Performing Arts Center in Venice. Guest Conductor Stilian Kirov, who lives in Sarasota, will lead The Symphony’s musicians in Tchaikovsky’s Snow Maiden Suite, Debussy’s La mer and Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs, featuring guest soprano D’Ana Lombard. Says Kirov, “In Snow Maiden Suite, you feel the beauty of Tchaikovsky's melodic and harmonic writing and are immediately transported into a colorful piece of theater. Four Last Songs is a representation of a lifelong journey, suffused with calm, acceptance and completeness. Debussy's beautiful La mer is a breathtaking sea journey painted through the composer's extraordinary music.” The Venice Symphony’s “7 Concerts 7 Conductors: Finding Maestro” season is the culmination of a conductor search that narrowed a field of 164 applicants to seven. When the season ends, one will be offered the position of Music Director. 

Photo provided by The Venice Symphony.

The Venice Symphony, 230 South Tamiami Trl., Venice.

[Community]  Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for Special Election

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner is reminding citizens who reside within State House District 72 that Tuesday, January 16, is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the district’s Special Election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13. Turner recommends that voters confirm before the January 16 voter registration deadline that they are registered to vote and that their voter registration information is current. He said new voter registration applications must be completed, signed and returned in person or postmarked by the January 16 deadline. An application may also be submitted online at www.registertovoteFlorida.gov or through any driver license or tax collector’s office that issues Florida driver licenses or Florida ID cards. Voters who have moved, changed names, or need to update their signatures since the last election may also complete a voter registration application to update their records. Signature updates must be received by the elections office prior to the start of the canvass of vote-by-mail ballots, which is Tuesday, February 6, 8:30am. Address and name changes may be made any time prior to voting. Applications are available at all three elections offices in Sarasota, Venice and North Port, at public libraries, military recruitment offices, and public assistance offices, and may be downloaded at the website below. 

Voter Registration Applications

[Synergy]  JFCS of the Suncoast Receives Grant from Graver Fund, Community Foundation

JFCS of the Suncoast was recently awarded a $60,000 grant from the Charlotte P. Graver Fund and Community Foundation of Sarasota County to provide support for JFCS community-based outreach programs and events. The funds will be used toward ongoing funding needs for JFCS’ seven focal areas, which include outreach and support services for families, children, youth, cancer support, veterans, Jewish healing and seniors, as well as events, which help raise additional funds for the nonprofit agency across a six-county region. Founded in 1985, JFCS is a fully accredited, community-based social service, non-profit organization serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Collier, Lee and DeSoto counties in Florida, with the goal of empowering people to lead healthy, happy and sustainable lives. 

JFCS of the Suncoast

[Recognition]  Norman Named Top Ten Family Law Attorney of 2017

The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of Florida’s Family Law Attorney Colleen Norman as 2017 10 Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys is a third-party attorney rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in each state. Attorneys who are selected to the "10 Best" list must pass AIOFLA's rigorous selection process, which is based on client and/or peer nominations, thorough research, and AIOFLA’s independent evaluation. AIOFLA's annual list was created to be used as a resource for clients during the attorney selection process. One of the most significant aspects of the selection process involves attorneys' relationships and reputation among his or her clients. As clients should be an attorney's top priority, AIOFLA places the utmost emphasis on selecting lawyers who have achieved significant success in the field of Family Law without sacrificing the service and support they provide. Selection criteria therefore focus on attorneys who demonstrate the highest standards of Client Satisfaction. More information about Norman can be found at the Carmen R Gillet law firm website below. 

Carmen R Gillet



[TODAY]  GALLERY: Cast, Cut and Cold - Glass , January 8 – March 24

Technically amazing and visually stunning examples of creations by more than two dozen masters of glass art including Peter Bremers, Vadlec Ciglar and Irene Frolic astound in this exhibition. Numerous examples, styles and methods of glass casting and etching are represented in this one-of-a-kind gallery.

Ringling College of Art and Design Gallery, 2700 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Shine the Light Opening Night Reception , January 10, 5:30pm

This three-tier, multi-media exhibition focuses on the current and historical aspects of refugee displacement, persecution and the struggles of finding home. The show features a glass installation by Laura Donefer, photo essay exhibition by Charlotte Schmitz and a short film preview by director Dave Marshall and Deborah Haber. The exhibition is curated under the direction of Deborah Haber, executive artistic director of DEEP Arts, a nonprofit arts organization whose mission focuses on the promotion of new works.

Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419 5th St., Sarasota.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: SMARTgirl Mentorship Summit Call for Applications , January 10

SRQ MEDIA is calling for 6th, 7th & 8th grade girls to find your inner “roar” at the 2018 SMARTgirl Mentorship Summit and Luncheon on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 10:30am-1:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

Explore the possibilities and celebrate every girl’s potential at SMARTgirl. Participants will engage in an innovative program designed to educate middle school girls in 6th, 7th and 8th grades on career imaginings and the tools they need to succeed through mentorship, soft skills training and hands-on workshops with some of the community’s top women leaders.

 

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

[SOON]  THEATER: The Mountaintop , January 10 – February 18

This performance depicts a fictionalized portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his last night of his life. With a theatrical imagination, the play gives viewers a window into what went on in the legendary man's life, and what his hopes, vulnerabilities and fears were.

Westcoast Black Theatre , 1646 10th Way, Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Shakespeare in Love , January 10 – March 28

Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, Shakespeare in Love will offer an entrancing theater production that follows the story of Will Shakespeare, a struggling playwright tormented by writer’s block. To his rescue comes the vivacious Viola, Will’s greatest admirer. But Viola has a secret and Will finds himself star cross’d.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  SEMINAR: An Evening With Audrey , January 11, 5:30-8:00pm

Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) was one of the greatest fashion icons and screen legends in history whose innate style and kindness captivated the world. Pamela Fiori, former editor in chief of Town & Country and Travel & Leisure magazines and six-time published author, presents a portrait of a much beloved woman, award-winnng actress, devoted mother, humanist, passionate gardener and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. Join SRQ MEDIA and WIB Trailblazer Honoree Pamela Fiori for an enchanting evening of sparkling cocktails, conversation and exploration into Hepburn’s luminosity through images, film and stories.

Mildred Sainer Pavilion, New College , 5313 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243

[SOON]  THEATER: Nine , January 11 – January 28, 2pm, 7:30pm or 8pm depending on day

Guido Contini is a wreck and dreading his 40th birthday, a dread that stifles the easy flow of his creative juices. He runs off to Venice in search of inspiration. In a swirl of present issues, revisiting traumatic memories and grasping at women likes straws, Contini finds himself on the verge of total annihilation.

Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. W., Bradenton

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Emily Larned , January 12 – March 17

This exhibition celebrates the ten-year anniversary of Impractical Labor in Service of the Speculative Arts (ILSSA), a social engaged art project founded in 2008 to investigate labor, time, and what we value. A selection from the first ten years of the project will be featured, and ILSSA co-founder Emily Larned will be in-residence in the gallery for the first two weeks of the show.

Ringling College of Art and Design Gallery, 2700 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALA: The Hospital Gala , January 13, 6:00PM

Join us for the 2018 Hospital Gala at the Rtiz Carlton to raise funds for the Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Emergency Services team. All proceeds work to ensure that our families and communities receive the best care and that the accidents or traumas people suffer from can have their urgent medical needs be addressed.

The Ritz Carlton, 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive Sarasota, Florida 34236

[SOON]  MUSIC: Fred Johnson Jazz Quartet , January 13, 8pm

Fred Johnson is an accomplished musician who has toured with the likes Aretha Franklin, Chick Corea and Miles Davis. A jazz, world music singer, and percussionist, Fred has been collaborating with Tampa Bay musicians for a series of performances with the theme of unity. Don't miss the evening of inspirational poetry, music, and art.

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

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: We Love Israel Shuk & Fair , January 14, 12pm

This event celebrates Israel's 70th anniversary of statehood. Attendees will be able to enjoy entertainment, food trucks and have the chance to purchase Israel-made products. Additionally, activities for children and educational opportunities are available. Admission is free and open to the public.

Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: SWAC Speaker Series , January 17, 6:30PM

The Sarasota World Affairs Council Lecture Series is a collective of local discussions on world issues. It will continue in January with Raymond Baker. Baker is an author, businessman, and CEO who will be speaking at the Mildred Sainer Pavilion on global financial integrity. More specific topics which will be covered include how dirty money affects less-developed countries, human rights abuses, and economic inequality.  

Mildred Sainer Pavillion, 5313 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243

[SOON]  THEATER: Singin' in the Rain , January 18 – February 4, 2pm or

Don Lockwood, with humble roots as a musician, dancer and stuntman, must navigate his movie studio’s transition into “talkie” production. Lockwood falls in love with Kathy Selden, the lovely back-up singer dubbing over the tone-deaf Lina Lamont. A classic love-battle ensues and will determine who shall have their happy ending, as if audiences don’t already know.

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  FOOD: Nosh & Knowledge , January 23, 7:00PM

Join the Jewish Housing Council Foundation over dinner on January 23 at Michael’s on East for the conclusion of Nosh and Knowledge. Investigative journalist and author, Carl Bernstein, will be here to share his experience reporting on the Watergate scandal with Bob Woodward as well as participate in audience Q & A. 

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

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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