SRQ DAILY Dec 31, 2018
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"It seems every couple months we have a massive raw sewage spill somewhere in the state."
Days after the City of Sarasota reported a major sewage spill, the community’s state senator filed a bill to significantly increase penalties for similar incidents in the future.
State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, on Friday filed new legislation that could increase the penalty to $1 per gallon of untreated sewage spilled into waterways. In lieu of the penalty, the bill allows responsible parties to conduct upgrades and repairs worth $2 per gallon, as approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“It seems every couple months we have a massive raw sewage spill somewhere in the state,” Gruters says, “whether because of a storm or just an accident. But with the known correlation between some nutrients and the increased impact of red tide, we should do everything we can to turn it around.”
The most recent such spill happened in Gruters’ own district. Sarasota on Dec. 20 reported a 900,000-gallon spill that entered Sarasota Bay near Centennial Park.
City spokesman Jason Bartolone said the spill originated at a public utilities campus on 12th Street when a 48-inch diameter pipe ruptured during a rainstorm.
The Florida Department of Health issued a health advisory that water briefly posed a danger to humans. The advisory lifted on Dec. 26, when water samples showed the water was once again safe. That came after the city and health department took a number of steps to sanitize the region and mitigate health risks.
The spill occurred after red tide concerns subsided; state officials also just announced there are no detectable algal blooms remaining in state waters.
But Gruters and other politicians testify that on the campaign trail this year, no issue arose more than the health and commercial risks tied to the historic red tide bloom that impacted the coast this year.
Gruters’ bill, if passed in its current form, would mean a greater financial cost to the city should a similar spill to the one this month occur again. The law would call for a $900,000 fine, or for proof of $1.8 million in preventative improvements to the city sewer system. The goal, he says, will be improved water quality, not vindictive punishment.
“This law holds governments who dump raw sewage into our waterways accountable with fines, but also gives them an option out if they fix their pollution problems,” Gruters says. “Sarasota County residents and all Floridians deserve the strongest reasonable protections." 
Photo: Sarasota Bay
Art Battle Sarasota returns this January for more artist-on-artist combat on January 26 at the Selby Public Library. Join artists and audiences for a wonderful evening of creativity and community, a live painting tournament showcasing local artists and connecting Sarasota to towns and cities around the world. Art Battle is live competitive painting. Painters create the best work they can in 20 minutes. As they work, patrons move around the easels, closely watching the creative process. The medium is acrylic paint and the tools allowed are brushes, palette knives or any non-mechanical implements. At the end of the round, the audience votes democratically for their favorite painting and bids in silent auction to take the work home. Tickets are $40 and include drinks and finger foods. Student tickets are $20 and include no drinks. Be a part of the fun as a spectator, or participate as one of the featured artists. Find out more at the website below.
Registration is now open for the 2019 Gulf Coast Games for Life, which will take place Feb. 2-10, 2019, at locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. The 2019 Gulf Coast Games for Life events are open to amateur athletes 50 years and older as of Dec. 31, 2019. The games are a qualifying event for the Florida Senior Games State Competition. Events are held in a variety of sports, from bag toss (corn hole) to volleyball. Event registration ends Jan. 18, 2019.
There is a one-time registration fee of $12, which also includes an event t-shirt. Each event, including the first event, costs an additional $3. Events such as bowling and golf have additional facility fees. The age divisions are: 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80-84; 85-89 and 90-plus. Medals are awarded to the top three athletes in each event, for each age category as first, second and third place finishers. The top five athletes in each age category qualify to compete in the Florida Senior Games State Competition.
To register, visit the website below.
This black tie event features a private journey through tropical holiday light displays, passed hors d’oeuvres, a seated four-course dinner, live entertainment and dancing, culminating with a champagne toast overlooking the fireworks on Sarasota Bay.
The most anticipated party of the year is right around the corner....NEW YEARS EVE!
Full Moon Promotions is bringing back THE Sarasota New Years Eve Party to the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium to ring in 2019. This will be THE Biggest & Best Ticketed New Years Party in the area! Tickets are all inclusive; open full bar, bottomless champagne, catered apps, live & DJ entertainment, and a huge dance floor and light show. Ring in the new year right at Sarasota Illumination!
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
The Magic of Ma’Ceo... described by the ocala star banner as an- “Equine Cirque du Soleil”! This theatrical European style, equestrian themed, cirque show tells a beautiful seamless story with a contemporary blend of Acrobatics, Aerial, Dance, and Equestrian Arts woven to the acoustic beats of rich Spanish guitar. This renowned show has toured the nation this past decade, recently performing in Honolulu, Hawaii, Alaska, and Las Vegas. For the first time ever, Cirque Ma’Ceo will be performing in front of their hometown crowd,Sarasota Florida! To make this occasion even more special, we will be offering a VIP ticket to purchase a Benefit Dinner with the rare opportunity to eat, drink, and personally get to know the cast of Cirque Ma’Ceo right under the Big Top! A large portion of the ticket proceeds will be directly donated to Big Cat Habitat and the animals who have filled our lives with joy.
Big Cat Habitat, 7101 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota
Come visit the new space and celebrate the opening of Alfstad& Editions, a collaborative fine art printmaking studio in the Rosemary District. Dedicated to the professional print process, Alfstad& Editions creates limited edition and original works of art, and offers private printmaking instruction, customized workshops and individual classes. Snacks, drinks, art and a live silkscreen demonstration included.
Alfstad& Editions, 1421 5th St., Sarasota
The culmination and highlight of the 17-day Perlman Music Program Sarasota Winter Residency, the 15th Annual Celebration Concert at the Sarasota Opera House features the most gifted, young musical talents of our time. The PMP Chorus is led by Patrick Romano, Chorus Master and the PMP String Orchestra performs under the baton of Itzhak Perlman.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota
This rollicking, music-filled farce, which premiered in 1879, includes home-town references to our own Pittsburg Pirates. At eight years of age, Frederic was apprenticed to a group of fun-loving, soft-hearted pirates. Now 21, he decides to leave the pirates to lead “a blameless life.” He makes it his goal to eradicate these pirates. Fun and mayhem follow.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton
In the black of night, a Salem village reverend discovers a group of teenage girls dancing devilishly around a fire in the woods. When his daughter exhibits strange catatonic symptoms the following morning, the townsfolk are frenzied with rumors of witchcraft. Deep-seated jealousy, deadly accusations, and seething resentments pit neighbor against neighbor as a deeply religious community is thrown into turmoil, in this Arthur Miller classic.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.
“Who Stole the Mona Lisa?” is a whimsical and imaginative animated film that offers a delightful, multimedia, classical music performance presented in synchrony with a live performance of Igor Stravinsky’s Suite from “The Firebird.” Live and visual pairings of “Babar the Elephant” and “Pictures at an Exhibition” complete the program. Alexandre Moutouzkine mans the piano while Edward Alley narrates.
Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Artists are local, national and international, and Art Center Manatee is one of only five venues in the country to host the exhibit. Admission is $5. In a neighboring gallery, and on display for the same period of time, the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society will also be showing work from its member-artists.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W, Bradenton.
“Welcome to the 60s” where Tracey Turnblad, a pleasantly plump teenager dreams of fame and fights to racially integrate the Corny Collins Show. This winner of eight Tony Awards (including “Best Musical”) is based on the John Waters film and proves that “You Can’t Stop The Beat.”
The Players Theatre, 838 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
In the final scene of Ibsen’s 1879 masterwork, Nora Helmer slammed the door on her marriage and family life, leaving her family. This sequel imagines her 15 years later as a successful writer and independent women, but she must return home to the one man who can help her. Universally acclaimed during its recent Broadway run, this new comedy raises questions about marriage and the roles of women have—and have not—changed.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Through movement, mime, and comedy, a veteran solo artist recalls and recreates the indelible memories from thirty years of touring twenty-five nations.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s novel of the same name , Christopher is exceptionally intelligent, but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an ear-shattering discovery.
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