SRQ DAILY Feb 23, 2019
"People are born creative and curious. Watching children at play provides proof. "
Tallahassee is a town of influence. Heading into this year’s legislative session, which formally starts March 5, there’s reason for hope and for patience. On the one hand, the Sarasota-Bradenton area heads in with greater influence than it has enjoyed in a decade with a Senate president who calls this region home. On the other, it sends its greenest delegation in years.
On balance, the power of state Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, in the capitol probably outweighs any inexperience and lack of seniority suffered from the rest of the region’s lawmakers. The leader already has demonstrated a desire to rank the region’s needs high over the next two years.
Some of his moves will surely be seen as controversial, including efforts to consolidate the University of South Florida and his ambitious hope to start construction on a highway from Polk to Collier counties. But as Mote Marine Laboratory looks for recognition as the state’s top voice on red tide, everyone likely will agree it’s good to have Galvano running one of the Florida Legislature’s two chambers.
“When you have people from your region in leadership, it doesn’t guarantee things,” Galvano told SRQ. “It’s a process involving 160 members. But it does create more of an opportunity for access and for advocacy.”
That’s why state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, says if there’s any major spending projects people want to see here, push hard in the next two years.
Gruters has made a big splash himself. As a freshman, he’s chairing the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. He’s not exactly a newcomer to the Legislature, having spent two years in the state House already. "I'm a practicing CPA on the frontlines of business," he said.
But he’s also had a lift in influence for being chairman of the Republican Party of Florida this year, an unexpected boost but one that at least subliminally will leave colleagues in his own party ready to make stronger bonds.
Plus, he’s been one of the most active and ambitious bill filers this year, openly suggesting he wants to set a record.
In the House, well, we may have to count on representatives being a little scrappy. State Rep. Newt Newton, D-St. Petersburg, enters his second House term as the senior House member for both Sarasota and Manatee. He lives in Pinellas and he’s in the minority party.
State Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota, by virtue of a special election win at least has some partial session experience. And perhaps because she flipped a seat from red to blue, she’s also taken on a role as a Democratic deputy leader. Again, though, she’s in the minority party in the state House.
State Reps. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota, and James Buchanan, R-Venice, have all shown competence in the job so far, tackling meaty issues, if not high-profile ones.
But with four freshman and one sophomore lawmaker in the House, there’s no doubt the region will be represented by good footsoldiers who are not yet commanders.
Gruters isn't that worried though. "The freshmen, Ds and Rs, are all working together and we're going to have a terrific session for this community," he said.
And the good side of having freshman in office in 2019 is that there may be one heck of a class in place come the end of 2024. Assuming these lawmakers all stick it out in their current office (and term limits mean Galvano’s Senate seat will open up next year), there’s reason to have high hopes for the future in coming sessions, regardless what benefits the region reaps this year. 
Photo: Freshman in November were sworn into the House, including James Buchanan (far left), Will Robinson and Tommy Gregory (far right).
Providing our local residents with the education and skills to fill the employment needs of our community is central to the mission of the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. I was very encouraged Gov. Ron DeSantis chose to emphasize workforce education with one of his earliest executive orders, and that he recognized the role of institutions like SCF in leading our statewide effort.
It is critical to invest in the workforce programs provided by SCF and our Florida College System partner institutions. We provide the degree programs and certificates in high demand, high wage areas that get our residents into the workforce and allow them to advance in their professions. We don’t just train people to work, we educate and prepare students for careers.
These programs are valuable to our communities, but also expensive to create and maintain. SCF’s high-demand health science workforce programs cost three to four times that of a general education program. Workforce programs require equipment and materials unique to the related industry and specially trained faculty that bring relevant, current experience into the classroom. All our students, however, pay the same tuition whether they are pursuing general education or a nursing degree.
As the community’s college, we are committed to these programs and always working with our industry partners to develop new degree programs or certificates that provide the right level of skills and time to completion for a profession. We have an advisory council of industry experts for each workforce program to ensure our education is relevant and impactful.
We are working with our state legislature this year to get a highly impactful investment into our flagship workforce program and meet one of Florida’s most pressing needs. SCF has requested $2.15 million in annual funding to establish the Nursing Center of Excellence to address the critical shortage of registered nurses in our region. This funding will allow SCF to hire the instructional and clinical faculty and support personnel required to increase the annual size of the Associate of Science in Nursing two-year degree program from 160 to 220. Our ultimate goal is to double the enrollment in the ASN program from 160 to 320.
SCF has state-of-the-art nursing education facilities, the support of area hospitals and the local talent available to double its enrollment in the registered nursing program. What we lack is the annual funding to hire the teaching and clinical faculty and support personnel required by an expanded nursing student body.
Our RN program is one of the most accomplished and productive in the state of Florida. The College has the highest average Nursing Board exam pass rates in the region (98-100 percent) for the past decade. SCF has produced more than 560 registered nurses in the last five years.
We can expand our two-year registered nursing program immediately if additional funding is provided. The program management, facilities and relationships with local hospitals are already in place. This is a turn-key opportunity to create more nurses for our region. Across the state, Florida College System nursing programs graduate more than 4,000 registered nurses per year. Funding our entire state college system to increase its nursing output could resolve the nursing shortage in Florida. We are ready.
Dr. Carol Probstfeld is president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
In this installment of the six-part series making the case why Ringling College of Art and Design matters, I elaborate on the reasons that what the College does here in Sarasota impacts not just the city, but the region, the nation and the world. Ringling College has received numerous high rankings, awards and accolades. The REAL significance of receiving these acknowledgements is they demonstrate the impact of what we do. They are the seal of approval that declares to the world we do at the College matters.
I am not the only one taking notice of the change that is coming. The Wall Street Journal published an article asserting jobs requiring skill sets from BOTH sides of the brain “will be likely to pay well and to resist automation.” The article bases its statements on a new report from Burning Glass Technologies, a labor market analytics firm in Boston, which found an increase in job postings for what they call hybrid jobs.
That brings me to Reason #3 Ringling College matters to that future: People need to re-learn how to be creative so both the left AND the right sides of the brain are equally developed for success; that is, for people to become “brain bi-dexterous.”
People are born creative and curious. Watching children at play provides proof. They use their imaginations to create games, roles and characters without any real effort. They spend a great deal of time drawing, coloring, painting and having fun CREATING things out of nothing. They also solve problems in ways we adults would not consider.
Then, these young people go to school. The emphasis changes—from the imagination and creativity of early childhood to the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Our educational system has long had a strong focus on STEM, in many ways rightfully so. Those left-brain skills (logic, analytical thinking, numeracy) were crucial to advances through the Industrial and Technological Ages. But that has resulted in the atrophy of right-brain skills, our creativity and imagination, intuition and holistic thinking. This systemic lack of exercise of the right side of the brain leads many to believe they are not creative. Allowing those right-brain skills to go undeveloped will not prepare our children for the economy of tomorrow.
After decades of focusing on STEM learning and allowing our right brain muscles to atrophy, how are we going to develop that skill? Can we re-learn and re-harness creativity? Yes, we can.
I know our creative skills still exist, even though many of us lack the opportunities to nurture them. It is not true that people aren’t creative; rather, they have forgotten how to be. Ringling College is an institution dedicated to fostering an environment in which creativity can thrive to its fullest potential. We encourage everyone at Ringling College to embrace their imaginations in their work, regardless of the roles they hold on campus. Because we firmly believe the College has a responsibility to nurture creativity beyond our campus family, Ringling College extends the chance to harness imagination to the community at-large.
We provide opportunities for the creatively curious to engage with artists and designers through discussions and lectures; to exercise the right brain by offering a events and exhibits to spark the imagination; and to learn new skills through course offerings in various creative disciplines. We offer lifelong learning courses through our Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College. We offer businesses looking to enhance their creative approaches to problem-solving the chance to connect with students through the Collaboratory. Soon, we will open the Sarasota Museum of Art, a world-class art museum that will make contemporary art accessible to all ages and levels of art experience and knowledge.
Perhaps the most important way we, along with fellow colleges and universities in this region, hope to engage the community in re-learning how to be creative is through a proposed Center for Creativity, Collaboration, and Competitiveness. This idea for such a center is being put forth by the Cross College Alliance. The Center’s mission is to help our community, businesses, schools, nonprofits and others learn how to become creative again.
Strengthening our ability to use creativity in our lives and work is critical. CCA presented this idea to our state representatives to seek funding for launching this Center. The Sarasota-Manatee region has the opportunity to lead the way in embracing the new Creative Age and creating a community prepared for the economy that will exist in the future.
The need for a Center like this one is upon us. Lifelong learning will become critical as those with technical expertise seek to equip themselves with the creative skills necessary to qualify for tomorrow’s jobs.
There is still much to do. Our educational systems are slow to innovate. With a continued emphasis on only STEM versus STEAM (STEM with the Arts for creativity), they still prepare students for the past, not the future. We know, though, that we are making progress. As we engage with those who attend our events and programming, we see people thinking perhaps they are, or at least can be, creative. More importantly to preparing for the future, we see people beginning to VALUE creativity as a skill as much as numeracy and analytical thinking. That understanding of the VALUE of creativity and imagination is the first step to strengthening the right-brain skill set so necessary for success in the coming Creative Age.
Dr. Larry R. Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art and Design.
Orioles Hall of Famer BOOG POWELL will bring his famed Boog’s BBQ to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota for the 2019 Spring Training season. “Over many years, we’ve mastered our unique, award-winning barbecue menu,” Powell said. “I can’t wait to share it with baseball fans at Spring Training in Sarasota.” Boog’s BBQ first opened on Eutaw Street at Baltimore’s Camden Yards on Opening Day in 1992. Powell’s son, J.W. POWELL, will operate the stand at Ed Smith Stadium, which opens for business at the Left Field Pavilion on Opening Day, Saturday, February 23.
Thanks to a partnership of the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida and Goodwill Manasota, seniors and adults with disabilities who have concerns about Medicare and other health insurance options can receive free insurance counseling at some new, convenient locations. SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) counselors are now providing free, unbiased health insurance counseling at Goodwill Manasota community rooms at four locations in Sarasota County. The sessions began this month; they are offered on Thursdays at the four Goodwill locations from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (by appointment only).
Elite Airways LLC announced new nonstop jet service between Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Northern Michigan and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Beginning on March 16, flights will depart every Saturday from SRQ at 8:30am ET, arriving TVC at 11:30am and depart TVC at 12:30pm, returning to SRQ at 3:30pm ET. Check online for more details.
New year-round routes to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) include: Asheville, North Carolina via Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and Baltimore via Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI). These two routes kick off the launch of nine new routes to SRQ announced in November of 2018 and are expected to bring nearly 162,000 visitors to the Sarasota / Bradenton area annually. The additional seven routes will begin in early April and include: Cleveland; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Nashville, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia; and Syracuse, New York.
In the wake of the Second World War, woodblock prints emerged as a channel of diplomacy and friendship between Japan and the U.S. Printmaking continues to be a vibrant and ever-changing art form well into the 21st century. This exhibition draws the Ringling Museum of Art’s extensive holdings of postwar Japanese prints and local collections. On display will be works by key artists including Onchi Koshiro, Hiratsuka Un’ichi, Saito Kiyoshi, Yoshida Chizuko, and Hoshi Joshi, including a number of new acquisitions and never-before exhibited pieces.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
Celebrate the wonder and magic of the cosmos, accompanied by a gourmet dinner, live auctions, dancing and more!
Funds raised at this special event help make a local impact and support essential American Cancer Society programs, services and extensive research for all cancers in all stages of life. The American Cancer Society’s Starry Night Soiree will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with a pre-event reception which includes a silent auction followed by an elegant dinner, a live auction, and incredible entertainment.
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota
Set in London, 1910, Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, guides audiences into the dysfunctional home of the Banks family, where the children have gone through numerous nannies. Mary Poppins magically flies into their lives bringing whimsy, magic and commonsense discipline for both the children and grown-ups, and everyone learns that “anything can happen if you let it.”
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Sarasota
Although unfinished at the time of his death, this opera remains one of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s most loved works, known for being his most musically adventurous. The story opens with exiled Prince Calaf, wandering outside of the Chinese Imperial Palace, where he falls in love with the cold and distant Princess Turandot. To obtain her hand in marriage, a suitor must answer three riddles—but if they fail, they face execution. Prince Calaf declares his intention to complete the challenge and win the Princess’ heart, but a surprise test follows.
Sarasota Opera House , 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Just as Paul Gauguin left an indelible mark on the post-Impressionist art world, the deep impact of botanical imagery on his work cannot be denied. This exhibition will highlight the essential role of botanicals in achieving the artist’s vision of the savage, primitive and exotic. Together with lush displays of tropical plants in the conservatory and gardens, the show will feature dramatic woodcuts and rarely seen works in other mediums by the artist.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 South Palm Ave., Sarasota
Monty Navarro may be distant heir to the family fortune, but there are several deadly ways to jump the line of succession. All the while, Monty must juggle his mistress, his fiancée, and the constant threat of landing behind bars. Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance… and be done in time for tea.
Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
This annual festival celebrates its 18th annual Festival featuring local and regional artists. All media. Held at Bradenton Rivewalk in the pavilion area.
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.
Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Lynn Nottage’s play looks at life of working America. It’s the year 2000 in Reading, Pennsylvania, and friends Tracey and Cynthia only need their factory jobs and their favorite bar. But when layoffs and picket lines begin to be limited, the friends are pitted against each other. This new play confronts issues of race, class, family and friendship—and the tragic community without opportunity.
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
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.
Drawn from the superb collections of the Stibbert Museum in Florence, Italy, this extraordinary exhibition reveals the figure of the knight in the Middle Ages and Renaissance through over 80 exquisite objects, including full suits of armor, helmets, corselets, swords and other weaponry. The exhibition explores the function and craftsmanship of these exquisite objects as well as their historical context, focusing on themes of love and war, jousts and tournaments, and the 19th-century revival of interest in medieval knighthood.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
Featuring Tom Becker, former member of the New Christy Minstrels. Tom Becker recreates the style and sound of one of America’s immortal musical storytellers. Hear all your favorite John Denver songs like “Country Roads,” “Annie’s Song,” “Rocky Mountain High” and more, in an evening that is sure to have you singing along.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W., Venice
Break out your finest western garb, boots, bling, or favorite cocktail attire for an evening of sparkle and cheer. Florida Studio Theatre’s 2019 annual fundraiser will kick off with a cocktail reception featuring live music, dancers, performances by FST's resident improv troupe, raffles, and more. The celebration continues with live entertainment from FST beloved performers, the presentation of the Spelman Award, and a seated dinner catered by Michael's On East. Tickets are $250 per person. To RSVP, contact Development Associate Samus Haddad at 941.366.9017 ext. 316.
Filmmaker Marlon Riggs, winner of the Los Angeles Film Critics Award, and Best Documentary prize at the Berlin Film Festival, is as relevant as ever. The film gives a voice to communities of gay black men, presenting their cultures and perspectives on the world as they confront racism, homophobia and marginalization.
Academic Center – ACE 115, 5800 Bay Shore Rd.,Sarasota
The Sleeping Beauty, a crowning jewel of Marius Petipa’s career, is often considered the finest achievement of the Classical ballet. It is a grandiose and refined blending of the traditional mime, expressive pas d’action and spectacular divertissements in a lavish theatrical setting and set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.
Van Wezel, 777 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota,
The read-in is an event where members of the NCF community read aloud inspirational texts written by Black authors. Wes Bellamy is the youngest person to ever be elected to the Charlottesville City Council and was involved with the initiative to move the Confederate statue.
Jane Bancroft Cook Library , 5800 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
This interactive program of popular Russian and folk songs from the Barynya Russian Balalaika Duo incorporates colorful costumes and dance into a full experience. Highlights include “Tara’s Theme” from Dr. Zhivago, the Russian Gypsy dance “Two Guitars,” the “Cossack Dance,” “Moscow Nights,” “Kalinka” a charming “Tongue Twister Medley” and more. Instrument highlights include the balalaika, garmoshka and contrabass.
Michael's on East ballroom, 1212 South East Ave., Sarasota
Join SRQ MEDIA for PROJECTHINK, a collaborative community initiative designed to explore the world of innovation and creativity in learning. PROJECTHINK is a two-day conference hosted at the Ringling College of Art and Design on March 1-2, 2019. The conference kicks off on Friday March 1 from 5:30-7pm with celebrated TEDx keynote speaker and global education innovator Ismet Mamnoon, followed by presentations from Dr. Larry Thompson, Ringling College of Art and Design; Jennifer Vigne, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, and Chris Laney, CareerSource Suncoast. On Saturday March 2 from 8:30am to 1pm, PROJECTHINK opens the world of creativity through hands-on engagement through creativity workshops and immersive workshops that transform the creative process facilitated by Ringling College faculty. The conference concludes with Lunch on the Lawn from 1-2pm, featuring local food trucks. PROJECTHINK is produced by SRQ MEDIA in partnership with the Ringling College of Art + Design, the Education Foundation of Sarasota, and CareerSource Suncoast.
Ringling College of Art and Design Campus, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Goodwill Manasota and Michael’s On East invite the public to the most anticipated event of the season: the Mardi Gras Gala. This event features authentic Cajun food, open bar, fabulous live auction items, New Orleans-style music, and dancing. The 2019 Mardi Gras Gala will take place on Tuesday, March 5, 6-10 p.m. at Michael’s On East (1212 East Avenue S., Sarasota). This is the fourteenth year of the event, which was conceived by Michael’s On East co-proprietor Philip Mancini. Guests dress in beads and masks and enjoy New Orleans style drinks and dinner offerings such as Crawfish Étouffée, crab cakes, Jambalaya, Oysters Bienville, and much more. Co-chairs are Tim Schalch and Megan Baers; major sponsors include CS&L CPAs, NDC Construction, and Seaside Bank. Tickets are $150 per person; visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721, ext. 251 for reservations or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Michael's on East, 1212 East Avenue S., Sarasota
In celebration of the anniversary of Abbey Road, Rain will bring the greatest hits of this epic recording to life, in addition to all your early Beatles favorites. This performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is “the next best thing to seeing the Beatles” (Associated Press). Experience the worlds’ most iconic band and come celebrate the best of Abbey Road with Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles.
Van Wezel, 777 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
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