Tom Edwards said he wants Eric Robinson off the Sarasota County School Board so personal conflict and internal strife don’t dominate meetings. But the incumbent said that problem went away with the resignation of former Superintendent of Schools Todd Bowden.

As Robinson seeks a second term on the board, his mission is convincing voters he’s not the sower of discord and prince of dark money his critics make his out to be. “People make wrong assumptions about me all the time,” he said. As he seeks another four years in office, Robinson feels optimistic a new superintendent will erase headlines of friction that dominated press accounts the past few years. Robinson also never voted in favor of a charter school establishment or merger, he said, but gets wrongly labeled an advocate for privatizing schools.

He’s focused these days on granting schools more autonomy. He touts successes like bringing Emma E. Booker Elementary from a D to a B school by allowing the school the chance to control its own curriculum more closely. He feels the same can be achieved at other schools.

Edwards said as the district brings in a new district executive, it’s a good time for fresh blood in two of five Board seats. Outgoing Board Member Carolyn Zucker will be replaced by one of the two candidates regardless. But Edwards hopes to take Robinson’s place as well be beating him in an Aug. 18 nonpartisan election.

“There’s a lot of emotions, a lot of hurt feelings and a lot of dysfunction as far as relationships between the School Board members, with unions and with the former Superintendent,” he said. “I bring a set of fresh eyes.”

Robinson knows many voters recognize his name mostly for disagreements with Bowden, but he said there hasn’t been a contentious 3-2 vote on the School Board since the district and the administrator parted ways. He early butted heads over sexual harassment charges against the superintendent which would go on to plague his tenure to the end. This side of the separation, Robinson feels vindicated, like the first official to see the threat Bowden posed the district.

Edwards notably feels Bowden should have been fired much sooner, and that frictions between Bowden and the district unions — and even parents of children enrolled — should have led the board to action. Edward feels that Robinson turning the matter into a conflict of personalities ultimately exacerbated the problems and extended Bowden’s stay. The petty infighting took too much attention away from more important tasks as well, he said.

A small business owner who ran a company in New York on 9/11, Edwards thinks such distractions left the school district unprepared for a disaster like COVID-19. While districts like Miami-Dade had virtual systems standing when students switched to distance learning, Edwards feels frustrated that even now, the district doesn’t yet have footing on that matter. “And we need to stand up to the Department of Education,” he said. “We are the No.2 performing district in the state. You’re not going to defund us. But we cannot reopen when our numbers are out of control, sending teachers and students into a super-spreader environment and then that all comes back to our community.” 

Photos of Tom Edwards and Eric Robinson

Bears made of grandma’s fur coat. Pillows crafted from dad’s favorite neckties. A quilt that transforms a wedding dress into a lifelong keepsake. These are just some of the heartfelt projects and beloved family momentos that are fueling the success of a small business called Reminkie Bears, run out a Longboat Key cottage by an 87-year-old local woman. The small but mighty enterprise consists of four paid sewers and one dynamic principal who manages business development, financials, quality control and public relations. Profits have ebbed and flowed over the years, but right now, owner Rita Glosser says "orders are coming in at breakneck speed." 

While quarantining at home for weeks, many people are feeling isolated from their family and friends and missing those that are gone even more acutely. “People are stuck at home cleaning their closets and finding things that belonged to a loved one such as a fur stole or coat,” Glosser says. “Although they can’t physically connect, they can with a keepsake and memory." Household, comforting items such as a teddy bear, pillow, quilt, throw or coat have been created from mothers or grandmothers' saved wardrobes. "Love emanates from every item and makes them feel so much better to have something long-lasting that they can hold and touch.”

Glosser started Reminkie Bears in 1994 after realizing that she had no idea what to do with her own mother’s mink stole, "that no one in the family wanted," she admits, "but couldn’t bear to part with it." So she decided to upcycle the pelt into an adorable stuffed animal as a gift for her daughter. Eventually, a business idea spawned, and a variety of other nostalgic heirlooms with a strong sentimental association joined the inventory from her vast buyers. Customers send Glosser their materials from all over the country. When they eventually receive the finished product back, tears of joy tend to be the reaction, she shares. Everything from fox coats to tee-shirts to a pilot’s uniform have made their way to her to return with a creatively-salvaged cherishable. 

"The emotional upheaval of the coronavirus has only made hearts grow fonder with the memory preservation promised by Reminkie Bears." 

Photo courtesy of Reminkie Memory Bears

Contact at 941-383-9711, reminkie@aol.com or Reminkiebears.com

Sarasota County has earned a "Silver" designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. The designation from SolSmart, a federally funded non-profit and government partnership, recognizes Sarasota County for taking bold steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development. "Sarasota County is honored to receive an award that shows our commitment to renewable solar energy for our community," said Sara Kane, sustainability program supervisor with Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability. "Supporting solar growth is important to our sustainability goals and commitments." 

Allegiant Private Advisors, an independent firm offering fiduciary-level financial planning and investment advisory services in Sarasota, Fla., announced that Benjamin W. Jones, CFP®, AIF®, has been named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors for 2020. The list is published on www.forbes.com. “I’m honored to be recognized as a top ‘Next-Gen’ advisor by Forbes again this year. The Allegiant team remains focused on helping each client plan and navigate financial goals while also guiding the next generation within each family,” explains Jones, who serves as president, chief investment officer and is a principal of Allegiant. “We’ve taken bold and meaningful action in advance of and throughout these challenging times on behalf of our clients, but just as important is the assistance we are providing their children and grandchildren. We prepare families for the transfer of wealth and carefully guide the next generation of investors—today’s hard-working professionals, business owners and growing families—through all aspects of their financial lives.” 

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Sarasota Memorial Health Care System unveiled a new $27 million radiation oncology center this week, completing the first phase of its comprehensive Cancer Institute and marking the first time the local health system has provided external beam radiation services to patients on the Suncoast. Located on Sarasota Memorial’s University Parkway campus, the 18,000-square-foot facility is equipped with two Varian TrueBeam linear accelerators designed to precisely target tumors and spare healthy cells from unnecessary radiation exposure. The technology enables the latest image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery to safely treat smaller tumors in the head, neck, lung, breast, abdomen, spine, prostate and other areas. 

“It’s the gold standard for radiation oncology with a lot of technology in one package,” said Kunal Saigal, MD, a radiation oncologist with Florida Cancer Specialists who serves as medical director of Sarasota Memorial’s outpatient radiation center. “We want to deliver the most cutting edge, evidence-based radiation oncology treatments available. This is just the beginning.” The Sarasota Memorial Radiation Oncology Center is now accepting patient appointments for services beginning August 3rd. It will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm at 5370 University Parkway, Sarasota (corner of Honore and University). To make an appointment or referral, please call 941-917-7575.  

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CenterPlace Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Taneshia McClendon, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, CNE. A native of Florida, Dr. McClendon earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, all from the University of South Florida. She is a Board Certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Educator, with extensive clinical experience in multiple medical specialties including urology, critical care, progressive care, urgent care, dermatology, and wound management. Dr. McClendon has also taught at the collegiate level. Practicing all aspects of Family Medicine, Dr. McClendon is involved in the entire continuum of care of patients at CenterPlace and sees patients at the Ringling Health Center and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She is focused on providing high quality care with consistency and accuracy, while also fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to improve patient health outcomes. 

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To facilitate and guide student progress in its new educational program, The Music Academy, Music Compound has hired Elisha Jennings as Education Coordinator. In this role, Jennings will provide support and assistance to students with the Florida Virtual School core curriculum classes, provide individualized instruction for each of the 12 students, assess and record the students’ progress, collaborate with other teachers, parents and program stakeholders, and plan and execute educational in-class and outdoor activities and events.  The Music Academy, for grades 3-8, runs August 17 through May 21, Monday through Thursday, 8:30am - 4:00pm (hours are flexible). Students can attend 2, 3 or 4 days, and half-day options are available. Tuition is $10,000 for the school year. 

Pictured: Music Compound Education Coordinator Elisha Jennings. Photo by Cliff Roles

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Adah Camacho has joined Home Instead Senior Care of Venice as the Operations Director and Administrator. She has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare working as a Certified Nurse Assistant, Medical Assistant, OB Surgical Tech, Managing Director and Field Service Director. Her experience includes managing programs and systems associated with patient care, financial management, and clinical case management while collaborating with healthcare providers and community organizations. 

Andrea Knies, of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, a member of the Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA), has earned professional accreditation in public relations (APR). In receiving the designation, Knies joins the more than 5,000 professionals nationally that represent a group of public relations professionals committed to practicing with high ethical standards. In addition to her role at the Arts Alliance, Knies currently serves on the CWC-FPRA’s board of directors as the vice-president of professional development. She’s also the co-founder of Compass Rose History Experiences and secretary of the Manatee County Historical Commission. Prior to joining the Arts Alliance, Knies was the assistant director of community engagement for New College of Florida. 

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Florida Studio Theatre (FST) and Tidewell Hospice proudly announce that the two not-for-profit organizations will partner to offer the Blue Butterfly Camp—a two-week summer theatre program for bereaved youth. Connected to Tidewell Hospice’s Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center, the camp is designed to give children experiencing grief a safe, supportive space to explore and express their emotions. From July 21 to August 1, FST’s education staff will work online with students ages 9-12. A counselor from Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program will be present each day to provide additional support. The camp will be provided free of cost to participating families, made possible thanks to support from the Barancik Foundation and the Tidewell Foundation, Inc.

“Being able to offer our Blue Butterfly children a way to process their feelings and share what’s going on in their hearts through expressive arts is such a gift,” said Danielle Visone, the Family Grief Program Specialist at the Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center. “I hope each child can find their voice during this camp and be heard.” The Blue Butterfly Camp will take place virtually over Zoom from July 21 to August 1. The camp is designated specifically for children experiencing grief and will be free of cost for enrolled students. For more information about the camp, please contact FST’s PR Associate Lydia Baxter at Lbaxter@floridastudiotheatre.org and Tidewell Foundation’s Communications Manager Lindsey Nickel de la O at Lnickeldelao@tidewellfoundation.org. 

Cassia Kite soundstitches Mable's roses. 

Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.

Manatee County Commissioners will meet next week to consider a local requirement that would require face coverings to be worn indoors in certain situations in Manatee County. The Board directed the County Attorney's office to "draft, schedule, and advertise the necessary resolutions and ordinances to put in place a mask mandate as soon as possible." The Board will look to Leon County's face covering order as the basis for one to be considered on Monday at 1:30pm. The draft of the resolution and ordinance will be available for public review prior to the meeting. 

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The City of Sarasota Parks & Recreation District will be closing the treehouse themed playground at Laurel Park starting Friday, July 24, 2020. The structure will be undergoing routine warranty work. The playground is scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 27, 2020. All other amenities within the park will be open during this time. 

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The following state-run COVID-19 testing sites have been established for anyone regardless of symptoms, with no appointment necessary.  Robert L. Taylor Community Center Walk-up testing site, located at 1845 34th St. Sarasota, open 9:00am to 5:00pm daily, or until capacity is reached. The Mall at University Town Center Drive-thru testing site, located at 299 University Town Center Drive Sarasota, open 9:00am to 5:00pm daily, or until capacity is reached. Publix at Port Charlotte Crossing, located at 4265 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm, or until capacity is reached.