SRQ DAILY Dec 31, 2020
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"The staff was great, the public was great, and it was well organized. Bravo to the Sarasota County Health department."
Health care institutions providing vaccines to the general public have seen a rush on shots and advise patience.
Manatee County’s Department of Health and Public Safety made vaccinations available to citizens age 65 and older beginning on Wednesday, but reservations quickly filled up through today. A vaccine drive-through will be set up from Friday through Monday at Bennett Park but appointments must be made through mymanatee.org/vaccine. Additional dates will be released on Monday afternoons.
Dr. Jennifer Bencie, the Florida Department of Health’s Manatee County Health Officer, held a virtual community event with Manatee County EMS Chief James Crutchfield and Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer to discuss the process. She said Florida opened up the vaccines to all citizens older than 65, regardless of other preexisting conditions. Getting a vaccine includes committing to setting up time for a second shot 28 days after and staying in the county.
Meanwhile, the Sarasota County Department of Health on Wednesday announced its second round of vaccines. A vaccine clinic for 400 individuals will be held today, but again appointments are required. Only frontline health care workers and those older than 65 may sign up at SarasotaHealth.org.
“We’re trying to do up to 50 shots an hour,” said Steve Huard, spokesman for the Department of Health’s Sarasota office. The shots in Downtown Sarasota are being administered at the Health Department office.
While there’s been frustration with the limited doses available so far, Huard said as more vaccines become available, officials will look at ways to more quickly get shots out to the public.
And at least among those already receiving shots, there’s been good reviews at the efficiency in the office itself. “They did a great job with this. Our experience was fine,” said Virginia Hoffman, who received a vaccine the first day they became available. “The staff was great, the public was great, and it was well organized—Bravo to the Sarasota County Health department.”
In addition to what’s being provided through health departments, Florida has also issued vaccine orders to 170 hospitals across the state of Florida. 
Photo courtesy Sarasota County Department of Health
Though many markets took a hiatus this past year, we've been emphatically embracing the welcoming return of familiar ones, as well as a few new ones to the scene. 73 Degree Flea, local market management company, went all out with its first South Gate Farmers Market on December 17, followed by the final Rosemary Indie Market of 2020. The 70 Fleas are small but mighty -- fostering a sense of community and providing a hip market experience in that showcase various local artists, makers and designers at Sarasota and Bradenton breweries or beer gardens. Ergo, it's time to mark your 2021 calendars for every 3rd Thursday of the month, from 4:00pm - 8:00pm for a new batch of market days.
"That's right - we're starting a new, monthly farmers market at the South Gate Community Center right off the Tuttle and Siesta traffic circle," explains Farrel Hansen, 73 Degree Flea founder and market coordinator. "We'll be hosting local craft vendors with produce, desserts, tea, prepared foods, knife sharpening services, candles, jerky, all-natural and pet products, dry herbs and so much more!." On-site, local food trucks include Cornerstone and Company as well as Perry's BBQ. And on every 3rd Saturday of the month til April, the Rosemary Indie Market will take up residence at Mandeville Beer Garden from 11:00am- 4:00 pm with over 30+ vendors. On the day of the market, grab a coffee and head over for some live music, which kicks off right at 11am. December featured an all-male line-up starting with Ben Jacobs, followed by Justin Layman. Get your sun hats and tote bags ready, market season is upon us and we couldn't be happier about it.
As many continue to struggle with the changes to everyday life in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, JFCS of the Suncoast will offer a weekly online discussion group to help participants deal with the effects of “the new normal.” Hosted on Zoom, the sessions will be based on author Nancy Schlossberg’s book Overwhelmed: Coping with Life’s Ups and Downs and co-led by Schlossberg and retired attorney Michael Karp each Thursday beginning January 7, 2021, from 1:30 to 3:00pm.
Transition Sarasota announced winning a charitable contribution in the amount of $10,000 from Florida Blue Foundation for their 2020 Giving Tuesday program, Florida Gives, now in its fourth year. The funds will be used to strengthen programs, whose goals are reducing waste to benefit food access. Ryan S. nominated Transition Sarasota with the following statement “Their nonprofit has brought me hope and purpose in a year that served me a lot of question marks. At the core of their grassroots work, they serve as a passionate advocator for local growing, consumption and consumerism in my beautiful city of Sarasota, Florida. Their team acts as a mitigator for local food waste, as volunteers give their time and field labor to rescuing excess produce from local farms and create the actual link for that recovered healthy food to to be donated to food banks.”
North Port Area Chamber of Commerce presented the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club with the 2020 Non-Profit Business of the Year Award on December 17 during its Annual Awards Luncheon. “What makes the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club special is the opportunities the children get through the programs we provide,” said Chris Masucci, Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club Director. “I have watched many of our members get scholarships, awards and confidence through our award-winning programs. These members grow up to be more successful and have a better idea of what they want to do in life as adults whether it be going the college route or jumping right into a career through a trade school.”
Forestar Group Inc. ("Forestar"), a leading national residential lot developer, is excited to announce a new community coming soon - Star Farms at Lakewood Ranch. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Southwest Florida, Star Farms at Lakewood Ranch will be a multi-generational lifestyle community that offers a unique experience tailored to meet the needs of today’s diverse homebuyers. Forestar West Florida Division President Tony Squiteri said, “We look forward to introducing a new hometown concept with our resort ranch community. As the latest village in Lakewood Ranch, Star Farms plans to offer a wide range of amenities and diverse housing options for parents, children, retirees and singles to enjoy."
Michael Saunders & Company is pleased to welcome Jill Kawecki to the Bradenton office. Jill can be reached by calling 914-629-0516 or visiting the office located at 14400 Manatee Ave W.
The Purchasing Division will kick off the new year by hosting weekly virtual meet and greet sessions with vendors throughout January and February. Each session is an opportunity for prospective and current vendors to discuss their company and engage with staff about the City’s procurement process. 30-minute time slots are available 1:30pm to 4pm each Wednesday from January 6 through February 24. Sessions will be offered via Zoom and will be one-on-one conversations with one of the City’s Purchasing professionals.
Chef Byran Jacobs shows displaced war veterans how to grow, cook, brew, bake and live again.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's December 2020 edition.
All three Mattison’s Restaurants will be open on New Year’s Eve featuring special holiday menus, festive drinks, live music, and spectacular giveaways at midnight with each restaurant offering its own unique dining and party experience. The newly renovated Mattison’s Forty-One offers an elegant atmosphere with both inside and expanded patio seating. Live entertainment at Forty-One will feature The Randy Stephens and Jonathon Elgart Review. Chef Paul Mattison has created a special a’la carte holiday menu of delectable appetizers, entrees, salads, and desserts along with an extensive wine list and festive cocktails that will make your New Year’s Eve extraordinary. Mattison’s Forty-One is also offering a special pre-fixe, 4-course dinner priced at $129 per couple. If Bradenton is your locale, reserve a spot at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille. With plenty of parking and seating on the heated, outdoor patio, Riverwalk Grille is the perfect New Year’s Eve spot in Bradenton. Entertainment is provided by Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones. Three reserved seating times are available at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille. Mattison’s City Grille, in the heart of Downtown Sarasota, will feature seating in front of the restaurant will ample space inside to dance to the music of The Shift Change Band. All three restaurants will host a raffle for giveaways just before midnight. There is no cost to enter. You must be present to win. Each guest will receive a complimentary raffle entry. No matter which restaurant you choose to attend, Mattison’s has the night covered for you and your special someone. Join us to say farewell to what has been a difficult year and bring in 2021 with style.
Purchase now through December 31 and have access to watch the movie until July 31, 2021. You are cordially invited to experience the musical phenomenon of 2020, in a soon-to-be-released movie format, just in time for the holidays! This will be an opportunity for fans who saw the film before to go deeper with additional content and cut scenes, and for those who missed the boat the first time around to see this hilarious, brand-new musical. A Killer Party - The Movie has bonus content not seen in the original series, including never-before-seen bloopers, and an entire additional scene and new song performed by Miguel Cervantes from Hamilton. A Killer Party - A Murder Mystery Musical features Broadway theater favorites Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes, Alex Newell, Carolee Carmello, Miguel Cervantes, Drew Gehling, Jarrod Spector, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Michael James Scott, Krystina Alabado and Jackie Burns. Seen in more than 70 countries and with over 100K streams of the Original Cast Album, A Killer Party - The Movie is the must see hit of the season, and just in time for the holidays.
After a year like this one, Blase Southern Style is stepping into some revelry to toast the end of 2020 and ring in 2021, including a special New Year's Eve Vaudeville style Party. As a show of appreciation to diners who have supported the restaurant over the past year and to add some holiday cheer to the New Year, Blase Southern Style is offering a new winter menu and a drink on us, a late happy hour from 4pm to 8pm, and all-inclusive New Year's Eve Party from 9pm to 2am including 4-course dinner, open bar, champagne toast, Vaudeville Show, live entertainment and dancing.
This year, Salute to Vienna is streaming directly into your living room. Celebrate the New Year with this never-before-seen performance, filmed in Europe. Filled to the brim with the same joyful singing, dancing, and full orchestra that live audiences all across North America have celebrated with since 1995, this concert will be available to stream on-demand after its premiere on Sunday, December 27 until Sunday, January 3 from the comfort of home. Multiple prices are available for purchase, to allow you to select the ticket price that feels right for you. When choosing your ticket, you might consider how many people in your household will be watching concert. Choose the price that you wish to pay for this online stream. Ring in the New Year with the Blue Danube Waltz and excerpts from beloved operettas.
For over 70 years, students ages 8-18 have amazed audiences with an incredible spectacle of youth circus arts. See them flip, fly and soar to new heights in this annual holiday production daily at 2pm and 7pm, Sunday at 1pm and 6pm and Thursday at 1pm from December 26 until December 31, 2020. The entire family will enjoy acts showcasing beautiful aerial artistry, heart-stopping acrobatics, incredible acrobatic roller skating, lightning fast juggling and more.
Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista Street
Entertainment Cruise Productions, The Jazz Cruise and all the participating musicians wish each of you a Happy Holiday season, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and the most wonderful safe and healthy New Year. Yes, 2020 is almost over. We have combined our efforts to give you, the best jazz fans in the world, the only holiday gift that cannot be returned, fits everyone, and is easily wrapped... the gift of music. Starting at 4pm on Wednesday, December 23 and continuing through Sunday, January 3, whenever you wish and as often as you wish, you can view The Jazz Cruise Holiday Show. Participating musicians include Shelly Berg (Music Director), Randy Brecker, John Clayton, Kurt Elling, David Finck, Wycliffe Gordon, Jeff Hamilton, Niki Haris, James Morrison, Ken Peplowski, Houston Person, Tierney Sutton, and Matt Wilson.
Ringling Museum of Art's video exhibition Real This Time will showcase the work of artists including Bear Witness from April 23 until May 16. During this extraordinary time, video has become the key medium contributing to the public sphere. Video, often captured on cellphones and shared through social media, exposes social justice issues and matters of civic life to a global audience. For Real This Time features video-based works that examine the current state of American society and pose uncomfortable yet vital questions about personal and collective attitudes toward issues of race and inequality. The exhibition is presented in a sequence of individual screenings. Each work brings to light narratives of systemic racism and offers a unique inquiry that evokes historical exchange to illustrate the expansiveness of the issues affecting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) today. For Real This Time opens up a space for deeper reflection on the common experience of resilience across cultures in order to create a shift in our psyches that inspires tangible and effective change.
Join the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School on December 16, 2020, January 13, 2021 and February 10, 2021 to witness the future in dance and see up close the amazing students of SCBS.
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