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SRQ DAILY Nov 14, 2014

Friday Weekend Edition

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Friday Weekend Edition

"The Venice community is very enthusiastic and very supportive of the things that happen in their city. They take ownership."

- Denise Kowal, Sarasota Chalk Festival
 

[Festival]  Sarasota Chalk Festival Opens With Costume Gala
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Revelers and supporters gathered at the Venice Community Center for A Faux Feathers, Funs and Fur Affair to celebrate the opening of the 7th Annual Sarasota Chalk Festival, in Venice for the first time. With artists on hand from over 28 different countries, all gathered to donate their time and craft to the festival, it was an opportunity for the community to not only support the festival, but also to meet and mingle with the creators themselves.

Running on this year’s theme – extinct and endangered plants and animals – many of the hundreds attending did so in the garb of their feathered and furry comrades. Many cat ears were to be found, as well as great feathery headdresses and a man who looked to be a bumblebee, but perhaps was just a fan of stripes.

With crowds milling through the wicker tables and chairs, potted plants and chest-high tables, sipping drinks, chowing down and dancing to live renditions of classics such as “Help Me, Rhonda” and “Let’s Stay Together” from doo wop performer Kim Jenkins, the affair took on the alluring air of night-club-meets-sock-hop, hip yet classic.

One particular partygoer, a fan of the festival since its inception, danced through the crowd decked head to toe in vibrant plumage.

“I’ve been coming since the very beginning,” she said, adjusting her feathery blouse, which like her skirt and bird-feet-booties, she made herself. “It’s such a great festival and Venice is a great place for it.”

Although Kim Jenkins eventually left the stage and turned the mic over to local DJ and musician Christopher Wanta, the silent auction ran all night, featuring an array of items from jewelry and wine tastings to paintings and books from local artists, and even a hand-carved wooden iguana from Indonesia. All items were donated by local artists and businesses.

“The Venice community is very enthusiastic and very supportive of the things that happen in their city. They take ownership,” said Denise Kowal, founder and organizer of the Sarasota Chalk Festival, dressed for the night like a bright pink flamingo, with a towering headdress and feathers painted down her arm, likely the work of Chalk Festival regular and renowned body artist Mythica Von Griffyn, who was on hand painting faces and arms for adventurous Venetians.

But as grand as the party was, it’s important to remember that it’s just the beginning. At the airport, the race to make a Guinness World Record continues. And starting tomorrow, the artists and festivalgoers will take to the streets, turning asphalt into canvas and parking lots into murals.

“That’s when we really cover the whole town in art and it becomes a walking museum,” said Kowal. “We’re really excited.”

The Chalk Festival has officially landed and runs until Nov. 17th. 

[Daily Shop]  I Can See Clearly Now (The Strain Is Gone)
Anna Rachel Rich, annar@srqmediagroup.com

Do you make a habit of dotting your T’s and crossing your eyes, wonder why your menu reads “served with a side of herb-seasoned French thighs”? Do you squint, scowl and stubbornly strain your way to reading your Aspirin bottle? If all the ends of your lollipops are fuzzy and every letter looks like it rolled in lint then it’s time you take the hint and realize that Bob is not your uncle—Eyebobs is. 

 RHA Boutique knows the early-40s fade is real and now carries the oh-so-trendy Eyebobs cheaters in an array of styles for the “irreverent and slightly jaded” reader. Don’t limit yourself with just one pair, keep Rita Book by your bedside table, sling Bamboo Bitty in your Prius’ glove box or tuck On Board in your tackle box. You can even fill Eyebobs with your prescription and flash your Bare Bottom at the DMV, sport your Adult Supervision at the park or slip on your Catcher In The Eye at the library. Don’t be a fashion abomination, stylishly face your optical degeneration and embrace Eyebobs’ magnification at RHA Boutique. 

RHA Boutique, 1935 S. Osprey Avenue

RHA Boutique

[From The Chef]  Tuna in a Tortilla
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Chefs at The Table Creekside share this unusual take on the tortilla, that serves as the perfect appetizer to get guests talking while they nosh. Try it at your next party.

Blue Corn Tortilla/Tuna Tacos

Ingredients: 3 oz. of ahi tuna (diced); Lemon zest; Sesame oil; ½ tsp. sriracha ; ½ tsp. soy sauce; ½ tbs. diced jalapenos; 1 tbs. sliced scallions; 1 tbs. chopped cilantro; 3 slices of radish; 1 tsp. tobino (fish roe); 2 oz. shaved cabbage; 2 oz. sour cream; 1 oz. wasabi powder; 1 tsp. of lemon juice.

Combine lemon juice, salt, wasabi powder, sour cream, cilantro and whisk well.

Combine ahi tuna, lemon zest, sesame oil, sriracha, scallions, soy sauce, diced jalapenos, salt to taste and stir well.

Combine cabbage, lemon juice, cilantro, salt to taste and stir well.

Shape blue corn tortilla into a taco shell and fry.

Place the tuna mix in the taco shell, than place the cabbage on top of the tuna, followed with the wasabi cream. Then add the tobiko fish roe and finish with one slice of radish on each taco. 

[Opening]  Growth Coach of SRQ Opens

M.E. Reich announced the grand opening of her new local business, The Growth Coach of SRQ.  Clientele for this practice are business owners and leaders of small and mid-sized businesses, their managers, and their sales teams. During Reich’s professional career, which has included consulting and coaching practices in the Midwest and recently in the Hawaiian Islands, she has worked with clients within the private sector (including Fortune 500 companies), public sector (including State and Federal agencies) and non-profit sector. 

The Growth Coach

[Exec Move]  Robinson New Executive Director Of Argus Foundation

The Argus Foundation announced Christine Robinson as its new Executive Director to replace retiring Executive Director, Kerry Kirschner.  Robinson, who is serving her final two years on the County Commission, was unanimously chosen by the Board of Directors. The Board conducted an extensive hiring search before selecting Ms. Robinson. 

[Exec Move]  Westcoast Black Theater Troupe Hires Two

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has recently added two new staff members to its professional team. Travis Rayhas been hired as Operations Manager, responsible for working directly with the Executive Director to support the daily operations of the organization and provide support and coordination to other departments. Previously, he served as House Manager for the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Eleanor Miller has been hired as the Box Office Manager/Receptionist, responsible for answering and directing all calls, assisting patrons with ticket purchases and subscriptions, and working the box office at the theatre. Miller graduated in May from Florida Southern College with a degree in Music Business. 

Westcoast Black Theater Troupe



[Inside the Brand]  SRQ's Partnership Director Talks Publishing at St. Stephen's

Ashley Grant, Director of Business Development and Partnerships for SRQ Media Group and Alan Bellittera of the Tampa Tribune, were featured speakers on the topics of journalism and publishing at the recent St. Stephen's Episcopal School "Career Conversations with Alumni Brown Bag Lunch Series."

The new program initiated by Laurie McFeeley, Director of Alumni Relations, brings alumni guest speakers in selected fields, back on to campus to chat with current students about their career paths, education and what their jobs entail day-to-day. Students bring their lunch and sit in a roundtable format fostering an informal yet informative dialogue led by alumni who are accomplished and notable in their fields or professions.

"Kudos to St. Stephen's for such a creative and real-world approach to helping students explore career opportunities," says Ashley Grant. "As an alum, I am so proud of the incredible growth the school and expansion of its incredible initiatives. This program is yet another example of the strategic and forward thinking that is a signature of St. Stephen's."

To read the full post, visit Inside the Brand.  

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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