The 2016 Milman-Kover Jewish Film Festival will kick off with a showing of Wayne Kopping’s Beneath The Helmet (pictured) and close with Dani Menkin’s On The Map, which will premiere in Sarasota as a work in progress.  The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee announced this week that the event, scheduled for March 6 through 13, will include screenings throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“We plan to add matinee screenings at several local venues to make it easier for audiences to see all the films,” said Roz Goldberg, festival co-chair. “In addition, we planned exciting special events—and special guests—that will greatly enhance the festival experience." A complete list of films, times and locations will be released in January.

The festival is in its seventh year, according to Jeremy Lisitza, director of programs and administration for the Federation. He noted sponsorships for the festival are still available, and that anyone who wants to be listed as a sponsor in the program mailed to Federation members should sign up by the end of 2015. Sponsorships run $600 per couple, he said.

The first official event of the festival in 2016 will actually be the Russ and Daughters Brunch on Jan. 17, scheduled at 10:30am at Michael’s on East. The event will be catered by New York-based Russ and Daughters. Tickets cost $37.50 and can be purchased from the Jewish Federation. Tickets for films go on sale the next day, Jan. 18, at the Federation’s website. 

Read an extended version at SRQ Backlot

Most of our wireless device data usage happens at home or at the office. It is always important to make sure your networks are set up properly and that your mobile devices are all set up to use wireless service whenever possible. All the major telecommunications companies charge you extra money for data. That's why it's important to make sure your mobile devices are set up to prioritize using wireless networks whenever available. 

As stores adjust to better serve consumers, they are also adding hotspots free of charge for the convenience of the shoppers. The goal is to turn shopping and going to a store into more of an experience. Taking advantage of those hotspots, be it at home, at work or out on the town, will save you hours of data usage. The goal is to save your data for when you really need it, usually when you're between wireless areas. 

Most phones will allow you to select and prioritize networks so that your known devices automatically override data usage for a free wireless connection. It is also important to make sure whatever wireless connection you are connecting to is a trusted source. Also keep in mind that anytime you're using a wireless network outside of your phone’s data services, you are exposing yourself to a potential security opening. One downside to using wireless networks is your data is traveling freely over networks. A simple way to keep track of trusted sources is to make sure you set your mobile device to always ask you to join a wireless network. This is your control over who your device is authorized to use for wireless service.

A simple rule of thumb is to use your freely available wireless networks to do benign things like browse the web, watch movies, play games and read news. When doing more critical things like checking bank accounts, logging into your PayPal account or anything that has to do with a financial subject, it's always a good idea to switch to your carrier’s data plan or wait until you're home or at your office. Taking the simple precautions will ensure your security and save you on data costs every month.

Pedro Pérez is a founding partner of Nuevo Advertising Group and an adjunct professor of Global Brand Strategies at Ringling College of Art and Design. For over 17 years Pedro has offered clients his knowledge and expertise. Pedro has always demonstrated a keen analytical sense combined with a good dose of common sense in crafting digital and online marketing strategies as part of an integrated marketing plan. 

The Players Performing Arts Studio, the educational arm of The Players Theatre, will be relocating to a new facility in September 2016 with the help of donor Arnold Simonsen. The Arnold Simonsen Players Studio will be a state-of-art facility located within walking distance of the existing theater, on Boulevard of the Arts in the new Rosemary Square development. The current studio provides training to over 300 students ages 3 and up. The program offers 29 performing arts classes weekly, an 8-week summer camp program and three community outreach groups: The Players Kids, The Players Follies, and The Players Flash Tappers. Relocating to the new studio will enable the program to increase to over 50 classes, provide daytime mommy, baby and senior classes, and develop a performing arts after school care program. 

The Players Performing Arts Studio

Osteria 7.13, an indoor-outdoor Italian cafe and restaurant, has opened on South Pineapple Avenue in Sarasota, at the Orange Avenue. The restaurant offers Northern Italian cuisine, featuring dishes such as sliced tuna with sesame seeds on a bed of arugula, diced tomatoes and balsamic reduction; cuttlefish stew with peas on a bed of polenta; and Mediterranean sea bass with cherry tomatoes, taggiasca olives and roasted potatoes. Antonio Bortoluzzo and Chef Cinzia Giulia Zanco manage the restaurant for owners Massimo Zanatta, Sergio Linguandottto and Antonio Vicini.  

Osteria 7.13, 543 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-552-8657.