« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Sep 29, 2016

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

Please allow images to view this email properly

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"People that live here are either retired or about to be and they have no place to go dancing."

- Alex Hagush, Sarasota Sky Bar and Grill
 

[Opening]  View From The Sarasota Sky Bar and Club
,

Chicago-style rails, granite tops, dim lighting and a huge stage for local bands to perform—this is Sarasota Sky Bar and Club, Sarasota’s latest addition to the night-owl scene and one targeted towards a more mature crowd. A smoke-free establishment located in the Charles Ringling building and adjacent to McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, the bar celebrated its opening on September 23 with a live performance from 1960s-themed local band, Robin & the Retros.

When entering the 7,000-square-foot facility, guests are met by a doorman and two options: go right, where a polished concrete dance floor, a bar, an elevated stage featuring an impressive sound system silhouetted by a 15-by-25-foot photo of the Cà d’Zan and tables for seating await, or go left, where the bar continues into a second bar, a wine rack and a billiards room. An interior balcony overlooking the main stage and dance floor will be accessible by stairs or elevator and a private lounge area with darts and a big-screen TV will be located behind the red curtains on the second floor.

Paying respect to the building and to the Ringling family, the owners of Sarasota Sky want to attract people in their 30s through 60s to keep the 20th-century vibe of the historic building, but similar to previous tenants, Margarita Maggie’s and Froggy’s, they'll aim to keep the dance floor packed and the alcohol flowing.

Looking for timeless tunes, the owners have booked musicians like Oceans Eleven, Nothin’ Past Midnite, Sarasota Rhythm Section and reggae groups such as Democracy and Jah Movement—acts with local followings known for playing familiar, danceable cover songs, most from decades past. “People that live here are either retired or about to be and they have no place to go dancing,” says co-owner Alex Hagush, “It’s either disco or hip-hop, so here you can dance all you want with a live band, a sizeable dance floor and a true AC environment.” The bar will also host salsa nights featuring a Colombian classic band that plays salsa, merengue and Colombian jazz.

While keeping an emphasis on booking local bands, local liquors are also a big deal for Sarasota Sky. Featuring Siesta Key rum, the establishment will similarly offer vodka made in St. Augustine, whiskey produced in Florida and local beers from Darwins, Jdubs, Motorworks, Big Top and Cigar City. Partnering with King Family Farms from Bradenton, Sky Bar’s incoming seasonal cocktails can be paired with local mangos, raspberries or strawberries—something to say “Hey! You’re in Sarasota.”

Due to the immense interior of the Charles Ringling building, Hagush envisions many future projects for the building. By partnering with Tony and Marie Tannus, the couple who also own and operate The Meadows Village Pub & Grill, cold cuts will eventually be offered for guests to nibble on. The third floor is expected to have a bright future as Hagush hopes to convert the space into an art gallery for Ringling College of Art and Design students to display their artwork. “Guests will have the chance to access the third floor and check out the artwork,” says Hagush. “If they pick something they like we’re not planning on charging any commissions. Money will go to the kids to pay for tuition.” 

[Agriculture]  Commissioner Putnam Discusses Regional Issues
,

As the state of Florida grows in populations, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam doesn’t plan to be an idle member of cabinet. With visions of Florida becoming “the jumping off point for people’s lives”, rather than “the prize given after a life well-lived; somewhere else,” Putnam spoke with business leaders in Lakewood Ranch this week about his plans to tackling several state-wide issues. At a luncheon sponsored by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Institute for Public Policy, the leadership at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, and Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, the likely gubernatorial candidate encouraged leaders to work together to solve regional problems. He also discussed business and environmental issues facing local commerce and agriculture today.

We’ve been plagued of late with an exodus of young professionals from the Gulf Coast. What should the next governor of Florida do to keep this workforce in the state?

You want to create an educational ecosystem that attracts the brightest young people from all over the world who get their education here, and then a high percentage of the ones who graduate in Florida are going to stay in Florida. We’re seeing the investments in downtown. We know Millennials like a walkable lifestyle. We certainly have the climate on our side, and we’re beginning to see a diversity in our job basket that includes more hi-tech, more of the creative, things that are attracting young professionals who are going to launch their business in Florida, not just wait until they have sold it off in a different state or country and reward themselves with a place in Sarasota for a life well-lived or possessions acquired someplace else.

How is the agriculture department attacking the citrus greening epidemic that is impacting the citrus population within the state?

The Citrus Greening disease is a bacterial disease, spread by a bug called the Psyllid, so you control the Psyllid as well as the bacteria itself. We have expedited the approval of two new treatments for citrus greening, two new bactericides, which were approved earlier in the spring and appear to be showing some progress against citrus greening. No one is under the illusion that either are the solution or cure, but they seem to be very important tools to utilize in buying us time until we can breed a tree that is more resistant to the bacteria, or a tree that can produce natural antibodies to fight this disease. Take Tropicana, for example. They’ve got a massive infrastructure built on the assumption of 200 million boxes of fruit being picked, and we're looking at 58 million boxes of fruit. Having those trees going back in the ground is how we’re going to protect those jobs.

The recent sinkhole near Lakeland has many concerned about water quality in the Floridan aquifer. What is the state doing to ensure public safety?

The DEP is on the ground monitoring the recovery wells pumping water back out of the aquifer to prevent that pollution from extending beyond the boundaries of Mosaic's property. They need to make absolutely certain that plume doesn’t leave that site. The next phase is: How do we prevent this from happening? There are more of those gypsum stacks around the state, and the one that the sinkhole opened up underneath was one of the more modern, higher-standard stacks. It was lined. It was built to the highest specifications required by the EPA and the DEP. The plan is putting the engineers to work to evaluate the risk going forward, and to produce a better design that will prevent this in the future. 

Photo courtesy of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

[Daily Shop]  Sole Mates
Taylor Young

Every woman deserves to invest in a special pair of shoes—if not for comfort, then treat yourself simply for the love of style. These flats from Canadian designer Ron White are bound to be your sole mate, cultivating the perfect balance of modern and classic. With a twist of sheer side paneling, the flats are kept up-to-date without looking too trendy, while the basic black silhouette and Audrey Hepburn-inspired bow captures the essence of class. Throw them on for those hectic early mornings—they’ll match with any outfit—or even show them off in the evening for a special event. No matter the occasion, these suede flats will sweep you off your feet; just slip them on for yourself and fall in love.  

Reasons, 20 North Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-388-1602.

[Hires]  Rafferty, Whiteside Join Primer Sothebys International

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has added two new faces to its leadership team. Jackie Rafferty will serve as the brokerage’s new public relations and communications manager. Rafferty will oversee the communications department, as well as be responsible for corporate communications, media relations, press releases and content writing for the company. Shelley Whiteside will serve as regional marketing manager for the Sarasota, Tampa and Saint Petersburg markets. She will oversee the development and execution of regional marketing plans, media buying and corporate training for the regions. 

Premier Sothebys International Realty

[Reopening]  Goodwill Manasota to Reopen Sarasota Store

Manasota is preparing to open its newest retail store at 700 North Beneva Rd. in Sarasota—the doors will open to the public on Thursday, October 13 at 9am. The retail store is named after longtime supporters Arthur and Mabel Soine. The store also enables Goodwill to continue to enhance its leadership development and job creation initiatives. Seven new jobs were created to operate this location. 

Goodwill Manasota

[Exec Moves]  SMH Appoints Andersen Chief Nursing Officer

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has appointed veteran nurse Connie Andersen as its new Chief Nursing Officer. In 2014, Andersen was named the health system's Leader of the Year for serving as an exceptional communicator, coach and mentor. She is committed to retaining and recruiting top nurses by creating an environment that supports and engages employees and places a strong focus on quality, safety and excellent patient experiences and outcomes. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

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

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024