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SRQ DAILY Dec 20, 2016

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"We have people looking at what's happened throughout the country. Over half the states now have medical marijuana."

- Tom Barwin, Sarasota City Manager
 

[Government]  Jurisdictions Sort Zoning Out on Medical Pot
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

While Florida voters in November approved the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, local jurisdictions are taking it easy prepping rules for dispensaries to operate on the Gulf Coast. Moratoria have been put in place throughout Florida while officials await direction from the Florida Department of Health and potential action for the Florida Legislature.

Manatee County Commissioners this month voted to put in place a six-month ban on permitting weed facilities, making it just the most recent government in the region to do so. Sarasota and Venice city officials approved similar measures in October and Bradenton did so in November. They were just the most recent, and some governments still have bans in place dating back to 2014, when a similar state referendum on medical marijuana failed. But leaders stress the bans are all temporary, just until the state gets its act together on its own rules and regulations.

“We don’t want to possibly have to go back and amend an ordinance that might be in conflict with the state,” says Fred Goodrich, a planner with Manatee County Building and Development Services. While voters favored legalizing marijuana, there remain issues about where it can be grown and sold. Should a dispensary be allowed to open beside a rehabilitation center? Should the drug be cultivated in agricultural areas adjacent to schools? On top of that kind of question, add simple regulations on building size requirements, required equipment, state oversight, et cetera and planners see a lot of issues that need to get zoned out before permits start being issued for businesses.

Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin has previously worked in other jurisdictions sorting out the issue, but he has seen places like California zone dispensaries only in blighted areas, creating more problems than positive impact. While he worked in Ferndale, MI, a medical marijuana dispensary was permitted then shut down by the sheriff. Sarasota has already had three business owners approach this jurisdiction about opening here, and Barwin wants a smoother process. “We have people looking at what’s happened throughout the country,” he says. “Over half the states now have medical marijuana.”

Sarasota’s moratorium lasts until July, and Barwin expects the Department of Health will have rules on what treatments can legally be prescribed marijuana for therapy. He anticipates the Legislature will weigh in with its own rules this spring. But the biggest issues will surround zoning, Barwin says. Decisions on whether dispensaries belong in shopping malls, industrial districts or mixed-use structures downtown will likely be determined in local ordinances. “We have to tailor everything with our local geography,” he says.

On November 8, a constitutional amendment allowing use of  marijuana for debilitating medical conditions passed in Florida with 71.32 percent of the vote. In Sarasota, 70.4 percent backed the measure, and in Manatee, it won 69 percent support. Amendments need 60 percent support to pass. 

[Daily Shop]  Woodsy Accents
Aviel Kanter, aviel.kanter@srqme.com

There's a new kid on the block, rolling in every third Saturday of the month with vintage wears, melodic tunes, good grub and hand-made everything—Canned Ham Vintage owner Ashley Rogers has allowed a new corner of town to blossom with her Rosemary District Indie Market. Among the vendors at the second-ever market scene this past Saturday was the team behind Wood Street Studio, their open-air booth lined with items from woodworker Dale Rieke's signature woodsy hand such as benches, frames and meat mallets, along with one-of-a-kind finds photographer Jenny Acheson has amassed on her travels to South Africa. Perfect for perching on built-in shelves, drab office desks and light-drenched kitchen windows, the duo and friends took smaller pieces of aromatic cedar and Australian pine and made them into tea candle and succulent holders—when the candle burns, the inner circle of wood radiates red and gives off a natural, earthy sweetness, no artificial fragrance needed. Grab a few different sizes at Wood Street's booth at the next Indie Market, scheduled for January 21. 

Read more about the husband and wife team behind Wood Street Studio in an article from our September 2016 issue here

For more information about the Rosemary District Indie Market, visit their website here.  

Wood Street Studio

[Exec Moves]  Icard Merrill Welcomes Clayton and Graham

Icard Merrill has announced W. Andrew Clayton, Jr. and Worth S. Graham as the newest attorneys to join the Sarasota office of its growing law firm. The two had previously worked together at the Clayton Law Firm and will bring to Icard Merrill new practice areas concerning business disputes and securities arbitration. Joining Icard Merrill as a shareholder, Clayton’s background includes working in the securities industry in New York, serving 14 years as an officer in the US Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corp and has been designated as a Florida Super Lawyer since 2012. Clayton also serves on the board of directors of the Sarasota County Bar Association, where he currently volunteers as treasurer. Graham is a Sarasota native and a graduate of the University of Florida and the Florida Coastal School of Law. He brings a passion to the investment dispute arena and takes a special interest in helping those who have been victims of fraud. 

Icard Merrill

[Recognition]  Seider Earns e-Pro Certification

Matt Seider of the Seider Group at RE/MAX Alliance Group has earned the e-Pro certification, the only technology certification to be officially recognized, endorsed and conferred by the National Association of Realtors. Agents who are e-Pro certified have received advanced training in using the latest technology and social media to promote listings and find properties. A native Floridian, Seider grew up in the Sarasota/Bradenton area and offers a wealth of local market knowledge. He earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State University and went on to receive a law degree from the Arizona State University College of Law. Following law school, he handled real estate closings at a Manhattan law firm, and brings a 14-year background in marketing management in San Francisco and New York City. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group

[Recognition]  Sarasota County Raises Graduation Rate

The 2015–16 graduation rate for Sarasota County high schools rose to 85.4 percent, more than six percentage points from the district’s 2014–15 graduation rate of 79 percent. The district’s graduation rate was more than four percentage points higher than the state average of 81 percent. Every traditional public high school in the district improved its graduation rate from the previous year. The most dramatic increase was for Venice High School, which improved its graduation rate by 13 percentage points over 2014–15. The rates for all Florida school districts were released December 16 by the Florida Department of Education. 

Sarasota County Schools



[TODAY]  THEATER: Million Dollar Quartet , November 9 – January 1

A smash-hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet, tells the story of legendary music icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. This musical gives audiences a unique behind the scenes look at these musicians before they were icons. Single tickets and subscriptions are available online or by calling the FST box office. 

Gompertz Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave Sarasota, 34236

[TODAY]  GALLERY: Gateways , December 16 – January 20, 11am-5pm

Hans Van de Bovenkamp, renowned for monumental sculpture installations with the pwoer, lyricism and grand proportions that heighten a viewer's sense of imagination and discovery, unveils Gateways at Alfstand& Contemporary. The exhibition features more than 30 pieces. The opening reception will be December 16 from 5:30pm-8pm.

Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419th 5th Street, Suite A

[TODAY]  THEATER: Piano Men , November 30 – March 31

Piano Men by Richard Hopkins and Catherine Randazzo with Caroline Kaiser and arrangements by Jim Prosser is a tribute to the virtuosity and elegance of the "piano man". The play will feature works of the 20th century's best pianists and songwriters such as Billy Joel, Elton John and Barry Manilow. 

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue

[TODAY]  PERFORMANCE: Guys and Dolls , November 18 – January 1

When it comes to wit, style, and sheer exuberant joy, Guys and Dolls is the odds-on favorite as the best musical comedies, paired with a feature score by Frank Loesser. The plot involves the unlikeliest of romantic pairings: a high-rolling gambler and a save-your-soul missionary, a showgirl dreaming of the straight-and-narrow and a crap game manager who is anything but. Place your bet on love conquering all in this hilarious classic that defined Broadway’s Golden Age.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, 34243

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: 6th Annual New Years Eve Fireworks on the Bay , December 31 – January 1, 11:00 am–2:000 am

The 6th Annual New Years Eve Fireworks Celebration at Marina Jack will be bigger and better than ever. Enjoy a variety of entertainment and menu options onshore at Marina Jack along with a sparkling midnight fireworks show. Climb aboard the Marina Jack II for a four–hour celebration dinner cruise, complete with party favors, live music and fireworks on Sarasota Bay. Either way, you are sure to have a sparkling New Year! 

Marina Jack Sarasota Bayfront , 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, Florida 34236

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: First Responder Appreciation Month , January 1 – March 31

The Downtown Improvement District (D.I.D) kicks off the New Year with the first ever First Responders Appreciation month to honor firefighters, police officers and EMS professionals.  The D.I.D encourages you to show your gratitude for our first responders the entire month of January. Wear D.I.D sponsored First Responder Appreciation Month buttons, display D.I.D sponsored First Responder Appreciation Month flags, give a thumbs up to first responders, write a letter to a first responder, wear your red, whites and blues, or lunch on the D.I.D, in the D.I.D.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Thunder by the Bay , January 5 – January 8

The Annual Thunder By the Bay Motorcycle Festival continues to rev up a great time raising money for Suncoast Charities for Children. This year’s festival includes a Sporting Clay Tournament, Born To Be Wild Kickoff Party, Welcome Thunder Event, Cruise for Cash Charity Motorcycle Ride, and a two day Rockin’ & Ridin’ at The Ranch festival held at The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. The Festival is free admission featuring special guest Blue Oyster Cult in concert on Sunday, January 8. 

Lakewood Ranch

[SOON]  SEMINAR: 13th Annual Home of the Year Competition , January 6

Don't Miss the Late Call for Entries in the 13th Annual SRQ Home of the Year Competition Friday, January 6, 2017!

Local professionals are invited to submit their best work in home design by the late Call for Entries deadline of Friday, January 6, 2017. Winners in each category will be featured in a special SRQ Home of the Year awards supplement in the March 2017 issue of SRQ Magazine. With even more ways to showcase brilliant work in architecture, landscaping, interiors, sustainability, kitchen and bathroom design and renovation, this program celebrates the stunning spaces being forged along the Gulf Coast.

SRQ Magazine, 331 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  SEMINAR: SILL 2017 Speaker Series , January 9 – March 31

Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) is kicking of its 46th season of popular global issue lectures and musical conversations beginning on January 9 and continuing through the end of March. This season will include 96 lectures and musical conversations from internationally renowned musicians, performers and acclaimed experts. SILL also provides delayed presentations to selected senior communities. Single tickets to SILL events are only $10 at the door, when available and a season ticket for 12 lecture series costs just $85. 

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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