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SRQ DAILY Mar 29, 2017

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"The NEA is the support system for all of the arts organizations in America."

- Iain Webb, Sarasota Ballet
 

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[Politics]  Where The Votes Are: Second Choices
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Sarasota's at-large election gave voters the chance to vote for two candidates in a field of eight. Three candidates—Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, Hagen Brody and Martin Hyde—now advance to a May 9 runoff. An SRQ analysis of election returns shows where the greatest overlap in support lay among the candidates in the March 14 election, indicating where the remaining contenders may want to put efforts in motivating new voters. 

See SRQ's Where The Votes Are presentation here.

[Arts and Culture]  State of the Arts Part 1
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

The White House this month proposed a budget calling for the elimination of three cultural agencies: the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). While the impact to the federal budget would be negligible, the cultural impact at the community level could be more pronounced. This is the first in a three-part series examining that possible impact.

With a combined budget of $741 million for the year 2016 ($445 for the CPB and $148 each for the NEA and NEH), the proposed cuts make up approximately 0.02 percent of the total federal budget. But since 1999, the NEA alone has directly invested more than $1.3 million in the arts in just the city of Sarasota, affecting everything from cultural organizations to artistic institutions and even individual artists, many of which would also feel its loss.

“I’m dismayed,” says Emmy Award-winning Jazz pianist Dick Hyman, who was named a 2017 NEA Jazz Master this year alongside greats such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dave Holland and Dr. Lonnie Smith for an extensive resume including seven MVP Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, becoming composer of choice for Woody Allen’s early work and playing with Charlie Parker on Parker’s only television appearance. “I’m terrifically honored,” says Hyman, who will soon travel to the Kennedy Center to receive the award and attend an honorary concert. “And now it may be in peril altogether.”

Local institutions may also feel the effects, even established organizations such as the Sarasota Ballet. “The NEA is the support system for all of the arts organizations in America,” says Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb, who previously sat on the NEA selection panel and attests to the group’s “depth of commitment” in considering every grant application. The Sarasota Ballet itself has received several grants, according to NEA records, and Webb confirms their significance. “Since 2010, the NEA has played an important role in helping the Sarasota Ballet bring the works of Sir Frederick Ashton to American audiences,” he says. “We have performed 24 of his ballets in Sarasota, New York, Maine, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., which has been a significant factor in building the company’s national and international reputation.”

But losing the NEA means losing a lot more than just a handful of grants, according to Jim Shirley, executive director at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. “A lot of people don’t realize that the NEA funds about 40 percent of the budgets of all of the state arts councils and local arts agencies,” he says. While the NEA will bestow direct grants every year, much of its funding is allocated to the budgets of smaller organizations with similar goals but a closer connection to the community, organizations such as the Arts and Cultural Alliance. These groups can then use those funds to support local projects or even to kickstart an even grander campaign with a solid foundation. “That trickle-down effect is where the biggest financial impact comes,” says Shirley, especially for small communities like Sarasota. But even more damaging, he says, beyond any financial setbacks, would be the message sent by defunding the NEA and programs like it, that art and culture are not important in this country. Says Shirley: “What a crime that would be.” 

[Real Estate]  Githler, NY Partners Buy Northern Trust Plaza
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Charles Githler, a prominent Gulf Coast developer who previously owned the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, announced on Tuesday that he and business partners who operate EDM Realty Partners of New York have acquired the Northern Trust Plaza in Downtown Sarasota. The purchase price was $17 million, plus significant reserves for further renovation and future tenant build out. “From the day it was built, I have considered the Northern Trust Plaza to be the number one office building south of Tampa Bay,” Githler says. “Its 288-space parking garage enables its prestigious clients and tenants to conveniently do business and attend philanthropic functions, even during the summer’s rainy season. We are forecasting that Class A high-rise offices outperform other real estate sectors due the significant new supply additions in this market.”

Northern Trust occupies a third of the space in the 11-story Ringing Boulevard office building. Other tenants include Ferguson Skipper Shaw Keyer Baron & Tirabassi, Old Republic, Adams and Reese, CS&A Accountants and Comcast. The building’s lobby and common areas were just renovated in 2016. Andy Dorr, senior vice president at Gather Development, says the purchase makes sense because of an historic surge in residential, retail and hotel development in Downtown Sarasota. “We are now adding 1,800 new rental apartments and for-sale luxury condominiums, five hotels housing 818 additional rooms and three more hotels in predevelopment—together with at least 50,000 square feet of new retail,” Dorr notes. “These exciting projects are all within a few blocks of the Northern Trust office tower. These are key demand generators which are bound to fill up more office space. Meanwhile, it is highly unlikely we will see new supply with development of a large Class A office tower in Downtown Sarasota—at least until rents rise by another 40-50 percent.”

Grant Savage and Alfie Hamilton of Colliers International brokered the sale and represented both Gather Real Estate and the seller, a partnership made up of Peter Gardner and William Driscoll that purchased the plaza from Northern Trust in 2005. Savills Studley arranged a $12.765-million long-term loan for the acquisition. “Northern Trust Plaza perfectly illustrates the strength of the Sarasota office market, as it commands top rents and generates lots of interest from investors,” says Savills Studley Managing Director Stephanie Lynch. “We believe that the new joint venture has the vision and track record to further enhance this unique downtown asset for years to come.” 

[Good Bite]  The New Katsu
Aviel Kanter, aviel.kanter@srqme.com

For those of you who don't remember, Libby's Cafe once had a magical salad on the menu called the Katsu. Tender chicken slices were encrusted with wasabi crunchies. A perfectly pitched Asian ginger dressing gave a hint of spice and a hint of sweet. And then, like a dream, it was gone, no longer listed alongside the other salads on offer. Until recently, when the chefs at Libby's decided to give the Katsu a comeback. Instead of chicken, buttery tuna takes the stage, complete with the wasabi crust. With a few tweaks here and there to the rest of the mix, this new Katsu may have the chops to overtake its predecessor. 

Libby's Cafe + Bar, 1917 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 941-487-7300.

[SRQ Story Project Partner Spotlight ]  CareerEdge Internship Reimbursement Program

First piloted two years ago, CareerEdge’s Internship Reimbursement Program incentivizes employers in high-demand industries to hire college interns in order for them to gain valuable work experience. Employees receive up to $1,500 if they hire an intern at a minimum of $10 per hour. The program exposes students to the workforce while helping employers to develop talent in the growing sectors of healthcare, manufacturing, IT, transportation, financial services and construction trades. CareerEdge also partners with local colleges to encourage them to embed internships in more programs. 

One participant, Lea Vargas, used her internship as a path to a full-time position after graduating from the University of South Florida. When Vargas received an internship with the Manatee County Government, she discovered that she was more than “just an intern.” “The experience, responsibilities, projects and networking made me feel so much more confident when I got my full-time job," she says. "There’s no better way to prepare for entering the workforce after college than to immerse yourself in the thick of things." With the support of her supervisor, Vargas even had the opportunity to pursue training on computer programming systems and the Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software. She and a fellow intern have also been nationally selected to present a report at a GIS software conference in San Diego that they worked on and submitted during their internship program.

CareerEdge has provided over 130 interns with similar career-enhancing experiences. With funding support from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, CareerEdge has assisted over 40 organizations in the development of a talented workforce pipeline.  

CareerEdge

[Synergy]  CitySide Apartments First to Partner with i-Ride Vehicles

CitySide, an urban apartment community now open in Sarasota’s Rosemary District, announced a partnership with i-Ride, an on-demand transit service owned by Gotcha Media Holdings. i-Ride will provide safe, free transportation to Sarasota visitors and locals using 100 percent electric, low-speed vehicles. CitySide is i-Ride’s first partner in Sarasota and will sponsor one of the six vehicles offered by i-Ride. Sarasota is also the first municipality to solicit the i-Ride service, which will launch publicly on March 29The vehicles are street legal and can be driven on any road 35mph and below. Operating within the boundaries of 14th Street, School Avenue, Mound Street and Bayfront, i-Ride will offer an eco-friendly, easy transportation option for those living at or near CitySide. One of the six i-Ride vehicles will also be designated to provide convenient access to those with disabilities. 

CitySide

[Expansion]  SMH to Unveil New Rehabilitation Pavilion on Saturday

Sarasota Memorial is launching its new Rehabilitation Pavilion at an “Out of this World”-themed grand opening celebration this Saturday. Nearly three years in the making, the new 74,000-square-foot, five-story pavilion features the latest technology and treatments for patients rehabilitating from serious injuries and conditions. The event features demonstrations of the latest integrated therapy systems, including a robotic exoskeleton, and continuous tours of the pavilion’s patient rooms and therapy areas. The facility features state-of-the-art gymnasiums and life skills retraining areas that include, among other things, a furnished apartment, grocery store shelves, restaurant booth and mock car where patients practice the routine acts of daily living, and an outdoor mobility garden where patients can practice using a walker, wheelchair or other mobility aids as they navigate up inclines, down ramps and on different surfaces. They also can practice getting mail from the mailbox, using a garden hose or trying their hand at the putting green. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

[Recognition]  Mote Scientist Receives Grant

Dr. Erinn Muller, staff scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory, recently received a National Science Foundation (NSF) Early Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) award for two-years of research aimed at better predicting how corals react to disease exposure and how that will influence the coral community of the future. The study is based on immune response and disease resistance and will quantify how susceptible coral species are to disease by examining their immunity through a series of novel experiments and approaches. The EAGER award supports exploratory work in its early stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches. It enables the future of new approaches in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning and innovation. This $220,331 grant will allow Muller and two other scientists, Laura Mydlarz (University Texas) and Marilyn Brandt (University of Virgin Islands), to study seven coral species from the Caribbean and look for ways to better understand how diseases affect coral communities and how corals may respond to different climate change scenarios. 

Mote Marine



[Inside The Issue]  Bayfront Plans

This month in Sitting on the Future of the Bayfront, contributing senior editor Jacob Ogles delves into new efforts and plans by community organizations to revitalize the Sarasota Bayfront project. After years of stagnation, local leaders such as the Bayfront 20:20 group along with graduate students from UF's CityLab now look to leave a lasting economic and cultural legacy on the 42-acre waterfront plot.  

Read more

[TODAY]  GRAB BAG: Center for Architecture Atelier Talk , March 29, 5:30-7:30pm

Halflants + Pichette is an award winning modern architecture studio founded in 2006 with offices in Sarasota and Tampa. The firm’s goal is to create thoughtful, high quality modern designs that respond to context and function. Halflants + Pichette provides a range of services that include architectural design, interior design, master planning, and full construction services. Refreshments and drinks will be served. Members are free and non-members are $10. For more information please visit www.cfasrq.org for more information. All sales are final. 

Halflants + Pichette , 1383 5th St., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: SB2: GOOD CULTURE Burgeoning Arts , March 30, 7:00am-9:00am

Join SRQ Magazine for another dynamic SB2: Breakfast Symposium on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 7:30 am-9:00 am at The Francis, Downtown Sarasota. Keynote Nathan Schwagler, Co-Director of the Dali Museum, will give us insight on arts organizations creating energetic spaces for creativitySpecial guest panelists include: Steven High, Executive Director, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Jeff Rodgers, Director of Education, South Florida Museum; Anne-Marie Russell, Executive Director, Sarasota Museum of Art; Tom Barwin, City Manager, City of Sarasota and Board Member of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization. Tickets are $35/per person and includes a mouth-watering breakfast spread provided by The Francis. Reserve your spot online at SRQSB2.COM.

The Francis , 1289 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Blood Brothers , March 30 – April 23

By Willy Russell

In this dramatic musical, twin brothers are separated at birth, with one raised in wealth and other in poverty. They grow to be friends and then bitter enemies without ever knowing their blood connection. There will no performance on April 16 (Easter Sunday) show times Tuesday-Saturday 8pm and Sunday 2pm.For More Information and to Purchase Tickets please visit https://venicestage.com/portfolio/blood-brothers/

Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Silver Foxes , March 30 – April 2

The Silver Foxes are a troupe of professionally directed, volunteer performers who are celebrating 25 years of quality entertainment. Their annual MainStage production evokes Carol Burnett-style variety shows with singing, dancing, and hilarious sketch comedy. Tickets are $29. Show times March 30-April 1- 7pm, April 1- 2pm, April 2- 2pm. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit https://venicestage.com/portfolio/the-25th-annual-silver-fox-show/

Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice

[SOON]  THEATER: Bo-Nita , March 31 – April 30, Wed-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm


You could say that life gets a little weird for precocious 13-year-old Bo-Nita when she winds up with a dead ex-stepfather on her bedroom floor. With humor, pathos and a dash of Midwestern magical realism, this wild one-woman, seven-character adventure follows a mother and daughter’s elaborate plan to try to hold their dysfunctional family together. Tickets range from $5-$28.

Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second Street Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  FOOD: Wine Walk to Ca' d'Zan , March 31, 6pm

Enjoy fare by Sarasota's top caterers while sipping on a variety of wines provided by Total Wine & More. Each tasting station will be theatrically decorated in the spirit of this year’s theme, red or white. Learn about wines while you enjoy the splendor of the Ringling grounds and gardens on this self-guided wine tasting tour along the drive to John and Mable Ringling’s historic mansion. Tickets for this event are $135/person. To purchase tickets and for more information please visit https://www.ringling.org/events/wine-walk-ca-dzan

The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Jazz at two - Patrica Dean Trio , March 31, 2pm

Patricia Dean - on drums and vocals. As a drummer, she is an inspiring and supremely tasteful timekeeper, accompanist and soloist. As a jazz vocalist, she is swinging, sensitive and wonderfully musical. For more information please visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org/calendar-of-events

Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  MUSIC: Music and Paws in the Park: Seranation , March 31, 6-8pm

Benefitting Royal Pet Rescue Seranation is a six-piece, reggae-rock/pop band from St. Petersburg, FL. With band members hailing from different musical backgrounds, Seranation has a unique blend that they have labeled "Tropical-Rock". Seranation constantly delivers catchy lyrics, tasteful guitar hooks, and up beat tempos. For more information please visit www.realizebradenton.com

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Sarasota Film Festival , March 31 – April 9

Held annually, the Sarasota Film Festival presents cinema alongside exciting programs and events, with more than 180 films screened each year including features, documentaries, shorts and kid–friendly picks. Entering its 19th year, the film festival is proud to bring the best new and veteran independent filmmakers to this week long festival with local and kid–friendly programs that showcase the Gulf Coast community. 

Sarasota Film Festival, 332 Cocoanut A. Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  MUSIC: Diego Figuieredo with O Som Do Jazz , April 1

Acclaimed by the critics as the newest discovery in the guitar world, Figueiredo has made a massive impression in the contemporary jazz world. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, O Som Do Jazz features Rio de Janeiro singer Andrea Moraes Manson and a crew of experienced musicians performing Brazilian jazz, Bossa Nova, samba, samba, Balanço and MPB.  O Som Do Jazz (the sound of jazz in Portuguese) recaptures the grace, energy and spirit of 1960s Brazilian music. www.fogartyville.org

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Closing Night Celebration, Remember Warhol: 30 Years Ago , April 1, 5:30-8:00pm

Come celebrate Andy Warhol with fans and art lovers. Some 80’s music and a disco ball will be in the back of the Alfstand & Contemporary gallery along with food and beverages. Renowned photographer Christophe von Hohnenberg will be signing copies of his award-winning book. This is the last chance to view the critically acclaimed Remembering Warhol: Thirty Years Ago exhibition before showing at ART New York, May 3-7. For more information please visit www.alfstandand.com

Alfstad & Contemporary , 1419 5th St., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Ring Sarasota , April 1, 8pm

Florida’s premier bell ensemble explores rhythm from a new, light-hearted, and daring rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and classic Glenn Miller in “Moonlight Serenade” to the West Indian Island Calypso beat of “Yellow Bird.” Feel the pulse of Abba’s disco classic “Dancing Queen” and the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” You’ll marvel at Ring Sarasota’s crisp and precise technique illuminating the pizzicato stylings of Leroy Anderson to the smooth jazz texture of Errol Garner’s “Misty” and more! It’s more entertaining than you can imagine! Tickets start at $20. 

The Glenridge Performing Arts Center , 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota 34238

[SOON]  MUSIC: Brazilian Sensation Diego Figueiredo Performs with O Som Do Jazz , April 1, 8pm

WSLR presents a fabulous fusion of jazz, classical guitar, and bossa nova with acclaimed Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo accompanied by Tampa-bay based O Som Do Jazz, heralded as “the best Brazilian band in Florida.” Tickets are $18 in advance and $22 at the door. Advance tickets are available at www.wslr.org.

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALA: Firefly Gala , April 1, 6:00-11:00pm

The 7th annual Firefly Gala, presented by The Dart Foundation features an intimate concert by Flo Rida at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club. Benefitting Forty Carrots Family Center, this award-winning gala includes cocktails, a gourmet dinner and a full-scale performance, all to help strengthen families in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, 15150 70th Terrace E, Bradenton, FL 34202

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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