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SRQ DAILY May 16, 2017

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"We do a lot of the blocking and tackling but try and steer a lot of the big money to campaigns because we believe they are more efficient at spending it."

- Joe Gruters, Republican Party of Sarasota
 

[Politics]  Can Dems Compete in GOP Region in '18?
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Democrats in Sarasota seem energized after a successful city election and a solid first quarter for 2017. While making an effort to boost partisan enthusiasm year-round, new Sarasota Democratic Party Chair JoAnne DeVries steps into the 2018 election with enthusiasm. But Republicans anticipate a big summer for building resources, and say the region remains GOP-friendly outside a few select areas of presence for the other party.

As for Team Blue, the Sarasota Democratic Party (SDP) in the first three months of 2017 raised $143.696, nearly three times the $49,445 raised by the Republican Party of Sarasota (RPOS) over the same period of time. DeVries notes the first quarter of the year remains the strongest for Democrats because that’s when the Kennedy-King Dinner, the biggest local fundraiser for Democrats gets held. About $90,000 of the funding raised by the party this year came from that event, officials say. “But no question we have a lot of energized people,” says DeVries, who also has found a number of activists attending regular party meetings. DeVries says nobody in the party wants to see enthusiasm wane, and the local chapter for the party has continued online fundraising appeals around issues like health care.

History has shown Democrats tend to outperform Republicans early in the cycle thanks to when the major dinners get held. For example, SDP raised $148,580 in the first quarter of the 2016 election cycle, compared to $97,142 raised by RPOS. Presidential cycles always see greater fundraising as well, but while Democrats nearly met the first quarter totals from two years ago, Republican fundraising has yet to kick in.

RPOS chair Joe Gruters says that will change in June, when Team Red hosts its Statesman of the Year dinner. While the party has yet to announce the main speaker and recipient of the title award, Gruters says a statesman has been chosen and that local activists will likely be excited to attend the dinner. Past recipients include Gov. Rick Scott, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and, most notably, President Donald Trump, who won the award twice before his successful election in November to the highest office in the land. “We’ll catch up to and exceed the Dems,” says Gruters, who also notes that he personally could not raise money most of the spring because he now serves as a state representative and lawmakers cannot engage in fundraising during the legislative session.

Gruters also notes that Republicans in this area typically play defense. Outside the City of Sarasota, where Democrats hold a severe voter registration advantage, most county and regional offices remain in Republican hands. Among other things, that means the party directs donors to the campaigns of incumbent office holders rather than filling their own coffers. “When you look at what our candidates raise as a group, we completely trounce the Democrats,” he says. “We do a lot of the blocking and tackling but try and steer a lot of the big money to campaigns because we believe they are more efficient at spending it.” Indeed, in 2016, Democrats raised more over the entire two-year cycle than Republicans—SDP raised $449,397 to RPOS’ $321,699—but Democrats won just two partisan races in the area. 

But Democrats say an advantage in resources won’t go to waste. The party didn’t spend heavily but offered support to Democrats Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and Hagen Brody in the nonpartisan City Commission race and both handily beat Republican Martin Hyde. Come 2018, the party hopes a slate of credible candidates could make challenges in a number of offices. “We are starting to get organized, “ DeVries says. “We are working on candidate development and recruitment, and plan to get a good group to run next year. Voter registration remains a high priority, and we know precinct development is important. There’s lots going on at the grassroots level.” 

[Daily Shop]  Capital Leathers
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Turn the Age of Surveillance into a fashion statement with this newest arrival over at Eleganza Leather on Main Street. Custom-made for Eleganza by artisan leatherworkers in Tuscany, Italy, the calfskin leather purse sports four compartments for organized storage and a vintage look that says you're road-ready and up for an adventure. Hand-painted with vegetable tannins as the leather goes through a five-step slow-tanning process, the practice not only achieves the desired, grounded aesthetic but ensures quality as the leather ages and the color deepens. With enough room for sketchbooks and snacks (and maybe a camera?) next to all the necessities, pack wisely and see where the road takes you. Also available in blue, this item is priced at $535. 

Photo by Phil Lederer.

Eleganza Leather, 1477 Main St., Sarasota, 941-955-8855.

[Recognition]  WBTT Invited to National Black Theater Festival

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) has been recognized with its third invitation to perform during the National Black Theatre Festival, which takes place every other year in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. WBTT will perform How I Got Over: A Gospel Musical, a show that WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs created and adapted, which debuted as How I Got Over: A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson during the summer of 2016 with gospel greats such as Travelin’ Shoes and When The Saints Go Marching In combined with current hits such as Oh Happy Day and His Eye Is On The Sparrow. Artists performing in the show include Ariel Blue, Brian L. Boyd, Ashley Brooks, Earley Dean, Derric Gobourne, Jr., Tarra Conner jones, Elaine Mayo, Michael Mendez, Neyce Pierre, Joshua Thompson and Topaz von Wood. WBTT will bring its live band as well, including music director Robert Henderson, Jamar Camp, Matthew McKinnon and Donald “Snoopy” Watts. The National Black Theatre Festival is the international outreach program of the North Carolina Black Repertory Co., founded in 1979. The festival has been held biennially since 1989 and attracts thousands of national and international patrons, theater professionals, and scholars. 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

[Recognition]  Venice Regional Earns Gold Seal of Approval

Venice Regional Bayfront Health has announced that it has again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with the Commission’s performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. To maintain accreditation, Venice Regional must successfully meet the standards of a rigorous, unannounced onsite survey. During the review, a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management. Surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews. The Joint Commission has accredited hospitals for more than 60 years. More than 4,000 general, children’s, long-term acute, psychiatric, rehabilitation and specialty hospitals currently maintain accreditation from The Joint Commission, awarded for a three-year period. In addition, approximately 360 critical access hospitals maintain accreditation through a separate program. 

Venice Regional Bayfront Health

[Recognition]  Boler Invited to Supreme Court Summer Institute

Manatee High School Social Studies teacher, Sarah Boler, has been invited to attend the Supreme Court Summer Institute in Washington, DC. Only 60 teachers were selected to participate this June, held at the Georgetown University Law Center and US Supreme Court. The Institute is open to teachers in the fields of law-related and civic education, and is co-sponsored by Street Law and the Supreme Court Historical Society. The Institute offers teachers the opportunity to study recent Supreme Court cases in detail, and learn innovative teaching methods to pass onto their students. Supreme Court lawyers, reporters, scholars and educators will be among the speakers and instructors at this summer’s event. Upon returning home, teachers will be available to present workshops on teaching about the US Supreme Court. 

Manatee High School



[TODAY]  PERFORMANCE: Beatsville , May 5 – May 28

The Asolo Rep's Beatsville has its world premiere next spring, as one of the most highly anticipated new musicals of the season. It’s Greenwich Village, 1959 – the world of subterranean coffee shops, goateed artists, turtle-necked poets, and bongo-playing jazzbos. Tragically square busboy Walter Paisley wants nothing more than to be one of the beatniks, but he has no artistic talent whatsoever. When he accidentally kills a cat and hides it in a lump of clay, “Dead Cat” is declared a masterpiece, and Walter a genius.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 North Tamiami Tr. Sarasota

[TODAY]  THEATER: Dearly Departed , April 19 – May 27

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will have you “die laughing” in their delightful and heartwarming comedy about the dysfunctional Turpins who gather in their rural Southern home for the patriarch’s funeral. The family’s laugh-out-loud, zany antics may remind you of people you know, but are, hopefully, not your relatives. As replicated in the 2001 film version, Kingdom Come, starring Whoopi Goldberg and LL Cool J, family situations are seldom tidy, but often extremely funny. 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe , 1343 Main St. Suite 402 Sarasota

[TODAY]  THEATER: Once on This Island , May 16 – May 21

From the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (SeussicalRagtime) comes the Olivier Award-winning Once On This Island. This highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score. Directed by Brad Wages. Tickets: $24 for adults, $14 for college students, and $11 for children.

Venice Theatre , 140 W. Tampa Ave. Venice

[TODAY]  THEATER: Fences , May 4 – May 21

Winner of the Tony, Drama Desk, and Pulitzer, Fences is one of August Wilson’s most famous dramas. Troy Maxson, a former baseball player in the Negro Leagues now reduced to collecting trash, must deal with his wife and his headstrong football-player son when his past comes back to haunt him. Directed by Kristofer Geddie. Tickets: $27 for adults, $17 for college students, and $15 for children

Venice Theatre , 140 W. Tampa Ave. Venice

[TODAY]  GALLERY: Expressions of Spring at the Dabbert Gallery , May 5 – May 29

The featured artists in this months exhibit capture the energy, and exhilarating drama with canvases of rich color, sculptures in bronze, marble and wood. Each artist expresses a unique vision of the poetic renewal of spring's promise.Featuring the work of Sculptors: Thyra Davidson, Catherine Hunter, Gert Olsen, George Paxton, James Harrison Smith and Steve Zaluski Painters: Martin Dunn, Kathrin Longhurst, Victoria Mayol, Luke Steadman, Tom Swimm, Nancy Turner and Pamela duLong Williams For more information please visit www.dabbertgallery.com Gallery hours: Tue. - Sat. 11:00 - 5:00pm

Dabbert Gallery , 76 S Palm Ave. Sarasota

[TODAY]  GRAB BAG: Unclear Fear + Hate Through Art at the Heritage House , May 16, 7pm

The Hermitage Artist Retreat invites the public for a very special community program. Interventionist artists Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova will talk about their artwork Unclear Fear + Hate.  The session will result in active participation by all who attend.  Afterwards the group will move to the beach and create their own interpretation of the theme. Those who come should bring beach chairs and refreshments to enjoy the sunset. To register please email reservations@HermitageArtistRetreat.org

The Palm Houe, 6630 Manasota Key Rd., Englewood

[SOON]  GALA: Men Whiskey and Watches South County , May 18, 6:00 pm

Men,Whiskey and Watches - South County at the Suncoast Air Center, is raising awareness about child abuse in our community. Enjoy libations from local restaurants, whiskey tastings from select distillers, an assortment of fine luxury watches, premium cigars and live and silent auctions. A ladies sky lounge from Sun Bug will be featured at the event for all of the women in the room. Proceeds will support Child Protection Center’s mission in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse.

Suncoast Air Center, 400 Airport Ave. E Venice

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom , May 18, 11am

Orphaned during her passage from Ireland, young, white Lavinia arrives on the steps of the plantation kitchen house and is placed, as an indentured servant, under the care of Belle, the master’s illegitimate slave daughter. Lavinia learns to cook, clean, and serve food, while guided by the quiet strength and love of her new family. She attempts to straddle the worlds of the kitchen and the big house, but her skin color will forever set her apart from Belle and the other slaves. Meet the author at this reading. Reservations for this event are suggested. 

Bookstore1, 12 South Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: SB2 GOOD PEOPLE: The Tourism Economy , May 18, 7:30am-9:00pm

Join SRQ Magazine for another dynamic SB2: Breakfast Symposium on Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 7:30 am-9:00 am at The Francis, Downtown Sarasota. Keynote Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Associationwill give us insight on the 2016-2017 impact of tourism on quality of life. Special guest panelists include: Rick Piccolo, President & CEO, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport; Jeff Mayers, General Manager, The Resort at Longboat Key Club; Elliot Falcione, Executive Director, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. 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]  MUSIC: The Starflower Retreat Mixer , May 18, 6:30pm

The Starflower invites Guitarist/Singer Scott Owens to play his original songs. Herbal Elixir and light hors d'oeuvres will be served. There is a suggested $20 donation. Please RSVP.

Starflower Retreat, 7085 Wild Horse Cr. Sarasota

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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