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SRQ DAILY Jun 15, 2017

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"I'd like to see increased background checks for people with mental illness, but don't know if in this case that would have done it."

- Linda Moratti, Venice Area Democratic Club
 

[Politics]  Congressional Shooting Ignites Gun Debate
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A shooting at a practice for a Congressional baseball game brought the gun control debate back to the forefront on the Gulf Coast; one member of the US House representing Sarasota County had only left the field minutes before the high-profile attack unfolded. 

According to investigators, gunman James Hodgkinson, a 66-year-old from Illinois, arrived at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park shortly after 7am and fired. Hodgkinson shot Rep. Steve Scalise, Republican Majority Whip, and engaged with police around 7:14am. Five people ultimately were transported to the hospital, including Hodgkinson and Scalise. Hodgkinson died at the hospital. Federal officials say he was equipped with a rifle and handgun, and the FBI continues to investigate, including his associates, whereabouts, social media and potential motivations.

Two Florida congressmen had recently left the baseball practice, being held in advance of an annual charity game between Congressional Republicans and Democrats. US Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Okeechobee and the representative for south Sarasota County, had been practicing with the Republican team on Wednesday morning, but left minutes before a shooter started firing at the field, staffers told SRQ. Rooney later told CNBC he had to take a child to school or he would have been at the field as events unfolded. US Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Port Orange, told media outlets including Fox News and NBC News that the gunman had approached him and another congressman outside the stadium to ask if Republicans or Democrats were practicing at the field.

Political leaders on the Gulf Coast who favor expansion of gun rights and those who would like restrictions saw ways the shooting would have been impacted by different regulation.

Christian Ziegler, state committeeman for the Republican Party of Sarasota County and a former aide for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, said he believes part of the problem in D.C. is that Congressmen cannot carry concealed weapons themselves, even if they hold a permit in their states. In Washington, Ziegler says he was constantly aware of how open congressmen remain to threats. “I was always aware that there were a lot of threats to D.C.—against both individual elected officials and our government as a whole—and that it was impossible to have security protect every member of Congress,” he says. That makes it important for members of Congress to be able to defend themselves.

But Linda Moratti, a board member for the Venice Area Democratic Club, says the problem remains that it’s too easy to obtain a high-powered firearm. “I’d like to see increased background checks for people with mental illness, but don’t know if in this case that would have done it,” she says. “I’d also like to see a ban on assault-type rifles.” Democrats in February held a Brady Gun Control Rally advocating for restrictions.

Moratti doesn’t believe that Republicans will respond because the gun lobby holds too much influence in that caucus, including with Rooney, her own congressman. Ziegler, though, said instead of relatively leaping into debates about gun control, officials should consider how to make it easier for law-abiding citizens to carry and defend themselves from criminals. 

[Ryan Flies]  From the Cockpit Part 24: Bolkow Bo 125
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Editor’s Note: This is part 24 of an ongoing series documenting the flights of active-duty US Navy Pilot Ryan Rankin on his journey to fly 52 planes in 52 weeks through the year 2017.

Overseas, flying planes in the UK and Poland, Rankin preps a WWII-era de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane for his next flight, rigging cameras and getting his bearings, when an unexpected opportunity arrives in the form of a Bolkow Bo 125 helicopter swooping in for a landing. His host knows the owner, a man named Maciek, and tells Rankin to go ahead and catch a flight while he can. Maciek won’t wait or even turn the engine off, but if Rankin hurries he can make it. He grabs a GoPro, lashes it to a selfie stick and runs for the aircraft.

The first light twin-engine helicopter ever made, the Bo 125 enjoyed a production run from 1967–2001 as a multipurpose aircraft good for everything from medevac to military operations. Maciek purchased his from the German military, which used the helicopter as an anti-tank platform before decommissioning the lot. The helicopter was unflyable then, but Maciek has since restored the machine to its former glory. “He’s done a really incredible job,” says Rankin. “It looks like it could be put back into the military.”

Instead, the Bo 125 now enjoys a second life as one of the best aerobatic helicopters around. Stunt pilots for Red Bull favor them, and 2015 saw superspy James Bond give the Bo 125 a whirl in the opening sequence for Spectre.

After the challenge of the Robinson R22 two weeks past, one might expect trepidation at getting behind the controls of another helicopter, but Rankin just feels excitement. “Like anything,” he says, “you just have questions.” And, perhaps counterintuitively, the more complex and big a helicopter gets, on average the more stable the machine, meaning an easier time on the pilot. In other words, being designed for aerobatics, there’s less risk of a turn or maneuver knocking the bird out of the sky.

Flying for 30 minutes or so, Rankin tests the Bo 125 with some sharp banks and handling exercises before turning the controls back over to Maciek, who shows him what the Bo 125 can do, rolling the craft on its side and engaging in negative G maneuvers. “Which are things you don’t even want to try in a helicopter,” says Rankin. “It’s hard to believe a helicopter is doing that.”

For more about the flight in Rankin's own words and a video of the flight, follow the link below. 

Pictured: Ryan Rankin in front of the Bolkow Bo 125. Photo courtesy of Ryan Rankin.

Ryan Flies

[Daily Shop]  A Taste of Handcrafted Bali
Shelby Schwartz, shelbys@srqme.com

Stepping into Pineapple Bay Trading Company allows for a moment of world travel. Lining the walls, old and new exotic jewelry, home accessories and clothing from India, Thailand, Bali and Napal evoke the feeling of walking through an Asian marketplace. Amongst the bright colors, textures and patterns a fishbowl like sculpture imported by Retreat Tours stands out. Like two puzzle pieces, the Bali hand blown glass bowl is crafted to perfectly fit in the grooves of an organic teak base. Due to unusual and artistic presentation the piece can be sculptural, serving as an interesting conversation piece at your next party or it can be functional, providing a stylish and one of a kind home for your fish. Regardless of how you use it, this bowl is a great way to bring a taste of handcrafted Bali into your home. Enjoy for $179.  

Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

Pineapple Bay Trading Company, 508 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-518-8817.

[The Crow's Nest Marina Restaurant]  Join the Crow's Nest Marina Restaurant for Prime Rib and Cellar Wine Nights This Summer

Get in your boat and dock at The Crow’s Nest Marina Restaurant this summer. On Mondays, start the week out perfectly with a tender, juicy, herb-roasted USDA Choice Prime Rib cooked slow for $19 for the 10oz. and $25 for the 14oz. On Tuesdays, The Crow’s Nest opens up its Wine Spectator award-winning cellar list at 25% off normal prices. From a crisp Pinot Grigio to bold Cabernets, pick and choose from your favorites. Whatever you can’t finish, they’ll pack up for you to take home. Before you know it, summer will fly by and these amazing deals will be over, so head on over soon.  

The Crow's Nest, 1968 Tarpon Center Dr., Venice, 941-484-9551

The Crow's Nest Marina Restaurant

[Executive Moves ]  Penny Di Giovanna Joins Halliday Financial

Halliday Financial has announced that Penny Di Giovanna has joined Halliday Financial's Sarasota office. Di Giovanna’s role with Halliday Financial will be to serve clients as a Financial Advisor and to help the company's business development efforts in the region. Since 1982, Halliday Financial has dedicated itself to energetically applying creative strategies to the diverse financial objectives of their clients. Halliday is an independent financial services firm with access to many investment types without the trappings and restraints of a massive bank, insurance company or wire house. 

Halliday Financial

[Exec Moves]  Aviva Welcomes Three to Staff

Aviva: A Campus for Senior Life has announced three recent hires and staff promotions to their management and sales team. Marvin Lunsford has joined the Aviva team as director of building services. Lunsford has nearly a decade of experience leading building service departments within premier senior living communities and brings a wealth of knowledge regarding life safety and healthcare regulations in both assisted living and skilled nursing environments. Elaine Muhammad, admissions director at Benderson Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation at Aviva, joins the Aviva staff as a healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience in senior living, hospital and skilled nursing. Most recently, Muhammad has served as director of business development for Consulate Healthcare in Sarasota and Venice. Lastly, Jenelle Coles has been promoted to director of sales, marketing and communications. Prior to joining Aviva, Jenelle worked at Keiser University as a senior admissions counselor and recruitment specialist. 

Aviva: A Campus for Senior Life

[Executive Moves]  Gates Gains Card

Gates Construction has added Mark Card as Principal of the Gates Sarasota office. Card has over three decades of experience in the construction industry; much of it in Sarasota and the surrounding counties. Prior to joining Gates, Card owned and operated Storie Construction Group, a successful general contracting and construction management firm also headquartered in Sarasota. As Principal for Gates, Card and Storie Construction Group’s personnel and resources will become a part of Gates Construction. In his new role as Principal for Gates, Card oversees and supports all of its client relationships including pre-construction, construction and overall customer experience. Card graduated from Bowling Green State University and received B.S. Degrees in Construction Management and Architectural/Environmental Design Technology and is a permanent resident of Sarasota. His diverse range of projects through the years has included assisted living, retail, office buildings, government, education, healthcare, hospitality, commercial and multi-family. A state licensed general contractor, Card has been involved in the industry as both contractor and developer. 

Gates Construction



[TODAY]  BUSINESS: SkillSHARE June 22 Mentoring Summit , June 15, 5-7:30pm

Made for speed, SkillSHARE is the basics of mentorship concentrated into mini-sessions that encourage honest interactions and allow for spontaneous connection. This event is a way to meet like-minded professionals, make valuable connections and get straight to your most burning questions about career and personal development. Each participant will be paired with several mentors for mini-sessions. Lasting from 10-12 minutes, each mini-session is unstructured, allowing for conversation, guidance and direction from each mentor.

SRQ Studios, 331 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota

[TODAY]  PERFORMANCE: Naming True , June 2 – July 2

Amy, a transgender teenage girl from Seattle, and Nell, a dying woman who’s lived most of her life on the streets of Detroit, find themselves in an unlikely meeting in a Florida motel room to discuss publishing Nell’s childhood memoir. An intimate tale of survival, redemption, and the desperate need to share our stories, Naming True investigates how to persevere in the absence of hope. For more information please visit www.urbanitetheatre.com for show times and tickets.

Urbanite Theatre , 1487 Second St., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GRAB BAG: Gallery Walk & Talk , June 15, 11am-6pm

Learn more about the beliefs and social practices of the culture that created these exquisite Eternal Offerings. Join Museum staff and guests for these “bite size” programs that focus on issues and ideas. Free with admission, ticket required. Space is limited. Members may reserve tickets. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GALLERY: National League of American Pen Women , May 30 – June 22, Monday- Friday 10am-1pm and 1:30pm-4pm

For their annual community exhibition, Basch and Smith Galleries will showcase work by the Sarasota chapter of the National League of American PEN Women, the oldest milti-discipline arts organization for women in the United States. 

Willis Smith and Basch Galleries, Located on the ground floor of the Larry R. Thompson Academic Center.

[TODAY]  THEATER: Burt and Me , June 2 – June 18

Joe and Lacey, high school sweethearts, shared the love of basketball and music. When college separated them, history couldn’t overcome geography. After meeting years later, Joe comes up with an elaborate scheme to get Lacey back in this jukebox musical. Featuring songs such as “Raindrops Keep Falling On Your Head,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and “Wishing And Hoping.” For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GALA: Sail Into Freedom , June 15, 6:00- 8:00 pm

Join Selah Freedom and bring light to the darkness of sex trafficking at the Sarasota Yacht Club with Sail Into Freedom from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Take in nature’s beauty with a brilliant sunset and the tranquil sound of the gulf all while enjoying heavy hors’ d'oeuvres and libations. Dr. Jason Quintal will be the honored guest of the evening who works with survivors, donors, and volunteers. All proceeds benefit Selah Freedom and their mission to effectively bring solutions to survivors of sex trafficking & exploitation.

Sarasota Yacht Club , 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Bradentucky Bombers Take on Swan City Roller Derby , June 17, 5:00pm

Tailgating starts at 4:00 PM with free beer provided by The Little Giant Brewery. Doors open at 4:30 and at 5:00 the hits and falls begin! Come support your local roller derby team and watch the best ladies in the area kick butt! We have special guests Jersey She-Devil and Polly Dexter Rose from SLAW joining us for a halftime mini-battle of brute strength next to our beer tent. Join the team and meet your favorite derby players at the after party at Darwin Brewing Company and Taproom 803 17th Ave W, Bradenton, Florida 34205. As strong women rolling for a strong community, the Bradentucky Bombers will also be donating all raffle proceeds to Buckle Up 4 BSwag and Bubba. For more information visit www.bradentuckybombers.com.

Astro Skate of Bradenton, 3611 3rd Street W., Bradenton

[SOON]  THEATER: Yesterdayze , June 17

YESTERDAYZE plays music that charted in the top 40 between 1960-1969. From Motown to the British Invasion, from country & pop to psychedelia to good old fashioned rock & roll, Yesterdayze does it all!

Venice Theater , 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Family Day: Eternal Offerings , June 17, 11am-2pm

Join Ringling for a special family day to celebrate a special exhibition now on view, Eternal Offerings! This Family Day will feature activity stations, and a special summer-themed family activity booklet to use in the galleries. Family Days are fun for the whole family! Join us for art making, and activity stations. We will also distribute themed family activity booklets to use in the galleries. Free with admission. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Of Summer and Silence , June 20 – June 30

Susan J. Foster presents an exhibit of remarkable oil paintings, “Of Summer and Silence” in Miano Gallery at Southern Atelier in Sarasota. The opening reception for this exhibit will be on Friday, June 16th from 6pm until 9pm. The paintings will be on view from June 20th through June 309:30–4pm. The reception and exhibit are open to the public and free of charge. Sue Foster is a long-time resident of Bradenton and an instructor of still life painting at Southern Atelier.

Miano Gallery at the Southern Atelier , 7226 21st Street E,. Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Broadway in Black , June 21 – July 23

This summer, the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe salutes Broadway with an original revue by Nate Jacobs. Sing along with your favorite songs from award- winning shows and breakthrough roles that helped launch the careers of such Black artists as Melba Moore in Purlie, Ben Vereen in Pippin, Jennifer Holliday in Dreamgirls, and Nell Carter in Ain't Misbehavin'. It's Broadway, WBTT syle...electrifying! 

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

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Taste Magazine and Le Bordeaux French Wine Dinner , June 22, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Come to Le Bordeaux to enjoy a five course wine pairing dinner. Courses include escardgot å la bordelaise, salade gascogne, medallion de veau sauce perigourdine et ses légumes, black grouper menuiére and poired pochées au vin. 

Le Bordeaux , 1900 Main Street, Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Painting Floral Still Lifes , June 23 – June 25

Artists will learn how to quickly sketch "Alla Prima," the colorful harmonies and abstract patterns of some of nature's most vibrant subject matter. This seminar will highlight color composition and painting from life under nature's light. 

Southern Atelier , 7226 21st St. E., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: High School Musical Jr. , June 23 – June 24

Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical comes to life in Disney’s High School Musical Jr. The students of East High must deal with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities. The show’s infectious, danceable songs are sure to engage performers and audiences alike.

Manatee Performing Arts Center , 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Volunteer Interest Coffee , June 24, 9:00-11:00am

Interested in becoming a Mote volunteer but need more information? Join them for a causal volunteer interest coffee in Mote's WAVE Center (former Sea Cinema). Staff from the volunteer office and current Mote volunteers will be available to answer any questions you may have about the benefits, commitment and rewarding opportunities that come with being a volunteer.

Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Sarasota Powerboat 2017 Grand Prix Festival , June 24 – July 4

The 33rd Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival returns June 24-July 4 with events for the entire family to enjoy. Powerboat and AquaX Pro race teams will compete for the checkered flag on July 1 and 2 just off Lido Beach with televised coverage to over 100 countries beginning late July.  New events this year include a Grand Prix Comedy Night at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, a venue change for the Festival Kickoff Party to Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens, and a Grand Prix Fan Fest on July 1 and 2 in the Van Wezel parking lot.  The Fan Fest is free with Suncoast Charities for Children producing the entire Festival, including the July 4th Bayfront Fireworks.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Celebrate International Day of Yoga at Selby Garden , June 24, 8:00am-9:30 am

Calling all Yogis and Yoginis! Join Pineapple Yoga Studios at Selby Gardens in celebrating International Day of Yoga on June 24 with a morning of limber exercise. Claudia Baeza and Lauren Beth Jacobs will co-teach an hour long all levels yoga class on the beautiful Great Lawn Pavilion at Selby Gardens. Everyone from advanced Yoga instructors to new Yogis are invited to attend this free donation based yoga event to support Selby Gardens and the Pineapple Yoga Studio Teacher Training Scholarship Fund. There will also be a children's corner with a Children's Yoga Instructor, so please bring your little Pineapples along! DJ Neon Tiger will be providing the music and a photobooth will be in the garden so you can capture yourself mastering yoga poses. To get more involved with the sarasota yoga community check out Pineapple Yoga's Instagram for their 6 days 6 Yoga pose challenge. Registration for the event opens at 8:00am with the class beginning at 8:30am. See you and your Tribe soon!

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

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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