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SRQ DAILY Jul 4, 2017

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"There's no excuse to get behind the wheel of a car buzzed."

- Chief Bernadette DiPino, Sarasota Police Department
 

[Holiday]  Policing the Waterways this Independence Day
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Law enforcement will be focused on the beaches and waterways today while the community comes together for Independence Day celebrations. Sheriff’s deputies and officers, expecting an increase in boating, encourage people to act responsibly while celebrating the holiday. 

Our Marine Unit will patrol the waterways as always, paying special attention to boaters operating vessels while under the influence,” says Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kaitlyn Perez. “Further, on land, our Traffic and DUI Units will continue to look for impaired drivers.”

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino says similarly officers in the city will be mindful of alcohol on the water. She’s also aware that many steering vessels today aren’t experienced boaters, and should use particular precaution while navigating the waves. “Wear seatbelts to try to reduce injuries. There are more boaters so show more awareness,” DiPino says.

The chief also asked people to take precaution when drinking, whether on land or sea. Today, those drinking in the city have access to Uber and taxi services in addition to simply having a designated driver in their party. “There’s no excuse to get behind the wheel of a car buzzed,” DiPino says. “And buzzed driving is drink driving. Get a ride home.”

Perez says parents taking children to public gatherings should make sure to take a cell phone photo that shows what their kids look like today and what they are wearing incase the family gets separated and parents need help from law enforcement in finding their children. The sheriff’s office does encourage people go to enjoy the public fireworks displays rather than set off fireworks in residential areas.

And for those that will be using purchased fireworks, DiPino stressed that they be careful not to get burned, particular if children are around. She noted that even something as simple as a sparkler can badly burn a hand if the lighted end touches skin.

Longboat Key Town Hall will host the Annual Freedom Fest and Hot Diggity Dog Parade at 9am today, and the Anna Maria Island Privateers will host a parade from 10am-1pm, with an after-party at the Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach.

The Suncoast Offshore Festival will host the Fireworks Spectacular over Sarasota Bay, visible from downtown, Bayfront Park and Island Park, with the show starting at 9pm. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will host the All American Barbecue and Independence Day Celebration from 6-10pm. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce will also set off splays over the beach, launched from north of the volleyball courts, at 9am. In the Venice area, there will also be a fireworks display tonight visible from Venice or Nokomis Beach, fired from the south Venice Jetty.

The City of Palmetto will host a fireworks display over the Manatee River, visible from the Riverwalk in Bradenton or Palmetto. The Sandbar on Anna Maria will host its 31st annual display. North Port hosts the 13th annual Freedom Festival, starting at 6pm and running until 9:30pm, with fireworks in the evening.  

[Government]  Sarasota Plots Next Move on Weed
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Sarasota officials will explore the future of medical marijuana dispensaries in the community over the next two months, but until then will not allow the businesses to open within the city limits. “I voted for medical marijuana; I wanted to have it in the city,” said City Commissioner Liz Alpert. “We really wanted to have dispensaries in the city sooner.”

But for the moment, commissioners have instated a ban on dispensaries, something prompted, officials said, by the legislature failing to address implementation of a new constitutional amendment until a special session this year and then requiring cities to either ban dispensaries or allow them everywhere pharmacies can be opened.

City Attorney Robert Fournier says the city needed to extend the ban or risk the prospect of dispensary owners trying to open any number of businesses in a wide array of zoning districts where planners don’t want such establishments to operate. “It would be chaos if nothing was in place,” he said. He noted the city had previously been working on an ordinance allowing dispensaries but which would put in required distances from schools, residential areas and like establishments. That wouldn’t be allowable based on the legislature’s action.

Citizens came out in force to a commission meeting Monday to speak against a ban. One mother said her young child suffers seizures best treated by medical marijuana, and a doctor said the substance would be safer that many drugs that can be acquired (or stolen) from a pharmacy.

City officials noted that since medical marijuana remains a cash business, there remains a risk of crime such as robberies around dispensaries today, part of why the city wants to better put certain zoning restrictions in place.

Commissioner Hagen Brody suggested the city may explore changing the rules on pharmacies and applying similar restrictions on the zoning for those businesses as for dispensaries. Commissioner Willie Shaw stressed he wants the city setting the course on this, not awaiting further direction from the legislature. 

[Apricot Lane]  You're the Star - Show Your Stripes
Phoebe Ray

Happy Fourth of July from the Provisionist* channel. New to Apricot Lane, this striped romper by In The Beginning ($44) takes you effortlessly from the beachside BBQ outing to an evening of fireworks aboard a sailboat docked in the beautiful Sarasota Bay. Full of flowing motion, this delicate, lace-up romper puts a contemporary twist on a classic nautical stripe that will turn heads this Independence Day. Survive the hot humidity of Florida with an all-in-one outfit that keeps you cool. Show your stripes and pop by Apricot Lane on St. Armands just in time for the Fourth. 

Apricot Lane Boutique, 464 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236. 941-960-1435

Apricot Lane

[Daily Shop]  Portable Shade
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Hitting the beach in the Sarasota summertime, sunscreen won’t always cut it when it comes to protecting sensitive skin—and few look stylish rocking the Zinc Nose look—but with the right hat from Treat Boutique, enjoy the sunshine with none of the burn. Floppy and fun, with cheeky and beachy catchphrases like “bon voyage” and “talk to the sand” embroidered on the brim, these hats from C.C. Exclusive offer ample protection for the face and neck while being easily dressed up for a noontime stroll through St. Armands or a afternoon reading session on the beach. Made from 100 percent paper but looking like straw, they may not be great for fighting brushfires, but they’ll beat the heat with the best of them on July 4th. 

Photo by Phil Lederer.

Treat Boutique, 530 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-6369.

[Recognition]  Manatee County Pretrial Release Receives Accreditation

Manatee County Pretrial Release has become one of three Florida agencies to achieve state accreditation for both pretrial and probation services through the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission. Accreditation has helped county operations become more streamlined and consistent and it assures employees that every aspect of the agency’s personnel system is in compliance with professional standards. Morale of the agency is enhanced by increasing the employees’ confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of their own agency. Manatee County's four probation officers screen approximately 300 clients per month for pretrial release, so clients who cannot afford bond will not be required to stay in jail. Manatee's 15 probation officers supervise an average of 1,200 clients per month, on pretrial release and misdemeanor probation. Cheri Coryea, director of Manatee County Neighborhood and Community Services added that accreditation bolsters confidence throughout the local criminal justice system.   

Manatee County Pretrial Release Services

[Synergy]  The Haven Receives Able Trust Grant

The Haven, an established non-profit with a legacy of over 60-years in the community to provide programs and services for children and adults with disabilities, has been awarded $250,000 through Able Trust’s Strategic Employment Placement Initiatives grant. Funding from this grant will help support The Haven’s Careers Without Limits program. The disability-neutral program supports students residing in Sarasota-Manatee counties with varying types and degrees of physical, sensory, developmental, learning, mental health and/or multiple disabilities. Careers Without Limits assists currently enrolled individuals at State College of Florida and/or University of South Florida-Sarasota/Manatee, the two largest educational institutions in the region, in their transition from post-secondary education to long-term employment by providing counseling, training and placement services. 

The Haven



[TODAY]  PERFORMANCE: 9th Annual Sarasota Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular , July 4, 11:00 am-10:00 pm

Join Marina Jack for their annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular on Independence Day between 11:00 am-10:00pm. Indulge in the decadent menus from the Dining Room, Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill and Deep Six Lounge & Piano Bar all while enjoying the magnificent display of lights in the sky. Marina Jack II will host a three hour cruise featuring a buffet, live music and premier viewing of the fireworks display.

Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236

[TODAY]  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]  BUSINESS: The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne , July 5 – August 6

In this award winning southern regional premiere, tenacious and flamboyant 14 year-old Leonard Pelkey disappears. A small town New Jersey detective slowly unravels the mystery, portraying over a dozen eccentric characters along the way. A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is gone, the town’s citizens question how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Venice Summer Cabaret Festival , July 6 – August 27

Venice Theatre is delighted to invite audiences to its 5th Annual Summer Cabaret Festival. The popular event keeps music lovers and theatergoers entertained throughout the summer months with a variety of music in a nightclub setting. The irrepressible Eric Watters will kick off the festival on Thursday, July 6, 2017 with his tribute to Johnny Mercer, "My Huckleberry Friend." The festival will continue in “Pinky’s Cabaret” (the theatre’s black box Pinkerton Theatre) through Sunday, August 27, 2017. Tickets are $20 for each show and will go on sale June 6, 2017.

Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave.,Venice

[SOON]  GALLERY: Florida's Finest , July 6 – August 11

This juried exhibition showcases the wide-ranging talents of Florida-based artists, and includes two- and three-dimensional works in a variety of media. R. Lynn Whitelaw, the founding director and curator of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art at St. Petersburg College, juries this year’s exhibition to be installed in all four of the center’s galleries. 

Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: YPG After Hours at Escape Countdown , July 6, 5:30-7:30pm

Come join us YPG Thursday, July 6th at Escape Countdown for the area's largest monthly networking event, YPG After Hours! With an average of 80-100 young professionals gathering on the first Thursday of each month you're guaranteed to make new friends, secure new clients, and learn more about what Sarasota has to offer. Along with great drink specials, enjoy appetizing lite bites for the duration of the event.

Escape Countdown , 6525 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Ringling College of Art and Design at the Englewood Art Center , July 7 – July 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

With original works of art created by more than 20 area artists, this free, family-friendly event features art in a variety of media, including paintings, watercolor, ceramics, fiber art, sculpture and photography. The two-day event also features artist demonstrations, live music, food trucks and activities for children.

Englewood Art Center , 350 South McCall Rd., Englewood

[SOON]  MUSIC: Madera Fina Brings Tropical Sounds to Sarasota , July 9, 7pm

The singer-songwriter Abraham Dorta and percussionist Delvin López give life to the Afro-Caribbean music duo Madera Fina that demonstrates the wide range of genres that unfold in the Puerto Rico independent music scene. In the hand of Abraham's guitar mastery, Madera Fina blends a broad amalgam of tropical styles including bossa nova, classical and Caribbean styles.  

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

[SOON]  THEATER: The Marvelous Wonderettes , July 12 – July 23, 7:30pm and 2pm

This smash Off-Broadway hit whisks you away to the 1958 Springfield High Prom where four girls with hopes and dreams serenade you with over 30 classics from the 1950s and 1960s. Single tickets are $18.

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N Tamiami Tr., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr. , July 13 – July 17

Join the Blue Fairy, Stromboli and a lively cast of characters as Geppetto journeys beyond his toyshop to discover the meaning of family. When the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto’s wish to bring his beloved puppet to life, the new father quickly learns about the challenges of being a father.

Venice Theater , 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Little Black Dress: Salute the Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon , July 13, 11:30 am- 1:00pm

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida will team up with local women veterans through the Goodwill Manasota Veterans Task Force to recycle dresses from Goodwill and put together an amazing fashion show. Join us at the Hyatt July 13 and discover the unique creations of these wonderful students while supporting a good cause!

Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Blue Eyed Bettys , July 18 – August 20

With Daniel Emond on banjo, Sarah Hund on fiddle, and Ben Mackel on guitar, The Blue Eyed Bettys delight with their contemporary bluegrass sound. An original music group formed while performing in the hit FST Cabaret show Poems, Prayers, and Promises, audiences are snapped to attention with their powerful vocals, three part harmony, inventive storytelling, and natural onstage chemistry. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: SB2 GOOD HAND: Building Capacity in Our Philanthropic Sector , July 20, 7:30-9:00am

Join SRQ Magazine for the last SB2: Breakfast Symposium of the season on Thursday, July 20, 2017 from 7:30 am-9:00 am at The Francis, Downtown Sarasota. Keynote David Odahowski, President & CEO of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundationwill give us insight on building capacity in the philanthropic sector. Special guest panelists include: Roxie Jerde of The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Stacey Corley of Ringling College of Art and Design, Veronica Brandon Miller of Goodwill Manasota, Susie Bowie of Manatee Community Foundation and Heidi Brown of the Jewish Family and Children's Service. Moderated by SRQ MEDIA Executive Publisher Wes Roberts. Tickets are $35/per person and includes a delicious breakfast buffet provided by The Francis. Reserve your spot online at SRQSB2.COM.

The Francis, Downtown Sarasota, 1289 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  DANCE: Sarasota Contemporary Dance , July 20 – July 23

Directed by Leymis Bolanos Wilmott, a one woman show performed by Stephanie Bastos, who dances with the aid of a prosthetic leg.

New College of Florida, Black Box Theater, 5800 Bay Shore Rd., 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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