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SRQ DAILY May 15, 2018

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"Those are the kind of tourists who come back year after year to the same community because they hope to keep it vital."

- Karen Riley-Love, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
 

[Hospitality]  Bradenton Area Enjoys Tourism Surge
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

An increasing number of tourists visited Manatee County in 2017, and they spent generously while they were here. But hospitality leaders in the area say they most want to make sure these guests come back as soon as possible.

Statistics released last week by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau report a 2-percent spike in visitors compared to 2016, with a total of 3,160,700 in total coming into the county. That helped support 26,600 jobs and generate nearly $1.25 billion in economic impact, a greater-than-5-percent jump in both those financial statistics.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the BACVB, sounded enthusiastic about the numbers. He also told SRQ that his agency remains focused on making sure the visitors come back again and again. The bureau sees dividends from outreach to new visitors to the area. “First-timers to the Bradenton area return within 11 months more than 94 percent of the time,” he says.

Further figures released by the BACVB show that 721,400 of the visitors here stayed in some type of commercial lodging, a 4-percent increase over 2016, while 1,187,300 were classified as in-home visitors, a 2.7-percent increase. Direct visitor expenditures jumped 5.5 percent in total. The bulk of that actually came from day-trippers.

Couples made up 51 percent of visiting parties and 73.4 percent of visitors came here on planned vacations, with an average 4.7-night stay. And an overwhelming 97.8 percent of visitors surveyed by the BACVB reported satisfaction with the visit.

Karen Riley-Love, founder of the Anna Maria Wedding Association and AMU Beach Weddings, says she’s been excited to see the region become an increasing locale for destination weddings. “We also see an increase in ecotourism,” she says. “We see those friendly faces and more people interested in going on turtle walks, beaches and sustainability. Those are the kind of tourists who come back year after year to the same community because they hope to keep it vital.”

Riley-Love, also a board of directors member for the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, last week won the annual Tourism Ambassador Award from the BACVB. The bureau also gave the Ed Hunzeker Hospitality Award to Dr. Patrick Moreo, dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Leadership at the University of South Florida.” 

Statistics courtesy BACVB.

[GoodBite]  Summertime Sippin'
Brittany Mattie, brittany.mattie@srqme.com
If a hellacious menu in a jubilant setting with hanging lights and live music intermixing with the jovial chatter amongst spirited friends and neighbors sounds sublime—this is your watering hole. What would make a scene such as this even better? Booze. Brick’s continues to surprise and delight the town—having already gained local accolades such as “Best New Restaurant” and “Best Barbecue” in Sarasota. Refusing to lose momentum, they continue their hot streak with newly-added cocktails for summer—crafted by Brick’s inventive bartenders themselves. From Florida-influenced recipes, to modern day interpretations on the classics, the updated list has libations for any tippler’s taste.

If you have a penchant for tequila—try tropical takes on the Paloma and Margarita. Mexico’s signature cocktails never disappoint, but Brick’s even kicked it up a notch with all-fresh juice alternatives to upgrade into a healthier, smoother, bolder recourse. Craving a detox so you can justify a retox? There’s conveniently a clean, fresh-pressed “morning after” cocktail available—commingling gluten free vodka with a housemade ‘Green Goodness Juice’. And being an exemplary smoked meats establishment, fine whiskey staples embody the southern-style retreat Brick’s has created. The menu includes classic favorites such as a bourbon-derived Brown Derby and a summer Sangria slant, trading wine for whiskey. With each cocktail carrying all-natural ingredients and refreshing flavors—you’ll be hardened not to savor these drinks all season long:
  • Green Ti-Tox—Tito’s Vodka, Green Goodness Juice (kale, lemon, celery, ginger, cucumber, gala apples), organic agave nectar, splash lemon juice, slice of cucumber

  • Skinny Margarita—Sauza Blue Silver Tequila, lime juice, organic agave nectar, splash orange juice, lime wedge

  • Frisky Whiskey—Jameson irish whiskey, Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, orange juice, simple syrup, old fashioned bitters, orange twist

  • Paloma—Tres Generaciones Repo Organic, ruby red grapefruit juice, lime, simple syrup, soda, grapefruit wedge

  • Flor-ida Pina—Sauza Blue Silver Tequila, St. Germain Elderflower, pineapple juice, lime juice, simple syrup, candied pineapple

  • Brown Derby—Buffalo Trace Bourbon, grapefruit juice, honeyed syrup, grapefruit twist

 

Photos by Wyatt Kostygan.

Brick's 'Booze' Menu, $6.99-$9.99, 1528 State Street, Sarasota, 941-993-1435.

[Recognition]  Manatee County ECC Receives International Acclaim

Manatee County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) this week received international recognition, as the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, the world's largest organization of public safety communications professionals, announced last week Manatee County ECC is the recipient of its 2018 Public Safety Communications Technology Leadership: Small Agency Award. The award recognizes communications centers that use technological advancements to benefit their center and the community they serve. In July, the ECC became the second agency in Florida to adopt new technology that will save emergency responders significant time when home alarms sound with the new Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) technology shaving up to three minutes from call processing time. In November the ECC and local fire districts launched Pulsepoint, a free mobile app that alerts citizens trained in hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when someone in a nearby public place suffers sudden cardiac arrest. Also in November, Manatee County ECC became one of two in Florida and 13 in the world to earn a triple accreditation from an international nonprofit that sets standards for dispatch centers. The 911 center received the highest level of recognition for its police dispatch from the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch, or IAED, earning the title of a “Triple-ACE,” or Accredited Center for Excellence, agency. Manatee County Emergency Communications Center process over 222,000 9-1-1 calls each year. 

Manatee County Emergency Communications Center

[Education]  Summer 2018 Gulf Coast Board Institute Accepting Applications

Gulf Coast Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its Summer 2018 Gulf Coast Board Institute. The Board Institute is a high-level governance training series for volunteer nonprofit board members. The summer session will consist of four full-day trainings from mid-July through early August. An online application is available, and must be completed by June 8 for consideration. The foundation will select up to 25 applicants to participate in the summer Board Institute. The group will meet four consecutive Fridays from July 13 to August 3, covering topics such as the fundamentals of nonprofit board governance, financial and legal oversight responsibilities, and how to create a highly functioning and engaged board. Participants will be selected through a competitive process with the intent of creating a group of individuals with a variety of experiences. Gulf Coast provides all training and resources at no cost to participants in exchange for their commitment to serve as advocates for good board governance in current and future nonprofit board roles. Applicants must be currently active board members at a nonprofit in the region to be considered. 

Gulf Coast Board Institute

[Healthcare]  GSAHEC Launches ACCESS Program for Multilingual Care

Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center (GSAHEC) has launched a program to address language barriers in healthcare and community-based organizations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2011, more than 27% of Floridians spoke a language other than English, and about half report that they “speak English less than very well.” Research has shown that minorities and vulnerable populations are more likely to be re-admitted to hospitals within 30 days of discharge for any condition, and that Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals may be at a greater risk for medical errors, longer lengths of hospital stay and avoidable readmission when trained language interpreters are not used. GSAHEC’s ACCESS Program (Advanced Cultural Competence Education and Support Services) facilitates culturally responsive solutions by offering classes specifically designed for bilingual individuals, health care staff and volunteers that are interested in becoming “Professionally Trained Medical Interpreters.” GSAHEC’s 40-hour course satisfies the training requirement to apply for National Certification. The next course will be offered starting June 14in Sarasota. 

Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center

[Exec Moves]  JFCS Appoints Miller Board Chair Elect

JFCS of the Suncoast recently announced the appointment of Dean Miller to Board Chair Elect. In this role, Miller will be responsible for coordinating board activities providing leadership, overseeing governance and development, and supporting the mission of the organization. A member of the JFCS Board for the past two years and Sarasota resident since 2002, Miller brings more than 35 years’ senior leadership experience in financial services, including business risk and control, innovation and change management with JPMorgan. He has also served as a vice chairman for Orbian Corporation and consultant for IBM. In addition to his financial services acumen, Miller’s more than 17 years’ international business experience living and working in Asia and Europe, enabled him to promote transparency and disclosure among different cultures and effectively work toward solutions and issue remediation. Outside the business and philanthropic arenas, Miller is a strong supporter of the arts and is Chairman of the Board for Rivo at Ringling Condominium. 

JFCS of the Suncoast

[Transportation]  SRQ Airport Circulates Business Survey

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is circulating a FDOT EIS Off Airport Business Survey to assist in the Aviation Economic Impact Study, and is looking for willing participants in the business community. Air transportation is vital to many Florida businesses. Whether air trips are to collaborate with vendors or clients, or shipping vital products and communications, air transport services are a key part of Florida’s infrastructure. The survey serves to help in understanding various businesses’ experiences and views regarding commercial and general aviation airports in Florida. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. 

FDOT EIS Off Airport Business Survey

[Synergy]  Florida Center Receives Grant for Gocio Elementary Therapist

The Allen Wirtz Nobbe and Jo Bowe Nobbe Fund at The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded The Florida Center for Early Childhood with a grant of $25,000 to support the mental health professional position at Gocio Elementary School. The Florida Center is the leading provider of therapeutic services for young children and their families in Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee and DeSoto/Hardee counties. The funding allows for a mental health therapist to be housed on the Gocio campus full time. This position began in August 2017 through a partnership with The Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The position is intended to support vulnerable parents and their children with “deep” family issues to help break the cycle of trauma that is often generational.  This approach, often referred to as Two Generational or a “2Gen”, creates opportunities to address the needs of both the child and the adults in their life. The position provides one-on-one therapy for students, family therapy, parenting support, and teacher support that can include one-on-one consultation, and classroom support. 

Florida Center for Early Childhood



[TODAY]  GALLERY: Southern Watercolor Society Curated Show , May 15 – June 22

Bringing its 41st Annual Juried Exhibition to Bradenton, the Southern Watercolor Society takes over all three of ArtCenter Manatee’s galleries with a collection juried by international award-winning master watercolorist John Salminen. In addition to the exhibit, each annual show brings with it a watercolor workshop for interested artists. Salminen will be teaching the workshop as well.

ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W., Bradenton

[TODAY]  SPORTS: Sarasota Tarpon Tournament , May 12 – June 17

The Sarasota Tarpon Tournament will take place from May 12-June 17 celebrating the start of Tarpon Season and 88 continuous years of sanctioned competition. For an entry fee of just $125, anglers not only compete for an overall winner category, but also, weekly, junior, ladies, and ‘his & hers’ categories. Weekly winners and winners of the two additional categories will all compete in a 2-day Fish-Off weekend to determine overall winner whose name is inscribed on the historic trophy. A kick-off party will be held on May 9 at White Buffalo Saloon featuring live music, great food and a cash bar.

[TODAY]  GALLERY: Sea Debris - Awareness Through Art , December 9 – June 15, 10am to 5pm

Artwork made of marine debris including Greta the Great White Shark and Natasha the Turtle will arrive to Mote Marine this winter. This exhibit will bring awareness to the 4.4 pounds on average of trash genereated by each American daily. These larger-than-life sculptures are entirely made from plastic and other debris gathered from the Oregon Coast.

Mote Marine, 600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota

[TODAY]  THEATER: Shakespeare's Greatest Hits , February 7 – June 10, Varies by day

"Brush Up Your Shakespeare" with the best of the Bard. This tongue-in-cheek musical revue is a collection of songs inspired by the world's greatest playwright. From relevant to irreverent, from soulful to sinful, from "Get Thee To A Nunnery" and "Othello's Rap" to "What A Pieve of Work is Man" and "Tonight." 

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota

[TODAY]  THEATER: Soul Man: A New Musical Revue , April 18 – May 26

As the 1960s Civil Rights movement unfolded, black music evolved from the controlled Motown performances to fiery cross rhythms sound—a little gospel, a lot of soul. The passionate soloists, such as James Brown, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, added energetic movements and unique vocalizations that inspired many future performers. Soul Man will feature some of WBTT’s most popular male performers.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1646 10th Way., Sarasota.

[TODAY]  GALLERY: Warhol: Flowers In the Factory , February 11 – June 30

This exhibition showcases the surprising and little examined, role of nature in Warhol’s art and life. The spectacular 15-acre tropical setting of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on Sarasota Bay will provide a matchless context for examining Warhol’s fascination with the natural world in this focused, immersive exhibition. It is curated by Carol Ockman, Ph.D., curator-at-large of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the Robert Sterling Clark Professor of Art History at Williams College

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota.

[TODAY]  THEATER: Shakespeare in the Gardens , April 18 – May 15

Experience Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” during the Asolo Rep’s outdoor performances. The lawn behind Payne Mansion will serve as the backdrop to this comedy anchored by the entire ensemble of second year graduate actors of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 South Palm Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Sky Stahlmann Returns to the Reserve , May 17

The Reserve's (former) singing barista returns for a very special performance to show off what she has learned at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In her music, Sky Stahlmann grew up singing and dancing opera and plays with the genres of jazz, musical theatre, rock and pop in her music. She is currently working on her first EP in a style that she calls "popera" which signifies her mesh of pop and her classical roots.

The Reserve SRQ, 1322 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.

[SOON]  SPORTS: Bombers vs. Swan City , May 19

Watch Bradenton's favorite, fierce roller derby squad face Swan City in their home arena. Prepare for a night of tough competition and keep the good times rolling to benefit Ewenity Farm, a herding dog haven. 

Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th St. East, Ellenton.

[SOON]  FILM: Bag It Film Screening , May 22, 7pm

Sponsored by Rethinking Plastics, the goal of this screening is to raise awareness regarding the average American's overuse of plastics. Americans use roughly 60,000 plastic bags a day for a few minutes of single use before it is thrown away. Jeb Berrier's film, Bag It, follows where "away" is and the fate of these plastic bags. For environmentalists and for those looking to learn more, the film is an interesting piece that will open eyes to just how much we use plastic, why that is harmful and what people can do.

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

[SOON]  MUSIC: The Roots of Unity (with Chris Kottke) , May 27, 2pm

This performance is from a jazz ensemble called The Roots of Unity, headed by trumpeter Chris Kottke. Their repertoire includes both straightahead and latin jazz, from classic standards to modern originals. Kottke attended the Berklee College of Music and was active in the Boston jazz scene for about a decade before moving to Sarasota in 2016 to pursue his day job as a math professor at New College of Florida. In addition to the Roots of Unity, Kottke can be occasionally heard in such Sarasota-based jazz ensembles such as Ocean's 11 and the Sarasota Jazz Project.

The Reserve SRQ, 1322 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Always...Patsy Cline , May 30 – July 1

A tuneful and memorable tribute, Patsy Cline's rise to legendary stardom is told through the eyes of her biggest fan, Louise Seger. From her performances in honky-tonks to the Grand Ole Opry, Patsy Cline will "always" have a place in country music, with hit songs such as, “Walking After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” and many more you know and love.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  FOOD: Reserve Spring and Summer Wine Tastings , May 31, 6pm

Come through the Reserve to help them fine tune their retail wine selection. Wines from a wide array of places such as France, Italy, Argentina and more are offered. Pair the wine with a savory meat and cheese platter and enjoy the low key evening. The event is reoccuring, so May 31 is not the last chance to take advantage of this wonderful deal.

The Reserve SRQ, 1322 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: World Oceans Day , June 2, 10:00am-1:00pm

A worldwide ocean celebration is on the horizon. Join the fun during the World Oceans Day Family Festival on Saturday, June 2 at Mote Aquarium. Mote’s World Oceans Day event will spotlight the ocean's deep connection to the human spirit and the boundless inspirational power of our natural world's greatest resource. The family festival is free with regular paid admission to Mote Aquarium and is free for Mote Members.

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium , 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  THEATER: Jungle Book , June 6 – June 24

Using the same multimedia jaw-dropping approach as past hit show Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, this reimagination of Kipling's classic stories will transport audiences to the world's jungles. Audiences will have the chance to truly meet characters like Mowgli the Man-Cub and Baloo the Bear in this upcoming performance.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Jungle Book , June 6 – June 24

Join Mowgli, Baloo and friends when Asolo Rep presents the world premiere of Jungle Book from the creators of the hit show Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Using the same jaw-dropping multi-media theatrical approach, Jungle Book re-imagines Rudyard Kipling’s classic stories through modern eyes to transport audiences to the world’s jungles. Family Day is June 16; Family Package pricing starts at just $15 per ticket when one person in the party is 18 or younger.

Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243

[SOON]  THEATER: Carole's Kings , June 12 – July 15

Be transported back in time with Carole's Kings, an all-male Carole King tribute that mixes fabulous music with clever writing by The Second City, the legendary home of sketch comedy and improv. With a cast fresh from Broadway, Carole’s Kings will have you singing and dancing along to “The Locomotion,” “You've Got a Friend,” and “I Feel the Earth Move.” Jam-packed with humor, this salute to Carole King will take you back to when she was the queen of the airwaves.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., 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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