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SRQ DAILY May 21, 2018

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"There's no Bluetooth or wi-fi driving the cost beyond the point where it's practical."

- Rob Brady, Robrady
 

[Innovation]  Will PILL Design Opioid Solution?
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A drug dispenser developed in Sarasota could soon be embraced by the federal government as a solution to a nationwide opioid crisis. 

Designers from Robrady this month traveled to Washington to tout the usefulness of PILL, a “smart” blister pack dispenser that digitally tracks of individuals’ time between doses for painkillers. “It’s a very lean solution,” says Rob Brady, founder of Robrady. The Sarasota company began working on the device years ago after being approached by investor Joe Bujalski, who holds a patent on the smart dispenser concept. While the original design appeared too elaborate to be economical, Brady says, a streamlining process helped boil the device down to its core purpose, namely controlling periods between dosages.

Colin Leonard, director of manufacturing and operations at Robrady, worked for five years in the retail drug space, and said design for the product kept a marketplace of cheap pill bottles in mind. The final cost for the PILL will be $2 or less, he said and device parts can be recycled. Designers also kept patient privacy rights in mind, especially regarding the transfer of personal data on medicine use. Information can be downloaded by authorized physicians and pharmacists to track individual habits to be put into a database.

Medical professionals happily provided feedback, as they face increasing legal risk if they don’t properly document opioid use. “Doctors and pharmacists can individually be held responsible if they don’t catch drug abuse and drug-seeking behavior for patients,” Leonard says. Insurance companies also want to see better control, both to reduce medical issues for clients and curb excessive purchase of narcotics.

Orthopedic physician’s assistant Afton Heitzenrater, Bujalski’s niece, helped the team understand the epidemic. The New York-based professional lost a cousin to an overdose, and sees in patients how habits start, whether it’s kids finding grandparents prescriptions and taking them to so-called “pharm parties,” or patients simply stepping up dosage when pain gets bad onto to become addicted without knowing it. “People think if one helps some, then two will help more,” she says. “It does affect mental status to think about what you are doing.” 

The device looks like wheel, with pills moving into a space to get punched out of packaging. Leonard says it works like a birth control ring, but instead of encouraging timely use of medicine, it does the opposite and discourages excessive popping of pills. A timer regulates when drugs become available, and the industrial plastic shell makes tampering evident to pharmacists or doctors. 

During the trip to Washington, Brady and team members met with officials from agencies tackling the opioid issue. The federal government estimates the crisis right leads to 120 deaths and costs the U.S. $220 million each day. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said better dispensing of drugs may help in containing the crisis. Brady also met with Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, who both worked in the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 recently passes unanimously out of Senate committee. 

Brady believes the PILL stands out from other proposed packing solutions for opioids because of its simplicity. The device doesn’t require constant internet access to track data, and its material cost remains low compared to other devices. “There’s no Bluetooth or wi-fi driving the cost beyond the point where it’s practical,” he says. “Every other solution we’ve seen, there’s a level of complexity that keeps it out of the running.” 

[Government]  Manatee Accepting Applications for Planning Commission

Manatee County is accepting applications for one seat on the Planning Commission, a citizens advisory committee that makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on land use items. Applicants must be registered voters in Manatee County. No particular expertise is required, but applicants with experience or training in planning, engineering, environmental science and the development industry may be given additional consideration for an appointment. Planning Commission members cannot be employed by the County or serve as a member of another land development-related advisory board serving unincorporated Manatee County. The Planning Commission is composed of seven members who are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners for four-year terms. The Planning Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month at 9am in the First Floor Chambers of the Manatee County Administrative Building. Applications are due Friday, June 15, and may be found online at the website below. 

Manatee County Planning Commission Applications

[Government]  Sarasota County Recreational Burn Ban Lifted

Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier has lifted the countywide recreational burn ban that was put in place on April 4. The mandatory burn ban was put in effect until the chances of wildfire were reduced and weather conditions changed. Seasonal rain patterns have begun and officials are seeing a reduction in the wildfire threat throughout Sarasota County. Residents are reminded to always be safe when dealing with fire and to always follow local open burning ordinance rules and regulations. For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit the website below. 

Sarasota County Government

[Music]  PMP/Suncoast Super Strings Applications Open Soon

The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast is calling all Florida string players, ages 8–18, to apply for the PMP/Suncoast Super Strings 2018–2019 program. PMP/Suncoast Super Strings is presented as part of a public orchestra rehearsal during the PMP Sarasota Winter Residency. Last year, 54 string students from 14 counties around Florida participated. Super Strings promotes the interaction of local young musicians with international students of The Perlman Music Program and world-class faculty. Auditions are free. Application, music and program details go online on June 1. August 20 is the application deadline. September 5 is the audition video deadline. 

Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Super Strings

[Real Estate]  Bow Joins RE/MAX Platinum Realty

Realtor Jessica Bow has joined RE/MAX Platinum Realty as a team member with her husband, David Polosky (The Golden Group), in the downtown Sarasota, Florida, office. Formerly with Bright Realty, she specializes in residential properties, investment properties, and first-time homebuyers. A Florida native, Bow moved from the east coast to Sarasota in 1984. In addition to extensive knowledge of the local market, she brings exceptional negotiation and customer service skills. As a bonus, the team also provides free labor to their clients to spruce up their homes, whether buying or selling. RE/MAX Platinum Realty offers full-service residential real estate solutions in Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida, specializing in luxury and waterfront properties. 

RE/MAX Platinum Realty



[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

[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]  GALLERY: Martha's Vineyard Location - Feeling Fresh , May 24 – June 20

Nikki Sedacca Gallery is pleased to open with an exciting exhibition, “Feeling Fresh,” debuting work by nationally-acclaimed artists Kathe Fraga and Carter Wentworth, and featuring new works by Linda Richichi and Joan Konkel. This show seeks to highlight the light, bright, and joyous excitement that builds as the warm summer breeze infuses the salty air to signal the start of seasonal activity on Martha’s Vineyard, featuring diverse mediums such as oil paint, watercolor and metal mesh and fresco.

530 Burns Gallery, 530 Burns Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: OPENING RECEPTION Laine Nixon: Unfixed , May 24, 5:30-8pm

This solo exhibition, the artist's first in Sarasota, Laine Nixon explores the mutable nature of art through work on paper, mixed media, and painting. The show's title, "Unfixed," refers to her working methods of creating, altering, covering up or exposing various painting techniques on a single surface.

Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419 5th St., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Studio Year End Showcase , May 25

Students from The Players Studio will showcase their talent, appearing in songs, dances and acting scenes. A must see!

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: KidSpace , May 26

KidSpace is a program for kids who want to explore everything there is to know about space and become Masters of the Universe. From 10:15–11am on the second and fourth Saturday morning of each month, we'll unleash the awesome power of the Bishop Planetarium, taking off from Earth's surface and flying to places no human has gone before.

South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton

[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]  THEATER: Menopause the Musical , May 30 – June 10

Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer Jeanie Linders created Menopause The Musical® as a celebration of women who find themselves at any stage of “The Change.” Set in a department store where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance at a lingerie sale, the all-female cast makes fun of their woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. 

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

[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]  THEATER: The Twenty-Third Annual Loveland Show–Unplugged: The Best Day of Your Life! , May 31 – June 3

Venice Theatre and the Loveland Center have been partnering for 20 years to provide adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities the chance to grow and learn through theatre study. Loveland students, under the direction of professional staff and with help from community volunteers, rehearse all season to present this full-scale musical on MainStage.

Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave West, Venice

[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]  FESTIVAL: All About Women Expo , June 3, 12pm–5pm

Experience a day of pampering for women with four featured areas that host Beauty, Wellness, Fashion and Girls Wanting to Have Fun. Enjoy make-up and hair care techniques, massages, sample products, talk to doctors and health professionals, watch a fashion show and more, all for free. Register to have access to the VIP area with wine tastings, a painting class, photo booth, appetizers and everyone receives a glam bag full of swag.

Westfield Sarasota Square Mall, 8201 South Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  MUSIC: Sarasota Music Festival , June 4 – June 23

Classical musicians from around the world converge for three weeks of breathtaking concerts, featuring artists such as Vijay Venkatesh and Robert Sirota.

Sarasota Orchestra, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 North Tamiami Trl., 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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