« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Sep 7, 2018

Friday Weekend Edition

Friday Weekend Edition

"We shouldn't have to wait 21 years for "The Lion King" here, or for "Hamilton," for heaven's sake."

- Mary Bensel, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
 

[Government]  Master Plan for Bay Receives Unanimous City Approval
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A master plan that re-envisions Sarasota’s now asphalt-coated Bayfront as a “blue and green oasis” with a new performing arts hall won unanimous support from Sarasota City Commissioners on Thursday. The city also moved ahead with a controversial plan to implement the first phase of the project, which includes demolition of a building that once housed the Selby Public Library and the G.Wiz science museum but which has remained vacant for the past five years.

Overall, the master plan for The Bay lays out a future of 53 acres of waterfront property that includes growing cultural assets like Art Center Sarasota, preserving landmarks like the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and redefining the public space as a largely outdoor asset. The plan includes three pedestrian bridges over Tamiami Trail and a new venue with the potential to turn into one of the most important arts destinations on Florida’s west coast.

“We believe we are reaching out with a transformational master plan,” said A.G. Lafley, chairman of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization.

Gina Ford, who has led the process by the Sasaki group while a plan developed over the past two years, says, as the property stands today, more than two-thirds of the acreage is covered by parking lots or rooftops, but once the plan gets fully implemented over the coming decades, then two-thirds of the property will be green parkland and blue water amenities.

But while the overall plan won unanimous endorsement from the Sarasota City Commission, the finer points of its implementation already introduced the first of many controversies bringing the new vision to life. Commissioners approved implementation of the first phase of redevelopment by just a 3-2 vote, with the former Selby Library the sticking point. “It has not been properly spelled out that phase 1-a of this project means the demolition of the G.Wiz building,” said Commissioner Jennifer Ahern-Koch, who along with Commissioner Willie Shaw voted against the first phase of the project.

Representatives from the American Institute of Architects spoke out against demolition of the 1975 structure, and said the Walter Netsche-designed structure had won more architecture awards than any other building on the Bayfront.

But Lafley said the future of the building has been carefully studied and that the building hadn’t had an effective use since the Selby Library functions moved to a new building downtown. G.Wiz leaders heavily renovated the structure in 2002, and ultimately went bankrupt a decade later. City staff for years has been unable to find a viable use for the building and favored demolition. Commissioner Hagen Brody said he agreed. “We don’t have to speculate to if somebody would use it or if somebody has a desire to use it,” Brody said. “It’s been sitting vacant for years.”

Officials from the Van Wezel Foundation on Thursday announced they had launched a new fundraising campaign and had just been willed $10 million to preserve and expand venues on the Bay, including the creation of the new performing arts hall. In addition to allowing a doubling in programming and increasing seats, the development should raise the prestige of the Bay project overall. “We shouldn’t have to wait 21 tears for the Lion King here, or for Hamilton, for heaven’s sake,” said Van Wezel executive director Mary Bensel.

As for the price of all this, the project will benefit from philanthropy, and SBPO leaders said the city should consider creation of a tax-increment district, which could raise an estimated $150 million over 20 years. That would cover the $40- to $50-million improvements and allow revenue to boost the surrounding region. But that will be discussed by city officials at a later date. In the next 100 days, the city commission will see contract proposals from a new conservancy that will manage the site. 

Rendering Courtesy Sasaki

[Education]  Manatee County, MEF Launch Manatee Arts Education Council

The School District of Manatee County has joined forces with the Manatee Education Foundation to launch the Manatee Arts Education Council (MAEC). The mission of the MAEC is to support, promote, and celebrate PreK-12 arts education in the public schools of Manatee County. MAEC’s vision is for every student in every public school to have equitable access to a well-rounded education that includes a comprehensive, sequential, high-quality program of arts instruction; and for the community to have broad-based cultural programs available to support lifelong learning in and through the arts. One hundred percent of funds raised for the MAEC support the programs including: arts education professional development teachers, student and art educator scholarships, arts enrichment camps, arts classroom and field trip grants, district-level honors performances and exhibits and recognition awards. MAEC founder, Julie Hebert, is the Arts Curriculum Specialist with the SDMC. Executive Director of the MEF, Mary Glass, and Julie serve as the MAEC Board Advisors. Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, Director the the Florida Center for Partnerships in Arts-Integrated Teaching (PAInT) at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, has been appointed as the MAEC Board Chairwoman. 

Manatee Education Foundation

[Government]  Manatee County Government Hosting Job Fair

Local job seekers will have dozens of public sector careers to learn about and apply for at a September 20 hiring expo. Representatives from Manatee County Government, School Board, Sheriff’s Office and other agencies will be on hand with job opportunities. The hiring expo will be held September 20 from 2pm to 7pm at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Boulevard in Palmetto. The County and its partners have a wide variety of job opportunities, including beach lifeguards, industrial electricians, inspections officers, utility workers, transportation planners and more. Job seekers who visit the hiring expo should dress professionally and bring several resume copies to leave with hiring managers from various departments. 

Manatee County Government

[Education]  Davis-Lanum Wins 2018 Art Educator of the Year Award

Sarasota County Schools has announced that Joanna Davis-Lanum of Garden Elementary School is the winner of the Florida Art Education Association’s (FAEA) 2018 Florida’s Outstanding Art Educator of the Year Award. The FAEA promotes visual arts education in Florida through professional development, service, advancement of knowledge and leadership. FAEA encourages research in art education, holds public discussions, sponsors institutes, conferences and programs; publishes articles, reports and surveys; and works with other related agencies in support of visual arts education. The FAEA awards recognize individuals within the membership who show appreciation for individuals or organizations that have contributed their services in an exemplary way. The “Florida’s Outstanding Art Educator of the Year Award” is one of several given out annually. 

Garden Elementary School

[Healthcare]  LECOM Announces School of Health Services Administration

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) has announced the formation of the LECOM School of Health Services Administration (SHSA). The school will emphasize teaching the business of healthcare as it prepares future leaders to deal with the evolving need for competent and well-trained administrators and providers. SHSA brings together the Masters in Health Services Administration (MHSA) and the Master of Science in Biomedical Ethics (MSBE) under one administration. Timothy S. Novak, D.B.A, M.S.A. will serve as Dean of SHSA. Novak has been an active member of the Bradenton community since 1999, serving on the board of directors of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp., Drug Free Manatees Addiction Crisis Taskforce, where he was just honored as a Champion of Prevention 2017, and is a member of Manatee County Schools Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee.  He earned his Doctor of Business Administration degree at the top-ranked University of South Florida Muma College of Business. 

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

[Philanthropy]  Embracing Our Differences Welcomes Lev to Board

Embracing Our Differences recently announced that the organization has welcomed Larry Lev to its board. Before retiring in 2015, Lev served as senior vice president and COO of Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, New Jersey’s largest YMCA association, and a workforce of more than 1,000. During Lev’s tenure, the association grew from a budget of $23 million to $32 million. In his term as president and CEO of the YMCA of the Palms in Naples, the annual campaign increased from $360,000 in 2005 to $829,000 in 2008. He also raised $2.5 million for a project that transformed a museum facility into new child development center. The Embracing Our Differences board of directors includes Dennis McGillicuddy, chair; Graci McGillicuddy, vice-chair; Richard Bergman, secretary/treasurer; and Larry Lev, John Weber, and Chief Judge Charles E. Williams. The board also announced the passing of one of its founding members, Carol Poteat-Buchanan (1929-2018). 

Embracing Our DIfferences

[Healthcare]  Aravilla Assisted Living Opens on Proctor Road

Autumn Senior Living, a leader in licensed assisted living community development and management, has announced the grand opening of Aravilla Assisted Living, the second phase of the Aravilla Sarasota campus. Locally owned and operated, Aravilla Assisted Living offers residents a new choice for seniors ready to enjoy affordable, amenity-rich living in an innovative, caring and luxurious setting. Located at 3251 Proctor Road, the $25.5 million community has 120 assisted living residences and will bring more than 61 full-time professional jobs when fully operational. With a state-of-the-art kitchen and Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef offering a variety of dining options, Aravilla has two restaurants, a breakfast bistro, a sports pub, a café, a piano bar and an outdoor barbecue pit. 

Aravilla Assisted Living



[Upcoming Marketing]  2018-19 Season Culture Primer, SRQ Magazines October 2018 Edition

SRQ Magazine is proud to present the 2018-19 Season Culture Primer, the premier index of community arts and culture for the coming year! 

[TODAY]  GALLERY: Florida Watercolor Show , September 7 – October 26

Considered one of the finest watercolor shows in the country, whether one credits the local talent or local beauty, watercolorists from around the state will be showing in all three galleries of the art center, taking over the entire space for this premier exhibition.

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

[SOON]  MUSEUM: Storytelling: French Art from the Horvitz Collection , September 9 – December 2

Explore two exhibitions selected from one of the world’s finest private collections of French art, “Imaging Text: French Drawings for Book Illustration” and “17th and 18th Century French Paintings,” from The Horvitz Collection. Features 60 drawings and 10 related prints for book illustration, created between the 16th and 19th centuries, as well as a selection of 10 paintings. Subjects range from mythological and religious scenes to more playful genre imagery.

The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.

[SOON]  THEATER: Salute to the Queen: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin , September 11 – September 15

Nate Jacobs directs this special tribute to the life and legacy of the Queen of Soul, featuring WBTT favorites Naarai Jacobs and Teresa Stanley. The evening highlights Franklin's classic hits and musical impact, while ongoing narration spotlights her professional achiecements and lasting influence.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 North Orange Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  FOOD: Boys & Girls Club 13th Annual Leadership Breakfast , September 14

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County will honor Dick Vitale, Sarasota Philanthropist and Sports Personality, and Todd Jones, Publix Super Markets’ CEO, at the 13th Annual Intertape Polymer Group Leadership Breakfast for their commitment to empowering local youth as future leaders. The event will be held on September 14, 2018 and will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, located at 3100 Fruitville Road in Sarasota. Individual tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at bgcsarasota.com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Please contact Tanya Orr, Community Engagement Manager, for more information by calling (941) 366-3911 or emailing torr@bgcsarasota.com.   

Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, 3100 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

[SOON]  MUSIC: Friday Fest: Dr. Dave Band , September 14, 5pm-9pm

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is wrapping up their Friday Fest summertime concert series this September with the Dr. Dave Band. A Bradenton favorite performing for more than a decade as a top-choice house band, this group knows how to wow a crowd with high-energy Southern Rock blended with bluegrass banjo and fiddle. During the show, don’t forget to indulge in the refreshments provided by Van Wezel, including local food trucks and popular beverage vendors. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and settle in for a good time.

Van Wezel, 777 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: Watercolors from the Permanent Collection , September 15 – February 3

A selection of watercolors drawn from The Ringling’s permanent collections, illustrating various ways artists have used the medium. The exhibition will feature works by Edward Hopper, Charles Burchfield and Childe Hassam, among others.

The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.

[SOON]  FOOD: Dining for a Difference , September 20, 5pm-10pm

Join the Designing Daughters for Dining for a Difference, a community wide, dine out event featuring 20+ local Sarasota and Manatee County Restaurants who will donate a portion of all sales made on September 20 back to the Designing Daughters Grants Program for local Children and Family charities. Simply grab your friends, colleagues and neighbors, pick a participating restaurant and enjoy a meal. No ticket, no fancy clothes, just a night out with your favorite people.This simple act will make a huge impact for local families in need.

Multiple locations, Multiple locations

[SOON]  THEATER: Annie Get Your Gun , September 20 – October 7

Sure-shootin’ Annie Oakley can win prizes with her marksmanship, but she can’t get a man…or can she? This slice of magical American musical theatre still thrills audiences with the classic tunes of the legendary Irving Berlin.

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

[SOON]  GALA: 2nd Annual Taste of New Orleans Benefit Dinner , September 22, 6pm-9pm

Truly Valued presents its 2nd Annual Taste of New Orleans Benefit Dinner, at Michaels on the Bay at Selby Gardens with speaker Captain Todd Shear of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and a night of entertainment with NuJazz. All proceeds support Truly Valued's mission of building self-esteem, confidence and character to promote a positive self- image, positively impact educational and career aspirations and improve academic achievement in adolescent girls. Dinner is complimentary and an opportunity to make a financial gift will be extended during the event.

Michaels on the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens', 900 South Palm Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  FOOD: Boards for Bravery: A Charity Charcuterie Event , September 23, 4:30pm–7pm

Learn how to build the perfect charcuterie board while supporting pediatric cancer research. Inspired by Benjamin Gilkey’s love of charcuterie, admission includes wine and appetizers from Louies Modern, a handcrafted charcuterie board to take home, pairing education from local experts and the chance to create your own palette of fine meats, cheeses and delicious accoutrements, provided by local artisans. Proceeds benefit The Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research, which supports groundbreaking studies led by physicians at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Louies Modern, 1289 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: iconcept jr: The Future of Fashion , September 23, 12pm

25 designers ages 8–16 are encouraged to use repurposed/recyled materials in their creations. Most of them will also wear their outfits in the runway show, adding self-confidence and stage presence as skills gained. The participants are treated to a professional fashion photoshoot for the program guide, as well as professional hair and makeup stylists backstage to complete their look. Proceeds from the event benefit the expansion of the Art Center's youth art education programs and help students who are in need of financial assistance receive scholarships.

Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: 16th Annual Forty Carrots Free Community Speaker Event , September 25, 9am-12pm; 7pm-8:30pm

Forty Carrots Family Center's Annual Free Community Speaker Event presented in partnership with Community Foundation of Sarasota County returns for a 16th year featuring best-selling author and parenting expert, Dr. Michele Borba. She will be discussing “How to Cultivate Mentally-Healthy, Resilient, Empathetic Children (Despite a Trophy-Giving, Anxiety-Driven, Helicoptered and Bubble-Wrapped Culture)” and “UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About Me World.” In these free presentations, parents and educators will learn how to shift children's focus from I, me, and mine, to us, we and ours. With examples from years of research, Dr. Michele Borba will offer a framework that yields successful, happy kids who grow up to be kind, moral, courageous and resilient adults.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Riverview High School Performing Arts Center, 2635 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota; 1 Ram Way, Sarasota.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: 2nd Annual Grey Matters, A Symposium on Alzheimers Research , September 28, 11am-2pm

Don't miss out on this year's amazing Grey Matters Luncheon Symposium benefitting The Roskamp Institute. This year's Alzheimer's Disease-Research based Symposium will focus on lifestyle, wellness and healthy aging. For information or to be added to this year’s waiting list please call Megan Micale at (941) 552-9832.

Michael's on the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: Real Men Wear Pink Reveal Party , September 29, 5pm-7pm

Join the American Cancer Society as they reveal the 2018 Real Men Wear Pink of Sarasota–Manatee. The candidates will participate in a fashion show, hosted by the tenants of the Mall at University Town Center. Come out and see which men in our community are dedicated to raising funds and awareness to help fight breast cancer. Light refreshments will be served.

The Grand Court at The Mall at UTC, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota.

[SOON]  THEATER: Raisin , October 3 – November 11

Taking place in the 1950s on the South Side of Chicago, the story revolves around a working class black family aspiring to a better life after the death of their father. Hope is sparked by the arrival of a $10,000 life insurance check. But conflicts arise when mother and son want to spend the money in different ways. 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 North Orange 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

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024