SRQ DAILY Jan 1, 2019
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"In the Florida Keys, coral reefs are our treasure, part of our culture and our shield."
Of all the marine ecosystems on the planet, Florida inhabits the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States—the Florida Reef Tract lies just a few miles seaward of the Florida Keys. It is also the third largest shallow-water coral reef system in the world, supporting over 70,000 local jobs, drawing $6.3 billion to Florida’s economy and serving as the primary front line of coastal resiliency defense from major storms. As of recent declaration, Mote Marine Laboratory and partners set to restore 70,000 coral “seeds” across 130 acres of depleted Florida reefs over the next three years, prioritizing coral genetic varieties resilient to disease and climate change impacts.
Thanks to a grant of nearly $1.5 million by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and partners, Mote plans to implement a strategic Florida Keys Coral Disease Response & Restoration Initiative, building an arsenal of powerful attacks against the widespread threats facing coral reefs. These strategies aim to restore reef-building brain, boulder and star corals, as well as branching corals such as threatened staghorn and elkhorn species, whose populations have been severely decimated over decades—particularly due to warming oceans and unprecedented outbreaks of tissue-loss and coral disease spanning more than 96,000 acres across the Gulf floor. Now, Mote scientists are taking a closer look at which genetic varieties of coral are best suited for planting into an increasingly hostile environment.
“With imminent threats to the staghorn coral, it is now the focus for restoration efforts throughout much of the Florida Reef Tract,” says Dr. Erinn Muller, Program Manager and Science Director of Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration on Summerland Key, Florida. “Now, scientists are recognizing that some staghorn coral genotypes are more resilient to threats than others. However, there could be tradeoffs associated with these resilient traits, such as heat-tolerant corals being highly susceptible to disease infection.”
So far, the Mote-led initiative has already rehabilitated some 43,000 degraded and declining corals, planted tens of thousands of nursery-raised staghorn colonies onto depleted reefs, through a process called "coral gardening", and have been monitoring their progress, leading controlled lab studies and investigating how and why some of these marine invertebrates resist threats. In order to restore these self-sustaining staghorn reefs, and their essential protection to Florida's coastline, as well as valuable fisheries habitat, it is crucial that restoration efforts focus on maintaining high genetic diversity to help keep these corals alive in the heat rising climate.
“In the Florida Keys, coral reefs are our treasure, part of our culture and our shield—that was abundantly clear during Hurricane Irma, a tragedy that would have been even worse if our reefs had not broken up the intensity of wave action threatening our coast,” said Mote President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby. “Mote scientists and our partners are working to restore that critical shield so it can continue defending our communities and enriching their quality of life."
Join Mote at its next Coffee with a Scientist seminar, January 9, with Dr. Vincent Lovko, Manager of Mote’s Phytoplankton Ecology Program. Enjoy coffee, pastries and a research presentation in Mote’s Boca Grande Outreach Office, 9am. 
Photo of staghorn coral planted by Mote Marine Laboratory, courtesy of Conor Goulding
The Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center has announced an open call for emerging visual artists to showcase their original 2D art during an Emerging Artist Showcase on display from February 1 to March 31. Fogartyville is a community-minded venue that seeks to expand the alternative arts landscape in Sarasota by supporting the evolution of emerging artists in the area. This exhibit is open to all ages, and the call is free and open for any style of 2D medium art. To submit, send to fogartyvilleart@gmail.com a maximum of three jpg photographs and sizes of the work to be considered for the show. Emerging Performing Artists (poets, musicians, actors) are also invited to submit a sample of their original work in a chance to be selected to perform their original work at the opening reception on Friday, February 1. The submission deadline is January 25, 2019.
In the wake of the Second World War, woodblock prints emerged as a channel of diplomacy and friendship between Japan and the U.S. Printmaking continues to be a vibrant and ever-changing art form well into the 21st century. This exhibition draws the Ringling Museum of Art’s extensive holdings of postwar Japanese prints and local collections. On display will be works by key artists including Onchi Koshiro, Hiratsuka Un’ichi, Saito Kiyoshi, Yoshida Chizuko, and Hoshi Joshi, including a number of new acquisitions and never-before exhibited pieces.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
Nominations are now open for SRQ Magazine’s 6th Annual Women in Business Competition, recognizing extraordinary women who have made meaningful contributions to the Sarasota and Bradenton communities through their business, non-profit and philanthropic endeavors. Know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them today! Once nominated, individuals will be invited to submit a formal application which will be juried by a panel of outside judges.
Nominations are open through Friday, January 25, 2019; midnight.
The Magic of Ma’Ceo... described by the ocala star banner as an- “Equine Cirque du Soleil”! This theatrical European style, equestrian themed, cirque show tells a beautiful seamless story with a contemporary blend of Acrobatics, Aerial, Dance, and Equestrian Arts woven to the acoustic beats of rich Spanish guitar. This renowned show has toured the nation this past decade, recently performing in Honolulu, Hawaii, Alaska, and Las Vegas. For the first time ever, Cirque Ma’Ceo will be performing in front of their hometown crowd,Sarasota Florida! To make this occasion even more special, we will be offering a VIP ticket to purchase a Benefit Dinner with the rare opportunity to eat, drink, and personally get to know the cast of Cirque Ma’Ceo right under the Big Top! A large portion of the ticket proceeds will be directly donated to Big Cat Habitat and the animals who have filled our lives with joy.
Big Cat Habitat, 7101 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota
Come visit the new space and celebrate the opening of Alfstad& Editions, a collaborative fine art printmaking studio in the Rosemary District. Dedicated to the professional print process, Alfstad& Editions creates limited edition and original works of art, and offers private printmaking instruction, customized workshops and individual classes. Snacks, drinks, art and a live silkscreen demonstration included.
Alfstad& Editions, 1421 5th St., Sarasota
The culmination and highlight of the 17-day Perlman Music Program Sarasota Winter Residency, the 15th Annual Celebration Concert at the Sarasota Opera House features the most gifted, young musical talents of our time. The PMP Chorus is led by Patrick Romano, Chorus Master and the PMP String Orchestra performs under the baton of Itzhak Perlman.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota
This rollicking, music-filled farce, which premiered in 1879, includes home-town references to our own Pittsburg Pirates. At eight years of age, Frederic was apprenticed to a group of fun-loving, soft-hearted pirates. Now 21, he decides to leave the pirates to lead “a blameless life.” He makes it his goal to eradicate these pirates. Fun and mayhem follow.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton
In the black of night, a Salem village reverend discovers a group of teenage girls dancing devilishly around a fire in the woods. When his daughter exhibits strange catatonic symptoms the following morning, the townsfolk are frenzied with rumors of witchcraft. Deep-seated jealousy, deadly accusations, and seething resentments pit neighbor against neighbor as a deeply religious community is thrown into turmoil, in this Arthur Miller classic.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.
“Who Stole the Mona Lisa?” is a whimsical and imaginative animated film that offers a delightful, multimedia, classical music performance presented in synchrony with a live performance of Igor Stravinsky’s Suite from “The Firebird.” Live and visual pairings of “Babar the Elephant” and “Pictures at an Exhibition” complete the program. Alexandre Moutouzkine mans the piano while Edward Alley narrates.
Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Artists are local, national and international, and Art Center Manatee is one of only five venues in the country to host the exhibit. Admission is $5. In a neighboring gallery, and on display for the same period of time, the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society will also be showing work from its member-artists.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W, Bradenton.
“Welcome to the 60s” where Tracey Turnblad, a pleasantly plump teenager dreams of fame and fights to racially integrate the Corny Collins Show. This winner of eight Tony Awards (including “Best Musical”) is based on the John Waters film and proves that “You Can’t Stop The Beat.”
The Players Theatre, 838 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
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