« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Feb 6, 2019

Wednesday Philanthropy Edition

Please allow images to view this email properly

Wednesday Philanthropy Edition

"If we're not going to raise a generation that is agile, adaptable and has the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity, we are really doing a disservice to the next generation."

- Ismet Mamnoon, Beyonder
 

[Science]  Manatee Munchies
Brittany Mattie, brittany.mattie@srqme.com

Curious how much your favorite Florida mascot eats a day? These floating herbivores consume 7-10% of their body weight daily—sometimes more—depending on their size, says Martha Wells, Chief Community Engagement Officer for South Florida Museum. “That’s a lot of food.” she adds. For a diet comprised of 60-100 types of water plants and grasses found in the wild, The Museum has gained permits to collect invasive freshwater plants, like hyacinth (seen in the photo above, and a manatee favorite) collected locally in Palmetto.

With four manatee hospitals in the state of Florida, South Florida Museum remains a Stage 2 Manatee Rehabilitation Facility, where manatees can come after being treated from critical conditions, be stabilized and begin to grow strong and healthy again. Wells shares that the 2-3 manatees they have in stabilization at the moment are doing quite well—eating a multitude of plants that help them stay accustomed to wild foods, or develop a familiarity with something they would normally eat in open waters. Many don’t realize that manatees have to be fed restaurant-quality food when in rehab. All vegetation gets inspected and washed before fed to the sea cows. And to help them eventually get back to their natural habitat, "we make sure to find a combination of produce to get them the vitamins and nutrients they need, which helps us bring them one step closer to the wild,” explains Wells.

Excitingly enough, one of the manatees is set to be released back into the wild on the east coast in a few weeks, Wells shares, while also noting that the manatees are always released in the same spot, or close to where they were found/rescued. If you see a sick or injured manatee, call South Florida Musuem’s Manatee Rehabilitation Center.

In this picture, Aquarium Director Virginia Edmonds (right) and Manatee Care Specialist Amanda Deardeuff (left) are collecting hyacinth to feed the manatees currently in care: ONeil and Baca. The Museum thanks supporter Alice Newlon for the invitation to collect resources on her property. 

Photo courtesy of South Florida Museum, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, 941-746-4131.

[Education]  Meet ProjecTHINK Keynote Speaker: Ismet Mamnoon on Teaching Creativity
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

This March 1–2 comes the return of ProjecThink—an annual conference dedicated to exploring the world of innovation and creativity in learning. Hosted on the Ringling College of Art and Design campus, the conference kicks off this year with a presentation from Ismet Mamnoon, founder of Beyonder, TedX speaker and featured by Time magazine for her work weaving creativity into parenting and education. SRQ grabbed a seat up front for a preview.

How do we engage more creative thinking in the classroom? Mamnoon: It's not about trying to get the children to be creative; it's about trying to get the teachers to be creative. They have to model the way.

Creativity comes from the top down? The real challenge is to get teachers to recognize and value creativity in themselves and in students. Appreciate it in the classroom, place a value on it, recognize it and show that it matters, that it's something that you're looking for. You don't even have to actively go out and foster it; you are actually just not killing it.

They have to recognize it in themselves too? When you can awaken a teacher's own natural potential for creative thinking and creative being and creative doing, then they suddenly recognize how important this is, because it starts to impact their lives. Once you've awakened that recognition in a teacher, then you just have to get out the way, because now that they believe in its power, they will do everything in their power to pass it onto others. You can't expect them to turn it on and off in a classroom, you've got to turn it on for them for their whole life.

What's the biggest hurdle that people have in recognizing their own creativity? Fear. Fear of being wrong, fear of looking foolish, fear of saying or doing something and giving up the mantle of being an expert.

Everyone wants to be the expert right? Yes, and everyone thinks that they're judged if they're not. It's about embracing your vulnerability. The day I can get teachers to give up this notion that being right all the time is the first thing that they need to do, I really start to create change. It allows them to experiment, it allows them to benefit from trying something new and taking those spills and falling and stumbling along the way. We didn't learn to walk by suddenly standing up one day and running a marathon. Why would we learn to be creative that easily?

So it’s not about innate ability, but taking the time to learn? Why do we assume that as we get to be adults, that learning will be something that will just happen overnight? That's not what adulthood is about—it's not what it should be about. It should be about knowing that learning takes effort, knowing that learning happens when you fail or succeed, knowing how to learn is what adulthood is about. 

Pictured: Ismet Mamnoon.

[Theater]  "Burn This" Finds the Character Behind the Content
Tricia Robustelli

Continuing the adult-oriented Backstage at The Players season and running from February 7 to February 17, Burn This hits the stage at The Players Centre for Performing Arts this week. Written by celebrated playwright Lanford Wilson, the story opens with the death of a young gay dancer, leaving a quartet of friends to reconsider their identities, their loves and their relationships. And within such intense subject matter, says Amanda Schlachter, director of this production, lays a triumph of character development that she could not wait to bring to the Sarasota stage.

Amidst such emotional content, one of the director’s responsibilities becomes to ensure that the individual characters still shine through and connect with the audience. “It’s very heavy,” says Schlachter, “so one of the challenges for myself and the actors is too keep finding out what these people need and what they are fighting for.” Through patience, what she found was that all the characters dealt with feeling disconnected and longing to be connected, which Schlachter suspected could be relevant for almost any audience. Something else the cast had to discover over time was exactly how the story developed through the emotional realizations these characters experience. “The play reveals itself to you,” Schlachter says. “We discover how these individuals' evolution relates to the overarching theme of how they are all connected, which always surprises me.”

In terms of analyzing a character, it doesn’t hurt that the director also has experience onstage—Schlachter understands the emotions needed to perform. “Being an actor, I know what it’s like when the directing doesn't make sense,” she says. “I apprehend what each specific actor needs.” And understanding these needs allows Schlachter to respect the actors who are “breathing and living” such heavy content for two hours every night.

In the end, however, though a deeply emotional story in her eyes, Schlachter cannot dictate how an audience will respond. “Different people will take different things from this piece, whether that's loneliness, dynamic of love, grief,” she says. “I don't think I can predict what others will take away from it.”

Opening February 7, Burn This runs through February 17 at The Players Centre for Performing Arts. 

Photo: Nick Catanzaro as Pale in The Players' production of "Burn This." Photo courtesy of The Players Centre for Performing Arts.

[Philanthropy]  Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation Board Approves $6 Million in Grant Funding
Britt Mattie

Recent funding from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation focuses on the community’s most pressing issues. Grant recipients included Mote Marine Laboratory to fight red tide; Legal Aid of Manasota to eliminate legal hurdles for foster kids and assist in foster aid; All Faiths Food Bank to feed hungry children and assist in mental health services and housing; Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization to restore the public Sarasota waterfront; The Florida Center for Early Childhood for mental health intervention for children; Forty Carrots Family Center to support their mission to educate parents to help children thrive; the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County to expand theie youth night programs; Parenting Matters to prevent child abuse/neglect; the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to help in the search to solve chronic adult homelessness; Mothers Helping Mothers to strengthen efforts supporting women, and many more. An additional $1.5 million in funding was awarded to provide annual support and sponsorships for partner organizations. 

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation

[Philanthropy]  Freedom Fellows Rebrands as She Rises

Co-founders Breanna Choat and Katherine Powell of Freedom Fellows, a startup nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness by empowering foster care and homeless youth, have recently rebranded the nonprofit to She Rises. She Rises works with young women in Sarasota to build independent living skills through personalized internships, professional skill building exercises and provide a community where young women can come to learn from successful, professional women in a class setting. According to the founders, the transition will better align with the local need to focus on young women in the foster care and emergency care system. 

She Rises

[Philanthropy]  Selby Gardens Receives Largest Gift in Its History

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens recently announced that it has received $31.5 million in gifts, 74 percent of the funds needed to implement the $42.5 million dollar Phase One of the master plan have been secured. And the significant progress attained toward the Phase One goal was largely possible by a 5-million dollar gift from Sarasota donors Drs. Joel and Gail Morrison Morganroth. The centerpiece of Phase One of the Gardens’ new Master Site Plan is the Sky Garden that will bear their name. The Sky Garden is a vertical garden and visitor services building that will incorporate cutting-edge sustainability innovations and serve as an international model for green technology. Further, the Sky Garden will house a substantial storm-water management system and generate significant energy to power Phase One of the master plan, making it the first Net Positive Energy botanical garden complex in the world.

The goal for funding the overall 10-year Master Plan is $92 million, with $72 million to be directed toward capital costs and the balance to be directed towards endowment and operational needs. Upon completion of the Master Plan, the Gardens will add fifty percent more green space and accommodate a rapidly growing visitor base. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

[Philanthropy]  All Faiths Food Bank Receives $170,000 in Grants

All Faiths Food Bank has received $170,000 in grants in support of programs that provide children, families, seniors and veterans with nutritious food. Grants include: $105,000 from The Stone Foundation in support of the Backpack, Mobile Farm Market and Veteran Programs; $25,000 from the Norm Skalicky Foundation in support of all programs; $20,000 from the Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation in support of the Backpack Program; and $20,000 from the Harry Sudakoff Foundation in support of the Mobile Pantry Program. The grants will help provide, children, families, seniors, veterans and those in crisis with nutritious food throughout Sarasota and DeSoto counties. 

All Faiths Food Bank

[Philanthropy]  Goodwill Receives $40,000 Grant for Bank On Program

Goodwill Manasota recently received a grant of $40,000 from the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund in order to implement the “Bank On” program integration for its more than 700 employees, as well as veterans and Job Connection customers served by Goodwill. The Bank On program connects people who are unbanked and underbanked to safe and affordable checking accounts to help them get on the path to financial stability.
The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund has developed national standards for bank accounts that are safe, affordable, and fully transactional. These accounts do not allow overdraft, cost $5 or less per month, and offer functionality features like free online bill pay. In support of the program, Bank On Suncoast will provide online training materials that help individuals learn why it’s good to have a bank account, how to choose a bank account and how to use online bill pay services. 

Goodwill Manasota



[TODAY]  THEATER: The Crucible , January 11 – March 10

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.

[TODAY]  THEATER: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time , January 23 – March 17

Adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s novel of the same name , Christopher is exceptionally intelligent, but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an ear-shattering discovery.

[SOON]  GALA: 2019 Lemur Gala: Red Ruffs & Roses , February 7

The 2019 Lemur Gala, Red Ruffs & Roses, is a captivating and inspiring evening to celebrate lemurs and join to help save them from extinction in the wild. World-renowned conservationist Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, world-renowned conservationist who coined the term "biological diversity is the distinguished speaker at the event.

Michael's On East, 1212 South East Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Sweat , February 8 – April 13

Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Lynn Nottage’s play looks at life of working America. It’s the year 2000 in Reading, Pennsylvania, and friends Tracey and Cynthia only need their factory jobs and their favorite bar. But when layoffs and picket lines begin to be limited, the friends are pitted against each other. This new play confronts issues of race, class, family and friendship—and the tragic community without opportunity.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Bradenton Area River Regatta , February 9

The fifth annual Bradenton Area River Regatta oozes over–the–top exhilaration coupled with all the traditional festival favorites—music, food, fun things to do—in one awe-gasping extravaganza that will fascinate spectators of all ages long after the day is done. 

It all starts with the fastest inland boats on water and the largest tunnel boat race on tour—Powerboat Superleague Formula-2—splitting the surf at speeds over 120/mph. And to make sure you get all the speed you need, we’ve added Formula-3 racing this year…nimble, agile and nearly as fast—at speeds hitting 100/mph!

With music that will make your feet move and body groove all day long on two main stage venues! National recording artists and Bradenton natives: We The Kings and headliners on Palmetto's main stage from Arcadia, FL, country music group: The Andy Pursell Band.

Watch as world fly-boarding Champion Kristen Smoyer skies 80 feet into the air on an elevator of water in one somersaulting sequence of acrobatic moves. Then marvel at all the fun four-legs can conjure up in the Frisbee® flying, canine trick antics of Team Zoom and Daredevil Dogs. Plus cool kids zones on both shores of the river and enough food and drinks to satisfy appetites large and small.

And, the after-dark delights are spectacular, too, as the nation’s “First Family of Fireworks,” Zambelli Internationale, paints the sky with pyrotechnic wizardry to end the day in one rousing blast of kaleidoscopic beauty.

The all FREE, fifth annual Bradenton Area River Regatta, Saturday, February 9, 2019. Save the date then savor the excitement!

Bradenton Riverwalk

[SOON]  GALA: Live, Laugh, Love Extravaganza , February 9

Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Live Laugh Love Extravaganza will take place at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota on February 9th. Guests will shop at a variety of Boutique vendors selling their wares, and peruse the fabulous treasures at the silent & live auction along with fun and exciting raffles items. The program kicks off with a delicious lunch, and guests will be treated to a fashion show featuring fabulous Bigs and their Littles as they model fashions by Panache, Tommy Bahama, Gap Kids, Debbie Dannheisser Threads and jewelry designed by Contessa Jewels.

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota

[SOON]  GALA: Party Under the Stars , February 9, 6:00PM - 10:00PM

Party Under the Stars in the Grove is a festive evening “under the stars,” featuring music, dancing, dining and a silent and live auction with fabulous prizes. All event proceeds provide non-medical, financial assistance to cancer patients and their families.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Turandot , February 9 – March 22

Although unfinished at the time of his death, this opera remains one of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s most loved works, known for being his most musically adventurous. The story opens with exiled Prince Calaf, wandering outside of the Chinese Imperial Palace, where he falls in love with the cold and distant Princess Turandot. To obtain her hand in marriage, a suitor must answer three riddles—but if they fail, they face execution. Prince Calaf declares his intention to complete the challenge and win the Princess’ heart, but a surprise test follows.

Sarasota Opera House , 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Jersey Boys, California Girls , February 10 – February 11

AJ Cali and Alex Zickafoose will bring back the 1960s and the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they present many of the great songs from the Tony Award-winning jukebox musical Jersey Boys. And the California Girls—the Stiletto Brass Quintet—are sure to knock your socks off.

Sunday- Riverview Performing Arts Center Monday- Neel Performing Art Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota 5840 26th St. W, Bradenton

[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: Gauguin's Voyage to Paradise , February 10 – June 30

Just as Paul Gauguin left an indelible mark on the post-Impressionist art world, the deep impact of botanical imagery on his work cannot be denied. This exhibition will highlight the essential role of botanicals in achieving the artist’s vision of the savage, primitive and exotic. Together with lush displays of tropical plants in the conservatory and gardens, the show will feature dramatic woodcuts and rarely seen works in other mediums by the artist.

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

[SOON]  SEMINAR: Keynote Lecture: Gauguin’s Voyage to Paradise with Dr. Carol Ockman , February 12

Dr. Carol Ockman, curator-at-large for Selby Gardens, presents an engaging talk about the featured artist, Paul Gauguin, whose work inspires and is displayed in the annual Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series.

Selby House Cafe, 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Mary Poppins , February 14 – March 3

Set in London, 1910, Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, guides audiences into the dysfunctional home of the Banks family, where the children have gone through numerous nannies. Mary Poppins magically flies into their lives bringing whimsy, magic and commonsense discipline for both the children and grown-ups, and everyone learns that “anything can happen if you let it.”

Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Sarasota

[SOON]  DANCE: Martha Graham Dance Company , February 15 – February 17

In its long-held tradition of featuring a visiting company each season, to provide audiences a different insight to the art of dance, the Sarasota Ballet presents the Martha Graham Dance Company, the oldest dance company in the States, founded by contemporary dance legend Martha Graham and called “one of the great dance companies of the world” by the New York Times.

FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival , February 15 – February 17

The 21st Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival is a three day event held at the Sarasota Fairground to benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. Bring you lawn chair and enjoy continuous live music featuring rock, blue, and country featuring national recording artist StealHeart performing Saturday, February 16th. This year's Festival includes a Sunday charity ride (open to all vehicles), vendors, freestyle acts, a motorcycle & truck show, burnout competition, great food, and much more! Admission is $5, children 12 and under free. $10 three day passes and VIP tickets may be purchased online in advance at thunderbythebay.org.

Sarasota Fairgrounds

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Night for the Agricultural Museum , February 16

The Manatee County Agricultural Museum presents Night for the Museum. The evening will feature a live and silent auction, a cash bar, and barbecue dinner. Dress is jean casual.

Woman's Club of Pametto, 910 6th Street W., Palmetto

[SOON]  GALLERY: Fine Arts Festival of Manatee County , February 23

This annual festival celebrates its 18th annual Festival featuring local and regional artists. All media. Held at Bradenton Rivewalk in the pavilion area.

[SOON]  GALA: Starry Night Soiree , February 23, 6:00PM

Celebrate the wonder and magic of the cosmos, accompanied by a gourmet dinner, live auctions, dancing and more!

Funds raised at this special event help make a local impact and support essential American Cancer Society programs, services and extensive research for all cancers in all stages of life. The American Cancer Society’s Starry Night Soiree will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with a pre-event reception which includes a silent auction followed by an elegant dinner, a live auction, and incredible entertainment. 

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, 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