The contest for Sarasota City Commission in District 3 has winnowed to two candidates, Dan Clermont and Erik Arroyo. That’s after Rob Grant was eliminated in a primary on Tuesday night.

Clermont came out as the top vote getter in the primary with 1,378 votes. He attributes that to bringing a positive message to voters during an otherwise negative campaign season. “Instead of talking about what we shouldn’t do or what we couldn’t do, I started to say let’s try this,” he said. For example, he spoke to some neighbors about what happens with the Midtown Plaza that a grocery store vacated, and he said he wants to work on the Commission to lure a Fresh Market to that space.

“I think it’s true of a lot of cities, but it always seems to be about putting out fires,” he said. He’d rather City Hall be more proactive. Instead of speaking to arts organizations only when they are in crisis or need, there needs to be a constant conversation about how to cultivate culture. “We wait until they are in trouble or in need of improvement or enlarging of space,” he said. “Then we say come with a proposal and let us know what the neighbors thing, then we’ll get in a fight about it in the Commission Chambers.”

Arroyo secured the second spot in the general election with 1,007 votes, edging out Grant with 923. He’s hoping to build some bridges with Grant voters as he looks to November. As someone who lived in District 3 since he was a teenager, he feels his message can win out in the working class neighborhood. “I have a couple of things I need to do for the general but I like my odds,” he said. A long-time political consultant in the area, he’s already started looking carefully at where he can grow his support and close the 371-vote difference with Clermont.

 “I’m a minority who made it in Sarasota and in America,” he said, “and I have been here. I came in the middle of high school.” That and knocking on doors relentlessly leading into the election tells him the different needs and desires of voters abutting the Bobby Jones Golf Course and who reside in Arlington Park. The challenges in ensuring workforce housing can be found in the city feels literally close to home. But he knows he’s going toward November as the underdog. He’s fine with that, and likes to quote MC Hammer, “Either you work hard or you might as well quit,” and he’s not quitting.

The winner of the seat for the first time in decades will be decided at the general election, on Nov. 3 concurrent with the Presidential election this cycle. 

This year, CareerEdge raised $592,280 from 12 different organizations including financial institutions, county government, private foundations – both local and national. With their support, CareerEdge will continue its efforts to improve the workforce climate in Sarasota and Manatee counties. CareerEdge helps workers advance into higher-skill/higher-wage careers, while providing employers with the workers they need to accelerate growth. As a nonprofit, CareerEdge could do not conduct its innovative work without the support of funders. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation is still accepting applications for the first-ever entirely virtual Gulf Coast Board Institute. The deadline to apply for this high-level nonprofit governance training series is Sunday, August 23rd. The online application is available at GulfCoastCF.org. Through interactive videoconferencing, the foundation will deliver the same nonprofit board-governance training as in past sessions, but make it accessible to participants from the safety of their own homes or offices. 

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Candidates for the District 2 and District 3 City Commission seats have advanced to a second election this fall, based on unofficial results from Tuesday’s first round of voting.Terry Turner and incumbent Liz Alpert were the top two vote-getters in District 2 and will be on the ballot in the Nov. 3 general election. Daniel A. Clermont and Erik “E” Arroyo received the most votes and will vie for the District 3 seat in the fall. Incumbent Willie Charles Shaw and challenger Kyle Scott Battie will also be on the Nov. 3 ballot for District 1. 

Pictured: Unofficial results from Tuesday's voting.

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The DeMarcay, a luxury residential condominium project by GK Real Estate in downtown Sarasota, Florida, recently received its demolition permit from the City of Sarasota and will begin removal of the two on-site structures. The process of preparing the historic facades of the DeMarcay Hotel and Roth Cigar Factory for preservation began last year and will continue throughout construction. With financing fully in place, an already approved building permit and robust sales, The DeMarcay is slated for completion in summer 2022.  “We have worked closely with the City of Sarasota and its building department on our demolition and preservation plans, and our team is thrilled to secure this permit and begin construction,” said Greg Kveton, principal at GK Real Estate, the developer of The DeMarcay. “This is a truly unique project, which required an extra level of planning and care to properly prepare and preserve both of the 100-year-old facades. We can now begin the physical process of bringing this exciting project to life.” 

Pictured: Rooftop pool at The DeMarcay.

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Murray Homes is celebrating three SEBC honors and “Best in Show” Aurora. The 3 honors Silver, Grand and Golden, were awarded to a 4,223 SQ FT awe-inspiring Sarasota Modern Retreat designed by the Guy Peterson Office for Architecture and built by Murray Homes. 

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 Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) welcomes medical oncologist and hematologist Kristen Gonter-Aubin, DO. She is seeing patients at the FCS Englewood office at 714 Doctors Drive, Englewood, FL and at the FCS Venice Healthpark location at 836 Sunset Lake Blvd, Suite 101, Venice, FL.  “We’re excited to welcome Dr. Gonter-Aubin to FCS, she will undoubtedly be a tremendous addition to the Venice and Englewood communities and to our patients,” said FCS CEO Nathan Walcker. FCS President & Managing Physician Dr. Lucio Gordan said, “Dr. Gonter-Aubin comes to us with outstanding clinical leadership skills, as demonstrated through her educational and professional careers. It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Gonter-Aubin to FCS.” 

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Kerkering, Barberio & Co., Certified Public Accountants, is pleased to announce that it has been ranked one of the Top 300 Accounting Firms in the nation by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA 300).  "The IPA 300 is a prestigious group, and we are proud to have made it into the ranking. We believe our success is a result of the relationships we have built with the people who have helped us grow - our clients, staff and the community we serve," said Rob Lane, Managing Shareholder. 

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Evelyn McCorristin-Peters, Art Uptown’s September featured artist, uses her artistic vision as a laser, lighting up issues that challenge the status quo.  Her show’s abstractions and painted statements serve to document her reactions to challenging times and invite visitors to experience these along with her.  Evelyn’s closely observed works reflect her boldness and the deeply held responsibility to use the artist’s unique platform to address important issues.   She says, “My intention for this collection is to stimulate a dialogue to become kinder, more just and understanding.” 

Art Uptown, 1367 Main Street, 941-955-5409

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Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to announce that enrollment is now open for The FST School with both in-person and online theatre classes for students ages 7-17 starting the week of August 31. Led by FST’s team of Professional Resident Teaching Artists, core offerings include classes in acting, musical theatre, improvisation, dance and movement, and creating a memorable audition. These classes run for 8 weeks at a time and range from $149 – 199 per session. Scholarships are available based on both merit and financial need. “We are excited to begin our youth classes at Florida Studio Theatre,” said Josh Ford, FST’s Director of Education. “Studying theatre gave me so many tools that I still use in my everyday life, including communication skills, thinking on my feet, planning, and analytical thinking. While these are terrific measurable outcomes, theatre—and all of the arts—are worthwhile in their own right. They are how we tell the story of our own emotional experience and how we hear the stories of others. In times of division, it becomes more important that we listen to each other. The arts help us develop that skill.” 

For more information or to enroll, visit fstschoolyouth.floridastudiotheatre.org or call 941-366-1350.

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Cassia Kite soundstitches Mable's roses. 

Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.

Join for a one-hour tour through your community theatre before The Players Centre for Performing Arts moves in October 2020. Tours will be held September 3-4 and 10-11 at 5:30pm and 7:30pm Sept. 5-6 and 12-13 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $10. 

The bar will be open for your pleasure; this time complete with a singing bartender. Take photos at designated stations or visit your favorite portion of the building to capture your own personal memories including our famous backstage murals. Enjoy a few performances and shop our as seen on stage sale. A virtual tour is also available to purchase online!.This is the perfect farewell for those in other states to fully experience The Players before the downtown location is gone for good.  

941-365-2494

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