SRQ DAILY Nov 27, 2020
Friday Weekend Edition
"Segregation in many ways still happens, but it's more abstract now. It's funding, it's access to resources, stuff like that. We need to lift people up and tell these stories now more than ever."
In 1966, the all-Black Booker High men’s basketball team set their sights on a state championship. After finishing second the previous year and acquiring 6’8” star center Howard Porter in the summer, they liked their chances. But as the desegregation of county schools began, the basketball team and a supporting cast of activists had to fight to keep the school open and the team together when the all-white school board sought to split them up and dash their hopes of a state title. This epic story was emblematic of the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s, with its Black heroes, peaceful protests and plucky activism that sought to overcome a white power structure intent on finding sneaky new avenues for continuing the legacy of Jim Crow.
But up until a few years ago, the story had never been told.
Lindsey Jennings, Carol Fauls and a team of student filmmakers from Booker’s VPA program sought to change that. As juniors, Jennings and Fauls took on the daunting task of producing a documentary about the ‘66-‘67 basketball team. Through interviews with former players, coaches, activists and sportswriters, “Into the Storm” takes readers on a journey that begins with Howard Porter’s transfer to Booker from Florida’s East Coast and ends with a run at a national title.
For Jennings, the experience bolstered her connection to her community. “I’m someone who really values local history, but I had never heard of this story,” she says. After hearing the first-hand accounts from students that lived through segregation, it changed her. “It was so much more intense than I imagined,” she says, “and this was in their lifetime; it wasn’t that long ago.” The two-year project also presented Jennings with a crash course in communication. While coordinating the shoots with interviewees, she had to learn to make a case for why the story mattered and win people’s trust that the story would be told with honesty and integrity. “That whole process really gave me a passion for the human experience,” she says.
And while the story chronicles a story that took place over 50 years ago, Jennings is also quick to bring things back to the present. “The screening coincided with this big rise in the BLM movement,” she says. “Segregation in many ways still happens, but it’s more abstract now,” she says, “it’s funding, it’s access to resources, stuff like that. We need to lift people up and tell these stories now more than ever.”
The film screened as part of Visions of the Black Experience film festival, a virtual collection of films that included Q + As with filmmakers. “Into the Storm” as well as other locally produced films are available to stream online along with recorded Zoom panel discussions through the summer of next year. Donations are encouraged but not required to access the films. 
Photo courtesy of Lindsey Jennings.
Odds are, many of you took the liberty to go out and find your Christmas tree this week with traditional festivities, lights and familiar tunes and movies commencing this wonderful time of year. And if upon setting your carefully-chosen tree up, and decorating it with the same box of aged-old adornments, you notice some barren branches and empty space just begging for a new ornament to be hung, consider supporting small business this holiday season by investing in a locally-made one filled with native treasures of the Gulf Coast. These handcrafted ornaments come ready to hang on colored rope with resin-poured pendants--no two exactly the same. Inspired by the tropical, coastal landscape here, owner and founder of Driftheory, Danielle Ferrantino, captures the essence of Sarasota's natural beauty by foraging and collecting various materials and preserving them within the hardened resin. Notice recycled palm tree bark, sand, seashells, wildflowers, coral, mica shimmers and even honeycomb that was gifted to Ferrantino from a local beekeeper at Myakka's Gold Apiary.
Ferrantino became a resin artist three years ago after she spent a year abroad living out of a suitcase, seeking connection through nature and culture. "Most of what I have created I have taught myself, she says. "I love traveling and telling my story through my jewelry. This is a great way for me to connect with people in a special way--all while enjoying all of the little things that make up this beautiful place that is my home, Sarasota."
Custom orders available upon request. Driftheory Black Friday and weekend holiday sale: Buy one, get one 1/2 off at The Market at Lakewood Ranch. The Market runs from 10 am to 2 pm every Sunday, now through April 2021.
Photo courtesy of Driftheory
The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation recently awarded over $1M in grants to 17 nonprofit organizations which provide essential services and enrichment to our local area. Grants awarded focus
on preserving and advancing the safety, security, accessibility, and efficiency of facilities and services provided by these organizations. Selby Foundation’s President and CEO, Carol Butera says, “The impact of these grants will enhance and improve the quality of life for people throughout our
region.”
JFCS of the Suncoast’s Helping Hearts Volunteers and staff got acquainted with people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness at the Twentieth Annual Thanksgiving Wednesday Community Luncheon, hosted by the Sarasota Ministerial Association, on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Salvation Army. In a family-style setting, volunteers had the opportunity to enjoy a catered meal with the guests, while giving them a chance to tell their story. Volunteers brought fresh fruit for centerpieces, which the guests were able to take with them upon departure. JFCS volunteer Larissa John said, "We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people at our table. We exchanged stories and related to each other in many different ways. The men offered some important advice to my daughter, Alyssa, as she completes her senior year in high school. We look forward to volunteering at this event in the future."
Featuring original paintings and drawings by renowned illustrator and long-time Ringling College Faculty member, Regan Dunnick (Class of 1976). The Patricia Thompson Gallery features rotating exhibitions by Ringling College Alumni from all majors on the first floor of the historic Keating Center. BIO: Regan Dunnick is an internationally known illustrator. He has won numerous awards and his works are in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress. He has been selected to such major exhibitions as the United Nations Environmental Show, The New Pop Show which toured Europe and chronicled innovators, American Illustration, and The Hiroshima Memorial Design Show (Hiroshima, Japan). This exhibition is open by appointment only. Please email galleries@ringling.edu to request an appointment. The exhibit began at the Keating Center on October 19, 2020 and will end on February 12, 2021, during museum hours.
Keating Center, 2621 Bradenton Rd, Sarasota, FL
This exhibition is open by appointment only. Please email galleries@ringling.edu to request an appointment. Back by popular demand. Famed in particular for his speed and a tendency to create images overflowing with colorful characters, Jack Davis was one of the founding members of Mad Magazine's "Usual Gang of Idiots." He supplied covers for TIME and TV Guide, designed numerous album covers and movie posters, and, over his 60-year career, became one of the most in-demand caricaturists and cartoonists in the world. This exhibition attempts to show Davis' range by bringing together a selection of his original work that demonstrates his breadth of subjects and his skills as an artist. This body of work focuses on American popular culture, diving deeper into his career than the sports and caricature work for which he is best known. This exhibit began at the Arland and Sally Christ-Janer Center on October 19, 2020 and will end on December 11, 2020, during museum hours.
Arland and Sally Christ-Janer Center
Join us for the Julie Vos Pop-Up Event November 30 until December 2, 2020 Monday through Wednesday between 10am and 6pm. Shop all your favorite looks for the holidays. We continue to practice social distancing, wear masks, and complete frequent sanitizing protocols. If you would prefer virtual shopping, please email or call us to set up a time that works best for you.
This #GivingTuesday the Humane Society of Manatee County will be participating in this Global campaign on December 1st. Our overall goal for the day is to not only raise money but also to raise awareness as to the impact of a donors support in our community. Each year, the Humane Society of Manatee County cares for more than 700 dogs and cats who are neglected, unwanted, unable to stay with their families through no fault of their own or are in desperate need of veterinary care. With your support, they can have a second chance to have a loving family and steal their hearts. We will also be sharing a variety of videos, pictures, stories and exciting news on our social media sites. We encourage you to check out our Giving Grid. When you donate on our giving grid, you also upload a picture of the pet that has your heart paw print, you will help us care for those dogs and cats who still need a family to love. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on December 1, 2020 and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back.
The Humane Society of Manatee County
In a year like no other in recent memory, Season of Sharing remains a time-tested and trusted way for neighbors to support one another. Whatever the crisis, this vital safety net is there to help countless families and individuals with the immediate basic needs necessary to regain stability. And not a moment too soon. Unprecedented requests for help with rental and mortgage assistance, utility bills, child care, transportation, food vouchers, or other crucial expenses are relying on Season of Sharing like no other time in its existence. We invite you to join us at for a conversation on Tuesday, December 1st at 3pm with the Herald-Tribune Media Group and community partners as we discuss the latest impact of Season of Sharing and how this community-wide network is responding to the evolving needs brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please join Michael Murphy Gallery, Tampa’s premier fine art gallery, for the opening reception of Rythmique: a solo exhibition of the works of world-renowned contemporary abstract artist Sara Conca. Sara's museum-provenanced work graces international & celebrity private art collections, luxurious European chateaus, & venerable municipal collections throughout the globe. Her natural mixed media paintings, flecked with gold and dynamically textured, invite the viewer into their colorful movements. Sara will be making a very special live appearance on December 5, 2020 & available for private appointments to discuss her work and private commissions on December 4, 2020. Gallery curators are onsite and private curatorial tours are available. All artwork will be on exhibition and available for acquisition beginning December 5, 2020 through January 5, 2021. An in-gallery reception is planned for Saturday, December 5 from 5pm- 9pm. This event is complimentary and open to the public with RSVPs recommended at 813-902-1414 or gallery@mmgart.com.
Michael Murphy Gallery, 2701 South MacDill Avenue, Tampa
Our Environmental Science Scout Merit Badge has gone virtual. Join us on December 5, 2020 from 1pm to 3pm as we review the badge workbook and explore the concepts with some demonstrations. Your registration confirmation email will contain your workbook and a guide containing a list of household materials to gather to be used in a few hands-on activities. All merit badge requirements will be completed during this workshop. Your child's safety is our priority. These programs are run via a secure Zoom webinar, and your child's personal identifiers will be kept private. Video and audio will be turned off for all participants. Participants will be able to interact with Mote Educators via the moderated chatroom and messages will only be seen by Mote staff. This is an interactive program. Your child will be able to participate in Polls, ask questions in the Q&A space that are answered live by our Educators, and follow along from home with the activities and demonstrations during this virtual program. $15 for all.
Newtown Community presents 2020 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Fredd "Glossie" Atkins Park on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 6pm. Help give local children a special holiday with a toy drop off at 1782 Dr. MLK Jr. Way. Free event, masks are required.
Join Safe Place And Rape Crisis Center from 4pm to 7pm on December 5, 2020 at 2139 Main Street for a "touchless" drop-off event and winter wonderland experience to make the holiday season extra special for survivors and their children and raise funds to help SPARCC’s life-saving, free and confidential programs and services.
Safe Place And Rape Crisis Center, 2139 Main Street
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