SRQ DAILY Dec 15, 2020
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"Horses are very, very insightful and intuitive. They will actually alert us to things that are going on before we even notice them."
The average Happy Hour hobbyist practices their craft after work. Maybe they sat behind a desk for 8 hours writing emails or making phone calls to any number of irate customers or stakeholders. A Happy Hour hobbyist needs a simple menu, a small list from which they can blindly select a drink and small bites without much deliberation and trust that their stomachs and anxieties will be soothed. JPAN knows what the Happy Hour hobbyist needs.
With a selection of small bites and drinks ranging from $4 to $6, making a satisfying pit stop between the workplace and the living room is as easy as sitting down, lifting a finger and pointing anywhere on the menu. Safe choices for food include gyoza pork dumplings, chicken skewers or pork buns. Savory and comforting, each plate comes with enough comforting umami to excite the taste buds. The gyoza dipping sauce for the dumplings is particularly satisfying, with just a hint of sweetness to candy up the otherwise deliciously salty morsels. All three together can form a respectable dinner, though a spring mix salad or a California roll would also work well to balance out the protein. Add a hot sake to the table and the hour most certainly becomes a tad happier, with just the right amount of booze to give a gentle lift to a weary mind.
At both the Siesta Row and UTC locations, Happy Hour runs from 5 pm to 6:30—you’ll be home in time and in the proper frame of mind to watch your favorite show on Netflix. 
JPAN, 3800 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-954-5726
The Sarasota County Sheriff's office presented three newcomers Colonel, Sabre and Special who have joined their Mounted Patrol unit. These new additions are not your typical officers—they each weigh over one-thousand pounds and range in age from six-years- to sixteen-years-old.
Representatives of the Mounted Patrol Unit, now consisting of eight horses, two full-time mounted officers, and a half dozen available officers who are shared with other departments, showcased the three new steeds at University Park Mall, off Cattlemen Rd.
The horses serve as a positive outreach for the police force. "It makes the deputies a little more approachable," said Sgt. A. Smith. "People come up. They love the horses. They want to talk about them, they want to touch them. It's very positive."
Mounted officer, Dep. M. Jackson says the horses offer flexibility and mobility in otherwise challenging locations like at the beach or a crowded festival, as well as having other abilities that are put to good use in police work. "Horses are very, very insightful and intuitive," said Jackson. "They will actually alert us to things that are going on before we even notice them. So if we are doing a search in the woods for a missing person, the horses actually key into something in the space that doesn't belong there, and when we know what the horse is telling us, we know where we can find the missing person."
The two full-time officers are tasked with keeping their partners, both human and equine, ready to go. "Our main focus is training the horses and training the riders," says mounted officer Dep B. Kern.
Part-time mounted officer, Dept. J. Yoder, who has only been in the unit for about three weeks, was enthusiastic. "I've always wanted to do it," she said. "It's a goal I set for myself. I started [working] in the jail, worked my way through the correction system, came out and worked patrol for two years, and then I applied, and now I am here."
On hand to assist in capturing this story and making sure the most important questions were asked was our youngest reporter Piper Roberts (my seven-year old daughter). Piper announced that the horses were "soft and nice to touch," that she was a little disappointed not to get to ride one, and then she posed the most pressing question of the day; "What are the horses going to get for Christmas?"
"Some apples, some carrots, and a little bit of peppermint, they love peppermint," said Dep. M. Jackson with a smile.
The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners selected Alan Maio, District 4, as chair and Christian Ziegler, District 2, as vice chair for 2021 during the annual strategic planning retreat on Friday. Nancy Detert, District 3, will serve as pro tem. "I am delighted to steer the county into a new year and continue supporting our community through this time," Maio said, adding, "I appreciate my colleagues’ confidence to serve as chair of the board and guide the momentum of our priorities for the new year".
In response to a dire need, SunCoast Blood Centers is calling on COVID-19 survivors to donate convalescent plasma to help treat life-threatening cases of the virus.
“We are facing a reality that demand is surpassing the supply,” said SunCoast Blood Centers CEO Scott Bush. “If you or someone you know tested positive for COVID-19 and has fully recovered from the illness, please contact SunCoast Blood Centers to schedule a convalescent plasma donation. Your plasma now contains antibodies to fight the virus and could possibly save the life of someone critically ill.”
College students returning home for the holidays from all over the country are especially encouraged to make this type of donation. SunCoast Blood Centers is offering students and all who have recovered from COVID-19 a $50 Amazon gift card for every successful convalescent plasma donation, which will go toward creating four doses of treatment for the local supply.
One out of five COVID-19 patients need convalescent plasma and the need is growing. Convalescent plasma aids in the recovery of the most critically ill patients. Individuals who recover from COVID-19 have developed antibodies to the virus that remain in the plasma portion of their blood. Transfusing the plasma that contains the antibodies into a person still fighting the virus can provide a boost to the patient’s immune system and potentially help them recover.
SunCoast Blood Centers is the only community nonprofit blood center that provides convalescent plasma for Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center and eight other local hospitals at no cost. Potential convalescent plasma donors must schedule an appointment at 941-993-8119 or email covid19@suncoastblood.org.
The Everglades University - Sarasota Campus recently partnered with Goodwill Manasota's Veterans Services program to collect business clothing and personal items for Goodwill’s Suits for Vets program. The donation drive resulted in the collection of suits and various clothing items (for men and women) as well as personal items such as deodorant, baby wipes and hand sanitizer so that veterans served through Goodwill can put their best foot forward during job interviews. At Everglades University, students, staff and faculty choose a nonprofit to support each month. The Suits for Vets charitable effort is a particularly good fit for the campus: Everglades University is a yellow ribbon school, serving many veterans who are on campus getting their education after serving our country. The partnership was cemented after school representatives visited the Veterans Services Program office several years ago and heard how Goodwill works to address critical needs of the local veteran population.
Manasota Flooring, a local, family owned and operated business will host the 4th annual Community Turkey Giveback Event benefiting police officers, firefighters and paramedics on Thursday, December 17, 2020. The company will give 500 turkeys to first responders from 10am - 4pm at each of the Manasota Flooring showroom locations in Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice. “2020 was a hard year for many people and businesses in our area, and we believe it is more important than ever to give back and show our gratitude. We are excited to host our 4th annual turkey giveback event for our first responders and heroes in our community,” Chris Quattlebaum, Manasota Flooring Manager. “We are so proud to live around and work with people who band together during hard times, care for and support each other, and we are so incredibly grateful to those who protect our community.”
On Saturday, December 19 WSLR+Fogartyville and the Sarasota Folk Club will pay tribute to protest singer Phil Ochs with a free virtual event. Local musicians Ishmael Katz, Mindy Simmons, James Hawkins, Carmela Pedicini, Mindy Simmons, and Jim Glover will share memories and music with attendees. December 19, 2020 would have been Ochs’ 80th birthday. Phil Ochs was an American protest singer and songwriter known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, and distinctive voice.The Tribute will take place on zoom at 7pm. The call will open at 6:30pm to give attendees a chance to socialize before the program starts. The event is free but you must register via the WSLR website at www.wslr.org. This is an evening for people who still believe in the power of folk music to effect change.
The lights are bright and the halls are now decked at the UTC District with dozens of holiday trees as part of the first-ever UTC Festival of Trees. Now through December 20, visitors can walk through a winter wonderland of whimsical and elaborately decorated trees by nearly 40 local charities. The Festival of Trees is open nightly from 6:30pm to 9:00pm in the West District of UTC, at 125 North Cattleman Road. Admission is free. Visitors can purchase $1 tickets to vote for their favorite tree, or bid in the silent auction for a chance to take one home. All of the ticket and silent auction sales benefit the participating charities, and additional prizes will be awarded to the top three charity-trimmed trees with the most votes. In the same location as the Festival of Trees will be the Gingerbread Festival presented by the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. On display December 11-20, this year’s 12th annual event features more than 150 gingerbread houses created by local schools, youth groups, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
ARISE is inspired by the cycles of nature, the dawn of a new day, and the emergence of joy through the lens of visual art. Featured artists include Kathe Fraga and Laura Varich who explore symbolism in their paintings. The exhibition will run from Friday, December 11 through January 8 2020. Consider the smell of fresh flowers blooming in the garden and love birds chirping sweet songs. Kathe Fraga creates romantic paintings inspired by vintage chinoiserie. Emerging from her work are layers of pattern, botanicals, color and hidden motifs. Kathe says her work is “a resting place for the eye, a welcome peaceful voice as something reinvented emerges: gentle old meets dynamic new.” Laura Varich is an abstract oil painter based out of Mount Dora, Florida. She takes inspiration for her dynamic and colorful pieces from her early childhood, living among the natural and beautiful open spaces of the California landscape. Using energetic, bold brush strokes and striking color, Varich takes traditional subject matter of floral landscape and fuses it with the abstract, calling forth the symbols behind these elements of nature.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s Education & Community Engagement Department is thrilled to announce a free streaming of TheaterWorksUSA’s Charlotte’s Web from December 7 through 20. Based on the popular children’s book, this performance was set to be the final Schooltime Performance of the 2019-2020 school year and was canceled this past spring due to COVID-19. This free program for all schools will be available for streaming from December 7 through 20. Complimentary live Zoom workshops with teaching artists are also available at no charge. Topics include mood/setting, character traits and more. The program is recommended for grades K-5, and teachers can register now on a first come, first served basis.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens brings you Lights in Bloom: An Open-air Holiday Light Show on December 12 to 23, 26 and 31 and January 1 and 2, 2020 from 6pm until 9pm. More than two million lights illuminate the gardens, and walkways are transformed into sensory light tunnels. Stroll through magical gardens filled with beautifully lit flowers, radiant rainforest butterflies, dragonflies, and more. Lights in Bloom: An Open-air Light Show has become a tradition for residents and visitors to celebrate the holiday season in Sarasota. Masks are required for entry. Access each evening is limited. Selby Gardens will monitor the number of visitors to ensure appropriate social distancing and safety for all. Santa will not be visiting this year and interactive games will not be available. Instead, we will be offering a special, free photo opportunity for you and your guests. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at a variety of locations throughout the Gardens, including the Selby House Cafe. General admission is $20 for members and $25 for non-members, early access is $30 for members and $35 for non-members, and four night passes are $80 for members and $100 for non-members.
Join Historic Spanish Point for incredible stories on the artists that shaped and influenced history around the world. We are proud to offer this art lecture series with Baila Miller as part of our monthly programming. From 1pm to 2:30pm on December 15, 2020, Baila’s unique storytelling presentations will connect you to the art world in a whole new way. All presentations take place at Historic Spanish Point’s Visitor Center Classrooms. Tickets: $15 for Historic Spanish Point members and $20 for future members.
Historic Spanish Point’s Visitor Center Classrooms, 337 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey
It’s that time of year again! Join us virtually for our annual look at scenes of the Nativity in the museum at 1pm on December 16, 2020. $5 / Free for Members.
Online, Online
Join the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School on December 16, 2020, January 13, 2021 and February 10, 2021 to witness the future in dance and see up close the amazing students of SCBS.
Yoga Instructor Ashley Stewart will lead a yoga session the front lawn of Ca' d'Zan. Each session will last an hour, and participants may begin entering 30 minutes prior to the event. Participants should bring a yoga mat and water or drink as desired. This event will occur on December 17, 2020 at 5pm. Tickets are limited to 50 in order to maintain proper social distancing. Please note: Tickets must be purchased online, in advance of the event. $15 / $13.50 Members.
The Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
To celebrate our landmark 15th season, Sarasota Contemporary Dance is partnering with Rosemary Square, home of our studio on Boulevard of the Arts at 7:30pm on December 18, 2020. This fiesta brings a dance party atmosphere to our backyard with a live DJ and an interactive art installation featuring highlights from SCD’s robust historía. This event will premiere a live collaborative performance in conjunction with Ringling School of Art and Design alum, Skylar Martinez, local Lyricist and B-boy Rick Levin, and DJ Karim Manning. Fiesta de Colores promises to be a fun-filled, socially-distanced evening for those who enjoy a lively outdoor experience.
Rosemary Square District courtyard
Our third Digital Program of the Season, this performance features an arrangement of works and extracts including: Peter Darrell's Othello Christopher Wheeldon's The American Sir Matthew Bourne's The Infernal Galop, Merman Solo Sir Peter Wright's The Mirror Walkers Sir Peter Wright's Summertide Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Concerto Dominic Walsh's Clair de Lune Ricardo Graziano's Amorosa, pas de deux An additional one-act ballet and extra content to be announced. A video link to view Digital Program 3 will be emailed to ticket holders the morning of December 18th along with links to Bonus Content, our Performance Program Book, our 30th Anniversary Season Program Book, and a tutorial video on connecting your internet device to your television. If you purchase a ticket after the morning of the 18th, you will receive these links via email several minutes after time of purchase. Tickets for Digital Program 3 will be on sale until Tuesday, 22 December, at 2:00pm EST. Upon becoming available to watch, Digital Program 3 can be watched as many times as you would like, until Tuesday, 22 December, at 11:59 PM EST, at which point the Program will no longer be viewable. Make sure you enjoy it before then.
Online, Online
The Hermitage Artist Retreat’s popular beachfront series continues with "Future Tradition," featuring a talk and demonstration with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and performer Du Yun on Friday, December 18 at 5pm.
This fun family friendly festive event features miles of Christmas decorations and music that creates an atmosphere that will get your Christmas season started off right from Friday, December 18 at 6am until Saturday, December 19 at 11:59pm. This professionally chip timed night glow run will be a memorable experience like no other. Athletes run or walk the lakeside Christmas themed course with thousands of lights and lighted characters at night. Athletes add to the atmosphere with their complimentary glow products that are included with registration. ...and YES, there is 100% chance of pretty snowfall at the finish.
NBP Regatta Island, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
Get ready to be caught in a submarine snowstorm when we explore the question, "Does it snow in the ocean?!" As we approach winter, let's thaw out our thoughts with some red hot research presented by the coolest scientists. Join Mote Marine Laboratory from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on December 18 as we chill out with a NOAA scientist and a Weather Channel meteorologist. We will discover the Arctic answers to some polar puzzlers, uncover a flurry of frozen facts, and learn the rancid reality of marine snow... Ages 21 and up. This is a webinar-style, entertaining and interactive virtual program. Price is per connection. Zoom link is included in your confirmation email. Registration is required, and closes at 4:30pm on the day of the event.
This exhibit features twenty Gallery Artists, some using traditional subject matter expressed with a contemporary flair, others creating abstraction with underlying traditional realism. Explore this exhibit during gallery hours from Tuesday through Saturday between 11am and 5pm or by appointment.
WBTT lovingly presents its Christmas card to the community, Langston Hughes' Black Nativity. The show is a celebration of the Nativity story, with gospel, blues, spiritual and Christmas music paired with the poetry of Langston Hughes and the creativity of WBTT. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by this high-energy, inspiring show. The show will run at 2pm and 7:30pm from December 2, 2020 until December 27, 2020.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 North Orange Avenue
Sarasota Orchestra celebrates the holidays with music for the season from December 17 until December 20, 2020. This not-so- “Silent Night” will include the theme from “It’s a Wonderful Life” and other traditional favorites. Bring music’s warming glow to your holiday celebration. $10 Streaming Access from December 24 through 29.
Holley Hall, 709 North Tamiami Trail
Claudia Baeza is a Kripalu trained yoga instructor who has been sharing her love of yoga in Sarasota since 2016. Join her for Yoga + Meditation on the loggias of the Museum of Art Courtyard on Friday, December 18, from 10am to 11am for a unique opportunity to gently move the body and calm the mind. Her first session on August 28 will delve into the wisdom of Hatha yoga and pranayama breathing techniques to calm the mind. Her second session on September 25 will focus on the Yamas and Niyamas of the Yoga Sutras, written by Patanjali between 500 BCE and 400 CE. Finally she will end her Yoga Meditation series with Yoga through the Chakras for inner balance and wisdom. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle and a friend– and enjoy the serenity of the Museum of Art Courtyard with Claudia. Please Note: Tickets must be purchased online, in advance of the event. $15 / $13.50 Members.
The Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road
This year's event will be a Virtual Race on Thursday, Dec. 24 at 8am through Sunday, December 27th at 1pm, 2020 and is hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Auxiliary to benefit their Nursing and Health Careers' Scholarship Program. Keep the tradition going in 2020 with the 9th Annual Jingle Run, a virtual 5K run/walk to help support the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Auxiliary Nursing Scholarship Program. Proceeds from The Virtual Jingle SK Run and Walk go directly to the Auxiliary's New Nursing Scholarship Program designed to benefit students enrolled in college nursing program and currently doing their clinical affiliation at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. To register for the Virtual race go to www.raceroster.com, go to register for a new event and search under the word "Jingle." Register to run or walk wherever you are to show your support for future nurses. Participants will receive a bib number and custom designed 2020 medal. Participants who complete the virtual run/walk and submit results will be eligible for raffle prizes.
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