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SRQ DAILY Jun 28, 2021

Monday Business Edition

Monday Business Edition

"We have taken cannabis out of the shadows and into the spotlight."

- Todd Beckwith, MUV Florida
 

-On The Hunt, as seen in SRQ's May/June 2021 edition. Click photo for the full article.
[Honor]  MUV Florida Named Large Business Of The Year
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Not that long ago, founders of MÜV Florida had to convince state leaders that they even were a legitimate business. Bringing a product sold as a pharmaceutical but derided as a repackaged bag of dope, it once seemed an open question when a medical cannabis dispensary could ever legally conduct sales in the Sunshine State.

What a long, strange trip it’s been. On Friday, the Sarasota company won the Large Business of the Year Award from the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. At the business group’s 2021 Small Business Awards, leaders from around the region celebrated and even openly thanked MÜV Florida’s founders for selling its wares here, delivering what finally is widely seen as medicine.

“One of the greatest things about [the award ceremony] was just a validation of our mission,” said Todd Beckwith, director of corporate affairs for MÜV Florida. “We have taken cannabis out of the shadows and into the spotlight.”

It’s not always looked so easy or glamorous. The story of MÜV Florida traces back to 2014, when investors saw a future in a natural product once best known as a street drug. A business plan was set back when Florida voters that year shot down a statewide referendum to legalize medical marijuana. Undeterred, Beckwith and others focused on businesses in other states nd waited patiently until a refined amendment passed two years later.

Since then, the company partnered with Plants of Ruskin to be eligible for Florida’s new licensing requirements, which required any dispensary in business to only market commodities it had cultivated. The business, having prepared for legalization for years, landed an early license to operate in Florida.

Beckwith said the company’s commitment to transparency at a level greater than the industry or regulators even demanded has made a difference in cultivating a professional reputation.

“In the early days of our company, some were less accepting of this as a legitimate industry, but we have just seen a transformation,” he said.

Indeed, the last year has proven a landmark one in many ways. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the company opened 19 new dispensaries in the state of Florida. “The tipping point was when Gov. Ron DeSantis declared medical cannabis an essential business,” Beckwith said. That let the company stay open just like pharmacies even during lockdowns.

The company added 400 new employees, and now has around 800 working in Florida; that’s plenty to qualify in the Chamber’s “Large Business” category for companies of 500 employees or more.

The company also merged last year with Verano Holdings; it still does business as MÜV Florida, a division of Verano. The business even went public on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The company has continued to stay engaged with lawmakers in Tallahassee, where an effort to cap THC in plants briefly threatened the industry this year but ultimately died. Beckwith remains confidant that if the industry keeps lawmakers educated, the state will remain a good place for medical cannabis companies to do business.

With many of the founding executives still operating in Sarasota County, the local business award meant a tremendous amount internally at MÜV Florida, Beckwith said. “We were founded in Saraosta and many of us still live here, and have lived here for some time,” Beckwith said. “Even at the luncheon several people stopped us and thanked us, saying they had loved ones who benefited greatly from use of our products. That is the ultimate validation for us.” 

[New Hire]  CenterPlace Health Announces Newest Addition to Growing Advancement Team

CenterPlace Health, a federally qualified health center that provides high-quality, low-cost health care to Sarasota County families, has recently added Fran Polar as their new Marketing and Communications Coordinator.  

Click here for more information.

[New Program ]  New Resource Combats Heart Failure

Tidewell Hospice, in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) today announces the Advanced Cardiac Care (ACC) Program to address one of the nation’s largest killers of Americans – heart disease. This new program will launch initially in the Venice area in July with organizational wide implementation planned for the fall. Tidewell Hospice President and CEO Jonathan Fleece remarked, “These new care guidelines allow us to treat heart failure symptoms that previously required hospitalization. Early intervention in the home will improve quality of life for our patients and decrease the need to go to the ER for symptom management. This program aligns with our mission of helping people live well by providing care, comfort, and compassion.” 

[New Grant]  Selby Foundation Awards over $1.3 million to Area Nonprofit Organizations

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation recently awarded over $1.3 million in grants to 20 nonprofit organizations which provide local communities with much needed services. “We were humbled by the number of worthy submissions this Spring, especially coming out of COVID,”  states Carol Butera, the Selby Foundation’s president and CEO.  “We are confident the organizations benefiting from these grants will continue to make a difference in their communities and we are proud to support them as they fulfill their individual missions.”  

[Scholarship]  Student Scholarships Awarded by Education Foundation of Sarasota County

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County has presented five Sarasota County graduating seniors from the Class of 2021 and three upcoming seniors from the Class of 2022 with scholarship awards valued at $46,000 to help them pursue their education.   Madison Christian and Kaitlyn Hurlburt, both North Port High School rising seniors, are this year’s recipients of the In-Demand Career Scholars Program. Christian plans to be a physical therapist and Hurlburt’s goal is to be a teacher. 

Click here for more information.

[Scholarship]  Arts Advocates Awards $25,584 in Scholarships to Nine Local Students for the 2021-2022 School Year

Arts Advocates recently awarded nine Sarasota and Manatee county students with $25,584 in scholarships for the 2021-2022 school year. Jackie Salvino and Deb Altshul-Stark, Arts Advocates scholarship team co-chairs, agree: “Members of our organization are proud to support students in furthering their education in all fields of the arts. We are so impressed with our young scholars' work, optimism, and drive to succeed. They are bright lights in our collective future.”  

[Update]  City Launches EComments to Boost Public Participation

The City of Sarasota is launching eComments, a new online tool aimed at increasing participation in public meetings and making it easier for members of the public to share their opinions. City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs said, “We are always looking for ways to make it more convenient and accessible for our citizens to get involved in their city government, so we’re excited about this new option to utilize technology to help people participate.”  



[In This Issue]  Chasing Happy

Whether for commercials or films, Ray Dillman follows his heart. 

Click here to read the full article in SRQ's May/June 2021 edition.

[SOON]  DANCE: Sarasota Contemporary Dance: Summer Kids Camp , June 28 – July 2, 9am-2pm

Sarasota Contemporary Dance Kids Summer Camps will run from June 28 to July 2 from 9am to 2pm. This camp is for children ages 5-12 and all levels are welcome and encouraged. If you're looking for a fun and unique camp for your child this summer click the link below for more information and registration. Located at SCD's Home Studio, 1400 Blvd of the Arts, STE. 300.  Intro to Dance is 9am to 1pm, Monday through Friday, Ages 5-8. No dance experience necessary. Join us this summer as we explore new ways of moving. Students will have the opportunity to take Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, Afro-Modern, Jazz and Creative Movement. Each day will also include craft time and a small provided snack. Early Bird Tuition: $150, Cost: $175 after June 1. The kids will have a mini-performance for parents and family, Friday, July 2 at 1pm. Intermediate Movers is 9am to 2pm, Monday through Friday, Ages 8-12 (Exceptions can be made regarding ages). Dance with us this summer and learn actual works from SCD's repertoire. Daily classes includes Contemporary, Hip Hop, Afro-Modern Jazz, and Acro. Students will also participate in a variety of games and crafts. Small snacks provided. Early Bird Tuition: $175, Cost: $200 after June 1. The kids will have a mini-performance for parents and family, Friday, July 2 at 1pm.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: Trauma Leadership Corp: Peer to Peer Training , June 28, 6-7:30 PM

Join SRQ Strong for the launch of their new project with Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee. Teens and young adult leaders will share their experience from the training program, tell their stories, and demonstrate how peer-to-peer training really works. Come and discuss the value of peer-to-peer training, hear about trauma from the perspective of young people, and consider innovative approaches to trauma healing for youth.

SRQ Strong

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Florida Studio Theatre: On The Road Again: Family Musical Roadtrip , June 29 – August 3

Pack your bags. This summer, FST is taking the whole family on a one-of-a-kind musical road trip in On The Road Again, an all-new live performance. Featuring songs like “Country Roads,” “Surfin’ USA,” and “Deep in the Heart of Texas, we’ll celebrate all that makes this country special from sea to shining sea. Join us for an outdoor concert in this summer touring performance as we hit the road with music that has defined the U.S for generations. June: Tuesday, 6/29 at 10am - Fruitville Library and Wednesday, 6/20 at 10am - Gulf Gate Library. July: Thursday, July 1 at 10am - William H. Jervey Jr. Public Library, Saturday, July 3 at 10am - North Port Public Library, Friday, July 9 at 10am - Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library, Saturday, July 10 at 7:30pm - Elsie Quirk Library, Sunday, July 11 at 7pm - Nathan Benderson Park, Saturday, July 17 at 10am - Selby Library, Sunday, July 18 at 7pm - Phillipi Estate Park, and Saturday, July 24 at 10am - Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library. August: Tuesday, August 3 at 10am - William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Public Library.

[SOON]  SPORTS: Kids Summer Beach Run , June 22 – July 27, 5:30-7pm

The Kids Summer Beach Runs are one mile beach runs held every Tuesday (through July 27) at Siesta Beach on Siesta Key near the pavilion, and every Wednesday (through July 28) at Brohard Beach (1600 Harbor Drive) next to the Venice Fishing Pier, near Fins at Sharky's, Venice. This one-mile fun run for kids is a summer favorite and a great opportunity for families to exercise together and have fun at the beach! Weekly registration begins at 5:30 pm with race time at 6:30 pm. Kids receive a participation ribbon at each run. Complete four runs and earn a free custom t-shirt. The runs are a popular summer event combining exercise and fun. Ages 1 - 17. 948 Beach Rd., Sarasota

Siesta Beach, Venice Beach

[SOON]  SPORTS: Skateboarding Camp , June 28 – July 2, 8am-12pm

During the week of June 28 - July 2, 2021, the Payne Skate Park will be open from Noon – 10pm., instead of 10am– 10pm. Compound Board Shop will be hosting their Skateboarding Camp. Ages: 7-14; Hours: 8:00 am to Noon.

Payne Skate Park , 2110 Adams Lane, Sarasota

[SOON]  SPORTS: Quarter-Pipe Ribbon Cutting Ceremony , June 28, 11:30am

This Monday, June 28, 2021, at 11:30 am at Payne Skate Park there will be a NEW Quarter-Pipe Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! Guests include Jake Llardi and Sarasota City Commissioners. Jake Llardi is a Sarasota native and local skateboarder, turned PRO. Jake is officially on the 2021 Olympic roster for Tokyo, Japan. In order to get prepared for the Olympics, he trains routinely at the City of Sarasota Parks and Recreation District - Payne Skate Park. Back in March Jake asked the District to allow him to add a quarter pipe to the existing street course at the skate park. The City’s Payne Skate Park upgrades are included in the Master Plan, but not until later phases of the plan. With the funds unavailable from the City during this time, Jake took it upon himself to create a Go Fund Me account for $15,000. The account covered the cost of the quarter pipe and included funding for the uprooting of three palm trees relocated at the Payne Park Tennis Center.

 

Payne Skate Park , 2110 Adams Lane, 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

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