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SRQ DAILY Aug 9, 2022

Tuesday Dining and Food Edition

Tuesday Dining and Food Edition

"The Selby Gardens Annual Juried Photo Exhibition is a beloved celebration of our two bayfront sanctuaries through the eyes and camera lenses of our visitors."

- Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens.
 

[The Dish]  New Pass Grill: Mother Nature’s Gift to Sarasota
Kevin Allen, kevin.allen@srqme.com

When The Great Gale of 1848 smashed into Florida’s west coast in September of that year, it impacted the coastline from Englewood to Tampa profoundly. Among Mother Nature’s local modifications following the storm was a new pass that divided what was then known as Pine Island, creating Lido and Longboat keys. Sarasota pioneer William Whitaker was likely too busy searching for his lost fishing nets, which he stored on the sandy beach, to come up with a better name for what is known to this day as…New Pass.

What does this have to do with food? If not for that 1848 storm, which is said to have brought tides as high as 15 feet to Tampa Bay, we may not have New Pass Grill. It offers a wonderful waterfront view, completely unpretentious, old Florida through and through. Around half of its clientele enter by land, the other half by sea, docking their speed boats, fishing boats and pontoons and disembarking with a singular mission that you can see in their eyes: Burgers, screams the fire in their eyes. Give me all the burgers.

On a recent Sunday, I invited my friend Sarah, a brilliant local writer and Kentucky native, to lunch and gave her tacos, sandwiches and burgers as options, secretly hoping she’d pick burgers. She did, and it marked her first trip to New Pass Grill, which in my estimation remains one of the area’s best spots for a mid-day, quick-service burger/beer/fries experience.

Though we arrived by land this time, I was taken back to some of my first experiences going there with my grandfather. Here on vacation at the time, we’d be on the hunt up and down the Intracoastal Waterway for snook, sheepshead, mackerel, pompano and mangrove snapper (with cash prizes for the first, biggest, and most fish caught). He’d take us to New Pass Grill to break up the day and, if we had been unlucky anglers, we’d re-up our bait for the trip back to Siesta Key.

I remember the thick burgers, the ice cold drinks and marveling that people live like this every day. I was hooked. I can trace my lifelong infatuation with Sarasota to experiences like this. The ability to dive into a perfectly seasoned patty, made to order with all my favorite toppings (the works!), cooked precisely to temperature, nestled in a fresh, toasted bun — all while watching soaring seagulls, pelicans at play, and listening to fellow fishermen swap stories.

The original business opened in 1929, and Jonathan and Janean Sisler took it over in July 2020, promising to hang on to its simple charm, including the New Pass Burger.

Fortunately, there are plenty of places in Sarasota and Manatee counties where you can grab a really good burger. And there’s no shortage of spots where you can drink in the natural beauty that surrounds us. But to have both in one place? That’s something special.

Sarah and I caught up, and I admired how cold they kept the tall boy can of Landshark Lager, which ideally complemented my cheeseburger and an order of their crispy, battered French fries. As group of party boaters pulled up, they called out to a pair of wading fishermen, “Any luck?”

“Nah,” answered the fishermen, who were surely hoping to pull from the pass the same types of fish that would have found Whitaker’s nets nearly 175 years ago.

I had to disagree. Devouring New Pass Grill burgers, engrossed in good conversation, a cold beer in hand, surrounded by all this natural beauty … how could you not feel lucky?

New Pass Grill & Bait Shop, 1505 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, 941-388-3050 

Pictured: New Pass Grill and Bait Shop, known for its crowd-pleasing hamburgers, has been a fixture in Sarasota since 1929. Photo by Wes Roberts.

For full menu click here

[Career Training]  Women's Resource Center Presents Career Connections: Early Childhood Education: Free Preschool Teacher Training

The early learning industry is experiencing a workforce shortage, with an estimated 25% attrition rate during the pandemic. This shrinkage places significant strain on the preschools in our region, as well as on parents searching for quality childcare. This statistic is just one of many data points in the executive summary of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation’s Early Learning Initiative (https://whyearlylearningmatters.org/) which is working to support this important sector in various ways, including implementing preschool teacher recruitment and retention strategies. The Womens Resource Center (WRC) is also committed to addressing this talent shortage by hosting an online information session about professional opportunities in the early education field on Wednesday, August 31, noon-1 p.m., The free virtual seminar, Early Childhood Education: Preschool Teacher Training, is part of WRCs Career Connections program that links women to quality jobs and funded training programs. Participants will learn about the free “Introduction to Child Care 45-hour training program,” local classes for the Florida Child Care Professional Certification (FCCPC), a new pre-apprenticeship program, and degree pathways in Early Childhood Education. Presenters include Francesca Ricciardo, a workforce initiatives coordinator at the Early Learning Coalition Mantatee; Barbara Papantonakis, an early childhood specialist at the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County; and Eunice Lopez, an adjunct instructor at State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota. Register at mywrc.org/childeducation or call (941) 256-9721. To learn more about services available at WRC, please call 941-256-9721 or visit mywrc.org. 

Pictured: The WRC free virtual seminar links women to quality jobs and funded training programs. Photo courtesy of WRC.

[New Exhibition]  Submissions Open for Selby Gardens’ Virtual 42nd Annual Juried Photo Exhibition

Submissions are now being accepted for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ 42nd Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition. Amateur photographers are invited to submit digital photos taken at either of Selby Gardens’ two campuses in five different categories. Submissions will be accepted online through Monday, August 15. The list of categories, registration and submission requirements, and a link to the online submission portal can be found at selby.org. After the call for submissions has closed, accepted entries will be reviewed by an expert panel of jurors. Winners will be announced on Thursday, August 25. An online gallery featuring all accepted photos and showcasing the winning entries will be on view from August 25 through September 25.

“Selby Gardens’ Annual Juried Photo Exhibition is a beloved celebration of our two bayfront sanctuaries through the eyes and camera lenses of our visitors,” said Jennifer O. Rominiecki, president and CEO of Selby Gardens. “Since making this show virtual a couple of years ago, we have been able to accept and display even more high-quality amateur photography of our two campuses and engage more people in viewing these beautiful works of art.” To learn more about the photo contest and how to enter, go to selby.org. Selby Gardens’ Virtual 42nd Annual Photographic Exhibition is presented in partnership with the Observer Media Group.  

Pictured: BEEutiful, by Gary McNulty, was selected “Best in Show” in Selby Gardens’ 2021 Juried Photographic Exhibition. Photo courtesy of Selby Gardens.

[Music Event]  Former American Idol Finalist Comes to St. Armands Circle Park, Rain or Shine

The Summer Concert Series of the St. Armands Circle Business Improvement District raises the bar on afternoon entertainment with Jac of All Trades on Saturday, August 13th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fronted by former American Idol finalist Jonathan Cortez, this second installment in the jazz-centric music series brings a bit of star power to Circle Park.
Cortez is known for his dynamic voice, which he flexes in and out of any number of timbers and styles to capture the energy of the artist he’s covering. From Frank Sinatra to Billy Joel, Cortez takes audiences on a journey that begins with something familiar and transforms into a singular performance that leaves audiences spellbound. Featuring a signature blend of live instrumentation, backing tracks, and vocals, Jac of All Trades will turn a Saturday afternoon into a must-see, family-friendly concert. Guests are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and/or blankets and find a spot in the shade of the massive event tent that will be set up in the park. Approximately 1600 parking spots are available in and around the Circle, with convenient parking available in the St. Armands Circle Parking Garage, on-street, or in the Fillmore Parking Lot. 

To learn more, visit

[Recognition]  The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County Announces 7th Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon: Foundations of the Future

Today, The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County announced its 7th Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon, Foundations of the Future, which will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota on Friday, October 7th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In May, the EDC hosted their Economic Outlook Luncheon, At A Pivotal Point, which focused on the state of our local economy and the businesses that are transforming it. On October 7th, they will take another look at local businesses and spotlight those that are emerging as local and national leaders, as well as those altering the landscape with their innovative approaches. Attendees will hear from forward-thinking companies that are diversifying our economy, with visionary and even unconventional approaches to growing their companies. Leading sponsors include Benderson Development Company, Michael Saunders & Company, Business Observer, Ian Black Real Estate, Ringling College of Art + Design, which will lead the Ringling College Innovation by Creative Design Award, and Gulfside Wealth, sponsor of Clyde Nixon Business Leadership Award. A panel discussion led by Ringling College of Art + Design President Dr. Larry Thompson will feature the top three finalists for the Ringling College Innovation by Creative Design Award, which recognizes a business for an innovative product or service that demonstrates a creative design solution and has achieved market success. Nominations are now open until August 15th for businesses or organizations in the Sarasota County area. Find more information here http://ow.ly/oL6U50JRyAY. The Clyde Nixon Business Leadership Award will also be presented, which recognizes a Sarasota County individual who embodies the personal and business values that were so clearly demonstrated by Clyde Nixon. EDC Board Chair Joe C. Hembree will close the event through the ceremonial passing of the gavel to the incoming board chair. Other featured sponsors include The Bank of Tampa, HR Elements, PGT Innovations, Shumaker, Regions Bank, BMO Harris, PNC Bank, TECO Energy, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Florida Power & Light, Bank of America, Mullet’s Aluminum, and Perform[cb]. Interested attendees should register as soon as possible, as seating is limited. Sponsorships, half and full table purchases can be made directly through the EDC office to avoid service fees. For more information on this, please contact Allison Evanitz at aevanitz@edcsarasotacounty.com. Individual tickets are $70, which can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-meeting-awards-luncheon-2022-tickets-365922272367. 

For more information click here



[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Forty Carrots Family Center 20th Annual Free Virtual Community Speaker Event , September 21, 7:00 pm

Registration is open for Forty Carrots Family Center’s 20th annual free educational community speaker event Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine, presented in partnership with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The virtual presentation will feature educational psychologist and best-selling author Michele Borba, Ed.D. at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21st. The event is free and advance registration is required. Michele Borba’s latest book, Thrivers, is a sharply insightful, science-backed guide that helps parents and educators teach the essential character traits kids need to become “thrivers” – young people who flourish in rapidly changing, digitally-driven and uncertain world. Borba will identify seven teachable strengths that will safeguard kids for the future, offering practical “how-to” strategies and ideas for everyday activities that build up kids’ strength, resilience, happiness, and success. Certificates of Attendance and CEU’s will be available. The previous 19 speaker events have reached nearly 14,000 parents, professionals, and educators in our area. To register for this free virtual community event visit www.fortycarrots.org, email events@fortycarrots.com or call (941) 365-7716. RSVP is required and registration is open at www.FortyCarrots.org.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Stuff The Bus Food Drive , October 23, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

The annual Stuff The Bus event, which was started in 2009, was created through the kind hearts of the School District of Manatee County Transportation Staff. They wanted to give back to the community and knew of “Stuff the Bus” events in other cities and suggested placing one school bus in front of one Publix store in Manatee County. The leadership of Publix thought it was a great idea and requested a bus at every Publix store in Manatee County. Since 2009, nearly 1.1 million pounds of food has been donated through the Stuff The Bus food drive. Since the first Stuff the Bus event thirteen years ago, this event has evolved to include many Community Partners, including: United Way Suncoast, Publix, Herald-Tribune, the School District of Manatee County, and of course, the Transportation Staff of the School District. We are thrilled to have Mosaic as our presenting sponsor this year. All proceeds and donated food will benefit The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS. Please stop by your local Publix in Manatee County to support this event. Goal: Raise 150,000 pounds of food to feed Manatee County residents! All Manatee County Publix Locations. 

Meals on Wheels PLUS

[SOON]  SPORTS: WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup , September 9 – September 18

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and host USA Baseball revealed the new dates for the next WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, with the 30th edition of the youth world championship to take place from 9 to 18 September 2022 in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida. The elite international tournament will be played at Sarasota’s Ed Smith Stadium and Bradenton’s LECOM Park, the respective Spring Training homes of the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). The XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup will include 12 national teams, whose rosters will feature the best youth players in their respective countries.

Ed Smith Stadium and LECOM Park

[SOON]  GALLERY: Atelier de SoSi Art Show , August 12 – September 22, 7pm-10pm

Atelier de SoSi announces the opening of their newest art show “An Artful Home at Atelier.” Exhibition Dates: August 12th - Sep 22nd; Opening night: August 12th 7-10pm; Gallery hours Tues - Wed - Thur 1 - 5pm. “An Artful Home at Atelier” - focus is to showcase that art can be both functional and beautiful. Atelier de SoSi’s gallery space will be transformed to represent a living space. Displaying functional art such as: handmade table settings, glassware, lighting, textiles, furniture, etc. The space will also be featuring one of a kind paintings, sculptures and an array of other unique pieces. We want to show the viewer that artwork comes in all shapes, sizes and functionalities. Yes, your coffee table can be a piece of artwork along with your favorite reading chair, lamp, and coffee mug. Art can touch every area of our lives, come see examples of this and find one of a kind pieces for your own living space.

[SOON]  HEALTH: Zumba at The Bay , July 9 – September 24, 10am-11am

Join Ya’el Campbell for a special monthly Zumba from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. This is a high energy outdoor Zumba class! Come dance with a fantastic group of Zumba Rockstars who will make you move, smile, jump, shake and sing… (it happens sometimes). Grab a friend, bring your kids, and meet new Zumba friends. Program Dates: July 9 (Bayfront Community Center); August 20 (Bayfront Community Center); September 24; The Bay Park, 655 N. Tamiami Trail.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Summer Circus Spectacular , June 10 – August 13, 11am and 2 pm

The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling are happy to partner once again to present the Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater. Don’t miss this family-friendly show that runs Friday, June 10 through Saturday, August 13! The Summer Circus Spectacular showcases some of the finest circus artists from around the world, performing acts to thrill audiences of all ages. The Summer Circus Spectacular takes place at the Historic Asolo Theatre at The Ringling (5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota). Show times are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. 941-360-7399.

[SOON]  FILM: Summer Movies at Sarasota Opera House , May 22 – September 23, Varies.

Sarasota Opera is pleased to announce the lineup for the 2022 summer movie series: HD at the Opera House and Classic Movies at the Opera House. HD at the Opera House featuring filmed performances of opera and ballet from around the world will open on Sunday, May 22nd at 1:30 p.m. with Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London, with tickets at $22, and $20 for Sarasota Opera subscribers. The Classic Movies at the Opera House series will open with In the Heat of the Night on Friday, July 8th at 7:30 p.m. with tickets at $12. (Tickets will go on sale starting Monday, May 2nd.)

[SOON]  GALLERY: The Ringling: Metadata: Rethinking Photography from the 21st Century , March 6 – August 28, Museum hours.

The exhibition features work from the past decade by an international selection of artists and visual activists that are working to make palpable the unseen information, or metadata, that undergirds the image regime. This includes not just the tags or descriptors attached to image files, but the power relationships, biases, and economic interests that are not always visible in the image itself. The exhibition emphasizes an expanded concept of photographic practice that includes research-based projects, installation, conceptual work, and activism as well as analog and digital photographs. Artists featured are Mohsen Azar, Viktoria Binschtok, Mladen Bizumic, Joy Buolamwini, Jason Lazarus, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Lilly Lulay, Trevor Paglen, and Penelope Umbrico. Metadata: Rethinking Photography in the 21st Century will be held at The John and Mable Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida from March 6 through August 28th, 2022. The exhibition is curated by Christopher Jones, Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Curator of Photography and Media Art.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime: Limelight Market , April 23 – December 17, 10am-3pm

Every 3rd Saturday from 10-3 The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime opens their outdoor space for guest vendors, dog rescues, and live music. Check out the 40 local creators and curators inside The Bazaar every Thursday - Saturday. Enjoy a delicious lunch and support local. Free, until you buy something amazing! 

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Amore Restaurant Extends Savor Sarasota Promotion to December , June 1 – December 18

Amore Restaurant has decided to extend Savor Sarasota Menu through December 18th (not combined with any other offer and, not available on special occasions). Savor Sarasota is a 3 course menu dinner for $35.00 per person. The restaurant offers a Portuguese and an Italian menu. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 9PM. Fridays and Sundays 5 to 9:30pm. With indoor and outdoor seating available. Easy and free parking. Menu can be viewed here:https://www.amorelbk.com/savor-sarasota/

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: The Siesta Key Crystal Classic , August 8 – August 10

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[SOON]  GRAB BAG: The Bishop: Laser Light Nights , May 26 – August 13, 7pm and 9pm

Break out the big hair and acid-washed denims—Laser Light Nights are back at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from May 26 through August 13 at 7pm and 9pm, we are rocking out to some of your favorite artists in the Planetarium. A variety of food options and drinks are available for purchase onsite with cash or card. Tickets are going fast—get yours today! Please note: Laser Light Nights run at a volume similar to a rock concert. Ear plugs are advised for those who prefer a lower volume.

Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Art and Backstage Tour at the Van Wezel , August 8 – August 13, Varies.

Art and Backstage Tour at the Van Wezel
1:30-3:00 p.m. July 11, August 8, September 12
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

The tour features paintings and sculptures from the Arts Advocates’ Sarasota Art Colony collection as well as artworks by noted Florida artists, including Robert Chase, William Hartman, Eugene White, Ben Stahl, Julio de Diego, Thornton Utz, Frank Colson, and Dean Mitchell. The experience will also feature a behind-the-scenes tour of the Van Wezel. Guests will go backstage and see the dressing rooms, green room, stage and more. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Van Wezel Box Office at 941-263-6799 or visiting the Box Office Monday – Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets are $15.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Selby Gardens: Seeing the Invisible , September 25 – August 31, 10am-5pm

The most ambitious and expansive exhibition to date of contemporary artworks created with augmented reality (AR) technology will premiere at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, opening on September 25, 2021 and ongoing through August 31 2022, as one of 12 participating gardens across six countries. Seeing the Invisible features works by more than a dozen international artists such as Ai Weiwei, Refik Anadol, El Anatsui, Isaac Julien CBE, Mohammed Kazem, Sigalit Landau, Sarah Meyohas, Pamela Rosenkranz, and Timur Si-Qin—including several artists’ first work in AR. Visitors will engage with Seeing the Invisible via an app designed for the exhibition downloadable to smartphones and tablets. Forging new links between botanical gardens located in diverse biomes around the globe, the exhibition fosters collaboration between institutions, artists, and audiences, highlighting the power of art to connect people around the world.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Van Wezel: Friday Fest 2022 , June 17 – September 16, 5pm

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Friday Fest events are our outdoor concert series that provide the community with 4 entertaining and FREE events from June to September, showcasing the best of local bands from Sarasota and Bradenton. Friday Fest brings together a wide variety of talented artists along with food trucks and drink stations on the Van Wezel lawn along the beautiful Sarasota Bayfront. Our Friday Fest lineup includes: Yesterdayze - June 17, Kettle of Fish - July 15, Big Night Out - August 12, and Jah Movement - September 16 at 5pm. 

Van Wezel

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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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