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SRQ DAILY Aug 18, 2022

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"I would like to become a JAG (Judge Advocate General) lawyer. I have worked pretty hard throughout high school to get where I am so being nominated as a leader means so much to me."

- Akiel R., Junior, Sarasota Military Academy.
 

[Politics]  Lobeck Wants to Bring Controlled Growth Agenda to Dais
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Attorney Dan Lobeck knows his way through a government agenda. He has for years been a fixture of land-use hearings, often representing groups opposed to development proposals or speaking on behalf of his group, Control Growth Now.

This year, he’s running for a seat at the dais on the Sarasota City Commission, where he hopes to make a difference in managing growth.

“We need to accept growth will happen, but manage it in a way that preserves the city’s charm, character and value,” he says, “and most important makes growth pay its own way.”

Lobeck is one of six candidates seeking two at-large seats on the Sarasota City Commission. The decision to run himself comes after decades closely following local development decisions. His candidacy clearly has proved unsettling in some circles, with committees sending out mailers to voters blasting Lobeck. “Frankly, developers do me a favor boosting my name recognition,” Lobeck suggests.

What might bother the construction industry? Lobeck offers a list of decisions made by the past two years where he disagrees with the outcome, including the crafting of a comprehensive plan amendment that could expand the number of development applications approved at the staff level. The candidate said if such a change proceeds, it will allow developers to lobby staff outside of public hearings and increase profit margins for developments without going through a public hearing process.

Incidentally, Lobeck bristles at the term “administrative review” to describe this process. All development applications undergo a staff review. His problem, he says, is with “administrative approval” without ever putting a matter to an elected City Commission, or at least a Planning Board appointed by the Commission.

“We wouldn’t have public hearings if there weren’t important choices to be made,” he said. “I’ve come to learn by way of the various roles I’ve had at the state level, where I was a legislative aide to a Republican state senator, to locally, where I have been involved as a civic advocate for decades, that the principal thing wrong with government is when it is taken captive by those who would use it to their ends and contrary to the ends of everyone else. Developers have figured out there is no better return on investment than in buying politicians.”

He believes his election would reverse a pro-development trend on decisions made at City Hall, and feels the vast majority of voters hunger for such a shift.

He expresses clear frustration right now with what he considers a pro-development city staff, criticizing a recent presentation of attainable housing that suggested the threshold for defining affordability should be based on an income of more than $108,000 a year for a family of four.

Lobeck doesn’t like that administrative approvals can already be granted in the downtown core of Sarasota, something put in place to spur redevelopment years ago and which he no longer sees as necessary. To expand the process to single-family home neighborhoods would be a disservice to the community, he said.

Other candidates for City Commission this year include Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, Sheldon Rich, Terrill Salem, Carl Shoffstall and Debbie Trice. The top three vote-getters in an Aug. 23 primary will advance to a runoff in November, where the top two will win seats. The at-large election will be open to all voters in the city limits. 

[Company Growth]  Manatee County Welcomes a Third MD Now Clinic, Bringing Superior Healthcare to East Bradenton

MD Now Urgent Care, Florida’s largest and fastest-growing urgent care provider, is once again expanding access to superior healthcare services on the west coast of Florida with a second clinic opening this year in Manatee County. Lakewood Ranch was the first community in Manatee County to welcome a new MD Now clinic in June of 2022. The newest, state-of-the-art clinic in East Bradenton is the eighth MD Now clinic on the west coast of Florida and the sixth clinic to open in 2022. MD Now is committed to bringing superior healthcare to communities in Florida. A physician-led team of healthcare professionals at each clinic attends to patients quickly and efficiently, ensuring patients can take care of their health needs in one convenient stop when it’s convenient for them. The new East Bradenton clinic features modern technology and medical equipment, four exam rooms, a triage room, a procedure room, and an X-ray room to provide a high quality and efficient healthcare experience. Boasting 3,000 square feet, the clinic is open weekdays with no appointment necessary. The East Bradenton clinic is located at 10735 State Road 64 East, at the intersection of Upper Manatee River Road and State Road 64 East at Warner Crossing between Starbucks and Wawa. This state-of-the-art clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The clinic is closed on the weekends. 

To learn more, visit

[Recognition]  Local PR Chapter Earns Prominent Recognition Through Statewide Awards Program

Practitioners from the Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) made a strong showing in the FPRA's Golden Image Awards, with recognition taking place during the 83rd Annual Conference in Orlando earlier this month. CWC-FPRA members Sharon Kunkel, APR and Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC took top honors in two of the three professional divisions in addition to other awards earned by chapter members.Earning top honors in Division B - Collateral Tools of Public Relations was Sharon Kunkel, APR, Wordslinger Marketing & PR, whose "Adult Adoption Story" received the Grand Golden Image Award. She was also recognized with the Golden Image Award in the "Press Release or Pitch" category as well as a Judges' Award for an outstanding entry that achieves maximum return on investment.Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, Hamlet's Eatery's "To Meat or Not to Meat" entry took top honors in Division C - Digital Tools of Public Relations, earning the Grand Golden Image Award. Livengood also earned the Golden Image Award in the "Online Audience Engagement" category as well as a Judges' Award for an outstanding entry that achieves maximum return on investment.

 

  

[In Conversation]  In Conversation with Brena Slater of Safe Children Coalition

In the July/August 2022 edition of SRQ Magazine, we interviewed Brena Slater, Safe Children Coalition President and Chief Executive Officer as part of our In Conversation feature about nonprofit leaders. Below is an excerpt published in the magazine in which Slater shares her insights with SRQ readers on community growth and changes.

We still have an opiate epidemic but I bet there are a lot of people who think it's over because they haven't heard those words in three years.

Substance abuse is the number one issue for the reason why children are removed in both Sarasota and Manatee counties. And we still have death cases. So we have children who were brought in because their parents overdosed and passed away--we still have a parent pass away monthly, if not more than once a month. And this is just a small subset. These are just the kids who we have in our system of care. I think the reason you probably don't hear about it as much is because Narcan is so available. So when parents are overdosing or even children, either EMS or law enforcement or the hospital Narcan them. So really they bring them back and then they unfortunately a lot of times don't get the treatment they need and go out and use again. So I will say that substance abuse is still the number one issue why children are removed and more than half the children that are removed are zero to five. It’s these vulnerable children with substance abusing parents that are still the largest issue within our child welfare system of the community. 

Safe Children Coalition, 1500 Independence Blvd #210, Sarasota, 941-371-4799. https://sccfl.org/

To read the full article, click here.

[Recognition Given]  Outstanding Youth Leadership in Our Community: Akiel R.

Our community is filled with many incredible young people doing such amazing things. This summer, we are featuring some of these young people in our Thursday Family & Education edition. Each of the students we are highlighting have been chosen as this year’s SRQ Magazine’s top youth leaders based on their values, determination and outstanding achievements in different aspects of their lives in and out of school.

Akiel is a current junior at Sarasota Military Academy. He joined the Boys & Girls Club to deepen his involvement with the community and to make a difference. An active participant in volunteer programs, Akiel has witnessed firsthand the difference a group of driven teens can make within their community. Akiel is currently enrolled in BGCSDC’s STAR Leadership Training Program and is an active member of Youth Council.

We asked Akiel about his goals for the future.

"After graduating, I’d like to go to the University of Florida or the U.S. Military Academy," he said. "After that, I hope to go to law school. My top pick would be Yale or Harvard. I would like to become a JAG (Judge Advocate General) lawyer. I’ve worked pretty hard throughout high school to get where I’m at so being nominated as a leader means so much to me."  

Pictured: Akiel R., junior at Sarasota Military Academy. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

[Announcement]  New Raspberry Rally™ Girl Scout Cookie Joins Lineup for 2023 Season Nationwide

Today Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced that the new Raspberry Rally cookie will join its nationwide lineup for the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie season. The thin, crispy cookie is a “sister” cookie to the beloved Thin Mints®, infused with raspberry flavor instead of mint and dipped in the same delicious chocolaty coating. Raspberry Rally gives devoted Girl Scout Cookie lovers yet another reason to be excited for the upcoming cookie season. This must-have new cookie will be the first in the Girl Scout Cookie lineup to be exclusively offered for online sale and direct shipment only, enhancing girls’ e-commerce sales and entrepreneurial skills. Raspberry Rally will be available to consumers nationally during the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie season. Girl Scouts in Gulfcoast Florida and across the United States will offer the Raspberry Rally cookie next season alongside favorites like Thin Mints®, Adventurefuls™ and Samoas®, and Caramel deLites®. Cookie season is an exciting annual event for Girl Scouts across the nation and encourages girls to be risk takers, to think outside of the box, and to be confident in their own abilities. Proceeds raised from in-person and online cookie orders directly benefit local councils and troops. When Girl Scouts run their own cookie business, they are a part of the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. Girl Scouts learn leadership, problem-solving, and community building through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, resulting in an invaluable experience that cultivates an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit. Available nationwide, every purchase of the online-exclusive Raspberry Rally cookie supports local Girl Scouts who are helping make our world a better place. Let’s come together to celebrate the young change-makers who are solving problems and learning new skills—one box of cookies at a time. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida kicks off cookie season in January 2023; visit www.girlscoutcookies.org to sign up to be notified as soon as Raspberry Rally and other Girl Scout Cookies are on sale. Find your adventure at Girl Scouts by joining or volunteering at www.gsgcf.org. 

To learn more, visit



[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Oscura Live: Oscura Comedy Night , August 19, 7pm

St. Pete Standup & Oscura Live Presents: Comedy Night. Friday, August 19th, 2022. DOORS OPEN: 7:00 SHOW TIME: 8:00. St. Pete Standup will be going over the Skyway Bridge to Oscura! Oscura is a beloved venue in Bradenton. Known for hosting music, August 19th Oscura will have their inaugural comedy show. They have an amazing space for many comedy shows to come! Featuring the best up and coming comedians in Florida. Get your tickets while you still can so you do not miss out on a night of fun like this! Tickets at the Door: $15 (Venmo, Paypal , Cashapp or Cash) $10 on Eventbrite.

Oscura , 816 Manatee Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208

[SOON]  GALLERY: The Ringling: Eleanor Merritt: Remembrance , February 18 – August 21, Museum hours.

The Ringling is pleased to present an exhibition that celebrates the life and artwork of Eleanor Merritt from February 18, 2022 to August 21, 2022. Eleanor was a dedicated volunteer at The Ringling for many years as a docent and Board member. She also served as president of the Venice Art Center and was active in other arts organizations as well. Eleanor passed away in 2019 leaving a legacy of art and public service. This exhibition is dedicated to her spirit and creativity and represents a small sample of a significant body of work the artist created over her long career. Beginning with an early work from the 1950s Untitled (Seated Figure) and concluding with her last painting Blue Embrace of 2018, the exhibition highlights her creative use of materials, movement between figuration and abstraction, and her commitment to women’s rights. The works in the exhibition come from the artist’s estate and from a few prestigious private collections. The artist’s daughter, Lisa, and artist Mike Solomon were critical guides in the development of this exhibition. 

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Florida Studio Theatre: Smoke & Mirrors , August 3 – August 21, Varies.

Hamilton Orr will stop at nothing to get what he wants. A top Hollywood director, Hamilton comes up with deadly scheme to gain control over a multi-million-dollar film. He just needs to persuade the movie’s screenwriter, Clark, to get onboard. And make sure that Barbara, his wife, plays her part. When his plot doesn’t go as planned, Hamilton comes face-to-face with the wily local sheriff, Leroy. Smoke and Mirrors keeps the audience guessing (and laughing) until the end. Smoke and Mirrors by Will Osborne and Anthony Herrera will play beginning August 3, 2022 in FST's Gompertz Theatre. Run Time is 2 hour and 10 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Florida Studio Theatre's Gompertz Theatre

[SOON]  THEATER: Manatee Performing Arts Center: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING! , August 11 – August 23, Varied

Wouldn’t it be great if you could become successful with a single book? Well, J. Pierrepont Finch seems to have hit the jackpot. “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” follows Finch from being a common window washer to a high executive with the help of a small book. However, does that book help with all the problems that he faces to reach his dream? Does it answer how to handle betrayal, caffeine addiction, or love? With music by Frank Loesser (composer of “Guys and Dolls”) we’ll follow Finch and his struggle to balance business power and true love. For more information visit www.manateeperformingartscenter.com, Ticket Office
941-748-5875

Manatee Performing Arts Center , 502 Third Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205

[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]  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]  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

[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]  GRAB BAG: Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch , January 2 – December 25, 10am-2pm

The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch is home to more than 90 curated vendors of the region’s best food and flavors, located at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. It takes place every Sunday from 10am to 2pm at Waterside Place. It’s your weekend destination for organic produce, meat, poultry, seafood, bread, pasta, juices and prepared foods. Stay up to date on vendors and events by visiting TheMarketLWR.com.

[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]  THEATER: Manatee Performing Arts Center: RENT , September 14 – October 2, Varies

La Vie Boheme! Jonathan Larson’s iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that shaped a generation of audiences and taught us all to measure our life in love. Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon. with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. This is theatre at its best – exuberant, passionate and joyous. For more information visit www.manateeperformingartscenter.com, Ticket Office 941-748-5875

Manatee Performing Arts Center , 502 Third Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205

[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

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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