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SRQ DAILY Nov 14, 2022

Monday Business Edition

Monday Business Edition

"The Sarasota-Manatee delegation has and continues to be incredibly strong"

- Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota
 

[Politics]  Local Lawmakers Now Part of GOP Super-Majority
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Sarasota and Manatee lawmakers just re-elected to the Florida Legislature will head to Tallahassee now as part of supermajorities. With the legislative delegations for both counties made up exclusively of Republican members, a product of both electoral successes and changes from redistricting, all contribute to massive GOP numbers in the Florida Legislature.

But members say that may not matter much in terms of the local needs of the counties.

“The Sarasota-Manatee delegation has and continues to be incredibly strong,” said Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota. “Regardless of party, we’ve agreed on the needs of our region and will continue to advocate for those issues.”

State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, agreed and said the party dominance would make “no difference” as far as local issues go. Notably, Gruters serves still as chair of the Republican Party of Florida, and on Election Day released a lengthy statement that celebrated, among other big wins, that Republicans “will head to Tallahassee with a supermajority in both the State House and State Senate.” Voters elected 28 Republican state senators and 12 Democratic ones, and in the House elected 85 Republicans and 35 Democrats.

The once-a-decade redrawing of legislative districts also shifts the local delegation make-up. For example, state Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, won re-election but will no longer represent any part of Manatee or Sarasota counties. Meanwhile, state Rep. Michael Grant, R-Punta Gorda, will now represent part of south Sarasota County and state Rep. Mike Beltran, R-Apollo Beach, will represent a portion of north Manatee.

State Sens. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Gruters both won GOP primaries and faced no Democratic opposition. State Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, won re-election uncontested, as did state Rep. James Buchanan, R-Venice. Meanwhile, state Reps. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch, and Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, both defeated Democratic challengers last week.

Even when Democrats have served on the delegation, though, McFarland said local lawmakers worked well together. 

“Even without the super majority, Boyd accomplished a ton for opioid crisis back when manatee was really struggling, Gruters got the clean waterways act and huge funding for red tide research, Gruters and I did the child welfare funding work when we learned how under funded our area was, and Joe did the smoking on the beach work,” she said. 

Screenshot via Florida Channel. Rep. Fiona McFarland presents a bill in committee.

[Recognition]  JMX Brands Named Two Years in a Row for Furniture Today’s Best Places to Work

JMX Brands is one of four companies returning to the winners’ circle in the top 10 companies listed. Winning companies were selected by a rigorous assessment of both employees’ and employers’ responses to survey questions. Benefit programs, corporate culture, communications, work environment, and training and development were analyzed and scored. This year, the recognition was expanded to be open to all companies whose primary business is furniture. JMX Brands currently employs 80 employees. The company recently opened a new DutchCrafters showroom in Alpharetta, Ga., adding six new employees. 

[Airport News]  Avelo Airlines Announces a New Nonstop Route from Sarasota Bradenton: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

Avelo Airlines announced today that it will fly a new nonstop route from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and open the airline’s fifth base at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) next February. The new base enables Avelo to significantly expand the affordable, convenient and reliable air service the airline introduced to North Carolina’s Research Triangle region last May. This will be Avelo’s second nonstop route from SRQ, joining New Haven, Connecticut. The route will operate three times weekly on Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737 aircraft. Very low introductory one-way fares starting at $39* are available at AveloAir.com. 

To learn more, visit

[Safety]  Aqua Plumbing and Air Launches the Aqua Cares Foundation

For most, the word “home” conjures feelings of safety, warmth, and security. The truth is, most mishaps at home can be easily prevented, which is why it's so important to take the necessary — and often fairly simple measures to do so. This is especially the case for families with young children or seniors. The last thing you want is to be confronted with a dangerous situation and find that it is too late to do something about it. Like many things, home safety begins with awareness. That is why Aqua Plumbing & Air, a local heating, air conditioning, water treatment and plumbing company, is proud to announce the creation of the Aqua Cares Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) organization that educates the community on how to keep you and your family healthy and safe through education, training and advocacy. While the company still prioritizes giving back to the community each year, the new Aqua Cares Foundation has a TV show that provides home safety tips, provides education workshops on home safety, and also has a children program hosted by Howie the Home Safety Hound.  “Importance of home safety is synonymous to the importance of practicing safety in its entirety. Keeping your home free of dangers and equipped with home safety education can prevent mundane accidents such as falls and can protect you from emergencies like fires. We are committed to improving the lives of our customers while also supporting our community and giving back.” said Chuck Jacobson, co-owner of Aqua Plumbing & Air. “The creation and structure of the Aqua Cares Foundation will help us create an even greater impact and allow us to plan and maximize the power of our community support.”  

Pictured: Skip Stanton and Chuck Jacobson, Co-Owners of Aqua Plumbing and Air.

[New Hire]  Shirley Bahler Joins RE/MAX Platinum Realty

Realtor Shirley A. Bahler has joined RE/MAX Platinum Realty as a Sales Associate with the Seaside Living Group. She has 36 years of residential real estate experience, specializing in coastal communities. Originally from Connecticut, Bahler lived in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for 20 years, where she was a consistent top-producing agent. She received her Massachusetts real estate license in 1986 and her broker’s license in 1999. Prior to her real estate career, she worked in office management in both corporate and municipal settings, as well as in sales, marketing and graphic design. Her move to Florida in 2016 has allowed her to enjoy her favorite activities, including the arts, culture, gardening and the pleasures of seaside living. She will work from the Venice and Wellen Park offices, and can be reached at (508) 364-6734 or Shirley@AtHomeSeaside.com. 

[Survey]  Sarasota Orchestra Seeks Community-Wide Input on New Music Center Vision

Sarasota Orchestra released a public survey Wednesday afternoon to collect feedback about the organization, its planned music center and how the Orchestra might use this new project to better serve the community. In March, Sarasota Orchestra announced plans to build a music center on 32 acres at 5701 Fruitville Road between Honore Avenue and Cattlemen Road. The Orchestra will use survey results to inform a masterplan that reflects the community’s input. Aspirations for the music center currently include the region’s first acoustic concert hall, a recital hall, rehearsal spaces, practice rooms and administrative offices. The site will also include about 12 acres of publicly accessible green spaces, such as parks, walking trails and water features. Sarasota Orchestra is facing an urgent need for increased performance, education, rehearsal, storage, and administrative space to accommodate more concert dates and greater participation in Sarasota Orchestra’s youth programs. 

Click here for survey, open now until Friday, Nov. 18.



[Feature]  Hidden Gems
Kevin Allen

HIDDEN GEMS | Eight restaurants that transcend their environs to offer memorable cuisine and bring-you-back experiences.

Discover dining treasures Reyna's Taqueria, S.O.B. Burgers, Origin Craft Beer and Pizza, Sardinia, Baker and Wife, Post Kitchen & Bar, Bangkok, and Bourbon and Bones through this link, on our social media, or in the November edition of SRQ Magazine! 

Read Here!

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Presents Sybarite5 performing “Apartments” , November 15, 7:30 PM

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota is pleased to present Sybarite5 opening the Tuesdays at the Historic Asolo Theater Series at 7:30 p.m. on November 15. They will perform their Groove Machine program with new dance-inspired works along with the world premiere of “Apartments” by Jackson Greenberg, which was commissioned for them. The piece explores the intersection between everyday sounds (rain, electrical wires, coffee machines), human communication (via string instruments), and current events (via AM news radio). The concert is sponsored by Charlotte and Charles Perret. For more information and tickets, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org or call (941) 306-1202. Tickets ($30-$50).

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Asolo Repertory Theatre: Cabaret , November 16 – December 31, Varied

Willkommen to Kander and Ebb’s iconic CABARET, which transports us to 1939 Berlin and the dynamic and pleasure-filled Kit Kat Klub. As a dark shadow falls over the city and the power of the Third Reich begins to mount, the Klub’s performers and patrons must decide if they’ll wake up to the evil on their doorsteps or continue to escape to the alluring fantasy world of the cabaret. Since its debut in 1967, this classic musical has won countless awards, including the Tony Awards® for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Revival of a Musical. Packed with vibrant and beloved songs like “Willkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” “Money,” “Don’t Tell Mama,” and, of course, “Cabaret,” this timely masterwork will burst to life on stage under the direction of Broadway and Asolo Rep favorite Josh Rhodes. 

Asolo Repertory Theatre

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: FST - A Place in the Sun - A Tribute to Stevie Wonder , November 16 – April 16, Varied

A Place in the Sun – A Tribute to Stevie Wonder, will begin playing in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret on November 16, 2022. The new music revue celebrates the legendary musician whose catalogue spans six decades and multiple musical genres, taking audiences through the beloved songbook of musical pioneer, Stevie Wonder. Created by Jason Cannon, Richard Hopkins, and Sarah Durham, this all-new Cabaret features such timeless hits as “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” “Isn’t She Lovely?,” and “Superstition.” Tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.

[SOON]  DANCE: Sarasota Ballet: Program 2 - Expressions , November 18 – November 19

The Sarasota Ballet is excited to announce the Company’s 2022 – 2023 Season. Over seven programs, The Sarasota Ballet will perform 15 works by some of the most celebrated and prestigious choreographers and composers of the ballet world. Program 2 - Expressions. November 18-19, 2022 at Sarasota Opera House. Featuring: Danses Concertantes (Company Premiere) Choreography by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Music by Igor Stravinsky. Dante Sonata (Company Premiere) Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, Music by Franz Liszt. Rhapsody - Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton
Music by Sergei Rachmaninov. For more information visit www.sarasotaballet.org, Box office 941.359.0099

Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: CoolToday Park Announce Second Annual Grilled Cheese Festival , November 19, 11am-6pm

CoolToday Park, the Spring Training Home of the Atlanta Braves, announce the return of the wildly popular Grilled Cheese Festival on November 19, 2022. The free, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, November 19, from 11am-6pm, and will feature food trucks, a beer garden, live music, kids’ activities, and more. Parking is $5 per car. Each food truck will offer grilled cheese themed items along with their regular menu. Attendees can vote on their favorite grilled cheese items from these categories: Traditional, Meat Lovers, and Freestyle. Armbands will be issued to those aged 21+ for free beer samples. Craft and domestic beers will be available for purchase, along with a custom beer stein. On the Front Plaza lawn, kids’ activities will include face painting and a speed pitch game. Also on the Front Plaza will be a stage with live music, community booths, and the Braves Street Team. For more information on the Grilled Cheese Festival, or CoolToday Park, visit cooltodaypark.com.

CoolToday Park , 18800 South West Villages Pkwy Venice, FL 34293

[SOON]  SPORTS: Tournament Features Elite Female Baseball Players as the Original All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Passes the Torch to A New Generation of Female Athletes , November 19 – November 22

The Legends of Woman’s Baseball in America announces the inaugural All-American Woman’s Baseball Classic Tournament to be held at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida from November 19-22, 2022. The multi-day event will include a free baseball clinic for girls ages 5-18 coached by former MLB players and a championship female coaching team, on Monday, November 21st. Pro-level tournament competition will begin on Saturday, November 19th between four teams, each wearing replica colors of jerseys worn by the 1943 All- Americans. The event will culminate on Tuesday, November 22 with a championship tournament and awards ceremony. Our legacy sponsor Misdee Wrigley Miller, the granddaughter of Phillip K. Wrigley, founder of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), will throw out the first pitch of the championship game in his honor on Tuesday, November 22nd. Sixty of the nation’s elite woman athletes, many of whom are members of the prestigious Women’s Baseball World Cup, will showcase this generation’s major league-level talent while recognizing the women who paved the way before them. The tournament will pay homage to the League’s history by using the names of the original four teams – Peaches, Blue Sox, Belles, and Comets. Baseball is America’s pastime, yet it has passed women by. We believe that’s about to change. Timing is ripe to shine a light on equality, diversity, access, and inclusion. Every girl should have the opportunity to play baseball.

[SOON]  THEATER: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe: Guys and Dolls , October 5 – November 20, Varied

A Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Guys and Dolls tells the story of New York City gambler Nathan Detroit, who dreams of setting up a big dice game while avoiding the authorities—and marriage to his longtime fiancée. Meanwhile, fellow gambler Sky Masterson ends up wooing a strait-laced missionary in a scheme to fund the game. WBTT will add its own special twist to this crowd-pleasing show! Performances run October 5th-November 20th, 2022. For more information visit westcoastblacktheatre.org, Ph. 941-366-1505, Box Office questions email boxoffice@westcoastblacktheatre.org

The Donelly Theatre , 1012 N. Orange Ave Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Manatee Performing Art Center: Pets! , November 2 – November 20, Varied

Pets! November 2 – 20, 2022. This critically-acclaimed musical revue consists of 22 musical scenes dealing with the very special relationship between people and their pets. It’s clever, user-friendly and suits audiences of all ages. Cats, dogs, mice, turtles, iguanas, parakeets and other species are having the times of their lives. The scenes range from a dog hungrily eyeing his owner’s bagel in “There’s a Bagel on the Piano'' to the hilarious, harried Rumanian dog walker in “I Walk Ze Dogs.” For more information visit www.manateeperformingartscenter.com, Ticket Office 941-748-5875

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

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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