SRQ DAILY Aug 5, 2020
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"Hunger relief is essential to our community's resiliency and eventual restoration in the midst of this pandemic."
Sisterhood For Good Inc. (SFG), an all-volunteer 501(c)(3), proudly announced that it has earned the 2020 GOLD Seal of Transparency, the second highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar®, an online information service that specializes in reporting on over 2.5 million U.S. nonprofit companies. SFG had previously earned the Bronze and Silver Transparency Seals from GuideStar. SFG earned the latest level, as well as the IRS Pub 78 Verified Seal, after elevating its nonprofit profile transparency by sharing updated financial data from 2019 including 990N filings and other matrix qualifications. GuideStar’s evaluation of SFG’s public records on GuideStar.org substantiates the progress SFG has made toward its Mission. "Only 53% of the organizations have reached the Gold Seal level nationwide. Having GuideStar’s Gold Seal behind us lets our members, donors, grant makers, and the media know that SFG is committed to a more in-depth picture of our organization,” said Angela Massaro-Fain, SFG Founder and company President. “We are excited to highlight our organization’s results. Viewers can be confident that our business is committed to provide the data necessary to evaluate SFG’s nonprofit performance,” Massaro-Fain also stated. 
On October 29th the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sarasota and Manatee Counties will host Out of the Blue, a unique Live Online Zoom event and costume contest supporting NAMI and featuring entertainer Jonathan Cortez and local artists and talent. Throughout October you have the opportunity to enter a picture and/or video of your best “Blue” costume. The evening will wrap by announcing costume contest winners including “Best in Blue”. Have fun creating a “Bluetiful” costume along with an enjoyable and safe evening of entertainment.
In the midst of government shutdowns and indoor dining restrictions, TakeoutSRQ launched in order to help combat the economic downfall of on area restaurants. The platform encourages Sarasotans to support local restaurants by directly contacting them for delivery or pickup rather than using third-party apps. Their free-of-charge service eliminates additional fees for those ordering and allows the restaurant to receive more profit. This week they announced a community project partnered with Sarasota-Bradenton-based production company, Orensis Films to provide five restaurants in Sarasota with a complimentary promotional videos to help get their business's word back out there to the public. Orensis is headed by Director & DP Trishul Thejasvi who assists in productions such as commercials, documentaries, music videos, shorts and corporate presentations. “These videos will be made to be shared on their social media to help them get back on their feet since the slowdowns due to the COVID- 19 pandemic,” explains Tatiana Fernandez of TakeOutSRQ. The videos will be free of charge. Find the form restaurants are to fill out in order to be considered for selection here. TakeOutSRQ will contact the restaurant directly if chosen for the free promotional video. TakeoutSRQ is a community support project built by Avenue Media and Kluck LLC.
Photo courtesy of OfKors Bakery
Douglas Staley, Executive Director of the Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC), has reached the milestone of 25 years of full-time employment with the nonprofit. “Doug Staley is emblematic of our mission at the Child Protection Center: to prevent child abuse, to intervene on behalf of abused children, and to treat abused children,” said Dr. Katherine Keeley, who had served as CPC’s Medical Director at the beginning of Doug’s journey with the organization and encouraged his advancement and success. “He has created a culture of collaborative teamwork in the Child Protection Center. With his high work ethic and his dedication to quality client care, Doug has led us our efforts to protect children. Thank you, Doug Staley!” Local philanthropist and CPC supporter Graci McGillicuddy offered her congratulations as well, saying, “Wow! After working with Doug these last 25 years, it is really difficult to narrow it down to one quote. He is so mission driven, so passionate about the well-being of children. . . I admire him so, and am eternally grateful for the leadership he has provided to CPC.” When asked about the best day he’s had at CPC, Doug said, “We haven’t seen our best day yet! We have so much potential, we are improving every day, our staff is growing professionally and personally, we have had good days, we have had great days, but we haven’t seen our best day yet.”
Due to the uncertainty of being able to gather safely in a theater in November, Sarasota Opera is cancelling the scheduled mainstage production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and the Sarasota Youth Opera production of The Hobbit. The “Night in Italy” concert, scheduled for November 7, and the Concert at Noon scheduled for November 13 are also cancelled. The Taste of Downtown event scheduled for September 26 will also not be held, but the company is exploring ways to continue this important Youth Opera Fundraiser in another form.
Sarasota Opera’s fall season will consist of concerts utilizing resident artists. A concert with singers and piano on stage at the Sarasota Opera House will be live-streamed on the internet on November 13, 2020. If conditions allow for an in-person audience, an announcement will be made at a later date. The “OperaMobile” will return in November with Resident Artists performing throughout Sarasota. If conditions allow, the Company will also be scheduling concerts at outdoor venues in Sarasota, to be announced later. The “Curtain Raiser Dinner” is still scheduled to be held on October 25, subject to prevailing conditions. In addition, Sarasota Opera hopes to begin a modified HD at the Opera House and Classic Movies at the Opera House series in September or October, depending on then-current health conditions.
The Sarasota Youth Opera fall semester will begin virtually in August. An alternative Sarasota Youth Opera presentation will be scheduled for Spring 2021. No changes have been made to the Winter Opera Festival which is scheduled to run from Feb. 6 through March 21. Sarasota Opera will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and make adjustments as appropriate. Single tickets for the Winter Opera Festival will go on sale on September 1, 2020. Executive Director Richard Russell states, “Despite our disappointment in having to cancel our mainstage activities, we do not plan to be silent. Our intention is that opera remains in the hearts and minds of our supporters, our audience, and our community through this difficult time.” Sarasota Opera suspended its 61st season after the March 12 performance of La Wally, yet paid all of their artists and crew for the entire season.
Sarasota Opera, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, 941-366-8450, www.sarasotaopera.org
For the first time, massive corals restored to Florida's Coral Reef are ready to become parents in the wild—a breakthrough in Mote Marine Laboratory's scientific efforts to restore critically imperiled coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea,” to self-sustaining life. This month, Mote’s coral reproduction scientist, Dr. Hanna Koch, identified gametes (eggs and sperm) inside colonies of two threatened, yet key, reef-building species that Mote restored to Florida Keys reefs in recent years: the massive or mounding species called mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) and branching staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis). Both species are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The presence of gametes indicates that these corals are sexually mature, gravid (pregnant), and ready to produce the next generation of coral “babies” with fresh genetics to help revive declining coral populations. These corals are achieving critical milestones for the entire field of coral reef restoration—showing the first signs that they are capable of producing new generations of corals on their own. These and other corals in Mote’s restored populations survived big challenges to reach this point, demonstrating resilience. Their success validates the significance and progress of Mote’s science-based, resilience-focused coral restoration.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, 941-388-4441. Pictured: Mote's Dr. Hanna Koch observes out-planted mountainous star coral at a reef in the Florida Keys.
Join Bishop on Zoom as they host Clyde Butcher during a virtual think+drink / science. Butcher will discuss how he captured his stunning images, and then we will open the floor for questions from the audience. “At a time when options are limited on where we can go and what we can do, we’re pleased that The Bishop can be here to remind us of the beauty and renewal that nature offers — both through our safe, in-person special exhibition of Clyde’s work and through this special virtual program with him,” said CEO Brynne Anne Besio. “It’s such an honor and a privilege to work with Clyde to showcase the special places that Southwest Florida has to offer and to be able to share them with our guests.” “I have always felt that the best photographs are taken in surroundings near to your heart,” says Butcher. “I had photographed the Myakka River ecosystem before my stroke in 2017, but afterward, the Myakka became a sort of sanctuary for me. Spending time and capturing its primal beauty saved my life spirit and helped heal my body."Cost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all others.
Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, and Elise Ramer, APR, have been appointed to the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) State Executive Committee. Livengood will serve as the organization's Vice President of Member Services, and Ramer will serve as the Vice President of Golden Image beginning in September. FPRA is a statewide organization of public relations professionals with 15 chapters, including the Central West Coast chapter covering the Sarasota/Bradenton area. "We are excited to represent Sarasota and Manatee on the state board of the Florida Public Relations Association. It has been a professional goal for us both, and we are eager to bring our experience to the board." - Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC & Elise Ramer, APR
Pictured: Elise Ramer, APR and Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC.
London Bay Homes, a leading homebuilder and developer in Southwest Florida for nearly three decades, is offering the final two remaining homesite opportunities in the exclusive gated community of just 14 homesites on Sarasota Bay. Blending prime waterfront access in an intimate setting in close proximity to both the beaches and cultural activities of St. Armands Square, Spice Bay is a private eight-acre gated community offering residents direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. “The area has resonated with buyers looking to be near Siesta Key Beach, recognized as one of the best beaches in America, and within close proximity of the vast array of dining options, like the Summer House restaurant, lively shopping scene, and walkable island lifestyle,” said London Bay Homes President and CEO Mark Wilson. “Coupled with Sarasota’s ranking as one of the top cities to live in Florida due its health and wellness focus and ambience as a winterless wonderland with ideal weather, it’s easy to see why so many have discovered Spice Bay as their island paradise.”
Home sales are strong in Casey Key, with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty achieving more than $20 million in total sales volume year-to-date. Sales associates Lisa Napolitano and Valerie Dall’Acqua, of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s Venice and Sarasota offices, respectively, recently sold a $4.1 million residence at 1906 Casey Key Road, the second highest-price sale on Casey Key year-to-date, as well as the $1.55 million property at 2712 Casey Key Road. Napolitano represented the seller while Dall’Acqua brought the buyer on each transaction. “This year, we are seeing Casey Key become more and more attractive to the affluent buyer. As recent sales data indicates, there is a strong demand for luxury real estate in general, and a heightened interest in this private tropical island in particular." says, Lisa Napolitano and Valerie Dall’Acqua of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
From hopeless to homeless, a young Sebrena Pawley would eventually come to learn that falling ill to a life-threatening virus is just another survival obstacle to overcome.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.
Hunger has been an ongoing problem in our region for many years but COVID-19 has exacerbated the need in our community, leaving many families with uncertain futures. In response to a significant increase in need due to the economic impacts of the coronavirus, a $500,000 match has been provided from the Joe and Mary Kay Henson Family Fund. An anonymous donor from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County was inspired to give an additional $100,000, increasing the total to $600,000. The match became available starting August 1; All Faiths is now launching a major fundraising and social media effort to raise awareness of the need and promote the match.
“We are a family fund devoted to supporting the needs of children and adults living in poverty. The currently unemployed are a vital part of our community and key to our economic well-being,” said Joe and Mary Kay Henson. “This virus is not going away any time soon . . . and what All Faiths Food Bank is doing is tremendously vital for these families and children. The entire community has to rally around to support and protect families during the ongoing crisis."
"In order for those most affected by the crisis to have hope for rebuilding their lives, their basic need for food must be met," said All Faiths Food Bank CEO Sandra Frank. "Hunger relief is essential to our community’s resiliency and eventual restoration in the midst of this pandemic. We are so grateful to Mary Kay and Joe and our anonymous friend for stepping up and offering such generous motivation for others to give, too."
Pictured: Mary Kay and Joe Henson/ 941-379-6333.
Lakewood Ranch, in collaboration with the Brain Health Initiative and their meditation expert, Trish Hart of Hart Mind Body Solutions, will be providing weekly mindful moments to help kick-off your week with a healthy brain boost. 10-15 minute video clips featuring Trish Hart who will provide a mindful moment to implement into your Tuesday routine. Mindful moments will include brief meditations, affirmations, short readings, yoga practice tips, and more. RSVP and invite your friends and neighbors to be notified when a new video is posted on Tuesday mornings. The Brain Health Initiative (BHI) is a cutting-edge, new approach to studying brain health that's set to revolutionize neuroscience research and position the Gulf Coast as a global leader in scientific innovation. Formed in 2018 and headquartered in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, the BHI features collaborative leadership from the Academy for Brain Health and Performance and Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital. Brain health clinicians, researchers, academics, and innovators from across the Harvard system and throughout the state of Florida, as well as national and global collaborators, are engaged in this collective impact effort to support significant positive brain health and performance outcomes for the greater Gulf Coast region and beyond. Trish Hart is a facilitator of the Massachusetts General Hospital's, Benson Henry Institute's (SMART) Stress Management and Resiliency Program, trained in Mindfulness for Professionals through Duke Integrative Medicine, and is an Ananda Meditation and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra teacher.
Looking for fun and engaging programs that you and your child can do at home? Try these pre-packaged STEMventures. These themed packets delivered via email will include education materials and links to videos of our early childhood educators introducing topics and activities. Follow along with us from the comfort of your own home, pause when you need to and complete at your own pace. The Coast Counts: Join us to learn how humans and animals alike count on our coasts. Roleplay as a Mote scientist while learning how to monitor the health of Florida's coastal habitats and the inhabitants found there. Hide and SEAk: Ready or not, here we come: to learn all about how animals hide from predators and "SEAk" out their prey. Investigate the adaptations ocean animals have at their disposal like patterns, textures, bioluminescence, and more. Sea Shapes and Sizes: From the smallest plankton to the biggest blue whale; round pufferfish to arrow shaped barracuda; the ocean is filled with all shapes and sizes. Join Mote Educators to learn what this variety does for ocean animals then explore the shape of the ocean floor. Each Pre-Packaged STEMventure Theme: $45 for members, $50 for non-members. Upon registering for any OSM program, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to your weekly Guide to help prepare for a virtual week with us. Supplies for all of our OSM programs should be easily found around the home. The guide you receive in your confirmation email will detail what you need so you can prepare for your OSM week.
Regional artist Isabella Adams who’s clientele includes luxury retailers Nieman Marcus, The Atlantis, Ritz Carlton and the Beverly Hills Hotel, to name a few, will be doing her part to help The Exchange, (formally the Woman’s Exchange) get back on their feet after being closed for two months due to Covid-19. For the first time since its inception, Isabella Adams will be selling 1st quality Swarovski crystal gifts and accessories, including signed and numbered pieces from her collection at wholesale prices during this two-day only “Charity” Trunk Show. This two day only charity event will take place at The Exchange on August 7th and 8th. Supplies are limited and will be sold on a first come first serve basis. No orders will be taken. In addition to the “Charity Trunk Show” The Exchange will have a large selection of sterling silver jewelry starting as low as $5.00 per piece. Other local artisan pieces will be available at discounted prices.
The Exchange, 539 S Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Due to COVID-19, the original gala, That’s Entertainment, to be held April 18, 2020 at The Municipal Auditorium, was canceled to keep patrons and staff safe from the virus. As the summer ends, so does the organization’s celebration of 90 years in downtown Sarasota. The new virtual gala will be held through Zoom and will feature performances, a live auction, and a tribute to our honorees: Heritage Honoree: Eva T. Slane, Hometown Talent: Eve Caballero, Community Philanthropists: Angela & John Fain and Hearts of Gold: Barbara & Dick Johnson. Tickets are $19.29 in honor of The Players founding in 1929. If you’re feeling especially festive, VIP tickets are available by phone. VIPs receive swag bags and a (socially distant) private cocktail time with a singing bartender before the virtual gala.
Join Big Cat Habitat for our Fox Yoga fundraising event in collaboration with instructor Erika Cain. This is a unique interactive animal experience with gentle yoga weaved into the adventure. Erika will guide you through a yoga flow in our intimate encounter area, while Stormy and Miko, 2 silver foxes, freely play and connect with you. Allow yourself to be transformed by this exclusive experience as you become immersed in the outdoor environment and powerful energy of the foxes. This alignment-based class synchronizes breath with movement for you to deepen the mind-body connection and tune into your spirit animal. Practice is for most levels, giving you the opportunity to be gentle on your body. We will be practicing social distancing throughout the class and mats will be placed 6ft apart. Masks are required for this event. Big Cat Habitat hopes that this event will help guests connect with our majestic animals in a new way and support our mission to provide a safe, loving and permanent home for big cats and other exotic creatures in need. We take pride in educating our guests on the importance of species preservation to ensure the survival of these magnificent animals for future generations and to keep alive the human-animal connection in our world and in our community. $125 per person; includes interactive animal encounter, yoga flow and a single day pass to return to the habitat during normal business hours. Only 6 spaces available. Advanced reservations only. Bring yoga mat, towel and any props to assist your practice. Complimentary refreshments and light snacks available.
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Boulevard Sarasota, FL 34240
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Boulevard Sarasota, FL 34240
We unleash the awesome power of The Planetarium during KidSpace, where kids can become scientific masters of the universe. Join us as we take off from the Earth's surface and fly to places humans have never been: the Sun, planets, other moons in our solar system, newly discovered solar systems in our galaxy and beyond. KidSpace is designed for grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome.
IQuest — our monthly program for smart, curious middle school students in grades 6 through 8 — is back and in-person at The Bishop. On August 8, kids can join us as we dive into an underwater world previously inaccessible to humans and look at how scientists discover and interpret the movement of ocean animals. Then, we'll try some creative solutions of our own. During IQuest, kids can expect challenging projects and games that inspire out-of-the-box solutions to real-world problems. Please note: Due to limitations on attendance and staffing, attendees must pre-register by 11am on Saturday, August 8. We will be adhering to social distancing measures during all activities and the class size will be limited to 10 children. Masks will be required for all staff and students, and all students will be temperature-screened upon arrival.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205
The Ringling’s Community Gallery is currently showing an exhibition called "The Art of Medicine," which features artwork by physicians who are members of the Sarasota County Medical Society. This panel will feature some of exhibiting artists as they discuss how art enriches their lives as medical providers. The Community Gallery is generously sponsored by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. We’ve designed a dynamic line-up of live, conversational, virtual programs for you to enjoy from anywhere. Tickets will be available 14 days prior to each program. Tickets are limited, but only 1 ticket is required for each household ($5), for regardless of how many in your household will participate. Free for members.
Join us for "virtual" coffee with your Chamber President/CEO, Heather Kasten and Guest Speaker Rick Piccolo, CEO of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to hear updates on air travel during COVID-19 and the steps put in place to keep us safe. A Zoom meeting code will be sent to registered attendees 24 hours prior to the event. You do not need a Zoom account to register for this event.
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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