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SRQ DAILY May 19, 2022

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"I feel a great sense of accomplishment for the transformation I have undergone as a cadet, and I feel a great sense of loss for leaving behind an organization that empowered me along the way."

- Jessiah Straw, Sarasota Military Academy, Class of 2013.
 

[Politics]  Buchanan Unveils GOP Health Care Agenda Planks
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

As Congressional Republicans unroll public health policy ahead of the midterm elections, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, continues to play a central role. On Wednesday, he unveiled a party agenda that involves permanently banning fentanyl in the U.S. and keeping the federal government “mission ready” for the next pandemic.

The details were developed by the Healthy Future Task Force, appointed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Buchanan co-chairs that panel with U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, and if Republicans win a majority in the House in November, Buchanan will hold significant influence in advancing the agenda.

“America learned a costly lesson regarding our public health security as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Buchanan said in a joint statement with Guthrie. Beyond thanking other members of the task force, Buchanan stressed readiness must play a greater role in the future than reaction.

“Public health security is national security, and Republicans are ready to tackle future health crises head-on to keep Americans safe and help save lives.”

In April, the same task force under Buchanan’s leadership pushed for private sector solutions in lowering health care costs. That included reducing government interference on research into innovative medicines, devices and diagnostics, promoting U.S.-manufactured medicines and working to lower out-of-pocket costs for consumers.

Buchanan now serves as the ranking Republican on the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, where he will advocate for conservative policy regardless which party maintains power.

But more important, retirements and resignations will leave Buchanan the most senior Republican on the full Ways & Means Committee, the most powerful in Congress, in the next Congress. That means he will chair the most powerful committee in House should Republicans win the midterms nationwide. That’s assuming, of course, that he wins re-election in the fall. 

  

Photo courtesy Buchanan's office: Reps. Brett Guthrie and Vern Buchanan lead Healthy Future Task Force.

[Local Schools]  Sarasota Military Academy Turns Twenty

In the May 2022 issue of SRQ Magazine, we ran a BrandStory marketing feature on Sarasota Military Academy. Below is an excerpt.

The 2022-23 school year marks the 20th anniversary of Sarasota Military Academy. That’s twenty years of creating an inclusive, challenging and rewarding experience for countless young men and women–building a generation that has led with Honor, Integrity, and Respect. Founded in 2002 on the original campus of St. Martha’s School in downtown Sarasota, SMA is a non-profit, tuition-free, public charter school for students in Grades 9-12. A Middle School Campus for Grades 6-8 was added in 2014 in East Sarasota. During its twenty years, SMA has educated over 20,000 cadets and is poised for continued growth.

“This is the start where your life takes off, and I’m glad I started here.” –Sophia Hoffman, Class of 2022 (grades 6-12)

With an engaged Board of Directors, an exclusive philanthropic foundation to support expansion initiatives, and the continued steadfast values underpinning our educational model, the future is even brighter for SMA. We will continue fostering a passion for learning and instilling the courage to reach a greater potential.

“I feel a great sense of accomplishment for the transformation I have undergone as a cadet, and I feel a great sense of loss for leaving behind an organization that empowered me along the way.” –Jessiah Straw, Class of 2013. 

Sarasota Military Academy High School Campus, 801 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, 941-926-1700.

To read the full article, click here.

[Children's Book Review]  Fiction Book Review of Call Me Max, by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Luciano Lozano

“Being a boy isn’t better than being a girl. But being myself is best,” says Max, a confident transgender child who is just starting school. When Max was born, he was given a girl’s name and labeled as a female. But Max never felt like a girl inside.

Although this book was published a few years ago, it seems more fitting than ever to review in light of new legislation surrounding LGBTQ issues. Written with warmth and reassurance by trans writer, Kyle Lukoff, Call Me Max is a picture book that follows one child’s journey through revealing his true identity to friends and family to finding comfort and acceptance in a world that might not always seem so understanding.

For children in grades‎ 2 - 4, ages ‎ 5 - 8 years.

Call Me Max, Book #1 in the Max and Friends series by Kyle Lukoff, Luciano Lozano (Illustrations). Published in 2019 by Reycraft Books, New York, NY ISBN: 978-1478868972. 

[New Hire]  Lynn Clement Joins RE/MAX Alliance Group

Lynn Clement has joined the Sarasota office of RE/MAX Alliance Group as a member of the Fevrier Group. She brings strong skills and knowledge in marketing, social media, customer service, and Lakewood Ranch new construction, earning recognition for new-home sales and customer satisfaction. Prior to her real estate career, Clement worked in nursing, making her way up to Director of Nursing and Vice President of Nursing/Operations for a healthcare organization. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Binghamton University and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Rochester, both in New York. Clement enjoys tennis, hiking, pickle ball, music and water activities. She is a Suncoast Blood Bank volunteer and attends Our Lady of Angels Church in Lakewood Ranch. The RE/MAX Alliance Group Sarasota office is located at 2000 Webber Street, Sarasota, Florida 34239. Clement can be reached at (941) 650-1138 or Lynnclement.floridarealtor@gmail.com.  

[New Programs]  Hermitage Artist Retreat Announces New Programs in June

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announces new community programs in June with Hermitage Fellows spanning music, visual art, and theater. These newly added programs are presented at outdoor venues throughout Sarasota County as part of the Hermitage’s partnerships with local organizations, including Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the Van Wezel Foundation, and Art Center Sarasota. First, the season’s final installment of the popular “Unscripted” series, “Sparking Creativity,” features Hermitage Fellow and theater-maker Nandita Shenoy in a virtual
program on Thursday, June 2 at 5pm ET.  Next, the Hermitage’s June programs continue with the previously announced “Soulful Strings: An Evening of Harp Music” with celebrated musician and composer Ashley Jackson. This is the inaugural event in the Ruby E. Crosby Alumni Music Series at the Hermitage, made possible with a generous gift from the Ruby E. and Carole Crosby Foundation. “Soulful Strings” will be presented on Tuesday June 7 at 8pm at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Downtown). Finally, the Hermitage will partner with Art Center Sarasota to present “Visual Art: New Ways of Seeing,” featuring Hermitage Fellows Aram Han Sifuentes and Amanda Williams, live on the Hermitage Beach. This event will take place at 6:30pm on Friday, June 17. These programs are in addition to previously announced programs throughout the month of May. Hermitage programs like these are free and open to the public with a $5/person registration fee. Due to capacity limitations and social distancing, registration is required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org. 

[Summer Theater]  FST's 2022 Summer Mainstage Series Opens with Ring of Fire, A Rousing Musical Biography of Johnny Cash

Florida Studio Theatre’s 2022 Summer Mainstage Series kicks off on June 1 with the first performance of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, a raw and rousing tribute to “The Man in Black.” Known for his distinct voice and sincere musical storytelling, Johnny Cash helped shape country music and is regarded as a forefather of Rock & Roll. Ring of Fire provides an intimate look into Cash’s life—from his humble beginnings on an Arkansas farm to becoming one of the best-selling musicians of all time—and highlights the emotional power of his music. Featuring over two dozen of Cash’s biggest hits, such as “I Walk the Line” and “A Boy Named Sue,” this engaging musical takes audiences on an adventure of love, faith, and struggle. 

[Upcoming Event]  CoolToday Park Announces Party on the Plaza, Featuring Tropical Avenue

CoolToday Park (CTP), the Spring Training Home of the Atlanta Braves, announces the next event as a continuation of the popular Party on the Plaza series. This concert series takes place on the beautiful lawn space in front of CTP, and on June 11, 2022, will be featuring Tropical Avenue. Based out of Southwest Florida, Tropical Avenue performs a variety of different music from Top
40 Dance, Latin, and Island Music, in addition to Motown, Classic Rock, and Standards – always with a festive flair. Music on the plaza will begin at 7:30 PM, with gates opening at 6 PM. Multiple food and beverage options will be available, along with drinks and a limited food menu at the Superior Pools Tomahawk Tiki Bar & Grill. General admission tickets are available for only $12, and the ever-popular VIP Squares are available for $100 and include: 4 (four) tickets with chairs, 4 (four) beverages (soda, beer, or wine), and a reserved space near the stage. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, however, coolers and tents are not permitted. To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com, stop by the CTP box office, or call 941-413-5004.
For more information on the Party on the Plaza event, or CoolToday Park, visit CoolToday Park on social media, email springtraining@braves.com, or call 941-413-5000. 



[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Players Centre's Broadway on the Bay , May 17 – May 20, Varies.

The Players Centre for Performing Arts is back with the popular Broadway on the Bay series titled, The Sarasota Divas, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236) May 17-20, 2022. This year some of your favorite Sarasota divas including Kathryn Parks, Alana Opie, Berry Ayers, Jennifer Baker and Eve Caballero will perform some of your favorite Broadway tunes. No food or drink will be sold at this event. Seats are provided. NO TICKETS will be printed for this event. Upon making your purchase your name will be on a reservation list.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: The Ringling: Literati Book Club May , May 20, 10:30am

Join The Ringling Art Library for Literati, a book group that discusses books about art and subjects reflecting the Ringling collections. The May 20 book club will take place at 10:30am: ArtCurious: Stories of the Unexpected, Slightly Odd and Strangely Wonderful in Art History by Jennifer Dasal. This program will be virtual via zoom until further notice. This program is free. For further information, contact the Art Library at 359-5700, ex. 2701 or elisa.hansen@ringling.org.

[SOON]  GALLERY: SPAACES Gallery: Ah Who Run Dis , May 20 – June 11, Gallery hours.

Ah Who Run Dis, A Solo Exhibit by Krystle Lemonias. This work explores personal and political intersections of power that govern how people interact daily through an immigrant lens. It creates an entry point to consider the impact larger systems have on people from colonized nations. A subject is used to examine access, privilege, misuse, and obstruction to the status quo when one wields power. Each piece reflects the complexity of being resilient through society’s exploitive structure then, using this understanding to get over and ahead for one’s self. What is the cost of resilience? Who really has the power? This body of work shows intimate views of video, installation, prints, and performance. Opening Night Reception is Friday, May 20th, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm. Open Exhibition Dates are May 21st through June 11th By Appointment Only.

[SOON]  MUSIC: UnidosNow Presents "NocheUnidos" , May 20 – May 21, Varies.

UnidosNow presents the acclaimed Mexican folkloric group Mariachi Cobre and the Venice Symphony, on Friday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, and on Saturday, May 21, 2:30 p.m., at the Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice. Michelle Merrill, the former associate conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, will conduct both performances. The concerts commemorate UnidosNow's 10th anniversary, which has been delayed for two years due to the pandemic. Proceeds will raise valuable funds to empower UnidosNow's education, integration, and civic engagement initiatives. Tickets for the event, which range from $30 to $120, are now on sale at www.unidosnow.org/nocheunidos.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Sixth Annual Adopt-A-Palooza , May 21, 11am-4pm

The 6th Annual Adopt-A-Palooza will be held, Saturday, May 21st at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Boulevard in Palmetto. Hours are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission and parking are FREE.

Returning this year, after a two-year postponement due to the pandemic, Adopt-A-Palooza is the largest one-day adoption and expo-style event in Manatee County and will feature over 100 adoptable puppies, dogs, cats and kittens from Manatee County Animal Services (MCAS), local shelters and animal rescues - all under one roof.

For pets from MCAS, all adoption fees will be waived in lieu of a donation made to the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS). Manatee County residents are required to license their new pet for an additional $20 tag fee. All pets will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

The family-friendly event will include over 25 retail vendors selling a variety of pet products. New this year, offered by Manatee County Animal Services, is a free pet vaccine and microchip clinic. Pet owners with dogs and cats in need of vaccinations and/or microchips can bring their pet to the event to receive them at no charge. This free clinic is offered from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

The event also includes information tables with special pricing on services such as spay and neuter, chipping, veterinarian services and more. Raffles and silent auction items will be available.

[SOON]  THEATER: Florida Studio Theatre: The Legend of Georgia McBride , April 6 – May 22, Varies.

He's young, he's broke, his landlord's knocking at the door, and he's just found out his wife is going to have a baby. To make matters even more desperate, Casey is struggling with his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small-town Florida bar. When the bar owner brings in a B-level drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business - and himself. The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew Lopez will play beginning March 30, 2022 through May 22, 2022 in FST's Gompertz Theatre.

[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]  GALA: MLK Scholarship and Awards Gala , May 22, 6pm

The Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee is hosting the MLK Scholarship and Awards Gala at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 inside the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, located at 1534 Mound Street in Sarasota. Multiple academic scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who have a dream of obtaining a post-secondary education. Additionally, selfless individuals and organizations will be recognized for their unwavering public service. Tickets are available for purchase online at srqmlkgala.eventbrite.com/. For more information, contact Nicole Brown at 941-281-0520 or srqmlkcelebrationpr@gmail.com.

[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]  GALLERY: Docent-Guided Tour of Arts Advocates Gallery , November 3 – June 1, 11am-11:45am

For the first time since its founding in 1969, Arts Advocates has its own gallery to display works from its collection of Florida artists. Located in the Siesta Mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 119, in Sarasota, the opening exhibit features works by Sarasota Art Colony artists. Docent-guided tours of the exhibit are open to the public from 11am to 11:45pm on the first Wednesday of each month: November 3, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, and June 1. Tours are $10 per person, or $5 per person for Arts Advocates members, and can be booked below. Attendance is limited to 10. Group and special tours can be arranged by contacting Stephenie Frasher, docent team leader, at docent@artsadvocates.org.  

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Ranch Nite Wednesdays , November 10 – May 31, 6-9pm

Your favorite weeknight hangout has arrived at its new home, Waterside Place, the newest town center in Lakewood Ranch. Ranch Nite Wednesdays will take place from 6-9pm, every Wednesday, starting November 10, 2021 and through May, 2022. It will feature New food trucks + dessert truck each week, Weekly live music from local artists, Night market every 2nd Wednesday hosted by Main Street Market LWR, Outdoor bar hosted by Waterside Place tenant Good Liquid Brewing & Scratch Kitchen, and The 2nd largest recreational cornhole league in the nation hosted by MVP Sports & Social.

[SOON]  GALLERY: As long as there is sun, as long as there is light: Selections from the Bring Gift and The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art , November 21 – August 13, Museum hours.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is pleased to announce the opening of As long as there is sun, as long as there is light. Selections from the Bring Gift and The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art. The exhibition will run Nov. 21, 2021 – Aug. 13, 2023, in the museum’s Searing Wing. In 2020, The Ringling received a significant gift of art from Murray Bring and Kay Delaney Bring, in support of the modern and contemporary collection. Highlights from the gift include an important minimalist work by Anne Truitt and a monumental work on canvas by Gene Davis, both artists affiliated with the Washington Color School, an art movement during the 1950s to 1970s in Washington D.C., made up of abstract expressionist artists Additional works in the gift represent a generation of prominent artists who work, or have worked, in abstraction, including Clement Meadmore, Jules Olitski, Beverly Pepper, Rebecca Salter, Kenneth Snelson, and Yuriko Yamaguchi, among others. Also on view are sculptures and paintings by distinguished African American and Latin American artists from The Ringling collection, including William Edmondson, Eduardo Mac Entyre, Omar Rayo, Baruj Salinas, and Joyce de Guatemala.  

[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.

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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