Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

50 years of innovation: Reflecting on a half century of Florida Studio Theatre

For full article & photos:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...2baf6ebf&ei=76

Those who were around Sarasota in 1973 when Florida Studio Theatre began then left town for a while probably wouldn’t recognize the place today.

The company was started by Jon Spelman to present theater in nursing homes, prisons and migrant farms – anywhere there were people who might never buy a ticket. That was the target audience. It also found a home base at the historic Sarasota Women’s Club at the intersection of Palm and Cocoanut avenues in downtown Sarasota, from which it began building an audience in 1977.

Just three years later, Spelman decided to take a sabbatical and invited Richard Hopkins to fill in and direct. Spelman never returned and Hopkins never left. That was in 1980, and Hopkins has served as producing artistic director (or some form of that title) for 44 years. He is the longest-serving artistic leader in Sarasota history. (Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi is just two years behind him at 42 years).

[wondermint2]

'Beaches, Benches, and Boycotts' exhibit in Sarasota (Video)

For video:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/oth...2baf6ebf&ei=77

Photos of happy family moments mixed in with times of turmoil paint a picture of the 1960s for the African American communities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota.

"Once you walk in that door, you will be here longer than two minutes. Once you see what this is, you’ll want to see it all," said Walter Gilbert with the Sarasota African American Coalition and Newtown Alive. "I was around in this period of time. A lot of the things we see here I actually participated in and knew of, so not that long ago."

The exhibit called ‘Beaches, Benches and Boycotts' is on loan from the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg. A grant from the Florida Humanities Council helped bring the exhibit to Sarasota. It’s now partially displayed at ‘Studio A’ in the Rosemary District, once called Overtown, and at the Leonard Reid house in Newtown.

For full article:

https://www.fox13news.com/news/beach...n-sarasota.amp

[wondermint2]

Myakka residents fearful for hurricane season

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/my...2baf6ebf&ei=81

Residents of the Hidden River subdivision tell ABC7 they’re dreading the 2024 hurricane season, and rightfully so.

“I don’t sleep at night,” said Susie Kucia.

After the Myakka River D*ke broke and sent devastating amounts of water through the community in East Sarasota County, Kucia and her neighbors have been in agony.

Now, they’re hoping for the help from state legislators and government agencies like Sarasota County, the State Department of Environmental Protection, and others, to purchase the land from them.

“I don’t know what they’re waiting for,” said Kucia, “Its just not fair.”

According to the homeowners of Hidden River, tens of millions of dollars are available in grants. However, the grants need sponsorship from an official government entity for the plans to go forward. The county claims the **** is privately owned, and has no interest in being liable for the flood-prone berm.

Residents also claim the land is listed as green space on the county’s 2050 comprehensive plan, and a changing of land-ownership will have to take place sooner or later.

While a new hurricane season approaches, residents worry more damage will come before any help does.

[wondermint2]

Englewood Elementary nutrition professional wins state School Lunch Hero award

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/en...2baf6ebf&ei=83

Kayla Lewis, a food service assistant at Englewood Elementary school, won the 2024 Florida School Lunch Hero Award on Tuesday.

She was nominated by 19 people including children, parents, and school faculty.

She wins this award because of how she makes a difference in the lives of children outside of the classroom, her selflessness, compassion, and dedication to her students.

Lewis received a $2,000 check from No Kid Hungry Florida, prize packages from the Dairy Council of Florida, trophies, hero capes, and more from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“I would definitely say it’s because the kids mean so much to me and I love them so much,” said Lewis.

[wondermint2]

Opinion - New College must end the mystery over new campus Master Plan

Opinion piece by Jono Miller.

(Jono Miller is a local educator and former co-director of New College of Florida's environmental studies program. He chaired a previous Campus Master Plan Committee at New College and currently serves as president of NCF Freedom, an entity working to preserve academic freedom, shared governance and student agency at New College).

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/care...2baf6ebf&ei=90

Do you remember Jan. 22, 2024?

It was the day when The New York Times had this Page One headline: "Ron DeSantis ends campaign for president."

It was also the day the public was invited to comment on a draft Master Plan for the New College of Florida campus. Dozens of neighbors, faculty, alumni and students showed up for the session, and there was excitement – and perhaps dread – because the new administration would be revealing its vision for the campus.

However, there was also a palpable sense of annoyance because the document we were being asked to comment on had not been made available on the college’s website.  Instead, we were presented with illustrated panels depicting various parts of the campus and a PowerPoint presentation. Then, sitting at tables, those assembled offered suggestions that were ultimately summarized by one reporter from each table.

In the end, roughly 90% of those who were present at the session did not get to publicly express their views. 

By holding that first "hearing," New College ostensibly met a legal requirement for updating a Florida State University System campus Master Plan. But since there was no plan to review, such a claim seems hollow. Let me suggest what a hearing to receive comments on a document should minimally include:

[wondermint2]

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee County hosts Cereal Drive

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/me...3709e9a3&ei=37

School will be wrapping up in the just a few weeks and for many students, that means they’ll be losing their access to free breakfasts and lunch.

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee County is stepping in and they need your help.

The organization will be holding a new cereal drive to help feed children in need.

You can drop off cereal and other non-perishable food items to all Manatee County Goodwill locations, Manatee County Public Library locations, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce in Lakewood Ranch Office, or anywhere you see Yellow Food Bank of Manatee Donation Barrels.

You can also drop the donation off at the following locations:

MEALS ON WHEELS PLUS OF MANATEE

811 23RD AVE. EAST, BRADENTON, FL 34208

or

DAYBREAK ADULT DAY CENTER

10920 STATE ROAD 70 EAST, LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34202

Click here to learn more:

https://mealsonwheelsplus.org/

[wondermint2]

The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for May 9-15

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...anch-longboat/

[wondermint2]

East Bradenton emergency teams urge hurricane preparation

Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team members and Manatee officials gear up for a hurricane season that's predicted to see dozens of storms.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...e-preparation/

In the aftermath of a major storm, Jim Emanuelson, the president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team, sees himself and other CERT members as the eyes and ears of the community for first responders.

The trained volunteers spring into action and fan out throughout Lakewood Ranch to assess damage, check on neighbors and alert first responders to any dangerous situations.

With hurricane season officially beginning June 1, CERT members are gearing up in case their services are needed.

CERT members as well as Manatee County officials urge residents to be attentive and prepared, especially as forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season.

[wondermint2]

Early Wednesday crash snaps Sarasota utility pole

For photo:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/05/0...-utility-pole/

A crash early Wednesday morning snapped a utility pole in two after a car plowed into it in the pre-dawn hours of May 8.

It happened at the intersection of Fruitville and Florence.

Little information is known at this time, but ABC7 will continue updating this story as additional information becomes available.

[wondermint2]

SiestaCon Is Saturday. Break Out Your Masks, Capes and Armor.

The event, organized by Dark Side comic shop owner Brian Polizzi, will feature more than 100 vendors as well as food, panel discussions and more.

For full article & photos:

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/art...rk-side-comics

Calling all comic nerds, pop culture enthusiasts and superhero aficionados. Get ready to transform into your favorite alter ego, because this Saturday, May is SiestaCon at Robarts Arena. The full day’s lineup is packed with a whirlwind of fun for cosplayers of all ages.

Sure, it’s Mother’s Day weekend. Still, for $10 for general admission (free for kids younger than 10), “it’s cheap enough to be a family event,” says Brian Polizzi, owner of The Dark Side comic shop in Sarasota. “We didn’t want to interfere with Mother’s Day on Sunday. Maybe you could buy Mom some comics.” Or she could check out water bending or belly dancing, both of which will also be happening at SiestaCon.

Brought to life by Polizzi, who has been a leading force in the local comics scene for 18 years, SiestaCon will offer tournaments, comic creation classes, Lego robotics, tai chi water bending, a belly dancing show and a lightsaber choreography demonstration. The public is invited to show off their best costumes in two contests, one for kids and one for adults.

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*SiestaCon

May 11th, 2024 - Sarasota, Florida - 10am to 7pm

Robarts Arena | 3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34232

For more details:

https://siestacon.com/