People & Business: Friday 3/22/19

Friday, March 29th
THE SARASOTA SCENE
People & Business
To submit your news for consideration, please send press info to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com

Exciting New $2 million Challenge Match will Support Museum Expansion

The South Florida Museum is pleased to announce that an anonymous donor has made a $2 million pledge that will triple donations raised as part of the Connect Campaign through June 2020.

This exciting matching gift challenge means that every $1 donated to the South Florida Museum’s Campaign will have a $3 impact. That also means donations

Brian Carter, President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, and CEO Brynne Anne Besio accept a generous donation from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. The donation from the Buchanan Family Foundation will be matched as part of a $2 million pledge by an anonymous donor made as part of the Connect Campaign.
like the one made on Thursday by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Florida) and his wife Sandy Buchanan through the Buchanan Family Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will have triple the impact in the community.

“I’m very excited about what this expansion is going to mean, especially for children, the community and the investment in the redevelopment of downtown Bradenton’s infrastructure,” Buchanan said after he took a hard-hat tour of the under-construction North Education Center and Mosaic Backyard Universe (MBU) at the Museum.

The North Education Center includes new classrooms and technology upgrades as well as the MBU, a new early learning resource designed especially with young children and families in mind. “This is very exciting for Bradenton and Manatee County; it’s incredible what we’re doing with the waterfront here and I’m glad to be a part of it,” he said.

To date, the Museum has raised more than $15 million through the Connect Campaign to support the creation of its Master Campus Plan — including architectural and engineering plans. This matching gift will help the Museum complete the current phase of construction.

“The North Education Center and MBU have taken shape over the past 16 months, and the positive community response — like this generous pledge of matching funds and the Buchanans’ donation — has been an amazing experience to be a part of,” said Brian Carter, President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees. “We’re building the best backyard in the world and setting the stage for millions of new experiences to come.”

Asolo Repertory Theatre to Host A Braw Wee Scottish Heritage Celebration

In partnership with the Caledonian Club of Florida West, Asolo Rep will proudly host A Braw Wee Scottish Heritage Celebration on Thursday, April 11. 

This special event will celebrate Sarasota’s Scottish heritage and the 30th birthday of the installation of Scotland’s Dunfermline Opera House, which has become The Harold and Esther Mertz Theatre. The Mertz is an elegant 500-seat theatre that has served as the company’s main performing space since 1990. The event will also commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Caledonian Club of Florida West. 

The celebration will surround both the matinee of Lynn Nottage’s Sweat and evening performance of Michael Frayn’s Noises Off. There will be Scottish bagpipers prior to each performance and a post-show reception and toast on the Mezzanine following the 7:30 performance. The Scoop (Asolo Rep’s insightful pre-show discussion series) preceding the evening show will focus on the history of the Mertz and its journey from Scotland to Sarasota. Asolo Rep is also offering special reduced theatre ticket prices for the evening performance. 

 Sarasota has a rich history with Scotland, beginning in 1885 when colonists traveled from Scotland to Sarasota. Sarasota was chartered by a group of Scottish businessmen in 1903. Located in West Fife, Dunfermline is one of Sarasota’s Sister Cities. This relationship was solidified by the Caledonian Club of Florida West. The Club, which takes its name from the Roman name for the geographic area that became Scotland, strives to promote Sarasota’s Scottish roots and fellowship through various educational, cultural and social functions. 

“Asolo Rep is incredibly proud of its Scottish connection and history and is thrilled to celebrate this milestone with the Caledonian Club,” said Asolo Rep Managing Director Linda DiGabriele. “We encourage everyone to attend not only for a wonderfully entertaining theatrical experience but also to learn more about Asolo Rep and Sarasota’s historical roots and how our beautiful Mertz Theatre journeyed from Dunfermline to become the performing space it is today.”

 “We are delighted to celebrate our 33rd anniversary with Asolo Repertory Theatre,” said Bill Wallace, Director of the Caledonian Club of Sarasota. “We hope that we are able to shed light on Sarasota’s Scottish history at this joyful event filled with great music, food and theatre!”
 

To purchase discounted tickets, use the promo code: SCOT online, by phone (941.351.8000), or in person at the box office (5555 N. Tamiami Trail). Seating is limited. 

All Faiths Food Bank Creates New Pediatric Food Insecurity Screening Partnership

“Do you have enough food at home?” That one simple question in the maternity ward has created a systemic change in how Sarasota County is addressing childhood hunger.

After a baby is born, a series of tests ensure that the newborn leaves the hospital safe, happy, and healthy. But what happens after that child arrives home? Funded by a $674,628 grant from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, All Faiths Food Bank recently established a three-year pilot program to reduce childhood hunger and its negative health effects. Aligned with the First 1,000 Days initiative, the Pediatric Food Insecurity Screen Project will be conducted in partnership with Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

“This investment in early childhood hunger is a game-changer,” said CEO Sandra Frank. “The grant affords us the opportunity to pilot a new program to screen families with newborns for food insecurity. Just imagine connecting those families with healthy, nutritious food from the moment of their baby’s birth throughout childhood. That’s the incredible potential of this program.”

This grant will provide support for a three-year pilot where families with young children can be identified as at-risk for food insecurity and connected with sustainable federal and community-based food resources and nutrition assistance programs. Food insecurity and hunger in infants can have a permanent impact on brain development.  Inadequate food intake in children is associated with serious health, behavior and cognitive defects. Children who are food insecure are at greater risk of poor health, hospitalizations and developmental delays.

“Children were often not being identified as food insecure until they entered the public school system,” says Teri A Hansen, President | CEO of Barancik Foundation. “That’s four to five years without adequate nutrition during the most vital time of their brain development. Now these kids can be identified right from the start.”

“Healthy nutrition is a critical component in the development, learning and lifelong health of babies and toddlers.” Said Strategic Program Officer, Colleen Reinert. “This project allows All Faiths to work directly with Health Care partners to screen for food insecurity and intervene at a critical stage in life that impacts long term health outcomes.”

In year one of the screening Pilot Project, All Faiths will work with SMH Woman and Children’s Services and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Center to develop a standard process to identify food insecure children, refer for services and report follow-up and access rates.  Years two and three will be expanded to include other organizations.  All Faiths will engage and incorporate the support and expertise of medical professionals at each healthcare organization to develop specific measurements and targets.  Data gathered in the pilot will be used to evaluate the process, compliance and barriers to screening. Further, it will guide improvements to the overall project, client referral rates and access to food as well as to future healthcare partnerships.

In 2016, All Faiths Food Bank evolved its mission to reflect the critical role the organization plays in improving the health of our communities.  This change shifted the Food Bank’s practices to include not only a large increase in fresh produce distribution – also funded by the Barancik Foundation – but also an expansion of the Food Bank’s partnerships to incorporate health care organizations.  Inspired by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2015 policy report recommending that pediatricians screen children for food insecurity, All Faiths reached out to local health care providers and systems to determine interest and capacity to utilize the screening tool recommended by the Academy.

For more information about the Pediatric Food Insecurity Screening Project, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or contact Colleen Reinert, All Faiths Food Bank Strategic Program Officer at creinert@allfaithsfoodbank.org.

Sarasota Teacher Recognized with Agriculture Award for Excellence

Sarasota Military Academy Major (SMA-MAJ) Deb Walker, a teacher at the  Sarasota Military Academy Prep middle school campus, received the “2019 Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture” award from the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom organization.

As the winner of the award in the middle school category, SMA-MAJ Walker will represent Florida at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, held in Little Rock, Arkansas where she will receive additional recognition and a $500 honorarium.

“I am incredibly honored to receive the ‘Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture’ Award from Florida Agriculture in the Classroom as I believe in the importance of teaching our future leaders about the future of the agriculture industry, our responsibilities as global citizens and the opportunities for growth and learning,” said SMA-MAJ Deb Walker.

SMA-MAJ Walker was awarded for her role in teaching middle school cadets about opportunities and ways to feed a growing population. In addition to the agricultural curriculum, cadets are taught astrobotany and classes participate in the NASA “Growing Beyond Earth” Projects program. The cadets learn to research, plan, experiment and evaluate different agricultural methods throughout the year.

“Our teachers constantly go above and beyond for our cadets and our academy, and we are proud of Major Walker and her contributions to our school,” said SMA-COL Christina Bowman, Sarasota Military Academy Executive Director of Schools. “Through the work of talented individuals like Major Walker, our cadets are exposed to incredible opportunities, academic success and the ability to find ways to make a positive impact on the world around them.”

“Each year, we have an incredible roster of teachers throughout the state who find innovative ways to bring agriculture into their classrooms, and the quality of their lessons and ideas continue to amaze us,” said Becky Sponholtz, Florida Agriculture in the Classroom Executive Director. “We are excited to recognize teachers for their hard work as they use agriculture in their year-long instruction.”

Elysian Fields is Under New Ownership

Elysian Fields was purchased by Ruta and Tony Gillette and they are very excited to be a part of not only the Sarasota community, but also part of the large spiritual community that resides here in Sarasota.

Together, Ruta and Tony bring a wealth of retail knowledge and experience to Elysian Fields.

Ruta is from Lithuania, but always knew she wanted to live in a coastal community in the United States.  She originally located to San Diego, CA where she became an esthetician.  While working, she discovered that she had passion for helping others through her touch and went on to become a Reiki Master.  Ruta has always been intuitive and decided to continue her self-discovery by taking a psychic development class.  

Tony has been working in retail for over 35 years, from store management to executive level corporate leadership.  He has been involved with many different facets of retail, including operations, training and support positions.  Originally from Indiana, Tony has moved several times and has lived in Michigan, California, Texas and now Florida with Ruta and their two children.

When asked why they picked Elysian Fields, Ruta stated, “We did not choose Elysian Fields, Elysian Fields chose us”.  Tony added, “Elysian Fields is now a family owned business” as you are likely to see their children in the store when not in school.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County names new Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Finance

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County has announced the promotion of Dawn Page to Vice President of Operations and the hire of Shelley Brooks as Vice President of Finance. Both executive positions will play an instrumental role in providing more than 9,000 youth in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties with enriching educational, developmental and recreational programs.

Page is a Sarasota native who graduated from Cardinal Mooney and joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County in 1991 as a Counselor at the former Fruitville Boys & Girls Club. She studied at the University of Central Florida, and graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Page returned to Sarasota after college, and continued to grow her career throughout the organization. She has held a variety of positions at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County over the past 28 years including Program Director, Club Director, Director of Education, Area Director, Director of Youth Services and Director of Operations. As Vice President of Operations, Page will plan, direct and evaluate the daily operations of the organization’s six Club locations and four school sites.

Brooks brings 28 years of nonprofit and financial management experience from businesses across Tampa Bay to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. Born and raised in Clearwater, Brooks graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1994, and secured her MBA with a concentration in Accounting from St. Leo University in 2008. She has held executive positions at multiple organizations including Directions for Mental Health, Inc.; New College Foundation, Inc.; and, most recently, ShelterBox USA. As Vice President of Finance, Brooks will lead all financial and administrative aspects including internal control processes, financial compliance and grant management.

For more information, visit bgcsarasota.com or call 941-366-3911.

Private Investigator Course to be Offered at SCF Bradenton

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Workforce Solutions will offer a private investigator course Apr. 26-28 and May 3-5 at SCF Bradenton. The course provides the basic information on becoming a licensed private investigator, including industry regulations, department rules, licensing criteria and investigation techniques. Cost of the six-day, 40-hour course is $395.

The course will be offered at SCF Bradenton, Building 18, 5840 26th St. W on Friday, Apr. 26; Saturday, Apr. 27; Sunday, Apr. 28; Friday, May 3; Saturday, May 4; and Sunday, May 5. Friday classes are 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday classes are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This course meets the state licensing requirements to earn the Private Investigator Class CC intern license and qualifies those who pass the course to apply for a private investigator’s internship through the Florida Division of Licensing. For more information, contact Lee Kotwicki, director of Workforce Solutions, at 941-363-7218, or email KotwicL@SCF.edu. To register, visit SCF.edu/CCDEnroll.