People & Business: Wednesday

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019
THE SARASOTA SCENE
People & Business
To submit your news for consideration, please send press info to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com.

Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Announces 2019 Board Lineup

Michael Ritter, president of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee’s board of directors, recently announced the organization’s 2019 board of directors. New members include Lauren Fineman, Mary Gratehouse, Bob Israeloff, David Millstone and Mel Taub. Board promotions include former treasurer, Randon Carvel, who will now serve as president-elect; former vice present, Roz Goldberg, who will now serve as treasurer; and Merrill Wynne, who moves from director to vice president. Cycling off the board are Fran Braverman and Irene Ross.

“It’s always exciting to welcome new faces to the table who offer fresh perspectives,” says Michael Ritter. “They join a team of dedicated people who are united in their commitment to serve the needs and mission of the Federation and we look forward to a vibrant future. We’re also grateful to those individuals cycling off the board who have shared their talents, passion for hands-on projects, and longstanding commitment to community involvement over the past years.”

The Federation’s slate of officers includes: Michael Ritter, president; Randon Carvel, president-elect; Patti Wertheimer, immediate past-president; Ian Black, vice president; Stacy Hanan, vice president; Anne Spindel, vice president; Merrill Wynne, vice president; Roz Goldberg, treasurer; and Debbie Haspel, secretary/governance officer. Other members include Sepi Ackerman, Len Drexler, Marsha Eisenberg, Al Ernst, Lauren Fineman, Mary Gratehouse, Julie Green, Bob Israeloff, Simone Knego, Linda Lipson, David Millstone, Michelle Mitchell, Iris Nahemow, Nancy Roucher, Alan Silverglat, Bunny Skirboll, Adrea Sukin, Mel Taub, and Peter Wells. Lifetime board members are: Barbara Ackerman, Alan Ades, Tom Bernstein, David Chaifetz, Lewis Hanan, and Lois Stulberg.

Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal visits Visible Men Academy

On Wednesday, January 16th, VMA Suns had a special visit from retired professional basketball player, Shaquille O’Neal! Shaq is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA on TNT. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the National Basketball Association.

O’ Neal was in Sarasota as a part of the Ringling College Town Hall lecture series and stopped by VMA to surprise the boys and give them some words of encouragement.

Covington, New Luxury Model Debuting Winter 2019 in The Lake Club

The Lake Club will debut its newest enclave, Genoa, and several new models by Stock Signature Homes in February of this year. Phase I of Genoa’s  homes will start from the $600s and will be offered on 65-foot and 84-foot homesites with breathtaking lake and preserve views.

Buyers will be able to choose from three distinct styles (British West Indies, Mediterranean and Florida Coastal) with Stock’s eight new models. Among them is the Covington model, with more than 2,700 square feet under air and offering three bedrooms, three full baths, a great room, study, and a three-car garage. The interior design by Norris Furniture and Interiors evokes feelings of tranquility, simplicity and comfort with an organic coastal aesthetic. A neutral color palette of soft whites, muted earthy tones and ocean hues is used and blended with light weathered woods, stylish cabinetry, granite and architecturally inspired lighting throughout.

To learn more about Lake Club living, visit the Model Preview Center located at 8307 Lake Club Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch, call (855) 201-8065 or preview models, floor plans and amenities at TheLakeClubLWR.com.

Sen. Gruters and Rep. Good File Bill to Aid Teacher Shortages

Sen. Joe Gruters R-Sarasota, and Rep. Margaret Good D-Sarasota, filed SB 402/HB 137 in a bi-partisan effort to address the teacher shortage in Florida.

The identical bills would allow newly retired instructional staff to be immediately rehired without losing their retirement benefits. Under current law, retired teachers are at risk of losing their retirement benefits if they are rehired within the first six months of retirement. 

Teacher shortages across the state require immediate attention. In two years, teacher vacancies have nearly doubled to over 4,000 positions statewide. The need to fill those vacancies with well trained and experienced professionals is critical to the educational success of Florida’s students.

“Florida has a well-documented teacher shortage that is getting worse every year. Retiring teachers have the certifications and the experience needed to help meet the needs for qualified teachers,” said Rep. Good. “School districts to immediately rehire, without penalty, teachers who are in the first year of retirement. Short term, this bill addresses our state’s urgent need to fill teacher vacancies.  Long-term, we must focus on teacher retention, increasing teacher salaries, and revising current teacher merit pay law. We must value our teachers as the trusted professionals they are and compensate them as such.”

“As a parent of children in public schools, it is imperative that each child receive the essential attention each day. There are qualified and willing individuals who wish to keep teaching and shouldn’t be prohibited by government from doing so” Sen. Gruters said.  “As Florida continues to grow, we must provide the best educational experience for our youngest members in the state by avoiding vacancies and utilizing our current certified workforce.” 

These bills will be considered in the upcoming 2019 legislative session, which will begin on March 5.

Education Foundation of Sarasota County meets $200,000 target to top off Shirley A. Ritchey Endowment Fund $1 million goal  

After a heartfelt showing of philanthropic support from the community, Education Foundation of Sarasota County President Jennifer Vigne announced that the Shirley A. Ritchey Endowment Fund has met a $200,000 campaign challenge to lift the endowment to its $1 million goal.

“We could not think of a more fitting honor for Shirley Ritchey and community leaders who established the Education Foundation than to celebrate its 30th anniversary by strengthening long-term sustainability and flexibility to continue responding to and advocating for the needs of our future students, teachers and schools,” Vigne said.

Capping grants of $30,000 each, committed by Sarasota philanthropists Tom and Sherry Koski and the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, were contributed when over 150 donors raised $140,000 during the campaign drive.

Tom Koski, education champion and past Education Foundation board chair, established the endowment fund-topping challenge last year as the organization’s 30th anniversary launched. Beverly Koski, Tom’s mother, served as the Education Foundation’s board chair 20 years ago and was instrumental in founding the organization’s signature grants program.

“It was incredibly inspiring to have so many donors give in recognition that the grassroots organization created in 1988 has grown into an essential philanthropic partner to Sarasota County Schools by investing in innovative programs and initiatives that enrich students’ learning experiences,” Koski said.

“We congratulate the Education Foundation on their success in building the endowment that will create long-term sustainability for their work and enable them to concentrate on innovations that help students prepare for their futures,” said Teri A Hansen, president and CEO of Barancik Foundation.

Achieving the Shirley A. Ritchey Endowment Fund goal will give the organization unrestricted support in perpetuity to fulfill its mission to enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in teaching and inspire innovation in education guided by strategic philanthropy.

Vigne said, “We are most grateful to Tom and Sherry Koski and the Barancik Foundation for helping us reach the challenge campaign goal. There is much more to come and we will be inviting the community to engage with us in expanding our work and outreach in behalf of our students, teachers and community.”

Donations still can be made to the Shirley A. Ritchey Endowment Fund online by visiting EdFoundationSRQ.org or calling 941-927-0965.

David Verinder, president and CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, will give an overview of  his institution’s status and progress at a luncheon sponsored by the Sarasota League of Women Voters Monday, January 28.

Sarasota Memorial President Addresses League of Women Voters Luncheon

Mr. Verinder is expected to address Sarasota Memorial history, recent innovations and future initiatives in his prepared remarks. Among its newer programs is an internal medicine residency program, run in cooperation with Florida State University’s Medical School, which simultaneously treats uninsured patients  and trains young doctors.  Among  future projects are a new hospital on Venice’s Laurel Road  and a cancer tower at the hospital’s main location.

This 829-bed regional medical center is among the largest public health systems in Florida, with 5,700 staff, 800 physicians and 600 volunteers.  Sarasota Memorial is also Sarasota County’s largest employer and a major economic engine in its own right.  It acts also as a health-care safety net, providing functions other area hospitals do not, such as obstetrical services, pediatrics, and neonatal intensive care, 

The luncheon will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Marina Jacks restaurant, Sarasota Bayfront.  Reservations are available at rsvp@lwvsrq.org.  Members $25. Nonmembers $30. Pay at door

Englewood, Fla. Business Owners Receive National Award From Brightway Insurance

Brightway Insurance, a national property/casualty insurance distribution company based in Jacksonville, Fla., presented husband and wife team and Owners of Brightway, Englewood, Kevin and Mary Feuser, with its 2018 Quality Award. The award goes to the Agency Owner whose office wrote at least 300 new policies and had the lowest average error rate of the year.

“We’re extremely proud of Kevin and Mary Feuser and their team and look forward to this time each year when we recognize our top Agency Owners like them,” said Brightway Co-Founder and CEO, Michael Miller. “Brightway is a proven franchise system that provides an unparalleled, comprehensive system of support empowering Agency Owners, like the Feusers, to outsell the competition three-to-one, grow their business and build an asset for their family.”

Brightway Agency Owners enjoy comprehensive business support including customer service, carrier relationships, marketing, accounting and technology. As a result, Brightway agencies consistently outsell other insurance agencies three-to-one.

M/I Homes’ Hidden Creek Community Sets Official Grand Opening Date 

M/I Homes newest Sarasota community, Hidden Creek, will be celebrating its official Grand Opening with a Block Party on Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Attendees will be able to walk through the community, enjoy food trucks and cool refreshments, play video games, enter raffle drawings for prize giveaways, and tour the professionally decorated models at 3664 Quiet Drive.

Located in highly desirable East Sarasota just off Fruitville Road, Hidden Creek is a private enclave nestled among mature and stately oak trees. Craftsman- and West Indies-style homes in the builder’s River Series and Smart Villa Series are designed to appeal to both families and active adults. The neighborhood features a number of resort-style amenities and is within a quick drive of everything that makes East Sarasota so special.  It’s also part of the award-winning Sarasota County School District—one of the finest school systems in the state.

The Grand Opening on January 26th is an outstanding opportunity to be among the first to discover this beautiful community with homes starting in the mid-$200s. To learn more about the community and the Grand Opening event visit mihomes.com/sarasota.