Community News - Manatee Spotlight September 4, 2011

Suncoast Communities Blood Bank Announces Plans to Commemorate 9/11

 

As the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy approaches, Americans are being asked to perform acts of service in remembrance. There is no greater service than to give the gift of life by donating blood. 

Suncoast Communities Blood Bank (SCBB) is asking the residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties to roll up their sleeves and donate blood in remembrance of the fallen of 9/11. “Our community responds when called upon.  For days after September 11, 2001, people lined up around the block to donate blood,” said Jayne Giroux, director of communications for SCBB.  “We must collect 125 units of blood every day, year round, to meet the needs of our community. Donating blood is a very selfless act and the perfect way to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, as well as perform a vital community service.”

Residents can donate at any SCBB donor center, or at an SCBB blood mobile in Sarasota or Manatee county.  In addition, six churches will host public blood drives on 9/11.  Participating churches include:

Bayshore Mennonite Church       8:30 am – noon             3809 Chapel Drive           Sarasota

Unitarian Universalist Church      9:00 am – 1:00 pm       3975 Fruitville Rd.            Sarasota

Sarasota Baptist Church               8:00 am – noon             7091 Proctor Rd.              Sarasota

The Source Church                     11:30 am – 2:00 pm      5412 E. St. Rd.64            Bradenton

Sarasota Baptist Church              9:30 am – 1:00 pm       5600 Deer Drive                Lakewood Ranch

Lakeside Lutheran Church           8:30 am – noon             2401 TamiamiTr. S.          Venice

 

For a complete list of blood drives through September 11, or to locate a donor center near you, please
visit www.scbb.org or call 1-866-97-BLOOD.

---

 

Pine Avenue Vacation Package Showcases Anna Maria Island’s Boutique District

 

The Pine Avenue Guest House Cottages has partnered with the Sandbar Restaurant and other Pine Avenue businesses to develop a special vacation package for the fall season. The Autumn Escape package offers vacationers a full week of affordable luxury accommodations in the brand new guest cottages, along with a complimentary gift card for the Sandbar Restaurant and coupons and gift certificates for shopping, bike rentals, spa services and fun things to do.

 

Since the inception of Pine Avenue Restoration in 2007, it has been the goal of partners Ed Chiles and Michael Coleman to position Pine Avenue as “The Greenest Little Main Street in America”. To date, six rental/retail mixed use buildings have been completed with five more scheduled near term. Local residents own and operate a series of small businesses providing jobs for them and their family members.  They also provide useful products and services for residents and visitors alike.  These owners and operators are among the fortunate who enjoy island living while commuting in their flip-flops and are part of the vital new heart of Anna Maria community life. The Pine Avenue Restoration project has transformed Pine Avenue into a walk able, low rise business community that provides locals and visitors alike gathering places to catch up on local news, retail therapy and a variety of places to dine, browse and relax.

 

Pine Avenue  businesses include guest services for visitors and property owners, shabby chic furniture, hair stylists, olive oil and gourmet food items as well as unique jewelry and home furnishings.  All the shops are meeting and exceeding expectations. This serves as an invitation to others with good ideas for goods and services to add to the mix.

 

The Autumn Escape package is available for purchase until November 13, 2011. According to Ed Chiles, “These packages are ideal for girlfriend get-a ways, romantic escapes or family get togethers.  Pine Avenue offers something for everyone. Your car gets a vacation too. Everything is within walking distance of the guest houses”. Two and three bedroom guest house packages are available and include many upscale amenities. For more information on purchasing one of the packages visit www.annamariarental.net/autumn-escape-packages/. You may also contact rebecca@annamariaparadise.com  or call 941-779-0733.

---

 

Help the Bradenton Fire Department earn a $10,000 grant!

 

 

Between 9/1/11 and 10/31/11...

 

Simply take the "Be Fire Smart" Safety Pledge at www.BeFireSmart.com/Bradenton-Fire-Dept and your 'vote' will bring  the Bradenton Fire Department one step closer to earning a grant that will help fund outreach initiatives in the City!

---

 

Cultural Connections announces annual event, artsHOP, November 11-13, 2011

 

Cultural Connections of Anna Maria Island met on August 11, 2011, at the Village Café with 13 in attendance.  Joan Voyles, of Anna Maria, serves of facilitator for the group, which acts as an advocate for the arts and cultural related events on Anna Maria Island.  Each November Cultural Connections produces its signature event, artsHOP, which features Island arts and culture and opens the season of cultural activities.

 

The group has appointed an executive committee of four core members of the group and a marketing/event consultant to meet before the general meetings to discuss matters important to the group and suggest specific direction.  
 
Melissa Williams, of SteamDesigns.com, 779-9108, has been engaged as the artsHOP 2011 executive director.  

 

Some, but not all, activities for artsHOP 2011 include:

• Island Players to host an encore performance of Steve Carroll's memorable Charles Lindbergh, The Lone Eagle, on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12
•  Anna Maria Island Historical Society will join with the Maritime Museum in Cortez to sponsor a boat exhibit on the AMIHS grounds.
• Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra will present a concert featuring compositions by Bach & Beethoven; a Double Bass solo by orchestra member Jerome Butler, and a violin concerto performed by the 2011 AMICCO Youth Competition Winner, on Sunday afternoon, November 13 at 2:00 p.m
•  A craft show to benefit the butterfly garden will be at the Holmes Beach City fairgrounds.
• Drum Circle at sunset on Sunday, November 13

 

Back by popular demand this year - the theme of the public art offering will be painted doors, to include half doors, smaller doors, and doors transformed into other art pieces such as furniture, tables, or chairs. The public art will be on display at a variety of Island places and businesses and then presented at a silent auction during the weekend.  However, this year you may “Buy Now” if you see that special piece you can’t live without.  

---

 

USF Sarasota-Manatee professor publishes first book

 

     SARASOTA (August 30, 2011)  – Dr. Keith Cavedo, a visiting instructor of American and British literature in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM), has published his first book; it is titled Beyond the Infinite: Alien Encounters and the Alien/Human Dichotomy in Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Tarkovsky’s Solaris. Originally his Ph.D. dissertation and scheduled for print in 10-12 weeks, the book explores alien encounters in two seminal science fiction films and is written for non-specialist science fiction and film audiences. 

 

     “The study focuses on the significance of the alien encounters in the two films and the impact of the alien encounters on our own conceptions of (human) identity,” Dr. Cavedo said.

 

     During this summer, Dr. Cavedo taught an innovative hybrid Literature and Film course where his students analyzed and compared short stories and film adaptations. “Popular arts like film resonate not only in the culture, but in the classroom as well,” he said. “It’s important for today’s students to have a critical awareness of and appreciation for the popular arts and to be able to apply this new learning, especially in an interdisciplinary field such as Literature.” 

 

     In addition to his new book, Dr. Cavedo contributed an article to volume 2, Music and Literature, in Cult Pop Culture edited by Bob Batchelor. Scheduled for print in 2012, his article is titled “(De-) Constructions of the Hemingway Myth.”

---

 

“Silver Springs: The Underwater Photography of Bruce Mozert” Opens Oct. 21 in Temporary Exhibition at South Florida Museum

A traveling exhibition featuring more than 40 black and white photographs depicting Bruce Mozert’s innovative work will be showcased in “Silver Springs: The Underwater Photography of Bruce Mozert” in the South Florida Museum’s East Gallery, Oct. 21, 2011 - Jan. 15, 2012. The exhibition is based on a book of the same title created by Gary Monroe and organized by a former curator of the Appleton Museum, Dr. Leslie Hammond. Access to the exhibition is included with general admission to the South Florida Museum.

 

After the Civil War, tourists flocked to Florida’s springs and marveled at the crystal-clear waters and aquatic life. However, the springs were in need of a new image to garner national media attention and revive central Florida’s tourism industry by the 1930s. Bruce Mozert’s exceptionally unique photography did just that as he helped pioneer the technology and techniques of underwater photography and filming to capture revolutionary images. 

This exhibition showcases Mozert’s innovative black and white photographs depicting nearly 45 years of photography from Silver Springs, Fla. His images of gorgeous women and strapping young men performing everyday activities in pristine waters helped lure visitors from across the nation and re-established the waters of Silver Springs as a prime tourist attraction.

 

“Long before the Walt Disney World Resort opened in the early ‘70s and rooted itself as Florida’s main tourist attraction, vacationers would seek Florida’s warm weather, paradise-like coast lines and refreshing springs,” said Matt Woodside, Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the South Florida Museum. “Mozert’s work opens our eyes to the history of Florida’s early tourism industry and one man’s life work—playful, imaginative and innovative work we are thrilled to showcase at the Museum.”

 

The exhibit will also feature vintage underwater photography equipment and focus on of its development and impact within the world of photography. “Silver Springs: The Underwater Photography of Bruce Mozert” is presented by the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute and circulated by Artistic Eye Fine Art Services. The Florida Humanities Council and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs are supporting a free special lecture by author Gary Monroe on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011.

Reception and Special Lecture

The public is invited to attend a reception to celebrate “Silver Springs: The Underwater Photography of Bruce Mozert” from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. The reception showcasing the exhibition is free for Members of the Museum Friends program and open to non-members for $10 a person. Refreshments and light bites will be served and a cash bar will be available.

Following the reception, author Gary Monroe will present a free lecture based on his book “Silver Springs: The Underwater Photography of Bruce Mozert” and the corresponding exhibition at 7 p.m. in the Museum’s Bishop Planetarium Theater. The lecture is open to the public on a first come, first serve basis and is free to attend thanks to support from the Florida Humanities Council and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please contact Tara Behan to reserve your space at 941-746-4131, ext. 17 or tbehan@southfloridamuseum.org.