Community News - Manatee Spotlight July 24, 2011

Masters in Social Work to be offered at USF Sarasota-Manatee

On Tuesday, July 26th, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will host an information session for students interested in pursuing a Master’s in Social Work.  The session will take place from 2-3:30pm at USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota in room C203A. 

Through a carefully designed curriculum of core courses, electives, and supervised field experience, the Masters in Social Work (MSW) program prepares students for professional social work practice. Students acquire specialized knowledge and skills necessary for clinical practice with individuals, families, and groups. At USF Sarasota-Manatee, the MSW program places an emphasis on preparing students to work with older adults and their families.

The MSW program runs in cohorts and applications are currently being accepted for the next cohort, which begins in January 2012.  Students take 3 courses per term for 7 terms, including field placements.  Students interested in the program are encouraged to attend the information session or contact Jo Lynn Raudebaugh: jraudeba@sar.usf.edu or 941-359-4587.

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Home Interiors Fine Furniture announces the hiring of Phillip Mateer

 

At Home Interiors Fine Furniture Consignment would like to announce the hiring of Phillip Mateer of Lakewood Ranch to assist with furniture pickups and deliveries.  At Home Interiors is located in the Lowes Plaza (Creekwood Crossing) on SR70 just west of I-75 in Bradenton.  Always taking consignments of gently-used, nearly-new furnishings and home decor, At Home Interiors will help facilitate the process for those who are relocating, redecorating or trying to liquidate an estate.  Contact At Home Interiors by calling 941 718-4834, or by emailing cheryl@At-HomeInteriors.com, or on the web at www.At-HomeInteriors.com.

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Arts & Craft Show Features Breast Awareness Month

The Terra Ceia Island Village Improvement Association, or VIA, is proud to announce that they are partnering with the Florida Suncoast affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization for their 3rd Annual Arts & Craft Show. Local Talent and Small Businesses are now welcome to reserve a spot at the  Show, Sunday, October 9th. This year Breast Cancer Awareness is featured at the Show.

Terra Ceia Island is rich in history, having most of the historical sites in Manatee County. The island provides a scenic drive and exemplifies “Old Florida”. It has been the center of produce supplies and a significant import/export port in the early days. Today, the population of the island is diverse, all working together to survive and prosper in a tenuous economy.

The Village Improvement Association is 110 years old this year and has always been dedicated to improving the community and developing strong community ties. A common goal over the many years has been to foster good neighborliness and giving help to those who need it. The TCI Arts and Craft Show is another avenue to accomplish this goal as well as celebrating Breast Awareness month.

The Show will be held at the scenic VIA SeaBreeze Park, 55 Horseshoe Loop, Terra Ceia Island. The Park is located on the scenic shores of Terra Ceia Bay.

The Show can accommodate 75 Exhibitors and are available for a very affordable rate of $25 under pavilion and $20 on grounds. Those interested should contact DJ Borbidge, Event Coordinator, 941-721-3605, humanside@msn.com, 419-345-5306

 

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Three citizen seats open on Children’s Services Advisory Board

Manatee County has three openings on the Children’s Services Advisory Board (CSAB) which advises the Manatee County Commission on the priorities and expenditures of the County's funding source dedicated to children’s services.

The CSAB is comprised of 13 members who are appointed by the Commission to serve three-year terms. The following three positions are open:

• Two child advocates who have no affiliation with any agencies receiving County funds;
• One Manatee County School Board Member

The Advisory Board meets on the third Wednesday, usually monthly, at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Manatee County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. The board also may meet weekly on Wednesdays during the program funding review process, March through May.

Members serve on a volunteer basis. CSAB members and their spouses must also disclose any affiliation they have had over the past year with any organization that applies for Children’s Services funding.

Applications are due Monday, Sept. 5, 2011 and may be found at www.mymanatee.org/advisory_Boards  For more information on the CSAB, call Mike Neuges at (941) 749-3030, ext. 3467

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Jazz Club of Sarasota Announces 2011-2012 Jazz at Two” Series

This popular jazz concert series showcases the region's top jazz performers

 

The Jazz Club of Sarasota announces its 2011-2012 “Jazz at Two” concert series, beginning September 23, 2011, and running through May 11, 2012. The series, which was founded in 2001 by the late Jim Lamboy, a former vice president of the Jazz Club, showcases the region's top jazz performers on Fridays, between 2 and 4 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $5 for Jazz Club members and $10 for non-members. For more information, call 941-366-1552.

 

This season's series, produced by Jazz Club of Sarasota board members, George Allgair and Dave Walrath, features 29 concerts. Artists scheduled to perform in September and October include The Lillette Jenkins Trio (September 23, 2011); Jimi Gee and Jazz Salad (September 30, 2011); the Haferhouse Jazz Trio (October 7, 2011); The Organic Trio (October 14, 2011); Rodney Rojas (October 21); and the Metro Connection (October 28, 2011).

 

According to Jazz at Two co-producer, George Allgair, the concerts "evolved from an earlier jam session series that featured a designated rhythm section and various talented musicians dropped in to play. The format changed in 2003 when specific jazz groups began to perform."

 

Dave Walrath, the series' co-producer, says that Jazz at Two fulfills the Jazz Club's mission to both "showcase our region's wealth of great jazz artists—and to offer jazz enthusiasts the opportunity to hear great jazz at an affordable price. We’re committed to showcasing both emerging and established jazz musicians who are keeping jazz alive in our area and adding to the reputation of the Sarasota area as being a destination for jazz." Another advantage to the format, he adds, is that the afternoon timeframe give the artists "an opportunity not to miss valuable evening gigs."

 

Celebrated area jazz pianist Mike Markaverich will be performing a Jazz at Two concert (with Ernie Williford on bass and Johnny Moore on drums) on November 4, 2011. "I have been part of the Sarasota jazz scene for more than 20 years and some of my fondest memories have been my appearances in the Jazz at Two series," says Markaverich. "It's always a lot of fun and very gratifying to play for people who are really there to listen. The

Jazz Club of Sarasota deserves a lot of credit for its efforts to keep jazz alive in Sarasota."

 

Co-producer George Allgair says that the series is funded by the Jazz Club of Sarasota and ticket revenues. But this year, he says, the Jazz Club is "actively seeking individual and business sponsors to help defray costs. If you're a jazz aficionado and want to keep jazz flourishing in our area, give us a call!"

 

For more information about the Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552, or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.com.

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Gary Gives to Loving Hands

 

What if you could help your local community just by clicking a button? 1-800 Ask Gary has recently launched Gary Gives Back to help raise awareness and support for local charities.  

 

For each person who ‘likes’ 1-800 Ask Gary on Facebook, Gary Gives Back will donate one dollar to a selected charity. In July, Gary Gives Back will be donating to Loving Hands Ministries, a nonprofit (501 C-3) rehabilitation program for men with life-controlling addictions.

 

Throughout the month of July, Gary Gives Back will donate one dollar to Loving Hands for each person who ‘likes’ the 1-800 Ask Gary Facebook page.  Those persons who are not on Facebook, but want to advocate for Loving Hands, can go to the Gary Gives Back website and enter their e-mail information.  For every person who enters their e-mail at www.garygivesback.com, Gary Gives Back will also donate one dollar to Loving Hands.  A new charity will be selected next month and the program will continue, with a maximum monthly donation of 10,000 dollars.

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