Community News - Manatee Spotlight August 7, 2011

Cummins Brings More Than 15 Years of Industry Experience to FAWLEY|BRYANT

FAWLEY|BRYANT today announced that Samantha Cummins has been hired as Director of Business Development. Ms. Cummins is responsible for collaboration with Principals and staff to provide insight into new market segments, lead generation and planning to reach strategic business objectives. 

Rick Fawley, President said that “Samantha brings more than traditional business development skills to the table. She is serving as an integral team member of FAWLEY|BRYANT’s Strategic Consulting initiative. This value added service includes strategic consulting that arms our clients with the information, knowledge and vision to make the right decisions to support the development and promotion of their projects.”

Ms. Cummins is a Cum Laude graduate of San Francisco State University’s College of Business.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Marketing, Ms. Cummins went to work in marketing for the architecture and engineering industry. Prior to joining FAWLEY|BRYANT, Ms. Cummins served as Marketing Manager for WilsonMiller Stantec, Business Development Manager for HOK, Corporate Marketing Manager for Geomatrix Consultants and other AEC firms. This experience has provided Ms. Cummins with a holistic view of the building industry, including planning, development, design, engineering and construction.

Free Nonprofit Website Contest

Noble Webworks is now accepting contestants to participate in a FREE nonprofit website contest.  They will be accepting contestants until 12 noon on August 15th, 2011.  Then for 10 days the contestants will be able to send voters to Noble Webworks site to place a vote for their organization.  The organization with the most votes will win the Free website and a year of free hosting.

Click here for contest details and to register.

Bay Systems Names Shannon Robison as Consulting Practice Director

Shannon Robison has been named Consulting Practice Director of Bay Systems, a Sarasota-based software consulting firm.  In this newly-created position, Robison will be responsible for applying her extensive project management skills to the delivery of quality professional services for Bay Systems’ health care and government clients throughout the United States.

“Shannon is absolutely passionate about customer service and project management,” stated Bay Systems CEO David Pilston in making the announcement, “and we are delighted to bring her focus and energy to our growing team of software consulting professionals.”

Robison has over 13 years of experience in project management, software development, and implementation, and is PMP certified.  Prior to Bay Systems, she was Director of Information Systems, and later Director of Strategy and Business Development, at Tigrent/Whitney Education Group.  She has also held Director level positions at Datapartners, Alvion Technologies, and e-Direct/Naviant.

Robison holds a BBA in Finance and an MBA in e-Business and MIS from Temple University, and she teaches an MBA course at Keiser University.

The Sarasota Concert Association Announces 2011-2012 Munchtime Musicales Series

For the past 67 years, the Sarasota Concert Association (SCA) has presented a yearly series featuring performances by internationally renowned symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras and ensembles, and distinguished soloists. This season's five-concert concert series, "Great Performers," at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, is no exception.

But the organization also produces “Munchtime Musicales,” a community outreach program of free concerts, featuring performances by high-caliber, area-based artists. The series is designed to offer a wide variety of musical genres, including classical, folk, and jazz, and featuring both vocal and instrumental performers.

John Goodman, president of SCA, says that Munchtime Musicales are integral to the organization’s mission, which “promotes an appreciation in the community of varied musical arts," according to Goodman.

“Our region is home to a number of talented musicians and composers,” says Goodman, a composer and former professor of music theory and composition at Boston University. “As one of the longest established cultural groups in Sarasota, we’re delighted to offer the opportunity to see and hear some of the region’s best musicians.”

Goodman explains that the concerts have become increasingly popular. “We had record attendance at most of last season’s Munchtime concerts,” he says. “This says a lot about the quality of the musicians and the depth of musical appreciation of the people who live in this area and makes sustaining the series a high priority for us.”

SCA is initiating a sponsorship program to help underwrite the series, says Goodman. “We are determined to keep the series free and to help support our local artists. In order to do that, we are reaching out to the community to motivate businesses and individuals to sponsor the Munchtime Musicales concerts. By doing so, they’re not only adding to the cultural richness of our community, they’re also helping support our local musicians. It’s a worthy cause.”

The 2011-2012 Munchtime Musicales concert season features the Belle Canto Vocal Ensemble, an all-women's vocal ensemble that performs everything from Bach to Broadway (November 16, 2011); the Sarasota Jazz Quartet, a group that performs a wide variety of jazz styles—from swing to contemporary (December 14, 2011); the Hoffman/Koch Flute and Guitar Duo (January 18, 2012); pianist Grigorios Zamparas (February 15, 2012); Studio Artists from the Sarasota Opera, performing well-known arias and duets (March 21, 2012); and the Sarasota Wind Quintet from the Sarasota Orchestra (April 18, 2012). All performances are at noon at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The series is free and open to the public. Seating is open; no reservations taken. For more information about Munchtime Musicales, call 941-351-7467 or visit www.sarasotaconcertassociation.org.

SCA’s 2012 "Great Performers" concert series features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with principal guest conductor Pinchas Zukerman (January 9, 2012); acclaimed American baritone Thomas Hampson (January 30, 2012); Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein (February 16, 2012); and renowned violin soloist Midori, with conductor Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra (March 7, 2012). The season concludes with the Northwest German Philharmonic, conducted by Eugene Tzigane, with cellist Amit Peled (March 18, 2012). SCA’s evening concerts are at 8 p.m. (except for the March 18 concert at 4 p.m.) at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Subscription memberships for SCA’s five-concert series are $225, $195, $165 and $125. Individual tickets go on sale in the fall of 2011. Subscriptions and information are available by calling 941-955-0040 or visiting: www.sarasotaconcertassociation.org.

Livingston's Amusement Center Non-Smoking as of August 1, 2011

Before you drive just a mile out of your way or to a completely different town – be sure you know what jewel is sitting right in your back yard.  Consider Sarasota’s own Livingston’s Amusement Center on Clark Center Road in the heart of Sarasota.  Just a short drive from anywhere in SW Florida it is the most modern and sophisticated amusement center between Naples and Tampa.  With something for everyone from age 5 to 95 this 50,000 sq ft. facility is host to a huge go-kart arena,  a rock climbing wall,  billiards, phazer zone extreme (an indoor ultraviolet paint less paintball battle arena),  a huge arcade with the best selection of prizes in the country plus a full bar and great food.  It’s no wonder why Livingston’s was just voted one of the BEST amusement centers in the country in the July 2011 edition of RePlay magazine – a nationally recognized amusement and arcade industry publication.  Add the fact that Livingston’s is completely non-smoking as of August 1, 2011 and you have every reason to bring your family here for non-stop fun! 

Over 100 games in the arcade center run on the Livingston’s play card system which eliminates paper tickets and helps us all go greener, plus allows the arcade games to be more organized and calibrated for maximum plays and encouraging wins.  Livingston’s bright, self contained prize redemption center boasts over 2,200 individual prizes organized in many illuminated cases and cabinets for players to view and winners to choose their reward. 

A full bar caters to all tastes, while the restaurant is adding new items for a bigger and better selection of food delights coming soon.  Don’t worry the best homemade pizza in town is staying at Livingston’s! 

Rack ‘em up at one of the 26 pool tables which are laid out around the facility including 10 reserved for adults and private parties.  The Naskart experience will soon be expanding thanks to the recent purchase of another part of the building so come test your driving skills in one of our adult or kids customized go-karts and a new experience with bumper cars is being added soon.   The PhazorZone Extreme gives players a whole other world experience with “paint less paintball” for all ages.  Let Livingston’s host your next birthday or corporate party by customizing the experience just for you.  Livingston’s is making changes and keeping the best for your entertainment whether it’s for a night out on the town with a date or with the entire family.  There truly is something for everyone at Livingston’s so come by and visit or log onto the website www.livingstonsamusements.com or call 941-925-POOL.