CHAMBER, DOWNTOWN GROUP MERGING
Two powerful business organizations appear perched on the edge of a merger.
The tentatively named Downtown Sarasota Council would bring together the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, with its 1,800 members, and the Downtown Partnership, which "is comprised of members from businesses, merchants and city residents," according to the group.
A joint statement by chamber president Steve Queior and partnership board chair Phil Chmieleski said the merger would allow the groups to "work towards creating the best possible downtown in Sarasota."
"The alignment is the culmination of working more closely together for the last several years," Queior said.
"While our group has a corps of dedicated and informed volunteers, an active membership and an array of educational forums and events, the chamber adds increased membership, specialized staff capabilities and a larger organizational infrastructure to address our common goals," Chmieleski said.
Details of the union will be fleshed out throughout the rest of the year; finalization of the agreement is expected by January 2010.
According to the statement, "Chmieleski and Queior both said that the new Downtown Sarasota Council would work closely with the merchant-oriented Downtown Sarasota Alliance, the Downtown Improvement District, the City and others committed to improving the central business district."
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TOURIST TAX REVENUE DOWN 1/10TH FOR YEAR
After 11 consecutive months of decline, Sarasota County’s Tourist Development Tax collections increased in September, the final month of the fiscal year.
September is traditionally the month that brings in the smallest amount of any month of the year.
This September, the tax pulled in $5,689.34 more than it did in September 2008. The total 2009 figure for the month was $308,612.99.
However, comparing the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 with the previous fiscal year, overall collections were down $952,114.54 – almost exactly 10 percent off.
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LITERACY COUNCIL SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
The Literacy Council of Sarasota is offering a new volunteer orientation on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Volunteers will learn how to help adults (16 years of age and older) learn to read, write and communicate.
Many volunteer opportunities are available.
To register for the orientation, contact The Literacy Council of Sarasota at 941-955-0421 or by e-mail info@sarasotaliteracy.org. The orientation will be held at the Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center, 1750 17th Street, Building J-1.
Since 1978, council volunteers have helped improve the quality of life of thousands of Sarasota adults and families by helping them with basic literacy skills. The council is a not-for-profit, educational 501 (c)(3) organization. Visit the website at www.sarasotaliteracy.org.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY DEDICATES
LARGEST NORTH COUNTY PROJECT
Habitat for Humanity of North Sarasota County on Nov. 7 hosted a family-oriented celebration of its volunteers and the dedication and completion of its 79-unit Jordan’s Crossing affordable housing development.
Held at Tuttle Elementary School, the event drew more than 500 volunteers, sponsor employees and their families. Among the attendees were Sarasota County Commissioners Joe Barbetta (District 2) and Carolyn Mason (District 1); representing U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s (R. FL-13) office, his Chief of Staff Danny Bilyeu; Habitat’s Interim Executive Director Tom Randle; Dr. Peter Wish, interim chairman of the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity Sarasota Inc and attorney Katina Grays, director of New Product Design of Habitat for Humanity International, who delivered the keynote address.
Music was performed by Road Block and the Pine View School Jazz Ensemble.
Jordan’s Crossing is the largest development ever undertaken by Habitat for Humanity of North County. Construction commenced in 2002 and was completed this year. Homeowners in the development were required to participate in the construction of their residences; many contributed in excess of 500 hours per family.
Habitat for Humanity Sarasota Inc. believes in eco-friendliness and energy conservation in its homes. It was awarded four Aurora Awards from the Florida Home Builders Conference and the U.S. Building Conference in 2008, including two for excellence in energy conservation and the Grand Aurora Award for Excellence in Green construction.
SCULLERS YOUTH ROWERS EARN MEDALS
The Sarasota Scullers Youth Rowing team finished its fall race schedule by winning the First Place Overall Team Points Trophy at the Head of the Hooch Regatta held in Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 7-8.
After a successful second-place overall finish in 2008, the Scullers accomplished this victory with three gold, two silver and one bronze medal, while barely missing medals in three other races. The Head of the Hooch is the largest regatta in the United States, with more than 8,600 youth, college, and master rowers and coxwains from 30 states and Canada competing on the 5,000-meter course.
Gold medal winners were as follows:
• WLtwt8+: Becca L’Hote, Colleen Wohlrab, Audra Deehr, Tori Hetman, Shawna Sims, Tory Graham, Julienne Koehler, Katie Allen and Arianna Robbins (coxswain).
• W2- : Ciara Long, Ashleigh Tucker; W4X: Shannon Sims, Mary Beth Bilder, Colleen Wohlrab and Becca L’Hote.
Silver medal winners were as follows: WN8+ – Cara Rawe, Payton Harris, Julianna Burns, Devin Norder, Chloe Swatek, Mia Harding, Alexa Grooms, Cassidy Marryott and Emily Deeming (coxswain); Mixed 2X – Kyle Norder and Audra Deehr.
Bronze medal winners were WN4+ – Cara Rawe, Payton Harris, Mia Harding, Chloe Swatek and Alexa Grooms (coxswain).
HISTORIC RESOURCES TO BE SURVEYED
The list of the City of Sarasota’s historic resources is expected to expand when an updated survey of the city gets under way soon.
In 2002, the City of Sarasota launched a comprehensive five-phase process in which structures built from the early settlement period through 1947 would be surveyed for historical significance, a city news release notes. When the process ended in 2006, 3,369 properties were deemed historically significant.
By re-surveying Phase I, city officials think that as many as 350 new listings will be added to the Florida Master Site File of historic places. The properties may have been missed because of incomplete records and the scope of the survey. Eligibility has been expanded through 1959.
The survey area includes the core of the city from 10th Street to the north, U.S. 301 to the east, Mound Street to the south, and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Many neighborhoods will be surveyed, including the Rosemary District, Gillespie Park, Five Points, Laurel Park and Burns Square.
Representatives from Archaeological Consultants Inc., a Florida-based firm, will walk the designated area, studying the architectural features of structures built between 1947 and 1959. They also will identify groups of contributing buildings which may be eligible to become designated as such for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
"The Phase I Update survey is an important resource in implementing the Land Development Regulations and the goals of the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Sarasota City Plan," said Cliff Smith, senior planner and project manager. "The survey research will apply the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s standards to evaluate buildings in the city constructed prior to 1960. It will also provide a solid base to develop new designated national and local historic districts to help preserve the built heritage that makes Sarasota unique," said Smith.
The city commission approved the contract with Archaeological Consultants Inc. on Nov. 2. The survey was expected to begin any day.
JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S
SERVICE TO DEDICATE NEW BUILDING
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Sarasota-Manatee Inc. will celebrate the successful completion of its capital campaign with the dedication of its newly expanded building on Sunday, Nov. 22.
The ceremony will be held at noon at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus, 2688 Fruitville Road. It will feature a ribbon cutting by Betty Schoenbaum, honorary campaign chair; Barbara Brizdle, campaign chair; and Marie Monsky, board chair.
Rabbi Joel Mishkin of Temple Beth Sholom will offer a traditional blessing of the building. A dessert reception and tours of the new facility will be available at the conclusion of the ceremony.
With an increased demand in services, the agency launched its capital campaign in 2007 with a $1-million challenge grant from the Schoenbaum Family Foundation. The goal was to add 6,000 square feet of space, including 21 additional counseling offices, an expanded conference room and two group meeting rooms.
The project also provided for the renovation of the former conference room into offices as well as upgrades to the original 8,400-square-foot building to make it more energy-efficient.
A total of $4.6 million was raised for the capital expansion project and for the establishment of an endowment fund to support ongoing programs and services offered to the community.
Donations were received from a broad range of partners, including local and national foundations, local businesses and individuals who are committed to the mission of JFCS: "Guided by Jewish tradition, JFCS provides comprehensive counseling and social services to people confronting life."
Construction began in August 2008, with completion on July 31. The contractors included George Palermo Architect Inc., W.G. Mills Inc. and HEDJ Engineering Inc.
"Of all the organizations I belong to, I think JFCS is one of the finest," said Schoenbaum in a news release. "No matter what color, race or creed you are, JFCS is there to help you. JFCS gives people the tools to improve their lives and their futures."
JFCS provides more than 20 programs coordinated from a network of 16 locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Founded in 1985, it is a fully accredited, community-based social service organization that delivers a broad range of professional counseling services to individuals, families, seniors and children on a non-denominational basis.