joemoraca's blog

Carla's Clay of Arlington Park

I just had the pleasure of meeting "Carla" of Carla's Clay she will be featured in the next Arlington Park Newsletter ....

I didn't get to see her workshop but I really like the nice teapots she makes.

SRQ Magazines Page 1 emails ...

I have been subscribed to SRQ Magazines Page 1 probably since it started. I read it most every day and usually find something of interest. Like this notice about John McKnight speaking in Newtown. Truer words .....

McKnight Urges Newtown Change

This past Saturday, the city of Sarasota, along with residents of Newtown, hosted a public workshop at the Booker T. Washington Middle School. The goal was to shed some light on the unique challenges facing that particular community, and attempt to advance the dialogue between its residents and those outside of the community.

Titled as a "New Day in Newtown," many leaders from the city, staff and the community showed up to contribute to the nearly four-hour long workshop that covered such topics as economic development, law enforcement, neighborhoods, social services and youth services.

Professor John McKnight was asked to speak at the event because, for nearly three decades he has conducted research on social service delivery systems, health policy, community organizations, neighborhood policy, and institutional racism, which are many of the challenges facing Newtown today.

He ended his speech by saying, "Nothing will work in a neighborhood unless the neighborhood is willing to change."

Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts

| Image 1 of 4 |
DSC_1673.JPG

Today was the 20th Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts !!

It was pretty big with lots of really nice art. I saw a few signs "no pictures" which I mostly respect but there was some "new stuff" that was interesting. It went from Orange Ave all the way to Five Points on Main St and filled the park...

The FSU Sarasota Campus?

| Image 1 of 7 |
DSC_1668.JPG

I rode all the way up to New College this morning. It's easy to forget that Florida State University has a real presence here in Sarasota. I don't know the story of how it happen but they run the Ringling Museum, Ca d Zan and the Asolo Theater.

There still is some development going on ...

| Image 1 of 4 |
arlington2.jpg

There is a pretty major renovation going on in Arlington Park right across from SMH. There is a major rezoning that just happen (I think?) on 4th St that will have some development happening very soon. Citrus Square is moving along pretty well.... just 3 sites from my Sunday morning bike ride.

Kilties and Sarasota High Band Concert

| Image 1 of 4 |
Wind Ensemble - FCAT

Tuesday evening we went to see the Kiltie band and Sarasota High band play at SHS.

I was pretty good ... I was most impressed by the last "special" performance of the Kiltie Wind Ensemble -- they played a song by "sight reading"

Mr Spreen the band director explained it as the FCAT for music. He passed out sheet music for a "new song" and they have to play it after a few minutes of him talking them through it. So in about 3 minutes they did a great job of it.

Institute for Public Policy and Leadership - Growth Seminar

| Image 1 of 2 |
IPPL1.jpg

The USF Institute for Public Policy and Leadership has been doing some interesting seminars lately (that I have become aware of ...)

I went to this seminar Tuesday ... it was somewhat scary.

Jack McCabe a Real Estate Consultant was so pessimistic I almost wanted to burn down my house for the insurance money (just kidding) since he thinks the market still has lots of downside -- the vultures have yet to buy -- and when they do the prices will be very low -- and that level will be what the appraisers see as "the gold standard."

Good thing Mike Bennett and Pat Neal where there with their more optimistic outlooks.. I support Mike Bennetts comment that SW Florida (Sarasota) can become an area that focuses on sustainable energy.

Syndicate content