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[SHOP] Elegant Fun in the Sun
No need to be envious of celebrities with their custom-designed gowns and suits. Now you can show them up with your very own items by Astrid clothing. A local who has spent her career designing for greats like Louis Vuitton, Astrid Frerich utilizes designer fabrics used by Fendi, Dolce and Gabbana and more when creating her Sarasota-inspired fashions. Find ready-to-wear ball gowns, suits, cocktail dresses and more at Belle de Jour (401 S. Pineapple Ave. 941-330-9811). Or, to have your one-of-a-kind garment personally designed and fitted, call 941-284-6617 for an appointment.
[EAT] Happy Birthday, Metro!
In celebration of their one-year anniversary, Metro Coffee & Wine is offering discounts for the entire month of June. Take a friend to lunch from June 5-10 and get half off the second meal (offer good 10:30am to 3pm). From June 12-17, enjoy one “after 5” menu item half price. And from June 19-24, get a free 12 oz. coffee or loose-leaf tea with the purchase of bulk coffee beans or tea. As for the rest of the month, it’s a surprise—but we do know Metro will be offering a different promotion each day from June 26-30. Pick up your month of June coupons (not to mention one of the best tasting iced coffees in town) at Metro Coffee & Wine, 711 S. Osprey Ave (on the corner of Mound).
[NEWS] GravityFree Chooses DtDNS to Better Serve Its Web Clientele
GravityFree Web Agency recently stepped up the reliability of its network and hosting services by choosing DtDNS for DNS Redundancy. A technical upgrade such as this significantly reduces the risk of clients experiencing disruptions in service and better secures the integrity of both Web site status and e-mail performance. DtDNS has been serving clients all over the world for seven years, and specializes in redundant, highly available DNS solutions for Internet providers and Web hosting companies.
"GravityFree strives to maintain 100% availability for all of our clients. They expect the best, and using the redundant network that DtDNS provides will only serve to keep us moving in that direction,” comments GravityFree owner, Scott Heaps. For more about GravityFree, visit www.gravityfree.com or call 941-927-7674.
[TALK] Film Industry Airs Ideas for Local Film Commission
Sarasota County seems poised to boost the local film industry by expanding its film office to attract filmmakers to the area and centralize the professional workforce that already exists in the area. During a discussion yesterday, a film task force appointed by the county’s Tourism Development Council (TDC) heard from about a dozen local film professionals who described the fledgling industry in Sarasota that could use a hand from the county. “There is a market that people want to come down and shoot here,” said Matthew Carman, a specialist in film and video production. “But we’ve got to make it more film friendly.”
Local film producers such as Walt Jenkins said filming in Sarasota is a cumbersome process because of having to go through so many entities with permitting and insurance certificates. Robert Mendel, a Hollywood location professional who just happened to be in Sarasota visiting his mother, told the task force if they only hire one person, that person should be dedicated to taking location shots to assist professionals in scouting and promoting the area during the first year. “You gotta plow before you plant, and you gotta plant before you reap,” he said.
Although a film office has existed in Sarasota since 1989, it currently receives just $20,000 a year and, consequently, only supports part-time staff. The office has operated under the county’s Convention and Visitors Bureau since 1993. A consultant hired by the TDC compared 11 state and national film commissions with small offices and one large one in Palm Beach County. Her findings revealed that offices operating with a single full-time employee generally incurred expenses between $120,000 and $150,000 annually while generating $3 million to $5 million. Most of these offices are run through county or city governments.
Clint Weldon, a film and television producer, said Sarasota is exporting some of its best talent from the Ringling School of Art and Design and other educational venues because there aren’t enough opportunities for them to stay and work here. He added that now could be the prime time for the county to beef up its film industry as the market begins to shift toward new technologies like Internet TV.
Task force member Mark Marvell suggested that Weldon and others create a professional organization of their own that could work with the proposed film commission office. The task force will meet again July 6 to discuss the formation of a larger film office and make recommendations to the county about how it should be funded.
[TODAY] 2006 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards, 11:30am
As Sarasota’s most prestigious business awards ceremony, this annual event normally sells out with over 500 attendees, and recognizes local businesses in a number of categories. SRQ Magazine is one of the top three finalists nominated for new business of the year. Hyatt Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, 941-955-2508 x516.
[TODAY] AIA Conference, through June 3
This architectural conference, held every two years, focuses on design issues, and features both national and international speakers. There will also be a trade show displaying the industry’s newest building materials with an emphasis on green sustainability. Longboat Key Club and Resort, 301 Gulf of Mexico Dr., 941-366-9161.
[TODAY] Green Lawns on the Water’s Edge, 7-9pm
Russ Hoffman of Beautiful Ponds, Inc. speaks on storm water ponds and runoff pollution. Find out what effects your lawn practices can have on the quality of nearby water bodies. Sarasota Green Connection. Whole Lifestyle Center, corner of First Street and Lemon, 941-366-2103.
[TODAY] Manatee Job Fair
A countywide job fair will be held at the Manatee County Civic Center from 9am to 4pm where representatives from 16 departments will be available to answer questions. One Haben Blvd., 941-748-4501 x3520.
[SOON] June 23: United Way Women’s Initiative Breakfast, 8:30–10am.
Patricia Courtois of Clark Advertising speaks about the exciting community work the Women’s Initiative is doing in Sarasota. She will also be honored for her dedication as Chair of the Women’s Initiative for the past two years. The event is free for Women’s Initiative members and $15 for guests. Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd., 941-366-2686 x238.
[SOON] June 6: 82 Degrees Tech Hosts USF VP of Research, 5-7pm
82 Degrees Tech, the group accelerating the technology economy in Manatee and Sarasota counties, hosts an event during which the Associate Vice President of Research at USF, Dr. Rod Casto, will discuss USF Connect. Casto will talk about the single point of connection between technology startups and critical resources. 7150 N. Tamiami Tr. Visit www.82degreestech.com to RSVP.
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Compiled by Britta Alexander, Amanda Kanaan and Troy Schnelle, and editorial interns Amber Canterbury, Caitlin Colbert, Elana Galerman and Alizah Herman. SRQ is locally owned and operated. Corporate offices are located at 337 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236. Phone 941-365-7702. Facsimile 941-365-0853. Website: www.SRQMAG.com
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