Tickets on sale for EcoSummit in Sarasota with author and Florida journalist Carl Hiassen

Special to the Herald-Tribune
·4 min read
The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and more than 20 local nonprofits will be participating on Aug. 28 in the sixth annual Give 8/28 fundraiser. The 15-hour nationwide digital event supports Black-led and Black-benefiting nonprofits. On Monday, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will unite donors with Give 8/28 participants during a community mixer from 5-7 p.m. at WBTT, 1012 N. Orange Ave., in Sarasota. Donations to WBTT will support the organization's Young Artist Program, which presented Raleigh Mosely II’s “Titanium: A Soul Experience” during the 2022-23 season. Info: give828.org.

Tickets on sale for EcoSummit featuring author Carl Hiassen

Discounted early registration tickets are on sale for the 2023 EcoSummit in December featuring bestselling author and Florida journalist Carl Hiassen and award-winning Australian documentary filmmaker Damon Gameau.

Carl Hiaasen has published 13 novels for adults, including nine national bestsellers – "Strip Tease," "Stormy Weather," "Lucky You," "Sick Puppy," "Basket Case," "Skinny Dip," "Nature Girl," "Star Island," and "Bad Monkey."
Carl Hiaasen has published 13 novels for adults, including nine national bestsellers – "Strip Tease," "Stormy Weather," "Lucky You," "Sick Puppy," "Basket Case," "Skinny Dip," "Nature Girl," "Star Island," and "Bad Monkey."

The EcoSummit will feature solutions-oriented lectures and panel discussions with dozens of national, regional, and local experts who will share insights for recharging the environment and reducing human impacts. The event is presented by the Science and Environment Council, a consortium of 40 environmental nonprofit and government organization in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“Our natural environment is the foundation of our economy and quality of life," said Jennifer Shafer, SEC co-executive director. "By working together to educate and activate the community, we hope to bolster efforts to conserve and restore our treasured natural resources.”

The EcoSummit opens Dec. 4 at The Bay Park Nest with a free outdoor screening of the film “2040” featuring Gameau, the film’s creator and EcoSummit keynote speaker. The event continues Dec. 5-6 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and includes "Florida Stories" with Hiaasen, a former Miami Herald columnist, and emcee and award-winning journalist Craig Pittman. For tickets and more information, visit eco-summit.org.

Community Harvest initiative now includes Diocese schools

Community Harvest, a fundraising initiative in September that supports area nonprofits, will include Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools for the first time as a beneficiaries.

“We’re delighted to be included,” said Father John Belmonte, Superintendent of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Venice. “The Diocese’s Catholic schools serve more than 6,000 area students, and contributions in any amount help us with our mission of preparing these students for a life of purpose.”

Those interested in helping nonprofits can do so by dining at participating restaurants in September. The restaurant donates 5% of diners’ checks to charities selected by the guests. Restaurants are the 1905 Family of Restaurants group, including all Columbia restaurants, Cha Cha Coconuts, Ulele, Goody Goody and Casa Santo Stefano. The Community Harvest program has donated more then $3 million since its inception in 1998.

YMCA of SW Florida welcomes new Chief Volunteer Officer

The YMCA of Southwest Florida recently welcomed Chief Volunteer Officer Dorothy Korszen and named Keith Farlow as Director Emeritus.

Korszen has served on the YMCA of Southwest Florida Board of Directors since 2011. Her recent roles were vice-chair, treasurer and chair of the finance committee. She serves as a director at Farr Law Firm where she focuses on trusts and estates, real estate and business and corporate law.

Korszen takes over for David Dignam, who served from 2021-23 and will remain on the board. Farlow served as CVO from 2019-21 and has been a board member for 10 years. For more information about the YMCA of Southwest Florida, visit ymcaswfl.org.

Longtime educator promoted at Community Day School

The Hershorin Schiff Community Day School has named veteran educator Barbara O’Brien as its new K-4 Interim Director. With more than three decades of teaching experience, O'Brien has been a teacher at Community Day School for 20 years.

Longtime educator Barbara O’Brien has been named K-4 Interim Director for Hershorin Schiff Community Day School.
Longtime educator Barbara O’Brien has been named K-4 Interim Director for Hershorin Schiff Community Day School.

O'Brien earned a B.A. degree in education with certifications in early childhood and elementary education from Stonehill College. Working in private and public schools, she has certifications in Montessori and Reggio Emilia teaching methods and has held multiple leadership positions.

O'Brien, who has taught second-grade language arts, math, science, and social studies and fourth-grade math, will continue to oversee the second-grade team, guide the K-4 division, and work closely with Early Childhood Director Tracy Bortz on kindergarten and pre-K curriculum.

Around and about ...

Truly Valued’s I AM Academy mentoring program has expanded to an estimated 100 students at Booker Middle School, thanks to support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Truly Valued, which serves at-risk youth and families, offers support at eight schools in Sarasota County and nine in Manatee County. “Our staff are fully committed to supporting students as they navigate, finding themselves and becoming active members of our community,” said Shavonne Sams, founder and CEO. Info: trulyvalued.org; 941-222-0645.

· Congregation Kol HaNeshama is holding an open house with new Rabbi Sigal Brier on Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. at the South Gate Community Center, 3145 Southgate Circle, Sarasota. Info: office@khsarasota.org or 941-244-2042.

· BUDS (Manasota Bringing Up Down Syndrome) will hold its 21st annual Buddy Walk fundraiser on Oct. 28 at Bayside Community Church, 15800 S.R. 64, in Bradenton. The event includes music with DJ MoTown Ross Brown, a silent auction, carnival games, a 50/50 raffle, and food and beverages. Enrollment, team signup, and sponsorship opportunities are available at manasotabuds.org.

Submissions by Sharon Kunkel, Karen Barry Schwarz, Jamie Browning, Shavonne Sams, Mike Stephens, Claire Kunzman.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Early registration underway for EcoSummit in Sarasota with Carl Hiassen