2 Shooting Stars from Sarasota go to LA

The international actors and talent competition iPOP! will be held from January 2-7 2009 in Los Angeles.
Two young girls from Sarasota will compete with hundreds other kids in this major competition.
Kimmy Baker and Nina Vienna currently take classes in acting, singing, dancing and modeling and will be the only two kids from Austria at iPOP! in LA.
We from METROYA wish them best luck - toi toi toi!

Venice Theatre's The School for Wives wins Best Play at Florida Theatre Conference

The results are in! On Saturday, November 7, 2008, Venice Theatre was honored with three top awards at the Florida Theatre Conference in Lakeland, FL. Competing against four other Florida community theatres with a 60-minute festival version of Moliere's The School for Wives, Venice Theatre returned home with awards in-hand for Best Play, Best Actress and Best Overall Design.

As winner of the best play award, The School for Wives - directed by Venice Theatre's Executive/Artistic Director Murray Chase - will be traveling to the next round of competitions at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Birmingham, Alabama March 4-8, 2009.

Amber Suleskey, a senior at Riverview High School, won Best Actress for her portrayal of Agnes. The design team took home the prize for Best Overall Design. (Steve Mitchell designed the scenery with additional set design by Barry Sullivan, Jim Lovett and Patty Avery.

As costume designer, Nicholas Hartman won his second award for his period work on The School for Wives. Chris McVicker is credited for lighting design.)

Venice Theatre last produced Moliere's classic farce in April, 2007. At that time local theatre critic, Kim Cool, gave the production a glowing review for its “spectacular” set, “brilliant” acting and “magnificent” costumes. This version of The School for Wives was translated from Moliere's French by Richard Wilbur.

DR. ANNE CHAUVET EARNS AWARD FROM VETERINARY ASSOCIATION

Dr. Anne Chauvet of Veterinary Neuro Services has received a 2008 Gold Star Award from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association for her active charitable involvement, disaster rescue work and her efforts to save a paralyzed lioness.

Chauvet, who is a veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon, has worked following several hurricanes to rescue, treat and place animals impacted by the storms. She also donated her time and the costs of testing and surgery to correct a herniated spinal disc on a paralyzed lioness. The lioness, which was rescued by the Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota, has fully recovered. Dr. Richard Carpenter of the Animal Clinic at Kelly Crossing in Fort Myers nominated Chauvet for the award.

The FVMA presented Gold Star Awards to 14 Florida veterinarians whose services contributed significantly to advancing veterinary medicine or the status of the profession at its annual conference in October.

CORK Wine Specialist Earns Marks of Distinction and Merit

CORK Wine Specialist Rebecca Robinson sets the benchmark for local wine professionals after receiving an Advanced Certification in wine and spirits from the UK based Wine & Spirits Education Trust, "the foremost international body in the field of wines and spirits education" (www.wset.co.uk). Robinson underwent a week-long intensive course at New York's International Wine Center prior to the two and a half hour examination on Saturday, August 30th, which included fifty multiple choice, four short answer questions, and one blind tasting. Earning a "pass with merit" on the theory section and a "pass with distinction" on the blind tasting, Robinson now ranks among a handful of local wine professionals holding the equivalent degree.

Entering her second year as CORK's wine specialist, Robinson joined the restaurant's team with a resume of international work experience impressive for her youth. A local Pine View alumna, Robinson returned to Sarasota after graduating from Stetson University Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa in 2005. A year and half working at wine retailer Wine Warehouse of Sarasota incited her three month sojourns in both South Africa and France, where Robinson worked in the cellars of two distinctly different yet highly successful wineries. Passionate about education and the presentation of wine in a non-intimidating, approachable manner, Robinson brings a relaxed yet informative perspective to CORK, its staff and clientele.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF MANATEE COUNTY STEPS UP TO NATIONAL MODEL

The Humane Society of Manatee County is proud to announce that it has been selected to be a part of the Humane Alliance of Western North Carolina's National Spay/Neuter Response Team (NSNRT). This is the next step in the Humane Society's goal to help create a humane community in which no healthy, adoptable pet is euthanized. The NSNRT's mission is to train organizations across the nation to provide targeted high-quality, high-volume sterilization services as the non-lethal solution to pet overpopulation. To date, the NSNRT has trained 44 organizations, and has 35 additional applications. The organizations chosen to participate in this program have had to meet specific guidelines and receive extensive training. “The Humane Society of Manatee County has positioned itself professionally and financially to provide these spay/neuter services in their area, and Humane Alliance is proud to partner with them in this effort.” Said Quita Mezzina, Humane Alliance's Executive Director.

The HSMC opened a medical clinic earlier this year which has performed approximately 2,000 surgeries. There is a demonstrated demand for affordable pet sterilization services. “Restructuring under this model allows us to double our current volume and operate more efficiently,” comments Denise Deisler, Executive Director at HSMC and co-creator of Richmond, Virginia's No-Kill Community. “Communities should not accept euthanasia as a sad reality; prevention IS the solution! Increasing the number of spay and neuter surgeries in a community ultimately decreases the number of homeless pets. It is the most proactive and efficient way to reduce unnecessary euthanasia in Manatee County”. Currently, over 5,000 pets per year are destroyed due to overpopulation and limited shelter resources.

HSMC will spend the next three months preparing to implement the new model clinic. The current clinic operation will be closed from November, 2008 through January, 2009 to perform facility alterations, staff selection, and training. The timing could not be better since this is typically the low breeding season for animals. The number of shelter intakes historically drops at this time of year as well. While daily clinic operations will cease temporarily, pet adoptions and the monthly feral cat spay/neuter days will continue.

USA Today cited Humane Alliance as one of two gold-standard spay/neuter clinic models in the country. Its training arm, the NSNRT, has received significant funding to help spread the success to other places and HSMC is proud to be one of them. NSNRT is supported in part by PETsMART Charities, and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

“It is our board's aim and responsibility to determine the best utilization of resources since we are 100% donor funded.” said Board President, Jill Clulow. “In a tough economy that becomes even more challenging when resources are scarce. It is exciting to be a part of a nationally recognized solution that increases our spay/neuter volume and cost-efficiencies”. Clulow also notes that the clinic will be in a position to better respond to the needs of the public and other local animal welfare organizations in need of these services.

The mission of Humane Society of Manatee County is to create a humane community where all adoptable pets receive loving and responsible homes, and to end unnecessary euthanasia in Manatee County. For more information, donations, or to help with this effort, contact Denise Deisler, at Humane Society of Manatee County at 747-8808 ext. 310 ddeisler@humanesocietymanatee.org

Edelsbacher gives away a dinner for 2

Sign up for a chance to win a dinner for 2.
Edelsbacher Design Group gives away a dinner for two at one of Metroya's partner restaurants ($100 value, restaurant to be announced).

Asolo Rep Casts Brad Oscar in the Title Rolf and Brings back Gorddon Greenberg to direct Barnum the Musical

Asolo Repertory Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards announces the creative team for the theatre’s upcoming production of Barnum the musical and names Brad Oscar in the title role. Barnum will be directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Joshua Rhodes; with music direction by Helen Gregory, scenic design by Michael Schweikardt, costume design by Alejo Vietti, and lighting design by Traci Klainer. Barnum kicks off Asolo Rep’s 50th anniversary season in grand style on November 15th.

According to Edwards, “We are thrilled to bring back Gordon Greenberg and Josh Rhodes after the great success of Working. The entire Barnum creative team, along with our own world-class production staff and shops, will create an unbeatable partnership. I didn’t think we could raise the bar any further, but we have. Now we have Brad Oscar cast in the lead role as P.T. Barnum, heading up a stellar ensemble. With the remarkable success of Asolo Rep's productions of A Tale of Two Cities and Working last season, the theatre community has become more aware than ever of what we are capable of here and the quality of our work. Audiences are about to experience the spectacle of Barnum with its colorful characters and wonderful music, combined with the brilliant talent of these artists. This will be a dazzling, memorable production. Barnum also gives us the chance to explore Sarasota’s rich circus history, forge new partnerships within the local and national arts communities, and create tremendous excitement about our future as we enter our 50th anniversary season.”

Says Gordon Greenberg, “I have always been a great fan of Brad Oscar—both as a person and a performer. He was the first person that came to mind in casting the role of P.T. Barnum. We are so fortunate to be able to explore the show anew with such a profoundly talented actor. In many ways, Brad embodies the spirit of Barnum, a born showman with a rich imagination and a keen sense of the public’s taste. Barnum was the father of modern advertising and a quintessential symbol of American values. From his humble beginnings in his father’s dry goods store in Connecticut to his museums, shows and circus, Barnum was a visionary, bringing us the idea of theatre as family entertainment. This production aims to use the fertile mind and acute ambition of Barnum as fuel for his many successes as well as his personal challenges. It’s an incredibly compelling—and all too relatable story, told in the most theatrical and entertaining way—just as Barnum himself would have wanted it!”

Rehearsals commence in Florida on October 14th with previews on November 12-14, 2008. Opening night is on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. with a star studded champagne reception following the performance. Barnum runs through December 20, 2008, with performances at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets ($11-$58) are available by calling the Box Office at 1-941-351-8000 or toll free at 1-800-361-8388. You may also purchase tickets online at www.asolo.org. This is an Asolo Rep production in the Mertz Theatre (5555 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Florida).

Asolo Rep has partnered with area hotels to offer a variety of discount packages; go to the Asolo Rep website (www.asolo.org) for more information. For group reservations and discounts, call 941-351-9010 ext. 4810.

About the show: Winner of a Theater World, a Drama Desk and three Tony Awards, this Broadway hit sparkles with a cast of singers, actors, jugglers, clowns and tumblers! Phineas Taylor Barnum had the ability to create illusions and make fortunes at the same time. In this grand production, the worlds of musical theatre and circus fuse into a vibrant and entertaining musical celebrating the colorful, creative and driven life of the World’s Greatest Showman, Phineas ‘P.T.’ Barnum. Come Follow the Band and meet the extraordinary acts that led Barnum from humble beginnings to ‘The Greatest Show on Earth.’

“Originally produced on the Broadway Stage by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Maurice and Lois F. Rosenfeld in association with Irwin Feld and Kenneth Feld.”

“Barnum is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc., 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022.”

Win 2 Martinis Every Day!

EDG, the Creative Agency with European Touch together with their restaurant clients is giving away 2 martinis every day. You can enter every day all year long. Drawing is daily at 5 pm, the lucky winner gets the martini certificate per email. Enter Here. Good Luck!