NOVEMBER 2018 • A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Survivors In Sync THE FENCE IS NOW HERE FLORIDA TURKEY TROT NAMED A MUST-RUN EVENT EVENTS THE FENCE SARASOTA 2018 PICTURES FROM AN EXHIBITION It’s official: Nathan Benderson Park is home to Now, it’s our turn. the largest outdoor juried photography exhibition “The Fence” provides what organizers on the continent. call “unprecedented exposure and career The Fence opened Nov. 1 with a ribbon-cutting opportunities to participating photographers,” on Regatta Island. The Sarasota showing is while providing free access to powerful simultaneous to its showing in Atlanta and photographic narratives for a wide, diverse Durham, N.C. It’s also shown this year in Boston, audience. Participating artists’ work spans the New York, Santa Fe, Denver, and Calgary, Alberta, categories of creatures, home, people, streets, among other larger destinations. nature, food and play. Each photo series is Six million visitors have been reached by the comprised of as many as five images that share a exhibit as it’s been shown across the continent. thematic connection or tell a story. Sam Barzilay, left, and Dave Shelley of United Photo Industries speak before the opening ceremony for The Fence on Nov. 1. 2 The Fence didn’t open without the formality of a ribbon cutting. From left: SANCA President/CEO Stephen V. Rodriguez, Barbara Strauss, Dave Shelley of Photoville, event sponsor Laura Feder, Sam Barzilay of Photoville, and Virginia Haley of Visit Sarasota County. Since its inception in 2011, The Fence has art professionals, who announced their decisions consistently attracted exceptional work by in June. United Photo Industries, which organizes talented photographers from around the world, the jury and “The Fence,” is a 7-year-old New creating an opportunity to share these powerful York-based nonprofit that works to promote a photographic narratives with a diverse audience, wider understanding of, and increased access to, while providing photographers with a truly public the art of photography. platform and unexpected career opportunities. “The Fence” is at NBP as a free event, thanks Photographers of all levels from around the to enthusiast Laura Feder, SANCA, Michael’s On world were invited to submit work before mid- East, Visit Sarasota, Sabal Palm Bank and the April for consideration by a jury of 75 photo and Observer Media Group. There’s been a steady flow of visitors to The Fence since its opening. Sandi Grecco provided 33 music at the reception. BLACK FRIDAY SHARE THE GIFT OF NBP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! (WE’VE MADE IT EASY!) ONE-DAY-ONLY DEALS! BOGO RENTALS · SUMMER CAMPS BUDDY PRIVATE LESSONS · SELECT MERCHANDISE VISIT NATHANBENDERSONPARK.ORG ON NOV. 23 SARASOTA-BRADENTON Even without the water component, the Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon Festival was a stage TRIATHLON FESTIVAL for the world’s best triathletes and paratriathletes to showcase their ability. The 2018 ITU World Cup season hit lucky stop WORLD’S No. 13 on the calendar as the series entered the United States to host the 2018 Sarasota- Bradenton ITU Triathlon World Cup. For the BEST DUKE second year in a row, the race was at Nathan Benderson Park, where elites from across the IT OUT IN globe competed in the ninth sprint-distance race of the year. It was the only World Cup race held in the United States. DUATHLONS The course was to be a one-lap 750-meter swim, three-lap 18 km bike and one-lap 5 km run. Because of water quality, the event was changed to a duathlon event with a one-lap 2.5 km run, three-lap 18.3 km bike and two-lap 5 km run. The weekend was jam-packed. On Saturday, Oct. 13, age-group races were followed by elite races, and on Sunday, Oct. 14, the Elite Paratriathlon World Cup was followed by the CAMTRI mixed- relay triathlon. American triathlete Kirsten Kasper was a favorite coming into the Sarasota races. PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS E. JESSMER OF NBP E. JESSMER DOUGLAS BY PHOTOS 5 6 Paratriathlete Andrew Nicholson of Ireland 7 “I approached this race just like any other Vendula Frintova of the Czech Republic took race in the season, to give it my all,” she said. bronze in the women’s race. On the men’s side, “But to compete on home soil is really exciting, to Luis made a rare World Cup appearance and won represent the U.S. at home and have my friends his first World Cup competition in more than four and family here.” years. Joining him on the podium was his training Mixed relay racing is gathering interest, and partner, Jelle Geens of Belgium, who finished Kasper said Team USA is doing well with it: second, and Portugal’s Joao Pereira. “Having Mixed Relay in Tokyo is really exciting, Paratriathlete Amy Dixon, who’s blind, won here just to have another medal opportunity. But it is last year. also exciting to race with your fellow Americans “This is my fifth time racing here,” she said, “but and race for something bigger than yourself and yes, getting some last qualification points to get work together. Having an experience, since 2015 to help get on the team for next season. Plus, it is was my first relay experience it has been amazing always a pleasure to be able to race at home.” to see the sport grow. USA Triathlon has really Asked if she was nervous about defending her been able to grow our strength and our depth win here, she said: “I don’t think it would be race in this sport, so it is a great opportunity to work day without some nerves. I think those two things together.” go hand-in-hand.” Proving that they are not just strong triathletes, “I am kind of excited,” she said. “This is one but strong duathletes as well, USA’s Renee Tomlin of my favorite bike courses. It is a flat and fast and France’s Vincent Luis dominated their way to course and it has good visibility for us to navigate victory at the 2018 Sarasota-Bradenton ITU World and see where our competition is, so that helps Cup. us strategically. It just is a good day of racing Tomlin’s win was an entertaining victory, as because we get a lot of younger athletes from she won in a sprint finish in the final moments, the U.S. who are just coming into the sport. It is where then compatriot Kasper came second and exciting to see the sport grow at home.” YOUTH SOCCER NEW PROGRAM TEACHES THE FUNDAMENTALS Get your child involved in the fundamentals of soccer at NBP! Each session will cover shooting, passing, agility, and — most important — play! Come learn the essentials or enhance your skill set at the park. Registration is open now! Ages: 5-7 and 8-11 Dates: Wednesdays and Fridays. Ages 5-7, 4-5:30 p.m.; ages 8-11, 6-7:30 p.m. Location: 500m restroom, west shore of the park Fees: $128 per session (month) Sessions Winter: Jan. 2/4, 9/11, 16/18, 23/25 Spring: Feb. 6/8, 13/15, 20/22, 27/March 1 Register at nathanbendersonpark.org/programming/youth-soccer.html 8 GIVING TUESDAY A GOOD TURN THAT HELPS OTHERS Entering its seventh year, Giving Tuesday — team of styled with the hashtag #GivingTuesday — is a influencers global day of giving fueled by the power of social and founding media and collaboration. partners joined And now, NBP is part of the movement. This forces, collaborating #GivingTuesday, we encourage you to strengthen across sectors tirelessly, to your commitment to the community through launch #GivingTuesday and giving to NBP, and encouraging others to do so. have continued to shape, grow Celebrated on the Tuesday following and strengthen the movement. Thanksgiving and the widely recognized #GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, social media and the generosity of people around #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, the world to bring about real change in their when many focus on their holiday and end-of- communities; it provides a platform for them to year giving. encourage the donation of time, resources and Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday talents to address local challenges. It also brings has become a movement that celebrates and together the collective power of a unique blend supports giving and philanthropy with events of partners — nonprofits, civic organizations, throughout the year and a growing catalog of businesses and corporations, as well as families resources. and individuals—to encourage and amplify small On #GivingTuesday, you can give securely acts of kindness. at nathanbendersonpark.org/give As a global movement, #GivingTuesday unites Created by the team at the 92nd Street Y countries around the world by sharing our in New York City, #GivingTuesday connects capacity to care for and empower one another. diverse groups of individuals, communities and The day has leadership support from the Bill & organizations around the world for one common Melinda Gates Foundation and additional support purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. A from PayPal. 9 N 100 feet 2018 FLORIDA TURKEY TROT START/ INAUGURAL FINISH RUN NAMED ONE OF 7 U.S. MUST-RUNS The inaugural Florida Turkey Trot has some national recognition, and it hasn’t even been run yet! Competitor Running magazine named it one of seven Thanksgiving runs across the country that it recommends. Fit2Run and Nathan Benderson Park are launching this race as a part of your Thanksgiving tradition. 5K finishers (runners, walkers and youths alike) cross the finish line FLOATING after finishing the “floating final mile” over the lake.