“What unfolded in Sarasota wasn’t random bureaucratic chaos. It was the predictable endpoint of a 27-year scheme—one that began in Miami strip malls and now stretches across Florida like a shadow.”

When Joseph Weizenbaum unleashed the world’s first chatbot in 1966, he expected scientific curiosity. Instead, he got love letters to a machine — and a crisis of conscience that would make him computing’s most prescient critic.

"These days, I'm outside most mornings, hands deep in soil that smells like rain and possibility. I dig into the earth, pulling out invasive weeds, driven by instinct and the simple goal of caring for my surroundings."

“Jacobs isn’t just a musician; he’s a visionary, bending genres into something untouchable, something future generations will undoubtedly try to emulate but never fully replicate. He’s an innovator, the architect of a sound so profound, so gut-wrenchingly resonant, it defies classification—an artist building the foundation of a genre we’ve yet to name, but one that will echo through the ages.”

Candi Staton’s rise to fame began on the back of a flatbed truck at age five, where she first shared her harmonies with the world. This humble beginning on her family’s farm was just the start of a career that would span five decades, with Staton continuously evolving across genres. From her early days in gospel to becoming a soul music queen and disco sensation, her journey is a testament to her talent, resilience, and unwavering authenticity. As she gears up for her 32nd album release in 2025, Staton proves that her legacy as a musical icon is still flourishing.

Spotlight Sarasota Set to Launch on October 14, 2024, Commemorating the anniversary of Sarasota's official incorporation in 1902: Celebrating Local Stories, Inspiring Conversations, and Sarasota’s Vibrant Community

In the pantheon of music legends, Sister Rosetta Tharpe stands out as a revolutionary force whose impact on rock and roll is both profound and enduring. Dubbed the "Godmother of Rock and Roll," Tharpe's fusion of gospel fervor with the electrifying sounds of her guitar in the 1930s and 1940s laid the groundwork for a genre that would captivate the world. A trailblazer in every sense, she defied the constraints of race, gender, and sexuality, forging a path that would influence generations of musicians. Sister Rosetta Tharpe didn't just play music—she shredded it, commanding stages with a presence that was impossible to ignore.

Born Rosetta Nubin on March 20, 1915, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Tharpe's early life was steeped in the twin forces of music and religion. By the age of six, Tharpe had mastered the guitar, playing alongside her mother in a duo that blended sermons with gospel concerts. Their performances brought them modest fame, enough to move to Chicago in the mid-1920s, where young Rosetta was billed as "The Guitar Playing Miracle."

Tharpe's music was a dynamic blend of traditional gospel, urban blues, and folk influences, characterized by her use of heavy distortion on the electric guitar—a precursor to the sound that would define rock and roll. Her 1945 hit "Strange Things Happening Every Day" was groundbreaking, crossing over to secular charts and reaching No. 2 on Billboard's "race records" chart. Her performances were electric, both figuratively and literally, influencing future rock legends like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley.

Despite facing severe racial discrimination, gender bias, and backlash from the gospel community, Tharpe's resilience and unyielding spirit propelled her forward. Though her star dimmed in the late 1950s, her influence never waned. She inspired a host of future rock icons, and her contributions were finally recognized with her posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Sister Rosetta Tharpe's legacy as a pivotal figure in music history continues to inspire and resonate, affirming her place as one of the most significant figures in the annals of music.

I remember watching her as a girl with awe, curiosity, secret admiration and at times annoyance (masking my secret admiration) as not only was she innately comfortable with herself and true to herself as well. My mother possessed an unwavering determination to find happiness in every aspect of life. She refused to entertain the notion of living in a state of sadness, regardless of the circumstances.

“To feel such a calling in life takes immense courage and dedication. In my opinion, there's nothing more virtuous than the desire to look after, guide, and protect others, whether they're family, friends, or strangers. And to do so while constantly putting their lives on the line is the epitome of heroism.”

Despite the pressing challenges faced by Florida's children, DeSantis seems more interested in divisive measures than addressing their needs. The governor's misguided priorities are evident in his choice of photo opportunities and symbolic actions. For instance, he signed HB 1557 at a private charter school with a predominantly affluent, non-minority student population, while neglecting the majority of children living in poverty

Looking back at my mother, I realize that despite her petite frame of 5’4” and 110 pounds, she was a strong woman in many ways. Her vibrant personality, with a funny and flamboyant demeanor, both of which showcased her fiercely Leo and strong fiery Irish heritage, both of which she was proud of. Her light blue eyes with white sparkles in the middle and her mesmerizing smile could light up any room.

“Exposure to substance abuse, inadequate housing, lack of financial stability, health issues, parental incarceration, neglect, and various forms of abuse are only a few of the major issues concerning these children. Unfortunately, the majority of these children endure at least two or more of the aforementioned injustices. The devastating consequences resulting from such circumstances and experiences have a profound and long-lasting impact on their lives that is often irreversible, undoubtedly shaping their character to some degree.

It is not as if many of them are exposed to anything further than the life into which they are born. It is as if they are chosen by these awful tribes and held captive; until it is too late, they have gone through all of the rites of passage and grow from a child into a tribesman of the same awful nature. Never once given the choice or a chance for something more or better or just something different.”

Christy interviews Brian Craft, marketing extraordinaire and fellow thespian.

Christy interviews Heather Hawley of Heather Lauren Photography on her artistic and charitable pursuits.