The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has named Stu Klein as its new general manager. Klein has extensive experience working in multiple aspects of the entertainment industry; he comes to the Van Wezel after spending ten years as the assistant general Manager at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, NC. At the Van Wezel, he will work closely with executive director Mary Bensel and other key personnel members to ensure smooth operation and management of the hall.

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has added its first dedicated head and neck cancer and microvascular surgeon to First Physicians Group (FPG) network and the team of surgical oncologists at the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. Dr. Peter Vosler joins FPG from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital. Vosler treats patients with both benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck involving the mouth, oropharynx, larynx, skin, parotid, and thyroid.

Scholarships and Awards

Sarasota County Schools recently announced that 40 students have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. They are Joseph Afflerbach, Thomas Bartlett, Nolan Boucher, Siara Brennan, Felicity Chang, Julian Chauhan, Scott Conrad, Caroline Deacon, Haley Gardner, Juna Hatta-Langedyk, Jacob Koshy, Cole Laudenslager, Nicole Laureno, Kevin Lovo Flores, Sarah Luo, Ryan Macler, Duncan Marmash, Pranav Mayor, Carter McCaa, Ethan Messier, Lora Rini, Andrew Ruffin, Aarna Shah, Clementine Silver Schwartz, Krystal Tran, David Vice, Jonathan Widjaja, Koele Winch, Yifan Zhang and Madison Zoernack (Pine View School); Aiden Fitzgibbons, Aidan Hurwitz, Anson Nguyen, Mateo Rizzo and Haylie Smith (Riverview High School); Jorge Romero Salgado (Sarasota High School); and Isabella Gibbs, David O'Grady, Briar Stonehouse and Noah Whelden (Venice High School).

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties recognized the efforts of Carolyn Mason and Steve Cantees at its annual Leadership Breakfast. Proceeds from the event support the organization's slate of Teen Programs, which includes leadership training, service opportunities, entrepreneurial education, workforce development and college and career prep.

Sarasota-based handbag designer BSWANKY has been named a finalist in the International Industry Authority Accessories Council’s Design Excellence Awards Competition.

Openings

Ricardo Almeida Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will open in Lakewood Ranch this fall, led by Ricardo Almeida, who has been teaching Brazilian jiu jitsu and self-defense for more than 25 years.