It's the most wonderful time of the year to visit The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime! On Friday, December 9th, their doors will be open for after hours shopping, 5-8 pm for the first ever Hound Happy Hour.

Bring you four-legged family member for a free pup cup as you stroll through the market, have a bite to eat, and enjoy a craft beer or glass of wine while listening to live music by Jsanti, a musical artist and songwriter from New York City who will be performing a solo/acoustic set of original and cover material.

Every month The Bazaar opens the courtyard for animal rescues. At the December event, Satchels Last Resort and Tender Heart Charities will be bringing dogs available for adoption. According to Page Knoebel, President of Satchel’s Last Resort, "The exposure is great. And just as important, it gives the dogs (and cats) time away from the shelter enforcement. They are able to learn more about the animals which helps matching them to the perfect home easier."

Founder of Tender Heart Charities, Lisa Martin-Manns said they have had great success with actual adoptions from being at The Bazaar. In fact, three of the adoptions have been from members of The Bazaar family!

The guest vendors for Hound Happy Hour include: Kilted Canines (dog training), Vice & Virtue (custom beds & bandanas), Wiggle Your Tail Pet Care, Doody Calls, and Lit Dog Treats. There are more than 40 local creators and curators inside The Bazaar. Hamlet’s Eatery will be open for dinner. Creative Liberties across the street from The Bazaar will also be open. It's a great time to get your holiday shopping done.

“It’s always been important for The Bazaar to bring the community together,” said Bazaar co-owner Kim Livengood. “It’s been our mission since we started. From providing a space for small businesses to operate to dogs looking for their furever homes.” 

Pictured: Adoptable dogs will be ready to greet you at the Hound Happy Hour and Holiday Shopping Event. Photo courtesy of The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.

The Southside Village Business Association invites our community, neighborhood residents and visitors to the annual Southside Village Holiday Stroll on Friday, December 9, 2022 from 5-9 p.m. The free, family-friendly annual celebration will feature a snow slide, bungy trampoline, bouncy house, hot cocoa, face painting and a holiday concert by Music Compound. Additionally, there will amazing raffles donated by local SSVBA business, a visit from Santa, festive activities and crafts organized and hosted by area businesses, plus a Southside Village storefront decorating contest to help guests catch the holiday spirit. Businesses will hold extended hours to welcome guests. Event proceeds will benefit Girls, Inc. of Sarasota County, the local affiliate of a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Participants from Girls, Inc. chorus will perform and volunteer at the event. The Southside Village Holiday Stroll will be celebrated throughout the business district surrounding the intersection of Hillview Street and Osprey Ave in Sarasota. Free Parking is available courtesy of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in the south parking garage located at the intersection of Hillview and US 41. Guests are encouraged to follow the Southside Village Holiday Stroll Facebook page for updates about the event.

The board of directors at Meals On Wheels of Sarasota is excited to announce that Rhonda Leiberick has been appointed interim executive director for the organization. During the transition, Leiberick will be collaborating with consultants from Invest in Incredible, an initiative of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The partnership will focus on a fresh look at organizational policies, developing strategies for growth and processes to magnify organizational impact. Leiberick worked with Habitat for Humanity Sarasota for nine years, starting in a communications and public relations capacity. Her responsibilities grew into the position of program director where she managed a capital campaign while expanding the donor base. She has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations and has received numerous communications awards. She is past president of the local chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. Additionally, Leiberick is an active volunteer with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and a board member of the Friends of Lakewood Ranch Library. She is a vested member of the community, having lived here since 1994. Leiberick holds a bachelor’s degree from Ringling College of Art and Design. 

Pictured: Meals on Wheels of Sarasota board members pictured L to R: Diane Weaver, Ralph Hall, John Hermansen, William Gandy, Rhonda Leiberick, Elizabeth Van Riper, Mark Baldwin, Tom Flanagan.

In response to a request to help the Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program to provide food to our local food banks during the holiday season, the Gettel Automotive Group responded in a huge way, offering $5,000 to help feed those experiencing food insecurity. Non-profit organizers are asking members of the community to continue to donate in time for the holidays to provide for ongoing storm relief and help for Thanksgiving and Christmas. All donations stay in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Financial donations are especially appreciated. They allow food pantries to give out gift cards, which means participants can buy the foods they like and know how to prepare. As an added bonus, the Flanzer Trust is matching donations made through their site, FlanzerTrust.org. Make sure to select The MFTHP from the list of charities. Donors can also learn about giving their time or non-perishable food items at MayorsFeedTheHungry.org. 

After two years off due to the pandemic, All Faiths Food Bank was thrilled to bring back one of its most popular fundraisers: Bowls of Hope. This year, nearly 900 caring members of the community attended the event – held again at Ed Smith Stadium – which raised $140,000 to help support the distribution of holiday meals for our neighbors in need.During Bowls of Hope, nearly 40 of the community’s finest restaurants and caterers served delicious soups, breads, desserts, and more. Guests selected beautiful, handcrafted bowls – all donated by local potters, artists, and students – to keep, while enjoying a modest meal as a reminder of the empty bowls they were helping to fill. Guests were charmed as the Oriole Bird, the mascot of the venue host Baltimore Orioles, wandered on-site, cheerfully tweeting away and posing for selfies with fans of all ages. This year's event featured a new, expanded layout for guests to enjoy. Chair was Patti Wertheimer; lead sponsors included Keith Monda and Veronica Brady, Ron and Jo Jadin, Linda Monda, Al Pezzillo, and Dona and Sam Scott. This year, All Faiths expects to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and 3.6 million holiday meals in order to share the joys of the season with those who may be struggling.  

Pictured: (From l-r) All Faiths Food Bank’s chief development officer Denise Cotler and CEO Sandra Frank with the 2022 Bowls of Hope chair Patti Wertheimer Photo by Cliff Roles.

To learn more, visit

The Van Wezel Foundation recognizes the outstanding leadership of Susan and James Travers. For over 30 years Susan and Jim have worked with worthy organizations to support their missions to help those in need within the community. Jim is Chair of the Board of Directors at the Van Wezel Foundation and leading the effort to build the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Susan is an experienced non-profit fundraiser, volunteer coordinator, and event planner. She is Co-Chair of the Van Wezel Foundation Gala and Chair of the Board of Trustees for Forty Carrots Family Center. 

Resilient Retreat, a new Sarasota non-profit providing free and confidential support for survivors of trauma, first responders and helping professionals, proudly recognizes five key individuals who have helped contribute to the organization’s successful launch. During a National Philanthropy Day celebration held on November 8, by the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the following honorees were recognized: For the past two years, Stacy Fradkin has volunteered with Resilient Retreat, providing compassionate, empowering services for trauma survivors in the Southwest Florida community. As a yoga teacher and sound meditation facilitator, she has provided tangible tools for trauma survivors to cope with stress and to regulate the nervous system. Her services have been particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-Hurricane Ian recovery and continue to be some of the most beloved programs offered at Resilient Retreat.  With more 15 years of event planning experience, Samantha Kingsley has spent countless hours--many of which as a volunteer--working on behalf of local area nonprofits, including Resilient Retreat, Embracing Our Differences, The Florida Center and the Palmetto Youth Center. Samantha and her team were critical to the success of Resilient Retreat’s recent Campus Building Dedication and Open House and its sold-out Grand Opening Luncheon with keynote speaker, actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd. Debbie and Gino LaMarca are a dynamic couple that are always willing to roll up their sleeves to help Resilient Retreat. Gino serves on the Board of Directors, ensuring good governance, financial accountability and sustainability, and a clear, focused strategic plan. Debbie serves on the Events Committee, helping to build awareness and raise funds to support the no-cost services provided by Resilient Retreat. Love IV Lawrence Foundation provides funding to reduce stigma and to build awareness about mental health. Thanks to the foundation’s generous support, Resilient Retreat received funding to provide trauma-informed equine therapy and neurofeedback for community members impacted by trauma. These programs have helped produce real change in the community, including lowering depression and PTSD. Sherri Mills serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and the Fundraising Chair for Resilient Retreat. As a real estate agent, she donates 10 percent of every house she sells to local non-profit organizations. She has also created her own non-profit, Live2Give, which provides financial support to trauma non-profits, including Resilient Retreat. 

At its annual fundraiser, JFCS of the Suncoast will blend important stories of impact with live entertainment and a chance to socialize and enjoy the beautiful Sarasota Yacht Club. VOICES: The Stories of JFCS, on Dec. 4 from 4 – 6:15 p.m., will feature the voices of our clients and community, who will share stories of challenges, change, and hope. Participants will include a 12-year-old poet, a high school a cappella group, a pianist playing the works of Holocaust composers, a caricaturist, a magician, and more. JFCS is one of the Florida Suncoast’s preeminent mental health counseling and health and human services providers. Each year it hosts a gala as its largest fundraiser, which provides critical support for its programs and services and celebrates the differences that have been made in the lives of so many. This year, JFCS is celebrating 36 years of service to the community with a new kind of event. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while taking in the breathtaking view of the sunset over Sarasota Bay. Up for grabs in a silent auction will be a private sunset cruise for up to six guests, beautifully framed sheet music from “Yentl” autographed by Barbra Streisand, a week at a Mexican resort, a round of golf for four at The Founders Golf Club, vintage jewelry, and more. 

To learn more, visit

Wellen Park is lighting up the holiday season in its own signature style with a Bright Bike parade, lessons in mixology, the spirit of giving, a visit from Santa, and so much more. Throughout December, Wellen Park is hosting family-friendly and age-restricted events at its Welcome Center, which are complemented by CoolToday Park’s annual Braves Jingle Jam and Tomahawk 5K. “The holidays really capture the essence of Wellen Park and its emphasis on joy, heartfelt connections and community,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing of Wellen Park. “We have planned many fun, meaningful experiences that are unique to Wellen Park for families to create memories they will cherish for years to come.” The upcoming events take place in the Welcome Center, 12275 Mercado Drive, Venice, overlooking Downtown Wellen, where the first phase of the region’s newest gathering hub is nearing completion. From the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, now through Dec. 4, to a fun-filled weekend of festivities, Dec. 16-17, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays at Wellen Park. December’s fun-filled calendar reflects the vibrant spirit of Wellen Park and foreshadows a full winter season of activities and events beginning in mid-January 2023 with the opening of Downtown Wellen’s outdoor amenities. Most activities are free and open to the public, with advance registration required for some events.  

Pictured: Oak & Stone, a tavern coming soon to Downtown Wellen, will host the Holiday Mixology class. Photo courtesy of Wellen Park.

For more information or to register, click here.

A LIFE WITH PURPOSE | Give back and live your life with purpose.

As we embrace the giving spirit this week, learn more about Mary Tavarozzi’s mission to create inclusive communities through this link, on our social media, or in the November edition of SRQ Magazine! 

Read Here!