Between work, school and the countless digital distractions of the modern age, it can be a struggle to carve out time to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures: reading a book. Many people set a goal to read more, by making it their new year’s resolution or setting up a Goodreads challenge to read a certain number of books but end up purchasing countless books only to watch them sit on the shelf, collecting dust. One way to start reading again and not become overwhelmed by the towering stacks of unread books is to join a book club.

Book clubs offer many benefits to readers. They provide a chance to have intellectual discussions about the reading material. They bring book lovers together in one space, allowing them to socialize, make new connections and view the works through the perspectives of others. They also provide a key element missing from many people’s reading goals, a structured reading routine. Most book clubs, like six offered by Bookstore1Sarasota, meet on a monthly basis, giving readers a realistic time frame for finishing the book to be discussed that month.

Bookstore1Sarasota hosts a variety of book clubs to meet reader interest. In partnership with CreArte Laino Cultural Center, they host the Amigos Book Club, conducted in Spanish. For poetry lovers, they run the Poetry Book Club, and for aspiring sleuths, they offer the Mysteries to Die for Vintage Edition Book Club. For readers with busy schedules, the Short and Satisfying Book Club and the Short Story Book Club offer an opportunity for a literary escape without a huge time commitment. One of the most timely clubs presented by the store is the Banned Book Club, which “is dedicated to reading and protecting the most important and threatened books of our generation,” according to Bryn Durgin, the shop’s director of programming. On Feb. 21, the Banned Book Club will read and discuss The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas.

Whether you’re in the mood for a quick read or a cozy mystery, join a book club at Bookstore1Sarasota to start a new chapter in your reading journey. For the most up-to-date information about the various book clubs, visit sarasotabooks.com.

Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, sarasotabooks.com. 

Pictured: Staff pick at Bookstore1Sarasota. Photo courtesy of Laura Paquette.

Join Hamlet’s Eatery for a fabulous Jazz Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 11 am - 3pm. Martha Timke's silky voice comes together with Paul "PJ" Justice's smooth guitar creating an eclectic mix of soothing, sexy jazz standards, bossa nova, swing, blues, roots rock, folk, and country. Hamlet’s menu options will include both traditional and vegan dishes plus, Bloody Marys, Prosecco on tap, Mimosas, and more! Located in the outdoor courtyard of The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime at 821 Apricot Ave, Sarasota. Rain or shine. There is plenty of seating under the covered patio. No reservations. For more information visit www.HamletsEatery.com or call 941-445-1938. 

Pictured: Martha Timke will perform at the Hamlets Eatery Jazz Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 12. Courtesy of Hamlets Eatery.

A grand opening event is scheduled to showcase the completion of a construction project at Braden River Middle School. Principal Kimberlain Zenon-Richardson is welcoming invited guests for a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023. The event will feature performances by talented student musicians, a ribbon cutting, and tours will be available for media. The school is located at 6215 River Club Boulevard in Manatee County. The project included a brand new building, which contains six new classrooms and adds 132 student stations. Three additional classroom buildings underwent interior renovations, as well as the gymnasium, front office building and media center. The project also included a cafeteria expansion, replacement of all HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems and additional security features. New roofs were installed on existing buildings, tennis courts were refurbished and a new traffic queueing lane was added. Work on the $20.2 million project began in February of 2021 and was completed in November of 2022. This project was made possible thanks to funds provided by the voter-approved half-cent sales tax referendum. The school opened in 1991 and has a current enrollment of 828 students. Architecture/Engineering is managed by Long & Associates and the construction manager is NDC Construction Company. In accordance with school district security protocol, all visitors who enter a school campus must provide photo identification. Please RSVP to Melissa Parker, parkerm@manateeschools.net, if you plan on covering this event. 

The UF/IFAS Extension Services in Manatee and Sarasota County are co-hosting an educational program about water conservation and stewardship from March 8th through April 19th. To make a difference for water in our community, we must understand the various ways in which we interact with water. This program will use expert presentations, experiential learning, field experience in watershed science, and communication skills training to foster a greater understanding of these interactions and provide the tools necessary to become stewards of our water resources. During this seven-session course, stewards will travel to locations across Sarasota and Manatee County to learn about emerging water issues, meet with local experts, and explore the natural beauty found in these areas. 

To register click here.

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) honored the memory of Sarasota County Judge DeFuria for his work benefitting victims of child abuse. On March 12 th of 2013, Judge DeFuria signed a motion that allowed pet therapy animals in the court room to bring comfort to children taking the stand against their abuser. This motion provided immediate support for the clients of the Child Protection Center, enabling them to have a therapy dog from CPC’s PAWS (Pet Advocates Working in the Suncoast) program while in court. PAWS utilizes nationally certified pet therapy dogs whose Handlers are volunteers who have received training on mandatory reporting of child abuse and dynamics that surround child sexual abuse. After the passing of Judge DeFuria in 2022, CPC was able to recognize his passion for protecting children by presenting his sister, Judy Aarnes, with a PAWS Advocacy Challenge Coin in his honor. He was described as being “one of the most well-liked and respected judges in the 12th Judicial Circuit.” The Child Protection Center’s mission is the Prevention, Intervention, & Treatment of Child Abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 40 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC, visit www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277. 

Pictured: PAWS Honoring Judge DeFuria. Courtesy of CPC.

To learn more click here.

The Players Centre presents a local favorite Always.…Patsy Cline Feb. 2 through 12 at Studio 1130-The Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Featuring the iconic music of the late, great Patsy Cline, this show features a live band and stunning performances by two newcomers to The Players’ stage. Directed and music directed by Luke Manual McFatrich, the unique set up of the stage means you’ll have an up close and personal seat to enjoy this celebration of friendship. Patsy Cline’s rise to legendary stardom is told through the eyes of her biggest fan, Louise Seger. From her performances in honky-tonks to the Grand Ole Opry, Patsy Cline will “always” have a place in country music, with hit songs such as, “Walking After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” and many more you know and love. Performances take place Feb. 2-4 and 7-11 at 7:30pm, Feb. 5 and 11-12 at 2pm.  

For tickets and information click here.

Students from The Out-of-Door Academy and the nation’s top marine scientists spent countless hours gathered around ODA’s scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the microscopy lab at Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. The partnership, facilitated by Hitachi’s INSPIRE initiative and promoted by ODA’s Director of STEM Programming Ms. Caitlyn Dixon, brought ODA and Mote researchers together for a unique opportunity to collaborate. For months, Aengus Doody ’26, Luca Marino ’23, Alexandra Morgan ’22, and Johnny Robinson ’23 worked with researchers on a variety of marine-related projects utilizing the SEM. The scientists and students developed new methods of utilizing the SEM’s technology to scan the tiniest of samples.

One revelation was the discovery of diatoms that have never before been imaged. These diatoms are an important factor in the study of red tide prevention–an important subject of study in the Gulf Coast region. A second group researching cancer treatments focused on stingray biology. Images of stingray venom glands captured by Aengus and Dr. Carl Luer were included in the scientific publication “Bioactivity of Atlantic Stingray (Hypanus sabinus) Venom on Murine Fibrosarcoma Cell Line.”

“We are excited about this expanding partnership with Mote Aquarium, which will provide students with a common thread in their STEM experience at ODA from pre-K through the Upper School,” said Ms. Dixon. “We are proud to leverage our partnership with Hitachi INSPIRE to provide our students with a unique experience working as laboratory technicians in a world-renowned marine research facility, and look forward to facilitating future research projects with them.” 

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