SRQ DAILY Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"We take animals that other area rescues will not take due to medical, behavioral or age issues and then we rehabilitate and rehome them or in some cases, they stay with us forever if we can't find a home for them. We commit to them for life."
There is hardly ever a reason to not get outside and exercise, especially in the Sunshine State. However, if one was ever looking for a good reason to get out of the house, then look no further than the 4th annual Get Your Mutt Movin’ 5k Fun Run, Walk and Festival, scheduled for this Saturday, February 24 at Payne Park. The event, which is put on by Satchel’s Last Resort Animal Rescue and Sanctuary along with Sarasota City YMCA, began in 2021 in the YMCA’s parking lot as part of an effort to raise awareness for both organizations. In the last three years, the event has grown significantly from just a few vendors in the YMCA parking lot to a full-blown festival featuring a 5K fun run, a choose-your-distance walk and even a one-hour Zumba session.
“Our goal is to make it the absolute best road race and walk for people to participate in. It’s got a run, it’s got a walk, we have a vendor market and we always have some food trucks people can visit and different activities for them to take part in,” says Anne Middleton, the fundraiser co-chair and lead of Get Your Mutt Movin’. “This year we have Zumba and a dog training demonstration as well. We just try to make it a really fun time for people and elevate the presence of Satchel's Last resort which is a last chance rescue. We take animals that other area rescues will not take due to medical, behavioral or age issues and then we rehabilitate and rehome them or in some cases, they stay with us forever if we can’t find a home for them. We commit to them for life.”
Proceeds from the event also go to underserved parts of the area’s human population, with half of the money being directed toward scholarships for swimming lessons in children’s camps. “Yes, this event raises money, but it’s also about raising awareness for our organizations to generate more involvement. The YMCA is more than just a health facility. It really is a community service where people congregate for social wellness, physical wellness and safety.”
Saturday, February 24, 5K starts at 8:30am, Festival runs from 9am-1pm, Payne Park, 210 Adams Lane, Sarasota. 
Spring is the perfect time to breathe new life into your landscape! Join Master Gardener Volunteers March 23 for the Spring Plant Sale located at the Barbara Davis Educational Gardens (1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221). The sale will feature blooming plants, natives, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, and more all grown by Manatee County Master Gardener Volunteers. All proceeds from this event go to the operation and maintenance of the Master Gardeners’ Educational Gardens and Greenhouse, and to support Master Gardener educational and outreach programs. Tickets to the event are free from 9am-12pm and guests are required to register beforehand on Eventbrite. An early bird ticket is available for people who would like to start shopping at 8am for the most selection and fewer crowds. The early bird ticket is $10 per person plus Eventbrite fees. Only cash or personal checks will be accepted during the sale.
The Junior League of Sarasota’s 47th Annual Simply Sarasota Tour of Homes will offer two days of access to five noteworthy homes in Sarasota on Friday, February 23, and Saturday, February 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Tour’s Presenting Sponsor is Charlotte’s Grace Fine Linens & Luxe Home Accents. As part of the tour experience, guests will be treated to live music, art demonstrations, pop-up shops, light bites, wine tastings, and more. The Simply Sarasota Tour of Homes allows the public to take a peek into some of the most sought-after homes in the area, with styles ranging from historic to modern. The houses on the 47th Annual Tour of Homes include: A maximalist Mediterranean-style house on the north end of Siesta Key filled with fun patterns and featuring stunning waterfront views; A historic, beautifully decorated home in Laurel Park built in the 1920s that is surrounded by lush gardens and has ties to Sarasota’s circus history; A modern, resort-like home in San Remo with a chef’s kitchen, fitness room, lap pool, and wine room; An elegant new construction home West of the Trail with a two-story great room, grand staircase, and outdoor summer kitchen; A custom, meticulously curated home in the Arlington Park area with high-end finishes and an outdoor courtyard. General admission tickets are $50, and VIP tickets are $130. VIP ticket holders will enjoy trolley transportation between homes with Prosecco, personal charcuterie boxes, and narration by John McCarthy, vice president for regional history at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and architect Hannah Boehmer of Sweet Sparkman Architects. General admission tickets are available at JLSarasota.org and at each home during the tour. VIP tickets must be purchased in advance at JLSarasota.org. A limited number of VIP tickets are available and are expected to sell out soon. All tickets (general admission and VIP) include admission to a happy hour on Saturday, February 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. at CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key. Happy hour attendees will enjoy two complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and the chance to participate in an exciting silent auction and raffle. Silent auction and raffle highlights include a two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota; a chef’s wine dinner from Cafe Barbosso; a fishing charter; a photography session; area theater tickets; and spa gift certificates.Proceeds from the Tour of Homes benefit the Junior League of Sarasota’s charitable initiatives to help area families, women, and children. The League’s current signature focus is assisting youth who are aging out of the foster care system. Sponsors of the Tour of Homes include Presenting Sponsor Charlotte’s Grace; DutchCrafters Amish Furniture; Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC; Bentley Goodrich Kison, PA; M&J Pham Development; Lexus of Sarasota; Keith Monda and Veronica Brady; Urlich Watts Scarlett & Dean; Arbor Landscapes; TWO Architects; Neal Signature Homes; Café L’Europe; Integrity Wealth Management; Clive Daniel Home; The Realtor Angels; Alex Graham & Ben Beall; Brown Vision Care; and Lakewood Ranch Oral & Facial Surgery. Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Beach University series returns for the 17th year to Siesta Beach. Beach University is held at the historic main pavilion beginning at 9:30 a.m. every Thursday in March.In partnership with the Siesta Beach Ambassador volunteer program, this free educational series invites community members and visitors to learn about coastal environments in one-hour sessions. March 7: Human and Wildlife Conflict; March 14: Reef Ball and its Contribution to the Marine Environment; March 21: Manatee Rehabilitation at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature; March 28: The Trickle-down Effect: Stormwater to Bay Life. Beach University sessions are from 9:30-10:30 a.m., every Thursday in March at the historic main pavilion at 948 Beach Road on Siesta Key. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs as seating is limited. No registration is required.For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 311 or visit SarsotaCountyParks.com.
Wellen Park invites the community to participate in its second annual Half Marathon and 5K, presented by Hotwire Communications, Saturday, March 16, 2024. The 13.1-mile course is certified by USA Track & Field. Both races start and finish at Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen, with an awards ceremony to recognize male and female winners in the following categories: overall, masters, grand masters, senior grand masters, veterans’ grand masters and top three finishers in each age group. Runners and attendees are encouraged to dress up and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with festive green gear. Attendees will also enjoy live music from Solis Hall’s outdoor stage, as well as beverages and food from different Downtown Wellen restaurants and The Yard eateries. The half marathon is open to runners 15 and older and starts at 7:30 a.m. The 5K run starts at 7:45 a.m. and is open to runners and walkers of all ages, with strollers and leashed dogs permitted. The half marathon and the 5K have also been cleared for disabled runners. The course is flat, paved and will be well-marked. Entry fees are $85 for the half marathon and $35 for the 5K, spots are limited. Registration for the half marathon and 5K closes March 15 at 5 p.m. Registration and event details, such as race packet pick-up, are available at runsignup.com/Race/FL/Venice/WellenParkHalfMarathonand5K. Hotwire Communications is the presenting sponsor for the half marathon and 5K run. AMC Contracting Inc. is the gold level sponsor and silver level sponsors include Homes by WestBay, Jessica Costanzo Memorial Scholarship, Mattamy Homes, Stillwell at Wellen Park and West Villages Animal Clinic. College Preparatory at Wellen Park, Homes by Towne, Lennar, Pulte Homes and Streetsense have signed on as the bronze level sponsors for the race.
Arts Advocates is accepting scholarship applications through March 15, 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic year. The tuition awards are given to students who are pursuing undergraduate studies in the arts, including visual and related arts, dance, writing, music, theater, and architecture. High school seniors and college students who will major in these fields in the 2024-2025 school year are eligible to apply. Scholarships are awarded to students planning to have careers in the arts, and are based on artistic talent, family need, character, academic achievement, and appropriate college choice. U.S. citizenship with a one-year residency in Sarasota County or Manatee County is required.The Arts Advocates’ scholarship program has awarded over $1.1 million to students since 1969. For more information about the scholarship program, including the application, visit ArtsAdvocates.org.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is the recipient of the inaugural Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship, awarded in honor of and in partnership with Selby Gardens President and CEO, Jennifer O. Rominiecki, who will serve as the scholarship’s first mentor. The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation envisions a world in which all people have equal opportunity to fulfill their potential and succeed in life. The Foundation reflects the legacy of its namesake, the late Sarasota-area philanthropist who made a lasting impact on numerous entities and charitable endeavors. Selby Gardens is now a prominent part of the list thanks to the creation of the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship will provide a pathway for successful female leadership in the business and nonprofit world by providing mentorship, opportunities to observe leadership in action, and financial support to high-achieving juniors or seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Sarasota, Manatee or Charlotte counties and holding a minimum GPA of 3.5. In addition, the scholarship will be awarded in honor and partnership with a local female leader in the Sarasota community, and that inaugural distinction has been bestowed on Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki, who will serve as the scholarship’s first mentor.
“Mentorship is vital to the success of future leaders. I am honored to be the inaugural mentor for the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship and to be presented with the opportunity to guide, motivate, and inspire, women seeking careers in the business and non-profit sector,” said President and CEO of Selby Gardens, Jennifer O. Rominiecki. The scholarship will be managed by Selby Gardens with an initial gift of $25,000. The application, developed by Selby Gardens, includes an opportunity for applicants to share their connection with the mission of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. “Through Virginia’s legacy, we invest in causes that she, and we, believe in and most importantly trust in,” said lead Toulmin Trustee William S. Villafranco. “Selby Gardens is one of those causes.” Villafranco paints a vivid picture of Toulmin. “Virginia was a strong woman of few words but what she did speak of was honesty and integrity,” he said. “During one of our initial meetings, I will never forget something she shared with me, four elements of trust that are important both individually and collectively: competency, consistency, integrity and compassion. We see those four elements exemplified by Jennifer and her work and could not imagine a better inaugural role model.”
The application deadline is March 24, with three finalists selected in April and the scholarship awarded in May and applied to the 2024-25 academic year. The 2024-25 scholarship recipient will have a chance to be appointed to Selby Gardens’ Advisory Committee to observe Rominiecki in action, participate with local community, scientific and business leaders, and receive a one-year membership to Selby Gardens. To apply to the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship visit selby.org.
Pictured: President and CEO of Selby Gardens, Jennifer O. Rominiecki. Photo Courtesy of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan recently met with 37 community leaders from Manatee and Sarasota counties to discuss the current childcare crisis in the region given the early learning sector’s workforce shortage, lack of providers, and rising cost of care. The gathering was organized by the Manatee Community Foundation (MCF), which hosted the event, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance (LWRBA), and the Women’s Resource Center (WRC). Attendees included senior executives from local chambers, economic development corporations, community foundations, the early learning coalitions, school districts, and nonprofits for both counties.
Pictured: MCF_Early Learning Advocates Meeting with U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan and community leaders from Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties has opened its online application for summer programs. Youth ages 6 to 18 are invited to apply for the 2024 Summer Program which will run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., from May 28 to August 2 at the following Boys & Girls Clubs locations across Sarasota and DeSoto Counties: Gene Matthews Club, 6851 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port; Lee Wetherington Club, 3100 Fruitville Road, Sarasota; Louis and Gloria Flanzer Club, 18 School Ave., Arcadia; Newtown Estates Park Club, 2800 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota; Robert and Joan Lee Club, 920 Gulf Coast Blvd., Venice; Roy McBean Club, 1790 21st Street, Sarasota.Youth who participate in the program have access to positive adult mentors and opportunities that encourage academic excellence, leadership development, healthy habits, and success after high school graduation. Youth, ages 6-12, are invited to apply for the Great Futures Academy Summer Program which is designed to prevent the “summer slide” and features a comprehensive slate of exciting activities including daily education, experiential activities, field trips, art demonstrations, physical fitness activities, technology instruction, and more. Teens, ages 13-18, are also invited to participate in the organization’s award-winning slate of teen programs, such as Students Taking Active Roles (STAR), Perlman Price Young Entrepreneurs (PYE), and Advocacy Career Trainings (ACT), which focus on leadership training, volunteerism, entrepreneurism, college & career readiness, vocational training, workforce development, and more. Club membership includes a nutritional breakfast and lunch. For the online application, program details, calendars, and more visit bgcsdc.org.
A ROYAL PERFORMANCE | As part of the Artist Series Concert of Sarasota, The Queen's Six visited Sarasota, February 2024.
Irish dancers and musicians from Edmonds Herbert W. Armstrong College and Armstrong Dance will embark on their fifth U.S. tour beginning May 5, visiting 10 states over seven weeks with their show Celtic Throne, The Royal Journey of Irish Dance. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will host a one-night performance at 7:30 p.m., June 2. Celtic Throne, The Royal Journey of Irish Dance explores the ancient origins of Irish step dance and celebrates the millennia-long journey of a music-and-dance-loving people as they migrate from the ancient Near East to Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States. Tickets to Celtic Throne, The Royal Journey of Irish Dance begin at $25 and can be purchased at VanWezel.org. For more information, please visit celticthrone.com.
For more than a decade, Theresa Caputo, known worldwide as the Long Island Medium, and star of the new Lifetime Series Raising Spirits, has touched the lives of millions of fans, comforting supporters when they need it most. Now Sarasota fans will get their chance at healing when the acclaimed medium and beloved personality appears live at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30pm. Known for her unique ability to communicate with those who have passed on, Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience brings Theresa face-to-face with her fans as Spirit guides her through the audience. A full-stage video display ensures that everyone in the theater has an up-close experience regardless of seat location. Through personal life stories, candid humor, and intimate details about her gift to communicate with those who have passed, the beloved television personality and best-selling author delivers healing messages to her audience, reassuring them with the revelation that their deceased loved ones are still with them, just in a different way. Recognized as one of the most renowned mediums for over 20 years, Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience is an awe-inspiring event you will not want to miss. Learn more about Theresa at www.theresacaputo.com. Tickets start at $64.23 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office. Pre-show dining is available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the box office.
Join us for a day of fun and outdoor adventure at the Wild About Nature Festival on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Reconnect with the great outdoors and help foster a love of nature in the next generation as you spend a day in the sun on the beautiful shores of Little Sarasota Bay at Bay Preserve. Families of all ages are encouraged to take part in this fun-filled day of nature-based education and exploration. The wide variety of activities includes dip-netting, face painting, hula-hoop lessons, crafts, games, and more. There will be live music and food trucks making this a guaranteed good time. This is a FREE family festival open to all. Registration is not required. The event will take place at our Bay Preserve headquarters located at 400 Palmetto Ave. in Osprey. For more information, visit conservationfoundation.com.
The third annual Polo for Parkinsons fundraiser will be held at the Sarasota Polo grounds on Sunday, March 24, 2024. This annual fundraising event presented by Parkinson Place raises awareness for Parkinson Place Center, where community members with Parkinsons disease and other movement disorders, as well as their caregivers, can come together for support and participate in over 85 classes and activities. Companies, organizations and individuals have the opportunity to participate in this Luau-themed event. Sponsorships range from $10,000 to $1,000 with individual tickets priced at $100 per person. Parkinson Place Center will welcome you to the Polo Pavilion on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 11am. Lunch will be catered at Noon with the Polo match starting at 1pm. For more information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities please call Suzanne Hudson-Smith, CFRE at 941-210-6275 or shudsonsmith@parkinsonplace.org.
The Sarasota Jazz Festival returns this March. The event will feature concerts, the jazz trolley pub crawl, late-night jazz jams, jazz films and more. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit jazzclubsarasota.org.
Wellen Park invites the community to participate in its second annual Half Marathon and 5K, presented by Hotwire Communications, Saturday, March 16, 2024. The 13.1-mile course is certified by USA Track and Field. Both races start and finish at Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen, with an awards ceremony to recognize male and female winners in the following categories: overall, masters, grand masters, senior grandmasters, veterans grandmasters and top three finishers in each age group. Runners and attendees are encouraged to dress up and celebrate St. Patricks Day with festive green gear. Attendees will also enjoy live music from Solis Hall’s outdoor stage, beverages and food from different Downtown Wellen restaurants and The Yard eateries. The half marathon is open to runners 15 and older and starts at 7:30 a.m. The 5K run starts at 7:45 a.m. and is open to runners and walkers of all ages, with strollers and leashed dogs permitted. The half marathon and the 5K have also been cleared for disabled runners. The course is flat, paved and will be well-marked. Entry fees are $85 for the half marathon and $35 for the 5K, spots are limited. Registration for the half marathon and 5K closes March 15 at 5 p.m. Registration and event details, such as race packet pick-up, are available at runsignup.com/Race/FL/Venice/WellenParkHalfMarathonand5K.
Get your Irish on at our epic Irish Celtic Festival and Lucky Dog Parade. It is the perfect St. Patricks Day celebration. Enjoy Celtic food, craft beers, and sensational entertainment. Kids will have a blast too, with face painting and park fun. Do not miss the Lucky Dog Parade and the 21 and up Relay Race. To learn more, visit LWRIrishCelticFestival.org.
Support the Oyster Boys and enjoy a spring training game with the Baltimore Orioles on March 4. $5 of every purchase made through the following link goes directly towards the Oyster Boys Conservation. https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Oysterboys20240212-14581004
Join us for a brunch benefitting ALSO Youth, a local non-profit organization serving the LGBTQ youth community in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, at Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024. Enjoy incredible food courtesy of Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi, a unique auction, and live music during this event supporting our mission to empower LGBTQ youth and allies and create inclusive communities. Learn more and purchase tickets at alsoyouth.org.
Save the date for the 14th Annual Cooking for Wishes 2024, presented by Exceptional Dentistry of Sarasota. The event features an interactive cooking dinner where guests at each table will prepare a one-of-a-kind 4-course meal led by Chef Jamil Pineda and Phil Mancini of Michaels on East. Guests will also enjoy specially-selected wines curated by Michael Klauber. The dinner and Wizard of Oz-themed gala will feature an exciting raffle and Live Auction for a festive evening of cooking, fun, and fundraising. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cookingforwishes.com.
Embracing Our Differences celebrates its 21st anniversary this year. Visit the exhibit at the downtown Bayfront Park in Sarasota. The winning artworks combine a deep understanding of both medium and message. Awards are given for Best-in-Show Adult, Best-in-Show Student, and Peoples Choice categories, with the last chosen by visitors to the exhibit. Adult winners each receive $2,000, and students receive $2,000 to be split with their school’s art or writing program. The statements accompanying each artwork are also vital and provide insight into our common humanity as well as the differences that make us all unique. For more information, visit www.embracingourdifferences.org.
Visit Fresh Harvest, the newly launched weekly farmers market in Downtown Wellen. Fresh Harvest offers a selection of local goods from nearly 40 local vendors. Fresh Harvest takes place every Sunday in Downtown Wellen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can peruse different vendor booths and stock up on a variety of goods. Vendors will offer a wide variety of locally grown and produced food, including herbs, spices, cut flowers, teas, canned and preserved fruits and vegetables, syrups, baked goods, pickled foods, fresh seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, milk and prepared food and beverages. A limited selection of craft vendors also participate in the farmers market. For a listing of participating vendors and more information on Fresh Harvest Farmers Market, visit wellenpark.com/events/fresh-harvest-farmers-market. Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice.
Head out to Waterside Place for a rocking evening as part of the Lakewood Ranch Sights and Sounds Program. Enjoy a live concert in partnership with Easterseals and EveryoneRocks, featuring artists who are rocking their spectrum. This event is free and open to the public; there is limited seating at the Plaza, but attendees are welcome to bring their own seats. Food and beverages will be available from numerous Waterside Place merchants. For more information on shows, dates, and times, visit lakewoodranch.com/sights-sounds/. Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota.
Experience some of the best food and flavors of the region with more than 100, and still growing, curated vendors. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch has fast become a favorite weekly tradition for people from all over the region seeking farm-fresh produce, delicious prepared foods, and specialty items and gifts. Aside from all the goodies you can shop at the Farmers Market, find your flow in a free yoga class or have the kiddos get creative during weekly-hosted workshops. 1561 Lakefront Dr., Lakewood Ranch.
Realize Bradenton is happy to announce the return of the Bradenton Market to its weekly schedule. This beloved community gathering will be held Saturdays through May 25, 2024 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on Old Main Street in Bradenton. Founded in 1979, the Market has expanded to include more than 90 local vendors. In addition to the weekly shopping and music, the Market hosts special event days throughout the season. Halloween at the Market will be held on Saturday, October 28. This family-friendly event includes trick or treating with vendors, face painting with Manatee School for the Arts Academic Team from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, and a dance performance by Slick Motion Studios at 10:00 am. For more information, visit RealizeBradenton.com.
Explore labor through The Ringlings Working Conditions photography exhibit, running until March 3, 2024. The Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries radically changed the nature of human labor. That era is defined by a global shift from producing goods by hand to manufacturing by machines and technologies that emphasized efficiency. Working Conditions explores the myriad ways in which photographs have communicated ideas about labor since the nineteenth century through examples from The Ringlings photography permanent collection. For more information, visit ringling.org.
Join us for our Coffee With A Scientist series, a free public event held on Tuesdays in Boca Grande and hosted by Mote Marine Laboratory. Hear from Mote scientists on January 16, February 13 and March 26 as they share with you the latest in their groundbreaking research and their plans for the future with a Q and A session to follow. On Visit mote.org/pages/coffee to sign up and for more information.
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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