President Joe Biden visited the Gulf Coast Sunday to survey damage from Hurricane Milton. The trip came a day after he declared a major disaster in counties including Sarasota and Manatee, something Florida’s congressional delegation had requested in a letter led by U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, and Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.

“In order to help our constituents and our communities recover and rebuild, we require the full support of the federal government,” Buchanan said. “A Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Milton will do just that and unlock critical resources and federal funding for our state, residents and local communities.” 

Biden’s trip was to St. Petersburg. On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis came to Bradenton to survey damage and assure state resources were available. That includes some programs for businesses specifically.

Florida Commerce announced $50 million was available to Milton-impacted businesses through a Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Most companies in counties impacted by the storm can receive loans of up to $50,000, with agriculture and aquaculture businesses able to receive loans of up to $100,000 and some citrus or cattle businesses able to secure as much as $150,000. These loans are intended to bridge the gap to address immediate needs while waiting for insurance claims and federal relief to be made available.

Businesses can learn more and apply at FloridaJobs.org/EBL or call 833-832-4494 during business hours.

Meanwhile, Sarasota and Manatee county local officials over the weekend distributed water, food and tarps to residents most impacted by the storm, which made landfall in Siesta Key last Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane. Local governments also set out to address the high amounts of debris, including that left over from Hurricane Helene, which impacted the area weeks ago.

A North Port email update said Solid Waste staff worked through the weekend and said most from the storm will be picked up by crews with regular yard waste collection, while additional yard waste pickup will be over the next several weeks.

In Sarasota, officials said a number of water lines were broken by the storm, and efforts to restore them have revealed more breaks in the line.

“Once the mainland water system is stabilized, we’ll be able to restore water service on the barrier islands,” reads an update on the city’s Facebook page. “We anticipate that will be Monday at the earliest, depending on the severity of the line breaks. Please be patient. If you can limit your water usage on the mainland that will help.”

In Manatee County, officials on Sunday lifted a boil water advisory in effect on barrier island communities including Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. Meanwhile, the county is already urging residents to apply for relief through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has resources available at DisasterAssistance.gov.

State officials are also helping direct residents to resources, while also taking time to survey the region. State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, took a tour with Buchanan of areas of Manatee impacted by the storm.

“The beloved Rod & Reel Pier on AMI is destroyed. Many families, including my own, have made so many memories at this cherished spot over the last 77 years. Heartbreaking to see it this way,” he posted on X. “I joined Vern Buchanan to check out the Anna Maria City pier, too. We have work to do!” 

Image courtesy Sarasota County: Water distribution point.

The Ringling made it through the storm very well. Ca’ d’Zan suffered very little damage and no damage to its glass façade facing Sarasota Bay. The Historic Circus Museum had roof damage, and repair is underway; it will be closed for a couple of weeks. The Museum of Art galleries and Tibbals Learning Center are functioning well, and the collections are safe. The biggest impact of the storm was on our grounds. We lost several trees, and there was a lot of damage to our banyans. The Ringling Museum of Art is a campus of Florida State University. FSU leadership has provided instrumental support throughout the storm. They have helped secure the campus and provided services for recovery. Because of that, we hope to partially reopen on Monday with the Tibbals Learning Center and the Museum of Art. We will be free to the public through Wednesday. Please go to ringling.org for more details about our reopening. In the meantime, stay safe and take care of each other. Thank you for your continued dedication to and support of The Ringling. 

Pura Vida Miami, proudly announces the expansion of its healthy culinary empire to the west coast of Florida with the opening of its latest 4,000 sq. ft. location at University Town Center (UTC) in Sarasota. With nearly 30 locations across South Florida and most recently, New York, the brand’s new outpost marks Pura Vida Miami’s first venture in the region, continuing the brand’s mission to bring wholesome, nourishing food to vibrant communities across the state.Founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife duo Omer and Jennifer Horev, Pura Vida Miami was born out of their personal need for fresh, wholesome food that could be enjoyed any time of day—a gap they identified during a road trip from Orlando to Miami. This experience sparked their mission to normalize the notion of healthy food, make healthy living both accessible and enjoyable, and create spaces that combine nutritious, delicious meals with a welcoming atmosphere, designed to feel like an extension of their own home. Since then, Pura Vida has grown into a beloved destination, creating over 1,000 careers across South Florida and New York while promoting a balanced lifestyle centered on wellness and community. Reflecting their "Health is Happiness" philosophy, each location, including UTC Sarasota, is thoughtfully designed to embody their passion for health-conscious living, offering a serene environment enhanced by the brand’s signature decor. Pura Vida Miami’s extensive menu, inspired by family recipes and the Horevs' travels, embodies a commitment to quality and healthy eating. Crafted without the use of seed oils while using clean cooking techniques, the offerings highlight the natural flavors of high-quality proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains. Guests can enjoy the brand’s famed All-Day Breakfast offerings, showcasing a range of avocado toasts, and pasture-raised eggs each paired perfectly with a selection of artisanal coffee, matcha drinks, and teas. Continuing a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, clean chef-driven Salads are customizable with high-quality proteins of your choice, alongside colorful Wraps & Sandwiches, and Bowls featuring a variety of bases and proteins that cater to a diverse range of dietary preferences. An array of superfood smoothies, cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, açaí bowls, and fresh-baked goods further enhance the menu, ensuring there is something for everyone—whether vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free. Pura Vida Miami UTC Sarasota is NOW OPEN at 192 N Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34243. Delivery and pick-up are available through the Pura Vida Miami app. For more information, please visit PuraVidaMiami.com. 

The Venice Theatre team is pleased to share that its three buildings and all staff are safe following Hurricane Milton. Once the safety of production casts and crew is ensured the theatre will plan the reopening of shows and offices.  The restoration of the main Jervey Theatre is still in progress after sustaining severe damage from Hurricane Ian. Executive Director Kristofer Geddie says, "Venice Theatre appreciates your patience, understanding, and thoughtfulness. We empathize with those suffering Milton's wrath and offer all the support you have already shown us. Venice Theatre remains committed to serving you, and we can’t wait to welcome you back through our doors." The box office is currently contacting ticket holders about rescheduling missed performances of "The Torch Bearers" and "Agnes of God." The theatre's website is available for information updates, future ticket sales, and class registrations at www.venicetheatre.org.  

As efforts continue to assess the damage due to Hurricanes Milton and Helene, and restore critical infrastructure and services to affected areas and residents, All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB) is working to ensure that residents who are experiencing hunger can access healthy foods. The nonprofit organization has posted an extensive schedule of open distributions on the home page of its website, allfaithsfoodbank.org (a pop-up with the distribution schedule is enabled), and Facebook page, facebook.com/AllFaithsFoodBank. The schedule is organized by geographic location: South Sarasota, North Sarasota, and DeSoto County. All of the listed distributions are open to the community unless otherwise indicated. Please note that the organization will consider additional distributions as a clearer picture of the needs emerges. There are dozens of mobile distributions and food pantries taking place this coming Monday through Saturday, October 14-19. Times and locations vary, to lower barriers to access. "As our communities reel from the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we want to assure our neighbors that we will continue to be there for them as everyone works to return to normalcy," said All Faiths Food Bank President and CEO Nelle S. Miller. "Whether someone has suffered home loss or damage, or suffered power loss that caused food to spoil, or could just use a little help to ensure their household is well fed, our goal is to reach all in need."For those who wish to support AFFB's efforts to assist our neighbors who are experiencing hunger, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org and click on the link to "Give." 

Pictured: Volunteers were hard at work on Saturday, October 12 to sort and pack food for the residents of our hurricane-impacted region. Provided photo/AFFB.

Our thoughts are with each of you in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. This storm has had a historic impact on our area and this is a time for us to rally around those in need, and support and encourage each other as we prepare to welcome students back to our campuses. We are thankful that 17 of our schools were able to serve our community as shelters during the storm, providing protection to more than 11,000 residents and families. Many of our employees have worked tirelessly this week to support shelter operations, and our entire community is grateful for their selflessness. Today, district maintenance teams conducted an assessment of all our schools for power outages and damage. As of this evening, 33 of our schools and worksites are still without power. We will be working overtime this weekend to do everything possible to get our schools up and running as soon as power is restored. Monday, October 14th, is a previously scheduled Record Day for staff and there will be no school for students. Our hope is for students to return to our campuses on Tuesday, October 15th. We will contact you by 5 p.m. Monday to update you on the status of our schools for Tuesday. Due to the fact that we have lost valuable instructional time due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, it is extremely important that we get our students refocused on teaching and learning so they can reach and exceed their learning goals.  

From magazine editor to suspense author, Kate White has forged a path of go big or go home, October 2024.

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