There are three main bridges you can take to get onto the island portion of Venice, Florida--the Venice Avenue Bridge, the Circus Bridge and the Hatchett Creek Bridge. These are the bridges that give 3 Bridges Brewing in Venice its name.

3 Bridges Brewing is owned by husband and wife team Scott and Corey Harper. The duo started out in 2017 producing beer for a local brewpub while other people oversaw the restaurant aspect. In 2023 they struck out on their own, opening their own standalone brewery. In addition to crafting beer and hard seltzer, 3 Bridges Brewing also offers a full menu of hearty pub fare which was fully updated at the end of September. Among the new offerings are the Hot Chicken Sandwich, featuring a fried chicken breast dipped in Nashville sauce and served on a potato roll with pickles. There’s also the BBQ Burger, which is a double blackened smash patty (with onion smashed into the meat), topped with bacon, beer cheese, fried onion strings, and barbecue sauce. Looking for something lighter? Try the Southwest Salad, a mix of fresh greens, grilled chicken, corn, black beans, tomato, red onion and avocado, drizzled with smoky chipotle ranch dressing and topped with crispy tortilla strips. There’s also a great selection of small plates including a Charcuterie & Cheese board with assorted artisan meats and cheese served with warm bread, fruits, nuts, olives and pickles.

While 3 Bridges did lose power for a few days in the wake of Hurricane Milton, they are now fully operational and serving up their complete menu. So take your favorite bridge to Venice for a tasty meal accompanied by a crisp, cool craft beer.

3 Bridges Brewing, 1765 South Tamiami Trail, Venice, 941-445-4067, 3bridgesbrewing.com. 

Pictured: 3 Bridges Now Famous Bridge Burger features a double smash patty with onion, American cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato and Bridge sauce served on a potato roll, served with fries, tots or slaw. Photo courtesy of 3 Bridges.

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is one of up to 40 research sites enrolling patients in the international HEAL-IST trial, a clinical study evaluating a hybrid ablation procedure for people with inexplicably high resting heart rates. IST, short for inappropriate sinus tachycardia, is a challenging condition in otherwise healthy people that causes the heart to race over 100 beats per minute at rest, and dangerously higher with activity. IST is thought to be caused by dysfunction of the sinus node – the heart’s natural pacemaker – or issues with the body's nervous system. Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapies to treat IST. Medications like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and ivabradine are usual first treatments, but often are ineffective. Sinus node modification and radiofrequency sinus node ablation also have been used, but the interventional techniques often involve a higher risk of complications. The HEAL-IST trial is evaluating a hybrid sinus node sparing procedure that combines surgical and catheter-based techniques performed by a cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist. Using study sponsor AtriCure’s Isolator Synergy clamp and mapping technology, the hybrid approach allows the team to ablate and create scar lesions on the inside and outside of the heart, with the goal of sparing the sinus node and lowering the rapid heart rate responsible for IST. First Physicians Group cardiothoracic surgeon Paul Vesco, MD, who is principal investigator for the SMH study, said previous trials comparing hybrid ablation with sinus node modification found that hybrid ablation lowered the average heart rate more effectively over 12 months than the traditional method. He said the HEAL-IST study will provide more information on the safety and effectiveness of this novel approach. IST affects about 1 percent of the population. Symptoms can be disabling and include palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness or fainting, difficulty exercising, chest discomfort and shortness of breath. The condition, which occurs more commonly in younger women, is often overlooked, and sometimes misdiagnosed as panic attacks or emotional disorders. 

After four successful and entertaining years, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce its 5th Annual Halloween Drive-Thru on Saturday, October 26, from 6-8 p.m. at our agency’s headquarters located at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd., Sarasota. “This is something we look forward to each year – seeing the kids, their families, and the costumes gets more exciting each time!” commented Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman. “Not only do we have a chance to interact with the community, but this is a safe, quick, fun event – and did we mention we have lots of candy?!” For additional information about the SCSO Halloween Drive-Thru or to partner with us as a sponsor, contact the Community Affairs Office at 941.861.4005. 

Selby Gardens is excited to share that beginning today, Tuesday, October 22, their Historic Spanish Point campus will be open for its regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily! 

Due to the losses suffered during hurricanes Helene and Milton by residents and businesses throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, the 30th annual Brunch on the Bay hosted by USF Sarasota-Manatee, originally planned for Nov. 3, has been rescheduled for March 2. 

Join us for Spooktacular, our annual family-friendly, Halloween-inspired event! Children (and adults) are encouraged to dress in costume. Activities include traditional, fun Halloween happenings like trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, spooky storytelling, games, and face painting. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Don't forget your trick-or-treat bags! Selby Spooktacular is free for Selby Gardens’ members and included with general admission; no advance tickets or reservations necessary. 

Due to Hurricanes Helene and Milon, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory production of The Curious Savage will now open on November 8, with added previews
November 5, 6, and 7. Please visit our website by clicking here to view the updated schedule. To read the full press release regarding the change in schedule, please click here. We look forward to seeing you in the Cook! 

For ticket information click here

The City of Sarasota approved an agreement with The Sarasota Players on Friday that allows the performing arts organization the use of Payne Park Auditorium.
Terms of the lease are for 30 years, with $100 per year for rent, and $1 per ticket sold to be paid to the city. Starting the fifth year of the lease, and adjusted every fifth year, the amount of rent and ticket price will increase minimally. According to The Sarasota Players Chief Executive Officer William Skaggs, the city’s decision is a testament to their dedication to the performing arts and the important role the nearly 100-year-old organization plays in the community.
Skaggs expressed his appreciation for the city commission's thorough and thoughtful discussions, as well as the city staff's commitment to reflecting those discussions in the lease terms and the ongoing relationship with the theater. City staff’s diligent efforts have ensured a successful and mutually beneficial partnership for both parties, he said. “It’s a tremendous honor to partner with the city on this historic endeavor and we value the hard work of city staff and administration. The city commission’s feedback, and their careful consideration, have been instrumental throughout this process. This is an incredible opportunity,” Skaggs added. “We’re looking forward to another century of producing community-based high quality live theater, and serving as stewards of the Payne Park Auditorium.” The Players has been performing at the Crossings at Siesta Key shopping center since 2021, where they recently kicked-off their 95th Season. The Payne Park area is ideally suited to be their new base of operations, according to Skaggs, because of its central location and its role as a community hub. "Throughout the challenges we’ve faced we’ve stayed dedicated to the power of the performing arts and its positive impact on individuals in our region. We’re honored to have the opportunity to continue serving this incredible place we call home, right in the heart of downtown. To be back in the heart of Sarasota, where we originally started serving this community, is special,” Skaggs added. “Our goal has always been, and will always be, to entertain, educate, and engage the community.” Along with community productions and events, The Players Studio, the education department of The Sarasota Players, will also use the space to stage their productions. This season has started off on a strong foot for The Sarasota Players The wildly successful Seussical the Musical just wrapped in September, and they’re currently working toward The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, an exciting and fun production at the Sarasota Polo Club, which opens on Oct. 24, just in time for Halloween! Little Women the Musical, which opens in December, promises to be another incredible time at the theater. 

Despite missing two weeks of rehearsal and a change of venue because of hurricane damage, the SCF Music Theatre Ensemble will still proudly present the perfect Broadway musical comedy, Guys and Dolls, Friday October 25 and Saturday October 26 at 7.30 p.m. and Sunday October 27 at 2:00 p.m. in the SCF Recital Hall. The resilient cast, crew, creative team and orchestra are all committed to making the changes necessary for the production to go on. General Admission $15 | Students $10. Seating is limited. The musical, Guys and Dolls, is bustling with gamblers, missionaries, and sassy chorus girls. This perfect Broadway musical comedy follows the unlikeliest of romantic pairings in 1950’s New York City. A notorious gambler, Sky Masterson, attempts to woo a strait-laced, Save-a-Soul mission doll, Sarah Brown, in hopes of winning a bet made by Nathan Detroit, the reluctant fiancée of longsuffering showgirl, Adelaide, who wants to finally get him to the altar. Guys and Dolls is presented by the SCF Music Theatre Ensemble under the direction Melodie Dickerson, Performing Arts Chair, with music direction by Dr. Geoff Neuman, Director of Instrumental Studies, and Rebecca Dikranian, choreography by Kelly Burnette, SCF Dance Instructor, and lighting design by Michael Pasquini. The show features 22 talented student performers accompanied by a 15-piece orchestra. 

The Perlman Music Program Suncoast (PMP Suncoast) presents the Zota Quartet, Tuesday, November 12, noon-1 p.m., at The Ringling’s Courtyard East Loggia, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, and Wednesday, November 13, 7:30 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak Street, Sarasota. The program features Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 and Felix Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13. Tickets for The Ringling performance are free for museum members or included in museum admission. Tickets for the First Presbyterian Church concert are $25 (general admission) and $35 (VIP; front rows). NEW! $10 Youth Ticket for those 21 and under. Tickets can be purchased at PMPSuncoast.org. 

Join artist Elisabeth Condon as she discusses her artistic practice in the context of the group exhibition, Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration. This talk will begin with an introduction by Condon focused on her painting practices. Then, Condon will be joined in conversation by Ola Wlusek, the Keith D. Monda Curator of Modern and Contemporary art and co-curator of the exhibition. 

For ticket information click here.

The Sarasota Concert Association proudly presents the GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer in their highly anticipated return to Sarasota for a captivating holiday performance, A Chanticleer Christmas, on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the Sarasota Opera House. Hailed by The New Yorker as “the world’s reigning male chorus,” Chanticleer will bring their all-new holiday program to Sarasota. The program includes their signature audience favorite, Ave Maria by Franz Biebl, and brand new arrangements of Silent Night and Joy to the World. With over one million recordings sold and countless live performances around the globe, Chanticleer is one of today’s most prolific and acclaimed vocal ensembles. This exclusive, one-night-only concert is expected to be a sell-out event. Tickets for the Sarasota Concert Association’s 2024-25 season, including all five Great Performers Series concerts and two Special Event Performances, are on sale now. To secure your tickets for this unforgettable evening, visit www.SCAsarasota.org or call the Box Office at (941) 966-6161. Single tickets, Great Performers Series subscriptions, and Choose 3 subscriptions are available.