All Faiths Food Bank’s annual crowd-pleasing Bowls of Hope event took place on Sunday, November 10 at Ed Smith Stadium. This event highlighted Hershorin Schiff Community Day School's commitment to service, as students contributed to the fight against hunger through their art. Each year, more than 1,500 guests attend the event, one of the community’s largest and most popular family-friendly gatherings, where more than 40 of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers serve delicious soups, bread, desserts and more.

Hershorin Schiff Community Day School, which serves students in preschool through eighth grade, operates with a mission to impact the world by creating a community where children of all faiths demonstrate integrity, academic excellence and a desire to improve the world. At the Bowls of Hope event, students crafted one-of-a-kind, handmade bowls to help raise awareness about hunger in our community. Attendees were able to choose a unique bowl as a symbol of solidarity and compassion for those experiencing food insecurity.

“Our students understand that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a significant impact," said Head of School, Dan Caesar. "By participating in Bowls of Hope, they’re not just making art—they’re creating a ripple effect of generosity and compassion throughout our community.” He added that Community Day School emphasizes the importance of giving back through student-led mitzvah projects. Each year, K-8 classrooms engage in meaningful service initiatives designed to foster empathy, responsibility and community involvement. This year, the ceramic art club chose to support All Faiths Food Bank by creating unique bowls that symbolize nourishment and hope. 

Pictured: Hershorin Schiff Community Day School students participated in Bowls of Hope to fight against hunger on November 10. Photo courtesy of Hershorin Schiff.

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This Saturday, the Sarasota Children’s Museum invites families, educators, and community members to help celebrate the nonprofit’s one-year anniversary during its “First Rotation Celebration” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Payne Park in Sarasota. The space-themed celebration will feature interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities, free books, music, and several of Sarasota’s favorite local food trucks. The museum will unveil its new logo and give attendees a sneak peek of its new mobile museum–the STEAM Machine–a 24-foot, fully solar-powered museum on wheels. Through a partnership with Ringling College of Art and Design, the STEAM Machine and its exhibits will be designed by the college’s entertainment design students and ready to be enjoyed by the public in spring 2025. “We are so excited to bring the community together to help us celebrate this major milestone,” commented Sarasota Children’s Museum Founder Christina ‘CC’ Fredericks. “In just one year, we have grown significantly, expanded our team and our partnerships, and have been warmly embraced by those in this community. As our way of saying ‘thanks,’ we hope to see families, educators, and friends this Saturday as we celebrate our progress and the beginning of what’s to come.” To volunteer, sponsor, or make a gift in support of Saturday’s event, visit www.sarasotachildrensmuseum.org/get-involved/. 

Photo courtesy of Sarasota Children's Museum.

Twenty-five Sarasota County Schools educators have been selected by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for the Foundation’s 2025 TIME Fellowship. The TIME Fellowship provides public-school educators with the resources to experience meaningful professional renewal and personal rejuvenation. TIME Fellows each receive up to $12,000 from Barancik Foundation to complete a personal project they design to revitalize their passion for teaching and commitment to their students. Proposals selected by the Foundation for 2025 fellowships range from immersive foreign-language learning in Spain that will increase fluency and cultural competency to firsthand explorations of scientific innovation and macroeconomics in Japan that will enable teachers to put academic concepts into dynamic, real-world contexts for students. Themes that thread through many of the successful applications include a desire to continue lifelong learning and a clear plan to turn Fellowship experiences into practical, engaging lessons for the classroom. The new class of TIME Fellows will complete their fellowship experiences by the end of 2025.  This is the fourth group of TIME Fellows selected by Barancik Foundation since 2022. Through the TIME Fellowship program, Barancik Foundation annually invites teachers, principals, and assistant principals at traditional public schools within the Sarasota County School District to submit proposals for a project or experience that will renew their commitment to teaching.  Fellowships are meant to be intellectually stimulating and personally refreshing while creatively expanding the educator’s experience.  The projects ultimately benefit students, as TIME Fellows bring back new ideas, approaches, and energy to their schools and classrooms. TIME stands for “Time to Inspire Margie’s Educators.”  The fellowship program was created in honor of Barancik Foundation cofounder Margie Barancik, who was a teacher herself.  A full list of the 2025 TIME Fellows with summaries of their fellowship projects can be found on the Barancik Foundation website at BarancikFoundation.org. 

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he School District of Manatee County is proud to announce its Principal of the Year is Kimberlain Zenon of Braden River Middle School, and the Assistant Principal of the Year is Craig Page of Southeast High School. Both are eligible for the Florida Department of Education’s Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year programs. Ms. Zenon has led Braden River Middle since 2019. She formerly served as an Assistant Principal at Lee Middle from 2016-2019, and Braden River Middle from 2012-2016. Prior to that time, she was a Science teacher at Braden River Middle from 1996-2012, as well as a Renaissance Coordinator. Mr. Page has served as an Assistant Principal at Southeast for four years. Prior to that, he served as a Dean at Braden River High School for two years. He began his career with the district as a Math and Avid teacher at Braden River High for nine years and he served as a baseball coach for 10 years. The Principal and Assistant Principal Achievement Awards for Outstanding Leadership recognize exemplary school administrators for their contributions to their schools and communities, according to the Florida Department of Education. The program honors leaders who have spearheaded initiatives to increase student performance, promote safe learning environments and establish partnerships with parents and community members. 

The Living Arts Festival has brought art, joy, and inspiration to Sarasota’s Cultural Coast over the past week with an incredible lineup of performances, workshops, and interactive events. As the inaugural festival comes to a close, Sarasota Rising invites everyone to join in the excitement and celebration of these final days, leading up to a spectacular closing performance on Sunday, November 17 at the Circus Arts Conservatory at 7 pm. From now until the festival’s closing, attendees can still enjoy an array of activities showcasing local talent, immersive art experiences, and vibrant performances that reflect the theme of resilience. Don’t miss this chance to experience Sarasota’s thriving arts community, all while supporting local artists and creative spaces. 

Pictured: Sarasota Rising's Executive Director, Jeffery Kin.

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Heritage Golf Group, a leading owner and operator of private country clubs and high-end daily-fee courses, proudly announces the completion of Phase 1 renovations at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, acquired in March 2024. In less than eight months, the club is set to unveil two fully renovated golf courses, including the addition of its newest private course, The Legacy, which will open for Member play on November 16, along with major updates to the club's racquet sport and wellness amenities. Phase 1 renovations focused on two of the four private golf courses at LWRG&CC: Cypress Links and The Legacy courses. These courses have been enhanced with celebration bermudagrass fairways, newly constructed tifeagle greens, refurbished cart paths, and renovated bunkers for improved playability and aesthetics. The Legacy course now features multiple new sets of tees, making it accessible to golfers of all skill levels. The Legacy Golf Course, an Arnold Palmer signature course known for its distinct design and challenging play, was previously a daily-fee course adjacent to the club. Heritage Golf Group made the strategic decision to merge The Legacy into Lakewood Ranch as its fourth private course. With renovations now complete, the course has been restored to its original glory, showcasing pristine conditions, paying homage to Palmer’s vision. Cypress Links, also designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 2001, has similarly undergone significant improvements. Two of the club’s three practice facilities have also undergone major renovations, featuring upgraded amenities, new premier practice balls, laser tee boxes, and new target greens to elevate the Member practice experience.  Heritage Golf Group begun renovations within a week of acquisition, meeting an ambitious Fall 2024 opening despite challenges posed by three named weather events. With the opening of Cypress and The Legacy, Lakewood Ranch G&CC is now the only club in the Sarasota area offering Members access to four private golf courses. The addition of The Legacy as the club’s fourth private golf course has allowed Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club to accommodate new golf members from a previously existing waitlist. The club is currently accepting memberships in all categories. Beyond the golf courses, Phase 1 improvements include enhancements to the club’s racquet sports and wellness amenities. The future addition of three new tennis courts brings the total to 23, while new LED lighting upgrades and court resurfacing improve playability and drainage. The 24-hour fitness center will also be equipped with new cardio and strength machines, along with additional group fitness equipment. Plans are already underway for Phase 2 renovations, which include a multi-million-dollar transformation of The Legacy Clubhouse. Once completed, this will become the club’s third full-service clubhouse, featuring a member restaurant, patio, pro shop, and more. Renovations will continue into 2025 and 2026 with scheduled upgrades to the remaining two golf courses, Royal Lakes, and King’s Dunes, each receiving full renovations on a rotating basis. 

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OnBikes, the Tampa-based nonprofit dedicated to providing bicycles to at-risk children, is thrilled to announce that multi-platinum indie pop band Fitz and The Tantrums will headline the 13th Annual Winter Wonder Ride. The event is set to take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. This year's theme, "Après Ski After Party," invites participants to bring mountain vibes to Tampa Bay while cooling off after a long hot and stressful few months. Attendees are encouraged to embrace the cozy, festive style of unwinding after a day on the slopes, donning ski lodge chic attire such as puffy jackets, vintage ski suits, cozy scarves, fur-lined hats, and bold, retro goggles. Fitz and The Tantrums, known for chart-topping hits like "HandClap" and "Out of My League," released their fifth studio album, Let Yourself Free, in November 2022. The band has been praised for their infectious music and incredibly dynamic live performances, making them a perfect fit for the celebratory vibe of the Winter Wonder Ride. Proceeds from the event will support OnBikes' mission to provide new bicycles and helmets to underprivileged children in the Tampa Bay area, promoting health, confidence, and a sense of freedom. Since its inception, OnBikes has distributed over 10,000 bicycles to children in need. Event Details: Saturday, December 14, 2024, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa. Tickets options start at just $40 and Early Bird Rates are available through Friday, November 15. Tickets can be purchased at onbikes.org/winter-wonder-ride. Participants are encouraged to dress in festive après-ski attire and decorate their bicycles to enhance the holiday spirit. The event is family-friendly, and all ages are welcome to join in the ride and festivities. This year, OnBikes has also partnered with the Glazer Children’s Museum to offer an adventure called “Snow Much Fun.”  Enjoy a night out at the concert while your kids embark on their own “Snow Much Fun” adventure at Glazer Children’s Museum! For just $35 per child, this add-on guarantees that your little ones will be engaged in fun and interactive activities within a safe and nurturing environment. With experienced educators on-site, you can relax and enjoy the music, knowing your children are happily exploring and creating. Make this evening memorable for everyone—secure your Drop-Off Camp add-on today and let the good times roll! 

Think pink and give back at the newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Spa by treating yourself or a loved one to the Pink Ribbon Mani-Pedi. This luxurious manicure and pedicure service includes a soothing pink Himalayan salt scrub, a hydrating foot and hand mask and a gentle foot and hand massage using rose-scented cream. To finish, choose from an array of pink-hued polishes. A portion of proceeds from each Pink Ribbon Mani-Pedi through November 30, 2024 will be donated to the Breast Health Grant Support Program at the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, which provides breast cancer screening services such as mammograms and other needed diagnostics for those who are uninsured and underinsured in Sarasota County.  Note – This give-back treatment was extended past Breast Cancer Awareness Month due to the hurricanes. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is pleased to continue this service through November 30, 2024. 

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Join the holiday fun at the 48th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run on Siesta Beach, happening Saturday, Dec. 14. Register by Nov. 22 to get the best price, plus runner swag and a long-sleeve performance shirt. Click here to register now. This festive event attracts hundreds of runners, walkers, and joggers, many in holiday costumes! Presented by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources along with Friends of Sarasota County Parks, Boucher Brothers, Dr. Heidi K. Anderson-DOCS, and Eager Beaver. The event includes a chip-timed 5K race and a one-mile fun run. The 5K Race is chip-timed with finisher medals for all; awards are given to the top six finishers in each age group. All participants are encouraged to dress up and enjoy music, food and raffle prizes post-race. The 5K is part of the Manasota Track Club fall racing series, and proceeds benefit the "Summer in the Parks" Adopt-A-Camper scholarship program. Early Packet Pickup: Thursday, Dec. 12, 3-6 p.m. at New Balance Sarasota, 1872 Stickney Point Road. Race Times Dec. 14: One-mile fun run starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K begins at 8:20 a.m. Location: Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota. Award Ceremony: Costume contest winners and race awards will be announced around 9:15 a.m. Registration will be open until 7:45 a.m. on race day. For more information or to register, visit here or call 311 or 941-861-5000.