SRQ DAILY Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"We invite the community to celebrate the new year with us and light a luminary in remembrance of loved ones or to share wishes for the coming year"
With a significant grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation, the School District of Manatee County is set to enhance healthcare career opportunities for high school students at Parrish Community High School. This program is part of a statewide initiative called “Career Pathways to a Healthier Florida” preparing students for in-demand healthcare roles through enhanced healthcare academy offerings. A special ceremony to commemorate the donation will be held in the Med Skills Lab at Parrish Community High on Thursday, December 12, 2024. All visitors who plan to attend this event should arrive at the front office, with a photo ID, no later than 12:15 p.m. on December 12th. You will then be directed to the Med Skills Lab. Parrish Community High is located at 7505 Fort Hamer Road, in Parrish. 
For 21 years, Embracing Our Differences has delighted viewers with its annual outdoor display of 50 billboard-sized works of art and accompanying quotes. This high-profile art exhibition draws on the passion and perception of artists, students, and writers, to create powerful visual works and written statements of inclusion, kindness and respect. The scale and impact of this open-air art show has continued to grow, attracting more than 4.8 million visitors since its inception. Embracing Our Differences’ 2025 exhibitions run January 19-April 13, 2025, in Bayfront Park, Sarasota; and March 1-March 31, 2025, in Poynter Park, St. Petersburg. Sarasota’s opening event is January 19, noon-3 p.m., at Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota. The event will feature live music performances, interactive family friendly activities and displays by area nonprofits.
LEGO RoboRumble is a program of the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab. 67 students from across Sarasota and Manatee counties are participating with help from 16 high school student volunteers. Twenty teams of young innovators in grades 1–6 are gearing up for an action-packed showdown at the Fab Lab’s second annual LEGO RoboRumble competition on December 15. Nearly 70 students, including homeschoolers, have spent the past two months designing, building, and programming their robots to compete for awards and prizes. Over 150 family and community members are expected to attend to cheer on students. Robotics Director April Pan, along with a dedicated committee of high school student volunteers, has guided the young teams throughout the process while also constructing an epic battle arena, trophies, and awards to make the event unforgettable. High school students develop valuable leadership and project management skills while building meaningful connections with younger children.
Sunday, December 15 from 10am-1pm. 4452 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233. Parking will be marked.
The second-grade students at Sarasota's Community Day School (CDS) are designing a hurricane preparedness app to help new Florida residents stay safe during storm season. These young innovators turned empathy and creativity into action, crafting a resource filled with essential tips and advice for navigating hurricanes like Helene and Milton. This hands-on project is part of the school’s Learning on Display event, where their work will shine.
The School District is proud to announce finalists for Manatee County’s Educator of the Year and Support Employee of the Year. This week, representatives from Manatee Education Foundation (MEF), the School Board and School District Leadership surprised eight exceptionally talented finalists for the 2025 Excellence in Education Awards. The finalists will be honored, and the “Educator of the Year” and “Support Employee of the Year” will be announced at the Excellence in Education Awards to be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Manatee Technical College - Main Campus. The educator representative for Manatee County will advance to the Florida Teacher of the Year program, while the support representative will advance to the Florida School-Related Employee of the Year program.
1000 NORTH Sarasota, a new member-only premier restaurant and private club set to open in late 2025, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Elshimy as Director of Membership. 1000 NORTH Jupiter is expanding its footprint by partnering with Sarasota developer Kevin Daves to bring its unique concept to Sarasota. To request more information on membership, visit 1000NorthSarasota.com, or call (941)SRQ-1000.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art proudly announces Mid-Century Modern Astro-Futurism, presented by the South Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild. This exhibition, on view at The Ringling's Community Gallery in the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Center for Asian Art, showcases innovative quilt art inspired by the iconic design and cultural trends of the 1950s and 1960s. Mid-Century Modern Astro-Futurism is currently on display at The Ringling's Community Gallery through April 2, 2025. Exhibitions at The Ringling's Community Gallery are always free to visit; visitors can check in at the museum's Visitor Pavilion upon arrival and ask for a Community Gallery wristband. For additional information and hours, visit ringling.org.
Sarasota Paradise, a USL League Two team based in the Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan area, recently announced Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch will be its new home field for the upcoming 2025 season, with the 2025 season beginning in mid-May and running through July. The Board of Manatee County Commissioners approved the agreement on Tuesday, Dec. 10 during its scheduled regular meeting. Located in the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Premier Sports Campus is a true haven for sports enthusiasts, athletes and spectators alike. With world-class facilities and a commitment to fostering a love for sports, the campus is the ultimate destination for sporting excellence. For more information, visit SarasotaParadise.us.
Wellen Park rings in 2025 all aglow during the second annual Luminescence Festival Saturday, Jan. 4 in Downtown Wellen. The illuminating event, from 6 to 10 p.m., will include live music, hundreds of luminaries lighting the way along the Grand Lake and vibrant projection art displays upon sunset.
“We invite the community to celebrate the new year with us and light a luminary in remembrance of loved ones or to share wishes for the coming year,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for Wellen Park. “Participants will have the opportunity to personalize their luminaries before they’re placed around the lake.” Advanced reservations are required for luminaries. Festival-goers who plan to decorate one can reserve their luminary by visiting wellenpark.com/events/luminescence-festival-2.
Pictured: Wellen Park's Luminescence Festival celebrates an evening of illumination and music on Saturday, Jan. 4
Recognizing 35 Young Professionals Under 35 On The Gulf Coast, December 2024.
The Wellen Park Night Market returns the second Thursday of each month from 6-9pm offering an evening of shopping, live music and dining under the twinkling lights of Downtown Wellen. The Night Market features independent artists and makers specializing in art, jewelry, boutique fashion, home decor, bottle art, wood designs and specialty food items set up along Wellen Park Boulevard with 50 rotating vendors. Food items included rum cakes, desserts, lemonade, barbecue and vegan fare.
Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Pk Blvd
Season subscriptions and individual tickets are going on sale for Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's highly-anticipated 25th anniversary season, titled "25 Years of Black Heritage." The season features four mainstage productions - "Soul Crooners Solid Gold Edition," "Fences," "Five Guys Named Moe," and WBTT's first-ever tap dancing musical revue, "Syncopated Avenue"; holiday show is "A Motown Christmas." Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org to learn more about WBTT and to purchase tickets and subscriptions.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us at 1pm on the second Thursday of each month for themed adventures at The Bishop! Combine hands-on activities with exciting exploration through our exhibits, planetarium, and manatee habitat. Choose your adventure based on your child’s age group: Junior Explorers (K-3rd grade, ages 5-8): Spark curiosity through hands-on activities and themed adventures perfect for young minds. Discovery Rangers (4th-6th grade, ages 9-11): Dive deeper with interactive exploration and themed adventures designed to challenge and inspire.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Join us at The Bishop for Gentle Yoga with Manatees! Enjoy tranquil views of the manatees being cared for in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat while engaging in yoga poses focused on balance, flexibility, and strength. Guests will need to bring their own yoga mats. Proceeds support the rehabilitation and return of manatees to the wild. Group size is limited to 15 participants and advance registration is required. Ages 7 and up welcome!
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Teachers + Tuesdays = 1⁄2 OFF Pie’s at Pie On Main! Every Tuesday Teachers with School ID enjoy 1/2 off Pizzas when you Dine-in with us! Convenient parking in our lot behind the restaurant. 1/2 off Pizzas with purchase of any beverage, excluding personal pizzas.
Pie on Main, 1507 Main St Sarasota, FL 34236
Step into a tropical winter wonderland at our Downtown Sarasota campus featuring more than two million lights, festive photo opportunities, activities & entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! Lights in Bloom® is proudly ranked #6 in USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice contest for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the country.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
"Unveiled Strength: Portraits of Intimacy and Vulnerability," featuring evocative works of award-winning Bradenton-based artist Gary LaParl, will be on display from December 15, 2024, to January 16, 2025, at the Lexow Gallery at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota. This collection of portraits explores complex themes of male relationships and vulnerability, inviting viewers to engage with deep, often overlooked aspects of masculinity.
Lexow Gallery at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232
An all-media open juried exhibit featuring the work of our members. Our members are the strength of ArtCenter Manatee, without which we would not exist. With that strength, comes a powerhouse of talent as each year the caliber of work continues to surpass our expectations.
Art Center Sarasota, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
Discover Sarasota Tours announces our 3rd Annual Christmas Carol Trolley Letters To Santa holiday tour of music and lights running Dec 1-23rd at 5:30 and 7:30PM. This holiday favorite is a 75-minute family-friendly show filled with downtown lights, caroling down Main St., holiday stories, and heartfelt performances featuring the Trolley Troubadours, our singing ensemble of professional performers.
Discover Sarasota Tours, 1826 4th St, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Civil War is in full swing, and the March sisters -- Meg, the oldest, a romantic, the spirited and tomboyish Jo, sweet and loving Beth, and irascible, playful Amy -- live in Concord, Massachusetts with their Marmee while their father is on the battlefield. Filled with adventure (both lived and imagined), heartbreak, and a deep sense of hope, the struggle of these “Little Women” to find their own voices mirrors the growing pains of a young America. With buoyant, joyful melodies, memorable characters, and a big-hearted message, Little Women reminds us that “sometimes when you dream, your dreams come true.”
The Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239)
Family Art Day is a free event that is designed to be an intergenerational art-making opportunity. Families will create an art project together led by a professional artist who has teaching experience with adults and children. All supplies are included, and projects are geared to be enjoyed by all age groups and all skill levels.
Creative Academy Classroom, 927 N Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237
Ring in the New Year with us at Waterside Place Plaza for a breathtaking live Sky Elements Drone Light Show presented by Waterside Place and Capstan Financial Consulting Group. Dance the night away with live music by DJ Truth, indulge in tasty food trucks, including delicious desserts and drinks, and enjoy games and activities for all ages!
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, 1510 Lakefront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34240
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