SRQ DAILY Jan 16, 2025
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"It is such a rare treat in our area to hear one full concert of music from the Baroque period."
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota invites locals, guests and members to enjoy the finest in wellness at its fully renovated 20,000 square foot luxury Spa. This monumental achievement marks the completion of the second and final phase of an extensive rejuvenation project, which now boasts a healing waters room, sauna, steam room, outdoor relaxation terrace, brand-new vitality pool and healthy food and beverage menu. 
Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning presents former Secretary of Homeland Secretary, Jeh Johnson, in “What's Next for American Democracy,” Thursday, February 6, 3:30 p.m., at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online until January 26 or at the event. Johnson was the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security from December 23, 2013, to January 20, 2017. He led the third largest department of the U.S. government, with a workforce of 229,000 employees and 22 components including TSA, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service. Under Secretary Johnson’s leadership, DHS was responsible for counterterrorism, cybersecurity, aviation security, border security, port security, maritime security, administration and enforcement of our immigration laws, protection of our national leaders, protection of critical infrastructure, detection of and protection against chemical, biological and nuclear threats to the homeland, and response to disasters.
The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) is excited to continue its monthly open house events in 2025, inviting the community to connect with their local firefighters and learn about fire safety. These free, family-friendly open houses are held one Saturday each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They offer visitors the chance to meet their firefighters, explore fire apparatus, learn about fire safety and prevention, hands-only CPR, how to use an AED, and more. Car seat safety inspections and bike helmet fittings will also be available. For more information on SCFD and the list of open house dates, visit scgov.net/fire or call 311.
We are excited to announce that the next 10 x 10 series event will be held at the Sarasota Art Museum on Thursday, January 23th at 5:00 pm. Presentations will start at 6:00 pm.The informal and fast paced event is intended to showcase and introduce a diverse group of leaders and creative minds from our community. Three times a year, 10 speakers are invited to present 10 images of their work, interest, or inspiration. Slides advance automatically every 30 seconds with brief introductions between the speakers. The event is organized by architect Michael Halflants and painter Tim Jaeger. Admission is $15 online. In-person admission will be $20 for non-members, $15 for AIA members. Students are admitted free. The event will include a cash bar and is open to the public. Additional details and admission can be found online at 10x10.
Join us for a luncheon and conversation with Olivia Harrison, film producer and widow of George Harrison, and Robin Lane Fox, renowned gardener, author, and historian, in celebration of our 2025 Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, George Harrison: A Gardener's Life. Olivia Harrison will be signing copies of her book, Came the Lightening, which will be available for sale at the luncheon.The event will include a plated lunch. Space is limited. Tickets $125.
Tuesday, February 11, 11am to 1 pm, Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus.
Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day at the annual Say 'I Do' Again vow renewal ceremony, returning to Nokomis Beach and Siesta Beach on Friday, Feb. 14, at 6 p.m. Hosted by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) for over 35 years, this romantic sunset event features light refreshments, music and photo opportunities, and a non-denominational vow renewal ceremony. Registered couples will receive a flower and renewal certificate. Ceremonies will be officiated by Judge Walker at Siesta Beach and Judge Ruhl at Nokomis Beach. Registration Details: Pre-Registration: $15 per couple online or by phone at 941-861-7275 by Feb. 9. On-Site Registration: Opens at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, the day of the event. The cost is $25 per couple (credit cards only).Locations: Siesta Beach: 948 Beach Road, Sarasota. Nokomis Beach: 100 Casey Key Road, Nokomis.
Key Chorale Chamber Singers and Church of the Redeemer present a 2-day, 3-concert festival February 7-8, celebrating music of the Baroque and the hoppy essence of beer. Corporate sponsor Calusa Brewing will feature several of its fall beers as a part of the festival’s opening Biergarten Experience with German food and dancing to Bill Milner’s Oompah Band as well as the Saturday night pre-concert reception. Rescheduled after the hurricanes in October, this is the second year that Key Chorale and Church of the Redeemer will team up. Each concert highlights a composer or style. “It is such a rare treat in our area to hear one full concert of music from the Baroque period,” said Maestro Joseph Caulkins. “We are excited to present three concerts in one weekend, from period instruments, to full chamber orchestra and chamber singers highlighting two titans of the Baroque, Handel and Vivaldi, there will be truly be something for everyone.”
The Jazz Club of Sarasota is deeply committed to youth programs that foster an appreciation of jazz. This is directly related to our core mission of preserving and promoting jazz, America’s original musical art form. In our second effort to provide free tickets to students, we are hoping to top last year's donations of $12,730. We want to make 400 seats available for the Main Stage series performances absolutely free. All donors to this program will receive a confirmation letter which may be used to document their charitable gift. Checks should be made out to the Sarasota Jazz Club with Jazz Festival Student Tickets indicated in the memo area. Send checks to: Jazz Club of Sarasota, 330 S. Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Families are invited to attend two School Showcases this week to learn more about what Manatee County district-operated schools have to offer for students pursuing their passions and pathways for success in the 2025-2026 school year. Controlled Open Enrollment for the next school year began January 6, 2025. An event for middle and high school students and families will take place Tuesday, January 14th, at 6 p.m., followed by an event for elementary families on Thursday, January 16th, at 6 p.m. Both will take place at Manatee Technical College, located at 6305 State Road 70 East in Bradenton. The first 200 attendees will receive a complimentary treat from our community partners at Kona Ice or Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck. There will also be food available, face painting, family-friendly events, community resources, and more.
Sarasota County Schools is proud to announce that our graduation rate for the 2023-2024 academic year was 92.5%! This is the highest graduation rate in our school district’s history – excluding the 2019-2020 graduation rates, when the FLDOE waived the assessment requirements for graduation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thrilled to highlight the successes of our school communities, and invite you to view the SCS Grad Rate Newsletter – linked here and also attached – to dive deeper into our district’s results. Sarasota County Schools is honored to serve the community through the careful stewardship of our public education system. Please join us in congratulating our amazing students, families, teachers, and staff members for all of their hard work and perseverance!
Ballard Elementary School is excited to announce the grand opening of the Ben Carson Foundation Reading Room on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The event will take place at Ballard Elementary, located at 912 18th Street West in Bradenton.The Ben Carson Reading Project, an initiative of the Carson Scholars Fund, aims to create a literacy-enriched environment for children to develop their reading skills. This project will provide students with a warm, inviting space, to foster their love for leisure reading and enhance their educational experience. Ballard Elementary, a Title I school, is proud to be the second school on Florida’s west coast to open a Ben Carson Foundation Reading Room, with the first being in St. Petersburg. There are more than 285 of them across the country.
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
First 1,000 Days Suncoast is thrilled to announce a diaper drive in partnership with First United Methodist Church of Sarasota as a way to bring in the new year. Donations from the Sarasota area will make a significant impact on the lives of local parents and families, helping to ensure that all babies in our community have access to the essentials they need.
First United Methodist Church of Sarasota, 104 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
On Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 12:00-2:00 pm, the community is invited to visit Sarasota Opera House for a wide variety of free activities and offerings. Visitors can enjoy art songs, ensembles, and arias sung throughout the opera house, a raffle, backstage tours, wig and makeup demonstrations, a display of select pieces from our extensive collection of over 50,000 historic opera costumes, special ticket offers, and complementary refreshments.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
Denise Cormier Mahoney is a mid-career painter and printmaker whose illustrative and surfaced designed compositions are infused with memories and stories told from the point of view of a child free to explore.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
Our annual Lakewood Ranch Community Campout at Greenbrook Adventure Park offers a range of activities for families and friends! From Saturday, February 15th to Sunday, February 16th, you'll enjoy: Campfire perfect for roasting s'mores, Family-friendly movie showing, Food truck dinner for purchase, Live music by Justin Layman, Complimentary donuts & coffee for breakfast and much more! This overnight event will begin on Saturday at 3 PM and end Sunday morning at 9 AM. Tickets are for ages 3+. Children under 3 are free.
Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
ArtCenter Manatee once again joins with the School District of Manatee County to showcase the work of K-12 visual arts students. By partnering with ArtCenter Manatee, that commitment is furthered by giving these young artists a 'voice' - three museum-quality galleries, where their work can be professionally displayed and where the artists can receive positive recognition by a wider audience.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
Fox Lea Farm, Southwest Florida’s premier family-owned horse show facility and one of the largest sports tourism economic drivers for Sarasota County, announced the 10th anniversary of the Venice Equestrian Tour (VET) Winter Horse Show Series, offering over $1,000,000 of prize money. With support from Visit Sarasota County, this annual nine-week Hunter/Jumper series will feature Show Jumping Under the Stars every Friday night, where spectators can watch world-class talent as they compete for a chance for a piece of the $25,000 purse.
Fox Lea Farm, 800 N Auburn Rd, Venice, FL 34292
SCFD is proud to welcome the community into the fire stations, continuing the tradition of open houses. These open houses are a wonderful opportunity for residents to engage directly with neighborhood firefighters. Visit our website to view the open house schedule.
Multiple Location, Multiple Locations
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
During this event, 876 Impact100 SRQ members will hear presentations from 10 nonprofit Grant Finalists competing for eight $109,500 transformational grants. Members will cast their votes, and the eight Grant Recipients will be announced live. This event is a unique opportunity to showcase the incredible efforts of local nonprofits and the powerful role of women-led philanthropy in our community.
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
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.
Come celebrate the release of Quiet Counsel: Looking Back on a Life of Service to the Law with its author, former Deputy U.S. Attorney General, Larry D. Thompson. In this thoughtful and candid memoir, Thompson explores the big questions of his life and career, from his childhood in Hannibal, Missouri to his time advising the nation's most powerful figures in government and business leadership.
Bookstore 1, 117 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
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