Exotic racecars will be rolling through Downtown Venice on Sunday, February 23 from 3-6pm as part of the first edition of the 1000 Miglia Experience USA Florida--noted to be one of the most beautiful races in the world. Fifty vintage race cars and modern supercars will be competing in this three-day, 1000 mile road race from Miami to Naples to Tampa to Cape Canaveral to West Palm Beach and back to Miami.

The event begins at 3 pm when attendees are invited to view the beautiful classic cars of the Venice AACA Car Club in Centennial Park. At 4pm the race cars will begin rolling into and out of downtown Venice. Throughout the three hours, programs will be stamped with the official race stamp and participating restaurants flying the 1000 Miglia banner will be offering race-themed dinner and drink specials.

The Venice Antique Automobile Club of America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group, is made up of a friendly group of auto enthusiasts interested in the collector car hobby. With over 300 members, they are the largest classic car club in South Florida. They are hosting the event in coordination of the City of Venice, Venice Main Street and the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Be a part of Venice history as this iconic Italian road race rolls into downtown Venice for this once-in-a-lifetime event,” shares John McKeon, Club President. “Come early to enjoy the 150 beautiful classic cars we'll have there to welcome the 70+ race cars.” 

Photo courtesy of 1000 Miglia Experience Florida.

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The Suncoast Science Center, also known as the Faulhaber Fab Lab, continues to provide tomorrow's innovators with a hands-on learning curriculum in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. In 2014, Dr. Fritz and Ping Faulhaber saw a need to reinvent how we teach science to our kids. They decided to launch the Science Lending Library, a program that provides science kits to educators in the region. The program is still available today. At the center of what makes Fab Lab special and a great place to learn is its hands-on learning curriculum. “We have found that hands-on learning sparks curiosity and thus those critical thinking skills that really prepare them for success. With the future changing so rapidly, what is being taught in schools isn’t enough to adapt quickly,” says Scott. With a catalog of programs, Fab Lab provides captivating programs for various interests and age groups.

As summer approaches, families are figuring out what their children will do when school is out. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025, the Fab Lab offers more summer camps than ever before. “Our summer camps are super fun week-long immersive experiences where students are exploring everything from chemistry and food science to engineering,” says Scott. From a STEAM Spy Camp to a Math Escape Room, summer at the Fab Lab is packed with fun and lessons in innovation for all ages. 

Pictured: Learning taking place at the Faulhaber Fab Lab. Photo Courtesy of Jenn Sams Scott.

https://www.suncoastscience.org/

On Saturday, Feb. 15 hundreds of community members will gather at Sarasota Christian School’s beautiful 25-acre campus for a day of fun and fundraising - marking the 66th time they have done exactly that. Both the silent and live auctions will be action-packed. The day's highlights will include live auction items such as class baskets, exciting trips, gorgeous handmade quilts, the annual pie contest and more. Not all of the action will be inside though.  The SCS Festival & Auction will also include a FREE Kids Zone complete with inflatables, axe-throwing, video-gaming truck and more.  Many of Sarasota’s best food trucks will be on hand including; Ryan’s Coffee House, Chick-fil-A, Blue Koi Sushi, Gator Wilderness Camp BBQ, Big Blue Grilled Cheese, Chick-N-Nooga, Vesuvio Wood Fired Piz and Carousel’s Soft Serve Icery. Funds raised by this annual community event will go directly to the Capital Campaign for the new high school building project on the SCS campus.  

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The School District of Manatee County is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Excellence in Education Awards. This highly anticipated annual awards event was held at Manatee Technical Campus last night, Wednesday, February 5, 2025, to celebrate public education. Manatee County's Educator of the Year is  Stacy Freeman, Third-Grade Teacher, McNeal Elementary. Support Employee of the Year is Suzanne Theiss, Senior School Secretary, Southeast High. For more great information about our students, employees and schools, please visit our district’s Good News home at: www.manateeschools.net/goodnews. 

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (The Ringling) is pleased to present the exhibition Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums, opening March 15, 2025, in the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing of the Museum of Art. The exhibition was curated by George Schwartz, Curator-at-Large, Peabody Essex Museum—the oldest continuously operating and collecting museum in the United States (founded in 1799). At The Ringling Museum of Art, it was coordinated by Christopher Jones, Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Curator of Photography and Media Arts; and Jennifer Lemmer Posey, Tibbals Curator of Circus. For more information, visit ringling.org.     

2025 marks the 54 th anniversary of Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s (SILL) “Global Issues” series. This hard-hitting series, which runs through March 27, features internationally renowned experts discussing a wide range of domestic and global issues. Season subscriptions for the Global Issues series are available for purchase for $110 for 12 sessions. Single-day tickets for all programs are available at the door and are $15. Multiple subscription and flex pack options are also available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SillSarasota.org or call 941-365-6404. 

Customers applying for a passport now have the convenience of scheduling appointments, thanks to a new service launched by the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Now customers can book appointments online, reducing wait times and ensuring a smoother application process. The Clerk & Comptroller’s Office accepts applications for first-time passports, passports expired for more than 15 years, and passports for minors. Appointments can be scheduled on the Clerk & Comptroller’s website at www.ManateeClerk.com. Appointments can be scheduled for individuals and families with up to six members. For customers who need to apply for more than six passports, please call the Passport Division at (941) 741-4022. 

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Tripletail Seafood & Spirits launched its much-anticipated Sunday Brunch on Sunday, February 2, 10am-3pm. Tripletail is located in The Landings Plaza at 4870 S. Tamiami Trail. Guests are invited to indulge in a delightful brunch experience on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room with nautical touches. The new brunch menu features a variety of mouth-watering dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, savory Steak & Eggs, succulent Lobster Benedict, the flavorful Tripletail Brunch Burger and Crab & Shrimp Omelet. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with the purchase of any entrée.  Prices range from $13 to $26. Reservations can be made through Open Table or by calling 941-529-0555. 

 Sarasota County Government’s annual economic report, which took place from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, found that the Orioles generated more than $76 million in economic impact and produced more than 1,080 jobs in the state of Florida, including an impact of more than $61 million and 1,030 jobs in Sarasota County. The analysis measures the total impact generated by the Orioles’ year-round operations in Sarasota, highlighted by the team’s Spring Training efforts, minor league training facility, and numerous events at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex. 

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The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (The Ringling) is pleased to welcome Lindsey Hewitt and Alexander Buchheit as the first David W. and Mary S. Benfer Curatorial Research Fellows. Hewitt will work in the European Art Department under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Cartwright, the Chief Curator and Ulla R. Searing Curator of Collections, and Buchheit will work in the Circus Department under the supervision of Jennifer Lemmer Posey, the Tibbals Curator of Circus.  A complete list of public programs and exhibitions coming up at The Ringling, along with additional information about The Ringling’s other fellowship and internship opportunities, is available at ringling.org.