Professional sports have officially touched down in Sarasota. On February 19, the United Soccer League (USL) announced that the Sarasota Paradise would be making the leap from League Two, a pre-professional league, to the fully professional League One in 2026.

The jump from USL2 to USL1 is the culmination of an odyssey into professional soccer from team founder Marcus Walfridson that began long before the Paradise officially took form in 2023. For the Swedish soccer entrepreneur, creating a professional soccer team in Sarasota has always been the main objective.

“This has been the goal from day one, so it's special to have this to look forward to,” said Walfridson, who will serve as managing partner of the USL1 team through his company Audigr Group Inc. “Ever since I came to Sarasota, I thought that a soccer team could help engender a sense of community. There are so many studies that show how professional sports teams can help foster that local strength and identity.”

For the Paradise, the 14-team USL1 will not just be a step-up in professional status, but a rise in the level of play. USL1 is a national league—the Paradise will have to travel as far as Spokane, Washington to battle with the Spokane Velocity FC in 2026—that operates in Division III of the U.S. Soccer Pyramid, just two levels beneath that of Major League Soccer.

While the Paradise actively court some of the top NCAA Division I soccer players on its current roster, playing at the professional level is a whole different ballgame, said Walfridson.

“Part of the story this summer will be seeing who, if any, of our current roster will make the USL1 team,” said Walfridson. “I foresee two to five of our current players potentially making the roster in 2026. That’s how competitive it is.”

For now the team is focused on making its mark as one of the nine USL2 teams to participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when it squares off against FC Naples at its new home in Premier Sports Campus March 18. In May, the Paradise will focus on defending its South Florida Division title when the USL2 season kicks off. 

Pictured (L to R): Marcus Walfridson, CEO and sporting director of Sarasota Paradise, and Justin Papadakis, USL deputy-CEO and chief real estate officer. Photo courtesy of Hunter Butler

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The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has partnered up with State College of Florida’s 26 West Center to create a broad curriculum for those ready to learn and wanting to expand their business toolkit. Hustle Bar, a workshop series that equips both business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed, serves to fulfill the Chamber’s mission to cultivate Sarasota's prosperity and quality of life through its member businesses. Dan Sidler, Vice President of CareerEdge & Economic Development, shares the reasons behind Hustle Bar and the importance of their curriculum. “Anybody can start a business at any point, right now, the average age of an entrepreneur in this country is 42 years old. We want to be there to support our community throughout this journey and help them succeed,” says Sidler. 

Hustle Bar’s curriculum offers courses such as  “Executive Presence - How to Own the Conversation, the Room, and Your Life” and “AI Marketing Made Easy: Smart Growth for Your Small Business.” On Tuesday, March 11, Hustle Bar will host their second session focusing on the psychology behind selling an idea and helping their attendees strengthen their selling tactics. “You're selling in a lot of different ways to customers, clients or investors. If you plan on growing your business, you're going to need to be able to sell your business ideas to your customers. That’s why sales skills are important,” says Sidler. With a wide range of topics, anyone can find the class that is best suited for them and their businesses.  

Pictured: First Session of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's Workshop Series, Hustle Bar. Provided photo.

To Learn More or Sign Up for a Hustle Bar Session click here.

When medical school students across the country are matched next month with post-graduate residency programs, up to 172 may end up in West Central Florida, thanks to continued growth in BayCare’s graduate medical education (GME) programs, including its first ever Emergency Medicine residency program. For the 2025-26 academic year, BayCare has received approval to launch seven new GME programs. Besides Emergency Medicine, the health care system will also be opening four more Internal Medicine programs, another transitional year program and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry.  The expansion brings to 16 the number of GME programs at BayCare hospitals. BayCare sponsors 12 of the programs; Florida State University and University of South Florida sponsor two each. Across all programs, BayCare will have about 280 residents systemwide in 2025-26, more than twice as many as the current year. BayCare expects to grow to 650 residents by 2029.   

Opera lovers can immerse themselves in four operas in a three- or four-day period during Sarasota Opera’s Winter Opera Festival. By visiting Sarasota during one of the two Opera Lovers Weeks, patrons can see four world-class productions in the historic and intimate Sarasota Opera House. In addition, visiting patrons are eligible to receive a 10% discount on their tickets. Opera Lovers Weeks are March 19-30, 2025.  

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 Fans are invited to watch Orioles Spring Training workouts on the backfields on non-game days at Ed Smith Stadium through Sunday, March 23 for free. This Spring Training season, fans can enjoy an expanded viewing area during workouts, offering a closer look at the action. Workouts will take place from approximately 9am to 1pm each day. Complimentary parking is provided in the East Lot. The team store and box office will be open daily from 10am to 3pm. 

Booker High School’s Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) program is proud to present a weekend of star-crossed entertainment! From food to music, visual art to theatre, the desires and despair of a timeless tale unravel through this multi-media, artistic experience. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – a story of feuding families and star-crossed love – infuses an immersive experience that captivates curiosities from all angles. Pop-up food service, classic rock music, graffiti and graphics begin the journey. Galleries of artwork, custom-designed shirts, and a punk rock rendition of the classic play await you after that. A collaborative arts experience provides the perfect weekend outing to reflect on the primal human experience of love and loss. Tickets are $17 for adults and $7 for students and children. Tickets can be pre-purchased at www.BookerVPA.com/events and will be available for purchase at the door.

February 28, March 1 and March 2, Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Center, 3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. 

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The 2025 RoboBoat Competition will return to Nathan Benderson Park from March 3-9, 2025, bringing together top student teams from around the world to showcase their skills in autonomous maritime robotics. This year’s event will be the largest yet, with 27 teams from 9 countries and 9 U.S. states and territories competing throughout the week, culminating in an exciting final showdown on March 9th. For more information, visit roboboat.org or contact agavin@robonation.org.  

Kolter Urban, a Florida-based real estate development and investment firm, announces the launch of 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, a luxury 117-unit condominium residence and full-service, nationally branded Hyatt Centric® Harborside hotel in the heart of Sarasota’s waterfront district. Located at 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, this 20-story, mixed-use development will serve as the region’s premiere destination for luxury living and hospitality. Premier Sotheby’s International Realty is the exclusive sales and marketing partner for 1000 Boulevard of the Arts with residences priced from $1.4 million. Private appointments are encouraged at the Presentation Gallery at 50 Central Avenue, Suite 110, Sarasota, 34236. For more information, please visit https://live1000.com/.

Grapevine Communications took home nine ADDYs during the 2025 American Advertising Awards, hosted by the Suncoast chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), on February 22 at the Ringling Sound Stages. The event celebrated excellence and creativity in advertising across multiple platforms. Among the honors received was the coveted Judge’s Choice Award, presented by one of three judges who selected a Grapevine-produced commercial as their favorite project among all entries. The advertising, marketing, and public relations agency also earned an AMY Award on behalf of one of its automotive clients, recognizing the highest-scoring entry in each category. "Every project we create is fueled by passion, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients,” said Allison Imre, Owner and President of Grapevine Communications. “Seeing that hard work recognized by industry peers makes us incredibly proud and reinforces what we already know—our team is truly something special." 

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Manatee County Veterans Services is inviting Gold Star Families to participate in the creation of a new interactive memorial kiosk designed to honor fallen military personnel. This initiative seeks to provide a meaningful platform for the community to celebrate, honor, and remember their heroes. The kiosk will be located outside of the Manatee County Board of County Commission chambers at the administration building in downtown Bradenton and will honor veterans who have died in combat or in service and support of a theater of war since World War I. For more information about Manatee County Veterans Services call (941) 745-3795, send an email to vets@mymanatee.org.