SRQ DAILY Apr 28, 2025
Monday Business Edition
"I was lucky enough to have someone extend a hand to me and show me this world."
Typically a hospital is the last place a person wants to find themselves in. It signifies that something has gone wrong–from a head cold to a heart attack–and that the person or the loved one in their care needs help. The team at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital knows that. They also know, however, that for some people a hospital is exactly where they want to be. To be on the front lines of medicine, giving their all to help those in need. On April 18, the hospital welcomed students from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties for a day spent learning the ins and outs of what it’s like to work in a hospital.
“It’s exciting just to hopefully inspire people. My understanding was that all of the kids that spent time with us were interested in the medical field in some capacity and they're at that perfect age where they have a really big responsibility of figuring out what they want to do with the rest of their lives,” says Yukiko Brewer, MD, one of the resident physicians at the hospital. “It’s exciting to be that helping hand and say, ‘this is an avenue and if this is something that you’re interested in, I’m here to help you.’ I was lucky enough to have someone extend a hand to me and show me this world. That changed my life and I’m hoping I do that for someone else.”
While there, students were able to tour the facilities and meet with the hospital’s senior leadership team, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer. The students also worked alongside Dr. Brewer in the simulation lab, which she runs as a resident of internal medicine. The simulation lab is where both residents like Dr. Brewer and senior doctors practice their techniques on a life-sized training mannequin.
“I let the students use our stethoscopes, they got to listen to their heart and lungs which sounds funny, but is exciting to hear what it sounds like for the first time. They all got a stethoscope to take home,” says Dr. Brewer. “Then they got to play with our ultrasound machine to find their arteries and veins. They also got to do CPR on our simulation dummy and see what intubation is like and what happens to the lungs during intubation.”
HCA Florida Doctors Hospital, 5731 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota. 
Students get hands on lesson in medical simulation lab. Provided photo.
More than 350 people, with over 200 watching online, voiced their opposition to the rushed, backroom proposal to transfer stewardship of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art from Florida State University (FSU) to New College of Florida at a town hall held April 22 in Sarasota. Organized by Citizens to Protect the Ringling, the event featured community leaders highlighting the severe risks posed by this secretive, rushed takeover plan. Citizens to Protect the Ringling urged attendees to take action by visiting its website, protectringling.org, which offers guidance on contacting Governor DeSantis, Florida Senate President Albritton, Florida House Speaker Perez and other state legislators. Website visitors will find customizable email templates and direct links to elected officials, along with social media post templates.
Coastal Orthopedics, a full-service provider of comprehensive orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, spine care, diagnostic imaging and physical therapy service, recently had its state-of-the-art surgery center named a Best Ambulatory Surgery Center by U.S. News & World Report for the second year in a row. U.S. News & World Report's second annual ratings offer Americans data-driven insights into local ambulatory surgery centers. In collaboration with CareJourney by Arcadia, U.S. News & World Report evaluated 4,357 surgery centers nationwide across four separate specialty areas: colonoscopy and endoscopy, orthopedics and spine, ophthalmology, and urology.
Coastal Orthopedics’ surgery center, known as Musculoskeletal Ambulatory Surgery Center and located at 8000 State Road 64 in Bradenton, Florida, was named amongst 19 other ambulatory surgery centers in Florida in the area of orthopedics and spine.
During Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month, Bliss Dermatology + Wellness is motivating the community to a Skin Check Challenge to fight the growing threat of skin cancer. Throughout the month of May, all are encouraged to schedule their annual skin check with one of Bliss’s board-certified dermatology providers in either their Englewood and Venice offices. The practice has a goal of achieving 500 skin checks during this time for existing patients and new ones. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, but it is also one of the most preventable and treatable when caught early. “A skin check can help identify suspicious moles or spots before they become more serious, often long before symptoms appear,” said Dr. Michelle Pennie, Medical Director and Mohs Surgeon at Bliss. For more information contact: Becky Zook, email: beckyz@blissdermatologygroup.com, phone: 941.477.4007.
The Sarasota County Stormwater Division of Public Works is hosting two community workshops and on-site at three hurricane expos in May to provide residents with important information on stormwater management, ongoing projects and hurricane preparedness. Each workshop will cover similar topics, giving residents in different watersheds an opportunity to learn about stormwater maintenance, current and upcoming projects and best practices for storm season.
Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources is launching a new and improved catalog system, which will provide an upgraded experience. This upgraded platform will enhance the user experience, making it easier and more enjoyable to discover the library's vast collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs and more across formats. In preparation for this system switch-over, all Sarasota County Libraries, including the History Center, will be closed on Wednesday, May 7.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is proud to announce the promotion of two sheriff’s office members in a ceremony held on Thursday. Deputy Clayton Reese was promoted to sergeant assigned to the agency’s Patrol Bureau. He joined the agency in 2015 as a deputy in patrol. Deputy Pilot David Bouffard was promoted to chief pilot in the agency’s Aviation Section. He was hired by the sheriff’s office in 2009 as a deputy pilot.
Step into the charming world of A Year with Frog and Toad, a Tony-nominated musical that brings Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters to life through delightful songs and heartwarming storytelling. This enchanting production follows two best friends, Frog and Toad, as they navigate the four seasons, learning lessons of friendship, perseverance, and joy along the way.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34243
This time of year had a special significance in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, and the term originates from their studies of astrology. Nowadays, the term has taken on new meanings as pet parents associate it with lazy days when dogs are so hot they just want to lay in the shade and sip an ice-cold Puppuccino. Artists are invited to share their favorite fur-baby creations of dogs and cats.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
This half-day experience is designed to equip you with the tools, strategies, and connections to elevate your career and amplify your impact. Through dynamic speakers and interactive sessions, you’ll gain the confidence to step beyond self-doubt, embrace new opportunities, and take ownership of your success.
Carlisle Inn and Conference Center – Sarasota, 3727 Bahia Vista Street Sarasota, FL 34232
The 34th National Juried Exhibition showcases the best representational paintings produced across North America. With nearly 200 juried artists and many invited Master Signature artists, it serves as a showcase for both up-and-coming talent and some of the most celebrated artists working today. The exhibition does not focus on a single style or theme but instead celebrates the diversity and art produced within the representational oil painting tradition. The exhibition & opening is in conjunction with the OPA National Convention, which features numerous lectures, painting demonstrations, and social events geared to artists and collectors.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
Alan Dershowitz and Steven Donziger have spent their legal careers standing up for the unfairly targeted. Both have seen the government and private industries manipulate the legal system as a way to punish their adversaries. Donziger himself was disbarred and incarcerated after his international legal victories over Chevron, and his conviction has drawn calls for a pardon from leaders across the political spectrum. Two grizzled courtroom veterans relive their toughest fights, both in triumph and defeat, while conveying just how easy it can be to find the target landing on your own back.
Mildred Sainer Pavilion, 5313 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
The Manatee Chamber’s Headliners luncheons are designed to equip business leaders with key insights into critical community issues. They are also a great opportunity to make new connections while discussing important business and community topics. These events are informative and offer valuable networking. Whether you choose individual open seating or prefer the reserved, guaranteed group seating of full and half tables, you will be part of a dynamic and engaging experience.
Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, 7650 Legacy Boulevard, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Enjoy Mother’s Day Brunch at Selby Gardens! Ticket price includes a hot and cold brunch buffet catered by Michael’s on East featuring an omelet and pancake station, carvings station, dessert bar, plus coffee, tea, and water. All other beverages will be available for purchase. Your brunch ticket also grants you full access to our Downtown Sarasota Campus to view the gardens and Spring Exhibition, George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life, before or after your seating time.
Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
VOICES is a creative project that, through the narratives of multiple voices, seeks to foster an open conversation about issues relevant to the community and realities we want to make visible through oral testimonies. It is based on conversations with members of the Hispanic community in Manatee and Sarasota County, whose stories are interwoven to create a narrative that will be performed in Spanish (with English subtitles) by actors and actresses on stage. The performance will conclude with a bilingual discussion between the audience, directors, testimonial participants, and actors.
CreArte Latino, 1913 Northgate Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234
This year, we’re turning up the fun with Bourbons & Barks - Raising Spirits for Rescues! Join us on May 8th for a fantastic evening dedicated to supporting our furry friends in need. The event will include spirit tastings and raffles on the patio and a VIP dinner in the M&M lounge (limited availability). Join us for a night of tastings and cuddling with rescue pups, all for a good cause!
Gecko's Grill & Pub, 351 North Cattlemen Road Sarasota, FL 34232
Join us for a Bistro Pop-Up Night! Enjoy an after-hours gallery tour and a 4-course dinner curated by Executive Chef Peyton Leffingwell. The Bistro fare is inspired by Florida’s regional fruit stands and farmer’s markets, and emphasizes local produce, healthy proteins and artisanal specialty items.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236
The grand finale of the ‘Opera on the Bay’ series —Gioachino Rossini’s comic masterpiece, The Barber of Seville — will be screened from 7-9:30 p.m., Saturday, May 17. Determined to win the heart of the beautiful Rosina, Count Almaviva enlists the help of Figaro, the barber of Seville, to steal her away from her guardian, Dr. Bartolo. Hilarious complications ensue to some of opera's most delightful music, performed by an all-star cast that includes baritone Filippo Fontana, mezzo-soprano Lisa Marie Rogali, bass-baritone Andrew Gilstrap, and bass Young Bok Kim, with the Sarasota Opera orchestra conducted by Marcello Cormio.
The Bay, 1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL
America’s media is rapidly being transformed, and that transformation is accelerating. Over 20 years, traditional news organizations lost more than half of their daily newspaper circulation. Beyond technology, the shift to social media was driven by a plummeting of trust in national news outlets, whose reporting was often overtly biased and false. Ironically, after social media platforms emerged as the new town square, they rapidly became tools for censorship, at times in collusion with government, most vividly on display during COVID.
Mildred Sainer Pavilion, 5313 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Experience Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, an iconic Italian opera featuring one of the most famous arias in the repertoire, the clown Canio tries to go on with the show after learning of his wife’s infidelity, but his real-life humiliation and despair lead to a grim climax. The opera features soprano Ashley Milanese, baritone Jean-Carlos Rodríguez and tenor Rafael Dávila, with Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi conducting the Sarasota Opera orchestra. A live performance by Sarasota Youth Opera, who performed in the opera on the mainstage during the 2025 season, will open the film screening.
The Bay, 1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL
FREE to attend, our annual Fishing Seminar is where you'll learn the fundamentals of fishing, preparing you for our annual Fishing Tournament (happening in October)! Join us for an engaging and educational experience that will teach kids and teens alike a hands-on introduction to the world of fishing!
Lakewood Ranch Community Park, 6402 Lakewood Ranch Blvd Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Saddle up and join us for a 5-course dinner paired with wine and bourbon cocktails! We will honor the traditions of Churchill Downs with a nod to Derby-Day classic bourbon cocktails and cuisine. Each course paired with the official wines and bourbon of the Kentucky Derby! We will honor the food and beverage traditions, and we encourage our guests to don their Derby-Day finest! Hats encouraged as we celebrate 151st year of the Kentucky Derby!
Pop's Sunset Grill, 112 Circuit Road, Nokomis, FL 34275
Wellen Park invites families, outdoor enthusiasts and anglers of all ages to grab their gear and head to the water for the inaugural Wellen Park Fishing Rodeo on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to noon in Downtown Wellen. Presented by BB Living and in partnership with Stocking Savvy, this community-focused event promises a full day of fishing fun, friendly competition and waterfront excitement at one of the region’s most scenic outdoor destinations.
Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice, FL 34293
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