SRQ DAILY May 1, 2025
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"Hopefully the greatest accomplishments for any coach are the bonds that you build and seeing kids mature and prepare for the next phase of life."
For Carl Williams, coaching basketball was not about just the wins. Nor was it about the losses. It was about the moments in between, those instances where he could impact his players off the court.
“Hopefully the greatest accomplishments for any coach are the bonds that you build and seeing kids mature and prepare for the next phase of life,” says Williams. “I was blessed to be able to do that. That’s my accomplishment—it has nothing to do with wins and losses. It’s all about life.”
In late February Williams, who is the assistant principal of the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, resigned from his position as the head coach of the Booker High boys varsity basketball team. Williams, a Sarasota native, spent three seasons as the head coach of Booker High and has coached basketball in the area for the past 16 years. Williams came to Booker High in 2022, charged with turning around a program that had gone just 4-18 the season prior.
And turn around the program he did. In his first season with the Tornadoes, Williams led a resilient squad to a 10-16 record, before bowing out to Desoto County High in the semifinals of the class 4A District 11 in the 2023-23 season. The team blossomed under Williams in the 2023-24 season, posting a 19-10 record en route to being crowned the 4A District 11 champions. This past winter, Booker battled valiantly, posting a 13-15 record without a true point guard after the graduation of standout senior Jovan Palavra in 2024.
Through it all, Williams, who stepped down in large part to spend more time with his family, is proud of the culture he built at Booker and the young men that became a part of his extended basketball family. Last season, Williams coached two separate players that were experiencing homelessness. “How much does school really matter to you when you don’t have a home? One of the players wasn’t academically eligible until his senior year, so seeing him on senior night and then watching both of them graduate gave me a new definition of accomplishment,” says Williams. “I tried to make sure that they knew they were a part of the team, that they were the same as any other player. We fought together, we worked hard together—I learned a lot from them, because they never gave up.” 
Carl Williams (third from left) and the Booker High boys basketball team after winning the district championship in 2024. Provided photo.
The Venice Youth Boating Association (VYBA) recently received a $50,000 grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation to provide a floating dock and site features for the sailing programs. The VYBA mission is to change lives through the sport of sailing. VYBA believes sailing teaches leadership, sportsmanship and seamanship which equips it’s youth sailors to become confident, independent, and responsible individuals. Sailors develop independence and decision-making skills they carry throughout their lives. They develop a sense of self-reliance as they become captains of their own ships.
Courtesy photo.
Sarasota County Schools recently honored its amazing individual volunteers, businesses, and community partners at the school district’s annual Outstanding Volunteer Awards reception. This year’s theme was Recognizing Pillars of Excellence: Engaging in Learning, Empowering Success, Every Student. Every Day! Held annually during National Volunteer Recognition Month, the Outstanding Volunteer Awards reception recognizes those who have gone above and beyond to support Sarasota County’s students, teachers, staff members, and school communities throughout the year. Sarasota County Schools’ Department of Strategic Engagement noted over 9,400 active volunteers during the 2024-2025 school year (so far), with the thousands of combined volunteer hours equaling $2,636,983 in in-kind hours.
Registration for the 2025 summer semester at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College, which offers noncredit educational opportunities for adults to pursue new interests, expand intellectual horizons, and enrich their lives, opens May 6. The semester, which runs May 19-July 11, 2025, features more than 50 classes, events, and programs covering a wide variety of topics, including arts and entertainment, history, music appreciation, health, literature, philosophy, religion, and science. Semester highlights include The Roots of Black Music in America; What Makes A Good Cell Break Bad: The Biology of Cancer; Executive Orders and Presidential Power; From Memoir to Documentary: The Journey of Telling the Family Secret of Being the Daughter of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and Lucille “Sweets” Preston; and six tours. OLLI at Ringling College is located in the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. To register, or for information about becoming an OLLI member, visit www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org or call 941-309-5111.
Get ready to spice up your Saturday at the Bazaar on May 31st! Kick off your morning with free salsa line dance lessons led by United States National Finalist Sonia Ragan at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a curious beginner, Sonia will have you shuffling in no time! But that's not all! For just $1, you can taste the culinary creations of our very own Bazaar family members as they showcase their salsa recipes. Vote for your favorite. Helping us crown the ultimate salsa champion will be celebrity judges Chef Mitch of Hamlet’s Eatery and Chef Mark of Tamiami Tap. To keep the energy high and the vibes flowing, enjoy the infectious Latin sounds by the talented David Reyes throughout the day.
The Bazaar is located at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information visit www.BazaaronApricotandlime.com.
Get ready for a memorable Cinco de Mayo fiesta at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota's newest waterfront lounge on Sunday, May 4. Enjoy live entertainment from a mariachi band and DJ from 4-8 p.m. Specialty action food stations will be serving marinated fish tacos and Mexican-style shrimp cocktail ceviche in addition to Rufa's full menu. Festive Patrón margaritas will be crafted courtesy of the resort’s award-winning mixology team. Did you know that Rufa has one of Sarasota’s best tequila and mezcal menus? The Soaring To Paradise Top Shelf Tequila Flight features such sought-after varieties as Patrón El Cielo, Patrón El Alto and Patrón Burdeos. The lounge and bar will remain open until 10 p.m. Reservations are not required but recommended via OpenTable: https://www.opentable.com/r/rufa-sarasota
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
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
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
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
Join Cask & Ale for a Party celebrating the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 3! The traditions continue with honors paid to the best Bourbon, the rituals of Spring and the greatest two minutes in sports! We'll have our Derby Hat + Bowtie contests, prizes, specialty cocktails and of course, Mint Juleps with our housemade simple syrup. Bring your friends and lift a toast to fast horses, bourbon & the Run for the Roses, Cask & Ale-style. Proceeds to benefit Men Wear Pink.
Cask & Ale, 1548 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Taste & Toast Gulf Coast will feature top chefs, mixologists, and beverage artisans from across the Gulf Coast region. Guests will enjoy an interactive experience filled with live culinary and mixology competitions, tastings from 20+ wineries, breweries, and distillers, craft cocktails, mocktails, and exciting live entertainment.
The Yard at South Bay Center, 600 US 41 N Palmetto, FL 34221
In May - which is Mental Health Awareness Month - Sunshine From Darkness will present the Step Into the Light Mental Health Summit. The event, which is free and open to the community, is designed to raise awareness, provide valuable resources, and foster meaningful conversations about mental health. There will be expert speakers as well as tabling by various mental health- and wellness-related organizations.
The Venue @ LEC, 3650 17th St, Sarasota, FL 34235
The 20th Annual Dick Vitale Gala will lead the charge to eclipse $100 million in amount raised toward pediatric cancer research and the V Foundation’s Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. The 19th Gala capped a record-breaking year of fundraising. At the event, it was announced that $24.8 million was raised, bringing the overall funds raised since the inception of the Gala to nearly $93 million.
The Ritz-CarltonThe Ritz-Carlton,The Ritz-CarltoThe Ritz-Carlton,the ritThe Ritz-Carlton,, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Spring EXPO is all about connecting, shopping, and growing our local community by showcasing fantastic businesses and organizations here in Manatee County. This event draws hundreds of attendees and features 80+ Chamber member booths promoting local products and services.
Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Blvd. Palmetto, FL 34221
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
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