There’s a new league in town. While this league might not be as competitive as some of the other leagues that call the Sarasota-area home—it lacks the notoriety of the upper levels of the Florida High School Athletic Association, the talent level of baseball’s Florida State League and the panache of the Sarasota Paradise’s United Soccer League 2—one could argue that it is just as critical to the athletic ecosystem of Sarasota, albeit in a different way than what one might expect. On March 29, CAPS Athletics Inc. kicked off the inaugural season of its Jr. NBA/WNBA League.

CAPS Athletics is a not-for-profit community outreach organization that is dedicated to uplifting the lives of youths in the area through athletic programming. The organization’s acronym, which was started by four educators and basketball coaches, stands for Courage, Ascension, Perseverance and Strength, and will serve children primarily in the 7-14 age range. In its first season, the organization fielded four teams of boys and girls all named after different NBA franchises: the Charlotte Hornets, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. This Saturday, May 17, the Hornets and the Heat will face off in the championship game at the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences.

“I can’t help but smile when I think about this league,” says director Carl Williams, one of the four founders of the league. “We want to show families that we care about their kids and want to see them be successful.”

Some of the ways that Williams—who is the assistant principal at the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences and stepped down from his role as Booker High’s boys basketball coach earlier this year—and the team show they care is through keeping costs low for families. Registration for the league is $140, with a single household never paying more than $450, and a flurry of incentives lower costs throughout the year. In return, children are trained by experienced coaches in the fundamentals of the game, but are uplifted by those around them, creating lasting memories and a strong foundation in the sport of basketball.

“It’s such a tremendous joy to have fun and coach these kids,” says Williams. “There’s one day a week, separate from game day, where we have an optional practice and work on specific skills. We want to create memories for these children.”

Jr. NBA Finals Championship, May 17, 11:30am, 717 Central Ave, Sarasota. Registration is open for the 2025 Fall season.

Director Kevin Corwin coaches the Charlotte Hornets. Provided photo.

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Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that Dr. Nate Francis – the current Principal of Brookside Middle School – has been selected as the new Executive Director of Secondary Schools. He will assume his new role effective Tuesday, July 1. Dr. Nate Francis earned his Associate Degree from Hillsborough Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education (K-12) from the University of South Florida, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He has earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership as well as a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, both from Nova Southeastern University. Francis holds certifications in Education Leadership, Health (K-12), School Principal, and Physical Education (K-12). 

On May 3, 2025, Art 4 Change proudly presented its first-ever student art show at the Gaze Gallery at Arcos, made possible through a generous partnership with Creative Liberties. The exhibition showcases powerful and inspiring posters created by local middle and high school students for the 2nd Annual “A Better World Through Art” contest — and will remain on display throughout the month of May. This year marks a major milestone in the contest’s growth. What began in 2024 with just eight submissions from a single school has now expanded to 227 submissions from students representing six different schools across Sarasota and Manatee Counties.  The contest encourages students to create artwork that reflects the positive change they want to see in the world. This year’s entries explored themes such as environmental protection, mental health, equality, and unity. The exhibition provides a platform for these young voices to be heard and celebrated by the wider community. 

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The annual Kids' Summer Beach Runs return to Siesta and North Brohard beaches this June and July, offering one-mile fun runs for kids and families to enjoy healthy activities together throughout the summer.The free Kids' Summer Beach Runs are scheduled as follows: Tuesdays, June 3 through July 29, at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota; Wednesdays, June 4 through July 30, at North Brohard Beach, 1400 S. Harbor Drive, Venice. Runs will take place the week of July 4. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. near the playground at Siesta Beach and near the Venice Fishing Pier at North Brohard Beach. Runs begin at 6:30 p.m. at both locations. For updates due to inclement weather on event days or to learn more, visit SarasotaCountyParks.com or call 311. 

On May 20, 2025, New College of Florida will launch the inaugural Sarasota-Manatee Talent Symposium—a powerful new gathering designed to connect forward-thinking companies with the next generation of leaders, changemakers, and innovators. Hosted on New College’s scenic bayfront campus, the event is free and open to all employers and recruiters. This first-of-its-kind symposium marks a major step forward in building a thriving talent pipeline between New College and the growing regional economy—where bold ideas meet bright minds and opportunity. ere by Friday, May 16th.  Presented by the New College Office of Career Engagement & Opportunity, the day will feature: dynamic panels with thought leaders and experts from regional Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Corporations exploring the future of hiring, retention, and talent development; unmatched access to New College students—intellectually curious, impact-driven, and ready to contribute from day one; collaborative dialogue between employers, faculty, and student leaders to foster real-time solutions for today’s workforce challenges. 

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Join Suncoast Aqua Ventures, SBEP, Bahia Mar West Marina, and SaraBay Marina for a cleanup of Bowlees Creek and the surrounding islands! Kayakers, boaters, and landside helpers are needed. A limited number of kayaks may be available to borrow. Please indicate if you are looking to borrow one in your registration. Otherwise, BYO boat/kayak. Lunch and cleanup supplies will be provided. Questions? Contact Cheryl Huntsinger (cheryle1026@gmail.com, 941-962-1488)

 May 17 from 8am-12pm, Bahia Mar West Marina, 6918 14th St. West, Bradenton. 

 Marie Selby Botanical Gardens proudly announces the discovery and recent publication of four new plant species in the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae revealed through extensive field expeditions and herbarium research in the biodiverse Andean rainforests of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. These remarkable new species are distinguished by an unusual combination of traits: they grow as climbing airplants with flowers emerging from leafless lower stems near the forest floor, while their leafy shoots ascend into the subcanopy. This distinctive growth habit—paired with slanted, tubular flowers borne on clustered, elongated stalks—is rare not only within their plant family but across rainforest ecosystems, where it’s uncommon to see flowering stems without accompanying leaves. Dr. John L. Clark, a research botanist with Selby Gardens, described all four species as part of his ongoing scientific efforts to document and better understand biodiversity in tropical regions, contributing to Selby Gardens’ broader mission of conserving and researching plant biodiversity. 

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The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) has received $85,000 in grant funding from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund, the Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation, and Church of the Palms to support the organization’s Therapy Programs. These programs provide life-changing, trauma-informed treatment and healing pathways for children and adults who have experienced child abuse and neglect. After the recent hurricane season, this funding will allow CPC to expand access to its specialized, evidence-based therapeutic services, ensuring that survivors receive the critical support they need to recover and thrive while working to prevent compounded trauma. 

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s Board of Directors recently approved $6 million in grants to improve access to quality education, expand human services for vulnerable community members, strengthen local arts programs, and more. “These grants reflect our belief that meaningful change begins with big ideas and trusted partners,” said Teri A Hansen, President | CEO of Barancik Foundation.  “We are committed to investing in organizations that are shaping a more hopeful future and fueling partnerships that can make our community stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.” 

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