Just off the grounds of SRQ Airport is a nondescript office park, filled with identical, metal barn-style buildings. There is nothing on the outside to signify that this place is special, aside from a sign on one of the buildings: EVO Gymnastics. For it is inside this cavernous space that some of the best gymnasts in the world train, from Olympic darlings such as Brody Malone and Stephen Nedoroscik—better known as the “Pommel Horse Guy”—to former U.S. National champions such as Donnell Whittenburg to up and coming Junior National team members like 17-year-old Hunter Simpson and 16-year-old Jackson Kurecki.

“What’s unique about EVO is that we have athletes from elementary, middle and high school in the junior level through 17 years old, then we have the senior guys or 18-plus and then there are the high profile athletes, Olympians and medalists,” says Syque Caesar, the Men’s Senior Elite head coach at EVO. “These younger guys get to see what the best in the world are doing on a day-to-day basis, their highs and their lows. If they crash and burn they can see that these “high profile” athletes are still human.”

From August 7-10, 11 male gymnasts from EVO—five members of the Junior Elite team and six members from the Senior Elite team, including Malone, Nedoroscik and Whittenburg—will compete in the Xfinity U.S. Championships in New Orleans. On August 9, EVO will be hosting a viewing party to cheer on the team, free and open to the public. The U.S. Championships, the final domestic elite event of the artistic season, are critical for a number of reasons. Not only is there a chance to win a national championship—Malone is a three-time U.S. all-around champion, Nedoroscik is a four-time national champion on pommel horse—but selection to the Junior and Senior National teams is also up for grabs, which in turn could lead to the opportunity to make the 2025 World Championship rosters.

Although artistic gymnastics is one of the most physically demanding sports, much of Caesar’s work with his athletes revolves around their mental state. “Our entire team culture is based off of three tenants: humility, gratitude and 100% responsibility. We try to push that on everyone here and then the gymnastics part is secondary. I’m constantly talking to these guys more about the approach to the sport than the actual flips and maneuvers they're attempting."

US Championships Gymnastics View Part, August 9, 6:30pm, 7188 15th St East, Unit 2, Sarasota, 34243 

Brody Malone practices his routine on the horizontal bar during practice. Photo by Wes Roberts.

To learn more click here

The Hermitage Artist Retreat’s popular series, “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens,” continues into its sixth year as part of the Hermitage’s upcoming 2025-2026 season. The outdoor series — a celebrated collaboration between the Hermitage Artist Retreat and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens — features performances and explorations of works-in-progress by Hermitage artists-in-residence and alumni. “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens” events are currently scheduled to take place at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus and the Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey.  Start times vary with sunset and will be announced when each event opens for registration. Admission for these events has no ticket cost, though availability is subject to capacity limitations at each venue; advance registration is required ($5/person) at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.  

Join us for an exclusive museum program designed especially for homeschoolers. Dive into our exhibits and collections for hands-on activities and exciting workshops that bring learning to life. Our Museum program offers a unique opportunity to explore subjects like history, science, and nature in a fun and engaging environment. With tailored activities and expert guides, your homeschool curriculum will be enriched beyond the classroom. 

To learn more click here

Prominent businessman, attorney, and philanthropist Hugh Culverhouse Jr. has donated $25,000 to Teen Court of Sarasota, a nonprofit youth diversion program that gives juvenile offenders an opportunity to avoid the long-term consequences of a criminal record. Over the past six years, Teen Court has served more than 3,900 local youth, with participation increasing by more than 110 percent since 2020. In 2024 alone, 829 young people went through the program, diverting them from traditional prosecution and saving Sarasota County an estimated $4.2 million in juvenile justice costs. Teen Court of Sarasota will host its inaugural fundraiser, the Justice & Jammies Gala, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota. The event will highlight the program’s impact, recognize key community partners, and raise funds to expand youth diversion and development services. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available. For more information or to make a donation, visit SarasotaTeenCourt.org. 

Say hello to Sarah, one of our incredible Integrated Jobs participants working at SunnySide Village where she’s mastering the front desk and bringing her sunshine to resident activity sessions. Originally from chilly New Hampshire, Sarah now lives at The Haven and is thriving in more ways than one. She’s a talented photographer, capturing everything from leaping dolphins to golden sunsets. She’s also a pianist and composer whose music could be the soundtrack to a perfect Florida beach day. And yes, she’s lobbying for Big Magic Studios to adopt a dolphin as its official mascot. (We’re listening, Sarah!) Sarah reminds us to slow down, look around, and let joy lead the way. And at SunnySide, she’s finding her rhythm in the workplace with support from our Job Coaches, SunnySide staff, and partners like The Haven. 

To learn more click here

Sarasota Opera’s Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell are proud to announce several leadership updates and appointments to the company’s Board of Trustees. The changes, effective June 1, 2025, reflect the organization’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its governance and leadership ahead of a historic season celebrating 100 years of the Sarasota Opera House. 

To learn more click here

Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) presents Selina Román: Abstract Corpulence, a never-before-seen exhibition, which draws from the artistic genres of photography, self-portraiture and installation to explore and challenge conventional ideas of beauty and the plus-sized female body. Debuting new photographs, this commanding installation transforms the gallery into a space of assertion, beauty and dreams, where vulnerability and power coexist in harmony. Curated by Rangsook Yoon, Ph.D., senior curator at Sarasota Art Museum, Abstract Corpulence will be on view in the B. Claire Rusen Gallery at SAM August 31-March 29, 2025. 

Dozens of nurses, colleagues and local residents donated blood at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital during a recent community blood drive. In just one day, 26 donations were collected — enough to help save up to 78 lives. As donors gave, they could cast a vote for their favorite team — fire or police — as part of the annual “Boots vs. Badges” campaign by SunCoast Blood Centers. The friendly competition invites donors to show their support for local first responders. According to SunCoast Blood Centers, Team Boots — representing area fire and EMS crews — currently leads with 58.7% of the vote, ahead of Team Badges with 41.3%. The competition continues through August 23.