SRQ DAILY Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"Our athletes are incredible, they are brave and they train very hard."
This weekend, something truly special is happening at Nathan Benderson Park. On Saturday, August 16, Special Olympics Florida will host the State Stand-Up Paddleboard Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. The competition, which is the culmination of successive area and regional competitions, will welcome just over 150 athletes from all parts of the state to Nathan Benderson Park.
The State Championships will be divided into different races. There are short-distance events, typically for more novice paddleboarders, in 100, 200 and 400 meter distances. Then there are the long-distance races in 800, 1600, 3200 and 4800 meters. Finally, there are the traditional and unified relays—the 3x100, 3x200 and 3x400 meter. Special Olympics will also be bringing in a contingent of dentists on-site as a part of the organization’s Special Smiles program, who can provide athletes with referrals for further dental treatment if need be.
“Our athletes are incredible, they are brave and they train so hard,” says Jessica Ott, Regional Director of the West Coast Region of Special Olympics Florida. “It’s very inspiring to watch them—if they fall off their board they just hop back on and continue to compete. In all of the sports that we offer, Special Olympics really gives our athletes a lot of confidence. We’ve seen them shine.”
Success in the State Championships could see athletes qualifying for Stand-Up Paddleboarding at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota or the 2027 World Games in Santiago, Chile. Training for the State Championships began in earnest in weekly sessions with athletes back in April, both on and off the water. “We have coaches that put them on a sort of conditioning program—stand-up paddleboarding is not just upper or lower body, it’s a full body workout with a lot of conditioning aspects to it. They built up their cardiovascular base and then when they weren’t out on the water, they worked on developing their paddling technique and stroke,” says Ott. “We had athletes train in Sarasota Bay, others on different lakes and even some on the Crystal River.”
Ott gives credit to the volunteers supporting Special Olympics Florida—roughly 130 are slotted to help out on Satursday—and urges those interested in getting involved, be it as coaches or day of volunteers, to sign up on the organization’s website. It’s an experience, Ott attests, that is well worth it. “Our athletes may have disabilities, but these events are really about showing off their abilities.”
August 16, 8am-5pm, Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, 34235 
An athlete competes at the 2022 Special Olympics Florida State Stand-Up Paddleboard Championships. Provided photo.
With the start of the fall semester on August 18, Ringling College of Art and Design will launch three new innovative undergraduate certificate programs designed to equip students with cutting-edge skills for today’s creative industries. The new programs—Creative Entrepreneurship, Professional Lighting and Virtual Production—offer specialized training and hands-on experience with beyond-industry-standard tools, techniques and workflows, empowering students to thrive in rapidly changing and highly competitive fields across the entertainment, media and design sectors.
Sarasota County School Board Chair and District 5 representative Tim Enos announced today that he will resign from the board effective August 24, 2025, to become Chief of Police for the Sarasota County Schools Police Department (SCSPD). Enos, a veteran school safety leader, was elected to the School Board in 2022 and selected by his colleagues as Board Chair in November 2024. He has been a strong advocate for students, educators, families, and school safety across the district. His decision follows more than 30 years in law enforcement, including 22 years of direct experience working with schools and a prior tenure as Chief of Police for the SCSPD.
We know it’s still summer, but those are sleigh bells you hear in the distance, and they’re sounding the return of Ezra Ray Hart. The collective of MULTI-PLATINUM iconic rock frontmen—Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, and Emerson Hart of Tonic—will return to the road this fall on their debut headline run with inaugural NEVER ENDING ‘90s PRESENTS: EZRA RAY HART 90s HITS & XMAS RIFFS tour. Get ready for the supergroup to deliver classics from their respective catalogs and unwrap holiday staples with their own spin. This month-long jaunt begins on November 20 in Pittsburgh, PA, at Rivers Casino, visits major markets coast-to-coast, and concludes on December 20 in Anaheim, CA, at The Grove of Anaheim. NEVER ENDING ‘90s PRESENTS: EZRA RAY HART 90s HITS & XMAS RIFFS will visit the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, November 29 at 7pm. General on-sale launches Friday, August 15 at 10am. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the Veteran Air Box Office.
It's time to clean out the garage and gather discarded household items, appliances, yard waste, junk, tree trimmings and other garbage as Sarasota County hosts a free community cleanup in the Newtown Estates area from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 23.Dumpsters for residential customers will be available at the following locations: Newtown Estates Park and Dr. Martin Luther King Way, Sarasota, 23rd Street and Chester Avenue, Sarasota. For more information, dial 311 or visit scgov.net.
The Limelight Community Garden is having a fundraising initiative aimed at enhancing our beloved garden. Our Brick Campaign invites community members to purchase personalized bricks to help fund the installation of essential water utilities. This initiative is crucial in ensuring that our garden can thrive. For a donation of $100, supporters purchase a brick that will be permanently placed in our garden, engraved with three lines of text. This is a unique opportunity for individuals and families to leave their mark in our community space while contributing to the growth of the Limelight Community Garden. Each brick will serve as a lasting tribute to your support and commitment to our mission of fostering community, sustainability, and beauty in our neighborhood. The funds raised through the Brick Campaign will go directly towards the installation of water utilities, allowing us to maintain a healthy and vibrant garden that serves as a gathering space for all.
An internationally acclaimed outdoor sculpture exhibition is coming to Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach's Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens from September 2025 to April 2026. Origami in the Garden, presented by Jennifer and Kevin Box, features large scale metal structures representing the delicate, poetic, and narrative filled nature of paper-folding. Origami masters, Kevin Box, Te Jui Fu, Robert J. Lang, Michael G. LaFosse, Beth Johnson, and others turn fragile art into grand, awe-inspiring sculptures. The exhibition blends the past with the present, showcasing ancient techniques of paper-folding with the modern approach to metal casting. This immersive exhibit is filled with workshops, stations, and hands-on learning to provide a complete and inspiring interactive experience. Recently named the #1 "Hidden Gem" in all of America by Bukon, Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens is a must-visit attraction in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach.
This coming Sunday, August 17, Goodwill Manasota will celebrate National Thrift Shop Day. The observance is dedicated to celebrating the practice of thrifting and the joy of finding unique, one-of-a-kind items; at Goodwill, though, the shopping experience is directly tied to the success of the nonprofit organization's mission-integrated donated goods operations. Revenue from Goodwill's retail operations support its mission of "Changing Lives Through the Power of Work," helping community members to find work, build job skills, and move toward financial stability.
Come let the musical rhythms of Venice Theatre’s 76th season put a smile on your face and a warmth in your heart. Michelle and Kristofer will enchant you in this Solis Hall Summer Series concert that features the songs of Venice Theatre’s upcoming season.
Sept. 15 at 6:30pm, Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen Park.
Toss some fun into your Thursday! Join us at Waterside Place for a fun morning of Casual Cornhole! Whether you’re a cornhole pro or a newbie, don’t miss this chance to show off your tossing skills and have a blast with friends! Grab a partner or go solo, we’ve got enough beanbags and boards to keep everyone entertained!
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace Lakewood Ranch , FL 34240
Think while you drinks! Gather your friends, co-workers or family and join us for a fun-filled evening. Prizes and specials each night. Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm. Gecko’s on Clark – Monday ; Gecko’s on SR64 & Stickney Point – Tuesday ; Gecko’s on Hillview – Wednesday.
Gecko's Grill & Pub, Multiple Locations
Every Wednesdat at 6 pm a 5k Fun Run starts and ends at 99 Bottles. Course runs through Downtown Sarasota and along the Bayfront, all skill levels, all fun. Each time you finish a run, you must get yout card punched to get an attendance credit and receive 99 bottles prizes. All runners are expected to obey all traffic laws, be courteous to other runners, pedestrians, cyclists, animals, etc.on the route and to know your limits - running and/or drinking!
99 Bottles, 1445 2nd St Sarasota, FL 34236
Get ready to flex your brain muscles and show off your trivia prowess at Gecko's 23rd Annual Summer Trivia Tournament! In collaboration with Trivia Challenge and proudly sponsored by Proximo Spirits, this six-week cerebral showdown kicks off on Monday, July 7th, with the grand finale set for Monday, August 18th. Gather your friends, family or co-workers to form a team and compete for a share of $1,000 in Gecko's Bucks, awarded to the top three teams at the end of the tournament. Join us every Monday at 7:30 PM at Gecko's on Clark Rd, Tuesdays at Gecko's on Stickney Point and SR64, and Wednesdays at Gecko's on Hillview and SR70 for an evening full of fun, laughter, and friendly competition.
Gecko's Grill & Pub, Multiple locations
The Sarasota Art Museum partners with the Jazz Club of Sarasota to present live jazz on the second Thursday of every month on the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza. Enjoy a beverage or food in the Bistro and extended hours in the galleries and shops! Concert begins 5:30 pm.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Joseph’s Coat: A Skyspace by James Turrell (2011) is a triumph of technology, engineering, and aesthetics. The Skyspace, created by internationally-renowned artist James Turrell, is a gathering place for contemplation and offers a unique experience. At sunset, a sophisticated system of LED lights is employed to change the color of the space. In doing so, the artist changes the context in which we view the sky through the 24 foot aperture in the ceiling, affecting our perception of the natural environment and the surroundings. As we gaze up at the sky we are invited to contemplate light, perception, and experience!
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Students in grades 3-12, come discover the joy of acting in this one-day workshop, which is a part of Wellen Park's Solis Hall Summer Series. This "test-drive" class is for students who are new to the world of acting.
Solis Hall, 19745 Wellen Pk Blvd, Venice
Join us for a weekly guided tour of the night sky in our state-of-the-art planetarium. As Earth moves around the sun, different objects come into view. We'll not only discuss what you can see this season, we'll fly you there!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
Stelliferous is your monthly guide to the night skies and the latest news from the world of astronomy. You can enjoy our upgraded Planetarium system and feel like an astronaut as you experience our 50-foot dome!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
Come test drive an acting class with Venice Theatre's lead instructor Brad Wages, and discover the joy of acting! For students who are new to the world of acting. This workshop is a part of Wellen Park's Solis Hall Summer Series.
Solis Hall, 19745 Wellen Pk Blvd, Venice
The monthly Saturday Night Sketch Club offers chill, creative vibes with costumed models or themed still lifes, and refreshments. Come solo or bring a friend. No experience needed.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
This new speaker series, Art, Actually, explores how art intersects with identity, community, and change through conversations with artists, curators, and cultural leaders.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
SCFD is proud to welcome the community into the fire stations, continuing the tradition of open houses. These open houses are a wonderful opportunity for residents to engage directly with neighborhood firefighters. Visit our website to view the open house schedule.
Multiple Location, Multiple Locations
Experience some of the best food and flavors of the region with more than 100, and still growing, curated vendors. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch has fast become a favorite weekly tradition for people from all over the region seeking farm-fresh produce, delicious prepared foods, and specialty items and gifts. Aside from all the goodies you can shop at the Farmers Market, find your flow in a free yoga class or have the kiddos get creative during weekly-hosted workshops.
The Sarasota Farmers Market Vendors Incorporated (“SFMV”) has been established as a not for-profit organization under laws of the State of Florida, continuing the 40+ year tradition of enhancing and improving the quality of life in Sarasota. Our charitable mission is to create a social opportunity for residents and visitors to gather and interact, to bring foot traffic to downtown Sarasota sustaining the economic viability of the entire downtown area, and to provide a venue for other not-for-profit organizations benefiting Sarasota.
Sarasota Farmer's Market, N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
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