Most people know dogs as pets. For those with visual impairments, however, dogs can be a lifeline. The team at Dogs Inc, the Palmetto-based non-profit specializing in training and raising elite working dogs, including guide, service and therapy dogs, understand this perhaps better than anyone. It’s part of the reason why on August 26, a group of instructors took eight guide dogs in training to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, for a day spent training in a new and unfamiliar environment.

The dogs, Labrador Retrievers aged 16 to 20 months, are in phase three of a four phase training process that will eventually lead to their matching with their human. “Phase one is on campus and that is when they are learning to stop at curbs,” says Marisa Blanco, a Dual-Certified Instructor and Canine Development Manager at Dogs Inc. “Phase two is also on campus, integrating curbs that they’ve already learned along with obstacles, obstructions, dog distraction and maybe some food refusal. Phase three is when we start to leave campus.”

At the Van Wezel, the dogs were introduced to an entirely new environment—one full of distractions, obstacles and challenges that they will encounter in their future roles as guide dogs. “Coming to the Van Wezel is something that we’ve never done before. This opportunity is so wonderful because we have a lot of graduates that still go to the movies or to the theater or private concerts in settings like this,” says Blanco. “They were able to go on different staircases—some are curvy, some are straighter—and elevators which are always different from one another. They were able to work on food refusal with staged volunteers—if there is say popcorn on the ground, that’s a real life thing that happens when walking around a concert hall.”

The training opportunity was brought to Dogs Inc by Muffy Lavens, the Public Relations Director at the Van Wezel. “We actually received a letter from a patron last season who had received a service dog from Dogs Inc,” says Lavens. “She mentioned how it was her first night out in years she had had with her husband thanks to her service dog and how great it was that they were able to experience that show and have a date night. I sent it over to our friends at Dogs Inc and we started talking about how this could be a great facility for the dogs to train in.”

Dogs Inc, 4210 77th St. E, Palmetto, 34221 

Provided photo.

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During the 2025 Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Orlando, Visit Sarasota County earned statewide acclaim for its efforts to advocate for the tourism industry and the hundreds of local businesses under its umbrella. The tourism bureau was recognized with a Silver Flagler Award for its rebranded annual meeting, the Indicators & Insights Summit, which brought together more than 100 hospitality leaders in Fall 2024 shortly after Hurricanes Helene and Milton to provide travel insights, recovery forecasts, and a moment to unite as a sector. Named after Henry Flagler, the Father of Florida Tourism, the Flagler Awards is an annual statewide program hosted by VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing organization. Since 2000, the awards have celebrated the very best in destination marketing efforts that solidify Florida’s ranking as one of the world’s premier vacation destinations. Each award is selected by a panel of industry judges and evaluated based on the campaign’s quality, effectiveness, and creativity. 

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The Jazz Club of Sarasota has appointed Danielle La Senna as its first director of development, a pivotal addition as the organization builds on 45 years of presenting world-class jazz in the region. The position will focus on expanding the Jazz Club’s reach, building partnerships, and securing resources to sustain and grow its programs. “This role is essential to deepening our community connections, fostering meaningful partnerships, and ensuring the support needed to keep jazz thriving for regional audiences of all ages,” says Ed Linehan, president of the Jazz Club.  

Tickets are now on sale at the Sarasota Opera Box Office for the 2025/2026 season. As of Tuesday, September 2, tickets can be purchased in person at the Box Office, located at 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, via phone at 941 -328-1300, Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, or online at sarasotaopera.org.  

The Bay Park Conservancy announces the “Three Years and Thriving at The Bay” Third Anniversary Community Celebration - a month-long celebration offering more than 80 FREE events that bring the best of The Bay to life and recognize the three-year milestone of the park. Events will take place October 1 – November 2, 2025. Since opening in 2022, The Bay Park has become a beloved, sustainable, bayfront gathering place and welcomed nearly a million park guests to experience and enjoy a wide range of park uses, free programs and events. For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org, subscribe to The Bay newsletter, and follow The Bay on Facebook and Instagram. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties recently hosted a two-day, youth-led Town Hall that placed teen voices at the center of community dialogue. Teens created the agenda, led thoughtful panel discussions, and engaged directly with local leaders, including Representative Fiona McFarland and Vice Mayor Debbie Trice. From designing the questions, facilitating the panels, and leading conversations, teens focused on what matters most to them. A highlight of the event was Garden for Good, a youth-led initiative tackling food insecurity in their community with produce grown by Club teens. Since its launch, the garden has produced fresh vegetables donated to local food banks, with plans to expand into communities identified as food deserts. This event is part of the Think, Learn, Create Change (TLC) initiative in partnership with Dollar Tree and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Town Hall empowered teens to showcase their leadership, advocacy, and service, proving they are already driving meaningful change today. 

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The Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab (Fab Lab) is excited to kick off a new season of hands-on learning with programs designed to spark creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork for students ranging from grades 1-8. This fall, students from grades 1-7 can join the third annual LEGO® RoboRumble competition, where they’ll learn to design, build, and code robots using LEGO SPIKE Prime kits before battling them in a friendly competition in December. Sunday and Tuesday sessions are available. Students from grades 2-8 can also dive into STEAM Saturdays, weekly themed classes that introduce kids to exciting fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) through fun, project-based activities. Class themes this fall include Woodworking, Data Science & AI, 3D Printing, Jewelry Making, Magic Chemistry Quest, Mechanical Engineering and much more.

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Florida Studio Theatre (FST) proudly announces the two key artistic leadership advancements: Catherine Randazzo has been promoted to Associate Producer, and Nancy Rominger will expand her responsibilities as Associate Artist to include serving as Literary Manager. Together, Randazzo and Rominger bring decades of theatrical experience, artistic vision, and deep commitment to developing new work that entertains, challenges, and inspires FST audiences. 

Dingbat Theatre Project is pleased to announce the regional premiere of “I’m Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire.” Audiences will embark on a nostalgic journey back to the early aught’s and experience celebrity culture through both an obsessive teen and a disgruntled actor’s perspectives in this farcical play by Samantha Hurley. "I'm Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire" opens on September 5, and runs through September 21. There is a special Pay-What-You-Can Preview on September 4 with limited tickets. All performances will be held at DingbatTheatre Project at 7288 S Tamiami Trail.