In a night of firsts, the Sarasota Paradise earned its first draw, a 2-2 tie against Fort Wayne FC on March 14. The Paradise, now 0-1-1 on the young season, overcame a 2-0 deficit in the first half in a gutsy performance that saw midfielder Sander Roed all over the pitch.

Fort Wayne started off the first half strong, launching three shots on goal in the first 15 minutes, consistently creating scoring chances for its offense. The match remained knotted at 0-0 until the 30th minute when Paradise goalkeeper Alex Sutton slipped covering a seemingly routine long ball and Fort Wayne forward Lilian Ricol tapped it in for the first goal of the night. Fort Wayne’s next goal came just five minutes later, when Fort Wayne’s Ryan Becher found the net on a cross pass courtesy of Ricol.

Fort Wayne's 2-0 lead, however, didn’t last long. In the waning seconds of the first half, the Paradise’s Roed lined up for a free kick—and promptly blasted a curving shot through the Fort Wayne defense and into the back of the net for the Paradise’s first professional goal in club history. “I started slow in the first half, like the rest of the team, but we were able to get the free kick ahead of half time and I saw the chance to score,” says Roed. “It’s a great feeling to be the first guy to score for the Sarasota Paradise, so there were a lot of emotions running through my head, but at the same time, we were still down 2-1. We wanted to win the game and show the fans supporting us on Saturday night that we are here to fight until the end.”

With renewed vigor and a series of tactical changes—among them sliding Roed from right wing to attacking midfielder—the Paradise mounted a tenacious offensive attack in the second half. Although the Paradise dominated offensive possession in the half, creating numerous scoring chances, only one found the back of the net. In the 62nd minute, Roed sent a long pass from the midfield line to forward Jonathan Bolanos, who put a deft move on his defender and fired a shot into the back left corner of the net to tie the match at 2-2. “Once that ball comes to me, I always try to at least get a shot on target, get away from my defender and create something,” says Bolanos.

Sarasota Paradise vs Portland Hearts of Pine, March 28, 7:30pm, Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, 5895 Post Blvd, Lakewood Ranch. 

Sarasota Paradise midfielder Sander Roed (middle) greets the fans after Saturday's match against FC Fort Wayne. Provided photo.

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Raising children in the digital age often feels like a constant tug-of-war between connection and screen time. The solution isn’t simply to regulate device usage, monitoring hours and alerts. Let’s take simple steps to shift the conversation from restriction to resilience. At Herrera Psychology, we encourage parents to discuss technology usage as a tool for growth rather than a source of conflict. By openly discussing the “why” behind your family’s digital boundaries, you transform tech-talks into opportunities for connection. Leveraging tools like Telement.AI can further support this by providing clinician-developed, AI-driven guidance that reinforces your role as a supportive anchor. Ready to move past screen-time battles and build a healthier digital rhythm at home? Discover actionable strategies to nurture your family's emotional foundation with our on-demand Resilient Family Workshop Bundle or reach out for one-on-one support today.   

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Join us for an evening dedicated to celebrating the arts at Booker Middle School! On April 9th at 4:30 PM, Booker Middle School will offer it's 3rd annual Arts Scavenger Hunt, featuring hands-on arts experiences across campus, interactive courtyard tables hosted by teachers and community partners, a live DJ, food trucks, a free Kona Ice for every participant, and prizes for completing the hunt. The silent auction begins online, taking bids until 9pm on Wednesday, April 8th. Then, on Thursday, April 9th the bidding will continue live at Booker Middle School from 4:30pm-7:00pm. In person bidding closes at 7:00pm on Thursday, April 9. 

 The Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab has opened registration for its 2026 summer programs, offering more than 35 weeklong camp sessions designed to keep rising 2nd–8th grade students curious, creative and engaged throughout the summer. New this year, a high school workshop series will introduce local 9th–12th graders to cutting-edge trades and hands-on technical skills. 

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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey will be transformed into a whimsical wonderland during the annual Enchanted Garden Family Festival. Taking place March 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the family-friendly event offers a range of fun and imaginative experiences for kids of all ages. Activities planned for the two-day festival include, unicorn rides, crafts, Hannah’s Enchanting Storytelling, face painting, balloon artists, performances by Blaise Ryndes with Spheres Bubble Show, and a few other surprises. Spheres Bubble Show will take place on Sunday, March 29, only. All festival activities are included with general admission and free to Selby Gardens members. Admission to the Historic Spanish Point campus is $20 for adults, $12 for ages 5 – 17, free for ages 4 and under, and always free for Selby Gardens’ members. Tickets may be purchased online at selby.org or on site upon arrival. This event is rain or shine. In the event of hazardous weather, Selby Gardens may cancel. 

For the past decades, scores of students have enjoyed and benefited from Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's summer musical theatre intensive program, Stage of Discovery. Thanks to generous support from the community, the five-week program for children ages 10-18 - which culminates with public performances of a polished musical production - is entirely free, including lunch each day. This year's 11th anniversary program will take place from June 8 through July 12. WBTT has announced that in-person auditions will take place on April 12, while video submissions will be due on April 14. 

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) hosted the 59th annual joint meeting of the Mathematical Association of America Florida section (MAA-FL) and the Florida Two-Year College Mathematics Association on Friday, Feb 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21 at SCF Bradenton. 

On March 24 at New College of Florida’s Sainer Pavilion, Dr. Scott Atlas and Heather Mac Donald of the Manhattan Institute join the Socratic Stage for a candid conversation on crime in America and how to fix it. Drawing on research and on-the-ground policy experience, they’ll examine what’s driving today’s public-safety challenges and which reforms actually reduce violence while restoring trust. The program invites the community into a rigorous, question-driven dialogue on the realities behind the headlines and the choices shaping safer communities.

March 24, 6:00pm, Sainer Pavilion. 

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Shumaker Associate Ryan M. Guerin has been named to the Board of Directors of the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County (ELC). Utilizing local, state and federal funds, ELC administers a multi-million-dollar early education program for preschool-aged children in Sarasota County, ensuring quality childcare and early learning programs, family access to services, and positive outcomes for young children.  

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A parade of endangered wonders will take the stage at the Sarasota Opera House when La Musica Chamber Music presents the world premiere of “The Carnival of Endangered Wonders: A Zoological Fantasy” on April 9. Composed by pianist and composer Michael Stephen Brown, the imaginative new work invites audiences on a fantastical journey across the globe — from the rustle of orangutans in the forests of Borneo to the call of the Puerto Rican parrot at sunrise and the quiet grace of marine creatures gliding beneath coastal waters. Visit LaMusica.org. 

Wellen Park will host its fourth annual Half Marathon and 5K Race on Saturday, March 21, featuring a newly certified 13.1-mile course approved by USA Track & Field. Presented by Hotwire Communications. Both races start at Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen. The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 7:45 a.m. Walkers are welcome, along with strollers and well-behaved dogs. Both races are open to participants 13 and older, registration for the half marathon is $50 for ages 13 to 18 and $75 for ages 19 and older. Registration for the 5K is $20 for ages 18 and younger and $35 for all others. Portions of the race proceeds and all donations benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. For more information on the Wellen Park Half Marathon and 5K Race, visit runsignup.com/Race/FL/Venice/WellenParkHalfMarathonand5K.

Downtown Wellen , 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice. 

Enjoy Easter 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, carving station, dessert bar, plus coffee, tea, and water. All other beverages will be available for purchase. Bring the kids for a fun Easter egg hunt and balloon twisting. Your brunch ticket also grants you full access to our Downtown Sarasota Campus to view our Spring Exhibition, Alexander Calder: The Nature of Movement, before or after your seating time!

Easter Brunch, Sunday, April 5, Three Seatings, 10:30am|,12:00pm, 1:30pm, Downtown Sarasota campus.