For Stephanie Block, principal violist of the Sarasota Orchestra, being an elite musician is not enough. She also is an accomplished triathlete. This weekend, Block—along with a few of her colleagues at the Orchestra—will be participating in the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Petersburg. Later that day, she’ll be playing in a concert for the Sarasota Orchestra. “That’s going to be tough, but it didn’t stop us from wanting to do this triathlon,” says Block.

Block caught the triathlon bug early. As a child growing up outside of Chicago, her parents, who are both triathletes themselves, got her into the sport early on, signing Block up for the Chicago Kids’ Triathlon at just eight years old. “I wasn’t a particularly great athlete as a little kid. I was probably the worst swimmer on my swim team and was just this tiny, shrimpy child,” attests Block. “But I enjoyed being active and was always inspired by my parents’ races and this Kids’ Triathlon became my summer activity every year.”

Block kept running through high school and her time at Julliard, before joining the New World Symphony in Miami. It was in Miami where she found Leanda Cave, a former pro triathlete, and began training in earnest with Cave and other coaches. Soon after, Block finished third in her age group in the Miami Man Triathlon, qualifying her for the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships in August 2022. Now in her third season with the Sarasota Orchestra, Block divides her time between her musical training and preparing for various triathlons, of which she plans to do two to three in 2026.

“Viola is my priority and triathlon is what I fit into my schedule—I make it work where I need it to so that I can keep it in my life. One of the reasons why I love triathlon so much is because it is not my career and I have a bit more of an objective view of it,” says Block. “You can’t pretend that you’ve trained really hard. There’s no hiding in this sport. I also find this incredible zen when I get on the course—I’m so focused on what I’m doing at that moment.”

St. Anthony’s Triathlon, April 24-26, 701 Bayshore Drive N.E., St. Petersburg 

A young Stephanie Block participating in the Chicago Kids Triathlon. Provided photo.

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Everything is free! ! As a part of Suncoast Remake Learning Days, we are partnering with Guardian Angels of SW Florida to provide free food, drinks, bounce houses, and arts & crafts. Come skate with Olympic athlete Jake Ilardi and 180 Skate’s team in a unique skatepark experience. Free Penny boards will be provided to the first 50 kids. We hope to see you there!

Saturday, April 25, 10:00am - 1:00pm, Azinger Family Compassion Center, One More Child, 3478 Bouwer Court, Palmetto. 

With the 2025-26 school year coming to a close, Team Success: A School of Excellence is set to host an open house for prospective K-5 students and their families from 1-4 p.m. on May 2 at Team Success’ North Campus. Located at 202 13th Ave. East in Bradenton, the open house will feature classroom and campus tours, including tours of the school’s cafeteria and recently renovated gymnasium. Enrollment opportunities will be available for interested families, as well as the opportunity to meet Team Success staff members. Team Success is currently enrolling students at all grade levels for the 2026-27 school year. Spots are limited. To begin the enrollment process, visit TeamSuccessSchools.org or call 941-714-7260 (K-5 campus) or 941-444-4333 (6-12 campus) to request an application. 

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Hurricane Ian made landfall in September 2022. The winds eventually stopped. The floodwaters receded. But for thousands of Sarasota County families with young children, the storm didn't end there. Before the region had fully caught its breath, Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton tore through in the fall of 2024. This relentless sequence left families, educators, and our littlest learners absorbing wave after wave of disruption with no real window to recover in between. Today, this quiet weight is still being carried in child care classrooms in our hometown. That’s exactly why the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County (ELC) and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation are joining forces this fall to launch Mindful Recovery: An Arts Integration Approach for Early Learning. The $350,000 program, funded through the ELC’s Hurricane Ian Impact Disaster Grant, will reach up to 60 early learning sites and 260 classrooms in total.  Learn more at elcsarasota.org and PerformingArtsFoundation.org 

Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that Mrs. Brooke Teal – currently serving as the Assistant Principal of Triad Alternative School – has been appointed as the new Principal of Triad Alternative School. 

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Manasota ASALH invites the community to save the date for its inaugural Freedom School Gospel Brunch—a vibrant celebration of music, culture and community in support of its Freedom School program. Set for October 25, 2026, 11:30 a.m., at Michael’s On East Ballroom, the event features acclaimed trombonist and composer Wycliffe Gordon alongside the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, bringing gospel and jazz traditions to life. With presenting support from The Marilyn Hartwell Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the fundraiser reflects the heart of Freedom School—supporting young people through education, cultural connection and empowerment.  

Warm up your vocal cords and prepare to take center stage. We are throwing a high-energy musical theatre dance party featuring the best show-stoppers from your favorite Broadway musicals. Whether you perform on stage, love sitting in the front row or just sing loudly in your car, this night belongs to you. No judgement, no auditions, no shushing. Just a night of sing-along fun. It's much more than a party. It's a fully interactive Broadway experience! 

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 The FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s 2026-2027 season features a dynamic mix of new voices, classic works, and exciting plays in development. The season includes Pronoun, a moving love story about identity and transition; You Will Get Sick, an intimate new play about illness and finding your way home; and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a gripping political thriller about power and betrayal. A to-be-announced adaptation of a neo-classical comedy and the annual New Works Play Lab round out the season with humor, discovery, and bold new storytelling. 

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Maestro Victor DeRenzi has been conducting excellence at the Sarasota Opera for over four decades –and now, he will be recognized with Visit Sarasota County’s top honor. At its National Travel & Tourism Week Celebration on May 7, Visit Sarasota County’s Board of Directors will name DeRenzi as the 2026 Voice of Sarasota – an honor presented to an individual whose exceptional efforts have significantly promoted Sarasota County as a tourism destination.  

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The 28th annual Thunder by the Bay Music & Motors Festival has announced one of its most successful fundraising years to date, raising an incredible $310,000 to support local children, teens and adults with special needs, those at risk and their families. This year’s festival, under a new name, featured nationally recognized headliners Night Ranger, 38 Special and Montgomery Gentry, along with special guest bike builder Paul Teutul Jr., drawing thousands of attendees for a weekend where fun meets philanthropy! For more information and updates, visit www.ThunderByTheBay.org. 

Dr. R. Stephen Otte, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder and elbow at Coastal Orthopedics, a full-service provider of comprehensive orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, spine care, diagnostic imaging and physical therapy service, recently wrapped up his participation as an on-site tournament orthopedic surgeon for the 2026 Senior PGA Championship at The Concession Golf Club. During the week of April 16-19, 2026, Dr. Otte was tasked with providing orthopedic medical care and issues as they arose to players, caddies, family and spectators. Dr. Otte has a robust background in working with athletes. Earlier this month, he served as the on-site physician for the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open for the fifth year in a row, and while in fellowship, he helped take care of several professional Chicago sports teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Fire.  

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s 2026-2027 season features a dynamic mix of new voices, classic works, and exciting plays in development. The season includes Pronoun, a moving love story about identity and transition; You Will Get Sick, an intimate new play about illness and finding your way home; and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a gripping political thriller about power and betrayal. A to-be-announced adaptation of a neo-classical comedy and the annual New Works Play Lab round out the season with humor, discovery, and bold new storytelling. 

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