For the Diazes, it’s all about keeping it in the family. Co-owned by Lakewood Ranch residents Katelyn Diaz and her parents, Rachel and Adrian, Sip n Brew Coffee has quickly established itself as the “little engine that could” in Sarasota’s burgeoning coffee scene. The Díazes opened the coffee truck—a teardrop trailer they designed themselves—in August 2025 to merge two passions: the family’s love of coffee and Katelyn’s passion for business. Katelyn is currently studying business online through the State College of Florida and Sip n Brew became the real-world laboratory for her to put her skills to the test.

“It’s been great learning different hands-on skills in the truck, along with the overall concepts that I learn in class,” says Katelyn Diaz. “We learn about marketing and taking inventory in class, but it’s different when you apply it to real life. It’s been fun to meet people and go through the different real-world scenarios that happen when you’re running a business.”

While in high school, Katelyn would constantly create different coffee drinks and combinations at home. That creativity and passion for business are what pushed the family to create Sip n Brew. The menu, which evolves with the seasons, features hot and iced coffees, signature drinks such as cold brews, lattes and lemonades and also pastries. Although the concept of a coffee truck might seem simple, the execution of a successful operation is far more complex than one might think. When Sip n Brew first opened, Katelyn and Rachel—Adrian generally stays outside of the truck, helping to manage the books—were constantly bumping into each other. Every pump of syrup, every splash of milk, every pour from the espresso machine must be dialed in with precision.

“Out of all the bosses that I’ve had, my daughter has been the hardest on me,” says Rachel with a laugh. “She wants everything to be perfect. It has definitely brought us together as a family, however. We are able to lean on each other’s strengths. Katelyn is creative, she can make any recipe and knows how to market on social media.”

Sip n Brew is also the official coffee partner of the Sarasota Paradise and can be found at various locations each week around the area. Sip n Brew Coffee, 941-223-2028. 

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Porter Pelican™, a gift and lifestyle brand built on its signature “Pel-I-CAN” positivity ethos, will officially debut with a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 10:00–11:30am at Lake Michigan Credit Union’s 4th Street location in St. Petersburg. Held in coordination with the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature Porter Pelican’s debut merchandise collection, an official ribbon cutting, and a community gathering set against Sara Salem’s pelican mural, Sol, located on the north side of the building facing 22nd Avenue. Founded by local entrepreneur Beth MacChesney, Porter Pelican™ is designed to spark smiles, lift spirits, and spread optimism through thoughtfully curated merchandise. A portion of the proceeds supports Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, located in Indian Shores, Florida. To learn more: porterpelican.com, hello@porterpelican.com, 859-475-4569.

BayCare Health System, the largest not-for-profit academic health care system in West Central Florida, and Rovex, a Florida-based robotics startup, today announced a strategic partnership to pilot how robotics could support hospital operations and patient transport workflows. The pilot began at BayCare’s Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, this month. The engagement will begin with a phased pilot at BayCare’s Morton Plant Hospital focused on evaluating workflows, transport patterns and operational opportunities within the hospital environment, with later phases designed to support potential in-hospital robotic stretcher movement. No patients will be transported by the robot during the current pilot. For more information, visit BayCare.org.  

On Saturday, May 2, First Tee Sarasota/Manatee will be the beneficiary organization for a "Sip & Shop" event at J.McLaughlin on Longboat Key. Between 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 10% of sales made in person, over the phone, or via email will benefit First Tee, a nonprofit that provides youth development/character building through the game of golf. Additionally, community members are invited to donate gently-used golf clubs and attire for use by First Tee program participants in that same window of time. During the event, guests can enjoy sips, bites and luxury fashion as well as supporting a great cause. 

The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) again earned national recognition from the American Heart Association, receiving the 2026 Mission: Lifeline® EMS - Gold with Target: Stroke Honor Roll. This achievement highlights SCFD’s commitment to providing rapid, research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives. For more information, visit scgov.net/fire or dial 311. 

Quality By Design Kitchens celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its new showroom on Saturday, April 18 at 6007 111th St E, Lakewood Ranch. Owners Tim Smidlein and Bobby Dwyer transformed a familiar community building into a brand new space where homeowners can explore kitchen and home selections in a hands-on setting. The showroom is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday visits are available by appointment. 

Michael Saunders & Company celebrated the grand opening of its new Wellen Park office on April 16, marking a significant expansion within one of Southwest Florida’s fastest-growing master-planned communities. Michael Saunders, Founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company, and Drayton Saunders, President of Michael Saunders & Company, joined approximately 120 agents, staff, builders, and community partners for the event, which included a ribbon cutting and open house at the newly completed 5,000-square-foot office located at 19750 S. West Villages Parkway. The office was designed by PR Architects and built by Willis Smith Construction, with interior design by Angela Chang of Angela Chang Design Studio. The new Wellen Park location supports the company’s full-service model, offering expertise in residential real estate as well as in-house title, mortgage, and insurance services. Positioned within a rapidly growing new-construction market, the office strengthens the firm’s presence in southern Sarasota County and enhances its ability to serve both buyers and sellers in the area.
For more information about Michael Saunders & Company or leasing opportunities at Wellen Park, please contact 941.207.0250. 

Residents in Venice got a chance to see the latest medical technology in action on Wednesday. HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital hosted a community event to show off the same robot surgeons are using in the operating room. Residents got to try out the controls and hear from local surgeon Wesley Hendricks, D.O. on how he is using the technology to treat patients with hernias and other gastrointestinal conditions. Several Venice High School students interested in medical careers also attended and had the chance to work the robot controls. Operating room nurses talked to them about careers in the medical field. More than 70 community members attended the event at Hotel Venezia and learned about the latest trends with robotic surgery, when it is used and how it helps patients.