SRQ DAILY May 11, 2026
Monday Business Edition
"You're in control always, and we make sure people understand that."
In the middle of downtown Sarasota, a new wellness studio is encouraging the community to slow down. Pause Sarasota officially opened its doors two weeks ago in the Aster & Links building and it is offering treatments designed to help clients recharge.
Co-owner d’Alene Fallon explains that Sarasota naturally has an emphasis on wellness, making it the perfect place to open Pause. “The people I was meeting seemed really open and welcoming, and they seemed to care about health in the same way I did,” she says.
While the wellness industry in Sarasota is continuing to grow, Pause Sarasota’s unique set of services sets it apart from other businesses. Fallon says, “Nobody has exactly our combination of services under one roof, and we have a very elevated experience.”
Pause found its origins as a float studio in Venice Beach 10 years ago, but now, its Sarasota location boasts a plethora of other services, including infrared saunas, LED light therapy, cryotherapy, IV therapy and naturopathic medicine. Additionally, rather than treating appointments as transactional, Pause encourages clients to take their time and utilize their calming amenities.
Fallon explains that many clients, particularly those with claustrophobia, are hesitant to try the studio’s treatments. However, she emphasizes that everything is self-guided and individual, allowing clients to customize their experience. “You’re in control always, and we make sure people understand that.”
The studio was designed to be the solution to modern living. In a world full of noise, the studio provides a space to relax, recharge, and recover. “Our bodies are amazing, and they can heal themselves when we give them the right input,” Fallon says.
Pause is the perfect place to retreat from the outside world. “Everyone is always rushing at a million miles an hour,” Fallon explains, but she hopes that more people will use the opportunity to take a pause at Pause Sarasota.
101 Links Ave, Sarasota, 941-759-6563, pausestudio.com 
Pictured: Step into your own private float tank at Pause and escape the noise of the world. Provided photo.
NDC Commercial Real Estate has added commercial advisors Christian Oberlin and Gavin Oberlin to its growing brokerage team, strengthening the firm’s capabilities across Florida’s Gulf Coast and beyond. The father-son team joined the firm in March and will focus on the sale and leasing of commercial properties across key regional markets. Christian Oberlin brings decades of business ownership and operational experience to his role, offering clients a practical, results-driven perspective on commercial real estate. A Bradenton native, he has owned and operated multiple businesses in the region, giving him a deep understanding of the priorities and pressures facing investors and business owners. His transaction experience spans office, retail, and industrial assets throughout Southwest Florida. Prior to entering real estate, he served in the United States Military as an aviation electrician, with deployments supporting Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. To learn more, visit ndc-commercial.com/our-team.
Residents of Palmera in Wellen Park can now enjoy new amenities, as the neighborhood’s amenity campus opened in late April. Designed for wellness and social connections, the expansive lakefront amenity campus caters to all ages and features a grand clubhouse and a separate fitness club with coastal New England-inspired architecture and interior design adapted for Southwest Florida living. For more information about Wellen Park, call 941-960-7805, go to www.wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice.
Both Sarasota Memorial Hospital campuses earned “Straight A” grades from The Leapfrog Group today, reflecting a track record of preventing medical errors, accidents and infections. The honors, which reflect top performance reviews of both Sarasota Memorial hospitals, were announced today in Leapfrog’s Spring 2026 Hospital Safety Report Cards. Issued in the spring and fall of each year to approximately 3,000 general hospitals across the nation, Leapfrog’s safety grades are based on annual hospital survey data and patient safety measures obtained from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. SMH’s two hospitals are among just 15% nationwide to earn Leapfrog’s elite “Straight A” designation. The Sarasota campus has received straight A’s since it began participating in the Leapfrog survey in 2016, and SMH-Venice has maintained it since it opened in 2021. To view the Fall 2026 results, visit: www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.
Manatee Memorial Hospital earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety, focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections. For more information about Manatee Memorial Hospital, visit manateememorial.com.
Sara Seifried, BayCare Health System’s director of real estate operations since 2018, has been promoted to the newly created role of vice president of real estate, effective immediately. An attorney, Seifried joined BayCare in 2011 as associate legal counsel, where she was part of the organization’s first in-house legal team, and specialized in real estate and construction matters. In 2016, Seifried was promoted to manager of real estate transactions and senior real estate and construction counsel, serving as the senior legal adviser on complex real estate and construction issues and overseeing leasing, acquisitions and dispositions of property. For more information, visit BayCare.org.
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) is pleased to announce that Supervising Attorney Shannon Stafford has been honored with the Tania Schmidt-Alpers Award for Legal Excellence at a recent statewide legal summit. This prestigious award recognizes an Injunction for Protection (IFP) Project Attorney who reflects the legacy of the late Tania Schmidt-Alpers through leadership, legal excellence, and a deep commitment to increasing survivor safety and holding offenders accountable. Stafford began her work with SPARCC in January 2017 with the launch of the IFP Project. She now serves as Supervising Attorney, continuing to represent survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking—helping them navigate the legal system and secure critical protections.
The City of Sarasota invites community members, business owners, and stakeholders to attend an upcoming public meeting for the Main Street Complete Streets project, an important initiative focused on creating a more vibrant, walkable, and welcoming downtown experience. The project aims to enhance everyday life for residents and visitors, support local businesses, and strengthen Main Street as a place people want to spend time. The project is now entering the design phase, where community-driven priorities have been translated into three conceptual design options. These concepts are intended to illustrate an overall look and feel for Main Street but do not represent final materials or specific amenities. Participation in this meeting represents a key opportunity for the public to explore and shape how Main Street will look and feel for years to come.
Public Meeting Details: Thursday, May 21, 5:30-7:00pm, Selby Public Library, Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium, 1331 1st St, Sarasota.
At the center of Sarasota’s evolving bayfront, Kolter Urban introduces 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, a new residential address positioned between The Bay Sarasota park and Quay Harbor—where the city’s walkable, cultural, and waterfront lifestyle comes together. The 20-story tower offers a limited collection of 117 one- to three-bedroom residences, thoughtfully sized from approximately 1,200 to over 3,000 square feet and priced from $1.5 million. Designed for modern coastal living, each residence features open great rooms, expansive terraces, and floor-to-ceiling glass that capture sweeping views of Sarasota Bay, the park, and the downtown skyline. Amenities are designed to support an active, connected lifestyle, including an elevated pool deck with cabanas and lounge spaces, fitness and movement studios, social and co-working environments, and dedicated spaces for both wellness and gathering. With site clearing complete and construction permits submitted, the project is advancing as early demand continues to build—creating a timely opportunity to secure a residence within this emerging waterfront district. The Sales Gallery is open daily at 50 Central Avenue, Suite 110, featuring an architectural scale model and designer kitchen preview. Visit Live1000.com or call 941.770.3993 to learn more.
On May 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., three Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Recruits graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Class 180 at the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy. This marks a significant milestone for Deputy Recruits Steven Petty, Colin Doyle, and Christopher Trudnak who have completed a rigorous training program designed to equip them with essential skills for their careers in law enforcement.The graduates have demonstrated exceptional commitment by achieving passing scores on all written end-of-course examinations and by proving their proficiency in critical areas such as DUI Traffic Stops and high liability courses. These courses include Vehicle Operations, First Aid, Firearms, and Defensive Tactics, in addition to their participation in the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Fitness Program.
Englewood residents looking to dispose of unwanted household items and yard waste can take part in an upcoming free community cleanup event. Join Sarasota County and drop off your items from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 16 at Buchan Airport Community Park, where dumpsters for residential customers will be available at 1390 Old Englewood Road, Englewood. Appliances, small vehicle tires (limit of four tires per household), and electronics, such as computers and monitors, will be accepted. Hazardous waste, including paint, oil, and gasoline, will also be accepted at the event. For more information, call 311 or 941-861-5000, or visit scgov.net.
Story 5K/10K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention!
Join us on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, FL at 7 a.m. for the Kid’s Dash and 7:45 a.m. for the 5K & 10K. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome—from seasoned runners to families with strollers, toddlers in the kids’ races, and pups on leashes.
This event offers a supportive, energizing atmosphere filled with community vendors, mental health resources, free giveaways, and crowd-favorite perks like an event T‑shirt, finisher medal, and our curated Spotify playlist. Proceeds help Centerstone provide mental health and addiction services for individuals with limited or no resources. By participating, you’re helping save lives, strengthening your community, and reminding others that their story matters—and that it’s far from over.
Thursdays, 10am. Discover with our expert guide, Kendra Cross, why Sarasota is the only place in the world that the Amish and Mennonite communities come to vacation en masse. In Pinecraft, enjoy the tour stops at Alma Sue’s Quilt Shop, The Carlisle Inn and Der Dutchman Amish Kitchen Cooking Restaurant for shopping and a pie shooter sample of their delicious pie!
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
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
Award-winning Hermitage Fellows offer a unique glimpse into their creative process, sharing original works in process with our Gulf Coast audiences. These free hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, playreadings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, exhibitions, open studios,and more. The presentations are often works in process, giving Hermitage audiences a look into the creative process before these works go on to leading theaters, concert halls, and museums around the world.
Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223
Art immersion class for children ages 6-18. Small classes with fine arts materials. Visit linarinconart.com for more information and to register.
Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy, 927 N Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237
The summer 2026 exhibition at Selby Gardens will celebrate the creative collaboration between two legendary figures and longtime friends, photographer Lynn Goldsmith and singer-songwriter Patti Smith, who is Selby Gardens’ artist in residence. The exhibition will feature Goldsmith’s photographs of Smith, past and present, in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The images will offer an intimate portrait of an iconic artist over the course of her remarkable career.
Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Juana Romani (1867–1924) was one of the most fascinating and successful painters in late-nineteenth-century Paris. Born in Italy, Juana—whose given name was Giovanna Carlesimo—moved to Paris with her mother and stepfather at the age of ten. She took up painting, studying under the well-known painters Jean-Jacques Henner (1829–1905) and Ferdinand Roybet (1840–1920). Romani quickly earned both critical praise and significant fame for her deftly painted, richly colorful depictions of strong, sensual women adorned in lavish textiles.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Mondays, 1pm. Join Jerome Chesley as you explore more than 60 pieces of public art located in downtown and St. Armands.
Saturdays, 1pm. This tour led by circus historian Bob Collins explores the fascinating legacy of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Make your Saturday mornings even more fun! Check out the Backyard Science program for elementary-aged learners at The Bishop’s incredible indoor Mosaic Backyard Universe. This wildly popular learning program offers a wide range of activities, observations, and crafts that are sure to spark curiosity and ignite learning.
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th Street West Bradenton FL 34205
Mayer explores the impact of technology on the human body through this interactive sculpture series. Slumpies invites viewers to sit and slump on these sculptures, much like furniture, and find a place of comfort while using their technological devices.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
This long-term installation in Gallery 10 of the Museum of Art showcases five outstanding examples of 17th-century Dutch painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring a dramatic seascape, an expansive landscape, and captivating portraits set in detailed interiors, this exhibition offers a window into the vibrant artistic production of the Netherlands as the small nation rose to global prominence in the 17th century. The five exceptional paintings from the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, complement The Ringling's holdings of Dutch art and provide additional perspective on the artistry, historical significance, and continuing appeal of Dutch painting from this period.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Ernestine Ashworth spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe. Soon enough, it’s her 18th birthday. Even sooner, her 41st. Her 70th. Her 101st. Five generations, an infinity of dreams, and one cake baked over a century.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
A multimedia exhibition featuring painting, drawing, video, sound, and immersive installations. Developed in collaboration with the SPAACES curatorial team, and artist LaMichael Leonard Jr., the exhibition builds on Leonard’s Movement Research Residency and his performance piece BLUR. The featured works explore the dynamic relationship between body, space, and identity.
SPAACES, 2051 Princeton St, Sarasota, FL 34237
Café on St. Armands is introducing Prime Rib Sundays, a new weekly dining feature available every Sunday beginning at 11 AM. Guests are invited to enjoy a classic prime rib dinner, thoughtfully prepared and served as part of Café’s elevated all-day dining experience. The featured Prime Rib entrée includes chianti herb and Dijon-crusted prime rib, garlic confit mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, rich au jus, and creamy horseradish. The dish is available for $46.
Cafe on St. Armands, 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL
Step into the spotlight with One Hit Wonders, a toe-tapping celebration of those unforgettable songs that lit up the charts and became part of our lives. From the epic storytelling of “American Pie” to the carefree whistle of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” this show celebrates the artists who gave us a single great hit.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits delicious Sunday Brunch is from 11am-3pm. Guests are invited to indulge in a delightful brunch experience on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room with nautical touches. The brunch menu features a variety of mouth-watering dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, savory Steak & Eggs, succulent Lobster Benedict, the flavorful Tripletail Brunch Burger and Crab & Shrimp Omelet. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with the purchase of any entrée. Prices range from $13 to $26. Reservations can be made through Open Table or by calling 941-529-0555.
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, 4870 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Thursdays and Saturdays, 7:30pm. Step right up to solve the murder of Dahlia the Queen of the High Wire on this interactive murder mystery who-dunnit.
Wednesdays, 10am. Go back in time to the 1920’s in Sarasota to hear from three leading ladies (Bertha Palmer, Marie Selby and Mable Ringling) as portrayed by Kathryn Chesley, who shaped Sarasota into a cultural icon.
Over the past decade, talking politics has become increasingly difficult. Woodson will share why dialogue has become a personal passion for him, and what he has learned, both from some spectacular successes as well as from equally noteworthy failures when attempting to have a conversation when strong differences of opinion are involved.
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Steve Arvey will share the rich tones of handcrafted cigar box guitars, and discuss the history of these instruments as well as his travels around the world to seek out builders and new sounds.
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Matthew Aucoin’s “Music for New Bodies,” created in collaboration with acclaimed director Peter Sellars, is a bold operatic meditation on humanity’s shifting place in the natural world. Premiered in 2024, this one-act visionary operetta fuses the poetic texts of Jorie Graham with visceral soundscapes for five singers, an 18-piece chamber orchestra, lighting, and electronics. Aucoin crafts a work that is at once urgent and transcendent, while Sellars’ visionary staging brings the music into striking visual focus. Presented in a historic collaboration with Artist Series Concerts, this Sarasota premiere at the Sarasota Opera House invites audiences to imagine new forms of life, connection, and transformation.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Mission Green is a program aimed at building 10 canopy walkways that will employ 100 indigenous women and families and host 1,000 students for exploration of the treetops. This talk will travel around the globe to see the results of Mission Green and why forest conservation is critical for human health.
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
ArtCenter Sarasota continues its Centennial Season with Medium Mutiny, a juried exhibition selected by Ed Swan Jr. that celebrates boundary-pushing works challenging tradition through bold experimentation in form, material, and concept. Solo exhibitions include Living by the Water by Cat Tesla, whose serene, abstract paintings reflect a journey of healing and transformation inspired by Florida's landscapes. A new body of work by Anja Palombo, blending her deep love of nature and art history into expressive visual narratives. In Architect as Artist, co-curated by Morris Hylton III, Sarasota-based architects including Carl Abbott, Jerry Sparkman, and Javi Suárez present multidisciplinary works that blur the line between design and fine art. This group exhibition honors Sarasota's architectural legacy and highlights the creative synergy between structure, space, and artistic vision.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Delight once again in the inspiring performances of Pinky's Players, Venice Theatre's Community Engagement Program that partners with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and share their artistic talents.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
In conjunction with his exhibit, Venti will present an artist talk, Meet Art Venti, on May 19, 4:00-6:00 pm., in the Arts Advocates Gallery. Venti will talk about his incredibly meticulous technique of applying layers of color to the surreal landscapes he has imagined and brought to life. He will demonstrate the techniques he has developed to achieve the wondrous effects in his work. Admission is free; registration is not required.
Arts Advocates Gallery, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
La Lucha blends jazz, Latin roots, and playful improvisation into a vibrant, modern sound that feels both intimate and electrifying onstage.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 1st Street, Sarasota
The Behind the Curtain: Exploring the Van Wezel from the Art to the Stage tour takes place on May 18 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. The art in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, was created by noted Florida artists and is part of the Arts Advocates collection. A docent leads a tour of the paintings and sculptures including those by Sarasota Art Colony artists. Participants then step onto the stage where a Van Wezel guide shares stories and anecdotes about the colorful world of show business. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at the Van Wezel box office or by calling (941) 263-6799. Presented in partnership with the Van Wezel, proceeds benefit the education/outreach programs of Arts Advocates and the Van Wezel.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
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