SRQ DAILY Aug 17, 2026
Monday Business Edition
"I tend to think of my predecessors from the Hall as people I looked up to throughout my career, and to find myself shoulder to shoulder with them is really such an honor."
SRQ Magazine is proud to announce it will honor iconic fashion entrepreneur Elyce Arons as the recipient of the 2026 Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award at the Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Michael’s On East.
The prestigious Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award recognizes a leading woman whose fearless spirit and groundbreaking contributions have not only shaped her industry but also inspired those who followed. Former award recipients include powerhouse producer Katie Nelson Thomson, USA Today bestselling author and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Kate White, global model and author Paulina Porizkova, CEO of MiMO Studios Cyma Zarghami, journalist and civil rights activist Dorothy Butler Gilliam, former editor-in-chief Town & Country and Travel & Leisure magazines Pamela Fiori and legendary fashion designer Adrienne Vittadini, among others.
Elyce Arons is the founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, a New York-based luxury apparel and accessories company. Frances Valentine celebrates the power of personal style through clothes and accessories that boost your mood and tell a story.
A 35-year fashion veteran, Elyce knows a thing or two about business and style. She famously chased her passion for fashion all the way from Kansas to New York City alongside her best friend, Kate, and co-founded Kate Spade in 1993. Elyce shepherded the company from inception to international success, growing it into one of the most iconic brands in modern fashion history, and was instrumental in its 2006 sale to Neiman Marcus Group.
In 2016, Elyce, Kate, and Andy Spade launched Frances Valentine as an evolution of their joyful style aesthetic; a brand with heart, soul, and a story to tell. In June 2025, Elyce published her debut memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, which debuted on the New York Times Best Seller list. The book chronicles her decades-long friendship with Kate Spade and the lessons she has learned building two iconic fashion brands.
Elyce has been featured on Good Morning America and The Today Show, and in publications including WWD, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. She lives in NYC with her husband and three daughters. When she is not running a global brand, you will find her gardening, playing tennis, or perusing the colorful stalls of a vintage market.
The 2026 Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award will be presented to Elyce Arons at SRQ Magazine’s 11th Annual Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon, where we will gather to connect, celebrate, and recognize this year’s Women Who Roar Award Honorees.
Event Details: SRQ Magazine’s 11th Annual Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon, Friday, November 6, 2026, Michael's On East Ballroom, 1212 S. East Avenue, Sarasota, Pop-Up Boutiques + Check-in: 10:30am, Luncheon Program: 11:30am to 1:30pm. For sponsorship opportunities, table reservations, tickets, or more information about SRQ Magazine’s Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon, please visit srqmagazine.com/wwrluncheon. Contact Lauren Sutter for details, lauren.sutter@srqme.com. 
Photo Credit Adam Ward.
On September 10, Sarasota Orchestra and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall present Summon the Heroes, a heartfelt program commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11. Led by conductor Evan Roider, this concert invites the community to come together to honor the enduring resilience of the American spirit. The program features iconic music of remembrance and reflection, such as Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, Barber's poignant Adagio for Strings, and John Williams' Summon the Heroes. Nate Jacobs, founder and artistic director of the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, narrates Liberty for All, while soprano Amy Owens melds a "fresh and electrifying" voice (Omaha World-Herald) with Sarasota Orchestra's sound in stirring performances of “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful.” Proceeds from this special evening benefit four local charities: Resilient Retreat, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Charitable Foundation, Sarasota Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund, and Sarasota Police Foundation.
When former Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley received a phone call about her induction into the Destinations International Hall of Fame, her initial reaction was one of shock—especially being three years retired.
“It’s so surprising to me, because I tend to think of my predecessors from the Hall as people I looked up to throughout my career, and to find myself shoulder to shoulder with them is really such an honor,” she says.
Considered one of the tourism industry’s highest honors, Haley was celebrated at Destinations International’s annual convention in Portland, Oregon on July 21. The organization has recognized over 50 pioneers in the tourism industry worldwide since the Hall of Fame Awards were created in 2014.
“We did our best to market Sarasota, and we started to break away from a lot of traditional marketing and rely heavily on public relations,” Haley says. “Gradually, we became much more involved in the community and creating opportunities in the destination.”
Haley’s 24-year tenure as president of VSC led her to launch tourism initiatives and help transform the Sarasota community through innovative projects such as The Bay, a signature park along Sarasota Bay. Partnering with this project’s co-founder, Michael Klauber, VSC took the lead in creating The Bay, which opened to the public in October 2022.
“We really thought there was an opportunity for a park for the community, and the board gave us the funding and blessing to make this a full-time project,” Haley says. “In the period of one year, Michael and I attended almost 300 meetings; every neighborhood association and condo association that would have us, we would go there.”
Other projects of Haley’s included highlighting local restaurants with Savor Sarasota and developing an 18.5-mile circus heritage trail from Sarasota to Venice called The Legacy Trail. These efforts, she says, along with The Bay, will have a lasting impact.
“We’ve built a great team at Visit Sarasota that is so involved in all levels of the community and has really proved their worth in serving the community, from storm response to COVID response,” she says. “In the three years that I’ve been gone, Visit Sarasota has soared.”
Haley says while she received this honor in her name, she really views it as an honor for Visit Sarasota as a whole.
“What was a pretty small destination 25 years ago, it really shows the hard work of the entire Visit Sarasota team,” she says.
Visit Sarasota County, 301 N Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota, 941-955-0991, visitsarasota.com
Pictured: Second to the left, former Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley is inducted into the Destinations International Hall of Fame. Photo by Destinations International.
Lee Wetherington Homes, a top-rated, privately owned custom luxury home builder in Sarasota, and Homes by Towne, a privately owned boutique home builder, have announced the opening of The Summit, a premier amenity center designed as the social heart of Shellstone at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch. The facility opened to residents on August 4 and will celebrate a public grand opening on November 7.
Pictured: The Summit pool at Shellstone. Provided photo.
For excellence in sports tourism and industry leadership, Visit Sarasota County (VSC) was honored with two statewide accolades at the 69th Annual Golden Image Gala, hosted by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). Recognized as the hallmark of excellence in public relations and communications, the Golden Image Awards celebrate outstanding strategy, innovation, and results on a state level. VSC’s Director of Community Relations & Partnership, Hunter Carpenter, APR, was named Member of the Year, for his service as Vice President of Membership on the State Executive Committee. Carpenter has also served several terms on the local Board of the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA, last year earning Chapter of the Year under his leadership as President.
Realize Bradenton is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors: Susan Wilcox, Leah Bogart-Baer, Gregory Alexandrea Jr., and Paula Wright. Each brings a wealth of experience that will advance the organization's mission of enhancing quality of life in downtown Bradenton. For more information, visit http://www.realizebradenton.com.
Recently, SMH celebrated eight incredible team members, all women, who graduated with their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees from Florida State University College of Nursing. The women supported one another through late nights, demanding coursework, full-time careers, family responsibilities and everything in between, demonstrating the supportive workplace that helped earn SMH the #1 spot on the list of Florida’s best employers of women.
Pictured: Pictured alongside Sarasota Memorial leaders are Team SMH's 2026 DNP graduates from the FSU College of Nursing. Photo courtesy SMH.
The sales momentum continues at Babcock Ranch as more homebuyers discover a community and lifestyle designed for nature, community and connection. Mid-year sales through July reached 748 homes, representing a 29% year-over-year increase from 2025 and cementing the strongest opening half since the debut of America’s first solar-powered town in 2017. The performance also propelled Babcock Ranch to No. 4 among the nation’s top-selling master-planned communities, as recognized on RCLCO Real Estate Consulting’s mid-year 2026 rankings. The town climbed three spots from its No. 7 mid-year ranking in 2025, reflecting sustained momentum as homebuyers continue to choose Babcock Ranch.
Since joining the Florida SBDC at USF in 2023, Randy Hayes has distinguished himself as one of the SBDC Network's top-performing consultants. In his first full year with the Florida SBDC, he led the entire state network in new business starts and capital transactions. He followed that accomplishment by ranking second statewide in both categories the following year, demonstrating a consistent ability to help entrepreneurs achieve measurable results. Hayes has also been recognized with our Tampa Bay region's Performance Excellence Award and Rising Star Award. As a Senior Business Consultant, Hayes has served clients throughout Polk and Highlands counties, providing strategic guidance in business planning, market research, access to capital, financial analysis, and growth strategy. He has built strong partnerships with local economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders while helping both start-ups and established businesses navigate opportunities and challenges.
Sarasota County invites the public to learn about proposed fire assessment rate changes, fire protection services, and other proposed fire service fee changes for Fiscal Year 2027. The proposals include changes to fire assessment rates and Fire and Life Safety Inspection Fees, as well as new fees for fire and EMS standby services. Fire and Life Safety Inspection Fees have not increased since 2007. For more information, visit scgov.net/firefees or call 311 or 941-861-5000.
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
Think while you drink! Gather your friends, co-workers or family and join us for a fun-filled evening. Prizes and specials each night. Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm. Gecko’s on Clark – Monday ; Gecko’s on SR64 & Stickney Point – Tuesday ; Gecko’s on Hillview – Wednesday.
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
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
Win prizes while you think, drink and enjoy food at Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar at trivia nights every Tuesday. Trivia Nation hosts a Game Show Loco Trivia experience inspired by classic game shows like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Test your knowledge across a variety of categories, make strategic choices and try your luck with games of chance. Bring your friends, family and coworkers, or jump in and join a team when you arrive.
Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar, 428 N Lemon Ave., Sarasota
Intensive B will focus on a variety of Jazz classes. Participants will experience influences from Fosse, Broadway, Afro-Fusion, to Commercial Jazz!
Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Blvd of the Arts Ste 300, Sarasota
At the Court Cabaret, Nancy Allen presents a powerful tribute to era-defining artists in the 1970s, featuring hits from Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt and more. A singer trio of Victoria Boland, Samantha Duval and Madalyn McHugh deliver powerhouse vocals that capture the soul and strength of the female artists who wrote their own rules. This show is part of a three-show Summer Cabaret subscription that also includes Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey and Legacy: Motown and More!
Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota
Start studying for Gecko's Grill and Pub's 24th Annual Summer Trivia Tournament. This six-week competition features weekly trivia nights on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at participating Gecko's locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Teams can enjoy food and drink specials while competing for a share of $1,000 in Gecko's Bucks. The three teams with the highest cumulative scores are invited to the championship tournament, which is scheduled for Gecko's on Clark Road on August 17.
Gecko's Grill and Pub, All Gecko's Grill and Pub locations
Curious about the Mediterranean Way of Eating? Join us for Cooking Up Health: The Mediterranean Way, an engaging, educational series that will transform your approach to food! Discover seven simple steps to healthier meals, learn easy recipes, and pick up practical tips that fit right into your everyday life. Registration includes a recipe book. 6-Week Program, Mondays: 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, and 8/31 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. This class will be virtual and will have a cost of $10 per person. Zoom link for the class will be emailed to participants before the start of class.
Virtual, Virtual
Ever wonder what goes into creating a circus? The Ringling's Canvas City exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who make the spectacular entertainment venues come to life, from tentmakers and photographers to costume designers. See over 1,500 pieces, including circus costumes, leotards, band uniforms, animal blankets and more. Costumes on view will be rotated throughout the year as museum registrars review the collection and add notes and new photography to their records.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Bringing laughter to the community since 2019, the Teenyboppers entertain audiences with fun, fast-paced, hilarious shows that tell a story without the safety net of a script. Troupe members explore and develop their improv, storytelling, acting and teamwork skills in a safe, supportive environment, working on acting exercises, short-form improv games and long-form improv activities. At the end of each semester, they entertain audiences with their mad skills in a performance directed by Daniel Dagesse.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W, Venice
See the historic relationship between fiery abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass and a cautious statesman, President Abraham Lincoln, who is determined to preserve the Union. Written by award-winning playwright Beth Duda with original spoken word poetry by Cedric Hameed, this play explores how two men with different perspectives found common ground during one of the most divided times in American history. This is a 90-minute production that includes a staged reading, followed by a panel discussion with the actors and playwrights.
Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota
Put on your favorite disco attire, gather your friends and enjoy an evening of classic hits, dancing and great company at Disco Dance Night in Solis Hall. Dress in your best disco-inspired costume for a chance to win the costume contest. Your ticket includes one complimentary wine or beer, light bites and access to the 360 photo booth.
Solis Hall, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice
Learn the basics of choosing the right plants to create a beautiful yard that beats the Florida heat. This workshop explores the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping in a fun and informative environment. You'll learn how to save water and also create a haven for pollinators. At the end of the class, you can take home a copy of the new Florida-Friendly book.
UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W, Palmetto
To commemorate the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment that granted many women in the United States the right to vote, a luncheon at the Grove will showcase women-owned businesses and celebrate Women's Equality Day. A guest panel will be moderated by Mercedes Solar, co-owner and president of Solmart Media. Attendees can learn about local women-owned businesses, participate in networking and hear from a multi-generational panel about the strides women have made and can continue to build.
The Grove, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch
Play for a cause this September in support of the Venice YMCA with this charity golf classic. Golfers of all skill levels are invited to tee off with a shot gun start at 8:30am, with lunch to follow. Build community and camaraderie with fun games and prizes throughout the day. Proceeds support children, families and individuals in the Venice community.
Plantation Golf and Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd, Venice
Back for its seventh year, the 2026 Modern Works Festival is a two-week celebration of new play development and women in theater. With a festival pass, you gain all-access entry to the work in progress, including staged readings of finalist plays, a kickoff celebration, guest speaker events, artist performances and post-show conversations that bring audiences and creators into direct dialogue. Tea Time by Erika MacDonald is this year's headlining production.
Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St., Sarasota
Explore a diverse array of creations at the Art Mart, including artwork, jewelry, crafts, glass art, ceramics and more. Interact with over 30 talented artists and discover unique, giftable items available for purchase. This lively atmosphere is perfect for discovering one-of-a-kind treasures for any occasion or season.
Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection, 1255 N Palm Ave., Sarasota
Join Moms Incredible for this exciting 6-mile race from Sharky's on the Pier to the South Jetty and back. Paddleboards, prone paddles, surf skis, kayaks, canoes and rowing boats are welcome. Check-in is from 6:15-6:45am, and the race begins between 7:15-7:30am. Participants will challenge themselves to an open-water Gulf paddle, touring much of Venice. After the event, enjoy light bites and awards at Sharky's on the Pier.
Venice Fishing Pier, 1600 Harbor Dr. S, Venice
Browse available items and take home clothes for free at this clothing swap. Find back-to-school options for kids while supporting a more sustainable community. Whether you're donating, swapping or browsing, every item reused helps conserve valuable natural resources. Before the event, you can drop off clean, gently used clothing at the Agriculture and Extension Service Office. Donations will also be accepted during the clothing swap. Men's, women's and children's clothing, as well as shoes, hats, purses and backpacks, are accepted.
UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W, Palmetto
As Art Sarasota Center closes its centennial season and begins another century, it welcomes four artists and their works for the upcoming August and September season. Molly Duff-Clarke will showcase Home for Dinner, and curator Alecia Harper will present Shaping Sarasota: A Century of Art, which presents a chronological visual history spanning 100 years of creativity. Antoine Williams presents a new body of work that reimagines Black southern cultural folklore and traditions with Putting Breath in the Body. Finally, juror John Pirman presents the juried show, Icons.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Whether you're a gardening newbie or a plant pro, visit Palma Sola Botanical Park to learn all about plants that thrive in the heat. Hear cool tips to keep your garden flourishing even when the temperature rises and see how sun-loving plants can handle the extreme summer heat.
Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton
Learn what fertilizers are, how nutrients work and how to choose the right products for your garden at this Plant Food 101 workshop. Instructor Mack Lessig will help you gain the practical knowledge to choose the right products and feed your garden for peak seasonal performance. Also, you'll decode the essential elements of what fertilizers contain and how plants utilize these nutrients at a cellular level.
UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W, Palmetto
Big Waters Land Trust brings back its annual summer trivia with a twist: a one-night-only, winner-takes-all event! Trivia begins at 6pm with a wide range of questions about movies, music, fashion and more, with a conservation theme woven throughout. Teams may include up to eight people. The top team will take home a prize package including their choice of a private guided hike or a kayak outing for up to ten people. A Hawaiian-inspired food truck, Killiks Kitchen, will be on site with food available for purchase.
Bay Preserve at Osprey, 400 Palmetto Ave., Osprey
A reimagined fairy tale comes to Sarasota this August that brings beloved characters in a magical and bold performance. Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and more experience the thrill of wishes being granted and the struggle of moving forward when life does not go as planned. Under the direction of Jacob Ruscoe, Into the Woods explores family, grief, responsibility and community. Evening performances are at 7:30pm, and Sunday matinees are at 2:30pm.
Rise Above Performing Arts, 3501 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Enjoy a delicious brunch offered every Sunday at Tripletail Seafood and Spirits on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room. The menu features a variety of dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent creme brulee French toast, steak and eggs, lobster benedict, crab and shrimp omelet and the Tripletail brunch burger. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or mimosa with the purchase of any entree.
Tripletail Seafood and Spirits, 4870 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Every Saturday and Sunday, Cask and Ale on Main Street lifts a toast and taps a toe to a delicious brunch with a diverse chef-prepared menu. Try the rotating chef's special menu, bottomless mimosas and a wide selection of craft cocktails. On Sundays, hear live jazz music from 12pm-4pm.
Cask and Ale, 1548 Main St., Sarasota
SRQ DAILY is a daily e-newsletter produced by SRQ MEDIA. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. The views expressed by individuals are their own, and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. SRQ DAILY includes content excerpted from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Robinson Valverde at 941-365-7702 x703 or via email |
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