April 2005

1 - Goodwill Foundation Goodwill Gala. Casual, fun and interactive evening when prominent artists and community members actually create a work of art during the gala using items donated to Goodwill, Michael's On East, $150/person. For information (941) 955-4483.

7 - Community Video Archives (CVA) Annual Hall of Fame Luncheon. Honorees are inducted into Hall of Fame, Michael's On East, $60/person; sponsorship tables also available. For information (941) 365-7052.

8 - Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) Sparccle on the Bay. Casually elegant evening of silent and live auction, catered buffet and dancing beneath the stars, Crosley Mansion, $150/person. For information (941) 371-3700.

11 - Asolo Theatre Company Purely Asolo. Dinner and show benefiting artistic and educational programs, Asolo Theatre, $200-$500/person. For information (941) 351-9010, ext. 4708.

16 - The Sarasota Waldorf School Great Garden Bash. Benefits the Rainbow Bridge Fund for tuition assistance, $50/person. (941) 379-3199.

21 - SOULSPEAK/Sarasota Poetry Theatre SOULQUEST. Informal sessions for people who wish to learn more about SOULSPEAK poetry or who wish to find a more spiritual way to express themselves, 535 Columbia Court. For information (941) 366-6468.

21 - The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Third Thursday at Cá d'Zan. Drinks and sunset on the grounds of Cá d'Zan. For information (941) 359-5733.

21 thru 24 - Florida Winefest Wine Auction, The Ritz-Carlton, Saraota. For information (941) 952-1109.

23 - Manasota Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) Celebration dinner and auction. Dinner to publicly recognize accomplishments and reach out to community for financial support and involvment, Bradenton Country Club, $50-$75/person. For information (941) 752-2976.

25 - First Step of Sarasota Annual Golf Classic. Prestancia County Club. For information (941) 552-2065.

29 - United Cerebral Palsy Pajama Party, Michael's On East. For information (941) 957-3599.

30 - The Life of Riley Foundation Riley's Royal Gala. Sarasota's first black-tie gala for children (grades preK-5) and their parents and/or grandparents, The Chelsea Center, $65/children. For information (941) 923-3093.

Other events happening in April:

All Faiths Food Bank Taste of the Nation. Evening of sampling food and wine from numerous Sarasota restaurants, along with music, exercise and laughter, Phillippi Creek Estate. For information (941) 379-6333, Aundria Shooks.

All Faiths Food Bank Giving Hunger the Blues. Daylong festival featuring area bands, games, food and beverage, Hillview Street. For information (941) 379-6333, Aundria Shooks.

American Cancer Society-Sarasota Unit Cattle Baron's Ball, Sarasota Fairgrounds, $150/person. For information (941) 365-2858.

Children's Haven and Adult Community Services, Inc. (CHAC) Third Annual "Handi-capable Award & Celebration." Annual event showcasing an individual with disabilities who has exemplified courage in their own life, as well as the lives of others, Lakewood Ranch. For information (941) 355-8808, ext. 224.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens The Orchid Ball. An elegant evening of dinner and dancing amid the tropical splendor of Selby Gardens, Selby Gardens. For information (941) 366-5731, ext. 227.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Florida Chapter Leadership Luncheon. For information (813) 889-8383 or (800) FIGHT-MS.

Salvation Army-Sarasota Corps. "Cooking With Glitz at The Ritz-Carlton." Cooking demonstration by the Ritz-Carlton's executive chef, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, $75/person. For information (941) 954-4673.

May 2005

1 - Asolo Theatre Company Celebrate the Conservatory. Dinner and show benefiting the FSU/Asolo scholarship fund, The FSU Center for Performing Arts, $25-$250/person. For information (941) 928-7729.

4 - The Family Law Connection, Inc. Family Law Day. Annual luncheon, Michael's On East, $50/person. For information (941) 952-9899.

6 - Operation Serving Children Mother's Day Weekend Gala, The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort, $125/person. For information (941) 378-9755 or (941) 809-7780.

7 - YMCA Foundation of Sarasota, Inc. "Going for the Gold." Dinner and auction, Berlin YMCA Branch, $175/person. For information (941) 951-1336.

7 - Cardinal Mooney High School First Annual Spring Golf and Tennis Tournament, Meadows Country Club. For information (941) 379-2647 Vicki Wagner.

19 - Arthritis Foundation/Southwest Region Arthritis Walk/Run. Fund-raising 5K walk with 1-mile option, Bradenton. For information (800) 741-4008, ext. 227.

19 - SOULSPEAK/Sarasota Poetry Theatre SOULQUEST. Informal sessions for people who wish to learn more about SOULSPEAK poetry or who wish to find a more spiritual way to express themselves, 535 Columbia Court. For information (941) 366-6468.

19 - The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Third Thursday at Cá d'Zan. Drinks and sunset on the grounds of Cá d'Zan. For information (941) 359-5733.

25 - Community Foundation Scholarship Awards Reception. For information (941) 955-3000.

Other events happening in May:

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Central Florida and the

Florida Gulf Coast, Inc. Annual golf tournament, Odessa, Fla., $75/person. For information (813) 287-8915.

Easter Seals Southwest Florida, Inc. Meadows Cup Charity Golf Classic, Meadows County Club. For information (941) 355-7637, ext. 412.

Easter Seals Southwest Florida, Inc. "Walk With Me." Walk-a-thon, University of South Florida New College. Meadows County Club (941) 355-7637, ext. 412.

The Life of Riley Foundation Beach Run/Walk. 5K run or 1-mile fun run/walk, Siesta Key Beach, $15/adult; $10/child. Meadows County Club (941) 923-3093.

Make a Wish Foundation of Sarasota Tampa Bay Sarasota Tennis Tournament, Chelsea Center, $40-$125/person. For information (941) 926-9474.

Manasota Solve, Inc. Carnation Day Sales. For information (941) 748-0094.

Mental Health Community Centers, Inc. High Hopes Gala. Elegant dinner dance with silent and live auction, Serendipity Country Club, $125/person. For information (941) 953-3477.

Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary Baby Bird Shower. Gather donations for the 1,000 baby birds the center received every year, Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary, free; donations accepted. For information (941) 388-4444.

Special Athlete Boosters, Inc. Shark Tooth Festival. Festival with food, rides, crafts and exhibits, Venice Pier, $2/person. For information (941) 412-0402.

WEDU Channel 3 Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting, Inc. Speaking of Women's Health. Day-long event focusing on women's health issues, Sarasota Hotel Venue, $50/person. For information (800) 354-9338 or (941) 330-0716.

June 2005

4 - United Cerebral Palsy of Sarasota-Manatee, Inc. Bachelor Ball and Auction. Auction of Sarasota's most eligible bachelors, Michael's On East. For information (941) 957-3599.

4 thru 5 - All Children's Hospital All Children's Hospital Telethon. Multiple event weekend anchored by 22 hours of live television on WFLA News Channel 8, WFLA News Channel 8, Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg Hilton, Tyrone Mall. For information (727) 767-4199.

16 - SOULSPEAK/Sarasota Poetry Theatre SOULQUEST. Informal sessions for people who wish to learn more about SOULSPEAK poetry or who wish to find a more spiritual way to express themselves, 535 Columbia Court. For information (941) 366-6468.

Other events happening in June:

Every Child, Inc. "School Daze" Fashion show and adult prom. Fashion show by Willow 506, dancing after curfew, specialty drinks and voting for a prom king and queen, Michael's On East, $50/person. For information (941) 955-5506.

Family Network on Disabilities of Manatee/Sarasota, Inc. 100 Holes for Charity Golf-a-Thon. Golf tournament where players play 100 holes for pledges, Pinebrook/Ironwood Golf Course, Bradenton, players receive pledges per hole. For information (941) 378-2295, (941) 358-0275, (941) 928-0682.

WEDU Channel 3 Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting, Inc. On-air pledge drive to obtain new members and increase individual financial support, WEDU Studios For information (800) 354-9338 or (941) 330-0716.

WUSF Public Broadcasting Membership drive to increase membership base and maintain financial support, at station studios. For information (813) 974-8624.

Other events happening in June:

Community Youth Development Project Starry Starry Night. Grownup prom featuring dinner and dancing. For information (941) 922-5126.

Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped Golf Tournament, Gala Kick-Off Party, Fishing Tournament for the Physically Challenged, Sarasota Red Sox Game. For information (941) 371-2827.

July 2005

21 - SOULSPEAK/Sarasota Poetry Theatre SOULQUEST. Informal sessions for people who wish to learn more about SOULSPEAK poetry or who wish to find a more spiritual way to express themselves, 535 Columbia Court. For information (941) 366-6468.

Other events happening in July:

Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped World's Largest Office Party, Parade of Boats, Driver/Sponsor Party, Powerboats by the Bay, Motorcycle Poker Run, Offshore Grand Prix boat race. For information (941) 371-2827.

August 2005

18 - SOULSPEAK/Sarasota Poetry Theatre SOULQUEST. Informal sessions for people who wish to learn more about SOULSPEAK poetry or who wish to find a more spiritual way to express themselves, 535 Columbia Court. For information (941) 366-6468.

28 - Foundation for Dreams, Inc. "StarLight, StarBright, StarNight Gala." Dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, The Chelsea Center. For information (941) 748-8809 .

Other events happening in August:

Miss Latina Program, Inc. Women of the New Millennium 2004-5. Gala and dinner honoring the Latino teacher of the year, Sarasota Opera House, $100/person. For information (941) 966-2820.

Police Athletic League of Sarasota County, Inc. Sarasota Offshore Showdown APBA boat race. National APBA boat race, Siesta Key Beach, free. For information (941) 361-6350.

WEDU Channel 3 Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting, Inc.On-air pledge drive to obtain new members and increase individual financial support, WEDU Studios. For information (800) 354-9338 or (941) 330-0716.

WUSF Public Broadccasting Membership drive to increase membership base and maintain financial support, at station studios. For information (813) 974-8624.