Fast Track

Sarasota Woman Receives Zonta International Women in STEM Award

Plus, the Manatee Young Professionals announce the winners of the sixth annual MYP Awards.

04/27/2026 By Staff

Fast Track

Satchel's Last Resort Raises $47,000 for Rescue Dogs and Cats

Plus, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative announces a $3.85 million in economic impact for 2025.

04/27/2026 By Staff

ArtsBeat

Orchestra Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero Connects With the Community

Giancarlo Guerrero has brought new energy to Sarasota Orchestra as he announces programs for his second season.

04/27/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

Still Laughing

Remembering Samuel Ray, the Neighbor Behind Central Cocoanut’s Laughing Buddha

After Ray’s unexpected death, Sarasota’s Laughing Buddha stands as a reminder of the Central Cocoanut neighbor who gave the landmark its watchful place in the community.

04/27/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Spin Cycle

Climate Adaptation Center Releases 2026 Hurricane Forecast

The verdict? The CAC predicts 12 named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). 

04/24/2026 By Bob Bunting

Things to Do

What to Do in Sarasota and Manatee Counties This Week

A giant parade! Elmo! Blueberries! A mangrove dance! Music, books and more! There's so much to do this weekend.

04/23/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Market Report

March's Real Estate Data Shows Sarasota Prices Are up for the First Time This Year

March median sale prices reached $485,000 for Sarasota single-family homes and $494,205 for Manatee County single-family homes.

04/21/2026 By Kim Doleatto

ArtsBeat

Manatee Theater Expands With New Building

The Manatee Performing Arts Center quickly outgrew the building that opened in 2013. A new four-story structure will add more space for rehearsals and education programs.

04/20/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

Philanthropy

Giving Challenge Brings in $16.7 Million as 751 Nonprofits Draw Broad Support Across the Region

The biennial event ended Thursday at noon after drawing 50,904 donors, 87,814 gifts and a record 751 participating nonprofits, with this year’s total coming in just below the $17.2 million raised in 2024.

04/16/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Gillespie Park Neighborhood

A Proposed 324-Unit Apartment Development Raises Questions in Gillespie Park

At a Gillespie Neighborhood Association meeting last night, residents and business owners pressed developers for answers about timing, traffic and the future of a longtime cluster of small businesses near downtown Sarasota.

04/15/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Lectures

Ringling College Announces 2027 Town Hall Speakers

What do two journalists, an AI expert, an Olympic gold medalist and the former prime minister of Canada have in common?

04/14/2026 By Staff

Suncoast Searchlight

Scientists to Discuss Suncoast Environmental Threats at Free Sarasota Panel

The conversation will offer a chance to hear directly from the scientists and advocates studying the region’s most pressing environmental challenges, from microplastics in local waters to the loss of natural habitats.

04/13/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

Fast Track

The Ringling Names Amy Sankes Named Senior Director of Development

Plus, Manatee County Schools employee wins national "LifeChanger of the Year" award, and more.

04/13/2026 By Staff

In Memoriam

Remembering Chef Judi Gallagher

Our longtime food editor Judi Gallagher died last week. Sarasota Magazine’s editors, writers and publisher sent in their memories. We will miss her.

04/13/2026

Hej Sarasota!

IKEA Is Coming to Sarasota This Summer

The Swedish home-furnishings giant plans to open a 48,000-square-foot store at University Town Center, bringing flat-pack furniture, meatballs and one of the world’s most recognizable retail brands.

04/10/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Pop and shop

A Luxury Pop-Up Is Testing Sarasota’s High-End Retail Appeal

With Balmain, Miu Miu, Prada and Valentino on offer, the event also offers a glimpse into the kind of retail Waldorf Astoria Sarasota’s developers think could have a home in downtown Sarasota.

04/10/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Lost Shaker of Salt

Norbert Putnam Produced Six Jimmy Buffett Albums. Catch Him in a Sarasota Film Festival Documentary Next Week.

"We’d get a six pack of beer, crank the diesel, pull her out and get her into the wind, tie her off and crank the stereo."

04/09/2026 By Lauren Jackson

2 Become 1

Sunshine Community Compost and Community Harvest SRQ Are Merging

The new organization will be called Sunshine Community Harvest.

04/08/2026 By Kendall Southworth

In Full Flower

Selby Gardens Botanist Discovers Three New Plant Species

“It’s not enough to say, ‘The forest is important,’ especially nowadays. You have to give reasons why, and biodiversity is a way to communicate to the broader community about why an area needs to be conserved."

04/08/2026 By Megan McDonald

Bigger Splash

1000 North Sarasota, the Michael Jordan-Backed Private Club, Plans to Get Bigger Before It Even Opens

The members-only club is under contract to buy an adjacent downtown property, adding another layer to a project built on exclusivity and bespoke experiences.

04/07/2026 By Kim Doleatto