Daily
Sarasota
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 20th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Sarasota Yacht Club and St. Armands Circle marked their 100th anniversaries with a car parade of 35 vehicles starting on Main Street and concluding at St. Armands Circle plus a show featuring 175 vehicles with period costumes and many volunteers. Observer
- ➤ Plymouth Harbor celebrated 60 years on Jan. 15 in the Mayflower Dining Room with live music and community speeches. Residents enjoyed performances + a display of memorabilia honoring the facility's lasting legacy. Observer
- ➤ Longtime SMH leader Frank Morgan is promoted to president of the Sarasota campus, and Dr. Wilhelmine Wiese-Rometsch was honored for advancing women's careers at SMH. Saunders + Zarghami Group announced a new office and a real estate milestone, while Healthy Teens named new executives, highlighting a busy local news morning. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ On Jan. 16, Gardeners Out East donated a Japanese blueberry tree and plaque to Robert Toale and Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch — replacing an oak lost during Hurricane Milton. The gesture thanked the center for hosting community gardening meetings. Observer
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Longboat Key's Brista Commons saw steady foot traffic and positive reviews ahead of its grand opening today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3120 Gulf of Mexico Drive; all tenants are open except one as shops like Couch LBK and Your Flooring Warehouse serve local needs + community partners. Observer
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Two Sarasota theaters present work-themed plays this season. At Asolo Rep, 'Primary Trust' shows a bank teller's journey as routine unravels; at Urbanite Theatre, 'Job' (running through Feb. 15) explores high tensions in a tech workplace. Observer
- ➤ The Ringling Museum celebrated 25 years under Florida State University stewardship — a milestone that spurred collection growth, infrastructure upgrades, and expanded educational programs now serving over 45,000 visitors annually. The partnership has bolstered the museum’s role as a vibrant community art hub in Sarasota. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ The Embracing Our Differences exhibition opened Saturday at Bayfront Park featuring 50 art displays with quotes selected from 14,904 submissions from 125 countries, and Pine View School tenth grader Ingrid Cushman won best in show and plans to share her 2,000 prize with her school’s language arts program. Observer
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Alta Vista Elementary — a Title 1 school — welcomed its new book vending machine on Jan. 13, installed by Sarasota Yacht Club youth leaders to spark a love of reading among students; the machine dispenses free books and supports local literacy efforts. Observer
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Crews in Sarasota have begun renourishment on a 1.2-mile stretch of Lido Beach after hurricanes eroded 50 to 100 feet of sand. The $12 million project will move 300,000 cubic yards of sand, is fully funded by the Federal Government & is set to finish by early April. FOX 13
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Bay Park Conservancy has secured an agreement with the city to manage rentals and maintenance for four historic buildings in The Bay park, following completed renovations at the Blue Pagoda, Garden Club, and Chidsey Library and ongoing work at the Bayfront Community Center. Renovations for the Municipal Auditorium are scheduled this spring+ offering lower rental rates for community events. Observer
- ➤ Town officials in Longboat are cracking down on unkempt lots with overgrown vegetation and litter after a year of leniency following storms — code enforcement will work with property owners near North Shore Road and Whitney Plaza to bring lots into compliance. Observer
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ District soccer tournament seedings for boys and girls teams in Sarasota and Manatee counties were released ahead of championship games scheduled from Jan. 23 to Jan. 28. Lakewood Ranch’s undefeated teams stand out as favorites after strong regular seasons, with local fans expecting competitive matchups. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Marina Jack — Entry details unavailable — Experience the vibrant sounds of professional guitarist and songwriter Ryan Faraday as he performs live.
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Château Lafon-Rochet Winemaker Dinner
6:30 p.m. — Mimi Brasserie and Speakeasy — $139 per person — Indulge in a stunning winemaker dinner featuring exquisite Bordeaux wines and a multi-course culinary experience.
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Florida Native Plant Gardening Workshop
10 AM – 12 PM — Sarasota Audubon Nature Center — Free entry — Discover the importance of native plant gardening and learn to incorporate them into your home landscape.
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Music by Justin Layman
1-5 p.m. — Fiorelli Winery — Free entry — Enjoy an afternoon of live music at the beautiful Fiorelli Winery.
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Defying Gravity
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the excitement of Broadway with the stunning performance of Defying Gravity.
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Suncoast Scots Highland Games and Celtic Festival
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Sarasota Fairgrounds — Free entry — Experience Scottish culture with traditional games, music, and a hospitality tent hosted by the International Clan MacFarlane Society.
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The Beat Goes On - Cher Tribute Show
7-9 p.m. — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Ticketed event — Experience a vibrant tribute to Cher's timeless hits in an iconic venue.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Marina Jack — Free entry — Experience the captivating sounds of Bri Rivera, a talented musician hailing from Puerto Rico, as she showcases her musical journey.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Check out the talents of guitarist Ryan Faraday as he showcases his skills with a mix of Roots, Blues, Rock, and Soul.
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Scott Curts Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Special event — Experience the unique loop styling of singer-songwriter Scott Curts as he performs alongside his German Shepherd companion, Apollo.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The first draft of anything is garbage.
~ Ernest Hemingway
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