Daily
Sarasota
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 21st of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Margaret Pappa, 92, has safely guided students as a crossing guard at Palma Sola Elementary for 12 years while greeting drivers and brightening the school day. Her steady presence keeps the community connected. ABC 7
- ➤ Seven local leaders have organized a fundraiser through Longboat Key Club 100 set for Feb. 17. One hundred participants will each donate $1,000 and then vote on which of three shortlisted nonprofits will receive the $100,000 donation. Observer
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Wings Etc. Grill & Pub debuted its first Sarasota County location in Venice today—offering fresh wings and its signature Wall Challenge to diners. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ Avelo Airlines announced it will extend its low-cost flight service in Central Florida through mid-August with one-way fares starting at $42; the new schedule serves six airports including Sarasota Bradenton International. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Lido Key beach is receiving a renourishment effort as 311,000 cubic yards of sand are dredged from New Pass and placed along the southern half; parts of the beach remain closed until the project ends around March 26. This work restores the shoreline after recent storm damage. Observer
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Mark Vengroff held a Jan. 15 groundbreaking for Sarasota Station to fulfill his late father’s vision for affordable housing at a Park East industrial site. The project includes 202 apartment homes, reserved units for essential workers and market-rate townhomes – overcoming years of red tape with $41.4M in funding. Observer
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Rays representatives and city leaders have moved forward with a new stadium deal and plan to break ground later this year on a modern facility in the region. The agreement is expected to boost local sports investment. ABC 7
- ➤ Paisley Binswanger of Sarasota High School (SHS), this week’s ABC7 Athlete of the Week, averages over 18 points per game and recently set the Lady Sailors' scoring record. She is focused on finishing strong as the district tournament approaches and prepares for future studies at Samford University. ABC 7
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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.
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Mystical Visions Concert
6-10 p.m. — Marina Jack — Check for admission details — Enjoy a lively performance by a female fronted pop/rock cover band playing hits from the 60’s to today.
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
Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
~ Navy SEAL saying
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