Daily
Sarasota
Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 11th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On March 5, the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation awarded $90,000 in grants to 22 nonprofits at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, including Avenue941 and Meals on Wheels Plus, to support local programs. The event celebrated community efforts+ fostering lasting support for local causes. Observer
- ➤ Longboat Key held its third annual open house (Town Center Green) on March 7, where nearly 40 local organizations met with residents to share event details and answer questions. Representatives previewed a safety briefing on the proposed Canal Navigational Maintenance Program (March 17 to 18 at Bayfront Park) to promote safe waterways. Observer
- ➤ Garden Fest is set for March 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harvest United Methodist Church. Organized by the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club, the free event features about 25 vendors, expert demos and children’s activities (rock painting and seed planting) to inspire Florida-friendly gardening and support local projects. Observer
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Whit and his wife Taylor run Humu’s Island Treasures in Lakewood Ranch, selling carved tiki art made from repurposed wood via social media and local art shows. Their tropical pieces sell quickly & bring vibrant, good vibes to the community. Observer
- ➤ A major luxury retailer is closing its store at a Sarasota mall after filing for bankruptcy—this decision signals ongoing shifts in local retail operations. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s How I Got Over: A Gospel Revue is showing at the Donelly Theatre, where the cast sings gospel classics with call-and-response songs and heartfelt solos (featuring local talent) that honor gospel roots and bring a modern energy to a time-honored tradition. Observer
- ➤ Temple Beth Israel hosted a free screening of 'Nathan-ism,' a documentary on veteran Nathan Hilu’s post-WWII art depicting the Nuremberg trials (screened on March 6) and unveiled an interactive gallery of his works available until mid-March at the temple. Observer
- ➤ White Plume Productions is premiering Naga-Mandala, a show blending South Indian folklore with music, dance and circus acts, March 13-15 at the Circus Arts Conservatory building on Bahia Vista. The production (written by Girish Karnad) invites local creative collaboration. Sarasota Magazine
- ➤ Asolo Rep will premiere The Day the Circus Came to Town, a new docu-musical celebrating the centennial of John Ringling’s move that shaped Sarasota’s cultural history, on March 21 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts (part of its 2026-27 lineup). Observer
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Fuzzy baby sandhill cranes (colts) will soon cross local roads as they follow their parents in search of food from nearby marshes and pastures. Drivers are advised to be alert since these protected birds are a familiar part of our local wildlife. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) recorded TSA wait times of 0-15 minutes amid staffing issues from a partial government shutdown. Officials advised travelers to check alerts and arrive early as larger airports experienced longer delays. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ During Feb. 23-27, property sales in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, and Bird Key reached notable prices. A Country Club Shores home on Wedge Lane sold for $8.63 million, while other properties sold between $465K and $4.95 million. Observer
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Scott Curts Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Enjoy a night of eclectic tunes from an accomplished singer-songwriter accompanied by his German Shepherd.
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Sarasota Ukulele Festival & Concert
11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. — Sarasota Orchestra — $35+ — Enjoy workshops, a champagne reception, and a lively concert featuring Them Uke Boyz and Uke 66.
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Beginning Bird Photography Workshop
8:30-10:00 a.m. — Sarasota Audubon Nature Center — $10 – $20 — Enhance your bird photography skills in a beautiful natural setting with experienced guidance.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy the captivating sounds of Bri Rivera, a talented Puerto Rican musician, as she lights up the local music scene.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy a lively evening with the talented Ryan Faraday showcasing his musical talents.
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Spring Training: Pirates vs. Orioles
2:05-7:05 p.m. — Ed Smith Stadium — Cost unknown — Enjoy a split squad matchup as the Pirates take on the Orioles in an exciting spring training game.
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Open Mat
6-7 a.m. — TeamAlves Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school — $20 mat fee for non-team members — A welcoming occasion to grapple and refine your techniques from the week.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — No cover charge — Enjoy an evening of vibrant music from local sensation Bri Rivera, steeped in Puerto Rican tradition.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Entry fee unknown — Enjoy an evening of diverse musical styles from an accomplished local artist.
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Scott Curts Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy an eclectic mix of music as Scott Curts performs live, accompanied by his German Shepherd, 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.
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