Daily
Sarasota
Thursday, March 20th, 2025
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Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 20th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Making a Difference Club of Del Webb installed an ADA compliant swing on March 14 at Lakewood Ranch Park to honor late Jacklyn Messina—club president Lucille Messina raised funds through local events while Manatee County employee Shane Hebert checked the swing for safety. Observer
- ➤ Longboat Key’s Diamond Collar Society is a new fundraising arm of the Humane Society that held a membership drive at The Mark where Melinda Foster and Board President Janet Boyden raised over $300,000 to boost animal rescue efforts—3,000 rescues happened in 2024 with a goal to reach 5,000 soon. The society needs multi-year donation commitments and will host its next fundraiser, Mission Pawssible, on April 11—supporting local animal rescue services. Observer
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Sarasota Ballet will present Sir Frederick Ashton’s 'Romeo and Juliet' at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on March 28-29—marking its Florida premiere after a delay from COVID-19. Principal dancer Luke Schaufuss stars as Romeo after waiting five years while Macarena Giminez debuts as Juliet in the production. Observer
- ➤ Next month, the 27th annual Sarasota Film Festival will run from April 4th to April 13th and show films, shorts and TV episodes with celebrity guests. The festival will open with a documentary on Marcella Hazan featuring her family and close with Taylor McFadden’s Lovers—accompanied by an acoustic set from Nathaniel Rateliff—and a TV screening of Godfather of Harlem before its MGM+ premiere. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A new report from Suncoast Waterkeeper found that Tropical Storm Debby damaged local water quality for more than three weeks by washing pollutants into the bay—leading to unsafe conditions for swimmers. Englewood resident Tommy Herzog, who lost nearly all of his property in past storms like Hurricane Helene, is applying for help from Elevate Florida to raise his home and reduce future damage. ABC 7
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Town officials and Country Club Shores residents agreed to shorten five curbed medians on the turn lane project—one by 75 feet and the others by 50 feet—to ease safety concerns over left-turn staging. Construction has begun with traffic barriers and excavation while the town works with FDOT to update the design. Observer
- ➤ Newly elected commissioner Steve Branham will be sworn in for his at-large seat at a statutory meeting on Monday, March 24 at 9 a.m. He won 68.3% of the vote on March 11 and brings over 13 years of local experience from his service with town boards and the Coast Guard to help address town challenges. Observer
- ➤ Florida residents affected by back-to-back hurricanes who already received initial temporary rental assistance can apply for Continued Temporary Rental Assistance to cover up to three months of rent and utilities costs for up to 18 months while they repair or rebuild their homes. Survivors must show a continued disaster-caused financial need and a permanent housing plan—forms are mailed 15 days after initial approval and may be returned online, by mail or fax. ABC 7
SHOP NEWS
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Tony Monaco & Eric Alexander Live at SRQ Jazz Fest
7-10 p.m. | Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | Cost info not provided | Experience a night of jazz with organist Tony Monaco and saxophonist Eric Alexander at the Sarasota Jazz Festival.
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Free Outdoor Pilates Class at UTC
Experience a high-intensity, low-impact Pilates workout led by local instructors at UTC FIT, suitable for all fitness levels.
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National Symphony Orchestra Concert
Concert time to be announced | Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall | Ticket prices vary | Experience Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Korngold's Violin Concerto performed by Hilary Hahn.
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Live Performance by Justin Layman
Justin Layman will be performing live at The Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach.
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Justin Layman Live Performance
Experience a live performance by Justin Layman at Siesta Key Oyster Bar in Sarasota.
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Jim McCue Live Performance
3-11 p.m. — McCurdy's Comedy Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughter with comedian Jim McCue at this popular Sarasota venue.
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Romeo and Juliet Ballet Performance
19:30 on Friday, 14:00 & 19:30 on Saturday — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Tickets required — Experience the Sarasota Ballet's premiere of Prokofiev's iconic score with Sir Frederick Ashton’s choreography.
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Dine with Local Tastemakers
6-8 p.m. — Arts & Central — $3 prepayment required — Enjoy a casual dinner with lamb sliders and octopus while connecting with like-minded locals.
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On-Site Tour at Alderman Oaks Retirement Residence
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Alderman Oaks Retirement Residence | Free entry | Explore a senior living community committed to quality care and vibrant lifestyle options in the heart of Sarasota.
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Camp Time Fun Week
Daily activities — Sun Outdoors Sarasota — Pricing varies — Enjoy a week of classic camp activities, crafts, and local music at this vibrant outdoor celebration.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled.
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