Good morning, Sarasota.

Car enthusiasts gathered Sept.

5 at St. Armands Circle for Exotic Cars on the Circle, a holiday fundraiser for Flight to the North Pole that aids families of children with serious illnesses. The event featured rare vehicles and awards; future shows are set for Oct. 10 and Nov. 7.

At Nathan Benderson Park, residents will honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 on Friday from 8 a.m. to noon during the first Memorial Stair Climb (free) event.

Participants can climb the Finish Tower stairs up to 17 times, join a ceremony, and access mental health resources for first responders.

Throughout September, the 29th annual Community Harvest program allows Sarasota diners to designate 5% of their restaurant checks to local nonprofits via ballots (available at Columbia Restaurant and Cha Cha Coconuts on St. Armands Circle), supporting nearly $4.8 million in donations statewide.

Employees at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport recalled how on Sept.

11, 2001 a rush by Secret Service during President Bush’s hurried return to Air Force One turned an anticipated visit into chaos; they remembered a day marked by sudden danger and lasting impact.

Saturday's Dolly Day at the Bazaar on Apricot & Lime in downtown Sarasota honored Dolly Parton following her August passing.

The event featured live music, butterfly displays, a hat bar and interactive activities for families.

Key Chorale celebrates Joseph Caulkins' 20th season as artistic director with 11 planned concerts that highlight community outreach and musical storytelling.

The season opens Oct. 10 at First United Methodist Church (104 S. Pineapple Ave) and will feature collaborations with local arts groups through November.

Florida law mandates that middle and high school students in designated civics classes receive at least 45 minutes of instruction on the September 11 attacks.

Teachers use historical materials (newspaper reports, photographs from Ground Zero, and oral histories) to help students understand the global response.

Baby sea turtles in Longboat Key are hatching from July and August nests while new nesting has tapered off.

Volunteers & Mote Marine scientists are tracking the hatchings, which will continue through September and October.

The City of Sarasota said work to restore sand dunes on Lido Beach will begin Sept.

21 with equipment gathering starting Sept. 14. The project will use about 3,000 cubic yards of sand plus plant native vegetation to protect the dunes while keeping public access open.

Nine restaurants in Manatee County received citations for high-priority health code violations during inspections from Aug.

31 to Sept. 6; a Sarasota pizza restaurant was closed temporarily after rodent droppings were found near its rear exit.

Sarasota eateries bring a taste of the Big Apple with New York-inspired cheesecake, pizza, build-your-own breakfast bagels and pastrami specialties now available in Sarasota and Manatee counties—each dish crafted to echo classic New York traditions.

Gabe Milliken of Sarasota Christian won the North Port Preserve Pursuit on Aug.

29 with a 16:33.4 finish and was named Athlete of the Week. The junior improved his times from Aug. 22 and the IMG Academy Summit Challenge and aims to lead his team to district wins this season.

Local college players, including Lakewood Ranch's Devin Mignery and Duke transfer Mika Levy, adjusted to new roles after Week 1 of college football.

Teams sought breakthrough performances as these athletes worked to attract attention and deepen their rosters—changes that local supporters watched closely.

Senior Colton Prater from Lakewood Ranch High helped his boys cross-country team earn third place at the North Port Preserve Pursuit at Heron Creek Middle School on Aug.

29. His fifth-place finish in the boys’ 5K run — recorded in 16:59.3 — highlighted his strong season start.

Sarasota Youth Sailing hosted its 78th Labor Day Regatta on Sept.

6, with youth sailors aged 7 to 13 racing on a triangular course on Sarasota Bay. Local clubs provided coaching+teamwork to help first-time racers learn basic sailing skills.