News & City Life

Best of Sarasota

The Best of Sarasota 2024: Readers' Poll

We polled our readers about their favorite shops, services and more. Here’s what you had to say.

05/01/2024

Best of Sarasota

The Best of Sarasota 2024: Editors' Picks

Here are our favorite new finds from a year full of them. 

05/01/2024 By The Editors

Fast Track

Selby Gardens President and CEO Named 2024 'Voice of Sarasota'

Plus, SMH honors its longtime employees and more.

04/29/2024 By Staff

Grant Report

Local Couple Donates $1 Million to Venice Theatre

Plus, a $4 million challenge gift for Florida Studio Theatre and more.

04/29/2024 By Staff

Just for Kids

20 Summer Camps We Love

Fun activities that keep kids healthy, happy, sharp and social while school is out.

04/24/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Grant Report

Samaritan Counseling Services Receives Funding for People Recovering from Hurricane Ian

Plus, the Tidewell Foundation held its annual Linens and Love drive and more.

04/22/2024 By Staff

Fast Track

Visit Sarasota County Announces 2024 Executive Committee

Plus, architect Sarah Lyons opens her own firm and more.

04/22/2024 By Staff

Loop de Loop

A New Roundabout Is Coming to Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place

Lane closures and detours for Phase 1 are scheduled to begin April 29.

04/22/2024 By Staff

An Appreciation

The Founders of WSLR and Fogartyville Are Stepping Down. Their Impact on Sarasota Has Been Immense.

Arlene Sweeting and Dave Beaton have been community fixtures for decades. Now they're moving on.

04/18/2024 By Stacey Altherr

Philanthropy

2024 Giving Challenge Raises More Than $17 Million

More than $92 million has been raised since the first challenge in 2012.

04/15/2024 By Staff

Rescue Mission

Mote, FWC Help Rehabilitate Distressed Smalltooth Sawfish

The two organizations stepped in after receiving reports of the animal "spinning" in Cudjoe Bay. It's the latest in a series of sightings of spinning fish in the Keys.

04/15/2024 By Staff

Listening to Black Voices

Samantha Gholar on the Lack of Black Journalists in Newsrooms and the State of Diversity in Sarasota

"There are organizations in this community that have zero Black or brown people on their boards. It’s unfortunate that business leaders don’t include us in the bigger conversations."

04/10/2024 By Heather Dunhill

Overtown

Sarasota Historic Preservation Board Denies Permit to Demolish Historic Hotel Built During Segregation

The 1926-built Colson Hotel in the Rosemary District has been spared for now.

04/10/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Fast Track

Tonika Conaway, Kelly Romanoff Named Co-Chairs of First 1,000 Days Suncoast Initiative

Plus, new hires at Venice Theatre, The Pickleball Club and more.

04/08/2024 By Staff

The Big Give

The 2024 Giving Challenge Kicks Off April 9

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's 24-hour challenge runs from noon to noon on April 9-10; all unique donations of $25 to $100 will be matched by The Patterson Foundation.

04/08/2024 By Staff

Hurricanes

Climate Adaptation Center Predicts 24 Named Storms, 12 Hurricanes and Six Major Hurricanes for 2024

Hurricanes have been increasing in strength and number for the last decade.

04/04/2024 By Megan McDonald

Affordable Housing

New Affordable Housing Incentives Will Allow Triple Density Along Some Sarasota Thoroughfares

City commissioners voted 3-2 Monday to expand developer incentives in exchange for affordable units to address the city's affordability crisis.

04/03/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Spin Cycle

What Can We Expect From This Year's Hurricane Season?

Ahead of official predictions coming next month, here are three things to keep an eye on.

03/25/2024 By Megan McDonald

In the Middle of It All

In a Rapidly Changing Rosemary District, Resurrection House Remains Committed to Helping People Without a Place to Live

In Sarasota County, where homelessness is on the rise, the nonprofit day center provides unhoused individuals with food, clothing, showers and restrooms.

03/21/2024 By Stephanie Churn Lubow

Barking Up the Right Tree

Let's Meet Some Adorable Future Guide Dogs

Southeastern Guide Dogs breeds, raises and delivers highly trained dogs that change lives by offering companionship, guidance, safety, support and boundless love.

03/21/2024 By Kim Doleatto