News & City Life

Grants

Florida Studio Theatre Awarded $200,000 Grant

The funds come from Jack and Priscilla Schlegel's fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

12/20/2021 By Staff

Fast Track

Sarasota County Schools Police Department Names New Chief

Duane Oakes has been named the school district's new chief of police and executive director of safety and security, effective Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

12/17/2021 By Staff

Fast Track

Bellamy Re-Elected as Manatee County Port Authority Chairman

George Kruse, Misty Servia and James Satcher were also elected to serve one-year port board officer terms.

12/17/2021 By Staff

Hunger

Unprecedented Food Insecurity Persists in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

All Faiths Food Bank and Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee cite Covid, supply chain interruptions and the rising cost of housing as challenges.

12/17/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Event

Sarasota Tiger Bay Panel Will Discuss the Growing Privatization of Local and State Public Beaches

Some people have been arrested for walking on Sarasota beaches they’ve used for years. Why is this happening—and is it legal?

12/17/2021 By Staff

Fast Track

Pavitra Ciavardone Named CareerEdge Program Director

Prior to joining the chamber, Ciavardone spearheaded Goodwill Manasota's commuity engagement and development efforts.

12/16/2021 By Staff

Philanthropy

Local DAR Member Donates Backpacks, Supplies for Homeless Veterans

The effort is called "Sue's Backpacks" in honor of the late mother of DAR member Rebecca Morgan, who first began doing this locally in 2017.

12/16/2021 By Staff

Grants

Van Wezel Foundation Receives Grant to Support Virtual Bilingual Family Art Nights

The funding comes from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation.

12/16/2021 By Staff

Fast Track

Marlo Turner to Join Selby Gardens as Vice-President, Chief Advancement Officer

Turner comes to Selby Gardens from Tidewell Foundation.

12/16/2021 By Staff

Fast Track

Blake Medical Center Names New Chief Medical Officer

Dr. R. Lee Biggs was previously CMO of Trident Health in Charleston, South Carolina.

12/16/2021 By Staff

Fast Track

Community Foundation Announces Staff Promotions, Appointments

Ranata Reeder has joined the Hull Fellows Leadership Program, Julie Alvins has been promoted to director of accounting, and Laurie Scott has been appointed philanthropic advisor.

12/15/2021 By Staff

Conservation

Jelks Family Foundation Awards $25,000 Grant to Conservation Foundation

The funding will be used for conservation of priority land in Manatee County.

12/14/2021 By Staff

Listening to Black Voices

Information Engineer Derik Perry on Artificial Intelligence, Algothrimic Bias and Social Media

"We have to be aware that social media has the potential to do harm and that, purely by the use of it, people are exposed to an algorithmic bias."

12/14/2021 By Heather Dunhill

The giving season

Christmas Gift Drive Organizers Say It Can Be a Struggle to Serve Teens

It may be more fun to buy a shiny toy fire engine than earbuds, but Christmas gifts are important for older children, as well.

12/14/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Only in Sarasota

Only in Sarasota: Poinciana at Fishery Point

This beautiful poinciana tree, framed by a palm and other foliage, was spotted in full bloom while exiting Bayou Louise.

12/14/2021 By Staff

Long Live Longbeach

Historic Longbeach Is a Sweet Reminder of Vanishing Old Florida

This is what coastal Southwest Florida looked like before master-planned communities, Gulf-front condos and growth took hold.

12/14/2021 By Kim Doleatto

You Must Remember Hiss

Brilliant, Imperious and Public-Spirited, Philip Hiss Helped Establish Sarasota’s Claims to Fame

Of all the fabulous characters who made Sarasota what it is today, Hiss is the great mystery.

12/14/2021 By Robert Plunket

Energy

Florida Power & Light Unveils Massive Solar-Powered Battery in Parrish

The largest solar-powered battery in the world is now located in Manatee County.

12/13/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Education

New College Forges New Guaranteed Admission Agreements With Other Florida Colleges

New College of Florida will soon guarantee admission to any students who have earned an associate in arts degree from one of five other Florida schools.

12/13/2021 By Staff

Celebrity access

Guess What? We Now Have a Royce Gracie Day in Sarasota.

Mayor Erik Arroyo gave mixed martial arts superstar Royce Gracie the key to the City of Sarasota and named a day after him.

12/11/2021 By Kim Doleatto