Neighborhood Guide

How to Spend a Summer Weekend in the Rosemary Art & Design District

North of downtown, this walkable neighborhood is gentrifying fast, but it still feels like a rooted community. Here’s how to spend a hot summer weekend there.

08/28/2026 By Matthew Gutierrez

Things to Do

What to Do in Sarasota and Manatee Counties This Week

From star-studded stand-up comedy and live boxing to wetland walks, disco dancing and a trading-card convention, here’s what to do in Sarasota and Manatee this week.

08/27/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Not Sayonara

JPan Sushi at UTC Will Close After 10 Years

The restaurant will serve its final sushi rolls and Benderson Bowls on Sept. 13. A new tenant is expected to take over the space, and JPan's Siesta Key location will remain open.

08/25/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Aha! Moments

The Shipyard Is Back

The talent incubator returns to Ringling College of Art + Design Sept. 4-6 with a simple premise: put talented people in a room and see what they can build.

08/25/2026 By Jules Telfort

ArtsBeat

FST Offering Hope and Positivity With New Season Selections

New plays and award-winning musicals, plus original cabaret shows, are part of the 2026-2027 lineup.

08/25/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

Fast Track

Academy Award-Winning Songwriter, Producer Mark Ronson Named to Sarasota Arts Group's Curatorial Council

Plus: Michelle Bocock is named Florida School Counselor of the Year, and more.

08/24/2026 By Staff

What We Stand to Lose

'I’m Haitian, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Is Personal'

"Finding out that the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate TPS for Haitians, despite the ongoing violence in my home country, left me feeling livid and a little hopeless," writes Jules Telfort.

08/24/2026 By Jules Telfort

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota and Manatee See Surge in Population Facing Risk of Homelessness

Sarasota and Manatee counties are seeing a sharp rise in people at risk of homelessness, with more than 5,000 residents now considered on the brink of losing their housing—up more than 50 percent in just three years.

08/24/2026 By Emily Andersen/Suncoast Searchlight

Public Safety

Sarasota Police Officer Arrested For Misuse of Controversial Surveillance System

The arrest of a Sarasota officer for misuse fuels mounting community opposition to the city's contract with Flock Safety.

08/24/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Sponsored Content

Ten Million Dollar Expansion Underway with the Child Protection Center

Demand for Child Abuse Services Rising Alongside Population Boom - Children Can't Be Left to Suffer

08/20/2026

Real Estate Report

Sarasota-Manatee Home Sales Rise as Inventory Tightens

July brought more closings, fewer active listings and a surge in Sarasota’s luxury market.

08/19/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

Local Voters Mostly Stick With Establishment, Developer-Backed Candidates in Primary

Because the majority of the state—including both Sarasota and Manatee counties—is solidly Republican, the GOP primaries usually put winning candidates on a clear path to victory in the November general election. But there were some surprises.

08/19/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

Fast Track

John Annis Named CEO of Barancik Foundation

Annis had previously been the foundation's interim CEO.

08/18/2026 By Staff

Benderson Bend

Sarasota Commissioners Clear the Way for Benderson’s Transformation of Former County Building

A pair of unanimous votes allows Benderson to pursue Class A offices, ground-floor retail and a dramatic redesign of the vacant building at 1660 Ringling Blvd.

08/18/2026 By Kim Doleatto

ArtsBeat

Urbanite Theatre Navigates Changing Arts Scene as It Plans 13th Season

The downtown playhouse will offer four new plays and a female-focused new play festival.

08/17/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

Pie Squared

Michelin-Recommended Pizza Maker Plans New Rosemary Art & Design District Restaurant

Chef Anthony Petralia is bringing pizza, handmade pasta and a more upscale Italian menu to the former Wolfie’s space on Boulevard of the Arts.

08/17/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Loaf Around

Serrecchio’s Turns Seagrape Wine Co. Into a Saturday Lunch Spot

A weekly pop-up pairs sourdough sandwiches and seasonal dishes with the conviviality of a neighborhood wine shop.

08/13/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Greek Arrival

Washington, D.C., Hot Spot Balos Is Coming to Downtown Sarasota

The seafood-focused restaurant will make its Florida debut as The Edge’s only retail tenant in spring 2027.

08/12/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Pop a Wheelie

Sarasota Unicycler Is Featured in 'Ripley’s Believe It or Not' Book

Ivan Arestov performs on the "ultra wheel," a seatless unicycle with just pedals—no seat, frame or handle.

08/12/2026 By Jules Telfort