Hurricane Season is Here
Hurricane Season is Here The City of Anna Maria would like to remind everyone that Hurricane Season began June 1st. Now is the time to prepare. Please visit the City's website for resources to help you and your business create a plan, build a disaster kit and stay informed.
September 16, 2025 | Sarasota, FL ─ Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is pleased to announce the 10th anniversary of the annual Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series, Alexander Calder: The Nature of Movement, which will be on view February 8 through May 31, 2026, at the Downtown Sarasota campus. The exhibitions in the Goldstein Series present the work of major artists and their connection to nature in the context of a botanical garden. The exhibitions combine original artworks in the galleries of the Richard and Ellen Sandor Museum of Botany & the Arts with horticultural vignettes in the Display Conservatory and throughout the outdoor gardens of the 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus. The vignettes make use of Selby Gardens’ outstanding living plant collections, as well as our spectacular bayfront setting. Calder’s work is a great source of interest to the team at Selby Gardens, particularly his fascination with energy and motion, coupled with his exploration of suspension and equilibrium. Selby Gardens is a leading center for the study of air plants and is home to the best scientifically documented collections of living epiphytic orchids and bromeliads in the world. The Calder exhibition at Selby Gardens will highlight the artist’s use of abstract forms rooted in nature and emphasize his interest in science and engineering. The exhibition will also explore Calder’s fascination with the circus, stemming from his studies of performers and animals at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1925. The circus is a subject of great local interest in Sarasota, which became the winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1927. “It is an honor to present our 2026 Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, dedicated to the pioneering work of Alexander Calder,” said Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. “This exhibition will offer a thoughtful exploration of Calder’s profound engagement with the natural sciences and the performing arts—particularly his fascination with the circus, which holds special significance in Sarasota’s cultural narrative. We are proud to continue advancing our interdisciplinary mission through this meaningful presentation as The Living Museum®. Image: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/abfrtgj1z315tpes0ic5r/ANWdZAvutLxDmBOxJVqroYU?rlkey=dztn3gcr5cmkrhol0jol5vqb4&dl=0 The post SELBY GARDENS ANNOUNCES 2026 JEAN & ALFRED GOLDSTEIN EXHIBITION ALEXANDER CALDER: THE NATURE OF MOVEMENT appeared first on Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER NOW After last year’s hurricanes devastated our program, we’re rising stronger than ever – and we need YOU! Join us for an epic, thrilling day of sporting clays action in Sarasota. Blast targets, enjoy friendly competition, delicious food, and great company – all while making a real difference. Every shot you take helps empower our young rowing champions to rebuild, train harder, and chase their dreams on the water. Your support directly funds new equipment, coaching, and opportunities these incredible kids lost in the storms. Don’t miss this unforgettable charity clay shoot – fun for shooters of all levels, and 100% of proceeds fuel the future of youth rowing! Register now and be a hero for our athletes. Let’s turn tragedy into triumph – together! When: Sunday, March 15th, 2026Registration starts at 8:00amShooting after safety talk ~9:45amLunch and Prizes after shooting. Where: Sarasota Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clay7730 Target Trail, Nokomis 34275 The post Ultimate Thrilling Sarasota Charity Clay Shoot – Empower Young Champions appeared first on Sarasota Scullers.
OSPREY, FL (December 22, 2025) Big Waters Land Trust, formerly known as Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, recently honored Ann Van Cott as its 2025 Conservation Partner of the Year in recognition of her philanthropy and leadership in protecting land and water. The honoree was recognized at the organization’s Annual Conservation Celebration. “We consider ourselves very fortunate to have such a supportive and passionate conservation community,” said Christine Johnson, President of Big Waters Land Trust. “It is because of people like Ann Van Cott that we are able to have such significant regional impact. We are incredibly grateful for her continued commitment to conservation and for her generosity of both time and resources.” Ann Van Cott received recognition as the 2025 Conservation Partner of the Year for her outstanding and longstanding commitment to conservation. She created the Natural Heritage Fund that over many decades provided funding to enhance conserved lands with nature trails, kayak launches, picnic tables, educational signage, and other amenities that allow people to enjoy and connect with nature. A passionate conservationist, Ann spent decades connecting people to Florida’s natural landscapes through her vision, leadership, and generosity. Her impact can be seen across many Big Waters Land Trust conservation projects, including Orange Hammock Ranch, Red Bug Slough, and the Rewilding the Quad Parcels at the Celery Fields. Ann’s philanthropy and leadership not only strengthened Big Waters Land Trust’s efforts to save land and water, but also inspired greater community involvement—drawing more people and organizations into the conservation movement and helping the region thrive for generations to come. The Annual Conservation Celebration was held at Big Waters Land Trust’s Bay Preserve headquarters in Osprey. In addition to recognizing the Conservation Partner of the Year, the event also celebrated the organization’s annual achievements made possible through the support of its growing conservation community. About Big Waters Land Trust Big Waters protects land and water for the benefit of people and nature. Through strategic collaborations with individuals, groups, organizations, and government, they work to ensure all people have access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, abundant wildlife, beautiful natural areas to enjoy, and all the other physical and mental benefits nature provides. Their vital work strengthens the region’s resiliency to storms and floods, enriches lives, and helps safeguard our community for generations to come. Learn more at bigwaterslandtrust.org. The post Big Waters Land Trust honors 2025 Conservation Partner of the Year appeared first on Big Waters Land Trust.
"NEWS RELEASE 26-015 - APRIL 2, 2026 Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman hopes to see everyone at the agency’s SCSO Block Party on Saturday, April 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Citizens are invited to visit the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) headquarters to enjoy a free, family-friendly event with food, music, demonstrations, games, and giveaways. Members of the agency’s SWAT Team, Corrections Emergency Response Team, Mounted Patrol, K-9, Marine Unit, and Aviation, among others, will display their equipment and demonstrate their skills, offering attendees an inside look at what they do. Human Resources will provide information about career opportunities, and the agency’s Animal Services Section will share about the adoptable animals. Kids who complete their SCSO passport book with stickers may be entered to win a prize. This event will not only be a fun and educational experience for those who attend, but it will also be a way for the agency, attendees, and our whole community to contribute for the purpose of fighting food insecurity in our community this summer. Partnering with All Faiths Food Bank, again this year, SCSO will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items through April 11. Collection boxes are available at these locations: SCSO Headquarters – 6010 Cattleridge Blvd., Sarasota Emergency Operations Center – 6050 Porter Way, Sarasota North County Courthouse – 2002 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota South County Courthouse – 4004 South Tamiami Trail, Venice Sarasota County Correctional Facility – 2020 Main St., Sarasota North Office – 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota South Office – 4531 Annex Rd., Venice Fleet – 16501 Honore Ave., Nokomis SCSO Animal Services – 8451 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota Sarasota Military Academy High School – 801 North Orange Ave., Sarasota On the day of the event, block party attendees will be able to bring food donations in exchange for a T-shirt. If you would like to help but cannot attend or get to a donation box, we are providing a link for cash donations to All Faiths. Just click the link to donate with your debit or credit card: https://bit.ly/4s3Wcyw “We can’t wait to share the day, the food, and make new friends, all while coming together to feed our neighbors!” said Sheriff Hoffman. “Getting to know our community better is one of the best parts of having an event like this. We welcome everyone to our headquarters, have fun together, and share a little of what we do!” If you, your community group, or business would like to donate, SCSO would be glad to work with you to make that happen. Contact the agency’s Community Affairs Office at 941.861.4124 with any questions."
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"NEWS RELEASE 25-060 - NOVEMBER 19, 2025 Pictured left to right: Deps. Andrew Symuleski, Bensly Melidor, Cameron Lock, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Terry Kolodzieski, Ed Kolodzieski, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; DFL/ICAC Unit not pictured. Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards at a ceremony on Wednesday. Deputies Cameron Lock, Bensly Melidor, and Andrew Symuleski received the Life Saving Award regarding a suicidal male who was at the Deer Prairie Creek Preserve Park holding a shotgun to his chest. Before deputies arrived, the male had shot himself. Lock, Symuleski, and Melidor arrived simultaneously and located the male lying face up on the ground with a gunshot wound on the left side of his chest. Lock and Symuleski began life saving measures. Melidor retrieved two chest seals for Lock, who applied them to the gunshot injury. Once the application was complete, Deputies Lock and Symuleski held a dressing over the wound and applied pressure. The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) arrived and took over aid. SCFD personnel advised that the loss of blood was minimal due to the quick actions and proper techniques utilized by the deputies. The male was flown by Bayflite to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery and survived. The deputies performed swiftly while making proper decisions and providing lifesaving procedures which were crucial in preserving the male's life. Digital Forensics Lab (DFL) and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received the Meritorious Achievement Award for demonstrating exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact on the agency. The DFL/ICAC Unit has initiated critical agency-wide improvements that have significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. Their key contributions include an agency-wide training initiative that delivers unmatched expertise in digital forensics, combats child exploitation, and fosters proactive community education. The DFL/ICAC Unit developed and implemented a comprehensive Electronic Search Warrant training program for the entire Investigations Bureau. This training covered extraction review, particularity, scope, and the use of digital tools for data analysis. This training results in enhanced investigative capabilities across the bureau, increased credibility in court testimony regarding electronic evidence, and standardized practices that improve legal defensibility and operational consistency. Remarkably, the DFL is one of the few labs in the nation with no backlog, having processed 394 electronic devices and 98.99 terabytes of data in the first half of 2025 alone. Additionally, the ICAC Unit investigated 285 cyber tips during the first half of 2025 related to child sexual exploitation, resulting in numerous criminal charges for possession and transmission of exploitative material. Their work directly protects vulnerable children and brings offenders to justice. The unit also took proactive steps to prevent further exploitation by hosting a community presentation for parents on internet safety, attended by approximately 30 parents. Ed Kolodzieski, CEO of Ultra-Marine, was also recognized at the ceremony with the Community Partnership Award for his generous donation of Zodiac boats to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Kolodzieski, a retired Marine Unit Officer with a distinguished career in both law enforcement and the private sector, has greatly supported the Marine Unit and DIVE Team’s response capabilities in local emergencies. “Today we recognize the exceptional men and women whose dedication and professionalism elevate this agency and protect our community each day,” said Sheriff Hoffman. “We are also grateful to live in a county where good people still exist and care about their community.”"
"NEWS RELEASE 25-059 - NOVEMBER 19, 2025Pictured from left to right: Classification Supervisor Amanda Garris, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Emergency Operations Supervisor Alexander Lowen, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman.Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is proud to announce the promotion of two sheriff’s office members during a ceremony held on Wednesday.Booking Technician II Amanda Garris was promoted to Classification Supervisor assigned to Corrections Services Bureau. Garris joined the agency in 2017 as a Control Room Specialist. In April 2018, she transferred to Booking Technician. She has been nominated four times as an employee of the month in the Courts and Corrections Division and was the recipient of the Courts and Corrections Employee of the Month Award in April 2022. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University.Communications Operator II Alexander (Xander) Lowen was promoted to Emergency Operations Supervisor assigned to Emergency Operations Bureau. Lowen joined the agency in 2019 as a Communications Operator III. In 2021, he became a Communications Training Officer and a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team in 2023. In 2024, he obtained his certification to dispatch law enforcement services and was promoted to Communications Operator II. He was nominated and was awarded the Administrative Division Employee of the Month in April2021. Zander holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Emergency Management from the State College of Florida.“We have so much to celebrate at SCSO,” said Sheriff Hoffman. “Seeing these members excel at what they do and advance to the next level is exciting for the future of our agency."
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