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- ๐จ๐ญ Hospital Ranking & SPAC Finances
๐จ๐ญ Hospital Ranking & SPAC Finances
Best Things To Do in SRQ: 3/13 - 3/16

Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!
Iโve got a lot in store this week. But first, a quick reminder that I love to hear all of your great feedback.
If there are ever any events youโd like to see included, questions, comments, or you just want to say Hi โ you can respond to any of these emails or if youโre on the web you can drop a comment.
In todayโs edition of the Sarasota Scoop:
Thanks for reading,
Carson

๐ฐ Local News
SMH Named One of the Worldโs Best Hospitals
๐ฅ Big win for local healthcare: Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been named one of the worldโs best hospitals in Newsweekโs 2025 rankings, placing it among top medical institutions globally.
๐ Why it matters: SMH is one of only seven hospitals in Florida to make the list, standing out for its quality care, patient satisfaction, and medical innovation.
By the numbers:
The rankings cover over 2,400 hospitals across 30 countries.
Evaluations are based on peer recommendations, patient outcomes, and hospital performance metrics.
โ ๏ธ Zoom out: This isnโt a firstโSMH has consistently ranked among Americaโs top hospitals, reinforcing Sarasotaโs reputation as a hub for high-quality healthcare.
Whatโs next: Expect continued investments in cutting-edge medical technology and expanded healthcare services as SMH builds on its success.
New Performing Arts Center Faces Financial Hurdles
๐ญ The latest: Sarasotaโs proposed Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is expected to run a $4 million annual deficit, according to a new business plan presented by the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.
๐ Why it matters: The city must decide whether to proceed with the $407 million project, which aims to transform Sarasotaโs arts scene but comes with significant financial risks.
Breaking down the funding:
The project relies on a mix of public and private contributions.
The plan calls for 25% from the city, 25% from the county, and 50% from private philanthropy.
Sarasota County officials, however, have been hesitant to commit funds, which could leave the city covering half the total cost.
Whatโs at stake: If the funding plan falls through, Sarasota could miss out on a state-of-the-art cultural venue, but moving forward could put financial strain on the cityโs budget.
๐ Whatโs next: The Sarasota City Commission will vote on March 17 on whether to advance the project or reconsider its feasibility.

๐ฆ Spotlight: Celebrate St. Pattyโs Day
This weekend, Sarasota will be alive with all-kinds of fun celebrations for St. Patrickโs Day.
In the spirit of how Americanโs typically celebrate the day, there are a number of lively events & bar crawls around town.
Bradenton St. Patrick's Day Block Party
๐Old Main St, Bradenton
๐ details
Gator Clubโs Block Party
๐Gator Club, Sarasota
๐ details
Almost St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl
๐Joe's On Main
๐ details

Thursday, March 13th
Mind of Abraham Lincoln
๐The Orca, Sarasota
๐ฆ 10am - 12pm
๐ details
J.McLaughlin Sip & Shop
๐J.McLaughlin, Longboat Key
๐ฆ 11am - 3pm
๐ details
Botanical Illustration Workshop
๐Selby Botanical Gardens
๐ฆ 3pm - 6pm
๐ details
Jazz Thursdays
๐Sarasota Art Museum
๐ฆ 5:30pm
๐ details
Friday, March 14th
Venice Book Fair and Writers Festival
๐ Blalock Park, Venice
๐ฆ 9am - 3pm
๐ details
How to Catch a Leprechaun
๐ Sarasota Children's Garden
๐ฆ 11am
๐ details
Fighting in the Tunnels of Vietnam
๐ Military Heritage Museum, Punta Gorda
๐ฆ 11:30am
๐ details
Crazy for Gershwin
๐ Venice Performing Arts Center
๐ฆ See Details
๐ details
Sarasota County Fair
๐ Fairgrounds, Sarasota
๐ฆ 5pm
๐ details
Moon Over Myakka Fundraising Concert
๐ Myakka River State Park
๐ฆ 7pm - 9:30pm
๐ details
Movie Night at Waterside
๐ Waterside Park
๐ฆ 7pm
๐ details
The Barber of Seville
๐ Sarasota Opera House
๐ฆ 7:30pm
๐ details
Saturday, March 15th
BMX Open House
๐Sarasota BMX
๐ฆ 9:30am
๐ details
St. Patrick's Day at Main Street
๐ LWR Main Street
๐ฆ 11am - 9pm
๐ details
Irish Celtic Festival
๐13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch
๐ฆ 11:30am - 3pm
๐ details
Family Art Making
๐ Ringling Museum
๐ฆ Multiple Times
๐ details
Maverickโs Rhythm & Rave
๐ Performance Pavilion, Bradenton
๐ฆ 3:30pm - 7pm
๐ details
Live Music: Savor the Sounds
๐ Towns Center Green, Longboat Key
๐ฆ 5:30pm - 8pm
๐ details
Sunday, March 16th
Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market
๐ 5161 Lakefront Dr, Lakewood Ranch
๐ฆ 9am - 2pm
๐ details
A Vette Together 2025
๐ Meadows Farmers Market, Sarasota
๐ฆ 8am - 3pm
๐ details
Downtown Sarasota Fine Art and Craft Fair
๐ 1718 Main St, Sarasota
๐ฆ 10am - 5pm
๐ details
Art in the Park
๐ University Park Country Club, University Park
๐ฆ 10am - 5pm
๐ details
PLAN AHEAD
Sarasota Film Festival 2025
๐ 1993 Main St, Sarasota
๐ April 4th - 13th
๐ details
5th Annual Downtown Sarasota Spring Craft Fair
๐ 1 Central Avenue, Sarasota
๐ May 3rd
๐ details

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