🐢 Turtle Power: $10.5K Donation Lights Up Local Conservation Efforts

In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

• MOTE donation from LBK Turtle Watch

• Sarasota Community Meeting

• Hot new restaurants 

• More of the best events in SRQ

Lastly, we want to hear from you — make sure to vote in the poll at the end!

Thanks for reading,

Carson

📰 Local News

Mote Gets $10.5K Donation

Longboat Key Turtle Watch has donated $10,500 to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium this year, continuing a tradition spanning more than 15 years.

The annual donation, made in memory of Freda Perrotta and Orville Clayton, will help replace equipment damaged during recent hurricanes, including a new freezer for the sea turtle hospital lost during Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The two organizations work closely together during nesting season, with Turtle Watch volunteers patrolling Longboat's beaches daily to monitor and track turtle nests.

Those interested can learn more at LBKTurtleWatch.com.

Sarasota Community Meeting

The City of Sarasota will host a community meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 5 p.m. at Selby Public Library (1331 First St.) to present draft concepts for the Main Street Complete Streets project.

At this open house, attendees can review plans and provide feedback to the project team.

The concepts reflect input from spring 2024 engagement activities, including workshops, merchant discussions, and an online survey with 1,500+ responses. Top priorities identified were: outdoor dining/shopping spaces, landscaping, inviting public spaces, enhanced lighting, and additional shade.

The project aims to transform Main Street between U.S. 41 and School Avenue into a safer, more attractive corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

Further details: Observer

🔦 Restaurant Spotlights

Taverna Toscana

📍 1301 6th Ave, Bradenton

💲💲💲

This new addition opened earlier this year and is becoming a favorite. Led by former Top Chef contestant, Fabio Viviani, and brings a traditional Tuscan Italian dining experience to Bradenton.

As expected, there’s plenty of pastas, but in true Tuscan fashion the menu features a great selection of hearty proteins — grab a table 

J’s Korean

📍 1962 Hillview St, Sarasota

💲

Located around the corner from Sarasota Memorial, J’s gives diners a homey comfort meal with a selection of authentic Korean dishes. 

Best for ordering in, or a more casual night out.

Wednesday, December 11th

Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival

📍 Freedom Factory, Bradenton

🕦 5pm - 9pm

1st Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival! This is a light show like no other — details

Ranch Nite | Photos with Santa

📍 Gateway Park, Lakewood Ranch

🕦 6pm

This week's Ranch Nite feature's a chance to get pics with Santa - details

Children's Open Dance

📍 Miss Jodi's School of Dance, Sarasota

🕦 9am - 12pm

Open Play at Miss Jodi's for children age 2 through age 8 — details 

Photo's with Santa at UTC

📍 Mall at UTC

🕦 All day, check schedule

Make your reservation to meet Santa for a picture-perfect moment — details 

Thursday, December 12th

Swim and Gym (YMCA)

📍 YMCA, Sarasota

🕦 1:30pm - 3pm

Gym time allows youth to participate and learn new sports, play a variety of games with other youth, and make new friends — deatils 

ROAR at the Ringling

📍 Ringling Museum, Sarasota

🕦 9:45am

ROAR! is our free story time that connects art with early literacy. At this program, we read together, make art, and learn about an object in the museum — details

Artist Talk & Book Signing: E. A. KAHANE

📍 Art Center, Sarasota

🕦 5pm - 7pm

Artist E. A. KAHANE, whose work is on view December 5, 2024 - January 18, 2025, will speak about creative challenges, successes and inspiration — details 

Friday, December 13th

Merry and Bright

📍 Sarasota Orchestra

🕦 5:30pm

Enjoy festive music that underscores the merry and bright feelings of this special time of year — details

Christmas Movie on the Lawn

📍 Sarasota Project, Sarasota

🕦 5:30pm - 8pm

Showing of the The Grinch (2018) and serving complimentary popcorn & hot chocolate — details 

Tour of Lights | SRQ Trolley

📍 4041 Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota

🕦 Multiple times all weekend

The Holiday Tour of Lights has become a MUST when you’re in the holiday spirits, so get ready to sit back, relax, sip on your favorite beverage (you provide), and listen to your favorite holiday music, while enjoying what Sarasota’s residents have created — details

"Savor the Season" Holiday Festival

📍 Ananda Farm

🕦 See details

Join us at Ananda Farm's "Savor the Season" Holiday Festival! Experience a day filled with fun, food, and celebrations - details

Lisa & All-Terrain Band

📍 Captain Curt’s, Sarasota

🕦 6pm

Check out the Lisa & All-Terrain Band cover all your favorites — details

Saturday, December 14th

Sandy Claws Beach Run

📍 Siesta Key Beach

🕦 8am

Sandy Claws Beach Run sees runners, walkers and joggers dressed in holiday gear, and includes a chip-timed 5K race and a one-mile fun run — details

Breakfast with Santa at Forked

📍 Forked, Lakewood Ranch

🕦 9am - 11am

Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa Claus himself, where kids and adults alike can savor delicious dishes while sharing their holiday wishes — details 

5th Annual Christmas Bazaar

📍 City Hall Green, North Port

🕦 10am - 3pm

There will be crafters, local artists & vendors, food trucks & more! — details 

Deck the Halls

📍 Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota

🕦 10am

Embark on a magical adventure into the enchanting world of Children’s Theatre — details 

Photos with Santa at Court Thirteen

📍 Court Thirteen, Sarasota

🕦 10am - 12pm

Court Thirteen will be decked out in festive decorations, creating the perfect Christmas backdrop. Kids can even bring letters to Santa to drop off during their visit — details 

Winter Wonderland

📍 Robert Taylor Community Complex, Sarasota

🕦 11am - 2pm

Arts & crafts, toy giveaway, cookie decorating and more! — details 

Holidays at The Bay

📍 1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota

🕦 4pm - 7:30pm

Celebrate the season with offerings that include a free family photo with Santa Claus and a holiday craft project — details 

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

📍 Island Park 5, Sarasota

🕦 6pm - 9pm

Watch boats beautifully decorated for the holidays on Sarasota Bay, in an annual event presented by Suncoast Charities for Children and Marina Jack — details 

Storm Riders - Doors Tribute

📍 Oscura, Bradenton

🕦 7pm

Come catch a tribute to The Doors. Tickets here — details

Sunday, December 15th

Breakfast with Santa

📍 Ed's Tavern, Lakewood Ranch

🕦 9am - 11am

Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa Claus himself, where kids and adults alike can savor delicious dishes — details 

Siesta Key Farmers Market

📍 5211 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key

🕦 9am - 2pm

Shop local! Come check out local vendors - local rum, fresh produce, handmade soap, and more

Holiday Market with Santa

📍 Meadows Farmers Market

🕦 All day, check schedule

A special holiday themed farmers market with a costume contest, a parade, and more — details 

Wonderland at the Big Top

📍 Big Top at UTC, Sarasota

🕦 Multiple showings, check schedule

“Wonderland” will take audiences on a heartwarming and visually stunning journey that brings together the enchantment of the winter holidays and their unique traditions — details 

PLAN AHEAD

New Years Eve Bayfront Fireworks

📍 Island Park 5

🕦 11:45pm

Welcome the arrival of the New Year with the 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular

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