Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Goodwill Manasota Supports Night With The Stars Prom

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...The-Stars-Prom

Since 2009, nonprofit organization Night With The Stars Prom, Inc. has helped Sarasota and Manatee County residents of all abilities, ages 16 and up, to enjoy a fabulous – and free – prom. This year’s event, themed “Night at the ‘50s,” is taking place April 19th at Woodland Community Church in Bradenton.

There are expected to be over 450 guests and caregivers in attendance.

Night With The Stars Prom is a nonprofit organization run solely by volunteers. Everything for the prom is donated by companies and members of surrounding communities, from the red carpet at the entryway to the decorations, desserts, table service, music, and photos.

The volunteers ensure that suits and prom dresses – with accessories – are available at no charge for those guests who attend special try-on events, and alterations are also provided. There are also individuals who donate their time and talent by doing hair and makeup for the guests.

This year, Goodwill Manasota became involved in the effort, donating 45 gift cards to its retail stores so that prom guests could shop for clothing, shoes and accessories.

For more info:

https://www.nightwiththestarsprom.org/

[wondermint2]

Today's Hot Topics | Suncoast View (April 17th, 2024) (Video)

For video:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/34062...pril-17th-2024

[wondermint2]

AI in Sarasota County Schools (Video)

For video:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/34066...-ai-in-schools

[wondermint2]

Waterfront festivities and more fun things to do in Sarasota and Bradenton this weekend

For full article:

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/wate...093431664.html

"One of my favorite things to do in downtown Sarasota is to dine at Marina Jack's Blue Sunshine Patio and then walk over to its sister business, O'Leary's Tiki Bar, for a beer before following the path around Bayfront Park. This weekend, that experience will be elevated thanks to the return of the Suncoast Boat Show.

I also regularly enjoy a stroll along the Bradenton Riverwalk, which is once again hosting its free Music in the Park series on Friday. So, yeah, there are a couple of nice waterfront festivities to choose from this weekend, along with three other events we recommend for a good time in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Let's begin with details on the Suncoast Boat Show."

[wondermint2]

OPINION - Manatee County officials solve the migrant crisis; guarantee election integrity in November

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...november,83871

On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis again showed his true colors, appointing unqualified political hack James Satcher as our Supervisor of Elections instead of the infinitely more qualified alternative, 11-year SOE Chief of Staff Scott Farrington. Farrington immediately resigned, and Satcher set about hiring another political hack with no experience and a mountain of baggage to replace him.

Satcher became the SOE because the development cabal needed someplace to stick him so that they wouldn’t have him fouling up their plans for the BOCC any longer, as the right-wing zealot would occasionally go rogue and always go stupid. I’m told that Satcher’s chief of staff will be none other than David Ballard, husband of District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard.

You might remember his name from the significant press he received in connection with his habit of playing drunken bumper cars throughout Manatee County. The law school graduate was working for a developer lobbyist group when he was arrested twice in just over a month in 2023 for driving drunk and running into things. At that point, it appears he was let go as "political liaison" for the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association and was in dire need of a paycheck.

In the second incident, Ballard hit a county employee, who then filed a lawsuit, which it appears was settled for some amount greater than $50,000 right around the time his wife flipped her vote on a short-lived coup that temporarily saw Vanessa “Vaccinegate” Baugh replace Kevin “the bougainvillea thief” Van Ostenbridge as the board’s chair.

As a result of DeSantis’ deference to the donor class, a Supervisor of Elections office that had once been the envy of just about every county in Florida will see its top two positions staffed by a right-wing MAGA zealot and a hapless spouse who, collectively, have exactly zero experience running elections. There seems little doubt that should Donald Trump need someone to “find the votes” this November, he will discover an eager derriere smoocher in Manatee County. Bob Sweat is surely rolling over in his grave.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Plan to potentially demolish Sarasota Square Mall for development reaches milestone

For full article & graphic:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...0c6a7996&ei=30

The long-anticipated — and still-debated — redevelopment of the Sarasota Square Mall has reached a key milestone with the Sarasota County Commission's approval of several planning and zoning steps, priming the former commercial and social hub for a transformation.

The decisions clear the way for Illinois-based developer Torburn Partners to move forward in potentially demolishing the mall and building a mixed-use development across almost 95 acres. Preliminary plans include 692,500 square feet of non-residential space and an apartment complex with 500 to 1,200 units.

The property's Costco, JCPenney and AMC Theaters buildings will remain, but new structures will occupy the rest of the mall site that Torburn Partners acquired the acreage in a series of purchases — totaling $35.3 million — beginning in 2021.

Bob Horne, principal at Torburn Partners, said the development will promote walkability and a community-oriented lifestyle with businesses, restaurants, residences in closer proximity. He predicts development will fill in retail and entertainment gaps left following the demise of Sarasota Square, which, like other malls nationwide declined over the past two decades.

“This was once the place in Sarasota County,” Horne said. “This project will bring a whole new vitality back to this area.”

The commission heard six motions that moved to rezone parcels of the mall to regional commercial and commercial general, added acreage to the mall’s overall master plan, called a Development of Regional Impact, and the U.S. 41/Beneva Road Critical Area Plan and approved a special exception for outdoor entertainment and recreation past 10 p.m. within the development.

Commissioners voted with varying degrees of support for each motion. The first, which rezoned the mall parcel at 8201 S. Tamiami Trail from medium density residential to regional commercial, passed unanimously, while the remaining five passed 3-2, with Commissioners Joe Neunder and Neil Rainford dissenting.

The issues made it past the Planning Commission, which unanimously approved them March 7 despite significant pushback. Public speakers echoed much of that protest last Tuesday, expressing approval of revitalizing the area but adding concerns of overdevelopment and incompatibility with nearby neighborhoods.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPzuQrF3A_A

[wondermint2]

Florida appeals court rules people have right to record phone calls with police


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbmSAYkXZDQ

[wondermint2]

Top residential real estate sales for April 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...tate-sarasota/

A condominium in Block 6 tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Patrick and Mary Mulva, trustees, of Dallas, sold the Unit 1403 condominium at 401 Quay Commons to John and Margaret Russell, of East Lansing, Michigan, for $9.3 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, five baths and 4,818 square feet of living area. It sold for $4.48 million in 2021.

[wondermint2]

Casual restaurant to open on Longboat Key in October

Lo’ Key Island Grille will emphasize a laid-back atmosphere with a sizable outdoor space while serving fresh seafood.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...gboat-october/

Lo’ Key Island Grille is coming soon, and Courtney Rossler, one of the owners, is looking forward to having a place of her own on Longboat Key.

Located at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive on the corner of Tarawitt Drive, the restaurant will give residents another dining option on Longboat Key, where there already exists a handful of well-established restaurants, Rossler said.

At Lo’ Key, Rossler said the atmosphere will be unique, offering a casual dining atmosphere where someone can also enjoy a local, fresh snapper meal.

But first she’ll need to bring some new life to the building, starting with an almost total reconstruction which kicked off at the start of March. Construction and acquisition of a certificate of occupancy should be complete around August.

The restaurant’s opening is planned for around October this year, according to Rossler.

Holliday Construction Group is the general contractor for the restaurant and has been a great partner so far, Rossler said.

There are a lot of necessities, like putting on a new, hurricane-grade roof and raising the ceilings for a more open feel.

Still, she said when thinking about the reconstruction the goal was to fit in with Longboat Key. The flooring — a type that gives an “Old Florida” feel — is about the only remaining aspect of the old building, which was built in 1952.

[wondermint2]

Grand opening of the Academy at Bradenton

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...fb03f7d4&ei=26

After nearly three years of planning, design and construction, the Academy at Bradenton celebrated its grand opening on Thursday.

The Academy at Bradenton is located at 6th Avenue West and 11th Street West.

Administrators and volunteers say it marks a significant step forward in providing a supportive environment for mental health recovery.

This is the second location for The Academy, which offers services to adult members diagnosed with Mental Health Diagnosis. The first, based in Sarasota, opened in 2017.

The Academy, which is a 501c3 Non-Profit, offers social events, in addition to training in culinary arts, hospitality, office administration, maintenance/janitorial, customer service, accounting/banking, videography, and graphic arts and design.

For more information on services offered at both locations, click here:

https://www.academysrq.org/en/