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🍦County Growth, New Eats, and a Full Events Calendar
Best Things To Do in SRQ: 1/15 - 1/18
Carson B
January 13, 2026
Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!
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In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:
Thanks for reading,
Carson
🧠 Think You Know Sarasota? Trivia!
Before it became a popular waterfront destination, what was the primary use of St. Armands Key in the early 1900s? |
📰 Local Headline Roundup
Big County Projects Are Landing in Lakewood Ranch in 2026
Manatee County is about to deliver a big year of new facilities around Lakewood Ranch in 2026. Construction is underway on three key projects at Premier Sports Campus North: the long awaited Athletics and Aquatics Center with two pools and 24 pickleball courts opening in September, the second floor of the Lakewood Ranch Library with flexible public space, and a new Sheriff’s Office substation. Off Lena Road, two major builds will move forward: a property evidence building for the Sheriff’s Office and a first-of-its-kind landfill-to-renewable natural gas plant that could power thousands of homes.
A timeline for the evidence building is taking shape as design plans complete in early 2026 and a contractor search begins.
This all comes as part of the county’s broader push to expand services and infrastructure in East County. The Premier Campus projects expand community recreation and library services, while the Lena Road developments add necessary county operations and a major renewable energy effort.
Pura Vida Miami Opens Its Second Sarasota Location
Pura Vida Miami just opened a second Sarasota spot at The Landings along U.S. 41 bringing its healthy menu of acai bowls, salads, all-day breakfast, smoothies, wraps, sandwiches and protein bowls to a 3,400-square-foot space where Sweet Tomatoes used to be.
The Miami-based chain now has more than 40 locations and first came to our area at University Town Center in 2024. Co-founder Omer Horev says the new restaurant is meant to feel like part of the neighborhood with indoor and outdoor seating and a focus on fruits, vegetables and proteins with clean cooking that avoids seed oil. Pura Vida Miami is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Sarasota.
🔦 Featured Event: St. Petersburg & Sailboat Show
It’s a bit of a drive but it might be worth it if boating is up your alley…
The St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show is the largest boat show on Florida’s Gulf Coast and a cornerstone winter event in downtown St. Pete. Taking place January 15 through January 18, 2026 at the Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, the show transforms the waterfront with hundreds of powerboats, sailboats, yachts and marine exhibits displayed both on land and in the water.
A central 40,000 square foot exhibition tent features the latest in marine gear, accessories and nautical art. Live educational programming includes complimentary seminars, on-water training courses with the Annapolis School of Seamanship and family-friendly activities such as kids fishing clinics.
Boating fans can explore vessels of all types and connect with industry experts in a vibrant waterfront setting.
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Thursday
Conductor's Corner 3
📍Sarasota Orchestra | 🕦 7pm| 🔗 details
Revisiting Creedence
📍Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall | 🕦 Multiple shows | 🔗 details
Trivia & Bingo Night at Florida Provisions
📍Florida Provisions, Lakewood Ranch | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
📍Mertz Theatre, Asolo Rep | 🕦 7:30pm | 🔗 details
Friday
2026 Kick-Off Brunch
📍Mote SEA at Nathan Benderson Park | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details
Show: Primary Trust
📍Asolo Reperatory Theatre | 🕦 9am | 🔗 details
Comparing Russia's Modern Wars
📍Sarasota Art Museum | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
Living History Returns to De Soto National Memorial
📍DeSoto National Memorial, Bradenton | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Punta Gorda Seafood & Music Festival
📍Laishley Park, Punta Gorda | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details
SEA & Do Lifelong Learning: Reef Fish Ecology
📍Mote Science Education Aquarium | 🕦 2pm | 🔗 details
Venice-Nokomis Rotary Art Festival
📍Airport Festival Grounds, Venice | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Movie in the Park
📍Centennial Park, Venice | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
T-REC Movie Night
📍Nokomis Community Park | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Kansas
📍Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Pictures at an Exhibition
📍Neel PAC, Bradenton | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Saturday
Lakewood Ranch Mindful Triathlon
📍Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch | 🕦 7am | 🔗 details
5k Road Race - Gulf Coast Games for Life
📍Morgan Family Community Center | 🕦 8am | 🔗 details
Learn to Fish
📍5725 White Eagle Blvd, Lakewood Ranch | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Sarasota Winter Carnival
📍The Mall at University Town Center | 🕦 5pm | 🔗 details
Manatee County Fair
📍Manatee County Fairgrounds, Palmetto | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show
📍Duke Energy Center, St. Petersburg | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
Sunday
Mobile Plant Clinic
📍Bob Gardner Park, LWR | 🕦 9am | 🔗 details
Sunday Polo
📍Sarasota Polo Club | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Comedy Show: Lynne Koplitz
📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy
📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7:30am | 🔗 details
A Message from our Sponsor
Start your year with clarity
Written by Shane Parrish and reMarkable, this workbook helps you pause and reflect. Rather than add pressure, it relieves it, bringing clarity to what truly matters.
A simple reset for January. A thoughtful way to review your year.
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