🏨🎭 Hospital Ranking & SPAC Finances

Best Things To Do in SRQ: 3/13 - 3/16

Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!

I’ve 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 you’d like to see included, questions, comments, or you just want to say Hi β€” you can respond to any of these emails or if you’re on the web you can drop a comment.

In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

Thanks for reading,

Carson

πŸ“° Local News

SMH Named One of the World’s Best Hospitals 

πŸ₯ Big win for local healthcare: Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been named one of the world’s best hospitals in Newsweek’s 2025 rankings, placing it among top medical institutions globally.

πŸ“Š 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.

⚠️ Zoom out: This isn’t a firstβ€”SMH has consistently ranked among America’s top hospitals, reinforcing Sarasota’s reputation as a hub for high-quality healthcare.

What’s 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

🎭 The latest: Sarasota’s 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.

πŸ“Š Why it matters: The city must decide whether to proceed with the $407 million project, which aims to transform Sarasota’s 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.

What’s 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 city’s budget.

πŸ“… What’s next: The Sarasota City Commission will vote on March 17 on whether to advance the project or reconsider its feasibility.

πŸ”¦ Spotlight: Celebrate St. Patty’s Day

This weekend, Sarasota will be alive with all-kinds of fun celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day.

In the spirit of how American’s typically celebrate the day, there are a number of lively events & bar crawls around town.

Bradenton St. Patrick's Day Block Party

πŸ“Old Main St, Bradenton

πŸ”— details

Gator Club’s Block Party

πŸ“Gator Club, Sarasota

πŸ”— details

Almost St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl

πŸ“Joe's On Main

πŸ”— details

Thursday, March 13th

Mind of Abraham Lincoln

πŸ“The Orca, Sarasota

πŸ•¦ 10am - 12pm

πŸ”— details

J.McLaughlin Sip & Shop

πŸ“J.McLaughlin, Longboat Key

πŸ•¦ 11am - 3pm

πŸ”— details

Botanical Illustration Workshop

πŸ“Selby Botanical Gardens

πŸ•¦ 3pm - 6pm

πŸ”— details

Jazz Thursdays

πŸ“Sarasota Art Museum

πŸ•¦ 5:30pm

πŸ”— details

Friday, March 14th

Venice Book Fair and Writers Festival

πŸ“ Blalock Park, Venice

πŸ•¦ 9am - 3pm

πŸ”— details

How to Catch a Leprechaun

πŸ“ Sarasota Children's Garden

πŸ•¦ 11am

πŸ”— details

Fighting in the Tunnels of Vietnam

πŸ“ Military Heritage Museum, Punta Gorda

πŸ•¦ 11:30am

πŸ”— details

Crazy for Gershwin

πŸ“ Venice Performing Arts Center

πŸ•¦ See Details

πŸ”— details

Sarasota County Fair

πŸ“ Fairgrounds, Sarasota

πŸ•¦ 5pm

πŸ”— details

Moon Over Myakka Fundraising Concert

πŸ“ Myakka River State Park

πŸ•¦ 7pm - 9:30pm

πŸ”— details

Movie Night at Waterside

πŸ“ Waterside Park

πŸ•¦ 7pm

πŸ”— details

The Barber of Seville

πŸ“ Sarasota Opera House

πŸ•¦ 7:30pm

πŸ”— details

Saturday, March 15th

BMX Open House

πŸ“Sarasota BMX

πŸ•¦ 9:30am

πŸ”— details

St. Patrick's Day at Main Street

πŸ“ LWR Main Street

πŸ•¦ 11am - 9pm

πŸ”— details

Irish Celtic Festival

πŸ“13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch

πŸ•¦ 11:30am - 3pm

πŸ”— details

Family Art Making

πŸ“ Ringling Museum

πŸ•¦ Multiple Times

πŸ”— details

Maverick’s Rhythm & Rave

πŸ“ Performance Pavilion, Bradenton

πŸ•¦ 3:30pm - 7pm

πŸ”— details

Live Music: Savor the Sounds

πŸ“ Towns Center Green, Longboat Key

πŸ•¦ 5:30pm - 8pm

πŸ”— details

Sunday, March 16th

Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market

πŸ“ 5161 Lakefront Dr, Lakewood Ranch

πŸ•¦ 9am - 2pm

πŸ”— details

A Vette Together 2025

πŸ“ Meadows Farmers Market, Sarasota

πŸ•¦ 8am - 3pm

πŸ”— details

Downtown Sarasota Fine Art and Craft Fair

πŸ“ 1718 Main St, Sarasota

πŸ•¦ 10am - 5pm

πŸ”— details

Art in the Park

πŸ“ University Park Country Club, University Park

πŸ•¦ 10am - 5pm

πŸ”— details

PLAN AHEAD

Sarasota Film Festival 2025

πŸ“ 1993 Main St, Sarasota

πŸ“† April 4th - 13th

πŸ”— details

5th Annual Downtown Sarasota Spring Craft Fair

πŸ“ 1 Central Avenue, Sarasota

πŸ“† May 3rd

πŸ”— details

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