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🍦Nature, Gold Coast, and a Packed Weekend
Best Things To Do in SRQ: 9/11 - 9/14
Carson B
September 09, 2025
Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!
Today, we have our regularly scheduled newsletter, but before we do that I have to apologize to you all.
I recently got very sick and had to miss our first weekly addition. With that, I have had to delay the release of the Sarasota Brewery Guide to next week. Again, I apologize! I’m feeling much better now and we are back to our regular schedule.
In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:
Thanks for reading,
Carson
🧠 Think You Know Sarasota? Trivia!
The name “Sarasota” has mysterious origins. What was the earliest known version of the name, found on a Spanish map in 1763? |
📰 Local Headline Roundup
Bobby Jones Nature Park Set for Major Upgrades
Sarasota’s Bobby Jones Golf Club is getting more than just tee times. The Nature Park at Bobby Jones, born during COVID when trails were carved out of the course, is about to see major upgrades.
The city plans to add a boardwalk with an observation deck, a pavilion, new overlooks, and enough expanded trails to create a full 5K loop. Four thousand trees will be planted, along with a micro-forest designed to mature in just 20 years.
Beyond being a peaceful retreat just minutes from downtown, the park plays a big role in stormwater management, filtering runoff before it reaches Sarasota Bay. Parks Director Jerry Fogle hopes it becomes both an oasis for residents and a vital habitat for wildlife, with work set to begin early next year.
Sarasota’s Surge of Wealth
Sarasota has gone from beach town to billionaire magnet, and the change is showing everywhere you look. The arrival of the St. Regis Longboat Key in 2024 signaled to the world that our coast is now in the same league as Aspen and Bora Bora. Homes are selling in the tens of millions, with a record \$30.3 million cash deal closing this summer on Longboat Key. Big names like Target CEO Brian Cornell, Walmart’s former chief H. Lee Scott Jr., and even Mick Jagger have planted roots here.
The numbers back it up: Sarasota gained billions in new wealth in just one year, and the region ranked fourth in the country for growth in high-income residents in 2023. Luxury towers, private clubs, and cultural projects are rising to match the demand, while global brands like Rosewood and possibly Waldorf Astoria are eyeing downtown.
But the story has another side. Almost half of local households are struggling to cover basics, with housing, schools, and health care under pressure as costs keep climbing. Sarasota is richer than ever, yet the gap between the glittering condos and everyday life is only widening.
🔦 Spotlight: 9/11 & Sarasota
Thursday marks the 24th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/1/2001.
Sarasota has an unfortunate connection to the attacks that day that many don’t realize.
While many remember, and have seen the photos, when President Bush was told of the attacks he was in the middle of story time at an elementary school. That school was Emma E. Brooker Elementary here in Sarasota.
President Bush at Emma E. Brooker Elementary moments before being told of the attack
This week there are a number of 9/11 remembrance ceremonies to check out in Sarasota. Below they're listed out. Be sure to stop by one to pay your respects.
Thursday
9-11 Remembrance Ceremony
📍8350 N. Tamiami Trail | 🕦 8:15am | 🔗 details
2025 Patriot Day Ceremony
📍North Port City Hall | 🕦 9:15am | 🔗 details
September 11 Commemoration
📍6062 Porter Way, Sarasota | 🕦 9:30am | 🔗 details
Venice 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
📍Patriots Park, Venice | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Safari Night at Boca Boutique
📍Boca Boutique | 🕦 12pm | 🔗 details
Friday
Ride and Paddle at The Bay
📍The Bay Park | 🕦 8:30am | 🔗 details
Coffee Hour
📍1561 Lakefront Drive, Suite 208, Sarasota | 🕦 9am | 🔗 details
ROAR! Story time
📍Ringling Museum of Art | 🕦 9:45am | 🔗 details
Just Started: Ringling Reflections
📍Ringling Museum of Art | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Blooms & Bubbles Sarasota
📍2048 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Movie: The Last Picture Show
📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Movie in the Park
📍Waterside Park | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Saturday
Manatee Cemetery Tour
📍1404 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Sarasota Bradenton Fall Home Show
📍Robarts Arena | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Community Art for Kids
📍8111 Lakewood Main Street, LWR | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
3rd Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival
📍St. Armands Circle | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Music on the Porch
📍Florida Maritime Museum | 🕦 2pm | 🔗 details
Taste for the Twig
📍Venice Community Center | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Don't Touch That Dial
📍Venice Theatre - Pinkerton | 🕦 7:30pm | 🔗 details
Tribute to Hall & Oates, featuring Private Eyes
📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Comedy Show: Mike Paramore
📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 Multiple shows | 🔗 details
Sunday
North River Community Market
📍Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Thriller 2025
📍Future of Dance | 🕦 12pm | 🔗 details
Sundays at The Bay featuring Shelby Sol
📍The Bay Park | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
PLAN AHEAD
North Port Food & Fall Fest
📍4970 City Hall Blvd | 📆 October 4th | 🔗 details
The Nutcracker in Venice
📍Venice Performing Arts Center | 📆 Dec 12th | 🔗 details
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