🍦Spring Training, Waterfront Plans & Doughnuts

Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!

Spring training is officially here, the Orioles just cut the ribbon on something pretty impressive, and the county is making a big waterfront play near Siesta Key.

Grab your coffee — here's what you need to know this week.

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In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

• Local headline roundup

• New bakery spotlight

• Tons of local events!

Thanks for reading,

Carson

🧠 Think You Know Sarasota? Trivia!

📰 Local Headline Roundup

Orioles Unveil New Player Development Complex at Ed Smith Stadium

The O's just opened a 47,700 square-foot training facility at Ed Smith — complete with a biomechanics lab, nutrition center, and player lounges — built in under a year. County Commission Chairman Ron Cutsinger called the turnaround "very impressive," and team officials say it's instantly one of the top player development facilities in all of Major League Baseball. Pitchers and catchers report this week.

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County Approves $21M Stickney Point Waterfront Park

Sarasota County commissioners voted to purchase the 2-acre property at 1500 Stickney Point Road — you probably know it as the Boatyard — for $18.1 million, with plans to invest up to $21 million total to turn it into a public waterfront park. The site has 700 feet of bay frontage right at the gateway to Siesta Key, and some existing structures damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton will come down to make room. Commissioner Teresa Mast called it "a gem."

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Capriotti's Sandwich Shop Opens on Tamiami Trail

If you've never had a Bobbie from Capriotti's, you're in for a treat — it's basically Thanksgiving on a sub roll (turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, the works). The Delaware-based chain just opened on Tamiami Trail near Stickney Point, bringing its cult-favorite Butterball turkey subs and cheesesteaks to Sarasota.

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Your contributions go toward keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun and build more community. I appreciate any and all support! — Carson

Thursday

Beginner Mahjong Lessons

📍Boca Boutique | 🕦 4:00 PM | 🔗 details 

Miniature Masterworks (Chamber Soirée)

📍Holley Hall (Sarasota Orchestra) | 🕦 5:30 PM | 🔗 details 

Classical Music of Poland

📍Art Ovation Hotel | 🕦 5:30 PM | 🔗 details 

Comedy Show: Ryan Belleville

📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 7:00 PM | 🔗 details

37th Annual Venice Italian Feast & Carnival

📍Italian American Club of Venice | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details

Friday 

St Barbara Greek Festival – 42nd Annual Glendi

📍St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church | 🕦 11:00 AM | 🔗 details

5th Annual Floridiana Fest

📍Sarasota Fairgrounds | 🕦 2:00 PM | 🔗 details 

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical

📍Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall | 🕦 7:30 PM | 🔗 details

Bradenton Area River Regatta

📍Rossi Park / Bradenton Riverwalk | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details

Saturday

Old Palmetto Cemetery Cleanup

📍Old Palmetto Cemetery | 🕦 8:00 AM | 🔗 details

Pennant Fever – 4th Annual "Spring Training Spectacular"

📍Hotel Venezia Banquet Center | 🕦 9 AM | 🔗 details

Fly Wild! Festival

📍999 Center Rd - Sarasota | 🕦 9:00 AM | 🔗 details

Mote SEA Shark Pups & Grown Ups

📍Mote Aquarium | 🕦 10:00 AM | 🔗 details

Sarasota Jewelry Gem and Mineral Show

📍Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | 🕦 10:00 AM | 🔗 details

2026 RealRail Model Train Show

📍Venice Community Center | 🕦 10:00 AM | 🔗 details

Quotable Talk | Ellen Lupton

📍Sarasota Art Museum | 🕦 1:00 PM | 🔗 details

Forever Friends Fun Day

📍Colonial Oaks Park | 🕦 1:00 PM | 🔗 details

The Merry Widow

📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7:30 PM | 🔗 details

Sunday

Sunday Polo

📍Sarasota Polo Club | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details

5th Annual Longboat Key Festival of the Arts

📍600 Bay Isles Rd | 🕦 10:00 AM | 🔗 details 

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