Good morning, Sarasota! In today’s edition: Pura Vida expansion, Ken Burns, exclusive club 1000 North, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Couple-owned brand expands: Pura Vida, a Miami-based restaurant, has opened another local spot, bringing its menu to The Landings shopping plaza in Sarasota. This marks its second location in the area — read the full story.

Orchid Odyssey @ Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Orchid Odyssey is blooming at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, the Sarasota Orchid Society’s 67th annual show and sale in downtown Sarasota. Wander the lush displays, chat up growers, and maybe adopt a high-maintenance beauty, because who among us isn’t already watering on a schedule — see the event listing.

Blending home and recreation: The former Sarasota Bath & Racquet Club is being transformed into a mixed-use community with luxury condos, tennis and pickleball courts, and a park, designed to preserve the club’s spirit — see the full project details.

Jets, yachts and wine tastings: Exclusive club 1000 NORTH has received partial approval from Sarasota’s Development Review Committee to open in BLVD Sarasota, with plans for dining, lounge spaces, and high end member services — get all the details.

Heartwarming starts for local families: Sarasota Memorial welcomed its first babies of 2026 early in the New Year, with one arrival in Venice and another in Sarasota, both supported by obstetric teams — meet the newborns and families.

Art, dialogue, and refreshments: A free reception at Sarasota City Hall welcomes visitors to the refreshed Petticoat Painters exhibit. It was re-evaluated in 2025 with 46 works and is on display through spring 2026 — see reception and exhibit details.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🌸 Rhapsody in Bloom Mural Dedication @ Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex | Monday (1/12) at 9:30 AM – Swing by Arlington Park’s lifeguard HQ to toast Rhapsody in Bloom, the splashy new mural by Sarasota’s own Liss Silvers that finally gives the pool deck some competition. Built with brushes from 100 neighbors, this free poolside dedication makes a bold, very Sarasota landmark.

🎥 Ken Burns @ Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall | Monday (1/12) at 7:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a reason to trade bar trivia for brain food, KCPT is hosting an exclusive evening with Ken Burns and Lynn Novick about their upcoming series, The Vietnam War. Expect stories, sneak peeks, and slow-pan magic, no tote bag required.

✍ Interview & Book Signing: Sam Sussman @ Bookstore1 | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Award-winning author Sam Sussman drops by for a conversation and signing of Boy from the North Country, a debut about love, loss, and going home when you least want to. Smart talk, signed copies, and the smug glow of reading before your book club.

🎭 Forgotten Operas @ Sarasota Art Museum | Wednesday (1/14) at 12:00 PM – If your Spotify thinks opera begins and ends with Puccini, let OLLI set it straight with Forgotten Operas, a smart, lunchtime deep dive at the Sarasota Art Museum. Think juicy plots, neglected gems, and the smug satisfaction of knowing something your neighbors do not.

✉ Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition @ Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | Thursday (1/15) – Sarasota’s National Stamp Exhibition is your annual excuse to nerd out without apology. Browse serious exhibits, dealers, and lectures on U.S. and Confederate postal history, plus tips for future exhibitors, then enjoy a weekend quieter than Siesta Key at sunrise, and blissfully indoors.

🎭 Primary Trust @ Asolo Repertory Theatre | Thursday (1/15) at 1:30 PM – This quietly funny play follows a small-town introvert starting over with help from a neighborhood bar, a new job, and a few awkward truths. If you’ve rebuilt after a layoff, or made friends over a good pour, it hits with tenderness, humor, and zero pretense.

🏊 C.A.N. Lido @ Café on St. Armands | Friday (1/16) at 11:30 AM – C.A.N. Lido is bringing the neighborhood together for one of those easy, why-don’t-we-do-this-more-often gatherings. Think smart conversation, familiar faces, a drink in hand, and zero fuss, just quality time close to home. It’s the good stuff, without the crowd control.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📣 Own or manage a local business?

Meet BaseLocal Business — a free and easy way to get your business happenings in front of our readers.

How it works:

• Sign up (it takes less than 5 minutes)
• We’ll manually verify your business is legit
• Once verified, you’ll be able to share events, news, and special deals with us any time

Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Sarasota locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.

We also regularly spotlight verified businesses just because we think they’re great.

Click here to get started (it’s free) →

📻 Sarasota report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 82, with temperatures falling to around 77 in the afternoon. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 13%

Partly sunny, with a high near 79. North wind 1 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. North northeast wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Most popular house this week

Impeccably built 2017 David Weekley craftsman East of the Trail, minutes from Downtown Sarasota, with engineered hardwoods and plantation shutters. An open great room and an eat-in kitchen featuring Shaker cabinetry, quartz counters, an induction cooktop, wall ovens, and a butler’s pantry with wine fridge.

The main-level primary suite opens to the covered lanai with motorized screens. Outdoor perks include a hot tub and a fully fenced yard. The detached two-car garage is climate controlled with epoxy floors and smart storage. Rinnai tankless water, a custom doggy door, no HOA or CDD, and proximity to the Legacy Trail and Gulf beaches.

Take a peek inside →