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Good morning, Sarasota! In today’s edition: Bath & Racquet Club transformation, 1000 NORTH opening, Beatles tribute, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
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.
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.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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Better Bodies: Start the New Year feeling strong, energized, and confident
In partnership with Better Bodies Training
January marks a fresh start for many Sarasota residents ready to refocus on their health.
BetterBodies, led by longtime fitness and nutrition coach Henriette Steffensen, helps adults 40 and over turn New Year goals into lasting habits through personalized strength, mobility, and wellness coaching.
By emphasizing consistency over perfection, BetterBodies supports healthy, sustainable and long-term progress.
Sarasota residents interested in starting the year strong can learn more by visiting betterbodiestraining.com or contacting BetterBodies directly at [email protected].
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🫶 We got your back
Celebrating creativity and community: Embracing Our Differences and the UNITED Mural Project will return to Tampa Bay for their 23rd season, with 50 billboard-sized artworks promoting kindness and inclusion. Displays will run Jan 17 to Apr 19 in Sarasota and Mar 7 to Apr 12 in St. Petersburg, drawing on thousands of global submissions. Get dates, locations, and details.
Burrito night upgrade: Sarasota’s longtime Southwest staple, El Toro Bravo, rolls made-from-scratch burritos and lets you pick red or green chile…or go “Christmas” for both. It’s a midweek morale boost wrapped in a warm tortilla, served with a cozy, locals‑know vibe that never disappoints.
Science vibes, zero lab coat: Mote Science Education Aquarium is brimming with immersive exhibits and hands-on fun, and your visit fuels real research in Sarasota. Now at Nathan Benderson Park, with plenty to explore for curious minds.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
🏠 Sarasota Bradenton Home Show @ Sarasota Fairgrounds | Friday (1/9) at 10:00 AM – Knock out your fix-it list in one lap at the Sarasota Bradenton Home Show, with remodeling, landscaping, and design pros all under one roof. Browse fresh ideas, try new products, and compare options without twelve appointments. Grab free passes at homeshowflorida.com.
🎬 Creative Happy Hour: Movie Night, Vertigo @ Art Center Sarasota | Friday (1/9) at 5:30 PM – Skip the same-old happy hour and let local filmmaker and historian Danny Canton lead a pre-film chat, then screen Hitchcock’s Vertigo with popcorn and drinks. Expect an entertaining dive into twists, symbolism, and filmcraft, minus the awkward networking. Free for members, $15 otherwise, registration requested.
🎆 New Year On The Block @ Main Street | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – New year energy calls for one more lap on Main Street. It is a low-key neighborhood celebration with block-party buzz, clinking glasses, and familiar faces, the kind of small-town cheer that outlasts resolutions. Bring comfy shoes, your best porch gossip, and a healthy appetite.
🌸 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.
🚶 Patriot Plaza Walking Tour @ Sarasota National Cemetery | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Stretch your legs and your civic pride on a guided stroll through Patriot Plaza, led by SGM John Annis, USMC, Ret. Expect stories, symbolism, and a pace even your morning coffee can handle. Space is limited, so register through SWFL Honor Flight first.
❤ All You Need Is Love: Beatles Tribute @ Riverview High School | Sunday (1/11) at 3:00 PM – Craving a little nostalgia without the airfare to Liverpool? The Liverpool Legends bring a pitch-perfect Beatles tribute to Riverview Performing Arts Center, with tight harmonies, cheeky banter, and sing-alongs. Warm up those la-la-las, grab a friend, then let your inner teenager loose.
🎪 Sarasota Orchestra @ Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center | Sunday (1/11) at 4:00 PM – The Sarasota Orchestra goes under the big top at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, blending symphonic sweep with a cheeky nod to this town’s circus roots. Expect bold brass, lush strings, and just enough spectacle to feel festive without sticky popcorn fingers.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📣 Own or manage a local business?
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How it works:
- Sign up (it takes less than 5 minutes)
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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) →
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📻 Sarasota report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 81°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 0%
Areas of fog before 10am. Mostly sunny. High near 81, with temperatures falling to around 76 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Mostly clear, with a low around 62. South wind 1 to 6 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 2%
Patchy fog before 7am. Sunny, with a high near 82. South southeast wind around 8 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
This house is wild
Poised above the Gulf in guard gated Orchid Beach Club, this 3,654 square foot gulf to bay penthouse takes in sweeping Gulf, Bay, and downtown views. An elevator foyer reveals Venetian plaster, floor to ceiling sliders, a floating wine bar, and turnkey finishes. The chef’s kitchen pairs custom cabinetry with a paneled Sub Zero and double ovens, then opens to a vast terrace with a granite grill.
The gulf front primary suite offers terrace access, custom closets, and a marble bath with a dual entry shower and jetted tub. Two guest suites share a sunrise terrace. Control4 automation, a three car garage, and resort amenities near St. Armands and downtown Sarasota complete the offering.
Take a peek inside →
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