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Hi Sarasota, hope you’re having a great weekend! In today's in-case-you-missed-it edition: America's best place to visit, a beloved diner closing after 36 years, and live organ plus silent film + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.
Some family trips fade. This one didn't. Twenty years later, I still remember standing under that giant tipping water bucket, waiting to get soaked. That was Great Wolf Lodge, and my family spent the whole weekend like that, drenched and laughing, climbing back up for one more slide. The water park is entirely indoors, kept at 84 degrees year-round, and included with every stay, so the forecast doesn't matter. You can book a discounted family getaway right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing Most popular stories this weekThe three top stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A Gulf Coast favorite: Sarasota was just named America's Best Place to Visit in 2026 by CNN, highlighting beaches, vibrant arts, Myakka River State Park, and The Ringling and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens -- explore Sarasota's top spots.
Storm-hardening moves forward: City commissioners approved $3.1 million to start burying utility lines on Lido and St. Armands, advancing a plan that may assess $10,000 per property over 20 years, pending resident approval -- see the utility burial plan.
Farewell to a local favorite: Beloved Sarasota staple Tasty Home Cookin’ closed after 36 years amid rising costs. A clearout sale offers equipment, furniture and decor for customers wanting to take home a piece -- see what's available in the sale.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's 50% off right now.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.* All the crowd favorites: |
02 — From our sponsor Some family trips fade. This one never did.Twenty years later, I can still put myself in that water park: standing under the giant tipping bucket with a crowd of other kids, waiting to get soaked, then climbing the stairs with my family for one more run down the slide. We spent the entire weekend like that, drenched and happy. Most childhood vacations blur together. That one stuck. What I understand now, as the adult who'd be planning it, is why it worked so well. Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park resort, kept at 84 degrees every day of the year, and the water park comes with every overnight stay. No separate tickets, no watching the forecast all week, no rained-out weekend. The big slides keep the older kids busy, the shallow splash areas keep the little ones happy, and nobody has to sit out. Everything else is under the same roof too: an arcade, interactive adventures, daily kid programming, and places to eat. You park the car on Friday and don't think about it again until Sunday. The suites are built for families, with themed rooms and enough space that everyone actually sleeps. Clean, safe, and simple, which on a trip with kids counts for as much as the slides. Your kids will remember the bucket. You'll remember how easy it was. *Plan a getaway they'll never forget → |
03 — On our radar
This week's top findsLocal spotlights your fellow readers loved last week.
Sourdough worth the hype: The Bakero is a European-style bakery and café bringing real bread to downtown Sarasota, with long-fermented sourdough and from-scratch pastries made with organic flour, no commercial yeast, and zero seed oils. Grab a croissant and a crusty loaf, then watch your weekday sandwiches suddenly level up.
Local fairway fix: Meadows Golf Club offers 36 holes across the Meadows and Groves courses, plus a driving range when your irons forget how to behave. Easy local option, welcoming to all skill levels, and perfect for sneaking in nine after work... or finally playing a full round this weekend.
Skyline stroll, anyone? Trade the to-do list for a breezy lap around Bayfront Park, where the promenade hugs the marina, kids conquer the playground and splash pad, and O'Leary's Tiki Bar supplies the unofficial halftime. Stick around for bay-meets-city views that make you forgive summer humidity for a minute.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing: No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Sneak peek at next weekPlan ahead for the next seven days. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌊 Seas the Summer Field Explorations @ Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium | Monday (7/27) at 10:00 AM – Round up the kids, grab a sunhat, and let Mote handle science. Monday mornings all summer, kids ages 6 to 14 dip net Sarasota Bay, meet locals with gills, and learn why conservation matters while you, the free chaperone, supervise, sip coffee, and feel virtuous.
🎬 Live Organ + Silent Film: Wings @ St. Armands Key Lutheran Church | Monday (7/27) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been craving a little old-school spectacle, catch Wings with a live pipe organ at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, part of the festival. It is aviation, romance, and thunderous pedals, the way your grandparents flexed. Feels decadent, sounds glorious, and parking is civilized.
🧘 Sunset Yoga on The Green @ The Green at UTC | Wednesday (7/29) at 6:30 PM – Sunset yoga is taking over the Green, with a post-stretch treat from Raining Berries, because balance. Stretch under a sky that makes you forget emails, breathe a little deeper, and call dessert your recovery plan. Your hamstrings, and sweet tooth, will approve.
🏺 Adult Hand-Building Pottery Clay Class @ The Makery SRQ | Thursday (7/30) at 7:00 PM – Thursday nights call for clay, conversation, and a satisfying mess at The Makery, with Sabine guiding pinch, coil, and slab, no wheel required, beginner friendly. Materials, firing, and glazing included, then pieces are ready later, so reward yourself with a Hamlet’s courtyard drink.
🧘 Lugnasadh Treshold @ Opt For Light Rejuvenation Center | Friday (7/31) at 6:30 PM – Post-full-moon, this sound bath at Opt For Light slows the pace, tunes you inward, and lets your nervous system exhale. Expect crystal bowls, planetary gongs, and zero-G chairs, because Sarasota self-care now favors low gravity, high clarity. $44, 12 chairs, registration required.
🧘 Free Yoga By the Bay with Erin @ Bayfront Park | Saturday (8/1) at 9:00 AM – Yoga with Erin by the bay, free and outdoors, is the long-running community reset your back has been hinting at. All levels welcome, no pretzel skills required. Think sea air, steady cues, and neighbors swapping hustle for gratitude, connection, and a quieter brain.
🍷 Sip, Savor and Sunset: A Sarasota Cultural and Culinary Journey @ Palm Avenue Parking Garage | Sunday (8/2) at 5:30 PM – Start with a lively history walk through downtown’s artsy secrets, move to a three-course dinner at Rose & Ivy, then finish at Perspective Rooftop with a cocktail and a showy Gulf sunset. Sarasota flexes, you relax, and your taste buds applaud.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Sarasota report Weather forecastToday — High: 92°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 41%
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 107. West northwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 80. Heat index values as high as 103. West northwest wind 7 to 12 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 29%
Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 105. West northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. West wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Most popular house this weekThis 2020 Allegra Homes build on a leafy West of Trail street delivers 3,220 square feet of modern coastal style, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, soaring 16-foot ceilings, and a dramatic great room. The Sub-Zero and Wolf kitchen, 40-foot heated saltwater pool, screened lanai, and serene owner’s suite make everyday living feel effortlessly polished.
Take a peek inside → |
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