 After weathering an intense hurricane season that caused several show cancellations, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is thrilled to say, “Don’t Rain On My Parade” as Broadway returns in spectacular fashion!
Kicking off the new year, FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, graces Sarasota for a limited one week engagement, Jan. 14–19. Tickets are on sale now at VanWezel.org or by calling 941-263-6799.
Step into musical comedy heaven! This “vivacious and delightfully glitzy” (Vogue) production features unforgettable songs like “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” Breaking box office records and earning rave reviews, FUNNY GIRL tells the inspiring story of Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side with big dreams of the stage. Against all odds, she became one of the most beloved performers in history, her talent shining brighter than Broadway’s biggest lights.
The Observer calls it “sparkling and explosively entertaining!” Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of this unforgettable Broadway revival. Secure your seats today!
The new roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place is expected to be completed and open for vehicular traffic this spring.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton forced unexpected shutdowns and subsequent recovery, causing the project to be delayed.
Excellent progress has been made, though, in transforming the intersection from a traditional signalized intersection to a modern roundabout with enhanced safety and continual traffic flow.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to unveiling the roundabout in March/April.
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We’re excited to announce the much-awaited installation of the public art piece at the US 41-14th Street roundabout is scheduled to occur Wednesday, Jan. 8.!
The installation will take place after 8 p.m. to mitigate traffic impacts as much as possible. While the north and southbound travel lanes are expected to be minimally impacted, the Sarasota Police Department will be on site to direct traffic.
Poly, created by artist Hou de Sousa, was unanimously approved by the City Commission in September 2019, but unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic followed by global supply chain issues brought fabrication of the sculpture to a halt. Prohibitive construction costs associated with the concrete pad needed for the installation caused an additional delay. Once a reasonable competitive bid was received and approved by the City Commission last July, the project was back on track. The sculpture was funded through the Public Art program’s required developer fees.
Through a Community Aesthetics Features agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation, the sculpture is being installed within the roundabout. Poly is a stunning public art piece that will welcome residents and visitors alike to our city and underscore Sarasota’s embrace of the cultural arts. We can't wait to see it!
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 Good news! After an extensive remodel, the new and improved Avion Park is open for the community to enjoy following a ribbon cutting ceremony just before the holidays.
Avion Park is located in the heart of the Avion Park neighborhood near Tuttle Elementary School, Ed Smith Stadium and the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Among its new and improved amenities are a basketball court, playground, covered seating area and more.
The $733,000 improvement project was funded by the voter-approved Penny Sales Tax III, Park Impact Fees and Community Development Block Grant funding secured by the Office of Housing and Community Development.
With the cool weather, now is a great time to check out this much-anticipated neighborhood park. Enjoy!
Heads up! The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance for both Hurricane Helene and Milton is Tuesday, Jan. 7.
For those seeking in-person assistance, the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center previously located at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium has moved to the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. S., in Venice. The DRC is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The final day of operation will be Friday, Jan 10.
Workers at the DRC can answer questions about available assistance and help individuals register for programs through FEMA and the Small Business Administration.
More information on hurricane recovery resources can be found here.
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 Just in time for the holidays, the City's storm debris collection for Hurricanes Helene and Milton concluded Dec. 20.
Starting Oct. 15, the City’s storm debris collection contractors removed 319,448 cubic yards of debris within the city limits in just 66 days. That’s approximately 447,227 tons collected in 9,759 truckloads. On average, contractors picked up over 6,700 tons of debris daily during the collection period.
66 days to finish collection puts Sarasota well under FEMA’s 90-day limit for full financial reimbursement. That means the City will be in position to recover much of the costs incurred for storm debris collection.
While storm debris collection is over, the recovery process is ongoing for many who were impacted by the 2024 hurricane season. Thank you, Sarasota, for your perseverance and resilience!
At the heart of every high stakes situation, where tensions run high and lives hang in the balance, stands a specialized unit within the Sarasota Police Department -- the Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU). Expected to peacefully resolve volatile incidents, these skilled negotiators are often the unsung heroes in our efforts to maintain public safety.
The primary mission of the CNU is to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations through communication. Whether dealing with a barricaded subject, a hostage situation, or a person in crisis, these negotiators work tirelessly to establish trust, communicate clearly, and bring about resolution without the use of force. Their work is grounded in empathy, active listening, and psychological insight, enabling them to connect with people in their most vulnerable moments.
SPD's CNU members undergo rigorous training in communication techniques, understanding human behavior, crisis intervention strategies, and the psychological groundwork of stress and conflict. Ongoing training is key in developing and refining negotiation skills. Each member of the team plays a crucial role that can impact the outcome of every negotiation.
CNU team member Officer Laura Bobitz, exemplifies these skills in action. Over the last year, she successfully de-escalated two critical incidents, each time bringing a potentially dangerous situation to a peaceful conclusion. Reflecting on her role, Officer Bobitz shared, “Empathy plays a huge role in negotiations. Sometimes, people think we might be “taking sides” with the person in crisis, but it’s a technique that can resolve the incident without harm. By demonstrating empathy, we can build trust and rapport, which often makes it easier to find common ground and reach peaceful outcomes.”
Our Crisis Negotiation Team remains a vital component of our strategy to serve and protect as we continue to face complex and unpredictable situations. Their work aims to prevent violence and reinforces the community’s trust in our ability to handle crises with professionalism and humanity.
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