Sarasota

The new year is the time to have new experiences. There’s no better way to dive into something spectacular than by joining in one of the many outdoor art shows that will be returning to SWFL.

It hides in plain sight in Sarasota, but within the confines of the Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy, lies a treasure trove of unique and quirky art.

Omer Shem Tov was one of 44 people taken hostage by Hamas at the nova music festival. Omer soon found himself the sole person being held by his captors, a position he would be in for 505 days.

The Naples New Year's Art Fair and Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival take place January 3-4.

Dr. Rosenthal will be doing a presentation on fertilizer and the upcoming Artemis space mission.

Mayor and vice mayor elected by the City Commission

Sarasota County School Board members on Tuesday gave cautious support to the district’s strategic plan to reduce vacant space — while pressing for answers about its cost and whether it will be enough to keep charters out.

Construction begins Wednesday on Florida Studio Theatre’s McGillicuddy Arts Plaza. The new complex will include a state-of-the-art mainstage theatre, two cabarets, three stories of parking, and on-site artist housing to cultivate local talent.

A new course exploring Jewish medical ethics will be offered in Sarasota starting this Fall. Jewish Medical Ethics: A 21st Century Discussion will explore how traditional Jewish principles apply to contemporary medical issues, such as passive euthanasia, artificial reproductive technologies, cloning and more. Rabbi Jennifer Singer will lead the 10-session course, which is designed to provide participants with a range of perspectives on these multi-layered topics.

Sarasota artist Skip Dyrda visited Punta Gorda last week to restore his 2019 mural, "Tails from the Harbor.” Located under the U.S. 41 southbound bridge, it was heavily damaged by surge and debris, then vandalized by graffiti following Milton.