West Coast Woman

11/04/2025

10/04/2025

Our amazing WCW this month is Dr. Kristie Skoglund, CEO at Florida Center for early Childhood

10/04/2025

Looking for a place to vacay and escape the FL summer heat? Check out Stone Harbor, NJ in this months issue. It’s a charming small town with great restaurants, super beaches (ok, not quartz) and a fantastic hotel - The Reeds at Shelter Haven

Read the feature here - hope you’re inspired to visit!
https://reedsatshelterhaven.com/

10/04/2025

https://www.sarasotachamber.com/

10/04/2025

Junior League of Sarasota Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting for Newly Renovated Headquarters

The Junior League of Sarasota has fully renovated their executive offices. The grand re-opening occurred at the League's historic headquarters at 3300 South Tamiami Trail, Suite 3, Sarasota, in early April.

The remodel, completed over six months, transformed the building into a modern, functional space. Numerous local project partners generously supported the project, including in-kind interior design services from And Masters Collective, architectural expertise from Two Architects, engineering by Global Sanchez, and general contracting by Adkins Construction. Firmo Construction contributed owner's representative services, with landscaping enhancements by Arbor Landscapes.

"Our revitalized headquarters allows us to deepen our investment in our members, mission, and community," said Laura Conaboy, President of the Junior League of Sarasota. "We can now provide enhanced training, improved volunteer coordination, and flexible spaces that encourage collaboration and strategic leadership development."

The redesign was driven by the post-pandemic need for more cost-effective, internal gathering spaces, significantly reducing the logistical and financial burden of hosting events elsewhere. Key features include a spacious multipurpose area for large member meetings, a dedicated boardroom, and thoughtfully designed spaces that reflect the League's professionalism and community impact since its establishment in 1957.

For more info, visit. https://sarasota.jl.org/

10/04/2025

Join us in person or via YouTube Live as our panel of experts describe the magnitude of our affordable housing shortfall and suggest possible solutions. Our panelists include:
Matt Sauer (moderator) - Barancik Foundation
PJ Brooks – CASL (Community Assisted & Supported Living)
William Russell – Sarasota Housing Authority
Jon Thaxton – Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Click here for more information and to register: https://bit.ly/42avwAD

09/04/2025

🌴 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 🌳

City residents are invited to participate in a free tree giveaway at The Bay Sarasota!

As part of The Bay's Good to Be Green event, the City is giving away 100 trees to City residents while supplies last on April 25 and April 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City residents with proof of residency can choose from 18 species of trees including live oaks, orange geigers, bald cypress, royal palm, and more!

We hope to see you there!

09/04/2025

09/04/2025

George Harrison is at Selby Gardens!

great exhibit at Selby Gardens - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens incorporating his love of gardening ...

09/04/2025

Sarasota Music Conservatory: Rising Stars Gala Shines Spotlight on Sarasota’s Musical Talent on April 27 at 5pm

Sarasota Music Conservatory (SMC), a local nonprofit organization, presents Rising Stars Gala Event, on Sunday, April 27 at 5pm at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, Holly Hall, 709 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34236.

Tickets for the Gala Event at 5pm are $150 per person and can be purchased online at sarasotamusicconservatory.org

This annual fundraising event and concert showcases the power of music and the extraordinary talent cultivated right here in our community.

Attendees enjoy a showcase of music featuring Sarasota Music Conservatory's faculty, most advanced students, and special guests, all highlighting the depth and vibrancy of Sarasota’s musical landscape. The evening concludes with a Jazz Reception featuring the renowned Michael Ross Trio, paired with the exquisite catering by Michael’s On East of Sarasota, Florida.

“This gala is a celebration of growth, artistry, and the generosity that makes our work possible,” said Léna Cambis, Executive Director of Sarasota Music Conservatory. “The Rising Stars theme reflects our deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians while celebrating their journey of excellence.”

All proceeds from the event directly support Sarasota Music Conservatory’s student programs, scholarships, and outreach initiatives, helping to make exceptional music education accessible to more children and families in our community.

For more information or for tickets, visit: https://www.sarasotamusicconservatory.org/rising-stars-smc-gala

About Sarasota Music Conservatory:
Sarasota Music Conservatory is dedicated to providing the highest standard of music education and performance programs to our community. Through private lessons, masterclasses, recitals, and interactions between world-class professional musicians and aspiring young talents, we proudly bring the only Music Conservatory to Southwest Florida. We strive to create an environment of excellence in educational, artistic, and cultural programs that celebrates diversity and embraces individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. We are committed to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of our students and the cultural landscape of our community. We engage and inspire music students by nurturing talent, self-confidence, and discipline through the learning of music.

09/04/2025

The Manatee Genealogical Society will host a hybrid and in-person meeting and program on Tuesday, May 6, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm EST. Jonathan Torkos, the program speaker, will present on the subject: “Evolution of The Historical Records Library – A Playground for Genealogists”.

Do you know about the Bradenton Carnegie Library? Follow the library’s journey from a seed of an idea through its transition into the home of the Manatee County Clerk’s Historical Records Library, the first archival library of official county records in Florida. Whether you are a native or winter resident, there is something for everyone to explore within this archival collection. Discover the historical treasures waiting for you. Learn more about how the Historical Records Library can help you on your genealogical journey.

Jonathan Torkos holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Public History Certificate from Kennesaw State University. He has served as a historic preservation intern at the City of Decatur, GA., and a Research Assistant at Kennesaw State University, where he wrote and designed the Environmental Historic Archive Project. Since joining the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office in 2020, he has been the Librarian at the Manatee County Historical Records Library. In his role, he helps to educate the public about the history of Manatee County. Jonathan’s favorite part of his job is researching forgotten buildings, people, or events of the past and bringing them to life.

Members of the public are welcome to attend. Guests attending via Zoom must register at least one day in advance by emailing: [email protected]. Participants attending in person will meet at the Manatee Central Library, which is located at 1301 Barcarrota Blvd West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. The Manatee Central Library Auditorium will open at 9:45 a.m. for in-person attendees. The Zoom meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. EST.

For more information, visit :

The Manatee Genealogical Society of Manatee County, Florida is proud to offer this website as a gateway to our services, resources, programs, and information on our society.

09/04/2025

St. Boniface Episcopal Church presents the illustrious Choir of St. John’s Cambridge on April 13th at 7 pm.

The choir will perform works by Ireland, Panufnik, Weelkes and Britten under the direction of Christopher Gray. This esteemed group has been featured on numerous award-winning recordings and has a global following.

Enjoy the world-renowned ‘St. John’s Sound’ without having to travel all the way to the U.K.

Tickets are $25 online or $30 at door, free to children 18 & under. Tickets are on sale now at bonifacechurch.org/music

09/04/2025

Info: https://www.ymcaswfl.org/avatar/prospect?dxk=H4sIAAAAAAAEAKtWKs4vLUpOVbJScs1LT0xPVdJRSk7MLUjMTM8DimXmZZZkJpZklqUWx-gbm5qaGpkq1QIAJCKvtzQAAAA1