SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY
SEASON WINTER 2024
Observer
T H E O B S E R V E R ’S G
U I D E TO T H E A R TS
AND SOCIETY
INSIDE MUSIC DANCE ART THEATER BLACK TIE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024
VOLUME 20, NO. 6
YOUR TOWN
What’s coming our way in ’24 A condo controversy, milestone land deal and airport growth are just some of the stories we’ll be covering in the year ahead. SEE PAGE 3
Courtesy image
Asya Stuart, Christina Fredericks
A new year for a new museum When she moved to Sarasota two years ago from Russia, Asya Stuart found herself in search of hands-on museum attractions to suit the needs of her three children. After she began working with other mothers in the area to help bring one to the community, she found that not only did demand exist in the area, but another group led by Christina Fredericks was in pursuit of the same goal. In August, the two groups united, and now the Sarasota Children’s Museum will be hosting its inaugural event, “The Museum of Me,” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at the Ibis Playground in The Bay Park. The museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since November, is taking a “museum without walls” approach this year, developing programs and exhibits for the community and launching a fundraising campaign. Stuart hopes that by the end of 2024, the museum will have found its own dedicated space.
PARTY PEOPLE Downtown Sarasota got in the NYE swing of things with a block party and carnival. SEE PAGE 12
James Peter
Aaron Wilson and Holly Jensen
Ian Swaby
Deputy Ray Pendleton, Tom Lang and Pat McManus.
Hearty helpings
Manasota Flooring has been serving flooring needs in the local community since 1979, but the company is now in its seventh year of serving people in a different way. On Dec. 20, staff could be seen unloading turkeys from refrigerated trailers and placing them into the hands of first responders, including police officers, firefighters and paramedics. The Community Turkey Giveback Event offered 500 turkeys at each of the store’s three locations across Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice. “It’s very generous, very nice they’re doing this for the community,” said Deputy Ray Pendleton of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s very nice of a private company to go the extra mile to help the community.”
Who’s got next this year? Ten area high school athletes are primed for big seasons in their sports. SEE PAGE 15 File image
Cardinal Mooney’s Riley Greene committed to Long Island University on Dec. 10.
A+E Top tickets. INSIDE