Seasonal peek

Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show
Munch on food from 16 local restaurants, and watch 12 well-known Longboat Key figures embrace their inner supermodels in fashions by Island Pursuit.

The Longboat Key Garden Club organizes the event to raise money for environmental scholarships.
Tickets are tax-deductible and include unlimited food and two glasses of wine or soft drinks. Purchase tickets from Susan Landau, 383-8030, or at the following locations: Exit Art, 5380 Gulf of Mexico Drive or 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive; Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive; Island Pursuit, 357 St. Armands Circle; Design 2000, 6840 Gulf of Mexico Drive; or at the event.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21

Where: Longboat Key Club Harbourside Dining Room, 3100 Harbourside Drive

Cost: $50

Centre Shops Festival and Lifestyle Expo
Thirty to 40 artists and dealers will feature and sell their work at this year’s Centre Shops Festival, which will include antiques, jewelry, collectibles and art.

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members will also run tables to promote their businesses as part of the new Lifestyle Expo.

All Centre Shops stores and restaurants will be open for the event.

For information, call Stephanie Claussen at 383-1901 or the Chamber of Commerce at 383-2466.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24

Where: Centre Shops, 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Cost: Free

Mote’s ‘Oh Baby! Life Cycles of the Seas’
Mote Marine Aquarium’s new family-friendly educational exhibit opens Feb. 14, and it invites visitors to discover animal reproduction and the challenges new generations of marine life face.

The exhibit will include baby marine animals and species of seahorses, garden eels and jellyfish that have never before been on display at Mote. There will also be a family-friendly look at marine animal courtship behaviors and “Who Wants to be a Sea Star?,” a TV-style science quiz.

The exhibit is included with regular admission.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 14 through Sept. 27

Where: Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway

Puttin’ on the Glitz
The Aging in Paradise Resource Center at the Longboat Island Chapel will hold the “Downton Abbey” 1920s-themed “Puttin’ on the Glitz” gala.

The event will include dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions and is black-tie optional. Proceeds benefit AIPRC, which provides programs and services that allow seniors to continue to thrive as they age. Call 383-6493.

When: 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25

Where: Sarasota Bay Club, 1301 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Cost: $100

Kiwanis Club Valentine’s Dinner Dance
Have the itch to gamble but can’t make it to the real Monte Carlo? The Kiwanis Club has you covered.
This year’s Valentine’s Day celebration’s theme is Monte Carlo. Guests will be treated to dinner, dancing and casino games with a grand prize of a behind-the-scenes Universal Studios experience.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14

Where: Longboat Key Club Harbourside Dining Room, 3100 Harbourside Drive

Cost: $95

Save Our Seabirds Sunset Soiree
The fourth annual Sunset Soiree will help Save Our Seabirds continue its mission of helping sick and injured seabirds.

The event includes a gourmet buffet, beer and wine, entertainment and a silent auction. The soiree serves as one of Save Our Seabirds’ major annual fundraisers.

For reservations, call 383-3010 or visit saveourseabirds.org/events.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26
Where: Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Cost: $85

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Royal Rummage Sale
Stock up on items as small as jewelry and as large as furniture pieces at this year’s Royal Rummage Sale.

The rummage sale draws more than 500 people and raises between $28,000 and $35,000 each year.
The event is organized by the church’s Women’s Guild, and all proceeds benefit local charities.

Admission to the sale is free, but entry to the preview sale, which takes place from noon to 4 p.m. March 6, costs $5. Call 383-1255.

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7

Where: St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Mardi Gras St. Armands Style
Celebrate Fat Tuesday on St. Armands, beginning with the Mardi Gras strut around the Circle, led by the Dixieland Band, Joe Bruno’s New Orleans Hot Dogs, the Mardi Gras king and St. Armands celebrities.
The celebration includes entertainment throughout the Circle, including face painters, tarot card and palm readers, jugglers, tumblers and musicians. All guests will receive free beads. Circle restaurants will also offer Mardi Gras food and specials. Call 388-1554.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17

Where: St. Armands Circle

Longboat Key Garden Club Home & Garden Tour
The Longboat Key Garden Club’s 39th annual Home & Garden tour will highlight six unique private residences on the Key.

One featured home was built by an architect who wanted to duplicate the feel of a coral reef meeting the bay; another will showcase a family collection of art and whimsy.

The event raises money for the Garden Club’s programs and scholarships.

Tickets are tax-deductible and are available at Exit Art locations, Design 2000, the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and at each home on the day of the event.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7

Where: Various Key homes

Cost: $25

Lynches St. Patrick’s Day on St. Armands Circle
Lynches Pub & Grub offers the island’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration year after year.

Details about the latest plans weren’t available at press time, but we’re sure this green gathering won’t disappoint. Last year’s four-day event attracted more than 1,000 visitors. Call 388-5550.

Call 388-5550.

When: Tuesday, March 17

Where: Lynches Pub & Grub, 19B N. Blvd. of Presidents.