Sarasota calendar 3.24.16

Community

Thursday, March 24 
Sarasota Republican Club Dinner
Starts at 6 p.m. at Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza. The guest speaker will be Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who will give a comprehensive update on the state of the state, insights on this year's legislative session and his outlook for the state. Admission is $30 for members; $35 for non-members. Reservations are required. Visit sarasotarepublicanclub.com. 

Friday, March 25
Trails & Bunny Tails
Runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 3701 Bay Shore Road. Bring your basket for an Easter egg hunt and photo-ops with the Easter Bunny. Other activities will include face painting, a petting zoo with bunnies and other animals, pony rides and a food tent. Guests who bring two cans of nonperishable food to donate to the Animal Hurricane Relief Fund will receive half off children’s admission. Admission is free for children 3 and under; $10.99 for children 4 to 16, $15.99 for adults; and $14.99 for seniors. Visit sarasotajunglegardens.com. 
 

Saturday, March 26
Easter Egg Hunt & Games on Siesta Key
Runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Beach Access No. 5 at Beach Road and Ocean Boulevard. Bring your Easter basket to hunt for eggs in the sand. Each child receives an Easter Bunny or stuffed toy, goody bag and Easter egg stuffed with prizes. This event is for children ages 1 to 6. Registration is $10 per child and limited to the first 125 paid children for the egg hunt. Call 349-2270, Ext 227. 

Saturday, March 26 and Sunday March 27 

Downtown Sarasota Spring Fest Arts & Crafts Show
Runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Selby Five Points Park, intersection of Main Street and Pineapple Avenue. The seventh annual festival known as “Art in the Park” returns with more than 100 exhibitors. Admission is free. Visit sunsetboulevardpromotions.com.

Sarasota Rotary Fine Art and Craft Festival
Runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Hillview Street. The festival features a juried fine art fair showcasing national and local wildlife artists plus painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers and fine craftsmen. Admission is $5 for adults; free for children under 12. 

Sunday, March 27 

Easter Brunch & Family Egg Hunt
Runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 Palm Ave. The Easter Bunny “meet and greet” will be held at 10:30 a.m. More than 2,000 eggs filled with trinkets and toys will be hidden throughout the gardens to discover at your leisure throughout the day. Seatings are available at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $50 for members; $75 for guests; $25 for children ages 4 to 11. Visit selby.org. 

Thursday, March 31
Sarasota County Library Public Forum
Runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at Selby Public Library. The Sarasota County Library Advisory Board is hosting a public forum to hear ideas, comments and suggestions related to library patrons’ experiences. This public forum is the first of a series of open public meetings. Call 861-1100.

Friday, April 1
Republican Women's Club of Sarasota Meeting
Starts at 11:30 a.m. at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Ave. The scheduled guest speaker is Kathy Dent, supervisor of elections in Sarasota County. Dent will be honored for her years of service to the community. Cost is $26.Reservations are required. Call Rita Hebel at 441-6412, or email her at [email protected].

Saturday, April 2 
Run for the Turtles 
Starts at 6:30 a.m. at Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Road. The run supports the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory and is the program's major fundraiser for sea turtles. The one-mile fun run or walk begins at 7:30 a.m., and the 5K begins at 8 a.m. Registration is $25 for children ages 13 and younger; $35 for adults; and $80 for families (two adults with two children or one adult with three children). Contact Paula Clark at 388-4441, Ext. 357 

Monday, April 4 
Poetry Reading
Starts at 1 p.m. at Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave. 
In celebration of National Poetry Month, Janet Davies impersonates Emily Dickinson as "The Belle of Amherst. Admission is free. Call 861-1230.

Friday, April 8
Just Desserts
Runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Payne Park Auditorium, 2100 East Laurel St. Dine on dozens of desserts and wine to benefit Family Promise of Sarasota. There will be live and silent auctions, along with live music. Tickets are $50; $600 for a VIP table of eight. Call 952-1800 or visit familypromiseofsarasota.org. 

Wednesday, April 13
Sarasota County Democratic Party Meeting
Starts at 6:30 p.m. at Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St. All Democrats are welcome to attend the monthly meeting for club updates. Attendance is free. Visit sarasotadems.org. 
 

Entertainment

Sunday, March 27 
From Bima to Broadway concert
Starts at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S Tuttle Ave. Enjoy a special musical evening featuring Cantor Audrey Abrams performing show tunes and shul tunes.Tickets are $36. All 955-8121.  

Health 

Tuesday, April 5
Cross Train Your Brain
Runs from 8 to 9 a.m. at The Friendship Centers, 1888 Brother Geenen Way. Nationally-recognized author and gerontologist Dr. Kevin O’Neil will discuss normal age-related changes in brain function as well as pathological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular dementia. The course fee is $15 and includes a 7:30 a.m. light breakfast. Call 556-3263.