Hello Sarasota! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Sports campus expansion, airport dining access, and ocean wanderers + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Airport dining access expands: SRQ is finalizing a program to let non-passengers dine in the concourse, working with TSA on an airside pass expected to boost airport restaurants and shops, including Mattison's -- explore the dining access.
A major sports complex upgrade: Manatee County commissioners approved expanding Lakewood Ranch’s Premier Sports Campus, adding four ice rinks plus retail and dining. Construction could begin in 2027, opening in 2028, positioning it for tournaments -- see what the expansion includes.
Sarasota project takes shape: Bath and Racquet in Sarasota nears completion with 256 condos and a racquet program with Tommy Haas. Club expected to open around December 2026, with 33 attainable housing units -- see the condo plans.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Press start this week: Arcade Monsters brings two floors of retro and new-school arcade bliss to St. Armands, with over 100 games, pinball, rhythm favorites and a second-floor patio decked in anime art, plus slushies, beer and wine. Ideal for a post-beach reset, low-key date, or friends-night-out this week.
Neighborhood playtime upgrade: Put this on your list this week, Laurel Park delivers a shady lawn, a charming gazebo, and a kid-favorite playground with a treehouse slide and swings. Pack a coffee, let them run it out, you enjoy five quiet minutes pretending this counts as cardio.
Rare plant treasure hunt: Sarasota locals swear by Tropiflora when you want bromeliads, air plants and other weirdly wonderful greenery that makes your porch look tropical overnight. Wander the greenhouses, pick a new plant crush, then feel smug every time someone asks where you found it.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🛍 The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime @ The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Whether you are dodging the humidity or your in-laws, The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime is an indoor treasure hunt for grown-ups. Local makers, vintage oddities, and small-batch body care, all under one roof every week. You will pretend the gifts are for others.
🚗 Sarasota Car Seat Safety Checkup @ JHACH at City of Sarasota Payne Skate Park | Thursday (6/25) at 12:00 PM – Downtown gets practical with a Car Seat Safety Checkup from the Suncoast Safe Kids crew, masters of every buckle and LATCH. They check the install, share smart tips, and send you off with calmer nerves, happier grandkids, and fewer Publix parking lot debates.
🧒 F2BFK "littles" Class @ Gulf Gate Library | Friday (6/26) at 10:15 AM – Bring your tiny human to Gulf Gate Library for a free burst of songs, movement, and rainbow mayhem. Ages 1-5 with a caregiver get beanbag balancing, If You’re Happy and You Know It, and all the wiggles. You get smiles, coffee, and a nap window.
🗝 Sarasota Key Quest Fest 2026 @ The Bay Park | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Sarasota Key Quest Fest is rolling into town with an in-person adventure from One Check Away, Inc., the kind that gets you off the couch and into the breeze. Expect coastal views, low-key bragging rights, and quality time that feels earned, not streamed.
🤝 Come Together @ Fred Glossie Atkins Park | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – If civic engagement to you means free food, a live DJ, and the kids conquering bounce houses while you catch up with neighbors, this fits. Expect games, giveaways, family entertainment, and that easy Sarasota mingling you secretly love, all free.
🌊 Ocean Wanderers @ Mote Science Education Aquarium | Tuesday (6/30) at 9:00 AM – This camp dives into the tiny universe in a drop of Gulf water, where plankton rule and microscopes are the new binoculars. Kids explore wacky adaptations, decode blooms and food webs, and come home smarter than the condo board.
🇺🇸 Red, White & Market Day | Saturday (7/4) at 7:00 AM – Think you can do Fourth of July without melting? Sarasota Farmers Market goes red, white, and blue with face painting, a bounce house, a giant slide, DJ Joey D spinning patriotic favorites and singalong oldies, dog splash pools, and festive treats, all with local charm.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Sarasota report Weather forecastToday — High: 92°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 15%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 10am. Sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 104. West wind 5 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Heat index values as high as 101. West northwest wind 2 to 12 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 11%
Sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 2 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind 2 to 8 mph. This house is wildThis rare Sarasota/Bradenton bayfront estate spans two parcels and more than an acre of waterfront bliss. The 3,806-square-foot main home pairs grand winding staircases, an elevator, and soaring trey ceilings with sweeping water views. A 2,409-square-foot guest house adds three bedrooms, a full kitchen, and its own garage, while the pool, palms, and bayside decks set the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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