Tuesday, April 30, 2019

47th Annual Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest


47th Annual Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest

https://www.scgov.net

Date: 05/04/2019
Location: Siesta Beach
948 Beach Road
Sarasota, Florida 34242

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources presents the 47th Annual Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest.

Located at Siesta Beach (948 Beach Rd., Siesta Key.

Saturday May 4th

Registration begins at 8:30 am (near the yellow lifeguard stand)

Judging at 1pm

Awards presented at 2pm

Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place categories:

Adult (Individual)

Adult (Team)

Children (10 years and under)

Youth (11-17 years)


Overall People's Choice


Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate



























Monday, April 29, 2019

3rd Annual Venice Seafood & Music Festival


Venicemainstreet.com

If relaxation is on your mind, then come join us in Centennial Park in downtown Venice on May 3-5, 2019 for the 3rd Annual Venice Seafood & Music Festival. Relaxation (food, drinks, music) begins Friday evening from 4pm-10pm and continues Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. The event is produced by Paragon Festivals and Venice MainStreet, graciously hosted by the Humane Society of Sarasota County.

General admission is FREE!!!

Like a great meal, this seafood & music festival is created by incorporating and blending the finest ingredients.  Choose entrees (seafood, meat and vegetarian) cooked fresh onsite.  Add to it from a diversity of side dishes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and of course - some scrumptious desserts! 

While enjoying your meal, relax and be caressed by the captivating sounds of live musical performances on stage by some of Florida’s and the region’s top musical talents.  Friday evening enjoy Ocean’s Eleven Big Band (Big Band, jazz, swing), The Sarasota Steel Pan Band (Caribbean) and Offshore Riot (rock, reggae).  Saturday enjoy performances by The Billy Rice Band (country rock), Kettle of Fish (blues, rock reggae), CeCe Teneal & Soul Kamotion (blues, soul, roots), the Bob Marley Tribute Band featuring Yvad (reggae) and Fleetwood Max (Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band).  Finish your relaxation on Sunday with performances by Unlimited Devotion (Grateful Dead inspired), Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio (rock, soul) and the Johnny Diamond Band (dance, pop, rock).

During breaks between performances, enjoy shopping a marketplace of arts and crafts, gourmet food items and specialty products.

While at the event, the Humane Society will have their "Big Mac" mobile adoption center onsite. Please take a few moments to stop by and say “hi” to the dedicated staff and meet their extended family of friends awaiting adoption.  Find a new companion and lend support to a wonderful and compassionate organization.

There you have it - RELAXATION at its best!!!  Treat yourself - you deserve it.  We will lay the feast, all you need do is come enjoy!

Dates
May 3-5, 2019
Times
Friday 4pm - 10pm; Saturday 11am - 10pm; Sunday 11am - 6pm
Admission
General admission is FREE!
Driving Directions
Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave., Venice, FL  34285
From HWY 41 (Venice Bypass) either northbound or southbound

Proceed to E. Venice Ave.
Turn west heading towards downtown Venice
Proceed west over the Venetian Waterway
Pass through the intersection of N. Tamiami Trail (Bus. 41)
The festival site will be just over 3 blocks on W. Venice Ave. in front of City Hall.

Parking Information
VENICE THEATRE (until 6:00 pm)
Proceed west on Venice Ave. approaching Centennial Park
Turn right on Nokomis Ave. N (E edge of Centennial Park)
Proceed 1.5 blocks north
The Venice Theater and parking lot are on the right

VENICE CITY HALL
From Centennial Park, proceed west on W. Venice Ave.
Go 2 blocks to Harbor Dr. S
Turn left and go south 1 block to Granada Ave.
Turn right on Granada Ave.
Go 1/2 block, turn right into parking lot

VENICE COMMUNITY CENTER
From Centennial Park, go west on W Venice Ave. to the west edge of Centennial Park and Nassau St.
Go south on Nassau St.
Proceed four blocks south to Milan Ave.
Crossing over Milan Ave., the Community Center Parking lot is on your left

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate
























Thursday, April 25, 2019

Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival Grand Tasting

May 5, 2019 (Sun) 

VIP 11:00AM-4:00PM General Admission 12:00PM-4:00PM

Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Road
Sarasota, FL 34243 
941-365-2800

Savor local flavor during the Sun Coast’s premier Food and Wine and Festival. The Forks & Corks 2019 Grand Tasting was postponed due to inclement whether and will take place on Sunday, May 5th, 2019 at the Ringling Museum of Art. Forks & Corks will showcase the palate-pleasing products of an international cast of visiting winery owners and winemakers alongside the deliciously diverse cuisine of more than 50 members of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurants. The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a group of locally owned restaurants who share a passion for dining excellence and commitment to our community.
The Grand Tasting is the ultimate destination for the foodie and wine or beer lover! Enjoy fabulous food from over 50 of the area's top restaurants, taste wine from over 50 international wineries and enjoy exciting micro-brews and craft beers. The backdrop for this spectacle is the stunning courtyard of the world-renowned John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

Each year, the Ringling Museum's iconic statue of David gazes upon the crowd as they enjoy a variety of sweet and savory fare. Originals restaurateurs and chefs continuously outdo themselves with fabulous dishes to guests' delights!
Last year, the acclaimed vintages of over 70 wineries from around the world were poured, with winemakers from California, Oregon, Italy, South Africa, France, Spain, South America and many other locales chatting with guests and enjoying the excitement of the afternoon.
The Grand Tasting of 2019 promises to be even more tantalizing with new Originals member restaurants serving their specialties alongside well-known local favorites. We will feature our popular silent auction with special wines donated by our participating wineries. A popular feature again this year, guests will have the opportunity to purchase your favorite wines from the afternoon of sampling. Our convenient retail tent will allow guests the chance to purchase and take home the wines they loved that day. Many of the unique wines available to taste at the Grand Tasting are not readily available for purchase locally, so we always suggest that people buy that day.

Visit Event Website: www.eatlikealocal.com/forksandcorks


Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate




















Wednesday, April 24, 2019

SKY Family YMCA Hosts First Annual Half Marathon


Sand Bar Half Marathon and 5K

The Sky Family YMCA will be hosting its first annual half marathon, The Sand Bar Half Marathon, which will be run on Manasota Key, one of the most beautiful places in Florida.  Runners will enjoy a race route without many turns and with much of the course under tree canopy (a big plus in the Florida sun).

Every racer will receive:
Finisher Medals
Awards 3 deep per age group
Free professional photos
Free Draft Beer (at The Sand Bar Tiki & Grille)
Free Hot Meal (at The Sand Bar Tiki & Grille)
Live Music (while waiting for awards)

WHAT: Half Marathon & 5K
WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 2019
NEW TIME: 7:15 am Half Marathon start / 7:30 am 5K start
WHERE: Registration: Sand Bar Tiki & Grille
Start:  Front of Sand Bar Tiki & Grille.
Finish: Parking lot of Sand Bar Tiki & Grille.
Car Pooling is recommended

RACE ROUTE: Beautiful Manasota Key. Runners will make their way north on Beach Road about 5.8 miles, make a u-turn and run back south (the way they came) making their way to the south end of Manasota Key, make the loop, and finish in the parking lot at Sand Bar Tiki & Grille.
Kids 14 and under $15.00 - 5k

https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Englewood/EnglewoodYMCA5k


Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate