Around The Town

The Night of Empowerment, a fundraiser for The Jubilee Center at St. David’s, raised a very impressive $29,000 to support the food pantry just in time for the holidays. A big thank-you goes to The Waverly Restaurant which hosted the event on November 8th. The Jubilee Center is located at 401 S. Broadway and is open Monday through Wednesday, 10am to noon for those in need. Pictured here is the planning committee for the event (l-r): Amy Gonzalez, Jeannie Joyce, Jill Hemmes, Laura Roy Fink, Tracy Warren, Leslie Edwards and Jennifer Guzik.

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Pearl Harbor Ceremony
All are invited to attend the Pearl Harbor Ceremony on Friday, December 7th at 9am at the Englewood Veterans Memorial Park & Freedom Pavilion, 10 Harbor Lane (at the end of West Dearborn Street). This ceremony commemorates the 83rd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The ceremony, presented by VFW Post 10178 & Auxiliary, Rotonda West American Legion Post 113 and Veterans Honor Guard, will feature guest speaker Captain 06 Darren Glaser, U.S. Navy Retired, and a tribute to the fallen veterans of Pearl Harbor. For more information, call the VFW at 941•474•7516. 

The Mayor’s Hometown Christmas 2024
Kick off the holiday season at the Venice Mayor’s Hometown Christmas on Friday, November 29, 5 to 7pm at Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Avenue, Venice. Activities include the Christmas tree lighting with local choirs bringing a festive spirit and holiday cheer. Also enjoy time with Santa, shop, dine & explore downtown Venice. Bring your own seating to this free event. Learn more at visitvenicefl.org/event/mayors-hometown-christmas.

Pet Fair Extravaganza
The second annual SWFL Animal Fair returns on Saturday, November 30, 9am to 1pm to the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. There will be animal shows, demonstrations, vendors, and rescue organizations will be on-site if you are looking for a new companion. For the kids, there will be a bounce house, face painting, and a petting zoo. Free event admission and $5 parking. For more information, email [email protected].

Venice Holiday Parade
A Venice tradition for 45 years, the City of Venice Holiday Parade will be Saturday, November 30, beginning at 6:30pm. The parade includes nearly 100 floats and attracts thousands of spectators who line the parade route early (early chair set-up begins after 6pm on Wednesday, November 27 at your own risk). The parade route stretches approximately one mile and is viewable from the westbound lane of West Venice Avenue in the 200, 300 & 400 blocks and both sides of Nokomis Avenue from W. Venice Avenue to Turin Street. There is pre-parade entertainment 4:30 to 6:30pm at Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Avenue, with free face painting, caricature artists, balloon twisting, and festive music. Concessions are offered for sale by nonprofit groups along the parade route and there is also a food pantry drive. Learn more at venicegov.com/venice-holiday-parade. 

Christmas Carol Trolley
Discover Sarasota Tours announces their third annual Christmas Carol Trolley Letters to Santa holiday tours of music and lights running Sunday, December 1 through Monday, December 23 at 5:30pm and 7:30pm. The 75-minute family-friendly show is filled with viewing downtown Sarasota lights, caroling down Main Street, holiday stories, trivia, and performances by the Trolley Troubadours. This family-oriented musical ride costs $53.99 for adults and $29.99 for children ages three and older. For tour dates and reservations, go to DiscoverSarasotaTours.com or call 941•260•9818. Discover Sarasota Tours is located at 1826 Fourth Street, Sarasota.

Make Your Own Soap
Learn how to make soap with a goat’s milk soap base, essential oils and mica color powder. This free program will be offered on Tuesday, December 3, 10:30am-noon, at the Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street. With snowflake molds and wintery scents, you will have a holiday gift or just use the soap yourself. Registration is required at scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com/events. For questions, call 941•861•1110.

Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Bring the family to the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Tuesday, December 3, 5 to 7pm, at the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, 601 S. Indiana Avenue. Bring the kids to meet Santa, enjoy holiday music, take your picture taken in the photo booth, and enjoy some refreshments provided by The Dearborn Coffeehouse, the End Zone Sports Grille, and Ken & Barb’s Restaurant. The tree lighting will be at 6pm. The Englewood Fire Department will use its ladder truck to place the angel on top of the tree. This event is free to the community. Bring a toy for the Toy Drive. For questions, call the Chamber at 941•474•5511.

Loveland Center BBQ Dinner
The Loveland Center will hold its 16th annual BBQ Dinner on Tuesday, December 3, 6 to 9pm, at the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Avenue South, Venice. This evening of community & goodwill includes appetizers, dinner, dessert, and a performance by Loveland participants. Ticket price is $150 at lovelandcenter.org/events or call 941•493•0016, ext. 323.

Travelogues with Jane: Bhutan
Learn about Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, known for its monasteries, fortresses and dramatic landscapes through the photos and experiences of Jane Mahler on Thursday, December 5, 2 to 3:30pm at the Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street. Bhutan measures GNH (Gross National Happiness) values. Free program sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library. Seating is first come, first seated. For questions, call 941•861•1110.

Wonderland of Lights
The Wonderland of Lights holiday light show runs nightly Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 29 at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 6 to 9pm and 6 to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. This is a drive-through experience so you enjoy the beauty of the light displays in the comfort of your own vehicle (average time length 20-30 minutes). Passenger vehicle tickets are $25 online and $30 at the gate. Wednesdays are Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County day. Bring a new pet toy or something from the pet rescue’s wish list (valued at $20 or more) and receive $5 off your entry fee. For more information, go to TheWinderlandofLights.com.

Lights in Bloom
Enjoy the beauty of the season when you visit Marie Selby Gardens’ holiday tradition, Lights in Bloom, from Friday, December 6th through Wednesday, January 1st. More than two million lights illuminate the gardens and walkways of the campus at 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. The display is open nightly (closed December 24 & 25). Early admission ticket-holders can enter at 5:30pm. General entry hours are 6:30 to 9pm. Early admission nonmember cost is $44 adult & $24 children ages 5 to 17. General admission for nonmembers is $34 adult and $19 children. Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. Go to selby.org/events or call 941•366•5731. Note: There is a fee for parking near the Gardens ($19) but a free trolley operates from off-site lots.

Garage Sale Extravaganza
Charlotte County Community Services will host the sixth annual Great Garage Sale on Saturday, December 7, 8am to noon at the Charlotte Sport Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. Admission is free for shoppers. For more information, contact Joseph at 941•235•5010.

America Recycles Day
Keep Charlotte Beautiful is hosting a recycling event on Saturday, December 7, 8am to noon, at the Murdock Walmart, 19100 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte. Come out and recycle electronics, dispose of old medicine and have your unwanted documents shredded. Please enter the parking lot using the Murdock Circle entrance. There will also be a Holiday Food Drive if you would like to bring non-perishable food items to help make someone else’s holiday just a bit brighter. For more information, go to keepcharlottebeautiful.org or call 941•764•4390.

Holiday Craft Show
Sarasota County Parks & Recreation invites you to a Holiday Craft Show on Saturday, December 7, 9am to 2pm at the Englewood Sports Complex, 1300 S. River Road. Free admission and parking. For more information, call 941•861•1980.

Holiday Travel Park Craft Show
Area crafters and park residents join together to bring you a great holiday shopping opportunity at the Holiday Travel Park Craft Show on Saturday, December 7, 9am to 1pm. From woodwork creations, to artwork, garden decorations, and handmade items, you are sure to find something for gift giving or yourself. The show will be held indoors at the park located at 1475 Flamingo Drive. Admission is free and there will be parking attendants. For more information, email Bonnie at [email protected].

Rotonda West Christmas Parade
“Christmas at the Movies” is the theme for this year’s Rotonda West Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7th. This year’s parade steps off at 10am from the Fellowship Church, 140 Rotonda Blvd. West, to travel up Rotonda Blvd. North to Rotonda Circle where it makes a right (east) onto Rotonda Circle to end at Broadmoor Park, 646 Rotonda Circle. U.S. Marine and RWA volunteers will be collecting new unwrapped toys along the parade route to benefit Toys for Tots and nonperishable food items for Englewood Helping Hand. For questions, email [email protected].

Community Resource Fair
The Englewood CRA announces the second annual Community Resource Fair will be Saturday, December 7, 10am to 2pm. Plan to attend this free event to learn about the various community outreach programs, non-profit organizations, and various Sarasota County Departments. See what Sarasota County has to offer you. The event will be held at Pioneer Plaza, 325 W. Dearborn Street. Organizations scheduled to be at the event include Sarasota County Volunteer Services, Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS), Old Englewood Village Association (OEVA), Jewish Family & Children Services, Ignite Fatherhood/REACH programs, and Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County. For questions, call the CRA at 941•473•9795.

Cruisin’ on Dearborn
“Cruisin on Dearborn”, a gathering of people and their classic cars, is still the place to be on the first Saturday of the month from noon to 6pm. Anyone with a classic car or a love of cars is invited to this free event. Saturday, December 7th is the next Cruise-In. Enjoy music to cruise by and music trivia sponsored by the Old Englewood Village Association. Don’t forget to visit the businesses that are open for your shopping pleasure and stop by the broadcast booth to get your raffle tickets for prizes.

Ukrainian Christmas Festival
Learn how Ukrainians celebrate the holidays at the Ukrainian Christmas Festival on Saturday, December 7, noon to 5pm at Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Avenue, Venice. There will be a display of Ukrainian folk art such as embroidery, wood carving, ceramics, pottery, and Christmas ornaments. Bring a chair to hear Ukrainian choral & instrumental music at 1:30pm. For more information, email [email protected].

Christmas on the Farm
Head out to the farm for a family-friendly afternoon and evening filled with festive fun at Christmas on The Farm, hosted by Fandango Sanctuary and EPIC Community Resource Center! Fandango Sanctuary will be transformed into a festive wonderland for the event on Saturday, December 7, 3 to 7pm. Enjoy the live Nativity. Feed and donkeys, horses, goats, and pigs. Enjoy hot cider or cocoa. Purchase snacks or dinner from the food trucks. Photo op with Santa. Hourly raffles. Face painting & crafts and more at Fandango Sanctuary, 616 Pinto Trail (in Englewood Farm Acres off South River Road). Cost is $10 per person over two years old ($40 max per family). Advance tickets may be purchased at bit.ly/4eYOmQi.

Holiday Parade and Festival
The City of North Port invites the community to have fun at the annual Poinsettia Parade & Festival on Saturday, December 7th. This year’s theme, “Poinsettias in Paradise”, sets the stage for family-friendly fun at this free event. The Poinsettia Festival runs 3 to 7pm at the City Center campus, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port. The festival features a kids zone, stilt walkers, entertainment by “Tropical Avenue”, holiday merchandise, and food vendors. Santa will be available from 3:30 to 5pm at the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way, North Port. The Poinsettia Parade with dazzling floats, performers and marching bands starts at 5pm and will travel south down Sumter Blvd. from Sylvania Avenue, ending at the City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd. For questions, call 941•429•7275 or visit NorthPortFl.gov/events.

Venice Boat Parade
This year’s Venice Christmas Boat Parade is Saturday, December 7th along the Intracoastal Waterway in Venice. The parade starts above the Albee Road bridge at 6pm and goes south through Venice along the Intracoastal Waterway before turning around just before the Circus Bridge. Due to hurricane damage, this year’s route will not venture out into the Venice Jetty channel due to Jetty repair work. If you will be watching from a boat, please refrain from parking in the parade route channel. Learn more at venicechristmasboatparade.net.

Coastal Wildlife Garden Ribbon-cutting
Take time to attend the unveiling and ribbon-cutting celebration for the Coastal Wildlife Educational Garden on Sunday, December 8, noon, at its location behind the future office for Sand Dollar Home Team at Keller Williams Realty Gold at 240 W. Dearborn Street. This is part of a family-friendly environmental awareness event that runs from 10am to 3pm with local groups such as the Coastal Wildlife Club, area Audubon Society clubs, Lemon Bay Conservancy, and the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Upon the garden completion, there will be 12 stations with QR codes to educate visitors about the life cycle of sea turtles thanks to the Coastal Wildlife Club and a community garden featuring native plants and a butterfly garden donated by the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. The turtle garden is part of the “Feathers and Fins” sculpture art installation project that will be along West Dearborn Street. There will also be photos with Santa, food and live music. The event is hosted by Sand Dollar Home Team at Keller Williams Realty Gold and the Coastal Wildlife Club. While you are at the event, walk down to the 400 block of West Dearborn Street to see the rest of the “Feathers & Fins” sculptures along the street and the Winter Art Market open from 10am to 3pm.

Make Your Own Bonsai Tree
Have fun creating your own bonsai tree to take home in this easy, fun step-by-step class by Lous Bonsai on Monday, December 9, 1 to 2:30pm at The Dearborn Coffeehouse & Bakery, 450 W. Dearborn Street. The cost is $45 and includes all supplies and a free drink. RSVP at eventbrite.com or thedearborncoffee.com/events. For questions, call 917•418•3395. Learn more about Lous Bonsai at lousbonsai.com.

Englewood CRA Celebrates 25 Years
The community is invited to join the Englewood Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) on Monday, December 9 at 2pm to celebrate the CRA’s 25th anniversary. This commemorative event will be held outdoors at Pioneer Plaza, 325 W. Dearborn Street. All are welcome to learn about all the CRA has accomplished for Englewood during its existence and what is yet to come. The CRA office is located at 370 W. Dearborn Street, Suite D and can be reached at 941•473•9795. Office hours are by appointment only.

Songs of the Holidays
Sarasota-based singer and musician, Karlus Trapp, will present “Songs of the Holidays” on Monday, December 9, 2 to 3pm at the Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street. Come sing and clap along with popular songs of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Fun for all ages so come have a great time. Seating is first come, first seated at this free program. For questions, call 941•861•1110.

Health in Motion Bus
The Sarasota Health in Motion Bus will be in Englewood on Tuesday, December 10, noon to 4pm, at the Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street. You can receive no-cost health screenings and referrals for general health & wellness. Get your BMI (body mass index) measured while you are there. Nursing staff will help find a medical home for those with no insurance. No appointments necessary. The bus will be in the parking lot. For more information, call 941•861•2873. 

CERT Basic Training
Charlotte County Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) is offering free basic training, Wednesday-Friday, December 11-13, at the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center, 26571 Airport Road, Punta Gorda. This three-day course equips community members with essential lifesaving skills to assist until first responders arrive. Wednesday covers disaster psychology, preparedness, and team organization. Fire safety and search & rescue are the topics on Thursday, and on Friday, it’s Medical 1 & 2. Hours each day are 9am to 3:30pm. To learn more and reserve your spot, email [email protected] or call 941•833•4000.

Gardens Aglow: Illuminate Your Night
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens’ holiday experience, Gardens Aglow, is a magical experience for the whole family to enjoy with the gardens adorned with thousands of lights throughout the 30-acre complex, live music, Christmas carol performances, s’mores roasting over a cozy fire pit, holiday shops, and Santa visits. Visit Gardens Aglow Thursday, December 12 through Monday, December 23, 6 to 9pm nightly. Ticket prices for non-members are $25 adult and $15 youth (ages 5 to 17). Learn more and purchase tickets at peacerivergardens.org or call 941•621•8299. The Gardens are located at 5827 Riverside Drive, Punta Gorda.

The Englewood Methodist Church Christmas Items Rummage Sale is Saturday, December 14, 9am to 1pm in the Fellowship Hall at the church located at 700 E. Dearborn Street. This time the sale will be combined with the Creative Workshop’s sale of hand-crafted treasures & fresh baked goods. Shop a vast array of affordable holiday decorations and special gifts at a very reasonable cost. Proceeds benefit local charitable programs & some missions abroad. For questions, call 941•474•5588.

Manta Market
If you still have holiday shopping to do, stop by the next Manta Market at Lemon Bay High School on Saturday, December 14, 9am to 2pm in the school parking lot at 2201 Placida Road. This outdoor market offers over 90 local vendors who offer handcrafted and homemade items perfect for gifts. Artisan food products are available, too. This monthly market is held on the second Saturday of the month through March. Follow the market on Facebook: MantaMarket.

Enchanted Holiday Circus
Make the circus part of your holiday celebration when the Enchanted Holiday Circus comes to the Charlotte County Fairgrounds on select dates, Friday, December 13th through Sunday, December 29th. Showtimes are 4pm and 7 or 7:30pm. The grand circus tent twinkles with lights and is filled with music, laughter and jaw-dropping performances by acrobats and entertainers. Visit Santa in the Santa Village and enjoy food while you shop at participating vendors. Shows run 90 minutes. Ticket price online is $20 adult, $8 children, ages 11 & under (one child free with adult ticket purchase). Tickets are higher at door. For more information and ticket purchase, go to forzent.com.

Dearborn Christmas Walk
The annual Old Englewood Village Association Christmas Walk on West Dearborn Street is a popular way to get in the holiday spirit and get some last-minute shopping done. So, save the date for this year’s event on Saturday, December 14 starting at 4pm. Family-friendly activities will take place in Pioneer Plaza and also include live music and food trucks.

Tinsel & Tidings Party
Join the Englewood Charlotte Library for the Tinsel and Tidings Winter Party on Saturday, December 14, 2 to 4pm, at the library located at 3450 N. Access Road. There will be crafts for all ages, snacks, and a festive winter movie. The event is free, and no registration is required. For questions, call 941•681•3736.

Special Christmas Music Join the members of Gulf Cove United Methodist Church for special Christmas programs of music on Sunday, December 15th. The “Sing Noel!” cantata by Hal Hopson, with its English poetry, will be performed at the 8am and 11am traditional services. The 9:30am contemporary Praise Band will perform “Christmas Word and Worship,” with songs of the season and scripture from prophecy and the birth of the Savior. Gulf Cove UMC is located at 1100 S. McCall Road (Route 776) in the Gulf Cove area. The church can be reached at 941•697•1747 or [email protected].  

Swingin’ Holiday Tunes
Vermont’s Easy Street returns to the Elsie Quirk Library to perform your favorite holiday tunes on Monday, December 16, 2 to 3pm at the library located at 100 W. Dearborn Street. Hear beautiful carols and instrumental renditions of seasonal music on the fiddle, guitar and mandolin. This is a free program sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library. Seating is first come, first seated. For questions, call 941•861•1110.

Group Flood Insurance Policy
FEMA applicants in Special Flood Hazard Areas who receive disaster assistance because of flood-caused damages are required to buy and keep flood insurance on their policy. As part of FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA), FEMA may provide a Group Flood Insurance Policy (GFIP) for three years. After that, homeowners of the property are required to obtain a flood insurance policy. If the cost of the group policy exceeds the remaining amount of the Other Needs Assistance available for an applicant, then the applicant will be responsible for purchasing individual flood insurance. The GFIP provides up to three years of flood insurance coverage for real property and personal property items under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The policy term is for 36 months and begins 60 days after the date of the presidential disaster declaration and individual coverage becomes effective 30 days after the NFIP receives notice and the premium. For more information, call NFIP direct at 800•638•6620, option 2. You can also visit floodsmart.gov for program information.

COAD Disaster Assistance
Charlotte County residents affected by hurricanes Ian, Helene or Milton can now apply for disaster assistance from local resources through Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD). The COAD Disaster Assistance Application helps residents access potential financial or home repair support. Please note, assistance is prioritized for households meeting certain criteria, including those that are displaced homeowners and renters; low income according to HUD standards (80% of the area median income: e.g., up to $45,050 for a one-person household or $51,540 for a two-person household); and head of household who is aged 60+ home to individuals with disabling conditions. Eligibility for home repair programs depends on factors like property ownership, tax status, and the severity of the damage to your home. First apply for FEMA disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov and then if you still have unmet needs from the recent hurricanes and meet the criteria for COAD, visit coadfl.org and click the Get Started button.

Charlotte Rides Mobile App
Charlotte County Transit has launched the Charlotte Rides mobile app. The free app is now available for download from both the Apple iTunes app store and the Android Google Play store. The app allows passengers of Charlotte County Transit to manage their trips anytime 24/7 right from their smart phone, from scheduling, viewing their scheduled rides, and ride cancellation. Charlotte County Transit is a shared ride, curb-to-curb public transportation service provided to the general public in the service area of Charlotte County, which includes portions of Englewood, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. You can also view this information and download at CharlotteCountyFL.gov. For questions, call Shirley at 941•833•6241.

Sharing & Caring

Senior Giving Tree
It’s the holiday season and Patients First Home Care is once again collecting gifts for Englewood seniors who have no one to give them a gift this holiday season. The Englewood Senior Giving Tree is located at Heritage Oaks of Englewood, 7374 San Casa Drive. Simply stop by and select a name from the tree and purchase a gift from the recipient’s wish list, wrap it and return to the Giving Tree by Thursday, December 12th for delivery to the recipient. Your thoughtfulness will certainly brighten the holiday for a deserving senior in the community. For questions, call Sue McNamara at 941•270•2505.

5/3 Bank Holiday Food Drive
The Englewood branch of Fifth Third Bank at 1500 Placida Road is participating in the Christmas Food Drive for the Charlotte CARE Center, formerly the Homeless Coalition. Stop by the branch now through Monday, December 16th to help brighten the holidays for area unsheltered residents in need. Suggested food items include instant mashed potatoes, canned yams, stuffing, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, canned pie filling and gravy mix. You can also make a monetary or gift card donation. Bank branch hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm and Friday, 9am to 6pm. For more information, call 941•473•9762.

Community Blood Drives
The OneBlood “Big Red Bus” has scheduled the following blood drives in Englewood. Incentives are offered to donors such as a $20 eGift card and OneBlood six reusable cups. Donors also receive a free wellness checkup, including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening. Please visit the OneBlood website, oneblood.org, to schedule an appointment. Please note that blood drives are subject to change at any time. Friday, December 6, 10am to 3pm: Xpertech Auto Repair, 101 N. McCall Road. Tuesday, December 10, 8am to 2pm: Oyster Creek HOA, 6651 Oriole Blvd. Saturday, December 21, 10am to 4pm: Suncoast Humane Society, 6781 San Casa Drive (donors here receive a OneBlood dog bandana). Sunday, December 22, 10am to 4pm: Bealls, 1500 Placida Road. Thursday, December 26, 11am to 5pm: Bealls, 1500 Placida Road. Tuesday, December 31, 8:30am to 2pm: Publix at Merchants Crossing, 1500 Placida Road. 

Sports

Jingle Jam
The sixth annual Jingle Jam will be Saturday and Sunday, December 7 & 8 at CoolToday Park, 18800 S. West Villages Pkwy., Venice. Hours are 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 10am to 8pm on Sunday. There will be family events & contests, horse & carriage rides, holiday market, acrobatic show by Cirque Adventure, live music and kids’ crafts & activities. Mrs. Claus will offer story time on Saturday at various times and Santa will be there for photo ops on Sunday. Caddy Carts Golf Cart Parade of Lights will be at 5:30pm on Sunday. For more information, go to CoolTodayPark.com/jingle-jam.

Sandy Claws Beach Run
Join the fun at the 48th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run on Siesta Beach on Saturday, December 14th. This festive event attracts hundreds of runners, walkers and joggers, many in holiday costumes. The 5K race is chip-timed and there is also a one-mile fun run. One-mile fun run starts at 8am and the 5K at 8:20am. Registration closes at 7:45am on race day. Afterwards enjoy music, food and raffle prizes. To register, go to runsignup.com/48thannualsandyclawsbeachrun. Siesta Beach is located at 948 Beach Road, Sarasota. For questions, call Sarasota Parks & Recreation at 941•861•5000.

Gulf Coast Games
Ready, set, register! The North Port Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, invites adults aged 50 and older to participate in the Gulf Coast Games for Life, a multi-sport event leading to the Florida Senior Games in December 2025. The Sarasota/Manatee County games run Wednesday, January 18 through Saturday, February 15 at various locations through the two counties. The following competitions will be hosted in North Port: Rockin’ Run & Roll 5K on Wednesday, January 18, 8am at the Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 West Price Blvd., North Port. Bag Toss (cornhole) is set for Friday, February 14, 10am at the George Mullen Activity Center, 4956 City Center Blvd., North Port. Archery starts at 10am on Saturday, February 15 at George Mullen Activity Center. There is a one-time registration fee of $13 that includes a T-shirt. Most events have a $4 registration fee; however, some events have a higher fee. To see the list of sport competitions available and to register for these Gulf Coast Games events, please visit bit.ly/gcgflregister. Got questions? Please call 941•861•PARK (7275).

The items appearing in this column are as accurate as possible. Please call the listed numbers for confirmation.