EVENTS
TREASURES OF BALI HAI - Siesta Key Kiwanis Club’s fifth annual Tropical Nights fundraiser at the Sarasota Yacht Club on May 30. This year’s event is the second of a five-year, $50,000 commitment to The Wellness Community and its Building Hope capital campaign in support of the Children’s Expressive Arts Studio. Tropical food and beverages, live music, dancing and a silent auction start at 6:30 p.m. Dress is "South Pacific Casual." Tickets: $75. Contact Andrea Rogers at 359-3025.
DOWNTOWN CRAFT FESTIVAL - The sixth annual outdoor craft art showcase, May 30-31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., on Main Street. Items for sale include folk art, pottery, jewelry, paintings, clothing, soaps and more. Visit www.artfestival.com.
MYSTERY MINGLE - Annual conference for mystery writers and readers, June 5-6, at Lido Beach Resort. Meet Florida’s masters of mystery, mayhem, suspense and murder, June 5, 6-8 p.m. Books available for purchase. Visit www.mysteryflorida.com. Call Circle Books at 388-2850.
BOOT CAMP BALL - Benefit for American Red Cross, June 6, 6:30 p.m., Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Evening includes dinner, entertainment and auction. Dress in Army attire or red, white and blue. Cost: $50. Call 792-8686; manateeredcross.org.
CATTLE BARON’S BALL - A fundraiser with food and fun for the American Cancer Society of Manatee, June 13, 6 p.m., at Bradenton Auditorium. Cost: $100. Call 745-1214.
TEE IT UP FOR CRC - Fundraiser golf tournament for the Caregiver Resource Center at Senior Friendship Centers, June 13; golf clinic, 7:30 a.m.; tee off, 8:30 a.m., at the Meadows Golf and Country Club. Cost: $150. Call Paula Falk at 556-3270, visit www.seniorfriendship.com.
BOOK SIGNINGS - Lori Wyman will sign "The Organic Actor," May 29, 6:30 p.m. Karen Koenig will sign "Nice Girls Finish Fat: Put Yourself First and Change Your Eating Forever," June 2, 6:30 p.m. Both at Sarasota News and Books, 1341 Main St. Call 365-6332.
WINE TASTING - Sample a variety of fine wines on May 28, 5-7 p.m., at South Trail Liquors, 7310 S. Tamiami Tr. Call 927-9463.
LIME MARKETPLACE - Grand opening celebration. Open every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Fresh farm produce, food for everyone, plus quality discount such as clothing, collectibles, furniture, crafts and toys. Enjoy indoor and outdoor shopping and free parking. New vendors and shoppers welcome. Located just two blocks east of U.S. 301 between Twelfth Street and Fruitville Road, at 1126 North Lime Ave.; 941-780-2541; www.limemarketplace.com.
OSPREY OUTDOOR MARKET - Dozens of vendors, free parking, special treats, May 30, 9 a.m.-noon, at the Visitors Center, Historic Spanish Point, 337 N. Tamiami Tr., Osprey. Call 966-5214.
FARMERS’ MARKETS - Downtown every Saturday, 7 a.m.-noon, at Lemon Ave. and Main St., sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association. Call 951-2456. Siesta Key Village every Sunday, 7 a.m.-noon, Ocean Blvd. at Davidson’s parking lot. Visit www.siestafarmersmarket.com.
CLASSES/PROGRAMS
AJC LECTURE SERIES - "Lunch and Learn" with Professor Michael Allen, "The First Amendment: Honoring and Protecting Religious Freedom," June 17, 11 a.m., at Michael’s on East. To reserve space, call Lisa Silva at 365-4955; e-mail silval@ajc.org.365-4955.
CROWLEY MUSEUM AND NATURE CENTER - Blacksmithing demonstration with Travis Meek, June 6, 11 a.m. Medicinal and edible plants tour, June 6, 11 a.m. Call 322-1000 to reserve space, or e-mail bkarnas@cmncfl.org.
LITTORAL SOCIETY - Kayak at Shell Key Preserve in Pinellas County, May 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $30-$35. Kayak trip at Stump Pass State Park, Englewood, June 3, 9 a.m.-noon. Cost: $25-$30. Sunset/moonlight kayak trip on Little Sarasota Bay, June 4, 7-9:30 p.m. Cost: $20-$25. Equipment and training provided. Call John Sarkozy at 966-7308.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES - "Fun with Watercolor," classes taught by Carolyn Merenda on Wednesdays, June 3-24, 1-4 p.m., at the South Venice Civic Association, 720 Alligator Dr., Venice. Call 366-2866.
BEACH BRIDES ON A BUDGET - Workshop designed for brides-to-be, hosted by The Sarasota Wedding Company on May 31, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Tommy Bahama, St. Armands Circle, 300 John Ringling Blvd. Contact Clarke at 374-2060, or e-mail info@SarasotaWeddingCompany.com .
POWER SQUADRON BOAT SAFETY COURSE - Two-day course being offered on June 6 and 13 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Squadron Headquarters, 2814 Hyde Park St. Cost: $55. Participants will qualify for Florida Boaters Certificate. Call 400-6467, or e-mail albur103a@yahoo.com.
NRA FIRST STEPS PISTOL COURSE - The Firearms Training Institute of Sarasota’s four-hour pistol course, June 6, 8 a.m., at the AmericInn Hotel, 5931 Fruitville Road. This course meets the Florida training requirements for concealed carry permit applicants. Non-residents are also eligible. Contact Dr. Gerald Colbert at 706-4358; drgeraldcolbert@gmail.com; or www.ftisarasota.com.
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY - The 13-week program presented by Dave Ramsey teaches families and individuals how to handle their money through common-sense principles and small group accountability. FPU classes will be held at Sarasota Baptist Church, 7091 Proctor Road. Classes begin June 3 at 6:30 p.m. Contact Mary Byler at 922-1449 or mbyler@sarasotabaptist.com for more information or to register.
MEETINGS
NEWCOMERS CLUB - Luncheon meeting, June 11, 11 a.m., at Heritage Oaks Country Club, 4800 Chase Oaks Dr. Adam Martens, director of development, Florida Studio Theatre, will speak. Cost: $22. Call 378-8676 for reservations. If you are a full-time resident and have lived here less than three years, call 907-3035 for membership information; visit www.sarasotanewcomers.org.
DEMOCRATIC CLUB - Interdependence Day, June 6, 5-8 p.m. Become acquainted with the club and caucus options during meeting at New York New York restaurant, 1934 Hillview St. In Venice and North Port, sites TBD. Call 362-9199; srqdemclubinterdependence@gmail.com.
DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CLUB - Monthly Meeting, June 6, 9:30-11 a.m., at the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd. in Venice. Call 379-9916; DWCSarasotaCounty@gmail.com.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORK - Meeting on Tuesdays of each month, 12:30 p.m., at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage Restaurant, 3713 Bahia Vista St. New members welcome. Call Jeff Deehr at 993-4526.
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN - Ali Lassens’ Leads Group meets every Thursday, noon-1:15, at Michael’s on East. Cost: $16. Call Shannon Cole at 358-1913.
YES - Young Entrepreneurs of Sarasota share success strategies every Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., at Clayton’s Siesta Grille, 1256 Old Stickney Pt. Rd., Siesta Key. Cost: $12 at the door, includes lunch. Visit www.yes941.com.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - Siesta Key Men’s Group meets at Siesta Beach Shelter, south side of Siesta Beach. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. open to all. Call 951-6810.
JUST FOR KIDS
BOOK SIGNING BASH - Local author Julie Woik will release the second in the Lilly the Lash series, "The Toy Store," June 6, noon-4 p.m., at Children’s World, 4525 Bee Ridge Rd. Lilly the Lash character will be there with balloons and lollypops. Call 955-6999.
FOSSILS FOR KIDS - Learn about the prehistoric past of Florida, followed by a fossil dig, May 30, 10 a.m., at Crowley Museum and Nature Center, 16405 Myakka Rd. Cost: $10, adults; $10, children ages 5-12; under 5, admitted free. To register, call 322-1000; e-mail bkarnas@cmncfl.org.
SUNCOAST BUCCANEERS - The Suncoast Buccaneers are looking for children ages 5-16 to participate in Pop Warner Youth Football and cheerleading. Visit www.suncoastbuccaneers.com or e-mail suncoastbucs@gmail.com for information. Registration is going on for the fall season.
ETC.
BLOODMOBILE SCHEDULE - Call the Suncoast Communities Blood Bank at 954-1600. May 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Chilis Barbershop Quartet Drive, 5851 Bee Ridge Rd.; May 31, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Covenant Life Presbyterian Church, 8490 McIntosh Rd.; May 31, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Meadowland Worship Center, 8893 Fruitville Rd.; May 31, 2-5 p.m., Albertson’s, 8415 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd.