EVENTS
GCLC EVENT -The Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 15th year with a special event, Aug. 6, at the Girl Scouts’ Gulf Coast Event and Conference Center. Proceeds will benefit local teenagers with scholarship awards. The GCLC will also hold the first "Quinceañeras," featuring 15 young Hispanic girls celebrating their 15th birthday. Call Cesar Gomez at 358-7065 or Fermin "JJ" Miranda 730-0762.
MAPPING SEAGRASS - Sarasota is mapping seagrass to protect this natural resource. Seagrass beds provide food and/or shelter for marine creatures such as scallops, manatees and sea turtles. A volunteer training session takes place Aug. 1, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Bring swimsuit, water shoes and mask. Call Amanda Dominguez at 861-5000.
BAY SCALLOP SEARCH - Help scientists monitor the population of bay scallops while snorkeling in the seagrass flats, a free event for boaters, Aug. 8, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Sarasota Outboard Club City Island. Mandatory captains meeting, 8:30 a.m. Bring snorkel equipment, a dive flag, sunblock and plenty of drinking water. Lunch and T-shirt provided. Space limited; register by calling 953-5333 or visiting www.sarasotabaywatch.org and clicking on "contact us" or e-mailing info@sarasotabaywatch.org.
VAMO UMC DINNER - Meatloaf dinner, July 31, 5:30-7 p.m. in the newly remodeled fellowship hall, at 8521 Vamo Road. Menu: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggies and desserts. Tickets: $9; reserve space in advance by calling 966-3306, or purchase at the door.
WINE TASTING - Sample a variety of fine wines on July 30, 5-7 p.m., at South Trail Liquors, 7310 S. Tamiami Tr. Call 927-9463.
LIME MARKETPLACE - Open every Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Located two blocks east of U.S. 301 between 12th Street and Fruitville Rd., at 1126 North Lime Ave. Call 780-2541, www.limemarketplace.com.
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.-1 p.m., Ocean Blvd. at Davidson’s parking lot. Visit www.siestafarmersmarket.com.
CLASSES/PROGRAMS
LITTORAL SOCIETY - Kayak Little Sarasota Bay to Palmer Point Beach, Aug. 2, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Equipment and training provided. Cost: $20-$25. Call John Sarkozy at 966-7308.
THE OPERAS OF PUCCINI - "Masters and Masterpieces of Music" with Dr. John Goodman. Program: "Il Tritico," Aug. 5, 10:30 a.m., Selby Library, Geldbart Auditorium. Call 861-1100.
SARASOTA MUSIC ARCHIVE - Annie Morrison will present a varied program of musical theatre with John Goodman at the piano, Aug. 9, 2:30 p.m., in the Geldbart Auditorium, Selby Public Library, 1331 First St. Admission free. Seating begins at 1:45 and is limited to 200. For information call 861-1168.
MUSIC FILM SERIES - "Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man" (2005), with live music performance by Dennis Brock. Aug. 6, 6-10 p.m., South Florida Museum, downtown Bradenton at 201 Tenth St. West. Call 746-4131 or visit www.southfloridamuseum.org.
BEADING CLASSES - Beads, F.O.B., 2312 Gulf Gate Dr., hosts a variety of beading classes taught by experienced instructors for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Evening classes, family classes and parties also available. For more information call Karen at 921-0871 or visit www. beadsfob.com.
SELBY LIBRARY - They Came Before Us: Documentary Series, "Out of Ireland; story of Irish immigration to America," Aug. 10, 2 p.m. Call 861-5000.
POTTING AND MOUNTING ORCHIDS - Learn to re-pot an orchid. Bring an orchid to re-pot for additional $10 fee, depending on size of plant, Aug. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at Selby Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave. Cost: $30-$40. Call Marilynn Shelley at 366-5731, ext. 239.
FENCING CLASSES - The Peter Harris Academy of Fencing at Stony Brook Clubhouse Center Road in Venice offers classes Mondays, 6:30-8 p.m.; Wednesdays, 6.30-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10:45 a.m.-noon. Call Peter Harris at 429-1000.
MOTE MARINE - $2 off admission at Mote Aquarium between August and October during Days of Discovery, a special promotion offered by Mote and other Sarasota-area attractions through the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau. Learn more about both promotions and download Days of Discovery coupons at www.sarasotafl.org/ Mote is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 365 days a year at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island. Admission: $17 for adults, $16 for seniors and $12 for ages 4-12. Mote members and children 3 and younger get in free.
NRA FIRST STEPS PISTOL COURSE - The Firearms Training Institute of Sarasota hosts a pistol course Aug. 8, 8 a.m., at the AmericInn Hotel Conference Room at 5931 Fruitville Rd. Meets the Florida training requirements for concealed carry permit applicants. Non-residents also eligible. For details, contact Dr. Gerald Colbert at 706-4358 or drgeraldcolbert@gmail.com or www.ftisarasota.com.
MEETINGS
DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - Monthly meeting, Aug. 12, 7 p.m., at the Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St. Come at 6:30 p.m. to socialize. All Democrats and supporters invited. Call headquarters at 330-9400; e-mail headquarters@sarasotadems.org.
NEWCOMERS CLUB - Luncheon meeting Aug. 13, 11 a.m., at Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club, 8801 Stoneybrook Blvd. Talk on how Pilates can help people recover from surgery, lose weight, enjoy more stamina and improve balance. Cost: $22; for reservations call 378-8676. Full-time residents of the greater Sarasota area who have lived here less than three years are eligible for membership. For information, call 907-3035 or visit www.sarasotanewcomers.org.
SOCRATES CAFÉ - "A fresh taste of philosophy" for people who like to discuss ideas, Aug. 5, 10:30 a.m., at Selby Library. Call 953-9539.
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
THEATRE WORKSHOPS - Julie Stevens, Broadway actress and on-set teacher for child actors and personal manager, will be teaching Bound For Broadway theatre workshops Aug. 19-20, 1-4 p.m., at Rosemary Court, 810 Central Ave. Call 323-848-7719; website at www.boundforbroadway.com.
ART CLASSES - Digital photography, stained glass mosaic and "Camp Creativity" for ages 7-12. All classes run 10 hours each and cost $150, materials included. Colleen Cassidy-Berns Art School, 4613 S. Tamiami Tr. Visit www.colleencassidy.com; e-mail colleen@colleencassidy.com; 924-1200.
COMMUNITY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - CYD and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Lee Wetherington Club, will present "Movie Night" for teens in grades 6-8, July 31, 7-10 p.m. Hang out with friends, watch a movie and enjoy free refreshments. The Lee Wetherington Club is located at 3100 Fruitville Rd. For more information call 366-7940. To get into any CYD event, be sure to bring photo ID (CYD photo ID, school ID, yearbook, driver’s license, passport, other photo ID.).
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. Aug. 1, 8:30-11 a.m., Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave.; Aug. 1, noon-2:30 p.m., Seventh-day Adventist, 5764 Churchill Down Rd.; Aug. 2, 8 a.m.-noon, Shriners/Masons, 600 N. Beneva Rd.; Aug. 4, 6-9 p.m.; National Night Out – Sarasota, 2100 E Laurel St.; Aug. 5, 4-7 p.m., Church of Hope, 1560 Wendell Kent Rd.