Daily Briefing: 100-plus fun events in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte in February

February features some of the Sarasota and Bradenton area's biggest annual events, as well as festivals, concerts, stage productions and more. [Read in browser]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Mon Jan 23 2023 [For subscribers] [100-plus fun events in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte in February]( [Thousands attended the Bradenton Area River Regatta that returned to Bradenton after being canceled last year in an abundance of caution due to the coronavirus pandemic.]( February features some of the Sarasota and Bradenton area's biggest annual events, as well as festivals, concerts, stage productions and more. [READ MORE]( [Onslow County Public Library]( [For subscribers] [Sarasota School District partially reverses book donation freeze]( Each donation is handled individually, and an exact resumption date was not given. Donations were just for books meant for students to take home. [READ MORE]( [Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota photographed from Bayfront Park.]( [For subscribers] [Best waterfront restaurants in Sarasota and what to eat, drink there!]( Popular places to eat and drink on the water in downtown Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key and City Island. [READ MORE]( [Read Today's eNewspaper]( [Read Today's eNewspaper]( [Clayton Rosaire the sanctuary's big-cat handler here Barry White a White Bengal Tiger Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a animal protection organization located in Sarasota. It's home to big cats and 300 other wild animal and bird species that you can encounter. It's open Wednesday through Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information and how to volunteer or donate visit bigcathabitat.org.]( [Sarasota big cat habitat calls PETA animal safety allegations 'absurd']( Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary received warnings over an interaction between a man and 6-month-old black jaguar and habitat conditions. [READ MORE]( [Mesic flatwood habitat located on the new 25-acre parcel purchased by Sarasota County through the Environmentally Sensitive Land Protection Program. The land is adjacent to the Myakka State Forest.]( [25 acres on Myakka River are now preserved in perpetuity]( The purchase brings the number of acres preserved through the Environmentally Sensitive Land Preservation Program t0 40,250 [READ MORE]( A Better Daily Briefing We've redesigned your favorite newsletter to have a cleaner look and feel. Let us know what you think about it. [SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ➔]( [SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ➔]( IN CASE YOU MISSED IT [Director who staged two Asolo Rep musicals chosen to lead company]( Peter Rothstein, founding artistic director of a Minneapolis theater focused on musicals, will succeed Michael Donald Edwards as leader of Asolo Rep. [READ MORE]( [Why has 'no' become so hard to accept in Sarasota County?]( Sarasota County citizens like the county's single-member district system, and a new proposal by state Sen. Joe Gruters to change it is a bad idea. [READ MORE]( [SEIDMAN SAYS: New College makeover would stifle promising students]( Columnist Carrie Seidman says New College has made an impact by allowing students to grow - an asset that may be lost if its mission is changed. [READ MORE]( [Parrish Community HS wins Manatee County Fair Cheerleading Competition]( Also a salute to Laurel Lynch who has retired as CEO of HOPE Family Services after 26 years of service and devotion to the Bradenton-based nonprofit. [READ MORE]( Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don’t miss out! We’re always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. [SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔]( [SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. • Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. • Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. • The universal eNewspaper, the digital version of our print paper , plus bonus monthly magazines and hundreds of local papers. • Original reporting of our hometown teams, from high school sports to the pros. [SUBSCRIBE TODAY]( [SUBSCRIBE TODAY]( [Newsletters]( | [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( Follow Us Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback](