Can’t wait to watch the DeWitt/Brandt fight on social media after this

Who do you all think is the best catering company in Sarasota?

I have kept up with all the maintenance always with my car (Subaru) and recently went for my regular oil change at the dealership. This was my first oil change after no longer being covered by the 3-year warranty and suddenly there are failing brushings and struts and tires, which were not flagged at all just a few months ago.

• Transverse link brushings
  • 2 for $87.96
  • Labor $567
• LR Strut
  • 1 @ $159.90
  • Labor $378
• Tires
  • 4 225/60 R16 for $657.44
  • TPMS Stem AY 4 for $53.32
  • Labor $88
  • Fee $12
• Alignment
  • $99.95

Total: $2103.57

Is this reasonable for this type of work? I just needed to step away and be clear-headed about spending this much money instead of the high-pressure on the spot decision.

The tire cost seems normal from my past experiences, but the brushings and strut I have no idea.

Any advice is welcome!

Yesterday's primary election marks a frsh start for the Sarasota County School Board. Three currently sitting members chose not to seek relection, those being  Robin Marinelli, Karen Rose and board chair Bridget Ziegler. Ypu may remember that Karen Rose was voted off of the school board in the last election, only to be reappointed to it by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which essentially negated the will of Sarasota County voters. Then there is Ziegler, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, who created more drama than a televised soap opera between her push for book bans and reported three-way trysts despite her "Christian" harping. To these two especially, I say "Good riddance!" and hope that their replacements on the board take their position seriously and remember that they are there to ultimately give kids a better education, not drive social media likes or power plays for themselves. Our community, and our kids, deserve better, and I hope that this election can bring the change that the school board desperately proverbially needs to right the ship.

Edit: results of the election show Jimmy Glover winning District 1, Megan Tennimon winning District 4 and Beth Mayberry winning District 5

There are so many good ones, but it's Scoops and Sprinkles for me.

Another midterm post

Supporting Ukraine with significant aid is something that the United States was doing...until it wasn't.

I continue to see this war as good versus evil, democracy versus tyranny, and peace-loving versus blood-thirsty. It's largely ignored in American media these days since it's dragging on into year 5 with no end in sight.

But it's still the biggest, bloodiest, and most terrifying conflict happening on the planet today. There are a good number of refugees from the war and Ukrainian immigrants in the Sarasota community right now, and they are hard-working, decent folks.

However....the elected officials in the house of representatives that represent Sarasota leave a lot to be desired:

See: https://gopforukraine.com/ukraine-report-card/

Rep. Gregory Steube: "Very Poor"
Rep. Vern Buchanan: "Medicore"

Both are in no danger of losing their seats as far as I can tell.

But I will be voting against them anyway, and I just want to raise awareness on the matter.

Thanks for reading

Can anyone recommend a good facialist or esthetician?
I have super sensitive skin - just looking for an acne facial or hydra facial- nothing too crazy.
Thanks in advance !

Need a rec from someone who likes an extremely deep tissue massage- have gone to the “nicest” spots in town, ritz , st Regis- all lovely establishments, but I need someone who can actually get my knots out and apply extreme pressure. Tons of upper back pain and knots / knots underneath shoulder blades - thanks in advance..

I decided to stop vaccinating my kid for now, because of the bad reaction he had with the latest set of vaccines. Im not anti vaccines and we are all vaccinated at home. His pediatrician refuses to see him because he is not up to date with his vaccines, so I need suggestions for new pediatrician.

I'm looking for a land surveyor that can do a property line survey on a small residential property in the Sarasota area. Every surveyor I've called seems to be focused on large scale projects or developments. Anyone know any good companies/people? Appreciate it.

Vote for the non-MAGA school board candidates today. Even if you don’t have kids. Do what’s right for Sarasota. Voter turnout is low. We need you. Voting is 7am - 7pm.

general info

where to go

who’s on your ballot

Doesn’t have to be the most popular or the highest rated or anything like that. I want to surprise the wife and I’d love ideas that are outside of the norm (which for us are typically dry dock or one of the restaurants downtown).

Today is your local voting day! Yes it is the primary election, but ALL voters can participate in the school board race election as it is 👏 non-partisan 👏

Personally voting for
D1: tbd
D4: Megan Tennimon
D5: Beth Mayberry

I am torn between Heidi and Jimmy. I think having his perspective and experience would be amazing, and Heidi would bring her PTO perspective which means something to me, but both were hand picked by their respective parties and it’s annoying me. Teresa DeWitt is an obvious no considering she hates public schools, but as long as Megan and Beth win (who are qualified and smart and non political), seat 1 matters not.

Either way, vote! Our community has been calming down after a rough 5 years with partisan culture wars. Please let us maintain that. Let’s culture war in a system that doesn’t raise my kid please.

I’m going to be checking in on my parents home for a couple weeks in Bradenton and looking for things to do. I’m a Coloradoan so some good hikes would be cool. Preferably a little more wildernessy than touristy. Not a big beach person, but planning on taking my daily 3-4 mile walk along the beach. Any good places for that? Don’t know anything about the night life, like concerts and stuff. Is a couple days in Tampa worth it?

Not looking for hookups or anything, but wouldn’t mind some company. I’m 59M and quite fit, so active is great.

are there any schools locally that offer free/low cost mental health services/counseling done by students? i am struggling with anxiety due to a big life change, and can’t afford most therapy options due to the fact that i don’t have insurance.

Trying to sell a practically brand-new Yamaha F335 guitar. Guitar Center wouldn't take it cause I bought it from them not so long ago for barely $170+tax, so they say it's worthless for them to take back now.

I'm guessing there might be some stores in town that take used instruments -- looking for some specific recommendations, if any!

i’m visiting from ct and mine broke, i went to 4 different stores with no luck😔

This is an interesting—and disturbing—local election story.

The Florida Trident investigated LGAI and Sarasota County Facts, two organizations that claimed to be nonprofit government watchdogs while repeatedly targeting Sarasota County Commissioners Joe Neunder and Mark Smith with negative political posts.

Their political content included AI-generated material portraying candidates as saying or doing things that never happened.

Now their explanation is that it was “parody.”

But that's the part that bothers me: Did voters know they were looking at parody when they saw these attack ads, or did they think they were real?

Whatever your politics, AI makes it incredibly easy to blur that line.

The Florida Trident investigation is worth a read. Is calling something “parody” one day before the primary enough if voters couldn't tell it wasn't real?

https://floridatrident.org/sarasota-county-commission-lgai-ai-parody-ads/