Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Brick-Oven Pizza Chain With NY Roots Expands Into Southwest FL

Happening soon: Fun Bunco Event - Play, Eat, Enjoy -Open to the Public on the Sarasota Patch calendar

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Friday September 4th Patch AM
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Good morning Sarasota! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Brooklyn-born pizza chain plans new locations across Sarasota and Southwest Florida
  • Kyle Rittenhouse settles in Sarasota with job at local gun shop
  • What to know before attending Sarasota's 25th-year 9/11 commemoration.

Also on today's calendar: Fun Bunco Event - Play, Eat, Enjoy -Open to the Public and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 90 and low of 77 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, temps: high: 88, low: 77.
  • Sunday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 88 and low of 77 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Brick-Oven Pizza Chain With NY Roots Expands Into Southwest FL (patch.com) — Southwest Florida pizza fans can expect several new Grimaldi's locations, with a development deal that specifically includes Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties. The coal-fired, brick-oven chain, founded in Brooklyn and now based in Arizona, is partnering with Fort Myers-based UNIV Hospitality to grow its family-friendly, upscale presence across the region while keeping other Florida locations company-owned.
   

2. FL Gun Shop Hires Kyle Rittenhouse 5 Years After Kenosha Shooting Acquittal (patch.com) — Kyle Rittenhouse has relocated to Sarasota with his wife and is now working at local gun shop Shark Coast Tactical, where he was introduced on the store's podcast. He describes having longtime ties to Southwest Florida and says his notoriety from the 2020 Kenosha shootings has complicated past job searches, while his new employer emphasizes simply needing a salesperson.
   

3. 25th year commemoration of 9/11 to be held at Sarasota National Cemetery (yourobserver.com) — Sarasota residents are invited to a 25th-year 9/11 commemoration and concert at Patriot Plaza in Sarasota National Cemetery on Sept. 11 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Local leaders, clergy, first responders and veterans will participate, with guests encouraged to honor individual victims by name and contribute photos or memorabilia to a special Fallen Photo Gallery.
   

4. Sarasota County approves arts grants without DEI debate, leaving Urbanite Theatre behind (watermarkoutnews.com) — Sarasota County commissioners approved $2.1 million in 2027 tourist tax arts grants but reallocated Urbanite Theatre's $40,230 share after the company refused to sign new anti-DEI compliance language. The decision leaves Urbanite without county cultural funding while other local arts groups move forward under rules tied to Florida's recent DEI law, raising questions about future oversight and enforcement.
   

5. Public Wins Access to Ziegler Investigation Records as Appeals Court Reverses Secrecy Order (thebradentontimes.com) — A state appeals court has overturned a Sarasota judge's order that kept Sarasota Police Department investigative records on Christian Ziegler secret and ordered many destroyed, clearing the way for public access. The ruling limits officials' ability to hide closed criminal files and sends the case back to Sarasota circuit court, with local attorneys and a Sarasota-based nonprofit leading the transparency fight.
   

📸 Around Sarasota

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Sarasota native brings modern needlepoint back home with The Red Thread Atelier —Kasey Brennan Read on Patch
  • Five Years Later:Remembering Edward Price,A Life of Curiosity,Love,and Forward Motion —Christy Chilton Read on Patch
  • Sarasota Jewish Theatre Receives $5,000 Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation —Kelly Fores Read on Patch
  • Wilson-Wood Foundation funds early education for area families —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
  • Tickets now on sale for All Faiths Food Bank's Bowls of Hope fundraiser —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Sadie, a dog who went missing in Bradenton, FL, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 hours, 16 minutes. Message from Owner: "I just… (Nextdoor Whitfield)
  • We need a custom solid wood panel door built and installed over an air handler opening.
    Since standard stock doors won't fit the space, we need someone who can go over material/style options with us, build the door to custom length, and… (Nextdoor Kensington Park)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Info Central - CSR I - Selby Library (Part Time) - R14749 in Sarasota. Apply here.
  • Sherwin-Williams posted a job opening for Multi-Location Customer Service Specialist in Sarasota. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sarasota here.

Ok Sarasota! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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