Sarasota Memorial Health team welcomes first baby of 2025
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System welcomed its first baby of 2025 early Wednesday morning.
Isaiah Lisinski, a 7.5-pound healthy baby boy, was born at 3:36 a.m., following 17 other babies who were delivered at SMH during a rockin’ New Year’s eve. His first-time parents are Natalia Lagunes and Sean Lisinski of Manatee County. “He was supposed to be our Christmas baby, but ended up being our New Year’s baby,” Natalia said. “A new year, a new baby, we feel really blessed.”
Isaiah arrived with support from OB hospitalist Dr. David Mateo and an L&D team that helped Natalia follow her natural birth plan to the inspirational sounds of “Oceans” by Hillsong UNITED. “It was exciting, nerve racking and beautiful all at same time,” Sean said.
Former Homeland Security boss heads 54th annual ‘Global Issues’
The Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning will present the 54th edition of its “Global Issues” series from Jan. 7 to March 7.
The series features experts discussing a range of domestic and global issues. Topics include artificial intelligence, foreign policy, global health, and demographic trends. A highlight of the 2025 lineup is Jeh Johnson, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security who will speak on Feb. 6.
The lectures are presented on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in downtown Sarasota; Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center; and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 5 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church in Lakewood Ranch. Lectures will also be available for purchase on video.
Other lectures include Charles Lane on key challenges for President Trump; Lina Tori Jan on women’s rights in Afghanistan; Dr. Keir Lieber on nuclear strategy; and Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb on space as a war-fighting domain. “Each season we aim to inspire and challenge our audiences with fresh insights on the issues that shape our future, furthering SILL’s mission to keep Sarasota at the forefront of global dialogue,” SILL president Jeff Olesen said.
The season also features “Music Mondays” with performances and conversations with renowned and emerging performers. For information, including a full lineup, season subscriptions, and single-day tickets, visit SillSarasota.org or call 941-365-6404.
Englewood Art Center hosting Florida Highwaymen exhibition
The Englewood Art Center (350 S. McCall Road) will present an exhibition showcasing the works of the Florida Highwaymen starting on Jan. 7.
The exhibition, which runs through March 7, will feature paintings by Highwaymen artists such as Alfred Hair, Harold Newton, James Gibson, and others. The self-taught artists captured the beauty of the Florida landscape, often selling their works directly to passersby.
“We believe this exhibition is a crucial opportunity to share the inspiring story of the Highwaymen and acknowledge their vital contribution to Florida’s rich cultural heritage,” Englewood Art Center Director Samantha Parkinson said.
The exhibition will include a gallery talk and collector insights with Highwaymen specialist Roger Lightle on Jan. 11 and Feb. 22. Visit catalog.ringling.edu/englewood-art-center.
‘Rainforest Masks of Costa Rica’ at Downtown Selby Gardens
The “Rainforest Masks of Costa Rica” exhibit featuring the art of the Indigenous Boruca will return to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus from Jan. 11-19.
The annual exhibit will include more than 300 masks on display inside the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The masks will also be available for purchase. A ticketed preview on Jan. 10 will offer the first opportunity to purchase the artworks.
The exhibit is a collaboration between Selby Gardens and Lucuma Designs, a Sarasota-based wholesale fair-trade partner that represents artists in Costa Rica and Peru. For preview tickets and to learn more, visit Selby.org.
Grant helps St. Jude Catholic Church’s Program for Needy
The St. Jude Catholic Church/Hispanic American Center was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support the St. Jude’s Program for the Needy.
The program serves the less fortunate through the purchase and distribution of food and food gift cards during the holiday season. This season the funds were used to purchase more than 350 $25 food cards that were distributed to 250 families in the Toys 4 Tots Christmas Program.
Remaining funds were used to purchase food for St. Jude’s Food Pantry. For more information, visit stjudesarasota.org.
Around and about
· Wellen Park’s second annual Luminescence Festival is Saturday from 6-10 p.m. in Downtown Wellen. The event includes music, hundreds of luminaries lighting the way along the Grand Lake, and projection art displays at sunset. wellenpark.com/events/luminescence-festival-2.
· Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota will hold a fundraiser, “Harmony of Souls,” on Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at The Ora. The event, which will support the Jewish-Christian Alliance of Sarasota-Manatee Counties, includes Westcoast Black Theatre performers and a band. templebethsholomfl.org.
· Tickets are on sale for the Junior League of Sarasota’s 48th Annual Tour of Homes presented by Arbor Landscapes on Feb. 21-22. The event includes shopping with local vendors, live music, and demonstrations by artists. Sarasota.JL.org.
Submissions by Kim Savage, Su Byron, Samantha Parkinson, Nancy Seijas-Kipnis, Peggy Forte, Emily Ford, Stacy Hanan, and Elise Lipoff Ramer.
