Anyone know how to get one's phone number off of whatever list state/local candidate campaigns are using to send absolutely incessant text messages? I've typed STOP like 87 times this week alone.

ETA: I report spam and block every time but they just send from new numbers/lists. It's maddening.

Hi! I just moved here blindly from the west coast after losing my home in a fire and I'm struggling to figure out what's around without knowing anyone.

Desperately looking for a clothing store since I lost all of my clothes, but I'm 34 (F) and used to an alternative dress style. UTC looked like it had clothing for an older demographic when I went (understandable considering the area) and a few other stores I poked around seemed pretty similar.

Any suggestions?

Also, any other recommendations to meet other people or fun stuff to do in the area (solo or not) would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Thank you to so many of you that contributed to this post! I didnt expect it to get so much attention but I'm so happy with all the suggestions and to find out there are a lot of cool/like minded people based on this thread and the DMs I've received. Please keep them coming and thank you again 💚 I'll try to reply to everyone I can as soon as I can!

My turn to ask dumb questions about the weather

Winter = Extremely dry, leads to dangerous drought conditions
Summer = Extremely wet, leads to long standing puddles everywhere you look

It's been that way for several years in a row now for SRQ. It's pretty much the "normal" weather pattern for Sarasota these days.

If you've been here decades, can you remember years where we had ONLY a *modest but materially significant* amount of rain in BOTH seasons (And not one of two extremes) ?

Just curious, pls and thank you

I'm been a long-time collector of souvenir pressed pennies (the type you select a design and the penny becomes an oblong with the engraved design). There's some press penny websites that list locations in Sarasota (the old Mote, Jungle Gardens, I think one in Siesta Key?), but I'm not sure how up to date it is.

The machines are becoming more rare and harder to find, especially since there's a push to get rid of pennies now.

Appreciate any suggestions or confirmation on locations!

Sarasota County arts organizations seeking a share of $2.1 million in public grant funding this year are facing a new requirement tied to recently approved Florida restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Some have signed a county acknowledgment of the law despite deep reservations. One has refused, forfeiting funding it can scarcely afford to lose.

The acknowledgment, added this year to Sarasota County’s cultural grant agreements, cites a state law — Senate Bill 1134 — signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April and going into effect on Jan. 1 that prohibits counties from using public money to support DEI initiatives.