COMMUNITY: Love Our Libraries luncheon and fundraiser features NY Times bestselling author

A forever Valentine's Day

Library Foundation fundraiser features award-winning author

Award-winning author Erik Larson will be the featured speaker at the Library Foundation for Sarasota County's 11th annual Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon on Feb. 10 at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota.

The annual event – the nonprofit Library Foundation’s only fundraiser – has raised more than $1 million to support Sarasota County public libraries. Since its founding in 2011, the Library Foundation also has raised more than $8 million in private funds to support Sarasota’s libraries.

Larson is the author of eight books and six New York Times bestsellers, including "The Splendid and the Vile" and "Dead Wake." He won an Edgar Award for nonfiction crime writing for "The Devil in the White City." The Gulf Coast Community Foundation is presenting sponsor. For sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit sarasotalibraryfoundation.org or call 941-404-3139.

MOAS contributes to Operation Warrior Resolution at 40th Gala

The Military Officer’s Association of Sarasota, through their charitable organization the Sarasota Military Officers Foundation, presented a $5,000 donation to Operation Warrior Resolution at their recent 40th Military Gala at Michael’s on East.

MOAS president Jon Gordon said the funds will help Operation Warrior Resolution's mission to restore veterans to health and wellness, including innovative treatments for PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The nonprofit offers a variety of services ranging from equine therapy and combat conscious yoga to couples therapy and nutrition counseling.

MOAS is dedicated to improving the awareness, lifestyle, and overall environment of its veteran members. For information, visit sarasotamoaa.com.

52nd season of 'Global Issues' opens with former ambassador

The 52nd season of the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s “Global Issues” series begins on Tuesday with "Strengthening America’s Voice in a Changing World" with former U.S. ambassador Barbara Stephenson.

Stephenson will address how America can retain an agenda-setting role in world affairs by investing in alliances, re-engaging on trade, and embracing the post-war international legal order. She will speak at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota at 10:30 a.m., and at Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., at 2:30 p.m.

The Global Issues series runs through March 31 and features 25 internationally renowned experts discussing a range of domestic and global issues. The speakers include former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun; Iran expert Mohsen Milani; Lee Schneider, an expert on cyber currency; and former judge and prosecutor Charles Schudson, who looks at street crime and white collar crime. For tickets and information, visit SillSarasota.org.

Supervisor of Elections invites scholarship applications

The Sarasota County Office of the Supervisor of Elections is accepting applications for a $1,200 scholarship to be awarded by the Florida Supervisors of Elections Association in 2023.

The FSE is offering four scholarships to college and university juniors and seniors who have been residents of Florida for at least the prior two years and who are registered to vote in the county where applying for the scholarship. For full eligibility rules and applications, visit SarasotaVotes.gov.

Applications may also be picked up at the elections offices at Sarasota County Terrace Building, 101 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota; R.L. Anderson Administration Building, 4000 Tamiami Trail S., Venice; and Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port. The deadline is March 10. For more information, call 941-861-8606.

Around and about ...

Temple Emanu-El and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee will sponsor a celebration and tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. The interfaith gathering – in conjunction with events sponsored by the Newtown Tribute Committee – includes music by the Light of the World Men’s Ensemble and the Soul Sensations; readings by Rev. Charles McKenzie; and words from Lonnetta Gaines. Visit bit.ly/3IlsUY9 for information or to register.

• The ninth annual Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival is today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at JD Hamel Park. The event showcases local, regional and national artisans in an outdoor gallery of original handmade art. The works include painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, wearable art, mixed-media, and woodworking. Info: paragonfestivals.com.

• The Sarasota Fine Arts Show is Jan. 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Phillippi Estates Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail. The event includes juried fine arts and crafts plus plus food and live entertainment. There also is a youth art competition for grades 6-12. Info: artsandeducationinc.org.

Submissions by Jennifer Linzy, Kate Schwartz, Troy Scott, Su Byron, Tyson Pruitt, Elaine Rose Glickman, Hillary Reynolds, Patty Narozny.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Author Erik Larson to speak at Sarasota Love Our Libraries fundraiser