It’s August and the kids will head back to school this month, but we still have many long summer days ahead. When a welcome evening breeze slips in to end our warm days, one of the best things to do is to treat yourself to a delicious cup or cone of frozen yogurt or ice cream. 

In Gulf Gate, The Skinny Dip at 6616 Gateway Ave. is a great new frozen yogurt outpost. It’s only steps away from the Off the Hook restaurant and directly across the street from the Sarasota Brewing Company. If you love frozen yogurt, this is your new go-to place. Skinny Dip’s yogurt flavors include Banana Pudding, Cookies and Cream, Double Dutch Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Pistachio, Raspberry Sorbet, Southern Strawberry, and Vanilla Bean made with almond milk and West Coast Tart. Enjoy your cool treat in a cup or a waffle cone, or try one of their delicious bubble waffles.

There’s also a large selection of delectable toppings to choose from.

If you’re a smoothie fan, The Skinny Dip has you covered. Check it out on Facebook and look for its posts about new toppings such as vegan lactose- and fat-free strawberry taffy sorbet.

The Skinny Dip is open daily from 1 to 9 p.m. It’s the perfect place to visit during the day for an afternoon pick-me-up or for dessert after visiting one Gulf Gate’s many top dining spots. 

While Sarasota is in its “off season” mode, why not take an afternoon or evening to explore some of the places that will draw big crowds in the cooler months ahead. As we celebrate Sarasota County’s 100th birthday, the historic St. Armand’s Circle is a great place to rediscover if you haven’t been there in a while.

With 138 stores and restaurants there’s lots to do at any time of the day or evening. Over the past few months, the St. Armand’s Circle Association has been busy preparing a number of exciting and fun events for the summer called “Sol of the Circle.”

On the first Tuesday of every month, “Songs on the Circle” will feature musicians stationed at different places around the circle performing for your enjoyment.

Every second Wednesday of the month, “Breathe: A Summer Yoga Series,” is planned. Bring your yoga mat and find your Zen with a local yoga instructor, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Family Day events are also on the calendar for Sunday, Aug. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 25, with fun activities for kids of all ages from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And, don’t miss the Ladies Day/Night event on Thursday, Aug. 19. Participating Ladies Day businesses will offer special shopping discounts, sales, refreshments, and raffles.

Speaking of historic Sarasota places, have you visited the new Sarasota Art Museum of the Ringling College of Art & Design? Home of the former Sarasota High School, the museum is dedicated to new ideas and “art of our time,” according to the website. Here you’ll find exciting contemporary exhibits that museum curators change regularly.

As the region’s first contemporary art museum, this is the place to see and experience diverse and important art from the 20th and 21st century. On Thursday, Aug. 19, the museum presents Spin, a live outdoor musical performance that will be held in the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza from 6 to 8 p.m. For more details on the artists who will be performing that night, check the museum’s Facebook page. Tickets are $5 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Visit the museum on the last Sunday of the month and your admission is free. All active military and their families with military ID are invited to visit the Sarasota Art Museum and enjoy complimentary admission through Labor Day.

The museum, located at 1001 S. Tamiami Tr., is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum shop, bistro and grounds are open daily. As you’re exploring the museum, stop for a snack or light meal at the bright and inviting bistro. Enjoy chef Kaytlin Dangaran’s cuisine that emphasizes local produce, healthy proteins and specialty items inspired by Florida’s regional fruit stands and farmers markets.

Trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York City, Dangaran brings a wealth of culinary experience honed at fine restaurants in New York and San Francisco to her role. She came to Sarasota from the Perez Art Museum in Miami.

Visit: https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/.