It’s 3 o’ clock somewhere: tea shops in Sarasota
A picture of 941 Tea House’s charming interior. Photo courtesy of Aria Lockman.

It’s 3 o’ clock somewhere: tea shops in Sarasota

It’s no secret that Sarasota is a unique and diverse city in Florida, providing lots of variety for the people who live here. Ranging from diverse cultures to diverse people traveling in from all over the country, Sarasota offers something for everyone. One potential hidden…

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88 Tactical plans to expand to Tampa and Fort Lauderdale
Map of all future 88 Tactical locations. (Courtesy of official website.)

88 Tactical plans to expand to Tampa and Fort Lauderdale

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the controversial gun club facility 88 Tactical has drawn attention from all over the country for the not-so-subtle use of neo-Nazi dog whistles. This is not an isolated bastion of white supremacy; the company has recently announced plans for expansion in…

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The New College Challenge Launch Week: who designs our future?
A crowd of community members gathered to watch President's Advisory Council member William "Bill" Dudley ('74) speak during the Launch Week brunch. Photo taken by Sophia Brown.

The New College Challenge Launch Week: who designs our future?

By Nat Kornblum & Sophia Brown The New College Challenge was first announced in Apr. 2022 as a single presentation about spaces and places on campus in the Sudakoff Conference Center. Now, six months later, the New College Challenge Launch Week reintroduced these questions to…

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Death, decay and the American shopping mall: How the retail apocalypse led to shopping centers’ extinction
Photo of the Sarasota Square Mall food court. Taken by Chloe Rusek.

Death, decay and the American shopping mall: How the retail apocalypse led to shopping centers’ extinction

Flashy stores, salted pretzels, coin-operated kid’s rides that looked like they were ready to come to life right off the metal grate where they sat. For many, this is what childhood memories of mall visits entailed, but what happened? Across North America, malls are quickly…

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NCSA budget decreases amid larger campus budget issues
College Hall (left) and Cook Hall (right), found at New College's bay front.

NCSA budget decreases amid larger campus budget issues

The New College Student Alliance (NCSA) is one of the most important student resources on campus for many reasons, but it is also the biggest student employer on campus with paid positions including cabinet members, Resident Advisors (RAs) and Teacher’s Assistants (TAs). The NCSA pays…

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Hurricane Ian vs. Hello Again Books: how one small business survived the storm
A look into Hello Again Books’ charming interior. (Courtesy of MerryBeth Burgess.)

Hurricane Ian vs. Hello Again Books: how one small business survived the storm

Native Floridians are known for their nonchalant attitude regarding hurricanes. Oftentimes, they understand that hurricanes are unpredictable and simply assume that the storm will pass by. However, this year, that was not the case: Hurricane Ian ravaged the west coast of Florida before bringing more…

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Coffee Hotspots (though some like it cold): Walkable, locally-owned coffee near campus
A row of patrons enjoy the view of Tamiami trail from their seats at the Shelf Indulgence hightops. All photos courtesy of Mark McDermott.

Coffee Hotspots (though some like it cold): Walkable, locally-owned coffee near campus

College is costly, but a running start in the morning doesn't have to be. Sarasota is dotted with a variety of local businesses ranging from curio shops to cafes. Many of these businesses are just within reach of the New College campus, given one doesn't…

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Kadampa Meditation Center: nearby hidden gem offers meditation, art and tea
Gen Kelsang Dorje conducting a guided meditation in the temples main meditation hall during a Sunday class.

Kadampa Meditation Center: nearby hidden gem offers meditation, art and tea

A peaceful and lively chatter fills up the vibrant and spacious rooms of the Kadampa Meditation Center. Interested Sarasota locals and Buddhist monks radiating kindness sit intimately, discussing their daily lives, hopes and struggles over the freshly brewed tea provided by the in-house cafe. As…

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DeSantis challenges Disney: what does that mean for Floridians?
Ron DeSantis depicted in front of Disney's EPCOT. (Image courtesy of author Caspian Rizzo.)

DeSantis challenges Disney: what does that mean for Floridians?

On Apr. 22, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, rising Republican star (and Catalyst regular) fired the first opening salvo in what might become an extended legal battle between his administration and the Walt Disney Corporation by dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID), essentially a county…

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Etsy sellers organize week-long strike to protest 30% increase in transaction fee
Etsy is an e-commerce company with an emphasis on handmade or vintage goods and supporting independent artists. However, Etsysince the transaction fee has gone up 30%. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Etsy sellers organize week-long strike to protest 30% increase in transaction fee

On Apr. 11, approximately 20,000 Etsy sellers decided to go on a week-long strike due to recent changes in transaction rates. Since 2005, the platform’s original transaction fee was 5%; however, the rate has gone up by 30% to create a transaction fee of 6.5%.…

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