Sarasota's 5 Things To Know: 'Unconditional Surrender' Shipped

1. The embracing sailor and nurse on the Bayfront that went horizontal after a Mercedes Benz crashed into last week is now on its way to New Jersey.

Now the Unconditional Surrender statue fits more in line with Sarasota looking like a circus act with a lady sawed in half. It was necessary though, in order for it to be shipped out. The statue is expected to be back in Sarasota by Aug. 14, The Herald-Tribune reports, which is in time for Victory in Japan Day, the same day the real sailor and nurse kissed in New York City.

2.  National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman announced Thursday that  is one of 788 not-for-profit national, regional, state, and local organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant.  Sarasota Opera is recommended for a $22,500 grant to support the technology design and creation for the world premiere of Little Nemo in Slumberland.  This marks the third grant received from the NEA for this project, the first being a grant in the amount of $15,000 towards the commissioning of the piece and the second in the amount of $25,000 to help cover the initial production costs associated with the commission.

3. You can now read the governor's email from the comfort of your own home. The emails of Gov. Rick Scott and other key cabinet members, as well as his communications staff, are now available at  www.flgov.com/sunburst. It's called Project Sunburst. The Project Sunburst also has a policy from the Governor's Office that requires e-mails to be posted within seven days of receipt or creation unless permission has been granted for an extended deadline. However, the goal is for e-mails to be available within 24 hours.

4. Handy with sand, shovel and a chisel? Show up to Siesta Beach early Saturday to compete in the Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest. It starts at 9 a.m., judging at 1 p.m. and winners announced at 2 p.m. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place for each category, which includes adult humorous, adult miscellaneous and children 10 years old and younger and children 11 to 17 years old. Make sure you upload your photos of the competition to our Neighborhood Gallery.

5.  Rock out for a cause benefiting Cody Long Friday night at Robarts Arena. The 26-year-old Bradenton resident is battling Stage III testicular cancer that metastasized to his lymph nodes and lungs. He was diagnosed Jan. 14, and this concert is trying to pay for his medical bills. It's called the "No Worries" Cancer Benefit and features bands The Outlaws, The Michael Kach Group, Come Back Alice and Cowboy Keith Rich. Show up from 5 to 11 p.m. and pay $30 at the door or $25 in advance. There are also VIP tickets for $85 in advance and $100 at the door. Kids under 5 years old are $5. For more info, visit codylongbenefit.com.