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Sarasota | Neighbors

Eggs are droped from the helicopter.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 5, 2026
Good Friday at the Sarasota Fairgrounds draws thousands

The event featured about 50,000 Easter eggs, some of them falling from the sky through a helicopter drop, and other activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jack Dudonis, 3, and Maxwell Dudonis, 9 meet the Easter Bunny.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 4, 2026
Easter Bunny brings seasonal cheer to Siesta Key Village

Easter on Siesta invited the community to come meet the Easter Bunny, amid gifts and giveaways from local businesses.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Rev. Mason Waldhauser, associate rector for adult formation at Church of the Redeemer, leads the walk.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 3, 2026
Stations of the Cross draws 1,000 in worship down Main Street

The walk, a Good Friday tradition, features 14 stations, each representing a part of the story of Jesusโ€™ crucifixion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Steve Ross, his mother Irene Ross and sister Kimberly Ross
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 2, 2026
Passover holds powerful reminder for congregants at Temple Emanu-El

Family and freedom were some of the meanings that attendees described at the temple's Passover Seder meal, which drew about 310 people.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nate Gold stands with his horse Alonzo.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 2, 2026
The key to happiness? Rock climber-turned-horse trainer says it's all about flow

After years of competition and traveling the world chasing his dreams, Nate Gold has found the most contentment at his Sarasota home with his family.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 2, 2026
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community

College football coaching star Urban Meyer has traded the gridiron for the Gulf. His waterfront life is busy, yet with lots of time for boating, fishing and even golf with some powerful people.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
These dishes have delighted Sarasota-area barrier islands for decades.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • April 2, 2026
These one-of-a-kind dishes are signatures of the keys

The plates locals return for, visitors remember and kitchens have perfected for decades.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Aledia Tush, co-owner of CBโ€™s Saltwater Outfitters, has spent nearly five decades helping shape the business into a Siesta Key institution known for its welcoming spirit and family-first approach.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • April 2, 2026
After 50 years of change, the best things stay the same at this stalwart shop

A Siesta Key fixture for five decades, CBโ€™s Saltwater Outfitters continues to thrive under the steady leadership of Aledia and Mason Tush.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The spacious living area features 16-foot-high ceilings and views out to a forest of palm trees.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • April 2, 2026
Lido Shores home pairs a modern aesthetic with splashes of personality

A Swiss architect's striking Lido Shores home blends clean lines, dramatic space and a deep connection to the tropical landscape.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Walkers head out on the walk in 2025.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2026
Teams prepare for April 11 Walk to Defeat ALS

Last year, the annual walk raised $92,318 in support of resources and research for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hugh and Eliza Culverhouse donated $100,000 to Community Foundation of Sarasota Countyโ€™s Season of Sharing fund.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2026
Culverhouses prime Season of Sharing with $100,000 donation

Hugh and Eliza Culverhouse have donated $100,000 to the annual Season of Giving fund to directly aid households in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Judy Johnson has lived on Siesta Key since 2010 but grew up hanging out on the Key.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • March 31, 2026
Siesta Key resident helps others embrace their inner beach babe

Judy Johnson has the perfect antidote to a busy day: Putting her feet in the water. "I see sharks and dolphins on a regular basis. And a million sunsets."

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Gulf Coast Community Foundation
  • March 30, 2026
Navigating Philanthropy with Clarity & Confidence

You donโ€™t need to be an expert to explore these options; your trusted advisor or Gulf Coast Community Foundation can help guide you through what makes the most sense for your situation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Jeff Smith, president of the Landings Management Association, and Judi Smith, display two tanks into which they dumped phytoplankton, one with oysters and one without, to show the work the oysters do in keeping the water clean.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 30, 2026
The Landings neighborhood showcases its natural landscapes

Nature Day by the Bay allowed the public to explore the neighborhood's trails, which run through its 78 acres of mangroves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kellen Dorsch and his wife Alanna Giuliani sit with Velly.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 29, 2026
6th annual Get Your Mutt Movin' helps get support moving for rescue animals

The annual event, a fundraiser for Satchel's Last Resort, raised about $45,000, according to the rescue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Roland Nyarfadi, 7, finds an egg.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 28, 2026
Kids make a splash for Easter egg hunt at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex

The Aqua Egg Hunt provided a refreshing twist on a typical Easter egg hunt.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Steven Ball in front of the organ at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, where he directs organ and choral music for the parishโ€™s principal services.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • March 28, 2026
St. Boniface's new leader starts on a high note

Organist and educator Steven Ball takes the helm of one of Southwest Floridaโ€™s most respected church music programs.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Umbrella House was built in 1953.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 27, 2026
An architectural landmark receives recognition

The World Monuments Fund honored Anne and Bob Essner with its inaugural Stewardship Award for Modernist Homes, recognizing a restoration that helped preserve a Sarasota icon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Lough is a regular fixture at Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2026
David Lough seeks to matter in local government involvement

Long-time DSCA president and Rosemary District advocate David Lough is a regular fixture at city hall and the commission chambers, and he brings the receipts to back his positions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joel Benham built the Giant Furby Chair.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2026
Local artist makes larger-than-life versions of nostalgic objects

After a career in construction, Joel Benham, known as "GWAK," decided to make a living full-time with his detailed, large-scale re-creations of familiar products.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • March 26, 2026
Many High Earners Risk Overpaying Taxes Every Year - Are You One of Them?

Itโ€™s not just what you earn. Itโ€™s what you keep.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By World Class Dentistry
  • March 26, 2026
Change the Story of Your Smile with Dr. Jill Morris of World Class Dentistry

For many people, an aging smile tells an unwelcome story of worn-down teeth, mismatched crowns from years of piecemeal dentistry, yellowing enamel, and bites that no longer align properly.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Nick Dazio disposes of a television.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 25, 2026
Shred Stock recycling event collects 5 tons of paper, 3,364 pounds of electronics

This year, the drive-thru shredding event added electronics recycling while continuing to raise awareness of identity theft and fraud.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Glenn and Linda Courtney and their daughter Chelsea Courtney look at seashells.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota Farmers Market continues to create community

The downtown market, held every Saturday, features produce, foods, crafts and other products.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park

This year, the Sarasota Wine Festival supported Operation Warrior Resolution, which offers holistic health care to veterans and their families at no cost.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

Swimming and rowing championships expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Storytelling is one of the events planned at the Enchanted Gardens Family Festival at Historic Spanish Point.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 19, 2026
Selby Gardens sets dates for Enchanted Garden Festival

The event is planned March 28-29 at Historic Spanish Point.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mike Hutchinson repairs a laptop.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2026
Local nonprofit repairs over 25,000 laptops to help community members in need

The Sarasota Technology Users Group hopes to bridge the digital divide with its initiative to repair laptops for those in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
On Feb. 20, 2026, Florida Power & Light Company(FPL)volunteers beautify and conduct maintenance at The Ranch of Easterseals Southwest Florida. Volunteers removed posts, helped with landscaping and maintenance effortsโ€“supporting the organizationโ€™s mission to help people with disabilities discover new strength, improve balance and unlock potential through therapy, learning and recreation on horseback. Now in its 18th year, FPLโ€™s Power to Care program reinforces the companyโ€™s long-standing commitment to powering strong communities making Florida an even better place to live, work and raise a family. This year, FPLโ€™s Power to Care week consists of more than 30projects led by hundreds of employees in over 10 counties across Florida.
  • By Devaney Iglesias, Manager of External Affairs for West-Central Florida, Florida Power & Light Company
  • March 19, 2026
Why year-round volunteer support matters for southwest Floridaโ€™s nonprofits

According to the Florida Nonprofit Alliance, about 40% of nonprofit organizations say they need more volunteers to meet current demand.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Pendry Residences Tampa
  • March 19, 2026
2026 Brings Exciting Progress at Pendry Residences Tampa

Pendry Residences Tampa's impressive tower is taking shape as one of Downtown's most anticipated residences.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Cathy and Dennis Kennedy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2026
Revelers head to Shamrock Pub to uphold their St. Patrick's Day tradition

The location remains a hot spot for celebrating the occasion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Moni, a yellow-naped Amazon and Amber, a Scarlet macaw, spend time in the Leonard Reid House.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2026
Historic Leonard Reid House hosts parrots in honor of family pets

Sarasota Jungle Gardens brought some feathered friends to the Leonard Reid House in an event that hosted kids from local schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fourth grader Ava O'Mahoney of 4-H and her mother Megan O'Mahoney spend time with Clover.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 15, 2026
Kids showcase agricultural skills amid carnival fun at Sarasota County Fair

Community members managed to enjoy some rides and roller coasters, while students from local groups showcased their hard work.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nelle Miller and Yvette Resto
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 13, 2026
New market in Newtown offers grocery-style shopping at no cost for those in need

The new space operated by All Faiths Food Bank was created at the Goodwill Manasota's Job Connection Center through a longstanding partnership.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Margaret and Rebecca Johnson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 12, 2026
A community helps find family history at Genealogical Society of Sarasota

The society now hosts its monthly meetings, held the second Saturday of each month at Gulf Gate Library.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Rudy Dudon Group
  • March 12, 2026
Legacy Is Forever

Why So Many Siesta Key Families Trust the Same Realtor for Decades

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges
2
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
3
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park
4
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short
5
  • April 9, 2026
Tax reform could mean 41% hit to city revenue fund

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