Manatee County mourns the death of its 'feisty' commissioner

Carol Ann Felts, a citizen activist who scored a stunning political victory in 2024, died Feb. 24.

With scissors in one hand and a whip in the other, Commissioner Carol Felts cuts the ribbon on a historical marker for The Florida Cracker Trail Feb. 13 at Manatee Village Historical Park.
Bradenton's Stillpoint Mission has outgrown its current building and hopes to bring in enough funds to purchase a new building to better serve clients.
  • March 3, 2026
15th annual Stillpoint Mission Appeal has a new goal
Wilma Davidson, president of the Sarasota branch of the National League of American Pen Women, said the group's artists decided to embrace the March 12 celebration of art as an annual tradition.
  • March 3, 2026
Art and Found Day to return, surprising finders with gifts
Following up on the recent publication of their co-authored book, "I Am the Other," Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key member Robert Gary and Imam Azhar Subedar invited community members to join a discussion about local approaches to bridging divides in beliefs. Rabbi Peter Kasdan moderated.
  • March 3, 2026
Longboat writer shares process of co-authoring book on bridging divides
Spike the bearded dragon was a popular guest at the 2024 Community Open House.
  • March 2, 2026
Community open house scheduled

Arts + Culture

Scott Osborne is president of Through Women's Eyes, which is presenting the 27th annual Reel Equals Film Festival.
  • March 3, 2026
Motherhood gets a starring role at the 2026 Reel Equals Film Festival
Hermitage Artist Retreat names theater award winner
  • March 2, 2026
Hermitage Artist Retreat names theater award winner
Florian Blummel shows off his artistic bicycle moves that you should not try at home in your driveway.
  • February 25, 2026
Circus Sarasota is still the one
Carla Noack, Ashley Raymond, Sally Wingert and Zach Harris star in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "The Unfriend."
  • February 23, 2026
A British comedy of manners pops up at Asolo Repertory Theatre
Javaughn Wallace and executive chef Michael from Drift at Lido Beach Resort dish up a poached pear and prosciutto bite at the 15th annual Taste of the Keys on Feb. 26 at the Longboat Key Club Harbourside Ballroom.
  • March 2, 2026
Taste of the Keys bigger than ever in 15th year
Magnolia Riner, 10, displays a design she created.
  • March 1, 2026
Church of the Redeemer volunteers work together to build beds for kids in need
Suncoast Stars Community's Jenny Audet, Julie Audet and Laurel Audet are grateful for the program that provides a wide array of activities including dance, music, fitness and nutrition, knitting, Bible study, crafts, and more.
  • March 1, 2026
Suncoast Stars Community shines bright during fundraising event
Gideon Demetrious, 6, Hani Demetrious and Jude Demetrious, 10, look through a series of prints.
  • February 28, 2026
Sarasota Festival of the Arts serves up variety for attendees to browse
University Park's Marilyn Kern reacts after making the winning bid during the live auction for a Hawaiian vacation at Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape Feb. 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 28, 2026
Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch hosts Tropical Escape fundraiser
Pat O'Connell, Brenda Baril, Beth Scheible and Kim Lawrence said winning the championship Swing for the Cure annual golf day on Feb. 24 was especially meaningful to them, considering Lawrence is a cancer survivor.
  • February 25, 2026
Swing for the Cure unites golfers in fight against breast cancer
Rabbi Howard Simon, master of ceremonies at Temple Beth Israel's 47th annual gala, welcomes attendees to the event on Feb. 22 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • February 23, 2026
47th Temple Beth Israel gala centers on community
Artist Kathleen Murphy Willer, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, said she has fun incorporating elements evocative of childhood in her acrylic paintings. She was one of the artists to brave the sun and rain at last weekend's fine art festival on Longboat Key.
  • February 23, 2026
Specialized artists turn out for fifth Longboat Fine Art Fest
The winners of an essay contest had the chance to read out their essays during the event, and they included fourth grader Lorelei Martin, second grader Olivia Batista, kindergartener Logan Hernandez, third grader Petronius Boles, first grader Jade Rivers and fifth grader Amara Berry, pictured here with Assistant Principal Jennifer Kahler.
  • February 22, 2026
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus celebrates centennial anniversary
Executive directors Brian Walton, Jessica Ryherd and Amy Steinhauser respectively from Save Our Seabirds, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Inc. and The Paradise Center, pitched their future development ideas to attendees at the inaugural Longboat Key 100 fundraiser Feb. 17 at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • February 22, 2026
Inaugural fundraiser awards $100K to combat childhood hunger
Ryley Hoaglin, 10, looks at birds from the gazebo.
  • February 22, 2026
Sarasota Audubon welcomes the public to its nature center with Fly Wild
Nicholas Quintero, Conner King, Greyson Alexander and Lucas Matallana are campout ready with snacks, a lantern and even a headlamp.
  • February 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Campout lights a fire for families and friends
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend
Golfers competing in "Pittsburgh vs. The World" may be rivals out on the green, but at the celebration afterward, they have nothing but smiles for one another. Jan Van Iten and Carol Westwood are the original captains in the friendly tournament, which marked 25 years on Feb. 16.
  • February 20, 2026
Longboat golfers celebrate 25 years of friendly competition
Terry Creighton lines up a shot at a Feb. 15 tennis session at The Sanctuary.
  • February 20, 2026
The Sanctuary kicks off season's activity with tennis pro
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration
Fourth grader A’Nylah Johnson and third grader Dariana Mills head down the slide.
  • February 17, 2026
A snow day comes to the Star Lab school in Newtown
Artist Jonell Yoekel showcases her nature photography at the Women's Guild Valentine's Day-themed art show on Feb. 10 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
  • February 16, 2026
Valentine's Day-themed art show gives back to community
About 130 Longboaters turned out to join "Choirpalooza" at the Feb. 15 service at Christ Church of Longboat Key to sing "The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune."
  • February 15, 2026
'Choirpalooza' unites 100-plus community members in song
Christine Cassanelli stands with her friend Miles Christian-Hart, founder of Paradise Riders.
  • February 15, 2026
Thunder by the Bay raises funds for children, teens and adults with special needs
Don and Tammie Gursky prepare to renew their vows.
  • February 14, 2026
Couples renew vows on Siesta Beach on Valentine's Day
The Passion for Fashion show, the Palm Aire Women's Club's biggest fundraiser of the year, took place Feb. 13 at the Palm Aire Country Club. Katherine Pike, Susan Romine and Kay Kwenski's last looks from Darci's boutique are cocktail attire.
  • February 14, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club raises funds for charity with Passion for Fashion
Diane Collins, Sandy Ruppert and Linda Pike were among the record 150 attendees at the Feb. 11 at the Longboat Key Resort for the Go for the Cure kick-off game day.
  • February 13, 2026
Go for the Cure kickoff sees record attendance
Lakewood Ranch's Eugene Khutoryanskiy and Yana Parker are celebrating this Valentine's Day as fiances alongside their dogs Mittens and Jesse at Barks & Brews on Feb. 10.
  • February 13, 2026
A little pet lovin' and squeezin' at University Town Center in Sarasota
The Sarasota County Operations Center (East County) was honored with a plaque.
  • February 10, 2026
Sarasota Garden Club hosts Civic Beautification Awards
Second grader Sovereign Osceola experiences static electricity.
  • February 9, 2026
Wilkinson Elementary makes concepts hands-on during STEAM Night