Assisted-living facility near downtown wins rezoning approval

On second reading, a divided Sarasota City Commission approves Alderman Oaks rezoning without a site plan, opening the door for proposed renovation.

Alderman Oaks currently has 60 assisted living units. It is seeking to add kitchens to convert them to independent living.
A crowd gathers outside as the Driveway Drifters perform. The members pictured include Angie Eason, Gary Bowen, Debbie and Ron Fellman, Bill Green, Gary Eason, Lynn Cassell, Mike Lawless and Michael Cohen. One band member, Eugene Moleiro, was not in attendance.
  • April 23, 2026
Driveway band brings neighbors together through music
Lakewood Ranch's Mateo Orlandini and East Bradenton's Alex Molina both have a passion for soccer and love to play with new people at the Lakewood Ranch Residents Soccer Club.
  • April 22, 2026
Soccer club provides free space to grow and socialize
Sixth grader Jaleeyah, seventh grader Arianny, Young Chefs Academy owner Dennis O'Sullivan, seventh grader Meadow, fifth grader Ryker, fourth grader Mia, and Bill Villafranco, a trustee of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, stand together as the group of Girls Inc. members graduates.
  • April 22, 2026
Girls from Girls Inc. graduate Young Chefs Academy program
At least 60 community members of all faiths joined in a clean-up of the island on April 18, celebrating the anniversary of Paul Revere's famed ride. Volunteers collected approximately 140 pounds of trash before coming back together for a breakfast and morning service hosted by Temple Beth Israel.
  • April 21, 2026
Togetherness at heart of Faith 250 community cleanup

Arts + Culture

Nearly every member of the Sarasota Ballet will be on stage for “Checkmate” May 1-2 at the Sarasota Opera House.
  • April 22, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages a dramatic death dance in 'Checkmate'
In "Rooted in Nature," a trio of gargantuan sculptures mimic the roots of Selby’s iconic Moreton Bay fig tree.
  • April 15, 2026
Selby trails Alexander Calder's restless creativity with a stunning exhibition
The New York City improv troupe Shitzprobe creates musicals on the fly based on audience suggestions.
  • April 13, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre puts its summer improv festival on ice for a year
This year the Sarasota Opera House is turning 100. To celebrate, the Sarasota Opera is holding a special concert and dinner on April 11.
  • April 8, 2026
Sarasota Opera fetes Opera House on its centennial
At least 60 community members of all faiths joined in a clean-up of the island on April 18, celebrating the anniversary of Paul Revere's famed ride. Volunteers collected approximately 140 pounds of trash before coming back together for a breakfast and morning service hosted by Temple Beth Israel.
  • April 21, 2026
Togetherness at heart of Faith 250 community cleanup
Awardees joined members of the Longboat Key Garden Club's grant committee on April 17 to celebrate receiving funding for their community environmental education and outreach programs. Members raised money all year to support local organizations and fund student scholarships given at the annual meeting.
  • April 20, 2026
Garden club uplifts environment, education with record funding
Stand-up comedian Al Ernst opens the second-annual Comedy Night performance through Arts in April, made possible through the Longboat Key Foundation. He and three fellow comedians performed April 16 at the Town Center Green.
  • April 20, 2026
Comedian quintet brings jokes to Longboat listeners
Lakewood Ranch's Adriana Fil, Mya Fil and Charlotte Miller greet adoptable puppies from Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center at Woofstock on Lakewood Main Street.
  • April 19, 2026
First Woofstock event fills Lakewood Main Street with dogs
Elizabeth Hall of Cypress Pillar Healing Arts teaches Liam Lopez, 6.
  • April 19, 2026
YMCA Healthy Kids Day gives families ideas for an active summer break
Couch LBK co-founders Noel Ladd — who happened to be celebrating his birthday — and Ken Rushing connect with community members at the entrance to the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat social. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce organized the April 14 networking event at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • April 18, 2026
Meet Greet Eat welcomes new businesses on Longboat Key
Senior Alexis Huffstutler says she enjoys helping younger students, like freshman Naya Cordero, to come out of their shells and express themselves through acting.
  • April 18, 2026
Braden River High School presents 'Godspell'
Margarita Lenk, Ari and Stephanie Weiner pick out their slices at the Longboat Harbour annual farewell pizza party on April 16.
  • April 17, 2026
Longboaters bid farewell to seasonal neighbors
The Rosedale Golf Classic for Homes for Our Troops was founded by Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe in 2013. Prior to this year's money raised, $1.5 million has been donated to the organization from their efforts.
  • April 17, 2026
Rosedale Golf Classic brings veterans, community members together
Lauren Luke of Resilient Retreat speaks with Traci Willingham of Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's and Karen Misantone of Sarasota Opera.
  • April 16, 2026
In 24 hours, Giving Challenge raises more than $16.7 million
Za'Tajh Coach, 3, climbs over a barrier in the obstacle course.
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota Police Department opens up to the community at Spring Fest
Longboat Key Tennis Center pro Robbie Salum tosses a tennis ball up for warm-ups at a clinic on April 8. He and his fellow pros shared what they find special about the public courts and insight into the career paths that led them there.
  • April 15, 2026
Meet Longboat Key's Tennis Center pros
The team aboard the "Triple Threat," captained by John Novak, rounds the first marker of the Bird Key Yacht Club's annual Sarasota Bay Cup regatta on April 11.
  • April 13, 2026
Seasoned sailors take advantage of smooth seas at Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta
Artist Ena Jasmin Carroll credited her friend and fellow artist Pat Lundy with bringing her in for the second annual Artists in the Garden last weekend at Longboat Island Chapel. A dozen local artists showcased and sold their works at the two-day event.
  • April 13, 2026
Local creatives participate in return of Artists in the Garden
Chloe Jarvis, Vice President Donna Quilici-Smith and Sara Sweetnich socialize before the scholarships are given out at Palm Aire Country Club April 10.
  • April 12, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club awards scholarships to local students
Overall female winner Vicky Romocki poses with Shelley.
  • April 11, 2026
Over 1,000 turn out to Siesta Key Beach for Run for the Turtles
Lakewood Ranch's Luke and Ashley Gustafson moved from Texas 6 months ago They say events like the Lakewood Ranch Block Party put them in "magical awe."
  • April 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Block Party features 70 local businesses, builders and clubs
Pysanky expert Roksolana Tymiak-Lonchyna shows some examples of the traditional egg decoration patterns.
  • April 7, 2026
This Longboat artist keeps tradition alive with Ukrainian egg decorating
Emi Frydman checks out the basket of Easter eggs her family members found at the April 4 egg hunt at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. The Easter activities, open to the public, made their return for the first time since the early 2020s through the efforts of church members.
  • April 6, 2026
Back from pre-COVID hiatus, St. Armands hosts Easter bash
Lydia Lardner, 3, makes an impressive start filling up her Easter basket with Kelly Lardner and family at the April 3 Sand Cay Condominiums Beach Resort's Easter egg hunt, a beloved tradition at the resort for more than a decade.
  • April 6, 2026
Families return for Easter egg hunt tradition at Sand Cay
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend
Eggs are droped from the helicopter.
  • April 5, 2026
Good Friday at the Sarasota Fairgrounds draws thousands
Jack Dudonis, 3, and Maxwell Dudonis, 9 meet the Easter Bunny.
  • April 4, 2026
Easter Bunny brings seasonal cheer to Siesta Key Village
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch
Rev. Mason Waldhauser, associate rector for adult formation at Church of the Redeemer, leads the walk.
  • April 3, 2026
Stations of the Cross draws 1,000 in worship down Main Street