Manatee commissioner tells LWR CDDs he has seen the county waste funds

Commissioner Bob McCann said too many overpriced directors are being employed by Manatee County.

A joint workshop is held at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall June 30 with Commissioner Bob McCann and CDD board members.
Deborah Callahan-Stratton, Joy Stone, Barbara Najmy and Jennifer Alokeh are collecting sneakers for the fifth annual Sneakin Back to School Sneaker Drive to benefit The Twig.
  • July 8, 2026
The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle transitions to a nonprofit
Mahjong was the contest of choice for many attendees at the Go for the Cure games day.
  • July 8, 2026
Mahjong tournament coming to Longboat Key
Strings Con Brio is slated to perform on July 16 at Temple Beth Israel. The group's repertoire spans the early 18th century to today.
  • July 7, 2026
Classical string group to make Longboat Key performance debut
Scholarship recipient Julianne Teague celebrates with her mother, Trudy Teague, at The Exchange’s 2026 Grants and Scholarship Awards event.
  • July 7, 2026
Proceeds from The Exchange sales aid 50 groups, students

Arts + Culture

Kelsey Stalter teaches Katharine McLeod how to live in the moment in Florida Studio Theatre's "Dog Mom."
  • July 8, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre embraces summer's dog days with a rolling world premiere
Beth Arthur poses with her granddaughter Sandy Arthur in front of two paintings acquired by Arts Advocates Gallery, "Bryce Canyon" (left) and "Sky Dreams."
  • July 6, 2026
Sarasota Art Colony artist refuses to be forgotten
Hand balancer Yelitza Vivas wows the crowd at the Summer Circus Spectacular, which runs through Aug. 8 at The Ringling's Historic Asolo Theater.
  • July 1, 2026
The Summer Circus Spectacular is a family affair
Andy Sandberg is artistic director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, an artist incubator based in Englewood.
  • June 29, 2026
Hermitage Artist Retreat strengthens its ties with Broadway
Lakewood Ranch's Harper Fraser, 7, Jack Fraser, 5, and their mom, Melissa Fraser, test out the Royally Cosmic photo booth at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
  • July 5, 2026
Star-Spangled Spectacular lights up Lakewood Ranch
Sam and Ileana Galati bring some starfish and star-spangled attire.
  • July 5, 2026
All-American Cookout dazzles with bubbles and food
Eric Ribeiro and his son, Luke Ribeiro, 17; watch the fireworks from the VIP and sponsors area.
  • July 5, 2026
Siesta Key Fourth of July Fireworks celebrates local and national milestones
Frankie Del Rosario of The ProMedia Group, which assisted with the projectors for the display, shows that he's "awesome" at setting off the fireworks.
  • July 4, 2026
Fireworks go virtual in interactive art display at Spirit of '76 block party
Lucy Clark and Carlin and Ellie Mackintosh, granddaughters of Longboat Key artist May Lou Johnson, help release the first of 250 butterflies at Freedom Fest. The Fourth of July festivities also included a parade, canine costume contest, rededication of Bicentennial Park and family activities.
  • July 4, 2026
Longboat Key pulls all the stops for special Freedom Fest
The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.
  • July 4, 2026
Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake
Emersyn Baker, 3, woke up Thursday morning eager to ride in the bike parade at the Kiddie Academy.
  • July 3, 2026
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch kicks off Independence Day weekend
Gregg Vesta became the round one winner at the introduction of "singo" on June 29 at The Paradise Center. The game is a musical twist on bingo, prompting players to listen to a song snippet and mark its title on the card. The evening was a fundraiser to support the center's summer programs.
  • July 1, 2026
A musical twist on classic bingo draws praise from Longboaters
Liam Schreiner reviews the selection of house-made sweets available at the newly opened Chocolate Emporium on St. Armands Circle. Branching from the original location on Anna Maria Island, the second shop held a soft opening this week.
  • June 30, 2026
Local artisanal chocolate shop brings sweet treats to St. Armands
Gary St. Clair, his wife Elizabeth St. Clair, granddaughter Avianna Pereira, 7, daughter Allison Pereira, and granddaughters Adley Pereira, 5, and Amelia Pereira, 6, enjoy Sarasota Key Quest Fest.
  • June 29, 2026
Sarasota Key Quest Fest aims to provide the keys to well-being
Tanjee Lane, Tyler Marion, Ning Tinsley, Jessica Johnston and Nickie Hartsock of SPARCC were an event finalist.
  • June 28, 2026
Sarasota Business Awards honor innovation, entrepreneurship and the American spirit
Freya from Low Rider Dachshund rescue soaked up the summer rays at Hamlet's and The Bazaar's annual Hot Dog Day event.
  • June 28, 2026
Hot Dog Day brings pups to downtown Sarasota
Kristin Hokanson, co-owner of Fiorelli Winery and mom of Jackson and Madison, says the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration is bigger and better every year and is great way to come together as a community.
  • June 27, 2026
Fiorelli Winery hosts foot-stomping music
Kelera Turaga, a dancer with GRAE Productions, performs at sunset for The Ritz-Carlton's reopening celebrations for the Lido Key Tiki Bar on June 20. After a year-and-a-half rebuilding process, the beachside bar is now open to the public.
  • June 27, 2026
Lido Key residents and visitors rejoice a Tiki bar's return
Ellen Waugneux, Heather Rippy and Stephanie Troxler at the first Summer Night Out of the summer season.
  • June 26, 2026
Longboaters meet to sip and shop during summertime event
Sisterhood for Good's Glo Reber presents Harbor58's Ari Gibbons and Annie Wilson a grant for $7,500 to go towards a mentoring program for foster kids.
  • June 26, 2026
Another monster year for Sisterhood for Good, which awards 29 grants worth $150,095
Commodore Saul Landesberg assumed his new leadership role with the Bird Key Yacht Club at the passing of the gavel on June 20 at Art Ovation Hotel.
  • June 25, 2026
Bird Key Yacht Club leadership looks forward to clubhouse completion
Shanty Mann, Kaitlyn Presha, 11, Tyanna Mann, 8 and Tyrone Mann attended the event to support its organizer and Tyrone Mann's cousin Gwendalyn Fleetwood.
  • June 23, 2026
Newtown celebrates Juneteenth holiday
Sienna Linn, a rising first grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, says she has no pets at home but has had a blast with her dog, Mia, at the Little Vet School camp.
  • June 20, 2026
Little Vet School teaches skills at The Out-of-Door Academy's summer camp
Eadon Foster, a rising fourth grader at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, and Zion Stenzler, a rising fifth grader at Rowlett Elementary Academy, each use microscopes to look at a goldfish scale, dandelion fuzz, pollen, and more.
  • June 19, 2026
Mad Scientist Adventures Camp presents students with scientific challenges
Jolanta Bremer received the award of the 2026 Queen Helen.
  • June 16, 2026
Attendees get into costume as Mrs. Roper at The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime
Shimon Otsuka joins fans in cheering.
  • June 15, 2026
Hundreds of attendees gather for FIFA World Cup watch party at The Bay
Former Rotary Club of Longboat Key President Jan Wallace congratulates current President Terri Driver, who made club history in accepting the role two years in a row at the June 11 cerermony.
  • June 15, 2026
Longboat Rotarians reflect on community impact at annual gathering
The dozen volunteers assisting the Manasota Track and Field summer cleanup on June 13 collected an estimated 75 pounds of trash from along the roadway near Longboat Key Little Beach in only an hour.
  • June 15, 2026
Volunteers step into summer with fun run and cleanup
Inglemoor High School rowers Krista Alyakin and Karlie Vince made a splash by winning the Women's Youth 2- class at the USRowing Junior National Championships on Sunday at Nathan Benderson Park.
  • June 14, 2026
Emotions flow on USRowing Youth Nationals' final day in Sarasota