New hospital tower is the talk of Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center cuts the ribbon on its $120 million expansion project.

Philip Reber, the acting CEO at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, stands in one of the 60 new rooms of the hospital's 170,000-square-foot tower expansion.
  • March 25, 2026
SO Yourtowns 03.25.26
Nick Dazio disposes of a television.
  • March 25, 2026
Shred Stock recycling event collects 5 tons of paper, 3,364 pounds of electronics
Five youth sailing teams raced against one another in the first Next Tack regatta on March 21 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron headquarters. The program is a more advanced offshoot of the partnership between Spectrum Sailing and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron that fosters inclusive, peer-based sailing instruction.
  • March 25, 2026
New inclusive sailing program brings big smiles
The Silverwings Choir, a Lakewood Ranch club of 40 members, gather at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall every Saturday and sing in Mandarin.
  • March 25, 2026
Silverwings Choir combines Chinese culture and music

Arts + Culture

The Sarasota Ballet will perform George Balanchine's "Stars and Stripes" in its "Life and Liberty" program March 27-28.
  • March 25, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages star-spangled extravaganza for America's 250th birthday
When he's not painting, artist Tom Stephens makes fishing rods.
  • March 23, 2026
Sarasota artist lives the life aquatic
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup
Artist Alissa Silvers created the poster to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Art Center Sarasota.
  • March 18, 2026
Arts Center Sarasota turns 100 and brings back its Beaux Arts Ball to celebrate
Five youth sailing teams raced against one another in the first Next Tack regatta on March 21 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron headquarters. The program is a more advanced offshoot of the partnership between Spectrum Sailing and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron that fosters inclusive, peer-based sailing instruction.
  • March 25, 2026
New inclusive sailing program brings big smiles
Glenn and Linda Courtney and their daughter Chelsea Courtney look at seashells.
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota Farmers Market continues to create community
Deborah DiCarlo and approximately 150 fellow celebrants raise a glass to toast Longboat Island Chapel's 70th anniversary. Attendees shared memories and cake at the festivities March 22 at Shook Hall.
  • March 23, 2026
Longboat Island Chapel celebrates 70 years
Tasha Robinson has played the harp for 35 years. On St. Patrick's Day, she performed with two of her instruments at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church before attendees enjoyed an Irish-themed holiday dinner.
  • March 23, 2026
Tunes of the highlands come to Longboat Key
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers
Mary Schultz shows off the latest Lilly Pulitzer style on the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild spring fashion show March 16 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • March 20, 2026
Spring fashion comes to life on Women's Guild runway
Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet, Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.
  • March 18, 2026
A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Cathy and Dennis Kennedy
  • March 17, 2026
Revelers head to Shamrock Pub to uphold their St. Patrick's Day tradition
  • March 17, 2026
Temple members encouraged to reflect at outdoor art exhibit
Flamenco dancer Carolina Esparza performs with Los Rumberos on March 15 at The Education Center for the final Sunday Performing Arts Program installment this season.
  • March 17, 2026
Los Rumberos close out Education Center's Sunday shows
Ashley Dawson and Kristen Laviolette share what the Ladies of Longboat social group has meant to them as they greet members at the March 11 meetup at Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.
  • March 16, 2026
'Ladies of Longboat' social group enjoys new energy
Marc and Susan Benjamin are all smiles on the dance floor as they groove to the Aloha Sharks band March 14 at The Sanctuary.
  • March 16, 2026
The Sanctuary celebrates season with annual poolside party
Sarasota's Kelley Rouse celebrates after she participates in the Bus Pull for Inclusion, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Inclusion Revolution, that will assist in providing job-related resources to people with disabilities.
  • March 16, 2026
Bus pull raises $22,455 for Sarasota nonprofit
Fourth grader Ava O'Mahoney of 4-H and her mother Megan O'Mahoney spend time with Clover.
  • March 15, 2026
Kids showcase agricultural skills amid carnival fun at Sarasota County Fair
Hysen Muhametaj, Jamison Eige, Ron Major and Sydney Bartlett of Direct Window & Door celebrate Eige's win at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off.
  • March 14, 2026
Spicy showdown at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club
A restored 1920 Craftsman residence set on a corner double lot has entered the market in Sarasota’s West of Trail neighborhood for $4.19 million.
  • March 12, 2026
Treehouse adds whimsy to restored West of Trail home in Sarasota
The home at 1356 Harbor Drive was built in 2017 and has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,752 square feet of living area.
  • March 12, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 23-27 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
Rex Jensen welcomes Fabienne and Brett Hutchens to the party at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • March 9, 2026
Having fun makes horse sense at the Sarasota Polo Club
Al Van Iten helps out shopper Jenny Phillips with her purchase of a teak shower set at the Royal Rummage Sale. Van Iten said he appreciates helping out the charitable effort while getting to meet interesting people.
  • March 9, 2026
Crowds come out en force for Royal Rummage Sale
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan, Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, and Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation President Jeffrey Toale gather together after Phillips accepted a $25,000 grant to beautify Daybreak.
  • March 9, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honors 2025 grant recipients
Mark Daunt from The Resort at Longboat Key Club doles out a sweet pick-me-up from the organization’s booth at the 3rd annual Town of Longboat Key Open House on March 7 at the Town Center Green.
  • March 9, 2026
Longboat town open house features nearly 40 reps
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch
Kiana Nahale, 3, meets a hawksbill turtle.
  • March 7, 2026
Attendees discover the 'wonders of water' at Bay Fest
Jim and Ellen Kelleher take in the breeze from Sarasota Bay while socializing at the March 3 St. Armands Key Residents Association dinner at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • March 6, 2026
St. Armands residents hone long-term, community-based vision