• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Key Life

Benjamin Aguilar, who trains with EVO Athletics, is now in his final year of junior gymnastics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 26, 2024
Siesta Key gymnast sets his sights on a national championship

Eighteen-year-old Benjamin Aguilar will compete for the U.S. Military Academy next season. Before he goes, he wants one more crack at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in May.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • March 25, 2024
Sarasota Yacht Club plans its expansion

The Sarasota Yacht Club has set into motion an extensive program of expansions and enhancements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Opera’s 2018 production of Carmen.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • February 2, 2024
Sarasota Opera’s season spans timeless classics and forgotten gems

Opera is not just for the elite. Check out one of this season’s productions and see for yourself.

  • Arts + Culture
Gary Kompothecras and his family live in one of the largest houses on Siesta Key — a three-story, 13,560-square-foot estate on Point of Rocks Road.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 1, 2024
Gary Kompothecras may be larger than life, but he’s also down to earth

Siesta Key resident and entrepreneur Gary Kompothecras has been called many things. “Creator” is his favorite.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Located on the edge of Sarasota Bay, Plymouth Harbor offers stunning water and city views.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 1, 2024
Plymouth Harbor’s remarkable residents reflect the community's long legacy

Plymouth Harbor is home to people who have enjoyed distinguished careers in business, medicine, law, academia and, especially, the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pop’s Sunset Grill is a hopping spot for oyster tasting.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • February 1, 2024
The raw deal on where to find oysters in the Sarasota area

Oysters are a shellfish pleasure. No shuck! Local chefs share their expertise and love for the bivalve mollusks.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ben Baldwin was part architect, part decorator, part horticulturalist — an elegant gentleman whose goal in life was to create beauty to live in.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 1, 2024
Owners of Siesta Key home preserve its modern lineage

Designer Ben Baldwin had a vision for his Siesta Key home that remains safe with its current owners — down to every detail.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Miguel’s Mixed Grille entree consists of three tender lamb chops with mint sauce, veal with Bordelaise sauce and filet mignon with Bearnaise sauce, along with cauliflower, grilled mushrooms and duchess potatoes.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 1, 2024
Family behind Miguel’s Restaurant keep its long and tasty legacy alive

Miguel Garcia had a vision for continental cuisine on Siesta Key. His sons keep that vision alive.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Rev. Brock Patterson found his perfect fit at Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • January 31, 2024
How one church and its pastor inspire its members to give back

Under Rev. Brock Patterson’s leadership, Longboat Island Chapel continues to offer vital support to area outreaches — with grace and a touch of humor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Karon Family Pavilion is the setting for a variety of events, including performances by area-based arts groups.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 29, 2024
Library is next on list for Longboat’s town center

Longboat Key’s Town Center Green is set to become a lively hub for community gatherings, festivals, performances and educational opportunities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Janet Minker’s love of architecture is rooted in her career as a graphic designer.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • January 29, 2024
Sarasota architecture inspires graphic designer to preserve its legacy

Lido Shores resident Janet Minker is a tireless advocate for preserving Sarasota’s historical buildings — and, by association, the city’s character and charm.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lourdes Ramirez is the face of the fight against Sarasota County government and developers to prevent high-density hotels from being built on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 28, 2024
Siesta Key advocate leads the fight against large-scale hotels

Lourdes Ramirez, a Siesta Key resident and neighborhood advocate, is committed to safeguarding the Key from out-of-scale development.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The 2024 Suncoast Boat Show will be held April 19-21.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2024
The best things to do on Siesta, Lido, Longboat in February, March, April

The don’t-miss events from around the keys in spring 2024.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
In 2019, Kim Verreault and her husband moved to Sarasota to be closer to her parents, who have lived in the area for 17 years.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • January 26, 2024
New leader takes the helm of Longboat’s chamber of commerce

Kim Verreault, the new president and CEO of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, is a hands-on leader with a knack for community building.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Looking for ways to keep guests busy? Go wild in the magical mangrove tunnels on Lido Key.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • November 3, 2023
Perfect plans to experience all Sarasota has to offer

Don’t leave town without filling your senses with these lesser-known Sarasota wonders.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
2
Charles Edward Githler
  • May 6, 2026
Charles Edward Githler
3
(Milton and Stephanie Kruk)
  • May 6, 2026
Milton and Stephanie Kruk 70th Wedding Anniversary
4
The Stickney Point Road property contains commercial condominiums, 700 feet of bay frontage and 390 feet of canal/boat basin access.
  • May 6, 2026
Nearly $21M Stickney Point project moves forward
5
Dick Vitale, even amid his battle with melanoma, kept the focus of his 21st annual gala in Sarasota on helping kids fight — and beat — cancer.
  • May 6, 2026
Dick Vitale reminds us, once more, pediatric cancer research matters

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free