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Your Observer | All

Naples' Kaata Mrachek and Bradenton's Laurence Lederer dance to the beat during the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2024
All smiles after blues festival in Lakewood Ranch

Top talent, perfect weather leaves music fans thrilled at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lauren and Kim Smith, visitors from Pennsylvania, pose for a selfie in front of the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Downtown Sarasota lights new Christmas tree

The "Light Up The Night" Fresh Fridays event offered live music, a giant snow globe and more, but the focus was the new, larger Christmas tree at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ashton Tatangelo, Kym Copeland, Mary Gratehouse, Virginia Harshman and Kristin Oldham
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • December 8, 2024
Women in Philanthropy honor 12 at Inaugural Soiree

The fundraiser at Katherine Harris's house was the first for the new organization.

  • Black Tie
The vehicle crashed into the side of the office around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Car crashes into side of Main Street office building

The crash took place around 4 p.m. Sunday at an office space occupied by First Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Kyle Battie, Santa Claus, Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch and the Marketing and Events Director for the St. Armands Circle Association Rachel Burns counted down together to light the St. Armands tree.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 8, 2024
St. Armands Circle hosts annual holiday tree lighting

Santa Claus counted down locals and visitors to light the 60-foot Christmas tree in honor of the end of hurricane season and the start to the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jerry Downs ran his 5K with a Santa hat on during a brisk Saturday morning at The Haven of Sarasota.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 8, 2024
Local runners show their holiday spirit at the Jingle Jog 5K in Sarasota

The 27th annual event supports The Haven and is presented by the Manasota Track Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of Longboat Key Turtle Watch met Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium staff to present this year's donations to the facility.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 8, 2024
LBK Turtle Watch donates $10,500 to Mote for education, research

The local organization raises money throughout the year through various programs to help its partners at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Event Chair Sandy Humenik with Event Co-Chairs Alex Zimmerman and Gretchen Bauer
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • December 8, 2024
The Florida Center for Early Childhood launches Wonder Gala

The inaugural event, formerly the Winter Gala, honored and celebrated those who support the nonprofit's mission of helping children.

  • Black Tie
The study area for the Main Street Complete Streets project.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2024
Main Street vision community meeting set for Dec. 17

Initial concepts for the Main Street Complete Streets project will be revealed at the Selby Public Library.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulfside Road, which is usually flooded with large storms, was no different in Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 7, 2024
Resiliency projects likely to rise in priority for Longboat Key after hurricanes

Town staff calculated financial hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and anticipate that resiliency will be top of mind for commissioners' future planning.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 7, 2024
Bay Runner service to Lido Key to resume Wednesday

The Bay Runner trolley will restart its route to Ted Sperling Park on Dec. 11 as parking enforcement along Benjamin Franklin Drive will also resume.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jack Rohner (1922-2024)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 6, 2024
Jack Rohner

Jack Rohner, 101, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Inverness, IL passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Katherine Pike and Rosemarie Tamunday attend the Palm Aire Women's Club luncheon at the Palm Aire Country Club Dec. 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 6, 2024
Palm Aire club hosts a merry luncheon

Members of the women's club donated toys to Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and enjoyed a holiday choir performance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The parade helped usher in the holiday season.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 6, 2024
The best holiday events in Sarasota and Siesta Key

Here are events to help you enjoy a merry holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carla Hendrickson, Robert W. Rosinsky Achievement Award recipient Sherry Hendrickson and Michelle Delibert
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • December 5, 2024
Goodwill Manasota honors five community ambassadors during annual luncheon

The nonprofit honored Maribeth Phillips, Sherry Hendrickson, Cliff Walters, Janine Lutz and Nelle Miller as its Community Ambassadors of the Year.

  • Black Tie
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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