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Your Observer | All

Sarasota Contemporary Dance members, led by SCD Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, will join bassist Johnnie Barker and his band for SCD + The Barker Project, which runs Dec. 5-8 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 2, 2024
Modern dance meets jazz with SCD + The Barker Project

Sarasota Contemporary Dance's tentpole event of the season is a first-time collaboration.

  • Arts + Culture
Mary Lou Davidson's dog Lyra is blessed by Prayer Chaplain Jacqueline Fitzgerald.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Holiday Pet Blessing at Unity of Sarasota celebrates the joy of pets

Moving to December this year, the annual event welcomed pets for blessings by the church's prayer chaplains.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Staff from Michael Saunders & Company gather at their float.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Siesta Key parade kicks off the holiday season

The annual event, hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, helped support the community and its businesses.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River Middle School Principal Kimberlain Zenon has been named the School District of Manatee County's Principal of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2024
Braden River Middle principal named Manatee's Principal of the Year

Kimberlain Zenon grew with Braden River Middle, going from parent to teacher to principal.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alyssa Saggese, Justin Fiedler and Cameron Dempsey
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Black Friday Block Party offers post-Thanksgiving excitement

Celebrating Goose Island beer, the event also featured offerings including vendors, live music and a cornhole tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Florida Premier FC SWFL teammates Julian Paz (front) and Octavio Rodriguez run drills during practice.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 2, 2024
East County soccer players rise to a new challenge

Florida Premier FC SWFL makes waves in its first year in the UPSL.

  • East County
  • Sports
Some houses along Gulfside Road were completely destroyed.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 2, 2024
How can the Sarasota area change course for future hurricane adaptation?

Local climate expert Bob Bunting, CEO of the Climate Adaptation Center, weighs in on what the Sarasota region could do to be more proactive about more frequent storms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Asolo Repertory Theatre puts its own stamp on its production of the hit Broadway show, "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • December 1, 2024
This 'Natural Woman' never gets old

Asolo Rep's "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" celebrates the music of the timeless singer and her talented friends.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Laurel Park resident Jackie Haywood hangs an ornament on the tree in the gazebo on Saturday, Nov. 30.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 1, 2024
Laurel Park residents gather for clean-up duty

Volunteers get together to spruce up the local park and decorate the Christmas tree in the gazebo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tom Brugos, the STEM teacher, never thought when he started at Gene Witt Elementary School in 1994 that he would have 3D printers, robots and drones.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 1, 2024
Gene Witt Elementary School celebrates its 30th anniversary

Founding teachers say the family atmosphere and values of the school stay strong 30 years after it was built.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Pam Hazelwood shows off her ornament in progress.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 30, 2024
Ornament workshop kicks off the holidays in Lakewood Ranch

Arts A Blaze Studio hosted A Very Merry Ornament Workshop at The Grove.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Garrett Dakin is one of Gerry Dakin's four nephews that took over the farm in May.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 30, 2024
Dakin Dairy Farms increases its focus on education

The farm continues to be revamped since former owner Jerry Dakin's nephews took over in May.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Manatee Community Foundation
  • November 30, 2024
Five Things You Didn't Know About Manatee Community Foundation

As we move forward, we hope to closely partner with our donors, fellow foundations, government officials, the business community, and our esteemed nonprofit partners — because philanthropy is a team sport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
FPL volunteers decorated Longboat Key Fire Station 92 for the holidays.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 29, 2024
FPL volunteers decorate Longboat Key Fire Rescue Station for the holidays

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue was the first stop in a holiday makeover tour of local police and fire stations by Florida Power and Light.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Volunteers Terry Dale and Carol Glider, both of Bradenton, stand on either side of Tidewell Foundation President Delesa Morris as they pack meals during the fifth annual Meal Drive Nov. 27.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 29, 2024
Tidewell Foundation volunteers give back during Thanksgiving

More than 500 meals delivered to those in need during the holidays in Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte counties.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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