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Your Observer | All

Katherine Ceaser became the new executive director of Art Center Sarasota in December 2024.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 21, 2025
Art Center Sarasota welcomes a new leader on eve of 100th birthday

Katherine Ceasar was promoted from education director to executive director in December.

  • Arts + Culture
Former polo pro Bob Brosious gives some quick instruction to Raymond Dweck, and Lisa and Mark Friedman during Polo with the Pros at the Sarasota Polo Club Jan. 19.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 21, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund kicks off 2025 with polo event

Polo with the Pros packed the pavilion despite a storm that canceled the actual polo match.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The center turn lane would benefit drivers entering Country Club Shores.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 21, 2025
Country Club Shores turn lane construction to start in February

The construction timeline will last through the upcoming peak season, but a traffic plan will prevent major traffic delays, Longboat Key town officials say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This year's honorees were Eula T. Bacon, program director of Bridges to Educational Excellence Learning Center; Dr. Vida Farhangi, medical director of Sarasota Memorial Internal Medicine in Newtown; Dannie Frazier Brown, retired educator and co-founder of the Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee; Mary Butler, president of the Amaryllis Park neighborhood association; and Thomas Fairley, executive director of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 20, 2025
Sarasota's community walks together on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The community celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with an awards ceremony, a unity march, and a music and food festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kay Thayer receives recognition for her 25 years of service organizing the annual Observer Challenge tennis tournament.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2025
Observer Challenge coordinator credited for invaluable 25 years

Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer has coordinated the annual Observer Challenge tennis tournament annually since it began 25 years ago, and she recently received her flowers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch High boys varsity golf team finished the season with a cumulative team GPA of 3.254. Seniors (from left to right) Luke Wilson, Henry Burbee and Parker Severs all took pride in their academics in a season that saw the Mustangs finish second in the FHSAA Class 3A state tournament in November.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 20, 2025
East County student-athletes prove that brains go hand in hand with brawn

Sports teams at Lakewood Ranch and Parrish Community high schools finish at the top of the state rankings for team academics.

  • East County
  • Sports
Guest speaker Walter Gilbert extolls the perseverance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Friday Shabbat service at Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2025
Shabbat service recognizes optimism of Martin Luther King Jr.

Walter Gilbert offered his interpretation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "How Long? Not Long" speech at a Friday Shabbat service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Observer's theater critic's picks for 2025
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 20, 2025
The Observer's theater critic's picks for 2025

Sarasota's live theater companies share the human stories that often remain untold.

  • Arts + Culture
Celery Fields is for both people and the environment
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 20, 2025
Celery Fields is for both people and the environment

A housing development on adjacent property would directly impact many programs and activities, a reader says.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Deputy Chief Frank Rubino started with the Longboat Key Police Department in 2013.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 20, 2025
Deputy Chief Frank Rubino takes over as interim chief for LBKPD

Rubino looks forward to keeping the Longboat Key Police Department up to accreditation standards and boosting community relations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Lee and Bob Peterson Awardee Elizabeth Waters and Sunshine from Darkness President Jeffrey Peterson
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • January 20, 2025
Inspiring Hope Dinner creates a spark for Sunshine from Darkness

The annual fundraiser featured Chester Gregory as its keynote speaker.

  • Black Tie
Marine biologist Sean Patton shows the Gardeners Out East a piece of Hydrilla verticillata he plucked out of the pond next to Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 20, 2025
Garden club looks under the surface of Lakewood Ranch ponds

Gardeners Out East invited Sean Patton from Stocking Savvy to speak at its first meeting of the year.

  • East County
  • News
Poly has been installed in the roundabout at U.S. 41 and 14th Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 20, 2025
With Poly installed, what's next Sarasota's roundabout art program?

Now that Poly has been installed in the roundabout at U.S. 41 and 14th Street, the city still faces the question of where to place sculptures originally planned for other traffic circles.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Claw was one of the most popular rides at the Manatee County Fair Saturday.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 19, 2025
Manatee County Fair begins with nonstop entertainment

The fair continues its run in Palmetto through Jan. 26.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Chamber chair Joe Hembree, Observer Media Group president and CEO Matt Walsh and Sarasota Chamber president Heather Kasten.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 19, 2025
Sarasota Chamber honors Observer CEO, hosts Florida Chamber president

The New Year's Kickoff Brunch presented Observer Media Group CEO and founder Matt Walsh with the Spirit of Sarasota Award and featured Florida Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Mark Wilson.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Ernie Els reads the green at The Concession during the 2023 World Champions Cup. He's No. 6 on the PGA Tour Champions money standings, as of April 6, and will be active at the Senior PGA Championship.
  • April 7, 2026
The PGA Tour Champions could use a jolt of charisma
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The Tingley Library in Bradenton Beach, pictured in October 2025, is in need of repairs estimated at $230,000.
  • April 7, 2026
Tingley Library makes plea to community
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A rendering of the Mira Mar building set against the backdrop of Mira Mar Residences, the project that will provide revenue to fund the $25 million to $30 million restoration of the historic structure.
  • April 7, 2026
Construction permit issued for downtown Sarasota historic restoration project
5
Once again, what's the best bridge?
  • April 7, 2026
Once again, what's the best bridge?

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