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Your Observer | All

Paddi Juliano and Magda Shea
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2025
Heart & Soul on Palm lets the community celebrate Valentine's Day together

The event brought together a funk band, photo-ops, couples and friends and family.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A mobile of figures hangs above Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2025
Downtown Festival of the Arts turns Main Street into a fine art gallery

The juried art show, held Feb. 8-9, covers five blocks of Main Street with stations by over 200 artists.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Co-Chairs Ashley Kozel and Liebe Gamble
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 9, 2025
Selby Gardens' Orchid Ball celebrates new exhibit featuring George Harrison

The "Here Comes the Moon" theme kicked off Harrison's exhibit, which highlights his passion for gardening.

  • Black Tie
Turn up the heat, treat yourself and toast with Soju this Valentine's Day at Korê Steakhouse.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • February 9, 2025
A feast for the heart: Where to dine on Valentine’s Day

From buzzing bistros to a do-it-yourself dining activity, here are some of the perfect spots around Sarasota to celebrate romance.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Theresa Pelayo celebrates crossing the finish line alongside her daughter, Luna Pelayo, on Saturday morning at the Taste of ODA 5K.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 9, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy's first 5K raises funds for its athletics program

ODA's first-year goal was easily met as 143 runners participated.

  • East County
  • Schools
Stacy Freeman said she felt as though she was living in a dream when she heard her name announced as the Manatee County Educator of the Year on Feb. 5 at Manatee Technical College.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 9, 2025
McNeal teacher wins Manatee County Educator of the Year award

Stacy Freeman impact goes far beyond the third grade classroom at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary.

  • East County
  • Schools
President Tommy Gregory receives the key to the college from Maverick the Manatee.
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 9, 2025
SCF inaugurates president at Avenues to the Future dinner

Guests turned out to State College of Florida to welcome Tommy Gregory officially.

  • Black Tie
Connie Davis, Arthur Wood and Lynn Morris
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 9, 2025
Ann Patchett espouses importance of libraries at Library Foundation luncheon

The award-winning author spoke at the annual Love Our Libraries luncheon Feb. 7.

  • Black Tie
John Rivera Jr., now signed to the Brooks Beast Track Club, is ranked in the top 50 in the world in the 800-meter. Here he is at the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships, where he placed fifth in the 800-meter (1:48.45).
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • February 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High alum John Rivera Jr. now runs as a professional

The 800-meter specialist signed with the Brooks Beasts Track Club in January.

  • East County
  • Sports
Greeters Ethan McNary and Sarah Williamson welcomed guests to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar at UTC during a soft opening event Saturday.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 8, 2025
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse opens at UTC

The new Fleming's is the second in the Sarasota area.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Wilkinson Elementary's STEM teachers who were honored included Kayly Ward, Angel Shideler, Tessa Healy, Michelle Scotese, Brianna Maltby, Deanna Snider, Vickie Schaefer, Isabella Magro, Kristy Wall and Stefanie Lynch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 8, 2025
Wilkinson Elementary earns Florida's first national STEM certificate

The school celebrates its receipt of the National Certificate for STEM Excellence, while it also hosted its Family STEAM Night.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The purple line running from the Key to the orange dot represents the town-owned wastewater pipeline.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 8, 2025
What is the referendum on the March 2025 Longboat Key ballot?

The upcoming ballot includes a referendum that, if passed, would allow the town to pursue a low-interest loan for a necessary underwater pipeline replacement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rachel Moulton and Luke Brodersen star in Florida Studio Theatre's "The Cancellation of Lauren Fein," which runs through March 9 at FST's Gompertz Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 7, 2025
When the crucible comes to campus

"The Cancellation of Lauren Fein" shows that witch hunts don't discriminate.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office cruisers were damaged when they tried to arrest a felony suspect at the corner of Webber Street and Beneva Road Feb. 6.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 7, 2025
Crash kills felony suspect after leading Sarasota deputies on rush-hour chase

The suspect, a 31-year-old Bradenton man was killed when his truck hit a telephone pole.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parrish resident Billy Gallagher used to live in Lakewood Ranch. Now, he visits monthly for the car show.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 7, 2025
Car show drives business to Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Ed's Tavern hosts the Classic Car Show on the first Wednesday of each month from 5-8 p.m.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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The roof of Sarasota Youth Sailing's future building is designed to direct rainwater into a cistern for washing boats.
  • July 25, 2026
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3
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
4
Larry Debb of GSP Development with a scale model of Saravela at the development's sales center.
  • July 24, 2026
City staff instructed to develop condo-hotel policy
5
Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees of the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception

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