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Your Observer | All

The audience roared its approval when Spanish guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas delivered an encore performance on the Sarasota Orchestra's Masterworks concert, "Close Encounters."
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • December 8, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra gives audience close encounter with Masterworks program

Musicians weren't just on stage; they were in the corners of the Van Wezel for Respighi's "Pines of Rome."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Co-chair Kara Wootson, Planned Parenthood Director of Philanthropy Lauren Stroman, Co-chairs Lissa Murphy, LaVerne Green and Roz Painter-Goffi
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • December 8, 2025
Supporters Rise & Shine for Planned Parenthood brunch

At the event, attendees heard from a panel to receive an update on women's sexual and reproductive health issues.

  • Black Tie
Violinist and pianist Donna Smith performs with singer Johanna Davis at a special Christmas concert for attendees at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Dec. 6.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Angelic voices ring throughout All Angels for Christmas concert

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church invited musicians Johanna Davis and Donna Smith to perform holiday tunes for attendees.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

Moo-Jitsu is a new spice company that brands itself through a love of cows and jiu jitsu.

  • East County
  • Business
Emily Burns and Jack Coleman of Poppo's Taqueria dish up their popular pork tacos at the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's Lawn Party on Dec. 6 at Ken Thompson Park.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Longboat's Lawn Party returns following hurricane hiatus

More than 30 restaurants participated after a year off as Kiwanis Club of Longboat raises money for the Children's Guardian Fund.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi

The junior wrestler for Lakewood Ranch High is the program's first female to reach the state tourney.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lake Manatee EMS station is due for a replacement. EMS moved into the space in 1982.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 8, 2025
Site for a new Lake Manatee EMS station is under fire

Manatee County commissioners are not in favor of a site that borders Lake Manatee and Lake Manatee State Park.

  • East County
  • News
Susan Borden, Kelli Veit and Nancy Harris shared a bit about the goods and games available at Temple Beth Israel's Hanukkah open house on Dec. 7.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel hosts Hanukkah open house for third year

From dreidel games to holiday market stalls, visitors took in plenty of entertainment to kickstart the holiday early.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Circle was several feet underwater following hurricanes Helene and Milton.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 8, 2025
St. Armands stakeholders urged to advocate for resilience funding

The Sarasota County Commission will decide if $25 million in Resilient SRQ funds will be spent to help prevent flooding on St. Armands Key on Dec. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • News
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

With an appearance from Santa Claus, music by the Sarasota Academy of Arts and festive treats, the Christmas kickoff delighted attendees of all ages.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Capacity of the new operation is up to 18 million gallons a day from 12 million, and the system reduced harmful nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus released into the reclaimed-water irrigation.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 7, 2025
Expanded, improved wastewater plant officially opens

Sarasota County cuts the ribbon on its $210 million Bee Ridge project, east of Interstate 75.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala

The evening raises funds to help provide prevention and early intervention services to young children facing possible academic, social and economic challenges.

  • Black Tie
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival

Seven blues bands entertained a crowd of about 800 at Waterside Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 7, 2025
Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade

Each year, the parade features many local organizations, businesses, schools and clubs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
Turtle watch contributes nearly $12K to Mote

The Longboat environmental group gifted Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium funds to support sea turtle conservation and education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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1
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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  • December 12, 2025
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  • December 12, 2025
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Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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