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Your Observer | All

Faith Adesanya walks the SPARCC Runway show in 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2026
6 social events not to miss in '26

As the next Black Tie season descends upon us, it's chock-full of fundraisers to attend. In addition to a few perennial gems in our selections, there are also some special occasions worth noting.

  • Black Tie
A steaming plate of pasta comes up to the pass while Simone Salustri, owner of the newly reopened Nōnnō Umberto restaurant, begins work on another dish.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 5, 2026
Longstanding St. Armands Italian restaurant reopens under new name

Nōnnō Umberto, formerly operating as Le Colone, held its soft opening the first week of January under a new generation's leadership.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Concession Golf Club Majority Owner Bruce Cassidy and General Manager Brian Weimann will be the key players in the club hosting the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 5, 2026
Impactful moments loom for East County's sports landscape in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for local sports enthusiasts to be excited about the year ahead.

  • East County
  • Sports
Southside Polo's Mason Wroe talks to fans about the basics of his sport in a short clinic before the Jan. 4 match.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2026
New seating option a hit at the Sarasota Polo Club

The Mallet Club at midfield has been packed each week since the Dec. 21 season opener.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Shayne McKinney, Jenifer McKinney, Heather Travers and Mark Thursby enjoy the vibes together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 4, 2026
Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival draws large turnout

Community members started the new year with seafood cuisine and live music.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Views from 1418 John Ringling Parkway include the city skyline, Sarasota Bay and John Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 4, 2026
Home within walking distance of St. Armands lists for $9 million

With five bedrooms and eight baths, the John Ringling Parkway home overlooks Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fabian and Pascale Hoyez
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • January 2, 2026
Selby Gardens rings in 2026 with guests aglow

A jovial crowd enjoyed a private display of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Lights in Bloom before dinner, dancing and a front-row seat to Sarasota's fireworks at midnight.

  • Black Tie
Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle (1946-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • January 2, 2026
Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle

Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle, 79, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025, surrounded by her family.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
On vacation from chilly Pittsburgh are the Matt family: Joe, 6-year old Everly, Brionna and 3-year old Ada.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 2, 2026
Pineapple Drop ushers out a 'perfect square year'

Sarasota's 26th annual New Year's Eve celebration drew about 40,000 downtown to welcome in 2026 with its time-honored tradition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus was designed in 1926 by architect M. Leo Elliott. Sweet Sparkman completed a restoration that preserves the school’s architectural integrity while supporting continued modern educational use.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2026
Heritage Awards celebrate Sarasota County's connection to the past

Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation will honor 11 at a ceremony in April.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Wilhelmine Wiese-Rometsch (center), received the 2025 Outstanding Contributions to Advancing the Careers of Women in Medicine Award, resented by Florida American College of Physicians Chapter Governors Dr. Elisa Sottile, and Dr. Ankush Bansalat the chapter’s annual scientific meeting in Orlando.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2026
SMH physician earns statewide award for women's career advancement

Sarasota Memorial's Dr. Wilhelmine Wiese‑Rometsch was honored with the Outstanding Contributions to Advancing the Careers of Women in Medicine Award by the American College of Physicians.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rendering of the proposed Shore restaurant as viewed from North Boulevard of the Presidents.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 2, 2026
FEMA '50% rule' could be key factor for return of Shore to St. Armands

The popular restaurant might be required to shore up flood resiliency as it pursues plans to return to St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jessie O Brien is visiting from Ireland and chose to celebrate the new year alongside Lakewood Ranch's Ciara Daly at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 1, 2026
Crowd rings in the new year at Waterside Place

From activities for kids, to live music, to a drone show, there was something for people of all ages.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Left: Austin Gordon Jr., known as “AJ,” was born at 1:25 a.m. to first-time parents Isabel Castillo and Austin Gordon. Right: Corey Gifford and William Zimmerman welcomed their son, Zaiden Amaris Zimmerman, affectionately known as “Zaz,” at 12:50 a.m.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2026
SMH's first babies arrive early in 2026

Zaz and AJ were born at the health system's Venice and Sarasota hospitals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gabriella Brinceanu, 14, and her sister, Alaina Brinceanu, 3, work together to pop the bubbles at the Fourth of July All-American Cookout at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Attendees enjoyed the bubble show by Blaise Ryndes, who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2026
Sarasota's top moments of the year, in pictures

There were plenty of ups and downs in the past 12 months, and the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer was there to capture it all. Here are some of our favorite moments of 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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1
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch
2
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
3
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes
4
Mitchell Meissner lines up his putt on the third green of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. He carded six under par in the second round, pulling into a 10-way tie for 10th place.
  • April 3, 2026
Front runner emerges on second day of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
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5
  • April 3, 2026
Lighting the Path Health Care Luncheon

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