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Your Observer | All

"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" plays the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Nov. 14-16.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 26, 2025
Van Wezel is already getting ready for Christmas

Executive Director Mary Bensel is doubling down on the holidays after last year's hurricane disruption.

  • Arts + Culture
The tunes of jazz pianist and composer Fats Waller are performed by the cast of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Big Sexy."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Aug. 28-Sept. 3

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Lakewood Ranch's Themba Hillary and Themba Hillary II have volunteered at Mhlume Primary School in Eswatini, which borders South Africa, every summer since 2016. This year, they wanted to turn it up a notch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 26, 2025
Father and son donate time and supplies to students in Africa

Lakewood Ranch's Themba Hillary uses the trip to Eswatini to teach his son the importance of giving back.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the proposed Motorhaus Storage at 1087 N. Orange Ave.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 26, 2025
Developer applies for vacation of right of way near Laurel Park

Plans are to build a 10-story residential project at Ringling Boulevard and Osprey Avenue near historic downtown section of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Bob McCann says he'll restore the wetlands lawfully.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 26, 2025
Commissioners vowed to restore wetland buffers. So what happened?

A final vote to restore Manatee County protections was scheduled Aug. 21, but the meeting was canceled.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2025
Grant will fund pedestrian, bike safety education effort in Sarasota

The Sarasota Police Department will focus on seven roadways in an education forward high-visibility enforcement initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Concession home at 8455 Lindrick Lane tops this week's sales at $3.4 million. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,065 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 26, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 11-15 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in The Concession tops the week’s sales at $3.4 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Golfing legend Ernie Els lines up at putt in 2023 at The Concession during the World Champions Cup. The Concession will host the Senior PGA Championship in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Els is likely to be a major draw. Could the area also see Tiger Woods?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 26, 2025
Senior PGA Championship makes those in the Lakewood Ranch area dream big

Tigers Woods turns 50 in December. Could he join the fun at The Concession?

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 26, 2025
The why behind the 5:01 meeting start time

Town Commission meetings are usually scheduled for an hour on the dot, but Longboat Key has its budget hearings scheduled for 5:01 p.m. in September, a norm for the town since 2017.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Couple caught hiding underwear in pockets at beach access
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 26, 2025
Couple caught hiding underwear in pockets at beach access

An illegally parked car led police to a couple fooling around on the beach, and a man had police called on him for limping. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Removal of Avenue of Art sidewalk paintings has begun
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 25, 2025
Removal of Avenue of Art sidewalk paintings has begun

The city of Sarasota initiated the removal, due to an FDOT mandate requiring the removal of public installations of pavement paintings on sidewalks and roadways.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jeffrey Kahane spent 20 seasons as music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra before being appointed music director of the Sarasota Music Festival in August 2016.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 25, 2025
Sarasota Music Festival music director steps down

The 2026 festival will be scaled back to two weeks as the Sarasota Orchestra looks for Jeffrey Kahane's successor.

  • Arts + Culture
Commissioner at Large BJ Bishop; District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 25, 2025
Florida League of Cities honors two Longboat commissioners

BJ Bishop and Penny Gold accumulated points over the past year in the Florida League of Cities' certification program for elected officials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • August 25, 2025
Your Weekly Taste: 1 Hot Cookie and Ice Cream

We definitely agree with their motto, "Cookies big enough to share but taste so good you won't."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Nina Young, 13, of the band Pins and Needles, performs on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 25, 2025
Music Compound marks a year in new Sarasota location

The music school invited the community inside for performances by students, sample lessons, local vendors and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
St. Armands Circle was several feet underwater following hurricanes Helene and Milton.
  • December 17, 2025
St. Armands receives $13.5 million to address flooding concerns
2
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Gabriel Lara (11) chases after the ball during a Dec. 15 game against Braden River.
  • December 17, 2025
LRHS's boys soccer team races to an unbeaten start through 10 games
Sponsored Content
3
  • December 17, 2025
Animal interactions and private experiences at Sarasota Jungle Gardens
4
Wild pigs look for food near Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • December 17, 2025
Manatee County's River Club has a pig problem
5
LaRon Foye, a senior safety/wide receiver, points to his right ring finger following his game-sealing interception against Jacksonville Bolles.
  • December 17, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football has undergone all-time turnaround

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