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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Serge and Sonia Gauthier, owners of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Center, commissioned artist Ludmil Iliev, joined by Vladi Iliev, to paint a mural inspired by shop greeter Ziggy the dog.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 3, 2025
Furry face of St. Armands salon immortalized in new mural

Ludmil Iliev, a muralist specializing in animals, brought his talents to Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anne Vose and Jackie Donnelly peruse the works of artist Marie Therese Lacroix, center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 3, 2025
Check out these artists at Lawn Party by the Bay

Local creatives are bringing a new art exhibition to this year's Lawn Party by the Bay, along with a silent auction of Peter Max's work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds invites anyone with a passion for helping injured animals to learn the techniques for keeping both birds and handlers safe at an upcoming workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
American Contract Bridge League-certified bridge player Patty Mayer checks out her hand while playing a round at the club's new meeting spot at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Former Paradise Center bridge group moves to Bayfront Park

The certified bridge matches at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key have moved to the recreation center at Bayfront Park in hopes to increase capacity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Piper Dawson checks out was she dubbed her favorite tree decorated by Lo' Key Island Grille at the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden on Nov. 30 at Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 1, 2025
Christmas comes early to Longboat's north end

Attendees packed the grounds of Longboat Island Chapel on Nov. 30 for the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mother-daughter team Lori and Chloe Harpsoe assist shoppers at Monkee's of Sarasota for Black Friday. The clothing boutique opened just in time for the annual shopping extravaganza last year after rebuilding from hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 29, 2025
St. Armands Black Friday seems less brisk this year

Some shop owners said they were surprised last year's Black Friday shopping seemed busier than this year's, despite hurricane challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artist Janet Peavy draws inspiration for her art from oceanic nature, often letting the shells she finds guide her work. She recently debuted her newest pieces at Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 28, 2025
Local artist draws on oceanic inspiration for shell art

Artist Janet Peavy recently held a meet-and-greet event at Three Island Monkeys after debuting her shell-based artwork at the shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tim Norwood
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 27, 2025
Entrepreneur harvests sea salt from local barrier islands

Tim Norwood created his own company, Sea Salt Florida, using sea water off the islands of Siesta, Longboat and Lido Key, among others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lesley Rife, one of this year's organizers of Christmas in the Garden, said visitors have plenty to look forward to at this year's festivities, which start Nov. 30 at the Longboat Island Chapel garden.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 26, 2025
Longboat Island Chapel prepares for Christmas in the Garden

The beloved tradition on Longboat Key's north end returns on Nov. 30 and features decorated trees and nine-gig musical lineup.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Organizers of this year's Lawn Party by the Bay eagerly anticipate the foodie festival, which will feature more restaurants than ever before. From left, The Resort at Longboat Key Club Managing Director Rick Konsavage, Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Children's Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko and Kiwanis Club Past President Michael Garey.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 25, 2025
Kiwanis Lawn Party on City Island will host 32 restaurants

The charitable event is raising funds for the Children's Guardian Fund, which supports foster families throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alison and Eloise Fichner snap a photo with Santa Claus at Light Up Longboat on Nov. 22 at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 23, 2025
Families partake in early-season cheer at Light Up Longboat

Longboaters and their family members kicked off the holiday season with annual festivities on Nov. 22 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stephanie Kruk, Georgianna Vicari, Pat Young and Carol Fischbein joined the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild for its welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 22, 2025
Women's guild welcome-back luncheon celebrates charitable successes

Members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild planned upcoming activities at their welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18 at the church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Laurie Swink, co-founder of Selah Freedom, speaks to members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild on Nov. 18 about how the program helps survivors of human trafficking find a path forward.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 22, 2025
Anti-human trafficking survivors share stories to Longboat group

Representatives from Selah Freedom disclosed their experiences with St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 20, 2025
RA Sarasota: Lifting Homes & Spirits

A couple’s response to flooding on LBK becomes a much-needed community solution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates delivers the central sermon at the 45th interfaith Thanksgiving service hosted by St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on Nov. 18. She was joined by SAKLC's Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Longboat Island Chapel's Rev. Brock Patterson, Christ Church of Longboat Key's Rev. Julia Piermont, All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church's Rev. David Marshall and St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church's Fr. Robert Dziedziak.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Religious leaders across faiths celebrate unity for Thanksgiving

Leaders on Longboat and St. Armands keys have been working to unite community members at Thanksgiving for 45 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
2
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager speaks at a Rotary Club of Longboat Key meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16. Mager, who spent nearly three decades in law enforcement primarily in Delray Beach, said LBKPD has training requirements similar to the much larger city of Delray and that officers on the Key are well prepared for any event that may take place thanks to partnerships the department has with neighboring jurisdictions.
  • December 4, 2025
Longboat police chief begins community video series
3
Sidewalks on the southern portion of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be closed nightly as construction crews begin work to install a gas line to accommodate a dredging project in Sarasota Bay.
  • December 3, 2025
Expect road, sidewalk closures on Longboat Key
4
Lucie Lapovsky, president of the Longboat Key Democratic Club, and Nick Gladding, president of the Republican Club of Longboat Key, are two members of Miracle on the Key, a group which aims to find common ground among hot-button political issues.
  • December 3, 2025
Longboat Dems, GOP join together to find common ground
5
A leatherback turtle hatchling crosses the beach.
  • December 3, 2025
Turtles born on Longboat return home to nest decades later

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