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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Reed Medical Group and Longboat Key Fitness both celebrated their grand reopenings on Jan. 22 at the Shoppes of Bay Isles complex, introducing visitors to their expanded facilities. Dr. James Reed, owner of the concierge medical service, wields the big scissors.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 25, 2026
Longboat Publix plaza celebrates grand openings

Reed Medical Group and Longboat Key Fitness held their grand reopening festivities on Jan. 22 at The Shoppes of Bay Isles complex.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe singer Michael Mejia-Mendez belts the opening note of Harry Belafonte's iconic "Day-O" during a tribute performance on Jan. 21 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 24, 2026
'King of Calypso' tribute singer gets Christ Church grooving

Singer Michael Mejia-Mendez brought to life the tunes and tales of Harry Belafonte for a special performance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Couch LBK joined neighboring Brista Commons businesses in celebrating their official opening on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 22, 2026
Meet the people behind Brista Commons' new opening

Longboat's new "one-stop shop" for homeowners officially opens at the mid-Key plaza, covering realty, flooring, furniture and windows.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Malia Price, co-owner of The Sarasota Style, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 14 with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 21, 2026
Lifestyle, clothing brand officially opens on St. Armands Circle

The Sarasota Style, the latest addition to St. Armands Circle's business community, recently opened.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Longboat Key 100 founders Julia Woodward, Betsy Juliano, Heidi Berry, Danielle Gladding and Michelle Johnson, along with Nicholle DiPinto McKiernan and Julia Woodward (not pictured), have united to launch a new, one-night evening of giving to support a local nonprofit with $100,000 in donations.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2026
New charity on Longboat aims to gift $100K

Inspired by an effort originating in Wisconsin, seven local leaders are coming together to coordinate a large-scale gift to an organization in need of a boost.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Don Katz, founder of the audiobook company Audible, reminisced with Bird Key Yacht Club members about the company's beginnings just following its 30th anniversary. Katz joined members for this season's lecture series on Jan. 9 at The Ora. Richard Besser, CEO and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, moderated.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2026
Audible founder Don Katz reminisces with Bird Key Yacht Club members

Just after the audiobook company celebrated its 30th anniversary, the founder had a blast from the past meeting one guest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Soloist Kei Sulhi, backed by fellow members of the Temple Beth Israel choir, offers her annual rendition of “The King of Love is Dead,” originally sung by Nina Simone and written by Gene Taylor, in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. at a special Shabbat service.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 19, 2026
Differences celebrated at MLK Jr. memorial Shabbat

Representatives from Embracing Our Differences spoke to the importance of inclusion during Temple Beth Israel's special Shabbat service memorializing Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Leaders from the Longboat Harbour Yacht Club participate in the swearing-in ceremony during the Jan. 17 Change of Watch. From left, John Shea, dockmaster; Susan Luke, purser; Herb Ritchell, scribe; Mike Perez, vice commodore; and Jeff Hecklau, commodore.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 19, 2026
Commodore Jeff Hecklau returns to lead Longboat Harbour Yacht Club

Club leaders participated in a Change of Watch ceremony Jan. 17, reaffirming their commitment to helping the boating community thrive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay kicked off its 60th anniversary celebration on Jan. 15 with live music and special guests including Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Jeff Weatherhead, City of Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice, Chris Pfahler, Plymouth Harbor vice president of philanthropy, Pastor Wes Bixby of First Congregational United Church of Christ Sarasota and Sara Little, president of the Resident Association.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 18, 2026
Plymouth Harbor celebrates 60 years

The senior-living facility on Sarasota Bay kicked off this year's merry-making with music and sharing memories.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bonnie Michaels, literacy coach at Alta Vista Elementary School, helps students Deja (5th grade), Gianni (4th grade), Yoselyn (1st grade) and Andre (2nd grade) try out the new book vending machine. Sarasota Yacht Club youth board members coordinated the installation to help promote strong reading habits.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 18, 2026
Reading comes with a fun twist via new book vending machine

Members of the Sarasota Yacht Club's youth program took the lead in installing the machine at Alta Vista Elementary School to promote reading habits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tom Watson showcases his 1929 Ford Model A.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 17, 2026
Sarasota Yacht Club, St. Armands commemorate anniversary with century of cars

A parade and a car show featured machines that span the same time period as the two organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kelly Shrout, one of the main coordinators of the Friendship Garden at Longboat Island Chapel, takes a look at one of the butterfly plants in the garden. Volunteers recently helped spruce up the community garden that holds the memories of many residents who have contributed to rebuilding since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 14, 2026
New year brings renewal to Friendship Garden

The overseer of the community garden at Longboat Island Chapel shared her pride in seeing it flourish post hurricane with residents' support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A group of 13 veterans and volunteers met at Ken Thompson Park on City Island where they embarked on kayaks for a guided tour of Sarasota Bay led by Wayne Douchkoff of Wayne Adventures and sponsored by Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 13, 2026
Veterans enjoy peace of Sarasota Bay through guided kayak outing

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program-funded tour was led by Wayne Douchkoff and included a guided meditation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Local author Lydia Zorzi Scotti recently published her first children's book, "Sir Knight and His Boy," held up by local artist Medge Jaspan at the book's local December launch.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 13, 2026
Grandson's paper knight inspires local author's first children's book

The adventures of Sir Knight take him to the beaches of Lido Key and beyond in this heart-warming tale of love and acceptance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rotary Club of Longboat Key President Terri Driver presents awards to members Ellen Greenberger, Carol Erker and Belinda Bauer for not only contributing their hours, but also offering financial support to the Rotary's mission over the years. Driver presented the awards at their Jan. 6 meeting, which featured guest speaker Charlie Mopps from Public Works.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 13, 2026
Public Works looks to past and future of storm management

Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps appeared as the Rotary Club's latest guest speaker, giving insights into how the department operates.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD
2
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
3
Philip DiMaria says “there is a great opportunity here for St. Armands to evolve and become incredible again.”
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4
Lido Island Grill's lobster roll, filled with chilled Maine lobster and served with tortilla chips and lemon.
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Meet the island kitchens setting the standard for a seriously good lobster roll
5
Front: Elliot Salenger, Larry Coleman, Dr. Lee Edstrom; Back: Steve Davidson, Bob Nusbaum, Paul Levenson
  • February 5, 2026
These tennis players unite for the love of the game — and ribbing each other

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