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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Eleanor Maxim plays a hand a bridge.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 22, 2025
Beloved card game helps bridge social gaps

The popularity of bridge clubs on Longboat Key has soared, nearly topping out capacity at The Paradise Center in recent weeks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Irene Langlois races to the ball during her match.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 21, 2025
Observer Challenge tennis tournament players praise new format

Participants in the 25th annual Observer Challenge tennis tournament widely praised the new format of brackets, which eliminated singles matches.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Divers cheerily waved their steins in greeting to attendees at Saturday's Sharktoberfest.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 21, 2025
Sold-out Sharktoberfest packed to the gills

Despite hurricane-related setbacks, the third annual Sharktoberfest saw robust support from community members looking to support marine research while enjoying craft brews.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kay Thayer receives recognition for her 25 years of service organizing the annual Observer Challenge tennis tournament.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2025
Observer Challenge coordinator credited for invaluable 25 years

Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer has coordinated the annual Observer Challenge tennis tournament annually since it began 25 years ago, and she recently received her flowers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Guest speaker Walter Gilbert extolls the perseverance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Friday Shabbat service at Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2025
Shabbat service recognizes optimism of Martin Luther King Jr.

Walter Gilbert offered his interpretation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "How Long? Not Long" speech at a Friday Shabbat service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dr. Dan Deems, right, and Tidewell Foundation President Delesa Morris speak to the benefits of balance training and other longevity practices.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 17, 2025
Expert offers advice on balancing act of aging

The Paradise Center's latest speaker highlights importance of long-term health practices.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Guests dine under a tent in Ken Thompson Park for the Lawn Party during the 2022 event.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 17, 2025
Longboat Lawn Party, delayed until March, now canceled

The Kiwanis event, usually held in December, was delayed because of the hurricanes and is now pushed until its traditional date.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
At Myakka River State Park, imperiled native species like black skimmers find undisturbed habitats and abundant food.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 16, 2025
Myakka counts record black skimmers

Clean water and undisturbed natural habitats attract and sustain imperiled native bird species.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Island Chapel
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 16, 2025
Donation warehouse to reopen Feb. 1

The Lord's Warehouse on Longboat Key plans to reopen its doors for the season Feb. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Instructor Terri Noyes talks with Pete Clausen about the basics of scoring in pickleball.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Pickleball clinic teaches newcomers basics of the growing sport

The Jan. 13 clinic hosted at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key gave people the opportunity to learn from two certified instructors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Town staffer finds balance with tiring work and passion for weightlifting
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Town staffer finds balance with tiring work and passion for weightlifting

Matthew Ballew's busy days working for Longboat Key Public Works are paired with a lifestyle of weightlifting and bodybuilding, which has taught him important life lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Zack and Greta Hamric sit in their 1956 Jaguar XK 140MC Roadster formerly owned by Hollywood star Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 13, 2025
Jaguar Festival d’Elegance brings luxury vehicles to St. Armands Circle

The free-to-the-public event showcased Jaguar sports cars from across Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
While Birdie McClaine plays his accordion, his companion Lady Haha sits and waits to perform tricks.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 13, 2025
An old clown and his clever dog steal the show on St. Armands Circle

The afternoon of Dec. 14 was busy on the circle, but a random street performer with a Ringling Bros. history stood out the most.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brigette Kubin cut the ribbon for her business, Three Island Monkeys, on Jan. 8.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 11, 2025
Three Island Monkeys celebrates Longboat opening with ribbon-cutting

The gift shop offering unique gifts and from local artists opened in November 2024 but had a ceremony to celebrate the opening with the local community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Salvation Army Captain, Jim Curry, speaks to the Longboat Key Kiwanis on Thursday Jan. 9, 2025.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • January 10, 2025
Longboat Key reaches new heights in Salvation Army donations

Despite the hurricanes that hit the Key, Longboaters continued to give for the cause.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
« 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 »
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
2
Work by Janet Echelman in “Radical Softness” at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
  • February 6, 2026
New creations, global voices, celebrations light up our cultural horizon
3
Chefs Justin Kurtz and Ismael Flores showcase some of Mar Vista’s signature dishes.
  • February 6, 2026
Innovative chef at Mar Vista honors tradition — and keeps reinventing it
4
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
5
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee

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