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Neighbors

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is meant to pay for immediate relief and long-term resilience efforts in the four-county area.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2026
Patterson Foundation donates $500,000 for storm relief

The Patterson Foundation has donated $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund, which meets immediate and longer-term needs following natural disasters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Isabella Cz, a rising sixth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Skylar Flandreau, a rising sixth grader at Martha B. King Middle School, take turns playing the ukulele during the Manatee Arts Education Council smARTen Up Camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2026
Smarten Up Camp gives Manatee County students advanced arts opportunities

Over four days, the Manatee Arts Education Council hosted students who are gifted in the arts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Silas and Josh Stacy stand amid their collection.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 4, 2026
Father and 7-year-old son get into the business of trading Pokémon cards

Josh Stacy turned part of his used car dealership into a shop for a different asset, Pokémon cards, after his son Silas helped inspire his interest.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Gabrielle Finnegan, chapter president of the Lakewood Ranch High School Future Farmers of America, checks out Lucy the cow with 7-year-old camper Luca Bellantonio.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Camp churns out important agricultural lessons in Lakewood Ranch

Future Farmers of America members teach campers about animal and plant science and environmental leadership.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Selby Gardens’ Selenicereus cactus blooms for one night only.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 3, 2026
Selby's 'Queen of the Night' blooms tonight only

Guests are invited to see the once-a-year event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service

When Tyler LaPlaca realized there wasn't a Leo Club to encourage young people to be involved in community service, he took matters into his own hands.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
An American flag flies on Gulf of Mexico Drive, the town’s main thoroughfare that will soon see much more red, white and blue as the town prepares to install 56 light pole banners.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 3, 2026
Town works to unveil patriotic banners ahead of July 4

A banner depicting the American flag that can be reused was picked for Longboat Key’s Gulf of Mexico Drive over one that featured recognition of the country’s 250th birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Tennis Center members and friends of Dolores Levy honored her memory with the unveiling of a new plaque at the center last weekend.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 2, 2026
LBK Tennis Center honors Rombo founder

Community members shared stories about Dolorers Levy at a May 30 unveiling of a plaque in her memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library

The Summer Learning Kickoff Party provided activities May 30 and marked the start of several programs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season

The weekly event runs October through May at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Michael Shefrin meets Colby.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 30, 2026
Temple Emanu-El celebrates the joy of pets with Blessing of the Animals

The event celebrated four-legged friends and the joy they bring to their human companions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Boards Brock Leach sat on in the Sarasota area include, with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and Children First.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 29, 2026
Prominent Sarasota philanthropist, former Tropicana CEO dies at 67

Brock Leach reached the pinnacle of Corporate America. Then, right before he turned 50, he switched for a career in the ministry.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

Now 5, the firehouse baby returned to visit the firefighters who helped deliver him.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Akerman, Jay Plager and Past Commodore Michael Landis carry away the colors at the conclusion of Bird Key Yacht Club's Memorial Day ceremony on May 25.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 28, 2026
Dedication to service celebrated at Bird Key's Memorial Day ceremony

Veterans, family members of service men and women, and community members united to recognize those who sacrificed for their country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Among her many years of service for numerous organizations, Isabel Norton served as president of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County.
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • May 28, 2026
Isabel Scott Norton remembered as formative force for Sarasota

Through over 50 years of her gentle leadership, Norton shaped everything from public meeting civility to libraries in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

1
Cynthia Keough is one of several Manatee County residents to step up to the podium June 4 and ask commissioners for more time to review the updated comprehensive plan.
  • June 6, 2026
Residents have 60 more days to review Manatee County comp plan
2
Steven High is retiring as executive director of The Ringling, a position he has held since 2011.
  • June 5, 2026
Steven High to retire as executive director of The Ringling
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3
  • June 5, 2026
33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival
4
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is meant to pay for immediate relief and long-term resilience efforts in the four-county area.
  • June 5, 2026
Patterson Foundation donates $500,000 for storm relief
5
A giant American flag has flown above Sarasota Ford since the 1970s.
  • June 4, 2026
American flag will fly high again over Sarasota Ford

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