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Neighbors

Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

Swimming and rowing championships expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled

The event where residents can show off their cars and meet and greet with officers while having a coffee will now be held in April.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Storytelling is one of the events planned at the Enchanted Gardens Family Festival at Historic Spanish Point.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 19, 2026
Selby Gardens sets dates for Enchanted Garden Festival

The event is planned March 28-29 at Historic Spanish Point.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mike Hutchinson repairs a laptop.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2026
Local nonprofit repairs over 25,000 laptops to help community members in need

The Sarasota Technology Users Group hopes to bridge the digital divide with its initiative to repair laptops for those in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edward Lyon, Excel Empire's chief tax planner and the 'funniest tax guy in America,' shares tips with residents as they gear up for tax season at a March 10 workshop at Lido Beach Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 18, 2026
America's 'Funniest Tax Guy' offers tips to Longboaters

Ahead of the approaching tax season, finance expert Edward Lyon held a workshop with book co-author Michael Jaspan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Esplanade residents have an assembly line to stuff Comfort Cases backpacks to be delivered to foster kids.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 18, 2026
Esplanade pulls together to support foster kids

The residents fill 1,000 Comfort Cases backpacks with basic essential needs for the foster care community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet, Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 18, 2026
A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Community members gathered to celebrate St. Patricks Day with music, beer, costumes and more on March 17.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament has raised more than $108,000 for the Tidewell Foundation. With the final event, the goal is to reach the $150,000 mark.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 18, 2026
Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament prepares for final fundraiser

The tournament has raised $108,000 for the Tidewell Foundation and the goal is to reach $150,000 with one last tournament.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Preston Bowers volunteers for TOPSoccer, and Chris Collins manages the program.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit soccer program is tops

TOPSoccer offers fun and camaraderie to children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cathy and Dennis Kennedy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2026
Revelers head to Shamrock Pub to uphold their St. Patrick's Day tradition

The location remains a hot spot for celebrating the occasion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 17, 2026
Temple members encouraged to reflect at outdoor art exhibit

Members of Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key took a guided tour of the downtown Sarasota exhibit, 'Embracing Our Differences.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Moni, a yellow-naped Amazon and Amber, a Scarlet macaw, spend time in the Leonard Reid House.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2026
Historic Leonard Reid House hosts parrots in honor of family pets

Sarasota Jungle Gardens brought some feathered friends to the Leonard Reid House in an event that hosted kids from local schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Flamenco dancer Carolina Esparza performs with Los Rumberos on March 15 at The Education Center for the final Sunday Performing Arts Program installment this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 17, 2026
Los Rumberos close out Education Center's Sunday shows

The 2026 Sunday Performing Arts Programs ran the gamut of musical genres.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ashley Dawson and Kristen Laviolette share what the Ladies of Longboat social group has meant to them as they greet members at the March 11 meetup at Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 16, 2026
'Ladies of Longboat' social group enjoys new energy

This monthly meetup of Longboat Key residents offers an valuable space to swap knowledge and catch up with friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marc and Susan Benjamin are all smiles on the dance floor as they groove to the Aloha Sharks band March 14 at The Sanctuary.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 16, 2026
The Sanctuary celebrates season with annual poolside party

The upscale outdoor barbecue featured live music from Aloha Sharks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
2
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
3
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
4
Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
  • March 19, 2026
Dolores M. Stevens
5
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

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