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Neighbors

Susan Benjamin, The Education Center's biographical historian who is praised for her engaging presentations about the lives of some of the industry's most famous musicians, turns her attention to Billy Joel, Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2026
Education Center dives into the stories and music of Billy Joel

Biographical historian Susan Benjamin teams up with singer Jay O'Brien to celebrate the life and times of the Piano Man at their latest presentation with The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Vivienne Pietrunti's porch is a dropoff location for The Lake Club Giving Circle's donation drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 3, 2026
Lakewood Ranch neighborhood recycles old items into community grants

The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle partnered with a nonprofit consignment store to fundraise.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 2, 2026
New Women's Guild members share stories of togetherness

From planning for a Valentine's Day art fest to reviewing scholarship fundraising efforts, guild members prepped for the 2026 season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ethan Freeman, 14, Skate Segal, 14, Jett Segal, 12, Florey Miller and her husband TJ Miller were among those serving foods baked by members.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 1, 2026
Temple Sinai hosts Sarasota Jewish Food Festival

The festival, presented in partnership with The Original Wolfie's Restaurant, featured traditional Jewish baked goods and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ethan Kuhn of Suncoast United Pipes and Drums performs in the ceremony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 31, 2026
Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival showcases a wee bit of Scotland

The event featured Highland games, lots of bagpipes, dancing, kilts and even a taste of the weather from across the pond.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dillon Desiderato and daughter Nora Desiderato share a smile during the Miles for the Miles Family Cozy Cocoa Dash fundraiser at All God's Children Preschool on Jan. 31.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 31, 2026
All God's Children Preschool raises $7,000 to support family after loss to cancer

The event was to support the family of Kelly Miles, a teacher at the school who lost her husband, Matt, in November to cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mary Baker, board president of the Longboat Library, says guests can plan a fun book date for Valentine's Day to shop the annual sale.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 30, 2026
Plan a book date for Valentine's Day on Longboat Key

Longboat Library is bringing back its annual book sale on Feb. 14, which organizers say is the perfect time for couples to make a book date.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key resident Sarah Frederick, pictured above in one of her favorite competitions, said she knew from the age of five that she loved working with horses. Little did she know then that she would go on to craft a 55-year career in racing, breeding and caring for them.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key resident jockeys for space on the track

Sarah Frederick recounted her 55-year career riding as a jockey, part of an early wave of women in the sport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Amanda Rigby, who is well versed in using artificial intelligence, is grateful to have a place to collaborate and learn more about it through A.I Creator's Collective.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 28, 2026
Finding new intelligence is an artificial ingredient for Lakewood Ranch club

AI Creator's Collective was founded by David Perkowski and Tony Fitzgerald to explore artificial intelligence.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jasmine Ramirez, 14, is now recovering from the amputation of her 174-pound leg that was performed at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg on Dec. 11.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 28, 2026
Amputation of her 174-pound left leg gives Manatee County teen a new life

Braden River Middle student Jasmine Ramirez suffered with an overgrowth syndrome that had impacted most of her young life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Muriel Klosterman of Longboat Island Chapel presents Carolyn Nielsen, Turning Points' volunteer and events coordinator, with a check for $3,000 at the church's Gather and Give charity drive on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 27, 2026
Chapel gifts $3K, supplies to Turning Points

Attendees at this month's Gather and Give filled Turning Points' guest speaker's car with donated cleaning supplies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commander David Siesel; Assistant Administrative Officer, 1st Lt. Perry Page; Assistant Administrative Officer, 1st Lt. Lois McKenzie; Secretary, Lt. Commander Domini Wood; Executive Officer; Lt. Commander Samuel Doak; and District 22 Comander Ron Jones.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 27, 2026
Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron completes 74th Change of Watch

David Siesel replaced Barbara Warshaw as commander of the Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron as the organization held its annual Change of Watch ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Yahaira and Adam Shimer operate Crust N' Crumb out of their Heritage Harbour home.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 27, 2026
Baking hobby turns into a hot business for Manatee County couple

Baking racks and equipment have taken over this Heritage Harbour household over the past year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This year's New to You art sale promises some unique, larger finds for art enthusiasts, according to Linn Torres, All Angels by the Sea administrative assistant and art sale coordinator. Torres showcases a Grecian-style, three-dimensional piece of art.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 27, 2026
Big surprises await at New to You art sale

The popular Longboat Key art sale begins Feb. 2 at All Angels by the Sea and benefits Turning Points of Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jay Poon holds a container of takoyaki, with his wife, Sadie Poon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 26, 2026
Saigon Night Market brings a taste of Asia to Sarasota

Held at J.D. Hamel Park, the festival drew a large turnout with a Pan-Asian selection of street foods.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 »
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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
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City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
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Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
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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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