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Neighbors

Tables of bowls lined the walkway around Ed Smith Stadium.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2023
Bowls of Hope combines crafts and cuisine to raise money

Featuring more than 30 vendors along with local artisans, Bowls of Hope is All Faiths Food Bank's largest fundraiser of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Louis Langley, Allison Byrd, Karen Tonnesen, Scott Tonnesen, Missy Erickson and Kathy Callahan
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
Longboat Lawn Party reaches raffle sales goal of $20,000

Longboaters enjoyed dishes from more than 25 local restaurants at the Kiwanis Club's biggest fundraiser of the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ella Bryant, Rhema Stahlmann, and Ariana Hagaman
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
St. Armands Circle lights up for the holidays

Thanks to the Holiday Night of Lights, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences float makes its way down Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 3, 2023
Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade lets it snow community spirit

The parade brought together organizations and businesses throughout the community to celebrate a theme of “Christmas Around the World.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's John Rapp and Susan Rapp drop off 249 shoeboxes the Acts of Kindness Group at Grace Community Church made. The group more than doubled its donations compared to last year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Community rallies to help seniors in need with Shoebox Collection

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee received hundreds of donated shoeboxes from community members and businesses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara's Dennis and Lisa Pyeatt are all aboard the Jiggs Express.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Jiggs Landing shines bright with annual boat parade in east Bradenton

The Holiday Boat Parade is more than a celebration of the holidays to a Tara couple.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
James Madden, Julia Mergen, Culver Casson and Steffen Robinson of The Christmas Carolers offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2023
Block party ushers in holidays in downtown Sarasota

This month’s Fresh Fridays event put a holiday spin on the food and entertainment.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Karen MacDougall and her granddaughter Sloane Johnson love Music on Main, especially in December. Sloane is dressed as an Elf on the Shelf.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Music on Main hosts its holiday celebration

A long line of families waited patiently as Santa set up shop under the big Christmas tree.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rotary Club of Longboat Key donated gifts for children to Stillpoint Mission in Bradenton.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 1, 2023
Rotary Club of Longboat Key donates holiday gifts to Stillpoint Mission

The club hosted a "wrap" party to wrap gifts for children in need and present donations to the local nonprofit.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hodges Soileau
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 30, 2023
'The Baby-Sitters Club' cover illustrator recalls how he created his iconic work

Hodges Soileau, whose cover illustrations defined the series for a generation of readers, will visit Sarasota for an exhibition Dec. 1-2.

  • Arts + Culture
Whether a parking attendant, Joseph's angel, a wise man's attendant, an angel or any other role, the Walmsley family loves coming together to participate in the living nativity each year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2023
Nativity tradition continues for East County family

Participating in the Tabernacle Church's annual living nativity is a tradition for the Walmsley family.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These angels are made from magnolia seed pods. After spraying them for bugs, committee member Vicki Carvelli applies several coats of varnish to preserve the pods.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Lakewood Ranch angel tree raises thousands for those in need

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church parishioners raised $35,000 last year by making and selling Christmas ornaments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Since he had a widowmaker heart attack in 2015, Sarasota artist Fabio Dal Boni has been seeking to recapture what he saw during that time.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 29, 2023
Artist's work represents his experience with a life beyond

Fabio Dal Boni says his paintings on aluminum are inspired by a visit to the afterlife in 2015.

  • Arts + Culture
Bonnie Caulson, Jessica Braemer, Ellie Casebolt, Lora Bostick and Shadeed Wright are at Grace Community Church on Nov. 17. The church made a $25,000 donation to Better Together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Grace Community Church focuses on outreach

The Lakewood Ranch church has a hand in many community events and supports several local nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
All of the tennis center courts are being used for the tournament.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 29, 2023
20th Longboat Key tennis tournament attracts players countrywide

The Senior Men’s United States Tennis Association Tournament will be played from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3 and is dubbed one of the "Triple Crown" Florida tournaments.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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