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Neighbors

Riders enjoy a flight on the Yo Yo ride at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 31, 2022
The can't-miss events in East Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch in 2023

Save the date for the more than a dozen signature events lined up for East County in 2023.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Members of the City Commission took the first ride on the Bay Runner trolley from downtown to Lido Key.
  • By Eric Garwood
  • December 29, 2022
Sarasota: 2022 in review

In a year preceded by a lot of weirdness, 2022 looks pretty normal in comparison.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Master Max Yan leads his class.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 28, 2022
Longboat Key: 2022 in review

In a year preceded by a lot of weirdness on Longboat Key, 2022 looks pretty normal in comparison.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Harmony's Peggy Kronus hides a pickle ornament on Christmas Eve, and the first one to find it one Christmas Day gets a prize.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2022
Family traditions brighten holiday season in East County

From special ornaments to starting Christmas with musical cheer or the bang of poppers, families in the Lakewood Ranch each have a special tradition to make the holidays their own.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rudolph and Clarice join misfit toys in Riverwalk's Tim Cunningham's Christmas lights display. Cunningham has been buying the misfit toys as he has found them since he and his family moved to Florida in 2007.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2022
East Bradenton homes shine bright during holiday season

Families are ready to deck the halls — and the yard, garage and roof — with holiday light displays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ginny Hoenig holds one of her handmade crocheted hats.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 22, 2022
Sarasota Nice List filled with good deeds from 2022

The Sarasota community has made the holiday season brighter by going the extra miles this year with nice gestures.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Key Niners Janet Hartman, Pam Crowe, Joyce Welch and Mary Taylor
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 21, 2022
Generosity of Longboat organizations put them on the Nice List

Longboat Key residents don't take the season of giving lightly.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lights and ornaments decorate the Longboat Island Chapel's garden.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad, Lesley Dwyer
  • December 21, 2022
The best thing about the holidays on Longboat Key

Longboat Key residents tell the Observer about the best part of the holidays on the island — or wherever they celebrate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Cassidy David paints the face of Sarasota's 7-year-old Emily Gordon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 20, 2022
Hanukkah at the Green creates special event at UTC in Sarasota

Benderson Development co-sponsored the annual event along with Temple Emanu-El.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Emma Weber will act as one of the clowns at Sailor Circus Holiday Special.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 20, 2022
Sailor Circus prepares for a whimsical holiday spectacle

The Circus Arts Conservatory's Sailor Circus Academy is getting ready to perform at next week’s Sailor Circus Holiday Special.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2022
East Bradenton students share their Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

From pets to hoverboards, scooters and more, Braden River, Tara and McNeal elementary first graders and kindergartners share what they want Santa to deliver.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bill Sadlo of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Jamie Purmort, Danny Bilyeu and Wells Purmort — with a cameo by Tom Brady's head — on the jumbotron at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 20, 2022
Original Buccaneers 'crew' member honored by the team

Sarasota's Wells Purmort was honored by the Tampa Bay Bucs during Sunday's game for being a charter season ticket-holder and his work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Clarke has been a member of Sarasota Yacht Club since 1994.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 19, 2022
Sarasota Yacht Club commodore cherishes his new role

The Longboat Key bank and advertising executive calls his CEO-like volunteer responsibilities a "great honor."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department receives thank you card from Riverview High School.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 18, 2022
Riverview students thank first responders

Riverview High School wrote handmade thank-you letters for the law enforcement agencies that responded to the Oct. 11 swatting.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sid Friedman, Akasha Smith and Mayor Kyle Battie joins the crowd in listening to a live performance from Sarasota Music Conservatory.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 16, 2022
RADD Holiday Bash brings community together in Rosemary District

Guests celebrated an evening of holiday cheer while supporting the Boys & Girls Club at DreamLarge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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

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