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Neighbors

Serge and Sonia Gauthier, owners of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Center, commissioned artist Ludmil Iliev, joined by Vladi Iliev, to paint a mural inspired by shop greeter Ziggy the dog.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 3, 2025
Furry face of St. Armands salon immortalized in new mural

Ludmil Iliev, a muralist specializing in animals, brought his talents to Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anne Vose and Jackie Donnelly peruse the works of artist Marie Therese Lacroix, center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 3, 2025
Check out these artists at Lawn Party by the Bay

Local creatives are bringing a new art exhibition to this year's Lawn Party by the Bay, along with a silent auction of Peter Max's work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Shaelyn Band, which opens the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6 at Waterside Place, is led by singer Shaelyn Mulberry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 2, 2025
This musical soul search leads to Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest is back for its second edition with seven top bands at Waterside Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department on Dec. 2 gave away $2,000 in gasoline at three city stores, first offering to take photos with unsuspecting patrons.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 2, 2025
Gas patrons fill up on Sarasota Police's giving spirit

Chief Rex Troche and several officers visited three stores, spreading goodwill and topping off people's tanks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lyndon Usher speaks with Pastor Carl Jenks of Radiance Church of Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2025
Community comes together to serve homeless during Thanksgiving

Numerous organizations were involved in helping to serve those in need at the Thanksgiving Wednesday Community Luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch writer Peter Moscovita found his passion for writing through a cancer diagnosis and encouragement from his wife.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
81-year-old writer combines history and fiction through his books

Lakewood Ranch's Peter Moscovita has published seven books and earned a Hollywood Book Review for his first book "The Following Storm."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Newton, a 9-month-old lab, is being raised by Nick and Brenda Paradiso through the LWR Puppy Raisers club. Brenda Paradiso described him as "quite the character" who is a "love bucket."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
LWR Puppy Raisers help train dogs for important service careers

The volunteers say the program is rewarding, even if they shed some tears when sending the puppy to Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
American Contract Bridge League-certified bridge player Patty Mayer checks out her hand while playing a round at the club's new meeting spot at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Former Paradise Center bridge group moves to Bayfront Park

The certified bridge matches at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key have moved to the recreation center at Bayfront Park in hopes to increase capacity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Piper Dawson checks out was she dubbed her favorite tree decorated by Lo' Key Island Grille at the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden on Nov. 30 at Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 1, 2025
Christmas comes early to Longboat's north end

Attendees packed the grounds of Longboat Island Chapel on Nov. 30 for the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Harris Pierce performs at The Peculiar Pub Oct. 7.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 1, 2025
Arriving at the punchline can be a difficult journey

Lakewood Ranch comedian Harris Pierce can laugh at the tough road to success in his business.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's David Farr picks up 21-month-old Henry Farr, who is dazzled by the giant ornaments on the tree on The Green during the Mall at UTC's ongoing holiday celebration.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 1, 2025
Families flock to UTC for the holidays

The entertainment and attractions are open through Jan. 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Oyster Bar co-founder Geno Pedigo, and Zach Steffen, prepare to ride out.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 30, 2025
Kids and families find cheer at Siesta Key Holiday Parade

The parade, which welcomed Santa Claus to Siesta Key, was preceded by a meet-and-greet with the big guy himself.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mother-daughter team Lori and Chloe Harpsoe assist shoppers at Monkee's of Sarasota for Black Friday. The clothing boutique opened just in time for the annual shopping extravaganza last year after rebuilding from hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 29, 2025
St. Armands Black Friday seems less brisk this year

Some shop owners said they were surprised last year's Black Friday shopping seemed busier than this year's, despite hurricane challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artist Janet Peavy draws inspiration for her art from oceanic nature, often letting the shells she finds guide her work. She recently debuted her newest pieces at Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 28, 2025
Local artist draws on oceanic inspiration for shell art

Artist Janet Peavy recently held a meet-and-greet event at Three Island Monkeys after debuting her shell-based artwork at the shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key's Owen Slater, 5, loves animals and couldn't leave the market without getting a homemade octopus from Stitch Fabels, which took 10 hours to make.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 28, 2025
Market at Nathan Benderson Park provides midweek shopping

The new Sarasota market began Oct. 21 and will run weekly on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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1
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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  • December 12, 2025
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Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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