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Neighbors

Susan Borden, Kelli Veit and Nancy Harris shared a bit about the goods and games available at Temple Beth Israel's Hanukkah open house on Dec. 7.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel hosts Hanukkah open house for third year

From dreidel games to holiday market stalls, visitors took in plenty of entertainment to kickstart the holiday early.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

With an appearance from Santa Claus, music by the Sarasota Academy of Arts and festive treats, the Christmas kickoff delighted attendees of all ages.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival

Seven blues bands entertained a crowd of about 800 at Waterside Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 7, 2025
Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade

Each year, the parade features many local organizations, businesses, schools and clubs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
Turtle watch contributes nearly $12K to Mote

The Longboat environmental group gifted Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium funds to support sea turtle conservation and education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points

Turnout was high for the event, which combined the Fresh Fridays block party with the lighting of the Christmas tree.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Out of 30 free throws, Braylen Bolema made 20, Liam Goutos made 21, Emma Bullock made 15 and Claire Bollock made 19 to win their age divisions of the Elks Hoop Shoot Dec. 5.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 6, 2025
Kids aim to score big in Elks Hoop Shoot in Lakewood Ranch

The annual event forces the competitors to learn to perform under pressure and allows the to advance all the way to the national level.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift

FST will use an anonymous $1 million gift to start a matching donation campaign for Phase 2 of its McGillicuddy Arts Plaza expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka City 12-year-old Aliyah Burnett helps her neighbor, Corinn Smith of Blissful Goat Yoga, with the goats. She dressed them in Christmas outfits for Ranch Nite Wednesday Dec. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 5, 2025
Goats are another reason to attend Ranch Nite Wednesdays in Lakewood Ranch

The first Wednesday of each month, Waterside Place hosts the goals, and everything else — food trucks, cornhole, music — that makes Ranch Nite Wednesdays so popular.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brent Piersma and Beverly Sutton fill seed packets for Hope Seeds.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 5, 2025
Hope Seeds seeks extra hands

Increased need in Caribbean regions means Christ Church of Longboat Key is seeking extra volunteers to pack seeds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' "Lights in Bloom" illuminated extravaganza features a tree covered in dragonflies, train decorations and more to explore.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

Shane Rawley, the owner of Shaner's Pizzeria since 1991, has published three fiction novels in his "Peter Cobb" series.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Laura Oliff-Maxey and Barbara Braun
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Mothers Helping Mothers strengthens its toy drive effort

The Sarasota organization has taken on an additional 50 families this year, which brings its total to 350.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eighth grader Mikayla Ross works with teacher Joseph Conner.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Tutoring nonprofit helps raise students' success rates

Laurel Civic Association, which tutors Sarasota County children after school in addition to providing numerous other services, is currently planning to construct a new 48,000 square-foot facility.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience

Ilana Armida, a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School, continues her push to be successful in the music industry as an entertainer and songwriter.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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