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Neighbors

Jackson Foscolos, 12, poses with his mother Jennifer Foscolos, brother Mason Foscolos, 9, and grandparents Hans and Leslie Rode.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 20, 2025
Fire department open house showcases the tools behind rescues

The open house a Station 4 on Old Bradenton Road followed the fire department's receipt of international recognition for its cardiac care.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cindy Gordon, board chair of the Florida West Coast Avian Society, says pet birds such as parrots have special needs, but the upside of ownership is well worth it. Chewy and Chester obviously think so.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2025
Florida West Coast Avian Society takes flight at Music on Main

Those who attend can learn about the responsibilities of having a pet bird.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sisters Stephanie and Samantha Esposito, grandchildren of longtime Longboaters Anthony and Mabel Esposito, both recently graduated from medical school.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 20, 2025
Longboat Key residents celebrate two granddaughters' med school graduations

Class of 2025 includes two graduates from medical school hailing from the Longboat Esposito family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nate Jacobs and members of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will host the third annual Juneteenth Arts Festival on June 22.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2025
WBTT to host third annual Juneteenth Arts Festival

The festival takes place June 22 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's campus.

  • Arts + Culture
Carol Peschel, Executive Director Amy Steinhauser and Barbara Koetsier participate in a relaxing afternoon of drinking tea and coloring at The Paradise Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 17, 2025
Longboat Key's yearlong residents enjoy high time for tea

Attendees at one of The Paradise Center's latest social events partook in afternoon tea and coloring.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Firefighter Paramedic Chris O'Brien (left) walks in front of the group with Michelle Floril, who is traveling the east coast with Carry the Load.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 17, 2025
Longboat Key Fire Rescue joins Carry the Load to remember fallen heroes

Longboat Key is on one of Carry the Load's national routes that sends volunteers across the country to walk alongside first responders and families of service members every May.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation hosts Casino Royale May 14 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 16, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation bets on new fundraiser

The foundation is already planning its second Casino Royale event for next April.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Communities' Nicole Hackel was named the Young Leaders Alliance Member of the Year at the Next Gen Awards Thursday at Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance presents its Next Gen Awards

Lakewood Ranch Communities' Nicole Hackel earns the Young Leaders Alliance' Member of the Year award.

  • East County
  • Business
Julie Fanning took over the chairmanship of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 16, 2025
Hear from the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's new chair

Julie Fanning, the chair of Lakewood Ranch's leading pro-business group, comes to the role — during a milestone year — with an unwavering belief in the organization's mission.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Judy Young has been a nurse in the area for nearly 40 years.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 16, 2025
LWRMC chief nursing officer leads with empathy-first approach

An empathic and servant leader’s mindset — like the time she covered a shift on Christmas Eve — pushes Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's top-level nurse Judy Young to set up her team and community for success.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These summer camps inspire future artists, performers and cultural connoisseurs
    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 16, 2025
These summer camps inspire future artists, performers and cultural connoisseurs

Wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Arts camps abound for a variety of interests.

  • Arts + Culture
Cliff Hornsby, aka "Gerry Atric," opens the show.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 15, 2025
Longboat Key comedian books streaming special

Longboat Key's favorite comedian Cliff Hornsby, aka "Gerry Atric," kicks off his 2026 tour with a standup special taping in November.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Shanaia Nadesu, a fourth grader at Innovation Academy, provided an illustration.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 15, 2025
Sarasota students write letters about Florida for Virginia third grader

A letter from a Virginia third grader's class asked what life is like in Florida. Sarasota students provide answers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch resident Simi Ranajee founded MN5, then known as Mission Neem 5, in 2019.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 15, 2025
MN5 aims to change the world by empowering the women in it

After facing and overcoming a harrowing medical experience, a Lakewood Ranch resident leads a group of women on a mission to help other women live their best lives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A natural storyteller and hands-on farmer, Garrett Dakin and his brothers are carrying on a multi-generational dairy legacy in Myakka City.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 15, 2025
At Dakin Dairy Farms, four brothers tend to cows, kin and a vanishing way of life

Got milk? Dakin Dairy does. And here’s what it takes to get it from the cows to the shelf.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Shane Catts, who started Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & Ecoventures with his wife, Holly Rolls, said the Longboat Key-based business has been proud to be part of so many families' favorite times vacationing and living on the island in the nearly 10 years it has been open on the north end.
  • August 6, 2026
Happy Paddler celebrates family legacy on Longboat Key waters
2
  • August 6, 2026
Voter organization to hold election information sessions
3
Workers install boat slips behind the vacant lot where the Buccaneer Restaurant is planned. Additional slips will be installed behind the Harbor Square office building pictured left.
  • August 6, 2026
Boat slip addition underway behind future Buccaneer Restaurant site
4
Sarasota runner Vinny O'Shaughnessy completed his goal of running a marathon in every state. Since then, the runner hasn't slowed down, starting on a new mission to do the same with a half marathon in every state.
  • August 6, 2026
Marathon man accomplishes goal of racing in every state
5
Paused 'generational' city projects subject to commission review
  • August 6, 2026
Paused 'generational' city projects subject to commission review

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