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Neighbors

Tammy and Chris Sachs with bells up in front of Publix on Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 11, 2024
Longboat Key Kiwanis Club honors late members while bell ringing

After coming in second last year, the Kiwanis Club is working hard this year to become the fundraising club for the Salvation Army from Tampa to Venice.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manager Samantha Lemmer and employee Laurie Buckel
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 10, 2024
Siesta Key Oyster Bar offers dollar bill decor to employees

The dollar bills that guests leave on the walls of Siesta Key Oyster Bar will be given to employees as hurricane relief.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Owen Han is joined by his sister Olimpia Ruzbacki and her children Hawk, Haze and Cypress.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2024
'Sandwich King' Owen Han returns to Out of Door Academy

Han graduated in 2016 and went on to become a culinary influencer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Todd Schlorf keeps the tradition strong in honor of his parents Dick and Donna Schlorf.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 10, 2024
National tennis tournament hosted titleholders from around the country

In its 21st year, the Masters Clay Courts National Tennis Tournament hosted players from ages 50 to 90 years old.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hans Ocampo, Oliver Ocampo, 2, Yahoira Ocampo and Dominic Ocampo, 4, meet Santa Claus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2024
Community spirit goes on display at Sarasota Holiday Parade

The annual parade features many local organizations and businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pat Marschke poured Prosecco for Connie DiMaggio.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 9, 2024
Longboat Harbour put new twists on its annual Lighting of the Docks

Holiday cheer spread across the docks at Longboat Harbour Condominiums with friendly competition, festive decorations and many Florida-themed Santas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota volunteer Ken Junkins helps stabalize the RE/MAX balloon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2024
Hot air balloons come to Sarasota in Balloon Glow & Laser Show

The event showcased hot air balloons, giving the community a chance to enjoy something rarely seen in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dave and Shannon Eakle join Mary and Al McNicola at the River Club's Rockin' Reindeer Ball Dec. 8 at University Park Country Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2024
Rockin' Reindeer Ball brings River Club residents together

The semi-formal event, held this year at University Park Country Club, is a purely social affair.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Rev. Julia Piermont, Rev. David Marshall, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman, Rev. Brock Patterson and Rev. Jeffrey Nunes processed together in the church for the Interfaith service.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 9, 2024
Where to worship on Longboat Key for the holidays

The Interfaith Ministerium of St. Armands and Longboat Keys host services for all Longboaters to celebrate the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Naples' Kaata Mrachek and Bradenton's Laurence Lederer dance to the beat during the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2024
All smiles after blues festival in Lakewood Ranch

Top talent, perfect weather leaves music fans thrilled at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lauren and Kim Smith, visitors from Pennsylvania, pose for a selfie in front of the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Downtown Sarasota lights new Christmas tree

The "Light Up The Night" Fresh Fridays event offered live music, a giant snow globe and more, but the focus was the new, larger Christmas tree at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Kyle Battie, Santa Claus, Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch and the Marketing and Events Director for the St. Armands Circle Association Rachel Burns counted down together to light the St. Armands tree.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 8, 2024
St. Armands Circle hosts annual holiday tree lighting

Santa Claus counted down locals and visitors to light the 60-foot Christmas tree in honor of the end of hurricane season and the start to the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jerry Downs ran his 5K with a Santa hat on during a brisk Saturday morning at The Haven of Sarasota.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 8, 2024
Local runners show their holiday spirit at the Jingle Jog 5K in Sarasota

The 27th annual event supports The Haven and is presented by the Manasota Track Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Katherine Pike and Rosemarie Tamunday attend the Palm Aire Women's Club luncheon at the Palm Aire Country Club Dec. 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 6, 2024
Palm Aire club hosts a merry luncheon

Members of the women's club donated toys to Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and enjoyed a holiday choir performance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The parade helped usher in the holiday season.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 6, 2024
The best holiday events in Sarasota and Siesta Key

Here are events to help you enjoy a merry holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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1
Lt. Clay Huber was cheered by about 100 first responders and hospital personnel on Thursday.
  • August 6, 2026
Hospitalized Sarasota firefighter cheered upon his release from care
2
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
3
  • August 6, 2026
Voter organization to hold election information sessions
4
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
5
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

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