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Sarasota

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 1, 2021
How will this end?

No one knows how the current strife in America will end. But we’ve been resilient for 245 years. And we know this, too: An essential ingredient to pursuing happiness is you must be free.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
David Miller was grand marshal of Longboat Key's Freedom Fest in 2017. Mike Doll drives him down the parade route.
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • July 1, 2021
Back to the Fourth, back to the fun

It's been a long year, but we are here to help you get back into the celebratory spirit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vero Beach’s Rhonda and Macy Levin enjoyed the 2020 fireworks show at Nathan Benderson Park with Sarasota’s Randy and Noel Bryan and Venice’s Nina and Jen Teise.
  • By Mark Bergin and Brendan Lavell
  • July 1, 2021
Mirth on the Fourth . . . again

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the cancellations of many Fourth of July events in 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2021
Cops Corner: Sarasota 7.1.21

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
  • By Nat Kaemmerer and José Valle
  • June 30, 2021
How should you spend the Fourth?

Can't decide what to do or where to go? Go with the flow, and let our decision tree point the way.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Former Sailors running back Brian Battie had had 46 carries for 332 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown, plus four catches for 35 yards as a freshman at USF. Photo courtesy USF Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 30, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Sarasota college athletes had big 2020-2021 seasons

A few were honored by their conferences for their efforts.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ryan Kohn interviewed Carlos Palma and a variety of others, asking them questions from the real U.S. citizenship test. Photo by Brynn Mechem.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 30, 2021
U.S. citizenship test is no easy A

Passersby at St. Armands Circle were given the quiz and got mixed results.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Sutton Burnstein, 5; Elliott Knight, 8; Ethan Burnstein, 9; and Bob Wayman, 10, have a little fun at a Bradenton Marauders game at LECOM Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 30, 2021
What a catch! We love baseball's beauty.

Stars shine in America's pastime, but the burning love begins in our back yards.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
It's a time for good food and camaraderie — don't be the guy that burns the food.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 30, 2021
Spirit of America: An Idiot's Guide to the Fourth

There's a lot of ways to celebrate the loudest holiday in more than a year. Here's one tip: don't be stupid.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill Owner Sam Ray and General Manager Jeffrey Karasawa hope to open their restaurant at the heart of The Green by the end of 2021.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 30, 2021
Tsunami Sushi fills important role at The Green in Lakewood Ranch

Business owners at The Green hope two new restaurants located at the heart of the plaza will bring more shoppers.

  • East County
  • News
The Fun Nite finale sells for $124.99 (often BOGO) and fires 33 shots straight up.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 30, 2021
$100? $1,000? The fireworks choices are yours

A Fourth show need not be expensive. But it surely can be.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 1333 Vista Drive was built in 2018. It has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,844 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 30, 2021
Harbor Acres home sells for $7.85 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 7-15.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sarasota native Vo Williams has seen his song "Ready Set" become the official playoff anthem of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Photo courtesy Vo Williams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 30, 2021
Sarasota musician writes, performs Tampa Bay Lightning playoff anthem

Vo Williams, who grew up playing hockey, said the opportunity is a dream come true.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Connor and Owen Fitzpatrick show off the fish they caught. It's a Fitzpatrick family tradition to try to catch a fish to make for dinner on the Fourth of July. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 30, 2021
Food a big part of holiday traditions

Families share their delicious Fourth of July favorites.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The South Gate Community Center was designed in 1956 by architect Victor Lundy. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 29, 2021
South Gate Community Center will stay in residents' control

Voters say Sarasota County's offer was too low for the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest in Sarasota

1
The city allowed a food truck to set up at the Lido Pavilion during a 2019 concession renovation project.
  • July 2, 2026
City to mull food trucks in downtown zone district
2
  • July 2, 2026
So, you want to be a citizen?
3
A sign at Selby Library announces the Sarasota History Day Contest.
  • July 2, 2026
US history marches on, as does how it's taught in Manatee, Sarasota schools
4
Kids share their perspectives on the Fourth of July
  • July 2, 2026
Kids share their perspectives on the Fourth of July
5
Sarasota History Center Manager Josh Goodman is an avid historian who loves checking out maps of the region in the 1700s.
  • July 2, 2026
The land almost no one wanted

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