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Sarasota | 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
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • December 4, 2025
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community

It’s that kind of lifelong connection—the feeling that the Y is home—that Raker hopes every Sarasota resident can experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
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
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds invites anyone with a passion for helping injured animals to learn the techniques for keeping both birds and handlers safe at an upcoming workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
Tim Norwood
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 27, 2025
Entrepreneur harvests sea salt from local barrier islands

Tim Norwood created his own company, Sea Salt Florida, using sea water off the islands of Siesta, Longboat and Lido Key, among others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • November 27, 2025
Market Mayhem: Can You Still Retire Comfortably?

Why a Second Opinion Could Be Time Well Spent

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 27, 2025
How Safe Children Coalition Helps Families Reimagine The Future

On Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and every day of the year, you can help SCC continue reimagining the future for children and families right here at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mary Bensel, the executive director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, displays her award alongside John LaCivita, chief executive officer of Willis A. Smith Construction; Virginia Haley, the retired president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County and Erin Duggan, Visit Sarasota County's president and CEO.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2025
Seven honored for contributions to Sarasota's tourism industry

Visit Sarasota County's Haley Hall of Fame adds inductees from field of 40 nominees.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 24, 2025
A Season of Hope: How Copenhagen Imports Is Helping Sarasota’s Homeless Community

Now through January 20, 2026, customers who donate $50 or more to Resurrection House will receive an immediate rebate of up to $400 on each Stressless furniture piece purchased.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Miriam Cornell and James Garlanger of Bear Gully Creek Farms talk with Cornell's mother, Sharon Cornell, and Jim Sroka.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
Perfect weather yields steady turnout for Sarasota Farmers Market

Vendors said that mild weather drew a steady turnout during this week's downtown farmer's market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Lorah created a Lego version of the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, Georgia.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
Lego artists show their imagination in Sarasota's first BrickUniverse

The Lego fan expo event at Robarts Arena showcased the work of artists from near and far with a mission of inspiring kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Geoff Levin, Marcy Klein, Steven Goodman and Patricia Courtois volunteer at the Van Wezel.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
All Faiths Food Bank works to distribute record number of turkeys

This year, the Sarasota food bank ordered a total of 14,500 turkeys to distribute to community members in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Missy Weishaar and Rev. Fausto Stampiglia
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 20, 2025
Sarasota parishioners celebrate priest's 65th year of service

Rev. Fausto Stampiglia was the face of St. Martha Catholic Church for 31 years before retiring in 2022, and was ordained as a priest in Rome in 1960.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Anti Aging & Ketamine Center
  • November 20, 2025
Restoring Vitality to Patients with Hormone Replacement Therapy

How one clinic is restoring lives with Bioidentical Hormone Therapy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Sheena Works, Sebastian Works, 7, Alissa Silvers, and Isabella Coulton, 7, pose together in front of the mural.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 19, 2025
Community unites to paint mural at Arlington Park

The project, led by Alissa Silvers, brought a tropical-themed mural to the park's lifeguard building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club General Manager Tammy Hackney and Commodore Tony Britt donned the hard hats for the official groundbreaking of the new clubhouse on Nov. 13 at the site of the former facility.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Bird Key leaders break ground on new yacht club facilities

During early fall, the old building came down, and on Nov. 13, the first shovels of dirt were turned over on the site of the future clubhouse.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gladys Delgado with Chuck Sidlow (Chucko the All American Clown).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 18, 2025
Fundraiser event in Sarasota spotlights babies in need

Baby Basics of Sarasota County brought a circus theme to its annual fundraiser, held at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes events on the beach adjacent to its campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2025
Artist retreat receives more than $300,000 in grants

The grants will help fund Hermitage Artist Retreat's operations, storm recovery and programming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artists including Isabelle Gasse (front) compete during the festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 17, 2025
Siesta Key's 'sand manager' has made a career out of sand

Andy Daily grew up on the sands of Siesta Key beach, and now his life involves serving the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Tidewell Hospice
  • November 13, 2025
Hugo's Sunset Cruise

Hugo, a 105 year-old veteran in the care of Tidewell Hospice, he cherishes the memories of time spent boating on the open water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps

This year's winner of the Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest enjoyed the "trip of a lifetime" and showed that the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer is as well traveled as Agent 007.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students and instructor Elisha Byerly perform "Pennies from Heaven" with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
'You Raise Me Up' puts local arts education on stage

The finale of the 2025 Living Arts Festival in Sarasota highlighted arts education in the local area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students from the Riverview High School Kiltie Band march along the parade route.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Generations honor sacrifices at Sarasota Veterans Day Parade

Amid cold weather, the parade featured various local organizations and clubs, schools and government departments.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A team from the community of Heritage Oaks volunteered at the event and included Sandi Merrill, Pauline St. Martin, Gary Chapin, Sheri Abramson, Alice Chapin, Ruth Scribner, Steve Ronis, Linda Trageser and Sharon Boss.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Bowls of Hope event helps fight hunger in the community

The Sarasota event brought around 50 area restaurants to offer samples of their meals to guests, while also raising funds for All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Front row: Vickie Miller-Yanics, Elliott Metcalfe and Becky Metcalfe. Back row: Tom Smith, Tom McElheny and Ben Knisely
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Marine vets celebrate 250th birthday of US Marine Corps

This year's Marine Corps Birthday Luncheon in Sarasota hosted Elliott Metcalfe, the former public defender who founded the event in 2003.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A giant helium-filled nutcracker takes a bow during the 2025 Santa's Grand Arrival Parade Nov. 8 at University Town Center in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2025
University Town Center delivers parade thrills under the wire in Sarasota

High-wire artists Nik and Lijana Wallenda thrill thousands with a criss cross stunt, and then the parade floats through the mall area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood said he is thrilled with how the rebuilding of the restaurant and retail space at 465 John Ringling Blvd. turned out, especially the indoor bar area.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 8, 2025
Tommy Bahama celebrates grand return to St. Armands Circle

The combined restaurant and retail store invited guests to join in recognizing the official return after rebuilding from last year's hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sheriff Kurt Hoffman says his department is annually happily surprised that the response gets bigger and bigger.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 8, 2025
Sarasota Sheriff's Office kicks off toy drive Dec. 1

The toy drive benefits Teen Court of Sarasota, the All Star Children's Foundation the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and other organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crowds enjoyed the slightly cooler autumnal weather while strolling around St. Armands Circle for the fine art festival on Oct. 18-19.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 7, 2025
Check out free St. Armands art fest this weekend

Admission is free to this annual art show, which will feature mixed-media artists, painters and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2025
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC

The Santa's Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 is sure to attract more than 15,000 spectators in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in Sarasota

1
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
2
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
3
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
4
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."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author
5
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 4, 2025
SPD set to grow its city camera system

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