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Sarasota | Neighbors

The new display highlights the history of the visual arts in Sarasota along about 200 feet of Orange Avenue, just off Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 21, 2026
Michael Saunders & Co.'s new display highlights area's arts history

The new display, running alongside Orange Avenue behind the glass wall of the real estate firm's main office, shares the history of the visual arts colony in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Malia Price, co-owner of The Sarasota Style, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 14 with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 21, 2026
Lifestyle, clothing brand officially opens on St. Armands Circle

The Sarasota Style, the latest addition to St. Armands Circle's business community, recently opened.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Don Katz, founder of the audiobook company Audible, reminisced with Bird Key Yacht Club members about the company's beginnings just following its 30th anniversary. Katz joined members for this season's lecture series on Jan. 9 at The Ora. Richard Besser, CEO and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, moderated.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2026
Audible founder Don Katz reminisces with Bird Key Yacht Club members

Just after the audiobook company celebrated its 30th anniversary, the founder had a blast from the past meeting one guest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A registrant receives a gift card from volunteer Moana Dooley (right).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 19, 2026
Grant helps St. Jude Catholic Church serve those in need during the holidays

St. Jude Catholic Church was awarded a $10,000 grant on Aug. 22, 2025 from the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee Chair Jetson Grimes, awardees Joseph Mack, Susan Imperato, Valerie Buchand, Meadow Lark Walker, Monica Donley and David Morse, and former mayor Willie Shaw, gather on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 19, 2026
Sarasota's community celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

An awards ceremony and parade preceded the MLK Music Festival and Medical/Wellness Fair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artists from Embracing Our Differences line up to be recognized alongside President and CEO Sarah Wertheimer (right).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2026
Embracing Our Differences opens grandly on Sarasota bayfront

The annual exhibition at Bayfront Park features displays of 50 works of art paired with quotes, chosen from 14,904 submissions across 125 countries.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tom Watson showcases his 1929 Ford Model A.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 17, 2026
Sarasota Yacht Club, St. Armands commemorate anniversary with century of cars

A parade and a car show featured machines that span the same time period as the two organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An aerial view of the Steans/Morrison property donated to Hermitage Artist Retreat.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 17, 2026
Manasota Key artist retreat receives $12 million gift of land, homes

A family donation of five buildings on 6.5 acres will allow Hermitage Artist Retreat to double its residency program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Attendees celebrate the opening of "Embracing Our Differences" at the 2024 exhibition.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 16, 2026
Embracing our Differences exhibit opens Saturday

Artwork from adults and students will be on display through mid-April in Sarasota's Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dennis Brock works on a Magiscope in his workshop.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 15, 2026
Local creator of children's microscope works to make science more accessible

Since 1987, Sarasota's Dennis Brock has been producing the Brock Magiscope, which draws from ambient light and minimizes breakable components.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Anti Aging & Ketamine Center
  • January 15, 2026
What a Perimenopausal Woman and a Former Athlete Learned About Weight Loss

Why Personalization Changes Everything.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Steven Mark plays the drums.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 14, 2026
Local drum circle members join musicians on stage during Meetup gathering

The monthly gathering of the Over 50 meetup group, held at Casey Key Resort in Osprey, aimed for a percussion energy.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 11, 2026
Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive

Held in honor of the late Riverview High senior, the 13th annual Andrew Monroe Memorial Run/Walk helps provide scholarships to Riverview seniors who are soccer players, JROTC Cadets and track athletes.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Hasan Tezduyar gives a pat of appreciation to Rachel Apple, a wellness associate with Qualliv, at the Health and Wellness Expo at The Mall at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 10, 2026
New Year, New You expo provides health resources at The Mall at UTC

The event, hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and presented by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, brought together 60 vendors revolving around health and wellness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cynthia Jordan poses by the "No. 1 Beach in the USA" sign.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 8, 2026
Parrish resident writes musical about a spiritual awakening on Siesta Key

Inspired by the beauty of Siesta Key, musician Cynthia Jordan has penned a musical set on the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Angese Rudzite Kirillova works on "Playground" during the 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 8, 2026
Mark your calendars for these Sarasota events in 2026

Whether you love collecting stamps or petting reptiles, there's something for just about everyone in Sarasota's event offerings in this coming year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Officer Danny Robbins of the Patrol Division, Community Relations Unit with a recipient of a gift during the Sarasota Police Department's Three Kings Day event.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2026
Sarasota police cap holiday giving with toy distribution event

Community children receive toys from SPD personnel during annual Three Kings Day celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shayne McKinney, Jenifer McKinney, Heather Travers and Mark Thursby enjoy the vibes together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 4, 2026
Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival draws large turnout

Community members started the new year with seafood cuisine and live music.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
On vacation from chilly Pittsburgh are the Matt family: Joe, 6-year old Everly, Brionna and 3-year old Ada.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 2, 2026
Pineapple Drop ushers out a 'perfect square year'

Sarasota's 26th annual New Year's Eve celebration drew about 40,000 downtown to welcome in 2026 with its time-honored tradition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus was designed in 1926 by architect M. Leo Elliott. Sweet Sparkman completed a restoration that preserves the school’s architectural integrity while supporting continued modern educational use.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2026
Heritage Awards celebrate Sarasota County's connection to the past

Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation will honor 11 at a ceremony in April.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Wilhelmine Wiese-Rometsch (center), received the 2025 Outstanding Contributions to Advancing the Careers of Women in Medicine Award, resented by Florida American College of Physicians Chapter Governors Dr. Elisa Sottile, and Dr. Ankush Bansalat the chapter’s annual scientific meeting in Orlando.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2026
SMH physician earns statewide award for women's career advancement

Sarasota Memorial's Dr. Wilhelmine Wiese‑Rometsch was honored with the Outstanding Contributions to Advancing the Careers of Women in Medicine Award by the American College of Physicians.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Left: Austin Gordon Jr., known as “AJ,” was born at 1:25 a.m. to first-time parents Isabel Castillo and Austin Gordon. Right: Corey Gifford and William Zimmerman welcomed their son, Zaiden Amaris Zimmerman, affectionately known as “Zaz,” at 12:50 a.m.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2026
SMH's first babies arrive early in 2026

Zaz and AJ were born at the health system's Venice and Sarasota hospitals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gabriella Brinceanu, 14, and her sister, Alaina Brinceanu, 3, work together to pop the bubbles at the Fourth of July All-American Cookout at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Attendees enjoyed the bubble show by Blaise Ryndes, who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2026
Sarasota's top moments of the year, in pictures

There were plenty of ups and downs in the past 12 months, and the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer was there to capture it all. Here are some of our favorite moments of 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alexis LaRocca and Ken Jokisch
  • By Downtown Sarasota Alliance
  • January 1, 2026
How Two Local Leaders Are Strengthening Community in Downtown Sarasota

Executive Director Ken Jokisch and Secretary Alexis LaRocca are dedicated to building a more vibrant Downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
All sidewalk murals at Avenue of Art in Burns Court have been removed per order of the Florida Department of Transportation, including this one by artist Beck Lane.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 28, 2025
YourObserver.com's most-read stories of 2025 typically connected with deeper issues

Big-picture issues, such as new trash cans and disappearing art, strike a chord with readers. But there were exceptions in this year's top headlines.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A group from Wilkinson Elementary gathers that includes Quinn Doan, 8, Elise Aponte, Jody Osceola, Jayden Doan, 4, Maya Perez, 12, Nikolas Perez, 8, Lucas Perez, 14, and Jennifer Perez.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 24, 2025
Nonprofit provides Christmas trees to those in need

The emerging nonprofit Thanks for Giving Trees, which honors the legacy of Joshua Morris, gave away its 1,000th tree on Dec. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office

Nearly 3,000 toys and gift cards were delivered to agencies for distribution.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 22, 2025
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

Students at three of Sarasota's schools share their Christmas wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays

Some of the highlights in Sarasota include the homes at 2834 Browning St. and 3059 Jamaica St.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation

The city of Sarasota recently straightened out an osprey perch on City Island that was damaged by Hurricane Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Emily Chana, 10, rehearses the swinging trapeze.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 17, 2025
Sailor Circus Academy students prepare for 'Winter’s Dream' show

The holiday performance by the youth circus program features eight shows from Friday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Dec. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents

Temple Emanu-El's religious school visits the senior living development each year, to allow kids the opportunity to celebrate the holiday together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise

This year, the nonprofit provided its free holiday shopping experiences to five elementary schools, but rising prices for gifts pose a challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

The organization has been active in Sarasota since April and gives kids space to host their business at community events.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Golden Ticket arrives, and Olaf the snowman has been invited to the rooftop party.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Bay lights up with annual Holiday Boat Parade

A series of festively decorated boats sailed around Sarasota Bay during the Holiday Boat Parade supporting Suncoast Charities for Children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joni Hill, Cate Douglas and Gaby Hayashi make their way across the beach.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2025
Holiday spirit gets moving at Sandy Claws Beach Run

The annual Sandy Claws Beach Run, which is held on Siesta Key Beach and brings a festive spin to running events, is now in its 49th year.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
1 2 3 4 5 »
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The new display highlights the history of the visual arts in Sarasota along about 200 feet of Orange Avenue, just off Main Street.
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