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Sarasota | Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 26, 2023

Siesta Key welcomes Santa Claus in annual Holiday Parade

The parade featured numerous businesses in Sarasota and ended with the arrival of Jolly St. Nick.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Jay Heater
November 23, 2023

Participants give thanks for Florida Turkey Trot

The Thanksgiving morning event at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota drew a record 4,000 runners.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 23, 2023

Student-led rocketry club aims for 10,000-foot launch

The Team True Fire Rocketry Club, an initiative of Faulhaber Fab Lab, is building a 12-foot-tall rocket for a 2024 launch.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 22, 2023

Booker High School Law Academy students receive surprise iPads

Philanthropist Deb Kabinoff provided the iPads while the students were on a tour of the Sarasota Police Department.

Sarasota
Schools

By Tidewell Foundation
November 21, 2023

Tidewell Foundation Brightens Lives in Our Community

Tidewell Hospice, a not-for-profit organization, offers care provided by expert care teams wherever patients call home – a private residence, assisted living care facility, nursing home, hospital, or Tidewell care facility.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2023-24

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2023-24 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 18, 2023

SunCoast Renaissance Festival provides fanciful showcase of the past

On the first day of the festival, attendees enjoyed sword fights, jousting matches and more.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
November 17, 2023

Roller-skating parrot reveals library’s 2024 community read selection

“An Immense World” was chosen for the communitywide book club to help readers gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of wildlife in the world.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By Sarasota Art Museum
November 15, 2023

Powerful New Artworks Featured At Sarasota Art Museum

A contemporary art museum with constantly rotating exhibits, Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design has transformed its galleries once again.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sarasota artist celebrates history of Newtown with new quilt

The quilt is part of Peg Green’s exhibition, titled “Witness!” at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 14, 2023

Dog the Bounty Hunter partners with local anti-sex trafficking nonprofit

Selah Freedom, a faith-based organization, hosted "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and his wife, Francie Chapman, at its Light the Path gala on Nov. 9.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 13, 2023

Master artists turn Siesta Beach into temporary sand sculpture gallery

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival hosted a roster of international master sand sculptors.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Miri Hardy
November 13, 2023

Improved backcountry access coming soon to Myakka

Trailhead kiosks and markers will enhance safety and accessibility thanks to a Two for the Trails grant.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 12, 2023

Sarasota's annual Veterans Day Parade honors those who served

This year's procession might have been the largest yet, said the parade marshal.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 12, 2023

Marine Corps luncheon celebrates 248th birthday of USMC

The annual luncheon drew Marines from age 32 to 93.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jay Heater
November 12, 2023

Santa's Grand Arrival Parade thrills thousands in Sarasota

A bevy of floats entertained the crowd at UTC and raised awareness on issues.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 9, 2023

Impact100 SRQ awards $763,000 to local nonprofits

The organization selected seven out of 10 finalists to receive $109,000 grants.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jay Heater
November 8, 2023

Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest

Pam and Russell Hyatt have won the It's Read Everywhere contest for 2023 and will be going on a seven-day Celebrity Cruise to be booked by Marc Bokoff of Cruise Planners.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 4, 2023

Ice cream eating championship helps support Rise Up Cafe

The competition helped support Rise Up Cafe, a nonprofit-run coffee and ice cream shop in downtown Sarasota operated by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By Robert Plunket
November 3, 2023

Architecture meets art in $12M Gulf-front home on Casey Key

This exquisite home on Casey Key, designed by Carl Abbott, takes its inspiration from cutting-edge modernism and ancient Mayan pyramids.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 2, 2023

The must-try yoga options in Sarasota

Sarasota offers many yoga opportunities, including ones involving goats, lemurs and floating in the air.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 1, 2023

Attendees dress in costumes to impress for Fright Night on St. Armands Circle

Friends and families put in a group effort with their Halloween costumes for the trick-or-treating event.

Sarasota
Neighbors

James Peter
October 29, 2023

Sarasota students sell friendship bracelets to support Israel

Eloise Friedman and Naomi Hinckley have raised more than $1,400 for relief efforts.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 26, 2023

Where to find the ghosts in Sarasota

Theatrical specters, drink-pouring apparitions, a ghost dog and more are said to haunt these historic Sarasota sites.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 26, 2023

Music Compound rocks out with tribute to 'The Dark Side of the Moon'

A performance by students and instructors covered the Pink Floyd album from start to finish.

Sarasota
Neighbors

James Peter
October 24, 2023

Charity auction raises money to support at-risk Sarasota youth

The Sheriff’s Activities League mentors Sarasota County youth and enables them to explore careers in law enforcement.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 24, 2023

Sarasota community helps provide the 'bear' necessities at fashion show

The annual luncheon for Baby Basics of Sarasota County helped provide essentials to families in need.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 22, 2023

Sarasota Pride Festival celebrates diversity with colorful array of activities

The event brought together a concert, a "RuPaul's Drag Race" performer, pets in costume, a vendor marketplace and more.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 21, 2023

Arlington Park gets spooky with Halloween Trail Carnival

The event brought together local vendors to provide a trick-or-treat experience for kids.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 19, 2023

Sarasota Music Archive offers a journey through music history

The archive houses media from the 1850s, Jimi Hendrix records, jazz collections and classic comedy albums while preserving the sounds of the past for the future.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Petra Rivera
October 17, 2023

Grammy-winning artist talks fantasy surrealism at live art show

Jim Warren, who painted the cover for Bob Seger's "Against the Wind," was at Wyland Galleries on St. Armands Circle to meet fans and show his artwork.