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Sarasota | Neighbors

Eric Fleming, board chair of Siesta Key Chamber, presents a check to Lora Wey and Dana Dalpra for funds raised during the Siesta Key Crystal Classic.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2025
Siesta Key Chamber honors members at annual Awards Dinner

The event, held for chamber members, celebrated individuals within the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Rochelle S. asks a question.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 1, 2025
Pine View students speak with astronaut Sunita Williams via radio

Students had the chance to ask questions to astronaut Sunita Williams, one of the two astronauts currently stuck on the space station, via ham radio.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Vincent Foderingham, Sire Archon of the Gamma Xi Boule Fraternity of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, speaks during the Fraternity's 30th anniversary celebration on Jan. 30.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • January 31, 2025
Gamma Xi Fraternity helps underserved students reach their goals

The local group's foundation has awarded scholarships and works with programs to provide internships to teens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Scott Collins plays bass at a Timeless Tributes concert.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 30, 2025
Staff carry on tribute concerts amid Sarasota Classic Car Museum closure

A series of tribute concerts is now being held at Columbus Banquet Hall on Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rod Hershberger says his success in life and business can be traced to faith, family and work.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 30, 2025
Friends and co-workers of Rod Hershberger shed light on his wisdom

When Rod Hershberger, founder and former CEO of PGT Innovations, speaks, people listen. With a genuine pay-it-forward philosophy, his north star is helping others — a testament to his reputation as a truly nice guy.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • January 30, 2025
Local restaurants dish up an assortment of international cuisine

Skip the hassle of airports and long flights. A culinary odyssey awaits in our area’s islands in the sun.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Kindergarteners Milan Brown and Calem Smith pose with their new shoes.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 29, 2025
Holiday House holds shoe drive at Alta Vista Elementary School

The nonprofit's shoe drive supplied every student in the school with a new pair of shoes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jessica Polk, Jake Hartvigsen, Colleen Thayer and Beth Walters of Nami prepare to accept the check from Sara Winer.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 28, 2025
Impact100 awards $876,000 in grants to local nonprofits

The women's giving circle offered grants of $109,500 each to eight local nonprofits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gallery Director Colin Thomsen and Regan Dunnick
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 27, 2025
Palm Avenue Fine Art unveils artwork formerly displayed in Sarasota airport

The gallery's exhibit "Echoes of Sarasota: A Historical Preservation" features the work of Frank Hopper and Regan Dunnick.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Judy Thomas has spent her career in the world of ice skating, on and off the ice.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • January 27, 2025
Hall-of-famer Judy Thomas reflects on a career spent on the ice

The celebrated ice skater and show recruiter looks back on five decades of career spins, flips and jumps. "It’s not designer brands or Olympic medals that define you," she says. "It’s your experiences, relationships and work ethic."

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Kristen Kruger and Shannon Hunt carry a vibroacoustic bed out of the space.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 26, 2025
Conscious Cause looks ahead amid closure of wellness lounge

The nonprofit looks to a supportive community as it seeks a new space for its wellness lounge and cacao cafe.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eagle Scouts past and present gather together in front of the Don Collins Scout House.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 23, 2025
Boy Scouts Troop 50 celebrates 70 years

The troop, the oldest in Sarasota County, has been supported by Pine Shores Presbyterian Church since its inception.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2025
Transit expert kicks off 2025 Urban Studies Speaker Series

Jarrett Walker will discuss the critical role public transit plays in the lifestyle of developing urban areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Washington Hill, Mydahlia Glover, Brock Leach and Walter Gilbert
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 22, 2025
Leonard Reid House celebrates first anniversary

The historic home is now home to an African American arts, culture and history center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The new Bridge includes Dan Sullivan, Domini Wood, Renee Nadiv, Lois McKenzie David Siesel, commander Barbara Warshaw, Dennis Holly, Sam Doak and Perry Page
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 21, 2025
Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron holds annual change of watch

The organization, which is dedicated to boating safety, welcomed its new officers including Commander Barbara Warshaw.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Walker
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 21, 2025
Sarasota resident discusses appearance on 'Wheel of Fortune'

Resident Jenn Walker, a lifelong viewer of "Wheel of Fortune," appeared on a Dec. 5 episode.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This year's honorees were Eula T. Bacon, program director of Bridges to Educational Excellence Learning Center; Dr. Vida Farhangi, medical director of Sarasota Memorial Internal Medicine in Newtown; Dannie Frazier Brown, retired educator and co-founder of the Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee; Mary Butler, president of the Amaryllis Park neighborhood association; and Thomas Fairley, executive director of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 20, 2025
Sarasota's community walks together on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The community celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with an awards ceremony, a unity march, and a music and food festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Chamber chair Joe Hembree, Observer Media Group president and CEO Matt Walsh and Sarasota Chamber president Heather Kasten.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 19, 2025
Sarasota Chamber honors Observer CEO, hosts Florida Chamber president

The New Year's Kickoff Brunch presented Observer Media Group CEO and founder Matt Walsh with the Spirit of Sarasota Award and featured Florida Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Mark Wilson.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Garden Party to support UF/IFAS Extension sensory garden
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 19, 2025
Garden Party to support UF/IFAS Extension sensory garden

A 1960s-themed garden party to support UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County's sensory garden will be held March 29, rain or shine.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This year's Best in Show award for adult artwork submitted for "Embracing Our Differences," went to Amanda Marie of Manchester, Connecticut, for “Through Your Story."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 17, 2025
Embracing Our Differences cancels Jan. 19 opening day party

The organizers decided to nix the celebration due to forecasts of extreme weather.

  • Arts + Culture
At Myakka River State Park, imperiled native species like black skimmers find undisturbed habitats and abundant food.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 16, 2025
Myakka counts record black skimmers

Clean water and undisturbed natural habitats attract and sustain imperiled native bird species.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Shannon Hunt
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 14, 2025
Wellness lounge, cacao cafe opens in Rosemary District

The space, established by nonprofits Conscious Cause and Streets of Paradise Inc., is intended to foster contributions from the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Weston Schurr, 8, and his brother Parker Schurr, 6, build a snowman.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 13, 2025
Snow comes to First Sarasota

The church's third annual "Snow Day" drew many attendees from outside the church for snowball fights, snow slides and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Zack and Greta Hamric sit in their 1956 Jaguar XK 140MC Roadster formerly owned by Hollywood star Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 13, 2025
Jaguar Festival d’Elegance brings luxury vehicles to St. Armands Circle

The free-to-the-public event showcased Jaguar sports cars from across Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
While Birdie McClaine plays his accordion, his companion Lady Haha sits and waits to perform tricks.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 13, 2025
An old clown and his clever dog steal the show on St. Armands Circle

The afternoon of Dec. 14 was busy on the circle, but a random street performer with a Ringling Bros. history stood out the most.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Linda, Lisa and Lindsey Mullins
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 12, 2025
Sarasota Bay Seafood & Music Festival fills ears and stomachs

The event was held in its new location of the Sarasota Fairgrounds for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cesar Lopez of The Danny Bub Combo plays the trumpet.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 12, 2025
Fresh Fridays block party helps kicks off the new year

“New Year on the Block” ushered in the year 2025 while offering the signature sights and sounds of Fresh Fridays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Scot Ruberg
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2025
Scooter of the Beach reflects on over 30 years as a lifeguard

Scot Ruberg, also known as Scooter of the Beach, has become Siesta Key's most celebrated lifeguard.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A flamingo by Peggy Roberts
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2025
Artist of palm frond creations to hold exhibition at Art Ovation Hotel

Peggy Roberts started creating animals from palm fronds in her retirement, as a showcase of upcycling.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Florida Power & Light Company
  • January 9, 2025
FPL’s storm-resilient power grid prevents more than 800,000 outages during active 2024 hurricane season

2024 was a historic hurricane season. In fact, it was the sixth year since 1871 that Florida experienced three landfalling hurricanes in the same year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
A session of The Y: HIIT Fitness class is held at The Bay.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 8, 2025
How to stick to your fitness goals for the New Year

Local fitness professionals offer advice on retaining your desire to stay fit throughout the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
MLS Commissioner Don Garber (right) speaks at the Bird Key Yacht Club with Gene Goldberg (left). Garber owns a property on Lido Key and has been coming to the area for decades.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 7, 2025
MLS Commissioner Don Garber speaks at Bird Key Yacht Club

Garber joined his old friend Gene Goldberg on stage as a part of the club's Seafarer's Speakers series.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jim Roberts and Kasey Ray of Florida Suncoast Orchids in Myakka City, represented one of the more local vendors.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 6, 2025
Orchid show and sale ushers in the new year in colorful fashion

Orchid Delirium: Sarasota Orchid Society Annual Show and Sale allowed the public to take home new plants, and knowledge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sean Lisinski, Natalia Lagunes and Isaiah Lisinksi
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 2, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Hospital welcomes first baby of the new year

A boy was born early in the morning on Jan. 1 at SMH.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
All the way from California is the Briscoe Family; Back: Cody, Alicia, Jeff, Jeff, Jacob, Debbie, "the original Jeff'; Front: Kinsley, Walker and Wesley
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 2, 2025
Sarasota rings in 2025 with 25th annual block party and pineapple drop

The event, held downtown New Year's Eve, attracted more than 30,000 people to celebrate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By None
  • January 1, 2025
Make Space for Good

As you reflect on your resolutions, take a moment to go through closets, storage bins, and those forgotten corners of your home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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1
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
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You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
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  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

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