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Sarasota | Neighbors

Darlene Quiala enjoyed the experience with her friend Areana Thompson.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2025
Attendees enjoy the vibes at Sarasota Reggae & Food Festival

The event featured food vendors, live music and a vendor market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
State and local commitments help preserve the timeless beauty and ecological integrity of the only Florida State-designated Wild and Scenic River.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • March 29, 2025
Myakka Act protects wild and scenic river values

Upland river buffers help preserve and enhance this quintessential natural treasure.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anne Essner, board chair of Architecture Sarasota, is a passionate advocate for the preservation of mid-century architecture.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • March 28, 2025
Anne Essner works to preserve Sarasota’s notable buildings for all to enjoy

When she moved to Lido Shores, Anne Essner fell for the Sarasota School's aesthetic. Now, as board chair of Architecture Sarasota, she leads the preservation and celebration of mid-century design.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cards are set out for pickup at the Sarasota Philanthropy Center.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 27, 2025
Gulf Coast Community Foundation's 'You Matter' campaign gets underway

The "You Matter" cards are intended to inspire kindness in the community by showing appreciation for others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michael Deshield sings on the balcony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 27, 2025
Balcony opera performances share the music form with the public

Apprentice artists have joined the lineup in the Sarasota Opera's weekly performance for the public, held each Saturday on the balcony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cheryl Taub has been drawing since she was old enough to hold a crayon.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • March 27, 2025
These Key artists take inspiration from their surroundings

Local creators share how their home bases on Sarasota's barrier islands give them an artistic boost.

  • Arts + Culture
Noah Shadowens
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 27, 2025
Ringling student sculpts facial reconstruction bust to help solve cold case

The Forensic Art of Facial Reconstruction Workshop led by Joe Mullins, at Ringling College of Art and Design, helped lead to the resolution of a case with the Medical Examiner's Office in Fort Myers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joel and Gail Morganroth have lived on Siesta Key for about 12 years.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 27, 2025
The Morganroths use their involvement — not just their checks — to make an impact

It's hard to remain low-profile when you have donated more than $30 million to some of the region's iconic institutions: Selby, Ringling and SMH. Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth have nearly pulled it off.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A beach cabana provides the perfect spot for lazy afternoons on the sand.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • March 27, 2025
Memories and more fill a lavish Casey Key estate

This beachfront mansion, complete with guest suite, gives a nod to its origins as the house that pretzels built.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Anisa Mycak, Tania Vitvitsky and Christine Mariconda
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2025
Humanitarian recounts late 2024 trip to Ukraine, at Selby Library

Tania Vitvitsky shared her observations in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv and Lviv regions in August and September 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rachelle Lambert, Solan Jones, 4, and Solan's mother Maia Jaroszewski
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 24, 2025
Historic Spanish Point becomes fairytale land in Enchanted Garden Family Festival

The event, held at Selby Gardens' Historic Spanish Point campus, features unicorn rides, a bubble show, crafts and activities, face painting and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The historic Keith Farmhouse at Phillippi Estate Park has been fully restored.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2025
County to celebrate restoration of historic Keith Farmhouse

Sarasota County will mark the completion of the restoration of the historic Keith Farmhouse at Phillippi Estate Park with a ribbon-cutting on April 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Laura George pours wine for Jason Campbell and his mother Colleen Campbell.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 23, 2025
Sarasota Wine Festival brings wines from around the world

The event featured live music, seminars and mixology classes, a vendor market and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Sforzo • Dillingham • Stewart Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • March 21, 2025
From Pain to Purpose

Local orthopedic practice helps Sarasota woman reclaim her passion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Junie and skilled companion dog Merlot by artist Hunter X. Huang
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 20, 2025
Art students spotlight service, guide dogs' relationships with handlers

Featuring graduates and service and guide dogs of Dogs Inc., the showcase by Ringling College of Art and Design students will be hosted at Discovery Day on the Dogs Inc. campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fifth grader Grace Welden (front), won the grand champion dairy goat award. She is pictured here with her goat Paddy Whack and three generations of family members involved in agriculture: her grandfather Chuck Johnston, aunt Sarah Herlihy, brother Eli Welden, 5, mother Katie Johnston, father JR Welden, grandmother Peggy Johnston and aunt Jessica Duncan.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2025
Community finds a spotlight at Sarasota County Fair

Held from March 14-23, the fair features rides, food, livestock exhibits, entertainment and more, with chances for community members to showcase their own projects.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Paul Sykes presents a framed photo print of Li Jian Volk painting Megan Howell.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2025
Second Heart Homes' annual art auction brings support and surprises

The auction raised funds for the renovation of a duplex that will house 12 homeless women while featuring some familiar faces to the organization on canvas.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shelby Van Pelt gives her speech.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2025
'Remarkably Bright Creatures' author shares process of writing debut novel

Shelby Van Pelt's lecture at Selby Library was part of the One Book, One Community program, for which the bestselling novel was this year's selection.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jack Corcoran, his cousin Leo Martinez, and Jas Sawyer and Luci Duke, fellow New College students of Corcoran. "We love this bar. It's one of our favorites," Corcoran said.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2025
Shamrock Pub celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

The pub hosted a four-day party in honor of the holiday, featuring live music and dancers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota-Manatee Originals' Set the Bar cocktail competition returns to the Ed Smith Stadium April 13.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 17, 2025
Set the Bar cocktail contest returns to Ed Smith Stadium on April 13

This year's event features the addition of a Bar Bite Competition for attendees to vote on.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
There are factors that come into play when it comes to getting a good night's sleep. But its important to get a usual seven to nine hours every night.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • March 16, 2025
March is an important month to eat, sleep and be healthy

All three subjects are a part of National awareness celebrations and aid in disease prevention.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Club members and individuals from the Children's Guardian Fund gather with the check. Left to right: Svetlana Ivashchenko, Andrew Chiang, Chris Sachs, Marlis Carter, Jim Larson, Lynn Larson, Bob Gault, Cynthia Craig and Michael Garey
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 14, 2025
Longboat Kiwanis presents check to Children's Guardian Fund

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key has long supported the Children's Guardian Fund, a Sarasota nonprofit supporting children in the juvenile dependency care system.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nels Matson runs in solitude on a country road during his run across America to honor Navy Seal Chris Campbell and raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 13, 2025
Endurance athlete runs for those who run toward danger

Sarasota accountant Nels Matson recently completed a run across America to honor a fallen Navy SEAL's last wish — and to try to set a new world record.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A new historical marker was dedicated at Gillespie Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 12, 2025
New Gillespie Park historical marker honors Sarasota's first mayor

The new marker honors the contributions of John Hamilton Gillespie, the "father of Sarasota," in the park bearing his name.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edward Pinto, one of the minds behind the development of St. Armands Circle's attention-grabbing sculptures, says there is a renewed effort underway to restore some of the damaged pieces.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 12, 2025
Restoration project to bring St. Armands statues back to life

Edward Pinto is leading a renewed effort to restore the damaged statues on St. Armands Circle to their former glory, calling on the public to show its support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Back row: Seniors Baron Dennis, Amari Lopez, Elias Juckett-Malone, Marisa VonBender, Matthew Crawford, Parker Wilding and Shen Miller. Front Row: Seniors Ella Collier, Emma Grimes, and Alexa Smith, junior Camila Diaz and senior Chase Wanless
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 12, 2025
Teen Court of Sarasota honors largest group of scholarship recipients

The annual awards dinner celebrated 18 young members of the organization, who received scholarships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kim Hinkle and Erin Guzzo
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 11, 2025
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto celebrates 2025 Youth of the Year

The nonprofit highlighted the achievements of all of its Youth of the Year finalists at the event March 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alie Jefferson, left, playing the part of King Achashverosh, and Naomi Hinckley, as the advisor perform during the Purim play Sunday at Temple Emanu-El.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • March 9, 2025
Pure delight at Sarasota's Temple Emanu-El Purim Carnival

The ancient holiday of celebration event boasts costumes, revelry and, of course, cookies and cupcakes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dana Heppe of Dana Heppe bags displays her items at Le Marche Marketplace Saturday at Selby Five Points Park.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • March 8, 2025
Le Marche Marketplace in downtown Sarasota draws shoppers and songs

Artists from the Sarasota Opera House give a Saturday morning performance to attendees at the twice-a-year Parisian-style market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of Sarasota's Petticoat Painters whose works will be exhibited at Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2025
Petticoat Painters exhibit debuts March 17

Works of the all-female group of artists will be on display at the Sarasota City Hall atrium.

  • Arts + Culture
Brad Schalk is the owner of Vinyl Vault
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 5, 2025
Record collector turns passion into retail with Vinyl Vault

The vintage record store held its grand opening March 2, inviting The Garbage-Men band for a performance.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Mikhail Tolstov, 13, sold items he printed using his 3D printer. His models come from a site called MakerWorld, where they are authorized for sale, and he uses them to model his own, or sell them as they are.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 4, 2025
Children’s Business Fair teaches kids entrepreneurial skills

The fair, hosted through a partnership between Nailed It DIY Studio and Girls, Inc., offered kids a chance to built their entrepreneurial skills.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lauren Blomster and Montana Taplinger
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 2, 2025
Community serves up support for Southside Elementary School at Cooking for the Arts

Held by Southside School Foundation for the Arts, the event raised over $100,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sean Patton of Stocking Savvy holds a Florida gar specimen.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 2, 2025
Bay Fest invites the community to the coast to learn about conservation efforts

Held at The Bay, the event showcased local environmental organizations working to improve the health of the Sarasota Bay area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Mustang, the Ram, Shelley, Mote's Dr. Jake Lasala, Gilly, Morris the Explorasaurus, Petunia, Super Tooth and Floody the Frog prepare to race.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 28, 2025
Local mascots come together in race to promote Run for the Turtles

The short race, held on Siesta Key Beach, brought together mascots, from a cat to a dinosaur, in support of Mote Marin Laboratory & Aquarium's event.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Emma Burke
  • February 28, 2025
Sand Bucket List: Must-Try Adventures for a Sun-Soaked Summer

Here are the absolute must-do activities, must-visit spots and must-see sights to make this summer in Sarasota and Manatee counties unforgettable!

  • Sarasota
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
2
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
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The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
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Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
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Sarasota residents Erma and Dave Miller were drawn into the world of bicycle motocross because of their son, Doug Miller, and have spent decades in the sport.
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Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
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