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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
Sponsored Content
Attendees get busy in a Lego building zone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 31, 2024
BrickUniverse Lego expo event postponed to November

The Lego fan expo, originally scheduled for Jan. 4-5, will now be held Nov. 22-23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2025
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 31, 2024
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2025

Here are some of the top picks to mark on your calendar for the new year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Attendees get busy in a Lego building zone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 30, 2024
BrickUniverse event will showcase the creative possibilities of Lego

The Lego fan expo event offers a place for both major artists and hobbyists.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eddy Ossa welcomes grand opening attendees into CreArte Latino.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 29, 2024
CreArte Latino enters the new year with a new space

The organization, which serves as a creative hub for the Hispanic/Latino community, held the grand opening for its space on Dec. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
In 2024, Sarasota proved its strength in its resurgence
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 26, 2024
In 2024, Sarasota proved its strength in its resurgence

In a tough year with the hurricanes, Sarasota still had plenty of enjoyable fun and good times.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Boats numbering in the hundreds came out in support of keeping Midnight Pass open.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • December 21, 2024
Your Observer's most-viewed stories of 2024 reveal not-so-surprising observations

Thirteen of the 25 most-viewed stories of 2024 on YourObserver.com were hurricane-related.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Chamber to host Leadership Educational Conference
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2024
Sarasota Chamber to host Leadership Educational Conference

The half-day Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sarasota Educational Conference is designed to cultivate skills and strategies for leadership in the workplace.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2024
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

Students at Fruitville Elementary School, Tuttle Elementary School and Suncoast School for Innovative Studies shared what they hope to receive this Christmas.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students enjoy the experience at a Holiday House.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2024
Holiday House SRQ brings the joy of gift-giving to underserved students

The nonprofit, now serving four Sarasota schools, provides a festive shopping experience allowing kids to take gifts for family and one for themselves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The "Lotus" yacht arrives with a "Joy to SRQ" theme.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2024
Holiday spirits shines at Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

The event, organized by Suncoast Charities for Children, featured vessels decked with holiday lights and decor.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kira Kirilina, 10, her sister Mia Kirilina, 5 and brother Robert Kirilina, 8 meet Santa Claus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2024
Holidays at The Bay offers a party where the community is invited

The event featured fun and games, activities by Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, a movie screening and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka’s wildlife respond favorably to the habitat restoration zone, which prevents human disturbances and improves their habitats.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • December 16, 2024
Habitat Restoration zone returns to Myakka

By reducing human disturbances, temporary fencing protects plants and wildlife, while offering visitors superior wildlife viewing opportunities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The 5K begins.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2024
Sandy Claws Beach Run brings energy to the holiday spirit

Runners dressed in festive attire for the 48th annual event held on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Karen Holbrook will be succeeded by Brett Kemker, vice provost and regional vice chancellor for academic affairs and student success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, in an interim role.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2024
USF Sarasota-Manatee honors regional chancellor as she prepares to retire

The campus attributes accomplishments to Karen Holbrook including the opening of the Student Center and Atala Residence Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
An archway covers 3643 Lakewood Dr. in Colonial Oaks
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 13, 2024
Sarasota neighborhoods light up for the holidays

Neighborhoods in the area are decking homes with holiday displays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The 50th annual Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular begins, with a solo by Walter Godfrey.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 12, 2024
Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular celebrates 50th anniversary

The event featured a nativity scene with live animals, a former Broadway performer and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students from Phillippi Shores Elementary School, including Fifth graders Matthew Vinson and Kadence Butler and fourth grader Genevieve Stickley offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2024
Young performers create holiday splendor in Ringling Museum courtyard

Holiday Splendor at The Ringling showcased performances by local schools, while helping draw donations to Toys for Tots.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manager Samantha Lemmer and employee Laurie Buckel
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 10, 2024
Siesta Key Oyster Bar offers dollar bill decor to employees

The dollar bills that guests leave on the walls of Siesta Key Oyster Bar will be given to employees as hurricane relief.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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