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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
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
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Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
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Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
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Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
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