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Sarasota | Neighbors

Bowen Griffitt and Brandon Scolaro prepare to start the stein hoisting competition as Vanya Krayhova fills their glasses with water.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Signature anniversary events at The Bay get underway with Park-toberfest

Held indoors at the Sarasota Garden Club due to weather, the event featured live Polka music by The DeLeon Family Band, as well as Oktoberfest food and drinks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wyatt Preissler, 8, helps with the weed removal on Sept. 21.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 3, 2024
Celery Fields volunteers clear the path at to a new season

Since the flooding caused by Hurricane Debby in August, the trails outside the Sarasota Audubon Nature Center at Celery Fields have seen the growth of weeds and invasive plants through the mulch surface.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Visitors to The Ridge can play several arcade games.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 3, 2024
Repurposed Bee Ridge Park building offers relaxing after-school spot for teens

The Ridge Teen Center recently reached the milestone of one year in operation, although staff hope more families will find out about the site.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson, Commissioner Erik Arroyo, Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch, Mayor Liz Alpert, commissioners Debbie Trice and Kyle Battie, DreamLarge CEO Anand Pallegar and resident David Lough were among those who cut the ribbon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 2, 2024
City of Sarasota cuts the ribbon on Overtown Square park

Located in the Rosemary District, the pocket park is named after Sarasota's first Black community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hugh Yancy accepts his award from Sarasota High School students and presenters Parker Mayforth and Harley Renner.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 1, 2024
Sarasota High School inducts six graduates and first sports team into Hall of Fame

The annual Hall of Fame ceremony, the first held at Circus Arts Conservatory, also gave students the chance to showcase their acrobatic skills.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Shelter staff were at the entrance to welcome visitors.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 26, 2024
Sarasota residents settle into place at Southside Elementary shelter

The site is one of 12 evacuation centers operated by Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Breakers, the country's leading Tom Petty tribute band, will perform Oct. 19.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 26, 2024
As renovations draw to a close, The Bay prepares to celebrate second anniversary

This year's events lineup includes an improved Boo! at the Bay and the final concert tour of Average White Band.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Boys & Girls Clubs, Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
  • September 26, 2024
Building Champions: How Boys & Girls Clubs Are Shaping Sarasota and DeSoto’s Future All-Stars

For more than 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties has been building our community’s future championship team.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Flor Chaves decided to stock up on groceries and other items.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 25, 2024
Recent flooding leaves residents concerned for Helene impacts

Sarasota residents prepared for the next storm, even while some were dealing with the impacts of the last.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kimberly Ramalho, left, and Katie Capone sit on Siesta Key Beach Wednesday, Sept. 25. The two friends were enjoying the weather a day before Hurricane Helene is due to pass by on the way to a predicted landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 25, 2024
Siesta Key beachgoers, merchants taking Helene in stride

As shops were preparing for storm surge, tourists were unfazed.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Rev. Charleston Wilson holds a print depicting Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 25, 2024
Works by Japanese artist Sadao Watanabe donated to Church of the Redeemer

The collection of 24 paintings and prints by the Watanabe, whose work is also included in the collection of the Vatican, were donated by Hugh Culverhouse Jr.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)
  • September 23, 2024
FPL Debuts New Tool in Suite of Resources to Help Customers Save

Read these tips to save on some of the biggest home energy drivers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Rachel McGrew, Joshua Hardinger, Ana Molinari, Chalk Festival Executive Director Denise Kowal and Glory Rodriguez gather together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 21, 2024
Unwind wellness studio harnesses power of flowers in support of Chalk Festival

The Flower Power Patron Party invited the public for a flower-filled night in support of the Sarasota Int'l Chalk Festival and the floral carpet art it plans to debut this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jordan Sebastiano of Servpro tosses a football.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 20, 2024
East and west are on the same team at tailgate business expo

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance returned to last year's tailgate theme as it hosted its annual expo.

  • East County
  • Business
The 17th annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale and Extension EdFest by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County will be held Oct. 5.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 20, 2024
Master Gardener Plant Sale set for Oct. 5

The 17th annual event helps fund local horticulture education efforts of the University of Florida's Master Gardener Volunteer program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Yana Kevlin and her children Lenny Kevlin, 3, and Ava Kevlin, 2, decided to step inside the photo booth under the "Shana Tova" sign.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 17, 2024
Young members prepare for Rosh Hashanah at Temple Emanu-El

Kids learned about Rosh Hashanah during Sweet New Year Tot Shabbat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 17, 2024
SPD offers Painting With Police program

Monthly sessions are held the third Wednesday through the end of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
YabbaDabbaDoo of Reddick, Florida, with JD Ivines and Steve Adams, makes a leap from the water.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2024
Powerboats go full-throttle in the waters off Lido Beach

The 40th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix continued the tradition of high-performance racing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wetlands provide essential wildlife habitat, buffers for excess rain and filter impurities that would otherwise degrade our waterways.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 16, 2024
Myakka wetlands showcase a filtration system at work

By removing impurities, filtration by wetlands improves downstream water quality.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nancy Goodheart Matthews was able to establish the plaque at the fountain with the help of City of Sarasota public art lead Mary Davis Wallace.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 15, 2024
Sarasota celebrates its Mermaid Fountain

The fountain was honored by the Smithsonian Institution’s inventory of public art sculptures in 1995.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Children First
  • September 12, 2024
Children First Fall Events

Join Children First at Flip Flops & Fashion on October 30 and Rockin’ Lobster on November 2.

  • Arts + Entertainment
Sponsored Content
The color guard, including Cpl. Christopher Short and Cpl. Antonio Martinez (pictured) march in the ceremony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2024
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee remembers Sept. 11, 2001

The country's unity following the events of 9/11 was the theme of the ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lucy Tobias walks in her garden.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2024
Author Lucy Tobias describes the joys of exploring nature at a slow pace

Tobias just released "Floating in Florida," which takes her enjoyment of Florida into its waters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trey Hamer, 11, works with other youth soccer players at the new indoor facility, The Fitballer.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 10, 2024
New Sarasota facility brings soccer training indoors

The Fitballer offers professional training for kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The 40th Sarasota Grand Prix boat races will be held this weekend at Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 10, 2024
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix returns this weekend

The 40th annual Sarasota Powerboat P1 is the second-longest powerboat race in the country.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bill Sadlo, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties stands with honorees Harriet Moore, director of Strategic Engagement at Sarasota County Schools and Jack Cox, president and owner of Halfacre Construction.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 8, 2024
Boys & Girls Clubs honors community leaders Harriet Moore and Jack Cox

The annual event celebrated contributions to the community's young people while supporting the teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Venue @ LEC seats up to 480 people.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 4, 2024
Harvest House's reopened events space helps support emergency shelter services

The newly reopened venue will host gatherings that include fundraising events and weddings, while also generating revenue for the nonprofit's emergency services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riley Aparicio-Jerro and David Stein star in "Seussical," which runs at the Sarasota Players through Sept. 22.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 3, 2024
The Sarasota Players bring the world of Dr. Seuss to life

"Seussical the Musical," running Sept. 12-22, brings together kids and adults to portray multiple creations of Dr. Seuss.

  • Arts + Culture
Ava Crotty of Manatee River Youth Sailing
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 31, 2024
Kids set sail in annual Labor Day Regatta

Sarasota Youth Sailing took the helm from Sarasota Sailing Squadron for the event's 76th year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shark teeth are on display at Sherri's Shark Shop.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2024
Shark tooth collecting finds its way to Sarasota

Local interest in shark tooth hunting prompted the recent Sarasota Sharks Tooth Festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kwaku Addae, 7 and Joy Prophete, 8, prepare for graduation.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 26, 2024
Kids celebrate multicultural learning during Learn My History Foundation graduation

The nonprofit Learn My History, which focuses on teaching kids multiculturalism and creating career-readiness, celebrated its students who completed the program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Silvanna Escobar, 17, Jersey Baldini, 15 and Harper Weyant, 15 of The Heartbreakers, perform on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 24, 2024
Music Compound showcases new location at Back to School Bash

The studio's new location on Bell Road nearly doubles the facility size, at 10,000 square feet.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Nik's bikes sit in the Fogartyville courtyard.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 23, 2024
Fogartyville, community members save art bikes from becoming scrap

On Aug. 8, the "art bykes" were acquired by Fogartyville, with help from the quick actions of community members.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sara and Zota are the two giant ibises who greet you at the Ibis Playground at The Bay.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2024
Ibis Playground reopens at Sarasota's Bay Park

A new era of play spreads its wings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wilderley Mauricette
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2024
Ringling College graduate harnesses Sarasota’s Black history for feature film

Wilderley Mauricette was granted the opportunity by the Mometu College Short Film Festival in Los Angeles to adapt his short film 'Spare Me' into a feature-length production.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rick Erbacci, Stacey Fredericks and Donna Karasic
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 19, 2024
Second Toast Local event serves up craft beers and spirits for a cause

The event provided a tasting of craft beers and spirits while also supporting the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Sarasota

1
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
2
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables
3
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north county park draws major collegiate softball tournament
4
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
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Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds
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The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
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Sarasota homes light up for the holidays

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