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Sarasota | Neighbors

Jennifer Remi and Elliott Remi, 11, enjoyed their time inside the pig pen.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 19, 2024
Community finds the fall spirit at Fruitville Pumpkin Festival

The Pumpkin Festival at Fruitville Grove ushered in the Halloween season with pumpkins, circus performances, a new haunted manor and other activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sights of newly opened Midnight Pass
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2024
Sights of newly opened Midnight Pass

Midnight Pass opened after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota on Oct. 9.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Average White Band with opener Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe “Sistas in the Name of Soul” will be held Oct. 18.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 17, 2024
Sarasota events move ahead despite Milton damage

Some events the public can still enjoy are the Pumpkin Festival at Fruitville Grove and the second anniversary celebrations at The Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bruno Wu serves hamburgers.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Petra Rivera, Emily Walsh
  • October 17, 2024
Businesses step up to offer meals to those in need

Amid the power outages and aftermath of Hurricane Milton, free hamburgers and hot dogs were on offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Deb Mackiewicz and her husband are distressed over whether they'll be able to save their vintage 1954 cottage on Lido Key.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 13, 2024
Helene, Milton were too much for a vintage Florida cottage

The owners of a 1954 cinder-block, pecky Cypress cottage are crushed. It appears they’ll be unable to preserve the home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mauricio Colucci said his backyard flooded with 6-7 inches of water.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • October 10, 2024
Sarasota couple hunkers down and toughs out Milton

Mauricio Colucci and Michelle Teeter said it was scary and loud but thought it would be much worse than it was.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Dr. Sam of Warm Sands Wellness
  • October 10, 2024
Afraid of Fillers?

Treatment options for YOUR skin's aging journey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Thierry Raynal, owner of Bonjour French Cafe, fastens a covering to a window at Bonjour French Cafe.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 8, 2024
Siesta businesses prepare for Hurricane Milton as they recover from Helene

Just two weeks after the previous devastating storm surge, business owners braced for a hurricane impact once again.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Members of the congregation sing "The People Israel Lives."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Jewish community celebrates hope amid the anniversary of Oct. 7 attacks

Temple Emanu-El hosted Am Yisrael Chai: A Day of Hope, while the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee hosted Be the Light: Memorial Candle Lighting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Keith Misja, Mike Matheis, Stephen Dickmann and Kaleb Smith of Station 12, prepare a pot of chili.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Annual chili cook-off helps support local fire departments

The event brought together firefighters from departments across Sarasota County and beyond.

  • 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
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