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Sarasota | Neighbors

  • By Bequest
  • February 5, 2024
Bequest Platinum Event: How To Solve Your Income Challenge in 2024

Join us at Art Ovation Hotel on Feb 22nd 2024, 6-8pm EST, Live Event

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Although they did not arrive in time for the costume contest, Noel, Misty, Olivia and Tico, who belong to Flora Rodriguez of Tampa, drew attention from guests.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 4, 2024
Costume contest raises awareness for pet charities

"My Furry Valentine" brought together the community for a showcase of local pet rescues and vendors.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
17-month-old Jayvyn DeVore, while visiting Sarasota from New Jersey, had the chance to enjoy playing with the streams of water on the splash pad.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 1, 2024
Bayfront Park's new splash pad and playground officially open

The new and improved playground and splash pad at Bayfront Park held its grand opening ceremony on Feb. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fred Rogers
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 1, 2024
Authors document method behind Mister Rogers' magic

Greg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski, the authors of book "When You Wonder, You're Learning," were the special guests of a Sarasota book circle event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In this art piece, multiple shells are used to create a wave design.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 1, 2024
Sarasota Shell Show will combine arts, crafts and science

The event will showcase rare shells and artisanal creations by members of the Sarasota Shell Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gary Kompothecras and his family live in one of the largest houses on Siesta Key — a three-story, 13,560-square-foot estate on Point of Rocks Road.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 1, 2024
Gary Kompothecras may be larger than life, but he’s also down to earth

Siesta Key resident and entrepreneur Gary Kompothecras has been called many things. “Creator” is his favorite.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Located on the edge of Sarasota Bay, Plymouth Harbor offers stunning water and city views.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 1, 2024
Plymouth Harbor’s remarkable residents reflect the community's long legacy

Plymouth Harbor is home to people who have enjoyed distinguished careers in business, medicine, law, academia and, especially, the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ben Baldwin was part architect, part decorator, part horticulturalist — an elegant gentleman whose goal in life was to create beauty to live in.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 1, 2024
Owners of Siesta Key home preserve its modern lineage

Designer Ben Baldwin had a vision for his Siesta Key home that remains safe with its current owners — down to every detail.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Tidewell Foundation
  • January 30, 2024
Tidewell 15th Annual Signature Luncheon Features Marilu Henner

The Tidewell Foundation’s crystal anniversary of the Signature Luncheon will take place on March 1, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Janet Minker’s love of architecture is rooted in her career as a graphic designer.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • January 29, 2024
Sarasota architecture inspires graphic designer to preserve its legacy

Lido Shores resident Janet Minker is a tireless advocate for preserving Sarasota’s historical buildings — and, by association, the city’s character and charm.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A guide to the birds to spot each month in Sarasota
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 25, 2024
A guide to the birds to spot each month in Sarasota

When and where to find the bird of the month (and how to identify them), according to local experts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mashara Mirtolooi performs "To Error is Human."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 24, 2024
Music Compound songwriters showcase original compositions

Songwriters Showcase allowed students of all ages to perform their own compositions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Historical frame worth $1.4 million going to auction in Sarasota
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 24, 2024
Historical frame worth $1.4 million going to auction in Sarasota

The world’s most expensive period frame, designed by architect Stanford White, will be auctioned by Sarasota's Helmuth Stone Gallery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Paella cooking at the Seafood Market food truck at St. Armands Food Truck Rally and Music Festival.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 22, 2024
St. Armands Food Truck fest brings cuisine from around the country

The weekend-long festival drew a restaurant-turned-food truck featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jessie Ochsendorf, a 7th grader at Pine View School and winner of Best In Show Quotation, and artist Michael White
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 22, 2024
Sarasota welcomes Embracing Our Differences art exhibit

There were more than 16,000 submissions this year. Judges' selections are on display through April 14 at Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rylen Gibbs, Dylan Luper and Owen Nystrand help spread mulch around the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 21, 2024
Garden Club, Oak Park School plant 'tourist tree' on Florida Arbor Day

Students from the school, which serves children with disabilities, helped carry out the project.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Clayton Rosaire greets a black jaguar April 21, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2024
Big Cat Habitat operator bonds with exotic animals through trust and love

Clayton Rosaire specializes in big cats and has spent a large portion of his life working with them on an everyday basis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unconditional Surrender statue is cleaned.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2024
Meet the 'invisible' team cleaning Sarasota's sidewalks and statues

Gorilla Kleen staff describe the thankless task of cleaning landmark locations while the city sleeps.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ozzy Pirner, 2, discovers the wonders of snow in Florida.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 15, 2024
Sarasota sees snow day at First Sarasota Baptist Church

More than 20,000 pounds of fresh "snow" gave local children a chance to build snowmen and toss snowballs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Booker High School cheerleaders bring their enthusiasm to the walk.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 15, 2024
Celebrations span Sarasota for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The day’s events included the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards, the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Walk and Celebration, and MLK Music Fest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Roseate spoonbills feed by wading in shallow water and sweeping their unique bill from side to side. Spoonbills are very sensitive to shifts in water depth.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 15, 2024
Myakka bird count shows park's avian habitat importance

A citizen science event tallied 14,386 individual birds on one day in Myakka River State Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Zumba is among the activities offered at The Bay Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 12, 2024
Free ways to get fit and stay healthy in Sarasota

From beach yoga to high-intensity training at The Bay, the city has something to offer fitness seekers of all stripes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bob Horne
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 11, 2024
20 years in, Bob's Train owner journeys to restore Ringling's rail car

Bob Horne, owner of Bob's Train, hopes to see the yearslong project completed, even if it means continuing to perform much of the work himself.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Goodwill Manasota, Inc.
  • January 10, 2024
New Year, New Look: Elevate Your Wardrobe with Goodwill!

Since 1902, Goodwill’s mission-integrated donated goods business model has contributed to the sustainability of the planet.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Joel Morganroth, chair of the board of trustees, cuts the ribbon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2024
Selby Gardens cuts the ribbon on Phase 1 of its Master Plan

The new facilities include what the organization says is the world’s first net-positive energy botanical garden complex.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Autumn Tselios leads the Naples-based band, The Rockefellers, at Fresh Fridays on Jan. 5.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2024
How downtown Sarasota block party organizers find fresh bands

Fresh Fridays, held the first Friday of each month, sources high-end bands locally and from outside the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harry Strunk, 2, explores inside a cardboard tunnel.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2024
Sarasota Children's Museum kicks off quest for a dedicated space

The inaugural event of Sarasota's Children's Museum drew families to The Bay Park, offering children interactive experiences and hands-on learning activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A plant grows from a conch shell in a display by William Tippit of Apopka, Florida.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 7, 2024
Orchids in Paradise show grows knowledge of the flowers

The show brought together vendors from the local area and beyond, as well as other Sarasota County orchid societies.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Children's 'museum without walls' to host inaugural event
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 4, 2024
Children's 'museum without walls' to host inaugural event

A new Sarasota nonprofit wants to create a dedicated hands-on museum space for children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Marty Reichgut
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 3, 2024
Sarasota tai chi instructor spurs others to find their potential

Instructor Marty Reichgut, 85, says that thanks to the form of martial arts, he's more agile now than he was as a teenager.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The SMN-Sarasota Campus labor and delivery team.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2024
Sarasota's first baby of 2024 arrives at SMH

A girl was born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital at 1:56 a.m. Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Daimy Sainz rides a mechanical bull.
    By
  • James Peter
  • January 1, 2024
Sarasota rings in 2024 with downtown block party

Carnival rides, amusements and mechanical bulls entertained all ages on New Year's Eve.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
New York trumpet player and Sarasota Jazz Festival Music Director Terell Stafford performs March 17, 2023, at the Sarasota Jazz Festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 30, 2023
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2024

Sarasota offers events to suit many interests in 2024.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
See Sarasota's 2023 in photos
    By
  • James Peter
  • December 28, 2023
See Sarasota's 2023 in photos

Classroom lizards, high-flying hoopsters, knights in shining armor and dancing reindeer made 2023 a year to remember in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A look back at 2023 on YourObserver.com
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2023
A look back at 2023 on YourObserver.com

The past year was packed with news in our area. Here are readers’ favorite stories from YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The RoboRumble program teaches students how to build robots from Legos, leading up to a competition pitting the different teams' robots against one another.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 21, 2023
Student-designed Lego robots battle in Fab Lab competition

The inaugural Lego RoboRumble competition pits students’ robotic Lego creations against one another for awards, prizes and learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
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