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Sarasota | Neighbors

Avenue of Art expands mission of bringing color to the city
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 25, 2024
Avenue of Art expands mission of bringing color to the city

The project in Burns Square now enters its third phase, with 100 sidewalk paintings set to be added to the existing 210 by the end of the month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ianna Guedes and Lucia Moretta add a treatment to their bacteria. The Giving Challenge has helped meet the needs of students at Sarasota High School's MaST Research Institute.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 24, 2024
Giving Challenge lends helping hand to Sarasota County nonprofits

The fundraising event, which spans four counties, helped once again to strengthen nonprofits in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ed Kolodzieski of Longboat Key company Ultra-Marine enjoyed showcasing what he said are the first Zodiac Nomads, a lightweight boat with an electric motor, in the United States.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 22, 2024
Boat enthusiasts gather at Suncoast Boat Show

Promoted as the Gulf Coast’s premier boat show, the event features a wide selection of boats both on land and in the water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Asher Ripley, 6, assembles plants to create a sun print at Suncoast Waterkeeper.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 21, 2024
Earth Day at The Bay unites community in support of the environment

The event featured Suncoast Remake Learning Days activities hosted by nonprofits from across Sarasota, a tree giveaway by the city of Sarasota and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anticoagulant poisons in bait traps threaten native rodent hunters, like barred owls, who help keep pests in check.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • April 20, 2024
Birds of prey help control rodent populations

Widespread use of anticoagulant rodenticides is a growing threat for Florida's raptors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chris Jericho meets Jake Harris, 4, and Christopher Harris, 9.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 18, 2024
Wrestler Chris Jericho visits Booker High to inspire students

The wrestler and comic book author visited the school to encourage students — including those working on the digital art for his new graphic novel.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Chazzan Cliff Abramson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2024
Temple Sinai honors Chazzan Cliff Abramson

Over the past 18 years, Abramson has taught, conducted services and led life cycle events at Temple Sinai.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lindsay Krause, Marc Chartier, Danille Cotting, Melissa Ehrmann and her husband James Ehrmann
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 15, 2024
99 Bottles marks five years in Sarasota with block party

The fifth anniversary Block Party at 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop included live music, food trucks and new beer releases.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Brenner Glickman speaks to the group about Passover.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 14, 2024
Toddlers learn about Passover at Temple Emanu-El's Tot Shabbat

The morning brought kids and adults together for Passover songs and crafts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Madisyn Masse, 6, and her father Mike Masse
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 11, 2024
Sarasota mechanic helps YouTuber test Tesla's bulletproofing

Mike Masse modifies vehicles in order to test what-if scenarios.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Maicy Powell, Raleigh Mosely II, Jazzmin Carson and Michael Mendez of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 10, 2024
The Bay Park celebrates Giving Challenge with two-day event series

The series of events allowed the public to engage with eight area nonprofits over music, games and fun activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Technical director Chris McVicker and director Jonathan Epstein
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2024
Elizabethan-era stage adds authentic touch to 'Romeo and Juliet'

FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of the beloved Shakespeare play makes the audience part of the action with a set based on a historic stage.

  • Arts + Culture
Brody Scheckner, a fifth grader at Pine View School and Clara Tohumcu, a fourth grader at Pine View School, of the team Cool Kidz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2024
RC Custom Car Open combines teamwork and carnival fun

The event empowered 175 students as they controlled vehicles around a carnival-themed race track.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution members gather outside the Crocker Memorial Church.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2024
Daughters of the American Revolution chapter showcases history

The Sara De Soto Daughters of the American Revolution Centennial Open House Extravaganza featured a genealogy workshop, local authors, cemetery tours and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Snowden Mowry, 11, paints a "Better Together" mural on the digital graffiti wall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 6, 2024
Better Together Block Party celebrates the community in style

The event offered butterflies, bubbles, fun activities and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A rendering of Safe Children Coalition's new youth shelter.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 4, 2024
Partnership supports new shelter for homeless teens

A $500,000 gift match challenge helps accelerate progress on a new Safe Children Coalition shelter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2024
The Observer plays dirty for April Fools’ Day

Our annual April Fools’ Day edition was published on March 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Florida Power & Light Company
  • April 1, 2024
FPL Accepting Applications for FPL Robotics Scholarship — High School Seniors Invited to Apply

Ahum Dhruv with FPL employees after receiving the $20,000 FPL Robotics Scholarship in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Slava, a Ukrainian student, stands in the rubble of his school that was destroyed in the Battle of Kharkiv.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 31, 2024
Sarasota gallery spotlights Ukraine portraits from local photographer

Now at the Lexow Gallery, Allan Mestel’s “Portrait Ukraine” project aims to create a connection between viewer and subject.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Audri Wallin, 12, Sierra Mullin, 8 and Alalia Mark watch Nik Wallenda walk the tightrope.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 30, 2024
Good Friday at Payne Park takes celebration to the skies

The free event featured circus entertainers, free food, inflatables and face painting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Rev. David M. Svihel leads the walk
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 29, 2024
Believers walk the Stations of the Cross along Main Street

The annual walk, a Good Friday tradition that recognizes Jesus’ crucifixion and death through 14 stations, once again drew hundreds to downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Watermelon Regatta" before and after the restoration.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 28, 2024
Ringling Museum restores mysterious painting from 1700s

“Watermelon Regatta,” an 18th-century painting by the artist known only as the “Master of the Fertility of the Egg,” is on display at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joyce Norris holds some zucchini she has collected.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 28, 2024
Community Harvest SRQ rescues produce for food banks

Community Harvest SRQ helps prevent unwanted produce from going to waste, offering the items they collect to local food banks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Rev. David Svihel, priest associate for Christian formation and outreach at Church of the Redeemer, leads the walk.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 28, 2024
Good Friday pilgrimage on Main Street grows in size

The annual walk, held along Main Street in Sarasota, is anticipated to draw over 1,000 participants this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nik Wallenda walks the tightrope in March 2021 at the Nik Wallenda's Daredevil Rally at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 27, 2024
Nik Wallenda wants to inspire with Good Friday tightrope walk

Wallenda will perform for his hometown of Sarasota during Good Friday in Payne Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In a world of red lipsticks, artist Miriam Cassell chose blue.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • March 27, 2024
Lido Shores activist has created art with purpose all her life

Artist Miriam Cassell doesn’t just dare to be different. She knows no other way.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Benjamin Aguilar, who trains with EVO Athletics, is now in his final year of junior gymnastics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 26, 2024
Siesta Key gymnast sets his sights on a national championship

Eighteen-year-old Benjamin Aguilar will compete for the U.S. Military Academy next season. Before he goes, he wants one more crack at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in May.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Keynote speaker Kyle McDowell, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Heather Kasten and City Manager Marlon Brown
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 22, 2024
Sarasota chamber welcomes bestselling author at annual breakfast

As the community gathered for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's annual breakfast, they heard from Kyle McDowell, a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota blacksmith keeps ancient traditions alive
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 21, 2024
Sarasota blacksmith keeps ancient traditions alive

Thomas Littrell handcrafts metal items, teaches the blacksmith's craft and shares his love for history at Renaissance fairs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sherpa Pema Dorje and Robert Sherman
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 21, 2024
After Everest, life in Sarasota looks different

Robert Sherman, 63, hiked 95 miles to Everest Base Camp, but it's what happened along the way and the people he met that gave him new perspective.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Skin contact with prairie iris causes a serious rash, and ingestion is harmful to humans and pets.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • March 19, 2024
Prairie iris blooms herald spring at Myakka

Though highly attractive to pollinators, these striking native wildflowers utilize toxic compounds to repel herbivores.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Libby Dynamite Pinson and Addy Porter, an eighth grader. Pinson was grateful for the chance to honor Alexis Brotherton, to whom the costume originally belonged.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2024
Cows get into costume at Sarasota County Fair

4-H students showcased their livestock in a series of self-made costumes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lillia Jones offers a vocal performance with Fourcast.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2024
Jazz in the Park brings 'people's music' into open air

Held at the Civic Green beside Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, the event contributes to the legacy of jazz in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Glenn and Arlo Darling, 4, enjoy spending time together while flying through the air.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2024
Sarasota County Fair thrills audiences with circus acts

The attractions at the 100th anniversary event ranged from those involving towering heights to ground-based agricultural activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Bobkoskie, Paul Gilliland, Vicki and James Stewart, Jeffrey Scavinski and Cindy Bowman
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 18, 2024
St. Patrick’s Day block party fills downtown streets with green

The Gator Club's festivities marked the holiday with live music and food trucks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meat sits ready to be served at Alday's BBQ.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 14, 2024
Barbecue food trucks in Sarasota thrive on roads less traveled

A short drive from the bustling streets of downtown, you can find the smoky flavors of fresh barbecue.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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