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Sarasota | Neighbors

By Florida Power & Light Company
December 20, 2023

Be Jolly and Bright This Holiday Season with FPL’s Energy-Saving Tips

Try implementing the energy saving tips below and read on about how you can use FPL’s Energy Manager to stay on top of your energy use.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sponsored Content

Ian Swaby
December 19, 2023

Sarasota Santa shares what it takes to wear the red suit

Mark Welikci, who has been a fixture of the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade, explains what makes the perfect "Ho, ho, ho," his favorite cookie flavor, and the heart and soul of being Santa Claus.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By JFCS of the Suncoast
December 18, 2023

Help Us Create a Path of Hope and Success for All Local Families

JFCS is a leading Mental Health and Human Services Agency providing support to youth and families through Counseling and Financial Assistance.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sponsored Content

Ian Swaby
December 18, 2023

Music Compound now offers virtual, hybrid guitar instruction

The Sarasota music school's new course, “Introduction to Guitar Fundamentals: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide," was launched in early December.

Sarasota
Business

Ian Swaby
December 16, 2023

Southside Baptist Church becomes a Christmas town

The celebration brings together the Grinch and Santa Claus along with activities like snowball throwing.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
December 15, 2023

Temple Emanu-El celebrates Hanukkah with giant menorah

The synagogue’s gathering also included time for children to write letters to young people displaced from their homes in Israel.

Sarasota
Neighbors

James Peter
December 12, 2023

Sarasota author’s book to be featured in Times Square display

Ritu Anand’s children’s book “Kara’s Dreams” won recognition in the 2023 New York City Big Book Award contest.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Miri Hardy
December 12, 2023

Habitat restoration zones help stabilize natural environment

These areas give wildlife and vegetation a chance to flourish free from human disturbances.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
December 11, 2023

Sarasota decks the hulls for Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Held in support of Suncoast Charities for Children, the 37th annual event featured 27 boats and a tribute to "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
December 10, 2023

Siesta Key holiday tradition continues at Sandy Claws Beach Run

Runners of all ages turned up for 1-mile fun run and 5K at Sandy Claws Beach Run.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
December 7, 2023

See Lights in Bloom illuminate Selby Gardens

The display is made up of 2 million individual lights across the botanical gardens' downtown Sarasota campus.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
December 7, 2023

Celebration of Newtown history intertwines with holiday season

The historic Leonard Reid house will be home to music, lights and holiday spirit as a Christmas tree at UTC shares the stories of Newtown.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
December 5, 2023

Sarasota events encourage eco-friendly living

The Bay and Science & Environment Council partnered for environmental-themed events in downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
December 4, 2023

Bowls of Hope combines crafts and cuisine to raise money

Featuring more than 30 vendors along with local artisans, Bowls of Hope is All Faiths Food Bank's largest fundraiser of the year.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Petra Rivera
December 4, 2023

St. Armands Circle lights up for the holidays

Thanks to the Holiday Night of Lights, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St. Armands Circle.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
December 3, 2023

Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade lets it snow community spirit

The parade brought together organizations and businesses throughout the community to celebrate a theme of “Christmas Around the World.”

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
December 2, 2023

Block party ushers in holidays in downtown Sarasota

This month’s Fresh Fridays event put a holiday spin on the food and entertainment.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By Safe Children Coalition
November 30, 2023

Help Our Community’s Children Dream, Believe, Achieve

SCC – a community-based care agency - is a public/private partnership that worked with nearly 10,000 children across Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee counties last year.

East County
Neighbors

Sponsored Content

Ian Swaby
November 30, 2023

'The Baby-Sitters Club' cover illustrator recalls how he created his iconic work

Hodges Soileau, whose cover illustrations defined the series for a generation of readers, will visit Sarasota for an exhibition Dec. 1-2.

Arts + Culture

Ian Swaby
November 29, 2023

Artist's work represents his experience with a life beyond

Fabio Dal Boni says his paintings on aluminum are inspired by a visit to the afterlife in 2015.

Arts + Culture

Ian Swaby
November 26, 2023

Siesta Key welcomes Santa Claus in annual Holiday Parade

The parade featured numerous businesses in Sarasota and ended with the arrival of Jolly St. Nick.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Jay Heater
November 23, 2023

Participants give thanks for Florida Turkey Trot

The Thanksgiving morning event at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota drew a record 4,000 runners.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 23, 2023

Student-led rocketry club aims for 10,000-foot launch

The Team True Fire Rocketry Club, an initiative of Faulhaber Fab Lab, is building a 12-foot-tall rocket for a 2024 launch.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
November 22, 2023

Booker High School Law Academy students receive surprise iPads

Philanthropist Deb Kabinoff provided the iPads while the students were on a tour of the Sarasota Police Department.

Sarasota
Schools

By Tidewell Foundation
November 21, 2023

Tidewell Foundation Brightens Lives in Our Community

Tidewell Hospice, a not-for-profit organization, offers care provided by expert care teams wherever patients call home – a private residence, assisted living care facility, nursing home, hospital, or Tidewell care facility.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sponsored Content

Ian Swaby
November 18, 2023

SunCoast Renaissance Festival provides fanciful showcase of the past

On the first day of the festival, attendees enjoyed sword fights, jousting matches and more.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
November 17, 2023

Roller-skating parrot reveals library’s 2024 community read selection

“An Immense World” was chosen for the communitywide book club to help readers gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of wildlife in the world.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By Sarasota Art Museum
November 15, 2023

Powerful New Artworks Featured At Sarasota Art Museum

A contemporary art museum with constantly rotating exhibits, Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design has transformed its galleries once again.