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Sarasota | Neighbors

Hodges Soileau
    By
  • 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
Since he had a widowmaker heart attack in 2015, Sarasota artist Fabio Dal Boni has been seeking to recapture what he saw during that time.
    By
  • 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
Santa Claus arrives on the Key Life Charters float.
    By
  • 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
Venice's Adam Pennell celebrates like a pilgrim at the finish line of the Florida Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at Nathan Benderson Park. Pennell, who weighs 215 pounds, says he is thankful he has lost 175 pounds.
    By
  • 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
12th graders Tanner Isaacs, Tanner Daminh Tran and Hana Knowlton work on the ignition.
    By
  • 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
Students from the Booker High School Law Academy were gifted iPads from philanthropist Deb Kabinoff while on a tour of the Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • 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
Sir Lilith (Erin Eisenmann) and Sir Michael (Michael Murphy) face off against one another in a sword fight on horseback.
    By
  • 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
Amber, a scarlet macaw; Alan Gillespie, Sarasota Jungle Gardens entertainment host; Elizabeth Adams, Sarasota Jungle Gardens education coordinator; Katie Dow, Sarasota County Libraries outreach manager; Heather Gorman, SCL digital services supervisor; and Ellen India, SCL adult services coordinator.
    By
  • 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.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Peg Green stands beside “Leadership: Vickie Oldham, Newtown Alive."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 15, 2023
Sarasota artist celebrates history of Newtown with new quilt

The quilt is part of Peg Green’s exhibition, titled “Witness!” at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Duane Chapman speaks at the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 14, 2023
Dog the Bounty Hunter partners with local anti-sex trafficking nonprofit

Selah Freedom, a faith-based organization, hosted "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and his wife, Francie Chapman, at its Light the Path gala on Nov. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Amanda Bolduc from Maine, USA, works on her sculpture.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 13, 2023
Master artists turn Siesta Beach into temporary sand sculpture gallery

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival hosted a roster of international master sand sculptors.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Upcoming wayfinding improvements will enhance accessibility to Myakka River State Park's backcountry.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • November 13, 2023
Improved backcountry access coming soon to Myakka

Trailhead kiosks and markers will enhance safety and accessibility thanks to a Two for the Trails grant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Venice High School marching band offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2023
Sarasota's annual Veterans Day Parade honors those who served

This year's procession might have been the largest yet, said the parade marshal.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gary Michel participates in a toast.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2023
Marine Corps luncheon celebrates 248th birthday of USMC

The annual luncheon drew Marines from age 32 to 93.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nik Wallenda puts a charge into the crowd as well as the 50-foot Christmas Tree at University Town Center by crossing Cattlemen Road on the high wire Nov. 11, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 12, 2023
Santa's Grand Arrival Parade thrills thousands in Sarasota

A bevy of floats entertained the crowd at UTC and raised awareness on issues.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nonprofit director Betsy Friedman presents a grant to Kinsey Robb, executive director of Art Center Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 9, 2023
Impact100 SRQ awards $763,000 to local nonprofits

The organization selected seven out of 10 finalists to receive $109,000 grants.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 8, 2023
Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest

Pam and Russell Hyatt have won the It's Read Everywhere contest for 2023 and will be going on a seven-day Celebrity Cruise to be booked by Marc Bokoff of Cruise Planners.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Leila Schaedler-Luera, 10, goes all-in for the challenge.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 4, 2023
Ice cream eating championship helps support Rise Up Cafe

The competition helped support Rise Up Cafe, a nonprofit-run coffee and ice cream shop in downtown Sarasota operated by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home’s main living area offers unparalleled views of the Gulf. The space incorporates living, dining and kitchen in an open concept plan.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • November 3, 2023
Architecture meets art in $12M Gulf-front home on Casey Key

This exquisite home on Casey Key, designed by Carl Abbott, takes its inspiration from cutting-edge modernism and ancient Mayan pyramids.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Reni Papalexiou at Wild Yoga at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 2, 2023
The must-try yoga options in Sarasota

Sarasota offers many yoga opportunities, including ones involving goats, lemurs and floating in the air.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Libby Gallups, Judie Rogers and Debbie Emery came in costumes, and in character, as the Sanderson Sisters from "Hocus Pocus." The three friends entertained the crowds by adopting the voices and mannerisms of their characters.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 1, 2023
Attendees dress in costumes to impress for Fright Night on St. Armands Circle

Friends and families put in a group effort with their Halloween costumes for the trick-or-treating event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Naomi Hinckley and Eloise Friedman
    By
  • James Peter
  • October 29, 2023
Sarasota students sell friendship bracelets to support Israel

Eloise Friedman and Naomi Hinckley have raised more than $1,400 for relief efforts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Various unusual phenomena, including repeated electrical issues and gusts of cold air, have been observed at The Gator Club, said manager Josh Hojnacki.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2023
Where to find the ghosts in Sarasota

Theatrical specters, drink-pouring apparitions, a ghost dog and more are said to haunt these historic Sarasota sites.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sophia Rios sings in the performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 26, 2023
Music Compound rocks out with tribute to 'The Dark Side of the Moon'

A performance by students and instructors covered the Pink Floyd album from start to finish.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anais Zambaux, Lance Karp, DeWayne Hill and Sheriff Kurt Hoffman. The SAL received a $25,000 donation from the Culverhouse family.
    By
  • James Peter
  • October 24, 2023
Charity auction raises money to support at-risk Sarasota youth

The Sheriff’s Activities League mentors Sarasota County youth and enables them to explore careers in law enforcement.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Baby Basics of Sarasota County provides diapers, wipes and books to parents in need.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 24, 2023
Sarasota community helps provide the 'bear' necessities at fashion show

The annual luncheon for Baby Basics of Sarasota County helped provide essentials to families in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Heidi walks in the pet parade with Violet Ditucci and Krista Post.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 22, 2023
Sarasota Pride Festival celebrates diversity with colorful array of activities

The event brought together a concert, a "RuPaul's Drag Race" performer, pets in costume, a vendor marketplace and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Triplets Amelia, Eloise and Elijah Dennis, 2, enjoyed riding in a wagon along the trail.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 21, 2023
Arlington Park gets spooky with Halloween Trail Carnival

The event brought together local vendors to provide a trick-or-treat experience for kids.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The music archive includes a wide variety of vintage materials.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 19, 2023
Sarasota Music Archive offers a journey through music history

The archive houses media from the 1850s, Jimi Hendrix records, jazz collections and classic comedy albums while preserving the sounds of the past for the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Warren paints at his live art show at Wyland Galleries on Oct 14.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 17, 2023
Grammy-winning artist talks fantasy surrealism at live art show

Jim Warren, who painted the cover for Bob Seger's "Against the Wind," was at Wyland Galleries on St. Armands Circle to meet fans and show his artwork.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Blaze Belligan with Sarasota County Fire Station 11 prepped sample cups of their sweet chili.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 17, 2023
Fire departments bring heat to chili cook-off with unique recipes, booths

The Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off gave local fire departments the opportunity to showcase chili recipes and creativity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Help protect imperiled plants like pine lilies, as well as their sensitive ecosystems, by leaving blooms in place, and minimizing our direct and indirect impact on their habitats.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 16, 2023
Pine lilies thrive thanks to fire

These imperiled flowers are important indicators of health for Florida habitats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Truly Valued serves about 300 children a year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 16, 2023
Manatee County nonprofit teaches students skills to succeed in school and life

Truly Valued will host its annual fundraising event, Taste of New Orleans, on Oct. 28 at Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens decorated its Historic Spanish Point Campus in Osprey for its annual Lights at Spooky Point event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 13, 2023
Selby brings Halloween to Little Sarasota Bay with Lights at Spooky Point

Spooky scenes are all around at Selby Gardens' Historic Spanish Point campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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