Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 5, 2023

Bookstore1Sarasota creates frightful auditory experience for Halloween

For the month of October, the downtown store will offer a radio-style dramatization of Bram Stoker’s "Dracula."

Sarasota
Neighbors

James Peter
October 5, 2023

Selby Library celebrates its 25th anniversary

The Selby Library offers space for community, tools for creators and a large collection of materials.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Petra Rivera
October 2, 2023

St. Armands Art Festival features accomplished artists from around the world

Tourists, visitors and locals admired the wide variety of art on display Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 2, 2023

Unity of Sarasota celebrates the unconditional love of pets

The church's annual pet blessing brought together a variety of dog breeds.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 28, 2023

Project 180 turns life around for formerly incarcerated individuals

The nonprofit offers support to people starting over after serving a prison sentence.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 26, 2023

Temple Emanu-El celebrates High Holy Days with food drive

All Faiths Food Bank honored the drive as its most successful fundraiser and food drive for the past six years, say temple staff.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By FPL Energy Expert Isaiah Kelley
September 26, 2023

Beat the Heat with FPL’s Virtual House of Savings While Helping Neighbors in Need

Summer heat has reached its peak, and Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) revamped augmented reality experience can help customers save during the record-breaking heat.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Local shorebird finds refuge during Hurricane Idalia

Thanks to bird banding, researchers know that black skimmer 5B fledged a chick and survived the storm.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 24, 2023

Bay Fest opens the underwater world to all ages

The event brought together area organizations for an educational experience at Sarasota Bay.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 22, 2023

Businesses score at tailgate expo in Sarasota

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance revised the experience of its expo in celebration of football season.

East County
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 21, 2023

Library exhibition celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

The exhibition showcased a diverse range of styles, mediums and subject matter.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 20, 2023

Seniors with dementia create art for fundraiser

The handmade greeting cards raise funds for Alzheimer’s Association in recognition of World Alzheimer’s Month.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 19, 2023

Ringling College esports arena opens to empower student gamers

Ringling College gamers have leveled up with a new space tailored to on-screen competition.

Sarasota
Schools

Ian Swaby
September 14, 2023

Ready for a real-life 'magic carpet' ride? Hop on an eFoil.

Learning to fly on a surfboard isn't easy, but the "unreal feeling" is worth it, Sarasota eFoil owners say.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 12, 2023

Community Shofar Factory attendees make ram's horn trumpets

The event offered the chance to craft shofars, a traditional Jewish musical instrument.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 11, 2023

NYC firefighter describes experience of 9/11 at Sarasota remembrance

USF Sarasota-Manatee hosted the annual memorial event at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 10, 2023

Blaze of Hope walk raises money for families of children with cancer

The event lit up Ringling Bridge and grew in attendance from last year’s walk.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 7, 2023

Former Booker student remembers Bush’s 9/11 visit

At 10 years old, Stevenson Tose’-Rigell stood on the school stage with President Bush at a turning point in U.S. history.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 3, 2023

75th Annual Labor Day Regatta keeps another generation sailing

The event drew young sailors, as well as experienced racers, from near and far.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 31, 2023

Labor Day Regatta celebrates its 75th year under sail

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron event is the oldest of its type in the region, according to organizers.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 30, 2023

Hurricana Idalia leaves flooded roads, properties on Siesta Key

The intermittent rain and wind, as well as the difficulty of traveling, on Wednesday kept most of the public indoors throughout the island.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 30, 2023

Humane Society of Sarasota County provides storm shelter for dogs and cats

The shelter is hosting a group of 15 dogs from Dixie County and 20-30 cats from Highlands County in Florida.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
August 30, 2023

See Hurricane Idalia damage in Sarasota

Bayfront Park and areas of downtown Sarasota are flooded.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 30, 2023

Tuttle Elementary teachers write children’s books

Science teacher Justine Holcomb and math teacher Eric LoStorto self-published children’s books to educate and inspire students.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 29, 2023

Sarasota area prepares for the impact of Hurricane Idalia

Residents filled sandbags and secured their boats in anticipation of the storm’s impacts.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Petra Rivera
August 27, 2023

Sarasota Bay Watch hosts first scallop search since COVID

Volunteers met on Aug. 26 at Sarasota Sailing Squadron to collect data on scallops, wildlife and seagrass in Sarasota Bay.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 26, 2023

Fundraiser at Senior Friendship Centers supports the hungry

The End-of-Summer Bash brought Hawaiian flavor to the fundraiser, which also raised money for Mayors Feed The Hungry, a partner of the organization.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 24, 2023

Sarasota and Siesta Key natives team up on 'The Challenge'

Alyssa Lopez from Sarasota and Alyssa Snider from Siesta Key formed a close bond while filming the reality TV series' current season.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 21, 2023

Sarasota Chamber honors area young professionals at summit event

Tiona Settles of CenterPlace Health and Evan Samson of DMSI International both received the Young Professional of the Year Award.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 20, 2023

Music Compound SRQ puts students center stage at Back to School Bash

The event offered the public an opportunity to enjoy music from the studio’s student performers.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 20, 2023

Rotary Club of Sarasota hosts first Toast Local charity event

The event, which featured tastings of craft cocktails and local beers, benefited charities in the area.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
August 17, 2023

The Artful Codgers find beauty in unwanted materials

The crafting class, held for residents of the Sunnyside Village retirement community, transforms recycled materials into art.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Miri Hardy
August 14, 2023

Florida manatees find food and shelter at Myakka

Efforts to protect these imperiled mammals at the state park include removing dams that can leave them stranded and increasing awareness about boat speed limits.