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Sarasota | Neighbors

Workforce Development & Innovation award with PGT Innovation staff Rob Moulds, Debbie LaPinska, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center chief operating officer Diego Perilla, and PGT Innovation staff Jeff Jackson, Don Vichitvongsa, and Stephanie Cz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2023
2023 Small Business Awards reveal a caring community

The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's awards highlighted area businesses that are positioned for continued success and have provided opportunities for the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Joe Bruno Sr.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 22, 2023
Three generations of jazz: The Bruno family loves to perform

A love of music has been passed down in the family for generations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
31-year-old Eric Garoutte and Diveheart employee Tom Trinch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 20, 2023
Nonprofit helps those with disabilities dive into scuba

Diveheart hosts free scuba experience sessions in Sarasota twice a year, serving children and adults with disabilities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
12-year-old Malcolm Gaudin, 13-year-old Mac Gaudin, 9-year-old Malik Gaudin, and Mac Gaudin celebrated Juneteenth at Newtown, including with their attire.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 18, 2023
Juneteenth block party celebrates community and progress

Numerous vendors lined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, connecting with others in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Big Cat Habitat founder Kay Rosaire and employee Nancy Nallin allow one of the resident lemurs to show its appreciation.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 18, 2023
Animals and humans mingle at Big Cat Habitat's Liger Luau

The fundraising event showcased the many residents of Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Volunteer scuba diver Mark Fishman at Mote Laboratory and Aquarium's Ocean Day event.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 15, 2023
Mote reminds Ocean Day visitors that water connects us all

Conservation organizations and environmental educators treated visitors to eye-opening facts and fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Hanus, executive director of Cat Depot, pets Rascal.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 15, 2023
Cat Depot seniors program helps provide age-appropriate companions

The program, sponsored by Pets for the Elderly, offers senior cats to senior individuals for one-third the cost of a regular adoption.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janice and George Johnson celebrated their 75th anniversary on June 5.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 14, 2023
Sunnyside Village couple celebrates their 75th wedding anniversary

In their 90s, George and Janice Johnson tell each other they love each other "many times each day."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Squirrels are expert foragers; wild mushrooms are an important part of their natural diet, providing the nutrients they need to survive and thrive.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • June 12, 2023
Feeding squirrels or other wildlife never ends well

Squirrels support healthy ecosystems. We can help keep them and other wild animals healthy by never feeding wildlife.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Inna Schoeler, fiber artist
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • June 11, 2023
St. Armands craft fest combines fine art, artisanal foods, crafts and botanicals

Regional artists and artisans displayed and sold their work Saturday and Sunday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chris Covelli, Don Daly and his husband Eddy Zappacosta, and Davi Elder
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 10, 2023
Inaugural Silver Pride event celebrates senior LGBTQ+ community

Senior Friendship Centers and Project Pride SRQ's event celebrated and offered a showcase of services to the local LGBTQ+ community ages 50 and up.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A client and Steven Herich catch a snook.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 8, 2023
Sarasota fishing guides reel in awards

Two fishing charter captains discuss the services that won them Angler's Choice Awards.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The conservancy replaces standard lights with amber, orange, or red lights that use long wavelengths of 560 nanometers or more.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 7, 2023
Sea Turtle Conservancy covers costs of installing turtle-friendly lighting

The nonprofit wants to replace lights at homes, condos and businesses that can disorient sea turtles.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mary Jo Zaksas, Joe Zaksas, Christy May, Glenn Carraher, Cate Stanczyk, and Joe Stanczyk.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 4, 2023
Music and nature mingle at Music in the Gardens

The community turned out for an evening at the Sarasota Garden Club with music by The JAM.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rock Lee plays the keyboard during his 30th anniversary party.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 1, 2023
Marina Jack pianist Rock Lee celebrates 30 years of making music

The "piano man" at Marina Jack, beloved by patrons, celebrated his 30th anniversary with the bayfront restaurant in May.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eyla Grayce Jackson, Jewel Love Jackson and Skylar Rae Jackson receive prizes for reading books as part of Music Compound's Rock Your Summer Reading program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 30, 2023
Music Compound encourages reading with summer program

Children can earn prizes based on the number of books they read.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Bonci and Commander Ron Evans of Veterans of Foreign Wars Sunshine Post 3233 greet the crowds lining Main Street on May 29, 2023, during the Memorial Day parade.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 29, 2023
Memorial Day parade celebrates those who gave all

The parade brought together numerous participants from across Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Erin Masciulli and 15-year-old Aly Miller place a flag in the ground.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 27, 2023
Memorial Day tribute at Sarasota National Cemetery honors the fallen

Held at the Sarasota National Cemetery following the Flags for Fallen Vets flag placement, the event honored service members who died in the line of duty and their families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Coach Bailey Brauch teaches a group of students.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2023
Lessons at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools promote water safety

Aqua-Tots' "Swim with Your Clothes On" lessons teach young children how to survive falling fully clothed into a pool.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Black skimmers gather on South Lido Key.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2023
A colony of shorebirds nests on South Lido Beach

Nesting shorebirds need room to thrive, so give them space, Audubon Florida reminds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Medallion Financial Resources
  • May 25, 2023
Are You Ready for the High Cost of Aging?

The question is, what are my options and how do I move forward?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Never too senior to have fun
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 24, 2023
Never too senior to have fun

Senior Friendship Centers hosted couples 50 and older for a prom night of dancing and dining.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Amani Washington and Trinity Adams
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Booker High School

Multiple students offered words of advice as students headed into the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Gabriel Chiha and Julianna Chin
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Riverview High School

Students celebrated the future as they received their diplomas.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Siblings Alexandria Smith and Rex Smith
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2023
Graduation 2023: Sarasota High School

Students received words of advice while friends parted ways on Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
First-grader Skye Moore is assisted by Autumn McConnell, while first-grader Colton Boley works on an assignment, at Summer Success Institute.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 18, 2023
Sarasota summer learning programs keep students on track

The Summer Success Institute and Summer Learning Academies ensure students continue learning during the summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lisa Gilbert and Aubrie Stilwell admire the artwork.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 18, 2023
Art Center Sarasota turns its focus to students

North County K-12 Spring Art Show showcases the work of hundreds of students.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ronto Announces Plans to Develop The Owen Golden Gate Point in Downtown Sarasota
  • By Ronto
  • May 18, 2023
Ronto Announces Plans to Develop The Owen Golden Gate Point in Downtown Sarasota

Ronto has made reservations for residences at Owen Golden Gate Point available now. Six of the 29 residences have been reserved to date.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By RBB Communications
  • May 18, 2023
Strengthening the energy grid in Sarasota: FPL details local efforts to improve storm resiliency, overall service reliability

In 2023, FPL plans to make a number of upgrades in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By One Park Sarasota
  • May 18, 2023
One Park Sarasota is Committed to Raising the Benchmark of Luxury Living

One Park Sarasota development is primed to elevate luxury within Sarasota’s real estate market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Manager of Special Events and Donor Engagement Becky Wright and Director of Philanthrophy Rachel Bradley
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 17, 2023
Postal Service helps local food bank stamp out hunger

The May 13 food drive collected several tons of food for the All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Taltos Fuszfas, Matrick Thorpe, Cory Coyner, Danae Tran, Katie Evans, Cole Laudenslager, and Caleb Horner
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 16, 2023
Suncoast Music Scholarship winners showcase their talents at concert

The seven scholarship-winning students offered a free community performance at First Presbyterian Church.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nico Moschini and Wendy Mikula won silver medals at state championship.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 15, 2023
Five Tennis For Fun Sarasota athletes head to state championship

The nonprofit, which offers free clinics for athletes with disabilities, wrapped up its third season with three gold and two silver medals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barbara Brizdle holds her twin dogs, Moxi and Mazy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2023
Temple Emanu-El offers its blessing to pets

The Sarasota temple hosted its annual Pet Shabbat/Blessing of the Animals event on May 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
MeteorEYES members George Bikos and Shannon Fortner, executive director and founder of the Fabulous Arts Foundation, at the Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest on May 14, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2023
FabAF festival brings community together

The annual Pride: Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest celebrates the local LGBTQ+ community and encourages activism and fostering change through the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unusually large flocks of black skimmers, imperiled due to habitat loss and degradation as result of coastal development, found refuge in Myakka River State Park this winter.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 14, 2023
Native wildlife, plants thrive as result of seasonal low water levels at Myakka

Shorebirds, including imperiled species such as black skimmers, benefit from ongoing efforts to restore natural hydrology in the park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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