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Sarasota | Neighbors

Tara Piedra, and Ariel Betancourt and Michael Matheis of Station 9, prepare chili.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 20, 2025
Firefighters turn up the heat at chili cook-off

The 25th annual Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off brought together various fire departments for chili-making competition and camaraderie.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Leisa Wilhelm leads her boyfriend Austin Bronkhorst across the park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 20, 2025
Families enjoy a fun Sarasota evening at Boo! at The Bay

The park became a festive Halloween scene with a spooky trail, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting and other activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Noah Roman, 5, his mother Kiersten Perez, Salem Friday, 4, her mother Tabitha Lenz, and brother Teddy Friday, 2, came dressed for the season.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 20, 2025
Sarasota community enjoys the beat at Rocktoberfest

The event featured live music, Oktoberfest cuisine, crafts and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Patron Disha Webb tries on a ring crafted by artist Julia Bernadsky at last weekend's fine art festival on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 20, 2025
Fine art festival showcases unique media

From resin-coated metalwork to wearable art clothing, the artists at this weekend's art festival on St. Armands Circle offered interesting finds for connoisseurs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Englewood firefighters Mason Adkins and James Farley prepare cups of chili in 2024.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 17, 2025
Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off still going strong in 25th year

The event features over a dozen fire stations from Sarasota and beyond, competing for the awards for best chili and best booth.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lois Saupe of the Humane Society of Sarasota County, who handled Sirius, meets Avery Peterson, 7.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 16, 2025
Kids enjoy therapy dogs at Gulf Gate Library

Captured moments of talk and "aww" as Sarasota children read aloud to some furry pals on a weekly basis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Matthew Hardee, 11, changes a tire.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 16, 2025
Scout troops learn automotive skills with Suncoast Technical College

Local Scouting America groups are in a partnership with the Sarasota college to teach the youth skills in technical trades.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nancy Manosh welcomes home her husband, Korean War veteran Carl Manosh, of Punta Gorda, whose guardian was Mike Semones, a Southwest Florida Honor Flight board member who lives in Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 15, 2025
Community welcomes veterans home from Washington, D.C., trip

The community welcomed veterans home at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, after their one-day trip to Washington, D.C. with Southwest Florida Honor Flight.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jonny Chartrand of Tunaskin Aquatic Apparel poses with the shop's scarecrow.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 15, 2025
Scarecrows come to Siesta Key businesses

The Scarecrow Stroll was organized by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and takes place Oct. 1-31.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mote's 'The Shark Lady' subject of new musical tribute
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 15, 2025
Mote's 'The Shark Lady' subject of new musical tribute

Artist Christina Meiping Chen recently penned a musical production about the life of research icon Eugenie Clark, set to debut in early December.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Col. Ben Knisely, who served 28 years in the U.S. Army and was honored as Veteran of the Year, interacts with the public during the 2024 Veterans Day parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 14, 2025
Veterans Day parade set for Nov. 11 in downtown Sarasota

The city's annual Veterans Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 11, culminating in a ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
TD Bank is opening a treat-dispensing ATM for dogs on Oct. 17 at its branch on Clark Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 13, 2025
Bank branch caters to canine clientele on Clark Road

TD Bank rolls out an automated treat machine in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Steinholding contest winner Susie Jacobbi faces off against the last other remaining contestant, John Roeleveld.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 13, 2025
Attendees get into Oktoberfest spirit during Park-toberfest

The event at The Bay in Sarasota featured live music, German food and beers, and a stein holding contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Orchid Show 2025: Rebecca Louise Law is on view Oct. 11 to Dec. 7.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 10, 2025
Selby Gardens' orchid show to feature indoor botanical art

The Orchid Show 2025: Rebecca Louise Law incorporates an art installation using preserved plants, created by a Wales-based artist.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Early attendees beat the heat at last weekend's St. Armands Circle Craft Festival, which featured artisans in a variety of specialties.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 9, 2025
Get ready for a free art fest on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle is set to host a free fine art festival this October.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue McGregor
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 9, 2025
Local octogenarian prepares for Athens marathon

Sue McGregor has been running for about 30 years and has competed in races around the globe. Now she sets her sights on Greece.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Privada Homes
  • October 9, 2025
Modern Coastal Living Comes to Sarasota with Privada Homes

Privada Homes is bringing fresh design and vision to Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Anthony Baffo celebrates his win in the stein-holding competition at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's inaugural Oktoberfest on Oct. 4.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
Oktoberfest in Sarasota tests strength and food temptations

Attendees at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's festivities joined in stein-holding and yodeling competitions, among other themed activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Talia Casey and Alex Perez brought their cat, Mister Figment Spirit Wink, to the Oct. 4 pet blessing at St. Boniface Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
St. Boniface hosts paw-inspiring event for pet owners

Rev. Nikki Seger led the Siesta Key church's annual pet blessing on Saturday.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Helios, a Bare-Eyed Cockatoo at Save Our Seabirds, quite literally dives headfirst into enjoying the new enrichment toy he received through the avian rescue center's new Beaks and Boxes campaign.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
New donation program keeps birds engaged at Save Our Seabirds

With its new Beaks and Boxes program, Save Our Seabirds invites fans near and far to give enrichment toys to feathered friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mike Wagner, Andy Demartini and Gretchen Demartini walked at the 5th annual NAMIWalks Sarasota and Manatee fundraiser on Oct. 4 at Payne Park in memory of Jennifer Demartini.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 7, 2025
Mental health spotlighted at Payne Park fundraiser walk

Sarasota and Manatee community members raised nearly $90,000 to support NAMI's mental health services.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Instructors Juan Uribe and Miranda Vidro from Fred Astaire Dance Studios demonstrate some salsa dance moves at The Bay's third anniversary celebration.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 7, 2025
The Bay nears a million visits on its third anniversary

Sarasota celebrants practiced their salsa moves and raised their glasses to mark three years of community activities at the park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A conceptual rendering of the mural planned for Arlington Park Aquatic Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 7, 2025
Community painting day will highlight mural in Arlington Park

The Arlington Park Aquatic Complex will serve as the canvas for a large-scale mural with the public invited to participate in the painting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
To recognize Domestic Violence Awareness month, GFWC's Woman's Club of Sarasota, including members Diana Freidinger, center, and Sharlene Cox, right, presented victim advocate Talia Casey with $1,400 and donated items to support Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center's mission.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 3, 2025
Woman's club raises $1,400 for domestic violence victims

The GFWC's Woman's Club of Sarasota raised $1,400 and collected donated items to support survivors of domestic violence for its Day of Service.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stan Ambro adjusts the animatronic of the bartender.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 2, 2025
Local haunted house is the vision of one individual

Hollowgraves Haunted Manor, part of the Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Festival, belonged to amusement parks on the Jersey Shore before arriving in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota resident Jordan Wenck created Beanie Bites.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 1, 2025
Sarasota resident creates bean-based dessert mixes

Jordan Wenck will be bringing her Beanie Bites products, which are gluten and dairy free, to the Sarasota Farmers Market on Oct. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Wess, 8, Samantha, Everette, 5, and Dan Becker try out their favorite flavors of ice cream at the grand reopening of the Kilwins sweet shop on St. Armands Circle on Sept. 27.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 30, 2025
Confectionary delights abound as Kilwins reopens on St. Armands

Families enjoy handmade fudge, ice cream and other sweet treats at the grand reopening of Kilwins a year after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By RBB Communication for Florida Power and Light
  • September 30, 2025
Creative team of engineers revolutionize how FPL responds to storms

For a century now, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has been restoring power to its customers after hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Eddie Molina and his son Theo Molina, 2, take a stop outside a shop in Siesta Key.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 26, 2025
Visitors and residents enjoy a slow evening in Siesta Key

A night in Siesta Key Village exploring the sights through the lens of a camera.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By RCLA Town Hall
  • September 25, 2025
Ringling College TOWN HALL Celebrates Its 45th Season

“There’s nothing like hearing directly from experts,” said Lauren Kurnov, Executive Director of Ringling College TOWN HALL. “It really brings leading news stories and hot topics to life.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Elisha DeMassa's husband Michael DeMassa, Janine Lebano and Sue McGregor
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 25, 2025
The Bay Sarasota group starts new run and walk club

The Bay's new club offers both run and walk routes, attempting to appeal to all ages and abilities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Film based on model’s breast cancer journey to screen in Sarasota
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 25, 2025
Film based on model’s breast cancer journey to screen in Sarasota

The film "Hello Beautiful" is based on the book "Walk Beside Me" by Christine Handy, a former Victoria's Secret model and breast cancer survivor.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • September 25, 2025
Do You REALLY Know How Your Investments Are Performing?

What your financial statements might not be telling you - and how to finally get clarity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Nathan Patel
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 24, 2025
Local Boy Scout rescues couple in Thailand

Nathan Patel, 12, tossed a ring buoy to rescue a couple who were struggling in the water, during a summer vacation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department Officer Kyle Carter makes preparations for an explosives training hosted by Bird Key Yacht Club at its soon-to-be-demolished clubhouse on Sept. 5.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 24, 2025
Bird Key Yacht Club gets a head start with its remodel

Sarasota Police uses the soon-to-be-demolished clubhouse as a space for officers to practice their explosive entry tactics.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vivian Masters, 10, blows the shofar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 22, 2025
Temple Emanu-El Religious School celebrates Rosh Hashanah

The school went outdoors, to Phillippi Estate Park, to celebrate the holiday, which celebrates the beginning of the Jewish New Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Sarasota

1
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands
2
Andy Harshman of Sarasota High School was named the 2026 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year.
  • December 12, 2025
Sarasota High science leader named 2026 Teacher of the Year
3
Part of the renovation of Fruitville Library is a new History Center, replacing a building in Osprey a document calls "aging and inadequate to house the county's collections of historic artifacts.''
  • December 12, 2025
Fruitville Library renovations begin with Dec. 18 closure
4
Cardinal Mooney football gathers at midfield and poses for a photo. The Cougars scored on every single one of their drives in the FHSAA Class 2A state championship, piling up 52 points against the Bulldogs.
  • December 11, 2025
Cardinal Mooney is state football champ again
5
Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
  • December 11, 2025
City asks: How much noise is too much?

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