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Sarasota | 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
Henry Rodriguez has more than 100,000 instagram followers, under the handle Henry is fulfilled.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 20, 2025
Once-powerful Sarasota developer reshapes, reprioritizes his life

A go-star in local development and statewide politics, Henry Rodriguez laments the direction his life took. "I was young, influential and making a ton of money," he says, "but I was miserable."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joe Reuth, executive director of Resurrection House, explains the multitude of ways the multi-denominational group assists community members struggling to make ends meet, even as demand increases.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 19, 2025
Longboat, Sarasota organizations join together to aid homeless

Leaders at Resurrection House say demand is up 20% and face challenges in meeting the needs of the people it supports.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scot Ruberg, known as Scooter of the Beach, on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 19, 2025
Legendary Siesta Key lifeguard Scooter of the Beach retires

Scot Ruberg announced his retirement from the lifeguarding role he has held since 1984.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Yacht Club Sailing Director Dalton Tebo and teammate John Casey won the overall title at the 2025 Formula 18 North American Championship, which pitted 30 global teams against one another in a four-day competition.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 18, 2025
Locals take prestigious sailing title

Sailing Director Dalton Tebo and teammate John Casey took the Formula 18 North American Championship title in Rhode Island.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gillian Daniels walks through the gallery with Stanley.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 18, 2025
Dogs Inc. service dogs in training visit The Ringling

The Observer joined a group of service dogs in training at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Harper Health
  • September 18, 2025
Harper Health redefines membership medicine, one relationship at a time.

Harper Health’s comprehensive approach combines both diagnostic and preventive care.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lilliana Sultana, Wesley Wrigley, Grant Campbell and Calista Ream are gaining new leadership skills as heads of the Sarasota Yacht Club's youth Ensign Board.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 17, 2025
Sarasota Yacht Club young leaders learn more than sailing

Since the Ensign program launched four years ago, young members of the club have been learning the ins and outs of grant writing, event organizing and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Attendees including Carissa Marsh (right) paint the walkway at The Harvest Sarasota on Sept. 14.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2025
Volunteers paint Pride crosswalk at Harvest Sarasota church

The rainbow walkway at The Harvest Sarasota was created in response to the recent pavement art ban by the Florida Department of Transportation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bradenton photographer Jimmy Chadsey hangs a painting on the wall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 14, 2025
Artists showcase unique creations at St. Armands Art Festival

The festival with craft marketplace brought an assortment of puzzles, NASA photos and even unzipped rocks..

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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1
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month
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You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
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Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

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