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Sarasota | Neighbors

Siesta Key Oyster Bar co-founder Geno Pedigo, and Zach Steffen, prepare to ride out.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 30, 2025
Kids and families find cheer at Siesta Key Holiday Parade

The parade, which welcomed Santa Claus to Siesta Key, was preceded by a meet-and-greet with the big guy himself.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mother-daughter team Lori and Chloe Harpsoe assist shoppers at Monkee's of Sarasota for Black Friday. The clothing boutique opened just in time for the annual shopping extravaganza last year after rebuilding from hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 29, 2025
St. Armands Black Friday seems less brisk this year

Some shop owners said they were surprised last year's Black Friday shopping seemed busier than this year's, despite hurricane challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Norwood
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 27, 2025
Entrepreneur harvests sea salt from local barrier islands

Tim Norwood created his own company, Sea Salt Florida, using sea water off the islands of Siesta, Longboat and Lido Key, among others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • November 27, 2025
Market Mayhem: Can You Still Retire Comfortably?

Why a Second Opinion Could Be Time Well Spent

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 27, 2025
How Safe Children Coalition Helps Families Reimagine The Future

On Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and every day of the year, you can help SCC continue reimagining the future for children and families right here at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mary Bensel, the executive director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, displays her award alongside John LaCivita, chief executive officer of Willis A. Smith Construction; Virginia Haley, the retired president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County and Erin Duggan, Visit Sarasota County's president and CEO.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2025
Seven honored for contributions to Sarasota's tourism industry

Visit Sarasota County's Haley Hall of Fame adds inductees from field of 40 nominees.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 24, 2025
A Season of Hope: How Copenhagen Imports Is Helping Sarasota’s Homeless Community

Now through January 20, 2026, customers who donate $50 or more to Resurrection House will receive an immediate rebate of up to $400 on each Stressless furniture piece purchased.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Miriam Cornell and James Garlanger of Bear Gully Creek Farms talk with Cornell's mother, Sharon Cornell, and Jim Sroka.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
Perfect weather yields steady turnout for Sarasota Farmers Market

Vendors said that mild weather drew a steady turnout during this week's downtown farmer's market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Lorah created a Lego version of the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, Georgia.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
Lego artists show their imagination in Sarasota's first BrickUniverse

The Lego fan expo event at Robarts Arena showcased the work of artists from near and far with a mission of inspiring kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Geoff Levin, Marcy Klein, Steven Goodman and Patricia Courtois volunteer at the Van Wezel.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
All Faiths Food Bank works to distribute record number of turkeys

This year, the Sarasota food bank ordered a total of 14,500 turkeys to distribute to community members in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Missy Weishaar and Rev. Fausto Stampiglia
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 20, 2025
Sarasota parishioners celebrate priest's 65th year of service

Rev. Fausto Stampiglia was the face of St. Martha Catholic Church for 31 years before retiring in 2022, and was ordained as a priest in Rome in 1960.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Anti Aging & Ketamine Center
  • November 20, 2025
Restoring Vitality to Patients with Hormone Replacement Therapy

How one clinic is restoring lives with Bioidentical Hormone Therapy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Sheena Works, Sebastian Works, 7, Alissa Silvers, and Isabella Coulton, 7, pose together in front of the mural.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 19, 2025
Community unites to paint mural at Arlington Park

The project, led by Alissa Silvers, brought a tropical-themed mural to the park's lifeguard building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club General Manager Tammy Hackney and Commodore Tony Britt donned the hard hats for the official groundbreaking of the new clubhouse on Nov. 13 at the site of the former facility.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Bird Key leaders break ground on new yacht club facilities

During early fall, the old building came down, and on Nov. 13, the first shovels of dirt were turned over on the site of the future clubhouse.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gladys Delgado with Chuck Sidlow (Chucko the All American Clown).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 18, 2025
Fundraiser event in Sarasota spotlights babies in need

Baby Basics of Sarasota County brought a circus theme to its annual fundraiser, held at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes events on the beach adjacent to its campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2025
Artist retreat receives more than $300,000 in grants

The grants will help fund Hermitage Artist Retreat's operations, storm recovery and programming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artists including Isabelle Gasse (front) compete during the festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 17, 2025
Siesta Key's 'sand manager' has made a career out of sand

Andy Daily grew up on the sands of Siesta Key beach, and now his life involves serving the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Tidewell Hospice
  • November 13, 2025
Hugo's Sunset Cruise

Hugo, a 105 year-old veteran in the care of Tidewell Hospice, he cherishes the memories of time spent boating on the open water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps

This year's winner of the Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest enjoyed the "trip of a lifetime" and showed that the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer is as well traveled as Agent 007.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students and instructor Elisha Byerly perform "Pennies from Heaven" with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
'You Raise Me Up' puts local arts education on stage

The finale of the 2025 Living Arts Festival in Sarasota highlighted arts education in the local area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students from the Riverview High School Kiltie Band march along the parade route.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Generations honor sacrifices at Sarasota Veterans Day Parade

Amid cold weather, the parade featured various local organizations and clubs, schools and government departments.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A team from the community of Heritage Oaks volunteered at the event and included Sandi Merrill, Pauline St. Martin, Gary Chapin, Sheri Abramson, Alice Chapin, Ruth Scribner, Steve Ronis, Linda Trageser and Sharon Boss.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Bowls of Hope event helps fight hunger in the community

The Sarasota event brought around 50 area restaurants to offer samples of their meals to guests, while also raising funds for All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Front row: Vickie Miller-Yanics, Elliott Metcalfe and Becky Metcalfe. Back row: Tom Smith, Tom McElheny and Ben Knisely
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Marine vets celebrate 250th birthday of US Marine Corps

This year's Marine Corps Birthday Luncheon in Sarasota hosted Elliott Metcalfe, the former public defender who founded the event in 2003.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A giant helium-filled nutcracker takes a bow during the 2025 Santa's Grand Arrival Parade Nov. 8 at University Town Center in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2025
University Town Center delivers parade thrills under the wire in Sarasota

High-wire artists Nik and Lijana Wallenda thrill thousands with a criss cross stunt, and then the parade floats through the mall area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood said he is thrilled with how the rebuilding of the restaurant and retail space at 465 John Ringling Blvd. turned out, especially the indoor bar area.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 8, 2025
Tommy Bahama celebrates grand return to St. Armands Circle

The combined restaurant and retail store invited guests to join in recognizing the official return after rebuilding from last year's hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sheriff Kurt Hoffman says his department is annually happily surprised that the response gets bigger and bigger.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 8, 2025
Sarasota Sheriff's Office kicks off toy drive Dec. 1

The toy drive benefits Teen Court of Sarasota, the All Star Children's Foundation the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and other organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crowds enjoyed the slightly cooler autumnal weather while strolling around St. Armands Circle for the fine art festival on Oct. 18-19.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 7, 2025
Check out free St. Armands art fest this weekend

Admission is free to this annual art show, which will feature mixed-media artists, painters and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2025
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC

The Santa's Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 is sure to attract more than 15,000 spectators in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Valerie DiLorenzo, Janice Boring and Silvia Flores perform a book signing.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 6, 2025
Group of seniors becomes first-time authors with memoir writing program

The new Gussin Center for Creative Writing at Senior Friendship Centers helped to publish the work of memoirists in "Joyful Journeys, Vol. 1."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cindy Mastrin browses the items on display.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 4, 2025
Market brings local businesses to downtown Sarasota

Eat, Drink, & Shop by the Bay brought local vendors to the street beside J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Lozano and Reuben Rivera check out the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia that first-time registrant Jim Friedman brought to Ferraris on the Circle on Nov. 1.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 3, 2025
Ferraris turn out for final Flight to the North Pole major fundraiser

St. Armands Circle showcased interesting models from fans of the Italian sports car brand at Ferraris on the Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tiffany Ranieri and 10-month-old Eli White patrol for mischief-makers during his first time trick-or-treating on Halloween at Fright Night on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 2, 2025
Fright Night makes robust return to St. Armands

Trick-or-treaters said they were overjoyed to see Fright Night on St. Armands make a triumphant return.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 2, 2025
Sarasota block party combines Day of the Dead and Halloween

Clasico hosted a downtown the Day of the Dead and Halloween Block Party.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andre Herke, Thomas Herke, 3, and Jennifer Herke dressed as pumpkins.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 2, 2025
Families head to Sarasota's Cherokee Park for trick-or-treating

The neigborhood is one of Sarasota's most popular locations on Halloween night.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Registered Nurse Clara Rock started at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as an assistant in high school. She poses with her Labor and Delivery team at the celebration.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2025
SMH celebrates 100 years of service

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System recalls its humble beginnings and looks to the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
At one of two "Jurassic Park" trunks, Ayla Puccio, 8, helped offer the chance to pet a dinosaur using puppets.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 30, 2025
Sarasota church, elementary school team up for trunk-or-treat

Church of the Redeemer volunteers brought to life places from "Jurassic Park" to the Hundred Acre Wood during trunk-or-treat at Alta Vista Elementary.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
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Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
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Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
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