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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
  • By Aqua Plumbing & Air
  • September 12, 2025
Storm Ready, Comfort Steady Aqua Plumbing & Air does it all, and has since 1974

“It’s called preparedness for a reason,” says Stephens. “We want to make sure families are ready before the storm and taken care of after.”

  • Hurricane Season
Sponsored Content
Volunteer Peter Bonk spools out line for the grid-based search for scallops in Sarasota Bay during the Great Scallop Search of 2025.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 12, 2025
Great Scallop Search yields 20 sightings in Sarasota Bay

Despite spotting plenty of healthy seagrass habitat, volunteer snorkelers said scallops remain fairly scarce in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Staff Sergeant Matthew B. Miles of the United States Army, representing all military personnel, lays a wreath.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2025
USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts 9/11 remembrance ceremony

The ceremony, where featured speakers included Edward Grayson, 9/11 responder and former commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation, urged attendees to "Never Forget."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Captain Demetri Konstantopoulos, Detective Maria Llovio and Captain John Todd served as part of the Presidential escort, with the Sarasota Police Department, on Sept. 11, 2001.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 11, 2025
Sarasota police officers recount their role in Sept. 11 attacks

Capt. Demetri Konstantopoulos, Capt. John Todd and Detective Maria Llovio were cast into protecting President George W. Bush, who was speaking at Booker Elementary on Sept. 11, 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Encompass Health
  • September 11, 2025
Judy’s Recovery Story: Finding Strength After Stroke through Support and Determination

One woman's story of rehabilitation, thanks to Encompass Health.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Heather Kasten and Larry Thompson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 7, 2025
Boys & Girls Clubs honor Ringling College, chamber leaders

Heather Kasten and Larry Thompson were honored during the 19th Annual IPG Leadership Breakfast by Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Movie posters in honor of the winning pups are set out on display.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 7, 2025
Shelter rolls out red carpet for pups at Oscars-themed fundraiser

Satchel's Last Resort brought a "Pawscars" theme to its annual fundraiser, held at Big Top Brewing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sugar Vibe performs at The Green at UTC Sept. 4 for the monthly music series, UTC Live on the Green.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 5, 2025
Sarasota meet-up group finds its groove at UTC

Live on the Green is a music series every first Thursday of the month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Tyler Burke ("Turbo Tyler") enters the Globe of Death during the 2024 edition of Thunder by the Bay
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 5, 2025
Classic sounds headline 2026 Thunder by the Bay

Night Ranger and .38 Special top the music acts for the February fundraiser at Sarasota County Fairgrounds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Casey Schuber
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 4, 2025
Singer takes a long musical path to be a Siesta Key mainstay

Casey on the Key recounts her journey from an "American Idol" contestant to singing music in paradise.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 4, 2025
Rev your engines for exotic cars on St. Armands

The Exotic Car Show On The Circle takes place Saturday on St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Ellenton Landings
  • September 4, 2025
The Rise of Niche Active Adult Living

The unique needs of the Baby Boomer generation reveal a new trend in real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Bay Park opened in 2022 along Sarasota's bayfront.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2025
Sarasota's Bay Park plans dozens of free events for anniversary

More than 80 shows, concerts or celebrations are at the attraction that opened in 2022.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Caleb H. and Wyatt J. practice showmanship.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 3, 2025
Sarasota County hosts poultry workshop at The Farm

The McIntosh Middle School facility hosted a workshop to teach kids poultry husbandry and prepare them for the Sarasota County Fair in March.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Figueroa of Secure HR and Jorge Valdes of Golf Therapy Club enjoy the event experience.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2025
Business casual: Sarasota Chamber holds its grand expo

The eevent allowed the general public and business owners to browse Robarts Arena to see what the local area has to offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Milene Moreira, Jessé Martins and Nadine Trudel
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2025
Church hits the high note to wrap up its midsummer series

Part of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church's Midsummer Music Festival, the event focused on lesser-known pieces.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ramin Mesghali looks at the artwork.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Remodeled and ready: St. Armands gallery hosts Longboat chamber

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's Off the Clock Networking at Wyland Gallery allowed attendees to connect in a new space.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visiting the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum in Savannah, GA
  • By Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
  • August 28, 2025
Girl Scouts is where girls grow and families connect within our communities.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is helping the next generation of changemakers thrive.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Megan Nystrom walks Baker.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Dogs Inc. service dogs get a day of training at Van Wezel

Guide dogs in training for Dogs Inc. had the chance to learn how to enter a theater, practice different walking surfaces and avoid distractions like food being served in the Grand Foyer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rose Canino sings at Town Square.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Key Chorale serves seniors with health challenges through choir sessions

The Sarasota organization offers Local Come Together Choir for senior enrichment at Town Square Sarasota and Where Are My Keys? Chorale at Senior Friendship Centers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By The Tidewell Foundation Inc.
  • August 28, 2025
A Wish Fulfilled: Geno’s Story

The Tidewell Foundation’s Wishes Fund fulfills a last wish for Tidewell Hospice patients and their families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Andre McClerklin and Joseph Mack
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 27, 2025
Newtown residents find a place for unwanted items at cleanup

The Newtown Community Cleanup event removed 23.99 tons of debris, according to Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nina Young, 13, of the band Pins and Needles, performs on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 25, 2025
Music Compound marks a year in new Sarasota location

The music school invited the community inside for performances by students, sample lessons, local vendors and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rigoberto Torres holds the bust of Bélen Lopez. There is still more work to be done, including opening the eyes on the sculpture and painting the surface.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2025
See how a renowned sculptor creates plaster casts of community members

Sculptor Rigoberto Torres is bringing his community lifecasting to The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art for its upcoming exhibition "Nuestro Vaivén (Our Sway)."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Access to golf in Sarasota is no longer a black and white matter
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2025
Access to golf in Sarasota is no longer a black and white matter

Longtime Bobby Jones golfer Ken Spaulding recalls when available tee times often depended upon color.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Prince Knight performs on Aug. 18.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2025
Jazz Jam SRQ lets the community play together

The free-to-attend, improvised performances, held at Selby Public Library, are being paired with education in the fundamentals of jazz.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Olivia Swanson dishes up a scoop of passionfruit gelato on her last day at Settimi's Gelato before she heads off to college for a new school year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 20, 2025
Summer snapshot on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle falls into an easy-going summertime pace in August, when visitors and residents take their time exploring the restaurants and shops in the area.

  • 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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