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Sarasota | Neighbors

Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park

This year, the Sarasota Wine Festival supported Operation Warrior Resolution, which offers holistic health care to veterans and their families at no cost.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

Swimming and rowing championships expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Storytelling is one of the events planned at the Enchanted Gardens Family Festival at Historic Spanish Point.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 19, 2026
Selby Gardens sets dates for Enchanted Garden Festival

The event is planned March 28-29 at Historic Spanish Point.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mike Hutchinson repairs a laptop.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2026
Local nonprofit repairs over 25,000 laptops to help community members in need

The Sarasota Technology Users Group hopes to bridge the digital divide with its initiative to repair laptops for those in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
On Feb. 20, 2026, Florida Power & Light Company(FPL)volunteers beautify and conduct maintenance at The Ranch of Easterseals Southwest Florida. Volunteers removed posts, helped with landscaping and maintenance efforts–supporting the organization’s mission to help people with disabilities discover new strength, improve balance and unlock potential through therapy, learning and recreation on horseback. Now in its 18th year, FPL’s Power to Care program reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to powering strong communities making Florida an even better place to live, work and raise a family. This year, FPL’s Power to Care week consists of more than 30projects led by hundreds of employees in over 10 counties across Florida.
  • By Devaney Iglesias, Manager of External Affairs for West-Central Florida, Florida Power & Light Company
  • March 19, 2026
Why year-round volunteer support matters for southwest Florida’s nonprofits

According to the Florida Nonprofit Alliance, about 40% of nonprofit organizations say they need more volunteers to meet current demand.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Pendry Residences Tampa
  • March 19, 2026
2026 Brings Exciting Progress at Pendry Residences Tampa

Pendry Residences Tampa's impressive tower is taking shape as one of Downtown's most anticipated residences.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Cathy and Dennis Kennedy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2026
Revelers head to Shamrock Pub to uphold their St. Patrick's Day tradition

The location remains a hot spot for celebrating the occasion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Moni, a yellow-naped Amazon and Amber, a Scarlet macaw, spend time in the Leonard Reid House.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 17, 2026
Historic Leonard Reid House hosts parrots in honor of family pets

Sarasota Jungle Gardens brought some feathered friends to the Leonard Reid House in an event that hosted kids from local schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fourth grader Ava O'Mahoney of 4-H and her mother Megan O'Mahoney spend time with Clover.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 15, 2026
Kids showcase agricultural skills amid carnival fun at Sarasota County Fair

Community members managed to enjoy some rides and roller coasters, while students from local groups showcased their hard work.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nelle Miller and Yvette Resto
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 13, 2026
New market in Newtown offers grocery-style shopping at no cost for those in need

The new space operated by All Faiths Food Bank was created at the Goodwill Manasota's Job Connection Center through a longstanding partnership.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Margaret and Rebecca Johnson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 12, 2026
A community helps find family history at Genealogical Society of Sarasota

The society now hosts its monthly meetings, held the second Saturday of each month at Gulf Gate Library.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Rudy Dudon Group
  • March 12, 2026
Legacy Is Forever

Why So Many Siesta Key Families Trust the Same Realtor for Decades

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Olivier Latry takes a bow.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 8, 2026
Notre-Dame organist offers concert dedicating pipe organ at SAKLC

Olivier Latry visited Sarasota to provide the concert that dedicated the St. Armands Lutheran Church's Schantz pipe organ installed in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Scholarship recipients CJ Conaway and Amaury Castillo-Acevedo
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 7, 2026
Teen Court of Sarasota gives out record scholarship dollar amount

The organization issued $40,000 worth of scholarships to 20 students at its annual dinner March 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kiana Nahale, 3, meets a hawksbill turtle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 7, 2026
Attendees discover the 'wonders of water' at Bay Fest

Now in its third year, the event brought together various conservation organizations to showcase the life found in Sarasota's local waterways.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pink Milkweed is a native, re-seeding plant, dormant in winter, that draws monarch and queen butterflies.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 5, 2026
Test your knowledge of native plants

These are some of the plants adapted to Florida's soil conditions and environment.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's
  • March 5, 2026
For People with Parkinson's, Movement Is Medicine - And Community Is Everything

Neuro Challenge Foundation offers support and therapeutic programs for those navigating Parkinson's Disease.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Magpie is in training to seek out nests for Sea Turtle Inc.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 4, 2026
Dog from Satchel's Last Resort in training to search out sea turtle nests

Magpie will be one of only three dogs in the country trained to search out sea turtle nests for conservation purposes, according to Satchel's Last Resort.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2026-27
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 4, 2026
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2026-27

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2026-27 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Magnolia Riner, 10, displays a design she created.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 1, 2026
Church of the Redeemer volunteers work together to build beds for kids in need

Church members worked together to provide beds, with everything included down to handmade quilts, for children in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gideon Demetrious, 6, Hani Demetrious and Jude Demetrious, 10, look through a series of prints.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 28, 2026
Sarasota Festival of the Arts serves up variety for attendees to browse

Held at J.D. Hamel Park, the event showcases work by artists from across the state and country, including Sarasota's community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Church of the Redeemer volunteers hand made 30 quilts to accompany 30 beds donated and assembled by the church for children at Alta Vista Elementary School.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2026
Sarasota church makes beds, quilts for Alta Vista children

Church of the Redeemer volunteers work on projects in support of the Title I school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • February 27, 2026
Sand Bucket List: Your Guide to the Ultimate Summer Under the Sun

Explore a curated collection of experiences, destinations and sights for an unforgettable summer in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sponsored Content
Scott Cassell encounters a bull shark.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2026
Marine explorer and conservationist has led a life of daring

Osprey explorer Scott Cassell has done it all, from being attacked by Humboldt squid to breaking world records, but he does it for the ocean.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Olivia Haynes is the historian of the Sarasota Garden Club.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2026
How the Sarasota Garden Club discovered Ringling's Secret Garden

The Sarasota Garden Club rediscovered Mable Ringling's pride and joy on the Cà d’Zan campus and now works regularly to maintain it.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ryley Hoaglin, 10, looks at birds from the gazebo.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2026
Sarasota Audubon welcomes the public to its nature center with Fly Wild

The community event, held at the Sarasota Audubon Society, raised awareness of the organization's activities, offering free exhibitions, presentations and tours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • February 19, 2026
Worried Sick About Your Retirement? You’re Not Alone.

Nearly 64% of Americans worry more about running out of money than death.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Fourth grader A’Nylah Johnson and third grader Dariana Mills head down the slide.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 17, 2026
A snow day comes to the Star Lab school in Newtown

The private school for elementary-aged children held a "snow day" along with help from the Sarasota Police Department's Sarasota Learning Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Christine Cassanelli stands with her friend Miles Christian-Hart, founder of Paradise Riders.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2026
Thunder by the Bay raises funds for children, teens and adults with special needs

The event brought together offerings like live music, car and bike shows, a biker rodeo, and a charity car and motorcycle dice run in support of its cause.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Don and Tammie Gursky prepare to renew their vows.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 14, 2026
Couples renew vows on Siesta Beach on Valentine's Day

The Say "I Do" Again vow renewal ceremony was hosted on Siesta Beach each year by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and officiated by Judge Stephen Walker.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Up to four boxes of documents will be accepted at the city of Sarasota's ShredStock event.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 14, 2026
Sarasota schedules tax-season shredding event in March

Residents can bring four boxes of documents and electronic gear and catch the music of The Garbage Men.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
3 Sarasota couples share what brought and what keeps them together
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 13, 2026
3 Sarasota couples share what brought and what keeps them together

Every couple has their own journey to finding love. Members of Sarasota's community share what brought them together and sparked romance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Norma Fox shows her enthusiasm.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 12, 2026
Aerialist and trapeze artist La Norma celebrates 100th birthday

Visitors gather at Showfolks of Sarasota to celebrate the 100th birthday of Norma Fox, whose career includes performing with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus and in the film "The Greatest Show on Earth."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By World Class Dentistry
  • February 12, 2026
Inside a Family Dental Practice Built on Integrative, Whole-Body Care

A baby gurgles in the background as Dr. Jill Morris confirms that her dental practice of 38 years, World Class Dentistry, is truly a family affair. “We live together and we work together,” she says, laughing with her grandchild.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
A motorcycle and car show is part of the planned activities at the 2026 installment of Thunder by the Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 11, 2026
Sarasota's Thunder by the Bay features music, motors and more

The 28th annual event on Feb. 13-15 benefits Suncoast Charities for Children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Operations Center (East County) was honored with a plaque.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 10, 2026
Sarasota Garden Club hosts Civic Beautification Awards

The awards celebrated the properties deemed by the club as exemplifying the attempt to beautify the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Jing Herman stands amongst prints of her artwork.
  • July 9, 2026
Sarasota artist plans to create series of 50 American flags
2
The Patio coffee cart once operated in the parking lot at Swim City on North Tamiami Boulevard.
  • July 9, 2026
Coffee cart brews up downtown food truck expansion proposal
3
Tons of sand were removed from roadways along Sarasota County beaches in the wake of the 2024 hurricanes.
  • July 9, 2026
Sarasota County still awaits $225M in FEMA, state disaster funds
4
Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key was left covered in sand after storm surge from Hurricane Helene swept the road.
  • July 9, 2026
City to repair damaged streetlights on Lido Key
5
Meadows Golf Club off of Longmeadow Road in Sarasota has been with Arnold Palmer Golf Management since March 9. The company restored its 18-hole Meadows Course and is working to restore its 18-hole Groves Course.
  • July 9, 2026
Meadows Golf Club hunts a hole-in-one

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