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Sarasota | Neighbors

Clara Reynardus de Villanueva and her husband Roberto Villanueva spent the holiday with Elizabeth Moore at her ranch in Myakka.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 5, 2021
Sarasotans find new ways to celebrate the new year

Locals traded downtown block parties for personal celebrations this New Year's.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nati Shabbat of SRQ Beats put on music for the crowd.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 4, 2021
Dancing on NYE

The NYE event had plenty of pizza and dancing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jordan Sawmiller gave birth to Messiah Mays at 1:39 a.m. on New Year's Day. Courtesy Photo
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 3, 2021
The first baby of 2021

Messiah Mays was born at SMH on Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • January 1, 2021
Sarasota celebrates 2020 New Year's Eve

Sarasota locals celebrated the new year on Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Meals on Wheels Sarasota
  • January 1, 2021
Meals on Wheels Sarasota

Meals on Wheels Sarasota

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2020
2020 Digital Year in Review

The Observer stayed busy online in 2020. Here are the top stories of the year from YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mercedes Matthews makes coffee and ice cream and may one day deliver it with the company's delivery bike.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 24, 2020
Coffee and ice cream shop offers work worth doing

The Rise Coffee Co. and Nye’s Cream Sandwiches business employs people with special needs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Byron, Tatyana and Paloma Sharoubim-Stewart stay busy and happy every Christmas morning
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 24, 2020
Holiday memories ring true for Sarasota residents

Sarasota residents look back on their favorite holiday memories and share how they'll celebrate the season this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Adam N. Phillips, D.O, Board Certified General Surgeon & Vein Specialist
  • December 24, 2020
Understanding Vein Disease

Understanding Vein Disease

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Renu Ahluwalia, Gina Jordan and Rebecca Pankowski help collect donations for SPARCC. Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 23, 2020
Sarasota organizations on Santa's nice list

Holiday cheer is abundant in Sarasota even during COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Players Rex Smith, Kevin Gallardo, Luke Binswanger and Taylor Raridon during Sarasota High's spring season.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 20, 2020
Baseball players host fundraiser for late teammate

Past and present Sarasota high school baseball players raised money for Kevin Gallardo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mason and Wylder Mangino climbed around.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 19, 2020
Children's Garden spreads cheer with Elf Workshop

The family event had holiday activities on Dec. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 17

Robert Fleurant captured these sandhill colts with their mom in Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 17

Patricia Muller captured this sunrise on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tonya Mckee, Jennifer Coker, Jocelyn Mansfield, Amanda Myers, Zacko Gerzeny, Theresa Eannetta, Dayna Sisk, Nicole Washburn, and Cheyenne Parker.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 17, 2020
DIY boat parade sets sail

The volunteer-organized boat parade was held Dec. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 10, 2020
Selby Gardens previews 2020 Lights in Bloom

Selby VIP guests received a look at the annual lights show ahead of its Dec. 12 opening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 10

MaryAnn Parks captured this parakeet having a snack near her home in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Welicki as Santa Claus at the "Holidays by the Sea" Sarasota Holiday Parade in 2019.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 8, 2020
Volunteer Santa laments loss of Sarasota holiday parade

Longtime volunteer Mark Welicki couldn't participate in the Sarasota Holiday Parade this year but he has high hopes for the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Craftsman Steve Weinberger built the metal menorah for Temple Emanu-El's in-person lighting for Hanukkah 2020.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 7, 2020
Temples prepare for Hanukkah during COVID-19

Socially distanced and virtual events compose Hanukkah events this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 7, 2020
SPARCC hosts socially distanced Cookies, Cakes and Carolers event

The organization normally hosts a lunch with the same name.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By The Meadows Country Club
  • December 7, 2020
The Renaissance of The Meadows Country Club

The Renaissance of The Meadows Country Club

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Jennifer Busch and Jill Schmidt dress up a Christmas tree at Soto Opticians on Hillview.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 5, 2020
Southside Village businesses welcomes holiday season

The Southside Village Light Up! event was held Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 3, 2020
Ringling brings holiday happiness with toy drive

The Drive-Through Holiday Splendor event was held Dec. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 3

Barbara Belka captured a shot of these white pelicans in Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 3, 2020
Florida bounces back

Despite the struggles in hospitality, Florida indeed has seen a V-shaped recovery. But questions remain about early 2021.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 28, 2020
Siesta Key embraces holiday cheer with Christmas tree lighting

The tree lighting was held Nov. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: November 26

Anna Passalaqua captured these storm clouds over Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The staff of the Circus Arts Conservatory celebrates with its award.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 24, 2020
Taking the bull by the horns

Two Sarasota groups win business awards for shifting gears in a pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 22, 2020
Temple Emanu-El families get thankful

The monthly event had a Thanksgiving theme on Nov. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 20, 2020
Local artists showcase works at Rosemary Ramble

The outdoor event was held Nov. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 19, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: November 19

Michael Cohen captured this grasshopper on Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Samantha Kahn, Temple Sinai's Director of Youth Education, Outreach and Engagement Bethany Leinweber and Gulf Gate teacher Michelle Portnow Rivas said the Daffodil Project is a way to remember those who died in the Holocaust
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 17, 2020
School, temple partner on Holocaust education

Gulf Gate fifth grade students will plant a Holocaust remembrance garden as part of the Daffodil Project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Business has dried up at the South Gate Community Center since the start of the pandemic.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 16, 2020
South Gate Community Center faces uncertain future

The longtime event venue is looking for a potential buyer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 15, 2020
Hot Works Open Air Fine Art Show makes debut in Sarasota

The first Hot Works art show in Sarasota was held Nov. 14 and 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 12, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: November 12

Richard Bottorff captured this cardinal perched on a plant at Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ceremony participants posed for a photo.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 11, 2020
Veterans groups recognize service at Veterans Day ceremony

Supporters gathered at VFW Post 3233 on Nov. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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