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Sarasota | Neighbors

Charles Moore, Mattie Mae and John Cox
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 7, 2025
Former Sarasota deputy goes global in providing wheelchairs to animals

When John Cox founded Ruck9, he was hoping to help a few dogs to walk again, but his mission has encompassed animals around the world, from geese to skunks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tennis for Fun has grown in size since it began hosting clinics at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 6, 2025
Tennis for Fun helps develop the skills of athletes with disabilities

The program has helped advance local players to the State Summer Games of the Special Olympics.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marina Prybylski, 7, and her brother Tristan Prybylski, 5, prepare to head onto the course.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 3, 2025
Bike Rodeo event highlights bike safety as school year approaches

The event, held at the Sarasota City YMCA, donated 32 bikes and some 40 helmets.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2025
Sarasota chamber leader wins global recognition

Heather Kasten, president and CEO of Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, has earned the highest certification of the chamber profession.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Parishioner's gift keeps Church of the Redeemer's music program going
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2025
Parishioner's gift keeps Church of the Redeemer's music program going

The Sarasota church is known for its commitment to music.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Irene Hryniewicki plays Taps every night on her balcony.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 31, 2025
Siesta Key resident turns 100 as she carries on decadeslong tradition

Irene Hryniewicki carries on the tradition of playing Taps on the balcony of her residence at Casa Blanca Vacation Rentals, which she started with her late husband, Buster.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Robbin Haynes and Tara Maffei of Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 30, 2025
Legal Aid of Manasota aims to equip the community at hurricane expo

The event in Newtown offered information on how to prepare for a storm and brought together local vendors offering services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brendon Letarte, 8, writers on his project with a marker.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 29, 2025
Kids learn how to build home decor at Nailed It DIY Studio summer camp

The camp teaches kids skills that center on making objects out of wood.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The official ribbon cutting: Victor Jacobs, Jamil Jacobs, Candi Jacobs, Shirley Jacobs, James Jacobs, Addison Jacobs, Colleen Thayer and Shayla Jacobs.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 28, 2025
Resident's legacy is remembered at the NAMI YANA Sarasota

The NAMI YANA center host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Janice Marie Chestnut Memorial Garden and inspires son to launch a foundation in her honor.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Surfer Santa and Debi Kleer
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 27, 2025
The Bazaar celebrates Christmas in July and Jimmy Buffett's birthday

Christmas in the Caribbean celebrated the birthday of the musician, who was born on Christmas, as well as Christmas in July.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce
  • July 24, 2025
Siesta Classics

If you're seeking a getaway with a dash of adventure and local charm within driving distance, this list is for you.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Sponsored Content
Barbara Briggs will be honored at a ceremony in Gainesville on July 31.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 24, 2025
Sarasota County judge among those honored at 4-H awards

Longtime Sarasota County 4-H volunteer Barbara Briggs has been selected for induction to the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shayne Boyle dodges a projectile.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 21, 2025
Bedrock Church hosts world record-breaker for marshmallows caught in mouth

The church's Family Night at Payne Park invited Shayne Boyle of Cincinatti, who during the event broke what he said was a new world record, catching 60 marshmallows in 60 seconds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Scooby Doo, a dog who belongs to Mike and Victoria Collins, who came from St. Pete to support the location, loves playing in the foam.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 20, 2025
Sarasota celebrates reopening of beloved dog bar

Dog Bar Sarasota, originally Boo’s Ice House and Dog Bar, had closed in January but now has reopened as a sister location to Dog Bar St. Pete.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jessica Bank and Laura Murphy stand in front of the library.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2025
The Out-of-Door Academy holds on to a historic legacy as it moves forward

While a former dormitory building will have to be demolished due to last year’s hurricanes, the campus works out new plans for the space.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Killdeer are dedicated parents known for their 'broken-wing' display, feigning injury to lure intruders away from their chicks or nest.
  • By Miri Hardy
  • July 15, 2025
New life thrives in Myakka’s habitat restoration zone

Plants and animals continue to respond favorably to re-created floodplain marshes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brooks DeLoach, 10, holds an albino Okeeteee corn snake.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 14, 2025
ReptiDay provides destination for reptile enthusiasts

The event also featured other unusual pets and exotic animals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Owner Andrea Meythaler and employee Kiki Von Blumen are all good vibes at the Bambooty Bodygear bus.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 14, 2025
Rain or shine, count on the Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market to be there

No matter the weather, the Sarasota Farmers Market is home to an array of unique finds and foods.

  • Sarasota
The two performances of "Alice in Boogie Wonderland" will take place on July 12 and 13.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 9, 2025
WBTT to conclude summer camp with 'Alice in Boogie Wonderland'

The performance combines "Alice in Wonderland" with music including pop, disco and R&B.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Visitors and volunteers alike took a moment to enjoy the view at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium before it closed to facilitate a move to East County.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 9, 2025
Mote's final public days bring forward warm memories

City Island's Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium officially held its final day of being open to the public on July 6 as it prepares for its move to the new Mote Science Education Aquarium facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Florida Power & Light Company
  • July 8, 2025
FPL Announces Planned Upgrades for Sarasota County to Continue Building a Stronger, Smarter Grid

Florida Power & Light’s smart grid technology prevented more than 800,000 outages during the active 2024 hurricane season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Everyone is lined up for Hamlet's Eatery hot dogs, for their fifth annual Hot Dog Day.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 6, 2025
Hamlet's Eatery celebrates Hot Dog Day with furry friends

The fifth annual Hot Dog Day was celebrated at Hamlet's Eatery with a hot dog topping bar, free beer samples and furry friends.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gabriella Brinceanu, 14, and her sister Alaina Brinceanu, 3, work together to pop the bubbles.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 5, 2025
Community enjoys barbecue, bubbles at Selby Gardens' Fourth of July

Selby Gardens hosted its annual Fourth of July All-American Cookout.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stephen Schlabach and his wife Jennifer Schlabach watch the grand finale of the fireworks.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 5, 2025
Fourth of July fireworks light up the Sarasota skies

The public once again had the chance to enjoy fireworks on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of Church of the Redeemer all stand together to sing American Classics led by Choralmaster, Sam Nelson.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 5, 2025
Sarasota church celebrates Fourth of July with special gathering

The Church of the Redeemer celebrates Independence Day with barbeque, music, prayer and fireworks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Crossing team of Michael Barron, James Brearley, Travis Taaffe and Brandon Taaffe won its division during the competition from Bimini in The Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 3, 2025
Sarasota brothers paddleboard from Bimini to Florida for cystic fibrosis

Two brothers and two friends take on and wi, an 80-mile Atlantic paddleboard challenge in an effort to provide support for individuals and families battling cystic fibrosis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A group of pirates makes a split in "The Treasure Map," with performers including Sawyer Tillman, 9; Harper Olney, 10; Miriam Mohib, 12; Dylan Alan, 12; education intern Isaiah Ramsey, 21; education intern Nadya Smirnova, 19; Abigail Gastaldo, 11; Bliss Rippy, 13; Stefaniia Biedakurova 10; Reyna Kim, 9; and Nina Lockhart, 12.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 2, 2025
Sarasota Youth Opera campers perform scenes they produced

Kids created their own lyrics and choreography for four opera scenes, which they performed for their families on the last day of camp.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carole J. Bufford stars in "Too Darn Hot: Songs for a Summer Night," which runs at Florida Studio Theatre through Sept. 14.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for July 3-9

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The panelists at the June 25 luncheon were David St Pierre, SeaPort Manatee's senior director of public safety and security; Sandra Tapfumaneyi, Sarasota County's chief of emergency management; Abby Elliot, Oysters Rock Hospitality's senior director of operations; and Jodie Fiske, Manatee County's director of public safety. The moderator was Devaney Iglesias, the area manager of Florida Power & Light.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 30, 2025
Manatee, Sarasota experts share 'lessons from the eye of the storm'

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance partnered with Florida Power & Light to shed some light on how best to prepare for hurricane season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Fourth of July 2025 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2025
Fourth of July 2025 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch

From parades to the classic fireworks, check out these events to help you celebrate Independence Day right.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The run begins during the June 3 beach run.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 26, 2025
Kids Summer Beach Runs continue to draw crowds

The event takes place every Tuesday at Siesta Beach through July.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jason Guillama, 4, prepares to place a plant into the garden.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2025
Kids come together to plant butterfly garden at Leonard Reid House

Three different educational organizations in Sarasota came together to help plant the garden.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Visitors to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium began packing the house this week to pay their final visits before the City Island facility closes to the public, making way for expanded operations in East County.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 25, 2025
Visitors begin bidding farewell to Sarasota's City Island arm of Mote exhibits

After generations of visitors have enjoyed being entertained and educated at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, many took the opportunity to say farewell before operations shift to the new facility near University Town Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Heather Kasten and Daniel DeLeo at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick address attendees.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2025
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses with spectacle

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce honored winners in 10 categories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edwin Jackson hands an autographed baseball to Luke Holcomb, a friend of Raining Berries Founder Bimal Bhojani.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 24, 2025
Former Rays pitcher is behind new Raining Berries location in Sarasota

The new Raining Berries location is co-owned by former MLB player and World Series Champion Edwin Jackson and Super Bowl champion star Kenneth Gainwell.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Joaquin Cortez and Craig Mutch won first place in the people's choice awards, doubles, for "Be the Change" at the 2024 Siesta Key Crystal Classic.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 23, 2025
Tickets now available for 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic

Early-purchase ticket, parking and sponsorship opportunities for the annual Siesta Beach sandsculpting event are now available.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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  • December 5, 2025
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Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

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