Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Neighbors

Dana Kampa
October 8, 2025

Oktoberfest in Sarasota tests strength and food temptations

Attendees at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's festivities joined in stein-holding and yodeling competitions, among other themed activities.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
October 8, 2025

St. Boniface hosts paw-inspiring event for pet owners

Rev. Nikki Seger led the Siesta Key church's annual pet blessing on Saturday.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
October 8, 2025

New donation program keeps birds engaged at Save Our Seabirds

With its new Beaks and Boxes program, Save Our Seabirds invites fans near and far to give enrichment toys to feathered friends.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
October 7, 2025

Mental health spotlighted at Payne Park fundraiser walk

Sarasota and Manatee community members raised nearly $90,000 to support NAMI's mental health services.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
October 7, 2025

The Bay nears a million visits on its third anniversary

Sarasota celebrants practiced their salsa moves and raised their glasses to mark three years of community activities at the park.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 7, 2025

Community painting day will highlight mural in Arlington Park

The Arlington Park Aquatic Complex will serve as the canvas for a large-scale mural with the public invited to participate in the painting.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
October 3, 2025

Woman's club raises $1,400 for domestic violence victims

The GFWC's Woman's Club of Sarasota raised $1,400 and collected donated items to support survivors of domestic violence for its Day of Service.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 2, 2025

Local haunted house is the vision of one individual

Hollowgraves Haunted Manor, part of the Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Festival, belonged to amusement parks on the Jersey Shore before arriving in Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
October 1, 2025

Sarasota resident creates bean-based dessert mixes

Jordan Wenck will be bringing her Beanie Bites products, which are gluten and dairy free, to the Sarasota Farmers Market on Oct. 4.

Sarasota
Business

Dana Kampa
September 30, 2025

Confectionary delights abound as Kilwins reopens on St. Armands

Families enjoy handmade fudge, ice cream and other sweet treats at the grand reopening of Kilwins a year after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By RBB Communication for Florida Power and Light
September 30, 2025

Creative team of engineers revolutionize how FPL responds to storms

For a century now, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has been restoring power to its customers after hurricanes.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sponsored Content

Ian Swaby
September 26, 2025

Visitors and residents enjoy a slow evening in Siesta Key

A night in Siesta Key Village exploring the sights through the lens of a camera.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

By RCLA Town Hall
September 25, 2025

Ringling College TOWN HALL Celebrates Its 45th Season

“There’s nothing like hearing directly from experts,” said Lauren Kurnov, Executive Director of Ringling College TOWN HALL. “It really brings leading news stories and hot topics to life.”

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sponsored Content

Ian Swaby
September 25, 2025

The Bay Sarasota group starts new run and walk club

The Bay's new club offers both run and walk routes, attempting to appeal to all ages and abilities.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 25, 2025

Film based on model’s breast cancer journey to screen in Sarasota

The film "Hello Beautiful" is based on the book "Walk Beside Me" by Christine Handy, a former Victoria's Secret model and breast cancer survivor.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By JL Bainbridge
September 25, 2025

Do You REALLY Know How Your Investments Are Performing?

What your financial statements might not be telling you - and how to finally get clarity.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sponsored Content

Ian Swaby
September 24, 2025

Local Boy Scout rescues couple in Thailand

Nathan Patel, 12, tossed a ring buoy to rescue a couple who were struggling in the water, during a summer vacation.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
September 24, 2025

Bird Key Yacht Club gets a head start with its remodel

Sarasota Police uses the soon-to-be-demolished clubhouse as a space for officers to practice their explosive entry tactics.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
September 22, 2025

Temple Emanu-El Religious School celebrates Rosh Hashanah

The school went outdoors, to Phillippi Estate Park, to celebrate the holiday, which celebrates the beginning of the Jewish New Year.

Sarasota
Neighbors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.