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Sarasota | Neighbors

Longboat Key's swan population has had bad luck in increasing its numbers over the past two years.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2019
2019 Digital Year in Review

The observer stayed busy online in 2019. Here are the top stories of the year from YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Amani Carter poses for a picture with Santa at the 2018 Breakfast with Santa event.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 28, 2019
Sarasota shoots to the top of Santa's nice list

Who better to be on Santa's Nice List than Sarasotans?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Aaaron Dhanhai, Mallory Albritton, Allyson Galvin and Cooper Flerlage.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 26, 2019
Students lead community service numbers

Four Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School students go above the call of 100 community service hours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alice Jones and Dee Webber
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 26, 2019
Woman sews 2,000 stockings

Dee Webber sewed 2,000 stockings to hand out to children this holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 24, 2019
'What Christmas mean to me'

Sarasota Christian School third graders share what Christmas means to them.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The front of 5134 Bunyan St. is a neon tree wonderland.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 23, 2019
Sarasota shines through the holiday season

Sarasota has no shortage of festival holiday homes, here are some of our favorites.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota residents shared their favorite Christmas presents and ornaments with the Observer.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 20, 2019
Sarasota residents recall their greatest gifts

With a nod to nostalgia, Sarasota residents tell us the stories of their favorite gifts and holiday decorations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 19, 2019
Siesta Key condos sparkle

Siesta Key Condominium Council held its annual holiday lighting contest on Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kylie Cheaves, 2, and Aalayia Hunter
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 19, 2019
Selby Gardens celebrates family

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens held Family Togetherness Night on Dec. 13

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 19, 2019
Manasota Flooring gives back to first responders

Mansaota Flooring handed out 500 turkeys to first responders on Dec. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: December 19

Stephen Jordan captured the Marina Jack II and LaBarge as they cruised past Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hudson Conway, Caedance Day and Noah Saintcyr divvy out coins.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 17, 2019
Second graders branch out on holiday knowledge

Fruitville Elementary second graders spent Dec. 17 learning about Hanukkah traditions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 17, 2019
Sarasota holiday cheer takes to the waters

The annual Sarasota Boat Parade took place on Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Santa Claus and Everleigh Zetts, 6 months
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 14, 2019
Southside Village hosts festive night

Southside Village Business Association held its annual Southside Village Holiday Stroll on Dec. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 14, 2019
Preschoolers learn meaning of Hanukkah

Temple Emanu-el held its Tot Shabbat on Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kiyarah Martin, 5, picks out one of the toys.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 13, 2019
Boys & Girls Clubs celebrate the holidays

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota held its north Sarasota clubs holiday party on Dec. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • December 12, 2019
Starfish Initiative celebrates reading at book fair

Temple Emanu-el hosted a book fait at Barnes and Noble on Dec. 8 for kindergarten classes at Wilkinson Elementary School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Guest Author
  • December 12, 2019
Temple Sinai installs Samantha Kahn as rabbi

Rabbi Samantha Kahn started with Temple Sinai in July.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Melissa Leduc
  • December 12, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: December 12

Jeannie Sparks captured this night of remembrance at the Sarasota Lantern Festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Laurel Oak Country Club Staff
  • December 11, 2019
Laurel Oak Country Club continues to carve out a new path to success

Laurel Oak Country Club continues to carve out a new path to success

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Be a Santa to a Senior runs through Dec. 15.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 9, 2019
Organization ups Christmas spirit with senior program

Home Instead Senior Care will hold "Be a Santa to a Senior" program through Dec. 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 8, 2019
Mermaids make a splash at the Bazaar

The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime held a mermaid festival on Dec. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 8, 2019
Sarasota says 'Mele Kalikimaka' with annual holiday parade

Thousands of Sarasota residents packed Main Street for a "Holidays by the Sea" themed holiday parade on Dec. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 7, 2019
Sheriff's Office welcomes community to open house

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office held its second annual open house on Dec. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Santa Claus plugs in the Christmas tree.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 6, 2019
Five Points Park lights up for the holidays

Sarasota opens holiday season with a tree lighting in Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 5, 2019
Preschoolers visit UTC winter wonderland

Community Day School preschoolers took a field trip to Mall at University Town Center on Dec. 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tranda Pestrak builds a sandcastle with her kids Levi, 4, and Selah, 2, the day after Thanksgiving.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 5, 2019
Buying the beach instead

For some the day after Thanksgiving means sales, but for others it means sun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Glossie Atkins is the mother of former Mayor Fredd Atkins
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 5, 2019
Happy 102nd birthday, Glossie

Glossie Atkins celebrates 102 years of life.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: December 5

Sarasota weather page photo: December 5

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 1, 2019
Siesta Key spreads holiday cheer through annual parade

Siesta Key Village hosted its annual holiday parade Nov. 30.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 28, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 28

Stephen Jordan captured this majestic sunset from Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Nucci" follows the life of a young circus performer who works to master the quadruple somersault.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Life under the big top

Adrian Catarzi, the 13th trapezist to do the triple somersault, wrote a book following his journey to mastering the feat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Bielinski, Jr. stands amid his students and a representative from Guinness World Records.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Trainer teaches longest medical class

John Bielinski leads a Sarasota session for 30 hours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Thanksgiving surprise

Out of Door Academy gifted 75 Gocio Elementary School families with Thanksgiving meal kits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Domenique Maitre knits new items to sell during the festival.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 22, 2019
Pinecraft gets crafty for the holidays

The 26th annual Christmas in Pinecraft Arts and Crafts Festival runs through Nov. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bill Saldo, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota, and Neil McCurry, president and CEO of Sabal Palm Bank.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 22, 2019
Sabal Palm Banks hosts 'Party at the Point'

Proceeds from the event went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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  • May 25, 2026
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