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Sarasota | Neighbors

Aerosmith rockers Steven Tyler and Joe Perry stopped into Morton's Gormet Market last week.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 21, 2025
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry stop in Sarasota for lunch

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Longboat Key condo owner Joe Perry stopped in last week for lunch at Morton's Gourmet Market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Raining Berries will be at 1935 S. Osprey Ave. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 20, 2025
Former Rays pitcher to appear at Southside coffee shop opening

Meet MLB legend and World Series winner Edwin Jackson at new business grand opening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Joseph has collected approximately 80 dolls from about 40 countries.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 19, 2025
Local library volunteer showcases collection of dolls from around the world

Jennifer Joseph has collected what she estimates at around 80 dolls from 40 different countries.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of the Indian Association of Manasota, led by president Megha Vaid, dance at this year's Diverse Fest at The Harvest Sarasota on June 14.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 18, 2025
Sarasota church The Harvest encourages community unity at Diverse Fest

Residents of all ages turned out for the third annual Diverse Fest at The Harvest Sarasota, which aims to uplift community members from all walks of life.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eboni Rome and owner Natasha Milhouse run the NHome Taste of Soul booth at a Juneteenth festival on June 14.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 17, 2025
Juneteenth celebration brings together entrepreneurs

The sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way street fair celebrated some of Newton's best food and craft pop-ups.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Farthing and his daughter, Julianna, turn the top deck of The Oval into a dance floor as they celebrate Father's Day with a special Sundays at the Bay show.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 17, 2025
The Bay Sarasota celebrates Father's Day

Families packed The Oval for a special Father's Day edition of Sundays at The Bay last weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
From left to right: Nick Williams, Donna Portaro and Nicole Bocdin are keeping volunteers energized with healthy snacks.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • June 16, 2025
All smiles no trash at Mote's Sea to Shore: Clean and Explore Event

Volunteers of all different ages and organizations came together to celebrate World Ocean Week 2025 and learn more from Mote's Homeschool Students Program.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Manasota Flooring
  • June 12, 2025
Rising Together When Storms Strike

When disaster strikes, families often focus on roofing, windows, and structural repairs—but flooring plays a major role in recovery too.

  • Hurricane Season
Sponsored Content
Jacob Kalua (second from right) celebrates with his sister Regan Kalua, father Shelton Kalua and mother Regina Kalua after graduating Sarasota High School.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 11, 2025
Years of hard work pay off for local high school graduate

Despite dealing with the hurricanes, Sarasota High School graduate Jacob Kalua of Lido Key celebrates his consistent academic record as a scholarship recipient.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Knapp, stage name Greta Gripp, performs an acrobatic routine at the Silver Pride celebration June 7 at Senior Friendship Centers.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 10, 2025
Sarasota seniors ring in Pride Month

Project Pride SRQ recognized long-term couples and newlyweds at Silver Pride this year, among other activities celebrating Pride Month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
ShimmyBOOM bellydancers, lead by Misha Nell, performed at the SRQCon at the Selby Libraries.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • June 10, 2025
Heroes, villains and cartoon characters come to life at SRQCon 2025

People of all ages were in their best dressed armor, swords and masks for the pop culture convention hosted at the Selby Library.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carol Smith lends a hand with the beach cleanup at Siesta Beach for World Ocean Day on June 8, kicking off a week of events by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 9, 2025
Keeping 'America's best beach' sharp for World Ocean Day

Representatives from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and Sarasota County are collaborating for an expanded celebration of World Ocean Week, which kicked off with a cleanup at Siesta Key Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rob Vega shows the aluminum wiring he uses to craft his lightweight, tarnish-resistant jewelry at last weekend's St. Armands Circle Craft Festival.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 9, 2025
From aluminum to acrylic, St. Armands gets crafty

Local craftspeople showcased their work at last weekend's annual St. Armands Circle Craft Festival.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Runners start off on the course.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 9, 2025
Run club at local craft beer bar grows to hundreds in size

99 Bottles' Run Club has become a fitness and social hangout for the local community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
North Washington Drive on St Armands after Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 9, 2025
Maryland Girl Scout donates to Sarasota hurricane relief

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently received a handwritten letter from the fifth-grader, and $77.04. She sold lemonade and hot chocolate to raise the money from last fall until April.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lucas Lindbloom, 5, his mother Ana Lindbloom, sister Isabella Lindbloom, 15, and father Thomas Lindbloom
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 4, 2025
Sarasota City YMCA branch kicks off summer camp with pancake breakfast

The breakfast for families preceded the start of the traditional and aquatics summer camps.

  • 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
  • June 2, 2025
Myakka River thrives with restored floodplain

New life embraces Myakka’s habitat restoration zone.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The TripleR Atelier was created mostly from recycled parts.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 29, 2025
Sarasota hobbyist used recycled parts to rebuild Volkswagen Beetle

Jae Honda has been working with cars his whole life, from the time he was a child driving them on the beach in Hawaii.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Circle is one of this year's nominees for USA Today's Top 10 best shopping centers.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 29, 2025
St. Armands Circle aims for readers' choice award

Sarasota's St. Armands Circle hopes to take the title of USA Today's top shopping center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Tidewell Foundation
  • May 29, 2025
Empath LIFE: Empowering Seniors to Live Safely at Home

Empath LIFE empowers adults aged 55+ to continue living at home while receiving extra care during the day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM)
  • May 29, 2025
The Advocacy Down Payment: How Your REALTORS® Are Investing in Our Region’s Future.

The REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) plays a critical role in shaping policy and protecting the foundations of homeownership and quality of life in the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Catherine Avery, Founder
  • May 29, 2025
From Wall Street to Longboat Key: How CAIM Built a Top-Tier Investment Firm with a Personal Touch

Catherine Avery, owner of Catherine Avery Investment Management (CAIM), began her investment journey as an 18 year old New York University finance student while working at Oppenheimer Funds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mariano Martinez rescued seven people from a rip current at Lido Beach in 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 28, 2025
Sarasota County lifeguard received Medal of Valor for 2024 rescue

Mariano Martinez was also named the state's Lifeguard of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pool Perfection - Get out of the Stone Age with the Latham advantage
  • By Latham Pools
  • May 27, 2025
Pool Perfection - Get out of the Stone Age with the Latham advantage

Built to last, easy to maintain, with options for your needs - Latham fiberglass pools are crafted to turn any outdoor space into the ultimate retreat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
David Quintano
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 27, 2025
Army vet receives refurbished car through NABC Recycled Ride program

David Quintano says the vehicle, refurbished by Crash Champions Sarasota, will shorten his two-hour commute to work, to 10 minutes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Military Academy students Skyler Selby, Nathan New, Aiden Blair, Benson Van and Desmond Hunter walk in the procession.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 26, 2025
Memorial Day Parade carries on a tradition of remembrance

The parade brought together local law enforcement agencies, first responders, organizations and government officials.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gemma Briggs plays the bagpipes while accompanied by Rear Commodore Saul Landesberg, Jay Plager and Vice Commodore Tony Britt during Bird Key Yacht Club's tribute to the fallen for Memorial Day.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 26, 2025
Bird Key honors fallen heroes Memorial Day weekend

Bagpipe instrumentalist Gemma Briggs offers special tribute with patriotic songs, remembering her family members who served.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tommy Madi of Slim Chickens, which provided food at the event, and his friend Maria Guardado, walk over the Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2025
Memorial Day hike crosses Ringling Bridge in honor of the fallen

Hosted by SRQ Vets, the event also featured a giveaway of two vehicles to military veterans in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The ride proceeds along Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 23, 2025
Bikers ride through downtown to honor cyclist victims of roadway accidents

The annual Ride of Silence is held by Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club and the Village Idiots Cycling Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The flag flies over the pier on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 22, 2025
Siesta Key resident honors military service members with flag ceremony

Every day, rain or shine, except Sundays, Wayne Bundy raises and lowers the flag at Beach Access 2 at Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Tim Solomon, Jan Solomon, Lindy Hipsher, Cindy Peachey, Lois Kain and Cynthia Frank
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 21, 2025
Key Sailing offers free charters to fellow 1975 Sarasota High graduates

Jan and Tim Solomon, graduates of the Sarasota High School class of 1975, invited their fellow sailors along for boat charters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jackson Foscolos, 12, poses with his mother Jennifer Foscolos, brother Mason Foscolos, 9, and grandparents Hans and Leslie Rode.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 20, 2025
Fire department open house showcases the tools behind rescues

The open house a Station 4 on Old Bradenton Road followed the fire department's receipt of international recognition for its cardiac care.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nate Jacobs and members of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will host the third annual Juneteenth Arts Festival on June 22.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2025
WBTT to host third annual Juneteenth Arts Festival

The festival takes place June 22 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's campus.

  • Arts + Culture
  • By Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
  • May 19, 2025
Steffany’s story: Finding Purpose in Rehabilitation

“I was living a completely normal life. I worked full time, went to school full time and was always on the go,” she said.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Shanaia Nadesu, a fourth grader at Innovation Academy, provided an illustration.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 15, 2025
Sarasota students write letters about Florida for Virginia third grader

A letter from a Virginia third grader's class asked what life is like in Florida. Sarasota students provide answers.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kevin Spencer performs in a Fruitville Elementary classroom.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 14, 2025
Magician known for therapeutic applications of magic tours Sarasota

Kevin Spencer visited various locations in the community during a week as the Artist in Residence with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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1
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
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You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
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  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

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