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Sarasota | Neighbors

Sarasota's Tyler Burke ("Turbo Tyler") enters the Globe of Death during the 2024 edition of Thunder by the Bay
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 5, 2025
Classic sounds headline 2026 Thunder by the Bay

Night Ranger and .38 Special top the music acts for the February fundraiser at Sarasota County Fairgrounds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Casey Schuber
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 4, 2025
Singer takes a long musical path to be a Siesta Key mainstay

Casey on the Key recounts her journey from an "American Idol" contestant to singing music in paradise.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 4, 2025
Rev your engines for exotic cars on St. Armands

The Exotic Car Show On The Circle takes place Saturday on St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Ellenton Landings
  • September 4, 2025
The Rise of Niche Active Adult Living

The unique needs of the Baby Boomer generation reveal a new trend in real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Bay Park opened in 2022 along Sarasota's bayfront.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2025
Sarasota's Bay Park plans dozens of free events for anniversary

More than 80 shows, concerts or celebrations are at the attraction that opened in 2022.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Caleb H. and Wyatt J. practice showmanship.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 3, 2025
Sarasota County hosts poultry workshop at The Farm

The McIntosh Middle School facility hosted a workshop to teach kids poultry husbandry and prepare them for the Sarasota County Fair in March.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Figueroa of Secure HR and Jorge Valdes of Golf Therapy Club enjoy the event experience.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2025
Business casual: Sarasota Chamber holds its grand expo

The eevent allowed the general public and business owners to browse Robarts Arena to see what the local area has to offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Milene Moreira, Jessé Martins and Nadine Trudel
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2025
Church hits the high note to wrap up its midsummer series

Part of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church's Midsummer Music Festival, the event focused on lesser-known pieces.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ramin Mesghali looks at the artwork.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Remodeled and ready: St. Armands gallery hosts Longboat chamber

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's Off the Clock Networking at Wyland Gallery allowed attendees to connect in a new space.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visiting the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum in Savannah, GA
  • By Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
  • August 28, 2025
Girl Scouts is where girls grow and families connect within our communities.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is helping the next generation of changemakers thrive.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Megan Nystrom walks Baker.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Dogs Inc. service dogs get a day of training at Van Wezel

Guide dogs in training for Dogs Inc. had the chance to learn how to enter a theater, practice different walking surfaces and avoid distractions like food being served in the Grand Foyer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rose Canino sings at Town Square.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 28, 2025
Key Chorale serves seniors with health challenges through choir sessions

The Sarasota organization offers Local Come Together Choir for senior enrichment at Town Square Sarasota and Where Are My Keys? Chorale at Senior Friendship Centers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By The Tidewell Foundation Inc.
  • August 28, 2025
A Wish Fulfilled: Geno’s Story

The Tidewell Foundation’s Wishes Fund fulfills a last wish for Tidewell Hospice patients and their families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Andre McClerklin and Joseph Mack
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 27, 2025
Newtown residents find a place for unwanted items at cleanup

The Newtown Community Cleanup event removed 23.99 tons of debris, according to Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nina Young, 13, of the band Pins and Needles, performs on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 25, 2025
Music Compound marks a year in new Sarasota location

The music school invited the community inside for performances by students, sample lessons, local vendors and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rigoberto Torres holds the bust of Bélen Lopez. There is still more work to be done, including opening the eyes on the sculpture and painting the surface.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2025
See how a renowned sculptor creates plaster casts of community members

Sculptor Rigoberto Torres is bringing his community lifecasting to The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art for its upcoming exhibition "Nuestro Vaivén (Our Sway)."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Access to golf in Sarasota is no longer a black and white matter
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2025
Access to golf in Sarasota is no longer a black and white matter

Longtime Bobby Jones golfer Ken Spaulding recalls when available tee times often depended upon color.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Prince Knight performs on Aug. 18.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2025
Jazz Jam SRQ lets the community play together

The free-to-attend, improvised performances, held at Selby Public Library, are being paired with education in the fundamentals of jazz.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Olivia Swanson dishes up a scoop of passionfruit gelato on her last day at Settimi's Gelato before she heads off to college for a new school year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 20, 2025
Summer snapshot on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle falls into an easy-going summertime pace in August, when visitors and residents take their time exploring the restaurants and shops in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ana Salmon receives a demonstration from Elyse Falzone, an intuitive energy healer and spiritual mentor.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 19, 2025
Bee Ridge Florist welcomes community inside for Feel Good Fair

The family-owned flower shop, which recently changed ownership to sisters Alex Wise-Brewer and Devyn Wise, hosted the Feel Good Fair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jose Angel Figueroa Jr. makes music in the circle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 18, 2025
Attendees live their best life in the Siesta Key Drum Circle

The event, held since about 1996, takes place every Sunday in Siesta Key, rain or shine.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Corey Vandenhoe snorkeling during the Great Scallop Search
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 18, 2025
Help scientists while enjoying a day on Sarasota Bay

Sarasota Bay Watch is hosting its annual citizen science-led survey of scallops in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
St. Lucie County's Sara Rosenzweig and Volusia County's Copper Reynolds share a moment of excitement as they complete their 100 meter race at the Special Olympics Florida 2025 State Stand Up Paddle Competititon on Aug. 16.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 17, 2025
Special Olympics athletes stand up to the challenge at Sarasota paddling event

The Stand Up Paddle event drew 155 athletes to Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Paola Ramirez, Jairo Badilla and Anderson Pelaez
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 12, 2025
Sarasota's CreArte Latino celebrates its birthday with fundraiser

The nonprofit held a fundraiser celebration for its eighth birthday and first birthday in its new space, inviting the local community to join.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Amy Blair, the manager at the Old Salty Dog on City Island, said visitors often enjoy seeing dolphins, sharks, seabirds and other wildlife from the waterfront seating.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 12, 2025
Old Salty Dog celebrates post-recovery recognition

Not long after reopening from a five-month closure caused by hurricane damage, the longstanding Sarasota bar is celebrating a new national commendation.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Andre Evans, 11, his mother Heather Abling, and cousin Nyomii Knight, 9, left with backpacks for the school year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Church of the Redeemer prepares Alta Vista students with Back-to-School Bash

The event offered supplies and services before the start of school including shoes and clothing items, backpacks and vision and dental exams.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evelyn Lucas, 5, and her friends Kevin McGuckin, 3, and his sister Kinsley McGuckin, 5 (front row) pose with Flight Nurse Pamela Young.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2025
Fire department open house showcases Bayflite medical helicopter

The open house events allow community members to visit fire stations and meet local firefighters and community partners.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Betsy Friedman, interim executive director, and Andy Blanch, founder and director, of Sarasota Strong, and Sister Kristina Abernathy and her husband Father Paul Abernathy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 9, 2025
Pastor leads trauma-informed community development workshop

A workshop hosted by SRQ Strong is part of a project to build community resources from within the community.

  • 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
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
2
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
3
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
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Sarasota residents Erma and Dave Miller were drawn into the world of bicycle motocross because of their son, Doug Miller, and have spent decades in the sport.
  • February 5, 2026
Sarasota couple stand side by side with BMX
5
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles

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