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Sarasota | Neighbors

Kava bed is crafted with purpose.
  • By Copenhagen Imports
  • May 13, 2025
5 Hot Furniture Trends Elevating Modern Living

Discover the sleek, smart, and stylish furniture trends transforming today’s homes into havens of modern design and intentional living.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Bryan Shuerger of the 501st Legion's Tampa Bay Squad came dressed as Darth Vader
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2025
Siesta Con brings together characters and community members

The event, now in its second year, featured costumes, celebrity guests, vehicles, vendors and other offerings.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
David Curran and Shannon Fortner of MeteorEYES
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2025
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest celebrates LGBTQ+ community

The event, which celebrated 15 years, found a renewed visibility as it returned to the location of Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Felicia Donson and her dog, Jasper, sit surrounded by donated books.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 8, 2025
In honor of her mom, daughter founds nonprofit to gift books to kids

The recently-founded Mom's Book Nook aims to provide books for children through various community organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Baber presents an award to Dorothy Korwek.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 7, 2025
Heritage Awards honor history preservation efforts in the community

The awards honor outstanding efforts towards preservation and understanding of Sarasota's history.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota friends Veronica Muñoz, Maria Veronica Guillen Vasquez and Benito Enriquez, who are from Mexico, and Maria Stephens, who is from Venezuela, dressed up to represent their home countries. "I love Mexicans and I think they're my brothers and my sisters," Stephens said.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 6, 2025
El Melvin hosts Cinco de Mayo Block Party

The event still featured an elevated VIP deck, outdoor vendors, costume performers and live music by the Bri Rivera Band.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Karen Hall and her partner Paul Voloshen watch the musical performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 5, 2025
Art Ovation Hotel celebrates Kentucky Derby with Derby Day

With live music and elegant hats, the event combined the sporting event with the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The archry show concludes, with Attila Toth at the center of the group.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 4, 2025
Hungarian festival connects people of different nationalities

The event, now in its 18th year, features archery, falconry shows, live music and dance, and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artist April Davis puts finishing touches on a painting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 4, 2025
Downtown Sarasota hosts Spring Craft Fair

The event showcased works by artisans such as jewelry, photography, painting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ecological connectivity is critical for imperiled native species such as Florida scrub jays, who were last observed at Myakka in 2005.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 4, 2025
Connectivity key to healthy habitats

Wildlife corridors help maintain natural processes that support clean air, rich soil and freshwater.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Maria Swirczyuski, 10 showcases her artwork from Lina Rincon Art Studio. She also created the painting of the heron to the left.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 30, 2025
Creative Kids SRQ hosts first block party event with Youth Art Fest

The nonprofit, which aims to empower young artists, expanded its Youth Art Fest into the streets.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mason Manahan, 5, and Juniper Hassler, 6, dig in a compost pile.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 29, 2025
Families celebrate Earth Day outdoors at The Bay

The event brought together various community organizations, and was hosted alongside a city tree giveaway.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A series of Thunderbirds line the car show.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 28, 2025
Car enthusiasts gather for Devereaux-Kaiser Collector Car Show

The annual show, which drew about 400 cars, is held by the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diego Chappa, 6, and his brother Tadeo Chappa, 8, showcase their medals.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 28, 2025
Education Foundation Ringling Bridge Run returns for second year

The run over the John Ringling Causeway supported student and teacher programming in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eva Bennett, 6, and her mom Kelly Bennett
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 27, 2025
City of Sarasota celebrates Take Your Child to Work Day

The city's Bring Your Kids to Work Day offered a glimpse into the workings of the local government and its police department.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The weekend-long event takes place at three beaches in south Sarasota County and three in north Sarasota County – explaining the trifecta portion of the event title.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 24, 2025
Sarasota County Beach cleanup days set for six sites in May

Three beaches in south Sarasota and three in north Sarasota form the basis for the fifth annual Beach Blast Trifecta.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Betty J. Johnson (center) stand with Blake Erquiaga and Kelly Larkin of the Pop-Up Library.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 23, 2025
Betty J. Johnson Library celebrates 20th anniversary

The library, founded in 2003, is located in the predominantly Black community of Newtown.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stellan Salander, 5, holds a bunny.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 19, 2025
Easter eggs and animals feature in Siesta Key's Easter Egg Hunt

The annual event, held by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce on the grounds of Siesta Key Chapel, involved different community organizations.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Tim Tebow speaks at the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 19, 2025
Former Gator Tim Tebow headlines Good Friday event at Payne Park

Good Friday at Payne Park, held by First Sarasota, also featured activities including an egg hunt.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rev. David Svihel stands before the crowd.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 18, 2025
Big gathering heads down Main Street for stations of the cross

The annual walk invited all denominations to celebrate a Good Friday tradition, with 14 stations representing the story of Jesus' crucifixion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Impact100 SRQ held its fundraising reveal event on April 16 at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2025
Impact100 SRQ raises $864,000 for grants to nonprofits

Grants of $108,000 will be awarded later in 2025 to nonprofits working in five areas of philanthropy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cynthia Paris
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 17, 2025
Community members laugh together at laughter yoga event

The Florida Day of Laughter was held the weekend of April 5, spanning the Hyatt Place Sarasota Airport and the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An illustration by E. H. Shepard from "Winnie-the-Pooh"
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 17, 2025
Bookstore1Sarasota to host Winnie the Pooh live radio-style performance

The Gothic Library's adaptation of "The House on Pooh Corner" will be performed April 17 and 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fifth graders Charlie Cavallaro and Guadalupe Jaraz created a Medieval-themed car, although some of its components were lost during the races.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2025
Students race remote-controlled cars of their own design at Faulhaber Fab Lab

Students created vehicles themed after different time periods for the 10th Annual Remote Control Car Competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lynn Christensen says she's grateful her family and staff have been able to rebuild from the storms as well as they have.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2025
Residents learn from hurricane damage

After facing widespread infrastructure damage, local business owners and residents are finishing the last of their rebuilding and looking ahead to next season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ryan Yonker, 13, Rabbi Michael Shefrin, Yonker's cousin Mila Gordon, 4, and Snait Ben-Herut gather together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 14, 2025
Families celebrate Passover at Temple Emanu-El dinner

The Annual Family Seder allowed all ages to enjoy a Seder meal together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Clark Horton, 5, finds an egg.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 13, 2025
Kids head into the swimming pool to hunt for Easter eggs

The Aqua Egg Hunt at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex took Easter egg hunting to the water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Greg Corban and his wife Katy Corban clean up trash.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Dana Kampa
  • April 12, 2025
Volunteers implement massive countywide cleanup

Trash collection efforts took place Saturday throughout Sarasota County, contributing to the "Greatest American Cleanup."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Shannon Elyse Curry speaks at the reception
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 10, 2025
Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative hosts exhibition at Van Wezel

The exhibit, “Tradition and the Abstract: Improvisations and the Norm,” is part of the “Beyond Regional Boundaries” initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • April 10, 2025
Navigating Tax Changes in 2025 and 2026

How J.L. Bainbridge Helps Secure Your Financial Future

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lannie Fineman, 17, and Sophie Huralde, 17, created Positively Sweet.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2025
Young entrepreneurs sell their creations at The Bazaar

The Young Entrepreneur Market highlighted the creativity of some of the community's entrepreneurs ages 8 to 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lido Beach welcomes plenty of visitors near the end of the busy season despite challenges posed by the hurricanes six months ago.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2025
Moving forward from hurricanes takes united community effort

Leaders in the tourism industry celebrate successes in recovery and encourage both visitors and residents to support local businesses along the road to full recovery.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Joe Neunder cuts the ribbon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2025
Sarasota County cuts ribbon on Historic Keith Farmhouse restoration

The farmhouse, built in 1916, is considered one of Sarasota County's most significant historic structures.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fifth graders Jaleeyah and Journee mix the coffee cake.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2025
Girls Inc. girls bake coffee cakes in honor of Virginia B. Toulmin

Girls Inc. members cooked the dessert, a favorite of philanthropist Virginia Toulmin, in honor of their one-year scholarships to Young Chefs Academy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jack Brill, chair of the Republican Party of Sarasota County, Sen. Joe Gruters, Sen. Jim Boyd, Graci McGillicuddy, Rep. Fiona McFarland, Rep. James Buchanan and Rep. Will Robinson.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 8, 2025
Graci McGillicuddy presented with Lifetime Achievement Award

Republican Party of Sarasota County recognizes her work on behalf of abused children, including through her co-founding of All Star Children's Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Children wait to dive for eggs during a previous Aqua Egg Hunt at Arlington Park pool.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2025
Aqua Egg Hunt set for April 12

The annual event will be held at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex.

  • 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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2
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
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You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
3
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
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Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

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