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Sarasota | Neighbors

Dana Heppe of Dana Heppe bags displays her items at Le Marche Marketplace Saturday at Selby Five Points Park.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • March 8, 2025
Le Marche Marketplace in downtown Sarasota draws shoppers and songs

Artists from the Sarasota Opera House give a Saturday morning performance to attendees at the twice-a-year Parisian-style market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of Sarasota's Petticoat Painters whose works will be exhibited at Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2025
Petticoat Painters exhibit debuts March 17

Works of the all-female group of artists will be on display at the Sarasota City Hall atrium.

  • Arts + Culture
Brad Schalk is the owner of Vinyl Vault
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 5, 2025
Record collector turns passion into retail with Vinyl Vault

The vintage record store held its grand opening March 2, inviting The Garbage-Men band for a performance.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Mikhail Tolstov, 13, sold items he printed using his 3D printer. His models come from a site called MakerWorld, where they are authorized for sale, and he uses them to model his own, or sell them as they are.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 4, 2025
Children’s Business Fair teaches kids entrepreneurial skills

The fair, hosted through a partnership between Nailed It DIY Studio and Girls, Inc., offered kids a chance to built their entrepreneurial skills.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lauren Blomster and Montana Taplinger
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 2, 2025
Community serves up support for Southside Elementary School at Cooking for the Arts

Held by Southside School Foundation for the Arts, the event raised over $100,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sean Patton of Stocking Savvy holds a Florida gar specimen.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 2, 2025
Bay Fest invites the community to the coast to learn about conservation efforts

Held at The Bay, the event showcased local environmental organizations working to improve the health of the Sarasota Bay area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Mustang, the Ram, Shelley, Mote's Dr. Jake Lasala, Gilly, Morris the Explorasaurus, Petunia, Super Tooth and Floody the Frog prepare to race.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 28, 2025
Local mascots come together in race to promote Run for the Turtles

The short race, held on Siesta Key Beach, brought together mascots, from a cat to a dinosaur, in support of Mote Marin Laboratory & Aquarium's event.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Emma Burke Jolly
  • February 28, 2025
Sand Bucket List: Must-Try Adventures for a Sun-Soaked Summer

Here are the absolute must-do activities, must-visit spots and must-see sights to make this summer in Sarasota and Manatee counties unforgettable!

  • Sarasota
Sponsored Content
Willie Shaw
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 27, 2025
Former Sarasota mayor recalls family's history of military service

Willie Shaw's father, Wade C. Shaw, was a World War II veteran, and the history goes back further.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wilma Davidson, president of the Sarasota branch of the National League of American Pen Women, showcases some examples of the to-be-hidden art.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 26, 2025
Sarasota Pen Women to launch art treasure hunt

As a way to bring a little extra joy to the community, the Sarasota chapter of the National League of American Pen Women is coordinating a surprise art giveaway.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Hande, senior avian hospital technician, demonstrates the "hamburger hold" on Wilma the lesser scaup duck.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 26, 2025
Save Our Seabirds casts net for new bird-trapping volunteers

The City Island organization needs the help of others in saving the lives of injured birds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Judge Charles Williams, Sarah Wertheimer, Isabella Cicala and Bryson Day
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 25, 2025
Embracing Our Differences luncheon highlights educational initiatives

The event, held Feb. 21, invited district students and a teacher to discuss the impact of the nonprofit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lennox Abell, 5, her parents Logan and Lakesha Abell, and their dog Netalya, make their way along the walk.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 23, 2025
Support gets moving at Get Your Mutt Movin' 5K Run and Walk

The event, held by Satchel's Last Resort, brought together fun offerings, from a race to a costume contest, while also supporting the rescue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka's trail marking was made possible thanks to Friends of Myakka River volunteers and a generous grant from Athletic Brewing.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 23, 2025
Myakka marks backcountry with numbered posts

New trail markers will enhance wayfinding and help rangers locate park visitors in need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dan Minor accepts the key from Erin Minor.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2025
Harvest House bids goodbye to longtime executive at annual luncheon

Dan Minor prepared to take the reins from his sister Erin Minor, longtime CEO and executive director of the nonprofit, during the 2025 Home Again Luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • February 20, 2025
JL Bainbridge: We believe in being Stewards of Family Prosperity

"We’ve spent over 40 years building a Sarasota-based family wealth management firm that truly loves helping clients take control of their financial well-being before and throughout retirement,” says JL Bainbridge president John Leeming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Beginning to End Interiors | B2End
  • February 20, 2025
Are You Truly Ready for Your Remodeling Project?

“We’re here to help our clients navigate the often overwhelming maze of design and renovation decisions,” says Alan Gravley. “There are more misconceptions out there than you might think.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Sarasota's Clayton Lambert, 6, tries on a fire helmet with the help of his mother Megan Lambert.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 19, 2025
Fire department open house showcases special operations division

The Sarasota County Fire Department held an open house for Station 8 at 840 Apex Road, part of a series of events held one Saturday of each month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ella Walker, 17, Abby Duplissey, 19, Patty Foley and Lauren Taylor Nock perform with the ballet team.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 18, 2025
Sarasota Ski-A-Rees host first show since hurricanes

Although waters were rough, the waterskiing nonprofit still braved the conditions to offer its first performance since hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A cardio dance routine requires students to move forward and back, side to side and remember specific steps, which helps improve memory.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • February 17, 2025
Cardio dance: Healthy heart, healthy mind!

A cardio workout promotes heart health but also creates a disciplined routine that improves memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Case Taylor of makes a leap while practicing for the stunt show.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 16, 2025
Motorcyclists ride in for camaraderie and charity at Thunder by the Bay

The music and motorcycle festival, held from Feb. 14-16, brings bikers, stunts and entertainment and support for the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Russ and Carol Hoffman of Osprey renew their vows. They have been married 33 years and have been coming to the cermony almost ever year since 1999.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2025
Couples head to Siesta Key Beach to renew vows

The Say "I Do" Again vow renewal ceremony, held at sunset on Siesta Beach, has continued to draw couples for over 35 years.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Bob Bunting, Tracie Troxler, Karen Holbrook, A.G. Lafley, David Kotok and Elizabeth Moore
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2025
Climate Adaptation Center honors resilience efforts in the community

The ceremony honored four individuals and their contributions to local resilience initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2025-26
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2025
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2025-26

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2025-26 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carmen Ciricillo performs at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 13, 2025
Nationally touring comedian finds a sweet spot in Sarasota

Carmen Ciricillo was always in search of positivity and laughter. After he visited Sarasota in 1992, it was the place he wanted to call home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Tidewell Hospice
  • February 13, 2025
Why Supporting Tidewell Hospice Matters

No matter how deeply empathetic we may be when hearing about someone’s loved one nearing the end of life, we can never truly understand the weight of that loss until we experience it ourselves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Enzo Frascone, 4, asks Debby Alexander to help him identify a shell.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 10, 2025
Shell show provides education and shell spectacle

The event, hosted by the Sarasota Shell Club, combined artistic and scientific displays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Sumegi, 4, sorts fish into different colored bowls, as Violet Moore, 3, watches.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 10, 2025
Storybook Street brings storybooks to life to encourage reading

Numerous organizations came together for the event, held by the Early Learning Coalition, to help provide experiences tying in with free books.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Paddi Juliano and Magda Shea
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2025
Heart & Soul on Palm lets the community celebrate Valentine's Day together

The event brought together a funk band, photo-ops, couples and friends and family.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A mobile of figures hangs above Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2025
Downtown Festival of the Arts turns Main Street into a fine art gallery

The juried art show, held Feb. 8-9, covers five blocks of Main Street with stations by over 200 artists.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Warm Sands Wellness
  • February 7, 2025
3 Non-Surgical Paths to Younger Skin

Plasma energy is a revolutionary way to maintain a youthful look with minimal downtime and none of the risks of traditional surgery.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Beach University 2025 sessions will be held each Thursday in March at Siesta Beach Pavillion.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 7, 2025
Beach University returns to Siesta Beach Pavillion

Free, one-hour educational sessions will be held every Thursday in March.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mark Vengroff if finishing what his father started at One Stop Housing.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 6, 2025
Mark Vengroff finds his one last career stop the most rewarding

The managing partner of One Stop Housing came from Los Angeles to fulfill his father's legacy of providing affordable housing for the working class.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota School of Architecture member Carl Abbott and Pastor Ashley Nicolls
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 5, 2025
St. Paul Lutheran Church rededicates Victor Lundy education building

Created in 1962, the building saw a renovation costing about $756,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Baker Zovath, 4, had his face painted based on the film "Braveheart."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2025
Highland Games & Celtic Festival honors Scottish culture

The second annual Suncoast Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival included games, dancing, music and animals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Maria Cruz dances in the performance by Bomba Yemayá.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 3, 2025
NocheUnidos welcomes bomba group, Mardi Gras Indians to The Ringling

The event, celebrating Hispanic heritage and supporting UnidosNow, welcomed the groups Bomba Yemayá and The 79rs Gang from New Orleans to the Ringling Museum courtyard.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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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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