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Sarasota | Opinion

Population growth spawns prosperity. Development comes with it.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Population growth spawns prosperity. Development comes with it.

Anyone who lives in Florida, full or part time, and thinks they have the right to keep others from having what you have is delusional. Don’t like it? Go back to New Jersey.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Selby Gardens: A vision comes to life; a shinier gem
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Selby Gardens: A vision comes to life; a shinier gem

The opening last week of the first phase of the Gardens’ $92 million master plan was a monumental culmination.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Vaccine deaths higher than COVID deaths, entrepreneur and author say
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Vaccine deaths higher than COVID deaths, entrepreneur and author say

Here are shocking statements of late, from Steve Kirsch and Bret Weinstein, both early dissenters to the COVID vaccines.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The city needs to simplify zoning for bars and restaurants
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 11, 2024
The city needs to simplify zoning for bars and restaurants

An Observer reader attempts to streamline the city's zoning language for bars and restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Performance appraisals for City Commission
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 11, 2024
Performance appraisals for City Commission

A former city commissioner encourages residents to make sure the commission is serving the public good.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Adrian Moore, Max Gulker
  • January 10, 2024
Florida social media law: Unconstitutional

Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature claim they are taking back the public square from big tech. But what they are doing is infringing on free speech.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Kudos to the Observer for a commitment to environmental reporting
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 4, 2024
Kudos to the Observer for a commitment to environmental reporting

The chair of Suncoast Waterkeeper notes the Observer Media Group's contributions to environmental initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
How little has changed
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 3, 2024
How little has changed

A new year is a time for optimism. But four books remind us the fight for liberty is forever. "Never give in."

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Words for 2024
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2023
Words for 2024

At the start of each year, we pick a word to live by. We asked others to give us their word for 2024. They all make persuasive cases.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Spend the holidays with people who value you. Let go of the guilt, and the stress will fade away, too.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • December 13, 2023
Here's a simple recipe for happy holidays

Relax and pamper yourself. Do something healthy. These are your holidays too.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Biden administration policies ignore the data
  • By Guy Bentley, Adrian Moore
  • December 13, 2023
Biden administration policies ignore the data

New proposed "solutions" take on problems that don’t exist or don’t have evidence that they will provide a fix.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, the Consul General of Israel in Miami, says "this isn’t a war against Palestinians. This is a fight between good and evil."
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 6, 2023
What 'Never Again' means to me

Never Again. That phrase came to light worldwide after the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews were killed in Europe — at the hands of Nazi Germany. Will the phrase be a promise or a phony pledge?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The day that should live in infamy
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 6, 2023
The day that should live in infamy

Fewer and fewer Americans can actually recall were they were on Dec. 7, 1941, the way most of can recall where we were on Sept. 11, 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
‘Champs’ for children
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • November 29, 2023
‘Champs’ for children

Forty Carrots Family Center engulfed The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota once again Nov. 17 with its annual Bacchanalian fundraiser — Wine, Women & Shoes luncheon and fashion show.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
We need a housing leader
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 16, 2023
We need a housing leader

Politicians and government won’t solve the affordable housing shortage. It will take a champion, or champions.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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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
4
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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