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Your Observer

Eric Troyer of Kerkering, Barberio & Co. presents the award to Evan Samson.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2023
Sarasota Chamber honors area young professionals at summit event

Tiona Settles of CenterPlace Health and Evan Samson of DMSI International both received the Young Professional of the Year Award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A 96-unit affordable housing development is proposed for county land at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail. All units will be priced attainable for those earning 80% or less of the area median income.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2023
96-unit attainable housing project proposed for Tamiami Trail

All units will be priced at an attainable level for renters at 80% or below area median income.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Akiem Esdaile plays at Whitney's every Friday and Saturday from 6-9 p.m.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 21, 2023
Jazz guitarist on why he loves to play Longboat Key

Akiem Esdaile shares his inspirations, goals in music and the musical experience he hopes to provide when he plays at Whitney's.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
3-year-old Cameron Benfer relaxes with a guitar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2023
Music Compound SRQ puts students center stage at Back to School Bash

The event offered the public an opportunity to enjoy music from the studio’s student performers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie Martin pours SALT Tequila.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2023
Rotary Club of Sarasota hosts first Toast Local charity event

The event, which featured tastings of craft cocktails and local beers, benefited charities in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kristin Hokanson, who owns Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard with her husband, John, is looking forward to the winery's next grape picking experience where participants will be able to have their chance to pick grapes right off the vines.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2023
Fiorelli Winery to host grape-picking experience in east Bradenton

The grape harvest will allow people to get hands-on experience in the winemaking process.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Music Compound music instructor Alicia Schiavone offers Palmetto 6-year-old Bennett Blumer a beginner's lesson guitar. "He has some type of performer in him, we just don't know how to channel it yet," says Hilary Blumer, Bennett's mother.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2023
Back to School Bash a hit at Music Compound in East County

Children learned about their musical potential in Bradenton by trying different instruments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For Carrie Leitzman, co-proprietor, Truman’s is an extension of her home, a bridge to her community, and an expression of family values passed down across the generations.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 19, 2023
Spirit of giving sets this Lakewood Ranch family restaurant apart

For the restaurateurs behind Truman’s Tap & Grill, serving great food in a relaxed ambiance starts with family.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A classic exterior only hints at the splendors inside this 6,600-square-foot home recently renovated by Nick and Nora Berente.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 19, 2023
Glitz and glamour dazzle in a Country Club remodel

This freshly renovated home delights with its finely curated luxury design.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The breezeway over Quay Commons in the proposed One Park development. A transfer of air rights to the developer is being challenged in 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 19, 2023
Judge sets the table(s) for One Park air rights trial

A dozen or more attorneys will need seats when the case over the space above Quay Commons is heard starting Aug. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Art Uptown Gallery artist Elisabeth Trostli displays digital paintings of powerful women of varying races and ethnicities in 2018.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 18, 2023
Art Uptown Gallery to close after 43 years in Sarasota

Rising rents are forcing galleries out of downtown, but other artist spaces beckon.

  • Arts + Culture
The “Grandma’s Sicilian” pizza is one of Michelangelo’s signature offerings.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • August 18, 2023
When you’re craving a slice, these local eateries bake the best pizzas

In Lakewood Ranch, the sky is the limit for pizza possibilities.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Maya Taeoalii dances for the audience, but she arrived before the performance at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch to teach the ladies how to hula dance.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 18, 2023
Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch hosts a luau

The Royale Polynesian Revue performed for the senior residents on Aug. 17.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The future land use map above identifies in green the areas in the city with a future land use designation of Urban Mixed-Use.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2023
City to hold attainable housing open houses in August, September

With downtown plan complete, city staff turns its attention to commercial corridors and centers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Those who come to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch will now have more places to dine, shop and dance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2023
Eatalia, The Wellness Space sign to join Waterside Place lineup

Agave Bandido, a Mexican-American restaurant, and the Deep Lagoon seafood and oyster house are expected soon.

  • East County
  • Business
Terrence Connor was selected as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 18, 2023
Sarasota County superintendent to host listening tours

Superintendent Terry Connor is hosting a series of events to gather feedback from school district employees and the community as he transitions into his role.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Greg Kerchner was among the swarm of citizens speaking out against cuts to the comprehensive plan regarding wetlands.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 18, 2023
Manatee votes to reduce wetland protections in county development plan

Commissioners said they want to protect property rights and guard against overregulation.

  • East County
  • News
Henry Fioriglio (53) should have a big senior season for Riverview High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 17, 2023
Riverview football wants better early results in 2023

The Rams have questions to answer, but plenty of choices, especially at quarterback.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota senior running back Joe Ziegler has set an initial target of 1,200 yards for the 2023 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 17, 2023
Sarasota High football gets a new attitude for 2023

First-year Head Coach Josh Phillips ushers in a fresh Sailors era.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A conceptual site plan shows remote airport parking on the west side of the former Sarasota Kennel Club property with future commercial development on the east site.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 17, 2023
New development in the works at former Kennel Club site

A plan to offer temporary off-site airport parking while a master plan is conceived met obstacles from Sarasota's Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tara Poulton has the perfect pairing of personality and work ethic for her job.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 17, 2023
Putting politics into action locally isn’t easy. Tara Poulton just makes it look that way.

With a cool-under-pressure personality mixed with a get-stuff-done work ethic, Tara Poulton is the right fit as the new district director for Lakewood Ranch’s only U.S. Congressman.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A home at 1915 Clematis St. sold for $2.95 million. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,161 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 17, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 31 to Aug. 4 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A two-property sale on Casey Key tops the week's sales at $4.53 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Seeburg’s 1951 Model B (right) was among the first jukeboxes that could play 45 RPM records.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 17, 2023
This home collection of jukeboxes is a museum-worthy experience

When a jukebox in a store window caught Vickie Compton’s eye, she had to have it. That led to four decades of collecting and restoring them with her husband, Rodger.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 17, 2023
Cities, counties throw a bone

As their revenues and spending will be rising at double-digit rates, your tax rates will be falling a pittance.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Concession Golf Club will once again receive worldwide attention when it hosts The World Champions Cup in December.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 17, 2023
The Concession will host first World Champions Cup golf event

East Manatee County’s premier golf course, The Concession, will host the most famous players from the Champions Tour in a Ryder Cup-like event.

  • East County
  • Sports
Parking Division General Manager Broxton Harvey is proposing gate-free entry and exit systems for city owned parking garages such as this one at St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 17, 2023
Parking program proposals would mean $3.5M increase in city revenue

The new parking director proposes replacing free spots with paid ones and stricter parking garage polices, but Sarasota city commissioners were told it's not about the money.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sights + Sounds debuted in May 2022 with Broadway on the Lake.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 17, 2023
Waterside gets lively with a new performance series

Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place is a monthly series showcasing performances by area arts groups.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jeanne Dubi and Christine Johnson are longtime friends and allies, and their organizations have regularly partnered over the years. This project is their most consequential undertaking.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 17, 2023
Nonprofits pair up to preserve Celery Fields

The Sarasota Audubon Society and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast have collaborated to rewild the Quad Parcels at the Celery Fields, creating new bird habitats and wildlife viewing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Fairy Village, like the group's other work, is created from a wide variety of repurposed materials.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 17, 2023
The Artful Codgers find beauty in unwanted materials

The crafting class, held for residents of the Sunnyside Village retirement community, transforms recycled materials into art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Board member Tom Edwards and Superintendent Terry Connor talk with Bryson Day, a Venice High School junior who was student representative at the Aug. 15, 2023, meeting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 17, 2023
Sarasota School Board votes to suspend strategic plan

Board members emphasized a need for clarity and a "refocus on academics" in the strategic plan.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Miami-based cafe is expected to open in the UTC West District in the first quarter of 2024.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Health-conscious cafe Pura Vida coming to UTC in Sarasota

The Miami-based cafe is expected to open in the UTC West District in the first quarter of 2024.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Angelina Bens, Leo Bens, Michael Nunes, Karen Pashkow, Jeffrey Nunes, and Anne Summers
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 16, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel hosts happy hour for Stillpoint Mission donations

The chapel's monthly event collected children's socks and shoelaces just in time for the back-to-school season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 16, 2023
Sarasota man gets two life sentences for 2018 shootings

While awaiting trial for the attempted murder of two victims, Linval Raymond Cohoone Jr., tried to hire a fellow inmate to kill one of the survivors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
AG Moody tries to snuff weed
  • By Adrian Moore, Geoffrey Lawrence, Madison Carlino
  • August 16, 2023
AG Moody tries to snuff weed

Florida’s attorney general is trying to prevent voters from deciding whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana for adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Purple Ribbon Committee will tour the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at its next meeting on Aug. 28.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 16, 2023
Van Wezel repurposing panel begins study of performing arts hall

Sworn in on Tuesday, the Purple Ribbon Committee will soon tour the building it is tasked with assessing for a possible second life.

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Armands Circle has enjoyed an enhanced level of service via revenues raised from the special tax district.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 16, 2023
As St. Armands BID dissolves, funding uncertain for trolley, holiday tree

All approved purchases of goods and services must be delivered by the business improvement district's Sept. 30 sunset.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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