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Your Observer

The Karon Family Pavilion is the setting for a variety of events, including performances by area-based arts groups.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 29, 2024
Library is next on list for Longboat’s town center

Longboat Key’s Town Center Green is set to become a lively hub for community gatherings, festivals, performances and educational opportunities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Janet Minker’s love of architecture is rooted in her career as a graphic designer.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • January 29, 2024
Sarasota architecture inspires graphic designer to preserve its legacy

Lido Shores resident Janet Minker is a tireless advocate for preserving Sarasota’s historical buildings — and, by association, the city’s character and charm.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Country Club's Michael Modisett has about 30 plants in the garden area in front of his home. He has at least 90 plants among the three areas around the front of his home in hopes of attracting various butterflies, especially the monarch butterfly.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 29, 2024
Butterfly garden blooms in Lakewood Ranch

A Lakewood Ranch Garden Club class on butterfly gardens inspires a Country Club resident to start his own.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The ballroom at the Ora is 90% complete. Carpet will be installed at the end of this week.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 28, 2024
See inside Sarasota's newest event venue, The Ora

The venue at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has a 10,000-square-foot ballroom and is set for a soft opening in February.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Diane McCathy, Mary Ann Tomlinson, Linda Olsen and Marilyn Davol
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 28, 2024
St. Mary, Star of the Sea Women’s Guild welcomes new members

The new Women’s Guild members attended a luncheon to mingle with board members and learn more about the group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Australia's Rowan Willis soars over a jump on Wellington Grey Goose to win the jump-off of the $100,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix event at TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City Jan. 27. He timed 46.86 to win the $29,250 first-place prize.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 28, 2024
World-class jumpers compete in Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix at TerraNova

Australia's Rowan Willis takes title of the $100,000 Split Rock Jumping Tour event in Myakka.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lourdes Ramirez is the face of the fight against Sarasota County government and developers to prevent high-density hotels from being built on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 28, 2024
Siesta Key advocate leads the fight against large-scale hotels

Lourdes Ramirez, a Siesta Key resident and neighborhood advocate, is committed to safeguarding the Key from out-of-scale development.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Construction of the Ritz-Carlton Residences South Tower in The Quay is expected to begin this summer.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 27, 2024
Construction on waterfront Ritz-Carlton tower begins this summer

Developer Kolter Urban has revealed plans for the first part of a three-tower Ritz-Carlton Residences campus overlooking Sarasota Bay and downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
During Tropical Storm Eta in November 2020, several residents were rescued by Longboat Key first responders and taken to shelter due to the storm’s flooding.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 27, 2024
New committee gets Longboaters involved in emergency management

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi led the first meeting of a resident committee aimed at a more cohesive emergency management effort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
First grader Penelope Seguin, who loves horses, takes her time petting Sugar, a mini horse, after reading "Pete the Cat Goes to the Doctor."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 26, 2024
Myakka City Elementary gallops into reading

Students read to mini horses, visit the book fair and participate in other literacy activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Officers of the St. Andrew Society of Sarasota are "piped in" by William Howard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 26, 2024
Saint Andrew Society of Sarasota hosts annual Burns Supper

Over 100 people attended the annual event at the Palm Aire Country Club on Jan. 25.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Fruits, veggies, milk, a bread roll and plant-based nuggets make a complete meal.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 26, 2024
Plant-based lunch options roll out in Manatee school cafeterias

Two high schools and three middle schools offer Impossible Burgers and plant-based nuggets.

  • East County
  • Schools
John Walsh is the new chief operating officer of Harvest House.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2024
Former SCSO captain named COO of hunger relief, housing nonprofit

Harvest House has named former Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Walsh as chief operating officer.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
In 2019, Kim Verreault and her husband moved to Sarasota to be closer to her parents, who have lived in the area for 17 years.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • January 26, 2024
New leader takes the helm of Longboat’s chamber of commerce

Kim Verreault, the new president and CEO of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, is a hands-on leader with a knack for community building.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A condominium in The Phoenix tops sales at $3.3 million. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,785 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 25, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in The Phoenix tops the week's sales at $3.3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Cardinal Mooney boys basketball teams wears "Accountability" shirts at practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 25, 2024
For Cardinal Mooney boys basketball, there are no small roles

The Cougars complement their high-level scorers with gritty competitors unafraid to mix it up under the hoop.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Firefighter/EMT Blaze Belligan climbs the tower.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 25, 2024
Sarasota County fire station stays on top of rescue training

Sarasota County firefighters put their new rope-rescue equipment to the test.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris Sachs, Sue Wertman, Carol Erker and Captain Jim Curry
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 25, 2024
Kiwanis Club bell-ringers raise $25,000 for Salvation Army

Volunteers from Kiwanis Club, Christ Church and the Rotary Club collected donations outside the Longboat Key Publix during the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jeff Molby plans to cycle 16,000 miles over the next two years, including this leg through Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 25, 2024
Cyclist pedals to find volunteers to support cancer patients

Jeff Molby's cycling adventure to benefit cancer patients takes him through Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota prioritizes 10 transportation projects for decades ahead
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 25, 2024
Sarasota prioritizes 10 transportation projects for decades ahead

The city projects, which include a redesign of Main Street, pedestrian and cyclist upgrades for Ringling Bridge and a new roundabout, have the potential to transform how residents get around Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two SMH leaders named to statewide boards
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2024
Two SMH leaders named to statewide boards

Jennifer Sweeney and Britt Riner have been appointed to councils that will help guide health care for Florida residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A guide to the birds to spot each month in Sarasota
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 25, 2024
A guide to the birds to spot each month in Sarasota

When and where to find the bird of the month (and how to identify them), according to local experts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Construction continues on a new residence hall and student center being built on USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • January 25, 2024
USF's long-awaited Sarasota-Manatee residence hall nearly complete

Building the hall and student center on the small campus proved to be a challenge that officials say is well worth it.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Riverview High girls soccer team celebrates after defeating Sunlake High 2-1 on the road Jan. 22.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2024
Your guide to Sarasota's high school soccer playoffs

A handful of local teams have a chance to make postseason runs.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
What was once the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch's administration building now sits empty.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 24, 2024
Lease termination settlement costs Manatee County $375,000

Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, a child and family services nonprofit, originally requested $2.96 million in compensation after its lease was terminated.

  • East County
  • News
  • By JL Bainbridge Family Wealth Advisors
  • January 24, 2024
Don’t Let Medicare Missteps Wreck Your Retirement

With the right tools and guidance from a financial advisor, you could avoid the most common and costly mistakes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mashara Mirtolooi performs "To Error is Human."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 24, 2024
Music Compound songwriters showcase original compositions

Songwriters Showcase allowed students of all ages to perform their own compositions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball senior Carter Jula.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Carter Jula

The Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball senior leads the Cougars in rebounding and is third in scoring.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
In awe of the Ora
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • January 24, 2024
In awe of the Ora

Taking a gamble on the lack of event space in Sarasota, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee seems to have a winning bet with its new venue, the Ora.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Man calls police to make his ex-wife stop yelling
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2024
Man calls police to make his ex-wife stop yelling

Officers were asked to get involved because an ex-husband feared an argument could escalate into violence. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The New to You Art Sale starts Feb. 5.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 24, 2024
Longboat Key church wants your unwanted art

All Angels by the Sea collects donations of art for its annual New to You Art Sale, which supports the nonprofit Turning Points.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Surge U14 rugby player Jesse Kyle makes a tackle on a Wellington ballcarrier.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2024
Surge rugby in Lakewood Ranch a hit with young athletes

The Surge offers regulation U14, U16 and U19 teams, plus non-tackle U8 and U10 teams.

  • East County
  • Sports
En Provence on Longboat Key
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 24, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 8-12 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in en Provence tops the week's sales at $4.7 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Historical frame worth $1.4 million going to auction in Sarasota
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 24, 2024
Historical frame worth $1.4 million going to auction in Sarasota

The world’s most expensive period frame, designed by architect Stanford White, will be auctioned by Sarasota's Helmuth Stone Gallery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County and City of Bradenton tie bars (1930s)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 24, 2024
Lakewood Ranch author becomes expert on evolution of tie bars

Joseph Harb, a former intelligence expert for the National Security Agency, uses his analytical skills to document his collection.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations Center handles an average of 800 emergency 911 calls per day.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 24, 2024
Despite concerns, Longboat's nonemergency dispatch remains off-Key

After a discussion at the Town Commission workshop, emergency center personnel and town officials said education would be key in navigating resident concerns.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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