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Your Observer

Lesley Rife, one of this year's organizers of Christmas in the Garden, said visitors have plenty to look forward to at this year's festivities, which start Nov. 30 at the Longboat Island Chapel garden.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 26, 2025
Longboat Island Chapel prepares for Christmas in the Garden

The beloved tradition on Longboat Key's north end returns on Nov. 30 and features decorated trees and nine-gig musical lineup.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Coach Cezar Sharbono talks his players through drills during practice. He's entering his sixth season at the helm of the Braden River wrestling program.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 26, 2025
Braden River High wrestling hopes to build on record-setting 2024-25 season

The Pirates sent eight wrestlers to the state tourney last year and are seeking their first-ever girls place-winner.

  • East County
  • Sports
A screenshot of a video presented to the Sarasota County Commission shows personal watercraft activities in the vicinity of swimmers off South Lido Beach.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 26, 2025
Law limiting personal watercrafts on South Lido still a year away

Sarasota County decides to pursue a lighter touch to resolve excessive personal watercraft activity at Ted Sperling Park, but relief may still be a year away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Downtown fights highlight post-Halloween night
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2025
Downtown fights highlight post-Halloween night

A man channels Chuck Norris and a woman as Velma keep officers busy. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The home at 310 Bird Key Drive sold for $6.35 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 26, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 10-14 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key on Bird Key Drive tops the week’s sales at $6.35 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Brenda Bresciani poses for a photo during a Nov. 24 practice at Sarasota Christian School. Her abilities on both ends of the court have powered the Blazers to a winning start in their 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 26, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Brenda Bresciani

The 6-foot senior forward has posted some staggering numbers for Sarasota Christian girls basketball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mary Bensel, the executive director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, displays her award alongside John LaCivita, chief executive officer of Willis A. Smith Construction; Virginia Haley, the retired president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County and Erin Duggan, Visit Sarasota County's president and CEO.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2025
Seven honored for contributions to Sarasota's tourism industry

Visit Sarasota County's Haley Hall of Fame adds inductees from field of 40 nominees.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Waldorf Astoria Sarasota will include more than 40,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 25, 2025
Zenith building redevelopment will carry Waldorf Astoria brand

Waldorf Astoria Residences is named as the redevelopment of the Zenith tower at Five Points. The mixed-use project will include seven attainable housing units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2025
Greater Sarasota Chamber announces promotions

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce recognized four team members with promotions.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Joan Durante Park entrance.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 25, 2025
Storm repairs wrapping up for Longboat green spaces

Longboat Key has seen its share of preservation wins from Sister Keys to Quick Point to Durante Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mission in Motion's Ruth Barker, Rose Marie Hartley, Faith Michael, Mothers Helping Mothers director of donations Barbara Braun, Debbie Apple and Judy Kirkpatrick fill a truck with toy donations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 25, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's Mission in Motion delivers the goods to local charities

Gathering both physical and monetary donations, Mission in Motion is currently supporting eight organizations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key’s Planning and Zoning Board met at Town Hall Tuesday, Nov. 18 to discuss solar panels, building inspections and tree regulations.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 25, 2025
Longboat Key to consider adding solar power chapter to town code

Solar panel installations are not prohibited under town code currently but could still lead to code enforcement action.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Organizers of this year's Lawn Party by the Bay eagerly anticipate the foodie festival, which will feature more restaurants than ever before. From left, The Resort at Longboat Key Club Managing Director Rick Konsavage, Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Children's Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko and Kiwanis Club Past President Michael Garey.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 25, 2025
Kiwanis Lawn Party on City Island will host 32 restaurants

The charitable event is raising funds for the Children's Guardian Fund, which supports foster families throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man alleges damage to his Corvette during car carrier drop-off
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • November 25, 2025
Man alleges damage to his Corvette during car carrier drop-off

A car carrier drop-off goes wrong and a man’s wife returns home without her car. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
With seven goals and one assist through five games, Avery Rice has already made a winning impact for undefeated Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 25, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Avery Rice

The sophomore has found the net early and often with Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Construction on the Athletics and Aquatics Center is underway at Premier Sports Campus North.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 25, 2025
No hotel at Premier Sports — yet

Another 126 acres was rezoned to build out the now 236-acre campus.

  • East County
  • News
A Lake Club home at 15904 Baycross Drive sold for $3.55 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,933 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 10-14 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Lake Club on Baycross Drive tops the week’s sales at $3.55 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
An aerial rendering of a portion of redevelopment plans for Sarasota Square Mall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2025
Sarasota Square Mall redeveloper releases first group of retail tenants

Whole Foods will anchor the first phase of the redevelopment of the former Sarasota Square Mall as leasing activities begin.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The runners all reach for their watches as the 2024 Florida Turkey Trot begins at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 24, 2025
Pass the turkey, and the thanks during a special holiday

Lakewood Ranch has so much contributors who make our home a great place to live.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Brio Italian Grille Executive Chef Josué Pabellón learned about the best Thanksgiving Day leftovers by growing up in a family of chefs in Puerto Rico.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 24, 2025
Love the Thanksgiving Day leftovers as much as the main meal

Brio Italian Grille chef says Thanksgiving Day is just round one of the annual feast.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Bay Runner trolley service began in March 2022.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 24, 2025
Breeze to take over Sarasota's Bay Runner trolley service

The county's transit system will now operate the popular city-to-beach connection.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vinny Mercadante tosses a lacrosse ball and holds his stick at Summerfield Community Park in Lakewood Ranch. He played for Cardinal Mooney in 2016-18, Marian University in 2018-19 and Florida State in 2021-23 but has since committed to coaching.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 24, 2025
Cardinal Mooney grad builds his own lacrosse training school

At just 25, Vinny Mercadante is quickly becoming a premier private lacrosse coach, one of the few in the state.

  • East County
  • Sports
A rendering of the proposed 7th and Central condominiums.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 24, 2025
New hotel planned for SRQ airport property

The city of Sarasota's Development Review Committee has received an application for a new Kompose Hotel just off Airport Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch sisters Mariapaz Ritter, 7 and Analia Ritter, 12, got their faces painted by Akiko Graphics at the at Greenbrook Adventure Park. Mariapaz chose a peace sign because "paz" the last part of her name means peace in Spanish and Analia chose daisies because they are her favorite flowers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 24, 2025
Greenbrook Adventure Park reopens with a fun day

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted Party in the Park with live music, face painting and activities for families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 24, 2025
A Season of Hope: How Copenhagen Imports Is Helping Sarasota’s Homeless Community

Now through January 20, 2026, customers who donate $50 or more to Resurrection House will receive an immediate rebate of up to $400 on each Stressless furniture piece purchased.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Miriam Cornell and James Garlanger of Bear Gully Creek Farms talk with Cornell's mother, Sharon Cornell, and Jim Sroka.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
Perfect weather yields steady turnout for Sarasota Farmers Market

Vendors said that mild weather drew a steady turnout during this week's downtown farmer's market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Lorah created a Lego version of the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, Georgia.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
Lego artists show their imagination in Sarasota's first BrickUniverse

The Lego fan expo event at Robarts Arena showcased the work of artists from near and far with a mission of inspiring kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Geoff Levin, Marcy Klein, Steven Goodman and Patricia Courtois volunteer at the Van Wezel.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
All Faiths Food Bank works to distribute record number of turkeys

This year, the Sarasota food bank ordered a total of 14,500 turkeys to distribute to community members in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alison and Eloise Fichner snap a photo with Santa Claus at Light Up Longboat on Nov. 22 at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 23, 2025
Families partake in early-season cheer at Light Up Longboat

Longboaters and their family members kicked off the holiday season with annual festivities on Nov. 22 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stephanie Kruk, Georgianna Vicari, Pat Young and Carol Fischbein joined the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild for its welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 22, 2025
Women's guild welcome-back luncheon celebrates charitable successes

Members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild planned upcoming activities at their welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18 at the church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marfil Trejo, the command sergeant major for the Braden River High Raiders, crosses the rope bridge at the Florida High School JROTC Raider State Championship on Nov. 15.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 22, 2025
Braden River JROTC team wins state title

The team of eight boys and five girls win four of five events.

  • East County
  • Schools
Food for thought at Thanksgiving
  • By Greg Campbell
  • November 22, 2025
Food for thought at Thanksgiving

Local Chef Greg Campbell talks about the impact of food trucks.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Instead of a ribbon, a 180-pound blue fin tuna will be cut to celebrate the grand opening of Kuro Sushi.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 22, 2025
Kuro Sushi rolls into Lakewood Ranch

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, the grand opening celebration included a tuna-cutting ceremony.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Laurie Swink, co-founder of Selah Freedom, speaks to members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild on Nov. 18 about how the program helps survivors of human trafficking find a path forward.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 22, 2025
Anti-human trafficking survivors share stories to Longboat group

Representatives from Selah Freedom disclosed their experiences with St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
School volunteer, former employee charged with inappropriate contact
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 21, 2025
School volunteer, former employee charged with inappropriate contact

Victims say touching took place on campuses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brightly colored stakes mark the sites of known turtle nests on beaches along Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 21, 2025
2025 was a record year for Sarasota sea turtles

Mote teams document more nests than ever, but turtle disorientations were also at a record level.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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1
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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  • December 12, 2025
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  • December 12, 2025
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5
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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