• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Debbie and Co-Chair Dan Dannheisser
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • May 2, 2015
Going for the Gold 'An Unbridled Evening'

The YMCA Foundation hosted its annual Going for the Gold event themed ‘An Unbridled Evening’ on Saturday, May 2, at Dolphin Aviation.

  • Black Tie
Tia Biribauer and her father, Richard, who was the DJ for the event,  were one of the first dancers on the floor.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 2, 2015
GreyHawk Landing fathers lead daughters on dance floor

GreyHawk Landing fathers led their daughters on the dance floor May 2 at the community's clubhouse in Lakewood Ranch for the 2nd annual Father-Daughter Dance

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club members Wilma Nourie and Trish Newman show off their pink pride.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 2, 2015
Kentucky Derby gets SMART

The Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy offered horse riding demonstrations, dinner and a live auction May 2 at the 2nd annual Mint Juleps and Roses Party

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Carol Ritter shows off her Derby day hat.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 2, 2015
Center for Building Hope celebrates Derby day

Center for Building Hope celebrates the Kentucky Derby, May 2, at its East County facility in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Claudiu Retean, 36, focuses on smacking the ball during match No. 1 of the Pros versus Prodigies event.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 2, 2015
Take Stock in Children Tennis Festival draws crowds

Manatee County celebrates Take Stock in Children May 2, at the Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center, tennis, tennis festival, Tennis Festival, Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center, Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 2, 2015
St. Armands revs its engine

St. Armands Circle hosted 19th annual Classic Corvettes on the Circle

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Justin Muklewicz brushes sand off of his sculpture.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 2, 2015
Siesta Key Sand Sculpture Contest heats up

Creations ranging from sand castles to sharks decorated the shoreline for the 43rd annual Siesta Key Sand Sculpture Contest May 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Historical Society of Sarasota Vice President Marsha Fottler, Board members Bill Kleber, Ron McCarty and Virginia Hoffman, Treasurer Greg Dickinson, board member Deborah Bowers, President Howard Rosenthal and Director Lynn Harding.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 2, 2015
Potluck picnic brings together Historical Society

The Historical Society of Sarasota hosted its annual meeting and member potluck at the Bidwell-Wood House Saturday, May 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bella Guzman and Lentz Laurent
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 2, 2015
Lakewood Ranch High School students dance amid 007-theme

Around 570 students filled the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Schools
Zoey Kollet, 4, dances with her sister, Cora, who is a year and a half old.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 1, 2015
Lakewood Ranch residents mingle on Main Street

People brought chairs to watch live music.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Guests enjoyed a fashion show produced by Influence Style at the 9th annual Paws on the Catwalk luncheon.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • May 1, 2015
9th annual Paws on the Catwalk

The Humane Society of Sarasota County hosted its 9th annual Paws on the Catwalk luncheon and fashion show on Friday, May 1, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

  • Black Tie
Sue and Rabbi Geoff Huntting with Director of Early Childhood Education for The Gan Laura Freedman.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 1, 2015
Temple Sinai appreciates teachers with Shabbat

Teachers of The Gan early childhood program at Temple Sinai enjoyed an appreciation Shabbat following the Rhythm and Jews service Friday May 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The expansion would provide Ringling students with a space to work on professional projects.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2015
City Commission to consider Ringling land deal

On Monday, the Sarasota City Commission will weigh in on a potential land sale and swap designed to let Ringling College proceed with a multimillion-dollar expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 1, 2015
LeVar Burton inspires Booker Elementary students

Educator and actor LeVar Burton made a stop at Emma E. Booker Elementary School Friday morning to read to first-grade students.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub employees were allowed back into the restaurant at 10:30 a.m. Friday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 1, 2015
Mar Vista restaurant reports smoke incident

A report of smoke and a possible fire at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub turned out to be an issue with an air handler.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Did you know the Kentucky Derby has been held since 1875? Where will you watch it this weekend?
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 1, 2015
WEEKEND BEST BET: East County Kentucky Derby parties

Where will you watch the Kentucky Derby this weekend?

  • East County
  • News
In the courtyard breezeway students weave yarn on a loom.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 1, 2015
ODA hosts Art Extravaganza

Out-of-Door Academy students spent Friday morning exploring a variety of art techniques for the Arts Extravaganza at the Lower School campus.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Olwen Hughes, courtesy of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 1, 2015
Welsh artist depicts Sarasota County for Historic Preservation Month

Ten sketches will be displayed Saturday at Historic Spanish Point.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flavio Cristofoli hopes to open Beulah, a northern Italian restaurant, on Main Street in downtown Sarasota this summer.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 1, 2015
Flavio brings brick oven to downtown Sarasota

Find out about Beulah, a new restaurant in downtown Sarasota's Main Street, which is owned by Flavio's Brick Oven and Bar in Siesta Key Village.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 1, 2015
YO Sushi! opens second U.S. location

The new store opens today in The Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 1, 2015
FYI Friday: April 24 - May 1

This week's FYI Friday features news about Nik Wallenda, the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center and more!

  • Sarasota
  • News
Julia Price holds up the Florida State flag while another student explains the symbolism behind it.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 1, 2015
Bashaw Elementary fourth grade students perform Sunshine State history

It was the first year the fourth grade transformed a core topic of study into a program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Samantha Callaway, Clare Carter and Tina Miller
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 30, 2015
First Presbyterian fundraiser puts down roots

Parents and friends of the First Presbyterian Preschool enjoyed an evening out for the annual fundraiser First Roots at Michael’s Wine Cellar Thursday evening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 30, 2015
Longboat women celebrate the birthday of 16 friends

Longbeach Village was filled with women celebrating their April birthdays on April 30. Kip O’Neal hosted the birthday party of 16 of her friends, who all have birthdays in April.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 30, 2015
Chamber members enjoy Business After Hours

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members gathered at Casa Del Mar for the Chamber’s April Business After Hours event on April 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chelsea La and Bri Cohen pick green beans together.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 30, 2015
Students harvest vegetables for All Faiths Food Bank

A partnership between the students at Temple Beth Sholom Schools and All Faiths Food Bank has sprouted Thursday afternoon. Through a garden on campus students helped donate bins of freshly-picked kale, carrots, bell peppers, beets, onions, parsley and gre

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2015
Letterman features Wallenda in another Top Ten list

Sarasota’s 'King of the Highwire’ Nik Wallenda nailed his latest stunt by walking across the 400-foot Orlando Eye Wednesday, after which he scored another spot on the Late Show with David Letterman’s Top Ten List.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The former bank building at 6960 Gulf of Mexico Drive that also once housed the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce sold for $549,000 on April 24.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 30, 2015
Former LBK Chamber building sells for $549,000

Longboat Key property owners Anthony and Roxanne Marterie of San Rafael, Calif. purchased the bank property last month and town officials hope they keep an open mind when figuring out what to do with the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jordan Pritchard and Jay Clarkson
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 30, 2015
Goodwill Manasota honors community ambassadors

Goodwill Manasota recognized businesses and organizations at the annual Ambassador Luncheon to honors the individuals and groups Thursday at Michael’s on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Vessels are generally allowed to stay overnight in the town’s waterways as long as they have sufficient lighting. But a town code prohibits a person from mooring a boat for more than 72 hours in a 30-day period.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 30, 2015
Boat mooring in Longbeach Village questioned

Two out-of-town boaters complain it’s hard to moor their boat in Longbeach Village to grab a bite to eat because of sailboats they believe are always in the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Teacher and National Honor Society advisor Betty Rogers, Meghan Grabowski, Jordan Weber, Alex Byers, James Davenport, Reese Vita, Tyler Shanahan, Josh Hallinger and Nick Owens, of A Plan for Good. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2015
School board

Phillippi Shores wins at national music festival; Cardinal Mooney helps the homeless

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview High junior Drew Clark set new national records in both the 1,650-yard freestyle and the 800 freestyle relay. Photos by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2015
National record

Drew Clark won two individual events and a relay to help lead the Sharks to a first-place finish at the 2015 YMCA Short Course National Championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Parke Phillips
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2015
High 5 moments

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota High's Angelina Grebe finished second in the 3,200-meter run at the Class 3A-Region 3 meet April 23. File photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2015
Sidelines

Thunder dominates Cougars in rout; GSJGA tees off in monthly series; Orioles’ extended spring training season underway

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2015
MY VIEW | How to solve the traffic congestion

Build an underpass at U.S. 41 and the Ringling Causeway.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
This conceptual rendering highlights the Urban Design Studio’s vision for townhomes on Siesta Drive, at th edge of the Granada neighborhood. Courtesy rendering
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 30, 2015
Granada residents push back on proposed code changes

Granada residents are focused on preserving the neighborhood’s old character as the city readies zoning changes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 962 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

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

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now