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Results for:

Mr. Swindle is the character who gives an adults-only circus its name.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • January 21, 2026
The circus gets naughty at Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium

Allison Blei and Ivan España's mom-and-pop circus is full of adult fun and laughter.

  • Arts + Culture
  • By The Sarasota Ballet |
  • December 11, 2025
Monday’s Child is Fair of Face

The Sarasota Ballet performs Jazz Calendar, Divertimento No. 15, and Mozartiana - December 19 & 20 at the Sarasota Opera House.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
From left, newly sworn Sarasota Police Department officers Emilio Suriel, Gabriel Victorio, Tristan Sarney, Gabrielle Theofanous and Savannah Gray.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • October 13, 2025
Sarasota Police Department swears in five new officers

Police Chief Rex Troche tells five new recruits the time to build their legacy in law enforcement begins now.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Blue Man Group comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Jan. 13-14.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 6, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 8-14

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • July 16, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park boathouse, events center begins to take shape

Nathan Benderson Conservancy board member says 2026 will be an important fundraising year for the $60 million to $70 million project.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • November 13, 2025
Life in Sarasota is back to normal for the 2025-26 season

With recovery from the 2024 hurricanes largely complete, the Sarasota you return to is largely back to normal, among other news to catch up on from while you were away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kevontay Hugan (10) and Le'Darien Smith (33) look to their sideline before a play during the regional final between Booker and Nature Coast Tech. The two seniors are part of a Tornado defense which has allowed only three touchdowns in its last six games.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 3, 2025
Department of Defense: Booker High football stands tall

Behind a lock-down defensive unit, the Tornadoes are two wins away from their first state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Gabriella Brinceanu, 14, and her sister, Alaina Brinceanu, 3, work together to pop the bubbles at the Fourth of July All-American Cookout at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Attendees enjoyed the bubble show by Blaise Ryndes, who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 1, 2026
Sarasota's top moments of the year, in pictures

There were plenty of ups and downs in the past 12 months, and the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer was there to capture it all. Here are some of our favorite moments of 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mollie Cardamone was a Sarasota city commissioner and mayor when the current downtown master plan was developed.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • June 19, 2025
Former Sarasota mayor laments some aspects of downtown master plan

Mollie Cardamone, who was among the city leaders when the current downtown master plan was developed, tells the update committee of the current plan's self-inflicted flaws.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Future medical site plan in Newtown moves forward
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • November 6, 2025
Future medical site plan in Newtown moves forward

Investors who want to transform the 14-acre Marian Anderson site into a medical and industrial development win unanimous Sarasota City Commission approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Opponents of the Obsidian condominium tower demonstrate their solidarity by wearing red shirts.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 14, 2025
City halts progress for 18-story condo development Obsidian

Residents of the adjacent Bay Plaza succeed in their long-awaited chance to thwart the development of the Sarasota's tallest condominium tower. Now the matter is likely headed it court.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire

Frank Rubino started his law enforcement career in 1980 and served Longboat Key for more than a decade.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In memoriam: Remembering the Longboat friends we lost in 2025
  • By Observer Staff |
  • November 12, 2025
In memoriam: Remembering the Longboat friends we lost in 2025

Longboat Key remembers the friends and family we lost from April through October.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sepi Ackerman, Brit Ellis and Rebecca Izquierdo
  • By Janet Combs |
  • November 2, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation rocks the roof, country style

Rock the Roof featured a country-western theme for patrons to do the two-step atop Sarasota Memorial's West Parking Garage.

  • Black Tie
Artists including Isabelle Gasse (front) compete during the festival.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • November 17, 2025
Siesta Key's 'sand manager' has made a career out of sand

Andy Daily grew up on the sands of Siesta Key beach, and now his life involves serving the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Struggling artists on New York's Lower East Side hope for better days in Sarasota Players' production of Jonathan Larson's "Rent."
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • December 9, 2025
'Rent' weaves a 'tapestry of music and story' at The Sarasota Players

Director Brian Finnerty talks about The Sarasota Players' reinvention of Jonathan Larson's musical.

  • Arts + Culture
Lakewood Ranch's Herman Martinez shows off medals he earned with the U.S. Army while serving in Vietnam. Martinez said if asked to serve today, he would go.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • November 5, 2025
Despite Agent Orange exposure, Vietnam veteran says, 'I would still serve today'

Lakewood Ranch's Herman Martinez says his love of America and veterans still burns bright.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Janet Echelman's 2022 artwork, "Study (Butterfly Rest Stop 1/9 scale)" measures 72 by 192 by 108 inches and is on display at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • January 14, 2026
Sarasota Art Museum showcases Janet Echelman's colorful fiber works

Some of the large installations were inspired by the nets of Indian fishermen.

  • Arts + Culture
Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more

Rich Vannucci, who still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago, isn't ready to put a wrap on his career.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch (left) supported Commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich's motion to set the citywide max millage rate at 3.3 in hopes of setting the final rate at 3.273 for fiscal year 2026.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • July 31, 2025
Sarasota citywide max property millage rate is set at 3.3

Interim City Manager Dave Bullock told city commissioners an increase over the current fiscal year's property tax rate is necessary to rebuild the general fund balance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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