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Results for:

Samantha McKee, the Blue Butterfly brand strategist, talks about the program with Manager Danielle Wondrak.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • April 2, 2025
Blue Butterfly manager provides a lifetime of hugs to children who are grieving

Danielle Wondrak, whose dad died when she was 10, said it is her calling to help grieving children.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Nate Jacobs and members of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will host the third annual Juneteenth Arts Festival on June 22.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 19, 2025
WBTT to host third annual Juneteenth Arts Festival

The festival takes place June 22 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's campus.

  • Arts + Culture
Dale Root, a member of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club, stands with a Zebco rod and reel that will be given to kids who attend the Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar on May 3 at Summerfield Park.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • April 22, 2025
Kids get hooked on fishing in Lakewood Ranch

The Anglers Club of Lakewood Ranch along with Lakewood Ranch Community Activities will host a youth fishing clinic May 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Arts can (and should) stand on their own
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • May 28, 2025
Arts can (and should) stand on their own

Whenever the region’s arts organizations and their leaders and representatives convene for a conference or summit, inevitably, discussions get around to lamenting the state of taxpayer funding for the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Observer's theater critic's picks for 2025
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • January 20, 2025
The Observer's theater critic's picks for 2025

Sarasota's live theater companies share the human stories that often remain untold.

  • Arts + Culture
Carole J. Bufford stars in "Too Darn Hot: Songs for a Summer Night," which runs at Florida Studio Theatre through Sept. 14.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • July 1, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for July 3-9

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Rose Marie Stieber (1928-2024)
  • In Memoriam |
  • April 8, 2025
Rose Marie “Rosie” Stieber

Rose Marie “Rosie” Stieber, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at age 96.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
An "Under the Sea" candy bar at the Gulf Coast Heat Homecoming delivered everything needed for a sugar fix.
  • By Janet Combs |
  • February 12, 2025
February is the sweetest month — for nonprofits as well as candyholics

The social season is in full swing this month with a plethora of happenings and tidbits from those who attend them.

  • Black Tie
Sarasota Orchestra's Pops concert, "Country Hits: Songs From Nashville," will conclude with fireworks at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday, May 2.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 29, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for May 1-7

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Longboat Key Firefighter Paramedic Chris O'Brien (left) walks in front of the group with Michelle Floril, who is traveling the east coast with Carry the Load.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • May 17, 2025
Longboat Key Fire Rescue joins Carry the Load to remember fallen heroes

Longboat Key is on one of Carry the Load's national routes that sends volunteers across the country to walk alongside first responders and families of service members every May.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key commissioners continue to meet about a fair canal maintenance tax for town residents.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • April 2, 2025
Canal maintenance tax methodology refined toward more equity

Longboat Key town staff and consultants presented a new method, which gained more appeal from commissioners than previous iterations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital |
  • May 19, 2025
Steffany’s story: Finding Purpose in Rehabilitation

“I was living a completely normal life. I worked full time, went to school full time and was always on the go,” she said.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Madison VandenBrekel represented Longboat Key in this year's Miss Florida USA pageant.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • June 30, 2025
Debut Miss Longboat Key shares experience competing for state title

Madison VandenBrekel, who spent her summers growing up on Longboat Key, said she enjoyed connecting with fellow competitors at her first pageant of this scale.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jason Guillama, 4, prepares to place a plant into the garden.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • June 25, 2025
Kids come together to plant butterfly garden at Leonard Reid House

Three different educational organizations in Sarasota came together to help plant the garden.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Lt. Daniel Heath breaks open a window to practice creating an entry point for crews. This tactic could be used in fire response or storm rescue scenarios.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • March 18, 2025
Longboat Key Fire Rescue repurposes flooded homes for training

The department practiced forcible entry tactics at homes on the island that were slated for demolition due to flooding sustained during hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Corcoran's compelling case
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • July 16, 2025
Corcoran's compelling case

When you see what is occurring at New College, Richard Corcoran’s vision for consolidating three institutions deserves serious examination.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Stillpoint Mission's Marge Slepica, Gene Tischer, Linda Burman, Gary Scott and Jim Keiner and Annual Appeal fundraisers Bob Smith, Diane Brune, Judy Balmer and Bob Keehn celebrate the record $84,017 raised.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • April 30, 2025
Stillpoint Mission Appeal sets another record for Bob Smith and friends

Time to celebrate charity, and to get some swim lessons, in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Graduate Jayvian Johnson (second from left), his girlfriend Alyssa Harris, brother Will Johnson and father Terrence Johnson
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • June 3, 2025
Booker High School celebrates 2025 graduates

Some 340 graduates of Booker High School walked the stage on May 31.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Debra Woithe says there is a big sense of urgency in buying land for conservation in Manatee County.
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • August 22, 2024
Manatee County's land conservation program races to protect special spaces

The push-and-pull of land for conservation versus land for development shines brightly in east Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County's OnDemand service debuted in 2021.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • May 11, 2025
Proposed changes to Sarasota's on-demand transit fares add mileage fee

Sarasota County will consider a July shift at a public hearing next month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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