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Results for:

  • By Kat Wingert |
  • April 2, 2026
In pursuit of a good laugh

From monorails to teeny-tiny garbage bins, we spread the jokes out last week in our April Fools’ issue. Readers were amused … mostly.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Book ’em Danno Boy is served with a free ride home.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 1, 2026
APRIL FOOL: Longboater mixes drinks, distinct cultures at his soon-to-open bar

Newcomer from Scotland says his mash-up makes perfect sense.

  • April Fools
Gary Love of Gary Love Photography shows an art festival-goer how the various places the light hits the shell-covered beach give the up-close image depth. He was one of several new artists featured at the Feb. 21-22 art festival on Longboat Key.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 26, 2026
Art show upcoming this weekend

The Longboat Key Festival of the Arts returns to the Town Center Green this weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Christ Church pastor Julia Piermont (standing, left) attended a Lonbgoat Key Planning Board quasi-judicial hearing where the board approved the redevelopment of a neighboring lot into 58 parking spaces.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 2, 2026
Christ Church approved for 58 new parking spaces

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board voted to allow Christ Church to develop the parcel across the street into a parking lot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nick Dazio disposes of a television.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • March 25, 2026
Shred Stock recycling event collects 5 tons of paper, 3,364 pounds of electronics

This year, the drive-thru shredding event added electronics recycling while continuing to raise awareness of identity theft and fraud.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cinthia Peña is the new managing director of CreArte Latino.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 2, 2026
CreArte Latino names new full-time managing director

The new role for Cinthia Peña is made possible by a Barancik Foundation grant.

  • Arts + Culture
Florian Blummel shows off his artistic bicycle moves that you should not try at home in your driveway.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • February 25, 2026
Circus Sarasota is still the one

This year's edition features stars with awards, TV appearances and Guinness World Records.

  • Arts + Culture
Nelle Miller and Yvette Resto
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • March 13, 2026
New market in Newtown offers grocery-style shopping at no cost for those in need

The new space operated by All Faiths Food Bank was created at the Goodwill Manasota's Job Connection Center through a longstanding partnership.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A Lake Club home at 17014 Clearlake Ave. sold for $3.9 million. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,160 square feet of living area.
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 7, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.9 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Debra Williams (standing left) and Penny Gold (standing right) were picked as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, at Longboat Key’s Town Commission meeting Monday, March 23.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 24, 2026
Williams picked as mayor, Gold as vice mayor of Longboat Key Town Commission

District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams will serve a one-year term as mayor, replacing Ken Schneier in the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rev. Phil Woods stands in the newly renovated 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • March 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch church wraps up $7.7 million expansion

Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch now worships in an artful 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota boys basketball coach BJ Ivey embraces Johnny Lackaff. The junior guard had a game-high 27 points March 14 in the FHSAA Class 7A state championship, but it wasn't enough for the Sailors.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 14, 2026
Sarasota boys basketball falls by 3 in state championship

An overtime-forcing shot from Johnny Lackaff didn't fall, leaving the Sailors just short of a title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A Country Club Village home at 7028 Portmarnock Place sold for $4.55 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 7,072 square feet of living area.
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • March 31, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Portmarnock Place tops the week's sales at $4.55 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sanddy Marchena owns Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch with his wife Melodie Marchena (not pictured). Michelle Frease is the academy's director.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place gains a Kiddie Academy

Kiddie Academy of Sarasota opens its child care and preschool business March 2.

  • East County
  • Business
A site map of the location of the proposed 41-unit 414 Lime Avenue townhome development in the Park East neighborhood.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 29, 2026
41 new townhomes planned for Limelight District

A new proposal for 41 townhomes is breathing new life into a partially built and then demolished multifamily project on Aspinwall Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"The Choir of Man" brings a performing pub to the stage of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 3, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Feb. 5-11

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

The "dirty soda" mobile business is owned by Lakewood Ranch's Amber Hanratty, who saw an opening in the market.

  • East County
  • Business
Wilma Davidson, president of the Sarasota branch of the National League of American Pen Women, said the group's artists decided to embrace the March 12 celebration of art as an annual tradition.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 3, 2026
Art and Found Day to return, surprising finders with gifts

The Sarasota Pen Women-led outreach brings surprise, free artwork to Longboat Key, Sarasota, Venice and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff |
  • March 24, 2026
Time to Stop into Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar

Your next escape awaits.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Tara Elementary Principal Laura Campbell tells fifth grader Melany Ojeda that she is a future leader and can do anything she wants to do as long as she goes after it.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 21, 2026
Tara Elementary principal reminisces before taking on new adventure

Laura Campbell, who has been principal at Tara Elementary School since 2016, has been chosen to lead the new Veterans Elementary School in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Schools
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