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Results for:

"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
Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications

Gov. Ron DeSantis has the option to appoint someone to fill the remaining seven months left before the general election.

  • East County
  • News
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 18, 2025
New north Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament

Six Division 1 softball programs will participate in the inaugural Sarasota College Softball Classic in early 2027.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

The issue came to the forefront when three of four Manatee County commissioners voted to deny a Lakewood Ranch school site plan.

  • East County
  • News
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor form an unlikely friendship in Florida Studio Theatre's "A Tailor Near Me."
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 9, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 11-17

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 6, 2026
Longboat infrastructure tax spending plan comes up $6 million short

A 1% tax in Sarasota County and .5% tax in Manatee brings in about $1.3 million per year for Longboat Key infrastructure spending.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ava Donoghue is sophomore class president at Booker High School.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 28, 2026
Booker High School student breaks stigma and barriers with Booker Basics

The initiative by Sophomore Class President Ava Donoghue provides free feminine products in girls' bathrooms throughout the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Five youth sailing teams raced against one another in the first Next Tack regatta on March 21 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron headquarters. The program is a more advanced offshoot of the partnership between Spectrum Sailing and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron that fosters inclusive, peer-based sailing instruction.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 25, 2026
New inclusive sailing program brings big smiles

Spectrum Sailing held its regatta race day March 21 with the Sarasota Youth Sailing, capping an eight-week program of youngsters teaching youngsters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Grants Coordinator Kalee Shaberts has helped the town secure tens of millions of dollars in grants since starting her position in 2023.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 24, 2026
Grants continue to roll in for Longboat Key

Grants are used to help ease the cost burden for high-dollar improvements like the subaqueous wastewater pipeline.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Lido Shores home at 1436 John Ringling Parkway is listed at $12.98 million.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 1, 2026
Lido Shores home hits the market at $12.98 million

The home at 1436 John Ringling Parkway is owned by It Works! co-founder and author of "Rich Girl Poor Girl."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ashlan Guengerich will return for Sarasota softball this season after helping the Sailors to the FHSAA Class 7A state semifinals as a junior.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 18, 2026
What to know about local prep softball as season begins

The Sarasota area's five teams are back in action this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Nate Jacobs directs the gospel revue, "How I Got Over," for Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe from Feb. 19 to March 29.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 17, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Feb. 19-25

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Joyce Hecklau, who played essential roles in planning Longboat Harbour's change of watch and holiday festivities, earned the title of Woman of the Year.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 19, 2026
Longboat Harbour names event planner extraordinaire Woman of the Year

The Longboat Harbour Owners Association, Inc., honored Joyce Hecklau at the annual Men's Club-hosted brunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
New College was founded in 1960.
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • February 18, 2026
Potential New College takeover of USF Sarasota-Manatee campus looms

A local group is fighting back against the move, with a former USF Sarasota-Manatee top official saying this would sacrifice one public school for another's dreams.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Peter Stanick (1953-2026)
  • In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2026
Peter Stanick

Internationally recognized pop artist Peter Stanick passed away on February 9, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida. He was 72.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church Pastor Ken Blyth poses for a photo in his office Tuesday, March 10, less than a week after he and a group of pastors had their pilgrimage to the Holy Land cut short as war erupted in the Middle East.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 13, 2026
Sarasota pastor home safe after war breaks out during Holy Land pilgrimage

St. Armands Lutheran Church Pastor Ken Blyth was one of 23 American clergy on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land whose trip turned into a journey to escape a war zone.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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