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Results for:

Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise

This year, the nonprofit provided its free holiday shopping experiences to five elementary schools, but rising prices for gifts pose a challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Greenbrook's David, Hannah and Jaime Marco all had a part in creating Jaime Marco's new book “Unfunkt: Quiet the Noise. Ignite the Light.”
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 12, 2025
Readers can shed the funk with Lakewood Ranch author's 'Unfunkt'

Greenbrook's Jaime Marco wrote the book to let others know they can make a positive impact on their lives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Trevor Stalcup and Jessica Assef star in George Balanchine's "Mozartiana," in Sarasota Ballet's Program Three, "Masters of Movement," which runs Dec. 19-20 at the Sarasota Opera.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Ballet taps a Balanchine disciple to stage his final major work

Maria Calegari is staging "Mozartiana," which she danced when she was a principal at New York City Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Margot Eagleton (1930-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • November 5, 2025
Margot Eagleton

Margot Eagleton passed away peacefully on October 11 at the age of 95.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ann Gwendolyn Sweet (1935-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • November 13, 2025
Ann Gwendolyn Sweet

Her Legacy… Ann Gwendolyn Sweet, aged 90 years, passed away on November 2, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Cyclists utilize the bike lanes on Gulf of Mexico Drive along the newly completed Country Club Shores turn lane project portion of the street. The 0.84-mile segment marks the first example of the town’s Complete Streets vision.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 17, 2025
Longboat Key chips away at Complete Street(s) goal

The first project in the plan is done on the south end, and the second is planned on the north end, but making Gulf of Mexico Drive a "complete street" will require a lot more work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

With an appearance from Santa Claus, music by the Sarasota Academy of Arts and festive treats, the Christmas kickoff delighted attendees of all ages.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Richard Thomas stars in "Mark Twain Tonight!" at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Dec. 19-20.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 16, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 18-24

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
A Kwanzaa display rests on the table during the event.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 11, 2025
Kwanzaa celebration prepares community for the holiday

The Kwanzaa Community Celebration will be followed by the 7-Day Candle Lighting Ceremony and Celebration from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 1106 condominium at 1155 N. Gulfstream Ave. was built in 2017 and has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,701 square feet of living area.
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on North Shell Road tops the week’s sales at $3,542,800.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Kirt F. Bopp (1950-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • December 8, 2025
Kirt F. Bopp

Kirt F. Bopp, 75, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in an accident while cleaning his windows at home—a task so characteristic of the care and pride he took in everything he touched.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce

At Manatee Technical College, Project Edge is transitional program for students with intellectual disabilities to learn foundational skills.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mason Jordan poses for a photo on Dec. 8 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The slot receiver is in his fourth and final season on varsity and is the second-leading pass-catcher for the Cougars.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 11, 2025
Family legacy endures with Cardinal Mooney wide receiver

Mason Jordan, a longtime starter for the Cougars, is the latest in a line of elite athletes.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Laura Oliff-Maxey and Barbara Braun
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 4, 2025
Mothers Helping Mothers strengthens its toy drive effort

The Sarasota organization has taken on an additional 50 families this year, which brings its total to 350.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A leatherback turtle hatchling crosses the beach.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 3, 2025
Turtles born on Longboat return home to nest decades later

Using brain-embedded magnetite crystals, sea turtles will make a 10,000-mile trek as adults back to their birthplace to nest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mark Lorah created a Lego version of the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, Georgia.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • November 23, 2025
Lego artists show their imagination in Sarasota's first BrickUniverse

The Lego fan expo event at Robarts Arena showcased the work of artists from near and far with a mission of inspiring kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Martha McKlveen, a Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center volunteer and donor, is eager for Kitty City to be able to support more cats that are in need, just like the over 1,000 she has fostered since 2009.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 9, 2025
Kitty City built at Nate's Honor with $250,000 donation from volunteer

Martha McKlveen is passionate about cats, especially those who have issues that keep them from being adopted.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vinny Mercadante tosses a lacrosse ball and holds his stick at Summerfield Community Park in Lakewood Ranch. He played for Cardinal Mooney in 2016-18, Marian University in 2018-19 and Florida State in 2021-23 but has since committed to coaching.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • November 24, 2025
Cardinal Mooney grad builds his own lacrosse training school

At just 25, Vinny Mercadante is quickly becoming a premier private lacrosse coach, one of the few in the state.

  • East County
  • Sports
Roberto Burlew dribbles down the turf at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. The Sarasota Paradise signed the defender to their roster ahead of the team's first professional season in USL League One.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 3, 2025
Paradise defender parlays position change into a professional contract

The Sarasota Paradise team signs Roberto Burlew, a returning player from their semipro team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gabriella Rawles holds a Fighting Irish tennis ball and poses for a photo at Notre Dame Stadium. The senior at ICL Academy online is headed to South Bend, Indiana, in January as an early enrollee.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 10, 2025
Notre Dame commit rekindles love for tennis after recovery from a shoulder injury

Gabriella Rawles was once unsure if she'd ever return to the sport after the injury caused her passion to fade.

  • East County
  • Sports
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