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Results for:

Lyndon Usher speaks with Pastor Carl Jenks of Radiance Church of Sarasota.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 2, 2025
Community comes together to serve homeless during Thanksgiving

Numerous organizations were involved in helping to serve those in need at the Thanksgiving Wednesday Community Luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gary Mullen and the Works come to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, Nov. 29.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • November 25, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Nov. 27-Dec. 3

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Sarasota actor Alan Kitty is launching a Mark Twain Festival at the Crocker Memorial Church, home of the Sarasota Historical Society, in Pioneer Park.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • November 24, 2025
Mark Twain is alive and well and living in Sarasota

Twain impersonator Alan Kitty is launching a festival to honor the noted author's 190th birthday.

  • Arts + Culture
Vern Buchanan has announced his retirement following 20 years in Congress.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 27, 2026
Longtime local legislator announces retirement from Congress

Vern Buchanan, who represents Florida's 16th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced his retirement following 20 years in Washington.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years

General Director Richard Russell will add artistic director to his role after Victor DeRenzi's departure in May.

  • Arts + Culture
Sips Coffee is located at 6828 Gulf of Mexico Drive and plans to open a second location on Longboat Key at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 6, 2026
Starbucks pulls out of plans for Longboat Key location

However, Sips coffee shop is opening a second location next to where a Starbucks was planned.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 29, 2025
Black Tie highlights top moment of 2025, in photos

The Sarasota social scene was full of photogenic moments during the past year. It was a tough job, but we picked some of our favorites.

  • Black Tie
Under the leadership of Steven Phillips, Via Nova Chorale merged with Choral Artists of Sarasota.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • November 4, 2025
Via Nova Chorale finds a new way following its merger with Choral Artists

Under the leadership of Steven Phillips, the organization has emerged as Sarasota's second largest choral group.

  • Arts + Culture
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi

The junior wrestler for Lakewood Ranch High is the program's first female to reach the state tourney.

  • East County
  • Sports
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Vivienne Pietrunti's porch is a dropoff location for The Lake Club Giving Circle's donation drive.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 3, 2026
Lakewood Ranch neighborhood recycles old items into community grants

The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle partnered with a nonprofit consignment store to fundraise.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch sisters Mariapaz Ritter, 7 and Analia Ritter, 12, got their faces painted by Akiko Graphics at the at Greenbrook Adventure Park. Mariapaz chose a peace sign because "paz" the last part of her name means peace in Spanish and Analia chose daisies because they are her favorite flowers.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • November 24, 2025
Greenbrook Adventure Park reopens with a fun day

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted Party in the Park with live music, face painting and activities for families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Harshman has announced his candidacy for Sarasota City Commission.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 20, 2026
Longtime businessman files for Sarasota City Commission

Commercial real estate broker John Harshman has joined the race for the two Sarasota City Commission at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
During a beach renourishment project, sand is placed and spread on the beach to extend the shoreline, combating natural erosion to increase recreational area space and extend the shoreline.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 20, 2026
Beach renourishment on Lido Key underway

About 311,000 cubic yards will be placed on the southern half of Lido Key during the project, causing some closures to portions of the beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Ballet will perform "Valses nobles et sentimentales" by Sir Frederick Ashton in Program Two: "Written Motion," on Nov. 21-22 at the Sarasota Opera House.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • November 18, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Nov. 20-26

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is at 6320 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • January 23, 2026
New sandwich shop opens in south Sarasota

Capriotti’s, known for its submarine sandwiches, is located on South Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Tipsea Gypsea, a 45-foot Catalina sailboat, lies beached on a sandbar near the Harbor Acres neighborhood, posing a risk to the neighborhood’s seawall and dozens of nearby moored boats. Sarasota Police Department Marine Patrol Officer Michael Skinner said the registered owner is working to get a specialized bolt to re-attach the steering wheel.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 10, 2026
Law enforcement agencies tackle removing wrecked, abandoned boats

When a boat washes up on a sandbar or crashes into a seawall, law enforcement agencies step in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The audience roared its approval when Spanish guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas delivered an encore performance on the Sarasota Orchestra's Masterworks concert, "Close Encounters."
  • By Gayle Williams |
  • December 8, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra gives audience close encounter with Masterworks program

Musicians weren't just on stage; they were in the corners of the Van Wezel for Respighi's "Pines of Rome."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening

Shoppers explore offerings from the 13,000 books at the retail location, which also includes beach towels, decorative pieces and games.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The home at 604 Mourning Dove Drive sold for $5.1 million.
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • January 21, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 5-9 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Mourning Dove Drive tops the week's sales at $5.1 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love

From Barbies and dogs to roller skates and cyber trucks, elementary students in the Lakewood Ranch area make sure Santa knows what they want.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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