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Results for:

Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

The organization has been active in Sarasota since April and gives kids space to host their business at community events.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anthony and Katherine Van Wezel Stone, grandchildren of the late Lewis Van Wezel.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 14, 2026
Van Wezel heirs join with SPAF to support new Performing Arts Center

Grandchildren of the late Lewis Van Wezel have joined the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation in support of a new venue and a "unified cultural campus."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle (1946-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • January 2, 2026
Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle

Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle, 79, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025, surrounded by her family.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Jaynie Peterson, Tony Pinho, Brady Jo Trombetta and Madison Chuchla all teach dance classes at Fly Dance Fitness in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 20, 2026
Dance fitness studio opens new Lakewood Ranch location

The business offers a variety of dance and fitness classes while aiming to be a judgement-free space.

  • East County
  • Business
Duette Preserve has become home to 131 relocated gopher tortoises since Manatee County opened a recipient site in December 2023.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • September 24, 2025
Gopher tortoises pay to stay in Manatee County

The county just brokered a deal that will bring in over $725,000 to house 191 tortoises.

  • East County
  • News
Pura Vida Miami is at 4994 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 100, in Sarasota.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • January 9, 2026
Healthy restaurant opens second Sarasota location

Pura Vida Miami recently opened a restaurant in The Landings.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The view of the first hole from behind the fairway bunkers at The Concession.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • May 21, 2025
The Concession lands Senior PGA Championship for 3 years, starting in 2026

The Lakewood Ranch course has played host to previous high-profile events.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nancy Manosh welcomes home her husband, Korean War veteran Carl Manosh, of Punta Gorda, whose guardian was Mike Semones, a Southwest Florida Honor Flight board member who lives in Sarasota.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • October 15, 2025
Community welcomes veterans home from Washington, D.C., trip

The community welcomed veterans home at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, after their one-day trip to Washington, D.C. with Southwest Florida Honor Flight.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025

The Observer sports columnist reflects on the area's champions, record-breakers and competitors who stood above all others.

  • East County
  • Sports
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
Karen Medford has moved up the ladder with her Sirius Day Spa, Salon and Med Spa business by opening a location in Waterside. The new location will include a boutique.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • January 27, 2026
Sirius Day Spa opens new location in Lakewood Ranch entertainment hub

Owner Karen Medford says it has been a dream for her to own a spa at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Business
Katherine Pike (on the left) salsa dances with the cast of "Casa Havana:" Dairon Batista, Isabella Serrano and Jack Gaudreau.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 13, 2025
Palm Aire Women's Club members learn to salsa

Club members were treated to a performance and dance lessons from the Tania Vergara Dance-Theater.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Urban Meyer started the 'Real Life Wednesdays' career-development program at Florida, carried it to Ohio State and has now translated it to Sarasota's high school football scene.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 29, 2026
Urban Meyer makes mentor move with The Urban Edge

The three-time college football national champion will expand the Sarasota-based program in its second year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Susan Benjamin, The Education Center's biographical historian who is praised for her engaging presentations about the lives of some of the industry's most famous musicians, turns her attention to Billy Joel, Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse this season.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 3, 2026
Education Center dives into the stories and music of Billy Joel

Biographical historian Susan Benjamin teams up with singer Jay O'Brien to celebrate the life and times of the Piano Man at their latest presentation with The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • December 25, 2025
Selby Gardens' renovations add to appeal while keeping mission in mind

Resilience, education and preservation are the prime objectives as the second phase of its master plan reinvention take Marie Selby Botanical Gardens closer to achieving its "potential."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Asolo Rep hires new director of development
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 12, 2026
Asolo Rep hires new director of development

Juliana Han Witt was most recently chief advancement officer at Atlanta Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
J. Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 30, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 1-7

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Man waits until 1:30 for pop star to return to Longboat Key restaurant
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 20, 2026
Man waits until 1:30 for pop star to return to Longboat Key restaurant

A man swore he saw Sabrina Carpenter, thought it was fate and returned to the restaurant hours later waiting for her to return. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more

Rich Vannucci, who still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago, isn't ready to put a wrap on his career.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • By Eric Snider |
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause

Ben Shroyer has turned a parent's nightmare — childhood cancer — into a cause for good, helping families in the same boat as his was a few years ago. The waters off Siesta help fund the work the organization does.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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