• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Results for:

Angese Rudzite Kirillova works on "Playground" during the 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 8, 2026
Mark your calendars for these Sarasota events in 2026

Whether you love collecting stamps or petting reptiles, there's something for just about everyone in Sarasota's event offerings in this coming year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Howard Tipton, Irwin Pastor and Susan Goldfarb stand beside the newly installed sign for The Education Center on Bay Isles Road. The center starts its winter term of programs Jan. 5.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • December 24, 2025
Explore French art, cinematic history and more this winter

The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel's upcoming term promises plenty of exciting new programs at classes starting Jan. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David and Ruth Beliles were married on Valentine's Day in February 1953.
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 13, 2026
Observer Media Group chairman dies at 95

David Beliles lived a life of grit and guts, and grace and generosity.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cardinal Mooney football gathers at midfield and poses for a photo. The Cougars scored on every single one of their drives in the FHSAA Class 2A state championship, piling up 52 points against the Bulldogs.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 11, 2025
Cardinal Mooney is state football champ again

The Cougars roar past Jacksonville Bolles to win their third title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Anthony Sizemore, a Braden River High freshman, is eager to show his FFA chapter's chapter pig at the Manatee County Fair.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 7, 2026
Braden River High FFA students hope to make the grade at Manatee County Fair

After sacrificing much of their free time to care for farm animals, many of the students will be rewarded.

  • East County
  • Schools
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
Mr. Swindle is the character who gives an adults-only circus its name.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • January 21, 2026
The circus gets naughty at Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium

Allison Blei and Ivan España's mom-and-pop circus is full of adult fun and laughter.

  • Arts + Culture
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
Commissioner Amanda Ballard attends the Under One Roof ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 1. She's up for reelection in District 2.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 7, 2026
Manatee County Commission's power structure could be altered by 2026 election

Three seats are up for grabs with incumbents Mike Rahn and Amanda Ballard defending and Jason Bearden bowing out.

  • East County
  • News
Beth Stewart and Christine Parseghian joined in the festive fun of the Frosty Frolic golf tournament on Dec. 9 at Harbourside Golf Course.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • December 11, 2025
Ladies dress to impress at Frosty Frolic

The toy drive-centric golf tournament invited members of the Women's Golf Association and the Key Niners to compete in six-person teams.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bartender Sam Lastinger keeps the party going at Taste and Tunes of the Keys.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 6, 2026
Save these dates in 2026 for Longboat-area events

There are plenty of opportunities to explore the local flavor in the upcoming year, whether it's through art, parades or just fun community gatherings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Construction on the Athletics and Aquatics Center is underway at Premier Sports Campus North.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • November 25, 2025
No hotel at Premier Sports — yet

Another 126 acres was rezoned to build out the now 236-acre campus.

  • East County
  • News
Palm trees and a white sand beach provide a classic tropical setting.
  • By Robert Plunket |
  • February 5, 2026
Natural forms inspired by the sea add drama to a Longboat Key showplace

This Longboat Key estate has classic charm, graceful style and spectacular vistas that elevate every room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The golf course at Longboat Key Club, which is accessible by membership or stay at the resort, has 45 holes to play.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • August 20, 2025
Longboat golfers' only public option is to hit a long drive

For the nonmembers, golfers from Longboat Key have to venture to the mainland to play at Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
"Riverdance 30 — The New Generation" comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Jan. 27-29.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 20, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 22-28

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Trey Bowlin, Zach Schield, Tyler Brunton and Jamison Urch hoist the 25th Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off trophy high as they take home first place for the Longboat Fire Rescue team.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • October 21, 2025
Longboat Fire smokes competition in chili cook-off

At the 25th annual Morton's Chili Cook-Off with other local first responders, Longboat Fire Rescue took home the top prize.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club members Mike Mulwani and Greg Pogue lost their first scrimmage 11 to nothing in 2023, but that didn't stop them from pursuing the sport to better their skills.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 14, 2026
At 2,300 members, Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club continues to grow

The club, which provides opportunities for novice to advanced players, was founded by Bob Haskin in 2018 with 40 members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kelis McGrady poses for a photo on Dec. 11 before Braden River girls basketball's home game against Manatee. The forward/guard has been the engine behind the Pirates' early-season success.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 15, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kelis McGrady

The junior averaged a double-double through Braden River's first eight games of 2025-26.

  • East County
  • 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
This year's New to You art sale promises some unique, larger finds for art enthusiasts, according to Linn Torres, All Angels by the Sea administrative assistant and art sale coordinator. Torres showcases a Grecian-style, three-dimensional piece of art.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 27, 2026
Big surprises await at New to You art sale

The popular Longboat Key art sale begins Feb. 2 at All Angels by the Sea and benefits Turning Points of Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
« 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free