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Results for:

Christine Cassanelli stands with her friend Miles Christian-Hart, founder of Paradise Riders.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • February 15, 2026
Thunder by the Bay raises funds for children, teens and adults with special needs

The event brought together offerings like live music, car and bike shows, a biker rodeo, and a charity car and motorcycle dice run in support of its cause.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Participants of the Citizens Academy visit the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department for one of the sessions.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • October 10, 2025
Citizens Academy enrollment open for Longboat Key's 2026 season

Eight sessions cover aspects of town government, beginning in January.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Retina Group |
  • January 22, 2026
Exceptional Training, Personal Experience

The Retina Group of Florida (RGF) is pleased to welcome Jie Sun, MD, PhD, as the newest physician at its Lakewood Ranch office. Not only does Dr. Sun bring exceptional expertise in medical retina and uveitis she also offers a deeply personal understanding of what vision loss means to patients and their families.

  • Health
Sponsored Content
  • By The Edge Sarasota |
  • January 22, 2026
The Edge Sarasota: Created for a Select Few

Ten stories. Just 27 Residences. Over 10,000 square feet of curated amenities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Work by Janet Echelman in “Radical Softness” at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
  • By Su Byron |
  • February 6, 2026
New creations, global voices, celebrations light up our cultural horizon

Whether it's contemporary art from America, folk music from the Nordics or greatest hits from the radio, there's something for everyone this season.

  • Arts + Culture
Golden Ticket arrives, and Olaf the snowman has been invited to the rooftop party.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Bay lights up with annual Holiday Boat Parade

A series of festively decorated boats sailed around Sarasota Bay during the Holiday Boat Parade supporting Suncoast Charities for Children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Democratic Club President Lucie Lapovsky (right) updates the 160 attendees on new initiatives the Club is starting soon at a luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 10.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 14, 2026
Longboat Key Democratic Club to launch newsletter, raise funds for flippable races

Club President Lucie Lapovsky shared new initiatives with about 160 attendees at the most recent luncheon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Golf pro Stephen Arnold succeeded in his goal of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to benefit families involved with First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 4, 2026
Golfing feat makes a difference for area families

Golf expert Stephen Arnold, an instructor at the Longboat Key Club and Resort, plays 100 holes in a day to benefit First 1,000 Days Suncoast.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Harbour Square office building at 4134 Gulf of Mexico Drive may soon be demolished. 1905 Family of Restaurants Vice President of Marketing Jeff Houck said the company plans to file for a demolition permit soon as work to bring the Buccaneer restaurant to the space continues to move forward.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 20, 2026
Harbour Square office building slated for demolition

The demolition is planned as a first step in the plans for 1905 Family of Restaurant's Buccaneer Restaurant concept.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Golfers competing in "Pittsburgh vs. The World" may be rivals out on the green, but at the celebration afterward, they have nothing but smiles for one another. Jan Van Iten and Carol Westwood are the original captains in the friendly tournament, which marked 25 years on Feb. 16.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 20, 2026
Longboat golfers celebrate 25 years of friendly competition

Dubbed "Pittsburgh vs. The World," this annual golf competition started as a friendly feud and has become a beloved tradition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bob Gardner Park offers a mile of trails, sports courts, frisbee golf, pavilions, a kids’ gravity rail and dog parks, all set against peaceful wetland preserves.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • February 19, 2026
A few of our favorite (Lakewood Ranch) things

Here is a short list of cool pleasures, delightful encounters and only-in-the-Ranch moments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee Chair Jetson Grimes, awardees Joseph Mack, Susan Imperato, Valerie Buchand, Meadow Lark Walker, Monica Donley and David Morse, and former mayor Willie Shaw, gather on stage.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 19, 2026
Sarasota's community celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

An awards ceremony and parade preceded the MLK Music Festival and Medical/Wellness Fair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 16, 2026
Manatee County commissioners approve 80 homes on 18th Avenue East

The vote was 4-3 in favor of the project after the planning commission unanimously recommended denial.

  • East County
  • News
My best bud ordered her Southside Italian just the other day and let her camera take the first bite.
  • By Emma Burke |
  • March 1, 2026
Ditch National Pack Your Lunch Day for a sandwich from a Sarasota deli

These eateries make it nearly impossible for me to brown-bag it like a responsible adult.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
With a hearty collective effort, community members help “push in” the newest fleet addition at Fire Station 92 during a March 25 open house. The public was invited to see the facility, which opened in 2021, as well as check out the station’s new $600,000 ambulance.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 31, 2025
With equal doses of grit and fun, we review 2025 on Longboat Key in photos

From political kerfuffles to heartwarming moments of community celebration, the Longboat Observer captured it all in the past year. Here are our top moments of 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Emergency Operations Center call center works in "pods," each team working on a certain aspect such as fire dispatch, law dispatch and call taking.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • September 17, 2025
911 callers in Sarasota will soon receive surveys

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office rolls out new feedback tool that will reconnect with callers to both emergency and non-emergency lines.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Local author Lydia Zorzi Scotti recently published her first children's book, "Sir Knight and His Boy," held up by local artist Medge Jaspan at the book's local December launch.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 13, 2026
Grandson's paper knight inspires local author's first children's book

The adventures of Sir Knight take him to the beaches of Lido Key and beyond in this heart-warming tale of love and acceptance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo

The senior midfielder/forward is the leading scorer for The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer through nine games.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kelly Shrout, one of the main coordinators of the Friendship Garden at Longboat Island Chapel, takes a look at one of the butterfly plants in the garden. Volunteers recently helped spruce up the community garden that holds the memories of many residents who have contributed to rebuilding since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 14, 2026
New year brings renewal to Friendship Garden

The overseer of the community garden at Longboat Island Chapel shared her pride in seeing it flourish post hurricane with residents' support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration

With an estimated 400 attendees, the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota hopes to expand the celebration even more next year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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