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Results for:

Betty J. Johnson (center) stand with Blake Erquiaga and Kelly Larkin of the Pop-Up Library.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • April 23, 2025
Betty J. Johnson Library celebrates 20th anniversary

The library, founded in 2003, is located in the predominantly Black community of Newtown.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cirque St. Armands, a circus-themed project, will be unveiled in March.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • January 24, 2025
Two new luxury developments take root on Lido Key

Two over-the-top projects — one a circus-fancy hotel, another a condo complex with uber-luxury hotel-like amenities and service — are primed to give Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key a new look.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Uri Zhang YueYing stars in FSU/Asolo Conservatory's "The Chinese Lady," which runs through March 2.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • February 22, 2025
'The Chinese Lady' sheds light on a dark chapter of American history

FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of Lloyd Suh’s play, "The Chinese Lady," depicts a living curiosity trapped in a box.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Beach Road, beside Siesta Key Beach, is flooded.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • September 27, 2024
Siesta Key businesses begin recovery after devastating Helene storm surge

Significant flooding left many Siesta Key businesses with work and renovations ahead of them.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

The "dirty soda" mobile business is owned by Lakewood Ranch's Amber Hanratty, who saw an opening in the market.

  • East County
  • Business
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

Moo-Jitsu is a new spice company that brands itself through a love of cows and jiu jitsu.

  • East County
  • Business
The chickens line up for a dust bath in a restaurant bus tub.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • July 19, 2023
Sentinel chickens used to monitor Manatee County mosquitos

Flocks of chickens across the county keep tabs on three mosquito-borne viruses.

  • East County
  • News
The chambers are standing room only on August 10 for the Manatee County Planning Commission meeting.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • August 14, 2023
Manatee to consider development plan changes that will affect wetlands

Manatee County's planning commissioners voted 4-2 against making changes that would lower wetland protections to align with state standards.

  • East County
  • News
It's this view to the south of the Sarasota skyline and Ringling Bridge that prompted Kathryn and Ron Lee to buy land on Halyard Lane.
  • By Mark Bergin |
  • July 21, 2021
Longboat Key sees dozens of home rebuilds since January 2020

Demolishing and rebuilding is one way Longboaters can live in their idea of paradise.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
L. James is The Soldier in “Backwards Forwards Back.”
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • April 3, 2023
A soldier gets a second chance in 'Backwards Forwards Back'

Virtual reality technology helps a veteran win his private war against PTSD in Urbanite Theatre's latest play.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy is expected to be built by mid-July to allow time for teachers and staff to move in and prepare for the first day of school in August. Rendering courtesy of Red Apple Development.
  • By Liz Ramos |
  • January 27, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy projected to be built by mid-July

Red Apple Development and Ryan Cos. speed forward to meet July deadline for the new Lakewood Ranch charter school.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 26, 2022
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Litter came complete with a name, phone number

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 10, 2011
Our View

Agenda for the new commission

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Heather Jungueira and some of the dogs.
  • By Shellie Terry |
  • February 22, 2019
One sniff away

The future of early-stage cancer detection may exist in the snout of the jovial, floppy-eared beagles of Bioscent DX.

  • LWR Life
That’s one heckuva wrap!
  • By Emily Walsh |
  • May 1, 2024
That’s one heckuva wrap!

Of course, there was fashion, food and fun, but the amount of money donated this year tops the charts as a season standout.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Asolo Rep's "Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical" runs through June 9 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • May 17, 2024
The jury meets jazz in Asolo Rep's 'Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical'

Shouting matches give way to song in contentious deliberations.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
The Umbrella House was built in 1953.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • March 27, 2026
An architectural landmark receives recognition

The World Monuments Fund honored Anne and Bob Essner with its inaugural Stewardship Award for Modernist Homes, recognizing a restoration that helped preserve a Sarasota icon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Palmetto's Leland Taylor is one of six candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 1.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • July 6, 2026
Palmetto lawyer vies for District 1 Republican nomination

Criminal defense attorney Leland Taylor, who is running for a Manatee County Commission seat, was born and raised in District 1.

  • East County
  • News
Gerri Aaron, a celebrated philanthropist in Sarasota and her native Philadelphia, died Thursday. She was 91.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 15, 2019
Gerri Aaron leaves legacy of giving, humanity

Gerri Aaron, noted Sarasota area philanthropist, died Feb. 14. Services will be held 10 a.m. Sunday at Temple Emanu El.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jeffrey Kahane says pianos are complicated, delicate machines with a couple thousand moving parts inside. He adds that great pianos are like high-quality sports cars because everything has to work perfectly. Niki Kottmann
  • By Niki Kottmann |
  • March 15, 2018
Sarasota Orchestra pianist takes a grand test drive

The orchestra went to great lengths — flying Jonathan Spivey to Los Angeles — on its quest for a new concert piano for Holley Hall.

  • Arts + Culture
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