Sarasota Observer

The Sarasota Observer is a weekly newspaper that is part of the Observer Group Inc., a company founded in 1995 and based in Sarasota, Florida. Launched in 2004, this publication aims to cater to the downtown Sarasota community. In 2012, it became part of a network of hyper-local newspapers and the company rebranded as the Observer Media Group (OMG).

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Check out what's coming soon to UTC

1 day ago | yourobserver.com | Mark Gordon

The 2025 version of the multiple University Town Center districts in east Manatee and north Sarasota counties, with its hundreds of stores and dozens of restaurants — in addition to its thousands of employees — has a rather simple, yet significant, origin story. It’s a tale wrapped in a fish restaurant, with a secondary role played by a discount department store.
Sarasota Paradise brings a whole new level of soccer to Lakewood Ranch

1 day ago | yourobserver.com | Mark Gordon

If the past seven years were one long soccer game for Marcus Walfridson, he would have been tagged with a yellow card in the first minute. This goes back to 2018. The Swedish-born Walfridson — the person most responsible for bringing pro soccer to Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch — had a 90-day, temporary visa to be in the United States. On day 80, he recalls, he received a text from U.S. Border Patrol, much like a referee hands a player a yellow card as a warning of a potential penalty in soccer.
Manatee does it again | Your Observer

2 days ago | yourobserver.com | Matt Walsh

On May 6, the Manatee County Commission voted 6-0 to begin steps to determine whether it can terminate a contract with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch to co-pay for a roundabout at University Parkway and Legacy Boulevard. The next day, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO Rex Jensen learned of the commission’s surprise vote.
Save the date for these fall arts and entertainment events in Sarasota

2 days ago | yourobserver.com | Monica Gagnier

As the 2024-25 season winds down and the snowbirds head north, it's not too early to think about marking your calendar for some blockbuster events coming up in the fall. Many cultural groups have already announced their 2025-26 seasons to great fanfare in the hopes of attracting new and repeat subscribers. Depending on the arts organization, individual tickets for next season may not be on sale just yet.
Sarasota County hosts community conversation on hurricane preparedness

3 days ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

In the time period from 2017 to 2024, the United States has experienced as many landfalls of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes as it has from 1960 to 2016, according to Jennifer Hubbard of the National Weather Service’s Tampa office. However, Sarasota County shared some advice to help residents be prepared for hurricane season, which begins June 1, during its community conversation on hurricane preparedness, held May 8 in the auditorium of Riverview High School.
Suncoast Composer Fellowship Program explores musical storytelling

3 days ago | yourobserver.com | Monica Gagnier

Perlman Music Program alumni Max Tan is a violinist and what might be called a cultural entrepreneur through his classical music nonprofit Soundbox Ventures. He’s also proven himself a bit of an amateur meteorologist. Or maybe he’s just plain lucky. After founding the Suncoast Composer Fellowship Program to partner emerging composers with mentors and performers, Sarasota Orchestra member Tan launched the inaugural Suncoast Composer Festival and scheduled it for October 4-7, 2024.
Siesta Con brings together characters and community members

4 days ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

Branan Jacobs and his friend Tony Vongsakhamphouy grew up at a time when the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were a cultural phenomenon. Like the other kindergarteners, they owned merchandise, including shirts and toys, and acted out the show. Yet when they visited the second annual Siesta Con on May 10, they finally had the chance to meet Walter Emanul Jones, who played Zack Taylor, the first Black Ranger. "It's fun to finally get to meet him — he did not disappoint," said Vongsakhamphouy.
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest celebrates LGBTQ+ community

4 days ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

Having attended the Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest for three years, Matthew Isoldi called this year's event the best experience yet. On May 10, the festival made its return to Selby Five Points Park, while marking 15 years in the community. Shannon Fortner, president and executive director of the Fabulous Arts Foundation, said the location means that "folks can...
Waterside Place honors moms with a special event

5 days ago | yourobserver.com | Jay Heater

It was her first time celebrating Mother's Day as a mom, and Star Farms' Justine Morehart said she had come to the right place. Waterside Place hosted a special event for moms on May 10 that was highlighted by the Petals and Poses fashion show. "This is surreal to me," said Morehart, who was carrying her 6-month-old daughter, Mabel. "I am so full of joy."She said Lakewood Ranch knows how to throw an event. "This is the best thing in the world," she said.
L.L. Bean opens at UTC in Sarasota

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Jay Heater

As the new L.L. Bean store was about to open on Friday morning at 111 North Cattlemen Road in the UTC plaza, various guest speakers were sweating outside the store in the hot morning sun. Not to worry, as everyone, including more than 100 customers waiting in line for the doors to open, were told that the store had plenty of hot weather apparel available. Kenon Mitchell, L.L. Bean's District 4 manager (Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and now Florida) was excited to get started.