Lakewood Ranch residents face challenges of Live Local Act

Residents say they're unwilling to back down: "If not us, who will fight for responsible development?"

Harold Kobakof, Luzette Socash, Greg Dunbar, Howard Sosnik and Jim Toolen are not done fighting the high-density project slated to be built adjacent to their Lakewood Ranch neighborhood.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
Christy James, owner of Longboat Key Flower Shop, is the driver of one of the island's most recognizable rides, a Barbie-pink limo.
  • August 5, 2026
Longboat florist cruises paradise in her iconic pink limo
Survivors In Sync is a dragon boat team made up of breast cancer survivors.
  • August 5, 2026
Dragon boating offers healing to cancer survivors, veterans
Longboat Key author Wilma Davidson, president of the local Pen Women chapter, is celebrating the publication of 'Super Cat Chit Chat,' the follow-up story to the 'Super Cat! Splat! Splat!' children's book.
  • August 4, 2026
Local author's 'Super Cat' returns with sequel children's book

Arts + Culture

Rise Above Performing Arts Artistic Director Jacob Ruscoe stands in front of the theater company's new space.
  • August 5, 2026
Rise Above Performing Arts finds a new home
Grae Productions founder Stephanie Grae (center) is flanked by dancers who are part of her entourage of artists that create ArtLab parties.
  • August 3, 2026
ArtLab toasts its fourth anniversary in new venue
Herrig Center for the Arts, formerly ArtCenter Manatee, opened its new building in April.
  • July 29, 2026
The Herrig Center for the Arts is worth a trip to Bradenton
The Sarasota Ballet has hired Misa Kuranaga as principal dancer. In the 2025-26 season, she danced in "Birthday Offering" with the company.
  • July 23, 2026
Sarasota Ballet adds three principal dancers
Lakewood Ranch 11-year-old Finn Morris, who has been playing soccer for six years, likes competing at the Sarasota Paradise youth soccer camp.
  • July 31, 2026
Sarasota Paradise's 'language' brings kids together
Tanya Waxler and Eddie Balen enjoy Christmas in July in celebration of her book signing for "Santa's Extreme Dream Team and the Hospital Mission."
  • July 29, 2026
Local children's author celebrates Christmas early with new book
The Mah Jongg Weekend was filled with colorful, coastal mahjong sets provided by Event Organizer Rennee Fannin.
  • July 29, 2026
Paradise Center hosts first Mah Jongg Weekend fundraiser
Ernie Smith lines up trays of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for lunch at Resurrection House. He and nine other volunteers prepared a meal on July 23 as one of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church's monthly charitable events.
  • July 28, 2026
St. Armands volunteers put their cooking skills to good use
Lara Zoppe and Victoria Peddie, both of Lakewood Ranch, sing "No Reason" as Lydia and Delia in "Beetlejuice Jr.," at Ovation School of Musical Theatre.
  • July 25, 2026
Ovation School of Musical Theatre campers present 'Beetlejuice Jr.'
Jared Thomas, 8; Penelope Brouillette, 7; and Sebastian Meehan, 8, chalk the trail together.
  • July 24, 2026
Kids use sidewalk chalk to decorate the trail at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
A cownose ray waves a wingtip at onlookers from the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort lagoon on Friday after caretakers introduced half a dozen pups to the enclosure. Resident rays had the babies in December, and experts released the adolescents into the Under the Sea Lagoon.
  • July 20, 2026
Half-dozen baby rays debut at St. Regis lagoon
Toby reaches up to greet a new helping of foam.
  • July 18, 2026
Dog Bar Sarasota celebrates one-year anniversary
Addison Gutowitz, 13, and Harriet Shore, 11, learn skills on electric guitar from 17-year-old Max Froemel in the guitar breakout session.
  • July 17, 2026
Campers come together at School of Rock Lakewood Ranch
A firefighter sprays the roof of a Dock on the Bay condo building Wednesday morning, July 15.
  • July 17, 2026
Fire engulfs Dock on the Bay condo units
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be
Poppy Otte paddles through the water while Mote Education Specialist Morgan Swartz helps.
  • July 12, 2026
Campers make a splash with Mote Marine Laboratory
Alex Walker, 6, and Max Walker, 8, work on paintings at the America250 Celebration at Selby Library.
  • July 11, 2026
America250 Celebration at Selby Library showcases local, national history