Longboat Key considers rules on solar panels

If approved, the town will add a chapter to its code dedicated to solar panel regulations to help owners understand what is and isn't allowed.

The town of Longboat Key is considering a new code addressing solar panels, which would clarify regulations around them. This home in the Village installed solar panels before the 2024 hurricanes and relied on them for backup power after the storms.
Rosemarie Herke, the president of the German American Social Club of Sarasota, has been in that position for 10 years. She said the club is about preserving German culture through dance and socialization.
  • March 11, 2026
German American Social Club of Sarasota has danced through 75 years
Prolific Bird Key author Mifflin Lowe received an award from The Florida Book Awards for his recent work, "Art: An Interactive Guide."
  • March 11, 2026
Bird Key author awarded for children's art book
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club members Bethy Bacon, Cheryl Scheid, Brenda Rooks (back), Brenda Webb, Sylvia Abdelsalam and Penny Kress (front) are eager to welcome community members to Garden Fest March 14.
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club to host Garden Fest
Lynne Short, chair of the Centennial Committee at the Sarasota Yacht Club, shares how the club dove into its own history to produce a book and a full year of events based on the past 100 years. She stands beside a model of the Zalophus, a 125-foot yacht John Ringling purchased in 1922.
  • March 10, 2026
Uncovering stories from 100 years of Sarasota Yacht Club history

Arts + Culture

Sarasota Jazz Festival Music Director Terell Stafford performs.
  • March 11, 2026
Sarasota Jazz Club wants a building of its own
The cast of Urbanite Theatre's "The Apiary" includes (clockwise from left), Christina Mei Chen, Terri Weagant, Dekyi Ronge and Ariel Blue.
  • March 11, 2026
Urbanite Theatre's 'The Apiary' asks the question, 'To bee or not to bee'
Francesca Ferrari stars in the production of "A Night with Janis Joplin."
  • March 10, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre takes another piece of Janis Joplin's heart
Asolo Repertory Theatre Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein.
  • March 10, 2026
Asolo Rep to premiere a circus musical in its 2026-27 season
Rex Jensen welcomes Fabienne and Brett Hutchens to the party at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • March 9, 2026
Having fun makes horse sense at the Sarasota Polo Club
Al Van Iten helps out shopper Jenny Phillips with her purchase of a teak shower set at the Royal Rummage Sale. Van Iten said he appreciates helping out the charitable effort while getting to meet interesting people.
  • March 9, 2026
Crowds come out en force for Royal Rummage Sale
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan, Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, and Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation President Jeffrey Toale gather together after Phillips accepted a $25,000 grant to beautify Daybreak.
  • March 9, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honors 2025 grant recipients
Mark Daunt from The Resort at Longboat Key Club doles out a sweet pick-me-up from the organization’s booth at the 3rd annual Town of Longboat Key Open House on March 7 at the Town Center Green.
  • March 9, 2026
Longboat town open house features nearly 40 reps
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch
Kiana Nahale, 3, meets a hawksbill turtle.
  • March 7, 2026
Attendees discover the 'wonders of water' at Bay Fest
Jim and Ellen Kelleher take in the breeze from Sarasota Bay while socializing at the March 3 St. Armands Key Residents Association dinner at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • March 6, 2026
St. Armands residents hone long-term, community-based vision
Javaughn Wallace and executive chef Michael from Drift at Lido Beach Resort dish up a poached pear and prosciutto bite at the 15th annual Taste of the Keys on Feb. 26 at the Longboat Key Club Harbourside Ballroom.
  • March 2, 2026
Taste of the Keys bigger than ever in 15th year
Magnolia Riner, 10, displays a design she created.
  • March 1, 2026
Church of the Redeemer volunteers work together to build beds for kids in need
Suncoast Stars Community's Jenny Audet, Julie Audet and Laurel Audet are grateful for the program that provides a wide array of activities including dance, music, fitness and nutrition, knitting, Bible study, crafts, and more.
  • March 1, 2026
Suncoast Stars Community shines bright during fundraising event
Gideon Demetrious, 6, Hani Demetrious and Jude Demetrious, 10, look through a series of prints.
  • February 28, 2026
Sarasota Festival of the Arts serves up variety for attendees to browse
University Park's Marilyn Kern reacts after making the winning bid during the live auction for a Hawaiian vacation at Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape Feb. 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 28, 2026
Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch hosts Tropical Escape fundraiser
Pat O'Connell, Brenda Baril, Beth Scheible and Kim Lawrence said winning the championship Swing for the Cure annual golf day on Feb. 24 was especially meaningful to them, considering Lawrence is a cancer survivor.
  • February 25, 2026
Swing for the Cure unites golfers in fight against breast cancer
Rabbi Howard Simon, master of ceremonies at Temple Beth Israel's 47th annual gala, welcomes attendees to the event on Feb. 22 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • February 23, 2026
47th Temple Beth Israel gala centers on community
Artist Kathleen Murphy Willer, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, said she has fun incorporating elements evocative of childhood in her acrylic paintings. She was one of the artists to brave the sun and rain at last weekend's fine art festival on Longboat Key.
  • February 23, 2026
Specialized artists turn out for fifth Longboat Fine Art Fest
The winners of an essay contest had the chance to read out their essays during the event, and they included fourth grader Lorelei Martin, second grader Olivia Batista, kindergartener Logan Hernandez, third grader Petronius Boles, first grader Jade Rivers and fifth grader Amara Berry, pictured here with Assistant Principal Jennifer Kahler.
  • February 22, 2026
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus celebrates centennial anniversary
Executive directors Brian Walton, Jessica Ryherd and Amy Steinhauser respectively from Save Our Seabirds, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Inc. and The Paradise Center, pitched their future development ideas to attendees at the inaugural Longboat Key 100 fundraiser Feb. 17 at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • February 22, 2026
Inaugural fundraiser awards $100K to combat childhood hunger
Ryley Hoaglin, 10, looks at birds from the gazebo.
  • February 22, 2026
Sarasota Audubon welcomes the public to its nature center with Fly Wild
Nicholas Quintero, Conner King, Greyson Alexander and Lucas Matallana are campout ready with snacks, a lantern and even a headlamp.
  • February 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Campout lights a fire for families and friends
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend
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.
  • February 20, 2026
Longboat golfers celebrate 25 years of friendly competition
Terry Creighton lines up a shot at a Feb. 15 tennis session at The Sanctuary.
  • February 20, 2026
The Sanctuary kicks off season's activity with tennis pro
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration
Fourth grader A’Nylah Johnson and third grader Dariana Mills head down the slide.
  • February 17, 2026
A snow day comes to the Star Lab school in Newtown