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Your Observer | All

Marilyn and Ron Shapo's home provided the venue for this month's soiree.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Isles Soiree

Members of the Siesta Isles Neighborhood Association met for their monthly soiree Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Marilyn and Ron Shapo's home. Each month, association members take turns co-hosting the social event. This month, Marilyn and Ron Shapo hosted with Diana and Nevin Weiner and Judie Berger. Guests enjoyed food from the Village Cafe and celebrated the upcoming Oscar Academy Awards ceremony.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Born and raised in Sarasota, Smith grew up boxing with his father, China Smith Sr., and playing football.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 24, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: China Smith

'The People's Champ' is a native of Sarasota. Read more about him in our candid Q&A.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 24, 2012
SCORES: Lady Mustangs earn pair of victories

The Lakewood Ranch High girls tennis team improved its record to 5-1 with a pair of victories Feb. 21-22.

  • East County
  • Sports
"I couldn't think of any reason not to play Twain," says Mark Twain impersonator Rod Rawlings. "I love to tell stories, so, my goodness. Why not swipe from the master?"
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • February 24, 2012
Rod Rawlings: Twain Incarnate

After devoting two years to getting into character, local Mark Twain impersonator Rod Rawlings is ready to take his act on the road. His first stop: this weekend's Chorus of the Keys concert.

  • Arts + Culture
George Clooney deserves the Oscar for Best Actor for "The Descendants." The 84th Academy Awards airs Feb. 26 on ABC. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Nadon
  • February 24, 2012
Film Review: Winning Performances

Everyone loves the Academy Awards, especially the nominees. They get to strut their stuff and, most importantly, add the most coveted designation to their resumes, "Oscar-nominated."

  • Arts + Culture
  • By Kaye Warr
  • February 24, 2012
Get to Know the Sarasota Opera: Joshua Kohl and Sarah Asmar

Get to Know the Sarasota Opera: Joshua Kohl and Sarah Asmar

  • Arts + Culture
Frankie Alvarez and Andhy Mendez
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Starry Night Dinner, highlighting 'Hamlet, Prince of Cuba'

Starry Night Dinner, highlighting 'Hamlet, Prince of Cuba'

  • Black Tie
  • By Candice McElyea
  • February 23, 2012
Nine New Businesses to Open on Main Street LWR

Nine New Businesses to Open on Main Street LWR

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
    By
  • Jack Littman-Quinn
  • February 23, 2012
The Ins and Outs of Restaurant Menu Planning

The Ins and Outs of Restaurant Menu Planning

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jean Abrams, Rosemary Saurber and Wendy Glasser
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Come Laugh With Gina Barreca

Come Laugh With Gina Barreca

  • Black Tie
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 23, 2012
FEB. 23: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota, and Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Braden River Elementary cafeteria staff put together a special rock star menu for the event.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Elementary School Cafeteria Rock Star Day

Students at Braden River Elementary School let the good times roll during the school's Cafeteria Rock Star Day Feb. 23. During their lunch periods, students enjoyed a special rock star menu and listened to rock and roll hits played by the Guitar Center's Stephen Miller and Jimi Gee. The event celebrated BRE's Learning Rocks school theme.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Abigail Schmitt, 6 1/2, enjoys her burrito, Thursday, Feb. 23, at El Restaurante Bay Haven.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 2nd annual El Restaurante Bay Haven

Bay Haven Elementary held their second annual "El Restaurante Bay Haven" luncheon, Thursday, Feb. 23, in the cafeteria.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County commissioners Tuesday questioned whether staff was estimating too high a budget for the expenses.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
What does the upkeep cost?

County commissioners Tuesday debated the cost of Village upkeep, questioning whether county staff had over-estimated expenses for the current fiscal year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Approximately 100 people attended Buchanan's Longboat Key town hall meeting last March.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 23, 2012
Buchanan to host Longboat Key town hall meeting

The Longboat Key Republican will hold a meeting this Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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1
Kristen Little plays with Jubilee.
  • July 15, 2026
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2
Logan Shaw, Wolfe Shaw, Michael Garey and Calvin Shaw, the team behind the new M & W Sweet Spot frozen treat shop on Longboat Key, showcase a variety of their offerings, including frozen custard sandwiches and drinks.
  • July 15, 2026
From frozen custard to soft serve, Longboat's treats help locals stay cool
3
Utility lines are strung along rear yards on some streets on Lido Key.
  • July 15, 2026
Burying power lines on barrier islands tops City Commission agenda
4
A firefighter sprays the roof of a Dock on the Bay condo building Wednesday morning, July 15.
  • July 15, 2026
Fire engulfs Dock on the Bay condo units
5
At 15 stories, the Islands West condominium building constructed in 1972 is one of the tallest buildings on Longboat Key. Driving north on the island, it’s the last taller condo building, as the north end features more single family homes and shorter hotel buildings like Four Winds Beach Resort pictured to the right.
  • July 15, 2026
The great freeze of 1985 still impacts Longboat Key today

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