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Your Observer | All

Dick and Lorraine Vitale had a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Photo courtesy of Terri Vitale.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2011
Vitales meet Pope Benedict XVI

Meeting Pope Benedict XVI while in Italy left Dick and Lorraine Vitale speechless.

  • East County
  • News
Click inside to see one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Sarasota Observer archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Ringling College of Art and Design placed 20th on list of 25 best film schools.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2011
Ringling College ranked among best film schools

The Hollywood Reporter includes the Sarasota school as one of the world's 25 best film schools.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A vacant parcel near the Palm Avenue parking garage and the Walia hotel application are the only two downtown hotel sites still under consideration.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2011
Downtown hotels in the works

Two potential parcels for Sarasota hotels lie in the downtown core, both near Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Sen. Bob Johnson
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Johnson selected for YMCA award

Former Sen. Bob Johnson was selected as the 2012 YMCA First Citizen.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
DWB to hold grand re-opening event

Designing Women Boutique is holding an official grand re-opening 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Key residents long have spotted individual manatees in the Grand Canal. Photo by Rebecca Wild Baxter.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Manatees in Grand Canal threatened by fast boats

Residents along the Key's Grand Canal long have contended with property damage from fast boat wakes, but new concerns have arisen about the boats' threats to a pod of manatees.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sunsets on the Key, on Avenida Navarra, is practically just around the corner from the Ocean Boulevard bustle, and it’s a short walk from Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Siesta says good-bye to Sunsets on the Key

A Village resort owner has offered to sell the county his property to create new Key parking spaces.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Mason Minor and Giana Talerico played Joseph and Mary during a Bible story.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Risen Savior VBS

More than 80 children turned out this week for Risen Savior Lutheran Church's 10th annual Vacation Bible School event.

  • East County
  • News
Property owners want to make sure that whatever firm wins the next Maintenance Corp. bid for the Village can handle problems faster than they say the county does, including getting replacements for benches run over by distracted drivers. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Siesta Village maintenance responsibilities to be specified

As Sarasota County staff and the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp. work on revising the ordinance governing Village upkeep, the parties have agreed the changes will spell out clearly which entity does what.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The wooden fence between the north end of Siesta Village and the intersection of Treasure Boat Way and Ocean Boulevard has become the target of vandals during the past couple of months.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Village business owners target fence replacement

The fence on the north end of Siesta Village was part of the 2009-10 beautification project. Lately, the fence has been a focal point for vandals.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Siesta beaches so far see few seaweed problems

A July incident sparked complaints from one condo complex, but county officials so far are grateful for a quieter season.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Jay Patel, president of the North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, owns the Regency Inn and Suites, and he hopes to attract other business owners to North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2011
North Trail pushes for economic leader

The County Commission pledged $40,000 toward hiring a North Trail economic-development coordinator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2011
DID refocuses marketing efforts

The Downtown Improvement District, Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau and other organizations discussed pooling their resources for maximum impact.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jonathan Freed’s electric cars have been running customers up and down Siesta Key for about a year. Jonny’s Free Beach Rides’ six-seaters are just that, free to ride.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2011
Public-transportation plan demands no subsidy

The operator of a free electric-car transportation service on Siesta Key wants to bring his business to downtown Sarasota, carrying passengers up and down Main Street for free.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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