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Your Observer | All

"They tell stories," Dominic Avant says of painting his wife and children. "They bring beauty to ordinary things. It moves me as a father and as an artist."
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • May 4, 2011
The human touch

Former Disney animator Dominic Avant explains why he now devotes his canvases to the real-life characters and scenes that fill his world.

  • Arts + Culture
Maria Wirries
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • May 4, 2011
Scene and Heard

Nobody packs a theater like Maria; Fab Lab debuts at G.WIZ; Sarasota dancer spreads fairy dust; Chalk it up to creative partnerships; and Hot Tickets.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • June LeBell
  • May 4, 2011
Music Review: Sarasota Orchestra hitches up with Hitchcock

Most recently, Lincoln Center's John Gobermann returned to Sarasota with a Hitchcock program.

  • Arts + Culture
"Of Gods and Men" is playing locally at Burns Court.
    By
  • Pam Nadon
  • May 4, 2011
Film Review: 'Of Gods and Men'

In 1996, a group of eight Trappist monks living in North Africa must make a fateful decision. Confronted by radical Islamic fundamentalists, should they remain (facing probable death) or simply leave?

  • Arts + Culture
Host Rob Smithson
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • May 4, 2011
Edibles: Sarasota celebrates royalty royally

Sarasota friends and family of Rob and Angela Smithson did not have far to go to celebrate the wedding of HRH William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor and Catherine Elizabeth Middleton.

  • Arts + Culture
Hostess Angela Smithson
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • May 4, 2011
Black Tie & Tales

Rob and Angela Smithson requested "garden party attire" for their Windsor wedding celebration.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2011
Ranch's Premier to host national tryouts

The Clearwater Chargers and the Premier Sports Campus of Lakewood Ranch invite soccer players to the United States Soccer Federation Development Academy tryouts from 6-8:30 p.m., May 4, at the campus in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Public Works Director Juan Florensa is trying to prevent an aging pipe from failing under Gulf of Mexico Drive anywhere else.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 3, 2011
Pipe inspections to begin this summer

The town plans to inspect other areas of an aging wastewater pipe under Gulf of Mexico Drive this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lynn Fletcher and his grandson, Max, enjoy watching Hugh and Buffett swim around Tuesday, May 3 at Mote Marine.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 3, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Manatee Mystique

Going to Mote Marine is always an exciting way to spend the day. Lynn Fletcher got to enjoy watching his grandson, Max, see his first ever manatee.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2011
Wave Runners post impressive results

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners sent 23 swimmers to the St. Petersburg Aquatics Long Course Meet April 15-16.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Alex Horan pitched a complete game, leading the Thunder to a district title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: District Baseball Tournament

The Out-of-Door Academy captured its second district title in three years with a 1-0 victory over Shorecrest Prep in the Class 2A-District 11 championship game April 28. In Class 4A-District 10, Lakewood Ranch defeated rival Braden River 6-2 in the district semifinals April 27. The Mustangs went on to finish as the district runner-up with a 5-4 loss to Seminole Osceola April 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
The meeting will start at 9 a.m., April 5 at the county administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 3, 2011
Commissioners to consider East County proposals

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday will hear proposals regarding several East County developments.

  • East County
  • News
McKenzie Mortiz, left, and her friend Cassie Wilson, right, got an autograph from Disney star Shane Harper. Photo submitted by Keri Moritz.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 3, 2011
Disney star visits Ranch Imagine

Disney Channel singer and songwriter Shane Harper made a special visit to Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch Monday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Love bugs find a cozy corner on Main Street, between Orange and Lemon avenues.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • May 3, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Love is in the air

Also known as the honeymoon bug, kissing bug or double-headed bug, Love bugs seem to be everywhere lately.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Three lame-duck commissioners had wanted to make advisory board appointments during their final meeting.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 3, 2011
Sarasota commission delays Planning Board appointments

After an attorney threatens to sue over lame-duck appointments, commissioners delay a vote on Planning Board members.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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