Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
February 23, 2012

Athlete of the Week: Isaac Mingus

Issac Mingus, 14, was never able to play a sport such as baseball, basketball or football as a young child. Born prematurely, Mingus had to have an IV shunt placed in his head, which prevented him from participating in contact sports.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 23, 2012

JUST THE STATS

2 - The number of RBIs Sarasota High senior Danny Mars notched in the Sailors' 8-5 win over Riverview Feb. 21.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 23, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Charles Preston Rawls submitted this sunrise photo, taken near downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
February 23, 2012

ODA opens new baseball facilities

The Out-of-Door Academy on Feb. 21 celebrated the grand opening of its new Thunder Baseball Concession Building and Scorer's Booth.

East County
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
February 22, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance MemberFest

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance enjoyed an evening of fun and games during the organization's MemberFest 2012 block party Feb. 22 on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. Those in attendance enjoyed playing games, sampling food from local restaurants, a wacky member awards presentation, prizes, networking and socializing with other members.

East County
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
February 22, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Mardi Gras at Lynches Pub and Grub

St. Armands didn't have the usual Mardi Gras parade this year. But leave it to the Lynch sisters to throw the alternative party. On Feb. 21, Mardi Gras, Lynches Pub and Grub was decked with purple and yellow balloons, employees with feathered hats and patrons with masks. And there was no shortage of beads, either. The sisters served complimentary pancakes, per tradition, and Joe Bruno's Dixieland Hot Dogs band played crowd favorites, such as 'Pennis from Heaven.'

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
February 22, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Historical Society Lecture Series

The speaker originally scheduled, Kent Chetalin, could not be in attendance, but Dennis Kauser saved the day on Feb. 21. For the second lecture of the Historical Society of Longboat Key's series, Kauser spoke about Historic Spanish Point. The lectures take place at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design. Kauser is a docent and member of the speaker's bureau from the Historic Spanish Point Museum.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
February 22, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: St. Armands Circle Association

The members of the St. Armands Circle Assocation met Tuesday, Feb. 21 to discuss business. Sunglass Hut hosted the event and provided coffee and breakfast snacks to the circle business representatives present. Items discussed ranged from the ongoing Buskers performing on the circle and the potential parking meter discussion happening at Town Hall. St. Armands Circle will cross that bridge when they come to it, and they will cross it with full force.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
February 22, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Democratic Club Fundraiser

The agenda for the Longboat Key Democratic Club is simple: Reelect President Obama and elect Keith Fitzgerald to Congress. Their meeting at Lillian Sands' home on Monday, Feb. 22 was a fundraiser. Proceeds benefit a variety of activities that allow the Democrats to reach out to both Sarasota and Manatee counties. Since 2008, the group has sent busses from New Town to the polls to get people to vote - regardless of their political party. The fundraiser also featured speakers Rita Ferrandino the head of the Democrats of Sarasota County and Richard O'Brien the head of the Democrats of Manatee County.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
February 22, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Condo Council Meeting

The Siesta Key Condo Council held its monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Siesta Key Chapel. After enjoying snacks and refreshments, members heard from John Dauenheimer, Vice President of Insurance Service of Sarasota, who spoke about how the potential Citizens Insurance changes would affect Siesta Key condos.