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Sarasota | Neighbors

District officials say the school tax pays for about 500 jobs.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • March 26, 2014
Landslide approval for school tax

The referendum's approval will extend a 1-mill tax by four years, which supplements the Sarasota School District's budget by more than $40 million annually, district officials say.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
File photoLido residents hope that upgrades will make Lido Pool a revenue generator.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 26, 2014
City prepares search for Lido Pool upgrades

For the past three years, Carl Shoffstall has been pushing to make the Lido Pool and pavilion a destination for residents and tourists. Now, the city is close to taking a significant step toward realizing his goals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
St. Armands Circle. File photo
  • By Edward G. Rosenblum
  • March 26, 2014
Fournier's Circle allegations are groundless

The St. Armands Residents Association is not picking art festival 'winners and losers.' It simply wants common sense - and safety for all.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 26, 2014
Seventh Sarasota Open returns to the Key Club

The seventh annual Sarasota Open returns to the Resort at Longboat Key Club's Tennis Gardens Stadium April 12 through April 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dawn Burns has been involved with the theater for most of her life. Now, she exposes her students to the fine arts through acting and musicals. Her class is preparing for a production of "Willy Wonka."
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 26, 2014
The Good News: Dawn Burns

For Gocio Elementary teacher Dawn Burns, teaching her students about theater and the fine arts sets the stage for success.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
City Commissioner Suzanne Atwell reads the proclamation to Mary Ann Robinson. "This is one of my favorite parts of my job," says Atwell.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 25, 2014
Sarasota proclaims March 25 Mary Ann Robinson Day

The city of Sarasota honored Sarasota resident and philanthropist Mary Ann Robinson for her years of giving back to the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Taunya Fogleman and Dr. McKenna Flaherty discuss adjectives.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Ms. Fogleman's Grammar OR

Southside Elementary School's fourth grade teacher, Taunya Fogleman, transformed her classroom into an operating room Tuesday, March 25. Fogleman's students dressed up as doctors for an unconventional grammar test where the test papers were pretend patients. With scapals (red pens) and scrubs, donated by Sarasota Memorial Hospital, students used their knowledge of grammar and punctuation to help patients. "I feel pretty confident he'll make it," said Grace Hutchinson after finishing her test.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 25, 2014
Sailors set track records

Several Sarasota High runners set new school records at the FSU Relays March 21 and March 22.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Share your announcements in our new section.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 25, 2014
The Observer seeks submissions for its Occasions section

Send us your announcements of births, engagements, weddings and anniversaries. We want to share your celebrations.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The ATMS system includes the installation of 112 miles of fiber optic cables along regional roads.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • March 24, 2014
County looks to reboot U.S. 41 signal timing

County traffic engineers have taken to the streets to find out how to better coordinate traffic signals to prevent motorists from having to stop multiple times for red lights.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Man of the Year Howard Tevlowitz with wife Bryna.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Sholom Man of the Year

Temple Beth Sholom's Mens Club celebrated its Man of the Year Sunday, March 23. Executive Director of the Sarasota Manatee Jewish Federation Howard Tevlowitz was honored by the synagogue's Mens Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tom Hall, Carol Hayes, Marilyn Hall and Joan Sacco dressed in green.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's BBQ

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church held its annual St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Barbecue Sunday, March 23. Parishioners enjoyed a home cooked dishes and hot food from the barbecue with Irish music and a raffle.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jon and Jackson Anderson with a ukulele and mandolin.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Folk Festival

Folk fanatics spent the weekend at the Sarasota Folk Festival Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23. More than thirty folk artists performed on three stages at Oscar Sherer State Park in Osprey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sasha and Chloe Drapkin
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El Purim

Members of Temple Emanu-El celebrated Purim Sunday, March 23. The synagogue's sanctuary was transformed into a carnival with blow up castles, face painting, cotton candy and a dunk tanks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Maryanne, Jrma and Moritz Ball
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 22, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota YouthArt Festival

The fifth annual YouthArts Fest transformed Five Points Park into a cultural oasis Saturday, March 22. Families explored Sarasota art organizations while Sarasota schools showcased their talented students.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Army Corps warns that revamping its environmental impact study of the Big Pass dredge could delay renourishing Lido Beach by 10 to 15 years.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • March 21, 2014
Save Our Siesta Sands 2 becomes a nonprofit

The Siesta Key group, which is leading the fight against the proposed Big Pass dredge, is raising money for an independent look at the Army Corps' plans.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artists are invited to bring their instruments for jam sessions.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 21, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Sarasota Folk Festival

The two-day festival, which is held at Oscar Scherer State Park, includes more than thirty acts performing on three stages.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Honoree Graham Algood with daughter Natilea Yoder
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 20, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Resurrection House Volunteer Dinner

The Church of the Redeemer hosted the fifth annual Resurrection Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Thursday, March 20. Volunteers and their guests enjoyed an early dinner at the downtown church. After the meal, volunteer Graham Algood was honored for his years of service to the non-profit. Up until recently, Algood has been a volunteer at Resurrection House since the year it opened in 1989.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Town Hall Lecture Series Chairman Jay Logan with Leon Panetta and Stephanie Grosskreutz
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 20, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Leon Panetta Town Hall Lecture Series

Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta spoke in the Town Hall Lecture Series Thursday, March 20. Before Panetta served as the Secretary of Defense from 2011 to 2013, he was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2009 to 2011 and chief of Staff to President William Clinton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo Author Stephen King with Bookstore1 Events Coordinator Elsie Souza
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
Spooky signing

Casey Key resident and best-selling author Stephen King signed books at downtown Sarasota's Bookstore1 Sunday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
Win tickets to Florida Winefest

The Observer is giving lucky readers the chance to win two tickets to this year's Florida Winefest and Auction events, which take place April 10 through April 13, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
Three's company

Sarasota and Longboat Key residents Debbie Haspel, Jules Rose and Matt Walsh have been elected the community leaders of the American Jewish Committee's Regional Board of Directors.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo Camden and Reese Martin
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
Achin' for bacon

Members of the Founders Club welcomed the return of spring with its sixth annual pig roast Saturday, March 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
Luck of the Irish

Guests and employees of the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota reportedly spotted a leprechaun early Monday morning.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
Sarasota's beaches are the best

Siesta Key Public Beach and Lido Beach have been featured in TripAdvisor's Choice Awards for Best Beaches 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • March 20, 2014
Shelter showdown continues

The Sarasota County Commission accuses some city of Sarasota commissioners of deliberately stalling the selection of a site for a downtown homeless shelter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The potential dredging of Big Pass has become a source of controversy surrounding a proposed Lido Beach renourishment project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 20, 2014
Lido residents stay out of sand fray

Lido Key residents say they will focus on taking an even-keeled approach to a proposed beach renourishment project that's drawing heat from Siesta Key organizations.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • March 20, 2014
Palmer Ranch charter school still in business

The Sarasota School Board voted Tuesday to approve by a 4-0 vote a 15-year extension to the charter certification for the Imagine School at Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Griffith
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
News Briefs

New lights installed at Five Points Park; Indiana football player nearly drowns on Siesta; Nightclub owner plans lawsuit against residents; Parks selected for Macy's 'Heart Your Park' program

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo Ron Green, president and founder of Another Broken Egg Café.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • March 20, 2014
Another Broken Egg eatery ready to hatch on Siesta Key

A longtime Siesta Key breakfast hotspot is set to reopen March 31 under new management - and a slightly different name.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 20, 2014
Committee searches for street sculptures

The Public Art Committee is tasked with making recommendations on artwork for the city's forthcoming roundabout centers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 20, 2014
Parks board seeks funds for maintenance costs

The Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection board is reaching out to citizens as it looks for a way to assist with the costs of maintaining the city's parks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New pass
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
Our view

Whose sand is it?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
Letters to the Editor

The Observer's readers weigh in on local issues.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Nolan Peterson The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to renourish 1.6 miles of Lido Beach.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • March 20, 2014
The Army Corps sounds off on dredge backlash

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representatives say their intentions have been unfairly represented in the debate swirling around a proposed project to mine Big Pass for Lido Beach sand.

  • Sarasota
  • News
ISLAND TIME. Cregg and Deven Johnson brought their Observer along on a recent vacation to Vieques, which is an island off the coast of Puerto Rico. The couple visited El Fortin Conde de Mirasol, a military fort the Spanish built in 1845.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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