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Your Observer

This week’s FYI Friday features news about a possible indoor surf park, a raging fire on Lido Key and more!
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 22, 2015
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
President and CEO Michael Crosby was quiet regarding plans to move Mote's aquarium, with the fundraising campaign instead focused on growing the organization's research capability.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 22, 2015
Mote announces $50 million fundraising push

As Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium celebrates its 60th anniversary, the organization has unveiled a fundraising campaign to help grow over the next 5 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Employment in the transportation, professional services and retail sectors drove job gains in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metropolitan study area in December.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 22, 2015
Sarasota economy finishes 2014 strong

The unemployment rate fell below 5% in Sarasota County last month for the first time since August 2007, while the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area added 2,300 jobs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Outages are reported in the Sleepy Lagoon neighborhood of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 22, 2015
Power outages reported in Sleepy Lagoon

Approximately 25 customers are impacted by the outages.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2015
Talbots opens new store

Talbots opens at The Mall at University Town Center today.

  • East County
  • News
The SCAT station placed in the top 25 out of 67 entries.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 22, 2015
SCAT station wins state architecture award

The Sarasota County Area Transit transfer station located at Cattleman Road and Porter Way opened in January 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2015
Missing Memories

People who suffer from dementia, as well as their caregivers, need strong support systems in place.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Laurie Russell is excited about recognition she received for three years of service.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 21, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: LWRCAC Volunteer Appreciation Social

To show gratitude to its volunteers for their work on the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp.'s range of annual events, the group hosted its 3rd annual Volunteer Appreciation Social, Jan. 22, at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • News
Michael Crosby, president and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium addresses guests at the anniversary celebration.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 21, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Mote Celebrates 60 years

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium invited supporters, guests and members to celebrate 60 years of science and conservation Thursday, Jan. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Italian Night committee Gino DelPup, Leonardo Distefano, Mike Ortega, Don Prola and Joe Zampino
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 21, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Mary Men's Club Italian Night

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Men's Club held its annual Italian Night dinner on Jan. 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Paul Humphreys and Kelli Turner-Humphreys with daughter, Morgan
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 21, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Beachplace welcome back party

Beachplace Association held its welcome back party on Jan. 22. Owners old and new assembled to kick off the spring season with drinks and catering from Harry's Continental Kitchen.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Isabel Becker and Anita Pihl
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 21, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Opera fundraiser at Pattigeorge's

The Sarasota Opera held a fundraising event at Pattigeorge's on Jan. 22. Guests received instruction on cooking food with the theme of Asian Excursion.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A mock 2015-2016 school year calendar shows Manatee County students begin classes Monday, Aug. 24 and end classes on Friday, June 10, 2016.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 21, 2015
Manatee County School District seeks input on 2015-2016 school year calendar

Input from a committee comprised of district administrators, union representatives, instructional and support staff, parents, and clergy created a mock 2015-2016 school year calendar. The district seeks public input. Email [email protected] or call Paul Hockenbury at 751-6550, ext. 2315.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2015
Making headlines

Did you notice a familiar name in the February issue of Southern Living magazine?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diane Chechik was spotted at Temple Emanu-El on Sunday. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2015
Packing on team spirit

No one can accuse of Diane Chechik of not representing her team, the Green Bay Packers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2015
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2015
Letters to the Editor

Condo lighting contest judged impartially

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rebekah Mandeville-Gelvin is the owner and proprietor of what will be Sarasota's first beer garden. Photo by Nick Friedman
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 21, 2015
New Rosemary businesses generate buzz

A beer garden, a salvage shop and a 475-unit apartment building are just some signs of growth in the Rosemary District in 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This conceptual rendering, provided by the Urban Design Studio, depicts one potential outcome for the entryway to Avondale under a form-based code. Courtesy rendering
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 21, 2015
Avondale residents mixed on code

As they help devise new zoning rules, residents are wary of growth along U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Steve Seidensticker. Photos by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 21, 2015
DID board adds two new voices

The Downtown Improvement District's newest members are focused on growing downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 21, 2015
City questions county about future plans

The county and city struggle over the former police station site on Ringling.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2015
News Briefs

Osprey bridge closed for inspection; Lido Beach Holiday Inn fire forces evacuation; Osprey marina owner requests crosswalk

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota High School students travel to and from class amidst ongoing renovations. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 21, 2015
School board discusses future expansion

Sarasota County School District's director of long-range planning advised the board that multiple schools are at capacity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kafi Benz's family owned properties on Siesta Key and Longboat Key, and she grew up living in Sarasota County for part of the year. She chose to relocate permanently to the mainland in 1982. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 21, 2015
Benz steps up to lead CONA

Lourdes Ramirez, president of CONA since 2011, recently passed the gavel to a familiar face.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 21, 2015
Lido residents await dredging developments

The sight of a barge off the coast of Lido Key was a delight for members of the Lido Key Residents Association, as a meeting Saturday coincided with the commencement of sand-pumping for a shoreline renourishment effort.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 21, 2015
Gulf Gate Library to reopen Saturday

After more than year of construction, the new Gulf Gate Library will open to the public Saturday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A technology and electronics lab at the Suncoast Science Center will provide a space for members to build things such as a personal computer. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 21, 2015
Suncoast Science Center offers inventive workspace

Broken bulbs on a string of Christmas lights are reason enough for some to toss away the entire set. But, if you're like Scott James, they inspire a project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Naletko has been working for Sarasota County's fleet division services for four-and-a-half years. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 21, 2015
County technician featured in national magazine

After Greg Morris, Sarasota County fleet services manager, learned about one of his employee's background, he knew it was a great story that needed to be shared.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2015
School board

School accepts proceeds; Music teacher honored

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 1501 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,751 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.15 million. File photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 21, 2015
Tower Residences condo sells for $3.15 million

A condominium in the Tower Residences tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Marin Kresinske submitted this photo, taken offshore near the Venice Jetty.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2015
Weather: Sarasota

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barbara Berkowitz, Nancy Gold and Diane Hart
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 21, 2015
Women in Power Luncheon

Women in Power Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Town Commissioner Irwin Pastor
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 20, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show, Part Two

The Longboat Key Garden Club hosted its fifth Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show event on Jan. 21. Guests munched on samplings from 14 restaurants, and 13 local 'celebrities' modeled in fashions from Island Pursuit.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Phillips, event organizer Susan Landau and Steve Branham
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 20, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show

The Longboat Key Garden Club hosted its fifth Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show event on Jan. 21. Guests munched on samplings from 14 restaurants, and 13 local 'celebrities' modeled in fashions from Island Pursuit.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The county is working on a public awareness campaign to educate the community about how to stop enabling homelessness.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 20, 2015
Harmer updates commissioners on homeless initiative

Although the county put the search for a Come As You Are adult shelter on hold, it has made efforts in other areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Margaret Wolohan, Carold Spalding, Janice Russo and Rita Polansky are seated for the Women's Club luncheon.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 20, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Thomas More Women's Club Luncheon

The ladies of the St. Thomas More Women's Club met to mingle and dine with a luncheon Jan. 21 at The Oaks Club.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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