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Your Observer

ALBANIAN ENCORE. Marlene and Jim Kitchell pose with their Observer at the Skanderbeg Museum, which overlooks Kruja, Albania. The couple enjoyed the stop as part of a cruise from Monte Carlo, Monaco, to Venice, Italy.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Marvin Kocian, aka His Royal Highness, presides over a ball Friday night before leading the Historic Krewe of Mid-City during Sunday night's Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 17, 2015
Q+A with Marvin Kocian

Marvin Kocian led the Historic Krewe of Mid-City in New Orleans in the Sunday night Mardi Gras parade through the Big Easy.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
"I don't think we have a right to rule on anything that happened over 25 years ago." — Board member Jean White
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 17, 2015
ZBA won't review Mar Vista complaints

The board heard from Village resident Gene Jaleski at its Feb. 12 meeting, but it won't hold hearings on his complaints.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Briefs

Whole Foods plans University location; County seeks animal advocates; County resurfaces Ranch roadways

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Letters to the editor: 'Never again' cont'd

We asked two weeks ago on this page: 'Never again?' It was referring to the Holocaust and implied that Islamic terrorists' atrocities resembled those of the Nazis. We said it was time for the U.S. to act forcefully. Our readers responded - forcefully.

  • East County
  • Opinion
East County resident Mary Forristall, president of Forristall Enterprises, says her love of working with people and building relationships will serve her well as the new chairwoman of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2015
Q+A with Mary Forristall

When the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange recognized members during its 63rd annual installation dinner and awards banquet Feb. 5, it also welcomed East County resident Mary Forristall, of Forristall Enterprises, as the organization's first chairwoman.

  • East County
  • News
TSA members Jimmy Ansley, Michael Kisida, Griffin Hudson, Jason Berger, Devon Summerville and Jordan Brown built playhouses for Foundation for Dreams. Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 17, 2015
Haile students build playhouses, character

The project isn't just about winning a competition - it's about filling a need for the disabled and raising money for a cause.

  • East County
  • News
Three local farms offer u-pick strawberries while they are in season, now through April. Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 17, 2015
The season of sweetness

Strawberry season is ripe in East County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
WCI Communities’ Key Largo model is in The Links at Rosedale. It boasts 2,389 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and a halfbath.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2015
Builders group parades area homes

It's that time of year again, when hobbyist interior decorators and prospective homebuyers grab their maps and car keys and head out for a drive around town.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barbara Knowles submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Weather: Longboat Key

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather or nature-related 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, to be announced in October.*

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 6915 Winners Circle has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,697 square feet of living area. It sold for $780,000. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 17, 2015
Country Club Village home sells for $780,000

A home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Stacy White submitted this misty sunrise photo, taken in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Weather: East County

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather or nature-related 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, to be announced in October.*

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This is a cutline!
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 17, 2015
Planning Commission vacancy draws five candidates

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  • Sarasota
  • News
Tavia and Bill Ames
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Goodwill Manasota Mardi Gras Gala

Goodwill Manasota Mardi Gras Gala

  • Black Tie
Antonia Angora, Mary Kenealy-Barbetta and Francesco Serafino
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Bethesda House Mardi Gras Madness

Bethesda House Mardi Gras Madness

  • Black Tie
Cardinal Mooney senior Ryan McMahon looks to pass during the fourth quarter against Calvary Christian.
  • By Jason Clary
  • February 16, 2015
Cardinal Mooney survives, moves on to regional final

Ryan McMahon hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with less than a minute remaining to help propel the Cougars to a 64-61 victory.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Athletes from 35 countries show off their countries' flags.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 16, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 2015 Modern Pentathlon World Cup No.1 Opening Ceremony

The 2015 Modern Pentathlon World Cup No. 1 launched with a parade of 250 athletes from 35 countries who marched with the flags of their countries hoisted high. A crowd of more than 300 attended the Opening Ceremony held Feb. 17, at the Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Philadelphia Union player Danny Cruz signs an autograph for Tyler Einsmann, 18.
  • By Jason Clary
  • February 16, 2015
Major League Soccer visits Lakewood Ranch

Several MLS teams brought players and staff to Lakewood Ranch to meet with fans before kicking off preseason play at IMG Academy.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota County Planning Commission will play a key role in advising the County Commission as staff moves to update the comprehensive plan.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 16, 2015
Planning Commission vacancy draws five candidates

Two former Sarasota County Commission candidates are among the applicants for the advisory board, which will hold an important role as the county aims to revamp its comprehensive plan and the economy rebounds.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The center will cost an estimated $10 million to operate per year for the first five years after it opens. Pending state approval, the center could being operating in May.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 16, 2015
Sarasota Memorial board approves trauma center

The new center must get state approval; Sarasota Memorial Hospital will submit the application in April.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brennan Duffy, 4, and Kayla Duffy, 2, enjoy their beads at 2014’s Mardi Gras St. Armands Style.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2015
UPDATE: Mardi Gras St. Armands Style cancelled

Due to predicted inclement weather, St. Armands' Mardi Gras celebration was cancelled.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Moore’s Stonecrab Restaurant co-owner Alan Moore Moore intends to file a site plan and a special-exception permit to the Planning, Zoning and Building Department in the coming weeks.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 16, 2015
Moore's plans for brand-new restaurant

Moore's Stonecrab Restaurant co-owner Alan Moore is prepared to file a site plan soon that calls for tearing down his 47-year old eatery and building a new one.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Zach Morrison represented Young Democrats during the Next Generation debate hosted by the Tiger Bay Club.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • February 16, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Next Generation debate

The Tiger Bay Club welcomed Young Democrats and Young Republicans into the den for the Next Generation debate on national and local topics Tuesday morning at Michael's on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Baylis is pictured with Patterson Foundation President and CEO Debra Jacobs.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2015
Former EDC executive Kathy Baylis dies

Kathy Baylis was a leader in economic development in Sarasota County for more than a decade.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Hall is located at 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 15, 2015
Moore's, underground utilities on tomorrow's Town Hall agendas

Both the Planning and Zoning Board and the Longboat Key Town Commission meet tomorrow.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Model Gigi Tuffile, 4
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • February 15, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Israel fashion show

Temple Beth Israel took the catwalk for its annual fashion show on Feb. 16 at Michael's on East. Adults and children, ages six months to 13 years, modeled in fashions by Dream Weaver and Little Boutique on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The purchaser of a liner property in front of the State Street garage hopes to buy more city-owned land, but the City Commission has expressed skepticism about the changes.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 15, 2015
State Street garage developer seeks more land

At Tuesday's City Commission meeting, the board will weigh in on proposed changes to a commercial property at the State Street garage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Downtown Sarasota is the third location for Fast n Fresh, owned by Lakewood Ranch residents Lesley and Michael Harb. Photo by Colin Reid.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 15, 2015
Fast n Fresh opens its doors in downtown Sarasota

The salad specialty restaurant opened for business last week at its new location on Osprey Avenue.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
According to the economic impact study on the four-day event, attendees spent $4.1 million in direct expenditures. Photo by Amanda Morales.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 15, 2015
Thunder by the Bay brings in $8 million impact

According to the economic impact study on the January motorcycle festival, about 90,000 people attended and brought $8 million in economic impact to the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Kailyn Scully goes up for a layup.
  • By Jason Clary
  • February 15, 2015
Lakewood Ranch falls to Fort Myers in regional final

The Mustangs were defeated 55-51 Saturday night.

  • East County
  • News
(Courtesy of SPD) The Sarasota Police Department has not released the identity of the driver involved in the accident that killed 70-year-old James Stephens on the North Trail Saturday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 15, 2015
Bicyclist killed in North Trail accident

An unnamed driver struck and killed 70-year-old James Stephens at the intersection of North Tamiami Trail and 16th Street Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A 40,000-square foot Whole Foods Market will be built across the street from the Fresh Market at the intersection of Honore Avenue and University Parkway.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 15, 2015
Whole Foods headed to University Park

The second Whole Foods Market in the area is headed to East County.

  • East County
  • News
Bob's
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 15, 2015
Blow to Bob’s Boathouse in noise ordinance battle

Judge David Denkin upheld the constitutionality of Sarasota County’s noise ordinance Feb. 6, with an order denying Bob’s Boathouse owner’s motion to dismiss the county’s case against the restaurant.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lou Gagliardi answer's Sam Deangelo's questions about the engine in his 2014 Ford.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 14, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: MTC Car and Bike Show

The parking lot of Manatee Technical College turned into a showcase for vintage acars, hot rods and motorcycles Feb. 25, during the school's annual Car and Bike Show.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda King and Elizabeth Lutz
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 14, 2015
Cat Depot Annual Gala 'Love Me Tender'

Cat Depot Annual Gala 'Love Me Tender'

  • Black Tie
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