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Your Observer

Cathy Layton (courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 19, 2014
SCOPE announces Cathy Layton as 2014 Boundary Crosser

Layton was nominated by members of the community along with the committee of citizens and former Boundary Crossers. She will be honored at SCOPE's Annual Celebration September 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Although businesses say the palm grove is the source of constant flooding in the area, commissioners said the historic value of the trees should be considered before taking action.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 19, 2014
City to revisit Palm Avenue landscaping plans

After a number of residents spoke at Monday's City Commission meeting in support of saving a palm grove slated for removal, city staff will reconsider its options for improving the street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The building official does management and administrative work in the town’s Planning Zoning and Building Department.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 19, 2014
Building official Wayne Thorne resigns

Thorne's last day is Aug. 21. Building inspector Tony Sapuppo will take on the role of building official temporarily.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Volunteers help to monitor the scallop count in Sarasota Bay during the annual Scallop Search.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 19, 2014
Scallop Search reaches capacity for non-boaters

Sarasota Bay Watch's seventh annual Scallop Search takes place Saturday, beginning at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
County staff is seeking assistance from the Sarasota County Commission to recruit new members for some empty advisory councils. Observer File Photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 19, 2014
County seeks recruits for advisory councils

Several county advisory boards have so many vacancies that meetings are unable to attain a quorum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Detectives of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office investigated Kristjan Newman for involvement in the pawning. He is a violent felony offender, according to the press release.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 18, 2014
Man arrested for allegedy pawning stolen jewelry

Kristjan Newman of Sarasota allegedly pawned women's jewelry, which was stolen earlier this month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort closed in August 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 18, 2014
Association vows to fight $5.1 million demand

Association President Jay Yablon says Unicorp and Colony Lender 'are at the heart of a hostile strategy to take over the Colony.'

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bay Haven first-grader Tabitha Tellbuescher said math is her favorite subject.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 18, 2014
VIDEO: Bay Haven students head back to school

At Bay Haven School of Basics Plus, Principal Chad Erickson greeted students before they headed in to their new classrooms.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Digital Content Producer Alex Mahadevan and Chief Digital Officer Emily Walsh take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 18, 2014
VIDEO: The Observer accepts the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Chief Digital Officer Emily Walsh and Digital Content Producer Alex Mahadevan took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Monday, and called out some Sarasota County Commission candidates in the process.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Phil Mancini and Michael Klauber have been working together for 25 years. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 18, 2014
Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini to be honored

On November 19, Klauber and Mancini will receive the West Coast Florida Region of AJC (American Jewish Committee) Civic Achievement Award for years of supporting their community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Area Transit is considering installing 15 shelters at bus stops throughout the county, including one at the stop in St. Armands Circle on John Ringling Boulevard and South Adams Drive.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 18, 2014
St. Armands Circle requesting a bus stop shelter

Diana Corrigan, the executive director of St. Armands Circle Association, said tourists and employees using the stop are unprotected from the elements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Other items on the agenda for today's meeting include proposed uses for commercial space at the State Street garage and a downtown business' application for valet parking.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2014
Commissioners to discuss Palm Avenue streetscape

During the evening session of today’s Sarasota City Commission meeting, the board will consider the future of a downtown palm grove that businesses say causes flooding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ciarra Buff, a sixth-grader, and Joseph Peery, an eighth-grader, board the bus for their first day of classes at Martha B. King Middle School. Asked if he was excited for school to start, Peery said, "I'd rather be fishing."
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • August 18, 2014
Summer ends, school begins

Longboat Key students prepare for first day of school Aug. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bay Haven Principal Chad Erickson greets Jennifer and Jocelyn Black.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY:First day of school at Bay Haven

Families across Sarasota County started their morning early with the first day of school Monday, Aug. 18. At Bay Haven School of Basics Plus, Principal Erickson greeted students before they headed in to their new classrooms. "I'm pretty excited," said Luis Lopez outside the elementary school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Superintendent Rick Mills leans in to talk with a student at Freedom Elementary.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: First Day of School at Freedom

Superintendent Rick Mills greeted families at Freedom Elementary School today.

  • East County
  • News
Avery Brum with Ashley and Ella Emmett
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY:First day of school at Phillippi Shores Elementary

Students start the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 18, at Phillippi Shores Elementary School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sophia Potillo and Camryn Kolbe become friends right away on the first day.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: First day of school at Braden River Elementary

Braden River Elementary students hugged their teary-eyed parents goodbye and settled into their new classrooms, where new friends and teachers greeted them on the first day of school, Aug. 18.

  • East County
  • News
Alex Everson, Veronica Folian and Alyssa McManus
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Boniface Ice Cream Social

St. Boniface's Youth Group held an ice cream social for families Sunday, Aug. 17, in Siesta Key Village. The event marked the end of the summer and invited families to enjoy ice cream in the village's gazebo. "It's a nice way to kick of the school year," says Alex Everson, Youth Group director.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Clockwise from left: Steve McHugh, Marie Maxwell, Amy Urban and Tori Maxwell came out to the winery for the first time.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Fiorelli Winery Harvest Festival

Rosa Fiorelli's Winery and Vineyard welcomed the public to help stomp out cancer during the vineyard's August Harvest Festival Aug. 16 and Aug. 17. The event raised money for the American Cancer Society.

  • East County
  • News
Guests enjoyed samplings of more than 50 beers from around the world at Morton’s Market Celebration of Brewing.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Morton's Market Celebration of Brewing

Guests enjoyed samples of more than 50 beers at Morton's Market Celebration of Brewing Saturday, Aug. 16, at Morton's Gourmet Market.

  • Arts + Culture
Roni and Emily Duthie, MaryElizabeth Ameal and Brooke Wasserman
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: School of Russian Ballet Grand Opening

The School of Russian Ballet moved locations and held its grand opening ceremony Saturday, Aug. 16, at School of Russian Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Liz Bentze, Isabella Bartels and Crystal Galbraith love spending time together.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: YMCA Summer Blast Camp

About 200 campers enjoyed the last week of the Lakewood Ranch branch's YMCA Summer Blast Camp Aug. 11 through Aug. 15.

  • East County
  • News
Judi Balot completes a bridge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Jump Dance Co. Camp

Campers at Jump Dance Co. finished a summers' worth of dance camps with a talent show Aug. 15.

  • East County
  • News
Sue and Burt Borgelt with Barbara Grimes
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Summer Barbecue

Christ Church held its annual end of summer barbecue dinner Friday, Aug. 15, in the fellowship hall at Christ Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This week's FYI Friday features news about a 'sexy' distinction for Sarasota, another beach plane crash and more Colony drama!
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 15, 2014
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.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort closed in August 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 15, 2014
Colony Lender demands $5.1 million from Colony owners

Attorney David Siegal wrote in a letter that unit owners are liable for unpaid rent and real estate taxes of more than $5.1 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Charles, Sol and Frank Carson
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sol Carson celebrates 100th birthday

Sarasota resident Sol Carson celebrated his 100th birthday Friday, Aug. 15, at the Jewish Family and Children's Services of Sarasota, Inc. The birthday party included a cake, singing and family. Carson, a South Philadelphia native, lives in Sarasota with his son, Charles. He served in the Army Air Force in World War II and has been part of the JFCS Senior Outreach Services Program for eight years. While eating his chocolate cake, one of his favorite flavors, Carson shared his secret to living so long: "Live life fully."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Featured speaker Congressman Vern Buchanan and Sarasota Kiwanis Club president John Moore
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Kiwanis Club Meeting

U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan spoke at Sarasota Kiwanis Club's meeting Friday, Aug. 15, at Florida Studio Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire-Rescue trucks begin practice drill Friday outside the former Longboat Key Hilton.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • August 15, 2014
Longboat Key Fire Department conducts drills at former Hilton

Eleven firefighters trained at property Friday prior to sites demolition.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Storm clouds loom over Lakewood Ranch Main Street Friday morning.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 15, 2014
Weekend forecasts shows rain

The National Weather Service reports a 30% chance of scattered thunderstorms throughout the weekend and early next week in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
The CSAB advises and makes recommendations to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners regarding priorities and expenditures of the County's dedicated millage for children’s services.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 15, 2014
Manatee County accepts Children's Services Board applications

Manatee County is accepting applications to fill three seats on the Children's Services Advisory Board.

  • East County
  • News
Gabriella Ramirez, Luz Barrero and Marthin Ramirez snack on ice cream.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary Ice Cream Social

Tara Elementary students and their families indulged in ice cream covered in candy toppings and other delectables Aug. 14 at the school's Ice Cream Social. Students also visited their future classrooms, sat at their new desks and met with teachers.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Sebor was found running barefoot in the area near the Papa John's he allegedly robbed. He told deputies he was running barefoot because he was a "Florida boy."
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 15, 2014
'Florida boy' arrested for Papa John's robbery

Scott Sebor, 44, turned himself into the Sarasota County Jail after the Sheriff's Office put out a warrant for his arrest.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Husband and wife professionals Lock and Amanda Cleary network with new friends.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee Young Professionals Monthly Social

Members of Manatee Young Professionals enjoyed drinks, dinner and making new contacts, Aug. 14, at MacAllisters Grill and Tavern, during the group's monthly social.

  • East County
  • News
County Commission candidate Lourdes Ramirez speaks with Loretta Friedman.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: League of Women Voters "Meet Your Candidates"

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County held its second "Meet Your Candidates" Thursday, Aug. 14, at Selby Library. Attendees met with County Commission, School Board and Hospital Board candidates. The organization hosted a meet and greet in North Port last week for residents. "It puts a face on candidates," says attendee Gerry Swormstedt.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of the Sarasota Voice Academy with co-founders Randolph Locke and Carol Sparrow.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Rosedale Summer Music Series

Members of the Sarasota Voice Academy along with Randolph Locke and Carol Sparrow performed light Opera songs for attendees of the Rosedale Summer Music series, Aug. 14, in the community's clubhouse.

  • East County
  • News
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