Your Observer

Adam Hughes
April 17, 2014

Home on Siesta Key sells for $4.25 million

A home on Siesta Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Harriet Sokmensuer
April 17, 2014

VIDEO: Paws-ative Impact

Southeastern Guide Dogs has trained more than 2,800 guide-dog teams since its establishment in 1982.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 17, 2014

Business Observer

Sally Ullman relocates business to Sarasota; ArtisTree hires new account executive; Tervis Tumbler store will open on St. Armands Circle; Lawson named as Australian Tourist Board representative

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 17, 2014

Occasions

The Observer celebrates Sarasota's most recent births and marriages.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 17, 2014

Weather: Sarasota

T. Guy Spencer submitted this sunset photo.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
April 16, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: YPG State of Jobs Conference

The Sarasota Young Professionals Group (YPG) held its inaugural State of Jobs Conference Wednesday, April 16, at Sarasota County Technical Institute. Members networked before hearing from keynote speaker and Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of the Orland Magic Pat Williams.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
April 16, 2014

Alleged drunk driver kills pedestrian

Sarasota Police responded to the report of a traffic fatality at the intersection of Irving Street and U.S. 41 before 12:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Sarasota
News

David Conway
April 16, 2014

Shelter site could become available

The city has identified a possible alternate staging area for a deep-injection well project, which would free up a potential homeless shelter site on city property.

Sarasota
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
April 16, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Dreams Are Free Food Truck Rally

Dreams Are Free held its inaugural Food Truck Rally Wednesday, April 16. Families from both Dreams Are Free and St. Martha's Catholic School celebrated the beginning of spring break with hot food from food trucks. The luncheon was a fundraiser for the school for students with special needs. 'All of our families were able to join together,' says Dreams Are Free Principal Rebecca Shields. 'This was really a community builder as well as a fundraiser.'

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
April 16, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Class 7A-District 10 Semifinal Softball- Lakewood Ranch vs. Sarasota

The No. 2 seed Lakewood Ranch High softball team defeated No. 3 seed Sarasota 9-1 in the Class 7A-District 10 semifinals April 15. Freshman Logan Newton allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four in five innings of work to earn the win on the mound. Junior Amanda Rak pitched the final two innings in relief, striking out five, to earn the save. Jackie Schoff went 1-for-1 with a double, three walks, a stolen base, a RBI and three runs scored to lead the way for Lakewood at the plate. Maddie Biggs went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Kaylee Misiti went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. SaraBeth Wengerd went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored to lead the way for Sarasota at the plate. Clarissa Lynch pitched 1/3 of an inning before turning the ball over to Brittany Bendel. Lakewood Ranch will travel to rival Braden River for the district championship April 17.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nolan Peterson
April 16, 2014

School Board pushes to leave Todd's seat vacant

The selection of former board member Carol Todd's replacement should wait until the Aug. 26 primary election, the Sarasota School Board said Tuesday.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
April 16, 2014

The Good News: Terry Stottlemyer and Madeline Brogan

The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization provides assistance for struggling mothers through community donations.

Siesta Key
News

Amanda Sebastiano
April 16, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Breakfast of Champions

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosted a morning of bacon, eggs, orange juice and an optimistic message April 16. Attendees of Breakfast of Champions, an event sponsored by The Observer Group, enjoyed a presentation by guest speaker Justin Su'a, IMG Academy's mental conditioning coach. Su'a focused on themes of having a positive attitude and "flexing optimistic muscles," while leading group activities and playing audio clips of his favorite inspirational speakers, at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

East County
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
April 16, 2014

CVS customer thwarts armed robbery

Sarasota Police arrested a 65-year-old man for allegedly attempting to rob the CVS pharmacy at 2773 Fruitville Road Sunday.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Duval's New World Cafe

This week we went in the kitchen at Duval's New World Cafe with executive chef Nils Tarantik while he prepares their signature Spice Rubbed Grilled Goldentile, with sauteed shoestring vegetables, sweet soy glaze and crispy cellophane noodles

Arts + Culture

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

Lakewood crowns students

Lakewood Ranch High School juniors Connor Jones and Kristen Mendez became school royalty March 31, after being named Mr. Mustang and Miss Lakewood Ranch.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

MTI takes top awards

The Manatee Technical Institute Postsecondary Chapter of HOSA, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America, dominated the Postsecondary-Collegiate Division at the HOSA State Leadership Conference April 3 through April 6, in Lake Buena Vista.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

Schooled on Jazz

Students at Haile Middle School kept the audience's toes tapping April 8, during the school's Night of Jazz event.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

Golfers trade clubs for duds for charity

The Palm-Aire Country Club recently held its annual fashion show, in conjunction with the 21st annual Men's Classic Golf Tournament. The $2,000 raised at the event benefited Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and Baby Basics.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

Fund seeks nominations

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is accepting nominations for the 10th annual C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year Award.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

Club welcomes author, daughter

The Spyglass Women's Book Club of Country Club in Lakewood Ranch welcomed author Virginia Glass to its March meeting.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

Freedom rings in USO-style show

Students from Freedom Elementary School lent their vocal talents to a special USO-style variety show April 12, at McKechnie Field.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

A Cinderella story

A 10-week-old miniature pinscher puppy found a 'happily ever after ending' at the Celebration of Pets April 12, at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

Pharmacy brings dose of medicine to Publix

The in-store pharmacy of Longboat Key Publix opened Monday, approximately 16 months after the completion of the new store at 525 Bay Isles Parkway, in the Shoppes of Bay Isles.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

Golfer scores victory with less than a stroke

The Longboat Key Masters Golf Tournament, which took place March 28 through March 31, at the Resort at Longboat Key Club's Islandside and Harbourside golf courses came down to less than one stroke's difference between first-place winner Kevin Preston and second-place winner Michael Russell, of Longboat Key.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 16, 2014

McKitrick scores 193rd victory

Longboat Key resident Arlene McKitrick celebrated her 193rd golf championship victory April 10, on the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club's King Dunes course.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
April 16, 2014

ZBA approves controversial variance

North Shore Road neighbors urged Zoning Board of Adjustment members to deny a variance for a vacant single-family lot.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
April 16, 2014

Nun, St. Armands merchants clash

Sister Chidiebere Onyewuchi says criticism does not affect her as she seeks to collect donations on the Circle to grow her charity.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
April 16, 2014

Villa Am Meer nears new era

With the restoration of the 79-year-old Villa Am Meer residence almost complete, developers prepare to begin construction of the new Aria project, developers prepare to begin construction of the luxury 16-unit Aria project.