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Your Observer

Barry Bartholomew and Melissa Herron on “Bubba”
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • May 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sister Keys Cleanup

On May 17, volunteers spent their morning removing trash and debris from the mangrove islands as part of Sarasota Bay Watch's 6th annual Sister Keys Cleanup. Travelling by boat and kayak, a group of 75 residents took to the Keys to collect and dispose of items ranging from couches to beer cans.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tish and honoree Mike Brey with Gary and Renee
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 16, 2014
2014 Dick Vitale Gala

2014 Dick Vitale Gala

  • Black Tie
Linda and Rev. Fred Robinson with Bishop Dabney Smith and wife, Mary Wallis.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Church of the Redeemer Potluck on Palm

The Church of the Redeemer held a Potluck on Palm Friday, May 16, along Palm Avenue. The potluck was a surprise to congratulate the Rev. Fredrick Robinson on his 20th anniversary of being rector at the church.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Republican Marie Nisco defeated Ray Porter by roughly 5% points to take the District 5 seat on the Charter Review Board in 2008.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 16, 2014
Democrat enters County Commission race

If 56-year-old Ray Porter qualifies in the race for the District 4 seat, it would mean a closed primary for Sarasota County voters.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sam Davidson, Shannon Brzuchalski and Frank Maggio member of the Community Youth Development Board of Directors
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Community Youth Development Annual Celebration

The Community Youth Development held its 18th annual Celebration Friday, May 16, at the Francis. Members of the community celebrated youth and adult volunteers of Sarasota. The nonprofits Business Partner of the Year Award went to Westfield Sarasota Square Mall while Sarasota students, such as Kathy Quispe and Vanessa Rodriguez, received scholarships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Willie Shaw, the city's District One representative, previously served as vice mayor.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 16, 2014
Shaw selected as Sarasota Mayor

At a meeting this afternoon, the Sarasota City Commission selected Willie Shaw to serve as mayor, with Susan Chapman assuming the role of vice mayor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paul Chetlain, Ryan Heise and Justin Lambert took a break from surfing in Hacienda Iguana, Nicaragua to snap a photo with their East County Observer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2014
Don't forget to take the Observer along on your summer travels!

Is your family getting ready to head out on a summer vacation? Make sure you pack a copy of your Observer!

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This conceptual site plan shows the planned Sarasota County public safety campus.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 16, 2014
County discusses future facility costs

As Sarasota County considers constructing more than $221 million in new facilities, commissioners discussed possible funding sources - including a referendum.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
This concept site plan shows the proposed $71-million public safety campus.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 16, 2014
County discusses future facility costs

As Sarasota County considers constructing more than $221 million in new facilities, commissioners discussed possible funding sources - including a referendum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Khloe Campion and Sadie Khuu
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: First Presbyterian Pre-School Butterfly Ball

First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota Pre-School held its annual Butterfly Ball Friday, May 16. Families and students celebrated that last day of school with a sing-a-long and afternoon of arts and crafts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
(courtesy watermark online)
  • By Ashley Munroe
  • May 16, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Harvey Milk Festival

Celebrate Sarasota's fifth annual Harvey Milk Festival this weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Saks Fifth Avenue sign was attached to the exterior of the mall this week.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 16, 2014
Michael Kors commits to new mall

Z Gallerie also committed to the Mall at University Town Center this week according to building permits.

  • East County
  • News
Big Pass, between Siesta Key and Lido Key, has never been dredged.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 16, 2014
Save Our Siesta Sands 2 retains attorney

An attorney representing the Siesta Key group sent a letter May 16 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers citing concerns about the Lido Key Beach Renourishment Project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Christina Ibarra, Kiara Sanders and Maria Garcia
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara FCAT Fun Day

Tara Elementary School students celebrated the end of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) at its Tara FCAT Fun Day Friday, May 16.

  • East County
  • News
Music by Keith Bass and the Florida Bluegrass Express, Manatee River Bluegrass and other bands will entertain patrons at the Braden River Bluegrass Festival and Gumbo Cook-off, Saturday, May 17.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 16, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Braden River Bluegrass Festival and Gumbo Cook-off

From noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 17, the Braden River Bluegrass Festival and Cook- off will fill the air with bluegrass tunes and gumbo aromas, at the Linger Lodge Restaurant and Campground, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Chidsey Library was built in 1941 for an estimated $25,000. The historical building on the North Trail now houses the Official Visitors Center.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 16, 2014
Visit Sarasota County to end lease for Visitors Center

Citing frustrations with the city and location, Visit Sarasota County will terminate its $20,000 lease for the Chidsey Building Dec. 12, to find a new home for the Official Visitors Center.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Steve Roskamp, partner in Sarasota Bay Club, with Donna Dunio and Dick Pelton, of Longboat Island Chapel (Courtesy)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 16, 2014
Aging in Paradise receives $10k from Sarasota Bay Club

The gift is the first platinum lead sponsorship for the organization that serves local seniors.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
These wetlands were once covered with 6 inches of Australian pine needles.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • May 16, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Sister Keys Cleanup

Help keep the Keys beautiful by volunteering. The Sister Keys cleanup will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, beginning at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, 760 Broadway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A pipe that will funnel sand onto the north end of the Key should be operational this weekend.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 16, 2014
Sand pumping delayed

New sand should be flowing from a pipe this weekend on the north end of the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 15, 2014
Come At Me, Sarasota: TreeUmph! Adventure Course

Come At Me, Sarasota: TreeUmph! Adventure Course

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sydney Anderson, a junior, painted with watercolor.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High School Fine Arts Showcase

Lakewood Ranch High School held its first annual Fine Arts Showcase Thursday, May 15 at Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
Andrea Mogensen's law office is located near downtown Sarasota, but despite her notoriety at City Hall, the scope of her work extends beyond the city limits. She said she works with people throughout the state on open government cases.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 15, 2014
Power of Attorney: Andrea Mogensen

At the center of a series of lawsuits accusing officials of interfering with city government, attorney Andrea Mogensen says she's helping people stand up to authority.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Mayor Shannon Snyder is the third candidate to enter the race for the District 2 County Commission seat.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 15, 2014
Sarasota mayor to resign, run for County Commission

Mayor Shannon Snyder has announced his intention to resign in November and filed as a candidate for the 2014 County Commission election.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Sarasota Crew men's varsity 8+ boat earned a bid to this year's USRowing Youth National Championships, where it will seek to defend its national title. Photo courtesy of Lisa Worthy.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 15, 2014
Nathan Benderson Park to host 2015 championships

Suncoast Aquatic and Nature Center Associates announced today that Nathan Benderson Park has been chosen to host the 19th annual USRowing Youth National Championships, which will be held June 12 to June 14, 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A conceptual rendering shows how the Ringling Boulevard corridor would look with a Sarasota County Area Transit bus transfer station.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 15, 2014
County Commission to discuss major spending topics

Sarasota County commissioners during a budget workshop tomorrow will consider an update on plans to relocate the downtown SCAT transfer station, and the possibility of a referendum to fund capital spending.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The property at 1440 Boulevard of the Arts has been vacant for several years, but a developer's proposal would create a large mixed-use project on the city-owned land.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 15, 2014
Developer proposes mixed-use project in Rosemary District

The only response to a city-issued invitation to create a 'catalyst project' along Boulevard of the Arts, the proposal features residential, commercial and theater space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Saks Fifth Avenue sign was attached to the exterior of the mall this week.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 15, 2014
National stores commit to University Town Center

Crate & Barrel and J. Crew have committed to locations at the new Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant co-owner Alan Moore holds up a stone crab at the start of season in October. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 15, 2014
Stone crab season closes today

The seven-month season was slower than usual for the second consecutive year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The 2015 Fiscal Year Budget requires the spending of $100,000 in reserves.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 15, 2014
Lakewood Ranch IDA approves budget increase

The Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Thursday approved a 2015 Fiscal Year budget that is 5.4% larger than last year's budget.

  • East County
  • News
Haley Legg, Ali Alger, Hannah Ott, Carrie Dutting, Morgan Kirchman, Levi Waxler and Olivia Yagy created the film "Safe," which has received nominations at six international film festivals.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 15, 2014
Local students' short film 'Safe' receives international recognition

A 13-minute film created by students from Nolan Middle, Lakewood Ranch High and other area schools received a nomination for the Toronto International Film and Video Awards.

  • East County
  • Schools
Veronica Rogers, Freedom Village, Juan Florensa, Public Works Department, and Dawn Finicle, Freedom Village
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • May 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce "Hob Nob Island Style"

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce held 'Hob Nob Island Style' May 14, at Longboat Key Club's Spike 'n' Tee's. The event served as an opportunity to mingle with the business professionals of Longboat Key as well as elected officials.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The nonprofit is asking for help from members of the community through donation and/or volunteering.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 15, 2014
Tiny Hands Foundation launches Backpack Brigade

The Tiny Hands Foundation is accepting donations for its inaugural Back to School Backpack Brigade. The nonprofit will be filling the backpacks Aug. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The last show Kevin Dean curated was "Rediscovering David Budd: The Forgotten Abstract Expressionist," at the IceHouse. Here he's discussing David Budd's "Journey Without Maps," which Dean said meant passing over into death.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 15, 2014
A pillar of Sarasota's art scene, Kevin Dean, dies

Kevin Dean, born in 1950 in Evanston, Ill., died May 14.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2014
New face

Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota welcomes John Irvin as its new religious educator director.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2014
Budding artists

The Chapter No. 115 of Ikebana International invited children to honor their mothers with workshops Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2014
Spring fling

The Bay Island Siesta Neighborhood Association held its annual Spring Fling May 8. More than 60 members attended the party, which Garrett and Stephanie Puzzo hosted.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Sarasota Art Museum Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon poses in front of an unnamed piece in Judy Pfaff's exhibition, "Picking Up the Pieces."
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