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Your Observer

Carolyn and Vern Billinger
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Bluegrass Picnic

Bluegrass lovers flocked to Siesta Key for the Turtle Beach Bluegrass Picnic Saturday, March 1. The picnic, organized by Benny Kimsey, benefits the American Red Cross. Attendees enjoyed a free lunch of hot dogs and burgers while four bluegrass bands performed until sunset.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicole Gilman, Alejandro Cardona, Liam Donovan, Stephen Gilman, and Keira and Ava Donovan
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 2014 Springfest

Families enjoyed the warm weather at the 8th annual Sarasota Springfest Saturday, March 1. The festival was held in Palmer Ranch and included a dance floor, egg hunt and craft areas. The fun began early Saturday morning with a 5K walk and run, which raised money for the Sheriff's Activities League.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Melissa, Isabella, George and Bryce Busi
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Mixon Blossom Festival

Mixon Fruit Farms celebrated oranges coming into season March 1 at its seventh annual Orange Blossom Festival.

  • East County
  • News
Rosalynn Kiefer makes jewelry out of semi-precious stones.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Waterlefe Art Show

The March 1 Waterlefe Artist Guild Annual Group Show and Sale showcased the community's talents.

  • East County
  • News
Andree Bouret, a Horseshoe Cove resident, with her daughter, Lucie, who is visiting
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Horseshoe Cove Craft Sale

The Horseshoe Cove community hosted its annual Spring Craft Sale March 1, at the RV park.

  • East County
  • News
Sharon Morehouse, Amanda Sessions and Crystal Schroeder show off their orange pride.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Walk MS

Attendees of Walk MS March 1, sported orange accessories, T-shirts and medallions, as they walked and jogged around Lakewood Ranch Main Street to show support for their loved ones affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Proceeds from the event benefited the National MS Society.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Beth and Drazen Ahmedic
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 28, 2014
19th annual Evening of Excellence

19th annual Evening of Excellence

  • Black Tie
Peggy Allard, Pat Riley and Marilyn Maleckas
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 28, 2014
Women and Medicine Luncheon

Women and Medicine Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Jay Bell and his son, Jayden, 6, feast on popcorn.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Freedom Family Social

Families at Freedom Elementary School gathered Feb. 28 for a family social night. Attendees enjoyed popcorn and ice cream and games such as bingo.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 28, 2014
City Commission to revisit Cultural Park plan

At a meeting Monday, commissioners will hear a presentation regarding the 2007 Cultural Park Concept Plan, which the city has not acted on since 2008.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 28, 2014
Booker High School holds grand opening

The centerpiece of the campus is a two-story building built to house student clubs and communities. Construction began in 2010 was completed in December 2013.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Borden, Dana Haise, Brianne Allen and Scott Gross work on their can creation of the Empire State Building.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 28, 2014
Photo of the Day: Canstruction comes to Southgate Mall

Canstruction is a national program aimed to help feed the hungry through art. The Westfield Southgate Mall will become an art workshop and exhibit Friday, Feb. 28 to Monday, March. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anyssia Cotto, 10, says "cheese" in the shade.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary Walk-a-thon

Tara Elementary students of all grade levels took turns walking, jogging and running for their annual Walk-a-thon event Feb. 28. The event, designed to get students outdoors and exercising,was hosted on a field nestled in the back corner of the school, which also featured a water and popsicle station for students to retrieve refreshments after working up a sweat. While fundraising for the event was optional, and all students participated in the walk, those who raised money during the door-to-door fundraising effort turned over the donations to go toward the school's future technology needs.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 28, 2014
Bridge openings questioned

The U.S. Coast Guard sets the hours of the New Pass Bridge and Longboat Pass Bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 28, 2014
Sheriff's Office announces promotions

In a ceremony Thursday, Sheriff Tom Knight announced 10 promotions within the agency, which included two new majors and two new captains.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 28, 2014
UPDATE: Engineers still evaluating fixes to Lake Manatee Dam

Engineers consulted to determine potential fixes to the Lake Manatee Dam confirmed any potential repairs can be completed before rainy season begins.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 28, 2014
Pettingell named top Coldwell Florida agent

Roger Pettingell was the company's top-ranked agent in Florida in 2013.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 28, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Springfest 2014

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. festival-goers can celebrate spring real with live music by local bands, great food and family activities, such as an egg hunt.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 28, 2014
Weekend Best Bet: Take Stock in Children 10K/5K/Fun Run

Lakewood Ranch Main Street hosts the 5th Annual Take Stock in Children 10K/5K/Fun Run Sunday, March 2.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 28, 2014
Siesta Key $7 million home sale largest in 12 months

A waterfront home on the northern tip of Siesta Key sold for $7.07 million, the highest sale price for a residential property in Sarasota County in more than a year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 28, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: 38th annual Longboat Key Garden Club Home Tour

There's no need to tune into HGTV to see one-of-a-kind homes and lush gardens, because the 38th annual Longboat Key Garden Club Home Tour is back. Four homes and one garden will open up to the public on Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pauline Bennett and Gwen Kruse
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 27, 2014
Cooking for Wishes

Cooking for Wishes

  • Black Tie
President Tony Romanus with County Historian Jeff LaHurd
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 27, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Isles Association Dinner

The Siesta Isles Association held its annual dinner Friday, Feb. 26 at St. Boniface Episcopal Church. Members enjoyed lasagna and apple pie before hearing guest speaker and County Historian, Jeff LaHurd, share the history of Sarasota. Before Sarasota was crowned as the Circus City from 1927 to 1960, the small city was advertised as the Air Condition City for its cool breeze from the Gulf. LaHurd also debunked Sarasota myths and rumors such as the story of John Ringling using elephants to build the Ringling Bridge in the mid-1920s.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tonya Atchison, Al Purmort Insurance, Cal Bonnett, First Bank, and Lynette Warnars, Insignia Bank
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 27, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Visitor Information Center Opening

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce invited members of the community to celebrate in the grand opening of the new Visitor Information Center in the Centre Shops on Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Teri Scaring and Mary DelPup organize shoes into neat piles by size.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 27, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Mary Royal Rummage Sale Preparation

On Thursday, the Women's Guild of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church began sorting for the upcoming Royal Rummage Sale, which kicks off with an early bird entry on Friday, March 7, from noon to 4 p.m. and continues on Saturday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Designing Women Ambassadors Julie Planck and Lois Lucek
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 27, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Designing Women Boutique Salon Series

Designing Women Boutique held its monthly Salon Series luncheon Thursday, Feb. 27. Guests enjoyed a boxed lunch and a live performance by professional harpist Olivia Swann who sang Irish folk songs and recited poems. More than 50 men and women attended the event, which included a fashion show themed as "Bursting in to Spring." Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Designing Women Boutique's re-donation recipients in the arts and human services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 27, 2014
Town to hold community open house

The town's community open house March 8 will offer a chance to meet the town's employees and learn about each department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 27, 2014
County, engineers meet to discuss dam repairs

Based on recommendations by engineers, Manatee County staff will determine fixes to the Lake Manatee dam.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 27, 2014
Commission to consider Siesta paddle-board proposal

Sarasota County commissioners next week will discuss a request from two business owners to allow the rental of stand-up paddle boards at Siesta Key public beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 27, 2014
UPDATE: Viewers have new ways to vote for Sam Woolf on 'American Idol'

Sam Woolf competes as part of the top 13 on 'American Idol.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 27, 2014
Siesta Key Chamber taps new executive director

Debra Lynn-Schmitz will step into the post formerly held by current Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Cooper.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 27, 2014
Authorities search for hit-and-run vehicle

The Florida Highway Patrol seeks information on a truck that fled the scene of a hit-and-run accident Wednesday night.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 27, 2014
Dinner date

The Siesta Key Chapel's Men's Fellowship held its annual Valentine Dinner Feb. 13. T

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 27, 2014
Bowl for the gold

The Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club is hosting Canada and Scotland's national lawn bowling teams Sunday, Feb. 23, through Friday, Feb. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 27, 2014
Hair raising

NUOVO Salon at The Landings held its annual Cut-A-Thon Sunday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 27, 2014
Booker extends winning streak

The Booker High boys tennis team improved to 5-0 with a 5-2 victory over North Port Feb. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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