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Your Observer

Tourism officials say that the influx of new of hotel rooms in development need more tourism promotion.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 2, 2014
Tourism officials call emergency meeting

Visit Sarasota County hosted a meeting yesterday, aimed at rallying opposition to a proposed cap on spending for local tourism promotion.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Bulldozers and mounds of dirt sit on the Islandside golf course for the scheduled redesign of six greens.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 2, 2014
Key Club golf course renovations begin

The Islandside golf course is closed for upgrades until June 23. The Harbourside golf course closes June 24 for upgrades until the fall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Joe Hansen shines up the wheels of his 1961 Corvette at last year’s show.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • May 2, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Classic Corvettes on the Circle

Entering its 17th year, Classic Corvettes on the Circle, the third largest Corvette car show in the state of Florida, is sure to impress car enthusiasts. The show takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at St. Armands Circle Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jack Anderson, Michael Crabb and George Dorris
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 1, 2014
Ashton Festival Critics Cocktail Party

Ashton Festival Critics Cocktail Party

  • Black Tie
Jane Jacksons, Barbra Bartz and Jeanne Davies
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Daughters of the American Revolution honor Col. John Saputo

Colonel John Saputo was honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution Sara DeSoto Chapter Thursday, May 1, at the Laurel Oaks Country Club. Saputo received the Seven Seals Award and Medal of Honor for his years of service.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County beaches have the highest density of loggerhead nests on Florida’s West Coast. (Courtesy Mote Marine Laboratory)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 1, 2014
Sea turtle nesting seasons begins today

Sarasota County National Resources officials are reminding Sarasota residents and visitors to help protect the hatchlings by taking precautions.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee Technical Institute has experienced growth. Its new East County campus, with 210,000 square feet, opened Jan. 7, 2013.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 1, 2014
MTI to have reshuffled leadership

The Manatee County School District is changing the leadership structure at Manatee Technical Institute.

  • East County
  • News
Run for the Girls — Girls Inc. 5k serves as the annual graduation event for girls in third- through eighth-grades who participate in the Girls on the Run program.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 1, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Run for the Girls-Girls Inc. 5k

Girls Inc. will host a Run for the Girls 5k at 8 a.m., Saturday, May 3, at Nathan Benderson Park, 2500 N. Honore Ave., Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
County Administrator Tom Harmer and Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Club luncheon

The Tiger Bay Club met for its monthly meeting and luncheon Thursday, May 1, at Michaels On East. A panel including County Administrator Tom Harmer, City Manager Tom Barwin, Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock and Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley discussed the pride points of the Sarasota community. After the panel discussion, members were able to ask questions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cannons Marina is located at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive. (Robin Hartill)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 1, 2014
Cannons bookkeeper charged with theft

Kristine McWilliams, 46, is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from Cannons Marina.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Groins that look like these structures that sit behind the Islander Club could start construction in late fall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 1, 2014
Town receives groin permit

Groins that were supposed to be built in summer 2015 could now be built earlier.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Florida Commission on Ethics found no evidence that Manatee County School Board District Four member Robert Gause acted unethically.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 1, 2014
Commission says 'No probable cause' for allegations against Robert Gause

The Florida Commission on Ethics dismissed an ethics violation against Robert Gause at its meeting April 25, in Tallahassee.

  • East County
  • News
Steube will discuss medical marijuana legislation.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 1, 2014
Steube hosts citizens for supper

Citizens will have a chance to discuss issues of concern with Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube at the Supper with the Sheriff event Thursday night.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
Des bonheurs

Members of the Alliance Française of Sarasota heard from New College professor of French Dr. Amy Baram Reid at a luncheon Thursday, April 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
107-year-old Catherine Penman and Kit Weaver
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
And many more

The Pines of Sarasota held its annual 100-Plus Club Tea Party Thursday, April 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jean Weidner Goldstein and Christine Jennings
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
Women Who Give

Designing Women Boutique presented its 2014 grants at the organization's Grant Awards Ceremony Thursday, April 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
One day only

Giving Day returns to Sarasota Tuesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
Beach babe

Rylie Stang celebrated her first visit to Siesta Beach Sunday, April 20, with her family.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
Flying free

The Wildlife Center of Venice released a short-eared owl Wednesday, April 16, on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
City Parking Manager Mark Lyons is tasked with writing a comprehensive parking management plan, getting assistance and insight from the citizens on the Parking Advisory Committee.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2014
Citizens weigh paid parking

As the city's parking division develops a management plan, it involves a resident-led committee to carefully consider all options and give input to avoid missteps of the past.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Posh on Palm will move from the DeMarcay Hotel building in May. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2014
DID pushes to preserve historic property

As the only occupant of Palm Avenue's DeMarcay Hotel building prepares to leave, the city's Downtown Improvement District expressed concern about the structure's future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Eileen Normile
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2014
Group: 'No Boss Mayor'

Supporters of The Citizens Voice, a political group formed in opposition to a proposed new city charter, explain their stance on the latest push for a 'strong' mayor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
News Briefs

County to evaluate SCAT efficiency; New School Board candidate emerges; Sarasota Chalk Festival moving to Venice

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy rendering
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2014
Construction to begin on Main Street high-rise

A developer prepares to break ground on The Jewel. When finished in 2015, it will be the tallest building downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
With repairs underway within the Terrace Administration Building, signs next to the troubled elevators inform visitors of weight restrictions and construction. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2014
County employees exalt elevator repairs

At the Sarasota County Terrace Administration Building, the elevators have achieved a substantial level of notoriety due to their unreliability.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 1, 2014
Parallel visions could produce new aquarium

Although both parties say nothing is imminent, County Commissioner Joe Barbetta would like to see a downtown aquarium, and Mote Marine Laboratory would like to grow.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 1, 2014
Paradies' retirement mission was philanthropy

Dan Paradies, who vowed to give back after surviving a plane crash during Word War II, died April 29. He was 92.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
Letters to the Editor

The Sarasota Observer welcomes letters on current, local topics. Please email them to Deputy Executive Editor Jessica Luck at [email protected].

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota High outfielder Matt Schlabach slides safely into home plate in the bottom of the first inning. Photos by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 1, 2014
Long Ball

Senior catcher Brandon Chapman hit a pair of home runs to help power the Sarasota High baseball team to a 14-2 victory over Braden River in the Class 7A-District 10 championship April 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The cast has been working on their characters for 10 weeks. Photos by Harriet Sokmensuer
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 1, 2014
Murder at the Circus

Sarasota Bay Club residents found themselves in the middle of a murder investigation Friday, April 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Competitors admire a catch at the Sarasota Tarpon Tournament in 1946. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 1, 2014
Sarasota reels in its 84th annual Tarpon Tournament

The 84th annual Sarasota Tarpon Tournament, the world's oldest tarpon tournament, returns to Sarasota May 10.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 1, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 1, 2014
Sidelines

Blazers win district crown; ODA's season ends in playoffs; Former Sarasota Crew rower powers Nova Southeastern

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bell ringer Kathie Hayes also enjoys tap dancing and making jewelry. Photo by Harriet Sokmensuer
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 1, 2014
Your Neighbor: Kathie Hayes

When Kathie Hayes first experienced handbell music in 1994 at her church in Miami, it was love at first ding.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Speeding enforcement in gated communities requires HOA permission
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