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Your Observer

    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 24, 2014
Sidelines

Lady Thunder lacrosse wins the district crown; Suncoast Tennis League wraps up season; Sarasota women win tennis championship; Sara Bay to offer summer membership

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 24, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 24, 2014
Business Observer

Lighthouse Property Management adds location; RE/MAX Alliance Group welcomes Ellen Laura Esses; Heritage Oaks recognized for environmental efforts

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Luis Luis creates a colorful painting during last year's Siesta Fiesta. File photo
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 24, 2014
Siesta Fiesta attracts creative types to Siesta Village

Siesta Fiesta returns to Siesta Key Village for its 36th year Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
First-graders Randall Collins and Ronan Murphy. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 24, 2014
School Board

The latest news from Sarasota schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kerri Scolardi and Brooke Cherry. (Photo by Harriet Sokmensuer)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 24, 2014
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: Bay Haven School of Basics Plus

When Bay Haven School of Basics Plus parents Brooke Cherry and Kerri Scolardi wanted to boost recycling at their children's school, the two came up with a monstrous plan - to introduce to students two recycling bins dressed as monsters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 202 at 136 Golden Gate Point has three bedrooms, three baths, one half-bath and 3,785 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,741,200. File photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 24, 2014
Home in Point of Rocks sells for $3 million

A home in Point of Rocks tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Annamarie Hedekin submitted this photo of the blood moon, taken from Casey Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 24, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Annamarie Hedekin submitted this photo of the blood moon, taken from Casey Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ruth Higginbotham, Jane Howard-Jasper and Louise Rich
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • April 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: All Angels by the Sea Farewell Party

The congregation of All Angels By the Sea enjoyed a farewell party with a southern hospitality theme on Wednesday, April 23, at the Bay Isles Beach Club. The evening included views of the water and a menu of southern fried chicken, cornbread and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gina Santoianni, Kasey Opalewski and Sarah Rubin
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • April 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Mote's Wine Tasting for Marine Life

Mote Marine Laboratory held a wine tasting for marine life on Wednesday, April 23, at Harry's Continental Kitchen. A portion of the tasting proceeds benefited Mote's informal science education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sam Von Duhn, Ryan Roberts and Tony Musca pose with their giant catch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
12-year-old tourists catch 692-pound mako shark

Tony Musca, Ryan Roberts and Sam Von Duhn caught the giant shark during a Double Nickel Charters fishing trip with their families.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hyejung Clendenon and Shannon Jager show their support for All Children’s Hospital.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: ACH Fashion Show Luncheon

Volunteers and supporters of the All Children's Hospital (ACH) Guild Sarasota-Manatee came together for the group's annual Fashion Show Luncheon, April 23, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chef Kory Foltz led the team.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 23, 2014
Hyatt Regency gives back with All Faiths Food Bank

A group of Hyatt staff members joined the All Faiths Food Bank's Sprout Mobile Farm Market to teach local children the importance of eating healthy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Homes sales spike 33% in Sarasota

Property sales in Sarasota County jumped 33% in March over February and surpassed 1,000 for the month, the Sarasota Association of Realtors reports.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The butterfly on Chiana Webber’s carnation munches on the sugar-covered carnation before flying away.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: All God's Children Preschool butterfly release day

A frenzy of children, who sported pipe cleaner antennae on their heads and paper wings on their backs, filled the playground of All God's Children Preschool April 23. The 11 students in Carol Beatty's VPK class said goodbye to their new friends - the butterflies they have had in their classroom and for which they have cared since the insects were caterpillars - during butterfly release day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson, chairwoman of the Tourist Development Council, moved to approve more funding for Visit Sarasota County Wednesday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 23, 2014
Visit Sarasota County taps additional funding

The Sarasota County Commission narrowly approved an additional $769,000 for a contract with the local promotion organization Wednesday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Gwen MacKenzie speaks at an Argus Foundation luncheon in May 2013. MacKenzie will step down next month after nearly 10 years as president and CEO of Sarasota Memorial Hospital Health Care System.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 23, 2014
Sarasota Memorial Hospital CEO resigns

Gwen MacKenzie, Sarasota Memorial Hospital Health Care System CEO and president, has announced plans to step down from her position next month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
ODA's season ends in playoffs

The Out-of-Door Academy girls lacrosse team saw its season come to an end with a 13-10 loss to Tampa Catholic in the opening round of the playoffs April 22.

  • East County
  • Sports
Crepes Suzette was invented in 1894 and has been prepared tableside at Roessler's Restaurant since it opened.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Roessler's Restaurant

This week we went in the kitchen at Roessler's Restaurant with chef and owner Klaus Roessler while he prepares Crepes Suzette, which has been served tableside since the eatery opened.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Author visits East County school

Students at Braden River Middle School learned about writing novels firsthand April 7, during a visit from novelist Lynda Mullaly Hunt.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Deputy Alan Fifield with Wilma Nouri
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Deputy visits women's club

Manatee County Sheriff's Office Deputy Alan Fifield lent his expertise on identity theft and cyber security to women in the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evan Lynch and Chris Miller, both 13, work on a robot for the Vex robotics competition this week. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 23, 2014
Robot Wars

This week, two teams from Nolan Middle School face off against 800 others in the 2014 VEX Robotics World Championship.

  • East County
  • News
The proposed double diverging diamond design is projected to cost about $60 million.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 23, 2014
Legislature axes funds for I-75 fix

To accelerate the start of improvements, FDOT may need to find other funding sources.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office charged Alan and Sheree Napier with 15 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, and charged Alan Napier with one count of fraud, April 17. (Photo by Pam Eubanks)
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
Napiers face cruelty charges

For Manatee County Public Safety Director Ron Koper, the latest development in an East County animal cruelty case is welcome news.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Diverging diamond is a partial traffic solution

  • East County
  • Opinion
This photo, taken April 3, shows the interior of the mall concourse from the second floor. Courtesy of Taubman Centers
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 23, 2014
Mall at UTC takes shape

The evolution of anchor spaces and the installation of a major road signal progress.

  • East County
  • News
Heather and Matt Hols-worth, with Dick Vitale, and their daughter, Lacey. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
News Briefs

School district hires new finance director; Dick Vitale raises funds for cancer research

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Board of Directors held its first meeting April 16, in a conference room in its new office, located in the MGA Professional Center. (Photo by Josh Siegel)
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 23, 2014
Alliance moves into new home

A few days after the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance moved into its office, its board has found a new executive director.

  • East County
  • News
Ben and Melissa Grodi with the Meritorious Service Medal. Photo by Kelsey Grau
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Capt. Benjamin Grodi honored with military medal

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Benjamin Grodi, son-in-law of Longboat Key residents Nelson and Laurin Goldner, was recently honored with the Meritorious Service Medal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Campaign Against Summer Hunger

Here are the week's donation totals for All Faiths Food Bank's Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 23, 2014
Town counts on unit controversy

The assistant town attorney warns that some Islandside property owners may contest the assignment of units to other owners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Village resident Pete Rowan photographed Broadway facing east in March to show parking congestion. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Villagers jam Town Hall for parking discussion

Longbeach Village residents say they often cannot park in front of their homes and worry about emergency vehicle access.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sue-Ellen Welfonder's newest novel, "To Love a Highlander," will be released April 29, by Time Warner's Grand Central Publishing. Photo by Robin Hartill
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Romancing Royalties

Sue-Ellen Welfonder sticks to sensual Scottish romances even as e-books and '50 Shades of Grey' add kinks to the romance-novel publishing industry.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Australia's Kyrgios captures the men's singles Sarasota Open title

The 2014 Sarasota Open concluded with the men's singles and doubles finals April 20, at the Tennis Gardens at the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
Peridia golf course receives makeover

Peridia Golf and Country Club will close for renovations starting May 5.

  • East County
  • News
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Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
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Speeding enforcement in gated communities requires HOA permission
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