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Your Observer

Seaplace has 461 units and is located in the 1900 and 2000 blocks of Gulf of Mexico Drive. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 6, 2014
UPDATE: Fire, four EMS calls caused traffic jam

Traffic snarled yesterday on the south end of Longboat Key as officials responded to five emergency calls at the same time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ina Jaffe will deliver the Keynote Dinner Speech at the Conference for Positive Aging Tuesday, Feb. 11.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Ina Jaffe to speak at Conference for Positive Aging

Jaffe will present Continuous Inspiration at Dinner with Ina Jaffe Tuesday, Feb. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Employment in the local construction sector increased 4% in December over the previous month.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 6, 2014
Local unemployment rate continues its decline

The North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area added about 2,800 jobs in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Building Official Wayne Thorne has reported there are 177 serious issues on the Colony property that need to be addressed.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 6, 2014
Town posts Colony hearing web link

The Longboat Key Town Commission will review the state of Colony Beach & Tennis Resort buildings at a public hearing March 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Students of USF's College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership, hosted an event to celebrate the school's newest addition — a culinary lab on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 6, 2014
USF culinary lab officially opens to the public

Faculty and students of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, and the Lakewood Ranch community, officially cut the ribbon on the school's new Culinary Innovation Lab Feb. 5.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota resident Ron Fandrick says legalizing medical marijuana will make it too easy for children to obtain the drug illegally.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 6, 2014
VIDEO: Residents weigh in on medical marijuana

The Observer video team asks Sarasota residents what they think about the medical marijuana amendment on the November ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wellesley Club President Nancy Wettlaufer, with New College President Dr. Donal O'Shea and Wellesley Club Vice President Charlotte Isaacs
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Doctors visit

Dr. Donal O'Shea, president of New College of Florida, spoke to members of the Sarasota Wellesley Club Jan. 10, at Plymouth Harbor.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Dorsey
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Best-seller

Brant's Books hosted best-selling author Tim Dorsey for a meet-and-greet Feb. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Souper heroes

Siesta Key Chapel members participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring Feb. 2. The national fundraiser began in 1990 to help feed local families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Conway Parking spaces along Hillview Street fill up quickly during peak hours, forcing some employees and customers to leave their cars in residential areas.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 6, 2014
Southside struggles with parking woes

The scarcity of undeveloped land in Southside Village leaves it without a solution to its long-time parking dilemma.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 6, 2014
Siesta Key Village reaches tipping point

Stakeholders on the Key differ in their views on the optimal mix of retail versus restaurants for the popular tourist destination.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Ian Black
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 6, 2014
Strong mayor supporters justify their stance

A portion of the latest charter proponents used the word 'dysfunctional' to describe Sarasota's current council/manager form of government.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
News Briefs

State Street parking garage costs surprise commissioners; SKVA takes official stance on Big Pass Dredge project; Arlington Park Pool set to close for major renovations

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo. Robert Milligan
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 6, 2014
Realtors return home to Sarasota market

The Sarasota Association of Realtors reports that membership increased by about 9% last year. The influx highlights the area's resurgent real estate market.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Amy Quesinberry
  • February 6, 2014
Observer Media Group buys The West Orange Times

The Observer Media Group will continue to provide in-depth community coverage to the paper's readership.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Conway One potential code revision would drop a requirement that forces some buildings to have a setback below the fourth story.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 6, 2014
Studio ready to tweak downtown zoning code

Downtown regulations governing density and design could change under the forthcoming form-based code.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Our view

3 good ideas; 'it's time'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Letters to the Editor

The Observer's readers weigh in on local issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Courtesy photo Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Kona has been in his position for a year and a half.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 6, 2014
A helping hand for the rescuers

The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department purchased new protective gear for its firefighters thanks to a donation from the Casey Key Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Photo courtesy of Imely Photography
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Occasions

To see your own wedding, engagement, anniversary and birth annoucements in the Sarasota Observer, send your information to Jessica Luck at [email protected].

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ten-year-old Sarah Cripe typically drives between 45 and 50 mph when she's solo go-kart racing.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
Fast track

Ten-year-old Sarah Cripe began solo go-kart racing last summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
Sidelines

Rams open season with win; Lady Blazers win district; Cougars outlast Tornadoes; The Sailors' season ends

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota forward Shelby Miller finished with 12 points for the Lady Sailors.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
Lady Sailors capture second consecutive district title

The Lady Sailors captured their second-consecutive district title and will host St. Petersburg Northeast in the regional quarterfinals Feb. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marcos Wilson, of Venezuela, Elisabet Safont, of Spain and Bruce Holst, of Selby Gardens, conduct a botanical inventory in March 2012 on a remote table mountain in southern Venezuela. Photo courtesy Bruce Holst
  • By Randi Donahue
  • February 6, 2014
Floral notes

It's easy to admire the beauty growing in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. But what visitors don't see is some of the behind-the-scenes work that has not only helped shape the present and future of the garden but also preserved the history of the plants.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trey N., left
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Student Spotlight: The Out-of-Door Academy

ODA second-graders tell us what they learned by studying old school photos.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
ODA students still have PE outside.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Classroom Spotlight: Second-graders compare ODA's past and present

The Out of Door Academy's lower-school students are using the past to prepare for the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
...
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com and click on the 'Contests' tab in the upper-right hand corner to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rodger Skidmore submitted this sunset photo, taken off Big Pass.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Rodger Skidmore submitted this sunset photo, taken off Big Pass.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janice Smyth with her quilt "BinaryCode," her second quilt in a series of three focused on codes.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Your Neighbor: Janice Smyth

As a semifinalist in the 2014 AQS QuiltWeek International Quilt Show in March in Lancaster, Pa., Janice Smyth's quilt, 'Mystery Decimals,' will go up against 173 other quilts chosen out of thousands.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harriet Sokmensuer Unit 6 at 1330 Main St. has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,954 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.3 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 6, 2014
Home in Siesta Properties sells for $1.75 million

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

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Edward Alley and Mike Groninger
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Star of the Opera featuring Sherrill Milnes

Star of the Opera featuring Sherrill Milnes

  • Black Tie
Aubrey Mocherman and Emilia Marr hold hands while walking.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Ashton Elementary's Star Sprint

Ashton Elementary families ran in the school's annual Star Sprint Wednesday, Feb. 5. The event is Ashton's biggest fundraiser of the year and invites parents to join students race around the parking lot. The money raised from the event will go towards the school's technology. Ashton Principal Chris Renouf told the students to enjoy themselves whether they were walking, jogging or running. 'It's really about keeping yourself moving,' he said.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nancy Chanos, June Hessel and Sandy Endres
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys & Fashion Show (Continued)

Many gathered to sample favorites from local restaurants and experience this year's finest fashion at the Longboat Key Garden Club's Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Attendees enjoyed the best the Keys has to offer before sitting down for a high-spirited fashion show. Proceeds from this well-attended event support environmental scholarships and grants to college students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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