Your Observer

Pam Eubanks
March 30, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Selah Freedom Fundraiser

Lakewood Ranch residents gathered March 30 at Sashay to learn about Selah Freedom.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
March 30, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Tour de Cure

The American Diabetes Association hosted the Tour de Cure today on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

East County
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 30, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Nokomis Beach BBQ

Families flocked to Nokomis Beach Sunday, March 30, for the fifth annual Nokomis Beach BBQ. The event included music and a lunch of burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and cold drinks.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
March 29, 2014

Firefly Gala featuring the Go-Go's

Black Tie

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 29, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Kiwanis Club BBQ

Members of the Downtown Sarasota Kiwanis Club enjoyed their afternoon at the Kiwanis Club's BBQ Saturday, March 29. The barbecue was held in Pioneer Park and included a silent auction, raffle and hot food.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 29, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk-a-Thon

Families and their furry loved ones walked in the Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk-a-Thon Saturday, March 29. Participants walked a 3k course around downtown's Payne Park to benefit the nonprofit.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Josh Siegel
March 29, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Winterfest

Despite daylong ran that cleared by night, Winterfest, a new music festival, rocked Lakewood Ranch Saturday, March 29. The event was held at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
March 29, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Health & Wellness Expo

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted its annual Health & Wellness Expo Saturday, March 29, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. More than 50 exhibitors in the health and wellness field shared information and services to people of all ages.

East County
News

Nolan Peterson
March 29, 2014

Bloomberg speaks in Sarasota, says he won't run for president

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke Friday at a lecture, moderated by former CBS anchor Sharyl Attkisson and organized by the Ringling College Library Association.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
March 28, 2014

Iconcept 6

Black Tie

Black Tie Staff
March 28, 2014

Wine Walk to Ca d'Zan

Black Tie

Black Tie Staff
March 28, 2014

Oz + You

Black Tie

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 28, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Michael Bloomberg Lecture

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke at "An Evening with Michael Bloomberg" Friday, March 28. Bloomberg spoke with journalist Sharyl Attkisson at the Sarasota Opera House. The lecture was made possible by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Ringling College Library Association.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Josh Siegel
March 28, 2014

County outlines Fruitville Initiative

Sarasota County provided the public an update on its Fruitville Initiative project at a workshop Thursday night.

Sarasota
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 28, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Power Hour Live

Members of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce met for Power Hour Live Friday, March 28. The meeting was held at Mattison's 41 and invited attendees to network with one another.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nolan Peterson
March 28, 2014

K9 team certified in explosives detection

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office recently added the only certified bomb detection team in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Hardee, DeSoto and Highlands counties, and the first at this agency since 2004.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
March 28, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: 'Back to the '80s'

Performances of 'Back to the '80s..The Totally Awesome Musical' run at 7 p.m. tonight through March 29 at The Out-of-Door Academy.

East County
News

Kelsey Grau
March 28, 2014

WEEKEND BEST BET: All Angels by the Sea Cabaret

Vocal artists Cami Wyatt and Michelle Gratham will dazzle the audience with an evening of showtunes at the All Angels by the Sea Cabaret. A special surprise guest will also take the stage, so be sure not to miss this musical mystery.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Amanda Sebastiano
March 28, 2014

'Lois Lane' among first of Cat Depot's cats adopted out

After the introduction of 33 adoptable cats at Cat Depot's Caturday Night Fever Gala March 15, seized felines from Napiers Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary begin to find new homes.

East County
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
March 28, 2014

Sarasota Open seeks volunteers

The tournament runs from April 12 through April 20, at the Resort at Longboat Key Club's Tennis Gardens.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
March 28, 2014

Groin permit expected in April

A federal permit for two sand saving structures will be issued on or before April 11.

Longboat Key
News

Alex Mahadevan
March 28, 2014

City, county to discuss homeless shelter

Sarasota city and county commissioners will meet for a workshop to discuss the local homeless initiative and the recommendation to extend the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area Tuesday.

Sarasota
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 28, 2014

WEEKEND BEST BET: Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk-a-thon

All proceeds from the event benefit the nonprofit. There will be live music, shopping vendors, food and plenty of puppies to hug.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Josh Siegel
March 28, 2014

WEEKEND BEST BET: Winterfest

The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch will host Winterfest, a new daylong music festival, Saturday, March 29.

East County
News

Kelsey Grau
March 28, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Save Our Seabirds Sunset SoirÃ©e

Save Our Seabirds held its annual Sunset Soiree at Mote Marine Laboratory on March 28. In its third year, the event included live entertainment, a silent auction and the opportunity for attendees to learn more about the mission of Save Our Seabirds.

Longboat Key
News

Black Tie Staff
March 27, 2014

John Hardy Personal Appearance

Black Tie

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 27, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota County Teacher of the Year

Sarasota County honored its teachers at the 2014 Teacher of the Year Awards Thursday, March 27. The awards ceremony was held at Laurel Oaks Country Club and included a cocktail reception and dinner. Taylor Ranch Elementary's Lisa Figueroa was named Sarasota County Teacher of the Year. "Teachers are the heart and soul of our school system," says Superintendent Lori White. "To take the time to honor them makes tonight one of the most important nights of the school year."

Sarasota
Neighbors

Kelsey Grau
March 27, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: 10th annual Spanish Main Yacht Club Fish Fry

The 10th annual fish fry at Spanish Main Yacht Club packed the clubhouse and served up freshly caught Spanish mackerel on March 27. The popular event has grown from 20 friends to a crowd of over 200 people, bringing together various communities on Longboat Key.

Longboat Key
News

Kelsey Grau
March 27, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Premier Sotheby's International Realty Grand Opening

On March 27, Premier Sotheby's International Realty hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new location in Publix Plaza.

Longboat Key
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 27, 2014

Sarasota family seeks help finding lost dog

Daisy is a dark brown-and-black Labrador mix with a white patch on her chest. She has been missing since Tuesday, March 25.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
March 27, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: 29th annual Sarasota Baseball Classic Part 1

Fifteen teams, including Sarasota, Riverview, Lakewood Ranch and Cardinal Mooney hit the field for the 29th annual Sarasota Baseball Classic March 25 through March 27.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 27, 2014

American Red Cross offering 'lunch break' CPR lessons

The American Red Cross will be offering a free CPR lesson Friday, March 28. The program, 'Learn to Save a Life on your Lunch Break,' runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.