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Your Observer

Joleen Adams and Essie Burton
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 24, 2014
30th Anniversary Celebration Scholarship Awards Gala featuring Attorney General Pam Bondi

30th Anniversary Celebration Scholarship Awards Gala featuring Attorney General Pam Bondi

  • Black Tie
Dottie Baer Garner and Jolene Tepedino
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 24, 2014
Annual Legacy Luncheon featuring speaker Darrell Ayres

Annual Legacy Luncheon featuring speaker Darrell Ayres

  • Black Tie
The Rev. Bruce Porter laughs as parishioners share memories and stories during the evening’s program.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 24, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: The Rev. Bruce Porter's Retirement Party

The congregation of Christ Church gathered on Friday, Jan. 24, to celebrate the Rev. Bruce Porter's years of service and spiritual guidance with a retirement party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nicoletta Norcia shows off her inner-flapper with a homemade headband.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 24, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: SMART's Great Gatsby Interactive Dinner

Patrons sported sequin-covered headbands, suspenders, and other '20s-style outfits while they sipped on champagne during SMART's Great Gatsby Interactive Dinner Jan. 24, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Doug Finfrock and Marsha Rhoades pick up their plates.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 24, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Saint Boniface Fish Fry Friday

Saint Boniface invited members of the parish and community to its Fish Fry Fridays dinner Friday, Jan. 24. Guests enjoyed fried Tilapia with macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, cornbread and a chocolate chip cookie. Fish Fry Fridays will take place through April.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 24, 2014
Registration underway for Senior Games

Registration for the 25th Annual Gulf Coast Senior Games is now underway and continues through Jan. 31.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team captured its second consecutive district title Jan. 23.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 24, 2014
Mustangs come back to win district crown

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team defeated North Port 3-2 to win the Class 4A-District 11 championship Jan. 23.

  • East County
  • Sports
Four crimes were reported in Osprey within a quarter-mile radius from Jan. 14 to Jan. 20. No arrests have yet been made.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 24, 2014
Osprey crimes prompt investigation

Sheriff's deputies investigate whether a link exists between four geographically-clustered crimes that occurred in Osprey last week.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The dog is named Noah.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2014
Dog recovers after being hit by car

A pit bull named Noah now is available for adoption.

  • East County
  • News
Haylee Alnand, 8, sleds with gusto.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 24, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tabernacle Winter Wonderland

Children at The Tabernacle Christian School today went sledding, during the school's Winter Wonderland event.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 24, 2014
Community Foundation to host education showcase

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is holding an event to promote EdExploreSRQ, a program that seeks to teach Sarasota County students through exploration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Money raised at the show benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 24, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Woodcarving Show and Sale

The show includes hundreds of hand carved wood on display and for sale. All woodcarvings are made by the Gulf Coast Carvers Guild.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 24, 2014
Hazardous waste disposal event scheduled for tomorrow

Residents of Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island can dispose of household hazardous and electronic wastes tomorrow at the Coquina Beach Gulfside parking lot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cate Eschmann, 12, didn't mind getting wet in the dunk tank, at a previous McNeal Winter Carnival.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 24, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: McNeal Winter Carnival

Proceeds from Saturday's annual Winter Carnival at McNeal Elementary School will help teachers fund their classrooms.

  • East County
  • News
Jackie Savigne bought crystal earrings from Christine Goshorn at last year's St. Armands Winter Art Festival. (File photo)
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 24, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: St. Armands Winter Art Festival

Support local and visiting artisans alike at the 12th Annual St. Armands Winter Art Festival on the Circle. This two-day event showcases work from more than 250 artists and craftsmen.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stan and Mary Jane Antrim
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 23, 2014
Forks and Corks VIP Kickoff

Forks and Corks VIP Kickoff

  • Black Tie
“Italian Night” Cooks Don Prola, Lenny Distefano and Joe Zampino.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Mary Men's Club Italian Night

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Men's Club gathered for authentic Italian cuisine and a variety of wine on Thursday, Jan. 23, at Father Edward Pick Parish Hall. This year marks the fourth 'Italian Night' for the group.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fourth-grader Lizett Hernandez read under the light.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Literacy Wonderland

Braden River Elementary School offered a warm reading place at its first Literacy Wonderland event, Jan. 23.

  • East County
  • News
Jane Krombeen, Owner of Mission Avenue Studio Bernabe Somoza, Luisa Goldman, and Marilyn Buzzard.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: SPARCC Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Event

Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) celebrated its donors and volunteers Thursday, Jan. 23. SPARCC supporters, volunteers and donors enjoyed hor d'oeuvres, cocktails and art in the unique setting of Mission Avenue Studio.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Patricia Benak, Waterfront 7 Realty, Andrew Vac, REMAX Alliance Group, and Pamela Hagan, Waterfront 7 Realty
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Business After Hours

On Thursday, Jan. 23, the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosted Business After Hours, a networking opportunity for local professionals, at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Vietnamese mossy frog, a master of camouflage, will be among the first frogs ever to be on display at Mote. (Mote Marine Laboratory)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 23, 2014
Mote exhibit will highlight extremes of survival

"Survivors: Beautiful and Extreme Adaptations" will run from Feb. 1 through Sept. 14, at Mote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Association of Junior Leagues International will celebrate delegates at its Winter Leadership Conference tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 24, in Scottsdale, AZ.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 23, 2014
Junior League of Sarasota announces president elect

Sarah Lodge has been an active member of the Junior League of Sarasota since 2007 and will take office in June 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Florida Highway Patrol reports the dump truck rolled onto its side and spilled dirt onto the road.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 23, 2014
SR 70 traffic back to normal after crash

The eastbound lanes of State Road 70 at Creekwood Boulevard were closed for a few hours this morning.

  • East County
  • News
Turtle Beach, located at the southern end of Siesta Key, is hit with heavy surf following a cold front in January 2014.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 23, 2014
Momentum builds for Turtle Beach renourishment

A county commissioner is pushing to apply for state funding before permits are in hand to avoid delaying the project by a year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 23, 2014
Man arrested after telling officers he smokes weed

Sarasota Police Department officers arrested a man who dropped a cigarette box containing crack cocaine after the man told them that he smokes weed, not cigarettes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview midfielder Greg Atkin scored a goal for the Rams in the second half of their 3-0 victory over Pinellas Park in the Class 5A-District 8 semifinals Jan. 22.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Riverview High boys soccer vs. Pinellas Park

The Riverview High boys soccer team defeated Pinellas Park 3-0 in a Class 5A-District 8 semifinal match Jan. 22. With the win, the Rams will play host to St. Petersburg in the district championship Jan. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
U.S. pairs figure skaters Felicia Zhang and Nathan Bartholomay practice during an open training session Jan. 22, at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Olympic Figure Skating

With two weeks to go until the 2014 Sochi Olympics, U.S. pairs figure skaters Felicia Zhang and Nathan Bartholomay took to the ice to perfect their routine during an opening training session Jan. 22, at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex. The pair was joined on the ice by Great Britain pairs figure skaters Stacey Kemp and David King, who also train in Ellenton and are preparing for their second Olympic Games. Those interested in watching the pairs perform can do so during free public training sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:10 p.m. Zhang and Bartholomay will depart for Sochi Feb. 1.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Emergency responders left the scene of a vehicle fire at around 8 a.m. Thursday morning.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 23, 2014
Vehicle fire may slow I-75 traffic

Drivers headed south on Interstate 75 near the University Parkway exit may experience slight delays this morning.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 23, 2014
Report recommends changes to fiscal neutrality

The second draft of the Laffer and Associates report on Sarasota County growth policies downplays the importance of proving fiscal neutrality in new developments.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photos Janice Smyth with her quilt, “Mystery Decimals.”
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2014
Quilting queen moves to semifinals

Sarasota resident Janice Smyth is a semifinalist for the 2014 AQS QuiltWeek International Quilt Show in March.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Zach Feltovic and Jonathan Aiken from Pack 50
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2014
Leaders of the Pack

Sarasota Cub Scout Pack 50 raced their pinewood derby cars Jan. 11 at Gulf Gate Elementary.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo Currently, the only Artspace development in Florida is the Sailboat Bend lofts in Fort Lauderdale.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 23, 2014
Artist lobbies for live/work project

Veronica Morgan wants to bring a group to Sarasota that would outline how best to develop artist housing on the North Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 23, 2014
New push for elected mayor emerges

A political committee is proposing a new city charter with five council districts and a 'strong mayor.' The group is crafting its messaging to stand apart from earlier efforts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2014
News Briefs

UF and CFAS begin collaboration on building; Commission OKs first phase of work at lift station; County plans parking fix for North Shell Road

  • Sarasota
  • News
The current Osprey fishing pier was built in 1973.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 23, 2014
Osprey fishing pier reconstruction back on track

After a drawn-out permitting process, a county project to rebuild the historic Osprey fishing pier on Little Sarasota Bay has moved into the design phase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 23, 2014
Patterson presents her hot topics to Key condo owners

In her final presentation to the Siesta Key Condominium Association as an elected official, County Commissioner Nora Patterson gave an unvarnished rundown on a series of hot topics facing county government.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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