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Your Observer

    By
  • David Conway
  • December 11, 2013
Urban Design Studio to provide form-based code update

A joint meeting of the Sarasota City Commission and Planning Board will feature a presentation from the Urban Design Studio regarding the development of a new form-based zoning code.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gabby Alfonso, Alison Volpe, Halee Prater and Kieu Nguyen welcome guests and provide nametags.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Empty Bowls

Students in Braden River Middle School's Junior National Honor Society program welcomed guests to reflect on poverty, during the organization's annual Empty Bowls event Dec. 12.

  • East County
  • News
The Longboat Key Town Commission will also discuss public alleys and bay access points in Longbeach Village at Town Hall today.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
Town Commission reviews Colony today

Town Manager Dave Bullock suggests Colony buildings should be torn down.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rachel's father, Bill, said he was very proud of her.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 11, 2013
Girls Inc. announces 2014 Girl of the Year

Rachel Mallett, 14, was announced as Girls Inc.'s Girl of the Year Tuesday, Dec. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Richard and Diane Corrigan
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Armands Circle Association's Holiday Party

On the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 10, the St. Armands Circle Association held their annual holiday party at Crab & Fin Restaurant. Attendees were treated to cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and enticing raffle prizes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Years after closing its Siesta Key location, Bob's Boathouse opened this fall on Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 11, 2013
Commissioners critique TCO for Bob's Boathouse

Sarasota County staff told commissioners during a Dec. 11 meeting that the restaurant should not have received an extension of its temporary certificate of occupancy through Dec. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amelia Miley decorates the tree dressed as an elf.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Bay Haven class decorates courthouse tree

Bay Haven Elementary student's visited the Sarasota Judicial Courthouse Wednesday, Dec. 11. Mrs. Missy Owen's third-grade class, who have been learning about politics in school, sang carols and decorated the Christmas tree before taking a tour of the courthouse.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The meeting will be held at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2013
Planning Commission considers Creekwood DRI changes

The Manatee County Planning Commission will hear proposed changes to the Creekwood development of regional impact at its meeting Dec. 12.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2013
Planning Commission considers Creekwood DRI changes

The Manatee County Planning Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Dec. 12, to discuss changes to the Creekwood DRI, among other land-use items.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County commissioners cut the ribbon at the Gulf Gate Library's temporary location in February.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 11, 2013
Friends gift land to Sarasota County

The Friends of Gulf Gate Library present a half-acre parcel adjacent to the new library site to be used for overflow parking.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
Lady Thunder cruise to victory

The Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer team cruised to a 9-1 victory over Imagine High School in a district contest Dec. 10.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
ODA boys blank Imagine High

The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer team defeated Imagine High School 5-0 in district action Dec. 10.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
ODA girls edge past rival

The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team defeated rival Cardinal Mooney 32-26 in district action Dec. 10

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
Mustangs post shutout

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team defeated Charlotte 7-0 Dec. 10.

  • East County
  • Sports
Louis and Diana Doyle, owners of the Ringling Shopping Center, have challenged the Sarasota City Commission's denial of a Walmart on their property.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 11, 2013
Shopping center owners continue to fight Walmart decision

Owners of the Ringling Shopping Center have appealed a judge's decision to uphold the Sarasota City Commission's denial of a Walmart at the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SoMa Creekside, in downtown Bradenton, offers an eclectic menu of savory dishes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: SoMa Creekside

This week we went in the kitchen at SoMa Creekside while owner and chef Dave Shiplett prepares his signature spicy peanut calamari. Get the recipe and watch an instructional video in this week's 'In the Kitchen.'

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Courtesy photo. Diane Shaw, Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club program chairwoman, poses with ice sculptures.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Icy affair

Members and guests of the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club ventured Dec. 4 to Orlando, to view holiday decorations at the Grand Floridian and to have lunch at Downtown Disney.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Photo by Nan Miller. Art Association of Palm-Aire co-presidents Sara Masciopinto and Mary Beth Grey enjoy the luncheon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Tall tales

The Play Readers of the Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild were in fine form as they entertained at the Art Association of Palm-Aire's opening winter luncheon with 'Fractured Fairy Tales.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. McNeal Elementary students Gavin Rieth, Supawadee Surattanont and Zac Bayor took home second-place awards.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Catapulting into first place

Seven Manatee County elementary schools competed in the countywide Technology Student Association catapult competition Nov. 16, at Southeast High School. Students built the catapults on-site.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Swinging silly

London Bay Homes recently hosted its inaugural Circus Sarasota Golf Tournament at The Founders Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manning
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Resident keeps eye on the pie

Inspired by her mother's homemade banana cream pie, Bird Key resident Kim Manning had a sweet idea: key lime with a twist.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Show us your spirit this season

This week, our reporters will make our final decisions on our favorite displays of holiday cheer for our 'Spirit of the Season' contest. This year's competition isn't limited to lights.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo. Marty Samowitz, pictured in February, holds a photo of himself taken when he was a 27-year-old enlistee.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
A final salute

Marty Samowitz, 99, survived the Battle of Iwo Jima to become a businessman and philanthropist. He died Dec. 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Sunshine Law violation has not been reported at Town Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
ULI changes: in the shade or sunshine?

The dust from the shake up of the town's Urban Land Institute Implementation Advisory Committee hasn't settled a week after the commission revamped the group.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock recommends Colony buildings be torn down because they are a nuisance and a threat to the health and public safety of the general public during a wind storm.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
Judge questions Klauber payment

A bankruptcy court judge denied a request from Colony Lender LLC to hold a foreclosure sale of its assets. He also questioned a $3 million payment to Klauber.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
News Briefs

Longboat Key Fire Rescue honors staff at annual awards; Police promote three longtime employees; Town collects items for Toys for Tots drive

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
Town tosses trash negotiation

Town Manager Dave Bullock had been negotiating a seven-year garbage and recycling contract with Waste Management at the direction of a bid review committee consisting of town staffers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 11, 2013
Lido, Siesta residents want their voices heard

The Army Corps of Engineers met with Lido Key and Siesta Key residents last week in separate meetings about the Lido Key beach renourishment project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
Hilton reserves date with P&Z

The Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort submitted plans for a $24 million project that could begin in 2014.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Griffin releases killer novel

Longboat Key novelist H. Terrell Griffin's latest book, 'Found,' features murder, mayhem and main man Matt Royal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Our View: R.I.P PIC

Directors of the Longboat Key Public Interest Committee decided to dissolve the 27-year-old organization last month.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Mark Meador made a commitment to the resort 28 years ago and got a new title at an annual owners party: husband.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Casa del Mar manager pairs wedding with party

Mark Meador made a commitment to the resort 28 years ago and got a new title at an annual owners party: husband.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Bicycle ride turns painful after encounter with dog

Arthur Kowitt, 81, fell off his bike and into a pile of fire ants after a dog became startled and bit his leg. Kowitt received 12 stitches and contracted an infection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Wickersham, near left
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Third-generation resident Mark Wickersham was 'an island guy'

Longboat Key native Mark Wickersham died Dec. 4. He was 58.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Obituary: Stanley Adelman

Stanley Adelman, 88, of Longboat Key, died Dec. 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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