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Your Observer

Sharon Burde. Photo by Kelsey Grau
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 19, 2014
Your Neighbor: Sharon Burde

Burde's new book, 'One Family One Season,' tells the story of the eagle's nest and the birds that return each year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photos by Molly Schechter Helene Tucker
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • February 19, 2014
Fitness profiles: the community within the community

Helene Tucker and Lynne Ginsburg are two of many participants who exercise their fitness options at Bayfront Park Recreation Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo Unit B-104 at the Sanctuary, 565 Sanctuary Drive, has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,115 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,637,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 19, 2014
Condominium at the Sanctuary sells for $1,637,000

A condominium in Sanctuary at Longboat Key Club tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2014
Choreographing with Love

Choreographing with Love

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 19, 2014
New Barbara Ackerman Group closes $55 million in 2013

The veteran Coldwell Banker agent teamed up with her husband, Gary Ackerman, and Coldwell agent Louis Wery to form last year's top-ranked sales team.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vicki Brooks submitted this sunset photo, taken near Cortez after a day of rain.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Vicki Brooks submitted this sunset photo, taken near Cortez after a day of rain.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Donna and Lew Patterson with Jackie Russell
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Positano Fine Wine Club

On Tuesday, the Positano Fine Wine Club sampled a variety of wine and homemade hors d'oeuvres at its monthly gathering. Residents each bring a bottle and an appetizer to share with fellow wine lovers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 18, 2014
Sarasota Christian to play for state title

The Sarasota Christian girls basketball team defeated Academy at the Lakes 68-59 in the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinals Feb. 18, at the Lakeland Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) volunteer Cynthia McMullin and Director of Community Awareness Jessica Hays
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 18, 2014
The Good News: Cynthia McMullin

Through compassion and dedication, SPARCC's mission is to end domestic and sexual violence.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Phill Younger expressed concern Tuesday that "we can’t even get participation by the people who are on" the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 18, 2014
Commission considers ZBA change

Ben Feole stepped down from the board for personal reasons but isn't on board with any decision that would eliminate the Zoning Board of Adjustment as a board in the Town Charter.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 18, 2014
Rowers to converge for Sarasota Invitational Regatta

About 700 rowers will converge this weekend to compete at the annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta, at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • News
Momentum is gathering behind a proposal to look into potentially moving the SCAT transfer station from its location at First Street and Lemon Avenue.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 18, 2014
DID discusses SCAT station relocation

At a meeting Tuesday, members of Sarasota's Downtown Improvement District talked about the advantages of moving the downtown SCAT transfer station.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Table tennis is one of the events of the Gulf Coast Senior Games starting today at venues throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 18, 2014
Gulf Coast Senior Games start today

The one-week sporting contest features 16 different events.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota design professionals including architects, engineers, interior designers and students will construct original sculptures made of cans showcased throughout the mall.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 18, 2014
Canstruction exhibit hopes to help others

Canstruction is a national program aimed to help feed the hungry through art. Sarasota artists will create sculptures made of cans to help those in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fit2Run provided this rendering depicting its plans for a store at 1400 Main St., a building that has been home to three different restaurants since 2011.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 18, 2014
Fit2Run coming to Main Street

The running store plans to move in at 1400 Main St., the former home of Floribbean and Patrick's, later this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority and Community Development District six will meet Feb.20 to review and discuss the results of the recently released 2013 audit report.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 18, 2014
LWR IDA and CDDs to review 2013 audit reports

The Lakewood Ranch IDA and CDDs will review agenda items, such as the 2013 audit report, at their meeting Feb. 20.

  • East County
  • News
Carol and Steve Lawson, St. Armands Travel
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Armands Circle Association February Meeting

On Tuesday, Carol and Steve Lawson hosted the St. Armands Circle Association February General Membership Meeting at their business, St. Armands Travel. The meeting is a monthly opportunity for local business owners and professionals to meet, network and discuss Circle happenings.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A report released by the Florida Highway Patrol cites the Feb. 17 collision on State Road 70, to be caused by a driver who suffered from an unknown medical condition and lost control of his vehicle.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 18, 2014
UPDATE: Driver lost control of vehicle, causing crash on State Road 70

A couple driving East bound Feb. 17 on State Road 70, lost control of their vehicle and caused a collision.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 17, 2014
Commission to hear proposed noise ordinance changes

Following up on a discussion last summer regarding downtown's noise ordinance, the city attorney is proposing revisions that would establish new standards for violations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2014
One killed in State Road 70 crash

The Florida Highway Patrol still is investigating the accident.

  • East County
  • News
A proposed injunction will request the Association to undertake its maintenance and repair responsibilities for existing Colony buildings.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 17, 2014
Another Colony lawsuit is in the works

A Colony unit owner is urging others to sign on to sue the Association for its failure to maintain existing buildings.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) will be on a normal bus schedule Monday.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 17, 2014
County offices close for the holiday

Most Sarasota County government offices will be closed today in observance of Presidents Day; basic services, however, will continue to run.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The vacant lot at 162 Beach Road is covered in shoreline-stabilizing vegetation, and has never been developed.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 17, 2014
County Commission to consider shoreline construction

Sarasota County commissioners during a public hearing Wednesday, will review plans to build a three-story single-family home at 162 Beach Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Hall is located at 501 Bay Isles Road. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 17, 2014
Town Hall closes for Presidents Day

Longboat Key Town Hall will re-open at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. Trash collection will take place on Tuesday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch sophomore midfielder Felipe Dangond attempts to maintain possession for the Mustangs in the first half of the Class 4A Final Four Feb. 14.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Boys Soccer vs. Melbourne in Class 4A Final Four

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team saw its season come to an end with a 3-0 loss to Melbourne in the Class 4A Final Four Feb. 14, at Eastern Florida State College. It was the Mustangs first state semifinal appearance in the program's history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County parks and beaches will remain open to the public today.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 17, 2014
County offices closed on Presidents Day

Manatee County Government offices are closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Otus
  • February 16, 2014
Ask Otus: Name that Bird! Answers to Pop Quiz

Otus Rufous, an Eastern Screech-owl, was born on Siesta Key and is a full-time resident there. An avid hunter, accomplished vocalist and genuine night owl, Otus is a keen observer of our local wildlife and knows many of nature's secrets. Otus will answer your questions about our amazing wildlife, but only if you Ask Otusâ„¢.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Helen Martin, Rose Marie Aichhorn and Meg Garafalo
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Palm-Aire Women's Club

Ladies of the Palm-Aire Women's Club celebrated their monthly meeting and Valentine's Day with a special Queen of Hearts-themed event Feb. 14, at the Palm-Aire Country Club.

  • East County
  • News
Alden Wright, 11, Isaac Wright, 8, and Jack Muller, 8, enjoy the festival after their baseball game.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Our Lady of the Angels' Parish Festival

Pizza slices, cotton candy and carnival rides entertained patrons Feb. 15, as they filled the lot in front of Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch for Our Lady of the Angels' Parish Festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sharon and Pete Meyer enjoy snacks with friends.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Brides Against Breast Cancer's Run and Renew 5K

Women walked together during the Brides Against Breast Cancer's 5K Feb. 15, before the group participated in ceremonies to renew their vows, offered on site at the Center for Building Hope.

  • East County
  • News
Lori Bassano and Bruce Lesser
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 15, 2014
ARC Best in Show Gala 'Unconditional Love'

ARC Best in Show Gala 'Unconditional Love'

  • Black Tie
Dominic Mattera, 4, runs to first base.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Little League Opening Day

The Sarasota Little League celebrated its 75th annual Opening Day Saturday, Feb. 15. Families cheered on their favorite players as they hit home runs and played their first games of the season at Twin Lakes Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Assistant Fire Chief Bill Hoag explains the county's traffic light pre-emption network Friday, Feb. 14.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 15, 2014
VIDEO: GPS gives green light

Emergency vehicle response times are down, thanks to a technology in place at 200 stoplights throughout Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Guests gathered at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota for the 5th annual Compassion in Caring luncheon featuring J.R. Martinez.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 14, 2014
5th Annual Compassion in Caring Luncheon

5th Annual Compassion in Caring Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Sandra Ceshker smiles after a particularly good hand in Black Jack.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation's Valentines in Vegas

The Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation hosted Valentines in Las Vegas at the Longboat Key Club's Harbourside Dining Room on Friday. The 42nd Street Las Vegas Express Band entertained over 200 guests as they played Black Jack, Roulette, 3-Card Poker and Craps.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Joyce Celniker, Elaine Gelezigian and Lynne Baker
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Club Longboat Saint Valentine's Gala

On Friday, residents of Club Longboat gathered at their clubhouse for an evening of cocktails, dinner and live entertainment at the Saint Valentine's Gala.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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