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Your Observer

Representatives from every public school and charter school in Manatee County will be at the fair to discuss educational programs, academies and opportunities.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 27, 2014
Information fair signals start of School Choice

Manatee County Public School District's School Choice enrollment period officially begins Jan. 28, but parents can also sign up their students at a School Information Fair Monday night.

  • East County
  • Schools
Joe Ashworth, Gina Pezzotti and Anne Marie Castabile
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 26, 2014
The 7th Annual Forks & Corks Grand Tasting

The 7th Annual Forks & Corks Grand Tasting

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2014
THEATER REVIEW: 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'

THEATER REVIEW: 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kyra Strachov discusses her acrylic paintings on canvas with friend Bob Hammond.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 26, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Armands Winter Art Festival

On Sunday, Jan. 26, St. Armands Circle was abuzz with more than 175 artists and craftsman for the 12th Annual St. Armands Winter Art Festival. The two-day event showcased everything from ceramics and sculptures to jewelry and handmade accessories.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shawn and Christine Stephens run together as much as they can.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 26, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Suncoast Half Marathon

Runners made their way Jan. 26 through Lakewood Ranch and onto Lakewood Ranch Main Street, during the annual Suncoast Half Marathon.

  • East County
  • News
Michael Browne, not pictured, show off his 1968 Riley Elf MKIII.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 26, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Car Meet

Afternoon rain showers didn't keep car enthusiasts from heading to Rangeland Parkway, in Lakewood Ranch, Jan. 26, for the 45th annual Devereaux-Kaiser Car Meet.

  • East County
  • News
Zaid Harakat, 10, shows off his battle skills.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 26, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Winter Carnival

Families at Tara Elementary School enjoyed an evening of food, inflatables and carnival-style games Jan. 24, during the school's winter carnival event. Families even had a chance to play in the snow.

  • East County
  • Schools
Co-Chairs Mary Keanely-Barbetta, Bridgett Spiess and Julie Delaney
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 25, 2014
25th Anniversary Catholic Charities Ball

25th Anniversary Catholic Charities Ball

  • Black Tie
Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles’ very own Madison Hildebrand was the guest of honor at the cocktail party.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Mingle With Madison

On Saturday, Jan. 25, Richard Perlman, an agent with Michael Saunders & Company, hosted 'Mingle with Madison' at Bayside Villa, a private estate for sale on Longboat Key. Madison Hildebrand, a Los Angeles real estate broker and star of Bravo's Million Dollar Listing LA, was the guest of honor.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mary and Larry Marthaler
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Islander Club Welcome Back Party

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Islander Club welcomed back its residents for the season with a party. Attendees enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres while watching the sunset over the water.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Austin Warner, Jackson Warner, Lindsey Warner, Jan Marsh, David Marsh, Kristin Marsh, Kailey Marsh, Claire Marsh and Kara Marsh stand with the new Jim Marsh memorial statue.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: The Jim Marsh Memorial Garden Dedication

Longboat Island Chapel held a memorial garden dedication ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 25, in honor of the late Rev. Jim Marsh. From 1973 to 1996, he served as pastor of the church and had a large impact on the congregation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kaci Carroll and Lucy Hope supported their husbands, who play in the band, Paper Airplanes.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Ed's Tavern five-year Anniversary

Ed's Tavern hosted its five-year Anniversary Party, Jan. 25. Attendees could sample beer and liquor and listen to music performed by Paper Airplanes.

  • East County
  • News
Keynote speaker Herman Boone with Mike Murphy, the Saint Stephen’s softball coach
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Saint Stephen's Sports Gala

Saint Stephen's Episcopal School held its second annual Game Changers Sports Gala at Lakewood Ranch Country Club, Jan. 25. The event, which raises money for the school's athletic department, featured Keynote Speaker Herman Boone, a football coach and public speaker whose story was captured by the film, 'Remember the Titans.'

  • East County
  • News
Eunice Garcia, a senior at Manatee School for the Arts, enjoys photography as a hobby, but wants to pursue a medical career.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Heart & Soul Gala

The Manatee Education Foundation hosted the seventh annual 2014 Heart & Soul Gala and Live Art Auction Jan. 25 at Polo Grill. Student artists were recognized for their work and received scholarships ranging from $150 to $1,500 and other gifts.

  • East County
  • News
Paris and Rick Levine. Paris describes her style as funky, cool and edgey.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Daddy-Daughter Date Night

The Downtown Sarasota Kiwanis Club hosted its inaugural Daddy-Daughter Date Night Saturday, Jan. 25. Dads and their daughters from the Kiwanis Club, the Boys and Girls Club and the community dressed to impress for the dinner held at Florida Studio Theatre. 'The Kiwanis Club is really about the children,' said President John Moore, 'and this is a great way to celebrate our kids.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charlotte Zwick's nephew, Richard Matson, gives a toast.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Charlotte Zwick turns 105

Charlotte Zwick celebrated her 105th birthday Saturday, Jan. 25. Zwick rode her new scooter, which was an early birthday present, into the dining room where friends and family sang her happy birthday. The Cleveland native looks forward to keeping a good outlook on life: 'I think your attitude is the most important thing you own,' she says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cunningham sisters — Morgan, 6, and Samantha, 5 — show off matching Hello Kitty face paint.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Elementary's Winter Carnival

Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary students and their families came together for a cookout, music and games for the annual Winter Carnival Jan. 25, held on the school's front lawn.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Seth Tucker and Olivia Lake compare their air potatoes.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: SBEP Air Potato Removal

Volunteers helped remove air potatoes, an invasive plant species, from Arlington Park Saturday, Jan. 25. Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Around the Bend Nature Tours co-sponsored the pick up. 'This is a great project that is fun and good for the environment,' said volunteer Ashley Wang.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Leland Thompson performs a pow wow dance imitating the movements of the prairie chicken at the Sarasota Native American Indian Festival.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 25, 2014
VIDEO: Native American Festival draws crowds for crafts, dancing

The Sarasota Native American Indian Festival kicked off Friday, with performances aimed at educating and entertaining the public.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Julia Barieda and Ian Laidlew
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 24, 2014
The Circus Arts Conservatory Gala

The Circus Arts Conservatory Gala

  • Black Tie
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
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A Longboat Key police officer measures the speed of vehicles traveling on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Traffic enforcement in gated communities require a memorandum of understanding with the Homeowners Association, said Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager.
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