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Your Observer

A mud stork stays close to the shore and the nature trail on Monday, Jan. 20, at Joan M. Durante Community Park.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 21, 2014
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Get Moving at the Community Park

Take advantage of this beautiful weather at one of the community parks on Longboat Key! Between the nature trails and expansive playgrounds, the park is a welcoming place for the whole family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 21, 2014
Final draft of proposed city charter released

It's Time Sarasota, a political committee advocating for a new city charter featuring an elected mayor, posted the full text of its proposed charter online today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Contractor E. T. MacKenzie began work today.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 21, 2014
Reclaimed water project produces road closure

The intersection of State Road 70 and Palmbrush Trail, in Lakewood Ranch, is closed through Feb. 10.

  • East County
  • News
Ezra Keim, 5, enjoys his day off at the playspace. "I've been sliding for five years and I'm really good at it," he says. "This slide is the best."
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 21, 2014
Photo of the Day: Children enjoy the David F. Bolger Playspace

The Ringling Museum's newest addition, the David F. Bolger Playspace, invites families to climb, jump, slide and play. The playspace was designed by the Architecture Playground Equipment (APE) of New York and Richter Spielgeräte GmbH of Germany. Families are welcome to join in on the fun for free.

  • Sarasota
  • News
With approval of the Aria project at 2251 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Sarasota developer Jay Tallman, president of Ascentia Group LLC, plans to open reservations for the project Wednesday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 21, 2014
P&Z Board approves $60 million condo project

Sixteen luxury beachfront condominiums priced between $3.44 million and $4.25 million were approved for the former Villa Am Meer site Tuesday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 21, 2014
ODA boys go undefeated

The Out-of-Door Academy middle school boys soccer team finished its season with a perfect 12-0 record, outscoring its opponents 36-5.

  • East County
  • Sports
Urban Land Institute panelists got a glimpse of erosion at the north end of the Key in October. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 21, 2014
Commission to discuss beach program today

A consultant will discuss short-term and long-term beach strategies with the commission at today's workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An undated photo of the Osprey fishing pier, located on Blackburn Bay, just south of Historic Spanish Point. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Parks and Recreation
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 20, 2014
Osprey pier reconstruction moves forward

With permitting complete, a county project to rebuild the historic Osprey fishing pier has moved into the design phase.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The winning student artists of the 2014 Education Foundation Juried Art Show.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 20, 2014
Education Foundation recognize student artists

The students competed in the Education Foundation's Juried Art Show competition Saturday, Jan. 11 to Tuesday, Jan. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota National Cemetery began construction on Patriot Plaza in December 2012. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 20, 2014
Patriot Plaza's stainless steel structure completed

Construction crews hoisted the 40,000-pound section Friday afternoon; marking the completion of the plaza's 111,000 stainless steel main structure.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two permeable adjustable groins, like the two groins placed behind The Islander Club, will be placed on the north end of the Key after the town receives state and federal permits.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2014
McClash drops groin objections

The Longboat Key Town Commission agreed to a proposed settlement by Joe McClash Jan. 17 at Town Hall that allows permitting for two of the three proposed groins on the north end to move forward.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 20, 2014
New push for elected mayor in Sarasota

A political committee is proposing a new charter for Sarasota, which would create a 'strong mayor' position and a city council with representatives from five districts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jetson Grimes, Vickie Oldham and Vice Mayor Willie Charles Shaw
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 20, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast

Members of the community began their day at the 31st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast Monday, Jan. 20. Through inspirational words, song and prayer attendees honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The breakfast is the first memorial event of the day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Town Hall is closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 20, 2014
Town offices close for Martin Luther King Day

Longboat Key Town Hall is closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The fair's attractions include a spinning swing ride.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 19, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee County Fair

Caramel and candy-coated apples, live music and livestock defined the Manatee County Fair and kept it bustling Jan. 19. The annual event will continue daily until its commencement Jan. 26.

  • East County
  • News
Andrew Glover conducts the Sarasota Circus Concert Band.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 19, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Circus Ring of Fame Inductions

The Circus Ring of Fame welcomed four new members in its 27th annual ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 19, on St. Armands Circle. Trapeze artist Pinito del Oro, animal trainer and circus owner Ian Garden Sr., founder and artistic director of Big Apple Circus Paul Binder, and the Theron family of high-energy bicyclists were inducted.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jameel Audeh and Ali Downey
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 18, 2014
Red Hot! 2014 celebrating Suncoast Communities Blood Bank's 65th Anniversary

Red Hot! 2014 celebrating Suncoast Communities Blood Bank's 65th Anniversary

  • Black Tie
Tamara Chapman with Designer Showhouse home owners Allison and Peter Scanlan
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 18, 2014
Jewels on the Bay Preview Party

Jewels on the Bay Preview Party

  • Black Tie
Purser Mary Kimura, Dock Master Ted Janssen, Scribe Maureen Shea, Commodore Joe Sever, and Vice Commodore Carole Zicherman
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Harbour Change of Watch Dinner

Longboat Harbour Yacht Club held its annual Change of Watch dinner on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Bird Key Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artist Marlene Rose thanks those who have helped throughout her creative career.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Marlene Rose Opening

On Saturday, Jan. 18, the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, featured colorful glass sculptures by artist Marlene Rose. Her work is influenced by extensive travel and often references diverse cultures and past civilizations.

  • Arts + Culture
Wanda Reed-Burke and John Vita attended the event to support a good cause.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Beertopia

Attendees sampled from more than 80 craft beers at the sixth annual Beertopia at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Jan. 18, in an event to benefit the Eye Center, Inc. Vision Foundation and the Hernando De Soto Historical Society.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Kortecamp with Frederick Prescott’s “Moose on the Loose”.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival

The Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival returns to Sarasota Saturday, Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 19. Gulfstream Avenue has been transformed into an outdoor art gallery for the weekend. Festival-goers are encouraged to meet the artists and take home a one-of-a-kind piece of art.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rose, David and Charlotte Goldstein
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El Tu B'Shevat

Families of Temple Emanu-El celebrated Tu B'Shevat Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Sarasota Children's Garden. To celebrate the trees, families sang songs, planted parsley seeds and enjoyed birthday cake. Tu B'Shevat is the Jewish holiday marking the birthday of the trees.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 18, 2014
American Idol contestant set to perform locally this weekend

American Idol contestant Sam Woolf, a Senior at Braden River High, will perform at two venues in his hometown this weekend.

  • East County
  • News
Nick Aeschliman, Ed Dwyer and Ray Ellis
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Cedars Tennis Association Welcome Back Dinner

Cedars Tennis Association held a Welcome Back Dinner for returning members on Friday, Jan. 17, to kick off the start of the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High freshman Sophia Falco, left, scored a pair of goals for the Lady Mustangs.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Girl Soccer Class 4A-District 11 Championship

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team captured its fifth straight district title with a 3-0 victory over rival Braden River in the Class 4A-District 11 championship tonight. Freshman forward scored a pair of goals and junior forward Julia Ortiz added a goal. Lakewood goalkeeper Alex Latham had two saves. With the win, the Lady Mustangs will host a regional quarterfinal match Jan. 23 while the Lady Pirates will be on the road.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ron and Sue Green with Nancy and Bob Koran
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Beachplace Welcome Back Party

On Friday, Jan. 17, Beachplace welcomed back its residents for the season with a party. Attendees enjoyed cocktails and appetizers as they reunited with old friends and met new ones.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A crowd looks over six pianos, decorated by local artists, before a concert event Friday. The pianos, part of the Sarasota Keys project, will be located in various downtown locations through May.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 17, 2014
Sarasota Keys pianos make downtown debut

The interactive downtown piano project officially kicked off this evening with a brief concert event at Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Keys

Music and art fans filled Five Points Park Friday, Jan. 17, for the unveiling of the six pianos decorated for the Sarasota Keys public art project. Guests admired the pianos before enjoying a live performance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Janine Aylward, Lauren Wailand and Makra Brannon attended last year's Beertopia event.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 17, 2014
Weekend Best Bet: Beertopia

Gold Coast Eagle Distributing will host a beer festival for a good cause Saturday night.

  • East County
  • News
American Airlines recently announced it would continue its nonstop flights from Sarasota-Bradenton to Washington's Reagan International Airport.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 17, 2014
SRQ reports drop in air traffic, passengers

Data indicates general aviation traffic, total aircraft operations and the number of passengers all dropped at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in 2013 compared with the year prior.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heritage Harbour South District Manager Greg Cox and District Counsel Andy Cohen discuss l lawsuit options with supervisor Lee Bettes and Vice Chairwoman Michelle Patterson at the eritage Harbour South CDD meeting Jan. 16.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 17, 2014
Supervisors of Heritage Harbour South CDD explore lawsuit options

Heritage Harbour South CDD supervisors may choose to press forward in a lawsuit for "shotty workmanship" that cost the development district about $16,800.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 17, 2014
City Commission to review lift station recommendations

Five months after the city hired a new engineering firm to oversee the construction of Lift Station 87, commissioners will hear the group's proposal for finishing the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Town Clerk’s office is located at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 17, 2014
Town seeks volunteers for police pension board

The Town Clerk's office is located at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pablo Rodriguez, pictured with his family of aerial artists, was inducted into the St. Armands Circle Circus Ring of Fame last year.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 17, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: 27th Annual Circus Ring of Fame

Four new members will be inducted to the Circus Ring of Fame Sunday, at St. Armands Circle Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents believe the lack of lighting in the Broadway area poses a safety threat to pedestrians crossing Gulf of Mexico Drive to head to the Broadway beach access.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 17, 2014
Village intersection receiving more light

The west portion of the intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway will receive a lighted sign and a light on top of the sign.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

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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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A car carrier operator unloads a Corvette on Bay Isles Road, the town of Longboat Key’s designated dropoff and pickup area for car carriers.
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