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Your Observer

Courtesy photo. Sarasota Ballet Artistic Director Iain Webb welcomed Cuban defector Edward Gonzalez to the ballet and freedom in March.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2013
Our View

High crime in Sarasota?; Hudgins for administrator; First dance of freedom

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 31, 2013
High 5

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 31, 2013
Just the Stats

This week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
ODA volleyball
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 31, 2013
Sidelines

ODA volleyball; Riverview Rams win district crown; Sarasota cruises to district titles; Cougars victorious at homecoming; Falcons open new athletic center

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lyons
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 31, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Sage Lyons

Sarasota High freshman Sage Lyons set a new school record: crossing the finish line in 18 minutes, 51 seconds at the Class 3A-District 10 cross-country meet Oct. 24, in Largo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 5415 Azure Way has three bedrooms, two baths, one half-bath, a pool and 3,063 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.1 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 31, 2013
Home in Siesta Isles sells for $1.1 million

Thomas Fuller, trustee, of Geneva, Ill., sold the home at 5415 Azure Way to Robert Hinkle and Brenda Hinkle, trustees, of Purcellville, Va., for $1.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Amy McCormack submitted this sunset photo, with Siesta Key in the background.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2013
Weather: Sarasota

Amy McCormack submitted this sunset photo, with Siesta Key in the background.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 31, 2013
Businesses seek sidewalk café expansion

The Downtown Improvement District endorsed a revision of a city ordinance so non-dining establishments can provide outdoor seating for their businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheryl Anderson and Kathy Davies
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 30, 2013
WBTT's Pre-Season Event

WBTT's Pre-Season Event

  • Black Tie
Sue Biter and Vivian Browning
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 30, 2013
The Wit and Wisdom of Aging

The Wit and Wisdom of Aging

  • Black Tie
Dirty dog Martin with owner Elizabeth wood who was his soap
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • October 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Humane Society of Sarasota's Doggie Parade

Decked out dogs spent their afternoon at the Humane Society of Sarasota's Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Parade, Wednesday Oct. 30.The parade was held at the Phillippi Farmhouse market. All proceeds benefitted the Humane Society.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lynne Bennett and Marcia Bachura
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • October 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Westfield Southgate Mall annual Fashion Show and Luncheon

Guests attended Baby Basics of Sarasota County and Westfield Southgate Mall annual Fashion Show and Luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Westfield Southgate Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Officials leasing the Mall at University Town Center also say they will be announcing more tenants soon.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 30, 2013
Daily Headlines: Oct. 30, 2013

Today's stories: Longboat Key partners with University of Florida; Sarasota Police to offer virtual ride-along; Nordstrom Rack prepares for grand opening; and MORE!

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Steve Thomas, Kassandra Moore and Keith Bomeline
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
Sanctuary turns scary for Halloween

Save Our Seabirds held its Scary Sanctuary Day, Saturday Oct. 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
Head back to school

The Longboat Key Education Center adds to its course load next week.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
Clock countdown

Daylight Saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 3, so you can catch up on your sleep.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
Sip and savor

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch is selling tickets for its annual Suncoast Food and Wine Festival, to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
Ballots ready! IRE contest continues

Voting for The Observer's 'It's Read Everywhere' photo contest continues until midnight Thursday, Oct. 31.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
Riding high

Seventy-five people biked across the state Saturday, Oct. 5, to raise funds and awareness for the Team Tony Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Panel: Mark Huey of the EDC of Sarasota County; Sharon Hillstrom of the Bradenton Area EDC; Mark Chait of Benderson Development and Dr. Donald O’Shea, president of New College of Florida
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Market Makers

The Manatee-Sarasota BIA Sales and Marketing Council presented a Market Makers event at Lakewood Ranch Country Club Wednesday morning. Matt Walsh, CEO and co-owner of The Observer Media Group, moderated a discussion by a panel of economic leaders.

  • East County
  • News
Monica Rice and Bobbie Sparks clean up friend, Linda Pretyka.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Pink Wig Party

River Club ladies celebrated breast cancer awareness month Oct. 28 at the Lakewood Ranch Hair Salon.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Follow @SarasotaPD on Twitter for public service announcements and safety messages.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 30, 2013
Sarasota Police to tweet from the streets

The Sarasota Police Department will offer a virtual ride-along for its Twitter followers with 'Tweet from the Beat' Friday, Nov. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Solvita model is one of 41 homes featured in this year's tour. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 30, 2013
Home tour traffic on the rise

Nearly 30% more visitors stopped by Lakewood Ranch visitor centers this weekend, compared to last year.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team defeated Seminole 3-0 in a Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinal match Oct. 29.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 30, 2013
Thunder, Mustangs advance to regional semifinals

The ODA and Lakewood Ranch High volleyball teams both won their regional quarterfinal matches Oct. 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
High school students and volunteers Damin Cartwright and Cheyenne Potter say scaring makes for a great date night.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 30, 2013
The Scream Team

The Haunted Ranch, which benefits the YMCA Adventure Guides program, became a scream, after volunteer zombies learned how to scare.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 30, 2013
School Board adjusts budget

Manatee School Board members have confidence in their new administration.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 30, 2013
Nordstrom Rack readies for opening

Officials leasing the Mall at University Town Center also say they will be announcing more tenants soon.

  • East County
  • News
Melissa Wandall still grieves the loss of her husband, Mark, who died Oct. 24, 2003, in a traffic accident caused by a red-light runner.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 30, 2013
Wandall Foundation celebrates 10 years

The organization currently is working to bring a bereavement camp for children to the area.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 30, 2013
Stoneybrook residents ready to take control

Hundreds of Stoneybrook residents gathered Oct. 28 to hear about how the community turnover will work.

  • East County
  • News
Kathie Micko and Maggie and Marko Sumney, of the Ghost Hunters SRQ, believe in spirits, but do so cautiously.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 30, 2013
Ghost Hunters skeptically chart paranormal activity

The Ghost Hunters SRQ, a Sarasota non-profit that uses science and tools to prove or disprove paranormal activity, shared their tactics with an audience full of believers in the paranormal at Braden River Library.

  • East County
  • News
Wonder
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
News Briefs

Bradenton woman vies for commission seat; East County Walgreens hosts drug drop-off; Manatee County to hide time capsule; Sandies Awards Brings New Feel this Year; Adoption of rescued dogs begins

  • East County
  • News
The Solvita model is a three-bedroom home available in the Haddinton section of Country Club East.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 30, 2013
Lakewood Ranch hosts annual 'Tour of Homes'

The 16th annual event features 41 model homes.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. River Club residents Elaine and David Lunkes recently traveled to Europe. The couple brought their favorite newspaper to Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Brussels.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
It's Read Everywhere

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. River Club residents Elaine and David Lunkes recently traveled to Europe. The couple brought their favorite newspaper to Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Brussels.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Oyster Bar offers a menu of fresh seafood as well as a fun atmosphere, with nightly live music, in the heart of the Siesta Key Village.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Siesta Key Oyster Bar

This week we went in the kitchen with chef Douglas Jennings of Siesta Key Oyster Bar, while he prepares shrimp and avocado ceviche. Get the recipe and watch an instructional video in this week's "In the Kitchen."

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Gray
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 30, 2013
High 5

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office
2
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back
3
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
4
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County
5
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

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