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Your Observer

Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2014
School board

Please send your school and classroom news, events and extraordinary efforts to Community Editor Harriet Sokmensuer, [email protected].

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harriet Sokmensuer. This home at 1456 Point Crisp Road has four bedrooms, five baths, one half-bath, a pool and 4,867 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.7 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 9, 2014
Home in Point Crisp sells for $3.7 million

John and Lynn Noble, of Northampton, Pa., sold their home at 1456 Point Crisp Road to Michael Mitchell, of Sarasota, for $3.7 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Andrea McDaniel submitted this sunset photo, taken in December.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Andrea McDaniel submitted this sunset photo, taken in December.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The current intersection at Beach and Midnight Pass roads is a heavlily-trafficked thouroghfare due to offsite beach parking areas at nearby properties.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2014
UPDATE: FDOT proposes Beach Road-Midnight Pass roundabout

A Florida Department of Transportation study found that a roundabout at the Beach Road-Midnight Pass Road intersection could help improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Gov. Rick Scott followed along to the Mixon’s presentation.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 9, 2014
Gov. Scott helps Mixon Farm celebrate 75th year

Florida Gov. Rick Scott came to East County Thursday, Jan. 9 to help Mixon Fruit Farm celebrate its 75th anniversary. Scott spoke at a luncheon at the farm.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2014
Sarasota: top issues to watch in 2014

The Sarasota Observer profiles some of the year's most pressing issues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The meeting will be held at Cardinal Mooney, Buchanan's alma mater.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 9, 2014
Mooney alumnus hosting cystic fibrosis fundraiser meeting

Buchanan is looking for help with organizing a golf tournament and coming up with ideas for smaller fundraising events. People can donate money, time or services says the Sarasota native.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Jaeger, one of six local artists selected to participate in the Sarasota Keys project, works on painting a piano that will be placed downtown Jan. 17.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 9, 2014
Sarasota Keys announces kickoff event

On Friday, Jan. 17, the project that will place six pianos on public property downtown will officially begin with a brief concert at Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The night was filled with performances including Marguerite Barnett who danced to drums.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY:Friends of the Selby Library Crystal Ball

The Friends of Selby Library held its fourth annual Crystal Ball Wednesday, Jan. 8. The night was full of food, dancing, magic and psychic readings. Guests enjoyed the downtown library after hours with live entertainment and spiritual fun while benefitting the Friends of the Selby Library.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city provided this image as an example of what Bird Key parking areas will look like after brick pavers are installed over the next month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 8, 2014
Bird Key parking upgrades begin

For the next month, the drivable grass parking areas in Bird Key Park will be under construction as the city installs brick pavers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dan DeLeo and Pam Truitt
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Club meeting and luncheon

Members of the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club met for lunch Wednesday, Jan. 8. Director of Community Investment at Gulf Coast Community Foundation Jon Thaxton mediated the luncheon discussion that included the topics of the School Tax Referendum and Common Core.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
East County: top issues to watch in 2014

The East County Observer profiles some of the year's most pressing issues.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Longboat: top issues to watch in 2014

We compiled a look at some of Longboat Key's most pressing issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota and Manatee counties added roughly 1,000 jobs in November, with an unemployment rate of 6.1%.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 8, 2014
Unemployment rate falls in November

The North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area added about 1,000 jobs in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota city and county commissioners approved studies of three sites as potential locations for a homeless shelter.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 8, 2014
Local homeless plan moves ahead

Engineering firm Cardno TBE is preparing an estimate for environmental studies of three city of Sarasota sites picked to potentially house a 35-000-square-foot homeless facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will hear about the Del Tierra project at its meeting at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 9.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 8, 2014
Commissioners to review proposed 610-home community

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will review a plan for Del Tierra Thursday.

  • East County
  • News
Neal Communities Owner Pat Neal hopes to sell the company's 10,000th home in 2014.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 8, 2014
Local builder 'shatters' company record

Neal Communities recorded its most profitable year yet in 2013.

  • East County
  • News
For the month of January, admission to Florida state parks will be half-price for FSU and UCF fans. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 8, 2014
Half-price entry to Florida state parks for FSU and UCF fans

Admission to state parks will be half off Monday through Thursday during the month of January for anyone wearing FSU or UCF hats or shirts and students with current ID cards.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mi Pueblo offers an authentic Mexican menu and atmosphere at their locations in Sarasota and Venice.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Mi Pueblo

This week we went in the kitchen at Mi Pueblo, with owner Bonifacio Caro, while chef Julio prepares carne asada tacos with fresh salsa verde. Get the recipe and watch an instructional video in this week's 'In the Kitchen.'

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 8, 2014
School Board starts 2014 with controversy and congratulations

The Sarasota School Board's first meeting of 2014 highlighted some of the district's most noteworthy achievements and showcased a growing controversy over possible health hazards at an area elementary school.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Braden River junior defender Alex Cook maneuvers the ball up the field during the Pirates 1-0 loss to rival Lakewood Ranch Jan. 7.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Boys Soccer vs. Braden River

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team scored in the final two minutes to edge past district rival Braden River 1-0 Jan. 7. The two teams tied 0-0 in their previous meeting earlier this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Designed as a private resort, Ohana features two-and-a-half acres of Longboat Key beachfront. Photo by Ryan Gamma.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • January 8, 2014
Home of the Month: Dreams for Sale

The most expensive house in town lives up to its $22 million price tag.

  • Arts + Culture
Kelsey Grau. A great blue heron arrived at Save Our Seabirds in early January.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Babies on board at SOS

Baby-bird season is upon us. Save Our Seabirds sees an influx of our feathered friends at the beginning of each year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Send us your announcements

The Observer is seeking submissions for its announcements section, Occasions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Isabella Paspa, Linda Weber, Cindy Dasta, Jean Tarsy, Jean Zakovec and Mary Lou Decker
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Calling all angels at Frosty Frolic

Linda Weber and Jean Zakovec sparkled in angel costumes at last month's Frosty Frolic, earning them a spot in our 'Spirit of the Season' contest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beverly Peterman, seated, center, celebrates with her book club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Beverly Peterman turns the page on her Key life

After 18 years on Longboat Key, Beverly Peterman and her husband, Ira, are starting a new chapter: They're moving back to Connecticut to be near family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Reading rainbow

Students at Haile Middle School raised more than $6,000 to further the cause of reading late last month, after the school's language arts department hosted a fundraiser for the Ethiopia Reads! organization.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Gift giver

For Lakewood Ranch resident Doreen Degirolamo, the best Christmas gift was one she already had at home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2014
Tail tappin'

If Lakewood Ranch resident Helen Hagerty had a tail, it would be wagging.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Interim Transportation Director Jonathan Paul says local officials from both Sarasota and Manatee counties are working to resolve traffic issues surrounding the Mall at University Town Center.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Traffic at the mall at UTC

Local officials are working with the FDOT to improve the intersection of University Parkway and Interstate 75. Officials also hope to expand transit in the University Parkway corridor to alleviate traffic congestion associated with the mall.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Wemple. Manatee County Schools Superintendent Rick Mills believes changes in process, among other measures, will fix the district's budget woes.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Manatee School District budget

Superintendent Rick Mills hopes a competent team, stronger controls and community support help the district right its budget.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Sports Tourism

On its journey to become an international sports haven, the Sarasota-Bradenton area has completed the most difficult steps - the first two. Now, it's game time.

  • East County
  • News
Tasked with charting growth for Manatee County, John Osborne, an East County resident who developed the How Will We Grow plan over two years, believes opportunity for efficiencies should drive growth.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: How we will grow

Manatee County leaders are setting a new vision for growth.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Real estate

Realtors say they expect fewer investors to snatch homes off the market in the coming year, which will leave more inventory available from which primary homebuyers can choose.

  • East County
  • News
Josh Siegel. Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker views a fast-depleting indigent-care trust fund as a potential health care industry problem that extends beyond the people who benefit from the county’s assistance.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 8, 2014
Issues to Watch 2014: Indigent care

Manatee County officials and local health care professionals agree there is no easy solution as they brace for a potential health care crisis.

  • East County
  • News
Josh Siegel. After her mother's death, Ellen Gerth, with her husband, Dave, left, continues to run marathons and continues with her career, despite the fact that closure may never come.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 8, 2014
Lakewood Ranch murder remains unsolved

Two years after Ina Gross was murdered, her daughter says she still believes the Manatee County Sheriff's Office will arrest the killer.

  • East County
  • News
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