Your Observer

Observer Staff
August 29, 2013

Our View: Common Core: Dump it

Common Core Standards. Put them in the same tin can as Obamacare.

Sarasota
Opinion

By David Levin
August 29, 2013

My View: City's challenge paved the way

Kudos on a well-written celebration of the Ringling Bridge's 10th anniversary in last week's edition.

Sarasota
Opinion

Observer Staff
August 29, 2013

Moments in time

Low-speed vehicles may be the hot topic on Siesta Key right now, but it isn't the first time a low-speed mode of transportation has come into question. Motorized bicycles became the topic of conversation in 1976 on Siesta Key.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
August 29, 2013

SIDELINES

Lady Blazers notch come-from-behind win; Sailors breeze to Kickoff Classic win

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
August 29, 2013

JUST THE STATS

2 - The number of games Booker High quarterback Jeremiah Henderson has played at the position.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
August 29, 2013

Oyster Bay Estates home sells for $1.81 million

A home in Oyster Bay Estates tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Leonard Slazinski, of Sarasota, sold his home at 1329 S. Lake Shore Drive to Yves Cremieux for $1.81 million.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
August 29, 2013

Observer Weather: Sarasota

Samantha Bisceglia submitted this photo of a lifeguard stand on Siesta Key Beach.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nolan Peterson
August 28, 2013

Beach improvements top county's agenda

The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners met Wednesday to discuss issues from puppies to speed limits.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
August 28, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: ODA vs. Sarasota Christian School

The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team defeated Sarasota Christian 25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 25-21 Aug. 26. Natalie Buffett powered the Lady Thunder with 16 kills, 14 perfect passes and eight digs. Lauren Maxey added 13 kills and three aces. Cameron Graham finished with 17 perfect passes and 16 digs. Setter Monica Costa had 37 assists.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
August 28, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: YLA Educational Luncheon

The Lakewood Ranch Young Leaders Alliance met Wednesday for an educational luncheon. Guest speaker Marc Simms led the discussion on the importance of networking with a presentation.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
August 28, 2013

Commission delays decision on property-tax break for seniors

At its meeting Tuesday, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to put the topic on its legislative agenda for next year, hoping lawmakers would close loopholes in the proposal by then.

East County
News

Yaryna Klimchak
August 28, 2013

Goodwill dresses veterans for success

Goodwill Manasota helps veterans dress for success to prepare them for job interviews and the Veterans and their Families Jobs Services Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Ed Smith Stadium.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
August 28, 2013

Swan keeper seeks community donations

The Regal Swan Foundation has agreed to a multi-year effort to help swan keeper David Novak with the Key's swan population.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
August 28, 2013

Observer babies make headlines

It happens once in a blue moon: The Observer welcomed two new additions to its family on the same day! East County Observer Managing Editor Pam Eubanks and Sarasota Observer Managing Editor Randi Donahue each welcomed their first child into the world Aug. 22 (two days after the blue moon).

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
August 28, 2013

Virginia Sanders nest yields 115

A nest named for a top turtle recently hatched at 6429 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
August 28, 2013

Town Hall's cake connoisseur retires

Eva Waldroup, Town Hall's popular receptionist and cake-maker, officially retired this year after 10 years of service.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
August 28, 2013

Commissioner is a proud new grandpa

Commissioner Jack Duncan has taken on an additional responsibility. He and his wife, Debbie, are the proud new grandparents to Liam James Webster.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
August 28, 2013

Arrest made in 7-Eleven robbery

Sarasota County deputies arrested the 42-year-old ex-sister-in-law of the clerk who was robbed Aug. 18.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
August 28, 2013

BUSINESS & PLEASURE: Charles Nechtem Associates Inc.

A Longboat Key-based company continues to thrive five years after its relocation from New Jersey. The company is also attracting its clients to the Key for annual meetings.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
August 28, 2013

All eight employees enter DROP

Every general employee eligible to enter the DROP for five years while also working is taking the town up on its retirement offer.

Longboat Key
News

Josh Siegel
August 28, 2013

PURPOSEFUL PHOTOS

A year ago this month, three East County women started the 52-Week Challenge, a photo-sharing, web-based project they created to unite photographers.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
August 28, 2013

U.S. Coast Guard sets parameters for bridge

The potential bridge, which would provide a path into Lakewood Ranch and complete the long-planned 44th Avenue East extension, will at least require an environmental assessment.

East County
News

Observer Staff
August 28, 2013

IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Andrea's

This week we went in the kitchen with Andrea Bozzolo, owner of Andrea's, for a homemade ravioli dish. Get the full recipe and watch an instructional video in this week's In the Kitchen.

Siesta Key
News

Josh Siegel
August 28, 2013

Archway represents sky-high idea

On the property of the future Mall at University Town Center, a 40-foot-by-60-foot archway, a mock-up of a ceiling system, will come down in January to make way for the real thing.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
August 28, 2013

State considers selling land at Manatee State Park

A preliminary surplus-lands list from the State Department of Environmental Protection includes Manatee State Park land on a list of 5,300 acres in Florida that the state will potentially sell. The move is part of a plan to buy property with greater conservation value.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
August 28, 2013

Residents wait for GreyHawk Landing's new amenity center

There's been progress on the new pool and amenity center in GreyHawk Landing West, but the lights are still out for public use.

East County
Neighbors

Heather Merriman Saba
August 28, 2013

Chapel statue reported stolen

A 2.5-foot-tall statue was stolen this month in the Longboat Island Chapel's garden. Parishioners want the statue returned, no questions asked, as soon as possible.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
August 28, 2013

County stops billing town for trolley

The town of Longboat Key refuses to pay Manatee County for its trolley service. The county stopped sending bills, but it now must find a way to fund the route.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
August 28, 2013

Town plans to get charter back on track

A referendum voters approved in November is null and void unless the Legislature reverses its course in early 2014.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
August 28, 2013

NEWS BRIEFS

Longboat Key burglaries decrease 62.5%; Holiday schedule changes

Longboat Key
News

Nolan Peterson
August 28, 2013

Groin debate affects renourishment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Sarasota County are debating whether or not a plan to include groins is the right course of action for the Big Pass dredging project.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
August 28, 2013

Letters to the Editor

Three wise men came to a special Town Commission meeting Aug. 14, and one of them was a woman. They came to bring wisdom to this town. Instead, they bore witness to the demise of a long-awaited opportunity to bring fairness to the taxpayers and non-unionized employees.