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Your Observer

Juliana plays in the water fountain.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Downtown Sarasota Craft Show

Sarasota arts-and-crafts lovers filled the bayfront, Saturday May 18 and Sunday, May 19, for the 10th annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival. Attendees browsed vendors' booths in search of the perfect purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2013
Manatee School Board holds budget workshop

The Manatee County School Board will meet at 4 p.m. tonight, at the School Board office, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradeont. to discuss the 2013-14 fiscal year budget.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jack Black and Melanie Massell
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Republican Club Barbecue

Members of the Longboat Key Republican Club met Sunday, May 19, at the Sarasota Yacht Club, for their regular meeting. Members mingled poolside and enjoyed food and beverages, as well as live music.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alexandria Campbell, Derek Wyoumanf , Chloe Eagen and Sandy Zanetti
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Booker High School Prom

Booker High School students attended the prom Saturday, May 19 at Michael's On East to complete a memorable milestone. Students chose a Lucky Hearts Ball theme, which was very much like Las Vegas. Approximately 220 students attended the prom.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alexis Dinenberg is crowned queen at the Cobalt Dance.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Pine View Cobalt Dance

Pine View students packed the dance floor Saturday, May 18, at the Municipal Auditorium for the traditional Cobalt Dance. The dance that was started as a potluck dinner in a chemistry classroom has grown tremendously since the 1970s. Students still uphold the tradition of the Pine Cone Awards and hand them out to classmates with quirky talents. Juniors put on the dance for the seniors and chose an Italian theme for Cobalt 2013.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Walkers started around 1 p.m. May 18.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Relay for Life

East County residents rallied in the fight against cancer, as they participated in the Lakewood Ranch Relay for Life May 18 and May 19, at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA.

  • East County
  • News
Macy Duregger, Daniella Castrogiovanni and Rachel Levy checked out the auction items.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 18, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Nolan Nights

Nolan Middle School hosted its annual Nolan Nights fundraiser Saturday, May 18, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
Supporters of a cleaner environment join hands.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 18, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Hands Across the Sands

Community members joined hands Saturday, May 18 on Siesta Key beach as a symbol of their support for the protection of coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife and fisheries. Supporters voiced their concern about damage that happens due to offshore oil drilling accidents, hydraulic fracturing, the Alberta tar sands, mountain top removal mining, and about coal fired power plants. Forty-two people joined hands for the Hands Across the Sand national movement.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
ODA eighth-grader Jason Fineberg returns an interception 28 yards.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 18, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA at Northside Christian

The Out-of-Door Academy fell to Northside Christian 17-13 in its spring game May 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sen. Bill Galvano, center, brought out his family — William, wife Julie, Jacqueline and Michael.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 18, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Phil Galvano Classic

Education and golf enthusiasts joined forced May 17, as they hit the golf course for the Phil Galvano Golf Classic, at The Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Co-Chairs Ashley Gruters and Montana Taplinger
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 18, 2013
Chic in the City: A Fashionable Gala

Chic in the City: A Fashionable Gala

  • Black Tie
Chris and Coach Billy Donovan with ESPN's Howie Schwab
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 17, 2013
Dick Vitale Gala

Dick Vitale Gala

  • Black Tie
Fourth grader Skyy Lind faces the judges.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 17, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : 2013 Sarasota Kiwanis Spelling Bee

Children from all over Sarasota County participated in the 2013 Sarasota Kiwanis Spelling Bee Program Friday, May 17 at the Lee Wetherington Boys and Girls Club. More than 100 third and fourth graders in bright yellow t - shirts competed to show off their skills and win one of three cash prizes. Booker High School and Sarasota High School Key Club sold pizza for $1 a slice and parents quizzed children in preparation for the spelling bee.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carlos Crawford edges past defense during a practice drill.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 17, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High Pirate Bowl

Braden River High School hosted the fourth annual Pirate Bowl fundraiser May 17.

  • East County
  • News
Attrition won't cover all Manatee School staff cuts
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 17, 2013
May 17: Daily Headlines Video

Top Stories: Chapman, Atwell sworn in today at City Hall; Attrition won't cover all Manatee School staff cuts; Heritage Harbour ends lawsuit; Crosby begins Mote leadership role; Popcorn Bob's Movie Magic

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 17, 2013
Girls Incorporated wins NASA grant

NASA has awarded Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County the a grant for the implementation of NASA's Summer of Innovation Program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
City Clerk Pamela Nadalini swears in Suzanne Atwell and Susan Chapman, who were elected Tuesday.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 17, 2013
Shannon Snyder selected as city of Sarasota mayor

Commissioners applaud Turner; at-large commissioners Atwell and Chapman are sworn in.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Avery Johanning, Tucker Gravly, Grace Hollingsworth and Noelle Tenaglia sing the Kindergarten Song for parents in the sanctuary.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 17, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : First Presbyterian Butterfly Ball

First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota hosted their annual Butterfly Ball Friday, May 17 at the fellowship hall for the graduating preschoolers. In prior years parents organized a silent auction and celebration for the children but this year the silent auction was held at Michael's on East in April. Children enjoyed pizza, watermelon, and dancing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Heritage Harbour South CDD Chairwoman Joyce Sandy signs the settlement agreement.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 17, 2013
Heritage Harbour ends lawsuit

The Heritage Harbour South Community Development District and Stoneybrook Investors ended Thursday night a longstanding legal dispute.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 17, 2013
OBITUARY: Marcelyn Jean Henrikson

Marcelyn Jean "Marcy" Henrikson, 79, of Elgin, Ill., and Longboat Key, died May 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
President Emeritus Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, outgoing board chairman Robert Carter, incoming board chairman Gene Beckstein, and Mote President/CEO Dr. Michael Crosby
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 17, 2013
Crosby begins Mote leadership role

Dr. Michael Crosby took the helm of Mote yesterday following the retirement of Dr. Kumar Mahadevan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The event will begin at Main Street and Osprey Avenue.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 17, 2013
Downtown Memorial Day Parade planned

At the conclusion of the parade, a ceremony will be held at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park at Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 16, 2013
BRSC tryouts upcoming

The Braden River Soccer Club will hold tryouts for its competitive soccer teams May 28 through June 2.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 16, 2013
Lakewood wins academic championship

Lakewood Ranch High was named the Florida High School Athletic Association's Class 6A Academic Team Champion for the 2012-13 school year.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2013
Parrot Head party cancelled

The party, planned for Saturday in Esplanade in Lakewood Ranch, has been cancelled by organizers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 16, 2013
Forty Carrots Family Center welcomes new executive director

The board voted unanimously to select new Executive Director Michelle Kapreilian, who has been involved with Forty Carrots as a volunteer for a number of years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In March, the district announced it will eliminate 188 staff positions for the 2013/2014 school year to address non-conformance with state class-size requirements.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 16, 2013
Attrition won't cover all Manatee Schools staff cuts

An unknown number of Manatee County teachers are likely to lose their jobs as the district looks to cut positions.

  • East County
  • News
Willis students duct tape principal
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 16, 2013
May 16: Daily Headlines Video

Top Stories: Truck drives through mangroves on Longboat Key; CONA opposes changes to Sarasota 2050 plan; Bay Isles home sells for $4.75 million; Willis students duct tape principal

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dawn Mims and Debra Fortosis
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: LBKC Networking Luncheon

More than 40 people attended the monthly Longboat Key Chamber networking lunch Thursday, May 16, at the Sand Dollar Rooftop Restaurant in the Holiday Inn on Lido Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Police Department officers reported a man lost control of his truck in the middle of the Key Thursday morning.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 16, 2013
Truck drives through seagrapes on Longboat Key

A white pickup truck lost control on Gulf of Mexico Drive Thursday, putting two holes in a stretch of seagrapes that sit across from the town's two mobile home parks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kids get pumped to go outside and play games after they graduated from preschool.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Forty Carrots Graduation Celebration

Staff said goodbye to 28 preschoolers Wednesday, May 15 at Forty Carrots during their preschool graduation and dance party. Parents had their camera's ready as kids put on their orange graduation caps and sang a song before heading outside to play, eat and dance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2013
Willis students duct tape principal

Students Willis Elementary School, in Lakewood Ranch, duct taped their principal and physical education teacher to the wall Wednesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2013
Manatee County honors fallen officers

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 16.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2013
Culinary roots

Trevor Kunk is the chef de cuisine at Blue Hill in New York City's Greenwich Village, which the James Beard Foundation just named "most outstanding restaurant."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2013
Bright lights

Sarasota native and resident Bri Oliva made her TV debut May 7, on the "Rachael Ray Show." Oliva was selected to participate in a segment called "Hidden Dangers on the Playground."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Terry Turner, 72 plans to take some time to recharge.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 16, 2013
Fiscal frontrunner: Terry Turner

Terry Turner lobbied for a strong city manager role and redevelopment on the North Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
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Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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