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Your Observer

Beau Rials and Jeff Limbacher attended the event last year as well.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch YMCA Sicilian Dinner

YMCA supporters ate food, participated in a silent auction and watched the Kentucky Derby at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA's Sicilian 2nd Annual Interactive Dinner May 4. Proceeds from the event, held at Polo Bar and Grill's Fete Ballroom, benefited the Lakewood Ranch YMCA's Change the Odds scholarship program.

  • East County
  • News
John and Regina Joly usually bet on a Kentucky Derby horse in Las Vegas.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Ultimate Derby Party

Lifetime horse enthusiasts Tommy and Jaymie Klauber hosted the sixth annual Ultimate Derby Party at their restaurant, Polo Grill and Bar, May 4. Racing fans received complimentary servings of traditional Kentucky Derby food, including hot browns, hand biscuits and grit cakes, while attendees watched the horse race on big screens.

  • East County
  • News
Marty Nichols and Mike Kaper showed off some Louisiana Crawfish
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Music Festival

Linger Lodge hosted the Braden River Music Festival and Gumbo Cook-off Saturday, May 4, at its restaurant and campground.'¨'¨'¨ The festival featured live bluegrass, Americana and Southern rock concerts and a gumbo cook-off, with festival attendees voting on the best-tasting gumbo.'¨'¨

  • East County
  • News
Jonathan Poyner addresses the crowd.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest

Sculptors and spectators packed the beach Saturday, May 4, at the 41st Annual Siesta Key Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest. Competitors carved their sculptures and soaked up some sun before judges awarded prizes. Andrew Dailey's pirate sculpture won several awards, including judge's choice and first place in the adult humorous category.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Paige Troyer crowns Nicole Wittmer queen.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Christian Banquet

Sarasota Christian School juniors and seniors dressed in their best formal wear Saturday, May 4, for the Junior and Senior Banquet. Each year, the juniors surprise the seniors by choosing a theme and decorating the school's gymnasium. Students enjoy a meal before the banquet king and queen are named. This year's king and queen were Hunter Drake and Nicole Wittmer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Prom queen Jaclyn Falconetti and prom king Alex Auchey had a slow dance after being announced.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Riverview High School Prom

Riverview seniors checked off on one of life's milestones Saturday, May 5 by attending prom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Riverview High School held their prom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for the first time since the ballroom could accommodate the 582 tickets sold. The theme was A Victorian Masquerade and Jaclyn Falconetti was announced prom queen and Alex Auchey prom king.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The entryway into the Amicus Center at the Frank Berlin Branch YMCA was decorated to go with the theme of the gala, ‘Night of the Jade Butterfly’.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 4, 2013
Going for the Gold 'Night of the Jade Butterfly'

Going for the Gold 'Night of the Jade Butterfly'

  • Black Tie
Olivia Thomas with chairwoman Denise West
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 4, 2013
SPARCC Princess and Pirate Ball

SPARCC Princess and Pirate Ball

  • Black Tie
Gary and Jennifer Contessa, Mari Zevin, and Kathie and Lee Pokoik
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Sarasota Yacht Club Kentucky Derby Party

The Sarasota Yacht Club held their 3rd Annual Kentucky Derby Party Saturday, May 4 to benefit scholarships for the study of Marine Sciences, Marine Engineering and Seamanship and to watch the 139th Kentucky Derby. Approximately 180 guests enjoyed mint juleps, derby appetizers, buffet, desserts, raffles and races. Women wore a variety of creative large hats and men wore colorful suits for the occasion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joe Hansen shines up the wheels of his 1961 Corvette.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Classic Corvettes On The Circle

Hundreds of people came out to see a wide variety of Corvettes at the Classic Corvettes On The Circle event Saturday, May 4 on St. Armands Circle. The event was presented by the Skyway Corvette Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bernie Gerstein plays the banjo at the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association Picnic. Gerstein is a snowbird that lives between Sarasota and Iowa.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Arlington Park Neighborhood Association Picnic

The Arlington Park Neighborhood Association held their annual picnic Saturday, May 4 at Arlington Park to get the community together. Approximately 25 neighbors attended and enjoyed hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, chips and beverages. Candidate Susan Chapman joined community members for the picnic.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Veteran marathoners Betsy and Peter Laughlin and James Williamson
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Girls on the Run 5K

Nathan Benderson Park played host to a Girls on the Run 5K May 4. Proceeds from the event, sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club, went to Girls on the Run, a program of Girls Inc. of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Josh Lim and Emily Golden with Victor Lema and Hailey Golden and Ethan Weaver and Rebekah Jones
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Unmask the Night - Lakewood Ranch Prom

Lakewood Ranch held their prom Friday, May 3, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sierra Schappacher, Jackie Schoff and Talli Sharp celebrate following Lakewood Ranch’s 8-3 victory over River Ridge in the Class 6A-Region 3 finals May 3.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch vs. River Ridge

The Lakewood Ranch High softball team defeated River Ridge 8-3 in the Class 6A-Region 3 finals May 3. With the win, the Lady Mustangs will advance to the Final Four May 10 in Vero Beach.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2013
Area teams fall in quarterfinals

Three local baseball teams saw their seasons come to an end in the regional quarterfinals May 2.

  • East County
  • Sports
City Commissioners discuss sound enforcement.
  • By Amanda Heisey
  • May 3, 2013
May 3: Daily Headlines Video

Top Stories: City Commissioners to discuss sound enforcement Monday; GMD lights modified for turtle season; Tennis Resorts Online names Key club No. 12 resort; Weekend Best Bets

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Meghan Pellatt and Chastanna Niemann
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Members of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce gathered Friday, May 3, for their regular luncheon at the Old Salty Dog. Members and guests socialized before enjoying a meal during the meeting.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Fifth grade teacher Donna McGarry’s class wins the 2007 World Series against the Atlanta Braves.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Ashton Elementary World Series

Ashton Elementary 5th graders played the 1992 and 2007 World Series games Friday, May 3 at Twin Lakes to have fun and use the baseball bucks they had been earning throughout the semester. Fifth grade teachers Donna McGarry and Stacy Sanders teamed up to organize the World Series day for the seventh year in a row. The idea started when one of McGarry's classes read 'In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson,' 12 years ago before she came to Ashton Elementary. This year teachers were granted the Edge of Excellence Grant for $500 that they used to purchase t-shirts for approximately 130 fifth graders.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pam Lutz of Austin Outdoor and Annette Gueli of Promotion Notions
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Corporate Sponsor Showcase

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance members mingled with the organization's sponsors and learned more about their products and services at the alliance's Annual Corporate Sponsor Showcase May 1. The event, held at the Polo Grill's Fete Catering Ballroom, featured expo displays, food and drinks.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 3, 2013
Weekend Best Bet: Braden River Music Festival and Gumbo Cook-off

Linger Lodge will host the Braden River Music Festival and Gumbo Cook-off Saturday, May 4, at the restaurant and campground, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton.'¨'¨

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A group of Waterline Road homeowners and nearby residents started a group called Preserve Our Waterline Road, Inc. and sent a petition to commissioners voicing their displeasure of a proposed development project.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 3, 2013
Development on Waterline Road delayed after public outcry

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioner's decision to continue a public hearing on the East Manatee housing proposal, called the Martin-Hillwood project, came after more than 20 Waterline Road homeowners, organized into a group called Preserve Our Waterline Road, Inc. (POWeR), voiced their displeasure with the plan at a meeting yesterday.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino and Sgt. Demetrios Konstantopoulos will present to City Commissioners in the afternoon session.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 3, 2013
City Commissioners to discuss sound enforcement Monday

Commissioners will also consider a city-fee waiver for the Chalk Festival; discuss a possible CRA extension.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Street light modifications on Gulf of Mexico Drive are being made for sea turtle nesting season.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 3, 2013
GMD lights modified for turtle season

Gulf of Mexico Drive lights are being modified by Florida Power & Light Co. to ensure safety of sea turtles during nesting season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A committee has chosen Stamford, Conn.-based JHM Financial Group LLC to redevelop the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 3, 2013
May 3: Morning Headlines

Morning Headlines: Colony subcommittee picks developer

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Out-of-Door Academy’s Bradford Jones, No. 6, throws the ball from the outfield.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA v. Christian Calvary

The Out-of-Door Academy lost to Clearwater's Calvary Christian Academy 1-0 in the Thursday, May 2, Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinal.

  • East County
  • Schools
The $4.5 million Tennis Gardens facility features 20 Har-Tru clay courts.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 3, 2013
Tennis Resorts Online names Key Club No. 12 resort

The Longboat Key Club & Resort was named a 2013 Gold Medal Tennis Resort by Tennis Resorts Online.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Officials OK 10th and 14th street roundabouts
  • By Amanda Heisey
  • May 2, 2013
May 2: Daily Headlines Video

Top Stories: City receives settlement offer on State-Street Sunshine complaint; Officials OK 10th and 14th street roundabouts; Bearadise Ranch preserves bears' history; Amateur sculptors carve their niches

  • Siesta Key
  • News
At least 240 athletes are registered for Sunday's race.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 2, 2013
Chamber seeks last-minute triathlon volunteers

Volunteers are needed for the Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon this Sunday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy image.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 2, 2013
Sarasota County schools select School-related Employee of the Year

The Sarasota County School District named Merscilla Gill as School-Related Employee of the Year for her positivity and commitment to the workplace.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The site of the planned garage is now home to a 139-parking space lot.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 2, 2013
City receives settlement offer on State-Street Sunshine complaint

Citizens for Sunshine made a settlement proposal to the city April 23 that would allow the city to move forward with the parking garage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
Key to the city

More than 100 community members and leaders, friends and family surprised Paul Thorpe, one of the founding members of the Downtown Association of Sarasota, April 25, at The Gator Club, to show their appreciation and celebrate the strides he's made for Sarasota over the past four decades.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michelle Stauffer. Photo by Yaryna Klimchak.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
Clean sweep

Roughly 38 volunteers picked up trash Saturday, April 27, on Siesta Key Beach, as part of Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
Our View: Onward with Atwell, Dorfman

You know the cliche: A picture is worth 1,000 words.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lift Station 87 is 90% complete. The city is slated to hire engineering firm McKim & Creed to complete the project.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 2, 2013
Lift station project progresses

Since December, Sarasota officials have been working to get a long-delayed and troubled $12.5 million lift-station construction project back on track.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Roundabout advocate Rod Warner says the first two roundabouts will bring “a remarkable” change to the bayfront.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 2, 2013
Officials OK 10th and 14th street roundabouts

The project is entirely funded, but construction work is still at least four years away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Proponents of narrowing this stretch of Fruitville Road say it is daunting to cross, and making the roadway two lanes instead of four would unite downtown with neighborhoods and commercial areas to the north.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 2, 2013
Fruitville stretch could lose two lanes

The concept would 'pedestrianize' the busy, four-lane roadway that cuts between downtown Sarasota and the Rosemary District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
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