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Your Observer

Jane Albaum and Lois Barson
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • March 12, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Democratic Club Luncheon

The Longboat Key Democratic Club held its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 12, at the Longboat Key Club & Resort's Harbourside Dining Room. Ira Singer, a former district superintendent of schools, and vice mayor David Brenner were guest speakers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
One spot in the middle of the Key had signs placed for all six candidates this past week.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 12, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Election Day

Voting is currently underway at Longboat Island Chapel and Town Hall. Polls close at 7 p.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The site of the planned garage is now home to a 139-parking space lot.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • March 12, 2013
Sunshine complaint filed against city's State Street decision

The legal action alleges that the scoring and ranking of bidders on the $7.3 million State Street Parking Garage was changed outside of a public "sunshine" meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The ArtisTree Design and Dine Contest team unveils the landscaping plans for contest winners Missy and Kevin Cooper.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • March 12, 2013
Design and Dine Contest landscaping unveiled

When Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Cooper returns from work after April 25, he and his wife Missy won't have to feel far from the island in their Bent Tree home.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In her March 11 letter, Lori Dorman pointed to findings by an engineer hired by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the club's developer, who ran sound tests around the proposed property.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 12, 2013
Lakewood Ranch gun club gets second letter of intent to approve

Manatee County Hearing Officer Lori Dorman issued her second letter of intent to approve a special permit for the Ancient Oak Gun Club March 11.

  • East County
  • News
The video was part of a vision to "create a unique and fast moving piece to compliment the Do You SRQ Campaign.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 12, 2013
'American Ninja Warrior' performs parkour at SRQ

Sarasota resident and American Ninja Warrior competitor Sean Morris performs parkour at the Sarasota-Bradenton International airport as part of a marketing video by SRQ and Be Creative Studios.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 12, 2013
Leadbetter takes on new role

David Leadbetter was recently named the new Instruction Advisor at The Concession Golf Club

  • East County
  • Sports
A staff report recommends adjusting the 2013 fiscal year budget revenues upwards by — at most — $140,000 to fund the Chronic Homelessness Caseworker and Planning Program.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • March 12, 2013
City of Sarasota staff recommends homeless solution

City Manager Tom Barwin pitched the Chronically Homeless Master Caseworker and Planning Program in a March 5 memo to city and Sarasota County officials.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark and Dimity Carlson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 11, 2013
Town Hall Lecture Series featuring Captain Mark Kelly

Town Hall Lecture Series featuring Captain Mark Kelly

  • Black Tie
The car landed upside down in the bushes of Sea Oats condominium.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 11, 2013
BREAKING NEWS: Car flips on GMD

Police and firefighters are currently on scene in the 5600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Infinity condominium will be located on Longboat Key’s Gulf-side beach. Courtesy Rendering
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 11, 2013
Infinity project to add new condo inventory

The 11-unit planned condominium will replace the planned Bleu Claire development at 4765 Gulf of Mexico Drive to become the Key's first new condominium development in seven years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fewer Sarasota residents vote early in city election
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 11, 2013
March 11: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Fewer Sarasota residents vote early in city election; Traffic Advisory Council to consider Village parking; Manatee County to consider healthcare surtax; Black Tie Untied

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Early voting numbers at Town Hall were down when compared to a year ago.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 11, 2013
Early voting numbers are down from last year

The town of Longboat Key's early voting numbers are down when compared to last year's election.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Library is located at 555 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 11, 2013
Library sale takes place tomorrow

The Longboat Library's Election Day book sale runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jake Freeman of The Huntsmen
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Pickin' Picnic

Musicians and fans gathered Sunday, March 10, at the Cock and Bull for the second annual Pickin' Picnic event. Hosted by Faceless Bandits, the event featured nine bands, which played an all-day outdoor show, while fans chowed down on hot dogs and sliders.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 11, 2013
Manatee County to consider healthcare surtax

Manatee County commissioners will decide whether to move forward with a surtax to fund indigent health care in the community, during it's March 12 meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Charlie Lambert, 6, shows off the broccoli the class is growing.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • March 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Temple Beth Sholom students learn to garden

Students at Temple Beth Sholom learn about gardening and horticulture Monday, March 11 at The Papa Ed and Mimi Organic Sustainability Kibbutz Garden. With the help of a grant from Ed and Betty Rosenthal and the Jewish Federation kindergarten teacher Shonna Brody started the garden in August 2011. 'This was just a plot and I had a vision to start a garden here,' Brady says. Kindergartners water the plants and learn about the life cycle of a seed and middle schoolers experiment with different fertilizers. During harvest time students cook the food they grew in a solar cooker and the school donates much of the crop to Every Day Blessings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Short, Guenther Edelsbacher, Gina Spicer and Scott Lewis
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Chillounge Night

South Palm Avenue was transformed into an outdoor lounge party Saturday, March 9, for the sixth annual Chillounge Night. Outdoor furniture and cocktail bars lined the street, and guests enjoyed a Samba parade, a fashion show and live music by The Lotus Fire and AJ and The Automatics. Proceeds from the night benefitted United Cerebal Palsy of Southwest Florida.

  • Arts + Culture
Robert and Anita Montgomery are snowbirds from Ohio.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • March 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : The 37th Annual Pineapple Antique Show

The First United Methodist Church and the Rotary Club of Sarasota Sunrise Foundation Inc., held the 37th annual Pineapple Antique show Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9 to raise money community charities. An estimated 1600 people attended the show that had nearly 40 exhibitors from the U.S. and Canada. 'We have everything from exquisite jewelry, Asian antiques, urns, artwork, and hand-crafted tote bags made by parishioners,' says Nola Hietbrink, lay leader of First United Methodist Church. The show also offered crystal and glass repair and sterling - silver-matching service.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Amanda Yoder and Kelly Matteson
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Young Professionals Happy Hour

Members of the Sarasota Young Professionals Group unwound after work Thursday, March 7, at Mattison's City Grille during their regular happy hour. New and established members exchanged business cards over light food and drink.

  • Arts + Culture
Tim Daveler, Liz Huselid, Michael Perry, Thomas Krug, Art Jackman, Greg Hagopian, AJ Stickley and Steve Zimath
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • March 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Pound the Ground 5K

Runners ran in the first Pound the Ground 5K Saturday, March 9 at the celery fields to raise money to end child homelessness in King County. About 200 people attended the run that they had been planning for 2 months. The race included obstacles like an 8-foot wall, hurdles, and tires. 'We wanted to start something new and fresh in Sarasota and to utilize the parks we have for events like this,' said Event Organizer Jason Lancaster.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • March 11, 2013
Traffic Advisory Council to consider Village parking

The Sarasota County Traffic Advisory Council will hear a request from a property owner to prohibit street-side parking on Avenida De Mayo.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Janice Woods, Verla Heotis and Irene Ward promoted "Play for Pink" accessories.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Rosedale 'Play for Pink'

Nearly 90 golfers hit the greenways March 9, at the Rosedale Golf & Country Club, for the annual Play for P.I.N.K golf tournament and luncheon.

  • East County
  • News
At Town Hall tonight, a new mayor and vice mayor will be chosen for the coming year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 10, 2013
Longboat Key mayor and vice mayor selected tonight

The Town Commission will certify last week's election results and four commissioners will take an oath of office for additional service tonight.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Riverview’s Michael Moore hits a backhand shot.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: SHS v. RHS tennis

Sarasota High School and Riverview High school boys and girls tennis teams played one another Thursday, March 7 at Sarasota High School

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Residents paid attention to detail and decorated the pool with floating lily pad candles.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • March 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Gulf and Bay Luau

Residents at the Gulf and Bay Club held a luau Friday, March 8 by the pool to get residents together. Captain Curt's catered dinner which included a roasted pig. Lily pad candles floated in the pool as the sunset over the white sand beach on Siesta Key. Fire dancers performed for the residents and Marc Anthony played the music. 'We are looking for everyone to have a community affair and come together,' said event organizer Vern Johnson. Close to 250 people attended the luau.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
First graders performed a Peruvian bird dance with masks.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • March 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Bay Haven Latin Day

The students at Bay Haven School of Basic Plus turned classrooms into different Latin countries Friday, March 8 to learn about these countries. Students prepared a special project about their chosen country and at the end of the day each grade performed a dance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Toi and Sandy Estes credited their matching purple hues to “unintentional coordination.”
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: UPWC Diamond and Crystal Ball

The University Park Women's Club held its annual charity event, the Diamond and Crystal Ball, March 9. Themed 'A Night at the Copa,' the event featured an auction, with proceeds going to the Just for Girls Academy in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
The number of early voting was 198 voters below target compared to the 2011 City Commission election. During that election, 1,070 residents voted early.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • March 10, 2013
Fewer Sarasota residents vote early in city election

After a week of early voting, 198 fewer voters cast ballots compared to the 2011 City Commission election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emilie Pinho walked with her son, Matthew.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: MS Walk

East County residents gathered to support friends with multiple sclerosis March 9, during the Walk MS on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
Sixth-graders Ashley Cole and Karagan Murfin used chairs as props in their routine.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Haile Dance Off

Haile Middle School students kicked off their Spring Break with a special "So You Think You Can Dance" competition March 8, at the end of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Angela Mejicanos, Kelly Raggo and Serena Robins
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 9, 2013
Banyan Ball 'Back to Our Roots'

Banyan Ball 'Back to Our Roots'

  • Black Tie
Nancy and John Pappas with Annette Hogan
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • March 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: LBKCA Annual Community Juried Exhibition

The Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a division of the Ringling College of Art and Design, held its annual community juried exhibition Saturday, March 9. The show featured more than 250 submissions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Models: Joyce Leone, Linda Wilson, Joyce Giaconia, Nedra Duffy, Pat Viani, Betsy Marker, June Hartlieb and Susan Gorney
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Fashion Show

The Tara Golf & Country Club sashayed into a new season with its Spring Fashion Show March 8. Models, who are all members of the country club, wore Chico's clothing from the store in St. Armands Circle.

  • East County
  • News
Betty Rahm, Nancy Richardson and Valarie Evanko
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • March 9, 2013
Longboat Island Chapel's Aging in Paradise Health Fair

Aging in Paradise, an outreach program for seniors, hosted a health fair Saturday, March 9, at Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Jonathan Katz shows Suzanne Schuster Mazel, the temple’s seeing eye dog
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • March 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Shabbat Evening Service and Friday Night Live

Women On Our Own hosted the Shabbat Evening Service Friday, March 8, at Temple Beth Israel. The service concluded with a performance by the Friday Night Live ensemble, which consists of singers and percussion, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and organ players.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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