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Your Observer

    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 21, 2013
Peter Arpke named semifinalist for James Beard award

The Beach Bistro chef is a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's "Best Chef of the South" award.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 21, 2013
Lakewood cheerleading tryouts upcoming

Lakewood Ranch High School will host cheerleading tryouts for the 2013-14 school year from 4-5 p.m. March 20-21 and 25-26.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jennifer Best Takeda, Andrew Lane and Isabelle Besançon. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
Flash mob

The Sarasota Orchestra surprised passengers at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport with an impromptu musical flash mob Monday, Jan. 21, to entertain and demonstrate Sarasota Orchestra's energy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
Hitting hope

Special Olympics of Florida Athletes got to spend a day in the life of a Boston Red Sox baseball player Saturday, Feb. 16, as part of the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Baseball Camp, at the Red Sox's spring training facility in Fort Myers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 21, 2013
Rick Mills selected superintendent of Manatee County Schools

The Manatee County School Board chose Rick Mills, a former military man and chief executive officer of Minneapolis Public Schools, as its superintendent Wednesday night.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 21, 2013
Drainage construction set to start after the season

Sarasota County staff expects the Beach Road stormwater enhancements to be complete in December.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Young Advocates for Sarasota mentor Casey Colburn, second from left, talks politics with Sean Duade, Rochelle Dudley, Chris Laney and Vickie Brill. Photo by Alex Mahadevan.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 21, 2013
Young advocates find collective voice

A recently formed youth advisory group has gained politicians' attention.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • February 21, 2013
Commissioners continue Ringling Walmart appeal hearing to Feb. 26

Paint chips, zoning and the definition of a 'department store' were the debate topics during the first round of the appeal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"The live, work, play vision doesn't work until a project like this is built," Jesse Biter said.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • February 21, 2013
Entrepreneur Jesse Biter invests in downtown

If the deal for an acre of land on Second Street goes through, it would become Jesse Biter's fourth major downtown property investment in the last two years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 21, 2013
Candidates appeal to residential group

Sarasota City Commission hopefuls discussed growth, homelessness and the city budget during a Feb. 19 forum with the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
News Briefs

Commissioners deny Foxfire Golf Course re-zone

  • Sarasota
  • News
"This place is the Taj Mahal of senior centers," said volunteer and senior David Rinderle of the Senior Friendship center.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • February 21, 2013
Senior Friendship Centers brings people together

Laughter and chatter is heard as seniors sit around a flat-screen TV and play bowling on a Nintendo Wii.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Rev. Kelvin Lumpkin believes he’s a bridge builder who would make commission decisions with the whole community in mind.
  • By Kurt Schultheis and Roger Drouin
  • February 21, 2013
Election: Lumpkin ready to help community unify to combat issues

Kelvin Lumpkin believes crime needs to be curtailed in areas such as Newtown before revitalization can take flight in that community and on the North Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pete Theisen holds his "Pizza for Pete" fundraising events at Ringling Pizza.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • February 21, 2013
Election: Theisen isn't afraid to stand out from other candidates

The commission candidate wants to trim the city's budget and require developers to pay their way.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
Letters to the Editor

Citrus Square is good example; The sounds of business; Applause to editorials

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
CITGO Petroleum Co. light oils consultant Eddy Gorrin, CITGO Petroleum Co. Southern Region Marketing Programs Manager Joseph Minotti and Sarasota Military Academy JROTC instructor Riess Pellegrino. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • February 21, 2013
SCHOOL BOARD BULLETIN

Mr. Riverview; Fueling their futures; Life Skills; iPad intuition

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Third-grader Sophia Santiago helps second-grade teacher Heather Dachille demonstrate how to play the ‘ili’ili, or lava rocks.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • February 21, 2013
Teacher Spotlight: Heather Dachille

Every Wednesday afternoon, Southside Elementary second-grade teacher and Hawaii native Heather Dachille teaches students how to play Hawaiian instruments, count in Hawaiian and dance the hula.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
SIDELINES

Local wrestlers win medals at state tournament; Cardinal Mooney finishes second in Pope Cup; Sarasota softball swings past Lakewood Ranch; Riverview pitcher tosses no-hitter, allows one walk

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
JUST THE STATS

12 - The height in feet The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Tre Gregory cleared to set a new school record in the pole vault Feb. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County School board member Julie Aranibar won't face violation charges
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 21, 2013
Feb. 20: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Manatee County School board member Julie Aranibar won't face violation charges; Commissioners continue Ringling Walmart appeal hearing; Town gives ULI a second look; Gulf Gate Library opens at Sarasota Square Mall

  • Longboat Key
  • News
More than 500 couples pre-registered to renew their vows.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 21, 2013
Renewed Love: Couples take vows again on Siesta Key

They say love can weather any storm, and more than 500 couples arrived at the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion to prove it Thursday, Feb. 14, as part of the annual Valentine's Day vow renewal ceremony. Sarasota Parks and Recreation has hosted the ceremony every Valentine's Day for the last 28 years. Couples picked up flowers, had their photos taken and renewed their wedding vows.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Wemple
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 21, 2013
TOP SHELF: Paul Beggan

Osprey resident Paul Beggan offers a few takeaways from his long, high-level leadership career.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Autumn Senior Living starts construction; Princeton Review ranks New College as No. 3; Fresh Salon opens new location on Main Street

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 1798 Lincoln Park Circle has four bedrooms, two baths, one half-bath and 3,527 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,245,000. Photo by Yaryna Klimchak.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
Home on Hudson Bayou sells for $1,245,000

A home in Lincoln Park on Hudson Bayou tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Ralph and Carrie Major, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1798 Lincoln Park Circle to Priscilla Doulton, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1,245,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Mike Hang submitted this photo of a morning kayak on Little Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2013
Weather Photo: SPARKLE ON THE BAY

Mike Hang submitted this photo of a morning kayak on Little Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Honorees Madeline Brogan and Terry Stottlemyer
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 20, 2013
10th Annual Caring Hearts Luncheon

10th Annual Caring Hearts Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Ron Szymanski, Roger and Angie Gabarino and Pat Szymanski
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • February 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Puttin' on the Glitz

The Seaplace Condo Association pulled out their cocktail attire and jewels Wednesday, Feb. 20, for Puttin' on the Glitz, a dinner dance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • February 20, 2013
Operation nabs 30 in online predator sting

The suspects responded to Internet-based ads or social media posts and engaged in sexually explicit written and verbal conversations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Goodwill Grand Opening

Goodwill Manasota celebrated the grand opening of its new North Trail location, Tuesday, Feb. 19. Named after retired chief executive and his wife, the Peggy and Don Roberts Good Neighbor Center features a job connection center in addition to its regular store. 'This is a completely integrated Goodwill,' said CEO and President Bob Rosinsky. 'We're dedicated to providing first-class service to anyone in need in our community.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chuck Fuller battles wiregrass.
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • February 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Weeding Party

Members of the Longboat Key Garden Club held a weeding party Wednesday, Feb. 20, to beautify Bicentennial Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman cuts a ribbon to dedicate the temporary Gulf Gate Library. Commissioners Nora Patterson and Charles Hines look on.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 20, 2013
Gulf Gate Library opens at Sarasota Square Mall

Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Mason cut the blue ribbon to open the mall's temporary location Feb. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney’s Antonio Blakeley, No. 2, runs up the court with teammate Mitch Arimura, No. 34, and being followed by St. Petersburg Catholic’s Kevin O’Donnell, No. 12.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Cardinal Mooney versus St. Petersburg Catholic semi-final game

Cardinal Mooney played against St. Petersburg Catholic for the semi-final game Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Cardinal Mooney. The final score was Cardinal Mooney 55, St. Petersburg Catholic 51.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2013
Tractor Supply hosts FFA fundraiser

It's your last chance to celebrate National Future Farmers of America Week.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2013
East County shows support for teacher

A bone marrow drive for Nancy Newby saw success, with more than 100 people turning out to see if they could be a match for the McNeal Elementary School teacher.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2013
Meals on Wheels PLUS seeks donations, volunteers

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, which runs Manatee County's food bank, is seeking yarn donations. Volunteers use the yarn to crochet or knit blankets and slippers for needy seniors. Donations can be dropped off at 811 23rd Ave. E., Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
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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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