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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2013
Our View: Abolish the system

The cynical view is this: Florida Gov. Rick Scott has turned out to be just like the others - another narcissistic politician who lusts for power and will do whatever it takes to buy votes with payoffs.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2013
News Briefs

DID seeks a new board member

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2013
SIDELINES

Riverview Rams prove victorious on Senior Night; Blazers top Cougars in basketball overtime; Mooney Cougars tame the LWR Mustangs; Thunder's season comes to a close with loss

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 31, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Natasha Wilcox

Sarasota High School senior small forward, Natasha Wilcox, first hit the basketball court at the age of 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
1,000 — The career number of points for Riverview High senior Co-Capt. Gianna Vastola, who scored 16 points to help lead the Lady Rams to a 65-32 victory over Palm Harbor University in the Class 8A-District 8 semifinals Jan. 29.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2013
JUST THE STATS

8 - The number of Sarasota High boys soccer players who played their final game in a Sailors uniform after falling to Braden River 2-1 in overtime of the Class 4A-District 11 quarterfinals Jan. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Miracle League of Manasota baseball player Seth Morano enjoyed spending time with the Baltimore Orioles players, including Jim Johnson, far right. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 31, 2013
Orioles tee off for charity

The Baltimore Orioles will host their third annual Birdland Golf Classic Feb. 20, at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The chapel stands on 12.5-foot stilts in case of flooding.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • January 31, 2013
Divine Design: Siesta Key Chapel

Siesta Key Chapel once held services in the auditorium of Out-of-Door School (now Out-of-Door Academy).The raindrops on the tin roof would often drown out the Rev. Dr. James Blackwood's voice.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Frank Segretti Jr. and his parents hope their renovation will attract both locals and tourists. Photo by Yaryna Klimchak.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2013
BUSINESS OBSERVER

City Pizza doubles in size; Mandala Med Spa adds hoop dancing

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Unit 101 at 101 Whispering Sands Drive has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,271 square feet of living area. It sold for 329,900. Photos by Yaryna Klimchak.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 31, 2013
Home in Sandy Hook sells for $1,375,000

A home in Sandy Hook tops all transactions in this week's real estate. James Fellows, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 172 N. Sandy Hook to Tomas and Sofia Fiedler, of Sarasota, for $1,375,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paula Lunn submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2013
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Paula Lunn submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 31, 2013
Sarasota Christian School broadens students' horizons

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade partnered with international schools to promote global learning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The late Jay Starker, middle, with his band, the Gathering of the Exiles. Courtesy.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 31, 2013
Scholarship aims to keep the arts alive among Sarasota youth

Jessika Arman has established a youth arts scholarship in the memory of her late cousin, Jay B. Starker.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 394 S. Shore Drive has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,031 square feet of living area. It sold for $900,000. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 31, 2013
Home in Sapphire Shores sells for $900,000

A home in Sapphire Shores tops all transactions in this week's real estate. David and Joanne Hofstetter, trustees, sold the home at 394 S. Shore Drive to Helma South Shore LLC for $900,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Stanley Axelrod submitted this sunset photo, taken from Centennial Park in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2013
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Stanley Axelrod submitted this sunset photo, taken from Centennial Park in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River’s Charity Landrum is fouled while going up for a layup.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River vs. Manatee

The Braden River High girls basketball team cruised to a 58-23 victory over Manatee in the Class 7A-District 11 quarterfinals Jan. 28.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tennis pro Claudiu Retean struts down the catwalk.
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys (Part 3)

The Longboat Key Garden Club's "Taste of the Keys" included a fashion show featuring Island Pursuits designs and tasting stations from local restaurants. Proceeds from the event went toward scholarships and grants for aspiring horticulture students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gale Mills serves lollipop lamb chops to Pam Hagan.
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys (Part 2)

The Longboat Key Garden Club's "Taste of the Keys" included a fashion show featuring Island Pursuits designs and tasting stations from local restaurants. Proceeds from the event went toward scholarships and grants for aspiring horticulture students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lydia Bohn and Eva Saunders
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys (Part 1)

The Longboat Key Garden Club's "Taste of the Keys" included a fashion show featuring Island Pursuits designs and tasting stations from local restaurants. Proceeds from the event went toward scholarships and grants for aspiring horticulture students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dee Binney and Beverly Shapiro
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Shannon Gault demonstrates Ikebana style

Shannon Gault, who recently returned to Florida after a 14-year stint in Kobe, Japan, shared the art of Ikebana flower arranging with the Longboat Key Garden Club Tuesday, Jan. 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch forward Delaney Riggins prepares to fire a shot to the corner during the Lady Mustangs 1-0 victory over Plant City in the Class 4A-Region 3 finals.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch at Plant City

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team defeated Plant City 1-0 in the Class 4A-Region 3 finals Jan. 29. Forward Angelica Rego scored the lone goal of the match off a cross from defender Tatum Young in the 36th minute.

  • East County
  • Sports
A foodie does Gulf Gate
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 30, 2013
Jan. 30: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Email urges commission shake-up; SCAT creates 16 full-time positions; SMR, Tampa Lightning announce partnership; A foodie does Gulf Gate

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Observer Editor/CEO Matt Walsh toasts Senior Editor Dora Walters.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 30, 2013
VIDEO: Dora Walters' retirement celebration

More than 100 people packed the Longboat Key Center for the Arts to celebrate Senior Editor Dora Walters' retirement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Hall now provides a direct deposit checking account option for its customers.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 30, 2013
Direct deposit available at Town Hall

Water users sick of sending in checks to pay for their bills have a new option.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jinny Johnson and Virginia Sanders
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Dora Walters Retirement Party (Part 2)

Dora Walters, former Longboat Observer senior editor, officially retired Tuesday, Jan. 29. More than 150 friends and former sources turned out to the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a division of the Ringling College of Art and Design, for a party to congratulate Walters on her 26-year tenure with the Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 30, 2013
Manatee County Schools seeking input on 2013-14 proposed school calendar

A proposed school calendar for the 2013-2014 school year in Manatee County Schools would include a start date of Aug. 19, 2013, and an end date of June 9, 2014.

  • East County
  • News
Cheryl Gaddie thanks the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce for choosing her as 2012 Business Person of the Year. She said “it takes a whole village to be a village.”
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce holds Annual Awards Luncheon

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Meeting and Business Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Libby's Cafe and Bar to recap the year and award businesses for their good work. About Eighty five people attended the event where seven awards were given to local Siesta Key businesses for their commitment to the community and for a job well done.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Bill Sceva and Dora Walters
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Dora Walters Retirement Party (Part 1)

Dora Walters, former Longboat Observer senior editor, officially retired Tuesday, Jan. 29. More than 150 friends and former sources turned out to the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a division of the Ringling College of Art and Design, for a party to congratulate Walters on her 26-year tenure with the Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The seminar is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 at the Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 30, 2013
Police department to hold free seminar on avoiding scams

The seminar will include training on how to avoid becoming a victim of the emerging crime trends, fraudulent tax schemes, and identity theft.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 30, 2013
Pine View student to appear on Jeopardy! Teen Tournament tonight

Arjun Byju will be one of 15 high school students from around the country competing for $75,000

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2013
Lady Mustangs advance to Final 4

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team defeated Plant City 1-0 in the Class 4A-Region 3 finals Jan. 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota County commissioners approved of a plan to save thousands by wrapping buses to look like trolleys for a Siesta Key route.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 30, 2013
SCAT creates 16 full-time positions

Sarasota County commissioners Jan. 29, approved the creation of nine Sarasota County Area Transit positions and the conversion of 17 part-time employees to seven full-time employees.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 30, 2013
Email urges commission shake-up

IPOC President Bob White's email to Longboat residents asks for help to 'throw the rascals' on the commission out of office.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Club and Resort General Manager Jeff Mayers believes the town must market the Key to a younger generation.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 30, 2013
Town debates revitalization effort

Longboat Key residents have expressed frustration that it will take a town-hired consultant more than a year to update town codes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chuck and Margie Barancik. File photo.
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 30, 2013
Key couple's donation inspires others

When Chuck and Margie Barancik learned about Season of Sharing in early January, they immediately wanted to donate - anonymously.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Key coastline near the Broadway Beach Access was dotted with umbrellas and towels Tuesday. Photos by Kurt Schultheis.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 30, 2013
Mild weather heats up business

Restaurants and hotels are filling up, and it isn't even spring break yet.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 30, 2013
Association must sign off on Colony renovation

Two weeks ago, Colony Association President Jay Yablon saidopening up units is not an Association-sanctioned activity.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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