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Your Observer

Downtown advocate Forrest Shaw hopes an overlay would bolster redevelopment on the edge of downtown, such as the old Scotty’s Hardware property across from Payne Park.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 24, 2013
DID considers expansion

The proposal for an expanded tax district and overlay area is linked to a projected streetcar project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Walmart Supercenter, approved by the Sarasota Planning Board, would replace an empty Publix and mostly-shuttered storefronts at the Ringling Shopping Center.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 24, 2013
Walmart appeal scheduled for Feb. 19

The store's classification is at the forefront of the debate.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City commissioners want a leash law put into effect at Payne Park, but propose opening a dog park nearby. File photo.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 24, 2013
Commissioners consider new dog park downtown

Commissioner Shannon Snyder suggested that the city use vacant property near Payne Park as a dog park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tube Dude owner Scott Gerber sits in the window of his new storefront located at 1558 Main St. The showroom opened Jan. 18. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 24, 2013
Tube Dudes find new home on Main Street

Tube Dude owner Scott Gerber is seeing a lot of foot traffic at his new Main Street showroom location. Next up - a 15-foot-tall giraffe on the sidewalk.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
Letters to the Editor

Washington, D.C., chatter about the debt is just a scare tactic

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • January 24, 2013
My View: Celebrating 40 years of Friendship

Brother William Geenen turned the "Me Decade" into the 'We Decade' for Sarasota area seniors.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
Our View: Entrepreneurial spirit's alive

Here in Sarasota, Siesta Key specifically, we have proof yet again that, despite all efforts by our governments to squelch free enterprise, Americans still possess an unrelenting entrepreneurial spirit.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Gulf Gate Library Manager Jim Mitchell and teen coordinator Robert Vaura pack library supplies Friday, Jan. 18 in anticipation of the move to Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 24, 2013
Gulf Gate Library temporarily closes its doors

Sarasota County will demolish the building this spring, after contractors complete the design for the new library.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Taylor Morrison will use a California Tuscan design on five floor plans for homes in the Esplanade by Siesta Key.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 24, 2013
Developer plans Esplanade groundbreaking

Taylor Morrison will hold a ceremony Jan. 28, for the beginning of construction at Esplanade by Siesta Key, a 247-home community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Big Pass inlet has never been dredged.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 24, 2013
Sarasota eyes Big Pass for sand

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is analyzing the inlet as a sand source to renourish Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fish washed continuously ashore Siesta Key beaches for a week starting Jan. 17.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 24, 2013
Council urges continuation of beach cleaning

The same day of a red tide fish kill, the Tourist Development Council recommends a two-year extension of tourist taxes for beach beautification.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 24, 2013
Sarasota School Board hears request for cameras

District Safety and Security Manager Darrell Reyka is asking the school board for a capital budget increase to replace outdated video surveillance cameras.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 24, 2013
The business of being Nik

An entrepreneur who signs his emails 'Never Give Up!' must have a good story. For Nik Wallenda, that story is all about scaling new heights.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
News Briefs

The Pines buys adjacent cement plant; City Commission supports Marina Jack

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Read this week's Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tim Jaeger wants to encourage more participation in the visual arts.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 24, 2013
Mr. Beery's taps artists' talent

Tim Jaeger was searching for a way to boost community interest in the visual arts. As he sat at the bar and doodled on a napkin, the idea hit him.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 24, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Sarah Quick

Sarah Quick, a 15-year-old forward on the Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School soccer teams, is back on the field after being out for a month with a concussion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
JUST THE STATS

20 - The number of boys basketball teams, including Cardinal Mooney and Riverview, who participated in the Wally Keller Classic Jan. 19, at Charlotte High.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
SIDELINES

Cardinal Mooney girls fall in district title game; Mooney Cougars improve record to 19-1; Riverview Rams top Booker Tornadoes

  • East County
  • Sports
Carol Marcus paints orchids.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • January 24, 2013
Watercolor group members inspire one another

The room is bustling with chatter and laughter, as the members of the St. Boniface Watercolor Group work on their individual paintings.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Sub Zero ice cream adds its own sweetness to the Key; Lobster Pot updates its menu with new lunch items

  • Siesta Key
  • News
This home at 5354 Calle Florida has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,659 square feet of living area. It sold for $479,000. Photo by Yaryna Klimchak.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 24, 2013
Palm Bay Club condominium sells for $560,000

A condominium in The Palm Bay Club of Sarasota tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Samantha Bisceglia submitted this photo, taken on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Samantha Bisceglia submitted this photo, taken on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Chamber seeks Small Business Award applications; Michael Rego joins Neal Homes as vice president of homebuilding; Christa Hardin opens Reflections Counseling Center; Super Value Nutrition celebrates 36th anniversary

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 990 Whitaker's Lane has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,555 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,125,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 24, 2013
Home in Whitaker's Landing sells for $1,125,000

A home in Whitaker's Landing tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Eliot and Lynne Godofsky, of Sarasota, sold their home at 990 Whitaker's Lane to Kyle and Lydia Lawton, of Sarasota, for $1,125,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Paul Zeppenfeld submitted this photo from his backyard at Wellington Chase on Palmer Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 24, 2013
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Paul Zeppenfeld submitted this photo from his backyard at Wellington Chase on Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Aubrey Riggins celebrates with goalkeeper Alex Latham following the Lady Mustangs 4-1 regional quarterfinal victory over Cape Coral Ida Baker Jan. 23.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 23, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch vs. Cape Coral Ida Baker

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team defeated Cape Coral Ida Baker 4-1 in a Class 4A-Region 3 quarterfinal match tonight. Forward Angelica Rego scored a pair of goals to lead the way for the Lady Mustangs. Midfielder Talia Falco and forward Tyler Gordon each added a goal. Tatum Young had two assists and Delaney Riggins and Chelsea Martin each had an assist. Goalkeeper Alex Latham had four saves. Lakewood Ranch will advance to the regional semifinals Jan. 26 to face the winner of the other quarterfinal match between Venice and Barron Collier.

  • East County
  • Sports
Wallenda steps closer to harness-less walk
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 23, 2013
Jan. 23: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Wallenda steps closer to harness-less walk; Citizens Advisory Group down to five candidates for Manatee Superintendent job; Sarasota County drainage project faces more delays; Home & Garden: Jewels on the Bay; Enter our Design and Dine contest

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Billy Firestone and Jerry Hamovit
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 23, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: The Beaches Dinner Party

About 40 people gathered in The Beaches clubroom Tuesday, Jan. 22, for a dinner featuring antipasto, pizza and cheesecake.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Town attorney David Persson will stay on Longboat Key’s town attorney through June.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 23, 2013
Longboat Key Town attorney is heading to Venice

Town attorney David Persson accepted the city of Venice town attorney post Tuesday afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 23, 2013
State College of Florida trustees make Probstfeld permanent president

State College of Florida's Board of Trustees named interim President Dr. Carol Probstfeld as the school's sixth president in a 7-0 vote at a special meeting Tuesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 23, 2013
Citizens Advisory Group down to five candidates for Manatee Superintendent job

The Manatee County School Board's Citizen Advisory Group narrowed its top 10 candidates for the district's superintendent post to five Tuesday night.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County expected Beach road drainage improvements aimed at improving stormwater collection to begin after Easter.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 23, 2013
Sarasota County drainage project faces more delays

A failed purchasing advertisement issued by Sarasota County could require a Southwest Florida Water Management grant extension for Beach Road drainage improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 23, 2013
Wallenda steps closer to harness-less wirewalk

Commissioners also discussed a wayfinding project and the possibility of a new dog park near Payne Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gianna Sparks and Zac Smith. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2013
Longboaters race to first place

Three Longboat residents clearly live life in the fast lane, taking home first place awards in the Anna Maria Elementary Dolphin Dash 5K race Saturday, Jan. 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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