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Your Observer

Greg Marra poses with several of his historical sculptures in his studio, off Ashton Road, where he teaches students the basics of sculpting.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 3, 2013
Artist hopes to preserve history through sculpture

Four years after Greg Marra took a trip to Slovakia, a phone call from a stranger brought to life a 68-year-old story of courage.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview goalkeeper Stephanie Tabar
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 3, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Stephanie Tabar

Riverview goalkeeper Stephanie Tabar has been playing soccer since the age of 8.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Greenville bought a piece of land and attracted a Hyatt Regency to the site. Sarasota is in the middle of an effort to do something similar with a sliver of land next to the Palm Avenue parking garage.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 3, 2013
LOOKING AHEAD: Model for Downtown

Downtown advocates frequently reference Greenville when they talk about what they want downtown Sarasota to be like.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Proponents of roundabouts on U.S. 41 point to the new roundabout at Five Points as an example of how the circles create a welcoming feel.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 3, 2013
LOOKING AHEAD: Roundabouts

By mid-summer, roundabout proponents say funding should be in place for eight of 10 multi-lane roundabouts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City Manager Tom Barwin introduced new Police Chief Bernadette DiPino Oct. 16.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 3, 2013
LOOKING AHEAD: Changes at Top

With a new city manager and police chief, and three high-level positions to be filled, it is 'a new day at City Hall,' says the mayor.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 3, 2013
LOOKING AHEAD: Tourism

Fiscal woes at home and abroad may strain Sarasota County's tourism hopes in 2013, but current forecasts and positive real-estate trends paint a brighter economic picture.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County finished resurfacing parts of Siesta Isles on Siesta Key in December.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 3, 2013
LOOKING AHEAD: Transportation Crossroads

Deficiencies in its public transit fleet and road maintenance funding complicate the county's transportation goals in 2013.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Sarasota County Commission approved a $21.5 million budget for renovation of the pavilion and pedestrian esplanade at Siesta Key beach, among other improvements.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 3, 2013
LOOKING AHEAD: Siesta Beach Project

Sarasota County staff and the design team behind the renovation will finalize cost estimates this year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Assistant Sarasota County Administrators Tom Harmer, Lee Ann Lowery, and Mark Cunningham, and County Administrator Randall Reid confer with commissioners during a Dec. 7 retreat.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 3, 2013
LOOKING AHEAD: County Staff Shuffle

Randall Reid's vision for how the government does business includes a focus on positive media stories, ethics and communication between staff and citizens.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Courtney Kees leads Tabatha Giddens through a yoga class. Kees holds her sunset classes by the yellow lifeguard stand.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • January 3, 2013
Business Observer

Studio Rubylake offers beach yoga; La Siesta Condominium updates office, security

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Roz Lurie, Roberta Hamilton and Jo Anne Dickerson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 2, 2013
Lady Mary Josephine Crawley Bridal Luncheon

Lady Mary Josephine Crawley Bridal Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Daphne VonCannon, Israel Olma and Lexi Moore perform “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” during Braden River High School’s Talent Show Nov. 29, in the school’s auditorium. Published Dec. 6, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2013
December Year in Pictures: East County

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of December 2012.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bonney Libman bought gourmet lollipops from See's Candy at Temple Beth Israel’s Dec. 2 Holiday Happening Sale.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2013
December Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of December 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Unconditional Surrender was brought back in by trucks and was reassembled by a crew after the statue that was gone for more than six months.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2013
December Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of December 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chloe Johnson decorates the Siesta Key Chapel Christmas tree Sunday, Dec. 2, after the church's Advent dinner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2013
December Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of December 2012.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 2, 2013
UPDATE: Suspect robs Bank of America in Gulf Gate

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has canine units tracking the suspect.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh and Alex Mahadevan as they report the Daily Headlines.
  • By Amanda Heisey
  • January 2, 2013
Jan. 2: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Tow truck driver stabbed during New Year's Eve festivities; Siesta residents protest variance requests; FDOT announces New Pass Bridge work; Kiwanis Club seeks award nominees

  • Sarasota
  • News
New Pass Bridge and Gulf of Mexico Drive will receive some routine maintenance work this week that won't cause traffic delays.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 2, 2013
FDOT announces New Pass Bridge work

The Florida Department of Transportation will have crews in the area performing routine road and bridge work this week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sue Wolverton was last year's "Citizen of the Year" award recipient.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 2, 2013
Kiwanis Club seeks award nominees

The Longboat Key Kiwanis Club seeks nominees for its annual 'Citizen of the Year' award by Jan. 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mr. Robert Weeks loved wintering on Longboat Key, where he was active in the Spanish Main Yacht Club community and an avid golfer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2013
Obituary: Robert J. Weeks

Robert J. Weeks, 78, of Longboat Key and Sea Girt, N.J., died Sunday, Dec. 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This courtesy aerial photo shows the sites of the variance request for two Beach Road lots located west of the Terrace condominium.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 2, 2013
Siesta residents protest variance requests

Property owners near the Beach Road parcels have sent at least 15 emails to Sarasota County commissioners opposing the proposed construction.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The current design for the Siesta Key public beach enhancements includes 160 additional parking spaces.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 2, 2013
Beach project inches ahead

Sarasota County posted an advertisement for construction management services for the $21.5 million Siesta Key public beach enhancements.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
In the 1500 block of State Street, a tow truck driver was stabbed just before the pineapple drop on New Year's Eve.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • January 2, 2013
Tow truck driver stabbed during New Year's Eve festivities

Police are investigating the possible role of incense in the incident. Ten packages of incense were found on the suspect.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Current Siesta Key Hardware owner Jim Hillier has implemented new technology to keep the store’s stock up to date.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • January 2, 2013
Year in review: December 2012, 'Neighborhood Nostalgia'

Siesta Key Hardware has retained its mom-and-pop feel throughout four decades and under different ownerships.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
"Chef" Wiley Osborne with Town Manager Dave Bullock. Photo courtesy of Jackie Dixon
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2013
Christ Church hosts town manager

Town Manager Dave Bullock spoke at Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian about "Important Lessons Facing Longboat Key in the Coming Months" Monday, Dec. 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The north end of Longboat Key, after an emergency sand renourishment project was performed in June 2011, shows a wide beach that connects Beer Can Island to Longboat Key. Most of the placed sand is gone now. Jack Elka.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 2, 2013
Looking ahead: Town plans sand project this summer

The town of Longboat Key will perform a hot spot beach project in summer 2013 to help high-erosion areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A new roof on Whitney Beach Plaza kicks off a $2 million overhaul. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 2, 2013
Looking ahead: Stalled Redevelopment

Applicants seeking redevelopment and some of the town's pool of 250 tourism units will have to wait until the town makes changes to its codes and Comp Plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Town Manager Dave Bullock will assess employees in 2013. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 2, 2013
Year in Review: Delve back into '12

One year ago, we helped you 'Delve into 12,' when we summed up 12 issues in our first edition of the year that we believed would define 2012. Were there signs of progress? Or more of the same? You be the judge, as we delve back into 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2013
Observed: 2013: A year of new beginnings

No one knows what the future holds, but as we look toward 2013, we can't help but be optimistic.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch’s Ian Harding says improvement in the housing market is one of the indicators on which he based his decision to relocate his family to the area and start a new business here.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2013
Looking ahead: Economic Outlook

A veteran of the utilities industry, Ian Harding had a burning desire to own a business. However, what to do as a new career and when to begin was another story.

  • East County
  • News
New board Chairman Larry Bustle says Betsy Benac and Vanessa Baugh, both elected in November, have brought less bickering and political plays and more harmonious cooperation between commissioners.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 2, 2013
Looking ahead: Government

It might take a simple smile to address complex issues such as economic growth, diversifying the tax base and distributing the budget in a county starving for new revenues.

  • East County
  • News
At less than two years old, Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch is making a name for itself in the sporting industry, attracting the 2012 Nike International Friendlies and other large tournament play, since opening in mid-2011.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2013
Looking ahead: Sports Tourism

Joe Pickett, who heads up the Braden Area Sports Commission, says he expects lacrosse to be the area's fastest-growing sport, with the area becoming a 'hub' for the sport within the next five years.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 2, 2013
Looking ahead: Real Estate

Sales, prices and new listings all are up in Lakewood Ranch and the Bradenton/Sarasota area, but are there enough homes to go around?

  • East County
  • News
Interim Superintendent David Gayler and the school board heard new academic plans from Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Bob Gagnon in a December workshop.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 2, 2013
Looking ahead: Schools

Last year's budget disaster weighs on the minds of school board members and administration as they prepare to hire a new superintendent in 2013.

  • East County
  • Schools
Photos by Mark Wemple
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 2, 2013
Through the Trees

A bold couple seeks success with a new entry in an old industry: Florida amusement and recreation. It's a good thing they aren't afraid of heights.

  • East County
  • News
The school’s lobby will be its main feature, serving as a reception area, a 350-seat dining hall, a multi-purpose room and even
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2013
Sneak peek into new MTI

Manatee Technical Institute's new East County campus, with 210,000 square feet, opens Jan. 7. The school will celebrate the official grand opening Valentine's Day.

  • East County
  • News
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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