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Your Observer

Sarasota's new city manager, Tom Barwin.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 30, 2012
Year in review: September 2012, 'Barwin's big day'

Computer-less and still unpacking, the new city manager takes the helm on his first day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
GreyHawk Landing resident Garrett Lindgren, a retired New York City firefighter, was the keynote speaker of a Sept. 11, 2011 event at Manatee Technical Institute. Published Sept. 13, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2012
September Year in Pictures: East County

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

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Donna Heffner helped excavate a sea turtle nest Sept. 2 on Longboat Key’s public beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2012
September Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Caegan Quimby performed with Physical Plant at Art Center Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2012
September Year in Pictures: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pino Mazzone with his son, Riccardo, 8, have fun together selling Paneolio olive oil, Sept. 2, at the Siesta Key Farmers Market. Paneolio has had a booth at the farmers market for years, and Mazzone brings his son along to help out many Sundays.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2012
September Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Bailey Scott readied to “catch God’s light” from a friend., during Peace Presbyterian Church's "Shine God's Light" Vacation Bible School July 27-20. Published Aug. 9, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2012
August Year in Pictures: East County

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

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Adm. Steve Branham married Susan Phillips July 28 in a beach ceremony on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2012
August Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
People have fun dancing around on the grass during Friday Fest at Van Wezel.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2012
August Year in Pictures: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Zofia Cacko, 2 1/2, has fun with a hula-hoop, July 29, on Siesta Key Public Beach at the Drum Circle.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2012
August Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Earlier this year, organizers of the SandSculpting Championship said it would be held the same weekend as the Crystal Classic.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 29, 2012
Year in review: August 2012, 'No conflict for Crystal Classic'

The American SandSculpting Championship in Fort Myers Beach was moved ahead one week, leaving the Nov. 9 event on Siesta Key as the only Veterans Day competition.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Vanessa Baugh, pictured with her husband, Don, was giddy with excitement as she learned she would advance in the race for the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners District 5 seat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 29, 2012
Year in review: August 2012, 'Baugh wins tough primary'

Vanessa Baugh wins 57.86% of the vote, while Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube easily wins re-election.

  • East County
  • News
Ocean Properties Ltd., owner of the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort, announced Tuesday it’s formulating a joint venture with the Longboat Key Club and Resort regarding the club's assets. Photo courtesy of Jack Elka.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 29, 2012
Year in review: August 2012, 'Key Club partners with Hilton owner'

General Manager Michael Welly said the club always intended to find a hotel development company to assist in its redevelopment plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A mailer sent out to nearby residents earlier this month with a juxtaposed rendering of a massive shopping center looming over a parking lot didn’t sit well with the Sarasota City Commission Monday night.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 29, 2012
Year in review: August 2012, 'Commission chooses Benderson project'

The Sarasota City Commission picked a $1.4 million offer for prime commercial space on Fruitville Road. The offer is half what a competing developer offered to pay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Usually, volunteers set up the explosive canvas 600 feet from the surf, but they only had 400 feet to navigate for this year’s show.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 28, 2012
Year in review: July 2012, 'Siesta fireworks amaze despite restrictions'

The beach was smaller for the Fourth of July celebration this year, but worries about illegal fireworks - and some dark clouds - didn't wash out the explosive fireworks show.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
LECOM officials welcomed the inaugural class of 100 students during a special ceremony Monday, July 16. Students report to class July 23.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2012
Year in review: July 2012, 'LECOM welcomes first dental students'

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton welcomed its inaugural class of dental students.

  • East County
  • News
Hal Lenobel, pictured in late 2009, at Longboat Harbour, where he has owned a unit since 1969. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 28, 2012
Year in review: July 2012, ''Hal' of famer'

Commissioner Hal Lenobel resigned this week after 12-and-a-half years. He is the longest-serving commissioner in recent town history.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Search consultant Colin Baenziger, of Colin Baenziger & Associates, told the Sarasota Observer Tuesday he was surprised by the commission's decision.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 28, 2012
Year in review: July 2012, 'Search for new city leader continues'

Search consultant Colin Baenziger suggests the city manager salary maximum be raised from $180,000 to $215,000 for the position to attract a wider range of candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County resident Ellie Ohlman competed in the Miss Florida Pageant July 1-7. Published July 12, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2012
July Year in Pictures: East County

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

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Constructions teams worked on the foundation of the new Longboat Key Publix in July. The grocery store opened Dec. 13 on Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2012
July Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mira Carpenter, 4, smells the red carnation she was given at the Sarasota Farmers Market.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2012
July Year in Pictures: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kane Kimbler enjoys an up-close look at the boats from this year's Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival, June 29, in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2012
July Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River Elementary’s Lusero Acosta, front, and Lizzy Ebury, went on the slide as many times as they could, during the school's "Movin' and Groovin" Inflatables Day June 5. Published June 14, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
June Year in Pictures: East County

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

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Couins Noah Crisp and Griffin White got a hands-on lesson June 2 during World Ocean Day at Mote Marine Laboratory.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
June Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Todd Tedder and his daughter, Sophia, wore clown noses to the downtown block party that was held at Mattison's City Grille to watch local circus performer Nik Wallenda's daring tightrope walk over Niagara Falls.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
June Year in Pictures: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Scott Dolan, owner of Big Water Fish Market, stands behind the counter at his six-month-old store. During the recent tourist season, he shelled out 65 pounds of fish per day.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
June Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Tropical Storm Debby left little of America's No. 1 Beach exposed Monday, June 24 as the surf stretched more than 100 feet north of Siesta Key Beach lifeguard stands. Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 27, 2012
Year in review: June 2012, 'Debby dominates Key'

Collateral bands of rain from tropical storm Debby turned Siesta Key streets into canals, flooded the beach and delayed bridge construction.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
Sizable donation

The Friskies, a major award contest hosted by the popular cat food brand, awards cash prizes to the maker of the best original Internet cat videos.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Bay Island Siesta Association Vice President Paul Balliette and President Tommy Vaughan-Birch. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
Bay Island celebrates holidays

The Bay Island Siesta Association held its annual holiday party Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Trey Austin-McGhee, Page Bobzin, Alexis Cordero and Shelby Delgado. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
Blowin' in the wind

Brookside Middle School students recently designed and built miniature windmills as part of their engineering technology class.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
Sizable donation

The Friskies, a major award contest hosted by the popular cat food brand, awards cash prizes to the maker of the best original Internet cat videos.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 27, 2012
Year in sports: A look back

Sarasota County athletes hit their strides this year as they set records and brought home championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 27, 2012
Top 5 moments in sports of 2012

Over the past 12 months, we've celebrated district, regional and state championships. We've watched our talented athletes and teams make school history, overcome injuries and adversity and rely on one another in the midst of coaching changes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Today, Jack Warren spends his time painting celebrities. Warren's work can be purchased at the Siesta Key Hardware store.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 27, 2012
Illustrations of the past

A white-haired Jack Warren sits comfortably on the patio in front of his studio at his Siesta Key home.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Stacy White, Crescent Beach
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
2012 Best of weather photos: Pelican Press

Looking back through our archives of weather photos in 2012, picking our best submissions was a near impossible task. You, our readers, submitted some of the most spectacular sunset and sunrise photos we have ever received!

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
At last week's meeting, IDA representatives asked about potential ways to further trim project costs, which put square-foot costs at $220 to $237, but Town Hall officials indicated the proposal was as "bare bones" as possible.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 27, 2012
Year in review: June 2012, 'IDA moves forward with new maintenance facility'

Supervisors are ready to approve construction of a facility that meets the state requirement that a building withstand 140-mph winds.

  • East County
  • News
Floridays Development Co. is proposing a 200-room hotel similar to the architectural style of the building above.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2012
Year in review: June 2012, 'Floridays' hotel concept chosen'

It came down to two. One hotel concept would cater efficiently to a downtown business crowd; the other concept would provide tourists with a high-end, artsy place to stay. Both concepts could work - the latter won.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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