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Your Observer

Frankie Bersch was all smiles April 7 during the Easter egg hunt at Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2012
April Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Quinn Sonner participated in the egg hunt at the Children’s Garden.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2012
April Year in Pictures: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Oravec leads the group in reaching up high during the beginning of her NIA class, April 24, on Siesta Key Public Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2012
April Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
For 21 years, Dr. Stephen Leatherman, coastal expert and director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, has ranked America’s finest beaches in his annual Top 10 Beach List.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Nathan Benderson: 'The aftereffect of No. 1'

For more than two decades, Dr. Stephen Leatherman has ranked America's top beaches. After the initial tourism boost, how do these top destination spots fare?

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Nathan Benderson, founder of Benderson Development, an East County-based developer, died April 7. He was 94. File photos.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Mark Gordon
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Nathan Benderson: 'One of a Kind''

Nathan Benderson, who grew up in the Great Depression, turned a hardscrabble childhood into a lifetime of business success and unbridled philanthropy. He died April 7.

  • East County
  • News
The benches were pulled out of the park last summer after residents and business owners complained.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Five Points benches remain removed'

The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously Monday to keep benches out of Selby Five Points Park, citing as their main reason for doing so the recommendations of the Sarasota Police Department and two organizations that are champions of the homeless community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Arts Center withdraws site plan'

Ringling College of Art and Design will table plans to amend and extend the Longboat Key Center for the Arts' existing site plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The day after 53-year-old Donna Chen was killed in a traffic incident on Midnight Pass Road, residents left flowers and a cross as a memorial to her. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 24, 2012
Year in Review: March 2012, 'Sarasota County Commission hears more pleas for alcohol ban'

Commissioners agreed to seek more roadway safety measures.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
On March 3, members and officials of the YMCA celebrated the opening of the facility’s new $2.1 million, 13,000-square-foot addition, which has been under construction since September.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2012
Year in review: March 2012, 'Ranch YMCA unveils expansion'

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA opened its new fitness center to the public March 3.

  • East County
  • News
Some Laurel Park residents are concerned with large development that can be built on lots just outside the community's boundaries on Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 24, 2012
Year in review: March 2012, 'Laurel Park residents divided'

The downtown historic Laurel Park neighborhood is in the midst of an ongoing dispute over future development just outside its boundaries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vice Mayor David Brenner celebrated his District 3 commission seat win Tuesday night with campaign supporters at the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 24, 2012
Year in review: March 2012, 'Brenner: 'We won''

Less than 100 votes separated incumbent Vice Mayor David Brenner and challenger Ray Rajewski.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
SMART Volunteer Executive Director Gail Clifton and SMART rider Jessica Stort were eager to show off one of the new barns. SMART moved to its new 23-acre home March 1. Published March 1, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: East County

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

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vice Mayor David Brenner celebrated his re-election to the District 3 Longboat Key Town Commission seat March 20, at the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Allie Purcell, 13, loved riding in a wagon full of plants and flowers at the Plant and Garden Festival at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, tells a national TV audience about his selection of Siesta Public Beach. He visited St. Boniface Episcopal Church March 10.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Members of the Rotary Club of East Manatee partnered with a Rotary Club in Bangalore, India, for a project to install a water well. Published Feb. 7, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2012
February Year in Pictures: East County

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

  • East County
  • Neighbors
aureen Curtin and Alan Stone played their cards right Feb. 8, at the “Go for the Cure” casino night fundraiser held at the Longboat Key Club and Resort.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2012
February Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Robert Hall autographs one of his wines at Forks and Cooks Food and Wine Festival.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2012
February Year in Pictures: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kirin Singer snuggles up for story time at Out-of-Door Academy Jan. 27. ODA teachers led interactive songs and skits to promote the importance of reading.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2012
February Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
More tourists on the Key translate into more violations of the “no dogs on the beach” county ordinance, Sgt. Scott Osborne, of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, said.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 23, 2012
Year in review: February 2012, 'SKA dogged about pooch ban'

The Siesta Key Association is working with county officials to spread the word that taking dogs on the public beach and not picking up dog waste are both illegal acts.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Employees also will see an increase in employee health-insurance premiums of about 29%, among other measures.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Michael Eng
  • December 23, 2012
Year in review: February 2012, 'Board approves teacher pay cuts'

After months of failed negotiations with the teacher's union, the school district Feb. 15 imposed 1.75% salary cut for its 2012 budget.

  • East County
  • News
Business owners and residents left a restaurant in a silent march to City Hall for a bag the meter rally Monday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2012
Year in review: February 2012, 'Bag-wearer to say, 'Bag meters''

To demonstrate the gravity of their demand that the Sarasota City Commission bag all downtown parking meters, business owners and residents - with all types of bags over their heads - are planning a rally at 5 p.m. Monday at Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
Publix was given the green light for renovations.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 23, 2012
Year in review: February 2012, 'Publix plan gets go-ahead '

The Longboat Key Town Commission approved plans for a new Avenue of the Flowers store. The store is slated to open in December.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Donna and Wellington Chen enjoy a happy moment. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 22, 2012
Year in review: January 2012, 'Chen remembered as selfless'

Friends of the Siesta runner killed Saturday say she was always thinking of other people.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Observer photographed Ina Gross at the Perlman and Pearls Gala Jan. 7, at Michael’s On East. Photo by Loren Mayo.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Michael Eng
  • December 22, 2012
Year in review: January 2012, 'Ranch death ruled a homicide'

The murder of 78-year-old Ina Gross is the first in Lakewood Ranch history.

  • East County
  • News
City Manager Bob Bartolotta agreed to resign Tuesday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2012
Year in review: January 2012, 'Resignation aftermath'

The morning after Mayor Suzanne Atwell successfully called for the resignation of former City Manager Bob Bartolotta, the mayor said she was "focusing on the larger picture."

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Longboat Key police report identified the pedestrian as Jo F. Schatterman, 73, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., and the driver as Petar Sibinkic, 36, of Sarasota. Sibinkic is the owner of Your Fitness Instructor, on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 22, 2012
Year in review: January 2012, 'Pedestrian, 73, dies in GMD crash'

A woman visiting from Illinois died Friday night after being struck by a car while attempting to cross Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The 26 students riding Manatee County School District Bus 560 all escaped a Jan. 5 crash with only minor injuries. Counselors were available at Braden River Middle Jan. 9 to meet with students. Published Jan. 12, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2012
January Year in Pictures: East County

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

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Artist Cro-Ken painted while video streaming his work in sync with oboist Matt Sullivan’s music Jan. 6 at the opening of the “Affinities” exhibit at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2012
January Year in Pictures: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Janice Hamlin, right, helped Carol Bernasconi with her arrangement.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2012
January Year in Pictures: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Commissioners Joe Barbetta, Nora Patterson, Christine Robinson, Carolyn Mason and Jon Thaxton surprised Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis [third from left] with special recognition for his service on Jan. 11.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2012
January Year in Pictures: Pelican Press

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Lift Station 87 project shown in this photo from July. On July 10, City attorney Robert Fournier informed the Sarasota City Commission that the project was at a standstill and off schedule. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 21, 2012
City works to put Lift Station No. 87 on track

The long-delayed $12.5 million sewer lift station will replace an aging station near Hudson Bayou.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Alex Mahadevan for the Daily Headlines
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 21, 2012
Dec. 21: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Area schools on high alert after threats; $1 million project to filter polluted runoff; MTO reveals new mural; Error delays impact fee update

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 21, 2012
Razorbill rescued from Longboat beach

The bird is part of a sudden influx that began in Florida last week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota High principal Jeff Hradek estimated that attendance was about 50% Friday, a makeup day after finals at the school. Image courtesy of Google images.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 21, 2012
Increased security at Sarasota High after threat

Additional police officers are on SHS campus today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 21, 2012
Town holiday closings announced

The town of Longboat Key and its departments will be closed three days this month for the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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