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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
I want to ride my bicycle

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota is helping Sarasota put the pedal to the metal by sponsoring a bike and bike-part collection from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Six babies crying, 12 nurses working

According to Kim Savage, Sr. communications editor for the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, six babies were delivered and 12 nurses were working in the labor and delivery unit on 12/12/12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Current Siesta Key Hardware owner Jim Hillier has implemented new technology to keep the store’s stock up to date.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 13, 2012
Neighborhood Nostalgia

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

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County commissioners consider doing the entire Siesta Key public beach project at once, which would require borrowing against future funds from the penny surtax.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 13, 2012
County OKs beach project design

Sarasota County engineers and a private design team estimate construction will take 27 months.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Jim Lampl looks at an aerial photo of a city-owned parcel at 1440 Blvd. of the Arts.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 13, 2012
Density increase considered

Two-dozen residents and property owners said they supported a preliminary proposal to increase density in the district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Arnold Rich with Peanut. Rich said larger, unleashed dogs have run up to Peanut.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 13, 2012
City to consider Payne Park leash rule

An email to city commissioners triggers a discussion on leash rules at city parks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County firefighters rush into a high-rise building on Siesta Key to expel smoke that lingered from a fire Dec. 9.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 13, 2012
Firefighters quell Peppertree Bay fire

Smoke forced tenants and residents at the Siesta Key property to gather Sunday in the complex's recreation room.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 13, 2012
TAC requests lower speed limit on Midnight Pass

The Sarasota County Traffic Advisory Council recommends a drop for the speed limit on the southern end of the street.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 13, 2012
Island association tackles emergency services

Two Siesta Key Association members take on roles analyzing Sarasota County emergency operations.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
News Briefs

Bollards out to bid; County Commission elects chairwoman; Patterson kicks off Condo Council season

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Orange Avenue is used as a cut-through during the afternoon and morning commute hours.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 13, 2012
Hudson Bayou battles speeders

Residents request additional speed tables on Orange Avenue to slow motorists, many who use the street as a cut-through.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 13, 2012
Downtown entertainment district proposed

Some downtown residents are opposed to a district that would stretch more than six downtown blocks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gollub
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 13, 2012
City names new downtown economic leader

In Greenville, S.C., Norman Gollub led efforts to reduce commercial vacancies and formed a revitalization overlay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
News Briefs

McNees to start as city manager of Melbourne

  • Sarasota
  • News
Payton Saturen, Alexandra Perez and Desiree Glasgow take a break from making their gingerbread house at Girls Inc.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 13, 2012
Students make sweet creations for festival

As part of the fourth-annual CYD Gingerbread Festival, area students and youth groups have built more than 150 gingerbread houses to be put on display.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Letters to the Editor

The Observer editorials have changed my opinion; Tips for safe holiday shopping

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota High first-year head wrestling coach Cezar Sharbono and junior heavyweight Tobias Baker are adjusting to their new roles with the Sailors this season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 13, 2012
Ahead of his class: Tobias Baker

Sarasota High junior Tobias Baker became the first Sailors wrestler to win the Cougar Invitational Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
SIDELINES

Lady Rams soccer team tops Lady Bobcats; Cougars basketball coasts to victory; SMA basketball falls to St. Pete Canterbury; Lady Sailors cruise past Lady Tarpons

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 13, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Camille Giardina

Since moving to Sarasota from Maine one year ago, sophomore Camille Giardina has been an asset to the Lady Cougars varsity basketball team.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 7909 Midnight Pass Road has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,872 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.45 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 13, 2012
Home in Mira Mar sells for $1.45 million

A home in Mira Mar tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Marek and Grazyna Piekos, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7909 Midnight Pass Road to Stephen Witzer, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1.45 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Richard Kennell submitted this sunset photo, taken off Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Richard Kennell submitted this sunset photo, taken off Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Memorial appoints new chief of cardiovascular surgery, unveils hybrid operating room
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 13, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Michael Harshman joins Najmy Thompson Law Firm; Charlotte Hedge named Entrepreneur of the Year; Becky Tochip receives top insurance industry credentials

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 1639 S. Lake Shore Drive has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,290 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.4 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 13, 2012
Oyster Bay Estates home sells for $1.4 million

A home in Oyster Bay Estates tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Kenneth Blau and Lori Blau, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1639 S. Lake Shore Drive to Clyde and Kelly Purmort, of Sarasota, for $1.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Stan Robinson submitted this sunset photo of rowers, taken near Historic Spanish Point.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Stan Robinson submitted this sunset photo of rowers, taken near Historic Spanish Point.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2012
Ranch thespians offer 'Nutcracker' inspired tale

Theater students at Lakewood Ranch High School will perform their comedic show, 'Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 12, 2012
Dec. 12: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Commission reviews dog beach report; Commissioners approve Siesta Key beach project; East County resident takes trip in dream car and Crafty Genes: Thank you cards

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Troiano, James Johnson, Liz Santangini, Patricia and Jim Hillier and Mary Mahoff
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Hardware Celebrates 40 Years

The Siesta Key Hardware Store celebrated their 40-year anniversary with hotdogs, cake, drinks and a raffle Wednesday, Dec 12, in front on the hardware store. Customers and neighbors joined owners Jim and Patricia Hillier in the celebration. James Johnson a.k.a Fishman grilled up chili hotdogs while customers streamed in with smiling faces. 'I never realized how social it is,' said Jim Hillier regarding owning a hardware store. 'I mean we know just about everyone on the island.'

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County commissioners authorized staff to finish the design of the Siesta Key public beach improvements with a single construction phase.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 12, 2012
Sarasota County approves Siesta Key beach project budget

Sarasota County commissioners authorized staff to finish the design of the Siesta Key public beach improvements with a single construction phase.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The new Longboat Key Publix is the chain's newest prototype, which includes a wider floor plan and more opportunity to browse the store.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 12, 2012
A store is born

It's time to cross a new Publix off of your wish list, because the island's new store has arrived.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 12, 2012
Proposed fire contract freezes pension plan

The town and the union agreed to a proposal that freezes the current pension plan and shifts employees to the Florida Retirement System.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
H. Terrell ‘Terry’ Griffin holds a copy of ‘Fatal Decree,’ his seventh novel.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 12, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: H. Terrell 'Terry' Griffin

H. Terrell "Terry" Griffin's latest novel, "Fatal Decree" officially go on sale Jan. 15, although copies are available at local bookstores. Here, read five things you didn't know about Longboat Key's most mysterious writer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 12, 2012
Beach debate dogs commission

A debate about allowing dogs beach access has tongues wagging once again at Longboat Key Town Hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 12, 2012
Parking changes make merchants' 'nice' list

St. Armands merchants can cross one item off their holiday wish lists, following a commission decision to return parking policy to pre-March enforcement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 12, 2012
Burying GMD power lines proves costly

It's unlikely the Longboat Key Town Commission will ask residents to foot a bill to bury Gulf of Mexico Drive power lines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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