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Your Observer

A female bobcat sunbathes on the porch of a Siesta Key home Oct. 18. Courtesy of Barry Harris
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 25, 2012
Siesta resident spots bobcat, cubs

Barry and Julie Harris' house on Point of Rocks Road has attracted welcome visitors - a family of bobcats.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Tony and Cheri Bonasto’s food truck is parked in their Winding Way driveway — for now. The couple hoped to open in Siesta Key Village.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 25, 2012
Sarasota County denies food-truck permit

The move stalled two retired Texans' transition from public service to feeding the public but kept Siesta Key in zoning harmony.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 25, 2012
Restrictions revived on accesses

As tourist season approaches, parking on Siesta Key continues to irk residents and business owners.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 25, 2012
Tree trimming draws complaints

County zoning staff confirmed that the owner of a commercial building is working with a nursery to appease neighbors.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
News Briefs

Broken pipeline prompts boil-water warning; SCAT puts shelters out for bid again; Waechter reappointed to zoning board

  • Siesta Key
  • News
One of the bald eagles carried nesting materials in its talons last week. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • October 25, 2012
The eagles have landed

A bald eagle pair has overcome hardship - first the removal of their nest to make way for the Ed Smith ballpark renovation, and now a fire near the nest.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • October 25, 2012
Bank wants benches removed

Customers began complaining a year ago about homeless people asking for money as customers left the Sarasota Municipal Employees Credit Union.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • October 25, 2012
Brodsky finds refuge away from the drama

Running for office has added to the suspense in Ed Brodsky's life. But he stays on an even keel, thanks to his family, books, sports and P90X.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 25, 2012
Torraco brings tenacity to state attorney race

The defense attorney wants to curtail spending and change the way the state attorney office operates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Helene Levin, Linda Martin and Sue Lilien
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Women's Club Bazaar, Luncheon

Ladies of the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club enjoyed an afternoon of shopping, friendship and fine dining as the organization hosted its annual Bazaar, Boutique and Luncheon event, held Oct. 24 at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom.

  • East County
  • News
The total project encompasses three phases of improvements, including widened sidewalks on lower Main Street. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • October 25, 2012
Main Street improvement keeps pedestrians in mind

Twelve parking spaces will be removed to add wider, more pedestrian-friendly sidewalks on Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • October 25, 2012
Pineapple drop is sweet success

After a year hiatus, the New Year's Eve pineapple drop returns to downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susan Beausang stands outside her 4women.com office on Main Street, which, along with five other businesses, was recently damaged in an act of arson. Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 25, 2012
Arson responsible for company setback

An improvised incendiary device caused heavy smoke damage to six Main Street businesses, including 4women.com's offices.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • October 25, 2012
City receives 66 applications for EDC position

Part of the job description for Sarasota's downtown economic development coordinator will be to keep businesses from moving out. east.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Randy Moore, director of the Sarasota Bay Water Festival
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 25, 2012
Water festival celebrates importance of the bay

The Sarasota Bay Water Festival will celebrate the importance of Sarasota Bay to our environment, economy and quality of life.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
These circle dances often involve handholding.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 25, 2012
Folk group brings attention to overseas heritage

The Sarasota Grapeviners are an international folk dance group that meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Wednesday, at the John Chidsey Bayfront Community Center.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
News Briefs

Costco reels in applications for store; Sarasota sculptor honored in Boston; Trader Joe's building changes ownership

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron sailors Nick Hernandez and Nico Schultz, both 14, will represent Team USA in the BMW Optimist Team Race Cup Oct. 27, in Berlin.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 25, 2012
NATIONAL CHAMPS: Nico Schultz and Nick Hernandez

Sarasota Youth Sailors Nico Schultz and Nick Hernandez won the 2012 USODA Team Race National Championship July 22 though July 24, in Sandusky, Ohio, with Team Florida Oceanic Racing, a travel squad based in Clearwater. The boys will represent Team USA in the BMW Optimist Team Race Cup Oct. 27 in Berlin.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
SIDELINES

Lady Thunder earn tournament berth; Lady Blazers take win during Senior Night; Lady Thunder take the win on Senior Night; ODA rolls past SW Florida Christian; Sarasota Crew 4+ squad wins gold

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Taylor Katz

Riverview senior Taylor Katz has been swimming since grade school. She says she's driven by her naturally competitive nature.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota High's Shawn Bane Jr.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
JUST THE STATS

2 - The number of shutouts the Booker High football team has posted this season after blanking Avon Park 41-0 in Class 4A-District 6 action Oct. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shannon Braswell stands, soaked in blood, in a bathtub just before opening.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 25, 2012
VIDEO: BEHIND THE SCREAMS

After running the Sailor Circus haunted house, John Rusnak has a new ghastly venture.

  • Arts + Culture
This home at 5418 Avenida Del Mare sold for $720,000, topping all transactions this week. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 25, 2012
Three-bedroom Sarasota Beach home sells for $ 720,000

A home in Sarasota Beach tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Emma Calvo, of Sarasota, sold her home at 5418 Avenida Del Mare to Sean and Stacey O'Meara, of Sarasota, for $720,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Richard Wulterkens submitted this sunrise photo taken from the window of his Siesta Key condo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Richard Wulterkens submitted this sunrise photo taken from the window of his Siesta Key condo.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 513 at Sarasota Bay Club has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,299 square feet of living area. It sold for $900,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 25, 2012
Three-bedroom Casey Key home sells for $3.4 million

The following residential real-estate transactions took place between Oct. 8 and Oct. 12. A home on Casey Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Mike Hagan submitted this sunrise photo, taken aboard his boat in Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Mike Hagan submitted this sunrise photo, taken aboard his boat in Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
Spook-tacular events return

Get your costumes ready for the Lakewood Ranch BOO Fest Friday, Oct. 26, and the Boo Run 5k Run/Walk Saturday, Oct. 27, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2012
East County residents ring in Jewish New Year

East County residents celebrated Rosh Hashanah with a festive holiday meal sponsored by Temple Emanu-El Sept. 16 at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh and Alex Mahadevan as they report the daily headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • October 24, 2012
Oct. 24: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Paul Schmidt and John Macy met up at the networking social.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Morning Express social

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance mingled at the Morning Express Networking Social on Oct. 24 at the YMCA.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Owner Jim Butler and representatives of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, which owns Main Street, did not immediately return inquiries.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 24, 2012
Viking Culinary Center closes

The Viking Culinary Center did not open this morning.

  • East County
  • News
Haley Preininger, No. 2, bumps the ball over the net.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA v. CMHS semifinal game

The Out-of-Door Academy brought the thunder and beat the Cardinal Mooney cougars in the semifinals Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Bradenton Christian.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barbara Kerwin, Pat Loy and Susan Landau brought refreshments for the first meeting of the season.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 24, 2012
The Longboat Key Garden Club holds the first meeting of the season

The Longboat Key Garden Club met at Windward Bay on Tuesday Oct. 23 for their first meeting of the season. Members discussed upcoming events. Guest speaker Joe Mathis, a 14 - year volunteer of Mote Aquarium, presented various aquarium research and programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nick Gladding and Steve Queior
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Chamber Salute to Business

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosted its 92nd annual luncheon Monday, Oct. 22 at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota. More than 500 guests gathered to enjoy a meal and honor local businesses as a part of the theme, 'Salute to Business.' The chamber honored local business leaders in the categories of Hiring our Neighbors, Investing in our Future and Anniversary Milestones. The Chamber also presented its second Chair's Cup Award.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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