Your Observer

Robin Hartill
October 16, 2012

Aposporos stepping down as chamber president

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President Tom Aposporos will resign from his role by the end of the year.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
October 16, 2012

Commission postpones telecommunications decision

The Town Commission wants town staff to come back with revised language.

Longboat Key
News

Roger Drouin
October 16, 2012

City seeks catalyst project for vacant land

City Manager Tom Barwin said he sees the property as a "catalyst opportunity" for the area.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
October 16, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Harry Potter Costume Contest

Hogwarts hopefuls gathered at Barnes and Noble Saturday, Oct. 13 for a Harry Potter costume contest and scavenger hunt. Fans of the book series donned glasses, robes and lightning scars before roaming the aisles of books to complete the scavenger hunt.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
October 15, 2012

Mega mall construction begins

Taubman and Benderson Development today officially broke ground on The Mall at University Town Center.

East County
News

Eddie Kirsch
October 15, 2012

Oct. 15: Daily Headlines Video

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

Siesta Key
News

Rachel S. OHara
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: WSLR's 5th annual Beach Bash

WSLR held their 5th annual Beach Bash out on Siesta Key Sunday, Oct. 14 at the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Martinis and Makeovers

Foxy Lady and Sassy Hair Salon on Siesta Key teamed up for the 3rd annual Martinis and Makeover event Sunday, Oct. 14, to help Team Believe raise money for the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Roger Drouin
October 15, 2012

Commissioners to discuss vacant parcel

At Monday's City Commission meeting, commissioners will discuss the vacant parcel on Boulevard of the Arts in the Rosemary District.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Veterans Appreciation Day

In an effort to recognize all of Sarasota's local veterans, Ken Chester, owner of Chester's Reef in Gulf Gate, hosted a Veteran's Appreciation Day event in front of his bar Saturday, Oct. 13. The event featured live music, food, raffles and prizes, and all the proceeds benefited the Wounded Warrior Project.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Cardinal Mooney Homecoming

The Cardinal Mooney Cougars played the St. Petersburg Catholic Barons Friday, Oct. 12, during their homecoming game at Austin Smithers Stadium. The Cougars won their homecoming game 35-9.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Fall Frolic

Gullett Elementary invited students and their families to enjoy an evening of fall festivities Thursday, Oct. 11. Families gathered in the cafeteria to play games, sing karaoke and enjoy some food with their friends.

East County
Schools

Nick Friedman
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Party on the Pass

Sarasota Sailing Squadron hosted a sunset cookout party Saturday, Oct. 13. Guests enjoyed food and drink near the water, while Stonefish serenaded the crowd with blues and classic rock songs.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Center for the Arts Ageless Creativity Award

The Longboat Key Center for the Arts honored George Papas with its fourth annual Ageless Creativity award Friday, Oct. 12. The event also displayed Papas' exhibit, titled 'The First 60 Years,' which consists of 25 paintings. Guests enjoyed food and drink before Papas accepted his award.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Chamber Luncheon

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce met for its regular luncheon at Le Colonne on St. Armand's Circle, Thursday, Oct. 11. Members enjoyed conversation before a presentation, which was followed by lunch.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
October 15, 2012

IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Susan Landau

Susan Landau stems from Ohio, but has lived on Longboat Key for ten years. Landau cooks three to five times a week, and loves to entertain at her home.

Longboat Key
News

Jen Blanco
October 15, 2012

Lady Thunder finish third at Invitational

The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team finished third at the Northside Christian Invitational Oct. 12-13.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
October 15, 2012

Lakewood Ranch girls win Manasota Track Club Invitational

The Lakewood Ranch High girls cross-country team scored 45 points to win the Manasota Track Club Invitational Oct. 13.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
October 15, 2012

Mustangs win Manatee County Championship

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team shot a combined 287 to capture the 2012 Manatee County Championship Oct. 12, at the River Club Golf Course.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
October 15, 2012

Rage U11 boys win Halloween Havoc

The Braden River Rage U11 boys team won the 2012 Halloween Havoc Tournament Oct. 12-14, at the Braden River Soccer Club.

East County
Sports

Alex Mahadevan
October 15, 2012

Venice asks for county to add staff

The Sarasota County Commission will meet with the Venice City Council tomorrow and discuss a request to add four employees to take over Venice's emergency dispatch.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
October 15, 2012

Commission reviews telecommunications options today

The Town Commission will discuss a telecommunications study that will likely lead to more discussions about cellular towers.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
October 15, 2012

Bird Key Park 'no swim' advisory lifted

Health Department officials determined that the amount of bacteria in the waters had returned to acceptable levels over the weekend.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
October 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO: Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival

East County residents and thousands of others flocked to Hunsader Farms Oct. 13-14 for the first weekend of the annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.

East County
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
October 14, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Paddling for a cause

Siesta Key lifeguards Brad Ward and Robert Martini participated in a 24-hour paddleboarding challenge to raise money for a van for the Sarasota Y Youth Shelter starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, until 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, out in the Gulf of Mexico.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
October 14, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Republican Club

Members of the Longboat Key Republican attended a special luncheon meeting Friday, Oct. 12, at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
October 14, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Group Meeting

The Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Group held their general meeting Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Sarasota Garden Club. The meeting included guest speaker, Thomas Becnel.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
October 13, 2012

RIAF 2012 Closing Night Party

Black Tie

Jen Blanco
October 13, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River at Bayshore

The visiting Braden River High football team fell to Bayshore 35-0 in a non-district game Oct. 11.

East County
Sports

Alex Mahadevan
October 13, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Crystal Classic sand sculpting lessons

Award winning sand sculptors Lara Hines and Libby Bennett this morning led the first day of free sand sculpting lessons offered by organizers of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting competition. The local sculptors gave hands-on guidance during two 45-minute sessions at Siesta Key public beach. The pair will teach two more sessions Oct. 20, and Nov. 3.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
October 12, 2012

Evan Wilson surpasses 5,000 passing yards as ODA tops Imagine School of North Port

The Out-of-Door Academy senior quarterback Evan Wilson eclipsed 5,000 career passing yards while lead the host Thunder to a 27-14 victory over the Imagine School of North Port Oct. 12

Sarasota
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
October 12, 2012

Colony Partnership, Klauber awarded $20 million damage claim

Final orders expected to be complete in less than two months keep control of the Colony Beach & Tennis resort units with the association but grant the Colony Partnership and Dr. Murray 'Murf' Klauber more than $20 million in damages.