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Your Observer

Payne Park's new circus playground will celebrate its grand opening at the Sports Festival.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 14, 2012
Sarasota gets pumped up for inaugural sports festival

After more than a year of planning, Mayor Suzanne Atwell's plans for a Sarasota sports festival are complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
Observer Team Spotlight

This week's Observer Team Spotlight is Matt McDuffie.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 14, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Joseph Pantera

Joseph Pantera, 18, started rowing when he was a freshman in high school for the Sarasota Scullers. Pantera, who was home-schooled, spent his senior year on the team as a captain and rowing as part of a boys pair team with Co-Capt. Conor Davenport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Following a birthday celebration, Therese Sutton captured the party-goers watching this sunset on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Following a birthday celebration, Therese Sutton captured the party-goers watching this sunset on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 305 S. Shore Drive sold for $980,000. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
Three-bedroom Casey Key home sells for $1.7 million

A home on Casey Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate. George Scantland III and Jancie Scantland, trustees, Nokomis, sold the home at 1608 Casey Key Road to Paul and Veronica Gross, Terra Ceia, for $1.7 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sal Cortese submitted this sunset photo taken overlooking Sarasota Bay after a rainstorm.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Sal Cortese submitted this sunset photo taken overlooking Sarasota Bay after a rainstorm.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 102-S at Crescent Arms, 6312 Midnight Pass Road, has two bedrooms, two baths and 977 square feet of living area. It sold for $565,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 14, 2012
Five-bedroom home in Point Crisp tops sales

A home in Point Crisp tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Clinton and Susan Pierce, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 1229 Point Crisp Road to Arthur and Joan Bourque, of Lynnfield, Mass., for $2.85 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes shows Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Cooper some parade route options.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 14, 2012
Siesta Key leaders start parade plans

Members of prominent Siesta Key organizations on Tuesday, June 12 met to start planning the Siesta Key Light Up the Village holiday parade.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
June 14: 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
Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 chair person June Stroup celebrates Flag Day with a miniature flag. It  is also her birthday.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 14, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Flag Day

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 chair person June Stroup celebrates Flag Day with a miniature flag. It is also her birthday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lou Newman, Wayne Oxender and Rita Cronin
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lou Newman art opening

Lining the walls of the Plymouth Harbor Mezzanine are 56 photos of animals in their natural habitat captured at just the perfect moments. For instance, a white ibis with a newly caught crab in its bill and Alaskan brown bears fighting. The opening of 'Wildlife Encounters' was held Tuesday, June 12 and will be featured until Oct. 6. The once veterinary pathologist turned hobbyist photographer's shots ranged from Longboat Key Swans to African black rhinos - each as impressive as the next.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
Blooming beauty

Siesta Key resident Joe Volpe captured this dragon fruit in bloom, a rare sight, this weekend during a midnight rainstorm on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Garbage Men are raising funds to pay for a New York tour. File photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
Have band, will travel

Local band, the Garbage Men, is raising funds to take its act to the Big Apple.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 14, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Leo Rojas

Leo Rojas is a local Sarasota chocolatier. Read more about him in our candid "five things."

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Construction of the new Longboat Key CVS store began in April.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 14, 2012
ZBA denies request for second CVS sign

The board voted against a variance that would have allowed the drug store a second wall sign.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The meeting will be held at the county administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 14, 2012
County budget meeting set for tonight

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. tonight to discuss the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year budget.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 14, 2012
Superintendent: No budget cuts

Manatee County Public Schools Superintendent Tim McGonegal on Wednesday released a proposed 2012-2013 budget that includes no budget cuts.

  • East County
  • News
Five-year-old Jayden Jennings could not resist peaking through his blindfold as he waited for a game to start.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Living Lord Lutheran VBS

Children this week are enjoying a special "Sky" themed Vacation Bible School at Living Lord Lutheran Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The combination of school vacation and frequent events swells the number of people attending the Siesta Key Drum Circle during the summer months.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 14, 2012
Deputies prepare for hot summer

It's another sweltering summer on Siesta Key, which means plenty of sunscreen, preparation for the Fourth of July fireworks show and large audiences at Sunday beach drum circles.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 14, 2012
It's Christmas in June at the Siesta Chamber

Members of the holiday committee are hoping to secure 30 floats.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Floridays Development Co. is proposing a 200-room hotel similar to the architectural style of the building above.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 14, 2012
Floridays' hotel concept chosen

The developer promises it will be a top 10 Florida hotel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 14, 2012
Police department rejects contract

The commission is poised to make changes to its police officer pension plan, even though its officers soundly rejected the changes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
Letters to the Editor

The shrinking middle class is a myth

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 14, 2012
City manager candidate: Jim Chisholm

The five city manager candidates the Sarasota city commissioners selected include three current Florida city managers. The Sarasota Observer will profile those three Florida candidates over the next three weeks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kathy Dent, Sarasota County supervisor of elections, at a budget workshop responds to a question from Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton, whom she faces for her office in the fall elections
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 14, 2012
Budget talks: Raise millage rate to 3.39%

Two legal programs for low-income individuals received support for funding June 12 from Sarasota County commissioners at the first of three budget workshops scheduled this week.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 14, 2012
News Briefs

Economic development coordinator resigns; New Sarasota library foundation forms; Tree removed from North Sarasota park

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 14, 2012
New candidates converse with CONA

Four newcomers to Sarasota County politics and Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Christine Robinson address the environment and economic development.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Kevin Cooper
  • June 14, 2012
My View: ' ... And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air ... '

As the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce excitedly prepares to host, for the 22nd time, the Fourth of July community fireworks celebration on Siesta Key Beach, I must take a moment to remind my community of its extremely vital role in this event.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Rod Thomson
  • June 14, 2012
My View: Commission change would divide

The single-member Sarasota County Commission district idea sounds good at first blush when the proponents give their pitch.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 14, 2012
Neighbors: Jennifer Moore

Siesta Key resident Jennifer Moore has married 900 couples since starting her business in 1996.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy of Sarasota County School District
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 14, 2012
Last-minute 'Option 5' for SHS unanimous pick

Sarasota County School District officials were hoping for a public consensus on one of the four Sarasota High School renovation concepts presented during two workshops Wednesday, June 6 and Thursday, June 7.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Here's what the kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota County had to say about their daddies.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 14, 2012
Father's Day: Father Knows Best (VIDEO)

The holiday celebrating fathers and grandfathers everywhere is quickly approaching, and we could think of no other way to honor those special men in your lives than by bringing you The Observer's annual Father's Day Q&A featuring their adorable offspring.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 14, 2012
Neighbors: Leo Rojas

This local chocolatier's creations are catching the attention of his sweet-toothed neighbors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Speakers Dr. David Matkin and James Linn, third from left, with County Commissioner Nora Patterson, panel moderator, and Tiger Bay President Mollie Cardamone. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 14, 2012
Ongoing pension woes at center of discussion

The Sarasota Tiger Bay Club hosted two pension attorneys and a financial-management professor to discuss growing concerns with public-sector pensions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • June 13, 2012
June 13: 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
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