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Your Observer

Melody Martin took this photo June 4, of Venus transitioning over the sun.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Melody Martin took this photo June 4, of Venus transitioning over the sun.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 6, 2012
Bird Key home sells for $2.96 million

A home on Bird Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate. James and Arloa Torok, Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 574 S. Spoonbill Drive to George and Cheryl Pintea, Sarasota, for $2.96 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • June 6, 2012
Bridge Bites: Fishing for clues

As the play-of-the-hand develops, Declarer is constantly on the lookout for the clues, which will point to the right line of play. But, these clues don't always come gift-wrapped; sometimes, Declarer must go fishing.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Susan Blais, Louanne Roy and Joan Campo
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • June 5, 2012
Designing Women Boutique VIP Cocktail Fundraiser

Designing Women Boutique VIP Cocktail Fundraiser

  • Black Tie
Ten-year-old Dylan Welch couldn’t contain his excitement as he snuck up on one of his teachers with a water bottle.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Water Day

Fifth-graders at Gullett Elementary enjoyed a cool and refreshing end to the school year during their Water Day June 4. Students enjoyed water slides, a dunk take, a balloon toss and other games and more. Integrated voluntary prekindergarten students also spent the morning playing outside on bounce houses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dr. Anne Chauvet accepted the Small Business of the Year Award on behalf of Critical Care and Veterinary Specialists of Sarasota.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce put the spotlight on Sarasota's standout small business Tuesday, June 5, at the 22nd Annual Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business of the Year Awards. Area business owners and attendees filled the conference room of the Hyatt Regency, where master of ceremonies and owner of McCurdy's Comedy Theatre Les McCurdy introduced the finalists and kept the audience laughing. This year's Small Business of the Year Award winner was Critical Care and Veterinary Specialists of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kaylah Gunst didn't stop smiling as she went down the inflatable slide.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Inflatables Day

Overcast skies and drizzles of rain didn't keep students s at Braden River Elementary School from beaming with delight June 5, during the school's "Movin' and Grovin'" Inflatables Day.

  • East County
  • News
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • June 5, 2012
June 5: 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
Will squak for food! Here’s Alan during feeding time.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 5, 2012
Not so ugly ducklings

One of the first things I learned about my responsibilities in covering Longboat Key was that I'd be writing updates on the resident swan population. Little did I know that once nesting season started, swan updates, from swankeeper David Novak, would be my most highly anticipated emails.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 5, 2012
Education department releases FCAT results

Manatee County third-graders' performance in the reading, math and end-of-course assessments for geometry and biology dropped significantly compared to last year but stayed on par with school scores statewide.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2012
Obituary: Clyde Miller

Clyde Miller, of Sun City Center and formerly of Bloomington, Ill., and Longboat Key, died May 19. He was 86.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2012
Obituary: Alice-Jean McFarlin

Alice-Jean McFarlin, of Longboat Key, died May 31. She was 83.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2012
Obituary: David Lichtenstein

David Lichtenstein of Longboat Key and formerly of New York, died May 24. He was 97.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 5, 2012
Obituary: Marion F. Gange

Marion F. Gange, of Venice, formerly of West Haven, Conn., Dayton, Ohio, and Longboat Key, died May 25. She was 90.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 5, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Ed Hunzeker

During his time as the Manatee County Administrator, Ed Hunzeker has seen an unprecedented period of change for local government.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will the River Club Park of Commerce project, where the new Walmart is located on State Road 70
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 5, 2012
Manatee County Commission to consider Walmart plaza expansion

Manatee County commissioners will meet at 9 a.m., Thursday, for their regular land-use meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 5, 2012
Manatee County Commissioners to discuss sheriff's budget

Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube is requesting more funding so he can pay deputies more.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Smith updated attendees of the Siesta Key Village Association on village maintenance during the meeting this morning.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 5, 2012
Siesta Village billboard up today

After a five-day delay, Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes says the billboard aimed at countering bridge construction will today be erected.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 5, 2012
Sarasota County hog hunt postponed

Sarasota County commissioners delayed a hot hunt in south Sarasota County after animal rights activists complained such a hunt.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Max Munroe receives his diploma from Headmaster David Mahler, Friday, June 1, at Siesta Key Chapel.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Lower School graduation

The fifth and sixth grade students at Out-of-Door Academy graduated, Friday, June 1, at Siesta Key Chapel. The sixth grade class was the last sixth grade class to graduate from the Siesta Key campus.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • June 4, 2012
June 4: 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
The man is described as a white male, about five-foot-ten-inches with sandy cropped hair, and a tattoo with "block lettering" on his stomach.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • June 4, 2012
Sarasota deputies seek information on bank robbery suspect

Earlier this afternoon Suntrust Bank at 5727 Gantt Road was robbed by a man wearing a camouflage cap and a black bandana over his face.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Search consultant Colin Baenziger of Wellington-based Colin Baenziger & Associates said the choices will be notified and asked to come to Sarasota for a two-day interview process June 29 and June 30.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 4, 2012
City manager candidate list now stands at 5

The five city manager candidates the Sarasota city commissioners selected Monday include all three Florida city manager candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The boys’ and girls’ lines merged as the graduates headed out onto the football field.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota High School Graduation Ceremony

Sarasota High School sent its 2012 graduating class off with a ceremony on its football field Saturday, June 2. Friends and family filled the stands as students took the field to receive their diplomas.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Learn how to make cake pops from Becky Schultes.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 4, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Becky Schultes

Sarasota resident Becky Schultes is the owner of Sweet Teeth Cake Pops and Bites. Get her recipe for cake pops in our 'In the Kitchen' feature.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hundreds of people attended the 25th annual National Cancer Survivors Day, Sunday, June 3, at Michael’s On East. The theme was "Celebrate the Music of Life."
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 25th annual National Cancer Survivors Day

Cancer survivors, along with their friends and families, attended the 25th annual National Cancer Survivors Day Sunday, June 3, at Michael's On East. The theme for the event was 'Celebrate the Music of Life.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rawley Schreiver and L.J. Schreiver.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Joyful Noise Music Festival

Local artists and performers collaborated Saturday, June 2, to perform a free concert to benefit Second Chance Last Opportunity, a community nonprofit dedicated to serving at-risk teens and families. The first president of the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame and current president of Ringling College, Larry Thompson and his wife Pat hosted the Joyful Noise Music Festival.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtney Minthorn and Kristina Holman
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Suncoast Polytechnical High School Graduation Ceremony

The first graduating class of Suncoast Polytechnical High School celebrated its graduation ceremony Friday, June 1, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. After opening in 2008, the technology magnet school's first ceremony saw 127 students earn diplomas. Seniors Christopher Brantley and Ellie Koval delivered the commencement speeches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kate Carver colors a fish
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: World Ocean Day

It was a Dr. Seuss themed day at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium on June 2 for World Ocean Day. There was not just one fish or two fish, but a whole sea of little fish that took over Mote to learn about all the neat creatures that fill our World's oceans. There were sea-themed crafts, face painting, a dunk tank, educational displays and games in addition to Mote's usual stingray petting, turtle and shark spotting and jellyfish viewing. But as Dr. Seuss would say, 'Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.' And next year's World Ocean Day will be just as fun!

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Andrew Grass, Kenny Smith, Ann Hankinson, Joshua Dinenberg and Max Cotler
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Pineview Graduation

The Pineview Class of 2012 graduated, Sunday, June 3, at Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Whitney Beach Plaza is located in the 6800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 4, 2012
Plaza height to top commission discussion

The Longboat Key Town Commission will consider adopting changes to its Comprehensive Plan tonight that could impact the maximum allowable height of Whitney Beach Plaza.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Construction begins on the Siesta Key north bridge tomorrow. Lane closures will take effect Monday, June 11.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 4, 2012
South Siesta bridge project ends, north bridge maintenance begins

Nightly lane closures on the Siesta north bridge are expected to begin within the next week. FDOT is currently closing lanes at night on the south bridge for an unrelated project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Sarasota City Commission meets at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. today at City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 4, 2012
Commission reviews city manager candidates today

Sarasota city commissioners will discuss city manager candidates and a renovation of U.S. 41 that includes two roundabouts today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The request for proposal for a contractor to take up Siesta Village maintenance will be a prominent topic at tomorrow's Siesta Key Village Association meeting.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 4, 2012
SKVA to discuss village maintenance contract

The Siesta Key Village Association will meet Tuesday, June 5, for its monthly meeting and discuss topics including progress of the village maintenance contract.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Alicia Martnelli, Elisabeth Reyes and Colleen Darby sing the Star Spangled Banner while Tiffany Faulkner signs the song, Saturday, June 2, at Riverview High School’s graduation at Robarts arena.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Riverview Graduation

The Riverview High School Class of 2012 graduated from Robarts Arena, Saturday, June 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Venesha Bryant, Brenna Browning, Jazmine Brown, Janae Bryant and Brittley Mayes
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Booker High School Graduation

Booker High School's Class of 2012 graduated, Saturday, June 2, at Robarts Arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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