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Your Observer

Artist Jean Cipriano, left, showed her work to guest Anna Polanco, right.
  • By Jennifer Pies
  • June 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Let's Create Art Opening

Let's Create Art of Lakewood Ranch opened its new facility to the public June 2, with a special grand opening event at its Lakewood Ranch Main Street location.

  • East County
  • News
Amber Lynch poured guests beer samples.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: World of Beer Re-Opening

World of Beer celebrated a Grand Re-Opening and Pirate Fest June 2.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ryan Agabani led the senior processional.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Graduation

Fifty-six seniors bid farewell to The Out-of-Door Academy during the school's Fourteenth Commencement Ceremony June 2 at the Petrik Thunderdome.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch students enjoyed watching a class video as part of opening ceremonies for commencement.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS Graduation

Seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School enjoyed commencement ceremonies today, at the Manatee Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Schools
Violet Walsh, 5, receives her diploma from her teachers Connie Graham and Kat Wors as Dick Aubry looks on, Friday, June 1, at St. Boniface.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: The Seahorses graduate St. Boniface Preschool

The Seahorses graduated St. Boniface Preschool, Friday, June 1.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Ben Lacina joined in on the conga line.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Nolan Dance

Eighth-grade students Nolan Middle School celebrated the end of their middle school years with a special dance June 1.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Angela Baldino, Catherine Kaiser, Montana Hicks and Jamie Loring
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Music All-Nighter

Music students at Gene Witt Elementary School enjoyed a "Cinematic Adventure" of music June 1 during Witt's annual All-Nighter.

  • East County
  • Schools
Christina Meiser is a 16-year-old hosting her sixth annual canned good drive.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 1, 2012
River Club youth launches sixth annual can drive

East County resident Christina Meiser will host her sixth annual canned good drive in the River Club community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A charter amendment looking to be placed on the November ballot would give the city manager more power and the city auditor and clerk less power at City Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 1, 2012
Charter amendment for city manager sought

Citizens for a Better Sarasota is seeking a charter amendment to give the future city manager more responsibilities as a 'strong city manager.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Based on the town's current millage rate of 1.8872 mills, the town would generate $137,000 less when compared to a year ago.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 1, 2012
Longboat Key preliminary budget balanced

The town of Longboat Key's 2012-13 preliminary budget is balanced despite declining ad valorem tax revenues.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • June 1, 2012
June 1: 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 High was awarded the Class 6A Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup, All Sports award May 31.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 1, 2012
Mustangs win All Sports Award

Lakewood Ranch High was awarded the Class 6A Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup, All Sports award for being the school with the most athletic success.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 1, 2012
Sarasota High School graduation rescheduled for Saturday, June 2.

Sarasota High School's graduation ceremony has been postponed due to rain

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jon Thaxton halted plans to run for a fourth term as Sarasota County Commissioner following a Florida Supreme Court decision ruling terms limits OK.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 1, 2012
Thaxton to run for Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections in November

Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton today filed paperwork to run for the office of Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Construction crews will nightly close one lane on the Siesta Key North Bridge during the rehabilitation project scheduled to start on Tuesday. File photo by Norman Schimmel
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 1, 2012
Crews to begin mobilizing for bridge repair

North Bridge project officially begins on Tuesday but lane closures could start as late as Monday, June 11

  • Siesta Key
  • News
In an email sent to the five Sarasota city commissioners, Sarasota business owner Cathy Layton urged the commission to reconsider adding Jody Hudgins.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 1, 2012
Local push for Jody Hudgins as city manager still exists

Residents and business owners are upset that local banker Jody Hudgins didn't make a list of eight finalists for the city manager position.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Seventeen-year-old Garrett Vincent enjoyed watching his family and friends file into the Manatee Civic Center.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Graduation

Three hundred and twenty Braden River High seniors celebrated the culmination of four years of hard work during the school's 2012 Commencement Ceremony May 31 at the Manatee Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 31, 2012
May 31: 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
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Gary Glass

Gary Glass is the new director of community associations and services for Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. Read more about him in our candid "five things."

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2012
Jane Pauley interviews Gid Pool on 'Today'

After getting bumped multiple times, Jane Pauley's interview with retired real-estate agent Gid Pool at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre aired today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terry Lewis confirmed that city Utilities Director Javier Vargas resigned yesterday afternoon.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 31, 2012
City of Sarasota utilities director resigns

Interim city of Sarasota City Manager Terry Lewis said Utilities Director Javier Vargas resigned Wednesday over a difference of opinion on how the utilities department should be run.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2012
Ringling Picnic packs its bags

Foodies who want to enjoy some curbside cuisine at Sarasota's Ringling Picnic Food Court only have one day left before the food trucks pack up and roll out for the summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Congressman Vern Buchanan spoke candidly with Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Jim Wilson and other hospital administrators during a meeting May 30.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 31, 2012
Buchanan makes inaugural visit to Lakewood Ranch hospital

On Wednesday, Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, met with administrators at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

  • East County
  • News
Richard Dorfman's top four priorities last time were pensions; job creation and North Trail redevelopment; police services and public safety; and creating more of a can-do environment
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 31, 2012
Dorfman files for commission seat

Sarasota city resident Richard Dorfman will run for one of the two at-large city commission seats that are up for grabs come March.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 31, 2012
City manager list down to eight

The eight city manager candidates presented to city commissioners Wednesday, May 30, include three Florida city managers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marc Grimaud will have to find a balance between new and old as the new owner of Café Gabbiano, in Siesta Key Village.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 31, 2012
Cafe Gabbiano under new ownership

Marc Grimaud is done with the paperwork for his purchase of Cafe Gabbiano. Now, he's ready to immerse himself in the iconic Siesta Key restaurant.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sheila and Mike Lewis stand under the towering wall of bicycles the couple rents out as owners of Siesta Sports Rentals.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 31, 2012
Key home to British transplants

Monetary volatility in Europe has businesses turning to American lenders for capital. If small business owners come next, Siesta Key could see an economic surge.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Craig Merrill is the pyrotechnician behind the explosions that will fill the Fourth of July night sky over Siesta Beach. He poses with Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce member Aimee Holmes. Courtesy of Craig Merrill.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 31, 2012
Craig Merrill: Demolition Dude

Craig Merrill works for Westlake Produce Co., in Winter Haven, during most of the year. But when the Fourth of July rolls around, he trades apples for ammunition as the pyrotechnician behind the Siesta Key Beach fireworks show.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Jon Thaxton will vacate his position in the Sarasota County Commission at the end of this term. He'll be working 60 hours a week and pondering his future until then. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 31, 2012
Jon Thaxton at bay for now

After 12 years representing District 5 on the Sarasota County Commission, Jon Thaxton carefully contemplates his next step.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2012
News Briefs

Prominent Siesta lot again for sale; County seeks vendors for crosswalk lighting; Crunch time for school storm prep

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Architect Gary Hoyt and developer Tom Mannausa plan to build an 18-story condominium tower on Main Street between Gulfstream and Palm avenues.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 31, 2012
Mannausa forms 'The Jewel' of Sarasota

Tom Mannausa plans to build an 18-story condominium tower that boasts views unlike any other building in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 31, 2012
Homes, town center coming to Palmer Ranch

Approximately 350 homes are coming to Palmer Ranch along with a new town center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Sarasota County Animal Services completed big task

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Denise Kowal is a New Urbanist, downtown stakeholder of one of Sarasota’s most visible historic buildings and graduate of the SmartCode.
  • By Denise Kowal
  • May 31, 2012
My View: We shall not abandon the plan

In adopting the Downtown Sarasota Master Plan in January 2001, the city of Sarasota embraced the responsibility for civic parking, after hosting over the course of several years an inclusive, informative and transparent process that gained consensus among our entire community for the plan.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 31, 2012
News Briefs

Three parking meters receive new home; County offers energy upgrade workshops

  • Sarasota
  • News
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