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Your Observer

National Nurses Week runs from May 6-12. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 7, 2012
Sarasota Memorial celebrates its 1,200 nurses this week

Sarasota Memorial Hospital has a week long list of activities and celebrations planned to honor its nurses during National Nurses Week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City commissioners will also discuss plans for northwest Sarasota revitalization tonight.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 7, 2012
Computer investigation update coming today

Sarasota city commissioners will hear an update on an ongoing computer investigation that's also under investigation by law enforcement officials.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Animal Services removed an estimated 263 small dogs last week from a Venice home.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 7, 2012
UPDATE: All dogs placed with local rescue organizations

All dogs found in a Venice home last week and treated by Sarasota County Animal Services have been placed with rescue organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jose Rocha (right), a professor of marketing at Florida International University, got a lesson from kite enthusiast Mark Williams.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 7, 2012
Kites follow castles on Siesta Beach

Siesta Beach was treated to two shows this weekend. The Siesta Sand Sculpture Contest on Saturday and Kiting Tampa Bay the next day.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Robert Navarro, 5, raced down the slide with his friend, Jonathan Centeno, not pictured.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara FCAT Fun Day

Students at Tara Elementary School celebrated the end of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, better known as FCAT, with a special day of outdoor play on inflatables and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mark Becker with Matt Napolitano
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Payton Wright Foundation Golf Outing

East County residents rallied against pediatric brain cancer May 4, as they headed to the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club to support the 2012 Payton Wright Foundation Golf Outing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Frances Williams climbed up on the “spider” with some of the students, Saturday, May 5.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Cinco de Mayo evening for ODA students

Thirty ODA students spent a few hours last Saturday night hanging out at their school as their parents enjoyed a night out.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Colin Kleinkopf, Grayson Schrantz, Bailey Pecor, Aaron Cook, Brittany Larson and Alexandria Twigg
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: CYD 16th Annual Celebration

Community Youth Development of Sarasota held their 16th annual celebration, Thursday, May 3, at the Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Miko Hosaka and Darby Pursifull of DaSaka Salon pose with Jeffery Kin before the show, Wednesday, May 2, at The Players.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Players Theatre "Meet and Mingle"

The Players Theatre held a special reception of Rosemary District businesses and organizations, Wednesday, May 2, at The Players Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Bosley, his mother-in-law Pat McElroy and his wife Lori Bosley attended the Braden River Bluegrass Festival together last year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Braden River Bluegrass Festival

Dozens of local residents enjoyed an afternoon of musical entertainment during Braden River Bluegrass Festival May 5 at Linger Lodge. Those in attendance enjoyed listening to a variety of bluegrass bands and perusing several different arts and crafts vendors.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Linda Antes enjoyed spending time with her husband Paul.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Manatee County Cattle Barons' Ball

East County residents, business professionals and corporations enjoyed an evening of inspiration and entertainment during the annual Manatee County Cattle Barons' Ball May 5 at the Polo Grill and Bar. Guests enjoyed food and drink, live and silent auctions, drawings, a game area and more. Proceeds from the event will benefit cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Twelve-year-old twin sisters Jordan and Taylor Augustyniak were both hoping to break the 20-minute mark.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: C.A.R.E. Be Aware Autism 5K run

Hundreds of East County runners hit the streets for the C.A.R.E. Be Aware Autism 5K run and one mile fun walk May 5 on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Center for Autism Resources and Education.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Co-Chairwomen Dawn Epstein, Debbie Dannheisser and Denise Mei
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 5, 2012
'Cirque du Gold'

'Cirque du Gold'

  • Black Tie
The Show Choir helped to open the show with Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”, Thursday, May 3, at Booker High School Auditorium.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Pops and Jazz 2012

The Booker High School Music Department came together to put on quite a show, Thursday, May 3, at Booker High School Auditorium. The Pops and Jazz 2012 show was directed by Ned J. Rosenblatt and featured performances by the show choir, vocal jazz ensemble and the jazz ensemble.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jordan Ehmke and Ashley Burnett checked out clay artwork.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High Art Gallery Night

Students at Lakewood Ranch High School showed off their artistic talents May 3, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Gallery Night, featuring work from the Lakewood Ranch High School Fine Arts Department.

  • East County
  • Schools
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2012
May 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
Truman Williams, Julia Dicesare and Tyler Prebor promoted upcoming university events.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gator Club

Hundreds of University of Florida fans gathered May 3, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom, for the Sarasota County Gator Club's Gator Gathering event featuring coach Will Muschamp.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Photos taken from the Venice home. Hundreds of animals were removed from the facility. Photos courtesy of the Sarasota Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 4, 2012
UPDATE: Animal hoarding investigation being conducted

Animal Services has removed an estimated 263 small dogs from a Venice home over the past couple days.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue has 33 line personnel divided into three shifts.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 4, 2012
Bullock proposes defined-contribution firefighter plan

Town Manager David Bullock discussed the possibility of freezing the current plan and transitioning employees to a new 401a plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
MTO's newest mural depicts a doctor in sunglasses holding up a stethoscope.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 4, 2012
Artist MTO's newest project sparks more controversy

MTO's new mural on the north wall of Sarasota Architectural Salvage appears to be a response to the recent removal of his controversial 'Fast Life' mural.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 4, 2012
Siesta Key preps for 40th sand-sculpting competition

The Sarasota County Parks & Recreation and the Pelican Press will co-sponsor the 40th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Animal Services is in the process of medically evaluating, treating and clearing the animals.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 4, 2012
Sarasota County Animal Services removes hundreds of animals from home

The animals are currently being medically evaluated and treated by Sarasota County Animal Services. Approximately 250 animals were removed yesterday from a Venice home.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Village maintenance was one of the hot topics at the monthly SKA meeting. The parking lines have nearly vanished from this municipal parking lot behind Siesta Market.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 4, 2012
Busy month for SKA

Tourism may be slowing down on Siesta Key, but the Siesta Key Association is running at full speed.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 4, 2012
Ariel Quartet livens stage in East County

As part of the Perlman Music Program/Suncoast, the Ariel String Quartet gave a free public performance Thursday night.

  • East County
  • News
Senior Seth McGarry allowed one run on three hits while striking out five in five innings of work.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2012
Lakewood Ranch advances to regional semifinal

Behind the arm of senior Seth McGarry, the Lakewood Ranch High baseball team advanced to the regional semifinals for the third straight season with an 8-1 victory over Tampa Sickles in a Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinal tonight.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 3, 2012
Cancer organization changes name, expands reach

The Center for Building Hope, formerly the Cancer Support Community, has partnered with Massachusetts General Hospital and its Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 3, 2012
Authorities still investigating Gross murder

Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives are calling Thomas Gross a "person of interest," in the murder of Gross' mother, Lakewood Ranch resident Ina Gross, in January. No suspect has been named or charged with any crime.

  • East County
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2012
May 3: 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
Beverly sits with her four new cygnets. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 3, 2012
Mother's Day comes early to Longboat Key swans

So far, 4 cygnets have hatched from Beverly's nest, and Wendy's are expected to hatch any minute

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2012
Community Sports

Read this week's community sports scores

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2012
Clearwater Chargers at Lakewood Ranch win Presidents Cup

The Clearwater Chargers at Lakewood Ranch U12 boys soccer team won the Presidents Cup April 21-22 in Auburndale.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2012
SunCoast Storm continues winning ways

The SunCoast Storm 14U travel team improved its record to 54-7 with a pair of tournament victories.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2012
SCF softball team headed to Nationals

The State College of Florida softball team earned its first trip to Nationals since 2005 with a 1-0 victory over Gulf Coast State College in the Gulf District championship April 29 in Pensacola.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2012
Lightning lacrosse team finishes season undefeated

The Rec/U11 Lakewood Ranch Lightning lacrosse team finished won the Gulf Coast Lacrosse League Fishhawk Tournament's A division April 28 to finish the season undefeated.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2012
Students among merit winners

Four Sarasota County high school students were among the 2,500 students across the country named by the National Scholarship Corporation as 2012 National Merit Scholarship winners.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2012
Pelican Press welcomes news editor

Alex Mahadevan, 24, returns to his roots on Siesta Key as news editor for the Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
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