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Your Observer

The Tara Bookstore regularly offers hundreds of titles for purchase. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 13, 2012
Bookstore promotes literacy, offers unique books

The Goodwill's Tara Bookstore will hold its third annual Bookapalooza event Saturday.

  • East County
  • News
Pam Lutz of Cornerstone Solutions Group enjoyed mingling with Heather Kaster and Morgan Gerhart of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LWRBA Breakfast of Champions

Dozens of East County business professionals learned about the future of Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment during the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Breakfast of Champions April 12 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. Attendees enjoyed breakfast while listening to Tod Leiweke, CEO of Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, which includes the Tampa Bay Lighting, the Tampa Bay Storm and the Tampa Bay Times Forum, speak about the new Tampa Bay Lightning identity, Tampa Bay Times Forum upgrades and community focus.

  • East County
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • April 12, 2012
April 12: 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
  • April 12, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Laura Proctor

Laura Proctor runs a personal chef business called Epicurean Pursuits. Read more about her in this week's candid Q&A.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The man was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and is in stable condition.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 12, 2012
Eviction notice leads to shooting

A Sarasota County Sheriff civil deputy was serving an eviction notice Thursday when the tenant answered the door with a gun in his hand, prompting the officer to shoot him.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zwiwwel closed its doors Wednesday without warning.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 12, 2012
Zwiwwel closes its doors

A fine-dining restaurant featuring traditional German cuisine was open for about a month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town Manager David Bullock told commissioners that the town should issue an RFP.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 12, 2012
Town to put out RFP for zoning, Comp Plan review

The Longboat Key Town Commission reached consensus to solicit bids for the project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Maya Stewart, 9, placed first for her egg coloring picture.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
Siesta Key Egghunt coloring contest winners

Here are the winners of the Siesta Key Egghunt coloring contest, hosted by the Siesta Key Village Association at Beach Access 5.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Police Chief Al Hogle introduces the policeman of the year
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiwanis Club recognizes Firefighter and Police Officer of the year

Officers and firefighters went to the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key meeting, but not to issue any arrests or put out any fires. The club met Thursday, April 12 at the Key Club Tavern and recognized the Longboat Key firefighter and police officer of the year (2011). Firefighter Jim Reynolds, presented by Dep. Chief Sandi Drake, was thanked by the men for his efforts overseeing design and research of equipment, and urban search-and-rescue team work. Police officer John Thomas, presented by Police Chief Al Hogle, is responsible for solving several cases including auto burglaries, criminal cases and theft from business. Both men were awarded with certificates for their outstanding service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
April 18 will be a full day of school for students, rather than the normal early dismissal day usually observed on Wednesdays.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 12, 2012
Manatee School District clarifies class schedule

Manatee County Public School students will have a full day of school Friday, despite an error on the Manatee County Government calendar showing schools would be closed to students April 13.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
Couple honors 70 years together

Frankie and Bob Nelson celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary recently at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
Christ Church donates proceeds

Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian members presented a check from the proceeds of their recent Missions Fundraising Sale to Patrick Carnegie, president and CEO of the United Community Centers of Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mote President Dr. Kumar Mahadevan and his wife, Linda. Photo by Rachel S. O’Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
Runners lace up for good cause

Mote Marine Laboratory's 26th annual Run for the Turtles was a success, Saturday, April 7, with more than 1,000 runners and walkers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 12, 2012
Children support Food Bank

Children in the MOMS Club of Lakewood Ranch collected good for the Food Bank of Manatee and delivered the items to the organization Monday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
LunchWithLeaders hosts first luncheon

LunchWithLeaders, a non-profit forum for community leaders in the Manasota area, recently hosted its first meeting at The Polo Grill and Bar in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
Imagine principal reaps wet reward

After children at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch sold more than $10,000 in books at its Scholastic Book Fair, Principal Stephen Sajewski provided a unique reward to students.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
McNeal students compete in contest

McNeal Elementary School students wowed judges with their speech-giving talents, as student competed in the school's ninth annual 4-H Tropicana Speech Contest March 30.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hudson Bayou residents were upset when this LED sign promoting an upcoming seminar was erected last month in their neighborhood. Photo by Rachel S. O’Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 12, 2012
LED flashing signs attracts criticism

City residents and one city commissioner are concerned about the popularity of bright LED signs that are starting to be installed along U.S. 41 and in areas close to residential neighborhoods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Do you know a Sarasota resident who should be featured as a Neighbors? Email MICHAEL ENG at meng@yourobserver.com.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 12, 2012
Neighbors: Rita Brown

Although some might see them as waste, one Sarasota resident sees more to discarded palm fronds. For Rita Brown, palm fronds are her canvas.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
File photo by Rebecca Baxter
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 12, 2012
The aftereffect of No. 1

For more than two decades, Dr. Stephen Leatherman has ranked America's top beaches. After the initial tourism boost, how do these top destination spots fare?

  • Siesta Key
  • News
On busy days, cars crowd North Shell Road, making it difficut for residents to enter and leave their driveways.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 12, 2012
Siesta residents look for parking solutions

Beach Access No. 1, on North Shell Road, has become overcrowded, and some residents are looking for a more organized arrangement.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A month after the paid parking program was eliminated and two-hour parking was restored, some merchants and area officials aren’t sure if the decision made much difference on Main Street.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 12, 2012
Parking problem still lingers

Some merchants and officials believe the paid parking program didn't last long enough to gauge whether its removal is best for the city.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 12, 2012
Sarasota County modifies buiding height regulations

Commissioners Wednesday approved changes that make amendments to heights on barrier islands and along waterways.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 12, 2012
Siesta Beach Access 12 project approved

A beach access will be modified to allow trucks to gain access to the beach to perform emergency services only, such as red algae and hurricane cleanup efforts.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Don't punish all for actions of a few; Banning alcohol will not prevent drinking; 'Ban the Booze' My View was great

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A new Goodwill Superstore construction project moved ahead Tuesday when the dirt was turned on the North Trail project and a groundbreaking ceremony was held despite a pending legal challenge.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 12, 2012
North Trail Goodwill Superstore breaks ground

Sarasota city attorney Robert Fournier said that Goodwill is moving forward at its own risk because a challenge neighborhood residents filed against the store in Sarasota Circuit Court is still pending.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
File photo by Rick Greenspun
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 12, 2012
Sarasota Audubon Society makes careful effort to protect plovers

The Sarasota Audubon Society continues efforts to protect endangered snowy plovers.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Easter came two weeks earlier than it did last year, and as a result, businesses didn’t experience the lull that often falls between the end of spring break season and Easter.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 12, 2012
Key sees a hopping Easter weekend

Easter weekend is a notoriously busy one on Siesta Key. Right on the heels of spring break, guests flood the island to spend the holiday weekend with family, and it's typically one of the last busy weekends of the season.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Artist Diana McConnell sold her jewelry at a past Siesta Fiesta. File photo.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 12, 2012
Annual Siesta Fiesta returns to the Village

This weekend, the Siesta Key Village will close its streets for one of the last - and most popular - events of the season.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
News Briefs

New College Foundation makes appointment; Ringling Picnic hosts evening festival Friday; Free document shredding offered Saturday

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city of Sarasota intends to get this abandoned parcel at 2303 Bahia Vista St. back on city tax rolls. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 12, 2012
City wants to clean up abandoned properties

The city's Code Compliance Division can now start the foreclosure process on abandoned parcels to clear the property titles, dispose of the properties and get them back on the tax rolls.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 12, 2012
Neighbors: Laura Proctor

For more than 35 years, Laura Proctor has loved cooking and sharing her culinary skills with others. Today, Proctor runs a successful personal chef business called Epicurean Pursuits.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
John Gudritz is the co-owner of an investment management firm.
  • By John Gudritz
  • April 12, 2012
My View: Consider the rights of the early birds - please turn down the music

I am a morning person, also known as an early bird. I am one of those people who loves to get up early in the morning to walk or run the beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 12, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Siesta Key needs streetlights; Don't punish all for actions of a few; 'Ban the Booze' My View was great

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 12, 2012
Sarasota team prepares for Red Bull Candola race

Jared Serfozo and Jason Owens will compete at the Red Bull Candola race this weekend in Fort Lauderdale.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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