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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Vince Vizzaccaro

Lakewood Ranch resident Vince Vizzaccaro recently released his first novel. Read more about him in this week's candid Q&A.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ringling Assistant Vice President/Director of Facilities Jeff Poleshek discusses plans with Village residents
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 5, 2012
Arts Center to submit application tomorrow

The Ringling College division seeks to amend its site plan to allow for a four-phase plan that would eventually result in a new, two-story building.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Professor of Anthropology Uzi Baram with students Evan Giomi and Rozalyn Crews
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
New College students win prize

New College students Rozalyn Crews and Evan Giomi won the top prizes in the 2012 Student Archaeology Grant contest, sponsored by the Time Sifters Archaeology Society.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Neal brings tech to St. Martha School

Neal Communities recently contributed funds to purchase an ActivBoard, commonly referred to as a smart board, for Sister Marianne Baehr's fourth-grade class.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
ODA student wins contest

Out-of-Door Academy sixth-grader Hayley Wahl was an inspirational quotation winner of the Embracing Our Differences Contest exhibit on the bayfront in Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Mini donuts offer big treat

Hungry for a little sweet treat?

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A real-estate parcel that sits between the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota and the G.WIZ Science Museum is considered the most expensive parcel the city owns.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 5, 2012
City mulls relocation of G.WIZ

The city is preparing to sell six of its 10 most prized vacant lots, which include a vacant lot on the Sarasota bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The benches were pulled out of the park last summer after residents and business owners complained they attracted transients and panhandlers who intimidated them and didn't allow them to stroll into nearby shops
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 5, 2012
Five Points benches will remain removed

Sarasota city commissioners agreed Monday that putting benches back in Selby Five Points Park will only recreate a problem that has disappeared.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Culverhouse Nature Park community garden organizer Catherine Dente took this picture just outside the park's fence. T Photo courtesy of Catherine Dente
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 5, 2012
Culverhouse park fence questioned

Stonebridge residents are upset with a chain-link fence that was placed around a community garden at the Culverhouse Nature Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 5, 2012
Downtown walking beat praised

The Police Department's Downtown Walking Beat Program encourages officers to work closely with downtown merchants and residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
News Briefs

Jebco plans apartments on Ringling Boulevard

  • Sarasota
  • News
A free valet service could use the garage that sits under the 100 Central condominium tower on First Street or other parking lots or garages downtown.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 5, 2012
Free downtown valet service proposed

A proposed free valet service for downtown residents and visitors that would run for three nights a week could cost DID taxpayers $10,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
April Fools' stories elicit community responses

The Sarasota Observer's April Fools' edition seemed to have resonated with many readers this year, based on the feedback we have received.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
My View: Sell every last parcel

At first, we thought it was another one of our April Fools' spoofs. The news report last week said Sarasota city commissioners instructed city staff to compile a list of the city's top 10 properties that could be sold to the private sector to raise cash.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sue Jacobson is a Sarasota lawyer and regional president of the American Jewish Committee.
  • By Sue Jacobson
  • April 5, 2012
My View: It's not really about school prayer

The recent law approved by the Legislature and governor is frightening and, perhaps even more offensive, cynical. Either way, we cannot afford to let it stand.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Mogensen's response does not stand scrutiny; Laurel Park residents want to voice opinions

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Siesta Key No. 1 Beach sign was restored Tuesday, April 3, after being stolen.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 5, 2012
Vandalised sign restored

The front of the Siesta Key No. 1 Beach sign was stolen earlier this month, but a new sign was reinstalled Tuesday morning.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Despite the outcry from some members of the community seeking the alcohol ban, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and county commissioners aren’t making any major changes to the ways in which they’ve been addressing the issue.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 5, 2012
No action taken on beach alcohol issue

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office officials said they will work to enforce existing ordinances.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 5, 2012
Village Association wants continued success

After a busy season, the Siesta Key Village Association searches for the best ways to advertise and keep people coming back.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
These early designs for the new Gulf Gate Library show the building’s new centralized location and two-story design, complete with new features. Renderings courtesy of Harvard Jolly
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 5, 2012
Library design echoes community center

The new Gulf Gate Library preliminary designs reflect the changing nature of libraries today and incorporate citizens' input.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
April Fools' stories elicit responses from the community

The Pelican Press' first April Fools' edition seemed to have resonated with many readers this year, based on the feedback we have received.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 5, 2012
Community's plan to end homelessness debated

A plan that involves the help of the entire Sarasota community to eliminate homelessness was accepted by the Sarasota County Commission last week.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The following water facilities are either in operation or proposed to provide water to Sarasota County residents.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 5, 2012
Sarasota County: $380 million in water-service debt

County staff provided commissioners with an update last week of the county's water system as a facility expansion is planned.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Alcohol on beach should be banned; Banning alcohol will not prevent drinking; Banning alcohol on beach is a no-brainer

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 5, 2012
Neighbors: Phyllis Ulrich

For the last 26 years, Phyllis Ulrich has devoted her time to raising guide and service dogs for those in need.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Darcy, Garden Elementary
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Pelikids

Pelikids is a monthly feature highlighting the work of Sarasota County students. This month's offerings are from students at Garden Elementary and Brookside Middle schools.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This Siesta Isles home, which has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,064 square feet of living area, sold for $640,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 5, 2012
Blind Pass home sells for $1.9 million

A home on Blind Pass Road tops all transactions in this week's real estate. James Plodzien, of Long Beach, Calif., sold his home at 9250 Blind Pass Road to Anthony Cocca, of Youngstown, Ohio, for $1.9 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Samantha Bisceglia took sunrise photo on Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Samantha Bisceglia took sunrise photo on Siesta Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 5, 2012
Home on Casey Key tops weekly sales at $4.1 million

A home on Casey Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Neil and Susan Gailmard, trustees, of Munster, Ind., sold the home at 1304 Casey Key Road to Vijay and Neena Kanwar, of Ontario, Canada, for $4.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Observer Team Spotlight: Tanner Holman

This week's Observer Team Spotlight is Tanner Holman

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 5, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Jade Rhodes

We've read about her for two years now since she and the Sarasota High School Sailors went to the state championship in 2010.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
JUST THE STATS

0 - The number of games the Sarasota High School JV girls basketball team lost during the regular season this year. The Lady Sailors went 20-0 this season to give Sarasota its first undefeated year of girls basketball.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 5, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Brian Elzinga took this sunset photo overlooking Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ana Lucic
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 4, 2012
Meet the Musicians

La Musica International Chamber Music Festival

  • Black Tie
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