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Your Observer

At the workshop, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight and his staff revealed Siesta Key beach statistics for 2011 that showed only 0.3% of the 2.4 million estimated beachgoers that year were arrested on alcohol related charges.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
County takes no action on beach alcohol issue

The Sarasota County Commission discussed ways to combat public drunkenness on its beaches with the Sheriff's Department Tuesday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Photo courtesy of Sarasota Opera
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 29, 2012
Sarasota Opera ranked second most popular Sarasota attraction

According to TripAdvisor.com, Sarasota Opera is the second most popular attraction in Sarasota. The first was Siesta Key Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The existing Publix store on Longboat Key opened in June 1980.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 29, 2012
Longboat Publix to close April 7

The Avenue of the Flowers store will close the Saturday before Easter in preparation for the new store's construction.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Jungle Gardens to welcome albino badger

APRIL FOOLS - Due to an albino alligator named Pearl turning out to be such a success for Smuggler's Cove, Jungle Gardens will only be accepting albino animals going forward, in hopes of creating an albino petting zoo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Don't get left in the dust

APRIL FOOLS - The Observer Group will publish its first edition for left-handed readers Aug. 13 --  International Left Handers Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The photo above is one proposed idea of how the Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover could look. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Downtown to move at fast pace

APRIL FOOLS - On the heels of a proposed pedestrian walkway comes the next step in bayfront connectivity - the Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover system, which reaches speeds of 38 mph.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
City bets on slot machines

APRIL FOOLS - The Sarasota City Commission will take a gamble on a downtown pilot program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Simon and his Isaac Group Holdings development company call Sarasota the perfect recipe for future development when the economy comes back.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: John Simon

There's nothing like downtown Sarasota, according to developer John Simon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's homeless population will be treated to a life of luxury in a new city-funded shelter.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 29, 2012
City to convert police headquarters into homeless shelter

APRILS FOOLS - Plans are in the works to turn the Sarasota Police Department into a state-of-the-art homeless shelter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
City promotes downtown detours

APRIL FOOLS - The city of Sarasota has unveiled a variety of new detour routes for downtown motorists that might take longer to travel than main routes but completely avoid construction zones and downtown traffic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City officials recently approved an offer from LEGOLAND to begin the construction of a Legoman Land theme park on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 29, 2012
Legoman Land lands on Siesta

APRIL FOOLS - Sarasota County officials approved construction of a new Legoman Land theme park on Siesta Key Beach, due to the success of LEGOLAND Theme Park, in Winter Haven.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Doggie sunglasses will be available for purchase at the Siesta Key pavilion. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 29, 2012
Siesta Beach goes to the dogs

APRIL FOOLS - In their Wednesday meeting, Sarasota County commissioners agreed to put into effect a pilot program that would allow dogs on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 29, 2012
MTV to hold 'Siesta Shore' casting call

APRIL FOOLS - If bunking with seven off-the-wall personalities on Siesta Key is your idea of a good time, you won't want to miss the auditions for MTV's newest reality series, 'Siesta Shore.'

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
News Briefs

APRIL FOOLS - Pocket park to become dog park; Siesta bridges to close for maintenance; Merchants needed to assist with upkeep

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Sarasota County will construct parking garage on Siesta Key

APRIL FOOLS - Parking has always been a hot topic on Siesta Key, and with the new Legoman Land set to come to the island soon, Sarasota County officials have been discussing numerous ways to accommodate the influx of visitors.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Joint concert raises funds for the needy

The Riverview Kiltie Band and Green Band held a joint concert Tuesday, March 27, at the Riverview Performing Arts Center.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sierra Van Such
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Temple Beth Sholom celebrates Pi Day

As part of Temple Beth Sholom Goldie Feldman Academy's annual Pi Day celebration, eighth-grade student Sierra Van Such recited pi to 2,109 digits from memory.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Christine Alexander, of Lazy Fairy Improv
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Guitar Company to give out gift card ... no joke!

Scott Cook, owner of Sarasota Guitar Company, is filming a promotional video at the guitar shop with the help of Sarasota-based improvisation group, Lazy Fairy Improv.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Some Laurel Park residents are concerned with large development that can be built on lots just outside the community’s boundaries on Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Laurel Park residents divided

Some Laurel Park residents want more input on nearby future development, while others believe the extra input would deter future development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Downtown attracts new clothing store

A J.McLaughlin clothing store is opening next to Eileen Fischer this summer on Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Andrea Flynn Mogensen
  • March 29, 2012
My View: Columnist misfires on ACLU involvement

Our group stands ready to defend the principle that all messages are entitled to be heard on a level playing field.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
  • By Rod Thomson
  • March 29, 2012
My View: Ban the booze on the beach

It's more than a little disconcerting that Sarasota County allows alcohol on Siesta Beach - the lifeblood of the area's tourism.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Denise Kowal is a Sarasota resident and master valuer of jewelry and gemstones.
  • By Denise Kowal
  • March 29, 2012
My View: Know your gold's value before selling

Right behind the first tremors of the American financial meltdown in March 2008, many subtle casualties followed that often are not discussed.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Some of the 214 real-estate parcels owned by the city include Bayfront Park and its mooring field and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
City debates real-estate parcels

A total of 214 city-owned parcels are being scrutinized by city staff in an attempt to see what properties should be put on the market or consolidated during tough economic times.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Crime Stoppers sign approved

Sarasota city commissioners overturned a Planning Board decision last week and approved a new digital blinking sign on Ringling Boulevard for Crime Stoppers.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Spring breakers enjoy a game of volleyball Friday, March 23, on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 29, 2012
Siesta Key's Spring Breakdown

After Siesta Key Beach and the area have received numerous accolades this past year, spring break numbers show an increase in activity.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Rod Thomson
  • March 29, 2012
Friction-free foundations

How do Florida's two largest community foundations co-exist in the same community? Pretty well - now.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
News Briefs

Sarasota County Area Transit director resigns

  • Sarasota
  • News
The rehabilitation project for the north Siesta Key bridge will start in June.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 29, 2012
Bridge sewer force-main pipe construction to begin

Construction is expected to be completed in time for the start of the bridge rehabilitation project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Jeffrey Weisman practices fine arts photography and serves on the board of directors of Art Center Sarasota.
  • By Jeffrey Weisman
  • March 29, 2012
My View: Spring Cleaning

Today's column will "clean up" some things I've been thinking about. I welcome your comments, whether pro or con.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Letters to the Editor

I heart Siesta Key; Arts climate drifting toward censorship

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beach Road drainage improvements have been delayed until July.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Beach Road stormwater project delayed again

A stormwater drainage project that's been in the planning stages since 2005 and was supposed to start after Easter has been delayed again.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Siesta Village crosswalk lighting price tag rises

The number of Siesta Village crosswalks to receive lighted bollards will most likely be reduced in half because of construction costs.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Beach access pavements between Siesta Key Public Beach and Gulf & Bay Club were approved in this location Tuesday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 29, 2012
Gulf & Bay Club receives access modifications

Gulf & Bay Club Condominium Association Inc. and Sarasota County has agreed to easement modifications that moves Siesta Public Beach parking further away from condominium property.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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