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Your Observer

The Northwest kicks off the festival with its set.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Harvey Milk Festival

The third day of the Harvey Milk Festival kicked off with live music Saturday, May 12, in Five Points Park. Community members gathered to remember the life and political career of Harvey Milk and enjoy art, music, film and vendors.

  • Arts + Culture
Derek McGarvey, 49, of Clearwater
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO: FIT International Triathlon

Approximately 600 people competed in the FIT International Triathlon, Saturday, May 12, out on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 14, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Melissa Robinson

GreyHawk Landing resident Melissa Robinson, a roller derby player, has been on a primarily raw-food diet for about two months.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune may soon be looking for a new publisher if H-T Publisher Diane McFarlin is selected to be a dean at her alma mater at the end of the month. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 14, 2012
Sarasota Herald-Tribune publisher seeks college dean position

The publisher of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune confirmed for employees last week she's in the running for a dean position at the University of Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The effort is being spearheaded by Lakewood Ranch resident Gene Sweeney.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 14, 2012
Golf tourney to raise funds for 9/11 memorial

Lakewood Ranch resident Gene Sweeney is leading efforts to establish a memorial for individuals lost in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in Venice.

  • East County
  • Sports
If patrons can't find the material, instead of paying a fine they may bring in a 20-pound bag of dog food or some blankets to benefit shelters.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 14, 2012
County library offers week of fine forgiveness

The Manatee County Library System this week will take overdue books without penalty to patrons.

  • East County
  • News
The meeting is from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 at the Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 14, 2012
Sarasota County School Board to get business partner update

The superintendent, board and staff will be updated on implementation of an advertising policy and the other counties doing the same.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lori Black and Claire Fornshell
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sister Keys Island Cleanup

Sarasota Bay Watch, a nonprofit group dedicated to protecting and restoring Sarasota Bay's ecosystem, stayed true to their mission with a Sister Keys Island cleanup. Over 100 participants met at Mar Vista Saturday morning, May 14, rolled up their sleeves and got down to business. They were wet, sandy and sweaty but all were smiling because they collected a whole dumpster's worth of trash bags.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alicia Stevens leads the class in a stretch, Thursday, May 10, during Vinyasa & Vino at the Hyatt Regency.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Third Annual Vinyasa & Vino

More than 30 people attended the 3rd annual Vinyasa & Vino event, Thursday, May 10, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Local yoga instructor Alicia Stevens organized the yoga and wine event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michael Neuman, 9, and his mom, Michelle, pick out sweets from the dessert table, Sunday, May 13, at the Selby Gardens Mother’s Day Brunch.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Mother's Day Brunch at Selby Gardens

Mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers were treated to a lavish brunch with their loved ones, Sunday, May 13, at Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Melody Ramos, 8, works on properly placing her “hikae” into her arrangement.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Ikebana class at Gulf Gate Library

Members of Ikebana International Sarasota taught more than 40 students the basic elements of creating Ikebana flower arrangements from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, Saturday, May 12, at the Gulf Gate Library. The children each made their own arrangements and took them home to present to their mothers as Mother's Day gifts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sophomore Arely Bonilla and senior Sebastian Ramirez danced the night away.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Prom

Students at Braden River High enjoyed an evening Masquerade May 11, as they celebrated Prom at the Bradenton Auditorium.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Participants suit up to clean up; mechanical grabbers are the weapons of choice.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Adopt-a-Road pick up

The Siesta Key Association and the Siesta Key Village Association sponsored a road cleanup Saturday, May 12. The group of 14 collected a total of 22 bags, nearly breaking a record from a previous outing.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Megan Dehn, Dana Catalfomo, Ashley Kinder and Rachel Hinojosa dance the night away.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS Prom

Upper classmen at Lakewood Ranch High School stepped into "an evening in the Grecian garden," May 11, as they celebrated Prom, at the Sarasota Hyatt.

  • East County
  • Schools
Isabella, Jonny and Angelina Ortiz spend most of their time on the dance floor.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Father/Daughter Dance

Girls at McNeal Elementary School enjoyed special time with their dads May 11, during the school's Father/Daughter Dance.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ray Rini, 5, drinks his tea with his mom, Alison, Thursday, May 10.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Pre-K Mother's Day Tea

The pre-k students at Out-of-Door Academy had a Mother's Day tea, Thursday, May 10.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Ava Gracia, 6, enjoys dressing up in cowgirl attire.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Art & Music Festival

Families at Bashaw Elementary School celebrated the arts and culture May 11, during the school's annual Art and Music Festival.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brandon King, Justin Greenaway and Bryan Vanvranken celebrate after taking a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 12, 2012
Mustangs headed back to state semifinals

The Lakewood Ranch High baseball team is headed back to the state semifinals for the first time since 2003 when the Mustangs won the program's first state title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mary Jane and Stan Antrim
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 11, 2012
Hurricane Bash Golf Tournament and Celebrity Chef Showcase

Hurricane Bash Golf Tournament and Celebrity Chef Showcase

  • Black Tie
Join Loren Mayo for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 11, 2012
May 11: 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
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 11, 2012
Pirates name new football coach

Braden River High School named Curt Bradley as its new football coach; Pirates athletic director Bob Bowling announced this afternoon.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nicole Lopez with sisters Ermine and Demi Herard
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 11, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Cake Decorating

Children at Braden River Elementary School practiced their skills in artistic design May 11, at the school, as they decorated heart-shaped cakes from Publix for their moms.

  • East County
  • News
Fresh paint dries on regular and handicap parking spots in the Siesta Key Village parking lot.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 11, 2012
UPDATE: County relines village lot

Sarasota County closed the municipal parking lot in Siesta Key Village and relined all spaces. It was reopened this afternoon.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The taxes are collected on rental sales of less than six months, so they are generally used as a proxy to measure tourism activity.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 11, 2012
March tourist tax numbers released

Siesta Key topped Longboat Key, the City of Sarasota, Venice and North Port in bed tax collections in March

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Mayor Suzanne Atwell will lead the city as mayor for another year. Commissioner Willie Shaw became the city’s new vice mayor.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 11, 2012
Atwell re-elected mayor for another year

For the next year, the mayor of Sarasota will be Suzanne Atwell, and the city's vice mayor will be Willie Shaw.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's Breanne Guy and Sarah Coonan enjoyed a catered lunch for National Hospital Week.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 11, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Good eats

As part of National Hospital Week, employees at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center enjoyed a catered lunch and a visit from the Bradenton Marauders Friday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John and Barbara Christiano with Rob and Maryellen Irvine
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 11, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Harry's Wine tasting for LBK Turtle Watch

Harry's Continental Kitchen hosted a well-attended monthly wine tasting to benefit The Longboat Key Turtle Watch on Wednesday, May 9. Every patron's ticket purchase contributed $5 for the group. Turtle season started the first of May and 38 volunteers will patrol gulf-side beaches for endangered sea turtle nests. Money raised will help the group continue to protect these animals and educate the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The parking lot is currently closed, but the crew hasn't arrived to put fresh paint on the two handicap spaces.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 11, 2012
Siesta lot closed, no fresh paint

Sarasota County plans to reline the two handicap spots in the municipal parking lot in Siesta Key Village today.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Nicole and Tyler Edwards
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 11, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Mother's Day Tea

Children at Kiddie Academy celebrated their mothers with a special Mother's Day Tea May 10, at the childcare center.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lauren Augello and Samantha Everett
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 10, 2012
Downtown Wedding Showcase

Downtown Wedding Showcase

  • Black Tie
Aidan O’Callaghan, Franki Magnotti and Chloe Macculoso pretend to look around the room during a song, Wednesday, May 9.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Music Class at St. Boniface Preschool

The preschool students at St. Boniface enjoy having music class each Wednesday with St. Boniface's Minister of Music Seth Wertz.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Six-year-old Emily Carius was eager to spend time with her mom Mayra Gaitan.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Mother's Day Tea

Kindergarten students at Gullett Elementary School honored their moms during a Mother's Day Tea May 9. Students presented their moms with gifts and special songs before sitting down for refreshments.

  • East County
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 10, 2012
May 10: 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
The Florida Supreme Court upholding might end Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton's bid for re-election.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 10, 2012
Florida Supreme Court upholds term limits

The Florida Supreme Court ruled that term limits for commissioners are constitutional, possibly ending Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton's re-election campaign.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort has been closed since August 2010. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 10, 2012
Club Holdings, Colony could end agreement

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association board will decide Monday night whether to terminate an agreement with its development partner.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 10, 2012
Athletic Edge trainees land in NFL

Fourteen athletes who trained at Athletic Edge Sports at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch were either drafted or signed as free agents in the 2012 NFL Draft.

  • East County
  • Sports
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