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Your Observer

Turtle Watch volunteers mark off nests using wooden stakes and tape.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 1, 2012
Turtle-nesting season begins today

Turtles are off to an early crawl, with three nests documented the day before season's start.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2012
Obituary: Robert S. Bernard

Robert S. Bernard, of Longboat Key and formerly of Albany, N.Y., died Tuesday, April 24. He was 80.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2012
May 1: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Gator Grading and Pavement started working on the area that will become the playground at Payne Park, Monday, April 30.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 1, 2012
Construction begins for Payne Park Playground

Construction has begun out at Payne Park where a circus-themed playground will be created over the next few months.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
High winds can turn the usually tepid Gulf waters into a dangerous maelstrom. File photo.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 1, 2012
Off-duty sergeant saves two swimming teens

Sergeant Steve Leavitt, a deputy with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, rescued a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl struggling in the Siesta surf.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Paul Berloni admitted that his driver's license was revoked and that he had been drinking alcohol. Photo courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 1, 2012
Drunken grandparents towed grandchild Sunday

The incident occurred at 4:30 p.m. Sunday when a deputy saw the SUV on a parallel access road near Rockefeller Avenue pulling a plastic Hot Wheels car with a girl dressed in a swimsuit but wearing no headgear.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joe Ellison enjoys a festive drink.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Bay Club Luau

The Sarasota Bay Club hosted a luau Friday, April 27, where residents donned tropical shirts and leis before enjoying a traditional Hawaiian musical performance complete with festive drinks and food.

  • Sarasota
  • News
www.lakewoodranchgov.org went live April 30. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 1, 2012
New Lakewood Ranch CDD website launches

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall has launched a new governance website for Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5 and the Inter-District Authority Board. Residents in those districts no longer will be served by Digital Village.

  • East County
  • News
Char Arnold, Ann Williams and Joan Hopkins
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lilly Pulitzer at Bird Key Yacht Club

On Thursday, April 26, Lilly Pulitzer of St. Armands arrived at Bird Key Yacht Club in a pink floral-printed jeep, signature of the brand. The style show featured an array of high-society preppy dresses, blouses and pants from the Spring and Summer lines. Lilly Pulitzer, 443a John Ringling Blvd. is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Julie Eisele
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 30, 2012
RAGS TO RICHES

RAGS TO RICHES

  • Black Tie
Students were challenged to bathe with only five gallons of water, using their homemade showerheads.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Brookside Middle School Earth Day Celebration

As part of its annual Earth Day celebration, Friday, April 27, Brookside Middle School hosted a variety of activities to promote eco-friendly practices. Students participated in one of the most anticipated events of the year, where among other activities, students constructed their own shower heads and attempted to take showers using only five gallons of water.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • April 30, 2012
April 30: 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 Sarasota High School Cheerleaders provided school spirit.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota High School Breezeway Party

Sarasota High School held a party Friday, April 27, in its breezeway, which was designed by noted architect Paul Rudolph. The party included food and live music by the Sarasota High School Jazz Combo, and it raised money for the Sarasota Architectural Foundation's Paul Rudolph Scholarship.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kirsten Hannabass
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Ski-A-Rees

At one point in the Ski-A-Rees show, a little boy was invited down to the announcer's deck where two skiers jumped out of the water and over his head, landing gracefully back on the skis in the water on Sunday, April 29. The Ski-A-Rees water skiing show troupe performs 30 free shows every Sunday during season at their stadium off of Ken Thompson Parkway. They range in age from 7-years-old to 81-years-old and a lot of the skiers are siblings - their parents also attend every show and practice.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police are asking for assistance in identifying the photographed individuals.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 30, 2012
Sarasota Police looking for armed robbery suspects

A man was robbed at gunpoint in the 1600 block of Main Street Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Luz Ruiz-Tagle leads a dance to a remix of Usher's "Yeah!"
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Beach Zumba

Zumba Sarasota Bradenton organized a free Zumba class on the morning of April 29 at Siesta Beach. Organizers collected voluntary donations for All Faiths Food Bank and Honor Animal Rescue.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Village Association will hold its monthly meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, at Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 30, 2012
Siesta Key associations to meet this week

The Siesta Key Village and the Siesta Key associations will each have meetings this week.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
"Artichokes Adored" is a simple recipe using only four ingredients.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 30, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Barbara Glanz

One appetizer Barbara Glanz makes "Artichokes Adored," a simple recipe that is easy to make and is always a crowd pleaser.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Construction progress as of April 30
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • April 30, 2012
VIDEO: April 30 Publix development

Gone for the season but want to know how construction for the new Longboat Publix is developing? Check out our weekly video update of the construction process.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The driver of the car was driving with a suspended driver’s license and was issued citations for improper backing and driving with a suspended driver's license.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 30, 2012
Car hits Sarasota school bus

A man backing out of a driveway struck a moving Sarasota County school bus this morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town officials estimate that 30 to 50 feet of dry beach remain between the Gulf and 360 North condominiums.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 30, 2012
Sand loss prompts warning for 360 North owners

Most of the sand placed during last year's emergency project is gone, and a permanent solution is 24 to 36 months away.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2012
Trunk sale to benefit FELTS

A trunk sale Tuesday will benefit Feeding Empty Little Tummies.

  • East County
  • News
River Club resident Michael Meiser, right, served up his best barbecue with the help of his parents, Mike and Theresa.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: High on the Hog BBQ Contest

Barbecue enthusiasts turned out in full force April 29 to the High on the Hog Barbecue Contest, at Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Five-year-old Joanna Graczyk got an airplane ride from her dad, Frank, before the show.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Moonlight Movie

Lakewood Ranch families on April 27 spread blankets and chairs out at Greenbrook Adventure Park, as Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp. hosted its Moonlight Movie event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kathryn McCue, Beth Fox, Phillip Burrill, Gina Gunter, David Curran and Nikki Logan, all of Whole Foods Market
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Cheese Ball

The Gulf Coast Cheese Fest came to a close April 28, as guests gathered a Polo Grill's Fete Ballroom for the Cheese Ball.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jane Norton, Cindy Mercurio, Marisa Mercurio, Stephanie DeSear and Robin Serbin were looking forward to an eventful afternoon.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:All Children's Hospital Guild Sarasota/Manatee Branch Carrabba's Luncheon and Fashion Show

Nearly 125 employees and supporters of All Children's Hospital enjoyed an afternoon of Italian flavor and summer fashion during the All Children's Hospital Guild Sarasota/Manatee Branch's annual Carrabba's Luncheon and Fashion Show April 25. Guests enjoyed lunch, a fashion show with fashions by Cache and a silent auction.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabriela Hernandez, Sandra Torres, Regina Gonzalez, Karen Orozco, Julia Bulle, Gabriela de la Fuente, Melissa Villagomez, David Alonzo, Robin Howe, Claudia Ampudia, Fernando Leon, Andres Fox and Rodrigo Irianda
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: NewGate School participates in new exchange program

NewGate School held a welcome luncheon, Thursday, April 26, on the school's campus for the nine exchange students and their chaperones from Leon, Mexico.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fay Watkins turned 107 and Maurice Halpern turned 102, Thursday, April 26.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 100 Plus Birthday Party

Fay Watkins and Maurice Halpern celebrated turning 107 and 102, Thursday, April 26, at the Kobernick House.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rebecca Tavill came dressed in a pirate costume and read “How I Became a Pirate”.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Phillippi Shores storybook and PJ night

Phillippi Shores held a storybook/PJ night, Thursday, April 26, inside the library.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Many students had fun playing poker.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Prom

Juniors and seniors at the Out-of-Door Academy danced the night away April 28 during the school's Prom, held at The Founders Club.

  • East County
  • Schools
Incoming G.WIZ Executive Director Sara Rankin Wilson with outgoing Executive Director Molly Demeulenaere
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 28, 2012
The Cheese Ball

The Cheese Ball

  • Black Tie
Co-Chairwomen Stephanie Hannum and Shannon Hankin with Carter Hankin
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 28, 2012
Princess and Pirate Ball

Princess and Pirate Ball

  • Black Tie
JJ Midnight took center stage and rocked out with the band and the Riverview High School Choir during “We are the Champions”.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 28, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bohemian Rhapsody Orchestra

Celebrating Queen featuring The Bohemian Rhapsody Orchestra rocked the auditorium, 7 pm, Thursday, April 26, at the Riverview Performing Arts Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Teens With A Dream team continued to run their laps even during the downpour, Saturday, April 28, during the 2012 Relay for Life of Downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 28, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Relay for Life

The 2012 Relay For Life of Downtown Sarasota was a little wetter than usual this past weekend than expected. The 17th largest relay in the state took place at Sarasota High School and had 40 teams that raised a total of $103,142 for the American Cancer Society.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch junior Ashley Platt keeps pace during the first 200 meters of the 400-meter run.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 28, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Class 3A-Region 3 Track Meet

Lakewood Ranch High junior Olivia Ortiz won the 1600- and 3200-meter runs and anchored the winning 4x800 relay, leading the Lady Mustangs to a second-place finish at the Class 3A-Region 3 meet April 26 at Charlotte High. Lakewood scored 57 points to finish behind Lely with 61 points. With her three victories, Ortiz qualified for the Class 3A state meet May 4 in Jacksonville. Joining Ortiz will be the rest of the 4x800 relay, which includes Natalie Novak, Devin McDermott and Kristin Zarrella. The Lady Mustangs 4x400 relay team of Zarrella, Novak, Mariah Higgins and Ashley Platt also qualified for the state meet with its second-place finish. Zarrella also advanced in the 800 (third, 2:15.89) and McDermott qualified in the 3200 (third, 11:00.59). Bridget Lanier led the way for Braden River, finishing 11th in the pole vault (8-06) and 12th in the 300 hurdles (51.96).

  • East County
  • Sports
The string quartet played for cocktails
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 27, 2012
Shoemaker Celebration of Love

Shoemaker Celebration of Love

  • Black Tie
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