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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
News Briefs

More light to shine on Village SCAT stop; Siesta man charged with vehicle burglaries; One Book program to welcome Wilson

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A traffic analysis conducted by a Sarasota County consultant in May 2011 proposed vehicle-flow changes for four driveways at Siesta Public Beach.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
Plan improves traffic flow

The proposed improvements for Siesta Public Beach call for 130 new parking spaces, for a total of 967, and better traffic flow.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Walt Olson. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
Observed: Olson may yet prove the value of persistence

Having worked as a journalist for more than three decades (yes, I'm giving away my age here), I've had the opportunity to get to know more than a few people on a mission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
John Gudritz is the co-owner of an investment management firm. He and his wife have been coming to the Key since the 1970s and have been seasonal residents since 2008.
  • By John Gudritz
  • February 23, 2012
My View: Beach alcohol debate an uphill battle for public-safety side

Rachel Brown Hackney's Feb. 16 column on the controversy of the legal consumption of alcohol on Siesta Key Beach called on all of us who live here to let our opinions on this subject be heard by the Sarasota County Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
With The Celery Fields gaining in popularity, residents are requesting more amenities.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Celery Fields popularity grows

The County's stormwater site-turned-park is welcoming so many visitors that residents are starting to clamor for more parking spaces and other amenities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 23, 2012
Neighbors: Benny Kimsey

The Siesta Key resident will bring his popular bluegrass picnic back to Turtle Beach in March.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jerry and Gail Klink are spending their first winter on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 23, 2012
New Siesta Key snowbirds share their life experiences

Gail and Jerry Klink discussed life in Saudi Arabia and more Feb 21, at Siesta Key Chapel.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
China Smith stopped boxing in 2007 to launch his non-profit, China Smith and Friends Inc. This year, he hopes to return to the ring.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 23, 2012
Neighbors: China Smith

'The People's Champ' talks about growing up in Sarasota, giving back to his community and his plans to return to the boxing ring.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ally, Pineview
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Pelikids: February 2012

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

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 23, 2012
Windward Passage unit sells for $999,000

A condominium in Windward Passage was the only transaction in this week's real estate. William and Nancy Kuhn, Sarasota, sold their Unit W-7 condominium at 4712 Ocean Blvd. to Richard and Charlotte Clark, Sarasota, for $999,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Diana Inskeep submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Diana Inskeep submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 23, 2012
Going the Distance: Sarasota man to run 3,273 miles

Ultra-distance runner and Sarasota resident John Pyle will run from San Francisco to Key West as part of the Patriot Run Across America.

  • Arts + Culture
Meet this week's athlete of the week: Issac Mingus.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 23, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Isaac Mingus

Issac Mingus, 14, was never able to play a sport such as baseball, basketball or football as a young child. Born prematurely, Mingus had to have an IV shunt placed in his head, which prevented him from participating in contact sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
JUST THE STATS

2 - The number of RBIs Sarasota High senior Danny Mars notched in the Sailors' 8-5 win over Riverview Feb. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Debbie and Brian Lamb
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Signature Sotheby's adds new sales associate; Aimee Cogan receives promotion; Zwiwwel opens in downtown Sarasota; Signs Now Sarasota sponsors scholarship

  • Sarasota
  • News
A condo at 128 Golden Gate Point sold for $1.149 million. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 23, 2012
Vista Bay Point condo sells for $1.15 million

A condominium in Vista Bay Point tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Mark Gerszewski and Patricia Wunderlin, trustees, Sarasota, sold the Unit 602 condominium at 128 Golden Gate Point to Sandra Young and Patrick McNamee, trustees, St. Louis, for $1.149 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Charles Preston Rawls submitted this sunrise photo, taken near downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Charles Preston Rawls submitted this sunrise photo, taken near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Dietrich family was recognized for its contribution. Pictured are students Tyler and Alexsa, with their parents, Sandi and Billy, and grandparents, Sandy and Bill.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2012
ODA opens new baseball facilities

The Out-of-Door Academy on Feb. 21 celebrated the grand opening of its new Thunder Baseball Concession Building and Scorer's Booth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Patrick Kopfle, Kayla Moore and Bob Kirscher of the Broken Egg
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance MemberFest

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance enjoyed an evening of fun and games during the organization's MemberFest 2012 block party Feb. 22 on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. Those in attendance enjoyed playing games, sampling food from local restaurants, a wacky member awards presentation, prizes, networking and socializing with other members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bugsy and Ceili dressed for the occasion
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Mardi Gras at Lynches Pub and Grub

St. Armands didn't have the usual Mardi Gras parade this year. But leave it to the Lynch sisters to throw the alternative party. On Feb. 21, Mardi Gras, Lynches Pub and Grub was decked with purple and yellow balloons, employees with feathered hats and patrons with masks. And there was no shortage of beads, either. The sisters served complimentary pancakes, per tradition, and Joe Bruno's Dixieland Hot Dogs band played crowd favorites, such as 'Pennis from Heaven.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 22, 2012
FEB. 22: 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
Vice President Bud Freeman and President Shirley Beechum
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Historical Society Lecture Series

The speaker originally scheduled, Kent Chetalin, could not be in attendance, but Dennis Kauser saved the day on Feb. 21. For the second lecture of the Historical Society of Longboat Key's series, Kauser spoke about Historic Spanish Point. The lectures take place at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design. Kauser is a docent and member of the speaker's bureau from the Historic Spanish Point Museum.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Suzy Lysen with Jude Connally, Diana Corrigan Executive Director of St. Armands Circle Association and Mary Czernyk with Jude Connally
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Armands Circle Association

The members of the St. Armands Circle Assocation met Tuesday, Feb. 21 to discuss business. Sunglass Hut hosted the event and provided coffee and breakfast snacks to the circle business representatives present. Items discussed ranged from the ongoing Buskers performing on the circle and the potential parking meter discussion happening at Town Hall. St. Armands Circle will cross that bridge when they come to it, and they will cross it with full force.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
President Murray Blueglass, Hostess Lillian Sands and Head of Sarasota County Democrats Rita Ferrandino
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Democratic Club Fundraiser

The agenda for the Longboat Key Democratic Club is simple: Reelect President Obama and elect Keith Fitzgerald to Congress. Their meeting at Lillian Sands' home on Monday, Feb. 22 was a fundraiser. Proceeds benefit a variety of activities that allow the Democrats to reach out to both Sarasota and Manatee counties. Since 2008, the group has sent busses from New Town to the polls to get people to vote - regardless of their political party. The fundraiser also featured speakers Rita Ferrandino the head of the Democrats of Sarasota County and Richard O'Brien the head of the Democrats of Manatee County.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 22, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Jean and Ron Schwied

Jean and Ron Schwied are getting ready to set sail on a 10 month boating adventure. Read more about the couple in our candid Q&A.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ken Andre, Dianne Ramsey and Stu Turnbull
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Condo Council Meeting

The Siesta Key Condo Council held its monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Siesta Key Chapel. After enjoying snacks and refreshments, members heard from John Dauenheimer, Vice President of Insurance Service of Sarasota, who spoke about how the potential Citizens Insurance changes would affect Siesta Key condos.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Vivian and Gerry Ross
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: TBI Opera Night

The Men's Club of Temple Beth Israel put on the annual Temple Beth Israel Opera Night, Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the temple.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Bill Mixon

83-year-old Bill Mixon is one of Manatee County's most famous farmers. Read more about this local icon in our candid Q&A.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioners held a public hearing on amending maintenance and cost provisions of the Siesta Key Village Public Improvements District
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 22, 2012
County commissioners rename ball field Tuesday

The Sarasota County Commission renamed a bellied and discussed maintenance and cost provisions for Siesta Key Public Village Tuesday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Braden River tops Lakewood Ranch

The Braden River High boys tennis team defeated rival Lakewood Ranch 5-2 Feb. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
The U10 boys also made it to the semifinals.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
SCORES: BRSC teams win championships

The Braden River Soccer Club U13 boys maroon and U14 girls both won the Disney President's Day tournament Feb. 18-20.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Elusive screech owl is a hoot

For years, a screech owl has lived in the backyard of Martin and Deborah Brookses' residence.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Tea to Tequila goes Cuban

The Tea to Tequila book club met Feb. 15, with an incredible 37-person turnout at Marcia and David Gutridge's home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Putterman tells his real age

It's not a lie when Sol Putterman tells people he's really 21 years old - not 88.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ann Schumer was among the lucky raffle winners. Photo by Be-Be Hansen.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Palm-Aire goes all in at card party

About 200 women tried their luck during the Palm-Aire Women's Club's Game & Card Party at Palm-Aire Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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