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Your Observer

Learn how to cook Ron Pantello's Sausage Ragu in this week's "In The Kitchen"
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 20, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Ron Pantello

Cooking is in Longboater Ron Pantello's blood. He learned from his father, mother and grandfather, but has furthered his skills with cooking courses from Euphemia Haye and Giuliano Hazan. He likes to prepare something three to four days a week, and this recipe is one of his favorites to make.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vice Mayor David Brenner was elected to the District 3 seat in March 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 20, 2012
Candidate forum to take place tonight

Vice Mayor David Brenner will appear at the forum, but his challenger, Ray Rajewski, has declined the invitation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Meagan and Heather, 12, with their brother, Craig Schwier, 8.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: SLL Opening Day

Sarasota Little League had their opening day for Spring season, Saturday, Feb. 18, out at Twin Lakes Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sam Klein and Hannah Miller, front, enjoyed the bounce house with their friends.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Church Block Party

Current Community Church introduced itself to the community with a special Block Party event Feb. 19, at Summerfield Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 20, 2012
Pirates season ends on buzzer-beater

The Braden River High basketball team saw its season come to a disappointing end with a 60-57 loss to Port St. Lucie in overtime of the Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinals Feb. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vicki Warren with guest speaker Salim Ismail
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: GCCF'S 'Better Together' Luncheon

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation held a luncheon called 'Better Together: Silicon Valley Meets the Gulf Coast', Friday, Feb. 17, at the Ritz Carlton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Former ABC President James Duffy spoke about the illiteracy problem in America.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Literacy Council of Sarasota Author's Luncheon

The Literacy Council of Sarasota held its fifth annual author's luncheon Friday, Feb. 17, at Michael's on East. Former president of ABC Televsion Network James Duffy was the featured speaker at the event, which was a fundraiser to benefit the council's adult literacy programs. Duffy, who founded ProLiteracy US alongside Barbara Bush, addressed the issue of illiteracy in America.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sheila Lewis and Raymond and Rae Tomaseski
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce business card exchange

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce members met Thursday, Feb. 16, at CB's Saltwater Outfitters for their monthly business card exchange. Members take turns hosting the after-hours event, where food is provided and attendees have a chance to win various raffle prizes donated by chamber members.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Association President Catherine Luckner
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Association and Siesta Key Village Association trash removal

Members of the Siesta Key Association and the Siesta Key Village Association met Saturday, Feb. 18 for a morning of breakfast and trash removal. Members met at Siesta Key Village Cafe, where co owner Kay Kouvatsos provided a complimentary breakfast before participants headed out to clean Siesta Key roads. The group removed trash from Ocean Boulevard, Higel and Siesta Drive for the Adopt A Road program.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Veteran's Memorial at Alta Vista Elementary.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Veteran's Memorial Re-dedication Ceremony at Alta Vista

Students, veterans and city officials came out to celebrate the re-dedication of the Veteran's Memorial at Alta Vista Elementary.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gov. Rick Scott addresses the students at Sarasota Military Academy, Friday, Feb. 17.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gov. Scott visits SMA

Sarasota Military Academy hosted Gov. Rick Scott, Friday, Feb. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 5th graders counted down from five before "The 7 Master Minds" Rube Goldberg project was set into motion.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Science Night at Southside

Students and parents enjoyed an evening of science, Thursday, Feb. 16, at Southside Elementary's 4th annual Science Night.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
George Adley
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 18, 2012
'Best In Show Gala: The ARCAdemy Awards, A Tribute to the Best Animal Films of All Time'

'Best In Show Gala: The ARCAdemy Awards, A Tribute to the Best Animal Films of All Time'

  • Black Tie
Four-year-old Zac Rubal chased down a ground ball in his very first T-ball game.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 18, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LRLL Opening Day

Hundreds of Little Leaguers hit the field for Lakewood Ranch Little League's Opening Day Feb. 18. Players opened the spring season with baseball games, bounce houses, a home run derby, activities, food, music and more.

  • East County
  • Sports
Megan Mercier wowed the crowd with her Acro Jazz performance.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 18, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:BRMS Talent & Fashion Extravaganza

Braden River Middle School students showed off their talents during the school's Talent & Fashion Extravaganza Feb. 17, at Braden River Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sania Allen, Sandy Ruggerio and Lourdes Ziegenfuss
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 17, 2012
Luxury Lifestyle Jet Port reception

Luxury Lifestyle Jet Port reception

  • Black Tie
Grace, their 7-year-old yellow Chihuahua, has been missing since Thursday night.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2012
Summerfield Park couple looking for lost pet

A couple in Summerfield Park in Lakewood Ranch are looking diligently for a beloved family pet, and is asking their friends and neighbors for help.

  • East County
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 17, 2012
FEB. 17: 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
Rick Scott talking to a group of Freshman at Sarasota Military Academy.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 17, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Gov. Scott visits Sarasota Military Academy

Rick Scott talking to a group of Freshman at Sarasota Military Academy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The suspect entered the store, pointed a black handgun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk could not comply and the suspect fled on foot through the Center Gate Shopping Plaza.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 17, 2012
County searching for robber

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is hoping residents can help locate a PakMail store robber that was caught on tape last night.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Troy DiGrieco with TRVST, Watts Humphrey with Black Turtle Builders, and Robert S. Dinan with TRVST
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Thirsty Thursday

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce hosted a thirsty Thursday Happy hour at the Lido Beach Resort Bar on Thursday, Feb. 16. Members and guests could roll up their sleeves, loosen their ties and network in the scenic sunset grille overlooking lido beach. It wasn't too bad for 'work.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bob Ficco, Cindi Fondohn, and Jill and Nick Caruso
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lido Key Residents Meet and Greet

The Lido Key Residents took over the Lido Beach Resort Bar on Thursday, Feb. 16 for a sunset happy hour. The social time was spent laughing with friends, getting to know other members and snacking on mozzarella sticks. And the view wasn't too shabby either! They had a great view of their neighborhood from up on the eighth floor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Megan Yost, center, and Lauren Valenti checked out a career in massage therapy.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2012
Students learn about career opportunities

Lakewood Ranch High School today hosted a college and career fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Parking in the Palm Avenue parking garage is free Sunday and Monday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 17, 2012
City prepares for busy weekend

The city of Sarasota has planned for a busy weekend downtown by installing new parking signs and offering free parking throughout downtown Sunday and Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
All lane closures for the project have been scheduled between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., to create the least disruption possible for traffic, according to FDOT.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 17, 2012
One lane closed on U.S. 41 between Bee Ridge and Siesta Drive

Drainage improvements on U.S. 41 between Versailles Street and Bee Ridge Road are necessitating a lane closure as of Friday, Feb. 17, the Florida Department of Transportation has announced.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town Manager David Bullock
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 17, 2012
Town to determine scope of Zoning Code, Comp Plan review

Town Manager David Bullock will draft a proposal outlining scope of the review as a starting point.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Workers currently are replacing portions of sidewalk at Greenbrook Adventure Park.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: People at Work

Workers currently are replacing portions of sidewalk at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Persson is the Longboat Key town attorney.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 17, 2012
Appeals court grants oral arguments to town

The Second District Court of Appeals has granted oral arguments to the town in its challenge of a writ of certiorari issued in late December.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jane Buckman is executive director of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 17, 2012
Arts Center discusses future plans

Plans for the Longboat Key Center for the Arts include expanding the center's programming to achieve sustainability.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 17, 2012
Gryphons thwart Mustangs season

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 57-32 loss to Tampa Sickles in a Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinal Feb. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 17, 2012
Lady Mustangs top Hurricanes and Indians

The Lakewood Ranch High softball team defeated Manatee 9-3 Feb. 14.

  • East County
  • Sports
C.J. Fishman with candidate Vanessa Baugh and Nick Gladding
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Vanessa Baugh Meet-and-Greet

Lou and Ann Marie Marinaccio hosted a special meet-and-greet with Manatee County Commission District 5 Candidate Vanessa Baugh Feb. 16, at their home in The Concession.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtney Adams and Jonathan Whitney
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 16, 2012
Goodwill Fat Tuesday Gala 'Count Down to Mardi Gras'

Goodwill Fat Tuesday Gala 'Count Down to Mardi Gras'

  • Black Tie
Jewel Ash, Lee Peterson and Phil King
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 16, 2012
9th Annual Caring Hearts Luncheon & Silent Auction

9th Annual Caring Hearts Luncheon & Silent Auction

  • Black Tie
More than a dozen Sheriff's Office vehicles were on scene.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2012
Homes evacuated in Summerfield Park

Homes were evacuated in Summerfield Park tonight after a man in the 11500 block of Parkside Place turned the gas on inside his home and threatened to harm himself.

  • East County
  • News
Vice President and member of the National Board of Governors Fran Blum, Regional President Sue Jacobson and Executive Director Brian Lipton
  • By Mark Gordon and Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: AJC hosts Bret Stephens

A combination of perilous events in the Middle East could lead to a potentially catastrophic year in the region, says Wall Street Journal foreign affairs columnist Bret Stephens.'¨'¨ Stephens was the keynote speaker for the American Jewish Committee-West Coast Florida Winter Lunch & Learn event Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Longboat Key Club Harbourside Dining Room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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