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Your Observer

  • By Loren Mayo and Molly Schechter
  • April 18, 2012
Black Tie & Tales

A feast of fun; As many guests as years; Posh party plans

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 18, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Hawkins-Smyk

Southeast High freshman Zoë Hawkins-Smyk crossed the finish line in 6:09.10 to win the 1,600 meters and help lead the Lady Seminoles to a second-place finish at the Class 2A-District 10 meet April 12. The 15-year-old also anchored the 4x800 relay to a first-place finish. Here is an inside look at this week's Athlete of the Week.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 17, 2012
Obituary: John Paul Mellon

John Paul Mellon, of Bradenton, died April 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 17, 2012
Obituary: Audrey June Sandberg

Audrey Sandberg, of Longmont, Colo., and formerly of Pike, Ohio, and Longboat Key, died March 31. She was 89.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 17, 2012
Obituary: Irving M. 'Itzy' Shuman

Irving M. "Itzy" Schuman, of Longboat Key and formerly of Buffalo, N.Y., died April 11. He was 79.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 17, 2012
Obituary: Robert L. White

Robert L. White, of Longboat Key and St. Louis, died April 4, his birthday. He was 88.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • April 17, 2012
April 17: 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
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2012
Vehicles burglarized in Miramar

All vehicles had been left unlocked.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 17, 2012
Town of Longboat Key hires new PZ&B director

St. Lucie County Assistant Director of Growth Management/Building and Code Regulation Manager Robin D. Meyer will assume the role on May 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Art Nadel's cause of death has not been released, but he battled heart problems for years and was in the prison’s hospice unit when he died.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 17, 2012
Sarasota Ponzi scheme leader dies

Art Nadel, the downtown Sarasota money investment manager who bilked 400 area investors out of millions of dollars, died in a federal prison Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Allison Jones with retired coach Bobby Bowden
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: FCA Spring Banquet with Bobby Bowden

Gulf Coast Fellowship of Christian Athletes members gathered April 16, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom, for the FCA's Annual Spring Banquet, this year featuring legendary coach Bobby Bowden.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cancer survivors walked the first lap.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Relay for Life

Students at the Out-of-Door Academy gathered April 13, at Upper School campus, in a fight against cancer, as ODA hosted its annual Relay for Life event.

  • East County
  • Schools
Josh Hunter has been out of jail on a $50,000 bond while his case was appealed.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2012
Former football coach's appeal rejected

The Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland has refused to overturn former Braden River High football coach Josh Hunter's 10-year prison sentence for a 2009 drunk driving accident that killed his best friend and fellow coach Doug Garrity.

  • East County
  • Sports
Police have closed Mound Street to investigate the accident
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 17, 2012
BREAKING: Accident shuts down Mound Street

The Sarasota Police Department has closed Mound Street after a bicyclist that was injured by a vehicle this morning had to be airlifted to an area trauma center for severe injuries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CFO Tony Chiofalo, right, and Vice President of Development Bob Simons, behind, today spoke with representatives of the IDA about Braden River Utilities capital improvement projects.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2012
Braden River Utilities to raise rates

Braden River Utilities plans to raise its rates for irrigation water to offset costs of an expansion project.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2012
Lakewood tennis teams advance to state tournament

The Lakewood Ranch High boys and girls tennis teams both won their respective regional finals April 12 to advance to the Class 3A state tournament April 17-20 in Altamonte Springs.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2012
SCORES: Sarasota Crew wins state championship

The Sarasota Crew collected 11 medals en route to winning the 2012 FSRA State Sculling Championship April 15.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota City Commission is willing to work with G.WIZ Science Museum on a lease extension because the bayfront parcel can’t be sold to a private party.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 17, 2012
G.WIZ staying put on the bayfront

The city cannot sell either its vacant bayfront parcel or the G.WIZ Science Museum property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Yvette and Gerald Benton
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 16, 2012
Bobby Bowden Banquet

Bobby Bowden Banquet

  • Black Tie
Shirley Gilbert and Virginia Page
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Friends of the Ballet Luncheon

The Friends of the Ballet had a volunteer appreciation luncheon, Monday, April 16, at Michael's Wine Cellar.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Henry Aalst
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sip and Shop

On Saturday, April 14 St. Armands Circle Park was pouring with wineos. The event goers could sample six different wines with a purchase of a ticket and could listen to live entertainment on the lawn. The event was part of the weekend long Florida Winefest & Auction which has contributed to over 76 charities in the past.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • April 16, 2012
April 16: 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
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 16, 2012
Driver rear-ends Manatee County school bus

No children were on board at the time of the accident.

  • East County
  • News
Denny Knight shows Jody and Walter Wiley some of his bright and fun fabrics inside his booth at Siesta Fiesta on Saturday.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 34th Annual Siesta Fiesta

Thousands of people made their way out to Siesta Key for the 34th Annual Siesta Fiesta this past Saturday, April 14, and Sunday, April 15.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Defratuses make eight batches or so at a time, and give the loaves to their friends and neighbors. When they cook, the whole block smells like bananas.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 16, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Pam and David DeFratus

Pam and David DeFratus grow over 700 bananas each year from their yard on Longboat Key. Get their recipe for Banana Coconut Bread in this week's "In The Kitchen."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Douglas Jennings, chef at SKOB, goes down after being jousted off his post by Evan Fernandez.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Gladiator Charity Challenge

Siesta Key Oyster Bar held a jousting competition, formally called the Siesta Gladiator Charity Challenge, Saturday, April 14, in their 'Beer Garden' during Siesta Fiesta.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota City Commission regular meeting begins today at 2:30 p.m. and reconvenes at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 16, 2012
City discusses G.WIZ lease tonight

The city is holding off on the city hold off on selling a vacant parcel at 1000 Blvd. of the Arts until it discusses a future lease for a tenant that sits next door.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An independent contractor will inspect Armstrong's home in the 2900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive and report back to the town's acting building official.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 16, 2012
Town could settle Armstrong suit this week

The Longboat Key Town Commission will consider a settlement agreement with resident James Armstrong at a special meeting Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sandy Frick’s bowl printed with a once living Blue Gill
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Myakka River Exhibit

Regional and local artists joined with Friends of Myakka River State Park for a presentation of paintings, prints, drawings, photographs and sculptures to represent the 57 miles of wetlands, prairies and woodlands. The gallery of work was revealed at the opening on Thursday, April 12 at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design. The artwork features reptiles, fish, mammals, birds, landscapes and other flora and fauna of the Myakka River using different mediums and color schemes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Speaker Alan Mong with Freedom Personal Development and Larry Hibbs with Serv Pro
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LLSA Chamber Networking at Noon

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce members and guests met Thursday, April 12 at the Holiday Inn Lido Beach for a Networking at Noon luncheon. Along Mong with Freedom Personal Development gave the lecture on discovering your memory power and reading smart.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mona Vachhani and Sean Shinham, of the Braden River High School Key Club,  had a tent themed '90s pop music.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Relay for Life

East County residents pulled together to honor loved ones and join the fight against cancer April 14-15 during the Lakewood Ranch Relay for Life event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hundreds of walkers and runners participated in the event.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: JDRF Walk to Cure

East County residents rallied in the fight against diabetes April 14, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, as they walked and ran in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tyler Delaney, Bence Pinter, Kyle Grendel and Christian Marrero checked out the jousting contest.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Imagine Field Day

In preparation for this week's FCAT exams, children at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch spent much of the day April 13 outside during the school's special Field Day event.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kristen Blossom, Brittany Proia and Doug Bradbury
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 15, 2012
Men Who Cook

Men Who Cook

  • Black Tie
Lobetia syrah
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 15, 2012
Florida Winefest and Auction Grand Brunch & Charity Auction

Florida Winefest and Auction Grand Brunch & Charity Auction

  • Black Tie
Adar Pitts and Donna Carey dance while Democracy performed on stage during EcoFest, Saturday, April 14.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 2012 Natural Awakenings' EcoFest

Hundreds who came out to the 2012 Natural Awakenings' EcoFest, Saturday, April 14, in downtown Sarasota, celebrated the 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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