Your Observer

Jen Blanco
March 31, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee County Track Championships

The Braden River and Lakewood Ranch High boys and girls track teams ran and jumped to first-place finishes at the Manatee County Championships March 31 at Manatee High. The Lady Mustangs scored 220.5 points to win the girls title while the Lady Pirates finished third (95.5). The Lakewood boys team finished second (128) and the Braden River boys finished fourth (103). Kristin Zarrella led the way for Lakewood, winning the 400 (in a school record 1:00.81) and the 800 (2:23.36), along with running a leg of the winning 4x400 team. Olivia Ortiz won the 1600 (5:01.17) and Devin McDermott won the 3200 (11:15.08). The Lady Mustangs also won the 4x800. Alex Latham won the high jump with a jump of four feet, eight inches and Rheya Jackson won the triple jump 30-06.5. Braden River's Bridget Lanier was a double winner, posting victories in the pole vault (9 feet) and long jump (15-05.5). Across the track, Lakewood's Joshua Napier won the 800 (2:07.22) and Lennie Twenty won the high jump (5-10). Braden River's Austin Fox won the pole vault (11-06).

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
March 31, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Egg Drop Parrish

Thousands of eggs fell from the sky much to the delight of hundreds of Manatee County children, as Woodland, The Community Church held its Egg Drop Parrish event March 31 at Buffalo Creek Park.

East County
Neighbors

Heidi Kurpiela
March 31, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: iconcept 2012

Art Center Sarasota's fourth annual art-meets-fashion runway show featured hula-hoop dancers, fire spinners, food trucks and a lot of unconventional designs.

Arts + Culture

Michael Eng
March 31, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Easter Eggstravaganza

Hundreds of Lakewood Ranch kids grabbed their baskets, donned their Easter best and hit the fields for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corporation's annual Easter Eggstravaganza March 31, at Greenbrook Adventure Park. In addition to the Easter egg hunt, the event featured, pony rides, a petting zoo, deejay, arts and crafts, and of course, photos with the Easter Bunny courtesy of the East County Observer.

East County
Neighbors

Michael Eng
March 31, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Bayside Community Church Eggolution

Hundreds of pint-sized hunters flocked to Bayside Community Church's annual Eggolution Easter Egg Hunt March 31, at the softball fields at Lakewood Ranch High School. Following the hunt, families enjoyed a plethora of activities, including inflatable obstacle courses, a rock-climbing wall, bungee challenge and free hot dogs.

East County
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
March 30, 2012

'La Fete du Fromage'

Black Tie

Jen Blanco
March 30, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Elementary Jump for Fun

Students at Bashaw Elementary School showed off their jump roping skills and techniques during the school's annual Jump for Fun March 28. Fifth-grade students demonstrated a variety of tricks, including a line of fire, frogs and triple back flips, among numerous others, before the rest of the school joined in on the fun. The event served as the culmination of a fundraiser in which students raised $6,865.81 for the school's art, music and physical education programs.

East County
Schools

Nick Friedman
March 30, 2012

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Honors Employees of the Year

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight Tuesday, March 27, recognized the 2011 Employees of the Year.

Sarasota
News

Eddie Kirsch
March 30, 2012

March 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

Robin Hartill
March 30, 2012

Colony unit owners to discuss Club Holdings plan

Colony unit owners will see a detailed presentation about plans for the resort but will not vote on a plan next week.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
March 30, 2012

Selby hosts 'Paint the Town READ'

The event will feature author meet-and-greet sessions, book discussions, an open-microphone session and a book sale to benefit the Friends of Selby Library

Sarasota
News

Robin Hartill
March 30, 2012

Firefighters to hold open house

Longboat Key Fire Rescue will hold an open house tomorrow at the department's north station.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
March 30, 2012

SCORES: Lady Thunder wrap up regular season with wins

The Out-of-Door Academy girls tennis team closed out its regular season with a pair of victories over Lemon Bay March 27 and Cardinal Mooney March 28.

East County
Sports

Observer Staff
March 30, 2012

SCORES: Pair of EMB teams earn victories

The Bulldog Navy Wildcat and Red Panther teams both earned victories March 24.

East County
Sports

Black Tie Staff
March 29, 2012

The Glitz at the Ritz-Carlton: The Schoenbaum Humanitarian Award Luncheon

Black Tie

Black Tie Staff
March 29, 2012

Spring Fling

Black Tie

Eddie Kirsch
March 29, 2012

March 29: 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

Observer Staff
March 29, 2012

The Observer Group wins 17 awards in editorial contest

The Observer Group won 17 awards in the 2011 Local Media Association Editorial Contest. Diversions, The Observer's arts and entertainment section, won first place in its division for the second year.

Arts + Culture

Eddie Kirsch
March 29, 2012

Giving Challenge totals $2.4 million

The 36-Hour Giving Challenge resulted in 10,705 donations totaling more than $2.4 million.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
March 29, 2012

County takes no action on beach alcohol issue

The Sarasota County Commission discussed ways to combat public drunkenness on its beaches with the Sheriff's Department Tuesday.

Siesta Key
News

Eddie Kirsch
March 29, 2012

Sarasota Opera ranked second most popular Sarasota attraction

According to TripAdvisor.com, Sarasota Opera is the second most popular attraction in Sarasota. The first was Siesta Key Beach.

Sarasota
News

Robin Hartill
March 29, 2012

Longboat Publix to close April 7

The Avenue of the Flowers store will close the Saturday before Easter in preparation for the new store's construction.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
March 29, 2012

Jungle Gardens to welcome albino badger

APRIL FOOLS - Due to an albino alligator named Pearl turning out to be such a success for Smuggler's Cove, Jungle Gardens will only be accepting albino animals going forward, in hopes of creating an albino petting zoo.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 29, 2012

Don't get left in the dust

APRIL FOOLS - The Observer Group will publish its first edition for left-handed readers Aug. 13 -- International Left Handers Day.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
March 29, 2012

Downtown to move at fast pace

APRIL FOOLS - On the heels of a proposed pedestrian walkway comes the next step in bayfront connectivity - the Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover system, which reaches speeds of 38 mph.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
March 29, 2012

City bets on slot machines

APRIL FOOLS - The Sarasota City Commission will take a gamble on a downtown pilot program.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
March 29, 2012

IN THE PUBLIC EYE: John Simon

There's nothing like downtown Sarasota, according to developer John Simon.

Sarasota
News

Loren Mayo
March 29, 2012

City to convert police headquarters into homeless shelter

APRILS FOOLS - Plans are in the works to turn the Sarasota Police Department into a state-of-the-art homeless shelter.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
March 29, 2012

City promotes downtown detours

APRIL FOOLS - The city of Sarasota has unveiled a variety of new detour routes for downtown motorists that might take longer to travel than main routes but completely avoid construction zones and downtown traffic.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
March 29, 2012

Legoman Land lands on Siesta

APRIL FOOLS - Sarasota County officials approved construction of a new Legoman Land theme park on Siesta Key Beach, due to the success of LEGOLAND Theme Park, in Winter Haven.

Siesta Key
News

Nick Friedman
March 29, 2012

Siesta Beach goes to the dogs

APRIL FOOLS - In their Wednesday meeting, Sarasota County commissioners agreed to put into effect a pilot program that would allow dogs on Siesta Key Beach.

Siesta Key
News

Loren Mayo
March 29, 2012

MTV to hold 'Siesta Shore' casting call

APRIL FOOLS - If bunking with seven off-the-wall personalities on Siesta Key is your idea of a good time, you won't want to miss the auditions for MTV's newest reality series, 'Siesta Shore.'

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
March 29, 2012

News Briefs

APRIL FOOLS - Pocket park to become dog park; Siesta bridges to close for maintenance; Merchants needed to assist with upkeep

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
March 29, 2012

Sarasota County will construct parking garage on Siesta Key

APRIL FOOLS - Parking has always been a hot topic on Siesta Key, and with the new Legoman Land set to come to the island soon, Sarasota County officials have been discussing numerous ways to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
March 29, 2012

Joint concert raises funds for the needy

The Riverview Kiltie Band and Green Band held a joint concert Tuesday, March 27, at the Riverview Performing Arts Center.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 29, 2012

Temple Beth Sholom celebrates Pi Day

As part of Temple Beth Sholom Goldie Feldman Academy's annual Pi Day celebration, eighth-grade student Sierra Van Such recited pi to 2,109 digits from memory.

Sarasota
Neighbors

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