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Your Observer

Jared Falgowski, originally from Poland, has been dancing professionally for 35 years.
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • February 1, 2012
Aerobic Grandma: Zumba zooms to the Key

There is a great experiment under way at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center. A new teacher is offering an array of dance classes at 5 p.m. every weekday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Warren Girle
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • February 1, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Warren Girle

Warren Girle has been a Longboat resident for 37 years. He came here from Australia at 19 to be a tennis pro at The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. He was also the Cedars Tennis Resort tennis pro for 24 years and has been a charter boat captain and fishing guide for 16 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • February 1, 2012
Bridge Bites: It pays to count

Before seeing the auction, imagine that you are South, playing in 2â™ . Looking just at the N-S hands, how would you tackle the trump suit? The percentage play to avoid a second loser is to cash the Ace (a precaution against West having the singleton King), then cross to Dummy and lead toward the Queen.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mike Hassel submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Mike Hassel submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 31, 2012
Pirates sail past Mustangs

The Braden River High boys basketball team cruised to a 64-37 victory over rival Lakewood Ranch Jan. 30.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Catholic Schools Week at St. Martha

In honor of Catholic Schools Week, which is celebrated in Catholic schools across the country, St. Martha students and staff wore their favorite pajamas to school Tuesday, Jan. 31. Each day of the week had a different theme: Monday was red-white-and-blue day, Tuesday was pajama day, Wednesday was favorite-sports-team day and Thursday is career day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 31, 2012
Romney declared winner

Both Sarasota County and state Republican voters overall chose Mitt Romney as their GOP candidate by overwhelming margins Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 31, 2012
JAN. 31: 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
Ann Virag and Nathan Benderson, hosts of the luncheon
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies

The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies might be a Western New York foundation, but it's made some roots in Longboat Key. A donor luncheon hosted by Nate Benderson and Anne M. Virag catered to a group of individuals originally from Buffalo living permanently or for the season in Sarasota on Jan. 31 at Sarasota Yacht Club. The newly appointed Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo Michael Wise spoke about the future of Jewish Buffalo. The Foundation will be celebrating its centennial this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
D.M. Williams with former commissioner and good friend Joan Webster
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: D.M. Williams' Birthday

D.M. Williams, long-time manager at Casa Del Mar, was thrown a surprise birthday celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The beloved manager turned 81, contrary to the '18' on his horse-themed birthday cake. In honor of his birthday, the resort planned a spin-off of the old game show, 'To Tell the Truth,' so everyone could learn about his past 81 years. Some facts attendees learned were: Williams called every pet he's owned 'Ben,' his favorite charity is St. Judes and that he was named D.M. because he was the youngest of 11 siblings and his mom ran out of names.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The donor wall was unveiled, Tuesday, Jan. 31, inside the lobby of the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 31, 2012
Sarasota Ballet unveils new donor wall and box office

The Sarasota Ballet held a special dedication ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the FSU Performing Arts Center.

  • Arts + Culture
Longboat Key firefighters and police responded to the scene about 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 in the 2300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 31, 2012
UPDATE: Pedestrian, 73, dies in GMD crash

A woman visiting from Illinois died Friday night after being struck by a car while attempting to cross Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Voters can also return absentee ballots on Election Day up to 7 p.m. tonight.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 31, 2012
County reports steady primary numbers

Every Sarasota County precinct is open until 7 p.m. tonight for today's Republican Primary.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gabriella Alvarez is pictured with Andrea Avery, who helped chair the project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2012
ODA student launches Teens for Jeans campaign

Out-of-Door Academy student Gabriella Alvarez is collecting jeans for homeless teenagers through Feb. 3.

  • East County
  • News
Any Sarasota County neighborhood is eligible for a matching grant under the Sarasota County Neighborhood Grant Program.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 31, 2012
Grant workshops scheduled through March

Sarasota County residents can take advantage of new grant opportunities for their communities in the coming weeks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Clockwise from bottom left are: Candice Miller,  Barbara Romig Mary Conkllin, Carolyn Kluding and Barbara Stapleton.
  • By Katy Arrillaga
  • January 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Walk the Red Carpet' Fashion Show

Ladies in the University Park Women's Club enjoyed a "Walk the Red Carpet" themed general meeting, fashion show and luncheon recently. As part of the festivities, the group donated $16,000 to the Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • News
This parking lot in Burns Sqaure now offers free public parking.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 31, 2012
City offers free parking in Burns Square

Free parking is now available in Burns Square at Laurel Street and Orange Avenue, adjacent to the Burns Square Business District area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2012
Cobb returns to action as Mustangs fall on Senior Night

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team's fourth quarter rally fell short as the host Mustangs fell to Southeast 48-45.

  • East County
  • Sports
Keith Sharpshead dances the Chicken Dance, Saturday, Jan. 28, during the Fifth Annual Sarasota Indian Festival.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 30, 2012
VIDEO: Sarasota Indian Festival

Check out this video featuring dancing, singing, drumming and hoop dancing from the Fifth Annual Sarasota Indian Festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 30, 2012
JAN. 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
Lakewood Ranch residents Pamela and Roger Wald are big fans of cheese and red wine.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Winemaker's ParTAY

East County residents enjoyed an evening of food and wine during the Forks and Corks Winemaker's ParTAY Jan. 28 at the Polo Grill and Bar. Guests sampled wines from a variety of celebrity winemakers from across the country while enjoying food stations and entertainment by Joel Fisher.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ken Comeforo, John and Sue Troup, Jane Stephenson and Bob Ray
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Tina and Tony's Wedding at Longboat Harbour

White 'just married' balloons and streamers adorn the entrance, napkins and party favors printed with 'Tina and Tony' deck the tables and attendees wear their best Italian wedding ensembles on Saturday, Jan. 28. It's almost as if a real wedding is about to take place at Longboat Harbor. But, it's just a dinner theatre showcase of 'Tiny and Tony's Italian Wedding.' The one-act is about an Italian wedding that only bride and groom want to take place, and it seems as the whole congregation has slept with either the bride or the groom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Larry and Andrea Atlas, Melissa and Brad Lerner, Wayne and Ronna Ruben
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Beach Barbecue

Attendees to the beach barbeque at Longboat Key Club and Resort on Saturday, Jan. 28 warmed up near a fire pit during the chilly sunset. They dined on hamburgers and hotdogs while enjoying live entertainment from Francesco Tarantino. The young ones - and the young at heart - made s'mores.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Participants discussed ideas for the north end in small groups.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 30, 2012
Stakeholders participate in planning charrette

Approximately 40 people came together Saturday to discuss ideas for Longboat Key's north end.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Allie Castro, 7, enjoyed the day's festivities.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Winter Wonderland

Children at the Tabernacle Christian School celebrated the winter season with sledding, snow cones and other festivities during the school's Winter Wonderland event today.

  • East County
  • Schools
The commission meets at 3 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 1565 First Street.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 30, 2012
Sarasota City Commissioners meet to review and outline goals

The Sarasota City Commissioners meet today at a retreat to discuss progress on their two-year priorities and objectives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kevin Loche, professional hoop dancer, shows off his skills, Saturday, Jan. 28, during the Fifth Annual Sarasota Indian Festival at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Fifth Annual Sarasota Indian Festival

The Fifth Annual Sarasota Indian Festival was held Friday, Jan. 27 - Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2012
SCORES: Pirates clinch No. 1 seed

The Braden River High boys basketball team clinched the No. 1 seed in the Class 7A-District 11 tournament with a 58-19 victory over Manatee Jan. 27.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2012
SCORES: Lady Pirates sink Lemon Bay

The Braden River High girls basketball team defeated Lemon Bay 39-32 Jan. 27.

  • East County
  • Sports
Joe Gruters is hard at work this year preparing for the state’s Republican Primary on Tuesday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 30, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Joe Gruters

No one seems busier these days than Republican Party of Sarasota County Chairman Joe Gruters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Incoming Style Show Chair Katie Cornell and former Style Show Chair Rene Brooks
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bird Key Yacht Club Style Show

Bird Key Yacht Club's dining room's tables were full and attendees to the style show were anticipating club's members to walk the catwalk. The style show on Thursday, Jan. 26 marks the last for chair Rene Brooks before the change of watch. The clothing featured was from PJ's Boutique at 1443 Main Street, which specializes in colorful jackets.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Polo players raced to score.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: SMR Cup

East County residents gathered Jan. 29, at the Sarasota Polo Club, to watch the SMR Cup Finals, presented by Maduro Cigar & Bar. Also this weekend, local cowboys and polo players competed in fishing, cattle roping and more as part of SMR Cup festivities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lynn and Richie Barrie
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 29, 2012
Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival: The Grand Tasting

Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival: The Grand Tasting

  • Black Tie
Annalise and Olivia Love
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Family Movie Night at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church hosted Family Movie Night on Friday, Jan. 27. The movie was 'Mr. Popper's Penguins,' so there were penguin-themed treats, games and clothes. Families snacked on sweet-potato fries, fish and punch before the movie was shown.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Over 200 people came out to support Healthy Start, Thursday, Jan. 26, at the 3rd annual "An Evening For Healthy Start" at the Sarasota Architectural Salvage.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: An Evening For Healthy Start

Sarasota Architectural Salvage held the 3rd annual "An Evening For Healthy Start", Thursday, Jan. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview teacher Diane Bassett dressed as the Cat in the Hat.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Literature Spirit Day at Riverview High School

Students and teachers at Riverview High School celebrated Literature Spirit Day by dressing as their favorite characters from books. Book choices included Cold Mountain, The Cat in the Hat, Little Red Riding Hood among others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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