Your Observer

Nick Friedman
January 29, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Sleepytime Storytime at the Out-of-Doors Academy

Out-of-Door Academy students from pre-kindergarten to first grade enjoyed stories, music and a play in the comfort of their pajamas Friday, Jan. 27. To promote the importance of reading and spending time with family, ODA teachers performed interactive songs and skits for an event that was both fun and educational.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
January 29, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Art in the Park at Five Points Park

The 14th annual Downtown Sarasota Art in the Park took place Saturday and Sunday at Five Points Park.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
January 29, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY:Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund Poker Classic

More than 300 East County residents showed their support for former The Out-of-Door Academy student Taylor Emmons and his family during the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund's Poker Classic Jan. 28 at the Lake Club. Family, friends and supporters celebrated what would've been Taylor's birthday weekend with a poker tournament, dinner buffet, entertainment from the Jolly Jester, Black Jack tables and more. Prior to the event, more than 200 golfers hit the fairways at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club for the fund's golf tournament fundraiser.

East County
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
January 29, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Rosedale fourth annual Military Ball

Nearly 90 Rosedale residents, family and friends honored active duty military personnel and their guests representing all five branches of the Armed Services during Rosedale Golf and Country Club's fourth annual Military Ball Jan. 28. Guests enjoyed a social hour followed by dinner, a keynote address by CPT Peter Van Howe and dancing. The Lakewood Ranch High JROTC Color Guard posted the colors.

East County
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
January 28, 2012

Catholic Charities Ball

Black Tie

Pam Eubanks
January 28, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: UNCF Scholarship Awards Dinner

More than 300 corporate and community leaders and students gathered Jan. 27, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom in Lakewood, for the United Negro College Fund's annual Scholarship Awards Dinner.

East County
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
January 28, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY:Class 4A-District 11 championship

The Braden River High boys soccer team fell short of its quest for its first district title with a 1-0 loss to Manatee in the Class 4A-District 11 championship Jan. 27. As the District 11 runner-up, the Pirates will travel to Naples Gulf Coast for a Class 4A-Region 3 quarterfinal Jan. 31. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

East County
Sports

Robin Hartill
January 28, 2012

Pedestrian dies in GMD crash

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle around 6:30 p.m. while heading toward the Islander Club.

Longboat Key
News

Black Tie Staff
January 27, 2012

Circus Sarasota Gala 'Year of the Dragon'

Black Tie

Black Tie Staff
January 27, 2012

Bags and Bling

Anual luncheon, fashion show and silent auction of handbags, jewelry and accessories.

Black Tie

Nick Friedman
January 27, 2012

Booker Middle School teacher honored as Teacher of the Year

Booker Middle School teacher and orchestra director, Victor Fernandez, was honored as Sarasota County's Teacher of the Year on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Hyatt Regency. Fernandez was chosen from three finalists and will represent the school district at the Florida Department of Education Macy's Teacher of the year gala.

Sarasota
News

Eddie Kirsch
January 27, 2012

JAN. 27: 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

Mallory Gnaegy
January 27, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys Fashion Show, Part Two

The Garden Club of Longboat Key is pro at making green things grow, and their fundraising event in conjunction with Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and design on Jan. 26 was no different. They surely grew more 'green' at this year's Taste of the Keys than last year according to event coordinator Susan Landau.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
January 27, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys Fashion Show

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
January 27, 2012

Commission seeks committee members

Two seats for the Employee Retirement Account Committee are open for those with banking and investment management experience.

Sarasota
News

Robin Hartill
January 27, 2012

Power outages impact north Key residents

Residents on the north end of Longboat Key were among the 900 FPL customers who lost power early this morning.

Longboat Key
News

Pam Eubanks
January 27, 2012

Polo pros, cowboys saddle up for SMR Cup

Polo players will take on Schroeder-Manatee Ranch cowboys this weekend in a three-day competition.

East County
Sports

Robin Hartill
January 27, 2012

Hazardous waste disposal available to island residents

The town of Longboat Key, in conjunction with the cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach will hold a hazardous waste collection for residents.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
January 26, 2012

Aging in Paradise construction moves forward

The church began construction of a new elevator last week.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
January 26, 2012

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Free at last

Legoman was released Jan. 26 by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office into the custody of Burns Square property owner and artist Denise Kowal, founder of the Sarasota Chalk Festival.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Eddie Kirsch
January 26, 2012

JAN. 26: 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

Kurt Schultheis
January 26, 2012

Economic outlook looks weak

A Central Florida-based economist told Sarasota officials Sarasota is rebounding slowly and won't see job growth for another year or so.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
January 26, 2012

Lakewood golfers receive proclamation

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team, which captured the Class 2A state championship Nov. 1-2, received a proclamation from the Manatee County Commission Jan. 24.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
January 26, 2012

Local teaching pros to square off in tennis series

Ty Braswell and Nate Griffin will face Travis Eckert and Gerardo Azcurra in the fourth event of the Gettel Nissan Tennis Series Feb. 11 at the Palm-Aire Country Club.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
January 26, 2012

Lady Mustangs send three to state meet

Three members of the Lakewood Ranch High girls weightlifting team finished in the top three at the District 8 State Qualifying Weightlifting Meet Jan. 25 at Port Charlotte High and will now advance to the state meet Feb. 11 at the Kissimmee Civic Center.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
January 26, 2012

Braden River Key Club to host Sandbox Volleyball Tournament

The Braden River High Key Club will host its first Sandbox Volleyball Tournament from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 10 at Bee Ridge Park in Sarasota.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
January 26, 2012

SCORES: Pirates blank Sailors, advance to district final

The top-seeded Braden River High boys soccer team blanked Sarasota 5-0 in a Class 4A-District 11 semifinal Jan. 25.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
January 26, 2012

Thunder set to face Falcons in district final

The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer team defeated St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep 4-1 in a Class 1A-District 8 semifinal Jan. 25.

East County
Sports

Mallory Gnaegy
January 26, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Yacht Club Commodore's Ball and Opening

Sarasota Yacht Club members break out the comm-adorable gowns and suits for ball. A train of former commodores decked in their finest were presented into the dining room of Sarasota Yacht Club members on January, 21. The group dated back to 1997. Following the procession was dinner and dancing the night away.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
January 26, 2012

Is Honest Abe the new face of Hollywood 20?

This rendering of Abraham Lincoln, which seems to have borrowed the hat from Dr. Seuss' "The Cat in the Hat," was spotted on the rooftop of the Hollywood 20 movie theater in downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
January 26, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Forty Carrots playground renovation

Forty Carrots held a special ceremony to commemorate the renovation of both of the playgrounds at Forty Carrots, Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
January 26, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Dick Vitale at The Broken Egg

Famed sportscaster Dick Vitale appeared at his favorite restaurant and home away from home, The Broken Egg, Thursday, Jan. 26 to film part of an upcoming ESPN program called, 'All Access with Dickie V.' Vitale, a Lakewood Ranch resident, eats at The Broken Egg on an almost daily basis and considers the breakfast and lunch restaurant his second home. 'They treat me really well here,' said Vitale. 'They help me raise money for cancer research, and they have great food. I eat at the Siesta Key location at least once a week.' Vitale talked with fans, posed for photos and signed autographs. With the help of The Broken Egg, Vitale raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for The V Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research through private donations and the sale of basketballs, bobble heads, his books and other memorabilia.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
January 26, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Fleet Captain's Dinner

Bird Key Yacht Club was packed for Fleet Captain Allyn Carlson's dinner on Saturday, Jan. 21. The usual table of seafood and ice sculpture was done-up with a butter sculpture of a fish jumping out of water. It was one of the best displays of the year by Executive Chef Joseph A. Santangini. The room was packed with tons of people and it was practically bumper-to-bumper - as the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea.