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Your Observer

Screenshot of the 2012 Giving Partner Leaderboard at 10:31 a.m., today.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 27, 2012
Giving Challenge surpassed in first few hours

Within the first four hours of the Giving Partner's 36-Hour Giving Challenge, more than 5,000 gifts were donated, totaling more than $1.7 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mizui Asuka and Tomomi Yase give the peace sign while posing with Mason Bo and Lori Bo, Sunday, March 25, at the Kiltie and Green Band picnic.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiltie Band and Green Band beach party

The Riverview High School Kiltie Band and the members of Japan's world-famous Green Band had a picnic and cookout, Sunday, March 25 at Siesta Key Beach. The two bands will be performing a free concert tonight, Tuesday, March 27, at the Riverview Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The study recommends a terminable groin at Beer Can Island and two permeable adjustable groins at the north end.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 27, 2012
Manatee County to discuss Longboat Pass today

Commissioners will discuss how to proceed with the recommendations of the Longboat Pass Inlet Management Study.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Anyone with information is encouraged by police to call the Criminal Investigations Section at 941-861-1719 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), online at www.crimestoppers.com.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 27, 2012
Police report two burglaries on Lockwood Ridge Road

Sarasota Police report two incidents on Lockwood Ridge Road last night, possibly committed by the same two males.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 27, 2012
SCORES: Lady Mustangs win 3200-meter relay

The Lakewood Ranch High girls 3200-meter relay team of Natalie Novak, Devin McDermott, Kristin Zarrella and Olivia Ortiz took first place in the event at the FSU Relays March 23 in Tallahassee.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 27, 2012
World Class Senior Challenge upcoming

National 70s champion Joe Bachmann and Fred Farzanegan will face off in the Gettel Nissan Tennis Series World Class Senior Challenge April 7.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dr. Zachary Johnson played on the small stage inside Siesta Key Chapel, Sunday, March 25, as part of the Arts Series.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Dr. Zachary Johnson at Siesta Key Chapel

Dr. Zachary Johnson performed a handful of classical pieces on his guitar, Sunday, March 25, as part of Siesta Key Chapel's Arts Series.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Legitimate lotteries do not ask for money upfront to collect winnings.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 27, 2012
Lottery scam revealed

Florida residents are being warned that legitimate lotteries do not ask for money upfront to collect winnings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Scott Anderson and Lee Peterson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 26, 2012
AJC West Coast Florida 2012 Human Relations Award Dinner honoring Ernie and Alisa Kretzmer

AJC West Coast Florida 2012 Human Relations Award Dinner honoring Ernie and Alisa Kretzmer

  • Black Tie
Cruza Palooza racers start out on the 8-mile course.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboarda Cruza Palooza

Longboard enthusiasts braved the rain and got their wheels spinning Sunday, March 25, for CaliFlorida Surf and Skate Shop's Longboarda Cruza Palooza. Racers competed in 8.8, 4.4 and 2.6-mile races around the Siesta Key Village. Despite the wet road conditions, professional skaters and newcomers alike enjoyed the four-wheel frenzy.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Town Clerk Trish Granger administers oaths of office to Vice Mayor David Brenner and Mayor Jim Brown.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 26, 2012
Brown gets second term as mayor

Longboat Key Mayor Jim Brown and Vice Mayor David Brenner will keep their posts following unanimous votes by the commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Colors in the Dark performed on the youth stage, Sunday, March 25, at the 17th annual Giving Hunger the Blues festival.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 17th annual Giving Hunger the Blues

People had fun rocking out on Hillview Street, Sunday, March 25, at the 17th annual Giving Hunger the Blues festival. All proceeds benefited the All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Downtown Sarasota Arts and Crafts Festival

On Saturday March 24, local artists took over downtown Sarasota. The day was filled with colors, scents, sounds and smiles.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Cripps, Lelia and Dr. Bob Windom, Sheila Cripps
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiwanis Club BBQ

The Kiwanis Club held a BBQ at the Historical Society Saturday March 24.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ava, 5, and Ian, 2
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Butterfly Ball

The First Presbyterian Church held their annual Butterfly Ball Friday March 23.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 26, 2012
March 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
Sally Reeder, Wendy Fitton, Nancy Levine and Tony Vasile
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Fourth Annual Just Desserts Benefits

Family Promise of Sarasota held a delicious event on Friday March 23 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The organization's fourth annual "Just Desserts" was a hit. Guests enjoyed desserts such as cupcakes, brownies and cakes while being entertained by local performers Sam Garvin and Bonnie Gray. A panel of judges awarded a honey-bell orange cake from Florribbean Flo's as the winner. The peanut butter brownies from Jim's Small Batch Bakery took home second place while third place was a tie. A key lime pie from MacAllisters, a bête noir flourless chocolate cake from Madfish Grill and a carrot cake from Jim's Small Batch Bakery shared the honors of third place.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Publix will rebuild its existing Longboat Key store and replace it with a new, 49,533-square-foot store.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 26, 2012
Publix buys properties for $2.35 million

Sales of two parcels adjacent to the existing Avenue of the Flowers store closed last week for a combined $2.35 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sharon and Frank Santo pose with their grandchildren Sami, 17 mos., and Evan, 4, Friday, March 23, at St. Michael the Archangel's Lent dinner.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lent dinner at St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel was a busy place, Friday, March 23, during their weekly Lent dinner.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The commission meets at 9 a.m. both Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28 for regular meetings in the Sarasota County Administration Center, Commission Chamber, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 26, 2012
County holds three meetings this week

Commissioners will also hold a workshop 9 a.m. Thursday, March 29 on the third floor Think Tank room in the administration center to discuss the regulation of alcoholic beverages at county beaches and parks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim Brown was sworn in as mayor at last year's statutory meeting by outgoing Mayor George Spoll.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 26, 2012
Commission to pick mayor tonight

The Longboat Key Town Commission will select its mayor and vice mayor for the following year at tonight's statutory meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
One of Moore's keys to success in the kitchen includes his cooking utensils that he bought online from a local company called Cappojim's.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 26, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: James Moore

James Moore was born and raised in Sarasota and now lives on Siesta Key. Moore works as the internet marketing director at Webtivity, but in his spare time he enjoys getting creative in the kitchen.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Chris Powers held up a sign, Friday, March 23, from a rally that happened earlier in the day by the Kissing Statue on 41.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Religious Freedom Rally

Conservatives from Sarasota and Manatee counties held a Religious Freedom Rally with over 1,000 people in attendance out along 41 by the Kissing Statue, Friday, March 23. The people in attendance were protesting the government and the recent controversy going on between religious groups and health care reform.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jeanne Auten, Martin Martel and Bonny Heet
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 25, 2012
Maestro Victor DeRenzi's 30th Anniversary Gala

Maestro Victor DeRenzi's 30th Anniversary Gala

  • Black Tie
This year's cast features 18 students.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch 'Anything Goes'

Lakewood Ranch High School drama students will present "Anything Goes" this weekend at the high school auditorium. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m., March 29 to 31, with a matinee at 2 p.m. March 31. Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per student or child. For more information, call the box office, 727-6100, Ext. 2189.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Independent performed a variety of music at the car wash.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee County Independent Car Wash

Musicians in the Manatee County Independent percussion group used their hands not only to perform on their instruments to but also to clean East County cars during the group's car wash fundraiser March 24, at Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Attendees enjoyed plenty of fast action.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Polo Under the Palms

Supporters of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center enjoyed a day of fun and fundraising during the annual Polo Under the Palms event March 24. The day began with the Making Cancer History Seminar, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Attendees then headed to the Sarasota Polo Club for an afternoon of action followed by an evening of dinner, music and dancing under the stars.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joseph Patrick Arnegger, Ashley Hilton, Wayne and Mindy Rollins and George Cappello
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 24, 2012
The Firefly Gala

The Firefly Gala

  • Black Tie
Chris and Nancy Adamo
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 24, 2012
Cat'sino Catsablanca Gala

Cat'sino Catsablanca Gala

  • Black Tie
Steve Rizzo and David Dudley
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 24, 2012
'An Evening at the Avant-Garde'

'An Evening at the Avant-Garde'

  • Black Tie
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 23, 2012
March 22: 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 Kurt Schultheis
  • March 23, 2012
Drunken driver injures Siesta Key pedestrian

A Sarasota woman was arrested after she was driving under the influence and struck a car and a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk along Beach Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Karin Billings "Provence"
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • March 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee Arts Center visits Sarasota Arts Center

Art Center Sarasota welcomed the Sarasota community Thursday, March 22, to its Annual Members show. There were more than 300 works of art on display made by local artists. The pieces ranged in style from oil paintings to photography and sculpture and mixed media work. First-place winner was watercolor "Double Stuff" by Esther Garfinkel. Second place was awarded to "Twinkle Toes Train Cheetah and Tootsie," followed by "Always Smiling" by Sharon Guy in third. The exhibit was coordinated by Ringling College of Art and Design alumni Emma Thurgood and was received well by guests.

  • Arts + Culture
America’s 50 Best Hospitals rank among the top 1% of the nation’s 5,000-plus hospitals for consistent clinical excellence in HealthGrades annual studies.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 23, 2012
Sarasota memorial receives top marks again

A HealthGrades ranking system has put Sarasota Memorial at the top of its list of hospitals that have consistent clinical excellence in its annual studies.

  • Sarasota
  • News
CodeRED issues an automated phone call to alert registered property owners and occupants in the event of an incident that could impact their daily activities
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 23, 2012
Sarasota County encourages CodeRED program

CodeRED issues an automated phone call to alert registered property owners and occupants in the event of an incident that could impact their daily activities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Twin brothers Heinz and Sepp Diepolder set the mood with traditional German songs.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Horizons West Bavarian Night

Nearly 80 guests broke out their beer steins and lederhosen at the fourth annual Horizons West Bavarian Night. Host Doug Barnett fell in love with the traditional food and music during his military service in Austria and was inspired to start the popular annual event. Guests enjoyed sausage and sauerkraut and traditional music by Heinz and Zepp Diepolder.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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