Your Observer

Observer Staff
February 16, 2012

Letters to the Editor

Not all residents against pocket park; Littering not only a problem on the Key; Everyone needs to be a responsible driver

Sarasota
News

Rachel Brown Hackney
February 16, 2012

Season of Sharing total reaches $1.6 million

With community contributors giving more than $1.1 million to the 2011-2012 Season of Sharing, the initiative has won a gift of $500,000 from The Patterson Foundation, for a total of $1.6 million, as of Feb. 9, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County announced.

Sarasota
News

By Richard Dorfman
February 16, 2012

My View: Keep your hands off downtown, dummies!

Downtown is a little bit funky, a bit old school and a little bit frayed. But all of these characteristics spell 'personality.'

Sarasota
Opinion

By Chris Waters
February 16, 2012

My View: Without a long-range vision, cities perish

Sarasota needs a community-wide consensus and vision, to help it navigate over the next 100 years.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Rod Thomson
February 16, 2012

My View: Mortgage settlement for politicians

So the nation's five largest banks will pay $25 billion as a "settlement," and some homeowners who are upside down on their mortgages will get relief.

Sarasota
Opinion

Nick Friedman
February 16, 2012

New principal excited about future at SSAS

Tara Tahmosh-Newell, a longtime teacher at SSAS, took the school's reins Feb. 1.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
February 16, 2012

Three WWII planes visit SRQ Airport

The Wings of Freedom Tour flew into Sarasota Feb. 13 to Feb. 15, at the Rectrix Aerodrome at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Siesta Key
News

Nick Friedman
February 16, 2012

Siesta Key churches offer diverse musical selections

Both the Sarasota Jazz Project and the Jacobites Pipe and Drum Band will perform this month on Siesta Key.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
February 16, 2012

Neighbors: Vern Johnson

The Siesta Key resident volunteers at the Siesta Key Chamber every week.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
February 16, 2012

Sarasota Beach home sells for $4.1 million

A home in Sarasota Beach tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Lisa Kruidenier, trustee, sold the home at 636 Beach Road to Saba Sands LLC for $4.1 million.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 16, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Bob Crawford submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
February 16, 2012

Neighbors: Ben Walsh

Stand-up bassist Ben Walsh, a senior at Cardinal Mooney High School, looks forward to competing at the state level for the third consecutive year.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
February 16, 2012

Athlete of the Week: Sean Dulom

Sarasota High senior Sean Dulom, 18, will compete in the Class 3A State Tournament this weekend at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 16, 2012

JUST THE STATS

7 - The point differential between the ODA and Sarasota girls tennis teams Feb. 7. The Thunder won 7-0.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 16, 2012

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Berman named vice president of Sarasota High foundation; Mote Marine partners with USF Sarasota-Manatee; Arts and Cultural Alliance partners with Film Festival; American Heart Association gives CPR grant to schools

Sarasota
News

Adam Hughes
February 16, 2012

Main Residential condo tops weekly transactions

A condominium in 1350 Main Residential tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Dean and Uretha Seavers, Pinecrest, sold their Unit 1604 condominium at 1350 Main St. to Ronald and Catherine Fox, of Oak Park, Ill., for $1,437,500.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Observer Staff
February 16, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

John Greco submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Oscar Scherer State Park.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
February 15, 2012

Cooking for Wishes

Black Tie

Michael Eng
February 15, 2012

Five-year-old airlifted after car crash

According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, a 5-year-old boy was riding a bicycle at University Parkway and Lockwood Ridge Road when he was struck by a vehicle.

East County
News

Eddie Kirsch
February 15, 2012

FEB. 15: 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

Rachel S. OHara
February 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Wings of Freedom Tour

The Wings of Freedom Tour flew into the Rectrix Aerodome out at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Monday, Feb. 13 and stayed through Wednesday, Feb. 15.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
February 15, 2012

SCORES: Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch soccer kicks off

The Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team went 2-1 this past week.

East County
Sports

Nick Friedman
February 15, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Wedding Vow Renewals on Siesta Key Beach

More than 450 couples flocked to Siesta Key Public Beach Valentine's Day to renew their wedding vows at sunset. The event was hosted by Marriage and Family Works in partnership with Sarasota County Parks and Recreation.

Siesta Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
February 15, 2012

County libraries seek feedback

Sarasota County is seeking library input in its annual survey through Feb. 18.

Sarasota
News

Robin Hartill
February 15, 2012

Former Mayor Ron Johnson joins SBEP committee

Johnson was recently appointed to Sarasota Bay Estuary Program's Citizen Advisory Committee.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Chapel members jazz up services

It was a toe-tapping, hand-clapping good time at the Longboat Island Chapel's 19th annual jazz worship service Sunday, Feb. 12.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Father Pick sings a happy tune

Edward Pick, reverend emeritus of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, has recently undergone a successful knee surgery.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Younger remains hospitalized

Commissioner Phill Younger remained hospitalized at press time at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Look inside for map of Longboat Key

The 2012 Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce map was released this week and can be found in the Feb. 16 edition of the Longboat Observer.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Longboaters host Torah on the Key

An afternoon Torah on the Key program was hosted in January by Marvin and Marsha Frank and was attended by 22 Longboat Key residents.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Arts Center: Calling all artists!

Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, is calling for artwork for the annual juried exhibition, "Illuminated Nature."