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Your Observer

Nicholas Ortega, 4, spun the wheel for a prize.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Carnival

Families of McNeal Elementary School gathered Feb. 25 in the school's courtyard for a school carnival. Guests enjoyed carnival-style games, a dunk tank, inflatables, food, prizes and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Guests danced until their hearts were content, and were out on the dance floor before dinner, in between courses and after dessert.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 25, 2012
Corinthian Gala 'Supper Club & Speakeasy'

Corinthian Gala 'Supper Club & Speakeasy'

  • Black Tie
Carl Battle, Charmaine Downie, Lota Mushaw and Tony McQueen
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 25, 2012
25th Anniversary of the Van Wezel Foundation featuring Jerry Seinfeld

25th Anniversary of the Van Wezel Foundation featuring Jerry Seinfeld

  • Black Tie
Liz Bentley, Alison O’Donoghue, Leslie France and Amanda Morris
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 25, 2012
Fashion, Flowers and Food: Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Show and Luncheon

Fashion, Flowers and Food: Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Show and Luncheon

  • Black Tie
George Bassa had a blast fishing with his grandchildren, Tyler Perkins, Cooper Ryan and Emily Perkins.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Youth Fishing Tournament

About 100 aspiring fishermen and their families gathered around Summerfield Lake Feb. 25 for the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club Youth Fishing Tournament.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Co-Chairs Meg Mahoney and Chris Cremer
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 24, 2012
17th annual Evening of Excellence

17th annual Evening of Excellence

  • Black Tie
Dick and Carol Angelotti, Doyle and Mary King and Joy Rowe
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 24, 2012
Ballon Glow Dinner

Ballon Glow Dinner

  • Black Tie
Scott Antritt, Lowe Morrison and Kelly Caldwell
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 24, 2012
Tidewell Hospice 'Compassion in Caring' Luncheon

Tidewell Hospice 'Compassion in Caring' Luncheon

  • Black Tie
The Bill Family: Tessa, Scott, Morgan and Deborah.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Honoring Navy SEAL Brian Bill and His Fellow SEALS: A Benefit for the Navy SEAL Foundation

East County residents paid tribute to the life of U.S. Navy SEAL Brian Bill and his fellow U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6 team during Honoring Navy SEAL Brian Bill and His Fellow SEALS: A Benefit for the Navy SEAL Foundation Feb. 24 at the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas. Bill was among those killed after the Taliban fired a rocket-propelled grenade into their helicopter during a mission in the Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan. During the fundraiser, guests enjoyed a mid-morning reception followed by a private screening of the film 'Act of Valor,' a film inspired by true events and starring active-duty Navy SEALs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Allison Tibor and Brianna Riehl danced the night away.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Divas and Daddies Dance

Fathers and daughters at Freedom Elementary School danced the night away tonight during the school's Divas and Daddies Dance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 24, 2012
FEB. 24: 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
Dr. Nik
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Buskers on St. Armands

On March 14, St. Armands circle will be bustling with buskers, or live street performers that play for gratuity. A handful of these potential contracted performers auditioned at Circle Park on Feb. 22 for their chance. The Garbage Men, a teenage rock ensemble playing Beatles covers with instruments they made from trash, auditioned. Jesse Lippert played a classical guitar version of Fir Elise. 'White Man' Statue, Ralph Longshore, broke his statue character to play guitar and sing a few bars, and then retuned to statue state. There was also Dr. Nik and his guitar playing chicken. Coming full circle, artist Bill Drugan displayed his talents at drawing caricatures.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Paul Caragiulo, bottom right, looks on as residents and merchants take their turn complaining about the parking meter program Thursday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 24, 2012
Downtown residents, merchants denounce parking meters again

Downtown residents and merchants used a Thursday parking management forum to call once again for the removal of the parking meters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Phishing (pronounced "fishing") is a type of online identity theft where con artists send emails or text messages that appear to come from institutions you trust, like your bank or credit card company.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 24, 2012
Sheriff warns of phishing scams

Sarasota County residents are being warned of two phishing scams circulating in e-mail inboxes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lynne Garbrick and Pat Bajkowski co-chaired the tournament. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 24, 2012
Golf group raises $5,000 for charity

The Tara Golf & Country Club's Nine Hole Golf Group recently raised about $5,000 to support cancer research at a recent fundraising event.

  • East County
  • News
A Florida High Patrol report states Robert Torez, 19, was taken to Blake Memorial Hospital around 10 p.m. Feb. 23, after the scooter on which he was riding was struck by a vehicle behind him.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 24, 2012
Vehicle crushes scooter, injures driver

A 19-year-old man was transported to Blake Medical Center last night after the scooter on which he was riding was struck and run over by another vehicle.

  • East County
  • News
Marilyn and Ron Shapo's home provided the venue for this month's soiree.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Isles Soiree

Members of the Siesta Isles Neighborhood Association met for their monthly soiree Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Marilyn and Ron Shapo's home. Each month, association members take turns co-hosting the social event. This month, Marilyn and Ron Shapo hosted with Diana and Nevin Weiner and Judie Berger. Guests enjoyed food from the Village Cafe and celebrated the upcoming Oscar Academy Awards ceremony.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Born and raised in Sarasota, Smith grew up boxing with his father, China Smith Sr., and playing football.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 24, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: China Smith

'The People's Champ' is a native of Sarasota. Read more about him in our candid Q&A.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 24, 2012
SCORES: Lady Mustangs earn pair of victories

The Lakewood Ranch High girls tennis team improved its record to 5-1 with a pair of victories Feb. 21-22.

  • East County
  • Sports
Frankie Alvarez and Andhy Mendez
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Starry Night Dinner, highlighting 'Hamlet, Prince of Cuba'

Starry Night Dinner, highlighting 'Hamlet, Prince of Cuba'

  • Black Tie
Jean Abrams, Rosemary Saurber and Wendy Glasser
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Come Laugh With Gina Barreca

Come Laugh With Gina Barreca

  • Black Tie
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 23, 2012
FEB. 23: 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
The Braden River Elementary cafeteria staff put together a special rock star menu for the event.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Elementary School Cafeteria Rock Star Day

Students at Braden River Elementary School let the good times roll during the school's Cafeteria Rock Star Day Feb. 23. During their lunch periods, students enjoyed a special rock star menu and listened to rock and roll hits played by the Guitar Center's Stephen Miller and Jimi Gee. The event celebrated BRE's Learning Rocks school theme.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Abigail Schmitt, 6 1/2, enjoys her burrito, Thursday, Feb. 23, at El Restaurante Bay Haven.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 2nd annual El Restaurante Bay Haven

Bay Haven Elementary held their second annual "El Restaurante Bay Haven" luncheon, Thursday, Feb. 23, in the cafeteria.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County commissioners Tuesday questioned whether staff was estimating too high a budget for the expenses.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
What does the upkeep cost?

County commissioners Tuesday debated the cost of Village upkeep, questioning whether county staff had over-estimated expenses for the current fiscal year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Approximately 100 people attended Buchanan's Longboat Key town hall meeting last March.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 23, 2012
Buchanan to host Longboat Key town hall meeting

The Longboat Key Republican will hold a meeting this Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The meeting will be held in the Jack Geldbart Auditorium within the Selby Library, 1331 First Street, Sarasota.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
City hosts parking forum tonight

The city of Sarasota will host a parking management forum tonight to help prompt improvements within the parking system.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rick Obeid, of New Panel Homes, today caulks one of five new dog cottage at Honor Animal Rescue's Ranch on Lorraine Road. Volunteers from T.J. Maxx painted the structures Wednesday.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Building homes

Rick Obeid, of New Panel Homes, today caulks one of five new dog cottage at Honor Animal Rescue's Ranch on Lorraine Road. Volunteers from T.J. Maxx painted the structures Wednesday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
An attempted suicide was thwarted by Sarasota police officers Tuesday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Sarasota Police interrupt attempted suicide

Sarasota Police officers stopped a woman from committing suicide in her car via means of carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2012
Expert panel to discuss presidential leadership

'Leadership Lessons Learned: United States Presidents' will be held tonight, at Braden River High School

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
More newsracks coming to Siesta

Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes reported recently to members that he is continuing to work on securing the installation of more modular newsracks on the Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
CB's receives customer kudos

CB's Saltwater Outfitters recently heard from a happy customer, a common, but no-less welcome trend for the Key business.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Claire Levin, Carolyn Ratner and Sondra Zemmel. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
TBS hosts sisterhood fashion show

The Sisterhood of Temple Beth Sholom held its annual fashion show and luncheon Feb. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evan Collinsworth, Dan Sweeney and Bob Peterson. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Brain Trust honors Bob Peterson

A group of men known as "The Brain Trust" work on solving the world's problems as they dine together every Tuesday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Angus Rogers, CEO, Floridays Development Co.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Two developers: Angus Rogers

The chief executive officers of Sarasota-based Floridays Development Co. and Atlanta-based Jebco Ventures Inc. have different visions for a downtown Sarasota hotel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim Bridges, CEO, Jebco Ventures Inc.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Two developers: Jim Bridges

The chief executive officers of Sarasota-based Floridays Development Co. and Atlanta-based Jebco Ventures Inc. have different visions for a downtown Sarasota hotel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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