• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

This year's bonfire featured a live band performing on the black top.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • November 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Freedom Bonfire

Freedom Elementary Principal Jim Mennes calls it 'The Bonfire That Never Was.' Although high winds eliminated the possibility of the school's annual bonfire, there was plenty of fun to be had at the event Nov. 18. Guests enjoyed food, live music and plenty of time with family and friends.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 28, 2011
Obituary: Joan Helene Weissman

Joan Helene Weissman of Boonton, N.J., formerly of Sarasota, Longboat Key and West Orange, N.J. died Nov. 13, 2011.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The public is invited to a public art mural reception Wednesday at the Palm Avenue parking garage. File Photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 28, 2011
Palm Avenue garage art reception planned

Public art murals will be unveiled Wednesday at the Palm Avenue parking garage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's roadwork updates.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • November 28, 2011
Roadwork updates for week of Nov. 27

Projects continue on Interstate 75, U.S. 301, U.S. 41, state Road 789, 758, 72 and 681.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ladies in Diva Angels donated proceeds from a recent poker run to Big Cat Habitat of Sarasota. Photo courtesy of Donna Defant.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 28, 2011
Diva Angels ride benefits Big Cat Habitat

Ladies' biker organization Diva Angels recently hosted the groups seventh annual Poker Run.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Home-Tech celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this month by delivering 30 turkeys to help feed local families.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 28, 2011
Home-Tech celebrates anniversary with turkey donation

Home-Tech on Nov. 21 donated 30 turkeys to Meals on Wheels PLUS.

  • East County
  • News
There were cocktails, appetizers and sweet treats scattered throughout the store for guests to eat.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer at St. Armands Circle opened its brand new glass door for a grand re-opening on Nov. 26. The previous door, which was painted by Lilly's design team, will be auctioned off at Ringling in Bloom in February. Sarasota Ballet will receive 10 % of the event's proceeds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chucky Kongahakotuwage was one of the bowlers for the Titans Cricket Club.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 27, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 Sarasota Six-A-Side Festival

Fifteen of the top cricket teams from across the world gathered together at Sarasota International Cricket Club for the 2011 Sarasota Six-A-Side Festival Nov. 24-27. During the festival, the teams are divided into groups and compete in a series of round robin games with the top two teams advancing to the finals to compete for the Festival Shield. In addition to the tournament, players also enjoyed parties, a gala dinner and a luncheon, among other activities.

  • East County
  • Sports
Renee Pitts, Nancy Harrison and Robin Storm put on quite a performance at the video game theater.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 27, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Thunder Fun Day

The Out-of-Door Academy students, their families and the community enjoyed an afternoon of fun and games during the school's annual Thunder Fun Day Nov. 19 at the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch. During the festival, guests enjoyed food, games, arts and crafts, a rock wall, bounce houses, a video game theater, a cake walk and hamster ball, among other activities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Eight-year-old Jason Jessup, left, and James Crain, 7, race to double-team Kayla Cummings, 8.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 27, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: i9 Sports Super Saturday

Hundreds of East County children hit the fields for i9 Sports' Super Saturday Nov. 19. Children played in a variety of single elimination tournaments, including basketball, baseball, soccer and flag football, among others, to determine the champions in each age division. Players also enjoyed music, games, face painting and refreshments.

  • East County
  • Sports
Judy Achre who typically worships at Longboat Island Chapel is with Roselyn Erickson who typically worships at St. Armands Lutheran Church.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 26, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Interfaith Service

The house was packed for the Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service at Temple Beth Israel on Nov. 22. The 31st annual event brought all the houses of worship together for a service led by Rev. David Danner of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The congregation and even the choir was made up of all persons of any faith.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Read some of our favorite Cops Corner entries from this week.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2011
Top Cops of the Week

Enjoy the top Cops Corner cases featured in all Observers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 25, 2011
Thanksgiving theater luncheon benefits homeless veterans

Local government representatives, faith leaders and community members presented a theater luncheon to benefit Sarasota's homeless.

  • Arts + Culture
The Longboat Key Triathlon drew 450 participants last month.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • November 25, 2011
Rev3 considers South County triathlon

The company originally aimed to create a race that would run through Longboat Key, Lido Key and downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The first intersection that will have photo enforcement beginning Dec. 1 of red light violations will be the intersections of Bahia Vista Road and Tuttle Avenue. A verified violation will result in a fine of $158.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 25, 2011
Sarasota begins red light camera program

A red light camera will be operational at Bahia Vista Road and Tuttle Avenue beginning Dec. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 25, 2011
Obituary: William B. Craig

William B. Craig, 70 of Longboat Key, formerly of Haverford, PA died November, 20. Bill was born Dec. 15, 1940.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 25, 2011
Obituary: Patricia 'Patty' Browne Wrightson

Patricia 'Patty' Browne Wrightson of Longboat Key and formerly of White River Junction, VT and Upper Montclair, NJ died on Nov. 19, 2011. She was born on Dec. 8, 1927.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 25, 2011
Obituary: Steve Alan Gooding

Steve Alan Gooding, 62, of Sarasota died Nov. 21. He was born Feb. 10, 1949.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Children were excited to pick out food for the homeless. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 24, 2011
Primrose gives thanks with giving

Children at Primrose School in Lakewood Ranch celebrated the Thanksgiving spirit by buying food for the homeless.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 23, 2011
County Commission reaffirms prayer before meetings

Manatee County commissioners on Monday reaffirmed their practice of opening board meetings with prayer.

  • East County
  • News
Arlene Casey, Claire Marsh and Adie Abelson enjoyed the Fall Fashion Show.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Fall Fashion Show

More than 100 Tara Golf & Country Club residents and their guests enjoyed an afternoon of fashion and fun during the club's annual Fall Fashion Show Nov. 18. Guests enjoyed a gourmet luncheon before seeing the latest trends during the Fanta-Sea Runway Show, featuring fashions by A' Tu International of Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Four-year-old Isabel Neeb played every game of her first soccer season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 23, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Just for kicks

Hundreds of children hit the field for i9 Sports' Super Saturday event Nov. 19. Children participated in a variety of sports, including soccer, basketball, flag football, baseball and cheerleading.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sue Jacobson, Bert Fivelson, Sarah Elbert, Ursula Pearson, Mimi Edlin and Grant Jones
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 23, 2011
Edlin throws joint birthday party

Mimi Edlin held a joint birthday party for four people with the same birthday, Nov. 17, and one with a birthday a few days earlier, Nov. 12, Friday, Nov. 18, at her home at the Sarasota Bay Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Last week, someone broke a window at Original Stitch Boutique, which opened recently across the street from the location that housed Stitch Boutique until August.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 23, 2011
Stitch Boutique dispute continues

The former co-owners of Stitch Boutique on Main Street are embroiled in a civil lawsuit concerning the disappearance of the store's merchandise in August and whether a new store with a similar name can operate across the street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Main Street oak tree was chopped back a couple of weeks ago without the city’s permission. Kurt Schultheis.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 23, 2011
City searches high and low for tree-trimming suspect

A tree in the 1400 block of Main Street was trimmed a couple of weeks ago without the city of Sarasota's permission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 23, 2011
News Briefs

Sarasota Bay deemed safe after sewer leak; FPL announces energy makeover recipients; Holiday schedule changes for Thanksgiving; Hearing Loss Association receives grant

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Shannon Snyder doesn’t believe the county should levy park impact fees on parks for which the city pays a higher level of service, such as Payne Park. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 23, 2011
Commissions spar over fees levied

Commissions for the city of Sarasota and Sarasota County debated Tuesday at a joint meeting park impact fees and a perceived dual taxation issue for city residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Visitors coming to Sarasota County to see the top beach in the country in 2011 helped push county tourism tax collections to a level not seen in several years. Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 23, 2011
County tourist tax revenue passes $11 million mark

Siesta Beach's No. 1 ranking gets considerable credit for the county's best tourist tax revenue total since the 2006 fiscal year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Juna Langeldyk, 5, enjoys the falling "snow" at Siesta Center during the 2010 Light Up the Village holiday festivities. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 23, 2011
Light Up the Village brings out families

The Village's biggest annual event kicks off the Siesta holiday season for children of all ages.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Many Main Street merchants said they still are recovering from the construction of the Five Points roundabout and the installation of parking meters and hope the city will delay the Main Street streetscape project. Photo by Kurt Schultheis.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 23, 2011
Merchants denounce Main Street project

Downtown business owners believe now is not the time for a Main Street streetscape project that will tear up the street and sidewalks.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The firm running the concessions at Siesta Key Public Beach ran into permitting problems with the county, leading it to win an agreement that it can install movable kiosks. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 23, 2011
Kiosks coming to the beach concession area

The new Siesta beach concessionaire soon will be installing movable kiosks and getting a break on its payments to the county.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 23, 2011
News Briefs

County offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday; City changes garbage schedule for holiday; Collins named SMH Physician of Year

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 23, 2011
Commission takes no action after judge's ruling

The County Commission Tuesday made no effort to amend the ballot wording for a proposed charter amendment on term limits, which a judge Nov. 21 had ruled misleading.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nora Patterson. Photo by Norman Schimmel
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 23, 2011
Commissioner Patterson won't seek another term

County Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson says she has no plans to seek a fifth term on the county board when her current term is up in 2014.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 23, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Enforce Sarasota's eight-year term limits; Commissioners corrupt in extending term limits; Roundabout money should be spent on safety

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 23, 2011
Pelikids: Thanksgiving edition

Pelikids is a monthly feature highlighting the work of Sarasota County students. This month's offerings are from students at Lakeview Elementary schools.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
« 1592 1593 1594 1595 1596 1597 1598 1599 1600 1601 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now