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Your Observer

The Downtown Improvement District is weighing the pros and cons of having an enhanced level of maintenance service along Main Street. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 17, 2011
DID frustrated by pricey maintenance bids

The Downtown Improvement District doesn't want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to have enhanced maintenance in its downtown corridor.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 17, 2011
Term limits amendment to appear on Jan. 31 ballot

Although 15 of 17 speakers opposed the action, the County Commission Nov. 15 approved revised language for a term-limit charter amendment.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota High School will receive a $24 million renovation. Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 17, 2011
Sarasota High master plan revealed

The Sarasota County School Board Wednesday reviewed plans for Sarasota High School's renovations that could be completed by the 2014-15 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Jessica Luck
  • November 17, 2011
Veterans Affairs

This year, Veterans Day fell on a truly unique day: 11/11/11, and there was no shortage of local patriotic celebrations to commemorate veterans' services to our country.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Construction continues at the lift station project in Luke Wood Park, located at the intersection of U.S. 41 and U.S. 301. Courtesy of the city of Sarasota.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 17, 2011
Lift station project on schedule

A $9.5 million lift station project is on schedule to be completed in June. It's the largest lift station project the city has undertaken.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 17, 2011
Businesses question city of Sarasota's 'nightclub designation' mandate

Two restaurant owners who want to serve liquor in their eateries took offense to a new 'nightclub designation' city code mandates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Our View: A missed opportunity

Has the city of Sarasota re-opened for business, as it appeared after the spring election? Hopefully, but ...

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Enforce Sarasota's eight-year term limits; Absolute power corrupts

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The new school building will house 34 classrooms and an IT room on each of its three floors.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 17, 2011
SSAS students, staff count the days until move-in

In just three weeks, a new three-story classroom building for the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences will open.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Johnson
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 17, 2011
Conservation Foundation names its new president

Christine Johnson will succeed Albert Joerger as The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast's next leader.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Parks and Chris Gallagher, with Sarasota-based Jonathan Parks Architect, led the design process at Citrus Square. The 35,000-square-foot, three-story mixed-use project in downtown Sarasota was completed in 2010. Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 17, 2011
Advice from an award-winning firm, 'Think Like a Raindrop'

An award-winning architecture firm shares its secrets. A big key, for any business: Creativity can come from anywhere.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Mallory Gnaegy
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 17, 2011
Neighbors: Louise King

This former Broadway star has retained her love for the theater.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
News Briefs

Beach stormwater project grant extension likely; PALS training bolsters students; County to mark Honore improvements

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Meet this week's athlete, Courtland Bernard
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 17, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Courtland Bernard

Courtland Bernard's third-place finish at the Class 3A-Region 2 Regionals in Lecanto helped to secure the Sarasota High School boys cross-country team a spot at states this weekend in Dade City.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
JUST THE STATS

1 - Number of goals Out-of-Door seventh-grader Skylar Jungers scored Nov. 8, in her first varsity soccer game against Saint Stephen's. ODA lost to Saint Stephen's 4-1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
JUST THE STATS

1 - Number of goals Out-of-Door seventh-grader Skylar Jungers scored Nov. 8, in her first varsity soccer game against Saint Stephen's. ODA lost to Saint Stephen's 4-1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 1661 Bonita Lane has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, a pool and 3,330 square feet of living area. It sold for $950,000. Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 17, 2011
Four-bedroom Granada home sells for $950,000

James Arcara, Sarasota, sold his home at 1661 Bonita Lane to Steven Dixon and Peggy Allen, Sarasota, for $950,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Claudia Lewis submitted this sunset photo, taken on Manasota Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Weekly Winner: Staying In Step

Claudia Lewis submitted this sunset photo, taken on Manasota Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trophies for the winners stand in front of the group carving of the event logos. Photos by Norman Schimmel
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 17, 2011
Making masterpieces out of sand hills

The traffic snaking along Stickney Point Road, on down to Beach Road, was a testament Sunday to the popularity of the second Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sandsculpting Competition.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The latest Key critter Tatiana Staats has documented falls into the “most unwanted” category — a golden tegu, which is generally ill tempered, wildlife biologists report. Photo by Tatiana Staats.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 17, 2011
ISLAND BEAT: At long last, Siesta Key welcomes a fish market Crystal Classic shines spotlight on No. 1 beach

Anyone who missed the second Crystal Classic Master Sandsculpting Competition Nov. 10-14 on the Key missed truly extraordinary art.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Chris Gatti took this picture Nov. 4, at Point of Rocks on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Weekly Winner: Dreamscape

Chris Gatti took this picture Nov. 4, at Point of Rocks on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 17, 2011
Siesta Beach home tops sales at $950,000

A home in Siesta Beach tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Longboat Key

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Longboat Observer archives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Cortney Keller and Jonna Keller
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • November 16, 2011
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Gala 'Le Jazz Hot'

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Gala 'Le Jazz Hot'

  • Black Tie
Back: Tracy and MIchael Lucci, John Troutt, Jeannene Mironack, Kathryn and Kevin Sperber, Cecilia and John Troutt.  Seated:  Sarah Trout, Pat and Senator Bob Johnson and Alex Troutt.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • November 16, 2011
YMCA Foundation of Sarasota Annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon honoring Bob Johnson

YMCA Foundation of Sarasota Annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon honoring Bob Johnson

  • Black Tie
The leak, which was reported at 2:30 a.m. this morning, continues to flow and has created a lake on Gulfstream Avenue stretching almost from Main Street to Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 16, 2011
UPDATE: Sewer leak still flowing

A forcemain sewer break has created a lake on Gulfstream Avenue stretching almost from Main Street to Ringling Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood President Laura Zalkin, left, presented the Savory Kugel trophy to Kala and Kendal Sheckler.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple enjoys traditional treats

More than 125 members and guests of Temple Emanu-El gathered for the second annual Kugel and Knish Cook-Off Sunday, Nov. 6. Attendees socialized and mingled while sampling 35 of the homemade, quintessential Jewish treats and voted for their favorites. Also on hand was official 'judge' Jeremy Adams, of Word of Mouth, who evaluated each entry before naming the 'Best in Show.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Christmas has come early to St. Armands Circle. They started putting up lights Tuesday, Nov. 15.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 16, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Christmas is here

Christmas has come early to St. Armands Circle. They started putting up lights Tuesday, Nov. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 16, 2011
Ranch athletes ink college choices

Six Lakewood Ranch High seniors announced their intentions to play at the next level during a signing ceremony this afternoon in the school's media center.

  • East County
  • Sports
JFCS volunteers Carol Macphee, Esther Heller, Arnold Elliot, Joel Blumsack and Lee Katz helped serve up food, Wednesday, Nov. 16, during the Celebration of Caregivers luncheon at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Celebration of Caregivers

JFCS celebrated Caregiver Month, Wednesday, Nov. 16, with the Celebration of Caregivers luncheon at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus. The luncheon, which also included a large cake to serve the over 70 guests, honored the caregivers who participate in the different JFCS Caregiver programs. Kathleen Houseweart, Coordinator of SMH Memory Clinic and Manager of Geriatric Services, also gave a presentation to those who attended the luncheon about understanding and managing the stress that caregivers deal with on a daily basis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Club and Resort approved the Islandside project in June 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • November 16, 2011
Judge hears arguments in writ challenge

Judge Charles Roberts heard from both sides in the challenge to the Longboat Key Club and Resort's proposed Islandside project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 16, 2011
BREAKING: Gas line struck on Ocean Boulevard

As workers Wednesday, Nov. 16, began construction of the new wrought-iron fence at the intersection of Treasure Boat Way and Ocean Boulevard, they struck a gas line, a county staff member informed representatives of Siesta organizations.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
CUTLINE: Even after running 26.1 miles in the New York City Marathon, Jamey Murphy and Jodi Mailman had enough strength to hold up a copy of their favorite newspaper, the East County Observer.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • November 16, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Jamey Murphy

Jamey Murphy and his wife, Jodi Mailman, co-own Create Your Own - A Confectionary Boutique. To celebrate Murphy's 50th birthday, the two completed the New York City Marathon. Read more about him in our candid Q&A.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 16, 2011
Crews contain sewer leak on Gulfstream Avenue

A city Public Works Department crew is repairing a forcemain break on Gulfstream Avenue that allowed sewer water to reach Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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