Your Observer

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

Our View: City fumbles police pension

Politicians are not always noted for making the tough decisions. Still, it was more than a little disappointing to see the Sarasota City Commission stay in character even as it changed characters last fall and punt a necessary change in police pensions to some future commission.

Sarasota
Opinion

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

Letters to the Editor

Sarasota has plenty of under-the-radar murals; LeBell's 'Solving Elgar' critique was off base; Differences clear between occupiers and Tea Party; Tea partyers work to restore core values; Occupier and Tea Party comparison accurate

Sarasota
Opinion

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

Sarasota
Cops Corner

Loren Mayo
October 27, 2011

The Observer hunts ghosts at The Players Theatre

After hearing stories about unexplainable occurrences at The Players Theatre, four Observer staffers embark on a ghost hunt.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel Brown Hackney
October 27, 2011

Another Turtle Beach renourishment in the works

Just as property owners along Turtle Beach finish paying assessments for a 2006-07 renourishment project, the county is expected to start another initiative to add sand to Turtle Beach.

Siesta Key
News

Rachel Brown Hackney
October 27, 2011

Lower Beach Road speed limit approved

The County Commission Tuesday accepted a staff recommendation to lower the speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph on part of the road.

Siesta Key
News

Rachel Brown Hackney
October 27, 2011

New program emerges to help the homeless

The City Commission Monday voiced support for a program called Street Teams, in which groups of homeless people would undertake Public Works Department jobs downtown.

Siesta Key
News

Rachel Brown Hackney
October 27, 2011

Commission approves design changes at Benderson Park

The incorporation of a 'return canal' will enable the aquatic park to host every level of national and international rowing competition.

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

PHOTO GALLERY: Pelikids' Halloween

Pelikids is a monthly feature highlighting the work of Sarasota County students. This month's offerings are from students of various grades at Pine View School and third-grade students from Lakeview Elementary School.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

News Briefs

Fence replacement delayed at Treasure Boat; Siesta beach discussion delayed until Nov. 9

Siesta Key
News

Loren Mayo
October 27, 2011

Neighbors: Jane O'Neal

Jane O'Neal grew up outside of Cambridge, England, where a herd of hungry swans woke her up each morning by knocking on her family's houseboat.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
October 27, 2011

Southpointe Shores home sells for $950,000

A home in Southpointe Shores tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Edward and Michelle Kapreilian, Sarasota, sold their home at 1736 Sandalwood Drive to Philip and Reina Alexander, Sarasota, for $950,000.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

Weekly Winner: Elegant Ending

Jeff Zacks submitted this sunset photo, taken in Osprey.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel Brown Hackney
October 27, 2011

Island Beat: Rare 'witch' shows up on north end of the Key

Just in time for Halloween, my favorite wildlife watchers on the Key have reported another coup.

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

Sarasota
News

Rachel S. OHara
October 27, 2011

Athlete of the Week: Dalton Kindt

Out-of-Door Academy sixth-grader Dalton Kindt, 12, has already achieved black belt status in Korean taekwondo and has been studying Brazilian jiu-jitsu for the past six months.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

JUST THE STATS

26 Total number of kills (16) and blocks (10) Cardinal Mooney High senior Anne Montgomery recorded Oct. 20 in the Cougars' win over the Venice Indians, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

Letters to the Editor

Crossing issueneeds lots of attention; 'Occupy' groups nothing like tea party

Sarasota
News

Adam Hughes
October 27, 2011

Solymar home tops this week's sales at $1,260,000

A home in Solymar tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Regions Bank sold the home at 3919 Solymar Drive to Robert Shaw, trustee, of Leawood, Kansas, for $1,260,000.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 27, 2011

Weekly Winner: Mauve Mood

Peter van Roekens submitted this photo of an unsettled Siesta sunset.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
October 26, 2011

PHOTO GALLERY: Baby Basics Fashion Show

Dillard's and the Westfield Southgate Mall teamed up Wednesday, Oct. 26, for the Dillard's Fashion Show and Luncheon to benefit Baby Basics of Sarasota County at the food court at the Westfield Southgate Mall. The lunch was catered by Cosimo's.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
October 26, 2011

Lady Pirates fall in district semifinal

The Braden River High volleyball team won't be playing for a district title for the first time in five years after falling to top-seeded Venice in a Class 7A-District 11 semifinal Oct. 26.

East County
Sports

Loren Mayo
October 26, 2011

PHOTO GALLERY: Halloween babies!

Little ones who belong to Sarasota Memorial Hospital's "Mommies and Babies" group wore cozy costumes to celebrate Halloween a few days early Wednesday, Oct. 26. The group meets every Wednesday at Waldemere Medical Plaza.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
October 26, 2011

PHOTO GALLERY: Shade Foundation of America 'Hats on to Shade' luncheon

The Shade Foundation of America held an organization luncheon for its new Sarasota chapter at TPC Prestancia.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
October 26, 2011

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Curses upon me

This pumpkin, and a few others like it, is located at the pumpkin patch at the corner of Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Road.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
October 26, 2011

FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Robin Draper

Read this week's Five Things You Didn't Know About our 'In the Kitchen With' star, Robin Draper.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 26, 2011

Imagine principal makes trip to the roof

Imagine School Principal Stephen Sajewski spent part of the day Oct. 21 on the school's roof to reward students for raising more than $10,000 during the school's recent book fair.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 26, 2011

Temple Emanu-El hosts fall festival

Members of Temple Emanu-El enjoyed special Wild West-themed family time Oct. 15 as the temple's preschool hosted a fall festival fundraiser.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 26, 2011

Ranch hosts Boo Fest family fun

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' Corp.'s annual Boo Fest event will run from 6-9 p.m.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 26, 2011

Student shows school spirit

Longboat Key resident Savannah Schield has spirit, yes she does.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 26, 2011

Library resumes full-time hours

Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 1, Longboat Library will be open full-time from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
October 26, 2011

Turtle season comes to a close

Sea-turtle season on Longboat Key ends Oct. 31. This year, there have been 267 loggerhead nests and 249 loggerhead false crawls recorded on the Key's beaches.