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Your Observer

Jim Brown, former Longboat Key mayor.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 6, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Jim Brown

Think you know Jim Brown? Here are five things you may not have known about him.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
A mailbox on Higel Avenue is designed to look like a house and has been painted with hearts, windows and "US Mail".
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Love Letterbox

While "snail mail" may not be the quickest way to get in touch with someone, most everyone does love getting a visit from the mailman with a card or a package from a loved one.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
These are beach daisies. When Ponce De Leon found Florida, he was impressed with the flora. Hence the origin of the word "Florida:" flowered, or feast of flowers.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Florida etymology

These are beach daisies. When Ponce De Leon found Florida, he was impressed with the flora. Hence the origin of the word "Florida:" flowered, or feast of flowers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brooklyn Borowski holds her pet rabbit, Thumper. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Some bunny gets a special blessing

St. Wilifred Episcopal Church has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the feast of St. Francis with a Blessing of the Animals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Thanks to Sarasota City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo's last-minute reconsideration, a $25,000 art mural project for the Palm Avenue parking garage is moving forward.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
FULL STORY: Garage murals approved

With a 3-2 vote Monday, the Sarasota City Commission approved a $25,000 Palm Avenue parking garage mural project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents of Hudson Bayou and Gulfview Drive expressed concerns with the traffic light being removed at Orange Avenue and Gulfview Drive. Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
Residents happy city sees the light

After Sarasota residents expressed concern with the potential removal of a neighborhood traffic light, city staff made a recommendation to keep the light.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
Lido Pool agreement approved

The Lido Beach Pool will continue to be operated by its current concession operator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
News Briefs

SCVB staff makes a move to a new building

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
Brown files third lawsuit

Village property owner Chris Brown filed suit against Sarasota County Tuesday for the third time since 2007 over assessments related to a lack of restaurant parking spaces.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Neighboring residents complained when Andy Cooper installed real estate and "Private Property" signs on the portion of the beach residents considered public access. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
County affirms private beach property rights

A fight over property rights on the northern part of Beach Road led to a four-hour standoff among county officials, sheriff's deputies and residents.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
Ex-employee's allegations to be independently reviewed

A former city employee's claims about improprieties in the city's Auditor and Clerk's Office has prompted the City Commission to ask an outside source to review the matter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
DSA debates downtown New Year's Eve event

The Downtown Sarasota Alliance Board of Directors approved a New Year's Eve event for downtown Sarasota at its monthly meeting Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jennifer Nichols Chaparro's chalk portrait featured the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz" at last year’s Chalk Festival. File photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Grant changes costly to Sarasota Chalk Festival; Claims of homelessness at library are baseless

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
Main Street: Where the tiled sidewalk ends?

A $10,000 ceramic tile sidewalk project is in jeopardy of being removed if sidewalks are torn up for a new project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Read this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
"A stuffed turtle became a metaphor for my trip," J.W. Frye said. "There's a quote that goes 'Behold the turtle — he only makes progress when he sticks his neck out."
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 6, 2011
Biker hits the road for fundraiser

Having just returned from biking across the country for hospice, J.W. Frye will host 'Sarasota Celebrates Volunteers' Sunday, Oct. 16, at Payne Park Auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtney Berger at the collegiate FIRA Regatta held in April at Benderson Park. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 6, 2011
Former Sarasota Crew member rescues fellow rower

Courtney Berger is the first NSU athlete to receive the national sportsmanship award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
City of Sarasota will not take gamble on casinos

Sarasota city commissioners unanimously agreed Monday that Las Vegas-style casinos are not in the cards for the city's future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
FULL STORY: Parking garage murals approved

With a 3-2 vote Monday, the Sarasota City Commission approved a $25,000 Palm Avenue parking garage mural project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
Brochures going out to candidates

The Mercer Group, which is conducting the search for the new Sarasota County administrator, has posted on its website a brochure outlining the qualities sought in that public official.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Briana O'Brien drives her Green Hopper on Main Street in downtown Sarasota. O'Brien has expanded her "green" service to the Key. To catch a free ride, call 706-5400. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
Another free taxi service operating on Siesta Key

A former Daiquiri Deck waitress has been operating a free taxi service on the Key since April, using a battery-powered vehicle she calls the Green Hopper.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
News Briefs

County Commission to vote Oct. 25 on salaries; County beginning address verifications; Sarasota offers mobile health services

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Backflow prevention devices must be installed per state and federal Health Department requirements. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 6, 2011
City of Sarasota spending $1.2 million for backflow devices

A state and federal mandate that requires municipal water systems to be protected with backflow prevention devices will cost the city of Sarasota $1.2 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Trigga is 4 years old and needs a good home.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 6, 2011
Sarasota Animal Services sees increased adoption need

Sarasota County Animal Services won't turn away any animals that are dropped off at its facility on Bee Ridge Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Suncoast Metals on 51st Street in Sarasota has signs posted warning people not to try to sell stolen goods.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
Dealers scrap over metals

Rare coin dealers protest as county officials try to develop a stricter ordinance regarding the sale and purchase of ferrous, non-ferrous and precious metals, including gold and copper.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Suncoast Quad Squad takes its giant bat skate for a test drive in Sarasota.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 6, 2011
Roller derby divas prepare for takeoff

Sarasota's roller derby girls are putting the final touches on a giant roller skate that they hope to send soaring through the air Saturday at the 2011 Red Bull Flugtag Tampa.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Letter to the Editor Special: Recycling the right choice

A few weeks ago, the Pelican Press published an opinion column titled "Recycling as religion" in which the author expressed his view that recycling is a waste of valuable resources and that the county justifies its recycling program with arguments that don't "stand up to research."

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Our View: County cuts are right sizing

The Sarasota County Commission's freshly approved 2012 budget looks more like a bubble correction than Draconian cutbacks of critical services, at least when viewed through a 10-year lens.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A sign for a dog-bathing service, put up in the spring at the 17th Street Dog Park, drew complaints from users of the facility, even though the business was labeled a sponsor. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
Commission forgoes specific rules for park signs

Although wary of advertising in county parks, county commissioners declined to set guidelines for signage. The Friends of Sarasota County Parks Inc. will handle requests.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Riverview High School and Sarasota High School classes of 1966 will host a mini reunion from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at The Sarasota Sahib Shrine Temple, 600 N. Beneva Road.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 6, 2011
A dedication of historical significance

The Sarasota County Historical Commission recognized Riverview High School with the dedication of a marker that explains the historical significance of the original school, which opened in 1958 and was designed by architect Paul Rudolph.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Ava Csiszar’s free beach yoga classes have been drawing steady participation on Siesta Key Public Beach. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
Island Beat: Season brings a number of fundraisers back to the Key

Benny Kimsey's bluegrass picnics are back.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Kevin Cooper, 30, says he finds nonprofit work inspiring. Photo by Rachel Brown Hackney.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
Neighbors: A man for all members

Ohio native Kevin Cooper focuses on service to members and the community as executive director of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Energy Upgrade will enable residents to visit a website, www.energyupgradetoday.com, to help them identify and set priorities for saving energy, which will result in lower utility bills.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
County launches new energy-efficiency program

An online county initiative launched Monday has been designed to make it easier for residents to lower their utility bills.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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