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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Our View: Value of bay already known

Sarasota Bay is part of what makes Sarasota, Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
News Briefs

Sheriff cracks down on metal thefts; Scallop Search seeks volunteers; Vendors sought for sand sculpture event; YMCA selects 2011-2012 board of directors

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Residents say after the feedings in Five Points Park, many homeless loiter and commit crimes. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2011
Association acts as homeless feedings facilitator

The Sarasota Ministerial Association will work this fall to hold discussions with all groups involved in the controversial homeless feedings issue at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Andrew Stevens, Katy Cartlidge, Amara Merritt, Stefani Wald and Nicholas Collins will sport pink T-shirts during their end-of-summer recital at Florida Studio Theatre.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 11, 2011
Florida Studio Theatre camper passionate about pink

Nicholas Collins' heartfelt idea convinced his fellow FST summer campers to sport pink T-shirts for their recital to be held 5 p.m. Aug. 18, at Florida Studio Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Our View: Wave the No. 1 ranking

The Siesta Key Village Association and Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce want banners to be flying from both approaches to the island, loudly proclaiming that drivers are entering the home of the best beach in the nation. Rightly so. Everyone should be proud that we have such a jewel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jonathan Freed’s electric cars have been running customers up and down Siesta Key for about a year. Jonny’s Free Beach Rides’ six-seaters are just that, free to ride.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2011
Public-transportation plan demands no subsidy

The operator of a free electric-car transportation service on Siesta Key wants to bring his business to downtown Sarasota, carrying passengers up and down Main Street for free.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Robert Martini’s place on Siesta Beach is the yellow lifeguard stand.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 11, 2011
Robert Martini teaches youth the wonders and dangers of the water

His travels in pursuit of water competitions have taken him as far as Hawaii and Australia, but Robert Martini is most at home on the Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Debra Fortosis, Annette Gueli, Kathy Judkins and Nancy Feo
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Chamber members gather at Blu Smoke

Members and guests of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce gathered Aug. 5, at Blu Smoke Island Grill on Avenida Messina for a networking luncheon. The representatives of local companies enjoyed food, beverages and the opportunity to get acquainted in the main dining area with its distinctive low, blue lighting. The turnout was better than expected, given that August is typically a slow time of year on the Key, with many people out of town, Tess Herschman, manager of visitor services for the chamber, told the Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Dean Kalahar
  • August 11, 2011
My View: Recycling as religion

Every week in Sarasota a green army fans out to pick up 'recyclables.' Most residents never question the appropriateness of such an undertaking and work diligently to support the war against waste.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A line of boxcars stretches from Shade Avenue to the Publix supermarket at Ringling Boulevard and Lime Avenue. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2011
Trains stalled in neighborhood

More than four months after residents were told empty boxcars were to be moved from their neighborhood in a matter of days, they sit in the same place they've been since March.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Every morning and evening, operations officers such as Mike Schukraf inspect the airfield for debris and potholes and ensure the lighting and signage are functioning properly. The airport recently installed LED lights.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 11, 2011
An insider view of the airport

We spent the afternoon at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Its operations supervisor and operations officer shared what goes on behind the scenes at the busy airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Sheriff's office warns again: Lock your cars

Sarasota County Sheriff's deputies often warn people to keep their vehicles locked on the Key. Open doors just tempt would-be burglars, they say.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
An ornate butterfly chair in the backyard is a special place for the owners to relax.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 11, 2011
Grant's Gardens and Lucas Lagoons transforms design into reality

Waterfalls and an outdoor pizza oven add distinctive touches to a Siesta landscape.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The large avocado tree is full of fresh avocados that will soon be ready to be picked.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 11, 2011
Sarasota garden captures zen feeling

This home on Bay Shore Road features landscaping with natural, zen-like touches and architectural nuances. In the front yard, there are two standout trees: a silk floss tree and a gumbo-limbo tree surrounded by white crinum lilies.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Seagrove Unit BH3 has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,071 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.3 million. Photo by Rachel S. O’Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 11, 2011
Seagrove condominium tops week's sales at $2.3 million

A condominium in Seagrove tops all transactions in this week's real estate. James and Jean Ball, of Orchard Park, N.Y., sold their Unit BH3 condominium at 1010 Seagrove Lane to Dennis and Sandra Martin, of Elma, N.Y., for $2.3 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Gulf Gate resident Stewart Green took this photo of skimboarders at sunset on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Weekly Winner: Skimming the Surface

Gulf Gate resident Stewart Green took this photo of skimboarders at sunset on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • News
The control tower at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was built in the early 1980s. “It’s outlived its usefulness,” said airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2011
Sarasota International seeks funding for new control tower

With its existing control tower about 30 years old, SRQ airport is designing a new one. However, problems at the FAA threaten to throw a wrench into those plans.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left, Mark Huey, CEO of the Economic Development Corp.; Allan Lane, economic-development manager for North Port; Randy Welker, economic-development coordinator for the city of Sarasota; and Allen Carlson, CEO of Sun Hydraulics.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2011
Business experts: Get the government out of the way

Three of Sarasota County's top economic-development officials and a local CEO have provided a road map for the county's economic recovery, including thoughts on government's role and local competition.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
“I joined Kiwanis when women were first allowed to join,” Jo Rita Stevens says. “They did a lot at Riley Hospital for Children, where I spent the first six months of my life.”
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 11, 2011
Neighbors: Jo Rita Stevens

There's not much than can slow Jo Rita Stevens down.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 1004 at Beau Ciel, 990 Blvd. of the Arts, has two bedrooms, three baths and 3,135 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million. Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 11, 2011
Beau Ciel condominium sells for $1.2 million

Constance Thompkins, trustee, Sarasota, sold the Unit 1004 condominium at 990 Blvd. of the Arts to Bengal Holdings of Florida LLC for $1.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Arlene Fortsch submitted this sunrise photo taken on Siesta Key overlooking Little Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Weekly Winner: Rising Rowers

Arlene Fortsch submitted this sunrise photo taken on Siesta Key overlooking Little Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: East County

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the East County Observer archives.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Denise Cotler of the American Cancer Society with Sarah Tello and Barbara Tello-Accola
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 10, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: R.O.C.K. Scholarship Recipient College Send-Off Luncheon

Reaching Out to Cancer Kids -- R.O.C.K. -- held a college send-off luncheon for its scholarship recipients at Columbia Restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Bobby Jones Golf Club Golf Shop will sell items $75 or less this weekend that are eligible for purchase without charging a 7% sales tax.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 10, 2011
Golf course participates in sales tax holiday

The city-owned Bobby Jones Golf Club Golf Shop will be selling clothing items eligible for the sales tax free weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Check out the footage we shot at our local airport.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 10, 2011
VIDEO: BEHIND THE SCENES - SRQ Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

We take you behind the scenes at the SRQ Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Look for the story in this week's edition of the Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eric Bein, owner and chef of Station 400, made the deal official this afternoon.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 10, 2011
New tenant signs on Serving Spoon space

Station 400 today signed a lease for the space formerly occupied by the Serving Spoon restaurant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Today’s meeting took place at Longboat Key Town Hall.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 10, 2011
Commission approves Comp Plan amendments

The amendments relate to the Bayfront Park Recreation Center and the Key Club's Islandside renovation-and-expansion project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bay Street will be closed to through-traffic Aug. 15.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 10, 2011
Sewer repairs to close street in Alta Vista

The work will be performed on Bay Street next week and will shut down the road for through-traffic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lisa Knopp and her daughter, Grace, 11, walk to the bank in the rain after having lunch Wednesday, August 10 at Barnacle Bill's downtown.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 10, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Strolling in the rain

Lisa Knopp walks under the protection of an umbrella while her daughter, Grace, 11, enjoys walking in the cool rain drops Wednesday, August 10 down Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 10, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Photo courtesy of Whitney Prewitt.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 10, 2011
Mote volunteer rescues baby turtle

Mote Marine Aquarium sea turtle patrol volunteer Whitney Prewitt found a lost hatchling the morning of Aug. 8 on Longboat's beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 10, 2011
District opens line for parents

The Manatee County School District this week opened a special line, called the Parent Information Phone Line, to help parents with back-to-school questions.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Some Dolphin Tower condominium unit owners are selling their units at deep discounts.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 10, 2011
Dolphin Tower units depreciating fast

Five condominium units at the structurally troubled Dolphin Tower sold in July for much less than what previous owners paid.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Dora Walters.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 10, 2011
Rabbi Katz goes camping

Rabbi Jonathan Katz, of Temple Beth Israel, went to camp this summer at Camp Coleman, located in Cleveland, Ga.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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