• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Key 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
  • Key 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 26, 2011
County to host redistricting open house

Manatee County will host a redistricting open house discussion Sept. 27.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • September 26, 2011
Roadwork updates for week of Sept. 25

Construction and maintenance projects continue on Interstate 75, U.S. 301, U.S. 41, state Route 789, state Route 758, state Route 72 and state Route 681.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wobbly Feet Foundation founders Nick and Samantha Dzembo are pictured with their son, Connor, who was diagnosed with A-T in December 2009.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 26, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Wifflemania

The sound of plastic balls whizzing by filled the air Sept. 24 at Longwood Park as the Wobbly Feet Foundation hosted its Wifflemania for the Cure tournament. The foundation raises money to fund research on A-T, a genetic neuromuscular disease that affects several body systems and is characterized by wobbliness of a person's walking.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Professional dancers and those who paid to dance enjoyed making their way around the dance floor Sunday, Sept. 25, at Westfield Southgate.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 25, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: D2L Dance Party "Behind The Ropes"

Hundreds of professionals and spectators had fun dancing around during the D2L Dance Party "Behind The Ropes" Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Westfield Southgate Mall. Westfield Southgate, Cancer Support Community and White Sands Chapter of USADance sponsored the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Melissa Fox and Peter Simonson celebrate after beating dealer Rick Vargas at blackjack.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 25, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Drafts, Dealers & Dice

One hundred Junior League of Sarasota members and guests tried their luck during the organization's Drafts, Dealers & Dice event Sept. 24 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing. Guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and drinks while playing blackjack, craps, roulette and Texas hold'em.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pat and Jim Anderson pose for a photo.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: An Evening in the Garden of Spain

The Bird Key Yacht Club hosted "An Evening in the Garden of Spain" on Saturday Sept. 24 for cocktails, dinner and dancing. Founding president of GuitarSarasota Thomas Koch provided Spanish classical guitar, the dinner tables were candle lit and patrons were served gazpacho, tapas, braised lamb shank and grilled Cornish hen and a flambe dessert served tableside.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jolene and Ed Graham pose for a photo.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Night in Italy with The Rat Pack

The Sarasota Yacht Club hosted "A Night in Italy with The Rat Pack" evening on Sept. 24. Pasta ala punttanesca, eggplant rollatini, chicken picatta and antipasto were served for dinner, and entertainment was provided by the John Rinell Duo.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Six-year-old Faith Chaney throws a hula-hoop around a bear.  Faith has been a Girl Scout for two years and her favorite cookie is the Thin Mint.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:Girl Scouts Kick-Off 100 years

The Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida kick-off the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts with a family fun day festival on Sept. 24 at the Gulfcoast Event and Conference Center (GECC). March 12 is the official anniversary of 100 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Megan and Steve Johnston took part in cleaning up the bay. Megan is apart of an environmental club at King Middle School, which participated in the day.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Annual Coastal Cleanup and National Estuaries Day

National Estuaries Day in conjunction with Annual Coastal Cleanup hosted by The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Around the Bend Nature Tours held a bay cleanup, dip net observation, paddling 101 courses and more at Ken Thompson Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
WSLR’s Mark Binder, Gary Olson, Dream and Hope Siegenthaler and Normen Schindowski
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: WSLR's 4th Annual Beach Bash

WSLR-LPFM 96.5 held their 4th Annual Siesta Key Beach Bash from 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm Saturday, Sept. 24 at Siesta Key Public Beach

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Reece and Beth Nanfito talk to Shawn Carper about some of the creatures that had been brought in from the Bay and put on display inside water-filled tanks.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Local National Estuaries Day Celebration

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) and Around the Bend Nature Tours held the Local National Estuaries Day Celebration from 9 am - 2 pm Saturday, Sept. 24, at Ken Thompson Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Patrick and Holly Wright and Viking Culinary Center private events coordinator Ashley Gruters worked together to plan the event.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Payton Wright Foundation Intimate Dinner

Twenty friends and supporters of Patrick and Holly Wright and the Payton Wright Foundation gathered together at the Viking Culinary Center in Lakewood Ranch for an Intimate Dinner Sept. 24. Guests enjoyed watching the chefs show off their culinary skills during a live interactive cooking demonstration while helping raise money for the Payton Wright Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Golfers started play shortly after 1 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Golf Challenge

Golf enthusiasts turned out Sept. 24 to University Park Country Club for the third annual Gullett Golf Challenge benefiting Gullett Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization. Last year's event raised more than $34,000 for computers and other equipment for the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
John, Jonathon, 19, Jacob, 14, and Molly Brockhoff pose together prior to walking in the Sarasota/Manatee Heart Walk Saturday, Sept. 24, at Payne Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota/Manatee Heart Walk

The 2011 Sarasota/Manatee Heart Walk had over 1,600 people come out Saturday, Sept. 24, at Payne Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Robin Adair uses a stick to try and find some trash among the brush and seaweed along the shore at Bayfront Park Saturday, Sept. 24, during the International Coastal Cleanup.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Annual International Coastal Cleanup - Bayfront Park

Hundreds of people in Sarasota County took part in the 25th Annual Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup Saturday, Sept. 24, at various locations. Around 30 people came out to cleanup around Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The John Cox Community Partner of the Year Award was presented to Dave Beesley of First Step: Addiction Recovery Program. Presenting the award was President of Halfacre Construction Company Jack Cox and President of Fishman and Associates C.J. Fishman.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County presents the Hall of Fame 2011 Awards

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC) hosted approximately 400 individuals from Sarasota businesses for industry awards at the Ritz Carlton for the Hall of Fame 2011 Awards luncheon on Sept. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A group photo of the board and the company of the Sarasota Ballet pose together Friday, Sept. 23, during the Meet Me at the Barre event at the FSU Asolo Center For The Performing Arts.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Meet Me at the Barre

The Friends of the Ballet put on the annual Meet Me at the Barre event Friday, Sept. 23, at the FSU Asolo Center For The Performing Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River was held scoreless in the second half as Riverview went on to win 36-7.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 23, 2011
Pirates fall to 0-4

The Braden River High football team saw its lead slip away as Riverview scored 34 unanswered points on its way to a 36-7 victory Sept. 23.

  • East County
  • Sports
Drew Clark, 7, couldn't wait for the hula-hoop contest.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Sock Hop

Gene Witt Elementary School families donned their '50s best Sept. 23 for the school's annual Sock Hop. Attendees enjoyed pizza, dancing, a hula hoop contest, a silly sock contest and more as part of the festivities.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch played a tough contest Sept. 23 against Boca Ciega. Photo by Michael Eng.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 23, 2011
Mustangs win district opener

The Lakewood Ranch High football team opened its district campaign with a 19-0 victory over Boca Ciega in Class 6A-District 7 action Sept. 23.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 23, 2011
Town to ask for telecommunications proposals

The commission directed staff to request proposals that would determine the island's needs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
SARASOTA: Hannah Smith, 3, puts decorative, little holes into her clay slab.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2011
Photos of the Week

Enjoy some of our best photos this week from all Observers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new scam for Microsoft computer users that’s spreading.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 23, 2011
Sheriff's office warns of new scam

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is warning all residents about a new scam that is spreading but has yet to hit the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 23, 2011
Manatee Glens hosts suicide prevention walk

Manatee Glens will host the 9th Annual 5K Walk for Life event Sept. 24.

  • East County
  • News
Read the top stories from all Observers' Cops Corner.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • September 23, 2011
Top Cops of the Week

Enjoy the top Cops Corner cases featured in all Observers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Motorists need to be aware of various delays at Sarasota County intersections.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 23, 2011
Traffic signal installations cause delays

Sarasota County traffic signals are being upgraded this month and will cause traffic delays at various locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Motorists need to be aware of various delays at Sarasota County intersections.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 23, 2011
Traffic signal installations cause delays

Sarasota County traffic signals are being upgraded this month and will cause traffic delays at various locations.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 23, 2011
Historical Society hosts river cleanup

The Old Braden River Historical Society will hold a river cleanup Sept. 24 at Linger Lodge RV Resort and Campground.

  • East County
  • News
Co-chairs Monica Barth and Kyla Weiner
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • September 22, 2011
Handbags and Happy Hour

Handbags and Happy Hour

  • Black Tie
Joe and Joan Lovingood
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • September 22, 2011
Center for Great Apes Reception

Center for Great Apes Reception

  • Black Tie
Development Associate Julie Anderson poses with Special Events Coordinator Marlene Hilier for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: at 'Connecting...Women, Passion and Purpose'

'Connecting...Women, Passion and Purpose,' a networking and non-profit showcase event for women was held Sept. 22 at Ringling College of Art and Design.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Judy Gamgl poses with Wanda and Kit McKeon
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key and Venice Chambers of Commerce

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and the Venice Chamber of Commerce held a combined chamber event Thursday, Sept. 22 at Bentley's Resort in Osprey.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Officials broke ground on the Esplanade community today. Photo courtesy of Candice McElyea.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 22, 2011
Developer breaks ground on Esplanade

Developer Taylor Morrison today broke ground on Lakewood Ranch's newest community, Esplanade.

  • East County
  • News
Francesca Magnotti, Liam Lizotte and Chance McArtor play with the fire hose.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Firefighters Visit St. Boniface Preschool

The Siesta Key Fire Department visited St. Boniface Preschool on Sept. 22.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
« 1653 1654 1655 1656 1657 1658 1659 1660 1661 1662 »
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
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
2
Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
  • April 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano
3
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition
4
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard
5
Emi Frydman checks out the basket of Easter eggs her family members found at the April 4 egg hunt at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. The Easter activities, open to the public, made their return for the first time since the early 2020s through the efforts of church members.
  • April 6, 2026
Back from pre-COVID hiatus, St. Armands hosts Easter bash

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 © 2026 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