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Your Observer

Mike and Jewel Ash.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 9, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Seussical Goes Science

When you mix Dr. Seuss and G Wiz, you get a science museum full of 150 people wearing Cat in the Hat caps. On Sunday, Oct. 9, G Wiz and The Players joined forces to encourage kids to learn and think outside of the box, and it was a fundraiser benefiting both groups. The event also acted as a kick-off for The Players' 'Seussical the Musical,' which starts Oct. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mary Richardson, Leymis Bolanos Wilmott and Angela Rauter dance out from one of the banyan trees Sunday, Oct. 9 during GartenFest at Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 9, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: GartenFest with Fuzion Dance

Selby Botanical Gardens held their first performance of their Fall performance series, GartenFest, Sunday, Oct. 9 out by the Banyan trees at the Botanical Gardens. The Fuzion Dance Artists performed under the Banyan trees to a large crowd.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ken and Krista Bragg
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 8, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Oktoberfest

Sam Sneade's Tavern hosted its first Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 8 with proceeds benefiting The Humane Society. They served brats, pretzels, rotisserie chicken and - of course - beer. And Northern Sounds provided authentic German music for the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Summerfield resident Michelle Clinton, with her daughter, Ava, stands next to the bra she made out of recycled Tab and strawberry Sunkist.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 8, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: High Heel-A-Thon

East County residents rallied against breast cancer Oct. 8 during the Hornback Chiropractic High Heel-A-Thon event in the parking lot of Crowder's Gifts & Gadgets.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 8, 2011
Mustangs win Homecoming game

The Lakewood Ranch High football team defeated Tarpon Springs 41-33 in its Homecoming game Oct. 7.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River defensive back Jordan Edwards attempts to keep Manatee running back Leon Allen from reaching the end zone.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 8, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High at Manatee High

The Braden River High football team fell to Manatee 63-0 in the Class 7A-District 10 opener for both teams. The Pirates had a punt blocked for a safety on their opening possession, giving Manatee an early 2-0 lead. Manatee scored 61 unanswered points in the rout as the Pirates fell to 1-5 on the season. Braden River returns to non-district action Oct. 14 versus Bayshore in its Homecoming game.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jon Gabrielle
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: TDA Global Sports Party

TDA Global Sports hosted a party to thank past sponsors and new sponsors at the Longboat Key Club and Resort Tennis Gardens on Friday, Oct. 7. The title sponsors for the 2012 Sarasota Open were officially announced: Robrady Design and Ziivva. Tickets for the open go on sale Nov. 1 and will be $5 to $1,000 for the Sarasota Open from April 14 to 22. TDA is also a sponsor for the Longboat Key Triathalon on Oct. 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Loeffler, Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs stand in the middle of a group of Sailor Circus students after the meeting.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Official meeting of Circus Sarasota with Sailor Circus

Sailor Circus students and families were invited to come out Friday, Oct. 7 to the Sailor Circus Big Top on Bahia Vista to celebrate the new collaboration with Circus Sarasota. The short meeting allowed students and parents to not only celebrate the exciting news but also allowed for a question and answer session with CEO of Circus Sarasota Pedro Reis, Dolly Jacobs and Sailor Circus program director Susan Loeffler.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The game started at 7:30 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Mustangs' Homecoming Game

Lakewood Ranch High School tonight battled Tarpon Springs for its Homecoming game.

  • East County
  • Schools
The town supports Sarasota Bay Watch’s efforts to establish Sister Keys as an aquatic preserve as one of its 16 legislative priorities.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 7, 2011
Commission identifies legislative priorities

The Longboat Key Town Commission sent a list of 16 issues to present to county legislative delegations and the ManaSota League of Cities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
County Commissioner Joe Barbetta believes the Palm Avenue parking garage is "an ugly building."
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2011
County commissioner fumes over art project

County Commissioner Joe Barbetta is unhappy the city approved a $25,000 art project for the Palm Avenue parking garage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, intends to run for a fourth term and a challenger to his seat was announced Thursday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2011
Buchanan's seat to be challenged

Keith Fitzgerald will challenge Congressman Vern Buchanan next year for the 13th Congressional seat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2011
Manatee students rally for leadership

More than 500 students will gather at Braden River High School Oct. 8 for a leadership rally.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2011
East County business takes stand against cancer

Two local businesses this weekend will be holding fundraisers for cancer-related causes.

  • East County
  • News
Chris O'Brein of Atlas Insurance and Moya Nunn of Just 4 Paws
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chamber Luncheon

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held a networking luncheon Friday, Oct. 7 at Buffalo Wild Wings at 4067 Clark Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Freedom Award Winners:  Col. Steven Burns, Wendy Hopkins, Lovette Harper, Dr. Cheryl Smith, Mimi Goodwill, Dr. Gordon Michalson, Johnny Hunter Sr.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 6, 2011
26th annual Freedom Awards Banquet

26th annual Freedom Awards Banquet

  • Black Tie
Sierra van Such, Iliana Antony, Megan Marucs and Marisa Bregg donned pink for breast cancer awareness.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Sholom vs. Imagine School

Students at Temple Beth Sholom and Imagine School at Palmer Ranch competed in their last volleyball game of the season at the Sarasota Memorial Health Plex.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ashley Banks Matthes talks about SDA and her father's recent passing Thurday, Oct. 6 during the 11th annual Okto-Paw-Fest at the Daiqiuri Deck on SIesta Key.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 11th Annual Octo-Paw-Fest

The Sarasota in Defense of Animals held their 11th Annual Octo-Paw-Fest fundraising event at Daiquiri Deck on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Katie Bauer, Jeffrey Jones, Tanya Boyd and Tom Morlock
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Californication Interactive Dinner

Chef Tommy Klauber along with Stephanie Hannum and Emily Walsh hosted a Californication themed interactive dinner at Pattigeorge's on Thursday, Oct. 6. To follow the theme, food was prepared simply with fresh ingredients. Klauber teaches guests as they prepare their own dinner tableside.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 6, 2011
COMMUNITY SPORTS TIPS: Hitting the driver with more confidence

This week, Longboat Key Club and Resort Director of Golf Terry O'Hara shares tips for hitting a driver with more confidence.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High students enjoyed hanging out in front of a bonfire Oct. 6 as part of the school’s Homecoming festivities.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High Bonfire

Dozens of Lakewood Ranch High School students spent the evening hanging out in front of a bonfire Oct. 6. The Lakewood cheerleading squad and marching band kept students entertained throughout the event, which was part of the school's Homecoming festivities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Longboat Pass Bridge is located at the north end of the Key.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 6, 2011
Longboat Pass Bridge project to begin in November

The $1.1 million project will continue into early 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Brown with friend Mary Elizabeth Carey
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Mass for Jim Brown

Friends and coworkers wish former mayor Jim Brown Bon Voyage and safe travels after 9 a.m. mass Wedneday, which St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church held in his honor. Jim Brown will be moving to California to live with his daughter Sue.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Occupiers cheer and wave their homemade signs as a car passes by with honks of encouragement Thursday, Oct. 6 during the Occupy Sarasota demonstration outside of Bank of America on Main and Orange downtown.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Occupy Sarasota

Occupy Wall Street has become a National news story and has started to inspire people in other larger cities around the country to "occupy" as well.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 6, 2011
McGonegal named 'Superintendent of the Year'

Manatee County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim McGonegal has been named Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Music Educators Association.

  • East County
  • News
Willis A. Smith Construction President David Sessions receives a finalist award from The Observer Group Editor and CEO Matt Walsh.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: The Sandies Awards

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and The Observer Group recognized outstanding Lakewood Ranch businesses and individuals during the first Sandies Awards event Oct. 5 at the Polo Grill & Bar's Fete Ballroom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kevin Cooper, file photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 6, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Kevin Cooper

Think you know Kevin Cooper? Here are a few things you may not have know about him.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
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
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