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Your Observer

A vacant parcel near the Palm Avenue parking garage and the Walia hotel application are the only two downtown hotel sites still under consideration.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2011
Downtown hotels in the works

Two potential parcels for Sarasota hotels lie in the downtown core, both near Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Sen. Bob Johnson
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Johnson selected for YMCA award

Former Sen. Bob Johnson was selected as the 2012 YMCA First Citizen.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
DWB to hold grand re-opening event

Designing Women Boutique is holding an official grand re-opening 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Key residents long have spotted individual manatees in the Grand Canal. Photo by Rebecca Wild Baxter.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Manatees in Grand Canal threatened by fast boats

Residents along the Key's Grand Canal long have contended with property damage from fast boat wakes, but new concerns have arisen about the boats' threats to a pod of manatees.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sunsets on the Key, on Avenida Navarra, is practically just around the corner from the Ocean Boulevard bustle, and it’s a short walk from Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Siesta says good-bye to Sunsets on the Key

A Village resort owner has offered to sell the county his property to create new Key parking spaces.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Mason Minor and Giana Talerico played Joseph and Mary during a Bible story.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Risen Savior VBS

More than 80 children turned out this week for Risen Savior Lutheran Church's 10th annual Vacation Bible School event.

  • East County
  • News
Property owners want to make sure that whatever firm wins the next Maintenance Corp. bid for the Village can handle problems faster than they say the county does, including getting replacements for benches run over by distracted drivers.  File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Siesta Village maintenance responsibilities to be specified

As Sarasota County staff and the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp. work on revising the ordinance governing Village upkeep, the parties have agreed the changes will spell out clearly which entity does what.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The wooden fence between the north end of Siesta Village and the intersection of Treasure Boat Way and Ocean Boulevard has become the target of vandals during the past couple of months.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Village business owners target fence replacement

The fence on the north end of Siesta Village was part of the 2009-10 beautification project. Lately, the fence has been a focal point for vandals.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 11, 2011
Siesta beaches so far see few seaweed problems

A July incident sparked complaints from one condo complex, but county officials so far are grateful for a quieter season.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Jay Patel, president of the North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, owns the Regency Inn and Suites, and he hopes to attract other business owners to North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2011
North Trail pushes for economic leader

The County Commission pledged $40,000 toward hiring a North Trail economic-development coordinator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2011
DID refocuses marketing efforts

The Downtown Improvement District, Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau and other organizations discussed pooling their resources for maximum impact.

  • 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
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Non-profit launches diaper drive

The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County Inc., a non-profit with a goal to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants and young children, is collecting diapers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nina Insinna with Donald Kayton. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Sarasota Council welcomes new board members in its 33rd year

Donald Kayton, of Longboat Key, was elected as the new board president of the Literacy Council of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Sarasota Crew team rows its way to multiple golden victories

In July, Sarasota Crew traveled to Indianapolis to participate in the U.S. Club National Championships and brought home four gold medals and one bronze medal.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
News Briefs 08.11.11

Bartolotta investigates office hours routine; City of Sarasota to host free lobbying workshop

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2011
Letters to the Editor: 08.11.11

Approval ratings coverage for Scott and Obama; Observer should support Golden Apple's switch

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    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
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