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Your Observer

    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 18, 2011
Future charter schools may receive less district money

The Sarasota County School Board plans a more detailed look at its funding stream for charter schools, with an eye toward reducing allocations for new schools.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
This depiction of how a Palm Avenue parking garage wall would look was presented last week to the Public Art Committee. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 18, 2011
Parking garage murals planned

Jonathan Parks Architect, the architect for the Palm Avenue parking garage, suggests the city approve a $25,000 mural project for the interior walls of the garage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 18, 2011
Planning Board controversy comes to close

Accusations of lame-duck political maneuvering marked the usual process of appointing members to the city's Planning Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 18, 2011
City told to send positive signals

The city's economic-development coordinator said decisions that appear to be unfriendly to business are also watched by potential new businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
News Briefs

Path cleared for free electric-car service; Commission endorses North Trail plan

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sophie Williamson in the chicken coop in her family’s backyard. Photos by Rebecca Wild Baxter.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 18, 2011
12-year-old raises chickens in backyard

A 12-year-old girl's interest in chickens has taken her from addressing the City Commission to raising hens in her backyard.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Bolam, a Venice retiree, wants Sarasota County voters to amend the county charter to restrict county commissioners from spending taxpayers’ money on nonprofit services. Photo by Rod Millington.
  • By Jay Brady
  • August 18, 2011
Government contracts with nonprofits: good doing or wasteful spending?

Local governments contracting with nonprofits for services spend millions of taxpayers' dollars each year. The strategy has its supporters and detractors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Farmers Market manager Phil Pagano credits the market’s success this summer to a new marketing effort and a commitment from vendors who stayed around during this traditionally slower time of year. Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 18, 2011
Farmers market boasts off-season success

Visitors and locals are supporting the Sarasota Farmers Market in record numbers this summer, thanks to a new marketing campaign put into effect by the market's board of directors.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Our View: Privatize Bobby Jones

Golfing may be the least essential of all government services. Of all the entertainment venues that local governments own or subsidize - from the Van Wezel to tennis courts to baseball - surely golf must rank near the bottom in order of importance.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Letters to the Editor: 08.18.11

Change still needed for less debt and taxes; Kudos for showing 'Ruskin Sky' painting

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Harbor Acres home at 1545 Hillview Drive has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, a pool and 4,625 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,262,500. Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 18, 2011
Harbor Acres home sells for $2,262,500

Margaret Varner, Sarasota, sold her home at 1545 Hillview Drive, in Harbor Acres, to Donald and Sharon Lerner, Sarasota, for $2,262,500. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,625 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $2.1 million in 2002.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 18, 2011
Business Observer

Eager Beaver Car Wash wins community award; Carson elected to U.S. Green Building Council; New College recognized in Princeton's top colleges list; Community Foundation awards financial aid; YMCA selected to receive grant for Hispanic program

  • Sarasota
  • News
Diane Desmond submitted this sunset photo, taken beneath the John Ringling Causeway.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Weekly Winner: Watchful Perch

Diane Desmond submitted this sunset photo, taken beneath the John Ringling Causeway.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Letters to the Editor: 08.18.11

Who's to blame? Freshman Republicans; County should focus on beach parking

  • Sarasota
  • News
Merrill
  • By David Merrill
  • August 18, 2011
My View: Building a university economy

The future is retirement. At least that's what a report from the University of Florida says about Sarasota's economy.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Our View: Downtown's answer on Key

Sometimes the best solutions can be found in our own backyard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 18, 2011
Groups suggest ethics code for county workers

Saying policy changes in the wake of a county purchasing scandal won't do any good unless county employees follow the rules, several citizens' organizations are asking county government to adopt a code of ethics.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 18, 2011
Jet Skis prove value as rescue equipment

Sarasota County lifeguards and Sheriff's Office deputies collaborated recently for a water rescue in Big Pass, after a 19-foot boat ran aground in Big Pass.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Jordan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
PeliKids

Pelikids is a monthly feature highlighting the work of Sarasota County students. This month's offerings are from students at Southside, Gulf Gate and Lakeview elementary schools and Booker Middle School.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 238 Island Circle has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,877 square feet of living area. It sold for $855,000. Photo by Rachel S. O’Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 18, 2011
Mangrove Point Road home sells for $2,675,000

Thomas Westbrook and Donald DeLoach, trustees, of Duluth, Ga., sold the Unit 303 condominium at 5916 Midnight Pass Road to Bert and Anamari Bowers, Sarasota, for $425,000. Built in 1971, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,240 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $41,800 in 1971.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Robert Frederickson submitted this photo of a group of Mennonites enjoying the Siesta Key sunset.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Weekly Winner: Contemplative Moment

Robert Frederickson submitted this photo of a group of Mennonites enjoying the Siesta Key sunset.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Ian Segneri co-founded the Missing Link Junior Golf Academy at the Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch about 10 years ago.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 17, 2011
COMMUNITY SPORTS TIPS: Improving your short game

This week, Missing Link Junior Golf Academy instructor Ian Segneri shares tips for making more shot putts.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Will Ryan, 4, Molly Ryan, 6, and Channing Holder, 6, enjoy their yogurt creations Wednesday, Aug. 17 at Yogurtology on South Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 17, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Sweet Treat

Yogurtology has become one of the "it" places to go for a sweet treat this summer in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 17, 2011
Mother arrested for ex-husband accusations

Police say the woman falsely reported to the Division of Children and Families that her ex-husband was using drugs and leaving their 11-year-old son home alone.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 17, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
An estate property in the Sanderling Club on Siesta Key ranks No. 1 on TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • August 17, 2011
Homes on Siesta Key and Casey Key rank in the top 10

A Siesta Key home ranks No. 1 and a Casey Key home No. 9 on a list compiled by TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Many of the town’s marine patrol efforts involve Beer Can Island.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 17, 2011
Town seeks $76,500 in Manatee WCIND funds

Mayor Jim Brown wrote in a letter that the town has a similar arrangement with Sarasota County that enhances public safety.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The turtle nest is located at 5211 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 17, 2011
Longboat turtle nest open takes place Friday

A nest opening will take place at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at 5211 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 17, 2011
Putterman works on display in Maine

Lido Key resident Florence Putterman's works will be displayed in the 'Entwined Metaphors' exhibit at the Palmina S. and Stephen F. Pace Galleries of Art at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, in Fryeburg, Maine.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 17, 2011
Key Club helps kids get smart start

Longboat Key Club and Resort Human Resources department is helping to get the new school year off to a smart start. Through an employee drive, dozens of new back-to-school items were donated and will be given to the children of employees who signed up to receive a 'Back to School' goody bag.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 17, 2011
Colony battle wages on in appeal

Merryday gave his final thoughts after hearing from Klauber's attorney, Charles Bartlett, and Colony Association attorney Jeffrey Warren. The hearing took place two weeks after Merryday ruled in favor of Klauber in his appeal of the August 2009 bankruptcy rulings.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The remaining four candidates in the race to redevelop the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort were announced last week.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 17, 2011
Eliminated Colony developer takes his case to unit owners

A week after the Colony Association Board revealed its final four redevelopment candidates, one developer said he wants another shot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Club Holdings LLC recently invested approximately $15 million in the Beach Club in Los Cabos, Mexico. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 17, 2011
Club Holdings LLC/Quintess

Editor's note: In the following weeks, the Longboat Observer will profile each of the four finalists for the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort redevelopment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 17, 2011
Commission approves Comp Plan amendments

Supporters claimed that the amendments clarify the plan, while opponents argued that the changes would benefit the Key Club.

  • East County
  • News
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