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Your Observer

Terri Bauer and nephew, Joshua DeCrapio, 5, pose in the Fotos-R-Fun LLC booth at the annual National Cancer Survivors Day celebration Sunday, June 5 at Michael's on East. Bauer has been cancer free for eight years.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: National Cancer Survivors Day

Local cancer survivors celebrated National Cancer Survivors Day together and with their loved ones Sunday, June 5 at Michael's on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ellie Russell, 8, paints a ceramic seahorse with all sorts of sea life figures during the World Ocean Day Family Festival Sunday, June 5 at Mote Aquarium.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Mote celebrates World Ocean Day

Mote Aquarium's World Ocean Day Family Festival took place Sunday, June 5 at Mote Aquarium. The theme of this year's event had a Dr. Seuss theme to it; 'One, Two, Three and the Seas."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nichole Branica is excited to begin her college career.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • June 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Graduation

The Out-of-Door Academy celebrated its 13th Commencement June 4 at the Upper School in Lakewood Ranch. Family members and friends gathered to watch members of the Class of 2011 receive their high school diplomas.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Breanna Howell, behind, helps Emily Wray pin on her cap.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS Graduation

Graduates of Lakewood Ranch High School proudly received their diplomas during commencement ceremony June 4 at the Manatee County Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cody Taylor, Keith Summerall and Eric Kay are pumped up to cross the stage and receive their diplomas.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BHS Graduation

Decked out in purple and gold, Booker High School's Class of 2011 graduated Saturday, at Robarts Arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Riverview High School Marching Band played on as students, families and friends packed into Robarts Arena Saturday to wish RHS's Class of 2011 well.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: RHS Graduation

Riverview High School seniors said their final goodbyes to their high school careers Saturday, at Robarts Arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michael Suh, 18, said he’s going to miss seeing all of the people he’s gotten acquainted with during his time at Braden River.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High Graduation

More than 400 seniors received their diplomas and prepared to set sail for new adventures during Braden River High School's Commencement Ceremony June 3 at the Manatee Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eduardo Ronderos, Jamie Jeffcoat and Kyle Kimpton had fun mingling with friends.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Haile Eighth-Grade Dance

Eighth-grade students at Haile Middle School celebrated the end of their middle school days with a special dance June 3. Themed "Reach for the Stars," the Hollywood-inspired night featured music and dancing, photos, snacks and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota High School class of 2011 made their way through the archway that leads into Cleland Stadium where over 475 students graduated Friday, June 3.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SHS Graduation

Sarasota High School's graduation took place Friday, June 3 at Sarasota High School's Cleland Stadium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
People enjoy wandering around inside the new store Friday, June 3 during Taffy's grand opening at his new store front on St. Armands.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Taffy's Grand Opening

The owners and friends of Taffy Mens Apparel had a celebration Friday, June 3 to celebrate Taffy's grand opening at his new store front on St. Armands.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Students smile and listen to Ken Melber speak Friday, June 3 during ODA's 6th grade graduation at Siesta Key Chapel. This was Melber's final year at ODA and he will be heading back to England.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA 6th Grade Graduation

The sixth graders at ODA graduated Friday, June 3 at Siesta Key Chapel. The newly graduated class will attend the Upper School in the Fall and be the Class of 2017.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Jackson Laboratory sought $100 million from both the state and Sarasota County.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 3, 2011
Jackson Lab abandons Sarasota bid

Facing a much-reduced contribution from the state, the research facility decided it would be too risky to expand into Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City leaders hope to stop red-light running with the addition of cameras to catch offenders.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 3, 2011
City may purchase red-light cameras

Commissioners will be asked Monday to approve a contract to purchase the devices to place at some of the most dangerous intersections.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carolyn and Joe Guyton, center, caught up with friends Kay (left) and Ron (right) Houston.
  • By Susan Moore
  • June 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Muirfield Party

Residents of the Muirfield community in the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club celebrated the "End of the Winter Season" with a special pool party gathering May 23 to honor the community's winter residents. Guests enjoyed food, music and fellowship at the event at the Muirfield community pool.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 3, 2011
Community Golf Scores 05.24.11 to 05.31.11

East County golfers post amazing numbers on area courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Third-grader Rain Miller performed several magic acts, including a jumping juice trick.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Elementary Talent Show

More than 30 students at Bashaw Elementary School showed off their talents during the school's talent show June 2. Students displayed a variety of talents, including singing, dancing, magic acts, tae kwon do, tumbling and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Family members packed Braden River Elementary's cafetorium for the ceremony.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • June 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Graduation

Braden River Elementary honored its outgoing fifth-graders with the school's annual Fifth-Grade Recognition June 3. Each fifth-grader received special awards at the ceremony, which was held in the school's new cafetorium.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Livi Bright aimed her rocket carefully on the launching pad.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • June 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High rockets

Braden River High School students took their education to new heights today. Engineering teacher Gil Burlew led the Pirates during a rocket launching project, which tasked students to build rockets and attempt to land them closest to a designated target on the ground.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A sexual battery was reported in a Country Club Shores home last month.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 3, 2011
Sexual battery reported on Longboat Key

A man renting a room in a Country Club Shores home performed a sexual act on his daughter May 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Florida Protect Our Reefs license plates has raised more than $2.3 million for research, conservation and education.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 3, 2011
Protect Our Reefs license plates raise $274,000

A total 11 awards have been made for coral reef research, conservation and education projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The work is scheduled to occur in three sections, which will be barricaded during the time of work.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 3, 2011
Resurfacing planned for Moorings road

Moorings Point Circle will be closed June 6-15.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 3, 2011
OBITUARY: Dorothea Hall

Dorothea Hall, 83, was a former Longboat Key resident.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 3, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Dave Auker Shumaker, Adria Maria Jensen and Stephen Lee
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 Frank G. Berlin, Sr., Small Business Awards

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce held its annual 2011 Frank. G. Berlin, Sr., Small Business Awards Thursday, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department and the town will work on creating a new three-year contract in June and July.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 2, 2011
Town schedules fire contract meetings

The town of Longboat Key and its firefighters will head back to the contract negotiation table this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Barb McRae gets a personal room visit and kisses from Kirby, 6 ½, Thursday, May 12 in the Oncology Unit at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Pet therapy at SMH (more photos)

When Ginger, Alie, Finnegan, Parker and Kirby hear the phrase 'time to go to work!' these canines know just what to do. These five dogs visit three different units at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for an hour and a half every Thursday afternoon to work as therapy dogs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota County Property Appraiser's Office has issued its initial 2011 property-value estimate, and it shows a value of $6.87 billion — 6.21% less than last year.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
City discusses budget cuts

City Hall received some good news with the taxable value estimates - property values declined less than expected. However, it still has to trim about $6 million from the budget.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Winn-Dixie store at 3500 N. Tamiami Trail had served North Sarasota for about 40 years, but the store was one of 30 "underperforming" stores the chain closed last fall. Wal-Mart is proposing a supermarket on the same spot to serve the community.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
Wal-Mart eyes former Winn-Dixie

North Trail residents and redevelopment leaders said they are happy to see a new grocery store planning to replace the shuttered Winn-Dixie supermarket.

  • Sarasota
  • News
George Davis
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
Resident makes some fast friends

George Davis, a resident at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch, is good at making friends with just about anyone - and anything.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Walter Gavin and Rhonda Post, one of the dessert judges, enjoy some of the desserts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
Family Promises hosts sweet event

Family Promises held its third annual "Just Desserts" event Friday, May 20, at Selby Garden's Great Room by the Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A woman walks on the perimeter of the Five Points roundabout between Selby Five Points Park and First Watch restaurant. Planters will be placed on the corner of the roundabout at First Watch to guide pedestrians to the proper crosswalk.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
Pedestrians fail roundabout test

Because more than 30% of people walking through the Five Points roundabout failed to navigate it properly, the city will pay about $11,000 to funnel people into the crosswalks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
Meter Reader

The new paid-parking system has both its supporters and detractors, but it has also puzzled some people trying to use it for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sheriff Tom Knight presents Army Staff Sgt. Eddie Peoples with a commendation award for his bravery in capturing a bank robbery suspect.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
Army officer chases down bank robber (VIDEO)

After a gunman threatens his son inside a bank, a vacationing U.S. Army staff sergeant chases down the crook and disarms him.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
News Briefs

DID plans to makeover historic district; Patterson Foundation assists tornado victims; Mote Marine receives $1 million pledge; and meetings & agendas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim Ley
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
OUR VIEW: The lesson from Ley

In the totality of his tenure, you can easily argue Jim Ley performed well as Sarasota County administrator. So his resignation last week - or to be more precise, the circumstances that led to his departure - should not forever or indelibly blemish his 14-year record.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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1
A rendering of the Mira Mar building set against the backdrop of Mira Mar Residences, the project that will provide revenue to fund the $25 million to $30 million restoration of the historic structure.
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From left to right, Maya Carpentiere, Amanda Gonzalez, Christiana Allison, Grayson Buchanan, Sheila Wallis and Ryan Duga star in Florida Studio Theatre's children's production, "The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster and Other Winning Plays."
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Three Sarasota theaters jump on the trolley
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Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate
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The Broadway revival of Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall April 10-11.
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The cast of Asolo Rep's "Fiddler on the Roof" poses with instruments.
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Asolo Rep's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' plays a timeless tune

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