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Your Observer

Out-of-Door Academy preschoolers danced to "Lollipop" during the school's annual Jump Rope for Heart event today.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • February 11, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Lollipop, lollipop!

Out-of-Door Academy preschoolers danced to "Lollipop" during the school's annual Jump Rope for Heart event today.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 11, 2011
Lakewood tennis teams victorious in opening matches

The Lakewood Ranch High girls and boys tennis teams both opened their seasons with victories Feb. 8 and 9.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 11, 2011
Lady Pirates open season with win

The Braden River High softball team opened its season with a 4-0 victory over DeSoto Feb. 8.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 11, 2011
Pirates, Mustangs advance to district final

The Braden River and Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball teams will face each other at 7 p.m., tonight in the Class 4A-District 10 championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
A meeting of both island and mainland mayors will convene sometime next month.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 11, 2011
Manatee commissioner calls for meeting

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore wants to hold a meeting of mayors in Bradenton next month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 11, 2011
Mustangs regional final postponed

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team's regional final at Cape Coral has been postponed until tomorrow night.

  • East County
  • Sports
Seven-year-old Erin Williams enjoyed breakfast with her dad, Mike.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 11, 2011
GALLERY: Willis Donuts with Dads

More than 600 dads and their children turned out this morning for Willis Elementary School's first-ever Donuts with Dads event. Members of the school's Parent-Teacher organization dished out about 24 dozen doughnuts in less than an hour.

  • East County
  • Schools
The approval will allow LECOM to keep on track to open the $52 million facility in 2012.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 11, 2011
LECOM dental school earns accreditation

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's Bradenton campus has received an initial accreditation for the school's new School of Dental Medicine.

  • East County
  • News
Diana Armbrust and Glo Reber
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 10, 2011
Second Hand Rose Fashion Show and Luncheon

Second Hand Rose Fashion Show and Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Winner Dr. Patrick Bower
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 10, 2011
Locals veg out for eating contest

On Saturday, Veg restaurant, in Gulf Gate, held its own eating contest with a healthier twist - veggie burgers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 10, 2011
FAB is not your momma's craft guild

The artists of Fabulous Arts Boutique will showcase their dazzling works starting with an opening reception from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Art Center Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
B.J. Kleindist and Aida Florsheim
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • February 10, 2011
Organization shows appreciation for volunteers

Volunteers from Resurrection House homeless shelter were honored at the non-profit organization's annual volunteer appreciation dinner on Thursday, Feb. 10, at Church of the Redeemer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 10, 2011
OBITUARY: Elaine Seigle Gruber

Elaine Seigle Gruber, 89, was a former Longboat Key resident.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Colin Baenziger, of Colin Baenziger & Associates, is based out of Wellington.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 10, 2011
IDA hires search firm

The Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority board has hired executive recruiting firm Colin Baenziger & Associates to find a replacement for outgoing Executive Director Bob Fernandez.

  • East County
  • News
The boating channel east of the Longboat Pass Bridge will be dredged to get sand out of the clogged channel.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 10, 2011
WCIND pushes for Jewfish Key dredging

Beach material caving in the authorized boating channel near Jewfish Key will be dredged later this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
James Doherty, Michelle Grunberg, William North and Laura Williams, Director of Florida Operations for the Baltimore Orioles.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 10, 2011
Business alliance welcomes Orioles director

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosted its first Breakfast of Champions event of the year Feb. 9 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. Members enjoyed a hearty breakfast buffet before learning about the Baltimore Orioles' upcoming Spring Training schedule and the renovation of Ed Smith Stadium from guest speaker Laura Williams, director of Florida operations for the Baltimore Orioles.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Professional drag racer Allen Johnson concluded a week of winter testing at the Desoto Speedway Wednesday.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 10, 2011
Pro racers rev up at speedway (VIDEO)

Professional drag racers such as Allen Johnson and Larry Morgan made visits to the DeSoto Speedway this week.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton was one of several celebrity bartenders.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 10, 2011
East County proves savvy for seafood

East County residents stood up for seafood during a special celebrity bartending night at the Polo Grill and Bar Feb. 9. Monies raised at the event benefited Seafood Savvy, an offshoot of Solutions To Avoid Red Tide, Inc. that focuses on sustainable seafood.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 10, 2011
USF launches its first collegiate crew team

In partnership with Sarasota Crew, USF announced the team Feb. 3, at Bay Preserve, in Osprey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Costco will replace Dillard's at the mall.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • February 10, 2011
Ranch Rejuvenation

With four new major retail stores soon to open in the Palmer Ranch area and the search on for a fifth, the south Sarasota community is seeing a surge in business revitalization.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • February 10, 2011
Roundabout study focuses on first phase

Within the next few weeks, the city will begin studying the effects of the first phase of its bayfront-connectivity plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Clapp
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • February 10, 2011
Experience at the heart of commission race

The two candidates seeking election for the District 2 City Commission seat both cite their experience: Dick Clapp's previous commission experience and Paul Caragiulo's business experience.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • February 10, 2011
News Briefs

Commission candidates present agendas for the arts; city hires permanent leader of police panel

  • Sarasota
  • News
Listening to her daughter, Aan Iskandar, right, relay her feelings about the situation in Egypt, Eman Elnaggar is thankful to have her husband and two children under one roof.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • February 10, 2011
Egyptian family stays strong amidst turmoil

Aan Iskandar attempts to focus on college while her friends and family live in fear.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • February 10, 2011
Seagrass levels in bay grow to record high

Florida seagrass acreage has been declining in the last 50 years, but thanks to preservation efforts by local organizations, Sarasota Bay's seagrass beds are in full bloom once again.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kevin and Missy Cooper
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • February 10, 2011
Love Story

In honor of Valentine's Day, we asked two Sarasota couples - newlyweds Kevin and Missy Cooper and longtime loves and high-school sweethearts Billy and Mary Franklin - to share their love stories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Kapusta runs to hit a backhand during a doubles match Saturday, Feb. 5 at the tennis courts at Payne Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 10, 2011
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Powerful return

Mark Kapusta runs to hit a backhand during a doubles match Saturday, Feb. 5 at the tennis courts at Payne Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jaco
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 10, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Adam Jaco

Adam Jaco is second-generation boxer grew up in Sarasota and now runs his own gym, where he works and also trains for professional boxing matches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 10, 2011
Cops Corner

Feb. 1 Dog dazed 3:50 p.m. - 4000 block of South Tamiami Trail. Theft. An employee of a store that sells puppies said a man with a toddler walked into the store and began playing with a 10-week-old dachshund. The man asked the employee what it cost. The employee allowed the man and child to play with the puppy while he left the room to check on the price. When he returned, the man and child were gone. A customer walking into the store said he just saw a man hurry outside with a dachshund stuffed in his shirt. A check of the store revealed a dachshund was missing. Someone was able to get the man's license-plate number before he could drive away.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
This home at 5594 Siesta Estates Court has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,764 square feet of living area. It sold for $937,500.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 10, 2011
Siesta Estates home sells for $937,500

A home in Siesta Estates tops all real-estate transactions from Jan. 10 to Jan. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Joseph Klarberg submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 10, 2011
WEEKLY WINNER: FLIGHTY SUNSET

Joseph Klarberg submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Event co-chairs Barb Shelton and Barb Watson
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • February 9, 2011
Harbourettes show their love for fashion

Longboat Harbour residents modeled apparel from Draper's and Damon's at the annual Longboat Harbourettes Luncheon and Fashion show on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marty Cooper
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • February 9, 2011
BKYC members showcase artistic talents

Bird Key Yacht Club members showed off their artistic talents at the grand opening of the club's member art exhibit on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at BKYC.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Feb. 8 candidate forum was held in Holley Hall within the Sarasota Orchestra building on Van Wezel Way.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • February 9, 2011
City Commission candidates address arts issues

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County sponsored a forum in which it asked the candidates a series of questions about their feelings about local arts organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Juggles the Clown (Jeff Lovett) adds some balloon flair to Joanna Tsoukos' wardrobe.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • February 9, 2011
Festive event celebrates Italian culture and heritage

The tables were saturated in confetti, balloons spanned the room and guests couldn't turn off their excitement - Sarasota Italian Cultural Events, Inc., had transformed Michael's on East into little Italy for its 'Festa Siciliana' luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 9. Performers ranged from balloon crafting 'Juggles the Clown' (Jeff Lovett) to accordion player Mario DeLeon to Tarantella Dancers. In the past, proceeds have benefited Sarasota Opera, Ringling Museum and Big Brother Big Sister on the Gulfcoast.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Luke Palmer, 5
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • February 9, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: St. Martha Catholic School (WITH VIDEO)

We asked youngsters at St. Martha Catholic School to chat about the country's mushiest holiday of the year - Valentine's Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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