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Your Observer

Jan Grunwald, Claire Collins and Mary Harper
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 8, 2011
Lido Key residents rise for annual breakfast

The Lido Key Residents Association held its annual breakfast meeting at the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Olson, Kylie Fitch and Amber Rutkowski attended the event.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 8, 2011
Young opera stars serenade at G.WIZ

Erica Reynolds and Kimberly Begin sang their hearts out at Saturday's Opera Lounge, an event put on by the Sarasota County Arts Council that aims to inspire the next generation to become involved with the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bikes of every color and style took over Main Street.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 8, 2011
Leather-clad bikers rumble through streets

Sporting leather chaps, jackets and vests, complete with fringe and patches, bikers invaded Sarasota over the weekend during "Thunder by the Bay."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Co-Chairwoman Gloria Lowe serves up a piping hot plate of pasta.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 8, 2011
On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese

The Sarasota Garden Club cooked up a fabulous feast of spaghetti for its 12th annual spaghetti dinner.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lawrence Ingerly practices on the bass drum line.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 8, 2011
Boston Crusaders hold auditions

The Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps. is holding its second round of auditions at Lakewood Ranch High School this weekend. About 150 drum and brass players from around the country competed for spots on the competitive team.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jim Buck and Bob Coppenrath
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 8, 2011
Opening Night of 'La Bete'

Opening Night of 'La Bete'

  • Black Tie
Members of Booker High School VPA Dance put on a show outside of Selby Library as part of the entertainment portion for Looking Into the Crystal Ball.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 8, 2011
'Looking Into the Crystal Ball'

'Looking Into the Crystal Ball'

  • Black Tie
Evan Eastmoore sat in with the band at this month's Music on Main.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 7, 2011
Goodby Eddie rocks Music on Main

Hundreds of classic rock fans flooded Lakewood Ranch Main Street for the community's monthly Music on Main concert Jan. 7. Local favorites Goodby Eddie performed. Beer and wine sales benefited Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The crowd takes in the first view of the Five Points Selby Park LED tree lighting system.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 7, 2011
Five Points Selby Park lights up with LEDs

Residents enjoyed a high-tech light display when Five Points Selby Park unveiled its new LED lighting system Friday, Jan. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The evening also will feature free ticket giveaways to several of the local arts and cultural venues.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 7, 2011
WEEKEND BEST BET: Opera Lounge

By using Facebook to engage a younger audience, the Arts Council has 95 people attending its newest event this Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mote educators designed the traveling Sanctuary Reef exhibit. Photo by Jason Robertshaw.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 7, 2011
WEEKEND BEST BET: Mote's Sanctuary Reef exhibit

This weekend is the last chance to see the traveling-reef exhibit at Mote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Suncoast Communities Blood Bank is looking for donors with O-positive and O-negative blood.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • January 7, 2011
Blood shortage could have consequences

Unless a critical shortage is corrected, some surgeries could be canceled.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A change in trolley service on Longboat Key is not expected until March or April.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 7, 2011
Trolley schedule remains same

Trolley riders can still hop on the trolley every half-hour until March or April.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shelly and Mark Gutowski offer a wide variety of hair-styling and other services at Boutique Out East Salon & Spa.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2011
STORE AROUND THE CORNER: Boutique Out East Salon & Spa

Mill Creek residents Mark and Shelly Gutowski opened Boutique Out East Salon & Spa Nov. 29 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The concert will be from 6-9 p.m., tonight, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2011
WEEKEND BEST BET: Music on Main

Good By Eddie will perform at Lakewood Ranch's monthly concert tonight on Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 7, 2011
Buchanan introduces balanced-budget bill

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan again is tackling national debt with a proposed balanced-budget amendment.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 7, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Gullett Elementary

With the holiday break behind them, fifth-grade students at Gullett Elementary School already are busy focusing on their schoolwork. The East County Observer caught up with a few students in Melissa Raynor's class to find out about their academic goals for the upcoming semester.

  • East County
  • News
Bob and A.J. McFarlin with the Rev. David Danner
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • January 6, 2011
All Angels celebrates epiphany moment

Members of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church celebrated the Feast of Epiphany with a potluck supper on the 12th day after Christmas, Jan. 6. The Social Committee, headed by Phil Krei,s was in change of arrangements. The evening concluded with a carol sing-a-long led by Music Director Dale Hooey.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nate Provost, Stephanie Westrate and Linzy Wilson strut their Santa stuff.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2011
Impersonators strut the streets

150 people dressed in Santa costumes took to the streets of Lakeland for this year's SantaCon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2011
USF students and staff get into the giving holiday spirit

Students and staff at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee recently donated holiday toys to 47 local elementary children in need, along with food baskets for 30 families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Maggio
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2011
Young Professional of the Year finally lands job

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the year, Frank Maggio, recently accepted a position in credit administration with Insignia Bank's downtown office.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2011
New College ranked No. 11 among top public colleges

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine ranked New College of Florida No. 11 on its annual ranking of the "100 Best Values in Public Colleges" for 2011.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2011
Business leaders will share county's economic outlook

Economist Sean Snaith and a panel of business leaders will deliver insights as to where Sarasota County’s economy is headed in 2011 at the annual Economic Outlook Luncheon, presented by the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at Michael's On East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2011
Doctors Express opens urgent care center

Community residents and neighbors are invited to an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 15, at the Doctors Express neighborhood urgent care center, located at 2901 S. Tamiami Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Phillip Younger proposed a $16 million beach referendum question approved Thursday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2011
Commission OKs $16 million beach referendum

The Town Commission decided to approve only one beach referendum for its March 15 ballot to bring sand and structures to the north end of the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nate Benderson and Brian Lipton pose in the doorway where the mezuzah was placed during Thursday evening’s event at the new office of the AJC.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 6, 2011
AJC celebrates New Year and new office

The American Jewish Committee West Coast Florida celebrated the New Year and their new office Thursday, Jan. 6 at their new office inside the Bank of America building on Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2011
Manatee schools 'Race to the Top'

The Manatee County School District on Monday became one of 11 districts statewide to receive additional state funding through the 'Race to the Top' grant program.

  • East County
  • News
The bromeliad tree lit up the entrance to the mansion for all to see.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 6, 2011
Selby Gardens sells pieces of holiday tree

Bromeliads from the Selby holiday tree are available for purchase from 1 to 3 p.m. today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Eric Carrier suffered traumatic brain injury during a dirt bike crash last October.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 6, 2011
Recovery benefit planned for crash victim

The Eric Carrier TBI Benefit 2011 will take place this Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Town Clerk's office is located in Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2011
Town seeks volunteers for Sarasota County committee

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Jan. 19 to the Town Clerk.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
We feature seven Sarasota leaders who will have an impact in 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2011
SEVEN in 11: Sarasota

From local politics to new business ventures and charitable donations, these seven leaders will impact Sarasota life in the new year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2011
Sheriff's office conducts drug drop-off program

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office this week began its Citizen Medication Collection Program to provide a safe disposal location for unused prescription medications.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2011
Ranch predicts increased home sales

Lakewood Ranch is leading the market in commercial real estate with its 11% vacancy rate compared to the 13% in downtown Sarasota and 22% in the remainder of the local market.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
John Thomas, 19, and Eli Robertson, 25, are accused of five armed robberies facilitated through the Craigslist website.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • January 6, 2011
Agencies nab Craigslist suspects

Police say John Thomas, 19, and Eli Robertson, 25, lured victims with the promise of buying or selling an iPhone.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • January 6, 2011
7 in 11: Chris Gallagher

As a senior designer with Jonathan Parks Architect, Chris Gallagher shapes not only Sarasota's facades but also its community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Debra Jacobs became president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation in 2009. The foundation has identified nine initiatives that it will explore in the next three to five years.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 6, 2011
7 in 11: Debra Jacobs

As CEO of The Patterson Foundation, Debra Jacobs will lead the $200 million foundation through nine strategic initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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