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Your Observer

District 69 state Rep. Ray Pilon thanks the crowd for its support Election Night at Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • January 2, 2011
TOP STORY, NOV.: Republicans sweep county

In what could be a first in Sarasota County, every Republican on the ballot won his or her race - an event that was spurred on by dissatisfaction with Democrats in Washington, D.C.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Scott Hase and Al Tripodi
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • January 1, 2011
Public Tennis Center courts the new year

The weather was chamber-of-commerce perfect for the 10th annual New Year's Day round-robin tournament at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center. Forty players turned out for the event, which was organized by Jay Greenblatt.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This aerial of Lakewood Ranch from 1998 shows a young community on the verge of a boom.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 1, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Ranch Anniversary

Lakewood Ranch celebrated the 15th anniversary of the first home sold. Visionaries Mary Fran Carroll and John Clarke were largely responsible shaping the Lakewood Ranch residents know today.

  • East County
  • News
Brian Kenney is principal of Boston-based Juliani Kenney Investment Capital LLC.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 1, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Plaza Plans

The Whitney Beach shopping center is under contract with Juliani Kenney Investment Capital LLC, which plans to bring a mix of national and local retail stores to the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The minimum-wage requirement was placed in the charter through a citizen initiative and public referendum in 2007.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • January 1, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Charter panel votes to repeal wage law

The charter amendment chased Wal-Mart away from its Newtown store three years ago. Some residents say the area was devastated.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lori Ann Marinaccio, Jaymie Klauber and Audrey Thompson
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 1, 2011
East County enjoys fine dining

East County residents Lou and Ann Marie Marinaccio welcomed about 50 people to their home Jan. 29 for the Quintessa and Flowers Vineyard & Winery Wine Dinner event. The evening, which was catered by Fete Catering, was part of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals 2011 Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival Jan. 28-31.

  • East County
  • News
Local filmmaker Ken Sanborn hopes to add a little Hollywood magic to the East County community.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 31, 2010
TOP STORY, SEPT.: Sanborn Studios

Local filmmaker Ken Sanborn hopes to add a little Hollywood magic to the East County community.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key received a permit last week to restore its severely eroded north end whenever needed for a period of 10 years.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 31, 2010
TOP STORY, SEP.: North-end receives beach project permit

The town of Longboat Key received a permit for an emergency beach project that will bring 133,000 cubic yards of sand to the north end next year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jeff and Brianne Walters delivered Lilyana Grace Walters in their Summerfield home a 1:09 a.m., Aug. 9, 2010.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 30, 2010
TOP STORY, AUG.: Birthday Surprise

As ambulances sped toward their home at 1 a.m. Monday morning, Summerfield resident Brianne Walters delivered Lilyana Grace Walters into the arms of her husband, Jeff.

  • East County
  • News
Shelby Wikoff holds a tree pose in July at Yoga from the Heart.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
Year in Pictures: July | Aug.

Take a look back at photos this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Herb Lee and Chuck Sidlow joked around in June at The Pines of Sarasota feast and casino party.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
YEAR IN PICTURES: MAY | JUNE

Take a look back at photos from The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Max Pettingell gets a slobbery kiss from Daphne, a Southeastern Guide Dog in training, while visiting the organization's new downtown Sarasota Discovery Center in September with his father, Roger, a Southeastern Guide Dog Board member.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
Year in Pictures: Sept.|Oct.

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Giants' player Caleb Rumble tried to outrun Pirates' catcher Jameson Syprett to home plate during their final T-ball game of the season in November.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
Year in Pictures: Nov.|Dec.

Take a look back at pictures from The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tais Gadar pounded on the drums in April at Eco Fest.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
YEAR IN PICTURES: MARCH | APRIL

Take a look back at pictures from The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In January, there was talk of removing "Unconditional Surrender" from the bayfront in May, if several conditions on its sale and donation were not met.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
YEAR IN PICTURES: JAN | FEB

Take a look back at pictures from The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wish: That legislators embrace Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s “growth” agenda.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
OUR VIEW: Wish list for 2011 ...

OUR VIEW: Wish list for 2011 ...

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 30, 2010
Briefs

Community news & notes

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 30, 2010
Cops Corner

Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Alexis Sulentic, Michelle Jasin and Sean Rosensweig
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
Cardinal Mooney students make generosity count

Students at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School recently donated more than 900 new toys to Andrew's Toy Box as a holiday gift.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Girls, Inc. carolers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
Girls Inc. carolers hit high notes

The adorable girls of Girls Inc. stopped by The Sarasota Observer office to spread some holiday cheer Dec. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ben Hilton and his son, Will
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
Kids showcase talents at Hanukkah party

The scent and sizzle of hot oil wafted down the hallway as kindergartners, first-graders, second-graders and their families held a recent Hanukkah party, during which they made sufganiyot, arts-and-crafts and menorah handprints.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
SMA launches new iPhone app

With just the touch of a button, residents and visitors can now find a doctor, nearby walk-in center or hospital and outpatient services thanks to a new smart phone app introduced Dec. 21 by Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cassidy Marryott and Payton Harris show off their Santa bucket.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
Scullers erg their way to $10,000

Eighty members of the Sarasota Scullers Championship Rowing Team raised $10,000 in just four hours at their inaugural Holiday Hammer Ergatta Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The vacant property, outlined in red, the place the city will soon market as a possible hotel site, sits next to the Palm Avenue parking  garage.garage.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 30, 2010
City targets hotel developer

A wide-range marketing plan is being created to help attract a major hotel chain to develop a vacant parcel of land.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christine Jennings
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • December 30, 2010
Donor Spotlight: Christine Jennings

Each week, The Sarasota Observer will feature a different donor who is involved with Season of Sharing, a 10-year, community-wide fundraising partnership created by the Community Foundation. Donations to the Season of Sharing fund may be made by check or credit card, payable to the Community Foundation of Sarasota, or online at www.cfsarasota.org. For information, call 955-3000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Veronica Bergamini
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
Sweet home Sarasota

Veronica Bergamini could only choose the country where she wanted to study when she signed up to participate in the World Heritage International Student Exchange, and she found out in June that she would be spending the following year in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joey Panek
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
VIDEO: New Year's resolutions

We asked several local personalities to reflect on the changes they want to see happen in Sarasota over the next year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 30, 2010
TOP STORY, AUGUST: Colony Collapse

The bankruptcy judge dissolved the 38 year partnership between Colony owner Murf Klauber and the unit owners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A roundabout at 10th Street and U.S. 41 is one of six roundabouts planned for Sarasota's bayfront.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 30, 2010
TOP STORY, AUG.: MPO plan calls for more roundabouts

The long-range transportation plan for the entirety of Tamiami Trail through Sarasota County could place four more roundabouts in north Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jewel Ash at Circus Sarasota's "Variete" Gala in January.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 29, 2010
Best of Black Tie 2010

Best of Black Tie 2010

  • Black Tie
Kip O'Neill with grandsons Luke and Andrew Moriarty
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • December 29, 2010
Home for the holidays

It was standing-room only Dec. 29 at Kip O'Neill's Village home for her annual holiday open house. Greeting guests with O'Neill were her grandsons, Luke and Andrew Moriarty. In addition to longtime residents, guests included several new residents who were warmly welcomed. Outside but unable to crash the party were several members of the Village's flock of peacocks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Attorney David Muller said the changes could help associations.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 29, 2010
TOP STORY, JULY: HOA Legislation

The laws will make it easier for condo and homeowner associations to collect dues.

  • East County
  • News
Bristol Palin, Sarah Palin's daughter, snapped this photo of her dad, Todd Palin, left, Christie Leonard, Pastor Benite Jeune, Sarah Palin, Eddie Oliva and Kathy Benham.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 29, 2010
Mission Accomplished

After being stuck in Haiti for two extra days, Kathy Benham and Christie Leonard returned to Florida Dec. 12 after meeting Republican Sarah Palin, her husband, Todd, and daughter, Bristol.

  • East County
  • News
Cornerstone Pastor Dave Sturkey preached his final sermon at the Lakewood Ranch church on Christmas Eve.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 29, 2010
Cornerstone pastor retires after 18 years

Dave Sturkey, founding pastor of Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch preached his final sermon at the church Dec. 24.

  • East County
  • News
Lexi Kahler said she enjoyed her first experience in commercials and would consider doing more in the future.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 29, 2010
Tervis Tumbler commercial features Lakewood 6-year-old

Greenbrook resident Lexi Kahler is one of two children starring in a special web-only advertisement.

  • East County
  • News
Salon owner Shelly Gutowski's son attends Imagine.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2010
Salon pampers Imagine teachers

Teachers from Imagine School Lakewood Ranch received a well-deserved break from their normal busy schedules Dec. 14.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
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Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition
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Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
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