Your Observer

Robin Hartill
October 18, 2010

Commission moves forward with red-light cameras

The Sarasota City Commission voted 4-0 to pursue the proposed cameras.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
October 18, 2010

Lakewood finishes second

The Lakewood Ranch High girls cross country team finished second at the Pre-State Invitational Oct. 16 at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.

East County
Sports

Pam Eubanks
October 18, 2010

District celebrates School Bus Safety Week

The bus safety awareness campaign runs Oct. 18-22.

East County
Schools

Rachel S. OHara
October 18, 2010

Two promotions at LBK Fire Rescue

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue celebrated the promotion of two of their officers on Monday, Oct. 18. Tim Haas was promoted from firefighter to lieutenant and Sandi Drake was promoted from lieutenant to deputy chief. Drake is the first woman to become deputy chief or hold such a high ranking in the history of Longboat Key Fire Rescue.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
October 18, 2010

Town to discuss sign code

The Town Commission and the Planning and Zoning Board will hold meetings Tuesday to discuss the Comprehensive Plan amendments and its sign code.

Longboat Key
News

Black Tie Staff
October 17, 2010

Key Chorale 'Our New Era Takes Off'

Black Tie

Loren Mayo
October 17, 2010

Bridge stunts conclude with fiery explosion (WITH VIDEO)

Sanborn Studios filmed the final action scene of its new action TV series "Miami 24/7" Sunday on the John Ringling Bridge. Some drivers sat in traffic for up to 30 minutes during an exciting stunt when a car was driven off the bridge.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
October 17, 2010

Festival transforms downtown into art showcase

The 16th annual Downtown Sarasota Art and Craft Festival returned to Main Street Saturday and Sunday, featuring everything from handmade jewelry to Tube Dudes.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
October 17, 2010

Selby Gardens features concert al fresco

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens held its Fall Music Series Sunday, featuring a 'Bach to Rock' performance by the Sarasota Brass Quintet.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
October 16, 2010

LECOM Dinner and Auction Gala

Black Tie

Jen Blanco
October 16, 2010

Thunder earn key district win

The Out-of-Door Academy football team propelled itself back into the playoff picture with a pivotal 24-21 victory over Bradenton Christian in Class 1B-District 6 action Oct. 15.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
October 16, 2010

Pirates stumble against Hurricanes

The Braden River football team's Homecoming celebration was derailed Oct. 15 as the host Pirates fell to Manatee 24-7.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
October 16, 2010

Mustangs rally past Bayshore Bruins

After trailing by a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, the Lakewood Ranch High football team scored 33 unanswered points to rally past Bayshore 33-20 Oct. 15.

East County
Sports

Rachel S. OHara
October 16, 2010

SYC's Change in Watch

The Sarasota Yacht Club celebrated their change in fleet Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Yacht Club along John Ringling Blvd. Jeff Birnbach, previously the vice commodore, is now the commodore of the new fleet at SYC.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
October 16, 2010

Light the Night Walk lights up Payne Park

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society held their Light the Night Walk at Payne Park, Saturday, Oct. 16. About 350 people participated and helped to raise funds to fight blood cancers like Leukemia and Lymphoma.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
October 16, 2010

Pirates go 'vintage Hollywood'

Students at Braden River High School celebrated the end of Homecoming week with a special "vintage Hollywood" themed dance Saturday night.

East County
Schools

Rachel S. OHara
October 16, 2010

Big success with 2nd Annual Phillippi 7K

The 2nd Annual Phillippi 7K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run happened this Saturday, Oct. 16 at Phillippi Shores Elementary. The theme of the run was 'Explore the World at Home'.

Sarasota
News

Rachel S. OHara
October 15, 2010

LBK Historical Society's Fish Fry

The Longboat Key Historical Society held its annual fish fry, Friday, Oct. 15 at Mar Vista from 6-10 PM. The event was filled with good food, groovy music and lots of people.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
October 15, 2010

Lakewood Ranch celebrates 15 years

Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch celebrated the 15th anniversary of the community's first home sale with a special fall festival event Oct. 15 at the Sarasota Polo Club. Festivities included live music, hayrides, bounce houses, food and drink, raffles and other activities.

East County
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
October 15, 2010

Town attorney responds to Code Enforcement challenge

Town Attorney David Persson wrote that town building-permit requirements and fees don't violate state statutes.

Longboat Key
News

Loren Mayo
October 15, 2010

SSAS: Walk like an Egyptian

Students at the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences donned elaborate Egyptian fashions and accessories for "Egyptian Day." They presented projects on everything from mummification to pyramids and ate traditional Egyptian foods.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
October 15, 2010

Chamber highlights past, present and future at 90th annual meeting

Nearly 500 business and community leaders attended the 90th annual meeting of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce today.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Robin Roy
October 15, 2010

Sarasota real-estate sales hold steady

The Sarasota Association of Realtors reports that sales figures have changed little during the past year.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Robin Hartill
October 15, 2010

WEEKEND BEST BET: Pioneer Day Fish Fry

The Longboat Key Historical Society's annual fundraiser takes place at 6 p.m. tonight at Mar Vista.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
October 15, 2010

Younger running again

At-large Commissioner Phillip Younger has picked up a commission candidate qualification packet.

Longboat Key
News

Pam Eubanks
October 15, 2010

Imagine Sharks show school pep

Children at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch rallied behind the school's athletic teams at the school's first official pep rally Oct. 14. Festivities included competitions between the classes, performances by the school's cheerleading and dance teams and more.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
October 15, 2010

BRHS HOMECOMING: Clash of Classes

Students at Braden River High School took their Homecoming spirit to the battlefield with classes competing against one another in Family Feud and other competitions during the Clash of the Classes event Oct. 13.

East County
Schools

Rachel S. OHara
October 14, 2010

Tasting Room at Michael's opens

Members of the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club enjoyed a private opening Thursday, Oct. 14, at The Tasting Room at Michael's Wine Cellar. The official opening to the public will be this Saturday evening.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
October 14, 2010

Doubles teams to battle for club championship

The Meadows Tennis Center will host the 2010 Battle of the Club Champions Oct. 30-31.

East County
Sports

Pam Eubanks
October 14, 2010

Deputies arrest burglary suspect

Letroy Hamilton has been charged with armed trespass, burglary and grand theft.

East County
News

Kurt Schultheis
October 14, 2010

DCA requests another week

The Department of Community Affairs heard arguments from the town of Longboat Key and the Islandside Property Owners Coalition Tuesday about code changes on Aug. 24.