Your Observer

Jen Blanco
June 22, 2010

Cougars goalie represents Florida in LAX tournament

Cardinal Mooney High School freshman Victoria Krupa was selected to represent North/Central Florida Team 1 at the U.S. Lacrosse 2010 Women's Division National Tournament May 29-30 in Bel Air, Md.

East County
Sports

Kurt Schultheis
June 22, 2010

Buchanan announces drilling legislation

The Longboat Key Republican announced plans Monday to introduce legislation designed to hold companies responsible for oil spills.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Roy
June 22, 2010

City eliminates 35 job positions

The cuts mainly include vacant positions, but 13 employees will be laid off.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
June 22, 2010

Kerns posts top kick

Braden River High senior kicker Kadin Kerns participated in the IMG Madden Football Academy earlier this month where he posted the best kickoff distance and hang time of all of the kickers and punters in attendance.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
June 21, 2010

Community Golf Scores 06.08.10 to 06.16.10

East County golfers post amazing numbers on area courses.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
June 21, 2010

CAMP SPOTLIGHT: Kids R Kids

This week, the East County Observer caught up with students at Kids R Kids in Lakewood Ranch to see what they enjoy the most about Camp Extreme Discoveries.

East County
Schools

Jen Blanco
June 21, 2010

YMCA gears up for tackle football

The Manatee County YMCA recently added tackle football to its list of youth sports offerings.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
June 21, 2010

Sarasota Scullers win bronze medal

The Sarasota Scullers and the Sarasota Crew both qualified boats to compete in the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships June 12-13 at Lake Harsha, near Cincinnati, Ohio.

East County
Sports

Robin Hartill
June 21, 2010

Whale sharks spotted near Sarasota

Mote scientists tagged three of the 10 sharks to study their movement patterns.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Roy
June 21, 2010

Unconditional Surrender inspires donation policy

The commission will vote today on a new policy written in direct response to the controversial sculpture's donation to the city.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
June 21, 2010

Size matters: Welcome signs need correction

Vice Mayor Jim Brown said the two welcome signs placed on Longboat Key last month were not built to design specifications.

Longboat Key
News

Pam Eubanks
June 18, 2010

MAN ON THE STREET: Grill Favorites (VIDEO)

In honor of Father's Day, The East County Observer caught up with employees and customers at the Gateway Publix to learn about their favorite grilling meats.

East County
Neighbors

Stephanie Hannum
June 18, 2010

RECIPE AND A RESERVATION: Lynches Pub & Grub

Lynches Pub & Grub owners Ethna and Christine Lynch share an exclusive recipe with YourObserver.com readers.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Roy
June 18, 2010

Senate, governor candidates face the press

All but one major candidate for U.S. Senator from Florida and governor appeared at a journalist town hall at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
June 18, 2010

P&Z selects subcommittee members

The Planning and Zoning Board selected George Symanski Jr. and Pat Zunz to the town's Vision Plan review subcommittee Friday.

Longboat Key
News

Loren Mayo
June 18, 2010

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Flamingo frenzy

Jungle Gardens' Zoo Camp lets kids feed flamingos, play with parrots and learn about lemurs. Scroll down for video.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
June 18, 2010

WEEKEND BEST BET: Mote Marine Laboratory Turtle Walks

Mote-trained volunteers will guide participants as they learn about protecting sea turtles.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
June 17, 2010

Commission wants chairs removed from beach

The Longboat Key Town Commission also approved a reduction in water and wastewater rates at its regular workshop Thursday.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
June 17, 2010

STORE AROUND THE CORNER: Terry's Framing & Art Supplies

The store carries all price ranges, from $6-per-foot framing to $125-per-foot materials and everything in between.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
June 17, 2010

RECIPE AND RESERVATION: First Street Chop House

First Street Chop House owner and Executive Chef David Arnold shares an exclusive recipe with YourObserver.com readers.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Robin Roy
June 17, 2010

Unconditional Surrender removed temporarily

The sculpture needs maintenance to prepare it for permanent placement on the bayfront.

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
June 17, 2010

Judge denies Ed Smith Stadium injunction

Groups suing the county over its baseball negotiations sought to halt construction, but a judge ruled Wednesday that work can continue.

Sarasota
News

Loren Mayo
June 17, 2010

'Daddy' chefs visit preschool

Wearing tall, floppy hats, the children at Temple Sinai's preschool, The Gan, gathered around a table to make hummus and chocolate-dipped strawberries with Chef Paul Mattison, a special guest of the "Little Iron Chefs" summer camp, June 9.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
June 17, 2010

Kids test their tastebuds at G.WIZ

Using various parts of their tongues that denote sweet, sour, bitter and salty, the 4- and 5-year-olds enrolled in G.WIZ The Science Museum's "Fun, Fitness and Food" camp tasted unsweetened dark chocolate, lemon juice, salt water and sugar water June 16.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Robin Roy
June 17, 2010

County: 2012 to be turnaround

Sarasota County will trim $16.7 million from its budget this fiscal year.

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
June 17, 2010

SOUR DOUGH

Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria used a parked van on Beach Road to advertise its business, but condo owners across the street say it blocks their view and takes a parking spot away from tourists.

Sarasota
News

Loren Mayo
June 17, 2010

HISTORIC REVIVAL

SemCon 2010 brings together community visionaries to discuss ideas for downtown improvement.

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
June 17, 2010

Homeowners say plant kills crossed the line

Sarasota County ordered an Osprey homeowners association to kill non-native vegetation that crept from homeowners' properties onto the community's nature reserve.

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
June 17, 2010

City pursues red-light camera installation

A state law going into effect July 1 gives the city and other municipalities the green light to install red-light cameras.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
June 17, 2010

Let the Panhandle be a lesson

If local government officials haven't tuned in to what occurred Monday in Destin and Okaloosa County, they better get on Google and on the phones and start researching. Be ready.

Sarasota
Opinion

Loren Mayo
June 17, 2010

Why I love my dad

He's a hero, memory-maker, comedian, storyteller and friend. The Sarasota Observer caught up with a group of kids at the Boys and Girls Club to chat about Father's Day, which falls on Sunday, June 20. Here's what they had to say about some of Sarasota's special dads.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
June 17, 2010

Twins make strides for donation effort

Devon and Reagan Sullivan hope to raise $12,000 this year to help InStride.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 17, 2010

Cops Corner 06.17.10

A man saw a woman throw something heavy into the water at Bay Island Park and hurry back to her car. He thought it may have been a gun, so he called police.