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Your Observer

Damn Good Hospitality has two other Warren locations, one in Naples, one in Sarasota.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 17, 2024
High-end whiskey-centric eatery leases downtown Sarasota spot

A high-end bar and restaurant company is planning its debut in Sarasota with a fine-dining, whiskey-infused location in a coveted second-floor spot on Main Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Clydesdales don't shy away for their close-ups.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 16, 2024
8-pack of Budweiser Clydesdales strut down Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Hundreds lined the street to see the majestic horses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Patti Smith performs.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 16, 2024
Patti Smith plays iconic hits during Selby Gardens performance

The event celebrated the exhibition "Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe" with its own tribute to the artist.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ringling College of Art and Design received a $550,000 grant from the Barancik Foundation to fund programs for those who have been historically underrepresented at museums.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2024
Barancik Foundation awards $11.8 million in grants

The grants include $4.8 million to help benefit teachers and quality of education in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
BJ Ivey believes in a "one day at a time" approach to building the Sailors boys basketball program.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 15, 2024
Sailors boys basketball sets postseason tone with district title win

Sarasota High (24-2) won district title 63-36 over North Port High (17-9), avenging an earlier loss.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The property at 8324 Sanderling Road sold for $6.75 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 15, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Sanderling Road tops the week's sales at $6.75 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A view from the back of 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive, which sold Aug. 18, 2023, for $9.45 million.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 15, 2024
How did the Longboat Key real estate market fare in 2023?

Increased inventory and less frenzied purchasing began to stabilize Longboat Key real estate last year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2024
Don't be a knucklehead. Take an eBay class at the Braden River Library.

Mike Ivankovich, an eBay guru, offers free seminar about how to buy and sell online.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Vice President Char DeMoss accepts a delivery from the bay, from Scott Matthews.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2024
Scuba divers remove hidden hazards from Sarasota Bay

Suncoast Reef Rovers has found benches, weapons and traffic cones in local waters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nora Patterson in 2015
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2024
Sarasota remembers Nora Patterson, former mayor and commissioner

Nora Patterson embodied the ideals of a true public servant, living a life dedicated to public service and leaving a lasting impression on Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blackened trees stand above the charred remains of James Ward's house at 1013 Ponder Ave.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 15, 2024
Ponder Avenue house fire left a total loss, owner says

With the house his grandfather built a total loss, homeowner James Ward says he needs "all the help I can get."

  • Sarasota
  • News
An example of using the "COS" logo in branding and marketing.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 15, 2024
City embarks on logo redesign, reconsidering David silhouette

The city of Sarasota looks at three options in updating its logo, which has featured Michelangelo’s David statue since the 1990s: refresh David, modernize David or eschew David.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The former Yume Sushi restaurant space has sold for $2.47 million.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 15, 2024
Local restaurant owners buy downtown Sarasota eatery for $2.47M

The former Yume Sushi restaurant space in downtown Sarasota has been bought by well-known local restaurateur Michael Evanoff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark and Michele Schlossberg founded Paint Nail Bar nine years ago.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 15, 2024
The journey from one nail salon to a national brand

Lakewood Ranch residents Mark and Michele Schlossberg launched Paint Nail Bar nine years ago. It has since become a nationwide brand.

  • East County
  • Business
The gleaming structure is 65 feet high, three stories and 12,000 square feet inside.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2024
Solomon’s Castle is a gleaming monument to the weird, wacky and wonderful

Take a stroll through whimsy and delight with a tour inside Howard Solomon’s creation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A dramatic feature wall in the living room provides a fireplace, seating, and displays for art.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 15, 2024
Lifestyle lessons from a luxurious Lake Club home

David Ahrens and Kirk Beckwith's home in The Lake Club shows a keen understanding of their shared past and their present way of life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The answer: Urban villages
  • By Edward J. Pinto
  • February 15, 2024
The answer: Urban villages

Mid-priced, working-class housing would expand with light-touch density in the city’s urban mixed-use areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Tiko is a yellow-headed amazon at Sarasota Parrot Conservatory.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2024
Parrots at Myakka nonprofit help veterans heal old wounds

Greg Para's special relationship with parrots helped him through a harrowing period in his life — and inspired him to form the Sarasota Parrot Conservatory.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Clark says faith and family are the keys to everything.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Foundation leader keeps connection with community strong

Mark Clark brings his passion for family into his work leading the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Unit PH-A condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive sold for $10,595,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 14, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in L’Ambiance tops the week's sales at $10.6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Florida needs to do more to attract doctors
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 14, 2024
Florida needs to do more to attract doctors

An area doctor writes that Florida has several hurdles to clear in order to draw more medical professionals.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Teller calls police over possible fraud after suspicious cash withdrawals
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 14, 2024
Teller calls police over possible fraud after suspicious cash withdrawals

An 87-year-old man's account was frozen after multiple withdrawals by his "fiancé" from bank branches around the city. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch Running Club's Lorena Barona, Monika Oberer, Woodford Joseph and Alexis Dwyer pose after a run. Oberer credits her club members for helping motivate her and train for the Tokyo marathon in March.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2024
Runner credits community with helping her finish marathon series

Monika Oberer will receive her sixth and final Abbott World Marathon Majors race in Tokyo in March.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dakin Dairy Farm is on the market in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2024
Agriculture experts say overdevelopment will have terrible consequences

Farmers and ranchers of the East Manatee Preservation group discussed the future of Manatee County agriculture and suggested actions that would counter urban sprawl.

  • East County
  • News
Congressman Vern Buchanan talks to R. Dan Nolan Middle School students about what he does as a congressman.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 14, 2024
US representative urges Nolan Middle School students to get involved

Students received encouragement from Congressman Vern Buchanan to be part of the political process.

  • East County
  • Schools
Get a close-up look at the Budweiser Clydesdales on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Clydesdales show off in Manatee and Sarasota counties

The famous Budweiser team has several stops that include Siesta Key, North Port, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Richardson talks to the committee about the town's sandbag operations.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 14, 2024
Emergency management committee reviews town storm procedures

The second meeting for the new committee included guest speakers from town staff to talk about Public Works, reentry and communications.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Florida State Film School student Keith Cohen's short documentary "Healing Paws" has been nominated for a College Television Award.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Braden River grad nominated for College Television Award

"Healing Paws," aspiring filmmaker Keith Cohen's short film on the therapeutic powers of dogs, has been nominated in the Nonfiction Series category.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The center turn lane would benefit drivers entering Country Club Shores.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 14, 2024
Construction on GMD turn lane to start this summer

After seven years of behind-the-scenes work, the Country Club Shores turn lane project is expected to be underway around June.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie in October 2022.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2024
Defamation lawsuit filed against Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie

The complaint seeks damages of more than $50,000 from Kyle Battie after public racism allegations against city hall critic Kelly Franklin.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney High senior Helena Hebda (1) will be a leader on the Cougars beach volleyball team in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 14, 2024
Here's what to watch for in Sarasota prep sports this spring

Sarasota high schools have state title contenders on the diamond and in the sand.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 14, 2024
Allegiant adds new nonstop route at SRQ

The new service to Plattsburgh, New York, will begin in June.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This is what LBK wants
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 14, 2024
This is what LBK wants

Longboaters want a community center and education center. A library branch is tertiary. Commissioners: Take control of the process.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The new Lakewood Ranch Library features 45,000 items, including books, audiobooks, musical instruments and DVDs.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library fosters a culture around community

Tiffany Mautino shares why libraries remain relevant — and why they are key in the fight for intellectual freedom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 14, 2024
Waterside breaks ground on new neighborhoods

The Lakewood Ranch community Waterside Place continues to take shape with new neighborhoods.

  • East County
  • News
Christopher and Emmy Treston and Janice and Michael Novello look forward to the new parish activity center and rectory.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 14, 2024
Our Lady of the Angels begins another expansion

Bucking nationwide church attendance trends, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church embarks on its second expansion in six years.

  • East County
  • News
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Squeaky Wheel Fringe runs June 2-7.
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'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
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This Country Club Village home at 13318 Palmers Creek Terrace sold for $3.2 million. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,874 square feet of living area.
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