Your Observer

Robin Roy
September 11, 2009

City to pay $75,000 for park sculpture

A call to artists has been issued to create a sculpture for Fredd 'Glossie' Atkins Park in Newtown.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
September 11, 2009

Longboat pays tribute to Sept. 11

Each year on the night of Sept. 10, members of the Longboat Key Public Works Department line Gulf of Mexico Drive with 2,974 flags, one for each victim who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
September 11, 2009

Sarasotans purchasing Quay site

Four Sarasota-area businessmen want to construct an event center and hotel and perhaps retail and residential units on the 15-acre site of the former Sarasota Quay.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
September 10, 2009

Town seeks sand removal extension

The town of Longboat Key sent a letter Thursday, Sept. 10 to Gov. Charlie Crist stating the town still has significant problems with Port Dolphin's proposed natural-gas pipeline project.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
September 10, 2009

Key resident disputes Key Club survey

John Summers, a retired marketing professor, disputes The Longboat Key Club and Resort's phone survey that was conducted this summer.

Longboat Key
News

Jen Blanco
September 10, 2009

Sarasota Ladies Soccer kicks off season Sunday

Sarasota Ladies Soccer is set to begin its 2009 fall season Sept. 13 at Adventure Park in Greenbrook.

East County
Sports

Robin Roy
September 10, 2009

Downtown Merchants, Partnership merger is off

Two downtown merchants groups have decided to join forces, but will not merge with the Downtown Partnership.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
September 10, 2009

Bill Clinton to speak at Town Hall lecture

The Ringling College Library Association will hold its Town Hall lecture at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Van Wezel. The featured speaker will be former President Bill Clinton.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
September 10, 2009

District to host 2009 college fair

High school students planning to further their education will get the chance to meet representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities across the United States between 6 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Robarts Sports Arena.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
September 10, 2009

Dirty dogs receive new leashes on life

Out of pure love for her dog, Luka, and to keep her clean, 32-year-old entrepreneur Asli Uysal created the Chakra Dog soap bar, an all-natural, glycerin-based soap that effectively cleanses a dog's skin and coat.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Robin Roy
September 10, 2009

Victory for veteran

City commissioners voted Tuesday to accept a World War II veteran's donation of the sculpture 'Unconditional Surrender' and keep it on the bayfront.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
September 10, 2009

In Brief

Community News and Notes

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
September 10, 2009

Vendors to control farmers market

The Downtown Partnership will no longer run the Downtown Farmers Market. The partnership's chairman said the change was an insult to those who've worked to make the market a success.

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
September 10, 2009

Power struggle emerges

Some Hamptons residents received approval to change from gas-powered to electric-powered lights. But after some opposition, the board that OK'd the switch was recalled.

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
September 10, 2009

Sarasota could delete concealed weapons law

A citizen's e-mail could lead to a concealed weapons ordinance from 1971 being stricken from the city code.

Sarasota
News

Loren Mayo
September 10, 2009

Sweet Gigs: Homegrown gems

Carlos Mendez, a Gemesis employee, contends there's no difference between cultured diamonds and the real thing.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
September 10, 2009

Sweet Gigs: Diamond Devotee

Gemologist Darren Blum, of Coffrin Jewelers, spends the workday selling, designing and appraising jewelry.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By Rod Thomson
September 10, 2009

My View

Florida - sorry, still not over

Sarasota
Opinion

Observer Staff
September 10, 2009

Our View

A conditional surrender

Sarasota
Opinion

Loren Mayo
September 10, 2009

Mountain climber tackles new challenges

Sarasota resident Jeff Olson, 60, is currently training for his next mountain-climbing expedition.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
September 10, 2009

Cops Corner

A supermarket employee stopped two teenage girls after they took two bandages from a box.

Sarasota
Cops Corner

Adam Hughes
September 10, 2009

Siesta Isles home sells for $760,000

A home in Siesta Isles tops all real-estate transactions for the week of Aug. 13 to Aug. 18.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Loren Mayo
September 10, 2009

Vern Buchanan to conduct Town Hall meeting

Congressman Vern Buchanan will host the Sarasota Town Hall informational meeting Friday, Sept. 11, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
September 9, 2009

Lady Pirates sail past Lady Spartans

The Braden River High volleyball team defeated St. Pete Lakewood High in four games Sept. 9 in its district opener.

East County
Sports

By Pam McTeer
September 9, 2009

Good Earth opening delayed

The Lakewood Ranch Main Street's new anchor was scheduled to open last week. Officials say the new opening date is Sept. 21.

East County
News

Observer Staff
September 9, 2009

Manatee announces gun buyback event

Manatee County Commission Chair Dr. Gwen Brown and Manatee School Board member Barbara Harvey will host a community discussion on from 12:30-3:30 p.m., Sept. 19 at Johnson Middle School, 2121 26th Ave. E. Following that meeting, Sheriff Brad Steube will hold a gun buyback event from 4-7 p.m., at Manatee County Sheriff's Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.

East County
News

Kurt Schultheis
September 9, 2009

Siekmann qualifies for District 5

Vice Mayor and District 5 Commissioner Robert Siekmann is now the second current commissioner to become certified for his third and final two-year term.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
September 9, 2009

Solution for sand looms

The town will support the placement of a natural-gas pipeline as long as Port Dolphin agrees, in writing, to help pay for removal of white sand in the area.

Longboat Key
News

Jen Blanco
September 9, 2009

Lady Mustangs swing past Lady Pirates

The Lakewood Ranch High girls golf team defeated Braden River High 179-204 Sept. 8.

East County
Sports

Observer Staff
September 9, 2009

HEALTH MATTERS

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center celebrates its fifth anniversary Sept. 12. Read our exclusive coverage in Health Matters here.

East County
News

Observer Staff
September 9, 2009

TOPSoccer kicks off season

Registration for Braden River Soccer Club's fourth season of TOPSoccer will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 12, at Lakewood Ranch Park behind Lakewood Ranch High School, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
September 9, 2009

Got talent? Show it off!

The Center For Musical Theatre at Julie Rohr Academy, a newly formed non-profit corporation, will host "Sarasota's Got Talent!" at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 25, at the Sarasota Military Academy, 801 N. Orange Ave.

East County
Neighbors

By Pam McTeer
September 9, 2009

Sharing Derek Spring's Story

One year ago, Lakewood Ranch mother Janice Spring lost her son because of a prescription drug overdose. Now, she hopes his story will save other teens.