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Your Observer

Lucille Fiore and Jackie Michaelides serve up biscotti and baklava.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2023
Seaplace residents get cooking

Everything from appetizers to desserts were shared in the clubhouse.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
In early 2001, Sarasota Audubon began conducting bird surveys at the Celery Fields. To date, 246 species have been recorded.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • February 17, 2023
Need a break? Here are some Lakewood Ranch spots for a quick respite

Hurrying through life is a great way to miss it. Lakewood Ranch is packed with beautiful reasons to slow down.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bruce Patneaude, who served the previous 12 years as vice president of operations at IMG Academy in Bradenton, said he looks forward to being the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy's COO.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 16, 2023
Building events center piqued interest of Benderson Park's new COO

Former IMG executive Bruce Patneaude wants to put his stamp on Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • News
A 21-year-old man fell from the 18th floor to the fifth floor at the Bayso construction site in The Quay. He later died at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 16, 2023
SPD investigates accidental death at condo construction site

A painter fell 13 floors at the Bayso condominiums construction site in The Quay and later died.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Volunteer BJ Branson, Volunteer Coordinator Shirley Perdisatt, and Volunteer Joanne Terwilliger get crafty with project for the residents.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 16, 2023
Empath Health asks for a helping hand

Empath Health is in need of volunteers who want to help patients, families and the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sandy Humenik understands that enriching experiences in early childhood are vital for a child’s healthy development.
  • By Amy Bentley
  • February 16, 2023
Only took one tour to hook Sandy Humenik on Florida Center for Early Childhood

Sandy Humenik’s life’s journey had a great beginning. She now helps Florida Center for Early Childhood offer the same opportunities to area children and their families.

  • East County
  • Schools
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. for Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 16, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. for Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sarasota home on Gulfview Drive tops the week's sales at $3 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Former Riverview Rams softball player Devyn Flaherty is a star shortstop at FSU.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 16, 2023
Sarasota NCAA athletes get their seasons underway

This group of alumni has the potential for big seasons in 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sue Ann Miller grew up in Philadelphia and recalls her mother taking her and her sister to the historic Chestnut Hill Library.
  • By Eric Snider
  • February 16, 2023
Nonprofit races to meet goal to fund collections for new Lakewood Ranch library

The Friends of Lakewood Ranch Library, with Sue Ann Miller at the helm, moves forward in its fundraising efforts to fill the shelves of the new Lakewood Ranch Library.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Gospel Crusade parcel is located across the river from Christian Retreat.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 16, 2023
Manatee gives green light to buy environmentally significant properties

Two properties along the Manatee River are among three environmentally significant parcels that ELMAC is attempting to purchase for the county with funding from the Parks Projects Referendum.

  • East County
  • News
Robins are one of several migratory birds that rely on resources locally during their winter journeys.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 16, 2023
Local nature key in hospitality for real-life snowbirds

In both public and private lands, native plants are critical for supporting these important winter visitors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A sign at Bayfront Park reminds drivers back-in parking is not permitted there. That could change at the city manager's discretion thanks to an ordinance amendment approved by the City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 16, 2023
City backs up repeal of back-in parking ban

Back-in parking will now be allowed in city-owned and -controlled parking facilities at the city manager's discretion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
It was standing room only in January's attainable housing town hall as the Sarasota City Hall meeting chambers.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 16, 2023
Second attainable housing town hall set for March 1

The follow-up to the first town hall session in January will include strategies to encourage more affordable residences downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Child Protection Center
  • February 16, 2023
Child Protection Center Expanding in North Port for Child Abuse Victims

In 2021, CPC purchased a large property in North Port, to meet the growing need of child abuse services post COVID pandemic. Recently, North Port was ranked the 2nd fastest growing city in the United States.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Members of the Longboat Key Club gather on Feb. 15 to play cards and raise money for Breast Health Sarasota, Inc.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 15, 2023
Games day raises $10,000 for breast cancer

The Longboat Key Club is a big fundraising venue for Breast Health Sarasota Inc. Club events raised over $85,000 for the organization in 2022 alone.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Booker High girls basketball is headed back to the Final Four after a win over Academy of the Holy Names on Feb. 17.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 15, 2023
Tornadoes girls basketball whirls into regional finals

Booker High used lockdown defense to defeat Gibbs High 69-40 at home Feb. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
James and Misdee Miller continually try to find upgrades for the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2023
Sarasota Polo Club owners share what makes it so special

The game of polo has evolved over 2,500 years. Thanks to James and Misdee Miller, the sport lives on at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Business
Crews work on the Bradenton Beach sewer line replacement Tuesday morning.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 15, 2023
Traffic troubles move to north end of Longboat

The town braced for headaches associated with a Bradenton Beach sewer line project, but commissioners have received few complaints.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Paintings by Carolann Garafola on display include "Lobster Pots on Cortez Island."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2023
Palm Aire’s annual Art Show unveils hidden talent

Carolann Garafola's painting skills were on display for the first time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Possible parking violator takes revenge on parking meter
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 15, 2023
Possible parking violator takes revenge on parking meter

Motor vehicle-related vandalism is the overarching theme to reports from the files of the Sarasota Police Department in this week’s Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
408 Jackson Drive
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 15, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 for Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key.

A St. Armands home in John Ringling Estates tops the week's sales at $2.8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Nate’s Development and Fundraising Director Rob Oglesby with Rory.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 15, 2023
Nate’s Animal Honor Rescue puts final touches on expansion

The $12 million project will transform a pet rescue center into a world-class haven for dogs and cats.

  • East County
  • Business
Booker High girls basketball senior Leah DuBose.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 15, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Leah DuBose

The Booker High girls basketball senior is averaging 8.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 15, 2023
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer falls in regional finals

The Mustangs lost 2-1 to Palm Harbor University High in a game that went to penalty kicks.

  • East County
  • Sports
A peacock makes a pit stop on a porch on Fox Street.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 15, 2023
Peacock spotted back on Longboat Key

Peacocks might be looking for another five minutes of fame after raccoons step into the spotlight.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lee Washington has taken the role of interim Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2023
Has calm come to Manatee County government with new interim administrator?

The choice of former U.S. Marine Lee Washington should provide a respite from the madness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
No longer inexpensive
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 15, 2023
No longer inexpensive

Housing costs (and government) have made Florida expensive. A great reason to fix policies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Workers put the finishing touches on Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar that opens March 6 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2023
Rocco's Tacos to open March 6 at UTC

Rocco Mangel hopes his travels through Mexico and California have led to an exceptional dining experience as he opens Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar at UTC.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Bradenton-based ET MacKenzie completed repair work after the town of Longboat Key's June 2020 sewage break.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 15, 2023
Longboat enters settlement with engineers following sewer main break

Consultant Greeley and Hansen have agreed to pay the town $425,000 for damages incurred in 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 15, 2023
Sarasota revisits street dining options

More than a dozen restaurants in the city still offer outside dining in parking spaces. Now they seek making the pandemic-era policy a permanent option.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Serge Gauthier, host and director of the show Mariloup Wolfe and Sonia Gauthier
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 15, 2023
Canadians make 'The Big Move' to St. Armands

A French Canadian television show filmed at the Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on Sunday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Commissioners forwarded the proposed Town Center site development plan with 81 parking spaces to second reading.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 15, 2023
Longboat seeks solutions to Town Center parking problems

Commissioners discussed the need for more parking to accommodate events for the development.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brian and Valerie McCarthy foresaw pickleball’s boom about five years ago.
  • By Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2023
New pickleball center gains a following

The new state-of-the-art Pickleball Club is the first indoor, pickleball-only club in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

  • East County
  • Sports
The annual Say 'I Do' Again vow renewal ceremony returns to Siesta Key on Valentine's Day.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • February 14, 2023
Married couples profess their love all over again on Siesta Key

Siesta Key's annual vow renewal ceremony gathers married couples to say "I Do" again.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 14, 2023
East River Ranch development project advances

Carlos Beruff project gets the Planning Commission’s blessing on the new community while opponents protest possible road extensions.

  • East County
  • News
(Photo via Breeze Airways)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2023
Breeze Airways adds new nonstop route from SRQ

Upstart low-fare Breeze Airways will offer a third nonstop route from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, adding Providence, Rhode Island, starting July 13.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Selby Gardens’ Selenicereus cactus blooms for one night only.
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Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
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Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
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