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Your Observer

    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 22, 2015
Homelessness expert to speak at public forums

Sarasota County consultant Robert Marbut will discuss the region’s progress on tackling homelessness at meetings in Venice and Sarasota Thursday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Third-grader Gabby Stamos completed a project on whether dogs are color blind.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 22, 2015
Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch celebrates reading, science

Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch May 21 offered Family Night, during which students showcased science projects and looked for books at a book fair.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 22, 2015
G. Fried floors Chamber members

G. Fried FlooringAmerica hosted Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours on May 21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dolores McNany, Susann Guglielmini, Darcy Giarano, Rita Bass and Terri Williams
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 21, 2015
St. Thomas More women foster fellowship

The ladies of the St. Thomas More Catholic Church Women's Club meet for a monthly luncheon to foster fellowship and sisterhood Thursday, May 21 at Olive Garden.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Animal Services hopes shelter dogs will find a forever home with a veteran, because of adoption specials offered Memorial Day through Labor Day.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 21, 2015
Animal Services salutes veterans with free adoptions

Manatee County Animal Services is offering free dog and puppy adoptions to military men and women and local law enforcement, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

  • East County
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock and Finance Director Sue Smith are reorganizing the Finance Department.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 21, 2015
Finance Department changes are coming

The Longboat Key Town Commission agreed to fund a purchasing manager position and a part-time finance position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 21, 2015
Manatee Clerk to run for re-election

Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller R.B. 'Chips' Shore will seek re-election in 2016.

  • East County
  • News
Jacob Grewal and Griffin Merrit
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 21, 2015
Phillippi Shores students cool off with field day

Students spend the day eating watermelon, playing games with Field Day at Phillippi Shores Elementary May 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Sarasota High baseball team will vie for its ninth state title today.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 21, 2015
Sailors slide into title game

The Sarasota High baseball team defeated Royal Palm Beach 3-2 in the Class 7A State Semifinals Wednesday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 21, 2015
Recovery continues with population growth in Sarasota

Sarasota County’s population increased 1.7% to about 390,000 in 2014, while the cities of Venice and North Port continue rapid growth as the economy rebounds from the Great Recession.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 9-3 victory over Lakewood Ranch in the Class 7A-Region 3 semifinals May 5. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 21, 2015
Return to championship

The Sarasota High baseball team played in the Final Four May 20 for the first time since 2007 when the Sailors won their eighth state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County Veterans Commission Vice President and Chaplain Ted Smith will address paradegoers following the Memorial Day Parade at J.D. Hamel Park. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 21, 2015
Q+A with Ted Smith

The bond between military personnel extends beyond the term of service for Sarasota County Veterans Commission Vice President and Chaplain Ted Smith.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amanda MoralesThis home at 3631 San Remo Terrace has three bedrooms, two and a half baths, a pool and 2,746 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.6 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 21, 2015
Home in Cherokee Park sells for $4.5 million

A home in Cherokee Park tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
ODA senior Austin Hoppe was named MVP for football and baseball as well as the Thunder’s male athlete of the year. File photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 21, 2015
Sidelines

ODA celebrates athletic achievements; Joint rowing facility opens; Big Summer golf season tees off

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2015
OUR VIEW | Smackdown of Bridget

After rookie School Board member Bridget Ziegler posted her rationale for a vote on social media, her colleagues delivered a thinly veiled rebuke. The message: Watch your mouth, missy.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2015
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.22.15

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sue Jones, an Ohio resident who is vacationing in Sarasota, snaps a picture of Unconditional Surrender Wednesday morning. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 21, 2015
Unconditional Surrender owner advocates for upgrades

The man who donated the statue to the city is pushing officials to make improvements to the area surrounding the landmark.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The interior of the former Bullet Hole has been torn up, but the future of the Paddy Wagon Irish Pub — one of three proposed nightlife tenants in the 1500 block of Main Street — is unknown at the moment. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 21, 2015
City halts plans for Main Street bar

Concerns about crime, noise and the proliferation of bars led the Planning Board to reject plans for Paddy Wagon Irish Pub.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 21, 2015
Craft brewers tap into booming industry

With Sarasota’s first production breweries passing their one-year anniversaries — and a third preparing to open soon — the future is bright for the local craft beer scene.

  • Sarasota
  • News
NORTHERN EXPOSURE. Denise LaViolette reads her Sarasota Observer in front of Kingston City Hall in Ontario, Canada.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2015
IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dan and Tootie Kennedy receive a plaque to commemorate their contributions to the Sarasota Military Academy. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 21, 2015
Students honor SMA co-founder with ceremony

After 46 years, Dan Kennedy is finally graduating from high school — as an educator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 21, 2015
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY | May 21

A glimpse of the way things were from the Pelican Press archives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Alex Mahadevan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2015
WHAT'S HAPPENING | Week of May 21, 2015

County will revisit options for planned Kimpton hotel site; Siesta Center sells for $4.6 million

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cinderella and Prince Charming meet at the royal ball played by Ella Wicks and Nick Rich, respectively.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 20, 2015
Southside Elementary enchants with musical Cinderella

Parents enjoyed an evening of music, dance and magic with the Southside Elementary School production of Disney's Cinderella Kids Wednesday, May 20 at The Players Theater.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Newly appointed principals for Fruitville, Lakeview and Tatum Ridge elementary schools.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 20, 2015
Three new elementary school principals appointed

With the school year coming to a close Superintendent Lori White announces that three elementary schools will be appointed new principals. Pending approval by the School Board of Sarasota County, Fruitville, Lakeview and Tatum Ridge elementary schools

  • Sarasota
  • News
Warren and Margot Coville
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Coville celebrates pitch-perfect 90th

Bird Key resident Warren Coville celebrated his 90th birthday Saturday, at Michael’s Wine Cellar.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Share the beaches with turtles

A reminder to those hitting the beach this Memorial Day weekend: The beaches belong to the turtles, too.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo Chaplain Carol Fields blesses the hands of Plymouth Harbor residents and staff Friday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Plymouth Harbor blesses hands

Chaplain Carol Fields blessed the hands of Plymouth Harbor residents and staff Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Aspen Murphy: A top dog

Local celebrity dog Aspen Murphy died May 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
MUSICAL MOMENT. Andy and Lisa Weiland catch up on their Longboat Observer news in front of the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
OBITUARY | Edward Doyle

Edward “Ted” Doyle, 76, of Longboat Key and Watervliet, N.Y., died May 6, after spending the last of many winters in his favorite spot on Earth, Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
OBITUARY | Frederick Carleton

Frederick Carleton, 94, of Longboat Key and Nantucket Island, Mass., died May 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
FAR EAST. Eva Rey poses at Lake Kawaguchi near the base of Mount Fuji in Japan.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Cops Corner: East County 5.21.2015

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Ruth Jones and her daughter, Allison Cavallaro, show off their fans and matching smiles before having tea and snacks at the “Proud as a Peacock” annual Ladies Tea. Courtesy photos
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Ladies toast to charity

An unlikely friendship struck up April 23 between preschoolers and adults.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tom Waters, president and CEO of Easter Seals, Rose-Anne Frano, board chairwoman of Easter Seals, and Doug Domino, general manager of Meadows Country Club, show off the the monetary contribution.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2015
Meadows Golf Tournament raises $100,000 for charity

The Meadows Cup Pro Am Golf Tournament, one of the longest-running charitable golf tournaments in Sarasota County, added five more zeros to its running pot of funds raised for Easter Seals of Southwest Florida.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
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Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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