SARASOTA
Observer
No gym? No problem.
PAGE 13
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 16, NO. 23
FREE
YOUR TOWN
•
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020
It’s an open question Officials say there are no simple solutions to easing restrictions. PAGE 3
Eric Garwood
Neighborhood lion says thanks
The lion statue guarding the entrance to Sarasota’s Gardens of Ringling Park neighborhood is no stranger to costumes: Halloween, Christmas, Fourth of July — it always sports an appropriate get-up. So it should come as no surprise these days that the neighborhood east of downtown is celebrating not a holiday but medical men and women. Sitting on a pedestal at the triangle of Ringling Boulevard, South Jefferson Avenue and Colorado Street, the lion is decked out in a mask, a protective gown and a word of thanks.
Caring, above all else Teachers acknowledge the difficulty of missing out on seniors’ last weeks. SEE PAGE 6 Brynn Mechem
Sue Graham and Alana Hodge greet students April 23 as they pull into the parking lot at Sarasota High School to pick up caps and gowns.
Courtesy photo
Signs point to seniors
Cardinal Mooney seniors — all 133 of them — were surprised last week with yard signs celebrating their accomplishments as soonto-be high school graduates. Each one of the signs was personalized and appeared at their homes in the four-county area of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte. Principal Ben Hopper said the signs were aimed at acknowledging the students and served to let them know work was progressing on a series of tribute events including graduation ceremonies in late July.
Big Pass work set for July Virginia contractor picked for project to dredge, add sand to Lido Key. SEE PAGE 12
More ways to help the homeless David Conway
The city has set up portable toilets and hand washing stations in the City Hall parking lot.
City manager, others push for additional ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. SEE PAGE 5