SARASOTA
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 16, NO. 26
FREE
YOUR TOWN
Four-engined salute.
PAGE 18 •
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020
Road map to future
Consultant lays out Siesta Key traffic suggestions. PAGE 3
Eric Garwood
Murals tell heroic story
It’s not a donated meal, a drive-by parade or a crate of handmade masks, but the latest nod to medical professionals and first responders in Sarasota stands out on its own, two stories tall. Artist Karen Chandle was commissioned recently to create a pair of murals on the Sugar Suites building, 1717 Second St., to honor those caring for COVID-19 patients in the pandemic. An official unveiling took place May 15. “It is our hope that this collaborative project will convey our sincere gratitude to our local health care professionals,” said Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.
Easy, breezy Entrepreneur couple set sail together 45 years ago. SEE PAGE 14
Youth of the year
Marguerite Andrich, a 17-year-old senior at Pine View School, is the Boys & Girls Clubs Florida Youth of the Year. It’s the third year in a row that a teen from the Sarasota County chapter was so honored. She will compete at the regional level in September. Three other Sarasota teens were finalists: Rah’Nia Hill, a freshman at Sarasota High School; Yaeli Bobadilla Rosas, a senior at Riverview High School; and Vanessa Tase Sueiro, a senior at Riverview High School.
Brynn Mechem
Two Sarasota High School graduates, Jan and Tim Solomon, have been on myriad adventures all over the world in their time together. Their latest is owning Key Sailing for the past 14 years.
Group builds advocacy
Turtle Tracks AS OF APRIL 19 TOTAL NESTS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 32 69 Lido Beach 10 9 Casey Key 104 151 TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 25 75 Lido Beach 13 8 Casey Key 112 113 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
David Conway
Construction leaders say projects are advancing, but they remain concerned about the approval pipeline.
Business leaders seek eased rules to speed recovery. SEE PAGE 4
NEIGHBORS
The mane event. SEE PAGE 16