SIESTA KEY
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 50, NO. 19
FREE
YOUR TOWN
•
Cardinal Champions
PAGE 17A
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019
IT’S IN THE DETAILS
Whitney Elfstrom
David Conway
Citizens walked out of the County Commission meeting shortly before the vote.
Night of surprises After 35 years working for Sarasota County Libraries, Sarabeth Kalajian said goodbye at the end of September. On Nov. 13, Kalajian was recognized for her service with the library system. She was surprised with a commemorative book and the announcement that $111,000 was raised to create the Sarabeth Kalajian Creativity Endowment, part of the Library Foundation’s commitment to the Barancik Foundation. The Sarabeth Kalajian Children’s Wing and Garden was also named in Kalajian’s honor at the William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Public Library.
Sand sculptors show off imagination, craftsmanship. SEE PAGE 1B
New map OK’d Commissioners proceed with plan for new districts based on map submitted by ex-GOP leader. PAGE 3A
Harry Sayer
Ed Reed III is a New England native but lives in Fort Myers, where he enjoys sand sculpting. Courtesy photo
A+E
Season of giving The holiday season can be stressful for families with bountiful circumstances and even more stressful for families in need. That’s one of the reasons why the Gulf Gate Rotary Club partnered with the Child Protection Center for the 35th year to provide Thanksgiving meals for 80 families in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. Almost $5,000 was raised to provide a week’s worth of groceries, a turkey and holiday fixings for a family of four. Rotary Club President Paul Gesko and CPC Executive Director Douglas Staley agree that donation day is their favorite day of the year.
Take your marks Women’s Sports Museum preview coming to UTC. SEE PAGE 9A
Courtesy rendering
The first of its kind, the Women’s Sports Museum works to open a 2,000-square-foot space in the mall next year while it raises funds to build a facility of its own.
Lego my Zodiac INSIDE