LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 39, NO. 3
FREE
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St. Armands’ flavors circle the globe. PAGE 14
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
RESERVATIONS
DOOM HOTEL Yes: 21.9% No: 78.1%
Voters reject Floridays’ density referendum for north-end hotel. PAGE 4
ELECTION: Zucker heads back to Sarasota County School Board. PAGE 3
STILL SMILING
Terry O’Connor
Michelle Morris and Terry Koloezieski campaign against the density referendum Tuesday at Longboat Island Chapel.
Concession questions Residents worry plans for the Lido pool and pavilion could restrict public access to the area. SEE PAGE 6
A+E Art Center Sarasota seeks to push artists — and visitors — out of their comfort zones. INSIDE
Courtesy image
YOUR TOWN Fundraiser celebrates 19 years Throughout September, whet your appetite while giving back to the community. The Columbia Restaurant’s annual Community Harvest will begin its 19th year Sept. 1. During the month, the restaurant will donate 5% of every check to a Sarasota or Manatee area charity. Guests can select one of the 14 organizations or write in a charity of their choice on the form that will be on tables. “We’re pleased, proud and blessed to be part of the community for so many years, and this is a way we find to give back,” said Casey Gonzmart Sr., Columbia Restaurant Group’s fourthgeneration co-owner. These 14 organizations are participating: n All Faiths Food Bank n Animal Rescue Coalition n Boys & Girls Clubs Of Sarasota County n Cat Depot n Children’s Dream Fund n Goodwill n Meals On Wheels Plus of Manatee n Moffitt Cancer Center n Mote Marine Laboratory n Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy n Second Chance Last Opportunity n St. Jude Church/Hispanic-American Center n Suncoast Charities For Children n Tidewell Hospice
TURTLE TRACKS WEEK OF AUG. 21AUG. 27: Nests False crawls
2016 2015 2 0 1 0
TOTAL, AS OF AUG. 27: 2016 2015 1,160 687 Nests False crawls 1,578 621 Longboat Key numbers Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
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