SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY
Observer
Rock and Seafood
PAGE 6B
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025
VOLUME 20, NO. 49
YOUR TOWN
New direction of choice Complete Streets project moves forward to accommodate all commuters. SEE PAGE 6A
Ian Swaby
FLAKE NEWS
The Rev. Brett DeHart and Janice Houchins
Bundles of support As the New Year takes off, many families are impacted financially by last year’s hurricanes. “Diapers — they cost a lot — are a blessing to the families, and I know they really appreciate it,” said Janice Houchins, initiatives coordinator for First 1,000 Days Suncoast. In partnership with First United Methodist Church of Sarasota, First 1,000 Days Suncoast is hosting a diaper drive and had collected almost 3,000 diapers and wipes as of midday on Jan. 14. The network of nonprofits and health care providers helps families during pregnancy and their child’s first 1,000 days of life, covering three counties. The next and final chance to donate will be Jan. 19, before the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services.
Ian Swaby
Ava Glauser, 3, and her sister, Vallen Glauser, 5, enjoy a “snow day.”
Ian Swaby
Annual ‘Snow Day’ returns to First Sarasota church. SEE PAGE 2B
Kris Paul as the Gundam Deathscythe.
A bigger stage
Volunteer August Kain didn’t have to be staffing a table the weekend of Jan. 11, but was eager to be part of Sarasota Anime Fest in his free time. “This is like a giant family, all these people coming together, so a lot of us volunteer because it brings a lot of joy to us all,” he said. Having relocated from the Carlisle Inn to Sarasota Municipal Auditorium for this year, the event had additional space to feature its comic books, magazines, toys, video games, manga, cosplay, artwork and, of course, attendees dressed like characters, including mecha robots.
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A+E Creative journey INSIDE
Now boarding Andrew Warfield
The entrance to the A gates security checkpoint at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
Concourse A officially opens at SRQ. SEE PAGE 3A