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Your Observer | All

Dick O'Dowd, right, manages La Playa Resort with assistance from his wife, Karen.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 17, 2013
Fountain of youth

After four decades, the 21-unit La Playa Resort is a place for the young - and the young at heart.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • July 17, 2013
Destination Downtown Bradenton

Head north from Sarasota to explore cultural opportunities in Downtown Bradenton. Stops include an artist colony, historical museum and a refurbished riverwalk.

  • Arts + Culture
File photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 17, 2013
BUSINESS OBSERVER

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's new board of directors took office Thursday, July 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 6405 Gulfside Drive has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.3 million. Photo by Robin Hartill.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 17, 2013
Bird Key, Sleepy Lagoon homes top weekly sales

Homes on Bird Key and in Sleepy Lagoon on Longboat Key top all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2013
Weather Photo: Longboat Key 07/17/13

Sebastian Mochkovsky submitted this photo of lightning striking the Gulf of Mexico off Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • July 17, 2013
Greetings from ... London!

Two FSU/Asolo Conservatory second-year students share their London experience.

  • Arts + Culture
Stephen Pustai, Lynn Doyle and Ellie Pattison in "The Boys Next Door." Courtesy photo.
  • By Paula Atwell
  • July 17, 2013
THEATER REVIEW: 'The Boys Next Door'

Written by Tom Griffin, 'The Boys Next Door' explores the lives of four mentally challenged men living in a group home in the Boston area.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 16, 2013
Funnel cloud forms in Lakewood Ranch

A funnel cloud formed near Summerfield Park, just before 7 p.m. Monday night.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota Police Department has named 24-year-old Kyle Riley as a suspect in a sexual battery case with a 14-year-old victim.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 16, 2013
July 16: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Sarasota Police seek sexual battery suspect; Turtle disorientations higher than usual; City Commission approves Laurel Park Overlay District

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Peter Balos got the call on the mound for Lakewood Ranch in its 13-3 victory over New Tampa July 13.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Little League Section 4 All-Star Tournament

The Lakewood Ranch Little League 9/10 All-Stars competed in the Section 4 Tournament July 12-13, at Lakewood Ranch Park. The District 26 champions opened the tournament with a 14-3 victory over Plant City. Lakewood Ranch followed up its win with a 13-3 victory over New Tampa. The team later fell to North Brandon 12-9 to finish as the sectional runner-up.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 16, 2013
Key Club earns sixth Pinnacle Award

The Longboat Key Club & Resort is named in the Pinnacle Registry in Successful Meetings Magazine for the sixth time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Melissa Smith came to the Brides Across America Event with her fiancé Eric Irwin. Irwin has done four tours, three in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Brides Across America

Sarasota Brides and Formalwear gave away 12 dresses at Brides Across America Monday, July 15, a nationwide charity that provided free wedding gowns to military brides. To qualify, brides must be engaged and on active duty in the military or have a fiance who is on active duty in the military. The bride or their fiance had to have been deployed in the last five years to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya, Qatar, Kuwait, Korea or Japan. This was the second year Sarasota Brides and Formalwear put on the event and they will do so again next year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Brides and Formalwear gave away a dozen dresses during the event.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 16, 2013
Sarasota Brides and Formalwear donates wedding dresses

Brides Across America is a nationwide charity event that provides free wedding dresses to military brides.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue has obtained a new water rescue all-terrain vehicle and a Jet ski to assist with water rescue operations on both Sarasota Bay and Gulf waters. (courtesy of town of Longboat Key)
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 16, 2013
Fire Rescue starts water safety program

Last week, firefighter paramedics received training from Sarasota County lifeguards to learn water assessment review and to learn how to launch a new Jet ski from the beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • July 16, 2013
School grade calculations may change

The State Board of Education will meet at 10 a.m. today to discuss a recommendation to prevent school rankings from dropping more than one letter grade at a time.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
Pator Caleb Free's daughter JoJo Free attends Risen Savior Academy.
  • December 16, 2025
Lutheran church brings more Christian education to Lakewood Ranch
2
Lakewood Ranch High football coach Scott Paravicini looks on during an Oct. 30 game against Bayshore. Per the FHSAA's tentative classifications, the Mustangs are bound for Class 6A-District 12 after finishing the 2025 season at 4-6 in 6A-11.
  • December 16, 2025
More reclassification won't help area football teams
3
Check out the following options for holiday services this season.
  • December 16, 2025
Celebrate season's tidings at these Longboat holiday services
4
Braden River High School junior Mystique Quinones shakes hands with Dave Daily, post commander for VFW Post 12055, as she receives her $100 reward for her essay which answered the question “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?”
  • December 16, 2025
Essay contest winners named by VFW Post 12055 Braden River
5
Joan M. Durante Community Park, Longboat Key.
  • December 16, 2025
Longboat Key's Durante Park reopens after hurricane repairs

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