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Your Observer | All

    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 4, 2011
OBSERVED: To incorporate or not? That is the question

In my 11 years with the East County Observer, no single decision has carried as much weight as the one of whether Lakewood Ranch should become its own city.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Anthony and Ivette Littlejohn with their son, Adrian
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 4, 2011
In memory: Adrian Shawn Littlejohn

In the last two months, we featured Adrian Shawn Littlejohn, the 1-year-old son of Lakewood Ranch coach Anthony Littlejohn who battled bravely a rare cancer, twice on our cover. Sadly, he died at 9:15 a.m., May 1, resting comfortably in his mother's arms.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Braden River Elementary music teacher Rob Gorley celebrated the release of his first CD on April 21.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 4, 2011
Braden River Elementary teacher releases CD

Teacher Rob Gorley's debut release, "Life," features music inspired by his family and his home in Mill Creek.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 4, 2011
Waterlefe Golf and River Club home sells for $650K

The following residential real estate transactions took place between April 18 and April 22.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Alex Horan pitched a complete game, leading the Thunder to a Class 2A-District 11 title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
ODA captures district title

The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team defeated Shorecrest Prep 1-0 to win the Class 2A-District 11 championship April 29. Also, Lakewood Ranch finished as the Class 4A-District 10 runner-up.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
Semifinals present challenge

I'm a journalist. I take notes and photographs. What I don't take are sides. However, I'm not afraid to admit then when covering a game, I have a tendency to, internally and silently, pull for the home team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High's Kristin Zarrella, Devin McDermott, Michelle Last and Olivia Ortiz
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
Just the Stats 5.05.11

See the Observer's by-the-numbers breakdown of the week in East County sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rhoda Tanui
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Rhoda Tanui (VIDEO)

Fifteen-year-old East County resident Rhoda Tanui returned from a shoulder injury to win the Girls 18 Spring Super Series Tennis Tournament April 23-24 at Countryside Golf & Tennis Club in Clearwater.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alex Long
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
OBSERVER TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Alex Long

Each week, The East County Observer will introduce one player from the Lakewood Ranch Little League Observer team.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
SPORTS BRIEFS

Pirates outfielder signs with HCC; Distance squad anchors Lady Mustangs; and Wave Runners post impressive results.

  • East County
  • Sports
"They tell stories," Dominic Avant says of painting his wife and children. "They bring beauty to ordinary things. It moves me as a father and as an artist."
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • May 4, 2011
The human touch

Former Disney animator Dominic Avant explains why he now devotes his canvases to the real-life characters and scenes that fill his world.

  • Arts + Culture
Maria Wirries
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • May 4, 2011
Scene and Heard

Nobody packs a theater like Maria; Fab Lab debuts at G.WIZ; Sarasota dancer spreads fairy dust; Chalk it up to creative partnerships; and Hot Tickets.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • June LeBell
  • May 4, 2011
Music Review: Sarasota Orchestra hitches up with Hitchcock

Most recently, Lincoln Center's John Gobermann returned to Sarasota with a Hitchcock program.

  • Arts + Culture
"Of Gods and Men" is playing locally at Burns Court.
    By
  • Pam Nadon
  • May 4, 2011
Film Review: 'Of Gods and Men'

In 1996, a group of eight Trappist monks living in North Africa must make a fateful decision. Confronted by radical Islamic fundamentalists, should they remain (facing probable death) or simply leave?

  • Arts + Culture
Host Rob Smithson
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • May 4, 2011
Edibles: Sarasota celebrates royalty royally

Sarasota friends and family of Rob and Angela Smithson did not have far to go to celebrate the wedding of HRH William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor and Catherine Elizabeth Middleton.

  • Arts + Culture
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