• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer | All

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub owner Ed Chiles is investing in Longboat Key's future by adding a second story to his Longboat Key restaurant.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2011
7 in 11: Ed Chiles

The longtime Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key restaurant owner thinks a pro-business attitude will bring a sense of community to the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brian Kenney hopes to secure both national and local tenants for Whitney Beach Plaza.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 5, 2011
7 in 11: Brian Kenney

His company purchased the struggling Whitney Beach Plaza for $3.7 million. Now, Brian Kenney will work to bring traffic back to the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alex Quarles, left
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • January 5, 2011
When you want to eat light...

The question was, "What is your favorite restaurant when you want to eat something light (like right after the holidays)?" The varied answers celebrate the diversity of eating places with which our community is blessed. ­

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 5, 2011
SEVEN in 11: New year, new leadership

From the political arena and local business to religion and even the movie industry, these seven leaders will impact all facets of East County life in the new year.

  • East County
  • News
"I'm looking forward to getting a chance to build an installation that will be a statement," Bob Whitford says. "You can consider this the Rose Bowl of rowing."
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 5, 2011
SEVEN in 11: Bob Whitford

After spending 22 years as the rowing coordinator and facilities manager for the California State University Aquatics Center, Bob Whitford is bringing his expertise to the East County as Sarasota County's new park manager, where he will oversee the implementation of a new world-class rowing facility at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 5, 2011
SEVEN in 11: Randy Bezet

In March 2010, Bayside Community Church Pastor Randy Bezet welcomed the East County community to his church's new home - a 54,000-square-foot behemoth on State Road 64. Despite its size, Bayside already has reached capacity. Rather than launch another campaign to expand, Bezet and his Bayside team are planning to open a campus in West Bradenton in February. In doing so, Bayside will become the first East County-based church to expand into another area.

  • East County
  • News
"It's a very important time, and we need strong leadership, and most importantly, the people in Manatee County need to be listened to by their commissioners," Vanessa Baugh says. "People feel like they're not being heard."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2011
SEVEN in 11: Vanessa Baugh

If Vanessa Baugh runs for the District 5 Manatee County Commission seat - a decision she says she will make by February - she may be the first person with enough connections and grassroots momentum to seriously challenge incumbent Donna Hayes since she was elected in 2004.

  • East County
  • News
"Anything we're allocating money to, we need to look at," says Julie Aranibar
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2011
SEVEN in 11: Julie Aranibar

Lakewood Ranch resident Julie Aranibar has more than a decade of volunteer work with Manatee County Public Schools. Now, she'll use that experience to affect policy as a member of the Manatee County School Board.

  • East County
  • News
"I think Sarasota-Bradenton is one of the few communities in the area that embraces and supports the arts, theater and film," says Ken Sanborn. "This area is more arts friendly than anywhere in Florida."
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 5, 2011
SEVEN in 11: Ken Sanborn

In September 2010, Longboat Key resident Ken Sanborn formally unveiled plans for Miami 24/7 - a movie-studio project intended for Lakewood Ranch. In mid-May, Sanborn Studios LLC will begin filming the first 13 episodes of its first TV series, "Miami 24/7."

  • East County
  • News
"It's been great to be able to transition into what you are campaigning for," says Greg Steube. "It's truly an honor to be one of the few people in the state to represent somebody."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2011
SEVEN in 11: Greg Steube

After more than two years of campaigning, 32-year-old Greg Steube finally can put his ideas into action as the District 67 representative in the Florida House of Representatives.

  • East County
  • News
"(Knowing) your involvement directly impacts something bigger than we are is exciting," Bobbi Larson says of her work at the American Red Cross.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 5, 2011
SEVEN in 11: Bobbi Larson

Four years ago, Bobbi Larson joined the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance as a way to bring recognition to the American Red Cross-Manatee Chapter. This month, the ARC CEO will begin serving her third year on the alliance's board of directors - this time as chairman.

  • East County
  • News
This home in the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch features five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,775 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 5, 2011
Lakewood Ranch CC home tops transactions

Daryl and Nancy Brown, Sarasota, sold their home at 6915 Westchester Circle to Brian and Ailish Murphy, Lakewood Ranch, for $950,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
"I'm really honored to have been accepted for my music," Katt Hefner says. "There are fans and friends all over the place, and I'm utterly grateful for their support."
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • January 5, 2011
Vocal point

The leading lady of the Katt Hefner Trio talks about her confidence, her shyness, her voice and all that jazz.

  • Arts + Culture
"I have such respect for talent," Jimmy Hoskins says. "I cry when I see a brilliant performance that moves me or when someone wins an award and I know what they've gone through to get to that point."
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • January 5, 2011
All the right moves

Choreographer Jimmy Hoskins' life story could be a Broadway musical, which is why after 400 shows the theater veteran is publishing his memoir.

  • Arts + Culture
Heather Johnson stars in the Sarasota Opera's production of "The Crucible."
    By
  • June LeBell
  • January 5, 2011
MUSIC REVIEW: Operatic Preview

One of the most exciting events to look forward to in 2011 is the Sarasota Opera's production of "The Crucible."

  • Arts + Culture
« 4965 4966 4967 4968 4969 4970 4971 4972 4973 4974 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
The roof of Sarasota Youth Sailing's future building is designed to direct rainwater into a cistern for washing boats.
  • July 25, 2026
Youth sailing building crests final regulatory wave
2
  • July 24, 2026
Legacy: Motown & More
3
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
4
Larry Debb of GSP Development with a scale model of Saravela at the development's sales center.
  • July 24, 2026
City staff instructed to develop condo-hotel policy
5
Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees of the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free