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News

What Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President Brian Volner learned at his first Alliance meeting —and subsequent ones — are the things today that continue to drive Volner’s passion for the Alliance and its vision.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Brian Volner

As a the retail sales manager at Community Bank and the new president of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Volner's work and spare time both are dedicated to helping small businesses improve and succeed.

  • East County
  • News
Ron Lambert will become the new band director for Lakewood Ranch High School in June. As a clinician for Yamaha, REMO Drum Heads, and Innovative Percussion, he has helped keep Lakewood’s band program as innovative as possible over the years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Ron Lambert

Ron Lambert will take the helm of Lakewood Ranch High School's band program after Bob Schaer retires in June.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: LECOM School of Dental Medicine

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine will open its School of Dental Medicine in July.

  • East County
  • News
More than 21,000 soccer fans attended the 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase and Nike International Friendlies tournament in December. File photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Premier Sports Campus

Leaders expect Lakewood Ranch's newest amenity to bring more than $60 million into the East County economy in 2012.

  • East County
  • News
Tara resident Sandy Gilbert leads the Community Affairs Committee, a group that is preparing to fight the Tara Bridge project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Bridge Battle

Although East County residents won't see any construction starting on the Tara Bridge or Fort Hamer Bridge this year, the fate of both bridges will be up for discussion in 2012.

  • East County
  • News
Although she has dabbled in other careers, Rebecca Gutierrez always has returned to polo. She calls it fate.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Rebecca Gutierrez

The Sarasota Polo Club's polo operations manager has big plans for one of the East County's most beloved pastimes.

  • East County
  • News
Chef Christopher Covelli
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Viking Culinary Center

The Viking Culinary Center on Lakewood Ranch Main Street already has garnered local attention. Its new manager, Christopher Covelli, hopes to bring it national attention in 2012, as well.

  • East County
  • News
Lyndsy McDonald and her staff of 10 bake about 200 cupcakes each day in addition to her catering orders.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Lyndsy McDonald

Pastries by Design owner Lyndsy McDonald, who moved into her new storefront on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch Sept. 1, saw her business nearly triple in 2011.

  • East County
  • News
Molly Schechter
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • January 4, 2012
It's a 'classy' season for Longboat fitness offerings

Residents, snowbirds and visitors have lots of options for staying in shape this season. Public classes are offered at the Longboat Key Education Center and the town's Bayfront Park Recreation Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit 708 condominium at The Water Club II, 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,273 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,975,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 4, 2012
Three-bedroom Water Club condo sells for $1,975,000

Ingrid Leitzen, trustee, Sarasota, sold the Unit 708 condominium at The Water Club II, 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive, to Paul and Lisette Jacobs, New York, for $1,975,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Bridge Scoreboard

Read the winning results of recent bridge matches of Merrill Duplicate Bridge Club and Longboat Key Duplicate Bride Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lizzy Miller. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 4, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Lizzy Miller

Lizzy Miller has always been active. When she lived on Long Island, N.Y., and her children were young, she would tuck them in bed, pack her gym bag and get in a workout.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
JUST THE STATS

14 - Number of members on the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center Team that made it to the USTA state regionals in Daytona. Team members were: Beth Smith, Jewell Emswiller, Kathy Powers, Nancy Kane, Betty Aden, Janet Melowic, Joan Dempsey, Kip O'Neill, Bonnie Marcuson, Fanny Younger, Bonnie Geyman, Ann Zaltman, Carole Regan and Kenda Smith.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Sparks. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 4, 2012
Tennis pro known for a certain spark

Tennis pro David Sparks is leaving the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, where he has worked since its inception. He says it's because he isn't a teenager anymore.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • January 4, 2012
Bridge Bites: A good attitude

Against 4♥ West leads the ♣10, won by East's Ace. A Diamond shift is clearly called for, and the standard play from that holding is the 10, the so-called 'top of an interior sequence.' Is that your choice or are there other considerations?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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