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Longboat Key

Founder of Elite Family Care, Debra Fortosis, takes a break from arranging nanny and sitter services.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 27, 2012
2012 Small Business Awards Rookie Winner: Elite Family Care

Elite Family Care, founded by Debra Fortosis, provides nanny and babysitter services to local and visiting families.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mike and Sheila Lewis, of Siesta Sports Rentals, will rent what you need to have fun on the beach.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 27, 2012
2012 Small Business Awards 10 employees or fewer nominee: Siesta Sports Rentals

Mike and Sheila Lewis, owners of Siesta Sports Rentals, bought the equipment rental store in '95 from the British couple who started it.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mallory Gnaegy Owner of Sunglass Express, Yvonne Schloss, has been “seeing” customers for 19 years.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 27, 2012
2012 Small Business Awards 10 employees or fewer nominee: Sunglass Express Optical

Sunglass Express Optical has been in the same location on St. Armands Circle since owner Yvonne Schloss opened it in 1993.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • June 27, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Kim Kern and Steve Sweney, founders of Consider It Done, will check off your to-do list.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 27, 2012
2012 Small Business Awards Rookie Nominee: Consider It Done

Consider It Done founders Steve Sweney and Kim Kern will do just about anything.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brian McCarthy, founder of Always Home, will make sure no pests or problems happen when you’re away.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 27, 2012
2012 Small Business Awards Rookie Nominee: Always Home

Always Home is a licensed real-estate brokerage; but the founder of the company, Brian McCarthy, doesn't sell homes or lease properties - he provides home management to the community and second-home owners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Founders of Boost Studio, Christine Koch and Steve Boris, take a break from branding at their home office.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 27, 2012
2012 Small Business Awards Rookie Nominee: Boost Studio

Boost Studio, founded by graphic designers Steve Boris and Christine Koch, is a brand design-based business that creates and manages brands.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 206 at The Castillian, 4525 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,738 square feet of living area. It sold for $680,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 27, 2012
Longboat Shores home sells for $950,000

A home in Longboat Shores tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Peter Berkery submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Peter Berkery submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • June 27, 2012
Bridge Bites: We've got you surrounded

Perhaps East should have tried 5 (diamonds) over 4 (spades), that would be a cheap sacrifice if 4 (spades) is making.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2012
Obituary: Mary Ann Ruff

Mary Ann Ruff, of Longboat Key and formerly of Columbus, Ind., died June 22. She was 81.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • June 26, 2012
June 26: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Much of the Longbeach Village flooded over the weekend.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 26, 2012
Break-ins reported in Village

About a dozen break-ins occurred Sunday night, most of which involved unlocked vehicles in the Village.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Steve Boris of Boost Studio presents the new website that will be active starting July 1
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 2012 Small Business Awards

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2012 Small Business Awards Breakfast at Lido Beach Resort Tuesday, June 26. Before awards were given, Boost Studio made a presentation of the easily navigated and sharp looking new logo and website the duo has been working on.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chuck Sidlow and Billy Bob Steinberg
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • June 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bird Key Yacht Club circus

A one-year old Bengal tiger named Tebow greeted members of Bird Key Yacht Club as they came to the event 'Under the Big Top' on June 23. He was visiting the Yacht Club from Big Cat Habitat. Attendees weathered the storm indoors with cocktails and dinner followed by a show. A hand-balancing act from the Sailor Circus, a contortionist and a juggler performed in a one-ring stage built in the dining room just for the event, and it was ring mastered by Chuck Sidlow and Billy Bob Steinberg all of Circus Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch
2
Students in Kirsten Hazelton's 2nd-grade class at Southside Elementary School used their magnifying glasses to watch their freshly released ladybugs get to work patrolling their vegetable garden at the school.
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Support your passion project through Giving Challenge 2026
3
Amy Bott, executive director of Bernie's Book Bank's Florida Suncoast branch, connects with J. McLaughlin manager Melanie Dale at the boutique's recent Sip and Shop event supporting the incoming nonprofit.
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Longboat boutique boosts new literacy nonprofit branch
4
Traffic is often bumper to bumper on Gulf Drive South. During spring break, even rainy days didn’t stop tourists from flocking to Anna Maria Island.
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Longboat has a Bradenton Beach traffic problem
5
The Unit 12-F condominium at 2525 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $2.1 million. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,651 square feet of living area.
  • April 8, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 23-27 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

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