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Neighbors

Harvey Vengroff owns more than 1,400 apartment units in the Sarasota-Bradenton region. He recently started a new business line to convert rundown motels into efficiency apartments for homeless people. Photo by Mark Wemple
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 3, 2015
Profit with purpose

Harvey Vengroff seeks to raise $100 million to convert an abandoned motel into housing for the homeless.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of the newly formed Southern Ski Fanatics national team perform at the team’s first practice Jan. 24, in Sarasota. Photos by Jason Clary
  • By Jason Clary
  • February 3, 2015
Family matters

The Hannabass family is a true team on the water at Ski-A-Rees. Now, it will take the sport to a new level.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lynn and Larry Elgart
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • February 3, 2015
Q+A with Larry and Lynn Elgart

Larry Elgart's jazz music career on the alto saxophone began when he was 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Firefighter Paramedics Brian Kolesa and Tirso Guerrero with Marvin Kocian and Dean Congbalay. Courtesy photo
  • By Dean Congbalay
  • February 3, 2015
Firefighters to the rescue

Quick action by Longboat Key firefighters gave two Portobello residents stuck in an elevator a lift.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2015
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kathy Roberts, CEO of the Realtor Assocation of Sarasota Manatee, says discussions of a merger have come up three times in the nine years she led the Sarasota Association of Realtors.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 3, 2015
Stronger together

The newly merged Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee is ready to build on its offerings.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This home at 8016 Royal Birkdale Circle has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,610 square feet of living area. It sold for $980,000. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 3, 2015
Country Club Village home sells for $980,000

Gary Schuster, trustee, and Suzanne Schuster, of Bradenton, sold the home at 8016 Royal Birkdale Circle to David and Alice Young, of Bethesda, Md., for $980,000.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mary Hoeymans submitted this sunset photo, taken from her backyard in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2015
Weather: East County

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather or nature-related photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover, to be announced in October.*

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Infinity. Courtesy renderings
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 3, 2015
Key condo projects boom

Three new projects are off to a constructive start on Longboat and Lido keys. Here's the latest on Aria, Infinity and The Park Residences condominiums.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
River REPORT. Michael Katz reads his Longboat Observer on the Charles Bridge in Prague. The bridge crosses over the Vltava River and was constructed around 1357.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2015
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Eskin submitted this sunset photo, taken on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2015
Weather: Longboat Key

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather or nature-related photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover, to be announced in October.*

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jon Huntsman answers questions during the Q & A portion of the luncheon for the Ringling College Library Association Town Hall Lecture Series.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • February 1, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Jon Huntsman Town Hall lecture luncheon

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman gave his outlook for the relationship between the U.S. and China during the Ringling College Library Association Town Hall Lecture series Feb. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emily and Alana Duffy fill a pot with soil to plant parsley during the Birthday of the Trees party.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 30, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Birthday of the Trees

Temple Emanu-El hosted a party to celebrate the Birthday of the Trees Saturday, Jan. 31 surrounded by the gardens at Sarasota Children's Garden.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Edith Barr Dunn enjoyed a night surrounded by friend and family for a cocktail party.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 30, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Edith Barr Dunn Celebration

To celebrate memories with friends and family, Edith Barr Dunn hosted a cocktail party Saturday, Jan. 31 at Marina Jack

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
U.S. Army Reserve Ret. Lt. Col. Dennis Dobbratz poses with Annette and Bob Ducatelli, retired Air Force.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 30, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Rosedale Military Ball

Members of the Rosedale Golf & Country Club honored vet eras past and present during its seventh annual Military Ball Jan. 31, at the clubhouse.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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