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Opinion

Lake Club Giving Circle founder Barbara Najmy and member Julie Swan show off some of the sneakers the giving circle collected for The Twig nonprofit. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2022
The Lake Club's circle of giving increases

"If you stay the course and continue to surround yourself with like-minded women, then great things come of it," founder Barbara Najmy says.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 28, 2022
The Observer's 2022 primary election recommendations

CEO Matt Walsh shares his recommendations for races in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
One of Lorraine Robertson's passions is playing the piano. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 21, 2022
Far more to come in this Lakewood Ranch story

Staying busy, 87-year-old Lorraine Robertson wrote and released a book, "The Saga of a Holistic Physician," between bridge group, painting sessions and piano recitals.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 21, 2022
What are their core beliefs?

Political candidates will inundate us with mailers trumpeting how great they are or how their opponents are scumbags.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 14, 2022
Longboat Key Town Commission shows how

To their credit, Longboat commissioners are leading the region in proposing to cut property tax rates for the next fiscal year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Austin Bruce holds the award and Zachary Geiger holds the robot they built to win the VEX Robotics Competition at the National TSA Conference in Texas. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 14, 2022
Nothing nerdy about robotics title

Two Lakewood Ranch High students placed second at the National TSA's VEX Robotics Competition, propelling each other toward their aeronautical dreams.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Nancy Castro and Dennis Larson have started End of Life Ready to help people deal with the many problems that follow the death of a spouse or a significant other.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 7, 2022
Locally founded website preps for responsibilities following partner's death

End of Life Ready, a nonprofit started by two Lakewood Ranch residents, goes through various information categories to help prepare for the death of a significant other.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Country Club East's Nicole Pies has started Divorce Real Estate using her doctorate in psychology to help those in high-stress situations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 30, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Realtor specializes in high-stress sales

Psychologist/Realtor Nicole Pies founds company Divorce Real Estate dedicated to people going through a divorce who want to buy or sell a home.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 29, 2022
What is liberty?

Americans want to be happy about their country on the Fourth of July. This year, it’s hard to cheer.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
There are four event sites in Sarasota with about 10,000 square feet or more. One of them is the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. (File photo)
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • June 22, 2022
Where’s the party?

Sarasota is known for its robust social scene full of fundraisers and events. But with its lack of large-capacity venues, area organizations fret about where to host their events in the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Stephanie Peabody's Brain Health Initiative has launched a collaborative program with the School District of Manatee County. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2022
Lakewood Ranch schools chosen to implement Brain Health Initiative collaboration

The School District of Manatee County will work with Brain Health Initiative to create a better learning environment.

  • East County
  • News
This mongoose lemur was born in May at the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 16, 2022
Myakka 'safety net' provides hope for lemurs

The Lemur Conservation Foundation needs donations to help keep lemurs from going extinct. But don't feel slighted if they don't invite you in. Humans have been the enemy for the past 2,000 years.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Adrian Moore and Richard Hiller | Contributors
  • June 15, 2022
Florida pension fixes in budget are great but only the first step

With the passage of House Bill 5007, the Florida Retirement System’s Investment Plan is much closer to being a model of effective public retirement plan design.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • George Rauch
  • June 9, 2022
Market Watch: Best of times, worst of times

More than a Dickens novel, it's our economic situation these days.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Many businesses, such as Wawa, have racks inside with the East County Observer.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 9, 2022
Racking our brains to deliver the paper in Lakewood Ranch area

The East County Observer seeks more outlets, and better online service to make the newspaper available.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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1
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
2
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
3
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
4
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
5
Sarasota residents Erma and Dave Miller were drawn into the world of bicycle motocross because of their son, Doug Miller, and have spent decades in the sport.
  • February 5, 2026
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