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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 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
Photo by Mark Wemple
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 13, 2015
Q+A with Reynolds Allen

W. Reynolds Allen, a founding partner of Tampa-based Allen Norton & Blue, has represented the town of Longboat Key in union contract negotiations since 1993, when Griff Roberts was the town manager. His firm has 33 lawyers in five offices.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 13, 2015
MY VIEW | An Israeli longs for the ‘America’ he knew

I was first introduced to the “America!” brand as a kindergartner on Kibbutz Ramat Yochanan in Israel, thanks to Elazar “Luzer” Halivni, whose ceramics studio was located at the junction of the main road to the kibbutz and the path to the swimming pool.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Shelli Eddie poses with Keith Fitzgerald at her watch party at the Starlite Room.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 12, 2015
Candidates wait for results among supporters

Candidates for the City Commission race hosted watch parties through out the city to wait for results from the polls.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ocean Properties now has plans to submit a future application to the town for a 259-unit hotel, expanded meeting space with 10 to 12 meeting rooms and approximately 93 condominium/villa units that are 130 feet tall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 12, 2015
Key Club referendum passes

The first mail-only referendum vote of its kind for Longboat Key produced a record-setting turnout that’s prompting town officials to consider using the method in other elections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The challengers emerged victorious Tuesday, with Shelli Freeland Eddie and Liz Alpert both claiming spots on the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 12, 2015
Alpert, Eddie unseat incumbents in City Commission runoff

Challengers Liz Alpert and Shelli Freeland Eddie beat incumbent Sarasota City Commission candidates Eileen Normile and Stan Zimmerman in the runoff election Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Jordan Beckler. Photo from Mote Marine Laboratory
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 12, 2015
Mote welcomes new scientist

Mote's newest scientist, Dr. Jordon Beckler, to focus on red tides

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 7502 Royal Valley Court has four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a pool and 3,632 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.24 million. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 12, 2015
Country Club East at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $1.24 million

A home in Country Club East at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 12, 2015
Scientist bashes Big Pass dredge proposal

Save Our Siesta Sand 2 consultant Robert Young, a coastal geologist, criticized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' assertion that the dredging of Big Pass won't affect the beaches of Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Sarasota Crew won the overall points trophy at both the state and regional championships.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 12, 2015
Sarasota Crew wins regional crown

The Sarasota Crew scored a combined 1070 points to win the overall points trophy at the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships May 9 and May 10, at Lake Lanier, in Gainesville, Ga.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Existing traffic problems are exacerbated during special events weekends on St. Armands Circle — and people in the area believe that issue will extend to events on Lido Key, as well.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 12, 2015
St. Armands BID seeks more event scrutiny

With two new art festivals scheduled on Lido Key during the height of season in 2016, St. Armands Circle leaders are concerned about the events’ impact on traffic in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mail ballot returns that will be announced tonight for the May 12 mail-only ballot Longboat Key Club referendum as of Monday afternoon have set a record high for the Key’s voter turnout.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 12, 2015
Key Club referendum decision coming tonight

Mail ballot returns will be announced tonight for the May 12 mail-only ballot Longboat Key Club referendum.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Manatee County School Board may choose to end Superintendent Rick Mills' career with the district earlier than his July 31 retirement date.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 12, 2015
Manatee County School Board might end Mills' contract early

The Manatee County School District, School Board, might end Superintendent Rick Mills' contract early, after he announced his plan to retire, effective July 31, 2015

  • East County
  • News
Peyton Gray, a kindergartener, dances back to his seat after winning the All-Pro Dad Breakfast raffle for a t-shirt.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 12, 2015
Willis Elementary students and dads bond at final All Pro Dad Breakfast

Students said why they thought their dads were cool, and fathers described their proudest moments.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mrs. Turt Lee approaches the water.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 11, 2015
Mote returns loggerhead turtle to the sea

Mote released Mrs. Turt Lee on May 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 11, 2015
Ashton hits home run with World Series Day

Students run the bases and the event for the annual Ashton Elementary School World Series Day at Twin Lakes Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hurricane season spans from June 1 through Nov. 30.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 11, 2015
Manatee County tests hurricane preparedness

May 21, Manatee County officials will test hurricane preparedness at a hurricane preparedness exercise for Hurricane Gibson at the Manatee County Public Safety Building.

  • East County
  • News
Two neighboring Gulf-front properties on Longboat Key at 5871 and 5861 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for a combined $8,125,000 May 8.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 11, 2015
Gulf-front properties sell for combined $8.1 million

Longboat Key, Reid Murphy

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The city originally hoped to have the garage partially completed by February.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 11, 2015
State Street garage opening pushed back

As the city postpones its targeted date for a partial opening of the State Street garage, staff is still uncertain when exactly the structure will be available for public use.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 11, 2015
Police believe New College deaths are drug related

A New College of Florida student was found dead Sunday, and a University of Central Florida student visiting the school died Friday in unrelated deaths Sarasota Police believe to be drug related.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 11, 2015
Mustangs to hold basketball camp

Registration is now underway for Lakewood Ranch High’s annual Summer Basketball Camp.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 10, 2015
Longboat Island Chapel celebrates Mother’s Day and students

Longboat Island Chapel’s service on Mother’s Day, May 10, did not only honor mothers — it also recognized 18 local students by awarding them $1,400 scholarships.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Janie Barnes and her son Raleigh.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 10, 2015
A musical Mother’s Day at Selby Gardens

Families spent day enjoying brunch and celebrating moms beneath the banyans on the great lawn for Mother’s Day at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sunday, May 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Arasay Perez and Pablo Infante pose for a quick photo.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 10, 2015
Booker prom goes through the looking glass

Students spent the night in wonderland dancing with classmates for the Booker High School Prom Saturday, May 9 at Michael’s on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students sing a long with “Style” by Taylor Swift.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 10, 2015
Cobalt dance takes students to new heights

City skylines and hints of gold transported students to the top of a skyscraper for an “urban lux” theme for the Pine View annual Cobalt dance Saturday, May 9 at The Devyn.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 9, 2015
Four years in the making, Riverview seniors enjoy prom

Riverview High School hosted its senior prom on May 9 at the Hyatt Regency.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The referendum is asking voters if Ocean Properties Ltd. can convert 300 residential units to tourism use to build a new Longboat Key Club hotel in Islandside.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 8, 2015
Key Club mail ballot turnout rises to 48%

Voters have until 7 p.m. on Election Day, May 12, to return their mail-only election ballots.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home sold for $4.19 million on May 8.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 8, 2015
Longboat Key home sells for $4.19 million

The home, on 55 Lighthouse Point Drive, sold May 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Former Kiwanis International President Bob Moore addresses guests.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 8, 2015
Kiwanis clubs celebrate 100th anniversay together

On Friday, members of the Kiwanis Clubs of Longboat Key, Siesta Key and Sarasota joined members around the world in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis International.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 8, 2015
FYI Friday: Siesta Key leaders consider canceling Siesta Fiesta

This week's FYI Friday features news about Siesta Key Village's Siesta Fiesta, violence at a walk-in clinic and more!

  • Sarasota
  • News
J.B. and Chairwoman Kelly Baldwin
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • May 8, 2015
Designing Daughters Fashionable Gala 'Mystery Men and Bond Girls'

Designing Daughters of Sarasota hosted its 4th annual Fashionable Gala themed 'Mystery Men and Bond Girls' on Friday, May 8, at Sarasota Classic Car Museum.

  • Black Tie
Laird Wreford, Sarasota County Coastal Initiatives Manager, briefed the Siesta Key Association about the status of the independent review of the U.S. Army Corps Big Pass dredge.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 8, 2015
Siesta Key Association fields concerns on Big Pass dredge independent review

Siesta Key Association members received an update from the county about the efforts to independently review the U.S. Army Corps plan to dredge Big Pass.

  • Sarasota
  • News
More than 10% of registered voters have cast early or absentee ballots for the May 12 election in the city of Sarasota.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 8, 2015
Dent optimistic about Sarasota runoff turnout

More than 10% of registered voters have cast early or absentee ballots for the May 12 election in the city of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 8, 2015
Mustangs fall short in regional semifinal

The Lakewood Ranch High baseball team saw its season come to an end with a 9-3 loss to Sarasota in the Class 7A-region 3 semifinals May 5.

  • East County
  • Sports
Six-year-old Isabella Andraed shows off her Egyptian-style paper necklace.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 8, 2015
Tara Elementary students showcase artwork

At A Knight for the Arts held May 7 at Tara Elementary School in East County, students showcased their artwork at the art show

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Melissa Perkins and Eric Peters take advantage of two photo opportunities.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 7, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance celebrates 10 years

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance celebrated its 10-year anniversary May 7, at the Silver Soiree, held at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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