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Your Observer

Talia Falco gets ready to shoot the ball into North Port's goal Jan. 14. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
  • By Amanda Sebastiano and Jason Clary
  • January 20, 2015
Lakewood Ranch focuses on quarterfinal match

The Lakewood Ranch Lady Mustangs may have missed out on collecting its sixth-straight Class 4A-District 11 championship after losing to Venice Jan. 16, but the team still has a chance to show their skills when they play Naples Gulf Coast in Naples Thursday in the regional quarterfinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Front row: Donna Twardowski, teacher Cheryl Smith and Jean McMurren; back row: Rochelle Stassa, Suzanna Davidovac, Roz Ellerbee, Audrey Sharp and Colleen Tierney. Not pictured: Joyce White and Joyce Locklear. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 20, 2015
Women weave together stories in memoir book

Nine women from Longboat Key and the area share their stories in 'A Tapestry Woven From Threads of Our Lives.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
ISLAND TIME. Part-time Longboat Key residents John and Susan Franklin catch up on their Longboat Observer during a visit to Mo'orea Island in French Polynesia.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 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. YOUROBSERVER.COM/ITSREADEVERYWHERE

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
CEDARS TENNIS RESORT LADIES GROUP. Cedars Tennis Resort held its first Ladies Member Guest event Jan. 14. Doris Forst, Cheryl Viera and Jeanne Brown organized the event. The group enjoyed lunch at Cedars Café following tennis. Photo by Doris Forst
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2015
You Observed

Here's a roundup of reader-submitted photos from around the keys. To submit photos for this feature, email Kristen Herhold at [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 1107 at the Beach Residences has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and 3,057 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 20, 2015
Two-bedroom Beach Residences unit sells for $2.5 million

A condominium in The Beach Residences tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Kepecz-Hays
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2015
Real estate reports

Kepecz-Hays, Bukys form family team

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Ellen Kaplan submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2015
Weather: Longboat Key

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather 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.*

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Blaine Broadbridge recently showed pieces from his collection at a show at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2015
Artist carves out new hobby

A former avid runner, Blaine Broadbridge enjoys a new pastime of crafting wooden creations in his garage.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 7504 Greystone St. has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,832 square feet of living area. It sold for $905,000. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 20, 2015
Country Club Village home sells for $905,000

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Tom Frost. File photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2015
Business Observer

Four new execs to bolster fast-growth at Datum; Neal breaks ground on Indigo community

  • East County
  • News
Alaina Upman submitted this sunset photo, taken in her East Sarasota County backyard after a rainstorm.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2015
Weather: East County

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather 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.*

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Monica Barth, Jamie Becker, Alison O’Donoghue and Retta Wagner
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 20, 2015
On Pointe Luncheon

On Pointe Luncheon

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 20, 2015
Rosemary video

Rosemary video

  • Sarasota
  • News
With the effects of the recession fading, the district can expect to see more families moving to Sarasota County.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 19, 2015
School board discusses future expansion

The director of long-range planning for Sarasota County School District advised the board that multiple schools are at capacity.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Shirley Kelley of Sarasota hits a putt that approaches the green Tuesday at The Palm-Aire Country Club Tuesday.
  • By Jason Clary
  • January 19, 2015
LPGA event coming to Palm Aire

An LPGA Legends Tour championship is coming to the Palm-Aire Country Club in November, bringing with it hotel bed revenue and recognition for East County.

  • East County
  • News
(Courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department) Sarasota Police assisted the Sarasota County Fire Department with a fire at the Lido Beach Holiday Inn after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 19, 2015
Lido Beach resort fire forces evacuation

The Sarasota County Fire Department quelled a blaze in a unit on the sixth floor of the Lido Beach Holiday Inn this morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bernhard G. Kloppenburg, Sarasota Yacht Club general manager
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 19, 2015
Sarasota Yacht Club receives prominent award

The Sarasota Yacht Club was one of seven clubs in the U.S. to receive the Distinguished Emerald Club of the World award.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Through Feb. 28, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department wants to see your nature photos.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 19, 2015
Photographers wanted for showcase of Manatee County's 'natural beauty'

Through Feb. 28, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department is sponsoring a new local photography contest for veteran or amateur photographers to showcase the area's natural beauty.

  • East County
  • News
Tropical Storm Debby left the streets of Sarasota County heavily flooded in 2012.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 19, 2015
Forums planned FEMA flood map discussion

Sarasota County and the Florida Emergency Management Agency will hosts a series of forums beginning today, aimed at explaining new floodplain maps that could affect insurance and construction costs for thousands of local property owners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The curve in the intersection of Broadway and Gulf of Mexico Drive makes placement of a crosswalk unfeasible.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 18, 2015
Commission to discuss proposed roundabout study

Town staff proposes a $15,000 study on the feasibility of placing roundabouts on the north and south ends of the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The board will also discuss potential charter amendments to revise the process by which citizen-led ballot initiatives and appointments to the City Commission are handled.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 18, 2015
City examines IT department following whistleblower claim

At a City Commission meeting Tuesday, the board will discuss the organization of the city's IT department after an employee released a previously classified security report.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Located near the southwest corner of State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, the green-roofed information center has served as an information center for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch for two decades.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 18, 2015
Ranch considers Summerfield info center

Town Hall will see if any retired architects would be willing to survey the Summerfield info center to see if it's a viable option for meeting space for Lakewood Ranch clubs.

  • East County
  • News
Clare Milligan bends a stock of ginger for her entry for the Sarasota Garden Club Floral Design Challenge.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 18, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Floral Design Challenge

The foliage was flying in a contest of creativity for the Floral Design Challenge Monday, Jan. 19 at the Sarasota Garden Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
White Buffalo Saloon owner Mike Evanoff bought a 1.7 acre parcel on McIntosh Road, which could be the future home of a gun range, for $166,000 in November.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 18, 2015
White Buffalo owner mulls plans for nearby property

An upscale gun range or indoor surf park could have a future near the intersection of McIntosh Road and Ashton Road, according to owner Mike Evanoff, who is also expanding options downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Taylor and Erica Aultman with Teri Hansen and Steve Wilberding
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 18, 2015
The Bash!

The Bash!

  • Black Tie
George Allison, Shirley Seidman, Jan Bullard and Alan Watkins
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 18, 2015
20th Anniversary Jewels on the Bay Designer Showhouse Preview Party

20th Anniversary Jewels on the Bay Designer Showhouse Preview Party

  • Black Tie
Co-Chair Kristy Cail, Rachel Bennett, Co-Chair Sarah Massey, Co-Chair Jonna Keller, Hannah Ford and Bill Sadlo
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 18, 2015
Lilly High Tea and Champagne Fashion Show + 20th anniversary Jewels on the Bay Showhouse

Lilly High Tea and Champagne Fashion Show + 20th anniversary Jewels on the Bay Showhouse

  • Black Tie
Members of the Westcoast Black Theatre Group perform during the tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 17, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El MLK Tribute

Temple Emanu-El invited members of the congregation and community for a Tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe on Jan. 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dena Baker watches Andy Taylor create a new piece to display for the Sarasota Fine Art Festival.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 17, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Fine Art Festival

Vendors and artists lined the edges of Gulfstream Avenue and Main Street downtown for the Sarasota Fine Art Festival Jan. 17 and Jan. 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
More than 2,600 participants start the race at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 16, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 12th annual Ringling Bridge Run

A record-breaking number of runners took part in the 12th annual Ringling Bridge Run Saturday, Jan. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Five-year-old Luke Bianchi makes new friends.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 16, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee County Fair

Steer sales, fried food, live entertainment and games entertained attendees of the 99th annual Manatee County Fair, Jan. 17, at the county's fairgrounds in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • News
Caleb Batson, Lydia and Molly Warrington, and Christina Batson make their red carpet debut.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 16, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Inspiration Film Fest

Private Christian school Inspiration Academy hosted its first international film festival, Inspiration Film Fest, Jan. 17, at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas. The event featured 35 films throughout the day and ended with a cocktail hour, awards ceremony and question-and-answer session with "The Walking Dead" star Lawrence Gilliard Jr.

  • East County
  • News
Artist Michael Behrens with his “Seaforms 2011-18”
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 16, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Reflections from the Fire at Longboat Key Center for the Arts

The Longboat Key Center for the Arts in collaboration with Habatat Galleries held its opening for Reflections from the Fire on Jan. 16. The exhibition will be on display until Feb. 26 and displays glasswork by artists representing 13 countries from around the world.

  • Arts + Culture
This week’s FYI Friday features news about a bomb threat at Southside Elementary, a Rosemary District update and more!
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 15, 2015
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mike Evanoff is the owner of Evie's Tavern, one of three nightlife options slated to move into Jesse Biter-owned properties in the 1500 block of Main Street this year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 15, 2015
Evie's owner discusses Main Street move

Mike Evanoff is in the process of opening a new sports bar and bowling alley on Main Street - slated to go under construction soon - and retooling the Evie's Tavern location on Ringling.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Phill Younger has served on the commission since 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 15, 2015
Younger leads in fundraising for commission race

Commissioner Phill Younger raised $6,400 through Jan. 7, according to campaign reports.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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