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Your Observer

Edith Prucknig, Peter Kendeffy, Ursula Nadasdy and Eva Kendeffy
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of the Keys & Fashion Show

Many gathered to sample favorites from local restaurants and experience this year's finest fashion at the Longboat Key Garden Club's Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Attendees enjoyed the best the Keys has to offer before sitting down for a high-spirited fashion show. Proceeds from this well-attended event support environmental scholarships and grants to college students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Riverview High seniors Katy Mixon, Jaclyn Knapczyk and Mason Fox were among 27 East County and Sarasota County athletes that signed today.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 5, 2014
Area athletes ink college choices

Twenty-seven East County and Sarasota County student athletes made their college choices known today during National Signing Day ceremonies at their respective high schools.

  • East County
  • Sports
Law enforcement authorities estimate more than 300 animals to be inside the raided facility.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 5, 2014
VIDEO: Animal sanctuary raided

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is leading a multi-agency raid of Napier's Log Cabin and Animal Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
Seaplace is located in the 1900 and 2000 blocks of Gulf of Mexico Drive. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 5, 2014
Seaplace fire brings traffic to standstill

The fire caused traffic to bottleneck but didn't result in injuries or damage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Authorities have digitally reconstructed the face of an unidentified woman found dead in Sarasota County in 2007.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 5, 2014
Sheriff's Office releases new 'Jane Doe' images

Authorities have digitally reconstructed the face of an unidentified woman found dead in Sarasota County in 2007.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beginning Feb. 10, the Arlington Park Aquatic Center will be closed until August for renovations.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 5, 2014
Arlington Park pool to close for renovations

The city will be conducting renovations at the Arlington Park Aquatic Center beginning Monday, closing the pool for six months.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Events cost $25 each and include singles and doubles draws for both men and women; Open A, B and C levels.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 5, 2014
County to host inaugural Clay Court Tennis Championship

The tournament, which takes place Thursday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 16, is open to all tennis players.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2014
PHOTO OF THE DAY: A Bug's Paradise

This bug rested at Lakewood Ranch Main Street today.

  • East County
  • News
Savory Street offers a continental menu of homemade dishes for a full breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Savory Street

Join us in the kitchen at Savory Street with co-owners Jim Lampl and chef Claudia Johnson as she prepares huitlacoche crepes with wild mushrooms and poblano sauce au gratin.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2014
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Unique Visitor

This bug stopped to rest in the parking lot of Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
The burglar(s) stole high-priced jewelry and accessories.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 5, 2014
Heritage Harbour homes burglarized

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is looking for suspects in the burglaries, which occurred back-to-back this weekend.

  • East County
  • News
Seven-year-old Dylan McClintock enjoys eggs with his grandfather Don Gilmore.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Grandparents' Breakfast at Freedom Elementary

Freedom Elementary students brought their grandparents to school to socialize and munch on an early morning meal, for the Grandparents' Breakfast event Feb. 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 5, 2014
Technology exec's success has grown organically

Getting friendly with competitors is anathema to many executives. But one well-traveled decision maker has found a way to turn business rivalries into advantages.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Resident buys winning ticket

Longboat Key resident Robert Rich is now $53,165.93 richer. He purchased a winning Fantasy 5 ticket at the island's Publix, according to the Florida Lottery.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Buffett's winning streak ends

The Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVII victory ended a winning streak for Mote Marine Aquarium manatee Buffett.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo Caley Ross and Tad Landau
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
A Longboat Key beach proposal

Tad Landau, son of Lenny and Susan Landau, and his sweetheart, Caley Ross, got engaged after a New Year's Day proposal on the Bay Isles private beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo The Hilton will stop accepting reservations after April 30.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 5, 2014
Neighbors pitch to Hilton guests

Longboat Key will have 102 fewer tourist units for 16 to 18 months when the Hilton shuts down, but other properties are ready to roll out the welcome mat during the resort's remodel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 5, 2014
Accounting issues plague budget

The town seeks to eliminate outdated accounting practices and improve its revenue projections as it grapples with a projected $1.4 million budget deficit from last year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
ULI rendering of an imagined town center next to Publix on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Our view

The hedgehog strategy

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Speech sensation

Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg's story - one of courage, struggle and survival after being seriously injured during his last tour in Afghanistan - not only brought the room to a standing ovation Jan. 28 at the White House during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, but it earned a standing ovation at home, as well.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Prime time teens

East County teenagers took the spotlight Saturday, taking home two top-five finishes at the Miss Teen Tampa Pageant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Capt. Lorenzo Waiters, like all sheriff's office captains, drives an unmarked vehicle, which still has sirens. Photo by Josh Siegel.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 5, 2014
Manatee Sheriff's Office captain takes us for a ride

Capt. Lorenzo Waiters, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office captain who oversees Lakewood Ranch, says things have returned to normal after the department increased patrols to combat burglaries this fall.

  • East County
  • News
Paul Blackketter, a project manager for Benderson Development, says he is on "executive loan" from his company.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 5, 2014
Rowing park peddles plan

Needing $22 million to build facilities, the nonprofit behind Nathan Benderson Park seeks local governments' approval.

  • East County
  • News
Josh Siegel Sharon and RJ Dominic and Louie and Anita Podolinsky, neighbors and friends, have united to try to recoup costs related to a mold outbreak in their River Strand condos.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 5, 2014
Condo owners complain of mold

Two neighboring couples and residents in River Strand's Verandas say their air-conditioning units caused $80,000 worth of damage.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
News Briefs

Manatee County adopts new logo; Amendments to appear on November ballot; Lennar unveils model homes in Bridgewater community

  • East County
  • News
Josh Siegel Crews continue to work overnight to resurface and widen State Road 64, with construction extending from the Carlton Arms apartment community to Interstate 75.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 5, 2014
State Road 64 project overdue, over budget

FDOT will finish a project to expand State Road 64 by the end of March.

  • East County
  • News
USF Sarasota-Manatee instructor Garry Colpitts demonstrates a cooking technique before assigning the students soups to prepare.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 5, 2014
New facility cooks up culinary lessons

A Culinary Innovation Lab serves as the new hub for the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee's hospitality students.

  • East County
  • News
Pam Eubanks Aaron Sherrell, campus pastor for Woodland Parrish, says the time he spent helping start a church in Las Vegas will help him lead Woodland — The Community Church's new campus.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2014
Woodland launches new Parrish campus

The East County church already has held family events in the Parrish community for three years.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Sebastiano Janet Rantis, Chris Bagoulados, Paree Gardner, Voula Karagan, Tina Maravegias and Chamaidi Belanger take a minute away from their cookie craze.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 5, 2014
Annual festival returns for 30th year

Authentic Greek food, entertainment and cultural celebration returns to East County.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Sebastiano YouTube star Bethany Mota speaks to Braden River Middle students about bullying, fashion and what's next for her fashion line.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 5, 2014
Social-media star visits local middle school

YouTube personality and fashion designer Bethany Mota, 18, encourages East County students to just be themselves.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Chinese exchange students Jeffrey Qiu, Cheyenne Zhang, Liz Zhuo, Frank Liao and Tina Shibano visited students at the academy's lower school. They are pictured with Claire Maag, Luca Marino and Johnny Robinson, front row.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 5, 2014
Chinese students glean lessons from visit

Five teenagers from Beijing contrast the teaching style at ODA with schools back home.

  • East County
  • Schools
Arsenault
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Freedom Riders return

Students at The Out-of-Door Academy earned a special historical treat Jan. 29, when they heard from Dr. Ray Arsenault, author of 'Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Coins for classrooms

McNeal Elementary School's winter carnival event Jan. 25 not only brought smiles to the faces of East County children and their families, but it also helped raise money for classrooms.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
$11,000 for teachers who participated in the event.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Elephant ears

The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary has added a big act to its Animal Extravaganza this month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Fran Spring and Shari Paler, University on Wheels co-chairwomen, speaker Stephen McCauley and Shelly Youngelman, BNC chapter president
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 5, 2014
Author Intro

Brandeis University professor and best-selling novelist Stephen McCauley spoke to Brandeis National Committee members from Sarasota and Manatee counties Jan. 12, during a brunch held at the Prestancia Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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