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Your Observer

Josh Siegel Rebecca O'Brien, a Southeast High School senior, assists Logan Heath, a Haile Middle School sixth-grader, with his math homework as part of a before-and-after school program offered by the Manatee County YMCA.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 29, 2014
YMCA's program thrives with new focus: middle schoolers

Enrollment for the Manatee County YMCA's refocused and renamed Y DASH after-school program has jumped to 650 students per quarter.

  • East County
  • News
Bruce and Sharon Kasper with their daughter, Jacquelyn, and Charlie Proulx
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 29, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

East County residents Sharon and Bruce Kasper brought their Observer along to the island of Bonaire on New Year's Eve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 29, 2014
Community golf

Community golf scores from Palm-Aire, River Club and Rosedale

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy photo Lakewood Ranch High senior Marina Masterson has been training with the Sarasota Ballet since she was 11 years old.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 29, 2014
Dancing queen

When she's not busy cheering on the Mustangs, Lakewood Ranch High senior Marina Masterson expands her dance skills through classes at the Sarasota Ballet.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team edged past Sarasota 53-49 in overtime Jan. 24 to clinch the No. 3 seed in the district tournament.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 29, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy photo The Manatee Admirals hockey team is made up of players from Braden River, Lakewood Ranch, Manatee and Palmetto high schools.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 29, 2014
Icing the competition

The Manatee Admirals hockey team finished the regular season 16-1-1 and captured the No. 1 seed in the Lightning Conference tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch High varsity cheerleading squad
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 29, 2014
Sidelines

Pirates to hold athletic fundraiser; Lady Cougars advance to semifinals; Mustang grapplers finish third at meet; River Dawgs open season with win

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 29, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Beckham Nicholas Buchanan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 29, 2014
Occasions

The Observer welcomes welcomes three new East County residents and celebrates a 50th anniversary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarah Adams
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 29, 2014
Teens perfect winning routines

Four East County students gear up to compete for the 2014 Miss Teen Tampa title.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amanda Sebastiano This Lake Club home, which has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,354 square feet of living area, sold for $1.35 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 29, 2014
Lake Club home tops sales at $1.35 million

A home in Lake Club tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sue Gates submitted this sunrise photo, taken through her screened lanai at the Cascades at Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 29, 2014
Weather: East County

Sue Gates submitted this sunrise photo, taken through her screened lanai at the Cascades at Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joe and Jean Abrams
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 28, 2014
'An Evening on the Riviera'

'An Evening on the Riviera'

  • Black Tie
Vera Furtick
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Garden Club Fashion Show

The Sarasota Garden Club held its annual Fashion Show and Luncheon Tuesday, Jan. 28. The show was held at Michaels on East and included fashions by Daisy Cotton.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beverly Shaprio and Dee Binney
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: The Art of the Flower

The Longboat Key Garden Club flexed its green thumb on Tuesday, Jan. 28, during its event, 'The Art of the Flower,' at Windward Bay Clubhouse. Sherry Linhart demonstrated how to create striking flower arrangements for any occasion and what tools were necessary to do so.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Every Child Inc. provides prom dresses and tuxedo rentals to low-income students.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 28, 2014
The Good News: Judy Alexander

As CEO of Every Child Inc., Judy Alexander strives to provide equal opportunities for all.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Anna Buchmeier, 6, and Julia attend their first storybook night.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Phillippi Shores Storybook Night

Phillippi Shores Elementary invited students to spend the evening listening to stories Tuesday, Jan. 28. Storyteller Bill Codell told a range of stories from ancient pourquoi tales to poems by Shel Silverstein.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 10U Manatee River Dawgs defeated Southwest Florida 11-3 to win the Fridge-ed Ball-er Tournament.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 28, 2014
Manatee River Dawgs open season with win

The 10U Manatee River Dawgs travel baseball team opened its spring season with a victory at the Fridge-ed Ball-er Tournament Jan. 18 and Jan. 19.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 28, 2014
Pirates to hold athletic fundraiser

Braden River High School will hold its inaugural For the Love of the Game Dinner & Auction Feb. 15, at the South Florida Museum Spanish Courtyard.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High varsity cheerleading squad performs during the Region 3 meet Jan. 25 in Tampa. Courtesy Photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 28, 2014
Lakewood wins regional title

The Lakewood Ranch High varsity cheerleading squad won first place in the extra large varsity division of the Region 3 meet Jan. 25, at Freedom High in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Sports
The property at 5005 Gulf of Mexico Drive is located between Positano and Club Longboat. (Robin Hartill)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 28, 2014
Developer plans nine-home Longboat community

Holmes Beach developer Shawn Kaleta plans to build the new subdivision Bonaire on the vacant 3.48-acre parcel at 5005 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Princeton Review has recognized New College as a "Best Value" for each of the past six years.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 28, 2014
Princeton Review calls New College a best value

The group ranked New College of Florida as the second-best value for a public university in the country for 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The SMA rifle team is a co-ed team made up of Sporter and Precision shooting.(Courtesy Photo)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 28, 2014
SMA Rifle Team to compete in nationals

The co-ed team of SMA students will compete in the Army ROTC Service Championship and the Army Marksmanship Unit in February.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lagoon jellyfish are just one of the many remarkable species featured.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • January 28, 2014
PHOTO OF THE DAY: New Exhibit at Mote Aquarium

Encounter beautiful, strange and even deadly creatures in Survivors: Beautiful and Extreme Adaptations, a new limited-time exhibit at the Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory. From Feb. 1 through Sept. 14, see colorful jellyfish, exotic frogs and many other animals with extraordinary survival characteristics.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Architect Mark Smith with Aledia Tush, CB’s Salt Water Outfitters
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: SKCC Annual Luncheon

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon Tuesday, Jan. 28. The luncheon included an award ceremony for local businesses. The Village Cafe was awarded Large Business of the Year while Ronda Wiggins received Volunteer of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Thomas Harmer, 55, was tapped to be Sarasota County’s interim county administrator for a period of six months following the firing of former County Administrator Randall Reid last October.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 28, 2014
Harmer drops 'interim' from job title

On Tuesday the Sarasota County Commission moved to offer Interim County Administrator Thomas Harmer a permanent job.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Thomas Harmer, 55, was tapped to be Sarasota County’s interim county administrator for a period of six months following the firing of former County Administrator Randall Reid last October.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 28, 2014
Harmer ditches 'interim' from job title

On Tuesday the Sarasota County Commission moved to offer Interim County Administrator Thomas Harmer a permanent position.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photographer Platon demonstrates the handshake of former Pres. Bill Clinton during a roundtable discussion at the Van Wezel.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 28, 2014
VIDEO: Platon finds inspiration in simplicity

The world-renowned photographer discussed his portrait style and his experiences with world leaders before speaking as part of the Ringling Town Hall Lecture Series Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A 19-year old Naples woman died in the crash.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 28, 2014
I-75 crash at SR 70 kills 1, injures 6

The Monday evening crash was related to backed-up traffic on Interstate 75 caused by the closure of the overpass at University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Gary and Laurie Blakeman
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 27, 2014
The Play's The Thing: A Celebration of FST's 40th Season

The Play's The Thing: A Celebration of FST's 40th Season

  • Black Tie
Otus
  • By Otus
  • January 27, 2014
Ask Otus: How to play the mating game

Otus Rufous, an Eastern Screech-owl, was born on Siesta Key and is a full-time resident there. An avid hunter, accomplished vocalist and genuine night owl, Otus is a keen observer of our local wildlife and knows many of nature's secrets. Otus will answer your questions about our amazing wildlife, but only if you Ask Otusâ„¢.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Colony Lender Attorney Michael Assaf told a bankruptcy judge the Colony Association has let the Colony buildings deteriorate “and now seeks to benefit from that by trying to get the property for a third of the actual value."
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 27, 2014
Colony ruling delayed until Feb. 10

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May wants more time to digest arguments before he rules on a Colony settlement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Forks and Corks 2014
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 27, 2014
Attendees talk Forks & Corks 2014

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals put on its annual Forks & Corks Sunday, Jan. 27 in the courtyard of The Ringling. The seventh annual event sold out in 8 minutes. Here's a video of the sights and sounds at the event in case you weren't one of the lucky 1,200 to get tickets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A proposed downtown circulator vehicle, provided by Cruise Car Inc., sits outside of the Palm Avenue parking garage before a trial run tests its battery life.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 27, 2014
Proposed downtown circulator vehicle gets test drive

Groups are beginning to investigate the viability of a downtown transportation system in which golf-cart style electric vehicles circulate passengers throughout the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The accident resulted in three holes in the I-75 overpass. Photo courtesy of Lauren Hatchell.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2014
I-75 lanes at interchange to reopen at 6 p.m.

UPDATE: All I-75 lanes set to reopen

  • East County
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort closed in August 2010. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 27, 2014
Judge could announce Colony settlement decision today

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May could rule today on a settlement between Murf Klauber and the Colony Beach & Tennis Association.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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A Longboat Key police officer measures the speed of vehicles traveling on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Traffic enforcement in gated communities require a memorandum of understanding with the Homeowners Association, said Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager.
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