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Your Observer

Photo by Nan Miller. Art Association of Palm-Aire co-presidents Sara Masciopinto and Mary Beth Grey enjoy the luncheon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Tall tales

The Play Readers of the Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild were in fine form as they entertained at the Art Association of Palm-Aire's opening winter luncheon with 'Fractured Fairy Tales.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. McNeal Elementary students Gavin Rieth, Supawadee Surattanont and Zac Bayor took home second-place awards.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Catapulting into first place

Seven Manatee County elementary schools competed in the countywide Technology Student Association catapult competition Nov. 16, at Southeast High School. Students built the catapults on-site.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Swinging silly

London Bay Homes recently hosted its inaugural Circus Sarasota Golf Tournament at The Founders Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manning
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Resident keeps eye on the pie

Inspired by her mother's homemade banana cream pie, Bird Key resident Kim Manning had a sweet idea: key lime with a twist.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Show us your spirit this season

This week, our reporters will make our final decisions on our favorite displays of holiday cheer for our 'Spirit of the Season' contest. This year's competition isn't limited to lights.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo. Marty Samowitz, pictured in February, holds a photo of himself taken when he was a 27-year-old enlistee.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
A final salute

Marty Samowitz, 99, survived the Battle of Iwo Jima to become a businessman and philanthropist. He died Dec. 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Sunshine Law violation has not been reported at Town Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
ULI changes: in the shade or sunshine?

The dust from the shake up of the town's Urban Land Institute Implementation Advisory Committee hasn't settled a week after the commission revamped the group.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock recommends Colony buildings be torn down because they are a nuisance and a threat to the health and public safety of the general public during a wind storm.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
Judge questions Klauber payment

A bankruptcy court judge denied a request from Colony Lender LLC to hold a foreclosure sale of its assets. He also questioned a $3 million payment to Klauber.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
News Briefs

Longboat Key Fire Rescue honors staff at annual awards; Police promote three longtime employees; Town collects items for Toys for Tots drive

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
Town tosses trash negotiation

Town Manager Dave Bullock had been negotiating a seven-year garbage and recycling contract with Waste Management at the direction of a bid review committee consisting of town staffers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 11, 2013
Lido, Siesta residents want their voices heard

The Army Corps of Engineers met with Lido Key and Siesta Key residents last week in separate meetings about the Lido Key beach renourishment project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 11, 2013
Hilton reserves date with P&Z

The Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort submitted plans for a $24 million project that could begin in 2014.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Griffin releases killer novel

Longboat Key novelist H. Terrell Griffin's latest book, 'Found,' features murder, mayhem and main man Matt Royal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Our View: R.I.P PIC

Directors of the Longboat Key Public Interest Committee decided to dissolve the 27-year-old organization last month.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Mark Meador made a commitment to the resort 28 years ago and got a new title at an annual owners party: husband.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Casa del Mar manager pairs wedding with party

Mark Meador made a commitment to the resort 28 years ago and got a new title at an annual owners party: husband.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Bicycle ride turns painful after encounter with dog

Arthur Kowitt, 81, fell off his bike and into a pile of fire ants after a dog became startled and bit his leg. Kowitt received 12 stitches and contracted an infection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Wickersham, near left
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Third-generation resident Mark Wickersham was 'an island guy'

Longboat Key native Mark Wickersham died Dec. 4. He was 58.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Obituary: Stanley Adelman

Stanley Adelman, 88, of Longboat Key, died Dec. 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
State report threatens school district recovery

The Manatee County School District could see as much as a $7.2 million reduction in its general fund balance as a consequence of a report from the state's Auditor General's Office.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
Benderson Park continues transformation

While the park constructs facilities to host a multitude of sporting events, officials work to make it a hub for locals' recreational activity as well.

  • East County
  • News
IRISS owners Martin and Deborah Robinson always had ambitious plans for their business's Lakewood Ranch home, at 10306 Technology Terrace, but growth this fast even surprised them.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
IRISS to expand headquarters

Less than a year after making Lakewood Ranch its home, infrared-window manufacturer IRISS plans to grow its space, its staff and its product lines.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
News Briefs

Cheesecake Factory coming to Mall at UTC; Two appointed to Manatee County Planning Commission

  • East County
  • News
Quinones, center
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
Imagine School principal cleared of wrongdoing

The State Attorney's Office decided not to file charges against Selenia Quinones, the Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch principal accused of failing to report child abuse.

  • East County
  • News
Sandra Byers and Pete Vrinios join forces to create candy canes dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 11, 2013
Twist on tradition

A Lakewood Ranch business owner opens her doors to partner with a candy cane creator.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 11, 2013
Sarasota polo season swings into action

Athletes and the Sarasota Polo Club field maintenance team prepare for the upcoming season, which starts Dec. 15.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
McNeal Elementary teachers score highest in East County

Data released by the Florida Department of Education last week show McNeal Elementary has the largest percentage of highly effective teachers - 95.8% - for the 2012-2013 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Phil Woods, the new senior pastor for Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch, said he hopes to show Christianity can be intellectually credible and emotionally satisfying.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2013
Cornerstone welcomes new pastor

The Rev. Phil Woods finally is feeling settled in after becoming Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch's pastor in September.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
FAMILY FIESTA. Nolan Middle School student Jana Armstrong and her cousin, Grace Arthur, took their East County Observer on a recent cruise to Mexico. They made a quick stop at Fort George in the Cayman Islands.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com and click on the 'Contests' tab in the upper-right hand corner to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Zechariah Kendall
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
High Five Moments

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Twelve-year-old Abbey Siegel and her younger sister, Ari, 10, train for a couple of hours every day.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
Call of the court

Sisters Abbey and Ari Siegel have been playing tennis since they were about 2 years old.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Community Golf Scores

Golf scores submitted by East County golf courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Marauders 8U travel baseball team
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
Sidelines

Mustangs wrestling trio goes 8-0; IMG Academy to add JV football; Lady Thunder, Lady Blazers tie; Cougars blank the Tornadoes; Baseball camp to be held at ODA

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Submitted by Julie Becker. Casa del Mar Beach Resort. Owners and guests gathered Thursday, Dec. 5, to decorate the resort’s Christmas tree.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
You Observed

Here's a roundup of reader-submitted photos from events around the Key. To submit photos for this new weekly feature, email Robin Hartill at [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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