Your Observer

Observer Staff
May 23, 2013

SCHOOL BOARD BULLETIN

Air force honor; Baseball blast; Prime principal; Singing sailors

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
May 23, 2013

Student Spotlight: ZACHARY JORDAN

Zachary Jordan has spent his life on the water. Last year, the 15-year-old Pine View School for the Gifted student came up with the idea for Amazing Water Experiences, or AWE, a program that provides children with the opportunity to kayak and experience nature.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
May 23, 2013

Your Neighbor: Mary Francis Carroll

Mary Francis Carroll has seized opportunities throughout her life with the same confidence, independence and vigor she exudes today.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
May 23, 2013

Home in Shoreland Woods sells for $2.3 million

A home in Shoreland Woods tops all transactions in this week's real estate. The Northern Trust Co., trustee, and Katharine Schindler, trustee, of Naples, sold the home at 3336 Old Oak Drive to Douglas and Sharyn Chapman, of Sarasota, for $2.3 million.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Observer Staff
May 23, 2013

Weather photo: RAY OF LIGHT

Lisa Greenberg submitted this photo of a sunset. The photo was taken from her backyard.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
May 22, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Morning Express Networking Social

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance held its Morning Express Networking Social today at State College of Florida Lakewood Ranch.

East County
News

Eddie Kirsch
May 22, 2013

May 22: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Town manager seeks $300,000 in budget cuts; Half-cent sales tax would cover indigent health care; Surging Tsunami: Jillian Santiago; Teenager composes a promising future

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Gullett student wins speech contest

Gullett Elementary School student Hailey Wahlers took home top honors May 11, after placing first in the Tropicana District Speech Contest.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Girl Scouts give cookies a new cause

Local Daisy Scouts from Troop 180 are helping Feeding Empty Little Tummies feed homeless school children in the area.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Dancing group to host fundraiser

Members of KC and the Sunshine Dancers, a group of Manatee County dancers ages 8 to 20, will show off their dancing skills in jazz, hip-hop and contemporary dance from 7 to 9 p.m. May 28, as the group holds a show titled "Breaking Ground."

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Mini Mustangs learn building skills

Students in Lakewood Ranch High School's Mini Mustangs pre-kindergarten program learned valuable construction and agricultural skills recently, while also making something special for their mothers.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Book Club bolsters Mother's Day treat

Members of the D.E.A.R.S. book club helped celebrate Mother's Day at the Windsor of Lakewood Ranch.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Sarasota Ballet visits McNeal

Students at the Sarasota Ballet School brought the ballet May 9, to McNeal Elementary School.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Miller shares Longboat lore

David Miller gave the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key a history lesson Thursday, May 16, when he shared his memories of early island life.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Kiwanians get club recognition

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key recently received "Distinguished Club" status from Kiwanis International for its efforts during the 2011-12 year.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 22, 2013

Dr. Michael Crosby: Big fish in Mote's growing sea

Dr. Michael Crosby assumed the role of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium president and CEO last week following the retirement of Dr. Kumar Mahadevan.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 22, 2013

Firefighters oppose pension board

The Town Commission approved an emergency ordinance on first reading Monday to alleviate any concern with a new pension board.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 22, 2013

Commissioners review town wish list

A community center and improved cellular communication service topped the list of goals for residents and town leaders this week.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 22, 2013

Mar Vista project will be reviewed again

Commissioners are now determining if they will be able to review the project again before summer hiatus.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 22, 2013

Beach project bid: $13.3 million

The town of Longboat Key finally received a bid for its summer beach renourishment project, but staff isn't too happy with it.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 22, 2013

Town manager seeks $300,000 in budget cuts

Town Manager Dave Bullock warned the commission to expect another year of revenue shortfalls and rising pension costs.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 22, 2013

General employees don't receive the DROP option

Town Manager Dave Bullock didn't offer some employees the chance to enter a DROP retirement program early.

Longboat Key
News

Roger Drouin
May 22, 2013

BID agrees to pay $50,000 for a Circle parking study

The study would look at ways to address the parking shortage, including the possibility of a parking garage and valet service.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

Longboat Key
Cops Corner

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Letters to the Editor

Revisit Mar Vista vote

Longboat Key
Opinion

Nick Friedman
May 22, 2013

Seeds of remembrance

Inspired by a mission trip to Israel, Longboaters Ed and Betty Rosenthal helped start a fruit orchard at Temple Beth Sholom to honor Holocaust victims.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 22, 2013

Your Neighbor: Brenton Cloud

You could say the saltwater resides in Brenton Cloud's blood.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 22, 2013

Jordan House survived prior storm

The Mar Vista structure that's at the center of a controversial plan survived a 1921 hurricane that wiped out most of the island.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Obituary: Lynne Sklover

Lynne Sklover, 94, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died May 4.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2013

Obituary: Paul Grodner

Paul Grodner, 90, of Annapolis, Md., and formerly of Longboat Key, died May 20.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 22, 2013

Lore: Market closed five years ago at Whitney Beach

Since the gourmet grocery store closed, businesses have flooded out of the north Key shopping center.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 22, 2013

Tracking turtle watchers

Beginning in May, Turtle Watch volunteers hit the beach before the sun rises in search of turtle nests.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
May 22, 2013

The Players Club condo sells for $1.1 million

A condominium in The Players Club tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Mattson Family LLC and Walter and Geraldine Mattson, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 505 condominium at 1425 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Lori Brochin, trustee, of Atlanta, for $1.1 million.