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Your Observer

    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 27, 2012
Top 5 moments in sports of 2012

Over the past 12 months, we've celebrated district, regional and state championships. We've watched our talented athletes and teams make school history, overcome injuries and adversity and rely on one another in the midst of coaching changes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Today, Jack Warren spends his time painting celebrities. Warren's work can be purchased at the Siesta Key Hardware store.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 27, 2012
Illustrations of the past

A white-haired Jack Warren sits comfortably on the patio in front of his studio at his Siesta Key home.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Stacy White, Crescent Beach
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
2012 Best of weather photos: Pelican Press

Looking back through our archives of weather photos in 2012, picking our best submissions was a near impossible task. You, our readers, submitted some of the most spectacular sunset and sunrise photos we have ever received!

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
At last week's meeting, IDA representatives asked about potential ways to further trim project costs, which put square-foot costs at $220 to $237, but Town Hall officials indicated the proposal was as "bare bones" as possible.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 27, 2012
Year in review: June 2012, 'IDA moves forward with new maintenance facility'

Supervisors are ready to approve construction of a facility that meets the state requirement that a building withstand 140-mph winds.

  • East County
  • News
Floridays Development Co. is proposing a 200-room hotel similar to the architectural style of the building above.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2012
Year in review: June 2012, 'Floridays' hotel concept chosen'

It came down to two. One hotel concept would cater efficiently to a downtown business crowd; the other concept would provide tourists with a high-end, artsy place to stay. Both concepts could work - the latter won.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longbeach Village neighborhood saw flooding in the streets beginning Sunday. Photos by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 27, 2012
Year in review: June 2012, 'Debby Downer'

Tropical Storm Debby was an unwelcome guest but appears to have spared the Key major damages.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In Sarasota County, commercial property owners must keep sounds at or below 75 decibels when measured from the real property line between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 26, 2012
Year in review: May 2012, 'County eyes ways to quiet sound saga'

Sarasota County Administrator Randall Reid has asked for a budget option to add a code enforcement officer on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Kiddie Academy hosts holiday breakfast

Kiddie Academy welcomes more than 230 people to its Family Holiday Appreciation Breakfast Dec. 8.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Bashaw students learn through dance

Zumba instructor Sandra Aguirre taught Bashaw Elementary School students Latin dance from Mexico Dec. 12, at the school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
BRHS students honor veterans

Students at Braden River High School have continued their Christmas tradition of honoring servicemen and women.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Leonardo Leal-Guerrero says he's thankful for the opportunities he has had and the people he's met while attending Stanford University.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 26, 2012
Home for the Holidays

As a homeless student, Leonardo Leal-Guerrero graduated with top honors from Braden River High School in 2011. Now, he's a sophomore at Stanford University.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 26, 2012
Country Club West changes its manager

Country Club West will no longer contract with the Inter-District Authority for property management services, starting Jan. 1.

  • East County
  • News
Freddie and Dick Baribault. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Westchester celebrates holidays

Westchester residents celebrated the holidays Dec. 4 following the condominium's annual meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Minnie Mouse poses with Juan Luis Torres II
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Standout siblings climb ranks

Longboat Key Club & Resort banquet chef Juan Luis Torres and his wife, Lisa, have exciting family news to share.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maggie Plasencia and George Ceshker
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Secur-All lights up the office

Too bad we didn't offer a prize for "Best Office" in our "Light Up the Keys" contest, because Secur-all Insurance would have made our list.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Owners seek missing cat

Have you seen Boomer?

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Morton Hellwig, Beer Can Island
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
2012 Best of weather photos: Longboat Key

Looking back through our archives of weather photos in 2012, picking our best submissions was a near impossible task.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 26, 2012
Real Estate Reports

Hedge named 'Entrepreneur of the Year'; Perlman showcases Lido Key unit; SAR installs 2013 officers

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
McKenzie Chadwell submitted this sunset photo, taken at on Lido Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

McKenzie Chadwell submitted this sunset photo, taken at on Lido Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marian Kessler
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 26, 2012
Season of Sharing: Marian Kessler

Kessler, a Plymouth Harbor resident, has been donating to Season of Sharing since shortly after the campaign's inception.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Our View: Our wish list for 2013

So much for the Mayan calendar. We're all still here. And ready to move on to another year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Obituary: Walter Kellis

Walter Kellis, of Sarasota, formerly of New York City, died Dec. 15. He was 97.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jerry Pujol with his wife, Carolyn, who taught him how to run. Pujol also showed off his gold medal from the Senior Games State Championships.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 26, 2012
Going the distance

Jerry Pujol learned to run late in life. The 80-year-old recently qualified for the National Senior Games.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Audrey Grace Moore
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
East County Births

The East County Observer would like to congratulate all the parents who celebrated recently the births of their new bundles of joy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Caplan, Golden Gate Point (sunrise)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
2012 Best of weather photos: Sarasota

Looking back through our archives of weather photos in 2012, picking our best submissions was a near impossible task. You, our readers, submitted some of the most spectacular sunset and sunrise photos we have ever received!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Robert Francisco
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
2012 Best of weather photos: East County

Looking back through our archives of weather photos in 2012, picking our best submissions was a near impossible task. You, our readers, submitted some of the most spectacular sunset and sunrise photos we have ever received!

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
2012 Best of Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy the year's best Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
The Year in Sports: Photo Gallery

East County athletes brought home district, regional and state championships in 2012.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2012
Female athlete of the year: Olivia Ortiz

After capturing Lakewood Ranch High's first Class 3 individual cross-country state championship in 2011, Olivia Ortiz returned to the track this past spring hoping to pick up where she left off last season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2012
Male athlete of the Year: Seth McGarry

After suffering a tender elbow in the off-season, Lakewood Ranch High pitcher Seth McGarry spent much of the season serving as the Mustangs DH.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High senior Danielle Valley qualified for the final in the 800-meter freestyle of the U.S. Olympic Trials July 1. She finished eighth.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2012
Year in sports: A look back

Building off of last year's successes, East County athletes made remarkable headlines in 2012, putting together one of the most eventful and successful years in recent history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Behind the leadership of 12 seniors, the Lakewood Ranch High baseball team captured its first district title in nine years and advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals May 17.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Sports Teams of 2012

Enjoy our picks for the top sports teams of 2012.

  • East County
  • Sports
"To open this school (Braden River High), gave me new life," Braden River High School Principal Jim Pauley said.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 26, 2012
Year in review: May 2012, 'Pauley to leave Braden River'

The school board is expected to approve the appointment of Braden River High School Principal Jim Pauley to director of secondary education May 14.

  • East County
  • News
The stretch of main Street from U.S. 41 to the Five Points roundabout will be renovated for $1.35 million.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 26, 2012
Year in review: May 2012, 'Approved at last'

The Main Street makeover that has been in the works for the last two-and-a-half years finally received approval from the Sarasota City Commission Monday, May 21, at its regular meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Police Chief Albert F. “Al” Hogle, of Sarasota, died Monday, May 14, in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina. He was 63.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 26, 2012
Year in review: May 2012, 'Loss of a Leader'

Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle died this week in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina. In his wake, he leaves a department transformed by his commitment to service.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Joanna Graczyk got an airplane ride from her dad, Frank, before the show during Lakewood Ranch’s Moonlight Movie April 27. Published May 10, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
May Year in Pictures: East County

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of May 2012.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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