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Your Observer

Longboat Key firefighter/paramedic Jason Coats
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Fire Rescue staff puts finishing touches on station

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue staff recently took on the task of painting the north station interior as a cost-saving measure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Eva Alexandra Countess Kendeffy, Sonia Pressman Fuentes and Rabbi Jonathan Katz
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
German consul general attends talk at Temple Beth Israel

On Feb. 23, Sonia Pressman Fuentes spoke to Temple Beth Israel about a trip she took last fall to Germany, and Belgium, and the truth she uncovered there.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Primrose raising funds for hospitals

Primrose School of Lakewood Ranch now is accepting donations to benefit Children's Miracle Network hospitals.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
'Oh, the places you'll go!'

Students in Gullett Elementary School's voluntary pre-kindergarten class celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday in grand fashion last week.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Ranch dodgeball tourney raises $1,500

Lakewood Ranch High School's Student Government Association raised $1,500 for the Payton Wright Foundation during its annual Dodgeball Tournament Feb. 22, in the school gymnasium.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ray Rajewski has served as president of the Bayou Association and is a member of the Citizens’ Oversight Tax Committee.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 29, 2012
Election Q&A: Ray Rajewski

Ray Rajewski is seeking the District 3 Commission seat because he believes residents need an alternative.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Brenner is the Vice Mayor of Longboat Key
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 29, 2012
Election Q&A: David Brenner

Vice Mayor David Brenner believes Longboat Key is a residential community that needs a mix of tourism.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 29, 2012
Island home burglaries fall, vehicle larcenies rise in '11

Statistics released by the Longboat Key Police Department showed that total crime fell slightly in 2011.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Firefighter/paramedic Matt Taylor made a presentation at the Feb. 22 Firefighters Pension Board meeting. Photo by Robin Hartill.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 29, 2012
Firefighter alleges collusion in handling of pension plan

Board members agreed that problems exist with the pension plan, but they weren't convinced that a crime occurred.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The conceptual master plan diagram shows the entire 18-acre property, although the board and Club Holdings Ventures have said they will proceed with 15 acres if necessary. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 29, 2012
Colony Association drafts site plan

The Colony Beach & Tennis Association outlined a draft site plan in a letter to unit owners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 29, 2012
County agrees to one-time Longboat library grant

The Sarasota County Commission agreed to give the Longboat Library a one-time grant of $20,000 for capital improvements.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
News Briefs

Early voting begins March 10; Bay Partner grant applications due March 1; IPOC, associations file their responses; Longboat Key building inspector to retire

  • Longboat Key
  • News
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan showed the audience two charts depicting federal debt and the budget.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 29, 2012
Congressman Buchanan warns against rising debt

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan kicked off a Longboat Key Town Hall meeting by warning against the 'Tidal Wave of Debt.'

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Our View: Immoral corporate welfare

Maybe a good roundhouse to their proboscises might knock some sense into them.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Walter Frank
  • February 29, 2012
My View: Best future for Israel is a strong America

On July 15, Bret Stephens, foreign affairs columnist of the Wall Street Journal, gave a persuasive presentation to American Jewish Committee Chapter of the Sarasota area, arguing that the United States is wrong in not backing the Netanyahu government in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Quit the war drums; Plantings on GMD are not consistent

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
George Heitler performed in Don Wallace’s “The Scam on the 17th Floor” Tuesday, Feb. 28 and Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Plymouth Harbor. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 29, 2012
Neighbors: George Heitler

This 'ham' knows how to charm any audience.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Matt Diaz is a 2007 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 29, 2012
Ranch alum tackles capital

As the University of South Florida's student body president, Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Matt Diaz is serving as the voice for college students statewide.

  • East County
  • News
Developer Wayne Ruben said Bennett Park serves as the perfect amenity for his company’s new apartment project off State Road 64.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 29, 2012
Apartments planned near Bennett Park

Ruben Holland is gearing up to start The Landings at Parkview.

  • East County
  • News
The front elevation of Westwater Construction’s Lake Club mansion features a variety of textures and heights.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 29, 2012
The blueprint to living large

In the Lake Club, Lakewood Ranch's most private and upscale gated community, five ultra-luxury homes are planned this year or under construction. The largest is a 19,926-square-foot home being built by Westwater Construction.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
News Briefs

Teen on scooter injured in crash; Miracle League celebrates field opening; Expert panel discusses presidential leadership

  • East County
  • News
SMART Volunteer Executive Director Gail Clifton and SMART rider Jessica Stort were eager to show off one of the new barns.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 29, 2012
SMART trots onto new home site

The Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy officially will move into its permanent location March 1.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 29, 2012
Mixon Fruit Farms hosts Orange Blossom Festival

The fourth Orange Blossom Festival will feature games, entertainment, crafts and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
This is one of the only photos Anne Armour ever allowed us to print of her. Anne, seated at right, surrounded by friends and family, circa 2000.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 29, 2012
Observed: In loving memory: Anne Armour

I don't want to write this. Anne Armour, formerly of Spooner, Wis., and longtime and beloved East County Observer columnist, died Feb. 20, 2012. She was 68 years old.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Brian Volner
  • February 29, 2012
My View: Recovery: Have you seen the signs?

We sometimes get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we overlook the obvious.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 29, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Roe Hyer, owner of N2U Salon & Spa and former ballroom dance instructor, hopes to make the dance show fundraiser an annual event.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 29, 2012
Salon entrepreneur organizing dance show for Mooseheart kids

N2U Salon & Spa owner Roe Hyer, with the support of Moose Lodge 1123, is organizing a dance show fundraiser March 31, for children who cannot be cared for by their families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"If there isn't music, you can't get enough feeling out of it," Natalie Almeter, center, says of theater. "I love music." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 29, 2012
East County resident makes opera debut

East County resident Natalie Almeter loves to sing and recently began testing her vocals with the Sarasota Opera.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Out-of-Door Academy freshmen Tyler Dietrich, Austin Hoppe, Jake Romine, Carson Jungers, Desmond Lindsay and Jimmy Kuebler and eighth-grader Justin Fischer have all been playing baseball together since they were in elementary school.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 29, 2012
Seven ODA students make baseball a lifelong love

Seven members of The-Out-of-Door Academy baseball team have been playing together since they were in Little League.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtney Chapin, Sebastian Aguirre and Sydney Panzarino all posted impressive finishes at the YMCA Florida Swimming State Championships Feb. 10-12, in Orlando.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 29, 2012
Wave Runners make a splash

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners sent 35 swimmers to the YMCA Florida Swimming State Championships in Orlando.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 29, 2012
COMMENT: Rowers impress at regatta

From the moment I first plunged off the high dive during one of my swim lessons until now, I've been drawn to the pool.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County sisters Alexandria and Sabrina Watson joined the Southeast High rowing club when it launched at the beginning of the school year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 29, 2012
Southeast High dips oars into competitive rowing

Southeast High School started its own rowing program at the beginning of the school year; Manatee High added the sport two months later.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photo by Andy Eubanks.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Hillcroft notches overtime win in first Observer Cup

The Sarasota Polo Club completed the first of five 12-goal tournaments Feb. 26, with Hillcroft defeating M&I Wealth Management 11-10 in overtime in The Observer Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 29, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Zach Hoppe

The Out-of-Door Academy senior Zach Hoppe recorded 27 strikeouts and allowed just two walks in 11 innings of work this past week, improving his record to 2-0 on the season. Hoppe also is batting .333 through the first four games of the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
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