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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
JUST THE STATS

66 - Days until the Sarasota Open, which takes place from April 14 to April 22, at the Longboat Key Club and Resort Tennis Gardens.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • February 8, 2012
Bridge Bites: An old ruse

Against 3NT, West leads his fourth-best Spade. East's Jack is taken by Declarer's Queen, then a Diamond to Dummy and the losing Club finesse. At this point, West can count nine or 10 tricks for Declarer, via two Spades, four Diamonds and three or four Clubs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Peter Hallett submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Peter Hallett submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Husband-and-wife team Dr. Maria Galimidi and Ilan Kazmirik say they complete each other. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Love Story: Ilan Kazmirik and Dr. Maria Galimidi

Everything happens for a reason. And no couple knows that better than Ilan Kazmirik and Dr. Maria Galimidi.

  • East County
  • News
Bob and Peggy Donaldson say they don’t yet have any specific plans for Valentine’s Day, but they expect they will stay home and enjoy fresh seafood for dinner.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Love Story: Bob and Peggy Donaldson

Nothing reaffirms life and love with such alarming clarity as a near-death experience

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch operations staff member Will Brown checks on one of the new controllers.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Irrigation upgrades improve efficiency

The Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Operations Department is replacing old irrigation controllers with new technology.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Main Street Property Manager Julia DeCastro said the plaza is at 94% capacity.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
East County retail business resurges

With several new businesses opening, both Lakewood Ranch Main Street and San Marco Plaza have reported their highest occupancy levels ever.

  • East County
  • News
Girl Scout Troop 740 members Emily LaPlaca, Anne Robinson, Marissa Boccarossa and Anissa Sanchez all attend Willis Elementary School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Girl Scouts improve Ranch animal safety

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall leaders will install wildlife-crossing signs this week, at the suggestion of members of Girl Scout Troop 740.

  • East County
  • News
Partick Rodricks, Brian Lindman, Lori Russo, Ross Russo and Josephine Rodricks will work to bring a more healthy lifestyle to Karnataka, India. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
East Manatee Rotary launches global initiative

The Rotary Club of East Manatee will partner with a Rotary Club in Bangalore, India, to help fight disease in Karnataka, India. The three-year commitment includes installing a water well.

  • East County
  • News
Haile Middle School student Jordan Boyer said she loves how she can connect to people's emotions and experiences through the words of her songs. Her new song, "Goodbye Love," is scheduled to be released on iTunes soon.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Haile student releases song, music video

East County resident Jordan Boyer, a longtime performer, is working toward a professional singing career with the release of her new song and music video, 'Goodbye Love.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 8, 2012
Observed: Opa! St. Barbara preps for festival

When you're a minority, many folks are curious about your heritage, but they don't quite know how to inquire. They don't want to say anything that could be construed as offensive, so they skirt around, delicate as a doily.

  • East County
  • Opinion
State Rep. Greg Steube represents Florida District 67.
  • By Greg Steube
  • February 8, 2012
My View: Redistricting: History in the making

It is always a privilege to be part of something historic, and last week was one of those opportunities. After months of hearings all across Florida, the state House of Representatives passed three redistricting plans, a state Senate plan, a state House plan and a Florida congressional plan.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway Cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Pam Eubanks Team leaders from Out-of-Door Academy’s Relay for Life event accepted the Top Youth Award on behalf of the school’s student body.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Ovations

Congratulations are in order.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Shane Rice started playing cowboy polo at just 4 years old. This season, he's one of the top players at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Born to ride

California native Shane Rice has received the Best Playing Pony award three times so far this season and also has been named the Most Valuable Player.

  • East County
  • Sports
Junior Hannah Eubanks loves leading the audience in cheer. File photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Pirate squad to compete at nationals

The Braden River High varsity cheerleading squad will compete in the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships for the first time in school history Feb. 11-12, at Walt Disney World.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Comment: Hoops madness hits early out east

The tournament seeds have been announced, and the brackets are set.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Blake Riley-Hawkins

Lakewood Ranch High junior Blake Riley-Hawkins captured his first-ever district title in the 132-pound weight class of the Class 2A-District 11 tournament Feb. 4, in Port Charlotte. With the win, Riley-Hawkins will advance to the Class 2A-Region 3 tournament Feb. 10-11, in Charlotte. Here is an inside look at this week's Athlete of the Week.

  • East County
  • Sports
MVP: Jamie Mirikitani
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Hillcroft/Regent defeats Wildcat in Super Bowl Cup

Hillcroft/Regent defeated Wildcat 8-7 Feb. 5, to win the MGA Insurance Group Super Bowl Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High senior Gabriella Diaz-Granados scored a team-high 16 points in her final game in a Lady Mustangs uniform.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Mustangs fall in semis

PALMETTO -- Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball coach Tina Hadley felt pretty confident heading into the locker room at halftime.

  • East County
  • Sports
Indian Rocks Christian School's Chad Gessner and The Out-of-Door Academy’s Carson Jungers both attempt to head the ball.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
ODA shut out in quarterfinal

The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer team saw its season come to an end Jan. 31, with a 4-0 loss to Indian Rocks Christian School in a Class 1A-Region 2 quarterfinal.

  • East County
  • Sports
Now semi-retired, Edgewater resident Dave Kostura enjoys playing tennis and participating in other activities in the community.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Neighbors: Dave Kostura

Lakewood Ranch photographer Dave Kostura spent most of his career working with NASA and with the U.S. military.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dave Samler
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

RE/MAX's Samler expands business; Jon Talamas joins MGA Insurance Group; Caldwell Trust Co. welcomes trust officer

  • East County
  • News
This home on Verna Bethany Road, which has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 4,032 square feet of living area, sold for $500,000. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 8, 2012
Verna Bethany home tops weekly transactions

A home on Verna Bethany Road tops all transactions in this week's real estate. David and Lisa Johnson sold their home at 6540 Verna Bethany Road to Bankunited for $500,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Rob Mason submitted this sunset photo, taken at Heron's Nest Park in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Rob Mason submitted this sunset photo, taken at Heron's Nest Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Judy Bloch and Bunny Skirboll
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 7, 2012
Lion of Judah Luncheon

Lion of Judah Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Fred Albertelli and Harvey Hinrichs
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 7, 2012
Sweetheart Luncheon honoring Johanna Meier

Sweetheart Luncheon honoring Johanna Meier

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 7, 2012
Mustangs gallop into semifinals

The fourth-seeded Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team defeated fifth-seeded Dixie Hollins 58-41 in the Class 6A-District 12 quarterfinals Feb. 6.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 7, 2012
Obituary: Paul Vincent Dean

Paul Vincent Dean, of Longboat Key, formerly of Pittsburgh and Atlanta, died Jan. 25. He was 80.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 7, 2012
Obituary: William Kahn

William Kahn, of Overland Park, Kansas, and formerly of New York City and Longboat Key, died Feb. 1. He was 73.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 7, 2012
Obituary: George Bernard Kelly

George Bernard Kelly, of Longboat Key and formerly of New York City and Port Washington, N.Y., died Nov. 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 7, 2012
FEB. 7: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota, and Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Brian Moran watches as his wife, Erin, does the sign for “cake” and their daughter, Aura, 19 mos., tries to imitate.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Toddlers learn to sign at Gulf Gate Library

The Baby Rhyme and Sign Time at Gulf Gate Library is a program for babies and toddlers from 0 to 24 months that has become quite a popular program at the library over the last four years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Bullock is Longboat Key town manager.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 7, 2012
Bullock to speak tonight at PIC forum

The new town manager will speak about his first 100 days on the job.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Julie Aranibar
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 7, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Julie Aranibar

Julie Aranibar is a member of the Manatee County School Board.

  • East County
  • News
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