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Your Observer

    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 7, 2012
Our View: School Board: Dysfunction junction

In October 2010, the East County Observer recommended Julie Aranibar over incumbent Jane Pfeilsticker for the Manatee County School Board District 3 seat.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • March 7, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Eva Rey is the executive director for Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • By Eva Rey
  • March 7, 2012
My View: Sunshine Week celebrates transparency

If you ever thought Sunshine laws exist to dictate the fantastic weather we experience in Florida, you are not alone.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Barb Alexander fell in love with polo after her husband, George, began playing.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 7, 2012
Lakewood Ranch resident celebrates 70th birthday with polo

Lakewood Ranch resident Barb Alexander will celebrate her 70th birthday playing polo March 10, at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 7, 2012
COMMENT: Rankings have no meaning without wins

When it comes to sports, or just about any type of competition, the driving force behind an individual or team's success is ultimately its will to win.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Observer Miss Manatee softball team got off to a fast start this season. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 7, 2012
Observer teams swing into action

The Lakewood Ranch Little League and Miss Manatee Softball Observer teams both opened their spring seasons last month.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 7, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Kenya Yancy

Braden River sophomore Kenya Yancy hit a homerun in the bottom of the ninth inning, propelling the Lady Pirates to a 7-6 Class 7A-District 11 victory over Sarasota March 2.

  • East County
  • Sports
18 — The number of Lakewood Ranch Lightning Lacrosse players who had the opportunity to meet the 2012 USA Lacrosse Team.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2012
JUST THE STATS

15 - The number of hits the Braden River High softball team collected in its 6-3 victory over Venice Feb. 28.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Ashley Bongart hopes to play in college and turn professional.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 7, 2012
Lakewood Ranch freshman phenom off to a fast start

Ashley Bongart, ranked 27th in the state of Florida's U18 rankings, is undefeated so far this season in both singles and doubles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2012
Wildcat defeats M&I Wealth Management in Sunday match

Wildcat defeated M&I Wealth Management 10-8 to win the Wayne Brown Tournament March 4.

  • East County
  • Sports
Joan Biller, Jean Griffin, Angela Stowe and Dee Pinksi
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • March 7, 2012
Longboat Key Susan G. Komen events set a new record

The Susan G. Komen Go for the Cure events on Longboat Key have set a new record.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 804 condominium at The Water Club II has three bedrooms and four baths. It sold for $853,900.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 7, 2012
Lido Beach home sells for $2.75 million

William and Diane Wakely sold their home at 137 S. Polk Drive, in the Lido Beach Division of John Ringling Estates Inc., to Susan Kilman, trustee, Sarasota, for $2.75 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Nelson Martin and Harold Freeman recently opened a new store called Martin Freeman, located in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • March 7, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Longtime associates hold sartorial celebration; SYC makes a splash with water-sports program; Cool pool on Longboat Key receives recognition; Circle associates are made in the shade

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Some of the men from the Wednesday morning tennis group pal around with their mascot, Racket: Frank Quiriconi, Bob Coyne, Steve Clark, Larry Straff and Larry Coleman.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • March 7, 2012
Tennis group welcomes new players but keeps the old

Every Saturday and Sunday there are four courts reserved at the Longboat Key Club and Resort Tennis Gardens. Armed with rackets, a group of 16 men ranging in age from early 50s to late 80s play. Some of the guys play on Wednesdays and Thursdays together, too.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Allan Luke
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • March 7, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Allan Luke

Allan Luke started playing hockey when he was old enough to walk across the street to the ice rink. He played until age 50. He's also played softball and coached both AAA division hockey and high school girls fast-pitch softball.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2012
JUST THE STATS

3,870 - Top bridge score of Alex and Marlene Lancaster Feb. 28, for Sarasota Yacht Club's couples bridge group.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sheldon Paley, Cheryl Loeffler, Sales Manager David Kovalsky, Marian Kovalsky, Signature Sotheby’s International Realty President Judy Green and Janet Bassett. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • March 7, 2012
REAL ESTATE REPORTS

Signature Sotheby's International Realty LBK office open for business; Andrew Bers Earns Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation; Koy thanks current and past clients

  • East County
  • News
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • March 7, 2012
Bridge Bites: One finesse too many

It's great when our finesse works, but against a cunning opponent, when we try that same finesse a second time, we sometimes get an unpleasant surprise.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Louis Cabot submitted this sunset photo, taken on the northern tip of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Louis Cabot submitted this sunset photo, taken on the northern tip of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Josh Tuttle's parents introduced him to jazz when he was young. Now, he has completed his first album and already has plans for a second. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 7, 2012
Neighbors: Josh Tuttle

The Lakewood Ranch High School graduate now has his own radio show and will release his first album later this month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Country Club of Lakewood Ranch home, which has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,304 square feet of living area, sold for $900,000. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 7, 2012
Lakewood Ranch Country Club home tops weekly sales

Two homes in the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch top all transactions in this week's real estate. John and Joanne Zarrella sold their home at 13605 Legends Walk Terrace to Scott and Laura Richards, of Hinsdale, Ill., for $900,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Barbara Birkenberger took this sunset photo from her backyard in River Landings Bluff.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Barbara Birkenberger took this sunset photo from her backyard in River Landings Bluff.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Co-Chairs Peggy and Ken Abt
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 6, 2012
46th annual Dinner Celebration

46th annual Dinner Celebration

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 6, 2012
Obituary: George Richard 'Dick' Donahue Jr.

George Richard "Dick" Donahue Jr. died Dec. 26. He was 78.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 6, 2012
March 6: Daily Headlines Video

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

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mara Seat and Ricky Gonzalez were crowned the Princess and Prince of the prom and Leonore Hoffman and Simon Dorfman were the Queen and King.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO: Senior Senior Prom

The Riverview High School Key Club and Friends of Kobernick-Anchin put on a prom for the residents at Kobernick House, Saturday, March 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort closed in August 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 6, 2012
Commission warns Colony parties

Commissioners were frustrated by the lack of progress in resolving the longstanding disputes and warned parties to work out an agreement or risk losing units.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bob Kessler, Clay Graham, Larry Wade and Bob Thompson, pictured with two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin, center, all hail from Zanesville, Ohio.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic

More than one hundred golfers hit the course for the annual Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic March 5-6 at The Concession Golf Club. Each of the 21 foursomes was paired up with a celebrity golfer, including two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin, Detroit Lions players Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh and former NFL running back Robert Smith, among others. Proceeds from the event, which was hosted by the Concession Charities, will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2012
Planning Commission to consider development

The Manatee County Planning Commission will meet at 9 a.m. March 8.

  • East County
  • News
A city lift station project is the largest Public Works project the city has ever undertaken.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 6, 2012
Hudson Bayou lift station work continues

A $9.5 million lift station project is expected to be complete this June, although detours will continue until the end of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Arthur Ancowitz and Ina Schnell
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 5, 2012
Hard Hats & Tails

Hard Hats & Tails

  • Black Tie
Sumner Bagby, Ivelisse Diaz, Christine del Monte and Bill Caldpeck
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 5, 2012
Town Hall Lecture Series featuring Steven Levitt

Town Hall Lecture Series featuring Steven Levitt

  • Black Tie
Fruitville Elementary teacher Laurie Butler dressed as The Cat in the Hat to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • March 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Fruitville Elementary Celebrates Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Students at Fruitville Elementary celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday Friday, March 2, with a visit from Junior League of Sarasota volunteers. Students wore Seuss-themed hats and visited with first-grade teacher Laurie Butler, who was dressed as The Cat in the Hat. Volunteers read Dr. Seuss' books to each class in honor of the rhyme smith's birthday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Shannon Snyder told his fellow commissioners today he changed his mind and voted to kill the parking meter program.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 5, 2012
Parking meters being yanked out

The Sarasota City Commission voted by a 3-2 vote just before 5 p.m. today to yank out all parking meters, effective today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • March 5, 2012
March 5: Daily Headlines Video

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

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karel Beck, Alexsandra Coles and Joyce Steele
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • March 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Denim and Diamonds

On Saturday, March 3 the members of Bird Key Yacht Club ditched their normal classy outfits for something with a little more glitz and glam. Members put on their best denim, their best diamonds and even some diamond covered denim for a Western-themed evening with dinner and dancing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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