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Your Observer

This Cherokee Park home, which has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,658 square feet of living area, sold for $850,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 1, 2012
Oaks II home sells for $1.625M

A home in the Oaks II tops all transactions in this week's real estate. James and Karen Landis, Osprey, sold their home at 445 Walls Way to Gabriel and Valerie Schmergel, Sarasota, for $1.625 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Courtney Riga took this photo of a mystical sunset on Turtle Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 1, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Courtney Riga took this photo of a mystical sunset on Turtle Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 29, 2012
SCORES: Lady Pirates swing past Lady Indians

The Braden River High softball team defeated Venice 6-3 Feb. 28.

  • East County
  • Sports
Judith Nelson Feldman and Kathy Brooks
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Israel Open House

Temple Beth Israel hosted an open house on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Sarasota Yacht Club. Members spoke about their personal experiences and involvement, and socialized with potential members. Appetizers and drinks were served at the event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Join Mallory Gnaegy for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 29, 2012
FEB. 29: 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
James Smith was one of several players who competed in the homerun derby.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY BRLL Opening Day

Hundreds of Braden River Little Leaguers officially welcomed the start of the spring season with an afternoon of fun and games during the league's Opening Day Feb. 25. Players enjoyed bounce houses, face painting, a home run derby and a dunk tank, among other games and activities.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mary Lunkes, Eleanor Villardi, Carol Bauer and current president Kathy Roche.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Michael the Archangel Women's Guild Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon

St. Michael the Archangel Women's Guild held their annual Fashion Show and Luncheon, Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Michael's on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chairwoman Ellie Brenan poses with Helen Krueger.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Stoneybrook Women's Golf Association Breast Health Golf Tournament

Each February, the members of the Stoneybrook Women's Golf Association devote the month to raising money for Breast Health Sarasota. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, their efforts culminated in a golf tournament and dinner. The night featured a silent auction, raffle prizes and a Chinese auction with more than 30 baskets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Natalie Almeter

Natalie Almeter is a East County resident who has begun rehearsing with the Sarasota Opera. Read more about her in our candid Q&A.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 29, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: George Heitler

George Heitler is a retired lawyer living on Longboat Key. Read more about him in this week's candid Q&A.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota city commissioner Shannon Snyder isn't sure if the city can afford the Sarasota Police Department any longer.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 29, 2012
City discusses budget cuts

A budget workshop led Sarasota City commissioners to debate whether major decisions need to be made to stop the financial bleeding, including getting rid of the city's police department.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
All Angels to host creative afternoon

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road, is hosting a Flower Arranging 101 demonstration from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
John and Mary Bock. Photo courtesy of Christina Filkins.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Longboat Harbour goes West

The residents at Longboat Harbour don't usually wear spurs and leather chaps, but when they got together for a Western-themed party Thursday, Feb. 23, that's exactly what they did!

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Mallory Gnaegy
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Jessica Korda featured in magazine

Teenager Jessica Korda just won the 2012 Women's Australian Open - her first LPGA Tour title.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 29, 2012
Conrad Beach backs its own presidential party

Conrad Beach celebrated Presidents Day weekend Feb. 18 with a party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
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