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Your Observer

    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Publix plans

The Lakeland-based supermarket chain plans to present residents with a new shopping experience before Christmas 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Community Center

Voters defeated a community center plan in 2004, but many residents want the plan back on the drawing board.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Pamela Letts, at her Centre Shops Family Practice and Urgent Care, has spoken out about the challenges of practicing medicine on Longboat Key. Photo by Robin Hartill.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Medical center

The Longboat Key Healthcare Foundation is ready to explore models for a proposed medical center on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Pension plans

The Longboat Key Town Commission will soon resume discussions of its three pension plans, which have a combined unfunded liability of more than $26 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Erosion control

The town will look at possible solutions for retaining sand, including groins, to protect the eroded north-end beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brian Kenney hopes to secure a lease with a national chain restaurant to anchor the plaza. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Whitney Beach Plaza

Whitney Beach Plaza remains largely vacant and in need of repairs, but owner Brian Kenney is still optimistic about its future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hazel Lenobel was an avid volunteer and was devoted to her family and friends. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
IN MEMORIAM: Lenobel remembered as family 'rock'

Hazel Lenobel, 82, died Dec. 29, 2011, after a 21-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nearly a half dozen new neighborhoods took root across the East County in 2011, as the area saw its most successful residential real estate year in recent memory.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Real Estate Recovery

With low interest rates, reasonable prices and declining inventory, East County Realtors and builders predict another promising year in East County real estate.

  • East County
  • News
Faith Life Church's building boasts a strong presence in Branson. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Faith Life Church

The Branson, Mo.-based mega church is slated to begin holding services in its new Lakewood Ranch campus starting this month.

  • East County
  • News
Benderson Development Executive Director of Leasing Mark Chait said he has received positive feedback about the retail offerings the company has brought to the area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Benderson Development

Benderson Development already is working on an expansion to its existing University Town Center project and intends to start work on its regional mall by the end of the year, as well.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Nathan Benderson Aquatic Nature Center

Leaders are working to make the East County rowing venue the first in the United States to be considered a Class A facility by the International Federation of Rowing Association.

  • East County
  • News
What Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President Brian Volner learned at his first Alliance meeting —and subsequent ones — are the things today that continue to drive Volner’s passion for the Alliance and its vision.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Brian Volner

As a the retail sales manager at Community Bank and the new president of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Volner's work and spare time both are dedicated to helping small businesses improve and succeed.

  • East County
  • News
Ron Lambert will become the new band director for Lakewood Ranch High School in June. As a clinician for Yamaha, REMO Drum Heads, and Innovative Percussion, he has helped keep Lakewood’s band program as innovative as possible over the years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Ron Lambert

Ron Lambert will take the helm of Lakewood Ranch High School's band program after Bob Schaer retires in June.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: LECOM School of Dental Medicine

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine will open its School of Dental Medicine in July.

  • East County
  • News
More than 21,000 soccer fans attended the 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase and Nike International Friendlies tournament in December. File photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Premier Sports Campus

Leaders expect Lakewood Ranch's newest amenity to bring more than $60 million into the East County economy in 2012.

  • East County
  • News
Tara resident Sandy Gilbert leads the Community Affairs Committee, a group that is preparing to fight the Tara Bridge project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Bridge Battle

Although East County residents won't see any construction starting on the Tara Bridge or Fort Hamer Bridge this year, the fate of both bridges will be up for discussion in 2012.

  • East County
  • News
Although she has dabbled in other careers, Rebecca Gutierrez always has returned to polo. She calls it fate.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Rebecca Gutierrez

The Sarasota Polo Club's polo operations manager has big plans for one of the East County's most beloved pastimes.

  • East County
  • News
Chef Christopher Covelli
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Viking Culinary Center

The Viking Culinary Center on Lakewood Ranch Main Street already has garnered local attention. Its new manager, Christopher Covelli, hopes to bring it national attention in 2012, as well.

  • East County
  • News
Lyndsy McDonald and her staff of 10 bake about 200 cupcakes each day in addition to her catering orders.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Lyndsy McDonald

Pastries by Design owner Lyndsy McDonald, who moved into her new storefront on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch Sept. 1, saw her business nearly triple in 2011.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 4, 2012
OBSERVED: Optimism abounds in new year

For the past four years, the East County Observer has begun the new year with special editions highlighting the people and issues we believed would have significant influence in the East County in the following 12 months.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Molly Schechter
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • January 4, 2012
It's a 'classy' season for Longboat fitness offerings

Residents, snowbirds and visitors have lots of options for staying in shape this season. Public classes are offered at the Longboat Key Education Center and the town's Bayfront Park Recreation Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Andrea Moriarty, Luke Moriarty, Kip O'Neill and Terry Petesch
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • January 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Villagers celebrate at holiday open house

Kip O'Neill's annual Holiday Open House Dec. 29 was a delightful gathering of new residents mingling with long-time Villagers. It was also an occasion for snowbirds to catch up on the latest news on the Key. Usually a number of peacocks gather on O'Neill's lawn to join in the festivities, but, on this evening, there wasn't one in sight. Someone must have forgotten to update the peacocks' social calendar.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Obituary: Johnny Overstreet

Johnny Overstreet, of Arthur, Ill., and formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 22. He was 55.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Obituary: William R. 'Bill' Newhouse

William R. 'Bill' Newhouse, of Boulder, Colo., and Longboat Key, died Nov. 27. He was 85.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Obituary: Mahesh Mirchandani

Mahesh Mirchandani, of Bradenton and formerly of India, died Saturday, Dec. 31. He was 57.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Obituary: Irving Raphael Isaacs

Irving Raphael Isaacs, of Pittsburgh and Longboat Key, died Wednesday, Dec. 28. He was 84.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
"Yes, We Have Some Bananas" is a fresh exhibit with a stale Volkswagen.
  • By Stuart and Lois Scheyer
  • January 4, 2012
The good, bad, ugly and bizarre

It's been six years since we reported on our excursion to the bewildering world of Art Basel Miami Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 708 condominium at The Water Club II, 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,273 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,975,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 4, 2012
Three-bedroom Water Club condo sells for $1,975,000

Ingrid Leitzen, trustee, Sarasota, sold the Unit 708 condominium at The Water Club II, 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive, to Paul and Lisette Jacobs, New York, for $1,975,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Bridge Scoreboard

Read the winning results of recent bridge matches of Merrill Duplicate Bridge Club and Longboat Key Duplicate Bride Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lizzy Miller. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 4, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Lizzy Miller

Lizzy Miller has always been active. When she lived on Long Island, N.Y., and her children were young, she would tuck them in bed, pack her gym bag and get in a workout.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
JUST THE STATS

14 - Number of members on the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center Team that made it to the USTA state regionals in Daytona. Team members were: Beth Smith, Jewell Emswiller, Kathy Powers, Nancy Kane, Betty Aden, Janet Melowic, Joan Dempsey, Kip O'Neill, Bonnie Marcuson, Fanny Younger, Bonnie Geyman, Ann Zaltman, Carole Regan and Kenda Smith.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Sparks. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 4, 2012
Tennis pro known for a certain spark

Tennis pro David Sparks is leaving the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, where he has worked since its inception. He says it's because he isn't a teenager anymore.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • January 4, 2012
Bridge Bites: A good attitude

Against 4♥ West leads the ♣10, won by East's Ace. A Diamond shift is clearly called for, and the standard play from that holding is the 10, the so-called 'top of an interior sequence.' Is that your choice or are there other considerations?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deborah Johnson-Brooks submitted this sunrise photo, taken on north Longboat Key overlooking Sister Keys.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Deborah Johnson-Brooks submitted this sunrise photo, taken on north Longboat Key overlooking Sister Keys.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kiera and Ben are Anchin Pavilion’s newest animal residents.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Poodles brighten Anchin Pavilion Assisted Living Community

Ben and Kiera, two miniature poodles, recently found a home at Anchin Pavilion Assisted Living Community, where they provide joy and support for residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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