• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 29, 2011
TOP STORY, AUG.: Overturned

After a reversal of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort bankruptcy rulings, Dr. Murray 'Murf' Klauber could recoup damages from the Colony Association.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Siesta Beach with lots of folks in the water. Photo by Carolyn Bistline
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 29, 2011
TOP STORY, AUG.: Will Siesta be able to trumpet No. 1 status?

Siesta Public Beach has been drawing even more people than usual this summer, no doubt a reflection on its status as No. 1 beach in the country.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Country Club of Lakewood Ranch residents Bob and Karol Borkowski caught a glimpse of this precious fawn tucked into the base of a blooming plumbago. Published Aug. 25, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: August, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Spc. 4 Patrick Lay II graduated from Braden River High School in 2008 as part of the school’s first graduation class.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 29, 2011
TOP STORY, AUG.: Spc. 4 Patrick Lay II

Braden River High School graduate Patrick Lay II died in an IED attack Aug. 11.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Orchestra campers performed their recital on the final day of camp in July.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: July, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Patrick's Restaurant and Tavern owner Jim Sullivan believes his former landlord is mimicking his restaurant. Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: Food Fight

The relationship between the owner of Patrick's Restaurant and Tavern and his landlord soured, which prompted a move down the street earlier this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 28, 2011
Key physics

The Physics Club on Longboat Key started with Pat Anderson and Leonard Biberman, pictured. They meet once a month for lunch and have a speaker, which is usually a member of the club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 28, 2011
Lots for Tots

Many local little boys and girls will benefit from the elves at the Longboat Key Michael Saunders real-estate offices.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Mallory Gnaegy
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • December 28, 2011
Teenage sweethearts

Helen and Marvin Peretz dated for five years before they were married in 1951.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
John Caviglia, Longboat Key
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 Weather Winners

Naming a weekly winner became increasingly more difficult throughout the year, and it seemed each new submission was more beautiful than the last. We hope you enjoy this look at some of our favorite submissions from 2011. We'd also like to thank all of our contestants so far and invite you to continue submitting in the new year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Noelle and Heather Amorini play with their dog, Tucker, in July at the Longboat Key Freedom Fest celebration.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: July, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The North Shore Road public beach access closed in November. File photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
News Briefs

North Shore Road beach access re-opens; Larson plans to look at underground utilities; Town facilities to close for New Year holiday; Town to hold hazardous waste/E-scrap collection; CEB asks for inclusion in code discussions

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tennis pro James Blake at the Sarasota Open. Photo by Rachel O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Our View: Wish list for 2012 ...

Trifecta: Osama got zapped. Gaddafi got gored. Kim Jong got 'il,' really ill.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • December 28, 2011
Bridge Bites: Eschewing the finesse

I cannot recall seeing the word 'eschew' other than in bridge books.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karen Rawlings submitted this sunset photo, taken on Bradenton Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Cool Today Winner: Sun sets on another year

Karen Rawlings submitted this sunset photo, taken on Bradenton Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Wallace, Bob Schauer and Eric Walsh. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
University Park shines at charity ball

Members of the University Park Women's Club and their guests sparkled Dec. 10, during the club's seventh annual Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Napier's canine needs good home

Elmer, this 3-year-old black/chocolate neutered male basset hound mix, is in need of a good home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Each morning, the Lakewood Ranch anglers climbed aboard these boats with hopes of catching the big one. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
Anglers earn bragging rights, remorse about the ones who got away

As the first woman member of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club, Jeanette Wirz has had to keep her fishing skills finely honed, earning herself many fishing accolades over the years.

  • East County
  • News
Sydney Ashley and her family adopted their dog, Ky-Man, from the Sarasota County Humane Society. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
Sixth-grader gives cash to Lakewood Ranch rescue

Sydney Ashley bought toys for the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch using $130 she received for her 12th birthday.

  • East County
  • News
Wish: That Floridians appreciate what Gov. Rick Scott is doing for all Floridians' future. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Our View: Wish list for 2012 ...

We might look back at 2011 and see it was the year where the tide turned back in favor of freedom, free enterprise and the bedrock American values that made the country great.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Read this week's Castaway Cartoon.
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Year in Sports

Enjoy some of the 2011 sport highlights of 2011 we captured on camera.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco, Associate Editor
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
COMMENT: East County athletes impressive in 2011

It seems like only yesterday that I saw the Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team make school history, hopped in my car and drove halfway across the state to cover the softball state semifinals and watched another group of seniors bid farewell to their coaches and teammates.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Braden River High boys basketball team defeated rival Lakewood Ranch 38-37 in overtime of the Class 4A-District 10 championship Feb. 11 to capture the program’s first district title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN SPORTS: A Look Back

The year 2011 was one of the most eventful in recent history for East County sports. In the past 12 months, we've celebrated local teams capturing district, regional and state championships. We've seen our talented athletes and teams make school history. And we've watched them overcome unexpected coaching changes.

  • East County
  • Sports
The current Longboat Key Publix store will close after Easter 2012 and re-open December 2012 if the application is approved. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: Publix plans

Publix Super Markets Inc. submitted July 6 a preliminary application to the town outlining a teardown and rebuild of Avenue of the Flowers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rehabilitation of the Siesta north bridge is scheduled to begin in June 2012. Photo by Norman Schimmel
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: Traffic, rainy delays top concerns with Siesta bridge project

Smooth traffic management and making sure the work is completed before tourist season begins in earnest: Those were the foremost concerns voiced July 7, when the Siesta Key Association board of directors hosted Florida Department of Transportation officials for a discussion of the 2012 north Siesta Key bridge rehabilitation project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Saturated Sky: John Nesbitt took this sunset photo last fall from his back yard in Sabal Harbour.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 Weather Winners

Naming a weekly winner became increasingly more difficult throughout the year, and it seemed each new submission was more beautiful than the last. We hope you enjoy this look at some of our favorite submissions from 2011. We'd also like to thank all of our contestants so far and invite you to continue submitting in the new year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students at Rosaire's Riding Academy saddled up for a day full of horseback riding fun July 11. Published July 21, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: July, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the last two years, business owner Mark Manges had his eyes set on a space in Lakewood Ranch's San Marco Plaza.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: San Marco Plaza

With banks finally foreclosing on units in San Marco Plaza, business owners began snatching up spaces at reduced prices and increasing traffic to the plaza.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2011
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Chris Gallagher

Sarasota resident Chris Gallagher is the senior designer at Sarasota-based Jonathan Parks Architect and a member of the city's Planning Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barb McRae received a personal hospital room visit and kisses from Kirby, who is part of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s pet-therapy program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: June, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
He had not even signed his contract yet, but interim County Administrator Terry Lewis already was hard at work during a county budget hearing June 14. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Lewis reports for duty ... again

Terry Lewis has delayed his retirement many times because he keeps getting called to duty. The latest call came from Sarasota County government.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charles Chappell and his sister, Claudia, play in the sand in June at the Sea Gate Club during their vacation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: June, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The New Pass Bridge tender was never notified by a 911 operator that an ambulance was approaching and needed to get off the island.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Emergency-response issue arises

The New Pass Bridge log shows that the bridge tender was not notified in 17 different instances this year when an ambulance was headed toward the bridge to reach Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Stephen Leatherman — Dr. Beach — tells the approximately 4 million "Today Show" viewers that the best beach in the country for 2011 is the Siesta Key Public Beach. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Siesta Key Public Beach named No. 1 in the U.S.

Sarasota County officials were more than happy to join a crew from 'The Today Show' on the beach at 8 a.m. May 27 to celebrate Siesta's ascension to the No. 1 spot on the annual Top 10 Beaches list of Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
« 1574 1575 1576 1577 1578 1579 1580 1581 1582 1583 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now