Your Observer

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

My View: Board tackles health care

Education is a topic that spans young pre-kindergarten little ones to adults walking across a graduation platform.

East County
Opinion

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Letters to the Editor

Don't bite the hand that feeds you; Anglers must supply own bait at tourney

East County
Opinion

Jen Blanco
February 15, 2012

Braden River Soccer Club plans building expansion

The County Commission approved Feb. 7 a resolution authorizing the construction of single-story extension to the Braden River Soccer Club's building at Lakewood Ranch Park.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
February 15, 2012

Clearwarter Charger goalkeeper signs with South Florida Bulls

Last week, Braden River senior Mike Mitchell signed a letter-of-intent to play for the University of South Florida.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
February 15, 2012

Athlete of the Week: Tre Bryant

Braden River High senior guard Tre Bryant scored 43 points in two games last week, including 20 points in the Feb. 10 Class 7A-District 11 championship versus Venice.

East County
Sports

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Siaana defeats Wildcat in Suncoast Porsche Cup

Siaana defeated Wildcat 10-9 in the Suncoast Porsche Cup final Feb. 12.

East County
Sports

Adam Hughes
February 15, 2012

Three-bedroom Water Club II condo sells for $2.2 million

Laurie Brandenborg, of Wayzata, Minn., sold her Unit 602 condominium at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Steven Bush, Longboat Key, for $2,212,500.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Mallory Gnaegy
February 15, 2012

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Sarasota Open continues to grow; Longboat Key Club and Resort focuses on health; Chase Bank on St. Armands Circle now open; Longboat Key Club ranks among top tennis resorts

Longboat Key
News

Mallory Gnaegy
February 15, 2012

Athlete of the Week: Marcia Gutridge

Marcia Gutridge retired five years ago from being a junior high principal in Ohio. She started exercising because she finally had the time.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

JUST THE STATS

628 - Number of pins Sarasota Yacht Club bowled over Bird Key Yacht Club to win the second annual bowl off Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Longboat Key
News

By Brian Gunnell
February 15, 2012

Bridge Bites: A double order of duck

West leads the Qâ™ and, when Dummy goes down, Declarer can see that his 6â™¥ contract is quite hopeless.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Jennifer Barclay submitted this sunset photo, taken on Longboat Key.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
February 15, 2012

River Club home tops week's sales at $480,000

A home in River Club South tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Thomas and Denise Hartnett, Bradenton, sold their home at 9992 Cherry Hills Ave. Circle to Donald and Janice Doede, of Orland Park, Ill., for $480,000.

East County
Real Estate

Pam Eubanks
February 15, 2012

Regional home parade showcases local builders

The HBA Manatee Sarasota will host its annual Parade of Homes Feb. 18 through March 4.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 15, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Michael Tesar took this sunset photo the first day of the Manatee County Fair.

East County
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
February 14, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Elementary Valentine's Day Lunch

Students at McNeal Elementary School spent lunch with the ones they love during a special Valentine's Day lunch Feb. 14.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 14, 2012

Obituary: Edward Lill

Edward Lill, of Longboat Key and formerly of Madison, N.J., died Feb. 6. He was 79.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 14, 2012

Obituary: Geraldine R. Jenkins

Geraldine R. Jenkins, of Longboat Key and formerly of Fairfax, Va., died Feb. 1. She was 94.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 14, 2012

Obituary: Gloria Tessaro Fiorelli

Gloria Tessaro Fiorelli, of Atlanta and formerly of Longboat Key, died Feb. 9. She was 91.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Eddie Kirsch
February 14, 2012

FEB. 14: 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

Mallory Gnaegy
February 14, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Democrat Club

The Democrat Club wasn't seeing red at their Valentine's Day meeting. With 2012 Elections right around the corner, Candidate for U.S. Congress Keith Fitzgerald dropped by the Democrat Club Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The group listened following lunch in the Longboat Key Club and Resort Harborside Dining room as he talked about blue winning the race, especially as far as Congress goes.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 14, 2012

Obituary: Richard L. 'Dick' Falter

Richard L. "Dick" Falter, of Osprey, died Feb. 11. He was 80.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
February 14, 2012

Manatee school board budgets transportation funds

Manatee County School Board officials are taking steps to improve the safety of students being transported by district buses with the approval of more than $200,000 in spending for immediate transportation needs.

East County
News

Nick Friedman
February 14, 2012

PHOTO GALERY: Sarasota Chamber Breakfast

Nearly 500 business and community leaders attended the annual Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Kick-Off Breakfast Friday, Feb. 10 at the Sahib Shrine. The theme of the breakfast was 'Maximizing Your People, Your Profits and Your Potential,' and business and community leaders offered strategies to strengthen the Sarasota community.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
February 14, 2012

IDA considers staff expenditure changes

The Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority today considered changes to how much money staff can spend, in certain situations, without specific board approval.

East County
News

Rachel S. OHara
February 14, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Ashton Elementary's Fairytale Day

Kindergarten students at Ashton Elementary had fun Tuesday, Feb. 14, dressing up as their favorite fairytale characters and parading around school.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
February 14, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Republican Club

The Republican Club of Longboat Key met for its monthly meeting at Sarasota Yacht Club on Friday, Feb. 10. Instead of having one speaker, it was an open candidates forum featuring various campaigns: County Commission of Sarasota, Town Commission of Longboat key, State Attorney, County Sheriff and representatives from the Romney and Paul camps. Those running answered questions from the audience.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
February 14, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Networking at Noon

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce hosted it's Networking at Noon at Holiday Inn Lido Beach on Thursday, Feb 9. The group enjoyed lunch overlooking the beach at Lido from the seventh-floor dining room at the hotel. The speaker was Nancy Taussig of Barefoot Weddings.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
February 14, 2012

New Sarasota Staples accepting applications

A new Staples at the corner of Fruitville Road and U.S. 301 is currently training employees and accepting applications.

Sarasota
News

Robin Hartill
February 14, 2012

In the Public Eye: George Spoll

Former Mayor George Spoll left public office behind last year when he reached the end of his term limit on the Longboat Key Town Commission but he hasn't left the public eye.

Longboat Key
News

Black Tie Staff
February 13, 2012

Friends of the Sarasota Ballet Showcase Luncheon

Black Tie

Black Tie Staff
February 13, 2012

Town Hall Lecture Series featuring General Stanley McChrystal

Black Tie

Jen Blanco
February 13, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle School Renaissance

Students at Braden River Middle School were recognized for their scholastic achievements during the school's Renaissance event Feb. 10. Those in attendance enjoyed bounce houses, a rock wall, music and Icees.