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Your Observer

    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 8, 2012
Candidates get groomed for race

Vice Mayor David Brenner and challenger Ray Rajewski are gearing up for the March 20 general municipal election for the District 3 seat.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 8, 2012
Town releases alcohol violation statistics

The town compiled statistics about alcohol-related incidents in response to a request by the brother of a woman killed on Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hi, I’m Nico and this is my sister, Bella, and we have the best daddy in the whole world!
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 8, 2012
Readers share their love stories

From buses to dog parks, residents have met their soul mates in many places. But their stories have one common element: lots of love.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 8, 2012
Tool allows public to make sense of tax dollars

The town will unveil a website feature that will allow the public to view updated information about the town's budget.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
News Briefs

Town, commissions have Valentine's Day date; Chapel begins elevator construction; Fire Department gets new rescue vehicle; Mote history featured in international journal

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Our View: Obama's assault on religion

No ideas are more fundamental to our nation's heritage and moral principles than those expressed in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 8, 2012
Obituary: Leonard Kunkin

Leonard Kunkin, of Longboat Key and formerly of Philadelphia, died Jan. 30. He was 87.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Letters to the Editor

'The Iron Lady' movie missed the mark; Library and historical society could join forces; Thank you to family for cleaning up; All Longboat taxpayers should not pay for center

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Gary Fresch and Duke the horse. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 8, 2012
Neighbors: Gary Fresch

This car detailer learned a new meaning for the term 'horse power.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sue Wolverton oversees 22 offices and 1,200 agents as Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate’s senior vice president in the Southwest Florida region. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 8, 2012
2011 Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Citizen of the Year: Sue Wolverton

The Kiwanis Club honor wasn't on Sue Wolverton's bucket list. But the surprise award motivates her to do more of what she's always done: aim higher.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 525 Hornblower Lane in Country Club Shores has 2,435 square feet and sold for $844,000. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 8, 2012
Emerald Point North condo sells for $912,000

Martha Martell, trustee, and Edward Martell, Longboat Key, sold the Unit 3 condominium at 2069 Harbour Links Drive to James and Jane Spencer, Longboat Key, for $912,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths and two half-baths and 2,707 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $565,300 in 1999.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Burke-Phillips
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 8, 2012
REAL ESTATE REPORTS

Sotheby's names new managing broker; Alexander Properties rolls into Coldwell Banker; Luxury Home Market training completed

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Suzy Lysen and Janet Petrillo, customer service manager for Jude Connally
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • February 8, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Jude Connally opens its doors on St. Armands Circle

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
If you know someone who should be featured as an Athlete of the Week, please call or send the suggestion to Mallory Gnaegy at 366-3468, Ext. 360 or mgnaegy@yourobserver.com.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 8, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Mark Schlobach

Mark Schlobach plays golf, squash and tennis, but tennis is his favorite sport. He was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, and came to the United States when he was 10 years old.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
JUST THE STATS

66 - Days until the Sarasota Open, which takes place from April 14 to April 22, at the Longboat Key Club and Resort Tennis Gardens.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • February 8, 2012
Bridge Bites: An old ruse

Against 3NT, West leads his fourth-best Spade. East's Jack is taken by Declarer's Queen, then a Diamond to Dummy and the losing Club finesse. At this point, West can count nine or 10 tricks for Declarer, via two Spades, four Diamonds and three or four Clubs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Peter Hallett submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Peter Hallett submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Husband-and-wife team Dr. Maria Galimidi and Ilan Kazmirik say they complete each other. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Love Story: Ilan Kazmirik and Dr. Maria Galimidi

Everything happens for a reason. And no couple knows that better than Ilan Kazmirik and Dr. Maria Galimidi.

  • East County
  • News
Bob and Peggy Donaldson say they don’t yet have any specific plans for Valentine’s Day, but they expect they will stay home and enjoy fresh seafood for dinner.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Love Story: Bob and Peggy Donaldson

Nothing reaffirms life and love with such alarming clarity as a near-death experience

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch operations staff member Will Brown checks on one of the new controllers.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Irrigation upgrades improve efficiency

The Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Operations Department is replacing old irrigation controllers with new technology.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Main Street Property Manager Julia DeCastro said the plaza is at 94% capacity.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
East County retail business resurges

With several new businesses opening, both Lakewood Ranch Main Street and San Marco Plaza have reported their highest occupancy levels ever.

  • East County
  • News
Girl Scout Troop 740 members Emily LaPlaca, Anne Robinson, Marissa Boccarossa and Anissa Sanchez all attend Willis Elementary School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Girl Scouts improve Ranch animal safety

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall leaders will install wildlife-crossing signs this week, at the suggestion of members of Girl Scout Troop 740.

  • East County
  • News
Partick Rodricks, Brian Lindman, Lori Russo, Ross Russo and Josephine Rodricks will work to bring a more healthy lifestyle to Karnataka, India. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
East Manatee Rotary launches global initiative

The Rotary Club of East Manatee will partner with a Rotary Club in Bangalore, India, to help fight disease in Karnataka, India. The three-year commitment includes installing a water well.

  • East County
  • News
Haile Middle School student Jordan Boyer said she loves how she can connect to people's emotions and experiences through the words of her songs. Her new song, "Goodbye Love," is scheduled to be released on iTunes soon.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2012
Haile student releases song, music video

East County resident Jordan Boyer, a longtime performer, is working toward a professional singing career with the release of her new song and music video, 'Goodbye Love.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 8, 2012
Observed: Opa! St. Barbara preps for festival

When you're a minority, many folks are curious about your heritage, but they don't quite know how to inquire. They don't want to say anything that could be construed as offensive, so they skirt around, delicate as a doily.

  • East County
  • Opinion
State Rep. Greg Steube represents Florida District 67.
  • By Greg Steube
  • February 8, 2012
My View: Redistricting: History in the making

It is always a privilege to be part of something historic, and last week was one of those opportunities. After months of hearings all across Florida, the state House of Representatives passed three redistricting plans, a state Senate plan, a state House plan and a Florida congressional plan.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway Cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Pam Eubanks Team leaders from Out-of-Door Academy’s Relay for Life event accepted the Top Youth Award on behalf of the school’s student body.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Ovations

Congratulations are in order.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Shane Rice started playing cowboy polo at just 4 years old. This season, he's one of the top players at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Born to ride

California native Shane Rice has received the Best Playing Pony award three times so far this season and also has been named the Most Valuable Player.

  • East County
  • Sports
Junior Hannah Eubanks loves leading the audience in cheer. File photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Pirate squad to compete at nationals

The Braden River High varsity cheerleading squad will compete in the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships for the first time in school history Feb. 11-12, at Walt Disney World.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Comment: Hoops madness hits early out east

The tournament seeds have been announced, and the brackets are set.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Blake Riley-Hawkins

Lakewood Ranch High junior Blake Riley-Hawkins captured his first-ever district title in the 132-pound weight class of the Class 2A-District 11 tournament Feb. 4, in Port Charlotte. With the win, Riley-Hawkins will advance to the Class 2A-Region 3 tournament Feb. 10-11, in Charlotte. Here is an inside look at this week's Athlete of the Week.

  • East County
  • Sports
MVP: Jamie Mirikitani
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Hillcroft/Regent defeats Wildcat in Super Bowl Cup

Hillcroft/Regent defeated Wildcat 8-7 Feb. 5, to win the MGA Insurance Group Super Bowl Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High senior Gabriella Diaz-Granados scored a team-high 16 points in her final game in a Lady Mustangs uniform.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Mustangs fall in semis

PALMETTO -- Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball coach Tina Hadley felt pretty confident heading into the locker room at halftime.

  • East County
  • Sports
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