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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
News Briefs

Women's Club celebrates 15 years; Deer collides with Sheriff's Office patrol car

  • East County
  • News
Gulf Coast Builders Xchange Chairman Lem Sharp, original executive director Gil Waters and current executive director Mary Dougherty-Slapp are proud their organization promotes its members doing business with members.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2012
Builders Xchange celebrates 60 years

For the last 60 years, the Gulf Coast Builders Xchange has played a vital role in shaping development and policy in the Sarasota area.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2012
Local bands plug in for East County benefit

Taking Back Lives will host the fourth annual Rock Out for a Cause benefit concert Feb. 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Reconnecting in person. Of course, this photo likely will make its way onto Facebook at some point as well.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 1, 2012
OBSERVED: Social media project sparks reunion

My email inbox is a peculiar place. With one click of the mouse, hundreds of pieces of correspondence fill my email client every day.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Eva Rey
  • By Eva Rey
  • February 1, 2012
My View: Unraveling the government mystery

Upon my arrival in Lakewood Ranch last August, one of the most frequent comments I heard was our local government is too intricate and confusing.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
Castaway

Read this week's Castaway Cartoon

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Tara Brocke, with her husband, John, not pictured, and Jason Seelbach will open Truman’s Tap & Grill Feb. 2.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2012
University of Missouri inspires newest Lakewood Ranch eatery

Truman's Tap & Grill will welcome Tiger fans beginning Feb. 2.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River Elementary's cafeteria staff lived like royalty during the school’s recent Cafeteria Staff Appreciation Day.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Ovations

Congratulations are in order.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River sophomore Danny Lane clears the midfield in search of an open teammate.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
Braden River battles, falls just short of district title

The Braden River High soccer team fell short of its first district title with a 1-0 loss to Manatee Jan. 27, in the Class 4A-District 11 championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jeremy Schiller said he is impressed with the work ethic he’s seen at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
Schiller assumes Ranch reins

After spending four years coaching at Eckerd College, Jeremy Schiller was named Lakewood Ranch High's new boys basketball coach at the beginning of the school year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
COMMENT: East coaches share Super Bowl picks

We've heard it time and time again.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Hillcroft/Regent defeats Ten Oaks/Rude Boy in Maduro final

Hillcroft/Regent defeated Ten Oaks/Rude Boy 13-7 in the Maduro Cigar & Bar Final Jan. 29.

  • 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 1, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Laura Otaiza

Braden River senior Laura Otaiza finished second in the 183-pound weight class of the District 8 State Qualifying Weightlifting Meet Jan. 25, at Port Charlotte High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pine View School junior Gen Pagan is a captain for her high school girls lacrosse team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
Manasota Lacrosse Club forges friendships

The Manasota Lacrosse Club started a high school girls lacrosse team last year and now is looking for additional girls to fill the team.

  • East County
  • Sports
"Even now when I listen to my voice I don’t hear anything special," said Greenbrook resident Ron Babcock, who now narrates audio books for a living. "I think most folks are like that."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2012
Neighbors: Ron Babcock

Ron Babcock always has been commended for his unique voice. Now, at 66 years old, he's finally using it to make a living.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jodi Emrick
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Sotheby's announces new two new leaders; Down south: Prolific builder expands his reach

  • East County
  • News
This River Club home, which has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,580 square feet of living area, sold for $547,300. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 1, 2012
River Club homes top weekly sales out east

Two homes in River Club South top all transactions in this week's real estate. John and Debora Lamanna sold their home at 9616 Royal Calcutta Place to Jerry and Lisle Ogle, Bradenton, for $547,300.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
East County resident Justin Severini submitted this photo, taken at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

East County resident Justin Severini submitted this photo, taken at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Unit 2E4 at Vizcaya, 2377 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,990 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.1 million. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 1, 2012
Three-bedroom Vizcaya condo sells for $2.1 million

Glenn and Jacqueline Tilton, Chicago, sold their Unit 2E4 condominium at Vizcaya, 2377 Gulf of Mexico Drive, to Gavriel and Catherine Salvendy, Longboat Key, for $2.1 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
William Hall
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 1, 2012
SYC Minnows give new meaning to 'go fish'

It's 10 in the morning on a Sunday, and instead of sitting inside watching cartoons on TV, the Sarasota Yacht Club Minnows hit the docks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jared Falgowski, originally from Poland, has been dancing professionally for 35 years.
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • February 1, 2012
Aerobic Grandma: Zumba zooms to the Key

There is a great experiment under way at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center. A new teacher is offering an array of dance classes at 5 p.m. every weekday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Warren Girle
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • February 1, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Warren Girle

Warren Girle has been a Longboat resident for 37 years. He came here from Australia at 19 to be a tennis pro at The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. He was also the Cedars Tennis Resort tennis pro for 24 years and has been a charter boat captain and fishing guide for 16 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • February 1, 2012
Bridge Bites: It pays to count

Before seeing the auction, imagine that you are South, playing in 2â™ . Looking just at the N-S hands, how would you tackle the trump suit? The percentage play to avoid a second loser is to cash the Ace (a precaution against West having the singleton King), then cross to Dummy and lead toward the Queen.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mike Hassel submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Mike Hassel submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 31, 2012
Pirates sail past Mustangs

The Braden River High boys basketball team cruised to a 64-37 victory over rival Lakewood Ranch Jan. 30.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Catholic Schools Week at St. Martha

In honor of Catholic Schools Week, which is celebrated in Catholic schools across the country, St. Martha students and staff wore their favorite pajamas to school Tuesday, Jan. 31. Each day of the week had a different theme: Monday was red-white-and-blue day, Tuesday was pajama day, Wednesday was favorite-sports-team day and Thursday is career day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 31, 2012
Romney declared winner

Both Sarasota County and state Republican voters overall chose Mitt Romney as their GOP candidate by overwhelming margins Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 31, 2012
JAN. 31: 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
Ann Virag and Nathan Benderson, hosts of the luncheon
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies

The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies might be a Western New York foundation, but it's made some roots in Longboat Key. A donor luncheon hosted by Nate Benderson and Anne M. Virag catered to a group of individuals originally from Buffalo living permanently or for the season in Sarasota on Jan. 31 at Sarasota Yacht Club. The newly appointed Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo Michael Wise spoke about the future of Jewish Buffalo. The Foundation will be celebrating its centennial this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
D.M. Williams with former commissioner and good friend Joan Webster
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: D.M. Williams' Birthday

D.M. Williams, long-time manager at Casa Del Mar, was thrown a surprise birthday celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The beloved manager turned 81, contrary to the '18' on his horse-themed birthday cake. In honor of his birthday, the resort planned a spin-off of the old game show, 'To Tell the Truth,' so everyone could learn about his past 81 years. Some facts attendees learned were: Williams called every pet he's owned 'Ben,' his favorite charity is St. Judes and that he was named D.M. because he was the youngest of 11 siblings and his mom ran out of names.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The donor wall was unveiled, Tuesday, Jan. 31, inside the lobby of the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 31, 2012
Sarasota Ballet unveils new donor wall and box office

The Sarasota Ballet held a special dedication ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the FSU Performing Arts Center.

  • Arts + Culture
Longboat Key firefighters and police responded to the scene about 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 in the 2300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 31, 2012
UPDATE: Pedestrian, 73, dies in GMD crash

A woman visiting from Illinois died Friday night after being struck by a car while attempting to cross Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Voters can also return absentee ballots on Election Day up to 7 p.m. tonight.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 31, 2012
County reports steady primary numbers

Every Sarasota County precinct is open until 7 p.m. tonight for today's Republican Primary.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gabriella Alvarez is pictured with Andrea Avery, who helped chair the project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2012
ODA student launches Teens for Jeans campaign

Out-of-Door Academy student Gabriella Alvarez is collecting jeans for homeless teenagers through Feb. 3.

  • East County
  • News
Any Sarasota County neighborhood is eligible for a matching grant under the Sarasota County Neighborhood Grant Program.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 31, 2012
Grant workshops scheduled through March

Sarasota County residents can take advantage of new grant opportunities for their communities in the coming weeks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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