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Your Observer

Gov. Rick Scott at 11 a.m. today will give his State of the State address.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2012
Florida Legislature starts session

The Florida House of Representatives began its first 60-day session of 2012 today.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 10, 2012
Scores: Mustangs tie Tigers

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team tied Palmetto 0-0 Jan. 9.

  • East County
  • Sports
Of homes sold in the community in 2011, 56% were new homes and 44% were resales.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2012
Lakewood Ranch doubles home sales

LWR Communities reported it saw a 70% increase in new home sales in 2011 compared to the prior year.

  • East County
  • News
Mexican Egg Torta
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Men's Club

It's no wonder the Men's Club of Christ Church was diving into seconds (and even thirds) of Italian frittata, Spanish Floating Eggs, Mexican Egg Torte and Quebec Blueberry Crepes. The first part of their meeting on Monday, Jan. 9 was a cooking lesson from Wiley Osborn. A breakfast of the foods they made followed, along with a lecture on the early geologic reconnaissance in Libya by Geologist Weldon Frost.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Regular hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 10, 2012
New annual, daily and seasonal rates have been announced for the Lido Pool

The heated Lido Pool is owned and operated by the city of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Images taken from the scene of the crime.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 10, 2012
White male robs 7-11 on Beneva Road

On Monday, at about 10:37 p.m., a white male, 30-40 years old, approximately 6 feet tall and 170 pounds, entered the 7-11 store on 2745 Beneva Road. The suspect demanded money from the register, implying that he had a weapon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Blake C. Talman has been in the Sarasota County Jail since just before 7 p.m. Jan. 7, approximately six hours after the incident was reported on Midnight Pass Road.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 9, 2012
Arraignment set Feb. 3 for driver in fatal accident

A 22-year-old Bradenton man will be arraigned Feb. 3 in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota in connection with the Jan. 7 death of a Siesta Key runner.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Voter registration forms are available at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, as well as locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 9, 2012
Deadline Feb. 21 to register to vote for town election

The deadline to register to vote in the town's March 20 general election is Feb. 21.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Combs has been charged with two counts of Crimes Against Persons for Committing Specific Felony Acts that Cause Death, and is being held without bond.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 9, 2012
Deputies make arrest in bizarre arson case

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested William Combs, 45, in connection with an arson case on Dec. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike McAdaragh and Phyllis Werber
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Mixed Doubles Sarasota Yacht Club

The Kick-off event for Sarasota Yacht Club's mixed doubles round-robin tennis club meets every second Sunday at Longboat Key Public Tennis Center. This Sunday, Jan. 8, they met for tennis and celebrated the upcoming season with appetizers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Road construction and maintenance occurs this week on U.S. 41, State, Interstate 75, and State Roads 72, 789, 758, 681.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 9, 2012
New road construction on U.S. 41, State Road 72

Four new construction and maintenance projects begin this week, while 10 projects continue in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Event coordinators Jean and Bernie Boutet, Jan McCracken and Karen Gallagher
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: O Canada

The real Canadians at Bird Key Yacht Club's O' Canada event wore Canadian flag stickers on Saturday, Jan. 7 - everyone else did their best to fake it in red, white and winter sweaters. Dinner was served, and live music was provided.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cooks prepare oysters for the Half Shell Oyster House's opening party on Friday, Jan. 6.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Half Shell Oyster House opening

The Half Shell Oyster House served as the venue for two events - its own opening and the inauguration of the Mark Wandall Foundation's 'Safety Saves Lives' program, which aims to educate motorists on safe driving habits. The restaurant officially opens Jan. 10, but the night served as a preview of the cuisine and atmosphere to come. All proceeds from the event went to the Mark Wandall Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A corrections sergeant discovered Bodner had agreed to supply an inmate with Oxycodone and Lorazepam during prearranged visits to the jail.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 9, 2012
Psychologist arrested for illegally providing pills to inmate

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a Holli Bodner, 51, for providing controlled substances to an inmate at the Sarasota County Jail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Gunnerson and Nick Vonknorring of UnEven LaNes perform at the Selby Public Library.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Selby Public Library Band Bash

Selby Public Library hosts Band Bash to break in its new Teen Center. Five local bands broke the silence in the Selby Public Library Jan. 7 to usher in the opening of its new Teen Center - a place where local teens are encouraged to read, play and make a little noise. Local bands including The Garbage Men, UnEven LaNes, Let's Rock Sarasota and Siege of Malakand performed original and familiar tunes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Judy Alexander
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: High Tea and Doll Houses

The Historical Society of Sarasota hosted a High Tea and Doll Houses event on Sunday, Jan. 8. The Bidwell House and Crocker Memorial Church in Pioneer Park are some of the oldest buildings in Sarasota, and they served as the venues for the event. Sal Garcia provided live music, and both miniature houses and fancy hats were on display.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The death is being considered "suspicious."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2012
UPDATE: Manatee County Sheriff's office investigates death

Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating the death of a 77-year-old woman found dead in her home in the 11000 block of Hyacinth Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Meet GreyHawk Landing resident Sandra Marks, and try her Grapefruit Delight recipe.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Sandra Marks

GreyHawk Landing resident Sandra Marks got this recipe, which has become a family favorite, during one of her Recipe Club meetings.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Schools Superintendent Tim McGonegal said the driver, Charles Robert Orr, was a substitute bus driver with five years of prior bus driving experience.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2012
Video shows moments before bus crash

Manatee County School District officials on Jan. 6 released video from inside the bus that crashed at 66th Street East and State Road 64 on Jan. 5.

  • East County
  • News
Ken Cro-Ken painted live to oboist Matt Sullivan and live-streamed video footage  for attendees at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design on Friday, Jan. 6.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Multiple Oneness

Ken Cro-Ken painted live to oboist Matt Sullivan and live-streamed video footage for attendees at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design on Friday, Jan. 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tyler Mims, Mike Herron, and John Hartmann work on one roof while Ryan Chapdelain pursues another
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Save Our Seabirds Clean Up

It was all the birds could squawk about when 26 volunteers showed up for a long day of labor at Save Our Seabirds on Saturday, Jan. 7. 'It is surprising to see the amount of people come to give us a face lift we so badly needed,' Lee Fox, Executive Director, says. Some volunteers scraped paint, others painted; some cleaned, and others cleared brush, but everyone was hard at work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Danielle Berg with Cindi, Giacomo, Giovanni and Nick Bollettieri
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 8, 2012
Sarasota Polo 'Saint Stephen's Episcopal School Cup'

Sarasota Polo 'Saint Stephen's Episcopal School Cup'

  • Black Tie
Lakewood Ranch Country Club residents Karen and Dan Moriarty enjoy listening to jazz musicians Johnny Moore and Dominic Mancini.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Jazz on Sunday

Jazz enthusiasts enjoyed an evening of smooth jazz, rock and rhythm and blues by the Les DaCosta Quartet during the Jazz Club of Sarasota's Jazz on Sunday event Jan. 8 at the Polo Grill and Bar. The club hopes to make Jazz on Sunday a monthly event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bikers make their way through downtown Sarasota, Sunday, Jan. 8, during the weekend long event, Thunder by the Bay.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Thunder by the Bay

The 14th Annual Thunder by the Bay Motorcycle Festival took place Jan. 6 - 8 in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jane Buckman and Composer Laura Kaminsky
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Affinities performance

The opening to Affinities included a performance incorporating Rebecca Allan and Ken Cro-Ken's work on Friday, Jan. 6 at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design. The performance presented Multiple Oneness Ken Cro-Kens live painting and video-streaming of his work to Oboist Matt Sullivan's music. Horizon Lines followed, featuring Hermitage Artist Retreat Fellow and composer Laura Kaminsky's music performed by Oxygen 3 during a film incorporating Hermitage Artist Retreat Fellow Rebecca Allen's work. Attendees could view the exhibition following the performance. The exhibition runs through Feb. 24 and features the artist's work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hundreds of people came out to enjoy the annual spaghetti dinner, Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Sarasota Garden Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Garden Club's spaghetti dinner

The Sarasota Garden Club held their annual spaghetti dinner, Saturday, Jan. 8, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner will include salad, spaghetti, and spumoni for dessert.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cheryl Losey, principal harpist in the Sarasota Orchestra, played pieces inspired by different readings, Friday, Jan. 6, during "Sounds of the Soul" at Pine Shores Presbyterian.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sounds of the Soul

Cheryl Losey, principal harpist of the Saraosta Orchestra, performed Friday, Jan. 6, for 'Sounds of the Soul' at Pine Shores Presbyterian.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Rick Pecorelli, 81, tackles Alex Mobley, 15, during the 20th Annual Brad Price Memorial PAL Bowl, Friday, Jan. 6, at Booker High.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 20th Anniversary PAL Bowl

The top, senior football players from Sarasota and Manatee county took one another one in the 20th Annual Brad Price Memorial PAL Bowl, Friday, Jan. 6, at Booker High. Manatee County All-Stars won the game 20-17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Dan Blacklow, Charlotte Graier and Carol Siegler learn to salsa from Jahrel Thompson
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Fuzion Dance

The Longboat Key Education Center held its first 'In the Spotlight' performance with members from the modern dance troupe Fuzian Dance on Friday, Jan. 6. Rehearsal Director Alyson Dolan, dancer Jahrel Thompson and Artistic Director Leymis Bolas performed a variety of their selections. After a few numbers, the audience joined in the fun with some salsa dancing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anny Chen and Juan-Salvador Carrasco
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 8, 2012
'Perlman and Pearls' Gala

'Perlman and Pearls' Gala

  • Black Tie
Debbi Benedict, Kristine Nickel and Wendy Deming
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 7, 2012
Platinum Dinner and Lecture featuring Tina Brown

Platinum Dinner and Lecture featuring Tina Brown

  • Black Tie
Town Attorney David Persson will ask the commission for permission to appeal a ruling at Monday’s meeting.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 7, 2012
Key Club likely to appeal writ ruling

Town Attorney David Persson recommended that the town appeal if the Key Club appeals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River’s Matt McNab and Lakewood Ranch’s David Cabrera battle for position during a Class 4A-District 11 match Jan. 6.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River soccer versus Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team proved its still in the hunt for the top seed in the Class 4A-District 11 tournament after defeating rival Braden River 3-2 in a district match Jan. 6. Jason Ferguson gave the Mustangs an early 1-0 lead before the Pirates' Matt McNab scored off an assist by Danny Lane to even the game 1-1 at halftime. Lakewood (7-1-3) reclaimed the lead on a goal by Ryan Sollazzo. Lane scored off an assist from Fabio Vasconcellos to pull Braden River (8-2) even with the Mustangs. But the Mustangs' Jimmy Jaime scored the game-winning goal off a cross from Bill Louberti with five minutes remaining in the game. Across town, the Lakewood Ranch High girls team came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie rival Braden River 2-2 in district action. Tyler Gordon scored on an assist from Morgan Salmon in the final minute to lift the host Lady Mustangs (10-3-2, 9-2-1) to a tie with their East County rivals. Carly Provan scored both goals for the Lady Pirates (5-4-3 4A-11) off assists by Kayla Gray. Juliana Guida scored on an assist from Taylor Halligan with 17 minutes remaining to get Lakewood back into the match. The Lady Mustangs finished second behind Venice in the final regular-season standings while Braden River was third.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 6, 2012
Lakewood Ranch Little Leaguer hits for the cycle

Nine-year-old Parker Venuto hit etched his name into the record books Nov. 11 when he hit for the cycle for the first time in his young career.

  • East County
  • Sports
Molly Klauber, Molly Schechter, Molly Demeulenaere and Molly Turner judged the contest.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Molly's Mac n' Cheese S'Mac Down

East County residents gorged themselves on macaroni and cheese from amateur and professional chefs during the Gulf Coast Cheese Fest's Molly's Mac n' Cheese S'Mac Down Jan. 6, at the Polo Grill and Bar.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This work, "Hidden in the Shadows," was completed by 10thgrade student  Savannah Beeson.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Student Art Exhibit

The Manatee Cultural Alliance welcomed student artists from Lakewood Ranch High School Jan. 6, as the Alliance hosted a special artist reception. Lakewood Ranch High School Art Academy Student Art Exhibit will run through Jan. 27.

  • East County
  • News
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