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Your Observer

Carol Bernasconi and Janice Hamlin
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Garden Club Floral Design Class

The Sarasota Garden Club held the first session of its six-week class on the basics of floral arrangement Tuesday, Jan. 3. Each Tuesday, the class meets to learn the fundamentals of design taught by flower show judges. Classes begin with a lecture, and after a lunch break, students have a chance to create their own arrangements and have them critiqued.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The suspect is a black male, about 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, 30 to 35 years old with a scruffy beard. He was wearing all black with white shoes.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 4, 2012
VIDEO: Man robs East County CVS store

Deputies are investigating a Jan. 2 robbery of CVS Pharmacy at 3724 84th Ave. Circle E.

  • East County
  • News
City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini has called a 2 p.m. special meeting at City Hall Friday to discuss a forensic investigation of three city computers.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 4, 2012
Commission meets Friday to discuss audit

The Sarasota City commissioners will review an investigation of three city computers at a special meeting on Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: East County

Enjoy an detailed preview of the 12 highly anticipated issues and people of 2012.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Longboat Key

Enjoy an detailed preview of the 12 highly anticipated issues and people of 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Itzhak Perlman speaks to the Rotarians, Tuesday, Jan. 3, inside the USF Sarasota-Manatee FCCI Rotunda.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Rotary Evening with Itzhak Perlman

The Sarasota Bay Rotary Club held an 'Evening with Itzhak Perlman', Tuesday, Jan. 3 at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. The evening included a reception with drinks and appetizers, speeches by Rotarians and Itzhak Perlman as well as an open orchestra rehearsal with the members of the Perlman Music Winter Residency Program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Salvation Army donations ring true

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key was rich with Salvation Army bell ringers this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
All Angels sees colorful new year

On Saturday, Dec. 31, Ralph Garafola opened his one-man art show at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church gallery, 563 Bay Isles Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
SYC wishes employee 'joy'

Joy Waugh, employee at the Sarasota Yacht Club for the past 14 years, is retiring and moving home to Branson, Mo., to begin a new chapter of her life.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Visiting family goes fishin'

Henry, Sam, Ivy-Reese and Amaya Kriser, grandchildren of Dan and Vicki Kriser, had a successful day of fishing recently near Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
"The Town Commission's departures from the requirements of the Zoning Code infringed on Petitioners' legitimate expectations under the Zoning Code and constituted a miscarriage of justice." Wrote Judge Charles E. Roberts in a 19-page ruling.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Key Club pursues options after judge grants writ petition

Judge Charles E. Roberts described the Town Commission's approval of a development order related to the Key Club's expansion project as a 'miscarriage of justice.'

  • Longboat Key
  • News
"So far, I think he’s done a wonderful job," Mayor Jim Brown said.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Town Manager: Bullock

Longboat Key Town Manager David Bullock received a one-year contract for the position in October, but his role as town manager is likely to continue.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Director of PZ&B

Wanted at Longboat Key Town Hall: Someone 'collaborative, diplomatic, a team player, highly energetic, affable, assertive.'

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Dogs: Longboat Beach Access?

Max Goldner doesn't know that he's been the subject of Longboat Key Town Hall debates and front-page newspaper articles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: The Colony

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort remains mired in legal issues, but the association of unit owners says that won't stop them from moving forward with redevelopment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Key Club

The Longboat Key Club and Resort starts the year with a setback to its Islandside project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Ranch to offer resident orientation

Attention new Lakewood Ranch residents. If you're confused by the acronyms CDD, IDA and HOA, this is the presentation for you.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Girl Scout troop delivers tasty treats

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 764 cooked up a special batch of treats for the area's homeless pets recently.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
News Briefs

Fish kills sign of mullet season; Town receives reimbursement; Kiwanis Club seeks award nominations; Griffin's novel makes magazine's Top 10 list

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Our View: Hypocrisy of the state

When Florida lawmakers convene next week for the 2012 session, conventional wisdom says they will be almost totally consumed with protecting their turf - that is, the boundaries of their legislative districts. And, oh yea, they'll have to figure out how to cut another $2 billion or so from the state budget.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Cell Tower

Debate about a proposed 150-foot cellular tower will continue to ring through at Town Hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Publix plans

The Lakeland-based supermarket chain plans to present residents with a new shopping experience before Christmas 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Community Center

Voters defeated a community center plan in 2004, but many residents want the plan back on the drawing board.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Pamela Letts, at her Centre Shops Family Practice and Urgent Care, has spoken out about the challenges of practicing medicine on Longboat Key. Photo by Robin Hartill.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Medical center

The Longboat Key Healthcare Foundation is ready to explore models for a proposed medical center on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Pension plans

The Longboat Key Town Commission will soon resume discussions of its three pension plans, which have a combined unfunded liability of more than $26 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Erosion control

The town will look at possible solutions for retaining sand, including groins, to protect the eroded north-end beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brian Kenney hopes to secure a lease with a national chain restaurant to anchor the plaza. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Whitney Beach Plaza

Whitney Beach Plaza remains largely vacant and in need of repairs, but owner Brian Kenney is still optimistic about its future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hazel Lenobel was an avid volunteer and was devoted to her family and friends. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2012
IN MEMORIAM: Lenobel remembered as family 'rock'

Hazel Lenobel, 82, died Dec. 29, 2011, after a 21-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nearly a half dozen new neighborhoods took root across the East County in 2011, as the area saw its most successful residential real estate year in recent memory.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Real Estate Recovery

With low interest rates, reasonable prices and declining inventory, East County Realtors and builders predict another promising year in East County real estate.

  • East County
  • News
Faith Life Church's building boasts a strong presence in Branson. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Faith Life Church

The Branson, Mo.-based mega church is slated to begin holding services in its new Lakewood Ranch campus starting this month.

  • East County
  • News
Benderson Development Executive Director of Leasing Mark Chait said he has received positive feedback about the retail offerings the company has brought to the area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Benderson Development

Benderson Development already is working on an expansion to its existing University Town Center project and intends to start work on its regional mall by the end of the year, as well.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Nathan Benderson Aquatic Nature Center

Leaders are working to make the East County rowing venue the first in the United States to be considered a Class A facility by the International Federation of Rowing Association.

  • East County
  • News
What Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President Brian Volner learned at his first Alliance meeting —and subsequent ones — are the things today that continue to drive Volner’s passion for the Alliance and its vision.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Brian Volner

As a the retail sales manager at Community Bank and the new president of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Volner's work and spare time both are dedicated to helping small businesses improve and succeed.

  • East County
  • News
Ron Lambert will become the new band director for Lakewood Ranch High School in June. As a clinician for Yamaha, REMO Drum Heads, and Innovative Percussion, he has helped keep Lakewood’s band program as innovative as possible over the years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Ron Lambert

Ron Lambert will take the helm of Lakewood Ranch High School's band program after Bob Schaer retires in June.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: LECOM School of Dental Medicine

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine will open its School of Dental Medicine in July.

  • East County
  • News
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