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Your Observer

More than 21,000 soccer fans attended the 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase and Nike International Friendlies tournament in December. File photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Premier Sports Campus

Leaders expect Lakewood Ranch's newest amenity to bring more than $60 million into the East County economy in 2012.

  • East County
  • News
Tara resident Sandy Gilbert leads the Community Affairs Committee, a group that is preparing to fight the Tara Bridge project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Bridge Battle

Although East County residents won't see any construction starting on the Tara Bridge or Fort Hamer Bridge this year, the fate of both bridges will be up for discussion in 2012.

  • East County
  • News
Although she has dabbled in other careers, Rebecca Gutierrez always has returned to polo. She calls it fate.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Rebecca Gutierrez

The Sarasota Polo Club's polo operations manager has big plans for one of the East County's most beloved pastimes.

  • East County
  • News
Chef Christopher Covelli
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Viking Culinary Center

The Viking Culinary Center on Lakewood Ranch Main Street already has garnered local attention. Its new manager, Christopher Covelli, hopes to bring it national attention in 2012, as well.

  • East County
  • News
Lyndsy McDonald and her staff of 10 bake about 200 cupcakes each day in addition to her catering orders.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
Delve into 12: Lyndsy McDonald

Pastries by Design owner Lyndsy McDonald, who moved into her new storefront on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch Sept. 1, saw her business nearly triple in 2011.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 4, 2012
OBSERVED: Optimism abounds in new year

For the past four years, the East County Observer has begun the new year with special editions highlighting the people and issues we believed would have significant influence in the East County in the following 12 months.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Molly Schechter
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • January 4, 2012
It's a 'classy' season for Longboat fitness offerings

Residents, snowbirds and visitors have lots of options for staying in shape this season. Public classes are offered at the Longboat Key Education Center and the town's Bayfront Park Recreation Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Andrea Moriarty, Luke Moriarty, Kip O'Neill and Terry Petesch
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • January 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Villagers celebrate at holiday open house

Kip O'Neill's annual Holiday Open House Dec. 29 was a delightful gathering of new residents mingling with long-time Villagers. It was also an occasion for snowbirds to catch up on the latest news on the Key. Usually a number of peacocks gather on O'Neill's lawn to join in the festivities, but, on this evening, there wasn't one in sight. Someone must have forgotten to update the peacocks' social calendar.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Obituary: Johnny Overstreet

Johnny Overstreet, of Arthur, Ill., and formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 22. He was 55.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Obituary: William R. 'Bill' Newhouse

William R. 'Bill' Newhouse, of Boulder, Colo., and Longboat Key, died Nov. 27. He was 85.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Obituary: Mahesh Mirchandani

Mahesh Mirchandani, of Bradenton and formerly of India, died Saturday, Dec. 31. He was 57.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Obituary: Irving Raphael Isaacs

Irving Raphael Isaacs, of Pittsburgh and Longboat Key, died Wednesday, Dec. 28. He was 84.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
"Yes, We Have Some Bananas" is a fresh exhibit with a stale Volkswagen.
  • By Stuart and Lois Scheyer
  • January 4, 2012
The good, bad, ugly and bizarre

It's been six years since we reported on our excursion to the bewildering world of Art Basel Miami Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 708 condominium at The Water Club II, 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,273 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,975,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 4, 2012
Three-bedroom Water Club condo sells for $1,975,000

Ingrid Leitzen, trustee, Sarasota, sold the Unit 708 condominium at The Water Club II, 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive, to Paul and Lisette Jacobs, New York, for $1,975,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Bridge Scoreboard

Read the winning results of recent bridge matches of Merrill Duplicate Bridge Club and Longboat Key Duplicate Bride Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lizzy Miller. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 4, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Lizzy Miller

Lizzy Miller has always been active. When she lived on Long Island, N.Y., and her children were young, she would tuck them in bed, pack her gym bag and get in a workout.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
JUST THE STATS

14 - Number of members on the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center Team that made it to the USTA state regionals in Daytona. Team members were: Beth Smith, Jewell Emswiller, Kathy Powers, Nancy Kane, Betty Aden, Janet Melowic, Joan Dempsey, Kip O'Neill, Bonnie Marcuson, Fanny Younger, Bonnie Geyman, Ann Zaltman, Carole Regan and Kenda Smith.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Sparks. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 4, 2012
Tennis pro known for a certain spark

Tennis pro David Sparks is leaving the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, where he has worked since its inception. He says it's because he isn't a teenager anymore.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • January 4, 2012
Bridge Bites: A good attitude

Against 4♥ West leads the ♣10, won by East's Ace. A Diamond shift is clearly called for, and the standard play from that holding is the 10, the so-called 'top of an interior sequence.' Is that your choice or are there other considerations?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deborah Johnson-Brooks submitted this sunrise photo, taken on north Longboat Key overlooking Sister Keys.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Deborah Johnson-Brooks submitted this sunrise photo, taken on north Longboat Key overlooking Sister Keys.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kiera and Ben are Anchin Pavilion’s newest animal residents.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Poodles brighten Anchin Pavilion Assisted Living Community

Ben and Kiera, two miniature poodles, recently found a home at Anchin Pavilion Assisted Living Community, where they provide joy and support for residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joshua Rogers and Brett Wagner were close friends for most of their lives. Courtesy photos.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2012
IN MEMORY: Lakewood Ranch remembers crash victims

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Brett Wagner and Joshua Rogers died from injuries sustained in an accident Dec. 25.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Jim Longhitano took this sunset photo last summer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Lakewood Ranch resident Jim Longhitano took this sunset photo last summer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Country Club of Lakewood Ranch home, which has four bedrooms and four-and-one-half baths sold for $964,500. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 4, 2012
Lakewood Ranch home tops sales

Raymond and Carol Lamoureaux sold their home at 7802 Mathern Court to Anthony and Kathleen Constantinou, of Killingworth, Conn., for $964,500.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
McKinlee Quinn Gilbert
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2012
East County Births

Congratulations to the East County parents who celebrated recent births. The East County Observer will publish birth announcements each month. To have your listing included, please email your information to Managing Editor Michael Eng, [email protected].

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Half Shell Oyster House, 1991 Main Street, will host its soft opening (dinner only) Monday, Jan. 9. The restaurant officially opens Jan. 10 with lunch and dinner service.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 3, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Aw, shucks!

Where can you find such delectable oyster decor in Sarasota? Why, a new restaurant on Main Street, of course.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 3, 2012
District 26 Umps opening up the cages

District 26 Little League umpires are opening up the cages at Braden River Little League from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 7.

  • East County
  • Sports
Joe Salvino and Tennis Pro David Sparks watch tennis matches from the sidelines at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 3, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Off the Court

Joe Salvino and Tennis Pro David Sparks watch tennis matches from the sidelines at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bob Sweat, Manatee County supervisor of elections.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 3, 2012
Bob Sweat announces retirement

Manatee Elections Supervisor Bob Sweat announced today he will retire in November.

  • East County
  • News
The future of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will be discussed tonight at City Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 3, 2012
Commission reviews Van Wezel tonight

The Sarasota City commissioners will review a plan to target violent crimes in North Sarasota at their regular meeting tonight.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 3, 2012
Weather Service issues freeze warning for East County

Temperatures are expected to dip below 30 degrees Fahrenheit in the East County tonight.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 3, 2012
Commission to hold work session

Manatee County commissioners today will meet with members of the Palmetto City Commission for a special work session.

  • East County
  • News
A witness called deputies at 1:32 a.m. to report that Ricky Leer killed a 53-year-old victim during an argument in the woods.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 3, 2012
UPDATE: Body found in wooded area

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested Ricky Leer, 58, for Second Degree Murder.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 3, 2012
Chamber accepting nominations for small business awards

Completed nomination forms must be received no later than Friday, Feb 10.

  • Sarasota
  • News
REx Jensen, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch president and CEO.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 3, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Rex Jensen

Twenty years ago, if you would have asked Rex Jensen if he could envision himself heading up one of the most recognizable and sought-after land management, agricultural and development companies in the nation, he would have told you that he wasn't the right man for the job.

  • East County
  • News
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