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Your Observer

The Longboat Key Town Commission elected Pat Zunz to the District 5 Commission seat Monday night. Photo by Dora Walters.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY APRIL: Commission chooses Zunz for District 5 seat

The Longboat Key Town Commission welcomed former Planning and Zoning Board member Pat Zunz to the dais Monday night.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Key residents became concerned that a bill in the Legislature would result in a significant number of short-term rentals in residential areas.
  • By Stan Zimmerman
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY, APRIL: 'Motel' next door? Thank your Legislature

An under-the-radar bill working its way through the Florida Legislature would allow construction of hotels and motels in any area zoned 'residential.'

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Eight-graders Tatum Young, Isabelle Basden and Julia Nordhausen walked with Nolan Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society team Lakewood Ranch Relay for Life event at Lakewood Ranch High School April 9-10. Published April 14, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Leonardo Leal-Geurrero will visit Harvard this weekend. "Even when I didn’t have a house to live (in) or have a home, education was where I got my strength from," Leonardo says. "It was my motivator."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY, APRIL: Tale of Triumph

When Leonardo Leal-Guerrero immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in 2005, he knew no English. He then bounced from home to home - sometimes staying with neighbors when he had nowhere else to go. By the end of his high school career, the Braden River senior had two choices for college - Harvard or Stanford.

  • East County
  • News
Cameron Seguin cheers on her big sister by waving pom-poms in the air at Tatum Ridge Elementary’s March jog-a-thon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: March, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
...
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: March, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Jean Gruss
  • December 24, 2011
TOP STORY, MARCH: Follow the money

A group of Collier County government appointees asked The Jackson Laboratory tough questions. In the end, Collier decided it was too risky.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mary and John Bock chaired the Longboat Harbour’s St. Patrick’s Day party in March.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: March, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
At the Longboat Key Town Commission's statutory meeting Monday, newly appointed Mayor Jim Brown, left, presents outgoing Mayor George Spoll with a plaque that expresses the town’s gratitude for his years of service. Photo by Dora Walters.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 24, 2011
TOP STORY, MARCH: Brown takes mayor's chair

Commissioner Jim Brown becomes mayor for the first time. Commissioner David Brenner is elected as vice mayor.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This file photo shows Midnight Pass, looking to the south.
  • By Jack Gurney
  • December 24, 2011
TOP STORY, MARCH: Midnight Pass dispute moves to federal court

Florida authorities who twice denied Sarasota County permission to restore the Midnight Pass coastal inlet that previously separated Siesta Key from Casey Key may have thought the fight was over. If so, they can think again.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Cate Eschmann, 12, didn't mind getting wet in the dunk tank at McNeal Elementary's Winter Carnival. Published March 3, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: March, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 24, 2011
TOP STORY, MARCH: Premier Sports Complex

In March, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch announced the name of its newest amenity as Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Gavin Montisano showed off his muscles in a Spider-Man costume in February at Ashton Elementary’s Kindergartners’ Fairytale Parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: February, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Booker High School students gathered to point toward their future: major school renovations that also will unite the campus, ridding it of the Orange Avenue split.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: February, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Four major retail businesses are moving into the Palmer Ranch area: Costco, Lowe’s, Kohl’s and Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota. The owners of the Pelican Plaza shopping center are hoping to attract a fifth, by redeveloping the center.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 23, 2011
TOP STORY, FEB.: Ranch Rejuvenation

With four new major retail stores soon to open in the Palmer Ranch area and the search on for a fifth, the south Sarasota community is seeing a surge in business revitalization.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Virginia Tangeman sorts rosaries she made in February at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: February, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Robert Siekmann suggested the entire commission review the town’s three pension plans at least twice a month. Photo by Dora Walters.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2011
TOP STORY FEB.: Commission focuses on pension problem

The commission spent more than three hours Monday discussing the town's increasing unfunded liability in its three pension plans.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City Hall will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2011
Sarasota holiday closings

The city of Sarasota's administration offices and City Hall are closed Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2 in observance of the holidays.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marina Jack's tax-exempt status remains up in the air, pending a lawsuit. Photo by Norman Schimmel
  • By Jack Gurney
  • December 23, 2011
TOP STORY, FEB.: City dragged into Marina Jack tax case

How large a role the City of Sarasota will play in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court property tax lawsuit between Sarasota County Property Appraiser Bill Furst and Marina Jack has yet to be determined, but it has been reluctantly dragged into the fight.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Following in his mother's footsteps, Clayton Rosaire has taken over the traveling portion of the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. Published Feb. 3, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: February, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ivette and Anthony Littlejohn surround their son, Adrian, with positive energy as he undergoes chemotherapy.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 23, 2011
TOP STORY, FEB.: Adrian Littlejohn

Adrian Littlejohn, 1, son of Lakewood Ranch coach Anthony Littlejohn and his wife, Ivette, was diagnosed with AT/RT, a rare pediatric cancer.

  • East County
  • News
Riley Putnam practices her spoon-sticking ability in January at a Church of the Redeemer dinner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: January, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
Five things you didn't know about Victor Fernandez

Victor Fernandez, orchestra director at Booker Middle School, is a finalist for Teacher of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce President Cheryl Gaddie presented Russell Matthes and Troy Syprett, co-owners of the Daiquiri Deck, the award for Large Business of the Year.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: January, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Brothers Martin Gramatica and Santiago Gramatica stand in front of the panels that will be used to build three homes for underprivileged families in Haiti. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 22, 2011
TOP STORY, JAN.: Brotherly Love

The well-known former Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Martin Gramatica and his placekicking brothers chose Sarasota to start their green building business, which has just secured a deal to provide housing to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
County government offices to be closed for holidays

Most Sarasota County government offices and services, including libraries, the History Center and recreation centers, will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2011
SCORES: Mustangs post impressive showing at Southside Duals

The Lakewood Ranch High varsity wrestling team finished 6-1 at the Southside Duals Dec. 16-17 at Dixie Hollins High.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2011
SCORES: FBU Central Florida All-Stars to play in National Champinship

The FBU Central Florida All-Star team defeated the FBU Charlotte, N.C. All-Stars 27-7 Dec. 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2011
SCORES: MMS registration upcoming

The Miss Manatee Softball League will host registration for its upcoming spring season from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 11 and 20 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 14 and 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2011
SCORES: Braden River tops Port Charlotte

The Braden River High boys soccer team defeated Port Charlotte Dec. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vocalist Ozanda Gray performed in the "Sounds of Music" concert in January at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: January, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
BEST OF COPS 2011: East County

Since the East County Observer launched Cops' Corner in August 1999, it has consistently been one of the most beloved features in the paper. It seems readers never tire of reading about what kind of mischief is happening in our community.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
This August 1997 aerial of the north end of Longboat Key was taken just months after a 1996 interim beach renourishment project was completed. Photos courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
TOP STORY, JAN.: Beach project in limbo

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis wants direction on how the town should move forward with renourishing its beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Margaret Brading and Sue Ford
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
British Club celebrates X-Mas

The Sarasota British Club held its annual Christmas dinner party Saturday, Dec. 17, at Heritage Oaks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bea Dunayer with Jacob Baram. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Temple gets into the Hanukkah spirit

Temple Emanu-El Religious School caught the Hanukkah spirit Sunday, Dec. 11 at a school-wide campus celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Church of the Redeemer welcomes home college kids

Church of the Redeemer's College Ministry held a special 'welcome home' coffee time after services, Sunday, Dec. 18, inside Gillespie Hall. The Rev. Fred Robinson had each student come up as he read some information about each student's major and school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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