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Your Observer

Sarasota entrepreneurs Dan Miller and Chris Abbot recently launched the Abbeton Accelerator Fund. The fund invests in startup ideas, mostly in technology. Photo by Rod Millington.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 6, 2011
Innovative Business: Acceleration Machine

The idea people behind a technology startup sometimes lack two key elements: cash and know-how. A trio of Gulf Coast business veterans is here to help.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
This home at 313 Canal Road, which has two bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 1,918 square feet of living area, sold for $410,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Riegels Landing home tops this week's sales at $505,600

A home in Riegels Landing tops transactions in this week's real estate. Cosimo and Concetta Tripoli, Sarasota, sold their home at 1254 Riegels Landing Drive to Joseph and Alison Rini, Sarasota, for $505,600.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mitch Garber took this sunset photo in July, on Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Weekly Weather: All Aglow

Mitch Garber took this sunset photo in July, on Siesta Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Maria Lutz, Tracy Henderson, Rebecca Blitz and Penny Shuff. Chefs Phil Mancini and Tommy Klauber led the way and prepared each course before turning over the reins — and pots, pans and kitchen utensils — to the attendees.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Martha's gets a taste of Italy at interactive dinner

The Taste of Italy Interactive Dinner held for St. Martha's Catholic School drew 150 eager participants to the event Saturday, Sept. 24, at Michael's On East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Butler founded Paradise Homes in 2003. The company has since become one of the fastest-growing homebuilders in the Sarasota-Bradenton market. Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 6, 2011
Homebuilder in Paradise

Jim Butler rarely hesitates to invest money - a lot of money - in his entrepreneurial ventures. His latest stake, homebuilding, has been a winner.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 7776 S. Holiday Drive has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,382 square feet of living area. It sold for $1 million. Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 6, 2011
Holiday Harbor home sells for $1 million

Richard Bores and Mary Cuthbert-Bores, Sarasota, sold their home in Holiday Harbor at 7776 S. Holiday Drive to Edward Stolarski, Sarasota, for $1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Rosemary Gillies
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 6, 2011
Real Estate Reports

RE/MAX named among nation's top realtors; Keller Williams doubles operations in Sarasota; Hudson and Gillies join Signature Sotheby's; Wellman-Moffatt team joins Michael Saunders

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Peter Monaghan submitted this sunset photo, taken in Island Park near downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Weekly Winner: A Walk in the Park

Peter Monaghan submitted this sunset photo, taken in Island Park near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tyler Kaisi, Maya Kaisi, Nick Slimick and Sierra Pittman.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Festival sARTee Kick Off

Festival sARTee's kick-off hosted by Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design featured Inspired Journeys containing two exhibits, "Fresh Paints" and "Provocative Petticoats," and a performance by the Sailor Circus on Thursday, Oct. 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jenny Hovey, Erin Fitzgerald, Taryn Pharo, Dr. John Fezza, Gail Cervera and Pia Simonson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Wine Women & Shoes Sole Men Reception

Wine Women & Shoes Sole Men Reception

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Tickets on sale for gourmet party

Tickets are now on sale for the Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party (formerly called the St. Jude Gourmet Luncheon), which takes place Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Longboat Key Club and Resort's Islandside golf course driving range.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Aging in Paradise has new website

The Aging in Paradise center at the Longboat Island Chapel now has a new website: aginginparadise.org.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ally Kukanza helps Mote scientists release rescued hatchlings back into the Gulf of Mexico. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Selfless birthday wish for the turtles

Allison Kukanza opted out of birthday presents for her ninth birthday earlier this month; instead, she asked that donations be made to Mote's Sea Turtle Hatchling Hospital, which her family donated to Mote.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Tara enjoys Italian festival

Tara Golf and Country Club residents on Sept. 17 enjoyed an authentic Italian feast during the San Gennaro Dinner Festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Levi signed the national anthem before the contest. And — even better — he got a high-five from Rays Manager Joe Maddon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Rays request Waxler's support

After their incredible ride into the postseason, the Tampa Bay Rays asked for East County sign-language guru Levi Waxler's services at the team's playoff game against the Texas Rangers Oct. 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Agriculture students from the school’s Science and Health Academy, among others, attended the event.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Rodeo legend visits BRHS

East County cowboy and legend Hub Hubbell, 93, on Sept. 30 visited Braden River High School, where he talked about his life as a cowboy and gave a lasso demonstration.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Bullock stands outside of Longboat Key Town Hall before Monday night’s commission meeting.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 5, 2011
FULL STORY: Bullock receives one-year contract

Town Commission voted 6-1 for longtime Sarasota County deputy administrator.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Our View: Start with a blank sheet

There is no point ranting or scolding for the selection Monday night of David Bullock as Longboat Key's new interim town manager.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jim Brown and his daughter, Sue Rico, talk Monday afternoon at his home at the Twin Shores Mobile Home Park.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 5, 2011
Jim Brown leaves behind a legacy

After 35 years on Longboat Key, Jim Brown, former mayor, town commissioner and champion of the island bids adieu to his home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Robert Lincoln
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 5, 2011
DCA reverses Islandside ruling

The Florida Department of Community Affairs reversed a previous ruling, but the significance of the decision has yet to be determined.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 5, 2011
Lighthouse Point dock project creates waves

The proposed expansion plan reached stormy waters last week, when a fight broke out between two neighbors.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A class photo of Lakewood Ranch High School's 2001 graduating class.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 5, 2011
Lakewood Ranch High School's first graduating class celebrates 10 years

Lakewood Ranch High School's 2001 yearbook was titled 'The Final Piece' -- to honor its first graduates as the last puzzle piece needed to complete the high school. This week, that pioneering class celebrates its 10-year reunion.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Bullock. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 5, 2011
Q & A with Interim Town Manager David Bullock

After 14 years at the No. 2 spot with Sarasota County, David Bullock will take charge as Longboat Key interim town manager.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Blues Pig performed at last year’s fish fry. File photo.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 5, 2011
Historical Society fish fry gets new name

This year, the Longboat Key Historical Society and Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub will host the society's annual fish fry under a new name: "Grouper vs. Mullet Fry Off."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Jessica Luck
  • October 5, 2011
Education Center offers lifelong learning opportunities

Fall semester classes and workshops begin Oct. 17. Registration is open now.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
News Briefs

Manatee County to honor Euphemia Haye chef; Commission meetings now available live-stream; Commission creates audit selection committee; ZBA, code enforcement meetings canceled

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Daniel Mitchell
  • By Daniel Mitchell
  • October 5, 2011
My View: Facts are in: Tax cuts raise revenue

There is a distinct pattern throughout American history: When tax rates are reduced, the economy's growth rate improves and living standards increase.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Castaway
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • October 5, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Re-district for the future

The surge of Manatee County growth centered in Lakewood Ranch is tilting the center of the county ever eastward - and leaving county leaders with the challenge of re-drawing political boundaries.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Steamy Kitchen blogger Jaden Hair and her sons, Nathan, left, and Andrew, right, are enjoying their backyard farm, where they are raising chickens and vegetables. Hair is building a smaller version of a sustainable garden in her backyard.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 5, 2011
Organizers dissolve Smart Farm plans

Jaden Hair said the idea for a sustainable community farm in Lakewood Ranch was too complex for her and her partners to realize.

  • East County
  • News
Eileen Amesbury
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 5, 2011
HOA forms communication committee

The Lakewood Ranch Country Club/Edgewater Village Association is working to improve communication among the HOA, Community Development Districts, Town Hall and residents.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 5, 2011
Lakewood clubs seek members

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp. will host its Club Day Oct. 8.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
News Briefs

Manatee seeks code board members; SCF celebrates LEED certification; Out-of-Door Academy opens community gallery; Taylor Morrison acquires TruLiving

  • East County
  • News
Holly Wright’s Forever Frogs is the latest venture for the Payton Wright Foundation.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 5, 2011
Payton's memory inspires business

Lakewood Ranch resident Holly Wright, co-founder of the Payton Wright Foundation, is launching a new business, Forever Frogs.

  • East County
  • News
Charlie James Gurski
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Birth Announcements

Congratulations to the East County parents who celebrated recent births.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara resident Larry Francis took this sunset photo of Sarasota Bay Sept. 11, from City Island Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Weekly Winner: Sails at Sunset

Tara resident Larry Francis took this sunset photo of Sarasota Bay Sept. 11, from City Island Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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