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Your Observer

Braden River High sophomore Madison Jaco, left, couldn’t wait to step onto the court for the first time this season as a teammate of her older sister, Brittany.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Sisters power Pirates volleyball team

Brittany and Madison Jaco have been instrumental in leading the Braden River High volleyball team in their first season together on the court.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High senior co-captain Kyle Benson
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Kyle Benson

Lakewood Ranch High senior co-captain Kyle Benson shot a 4-under par 68, helping lead the Mustangs to victory in the Donald Ross Memorial Tournament Oct. 3 in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore linebacker Marcus Balliette tries to wrap up Manatee wide receiver Ryan Taylor.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Hurricanes sink Pirates

The Braden River High football team learned it still has a long way to go after falling to Manatee 63-0 in its Class 7A-District opener Oct. 7.

  • East County
  • Sports
Olivia Ortiz
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Sports Briefs

Bulldog teams defeat Buccaneers; Mustangs win Donald Ross Tournament; River Dawgs win regional championship; Lady Mustangs race to third-place finish; Mustangs finish 11th in Boys Invitational Race

  • East County
  • Sports
Asphalt Orchestra
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 11, 2011
Ringling International Arts Festival Opening Night Block Party

Ringling International Arts Festival Opening Night Block Party

  • Black Tie
David Bullock was appointed interim town manager by the Longboat Key Town Commission in October 2011.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 11, 2011
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: David Bullock

David Bullock will assume the role of interim Longboat Key manager Nov. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
June Ansorge and Eve Kommel
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Democratic Club Meeting

Attempts to curtail women's rights in Florida and around the United States is what speaker Wendy Grassi, the director of public relations for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida speaks about. 'Last year was a hard time for women's health,' she says to the Democratic Club of Longboat Key on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The topic of the meeting is 'Elections have Consequences.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anna and Julia Donnellan went fishing with their family and were very successful. Anna says she caught 100 fish, and they were as big as she is!
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 11, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: 100 Fish Frenzy

Anna and Julia Donnellan went fishing with their family and were very successful. Anna says she caught 100 fish, and they were as big she is!

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Congressman Vern Buchanan
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 11, 2011
Buchanan promotes free trade deals

Congressman Vern Buchanan is working to promote legislation for free trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea

  • East County
  • News
Residents have discussed a possible community center at Bayfront Park but rejected the idea in a 2003 referendum.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 10, 2011
Committee recommends Wannemacher Jensen firm for Bayfront project

The company submitted one of 14 bids to assist in the development of a community-center project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gov. Rick Scott sits down with The Observer to answer a few questions.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2011
Scott: Jobs will solve state's problems

Florida Gov. Rick Scott's visit to the Observer Group prompted discussion on economic growth, the importance of jobs and Scott's intention to reduce state taxes.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Edgewater resident Audrey O'Leary.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 10, 2011
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Audrey O'Leary

Edgewater resident Audrey O'Leary began baking with her aunt as a child and loves to make treats for friends and neighbors.

  • East County
  • News
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Longboat Key

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Longboat Observer archives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Sarasota Observer archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Construction and maintenance projects continue on Interstate 75, U.S. 301, U.S. 41, state Route 789, state Route 758, state Route 72 and state Route 681. A new project starts on U.S. 41.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • October 10, 2011
Roadwork updates for week of Oct. 9

Construction and maintenance projects continue on Interstate 75, U.S. 301, U.S. 41, state Route 789, state Route 758, state Route 72 and state Route 681. A new project starts on U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carol and Barrie Farrar fish in Overlook Park daily. Barrie hasn't caught any keepers  so far today.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 10, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Gone Fishin'

Carol and Barrie Farrar fish in Overlook Park daily. Barrie hasn't caught any keepers so far today.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A Manatee County Sheriff's Office report states a single gunshot was fired between 1-2 a.m. Oct. 8 at a residence in the 7000 block of Chatum Light Run in Lighthouse Cove at Heritage Sound in the Heritage Harbour community.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 10, 2011
Shot fired at Lighthouse Cove home

Unknown persons shot a gun into a home in the 7000 block of Chatum Light Run in the early hours of Oct. 8.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Gov. Rick Scott shook hands with Observer Group employees this morning.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 10, 2011
Gov. Scott visits Observer office

The Observer Group hosted Florida Gov. Rick Scott this morning to answer questions relating to the state.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Audrey Krieg, Karen Peltz and Rita Verge of the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club were eager to chat with guests.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 10, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Club Day

Lakewood Ranch residents looking for social groups to join gathered Oct. 8 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp.'s Club Day event. Attendees were able to speak with representatives of more than 30 Lakewood Ranch clubs.

  • East County
  • News
Mike and Jewel Ash.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 9, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Seussical Goes Science

When you mix Dr. Seuss and G Wiz, you get a science museum full of 150 people wearing Cat in the Hat caps. On Sunday, Oct. 9, G Wiz and The Players joined forces to encourage kids to learn and think outside of the box, and it was a fundraiser benefiting both groups. The event also acted as a kick-off for The Players' 'Seussical the Musical,' which starts Oct. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mary Richardson, Leymis Bolanos Wilmott and Angela Rauter dance out from one of the banyan trees Sunday, Oct. 9 during GartenFest at Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 9, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: GartenFest with Fuzion Dance

Selby Botanical Gardens held their first performance of their Fall performance series, GartenFest, Sunday, Oct. 9 out by the Banyan trees at the Botanical Gardens. The Fuzion Dance Artists performed under the Banyan trees to a large crowd.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ken and Krista Bragg
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 8, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Oktoberfest

Sam Sneade's Tavern hosted its first Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 8 with proceeds benefiting The Humane Society. They served brats, pretzels, rotisserie chicken and - of course - beer. And Northern Sounds provided authentic German music for the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Summerfield resident Michelle Clinton, with her daughter, Ava, stands next to the bra she made out of recycled Tab and strawberry Sunkist.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 8, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: High Heel-A-Thon

East County residents rallied against breast cancer Oct. 8 during the Hornback Chiropractic High Heel-A-Thon event in the parking lot of Crowder's Gifts & Gadgets.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 8, 2011
Mustangs win Homecoming game

The Lakewood Ranch High football team defeated Tarpon Springs 41-33 in its Homecoming game Oct. 7.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River defensive back Jordan Edwards attempts to keep Manatee running back Leon Allen from reaching the end zone.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 8, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High at Manatee High

The Braden River High football team fell to Manatee 63-0 in the Class 7A-District 10 opener for both teams. The Pirates had a punt blocked for a safety on their opening possession, giving Manatee an early 2-0 lead. Manatee scored 61 unanswered points in the rout as the Pirates fell to 1-5 on the season. Braden River returns to non-district action Oct. 14 versus Bayshore in its Homecoming game.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jon Gabrielle
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: TDA Global Sports Party

TDA Global Sports hosted a party to thank past sponsors and new sponsors at the Longboat Key Club and Resort Tennis Gardens on Friday, Oct. 7. The title sponsors for the 2012 Sarasota Open were officially announced: Robrady Design and Ziivva. Tickets for the open go on sale Nov. 1 and will be $5 to $1,000 for the Sarasota Open from April 14 to 22. TDA is also a sponsor for the Longboat Key Triathalon on Oct. 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Loeffler, Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs stand in the middle of a group of Sailor Circus students after the meeting.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Official meeting of Circus Sarasota with Sailor Circus

Sailor Circus students and families were invited to come out Friday, Oct. 7 to the Sailor Circus Big Top on Bahia Vista to celebrate the new collaboration with Circus Sarasota. The short meeting allowed students and parents to not only celebrate the exciting news but also allowed for a question and answer session with CEO of Circus Sarasota Pedro Reis, Dolly Jacobs and Sailor Circus program director Susan Loeffler.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The game started at 7:30 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Mustangs' Homecoming Game

Lakewood Ranch High School tonight battled Tarpon Springs for its Homecoming game.

  • East County
  • Schools
The town supports Sarasota Bay Watch’s efforts to establish Sister Keys as an aquatic preserve as one of its 16 legislative priorities.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 7, 2011
Commission identifies legislative priorities

The Longboat Key Town Commission sent a list of 16 issues to present to county legislative delegations and the ManaSota League of Cities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
County Commissioner Joe Barbetta believes the Palm Avenue parking garage is "an ugly building."
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2011
County commissioner fumes over art project

County Commissioner Joe Barbetta is unhappy the city approved a $25,000 art project for the Palm Avenue parking garage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, intends to run for a fourth term and a challenger to his seat was announced Thursday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2011
Buchanan's seat to be challenged

Keith Fitzgerald will challenge Congressman Vern Buchanan next year for the 13th Congressional seat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2011
Manatee students rally for leadership

More than 500 students will gather at Braden River High School Oct. 8 for a leadership rally.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2011
East County business takes stand against cancer

Two local businesses this weekend will be holding fundraisers for cancer-related causes.

  • East County
  • News
Chris O'Brein of Atlas Insurance and Moya Nunn of Just 4 Paws
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chamber Luncheon

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held a networking luncheon Friday, Oct. 7 at Buffalo Wild Wings at 4067 Clark Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Freedom Award Winners:  Col. Steven Burns, Wendy Hopkins, Lovette Harper, Dr. Cheryl Smith, Mimi Goodwill, Dr. Gordon Michalson, Johnny Hunter Sr.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 6, 2011
26th annual Freedom Awards Banquet

26th annual Freedom Awards Banquet

  • Black Tie
Sierra van Such, Iliana Antony, Megan Marucs and Marisa Bregg donned pink for breast cancer awareness.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Sholom vs. Imagine School

Students at Temple Beth Sholom and Imagine School at Palmer Ranch competed in their last volleyball game of the season at the Sarasota Memorial Health Plex.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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