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Your Observer

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
At 100 years old, Gus Andreone, with his wife, Betty, continues to play golf at Palm-Aire Country Club two to three times a week.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2011
At 100 Gus Andreone is still swinging

Palm-Aire resident Gus Andreone celebrated his 100th birthday Sept. 30. The community will honor Andreone by naming its practice and teaching facility after him.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch High golf team is in the midst of its best season in school history, having won every tournament so far this year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2011
Mustangs golf team still undefeated

The boys golf team has posted an impressive 65-0 record so far this season with two tournaments remaining before the Class 2A-District 13 tournament Oct. 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco, associate editor.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2011
Comment: In football, anything is possible

It was exactly what they needed, and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

  • East County
  • Sports
Meet this week's Athlete, Ryan Fischer
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Ryan Fischer

Braden River High senior Ryan Fischer stepped in at quarterback in the second half and helped lead the visiting Pirates to a 20-10 victory over Port Charlotte Sept. 30.

  • East County
  • Sports
Out-of-Door Academy senior linebacker Tyler Burgett intercepted the ball as time expired in the first quarter.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2011
FULL STORY: Mistakes derail Thunder

ODA committed four turnovers and 11 penalties in its 35-14 loss to district rival Fort Myers Evangelical Christian School Sept. 30.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 5, 2011
Town manager benefits: How Longboat stacks up

How does Longboat Key compare to other municipalities in terms of the salary and benefits offered to its town manager?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
If you have information related to recent burglaries, contact Longboat Key Police Capt. Pete Cumming at 316-1977.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 5, 2011
UPDATE: Key police arrest burglary suspects

Three Bradenton men have been charged with one count each of burglary and could face additional charges.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Wireless communications antennas have evolved; Effective communication is key to doing business; Hiring Bullock was a mistake, get permanent manager now

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's edition of Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
This red shouldered hawk was found at a waste site with its feathers singed off. A similar case required a healing time of 10 months.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 5, 2011
Seabird safe haven seeks community awareness

Behind the wooden fences and the echoing chirps that bounce through the parking lot between Save Our Seabirds and Mote Marine Aquarium are various species of birds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Drake submitted this sunrise photo, taken in the Village on the north end of the Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Weekly Winner Double Vision

Michael Drake submitted this sunrise photo, taken in the Village on the north end of the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club of Lakewood Ranch home, which has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,919 square feet of living area, sold for $590,000. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 5, 2011
Lakewood Ranch home sells for $590,000

A home in Country Club of Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Read this week's Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2011
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The home at 476 Partridge Circle Drive, on Bird Key, has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths, a pool and 5,267 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.4 million. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 5, 2011
Bird Key home sells for $2.4 million

David Stark, trustee, of Bloomington, Ill., sold the home at 476 Partridge Circle, on Bird Key, to David and Pamela Sowder, Bradenton, for $2.4 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Gregg Kaplan runs Longboat-Key-based LBK Contractors & Design, a homebuilding and remodeling firm. Kaplan was previously CEO of Cinnabon, the chain of cinnamon roll bakeries. Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 5, 2011
Gregg Kaplan shares life lessons

Gregg Kaplan's executive lessons revolve around a key theme: Don't be afraid to take chances.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Donna Swan
  • October 5, 2011
Deal Us In: Finding the correct defense is key

West leads the king of clubs, followed by the ace of clubs. East plays low-high, and South's queen falls on the second trick

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nishit Patel, Megan Tommasi and Marci Reedy
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: YPG After Hours at Van Wezel

The Sarasota Young Professionals Group held its latest happy hour at Van Wezel, where members watched Henson Alternative's "Stuffed and Unstrung," featuring The Jim Henson Company's renowned puppeteers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nishit Patel, Megan Tommasi and Marci Reedy
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: YPG After Hours at Van Wezel

The Sarasota Young Professionals Group held its latest happy hour at Van Wezel, where members watched Henson Alternative's "Stuffed and Unstrung," featuring The Jim Henson Company's renowned puppeteers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A service in honor of previous Mayor, columnist and philanthropist Jim Brown took place at 9 a.m. at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Many of the speakers mentioned how there wouldn't be a beach without him.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Life's a beach

A service in honor of previous Mayor, columnist and philanthropist Jim Brown took place at 9 a.m. at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Many of the speakers mentioned how there wouldn't be a beach without him.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ava, Neveh and Renyia completed two laps around Payne Park this morning.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Presidential fitness challenge

Students from the Suncoast School of Innovative Studies raced around the track at Payne Park as part of The President's Challenge -- a physical activity and nutrition program that helps people age 6 and older improve their fitness and eating habits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nine-year-old short stop Kayla Estling races down the first base line after getting a hit in the first inning.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Play Ball

The Miss Manatee Softball 10U Observer team defeated Falkner Farms 11-7 Oct. 4.

  • East County
  • News
The city of Sarasota is now airing a new weekly television business segment to promote businesses.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 5, 2011
City launches television program

A television program aimed at promoting city businesses begins airing on the city's web site and local cable channels this week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Larry and Betty Royston hoped to catch themselves dinner by fishing at Bay Island Park. The couple also brought along a picnic of Bloody Marys and Burger King to enjoy while they fished.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Fishing for dinner

Many people enjoy fishing, relaxing or just taking in the view at Bay Island Park.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 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 5, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Danny Baughman and Dave Graybill pose in front of "Debbie," at pink firetruck covered in signatures. Each truck is usually named for a woman who has had cancer and had an impact on the community. "Debbie" is Baughman's mother-in-law.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Pink Heals Tour hits Siesta Key Beach

The Pink Heals tour made a stop Tuesday, Oct. 4 out at the Siesta Key Public Beach. Three pink firetrucks along with volunteer firefighters who are participating in the tour came out to sell t-shirts and raise awareness about women and cancer, not specifically breast cancer.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
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