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Your Observer

    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 12, 2011
Real Estate Reports

Bers earns Certified Distressed Property Expert designation; Susan Mondello joins MS&Co. St. Armands Circle II office; Wagner Realty announces top agents for the month of September; Tammy Mast joins MS&Co. Longboat Key South office

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
  • By Donna Swan
  • October 12, 2011
Deal Us In: Precision bidding promises high-card points

The one-club opening bid, when playing Precision, promises 16-plus high-card points, which says nothing about distribution.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ellen Letourneau submitted this sunset photo, taken in the 3300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 12, 2011
Weekly Winner: Sea Breeze

Ellen Letourneau submitted this sunset photo, taken in the 3300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Composer Gregory Smith plays a song he is writing for students at Gene Witt Elementary. The piece features melodies written by select students at the school
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 12, 2011
Gene Witt students assist in orchestral composition

Composer Greg Smith is incorporating melodies written by students at Gene Witt Elementary and other schools into an orchestral composition that will be premiered in May.

  • East County
  • News
Artist Michael Israel is eager to raise awareness and funds for the Payton Wright Foundation. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 12, 2011
Artist paints vision for cause

World-renowned artist Michael Israel will be featured at a fundraising event for the Payton Wright Foundation Oct. 29.

  • East County
  • News
Fisheries biologist Jeff Willitzer, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, measures a bass at Trophy Lake in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 12, 2011
Anglers cast for better bass fishing

Representatives of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Oct. 5 informally surveyed three of the Ranch's lakes.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 12, 2011
News Briefs

Wine retailer raises funds for breast cancer; Steube launches re-election campaign; Ranch Town Hall hosts new resident orientation; Wine retailer raises funds for breast cancer; Steube launches re-election campaign

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 12, 2011
Our View: Time for Town Center

Benderson Development Co. is offering a cool drink of development in a parched economic land. Hopefully, Sarasota County elected officials will have the wisdom not to dump it out.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Rod Thomson
  • By Rod Thomson
  • October 12, 2011
My View: Occupiers not like tea partyers

The Occupy protests have spread to Sarasota and continue expanding, but to what end no one seems to know - including the demonstrators.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Read this week's Castaway cartoon
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Susan Esco took this sunset photo Sept. 25, while strolling through Greenbrook.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 12, 2011
Weekly Winner: Shades of Royalty

Susan Esco took this sunset photo Sept. 25, while strolling through Greenbrook.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
City Hall is taking a business-friendly approach to new businesses with a new welcome packet program.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 12, 2011
City starts welcome package program

Starting this month, the city of Sarasota is sending welcome packages to any new business that applies for a permit within city limits.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Third-grader Samantha Pondillo, front, had fun dancing with friends.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 12, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE rocks at Sock Hop

Students at Braden River Elementary School on Sept. 23 celebrated their positive behavior with a "Rockin' Sock Hop" at the school. The event was meant to encourage students to continue working hard, show respect, engage in learning and show self control. Submitted by Kathy Keebler.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Neal
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 12, 2011
Business Observer

PureStyle Interior passes $1 million in sales; EDC uses sports video to lure jobs to Manatee; Ranch business owners compete in Ironman triathlons; Grapevine Communications advertising firm expands

  • East County
  • News
This home at 4306 Barracuda Drive has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,470 square feet of living area. It sold for $480,000. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 12, 2011
Riverdale Revised home sells for $480,000

A home in Riverdale Revised tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Miss Manatee Softball 10U Observer team has a 1-1 record through the first two games of the fall season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Observer team in full swing

The Miss Manatee Softball 10U Observer team opened its fall season Oct. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Comment: First-time interviews fun for all

As the lone sports writer for the East County Observer, I'm constantly interviewing coaches and players - many of whom I've interviewed countless times before.

  • East County
  • Sports
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
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