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Your Observer

People huddled underneath the pavilion at Mar Vista in an attempt to get out of the rain, Saturday, July 2 during the Mar Vista Fireworks Spectacular.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Boom Boom on the Bay

The annual "Boom Boom on the Bay" fireworks show got a little soggy Saturday, July 2 when a thunderstorm rolled in during the fireworks display that took place over the Sarasota Bay and was put on by Mar Vista and Moore's Stone Crab.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A nautical set up was created on the corner of Lemon and State to direct people to the Shrimp and Lobster Festival put on by the Sarasota Farmers Market.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Shrimp & Lobster Fest

Sarasota Farmers Market held its first ever Shrimp and Lobster Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 2, in the parking lot on State Street. The two main vendors under the tent were Maggie's Seafood, Annalida's and Boothbay Harbor Lobster Direct. Part of the proceeds from the event went to the GAP School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dana and Terry Townson, Ryan and Ashlie Fulmer with their children Preston, 7 months and Easton, 15 months, and Lindsey and Michael Ryan with their children Olivia, 6, and Michael, 4 months
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Music on Main

Hundreds of East County residents started their Fourth of July celebration a few days early during the monthly Music on Main concert July 1. Guests enjoyed a mix of classic rock, southern rock and country performances by Johnny Reagan and the Renegades, food and drinks, games and more. Proceeds from beer, wine and food sales benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Longboat, East County and Sarasota Observers won a combined eight first-place trophies for 2010.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2011
Observers win top honors from Florida Press Association

The Longboat, East County and Sarasota Observers were named the top three weeklies in the state in the Florida Press Association's 2010 Better Weekly Newspaper Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ali Morgan loved watching her fellow Primrose students parade for the Fourth of July.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • July 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Primrose School Red, White and Blue Celebration

Primrose School of Lakewood Ranch students donned patriotic colors and took to the parade route for the school's annual Red, White and Blue Celebration July 1. The parade featured children from several classrooms marching in costumes they created - much to the delight of parents and family members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michael Storey, president of Neal Communities' building division is pictured with Patrick Neal, president of Neal Communities.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2011
Neal home sales continue to grow

Neal Communities recorded 37 contracts for the month of June.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Anthony Cucci, Jack Laviolette and Jack Coleman attended last year's Boom Boom on the Bay.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 1, 2011
WEEKEND BEST BET: Fourth of July on Longboat Key

This weekend, Longboat Key will be full of patriotic parties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Public Works Department employees opened the gate and put signs back in place, officially reopening the North Shore Road beach access Friday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 1, 2011
Beach access reopens today

Town staff has reopened the North Shore Road beach access in time for the holiday weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 1, 2011
Kids golf for free at Stoneybrook

Stoneybroook Golf Club is letting kids play for free, as a way to keep kids active this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Johnny Reagan and the Renegades will perform in Lakewood Ranch tonight.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2011
WEEKEND BEST BET: Music on Main

Lakewood Ranch Main Street will host its monthly concert series at 6 p.m. tonight.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

The Observer Staff Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the East County Observer archives.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2011
Manatee County offices will be closed July 4

Trash, recycling and yard waste collections for the week will be postponed one day from Tuesday through Saturday for residents in unincorporated Manatee.

  • East County
  • News
The building for the Honorably Discharged Veterans of Sarasota has a large American flag painted on one side of the building where there is a boarded up window. The building hosts meetings for veterans and holds bingo on Saturday nights.Â
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Spirit of America pt. 2

The Observer captures local spirit for its annual Fourth of July special section. We hope the photos included in the section resonate with you and not only show images of local life but spark ideas in your mind of what the "spirit of America" means to you.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lori Wolcott gasps as Fr. Dan dumps the first bit of holy water onto her son, Colin Spencer, 6 mos., during his Baptism Saturday, June 18 at Our Lady of the Angels.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Spirit of America pt. 1

The Observer captures local spirit for its annual Fourth of July special section. We hope the photos included in the section resonate with you and not only show images of local life but spark ideas in your mind of what the "spirit of America" means to you.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joshua Mamazza and Ashtin Vavra
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Suncoast Grand Prix Boat Parade

Thousands attended the 2011 Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival Boat Parade Thursday, June 30, on Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 30, 2011
OBITUARY: Estella Lilly

Estella Lilly, 85, was a longtime resident of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 30, 2011
District 26 All-Star Scoreboard for June 29

Braden River and Lakewood Ranch Little League All-Stars both posted victories June 29 at G.T. Bray.

  • East County
  • Sports
The loggerhead turtle headed back toward the Gulf around 7 a.m. after finishing her nest near the Sea Oats condominium.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 30, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Nesting Mode

Longboat Key Turtle Watch member Cyndi Seamon snapped this photo of a nesting loggerhead turtle Wednesday morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

The Observer Staff Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the East County Observer archives.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Dr. Kevan Main's aquaculture-science career spans more than 25 years.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 30, 2011
Mote scientist to lead worldwide aquaculture organization

Dr. Kevan Main will serve as president of the World Aquaculture Society.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 30, 2011
Manatee FCAT scores improve

In Manatee, 31% of elementary and middle schools saw improvement in their FCAT grades compared to last year.

  • East County
  • News
Town Hall will host several meetings at Town Hall this summer.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 30, 2011
New meetings scheduled this summer

The Longboat Key Town Commission and a new subcommittee both have new meetings scheduled for July.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Parking-meter critics say the meters are too difficult to read and confusing too use.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 30, 2011
Parking-meter relief proposed

Although it is proposing changes to the paid-parking system, the parking division offers evidence to counter parking-meter critics.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Caroline Cestaro, Casey Henshaw and Ally Boudreau played talking flowers.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 30, 2011
Kids 'act up' at summer camp

Public performances of "Alice in Wonderland Jr." will be held today at 1 p.m., and 7 p.m., at Lakewood Ranch High School.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tim McGonegal is working on a new budget recommendation.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 30, 2011
Superintendent's contract extended

The Manatee County School Board on Monday extended Superintendent Tim McGonegal's contract through 2013.

  • East County
  • Schools
Olivia LaFemina's favorite part of the camp is wearing her costume.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 30, 2011
CAMP SPOTLIGHT: Acting Up!

Children participating in the Acting Up Performing Arts Summer Camp at Lakewood Ranch High School brought Disney's "Alice in Wonderland Jr." to life this week. The East County Observer caught up with participants to hear about their experience.

  • Arts + Culture
This photo of Ringing Boulevard, in front of the county jail, shows three no-parking signs within about 30 feet, as well as four other signs in the same space.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 30, 2011
Katz questions sign numbers (VIDEO)

With 3,878 new signs placed in Sarasota County in the last six years, Jonathan Katz took to the streets to prove his point.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The old power poles in the center island of Golden Gate Point were cut in half after Florida Power and Light removed the wires and placed them underground.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 30, 2011
Telephone poles at center of concern

Because 12 Golden Gate Point property owners have yet to consent to a free Verizon service upgrade, the company has not removed its deteriorating wooden poles in that community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sweet-flavored tobacco products, far left and far right, are packaged similarly to many candy products, center, with bright colors and sleek designs.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 30, 2011
County to clamp down on flavored tobacco

Calling the creation of candy-flavored tobacco 'reprehensible,' county commissioners pass a resolution to urge storeowners to take the products off of their shelves.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 30, 2011
Fundraiser walk-a-thon gets new twist

Many nonprofits raise funds through traditional walk-a-thons, but Cancer Support Community is jazzing up the old standby with a hip new dance contest.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 30, 2011
Commission discusses safety concerns

After a June meeting devolved into a shouting match, city leaders want to address the safety of public officials and the audience during City Commission meetings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2011
Girls Inc. girls get crafty for sale

Five stores on Main Street helped support Girls Inc. by allowing the girls to sell their crafts, such as flips-flops, purses and bumblebee pins, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 25.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. David Sax and Anna Heider
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2011
Skin-care soiree offers vital info

University Park Dermatology and Med Spa held an event June 23, at Saks Fifth Avenue, to bring community awareness to skin health, from skin-cancer detection to skin-care health and beauty.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2011
Shellfish take center stage at festival

In conjunction with Sarasota's Fourth of July celebrations, the Sarasota Farmers Market is hosting its inaugural Shrimp and Lobster Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 2, beneath a 100-foot tent on State Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2011
Raffle winner will launch fireworks

For $5, you could win the chance to press the button that starts the Fourth of July community fireworks celebration on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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