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Your Observer

  • By Donna Swan
  • August 24, 2011
Deal Us In: Entry management can be key to defense

How do you make six clubs when West leads the Jack of diamonds? The North-South bidding was a bit aggressive, but the slam seems to depend on the finesse through East, who had opened the bidding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Meet this week's Athlete of the Week: Kirsten Hannabass
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 24, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Kirsten Hannabass

Lakewood Ranch High alumna Kirsten Hannabass finished sixth in the Swivel at the 37th Division 1 Show Ski National Championship Aug. 12-14, in Janesville, Wis.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: East County

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
In an attempt to enhance financial transparency, the city of Sarasota is now providing more detailed budget information on its website, www.sarasotagov.com.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 23, 2011
City enhances financial transparency

The city of Sarasota's Finance Department has more detailed budget information on www.sarasotagov.com.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 23, 2011
Irene shifts path away from Key

The storm is now projected to move up the coast of the eastern United States.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Two pelicans perch above the rest in the ocean this morning on Casey Key.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 23, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Pelican Powwow

A group of pelicans enjoyed floating and perching on large concrete blocks in the ocean on Casey Key this morning.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has launched a new website to help authorities identify persons of interest in criminal cases.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 23, 2011
Sheriff's office launches website

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is seeking help identifying persons of interest in criminal cases.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 23, 2011
River Club home sells for $630,000

A home in River Club South tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Darris and Margaret Nichols, Bradenton, sold their home at 10509 Firestone Drive to Robert and Theodora Dorf of Raleigh, N.C., for $630,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 23, 2011
COMMUNITY SPORTS TIPS: Exercising while traveling

This week, University Park Country Club Fitness Coordinator Jess Wilson shares tips for maintaining your workout routine while traveling.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Sarasota Baptist members dish out breakfast to educators
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 23, 2011
Church welcomes back Tara's teachers

Sarasota Baptist Church last week hosted a breakfast for faculty and staff from Tara Elementary School to welcome them back from their summer break.

  • East County
  • News
Congressman Vern Buchanan
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 23, 2011
Buchanan to host office open house

Congressman Vern Buchanan will hold an open house at his new Bradenton district office to the public Wednesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: East County

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
The meeting will start at 9 a.m., at the county's administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 23, 2011
Manatee County commissioners to meet

Commissioners will consider a new ordinance for some commercial traffic, among other items

  • East County
  • News
Francesca Bertoglil, Rose Gilliam, Arianna D’Angelo, Nayeli Cruz and Tatiana Navejar
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences first day of school

Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences students skipped off to middle school Aug. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Accelerometers have motion-sensing technology found in Nintendo’s Wii and smart phones.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 22, 2011
Mote receives NOAA grant for shark fishing study

The $192,000 grant will use accelerometers to study how sharks fare after they are caught and released.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Based on current new home sales, officials of Lakewood Ranch expect to sell more than 400 new homes this year — more than triple the number of homes sold in 2009.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 22, 2011
Ranch home sales on rise

Lakewood Ranch officials say the community is on track to sell 420 new homes in 2011.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 22, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: East County

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 22, 2011
Manatee students return to school

More than 42,000 students returned to school to begin the 2011-12 school year in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 22, 2011
Community Golf Scores 08.02.11 to 08.18.11

East County golfers post amazing numbers on area courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
A Sarasota County school bus makes its way along Tamiami Trail this morning with the rest of the morning traffic. Today is the first day back for many of the schools in Sarasota County.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 22, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: They're Back!

Those big yellow vehicles are back in action with many of the Sarasota County schools starting back up today after the summer break. Be on the look out for frequent stops and for children getting on and off buses.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crews plugged a leaking pipe near Hudson Bayou at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 15.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 22, 2011
UPDATE: Hudson Bayou health advisory lifted

The city of Sarasota has lifted a health advisory warning for Hudson Bayou after a force main break spilled sewage into the body of water last week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The meeting will be held at 2 p.m., Aug. 23 at Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 22, 2011
Town Hall to host irrigation presentation

The meeting Tuesday will inform residents of Lakewood Ranch about an irrigation study being undertaken by the engineer Azad Shah.

  • East County
  • News
Grant Bouck, 3, was amazed when a grape fell off the vine at his touch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Grape Stomp

Residents of The Lake Club gathered Aug. 21 for a special grape stomping event at the community's vineyard.

  • East County
  • News
Kenny Scriven
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Spiral Style Dance Party

The Urban Spiral Dance Company invaded G.WIZ Saturday, Aug. 20 to present a 'Spiral Style Dance Party.' The performers and choreographers taught kids and even a few adults how to hula hoop and break dance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julianna Maggard, 9, Emma Katz, 9, and Rebekah Steinbeck, 9, performed “Tomorrow” and “Do, re, mi” during the Havdalah sing-a-long Saturday, Aug. 20 at Temple Emanu-El.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: La La La Havdalah

Temple Emanu-El held 'La La La Havdalah' Saturday, Aug. 20 at their synagogue. The event included an evening of singing along to great American classics as well as traditional Jewish songs and concluded with homemade desserts and coffee.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sandra Ceshker, Tamera Jackson and Betty Pawlowitz pose with Jack Daniel’s and lemonade Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SYC Concert with Bullseye Ride

SYC held their Concert on the Lawn & Dock Party inside Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Sarasota Yacht Club. The musical guest for the evening was a country band called Bullseye Ride. Jack Daniel's sponsored the party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The birthday boys included Mike St. Hilaire, 69, Richard Perlman, 60, and Mike Greve, 66.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: A birthday party for three

Three Longboaters celebrated their birthdays together Saturday, Aug. 20 at Bay Isles. The birthday boys included Mike Greve, Richard Perlman and Mike St. Hilaire. Their party was catered by Nancy's BBQ and they also had a custom made cake by Slice of Heaven.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Guest speaker Anna Rodriguez spoke to the crowd Saturday, Aug. 20 during the 91st Anniversary Celebration For Women’s Equity at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 91st Anniversary Celebration for Women's Equity

Hundreds of women from Sarasota and Manatee counties came out Saturday, Aug. 20 to attend the 91st Anniversary Celebration for Women's Equity at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A turtle nest at Sea Club, 4141 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will be opened Monday, Aug. 22.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 19, 2011
Turtle nest opening will take place Monday

A turtle nest at Sea Club, 4141 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will be opened at 7:40 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22. Park at the Sea Club or Turtle Crawl Inn, 4235 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High graduate Kirsten Hannabass placed sixth in the Swivel at the 37th Division 1 Show Ski National Championship.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 19, 2011
Local skiers place at national tournament

Three members of the Sarasota Ski a Rees Water Ski Show Team competed and placed at the 37th Division 1 Show Ski National Championship Aug. 12 to Aug. 14 in Janesville, Wis.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Hefty fines will be issued for any traffic violation in a school zone or near a school bus.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 19, 2011
School zones to be heavily patrolled

The Sarasota Police Department and Sarasota County Sheriff's Office will be closely monitoring all school zones on the first day of school - Monday, Aug. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A Florida Highway Patrol report states Joan Gootjes Rhoat was driving eastbound on State Road 70 when her vehicle traveled into the westbound lane and into the path of a mack truck driving by Michael Bonfilio of Jupiter.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2011
Sarasota woman killed in accident

Joan Gootjes Rhoat, 51, died in an accident with a mack truck yesterday.

  • East County
  • News
Spc. 4 Patrick Lay a graduate of Braden River High School, was killed Aug. 11 while serving his country in Afghanistan.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2011
Soldier's funeral rescheduled

The funeral of Spc. 4 Patrick Lay II has been moved to Sunday.

  • East County
  • News
Author John Maxwell will speak at Bayside Aug. 20-21. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2011
Author John Maxwell to speak at Bayside

Bayside Community Church will host speaker and author John Maxwell this weekend.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Black Pearls dancer Veronica Mahaney was excited to perform for her new classmates.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • August 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High Freshmen Orientation

Braden River High School faculty welcomed its incoming freshmen with an orientation program Aug. 18. The program featured performances by the marching band, the River Rhapsody singers, the Black Pearls dance team and more. Administrators also discussed Braden River's rules and expectations with the Class of 2015.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 19, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: East County

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
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