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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Commissioners criticized for access; Seniors, others must accept responsibility; For beach parking, a small garage?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parking meters were first installed in Sarasota in 1942 and removed that May. They were installed in 1946 and removed in 1967.
  • By Rodger Skidmore
  • August 25, 2011
My View: Creative parking meter options

It seems city commissioners have forgotten what they have done in the past. And yes, I do consider that the commissioners of 1942, 1946 and 2011 are the same people.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Nestled in a quiet area a short distance from the intersection of Treasure Boat Way and Higel Avenue, Sandy Shore Avenue was the scene of vehicle break-ins last week.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • August 25, 2011
Detained bicyclists linked to vehicle burglaries

Last week on the Key, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies thought it was more than a little suspicious when they spied two young men on bicycles with no lights heading eastbound over the north Siesta bridge in the early-morning hours.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
"I was so fortunate to see the world while working," Blair Northen says.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 25, 2011
Neighbors: Blair Northen

After graduating from college, Northen decided to explore the world. She found the job of a lifetime, more beauty in her natural surroundings than she could imagine and her future husband.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 5217 Shadow Lawn Drive, which has has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,421 square feet of living area, sold for $400,000. Photo by Rachel S. O’Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 25, 2011
Hidden Harbor home tops sales at $2.5 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Aug. 8 and Aug. 12. A home in Hidden Harbor tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Fran Palmeri took this photo of a trio of pelicans looking for tasty treats in the Gulf of Mexico.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2011
Weekly Winner: Dive! Dive! Dive!

Fran Palmeri took this photo of a trio of pelicans looking for tasty treats in the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 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 lobby of the new office for J Wood Realty inside the building at 330 S. Pineapple Avenue.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Chamber After Hours combines with meet the neighbors event

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce held their After Hours event Wednesday, Aug. 24 in conjunction J Wood Realty's 'meet the neighbors' event that included Envy and Bridge Street Bistro.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The town’s required firefighter pension plan contributions exceed 35% of firefighter payroll costs.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 24, 2011
Pension contributions top 50% of police, 35% of fire payroll costs

Pension contributions top 50% of police, 35% of fire payroll costs A Florida League of Cities report shows that the town's required pension contributions make up a higher-than-average share of payroll costs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Click inside to see one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • August 24, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota County’s beaches and parks will be cleaned up as part of Keep Sarasota County Beautiful’s 2011 International Coastal Cleanup effort.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 24, 2011
Sarasota cleanup effort underway

Keep Sarasota County Beautiful is ramping up its 2011 International Coastal Cleanup effort, which will be held Sept. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fifth graders Gracie Schlotthauer, 9, Emma Donato, 10, Hannah Bizick, 10, Caroline Lafoe, 10, and Celia Miller, 10, show off their new, brightly colored shoes.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: First day back at ODA

Students, parents and family members filled the halls on the first day back to school Wednesday, Aug. 24 at of Out-of-door Academy.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The accident occurred near the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Reckless driver dies in Lakewood accident

Sammy K. Pletcher Jr. lost control of his vehicle when he tried to pass vehicles last night in a left-turn lane on northbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 24, 2011
TOPSoccer set to kick off sixth season

Braden River TOPSoccer will host registration for its upcoming fall season from 5-7 p.m., Sept. 1-2 at the Braden River Soccer Club clubhouse behind Lakewood Ranch High School, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

  • East County
  • Sports
The beach wedding between Dowden and his new bride, Jo-Jo Dodd, lasted an hour. The wedding party and guests celebrated at the Lazy Lobster restaurant afterward.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Mother officiates at son's wedding

Dorothy Williams, president of the Tiffany Plaza Condominium Association, received her Justice of the Peace certification last week after her son, Bryant Dowden, told her of his plans of getting married on his parents' 25-year wedding anniversary, Aug. 16. The certification course took about three hours.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 24, 2011
Police get break in Key vehicle burglary cases

A man has been arrested and charged with recent vehicle burglaries on Longboat Key and Holmes Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The recent beach renourishment project deposited more than white sand on Beer Can Island.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 24, 2011
Manatee pares patrol funds

The Manatee County Commission gave the town less than half of the $76,500 it requested for ongoing marine-patrol operations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Prudential Palms Realty founder and CEO Helen Sosso
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 24, 2011
Prudential Palms closes office

Real-estate broker Helen Sosso will close five Prudential Palms Realty offices to reduce costs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Coral Hospitality oversaw management of the Sandpearl Resort, in Clearwater Beach, after its development in 2005. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 24, 2011
Colony Contenders: Coral Hospitality

The Naples-based company is a finalist for the redevelopment of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 24, 2011
Hurricane Irene to blow past Longboat

The town prepared for the wrath of Hurricane Irene by checking power generators, ordering fuel and instructing employees to implement a personal hurricane plan in case they would be needed for emergency duties.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 24, 2011
Longboat lull: the final days of August

The last days of August are often the slowest days on Longboat Key. But, on occasion, more than just the temperature heats up for the dog days of summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
News Briefs

Duncan proposes Code Enforcement workshop; B.J. Webb elected to USTA foundation board; Legislature to hold redistricting hearing

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Our View: The real charter debate

The Sarasota County Charter certainly doesn't register as a nerve-twinger on Longboat Key like, say, installing a cell tower on the north end of the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Painter, author, illustrator, mother, wife, community activist — Longboater Lynn Armstrong Coffin identifies with all of those titles.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 24, 2011
Lynn Coffin: Painter, author, illustrator, mother wife, community activist

Coffin's latest endeavor since her son, Mikael, was born in 1983, is writing and illustrating children's books.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 24, 2011
Phoebe Yi introduces her culture to BRHS

Teacher Phoebe Yi, of China, is eager to teach students at Braden River High School her language and culture this year.

  • East County
  • News
Two Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts will be doing business with a new landscape contractor starting Oct. 1.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 24, 2011
CDDs change landscape contractor

Lakewood Ranch CDDs 4 and 5 soon will contract with Down to Earth for landscaping services.

  • East County
  • News
Prudential Palms Realty President and CEO Helen Sosso said she will trim her business to about 80 agents. File photo.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 24, 2011
Lakewood Prudential still open for business

Real estate broker Helen Sosso will close five Prudential Palms Realty offices to reduce costs. Her Lakewood Ranch venture remains open.

  • East County
  • News
Submit your wildlife photos to Managing Editor Michael Eng, meng@yourobserver.com.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Ranch residents fawn over fawn

Country Club of Lakewood Ranch residents Bob and Karol Borkowski caught a glimpse of this precious fawn tucked into the base of a blooming plumbago.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Residents donned their bathing suits and goggles and jumped into the pool at Stoneybrook Golf Club to watch “Flight of the Navigator.”
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Heritage Harbour enjoys poolside flick

It's not everyday you can enjoy a movie and a dip in the pool at the same time. But for some lucky families in Heritage Harbour, that's exactly what happened Aug. 19.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cliff Collins submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Weekly Winner: Captivating Coral

Cliff Collins submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Jim Brown
  • August 24, 2011
Town staff hard at work on Key developments

Contrary to what same may think, the Town Commission and staff are working diligently to ensure Publix and other developments are right for Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Keep dogs off the beaches

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Cops Corner: Longboat

Enjoy this week's Cops Corner

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Courtesy photo Gillian Thornton, daughter of owner Gary Thornton, after whom the shop is named, sits in front of the store during its grand opening in July.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 24, 2011
Business Observer

Gillian's now on the map of St. Armands Circle; Tennis Gardens among finalists for EDC Hall of Fame; Longboat Key Club to hold job fair for various positions

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kellie Holohan, 14, took this sunset photo from her backyard in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Weekly Winner: Amber Rays

Kellie Holohan, 14, took this sunset photo from her backyard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East County residents Kay and Carmen Rizzo, owners of Carmen’s Italian Cafe, are thrilled to have Luigi back at their restaurant after he was taken during business hours one night in April.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 24, 2011
Luigi Rizzo returns home after kidnapping

After being tortured and kidnapped and taking a ride in a police car, Luigi Rizzo finally is safe at his home at Carmen's Italian Cafe.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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