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Your Observer

    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • July 27, 2011
Restaurant, intersection vandalized on north end of Siesta

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is investigating vandalism that occurred either late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning on the north end of Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • July 27, 2011
TEDB board officially ceases to exist

By a unanimous vote of the County Commission July 26, the Sarasota County Tourism and Economic Development Board ceased to exist.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The plaza originally was envisioned to have retail shops below with professional space above, but the concept never really came to fruition.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 27, 2011
The New Deals

With banks finally foreclosing on units in San Marco Plaza, business owners have begun snatching up spaces at reduced prices and increasing traffic to the plaza.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 27, 2011
Ranch IDA adopts budget

Ranch CDDs 1, 2, 4 and 5 will adopt budgets next month.

  • East County
  • News
As associate pastor of worship arts, the Rev. Alan Keith Martin was one of the most visible leaders at Woodland — The Community Church.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • July 27, 2011
'Until I See You Again'

The Rev. Alan Keith Martin, 53, served as associate pastor of worship arts at Woodland -- The Community Church, for more than six years. He died July 15 of cancer.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 27, 2011
Stoneybrook Golf Club, CDD spar

The golf club is facing a more than 500% increase in Community Development District assessments and is seeking reductions.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Temple Emanu-El honors East resident

Temple Emanu-El recently named East County resident Dorothy Kirsner as one of three recipient's of the temple's 2010-2011 Volunteer of the Year award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mote Ranch resident Cathy Waller submitted this photo of an amazing arachnid that took up residence outside her home. She snapped the photo during the Super Moon March 19.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Spider weaves web in Mote Ranch

Mote Ranch resident Cathy Waller submitted this photo of an amazing arachnid that took up residence outside her home. She snapped the photo during the Super Moon March 19.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Community Fund seeks nominations

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund still is accepting nominations for the seventh annual C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year Award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
News Briefs

Study group to release details about straw poll; Deputies Baker Act man outside restaurant; Vacationer from Chicago drowns in Braden River; SMR names new Polo Club manager

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Cops Corner

8 p.m. - 5100 block of Caruso Road. Grand theft of a golf cart. Unknown person(s) stole the victim's golf cart during the night and fled in an unknown direction. The cart was parked next to the mobile home under the carport.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 27, 2011
My View: The good news on jobs

In the relentless trashing by the mainstream media of everything Gov. Rick Scott does, there has been some pretty great news ignored lately.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Our View: IDA surplus won't last

Every level of government is on forced austerity as the economic recovery stumbles under the frightening federal debt load and regulatory uncertainty.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Bob Hendel
  • July 27, 2011
My View: Incorporation reporting is unbalanced

In the June 22 East County Observer, the editors announced that the newspaper would launch a summer-long incorporation series. The goal was to provide residents with enough balanced information for residents to be more educated about the pros and cons of becoming a city. Our group, the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, welcomed that effort with enthusiasm.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Many local business owners remain undecided on incorporation.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 27, 2011
INCORORATION: Better for Business?

This week, business owners in Lakewood Ranch share how incorporation may affect their ability to do business locally and beyond.

  • East County
  • News
About 20 girls and women of all ages participate in Michelle Kovalick's Creekwood Boot Camp.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 27, 2011
Workout Routine

Creekwood resident and mother Michelle Kovalick started her own boot camp and personal training business in March 2010.

  • East County
  • Sports
Shanahan
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 27, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Parker Shanahan

Twelve-year-old Parker Shanahan let his bat do the talking this week, going 5-for-7 with a pair of home runs while helping lead Lakewood Ranch Little League's 10- and 11-year-old All-Star team to a runner-up finish at the Section IV Tournament July 15-16, in Haines City.

  • East County
  • Sports
Thirteen-year-old Tiffany Butz has won first place in every martial arts competition she’s competed in since joining Ming Wu Martial Arts 18 months ago.
  • By Christopher Miller
  • July 27, 2011
Ranch teen wins martial arts tourney

For the second year, Tiffany Butz, 13, was crowned champion of the 12-13 age division of the U.S. Open Martial Arts Challenge tournament July 1-2, in Orlando.

  • East County
  • Sports
Arnav and Arsav Mohanty
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Sports Briefs

Meteors win World Series Championship Mohanty brothers win doubles title

  • East County
  • Sports
Morgan Castor took this photo July 3, at Adventure Park in Summerfield.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Weekly Winner: Storm Front

Morgan Castor took this photo July 3, at Adventure Park in Summerfield.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
THEN. The Longboat Key Publix opened Wednesday, June 4, 1980, in what was then called the Bay Isles Shopping Center. One week later, Eckerd Drug Co. opened.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 27, 2011
What's in store for residents?

Faced with the possibility of not having an island grocery store for six to eight months, residents say shopping off-island is a small price to pay for a redeveloped Publix.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 27, 2011
Rule change brings in new family members

Earlier this spring, Windward Bay's board of directors voted to allow owners two small pets.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 27, 2011
Resident offers vision roadmap

Lee Riley sent his suggestions for a vision statement this week to Vision Planning Subcommittee Chairman Jack Duncan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 27, 2011
Town attorney talks pending litigation

Longboat Key Town Attorney David Persson recently provided commissioners with an update on the town's pending litigation. The following chart features updates about ongoing cases - and what they're costing the town for the current fiscal year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Originally built in 1912, Mar Vista is one of 12 oldest structures on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 27, 2011
Mar Vista could begin new story

The historic restaurant will add a second-floor, open-air dining area and an elevator as part of the renovations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
From left: Louis Sanandres, Judy Toombs, Barbara Sanandres, Cindy Wolfendale, Salvatore and Tini Farragamo and Linda and Mike Burke
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Longboaters are shoe-in for good time

Salvatore Ferragamo, Italian winemaker and grandson of the famed Italian shoe designer of the same name, welcomed Longboat Key residents to his family's private villa in the village of Il Borro, Italy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beverly Bartner, Steve Seidensticker and Judi Gallagher
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Make him an offer he can't refuse

Innocently enough, Libby's Cafe + Bar owner Steve Seidensticker came to greet a table of ladies who were lunching in his restaurant on a recent summer day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas in July takes on a whole new meaning when the Ladies Guild at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church gets involved.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
St. Mary, Star of the Sea welcomes two new members

William Enrique Fickes, son of Jason and Kathy Fickes, of North Carolina, was baptized by Msgr. Gerry Finegan July 17, at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hartill
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Longboat Observer announces staff changes

Starting this week, you might be seeing a new - but familiar - face around Town Hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club's entrance will be rerouted to East Flamingo Drive.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
News Briefs

LLSA Chamber plans for two triathlons Bird Key Yacht Club to begin facade project Longboat Arts Center to close for August

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • July 27, 2011
The Castaway

This week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Our View: How to simplify budget talks

The Longboat Key budget process reminds us of nature's annual course with the Key's beloved swans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Cops Corner

Identity issue 4:17 p.m. - 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The former city editor of the Longboat Observer reported that a man who identified himself as the city editor called a Longboat Key supermarket to ask about the status of a development project. The supermarket manager who talked to the man said the man on the other end of the phone was rude and that he had to hang up on the man. N.B. It will be much harder for the rude male caller to impersonate our new female city editor, Robin Hartill.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The public is being invited to join efforts to increase the scallop population in Sarasota Bay.
  • By Jeff Birnbach and John Ryan
  • July 27, 2011
Scallop Restoration will help repay bay

Since its formation in 1926, the Sarasota Yacht Club has been a strong advocate for recreational boating activities and marine stewardship. Club members have long recognized that they have an obligation to support and foster a healthy boating environment throughout the region.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gersh Cohn and his privately published book.
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • July 27, 2011
Cohn shares a lifetime of wisdom

About 15 years ago, Gersh Cohn started thinking about the knowledge that he had gained in his life, and he wanted to share it with his family. And, so began a series of letters that he sent to his children and grandchildren and sometimes to other relatives and friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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