Your Observer

Jen Blanco
May 18, 2011

Game gives glimpse into next season

Football had finally returned to the East County - well at least for a few weeks.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
May 18, 2011

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Matthew O'Sullivan

Matthew O'Sullivan, 11, began playing baseball for Cal Ripken Little League at Heritage Harbour when he was 5 years old.

East County
Sports

Kurt Schultheis
May 18, 2011

Klauber seeks residency decision

Dr. Murray 'Murf' Klauber has a contract pending for his living quarters at The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. But the contract will fall apart if the town doesn't allow the buyer to live there full time.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Turtle Tracks

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 18, 2011

Community center plans move forward

After a three-hour meeting, the commission reached a compromise to explore possibilities for a new Bayfront Park recreational facility.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 18, 2011

Firefighter pension issues debated

Edward Siedle, the investigator the Firefighters Pension Board hired, said last week that there are problems with the board's investment consultant. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney refuted the claims.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 18, 2011

Summer meetings could be on horizon

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board must decide whether it will hold meetings this summer to expedite Comprehensive Plan amendments.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
May 18, 2011

St. Armands project will enhance beauty, safety

St. Armands Circle is scheduled for an update that could enhance the appearance of the district while improving safety.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Crabs can't keep claws off each other

Alfred and Jwannette Dirwanger spotted this pair of crabs who couldn't keep their claws off of each other.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

You otter see this!

Swans weren't the only critters Dr. Lou Newman photographed over the weekend at Harbour Links.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Santa's helpers off to an early start

It's more than 200 days until Christmas, but it's not too early for members of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Guild to begin working on their annual Christmas Bazaar.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Energetic clergymen lead Key churches

The Rev. Bruce Porter, of Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian, has recovered from shoulder surgery he had last November.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Dog days of summer set in early on Longboat

The final walk of the season for the Longboat Key group of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens took place April 30, in Joan M. Durante Park.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Arbomar resident receives fond farewell party

After 33 years in residence at the Arbomar, 87-year-old Olive "Rusty" Blackwell is moving on.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Garden Club trip takes root at Hazeltine Nursery

Members of the Longboat Key Garden Club made a field trip April 27, to the Hazeltine Nursery, in South Sarasota County.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Frequent flier visits Publix

A white heron is a frequent lunchtime visitor at the outdoor dining tables at Publix at Avenue of the Flowers.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

News Briefs

Key drinking water gets good grades; Utility repair work begins on Broadway; Sarasota County and city reach new park agreement; Correction; and Meetings & Agendas.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Roy
May 18, 2011

Atwell named city mayor

Newly appointed Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell, a Bird Key resident, says the citizens of Sarasota can look forward to a number of changes under her leadership.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
May 18, 2011

Cygnet trio sets sail on Harbour Links pond

In past nesting seasons, the pair of swans was physically able to reproduce, but they weren't mature enough to care for their offspring. They ignored their cygnets, sometimes chasing them away from feeding.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Our View: Punt the pension operation

The evidence just keeps piling up that the town of Longboat Key should not be in the pension business.

Longboat Key
Opinion

By Rod Thomson
May 18, 2011

MY VIEW: Turn off the TV. Quick!

TV and the rest of Digital Land that we use to watch videos are making us fat, lazy, dumb and horrible citizens.

East County
Opinion

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

L'Ambiance ladies create special ambience for events; Gov. Scott is despised by more than the media.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Maria Amodio
May 18, 2011

Key camps heat up for summer

Longboat Key organizations are gearing up for an active summer on the Key with a variety of kids camps.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

Cops Corner

Suspicious Circumstance. Police found a repair van in a condominium parking lot and discovered a repairman was on-site to repair a water heater.

Longboat Key
Cops Corner

Molly Schechter
May 18, 2011

Condrick teaches seniors how to 'age gracefully'

"Zoo-ology," is one of 21 exercise tools that make up the Ageless Grace program Denise Medved created.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
May 18, 2011

Sleepy Lagoon home sells for $4.8 million

A Gulf-front home at 6477 Gulfside Road sold Wednesday, May 4, for $4.8 million, the highest amount paid for a Manatee County home on Longboat Key since March 2009.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Robin Hartill
May 18, 2011

Business Observer

Longboat Key Club cleans up at Adopt-a-Shore event; Key restaurants offer unique menus for Savor Sarasota; and The Met opens new medical spa on St. Armands.

Longboat Key
News

By Donna Swan
May 18, 2011

Deal Us In

Three notrump opening is a gamble.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 18, 2011

WEEKLY WINNER: Engulfing View

Janice Rutkowski submitted this sunset photo, taken on Lido Beach.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
May 17, 2011

Corinthian Gala Kick Off

Black Tie

Loren Mayo
May 17, 2011

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Jovial journey

After 85 miles of cycling, a group of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity members from Gear Up FloridaÂ wheeled into the United Cerebral Palsy of Sarasota-Manatee Center to present a $750 grant. The team enhances the lives of more than 1,300 individuals with disabilities through grant funding and community events.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Robin Roy
May 17, 2011

Turner lobbies against parking meters

Sarasota's vice mayor believed it was not too late to stop parking-meter implementation, but most of his fellow commissioners disagreed.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
May 17, 2011

Ranch IDA selects director finalists

Candidates include: Laurence Arnold, of Parrish; Jim Gleason, of Ocoee; Laura Hannah, of Lake Worth;, Eva Rey, of Summerfield; Shane Crawford, of Lake Geneva, Wis.; and Interim Executive Director Steve Zielinski.