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Your Observer

  • By George Rauch
  • July 6, 2011
My View: Debt causes direction of market to stay questionable

Right now, even though the market has sold off recently, we remain in what is technically called a bull market.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • July 6, 2011
The Castway

This week's Castaway

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kalahar
  • By Dean Kalahar
  • July 6, 2011
My View: Reality check for schools

To add insult to injury, schools spent their financial windfall in hard cash, while homeowners watched the equity of their property plummet as the housing bubble burst.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Cops Corner

Goggle ogle 3:08 p.m. - 5200 block of GMD. Suspicious Person. A woman reported that a suspicious looking man approached a nearby condominium unit door and took a pair of goggles that was near the door. The woman confronted the man about his actions, and he returned the goggles and fled the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A hatchling emerges from its shell in a nest recently laid on Longboat’s beach.
  • By Virginia Sanders
  • July 6, 2011
Turtle-nesting season sees sensational start

Ring the bells and fly the flag! This 2011 turtle season is off to a sensational start.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Obituary: Lois Rosenthal

Lois Rosenthal, 81, of Longboat Key, died June 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The 6,520-square-foot home at 667 Mourning Dove Drive, on Bird Key, was built by Murray Homes and designed by Cliff Scholz. It sold for $4.95 million.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 6, 2011
Bird Key home sells for $4.95 million

The Bird Key home at 667 Mourning Dove Drive sold for $4.95 million - the largest sale on the island since January 2008, when the home at 643 Mourning Dove Drive sold for $6.9 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 6, 2011
Real Estate Reports

Andrew Bers Team named recipient of Five Star Award

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
  • By Donna Swan
  • July 6, 2011
Deal Us In: Contributor shows team spirit

In a recent pairs event, the contributor made his day when he played this hand.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Carla Vooren submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
WEEKLY WINNER: Front row seats

Carla Vooren submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The hiatus will allow city leaders to hold workshops to seek input from downtown merchants.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 5, 2011
Commission hits brakes on parking meters

The Sarasota City Commission voted 3-2 to temporarily bag downtown parking meters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The incident was reported at 7 a.m. today.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 5, 2011
Sewer grates stolen from East County site

Twelve sewer grates have been taken from Lakewood Ranch roads.

  • East County
  • News
Cecelia Cosgrove and Tiana Jamieson
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tropical Fourth of July Celebration

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens celebrated Independence Day with an all-American barbecue, family activities and music.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fireworks lit up the sky in celebration of Independence Day.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Fireworks

Siesta Key Public Beach was packed to the max for the annual fireworks extravaganza.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mia Gubernat rides through the Freedom Fest parade wearing red-white- and-blue pom-poms.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Freedom Fest

Longboaters decked out in red, white and blue and children riding bicycles decorated with cheery "I LOVE AMERICA" posters, flags, streamers and even dogs proudly marched in the Freedom Fest parade July 4. Following the parade, everyone lined up for a fest and games.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Khloe, 1, Kendall, 8, and Kate, 5, Campion pose together along Tamiami Trail prior to the start of the Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular Monday, July 4 over the Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bayfront Fireworks

The annual Bayfront Firework Spectacular lit up the night sky around 9 p.m. Monday, July 4 with fireworks going off over the Sarasota Bay. Many people viewed the fireworks display from Bayfront Park, Island Park, along Tamiami Trail and even out on boats in the Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Isabella Zeppi, 9, and Kate Folkens, 9, have fun playing in green and pink innertubes Monday, July 4 at Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SYC celebrate the Fourth

Members and guests of the Sarasota Yacht Club celebrated the Fourth with poolside fun with music by RPM. Later in the day there was an all-American buffet dinner and an evening of dancing with music provided by soulRcoaster.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marty Cooper plays a horse racing game with Bill and Judy Stanford Monday, July 4 at Bird Key Yacht Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BKYC Fourth of July Celebration

The members of Bird Key Yacht Club enjoyed an evening of fun games, prizes and potato races Monday, July 4 at Bird Key Yacht Club. The club also had dinner and watched the fireworks over the Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Infielder Devin Guzman makes a throw to home plate after retrieving a ground ball.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: District 26 All-Star Baseball Tournament 9-and 10-year-old division

The Braden River and Lakewood Ranch Little League 9-and 10-year-old All-Stars were both victorious in their games June 29. Braden River defeated Manatee Central 8-3 while Lakewood Ranch defeated Buffalo Creek 9-6.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sabrina, 8, and Jake, 6, Kreiss enjoy some chocolate ice cream Sunday, July 3 at the Lobster BBQ by the pool at Longboat Key Club Resort.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: LBKC Lobster BBQ

The Longboat Key Club held a Lobster BBQ Sunday, July 3 by the pool at the Longboat Key Club Resort. Besides serving up lobster, the buffet included many other dishes followed by a variety of desserts. The guests also enjoyed live music by Max McCann.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
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