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Your Observer

  • By Jorge Blanco
  • August 3, 2011
The Castaway

This week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 3, 2011
My View: Give school boards more control

The nearly 40-year-old, school-funding program de-links those who set tax rates with those who spend the money. This erases accountability.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Our View: 'Yes' on straw poll

After two years of discussion and debate, a huge step is being taken to turn Lakewood Ranch into its own city.

  • East County
  • Opinion
One of Eva Rey’s favorite pastimes is reading. At The Villages, she loved visiting Barnes & Nobles to browse books and other literature. “That’s a perfect day for me,” she said.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2011
Eva Rey becomes new executive director of Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

Eva Rey started Aug. 1 as the executive director of Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Robert Leith Gnos
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Birth Announcements 08.03.11

Congratulations to the East County parents who celebrated recent births. The East County Observer will publish birth announcements each month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Riverdale home, which has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,234 square feet of living area, sold for $1.45 million. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 3, 2011
Riverdale home sells for $1.45M

The following residential real estate transactions took place between July 18 and July 22. A home in Riverdale tops all transaction in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Swartzendruber
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 3, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Laura Swartzendruber

After joining the Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners swim team less than two months ago, 7-year-old Laura Swartzendruber competed in the Area 5 Championship Swim Meet July 30-31 at the Selby Aquatic Center.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Executive Chef Paul Evans now offers both culinary instruction and personal training.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 3, 2011
Extreme Makeover: Chef becomes bodybuilder and personal trainer

Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Executive Chef Paul Evans started his own transformation 14 months ago. Now, Evans is also a professional bodybuilder and certified personal trainer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rosalyn Warner took this sunset photo July 22, at Waterlefe Golf & Country Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Weekly Winner:Cotton Candy Clouds

Rosalyn Warner took this sunset photo July 22, at Waterlefe Golf & Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Unit 231 at Villa Di Lancia has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,485 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,312,500. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 3, 2011
Villa di Lancia condo sells for $1.3 million

Eydie Koonin, trustee, of Marietta, Ga., sold the Unit 231 condominium at 2185 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Steve and Deborah Cossingham, trustees, of Newport, N.H., for $1,312,500.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 3, 2011
Real Estate Reports

Michael Saunders & Co. welcomes new employee to St. Armands location

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mary Kay Ryan, Melissa Sparks, Maria de la Cruz and Rhonda Holliday. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 3, 2011
Business Observer

Longboat Key Club and Resort honors two of its managers for achievements WUSF Public Media celebrates partnership with Armel Jewelers

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Donna Swan
  • August 3, 2011
Deal Us In: Technique is the key in this hand

This hand gives the reader a chance to display his technique by deciding how he would play a three notrump contract after a heart lead.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bill Funkhouser submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Weekly Winner: Pastoral Pastel

Bill Funkhouser submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The weak system is expected to continue moving west-northwest.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 2, 2011
Town monitors tropical-storm disturbance

If the system weakens, it could move toward the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The National Night Out Against Crime will be held tonight at Payne Park/Sarasota Police Headquarters.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 2, 2011
Night Out Against Crime tonight

The city of Sarasota is encouraging residents to come to Payne Park tonight to participate in National Night Out Against Crime.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Skyler Munson, 21, gets high above the bowl Tuesday, August 2 at Payne Park's Skate Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 2, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Sky High

The Payne Park Skate Park in downtown Sarasota is a great place to hang out with friends and get some practice time on either your skateboard or scooter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 2, 2011
COMMUNITY SPORTS TIPS: The five most common mistakes in tennis

This week, Longboat Key Club and Resort Director of Tennis John Woods shares the five most common mistakes in tennis.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 2, 2011
Gulf Coast FCA hosts 7 on 7 Shootout

The Gulf Coast FCA held its annual 7 on 7 Shootout July 26 at Braden River High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Click inside to see one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 2, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
New Fire Chief Mike Tobias has also served in the department as paramedic, captain, battalion chief and assistant fire chief.
  • By Rob Roy
  • August 2, 2011
Sarasota names new fire chief

A 32-year veteran with the Sarasota County Fire Department has been tapped to head the department.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The special runs through Aug. 31. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 2, 2011
Meridian College offers $1 kids haircuts

Meridian College's salon will offer $1 haircuts for children this month.

  • East County
  • News
Sashay owner Sandra Danu is eager to build out her new space.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 1, 2011
Business signs on San Marco unit

Sashay will bring ballroom dancing to San Marco Plaza.

  • East County
  • News
Jim Eatrides has collected more than 600 petitions from residents, visitors and workers who want a north-end cell tower.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 1, 2011
Cell tower plan submitted to town

Jim Eatrides and Kevin Barlile submitted an application this morning to the P&Z Department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Donna Tortorice, co-owner of Pop Craft, poses out by her cart Monday, August 1 on the sidewalk across the street from Hollywood 20.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 1, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Pop Star

Donna Tortorice, co-owner of Pop Craft, poses out by her cart Monday, August 1 on the sidewalk across the street from Hollywood 20. Tortorice's co-owner is her son, Martin Scott, who makes the all natural artisan popsicles. Flavors range from the typical icy strawberry lemon to a creamy Mexican chocolate to the more unique watermelon dill.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: East County

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Klauber’s penthouse living quarters, known as Unit 500, has a $1.4 million overdue loan and the Vagabond beachfront unit has a $1.8 million overdue loan.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 1, 2011
Unit owner to foreclose on Klauber

Colony Beach & Tennis Resort unit owner Andy Adams is foreclosing on overdue bank loans for Dr. Murray "Murf" J. Klauber's residential and Vagabond units.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
 Individuals who adopt a dog or cat at the regular adoption fee can get a second dog or cat at no charge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 1, 2011
County offers promotion for pet adoptions through August

Dogs and cats at Manatee County Animal Services will be offered as buy one get one through the end of the month.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 1, 2011
Registration dates announced for Miss Manatee Softball

The Miss Manatee Softball League will hold registration for its upcoming fall season from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 20 and 27 and 6-8 p.m., Aug. 31 at the Miss Manatee Softball complex behind the Lakewood Ranch High stadium

  • East County
  • Sports
Chris Wetzig and Bob Clousson pay attention to Amanda Dominguez as she talks about the epiphytic algae on the seagrass Saturday, July 30 out in the water by the Turtle Beach Community Center
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Seagrass preservation

Volunteers came out to learn about seagrass and how to monitor and collect data about seagrass Saturday, July 30 at the Turtle Beach Community Center. Led by environmental speicalist Amanda Dominguez, volunteers were taught about how to properly identify certain types of seagrass, as well as how much seagrass is covering the area as well as what the epiphytic algae coverage is like on the seagrass.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Pancake Pig was sure to make an appearance.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Storytime LIVE!

Dozens of families gathered July 30 at Kiddie Academy in Lakewood Ranch for the preschool's Storytime LIVE! event. Children enjoyed an appearance by the Pancake Pig, as well as snow cones, popcorn and arts and crafts.

  • East County
  • News
A sign on the entrance to company headquarters states: 'There are NO BCMT payroll checks today.'
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 29, 2011
Beth Callans Management closes temporarily

Board members of local communities managed by the Longboat Key-based company say they were told today that the firm has closed for the short term.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
All registered voters in Lakewood Ranch will receive a ballot in their mail.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 29, 2011
Ranch CPA firm to conduct straw poll

Kerkering, Barberio & Co. will conduct the poll that will determine whether the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch will proceed to the Florida Legislature.

  • East County
  • News
Mote's Seahorse Conservation Laboratory raises lined seahorses, as well as pygmy seahorses.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 29, 2011
Mote's seahorses shipped all around the U.S.

Mote's Seahorse Conservation Laboratory has now shipped seahorse to 50 zoos and aquariums around the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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