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Your Observer

    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 23, 2011
COMMENT: East squads face best in 2011 quests

Practice makes perfect. And what better way to practice than by facing some of the top teams in the state and nation?

  • East County
  • Sports
Cheyenne Kerekes has played tennis since she was 11 years old.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 23, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Cheyenne Kerekes

The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Cheyenne Kerekes won all four of her matches this week, including a two singles matches and a pair of No. 1 doubles matches, helping lead the Lady Thunder to victories over Lakewood Ranch and St. Petersburg Catholic March 15-16.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alex Scardina is a seventh-grader at Haile Middle School.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 23, 2011
OBSERVER TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Alex Scardina

Each week, The East County Observer will introduce one player from the Lakewood Ranch Little League Observer team.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
Community Golf Scores 03.24.11

Golfers post impressive scores on East County courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Elizabeth Ann Dohan submitted this photo of a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace” at sunset, taken near Beachplace, located in the 1100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
WEEKLY WINNER: SUNSET SWAN SONG

Elizabeth Ann Dohan submitted this photo of a bagpiper playing 'Amazing Grace' at sunset, taken near Beachplace, located in the 1100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home in The Concession sold for $1.04 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 23, 2011
Concession home tops weekly real estate sales

Vesta Equity LLC sold the home at 19432 Ganton Ave. to David and Mary Eslick, Bradenton, for $1,040,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
East County resident Geoff Sugden was driving down Lorraine Road, just north of University Parkway around 11:30 a.m., March 16, when he spotted this bobcat run across the road.
  • By Geoff Sugden
  • March 23, 2011
Why did the bobcat cross the road?

East County resident Geoff Sugden was driving down Lorraine Road, just north of University Parkway around 11:30 a.m., March 16, when he spotted this bobcat run across the road.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gail and Ben Klein
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 22, 2011
Celebrity Chefs and Wine Tasting

Celebrity Chefs and Wine Tasting

  • Black Tie
Co-Chairs Mary Pat Radford, Beth Bobb and Georgina Clamage
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 22, 2011
23rd annual Celebration Luncheon

23rd annual Celebration Luncheon

  • Black Tie
The BP Longboat Key gas station and car wash, 400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, hopes to receive a gas shipment by tomorrow morning.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 22, 2011
Longboat's gas station running on empty

The island's only gas station only has low-grade fuel left because of a gasoline shipment problem at the Port of Tampa.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tahja Tahja, Jim Goldman, Suzanne Raymond and Catalin Mihai
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 22, 2011
GALLERY: Woman's Exchange Annual Luncheon

The Woman's Exchange today hosted its annual luncheon honoring more than 170 volunteers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River's Bobby Henderson struck out three in five innings of work.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 22, 2011
GALLERY: Sarasota Baseball Classic

The Braden River and Lakewood Ranch High baseball teams were two of 32 teams from across the state who competed in the 2011 Sarasota Baseball Classic March 14-17. The Mustangs finished third in the Elite bracket with a 3-1 record while the Pirates finished with a 1-3 record in the Premier bracket. Lakewood defeated West Boca 3-2 and Bishop Verot 11-1 before falling to Barron Collier 15-10. The Mustangs closed out the tournament with a victory over Sarasota. Braden River opened the tournament with a 10-6 loss to Royal Palm Beach before defeating Bozeman 16-2. The Pirates then fell to American Heritage Delray 3-2 and Dwyer 9-7. Lakewood's Brett Hanewich, Seth McGarry and Zach Larson were all named to the 2011 All-Tournament team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Clay artist Ken Shields of Sarasota has displayed his work in the Art at the Ranch Festival on more than one occasion.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 22, 2011
GALLERY: Art at the Ranch

Hundreds of East County residents and art enthusiasts alike flocked to Main Street in Lakewood Ranch for the 11th Annual Art at the Ranch Fine Arts Festival March 19-20. The event, organized by ArtCenter Manatee and sponsored by LWR Communities LLC, featured painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors, potters textile artists and more from as far away as California and Maine.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Honorees Diane and Bob Roskamp with Major Donna Murphy
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 21, 2011
The Glitz at the Ritz-Carlton honoring Diane and Robert Roskamp

The Glitz at the Ritz-Carlton honoring Diane and Robert Roskamp

  • Black Tie
Alexandra Albrecht, Kameron Partridge, Debbie Partridge and Maureen Fasoil
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 21, 2011
Couture in the Courtyard Fashion Show and Luncheon

Couture in the Courtyard Fashion Show and Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Jim Brown, center, was selected mayor Monday by the Town Commission for one year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 21, 2011
Brown selected as mayor

The Longboat Key Town Commission selected Jim Brown as mayor and David Brenner as vice mayor Monday night.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The logo features crest design. From left: name winner Mercedes Movilla; SMR CEO Rex Jensen, Director of Sports Tim Mulqueen and logo winner Michael Muscarella
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 21, 2011
SMR announces sports complex name, logo

Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch will feature 22 fields at its location near the Lakewood Ranch Post Office just east of Lorraine Road on State Road 70.

  • East County
  • News
The city may have to pay millions of dollars to modify its water-quality programs if a new federal rule is enacted.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • March 21, 2011
New EPA standards could cost city millions

A lawsuit forced the federal government to impose new water-quality guidelines that would force the city to upgrade its current program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mayor George Spoll will deliver a farewell speech tonight after six years of service on the Town Commission.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 21, 2011
Commission will choose mayor tonight

The Longboat Key Town Commission must select a new mayor and vice mayor tonight at Town Hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eight-year-old Jordyn Berger couldn't wait to hit the dance floor with her father, Jason.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 21, 2011
GALLERY: Gene Witt Elementary Father-Daughter Dance

Dressed in their Sunday best, dozens of girls at Gene Witt Elementary School enjoyed an evening with the special men in their lives during the school's annual Father-Daughter Dance March 18. The girls danced the night away with their dads, got their pictures taken and enjoyed ice cream sundaes and other tasty treats.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sabrina Silverberg, the school director, poses with some of her kids on Sunday, March 20 at Temple Emanu-El's Purim Carnival.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 21, 2011
GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El's Purim Carnival

Temple Emanu-El celebrated Purim with a carnival on Sunday, March 20. The carnival included games, food, bounce houses and crafts. The money raised will go to the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Milton Adrian and Stuart Scheyer
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • March 20, 2011
GALLERY: Grand Bay Dinner

Grand Bay residents Stuart Scheyer and Milan Adrian made a pot of "Ultimate Chili" for the March 20 buffet at the clubhouse.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sharon Oper with Ben and Pauline Feole
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • March 20, 2011
GALLERY: Village Mardi Gras Party

As expected, Villagers had a great time at their Mardi Gras party held March 20. Hosts were Craig and Cathy Meldahl and Craig and Georgia Walters who combined their backyards for the party site.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lily Rose Greene got her face painted at the carnival.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 20, 2011
GALLERY: TBS Purim Carnival

Temple Beth Sholom held its Purim Carnival - complete with everything from rock climbing to a dunk tank -- today.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Six-year-old Lexi Kahler and her sister Madison, 8, along with their 8-year-old friend Tammy Sinn-Movilla, middle, celebrated their Pa's 67th birthday during Bingo Night March 18.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 20, 2011
GALLERY: McNeal Elementary Bingo Night

Dozens of McNeal Elementary School students and their families enjoyed an evening of fun and games during the school's annual Bingo Night March 18. Students played several rounds of Bingo while snacking on hot dogs and potato chips.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brad and Tracy Baker
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 19, 2011
SOLVE Maternity Homes Gala 'Jewel in His Crown'

SOLVE Maternity Homes Gala 'Jewel in His Crown'

  • Black Tie
Chairs Dan and Rhonda Deems and Mike and Cindy Von Waldner with Cindy and David Mahler
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 19, 2011
The Banyan Ball

The Banyan Ball

  • Black Tie
Rich and Terry Angley
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 19, 2011
Cardinal Mooney Dinner Auction

Cardinal Mooney Dinner Auction

  • Black Tie
Rabbi Katz reads from Megillat Esther, the Book of Esther, on Saturday, March 19 at Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 19, 2011
GALLERY: Temple Beth Israel celebrates Purim

Temple Beth Israel celebrated Purim with a Purim play and hamentashen on Saturday, March 19 at Temple Beth Israel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Woogie trots along St. Armands Circle sporting a lion costume.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 19, 2011
GALLERY: HSSC Pug Parade

Costumed pugs paraded St. Armands Circle during The Humane Society of Sarasota County's 14th annual Pug Parade Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The supermoon shines down on the Sarasota Bay on Saturday, March 19.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 19, 2011
Photo of the Day: Supermoon Splendor

The supermoon rose in the sky at Saturday at 3 p.m. and was only 221,565 miles away from the Earth. The moon was closer to the Earth than it has been in more than 18 years and will also be the biggest full moon of 2011.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brook Stevenson, 7, tries to copy the same yoga move as ReFlex teacher Allison Kummery on Saturday, March 19 at the Sarasota Springfest out at Palmer Ranch.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 19, 2011
GALLERY: Sarasota Springfest

The 5th Annual Sarasota Springfest took place on Saturday, March 19 out at Palmer Ranch. The 2011 Charity Partner of the Springfest included the Youth Programs of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, including PAL Sailor Circus, Pony PAL, Camp XRAYD and Streetwise Parenting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jenni Kessock, second from left, was diagnosed with MS in November and her family got together to walk the Walk MS Sarasota on Saturday, March 19, at J.D. Hamel Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 19, 2011
GALLERY: Walk MS Sarasota

Walk MS Sarasota had over 350 participants raise money and walk in the 2K walk on Saturday, March 19, starting at J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Blarney Bunch
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • March 19, 2011
GALLERY: Gulfshore St. Patrick's Day Parade

Gulfshore of Longboat Key St. Patrick's Day was held Saturday, March 19. Grand marshals were Edith and Carroll Newton. Parade chairmen were Phyllis Lewis and Douglas Bruce.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kiwanis President Bob Gault and Andrew Vac
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • March 19, 2011
GALLERY: Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

A spring tradition on Longboat Key is the annual Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key pancake breakfast. Held this year March 19, at Stella Maris Hall at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, Kiwanis members filled the hall long before dawn to set up tables, fire up the grills, whip up tons of pancake batter and measure the coffee to be brewed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scott Anderson and Susan Buck
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • March 19, 2011
'Las Meninas'

'Las Meninas'

  • Black Tie
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