Your Observer

Kurt Schultheis
February 23, 2011

Town seeks Economic Development Committee

Mayor George Spoll proposed last week that the town form an Economic Development Committee that would attract entrepreneurs to help revitalize aging facilities.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
February 23, 2011

Building department fees and permit costs debated

Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson presented concepts to the Town Commission for new fees.

Longboat Key
News

Dora Walters
February 23, 2011

Sharkey reflects on lifetime of duty

Deputy Chief Sharkey, who was been with the Longboat Key Police Department for 30 years, will retire April 1.

Longboat Key
News

Maria Amodio
February 23, 2011

Longboater Bill Johnson recognized as Girls Inc.'s 'Unsung Hero'

Bill Johnson was recently recognized for his volunteer work at Girls Inc. by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Wilson Wood Foundation, which presented him with the 'Unsung Hero' Award.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
February 23, 2011

Cops Corner

CLASSIC COPS Feb. 10, 1984 5:29 p.m. - 2200 block GMD. Woman reports snake on couch. Snake found to be rubber imitation.

Longboat Key
Cops Corner

Observer Staff
February 23, 2011

Cops Corner 02.24.11

Unknown person(s) entered the victim's unlocked residence while she was sleeping and took her car keys and $11 from just inside the door.

East County
Cops Corner

Pam Eubanks
February 23, 2011

News Briefs 02.24.11

Golden Apple Dinner Theatre owners Roberta MacDonald and Robert Turoff said the Golden Apple may pursue the build-out of its empty space in in San Marco Plaza in Lakewood Ranch.

East County
News

Observer Staff
February 23, 2011

Birth Announcements 02.24.11

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

East County
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
February 23, 2011

Brothers advance to finals

Lakewood Ranch wrestlers Kyle and Blake Riley-Hawkins competed on the mat together for the final time in the Class 2A state finals Feb. 18-19 in Lakeland.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
February 23, 2011

Pirates stumble in regional quarterfinal

The Braden River boys basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 38-27 loss to Tampa Jesuit in a Class 4A-Region 3 quarterfinal Feb. 17.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
February 23, 2011

EXPERT OPINION

Svelta Otzetova, 1976 Olympic gold medalist and Events Director for the FISA International Rowing Federation, visited Sarasota Feb. 14-16 to inspect the plans for the 2000-meter world-class sprint rowing course at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
February 23, 2011

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Connor Baldwin

Lakewood Ranch junior Connor Baldwin sank a 25-foot birdie putt on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the boys 16-18 Greater Tampa Junior Golf event Feb. 13 at Pebble Creek Golf & Country Club in Tampa.

East County
Sports

Observer Staff
February 23, 2011

Our View

Quicker way to redevelop

Longboat Key
Opinion

Pam Eubanks
February 23, 2011

FINISH LINE (with VIDEO)

John Neal Homes, the exclusive homebuilder in University Park Country Club, is working to build out the remainder of the 20-year-old community.

East County
Real Estate

Robin Hartill
February 23, 2011

Building Permits

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Feb. 11 through Feb. 17.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Robin Hartill
February 23, 2011

A home on Bird Key sells for $4.5 million

The sale is the highest amount paid for a Bird Key property since May 2009, when the home at 552 S. Spoonbill Drive sold for $4.75 million.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Robin Hartill
February 23, 2011

Real Estate Reports

Sylvia Zimmerman joins Michael Saunders & Co.; Signature Sotheby's announces 2010 top agents

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Rachel S. OHara
February 23, 2011

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jack Gibson

Key resident Jack Gibson has been playing golf for over 40 years.

Longboat Key
News

Rachel S. OHara
February 23, 2011

PHOTO OF THE WEEK It's a toss up

Alan Rosenstein prepares to return the ball over the net to his son, Josh, during a tennis game Monday, Feb. 21, at Bayfront Park Recreation Center. The Rosensteins are visiting William and Selma Tucker, who live on Longboat Key during part of the season. The Tuckers are Alan Rosenstein's in-laws and Josh Rosenstein's grandparents.

Longboat Key
News

Adam Hughes
February 23, 2011

Lakewood Country Club home sells for $657,500

ACPA Land Investments LLC sold the home at 7253 Greystone St. to John and Marlene Manatt, Lakewood Ranch, for $657,500.

East County
Real Estate

Observer Staff
February 23, 2011

Baxter Bell to lead 'energetic' yoga classes

Baxter Bell will be holding yoga workshops at the Sarasota Memorial Healthplex March 4 through March 6.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
February 23, 2011

It's Read Everywhere

Observer readers brought their favorite local newspaper along to Australia and Israel.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

By Donna Swan
February 23, 2011

Deal Us In

How to set up an end play

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
February 23, 2011

WEEKLY WINNER: Sweeping View

Jane Freeman submitted this sunset photo taken at the Broadway beach access on the north end of the Key.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
February 22, 2011

Town Hall Platinum Dinner featuring Cherie Blair

Black Tie

Maria Amodio
February 22, 2011

GALLERY: Sarasota Garden Club meeting

Longboat Key Garden Club members had a full agenda at their Tuesday, Feb. 22 meeting, held at the Windward Bay Condominiums clubhouse. The featured speaker for the evening was local orchid expert, Monroe Kokin.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Maria Amodio
February 22, 2011

GALLERY: Longboat Island Chapel Fashion Show

Chapel members strutted their stuff in fashions from the Lord's Warehouse at the Longboat Island Chapel Fashion Show on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Cindy Kuehnel and Sue reese chaired the fashion show.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Roy
February 22, 2011

City approves hotel negotiations

At least three developers are interested in building a hotel on the vacant lot adjacent to the new Palm Avenue parking garage.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
February 22, 2011

Lakewood falls to top-ranked Tampa Blake

The Lakewood Ranch boys basketball team believed it could compete with the top-ranked team in the state.

East County
Sports

Pam Eubanks
February 22, 2011

Incorporation group holds open meeting

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group will be available to answer questions from 4-6 p.m. today.

East County
News

Rachel S. OHara
February 22, 2011

GALLERY: Antiques & Appraisals Event at Phillippi Estate Park

The Historical Society of Sarasota County and Sarasota County Parks and Recreation held their 2nd Annual Antiques & Appraisals Event this past weekend from Feb. 18 - Feb. 20.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
February 22, 2011

XPLOSION travel basketball teams seek players

The XPLOSION travel basketball program will host tryouts for its fifth-sixth-and-eleventh-grade teams Feb. 26 at Impact Basketball Academy, 582 McIntosh Road, Sarasota.