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Your Observer

Although he walked to first base in this photo, designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero hit a long home run during the fifth inning.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 9, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Play ball!

The Baltimore Orioles led over the Minnesota Twins today 11-2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Police department employees had to manually unlock doors on the first floor, after their card-reader system shut down.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • March 9, 2011
Sonic boom hampers police headquarters

After the space shuttle-caused sonic boom, the department's elevators, card readers and garage door stopped working.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nicole Johnson holds her crown from when she won Miss America in 1999 during her speech on Wednesday, March 9 at USFSM inside Selby Auditorium.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 9, 2011
Former Miss America partners with JDRF for Walk to Cure Diabetes

Nicole Johnson spoke to people participating in the Walk to Cure Diabetes that will take place Saturday, March 26, on Siesta Key Beach. Johnson was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1993 and won the title of Miss America in 1999.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota-based sculptor Mark Anderson created the five bronze-and-aluminum sculptures are on display in the courtyard at Longboat Key Center for the Arts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
Arts Center receives new look

Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, has new sculptures on display in its courtyard.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
It's time to turn back the clocks

It's time to turn the clock forward and savor an extra hour of evening sunshine: Daylight Saving Time officially ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Winter
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
Gary's Salon plans final blowout open house

After 29 years on Longboat Key, Gary Winters will close Gary's Salon April 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
Mote gets Fein addition to Advisory Council

Former Longboat Key resident and longtime Temple Beth Israel member Shirley Fein recently joined Mote Marine Laboratory's Advisory Council.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dick O'Dowd's chess set was hand-carved out of limestone from his ancestors' homeland in Ireland.
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • March 9, 2011
Local Irish enthusiast to speak on 'All Things Irish'

Dick O'Dowd will share stories from his travels and his knowledge of Irish history and culture at his presentation, 'All Things Irish,' which takes place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at SunTrust Bank, 510 Bay Isles Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
Letters to the editor

Cell tower is needed on Longboat; Key swans go over swimmingly

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
SMR Farms President Mac Carraway said the awards are based on a variety of objective criteria primarily related to fruit quality and harvesting practices.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
SMR Farms named 'top grower'

Tropicana Products recently named SMR Farms as of the company's 2009-2010 Growers of the Year.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County Planning Commission is set to meet at 9 a.m., March 10, in the first floor chambers of the Manatee County Government building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
Planning Commission to meet

Agenda items for the March 10 meeting include an addition to Rosedale, expansion plans for Lakewood Ranch Park and more.

  • East County
  • News
Town Manager Bruce St. Denis, right, and town labor attorney Reynolds Allen discuss why the town is not able to give the firefighters a contract that involves spending more money.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 9, 2011
Town sides with St. Denis

The Town Commission agreed with Town Manager Bruce St. Denis on the three issues left to resolve a new firefighter contract last week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mayor George Spoll oversaw his last evening regular Town Commission meeting Monday, March 7, at Town Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 9, 2011
Longboat Key's mayor signs off

Mayor George Spoll will leave the Town Commission after six years of service.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
The Observer goes mobile

The YourObserver.com iPhone app is now available for download in the iTunes store.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jerry Springer, right, poses with Graeme Malloch at the St. Armands Key Residents Association annual dinner.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 9, 2011
5 things you didn't know about Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer spends much of his off-camera time in Bird Key, where he has lived for 15 years. Here are five things you didn't know about the legendary talk show host.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 9, 2011
IPOC questions plan changes

The town of Longboat Key has been working since last year to amend its Comprehensive Plan. The Islandside Property Owners Coalition believes the amendments and plan are inconsistent.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Juliani Kenney Investment Capital LLC Principal Brian Kenney spoke to the Longbeach Village Association last week.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 9, 2011
Developer talks about future of plaza

Brian Kenney, principal of the Boston-based Juliani Kenney Investment Capital LLC, told a standing-room only crowd at the Longbeach Village Association's March 2 meeting that his company is working quickly to lease and, then, renovate Whitney Beach Plaza.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan discusses the need for reducing spending and increasing savings at a town hall meeting Saturday.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 9, 2011
Buchanan talks jobs, economy and health care

Approximately 100 people attended Rep. Vern Buchanan's town hall meeting Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 9, 2011
News Briefs

Calling all Key voters; Town's beach engineer sold to Louisiana company; Port Dolphin extends its pipeline project; New Longboat Key trolley schedule announced

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dave Garelick plays tennis once a week at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center and says he feels "uplifted" by his lessons.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 9, 2011
Tennis nets benefits for player with Parkinson's

In the past, Dave Garelick was used to playing tennis every day. Today, the sport isn't just for recreation - it helps to ease his Parkinson's symptoms.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
Cops Corner

Classic Cops Feb. 24, 1999 12:20 p.m. 1100 block of GMD. Traffic violation, Speeding. 'I'm sorry,' said the driver. 'It's my fault. I'm in a hurry to get to the bathroom.' Driver cited.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Carroll Barnhill was born July 27, 1933.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Carroll Barnhill

At 77, East County resident Carroll Barnhill published a collection of poems. Learn more about him in our candid Q&A.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
Our View

Don't take the bait

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Brett Hanewich also went 1-for-3 at the plate with a RBI on March 3.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 9, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Brett Hanewich

Lakewood Ranch sophomore Brett Hanewich pitched a complete game, allowing two hits while striking out four in the Mustangs' 3-0 non-district victory over Manatee March 3.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jon Luke Beck led the pack down the field.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
Sport of Princes

The Sarasota Polo Club hosted a special Junior Polo Exhibition March 2, giving 12- and 13-year-old players a chance to play with other up-and-coming stars.

  • East County
  • Sports
Josh Tomlin
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 9, 2011
OBSERVER TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Josh Tomlin

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

  • East County
  • Sports
On Feb. 27, senior Tiffany Elder became the first Lakewood Ranch High cheerleader to make the staff of the Universal Cheer Association.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 9, 2011
Team Spirit

Lakewood Ranch High cheerleader Tiffany Elder was selected to be a member of the Universal Cheer Association's staff.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore Alex Horan, junior Zack Hoppe and eighth-grader Austin Hope have helped lead The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team to a 2-1 district record in their first season with the team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 9, 2011
Pitching trio anchors ODA Thunder squad

The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team has three new pitchers in its starting rotation this spring, including Lakewood Ranch transfer Zack Hoppe, his younger brother, Austin, and Lemon Bay transfer Alex Horan.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
CDD will assume additional operations

Heritage Harbour Community Development District leaders will assume gatehouse and landscaping management.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
CDD will assume additional operations

Heritage Harbour Community Development District leaders will assume gatehouse and landscaping management.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 9, 2011
COMMENT: Observer team takes field for spring ball

"Play for the name on the front of your jersey -- not the name on the back." It's a simple phrase that speaks volumes. And this spring, I already know one team that's doing just that.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 9, 2011
Building permits

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Feb. 25 through March 3, in order of dollar amounts. (GMD = Gulf of Mexico Drive)

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Unit N-1201 at Longboat Key Towers has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and 2,420 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,675,000.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 9, 2011
Longboat Key Towers unit sells for $1,675,000

The sale was the largest of the nine sales recorded during the week of Feb. 22 through Feb. 25, which was shortened because of Presidents Day, on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys at the Sarasota and Manatee county courthouses.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Taylor Halligan and Alex Passmore cooked hot dogs over an open fire as part of the retreat's festivities.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
Box retreat teaches life's lessons

Woodland - The Community Church hosted a Kinetic Box Retreat for high school students March 4-5

  • East County
  • News
Bob Moffa has led several East County veterans events in the past year.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
Foundation to honor veterans

The American Ideals Foundation will host a Veterans Honor Ceremony at 1 p.m., March 12, at Lakewood's Central Park.

  • East County
  • News
The festival features fun for the whole family. Photo by Michael Eng
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2011
Festival blossoms at Mixon

The East County's Mixon Fruit Farms will celebrate its 2011 Orange Blossom Festival March 10-18.

  • East County
  • News
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