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Your Observer

Electrician Willy Woody assists Brianne Goff and Rodney Lucky with their Robug.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 23, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Brookside Middle School

Students in Susan Roberts' class at Brookside Middle School built Soda Can Robugs - bug robots - Friday, March 18, thanks to a grant from Sun Hydraulics. The Sarasota Observer checked in during first period to see how they were doing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cindy Kaiser, executive director of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Teacher of the Year Melissa Owens and Patty Brustad, program coordinator
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 23, 2011
GALLERY: Sarasota County Teacher of the Year

Melissa "Missy" Owens, of Bay Haven School of Basics-Plus, received the award for 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alexander and Sarah McCalden
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
VIP(enguins) will march toward Mote

Mote Marine Aquarium will host some black-tie guests beginning in November: four black-footed penguins as part of a limited-time exhibit that will be called 'Penguin Island.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Friedberg
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
Friedberg signs off on her first novel

Former Longboat Key resident Patricia Friedberg held a book signing and lecture Saturday, March 19, at Bookstore 1, in Sarasota, for her first novel, '21 Aldgate.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
From left, George Walsh, a World War II Marine veteran; Brian Walsh; and David Beliles, a Korean War Marine veteran and Plymouth Harbor resident.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
An officer and two gentlemen

Brian Walsh, son of Matt and Lisa Walsh of Longboat Key, graduated from U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School and was commissioned a second lieutenant March 18 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Va.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
From left, Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Bob Gault, Bill Sceva, Edith Barr Dunn and John Wild.
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • March 23, 2011
Kiwanian of the Year unveils surprise of his own

Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key member Bill Sceva was honored as Kiwanian of the Year and made a $1,000 donation to the scholarship fund.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
Observer Group wins five SNA prizes

The Observer Group made some headlines of its own last week, winning five awards in the Suburban Newspapers of America's editorial contest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dick Webster snapped this photo of the moon over Sarasota Bay
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
The sky's the limit for local photogs

Last weekend's scenic skies inspired local photographers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Earl Gordon and Roger Goldstein
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • March 23, 2011
Beth Israel members act out during Purim

Members of Temple Beth Israel celebrated Purim with a play Saturday, March 19, at Temple Beth Israel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Park is one of 18 neighborhood parks the city would be responsible for funding completely.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • March 23, 2011
City bristles at county's parks offer

City commissioners question the county's definition of a 'regional park,' and why county commissioners won't meet with them in person.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 23, 2011
OBITUARY: Dr. Roy McKinney

Dr. Roy McKinney, 76, practiced as an anesthesiologist.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
At the Longboat Key Town Commission’s statutory meeting Monday, newly appointed Mayor Jim Brown, left, presents outgoing Mayor George Spoll with a plaque that expresses the town's gratitude for his years of service.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 23, 2011
Brown takes mayor's chair

Commissioner Jim Brown becomes mayor for the first time. Commissioner David Brenner is elected as vice mayor.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Large pipes that will be used to funnel sand onto the eroded north end of the island were placed on Beer Can Island Friday, March 18.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 23, 2011
Town ad error invalidates vote

An advertising error for the town's $16 million beach project means a county judge must now validate the beach-project bond referendum.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Firefighters Pension Board members Shannon Gault and Gerald Feder still question a pension investigation that’s under way.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 23, 2011
Board members question pension investigation

Longboat Key Firefighters Pension Board members Gerald Feder and Shannon Gault are not pleased thus far with an investigation of the pension plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 23, 2011
Census: 9.4% drop in population

In the past decade, Longboat Key experienced a 9.4% drop in population, according to U.S. Census data released last week, with its population falling to 6,888 permanent residents April 1, 2010, compared with 7,603 April 1, 2000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 23, 2011
Bayfront Park plan at agenda forefront

Before a new Bayfront Park can be constructed in the middle of the Key, the town must implement certain items.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
News Briefs

'Super moon' doesn't affect Longboat beaches; North Lido Park tidal tributary completed; Post office prepares for April 18 tax deadline

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Kumar Mahadevan laughs with trustee Pauline Becker after Mahadevan realized that everyone had kept the surprise anniversary party for him a big secret.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 23, 2011
After 25 years, Mote CEO is a big fish in bigger sea

On March 15, a group of longtime Mote staff and supporters gathered for a surprise party to honor Kumar Mahadevan for his 25 years as CEO.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
FCCLA leader visits Tallahassee

Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Micaela Figueroa represented District 7 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America in Tallahassee during the recent Career and Technical Education on the Hill event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vanda Bayliss, 59, always dreamed of operating huge construction equipment.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 23, 2011
CAUTION: Adults at Play

If you've ever wanted to take the controls of a bulldozer or excavator, one East County business can accommodate your heavy-duty dreams.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 23, 2011
Ranch names sports complex

Summerfield resident Mercedes Movilla's suggestion, Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, was chosen as the moniker for SMR's new project.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 23, 2011
CDD 1 hires new security contractor

The Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 board expects Diamond Mason Evans Inc. to start in April.

  • East County
  • News
Event organizer Randi Greene said the event gives riders throughout the state a new place to ride while raising funds for improvements to Camp Flying Eagle.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 23, 2011
Flying Eagle saddles up for weekend ride

The Poker Ride, Obstacle Course and Camp Out event will be held April 1-3.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
Our view

The road to revitalization; Good news for the Colony; Mayoral discomfort; The few, the proud - a personal note

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • March 23, 2011
OUR VIEW: No miracle on 44th Avenue

Poor planning and NIMBYism has created an unfortunate collision at 44th Avenue East's expansion running from east of Bradenton through Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • March 23, 2011
TALLAHASSEE: Political pension punt

If leadership is best conducted by example, a key Florida Senate committee on pensions is conducting downright pathetic leadership and having real trouble being serious about the state's long-term financial woes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
"We can't say how grateful we are (to those who have helped us)," said Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch President Autumn Solomon, pictured with Lake Osprey Village owner Norman Ferber, who donated retail space to the organization for a year.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 23, 2011
Ranch Humane Society to open boutique

Second Chances Consignment Boutique, once open, will raise money for the ongoing operations of the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
Longboat Key Voter Turnout

The line chart depicts Longboat Key voter turnout island-wide for municipal elections from 1997 to 2011.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bird Key Yacht Club will begin exterior and interior renovations of its clubhouse this summer.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 23, 2011
Bird Key Yacht Club will chip away at old facade

The yacht club's 'Façade Project' will add a second story to its lobby and provide exterior and interior updates.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
Letters to the editor

Government should help move forward with ideas; Cell-phone tower needed on Key; Time to move forward; Unkind remarks blighted evening fundraiser; Anti high-speed rail letter writer got it all wrong

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2011
Cops Corner

March 10, 1993 11:02 a.m. 4900 block of GMD. Burglary. Report of voices in apartment and a possible burglary in progress was called in. Voices discovered to be people leaving a birthday message on a telephone answering machine.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • March 23, 2011
Chamber event puts sporty spin on community gathering

Coldwell Banker's Cocktails Courtside will take place Thursday, March 31 at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Susan Landau and Barb Kerwin, are co-chairing the event with Jane Buckman, executive director of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 23, 2011
Male models to spice up 'Taste of the Keys'

A Taste of the Keys and Male Fashion Show will take place Wednesday, April 13, at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Miss Manatee Softball 10U Observer team is undefeated through the first four games of the season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 23, 2011
Observer softball team swings into action

The Miss Manatee Softball 10U Observer team is a perfect 4-0 so far this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
The PAR 5 Club provides its 300 members with access to exclusive golf courses, discounted prices and savings.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 23, 2011
Golf courses partner with PAR 5 Club

The PAR 5 Club recently launched a new year-round golf membership program that provides reduced prices and savings to local residents.

  • East County
  • Sports
The vacant 1.122-acre lot at 6001 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $1.8 million.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 23, 2011
Vacant Gulfside lot sells for $1.8 million

The sale was the largest of seven transactions recorded between March 7 and March 11 on Longboat, Lido, Bird and St. Armands keys.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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Latest News

1
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is meant to pay for immediate relief and long-term resilience efforts in the four-county area.
  • June 5, 2026
Patterson Foundation donates $500,000 for storm relief
2
A giant American flag has flown above Sarasota Ford since the 1970s.
  • June 4, 2026
American flag will fly high again over Sarasota Ford
3
Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon
4
An aerial rendering of Premier Park's upcoming racket and aquatic center.
  • June 4, 2026
Residents receive little warning about Premier plan detours
5
Owen Ayers played his first two seasons of minor-league baseball exclusively with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of Single-A. So far in 2026, he's spent time with the South Bend Cubs of High-A and Knoxville Smokies of Double-A.
  • June 4, 2026
Sarasota High baseball alumnus turns the corner with consistency

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