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Your Observer

This photo was captured by photographer Sunaa Hushaw.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Sunset performance is instrumental for musician

Musician Sang Won Park, a native of Seoul, South Korea, and a resident of New York City, performed a fifth-century Korean instrument, the kayagum, at sunset outside of the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club after a lecture by Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Super Bowl victory tastes sweet for Arpke

Ray Arpke, owner and chef of Euphemia Haye, was lucky enough to see his favorite team win the big game two weeks ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Christ Church gets its own office space

Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian is one step closer to its new home: The church recently finished moving its office space to its new facility at 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Mitchell and Brenda Frost
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 16, 2011
It's a small, small world!

Brenda (Taylor) Frost and David Mitchell discovered that they had both attended the same Spring Grove Grammar School, in Isleworth, Middlesex, England when they met Saturday evening, Feb. 12, at the Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation Valentine's Ball.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Our View

Pension experts at the ready

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Now, we have an app for that!

Now, you can get all your Observer news - on the go.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A shopping cart and trash sit in front of a home in Greenbrook Dale.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2011
EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT?

As the upholders of the community's covenants, bylaws and regulations, Lakewood Ranch's HOAs can issue punishments in the form of fines and liens for violations. But what happens when those yield no results?

  • East County
  • News
"We have an extraordinary talent for finding the right people," Colin Baenziger said.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2011
IDA banks on Baenziger's experience

Colin Baenziger, of Colin Baenziger & Associates, has begun the process for recruiting a new executive director for Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Stepleman and Gary Berns will lead the discussion for the Friends of Lakewood Ranch's forum next week.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2011
Sides prep for incorporation debate

The Friends of Lakewood Ranch and Incorporation Study Committee both have agreed to debate. Until then, both groups will continue educating the public.

  • East County
  • News
Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson took time to educate local firefighters, including East Manatee Fire Rescue Training Officer Tim Hyden, about safety features on racing vehicles while he was at the Bradenton Motorsports Park for winter testing last week.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2011
PEDAL TO THE METAL

Drivers also lent their expertise to assist in the training of local firefighters.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2011
Stingray's Grill closes Lakewood Ranch doors

The seafood restaurant on Lake Osprey Drive closed earlier this month.

  • East County
  • News
Cardel Homes, a new builder to Manatee County, introduced the Gulfstream model at Central Park in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2011
Sneak Peek

The Home Builders Association's annual Parade of Homes runs Feb. 19 to March 6. More than 30 models in the East County are featured this year.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 16, 2011
Town center deemed priority

The adoption of the Vision Plan has allowed the Planning and Zoning Board to help plan Longboat's future in regard to the revitalization of its shopping centers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Observer sales executive Wendi Simons
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Advertising executive leaves after 30 years at Observer

Wendi Simons was the first full-time advertising sales executive at the Longboat Observer and was its top producer for 25 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 16, 2011
Walgreens sets sights on plaza

The drug-store chain has held quasi-judicial hearings with the town about the possibility of anchoring Whitney Beach Plaza.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lenny Landau, who bikes daily, said the report only looks at bicycle accidents that have occurred. The report does not evaluate the effect of removing bicycle signs on the Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 16, 2011
Key resident compiles bicycle crash data

Longboat resident Lenny Landau used police reports from the last four years to calculate bicycle accident statistics on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An e-mail survey of residents in blocks 1 through 300 of North Washington Drive found that those residents supported placing a no-left-turn sign at the intersection of North Washington Drive and North Boulevard of the Presidents.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 16, 2011
St. Armands residents seek to stop traffic

The Key's residential side streets are a frequent shortcut for drivers who want to avoid the Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 16, 2011
Library checks out options for monetary assistance

The Longboat Library will make a presentation at the Town Commission's Feb. 17 regular workshop meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
News Briefs

Volunteer Lew Simon appointed to state boards; Dredging project near Jewfish Key in the works; Commissioner Whitmore proposes mayoral meeting; Corrections

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 16, 2011
First park project hurdle addressed

A Bayfront Park concept plan that includes a 15,000-square-foot building will require additional administrative work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 16, 2011
Longboat trolley group considers slogan change

A Longboat Key trolley working group discussed new ways to promote the service and revealed a tentative new schedule for the route Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Letters to the editor

Editor is 'clueless'; License plate cameras would add to safety of the island; Signs draw focus away from roadway; No-growth advocates win

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Gabe Rosica, right, listens to Watson’s presentation.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 16, 2011
Physical energy explains group's momentum

The 30 physics enthusiasts of the Longboat Key Physics Club meets once a month at Bird Key Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • February 16, 2011
St. Armands Circle Association to host 'Weddings in Paradise'

The inaugural "Weddings in Paradise" bridal event will take place Saturday, Feb. 26, on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Marco Padilla scored the Mustangs' lone goal off an assist from Zach Reda.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 16, 2011
Lakewood Ranch falls in regionals

The Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team saw its historic season come to an end with a 2-1 loss to Cape Coral in the Class 4A-Region 3 finals Feb. 12.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Gulf Coast United Cheer All-Star cheerleading squad captured the Superior Award at the Official Florida Cheer and Dance Championships Feb. 13.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 16, 2011
Gulf Coast Cheer squad competes in Tampa

The East County-based team is led by gym co-owners Felice Flammia and Terri Harrington.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 16, 2011
Real Estate Reports

Smedley named manager of Prudential Realty offices; Wagner Realty announces top producers for January; Michael Saunders & Co. opens Boca Grande office

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 16, 2011
Business Observer

ScoopDaddy's opens in University Park; Longboat Publix to host centuries-old ceremony

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarah Miller, with her parents Gene and Tina Miller and brothers: Moriah, Zachariah and Noah, will play for USF.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 16, 2011
Lakewood soccer stars ink college choices

Lakewood Ranch's Sarah Miller and Taylor Jo Salmon both signed letters-of-intent Feb. 9 to play college soccer.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 16, 2011
Building Permits

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Feb. 4 through Feb. 10, in order of dollar amounts. (GMD = Gulf of Mexico Drive)

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Steven Ross finished with 10 points as the host Pirates won their first district title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 16, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Steven Ross

Braden River junior Steven Ross hit a game-tying three-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation of the Class 4A-District 10 championship Feb. 11 to send the game into overtime.

  • East County
  • Sports
Unit S-202 at La Firenza, 4125 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has 3,582 square feet, three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. It sold for $2,635,000.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 16, 2011
Sales spike to 18 during first week of February

A total of 18 sales were recorded on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys at the Sarasota and Manatee county courthouses during the week of Jan. 31 through Feb. 4 - a total that surpassed every other week thus far in 2011.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Joe Griffith became a state certified fire investigator about three years ago.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2011
Firefighter launches Lakewood business

East Manatee Fire Rescue Lt. Joe Griffith will provide classes and certifications for firefighters and others from his new venture in Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
Joe Griffith currently is finishing his fire science engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 16, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Joe Griffith

East Manatee Fire Rescue Lt. Joe Griffith recently opened his new safety and health training and consulting business on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Learn more about him in our candid Q&A.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Business Observer 02.17.11

O'Brien Family Farms celebrated its grand opening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 12, at the farm, 16505 S.R. 64 E.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2011
Scoreboard

Check out the latest bridge and golf scores.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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