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Your Observer

The commission also will approve $41,000 in funding for the Manatee portion of the island's trolley route.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 3, 2011
Commission makes beach decision tonight

The Town Commission must approve March 15 ballot questions for its island-wide beach project tonight.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The event will include an introduction to Key beaches, design principles, strategy and more.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 3, 2011
PIC to host beach forum

The Longboat Key Public Interest Committee's event will provide a discussion of current beach issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lee Wright and his dog, Sailor Duvall, attended Thunder By the Bay last year.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 3, 2011
Thunder By the Bay revs up for Sarasota

The 13th annual Thunder By the Bay Motorcycle Festival rolls into town this weekend to benefit Suncoast Charities for Children.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The bayfront-connectivity plan will cost $53 million.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • January 3, 2011
City to request congressional earmarks

Requested funds would help pay for $100 million in improvement projects citywide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Jazzercise instructor Sue Encke, center, performed with her customers Cindy Palmer and Cindy Gruenier.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 3, 2011
Jazzercise teachers a hit on NFL stage

Lakewood Ranch Jazzercise instructor Sue Encke, along with two of her students, performed with 300 other Jazzercise instructors and students during the Miami Dolphins halftime show Dec. 19, 2010.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Taylor Emmons was a pitcher for The Out-of-Door Academy. He graduated in 2009.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Jen Blanco
  • January 3, 2011
TOP STORY, DEC.: ODA honors Tayor Emmons

The former pitcher, a 2009 graduate, was killed in an accident in Coral Gables.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 3, 2011
TOP STORY, DEC.: The Sand Man

On the eve of the Town Commission's decision on which beach renourishment project to choose, both the town manager, beach engineer and consultants back the town's decision to dredge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lem Sharp, left, Walter Mills, middle, and Tim Hensey, right, are executives at Lakewood Ranch-based construction firm W.G. Mills.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Mark Gordon
  • January 2, 2011
TOP STORY, NOV.: W.G. Mills sold

Rhode Island-based Gilbane Inc. on Nov. 15 announced its acquisition of East County contractor W.G. Mills.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 2, 2011
TOP STORY, NOV.: Longboat Ranks No. 2

For the first time, Longboat Key made Conde Nast Traveler magazine's Readers' Choice Survey. But Kiawah Island, S.C., still holds the top island-destination spot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
District 69 state Rep. Ray Pilon thanks the crowd for its support Election Night at Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • January 2, 2011
TOP STORY, NOV.: Republicans sweep county

In what could be a first in Sarasota County, every Republican on the ballot won his or her race - an event that was spurred on by dissatisfaction with Democrats in Washington, D.C.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Scott Hase and Al Tripodi
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • January 1, 2011
Public Tennis Center courts the new year

The weather was chamber-of-commerce perfect for the 10th annual New Year's Day round-robin tournament at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center. Forty players turned out for the event, which was organized by Jay Greenblatt.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This aerial of Lakewood Ranch from 1998 shows a young community on the verge of a boom.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 1, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Ranch Anniversary

Lakewood Ranch celebrated the 15th anniversary of the first home sold. Visionaries Mary Fran Carroll and John Clarke were largely responsible shaping the Lakewood Ranch residents know today.

  • East County
  • News
Brian Kenney is principal of Boston-based Juliani Kenney Investment Capital LLC.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 1, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Plaza Plans

The Whitney Beach shopping center is under contract with Juliani Kenney Investment Capital LLC, which plans to bring a mix of national and local retail stores to the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The minimum-wage requirement was placed in the charter through a citizen initiative and public referendum in 2007.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • January 1, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Charter panel votes to repeal wage law

The charter amendment chased Wal-Mart away from its Newtown store three years ago. Some residents say the area was devastated.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lori Ann Marinaccio, Jaymie Klauber and Audrey Thompson
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 1, 2011
East County enjoys fine dining

East County residents Lou and Ann Marie Marinaccio welcomed about 50 people to their home Jan. 29 for the Quintessa and Flowers Vineyard & Winery Wine Dinner event. The evening, which was catered by Fete Catering, was part of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals 2011 Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival Jan. 28-31.

  • East County
  • News
Local filmmaker Ken Sanborn hopes to add a little Hollywood magic to the East County community.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 31, 2010
TOP STORY, SEPT.: Sanborn Studios

Local filmmaker Ken Sanborn hopes to add a little Hollywood magic to the East County community.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key received a permit last week to restore its severely eroded north end whenever needed for a period of 10 years.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 31, 2010
TOP STORY, SEP.: North-end receives beach project permit

The town of Longboat Key received a permit for an emergency beach project that will bring 133,000 cubic yards of sand to the north end next year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jeff and Brianne Walters delivered Lilyana Grace Walters in their Summerfield home a 1:09 a.m., Aug. 9, 2010.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 30, 2010
TOP STORY, AUG.: Birthday Surprise

As ambulances sped toward their home at 1 a.m. Monday morning, Summerfield resident Brianne Walters delivered Lilyana Grace Walters into the arms of her husband, Jeff.

  • East County
  • News
Shelby Wikoff holds a tree pose in July at Yoga from the Heart.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
Year in Pictures: July | Aug.

Take a look back at photos this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Herb Lee and Chuck Sidlow joked around in June at The Pines of Sarasota feast and casino party.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
YEAR IN PICTURES: MAY | JUNE

Take a look back at photos from The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Max Pettingell gets a slobbery kiss from Daphne, a Southeastern Guide Dog in training, while visiting the organization's new downtown Sarasota Discovery Center in September with his father, Roger, a Southeastern Guide Dog Board member.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
Year in Pictures: Sept.|Oct.

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Giants' player Caleb Rumble tried to outrun Pirates' catcher Jameson Syprett to home plate during their final T-ball game of the season in November.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
Year in Pictures: Nov.|Dec.

Take a look back at pictures from The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tais Gadar pounded on the drums in April at Eco Fest.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
YEAR IN PICTURES: MARCH | APRIL

Take a look back at pictures from The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In January, there was talk of removing "Unconditional Surrender" from the bayfront in May, if several conditions on its sale and donation were not met.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
YEAR IN PICTURES: JAN | FEB

Take a look back at pictures from The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wish: That legislators embrace Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s “growth” agenda.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
OUR VIEW: Wish list for 2011 ...

OUR VIEW: Wish list for 2011 ...

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 30, 2010
Briefs

Community news & notes

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 30, 2010
Cops Corner

Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Alexis Sulentic, Michelle Jasin and Sean Rosensweig
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
Cardinal Mooney students make generosity count

Students at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School recently donated more than 900 new toys to Andrew's Toy Box as a holiday gift.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Girls, Inc. carolers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2010
Girls Inc. carolers hit high notes

The adorable girls of Girls Inc. stopped by The Sarasota Observer office to spread some holiday cheer Dec. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ben Hilton and his son, Will
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
Kids showcase talents at Hanukkah party

The scent and sizzle of hot oil wafted down the hallway as kindergartners, first-graders, second-graders and their families held a recent Hanukkah party, during which they made sufganiyot, arts-and-crafts and menorah handprints.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
SMA launches new iPhone app

With just the touch of a button, residents and visitors can now find a doctor, nearby walk-in center or hospital and outpatient services thanks to a new smart phone app introduced Dec. 21 by Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cassidy Marryott and Payton Harris show off their Santa bucket.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
Scullers erg their way to $10,000

Eighty members of the Sarasota Scullers Championship Rowing Team raised $10,000 in just four hours at their inaugural Holiday Hammer Ergatta Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The vacant property, outlined in red, the place the city will soon market as a possible hotel site, sits next to the Palm Avenue parking  garage.garage.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 30, 2010
City targets hotel developer

A wide-range marketing plan is being created to help attract a major hotel chain to develop a vacant parcel of land.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christine Jennings
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • December 30, 2010
Donor Spotlight: Christine Jennings

Each week, The Sarasota Observer will feature a different donor who is involved with Season of Sharing, a 10-year, community-wide fundraising partnership created by the Community Foundation. Donations to the Season of Sharing fund may be made by check or credit card, payable to the Community Foundation of Sarasota, or online at www.cfsarasota.org. For information, call 955-3000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Veronica Bergamini
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
Sweet home Sarasota

Veronica Bergamini could only choose the country where she wanted to study when she signed up to participate in the World Heritage International Student Exchange, and she found out in June that she would be spending the following year in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joey Panek
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 30, 2010
VIDEO: New Year's resolutions

We asked several local personalities to reflect on the changes they want to see happen in Sarasota over the next year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Students in Kirsten Hazelton's 2nd-grade class at Southside Elementary School used their magnifying glasses to watch their freshly released ladybugs get to work patrolling their vegetable garden at the school.
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Angelina Goesch and her mom, Ana Goesch, founder of Dogs of Lakewood Ranch, pose with Ana's 4-year-old Golden retriever, Maple.
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This year the Sarasota Opera House is turning 100. To celebrate, the Sarasota Opera is holding a special concert and dinner on April 11.
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The original Owen's Fish Camp in Burns Court defines the quintessential "cottage."
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