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Your Observer

Dean Abraham says he hopes the studio provides a social, fun atmosphere for dancing in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • September 17, 2010
STORE AROUND THE CORNER: Arthur Murray Dance Studio

Dean Abraham, former owner of the Dance Options studio in London, opened Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Lakewood Ranch this week.

  • East County
  • News
Joe Smillie, 4, shared a piece of cake with his special friend.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • September 17, 2010
Heritage Harbour throws teddy-bear bash

Children in Heritage Harbour enjoyed a special night with their special snugglies Sept. 17 at the Stoneybrook recreation center. The community hosted a Teddy Bear Picnic complete with teddy-bear-themed treats, activities and crafts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lennie Twenty and the rest of the Mustangs played hard in front of their home crowd. Photos by Pam Eubanks.
  • By Gene Venditti
  • September 17, 2010
BACK ON TRACK

Moves by coach Shawn Trent pay off as Lakewood downs East Lee 34-20.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA's stingy defense allowed only six points Friday.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 17, 2010
ODA pounds Naples First Academy

The Out-of-Door Academy evened its record to 1-1 with a 33-6 beat down of Naples First Academy Sept. 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
The fishermen: Gordon Lyons, Mark Huber, John E. Anderson, George Rauch, with Ginny Porter
  • By Jessica Luck
  • September 17, 2010
Christ Church has bigger fish to fry

There were definitely plenty for this potluck. Even though season has yet to hit the island, Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian USA welcomed more than 40 of its members for a fish fry/potluck Friday, Sept. 17, at Islands West.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 17, 2010
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Booker at the beach

The Booker High School Visual Performing and Performing Arts magnet program trekked out to Siesta Key Public Beach Sept. 17 to perform improvisational modern dance under the direction of dance teacher Melissa Lodhi.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The trolley service on Longboat Key will continue for the foreseeable future.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 17, 2010
Trolley service extended

The Manatee County Commission agreed to hold off on eliminating its Longboat Key trolley route for the rest of the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mote animal care coordinator Lynne Byrd helped to treat the five turtles released on Thursday.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 17, 2010
Five de-oiled sea turtles from Mote released

The turtles were rescued from Louisiana and treated at Mote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The change brings the county budget down by about $24 million from last year.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 17, 2010
Commissioners oppose sheriff's surtax

Manatee County commissioners last night tentatively agreed to give the sheriff's office $1 million from a reserve fund to help offset the change.

  • East County
  • News
Clyde Nixon Business Leadership Award winner Dan Bailey with Kathy Baylis and Charlie Bailey
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 17, 2010
EDC announces Hall of Fame winners

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County announced winners of the 2010 Hall of Fame Awards Sept. 17, at a ceremony attended by more than 425 people, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Clyde Nixon Business Leadership Award winner Dan Bailey with Kathy Baylis and Charlie Bailey
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 17, 2010
EDC announces Hall of Fame winners

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County announced winners of the 2010 Hall of Fame Awards Sept. 17, at a ceremony attended by more than 425 people, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Second-grader Natalie Durazo, right, eagerly performed the warm-up routine.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 17, 2010
Braden River kids boogie day away

Students at Braden River Elementary School showed off their best dance moves during the school's first Dance Party Sept. 17. The event was part of the school's new Positive Behavior Support program, which rewards children for their positive behavior.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bob Delaney
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 17, 2010
WEEKEND BEST BET: Chaplain's Closet

Former undercover agent and NBA referee Bob Delaney will kick off a campaign to collect new sports team T-shirts and other logo clothing items for the troops on Saturday.

  • East County
  • News
Corky Cavanaugh
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 17, 2010
MAN ON THE STREET: Super Bowl predictions

The East County Observer caught up with some professional football fans at Bogey's Restaurant & Sports Pub to see who they thought would win this year's Super Bowl.

  • East County
  • Sports
A dog may not be tied up outside if it is not in sight of the owner and if there is no food or water available for it.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • September 17, 2010
Sarasota adopts anti dog-tethering law

Sarasota County has made it illegal to chain dogs or other animals outside if certain conditions are not met.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Guest speaker Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Jennifer Carroll and John Colon
  • By Jessica Luck
  • September 16, 2010
Carroll speaks to supporters at club dinner

The Sarasota Republican Club held its monthly meeting Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Sarasota Yacht Club. Club members filled the dining room for a brief social hour and to hear guest speakers Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Jennifer Carroll and Lt. Col. Frances Rice, chairwoman of the National Black Republican Association.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch irrigation water comes from Braden River Utilities, which maintains its own watering schedule.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 16, 2010
Watering restrictions still apply

Lakewood Ranch residents should still follow their once-a-week watering schedule despite county notices suggesting otherwise.

  • East County
  • News
Nancy Phillips and Beth Pheney of Michael Saunders checked out some purses and other items.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 16, 2010
Realtors hit runway for annual fashion show

The Women's Council of Realtors hosted its annual fashion show and luncheon, 'Dazzle, Glamour, Dine & Glitter" Wednesday at the Fete Ballroom at the Polo Grill and Bar.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key's Police Department has agreed to a three-year contract that begins Oct. 1.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 16, 2010
Police contract ratification expected

The town of Longboat Key's Police Department and the Town Commission are expected to ratify a contract Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
These lads got festive for the Irish Rover's St. Patrick's Day party last year.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 16, 2010
Irish Rover throws halfway-there bash

Friday, Sept. 17 marks the halfway point to St. Patrick's Day, so if you're feeling lucky, grab your green gear and head to the Irish Rover Pub in Gulf Gate to watch the Sarasota School of Irish Dance perform a few jigs and listen to the Sarasota Pipe and Drum Band while you feast on corned beef and cabbage stew at the pub's first Halfway to St. Patty's Day party.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Enter the contest for a chance to win a Vera Bradley I.D. holder.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 16, 2010
Name that store

New Balance Sarasota and New Balance University Park owners Molly and David Jackson are seeking a name for their new retail store, located at 1874 Stickney Point Road, that showcases shoes, handbags and accessories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
County Commissioner Shannon Staub announced her retirement plans Wednesday.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • September 16, 2010
Staub: 'It's just time'

An emotional Shannon Staub caught commissioners and citizens off guard Wednesday with the announcement that she'll be retiring at the end of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mayor Kelly Kirschner opposes changes to the structure of the city manager's office.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • September 16, 2010
Mayor opposes charter change

Mayor Kelly Kirschner criticized proposed changes to the power structure in City Hall; the city manager called the changes unnecessary.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • September 16, 2010
Group solicits new ideas for city's power source

Looking for a way out of a 30-year utility agreement with FPL, a group of Sarasotans is sponsoring a contest seeking designs for a new electric utility for the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert Strasser, Darryl Henry and T.M. Hardt
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • September 16, 2010
Hospital board candidates tackle finances

Although it may not be top of mind to many voters, the hospital board races are an important part of Election Day, because the board has a significant say in how taxes are collected.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2010
OUR VIEW: Dent a jinxed quarterback

Poor Kathy Dent. By now, you have to wonder how she possibly could like her job as Sarasota County supervisor of elections. She's starting to resemble one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' many dubious quarterbacks.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • September 16, 2010
MY VIEW: Some burning questions

Questions arise in connection with ineloquent pastor of a tiny little church who decided to do something really inflammatory and damaging.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Priscilla Sosa, Laura Matejka, Rene Gurtinus, Moriah Taliaferro, Frankie Provino and Lacey Stanford
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 16, 2010
Riverview Science Center exhibits its star power

The new Riverview High School Science Center and Planetarium opened its doors to the public Saturday, Sept. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 3730 Bayou Louise Lane has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 3,009 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.9 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 16, 2010
Siesta Key home sells for $1.9 million

Raymond Williams Jr. and Jennifer Dartois, of Sarasota, sold their home at 3730 Bayou Louise Lane to J. Scott Bradley, of Castle Rock, Colo., for $1.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The complainant called police to report a Jaguar blocking his driveway.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2010
Cops Corner 09.16.10

The complainant called police to report a Jaguar blocking his driveway.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Co-chair Jackie Rogers and sponsor Mary Ann Robinson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • September 15, 2010
CANDance Kick-Off Party

CANDance Kick-Off Party

  • Black Tie
Marie Avery and Karen Grant
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • September 15, 2010
The Women's Council of Realtors Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon 'Dazzle, Glamour, Dine, & Glitter'

The Women's Council of Realtors Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon 'Dazzle, Glamour, Dine, & Glitter'

  • Black Tie
Edgar gets a birthday sash from trainer Holly West.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 15, 2010
At 18, Edgar takes the (squid) cake (WITH VIDEO)

Edgar, a permanent sea-turtle resident at Mote Marine Aquarium, celebrated her 18th birthday Wednesday with a squid cake and party.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ally Cohen
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 15, 2010
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Temple Beth Sholom Schools

Temple Beth Sholom teacher Aaron Goldberg invited his sixth-grade language arts class on a journey to discover new words today.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Holly West/Mote Marine Laboratory
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2010
Mote hatches plan to help hatchlings

After 33 loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings became disoriented recently after emerging from their nests in Venice and near Palma Sola Bay, in Manatee County, Mote Marine Laboratory released them Thursday, Sept. 9 about 8 miles from shore in seaweed called sargassum.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Rev. Edward Pick
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2010
Father Pick gets corny on vacation

The Rev. Emeritus Edward Pick, of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, made a recent visit to the Michigan home of Tim and Susan Clarke.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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