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Your Observer

    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: Miss Contradictory: Jillian Polk

Jillian Polk can usually be found in one of two places: kicking up grass as she sprints down the soccer field or serenading with a microphone.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Stephanie Hannum
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The Sassy Swimmer: Ann Marie Brasacchio

An incoming junior at Pineview School, 16-year-old Ann Marie Brasacchio is incredibly sassy ... or, rather an incredible SASSY swimmer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The Smooth Operator: Bob Barnes

If you've called a Sarasota or Manatee County public schools in the past 10 years, chances are you've been greeted by a smooth baritone voice while you're on hold.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Stephanie Hannum
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The SGA President: Joie Giannini

As a high school student, it's great to have the Student Government Association president as your friend and on your side, and Giovanna "Joie" Giannini is no exception.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The Kindergartner: Kylee Langeneger

Wearing a headband in the hottest shade of pink, Kylee Langeneger stands on her tiptoes and presses her nose against the window before tugging open the door.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Stephanie Hannum
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The Principal: Steve Dragon

Some kids at Southside Elementary might actually want to be sent to the new principal's office.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Stephanie Hannum
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The Stage Manager: Vannessa Alvarez

Vannessa Alvarez likes to be in control - in control of the actors and actresses involved in New Gate School's theatrical performances, in control of the props and costumes and in control of the atmosphere backstage.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Stephanie Hannum
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The Talented Trio: The Williams Sisters

When you hear the term the Williams sisters, you immediately think of tennis greats Serena and Venus. But, the Sarasota Williams sisters will alter your perception of the term.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The Coach: Ed Volz

Since he assumed the role of head football coach in January at Sarasota High School, Ed Volz has worked around the clock to build a successful program with the Sailors.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 12, 2010
Siesta Key home sells for $2.6 million

Albert and Monika Tomlinson, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4039 Shell Road to Michael Murphy, of Clarence, N.Y., for $2.62 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Stephanie Hannum
  • August 12, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL 2010: The Diva: Breanna O'Keefe

The term, "diva," isn't something 9-year-old Breanna O'Keefe has really heard before, but she has all the qualities to become a superstar, and, in all the good ways, a diva.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 11, 2010
CAMP SPOTLIGHT: Youth For Bridge

A summer of weekly bridge lessons and a fun-filled five-day bridge camp culminated with the Youth For Bridge tournament and graduation ceremony Friday, Aug. 6, at the Boys and Girls Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 11, 2010
STORE AROUND THE CORNER: Sarasota Brides and Formalwear

Sarasota Brides and Formalwear carries 350 gowns. Thousands more may be special-ordered.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 11, 2010
Two nest openings scheduled

Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers will excavate both nests.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 11, 2010
Rink may be on thin ice

Organizers have to come up with more than $100,000 to implement their plan for a full-size ice skating rink in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2010
Pierre drops out of IPOC

The Islandside Property Owners Coalition files another legal challenge to the Islandside project, while one of its members leaves the coalition.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2010
Colony Collapse

The bankruptcy judge dissolved the 38 year partnership between Colony owner Murf Klauber and the unit owners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2010
Turtle Tracks

Turtle Tracks

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2010
LBK's guitar hero

LBK's guitar hero

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2010
Briefs 08.12.10

Bayflite responds to two Key accidents and Longboat police catch burglar.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2010
One project ends, another begins

A pipeline-upsizing project is nearing completion along Gulf of Mexico Drive, just in time for a paving project to begin in the same area.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 11, 2010
Plaza owner awaits closing

After more than a decade on Longboat Key, Andrew Hlywa is eager to say goodbye to Whitney Beach Plaza and the island itself.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2010
OUR VIEW: We recommend ...

OUR VIEW: We recommend ...

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2010
Police department signs three-year contract

The department signed a three-year contract Friday. Meanwhile, the firefighters are at an impasse with the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 11, 2010
Vision Plan focus questioned

The Vision Plan Subcommittee will hold a comprehensive planning lesson, before moving forward with its revisions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 11, 2010
Property owner fined for noncompliance

The Code Enforcement Board fined Key resident James Armstrong $50 a day for not obtaining building permits.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2010
Cops Corner

July 31 "Dancing fool" 7:12 p.m. -- Off the Key. Disturbance. Police told several people to stop jumping off the south end of Longboat Pass Bridge. They were also told to turn their radio down and that it was illegal to drink beer on the island. As police started to walk away, one young man wearing a thong and holding a beer came out from under the bridge and started to gyrate his hips, telling police to come and get him. Police called for the police boat and the man was arrested after he started to incite the crowd by his drunken behavior. The man, who threatened to have his father get the officer who arrested him fired, later apologized for his actions, blaming the incident on too much Schnapps and vodka.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 11, 2010
Nesting Mode

Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers rise early every morning to patrol the beach for signs of sea-turtle nesting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Donna Swan
  • August 11, 2010
Deal Us In: A Difficult Signal

West leads the deuce of spades, which dummy wins with the king. A trump is led from the dummy. How can East show a possibility of helping in the defense with his almost worthless hand?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2010
Sports writer welcomes baby boy

East County Observer Associate Editor and Lakewood Ranch resident Jen Blanco and her husband, Brian, welcomed their son, Brendan Jacob Blanco, at 1:35 p.m., Aug. 8, 2010, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2010
SmartFarm hosts first fundraiser

Members of the Lakewood Ranch SmartFarm will be pouring the beverages of your choice during The Polo Grill's Charity Bartending Night from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Aug. 26.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2010
Jensen: sports complex 'a go'

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch is moving forward with its plan to construct a world-class amateur sports complex near the Lakewood Ranch Post Office.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • August 11, 2010
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
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2010
Ranch HOA adds clarity to yard-item regulations

However, the SRVA committee will not change its rule regarding the number of decorative yard items allowed.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2010
East schools perform well on FCAT

The Florida Department of Education released grades for the assessment test late last week. East County schools again scored among the top in the district.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2010
U.S. Coast Guard seeks input for bridge

The federal agency is holding a meeting Aug. 17 to inform residents about the Fort Hamer Bridge project and to give them an opportunity to share their concerns.

  • East County
  • News
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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