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Your Observer

    By
  • Robin Roy
  • April 1, 2010
High-speed streetcar coming to Main Street

APRIL FOOLS - The only way to get federal funding for the streetcar was to ensure it maintained an average speed of 50 mph. One drawback - it can't make a complete stop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • April 1, 2010
Police panel takes over department

APRIL FOOLS - The Police Advisory Panel will become the board of directors of the Sarasota Police Department. Police Panel Chairwoman Susan Chapman is named co-chief of police.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2010
News Briefs 04.01.10

APRIL FOOLS - Sarasota just hired a consultant-hiring consultant to instruct city staff on more effective ways to hire consultants.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2010
Surely we jest!

Welcome to our first April Fools' issue!

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2010
TAKEOVER: Ranch plans annexation

APRIL FOOLS - A revised study by Fishkind & Associates revealed the tax base in the original boundaries for Lakewood Ranch wasn't enough to support a city. Now, a new pro-incorporation group is seeking to annex at least 10 East County neighborhoods to help balance the budget.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2010
Ranch to premier 'Survivor: Town Hall' show

APRIL FOOLS - Following a tumultuous few months, past and present employees at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall will settle their differences on a new reality TV show.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2010
Ranch HOAs announce automatic debit option

APRIL FOOLS -- Residents soon will be able to have their fines automatically deducted from their checking accounts.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2010
Golden Melons to open in Ranch's San Marco

APRIL FOOLS -- The new gentlemen's club will take the anchor spot once designated for the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2010
Lakewood to unload big new attraction

APRIL FOOLS -- Schroeder-Manatee Ranch will market 'The World's Largest Cow Patty' as a tourist attraction at Lakewood Ranch's entertainment hub.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2010
Jensen takes up new hobby

APRIL FOOLS -- If you see Rex Jensen sporting some bright new jewelry, don't poke fun. Those necklaces, bracelets and anklets actually are part of the Schroeder-Manatee Ranch president and CEO's new health regimen.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2010
Vitale changes breakfast plans

APRIL FOOLS -- Enticed by Denny's recurring free Grand Slam Breakfast offer, Lakewood Ranch resident and famed sportsman Dick Vitale has jumped off the Broken Egg bandwagon in favor of two eggs, two sausages, two bacon strips and two pancakes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2010
Surely we jest!

APRIL FOOLS -- Welcome, one and all, to The East County Observer's first April Fools' spoof edition.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • April 1, 2010
New Osprey library under consideration

The new library model calls for a smaller location than normal stand-alone libraries. Sarasota County is considering a classroom at Historic Spanish Point.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • April 1, 2010
Referendum leads to GOP infighting

Upset that the Republican Party of Sarasota County did not oppose the school-tax extension, one prominent member accused the party of supporting big government and higher taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • April 1, 2010
Referendum to offer business-tax exemption

The Aug. 24 referendum vote is aimed at attracting new businesses to Sarasota County by offering up to a 100% exemption on property taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • April 1, 2010
Signs to point the way

The city plans to erect 6-foot signs at road closures to indicate the businesses that are still open during upcoming downtown improvement projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • April 1, 2010
Fountain of youth

Sarasota resident Dora Riverol will celebrate her 100th birthday April 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • April 1, 2010
Gracious giveaway

First Church of the Nazarene instructed its congregation to take from the offering plate, instead of donating, and use it to do good.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2010
Cops Corner

March 23 High school hooky 12:18 p.m. - 800 block of Orange Avenue. Suspicious Incident. A mother told police that her 17-year-old daughter left her high-school campus with an older teenage boy, who took her to Busch Gardens. Police were waiting for the two at school when they returned.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2010
Our View

Focus on the business climate

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 1, 2010
Phillippi Landings condo sells for $764,100

A condominium in Phillippi Landings tops all real-estate transactions for the week of March 3 to March 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
  • By Loren Mayo and Maria Amodio
  • March 31, 2010
MAN ON THE STREET: Easter EGGcitement

We asked people on Main Street about their favorite Easter traditions and memories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 31, 2010
Meeting moved to temple

The Planning and Zoning Board's special meeting to review code changes suggested by The Longboat Key Club and Resort will now be held at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 31, 2010
New Palmer Ranch fire station honors Albritton

Fire Rescue Station No. 15, in Palmer Ranch, opened March 30, with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring former Fire Chief John H. Albritton, who retired in 2001 after 35 years of public-safety service.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 31, 2010
Chiles takes 1 million steps for Florida's kids

Lawton "Bud" Chiles, president of the Lawton Chiles Foundation, is carrying on a family tradition of walking, by following in the footsteps of his late father, Gov. "Walkin' Lawton" Chiles, by taking 1 million steps for Florida's kids.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • March 31, 2010
Egg hunt draws gatherers of all ages

Pines residents joined the students of the Pines Childcare Center Thursday, March 25, for the community's annual Easter egg hunt, a spring activity for toddlers to centenarians.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • March 31, 2010
New airline targets SRQ

German-based Condor Airlines is considering non-stop flights between Sarasota and Frankfurt, Germany.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 31, 2010
Colony Association seeks to dissolve partnership

If a bankruptcy judge approves dissolution, the famed tennis resort would become a condominium association.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 31, 2010
Observer moves into new East County office

Our new address is 8788 State Road 70 E., 103, Bradenton, Fla., 34202. Our phone number will remain the same, (941) 755-5357, as will our fax number, (941) 753-8456.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 31, 2010
Breiner wins jellybean contest

Derek Breiner, son of Ed's Tavern owner John Breiner, is the winner of The East County Observer's jellybean counting contest held at Lakewood Ranch's Easter Eggstravaganza March 27.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 31, 2010
SRVA upholds fine

Summerfield resident Joani Ellis, who now is battling a fine of about $4,000 for having too many yard decorations, plans to take the Summerfield/Riverwalk Village Association to court.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 31, 2010
Bayside completes new home

The 54,000-square-foot building features a 1,000-seat auditorium and a section devoted to children and youth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 31, 2010
Ranch IDA proceeds with irrigation strategy

The board has developed a plan for addressing Lakewood Ranch's longstanding irrigation issues.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 31, 2010
Residents face unbear-able loss

Carol Camiener and Jim Herrington are sad to report that their 1980 Gund Snuffles stuffed bear went missing from Table 8 Saturday, March 27, at the Ringling College Night at the Avant-Garde: The Pajama Party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • March 31, 2010
Vehicle burglaries cause concern

Police Chief Al Hogle said he is reviewing his department's overall patrol officer strength after a series of automobile burglaries last week on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • March 31, 2010
Christ Church members go out to the ball game

Approximately 40 members of Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian went out to a ball game Monday, March 29.

  • 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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