Your Observer

Adam Hughes
May 6, 2010

Harbor Acres home sells for $2.4 million

A home in Harbor Acres tops all real-estate transactions from April 5 to April 12.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Maria Amodio
May 6, 2010

STORE AROUND THE CORNER: Alicia's Grooming

Alicia's Grooming provides a variety of services for dogs big and small.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

St. Denis told to find $800,000

The Town Commission wants the town manager to rethink how his departments are run and ask his department heads to find more money to offset an $800,000 shortfall.

Longboat Key
News

Maria Amodio
May 5, 2010

MAN ON THE STREET: Mother's Day

The Observer asked how people are honoring their mothers and what makes their mom special.

Sarasota
News

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

OBITUARY: Jason Edward 'Jay' Dayan

Jason Edward 'Jay' Dayan, 86, retired from BASF as director of technology.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

New hospital named for Key residents Raj and Indu Soin

The Indu and Raj Soin Medical Center is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2010 in Beavercreek, Ohio.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Mourning doves feel right at home

This mourning dove and her baby chick (bottom left) are nesting in a hanging flower basket just 3 feet from the front door of the Emerald Harbour home of Carol Camiener and Jim Herrington.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Roses are in bloom at Durante Park

Not to be outdone by the magnificent trees of gold blooming on the Key, roses at Joan M. Durante Park are putting on a show.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Event brings cheers to Coastal Behavioral Healthcare

Jim and Pat Anderson, with co-hosts Mort and Bunny Skirboll, hosted a "Cocktails on the Key" event April 9, to benefit Coastal Behavioral Healthcare Inc., a nonprofit mental-health and addiction prevention-and-treatment service organization.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Attention all Key graduates

The Longboat Observer is preparing for its annual graduation story featuring all high school and college graduates on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Beth Israel Women savor tea time at meeting

The Beth Israel Women gathered Monday, May 3, for an open tea and meeting.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Waxler performs for Tampa Bay Rays

Braden River Elementary School student Levi Waxler fulfilled his dream of signing the national anthem during the Tampa Bay Ray's game against the Kansas City Royals May 1 at Tropicana Field.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Tara performs 'Annie Jr.' musical

Tara Elementary's Tara Musical Theater Group performed "Annie Jr." during the school's Tara Night of the Arts.

East County
Neighbors

By Jean Stewart
May 5, 2010

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Town Hall employees favor four-day schedule

Reports were written in your paper regarding coverage of the four-day workweek at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. However, there was no mention of the positive comments made by employees.

East County
Opinion

By Arthur and Eleanor Mullins
May 5, 2010

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Tara homeowners object to development

As homeowners in Tara Golf and Country Club, my wife and I are strongly opposed to the proposed rezoning of the southwest corner of State Road 70 and Tara Boulevard from residential to commercial by Lake Lincoln LLC and also to permitting additional uses within the Twelve Oaks Plaza, including construction of a cellular communications tower. We have both signed a petition to this effect.

East County
Opinion

Pam Eubanks
May 5, 2010

Sarasota postpones decision on Villages

The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners continued the hearing for the Villages of Lakewood Ranch South until May 12.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
May 5, 2010

Benderson: Business boom evidence of rebound

Since Jan. 1, nine businesses have opened their doors in Benderson Development's projects on University Parkway. More openings are expected by the end of summer.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
May 5, 2010

Residents mobilize to battle Tara plans

The Twelve Oaks Advisory Committee has collected about 1,300 signatures in opposition to approvals sought by developer Lake Lincoln.

East County
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

IPOC will challenge code amendments

Attorney Michael Furen has prepared a petition challenge in the event the Town Commission approves code changes May 20.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

Longboat braces for Gulf oil-spill impact

Because oil leaking from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig could impact the Gulf Coast of Florida, local agencies prepare to help.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

Commission moves code changes forward

The commission forwarded code clarifications and changes suggested by the Longboat Key Club and Resort to a second reading Thursday, May 20.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

Town commission to review budget

On Wednesday, May 5, the Longboat Key Town Commission will review a year-to-date expenditure analysis and discuss police- and fire-department staffing levels.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

Larson questions employee benefits

Commissioner Lynn Larson wants the town to consider eliminating some of its employee contribution benefits.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

Commission to fight channel relocation

The commission believes a relocation of the Longboat Pass channel, as proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will have detrimental effects on the north end.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Special Report: Dueling Letters over Colony

In lieu of our weekly Opinion and Letters pages, we are reprinting letters sent last week to Colony Beach & Tennis Resort unit owners.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Michael Eng
May 5, 2010

FOREVER A MOM

Ever since her son, Josh Zawacki, was a little boy, East County mom Alison Almy promised him a sibling. On Josh's 21st birthday in 2008, she surprised him with news - she was having triplets.

East County
News

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

News Briefs 05.06.10

Courtney Starling, a 14-year-old student at Haile Middle School, died on the scene of a crash at 1:30 p.m., May 2, on Interstate 75 just south of I-275.

East County
News

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Cops Corner

April 22 Lager left behind 6:59 p.m. -- 100 block of GMD. Code Enforcement. A man told police that the cold can of Heineken beer sitting nearby was not his. He then raised it to his lips and said he would drink it anyway because someone had left it behind. He was issued a written warning for drinking a beer on the beach in front of police.

Longboat Key
Cops Corner

Pam Eubanks
May 5, 2010

Reading partnership promotes hands-on learning

Lakewood students worked with students at Freedom during the annual Winnie the Pooh and Shakespeare Too program.

East County
Schools

Jen Blanco
May 5, 2010

Mustangs fall in district final

Lakewood Ranch defeated rival Braden River 4-2 in a Class 4A-District 10 semifinal April 28 to advance to the district championship for the first time since 2007.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
May 5, 2010

Ranch honors scholar athletes

Lakewood Ranch High School recognized 294 athletes with a 3.0 GPA or above during its Scholar Athletic Awards Ceremony April 29.

East County
Sports

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

Christ Church members buddy up to young bookworms

Christ Church members have been building hope by reading with kindergarten and first-grade students.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Cops Corner 05.06.10

The suspect reportedly came into the store and was walking around. The complainant stated he looked suspicious, and as he walked out he noticed a big bulge in his shirt.