Your Observer

Pam Eubanks
December 2, 2009

Gold-buying event aids pet rescue

A Gem Quest Jewelers will purchase gold, silver and platinum with part of its purchases benefiting the Honor Sanctuary Animal Rescue.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
December 2, 2009

Manatee Glens hosts open house for rape crisis program

The Junior League of Manatee County will showcase the re-modeling efforts for the program's building.

East County
News

Dora Walters
December 2, 2009

Sanders combines her artistic and writing talents

Virginia Sanders has been drawing since the third grade, and she started writing limericks after meeting her late husband, Dr Jack Sanders. Her book, "Leaping Limericks," is now available.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
December 2, 2009

Couple shares public proposal at Publix

Lamarr Glenn surprised his girlfriend, Natasha Ford, with a surprise proposal last week at the Longboat Key Publix.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Dora Walters
December 2, 2009

Sculptors carve out new home at Rec Center

A.C. Sculptors LLC of Longboat Key has just set up a studio on the ground-floor level of the Bayfront Park Recreation Center.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
December 2, 2009

Longboat Key resident develops as an artist

Tommy James Mannausa, a part-time Longboat Key resident, is expanding his artistic repertoire to acting and songwriting.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
December 2, 2009

Generosity shines at Mooney

The Cardinal Mooney High School Key Club kicked off the holiday season with a donation to Bethesda House, a non-profit organization that assists families with AIDS and is under the auspices of Catholic Charities.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
December 2, 2009

Bookstore plants giving tree

Little Bookworms customers can brighten the holidays for children in need through the shop's first holiday Giving Tree.

East County
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
December 2, 2009

SMR Farms plants East Coast roots

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch's agricultural unit is leading SMR's first expansion outside of Lakewood Ranch.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
December 2, 2009

Community quotations inspire documentary theater festival

Students at four high schools, including The Out-of-Door Academy and Lakewood Ranch, will be presenting documentary theater pieces Dec. 3-5.

East County
Schools

Pam Eubanks
December 2, 2009

Festivities light path for spirit of Hanukkah

From menorahs and dreidels to music and hockey, Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch is ready to celebrate.

East County
Neighbors

Michael Eng
December 2, 2009

Production whiz keeps Lakewood on air

When he's not busy with classes, homework and finals, Cameron Helwege works as the station manager for Lakewood Ranch Communities' TV 95.

East County
News

Jen Blanco
December 2, 2009

Junior golfer aims for perfection

Domenico Geminiani, 13, has become one of the top ranked junior golfers in both the United States and Italy.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
December 2, 2009

Athlete of the Week: Kaitlyn Kerrigan

The Observer spotlights Lakewood Ranch soccer star Kaitlyn Kerrigan.

East County
Sports

Observer Staff
December 2, 2009

Longboat Key - Building Permits

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
December 2, 2009

Longboat Key - Real Estate Reports

Longboat Key
Real Estate

By Kent Chetlain
December 2, 2009

Longboat Key - St. Armands building sells for $3 million

The sale of the two-story commercial building off St. Armands Circle at 349 Monroe Drive commanded the highest price - $2,995,000 - for sales recordings for the week of Nov. 16 to Nov. 20.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

By George Rauch
December 2, 2009

Market watch: Common sense says 'no' to a new bull market

On Nov. 16, the Dow Jones industrial average set a new 'post recovery' high, and the Dow transportation average confirmed that high with a new high of its own on the same day.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Molly Schechter
December 2, 2009

Black Tie & Tales

Read this week's social column, Black Tie & Tales, by Molly Schechter.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
December 2, 2009

Business observer 12.03.09

Longboat Key
Neighbors

By Donna Swan
December 2, 2009

Deal Us In

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
December 2, 2009

Sublime sunset

Laura Hand submitted this sunset photo, taken from the bayside of Longboat Key. Please send your sunset (or sunrise) photos to The Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Fla., 34228, or e-mail them to [email protected].

Longboat Key
Neighbors

By E.F. (Gene) Sweeney
December 2, 2009

MY VIEW: How to fix Congress

The Congressional Reform Act of 2009Â would containÂ eight provisions, all of which would probablyÂ be strongly endorsed by those whoÂ drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.Â

East County
Opinion

By Jennifer Aaron
December 2, 2009

LETTER: Careless drivers endanger children

I hope this letter makes some people stop and consider that their lives and the lives of others can change so dramatically because they decided not to slow down for one-quarter of a mile.

East County
Opinion

Pam Eubanks
December 2, 2009

Teens upload computer assistance program

Teenagers from Our Lady of the Angels are helping senior citizens learn how to use computers as the Meek Squad.

East County
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
December 2, 2009

Cornerstone launches jail ministry

Members of Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch will be volunteering in a new jail ministry for families of inmates.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
December 2, 2009

Cops Corner 12.03.09

The complainant reported what sounded like a telephone scam to him. He was contacted by a possible male subject who said he was his son. The call was garbled. The complainant told the caller to fax information. He received three more calls and decided not to comply with the caller's request.

East County
Cops Corner

Observer Staff
December 2, 2009

Business Observer 12.03.09

The ice cream parlor Tara resident Lee Thomas dreamed up about four years ago is finally a reality.

East County
News

Jen Blanco
December 1, 2009

Mustangs edge past Pirates

Senior midfielder Sam Severson scored three goals, propelling the Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team to a 4-3 victory over Braden River Dec. 1.

East County
Sports

Kurt Schultheis
December 1, 2009

Toys for Tots drive begins on Longboat

The town of Longboat Key has Toys for Tots drop-off locations at Town Hall and the Police Station.

Longboat Key
News

Pam Eubanks
December 1, 2009

LECOM pharmacy school receives national charter

The Lakewood Ranch school received a charter for the new Gamma Pi chapter of Phi Lambda Sigma.

East County
Schools

Jen Blanco
December 1, 2009

Lady Mustangs improve to 6-0-1

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team defeated Southeast 6-0 Nov. 23 and tied Clearwater Central Catholic 3-3 Nov. 24.

East County
Sports

Observer Staff
December 1, 2009

SMR to sell Lakewood Ranch Realty

As part of a long-term business plan, SMR has decided to focus on its core businesses of real estate investment, agriculture, mining and commercial operations.