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Your Observer

  • By Rick Scott
  • July 23, 2009
The Health Plan

$1.5 trillion: How is that 'saving'?

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2009
Our View

Don't let it happen. Don't let Congress adopt a $3 trillion, government-controlled health-care system.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 23, 2009
Columbia Restaurant gains over-the-hill status

The original Columbia Restaurant, in Ybor City, was founded in 1905. It is the oldest restaurant in the state. Now the oldest restaurant in Sarasota, the St. Armands Circle location celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2009
IN BRIEF

Community New and Notes

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 23, 2009
Merchants desire streetcars

Two downtown storeowners want the city and county to pursue a new federal transportation grant to build a streetcar that runs the length of Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2009
One man's trash is another's artwork

Anita Wexler and the Sarasota County Arts Council co-hosted "Trashed," an eco-friendly art reception Wednesday, July 15, at the Arts Council.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2009
'Design Star' holds red carpet premiere

Even the paparazzi were after him. Interior designer Jason Champion made his television debut at a premiere screening of HGTV's 'Design Star' Sunday, July 19, at Burns Court Cinema. Due to an ad he posted on Craigslist, several 'paparazzi' photographers stalked his every move.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 23, 2009
Storeowners display police support

As part of its plan to pressure the city to hire more officers, the local police union has enlisted storeowners to put signs of support in their front windows.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 23, 2009
Storeowners display police support

As part of its plan to pressure the city to hire more officers, the local police union has enlisted storeowners to put signs of support in their front windows.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 23, 2009
City details budget cuts

The largest debate was not about police, public works or parks and recreation. Instead, the most discussed budget item was the number of trash cans that residents are given.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 22, 2009
City, county OK Orioles' deal

Both commissions agreed to a $31.2 million renovation of Ed Smith Stadium to bring the Baltimore Orioles' spring-training operation to Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Maggie Pahos
  • July 22, 2009
Man on the street: Vacation destination

We hit the streets to find out locals' favorite places for a 'stay-cation.' With many people choosing to stay close to home for vacations this year, we rounded up your top nearby suggestions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Maggie Pahos
  • July 22, 2009
Photo of the day: Fishing for food

This pelican was spotted gulping down a fish that an onlooker fed to him Wednesday afternoon, near the downtown Sarasota bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2009
Reminder: Golf cart safety

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Inter-District-Authority is reminding residents of the rules and regulations of golf carts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2009
Lhasa Apso needs a home

Shaggy is a 6-plus-year-old neutered male who acts younger than his age. He loves to jump around and play, loves children and comes with all shots including rabies.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • July 22, 2009
Couple opens Ranch's first funeral home

Yvette Reckling and Jim Klausch offer full funeral and memorial services through Because We Care Cremation and Funeral Home Inc.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 22, 2009
Manatee names new Lakewood principal

Linda Nesselhauf, one of the school's original assistant principals, returns to the East County's first high school.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 22, 2009
Developer Pat Neal: "We are moving out of the recession"

Neal Communities has posted sales records despite a downturn in the economy. How is the local construction company doing it?

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 22, 2009
CDDs OK lake, country club upgrades

The Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 2 and 5 supervisors approved landscaping and engineering improvements at their July 16 meeting.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • July 22, 2009
Teen stars in 'High School Musical 2'

Heritage Harbour's Rebekah Johns will portray Gabriella in the Manatee Players' production, which opens at 7 p.m. Friday.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 22, 2009
Friends, family honor cowboy

Former SMR cowboy Randy Ballard died July 11 after a battle with cancer.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Gretchen Frueh
  • July 22, 2009
LETTER: Ranch's 'true hero' assists lost teenager

It is heartwarming to know that there are people who will go way beyond the necessary or comfortable to help a complete stranger and then not stay around for a thank you.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Janet Mishner
  • July 22, 2009
LETTER: Mandel exemplifies ODA's excellence

I read with great pleasure and pride the story about Alyssa Mandel, The Out-of-Door Academy's librarian/belly-dancer.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 22, 2009
Lutheran church breaks ground on expansion

The new 3,500-square-foot expansion will provide more space for worship and fellowship.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2009
Cops' Corner 07.23.09

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 22, 2009
NEIGHBOR: Sandy Tryszyn

Sandy Tryszyn opened Sandra D's Hair Designs last September in Ranch Lake Plaza.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 22, 2009
University Park home sells for $850,000

A home in Sloane Gardens sold for $850,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,687 square feet of living area.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 22, 2009
District Delight

The Manatee East Little League 10- and-11-year-old All-Stars won their first district championship with an 8-5 victory over Braden River in game two of the best-of-three championship series July 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 22, 2009
Emeralds cheer team shines in Manatee

Dynasty Elite formed its Emeralds special needs team last year. The 14-member squad will begin practicing for the upcoming season during the first week of August.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 22, 2009
Athlete of the Week: Nick Runde

The Observer spotlights Braden River Little League 10- and-11-year-old all-star Nick Runde.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2009
Weather

To see the weather page and the Observer Crossword, click on the following link to download the pdf.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Donna Swan
  • July 22, 2009
Deal us in: Giveaway double

Sitting West, your double will surely give your side a top result. How can it lose?

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2009
IT'S READ EVERYWHERE

IT'S READ EVERYWHERE

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Kent Chetlain
  • July 22, 2009
L'Ambiance condo sells for $2.7 million condo

A couple from Billericay, England, purchased Unit F-608 at the 145-unit L'Ambiance for $2.7 million from Julia and Joe Ruthven, of Lakeland.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 22, 2009
A general mystery

For 20 years, the Bradley GT sat in the garage of Helen Holt's historic home in the Village. Soon, the car will motor the streets once again.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • July 22, 2009
Profiles of Summer: The Science Muse

In just 90 days, Molly Demeulenaere went from marketing G.WIZ Science Museum to running the entire operation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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