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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
Letters to the Editor

To send in your letters, please e-mail them to [email protected], or mail them to The Sarasota Observer, 1517 State Street, Sarasota, 34236. The Sarasota Observer gives priority to letters of local interest and about local issues. The Observer will print all letters to the editor if it feels they are of general interest, but only if the letter is signed and the author's street address and phone number are given. The editor reserves the right to condense letters.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
Our View

Undermanned? Under siege?

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
Manatee seeks affordable housing volunteer

Manatee County is seeking to fill a vacant seat on its Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, a group that helps county commissioners decide on affordable housing issues.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 9, 2009
Young professional launches fencing club

Sarasota resident Rich Georgia is 'on guard' to help his students also develop a lifelong passion for fencing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 9, 2009
Casey Key group fights incorporation

U.S. Rep. Doug Holder said if the 243 petitions are verified, it could make him less likely to pursue Casey Key incorporation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
In Brief

Community News and Notes

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 9, 2009
Farmers market stakeholders speak

The City Commission will decide if the market will stay under the guidance of Sarasota's Downtown Partnership, where it's been for 30 years, or be put into the hands of the vendors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 9, 2009
Veterans seek 'unconditional' support

The head of the Sarasota County Veterans Commission seeks the City Commission's blessing to keep the sculpture, 'Unconditional Surrender,' on the bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
SYC shows red, white and blue spirit

July 4 was a family affair at Sarasota Yacht Club. Grandparents, parents and their little ones were clad in patriotic colors galore to celebrate the holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
A bloody good time

You've probably seen them on the Discovery Channel series 'Deadliest Catch.' On Tuesday, July 6, Time Bandit captains Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand stopped by Hyatt Place for a meet-and-greet reception and to give Sarasota a taste of Captain John's Bloody Mary mix.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 9, 2009
East County Little League All-Stars in full swing

Braden River and Manatee East Little League's Majors and Juniors squads victorious in opening games.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 9, 2009
SEC: Morgans boast about fleeing to Europe

SEC investigators acquired an e-mail in which John and Marian Morgan claim to still be working on investments, which a Tampa judge had forbidden.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 8, 2009
Parking department on track for loss

The city division is projected to be operating at a loss by 2011, but Susan Dodd, parking general manager, said that is not the reason it is building a parking garage and considering parking meters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 8, 2009
Manatee East Minors extend perfect season

Manatee East Little League's 9-and-10-year-old All-Stars advanced to the district championship game with a 10-9 victory over North River National July 7. The team will play in the district championship at 6 p.m., July 9.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 8, 2009
Community Golf Scores 06.27.09 to 07.07.09

East County golfers post amazing numbers on area courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Weather

Weather

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Donna Swan
  • July 8, 2009
Deal Us In: Planning Defense

Against the four-heart contract, West leads the ace of spades. You follow after looking at the dummy with the king of spades.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Kent Chetlain
  • July 8, 2009
Water Club II unit sells for $2.2 million

Sales recordings rebounded on the keys during the fourth week in June, jumping from seven the week before to 12 for the week of June 22 through June 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 8, 2009
Ranch home tops residential transactions

John and Gloria Sweeney, Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6930 Brier Creek Court to Guy Selph and Lynda Sikora, Bradenton, for $575,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Cops' Corner 07.09.09

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • July 8, 2009
Iconic Installation

New York-based iconographer George Filippakis is installing artwork in the dome at the center of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church's sanctuary.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Obituaries

Donald James Roosa, 80, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key and Lansing, Mich., died June 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Principal search narrowed to three

Two original staff members and one out-of-state candidate remain contenders for the Lakewood High principal post.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Jessica Luck
  • July 8, 2009
Johnson leaves legacy of lifelong passion

Williams Douglas "Billy" Johnson, 86, of Longboat Key, died July 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Neighbors rev up new auto shop

Chapin and Lewis Automotive is one of the first full auto repair shops east of I-75.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Bulletin Board

East County communities share announcements and events.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 8, 2009
Canine cares for owner

Longboat Key resident Dawna McDonough says her service dog, Ninja, a Doberman, helps her to lead a normal life.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
VFW installs new commander

The Plantations resident George Johnston will lead VFW Post 12055 in 2009-2010.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Primrose debuts precious program

Children at the Lakewood Ranch school are learning about helping animals and proper pet care through its Precious Pets event this month.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Virginia Sanders
  • July 8, 2009
Number of turtle nests down in the last decade

It's a tough time for turtles. The number of loggerhead turtle nests on Florida beaches has dropped more than 40% in the last 10 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Nursing grad takes national honors

Braden Woods resident Maureen Hyden, a recent nursing school graduate, took top honors in a medical spelling competition.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Ralph Ruark
  • July 8, 2009
Rudeness taints cell tower dispute

River Club resident offers perspective on proposed cell tower.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Cops Corner

For the fourth time this month, police responded to a boarded-up house because of a 911 hang-up call. Police determined there is a problem with the phone line.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Sarasota Baptist starts preschool program

The Lakewood Ranch church is accepting applications for its Parents Morning Out, open to children ages 2-4.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 8, 2009
Freshman Mustang goes the distance

Kristin Zarrella qualified for her fifth trip to the Junior Olympics after winning the 1,500- and 3,000-meter dashes at the Amateur Athletic Union State Finals at the University of Florida.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Letters to the Editor

To send in your letters, please e-mail them to [email protected], or mail them to The Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 34228. The Longboat Observer gives priority to letters of local interest and about local issues. The Observer will print all letters to the editor if it feels they are of general interest, but only if the letter is signed and the author's street address and phone number are given. The editor reserves the right to condense letters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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