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Your Observer

Legendary golf instructor David Leadbetter (bottom) and World Golf Hall of Famer Nick Price celebrate the groundbreaking at the site of the future Soleta Golf Club on Dec. 5 in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 6, 2023
Soleta Golf Club celebrates groundbreaking in Myakka City

The golf course, which is being designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Nick Price, is expected to take a year to complete.

  • East County
  • News
The day that should live in infamy
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 6, 2023
The day that should live in infamy

Fewer and fewer Americans can actually recall were they were on Dec. 7, 1941, the way most of can recall where we were on Sept. 11, 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Riverview High girls soccer sophomore Rachel Paule.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 5, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Rachel Paule

The Riverview High girls soccer junior has three goals and seven points in five games in 2023-2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Friends Full of Giving Chair Lisa Napolitano, All Faiths Food Bank CEO Sandra Frank and board Chair Terri Vitale.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2023
All Faiths Food Bank fundraiser nets $276,000

The Friends Full of Giving event helped All Faiths Food Bank distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and sides for Thanksgiving.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Grand Bay is one of Bay Isles Association's 19 communities on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 5, 2023
Police patrols terminated within Bay Isles communities on Longboat

While policing will no longer occur within the gated community, the association requested enforcement on Bay Isles Parkway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brett Quigley earned a spot on Team USA and a chance to face the World's best PGA Champions Tour golfers at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 5, 2023
Brett Quigley elevates his game to earn Team USA spot

Champions Tour player Brett Quigley was the final addition to the six-member Team USA for the World Champions Cup at The Concession Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key to appoint new commissioner to fill vacant seat
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 5, 2023
Longboat Key to appoint new commissioner to fill vacant seat

Commissioner Debbie Murphy’s resignation will go into effect Dec. 24. The town will have 30 days to appoint a replacement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Isaiah Allen.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 5, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Isaiah Allen

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball sophomore is averaging 18 points per game through three games.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club East homes at 16531 Kendleshire Terrace sold for $2.4 million. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,434 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 5, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 20-24 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Kendleshire Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.4 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Carl Backman and Nancy Cunningham, members of Aloha Ukulele, perform with the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club for Play Music on the Porch Day on Aug. 26, 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 5, 2023
Lakewood Ranch clubs suit every interest

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities offers 66 clubs that range in interests and size.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of Girl Scout Troop 365 takes pride in their school so they decided to recreate Robert E. Willis Elementary School out of gingerbread.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 5, 2023
UTC's Gingerbread Festival gives Girl Scouts chance to express creativity

The annual event runs through Dec. 10 at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Police sent to help woman locate her husband on a lunch date
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 5, 2023
Police sent to help woman locate her husband on a lunch date

A woman lost her husband after dropping him off at a restaurant. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Observer reporter Carter Weinhofer returns a ball.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 5, 2023
Longboat Observer reporter contracts a case of 'pickleball fever'

"I gave into peer pressure and now might have a new addiction."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Financial incentives make solar a smart choice
  • By Leonhard Korowajczuk
  • December 5, 2023
Financial incentives make solar a smart choice

A Longboat Key resident highlights tax exemptions and credits for installing solar panels.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Ava Kane, 7, looks at shark jawbones held by Alison Goldy, manager of community programs at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium at The Bay Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 5, 2023
Sarasota events encourage eco-friendly living

The Bay and Science & Environment Council partnered for environmental-themed events in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The roadway leading into the entrance of Waterfront is discolored due to an oil spill.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 5, 2023
Waterfront residents concerned over cooking oil spill

The spill in a parking lot near the Waterfront entrance is under investigation.

  • East County
  • News
The Flock SRQ, a social club and indoor playhouse for young children, will open Dec. 8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2023
Indoor playhouse, children's social club opens in Sarasota

The Flock SRQ will offer a wide variety of classes, programs, toys, meet-ups and events for children ages 4 and under.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Tables of bowls lined the walkway around Ed Smith Stadium.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2023
Bowls of Hope combines crafts and cuisine to raise money

Featuring more than 30 vendors along with local artisans, Bowls of Hope is All Faiths Food Bank's largest fundraiser of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Louis Langley, Allison Byrd, Karen Tonnesen, Scott Tonnesen, Missy Erickson and Kathy Callahan
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
Longboat Lawn Party reaches raffle sales goal of $20,000

Longboaters enjoyed dishes from more than 25 local restaurants at the Kiwanis Club's biggest fundraiser of the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Banko Doors
  • December 4, 2023
Banko Overhead Doors: Elevating Excellence in Garage Solutions

Banko Doors, your community’s door to service, selection and style since 1984.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Sarasota recriminalizes marijuana possession
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2023
Sarasota recriminalizes marijuana possession

Due to noncompliance with fines, Sarasota Police will refer misdemeanor cannabis cases to alternative mitigation, such as the state's pre-arrest diversion program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Club opens up new pickleball gardens in its Tennis Gardens.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
Longboat Key Club opens new pickleball courts in Tennis Gardens

After being in the works for about two years, four pickleball courts are now open at Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ella Bryant, Rhema Stahlmann, and Ariana Hagaman
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
St. Armands Circle lights up for the holidays

Thanks to the Holiday Night of Lights, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is accepting applications for the Library Advisory Board. The new Lakewood Ranch branch is expected to open the first week in January.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 4, 2023
Manatee County seeks additional Library Advisory Board members

East County residents are eligible to apply for all four of the newly created seats on the board.

  • East County
  • News
ESPN's Andy North said he is looking forward to seeing the course at The Concession Golf Club for the first time in person at the World Champions Cup.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 4, 2023
ESPN's Andy North shares thoughts on inaugural World Champions Cup

The two-time U.S. Open champ will be part of ESPN's coverage of the event, held Dec. 7, 8 and 10 at The Concession Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences float makes its way down Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 3, 2023
Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade lets it snow community spirit

The parade brought together organizations and businesses throughout the community to celebrate a theme of “Christmas Around the World.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's John Rapp and Susan Rapp drop off 249 shoeboxes the Acts of Kindness Group at Grace Community Church made. The group more than doubled its donations compared to last year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Community rallies to help seniors in need with Shoebox Collection

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee received hundreds of donated shoeboxes from community members and businesses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara's Dennis and Lisa Pyeatt are all aboard the Jiggs Express.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Jiggs Landing shines bright with annual boat parade in east Bradenton

The Holiday Boat Parade is more than a celebration of the holidays to a Tara couple.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
What's the paperwork that led to a commissioner’s resignation?
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 3, 2023
What's the paperwork that led to a commissioner’s resignation?

The new financial disclosure form for elected officials requires disclosure of assets, liabilities, net worth and sources of income.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The iconic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota's "Purple Palace," kicked off its delayed season with "Menopause the Musical 2," on Jan. 4.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 3, 2023
Van Wezel committee finalizes details for study of building's condition

The committee also approved a request for proposals seeking an engineering firm to provide input on the interim and possible permanent use as the city's primary performance venue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert Karlsson said he's expecting to be challenged by the three-team format of the World Champions Cup, held Dec. 7-10 at The Concession Golf Club.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 3, 2023
Robert Karlsson brings his analytical eye to World Champions Cup

The golfer known as "The Scientist" will play for Team Europe against Team USA and Team International.

  • East County
  • Sports
James Madden, Julia Mergen, Culver Casson and Steffen Robinson of The Christmas Carolers offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2023
Block party ushers in holidays in downtown Sarasota

This month’s Fresh Fridays event put a holiday spin on the food and entertainment.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Karen MacDougall and her granddaughter Sloane Johnson love Music on Main, especially in December. Sloane is dressed as an Elf on the Shelf.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Music on Main hosts its holiday celebration

A long line of families waited patiently as Santa set up shop under the big Christmas tree.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Annette Codelia, executive director of elementary education; Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett; Superintendent Jason Wysong; and School Board of Manatee County member Richard Tatum celebrate Bennett being named the district's Principal of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2023
Braden River Elementary principal named county's Principal of the Year

Joshua Bennett has served as the principal at Braden River Elementary since 2019.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Cardinal Mooney football team is headed to the Class 1S state championship game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 2, 2023
Cardinal Mooney football earns trip to state championship game

The Cougars defeated North Florida Christian 41-14 in a Class 1S state semifinal on Friday night.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Two-story Italian restaurant to open on St. Armands in early 2024
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2023
Two-story Italian restaurant to open on St. Armands in early 2024

15 South by Napulè, a Neapolitan-inspired concept, will feature pizzas made in an authentic, gold-tiled oven.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
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Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
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