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Your Observer

Staff costs create largest spending increases in town budget
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 23, 2023
Staff costs create largest spending increases in town budget

Longboat Key officials attribute the rise in total general fund operating expenditures to climbing costs and investments in personnel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Disheartening demise
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 23, 2023
Disheartening demise

The St. Armands BID did a lot of good. But now that it’s gone, new leaders needs to fill the void.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Janjay Gehndyu says his education at Lakewood Ranch High School paved the way for his success in life.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 23, 2023
Principal is proof that caring teachers can alter a student's path in life

Once a "troubled" child, Panther Ridge's Janjay Gehndyu leads Visible Men Academy in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
There's a pool down the street from her Esplanade home, so Carolyn Lowry-Nation opted for a garden on her lanai.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 23, 2023
Gardeners Out East club grows flowers, friendship

The 40-member club in Lakewood Ranch was founded on friendship and stresses environmental education.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tardy tender transfer keeps couch on a moving truck
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2023
Tardy tender transfer keeps couch on a moving truck

After 1,500 miles, a moving company refuses to take a sofa the last few feet until payment is received. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lael and Giuliano Hazan in Venice, Italy.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 23, 2023
Longboat couple create unique experience for foodie travelers

The Hazans host a destination cooking school that combines excursions with an intensive education in Italian cuisine.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brenda Dykgraaf and Jose Ignacio Monsalve Cadena sold their home at 216 Bird Key Drive to Michael Bonasera, trustee, of Sarasota, for $5.6 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 23, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 7-11 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Bird Key Drive tops the week's sales at $5.6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Olivia Spiegel is a junior on the Lakewood Ranch High cross country team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 23, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Olivia Spiegel

The Lakewood Ranch High cross country junior finished 30th at states in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, Public Works Director Isaac Brownman and Chief of Police George Turner, gave insights as to what their departments do to prepare for hurricanes.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 23, 2023
Emergency management team details town's hurricane prep

Longboat Key's fire chief, Public Works director and chief of police explain their departments’ roles in storm preparation and response.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nobody's Listening, a copper sculpture by New College of Florida art professor Jack Cartlidge, has been at City Hall since it was commissioned in 1967.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 23, 2023
Developers' contributions to public art fund will double

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a plan that raises the fee to 1% of the construction cost of developments that cost $1 million or more to build.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County acting Administrator Charlie Bishop was a surprise choice as one of two finalists to become the Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 22, 2023
Manatee County acting administrator becomes surprise finalist for top post

The Manatee administrator job search is down to acting Administrator Charlie Bishop and St. Pete Operations Manager Andrew Butterfield.

  • East County
  • News
The proposed Calle Miramar hotel violates Sarasota County's Comprehensive Plan, according to a ruling by 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 22, 2023
Court rules Siesta Key hotels violate density caps

Sarasota County's 1989 Comprehensive Plan restrictions trump the 2021 approval of two hotel projects, according to Judge Hunter Carroll.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Soleta Golf Club membership and sales director Alan Pope said the club will focus on creating the best-possible golf experience for its members, while also having family amenities.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 22, 2023
Soleta Golf Club membership director excited for opportunity

Alan Pope previously worked for The Concession Golf Club among other stops.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brian Lee is looking forward to incorporating his 30 years of manufacturing experience into his classroom during his first year of teaching.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 22, 2023
Engineering teacher to use lessons from Lindt chocolate factory in class

Brian Lee, who spent 30 years in manufacturing, wants to use real life examples in his Carlos E. Haile engineering class.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Country Club home at 13302 Palmers Creek Terrace sold for $2.75 million. It has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,459 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 22, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 7-11 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Palmers Creek Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.75 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Major water leak prompts police and fire rescue collaboration
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 22, 2023
Major water leak prompts police and fire rescue collaboration

A late-night water main break floods a residential unit leading to police and fire department teamwork. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Optimist Red White and Blue team Coach Marcos Darcy and sailor Sam Vaughan.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 22, 2023
Sarasota Youth Sailing kicks off its fall season

Program director Megan Swick recaps summer camps and gives a look into the fall racing program.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is proposing a roundabout at Creekwood Boulevard and 73rd Street East to address traffic congestion.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 22, 2023
Proposed Creekwood roundabout brings mixed feelings

Construction on the roundabout could begin by the end of the year.

  • East County
  • News
Alexandria Elman Foley has been named CEO of The Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 22, 2023
The Lighthouse names Alexandra Elman Foley as CEO

Previous CEO Lisa Howard will lead the vision-loss education nonprofit's first capital campaign in its history.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Derek Flaim practices the swimming technique to get between two two-by-fours.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 22, 2023
Firefighter paramedics tackle obstacles and 400-degree heat of training

With the department on track to be fully staffed by September, two new recruits to the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department wrapped up the first stage of their training.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A view from the back of 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive, which sold Aug. 18, 2023, for $9.45 million.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 21, 2023
Tarte Cosmetics CEO buys record-setting Longboat home for $9.45M

The three-story home at 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive closed on Aug. 18 at $9.45 million, breaking the 2023 year-to-date record for a single-family home sale on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A great blue heron released after recovering from injuries at Save Our Seabirds.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 21, 2023
Injured heron rescued, released from Beer Can Island dredging

Save Our Seabirds and the Longboat Key Public Works Department prioritized the rescue of an injured great blue heron during the Greer Island Spit Management Project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior quarterback Sebastian Mejia threw two touchdowns and ran for one touchdown against Dunedin High on Aug. 18.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 21, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High football shows promise with preseason win

There are changes on the sidelines and on the field for the Mustangs in 2023.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eric Troyer of Kerkering, Barberio & Co. presents the award to Evan Samson.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2023
Sarasota Chamber honors area young professionals at summit event

Tiona Settles of CenterPlace Health and Evan Samson of DMSI International both received the Young Professional of the Year Award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A 96-unit affordable housing development is proposed for county land at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail. All units will be priced attainable for those earning 80% or less of the area median income.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2023
96-unit attainable housing project proposed for Tamiami Trail

All units will be priced at an attainable level for renters at 80% or below area median income.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Akiem Esdaile plays at Whitney's every Friday and Saturday from 6-9 p.m.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 21, 2023
Jazz guitarist on why he loves to play Longboat Key

Akiem Esdaile shares his inspirations, goals in music and the musical experience he hopes to provide when he plays at Whitney's.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
3-year-old Cameron Benfer relaxes with a guitar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2023
Music Compound SRQ puts students center stage at Back to School Bash

The event offered the public an opportunity to enjoy music from the studio’s student performers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie Martin pours SALT Tequila.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2023
Rotary Club of Sarasota hosts first Toast Local charity event

The event, which featured tastings of craft cocktails and local beers, benefited charities in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kristin Hokanson, who owns Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard with her husband, John, is looking forward to the winery's next grape picking experience where participants will be able to have their chance to pick grapes right off the vines.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2023
Fiorelli Winery to host grape-picking experience in east Bradenton

The grape harvest will allow people to get hands-on experience in the winemaking process.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Music Compound music instructor Alicia Schiavone offers Palmetto 6-year-old Bennett Blumer a beginner's lesson guitar. "He has some type of performer in him, we just don't know how to channel it yet," says Hilary Blumer, Bennett's mother.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2023
Back to School Bash a hit at Music Compound in East County

Children learned about their musical potential in Bradenton by trying different instruments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For Carrie Leitzman, co-proprietor, Truman’s is an extension of her home, a bridge to her community, and an expression of family values passed down across the generations.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 19, 2023
Spirit of giving sets this Lakewood Ranch family restaurant apart

For the restaurateurs behind Truman’s Tap & Grill, serving great food in a relaxed ambiance starts with family.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A classic exterior only hints at the splendors inside this 6,600-square-foot home recently renovated by Nick and Nora Berente.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 19, 2023
Glitz and glamour dazzle in a Country Club remodel

This freshly renovated home delights with its finely curated luxury design.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The breezeway over Quay Commons in the proposed One Park development. A transfer of air rights to the developer is being challenged in 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 19, 2023
Judge sets the table(s) for One Park air rights trial

A dozen or more attorneys will need seats when the case over the space above Quay Commons is heard starting Aug. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Art Uptown Gallery artist Elisabeth Trostli displays digital paintings of powerful women of varying races and ethnicities in 2018.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 18, 2023
Art Uptown Gallery to close after 43 years in Sarasota

Rising rents are forcing galleries out of downtown, but other artist spaces beckon.

  • Arts + Culture
The “Grandma’s Sicilian” pizza is one of Michelangelo’s signature offerings.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • August 18, 2023
When you’re craving a slice, these local eateries bake the best pizzas

In Lakewood Ranch, the sky is the limit for pizza possibilities.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Maya Taeoalii dances for the audience, but she arrived before the performance at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch to teach the ladies how to hula dance.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 18, 2023
Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch hosts a luau

The Royale Polynesian Revue performed for the senior residents on Aug. 17.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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