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Your Observer

Kay Thayer returns a serve at the Longboat Key Tennis Center, where you can get a "serving" of a different kind on Thanksgiving Day.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 25, 2019
Giving thanks, the Longboat Key way

This island is full of its own traditions. Here's what a Thanksgiving Day on Longboat Key might look like.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
FCCI Insurance's Blake Perkins, John Kretkowski, Andrew Hoffa and Scott Langdon serve up Perkins' special butternut squash bisque. It's made with butternut squash, chicken stock, thyme, brown sugar and nutmeg.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 23, 2019
Soup for everyone in Lakewood Ranch to raise funds

Lakewood Ranch supports Meals on Wheels PLUS through Empty Bowls luncheon.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 22, 2019
Walk-a-thon gobbles up funds in Lakewood Ranch.

Mona Jain Middle School students, faculty and staff enjoy first-ever walk a thon before Thanksgiving break.

  • East County
  • News
A thawed duck and the ingredients for a mirepoix wait for Chef Arpke.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 22, 2019
Ray Arpke steps back into teaching role at Euphemia Haye

The head chef and owner was excited to show folks how cooking is done.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 22, 2019
All Angels Bake Sale raises money for hurricane relief

Handmade items and treats brought in money for Hurricane Dorian relief.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A patron walks into the Frank G. Berlin Sr. branch after it changed ownership.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 22, 2019
Sarasota YMCA signs another short-term lease, hopes to make purchase of land

The new lease runs through March 31, though leaders hope to make a purchase on the properties before then.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Left turns from southbound U.S. 41 onto Fruitville Road will be restricted beginning Monday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 22, 2019
Traffic changes planned for U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road

Some turn movements will be restricted beginning next week to accommodate the construction of a roundabout at the downtown Sarasota intersection.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fruitville Elementary is one of the schools that will receive updates.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 22, 2019
Sarasota Schools to improve hurricane shelters, add one

Taylor Ranch Elementary will be added as the 12th evacuation center in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Domenique Maitre knits new items to sell during the festival.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 22, 2019
Pinecraft gets crafty for the holidays

The 26th annual Christmas in Pinecraft Arts and Crafts Festival runs through Nov. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ed Zunz
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 22, 2019
Longboat elections 2020: Five questions with Ed Zunz

Chatting with the commissioners-elect.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bill Saldo, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota, and Neil McCurry, president and CEO of Sabal Palm Bank.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 22, 2019
Sabal Palm Banks hosts 'Party at the Point'

Proceeds from the event went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janice Reiser, Maggie Urban, Melanie DeCarlo and Chris Parker.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 21, 2019
Garden Club hosts fall meeting

The Garden Club gathered to hear about Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 21, 2019
Stolen bulldog on his way home after leading Sarasota police to burglary suspects

Maggie was stolen from a California owner in 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 21, 2019
Preschool students give thanks through song

First Presbyterian Preschool held its annual Thanksgiving pageant on Nov. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Brynn Mechem and Harry Sayer
  • November 21, 2019
Artists create 'labor of love' at 10th annual Crystal Classic

Sculptors came from all over the world to compete in the competition on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 21

Allison Forsyth captured this image of a setting sun from under Ringling Bridge at Bird Key Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2019
East County weather page photo: November 21

This black-bellied whistling duck was captured in flight over a field near Lorraine Road by photographer Gordon Silver.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: November 21

David Holliss captured this heron enjoying his own umbrella at Beachplace on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rams coach Josh Smithers talks with his team after the loss.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 21, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Riverview football coach will miss his senior class

The Rams lost to Steinbrenner 24-20 on Nov. 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Shon Devald.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 21, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Shon Devald

The Riverview High soccer player talks his passing ability and recovering from an injury.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A new in-line hockey rink located in Lakewood Ranch Park, adjacent to Lakewood Ranch High School, is open to the public as programming details are considered.
    By
  • Shellie Terry
  • November 21, 2019
Lakewood Ranch is getting cooler than ice with new rink

With the help of The Lightning Foundation, Manatee County adds another sweet amenity to Lakewood Ranch’s outdoor recreation bag in the form of an in-line hockey rink.

  • LWR Life
Town labor negotiator Reynolds Allen, second from left, makes a point to the Town Commission. Town Manager Tom Harmer, union president Mick McHale and union attorney Caroleen Brej listen.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 21, 2019
Longboat commissioners back town's proposals for police contract

In impasse resolution meeting, commissioners agree with pay-raise package and staying with town's retirement plan. Union sought access to Florida's pension system as top issue.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rosemary District resident Sue Stewart speaks with city Transportation Planner Megan Lui and Chief Transportation Planner Colleen McGue at a neighborhood meeting Thursday, Nov. 14.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 21, 2019
City plans routes for bikes, pedestrians

After adopting a multimodal transportation plan, the city is pursuing funding for projects such as bike lanes and multiuse trails.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The preview center at the mall will include installations such as the Her Story Walk designed to highlight major achievements by women in sports. Rendering courtesy Women's Sports Museum.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 21, 2019
Women’s Sports Museum preview coming to UTC

Museum organizers hope a smaller exhibit at the mall is a step toward the establishment of a permanent attraction in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
City Commissioner Willie Shaw stood to deliver impassioned remarks about diversity at a Nov. 5 public hearing on Selby Gardens' master plan proposal. Those comments later drew criticism from the proprietors of Michael's on East.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 21, 2019
Shaw questions Selby’s diversity initiatives

Comments critical of the racial makeup of the workforce at Selby Gardens and Michael’s On East draw pushback from those organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 11.21.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Members of the public filed out of the commission chambers as the County Commission discussed the adoption of a new district map.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 21, 2019
Despite public objections, county picks new district map

Moving to redistrict ahead of the 2020 census, the Sarasota County Commission selected a controversial map based on a submission from a former Republican Party chairman.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • November 20, 2019
Rockey - Stevenson ENGAGEMENT

Mr. and Mrs. David Stevenson are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica, to William Rockey, son of Dr. and Mrs. Pat Rockey of Palm Coast, FL.

  • Longboat Key
  • Celebrations
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 20, 2019
Sarasota Libraries, schools partner to bring learning tools to students

The two organizations partnered to bring ONEPass, a program that contains a variety of learning tools, to the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key fire department is switching to this Phenix model in December. It is less traditional than the department's current helmets but is also lighter and allows for more mobility.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 20, 2019
Longboat Key fire department switching to lighter helmets

After many Longboat Key firefighters spoke of neck pain caused by their helmets, the department decided to switch to a new model. It settled on a Phenix model that is a pound and a half lighter.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Caroline Zucker
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 20, 2019
Zucker chosen as Sarasota School Board Chair

Caroline Zucker will serve as board chair in her last year on the board.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Briana Harris Francois (right) and John Woods stand together at the Longboat Key Club Tennis Association's annual Fall Frolic. Harris Francois is succeeding Woods, the only director of tennis in club history.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 20, 2019
Harris Francois ready to step up as Longboat Key Club tennis director

Briana Harris Francois worked under John Woods for seven years at Longboat Key Club. Now, she's succeeding the only Director of Tennis the club has ever known — and she's spent a lifetime preparing for it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mariamarie Soto Negron, a kindergarten student enjoys playing on the playground at B.D. Gullett Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 20, 2019
School District of Manatee County rezoning approval appeases GreyHawk parents

School Board of Manatee County approves redistricting for several East County schools

  • East County
  • News
Out-of-Door Academy seniors Andrew Dowdell and Brian Lutton are working to convert Lutton's golf cart from gas to solar power. They will then use it as a model to convert ODA's eight golf carts to solar power.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 20, 2019
ODA students drive toward alternative fuels

ODA seniors have drive for alternative fuels

  • East County
  • News
iLana Armida dropped her single "High No More" in January 2019. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 20, 2019
East County singer satisfied with move to LA

Mill Creek's Ilana Armida working to make it big in Los Angeles

  • East County
  • News
Frank Bell is the new head coach of the Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 20, 2019
Rookie varsity coach takes over Lakewood Ranch's girls basketball team

Frank Bell coached the junior varsity team last year.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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