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Your Observer

    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 6, 2015
Operation Kindness goes to L’Europe

Café L’Europe showed its red, white and blue for Operation Kindness Florida, Inc. on its Community Monday Night on July 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2015
Cops Corner: East County 07.09.2015

East County Cops Corner

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Rosemary District leaders such as Ian Black have expressed support for the expansion of the Downtown Improvement District.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 6, 2015
City Commission moves toward creation of DID expansion taskforce

As Downtown Improvement District leaders look to expand the taxing body into the Rosemary District, the City Commission has offered a preliminary seal of approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tonight's meeting will take place at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 6, 2015
Commission sets maximum millage tonight

Town Manager Dave Bullock recommends a millage rate that’s flat at 2.1763.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2015
Darwin’s on 4th closes

Chef Darwin Santa Maria closed the popular Peruvian restaurant in the Rosemary District this week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 6, 2015
County Commission to discuss mobility fee

Sarasota County commissioners will discuss a new way to charge developers for transportation improvements during a regular meeting Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 6, 2015
District 26 All-Stars swing for the fences

The Braden River and Lakewood Ranch Little League All-Star teams hit the field for their respective District 26 Little League All-Star tournaments, which began June 24 and ran through July 2.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 6, 2015
Monsters defend their turf

Four Manasota Monsters lacrosse teams won championships at the annual Rippin’ at the Ranch lacrosse tournament June 27 and June 28, at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
This home at 8321 Catamaran Circle has three bedrooms, four and a half baths, a pool and 3,932 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,329,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 6, 2015
Lake Club home sells for $1,329,000

Here are the residential real estate transactions for East County from June 22 through June 26.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sally Kenel, Connie Toops, Kathryn Sisco, Bob Kenel and Tim Toops
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 4, 2015
Redeemer celebrates Fourth of July with fellowship

In preparation for the Independence Day celebration, members of Church of the Redeemer set up foldable chairs and blankets along the lawn of the chapel July 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 4, 2015
Bird Key Yacht Club shows its patriotic pride

Bird Key Yacht Club celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks, games and a dinner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jada Constant, Amelia Haylett and Paige Thompson
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • July 4, 2015
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce's 25th anniversary Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration and VIP Party

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce hosted its 25th anniversary Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration and VIP Party on Saturday, July 4, at Siesta Key Public Beach

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 4, 2015
Longboat celebrates Independence Day

Longboat residents, visitors and businesses kicked off their Fourth of July at Freedom Fest at Bicentennial Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • July 4, 2015
GreyHawk Landing Community 4th of July Parade

GreyHawk Landing Community hosted its 4th annual 4th of July Parade the morning of Saturday, July 4, through the streets of the neighborhood.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Harrison, Dave and Genevieve Pritchett at Bayfront Park for the fireworks show.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 4, 2015
Residents take in fireworks at Bayfront Park

By the water is where residents chose to wait for the Downtown Sarasota 4th of July fireworks display. Many set up picnics within Bayfront Park to watch the red, white and blue fireworks streak across the sky above the Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kelly Keller, Kevin Smith, Shelly Illig, Tim Herten and Renee Lilly ride along in the parade.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 3, 2015
Parade of Boats floats down Main Street

Parade showcases vehicles from the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 3, 2015
Primrose goes on parade

Children at Primrose showed their patriotism July 2.

  • East County
  • News
Following the 2013 denial of plans for a Walmart at the Ringling Shopping Center, the owners have taken legal action against the city several times.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2015
77 acceptable uses for the Ringling Shopping Center

In response to a legal claim from the owners of the commercial plaza, the city has crafted a list of potential projects the zoning code permits at the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 2, 2015
Campers raise the barre with Sarasota Ballet

Pirouettes, plies and pique turns are all a part of the Sarasota Ballet Children's Summer Intensive Camp.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key condominium and single family home values rose an average of 5.3% island-wide.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 2, 2015
Longboat Key property values rise again

The property appraiser offices in Manatee and Sarasota counties are reporting a 5.3% increase in island property values.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2015
Letters to the editor: Sarasota 7.2.15

Sarasota Observer readers write letters to the editor

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2015
The Grande Riviera condo sells for $2.9 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between June 15 and June 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sarasota YMCA Sharks swimmer Keanan Dols was named to the Jamaican world junior championship team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 2, 2015
Water World

Pine View School junior Keanan Dols will be the lone swimmer to represent Jamaica at the 5th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Aug. 25 through Aug. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Loretta Schwaner sits at her keyboard ready to play what she has learned in a year of lessons from Fletcher Music Center.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 2, 2015
Senior symphonies: love of music creates a community

Residents start musical hobby late in life through keyboard lessons offered at Fletcher Music Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gary Gibrith, throttle man for Super Hawaii, entertains a few of the children form the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 2, 2015
This week in history 7.2.15

A glimpse of the way things were from the archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ringling Shopping Center owner Louis Doyle said whatever ends up on the property must make sense from a financial standpoint — which means it must be something residents are interested in using.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2015
Ringling Shopping Center owner speaks out on property’s future

Ringling Shopping Center owner Louis Doyle says he doesn't know what will end up on his property, but he is laying the groundwork to unite supporters behind whatever plans develop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After relocating to Sarasota from the Portland area, Sustainability Director Stevie Freeman-Montes was impressed by the progress the city has made environmentally.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2015
Conversation with Stevie Freeman-Montes

The city's new sustainability manager offers her insight on how Sarasota can become more environmentally conscious.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Les McCurdy thinks Sarasota's existing sign ordinances place too big a burden on downtown businesses, and believes a common-sense solution is needed.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2015
New message: City seeks merchant input on sign regulations

Businesses and staff members offer their insight on the city’s current sign policies, set to get a thorough examination later this summer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Urban Design Studio has shared a draft map of what they believe a built-out transit system could look like in Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2015
Urban Design Studio envisions new density, transit options

The Urban Design Studio is writing zoning regulations focused on form over density. Can it change minds in a community fearful of high-density development?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Holley Short, the Audubon Society's bird steward coordinator, is responsible for recruiting and educating volunteers willing to watch over the black skimmer colony during this crucial nesting period.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 2, 2015
Volunteer stewards protect Lido black skimmer colony

As a colony of black skimmers settles into a new home on Lido Beach, a group of volunteers is ensuring beachgoers don’t interfere with the birds’ nesting season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dendrobium blooms
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • July 2, 2015
Fedder family donates orchid collection to Selby Gardens

Joel Fedder's family ensures his legacy will live on through the donation of his orchid collection to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Twin brothers Graham and Reid Devitt.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 2, 2015
Breaking ground

Pine View School senior Reid Devitt spent last weekend leading the project to replant the St. Mary’s Children's Garden at Church of the Redeemer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Judy Athari sports her hat, which she crafted herself.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 1, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance members don leis for social hour

Members networked amid a tropical theme.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Our View
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2015
Our View: The spirit of liberty defined

We publish our annual “Spirit of America” section — with the hope we can capture and keep alive some of the values and characteristics that have defined American exceptionalism since our nation’s founding 239 years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 1, 2015
Developer plans North Trail apartments

After buying the Monterey Village Inn for $1 million last year, Elia Rofail has brought in local architect Brent Parker and engineer Matt Morris to redevelop the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jahna Leinhauser with the Chamber encourages business owners to buy locally.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 1, 2015
Manatee County Chamber hosts July luncheon

Local businesses spent the meal hour networking over barbecue.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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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
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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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