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Your Observer

Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 29, 2015
Robot wars

During the 2015 VEX Robotics World Championships, held April 14 through April 18 in Louisville, Ky., East County students showcased their love of robots while taking home top honors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Each year turtles lay more than 2,000 nests from Longboat Key to Venice.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 29, 2015
Sea turtles enter nesting mode on Longboat

As the snowbirds of Longboat flock home, new island residents will swim in to take their place: turtles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 1570 Harbour Cay Lane has five bedrooms, six and a half baths, a pool and 5,918 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.65 million. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Loeffler
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 29, 2015
Bay Isles home sells for $3.65 million

A home in Bay Isles tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Andre and Jean Butterfield, of Harrogate, England, sold their home at 1570 Harbor Cay Lane to Phineas and Sara Demink, of Bemus Point, N.Y., for $3.65 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Debby McClung. Photo by Molly Schechter
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • April 29, 2015
AEROBIC GRANDMA | Summer stretch a first for Bayfront Park yoga classes

It was more than a little bit of good luck for year-round residents of Longboat Key and the surrounding area when the former Debby Debile married Michael McClung in 2014 and moved here

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 6926 Lacantera Circle has three bedrooms, three and a half baths and 4,444 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.46 million. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 29, 2015
Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $1.46 million

A home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Peter and Ronda Starnell sold their home at 6926 Lacantera Circle to Nathan and Lisa Ann Clark, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.46 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Alan Anderson’s involvement goes beyond the Manatee Sarasota Building Industry Association. He sits on the MTI Foundation board and is an adviser for Manatee Technical College’s carpentry program. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 29, 2015
Conversation with Alan Anderson

East County resident Alan Anderson has been involved with the Manatee Sarasota Building Industry Association since moving in 1997 to Florida, and he has been involved with the national organization even longer.

  • East County
  • News
Susan Phillips has been a Longboat Key resident since 1998.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 29, 2015
Q+A with Susan Phillips

Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips has sat through more Longboat Key Town Commission meetings (17 years’ worth and counting) than any commissioner

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 29, 2015
State of the beach

$20 million. In the next two years, that’s the amount of money the town is prepared to spend on three separate Longboat Key beach projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Larry Cohen. File photo
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 29, 2015
Larry Cohen reigned as Sleep King

In his famous Sleep King ad from 1983, Larry Cohen offered free two-hour naps and proclaimed he would get you your mattress on the same day, even if he had to deliver it on his back. He never changed the ad.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 28, 2015
Sea turtle nesting season starts on Siesta Key

Sea turtle nesting season got an early start this week, with Mote Marine Laboratory and Longboat key Turtle Watch documenting nests on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, casey Key and in Venice.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The first turtle nest on Longboat Key was found April 28.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 28, 2015
First turtle nests of 2015 come early

The first turtle nests from Longboat Key to Venice were found April 25, 27 and 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pedro Reis, Chuck Sidlow, Dolly Jacobs Reis and Chuck Sidlow
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • April 28, 2015
La Cirque Appetit

More than 250 guests attended the Circus Arts Conservatory's 'La Cirque Appetit' on Tuesday, April 28, at Sailor Circus Arena.

  • Black Tie
Town Manager Dave Bullock and Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan have worked for the past two months to gain support for the regional traffic analysis among neighboring counties and municipalities.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 28, 2015
MPO requests FDOT traffic study

The Florida Department of Transportation will conduct a comprehensive analysis of all of the traffic points that affect traffic from the barrier islands to the mainland.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Jonathon Katz has been urging the town for years to assist him in his quest to reduce the number of signs that the Florida Department of Transportation places along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 28, 2015
Katz urges for sign reduction

The Longboat Key Town Commission has directed staff to work with the Florida Department of Transportation to discuss the myriad of signs along Gulf of Mexico Drive and see if any can be removed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 27, 2015
Vengroff submits plans for major affordable housing project

Entrepreneur Harvey Vengroff is asking the city of Sarasota for approval to build up to 800 affordable apartments on eight acres in the Park East neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • News
FDOT is permanently changing the roadway to add a dedicated northbound right-turn lane and will make other adjustments to U.S. 41 in the area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 27, 2015
FDOT makes permanent changes at Fruitville and U.S. 41

As part of an ongoing attempt to address traffic congestion issues along Sarasota’s road network, the state will be making permanent changes to a busy intersection Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Superintendent Rick Mills plans to retire July 31.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 27, 2015
Schools official plans to leave district

Superintendent Rick Mills is set to retire July 31.

  • East County
  • News
Key resident Lenny Landau suggests a town wastewater pipe’s life span may be longer than the town thinks.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 27, 2015
Landau outlines pipe assessment

The town of Longboat Key attempted two separate ultrasonic tests underwater in 2007 and failed to get a reading on the interior health of the pipe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mark Lewis, of Austin Commercial, led the presentation, introducing key players for the project and fielding questions.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 27, 2015
Water park splashes forward

Although many approvals still must occur, an evaluation committee will recommend negotiating with Manatee Lost Lagoon Development.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 26, 2015
'Gatsby' inspires ODA prom

The Out-of-Door Academy held prom Saturday, at The Lake Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Laurie Coleman focuses on sautéing shrimp for her tablemates.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 26, 2015
It's OK to play with your food

Lakewood Ranch YMCA hosts a night of culinary chaos, as attendees cook up their own food at the annual Interactive Dinner.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Susan Traynor loves to dance, especially with friends, such as Keri Milder.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 26, 2015
Attendees sparkle at prom

Volunteers offer dinner and dancing at the 'Night with the Stars Special Needs Prom.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Paul and Carla Barbosa with Tommie and Carl Cannova
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • April 25, 2015
All-in For ALS Casino Night

A Life Story Foundation hosted its All-in for ALS Casino Night on Friday, April 24, at The Lake Club.

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 25, 2015
Ranch residents relay for life

Premier Sports Campus today hosted the Relay for Life Lakewood Ranch .

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 25, 2015
Bluegrass, gumbo headline festival

Linger Lodge Restaurant hosted her bluegrass festival today.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 25, 2015
Ranch residents embrace health, wellness

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center today hosted a health and wellness expo.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 25, 2015
Euphemia Haye walks for diabetes

Team Euphemia Haye hosted its annual 5K walk to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on April 25.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 25, 2015
All Angels kicks up its boots for season

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church members said “howdy” one last time for the season at the church’s Texas Round-up party on April 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Runners round the corner before the first mile at Shore Drive.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 25, 2015
Residents run to remember for Pines of Sarasota

The annual Run to Remember 5K and mile walk kicked off Sunday morning at the gates to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Zak Barnes, Sarah Davis, Christian Berendes, Marianna Haluska and Zach Berendes
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 25, 2015
Cardinal Mooney hosts masquerade prom

Elegance was the key for the masquerade theme for the Cardinal Mooney Catholic School prom Saturday night at the Lakewood Ranch Polo Grill.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Co-Chairs Nola and Larry Hietbrink
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • April 25, 2015
Fairytale Ball 'The Crystal Palace'

Children First hosted its 15th annual Celebration Gala 'Fairytale Ball - The Crystal Palace' on Saturday, April 25, at Michael's On East.

  • Black Tie
Carly and Daniel Brown listen to the rules before playing with Andy Branco.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 24, 2015
Foundation rolls the dice for Southside Elementary

The Southside Foundation went all in for a casino night fundraiser for the elementary school Friday evening at Michael’s on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 24, 2015
Garden Club and Kiwanis Club call action on first combined fundraiser

Longboat Key Garden Club and Kiwanis Club members and friends spent an evening on the golf course at Longboat Key Club on April 24, not playing golf but enjoying a dinner and a drive-in movie.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Members of the blue "jelly" team show off their donations for the Out-of-Door Academy’s annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive Competition.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 24, 2015
Peanut butter upsets jelly in ODA food drive

Students at the lower campus and upper campuses participated in the Peanut Butter and Jelly food drive to benefit the All Faiths Food Bank Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 24, 2015
FYI Friday: April 17 - April 24

This week's FYI Friday features news about a building boom east of downtown Sarasota, the arrest of a Longboat Key dog groomer and more!

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Talia Falco won the high jump and finished second in the triple jump.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 24, 2015
Lady Mustangs win regional crown

The Lakewood Ranch High girls track team scored 85.50 points to win the Class 3A-Region 3 meet April 23, at Charlotte High.

  • East County
  • Sports
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