Observe This: Today's Top Stories

In the Public Eye: Vice Mayor David Brenner

→  Vice Mayor David Brenner was recently re-elected to the District 3 Longboat Key Town Commission seat.

Hometown: Philadelphia

Education: Wharton School, Economics

Occupation: Longboat Vice Mayor, District 3 town commissioner

Bio: Longboat Key Vice Mayor David Brenner retained his District 3 seat on the town commission in March by a narrow, 90-vote margin. But the decision was unanimous among commissioners to keep Brenner in the vice mayor’s chair for another year.

Brenner, 76, is a Philadelphia native and Islander Club resident who earned a Degree in economics from the Wharton School and CPA license from the state of Pennsylvania. He retired in 1983 at age 47 but ... [click here to read on!]

IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Kevin Dawson

 →  Sarasota chef Kevin Dawson has prepared food for concerts and music festivals, and he can often be found behind the grill at various downtown events.

Sarasota chef Kevin Dawson has prepared food for concerts and music festivals, and he can often be found behind the grill at various downtown events. Dawson enjoys the beach, and has incorporated an island theme into his barbecued chicken recipe, which includes a side of sweet potatoes and grilled vegetable skewers topped with a spicy papaya sauce. .... [click here to read on!]

New home sales up in Lakewood Ranch

 →  Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch officials announced today new home sales in the community are up 35% compared to the same time last year.

More than 120 new homes have been sold in Lakewood Ranch in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 91 for the same time last year.

"We continue to buck state and national trends here," said Jimmy Stewart, vice president of sales in Lakewood Ranch. "There is more value to buy new than to buy a resale, and it is certainly a buyer's market."

Steward said the community's biggest challenge going forward will be ... [click here to read on!]