The following homes were under contract or sold on Longboat Key, Lido Key and Bird Key from Dec. 22-28

“The Last Romance” from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. When Ralph decides to take a different path on his daily walk, he has embarked on the trip of a lifetime. This play is a heart-warming comedy about the power of love, one that leads to second chances and new romances. Florida Studio Theatre’s Keating Theatre, [...]

Gracious Florida living abounds in this 9,000-square-foot, Mediterranean-style estate, nestled on a private and lushly planted acre directly overlooking Sarasota Bay. The two-story foyer leads into a grand living room adorned with Italian Renaissance columns. A gourmet kitchen features state-of-the-art appliances and every convenience. Glass walls in the breakfast nook and family room open onto the spacious terrace.

At the end of each year, Longboat Key News reviews the events that occurred, particularly the issues shaping the town and its future. Many events are ongoing and have been debated and changed over several years and multiple commissions, such as the Vision Plan, the beach renourishment project and structural solutions to the North End [...]

Former Town Manager Bruce St. Denis and former Planning, Building and Zoning Director Monica Simpson both left the town this year. First, St. Denis resigned Sept. 16, following the news that a majority of the seven-member Town Commission wanted him out of office. St. Denis had served 14 years as town manager of Longboat Key. [...]

The Colony’s redevelopment plans have been ongoing this year, with the question of not only who will be chosen to redevelop the property by the Colony Association members, but also whether the association will even be in charge of choosing the redevelopment plan, or if it will be former Colony Chairman Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber. [...]

Another top management position saw a major change as Planning, Building and Zoning Director Monica Simpson was placed on administrative leave and subsequently let go. According to Police Chief Al Hogle who was serving as the interim town manager at the time, the Simpson issue came to a light when a Planning, Zoning and Building [...]

Another contentious issue on Longboat this year has been the idea of allowing dogs on the beach. The town has an ordinance in place that prohibits dogs on the beach with or without a leash. Some residents are supportive of the idea of dogs on the beach, stating the potential benefits of vacationers who may [...]

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board has been considering this year a site plan and application for a redeveloped Publix and Avenue of the Flowers Shopping Center, which also includes a town center. And town staff is recommending approval of the plan after months of negotiations and working with the applicant to increase buffering [...]

Longboat Key’s erosive North End received a new 130-foot wide beach last fall. Public Works Director Juan Florensa said the $5 million project placed a total of 150,000 cubic yards of fine white sand from the Broadway beach access to the north tip of the island. Florensa said the beach was a short-term fix that [...]