LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
Tennis, anyone?
PAGE 22
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 41, NO. 51
FREE
YOUR TOWN
•
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019
A break from breaks Town, contractors add new plans to avoid underground mishaps. PAGE 2
Courtesy photo
Chico was about 8 months old when he was given up for adoption.
A celebrity in our midst Steve Howard lives with a tiny celebrity — his and his wife’s rescue dog, Chico. Why is he famous? The Chihuahua was given up by his original family over the cost of treating his two badly injured hind legs. Chico’s recovery at a Tampa Bay area SPCA was documented on social media, and the pup gained a following. Of many, many families seeking Chico, the Howards were selected to bring him home.
RUFFLING
FEATHERS
Another day in paradise Longboat Key’s Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is one of the most scenic restaurants in the country, according to travel site Business Traveler. The honor comes from a compilation of guest reviews between June 2018 and May 2019. Diners can arrive by boat or car and can enjoy a meal just a few feet from Sarasota Bay. The food has also gotten rave reviews, with a popular dish that keeps coming up being the lobster rolls and grouper. Call 383-0102 to make a reservation.
They never really left, but peacocks are the center of attention again. SEE PAGE 3 Sten Spinella
A peacock hangs out in Longbeach Village on July 18. The town has been managing the birds’ population since trapping began in 2015.
Turtle traffic on the rise
Turtle Tracks LONGBOAT July 21-27 2019 2018 Nests 68 41 False Crawls 41 31
Nesting numbers are climbing higher than recent seasons. SEE PAGE 16
Total as of July 27 2019 2018 Nests 1,298 955 False Crawls 1,489 985 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
Nathalie Kaemmerer
Cyndi Seamon hammers stakes in to mark a new nest.
A+E Savory summer menus INSIDE