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Your Observer | All

  • By Popcorn Bob
  • December 17, 2012
Popcorn Bob's Movie Magic

Enjoy this week's movie reviews by Popcorn Bob.

  • Arts + Culture
People wrote their wishes on different colored ribbons and tied their wishes for the holiday season and the new-year to the “Wishing Tree”, also known as the Bo tree, Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom

Hundreds of people attended the opening night of Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec.15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Annually, the gardens transform at night into beautiful garden light displays featuring larger than-life-sized butterflies, tree frogs, dragonflies and flowers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jeaneen Wirries and Maria Wirries
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 16, 2012
JFCS Annual Gala - Magical Moments

JFCS Annual Gala - Magical Moments

  • Black Tie
Ron Bognar sells elk antlers for dogs to chew. The antlers are rich in minerals, don’t splinter like cooked bones, and are great for dogteeth and gums.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Siesta Key Farmers Market

The Siesta Key Farmers Market is held every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Siesta Key Village. Vendors sell anything from vegetables to chocolates to jellies and organic soaps. Many products are locally grown and made while some are imported from abroad. The market is expected to grow after the holidays.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Volunteers laid wreaths at the Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Volunteers honor veterans with holiday wreaths at Sarasota National Cemetery

Volunteers and the Sarasota Military Academy laid holiday wreaths on all 5,170 graves Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Sarasota Military Academy students sold wreaths during the school year to raise money to buy enough wreaths for each grave. 'We all get to see our families for Christmas and these fallen heroes did more than we know,' said Sarasota Military Academy Sergeant Major Christopher Conlon. 'No fallen hero should go without a wreath on their headstone.' About 60 bikes from the Patriot Guard and other motorcycles escorted a semi truck with the wreaths into the cemetery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jensen Dieckman, 2, gives his sister Esmée, 6, a kiss at the ice skating rink.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Snow Fest Sarasota spreads cheer and snow

Snow Fest Sarasota welcomed parents and children opening night Friday, Dec. 14 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Children can make snowballs, sled down snow slides, see Santa, and play games through Sunday, Dec. 23. Esmee Dieckman, 6, ice-skated and Johanna Post made her first snowman at the Sarasota Snow Fest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rudy Carter dressed up as Santa Claus.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Bay Haven Elementary first graders sing holiday songs

First graders at Bay Haven Elementary performed for parents on the front steps Friday, Dec. 14, at the school. Six classes with over 100 first graders practiced for two weeks to sing holiday songs for their parents and teachers. 'The parents are very involved, we are very fortunate that way,' said Principal Betsy Asheim. 'The teachers are phenomenal and draw out the best in the kids.' Children used props and some dressed up in holiday costumes bringing the spirit of the holidays to life.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Grant Barrett, 16 and Sierra Civin, 17, both of Port Charlotte High School, work together during the Iron Chef competition. Their teacher Chef Ron Westrom gave them baker’s shirts to wear to look more professional at the competition.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: CYD's 4th Annual Gingerbread Festival and Iron Chef Competition

Community Youth Development, CYD, held two gingerbread house Iron Chef Competitions Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Potter Building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anabella Recanatesi
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 16, 2012
The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

  • Black Tie
Annie Lowenthal and Gertrude Margolick
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Cocktails at Sarasota Bay Club

Residents of the Sarasota Bay Club rang in the holiday season Thursday, Dec. 13 with a festive cocktail hour. Guests exchanged season's greetings, listened to live Christmas music and enjoyed cocktails.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alan Adler and Gloria Long with Gladys and Stanley Shapiro
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Seaplace Holiday Party

The Seaplace Condo Association held its annual holiday party Wednesday, Dec. 12. Members enjoyed refreshments and good company.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Reading Buddies Party

About 90 children from the 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton visited their reading buddies Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Christ Church of Longboat Key. The children delighted the parishioners with poems and Christmas carols, then enjoyed refreshments and a visit from Santa, played by Andy Rauch in the fellowship hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, portrayed by Whitney Kitchens, Carlos Motta and Hudson Drake.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Living Nativity

Members of The Tabernacle Church are bringing the Christmas story to life with performances of "The Living Nativity" at 7 and 8 p.m. Dec. 13 through Dec. 16.

  • East County
  • News
Kayla Wackerbauer, Wesly Viquerat and Julia Reed sang with gusto.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Twas One Crazy Night'

Third-grade students at Willis Elementary School celebrated the holiday spirit with their performance of '"Twas One Crazy Night Before Christmas,' Dec. 13.

  • East County
  • News
  • By TWIS Street
  • December 14, 2012
Stop the world: (the) Umbrella Cult's got a new CD

Stop the world: (the) Umbrella Cult's got a new CD

  • Arts + Culture
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