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Your Observer | All

More than 2 million lights line the trees at Selby Gardens for Lights in Bloom, and it takes nearly 2,000 hours to hang them all.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 6, 2022
Local couple illuminates Selby Gardens for 'Lights in Bloom'

Carolyn and Phil Babas are the couple who design the annual holiday spectacle at Selby Gardens. And they're not sure they ever want to retire.

  • Arts + Culture
This River Club South home at 9617 Governors Club Place sold for $1.5 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,502 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 6, 2022
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 21-25 in Lakewood Ranch

A River Club South home on Governors Club Place topped the week's sales at $1.15 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sailor Circus' Kaylee Dutkiewicz performs high above the circus ring.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 6, 2022
Circus Ring of Fame Foundation announces Awards Ceremony Inductees

The Feb. 4, 2023, event will take place under the big top in Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Traffic circulates near the Bay Isles north entrance.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 6, 2022
Bay Isles traffic agreement approved, pickleball plans move forward

The proposed pickleball court plans will visit the Longboat Key Town Commission again at its Jan. 9 meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vicky Cox with her ambassador dog Keni
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 5, 2022
Southeastern Guide Dogs hosts Tails of Hope luncheon

The Tails of Hope Luncheon was held at the Hyatt Regency on Dec. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tiffany Barrett-Greer, a second grade teacher at Braden River Elementary School, is a finalist for the School District of Manatee County's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 5, 2022
East Bradenton school employees honored for dedication to education

Two East County teachers and two East County support staff were named finalists for Educator of the Year and Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Captain Rick Hankins, Sgt. Lee Smith, Sgt. Sean Butler and Chief George Turner at Butler's promotion ceremony.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 5, 2022
Former NYPD detective moves up to sergeant with Longboat Police

Sean Butler joined barrier island's department in May.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Man dies in accident after his SUV strikes a cow on SR 70 in Myakka
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 5, 2022
Man dies in accident after his SUV strikes a cow on SR 70 in Myakka

The collision caused the 62-year-old LaBelle man to be ejected from his Toyota SUV after it overturned.

  • East County
  • News
Paolo Marconi comes ashore after the final lap of the Last Paddler Standing event at Nathan Benderson Park. Marconi said he learned a lot about what he is capable of while sleep deprived and that every participant in the race should be proud for attempting it at all.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 5, 2022
Last Paddler Standing event showcases endurance at Benderson Park

The event, which had 30 participants, saw Paolo Marconi paddle approximately 48 hours straight to win the competition, with only short breaks in between laps of the park's lake.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jason Berzowski and Tim Haas of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue serve up their award-winning firehouse chili.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 5, 2022
Same recipe, new venue for Longboat Kiwanis' Lawn Party

The annual event moved off the island for the first time and made its City Island debut.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Co-chairs Albert and Norma Cohen with Gigi and Ben Huberman
  • By Harry Sayer
  • December 5, 2022
JFCS of the Suncoast champions voices at annual fundraiser

JFCS of the Suncoast shared a variety of stories and perspectives during its "VOICES: The Stories of JFCS" fundraiser at the Sarasota Yacht Club on Dec. 4.

  • Black Tie
Chef Kaytlin Dangaran is making customers feel at home with a dose of comfort food.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 5, 2022
Bistro spells comfort food with tomato soup and grilled cheese

Executive Chef Kaytlin Dangaran knows she can make people of all ages happy with a simple taste of home.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
President Christine Johnson with Rhonda Deems, Sherry Davis and Polly Giuffrida
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 4, 2022
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast brings a feast to the fields

Cats, cattle, goats and more were the name of the game at the latest fundraiser hosted by the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.

  • Black Tie
Child seriously injured in University Parkway accident in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2022
Child seriously injured in University Parkway accident in Lakewood Ranch

A two-car crash sent the 6-year-old to All Children's Hospital in Tampa.

  • East County
  • News
Marjorie Reda and Migda Cubero wait for the lighting of the 60 foot tree.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 4, 2022
St. Armands tree-lighting begins Sarasota's holiday season

With a switch flick and a visit from St. Nick, city's new centerpieces wowed the crowd.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more
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  • December 24, 2025
All I want for Christmas for the Lakewood Ranch area …
4
Itzhak Perlman conducts the 2025 Perlman Music Program Suncoast Celebration Concert.
  • December 24, 2025
Perlman Music Program Suncoast moves to central Sarasota
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Livia Zamperlini-Ramos (left), Anna Chop (center) and Bailey Loring (right) share some joy while singing "Last Christmas."
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch wrestlers give back to their community through caroling

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