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Neighbors

This statue makes its home near the intersection of Osprey Avenue and Orange Avenue.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Spirited statue

This statue seems to get a makeover every time a holiday approaches. Right now, he's dressed in Santa attire. Wonder what's inside that red sack?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Incredible Reindeer, played by William Terrell, Cameron Boyer, John Smith and Connor Shilling, helped save Christmas.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gene Witt Elementary Christmas Musical

First-grade students at Gene Witt Elementary School showed off their talents during the school's musical production of The Incredible Reindeer Dec. 15-16. The musical told the story of how the Incredible Reindeer saved Christmas after foggy weather, Rudolph's cold and an asteroid nearly kept Santa Claus from taking flight. The Gene Witt 'Orff' estra entertained students and guests before the start of the show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bev and Bill Plummer, Randy and Elliot Keyne and Janie and Don Griffin
  • By Katy Arrillaga
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball

Members of the University Park Women's Club enjoyed their seventh annual Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball Dec. 10. This year's event was themed "Fire and Ice." Proceeds from the event benefited The Food Bank of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Bayside Community Church's band performed at this year's Rock Out for a Cause.
  • By Johana De la Cruz
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Rock Out for a Cause

Fundraising went to 11 as Lakewood Ranch High School's Key Club hosted Rock Out for a Cause Dec. 9 at Bayside Community Church. The concert benefited several non-profit organizations, including Taking Back Lives and Eliminate.

  • East County
  • Schools
Victor Fernandez teaches music at Booker Middle School.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
VIDEO: Victor Fernandez honored as teacher of the year finalist

The Sarasota County School Board surprised three teachers as finalists for its district Teacher of the Year Competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jane Howard-Jasper, Lou Getz and Diana Emrich
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: All Angel's Episcopal Women

The All Angel's by the Sea Episcopal Church Women had their annual Christmas meeting on Dec. 14. There was no speaker this meeting. The group's Christmas project was wrapping 60 Christmas gifts and donating $1,100 to provide for families at Family Promise in Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Yaszmine Anderson, Kendrick Sailes, Keliyah Lang and Brian Smith
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Christmas

35 parishioners head to East Bradenton to help children from 13th Avenue Dream Center learn and improve their reading every other week. Each Christmas, the Church hosts a party for the children. Some of the Children show-off their skills by performing recitations, and the church and children sing carols. Following the ceremony, Santa Claus met the children to deliver something special.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Barbara Falcone and Rita Stormes
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Men's Club, Women's Guild

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church on Dec. 13 for the annual party. There were Santa sweaters, holiday music and Christmas cheer at the event. Soprano Michelle Giglio performed favorite arias and Christmas Carols and refreshments followed the performance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This photo was taken outside of Sea Place's clubhouse where the annual holiday party was taking place Wednesday, Dec. 15.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Sunset

This photo was taken outside of Sea Place's clubhouse where the annual holiday party was taking place Wednesday, Dec. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joshua Stott got an iPod, Lego games and more from Santa.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Vitale Holiday Party

Legendary ESPN Hall of Fame sports broadcaster Dick Vitale and his family welcomed a dozen children from the Sarasota County Boys & Girls Clubs Dec. 15, to the Vitale home for their annual Holiday Party.

  • East County
  • News
Gullett Elementary School students in Jennifer McGloin's class this week earned a special visit from the Chick-fil-A cow, after raising the most money during a recent Chick-fil-A Spirit Night.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: COW CRAZY

Gullett Elementary School students in Jennifer McGloin's class this week earned a special visit from the Chick-fil-A cow, after raising the most money during a recent Chick-fil-A Spirit Night.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Devan Rojas, left, Hayley Dragon, Chris Maddiesquivel and Keaton Bruder enjoyed making s'mores.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Rock Star Party

Move over Steven Tyler. More than 100 Braden River Elementary School students partied like rock stars Dec. 13, as a reward for positive behavior. Throughout the year, students in kindergarten through fifth grades earned BRE Bucks for exemplifying good citizenship. They traded that currency in to enjoy s'mores, hot chocolate, games, and holiday caroling with Principal Hayley Rio.

  • East County
  • Schools
Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Children get festive for Santa

More than 130 kids from Big Brothers Big Sisters watched as Santa Claus showed up to greet them in a bright red fire truck for their annual holiday party Saturday, Dec. 10, at Sun 'N' Fun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
65 years and still going strong

The Sarasota High School class of 1946 gathered for its 65th class reunion Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This beauty was definitely the brightest star on Higel Avenue, dominating all the rest to become our top pick for decorated single-family homes in The Observer Group's Light Up the Key Contest for Siesta. Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
2011 Light up the Key

Driving around Siesta Key Out to find the brightest spot Palm fronds lit so delicately Taking pictures as we stop ...

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
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