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Neighbors

Winestyles’ Ruth and Jack Jimmink and Bucky and Kathy Jones enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:Rock Around the Clock

East County residents enjoyed an evening of musical entertainment during Rock Around the Clock Dec. 16 at San Marco Plaza. Guests enjoyed listening to the sounds of The Platters, The Tucci Band and The Matthew Facciolla, sampling food from local restaurants and looking at classic car collections. Proceeds from the event benefit the Humane Society of Manatee County and the Dan Toller Fund for ALS.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Iriss Inc. employees couldn’t wait to celebrate the holiday season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Ultimate Holiday Party For Small Businesses

East County business professionals celebrated the holiday season during the Ultimate Holiday Party For Small Businesses Dec. 16 at the Polo Grill and Bar. Guests socialized over cocktails before enjoying a dinner and dessert buffet and an evening of dancing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The sand sculpture with the fewest audience votes was eliminated by explosion.
  • By Loren Mayo, Nick Friedman
  • December 16, 2011
VIDEO: Sand sculpture explodes on Siesta Key Beach

Watch our video of The Travel Channel show's 'Sand Wars' sand sculpture on Siesta Key Beach explode.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sonja and John Ellis, Goldie and Tuki Nanos
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Seaplace Holiday Party

To any other state, it would seem like Christmas in July, but Seaplace's holiday party was Dec. 14. The sunset cast an orange glow through the warm air. Christmas trees sat beside menorahs, red and green plates were filled with appetizers and people were cheery with holiday spirit.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
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