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Sarasota

Dan Cracchiola poses with Levoie Hipps, dressed in his horse costume, in front of the Christmas tree.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Singing Christmas tree comes to life

FirstSarasota, the Downtown Baptist Church, is gearing up for the 38th annual Singing Christmas Tree performances that begin Friday, Dec. 2 and will run through Sunday, Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The gingerbread house created by Girls Inc. for the CYD competition included a marshmallow snowman, pretzel windows and a decorated rooftop with a chimney.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Youth prepare for gingerbread house decorating contest

Gumdrops, peppermints and icing - that's what tasty houses are made of! The third annual Community Youth Development Gingerbread Festival promises to sweeten up the area next week, when more than 125 gingerbread houses will be on display from Dec. 9 to Dec. 11, in the Macy's wing of the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Osprey Library opened Nov. 10, in the former visitor’s center at Historic Spanish Point. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Osprey Library opens at Spanish Point

The Osprey Library at Historic Spanish Point will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Neighbors: Shirley Goodman

It is hard to say whether it is easier to spot Shirley Goodman from across the room due to her glitzy garb or the sound of her tapping feet.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Free parking was key in moving here; Please re-think parallel parking; Scott rail rejection was obviously right; Occupation points out income inequalities

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Unit 17PHD at the Plaza at Five Points Residences has three bedrooms and sold for $1.4 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 1, 2011
Plaza at Five Points Residences home sells for $1.4 million

Joy Server, Sarasota, sold her Unit 17PHD condominium at Plaza at Five Points Residences, 50 Central Ave., to Waterside Properties LLC for $1.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Meet this week's athlete, Kevin Turner. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Kevin Turner

Ever since Kevin Turner discovered kiteboarding six years ago, he's been hooked on the sport.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
JUST THE STATS

38-34 - The final score of the Out-of-Door Academy and Shorecrest Preparatory women's basketball game, Nov. 21, at Out-of-Door. ODA won the game.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ilona Maegdefrau submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Weekly Winner: Quite a Show

Ilona Maegdefrau submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Nations' kindergarten class poses, Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the courtyard at Southside Elementary.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Southside kindergartners make colorful mosaics

Southside Elementary kindergartners held a dedication for their stepping-stone project Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the school's courtyard.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton once again dons 19th-century-style clothing to portray President Abraham Lincoln. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Homeless residents enjoy a big Thanksgiving event

The Sarasota Ministerial Association held its 11th annual celebration with Sarasota's homeless residents as its guests the day before Thanksgiving, at First Baptist Church in downtown Sarasota. '¨

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Crystal Sands condominium, which has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,271 square feet of living area, sold for $775,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 1, 2011
Crystal Sands home tops sales at $775,000

A condominium in Crystal Sands tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Marsha Miller, trustee, of Hartville, Ohio, sold the Unit 606 condominium at 6300 Midnight Pass Road to M&D 606 Crystal Sands LLC, of Belleville, Ill., for $775,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mimi and John Greco with Denise Barker
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • November 30, 2011
Second Annual Wine, Dine, and Pine

Second Annual Wine, Dine, and Pine

  • Black Tie
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