• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota | Neighbors

Jack Berry, Jake Porat and Scott Stevenson provide music as the Tritones
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 11, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Architectural Salvage Toy Drive and Party

Sarasota Architectural Salvage hosted its seventh annual holiday fundraising party Thursday, Dec. 6. Attendees brought toys for the gift drive, and the toys and proceeds will benefit the Child Protection Center, which aims to end child abuse. Guests also participated in a scavenger hunt and listened to live music by the Tritones.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Diana Kelly, Ann Stocke and Stephanie Hannum
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Flats for Philanthropy Launch Party

Local designer, Diana Kelly, kicked off her 'Flats for Philanthropy' campaign Wednesday, Dec. 5 with a launch party at the Paper Tree. The campaign will dedicate a shoe to a series of philanthropic organizations, to which it will donate 10% of sales. The first shoe in the series, the Red Maria flat, was dedicated to Girls Inc. of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Evan Fonk sleds down a snow hill on an iner tube.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Winter Wonderland at the YMCA

Children and their families gathered Friday, Dec. 7 at the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. branch of the YMCA to celebrate the holiday season. Children visited with Santa, watched movies, played games and enjoyed a ride down the snow slide in inner tubes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Performer, Egypt, hangs upside down as part of her routine.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: A Taste of Hanukkah

Hundreds gathered Sunday, Dec. 9, at Phillippi Estate Park to celebrate the second day of Hanukkah in style. As part of the Taste of Hanukkah event, local establishments provided an array of kosher foods and beers, and families enjoyed performances by acrobats, balloon sculptors, dancers and the Moshe Hecht Band.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Christmas tree with an angel on top, a wreath, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer all made of lights made this boat shine on the water Saturday, Dec. 8, during the 26th Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 26th Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade

Thousands of people brought their lawn chairs out to see the boats that took part in the 26th Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ben Baram and Education Director Sabrina Silverberg lead the school with the Song of Israel.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Temple Emanu - El Hanukah Celebration

Temple Emanu - El Religious School celebrated Hanukah Sunday, Dec. 9 with a performance, gift exchange, food and games. Seventh graders put on a performance by Education Director Sabrina Silverberg entitled 'A Hanukah Happening.' Children exchanged gifts, colored dradles, met Judah, and ate latkes and donuts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lucia Barrett plays the cello for the crowd.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLRY : Canandaigua National Trust Company hosts Ringling Party

The Canandaigua National Trust Company held their third annual party at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art on Friday, Dec. 7 to connect with existing and new customers. One hundred twenty people attended the event where they enjoyed refreshments and listened to the Romanza Strings play. 'It's a chance to support the arts,' said Vice President and Business Development Officer Paul Tarantino.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Samantha Hobbs and Dulcy Kushmore pose with their toy donations.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: YPG After Hours

The Young Professionals Group of Sarasota held their monthly after hours Thursday, Dec. 6, at Libby's. During this get-together, those who attended were encouraged to bring at least one toy for a boy or girl to be donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters toy drive.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Gruters, Joe Gruters Millard Martin and John Connor
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Club Luncheon

Members of the Tiger Bay Club gathered Thursday, Dec. 6, at Michael's On East for their regular luncheon. Guests socialized before listening to a presentation by Sarasota County Republican Chair Joe Gruters and General Manager of WSRQ Radio, Susan Nilon, reflecting on the 2012 election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nick Friedman
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2012
Chemis-tree

Susan Roberts' class at Brookside Middle School recently decorated a chemistry-themed Christmas tree with ornaments that represent elements of the periodic table.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jeff Shank. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2012
Reader on the roof

Sarasota Christian School students recently held a contest to determine which school employee would "Go Crazy for Reading."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dylan White and Jason Sierra have been playing on the diamond together for 14 years. After their last season as teammates, White will head to Miami, and Sierra will head to Vanderbuilt.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 6, 2012
BEYOND THE FIELD

Sarasota High first baseman Dylan White and outfielder Jason Sierra will take the field together for the final time this spring.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fifteen-year-old Daniel Oakley, pictured with his mother Shannon Oakley and grandmother, Michelle Oakley, beat the odds and now he's finding success on the soccer field. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 6, 2012
Perseverance pays for SMA soccer player

When Daniel Oakley's mother was seven months pregnant with him, she almost died in a car accident. Now the 15-year-old Sarasota Military Academy sophomore is helping lead the Eagles to their best season in program history.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 6, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Michael Staikos

Cardinal Mooney sophomore Michael Staikos has been playing goalkeeper since he was 9 years old.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 6, 2012
Whispering Sands condominium sells for $764,000

A condominium in Whispering Sands tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Richard Piccolo, of New York, sold his Unit 406 condominium at 20 Whispering Sands Drive to Thyrza Jacocks, trustee, of Sarasota, for $764,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
T. Guy Spencer submitted this sunset photo, taken at Nokomis Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

T. Guy Spencer submitted this sunset photo, taken at Nokomis Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The crowd enjoys taking in the lights on the tree and around the courtyard Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the annual lighting of the bromeliad tree at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lighting of the Bromeliad Tree at Selby Gardens

A select group of people, mostly volunteers and donors, were invited to take part in the lighting of the bromeliad tree Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Holiday House at Southside Elementary is a busy place this week with students buying gifts for their friends and family.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday House

Students at Southside Elementary had the chance to buy gifts for their family and friends this week at the Holiday House.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Booker’s Solomon LaBone Etienne, No. 27, tries to make his way down the field to score as Cardinal Mooney’s Patrick Lustro, No. 21, attempts to stop him.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Booker v. Cardinal Mooney boys soccer

The Booker Tornadoes played the Cardinal Mooney Cougars Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Booker Stadium. The Cougar boys won the game 2-0 with both goals being scored by Cardinal Mooney's Greg Illig, No. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Choir members take their places in the risers to form the singing Christmas tree.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Singing Christmas Tree

Hundreds of people filled the First Sarasota Baptist Church Friday, Nov. 30 to kick off the holiday season with the 39th annual singing Christmas tree production. Church members, accompanied by an orchestra, performed on stage, and choir members formed a multistory Christmas tree and sang carols.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2012
Sports Scores: Soccer

SMA girls soccer posts shutout; Cardinal Mooney beats Bishop Verot; ODA blanks Bradenton Christian and Southeast; ODA tops Canterbury School

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lynn Chancer and Kay Aidlin
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Friends of the Sarasota Ballet Luncheon

Members of the Friends of the Sarasota Ballet gathered Monday, Dec. 3 at Michael's on East for their regular luncheon. Members enjoyed a social period before a meal. Special guest Linda Maybarduk-Alguire signed copies of her book.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Organizers of the tribute pose before the memorial begins.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Jay B. Starker Tribute

Members of the Sarasota arts community gathered Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Southgate Community Center to honor the life and art of Jay B. Starker, a noted artist and musician, who operated a shop in Sarasota since 1960. In addition to creating jewelry, paintings and poetry, Starker hosted a group of musicians, known as the Gathering of Exiles, who performed international music at his shop. The tribute displayed many photos of Starker, who died this July, as well as works of his art and recordings of his music, and members of the Gathering of Exiles performed music in his honor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 4, 2012
Sports Scores: Basketball

Cougars tame Falcons; SMA tops Venice Christian; Riverview breezes past North Port; Lady Cougars hold Lady Falcons to two buckets

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota’s Anthony Hardy-Bear, No. 21, guards Riverview’s Austin Walker, No. 30.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota v. Riverview boys basketball

The Sarasota High School varsity boys basketball team played Riverview High School's team Monday, Dec. 3, at Sarasota High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2012
November Cool Today Monthly Weather Photo Contest Winner

Jocelyne Cloutier submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Santa waves to the crowd from his sleigh Saturday, Dec. 1, during the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
  • By Nick Friedman and Rachel S. OHara
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Annual Downtown Holiday Parade

Thousands of people filled the sidewalks along Main Street Saturday, Dec. 1, for the Annual Downtown Holiday Parade.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Erika Gonsalves, 7, and her mom, Lisa, wore colorful reindeer antler headbands for the 2nd Annual Achieva Reindeer Trot Saturday, Dec. 1, at Payne Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Achieva Second Annual Reindeer Trot

Achieva held their 2nd Annual Reindeer Trot Saturday, Dec. 1, at Payne Park. Those who participated in the trot had the option of running or walking in a 5K/10K. All proceeds raised benefited Sarasota County classrooms.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marty Dove, Liz Rusling, Jane Fidalgo, Lisiane Jimenez and Katy Dove
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Wine, Dine and Pine

The Marie Selby Gardens Associates held the third annual Wine, Dine and Pine event Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Marie Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 601 at Casarina, 5880 Midnight Pass Road, sold for $1.59 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 29, 2012
Condominium in Casarina sells for $1.59 million

A condominium in Casarina tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Evert and Evy Gustafsson, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 601 condominium at 5880 Midnight Pass Road to Wilbur and Sarah Bontrager, of Middlebury, Ind., for $1.59 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Alex and Taylor Katz have been swimming on the same team for eight years. The two Riverview High siblings swam in their final high school swim meet together Nov. 9.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 29, 2012
Siblings make a splash

Taylor Katz and her younger brother, Alex, helped lead the Riverview swim teams to first- and third-place finishes at the Class 3A Swimming & Diving Championship Nov. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2012
SIDELINES

Lady Rams breeze past Brooks-Debartolo; Riverview boys cruise past Bayshore; Ultimate Sports Fan October winner; Cougars to be induced into Hall of Fame; Mooney blanks Sarasota Christian

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 29, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Henry Ford

Sarasota Christian School's Henry Ford has been playing basketball since he was 10 years old. Now 18, the senior forward reflects on his career as he looks forward to graduation and college.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2012
JUST THE STATS

60 - The point margin the Riverview High girls basketball team defeated Brooks-Debartolo by in its 64-4 victory Nov. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Norman Kaplan submitted this sunset photo, taken at Island Park in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Norman Kaplan submitted this sunset photo, taken at Island Park in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarah Bradtmueller, No. 25, drives the ball down the court as Manatee’s Jasmine Luther, No. 23, tries to stop her Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Sarasota High School’s gymnasium.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 28, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota v. Manatee girls basketball

The Sarasota Sailors played the Manatee Hurricanes Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Sarasota High School. The Sailors won at home with the final score Sarasota 52, Manatee 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Sarasota

1
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents
2
Bo O'Daniel poses for a photo on Dec. 15 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The senior had three touchdown catches for the Cougars in the Dec. 10 FHSAA Class 2A state championship.
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bo O'Daniel
3
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise
4
Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
  • December 16, 2025
After years of repairs, Boys & Girls Club plans to rebuild
5
Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now