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Your Observer

Boats float by in the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 11, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade

Grab your beach chair this weekend for the parade where the floats actually float on by for the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This week's FYI Friday features two stories about teen criminals, an update from SRQ Airport, alligator news and more!
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 11, 2014
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The position is a part of the reorganization of the county's departmental structure.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 11, 2014
Sarasota County hires development services manager

Dennis Murphy, who worked previously as the director of growth management for the city Punta Gorda, will begin Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Renovations at Marina Jack include a new patio bar and service station, and a new commercial kitchen to service that area.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2014
Marina Jack to get new look

Halfacre Construction Co. has been chosen to oversee a renovation project at Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mar Vista owner Ed Chiles first sought to build a second story deck for the restaurant in 2010. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2014
Town staff recommends Mar Vista project

Owner Ed Chiles aims to build a second story deck but no longer seeks to increase the restaurant's seating.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Three snowmen — Vincent Vanacore, Garrett Brooks and Jordan Janeck — show off their costumes.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Snow Jubilee

Robert E. Willis Elementary third-grade students sang and danced their way across the stage during the Snow Jubilee play Dec. 12.

  • East County
  • News
Barbara Strauss
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 11, 2014
Our View: The givers .... of joy

The sides of Main were teeming with children filled with joy and excitement as they watched and waved at 4,000 parade participants marching the length of Main Street. What a great gift for the families of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chris Norton and Jordan Hoopingarner enjoy a night out with friends.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee Young Professionals' Networking Social

Future business leader movers and shakers met for their monthly networking social, Dec. 11, at Stonewood Grill & Tavern.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall seeks applicants for an open CDD 5 board seat.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2014
Bishop retiring from CDD 6 board

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 5 Secretary Tom Bishop has been a board member for six years.

  • East County
  • News
Ed Bertha, Kim Burns and Ted Gollnick
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 11, 2014
Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Kickoff Party

Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Kickoff Party

  • Black Tie
Nada and David Farr take a turn on the dance floor.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: The Glenridge Holiday Gala

Residents of The Glenridge mixed, mingled and danced the night away for the annual Holiday Gala Wednesday evening.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chef Ray Arpke shares his favorite holiday recipe.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
HOLIDAY EATS: Euphemia Haye

Euphemia Haye Owner and Chef Ray Arpke shares one of his favorite holiday meal of Sauerbraten, Braised Red Cabbage and Potato Dumplings.

  • Arts + Culture
John and Sonja Ellis
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Seaplace holiday party

Seaplace residents celebrated the holidays on Dec. 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Drake and President Fred Kagi
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longbeach Village Christmas party

Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant was closed to customers on the evening of Dec. 10 for Longbeach Village Association's annual Christmas party. Residents of the Village, some dressed as elves and Santa Claus, came out to celebrate the holidays and their neighbors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Animal Services will have dogs and cats available for $20 this weekend.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 10, 2014
Animal Services offers holiday adoption specials

Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, Manatee County Animal Services is offering dogs and cats for discounted prices.

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Chief Steve Moyer, Chief Bernadette DiPino, Roger Ralph and Nate Brown. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Stepping up to the plate

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County teamed up to bring the anti-bullying event Rachel's Challenge to Sarasota Dec. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cameron and Katie Morton with their daughter, Hannah. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Helping out by working out

Few workouts help a good cause and provide a good sweat at the same time.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Bensel responds to Van Wezel editorial

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Our View | Jeb Bush: true conservative?

Is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush too moderate for the Republican Party? That is all the talk.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Seniors Adam Frazier and Taylor Totterdale are the drum majors for the Riverview High School Kiltie Band. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 10, 2014
Senior drum majors carry on Kiltie tradition

The pressure is on for Riverview High seniors Taylor Totterdale and Adam Frazier.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department Chief Bernadette DiPino, middle, speaks at Monday’s meeting of the Original Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
Gillespie residents seek solutions

Residents in the Gillespie Park area are looking to city officials and police leaders for help addressing problems associated with a growing homeless population in the neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 13.9-acre site has been vacant for years after a $1 billion mixed-use project fell through following the recession.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
Quay sale marks key moment for bayfront

A Jacksonville group has purchased the former Quay site for $27 million. The sale may allow for a cohesive development of the city's bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
As Lido Beach continues to erode, the city of Sarasota hopes to complete an interim, small-scale renourishment by March 2015. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 10, 2014
Army Corps re-evaluates third groin slated for Lido Key

The groin planned for Ted Sperling Park may not need to be as large as the original study suggested.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
DID waits for spending clarification

The Downtown Improvement District's future spending hinges on a City Commission decision regarding grants.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
News Briefs

Kovach proffers televised workshop compromise; Lourdes Ramirez files suit against Bob Waechter; Sarasota County teen's overdose leads to arrests

  • Sarasota
  • News
In June, Summer Wallace and Brendan Ragan posed in the parking lot that would eventually become the home of the Urbanite Theatre. Four months from opening, the building is now nearing completion. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
VIDEO: Urbanite Theatre kick-starts final fundraising push

The Urbanite Theatre, a new arts space coming to downtown Sarasota, is drawing nearer to its fundraising goals - and to an opening date.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
Lift Station 87 sees new delays

After taking a step forward earlier this month, project leaders revealed Monday that the completion of Lift Station 87 could still be more than three years away - leaving nearby residents resigned to a fate of more construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier volunteers for the Fill the Boot fundraiser Sunday. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 10, 2014
MDA holds first Fill the Boot drive in two years

The county approved an amendment that allows the organization to reinstate its well-known fundraiser.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home ay 648 Beach Road has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 4,746 square feet of living area. It sold for $4,481,400. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 10, 2014
Home in Sarasota Beach sells for $4,481,400

Jeffrey Roberti, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 648 Beach Road to Crescent Property Holdings Partnership for $4,481,400.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
James West submitted this photo of his daughter, Katherine, jumping for joy at sunset on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Zyqurrius Rice and Dominique Wilson
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church reading buddies Christmas party

Christ Church members held a Christmas party for their reading buddies, Dec. 11. The reading buddies are students of the 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vince LaPorta, of Longboat Key Club, Nancy Taussig, of Barefoot Weddings, Chamber President Gail Loefgren and Suzanne Stacy, of Suzanne’s “J.A.P.” Service
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Chamber of Commerce Holiday After Hours

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce held its holiday business after hours event on Dec. 11 at the Holiday Inn Lido Beach Resort. Local business owners and workers gathered to network, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and celebrate the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alice and Wayne Freed cheers to a fun night of tennis.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Observer Challenge Cocktail Party

The three-day 15th annual Observer Challenge tournament kicked off with a cocktail party Dec. 11, which featured food, friends, a live tennis match and of course cocktails.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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