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Your Observer

Molly Harris works hard on her snowman ornament.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: First Presbyterian Preschool Pageant

First Presbyterian preschoolers and their families celebrated the holiday season at the school's pageant Friday, Dec. 20. Students wished Jesus a happy birthday by singing songs like 'Jingle Bells' and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'. Afterwards, families spent the afternoon creating Christmas cookies, ornaments and cards.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Over half a million lights will illuminate the grounds Friday, Dec. 20 through Monday, Dec. 30.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 20, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Selby's Lights in Bloom

The Sarasota tradition is a guaranteed fun night for families of all ages. Selby Gardens will be open Friday, Dec. 20 through Monday, Dec. 23 and Thursday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Dec. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Donna Amsden and her niece Maxine Teachout enjoy the view of the other brightly-lit carts at the dress rehearsal Dec. 18, at Horseshoe Cove.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 20, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Horseshoe Cove Golf Cart Parade

Horseshoe Cove community members will throw on their Christmas sweaters, and turn on the flashing lights on their golf carts, for the 15th Golf Cart Parade at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, starting at Caruso Road.

  • East County
  • News
Colin and Siobhan Boyle, with the help of volunteer Rob Wenzel, take home a turkey and meal.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 20, 2013
Girls Inc. donates turkey dinners to families

Girls Inc. of Sarasota County families took home a turkey for their Christmas dinner and new shoes Thursday, Dec. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
NORAD tracks Santa!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2013
NORAD Tracks Santa

The North American Aerospace Defense Command is ready to track Santa. Check her for a countdown clock to track Santa and a live interactive map that goes live on Christmas Eve.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Centre Shops of Longboat Key is located in the 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 20, 2013
Chamber seeks volunteers for move

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is preparing for a Jan. 2 move into the Centre Shops.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Developer Andy Adams will buy Colony units through Jan. 10 from $30,000 to $60,000.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 20, 2013
Adams makes push for more Colony units

Colony Beach Investors LLC is offering to buy more Colony Beach & Tennis Resort units ranging from $30,000 to $60,000, depending on the condition, square footage and location of the units.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Engineers from the Florida Department of Transportation are evaluating damage to the overpass.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 20, 2013
Interstate lanes face nightly closures

Southbound lanes of I-75 south of exit 191 will be closed tonight, Sunday evening and possibly Monday for repairs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 20, 2013
SCF homecoming weekend upcoming

The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota will hold its Homecoming weekend events Jan. 23 through 25.

  • Sarasota
  • News
(Front) Nicholas Colacci, Dylan Bennett and Cade Saalmann felt the music.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle School SnowComing

Braden River Middle School held a SnowComing dance Dec. 19. Students danced the night away in the school cafeteria.

  • East County
  • Schools
Marilyn Bradley and Carol Sawyer
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Republican Club Holiday Party

The Republican Club of Longboat Key joined the Sarasota Republican Club to celebrate the holidays with cocktails, dinner and an auction on Thursday, Dec. 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mariah McMiller and Sarah Demlak decorate cards.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Boys & Girls Club Holiday Party

Families of the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota spent Thursday, Dec. 19, celebrating the holidays. The evening started out with a visit from Santa and a Christmas dinner. Afterwards, children received presents to take home.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Project Manager Robert Garland speaks with residents following Wednesday's community meeting about the Lift Station 87 project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2013
Lift Station 87 update highlights design details

At a meeting Wednesday, the new team tasked with completing the Lift Station 87 project said they've developed plans that will avoid the problems the prior engineers faced.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Siesta Key north bridge stopped functioning this morning.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 19, 2013
UPDATE: Siesta Key north bridge stuck in open position

Sarasota Police have advised using an alternative route to enter or leave the barrier island.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Pauline Bennett and her downtown team of agents presented the check to Jessica Hays from SPARCC.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 19, 2013
SPARCC receives $4,000 donation from Coldwell Banker

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate CARES has presented a $4,000 donation to Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, SPARCC.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Johnson Clark, Erica Johnson and Andrew and Randi Mackintosh model the 2014 T-shirts. (Courtesy Mary Lou Johnson)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 19, 2013
2014 Turtle Watch T-shirts available now

T-shirts are available for the 2014 season at the UPS Store in the Centre Shops.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
John and Millie Emond, as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and Bill Crocker play dress up for their neighbors.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Horseshoe Cove Golf Cart Parade

Members of the Horseshoe Cove community suited up in their best Christmas outfits and hopped in their golf carts Dec. 18 for a trial run of their annual Golf Cart Parade, to take place Dec. 22.

  • East County
  • News
This year, five school districts of more than 400 applicants were awarded funds.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2013
School district fails to win money for STEM grant

For the second year in a row, the Manatee County School District fell just short to win federal funding for a grant to fund a plan to implement science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) labs in elementary schools.

  • East County
  • News
A Sarasota real estate broker has pleaded guilty to federal charges he collected nearly $300,000 in disability payments while not reporting he was continuing to work, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa announced Monday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Colony Lender appeals ruling

Colony Lender LLC is appealing a bankruptcy judge's decision that canceled its foreclosure sale earlier this month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Six-year-old Sam Robbins smiles for a free hot dog.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Party for the Park

The Freedom Elementary staff made some changes to their annual event - switching the name and location this year. What will now be called Party for the Park took place Dec. 18 at the school's campus, where students and their families came together for free food, toys, books and a good time.

  • East County
  • News
No one was injured in the incident.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2013
Trash bin at Lakewood Ranch park destroyed by fire

Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies and the East Manatee Fire Department responded to a smoldering trash bin at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • News
Libraries, the Sarasota County History Center, recreation centers, Arlington Pool, Payne Park and Knights Trail Park will be closed on Dec. 24, and Dec. 25.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 19, 2013
County offices to close for holidays

Sarasota County offices will be closed, and Sarasota County Area Transit will cease operations for part of next week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Co-captain Marina Masterson led the Lakewood Ranch varsity cheerleading squad out onto the floor.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Cheerfest Competition

Braden River High School hosted its annual Cheerfest Competition Dec. 14. Six area high schools participated in this competition, which featured JV, small and large varsity and dance team categories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2013
IMG selected to host NCAA track championships

The NCAA recently awarded IMG Academy as the host venue for the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the 2016-17 seasons.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Scrappers defeated the Timber Rattlers 8-3 to win the Rookie division title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2013
Manatee Cal Ripken Scrappers win championship

The Scrappers won the Rookie Division Championship during Manatee Cal Ripken Baseball's Championship Saturday Dec. 7.

  • East County
  • Sports
Capt. Drew Peterson with his brother, Nolan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Family reunion

Sarasota Observer news editor and native Sarasotan Nolan Peterson was reunited with his brother Air Force Capt. Drew Peterson Dec. 1, at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Lights in Bloom

Selby Gardens' Lights in Bloom will officially open to the public Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Submissions

Send in your favorite holiday moments to be included in our Jan. 9 issue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Conway. A crowd gathered at Five Points Park Thursday to witness a demonstration of a proposed tree-lighting system.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2013
Five Points Park lighting fails to dazzle

A demonstration of a proposed tree-lighting system for Five Points Park didn't sit favorably with attendees, but newly installed lights along Main Street emerged as an attractive option.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo. Jay Berman with Phil King
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2013
Glasser/Schoenbaum Center selects executive director

The center announced Jay Berman will succeed Phil King as the organization's next executive director. Berman will start his new role the first of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2013
Form-based code takes trial run

Tasked with writing a form-based zoning code for the city, the Urban Design Studio team has proposed six catalyst areas to serve as early adopters of the new code.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
News Briefs

Car crashes into Biter's Main Street storefront; Waechter accepts plea deal; city announces holiday hours

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulf Gate Library
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 19, 2013
Three public projects remain on track

Sarasota County and the Sarasota County School District continue work on major construction projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Conway. A plan to place speed tables in Turtle Rock has received resident opposition.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2013
Proposed speed tables rattle Palmer Ranch neighborhood

Some residents of Turtle Rock oppose the proposed installation of 17 speed tables in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Our View

Dredging Big Pass

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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