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Your Observer

Haley Wulliman-Gomes with Alyssa Gancitano, Emily Corwin and Tami Ojeda.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 9, 2013
Ritz-Carlton delivers Teddy Grams to SMH

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, delivered Teddy Grams to Sarasota Memorial Hospital patients Monday, Dec. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
City Manager Tom Barwin said the city will hear feedback at a public forum before making a decision about the future of the Payne Park Auditorium.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 9, 2013
Public forum planned to discuss Payne Park's future

At a community workshop tonight, city staff and residents will talk about the future of Payne Park - including the Payne Park Auditorium, which the city is considering demolishing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Judy Zolna participates in the parade in her kayak.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Boat Parade

Spectators cheered in delight Dec. 8, at Linger Lodge Restaurant, as 18 decorated boats concluded their five-mile trek from Jiggs Landing, as part of the Old Braden River Historical Society's first holiday boat parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Cheesecake Factory, The Capital Grille and Kona Grill join previously announced Brio Tuscan Grille and Seasons 52 as restaurants highlighting the $315 million mall.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 9, 2013
Cheesecake Factory coming to Mall at UTC

Taubman Centers, one of the developers of the under-construction Mall at University Town Center, has announced three new restaurants to its tenant mix.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County commissioners will discuss a pet ordinance Tuesday, Dec. 10.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 9, 2013
County Commission to consider pet ordinance

Sarasota County commissioners will discuss a possible ban on the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits during a meeting Tuesday, Dec. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • News
George Allison, Vivian Kuvant, Co-Chair Carol Chairella and Alan Watkins
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 8, 2013
SPARCCle for the Holidays

SPARCCle for the Holidays

  • Black Tie
Victoria Bertolino, Catherine Dowie, Denise Lose and Sara Higham
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 8, 2013
Christmas in Candy Land

Christmas in Candy Land

  • Black Tie
The fleet was lit after a blessing by Fr. Michael Szyska.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 8, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Bird Key Yacht Club Blessing & Lighting of the Fleet

On Saturday, Dec. 7, Bird Key Yacht Club held their annual Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet ceremony. This year's event was very special, as it fell on the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Liz Beahm, Ann Oflaherty, Lori Yoder, Wendy Plumbo and Claire Wojcechowskyj
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 7, 2013
21st annual Hot Dogs & Cool Cats Gala

21st annual Hot Dogs & Cool Cats Gala

  • Black Tie
Bill Hansing helps Harrison Phillips, 5, make a victory wreath.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Night in Bethlehem

The parking lot of Living Lord Lutheran Church transformed into the biblical town of Bethlehem Dec. 7, as the church hosted its annual "Night in Bethlehem" event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Addison Porfirio with her great grandparents James and Laverne Byerly
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Holiday Parade

All of Sarasota came out to kickoff the holidays at the 18th annual Holiday Parade, Saturday, Dec. 7. Crowds lined Main Street to see the parade that included 4,000 participants and lasted two hours.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Monsignor Gerard Finegan, the Rev. Edward Pick and Donna Pettinato with the new dedication.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Mary 40th Anniversary Picnic

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church celebrated their 40th anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 7, with a picnic and special dedication to the man that made it the strong community it is today, the Rev. Edward Pick.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police reroute crowds after the Sarasota Holiday Parade to investigate a suspicious backpack found on Main Street.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 7, 2013
Police find suspicious bag near parade route

Sarasota Police closed Main Street at roughly 8:20 p.m. to investigate a backpack found near the start of the Sarasota Holiday Parade route.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Antonia Forlenza, Jeanni Castro and Kristlyn Ferran sit on Santa’s lap after the run
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Reindeer Trot

Runners and their families spent the morning at the third annual Achieva Reindeer Trot, Saturday, Dec. 7. The run included a 5K, 10K and Dog Walk with a dog costume competition afterwards. Attendees were welcomed to enjoy hot chocolate with Santa Clause. The run benefitted local classrooms and was held at Payne Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marie Tannus, of Pampered Chef, shares about her products with Carolyn Talbot.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Willis Carnival

Willis Elementary School today hosted a winter carnival for its families and the public.

  • East County
  • News
Jolie Banks gets her face painted
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALERY: St. Andrew's Gulf Gate Festival

St. Andrew United Church of Christ held its third annual Gulf Gate Festival, Saturday, Dec. 7. Activities included walking the wire with a Wallenda, a bouncy castle and rock climbing wall. All proceeds from the event were donated to army, air force and navy-marine corps relief societies.

  • Sarasota
  • News
lexandra Keusch, 5, has fun sledding.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: YMCA Sledding with Santa

East County families hit the slopes today at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, during Sledding with Santa.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Samowitz, pictured in February, holds a photo of himself taken when he was a 27-year-old enlistee.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 7, 2013
Samowitz, oldest Iwo Jima survivor, dies at 99

Marty Samowitz was there when troops raised the U.S. Flag over Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mrs. and Mr. Clause laugh at three-year-old Cole Tillson’s spunk.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Stoneybrook's Breakfast with Santa

Stoneybrook Community members invited Santa Clause and neighborhood children to munch on pancakes and play games Dec. 7 at the Breakfast with Santa event.

  • East County
  • News
Runners tie Christmas-colored bells to their laces in honor of the event’s name.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Jingle and Jog 5K

The 16th Jingle and Jog 5K Race and one-mile walk, drew in hundreds of runners, walkers and wheel chair rollers Dec. 7 at Community Haven.

  • East County
  • News
Ally Ridenour, 3, and Michelle Dieter prepare their Christmas lists.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary dines with Santa

Students and their families, and faculty filled the cafeteria of Tara Elementary Dec. 6 for Dinner with Santa.

  • East County
  • News
Kelly Oakes, Pat McMillan, DJ Hamel, Terry Richter and Pat Emmett enjoyed dancing to current pop hits and knew the words to many.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Dinner Dance

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities held its annual Holiday Dinner Dance at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, Dec. 6. Guests danced to music mixed by West Florida DJ and enjoyed dinner and drinks.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tavia and Bill Ames Arianna and Mark Parson, Tara Solomon and Jason Taghikhani
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 6, 2013
26th annual Festival of Trees, Lights and Holiday Gifts

26th annual Festival of Trees, Lights and Holiday Gifts

  • Black Tie
Chad Campbell, Curt Ramage and Tiffany Liashek
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 6, 2013
Men, Whiskey, & Watches

Men, Whiskey, & Watches

  • Black Tie
Ferd Thompson provided fresh and hot popcorn for guests.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 6, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands

On Friday, Dec. 6, St. Armands Circle transformed into a perfect winter wonderland with bright lights, classic holiday decorations and innumerable red Santa hats for their 35th annual Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands. The entertaining evening was filled with music, dancing and of course, Christmas cheer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The school will hold a press conference 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9 to address the state’s decision.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 6, 2013
Imagine School principal cleared of wrongdoing

The State Attorney's Office has decided not to file charges against Selenia Quinones, the Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch principal accused of failing to report child abuse.

  • East County
  • News
Comedian Les McCurdy says moving his comedy club downtown will bring some celebrities and surprises.
  • By Amanda Heisey
  • December 6, 2013
VIDEO: McCurdy's plans move to downtown Sarasota

McCurdy's Comedy Theatre will open next year at the site formerly occupied by Shaner's Pizzeria.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Army Corps of Engineers project manager Milan Mora outlines details of a proposed Lido Beach renourishment project at a meeting with Lido Key residents Friday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 6, 2013
Lido residents strategize to rally support for beach project

At a meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers today, Lido Key residents discussed how to communicate their support for a proposed Lido Beach renourishment project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Irene Dignan, Louise Spellman and Margaret Romanes
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 6, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Republican Women's Club of Sarasota Holiday luncheon

The Republican Women's Club of Sarasota held its annual holiday luncheon, Friday, Dec. 6. Members were asked to bring gifts for the Children's Guardian Fund.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Eric Vega drops his letter into the mailbox
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 6, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Macy's Letters to Santa

Third grade students from Suncoast School for Innovative Studies dropped off their letters to Santa, Friday, Dec. 6. Macy's invited the children to read their letters as well as drop off all of the 1,386 letters collected by the class. The event was a part of Macy's Believe program that benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Staff from the Mote Marine Laboratory Stranding Investigations Program secure the body of a juvenile male manatee before removing it from the waterway.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 6, 2013
VIDEO: Dead manatee discovered near Bird Key

Mote Marine Laboratory staff removed the body of a juvenile male manatee from Bird Key waterways before noon Friday, Dec. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Santa waves to the crowd from his sleigh during last year's Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade

Sarasota's downtown holiday parade returns with lighted floats and Santa Claus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Santa Claus will arrive in style tonight on St. Armands Circle. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 6, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: 35th Annual Holiday Night of Lights

St. Armands Circle will light up tonight in celebration of the holiday season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Purdy, director of operations for Manatee County YMCA's four branches, welcomes the public to a free Sledding with Santa event at the Lakewood Ranch branch Saturday.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 6, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Sledding with Santa at the YMCA

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA is having a free Sledding with Santa event Saturday, Dec. 7.

  • East County
  • News
Thieves had also pulled 1,920 feet of copper wire out of the ground Sunday, Dec. 1.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 6, 2013
Thieves twice steal copper wire from Lakewood Ranch site

Thieves Wednesday stole spools of copper wire that was planned to be used to replace wire that had been stolen earlier in the week from the same Lakewood Ranch work site.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River senior Kelly Logan is triple teamed by Lakewood Ranch in the first quarter.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 6, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY:Braden River vs. Lakewood Ranch Girls Basketball

The Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball team defeated rival Braden River 71-34 Dec. 5.

  • East County
  • Sports
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