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Your Observer

Tom Barwin and Joan Beach
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 5, 2013
Visiting Artists Dinner Series: David Greilsammer

Visiting Artists Dinner Series: David Greilsammer

  • Black Tie
Phil and Wendy Lamacchia
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: 2013 Selby Wine, Dine and Pine

Selby Gardens held its annual Wine, Dine and Pine, Thursday, Dec. 5. Guests enjoyed live music, speciality desserts and a silent auction. All proceeds benefitted Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Southside Elementary's Hula Club performed in the courtyard
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Splendor at Ringling Museum

The Ringling Museum opened its doors for an evening of music and holiday cheer at its annual Holiday Splendor, Thursday, Dec. 5. Local school children performed for their family and guests in holiday-themed programs. The performances were held throughout the museum grounds and ranged from christmas carols to hula dancing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Corey Schaul, Morgan Stanley, Tammy Halsted, St. Armands Travel, Mike Gray, Century 21, and Sam Asfur, Century 21
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce celebrated the season with their annual Holiday Party at MarVista Dockside Restaurant on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dockmaster Bob Geraci played Christmas classics on his clarinet as residents walked by his former dock.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Harbour Lighting of the Docks

On Thursday, Dec. 5, Longboat Harbour residents participated in a Christmas-inspired stroll along the water, fittingly called Lighting of the Docks. This past week, boat owners decorated their docks with lights and colorful ornaments to be enjoyed by the many that came out for this event.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The SCF District Board of Trustees, including Vice Chairman Edward Bailey and Chairman Dr. Craig Trigueiro, present the college seal to President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld during the inauguration ceremony.
  • By State College of Florida
  • December 5, 2013
SCF Celebrates the Inauguration of President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) celebrated the inauguration of SCF's sixth president, Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, on Friday, Nov. 8, at Neel Performing Arts Center with the SCF District Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, and students; public officials, business leaders, community members and university delegates.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In total, 22 trees downtown were outfitted with strings of LED lights Wednesday as part of a project funded by the Downtown Improvement District.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 5, 2013
Tree lights come to Main Street

On Wednesday, oak trees along the 1300, 1400 and 1500 block of Main Street were adorned with lights that will remain in place year round; a similar lighting system is under consideration for Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michele Grimes and Stephen Walker
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Club luncheon

Members of the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club met for lunch Thursday, Dec. 5. Local officials and community leaders lead a discussion on North Sarasota's drug problem during the luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Troy Roberts, founder of Drum Circle Distilling, looks forward to his rum being featured at Art Basel.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 5, 2013
Siesta Key Rum goes to Art Basel

The company's silver rum will be featured as the basis for the Floridian Mojito served at Art Basel in Miami Beach, Thursday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 8.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Charles Hines is the newest member of the Sarasota County Commission.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 5, 2013
County Commission elects chairman

Sarasota County commissioners chose Charles Hines as chairman and Christine Robinson as vice chairwoman during a Dec. 5 retreat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort has been closed since August 2010. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2013
10 Questions: The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort

Confused about the Colony? You're not alone. Get the basic facts with our Colony 101.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Marauders 8U travel baseball team won back-to-back titles in November.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2013
Marauders win pair of championships

The Lakewood Ranch Marauders 8U travel baseball teams won back-to-back championships Nov. 17 and 24.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy photo. William, Evan, Phineas, Grant and Leonard helping with Thanksgiving baskets for Gocio
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2013
Turkey tidings

During each of the last eight years, the Out-of-Door Academy families have collected food for Gocio Elementary families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Sheila Conger with her granddaughter Madeleine
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2013
Forty Carrots hosts grandparents

Forty Carrots Family Center invited students' grandparents to attend Grandparents' Day Nov. 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2013
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Army Air Corps pilot 1st Lt. James Edmundson in 1941 at Hickam Field before the attack
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2013
Our View

Dec. 7, 1941: Never forget

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2013
Letters to the Editor

ACA allows citizens a chance to pursue dreams; Obamacare mimics plot of James Bond Movie; Dogs should not be allowed on our beaches

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Music Director Shawn Gross conducts during a dress rehearsal this week. The cast has been practicing twice a week for 10 hours a month since September.
  • By Randi Donahue
  • December 5, 2013
Singing Christmas Tree branches out

FirstSarasota, the Downtown Baptist Church, commemorates 40 years of the popular seasonal production with a new lineup of music.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Cardinal Mooney High girls soccer team
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2013
High Five Moments

The top five moments in sports this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. The SMA Raiders female team tied for first place at this year’s district meet, while the male team finished third.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2013
Ultimate Challenge

The Sarasota Military Academy male and female Raiders teams will compete in the Gulf Coast All-Star Raider Challenge Dec. 14, at Braden River High.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
An example of a street piano displayed in New York City as part of the "Play Me I'm Yours," interactive art tour (courtesy photo).
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 5, 2013
Commission OKs piano plan

The City Commission indicated interest in jazzing up the downtown area with its approval of a plan to place up to six pianos on sidewalks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 5, 2013
Groups feel burn of Sunshine

In the wake of a Sunshine Law case against the city of Sarasota, members of neighborhood associations share concerns about their ability to connect with local officials at their meetings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo. Before 2009, special events staff avoided scheduling special events from February through April. That policy will be reinstated for the 2014 season.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 5, 2013
Sarasota City Commission admonishes BID directors

The commission emphasized the importance of advisory board members using their city-issued email accounts after a request for St. Armands BID directors' emails.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Workers at Sarasota High School's tree sale measure a Fraser fir. Trees are priced by height and type.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 5, 2013
Rockin' around your perfectly picked Christmas tree

Brighten up your home with the perfect tree this Christmas.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Camille Giardina
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2013
Sidelines

Enjoy the top sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2013
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 5, 2013
Siesta, Lido residents seek answers from Army Corps

The Army Corps of Engineers will be in Sarasota this week to answer questions surrounding the Lido renourishment project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 5, 2013
SKVA considers putting petals on the metal cans

The association mulls an artistic twist on plans for recycling bins in the Village.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota High School Speech and Debate Team
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2013
School Board

The Great Debate; Clowning around; Gobble gobble

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harriet Sokmensuer. Unit 603 at 35 Watergate Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,985 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,382,500.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 5, 2013
Home on Casey Key sells for $2 million

A home on Casey Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Deborah Darling submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2013
Weather: Sarasota

Deborah Darling submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Otus
  • By Otus
  • December 4, 2013
Ask Otus: 'Do Plants Have Sex?'

Otus Rufous, an Eastern Screech-owl, was born on Siesta Key and is a full-time resident there. An avid hunter, accomplished vocalist and genuine night owl, Otus is a keen observer of our local wildlife and knows many of nature's secrets. Otus will answer your questions about our amazing wildlife, but only if you Ask Otusâ„¢.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Finley and Madison Anderson tell Santa what they want for Christmas
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Ritz-Carlton Holiday Open House

The Ritz-Carlton invited members to its annual Holiday Open House, Wednesday, Dec. 4. The hotel unveiled its holiday decor while guests enjoyed champagne and festive gingerbread cookies. Special guests included the hotels new General Manager Damian O'Riordan and Santa Clause.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Representatives from each table gather to light 14 unique menorahs.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Israel Hanukkah Dinner

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Temple Beth Israel came together to celebrate the eighth night of Hanukkah with a traditional dinner and the lighting of the candles.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Judge K. Rodney May announced he will schedule a date in January to make his final ruling on both a Colony proposed settlement and a Chapter 11 reorganization plan in his Tampa courtroom.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 4, 2013
Colony: Judge questions Klauber's $3 million payment

Colony Lender LLC can't hold a foreclosure sale of its assets in Sarasota on Friday as a bankruptcy judge continues to review a settlement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sandee Davis plays Mrs. Claus for the night.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: LWRBA/YLA December Holiday Social

Lakewood Ranch Business and Young Leaders Alliance members threw on their reindeer antlers and Santa hats for their December Holiday Social Dec. 4, at the Courtyard by Marriott.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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