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Your Observer

Harriet Sokmensuer. Unit 10-S at St. Armands Towers, 101  Benjamin Franklin Drive, has three bedrooms, three baths, and 2,550 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.35 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 11, 2013
St. Armands Towers condo sells for $1.35 million

Gavriel and Catherine Salvendy sold their Unit 10-S condominium at 101 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Christopher and Susan John, of Norton, Mass., for $1.35 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Real Estate Reports

RE/MAX Platinum Realty opens on St. Armands; SAR reports median sale prices rose in October; Premier Sotheby's attends Contemporary Art Sales

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Niki Muller submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Weather: Longboat Key

Niki Muller submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
1415 Westway Drive is listed at $8.5 million. Photos by Heather Merriman.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • December 11, 2013
Home of the Month: 'Showplace'

Heroes and villains, con men and a pop star - they've all called this Lido Shores mansion home.

  • Arts + Culture
Amanda Sebastiano. This Concession home, which has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,543 square feet of living area, sold for $1,253,300.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 11, 2013
Concession home tops sales at $1,253,300

Yongyuth Nethongkome, of Miami Shores, and Kulnadda Nedtranon, of Palmetto Bay sold their home at 19461 Ganton Ave. to Chester Flake III, of Bradenton, for $1,253,300.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Todd Garrett submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Myakka Head.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Weather: East County

Todd Garrett submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Myakka Head.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Children First CEO and President Philip Tavill
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 10, 2013
The Good News: Children First

Children First hopes to raise funds to provide an appropriate space for waitlisted children as well as money to scholarship them, which costs between $9,000 and $10,000 per year, per student, for educational programs, screenings, family counseling and food.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Puppy Town on South Tamiami Trail is one area pet retailer that would be affected by the proposed ordinance.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 10, 2013
Commission delays decision on pet ordinance

Sarasota County commissioners delay advertisement of a public hearing for an ordinance banning the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Members of the public spoke in support of preservation of the Payne Park Auditorium Monday. The fate of the auditorium will continue to be unknown until at least February or March.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2013
Citizens speak out in support of Payne Park Auditorium

At a community workshop Monday, city staff and residents discussed the future of Payne Park, with several speakers encouraging the city to find a way to preserve the park's auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bob Simmons, Murray Blueglass, President of the Longboat Key Democratic Club, Marvin Morse, former President, and David Brenner
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Democratic Club

The Longboat Key Democratic Club assembled Tuesday, Dec. 10, for their monthly meeting at the Harbourside Clubhouse.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock and town staff say Colony buildings are a nuisance and a threat to the health and safety of the general public during a storm.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 10, 2013
Colony owners oppose teardown

Town Manager Dave Bullock suggests Colony structures be torn down as a condition to the property keeping the grandfathered tourism units on the site.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Firefighter/paramedic Brandon Desch, with Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, received the Chief's Award.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 10, 2013
Longboat Key Fire Rescue honors personnel

Firefighter/paramedics Brian Kolesa and Brandon Desch and Deputy Chief Matthew Altman received awards.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
At today’s 3 p.m. workshop, 215 Manatee Avenue W., Manatee County School District staff will present the report’s findings to the board.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 10, 2013
School board hosts workshop on state audit report

The Manatee County School Board hosts a workshop today to talk about a report from the state's Auditor General's Office that found misuse of funds and lack of controls during the 2012-13 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Police have charged 59-year-old Leonard Rubinstein with attempting to practice medicine without a valid license.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 10, 2013
Sarasota Police raid cosmetic-surgery office

The Sarasota Police Department charges Leonard A. Rubinstein for operating his Siesta Drive practice with a revoked license.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Vince Carroll, Elizabeth Vargus, Molly Carroll and Bruno Motta
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 9, 2013
Sonata a Due

Sonata a Due

  • Black Tie
Butch Amerson, Susan Kasow, Louanne Roy and Juliet Mullan
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 9, 2013
Designing Women Boutique's annual Gala: 'Designed to Give'

Designing Women Boutique's annual Gala: 'Designed to Give'

  • Black Tie
Sally Brown and Chris Anderson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 9, 2013
Sarasota Orchestra Association Holiday Luncheon 'Holiday Prelude'

Sarasota Orchestra Association Holiday Luncheon 'Holiday Prelude'

  • Black Tie
Alice Berkowitz and Betty Levi
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 9, 2013
Women's Day with Campbell Brown

Women's Day with Campbell Brown

  • Black Tie
Sarasota County commissioners and Sheriff Tom Knight break ground on the new emergency operations center.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 9, 2013
VIDEO: Officials break ground on new county facility

Sarasota County dignitaries during a Dec. 9 groundbreaking ceremony announce the beginning of construction of the new 40,000-square-foot emergency operations center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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
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