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Your Observer

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
(Back) Joan Stewart and Barbara Marcouiller. (Front) Anella Luongo
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Mary Holiday Party

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church celebrated the start of Advent and the Christmas season Wednesday, Dec. 4, with a concert and party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 4, 2013
Sarasota Chamber taps Cooper for VP position

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce welcomes Vice President for Public Policy and Sarasota Tomorrow Initiatives Kevin Cooper with a reception.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Principal Selenia Quinones has been on paid administrative leave from Imagine School since Nov. 4.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 4, 2013
UPDATED: Imagine School principal on paid leave

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has recommended to the state that Selenia Quinones be charged with failure to report child abuse.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Can collective

Kindergarten children at Primrose of Lakewood Ranch saved their money from chores and went on a shopping spree Nov. 22, to Publix.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Pies, please!

Realtors with Michael Saunders & Co.'s Lakewood Ranch office offered a special slice of thanksgiving Nov. 27, in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Sweets for soldiers

Students at Nolan Middle School made the holiday season extra sweet for area soldiers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
In its new location, the column sits next to a Sarasota County historical marker commemorating the 1885 landing of the Scots.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 4, 2013
Dedication ceremony planned for historical column

On Friday, the city of Sarasota will hold a rededication ceremony to commemorate the new location of a historical column received from the city of Glasgow, Scotland.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 4, 2013
McNeal teachers score highest in effectiveness in Manatee County

Data released by the Florida Department of Education this week shows McNeal Elementary has the largest percentage of highly effective teachers - 95.8% - for the 2012-2013 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Welcome back, friends

Residents in the Muirfield neighborhood of the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club recently held a welcome-back event to celebrate the return of winter residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Walk this way

Children at Gene Witt Elementary School raised more than $7,000 at a recent walk-a-thon fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Splish, splash

Three times a week, a group of women from the Tara Golf & Country Club participate in water aerobics.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The state audit began in March and concluded with the release of the report November 25.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 4, 2013
State report threatens school district recovery

The Manatee County School District could see as much as a $7.2 million reduction in its general fund balance as a consequence of a report from the state Auditor General's Office.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 4, 2013
State report threatens school district recovery

The Manatee County School District could see as much as a $7.2 million reduction in its general fund balance as a consequence of a report from the state's Auditor General's Office the district released Tuesday night.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Five-year event participant Kim Guerra balances freshly-wrapped boxes.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Community Shoe Box Wrapping Event

With piles of scissors, wrapping paper and tape, volunteers busily stuffed and wrapped mounds of shoe boxes Dec. 3, at the Community Shoe Box Wrapping Event at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Cosimo's not only features traditional and specialty pizzas and pastas but also an array of gluten free pizzas, pastas, salads and entrees.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Cosimo's

This week we went in the kitchen at Cosimo's with owner John Ganley as chef Alfredo prepares two signature pizzas, the margherita and the quattro formaggi. Get the recipes and watch an instructional video in this week's 'In the Kitchen.'

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Big Pass, also known as Big Sarasota Pass, has never been dredged.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 4, 2013
Big Pass dredge plans on SKA agenda

Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Sarasota will present plans to renourish Lido Beach to Siesta Key Association members Thursday, Dec. 5.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Paint the town red and green

This year, we won't just be on the lookout for the most festive holiday lights on the Key. We'll be on the prowl for anything that embodies the happiness of the holidays with our new 'Spirit of the Season' contest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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