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Your Observer

Longboat Key resident Phyllis Ploener brought her Longboat Observer along while sightseeing with her granddaughter, Bess Anne Ploener, in London.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
It's Read Everywhere

Longboat Key resident Phyllis Ploener brought her Longboat Observer along while sightseeing with her granddaughter, Bess Anne Ploener, in London.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
File photo. Unit 156 at Grand Bay has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,781 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.25 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 4, 2013
Grand Bay condo sells for $1.25 million

Sand-Ral Inc. sold the Unit 156 condominium at 3060 Grand Bay Blvd. to Costello Family Ltd. Partnership for $1.25 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Beth Brewer submitted this photo of her daughter, Marjorie, doing a yoga pose at sunset. The Brewer family was in town for Thanksgiving to visit Virginia Sanders, Beth’s mom and Marjorie’s grandmother.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Weather: Longboat Key

Beth Brewer submitted this photo of her daughter, Marjorie, doing a yoga pose at sunset. The Brewer family was in town for Thanksgiving to visit Virginia Sanders, Beth's mom and Marjorie's grandmother.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. The Rev. Steve Price, co-pastor of Harvest United Methodist Church, made his television debut Nov. 26, as a contestant on "Wheel of Fortune."
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 4, 2013
The 'Price' is Right

'Wheel of Fortune' welcomes Steve Price, of United Harvest Methodist Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Riverdale Revised home, which has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,302 square feet of living area, sold for $620,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 4, 2013
Riverdale home tops sales at $620,000

Marie Pyne, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 4625 Shark Drive to Paul and Susan Genello, of Bradenton, for $620,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
"New Pass Fisherman" by William Hartman depicts Byrd's bait shop, a great spot to grab a burger in the 1950s and the New Pass Grill's predecessor.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 4, 2013
Inherited identity

Florida life impacted the work of Sarasota painters William Hartman, Larry Stults and Wilfrid Berg. The influence lives on in their descendants, who decided to feature their elders' work in an exhibit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University Park resident Mary Nell Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken near Cortez.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2013
Weather: East County

University Park resident Mary Nell Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken near Cortez.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police decide how to remove the beige Infiniti from the bank of Hudson Bayou.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 4, 2013
UPDATE: Woman drives car into Hudson Bayou

A woman began driving erratically and drove into the waterway in front of Sarasota High School after 1 p.m. today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tana Sandefur
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Downton Abbey Dinner

On Friday, Jan. 3, Cafe L'Europe and WEDU invited guests to don their finest furs and sparkling jewels for dinner, cocktails and entertainment all inspired by the hit show, Downton Abbey.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rina Auellandeda and Steve Padgett
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 3, 2013
HospitaBull Evening

HospitaBull Evening

  • Black Tie
Stan and co-chair Alma Abshier
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 3, 2013
29th annual Poinsettia Luncheon

29th annual Poinsettia Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Marty Haberer, of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, stands next to the tree.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Selby Garden's bromeliad tree lighting

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens opened the holiday season with the lighting of its bromeliad tree Tuesday, Dec. 3. The 20-foot tree consists of 600 bromeliads and was designed by Bob McComb. The night is the prelude for Selby's highly anticipated Lights in Bloom.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 3, 2013
The Good News: Megan Wenger

As community engagement coordinator for Community Youth Development, Megan Wenger says she enjoys the opportunity to interact with some of the city's most involved and promising students.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Hannah Weinberg and Anita Cohen add gifts they brought for children in need to a table full of donated toys.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Frosty Frolic

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the festive Frosty Frolic brought the Women's 18-Hole Golf Association and the Key Niners together for lunch at the Harbourside clubhouse.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota-Bradenton will be the first region in the United States to host a pentathlon world cup final.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 3, 2013
Sarasota-Bradenton lands world pentathlon events

Today, the Pentathlon International Federation chose Sarasota-Bradenton to host four major pentathlon events.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town meetings take place at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 3, 2013
Voters will decide ZBA's future

A referenda question on the town's March 25 ballot will determine whether the commission can dissolve the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Golden Spoon Awards are featured in Florida Trend's December issue.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 3, 2013
Local restaurants win Golden Spoon awards

Florida Trend magazine honored 14 Sarasota and Manatee county restaurants in its December issue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chabad President and event organizer Dr. Barry Stein hangs a sign.
  • By The CHABAD of Sarasota
  • December 3, 2013
Photo Gallery: Taste of Hanukkah

Members of the Jewish community celebrated Hanukkah Sunday, Dec. 1, during the Taste of Hanunkkah event held at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. This year's event featured the first highwire Hanukkah celebration when the Wallenda family helped light a menorah in midair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Six kittens that were born on Longboat Key are in need of a loving home. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 3, 2013
Socialized feral kittens seek loving home

Six kittens rescued on Longboat Key are now 11 weeks old and available for adoption.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 3, 2013
Sea of Strengths Academy to host film screening

The Sea of Strengths Academy will host a viewing of the documentary Dislecksia: The Movie, at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7., at Burns Court Cinema.

  • Arts + Culture
The video reached a potential audience of eight million viewers and depicted the county’s unique Amish community.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 3, 2013
Visit Sarasota County honored for coverage of Amish

Visit Sarasota County will be honored for their video entitled "Amish Las Vegas" that was featured on the Today Show's website.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Association board member Peter van Roekens, who started the Adopt-A-Road pickup in 2003, with first timer Marilyn Romanus.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 3, 2013
Siesta Key cleanup volunteers bag record event

The Siesta Key Association/Siesta Key Village Association Adopt-A-Road pickup netted the best ever turnout of 24 volunteers and 32 bags of trash.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Commissioners also voted to fund the legal defense of Commissioner Susan Chapman for another 3 months in a Government-in-the-Sunshine lawsuit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 3, 2013
City Commission seeks to increase downtown activity

During a busy meeting, commissioners expanded the city's sidewalk cafe regulations, delayed paid parking at the Palm Avenue garage and placed a moratorium on events at St. Armands Circle Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County and city officials discussed Sunshine laws, Sarasota 2050 and term limits during a Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce event.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 2, 2013
Term limits and Sunshine highlight Chamber luncheon

Three leaders of local municipalities introduce themselves to the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce during Engage Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Through Dec. 6, residents can respond to a 16-question survey regarding their views of the downtown area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 2, 2013
Sarasota holds survey on downtown business mix

Over the next week, the city of Sarasota is holding a survey as part of a market study to determine the optimal retail mix for the downtown area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tropical Storm Andrea brought flooding to many north-end side streets. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 2, 2013
Quiet hurricane season comes to an end

The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season brought 13 named storms, just one of which made landfall in the United States.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioners will establish the election date for the municipal election on second reading as March 25, 2014.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 2, 2013
Commission considers dissolving ZBA

Commissioners will also consider an ordinance that will allow a 13-day early voting period, that would begin Monday, March 10 and run through Saturday, March 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Each of the suspects face four counts of armed burglary and one county of attempted armed burglary
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 2, 2013
Two arrested for burglarizing storage facility

Two men were arrested Sunday night after stealing items from a storage facility in East County.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River’s Callista Marquette controls the ball during her team’s 4-4 tie versus the Lakewood Ranch Chargers Nov. 30.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: BRSC Thanksgiving Tournament

The Braden River Soccer Club hosted its Thanksgiving Tournament Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Dozens of boys and girls teams, ranging in age from U9 to U17, participated in the event.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Memorial Cricket Club from Houston, Texas brought home a win in the final.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: 2013 Six-A-Side Festival

Fifteen cricket teams from around the world competed in the 20th annual Six-A-Side Festival Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 at the Sarasota International Cricket Club in Lakewood Ranch. The Memorial Cricket Club from Houston, Texas defeated a team from the Cayman Islands in the Dec. 1 final.

  • East County
  • Sports
Linda Kuck, Donna Dubiel and Susie Wills with Wally and Pam Smith
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chapel Advent Dinner

Members of the Siesta Key Chapel celebrated Advent Sunday with a potluck dinner, Sunday, Dec. 1. After the dinner, members sang Christmas carols and decorated the chapel's Christmas tree with handmade chrismons.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Rene Brent, Kelly Eversole, and David Newell show off their medals after crossing the finish line.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: SAL Half Marathon on Palmer Ranch

The fourth annual Sarasota SAL Half Marathon of Palmer Ranch took place this morning Sunday, Dec. 1. Runners enjoyed the cool, foggy weather while running through Palmer Ranch neighborhoods. The marathon benefited the Sarasota Sheriff's Activity League, a non-profit organization that helps local children stay active.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stephanie and Jonathan Parker with daugthers Charlotte and Elizabeth Parker
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • November 30, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: 2013 Light Up the Village Parade

Siesta Key celebrated the holidays with the 2013 Light Up the Village Parade Saturday, Nov. 30. At sundown, local businesses and organizations paraded along Ocean Boulevard. Afterward, children met Santa and had their 29th year, marks the beginning of the holiday season.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
On Saturday, Nov. 30, Julia and Brandon Yu pose with Gilly the Shark.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • November 30, 2013
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Santa Jaws is Back!

Every Saturday until Dec. 21, visitors of the Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory can take pictures with their seasonally-dressed mascot from noon to 2 p.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aiden and Garet Pearson with Rebekah Steinbach
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • November 29, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El's Hanukkah Dinner

Temple Emanu-El's Religious School held a Hanukkah dinner Friday, Nov. 29. The evening benefited the temple's school and included food made by temple families. As a part of the celebration, students were invited to display their handmade menorahs during the meal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 29, 2013
City Commission to consider St. Armands event moratorium

Landowners and residents on St. Armands Circle have requested a moratorium on events held at St. Armands Circle Park during the 2014 peak tourist season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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A car carrier operator unloads a Corvette on Bay Isles Road, the town of Longboat Key’s designated dropoff and pickup area for car carriers.
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