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Your Observer

    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Santa Letters

During the Siesta Key Light up the Village event, the Sarasota Observer asked children to submit their letters to Santa. After publication, Observer staffers will pass the letters on to the North Pole, where Santa Claus will evaluate them with his "Naughty and Nice" list.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 20, 2012
Mustangs gearing up for Duals

The Lakewood Ranch High wrestling team will host its 3rd Annual Kiwanis Classic Mustang Duals at The Ranch Jan. 5.

  • East County
  • Sports
This home at 1500 N. Drive has four bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 3,571 square feet of living area. It sold for $3,275,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 20, 2012
Cherokee Park home sells for $3,275,000

A home in Cherokee Park tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Randolph and Isabel Norton, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1500 N. Drive to Marcia Litton, trustee, of Fort Wayne, Ind., for $3,275,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Join Emily Walsh for the Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 19, 2012
Dec. 19: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Group plans tar-and-feather Walmart protest; District buys land for future stations; Workers group protests Publix; and Horseshoe Cove parades holiday cheer

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The plane was pulled out of the water with the help of Sea Tow, The Sarasota Police and Beach Patrol. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 19, 2012
Plane crashes off Lido Key

The single occupant was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Surveillance cameras caught three vandals ripping out Christmas lights, throwing decorations on the ground and stealing the favored Santa Pig that has helped the condominium win a number of awards at The Siesta Key Condo Council Lighting Contest.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 19, 2012
Beachaven Condominiums report vandalism

According to a press release by the Beachaven Association, three vandals destroyed $7,000 worth Christmas decorations and property 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2012
Carol Probstfeld to continue as State College of Florida interim president

State College of Florida District Board of Trustees asked Dr. Carol Probstfeld to continue as interim president at a Dec. 18 meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Patrick Sanders has dressed as Johnny Appleseed in the past as well. He has been telling the Polar Express story dressed as a conductor for five years.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : The Polar Express visits Phillippi Shores Kindergarteners

Phillippi Shores kindergartners listened to Patrick Sanders retell the Polar Express story Wednesday, Dec. 19 at the media center. Sanders dressed as the conductor and put his own twist on the story for the children. He first dressed as the conductor five years ago when his older grandson was in kindergarten. Today he continues to tell the story but now to his younger grandson's class. 'This is the best part of my Christmas,' Sanders said. 'Just watching the kids faces is the best part.' The seven kindergarten classes at Phillippi Shores listened with bright wide eyes to the conductor's tale of his first trip to the North Pole. Sanders is scheduled to retell the story at 5 other schools, Barnes & Noble and a nursing home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2012
Horseshoe Cove parades holiday cheer

Residents of Horseshoe Cove took their holiday cheer to the streets Dec. 18, as they participated in the community's 14th annual Golf Cart Parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chelsea Ball practices the violin right before the concert.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Out - of - Door Academy Fourth and Fifth Graders Strum Seasonal Songs

The fourth and fifth graders at Out - of - Door Academy played a variety of holiday songs Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the school cafeteria for parents and teachers. Over 100 students played instruments and sang songs like Carol of the Bells and Jingle Bells. The students have been practicing playing their instruments since September. 'It gives all of the kids a goal and they get excited about practicing and sharing their music,' said Orchestra Director Dr. Linda Vasilaki. 'This is the first night many of the students are playing music together, it's a spring board to the next level.' A few seniors from Out - of - Door Academy High School came to conduct and play with the younger children.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Byron Teates
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2012
District buys land for future stations

East Manatee Fire Rescue closed on two parcels of land Dec. 14.

  • East County
  • News
Dick Vitale hosted 12 members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County in his home.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2012
'It's yours, baby!' Dick Vitale hosts Boys & Girls Club Party

Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County opened gifts and learned life lessons, while Dick Vitale and his family sang Christmas carols.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2012
FDOT begins improvements to State Road 70

The Florida Department of Transportation expects the resurfacing project to be finished in spring 2013.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2012
S.T.E.M. grant falls short

Manatee County's $28.7 million grant request placed 22nd nationally.

  • East County
  • News
"I love candy canes," says Steve Hensell, who relishes his time as Santa. "I pass them out to every kid I see."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2012
Santa Claus brings cheer to East County schools

Steve Hensell is the face of Santa to Manatee County school children.

  • East County
  • News
Students, faculty and administrators surprised Nolan Middle School teacher Carrie Rainwater with the news she had been named a district finalist for the Outstanding EdVantage Educator of the Year award.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2012
District honors its best

Nolan Middle School science teacher Carrie Rainwater is one of four finalists in the district for the Outstanding EdVantage Educator of the Year award.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
News Briefs

Manatee County holiday closures and trash collection schedule; Atlanta homebuilder buys sites in east Manatee

  • East County
  • News
A 9-year-old at Sea of Strengths Academy, Max Collado suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and post-traumatic stress.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2012
Local support group helps families with ADHD

Max Collado and his mother, Alexandra, fight ADHD together.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
The Braden River High girls basketball team has taken a new approach to the game this season — focusing solely on playing together as a team, in hopes of making a name for itself and reaching the postseason for the first time.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2012
Team Unity: Braden River High girls basketball

The Braden River High girls basketball team won six of its first seven games this season and now has its sights set on making a name for itself as one of the top teams in Class 7A-District 11.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2012
Dominant Defender: Amanda Baar

Lakewood Ranch High senior defender Amanda Baar has helped lead the Lady Mustangs to a 12-1 record, including seven shutouts, so far this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
JUST THE STATS

4 - Number of players who scored goals in the Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team's 5-0 victory over Venice Dec. 10.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Elise Spiller

Lakewood Ranch High freshman Elise Spiller scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Lady Mustangs to a 42-30 victory over Palmetto in their Class 6A-District 12 opener Dec. 7. The 14-year-old guard has helped lead Lakewood to a 6-2 start this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
SIDELINES

Riley-Hawkins wins Memorial Tournament; Cardinal Mooney tames Braden River with victory; Lady Pirates ride six-game streak; Lady Mustangs draw even with Lady Indians; Mustangs boys soccer blanks Venice Indians

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 19, 2012
March election date changes

The town of Longboat Key will hold its municipal election March 12 with one week of early voting at Town Hall the week before.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The news came after the Longboat Key Town Commission held an executive session with Bullock and the town labor attorney Dec. 14, to discuss a an agreed upon contract.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 19, 2012
Firefighter contract receives support

The town of Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Fire Rescue union have agreed to consider a contract for ratification.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Protesters gathered near Publix along Gulf of Mexico Drive Sunday afternoon for approximately two hours. Photos courtesy of Rabbi Jonathan Katz.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 19, 2012
Workers group protests Publix

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers wants Publix to pay tomato pickers an extra penny per pound.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 19, 2012
Season of Sharing donations continue to grow this year

As the campaign comes to a close, contributions are still coming in, but donations are slightly behind last year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Courtesy rendering
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
Our View: The story behind His birth

Children love to hear their grandparents and parents recount the details of whence their family came, the genealogy of who they are, how they came about and why they are.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 19, 2012
Fire contract expenses: $120,000 and counting

Town Manager Dave Bullock is using a labor attorney and communications firm in his quest to get a firefighter union contract approved.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 19, 2012
Temperatures, octopi net stone-crab season lull

Recently, stone-crab season hasn't been all it's cracked up to be due to warm water temperatures and an increase in predators.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Joan Sinder, the first customer to walk through the doors of the new Publix, put bread in her cart before stocking up on orange juice.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 19, 2012
New Publix registers with shoppers

Customers lined up early Thursday morning as they waited for the supermarket's automatic doors to open and see what was in store.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
News Briefs

Fire Department receives top marks; Rats discovered at Town Hall; Holiday schedule

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key police and firefighters responded to assist 25 Cuban refugees early Dec. 21, 2006. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 19, 2012
DEC. 18, 2006: 'Bienvenidos a Longboat'

Six years ago, 25 Cuban refugees got their first glimpse of America when they landed on Beer Can Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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