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Your Observer

George Rauch, Longboat Key, is chief executive officer of Bradenton-based General Propeller and a former Wall Street investment banker.
  • By George Rauch
  • December 5, 2012
Market Watch: Curb your appetite for high returns

Returns from the stock-and-bond markets aren't what they used to be. Today, we are mired in an economy going nowhere, which provides limited investment opportunities because of the twin government sins of excess spending and overhanging future tax increases.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Betty Lupacchino-Goree submitted this sunset photo, taken on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Betty Lupacchino-Goree submitted this sunset photo, taken on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2012
Sports Scores: Soccer

SMA girls soccer posts shutout; Cardinal Mooney beats Bishop Verot; ODA blanks Bradenton Christian and Southeast; ODA tops Canterbury School

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 5, 2012
County hires CSDC Systems, pays settlement for copyright infringement

Sarasota County commissioners approved a $200,000 legal settlement, and a $2.6 million contract with a tech firm for an IT upgrade.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 4, 2012
Sarasota International Dance Festival: A Chance to Dance

Sarasota International Dance Festival: A Chance to Dance

  • Black Tie
Martin Juhn and Gloria McMuster Juhn
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 4, 2012
28th Annual Poinsettia Opera Luncheon

28th Annual Poinsettia Opera Luncheon

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2012
Obituary: Norma Vlahides

Norma Vlahides, 75, of Longboat Key, died Nov. 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2012
Obituary: Sue Mallick

Sue Mallick, 90, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died Nov. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2012
Obituary: Elizabeth Anne 'Betty' Beckmeyer

Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Beckmeyer, 78, of Longboat Key and Fort Thomas, Ky., died Dec. 2. She was a homemaker.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lynn Chancer and Kay Aidlin
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Friends of the Sarasota Ballet Luncheon

Members of the Friends of the Sarasota Ballet gathered Monday, Dec. 3 at Michael's on East for their regular luncheon. Members enjoyed a social period before a meal. Special guest Linda Maybarduk-Alguire signed copies of her book.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the daily headlines
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 4, 2012
Dec. 4: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Lido Regency residents evacuated due to fire; Town attorney submits resignation letter; DUI pursuit ends in crash; Commissioners ease downtown parking restrictions

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Organizers of the tribute pose before the memorial begins.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Jay B. Starker Tribute

Members of the Sarasota arts community gathered Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Southgate Community Center to honor the life and art of Jay B. Starker, a noted artist and musician, who operated a shop in Sarasota since 1960. In addition to creating jewelry, paintings and poetry, Starker hosted a group of musicians, known as the Gathering of Exiles, who performed international music at his shop. The tribute displayed many photos of Starker, who died this July, as well as works of his art and recordings of his music, and members of the Gathering of Exiles performed music in his honor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 4, 2012
Sports Scores: Basketball

Cougars tame Falcons; SMA tops Venice Christian; Riverview breezes past North Port; Lady Cougars hold Lady Falcons to two buckets

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
According to Sarasota Fire Department spokesperson Susan Pearson, eight Sarasota firefighters have been sent to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for possible chemical exposure and respiratory problems.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 4, 2012
Lido Key condo evacuated for fire

Chemicals and oxygen tanks found in a 12th floor Lido Key condominium forced the evacuation of approximately 40 residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota’s Anthony Hardy-Bear, No. 21, guards Riverview’s Austin Walker, No. 30.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota v. Riverview boys basketball

The Sarasota High School varsity boys basketball team played Riverview High School's team Monday, Dec. 3, at Sarasota High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unconditional Surrender was removed in April after a driver accidentally smashed into the base.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 4, 2012
Unconditional Surrender goes up

Work to re-install the sculpture is expected to be completed by Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2012
November Cool Today Monthly Weather Photo Contest Winner

Jocelyne Cloutier submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The vehicle drove off the road into the grass and continued eastbound for about three-tenths of a mile, before driving into a ditch and rolling onto its roof.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 4, 2012
DUI pursuit ends in crash

The suspect, Michelle Haddad, of Sarasota, was transported to Blake Medical Center as a trauma patient.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioners agreed to eliminate Saturday and evening parking enforcement downtown.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 4, 2012
Commissioners ease downtown parking restrictions

At their Monday meeting, Commissioners also postponed a decision on Laurel Park buffer zone.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town attorney David Persson called his resignation Monday night a decision "two years in the making."
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 4, 2012
Town attorney submits resignation letter

Town attorney David Persson has agreed to stay on as the town's legal counsel until June 30, 2013.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Join Alex Mahadevan and Emily Walsh for the daily headlines
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 4, 2012
Dec. 3: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: 'Unconditional Surrender' returns to Sarasota; Longboat Key commissioners address Longbeach Village concerns; Hurricane season spares Longboat; and Sarasota embraces holiday spirit

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Terry and Robyn Sullivan with Robert Stanton
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 3, 2012
Sonata a Due

Sonata a Due

  • Black Tie
Bonnie Sussman, Jane Glusman and Joanne Trachtenberg
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 3, 2012
Women's Day with Steve Guttenberg

Women's Day with Steve Guttenberg

  • Black Tie
Bonney Libman holds up Gourmet Lollypops from See’s Candy.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: TBI Holiday Happening

People visited took part in the Holiday Happening Sunday, Dec. 2, at Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alex Mooney puts the finishing ornaments on the Christmas tree at Siesta Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 2.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Chapel Advent Dinner and Decoration of the Christmas Tree

Siesta Chapel held an advent dinner Sunday, Dec. 2 to celebrate the holiday season and spend time with friends. After dinner children decorated the parish Christmas tree while Music Director Cynthia Roberts played Christmas songs on the organ. 'It's lovely seeing one generation pick up traditions that are so ancient,' said Pastor Kathi Wigggins. 'Its so different from our moment in history.' Once the children decorated the tree, the lights were turned off and Christmas tree shined bright. Parish members felt a strong Christmas presence as they sang Silent Night in unity.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Arlene Luisa gets pancakes after the 10:30 a.m. church service at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

The Knights of Columbus made sausage links, hash, blueberry and regular pancakes on Sunday, Dec. 2 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church for parish members. In addition to the pancakes the knights served juice, coffee, and donuts like they do every Sunday. The sweet smell of pancakes and syrup lured over 150 parish members to the breakfast after the church services.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Santa waves to the crowd from his sleigh Saturday, Dec. 1, during the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
  • By Nick Friedman and Rachel S. OHara
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Annual Downtown Holiday Parade

Thousands of people filled the sidewalks along Main Street Saturday, Dec. 1, for the Annual Downtown Holiday Parade.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club members decorated their yachts with Christmas lights for the ceremony.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bird Key Yacht Club Blessing of the Fleet

Bird Key Yacht Club held their Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 1 for members to celebrate the holiday season. Pastor Bill Hild from the First Baptist Church blessed the fleet and said a prayer with members. Over 200 people attended the ceremony, which has taken place for over 40 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carol Camiener and Sandra Rios
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Center for the Arts Celebrates 60 years

The Longboat Key Center for the Arts celebrated 60 years of creativity, culture and community on Friday, Nov. 30 at the center. In 1952 the center started as a vision amongst friends that has grown to be a respectable art center for the community. 'Creativity simply put is looking at something differently,' said Director Jane Buckman. Over 100 people attended the anniversary where they admired the art and enjoyed the evening with friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Runners and walkers begin the 5K.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: First Annual Everyday Blessings, Inc. Children's Home 5k Walk/Run

Everyday Blessings, Inc. held their First Annual Everyday Blessings, Inc. Children's Home 5k Walk/Run on Saturday, Dec. 1 on Siesta Beach with all proceeds going to the home. Everyday Blessings, Inc. is a children's home that is licensed to care for children up to 17 years of age. The organization aims to provide children with a safe and stable environment. They do this by keeping siblings together and providing a live in caregiver. The Sarasota location currently has 12 children with three live in caregivers. Every four children are assigned a caregiver who puts them to bed and fulfils the their needs. Over 50 people attended the 5K walk/run. 'We promote healthy lifestyles and good role models for the kids so a 5K fit with that,' said Executive Director Richard Stroud.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Parking concerns and restrictions in Longbeach Village will be discussed tonight at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 3, 2012
Commission discusses Village concerns tonight

The approval of a $40,000 renovation project for the town dock is also on tonight's agenda.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tropical Storm Debby brought heavy winds and rain in late June.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 3, 2012
Hurricane season spares Longboat

Tropical Storm Debby brought rains and wind, but spared the area of major damages.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Superstorm Sandy delayed the delivery of the damaged sculpture back to Sarasota. File photo.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 3, 2012
'Unconditional Surrender' returns to Sarasota

The installation will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, as a crane lifts the sculpture into place. Work will be complete by Friday, Dec. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 3, 2012
Siesta associations to meet this week

The Siesta Key Village Association will consider buying holiday lights, and Siesta Key Association members will hear about a new lost pet hotline.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Student leaders in Fellowship of Christian Athletes performed a drama to the song "Everything."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Talent Showcase

Students at Braden River High School wowed their friends and families Nov. 29, during the fifth annual Braden River's Got Talent showcase.

  • East County
  • News
It was the first time Jackson Hayward didn't cry while meeting Mrs. and Mr. Claus, portrayed by Jeanne and John Larranaga.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Santa Sighting

Families in the Heritage Harbour community got into the holiday spirit Dec. 1, as they enjoyed a Breakfast with Santa event at the Stoneybrook Rec Center.

  • East County
  • News
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