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Your Observer

People wrote their wishes on different colored ribbons and tied their wishes for the holiday season and the new-year to the “Wishing Tree”, also known as the Bo tree, Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom

Hundreds of people attended the opening night of Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec.15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Annually, the gardens transform at night into beautiful garden light displays featuring larger than-life-sized butterflies, tree frogs, dragonflies and flowers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jeaneen Wirries and Maria Wirries
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 16, 2012
JFCS Annual Gala - Magical Moments

JFCS Annual Gala - Magical Moments

  • Black Tie
Ron Bognar sells elk antlers for dogs to chew. The antlers are rich in minerals, don’t splinter like cooked bones, and are great for dogteeth and gums.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Siesta Key Farmers Market

The Siesta Key Farmers Market is held every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Siesta Key Village. Vendors sell anything from vegetables to chocolates to jellies and organic soaps. Many products are locally grown and made while some are imported from abroad. The market is expected to grow after the holidays.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Volunteers laid wreaths at the Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Volunteers honor veterans with holiday wreaths at Sarasota National Cemetery

Volunteers and the Sarasota Military Academy laid holiday wreaths on all 5,170 graves Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Sarasota Military Academy students sold wreaths during the school year to raise money to buy enough wreaths for each grave. 'We all get to see our families for Christmas and these fallen heroes did more than we know,' said Sarasota Military Academy Sergeant Major Christopher Conlon. 'No fallen hero should go without a wreath on their headstone.' About 60 bikes from the Patriot Guard and other motorcycles escorted a semi truck with the wreaths into the cemetery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jensen Dieckman, 2, gives his sister Esmée, 6, a kiss at the ice skating rink.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Snow Fest Sarasota spreads cheer and snow

Snow Fest Sarasota welcomed parents and children opening night Friday, Dec. 14 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Children can make snowballs, sled down snow slides, see Santa, and play games through Sunday, Dec. 23. Esmee Dieckman, 6, ice-skated and Johanna Post made her first snowman at the Sarasota Snow Fest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rudy Carter dressed up as Santa Claus.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Bay Haven Elementary first graders sing holiday songs

First graders at Bay Haven Elementary performed for parents on the front steps Friday, Dec. 14, at the school. Six classes with over 100 first graders practiced for two weeks to sing holiday songs for their parents and teachers. 'The parents are very involved, we are very fortunate that way,' said Principal Betsy Asheim. 'The teachers are phenomenal and draw out the best in the kids.' Children used props and some dressed up in holiday costumes bringing the spirit of the holidays to life.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Grant Barrett, 16 and Sierra Civin, 17, both of Port Charlotte High School, work together during the Iron Chef competition. Their teacher Chef Ron Westrom gave them baker’s shirts to wear to look more professional at the competition.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: CYD's 4th Annual Gingerbread Festival and Iron Chef Competition

Community Youth Development, CYD, held two gingerbread house Iron Chef Competitions Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Potter Building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anabella Recanatesi
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 16, 2012
The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

  • Black Tie
Annie Lowenthal and Gertrude Margolick
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Cocktails at Sarasota Bay Club

Residents of the Sarasota Bay Club rang in the holiday season Thursday, Dec. 13 with a festive cocktail hour. Guests exchanged season's greetings, listened to live Christmas music and enjoyed cocktails.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alan Adler and Gloria Long with Gladys and Stanley Shapiro
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Seaplace Holiday Party

The Seaplace Condo Association held its annual holiday party Wednesday, Dec. 12. Members enjoyed refreshments and good company.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Reading Buddies Party

About 90 children from the 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton visited their reading buddies Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Christ Church of Longboat Key. The children delighted the parishioners with poems and Christmas carols, then enjoyed refreshments and a visit from Santa, played by Andy Rauch in the fellowship hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, portrayed by Whitney Kitchens, Carlos Motta and Hudson Drake.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Living Nativity

Members of The Tabernacle Church are bringing the Christmas story to life with performances of "The Living Nativity" at 7 and 8 p.m. Dec. 13 through Dec. 16.

  • East County
  • News
Kayla Wackerbauer, Wesly Viquerat and Julia Reed sang with gusto.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Twas One Crazy Night'

Third-grade students at Willis Elementary School celebrated the holiday spirit with their performance of '"Twas One Crazy Night Before Christmas,' Dec. 13.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Waechter donated 2.2 acres to The Pines Foundation, sale proceeds from which will benefit the Sarasota organization.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 14, 2012
Waechter suspected in identity theft

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office today charged Sarasota County Planning Commissioner Bob Waechter, a Siesta Key Association board member, with identity theft.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 14, 2012
Dec. 14: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Police warn of rental agent scam; County mulls maintaining Midnight Pass Road; Weekend Best Bets; and Popcorn Bob's Movie Magic

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Audra Mullins shows off her passport.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Holidays Around the World

The second-grade students at Tuttle Elementary are traveling the world to learn what different countries do during the holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
From left, Gopi Chari, Zan Benham, Frannie Hoffman and David Cooper represented the four anchors of the four directions of the mandala.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 12.12.12 Sands of the World Mandala ceremony

Hundreds of people made their way out to South Lido Beach State Park Wednesday, Dec. 12, to take part in the 12.12.12 Sands of the World Mandala ceremony.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 14, 2012
Haile Middle wins cross-country championship

The Haile Middle School girls cross-country team scored 19 points to win the Manatee County Middle School Cross Country Championships Dec. 8, at G.T. Bray Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 14, 2012
Hammer Tree wins division championship

The Miss Manatee Softball Hammer Tree Care team won the 12U division championship Dec. 8.

  • East County
  • Sports
Colson Engelberger, Paige Lewandrowski and Hayley Rejtek doled out soup.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Empty Bowls

Braden River Middle School's Empty Bowls luncheon Dec. 13 raised more than $700 for Our Daily Bread.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 14, 2012
WEEKEND BEST BET: Lighted Boat Parade

The Cortez Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade begins tomorrow near Mar Vista and Moore's.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue has helped maintain insurance policy credits for Key residents.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 14, 2012
Fire Department receives top marks

Longboat Key Fire Rescue has received top marks from an insurance organization that allows Key residents to get insurance policy credits.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Guests can enjoy pictures with Santa, while at the event. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 14, 2012
WEEKEND BEST BET: Holidays Around the Ranch

This weekend's event has become an annual tradition for East County families.

  • East County
  • News
The Siesta Key Association has supported lowering the speed limit on Midnight Pass Road, which is currently maintained by the state.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 14, 2012
County mulls maintaining Midnight Pass Road

Sarasota County may take ownership of Midnight Pass Road from the Siesta Key north bridge to Stickney Point bridge from the Florida Department of Transportation.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Join Emily Walsh for the Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 13, 2012
Dec. 13: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Commission reviews dog beach report; Commissioners approve Siesta Key beach project; East County resident takes trip in dream car and Crafty Genes: Thank you cards

  • Longboat Key
  • News
It is recommended that prior to reaching a rental agreement that potential renters verify that the party renting to them is a reputable agent or owner and never give cash as a deposit.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 13, 2012
Police warn of rental agent scam

After giving a cash deposit victim finds that the lock on the door had been changed, and that the house had not been for rent.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tony Souza and his wife Elsie at a 2009 event.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 13, 2012
Tony Souza elected chairman of the DSA

Souza, a downtown realtor, replaces outgoing chair John Harshman.

  • Sarasota
  • News
According to Manatee County School Board Attorney John Bowen, the firm billed the district $39,000 as of Nov. 8, some for activities they shouldn't have participated in.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 13, 2012
Manatee County schools question Trenam Kemker billing

According to Manatee County School Board Attorney John Bowen, Trenam Kemker is billing beyond the scope of its work.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Bob Leibold and Jamie Overmiller enjoy their Orange Leaf Yogurt Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Breakfast with a BANG.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: SCC's Breakfast with a BANG at Orange Leaf Yogurt

The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce held their Breakfast with a Bang networking event Thursday, Dec. 13, at Orange Leaf Yogurt. Those who attended enjoyed breakfast from Chick-fil-A.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The first customers at the new Longboat Key Publix head through the doors at 8 a.m.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Publix opens

Longboat Key's long-awaited Publix opened at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, with a ribbon-cutting, give-aways and prizes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
East County youth take center stage in 'Nutcracker' performance

East County youth Kristina Schmidt will help bring the story of "The Nutcracker" to life, as she takes a lead role in the Diane Partington Studio of Classical Ballet's "The Nutcracker" this weekend.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Nate's Place re-opens

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue celebrated the soft opening of its renovated Nate's Place adoption center Dec. 1, in The Shoppes at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pictured from left: Vicki Paoli, Renee Litzenberger, Leah McElroy, Bonnie Pinkerton, Amy Holland, Becky Ivko and Tami Uphaus. Mirian Yero was present, but is not pictured.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Shoebox sensation for Meals on Wheels

Members of The Blah-Blah Sisterhood gathered Dec. 4 at the home of Tami Uphaus with empty shoeboxes and goodies in hand.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
BRE parade celebrates character

Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Braden River Elementary School used costumes to share character traits of responsibility, courage, citizenship and others, during the school's Character Trait Parade Dec. 7.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
Braden River wins radio contest

Braden River High School won the 93.3 FLZ Jingle Ball Contest, after students and staff voted every day for two weeks.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2012
SGA drive proves 'angelic'

For the seventh year, the Lakewood Ranch High School Student Government Association hosted the Salvation Army Angel Tree.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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