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Your Observer

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce President Cheryl Gaddie presented Russell Matthes and Troy Syprett, co-owners of the Daiquiri Deck, the award for Large Business of the Year.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: January, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Brothers Martin Gramatica and Santiago Gramatica stand in front of the panels that will be used to build three homes for underprivileged families in Haiti. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 22, 2011
TOP STORY, JAN.: Brotherly Love

The well-known former Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Martin Gramatica and his placekicking brothers chose Sarasota to start their green building business, which has just secured a deal to provide housing to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
County government offices to be closed for holidays

Most Sarasota County government offices and services, including libraries, the History Center and recreation centers, will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2011
SCORES: Mustangs post impressive showing at Southside Duals

The Lakewood Ranch High varsity wrestling team finished 6-1 at the Southside Duals Dec. 16-17 at Dixie Hollins High.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2011
SCORES: FBU Central Florida All-Stars to play in National Champinship

The FBU Central Florida All-Star team defeated the FBU Charlotte, N.C. All-Stars 27-7 Dec. 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2011
SCORES: MMS registration upcoming

The Miss Manatee Softball League will host registration for its upcoming spring season from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 11 and 20 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 14 and 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2011
SCORES: Braden River tops Port Charlotte

The Braden River High boys soccer team defeated Port Charlotte Dec. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vocalist Ozanda Gray performed in the "Sounds of Music" concert in January at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: January, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
BEST OF COPS 2011: East County

Since the East County Observer launched Cops' Corner in August 1999, it has consistently been one of the most beloved features in the paper. It seems readers never tire of reading about what kind of mischief is happening in our community.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
This August 1997 aerial of the north end of Longboat Key was taken just months after a 1996 interim beach renourishment project was completed. Photos courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
TOP STORY, JAN.: Beach project in limbo

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis wants direction on how the town should move forward with renourishing its beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Margaret Brading and Sue Ford
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
British Club celebrates X-Mas

The Sarasota British Club held its annual Christmas dinner party Saturday, Dec. 17, at Heritage Oaks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bea Dunayer with Jacob Baram. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Temple gets into the Hanukkah spirit

Temple Emanu-El Religious School caught the Hanukkah spirit Sunday, Dec. 11 at a school-wide campus celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Church of the Redeemer welcomes home college kids

Church of the Redeemer's College Ministry held a special 'welcome home' coffee time after services, Sunday, Dec. 18, inside Gillespie Hall. The Rev. Fred Robinson had each student come up as he read some information about each student's major and school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Y.E.S. member Brit Fjoerdsma. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YMCA members say 'yes' to fun

The senior members of the Evalyn Sadlier Jones branch of the Sarasota YMCA have a new program tailored to suit them: Youthful Energetic Seniors - or Y.E.S., for short.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
Main Street project price tag: $14 million

Main Street merchants have both sticker shock and construction shock over preliminary cost options for a Main Street project that could cost as much as $14 million and take years to complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The gas valve removed from one homeowner’s front yard light shows corrosion that he said could have led to a natural-gas leak.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
Hamptons homeowner wins lawsuit

After a two-year lawsuit, one resident of The Hamptons was granted the right to switch to electric-powered street lamps.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Planning Commission seats to be filled

One of the Sarasota County Commission's most important advisory boards has three open seats that the commission will fill in January.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune is located at 1741 Main St. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 22, 2011
FULL STORY: Herald-Tribune, sister papers, to be sold

The newspaper, which won a Pulitzer Prize in April and has been owned by the New York Times for nearly 30 years, will get new owners. Changes could be forthcoming.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
Planning Board approves P.F. Chang's

A P.F. Chang's China Bistro is coming to downtown Sarasota after the Planning Board approved its application Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
Advisory board recommends downtown grants stay in place

Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board believes downtown grants need more time to catch on before they are rescinded.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Full-time condo residents on the Key are fretful about a Citizens Property Insurance proposal that might scare away owners who rent out their units. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Citizens' proposal alarms Key condominium owners

The Siesta Key Condominium Association assembled its annual team of judges Dec. 16, to pick the best condo decorations on the Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Siesta Dunes, at 6200 Midnight Pass Road, offers a feast of holiday lights for residents and passersby. Its decorations wowed the judges, too, during the annual Siesta Key Condominium Association Condo Lighting Contest.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Condo complexes gleam for the season

The Siesta Key Condominium Association assembled its annual team of judges Dec. 16, to pick the best condo decorations on the Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The cast and crew kept a low profile in Davidson’s Plaza while filming scenes for “Free Ride.” Photo by Lourdes Ramirez.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Film company may get $50,000 rebate

An independent movie company may be eligible for a maximum $50,000 reimbursement for location filming.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
News Briefs

County doesn't object to term-limits case request; Residents warned about seasonal scams; County offering discounts on classes

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Carolyn Bistline took this photo of the sun setting in the Gulf of Mexico.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Weekly Weather: That Glowing Golden Orb

Carolyn Bistline took this photo of the sun setting in the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A new option for Midnight Pass Road, unveiled during the Florida Department of Transportation meeting on the Key, shows a painted crosswalk with a “paddle sign” cautioning drivers to be alert for pedestrians.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
County suggests pedestrian safety option

The County Commission supports the Siesta Key Condominium Association in seeking painted crosswalks on Midnight Pass Road without warning signs in the middle of them.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
News Briefs

City administration offices closed for holidays

  • Sarasota
  • News
New County Administrator Randall Reid will begin work Jan. 23. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Sarasota finalizes contract for new administrator

County Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson Dec. 15 signed the formal contract with Randall H. Reid of Gainesville, making him the new county administrator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kathy Oarr, president of The American Association of University Women, said the group voted unanimously to donate to the Season of Sharing.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
SEASON OF SHARING: The American Association of University Women

Every year around the holidays, approximately 120 members of The American Association of University Women gather for their holiday luncheon, when they pass a Christmas stocking from table to table to take a collection for charity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
The Observer sends letters to Santa

During the Southside Village Holiday Stroll, the Sarasota Observer collected letters to Santa from all the good boys and girls. After being printed, these will sent to the North Pole.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Victor Fernandez began teaching at Booker Middle School in 2010. He also conducts the Sarasota Youth Orchestra.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
Fernandez honored as middle school Teacher of the Year

The Sarasota County School Board surprised three teachers as finalists for its district Teacher of the Year competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
St. John jacket
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
New Goodwill Boutique offers Armani, Burberry and Coach

The Goodwill Boutique opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Dec. 9, at 5831 Derek Ave.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie Maloni submitted this sunset photo, taken on Crescent Beach on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Cool Today Winner: Peeking Through

Julie Maloni submitted this sunset photo, taken on Crescent Beach on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 1410 S. Lake Shore Drive, in Nokomis, has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,803 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.27 million. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 22, 2011
Casey Cove Drive home sells for $1,705,000

Stephen Miley and Mary Guyton sold their home at 929 Casey Cove Drive to Steven and Deborah Grossman, Nokomis, for $1,705,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Cazley Financing Solutions names new CFO; Stella's Groove boutique launches new website; Women's Council holds its 2011 awards program; Law firm celebrates 35th anniversary

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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