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Your Observer

Cathy Aldrich, Mary Brugger, Connie McManus and Sue Hargis Spigel
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Mote Volunteer Holiday Party

It's not just the penguins that made Mote look like the North Pole on Thursday, Dec. 15. The Aquarium was filled with a sea of volunteers for a holiday dinner in thanks for the work they do.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mark Beck and Saul Steinguard
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Promenade Holiday Party

The Promenade Residents were gathered in the lobby for the manager's annual holiday get together on Dec. 16. They sipped on egg nog - with all the fixings - and warm cider while they enjoyed each other's company.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
We received a surprise visit this afternoon from the Girls Inc. of Sarasota County!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2011
AUDIO-SLIDESHOW: Girls Inc. stops by The Observer

This afternoon the Girls Inc. of Sarasota County stopped by the Observer Group office for a visit and spread some Christmas cheer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2011
SCORES: Mustangs pull even with Tigers

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team tied Palmetto 2-2 Dec. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
A screenshot captured from the heraldtribune.com
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 19, 2011
UPDATE: New York Times reported to sell Herald-Tribune

UPDATE: In a press release today, the New York Times Company has confirmed that the company is in discussions to sell its Regional Media Group to Halifax Media Holdings LLC.

  • Sarasota
  • News
New voter registration must be postmarked by Jan. 3, 2012, or delivered in person to any supervisor of elections office by 5 p.m., Jan. 3, 2012.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 19, 2011
Voter registration deadline for primary nears

Residents must register to vote by Jan. 3, 2012, to be eligible to vote in the Jan. 31, 2012 Presidential Preference Primary.

  • Sarasota
  • News
At approximately 1 a.m. on Dec. 11, Sarasota Police heard multiple gunshots in the area of North Washington Blvd and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 19, 2011
Third Newtown shooting suspect arrested

Darrenton Trebbles, 17, of Sarasota, is the third suspect to be arrested for Newtown shootings Dec. 17 that injured three people.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The parade started around 6 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Horseshoe Cove Golf Cart Parade

Residents of the Horseshoe Cove RV Resort showed off their Christmas spirit Dec. 18 during the park's annual golf cart parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gene Berry, 87.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2011
Elderly man missing

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is looking for an elderly man who has Alzheimer's.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 18, 2011
'Le Grand Cabaret' 2011 JFCS GALA

'Le Grand Cabaret' 2011 JFCS GALA

  • Black Tie
Lise Cooley, Pat and Dick Stusek and Zenobia Davis
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Republican Club

Republican Club hosts Senate Candidate George Lemieux for joint Sarasota and Longboat Key Republican Club's holiday party on Dec. 16. Live holiday music was provided by Dr. Jim Whitman, Deborah DiCarlo and Rory Dubin at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Roni and John Antenucci
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Luncheon

The Lido Key, Longboat Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual holiday luncheon at Holiday Inn Lido Key on Thursday, Dec. 15. There was a business card drawing for holiday gifts brought by area businesses.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photographer Al Gordon prepares to shoot the Taaffe family
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 17, 2011
Debutante Ball

Debutante Ball

  • Black Tie
The sheppards came to worship the baby Jesus.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Living Nativity

Members of The Tabernacle church are bringing to life the story of Christmas with a reenactment of the birth of Jesus. The church's annual Living Nativity show is presented at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. through Dec. 18.

  • East County
  • News
Alan Misch and Tom Darby hold up the presents they brought to the DSA holiday party.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: DSA Holiday Party

The Downtown Sarasota Alliance got together for a holiday party, Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Irish Pub on Main.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Winestyles’ Ruth and Jack Jimmink and Bucky and Kathy Jones enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:Rock Around the Clock

East County residents enjoyed an evening of musical entertainment during Rock Around the Clock Dec. 16 at San Marco Plaza. Guests enjoyed listening to the sounds of The Platters, The Tucci Band and The Matthew Facciolla, sampling food from local restaurants and looking at classic car collections. Proceeds from the event benefit the Humane Society of Manatee County and the Dan Toller Fund for ALS.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Iriss Inc. employees couldn’t wait to celebrate the holiday season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Ultimate Holiday Party For Small Businesses

East County business professionals celebrated the holiday season during the Ultimate Holiday Party For Small Businesses Dec. 16 at the Polo Grill and Bar. Guests socialized over cocktails before enjoying a dinner and dessert buffet and an evening of dancing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The sand sculpture with the fewest audience votes was eliminated by explosion.
  • By Loren Mayo, Nick Friedman
  • December 16, 2011
VIDEO: Sand sculpture explodes on Siesta Key Beach

Watch our video of The Travel Channel show's 'Sand Wars' sand sculpture on Siesta Key Beach explode.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sonja and John Ellis, Goldie and Tuki Nanos
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Seaplace Holiday Party

To any other state, it would seem like Christmas in July, but Seaplace's holiday party was Dec. 14. The sunset cast an orange glow through the warm air. Christmas trees sat beside menorahs, red and green plates were filled with appetizers and people were cheery with holiday spirit.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This statue makes its home near the intersection of Osprey Avenue and Orange Avenue.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Spirited statue

This statue seems to get a makeover every time a holiday approaches. Right now, he's dressed in Santa attire. Wonder what's inside that red sack?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicole Double (left) from All Faiths Food Bank accepts a check from Capt. Jon Goetluck and members of the Property Section. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 16, 2011
Sheriff's Office presents multiple donations

Donations included a check for $6,700 from seized or recovered cash that went unclaimed, to All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
SCORES: Lakewood tops Venice in soccer

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team defeated Venice 3-1 Dec. 15.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rashad Lee Steen, 20, was arrested on Dec. 13 with the same charges and police are looking for other suspects in the continuing investigation.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 16, 2011
Second suspect arrested for Newtown shooting

Bobby U. Sharpe, 22, of Ellenton is the second suspect to be arrested for Newtown shootings last Sunday that injured three people.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Incredible Reindeer, played by William Terrell, Cameron Boyer, John Smith and Connor Shilling, helped save Christmas.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gene Witt Elementary Christmas Musical

First-grade students at Gene Witt Elementary School showed off their talents during the school's musical production of The Incredible Reindeer Dec. 15-16. The musical told the story of how the Incredible Reindeer saved Christmas after foggy weather, Rudolph's cold and an asteroid nearly kept Santa Claus from taking flight. The Gene Witt 'Orff' estra entertained students and guests before the start of the show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bev and Bill Plummer, Randy and Elliot Keyne and Janie and Don Griffin
  • By Katy Arrillaga
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball

Members of the University Park Women's Club enjoyed their seventh annual Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball Dec. 10. This year's event was themed "Fire and Ice." Proceeds from the event benefited The Food Bank of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
The finalists will be honored and the Educator of the Year will be announced Feb. 29.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2011
Local educators named finalists for Edvantage Education Awards

Representatives of three East County schools have been nominated for a special award from the Manatee County School District.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County is now hiring to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. Stock image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2011
County accepting applications for Planning Commission

One four-year term on the Manatee County Planning Commission needs to be filled. Applications now are being accepted.

  • East County
  • News
iStock photo. The Half Shell Oyster House of Sarasota opens officially at 1991 Main Street on Jan. 10.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 16, 2011
New downtown oyster restaurant opens next month

The Half Shell Oyster House opens next month on the corner of Main Street and Links Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh had reported Dec. 14 that Randall H. Reid had signed the contract and mailed it back to Sarasota County.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Reid's employment with county becomes official

About 4 p.m. Dec. 15, Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson signed the contract with new County Administrator Randall H. Reid, officially making him the successor to former County Administrator Jim Ley.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bayside Community Church's band performed at this year's Rock Out for a Cause.
  • By Johana De la Cruz
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Rock Out for a Cause

Fundraising went to 11 as Lakewood Ranch High School's Key Club hosted Rock Out for a Cause Dec. 9 at Bayside Community Church. The concert benefited several non-profit organizations, including Taking Back Lives and Eliminate.

  • East County
  • Schools
This work involves the closure of Orange Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets. A detour will be in place during construction.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 15, 2011
Orange Avenue sewer mainline repairs scheduled tonight

The City of Sarasota Utilities Department is scheduled to repair the existing sanitary sewer mainline on Orange Avenue between 15th Street and 16th Street, on Thursday, December 15, 2011, at 10:00 PM. This project is expected to take approximately 8 hours to complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Victor Fernandez teaches music at Booker Middle School.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
VIDEO: Victor Fernandez honored as teacher of the year finalist

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anyone who feels unsafe should call the Sheriff’s Office immediately, so deputies can contact the individuals and verify the nature of their business. Residents may call 911 or the non-emergency number, 316-1201.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Residents warned about seasonal, door-to-door scams

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about seasonal door-to-door scams, most recently a scheme in which people pose as students involved in a fundraiser.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jane Howard-Jasper, Lou Getz and Diana Emrich
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: All Angel's Episcopal Women

The All Angel's by the Sea Episcopal Church Women had their annual Christmas meeting on Dec. 14. There was no speaker this meeting. The group's Christmas project was wrapping 60 Christmas gifts and donating $1,100 to provide for families at Family Promise in Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Yaszmine Anderson, Kendrick Sailes, Keliyah Lang and Brian Smith
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Christmas

35 parishioners head to East Bradenton to help children from 13th Avenue Dream Center learn and improve their reading every other week. Each Christmas, the Church hosts a party for the children. Some of the Children show-off their skills by performing recitations, and the church and children sing carols. Following the ceremony, Santa Claus met the children to deliver something special.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Barbara Falcone and Rita Stormes
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Men's Club, Women's Guild

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church on Dec. 13 for the annual party. There were Santa sweaters, holiday music and Christmas cheer at the event. Soprano Michelle Giglio performed favorite arias and Christmas Carols and refreshments followed the performance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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