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Your Observer

This photo was taken outside of Sea Place's clubhouse where the annual holiday party was taking place Wednesday, Dec. 15.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Sunset

This photo was taken outside of Sea Place's clubhouse where the annual holiday party was taking place Wednesday, Dec. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joshua Stott got an iPod, Lego games and more from Santa.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Vitale Holiday Party

Legendary ESPN Hall of Fame sports broadcaster Dick Vitale and his family welcomed a dozen children from the Sarasota County Boys & Girls Clubs Dec. 15, to the Vitale home for their annual Holiday Party.

  • East County
  • News
Stock image. Not the bones found along Lena Road.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2011
Bones found by Lena Road

Authorities have concluded the remains are not from a human.

  • East County
  • News
Gullett Elementary School students in Jennifer McGloin's class this week earned a special visit from the Chick-fil-A cow, after raising the most money during a recent Chick-fil-A Spirit Night.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: COW CRAZY

Gullett Elementary School students in Jennifer McGloin's class this week earned a special visit from the Chick-fil-A cow, after raising the most money during a recent Chick-fil-A Spirit Night.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The workshop will take place at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 15, 2011
Proposed bill could terminate town's business tax receipt program

The Longboat Key Town Commission will discuss Florida House Bill 4025 and Florida Senate Bill 760 at today's workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Devan Rojas, left, Hayley Dragon, Chris Maddiesquivel and Keaton Bruder enjoyed making s'mores.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Rock Star Party

Move over Steven Tyler. More than 100 Braden River Elementary School students partied like rock stars Dec. 13, as a reward for positive behavior. Throughout the year, students in kindergarten through fifth grades earned BRE Bucks for exemplifying good citizenship. They traded that currency in to enjoy s'mores, hot chocolate, games, and holiday caroling with Principal Hayley Rio.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 15, 2011
Battle of the Sexes match set

Local tennis player and Bath & Racquet Club member Erik Luxembourg will challenge former WTA world ranked player and current River Strand Tennis Professional Tiffany Dabek Davis to a Battle of the Sexes match at 11 a.m. Jan. 15 at Palm-Aire Country Club as part of the Gettel Nissan Tennis Series.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 15, 2011
Buffalo Creek Little League registration dates announced

Registration for Buffalo Creek Little League's upcoming spring season will be held from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 6 and 13 and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Jan. 7 and 14 at the league's fields 8100 69th St. E., Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 15, 2011
Rosedale to host junior golf camp

Rosedale Assistant Golf Professional Kyle O'Connor will host a pair of junior golf camps from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 26-27 and Dec. 29-30 at the course, 5100 87th St. E.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Children get festive for Santa

More than 130 kids from Big Brothers Big Sisters watched as Santa Claus showed up to greet them in a bright red fire truck for their annual holiday party Saturday, Dec. 10, at Sun 'N' Fun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
65 years and still going strong

The Sarasota High School class of 1946 gathered for its 65th class reunion Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A tense debate between District 1 Commissioner Willie Shaw and the rest of the commissioners ensued when the commission began to discuss the goals for the city over the next two years.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 15, 2011
North Sarasota crime top priority

Sarasota city commissioners will work toward reducing the crime and number of homicides in North Sarasota by enlisting the help of a criminologist who has reduced crime in cities nationwide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This beauty was definitely the brightest star on Higel Avenue, dominating all the rest to become our top pick for decorated single-family homes in The Observer Group's Light Up the Key Contest for Siesta. Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
2011 Light up the Key

Driving around Siesta Key Out to find the brightest spot Palm fronds lit so delicately Taking pictures as we stop ...

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A sign announcing Siesta Key's ranking as the top beach in the United States should be erected soon near the beach pavilion.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Beach sign unanimously approved

The County Commission Wednesday unanimously approved a two-sided sign proclaiming Siesta Key Public Beach No. 1 in the United States.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Meetings this week were held at the Sarasota County Administration center, 1616 Ringling Blvd.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Barrier island height restrictions back on track

The County Commission Tuesday started a process to impose maximum construction height restrictions once again on the barrier islands.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Denise Kowal emailed commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson Dec. 2 to explain details of the grant and to ask for the assistance.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Chalk Fest seeks partnership

Sarasota Chalk Festival founder Denise Kowal has asked the County Commission to partner with her on an application for an arts grant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Yard debris a violation on streets, in canals

Code enforcement said Sarasota staff can use photos of violations to cite offenders.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Wiki work mostly earns commission praise

The County Commission agreed for now to focus on state mandates in revising the county's ordinance on water-efficient landscaping.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Commission approves stricter metals ordinance

A 30-day holding period and restriction of cash payments to $100 are part of a new county ordinance for secondhand metals dealers.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A Sarasota County-owned site at 1301 Cattlemen Road remains one of two options approved Tuesday as potential sites for the new Emergency Operations Center. Courtesy Sarasota County Government.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Emergency Operations Center sites eliminated

The County Commission asked staff Wednesday to pursue a thorough vetting of two sites for the location of the new EOC.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The wheelchair, which disappeared from Lido Beach the same day they last rented it, turned up the afternoon of Dec. 11 at Access 5 on Siesta Key, Sheila Lewis said.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
News Briefs

Florida Supreme Court accepts term-limits case; Business seeking missing wheelchair

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Three years ago, the Neighborhood Development and Services  had more than 100 employees. Today, the department has 56.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 15, 2011
Building director defends department

Director of Neighborhood Development and Services Tim Litchett said his building department and its divisions are offering exemplary service while performing the same level of work with fewer employees.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Occupation points out income inequalities

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 15, 2011
FULL STORY: Judge calls auditing complaint 'meritless'

An independent investigation of City Hall and the Auditor and Clerk's Office revealed no issues with employees.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 15, 2011
Art committee debates its mission

The Public Art Committee held a special meeting last week to discuss its policies and existence moving forward.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 15, 2011
FULL STORY: Goodwill project moves forward, denies appeal

The Sarasota City Commission declined to hear an appeal by a group of residents that is upset with the Goodwill approval. Superstore.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Our View: FDR was right: No unions

It should be obvious to almost everyone paying attention at this point: Government unions are almost always at odds with the public good when working on behalf of their members.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Wendy Mann Resnick
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
SEASON OF SHARING: Wendy Mann Resnick

When it comes to people in need, Wendy Mann Resnick is a softie.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deborah Kushlan stands in front of her 8-foot-tall gingerbread masterpiece. Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
Candy-coated cottage beckons all to view delicious-looking display

Deborah Kushlan, executive chef at the DeSoto Palms Assisted Living Community, is known by residents as the 'sugar engineer.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis recognizes Sarasota County lifeguards Scott Ruberg and Robert Martini as County Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson looks on. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Island Beat: Siesta lifeguards earn recognition for public service

During the Nov. 15 County Commission meeting, Chairwoman Nora Patterson remarked on a letter she had received from Robert R. Maycan, a resident of Park Ridge, Ill., regarding Siesta lifeguard Robert Martini.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The cover of the 2012 "Food — Keep It Local" calendar was designed by 9-year-old Josh Kroepfl, a fourth-grader at Bay Haven School of Basics Plus.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
County calendar features 13 elementary students' art

The Sarasota County Commission Dec. 7, recognized 13 elementary students whose artwork appears on the 'Food - Keep it Local' calendar for 2012.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Josh Kroepfl, 9, helps sing “Happy Birthday” to Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Thaxton receives birthday serenade

Sarasota County commissioners Dec. 7 had just recognized all the youngsters whose artwork was chosen this year for the Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team's annual calendar when Commissioner Christine Robinson asked them for a favor.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Hermann and Andrea Kaendler shared this photo of a December sunset on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Weekly Weather: Bright Horizon

Hermann and Andrea Kaendler shared this photo of a December sunset on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Meet your friendly, neighborhood Jimmy John's man.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
Neighbors: Garret Brown

Garret Brown has worked as a Jimmy John's employee for the last three-and-one-half years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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