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Your Observer

Kara Ashby, Skylar Kutzk and Natasha Xara
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Parade

The Annual Holiday Parade took place on Saturday, Dec. 3 on Main Street. The theme this year was tropical holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evan Keever, 8. Could not resist an elf photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Holiday Festival

Families gathered at Bashaw Elementary School Dec. 3 for the school's Holiday Festival & Bobcat Bazaar. Festivities included carnival-style games, performances by choir students, a cakewalk and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School JROTC student Sarely Gutierrez helped Kristina Tripoli, 9, with a rope challenge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Imagine Fall Festival

Families at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch enjoyed carnival-style games, bounce houses, food and more during the school's annual Fall Festival Dec. 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsor Donna D’Agostino and Chair Ida Zito with Bert Minot
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 4, 2011
Designing Women Boutique Fashion Week Gala 'Our Fair Ladies'

Designing Women Boutique Fashion Week Gala 'Our Fair Ladies'

  • Black Tie
Hunter Brown, 16, and Rachel Gross, 15, played the roles of Joseph and Mary while 8-year-old Jacob Seminick played the role of a shepherd boy.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: A Night in Bethlehem

East County families traveled back in time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ during Living Lord Lutheran Church's A Night in Bethlehem Dec. 3. The event was an interactive Christmas experience designed to depict the city of Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cameron Leff with auction prize Rudolph and Chris Voelker
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 3, 2011
Hot Dogs Cool Cats 'Laugh Your Paws Off'

Hot Dogs Cool Cats 'Laugh Your Paws Off'

  • Black Tie
Nancy Sweeney, Diane Marcus and Carol Bauer
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Michael's annual Christmas Gala

The St. Michael the Archangel held their annual Christmas Gala, Saturday, Dec. 3 at TCP Prestancia Country Club in Palmer Ranch.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Office Manager Jeanette Frint and Manager D.M. Williams
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Casa Del Mar Christmas Party

Residents and visitors of Casa Del Mar had their cups of cheer and said hello to the friends they know and everyone they meet on Friday, Dec. 2. There was dinner and dancing by the pool and poinsettias were given out from the staff.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cheryl Clark, Karin Riccard, Ann Moran and Maureen Horn
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Toys For Tots Party

Friday, Dec. 2 was the seventh year the Annual Christkindl and Toys for Tots Party has taken place. Attendees brought toys to be donated to Toys for Tots, and enjoyed each other's company while they wined and dined. A Marine was present for the event, and Sepp Diepolder who played accordion and zither provided entertainment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mason and Neenah Fuste made sure to get their picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, played by Jeanne and John Larranaga.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Stoneybrook Breakfast with Santa

Families in the Heritage Harbour community enjoyed a special Breakfast with Santa event today at the Stoneybrook Rec Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michael Schaunnault and his son, Alexander, and wife, Samantha, couldn’t resist a photo with Santa, portrayed by Jeff Spencer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: River Club Breakfast with Santa

Families in River Club got their first glimpse of Santa today during Caddyshak Sports Bar & Grille's Breakfast with Santa event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Baby, a donation dog for Racing Dog Rescue Project
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Night of Lights

It was a Ho-Ho-Holiday Night of Lights at St. Armands Circle on Friday, Dec. 2. Santa has made his list, and now he can cross an appearance at St. Armands Circle off of it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Monica Simpson worked for the town since October 2001.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 3, 2011
Simpson resigns from P&Z director position

Monica Simpson will receive three months' severance pay and will work for the town as an independent contractor.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Judge David Denkin and Courtney Denkin with Honorary Chair Eric Robinson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 2, 2011
24th annual Festival of Trees, Lights and Holiday Gifts

24th annual Festival of Trees, Lights and Holiday Gifts

  • Black Tie
The Venturas performed jazz, blues and holiday favorites during their show at Music on Main.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Music on Main

Hundreds of music lovers packed Lakewood Ranch Main Street for the monthly Music on Main concert Dec. 2. Sarasota mainstays The Venturas performed in front of The Fish Hole miniature golf course.

  • Arts + Culture
Ryan Schmidt, general manager, and Pamela Siderski, volunteer at Mote, pose together in front of the Mote sign, Friday, Dec. 2 at Siesta Key Oyster Bar.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SKOB and Mote raffle night

Siesta Key Oyster Bar sold raffle tickets throughout the month of November to raise money for whale, dolphin and sea turtle hospitals at Mote. Friday evening volunteers, employees, interns and friends of Mote came out to celebrate as well as draw the raffle winners.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sondra Conk and Suzanne Stacy
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chamber Holiday Luncheon

The Siesta Key Chamber held their holiday luncheon at Fleming's, Friday, Dec. 2.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The boats in the harbor looked brilliant all lit up, Friday, Dec. 2, at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Lighting of the Fleet at SYC

Members of the Sarasota Yacht Club, along with their friends and family, came out to celebrate the holiday tradition of the "Lighting of the Fleet".

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mya Carter frosts the front of the Girls Inc. gingerbread house. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2011
Photos of the Week

Enjoy a selection of our favorite photos from each Observer this week.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2011
Top Cops of the Week

Enjoy the top Cops Corner cases featured in all Observers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Maria Cuffaro with Edward and Patricia Leon
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Rosemary Rising 7th annual Holiday Walk

The Rosemary District Neighborhood Association held its seventh annual Holiday Walk, which featured everything from a holiday dog costume contest to a meet-and-greet with the Sarasota SWAT team.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Asolo Rep Guild read four short stories at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design on Thursday Dec. 1 to kick-off its season of exhibits, events and classes.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: SEASONS Greetings

The Asolo Rep Guild read four short stories at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a division of Ringling College of Art and Design, on Thursday Dec. 1 to kick-off its season of exhibits, events and classes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lynne Armington and Joe Kerata of Asolo Rep Guild reading "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SEASON greetings

Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a division of Ringling College of Art and Design, hosted 'SEASONS Greetings' to kick-off its events for the year on Thursday, Dec. 1. Asolo Rep Guild read four short stories, and then attendees ate cookies and drank wine while viewing the current exhibition by the Suncoast Watercolor Society.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Pat Neal, President of Neal Communities. Neal Communities has 365 contracts signed so far this year, putting 2011 on track as a record-setting year for the company.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 2, 2011
Local developers celebrate 2011 record high home sales

Neal Communities in November hit a record high for new home sales in 2011.

  • East County
  • News
Congressman Vern Buchanan. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 2, 2011
Provision in Buchanan jobs plan passes house

A key part of Congressman Vern Buchanan's 10-point Jobs Plan passed the U.S. House Thursday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 2, 2011
Pirates top Sailors

The Braden River High soccer team defeated Sarasota 4-2 Dec. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 2, 2011
St. Pete Catholic tops ODA

The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team fell to St. Pete Catholic 62-32 Dec. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
The holiday parade starts at 7 p.m. beginning at Main Street and Washington Boulevard and will travel west to Bayfront Drive. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 2, 2011
Parade causes road closures Saturday

Downtown motorists must adhere to a road closure schedule for the holiday parade or face the possibility of being towed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
By employing 10 simple tips from the National Retail Federation, you can alleviate much of the stress of holiday shopping.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2011
HOLIDAY TIPS: Shopping Smarts

Although all the Black Friday madness has come and gone, heading to the shops will remain an overwhelming task until the end of the holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kelly Morrell and Sam Davidson
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gulf Coast Community Foundation Holiday Campaign Kick Off

Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Westfield Southgate held a kick off party for the 'Give with Purpose' campaign, Wednesday, Nov. 30, inside Saks Fifth Avenue at Westfield Southgate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Red tide is currently not present alongshore Longboat Key’s beaches.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 2, 2011
Mote seeks part-time residents for red tide study

Researchers are looking for volunteers who spend three to six months a year in the area for a one-time survey.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chris Jones, Co-Hosts Susan Kretz and Daniel Long with Joseph Gallagher
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 1, 2011
YMCA Foundation of Sarasota VIP Dinner 'A Currier & Ives Christmas'

YMCA Foundation of Sarasota VIP Dinner 'A Currier & Ives Christmas'

  • Black Tie
Jim Baker
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Senior Clay Courts

Men and women that are over the hill served over the nets, Thursday, Dec.1, at the Senior Clay Courts Tournament. Players from the United States Tennis Association tournament, which is Nov. 29 to Dec. 4 at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, competed in the clay court tournament.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cathy Layton, who is developing the project with her husband, Pete Russell, speaks about the future facility.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 1, 2011
Windsor holds roof-topping celebration

The Windsor of Lakewood Ranch on Wednesday hosted a roof topping ceremony for its Windsor Reflections facility.

  • East County
  • News
Joe Pundt volleys an incoming ball. Pundt played against Jim Baker in the Senior Clay Courts - CAT II at Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 1, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Senior Clay Courts

Joe Pundt volleys an incoming ball. Pundt played against Jim Baker in the Senior Clay Courts - CAT II at Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sanctuary condominium association, along with the L’Ambiance association dismissed their de novo challenges.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 1, 2011
L'Ambiance, Sanctuary dismiss de novo challenge

The Islandside Property Owners Coalition will move forward as the case's single plaintiff.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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