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Your Observer

Children enjoy a visit with Santa. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 1, 2011
Volunteers take 'flight' for terminally-ill children

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the Sarasota/Bradenton Airport Fire Department and others will host the 27th annual Flight to the North Pole Dec. 8. Contributions for the event are being accepted.

  • East County
  • News
Workers from Florida Sign Co. today are busy erecting a new monument sign for Honor Animal Rescue at its Lorraine Road ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 1, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Sign-sational

Workers from Florida Sign Co. today are busy erecting a new monument sign for Honor Animal Rescue at its Lorraine Road ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Also at its retreat, the commission nominated Commissioner Christine Robinson as its chair and Commissioner Carolyn Mason as its vice chair for 2012. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 1, 2011
Commission approves Reid's contract

The Sarasota County Commission unanimously approved new county administrator Randall H. Reid's $190,000 contract Thursday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 1, 2011
Obituary: Thomas D. McInerney

Thomas D. McInery of Longboat Key, Fl and Preston Hollow, N.Y. died on Monday, Nov. 21. He was 84.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former Longboat Key Town Manager Bruce St. Denis. File Photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 1, 2011
St. Denis to return 401k contribution

According to a memo, the former town manager will return a 401k match that cost the town $10,365.79.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rami Nehme, new owner of Blasé Café, says noise complaints lodged recently against his Village restaurant stem from problems at other establishments. Photo by Rachel O'Hara.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 1, 2011
Noise problems on the decline

In spite of loud festivities during the pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in the Village, fewer noise violations have been recorded recently.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 1, 2011
Majority of condos opposed to FDOT plan

Eight days before a meeting on a pedestrian island proposal for Midnight Pass Road, 27 of 34 condominium complexes had affirmed opposition to the plan.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The first numbers will be generated after Nov. 30, Virginia Haley, president of the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau said.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 1, 2011
US Airways Magazine generates Sarasota buzz

Although she wasn't expecting 'hard numbers' until November ended, Virginia Haley, president of the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau, said this week that she has been hearing lots of positive responses to a US Airways in-flight magazine advertising section about Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 1, 2011
City tops the Key in tourist tax collections

The City of Sarasota appears to have beaten Siesta Key by seven-tenths of a percent in total tourist tax collections for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
News Briefs

Osprey Avenue closure not to start until Jan. 16; Teen Driver Challenge offered for two weekends

  • Siesta Key
  • News
City officials have designated a sliver of land next to the Palm Avenue parking garage as a hotel site.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 1, 2011
City of Sarasota negotiating with two hotel developers

Sarasota has two companies interested in placing a hotel on a vacant parcel next to the Palm Avenue parking garage.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 1, 2011
Traffic signal upgrades producing problems

The county is upgrading several traffic signals within the city limits. In the meantime, those signals aren't synchronized.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The intersection of Ringling Boulevard and Pineapple Avenue became a four-way stop last week to prepare for roundabout construction.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 1, 2011
Multiple projects under way this week

Construction work began this week on two Ringling Boulevard four-lane roundabouts at the same time resurfacing of Fruitville Road began.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A triangular piece of property on Ringling Boulevard, a block west of U.S. 301, might become a lunch-truck park.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 1, 2011
Fresh concept proposed for parcel

A vacant parcel of land on Ringling Boulevard is being considered for an open-air, lunch-truck park to attract pedestrians and workers to a new downtown lunch spot.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 1, 2011
Developer to take on Texas-sized new role

Pineapple Square developer John Simon is confident in the project's success, and he plans to stick around to see to it to fruition.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
News Briefs

Sarasota begins red-light camera program Dec. 1; Osprey Avenue closure rescheduled for 2012; Palm Avenue garage art murals on display

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Our view: Don't fall for Internet tax

Cyber Monday - the Black Friday for online retailers - triggered and amplified the debate again: whether online retailers should be required to collect sales taxes just as brick-and-mortar retailers do.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A Sarasota County diagram shows plans for bus stops and a roundabout on Siesta Drive. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 1, 2011
Siesta Drive roundabout plans to affect SCAT stops by mall

With planning still in the design phase, the Sarasota City Commission Jan. 3 is scheduled to discuss an interlocal agreement with Sarasota County involving changes planned for Siesta Drive, including a roundabout.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Long waits are expected to remain an issue at Orange Avenue and Mound Street until a new Sarasota County traffic system is up and running.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 1, 2011
Traffic signal upgrades producing problems

The county is upgrading several traffic signals within city limits. In the meantime, those signals aren't synchronized properly.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dan Cracchiola poses with Levoie Hipps, dressed in his horse costume, in front of the Christmas tree.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Singing Christmas tree comes to life

FirstSarasota, the Downtown Baptist Church, is gearing up for the 38th annual Singing Christmas Tree performances that begin Friday, Dec. 2 and will run through Sunday, Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The gingerbread house created by Girls Inc. for the CYD competition included a marshmallow snowman, pretzel windows and a decorated rooftop with a chimney.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Youth prepare for gingerbread house decorating contest

Gumdrops, peppermints and icing - that's what tasty houses are made of! The third annual Community Youth Development Gingerbread Festival promises to sweeten up the area next week, when more than 125 gingerbread houses will be on display from Dec. 9 to Dec. 11, in the Macy's wing of the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Osprey Library opened Nov. 10, in the former visitor’s center at Historic Spanish Point. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Osprey Library opens at Spanish Point

The Osprey Library at Historic Spanish Point will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Neighbors: Shirley Goodman

It is hard to say whether it is easier to spot Shirley Goodman from across the room due to her glitzy garb or the sound of her tapping feet.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Free parking was key in moving here; Please re-think parallel parking; Scott rail rejection was obviously right; Occupation points out income inequalities

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Unit 17PHD at the Plaza at Five Points Residences has three bedrooms and sold for $1.4 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 1, 2011
Plaza at Five Points Residences home sells for $1.4 million

Joy Server, Sarasota, sold her Unit 17PHD condominium at Plaza at Five Points Residences, 50 Central Ave., to Waterside Properties LLC for $1.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Meet this week's athlete, Kevin Turner. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Kevin Turner

Ever since Kevin Turner discovered kiteboarding six years ago, he's been hooked on the sport.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
JUST THE STATS

38-34 - The final score of the Out-of-Door Academy and Shorecrest Preparatory women's basketball game, Nov. 21, at Out-of-Door. ODA won the game.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ilona Maegdefrau submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Weekly Winner: Quite a Show

Ilona Maegdefrau submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Nations' kindergarten class poses, Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the courtyard at Southside Elementary.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Southside kindergartners make colorful mosaics

Southside Elementary kindergartners held a dedication for their stepping-stone project Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the school's courtyard.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton once again dons 19th-century-style clothing to portray President Abraham Lincoln. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Homeless residents enjoy a big Thanksgiving event

The Sarasota Ministerial Association held its 11th annual celebration with Sarasota's homeless residents as its guests the day before Thanksgiving, at First Baptist Church in downtown Sarasota. '¨

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Freddie" the fox curls up for a nap in front of a Gulf & Bay Club condominium. He and his mate have made themselves regular members of the community, residents say. Courtesy of Dee Reinbold.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 1, 2011
Island Beat: Key people getting into the holiday spirit

With Light Up the Village marking the formal beginning of the holiday season on the Key, plans are being finalized for the annual Christmas Lighting Contest for Condominiums.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 1, 2011
Tatum Ridge Elementary PTO donates 1,400 books to Cyesis

Just in time for the holidays, representatives of the Tatum Ridge Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization visited the Cyesis teen parent program at Riverview High School, bearing lots of books.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fran Palmeri took this photo of strollers framed by sea oats on Siesta Public Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Weekly Weather: A Brick Walk

Fran Palmeri took this photo of strollers framed by sea oats on Siesta Public Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A Crystal Sands condominium, which has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,271 square feet of living area, sold for $775,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 1, 2011
Crystal Sands home tops sales at $775,000

A condominium in Crystal Sands tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Marsha Miller, trustee, of Hartville, Ohio, sold the Unit 606 condominium at 6300 Midnight Pass Road to M&D 606 Crystal Sands LLC, of Belleville, Ill., for $775,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
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