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Your Observer

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Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board believes downtown grants need more time to catch on before they are rescinded.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
Tyler Beck, 7
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 22, 2011
VIDEO: ODA Students tell all about Santa

ODA students tell what they've learned about St. Nick.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
During their December meeting, members of the Siesta Key Association recognized county Parks and Recreation Department staff for all their work to make Siesta’s beach the top one in the country. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Island Beat: SKA applauds county's Parks and Recreation staff

As befitting their last meeting before the holidays, the members of the Siesta Key Association this month took the opportunity to thank county employees who play major roles in the upkeep of the Key's beaches and the protection of its wildlife.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Siara, Grade 4, Pine View School
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Pelikids: Holiday Special

Pelikids is a monthly feature highlighting the work of Sarasota County students. This month's offerings are from students at Lakeview Elementary and Pine View schools.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's Athlete of the Week, Jack Cannon
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 22, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Jack Cannon

As a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, Jack Cannon, 17, is one of the basketball team's leading players.

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

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Dean Kalahar
  • December 22, 2011
My View: It's not education; it's indoctrination

While parents think our schools focus on reading, writing and arithmetic, the reality is they focus on identity politics and social consciousness.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
One condominium, which has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,009 square feet of living area, sold for $700,000. Another, which has one bedroom, two baths and 1,232 square feet of living area sold for $430,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 22, 2011
Two Crescent Arms condos top week's residential sales

Two condominiums in Crescent Arms top all transactions in this week's real estate. Elizabeth Van, of Huron, Ohio, sold her Unit 301-S condominium at 6312 Midnight Pass Road to Richard Bronson and Bonnie Bronson, trustees, of Lees Summit, Mo., for $700,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Access to Shell Beach was restricted while the city of Sarasota laid a new water pipeline to Lido Beach.
  • By Jack Gurney
  • December 22, 2011
TOP STORY, JAN.: New water pipe being installed under Big Pass

Siesta Key residents inconvenienced by Shell Road work crews will have to be patient through the end of February, when a Sarasota city project to install a new water pipeline under Sarasota Bay to the south end of Lido Beach will be finished.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
About 30 students from the Ringling College of Art and Design on Jan. 14 set up shop in Lakewood Ranch to film a scene for a senior thesis project. Published Jan. 27, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: January, 2011

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

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Representatives from State College of Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice revealed plans Jan. 18.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
TOP STORY, JAN.: The Big DEAL

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and State College of Florida in January announced a partnership to create a 72,000-square-foot hub to attract businesses to the Manatee-Sarasota area.

  • East County
  • News
Sanborn Studios, LLC, who leased a space in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park in September 2010, has announced it will terminate its lease on its primary studio facility. File photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2011
Production company to close Lakewood Ranch operation

Sanborn Studios has announced it will terminate its lease for its Lakewood Ranch studio.

  • East County
  • News
Lisa Dubow, Alice Dubow, 6, Teresa Outwaite and Max Outwaite, 6, wore some festive Chanukah headbands and necklaces at A Taste of Chanukah, Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Five Points Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: A Taste of Chanukah

The Chabad of Sarasota and Manatee sponsored a Jewish food festival called 'A Taste of Chanukah', Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Two 8-year-olds wait in the wings before a spacing rehearsal for the finale.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Sweet Life

The Sarasota Ballet School performed three performances of "A Nutcracker Sweet" December 16 and 17 at the Lakewood Ranch Performing Arts Center and at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center. The cast of 120 performers danced a variety of parts from dolls to partygoers to butterflies and angels.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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