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Your Observer

Mara Falahee's 1,000-point career is a first for ODA.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Thunder star scores 1,000th point

Senior Mara Falahee scored her 1,000th career point on a three-pointer during the Lady Thunder's 43-9 victory over St. Stephen's Dec. 18.

  • East County
  • Sports
The River Dawgs' coaches say they work to not only build championship-caliber baseball players but also champions for life. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
River Dawgs win winter tournament

The travel baseball team won the Winter State Championship Tournament and the RBI Holiday Hardball Classic Tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey's Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient's article will be featured on the restaurant's wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Gabriella Diaz-Granados

Lakewood Ranch High senior guard Gabriella Diaz-Granados had a game-high 16 points while helping lead the Lady Mustangs to a 54-28 victory over Booker Dec. 12.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High senior Brittany Jaco celebrated her accomplishment with her younger sister, Madison, left, and parents David and Wynna.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Outside hitter signs with Manatees

Brittany Jaco signed a national letter-of-intent to play for the State College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Sports
Meet Peyton McLaughlin
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Observer Team Spotlight Q&A

Meet this week's Observer Team player: Peyton McLaughlin

  • East County
  • Sports
The beach access was closed in November after concerns about erosion.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 20, 2011
North Shore Road beach access to re-open

The beach access closed in November for a seawall project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The suspect is 5-foot-11-inches tall, with a slim build and pale skin.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 20, 2011
Attempted bank robbery at Wells Fargo

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted bank robbery at Wells Fargo, 8595 South Tamiami Trail today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Peter Vrinios, of Create a Cane, created candy canes of varying designs, including traditional canes, hearts and even people's names.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 20, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Sweets and Stripes

Peter Vrinios, of Create a Cane, showed off his candy-striping skills to Gillian's on St. Armands Circle. He demonstrated candy-cane making in its original form.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
 'People enjoy eating it, so I enjoy making it' Beverly Shapiro says.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 20, 2011
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Beverly Shapiro

Beverly Shapiro's grandmother came from Russia and didn't speak a word of English. Shapiro used to watch her grandmother prepare this noodle Kugel, but instead of helping would wait around for food.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Robert L. Taylor Community Center will unveil new programs and youth activities next year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 20, 2011
Taylor community center exceeds expectations

The Robert L. Taylor Community Center has six times the number of pass holders than it expected after three months of operation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A sheriff's office report states the home of Jorge Alvarez was burglarized sometime between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dec, 16, while Alvarez was out of town.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 20, 2011
Valuables totaling $54,000 stolen from Lakewood Ranch home

A home in the 7200 block of Ashland Glen was burglarized sometime Dec. 16.

  • East County
  • News
The series of athletic competitions held in Manatee and Sarasota counties in February each year draws more than 400 athletes ages 50 and up to compete in events such as archery, basketball, bocce, bowling, cribbage, cycling and more.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 20, 2011
Registration opens for Gulf Coast Senior Games

Manatee and Sarasota counties have opened registration for the 23rd Annual Gulf Coast Senior Games competition.

  • East County
  • News
Brandon Sommers, Willy D. Sloan, Jennifer Real and Curtis Weeks of Chameleon performed song covers for the party
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: All Together Holiday Party

It was individual parties wrapped up in one big party at Longboat Key Club and Resort's first 'All Together' Holiday party on Dec. 16. Individual businesses and groups hosted their holiday party leaving the planning to the resort. They were treated to a buffet dinner, dancing live music.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Party organizers Harriet Ansell, Ina Logue, Renee Kasper, Eileen Dubinsky, Mitzie Eisner, Louisa Hodder and Beverly Shapiro
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Winward Bay Holiday

Over New Pass ridge and through the Key to Winward Bay we go for the holiday party on Dec. 18. The residents at Winward Bay celebrated the holidays early with drinks and appetizers in its clubhouse. Some watched football, others drank punch and everyone was cheerful.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Milton and Sadie Robinson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 19, 2011
'Winter Variations'

'Winter Variations'

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
Obituary: Alyson Tracey Brown-Sticht

Alyson Tracey Brown-Sticht, of Sarasota, died Dec. 9. She was 48.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
Obituary: Rosemary O'Brien

Rosemary O'Brien, of Longboat Key, died Dec. 11. She was 91.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
Obituary: Frederick L. 'Fred' Reho Jr.

Frederick L. Reho Jr., of Longboat Key and West Bloomfield, Mich., died Dec. 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
Obituary: Cash

The Longboat Key Club and Resort's much-loved office dog, Cash, died of natural causes Friday, Dec. 16, at his home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Santa's reindeer have already started their holiday vacation by taking over the lawn of 536 Ketch Lane on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Santa's Wooden Fleet

Check out these handmade wooden reindeer that have found themselves a home on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kacey and Mel Froney
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Harbour Holiday

Longbot Harbour celebrated Christmahanakwanzaka with a wine and cheese get together. Residents enjoyed each other's company and on the snacks each provided on Saturday, Dec. 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vincent and Isabella Becking
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bird Key Yacht Club Children's Christmas

It was Christmas at Bird Key Yacht Club on and Santa Claus ditched his sleigh and reindeer for a yacht on Dec. 17. Children snacked on holiday cookies and colored crafts - and most of them were inside the lines while they waited. There was also a magic show, and entertainment from Michelle Gallatin playing Christmas carols on her harp.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Meghan and John Cox
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Yacht Club Christmas

One child flaunts his brown balloon reindeer to his sister, 'Mine's Dasher.' His little sister immediately joined the line, shoving a pink one in his face, 'Mine's Rudolph!' she says with a smile. Other children at Sarasota Yacht club at the Children's Christmas Party on Dec. 17 had balloon flowers or swords - both used for fighting. Children were making a winter wonderland sticker page while they ate lunch and anticipated Santa's arrival. When he arrived, he gave a toy to each boy and girl. No one in the room received any coal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
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