• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Mason Bryant, 6, loved having the chance to meet with Santa one-on-one.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Dinner with Santa

The Big Man made a pre-Christmas stop at Tara Elementary School for the school's annual Dinner with Santa event Dec. 2. Students and families enjoyed pizza and pasta before meeting Santa on the cafetorium stage.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A proposed mooring field in Sarasota Bay and an ordinance to shape regulations for boats outside of it is moving forward.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 6, 2011
Mooring ordinance moving forward

The Sarasota City Commission also decided to move forward with a future State Street parking garage process as soon as possible.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: No reply

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Longboat Observer archives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Dyckman and Carolyn Andrus
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 5, 2011
Sonata a due

Sonata a due

  • Black Tie
Co-Chairs Fran Braverman and Allison Silver-Schwartz
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 5, 2011
Women's Day

Women's Day

  • Black Tie
Rose and Jacob Brasgalla
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Hudson Bayou Picnic

The Hudson Bayou neighborhood held a fun-filled holiday picnic with hula-hooping contests and three-legged races Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lois Barson and Bonney Libman
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Happenings Bazaar

Temple Beth Israel Women hosted its Holiday Happenings Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 4. Attendees could snack on complimentary homemade goods and Starbucks coffee while they browsed the merchandise.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
An orchid at Temple Beth Isreal Holiday Happenings Bazaar where "The Orchid Lady" Doris was selling her flowers Sunday, Dec. 4.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Orchid

An orchid at Temple Beth Isreal Holiday Happenings Bazaar where "The Orchid Lady" Doris was selling her flowers Sunday, Dec. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
According to a Nov. 22 memo sent by Finance Director Tom Kelley to Town Manager David Bullock, the cost to the town totals $171,993.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2011
Commission to discuss $1,000 bonuses for town employees

The commission will discuss the budget transfer at tonight's regular meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Richard Fountain, Elaine Coulter, Joan Partridge and Gene Campbell
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Blessing and lighting of the fleet

A cannon boomed and the lights flickered on. One boat was decked in classic white strands around its rails with red Christmas bows on every pole. It and the rest of the Bird Key Yacht club boats let their little lights shine after a ceremonial blessing from Rev. Red Robinson, of Church of the Redeemer Episcopal, on Saturday, Dec. 3. Attendees enjoyed cocktails before the lighting of the fleet, and followed the ceremony with a dinner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The interruption affects about 200 customers of Sarasota County Utilities, including two churches that provide day care services.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 5, 2011
Boil water advisory for some Sarasota residents

County Officials have issued a precautionary boil water advisory due to a water main break affecting the north of Bahia Vista Street between Troyer Plaza and McIntosh Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charlotte Jaffe, 8, gets some help with the atlatl from Jessie Ploss, Saturday, Dec. 3, during Fruitville Elementary's junior archaeology day at New College's Public Archaeology Lab.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Fruitville Elementary students have fun learning at New College

Fruitville Elementary students in second through fifth grades along with their families had the chance to be 'junior archaeologists," Saturday, Dec. 3, at New College's Public Archaeology Lab.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: A slivery thief

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Longboat Observer archives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: The way nature intended

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Sarasota Observer archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Charles L. Hill, Jr., 31. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 5, 2011
Gulf Gate murder suspect arrested

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested Charles L. Hill, Jr., 31, for the shooting death of James Brotherton, 49.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Meet this week's IN THE KITCHEN chef, Cheryl Gaddie.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2011
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Cheryl Gaddie

Cheryl Gaddie, owner of Cheryl Gaddie Designs and board chair for the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, is a self-proclaimed minimalist when it comes to her designs and to her cooking.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
Obituary: Anita Verna Ross

Anita Verna Ross of Longboat Key and formerly of Ocean City, Md., died Nov. 26. She was 69.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
Obituary: Frank P. Cleveland

Frank. P. Cleveland M.D. of Cincinnati and formerly of Longboat Key died Nov. 28. He was 92.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A proposed mooring field in Sarasota Bay and the regulations for boats outside of it will be discussed tonight at City Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2011
Commission discusses mooring field tonight

The Sarasota City Commission also has plans to discuss the future State Street parking garage and zoning code amendments today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lilly Savary, Abbi Wilkinson, Kelsey Fisher, Kylee Wilkinson and Baylee Stepina were all on the fire engine as part of the fire department’s float.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Parade part 3

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Don't miss your chance to meet Santa!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2011
HOLIDAY TIPS: Santa Appearances

Santa is coming to town, and he's making a handful of appearances all over Manatee County and Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dick and Sue Antonello with Marilyn and Roger Holz
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Parish Picnic

There were appetizers, barbeque and dessert - oh, my! - at the St. Mary Catholic Church Parish Picnic on Saturday, Dec. 3. Parishoners brought their favorite side or sweet and delved into Port-A-Pit Bar-B-Que. The parking lot was stacked with tables and chairs. There was a penny auction with holiday items, too.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Haylea Ritter
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Parade part two

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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
« 1625 1626 1627 1628 1629 1630 1631 1632 1633 1634 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

Sponsored Content
1
  • June 3, 2026
Keys & Courses: A High-Energy Dueling Piano Dinner Party
2
Selby Gardens’ Selenicereus cactus blooms for one night only.
  • June 3, 2026
Selby's 'Queen of the Night' blooms tonight only
3
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center
4
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
5
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free