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Your Observer

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
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
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