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Your Observer

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
Read one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Longboat Key

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Mimi and John Greco with Denise Barker
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • November 30, 2011
Second Annual Wine, Dine, and Pine

Second Annual Wine, Dine, and Pine

  • Black Tie
Randall Reid with Mayor Suzanne Atwell. File Photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • November 30, 2011
Commissioners to discuss new administrator's contract

During a scheduled retreat Thursday, Dec. 1, the Sarasota County commissioners are scheduled to discuss the terms of a contract the county attorney has negotiated with Randall H. Reid, the commissioners' choice for new county administrator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane Irene was the sole hurricane to hit the United States this year, but the season was actually an active one with 19 tropical storms, compared to the average of 11.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • November 30, 2011
Hurricane season ends today

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season was a quiet one for Longboat Key and other Florida coastal communities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 30, 2011
Pirates top rival Mustangs

The Braden River High boys soccer team held off rival Lakewood Ranch 3-1 Nov. 29 to remain unbeaten in Class 4A-District 11.

  • East County
  • Sports
Robert and Carol Baldwin with Christine and John Brown
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tapas Tuesday

Owners of Euphemia Haye Chef Ray and wife D'Arcy Arpke were inspired from a recent trip to Spain to add a new tapas menu. There were around 40 people at Haye Loft Lounge for Tapas Tuesday on Nov. 29. Attendees sampled the new tapas and Spanish wine.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Elton Arellano
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Casa Del Mar Christmas

Staff members, vacationers, renters and owners made sure there was no green left on the Casa Del Mar Christmas tree. It is chock full of silver, red, silver and red, purple and teal tinsel, round shiny ornaments, icicle ornaments and little red bows. The group got together outside of the office on Tuesday, Nov. 29 to decorate the Casa Del Mar family tree.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The break occurred at 8:30 a.m. this morning, interrupting services to about 90 residents. Service was restored by 11 a.m.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • November 30, 2011
Precautionary boil water advisory for Gateway Avenue and Superior Avenue area

Due to a water main break, a boil water advisory has been issued for the area of Gateway Avenue and Superior Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One of Scott Pike's paintings. Pike likes painting westerns, despite not knowing much about horses.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 30, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Scott Pike

Read more about Scott Pike in our candid Q&A.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 30, 2011
Bobby Jones offers holiday golf school

The city of Sarasota's golf club is offering a holiday special in December.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 30, 2011
Toys for Tots taking donations

Michael Saunders and Co. teamed up with Marines to ensure all needy Southwest Florida children receive presents this year through Toys for Tots.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Deborah and Jim Whitman. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 30, 2011
Kiwanis Club has familiar ring to it

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key members have a little jingle in their step - they've started once again ringing the bell in various locations for The Salvation Army.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 30, 2011
TBI bag ladies show their stuff

The women of the Judaica Gift Shop at Temple Beth Israel have started calling themselves 'The Bag Ladies,' because they now carry designer handbags.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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