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Your Observer

Ellie Dauphas brought her children, Ty and Daphne, to visit Santa.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 12, 2010
Hornback hosts Ranch Christmas bash

Hornback Chiropractic and Wellness invited Santa for a pre-Christmas visit to Lakewood Ranch during its Christmas on the Ranch event Dec. 11 at the Sarasota Polo Club. Families enjoyed pony rides, arts and crafts, a barbecue lunch and, of course, time with the Big Guy. Proceeds benefited Hope Family Services.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Newfoundland pups enjoy a lazy morning with their owners.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 11, 2010
Furry friends get frisky at the park

Little dogs, big dogs and event some cats paraded over to Selby Five Points Park to pose for pictures with Santa Claus Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Willa Saalwaechter with John and Barbara Sulton
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 11, 2010
Belles of the ball

Sarasota Yacht Club held its Holly Ball Saturday, Dec. 11, when members dolled themselves up in gowns and tuxes before gathering with one another for the festive occasion.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The dinghy parade’s backdrop included the Ringling Bridge and the skyline of Sarasota at sunset.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 11, 2010
Boat Parade lights up the waters of Sarasota

Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights lit up the waters from City Island all the way to Sarasota Bayfront Park on Saturday, Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jean Potter and Winfield Giguere
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • December 11, 2010
St. Mary parishioners carry on tradition

Cloudy skies cleared just in time for St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church's annual picnic Dec. 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nancy Krohngold dishes up a smokey pulled pork sandwich and layers it with barbecue sauce.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 11, 2010
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Oak smoke

Nancy's Bar-B-Q will open in approximately six weeks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Patty Bettle, Peggy Wilhelm and Barbara Collins
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 10, 2010
Joy to the World Luncheon

Joy to the World Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Isabelle Carlsson and Lily Parmuka
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • December 10, 2010
St. Lucia Celebration lights the night

The 23rd annual Lucia celebration, presented by the Swedish Club of Sarasota, was held Dec.10, at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rick and Saint Cacchiotti and Steve Magner
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • December 10, 2010
Perlman hosts holiday bash

Richard Perlman hosted an evening of festive fun Friday, Dec. 10 for his co-workers at Michael Saunders & Co.'s Longboat Key offices. Approximately 100 Michael Saunders employees, family and friends attended the celebration at his home in Sandhamn Place.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Austin Rohring, 8, eagerly decorated his sugar cookie.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 10, 2010
Families flock to Holidays Around the Ranch

East County residents flocked to Lakewood Ranch Main Street Dec. 10 for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' annual Holidays Around the Ranch event. Attendees enjoyed live music and dance performances, food and drink, skating on an acrylic ice rink, carriage and train rides and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chad Terrel helped his 4-year-old son, Colten, decorate his gingerbread house, as did Colten’s sister, Kylie, not pictured.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 10, 2010
Woodland hosts family fun night

Woodland, The Community Church tonight hosted a Family Fun Night event. Attendees enjoyed making Christmas tree ornaments and gingerbread houses while watching Christmas movies.

  • East County
  • News
Nancy Krohngold dishes up a pulled pork sandwich and baked beans during lunch time at the restaurant's future site, at 301 Pineapple Ave.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 10, 2010
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Oak smoke

Nancy's Bar-B-Q will officially open in approximately six weeks, at 301 Pineapple Ave.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eight-year-old Aulden St. Lawrence celebrated his Rookie Division Championship by continually rounding the bases long after his teammates had left the ballpark.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2010
Cal Ripken crowns Little League Champs

Trophies and bragging rights were on the line Dec. 4, as dozens of little leaguers hit the diamond in the Cal Ripken Little League Baseball Championships. Champions were crowned in the Rookie, Minor and Major Divisions. In the Rookie Division, the Yankees defeated the Brewers 19-2 to cap off an undefeated season. The Red Sox defeated the Dodgers 9-6 in extra innings to capture the Minors Division championship. In the Majors Division, the Rays beat the Rangers 14-6.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2010
Rage wins Norcross Nike Cup

The Braden River Soccer Club U15 girls won the Norcross Nike Cup Dec. 4-5 in Atlanta.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2010
Benedetto scores 1,000th point

Braden River High senior point guard Caitlyn Benedetto scored her 1,000th career point in the Lady Pirates 56-42 loss to Venice Dec. 9.

  • East County
  • Sports
A thief stole a Salvation Army donation kettle containing an undetermined amount of money.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 10, 2010
Salvation Army Christmas kettle stolen

Sheriff's deputies are searching for a man who grabbed a donation kettle from a Salvation Army volunteer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nathan Barnes was one of the stars of this year's musical.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 10, 2010
Old West inspires BRE Christmas play

Braden River Elementary School fourth-graders took the East County on a trip to Branson, Mo., for their Christmas production, 'Santa's Holiday Hoedown,' Dec. 9. The production featured country Christmas carols and plenty of laughs. The school's Drumming Enrichment Club also performed.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Merida Mayor Angelica Araujo and Mayor Kelly Kirschner sign the sister city treaty.
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • December 10, 2010
UPDATE: Ceremony formalizes Sarasota's newest sister city

A ceremony held Friday, Dec. 10 celebrated the addition of Merida, Mexico, as Sarasota's newest sister city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Established in 1980, the Tablet of Honor currently holds 18 names of Longboat Key history makers.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 10, 2010
Town makes monumental move

Two historical monuments were removed from the building at 6960 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Marsha Glawitsch, Mirage Maraj, Cathy Powell and Tom Geyman won Division One of the 2008 Observer Challenge.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 10, 2010
WEEKEND BEST BET: Observer Cup

Get your game on at the Observer Cup golf tournament and the Observer Challenge tennis tournament.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This year's event will feature performances by a variety of groups.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2010
BEST BET: Holidays Around the Ranch

Lakewood Ranch will transform Main Street into a Winter Wonderland tonight for its annual Holidays Around the Ranch, which begins with Santa's arrival at 6 p.m.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 10, 2010
Buchanan submits service academy nominations

Five East County youths received the honor this year.

  • East County
  • News
Children and their parents line up for cookies and juice at the annual holiday party put on by Healthy Families Sarasota.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 9, 2010
Healthy Families Sarasota celebrates the holiday season

The Healthy Families Sarasota held their 13th annual holiday party at the First Baptist Church on Main Street on Thursday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 8 PM.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Steve Glawitsch and Linda Gillott
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 9, 2010
Observer Challenge kicks off with cocktails

This weekend, the first round of The Observer Cup tournament and the 11th annual Observer Challenge will take place.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2010
OBITUARY: Elsie Fiford

Elsie Fiford, 87, was a Longboat Key resident.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2010
Community Golf Scores 11.21.10 to 12.03.10

East County golfers post amazing numbers on area courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tabitha Bingham helped host this year's event at Braden River Middle School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2010
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Braden River Middle

Students in Braden River Middle School's National Junior Honor Society dished out soup, bread and desserts to East County residents as part of their annual Empty Bowls luncheon Dec. 9. The event, meant to raise awareness about world hunger, benefited Our Daily Bread.

  • East County
  • Schools
Erik Ross, Cameron Pearcen and Lucas Mingote manned the soup station.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2010
Students fill empty bowls at Braden River Middle

Students in Braden River Middle School's National Junior Honor Society chapter shared their vision to stamp out hunger with East County residents during their annual Empty Bowls luncheon Dec. 9. Donations from the event benefited Our Daily Bread.

  • East County
  • Schools
The contents of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort's restaurant will be sold beginning today in a liquidation sale.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2010
Colony liquidation sale begins today

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort begins a liquidation sale on-site today to sell the contents of the property's restaurant, bar and other operations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 9, 2010
Little superstars perform 'A Christmas Story'

Students at the Dreams are Free School at Bishop Nevins Academy donned angel, animal, king and shepherd costumes Tuesday for their nighttime performance of "A Christmas Story."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2010
Entrepreneur's book sales to benefit charities

All profits from Carol Green's book, "Spiritual Transformation in America," will be donated to national foundations, such as the Lupus Research Institute and Sunshine from Darkness.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chance and Bodhi Topjun stick their tounges out at one another.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 9, 2010
Big Cat Habitat brings out its babies

The Rosaire family held a pre-season gathering Nov. 29 at the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Cost Sanctuary.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The colorful and elaborate lighting display at this shopping center in Vaulx-en-Velin, France, shows the capabilities of the lighting system that will be installed at Selby Five Points Park.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 9, 2010
Selby Five Points Park sees the light

An $81,000 tree-lighting system, capable of 60 million color tones, will soon illuminate Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 9, 2010
Minimum wage charter change not supported

Voters won't get the chance to reverse a referendum that North Sarasota leaders say has been devastating to the economy there.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vern Buchanan
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 9, 2010
Buchanan to share wishes with soldiers

Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, is collecting holiday Christmas and Hanukkah cards for U.S. soldiers who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 9, 2010
News Briefs

City to build State Street parking garage; energy-efficiency plan to save $2 million per year; community leader reveals her run for commission

  • Sarasota
  • News
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