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Your Observer

Austin Buckstein, 5, wanted to have his picture taken with Santa alone.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 6, 2010
Santa visits Tara Elementary

Santa Claus made a special visit to Tara Elementary School Dec. 3. Guests enjoyed a dinner of pizza and pasta, dancing and pictures with St. Nick.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2010
Manatee seeks MPO volunteers for advisory board

Manatee County has two openings on a Citizens Advisory Committee that makes recommendations to the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

  • East County
  • News
Under a proposed agreement, city buildings would receive upgrades on lighting, water and HVAC systems.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 6, 2010
City considers energy-efficiency contract

The $8.6 million agreement is expected to reduce the city's energy costs by nearly $2 million each year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Leslie Russell and Don Brown
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • December 6, 2010
Cedars throws Holiday party

It was a Welcome Back party with a holiday theme at The Cedars on Dec. 6 as residents gathered for a festive evening. They enjoyed good food and conversation with all in good spirits. In addition to exchanging stories of their activities during months away, plans were discussed for the holiday season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Edie and David Chaifetz with Susan Danis
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 5, 2010
Salute to Susan Danis featuring the American Spiritual Ensemble

Salute to Susan Danis featuring the American Spiritual Ensemble

  • Black Tie
Katelyn Werner, honoree Mary Ann Robinson and Megan Werner
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 5, 2010
Designing Women Boutique Fashion Gala Dinner and Fashion Show honoring Mary Ann Robinson

Designing Women Boutique Fashion Gala Dinner and Fashion Show honoring Mary Ann Robinson

  • Black Tie
Lili Katz decorates the Christmas tree.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 5, 2010
Residents light up Laurel Park for the holidays

Laurel Park residents gathered Sunday for their annual holiday gala.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Liliana Katz decorates the Laurel Park Christmas tree.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 5, 2010
Residents light up Laurel Park for the holidays

Laurel Park residents gathered Sunday for a tree-decorating party.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Scottish Country Dancers performed during the event.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2010
Scottish traditions abound on Main

Hundreds of East County residents flocked to Main Street in Lakewood Ranch for the St. Andrews Scottish Festival Dec. 4. During the event, which is designed to bring awareness to Scottish traditions while raising funds for pediatric brain cancer, guests enjoyed performances by country music star David Nail, the Sarasota Scottish Country Dancers and the Jacobites Pipe & Drum Band, among others. Other festivities included face painting and other activities for children, Scottish beer samplings and a haggis-hurling competition, among others.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Six-year-old Peter Sziaglyi had a blast playing the carnival-style games.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2010
Bashaw students enjoy holiday fun

Bashaw Elementary School students enjoyed some holiday fun during the school's holiday festival Dec. 4. Students and their families enjoyed bounce houses, face painting, carnival-style games, refreshments and a performance by the Bashaw chorus, among other activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lori Anderson, Mary Fiorini, Annie Skokos, Michelle Skokos and Jacquie Pfeiffer
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2010
Christ Presbyterian rings in holiday season

Members of Christ Presbyterian Church rang in the holiday season during the church's Festival and International Bazaar of Hope Dec. 4. Guests enjoyed live entertainment, a picnic-style lunch and baked goods, bounce houses and a silent auction, among other activities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Angeli Lucernas brought her 9-month-old daughter Maia Juan to see Santa for the first time.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2010
Santa Claus stops in Stoneybrook

Dozens of children and their families enjoyed a special visit from Santa Claus during Stoneybrook's Breakfast with Santa Dec. 4. Children enjoyed a hearty breakfast, holiday crafts and storytime before taking a seat on Santa's knee and sharing their wish lists.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Debbi Benedict, Barbara Dumbaugh and Mary Lou Moulton
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 4, 2010
Mistletoe Magic

Mistletoe Magic

  • Black Tie
Noreen Delaney, Commissioner Joe Barbetta and Kay Delaney
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 4, 2010
Five Points gets jolly with holly tree

Selby Five Points Park held a tree-lighting ceremony Saturday before the holiday parade.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of the JUMP Dance Company were pretty in pink
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • December 4, 2010
Holiday Parade brings Christmas cheer

The streets of downtown Sarasota were packed with smiling faces as the crowds cheered for the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Solenia and Taiz Caminero wear Santa hats as they watch the parade on Saturday.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 4, 2010
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Holiday Parade

The Sarasota Holiday Parade took place downtown Saturday, Dec. 4 starting at 7 PM.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Three boats decorated in white lights reflect back in the water during Bird Key Yacht Club’s Lighting of the Fleet evening.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 4, 2010
BKYC makes an evening of Lighting of the Fleet

Bird Key Yacht Club held their annual Lighting of the Fleet event on Saturday, Dec. 4. The members of the club enjoyed looking out at the docks filled with boats decorated in bright lights and Christmas decorations. The evening also included dinner and entertainment by the Sarasota Chorus of the Keys. The members were also asked to bring a toy for Toys for Tots.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lynn and Gary Coffin
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • December 4, 2010
Country Club Shores holiday party

Country Club Shores held their holiday party Saturday, Dec. 4, at Bird Key Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ben and Pauline Feole
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • December 4, 2010
Longboat Village Christmas bash

Longboat Villagers are known for their love of a fun party and their annual Christmas party held Dec. 4 at the Longboat Art center was no exception. Attending were 140 Village residents and guests.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nancy Bailey, Dick and Danielle Gladding and Dave and Elaine Bustard
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 3, 2010
Festival of Trees, Lights and Holiday Gifts

Festival of Trees, Lights and Holiday Gifts

  • Black Tie
Honorees Steve Harner, Dr. Harriet Moore, Hon. Chief Judge Lee Haworth and Dr. Katherine Keeley
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 3, 2010
Men and Women of the Year Luncheon

Men and Women of the Year Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Sharon Petrik, Harmoni Krusing and Tatyana Sharoubim
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 3, 2010
Hot cars and cool chicks

Encore Motorcars held a lavish shopping affair featuring Christmas mojitos.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Skylar Metnick and Alex Lane tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • December 3, 2010
Snow and Santa delight crowds at Holiday Stroll

There was something to delight children of all ages at the Southside Holiday Stroll on Friday, Dec. 3, in Southide Village. The event featured live entertainment, visits with Santa at Comerica Bank, and even a sledding hill outside of Gecko's Grill and Pub.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chump Change, owned by Harry and Betty Pawlowitz won for Best Overall in the Sarasota Yacht Club Lighting of the Fleet “Tropical Christmas” competition.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 3, 2010
SYC Lighting of the Fleet gets Tropical

The Sarasota Yacht Club held their annual Lighting of the Fleet on Friday, Dec. 3. The event brought our hundreds of members and their families for an evening full of fun, food and lots of Christmas lights. The theme for the competition was 'Tropical Christmas'.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A view of the tree after being lit during the 2010 Holiday Night of Lights.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 3, 2010
Lighting of the Circle lights holiday cheer

The annual tree lighting ceremony that has taken place on St. Armands Circle for the last 11 years took place this past Friday, Dec. 3 at 6 PM. St. Armands Holiday Night of Lights was a big success drawing hundreds of people to the circle to enjoy an evening of holiday fun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
New landscaping highlights the entrance to the park at the corner of Pineapple Avenue and Central Avenue.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 3, 2010
Five Points Park improvements unveiled

The downtown park's makeover includes new grass, landscaping, brick walkway and performance stage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zachary Zimmer, who plays Jim Hill, complains about having to work in the summer heat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 3, 2010
Ranch thespians debut 'Somewhere, Nowhere'

Lakewood Ranch High School students hit the stage Thursday night, debuting the play "Somewhere, Nowhere." Another performance will be offered tonight at 7 p.m., in the school's auditorium.

  • East County
  • News
David Persson believes a lawsuit may have to be filed against a Key resident who won't allow town staff to enter his home.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 3, 2010
Attorney plans lawsuit against resident

Town attorney David Persson says if Key resident James Armstrong does not allow town staff to inspect his home for work done without a permit, he will file a lawsuit against him and ask a judge to allow access to the home.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Elizabeth and Andrew Burchard, Theresa Getzen and Silvanna Medina
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 2, 2010
Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Kick-Off Party

Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Kick-Off Party

  • Black Tie
The winning gingerbread house, made by Lyndsy McDonald and Crista Cotton from Pastries by Design, was modeled after Sarasota Square Mall.
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • December 2, 2010
CYD Gingerbread Festival kicks off

More than 100 gingerbread houses were unveiled at the CYD Gingerbread Festival Kickoff on Thursday, Dec. 2, at Sarasota Square Mall. The event featured an Iron Chef style decorating competition as well as a giant gingerbread house. Proceeds from the event benefit Community Youth Development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heidi and Kent Lagro pose in front of one of the beautiful Christmas trees inside the Arbomar during their Christmas Party, Thursday, Dec. 2.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2010
German themed Christmas party helps Toys for Tots

Kent and Heidi Lagro held their 6th annual Christmas Party at Arbomar on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6:00 PM. The Lagro's party is not just about being with friends and celebrating the holidays but the Lagro's ask their guests to bring toys that can be donated for Toys for Tots.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Marvin Black talks to Ed Brickman about Brickman’s work inspired by a picture drawn by Brickman’s grand-niece as Annette Black and Gloria Weissberg admire the work.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2010
Brickman exhibit a jewel at LBKCA

Ed Brickman: Legal Forging opened at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts Thursday, Dec. 2 at 5 PM. Brickman's jewelry work was on display and many members of the community and friends of Brickman attended the opening event which featured appetizers and drinks as well as the ability to purchase some of Brickman's jewelry.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Tablet of Honor currently bears the names of 18 citizens who contributed to the Key.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 2, 2010
Historical Society asks town to move monuments

The group requested the town move the Tablet of Honor and a monument commemorating the Spanish landing to Bicentennial Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Senior Friendship Center Participant Cec Grodner and Ringling student Pinky Levine discuss the artwork they created.
    By
  • Maria Amodio
  • December 2, 2010
Students and elders connect through art

Students from the Ringling College of Art and Design and participants from the Senior Friendship Center are bridging the generational gap through art.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pete Theisen, 65, is making his second run for City Commission.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 2, 2010
Second commission candidate announces run

Alta Vista resident Pete Theisen is one of two City Commission candidates for the District 3 seat Mayor Kelly Kirschner is vacating next spring.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kira Mashke, Maya Lane, Skyler and Teagan Metnick, Alex Lane, Kai Mashke and Santa Claus attended the event last year.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 2, 2010
Sarasota predicts snow at Friday stroll

Get into the holiday spirit at the Holiday Stroll at Southside Village Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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