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Your Observer

    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 4, 2015
Commission chooses new chair, vice chair

Alan Maio assumed the crucial role for the upcoming year, and hopes to follow former Chairwoman Carolyn Mason's example.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 4, 2015
Longboat Harbour has a holly jolly time

Longboat Harbour residents celebrated the holidays on Dec. 3

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A view from the Osprey bay front.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 4, 2015
Sarasota County eyes bayfront property for park

The former owners defaulted on the property, which will go to the highest bidder before the end of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 2015 Sarasota Music Half Marathon had a sold-out crowd and anticipates the same with more music added this year.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 4, 2015
Music Half Marathons raises the volume on race experience

The Sarasota Music Half Marathon returns for a second year with more bands along the route.

  • Sarasota
  • News
McNeal and Braden River elementary schools' students receive a lesson from Cari Walz, Household Hazardous Waste employee, on recycling electronics.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 4, 2015
Braden River, McNeal elementary students fill up on knowledge

East County students tour the Lena Road Landfill.

  • East County
  • News
Salvation Army volunteer Bettina Ettedgui and her pal Sydney team up every year.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 4, 2015
Salvation Army rings in fundraising season

Salvation Army Sarasota thanks volunteers with Kettle Kick-Off event Dec. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dick and Marjorie Singer with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Associates President Carmen Baskind with President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 4, 2015
Selby Gardens 6th annual Wine, Dine & Pine

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Associates hosted the 6th annual Wine, Dine & Pine event Thursday, Dec. 3

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 4, 2015
Terry Griffin Chases Justice

Local author Terry Griffin released his newest book, “Chasing Justice,” at a launch party Dec. 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Instructor Joe Askren compares the blueberry blonde ale to student Jordan Bailey's hair.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 3, 2015
USF Sarasota-Manatee beer science class hosts tasting finale

The class brewed different craft beers from scratch.

  • East County
  • News
Seven-year-old Calen Brown, of Bradenton, puts the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 3, 2015
Braden River Branch Library decks the halls

The East County library hosted a Holiday Decorating Party Dec. 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cliff Roles
  • December 3, 2015
Gulf Coast Builders Exchange 2015 Social

Gulf Coast Builders Exchange 2015 Social

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Sarasota Police Department released this mug shot of Brian Wilson, taken following his DUI arrest in Hendry County, Fla.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 3, 2015
Sarasota man arrested for murder in girlfriend’s death

Sarasota police have charged Brian Wilson with murder following the death of his girlfriend, which authorities allege he attempted to cover up as a suicide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County commissioners Betsy Benac and Vanessa Baugh voted against the impact fee increases for developers.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 3, 2015
Manatee County commissioners approve impact fee increase

Developers will pay impact fee increases that will generate approximately 14% more revenue in 2016

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 3, 2015
Sing along with St. Mary

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church celebrated the Christmas season with a performance by soprano Michelle Giglio and pianist Lee Dougherty Ross Dec. 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Haile Middle band students donate toys.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 3, 2015
Haile Middle students donate to Toys for Tots

The school's band students collected more than 300 toys for in-need children.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 3, 2015
Nik Wallenda inspires seniors in new ad campaign

As part of Canon's 'Rebel with a Cause' advertising campaign campaign, local aerialist Nik Wallenda starred in a short film featuring Sarasota senior citizens.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 3, 2015
California Pizza Kitchen signs on at University Town Center

A 10-year lease was signed in early November.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 3, 2015
Bromeliad tree sprouts at Selby Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Horticulture Department builds a tree for the holidays of only bromeliads.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Introduction to Beer Science course is held at the USF Culinary Innovation Lab in Lakewood Ranch, but the tasting semester finale will be held at USFSM's main campus.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 3, 2015
USFSM beer science class hosts tasting event

The class developed different kinds of beer as a course requirement.

  • East County
  • News
An additional 5% discount for Longboat Key citizens and property owners with National Flood Insurance Program policies will go into effect soon for the coming year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 3, 2015
New rating will decrease Longboat Key flood insurance bills

An additional 5% discount for Longboat Key citizens and property owners with National Flood Insurance Program policies will go into effect soon for the coming year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Booker High senior guard Senia Gibbons serves as both captain of the girls basketball team and Battalion Commander of the school's JROTC program.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 3, 2015
Top of her Game

Booker senior guard finds balance between her role as captain on the court and Battalion Commander for JROTC.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota senior Adam Bradtmueller finished 12th at the Foot Locker South Regional Nov. 28, in Charlotte, N.C.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 3, 2015
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.03.15

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.03.15

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Christian senior Brandon Bontrager led the Blazers to victory Dec. 1.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 3, 2015
Sarasota Sidelines:12.03.15

Sarasota Sidelines:12.03.15

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A home in Cherokee Lodge tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 3, 2015
Cherokee Lodge home sells for $1.25 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Nov. 16 and Nov. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Janelle Branower, of Longboat Key, submitted this photo of a full moon rising over the water.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2015
Longboat Key weather page photo: Dec. 3

Janelle Branower, of Longboat Key, submitted this photo of a full moon rising over the water.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bruce Silverman submitted this photo of a sunrise over his backyard in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2015
East County weather page photo: Dec. 3

Bruce Silverman submitted this photo of a sunrise over his back yard in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anthony Welch, of Sarasota, submitted this photo of Hart’s Landing on Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2015
Sarasota weather page photo: Dec. 3

Anthony Welch, of Sarasota, submitted this photo of Hart’s Landing on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Cardinal Mooney girls soccer team beat Lemon Bay 2-1 Nov. 23.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 3, 2015
East County High 5 Moments: 12.03.15

East County High 5 Moments: 12.03.15

  • East County
  • Sports
SIA President Tony Romanus in the median where work had already begun before the county stopped it.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 3, 2015
Siesta Isles Association seeks to uproot county’s order

The county giveth, and the county taketh away.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
1879 Morris Avenue- Frosty the snowman comes to life with his family at this lights display.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2015
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Christmas lighting challenge, Season of Sharing

WEEK OF DEC. 3 2015

  • Sarasota
  • News
Homeowner Joe Volpe, who believes his neighborhood has been seen numerous violations of the county's rental rules.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 3, 2015
Short-term violations are long-term problem

County statistics say it’s been an average year for short-term rental violations on Siesta Key. But residents say more rentals are breaking rules.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 3, 2015
Lists: The push behind the rank

Keeping Sarasota on top 10 lists requires effort from local tourism officials.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Laurel Park Neighborhood Association President Jude Levy believes the proposed loading area, right, would have a negative effect on the neighboring residential properties on Rawls Street.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 3, 2015
Laurel Park residents fight Woman’s Exchange expansion

Concerned about the effects of a proposed loading area, the neighborhood association has appealed the city’s decision to grant a building permit for the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although a developer had grand plans for the site in 2007, the bayfront land is still vacant.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 3, 2015
New Quay site owner revives plans along bayfront

The owner of 14.5 acres of bayfront land is preparing a mixed-use project including condo, hotel and retail space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chief Planner Steve Stancel hopes to present a final design concept for Fruitville Road to the City Commission in February or March.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 3, 2015
City seeks input on creating a more bearable Fruitville Road

As the city develops plans to make Fruitville Road more inviting for pedestrians, it’s asking residents to offer feedback on how the streetscape could be improved.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo. Kim and Tim Weeks
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 3, 2015
A purrfect union

Recently married couple met while working at Cat Depot and Sarasota Police Department swears in holiday help.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie
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