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Sarasota | Neighbors

The Mighty Sailor Band's trip to London will be the band’s most recent international trip since the 1970s. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 30, 2014
SHS Mighty Sailors to perform in London New Year's Day Parade

Members of the Sarasota High School Mighty Sailor Band will be ringing in the new year five hours before the clock strikes midnight in the United States.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bob Minton asks residents a question during a morning exercise class that he hosts four times a week as the program director at Heron East.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 29, 2014
Minton creates a sense of community at Heron East

As program director, Bob Minton leads residents in daily activities such as exercise classes and outings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Patricia Orzechowski submitted this sunset photo, taken at Nokomis Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Couple celebrates 54th anniversary

Carol and Jules Green met at a summer camp where Carol was a junior counselor and Jules was a waiter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Officers welcome holiday backup

The Sarasota Police Department is on the lookout for an elf who goes by the name of Officer Elf on the Shelf.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Memories & mishaps

For the holidays, the Observer collected Christmas stories - both heartwarming and head shaking - from readers. From burnt dinners and terrifying encounters with Santa to tales of the true meaning of Christmas, these stories are sure to add a little happiness and laughter to your holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The lighting contests judges were treated with Christmas carolers at Whispering Sands.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 25, 2014
Condo Council chooses the best and brightest

With the help of eggnog and the Siesta trolley, judges toured Siesta Key to select the winners of the Siesta Key Condo Council's annual condo lighting contest Dec. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 25, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Skylar Jungers
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 25, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Girl of the Year recipient Isabelle Crotsley, Girls Inc. Distinguished Board Chair Donna Ogilvie and National Girls Inc. Champions for Girls award recipient Sherry Watts. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 25, 2014
Girls Inc. surprises board member with award

A celebration was in order for Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 25, 2014
Dear Santa:

Ashton and Phillippi Shores Elementary School students share their holiday wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Local tennis professionals from Manatee and Sarasota Counties offer free skill clinics to players at the end of the season. Courtesy photos
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2014
Friendly competition

The Suncoast Tennis League welcomes approximately 1,800 players in five divisions from 30 clubs across Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • Sports
Adam Caldwell tells the story of Judah Maccabee at Hanukkah Happening.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El Hanukkah Happening

Members of the community were invited to join in on the holiday celebration with the congregation at Temple Emanu-El for Hanukkah Happening Friday evening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A garden of lights blooms down one of the walk ways at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Lights in Bloom display.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom at Selby

Guests were invited to enjoy an early preview of Lights in Bloom Thursday, Dec. 18 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Girl of the Year recipient Isabelle Crotsley, Girls Inc. Distinguished Board Chair Donna Ogilvie and National Girls Inc. Champions for Girls award recipient, Sherry Watts.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Girls Inc. Celebrates Girl of the Year

Today called for a celebration at Girls Incorporated Girl for the Girl of the Year award and the first ever National Girls Inc. 'Champions for Girls' award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ethan Frizzell, Ernie Withers and Sue Frizzell. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Sound of hope

The holiday season hasn't officially started until our favorite bell ringers return to their posts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Brady and Carol Pettengill, right
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Holiday harmonies

Shoppers and residents were treated to some holiday harmonies by the Senior Friendship Centers' group, the Second Wind Harmonica Players, in Downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Christmas worship services

The Observer shares local Christmas worship services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Senior Ryan McMahon is shooting 64% from the floor and 57% from behind the arc this season for the Cougars. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
Controlling the court

Cardinal Mooney senior Ryan McMahon is averaging 26.7 points per game this season while leading the Cougars to a 6-0 record.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
1884 Morris St.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 17, 2014
Light up the night

These Sarasota Christmas lights are worth the ride around town.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wayne Johnson submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students performed holiday songs for residents at the Jefferson Center.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Bay Haven Broadway Club performs

Students of the Bay Haven Broadway Club spread holiday cheer by performing at the Jefferson Center of Sarasota the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mary Czernyk, of St. Armands Circle Association and Executive Director Diana Corrigan
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Armands Circle Association's annual holiday party

St. Armands business owners, workers and residents gathered at Crab & Fin restaurant on Dec. 16 for the St. Armands Circle Association's annual holiday party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A diamondback terrapin hatchling
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 14, 2014
Mote Aquarium to hold exhibit on life cycles of marine animals

'Oh Baby! Life Cycles of the Seas" will explore marine animal romance, babies and families.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Members of the Sisterhood of Temple Beth Sholom: Ruthe Actor, Randi Brodsky, Jane Greenfield, Arlene Levine and Betty Levitt.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Sholom Latkes & Vodka

The ladies of the Temple Beth Sholom sisterhood shared fellowship and songs during Latkes & Vodka Sunday, Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An entry from Fruitville Elementary School in the CYD Gingerbread Festival.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 13, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: CYD Gingerbread Festival

More than 100 gingerbread houses are on display for the CYD 6th annual Gingerbread Festival this weekend at Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A boat decorated as a Christmas tree makes its way down the bay for the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 13, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Boat Parade

Boats of all shapes and sizes lit up the waterways for the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on Sarasota Bay Saturday night.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Erica Lawson and her bachelorette party reindeers prepare for the Sandy Claws Beach Run.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 38th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run

Runners hit the sand this morning on Siesta Beach for holiday-themed 5K the 38th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The forecast called for snow at Gecko's Grill and Pub for the Southside Village Holiday Stroll.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Southside Village Holiday Stroll

The night was perfect for residents to take a stroll Friday for the Southside Village Holiday Stroll along Hillview Street and Osprey Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Boats float by in the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 11, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade

Grab your beach chair this weekend for the parade where the floats actually float on by for the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nada and David Farr take a turn on the dance floor.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: The Glenridge Holiday Gala

Residents of The Glenridge mixed, mingled and danced the night away for the annual Holiday Gala Wednesday evening.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deputy Chief Steve Moyer, Chief Bernadette DiPino, Roger Ralph and Nate Brown. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Stepping up to the plate

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County teamed up to bring the anti-bullying event Rachel's Challenge to Sarasota Dec. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cameron and Katie Morton with their daughter, Hannah. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Helping out by working out

Few workouts help a good cause and provide a good sweat at the same time.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Seniors Adam Frazier and Taylor Totterdale are the drum majors for the Riverview High School Kiltie Band. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 10, 2014
Senior drum majors carry on Kiltie tradition

The pressure is on for Riverview High seniors Taylor Totterdale and Adam Frazier.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
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Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
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