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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
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
James West submitted this photo of his daughter, Katherine, jumping for joy at sunset on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 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
The Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center is the new host of the Sarasota Open. File photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2014
On the move

After a six-year run on Longboat Key, the Sarasota Open will now be held in the Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Drew Moon of Freedom Boat Club takes turn with lawn bowling at the Monday Mixer.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: SCC Monday Mixer

Members of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce took on the game of lawn bowling for the Monday Mixer at the Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A float made by the Sarasota Tabernacle Christian School made its way down Main Street for the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade

Main Street was the place to be on Saturday night to welcome the season with the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Norah Browne sells 50/50 raffle tickets, which raised $3,500.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party

On Dec. 6, the fourth annual Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party raised money for the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club. The event, at the Islandside Driving Range, included food and drinks from nearly 30 area restaurants and a raffle with a grand prize of $20,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michela Lombardi, 3, greets Santa
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Armands Holiday Night of Lights

On Dec. 5, the 36th annual Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands kicked off the holiday season on the Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce directors and officers gathered with local business owners for the annual holiday luncheon.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 4, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: SKCC Holiday Luncheon

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held its annual holiday luncheon at Mattison's Forty-One, Friday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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