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Sarasota | Neighbors

Courtesy Photo. The first of the seven speakers planned begins with Pulitzer Prize winner, Charles Krauthammer on Tuesday, Jan 13.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 5, 2015
Neil deGrasse Tyson among Town Hall speakers

Tickets are now on sale for the Ringling College Library Association's Town Hall lecture series, featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Ben Bernanke, among others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diane Byrne takes in the orchid displays designed by professional growers.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 3, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 58th annual Orchid Show

Gardening enthusiasts explored the greenery and blooms at the annual Orchid Show hosted by the Sarasota Orchid Society Jan. 3 at the Municipal Auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rachel Chambers had the second fastest time for the 5K Fun Run Saturday morning.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 2, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 5K Fun Run

Local runners got a good start to the new year with a free 5K Fun Run on Jan. 3 hosted by the New Balance Sarasota store on Stickney Point Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Norma Martin thanked more than 70 people for attending her birthday party, and told everyone to make sure and take home a cupcake.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 1, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Norma Martin celebrates 100

Norma Martin celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at her church, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, in Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2015
YEAR IN PICTURES: SARASOTA

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
Santa: Sarasota's newest snowbird?

Now that all the presents have been delivered and the cookies eaten, the jolly man in red could surely use a break.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Linda Honeycheck and Elizabeth Melendez Fisher. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
In the spirit of giving

Selah Freedom and Turning Points in Bradenton were the recipients of $7,500 each, just in time for the holidays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Christian senior Kelsey Murphy dribbles the ball past a pair of the Out-of-Door Academy midfielders in a 1-0 semifinals win Jan. 16.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 30, 2014
2014: Year in sports

Building off of last year's successes, which included state championships, perfect records and remarkable comebacks, Sarasota area athletes made headlines in 2014, putting together yet another eventful and successful year filled with historic moments and milestones.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Madison Pack played an integral role in helping lead the Sarasota girls basketball team to the Final Four in her first season with the team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 30, 2014
Top teams of 2014

The Observer names the top sports teams of 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
On Oct. 10, Cardinal Mooney quarterback Reese Vita broke the school’s all-time passing mark of 3,375 yards set in 2001.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 30, 2014
Sports: Top moments of 2014

The Observer shares the top sports moments of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Karin Shillus
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
Color coded

Looking back through our archives of weather photos in 2014, picking our best submissions was a near-impossible task.

  • 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
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