Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 24, 2014

Forever young

Heron East Assisted Living Facility held its second annual 'Senior Prom' last month.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 24, 2014

Sarasota nonprofits the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County and Big Brothers Big Sisters are hosting donation drives. The Boys and Girls Club's drive runs from July 21 through Aug. 2 and is accepting clothing, shoes, books and small household items for Goodwill Manasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 24, 2014

Sand Sculpture Camp

Sarasota County Parks and Recreation's Sand Sculpture Camp held its second day of this week's session Tuesday, on Siesta Key Beach.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 24, 2014

Weather: Sarasota

Mindy Towns submitted this photo of Sarasota Baptist Church, taken at sunset.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 23, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Selby Sunsets

Families spent their evening together at Selby Sunset Wednesday, July 23, at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The gardens extended its hours for families to play on the lawn, explore the mangrove trail and watch the sunset. Attendees were able to bring their own picnic dinners.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 23, 2014

Habitat for Humanity receives grant from Bank of America

The grant will help the nonprofit purchase a cargo van that will help deliver tools, supplies and construction materials used to build homes for Sarasota families in need.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 22, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Forty Carrots visits Mote Marine

Mote Marine Laboratory hosted a morning of learning for Forty Carrot Family Center families Tuesday, July 22. The field trip was part of Forty Carrots' Partners In Play series that invited families to meet Moonshine, Hugh and Buffet- Mote's resident manatees and dolphin. After exploring the facilities, families cooled off inside where they met jellyfish, clownfish and cuttlefish.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 21, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Girls Inc. visits the Ritz Carlton Spa

Girls of Girls Inc. spent an afternoon at the Ocean Breeze Salon and Spa Monday, July 21, at the Ritz Carlton. The visit allowed the girls to learn more about skincare and beauty products. After trying out new hairstyles and makeup tricks, the girls enjoyed some pampering including temporary hair extensions and fresh lemonade. The girls run a salon in the Girls Inc.'s micro-community, Dream Harbor, and were excited to share what they were taught with their customers.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 19, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Tarpon Tournament Awards Banquet

The 84th annual Sarasota Tarpon Tournament came to a close with an Awards Banquet Saturday, July 19, at the Hyatt Regency. Anglers and family members enjoyed dinner and drinks to celebrate the end of the three-month tournament. The tournament finished with a fish-off on June 21st with angler David Sugar winning by catching and releasing 38Â¾ inches.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Heather Merriman Saba
July 17, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: AJC Summer Lunch & Learn Series

AJC West Coast Florida held the first luncheon in its Summer Lunch & Learn Series Thursday, July 17, at Michael's On East.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 17, 2014

Observer wins 61 awards at newspaper contest

Six newspapers in the Observer Media Group garnered 61 total awards, including 24 first-place finishes, at the 2013 Florida Press Association Better Weekly Newspaper contest held July 10 to July 11, at the Biltmore in Coral Gables.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 17, 2014

Vive La France

The Alliance Francaise held a fundraiser in honor of Bastille Day, or La FÃªte Nationale, Monday, July 14, at Marina Jack.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 17, 2014

Going for Gold

Custodians of Sarasota County Schools enjoyed a day of fun and learning at the annual custodians professional development day July 3, at Riverview High School.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 17, 2014

It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. One winner will receive two travel certificates, good for travel from SRQ Airport.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 17, 2014

It's Read Everywhere

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 17, 2014

It's Read Everywhere

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
July 17, 2014

Bound for Nationals

Sarasota Sharks swimmers Bethany Leap and Alex Katz will compete in the 2014 Phillips 66 National Championships Aug. 6 through Aug. 10, in Irvine, Calif.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
July 17, 2014

Sharks tap new coach

Gulf Gate resident Brent Arckey was named the new head coach of the Sarasota Sharks July 8.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 17, 2014

Temple Beth Sholom Schools Culinary Delights Cooking Camp

Temple Beth Sholom Schools hosted Culinary Delights Cooking Camp last week.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 17, 2014

Weather: Sarasota

Richard Wulterkens submitted this sunset photo of a heron, taken on Siesta Key.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 17, 2014

Toy Story

Jack Matthews sits surrounded by George Washington, Uncle Sam and World War II generals and world leaders. The retired Washington, D.C., lawyer, veteran and South Carolina municipal judge doesn't think twice about his unusual company. They are a part of his vintage toy collection.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 17, 2014

YOUR NEIGHBOR | Ashley Baker and Joy Loos

The smell of handmade soap wafts from Joy Loos' kitchen, where she and her daughter, Ashley Baker, make soap for their company, Ashjoi All Natural Soaps.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
July 17, 2014

Sidelines

SLL Junior All-Stars win championship; Junior golfers tee off in Summer Series

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 15, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Selby American Sign Language Class

Families learned American Sign Language at Selby Public Library's Youth Summer Program Tuesday, July 15. Erin Bosch taught students colors in sign language by reading "Pete the Cat" by Eric Litwin. After reading "Pete the Cat," students took part in an arts and crafts project.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 14, 2014

Sarasota store hosts 'Operation Wedding Gown'

Military brides were invited to choose the dress of their dreams for free at Sarasota Brides & Formalwear as part of Brides Across America's "Operation Wedding Gown."

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 12, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Face Autism Skate Party

Face Autism Inc. held a skate party for families Saturday, July 11, at Stardust Skate Center. Families were able to rent skates and skate for two hours for free thanks to the Sarasota-based nonprofit founded by Colleen Buccieri. The Manasota roller-derby team, the Rolling Renegades, helped children skate. The team has skated with Face Autism families for more than a year. "They're great kids," says teammate Shylynn "Tess Tickles" Gamble.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 12, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Dig the Beach

Siesta Key Beach transformed into a volleyball haven for the 2014 Dig the Beach Volleyball Series Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. Professional and amateur volleyball players ages 10 years and up will compete in the day two-day tournament.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 11, 2014

Blackboard Inc. honors Sarasota schools

The award honors those in the education field who strive for excellence in teaching.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
July 10, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Club luncheon

Sarasota community leaders gathered for the monthly Tiger Bay Club luncheon Thursday, July 10, at Michael's On East. The club invited guests to meet county commission candidates Paul Caragiulo, Shannon Snyder, Pete Theisen, Steve McAllister and Alexandra Coe. Tom Tryon of the Herald Tribune served as moderator for the forum.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 10, 2014

Show of support

Siesta Key Hardware owners Patricia and James Hillier are bringing the island community closer together.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 10, 2014

Creative contest

Southeastern Guide Dogs has announced a T-shirt design contest for its 2015 walkathon held across the state.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 10, 2014

Growing up green

More than 80 campers experienced the beauty of nature at the S.T.E.M. Summer Camp last week in Venice.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
July 10, 2014

National Recognition

Nineteen Monsters Lacrosse Academy players, including three from Cardinal Mooney, will play this summer on LB3 National Teams, which comprise the best players from across the nation.