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Sarasota | Neighbors

Courtesy photo Sarasota resident Marcus Liberty spent four years playing in the NBA.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 25, 2014
Finding an Edge

Out-of-Door Academy basketball coach and former NBA player Marcus Liberty will host his first clinic.

  • East County
  • Sports
Susie Chinn, right, has been involved with Sarasota in Defense of Animals for the last seven years. She and volunteer Pam Driggs, left, enjoy spending time at the organization's 10-acre shelter, where they care for more than 300 rescued animals.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 25, 2014
The Good News: Susie Chinn

For the last 25 years, nonprofit organization Sarasota in Defense of Animals has provided rescued animals with a permanent home.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Madison Anderson touches the shovelnose lobster.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Florida Aquarium visits Selby Library

The Florida Aquarium visited Selby Public Library Monday, June 23. Children learned about sea urchins, sea stars, mollusks and lobsters. Before the lecture, attendees made art on paper plates with their parents. The afternoon event is part of Selby's summer activities for Sarasota children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Luke Geske got a hit for the Sarasota American 9/10 team during its tournament opening victory over Sarasota National June 21.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Little League 9/10 and 10/11 All-Stars

The Sarasota Little League 9/10 and 10/11 American and National All-Stars opened their District 16 Little League All-Star Tournament June 21. The Sarasota 9/10 and 10/11 American teams both posted opening day victories over their Sarasota National counterparts. The district tournament runs through June 26 with the winners from each division advancing to the sectional tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jesse Dasilva, Andrew Crane and Brandon Gunderaon
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 21, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Saraosta SUP Race Series

The Stand Up Paddleboard Race Series returned Saturday, June 21, to Siesta Key Beach. Participants and their families enjoyed a day at the beach with races held throughout the day. The next race in the series will be in August at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
ADDY Co-Chair Kay Mathers, Secretary Jenny Panitch, Internet Chair Lee Gaines and ADDY Co-Chair Deborah Carr
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 19, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: AAF "adStravaganza!"

The American Advertising Federation of Sarasota welcomed their new board of directors at the 'adStravaganza!' Thursday, June 19, at Florida Studio Theatre. Members mixed and mingled before enjoying dinner and show with performances by Beneva Fruitville and The Alliance. As a way to celebrate the outgoing and incoming board directors, committee chairs and directors played variety show games 'The Honeymooner's Game' and 'Let's Make a Deal.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Connor Maag plays with the puppy.
  • By Maddy Del Medico
  • June 19, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Fur Fun Summer Camp

Campers of the Sarasota Humane Society played with puppies and kittens at Fur Fun Summer Camp Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20. The camp runs throughout July and invites children to learn about pet care and animal safety. On Thursday, the campers made kitten toys and learned how to bathe a puppy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 19, 2014
Golden celebration

Julio Enrique Vega and his wife, Vilma, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, June 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 19, 2014
National treasure

The Sarasota South Elk's Lodge 2495 held a Flag Day ceremony Wednesday, June 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 19, 2014
Orioles to play first home game Friday

The Orioles Gulf Coast League team will play its first home game of the 2014 season at 12 p.m. June 20, at Ed Smith Stadium, against the GCL Rays.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 19, 2014
Stand up, Sarasota

The Sarasota SUP Series returns Saturday, June 21, on Siesta Key Beach. The three-race series is in its second year and promises to be bigger than ever.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney High volleyball coach Kristen Batt founded SOURCE Volleyball Academy as a way to grow the sport of volleyball and allow athletes the opportunity to train full-time.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 19, 2014
Source for Success

Cardinal Mooney High volleyball coach Kristen Batt recently founded SOURCE Volleyball Academy, which will officially launch this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota catcher Brandon Chapman was one of three Sailors named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association 2014 Baseball All-State Team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 19, 2014
Sidelines

Sarasota Little League announces all-stars; Sarasota to receive Special Olympics grant; Local players named to all-state team; Sarasota Scullers finish 12th at nationals

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photos by Harriet Sokmensuer Sally Irwin, Pat Lotz, Harry and Sally Rownd, Bob Irwin, Jerry Lotz and Carolyn and Bob Rector
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 19, 2014
Gourmet Gurus

Cooking group reflects on 34 years of memorable meals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chris Leach submitted this photo, taken on Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 19, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Chris Leach submitted this photo, taken on Siesta Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 18, 2014
SLL announces All-Stars

Sarasota Little League recently announced its 11/12 and 50/70 All-Star teams.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ivonne Padilla and her daughters, Karina and Brithney, explored Selby Gardens for the first time Saturday, after receiving a free yearlong membership. Padilla looks forward to introducing her daughters to the beauty of nature.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 18, 2014
The Good News: Ivonne Padilla

Through a partnership with Girls Inc., Selby Gardens has awarded 20 families yearlong memberships to help instill a lifelong love of the outdoors in children.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Visitors wont have to suffer for long, considering that this rare plant will only bloom for four or five days.
  • By Maddy Del Medico
  • June 17, 2014
'Corpse Plants' to bloom at Selby Gardens

This week, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' "Corpse Plant" Seymour and "kid sister Audrey" will bloom for the first time in 15 years. The "Corpse Plant" emits an odor that holds true to its name, smelling like rotting flesh.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edward and Sarah Campanella
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Fathers and Fenders

Families and car enthusiasts enjoyed their Sunday at Fathers and Fenders Sunday, June 15, at Five Points Park. The annual car show was open to the public a celebrates automobiles and Fathers Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sinai and Veronica Juarez
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Selby Garden's "Super Saturday"

Selby Gardens hosted "Super Saturday" Saturday, June 14. The morning event invited families to take advantage of the gardens with self-directed lawn games and activities. "Super Saturdays" will run every Saturday through August.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pat Dorsey presents the Small Business of the Year (51 to 100 Employees) Award to Bob Stanell of CS&L CPAs.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 13, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce celebrated area small businesses at the 24th annual Small Business Awards Luncheon Friday, June 13, at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota. Members and guests enjoyed lunch while eight Sarasota and Manatee businesses received recognition for their success in their category. Winners included CS&L CPAs, Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida, Goodwill Industries- Manasota, Inc. and the Van Wezel Foundation, Inc.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This week’s “Super Saturday” features lawn games.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 13, 2014
Weekend Best Bet: Selby Gardens 'Super Saturdays'

Kick off summer with a day of family fun at 'Super Saturday' Saturday, June 14. The morning event is the first of the eight-week series held this summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 12, 2014
T-errific trip

Incoming sophomore at Pine View School for the Gifted, Halle Belden, is collecting T-shirts and girls clothing for her trip to an orphanage and women's rehab June 26, in La Vega, Dominican Republic.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sheriff Tom Knight, Asst. Fire Chief Kevin Easton, SPD Chief Bernadette DiPino, Tim Thomas and Dave Graus (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 12, 2014
Warm and fuzzy

Sarasota Moose Lodge 1319 donated 36 stuffed animals of the group's mascot, Tommy Moose, to Chief Bernadette DiPino, Sheriff Tom Knight and Asst. Chief Kevin Eastern.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jean Maxwell Catsakis and Clarissa Thomasson
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 12, 2014
Patriotic duty

The Sara De Soto Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at a recent chapter meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Whenever she feels inspired, Patricia D'Arcy Laughlin writes in the comfort of her home.
  • By Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 12, 2014
Resident shines light on romance in new novel

For Patricia D'Arcy Laughlin, 'Sacrifice for a Kingdom' is a fictional love story with a real-life message.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Christian finished first in Class 2A in the 2013-14 Florida High School Athletic Association Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup All-Sports Awards point standings.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 12, 2014
High 5

Top five sports moments of the week

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota resident Krissy Murphy began running in 2010 as a way to stay active. Now she’s in the middle of training for her 10th marathon with the hopes of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 12, 2014
Sarasota resident aims to qualify for Boston Marathon

Sarasota resident Krissy Murphy was one of eight people recently chosen to join a group of national ambassadors representing Team CHOCOLATE MILK.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Florida Burn 2016 Pennant Team went 7-0 to win the 2014 16U WWBA East Memorial Day Classic May 23 through May 26, in Fort Myers.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 12, 2014
Sidelines

Sarasota YMCA in need of volunteers; i9 Sports fall registration open; The Founders Club improvements begin; Florida Burn 2016 Pennant Team

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jones learned to play mahjong in 1979.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 12, 2014
Your Neighbor: Ursula Jones

Ursula Jones is mad for mahjong. The petite redhead has been playing for more than three decades and is just as passionate as the day she learned to play.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Unit 31 at 500 S. Palm Ave. has two bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,830 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.35 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 12, 2014
Bay Island home sells for $3.75 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between May 26 and May 30.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Audrey Lehrer submitted this sunset photo, taken from the marina near the John Ringling Causeway.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 12, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Audrey Lehrer submitted this sunset photo, taken from the marina near the John Ringling Causeway.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Michael Werbow and his wife, Melissa
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 11, 2014
Temple Beth Sholom welcomes Rabbi Michael Werbow

Rabbi Werbow will lead services beginning 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 4 and in the morning Saturday, July 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 11, 2014
The Good News: Sarasota Middle School

For Sarasota Middle School teachers and administration, STEMsmart award reflects everyday student engagement.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jennifer and Ruby Dixon
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Kids Summer Beach Run

Runners of all ages hit the beach for the Kids Summer Beach Run Tuesday, June 10, at Siesta Key Beach. The run is the first in the 10-part series and was organized by the Manasota Track Club. Participants jogged 3.5 miles along the water among beachgoers and afterwards cooled off with ice pops.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sophia Colon, 1, cools off at the Children's Fountain Tuesday, June 10, at Bayfront Park. The Children's Fountain is open daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day, weather permitting.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 10, 2014
Photo of the Day: Children's Fountain

Sophia Colon, 1, tries to grab a fountain at the Children's Fountain Tuesday, June 10, at Bayfront Park. The Children's Fountain is open daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day, weather permitting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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