Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
April 1, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Compeer Inc. Friendraising party

Compeer Inc. celebrated its volunteers and supporters at its 'Friendraising' party Tuesday, April 1, at State of the Arts Gallery. Compeer Inc. founder, Bunny Skirboll, and Compeer Inc. CEO, Jack Minge, thanked members of the community for their support. 'It means so much for a small organization to have the support of a community like Sarasota,' said Skirboll.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nolan Peterson
April 1, 2014

Siesta Key trolley service slated to start in July

The Siesta Key trolley and plans to amend the outdoor display ban both took steps forward at a Siesta Key Village Association meeting Tuesday.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
April 1, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: All Faiths kick-off breakfast

All Faiths Food Bank, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, held a kick-off breakfast for its 40-day campaign, 'Campaign Against Summer Hunger,' Tuesday, April 1. The campaign, which runs through May 10, encourages local residents to empty their shelves and make cash donations to combat seasonal hunger. 'This is an opportunity for you to give from your head and your heart," said Teri Hansen, CEO and president of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
April 1, 2014

All Faiths Food Bank launches 40-day challenge

'Campaign Against Summer Hunger' encourages local residents to empty their shelves and make cash donations to combat seasonal hunger.

Siesta Key
News

Nolan Peterson
March 31, 2014

Harmer reorganizes county government

The move is intended to increase efficiency without compromising the county's level of service.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 31, 2014

Sarasota Museum of Art receives $1 million challenge

The $1 million donation was offered on the condition that SMOA could secure the balance of $1.45 million by the end of its campaign, the $1 Million Challenge, Saturday May 31.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 31, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Women's Exchange 'Mad Hatter' Luncheon

Volunteers of the Women's Exchange went mad at the 'Mad Hatter' Volunteer Luncheon Monday, March 31. The annual event,which celebrates the nonprofits volunteers was held at Michael's On East. The luncheon's theme was the Mad Hatter's tea party from Charles Lutwidge Dodgson's 1865 novel 'Alice in Wonderland.'

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 30, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Nokomis Beach BBQ

Families flocked to Nokomis Beach Sunday, March 30, for the fifth annual Nokomis Beach BBQ. The event included music and a lunch of burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and cold drinks.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 29, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Kiwanis Club BBQ

Members of the Downtown Sarasota Kiwanis Club enjoyed their afternoon at the Kiwanis Club's BBQ Saturday, March 29. The barbecue was held in Pioneer Park and included a silent auction, raffle and hot food.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 29, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk-a-Thon

Families and their furry loved ones walked in the Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk-a-Thon Saturday, March 29. Participants walked a 3k course around downtown's Payne Park to benefit the nonprofit.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nolan Peterson
March 29, 2014

Bloomberg speaks in Sarasota, says he won't run for president

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke Friday at a lecture, moderated by former CBS anchor Sharyl Attkisson and organized by the Ringling College Library Association.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 28, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Michael Bloomberg Lecture

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke at "An Evening with Michael Bloomberg" Friday, March 28. Bloomberg spoke with journalist Sharyl Attkisson at the Sarasota Opera House. The lecture was made possible by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Ringling College Library Association.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 28, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Power Hour Live

Members of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce met for Power Hour Live Friday, March 28. The meeting was held at Mattison's 41 and invited attendees to network with one another.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nolan Peterson
March 28, 2014

K9 team certified in explosives detection

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office recently added the only certified bomb detection team in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Hardee, DeSoto and Highlands counties, and the first at this agency since 2004.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Amanda Sebastiano
March 28, 2014

'Lois Lane' among first of Cat Depot's cats adopted out

After the introduction of 33 adoptable cats at Cat Depot's Caturday Night Fever Gala March 15, seized felines from Napiers Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary begin to find new homes.

East County
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 28, 2014

WEEKEND BEST BET: Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk-a-thon

All proceeds from the event benefit the nonprofit. There will be live music, shopping vendors, food and plenty of puppies to hug.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 27, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota County Teacher of the Year

Sarasota County honored its teachers at the 2014 Teacher of the Year Awards Thursday, March 27. The awards ceremony was held at Laurel Oaks Country Club and included a cocktail reception and dinner. Taylor Ranch Elementary's Lisa Figueroa was named Sarasota County Teacher of the Year. "Teachers are the heart and soul of our school system," says Superintendent Lori White. "To take the time to honor them makes tonight one of the most important nights of the school year."

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 27, 2014

Sarasota family seeks help finding lost dog

Daisy is a dark brown-and-black Labrador mix with a white patch on her chest. She has been missing since Tuesday, March 25.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
March 27, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: 29th annual Sarasota Baseball Classic Part 1

Fifteen teams, including Sarasota, Riverview, Lakewood Ranch and Cardinal Mooney hit the field for the 29th annual Sarasota Baseball Classic March 25 through March 27.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
March 27, 2014

American Red Cross offering 'lunch break' CPR lessons

The American Red Cross will be offering a free CPR lesson Friday, March 28. The program, 'Learn to Save a Life on your Lunch Break,' runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 27, 2014

Picture perfect

Riverview High School Kiltie Band Highland dancer Mattie McKenna was featured in the March 18 issue of The New York Post.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 27, 2014

Happy day

In honor of Sarasota resident and philanthropist Mary Ann Robinson, the city of Sarasota proclaimed March 25 Mary Ann Robinson Day.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 27, 2014

Carroll developed her community vision

In her mission to develop Lakewood Ranch, Mary Francis Carroll held fast to one rule: Do what's right. The Glenridge resident died Monday.

East County
News

Nolan Peterson
March 27, 2014

Signal timing system offers 'invisible' benefit

Sarasota County traffic engineers take to the streets to find ways to better coordinate traffic signals to prevent traffic congestion and improve roadway safety along U.S. 41.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
March 27, 2014

Longboat tests new electronic pollbooks

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent's office used Longboat Key's March 25 municipal election as a testing ground for new electronic equipment that will be deployed in full force later this year for the county's primary.

Sarasota
News

Nolan Peterson
March 27, 2014

County voters approve school referendum tax by landslide

Sarasota County voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum Tuesday to extend the lifespan of a supplementary school tax by another four years.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
March 27, 2014

Our view

'Woo-hoo.' Really?

Sarasota
Opinion

Observer Staff
March 27, 2014

Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

Sarasota
Cops Corner

Jen Blanco
March 27, 2014

Coming up clutch

Sarasota High senior Mason Dancer has helped lead the Sailors baseball team to a perfect 12-0 record so far this season.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
March 27, 2014

High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
March 27, 2014

Sidelines

Sailors set track records at FSU Relays; ODA storms back from five runs down; Booker edges Palmetto; ODA swings past Lemon Bay; Youth football registration underway