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Sarasota | Neighbors

    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 13, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harriet Sokmensuer Joanna Fox sits at one of the tables in her classroom.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 13, 2014
Teacher Spotlight: Joanna Fox

Fox has been teaching creative writing at Booker Middle School for 14 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harriet Sokmensuer Barbara Miller sits in her office on St. Armands surrounded by past modeling photos.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 13, 2014
Your Neighbor: Barbara Miller

During the '70s and '80s, Miller modeled in national campaigns for A&W, Linens 'N' Things and Bayer Aspirin.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sepp Gmuender submitted this sunset photo, taken near Sunset Drive.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Sepp Gmuender submitted this sunset photo, taken near Sunset Drive.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ina Jaffe was the keynote speaker at this year's International Conference on Positive Aging
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Ina Jaffe "Continuous Inspiration"

Ina Jaffe, journalist and National Public Radio correspondent, was the keynote speaker at the 7th annual International Conference on Positive Aging Tuesday. Jaffe presented "Continuous Inspiration" at the conference's Dinner with Ina Jaffe. After the dinner, Rick Moody, director of academic affairs at AARP, led a fireside chat with Ina Jaffe, Nancy Schlossberg, author and Institute for the Ages board chair, and public radio producer Connie Goldman.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cowboy waits to be kissed.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: HSS Smooch a Pooch

The Humane Society of Sarasota County shared the love with a puppy kissing booth Wednesday, Feb. 12. The booth, which was made by volunteer Lynn Billi, could be found at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market. Market goers celebrated Valentines Day early with kisses from affectionate puppies.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sheriff Tom Knight and Chief of Police Bernadette DiPino
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Club luncheon

Members of the Tiger Bay Club met for the highly anticipated discussion on legalizing medical marijuana in Florida Wednesday, Feb. 12. Judge Nancy Donnellan moderated Sheriff Tom Knight and John Morgan as they discussed the pros and cons of medical marijuana for Sarasota and the state of Florida. Knight told The Observer he was excited to let the people hear 'the other side' of the topic. 'Its important for the public to learn' he said.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 12, 2014
ODA swings past Braden River

The Out-of-Door Academy boys and girls tennis teams both earned victories over Braden River Feb. 11.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 12, 2014
Sarasota ousts Lakewood Ranch in OT

The Sarasota High girls basketball team held on to defeat Lakewood Ranch 50-44 in overtime of the Class 7A-Region 3 semifinals Feb. 11.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kristen Little, center, with volunteers Chuck and Joan Stahlman at an adoption event in downtown Sarasota. The Sarasota County shelter holds adoption events weekly.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 11, 2014
The Good News: Kristen Little

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Animal Services gives stray animals a forever home by matching them with adoptees.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jordan Blake, Mercedes Trava and Alison McKenna
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: El Restaurante Bay Haven

Bay Haven School of Basic Plus held its annual El Restaurante Bay Haven luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 11. The school's cafeteria was turned into a Mexican restaurante with decorations, music and tacos. Students ordered their lunch in Spanish and learned some Mexican dance moves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ringling College President Larry Thompson with Former Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Gary Heard from BMO Private Bank
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Raymond Kelly speaks at Town Hall Lecture Series

Former New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly spoke in the Town Hall Lecture Series Monday, Feb. 10. The Former Police Commissioner shared stories from his forty-seven years on the force. Kelly also discussed the controversial stop-and-frisk policy. After the lecture, a luncheon was held for a small group of attendees where Kelly answered questions form members of the public.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
French singer Michelet Innocent will perform old-time favorites and love songs at all three shows held at Selby Five Points Park.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 10, 2014
Winter concert series returns

The Downtown Sarasota Alliance invites families and members of the community to enjoy Sarasota's downtown with a free concert series.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jenna Belch with Tara
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Cause for Paws

Families spent the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 8 supporting the Humane Society of Sarasota County at Cause for Paws. The puppy-themed party was held at the Sarasota Children's Garden and invited families to take part in arts and crafts, games and a scavenger hunt. Children read stories and received wet kisses from the Reading Fur Fun Dogs.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
EcoFest is an all-day free festival that includes fitness demonstrations and live music.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 7, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: World Wellness EcoFest

The festival's mission is to create awareness for living healthy and to teach the community the importance of a healthy planet.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gina Barresi is the district's High School Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Gina Barresi wins High School Teacher of the Year

The announcement came as a surprise to Barresi who teaches English and Reading at SHS.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ina Jaffe will deliver the Keynote Dinner Speech at the Conference for Positive Aging Tuesday, Feb. 11.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Ina Jaffe to speak at Conference for Positive Aging

Jaffe will present Continuous Inspiration at Dinner with Ina Jaffe Tuesday, Feb. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota resident Ron Fandrick says legalizing medical marijuana will make it too easy for children to obtain the drug illegally.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 6, 2014
VIDEO: Residents weigh in on medical marijuana

The Observer video team asks Sarasota residents what they think about the medical marijuana amendment on the November ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wellesley Club President Nancy Wettlaufer, with New College President Dr. Donal O'Shea and Wellesley Club Vice President Charlotte Isaacs
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Doctors visit

Dr. Donal O'Shea, president of New College of Florida, spoke to members of the Sarasota Wellesley Club Jan. 10, at Plymouth Harbor.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Dorsey
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Best-seller

Brant's Books hosted best-selling author Tim Dorsey for a meet-and-greet Feb. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Souper heroes

Siesta Key Chapel members participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring Feb. 2. The national fundraiser began in 1990 to help feed local families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Imely Photography
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Occasions

To see your own wedding, engagement, anniversary and birth annoucements in the Sarasota Observer, send your information to Jessica Luck at [email protected].

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ten-year-old Sarah Cripe typically drives between 45 and 50 mph when she's solo go-kart racing.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
Fast track

Ten-year-old Sarah Cripe began solo go-kart racing last summer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
Sidelines

Rams open season with win; Lady Blazers win district; Cougars outlast Tornadoes; The Sailors' season ends

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota forward Shelby Miller finished with 12 points for the Lady Sailors.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2014
Lady Sailors capture second consecutive district title

The Lady Sailors captured their second-consecutive district title and will host St. Petersburg Northeast in the regional quarterfinals Feb. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marcos Wilson, of Venezuela, Elisabet Safont, of Spain and Bruce Holst, of Selby Gardens, conduct a botanical inventory in March 2012 on a remote table mountain in southern Venezuela. Photo courtesy Bruce Holst
  • By Randi Donahue
  • February 6, 2014
Floral notes

It's easy to admire the beauty growing in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. But what visitors don't see is some of the behind-the-scenes work that has not only helped shape the present and future of the garden but also preserved the history of the plants.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trey N., left
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Student Spotlight: The Out-of-Door Academy

ODA second-graders tell us what they learned by studying old school photos.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
ODA students still have PE outside.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Classroom Spotlight: Second-graders compare ODA's past and present

The Out of Door Academy's lower-school students are using the past to prepare for the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
...
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com and click on the 'Contests' tab in the upper-right hand corner to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rodger Skidmore submitted this sunset photo, taken off Big Pass.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 6, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Rodger Skidmore submitted this sunset photo, taken off Big Pass.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janice Smyth with her quilt "BinaryCode," her second quilt in a series of three focused on codes.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 6, 2014
Your Neighbor: Janice Smyth

As a semifinalist in the 2014 AQS QuiltWeek International Quilt Show in March in Lancaster, Pa., Janice Smyth's quilt, 'Mystery Decimals,' will go up against 173 other quilts chosen out of thousands.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Aubrey Mocherman and Emilia Marr hold hands while walking.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Ashton Elementary's Star Sprint

Ashton Elementary families ran in the school's annual Star Sprint Wednesday, Feb. 5. The event is Ashton's biggest fundraiser of the year and invites parents to join students race around the parking lot. The money raised from the event will go towards the school's technology. Ashton Principal Chris Renouf told the students to enjoy themselves whether they were walking, jogging or running. 'It's really about keeping yourself moving,' he said.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview High seniors Katy Mixon, Jaclyn Knapczyk and Mason Fox were among 27 East County and Sarasota County athletes that signed today.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 5, 2014
Area athletes ink college choices

Twenty-seven East County and Sarasota County student athletes made their college choices known today during National Signing Day ceremonies at their respective high schools.

  • East County
  • Sports
Events cost $25 each and include singles and doubles draws for both men and women; Open A, B and C levels.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 5, 2014
County to host inaugural Clay Court Tennis Championship

The tournament, which takes place Thursday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 16, is open to all tennis players.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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