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Sarasota | Neighbors

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2013
Pack mentality

The Boy Scout Pack 50 of Sarasota showcased its holiday cheer Dec. 16 when its members sang Christmas carols and handed out homemade ornaments to the residents of Bay Village.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Suzanne Atwell, city commissioner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2013
Holiday wish lists

Sarasota leaders and residents unwrap their wishes for 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jen Blanco. Sarasota Military Academy wrestling coach Ron Jones had a new wrestling room built for his team this season — one he hopes will inspire tradition and excellence.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2013
Building champions

After spending 29 years at Sarasota High, National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach Ron Jones is now seeking to bring a winning culture to Sarasota Military Academy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ryan McMahon
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2013
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Cardinal Mooney High girls soccer team blanked DeSoto 8-0 in district action Dec. 12.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2013
Sidelines

Lady Cougars notch shutout; SMA cruises to win against Booker High; Lady Sailors suffer their first district loss; Havener powers Rams to victory; Booker running back chosen for All-Star game

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2013
Just the stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michelle Mendon's first-grade class, Southside Elementary
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2013
Dear Santa

Before Christmas break, the Sarasota Observer asked the students of three classes to write Santa and let him know what they hope to see under the tree Christmas morning.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Glenda Van Horne submitted this photo of a sunrise, taken from Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2013
Weather: Longboat Key

Glenda Van Horne submitted this photo of a sunrise, taken from Siesta Key Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lucy Tight and Wayne Waxing with their daughter, Diver.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 25, 2013
Video Year in Review: April 2013, Hymn for Her turn up the heat with new album

After two years of touring and living out of their Airstream trailer, roots-rock duo Hymn for Her has found a home in Sarasota - but they're not getting too comfortable.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sheri and Gerry Lublin
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 24, 2013
The Good News: Sheri and Gerry Lublin

One of Gerry and Sheri's favorite things to do is to use Gulf Coast Gives to find projects to which they can donate on behalf of friends and acquaintances who have helped them in some way.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 24, 2013
Video Year in Review: March 2013, Student Spotlight: Pamela Kurpiewski

Pamela Kurpiewski walks through the halls of the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, waving hello to passing classmates.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Colin and Siobhan Boyle, with the help of volunteer Rob Wenzel, take home a turkey and meal.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 20, 2013
Girls Inc. donates turkey dinners to families

Girls Inc. of Sarasota County families took home a turkey for their Christmas dinner and new shoes Thursday, Dec. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pauline Bennett and her downtown team of agents presented the check to Jessica Hays from SPARCC.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 19, 2013
SPARCC receives $4,000 donation from Coldwell Banker

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate CARES has presented a $4,000 donation to Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, SPARCC.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Co-captain Marina Masterson led the Lakewood Ranch varsity cheerleading squad out onto the floor.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Cheerfest Competition

Braden River High School hosted its annual Cheerfest Competition Dec. 14. Six area high schools participated in this competition, which featured JV, small and large varsity and dance team categories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Capt. Drew Peterson with his brother, Nolan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Family reunion

Sarasota Observer news editor and native Sarasotan Nolan Peterson was reunited with his brother Air Force Capt. Drew Peterson Dec. 1, at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Lights in Bloom

Selby Gardens' Lights in Bloom will officially open to the public Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Submissions

Send in your favorite holiday moments to be included in our Jan. 9 issue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Worship services

A list of Christmas religious services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Riverview High boys swim team finished first in Class 4A in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Fall Academic Team Champions.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Melissa Owens' third-grade class dressed in holiday outfits.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 19, 2013
Classroom spotlight: Bay Haven

Melissa Owens' third-grade class visits Sarasota Judicial Center

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Sidelines

Sailors tap new head football coach; ODA boys blank Imagine High School; Cougars rally for win against DeSoto

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Just the stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
School spotlight

Eight-year-old students Clayton Rusnak and Nevaeh McCarthy describe what they've learned about the government.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anton Sroka with a child from the day care SCS students visited on their trip.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 19, 2013
School Board

Art and Soul; Mission Possible; Christmas Classic

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mrs. Claus and Santa
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
VIDEO: Q&A with Santa and Mrs. Claus

For the last 17 years, during December, Santa and Mrs. Claus have sat outside on Friday and Sunday evenings at the corner of Shade Avenue and Siesta Drive at the home of Richard and Nancy Underwood.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joe Sedik submitted this photo of the moon and Venus, as seen over Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Weather: Sarasota

Joe Sedik submitted this photo of the moon and Venus, as seen over Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Aultman and her class of 18, along with the help of volunteer Susan Garrett, built a galactic-themed gingerbread house.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 18, 2013
Fifth annual Gingerbread Festival announces winners

Erica Aultman and her third grade class from Ashton Elementary won first place in their category Saturday, Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
City Commissioner Susan Atwell swears in Dream Harbor’s new commissioners, Gloria Macias and Alondra Martinez.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 18, 2013
Leading Ladies

For the last six years, mayors have led Girls Inc.'s Dream Harbor Community. But, this year, the girls decided to undergo a political change.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jen Blanco. Freshman Amad Brayboy is The Out-of-Door Academy's top scorer so far this season. He aspires to play basketball in college and in the NBA.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 18, 2013
Fresh force

The Out-of-Door Academy freshman Amad Brayboy is averaging 21.7 points per game in his first season with the Thunder.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 17, 2013
The Good News: Laurel Nokomis School

Inspired by their personal heroes, Laurel Nokomis reading ambassadors teach preschoolers what it takes to make a difference.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
David Manuel scored a pair of goals for the Ocala Polo Association.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Polo Season Opener

Hundreds of local residents gathered at the Sarasota Polo Club for an exhibition match between Siaana and the Ocala Polo Association Dec. 15. The match served as the season opener for the 2013-14 season. Sianna defeated Ocala 8-7. James Miller and Josh Shelton each scored four goals apiece to lead the way for Siaana. Oliver Butterworth scored three goals to power Ocala. David Manuel and Murad Ishmael both added a pair of goals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Liza F. and Harrison P. were angels
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Holiday Pageant

Students of the Out-of-Door Academy performed in the annual Holiday Pageant Monday, Dec. 16. The lower school students sang songs, played their recorders and jingled their bells along to holiday songs.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Students will also receive a Sarasota County student email account, 25 GB of cloud storage and the option to use Microsoft’s cloud-based version of the Office package.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 16, 2013
Sarasota County school children to receive Microsoft Office 365

The free suite of programs offered to students is made possible by a partnership between the County School District and Microsoft.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shirley Matchett and Debby Frederick wear homemade Christmas hats.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 14, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sandy Claws Beach Run

With bells on their shoes, runners ran down Siesta Beach for the Sandy Claws Beach Run Saturday, Dec. 14. Participants included beginners and experienced runners of all ages. After the one mile and 5K races, everyone enjoyed the sunny morning at the award ceremony with healthy snacks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blair and Dan Gladding
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 13, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: YPG Winter Wonderland

The Sarasota Young Professionals Group got in the holiday spirit Thursday, Dec. 12, at its Winter Wonderland after-hours event at Art Center Sarasota. Guests socialized and enjoyed food and drink as well as holiday decor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Boats will be covered in Christmas lights and figurines.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • December 13, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Sarasota Boat Parade of Lights

The 28th Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat parade of Lights will make its way across Sarasota Bay Saturday, Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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