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Sarasota | Neighbors

    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • October 17, 2013
Sarasota Bay Water Festival seeks submissions for photo contest

The Sarasota Bay Water Festival has announced the 'I Love Sarasota Bay' photo contest returns this fall with the theme, 'Celebrating the Beauty and Importance of Sarasota Bay.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alexander Katz, left
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
High 5

The top five moments in high school sports this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
With his parents Monica and Joe Sweeney looking on, Kevin, 12, began his third season playing TOPSoccer at the end of September with his older brother Tom, 14, serving as his buddy.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2013
Just for Kicks

Twelve-year-old Kevin Sweeney began playing soccer for the Braden River Soccer Club's TOPSoccer program last fall.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Just the Stats

This week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Zack Summerall is this week's standout player.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2013
Sidelines

Sarasota Christian nets win; Cougars win on the road; Lady Thunder sweeps Lady Tornadoes; Rams hold on for win

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deja Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Weather

Deja Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East County residents catch up on their Observer news while sightseeing at Stonehenge in the English countryside.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Vote now for your favorite "It's Read Everywhere" photo!

Voting is now live for the Observer's "It's Read Everywhere" photo contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rick Smith talks to the audience about his father, the book and the impact it has had on people.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • October 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Reception for Rick Smith and A Land Remembered

The Library Foundation and Conservation Foundation hosts a reception honoring Rick Smith Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Bay Preserve.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alisa Pettingell
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 16, 2013
The Good News: Alisa Pettingell

Alisa Pettingell is a philanthropist and Gulf Coast Community Foundation supporter. Read more about her and watch a video in this week's Good News.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The 6.5 mile paddle board race begins.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • October 12, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota SUP Race Series

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron hosted the third race of the 1st annual Sarasota SUP Race Series Saturday, Oct. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Runners race off the start line at Phillippi Shores 7K.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • October 12, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Phillippi 7K and 1 mile Fun Run

Runners gathered at Phillippi Shores Elementary School Saturday, Oct. 12, for the 7K and 1 mile Fun Run.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Santarsiero, Fran Talley and Carolyn Robinson
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • October 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: All Faiths Food Bank Orange Peel Awards

All Faiths Food Bank recognized local Hunger Action Heroes for their efforts during Hunger Action Month Friday, Oct. 11, at All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alex Finnerty, Grace Castilow, Ashley Abrams and Jordana Gentile read some of their poetry
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • October 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Booker Middle's Dragonfly Cafe

Booker Middle School's Room 130 turned into the Dragonfly Cafe Thursday, Oct. 10. Students of Mrs. Fox's 8th grade Creative Writing class shared their work. This is the first Dragonfly Cafe of the 2013/2014 academic year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Teri Hansen presents Jeff Hazelton with the STEM Smart Innovation Award.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • October 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: The Next Big THINK

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce held The Next Big Think event Thursday, Oct. 10, at Michael's On East. Lucid Global was presented with the STEM Smart Innovation Award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nancy Silencieux snapped this photo of the Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2013
We have a winner ...

Out of all the entries in The Observer's Ringling Bridge photo contest, Nancy Silencieux's snapshot of the iconic landmark garnered the most votes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2013
Holiday happenings

Children at Temple Emanu-El celebrated Sukkot.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2013
High 5

The top five moments in high school sports from this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview High sophomore Spence Atkins hopes to advance to the Swimming & Diving State Championships for the second-consecutive season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 10, 2013
Going the Distance

Building off last year's success, Riverview High sophomore Spence Atkins won both of her individual events Oct. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2013
Just the Stats

This week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cheyenne Miller, center, is this week's Standout Player.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2013
Sidelines

SCS stifles HEAT; ODA swings past St. Stephen's; Sailors come up short in district opener

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fire Station 4 today
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 10, 2013
Community Service

The Sarasota County Fire Department had 13 different fire districts throughout Sarasota County until they consolidated Oct. 1, 1988, for efficiency and to provide the best level of service to the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charles Salamone says his classes are demanding but he also wants students to feel at ease and to share ideas.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • October 10, 2013
Teacher Spotlight: Charles Salamone

Charles Salamone has been a teacher for 50 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Caplan submitted this sunrise photo, taken from Golden Gate Point.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2013
Weather: Sarasota

David Caplan submitted this sunrise photo, taken from Golden Gate Point.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Karen DeRitter at Brides Against Breast Cancer
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 8, 2013
The Good News: Karen DeRitter

Karen DeRitter is a bridal consultant at Brides Against Breast Cancer. Read more about her and watch a video in this week's Good News.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Nine-month-old French bulldog Sylvie
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : St. Armands Key Lutheran Church Animal Blessing

Vicar James Henricks and Pastor Mark Bernthal blessed parishioner's animals Saturday, Oct. 5, at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. Approximately 20 dogs were present and one hedgehog. Participants enjoyed punch and cake after the blessing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Station 5 firefighter Tommy Lerardi helps Rachel Storino, 3, go through the Junior Fireman Combat Challenge at the Open House.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Station 5 Open House

Children and parents roamed the grounds of Station 5, Saturday, Oct. 5, at the annual open house. Kids met search and rescue dogs and police horses. They participated in obstacle course activities and enjoyed games and face painting. The annual open house showcased Sarasota County's 9-1-1 center and celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Sarasota County Fire Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
SPARCC Director of Community Awareness Jessica Hays thanks participants for supporting the cause.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : SPARCC Stepping Out Against Domestic Violence

Approximately 100 people joined SPARCC Saturday, Oct. 5, at J.D. Hamel Park for Stepping Out Against Domestic Violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the community walked in support for a violence-free future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Raynor, 7, says she really likes this book.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Sarasota Christian Scholastic Book Fair

Sarasota Christian School students browsed through an assortment of colorful books Thursday, Oct. 3, for Family Night at the Scholastic Book Fair. More than 50 children attended where they made felt mustaches and participated in gift card and poster raffles. Children and parents browsed through books to purchase and enjoy at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Panelist Don Neu and Roland Piccone of Gap Engineering and Planning
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Tiger Bay Meeting

Community members discussed the future of Sarasota, Thursday, Oct. 3, at Michael's On East during a Tiger Bay meeting. WSRQ talk radio host Susan Nilon moderated the panel discussion where members brought up concerns about the Sarasota 2050 plan. Concerns focused on developers modifying the plan to trade public interest and environmental protection.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kevin Swan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2013
Optimistic outlook

Sarasota resident Kevin Swan was honored with the Stephen Heywood Patients Today Award Oct. 3, at the ALS Therapy Development Institute's ninth annual Leadership Summit in Cambridge, Mass., for his involvement within the ALS community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Natalia Cava with her husband, Felipe. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2013
Fit at 50

YMCA fitness trainer and Peruvian aerobics champion Felipe Cava celebrated his 50th birthday Sunday, Sept. 29, at Blase Cafe.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2013
NEWS BRIEFS

Condo owner abandons DID expansion efforts

  • Sarasota
  • News
Karin Murphy is the director of the city’s new Urban Design Studio, based out of the Federal Building.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 3, 2013
Designing Woman: Karin Murphy

Karin Murphy, director of Sarasota's Urban Design Studio, has returned to the city to help finish a job she started - and to leave a positive mark for future generations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
1986
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 3, 2013
Montessori Method: NewGate International Montessori Academy

Thirty years ago, a teacher and her husband had a vision for a small countryside school. Since then, NewGate International Montessori Academy has grown into an internationally recognized lab school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marlon Mack is this week's standout player
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2013
SIDELINES

Riverview Rams race to second-place finish; Sarasota Christian sweeps PCCC; Cardinal Mooney suffers lopsided loss; Orioles Fall Instructional League wraps up

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Aiko Anderson demonstrates calligraphy painting on T-shirts. She imprints a leaf onto the shirt to make a floral design.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 3, 2013
Friendship through flowers

Colorful flowers sit in a bucket as members of the Sarasota Chapter No. 115 of Ikebana International participate in a mawari-ike ikebana arrangement.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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