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Sarasota | Neighbors

Pamela Merenghi submitted this photo of a storm off Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2013
Weather Photo: Sarasota 08/15/13

Pamela Merenghi submitted this photo of a storm off Siesta Key Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota resident Jason Collins started coaching when he was 15 years old after spending six years as a competitive gymnast in South Carolina.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2013
Artistic Excellence

Former competitive gymnast Jason Collins returned to the gym last year and was named the Sarasota Surge's new program director in December after spending 15 years as a professional opera singer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rory Wagner, 3
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 15, 2013
Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, here I am at: SARASOTA BALLET CHILDREN'S CAMP

Tiny ballerinas pranced around in tutus Aug. 4 to Aug. 9, in preparation for their "Sleeping Beauty" performance in front of their families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students are starting school Monday, Aug 19, and drivers should be extra conscious of traffic laws when driving in school zones.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 14, 2013
Schools back in session, slow down

Sarasota County Public School students will return to school Monday, Aug 19. Drivers are being asked to be extra conscious of their surroundings when driving in a school zone.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Katherine Lumpkin, 10, her sister Mallory, 8, Avery Blechta, 10, and her sister Grace, 11, bring supplies to St. Martha for the Back to School Bash.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 13, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : St. Martha Back to School Bash

Students excitedly bustled in and out of classrooms Tuesday, Aug. 13, at St. Martha Catholic School to get ready for the new school year. Children brought in their supplies, signed up for after school activities, met their new teachers and got their uniforms. They discovered who their new classmates are and some turned in summer homework.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bus drivers Loice Carpenter and Craig Taylor load bags full of backpacks into a school bus.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 13, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Bay Rotary Club's Back to School Backpack Event

The Sarasota Bay Rotary held their annual backpack event on Tuesday, August 13 at the Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sienna Steiner, 6, Elise Settini, 3, Emma Kleppinger, 4, Rory Wagner, 3, Roselyn Wagner, 6, and Siena Cook, 6, rehearse their dance one last time before showing parents what they learned.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 12, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Ballet Children's Camp

Little ballerinas pranced around in tutus Monday, Aug. 4 to Friday, Aug. 9, in preparation for their performance of 'Sleeping Beauty" for their families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lightning lit up the sky 1 a.m. Monday, Aug 12, at Siesta Key Beach as stargazers looked for shooting stars at the Perseid meteor shower.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 12, 2013
Perseid meteor shower lights up the world

Humans have been witnessing the Perseid Meteor Shower every August for the past 2,000 years.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County repaired a water break over the weekend of Aug. 10, that affected roughly 1,000 utilities customers near Pelican Cove Condominiums.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 12, 2013
County urges Pelican Cove residents to boil water

Sarasota County has issued a boil-water advisory after repairing a water main near Pelican Cove Condominiums over the weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Adriana Alvarez and Rhean Stephens model self-confidence.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Girls Inc. 'I am More'

One hundred girls modeled self-confidence on the runway today at Sarasota Square Mall for the launch of the 'I am More' marketing campaign and to end the 10-week summer camp. The Community Foundation of Sarasota gave Girls Inc. a $20,000 grant to promote the campaign that focuses on girls self-esteem and self-image.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sirlene and Jerry Bonney with Jackie and Lynn Millikin
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 11, 2013
SYC's Black & White Ball

Masked and dressed in black and white, members of the Sarasota Yacht Club enjoyed their annual Black and White Ball Saturday, Aug. 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Famous rock stars, actors and writers have chosen Sarasota as a retirement destination, but a few celebrities — such as daredevil Nik Wallenda — hail from the Gulf Coast region 'where urban amenities meet small-town living.'
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 9, 2013
FRIDAY FIVE: Celebrities born in Sarasota

Famous rock stars, actors and writers have chosen Sarasota as a retirement destination, but quite a few celebrities hail from the Gulf Coast region 'where urban amenities meet small-town living.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lois Ruberton, Anne Stein, Susan Watkins and Jan Allison
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 9, 2013
Senior Friendship Center Luau

Friends of the Senior Friendship Center enjoyed a luau on Friday, August 9 at the Sarasota Friendship Center

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deacon David Bumstead calls Sarasota "a very generous and compassionate community.”
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 9, 2013
Church of the Redeemer welcomes new deacon

Deacon David Bumstead says the Sarasota community welcomed him and his wife, Beka, with open arms.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diane Stabile, Peggy Morris, Katin Tugendhat and Linda Honeycheck
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 8, 2013
Sarasota Newcomers Luncheon

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino spoke at the Sarasota Newcomer's August Luncheon at the Longboat Key Club on Thursday, August 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 8, 2013
Residents organize high school reunion

Two Lakewood Ranch women are hoping to organize graduates of Miami Senior High School, in Miami, who live in the Sarasota/Bradenton for a reunion luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hunter Leeming
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 8, 2013
Siesta Key native competes in Austria

Brown University junior and Siesta Key native Hunter Leeming competed in the Under 23 Rowing World Championships July 24 to July 28, in Linz, Austria, as part of Team USA.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Oma McCall and Phil King
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 8, 2013
Memory lane

It had been 35 years since Oma McCall, of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, and Phillip King, of The Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center, had seen each other.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
After six months of management, Scott and Beverly Woolridge have faced challenges but are determined to restore the club's reputation.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • August 8, 2013
Cabana Inn aims to lose bad rap, plug into music scene

Scott and Beverly Woolridge are fighting to revive the historic bar and establish it as the area's premier music venue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 8, 2013
Minnah Stein sews treasured threads

Middle-schooler Minnah Stein uses her creative talents to give back to people impacted by cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Adam Stump, 10, and Eric Hvideberg, 11, look for critters that landed in their seine net.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 8, 2013
Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, here I am at: SEA SLEUTHS CAMP

Children scouted for sea creatures, snorkeled, kayaked, field sampled, fished and boated Monday, July 29 to Friday Aug. 2, at Sea Sleuths Camp at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Colleen Fallon submitted this photo of fishermen at sunset on Siesta Point.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2013
Weather Photo: Sarasota 08/08/13

Colleen Fallon submitted this photo of fishermen at sunset on Siesta Point.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ethan Knize and his brother, Liam, browse the booths of the Sarasota Police Department. Ethan tried on a SWAT team tactical vest and ballistic helmet.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 6, 2013
Neighbors meet police during National Night Out

Law enforcement and the community got to know each other at the 30th anniversary of National Night Out.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Randabi’s Deli is located 6550 Gateway Ave.  Temple Sinai members and New York natives Jerry Thomas and Michael Lauber own the deli.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 6, 2013
Randabi's Deli celebrates grand opening

Sarasotans can enjoy a complimentary sampler platter with a purchase of any meal through Sunday for the grand opening week of Randabi's Deli, 6550 Gateway Ave.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ed Nuget of Cornerstone Sign and Graphics, Ruth Anderson of Digital Image Business Solutions and Troy Larkin of WSRQ
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : First Monday

Business people chattered and mingled Monday, Aug 5, at BB&T on Fruitville for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's First Monday. The chamber donated the proceeds from the cash bar to a local non-profit that was in attendance from a business card drawing. Seventy-five people attended the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's historical Crocker Memorial Church and Bidwell-Wood House now feature security cameras to prevent vandalism.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • August 5, 2013
Landmarks fight vandalism with security cameras

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded the Historical Society of Sarasota County a $3,770-grant for a security-camera system

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Triathletes race from their swim on Siesta Key Beach to mount their bikes at the Multirace Siesta Beach Olympic and Sprint Triathlon.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Siesta Beach Olympic and Sprint Triathlon

Athletes swam, biked and ran Saturday, Aug 3, at the Siesta Beach Olympic and Sprint Triathlon. Approximately 400 people participated in the duathlon, 1 mile run, 12.4 mile bike and 3.1 mile run; Olympic Triathlon 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run; and the Triathlon Sprint, 0.25 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike and 3.1 mile run.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Paula Thompson, an employee of New Balance
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • August 2, 2013
Video feature: Sarasotans talk about tax-free holiday

Taxes will be the last thing on shoppers' minds this weekend - the Florida Department of Revenue's tax-free holiday begins today.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
EJ Griffitts punches into Adam Jaco at Jaco's Boxing and Fitness.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 2, 2013
Video feature: Adam Jaco's Boxing & Fitness

Boxers have an intense workout regiment. We stopped by Adam Jaco's Boxing and Fitness for a lesson in extreme fitness.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brittany Detert, Mekala Jones, Sen. Nancy Detert, Dolphin Aviation Owner Ron Ciaravella, Tiana Smith and Breanna Barrett
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 2, 2013
Students presented with Dolphin Aviation scholarships

Sen. Nancy Detert and Dolphin Aviation owner Ron Ciaravella present five Sarasota County students with scholarships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Adam Stump, 10, and Eric Hvideberg, 11, look for critters they catch in their trolling net.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 2, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Sea Sleuths Camp Spotlight

Excited children looked for sea creatures, snorkeled, kayaked, field sampled, fished and took a boat trip Monday, July 29 to Friday August 2, at Sea Sleuths Camp at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Fifth through eighth graders explored the relationship between local marine life in the Duos of Deep themed camp. They learned that marine life depend on one another for survival and waded in Sarasota Bay with nets to examine the tiny critters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Vitale family has donated a total of $80,000 for scholarships in the last 16 years to the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Dick Vitale gives scholarships

Hundreds of children shouted 'awesome baby' as ESPN Television sports analyst, writer and philanthropist, Dick Vitale walked into the gymnasium Thursday, Aug 1, at the Lee Wetherington Boys and Girls Club to present five $1,000 scholarships to Sarasota County students. All five scholarship recipients have been with the Boys and Girls Club since childhood.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • August 1, 2013
Chalk Festival redraws its boundaries

The 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival will be more spread out and span fewer days than last year. Some downtown businesses are looking forward to the expected influx of patrons.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick Morgan has worked for Goodwill Manasota for more than 30 years. He says the company’s mission to help others has kept him inspired.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • August 1, 2013
Inspirational Influence: Dick Morgan

As image consultant for Goodwill Manasota, 90-year-old Dick Morgan travels to more than 40 stores and donation centers each month to promote Goodwill's mission.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Seventeen-year-old Travis Taaffe will row in the Men’s Varsity 8+ boat at the 2013 World Rowing Junior Championships, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Alex, who rowed in the same event four years ago. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 1, 2013
Nations Elite

Senior Travis Taaffe will travel to Trakai, Lithuania, for the 2013 World Rowing Junior Championships Aug. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Retired Army Col. Jack Gerber has used adaptive rowing for two years to increase his strength and mobility after experiencing a stroke in 2008.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • August 1, 2013
Smooth waters

Joe Dobson founded the Sarasota Adaptive Rowing Program in 2011 to share his love of the sport with people of all physical abilities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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