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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
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • August 1, 2013
Moments in time

Preserving and protecting the public beaches has been at the forefront of public discussions for years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sophie Bolduc gets her face painted to look like a dog.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • August 1, 2013
Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, here I am at: Fur Fun CAMP

Animal-lovers enjoyed interacting with dogs and other animals July 26, as part of the Humane Society of Sarasota County's Fur Fun Camp. Enrolled campers made frozen dog treats to feed the dogs, ate ice cream, played games and had their faces painted.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dyana Jean submitted this photo of a rainbow-colored cloud over Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2013
Weather Photo: Sarasota 08/01/13

Dyana Jean submitted this photo of a rainbow-colored cloud over Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Guest speaker and Director of Contemporary Jewish Life and of the Koppelman Institute on American Jewish-Israeli Relations Steven Bayme
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 31, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : AJC's 2013 Summer Lunch and Learn

Community members chattered and socialized Wednesday, July 31, at Michael's On East during the last lecture of AJC's 2013 Summer Lunch and Learn Series. Guest speaker and Director of the Contemporary Jewish Department of AJC Steve Bayme, discussed American Jewry Post WWII: Is the Golden Age Past. More than 150 people attended the lunch that was followed by a question and answer session.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Sting 11U travel baseball team went 6-1 to win the Youth Baseball National Championship.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 31, 2013
Sarasota Sting wins national title

The Sarasota Sting 11U travel baseball team captured the national title at the Youth Baseball Nationals June 29 through July 3, in Elizabethtown, Ky.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Art Falls was a retailer on Longboat Key for more than 28 years. His relationship on the island began in 1978 with the Sea Stable.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 31, 2013
Art Falls meant business for 28 years

Longtime Key businessman and community supporter Art Falls died July 27 - exactly one month before his 87th birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Organizer of the event Judy Alexander receives flowers from the girls involved, such as, model Zeneya Matthews
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • July 29, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Cinderella Project Runway

Each of the eight designers involved in Cinderella Project Runway selected a thrift-store 'disaster' dress that they would then transform into the dress of their dreams. Art Center Sarasota filled with friends and family of the designers and their models July 29 for a fashion show of the results.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eight-year-old Oliver Girad attempts a shot.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 29, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Lacrosse Camp

Nearly 35 boys and girls hit the field for the All Out Lacrosse Camp July 15-19, at The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ashley Bafia and Dr. Melinda Lacerna
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • July 28, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Girls Inc. Girls Night Out 'Slumber Party'

Guests enjoyed spa stations and a fashion show at the second annual Girls Night Out 'Slumber Party' Friday, July 27, at Hotel Indigo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Freeman of Freeman Orthodontists checks 11-year-old Milan Smith’s teeth for cavities.  This is the third year Freeman has participated in Day of Hope.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 27, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Fifth Annual Day of Hope

Children and parents attended the Fifth Annual Day of Hope Saturday, July 27, at Booker High School to get supplies, medical examinations, hair cuts and photographs before returning to school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sandy Greenberg, Dr. Holly Barbour, Joan Campo-Liga, Jan Zipper, Susan Roosa and Aynne Manning
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • July 26, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Designing Women Summer Luncheon with Dr. Holly Barbour

Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Holly Barbour spoke at the Ambassadors' Guild Summer Salon Luncheon on Thursday, July 25, at Designing Women Boutique.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Children and parents raised $1,200 for Face Autism Inc., at the Kiddie Pole Classic Fishing Tournament 2013.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 26, 2013
Fishing Tournament presents surprise to Face Autism

Community members put on the Kiddie Pole Classic Fishing Tournament 2013 and raised $1,200 for Face Autism.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Christian Hannon and Jose Zavala-Flores
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • July 26, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Booker Middle Summer Transition Program

Incoming 6th graders celebrate their completion of the 6-week Summer Transition Program on Thursday, July 25, at Booker Middle School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Graci and Dennis McGillicuddy with Rick De Furia
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • July 25, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Rick De Furia Retirement Celebration

Friends and colleagues gathered Wednesday, July 24, at Michael's On East, to celebrate Judge Rick De Furia's retirement. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour before a presentation and video commemorating De Furia's career.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sixteen-year-old Matthew Chapman finished eighth in the 15 to 19 age group at last year’s Top Gun Triathlon. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 25, 2013
Perfect Punishment

Sarasota Military Academy junior Matthew Chapman will compete in the Top Gun Triathlon July 27, at Fort De Soto Park, for the second-consecutive year.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A home located at 725 Mangrove Point Road sold for $4,875,000. The 9,039-square-foot home contains six bedrooms, six baths, two half-baths and a pool.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 25, 2013
South Cocoanut Bayou home sells for $4,875,000

The following residential real-estate transactions took place between July 8 and July 12.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Woodford, 14, wipes off any excess Bolognese sauce from the side of the plates before serving.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 25, 2013
Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, here I am at: Chef Camp

Chef Camp offered four sessions through the summer, during which area chefs taught children how to saute and grill, and make pasta, sauce and desserts. The "Taste of Tuscany" session ran July 15 to July 19. Fifteen campers participated.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Judy Schattner submitted this photo, taken in Palmer Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2013
Weather photo: Sarasota

Judy Schattner submitted this photo, taken in Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino is is trying to make bail — for charity.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 24, 2013
Chief DiPino 'locked up' for charity

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino plans to raise $3,500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Lock-Up fundraiser.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicole Rissler has been director of sports for Visit Sarasota County since September 2012.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • July 23, 2013
Five Things About: Nicole Rissler

As the Visit Sarasota County director of sports, Rissler is at the helm of Sarasota's sports-tourism industry.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Land Stewart of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast Lee Amos teaches Claire Toale, 5, Chelsea McKay 5, and her brother Liam, 4, and other children about the plants and trees that grow around them.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 23, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Art in the Park

Children explored and did a print making craft on canvas bags Tuesday, July 23, at Bay Preserve in Osprey for Art in the Park. The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast put on the event in conjunction with Pure Imagination Children's Studio for 21 children and their parents.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The 83rd Annual Tarpon Tournament raised $10,001 for Suncoast Charities for Children surpassing last years donation of $7,500.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 23, 2013
Tarpon Tournament ends with big catch and big donation

The 83rd Annual Tarpon Tournament presented Suncoast Charities for Children with a $10,001 check.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hope Kids Community is looking volunteers to assist children during the fifth annual Day of Hope.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 22, 2013
Hope Kids Community seeks volunteers for Day of Hope

Hope Kids Community is looking for volunteers for its fifth annual Days of Hope, to help serve 1,600 students in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Merle Norman, of Merle Norman Cosmetics, volunteers and puts on make-up for model Jenny Dong.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Fashion Dash

Teens swapped clothing and recieved fashion tips from Plato's Closet Saturday at Selby Library for Fashion Dash.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lisa Hillje and her 4-year-old Havanaese, Rafi, line up for the costume parade.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • July 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Dog Dayz of Summer

Pups paraded at the Dog Dayz of Summer Saturday, at Five Points Park. The Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association sponsored the event during which dogs were judged on best costume. Top dog went to Minko, an Italian greyhound.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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