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Sarasota | Neighbors

    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 7, 2013
Sarasota YMCA youth to learn about health careers

Youth will get a chance to explore health career options this summer during a three week Health Career Summer Camp.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hostess, Ilene Mirman and Rotary Foundation President Jack Geldi
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 6, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Rotary Club Kentucky Derby Party

Members of the Rotary Club of Sarasota Keys Foundation met Saturday, May 4, at the home of Al and Ilene Mirman, for a Kentucky Derby party. Attendees enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, sipped mint juleps and bid in a silent auction before enjoying the race.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paige Troyer crowns Nicole Wittmer queen.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Christian Banquet

Sarasota Christian School juniors and seniors dressed in their best formal wear Saturday, May 4, for the Junior and Senior Banquet. Each year, the juniors surprise the seniors by choosing a theme and decorating the school's gymnasium. Students enjoy a meal before the banquet king and queen are named. This year's king and queen were Hunter Drake and Nicole Wittmer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Prom queen Jaclyn Falconetti and prom king Alex Auchey had a slow dance after being announced.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Riverview High School Prom

Riverview seniors checked off on one of life's milestones Saturday, May 5 by attending prom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Riverview High School held their prom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for the first time since the ballroom could accommodate the 582 tickets sold. The theme was A Victorian Masquerade and Jaclyn Falconetti was announced prom queen and Alex Auchey prom king.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gary and Jennifer Contessa, Mari Zevin, and Kathie and Lee Pokoik
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Sarasota Yacht Club Kentucky Derby Party

The Sarasota Yacht Club held their 3rd Annual Kentucky Derby Party Saturday, May 4 to benefit scholarships for the study of Marine Sciences, Marine Engineering and Seamanship and to watch the 139th Kentucky Derby. Approximately 180 guests enjoyed mint juleps, derby appetizers, buffet, desserts, raffles and races. Women wore a variety of creative large hats and men wore colorful suits for the occasion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bernie Gerstein plays the banjo at the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association Picnic. Gerstein is a snowbird that lives between Sarasota and Iowa.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Arlington Park Neighborhood Association Picnic

The Arlington Park Neighborhood Association held their annual picnic Saturday, May 4 at Arlington Park to get the community together. Approximately 25 neighbors attended and enjoyed hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, chips and beverages. Candidate Susan Chapman joined community members for the picnic.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fifth grade teacher Donna McGarry’s class wins the 2007 World Series against the Atlanta Braves.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Ashton Elementary World Series

Ashton Elementary 5th graders played the 1992 and 2007 World Series games Friday, May 3 at Twin Lakes to have fun and use the baseball bucks they had been earning throughout the semester. Fifth grade teachers Donna McGarry and Stacy Sanders teamed up to organize the World Series day for the seventh year in a row. The idea started when one of McGarry's classes read 'In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson,' 12 years ago before she came to Ashton Elementary. This year teachers were granted the Edge of Excellence Grant for $500 that they used to purchase t-shirts for approximately 130 fifth graders.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
Key to the city

More than 100 community members and leaders, friends and family surprised Paul Thorpe, one of the founding members of the Downtown Association of Sarasota, April 25, at The Gator Club, to show their appreciation and celebrate the strides he's made for Sarasota over the past four decades.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michelle Stauffer. Photo by Yaryna Klimchak.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
Clean sweep

Roughly 38 volunteers picked up trash Saturday, April 27, on Siesta Key Beach, as part of Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andrew Dailey won the People’s Choice Award last year with his sculpture "Pirecan." File photo.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 2, 2013
Amateur sculptors carve their niches

The Siesta Key Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest returns for its 41st year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sgt. Pat Robinson and Police Chief Bernadette DiPino spoke to Alta Vista residents Monday, April 22.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 2, 2013
Sarasota police chief stresses crime prevention

After a rash of four burglaries in the Alta Vista neighborhood, Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino is urging neighborhood residents to use their best judgment and take precautions to avoid being victimized.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barron Schimberg and his son, Sy, wrote “Pancakes and Pickles” over the course of seven years.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 2, 2013
Father and son create an appetite for words with book

Barron and Sy Schimberg are donating the money from their children's book, 'Pancakes and Pickles,' to the Miracle League of Manasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 2, 2013
HER 'BIG BREAK': Lindsey Bergeon

Sarasota resident and 2004 Riverview High graduate Lindsey Bergeon was one of 12 golfers selected to be on 'Big Break Mexico,' which premieres May 13, on the Golf Channel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jammeria Higdon
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
SIDELINES

Riverview Rams qualify for state meet; ODA track teams post top-11 finishes

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
JUST THE STATS

5 - The number of Sarasota area baseball teams that advanced to the regional tournament, which began May 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 2, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Zack Summerall

Sarasota High sophomore Zack Summerall crossed the finish line in 4:22.09 to win the 1,600-meter run at the Class 3A-Region 3 meet April 25, at Charlotte High.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nine-month–old Billy Herb appeared quite impressed with the "Best of Show Award" given to his parents, Bill and Leslie, during Siesta Fiesta.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 2, 2013
MOMENTS IN TIME

The Observer takes a look back at this week in Sarasota's history.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lilly Dougherty, right, runs the track with a friend at Phillippi Shores Elementary School in preparation for the upcoming Girls on the Run 5K Saturday, May 4, at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 2, 2013
CONFIDENT STRIDES: Girls on the Run 5K

More than 100 girls from eight area schools will run in the Girls Inc. sponsored Girls on the Run 5K.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
NewGate hosted a celebration Friday, April 26, on its campus to celebrate diversity. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
SCHOOL BOARD BULLETIN

Students from Colegio Montessori Chiaravalle in León, Mexico, visited students at The NewGate School for the second annual student exchange program April 15 through April 27.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
ODA teacher Sean McDonald volunteers at least 10 hours a week and encourages his students to volunteer.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 2, 2013
Teacher Spotlight: Sean McDonald

The Out-of-Door Academy second-grade teacher Sean McDonald didn't expect to live in sunny Florida. In fact, he didn't expect to be a teacher, but he discovered his passion for teaching when he took courses in childhood education while studying pediatrics at Webster University in St. Louis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Adrienne Wagner
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • May 2, 2013
YOUR NEIGHBOR: Adrienne Wagner

Adrienne Wagner's Bay Plaza condominium is adorned with Oriental decorations: lamps, ikebana flower arrangements; tea sets; and a traditional Japanese wedding kimno that hangs on her living room wall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nate Ilardi submitted this photo of a sunset in Osprey.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2013
Weather Photo: SITTIN' ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY

Nate Ilardi submitted this photo of a sunset in Osprey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota High softball team celebrates following Alyssa Price's solo home run with two outs in the top of the seventh inning.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 1, 2013
Lady Sailors launch come-from-behind win

Sophomore catcher Alyssa Price hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game and helped propel the Sarasota High softball team to a 2-1 nine-inning victory over Braden River in the Class 7A-Region 3 semifinals April 30.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 30, 2013
Dr. Beach names Siesta Key Beach in top six beaches in Florida

In a list published in the Guardian, Dr. Stephen Leatherman named Siesta Key No. 3

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Models Brook Franzheim, Judy White, Margrit Messenheimer, Joan Wall, Ettie Smyliey, Sherry Stuckey, Jenny Wood and Mary Brummett
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 29, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : The Glenridge Fashion Show

Ladies at the Glenridge on Palmer Ranch viewed the latest clothing styles Monday, April 29 during a fashion show at the Glenridge. PJ's Boutique, 1443 Main Street, brought clothing and accessories that eight models showed off to an audience of 80 women. 'I have been a customer of PJ's for a long time,' said Paula Spitalny, who helped coordinate the fashion show between PJ's and the Glenridge. 'They have very wearable apparel for our age group and price line.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team celebrates its second district championship in three years after defeating Cardinal Mooney 11-3 in the Class 3A-District 10 championship April 26.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 29, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Class 3A-District 10 Championship

The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team defeated rival Cardinal Mooney 11-3 in the Class 3A-District 10 championship April 26, at McKechnie Field.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan and Don Featherman with Kumar Mahadevan, center
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • April 28, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Mote Marine Party on the Pass

Mote Marine Laboratory hosted Party on the Pass Saturday, April 27. The fundraiser, catered by 12 Sarasota-Manatee Originals Restaurants, benefited medical treatment for sick and injured dolphins, whales and sea turtles.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cindy Stuhley,  Gilly Francis,  Jay McHargue, Alessandro Rossal, Ryan Murphy and  Mary - Lou Moulton
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 28, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Historic Spanish Point High Tea Time

Community members gathered at Historic Spanish Point Sunday, April 28 to enjoy brunch and to celebrate 500 years of Florida history through Viva La Florida, a state collaboration. Community members listened to Spanish guitar my Bryan Spainhower and percussionist Max Kelly and heard actor Alessandro Rossal tell the story of an old Spanish trader. Gordon's Gourmet served the Spanish inspired brunch with more than 150 people in attendance during the two morning sessions. Community members also got a chance to bid on three personalized historic tours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cathy Minter and Wendy Holmberg enjoy the afternoon at Casey Key Fish House. Minter has a blue ribbon temporary tattoo to show her support during National Child Abuse Prevention month.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 28, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Child Protection Center Fundraiser at Casey Key Fish House

Community members streamed in and out of Casey Key Fish House from 2 to 6 pm Saturday, April 27 to raise money fro the Child Protection Center. Board member Elaine Crouse organized the event with Casey Key Fish House owner Jimmy VonHubertz to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention month. Neighbors wore blue, the color that represents child abuse prevention, and blue ribbons. The Child Protection Center deals with child abuse cases in Desoto and Sarasota County. This was the first time this event took place at Casey Key Fish House and the Child Protection Center hopes to keep up the partnership.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch senior Olivia Ortiz receives the handoff from her younger sister Julia during the 4x800 relay.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 27, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Class 3A-Region 3 Track Meet

The Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota High boys and girls track teams competed in the Class 3A-Region 3 meet April 25, at Charlotte High.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Beverly Arias volunteered to pick up trash at Siesta Key Beach for the Great American Clean Up.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 27, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : The Great American Clean Up Siesta Key

Volunteers all over the country participated in the Great American Cleanup 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27 to beautify and improve the community. Keep Sarasota County Beautiful has been an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., for almost 25 years and participates in the nation wide cleanup every year. An estimated 800 volunteers from all over Sarasota County registered to participate in The Great American Clean Up and will be scattered throughout 20 locations around Sarasota to beautify and clean up the community. Approximately 38 volunteers helped pick up trash on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jenny Loy and Tracy Topjun
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 26, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: First Presbyterian First Roots

First Presbyterian Church hosted their First Roots parent fundraiser Thursday, April 26 at Michael's On East to raise money for the preschool. First Presbyterian hosts the Butterfly Ball, a family event, every year but this time wanted to have something just for the adults Approximately 120 guests enjoyed refreshments, bid in a silent auction to raise money for preschool scholarships and new playground equipment. First Presbyterian Preschool has 74 students.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
SPARCC President and CEO Olivia Thomas with board member Susan Kelley
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • April 26, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: SPARCC Designer Donation Party

The ladies of SPARCC, the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, hosted a designer donation party Thursday, April 25, at the Longboat Key Club and Resort's Harbourside Dining Room. Saks Fifth Avenue stylists gave makeup demonstrations for the women who donated items for SPARCC's fall sale to benefit outreach programs for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 26, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Bust a move at SRQ Dances 2013

In honor of National Dance Week, the Sarasota-Manatee Dance Alliance has partnered with the West Coast Civic Ballet to launch SRQDances2013.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Paul Thorpe is shocked by the 120 people waiting for him as he steps through the door.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 25, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Celebrating Paul Thorpe

The invitation to Paul Thorpe's Thursday, April 25 surprise party read 'Lets make a toast to Paul Thorpe a.k.a Mr. Downtown.' One hundred twenty community members and leaders, friends and family surprised Paul Thorpe at the Gator Club to show their appreciation and celebrate the strides he has been making for Sarasota for the past four decades. 'Young and old, we all love him,' said party organizer and close friend Barbara Strauss. 'This was long overdue.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jesse White with his daughter Amelia White, 8.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 25, 2013
Children at Work

Many children took part in the 20th annual Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day Thursday, April 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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