Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Neighbors

Nick Friedman
April 2, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: St. Thomas More Easter Egg Hunt

Families gathered at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Gulf Gate Saturday, March 30, for the church's annual Easter egg hunt. Children and their families grabbed their baskets and set out in search of eggs.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
April 2, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Church of the Incarnation Easter Egg Hunt

Church of the Incarnation hosted its annual Easter Egg hunt Saturday, March 30. Children and their families enjoyed face painting, visiting with the Easter Bunny and searching for eggs.

Sarasota
News

Rachel S. OHara
April 1, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Woman's Exchange Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

The Woman's Exchange held their annual volunteer appreciation luncheon Monday, April 1 at Michael's On East.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 31, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : Siesta Key Village Association Easter Egg Hunt

The Siesta Key Village Association and Beach Bazaar hosted the their 28th Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 30 on Siesta Key Beach. Children ages one to six looked for Easter eggs through the grasses and sands of Siesta Key Beach. About 150 children attended the event with their parents.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 31, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Easter Egg Hunt

Children stampeded to find Easter Eggs Saturday, March 30 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. More than 50 children participated in the celebration. Shirley Stepp also known as Granny Goose told children stories and gave them prizes before the Easter egg hunt.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 30, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : The 3rd Annual East Local Week ends with the Harvest Ball

The 3rd Annual Eat Local Week wrapped up with the Harvest Ball Friday, March 29 at the South Gate Community center where guests enjoyed a potluck dinner and contra dancing. Transition Sarasota put on their 3rd Annual Eat Local Week March 22 through the 29 to show the impact of local foods and their importance sustainability and the economy.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 29, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : Southside Elementary Celebrate Learning Day

Southside Elementary PTO put on Celebrate Learning Day Thursday, March 28 to let children learn in a fun and interactive way. Community organizations like Mote Marine Aquarium, Florida Studio Theater, Spanish Point, Brown's Grove, Jungle Gardens and the Sarasota Film Festival were stationed in different zones where they interacted with the children and taught them lessons about Florida. Square 1 Burgers and Nancy's BBQ donated lunch and Brown's Grove supplied children with samples of orange juice.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
March 29, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: 12th annual Jungle Trails and Bunny Tails

More than 1,200 people took part in the 12th annual Jungle Trails and Bunny Tails Friday, March 29, at Jungle Gardens.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 29, 2013

PHOTO OF THE DAY : Southside Elementary holds Celebrate Learning Day

Southside Elementary hosted Celebrate Learning Day Thursday, March 28 where children rotated through educational zones to learn about Native Florida. Fifth grader Mason Thomas runs a relay orange race with classmates at the Brown's Grove zone. Ally Jaynes was one of seventy-five volunteers at the event. Students raced backwards with oranges on spoons after hearing a presentation on the importance of citrus in Florida. Browns Grove did the presentation and passed out fresh squeezed orange juice. The PTO began planning the event in November.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
March 29, 2013

VIDEO: Good Friday Morning Stations of the Cross

The 13th annual Good Friday Morning Stations of the Cross walk took place Friday, March 29, down Main Street through downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
March 28, 2013

Athlete of the Week: Cheyenne Miller

Sarasota Christian School freshman pitcher Cheyenne Miller threw a complete game, allowing three hits while striking out nine to lead the Lady Blazers to a 12-3 victory over Southeast March 21. The 14-year-old also went 4-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBIs.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 28, 2013

SIDELINES

Crew wins gold; Cougars rout SMA; ODA girls improve to 9-0; OSU alumni golf outing; Sarasota girls race to second-place finish

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 28, 2013

JUST THE STATS

11 - The number of strikeouts The Out-of-Door Academy's Jimmy Kuebler recorded in the Thunder's 11-5 victory over Palmetto March 19.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 28, 2013

Boys will be boys

The smell of fresh grass clippings and dirt floats through the air, as players step up to bat at the 17th Street Park Softball Complex.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 28, 2013

SCHOOL BOARD BULLETIN

Celebrate Learning; Student run city; Dragonfly Cafe; Thesis work on display

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 28, 2013

Teacher Spotlight: Shonna Brady

Curious children surround kindergarten teacher Shonna Brady in the Goldie Feldman Academy at Temple Beth Sholom's Papa Ed and Mimi Organic Sustainable Kibbutz Garden.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 28, 2013

Your Neighbor: Peggy Messick

Growing up in the small town of Lead, S.D., Peggy Messick never imagined herself working in the Pentagon, but, at 18 years old, that was exactly what she was doing.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 28, 2013

Sarasota resident starts Spanish theater troupe

Actors in brightly colored costumes prepare for a dress rehearsal of Crearte Latino's second performance "Quien Ayuda a Burbujita," which, in English, translates to "Who Will Help the Little Bubble?"

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
March 28, 2013

Weather Photo: FAIR WEATHER

Natalie Tanner submitted this photo of sunset at the Sarasota County Fair.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
March 25, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Giving Hunger the Blues

Blues fans packed Hillview Street, Sunday, March 24, to help raise money during the 18th annual Giving Hunger the Blues concert. The concert, which takes place in the Southside Village, raises money for All Faiths Food Bank.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
March 25, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: First Baptist Church Egg Hunt

Families gathered for an early Easter-egg hunt after service Sunday, March 24, in the church playground. Families ate an Easter breakfast before children ran into the playground in search of plastic eggs.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
March 25, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Kiwanis Club Pirate Gala

Siesta Key Kiwanis Club members had a swashbuckling good time at their annual fundraiser gala Saturday, March 23, at the Sarasota Yacht Club. The theme of the 12th annual gala was 'the mighty pirate invasion,' and guests showed off their best pirate garb while raising money for the club.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
March 25, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Memorial Hospital Courtyard Tower Lobby Unveiling

Sarasota Memorial Hospital staff and donors got a first look at the newly completed lobby of the new Courtyard Tower Friday, March 22. Guests enjoyed food and drink while exploring the new lobby and admiring the donor wall.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
March 25, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Nautical Night at Sarasota Architectural Salvage

Guests dove into a nautical-themed fundraiser to benefit Mote Marine Thursday, March 21, at Sarasota Architectural Salvage. Attendees enjoyed light food and drink before participating in a raffle.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 25, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : Sarasota Invitational Regatta

The 2013 edition of the fourth Sarasota Invitational Regatta was held Saturday, March 23 at Nathan Benderson Park. In the inaugural year the regatta had more than 300 boat entries and 600 competitors registered, this year the regatta had more than 600 entries and more than 1,400 competitors. This was the first time the regatta took place at the new Regatta Island that is still under construction. Nathan Benderson Park is slated to become a premier 2,000-meter sprint course and regatta center by 2014.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 24, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : St. Martha 2nd Annual Cajun Crawfish Festival

St. Martha Catholic School's second annual Cajun Crawfish Festival took place Saturday, March 23, to raise money for the school. Close to 3,000 festivalgoers enjoyed more than 2,000 pounds of crawfish brought in from Louisiana. Kids enjoyed carnival games, bouncy houses, face painting, a rock climbing wall, a cakewalk and even a mechanical shark. Teachers sat in dunk tanks and the Gumbo Boogie Band performed Cajun music.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 24, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : Face Autism Easter Egg Hunt

Face Autism held an Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 23 at Ashton Elementary School to give autistic children a chance to play and explore. Approximately 50 children attended the Easter egg hunt with their parents and siblings. 'They should have the sane opportunities as typical children,' said Director Colleen Buccieri. Children played games, blew bubbles, got their faces painted and filled their buckets with dozens of Easter eggs.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 24, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce business card exchange social

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held a business card exchange social Thursday, March 22 t Day Hagan Asset Management to let business owners network and socialize. Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Cooper said, 'the social aspect of business is just as important as the working aspect.' Approximately 45 people attended the event where refreshments and appetizers were served. Business owners also celebrated birthday of events and office manager Chastanna Niemann with a cake from Costco.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 22, 2013

WEEKEND BEST BET: St. Martha Cajun Crawfish Festival

St. Martha Catholic School Cajun Crawfish Festival will include a mechanical great white shark and 2,000 pounds of boiled crawfish. Festivalgoers can enjoy the Cajun atmosphere 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 22, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : Sarasota Christian School Grandparents Day

Sarasota Christian School invited grandparents to spend time with their grandchildren Thursday, March 21, for Grandparent's Day at the school. Preschoolers through fifth graders recited prayers, sang songs and told stories of why they loved their grandparents in a short morning program. After the program children made crafts, wrote stories, went to a book fair and showed grandparents around their classrooms. About 150 grandparents attended grandparents day to spend time with their grandchildren.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
March 22, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony

Sarasota County teachers and administrators gathered Thursday, March 21, at the Hyatt, for the 2013 Teacher of the Year awards ceremony. Riverview High School marine science teacher, Katrin Rudge, was chosen from three finalists, including Brookside Middle School's Rita Zywica and Alta Vista Elementary's Amy Mazner. 'To be chosen out of these amazing finalists is beyond amazing,' said Rudge. 'I was definitely surprised. We all do this because we love teaching, and we love the kids.'

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
March 21, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosts Bulls, Blues, and BBQ

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce held it's second annual Bulls, Blues and BBQ Wednesday, March 20, at the University of South Florida Sarasota - Manatee campus to allow businesses to network in a two county market. More than 300 people listened to Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones jam out and enjoyed food from Chic-Fil-A, Square One, Hickory Hollow Barbeque, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, and Smack Daddy BBQ.