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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
Children watch closely as Officer Tim Bain and canine partner “Kuda” show how a K-9 takes down a suspect.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • April 25, 2013
Children watch K-9s in action at Sarasota Police Department

National Take Your Child to Work Day started with a K-9 unit demonstration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cash Murphy and Cooper Joy, both 5, are ready to plant. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 25, 2013
Green thumbs

St. Boniface Preschool has teamed up with the Florida Farm to School program to teach children from where their food comes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tampa-based artist Stephen Palladino painted a 40-foot clover mural for Shamrock's St. Patrick’s Day party. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 25, 2013
Hearts of gold

The Shamrock Pub donated $7,100 to the YMCA Youth Shelter April 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Yaryna Klimchak
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 25, 2013
MR. DOWNTOWN: a well-earned title

Through a strong love for the community, Paul Thorpe has helped develop downtown Sarasota into the thriving destination it is today.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Todd Steinberg sings and plays the banjo for Kobernick-Anchin residents.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 25, 2013
Laugh Out Loud: Laughter Unlimited

Laughter Unlimited keeps spirits high with humor therapy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Laura Alston will be honored Tuesday, April 30, at the Gems of Philanthropy Luncheon.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 25, 2013
Giving Matters honors philanthropist

Booker High School senior Laura Alston is the winner of the 2013 Young Woman Philanthropy Award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota graduate Courtney Berger has raced the course at Nathan Benderson Park four times since joining the Nova Southeastern University crew team three years ago. Courtesy of Nova Southeastern University.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 25, 2013
Former Crew rower steers Sharks

Sarasota High graduate and Nova Southeastern University coxswain Courtney Berger will return home to compete in the 2013 Sunshine State Conference Rowing Championship April 26, at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 25, 2013
Athlete of the Week: MADISON SCHMIDT

Riverview High senior Madison Schmidt cleared 10 feet, 6 inches to win the pole vault event at the Class 4A-District 7 meet April 17, at Spoto High.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
3 — The place The Out-of-Door Academy finished in a tie during the Class 1A State Tennis Finals April 15-16, in Sanford.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 25, 2013
JUST THE STATS

43 - The number of teams scheduled to compete in the Florida Scholastic Rowing Association Sweep Championships April 27 and April 28, at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dinner guests Barbara Gochman and Joan Halpern
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 25, 2013
Who Dunnit? Sarasota Bay Club residents on the case

Sarasota Bay Club residents are on the case at 'Murder at the Opera' dinner.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stephanie Draper
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 25, 2013
Student Spotlight: STEPHANIE DRAPER

Riverview High School senior Stephanie Draper's interest in dentistry didn't begin in a dentist's office - it began on the ocean.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Fifth-graders at Temple Beth Sholom School experienced life as pioneers Tuesday, April 16, after studying and learning about pioneers.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 25, 2013
SCHOOL BOARD BULLETIN

Pint-sized pioneers; Community cleanup; Little Einsteins; Painting positivity

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Yaryna Klimchak
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 25, 2013
YOUR NEIGHBOR: Jorie Lueloff

When Jorie Lueloff joined WMAQ-TV in 1966, as Chicago's first female news anchor, she didn't receive a warm welcome from everyone in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Frayer submitted this photo of a sunset near Beach Road, on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 25, 2013
Weather Photo: PICTURE-PERFECT ENDING

David Frayer submitted this photo of a sunset near Beach Road, on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Turtle Watch’s 2013 poster offers turtle-nesting season guidelines. Courtesy photo.
  • By Robin Hartill and Alex Mahadevan
  • April 24, 2013
Turtles swim the globe before returning home

A loggerhead that hatches on local beaches might swim thousands of miles before returning to nest at the place where it hatched.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 24, 2013
Prom-A-Palooza: Prom through the decades

Follow the East County and Sarasota Observers through May 23 for prom content and coverage, including feature stories, schedules, photos, contests and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota sophomore Avery Miller makes contact in the bottom of the top of the second inning.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota at Braden River

The Sarasota High softball team fell to Braden River 1-0 in the Class 7A-District 11 championship April 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sisters Allison and Isabel Dunn dip their feet in the lake to cool off.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 21, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Oscar Sherer State Park 24th Annual Earth Day

Oscar Sherer State Park held its 24th Annual Earth Day celebration Sunday, April 21 to get the community to enjoy the park and the great outdoors. Entry was free and approximately 1,500 people came to the park for Earth Day. Community members enjoyed free kayaking, guided hikes, BBQ, kids games, a coloring contest, photo contest and live music all day long. 'We are always taking from the planet,' said Park Manager Tony Clements. 'This is a good way to come back to earth and make a difference.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
...
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 18, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : AJC High Tea and Clybourne Park

The American Jewish Committee invited community members to see the play Clybourne Park Thursday, April 18 at Florida State University Performing Art Center. The play was followed by a panel discussion from Sarasota County Commission Chair Carolyn Mason, lead actors Tyla Abercrumbie and David Breitbarth, New College Professor of Anthropology Dr. Uzi Baram and Asolo Outreach and Education Director Brian Hersch. Audience member talked about race, racial stereotyping and what community means.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lisa Berger, Robin Wild and Lynette Haskins
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 18, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Chamber Mega Mingle

Members of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce gathered Wednesday, April 17 at Art Center Sarasota for the Mega Mingle event. Attendees socialized and enjoyed food and drink.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Incoming Executive Director Robin Rose sits with several of the Girls Inc. girls.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 18, 2013
Girls Inc. welcomes its new director

Incoming Executive Director Robin Rose brings passion for children and non-profit experience to Girls Inc.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 18, 2013
Competitors prep for Siesta Key paddle competition

Paddlers will compete in the first Siesta Key Classic for the love of the sport and for a chance to win a plane ticket to Hawaii.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
First-graders at Southside work on April's "Word of the Month" with their teacher, Mary Duke. Pictured in the presentation are Joey Plaster, Latora Gilliam, Eric Rubenstein, Lindsay Chapman, Sarah Crowell, Leigh Hutchinson and Jason Marien. File photo.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 18, 2013
MOMENTS IN TIME

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2013
SIDELINES

Sarasota Crew, Scullers win gold; ODA baseball defeats Booker; Riverview records third-place finish; Free summer camp kickoff party

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2013
JUST THE STATS

11 - The number of runs the Booker High softball team scored in its 11-2 regular-season finale victory over Avon Park April 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 18, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Grace Casagrande

Cardinal Mooney High junior Grace Casagrande captured a pair of individual championships at the Class 1A-District 10 meet April 11, at The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Storck is the youth director at FirstSarasota, the Downtown Baptist Church, and runs 180 Skate.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 18, 2013
Passion meets faith: Tim Storck

For the last two years, Tim Storck has run 180 Skate to offer teens a positive outlet.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 18, 2013
SCHOOL BOARD BULLETIN

The NewGate School third-grader Koy Jacobsen's work was selected as part of the SRQ Student Artwork Contest to be displayed at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 18, 2013
Student Spotlight: Lauren Henry

Sarasota Christian School senior Lauren Henry is a little more than a month away from graduation, but she has already exceeded the school's community service requirement.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Yaryna Klimchak
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 18, 2013
Your Neighbor: Amy Ernst

Casey Key resident Amy Ernst didn't consider herself an artist until after her father's death in 1984. But she says her father recognized her talent when she was a toddler getting into his paints.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Samantha Bisceglia submitted this photo of a sunrise on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2013
Weather Photo: WALKING ON SUNSHINE

Samantha Bisceglia submitted this photo of a sunrise on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview’s Taylor Johnson, 26, tags out East Lake’s Aliyah Andrews, 11.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 17, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Riverview v.Tarpon Springs softball

The Riverview Rams were defeated by Tarpon Springs East Lake Eagles 7-4 Tuesday, April 16, at Miss Sarasota Softball Complex. The Lady Rams' season came to close finishing with a record of 17-8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview High School Seniors Alexis Romine, Elexis Ousley, Jayson Torreno, Maiyah Newsome and Jacquelynn Cavendar
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 17, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : 15th Annual Most Improved Student Award Luncheon Celebration

Educators and community members recognized students at the 15th Annual Most Improved Student Award Celebration Luncheon Wednesday, April 17 at Michaels On East. Juniors and seniors received award and medals and seniors received a $1,000 scholarship. Students who received the awards are role models, service oriented, are going to college and have financial needs. 'We look for students who made a change in their lives and as they go into the future,' said Support Specialist for Sarasota County Schools Peni Riedinger.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 17, 2013
Prom-A-Palooza: Pine View students ready for Italian affair

What started as a potluck dinner in a chemistry classroom has expanded to a full-on catered event with months of party planning and extravagant dance decorations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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