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Sarasota | Neighbors

John Krueger competes in the 100 breaststroke in the FHSAA Class 1A Region 3 Swimming and Diving Championships at the Selby Aquatic Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2013
November Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of November 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rudy, 10, wears his medal he got after being blessed Friday, Sept. 28 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Osprey.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2012
October Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of October 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tampa's streetcar network cost a total of $61 million. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 31, 2012
Year in review: October 2012, 'Sarasota scrutinizes streetcar desire'

The city has hired an engineer to conduct a $70,000 feasibility study, which is the first step in a lengthy process.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Caegan Quimby performed with Physical Plant at Art Center Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2012
September Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of September 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
People have fun dancing around on the grass during Friday Fest at Van Wezel.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2012
August Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of August 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mira Carpenter, 4, smells the red carnation she was given at the Sarasota Farmers Market.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2012
July Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of July 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Todd Tedder and his daughter, Sophia, wore clown noses to the downtown block party that was held at Mattison's City Grille to watch local circus performer Nik Wallenda's daring tightrope walk over Niagara Falls.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
June Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of June 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trey Austin-McGhee, Page Bobzin, Alexis Cordero and Shelby Delgado. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
Blowin' in the wind

Brookside Middle School students recently designed and built miniature windmills as part of their engineering technology class.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2012
Sizable donation

The Friskies, a major award contest hosted by the popular cat food brand, awards cash prizes to the maker of the best original Internet cat videos.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 27, 2012
Year in sports: A look back

Sarasota County athletes hit their strides this year as they set records and brought home championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 27, 2012
Top 5 moments in sports of 2012

Over the past 12 months, we've celebrated district, regional and state championships. We've watched our talented athletes and teams make school history, overcome injuries and adversity and rely on one another in the midst of coaching changes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marian Kessler
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 26, 2012
Season of Sharing: Marian Kessler

Kessler, a Plymouth Harbor resident, has been donating to Season of Sharing since shortly after the campaign's inception.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Caplan, Golden Gate Point (sunrise)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
2012 Best of weather photos: Sarasota

Looking back through our archives of weather photos in 2012, picking our best submissions was a near impossible task. You, our readers, submitted some of the most spectacular sunset and sunrise photos we have ever received!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Briana Smith, Layni Chamberlain, Angela Mich and Claire Whitacre show off their Cougar spirit during Cardinal Mooney’s graduation ceremony at the Van Wezel.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
May Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of May 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Quinn Sonner participated in the egg hunt at the Children’s Garden.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2012
April Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of April 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Allie Purcell, 13, loved riding in a wagon full of plants and flowers at the Plant and Garden Festival at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of March 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Robert Hall autographs one of his wines at Forks and Cooks Food and Wine Festival.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2012
February Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of February 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janice Hamlin, right, helped Carol Bernasconi with her arrangement.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2012
January Year in Pictures: Sarasota

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of January 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota High School’s Ian Grubb, No. 19, breaks away from a group of Sarasota Military Academy players Wednesday, Dec. 19, at Sarasota High School.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: SHS v. SMA boys and girls soccer

Sarasota High School hosted Sarasota Military Academy for both boys and girls varsity soccer games Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Sarasota High School. The night was extra special for the Sarasota High School seniors who were honored during Senior Night in between the boys and girls games. The Sailors were victorious in both games with the girls beating the Eagles 2-0 and the boys crushing their opponents 8-0.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 4401 Mangrove Place has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half-baths, a pool and 4,734 square feet of living area. It sold for $3,395,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 20, 2012
Home in South Cocoanut Bayou sells for $3,395,000

A home in South Cocoanut Bayou tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Michael McNelis and Elizabeth McNelis sold their home at 4401 Mangrove Place to Todd and Kathleen Pulvino, of Westport, Conn., for $3,395,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Jeannine Lehman submitted this photo of an approaching evening storm.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Jeannine Lehman submitted this photo of an approaching evening storm.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Owen Comora points out a bird flying into the brush by the water.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 20, 2012
Birds in Paradise

The Celery Fields' newest program attracts bird lovers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney High sophomore Antonio Blakeney has two goals this season: to haul in at least 10 rebounds in every game and to help the Cougars earn a trip to the Lakeland Center — the site of the Class 3A Final Four.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 20, 2012
ONE STEP AHEAD: Antonio Blakeney

Cardinal Mooney High sophomore Antonio Blakeney is averaging 31.8 points, nine rebounds and 2.4 assists, while helping lead the Cougars to an impressive 6-0 start.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2012
SIDELINES

Cougars tame Pirates; Riverview Rams edge by Manatee Hurricanes; Lady Blazers top Lady Panthers; Sarasota Christian rallies past Cardinal Mooney; Four Sailors place at Graves Tournament

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Santa Letters

During the Siesta Key Light up the Village event, the Sarasota Observer asked children to submit their letters to Santa. After publication, Observer staffers will pass the letters on to the North Pole, where Santa Claus will evaluate them with his "Naughty and Nice" list.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Patrick Sanders has dressed as Johnny Appleseed in the past as well. He has been telling the Polar Express story dressed as a conductor for five years.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : The Polar Express visits Phillippi Shores Kindergarteners

Phillippi Shores kindergartners listened to Patrick Sanders retell the Polar Express story Wednesday, Dec. 19 at the media center. Sanders dressed as the conductor and put his own twist on the story for the children. He first dressed as the conductor five years ago when his older grandson was in kindergarten. Today he continues to tell the story but now to his younger grandson's class. 'This is the best part of my Christmas,' Sanders said. 'Just watching the kids faces is the best part.' The seven kindergarten classes at Phillippi Shores listened with bright wide eyes to the conductor's tale of his first trip to the North Pole. Sanders is scheduled to retell the story at 5 other schools, Barnes & Noble and a nursing home.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Keeton, Gina Iovine and Sue Waxman
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Santa Paws Fur a Cause

The Humane Society of Southwest Florida, in collaboration with Sarasota in Defense of Animals, hosted a fundraiser Saturday. Dec. 15 at Evie's on Bee Ridge. The fundraiser, titled, 'Santa Paws Fur a Cause,' raised money for people who are experiencing financial difficulty in supporting their pets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Talajah Platt
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Party

Volunteers for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program brought their siblings to Sun N Fun Saturday, Dec. 15 for the program's annual holiday party. Children visited with other volunteers and siblings, enjoyed holiday snack and visited with Santa before opening presents.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Norah Meyer, 3, smiles at Santa as he talks to her about what she might like for Christmas Sunday, Dec. 16, during the Breakfast with Santa event at the Ritz Carlton.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Breakfast with Santa

More than 60 people attended people attended Breakfast with Santa Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Ritz Carlton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julia Perkins visits Santa
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Southside Stroll

Families took a leisurely holiday stroll through the Southside Village Friday, Dec. 14, as part of the annual Southside Village Holiday Stroll. In true holiday fashion, there were carolers, visits with Santa and even face painting and a snow slide for the children.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barbara Banks with Jessica and Nathan Hays and their daughter, Addison.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: First United Methodist Church Christmas Pageant

First United Methodist Church in downtown Sarasota hosted its annual children's Christmas pageant Friday, Dec. 14. Families gathered to watch the children's performance before socializing and enjoying snacks in the fellowship hall after the pageant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
People wrote their wishes on different colored ribbons and tied their wishes for the holiday season and the new-year to the “Wishing Tree”, also known as the Bo tree, Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 17, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom

Hundreds of people attended the opening night of Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec.15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Annually, the gardens transform at night into beautiful garden light displays featuring larger than-life-sized butterflies, tree frogs, dragonflies and flowers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Volunteers laid wreaths at the Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Volunteers honor veterans with holiday wreaths at Sarasota National Cemetery

Volunteers and the Sarasota Military Academy laid holiday wreaths on all 5,170 graves Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Sarasota Military Academy students sold wreaths during the school year to raise money to buy enough wreaths for each grave. 'We all get to see our families for Christmas and these fallen heroes did more than we know,' said Sarasota Military Academy Sergeant Major Christopher Conlon. 'No fallen hero should go without a wreath on their headstone.' About 60 bikes from the Patriot Guard and other motorcycles escorted a semi truck with the wreaths into the cemetery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jensen Dieckman, 2, gives his sister Esmée, 6, a kiss at the ice skating rink.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Snow Fest Sarasota spreads cheer and snow

Snow Fest Sarasota welcomed parents and children opening night Friday, Dec. 14 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Children can make snowballs, sled down snow slides, see Santa, and play games through Sunday, Dec. 23. Esmee Dieckman, 6, ice-skated and Johanna Post made her first snowman at the Sarasota Snow Fest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rudy Carter dressed up as Santa Claus.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY : Bay Haven Elementary first graders sing holiday songs

First graders at Bay Haven Elementary performed for parents on the front steps Friday, Dec. 14, at the school. Six classes with over 100 first graders practiced for two weeks to sing holiday songs for their parents and teachers. 'The parents are very involved, we are very fortunate that way,' said Principal Betsy Asheim. 'The teachers are phenomenal and draw out the best in the kids.' Children used props and some dressed up in holiday costumes bringing the spirit of the holidays to life.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Grant Barrett, 16 and Sierra Civin, 17, both of Port Charlotte High School, work together during the Iron Chef competition. Their teacher Chef Ron Westrom gave them baker’s shirts to wear to look more professional at the competition.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: CYD's 4th Annual Gingerbread Festival and Iron Chef Competition

Community Youth Development, CYD, held two gingerbread house Iron Chef Competitions Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Potter Building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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