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Sarasota | Neighbors

The Sarasota Jungle Robotics team earned a winning position at the South Florida Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. Photo courtesy of Ellen Bregg.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 10, 2012
Sarasota High students build competitive robotics team

Only in its second year, the Sarasota Jungle Robotics team is already making a name for itself on a national level.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lynn Edwards submitted this sunset photo, taken at the confluence of Phillippi Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 10, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Lynn Edwards submitted this sunset photo, taken at the confluence of Phillippi Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 10, 2012
JUST THE STATS

6 - The point differential in the Cardinal Mooney baseball team's loss to Calvary Christian May 2 in the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 3 Tournament. The Cougars lost to the Warriors 8-2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 10, 2012
Observer Team Spotlight

This week's Sarasota Observer team spotlight is Jack Schemmel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Siesta Cove home, which has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,568 square feet of living area, sold for $435,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 10, 2012
Sarasota Beach home tops sales

A home in Sarasota Beach tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 10, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Nick Celestino

Nick Celestino, 18, celebrated a major victory last when he won the 2012 Sarasota City Men's Championship May 6, at Bobby Jones Golf Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 9, 2012
Neighbors: Kenneth Blake

The man behind the mural wants the community to give it a chance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2012
Mother's Day Photo Contest Winner

Melissa Herron and her husband, Mike, of Bradenton, are active members of the Longboat Key Turtle Watch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kevin Mattoni made a birdie for his team on their first hole, Monday, May 7, at the Ritz Carlton Members Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 13th Annual SKCC Golf Tournament

The 13th Annual SKCC Golf Tournament had 90 participants come out to play, Monday, May 7, at the Ritz Carlton Members Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brenna Foster submitted this sunset photo, taken near G.WIZ in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2012
UPDATE: Cool Today Monthly Winner: April

Brenna Foster submitted this sunset photo, taken near G.WIZ in Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
John Bowman prepares his summer salad based off his own recipe.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 7, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: John Bowman

Sarasota resident John Bowman enjoys whipping up his own recipes in the kitchen to prepare meals for family and friends.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diego Orjuela
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Taste of Latin America Celebration

The Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce presented its Taste of Latin America celebration Saturday, May 5, in downtown Sarasota. The festival brought live entertainment and Latin American food and culture, where people danced and celebrated Cinco de Mayo.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jaden Probus and Dylan Foley
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: NewGate Elementary Chess Tournament

Newgate School sponsored its first elementary chess tournament Saturday, May 5, at the Selby Public Library. Students went head to head in five 30-minute rounds to compete for trophies and practice their skills in a tournament setting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dirk Meyer, Sally Brown and Jim Cliff
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Orchestra Association Flash Mob

Members of the Sarasota Orchestra Association gathered in Island Park Saturday, May 5, for a surprise, flash-mob performance. Participants wore matching SOA shirts and sang, 'Ain't We Sweet.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vincent and Lynn Billing pose with Harold Kendall, Friday, May 4, inside RCC design and studio on Palm Avenue.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Palm Avenue First Friday Gallery Walk

Many people made their way through the art galleries and stores along Palm Avenue, Friday, May 4, as part of the monthly First Friday Gallery Walk

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtney Cournan and Sarah Dorsen
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Chamber Derby Day Breakfast

Members of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce gathered Friday, May 4, to enjoy a Kentucky-Derby themed breakfast. Members donned fancy hats and enjoyed a buffet breakfast before mingling at the second annual Derby Day celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Colin Kleinkopf, Grayson Schrantz, Bailey Pecor, Aaron Cook, Brittany Larson and Alexandria Twigg
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: CYD 16th Annual Celebration

Community Youth Development of Sarasota held their 16th annual celebration, Thursday, May 3, at the Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Miko Hosaka and Darby Pursifull of DaSaka Salon pose with Jeffery Kin before the show, Wednesday, May 2, at The Players.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Players Theatre "Meet and Mingle"

The Players Theatre held a special reception of Rosemary District businesses and organizations, Wednesday, May 2, at The Players Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Show Choir helped to open the show with Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”, Thursday, May 3, at Booker High School Auditorium.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Pops and Jazz 2012

The Booker High School Music Department came together to put on quite a show, Thursday, May 3, at Booker High School Auditorium. The Pops and Jazz 2012 show was directed by Ned J. Rosenblatt and featured performances by the show choir, vocal jazz ensemble and the jazz ensemble.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ned Rosenblatt, Brent Layman, Jake Stuart, Ronan Cowan and Tyler Oswald perform at Booker High School’s Death by Chocolate fundraising event. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 3, 2012
Booker musicians reflect on Berklee jazz festival

This year, the Booker High School Jazz Combo took second place.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 800 Idlewild Way in Siesta Isles has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,307 square feet of living area. It sold for $990,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 3, 2012
Seagrove condo tops weekly sales

A condominium in Seagrove tops all transactions in this week's real estate. John and Maribel Crowe sold their Unit CH1 condominium at 1100 Seagrove Lane to John and Susan Butler, of Warwick, R.I., for $1,539,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Juliette Beer
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 3, 2012
Neighbors: Juliette Beer

Juliette Beer has been in the event-planning business for more than 40 years. Her artistic talent, as well as her efforts to build relationships with clients, has earned her a national client base.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 3, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Ezra Robinson

Ezra Robinson, 18, finished up his third sports season, track and field, last weekend during the state meet in Jacksonville.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2012
Observer Team Spotlight

Meet this week's Observer Team Spotlight, Andrew Tucker.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2012
JUST THE STATS

3 - The number of Booker High School track and field seniors who competed for the final time in their high school careers at the 2A state meet last week. Breanna Browning, Ezra Robinson and Cherlinda Polynice all will graduate this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gabriel Angelo submitted this sunset photo, taken at Island Park in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Gabriel Angelo submitted this sunset photo, taken at Island Park in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
One of the Sarasota Scullers' Boys 8+ teams bring their boat in after a race, Saturday, April 28, at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: FSRA Sweep Championships

The FSRA Sweep Championships took place Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gator Grading and Pavement started working on the area that will become the playground at Payne Park, Monday, April 30.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 1, 2012
Construction begins for Payne Park Playground

Construction has begun out at Payne Park where a circus-themed playground will be created over the next few months.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joe Ellison enjoys a festive drink.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Bay Club Luau

The Sarasota Bay Club hosted a luau Friday, April 27, where residents donned tropical shirts and leis before enjoying a traditional Hawaiian musical performance complete with festive drinks and food.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Students were challenged to bathe with only five gallons of water, using their homemade showerheads.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Brookside Middle School Earth Day Celebration

As part of its annual Earth Day celebration, Friday, April 27, Brookside Middle School hosted a variety of activities to promote eco-friendly practices. Students participated in one of the most anticipated events of the year, where among other activities, students constructed their own shower heads and attempted to take showers using only five gallons of water.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota High School Cheerleaders provided school spirit.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota High School Breezeway Party

Sarasota High School held a party Friday, April 27, in its breezeway, which was designed by noted architect Paul Rudolph. The party included food and live music by the Sarasota High School Jazz Combo, and it raised money for the Sarasota Architectural Foundation's Paul Rudolph Scholarship.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gabriela Hernandez, Sandra Torres, Regina Gonzalez, Karen Orozco, Julia Bulle, Gabriela de la Fuente, Melissa Villagomez, David Alonzo, Robin Howe, Claudia Ampudia, Fernando Leon, Andres Fox and Rodrigo Irianda
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: NewGate School participates in new exchange program

NewGate School held a welcome luncheon, Thursday, April 26, on the school's campus for the nine exchange students and their chaperones from Leon, Mexico.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fay Watkins turned 107 and Maurice Halpern turned 102, Thursday, April 26.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 100 Plus Birthday Party

Fay Watkins and Maurice Halpern celebrated turning 107 and 102, Thursday, April 26, at the Kobernick House.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rebecca Tavill came dressed in a pirate costume and read “How I Became a Pirate”.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Phillippi Shores storybook and PJ night

Phillippi Shores held a storybook/PJ night, Thursday, April 26, inside the library.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
JJ Midnight took center stage and rocked out with the band and the Riverview High School Choir during “We are the Champions”.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 28, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bohemian Rhapsody Orchestra

Celebrating Queen featuring The Bohemian Rhapsody Orchestra rocked the auditorium, 7 pm, Thursday, April 26, at the Riverview Performing Arts Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Teens With A Dream team continued to run their laps even during the downpour, Saturday, April 28, during the 2012 Relay for Life of Downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • April 28, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Relay for Life

The 2012 Relay For Life of Downtown Sarasota was a little wetter than usual this past weekend than expected. The 17th largest relay in the state took place at Sarasota High School and had 40 teams that raised a total of $103,142 for the American Cancer Society.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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