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Sarasota | Neighbors

Professional dancers and those who paid to dance enjoyed making their way around the dance floor Sunday, Sept. 25, at Westfield Southgate.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 25, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: D2L Dance Party "Behind The Ropes"

Hundreds of professionals and spectators had fun dancing around during the D2L Dance Party "Behind The Ropes" Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Westfield Southgate Mall. Westfield Southgate, Cancer Support Community and White Sands Chapter of USADance sponsored the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Six-year-old Faith Chaney throws a hula-hoop around a bear.  Faith has been a Girl Scout for two years and her favorite cookie is the Thin Mint.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:Girl Scouts Kick-Off 100 years

The Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida kick-off the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts with a family fun day festival on Sept. 24 at the Gulfcoast Event and Conference Center (GECC). March 12 is the official anniversary of 100 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John, Jonathon, 19, Jacob, 14, and Molly Brockhoff pose together prior to walking in the Sarasota/Manatee Heart Walk Saturday, Sept. 24, at Payne Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota/Manatee Heart Walk

The 2011 Sarasota/Manatee Heart Walk had over 1,600 people come out Saturday, Sept. 24, at Payne Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Robin Adair uses a stick to try and find some trash among the brush and seaweed along the shore at Bayfront Park Saturday, Sept. 24, during the International Coastal Cleanup.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Annual International Coastal Cleanup - Bayfront Park

Hundreds of people in Sarasota County took part in the 25th Annual Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup Saturday, Sept. 24, at various locations. Around 30 people came out to cleanup around Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The John Cox Community Partner of the Year Award was presented to Dave Beesley of First Step: Addiction Recovery Program. Presenting the award was President of Halfacre Construction Company Jack Cox and President of Fishman and Associates C.J. Fishman.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County presents the Hall of Fame 2011 Awards

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC) hosted approximately 400 individuals from Sarasota businesses for industry awards at the Ritz Carlton for the Hall of Fame 2011 Awards luncheon on Sept. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A group photo of the board and the company of the Sarasota Ballet pose together Friday, Sept. 23, during the Meet Me at the Barre event at the FSU Asolo Center For The Performing Arts.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Meet Me at the Barre

The Friends of the Ballet put on the annual Meet Me at the Barre event Friday, Sept. 23, at the FSU Asolo Center For The Performing Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
SARASOTA: Hannah Smith, 3, puts decorative, little holes into her clay slab.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2011
Photos of the Week

Enjoy some of our best photos this week from all Observers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Development Associate Julie Anderson poses with Special Events Coordinator Marlene Hilier for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: at 'Connecting...Women, Passion and Purpose'

'Connecting...Women, Passion and Purpose,' a networking and non-profit showcase event for women was held Sept. 22 at Ringling College of Art and Design.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Chalk Festival founder and Chairwoman Denise Kowal announced Monday night that a 4-1 vote by the Sarasota City Commission had potentially ruined any chance of the festival’s return for its fifth anniversary in November.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 22, 2011
Chalk Festival off, back on again

The Sarasota Chalk Festival, scheduled for Nov. 1, was in jeopardy of being canceled because of the Sarasota City Commission's grant-permitting change.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2011
Learn how to grant wishes

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida will be hosting a wish granting training session Saturday, Oct. 1, for volunteers in the Suncoast Region.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Walkley, David Mitchem and Brad Durrance. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2011
Moving day is a roaring success

Two Men and a Truck's David Walkley and Brad Durrance were surprised when handed their job sheet for the day recently with instructions to move two full-mount trophies of African lions from Sarasota to Gainesville, to be displayed in the Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
When Gracie McMinn gets tired of walking during the Heart Walk, her dad carries her the rest of the way. Gracie loves cheerleading and is learning to play tennis.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 22, 2011
Young survivors share their heartfelt stories

Ten-year-old McLain Miller has a scar down the center of her chest. She calls it "her zipper."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ashley and Tim Gruters pose with their Observer newspaper in front of the Biltmore estate in Asheville, N.C. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 22, 2011
Neighbors: No Reservations

A four-day weekend tennis tournament became a 33-day road trip that led Sarasota couple all the way to New York City and back.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicholas and Lawrence Metcalfe
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 22, 2011
Cafeteria Confidants: Take your Dad to School

Phillippi Shores Elementary students asked the important men in their lives to share lunch with them during "Take Your Dad to School" week. We asked the dads, grandfathers and kids to share some of their favorite school memories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Corey Shenkin submitted this sunrise photo, taken in Osprey.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2011
Weekly Winner: Morning Glory

Corey Shenkin submitted this sunrise photo, taken in Osprey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alex Fontecha, 13, looks quizzically at the edible "oobleck!" she made during Ms. Munson's eighth grade "fear factor" science lab at the Imagine School at Palmer Ranch.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 21, 2011
Photo of the Day: A gooey situation

The eighth graders in Ms. Laura Munson's class at the Imagine School at Palmer Ranch touched, created and ate odd things as part of a "fear factor" science day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The bachelors boogied their way down the runway.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BYOB auction

The second annual Buy Your Own Bachelor (BYOB) brought out hundreds of people Tuesday, Sept. 20, at McCurdy's Comedy Club. Over $15,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society by two teams who put on the event and are participating in the upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising walk.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
First-grader Macy Meshad got Wendy’s and was enjoying a Frosty. When her dad Gavin was her age, he looked forward to walking down Orange from St. Martha’s to church because he got to leave school.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Southside Elementary Brings its Dads to Lunch

PHOTO GALLERY: Southside Elementary Brings its Dads to Lunch

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hannah Smith, 3, puts decorative, little holes into her clay slab.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Creating with clay

Clay artist Judy Pirkey brought tons of air-dry clay and taught children how to create their very own Florida fossil plaques Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Selby Public Library. Students were each given a slab of clay and were taught how to add textured backgrounds, use stamps, make clay molds of fish and seashells and were even allowed to glue on real seashells that had been found earlier in the day along the beach by Pirkey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bill and Anndee, 10, Edwards pose together during lunch Monday, Sept. 19, at Phillippi Shores Elementary.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 19, 2011
VIDEO: Phillippi Shores celebrates Take Your Dad to School Week

Phillippi Shores Elementary dads and grandads are invited to have lunch with their kids all this week as part of Take Your Dad to School Week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gladys Jackson, Tarnara Byoce, 3, and Shwntel Thomas enjoy splashing around in the smaller fountain area of the Steigerwaldt/Jockey Children's Fountain at Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 19, 2011
Photo of the Day: Fountain Fun

With heat in the high 80's and low mid 90's, many people are looking for ways to beat the heat around town. One fun place is the Steigerwaldt/Jockey Children's Fountain at Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
...
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Church of the Redeemer Celebrates 400th Anniversary of The King James' Bible

PHOTO GALLERY: Church of the Redeemer Celebrates 400th Anniversary of The King James' Bible

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A few people held the banner and led the Walk for the Kids Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Lee Wetherington Boys and Girls Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2nd Annual Walk for the Kids

The Boys and Girls Club held their 2nd Annual Walk for the Kids and Day for Kids Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Lee Wetherington Boys and Girls Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alexandria Anderson-Whitteaker and Tatiana Connelly served the potluck dinner and lemonade with their two scout leaders.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bee Ridge Lutheran Church Holds a Potluck Fundraiser

PHOTO GALLERY: Bee Ridge Lutheran Church Holds a Potluck Fundraiser

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A large crowd came out for the final Friday Fest of the season Friday, Sept. 16, at the Van Wezel.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Final Friday Fest

The summer's final Friday Fest on the Bay happened Friday, Sept. 16, at the Van Wezel. The final band of the summer concert series was Bird Street Players, a combination of funk, soul and reggae.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
People go through the buffet put together by Word of Mouth catering Friday, Sept. 16, for the Ballet and Buffet event at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Ballet and Buffet

Designing Women hosted Ballet and Buffet with the Sarasota Ballet and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet Friday, Sept. 16, at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jessica Smith says she knew from the moment she saw Elijah's photo that he was meant to be her son.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 16, 2011
Photos of the Week

A selection of the best photos from all Observers this week.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
People love to get up and dance to the musicians at Friday Fest on the Bay.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 16, 2011
Weekend Best Bet: Friday Fest on the Bay

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's final Friday Fest on the Bay will be happening tonight and will feature musical guests Big Night Out.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Judge Lee Haworth, Gwen MacKenzie and Karen Bogus were all honored at the sixth annual Leadership Breakfast Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: CYD sixth annual Leadership Breakfast

The Community Youth Development celebrated two community leaders of Sarasota County with the sixth annual Leadership Breakfast Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club. The two honorees were 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Lee Haworth and Gwen MacKenzie, CEO of Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2011
Cockatoo's mug seen everywhere

He's shared the stage with Shari Lewis, David Seville and the Chipmunks and Anita Bryant on the "Ed Sullivan Show" and even has his own mugshot from Folsom Prison, where he taught inmates patience, caring and responsibility.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2011
Booker High holds ceremony

The morning of Sept. 9, Booker High School held a flag-unfurling assembly in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Massimiliano Marra submitted this sunset photo, taken from the Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2011
Weekly Winner: The Red Eye

Massimiliano Marra submitted this sunset photo, taken from the Ringling Bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Helen and Hal Pelta show a tray of buttons that contain Helen Pelta's favorite buttons in her collection.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 15, 2011
Neighbors: Miniature Artwork

Helen Pelta takes out hundreds of buttons in plastic bags and on button trays and starts laying them out on a table in the Gulf Gate Library.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
These broomsticks were too amazing to dirty up in a Quidditch match.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 15, 2011
Quidditch sweeps through campuses

You don't have to be Harry Potter to play the magical wizarding game of Quidditch. Although you may not able to zoom through the air on a broomstick, the earthbound version - Muggle Quidditch - still has its perks.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Saunders
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 15, 2011
MS&Co. sees growth

One of the more prominent realty firms on the Gulf Coast, Sarasota-based Michael Saunders & Co., will attack the residential real-estate market with a "think big" strategy.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
This Matthew Mattox sculpture, "Standing Bow," was installed in 2006. It is located in Sarasota.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 14, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Where Am I?

Be the first to answer this trivia question and we'll give you a shout out on Facebook.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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