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Sarasota | Neighbors

Jim Butler founded Paradise Homes in 2003. The company has since become one of the fastest-growing homebuilders in the Sarasota-Bradenton market. Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 6, 2011
Homebuilder in Paradise

Jim Butler rarely hesitates to invest money - a lot of money - in his entrepreneurial ventures. His latest stake, homebuilding, has been a winner.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Peter Monaghan submitted this sunset photo, taken in Island Park near downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2011
Weekly Winner: A Walk in the Park

Peter Monaghan submitted this sunset photo, taken in Island Park near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nishit Patel, Megan Tommasi and Marci Reedy
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: YPG After Hours at Van Wezel

The Sarasota Young Professionals Group held its latest happy hour at Van Wezel, where members watched Henson Alternative's "Stuffed and Unstrung," featuring The Jim Henson Company's renowned puppeteers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ava, Neveh and Renyia completed two laps around Payne Park this morning.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 5, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Presidential fitness challenge

Students from the Suncoast School of Innovative Studies raced around the track at Payne Park as part of The President's Challenge -- a physical activity and nutrition program that helps people age 6 and older improve their fitness and eating habits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gabriele Vest enjoys making her family recipes her own.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 4, 2011
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Gabriele Vest

Join Gabriele Vest in the kitchen as she spices up her grandmother's potato salad.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
People wave at a helicopter flying overhead while they held up a mile-long rainbow flag Saturday, Oct. 1, on the Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 3, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Colors of the rainbow

A pride walk was held Saturday, Oct. 1, on the Ringling Bridge with many people turning out to hold up a mile-long rainbow flag.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lori Dorman holds Emily Foote's baby girl, Alana.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu El's Tashlich

Members of Temple Emanu El congregated Sunday evening, Oct. 2, for an annual Tashlich service at the Warren family's residence. Tashlich is a religious ritual that takes place after Rosh Hashanah. It is a practice of symbolically casting away sins into the water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rachel Livingston and Edy Attanasio pose with Jamie Hooks Saturday, Oct. 1 after getting their first cards during the poker run.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SUP Fest 2011

The 3rd annual Sarasota Stand up Paddle and Poker Run took place Saturday, Oct. 1, out at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mac Charalambous, Beau Arnold and Claudia Scheb lounge on the garbage bags full of donated items.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 30, 2011
SMA collects for Goodwill

Over the past week, students at Sarasota Military Academy have taken part in the first ever school drive for Goodwill.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sholto, Andy McCain, talks to the audience about the day of the great quake and the magical beans he possesses. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 30, 2011
Photos of the Week

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Guest speaker Frank Hopper posing with Chris Sancin by one of Hopper’s paintings.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 29, 2011
Designing Women's Salon Series lecture with Frank Hopper

Designing Women's monthly Salon Series lecture included guest speaker Frank Hopper, a local artist and painter in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This statue was created in 1994 by Jack Dowd and is called "Royal St. George's". Where is it located?
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 29, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Where's this statue?

There are many statues of people around Sarasota, but do you know where this one is located?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Alison Tolpa
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2011
St. Martha's earns designation

St. Martha Catholic School was recognized last week by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2011
Cardinal Mooney students donate

Members of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School's Key Club recently organized a school-wide drive to collect items to donate to the Bethesda House of Sarasota, a non-profit organization that assists families affected by HIV.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Xiaotian Tang, or "Frank," teaches his students how to speak about birthdays in Chinese.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 29, 2011
Visiting Chinese teacher learns new lessons

Chinese teacher Xiaotian Tang is currently teaching the foreign language at two Sarasota County high schools.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bubby enjoys biting at the water that shoots out of a hose during his time in the outdoor play area.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 29, 2011
Neighbors: Canine Campers

Kelsey Baker unlocks the back door of her car to let out her beagle, Barkley, and ushers him off toward the front door of Camp Bow Wow.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Siesta Beach home, which has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two half-baths, a pool and 4,626 square feet of living area, sold for $1,425,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 29, 2011
Siesta Beach home tops week's sales at $1,425,000

A home in Siesta Beach tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Ryan Taylor and Karen Varone, Sarasota, sold their home at 5050 Commonwealth Drive to Anthony and Courtney Bonacuse, of Sparks, Md., for $1,425,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Shirley Blair submitted this sunrise photo, taken in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2011
Weekly Winner: Religious Experience

Shirley Blair submitted this sunrise photo, taken in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dawn Davis enjoys catching up on her reading and having a macaroni salad for lunch during her lunch break from her work at Superior Bank.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 28, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Lunch Break

For many people working, lunch time is a time to walk away from work and have a little bit of food, possibly with other co-workers. For others, it is a nice way to catch up on some reading while enjoying the shade of a palm tree.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andy McCain, as Morham the Giant, marches around the stage on stilts shouting “Fe Fi Fo Fum” during “Jack and the Enchanted Beanstalk” Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Gompertz Theatre.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 27, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: FST's Jack and the Enchanted Beanstalk

Florida Studio Theatre opened their doors to students from IMG Pendleton and St. Martha's School to experience 'Jack and the Enchanted Beanstalk' Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Gompertz Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This yellow candlestick senna plant is blooming right outside the main entrance to the Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 27, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Hello, Yellow

Selby Botanical Gardens has beautiful and exotic flowers and plants, both inside and outside of the main gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Leeland Berry, 8, chows down on some spaghetti while his mom, Laurie, smiles in the background during the CYD and Boys & Girls Club “Family Dinner Night” Monday, Sept. 26, at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 26, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: CYD "Family Dinner Night"

Community Youth Development teamed up with Boys & Girls Club for 'Family Dinner Night' 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Steve Litwack and Denise Barth show off their dancing skills during the D2L Dance Party "Behind The Ropes" Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Westfield Southgate Mall.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 26, 2011
VIDEO: 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.

  • 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
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