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Sarasota | Neighbors

Khloe, 1, Kendall, 8, and Kate, 5, Campion pose together along Tamiami Trail prior to the start of the Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular Monday, July 4 over the Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bayfront Fireworks

The annual Bayfront Firework Spectacular lit up the night sky around 9 p.m. Monday, July 4 with fireworks going off over the Sarasota Bay. Many people viewed the fireworks display from Bayfront Park, Island Park, along Tamiami Trail and even out on boats in the Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Isabella Zeppi, 9, and Kate Folkens, 9, have fun playing in green and pink innertubes Monday, July 4 at Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 4, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SYC celebrate the Fourth

Members and guests of the Sarasota Yacht Club celebrated the Fourth with poolside fun with music by RPM. Later in the day there was an all-American buffet dinner and an evening of dancing with music provided by soulRcoaster.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A nautical set up was created on the corner of Lemon and State to direct people to the Shrimp and Lobster Festival put on by the Sarasota Farmers Market.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Shrimp & Lobster Fest

Sarasota Farmers Market held its first ever Shrimp and Lobster Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 2, in the parking lot on State Street. The two main vendors under the tent were Maggie's Seafood, Annalida's and Boothbay Harbor Lobster Direct. Part of the proceeds from the event went to the GAP School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joshua Mamazza and Ashtin Vavra
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Suncoast Grand Prix Boat Parade

Thousands attended the 2011 Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival Boat Parade Thursday, June 30, on Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charles Neubauer submitted this sunrise photo, taken at City Island, in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2011
Weekly Winner: New Beginning

Charles Neubauer submitted this sunrise photo, taken at City Island, in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • June 29, 2011
The Castaway

Here is this week's The Castaway.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Men were hard at work this morning adding awnings to the Cafe Epicure/Jolly building.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 28, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Face lift

Awnings are being installed on Cafe Epicure/Jolly today.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sienna Steiner cools off in the pool.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 26, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SYC Family Day

Sarasota Yacht Club rounded up families Sunday to join in fun activities such as ping pong and swimming.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The girls and women involved in the Girls Inc.Credible summer camp at Girls Inc. pose Saturday, June 25 inside Lotus, one of the five stores on Main Street that allowed the girls to try sell their own creations.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 25, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Girls Inc teams up with downtown shops

Five stores on Main Street helped to support Girls Inc. by allowing the girls to sell their crafts like flips flops, purses and bumble bee pins. The stores also gave 10% of all purchases made that day to help support "Girls Inc.Credible", a summer camp fashion club that focuses on inner beauty, self esteem and healthy body image.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Veronica Pastore and Ariana Franco strike a pose.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Pop Rocks

Sarasota got its groove on Friday at Veronica Pastore's "Pop Rocks" birthday bash, held at The Loft.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gabriel Mirman, as Police Cheif O'Reilly, gives Emma Melton, as Deputy Jessy Zingo, and Brian Steele, as Deputy Zac Horton, a hard time about working with clowns in the mystery play "The Curious Case of the Undercover Clowns".
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Drama Kids gets very "mysterious"

This year's Drama Kids Playhouse theater camp was focused on writing, creating and performing their very own mystery plays. There were five plays and each play was created around five different things the campers picked out of a bag: a plot, a location, a specific character, a conflict and an emotion. The plays were performed at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kellie Troyer, Linsey Richardson and Jackie Valentino
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Saks Summer Skin Care Soiree

University Park Dermatology and Med Spa teamed up to bring community awareness of skin health, from skin cancer detection to skin care health and beauty. The event was held at Saks Fifth Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carolann Cahill submitted this sunrise photo, taken at City Island, in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 23, 2011
WEEKLY WINNER: Ambient Lighting

Carolann Cahill submitted this sunrise photo, taken at City Island, in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Emily O'Neill, Kendall Dooley and Ella Williams proudly show off Kendall's first catch of the day.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 22, 2011
CAMP SPOTLIGHT: SYC Summer Camp (VIDEO)

Sarasota Yacht Club campers today learned how to bait a hook, cast a line and reel in fish.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • June 22, 2011
The Castaway

The Castaway

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dr. Keith Brooks poses with his daughters, Blythe, 9, and Cogan, 11, in matching Lilly attire at the Father's Day Brunch Sunday, June 19 at the Oaks Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Father's Day Brunch at the Oaks Club

Fathers gathered with their families at the Father's Day Brunch Sunday, June 19 at the Oaks Club.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christine Oconnell, Marilyn Wild, Cabriest Parker, Emily Rivera Andrews and Natalie Amsden
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SPEAKEASY

The Friends of Selby Library held a casual friend-raising fundraiser to benefit the library's new Teen Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Danielle Daly, Alina Flint and Canyon Cushman
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Friday Fest on the Bay

Local dance band Big Night Out opened the 10th annual Friday Fest on the Bay with Latin dance rhythms.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Frank Maggio poses with Desiree and Jason Chachula Friday, June 17 at the wrap party following the YPG Annual Conference/SUM+ at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota's Boathouse.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: YPG conference wrap-party

Young professionals enjoyed "Young Professionals Day" by attending the YPG Annual Conference/SUM+ June 17, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Following the conference, the attendees enjoyed themselves at a wrap-party at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota's Boathouse.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carter Gish, 6, performs in the ballet "Two Pigeons."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 17, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Recital Day

The Sarasota Ballet is holding two week-long mini-camps for children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 16, 2011
WEEKLY WINNER: First Flight

T. Guy Spencer submitted this sunrise photo, taken in Palmer Ranch in South Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2011
'The Castaway' is 'rescued' at The Observer

Most folks know artist Jorge Blanco for his bright, geometric sculptures around Sarasota. But, back in his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, Blanco is famous for his poetic comic strip, "The Castaway."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ari M. Gordon, Sue Jacobson and Brian Lipton
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: AJC's Lunch & Lecture with Ari M. Gordon

AJC's third annual summer Lunch & Learn Lecture series began Wednesday, June 15 at Michael's on East with guest speaker Ari M. Gordon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Every time the wind blew, soapy bubbles flew through the air.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 15, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Sudsy shenanigans

While we didn't catch anyone bathing in the fountain at Selby Five Points Park, there were certainly a lot of bubbles still lingering from last night's soap-pouring mischief.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Some of the over 300 participants leave the starting line in a frenzy during the 1-mile fun run Tuesday, June 14 on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 14, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 1-Mile Fun Run

Over 300 people participated in the 1-mile fun run Tuesday, June 14 on Siesta Key Beach. There will be 10 1-mile fun runs every Tuesday through the summer. Once four have been completed the participant will receive a free t-shirt.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hannah Rudo, 6, works on painting in her name written out in Greek letters Tuesday, June 14 during the It's All Greek To Me! summer art class at Art Center Sarasota.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 14, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: It's All Greek to Me!

Students enjoy learning about art and Greek culture Tuesday, June 14 during the It's All Greek To Me! summer art class at Art Center Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A dozen or so American flags set up around the base of the sign denoting the Blue Star Memorial Highway flap in the breeze on Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 14, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Flags flying

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. Since then, Americans have been celebrating Flag Day each year on June 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eric Barnes, Madeline Brogan, Terry and Steve Stottlemyer, Denise Smith and Drew Lowther
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tropical Nights Dinner Dance

The Siesta Key Kiwanis Club held its annual Tropical Nights Dinner Dance Fundraiser Saturday, at Michael's on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nell and Bill Martin romance one another on the dance floor.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: A Night In Paris

Wearing colorful berets and drawn-on pencil thin mustaches, the Glenridge at Palmer Ranch spent "A Night In Paris" Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
SMH CEO Gwen MacKenzie, Board Chairman Robert Strasser and Healthcare Foundation CEO Alex Quarles sign the last beam to be hoisted as a gesture of good luck.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 9, 2011
Sarasota Memorial 'tops out' on courtyard tower

Sarasota Memorial Hospital held a topping-out ceremony June 9 to mark the halfway point in its $250 million nine-story patient care tower and campus rejuvenation project. Completion of the facility is scheduled for early 2013.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Craig Obrecht submitted this sunset photo, taken from north Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 9, 2011
WEEKLY WINNER: Sherbert Shoreline

Enter your local sunset, sunrise or weather-related photos for The Observer's weather photo contest, sponsored by Cool Today. Please include where you took the photo when submitting photos, as well as your mailing address. Each week's winner will receive a $50 restaurant gift card. Please send your photos to the Sarasota Observer, 1970 Main St., fourth floor, Sarasota, Fla., 34236, or email them to [email protected].

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Drs. William Soscia, William Lahners and Joshua Kim
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 9, 2011
Doctors restore sight through cataract surgeries

The Center for Sight performed 30 free cataract surgeries May 18 for people without insurance or no means to pay through Mission Cataract USA, a nationwide project involving hundreds of eye surgeons through the U.S.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joie Giannini and Culhane Cole
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 9, 2011
Cardinal Mooney honors its outstanding seniors

This year's Outstanding Senior Award at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School went to Joie Giannini and Culhane Cole, who were recently honored during the school's annual Senior Awards Night, at Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 9, 2011
TV show gobbles up TurDucKen

We stopped by the Alpine Steakhouse to check out Authentic Entertainment's 'TurDucKen' filming for the Food Network show, 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate,' which is scheduled to air this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pearl, a 4-year-old all-white alligator with pink eyes, will live at Smugglers Cove for the next year.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 8, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Pearly whites

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf has welcomed a unique visitor -- an albino alligator.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Colleen Wohlrab, Arianna Robbins, Mary Beth Bilder and Yvonne Hoang pose in their caps and gowns with their yellow flowers prior to their graduation from Pineview High School Sunday, June 5 at Van Wezel.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Pineview Graduation

The Pineview Class of 2011 had their graduation ceremony Sunday, June 5 at Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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