Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Neighbors

Loren Mayo
May 20, 2010

Positive outlook

Sara Switzer was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma in February.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
May 18, 2010

RECIPE AND A RESERVATION: Cafe Baci

Cafe Baci owner Roberto Mei shares an exclusive recipe with YourObserver.com readers.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 17, 2010

Local leaders film YouTube video

Area business people and elected officials met Monday, May 17, at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club on Lido Key to shoot a video promoting the Sarasota area.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
May 14, 2010

WEEKEND BEST BET: 'Sing for the cure'

'Sing for the Cure' is a musical journey that takes listeners through the emotions experienced by breast-cancer patients and their loved ones.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 14, 2010

Fencing Academy wins division championship

The Sarasota Fencing Academy & Club won its first division championship May 8-9, defeating 15 other established clubs in the United States Fencing Association's Central Florida Division.

East County
Sports

Loren Mayo
May 13, 2010

Sarasota ninjas hold their poses

A free "ninja class" was offered Tuesday, May 11, at SYSTEM, 325 School Ave., under the guidance of "ninja master" (and strength trainer) Rick Wisotzke.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
May 13, 2010

Simply Spoiled throws helpful party

Hoping to raise at least $5,000 for charity to help bring clean and safe water to people in developing nations via wells, Vanessa Opstal, owner of Simply Spoiled Boutique, in downtown Sarasota, hosted a night of pampering May 6, complete with eyebrow shaping, massages and complimentary eats and drinks.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
May 12, 2010

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Julie Rohr Academy

Students at Julie Rohr Academy are gearing up for their moment in the spotlight. The school will present "The Music Man" at 7 p.m., Friday, May 21, at the Sarasota Opera House.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 6, 2010

Amateur atheletes take the stage

Competitive amateur athletes Janis Merluzzo and Daniel Fugazzotto recently competed in the 2010 USADance National DanceSport Competition, held April 9 through April 11, in Los Angeles.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 6, 2010

Selby to honor moms at brunch

Selby Gardens will host its fifth annual Mother's Day Brunch Sunday, May 9, when mothers and grandmothers enter the gardens for free.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 6, 2010

Booker High wins award for dramatic arts

The Asolo Rep Guild has presented the prestigious Guilder Award annually since 1994 to an area high school in recognition of theatrical project excellence. This year's winner is Booker High School for "Animal Farm," directed by Dan Bright.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 6, 2010

Correction

In the April 29 issue of The Sarasota Observer, we incorrectly stated that Jessi Choy was the female winner of the Biggest Loser Sarasota competition.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 6, 2010

Girl Scout talks up studying foreign languages

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Natasha Grabowski, a junior at Cardinal Mooney High School, designed a program called Language Fair to inspire elementary-school students to take foreign languages in middle and high school.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 6, 2010

Michael's Wine Cellar expansion a work in progress

The latest from Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini is that construction is under way in their recently-leased space adjacent to Michael's Wine Cellar, formerly occupied by the Sassy Hair Salon.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Maria Amodio
May 5, 2010

MAN ON THE STREET: Mother's Day

The Observer asked how people are honoring their mothers and what makes their mom special.

Sarasota
News

Loren Mayo
April 30, 2010

WEEKEND BEST BET: Giving Hunger the Blues

Giving Hunger the Blues will feature dance demos, martial arts, games and activities while raising money and awareness for hunger.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 29, 2010

Italian Republic knights local resident

Having recently been bestowed knighthood by the Italian Republic, the Sarasota Sister City of Treviso, Italy, honored Cavallere Richard Storm with a luncheon Wednesday, April 21, at Mattison's 41.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 29, 2010

Foundation offers 'smile' wristbands

As part of its first fundraiser, the Alton Thomas Yung Foundation will be offering "What Would Alton Do" wristbands in Pine View School colors with WWAD on one side and 'SMILE' on the other.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 29, 2010

Sarasota Observer reader wins 'mother' of all contests

The votes are in - more than 15,000 total - and the winners of the YourObserver.com Mother-Daughter Lookalike contest have been named.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 29, 2010

Siesta Fiesta draws crafty crowd

Siesta Key Village transformed into an artful showcase April 24 and 25, as shoppers perused 250 of the nation's most talented artists and crafters who displayed life-size sculptures, handmade jewelry and paintings, photography and ceramics.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 29, 2010

'Biggest Loser Sarasota' contestants tighten their belts, winner drops over 50 pounds

It took diet, nutrition and exercise under the guidance of certified personal trainer Patti Linn Stanley, but the 13 contestants who underwent the first "Biggest Loser Sarasota" program shed between 7.5 and 20 percent of their body weight.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
April 29, 2010

St. Martha's students cook up creative inventions

Andrea Hempill, a teacher at St. Martha's, has led her class through a solar-oven project exhibition in honor of Earth Day. Her top-three teams will compete Saturday, May 1, at the Energy Whiz Olympics, in Cocoa Beach.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
April 27, 2010

RECIPE AND A RESERVATION: Sam Snead's Tavern

Sam Snead's Tavern Assistant General Manager Terry Hansen shares an exclusive recipe for YourObserver.com readers.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
April 25, 2010

Taste of Winefest

The Florida Winefest and Auction wrapped up its four-day charity fundraiser with 'Taste of Winefest,' an al fresco food, wine, beer and ale tasting at Phillippi Estate Park.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
April 23, 2010

Music lovers unwind at 'Finally Friday'

The John and Mable Ringling Museum held its fun-for-all event, "Finally Friday in the Courtyard," for concert-lovers and young professionals.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
April 23, 2010

WEEKEND BEST BET: Taste of Winefest

Taste of Winefest is an al fresco food and wine tasting and will be held at Phillippi Estate Park.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By Jessica Luck
April 23, 2010

WEEKEND BEST BET: Smooth Jazz on St. Armands

Smooth Jazz on St. Armands - Fourth Fridays with Style takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 23, at St. Armands Circle. Les Sabler & City Heat will perform.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 22, 2010

Hoop jam pumps up movie crowd

The neon hula hoops, wild costumes and upbeat party music from the Hoop Jam April 15 outside Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20 drew a large crowd.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 22, 2010

Arts Council has just the tickets

As part of its new pilot program, SRQ/TKTS, the Sarasota County Arts Council is now offering discounted tickets to performing-arts venues in Sarasota County from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through May 1, at the Sarasota Farmers Market.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 22, 2010

Candlelight vigil honors Crime Victims' Rights Week

To promote victims' rights and honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf, a candlelight vigil was held Monday, April 19, at the Central Church of Christ, in honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 22, 2010

St. Martha's undergoes energetic makeover

After undergoing Florida Power and Light's Business Energy Evaluation, St. Martha's Early Learning Center received free energy upgrades that are expected to save the organization up to $1,000 annually.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 22, 2010

Forty Carrots pays tribute to co-founder Diane Weiss

Forty Carrots Family Center staff, families, supporters, colleagues and alumni paid tribute to Diane Weiss, co-founder and co-executive director since 1993.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
April 22, 2010

Sharks win national title

The Sarasota YMCA Sharks Team won its fourth consecutive national title at the YMCA Short Course National Championship, held April 6 through April 9, in Fort Lauderdale.