More than 50 supporters of the Taylor William Emmons Memorial Foundation and All Faiths Food Bank gathered together at the home of Lakewood Ranch residents Mike and Katie Emmons for a special announcement, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and conversation Sept. 7. During the event, Mike and Katie Emmons, whose son Taylor was killed in an accident in December 2010, announced a partnership between the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund and All Faiths Food Bank. Beginning in early December, the foundation will be selling holiday wreaths, as part of its Taylor's Trees program, with half of the proceeds going to the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund and the other half going directly to All Faiths Food Bank.

Vacationers continue to make their way to the no. 1 beach in the country even with the looming gray, cloudy skies. Oscar, 2 1/2, and Emilia, 4 1/2, Estrada enjoyed their Wednesday afternoon making sand castles.

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce held its "Business After Hours" event Wednesday, Aug. 24, in conjunction with J Wood Realty's "Meet the Neighbors" event, which included Envy and Bridge Street Bistro. Those who attended the combined events enjoyed a variety of cocktails, from martinis to margaritas, as well as finger foods and desserts.

With hurricane season in full force, daily thunderstorms and bouts of rain are becoming a common occurrence in both Sarasota and Manatee counties. The Ringling Bridge is almost difficult to make out from Centennial Park during a storm Tuesday afternoon.

The Young Entrepreneurs of Sarasota met for their weekly luncheon Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Clayton's Siesta Grille on Siesta Key.

Thousands of youth soccer players put their skills to the test during the Nike Cup Labor Day Showcase Sept. 3-5 at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. More than 300 boys and girls teams, ranging in age from U9-U18, from across the state participated in the annual event, which was hosted by the Clearwater Chargers and the Fusion Futbol Club.

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron held a BBQ for the competitors and the spectators on Saturday with many members helping to cook, clean and sell at the BBQ.

Lakewood Ranch's faithful fans took the green and silver on the road as the Mustangs faced East County rival Braden River Sept. 2 at Pirate Stadium. The Mustangs emerged victorious, defeating the Pirates 28-18.

Braden River fans donned their school colors to cheer on the Pirates as they faced East County rival Lakewood Ranch Sept. 2 at Braden River. The Pirates lost to the Mustangs 28-18.

A late-game downpour couldn't drown out the Thunder's pursuit for greatness on the gridiron as ODA opened its season Sept. 2 against St. Petersburg Catholic. The Thunder handled the Barons 35-21.

The Gulf Coast Diva Angels of Sarasota-Bradenton on Sept. 1 hosted a corn hole tournament at Manatee River Harley Davidson. The event, which also featured live music and food and drink, benefited Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary.

In honor of the upcoming Labor Day holiday, we asked local laborers from Sarasota and Siesta Key to share what they love most about their jobs.