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Sarasota | Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 31, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Kiwanis Club Gala

The Siesta Key Kiwanis Club held its 13th annual Gala Saturday, May 31, at the Sarasota Yacht Club. This year's gala was themed "Tropical Nights in Paradise." Members dressed in Hawaiian shirts and tropical clothes as they listened to Jimmy Buffet songs. The gala raises money for the Kiwanis Club Foundation, which supports local children.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 31, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Booker High School Graduation

Booker High School seniors graduated Saturday, May 31, at Robarts Arena. The auditorium was filled with friends and family as well as the school's band.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 31, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Riverview High School Graduation

Riverview High School seniors graduated Saturday, May 31. The students and their families started the day with a ceremony held at Robarts Arena.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 30, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota High School Graduation

Sarasota High School seniors graduated Friday, May 30, on the high school's football field. Despite the weather, families gathered to celebrate the class' achievement. Senior Mirriam Barrera's family brought orange and white balloons to show their support. 'We wish her the best of luck,' says brother Omar Barrera.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 30, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Alta Vista Peace Walk

Alta Vista Elementary School's fifth graders dressed up for Flashback to the 1970s Friday, May 30. The day-long event invited students to relive the '70s with tie-dyed shirts, bead necklaces and a peace protest through the cafeteria. The students have been learning about the decade by reading the 1977 fiction 'Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson. After the peace walk, students winded down by watching the film adaptation of the book.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 30, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Southside Elementary Beach Bash

Southside Elementary School first grade students celebrated summer with a Beach Bash Thursday, May 29. The nine classes spent their morning in Hawaiian attire as they participated in fun activities such as learning the luau, the Japanese art of Gyotaku and making seashell necklaces.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 29, 2014

Siesta Key diver to star on Weather Channel show

Lisa Rollins will be featured on the 'Catching Hell,' which debuts at 9 p.m Sunday, June 1, on the Weather Channel.

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
May 29, 2014

Sew wonderful

Siesta Key resident Lynn Johns will travel Friday to Haiti to work with orphaned children.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 29, 2014

Season of Sculpture comes to a close

Last call for Season of Sculpture viewers! The 2014 exhibitions will come down Friday.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 29, 2014

Mile Split

Pine View School eighth-grader Hadleigh Schwartz went undefeated in the 1,600-meter run in her second season.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 29, 2014

High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 29, 2014

Business Observer

International Martial Arts Academy comes to Sarasota; Laura Bauman elected to Child Protection board; Linda Apple joins Premier Sotheby's International Realty

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 29, 2014

Weather: Sarasota

Sarasota resident Ray Collins submitted this sunset photo taken from The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 29, 2014

TrÃ¨s bien

Consul General de France M. Philippe Letrilliart visited Selby Library May 15, to speak about the long-standing relationship between France and Florida.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By Ashley Munroe
May 28, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Oak Park School shadow puppet performance

Oak Park School presented a Balinese shadow puppet show Tuesday. The fifth- and sixth-grade students, all with varying disabilities, were introduced to shadow puppetry by Surapsari, a local performing artist who specializes in theater and dance. The goal of this project was for the students to learn to sustain focus, as well as have a fun time working with each other.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
May 27, 2014

The Good News: Sheri Potter

Using the tradition of folding and retiring the flag, Girl Scouts of the Gulf Coast Troop 254 create a sense of community.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 27, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: JFCS "Tribute to Veterans"

Community and organization leaders attended Jewish Family and Children's Services of the Suncoast's 'A Tribute to Veterans: Service to Community Awards' Tuesday at Michael's on East. Veterans Richard Alvarez, Christopher Davis, Andy Hooker and John O'Brien were honored at the luncheon for serving their community and country while inspiring patriotism.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 26, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota High Spring Football

The Sarasota High football team fell to visiting St. Petersburg High 44-0 in its spring game May 23.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 26, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Laxapalooza Lacrosse Tournament

More than 30 boys and girls competitive travel lacrosse teams, ranging in age from U9 to high school, competed in the Laxapalooza Lacrosse Tournament May 24 and May 25, at the Premier Sports Campus. The Monsters Lacrosse Academy U9 (4-0), U11 (2-1), U13 (3-0) and U15 (5-0) boys teams all won tournament titles.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 26, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Memorial Day Parade

Sarasota families celebrated Memorial Day with the annual Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 26, along Main Street. Veteran organizations, ROTC units and high school marching bands made their way down Main Street in honor of our nation's heroes.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 25, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony

Sarasota National Cemetery held a Memorial Day ceremony Sunday, May 25. Veterans and their families attended the outdoor ceremony that honored those who have fallen. The event was led by Lt. Col. Lee Kichen and included color guard, drum line and performances by the Trinity Christian Fellowship Center Choir. "This is a time to remember," says key note speaker Manatee County Veterans Services Officer Lee Washington, "a time to reflect on the sacrifice."

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 23, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Cardinal Mooney Graduation

Cardinal Mooney seniors graduated Friday, May 23, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Friends and family attended the ceremony held in the theatre.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By Ashley Munroe
May 23, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Brookside Middle School Flashmob

Brookside Middle School students celebrated the U.S. Constitution by organizing a flashmob Friday, May 23, in Island Park. The students spent a week preparing for the performance and arrived at Marina Jack ready to dance. 'I had so much fun,' says Shyann Smith. 'I love dancing and I was so proud of everyone.'

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 23, 2014

Weekend Best Bet: Memorial Day Weekend

Remember our nation's heroes with one of the many events taking place in the Sarasota area this weekend.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 23, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River vs. Cardinal Mooney Spring Football

The Braden River High football team edged past Cardinal Mooney 8-0 in its spring game May 22.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 22, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Our Sarasota Fund Giving Circle Reception

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County hosted a reception for its Our Sarasota Fund Giving Circle Thursday, May 22. The Community Foundation awarded more than $25,000 in support of Sarasota LFBT nonprofit and programs such as the ALSO Youth group.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Harriet Sokmensuer
May 22, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: SMA Graduation

Sarasota Military Academy students graduated Thursday, May 22, at Robarts Arena. The arena was filled with families, friends and loved ones there to celebrate the seniors accomplishments. Before the ceremony, friends and family members visited the seniors as they prepared to go on stage.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

The Good Book

For more than four decades, The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch resident Natalie Pearson has had a piece of history in her home - American poet Walt Whitman's Bible. Pearson and her late husband, Walter Whitman Swertfager, inherited the Bible from Swertfager's mother, who was a descendent of Whitman.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

Redeemer welcomes new face

Sarasota's Church of the Redeemer welcomes the Rev. Charleston David Wilson as its new associate priest.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

FPL illuminates Girls Inc. with makeover

On May 8, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County received free energy upgrades from Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) with the help of local contractors as part of a nonprofit energy makeover.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

Take Stock in Children gives scholarships

Take Stock in Children, a Florida nonprofit with the goal of helping children by providing scholarships, mentors and optimism to low-income students, announces the graduation of 49 local high school seniors.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 22, 2014

High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 22, 2014

Sidelines

Benderson Park unveils dragon boat; GSJGA wraps up its winter series; Sarasota athletic orientation upcoming; Sailors to hold dodgeball fundraiser; i9 Sports camp registration ongoing