SARASOTA
Observer
Summer campers craft works of art. PAGE 26
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 15, NO. 37
FREE
YOUR TOWN
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019
Back to the start
Courtesy photo
Smashing gastroparesis As the old song goes: When whipped cream hits your eye like a big Reddi-wip pie, that’s the Gastroparesis Pie Face Challenge. (Well, close enough.) Gastroenterologists from Florida Digestive Health Specialists took part in the challenge Aug. 6 at Gastroenterology Associates of Sarasota on Hawthorne Street. Participants shoved a whipped cream-filled pie tin into their faces to “smash GP” and raise awareness about gastroparesis, a digestive disease that slows or stops the stomach from digesting food.
Old zoning disputes resurface on Palm Avenue. PAGE 9
Say cheese!
Got photos of Sally Sue with little tears in her eyes because she’s not ready to start kindergarten? What about dapper young Tommy ready to take on the world on his first day of fifth grade? Whether your kids were smiling or crying on the first day of school, we’d love to see your photos of your favorite little students. Send us your best backto-school photos at SarasotaNews@YourObserver.com to be featured in an online gallery on YourObserver. com.
Second act Upgrades will shine brighter lights on Booker artists. SEE PAGE 3
David Conway
Palm Avenue resident Ken Shelin Brynn Mechem
VPA Director Rebecca Abrahamson and VPA Theatre Chairman Scott Keys are excited for changes including new seating, updated technology and a large lobby.
A+E
A push to pay for the Y
Turtle Tracks AS OF AUG 3 TOTAL NESTS: 2019 2018 Lido Beach 96 122 Siesta Key 701 350 Casey Key 2,289 1,172 TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2019 2018 Lido Beach 192 136 Siesta Key 1,145 319 Casey Key 2,950 1,417 Brynn Mechem Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
Jim Becherer, one of the founders of the group Save Our Y, led a town hall discussion July 31.
Members try to avert forthcoming facility closures. PAGE 5
Outsiders welcome INSIDE