Pine View student shoots for the stars with fashion

Pine View School eighth-grader T.J. Cochran knew his purchase of a replica astronaut suit from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. would come in handy some day, and on Friday, his purchase paid off. He donned the suit when NASA scientists visited Pine View (see page 8B). Cochran's teacher asked him to wear it because he was chosen to ask a question to the panel of speakers. 

Principal Stephen Colvert wore an astronomy tie to show off his space knowledge.

Feliz cumpleanos, Charles McLeod

Charles McLeod will be blowing out the candles for his 90th birthday on Jan. 24. The former Casey Key resident will be celebrating the landmark birthday with friends and family in a reception Jan. 23 at Southbay Yacht & Racquet Club in Osprey. 

Friends are traveling from as far as California and Texas for the occasion. He now lives in Osprey with his life partner, Ann Gamble. He has three children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. 

McLeod was once an avid scuba diver and now enjoys walks, dominating at a game of dominoes and playing board games to test his memory. He also enjoys speaking Spanish to anyone who will listen.  

Paws that fit to print

Patrons who perused the Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival Jan. 16 were starstruck. The celebrity they came across in the crowd was none other than Chino the chihuahua. Chino and her handler Linda Childs were both featured in a May issue of the New York Times in a piece called "For the Love of Animals." 

Childs adores everything about Chino and it shows by her sweet outfits that she chooses for her to wear. The pair were in town visiting and hail originally from Massachusetts.