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Sarasota | Neighbors

Organizers of the tribute pose before the memorial begins.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Jay B. Starker Tribute

Members of the Sarasota arts community gathered Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Southgate Community Center to honor the life and art of Jay B. Starker, a noted artist and musician, who operated a shop in Sarasota since 1960. In addition to creating jewelry, paintings and poetry, Starker hosted a group of musicians, known as the Gathering of Exiles, who performed international music at his shop. The tribute displayed many photos of Starker, who died this July, as well as works of his art and recordings of his music, and members of the Gathering of Exiles performed music in his honor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 4, 2012
Sports Scores: Basketball

Cougars tame Falcons; SMA tops Venice Christian; Riverview breezes past North Port; Lady Cougars hold Lady Falcons to two buckets

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota’s Anthony Hardy-Bear, No. 21, guards Riverview’s Austin Walker, No. 30.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota v. Riverview boys basketball

The Sarasota High School varsity boys basketball team played Riverview High School's team Monday, Dec. 3, at Sarasota High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2012
November Cool Today Monthly Weather Photo Contest Winner

Jocelyne Cloutier submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Santa waves to the crowd from his sleigh Saturday, Dec. 1, during the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
  • By Nick Friedman and Rachel S. OHara
  • December 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Annual Downtown Holiday Parade

Thousands of people filled the sidewalks along Main Street Saturday, Dec. 1, for the Annual Downtown Holiday Parade.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Erika Gonsalves, 7, and her mom, Lisa, wore colorful reindeer antler headbands for the 2nd Annual Achieva Reindeer Trot Saturday, Dec. 1, at Payne Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Achieva Second Annual Reindeer Trot

Achieva held their 2nd Annual Reindeer Trot Saturday, Dec. 1, at Payne Park. Those who participated in the trot had the option of running or walking in a 5K/10K. All proceeds raised benefited Sarasota County classrooms.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marty Dove, Liz Rusling, Jane Fidalgo, Lisiane Jimenez and Katy Dove
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Wine, Dine and Pine

The Marie Selby Gardens Associates held the third annual Wine, Dine and Pine event Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Marie Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 601 at Casarina, 5880 Midnight Pass Road, sold for $1.59 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 29, 2012
Condominium in Casarina sells for $1.59 million

A condominium in Casarina tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Evert and Evy Gustafsson, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 601 condominium at 5880 Midnight Pass Road to Wilbur and Sarah Bontrager, of Middlebury, Ind., for $1.59 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Alex and Taylor Katz have been swimming on the same team for eight years. The two Riverview High siblings swam in their final high school swim meet together Nov. 9.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 29, 2012
Siblings make a splash

Taylor Katz and her younger brother, Alex, helped lead the Riverview swim teams to first- and third-place finishes at the Class 3A Swimming & Diving Championship Nov. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2012
SIDELINES

Lady Rams breeze past Brooks-Debartolo; Riverview boys cruise past Bayshore; Ultimate Sports Fan October winner; Cougars to be induced into Hall of Fame; Mooney blanks Sarasota Christian

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 29, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Henry Ford

Sarasota Christian School's Henry Ford has been playing basketball since he was 10 years old. Now 18, the senior forward reflects on his career as he looks forward to graduation and college.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2012
JUST THE STATS

60 - The point margin the Riverview High girls basketball team defeated Brooks-Debartolo by in its 64-4 victory Nov. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Norman Kaplan submitted this sunset photo, taken at Island Park in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Norman Kaplan submitted this sunset photo, taken at Island Park in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarah Bradtmueller, No. 25, drives the ball down the court as Manatee’s Jasmine Luther, No. 23, tries to stop her Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Sarasota High School’s gymnasium.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 28, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota v. Manatee girls basketball

The Sarasota Sailors played the Manatee Hurricanes Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Sarasota High School. The Sailors won at home with the final score Sarasota 52, Manatee 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 28, 2012
Cougars to be induced into Hall of Fame

Six new members will be induced into the Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School athletic Hall of Fame during the school's first formal athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner Dec. 1, at the Sara Bay Country Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney’s Abby Goecker, No. 2, and Sarasota Christian’s Danielle Buncik, No. 6, both go after the ball.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Christian v. Cardinal Mooney

Sarasota Christian and Cardinal Mooney's girls soccer played one another Monday, Nov. 26, at Sarasota Christian. The final score was Sarasota Christian 0, Cardinal Mooney 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Darby Disalvo, 2, and her mother Courtney get ready to sing a song at storytime.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • November 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Toddler Storytime

The Selby Public Library held Toddler Storytime on Tuesday, Nov. 27 in the Youth Program Room for children to enjoy singing, dancing, and reading. Toddler Storytime is held every Tuesday and is recommended for children 18 months to 3 years old. 'The library is a form of socialization [for Henry] so we come here every week,' said Annie Schiller mother of 19 month - old Henry. 'His favorite part is the puppet show.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 27, 2012
Sports Briefs

Lady Rams breeze past Brooks-Debartolo; Riverview boys cruise past Bayshore; Cardinal Mooney girls blank Sarasota Christian; Lady Sailors remain unbeaten

  • East County
  • Sports
A man drapes the flag of Israel over his back in a show of support.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Support for Israel Rally

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota and Manatee counties hosted an interfaith rally Friday, Nov. 23 at J.D. Hamel Park to show its support for Israel. Attendees waved Israeli flags and wore blue and white to show their support before walking the Ringling Bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Members of the open jam band perform blues standards.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Fourth Annual Stone Soup Gathering

Theresa and Bob Fieberts hosted the fourth annual Stone Soup Gathering at their home, Friday, Nov. 23 to benefit local nonprofit, Every Child, Inc. Attendees were invited to bring toys for the nonprofit, soup for the meal and instruments to join in on the evening-long open jam session, hosted by Bob Fieberts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Embellishments owners, Diane Boyhan and Cheri Neary
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Downtown Sarasota Village Tree Lighting

Merchants in the Downtown Sarasota Village, located off Fruitville Road, got in the holiday spirit Saturday, Nov. 24, during their first-annual lighting of the trees event, designed by Embellishments Design and Boutique. Guests strolled through the shops in the Village, listened to Christmas carols and enjoyed light snacks and wine.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rheanna Stephens, 8, Haela Stephens, 6, Laura Gilliam with Barbie, Rhett Gilliam, 3, Hannah Ward with Lucy, and Hunter Gilliam, 11, pose in front of the lit Christmas tree.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Downtown Sarasota Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony Friday, Nov. 23, at Five Points Park. The evening included music by Mr. Howard's Music Makers and caroling by Girls Inc.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riverview’s Austin Walker, No. 30, runs down the court with the ball.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Christian v. Riverview

The Riverview Rams played their season opener against the Sarasota Christian Blazers Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Sarasota Christian. While the Blazers held the lead for a while, the Rams came back during the second half to win 72-62.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2012
SIDELINES

Sailors finish fourth at Class 3A state meet; Riverview blanks North Port in district action; Thunder posts back-to-back shutouts; Blazers top Pirates in overtime play; Cardinal Mooney roars past Manatee

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 303 at Terrace East, 5300 Ocean Blvd., sold for $635,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2012
Condominium in Terrace East sells for $635,000

A condominium in Terrace East tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Jonathan Barnett, of Purchase, N.Y., sold his Unit 303 condominium at 5300 Ocean Blvd. to Ralph Basile and Karen MacDonald-Basile, of Sterling Heights, Mich., for $635,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Out-of-Door Academy's Elena Ciaccio
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2012
JUST THE STATS

24 - The number of points Gianna Vastola scored, as the Riverview High girls basketball team edged past Booker 59-55, in its season opener.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 21, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Matt O'Donnell

Cardinal Mooney senior Matt O'Donnell has been swimming for 11 years. After recently winning a state title in the 500-meter freestyle and signing with North Carolina State University on a swimming scholarship, O'Donnell spoke to the Sarasota Observer about his plans.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Peter Herke stands in front of his car collection, which includes several racing BMWs, a Porsche, a Pantera and his daily driver: a customized 1972 BMW 2002, dubbed "Shorty," whose back end he cut off.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 21, 2012
Life in the Fast Lane: Peter Herke

Retired racecar driver and Sarasota resident Peter Herke built a career on his mechanical expertise and desire to continue pushing the limits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dotty Terry submitted this sunset photo, taken from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Dotty Terry submitted this sunset photo, taken from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Out-of-Door Academy's Elena Ciaccio, No. 3, kicks the ball to a teammate during Monday night’s game.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Cardinal Mooney versus ODA girls and boys soccer

The girls and boys soccer teams from Cardinal Mooney and the Out-of-Door Academy played one another Monday, Nov. 19, out at Out-of-Door Academy. The Cougar girls won 2-0 and the Thunder boys won 2-1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 20, 2012
Labor of Love: Sarasota International Cricket Club

The Sarasota International Cricket Club, which is home to about 40 members, will host its annual Sarasota Six-A-Side Festival.

  • East County
  • Sports
Out-of-Door Academy senior Caroline Dailey signed a national letter of intent to play tennis for the University of South Carolina during a school-wide assembly Nov. 16.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 20, 2012
Lady Thunder tennis star signs with Gamecocks

Caroline Dailey, a senior at ODA, signed a national letter of intent Nov. 16 to play tennis for the University of South Carolina.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Josh Stone and Michelle Mohr
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Project: Santa's Helpers at Girls Inc.

For the second year, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County has partnered with local organizations to help provide Christmas gifts to area families. Volunteers from Girls Inc., Concession Charities, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Young Professionals Group and the Booker High School Key Club Sunday, Nov. 18, helped gift-wrap books and presents for 100 families.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dawn Esposito with her children, Rock and Sage
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Children's Reading and Art Day

Families and their children, Saturday, Nov. 17, strolled through the Children's Garden as part of the sixth annual Children's Reading and Art Day. Guests explored the garden, painted and listened to music in celebration of the importance of reading and art.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rabbi Brenner Glickman with the Rev. Fausto Stampiglia
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • November 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El and St. Martha Interfaith Luncheon

Members of St. Martha Catholic Church Saturday, Nov. 17, traveled to Temple Emanu-El for its annual interfaith luncheon. Members enjoyed a meal and presentation from Sarasota Police Officer Tom Solomon about current events and interfaith relations. 'This luncheon kicks off a spirit of cooperation and mutual love,' said Rabbi Brenner Glickman.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lauren Mitchell of The Lauren Mitchell Band performed for the crowd.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • November 18, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Bay Water Festival

The Sarasota Bay Water Festival took place at Ken Thompson Park on Saturday, Nov. 17. The festival celebrated the bay and educated the public about keeping the bay and the environment healthy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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