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Sarasota | Neighbors

Charlotte Christensen
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Ringling in Bloom Floral Arrangement Workshop

Students put the petals to the metal Sunday, Feb. 26 at Ringling College as part of the Ringling in Bloom celebration. Students of all experience levels learned the basics of floral arrangement from distinguished designer Remco van Vliet.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Greatness Beyond Measure Choir
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 27, 2012
Phoenix Academy celebrates Black History Month

Phoenix Academy presented its tribute to Black History Month, Let it Shine Friday, Feb. 24 at Sarasota High School. Students read poems and acknowledged the accomplishments of African Americans, and audience members enjoyed performances by the Greatness Beyond Measure Choir and the Phoenix Academy Choral Ensemble.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bob Seeley entertained the audience with his high-energy improvisations. Seeley was inducted into the Boogie Woogie Hall of Fame alongside Chuck Berry's longtime pianist Johnnie Johnson.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Jazz Club of Sarasota presents Bob Seeley

As part of the Jazz Club of Sarasota's Jazz at Two series, boogie-woogie pianist Bob Seeley performed at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota Friday, Feb. 24. Seeley thrilled the audience with his high-energy improvisations, playing hits from W.C. Handy and other period musicians.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Born and raised in Sarasota, Smith grew up boxing with his father, China Smith Sr., and playing football.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 24, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: China Smith

'The People's Champ' is a native of Sarasota. Read more about him in our candid Q&A.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Abigail Schmitt, 6 1/2, enjoys her burrito, Thursday, Feb. 23, at El Restaurante Bay Haven.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 2nd annual El Restaurante Bay Haven

Bay Haven Elementary held their second annual "El Restaurante Bay Haven" luncheon, Thursday, Feb. 23, in the cafeteria.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Claire Levin, Carolyn Ratner and Sondra Zemmel. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
TBS hosts sisterhood fashion show

The Sisterhood of Temple Beth Sholom held its annual fashion show and luncheon Feb. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evan Collinsworth, Dan Sweeney and Bob Peterson. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Brain Trust honors Bob Peterson

A group of men known as "The Brain Trust" work on solving the world's problems as they dine together every Tuesday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
China Smith stopped boxing in 2007 to launch his non-profit, China Smith and Friends Inc. This year, he hopes to return to the ring.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 23, 2012
Neighbors: China Smith

'The People's Champ' talks about growing up in Sarasota, giving back to his community and his plans to return to the boxing ring.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 23, 2012
Windward Passage unit sells for $999,000

A condominium in Windward Passage was the only transaction in this week's real estate. William and Nancy Kuhn, Sarasota, sold their Unit W-7 condominium at 4712 Ocean Blvd. to Richard and Charlotte Clark, Sarasota, for $999,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's athlete of the week: Issac Mingus.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 23, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Isaac Mingus

Issac Mingus, 14, was never able to play a sport such as baseball, basketball or football as a young child. Born prematurely, Mingus had to have an IV shunt placed in his head, which prevented him from participating in contact sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
JUST THE STATS

2 - The number of RBIs Sarasota High senior Danny Mars notched in the Sailors' 8-5 win over Riverview Feb. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charles Preston Rawls submitted this sunrise photo, taken near downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Charles Preston Rawls submitted this sunrise photo, taken near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hunter Byrne, Ryne Sutherly and Cooper Schrock
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 21, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Phillippi Shores Jogathon

Students laced up their running shoes for Phillippi Shores' jogathon Friday, Feb. 17. Parents and teachers cheered on the young Falcon runners as they made their laps around the school playground.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alexander Snyder, an alumnus and teacher at Ringling College, paints during the 24th Annual Downtown Sarasota Art Festival, Sunday, Feb. 19.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 24th Annual Sarasota Downtown Art Festival

Thousands of people came out to the 24th Annual Sarasota Downtown Art Festival, Saturday Feb. 18 - Sunday Feb.19, on Main Street and in Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The 13-15 group performs one of their group acts, Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Selby Aquatics Center at the Sarasota Family YMCA.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: SASSY puts on a show

SASSY held a fundraiser performance from 1 to 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Selby Aquatics Center at the Sarasota Family YMCA.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meagan and Heather, 12, with their brother, Craig Schwier, 8.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: SLL Opening Day

Sarasota Little League had their opening day for Spring season, Saturday, Feb. 18, out at Twin Lakes Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Vicki Warren with guest speaker Salim Ismail
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: GCCF'S 'Better Together' Luncheon

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation held a luncheon called 'Better Together: Silicon Valley Meets the Gulf Coast', Friday, Feb. 17, at the Ritz Carlton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Former ABC President James Duffy spoke about the illiteracy problem in America.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Literacy Council of Sarasota Author's Luncheon

The Literacy Council of Sarasota held its fifth annual author's luncheon Friday, Feb. 17, at Michael's on East. Former president of ABC Televsion Network James Duffy was the featured speaker at the event, which was a fundraiser to benefit the council's adult literacy programs. Duffy, who founded ProLiteracy US alongside Barbara Bush, addressed the issue of illiteracy in America.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Veteran's Memorial at Alta Vista Elementary.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Veteran's Memorial Re-dedication Ceremony at Alta Vista

Students, veterans and city officials came out to celebrate the re-dedication of the Veteran's Memorial at Alta Vista Elementary.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gov. Rick Scott addresses the students at Sarasota Military Academy, Friday, Feb. 17.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gov. Scott visits SMA

Sarasota Military Academy hosted Gov. Rick Scott, Friday, Feb. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 5th graders counted down from five before "The 7 Master Minds" Rube Goldberg project was set into motion.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 19, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Science Night at Southside

Students and parents enjoyed an evening of science, Thursday, Feb. 16, at Southside Elementary's 4th annual Science Night.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2012
SASSY swimmers getting in sync

The YMCA's Sarasota Aquatics Synchronized Swimming will hit the pool from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Selby Aquatics Center, to perform a routine members have been practicing since September.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2012
Temple celebrates Tu B'Shevat

Temple Beth Sholom students marked Tu B'Shevat, the celebration of the New Year for trees, Wednesday, Feb. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Flying Sliders features a variety of gourmet sandwiches with a flying-saucer theme. Photos by Rachel O'Hara.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 16, 2012
Food trucks offer lunch alternatives downtown

A new downtown-dining concept is drawing workers and tourists to a previously vacant lot on Ringling Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tara Tahmosh-Newell was named SSAS principal, effective Feb. 1.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 16, 2012
New principal excited about future at SSAS

Tara Tahmosh-Newell, a longtime teacher at SSAS, took the school's reins Feb. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Sarasota Beach home, which has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,990 square feet of living area, sold for $4.1 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 16, 2012
Sarasota Beach home sells for $4.1 million

A home in Sarasota Beach tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Lisa Kruidenier, trustee, sold the home at 636 Beach Road to Saba Sands LLC for $4.1 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
In addition to playing music, Ben Walsh plays football and lacrosse, and he is captain of Cardinal Mooney’s Academic Olympics team.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 16, 2012
Neighbors: Ben Walsh

Stand-up bassist Ben Walsh, a senior at Cardinal Mooney High School, looks forward to competing at the state level for the third consecutive year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's athlete of the week: Sean Dulom
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 16, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Sean Dulom

Sarasota High senior Sean Dulom, 18, will compete in the Class 3A State Tournament this weekend at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2012
JUST THE STATS

7 - The point differential between the ODA and Sarasota girls tennis teams Feb. 7. The Thunder won 7-0.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Greco submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Oscar Scherer State Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

John Greco submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Oscar Scherer State Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Underneath one of the wings on the "Nine O Nine" Boeing B-17 Fortress.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Wings of Freedom Tour

The Wings of Freedom Tour flew into the Rectrix Aerodome out at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Monday, Feb. 13 and stayed through Wednesday, Feb. 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 14, 2012
Obituary: Richard L. 'Dick' Falter

Richard L. "Dick" Falter, of Osprey, died Feb. 11. He was 80.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Wendy Merriman and Commissioner Christine Robinson
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 14, 2012
PHOTO GALERY: Sarasota Chamber Breakfast

Nearly 500 business and community leaders attended the annual Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Kick-Off Breakfast Friday, Feb. 10 at the Sahib Shrine. The theme of the breakfast was 'Maximizing Your People, Your Profits and Your Potential,' and business and community leaders offered strategies to strengthen the Sarasota community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dara Gray, 6, enjoys her donut during the breakfast that followed the Fairytale Parade.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Ashton Elementary's Fairytale Day

Kindergarten students at Ashton Elementary had fun Tuesday, Feb. 14, dressing up as their favorite fairytale characters and parading around school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Noah Calcorzi moves his queen.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Chess Club Tournament of Hearts

The 7th annual Chess Club Tournament of Hearts was held, Saturday, Feb. 11, in the library at Phillippi Shores Elementary.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Sydney Deal, Matt Robertson and Treyvon Thomas
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Booker High School's All in the Timing

Booker High School students had audiences in stitches during their performance of one-act comedies written by David Ives. The students explored the boundaries of time in a series of eight vignettes, including a sketch in which three captive primates tested the theory that monkeys with typewriters could eventually produce Shakespearean works.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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