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Sarasota | Neighbors

    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 12, 2012
Neighbors: Jean Ruff

Cancer survivor Jean Ruff used flower arranging as a way to cope with the effects of her chemotherapy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's athlete: Jamie Mirikitani
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 12, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Jamie Mirikitani

Jamie Mirikitani grew up in Hawaii on the island of Oahu and was introduced to polo by his stepfather. Mirikitani played throughout high school and in college at Arizona State.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
JUST THE STATS

18 - The number of points scored by ODA freshman Jenna Bloch during the varsity girls basketball game against Imagine School, Tuesday, Jan. 3. ODA won the game 58-4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Jack Wassiliauskas submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cooks prepare oysters for the Half Shell Oyster House's opening party on Friday, Jan. 6.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Half Shell Oyster House opening

The Half Shell Oyster House served as the venue for two events - its own opening and the inauguration of the Mark Wandall Foundation's 'Safety Saves Lives' program, which aims to educate motorists on safe driving habits. The restaurant officially opens Jan. 10, but the night served as a preview of the cuisine and atmosphere to come. All proceeds from the event went to the Mark Wandall Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Gunnerson and Nick Vonknorring of UnEven LaNes perform at the Selby Public Library.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Selby Public Library Band Bash

Selby Public Library hosts Band Bash to break in its new Teen Center. Five local bands broke the silence in the Selby Public Library Jan. 7 to usher in the opening of its new Teen Center - a place where local teens are encouraged to read, play and make a little noise. Local bands including The Garbage Men, UnEven LaNes, Let's Rock Sarasota and Siege of Malakand performed original and familiar tunes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Judy Alexander
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 9, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: High Tea and Doll Houses

The Historical Society of Sarasota hosted a High Tea and Doll Houses event on Sunday, Jan. 8. The Bidwell House and Crocker Memorial Church in Pioneer Park are some of the oldest buildings in Sarasota, and they served as the venues for the event. Sal Garcia provided live music, and both miniature houses and fancy hats were on display.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bikers make their way through downtown Sarasota, Sunday, Jan. 8, during the weekend long event, Thunder by the Bay.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Thunder by the Bay

The 14th Annual Thunder by the Bay Motorcycle Festival took place Jan. 6 - 8 in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hundreds of people came out to enjoy the annual spaghetti dinner, Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Sarasota Garden Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Garden Club's spaghetti dinner

The Sarasota Garden Club held their annual spaghetti dinner, Saturday, Jan. 8, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner will include salad, spaghetti, and spumoni for dessert.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rick Pecorelli, 81, tackles Alex Mobley, 15, during the 20th Annual Brad Price Memorial PAL Bowl, Friday, Jan. 6, at Booker High.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 20th Anniversary PAL Bowl

The top, senior football players from Sarasota and Manatee county took one another one in the 20th Annual Brad Price Memorial PAL Bowl, Friday, Jan. 6, at Booker High. Manatee County All-Stars won the game 20-17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Suzanne Oshima, matchmaker & dating coach at Dream Bachelor and Bachelorette attended the Young Professionals Group's After Hours event in search of Sarasota's most-eligible bachelorettes.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Dream Bachelor and Bachelorette scouts single women in Sarasota

Suzanne Oshima, matchmakers & dating coach of NYC company Dream Bachelor and Bachelorette, brought her matchmaking talents to Sarasota in search of the most eligible young professional women looking for love. The Young Professionals Group's After Hours event provided an excellent scouting location. The Observer asked attendees why they would be a great bachelor or bachelorette.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
James Barnhofen and Wendy Pearson
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Harris Private Bank shares new space with M&I Wealth Management

Harris Private Bank held an open house Thursday Jan. 5 at its new location at 240 South Pineapple Avenue. This marks the first time that Harris Private Bank and M&I Money Management have worked under the same roof in Florida. After being purchased by BMO purchased M&I, the two companies will share a location and resources. Guitarist Dean Miller provided live music for the open house.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cynthia Soulandros, Ruth Pines (seated), Jean Maxwell Catsakis and Kimberly Bonner. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
World War II veteran honored

Ruth Pines, who served in WAVES for 32 years and was a Navy nurse at the June 6, 1944, Normandy landings, turned 93 Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nick Friedman
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Nick Friedman named Observer community editor

The Sarasota Observer welcomed this week its new community editor, Nick Friedman. Former Community Editor Loren Mayo has been named Black Tie Editor - look for her column in Diversions and online at YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Norman Schimmel
  • By Loren Mayo and Rachel S. OHara
  • January 5, 2012
Sarasota locals vow new year resolutions

Their 2012 vows include eating at every restaurant downtown, learning to tango, remaining a city 'cheerleader' and maximizing opportunities in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 5, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Tayler Brothers

Tayler Brothers, 20, of Osprey, got his first boogie board for his fifth birthday and has not been off his surfboard since.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
JUST THE STATS

21 - The number of points senior Tanner Weigand scored in Sarasota High's men's basketball 54-48 win over St. Mary's (Canada), Dec. 30. The win gave them a third-place finish in the 10-team Lehigh Holiday Madness tournament in Lehigh Acres.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Samantha Bisceglia submitted this sunrise photo, taken on on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Samantha Bisceglia submitted this sunrise photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Norman Schimmel.
  • By Norman Schimmel
  • January 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: A booming good time

Although downtown Sarasota did not have its traditional New Year's Eve celebration, the 16-minute fireworks show on the bayfront, by Marina Jack, did mark a celebratory start for 2012. And although the crowd wasn't close to the size seen on July 4, people nonetheless were appreciative of the light show.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Siesta Beach home, which has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,090 square feet of living area, sold for $1,554,800. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 5, 2012
Sandy Hook home sells for $2 million

Linda Boring, Sarasota, sold her home at 15 N. Sandy Hook Road to Renee Chase and Edward Aroyan, Sarasota, for $2 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Carol Bernasconi and Janice Hamlin
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Garden Club Floral Design Class

The Sarasota Garden Club held the first session of its six-week class on the basics of floral arrangement Tuesday, Jan. 3. Each Tuesday, the class meets to learn the fundamentals of design taught by flower show judges. Classes begin with a lecture, and after a lunch break, students have a chance to create their own arrangements and have them critiqued.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Itzhak Perlman speaks to the Rotarians, Tuesday, Jan. 3, inside the USF Sarasota-Manatee FCCI Rotunda.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Rotary Evening with Itzhak Perlman

The Sarasota Bay Rotary Club held an 'Evening with Itzhak Perlman', Tuesday, Jan. 3 at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. The evening included a reception with drinks and appetizers, speeches by Rotarians and Itzhak Perlman as well as an open orchestra rehearsal with the members of the Perlman Music Winter Residency Program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kiera and Ben are Anchin Pavilion’s newest animal residents.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2012
Poodles brighten Anchin Pavilion Assisted Living Community

Ben and Kiera, two miniature poodles, recently found a home at Anchin Pavilion Assisted Living Community, where they provide joy and support for residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Half Shell Oyster House, 1991 Main Street, will host its soft opening (dinner only) Monday, Jan. 9. The restaurant officially opens Jan. 10 with lunch and dinner service.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 3, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Aw, shucks!

Where can you find such delectable oyster decor in Sarasota? Why, a new restaurant on Main Street, of course.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shirley Goodman has been tap dancing for 80 years.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: December, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marion Ruthardt, from Duisburg, Germany, worked on her piece, "Avatar," in November, on Dolphin Street for the Sarasota Chalk Festival.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: November, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County’s Women’s Masters 4x team finished second in the Sarasota 5000 Regatta in October.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: October, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ron Schooler has been detailing and cleaning boats for 20 years; 13 of those years have been spent in Sarasota at Marina Jack. "Look at where I am!" he says. "Every day is like a vacation."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: September, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Norma Pennington submitted this sunset photo, taken in Venice.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2011
Cool Today Winner: Sun sets on another year

Norma Pennington submitted this sunset photo, taken in Venice.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Roxanne Joffe is president of CAP Brand Marketing.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 29, 2011
SEASON OF SHARING: CAP Brand Marketing

Season of Sharing is an 11-year, community-wide fundraising partnership created by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The members of the flash mob performed during a break between sets in August at First Friday Fest.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: August, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edward D’Agostino, downtown Sarasota
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 Weather Winners

Looking back through our archives of weather photos in 2011, picking our best submissions was a near impossible task. You, our readers, submitted some of the most spectacular sunset and sunrise photos we have ever received!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Orchestra campers performed their recital on the final day of camp in July.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: July, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barb McRae received a personal hospital room visit and kisses from Kirby, who is part of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s pet-therapy program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: June, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Abandoned boxcars on the railroad track through Shade Avenue concerned nearby residents in April.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cameron Seguin cheers on her big sister by waving pom-poms in the air at Tatum Ridge Elementary’s March jog-a-thon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: March, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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