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Sarasota | Neighbors

Lise Cooley, Pat and Dick Stusek and Zenobia Davis
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Republican Club

Republican Club hosts Senate Candidate George Lemieux for joint Sarasota and Longboat Key Republican Club's holiday party on Dec. 16. Live holiday music was provided by Dr. Jim Whitman, Deborah DiCarlo and Rory Dubin at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alan Misch and Tom Darby hold up the presents they brought to the DSA holiday party.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: DSA Holiday Party

The Downtown Sarasota Alliance got together for a holiday party, Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Irish Pub on Main.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This statue makes its home near the intersection of Osprey Avenue and Orange Avenue.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Spirited statue

This statue seems to get a makeover every time a holiday approaches. Right now, he's dressed in Santa attire. Wonder what's inside that red sack?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Victor Fernandez teaches music at Booker Middle School.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
VIDEO: Victor Fernandez honored as teacher of the year finalist

The Sarasota County School Board surprised three teachers as finalists for its district Teacher of the Year Competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Children get festive for Santa

More than 130 kids from Big Brothers Big Sisters watched as Santa Claus showed up to greet them in a bright red fire truck for their annual holiday party Saturday, Dec. 10, at Sun 'N' Fun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
65 years and still going strong

The Sarasota High School class of 1946 gathered for its 65th class reunion Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wendy Mann Resnick
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
SEASON OF SHARING: Wendy Mann Resnick

When it comes to people in need, Wendy Mann Resnick is a softie.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meet your friendly, neighborhood Jimmy John's man.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
Neighbors: Garret Brown

Garret Brown has worked as a Jimmy John's employee for the last three-and-one-half years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home, which has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,955 square feet of living area, sold for $610,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 15, 2011
Two-home deal tops week's sales at $3.015M

A two-home sale in Revised Siesta top all transactions in this week's real estate. Kevin and Antoinette Cogan, of Louisville, Ky., sold two homes, at 4079 Shell Road and 4083 Shell Road, to Neil and Sandra DeFeo, of Westport, Conn., for $3.015 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
John Sims submitted this sunset photo, taken at Island Park near downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2011
Cool Today Winner: Twilight Trio

John Sims submitted this sunset photo, taken at Island Park near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mary Lou Johnson displayed works spanning from beach and sunset scenes to the Ringling Museum.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 14, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Mary Lou Johnson Photography "Ignite the Spirit"

Mary Lou Johnson held a wine and cheese opening reception for her photography exhibition "Ignite the Spirit" Tuesday, Dec. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nevaeh Most, 2, smiles big while talking with Santa, Tuesday, Dec. 13, during Healthy Families Sarasota’s Holiday Party inside FirstBaptist Sarasota’s Family Life Center.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 14, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Healthy Families Sarasota annual Holiday Party

Healthy Families Sarasota held their annual Holiday Party, Tuesday, Dec. 13, inside FirstBaptist Sarasota's Family Life Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Families and friends of Selby Gardens gathered Thursday for the bromeliad tree lighting just outside the Payne Mansion.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 13, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Selby Gardens bromeliad tree lighting

Selby Gardens lit its 20-foot-tall bromeliad tree Dec. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tony Almengual and Katherine Orenic show off some ornaments they planned to hang on the Laurel Park Christmas tree, Sunday, Dec. 11, during the Laurel Park Holiday Party at Laurel Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 12, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Laurel Park Holiday Party

The 9th annual Laurel Park Holiday Party was full of bright lights, lots of sweets and plenty of singing, Sunday, Dec. 11, at Laurel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ellie Feldman, Irv Parmet and Florey Miller and Dr. Christopher Cortman
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Sinai Jewish Food Festival

Temple Sinai held its annual Jewish Food Festival Sunday, Dec. 11, but the event featured much more than just food. Temple members and guests perused crafts and books for sale, kids jumped around inside a bounce house and everyone was treated to music and entertainment. The festival also featured a health fair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kids in line watch Blythe Snyder, 7, scream with delight as she flies down the Snow Slide, Friday, November 9, during Southside Stroll.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Southside Stroll

Hundreds of families enjoyed themselves Friday, Dec. 9, as they participated in Southside Stroll. There were crafts to make, places to write letters to Santa, a Snow Slide and Santa Claus himself even made an appearance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The judges try and figure out what pie will get first place in the fruit pie category, during the 1st annual pie contest, Friday, Dec. 9 at Everence Federal Credit Union.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Pie Contest

Everence Federal Credit Union held their 1st annual pie contest, Friday, Dec. 9 in the parking lot of their store front. There were 21 pies entered into three different categories and over 40 different pies for people to taste following the judging.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Madeline Dolleman, Mackenzie Downs and Patricia Maroszek
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 10, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Achieva Credit Union Reindeer Trot

Achieva Credit Union held its first Reindeer Trot Saturday, Dec. 10, at Payne Park. The 5K/10K community event benefited classroom grants administered by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A rainbow emerged from the clouds over Ringling Boulevard. Might it be a sign for a sunshine-filled weekend?
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 9, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Rainbow surprise

A rainbow emerged from the clouds over Ringling Boulevard. Might it be a sign for a sunshine-filled weekend?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Donna Scudder, Eric Henderson and Lisa Hersch
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 8, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Ritz-Carlton unveils 'Winter Water Land' gingerbread display

The Ritz-Carlton paid homage to manatees, dolphins, sea urchins and turtles in this year's gingerbread creation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol last month on Veterans’ Day at the request of Congressman Buchanan.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 8, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Flying high

An American flag flown over the United States Capitol and accepted by the City Commission earlier this week was raised today above the Five Points roundabout in honor of American military veterans.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Rachel S. O’Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2011
We've got spirit, yes we do

Saturday's Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade attracted thousands of spectators and participants, all decked out in their holiday finest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fran Levinson, Anne Weintraub, Tamara Chapman, Vanessa Opstal and Kim Goodson. Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2011
Simply Spoiled hosts superstars

Local superstars turned up at Simply Spoiled Thursday, Dec. 1, for a special reception to kick-off the call for nominations for the third annual 2012 Women's Leadership Council Community Superstars.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Loren Mayo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 8, 2011
SEASON OF SHARING: Heidi Smith

Growing up in an Army family, Heidi Smith's constant moving might have helped her gain a broader picture of the world, but it didn't give her the opportunity to put roots down in one community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 8, 2011
Teams begin training for half marathon

More than 4,000 people are expected to participate in the seventh annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon and Relay March 11, 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lennie Macarthur, Sasha von Dassow, Nancy Streetman, Barb Ahern and Janis Payne
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 8, 2011
Musicians pull some strings to form new orchestra

The Glenridge String Orchestra's 20 members meet weekly to practice for their spring concert.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Past Hazzan Diane Nathanson with incoming Hazzan Jeffrey Weber. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 8, 2011
Nathanson honored as first female member of clergy

Temple Beth Sholom recognized Hazzan Diane Nathanson, the first woman in the temple's 78-year history to serve as a member of the professional clergy, with a tribute dinner.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Crescent Royale home, which has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,181 square feet of living area, sold for $455,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 8, 2011
Bay Island Shores home sells for $800,000

A home in Bay Island Shores tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Night Hawk Properties LLC sold the home at 775 Freeling Drive to James and Anne Westman, Sarasota, for $800,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2011
JUST THE STATS

6-0 - The Lady Sailors basketball team's record as of Saturday, Dec. 3, after beating Bayshore High 61-30.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's athlete, Camille Giardina.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 8, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Camille Giardina

Camille Giardina, 14, might be only a freshman, but she already is a major asset to Cardinal Mooney's varsity girls basketball team this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The mansion features the handiwork of 13 designers from the American Society of Interior Designers, who have transformed each room using the latest trends in home design and holiday décor.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Splendor at the Payne Mansion

The Payne Mansion Holiday Showhouse will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 2, 2012, and during the evenings of Lights in Bloom, from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16 through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
...
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 7, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Classy Reunion

The Sarasota High School class of 1946 gathered together for their 65th class reunion Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rose and Jacob Brasgalla
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Hudson Bayou Picnic

The Hudson Bayou neighborhood held a fun-filled holiday picnic with hula-hooping contests and three-legged races Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charlotte Jaffe, 8, gets some help with the atlatl from Jessie Ploss, Saturday, Dec. 3, during Fruitville Elementary's junior archaeology day at New College's Public Archaeology Lab.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Fruitville Elementary students have fun learning at New College

Fruitville Elementary students in second through fifth grades along with their families had the chance to be 'junior archaeologists," Saturday, Dec. 3, at New College's Public Archaeology Lab.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lilly Savary, Abbi Wilkinson, Kelsey Fisher, Kylee Wilkinson and Baylee Stepina were all on the fire engine as part of the fire department’s float.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Parade part 3

The Annual Holiday Parade took place on Saturday, Dec. 3 on Main Street. The theme this year was tropical holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Don't miss your chance to meet Santa!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2011
HOLIDAY TIPS: Santa Appearances

Santa is coming to town, and he's making a handful of appearances all over Manatee County and Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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