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Sarasota | Neighbors

Mya Carter frosts the front of the Girls Inc. gingerbread house. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2011
Photos of the Week

Enjoy a selection of our favorite photos from each Observer this week.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Maria Cuffaro with Edward and Patricia Leon
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Rosemary Rising 7th annual Holiday Walk

The Rosemary District Neighborhood Association held its seventh annual Holiday Walk, which featured everything from a holiday dog costume contest to a meet-and-greet with the Sarasota SWAT team.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kelly Morrell and Sam Davidson
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gulf Coast Community Foundation Holiday Campaign Kick Off

Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Westfield Southgate held a kick off party for the 'Give with Purpose' campaign, Wednesday, Nov. 30, inside Saks Fifth Avenue at Westfield Southgate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dan Cracchiola poses with Levoie Hipps, dressed in his horse costume, in front of the Christmas tree.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Singing Christmas tree comes to life

FirstSarasota, the Downtown Baptist Church, is gearing up for the 38th annual Singing Christmas Tree performances that begin Friday, Dec. 2 and will run through Sunday, Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The gingerbread house created by Girls Inc. for the CYD competition included a marshmallow snowman, pretzel windows and a decorated rooftop with a chimney.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Youth prepare for gingerbread house decorating contest

Gumdrops, peppermints and icing - that's what tasty houses are made of! The third annual Community Youth Development Gingerbread Festival promises to sweeten up the area next week, when more than 125 gingerbread houses will be on display from Dec. 9 to Dec. 11, in the Macy's wing of the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Osprey Library opened Nov. 10, in the former visitor’s center at Historic Spanish Point. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Osprey Library opens at Spanish Point

The Osprey Library at Historic Spanish Point will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Photos by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Neighbors: Shirley Goodman

It is hard to say whether it is easier to spot Shirley Goodman from across the room due to her glitzy garb or the sound of her tapping feet.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's athlete, Kevin Turner. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Kevin Turner

Ever since Kevin Turner discovered kiteboarding six years ago, he's been hooked on the sport.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
JUST THE STATS

38-34 - The final score of the Out-of-Door Academy and Shorecrest Preparatory women's basketball game, Nov. 21, at Out-of-Door. ODA won the game.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ilona Maegdefrau submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2011
Weekly Winner: Quite a Show

Ilona Maegdefrau submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Nations' kindergarten class poses, Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the courtyard at Southside Elementary.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 1, 2011
Southside kindergartners make colorful mosaics

Southside Elementary kindergartners held a dedication for their stepping-stone project Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the school's courtyard.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton once again dons 19th-century-style clothing to portray President Abraham Lincoln. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 1, 2011
Homeless residents enjoy a big Thanksgiving event

The Sarasota Ministerial Association held its 11th annual celebration with Sarasota's homeless residents as its guests the day before Thanksgiving, at First Baptist Church in downtown Sarasota. '¨

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A Crystal Sands condominium, which has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,271 square feet of living area, sold for $775,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 1, 2011
Crystal Sands home tops sales at $775,000

A condominium in Crystal Sands tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Marsha Miller, trustee, of Hartville, Ohio, sold the Unit 606 condominium at 6300 Midnight Pass Road to M&D 606 Crystal Sands LLC, of Belleville, Ill., for $775,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
From all of us at The Observer Group to all our beloved readers, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and happy holidays.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 30, 2011
The Observer Holiday Gift Guide

Are you ready for the most wonderful time of the year?

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 30, 2011
Acts of kindness help neighbors

Each week through December, the Observer Group will feature a local donor who is involved with Season of Sharing, a community-wide fundraising partnership created by The Community Foundation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sue Jacobson, Bert Fivelson, Sarah Elbert, Ursula Pearson, Mimi Edlin and Grant Jones
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 23, 2011
Edlin throws joint birthday party

Mimi Edlin held a joint birthday party for four people with the same birthday, Nov. 17, and one with a birthday a few days earlier, Nov. 12, Friday, Nov. 18, at her home at the Sarasota Bay Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Zachary Brigham is thankful for his dogs.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 23, 2011
Sarasota kindergarteners offer thankful thoughts

The Sarasota Observer caught up with kindergartners at Julie Rohr Academy and Gulf Gate Elementary to ask some Thanksgiving trivia questions and to find out for what they're most thankful.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Monica DeVold submitted this sunset photo, taken on north Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 23, 2011
Weekly Winner: Color Scheme

Monica DeVold submitted this sunset photo, taken on north Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home, which has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,509 square feet of living area, sold for $531,400. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 23, 2011
Sarasota Beach home tops week's sales at $820,000

A home in Sarasota Beach tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Robert Hurwitz, Sarasota, and Linda Weller, of Lewisburg, Pa., sold their home at to William and Katherine Baumann, of Lake Orion, Mich., for $820,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Maya Stern Rudo and Madelyn Halperin decorate the dining hall.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Sholom Schools decorates Salvation Army

Each year, Temple Beth Sholom students and their teachers spearhead a donation drive for children and families at the Salvation Army.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
We have our favorite dishes, what are yours?
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 22, 2011
POLL: What is your favorite traditional Thanksgiving dish?

Thanksgiving is only two days from today! What traditional dish are you most excited for?

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Aleiah, 4, and Sheli Rodriguez pose together at the Thanksgiving Luncheon, Tuesday, Nov. 22, at First United Methodist Church.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 22, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Being Thankful

The First United Methodist Church held a Thanksgiving Luncheon for the parents and children that attend the Early Child Care program at the church.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stage performances were held all day at the "Children's Reading and Art Day."
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • November 21, 2011
VIDEO: Children's Reading and Art Day

The Children's Garden held 'Children's Reading and Art Day' from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 20, to promote literacy and art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Conservation Foundation of the Gulfcoast held their annual members reception in conjunction with the grand opening of the new Center for the Arts, Sunday, Nov. 20, out at Bay Preserve.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Center for the Arts opens at Bay Preserve

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast held their annual members' reception and the grand opening of the Floyd C. and Flo Singer Johnson Center for the Arts, Sunday, Nov. 20, out at Bay Preserve at Osprey.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gavin Platte swings through the air.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Fifth Annual Reading and Art Day

The festival, held at The Children's Garden, featured local children's book authors, illustrators and artists, stage performances, kid's activity booths, face painting and balloon making.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue Jacobson, Bert Fivelson, Sarah Elbert, Ursula Pearson, Mimi Edlin and Grant Jones pose together, Friday, Nov. 18, at Edlin’s home at the Sarasota Bay Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • November 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Sharing birthdays with friends

Mimi Edlin held a joint birthday party for four people with the same birthday, November 17, and one with a birthday close by, November 12, Friday, Nov. 18, at her home at the Sarasota Bay Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jason Moore tries to blow through the bull horn, but fails during his attempt. Photo by Rachel S O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2011
Photos of the Week

Enjoy some of our favorite photos from all Observers this week.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Laurey Stryker, Darrell Ayers, Lori White, Robert Warren, Kristin Fulkerson and Jim Shirley
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 11th Annual Principals Recognition Luncheon

Darrell M. Ayers, vice president for education at The John F. Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts, was the featured speaker for the 11th Annual Principals Recognition Luncheon, held Nov. 16th, at Van Wezel. The event was presented by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tube Dude owner Scott Gerber could not be reached to comment on the pair of giant hands that are being spray painted on the exterior of the building.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 17, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: That's no Tube Dude!

Something's going outside of the Tube Dude warehouse on 10th Street...

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Church rings bell for Salvation Army

The Sarasota First Church of the Nazarene will again help the Salvation Army in its annual fundraising campaign, which begins Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 24, with volunteers ringing the bell in front of the Kmart on Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Col. Jerry Hearn, student Christopher Wenzel and Ross Alander.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Veterans Day celebrated at USF

The Veterans Committee at USF Sarasota-Manatee honored students, staff, faculty and community members who are veterans of the United States military with its second annual Veterans Day ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2011
Student council feeds the hungry

Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences Student Council members Sophia Helme, Natasha Nieckoski, Amanda Lam, Jayna Shaffer, Mia Forschner and Ivy Bienaimer helped sort, organize and pack up food for SSAS families and the Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The new school building will house 34 classrooms and an IT room on each of its three floors.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 17, 2011
SSAS students, staff count the days until move-in

In just three weeks, a new three-story classroom building for the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences will open.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Johnson
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 17, 2011
Conservation Foundation names its new president

Christine Johnson will succeed Albert Joerger as The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast's next leader.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Parks and Chris Gallagher, with Sarasota-based Jonathan Parks Architect, led the design process at Citrus Square. The 35,000-square-foot, three-story mixed-use project in downtown Sarasota was completed in 2010. Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 17, 2011
Advice from an award-winning firm, 'Think Like a Raindrop'

An award-winning architecture firm shares its secrets. A big key, for any business: Creativity can come from anywhere.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Mallory Gnaegy
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • November 17, 2011
Neighbors: Louise King

This former Broadway star has retained her love for the theater.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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