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Sarasota | Neighbors

Gavin Montisano showed off his muscles in a Spider-Man costume in February at Ashton Elementary’s Kindergartners’ Fairytale Parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: February, 2011

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Riley Putnam practices her spoon-sticking ability in January at a Church of the Redeemer dinner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: January, 2011

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Margaret Brading and Sue Ford
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
British Club celebrates X-Mas

The Sarasota British Club held its annual Christmas dinner party Saturday, Dec. 17, at Heritage Oaks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bea Dunayer with Jacob Baram. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Temple gets into the Hanukkah spirit

Temple Emanu-El Religious School caught the Hanukkah spirit Sunday, Dec. 11 at a school-wide campus celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Church of the Redeemer welcomes home college kids

Church of the Redeemer's College Ministry held a special 'welcome home' coffee time after services, Sunday, Dec. 18, inside Gillespie Hall. The Rev. Fred Robinson had each student come up as he read some information about each student's major and school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Y.E.S. member Brit Fjoerdsma. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YMCA members say 'yes' to fun

The senior members of the Evalyn Sadlier Jones branch of the Sarasota YMCA have a new program tailored to suit them: Youthful Energetic Seniors - or Y.E.S., for short.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Oarr, president of The American Association of University Women, said the group voted unanimously to donate to the Season of Sharing.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
SEASON OF SHARING: The American Association of University Women

Every year around the holidays, approximately 120 members of The American Association of University Women gather for their holiday luncheon, when they pass a Christmas stocking from table to table to take a collection for charity.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
The Observer sends letters to Santa

During the Southside Village Holiday Stroll, the Sarasota Observer collected letters to Santa from all the good boys and girls. After being printed, these will sent to the North Pole.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Victor Fernandez began teaching at Booker Middle School in 2010. He also conducts the Sarasota Youth Orchestra.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
Fernandez honored as middle school Teacher of the Year

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
St. John jacket
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
New Goodwill Boutique offers Armani, Burberry and Coach

The Goodwill Boutique opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Dec. 9, at 5831 Derek Ave.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie Maloni submitted this sunset photo, taken on Crescent Beach on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
Cool Today Winner: Peeking Through

Julie Maloni submitted this sunset photo, taken on Crescent Beach on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's Athlete of the Week, Jack Cannon
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 22, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Jack Cannon

As a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, Jack Cannon, 17, is one of the basketball team's leading players.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
One condominium, which has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,009 square feet of living area, sold for $700,000. Another, which has one bedroom, two baths and 1,232 square feet of living area sold for $430,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 22, 2011
Two Crescent Arms condos top week's residential sales

Two condominiums in Crescent Arms top all transactions in this week's real estate. Elizabeth Van, of Huron, Ohio, sold her Unit 301-S condominium at 6312 Midnight Pass Road to Richard Bronson and Bonnie Bronson, trustees, of Lees Summit, Mo., for $700,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Lisa Dubow, Alice Dubow, 6, Teresa Outwaite and Max Outwaite, 6, wore some festive Chanukah headbands and necklaces at A Taste of Chanukah, Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Five Points Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: A Taste of Chanukah

The Chabad of Sarasota and Manatee sponsored a Jewish food festival called 'A Taste of Chanukah', Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Two 8-year-olds wait in the wings before a spacing rehearsal for the finale.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Sweet Life

The Sarasota Ballet School performed three performances of "A Nutcracker Sweet" December 16 and 17 at the Lakewood Ranch Performing Arts Center and at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center. The cast of 120 performers danced a variety of parts from dolls to partygoers to butterflies and angels.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
We received a surprise visit this afternoon from the Girls Inc. of Sarasota County!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2011
AUDIO-SLIDESHOW: Girls Inc. stops by The Observer

This afternoon the Girls Inc. of Sarasota County stopped by the Observer Group office for a visit and spread some Christmas cheer.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
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