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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
Haylea Ritter
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Parade part two

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kara Ashby, Skylar Kutzk and Natasha Xara
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Parade

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

  • 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
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