Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from January 2006

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from January 2006

Clock is running down on 'cheap' mortgages; Now comes the hard part for holders of certain loans.(A SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com You know those cheap mortgages that everybody's been getting to speculate on housing? Where somebody at the other end of a toll-free phone will lend you $200,000 and your payment...

HOPE AMID DESPAIR; In Kenya, volunteers comfort children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.(A SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: VICTOR HULL victor.hull@heraldtribune.com NAROK, Kenya -- Safari-bound tourists, cocooned in luxury sport utility vehicles on their way to one of Kenya's world-famous wildlife preserves, couldn't see the street children if they...

FHP pulls trooper off road patrol after crashes; Tiffany Ferrell's trainers warned she would be "a high-liability employee.".(A SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: TODD RUGER todd.ruger@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- If Tiffany Ferrell wasn't a Florida state trooper, the car crashes she has caused in the past year could have led to a 3-month suspension of her driver's license. ...

'If' only it could stay like this.(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Doug Fernandes SARASOTA -- You're only kidding yourself. You know you're not going to stay with that low-carb, low-fat, no-taste diet. The treadmill you loved at Christmas? By March, it'll be under the bed. And spending less,...

Bulls' offense falls flat; USF is shut out in its first bowl game.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT CHARLOTTE, N.C -- A season that once looked so promising for the University of South Florida football team ended in disappointment in the Bulls' 14-0 loss to North Carolina State on Saturday in the Meineke...

This really is one for the ages; Its Bowden vs. Paterno in matchup of the winningest college coaches.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com MIAMI -- The principals of the 72nd FedEx Orange Bowl won't play or even suit up. They will, however, be on the sidelines with their 80 years of head coaching experience...

Center Degory reaches milestone as Gator; Senior makes his 50th and final start Monday.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Byline: MIC HUBER mic.huber@heraldtribune.com TAMPA -- Mike Degory could never outrun Larry Kennedy in a foot race but the rock of Florida's offensive line will finally catch the former Gator defensive back in the program's football record...

All the pieces are in place for division title; All the Bucs have to do is beat the lowly Saints to win the NFC South. But the Saints have given them fits lately.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com TAMPA -- There's always some kind of obstacle that dates back years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have erased two others this season. They won in Green Bay for the first time since...

Riverview takes title in holiday tournament.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT WINTER HAVEN -- Tony Davis led all scorers with 24 points and nine rebounds as the Riverview boys basketball team took the title with a 71-62 victory over Pensacola Woodham in the Winter Haven's Big Blue Holiday Jam...

Vagabonds ready for end of season.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com TAMPA -- Just like Hurricane Katrina itself, the New Orleans Saints have become a forgotten story. The team which became the NFL's vagabonds following the worst natural disaster in...

Clemons gains invaluable experience; DeSoto grad spent season picking older players' brains, and chipping in on special teams.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com ORLANDO -- Chris Clemons absolutely hated sitting out last season. "I wanted to play," Clemons said. "It was tough, real tough." In retrospect, the red-shirt freshman...

Miller, Rissler enjoy playing closer to home.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com CLEARWATER BEACH -- Steve Rissler and Drew Miller are cherishing their time playing a bowl game close to home. Instead of heading to Shreveport, La., for the Independence...

USF NOTEBOOK.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2006... Strong finish N.C. State (7-5) won five of its final six games of the season and has now won four of its five bowls games under head coach Chuck Amato. MVP N.C. State linebacker Stephen Tulloch was named Bowl MVP. The linebacker...

Snook picnic; When the temperature drops and the wind blows, it's time to head for the Myakka River and fish for snook.(SPORTS)(Outdoors)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Steve Gibson SNOOK HAVEN -- Dave Miller had to get out of his white Ford pickup truck to move picnic tables out of the way. They were blocking the lane that leads to the narrow boat ramp at this popular and rustic old Florida...

It's 2006 -- let's see what develops.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Eric Ernst The big stories looming in 2006 for Charlotte County are not too hard to predict. It's Southwest Florida, so naturally they have something to do with land, development and money. First comes the divvying up of the...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Holiday closings Government offices in Charlotte County, Sarasota County and the city of Punta Gorda are closed Monday for the New Year's holiday. There will be no interruptions in the collection of trash or recyclables. Sarasota...

Charlotte continues to rebuild, change in 2006.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Stories to watch in Charlotte and Englewood in 2006, compiled by staff writers Kristin Kridel, Sara Lubbes, Anna Scott and Patrick Whittle. Changing face of Charlotte -- Charlotte County, changed forever by Hurricane Charley, will continue...

Ross says goodbye to old, hello to new.(B SECTION)(In the Loop)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Ann Henderson An air of fun, tinted with a little sadness, permeated the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association the night of the retirement party for Dr. Jerry Ross, executive director of Charlotte Community Mental Health for 28...

New year brings new hope for future.(B SECTION)(Publisher)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Kathy Silverberg What a difference a year makes. One year ago, I was a resident of North Carolina, not suspecting that a whole new world that is Charlotte County was in my future, that when I celebrated another New Year's Day I...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
January 1, 2006... CHARLOTTE COUNTY Joseph Anthony Bailey Joseph Anthony Bailey, 78, Punta Gorda, died Dec. 30, 2005. He was born Dec. 13, 1927, in Youngs-town, Ohio, and came to Punta Gorda from there 15 years ago. He was a Teamster and a Navy...

Looking toward 2006's social calendar.(B SECTION)(Venice Notes)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Judy Huskey Today is when many of us crack open the pages of that brand-new calendar and marvel that another year has flown away and it's time to start making plans for the new one. As this area continues to grow and grow, so...

Elizabeth Tilley Colony elects new officers.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT The Elizabeth Tilley Colony of Sarasota in the Florida Mayflower Society held its election and installation of new officers recently at the Holiday Inn in Venice. The new officers are: Ren Cushing, colony...

Growth, schools and elections on tap for 2006.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Here are the top stories in South Sarasota County to look for in 2006, as forecast by the Herald-Tribune's Christopher O'Donnell, Liz Babiarz, Erin Bryce, Paul Quinlan, Will Rothschild, Laura Green and Doug Sword: Explosive growth -- As in...

Elizabeth Tilley Colony elects new officers.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT The Elizabeth Tilley Colony of Sarasota in the Florida Mayflower Society held its election and installation of new officers recently at the Holiday Inn in Venice. The new officers are: Ren Cushing, colony...

Government offices closed Monday.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT MANATEE COUNTY -- All city and county government offices and libraries in Manatee County will be closed Monday for the New Year's Day holiday. Post offices and the county landfill will also be closed, and there will...

More growth, more schools on the horizon for 2006.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Close to home, here are the top stories in Manatee County to look for in 2006: Continued explosive growth -- Thousands of new homes are in the pipeline as builders strain to keep up with the county's population growth. The biggest growth...

Learn about what private schools in the area offer.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT The Out-of-Door Academy and Saint Stephen's Episcopal School are teaming up for the second year with the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp. to host the Private School Education Fair. The event will be from...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
January 1, 2006... MANATEE COUNTY Fay N. Beighle Fay N. Beighle, 87, Sarasota, and formerly of Bradenton, died Dec. 27, 2005, at Life Care Center of Sarasota. She was born June 25, 1918, in St. Marys, W.Va., and came to Bradenton in 1960 from...

Storms, land boom usher in '06.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Here's a New Year's resolution that might come in handy in 2006: breathing lessons. A lot of people will be holding their breath in 2006. What will happen in an unprecedented land boom, that has turned ordinary homeowner into paper...

Jeb helps confuse science, religion.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Tom Lyons Amazing as it seems, Florida's education governor told reporters the other day that he doesn't want the theory of evolution to be part of the state's new science standards. That Americans in general and Floridians...

All they are saying ... ... is give peace a chance.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: LATISHA R. GRAY latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- With the start of a new year, activists at the 16th annual World Day of Peace say its time to stop fighting and start working together. "I would say if we can learn to...

Taxes, elections and land use set to be 2006's biggest stories.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Here are other stories to look for in 2006, as forecast by Herald-Tribune staff writer Doug Sword: Taxes -- If the real-estate boom is really over, that could pressure some local governments to raise property tax rates in, eek, an election...

Season fund helps family move from motel into a house.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: JOHN SIMPSON CORRESPONDENT NORTH PORT -- Maria King's poinsettia plant stood on the living room coffee table in her new house as a holiday symbol of salvation. Two days before Christmas, King, her husband, Mark Britt, and her...

White and Jenkins receive honors.(B SECTION)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Yvette Kimm Before the crack of dawn on a brisk Sunday morning, the men of the Pi Beta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity gathered recently to honor outstanding citizens of Manatee and Sarasota counties at their annual...

Storyteller enthralls students at Kwanzaa program.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2006... Byline: PATTY ALLEN-JONES patty.allen-jones@heraldtribune.com All eyes were fixed on Windell Campbell swinging a sledge hammer and tapping a large stake in his hand as he spoke of the legend of John Henry, the steel-driving man. The...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
January 1, 2006... SARASOTA COUNTY J.J. Pierre Begin Retired Lt. Col. J.J. Pierre Begin, 79, Sarasota, died Dec. 27, 2005. He was born Aug. 16, 1926, in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and came to Sarasota in 1994 from Germany. He retired after 29 years in the...

Reunions, revelry mark milestones.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Marjorie North The end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006, a time for reunions of family -- close, extended and professional -- of celebration, resolutions... and reflection. College kids were home, children and grandchildren...

Clasons celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Donald and Mimi Clason of Siesta Key celebrated their 50th anniversary Dec. 22, 2005. They were married Dec. 22, 1955, in Las Vegas, Nev., and have lived in Siesta Key for 12 years. They are the parents of Hank Clason of Medina, Ohio,...

Craycrafts celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Dr. Joseph L. and Barbara Craycraft of Sarasota celebrated their 50th anniversary Dec. 26, 2005. They were married Dec. 26, 1955, in Hawaii and have lived in Sarasota for five years. They are the parents of Mary Jo Leber of Carrollton,...

Kaplans celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Roberta and Joel Kaplan of Longboat Key celebrated their 50th anniversary Dec. 27, 2005. They were married Dec. 27, 1955, in Saginaw, Mich., and have lived on Longboat Key for many years. They are the parents of Douglas Kaplan of...

O'Malleys celebrate 60 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Frank J. and Virginia C. O'Malley of Sarasota celebrated their 60th anniversary Dec. 30, 2005. They were married Dec. 30, 1945, and are recent residents of Sarasota. They are the parents of Salie O'Malley of Sarasota and Corleen...

Powers celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Richard and Martha Powers of Sarasota celebrated their 50th anniversary Dec. 31, 2005. They were married Dec. 31, 1955, in Pompano Beach and have lived in Sarasota for 11 years. They are the parents of Rich Powers of Fort Myers and...

Swopes celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Glenn Edward and Carole Mae (Tempest) Swope of Bradenton celebrated their 50th anniversary Dec. 28, 2005. They were married Dec. 28, 1955, in Newport, Ky., and have lived in Bradenton for nine years. They are the parents of Steven...

Grewell-Orr.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... The engagement of Stacy Jeanne Grewell and Mike Orr, both of Sarasota, is announced. She is the daughter of Gene and Joyce Grewell of Sarasota. He is the son of Marshall and Charlotte Orr of Arcadia. The bride-elect is employed by...

Gura-Collins.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... The engagement of Julie Ann Gura of Valrico and Daniel Timothy Collins of Venice is announced. She is the daughter of Daniel and Barbara Gura of Valrico. He is the son of Thomas and Judy Collins of Venice. The bride-elect graduated...

Hebert-Slattery.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... The engagement of Stacy Hebert of Venice and Mike Slattery of Sarasota is announced. She is the daughter of Bob and Sue Hebert of Venice. He is the son of Jim and Diane Slattery of Sarasota. An April 1 wedding is planned.

Kerridge-Davis.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... The engagement of Casey Lynn Kerridge and Christopher Michael Davis, both of Sarasota, is announced. She is the daughter of Kelly Meshberger of Ellenton and Danny Bowman of Sarasota. He is the son of Michael and Connie Davis of...

Neal-Radocy.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... The engagement of Carrie Dawn Neal and James Richard Radocy, both of Lakewood Ranch, is announced. She is the daughter of Lucille Neal of Rotonda West and the late Dwight Neal. He is the son of Dolores Markert of Georgetown, Texas, and...

Sula-Stokes.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... The engagement of Megan Sula of Lemoore, Calif., and Lt. Michael G. Stokes of Lexington Park, Md., is announced. She is the daughter of Marian Sula of Lemoore. He is the son of George and Dianne Stokes of Sarasota. The bride-elect...

Aubele-Wiegand.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Jeaneen Aubele and David Wiegand, both of Sarasota, were married Dec. 3, 2005, at 4:30 p.m. on the beach at the Longboat Key Club on Longboat Key. The bride is the daughter of Ken Aubele of Sarasota and Kathleen Aubele of Sarasota. ...

Auld-Cavallaro.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Allison Marie Auld and Steven Michael Cavallaro, both of Sarasota, were married Nov. 19, 2005, at 3:30 p.m. at Island Park in Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Jones Jr. of Sarasota. The bridegroom is the son...

Dorst-Garbis.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Leslie Erin Dorst and Evangelos Zafirios Garbis, both of Hollywood, Fla., were married Dec. 9, 2005, at 3 p.m. at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of Michael and Carol Dorst of Sarasota. The...

Hardt-Ellison.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Kaylie Alexandria Hardt of Venice and Adam Alexander Ellison of Jupiter were married Nov. 20, 2005, at 5 p.m. at Maclay Gardens in Tallahassee. The bride is the daughter of Timothy and Brenda Hardt of Venice. The bridegroom is the son...

Riley-Day.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Colleen Riley of Ambler, Pa., and Brad Day of Sarasota were married Nov. 26, 2005, at 4 p.m. at The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of John and Ellenora Riley of Ambler. The bridegroom is the son of Charlie...

Rockey-Fortune.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Heather Lynn Rockey and Matthew Jay Fortune, both of Sarasota, were married Dec. 3, 2005, at 3 p.m. at the Bayfront Community Center in Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of Douglas and Samantha Rockey of Sarasota. The bridegroom is...

Hit-or-miss surveillance.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Larry Evans My government might, at times, clandestinely watch or listen to me. At other times, my government ignores me. Government surveillance is a hit-or-miss operation. Here's what I'm talking about. Sugar Grove...

Prescription for disaster.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Waldo Proffitt Here's my wish for you to have a Happy and Healthy New Year. And for this first column of 2006, let me emphasize healthy. I think the country is ready this year to entertain the prospect of serious change in our...

Rebuilding and building; Charlotte must recover and look forward.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... The year 2006 should be the year of bricks and mortar; rebuilding and building. Last year, Charlotte County began the exhausting process of recovering from Hurricane Charley's strike in 2004. This year, more visible recovery efforts are due --...

Implement and aspire; Act practically but think big in 2006.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Multi-tasking has become so ingrained in our culture and work ethic that local governments and communities are expected to simultaneously take on hefty chores, even if they seem contradictory. Such is the case in our region, where a common...

A year to just do it; Sarasota County knows the way; is there the will?(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Larry The Cable Guy's "Git-R-Done" is so overdone but as a motto for 2006 it's so apropos for Sarasota County. After all, the county and city governments, various task forces and citizens' groups have conducted studies, debates, dialogues...

Count on these early birders.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Vicki Dean There's no shortage of overnight accommodations in Charlotte County. Not if you're a double-crested cormorant. The large black birds enjoy waterfront lodging each night on the power lines that stretch across the...

Ballots starting to fill up.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Byline: John Hamner I think it is safe to say that my heart no longer pounds with excitement when someone says "elections" within earshot, but I am pleased to note that this new year, which last night came to us all fresh and clean to the...

Expecting change; Growth will be the one constant in Manatee.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Ordinarily, it's considered rude to make New Year's resolutions for other people. But Manatee County taxpayers shouldn't feel the least bit shy about putting together a list for their elected officials. It's always important for residents...

Pianist opens series.(ARTS & TRAVEL)(STATE OF THE ARTS)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Charlie Huisking Christopher Taylor, praised by The Washington Post as "one of the most impressive young pianists on the horizon today," will open the Artist Series of Sarasota's recital series on Jan. 15. Taylor will perform...

New year, new TV schedule.(ARTS & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Byline: JAY HANDELMAN jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com It's a new year, and the networks aren't wasting any time getting rid of the old (and unsuccessful) and introducing the new (and hopefully successful). It's midseason time, which...

CLOWNS AND BACON AND MENOPAUSE, OH MY! A TOP 10 LOOK AT A STRANGE YEAR FOR LOCAL ARTS.(ARTS & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT With such a wide variety of artistic outlets to choose from, it's no wonder some of the most entertaining -- and, let's face it, weird -- stories come from the area arts community every year. Last year, a Bradenton...

Mystery launches writer.(ARTS & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Byline: SUSAN L. RIFE susan.rife@heraldtribune.com Blaize Clement's first novel emerged from a writing class. Not a class she was taking, but a class she was teaching. Clement, a retired psychologist-turned-writer, has been leading...

Quake history is edge-of-seat listening.(ARTS & TRAVEL)(An Earful of Words)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Byline: Susan Rife The state of Florida appears not at all in Simon Winchester's riveting tale of the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. And although Floridians may take comfort in the fact that ours may be the only state in which a...

'The Hostage' taps oil-for-food scandal.(ARTS & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Byline: SUSAN L. RIFE susan.rife@heraldtribune.com W.E.B. Griffin taps into his extensive military counterintelligence training and service in Germany and Korea for the several series he has written. He has written more than 35 novels in...

FWCS gears up for Barber's noted Symphony No. 1.(ARTS & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Byline: CHARLIE HUISKING charlie.huisking@heraldtribune.com Samuel Barber's Symphony No. 1 is considered by many the greatest American work of the 20th century. Yet, in part because it is written in one movement that lasts only 19...

'Trying' explores secretary, boss' working relationship.(ARTS & TRAVEL)
January 1, 2006... Byline: SUSAN L. RIFE susan.rife@heraldtribune.com The title of Joanna McClelland Glass' 2004 drama has multiple meanings. "Trying" is the story of the short working relationship and grudging friendship between Judge Francis Biddle and...

GOING UP/The Legends at Forest Lakes, Sarasota; Golf course community gets makeover.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: NICHOLE L. REBER CORRESPONDENT Formerly known as the "in-town golf club," Forest Lakes Golf Club in Sarasota will soon be opened as a semi-private golf course, complete with a community center and gated condominium development...

Reel architecture; The built environment shapes Hollywood.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: ANASTASIA BOWEN CORRESPONDENT Lights! Camera! Architecture? It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the movies. But since the beginning of motion pictures, architecture frequently has played a...

CHARLOTTE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
January 1, 2006... $125,000 MINIMUM Source: Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court. Recorded November and December 2005. Abston, Colleen, and Bowzer, Arnold N. Jr., to Osborne, Thomas, and Comeau, Michael, Lot 1, Block 2651, Section 48, Port Charlotte,...

MANATEE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
January 1, 2006... $125,000 MINIMUM Source: Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court. Recorded November and December 2005. Not every party to the transaction may be listed. Abston, Colleen, and Bowzer, Arnold N. Jr., to Osborne, Thomas, and Comeau, Michael,...

Expectations.(STYLE)
January 1, 2006... As I start another year, I cannot help but dwell on my expectations for what lies ahead. While I have never been one to get caught up in the making and breaking of resolutions (start another diet, a new exercise program), I always have...

White on white.(STYLE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: TERRY McKEE / PHOTOS BY SALVATORE BRANCIFORT White is showing up everywhere this season. From fashion to cosmetics and accessories, it's becoming a year-round color of choice among the fashion-conscious. Here in Florida, in our...

Downsizing with style; It's a traumatic process. But with a little help, the results can be rewarding.(STYLE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: RUTH LANDO PHOTOS BY MARK SICKLES Don't ever let anyone tell you that downsizing is easy. Having done it recently, I can say that it's not for the fainthearted. Paring down your possessions, saying goodbye to everything from...

Scoot over.(STYLE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: CHRIS ANGERMANN PHOTOS BY BARBARA BANKS Scooter mania has hit Sarasota. Long popular in Europe, where sexy Italian models, such as Vespa and Lambretta, have been the rage since the 1960s, these sporty vehicles are poised to...

AGELESS.(STYLE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: CHRIS ANGERMANN / PHOTOS BY BARBARA BANKS ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Sunday, February 5, 2006: Correction: Key Chorale is the official chorus for the Florida West Coast Symphony. A story on...

Less is more.(STYLE)(Recipe)
January 1, 2006... Byline: DEBORAH SEEBER PHOTOS BY MARK SICKLES If you are trying to shed those extra holiday pounds and are not looking forward to the process, don't despair. The answer, or at least part of the answer, may be easier than you think. We...

Viva! What you spend in Vegas, stays in Vegas.(STYLE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: STORY AND PHOTOS BY TERRY McKEE With my friend and right-hand, Liz Robertson, on the brink of turning 40, I set out on a mission to find an experience that would be worthy of the occasion. Knowing that Liz is a huge fan of...

Jack and Jill live on a hill.(STYLE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: RUTH LANDO / PHOTOS BY THE GREG WILSON GROUP Jack and Jill Dowd actually do live on a hill. And while it isn't as high as the one their nursery-rhyme namesakes tumbled down, their seven-acre Gator Creek Estates property does sit...

In search of solitude and alligator-eating pythons.(STYLE)
January 1, 2006... Byline: KATHERINE WALKER / PHOTOS BY JOEL VAN CITTERS "This is like no other place." So entranced am I that I don't realize my thoughts are said aloud until Richard's deep, soft reply: "Yes." This place is the Everglades, a vast,...