SARASOTA OBSERVER
YourObserver.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014
3B
YOUR NEIGHBOR | Ursula Jones
Brandy Coffey
ABR,CIPS,CLHMS,CRS,RSPS,TRC Licensed Real Estate Broker Keller Williams Luxury Homes International
Ursula Jones is mad for mahjong. The petite redhead has been playing for more than three decades and is just as passionate as the day she learned to play. Neighborhood: Jones fell in love with Bay Ridge the game instantly. Your neighbor “I thought I had died since: 1989 and gone to heaven,” she says. The Swiss native learned to play mahjong from a relative in 1979. Since then, Jones has never grown tired of the fastpaced game, which is played with a set of 152 tiles based on Chinese symbols and characters. “It’s fast, fun and cool,” she says, while sitting at her kitchen table with the colorful tiles in front of her. Jones is originally from Bubendorf, Switzerland. During the ’80s, Jones and her family moved back and forth between
Switzerland and the U.S. before settling in 1989 in Sarasota. While overseas, Jones tried organizing mahjong games with friends, however, it never really stuck. When she moved to Sarasota, Jones began hosting weekly games for her friends. In 2009, after hosting weekly games for 20 years, Jones inherited a local tournament held once a month. The tournament hosts 10 tables of four, and players from as far as Tampa and Clearwater attend. Jones, who works in administration and registration for Adult & Community Enrichment at the Sarasota County Technical Institute, hosts the tournaments not for profit but purely for fun. Although Jones loves to win, she says it’s the company she enjoys the most. “Mahjong is a game of luck,” she says, “but mostly it’s about being with your friends and having fun.” — Harriet Sokmensuer
9230 BLIND PASS ROAD, SIESTA KEY Enjoy the splendors of paradise! Incredible package of homes available on Siesta Key! Main home is 4B/5.5BA/2CG at 8,230 sf $4,999,000. Two other guest homes reside on the property both include their own private dock and bay access and also a gulf front vacant lot. Each parcel can be sold separately if interested. $10,188,000
162 OSPREY POINT Private and exclu-
1300 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Experi-
sive estate nestled amongst the trees of The Oaks Bayside. 8,000+ sq ft w/ Neff designed kitchen, hand carved white onyx bar, home theater, 8 car garage, 1,400 bottle wine cellar, terrace fire pit, Light Touch system, and art-deco inspired designs. $4,699,900
ence the Ritz Carlton lifestyle at The Beach residences w/ 400 ft of gulf frontage. 9th floor unit w/ open floor plan with 2 BR+den. Spectacular light and bright condominium w/ volume ceilings. Private elevator, gorgeous wood flooring, and serene water views from every angle. $2,795,000
7840 MANASOTA KEY ROAD Absolutely stunning Gulf front views from this 4 Bed/3 Bath + 2 Bed/1 Bath In-law Suite home situated directly on beautiful Manasota Key beach. This residence is surrounded by lush vegetation providing privacy and serene views.
1611 BRIDGE STREET Great opportunity
290 N WASHINGTON “Gioiello Sull Baia”
3505 WHITE LANE, SIESTA KEY
was built like a modern-day castle, yet offering refined and graceful spaces. Commanding views of Sarasota Bay and direct access to the bay and gulf waters. Built in 2008 6,000 sq ft w/ boat dock.
$5,990,900
Gorgeous home on the Hudson Bayou! Located on North Siesta Key w/ easy access to the intracoastal. Features a gourmet kitchen w/ gas range, granite counter tops, media room, outdoor living, Infinity Pool, Dock w/lift. Perfect for enjoying the Florida lifestyle! $2,795,000
4200 RIVERVIEW BLVD Over 1 acre on exclusive Riverview Blvd. 7600 sq ft 5 bed.+bonus room, in-law suite, boat dock, and spacious pool area with bar overlooking 300’ of frontage on the Manatee River, providing striking panoramic views of the Manatee River!
603 LONGBOAT KEY TOWER Rare opportunity to own a 3 bedroom end unit on Longboat Key with gorgeous gulf to bay panoramic views! Relax as you gaze at the emerald green Gulf of Mexico all day long. Longboat Key Towers has 600’ of beach front.
ABOUT HER NEIGHBORHOOD: “It’s close to everything; I really like it.”
$3,400,000
America's Independence Sale
to own a 2+ acre gated tropical oasis on the bay! The main home is a remodeled 3/2 home with a bonus room +2 car garage. The guest house is a remodeled 2/2/2 car garage home with a large lanai and plenty of privacy.
$1,595,000
All Adjustable Beds
ON SALE!
Up to 50% OFF Bee Ridge Rd.
US 41 Tamiami Trail
4219 S Tamiami Trail Sarasota 34231 | 941-921-7140
Worrington St. Palm Terrace
Just South of Bee Ridge Rd next to Ace & Verizon
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8441 Honore Avenue • University Park
143291
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SHOP LOCAL. SHOP SMART.
Robinhood Rd.