Portrait sells for $7,500at fundraiser

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- A painting of ESPN basketball analyst and Lakewood Ranch resident Dick Vitale and Jim Valvano sold for $7,500 on Wednesday to benefit cancer research.

Tampa artist Kristin Ostermand created a life-size, black and white acrylic painting of Vitale and Valvano together during the inaugural ESPY Awards in 1993, the night Valvano delivered his famous speech after receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award. Valvano, the former men's basketball coach at North Carolina State University, died less than eight weeks after the televised event.

Vitale started the bidding at $1,000 on Nov. 27.

Vitale, a well-known advocate for cancer research, decided to auction the painting, titled 'The Promise," to benefit and support the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Vitale kept the original piece and Osterman created a copy.

Free carriage rides offered in Lakewood Ranch

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Taylor Morrison will host free carriage rides to the public 4-6 p.m. Saturday at 5235 Esplanade Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Esplanade is north of State Road 70.

Holiday music, drinks and snacks will be offered afterward.

Information: 941-799-5496.

-- Herald staff reports