East County Observer 4 20 2017

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FREE THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

VOLUME 19, NO. 22

YOUR TOWN

Fashion for Peanuts

Snoopy, Belle display model behavior at mall. SEE PAGE 8A

Courtesy photo

Rising above the challenge Freedom Elementary Principal Guy Grimes had a higher calling April 13.

After his students raised more than $3,000 for classroom supplies during its “Penny Wars” fundraiser, Grimes had to spend 12 hours on the school’s roof — four hours for every $1,000 raised.

Brenda Taylor’s kindergarten class raised the most money — $500 — earning an ice cream party and a squirt gun war with Grimes.

TIME FOR CLASS

Myakka City Schoolhouse pins final restoration hopes on state grant. SEE PAGE 3A Courtesy photo

Solid expertise

Jay Heater

Built in 1914, the 5,500-square-foot Myakka City Schoolhouse building hopes to receive funding via a grant in the state’s budget.

After trying to become a Certified SolidWorks Expert for the past six years, Braden River High junior Tim Ackaway learned April 9 he had become one of 3,000 people to earn the certification.

The program is a computer-aided design and engineering program.

The high life

A+E The Queen of ‘Checkmate’ INSIDE Courtesy photo

East County’s Michelle and Todd Statdfield leap out of an airplane to start a wingsuit jump.

East County woman helps set state wingsuit formation record.

SEE PAGE 6A

concerns Bridgewater residents worry about truck traffic near their entrance.

PAM EUBANKS SENIOR EDITOR

Bridgewater resident Laura Whinfield knew White Eagle Boulevard was going to get busier as Schroeder-Manatee Ranch developed its Collaborative Opportunities for Research and Development project across the road from her development.

Whinfield said she supported the project.

Now, though, SMR is attempting to change allowed uses on the 150 acres directly across from the entrance to the Bridgewater community and that has raised concerns with Whinfield and many of her neighbors.

On April 13, the Manatee County Planning Commission recommended approval of SMR’s light industrial request. It now goes to the Manatee County Commission on May 4. SMR has requested to change the allowed uses on the 150 easternmost acres of the 305acre CORE project by swapping 100,000 square feet of retail use with up to 250,000 square feet of

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DANGER ZONING? CORE access points Bridgewater entrance

light industrial.

Three access points off White Eagle Boulevard into the light industrial area have been proposed.

SMR’s Vice President of Planning Richard Bedford said the swap from retail to light industrial within the CORE project is about “jobs, jobs, jobs.” SMR has a goal of creating at least one job for every household in Lakewood Ranch.

Whinfield said the proposed change to light industrial will lead to more truck traffic and that has become the main issue. She would prefer if the light industrial area would have no entrance across from the Bridgewater entrance.

“That would take the brunt of the traffic off my main gate,” she said.

She will ask commissioners to consider a weight limit on vehicles to restrict the size of trucks using the area.

SMR officials say the use change to light industrial is critical to the area's growth.

Darenda Marvin, a planner for a legal firm representing SMR, presented the application to the planning commission. She said

Pam Eubanks

Bridgewater's Laura Whinfield points at the proposed entrance to the light industrial section of the CORE project, across White Eagle Boulevard from the main entrance to Bridgewater.

light industrial use, which by county regulations cannot have noise or other impacts off-site, is needed in CORE to accommodate medical companies that develop products such as hearing aids. Office and retail needs have changed since SMR secured development rights in 2008 for the 1,400-acre tract that now includes CORE. “We can’t just have retail and office as our job creators,” she said. “If we don’t have this component, we don’t have the jobs.”

Planners said the use tradeoff is “trip neutral,” meaning the number of vehicles visiting the larger industrial square footage proposed will be equal to or less than what would be produced from the smaller retail square footage.

It still does not alleviate the concerns of Whinfield and her neighbors, who worry about noise and safety at their neighborhood

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entrance. Whinfield hopes SMR will consider moving the access into CORE farther south or that Manatee County will make provisions to minimize conflicts with trucks.

“It's too close to our main entry,” Bridgewater's Jean Johnson said.

That issue is compounded by what residents say is a line-ofsite problem for drivers heading southbound on White Eagle Boulevard and turning east into the Bridgewater community. A curve in the road, combined with landscaping, makes it difficult to see northbound vehicles on White Eagle.

Bridgewater's Kim Herten said the extra traffic near the Bridgewater entrance will cause safety issues. “The way they developed White Eagle, there are blind spots,” she said.

Manatee County transportation staff members said vis-

ibility issues most commonly result from landscaping and can be addressed by the county, if reported by residents.

White Eagle Boulevard is designated as a county thoroughfare, meaning it is intended to take high volumes of traffic and disperse them onto smaller roadways.

SMR representatives indicated the company is not prepared to relocate the access on White Eagle, which has been indicated on maps since 2008. They also declined to prohibit placement of the light industrial use at the southwest corner of Rangeland Parkway and White Eagle Boulevard, which Bridgewater residents suggested at a prior public meeting.

“White Eagle Boulevard has been planned as a major thoroughfare to carry large amounts of traffic from day one,” said Caleb Grimes, the attorney representing SMR. “It has been built ahead of its needs.

“Retail has trucks. Grocery stores have trucks,” he said. “You study it if it becomes a problem. You don’t fix a problem if it doesn’t exist. Something like this doesn’t have a large number of trucks.”

Whinfield said she and the majority of her neighbors support the CORE concept and are eager to have the new organic grocer, Earth Fare, promised for the site, as well as new retail and restaurants close to home. She still hopes the suggested changes will receive more consideration.

“I think we’re the smallest neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch,” she said. “I keep coming (to public meetings) so they know we care. I just need them to know people are watching.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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LESSON IN PERSEVERANCE

MYAKKA CITY SCHOOLHOUSE Photos by Jay Heater

Among the uses for a refinished Myakka City Schoolhouse would be weddings, meetings, concerts and theater productions.

After 24 years of work, Myakka City Schoolhouse stands to receive funding to complete restoration.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

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s they did when they were schoolgirls, Marilyn Coker and Bonnie Carlton are staring at a clock these days ... waiting, waiting ... for the final bell.

In this case, though, the two friends and members of the Myakka City Historical Society are waiting for something different: the state budget to be passed.

They hope that occurs sometime before May 5, the final day of the Legislature’s regular session.

If it does pass, they will find out if the state will approve a 2018 Special Category Grant of $246,319 to help fund final restoration of the 1914 Myakka City Schoolhouse. If a special session has to be held to pass a budget, then they will wait some more.

It’s been 24 years since the Myakka City Historical Society was formed to preserve the schoolhouse, which was replaced in 1993 by the Myakka City Elementary School. Coker and Carlton have both been part of the effort from the beginning.

“I appreciate roots,” said Carlton, whose father is the late G.T. Bray, who has a park named for him in Bradenton. “The schoolhouse is such a part of everyone’s life here.”

She is married to Dan Carlton, a lifelong resident of Myakka City who attended the school, and whose father and mother attended as well.

The story is the same for many of those living in Myakka City.

“The bottom line is that the schoolhouse is part of their history,” said Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh. “It means so much to so many who went to school there, and their parents who went to school there, and their grandparents who went to school there. It is something we need to keep so people who move to Manatee County realize what it was like.”

Baugh was involved in the res-

toration project before she started her first term as commissioner five years ago and became more involved once elected. The county became more involved with the project as well in 2016, allowing Cathy Slusser, the director of historical resource for the county, to write the state grant.

Also joining the effort last year was Elliott Falcione, the director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It all gave hope to Coker, 80, who attended the old schoolhouse when she moved from Hardee County to Myakka City in third grade, 72 years ago.

On April 12, Coker stood in her former classroom, a cement mixer occupying the spot where the teacher’s desk was located. “Of course, the blackboard went all the way across the wall,” she said, pointing to the front of the room.

But it’s not just the past that concerns Coker regarding the 5,500-square-foot building.

“The potential is great for a small community,” she said.

“There is no public place to meet other than the churches.”

The special Bureau of Historic Preservation grant is No. 34 out of 50 special state projects in line to be funded if the budget passes.

Baugh said the project has a good chance of going through.

She went to Tallahassee in March and returned with a good

AN IMPROVED TOURISM TRAIL A small town project has become a big deal for Manatee County.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the renovation of the Myakka City Schoolhouse carries tourism value.

“It’s going to help us develop East County,” Falcione said. “We need to cluster tourism assets out east.”

He said having the schoolhouse provides one more stop for those who want to explore historical spots.

“It’s not about the schoolhouse by itself,” Falcione said “We have to create a trail, for a half-day or a fullday outing. You also have the Hermanns’ Royal Lipizzan Stallions, Bearadise and Dakin Dairy Farms.”

feeling about the project. “We asked for help from our legislators, and we were told it is a done deal,” she said.

If the governor signs off on the project, Coker said it will be an

emotional time for her.

“I am going to disintegrate into a puddle,” she said.

While the building hasn’t been completely refurbished in the past 24 years, the exterior has had two new roofs since being moved from its original site and has been painted several times.

If the grant is approved, the building’s interior will be finished for the Myakka City Historical Society through a partnership with the Manatee County Historic Preservation Board, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Manatee County.

The Myakka City Historical Society has raised $133,000 to meet a matching-grant requirement.

The county and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau have pledged $50,000 to the project and Dakin Dairy Farms has pledged $15,000.

The building, located at 10060 Wauchula Road, will continue to be owned and operated by the Myakka City Historical Society and will continue to be located on a 17-acre parcel that is owned by Manatee County and includes the Myakka City Community Center.

The application for state funding was in the name of Manatee County, which will oversee the proposed work and administer the grant.

Plans for the building include hosting a branch library, town

Bonnie Carlton and Marilyn Coker of the Myakka City Historical Society sit on the stage they hope will host community events.

Where: 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City Opened: 1914 Closed: 1993 Moved: 1993 from its original site at 37205 Manatee Ave., to the county maintenance yard; 1996, moved to current site Current owner: Myakka City Historical Society; lot owned

by Manatee County Plans: 5,500-square-foot building would host theater events, concerts, meetings, historical artifacts, weddings, special community events and a branch library More information: Call the Myakka City Historical Society at 322-1304

meetings, reunions, weddings and continuing education classes. Museum exhibits that tell the story of Myakka City’s heritage will be displayed.

Slusser has been a big part of the effort in producing grants that took care of the building’s exterior.

She said the county’s involvement was key to applying for the grant. “The state of Florida was wondering if the Myakka Historical Society had the ability to manage a large grant,” Slusser said. “So the county agreed to do the application and manage the grant. That caught the attention of the state.”

The grant was submitted in May 2016 and went to hearings last fall. “Based on my experience, I would say it has a good shot,” said Slusser, who has worked on grants for the project for 12 years. “You never know.”

She said the project is important.

“No. 1, it is a place that gives the community of Myakka City an identity,” Slusser said. “Right now the community is so spread out and isolated. It gives them a place. This was on my professional bucket list.”

Coker, president of the Myakka City Historical Society since 1999 and the city’s retired postmaster, has worked even harder.

“I’ve been on it since the beginning,” she said, “raising money, getting people to do the work.”

If the state funds come through, Coker said the building could be open by September 2018.

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Stage set for renovations Film Society plans $750,000 in remodeling.

PAM EUBANKS SENIOR EDITOR

T

he lobby of Lakewood Ranch Cinemas often buzzes with activity as patrons wait in line for popcorn and drinks on one side of the lobby and for hot concessions like chicken fingers and hot hogs on the other.

The setup created a bit of chaos, particularly during peak business hours.

“There was a lot of criss-crossing of traffic,” said Nick Caras, managing director for the cinema’s owner, the Sarasota Film Society. “Incorporating both (concession areas) could be the solution.”

The Sarasota Film Society in

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The nonprofit Sarasota Film Society owns and operates Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, as well as Burns Court Cinemas in Sarasota. It has about 13,000 members. The Lakewood Ranch Cinemas sells about 260,000 movie tickets annually.

Lakewood Ranch Cinemas has increased seating capacity nearly 25% over the past three years. Its six theaters collectively can accommodate more than 800 guests when including handicap seating spaces.

February embarked on a $750,000 project to enhance its customer experience through interior renovations.

Temporary wooden walls now block the eastern side of the lobby and blue tarps hang from the ceiling in the area that used to serve as an extended lobby with a handicap restroom, a meeting room, a game room and a small cafe from which patrons could buy hot concession items. When you first walk into the facility, it’s the area immediately to the right, at the front, easternmost side of the building.

Contractor Mori Building and Design Group Inc. is working to reconfigure the space into a fourstation concession area that will blend the cafe’s hot offerings with more traditional movie concessions, like popcorn, candy and drinks.

Upon entering the cinemas, guest seeking food and beverage will be channeled into one winding line and then queued for the first available concessionaire, rather than waiting in specific lines. There also will be a seating area for guests and the handicap restrooms will reopen.

Barbara Caras, the Sarasota Film Society chief financial officer and executive director, said the new concession area should be open by June 1.

“The flow of people in and out will be much better,” she said.

“It’ll be a much nicer experience for customers.”

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No reservations about growth spurt Sports tourism, niche markets drive need for more hotels.

PAM EUBANKS SENIOR EDITOR

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onfidence in the greater Lakewood Ranch area as a tourist stop combined with its growth in the sports tourism industry are proving the perfect mix for local hoteliers.

Before the 122-room Hyatt Place Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch opened April 13, it already had the last weekend in April fully booked.

“We have two weekends each in May and June sold out, as well,” said Cecilia Maddi, director of sales for Hyatt Place Sarasota/ Lakewood Ranch. “There’s more to come.”

The Hyatt Place Sarasota/ Lakewood Ranch, located at 6021 Exchange Way, Lakewood Ranch, didn’t start taking online bookings until April 19.

Although the Hyatt Place brand attracts corporate travelers, Maddi said it also makes accommodations for extended-stay travelers.

The hotel is positioned to serve both, with its proximity to Interstate 75, dining and shopping, as well as easy access to sporting venues such as Premier Sports Campus and Nathan Benderson Park.

As an example, the USRowing Youth Nationals event June 9-11 at Nathan Benderson Park will account for one of the fully booked weekends.

“It’s the perfect mix (of travelers),” Maddi said.

On the west side of I-75, at the southwest corner of Cattlemen and DeSoto roads, Benderson Development’s hotel division, Buffalo Lodging Associates, also is preparing to open a Homewood Inn and Suites in June.

Todd Mathes, Benderson’s director of development, said the hotel will be the first in a series of five hotels it plans eventually to open south of University Parkway adjacent to The Mall at University Town Center, because it believes the demand exists.

“In the next couple years, we expect to open two more, both on the east side of the mall,” Mathes said. “We haven’t started the engineering process yet, but we have a location identified in the overall east side development. The first one probably will get started 18 months after (the Homewood Inn and Suites) opens.”

Mathes said Benderson believes the demand exists for additional hotels in the UTC area because of strong occupancy rates at its existing hotels — a Courtyard Marriott and Hampton Inn and Suites — on either side of Cooper Creek Boulevard, north of University Parkway.

Benderson sees the UTC area

Pam Eubanks

Hyatt Place Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch General Manager Ashleigh Gonzalez and Director of Sales Cecilia Maddi believe guests will enjoy the breakfast and outside fire pit areas along with other amenities the new hotel offers.

as its own niche market, different than the customer base in downtown Sarasota or in Lakewood Ranch. And each hotel brand can target a different piece of the hotel market. The soon-to-open Homewood Inn and Suites, for example, targets extended-stay travelers with its kitchenette, living area and other features.

“We are firm believers in the hotel market here,” Mathes said. “Growth will bolster that demand, between new residential and office. We are very optimistic.”

Ron Kendell, president of Buffalo Lodging Associates, agreed that growth will dictate demand and that UTC is its own market

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area for hotels.

“We have the ability to build more, and I think we have the primary locations,” he said.

“We’re prudent in how we do it.

We’ll develop according to the demands. We’ll use whatever resources are available to guide us. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to overbuild the market.”

Kirk Boylston, president of Lakewood Ranch Commercial, a division of Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, said Lakewood Ranch also will build hotels according to market demand. Boylston said only two potential hotel sites are identified. One is adjacent to the Hyatt Place Sarasota/Lake-

wood Ranch, which he plans to begin marketing more heavily now that the Hyatt Place is open, and the other will be near the northeast corner of State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard within SMR’s future biotech campus, Collaborate Opportunities for Research and Exploration, dubbed CORE. Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Manatee County Convention And Visitors Bureau, said the addition of hotels is being dictated purely by demand. In Manatee County, four new hotels, including Hyatt Place, are coming online, but each services a different area of the county.

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Suited to her hobby Local woman’s jump for joy results in record.

BERKLEY MASON STAFF WRITER

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ne thing East County’s Michelle Statdfield knows about wearing a wingsuit ... it can get a bit stuffy.

That is why one of Statdfield’s biggest joys in wingsuiting is coming up on a cloud toward the end of a jump.

Clouds, apparently, are nature’s very own air conditioner.

“The best time to jump in Florida is when we have those really tall clouds in the summer,” Statdfield said. “We aren’t allowed to fly through the clouds because you can’t see anything, but it’s a lot cooler around them.”

After jumping from an airplane and free falling, usually in the Zephyrhills area, it wouldn’t seem like temperature would matter much, but Statdfeld’s senses are acute when she dives.

She notices things around her, like birds.

“I’ve come up on a vulture in the sky before,” said Statdfield, who works in accounting. “After

Courtesy photo

Above: What a wingsuit formation looks like from the aircraft.

Left: East County’s Michelle Statdfield holds her Florida record for largest formation for a women’s wingsuit group, which was eight.

Berkley Mason

I pulled my parachute, I looked down and he was right beneath me. It was like he felt something

following him, and he looked up, saw me and did a big dive to get away. It was pretty cool.”

On March 12, Statdfield participated in her second state-record jump, this one setting a Florida record for largest formation for a women’s wingsuit group. Eight women participated in the formation, where the participants “fly” an equal distance from each other to cover a horizontal area, in this case an octagon.

In 2016, she participated with a group that set the Illinois record

we both got hooked.”

Todd Statdfield was surprised to find his first skydiving experience was similar to the feeling he had scuba diving.

He said when experiencing something unique, like skydiving, humans try to relate it to something they already know.

“The wind in free fall puts you into sensory overload,” Todd Statdfield said. “And then, all of a sudden, you are in the quiet calm of the parachute ride to the

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for a mixed group, as 28 men and women participated. The world record for wingsuiting is 61 participants, set in 2015.

Statdfield, 36, and her husband, Todd, began skydiving before they married. Their first jump was in 2000, and it was only supposed to be a “one-time thing,” Michelle Statdfield said.

“We thought it was just one of those things you do when you start dating, and we wanted to just go once to say that we had done it,” Statdfield said. “Then

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Along with her teammates, she holds the Florida record for largest formation in a women’s group (eight in 2017).

She and teammates also hold the Illinois record for largest mixed men’s and women’s formation (28 in 2016).

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East County’s Todd and Michelle Statdfield hold hands in the air while wingsuit jumping.

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The pair now has 270 skydive jumps and 300 wingsuit jumps to their credit. Michelle Statdfield said wingsuit jumps give her the sensation of flying compared with regular jumps, for they have more of a longer flight time of two-and-a half-minutes. During that time, she will cover two miles.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

EAST COUNTY

Observer

DOGS on the catwalk Mall at UTC hosts ‘Snoopy & Belle in Fashion’ tour.

H

— Melissa Menta

Editor / CEO / Matt Walsh mwalsh@yourobserver.com Vice President / Lisa Walsh lwalsh@yourobserver.com Publisher / Emily Walsh ewalsh@yourobserver.com Associate PublisherEast County Observer / Lori Ruth lruth@yourobserver.com

Managing Editor / Jay Heater jheater@yourobserver.com Senior Editor / Pam Eubanks peubanks@yourobserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn rkohn@yourobserver.com Staff Writer / Berkley Mason bmason@yourobserver.com

MANAGING EDITOR

“Before 2014, the exhibit was smaller and leaner.

It’s twice the size now, up to 60 sets of dolls.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Executive Editor / Kat Hughes khughes@yourobserver.com

JAY HEATER

ungry for fashion?

Try some Peanuts.

Actually, it’s the “Snoopy & Belle in Fashion” exhibit that began April 19 and runs through May 13 at the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

Peanuts Worldwide has brought the international fashion exhibit to Sarasota as part of its U.S. tour.

“It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t relate to Peanuts,” said exhibit producer Melissa Menta, who has worked for Peanuts Worldwide for 16 years and has overseen the exhibit since it was re-created in 2014. “What’s interesting is the exhibit resonates differently to different people.

“The goal is to allow everyone to enjoy them.”

The original “Snoopy in Fashion” exhibit debuted at the Louvre Museum in 1984. It made its way around the world to some of the most prestigious museums, such as Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the Seibu Art Forum in Tokyo.

It was started by Determined Productions’ Connie Boucher.

Boucher’s company had produced the first Snoopy stuffed animal in 1968 and the public started to ask for Snoopy clothes, kind of like dressing Barbie. Snoopy’s sister, Belle, was soon added.

In the 1980s, Boucher began to ask designers to dress Snoopy and Belle. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz was shocked to find his characters were going to be international fashion models.

The exhibit was re-created in 2014 with all new dolls and designs. It has been all over the world to places like Mexico City, Berlin, Stockholm, Tokyo, Paris and Milan, and now has begun a six-city tour of malls in the U.S. “As we tour, we have added new dolls,” Menta said. “Before 2014, the exhibit was smaller and leaner. It’s twice the size now, up to 60 sets of dolls.”

The dolls stand 10 inches high.

New for the exhibit’s appearance in Sarasota is the Ocean Pacific Apparel Corp. design. The dolls are “a nod to the beach-loving lifestyle of Sarasota.”

When patrons enter the mall, they can use a Snoopy & Belle in Fashion free app to guide them to Peanuts merchandise along with the fashion brands featured in the exhibit.

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

News Innovation Editor / Alex Mahadevan alexm@yourobserver.com Arts + Entertainment Managing Editor / Nick Friedman, nfriedman@yourobserver.com Black Tie Reporter / Niki Kottmann, nkottmann@yourobserver.com Editorial Designers / C.J. Major cmajor@yourobserver.com; Meghan Sasser, msasser@yourobserver.com, Laura Woodside, lwoodside@yourobserver.com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh jraleigh@yourobserver.com Sales Manager / Penny DiGregorio pdigregorio@yourobserver.com Digital Sales and Business Development Manager / Kathleen O’Hara, kohara@yourobserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, lritter@yourobserver.com Courtesy photo

The 2017 tour in malls will feature Snoopy and Belle exhibits covered in plexiglass.

BY THE NUMBERS

6

malls to be visited on 2017 U.S. tour

10

inches tall, size of each doll

13

cities worldwide visited since tour began again in 2014

44

sets of dolls created since 2014, when tour was revamped

60 Courtesy photo

The Snoopy and Belle Ocean Pacific brand was added in Sarasota as a nod to beach life in the area.

The exhibit, which is located at the Grand Court in the mall, also includes 12 sets of dolls featured in the original “Snoopy In Fashion” tour with designs by Gianni Versace, Gucci, Chanel, Giorgio Armani and other designers.

Designers Betsey Johnson and Diane von Furstenberg had their creations modeled in the original tour and have designed new Snoopy and Belle wardrobe for the current tour.

Academy Award winning costume designer Colleen Atwood designed an outfit for Snoopy made from cloth of the coat worn

by Johnny Depp during his role as the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland.” Belle was dressed in a kimono inspired by the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha.” Atwood won Oscars for both films.

Although the dolls were never covered when displayed in museums, they will be behind plexiglass during their 2017 mall tour.

After concluding its run May 13 in Sarasota, the tour heads to Nashville, Tenn. It concludes its U.S. tour in New York.

sets of dolls on display at the Mall at UTC

IF YOU GO

What: Snoopy & Belle in Fashion Where: Grand Court at The Mall at University Town Center, Sarasota When: April 19-May 13, during regular mall hours Among the designers: Calvin Klein, Colleen Atwood, Betsy Johnson, DKNY (Donna Karan), Stetson, Levi’s Did you know?: The original exhibition, “Snoopy in Fashion,” debuted at the Louvre Museum in Paris in 1984.

Advertising Executives / JP Clayton, jpclayton@yourobserver.com Robyn Didelot, rdidelot@yourobserver.com Beth Jacobson, bjacobson@yourobserver.com Allison Kummery, akummery@yourobserver. com Robert Lewis, blewis@yourobserver.com Richeal Parisi, rparisi@yourobserver.com Toni Perren, tperren@yourobserver.com Diane de Spirlet, ddespirlet@yourobserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, sleedom@yourobserver.com Sales Coordinator/Account Manager Lori Downey, ldowney@yourobserver.com Marisa Merlino, mmerlino@yourobserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executives/ Maureen Hird, mhird@yourobserver.com Director of Creative Services and Information Technology / Kathy Payne, kpayne@yourobserver.com Creative Director / Caleb Stanton, cstanton@yourobserver.com Creative Services Coordinator / Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver.com Technology & Development Manager / Adam Quinlin, aquinlin@yourobserver.com IT Operations Manager / Mike Herndon, mherndon@yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Thom Gravelle, Shawna Polana, Luis Trujillo, Allison Wampole Chief Financial Officer / Laura Keisacker lkeisacker@yourobserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, rlabrin@yourobserver.com Office Coordinator-Subscriptions / Donna Condon, dcondon@yourobserver.com

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SIDE OF RANCH

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

9A

JAY HEATER

Lakewood Ranch barber is a cut above

W

Jay Heater

Lakewood Ranch barber Pat Grillo has stories from 56 years in the barber business.

After moving to Bradenton from New York six years ago, Pat and his wife, Francine, were attending a Music on Main event when his wife spotted the Barbary Shoppe. Pat had lived in the area for three months after putting away his combs and scissors in New York, and was playing golf every day. His wife knew he needed something to stay busy.

Being a barber here seemed out of the question, because Pat didn’t want to practice the fast-food, assembly line form of cutting hair he believed was prevalent. Francine, though, said the Barbary Shoppe looked different.

So he walked through the door the following Tuesday. “Do you need any help? I’m a barber from New York,” Grillo said. “None of that resume (expletive).”

He started his new job the next day, and the conversation became a lot more interesting at the Barbary Shoppe for those

237523

OODLES OF KITTENS

who have lived a little.

“One time I had a boss say, ‘You talk a good haircut,’” said Grillo, who was born in Manhattan and lived and worked in various places in the New York City area over the years.

His story catalogue has increased over time. At a shop in Manhattan, he used to cut the hair of the late James Cagney, “The Public Enemy” himself whose “You dirty rat” line at the time was equivalent to Clint Eastwood’s “Make my day!”

Cagney never said “You dirty rat” in any of his movies, so if you want to talk about it, Grillo has a chair for you.

Steve McQueen used to frequent Grillo’s shop in Greenwich Village and, at times, he would bring along Ali MacGraw. “He was a nice guy,” Grillo said of McQueen, who was kind of the Brad Pitt of his day. “He wanted a mod look, combed it straight down.”

Boxing champ Hector “Macho’ Camacho would frequent Grillo’s Bronx barber shop with his cousin. Camacho would go in a back room where Grillo had hung a heavy bag and work out while his cousin was getting his hair cut.

Donald Trump came into a shop where Grillo was working, but he chose another barber.

“I’m starting to look like Donald Trump with my comb over,” Grillo said. “Here, they want to buzz me.”

The son of longshoreman Alex Grillo, he was a “bad kid” growing up and he decided to find an occupation when he was 16. Under those circumstances it might have been interesting he chose to become a beautician. The “bad kid” only lasted three months and switched over to barber school because it was easier.

In his 20s, he bought his first shop from a barber in his 80s

who wanted out. It cost him $4,000.

After a few years, he picked up a chair in the Waldorf Astoria but he didn’t care for the clientele. “I combed through one guy’s hair and it was full of grease,” he said. “I was done right there.”

He bounced around from Greenwich Village to the Bronx and Manhattan compiling stories along the way.

Now his chair sits in Lakewood Ranch, and he has no intention of leaving. He loves his clientele, which includes older gentlemen who still prefer scissors over clippers.

While he uses both clippers and scissors these days, he can cut any style that has become popular over the past 50 years, including crew cuts, flat tops (he said the hardest to do), module cuts (made popular by the Beatles), Afros and Detroits. Grillo said Detroits are also known as DAs for a duck’s bottom. It’s the slicked back look Michael Douglas made popular in “Wall Street.”

Just know what you want. It’s good advice as I think back to my own childhood experience.

“It is different now,” Grillo said. “Now they ask ‘What number do you use?’ I watched one woman ask a customer what number he wanted, and he didn’t know what to say. She skinned him.”

Been there.

Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer.

Contact him at jheater@your observer.com

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ith my father being a Marine, I was sentenced to the chair as a child.

The barber’s chair.

I can still remember the day, more than a half century ago, when I plopped into that chair, sitting on the little, rectangular box they had to raise up kids, and then felt helpless as the barber snipped and snipped and snipped.

Tears began to fall as I pictured myself going to school the next day bald. The chair kept spinning to the right and left, and my hair floated to the floor like a steady rain.

When he was done, I had my first crew cut, the kind that would make a Marine proud. My dad stood there beaming.

Over the years, my outlook changed, and I actually didn’t mind going to the barber. The men who came through the door, more than anything, paid an admittance fee. Most of the shops had three or four barbers up front, and a waiting line of chairs, often full, directly in front of them.

It should have been called a “conversation shop,” because the snipping took a secondary status to the discussion of current events. The patrons came for a flat top and sage advice because barbers were the wise men of the day. I enjoyed the banter.

Whether the profession is the same today, I’m not so sure. You still get that conversation, but much of the feel of that old-time barber shop has been lost as our life’s pace has kicked up to warp speed, forcing barbers to use electric clippers and shears.

Last week, though, I was introduced to Pat Grillo, a 56-year veteran of the hair wars, working at the Barbary Shoppe on Lakewood Main Street in Lakewood Ranch.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Dads on duty Gullett Elementary initiates program to get more dads involved at school.

BERKLEY MASON STAFF WRITER

To GreyHawk Landing’s Chris Brown, women always have been the driving force around elementary schools in terms of volunteerism.

Since January, though, Brown has been able to change his own impression.

Brown is now part of an innovative program at B.D. Gullett Elementary called Watch DOGS — Dads of Great Students. Fathers and male guardians of Gullett students are urged to spend an entire day at the school, helping with whatever is needed.

The goal is to allow men to be more involved, while also providing the school with an extra set of eyes and ears for security. Fathers

can sign up for as many days as they have available.

Formerly a New York resident, Brown said the Parent Teacher Organizations in New York made him feel that “school is a ladies world.” However, he said things are different in Florida.

“I really like the fact that they want the guys here,” he said. “It is very clear that they want dads at school, and I think that is a great thing.”

Brown gets to spend more time with his son, Matthew, a fourthgrader, and his daughter, Natalie, a second-grader. On the days he volunteers, he eats half his lunch with each child.

“I get to sit with my daughter, and all of her friends, and hear about what is going on in their second-grade girl world,” he said.

On the playground, he is giving high fives to his son and his friends while Natalie asks him to play Pac-Man with her during recess.

“I’m really glad I’ve done this,” he said. “The first day I was a little bit worried about what was going

Photos by Berkley Mason

Gullett Elementary Watch DOGS Charles Kersey, Chris Brown and Randy Cody walk the halls. They provide extra security and perform any tasks asked of them by the administration or teachers.

to happen, and I was having flashbacks from my old middle school years, but once I got the hang of it, it was really cool.”

Almost 400 people attended the PTO launch party for the program in January, said PTO Vice President Cristina Holland.

“Especially for the mothers who are always here volunteering, it is really refreshing to see the dads around,” Holland said.

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“Now, we have dads standing outside in the morning helping with drop-off. People have been talking about how excited the kids are about it.”

When Brown volunteered his first day, he was introduced through the school’s in-house television program.

“My kids didn’t tell me I was going to be on TV,” Brown said.

“So, that was surprising. I just told myself to hold in the stomach, and to make sure that I didn’t look too stiff.”

Lakewood Ranch’s Randy Cody has completed three volunteer days since joining the program.

When he volunteers, he is given a set of master keys and a radio.

He also gets to do some male bonding with the students.

“Some kids have no fatherly figure, so this fills that void as

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

11A

WATCH DOGS AT A GLANCE Watch DOGS — Dads of Great Students — is a program sponsored by the National Center for Fathering, dedicated to providing “innovative father involvement” in schools across the country.

The goals of the program are: “To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important; to provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying; to volunteer for an entire school day, and to do whatever is needed around the campus.”

Gullett Elementary Watch DOGS member Randy Cody hangs out with second-graders Austin Moore and Cameron Cody.

well,” Cody said. “One time I was here for Doughnuts with Dad and there was one student whose father wasn’t there. He gravitated toward me and asked me to be his dad for the day, and I did.”

Cody and Brown feel like celebrities when they walk through the hallways wearing their white

Watch DOG shirts.

Their children have been proud, as well.

“I feel pretty cool when my dad is here,” Jake Cody said. “My friends really like him because he gives every single person a high five at lunch.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Bird conservation takes flight Braden River couple among those trying to improve habitat for birds.

HOW TO HELP PRESERVE BEACH NESTING BIRDS n Keep your distance n Respect posted areas n Never intentionally force

STAFF WRITER

Braden Woods’ Susan and John Darovec have a four bird-bath home.

Add four bird feeders and a backyard filled with scrub, and it’s more like a bird hotel.

“It is like we’re giving back to the birds because we have taken so much of their habitat away,” said Susan Darovec, a retired school teacher.

The birds give back to the Darovecs, as well.

“There is something about watching a bird take a bath — it’s so soothing,” Susan Darovec said.

Susan Darovec, 67, has been a “birder” since she was a child.

She grew up in Michigan in a house that attracted a steady stream of birds.

“One time, we (Darovec and her siblings Mike Holaday and Margaret Franklin) walked through waist-deep snow for about a mile just to get some bird seed for my mom,” Susan Darovec said.

As the years have passed, the Darovecs’ love for birds has grown, but the bird population has declined.

birds to fly n Keep pets away from nesting areas n Keep beaches clean, and do not feed the wildlife

On April 12, about 40 concerned bird lovers and environmentalists gathered in the meeting room at the Fruitville Public Library for a lecture on “Birds in Peril” where local Audubon leaders, including Sarasota’s Terry Root and Venice’s Bob Clark, discussed the impact of climate change, including sea level rise, on birds in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

John Darovec is a retired marine biologist, and both Darovecs are active in the Citizens’ Climate Lobby Group, The Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, 350. org, Florida Veterans for Common Sense, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Susan Darovec has been involved in the annual Christmas Bird Count since 1990.

“The birds are what we see of

Berkley Mason

Braden Woods’ Susan Darovec refills the bird bath in her front yard.

nature, moving around and flashing really fast before your eyes,” John Darovec said. “They are an easy thing to look at and watch in nature.”

Susan Darovec talked about one way to help the area’s bird population. “Plant native,” she said.

“We did not plant palm trees here at our house because native plants bring native seeds and native insects that the birds feed on,” Darovec said. “People are the

only hope birds have now.”

The couple is hoping people get involved as they learn an appreciation for the area’s wildlife, and the birds that populate the area.

Susan Darovec hopes people learn an appreciation of listening to the birds. She loves listening and identifying each bird by its call.

Once identified, John Darovec’s adds his knowledge.

“John knows which family they

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are from and how they are related to each other,” Susan Darovec said of her husband. “Basically he knows the bird’s whole family tree.”

For more information on how to be involved, go to sarasotaaudubon.org.

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A Tampa-based prepared foods company, Fitlife Foods, will open its newest location April 27 in the University Town Center shopping district.

The new store will be located at 5275 University Parkway, in The Market at UTC shopping center at the northwest corner of Honore Avenue and University Parkway. The plaza is home to Kohl’s, The Fresh Market and Square 1 Burgers, among other businesses.

Fitlife specializes in healthy, pre-made meals with more than 65 menu items. Menu prices range from $3 to $13 and include gluten-free, vegetarian, paleo and other options.

Neal attributes inventory homes to success The Lakewood Ranch-based private homebuilder Neal Communities started the spring season with 96 new home sales in March, and 306 total sales for the first quarter of 2017.

Data released by the company April 17 stated 44 of the 96 home sales were for move-in ready inventory homes.

“One of the things we do better here at Neal Communities, due to our ability to respond quickly to the market, is to continually have a high number of feature or move-in ready homes,” Neal Communities President Michael Story said.

“Of course, we also offer the ability to build a new home from

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

counted for 45% of total sales for Neal Communities in 2016.

Sales in March were primarily in communities farther south, including 16 in Grand Palm in Venice; seven in Boca Royal Golf and Country Club in Englewood; eight pre-sales in The Estuary in west Bradenton; and six each in Milano in Venice and Silverleaf in Parrish.

Neal South, the company’s division covering Lee and Collier counties, had 31 new home sales — a 50% increase for the region compared with February.

Courtesy photo

Eagle Trace in Lakewood Ranch has move-in ready inventory homes.

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Overall, inventory homes ac-

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Grant provides new coop

5 FACTS ABOUT CHICKENS: 1. Chickens have been found to have 30 different vocalizations used to communicate.

2. Sometimes, chickens copy other chickens.

3. They learn who you are and can remember up to 100 faces.

4. Depending on the breed, chickens can lay different colored eggs.

5. When a hen is ready to mate, her comb will get fluffier and more red.

Source: rodalesorganiclife. com

Lakewood Ranch High’s chickens won’t have to cross the road.

BERKLEY MASON STAFF WRITER

Berkley Mason

Lakewood Ranch High junior Isabelle Chamness, FFA adviser Janyel Taylor and junior Alyssa Mckinney snuggle up to their chickens.

chickens to school. They will have their own coop on campus.

Lakewood Ranch High’s FFA chapter received news earlier in April it was one of the six schools in Florida to be awarded a Tractor Supply Co. Grant for Growing.

The school will receive $2,255.

“When they start making their chicken noises in the back of my car, it gets a little weird.”

— Janyel Taylor, FFA adviser at Lakewood Ranch High School

LIVE

The Lakewood Ranch FFA chapter will put its grant money toward an 8-foot, 10-inch tall chicken coop that will house 20 chickens.

With about 20 chickens of her own at home, Taylor, who is affectionately called “the crazy chicken lady” by her students, has her own system for naming some of her chickens.

“I only name the ones that I like,” Taylor said. “Buffy is the name of my favorite chicken, because her breed is a Buff. Frizzle is my show chicken, and I named her because she looks like she just

got electrocuted.”

Jokes aside, Taylor wants her students to learn some important lessons.

“This is just one more opportunity for our kids to handle a different animal,” Taylor said. “The goal of our chicken coop is to help us start a co-op next year, selling eggs to teachers and community members to raise money for our FFA chapter.”

Isabelle Chamness, a Lakewood Ranch High junior and incoming FFA president, would not classify herself as a chicken expert, but she does have experience.

“My grandmother has chickens, so I go over there, feed them and collect their eggs,” Chamness said. “I’m a large animal kind of person — dairy cows, swine and beef heifers — so it will be really cool to have a chicken coop and learn more about chickens.”

Alyssa Mckinney, the incoming FFA vice president, wants to show chickens.

“My mother has a chicken farm at home,” Mckinney said. “And I’ve always wanted to show at the Manatee County Fair. Raising chickens at school will help me gain more knowledge, and I could even keep my own chickens here in our coop.”

Lakewood Ranch High’s chickens will have a permanent hall pass.

“Our chickens will be free range, all day,” Taylor said. “Happy chickens equal more eggs.”

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Apparently, chickens and cars don’t mix well.

Janyel Taylor, the Future Farmers of America adviser at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been bringing her own chickens to school for her students.

“I am so tired of running through the Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru with chickens in my car,” Taylor said. “When they start making their chicken noises in the back of my car, it gets a little weird.”

Now, thanks to the hard work by her FFA students, Taylor will no longer be transporting her own

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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The festival runs from 4 to 8 p.m. on the MTC Main Campus, 6305 E. State Road 70, Bradenton.

The free event is sponsored by the Farmworker Career Development Program and Manatee Technical College.

Live music, dance performances and food will be available. Three bands will perform Latin music and Mexican folklore dancers will perform. Vendors will offer ethnic food.

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One of the largest advertising, marketing and public relations firms in the Sarasota-Bradenton region, Grapevine Communications, has a new owner.

The owners, the husband-wife team Angela Massaro-Fain and John Fain, had been working on an exit strategy for close to five years, said Massaro-Fain. They rejected at least two suitors.

Then they found the right fit close by in Allison Imre Perkowski — a former sales rep and event promoter for iHeartMedia and iHeartRadio in Sarasota.

Imre Perkowski, 39, assisted Lakewood Ranch-based Grapevine at the radio station for ad placements, and she and Massaro-Fain have known each other for a decade. Massaro-Fain will remain with the company, on the board and as creative director. John Fain will remain with the firm on a short-term adviser contract. Financial terms of the deal, which took a year to come together, weren’t disclosed.

“It was really important that we sold it to someone I trust,” says Massaro-Fain, “and someone with a vision to grow Grapevine.”

Grapevine had $14.33 million in revenue in 2016, up 3.6% from $13.81 million in 2015. Founded in 2002, it has 15 employees. The firm’s clients vary and include law offices, nonprofits, real estate firms and senior living developers. Grapevine also has a large portfolio of area “Best of” awards from local publications.

Often with a firm that size and stature, a bigger out-oftown company will buy it to gain entry into a new a market.

And Massaro-Fain said the two potential buyers she and John Fain rejected fit that mold. “We didn’t want someone who didn’t know our brand,” Massaro-Fain said during an interview with the Business Observer.

John Fain said he believes Imre Perkowski’s youthfulness will be an advantage for Grapevine. “She

brings an energy level that can take us to a different place,” Fain said.

Imre Perkowski, with iHeart from 2007 through April, said she’s humbled by the opportunity to steer Grapevine. “I’m buying a firm with an unbelievable reputation,” said Imre Perkowski. “If I was going to take this leap, there are no other coattails I’d rather ride than with Angela and John.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

MARCH 20

SMILE FOR THE MUG SHOT 8300 block of Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota Petit theft: Security observed a woman going into a department store and walking to the pharmacy section where she opened a box containing 3D Crest White Strips. She removed the contents and placed them into her purse. The woman then passed all points of sale without paying for the items. The woman was approached by store security and removed the items from her purse. The value of the item was $29.92. The suspect agreed to participate in the theft abatement program but failed to appear. The Sheriff’s Office was contacted.

APRIL 13

COW RUNS WILD, OWNER WARNED 12000 block of Parrish Cemetery Road, Parrish Loose livestock: A Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a call about a loose cow at the intersection of County Road 675 and U.S. 301. It was determined the cow belonged in a pasture at the listed location. The owner was contacted and retrieved his cow. Since it had been an ongoing issue, the deputy advised the cow’s owner he potentially could be charged under Florida law. The owner said he understood and would work to make sure his fence conformed to state statutes.

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APRIL 3

ACCIDENTAL BUTT BUMP 6500 block of Meandering Way, Bradenton Information only: A student at Lakewood Ranch High School was sitting in his vehicle when a classmate ran up and jumped on his windshield. The vehicle’s windshield was shattered and pushed inward by the force. The classmate said it was supposed to be a prank, but he slid and his buttock landed on the windshield and went through it. The student went home and then called to report the damage. His parent was aware of the incident and was present when a Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived to interview the student. The student said there were witnesses to the incident.

The deputy took photos, and the student and his father said they would call back if they wanted to pursue charges.

APRIL 12

PARKING ILLEGALLY, MAN FORCED TO WITHDRAW 11000 block of State Road 64 East, Bradenton Trespass warning: A Sheriff’s Office deputy was sent to a bank when a non-patron insisted on parking in the bank parking lot.

After parking for multiple days and being told he couldn’t, the man become aggressive toward a bank employee. When the deputy arrived, the car was in the lot but the man was not in the bank or the vehicle. When the man returned to his vehicle, the deputy asked the man not to park in the lot. The man became belligerent.

He said he parks at the lot when he goes to the nearby fast-food restaurant and that he would going to do it because the complaint was (expletive). The man was informed he was trespassed from the site.

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– Ali Yawn. SEE PAGE 19A

HIGH

SPORTS Mustangs check out 5 lacrosse

“I love winning, I love the excitement, how fast the action of the game is.”

Lakewood Ranch considers setting up teams for boys, girls.

1

Braden River softball pitcher Ali Yawn threw a three-hitter April 13 in the Pirates’ 3-0 win over Sarasota, and had two hits and drove in a run. Only four Sailors reached base against Yawn.

2

Savannah Alario, a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy and a Sarasota Crew rower, committed to the University of Miami on April 12 for crew.

3

Lakewood Ranch softball senior Morgan Cummins had three hits, including a homer, and six RBI April 11 in the Mustangs’ 13-6 win over Charlotte.

4

Braden River senior wrestler Chance Sharbono signed a scholarship with Central Missouri University April 11.

5

On April 13, the team of Sandra Seley, Julia Dennis and Nancy Lopiccolo won Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Women’s Golf Association nine-hole President’s Day scramble event, shooting a handicapped 27.

SOFTBALL’S GOT THE MOVES PAGE 18A

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

J

ason Morales was tired of watching the same, sad cycle.

Children would fall in love with a youth lacrosse program and would continue through elementary and middle schools.

But when it came to the high school level, no programs offered lacrosse as a sport.

If the parents couldn’t afford private school, or if the parents couldn’t furnish transportation to a club program, lacrosse was out.

Morales, a coach for an area youth program, Monsters Lacrosse Academy, decided to take a stand. He played lacrosse growing up in Long Island, N.Y., and in college at Stony Brook University. Morales made calls to local high schools so his Monsters Lacrosse Academy players would have somewhere to land when they reached high school.

Some athletic directors wanted nothing to do with starting a varsity lacrosse program, but one was open to the idea — Lakewood Ranch’s Shawn Trent.

Lakewood Ranch, and Manatee High, which subsequently showed interest as well, are attempting to start lacrosse programs for spring 2018 and would become the first two public high schools in Manatee County with such programs.

To comply with Title IX regulations, Trent told Morales, a girls lacrosse team had to be fielded before a boys team, which means they had to find someone to lead that program. Through an elaborate maze of connections, Sammy Stoltz, a teacher at Lakewood Ranch and an assistant coach on the softball team, became the leader of the girls’ team. Stoltz played lacrosse at Shorter University in Georgia.

From there, Stoltz said they needed to show they had enough girls interested to field a team, and then they had to find a place to play. Other important factors include figuring out a budget.

Some of those questions remain

Ryan Kohn

Jason Morales and Sammy Stoltz are leading the charge for lacrosse at Lakewood Ranch High School.

unanswered, and will remain that way until funding arrives. Manatee County might provide a little financial support, Morales said, but the majority of funds will have to be raised.

The team has set an initial fundraising goal range of $50,000 to $60,000, which would cover costs for at least one year, possibly more. For context, Riverview High School in Sarasota started its lacrosse programs in spring 2016, and raised approximately $120,000, intended to sustain the program for three years, with costs covering coaches’ salaries, referees, transportation, uniforms, protective equipment, field equipment and maintenance, lights and balls, according to SRQLAX, the nonprofit that handled the fundraising for Riverview.

Morales said he is not worried about meeting the goal. The program is hosting a fundraising dinner April 28 at Lakewood Ranch High, catered by Carrabba’s, which will feature a speech from former University of Notre Dame lacrosse player Chris Sforzo. There are also plans for a golf fundraiser, and the school will host both girls and boys youth lacrosse camps this summer.

Stoltz and Morales, with help from other Monsters coaches, have been holding information sessions and lacrosse clinics at the school. Stoltz said her clinics attracted 35, 33 and 36 girls, respectively, surpassing all expectations. Stoltz worked with the girls on the fundamentals of the game, like catching and throwing. That way, when the first season arrives, players can actually be taught the nuances of the game, she said.

“This is kind of a mixture of a lot of sports. Obviously, like in any sport, you can get hurt.”

— Jason Morales, prospective lacrosse coach at Lakewood Ranch HIgh

Morales said he was “blown away” by the number of students at his clinics as well. A few years ago, he made similar calls to schools in attempts to get a lacrosse program started, but the interest was not there, from neither the administrations nor the kids themselves. The sport has boomed exponentially since then.

“The last couple years, it’s pretty much been the fastest growing youth sport in America,” Morales said. “Most sports have been seeing a drop-off. Football has, just with the injuries. Baseball, I think it’s more of a lack of activity. It’s a lot of standing around.

“This is kind of a mixture of a lot of sports. Obviously, like in any sport, you can get hurt. But I think parents are really nervous about sending at least younger kids into football, with all the head injuries and stuff. Nationally, lacrosse is taking off.”

It has in Florida. According to statistics from the National Federation of State High School Associations, Florida saw a 70% increase in lacrosse participation from 2009-2013, with 8,063 high school athletes playing the sport in 2013. That is the secondlargest growth of any state during that period, trailing Minnesota (73%), but Minnesota only had 6,561 athletes participate in 2013. Most of Florida’s growth took place on the east coast of the state, Morales said, with the Gulf Coast now trying to get an equal hold on the sport. The sport has not plateaued. For the 20152016 season, the most recent data available, 11,948 Florida high school athletes played lacrosse.

Stoltz has a unique perspective on programs attempting to build from nothing. She experienced it once before, but as a player. Her freshman year of high school, at Etowah High in Woodstock, Ga., was the school’s first year offering lacrosse. Stoltz joined for her sophomore season. The team did not enjoy SEE PAGE 19A

BY THE NUMBERS Statistics provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations

70

Percentage by which lacrosse participation grew in Florida high schools from 2009-2016.

187

Florida high schools that offer boys lacrosse.

167

Florida high schools that offer girls lacrosse.

11,948

Florida high school lacrosse players in the 2015-2016 season.

42.6

Percentage of those players who played girls lacrosse.

18A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Area softball teams find their groove T he national anthem has been performed and the smell of peanuts and popcorn wafts through the crowd.

As the pitcher warms up, each fastball giving the catcher’s mitt a pop, the public address announcer takes the mic.

“Now batting for your (favorite team), No. 3, (your favorite player)!”

The crowd erupts as the player’s walk-up music hits the airwaves.

Anyone who has read my column knows I’m a lover of baseball and softball, and hearing that walk-up music is one of the reasons why. I spend a lot of time thinking about what my walk-up music would be.

There is not as much room for self-expression in baseball as there is in football, with touchdown celebrations, or basketball, with signature dunks and crossover dribbles. Walk-up music, and music in general, is one of the few bastions of expression left in baseball and, especially, softball, where high school teams often use music and dance to build chemistry.

For some, the walk-up song is just a chance to play a favorite song. For others, like Lakewood Ranch senior softballer Mackenzie Meyer, who steps to the plate to “Here I Am to Worship” by Jeremy Camp, it is an opportunity to express her beliefs.

“I’m a Christian, obviously, and I want people to know that,” Meyer said. “It’s a reminder that every time I get up to the plate that I play for him (Jesus Christ), and no matter what the outcome is, to not be upset or get angry or have all these emotions. I’m out here playing a game I’ve been so blessed to play these last 10 years.”

Before this season, Meyer used a rap remix, which she enjoyed

Ryan Kohn

The Lakewood Ranch softball team dances before a game against Braden River.

but it ultimately meant nothing to her. It was noise. Meyer said she can get into her own head sometimes, and she needed something to help her relax. She found it.

Likewise, teammate Logan Newton is inspired by her song, Eminem’s “‘Till I Collapse.”

The senior pitcher softly sings the opening lines of the song to herself as she makes her way to home plate. It reminds Newton she has the strength to get up and keep fighting if she ever stumbles. “You’ve got this,” she thinks to herself.

Not every team has the opportunity for walk-up music.

Just down the road, Braden River softball is not allowed to use walk-up music, or use an

amplified speaker system at all, thanks to a Manatee County ordinance. The houses beyond the school’s field are too close, and some light music at 7 p.m. is apparently too much for anyone to handle. (The Pirates baseball field is next to the softball team’s field but faces a different direction, and is allowed to use music).

No matter. Braden River senior Sarah Crawford and the softball team use music to express themselves in a different way.

On March 2, Crawford posted a video to Twitter of her and teammates Kaitlin Yawn, Myah Moy and Jade Moy doing a dance to “Rolex,” a song by Ayo & Teo that has gone viral the past few months. If you don’t know the

“Rolex” dance, don’t worry, I didn’t either. It’s basically a combination of other viral dances, including the dab, with other interpretive moves thrown in, like pretending to hold up your pants.

Crawford said the foursome would often do the dance at practice and the team thought it was a riot, so they decided to record it. This kind of thing happens often, and Crawford said it makes her happy and boosts team morale, bringing everyone together. She also recommended more teams join the craze.

Lakewood Ranch has taken Crawford’s advice. When the two teams met last month, a power failure delayed the game for a long time. Instead of

spending that time sitting on the bench, the two teams decided to have a dance battle. It started with Crawford and the Mustangs’ Maddie Koczersut (whom Newton called the best dancer on their team), then spread to the rest of the rosters.

“The game is so serious, especially in high school,” Newton said. “It (dancing) keeps things light. It reminds us that it’s just a game. We can have fun with it. It definitely brings everyone closer.”

The approach seems to be working. Lakewood Ranch is ranked by MaxPreps as the seventh-best team in the country as of April 16, and have a strong shot at a state title. Braden River is no slouch either. They stand at 10-4, with three of those losses coming against the Mustangs.

Their success is a reminder that teams don’t have to be 100% serious all the time.

Newton is right that softball is a game, as is baseball. It’s supposed to be a fun, all-around experience.

Statistics are just numbers and robots aren’t running the basepaths. The human element can get overlooked at times, especially by people in my profession who cover these sports.

I remind myself to take note when the players share their personalities with us. In these cases, they not only get to be themselves, but they have been winning while doing it.

Ryan Kohn is a sports writer for the East County Observer. Contact him at rkohn@ yourobserver.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Ali Yawn is a senior pitcher and outfielder on Braden River’s softball team. She is committed to play for Palm Beach Atlantic University next season. On April 13, Yawn threw a three-hitter in the Pirates’ 3-0 win over Sarasota High.

When did you start playing softball?

I’ve been playing since I was 6, so, that’s what, 12 years? I’m 18. I originally started with dance and soccer like every kid does. Both my parents (Buddy Yawn and Carol Yawn) played baseball and softball growing up, so I got into it that way.

What is the appeal of softball to you?

I think being around the girls. I love winning, I love the excitement, how fast the action of the game is.

What is your favorite softball memory?

I used to play for a travel team called Team Mizuno with (coach) Mike Morgan. We would do these crazy showcase tournaments. We would fly across the country. There is a showcase out in Colorado called the Fireworks Triple Crown.

We played in it two summers ago, and we won the whole thing.

What is your best skill on the field?

I’m fast. I’m able to track the ball in the outfield. I can get on base with a bunt.

Why do you wear No. 4?

It was just the size they had. (Laughs).

It fit me. Actually, though, when I go down to Palm Beach Atlantic, I’ll be No. 4 down there.

What is your favorite food?

Pasta. Any type of pasta.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ali Yawn

If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at rkohn@ yourobserver.com

I also really like Cheesecake Factory (in general), that’s probably my favorite restaurant.

What will your major be at Palm Beach Atlantic?

Elementary education. I like working with kids. I wasn’t going to go into the medical field, so I was like, I need to find something that works.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Work to your abilities. I’m small. I have to put my strength into everything I do. It has not come easy for me, honestly. My parents and coaches tell me that.

much success early on, but those years did teach Stoltz lessons she is now passing on to the girls of Lakewood Ranch.

“Every year we got better,” Stoltz said. “My senior year, we made it to the state playoffs after only having a program for four years. I tell them all the time, if they buy into it, then they are going to be successful. Yes, it’s going to be rough (at first), but I do think it’s going to escalate and get better and better every year.”

Since the sport is not yet official, Trent cannot technically hire anyone to be the head coach of either program. Morales, who works full time as a physical edu-

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cation teacher at Robert E. Willis Elementary, told Trent he would offer to fill the boys’ coaching position if the school could not find another coach. Stoltz said she would accept the girls’ coaching position if it was offered.

There is still much work to be done, but Stoltz said things are on the right track. Trent will soon meet with school district officials to show them the progress made and discuss the next steps. If all goes well with the meeting, and the initial fundraisers are successful, it is just a matter of time until Lakewood Ranch varsity lacrosse becomes a reality.

“I think we are doing something really special,” Stoltz said. “ I think only benefits will come from it.

The girls are really pumped, and that’s what it’s about, the players.

They are really buying into it, and that is all we can ask for.”

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LAKEWOOD RANCH TOWN CENTER

19A

Courtesy photo

FROM PAGE 17A

Finish this sentence: “Ali Yawn is ... “ ... Hard-working. I have to work hard in school. In order to keep my commitment with Palm Beach Atlantic, I have to have good grades. To stay on this team, I have to have good grades. I actually go to tutoring once a week for math. Also on the field, there are always people trying to one-up each other. You just have to prove you are the best.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Lakewood Ranch students attend a preliminary lacrosse clinic.

Lacrosse

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20A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Landscape with House and Ploughman (detail) Vincent van Gogh

1330 Beach Road $1,500,000 | Web ID N5911903 Stephen Lingley 941.809.7580

7120 Teal Creek Glen $2,890,000 | Web ID A4176291 Linda Apple 941.586.0553

7917 Waterton Lane $2,885,580 | Web ID A4168185 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

8040 Manasota Key Road $1,980,000 | Web ID A4167143 Martie Lieberman 941.724.1118

13206 Palmers Creek Terrace $1,785,000 | Web ID A4169254 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

16116 Clearlake Avenue $1,690,000 | Web ID A4177959 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

6926 Lacantera Circle $1,597,000 | Web ID A4180545 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

3361 Founders Club Drive $1,450,000 | Web ID A4179626 Don Carroll & William Feicht 941.539.2132

7807 Mathern Court $1,390,000 | Web ID A4161604 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

75 Grande Fairway $1,199,000 | Web ID N5910123 Maryanne Kurtz & Dan Olson 941.441.6624

7005 Dominion Lane $1,145,900 | Web ID A4179697 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

1904 Illinois Avenue $975,000 | Web ID A4171166 Brad Tritschler 941.716.1042

8817 Colonels Court $949,000 | Web ID A4136680 Don Carroll 941.539.2132

13404 Kildare Place $849,500 | Web ID A4160942 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

13715 Oasis Terrace $849,000 | Web ID A4164184 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

7104 Chatsworth Court $825,000 | Web ID A4180151 Kathleen Ucci 941.302.2344

3799 Boca Pointe Drive $819,000 | Web ID A4135851 Joel Schemmel & Sharon Chiodi 941.809.0380

7434 Mizner Reserve Court $739,900 | Web ID A4143460 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

7018 Kingsmill Court $699,900 | Web ID A4172896 Shannon Rogers 941.920.5454

7510 Eaton Court $675,000 | Web ID A4175800 Toi Estes 941.896.2317

7630 Weeping Willow Circle $669,000 | Web ID A4178846 Louis Wery 941.232.3001

6492 Indigo Bunting Place $644,000 | Web ID A4176373 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

6569 Waters Edge Way $639,000 | Web ID A4164040 Roberta Tengerdy & Carolyn Collins 941.321.2292

4862 Ancient Marble Drive $639,000 | Web ID A4179210 Brian Wood 941.928.8408

10144 Cherry Hills Avenue Circle $597,700 | Web ID A4176317 Gloria Bracciano & Greg Van Natter 941.730.1999

8138 Dukes Wood Court $569,700 | Web ID A4165880 Gloria Bracciano & Greg Van Natter 941.730.1999

6943 Cumberland Terrace $539,000 | Web ID A4167820 Toi Estes & Craig Cerreta 941.896.2317

5632 Cloverleaf Run $529,000 | Web ID A4180020 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

8032 Via Fiore $510,000 | Web ID A4179964 Joel Schemmel & Sharon Chiodi 941.587.4894

7243 Villa D Este Drive $499,000 | Web ID A4183027 Joel Schemmel & Sharon Chiodi 941.587.4894

8102 Waterview Boulevard $498,500 | Web ID A4175934 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

8878 Macgregor Lane $474,900 | Web ID A4175953 Ken Ipox 941.993.7279

2315 61st Street $449,999 | Web ID A4179735 Steph Lamb 941.915.8350

11220 Beebalm Circle $349,000 | Web ID A4178976 Rebecca Zimmerman & Kere Lewis 941.224.4824

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7945 St Simons Street $338,000 | Web ID A4178851 Tamara & Todd Currey 941.587.1776

15669 Lemon Fish Drive $337,500 | Web ID A4180109 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

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Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate and neither suggests nor infers that Premier Sotheby’s International Realty participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of the properties depicted. *Landscape with House and Ploughman (detail) by Vincent van Gogh used with permission.

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YOUR NEIGHBORS

East County’s Veronica Kressel gives her dog Charlie a smooch.

East County’s Michelle Larkin couldn’t wait to try a sample pulled pork sandwich.

No taste like home L Photos by Berkley Mason

Lakewood Ranch’s Cooper Chrisman leaps through the obstacle course set up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

akewood Ranch’s Adam Chrisman couldn’t decide which he liked best at this year’s My Hometown Fest, because he liked it all.

“The pulled pork sandwiches were my favorite, I mean, I had three of them,” Chrisman said. “The food here is awesome, the bands are really good and the variety of craft beers was nice.”

On April 15, approximately 4,000 people attended the festival at Nathan Benderson Park. Seventy-five vendors served food and offered a choice

of 60 craft beers. Children’s activities included corn hole and obstacle courses.

Jack Hartvigsen, the event co-chair, was thrilled with the turnout.

“Everyone who lives here typically is not from here,” Hartvigsen said. “The idea is to celebrate everyone, no matter where they may come from, that’s why we incorporate breweries and food from all different regions of the U.S. It is surely the spirit of Hometown Fest.”

— BERKLEY MASON

Sarasota’s Sandra Weisman and Don Hill have some fun in the sun while they enjoy their cold beers.

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Ellenton’s Ron and Marian Schooler, and East County’s Allyison and Bill Kissel enjoy My Hometown Fest.

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YOUR CALENDAR

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

COMMUNITY

ART CLUB Runs from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. This art event is for tween-aged (preteen or young teen) children.

The group will work on color collages. For information, call 727-6079.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

SUNSETS IN PARADISE Runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota.

This annual Tropical Nights “Sunsets in Paradise” themed event benefits Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.

A $150 ticket includes a buffet dinner, an open bar, live entertainment, a raffle and a silent auction. For information or to purchase tickets, visit mealsonwheelsplus.org.

BRIDGE A LIFE FUNDRAISER Runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch.

Bridge a Life is a nonprofit that recruits foster and adoptive parents. Guests will enjoy a silent auction and raffle prior to dinner and a program that highlights the organization’s efforts. Cost is $95. For information or to purchase tickets, visit bridgealife.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 28

RANCH SCRAMBLE Runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, 7650 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. This year’s Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance golf tournament includes lunch, an awards reception, games and raffles.

The tournament starts at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start. Cost is $750 per foursome or $200 per individual. Register at lwrba.org.

preschool. For information, call 746-7895.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

SPECIAL NEEDS PROM Runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Woodland Community Church, 9607 East State Road 70, Bradenton. This is a special event for individuals 16 years and older who have special needs and live in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The evening features food, dancing, music and other festivities. It is free to attend, but preregistration is required and space is limited.

Volunteers also are needed. To register or for information on how to help, contact nwtsprom@gmail. com.

tant Nikki Cleary will teach participants how essential oils can relieve back and neck tension, morning sickness, head tension, early contractions, stretch marks, fatigue and more. The event is free. For more information, contact the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center at 7088100 or visit lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com.

BEST BET

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

File photo

Guests enjoy an elaborate appetizer buffet before dinner during the 2016 Meals on Wheels Plus Tropical Nights fundraiser.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL Runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at Windsor Reflections, 8220 Natures Way, Lakewood Ranch.

This celebration will feature a farmers market, local craft vendors, a recycling station, a petting zoo and live entertainment. Call 907-9177.

TUESDAY, APRIL 25

ART SHOW AND SILENT AUCTION Runs from 6 to 7 p.m. at Faith Preschool at Faith Preschool of Faith United Church of Christ, 4850 State Road 64 E., Bradenton. This schoolwide art show and silent auction will feature children’s artwork on display, food, a silent auction and a raffle for classroom projects.

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit

LWRBA BREAKFAST Runs from 8 to 9 a.m. at 7650 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Join the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance for this event on how to connect with an audience. Speakers will be Girl’s Inc.’s 2014 “Girl of the Year” Rachel Mallett and Girl’s Inc. volunteer and speaking coach Pavitra Ciavardone. Networking and breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. The presentation starts at 8 a.m. Cost is $25 for members before April 21; $35 for members after April 21 and for nonmembers. Seating is limit.

To register, visit lwrba.org.

DISHES FOR WISHES Starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Polo Grill and Bar’s Fete Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. Make-a-Wish of Central and Northern Florida will present this interactive dinner themed “Wishes around the World.” Guests at each table will participate in preparing a threecourse meal for their table, led

by Polo Grill co-owner and chef Tommy Klauber. The evening will also include a live auction and a special appearance from a local wish child. General admission tickets cost $150.

For information, visit dishesforwisheslwr.com

ESSENTIAL OILS Begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Women’s and Children’s Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Physical therapist assis-

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

LEARN TO LIVE WELL Runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30

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YourObserver.com

p.m. at USF Culinary Innovation Lab, 8130 Main St., Lakewood Ranch. The Circuelle Foundation presents this Pink Kitchen event “Learn to Live Well: A wellness renewal experience,” at which participants will engage with experts in the health and lifestyle fields. Cook and eat alongside CA Health and Longevity Institute’s Paulette Lambert and learn anticancer health tips and recipes, as well as health consequences of sleep, meditation and mindfulness, among other topics. Cost is $125 per person or $500 for five people. Space is limited. Register at 855-523-7465.

READ TO DOGS Runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E, Bradenton. Children who are shy about reading or who just like animals are invited to come read to therapy dogs. For information, call 727-6079.

TUESDAY, MAY 2

NEW RESIDENT ORIENTATION Begins at 6 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Lakewood Ranch Town Hall staff members will share information about the Lakewood Ranch community, its governance structure and other information. Registration is requested to 907-0202. For information, visit lakewoodranchgov.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3

CAR SHOW Begins at 6 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. Lance’s Cruzin’ to the Hop car show will fill Main Street with classic cars. For information, visit lakewoodranch.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 5

3B

A SHORT DRIVE SATURDAY, APRIL 22

SATURDAY, MAY 6

12TH ANNUAL GOLF KLASSIC Begins at 11 a.m. at The River Club, 6600 River Club Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The four-person scramble format tournament is presented by the Sarasota Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. The tournament will have a shotgun start at 1 p.m., but prior to that, the event will feature a putting challenge, a longest drive contest, a closestto-the-pin challenge, a hole-in-

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

SMART for this annual Kentucky Derby themed fundraiser. Watch the “Run for the Roses” on large televisions, tour SMART’s barns, meet horses and experience a “Parade of Champions.” There will be a buffet dinner, complimentary mint juleps and appetizers, “best hat” and “best tie” contests and more. Tickets cost $75 per person. For information or to register, visit smartriders.org.

MUSIC ON MAIN Runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The Distractions Band will fill the air with live music as guests enjoy vendor booths, food and drink for purchase and other festivities during this monthly outdoor concert event. Please no coolers.

Dogs must be kept on a short leash. Proceeds benefit the Circus Arts Conservatory. For information, visit lakewoodranch. com.

JUNGLE JAM Runs from 5:30 to p.m., at Big Cat Habitat, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota. This event is to raise funds for an animal hospital and senior center at Big Cat Habitat.

The event will feature Grammy winning pianist Lannie Battistini, international flamenco sensation Greg Reiter, jazz artist Anna Danes and flautist Elaine Emminger. Also included are compound tours, photos with exotic animals and a silent auction. Guests are encouraged to wear safari outfits. Tickets cost $25 and are available online at bigcathabitat.org. For more information, contact the habitat at info@bigcathabitat.org.

|

File photo

Paula Daughtery, shown with her husband, Tim, shows off her bonnet at Mint Juleps and Roses.

one challenge and free range balls. At the conclusion of the tournament will be dinner and an awards ceremony. Ticket prices vary. For more information, visit sarasotaalumni.com.

CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC Begins at 11 a.m. at Esplanade Golf and Country Club, 12825 Malachite Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Gardeners Out East is sponsoring this fundraising golf tournament to honor veterans with the placement of a Blue Star Memorial at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. The memorial will be dedicated as part of the Memorial Day events May 28, in Lakewood Ranch.

Tournament activities start at 11 a.m. and the tournament starts at 1 p.m. with a shotgun scramble. Organizers will

honor past and present veterans through a Walk of Honor during the event. A $100 entry free includes green fees, cart, lunch and end-of-tournament drinks.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. To donate or register, visit gardenersouteast. com.

LEGO DAY Runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. Children of all ages can come play with LEGOs 11 a.m. to noon.

A robotics challenge for ages 8 to 12 will run from noon to 1 p.m. For information, call 727-6079.

MINT JULEPS & ROSES Begins at 5 p.m. at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART), 4640 County Road 675, Bradenton. Join

HEROES PARTY Begins at 4 p.m. at the Music Compound, 1751 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota. The annual live music and craft beer festival benefits Heroes Welcome Home, a nonprofit that supports veterans.

This year’s featured music acts include Leviathan Cross, Democracy and the All Veterans Jam Band. The music events are free to the public, and a beer tasting ticket costs $15. Food will also be available for purchase. For more information, call Heroes Welcome Home at 812-7983 or visit heroeswelcomehomefl.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

HELP A HORSE DAY Runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary, 712 Roy Moore Road, Ona. This event, in celebration of ASPCA’s Help a Horse Day, will feature food, treats, a bounce house, games for children and adults and horse demonstrations. Free. For information, call 228-5441.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Sarasota’s Maicey and Kelly Dolman check out the new book they received as a prize for participating in the egg hunt.

Photos by Berkley Mason

East County’s Harlow Henriquez shows off her prize at the egg hunt.

Library cards egg hunt

W

hen it comes to having fun at the Braden River Library, 1-year-old Mason Wood is an open book.

Wood’s grandmother, Lakewood Ranch’s Hilde James, has been taking him to the library of late, and he loves the programs.

On April 13, James and her grandson were back for more.

It was the annual Easter Egg Hunt, and Wood was one of about 50 children who participated.

“He loves it here,” James said. “They always have cute crafts every week.”

Besides the egg hunt, the library entertained the children with crafts. After the hunt, the children exchanged their eggs for prizes and books.

Left: East County’s Amy and Libby Bates sport their festive Easter attire at the egg hunt.

Above: Lakewood Ranch’s Mason Wood gets ready for the egg hunt.

— BERKLEY MASON

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Ladies in the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club celebrated the culmination of its fundraising efforts April 11 by granting Lakewood Ranch High School senior Victoria Boudreau a $1,000 scholarship during the club’s meeting at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

Women’s Club Philanthropy Chairwoman Eileen Buzzare presented Boudreau with the second annual Women’s Club Community Service Scholarship. Philanthropy committee members chose Boudreau because of her character and achievements. She has a 4.54 GPA and her academic awards include the Advanced Place-

Courtesy photo

Parents Daniel and Eliana Boudreau, scholarship recipient Victoria Boudreau, Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club President Monika Templeman, philanthropy chairwoman Eileen Buzzard and Lakewood Ranch High Career and College adviser Michelle Todoroff celebrate.

ment Scholar Award and the National Science Merit Award.

She also has completed 394

hours of community service.

At school, Boudreau also is involved in student govern-

ment, in the school newspaper and as a member of Lakewood Leaders. She also volunteers with the Braden River Soccer Club, Windsor Senior Living, the YMCA and Tops Soccer.

Boudreau will attend Florida State University in the fall and plans to major in criminology and law with a minor in communications.

The club presented two additional runner-up awards to students Molly Mendoza and Ashton Adams, who each received $250.

“Even more impressive than their fabulous academic achievements, is the strength of character, sense of community, and sincere desire to make a difference that our winners exemplify,” club President Monika Templeman said.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

Gardeners take swing for veterans The Gardeners Out East Garden Club continues to promote and seek participants and sponsors for its charity golf tournament benefiting veterans.

The club will host its first Charity Golf Tournament May 6, at Esplanade Golf and Country Club. Festivities start at 11 a.m. and a shotgun scramble starts at 1 p.m.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will pay for a Blue Star Memorial plaque installed at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall in collaboration with VFW Post 12055.

To participate or make a donation, visit gardenersouteast. com.

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CLUB NEWS

Women’s Club awards scholarships

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6B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY CO N N E C T E D.

THE CONCESSION 19428 Ganton Avenue Deborah Angelo O'Mara & Tom Cinquegrano 941-730-0777 A4135661 $1,699,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 12603 Elgin Terrace Barbara Najmy 941-705-1158 A4153536 $1,450,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 13218 Lost Key Place John Camino, PA 941-685-5060 A4174311 $1,275,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 21306 Deer Pointe Crossing Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4146990 $999,999

B R A D E N TO N 5107 Riverview Boulevard Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4166072 $940,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 13511 Matanzas Place Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4178659 $899,000

B R A D E N TO N 1045 Fish Hook Cove Karen Enis 941-224-0297 A4166925 $719,900

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 4739 88th Street E Richard Hearn 941-313-1591 A4169175 $559,500

U N I V E R S I T Y PA R K 8122 Dukes Wood Court Nancy Phillips 941-400-6078 A4182200 $557,500

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 14448 Stirling Drive Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4179202 $550,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 12314 Greenbrier Way David D'Angelo 941-587-7268 A4162338 $519,000

B R A D E N TO N 1402 90th Court NW Open Sun 1-4 Pam Blalock & Jinny Scherer 737-9376 or 705-0877 A4179157 $500,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 6310 Watercrest Way 304 Jonnie Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4167326 $499,900

B R A D E N TO N 532 Hillcrest Drive Toni Lyon 941-928-8735 A4170841 $485,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7806 Valderrama Way Janice Perry 941-228-0848 A4166929 $449,000

PA L M E T TO 2925 Terra Ceia Bay Boulevard 2405 Jody Shinn 941-705-5704 A4181713 $399,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 11416 Gramercy Park Avenue Bryan Dwyer 941-809-9106 A4179634 $379,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 8727 53rd Terrace E Lee Byron and Sue Keal 941-350-5542 A4170212 $365,000

B R A D E N TO N 7201 Vista Bella Drive Kathy Valente 941-685-6767 A4167044 $350,000

B R A D E N TO N 10043 Reagan Dairy Trail Noel Morton 941-348-9129 A4172293 $339,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 8718 53rd Place E Sue Cosgrove-Lee 941-400-9068 A4161467 $325,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 11749 Forest Park Circle Laurie Jarema 941-321-3410 A4167687 $300,000

PA L M E T TO 611 Riviera Dunes Way 104 Stephen Strong 941-201-9662 A4183195 $279,000

B R A D E N TO N 219 San Casciano Lane Dana Preston 941-705-5510 A4181087 $259,900

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 8227 Miramar Way Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4172472 $235,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 8139 Miramar Way 103 Maria Beck PA 941-356-0063 A4179549 $230,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 8862 White Sage Loop 8862 Stuart Lawrence 941-894-4001 A4162033 $194,999

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7202 Teal Creek Glen Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4172569 $2,295,000

PA R R I S H 11827 River Shores Trail Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4146841 $2,288,888

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS | RENTAL

OPEN HOUSES SUNDAYS 1–4 PM

michaelsaunders.com

B R A D E N TO N 10804 Riverbank Terrace Jody Shinn 941-705-5704 A4169182 $1,075,000

8 8 8 . 552 . 52 2 8

michaelsaunders.com L I C E N S E D R E A L E S TAT E B RO K E R

232029

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7115 Teal Creek Glen Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4181890 $2,439,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 8317 Catamaran Circle Barbara Najmy 941-705-1158 A4171529 $1,749,000

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Country Club Village of Lakewood Ranch topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Llewellyn and Susan Thomas, of Largo, sold their home at 7006 Villamoura Place to Carlie and Lisa Stilwell, of Lakewood Ranch, for $740,000.

Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,331 square feet of living area.

RIVER CLUB NORTH

H. Monroe Warrington, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6718 Oakmont Way to Paul Waltz, of Bradenton, for $660,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,570 square feet of living area.

ROSEDALE HIGHLANDS

Leonard and Donna Doerr, of Ontario, Canada, sold their home at 5019 96th St. E., to James and Joan Casey, of Prince Edward Island, Canada, for $649,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,920 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $775,000 in 2008.

EATON PLACE

Stephen and Janis Rauch, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6303 Thorndon Circle to Ken-

neth and Jeanette Burghy, of Bradenton, for $607,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,155 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $900,000 in 2006.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Kenneth Brooks, of Lakeland, sold his home at 13106 Harriers Place to James Floyd, of Bradenton, for $600,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,838 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $489,000 in 2013.

Daniel Dollison and Nicole Dollison, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 12064 Aster Ave., to Jean MingariDavis for $434,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,088 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $415,000 in 2014.

Juanita Walker, of Bradenton, sold her home at 305 Snapdragon Loop to James and Beverly Cook, of Bradenton, for $365,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,411 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $303,300 in 2004.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Christopher and Shannon McCoy, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9507 Royal Calcutta Place to Richard and Karen Medford, of Bradenton, for $588,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,738 square feet of living area.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

AUG. 12 - 18

It previously sold for $285,000 in 2008.

RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Troy and Jennifer Freeman, of Lewisville, Texas, sold their home at 315 165th Court N.E., to Joseph and Kresta Stone, of Bradenton, for $500,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,407 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $442,500 in 2014.

COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE

Kenneth and Kathleen Charlton, of St. Augustine, sold their home at 7346 Edenmore St., to Jerry South Jr. and Anda Speight-South, of Lakewood Ranch, for $449,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,004 square feet of living area.

CLUBSIDE AT COUNTRY CLUB EAST

WCI Communities LLC sold the Unit 23-C condominium at 7557 Divot Loop to Ann Powers and George Bash, of Bradenton, for $428,900. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,332 square feet of living area.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

Douglas and Martha Nooney, of Bradenton. sold their home at 8834 Brookfield Terrace to

Michael and Patricia Mahan, of Wading River, N.Y., sold their home at 9904 Royal Lytham Ave. to Renee and Thomas Brady, of Bradenton, for $320,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,066 square feet of living area.

Applicant

Poolz

Robert Smith

$ 89,800

16212 Kendleshire Terrace

Pool

Shawn Lawson

$ 66,000

812 116th Court N.E.

Pool

Madeline Stephens

$ 52,959

747 Rosemary Circle

Pool

Jeffrey Gerhard

$ 40,000

12716 Fontana Loop

Pool

Kelly Dewolf

$ 38,802

5203 96th St. E.

Re-roof

Robert Keegan

$ 37,500

8760 52nd Drive E.

Pool

Tamera Pescinski

$ 32,079

909 154th St. N.E.

Re-roof

Gary Johnston

8758 52nd Drive E.

Pool

Seth Weiser

$ 26,000

8319 Curlew Court

Mechanical

William Melendez

$ 23,500

4609 Claremont Park Drive

Pool Cage

Ricardo Van Erven

$ 20,135

12712 Seventh Ave. N.E.

Re-roof

Leonard Terzenbach

$ 19,657

5815 38th Ave. E.

Mechanical

Craig Moone

$ 17,581

19437 Ganton Ave.

Pool Cage

Jay Weis

$ 17,212

22466 Panther Loop

Mechanical

Todd Boese

$ 16,272

5804 28th Ave. Drive E.

Re-roof

Drew Collier

$ 16,000

413 137th St. N.E.

Re-roof

Richard Hansen

$ 15,670

6909 Pine Valley St.

Pool Cage

Craig Vannortwick

$ 15,323

17020 Kenton Terrace

Pool

Robert Mueller

$ 15,000

614 147th St. E.

Re-roof

Glenn Martin

TARA

Robert and Hazell Miller, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6380 Rookery Circle to Sigmund and Bjorg Andreassen, of Seattle, for $399,900.

Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,633 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $307,200 in 2004.

CENTRAL PARK

Frank and Jennifer Santora, of Bradenton, sold their home at 11874 Forest Park Circle to John and Diana Vajanyi, of Bradenton, for $390,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,600 square feet of living SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 12B

8325 Lakewood Ranch Blvd • Lakewood Ranch • 941.730.0777

2015 LUXURY SPECIALIST

Knowledge. Experience. Trust.

Deborah has consistently set the pace as the #1 Top Producer for the past 6 years at the Lakewood Ranch Office of Michael Saunders & Company consisting of 90 Realtors. Representing the finest properties, Deborah has sold over 500 homes in Lakewood Ranch.

She is the consummate professional who is dedicated, knowledgeable and focused on the needs of her clients. In addition to her refined negotiating skills and high energy, Deborah is passionate about delivering impeccable service to her clients. For this, she is thankful to have been awarded the Best in Client Satisfaction Award by Sarasota Magazine for 6 consecutive years. See me in action at www.DebsVideo.com.

E AST CO U N T Y Permit

William and Jill Slattery, of South Burlington, Vt., sold their home at 8736 Stone Harbour Loop to John Wilson and Patricia Mitchell, of Bradenton, for $295,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,211 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $336,400 in 2005.

Deborah Angelo O’Mara

These are the largest building permits issued by the Manatee County Planning and Zoning Department for the week of April 3 through 7, in order of dollar amounts.

3505 62dn St. E.

Ronald and Gail Hildebrand, of Bradenton, for $427,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,989 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $360,000 in 2013.

7B

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY C O N N E C T E D.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

Address

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

REAL ESTATE

Country Club Village home tops local sales

|

Amount

$ 14,875 Source: Manatee County

238306

$ 27,130

U N I V E R S I T Y PA R K 7820 Sloane Gardens Court A4168536 $1,050,000

Licensed Real Estate Broker

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

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237310

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REAL ESTATE FROM PAGE 7B

area. It previously sold for $287,900 in 2013.

Michael and Susan Tighe, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 12145 Forest Park Circle to Karen Chana, of Bradenton, for $370,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,149 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $372,400 in 2015.

Craig and Kristy Haney and Lauren Haney, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 4517 Golden Gate Cove to Michael Emmons, of Lakewood Ranch, for $300,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,017 square feet of living area.

VIRGINIA WATER

Hendrikus and Margrit Brink, of Zuerich, Switzerland, sold their home at 6722 Virginia Crossing to David and Joanne Tucker, of University Park, for $389,000.

Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,928 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $260,000 in 1996.

COUNTRY CREEK

Matthew Swartwood and Mary Blandina, of Hattiesburg, Miss., sold their home at 303 141st Court N.E., to Anthony Lavenduski, of Bradenton, for $387,500. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,576 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $347,000 in 2014.

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

of Parrish, sold their home at 13416 Ramblwood Trail to Richard and Laura Berk, of Middletown, N.Y., for $360,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,221 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $345,000 in 2015.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Charlotte Phillips, of Bradenton, sold her home at 10414 Eastwood Drive to Edward and Elyse Serra, of Lecanto, for $345,000.

Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,399 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $325,000 in 2015.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Peter and Janet Crichton, of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, sold their home at 159 Americas Cup Blvd., to Jesse and Crystal Colston, of Bradenton, for $342,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,240 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $349,900 in 2011.

FAIRFAX

Walter and Stacy Stone, of W. Bloomfield, Mich., sold their home at 4327 Fairfax Drive E., to Andre Haddouche and RoseMarie Baffico, of Gordes, France, for $335,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,266 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $154,900 in 1990.

INDIGO RIDGE AT UNIVERSITY PLACE

three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,073 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $290,000 in 2012.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Lennar Homes LLC sold the home at 7139 Marsh View Terrace to Arden and Frances Koon, of Bradenton, for $330,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,006 square feet of living area.

Paul and Virginia Leftoff, of Cumming, Ga., sold their home at 174 Wandering Wetlands Circle to Jack and Semira Veletanlic, of Bradenton, for $309,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,908 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $301,000 in 2015.

Pavel Picek of Bermont AM LLC sold the home at 306 River Enclave Court to Walter and Karen Fucito, of Bradenton, for $260,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,086 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $293,400 in 2008.

HIDDEN MEADOWS

Gary and Loretta Nelson, of Eastover, N.C., sold their home at 6232 28th Ave. E., to Matthew and Alicia Stull and Mary Reeder, of Bradenton, for $330,000.

Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,025 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $187,500 in 1998.

Brian Doyle, of Sarasota, sold MOTE RANCH his home at 8012 Indigo Ridge Aidan and Dorothy Furlong Terrace to Roland and PatriBRIDGEWATER sold their home at 7018 Bridle cia Lascari, of Bradenton, for v 941.479.4349 Walter and Claudia Bestajovsky,e r g . p r o$335,000.

Path Court to Diana Ashton, of itCSW_16161.03ECO has d u c t i o n @ r e d g r a Built s s - s t u d i oin s . c o2004, m

Bradenton, for $330,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,730 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $188,400 in 2001.

ESPLANADE

Fedele and Brenda Galioto, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5113 Serata Drive to Wilfred and Candace Leon, of South Windsor, Conn., for $325,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,684 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $246,400 in 2013.

OAKBROOKE AT RIVER CLUB NORTH

Yvonne Raine, trustee, of Suffolk, England, sold the home at 6730 Hickory Hammock Circle to Robert and Emily Hamel, of Longboat Key, for $320,000.

Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,762 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $240,000 in 2014.

WATER OAK

Pauline Hall, of Bradenton, sold her home at 6750 64th Terrace E., to Braden and Maggie Sharrer, of Bradenton, for $318,000.

Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,148 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $230,700 in 2001.

GREENBROOK VILLAGE

Tanya Reilly, of Bradenton, sold the home at 15221 Blue Fish Circle to Kathy Gooden and Jason and Jenifer Conley, of Lakewood Ranch, for $302,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,073 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $289,000 in 2007.

ROSEDALE GOLF AND TENNIS CLUB

Annabel Ryan, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8737 54th Ave. E., to Carol Stadler Tucker, of Bradenton, for $293,000. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,971 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $219,000 in 1999.

SUMMERFIELD VILLAGE CYPRESS BANKS

Andre and Lucienne Merle and Jean Tripier and Christiane Rollin sold their home at 11212 Coralbean Drive to Nathan and Shannan Garman, of Lakewood Ranch, for $288,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,734 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $161,900 in 2011.

EAGLE TRACE

Neal Communities of Southwest Florida LLC sold the home at 2008 Crystal Lake Trail to Della Brod, of Ormond Beach, for $276,200. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,525 square feet of living area.

Neal Communities of Southwest Florida LLC sold the home at 2044 Crystal Lake Trail to Thomas and Lori DeForest, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., for $263,200. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,525 square feet of living area.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Break out the flip-flops and join-in theFlorida lifestyle… with a Clean Car!

L

aid back Gulfcoast living starts with a pair of flip-flops, a day at the beach, and a shiny, clean car.

We offer free vacuums, full detailing services, monthly passes, interior cleaning and exterior washes starting at on $5.99. Our popular value packs of three washes start at only $28.79 saving an incredible 20% over individual washes. While your vehicle is being given a great wash and clean, you can enjoy our landscaped surroundings, with free WiFi and kids play area. We are all about customer satisfaction.

6415 SR-64 East, Bradenton (Just west of I-75 on the north side) Monday – Saturday 8am – 6pm Sunday 8am – 5pm Phone: 941.746.WASH (9274) Proudly Supporting

Part sweetheart, part Zen master, she’s a yellow Lab that enjoys nothing more than being here now while being scratched behind the ears. But in just two years she’ll become freedom, confidence and independence for someone who could really use it.

Our Community Heros

www.clearsunsetcarwash.com

Final Clear Sunset Car Wash

01/ 05 Issue

237142

Help discover the life path she was destined to travel: that of a Southeastern Guide Dog.

227651

12B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, APRIL 20 High: 86 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 10%

Sunrise Sunset 7:01a

7:57p

Friday, April 21

7:00a

7:58p

Saturday, April 22

6:59a

7:58p

Sunday, April 23

6:58a

7:59p

Monday, April 24

6:57a

7:59p

6:56a

8:00p

Wednesday, April 26

6:56a

8:00p

High: 85 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 10%

MOON PHASES

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

ONLINE

Thursday, April 20

Tuesday, April 25

High: 86 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 10%

High: 85 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 50%

Gordon Silver captured this shot of a few dozen white pelicans making a pit stop in a GreyHawk Landing lake.

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/weather and facebook.com/ObserverGroup

13B

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

WEATHER

FORECAST

|

April 26 New

May 2 First

May 10 Full

May 18 Last

RAINFALL Monday, April 10

0.00

Tuesday, April 11

0.00

Wednesday, April 12

0.00

Thursday, April 13

0.00

Friday, April 14

0.00

Saturday, April 15

0.00

Sunday, April 16

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2017 2.49 in.

2017 0.00 in.

2016

2016 0.89 in.

7.46 in.

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY 234487

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

CROSSWORD

941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

MOVIE LINEUP by Timothy B. Parker

90 Shout of joy in a church?

91 Marine flier 92 “___ Pupil” (Ian McKellen film) 93 Garden hose feature 95 Actually get out of bed 97 Beaver’s production 100 Palms yielding starches 102 Stable bits?

104 “___ on a Hot Tin Roof” 105 Third part of a trilogy 106 Easy play for a catcher 107 “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up” movie 112 Twosomes in the news 113 Type of legal hearing 114 High society group 115 Infield protector 116 Common linking words 117 Old-school “Far out!”

118 Most devious

38 Cookie jar denizen, sometimes 40 Cardinal color 43 “___ in victory” (early school lesson) 44 Football center’s responsibilities 45 “The ___ upon us” (time to act) 47 One of Snow White’s seven 50 “Now I see!”

51 Whirls around 52 Male deer 54 Some roofing or flooring pieces 55 High up, floating among the clouds 56 Some mosque officials 58 Beach mounds 59 Dictation expert of old 61 Go-between 62 Very difficult to find DOWN 1 Laugh in a mocking manner 64 “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates” 2 Capital city of Vietnam movie 3 On-again, off-again 4 “To the ___ degree” (math- 66 Requirements 68 Like a team of oxen ematics term) 72 Earth’s brightest light 5 Ones with the legal right 75 Potato state to vote 6 Puts another way, in writing 76 Alpha’s opposite 77 ___ of Arc 7 Mo. that has a scary last 78 Couple’s number day 79 Former home of the Circus 8 Drink with darts, often Hall of Fame 9 Enterprise captain 80 High-quality sketching 10 Like minks, famously material 11 “Mane” zoo attractions 82 Colt .45 or rifle 12 Hallow end 83 Act the seer 13 What makes Rob so 85 Has complete possession of formal?

14 “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s 86 One seeking to lose weight going to be a bumpy night” 87 Thrift store deals movie 90 Uses TNT 15 What Elmer tries to call 94 Divided into precise Bugs?

16 A wood finish, with “poly” districts 96 Hosp. section with many 17 Neutral color 20 Acute illness resembling IVs 98 Buenos ___ influenza 99 In the ___ of (surrounded 21 Jailed one by) 23 “Long, long ___ ...”

101 Saturn’s wife 28 Got a good look at 31 “I’ve a feeling we’re not in 103 Blend with a spoon 106 Orchestra’s place Kansas anymore” movie 107 Whirlpool place 32 Busy, insect-infested 108 Huge coffee server places 109 Cote quote 34 “I’ll be back” movie 110 Approaching 100 35 Celebrity slam-fest with 111 Seven on a sundial jokes

©2017 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Black eye 7 Mighty tree 10 Make a fast getaway 14 Stuck in ___ (going nowhere fast) 18 Back of a saddle seat 19 More prone to join an inner circle 21 Santa ___, Calif.

22 “I coulda been a contender” movie 24 Twin Mary-Kate or Ashley 25 Your competitor 26 Tooth on the rim of a gear wheel 27 Properly space text 28 Formally make a new law

29 Holiday purchase 30 Faithfulness, in wedding vows 33 Room for priestly robes 36 Ebenezer Scrooge’s exclamation 37 Kind of swing or fad ring 39 Put on the payroll 41 Shed tool 42 Name of several Norwegian royals 44 Cooks eggs, in a way 46 Lasting introduction?

47 Deceased 48 Large arm bone 49 Reporter’s jottings 50 Inspired wonder 51 Extremely heavy drinkers

52 Eyelid sores 53 Common transporter 54 “The thing I have in my hands” 55 Good thing to bring to the dinner table 57 Historic introduction 58 Cameron of Hollywood 59 More guileful 60 Beacon the typing instructor 63 Willfully breaking the Commandments 65 Opposite word 67 Ad makers 69 Little boulder 70 Offshore hazards 71 Real endings

73 Chinese “way” 74 Citizen or dweller 76 Tough, heavy responsibility 77 Weightlifter’s maneuver, sometimes 78 Rulers no more 81 Nitwit of a bird?

82 FBI operative in the field 83 “May the ___ be with you” 84 23222Soft or hard suffix 85 Big, clumsy goofballs 86 Musical piece for two 87 Was a wanderer 88 Food morsels 89 “___ Framed Roger Rabbit” (film)

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“PJ AXZEKY ACZH YZTLW CXZAJ CXTLWA CXSC SVJ YJACVEMCTNJ CZ CXJ JLNTVZLGJLC ... DTWEVJ ZEC LJP PSBA ZD JRTACTLW.” – GZIB “YRJ ... WJGWOYZTG Z VTY KTTDZGV OY YRJ JOAYR FOW, ‘SP VTB, YROY KZYYKJ YRZGV ZW WT CAOVZKJ THY YRJAJ!’” – OWYATGOHY SZDJ ITKKZGW Puzzle Two Clue: B equals D

Sarasota

TIMELESS ELEGANCE AT PRICES YOU’LL LOVE!

Puzzle One Clue: M equals C

STONE

©2017 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2017 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

4-20-17

Thursday, April 20, 2017

INFO & RATES: 386-447-9723, ext132 • Fax: 941-362-4808 • EMAIL: randi@palmcoastObserver.com • ONLINE: classifieds.yourobserver.com HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon • Service Directory - Friday at 3pm • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Autos For Sale

Duplexes For Rent

HONDA ELEMENT, silver, 2011, 29k, like new!

Leave message 631.875.1247

3 BEDROOM 2 bath, recently renovated. Near Home Depot on Cortez Road. $945/month, 1 year lease, no pets. 941.893.7325

Autos Wanted

Cleaning

Property Management RENTAL MANAGEMENT company taking more seasonal and annual properties.

Improve your rental return.

Call 941-782-1559 or visit: www.choosegulfcoast.com for a free rental appraisal

Fractionals

WE BUY cars. top $$ paid for your vehicles.

Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

GRAND CAYMAN penthouse at east end Morritts Tortuga club, Sloating time, leave message 631.875.1247

Classified Ads Bring Results 386-447-9723

Homes For Sale

Boats

SELL IT!

RESIDENTIAL & Office Cleaning/Home & Pet Sitting. Exceptional service since 2005. Reliable, honest & professional. 941−527−6120.

Home Improvement/ Remodeling

I PAY YOU $$$ I will give you back 50 percent of my Realtor commission!!! Buying a RESALE or

ChitwoodCharters.com Party/ Real Estate/ Wedding Cruises Marina Jack’s Docks Grand Banks and Selene Yachts 36/ft. to 68/ft.

2hrs./2 months 941-383-5232

NEW builder home in Sarasota or Manatee County? Buy your home using my services & get a check from me at closing.

BOB’S FLORIDA BASEMENTS Garage Storage Solutions Overhead 4’ x 8’ SafeRacks − $250 Custom wood shelf units Golf cabinets (941) 362−2923 www.bobsfloridabasements.com

Landscaping & Lawn Service

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

15 Years of Experience Denise Anderson, Realtor direct 941.284.4612 hrhdenise@hotmail.com office 813.260.3166 www.a-fulltime-realtor.com Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc

DRY DOCK covered boat slip on Longboat Key, $250/month. 6 month minimum. 941.201.4860

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales DESIGNER WATERFRONT ESTATE SALE 9am-6pm, April 21, 22, 23.

2712 Bay Dr, Bradenton, FL 34207 #’s 8 a.m.

Puzzle One Solution: “We should stop doing those things that are destructive to the environment ... figure out new ways of existing.” – Moby Puzzle Two Solution: “The ... sensation I got looking at the Earth was, ‘My God, that little thing is so fragile out there!’”

– Astronaut Mike Collins

SAVE THIS AD! This offer never expires!

Adult Care Services

A beautiful 5000 sq.ft. home filled to max with beautiful furnishings.

Estate jewelry, diamonds, gold & platinum and sterling hollowware. Curio cabinets, sofas, Hastings bow front china cabinet, oriential rugs, huge crystal chandeliers and lighting fixtures.

Beautiful dining room table & 10-chairs.

Washer & dryer. Glassware, porcelain and china. Hand carved large African mask Philippine executive desk, large wood African animals. Beautiful handpainted big cat oil paintings, Beautiful hand carved French wardrobes, leather furniture, 60” TV, huge lighted breakfront cabinet. 1995-29’ Baja boat, 2 inboard 450 hp motors, completely rebuilt, less than 6 months ago with aluminum trailer. Hardback books, high end stereo speakers & electronics, antiques, 6-huge entry way mirrors, beautiful pine bedroom suite, beautiful hide-away sofa chair w/ottoman, brand new queen mattress & boxsprings, occasional lamps and floor lamps. Listed artist artwork, decorator artwork, linens, clocks, stemware, patio furniture, plants, huge amount of garage items and tools, lots of bric-a-brac.

1995 Lincoln Mark 8 car. For more info and pictures please visit antiquesandchatchkes.com/estatesales or call Ken 941.356.3318

PERSONALIZED IN-HOME care to meet any needs. We provide medical and non-medical services 24/7. From transportation and housekeeping to meal preparation and medication assistance. We can create a customized plan that works for you. Call ElderCare Services at 3774465 or visit our website at: www.ElderCareSarasota.com for more information. Licensed, bonded and Insured.

Lic# 30211372

classifieds.yourobserver.com Auto Transport SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Cleaning BLUE FISH Cleaning Inc. 941-705-3812. sured, Bonded. Affordable reliable home ing, $80, 2 cleaners, 2 hours.

Inclean-

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342.

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services. Experienced, Dependable and ready to begin! Residential.

Excellent references. 941-773-6895.

CLEANING. RESIDENTIAL, Commercial.

We take pride in pleasing customers.

Vacation Homes, Resorts, Schools, Churches, 941-7564570.

Merchandise Wanted CASH FOR Old Military Items. Swords, uniforms, insignia & old guns. Call 941-416-3280.

DUSTBUSTER BY Dotty. Detailed cleaning. 30 Years Exp. Lic./Ins. Residential/Commercial. Small pressure washing, small paint jobs and residential pool cleaning. Year round customers. Dotty, 941321-6645.

Storage STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer. Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area.

941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

AIR CONDITIONING

Lakewood Ranch Lawn & Landscape LLC

941-373-5110 YARD BOSS Mowing, trimming, edging, and blowing. Family run business that is locally owned. Free estimates. (941) 806−9107

Painting/Wallpapering CARLO DATTILO painting. Licensed & insured.

Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates.

941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

Pet Services

Pools POOL SERVICE - reliable, affordable weekly pool service by certified owner. Hundreds of satisfied customers, many testimonials. SAVE MONEY WITH THIS AD. Call now, Blissful Pools, 941-7050400.

Pressure Cleaning AUTHORITY ONE services. Residential, Commercial and Construction Cleaning. Also available, power washing and windows. Call 941-2515948.

ALUMINUM Insured

941-358-3335

2200 51st. St., Sarasota, FL 34234 E-mail: tepe@tepeuph.net www.tepeuph.com

234397

Draperies • Furniture Upholstery • Slip Covers

License# CACO56980

Yoder Aluminum Inc. “Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

DIRECTORY

Email loritheaclady@aol.com Visit us at www.integrityacwholesale.com

2017

Retail Fabric Showroom

SERVICE

Call (941) 704-9413

This week’s Crossword answers

PROFESSIONAL PET SITTING: Certified Veterinary Technician serving all of Lakewood Ranch.

20+ Years experience.

E-mail: catladypetsitting@yahoo.com 856-981-2047.

(Service Call amount credited back w/repair)

NEED A SECOND OPINION? FREE!

©2017 NEA, Inc.

TEPE UPHOLSTERY

GETS THE JOB DONE! NEED A NEW AC? FREE ESTIMATES! NEED A SERVICE CALL? $89 to show up and diagnosis!

This week’s Sudoku answers

- Complete Lawn & Landscaping Maintenance - Irrigation Repair and Installation - Landscaping Installation

ALTERATIONS/UPHOLSTERY

INTEGRITY AC

238463

386-447-9723

or classifieds.yourobserver.com

WORKS FOR YOU Call 955-4888 to reserve your space LV10321

Yoderaluminum.com

Dustin Yoder yoderaluminum@gmail.com

15505 Lemon Fish Dr. Bradenton, FL 34202 Office 941-650-9790

238475

1958 68/ft. Trumpy Complete 2 Year Restoration For Sale or Charter

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

CONCRETE

Custom Surfaces Inc. DECORATIVE SURFACES FOR: PATIOS, POOL DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, ENTRYWAYS

PEST CONTROL

IKEAÂŽ KITCHEN INSTALLATION & DESIGN SERVICE

Be Your Own Pest Control Person.

Professional Products For Home + Yard.

Prevent All Insects Before A Problem.

Up To 80% Less Than Pest Companies.

BUG BUSTERS

by the Multi-Award Winning Kitchen Craft, LLC

Do-It-Yourself Pest Products Since 1993 Bradenton

Sliding Glass Door Repair We are Not IKEA’s Installers We are Your IKEA Kitchen Installer

COUNTRY CANINE MAKEOVERS DOG GROOMING

236912

REALTORS BRIDGET FORD

www.yourikeakitcheninstaller.com

REALTORÂŽ

Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating #USHIONS s 3LINGS s 5MBRELLAS

236916 38056

941.587.8093

• Dryer hot but clothes still wet after (1) drying cycle? • Dryer gets hot to the touch or doesn’t heat up at all?

SALE ON SELECT SNAPPER LAWN MOWERS

Take a simple test to see if your vent is clogged. Unhook your dryer vent & compare drying time.

www.smallenginerepairs.us

Ins./Bonded

LV10306

with Service Directory

Bisson RooďŹ ng Inc. Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

MASONRY

Reliable Marble Care, LLC – Stone Care Specialists Marble • All Natural Stones • Travertine • Granite • Terrazzo Grout Cleaning • Repair/ReďŹ nish • Clean & Seal

GROW YOUR BUSINESS Call today to reserve your space, 386-447-9723

Small Engine Repairs, 5002 Lena Road, Unit 107, Bradenton, 34211

237187

941-321-9441

www.homewatchofsarasota.com info@homewatchofsarasota.com

ROOFING 235612

Gulf Breeze Home Watch Peace of Mind While You Are Away

REALTY SELECT Each OfďŹ ce Independantly Owned and Operated

941-739-5102

23840

Call for Free Estimate reliablemarblecare.com

IRRIGATION

941-224-6649

941 - 748 - 7400 Financing Available • RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins. Owner Supervises Every Job

HALL AMERICAN SCREENING LLC Specializing in Lanai Screening and Panel Replacements David Hall

Maintenance - Repair -Installation

238414

LAKEWOOD RANCH PAINTING

• Interior & Exterior Painting & Wallcovering • Full Service Interior Design & Color Selection Assistance • Over 30 Years Experience Need a Referral? Matt Arndt, Owner Call today for Ask a Neighbor!

941-726-7077

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

954-1878

FREE ESTIMATES - Call Joel, Owner 30 Years Exp. Cell 619-405-7650 Home/OfďŹ ce 941-758-4840

236924

Homes - Driveways - Sidewalks - Tile & Shingle Roofs - Pool Cages & Decks

236896

Res./Com. Lic./Ins. ndow & Pressure Clea et Wi n s i n ng known as Sunrise Wind Su o merly For

a FREE estimate!

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES

GLENN KROECKER

• Pool Cage Restoration • Rescreening Specialists • Specialty Screens • Paint • Doors and more!

Satisfaction Guarantee Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

WINDOWS

236921

235766

THE GRAB BAR GUY (cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

941-345-5264

PAINTING

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

David Hall is the one to call!!!

237364

$ OFF repair over 100

941-888-2988 FREE ESTIMATES rainscape.com

941-993-9976

Licensed and Insured

235784

20 any irrigation

HallAmericanScreening@Gmail.com HallAmericanScreening.com

235905

rain sensors

$

www.bissonrooďŹ ng.com

SCREENING

MOVERS

A FULL SERVICE IRRIGATION COMPANY 15% OFF

8210 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202 mchaleman@yahoo.com KELLERWILLIAMS

238234

Are You Having Dryer DifďŹ culties?

PICK-UP & DELIVERY SERVICE

Starts at just $30/mo. • Family Owned and Operated Serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties

Marie Chaleman 941-301-6041

Lawn mowers - generators - grass trimmers pressure washers - atvs - chain saws

DRYER VENT CLEANING SPECIALISTS

Commercial

8334 Market St. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

www.amerovent.net

941-705-5468

Mobile (941) 730-0130 TOP PRODUCER Selling East County Coldwell Banker Res Real Estate

237210

LAWN CARE

HOME SERVICES

Residential

Beth.Barnett@oridamoves.com

235785

238402

Specializing in Custom Closets & Residential Storage Solutions

Home Sales and Annual Rentals

Beth Barnett REALTORÂŽ

Advertise your business in The Observer Service Directory Call 386-447-9723 to advertise

LV10370

“The smallest things make the biggest difference�

Cell: 941-720-5768

,HJO 6ɉJL PZ 0UKLWLUKLU[S` 6^ULK HUK 6WLYH[LK

OUT THERE!

HANDYMAN

Agner’s Handyman Home Services LLC

Bford53222@aol.com Bridgetford.com

GET YOUR NAME

/54$//2 &52.)452% %80%243 s 777 0!4)/2%0!)23 .%4

Cindy Wells 941-322-6381 941-928-2168

237823

236917

PATIO REPAIRS FurnitureSales Sales &&Repairs Furniture Repairs

PATIO FURNITURE REPAIRS

Call for appointment

Located off of SR 70 E. 1 mile North on Verna Bethany Rd. 7804 Barr Road Myakka City, FL 34251

Already have an IKEA Kitchen design you’re working with?

Email us for a FREE installation quote!

Your IKEA kitchen warranty will not be void if we install your kitchen

237814

PET SERVICES

Independent Svc Provider

FURNITURE REPAIR

www.agnershandyman.wix.com/handyman

528 E. Brandon Blvd.

922-1817 813-651-4477 746-6654 Mon-Fri 9 am-5:30 pm; Sat 9 am-2:30 pm

941-726-2662

941-504-0903

Brandon

5900 Tamiami Trail

235758

New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

Sarasota

3790 14th St. W. Behind Lowes

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE�

3680109-01

15B

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

DOORS

AMEROVENT

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

235744

3675768-01

237824

Licensed • Insured Lic. #25393

• POLY-PEBBLE / EPOXY • TEXTURED CONCRETE • RESEAL & REPAIRS • INTERLOCKING BRICK PAVERS Free Serving Sarasota 355-1148 Estimates Since 1979 SARASOTA • BRADENTON • VENICE

|

UP TO

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

ws

110

WINDOWS $ 25 STANDARD

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

% OFF + Additional $ 00 SPECIAL 1 0 5 www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com For Senior Citizens

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941-284-5880

386-447-9723

classifieds.yourobserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

A Century of American Stability Est.1898 – England, Arkansas

A Century of American Stability Est.1898 – England, Arkansas

MORTGAGES MADE EASY

Southwest Florida’s Most Trusted Direct Lender

LOCAL IN-HOUSE Underwriting and Loan Processing

Conventional Mortgages

FHA | VA | USDA | JUMBO

Reverse Mortgage Purchase or Refinance | Bridge Loans Give us a call and you’ll see the difference (941) 361- 1280

230515

Oday Marogi Area Manager NMLS# 457582

Dusty Meshberger Area Manager NMLS #412459

OVER 2.6 BILLION FUNDED IN 2016 235 N. Orange Ave, Suite 200 Sarasota, FL 34236

(941) 361-1280 | www.BOEFlorida.com Oday Marogi and Dustin Meshberger are not loan originators. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. All loans are subject to credit approval including credit worthiness, insurability, and ability to provide acceptable collateral. Not all loans or products are available in all states or counties. Bank of England is not affiliated with any government agency. Bank of England Mortgage is a division of Bank of England. NMLS 418481. Member FDIC. 238494

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