East County Observer 1.27.22

EAST COUNTY

Observer

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

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FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

VOLUME 24, NO. 11

YOUR TOWN

New school in a flash Construction has just begun, but LWR charter school plans August opening. PAGE 3A

Scott Lockwood

Pumped up about donation When Lakewood Ranch resident Frank Catania (above) stopped for a slice of pizza at The Shoppes at Summerfield on Jan. 12, his curiosity about OneBlood’s Big Red Bus got the best of him — for all the right reasons.

That moment of curiosity led to Catania donating blood, something he said he had never done before stepping onto the bus.

“I always saw the flyers around work, so I thought I’d go and donate blood and do something good,” Catania said.

OneBlood’s Darcy Bessette said that Catania was one of nine donors to that point of the day, and they were well on their way of exceeding their goal of 12 donors. All donors received a T-shirt and $20 e-gift card.

‘Everybody is on the edge’ East County husband-wife team provide thrills in powerboat racing. SEE PAGE 8A Jay Heater

East County’s Emma and Mike Quindazzi form a formidable team going into the Bradenton Area River Regatta on Feb. 12.

Liz Ramos

Chalk it up to teamwork Braden River High School freshmen Barbara Baeza and Ali Smith (above holding a mock-up of the project) checked to see how much progress the other 298 students were able to make on their “Finding Nemo and Dory” chalk mural they were working on Jan. 18-19.

The high school artists were working on the sketch of Pixar’s aquatic characters Nemo, Dory, Crush, Hank and Bruce from “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory.” Throughout the day, hundreds of other students used their skill to bring the characters to life.

“It was cool to see the progress without us being there,” Smith said. “It’s also cool to be able to work on it with other grade levels of students.”

The 800-square-foot mural was dedicated to this year’s graduating class. It took about 300 students about 15 hours across two days and about 350 sticks of chalk to complete.

A+E

Liz Ramos

The School District of Manatee County plans to test electric buses late in 2022.

An artistic walk.

SEE PAGE 13A

District plugs into trial If approved by board, electric buses will make debut. SEE PAGE 5A

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Sports campus takes shape UMR Sports has nearly completed its six pickleball courts and four sand volleyball courts, and baseball/softball fields are on the way.

OPENING SOON

SCOTT LOCKWOOD

The new pickleball and sand volleyball courts at the UMR Sports Complex at 151 Upper Manatee River Road will see their first use next month.

UMR Sports founder Ryan Moore said the volleyball courts will host a pro beach volleyball open on Feb. 12-13.

The pickleball courts will host a free, open play session on March 5.

Moore said that he is still working on pricing for memberships to play on the courts. For more information, visit UMRSports.com.

STAFF WRITER

U

MR Sports founder Ryan Moore took a break on a sunny afternoon to admire six new pickleball courts that are nearly ready for play in eastern Manatee County.

Those courts are the first major step toward the completion of the 52-acre UMR Sports complex, an athletic academy at 151 Upper Manatee River Road. The site was once part of the 500-acre Moore’s Dairy Farm.

Moore said the courts are painted blue and orange because those are the colors of the Florida Gulf Coast League, a softball league Moore runs that will move to the campus when the fields are completed. The courts were constructed by Palmetto-based Stewart Tennis Courts & Fencing and are made of asphalt, which Moore says is easier on players’ knees, legs and hips because it is a softer surface.

“We asked them to spend a little bit more time on the preparation of the court system itself,” Moore said. “We’ve added some extra seals.

They spent a lot of time curing the asphalt.”

The pickleball courts also feature turf areas for teams and spectator areas. A large screened structure that’s next to the easternmost court will serve as a lounge for UMR members.

“We created that so if members wanted to come and get out of the sun, they could turn on the fan and have their lunch or whatever,” Moore said. “That way they could see the competition with nothing in front of them.”

Four sand volleyball courts featuring an additional 17 feet of sand behind end lines to allow for jump serves are also part of the first phase of work at UMR. The courts will feature spectator areas, lights for nighttime play and space for advertisers.

The courts were built by Sarasotabased Landscapes by Aaron and designed to a standard that will allow him to bid for NCAA and National Junior College Athletic Association events, which is the goal for all of the complex’s facilities.

“I don’t know if there’s a plaza like this that has pickleball and sand volleyball together,” Moore said. “If we’re going to be able to attract high school championships and college championships or even pro athletes, we want this to be a professional destination.”

Moore said he is working on price points for memberships. Members will have the chance to work with Chandra Moore, Ryan Moore’s wife and a former professional tennis player and certified pickleball instructor who will be running the pickleball operation. Former professional beach volleyball player Bree Scarbrough will oversee volleyball.

The next phase of the campus will include the construction of a fiveplex of baseball/softball fields on the

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back 30 acres of the property. They’ll have fences 220 feet from home plate, which will allow softball play for all ages and baseball for players up to the age of 12. A spectator structure will be built in the middle of the complex, which Moore said is going through the permitting process with Manatee County. He hopes to see construction start in 2023.

“There’ll be five fields in a circle, so if you’re a college recruiter or if you’re a tournament director, they’re built for speed,” Moore said. “So you literally could be in the middle, and the fans can watch all five games going at the same time.”

Moore said later plans include a softball stadium that will be used by the Florida Vibe, a professional team that currently plays its games at Bradenton Christian School. Plans also call for two regulation-size baseball fields and two fields that will be used for lacrosse and soccer.

Seeing the campus’ continued development on the land where he grew up is special to Moore. He said it is a tribute to his parents’ legacy and is special because the land is not being used for residential development.

“That honestly would be the easiest thing to do,” Moore said. “But when you look around our area, when you look at what’s happening in Lakewood Ranch, and you look at what’s happening in Parrish, and now with Fort Hamer connection, there’s nothing like this except for Premier (the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch) to a certain degree. We thought that we could do something for the community and help the youth and adults have somewhere to go, whether it’s to play volleyball, baseball, softball or pickleball. We just wanted to bring this kind of excitement to the local community as our contribution to be good stewards of this land that we’ve had since 1956.”

Photos by Scott Lockwood

Above: Ryan Moore and Aaron Albritton of Landscapes by Aaron go over some of the final details on the volleyball courts.

Left: The first phase of construction of the UMR Sports complex features six pickleball courts and a screened structure that will be used as a lounge for members.

Below left: The UMR Sports Complex will be home to four professional-grade sand volleyball courts.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

TALE OF 2 PROJECTS Here is a comparison of the new charter school construction timeline to a public school timeline.

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy (Lower school) MARCH 2021 Filed application for charter school APRIL 2021 School Board of Manatee County approves charter school application AUGUST 2021 School Board of Manatee County approves charter school contract Rendering courtesy of Red Apple Development

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy will make its home on White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch. It is projected to be open in August.

Charter school plans speed forward ABOUT THE SCHOOL LAKEWOOD RANCH PREPARATORY ACADEMY Grades: Kindergarten through 12th grade Ages: 5-18 Opening dates: Lower school August 2022; high school August 2023 Location: Lower school at 5550 White Eagle Blvd.; high school at 5570 White Eagle Blvd.

Total enrollment: Approximately 1,965 students First year: Kindergarten through sixth grade and ninth grade (projected to have 740 students) Apply: LakewoodRanch-Prep. org Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy is tuition-free for students, and anyone can apply. Once the number of applications exceeds the capacity for each grade, a lottery system will be used to select students.

BUILDERS

Red Apple Development is a national developer of charter schools based in Fort Lauderdale.

It has built nearly 90 charter schools in the last decade in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, South Carolina, North Carolina and Louisiana.

Ryan Cos. is a national construction firm that specializes in architecture, engineering, development and real estate management.

It has worked with Red Apple Development to build approximately 45 charter schools.

Red Apple Development and Ryan Cos. work to meet July deadline for the new Lakewood Ranch charter school.

JULY 2022 Construction is projected to be complete

Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School JUNE 2017 Architecture and engineer and construction manager contracts approved

STAFF WRITER

I

DECEMBER 2021 Site work begins

AUGUST 2022 School expects to open

LIZ RAMOS

n December, workers began preparing an 18-acre site on White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch to become the home of the new Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.

Construction companies Red Apple Development and Ryan Cos. are making sure they are working fast.

Very fast.

In today’s world of supply chain issues, Charter Schools USA has asked Red Apple Development and Charter Schools USA to have the approximately 42,000-square-foot school ready to open by mid-July.

The new school is scheduled to open in August, and parents already have been enrolling students.

Besides construction, Red Apple Development and Ryan Cos. also are working to finish permitting.

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy will be a K-12 charter school being opened by Southwest Charter Foundation and Charter Schools USA. Included among Southwest Charter Foundation’s eight Florida schools is Manatee Charter School of Bradenton.

With only seven months left before Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy hopes to open for the 20222023 school year, Scott Woodrey, the president of Red Apple Development, said the project is on schedule despite the prevailing construction climate.

Woodrey said Red Apple Development has worked with Ryan Cos. to construct at least half of the nearly 90 charter schools Red Apple has built over the past decade. Ryan is a national construction firm that also handles architecture and engineering, development, real estate management and more.

He said they are able to construct the building at a fast rate because of Red Apple Development’s established relationship with Ryan Cos., their understanding of cost controls and value engineering, and their understanding of the requirements under the educational facility section of the Florida Building Code.

Woodrey said that unlike traditional public schools, charter schools do not need to abide by the State Requirements for Educational Facilities (SREF).

Instead, a charter school can follow the requirements under the educational facility section of the Florida Building Code, which Woodrey said is “no less stringent” than the State Requirements for Educational Facilities but has different requirements, such as the size of the facility.

NOVEMBER 2021 Location selected

Liz Ramos

The land is being cleared at the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy site on White Eagle Boulevard.

STEP BY STEP

Scott Woodrey, president of Red Apple Development, said it takes six to seven months on average to build a K-8 charter school of 40,000 square feet.

Here is the step-by-step work that is done to make the lower school (K-8) of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy a reality: n Earthwork — clearing land n Install plumbing, floor slab

and tilt walls n Install roof n Windows and exterior doors are put in place n Interior walls are constructed n Mechanical systems, such as the air conditioning, plumbing and electric, are put in place n Install drywall and ceiling n General painting and other detail work

“We’re not obligated to the same minimum square footage requirements as (SREF), so it allows us to build a little bit smaller school that is still completely adequate,” Woodrey said.

Woodrey said buildings constructed under the State Requirements for Educational Facilities are generally 15% larger, which takes a little longer to construct, as well as more money.

The lower school of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy will eventually house kindergarten through eighth grades.

Woodrey said safety and security requirements are the same in both buildng codes.

Another way the charter school is able to be built at a faster rate is if Red Apple Development submits building plans and permit applications to run concurrently with its site plan approval process.

“It does involve some economic risk because we’re assuming the site plan is going to get approved,” Woodrey said. “There is always a case that they don’t approve our site plan and then all the money and time that we spent on building plans and

paying for review could get wasted, but that’s a very rare situation.”

Red Apple Development also uses a model of a school it’s constructed before so that its staff doesn’t have to continually design a school from scratch.

“In Florida we’ve built over 50 schools, and there’s several different models,” Woodrey said. “We’re constantly refining, but we tend to start with a base that works and then tweak it as we go.”

On the Lakewood Ranch site, Woodrey expects earthwork to be complete at the beginning of February, and he anticipates the building permits to be ready around the same time.

Afterward, work will begin in putting plumbing into the ground, constructing tilt walls and more. Woodrey said tilt walls are a faster form of construction because the walls are poured horizontally onto the building’s floor slab and a crane hoists the panels into place. He said the construction of the tilt walls usually is a 45-day process.

Woodrey plans to have the school complete by July 15-20 to allow time for teachers and staff to move in and be prepared for the first day of school in August.

If for some reason, such as supply chain issues, the school is not finished in time for the semester, Woodrey said the school could use an alternate, temporary site or bring in portables.

Woodrey said they have mitigated supply issues by ordering supplies they knew would take several months to deliver ahead of time. For example, Red Apple Development ordered structural steel and Icynene, the insulation that goes into the roof system, in September, knowing it could take six to eight months to be delivered.

Woodrey hopes to start construction on the high school, which will house grades nine through 12, in September or October because it’ll take longer to construct. Charter Schools USA plans to open the high school in August 2023.

MARCH 2018 Final designs approved MARCH 2018 Construction begins JULY 2019 Construction is complete AUGUST 2019 School opens

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Top area Realtor dies

A Life Transformed

Patient feels healthier and more alive than ever after weight-loss surgery

Jim Soda, who died at 73, was a top Realtor in Lakewood Ranch for two decades.

One year after robotic sleeve gastrectomy (“gastric sleeve”) surgery* at Manatee Memorial Hospital®, Gianna Soussan, 26, weighs 128 pounds less and refers to her health and her life as “transformed.”

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

J

im Soda, one of Lakewood Ranch’s premier Realtors, died Monday after a long illness at the age of 73.

Longtime friend and fellow Realtor Matthew Sevarino said Soda was “basically the mayor of Lakewood Ranch.”

“He was just extremely friendly and happy,” Sevarino said. “He was the friendliest guy you could imagine ... extremely social and calm. He had been the leading Realtor in Lakewood Ranch for years.”

Soda moved to Lakewood Ranch from Canfield, Ohio, in 2001 after building a hauling business. His wife, Donna, said her husband started the business with two trucks and grew it to more than 200 trucks.

It was no surprise to Donna that her husband became a “perennial leader” in the area’s real estate industry. She said he was an incredible networker.

Donna and Jim Soda, who would have been married 29 years on Feb. 9, were best friends and partners, working together in the real estate industry. The Sodas and Sevarino had merged with Joel and Toni Schemmel in August 2021 to form the Schemmel/Soda Group with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Jim was, gosh, there is so much to say. He was just a great guy overall, and he was a leader in the real estate community in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota,” Toni Schemmel said.

“There always was a smile on his face. He had a good sense of humor.”

Toni Schemmel said she always could bounce ideas off Jim Soda because he was so knowledgable.

“The Soda name is synonymous with real estate in Lakewood Ranch,”

Gianna says she struggled with being overweight for as long as she can remember. As a teenager, she consulted a nutritionist and tried various diets, to no avail. Now, 14 months after weight-loss surgery, Gianna says she “feels healthier and more alive than ever.” Her related conditions, including pre-diabetes, hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, sleep apnea, migraines, anxiety and depression, have all resolved, she says.

“It wasn’t until I got to experience life in a healthy body for the first time ever that I truly recognized how much my weight affected my daily living,” Gianna says. “Everything I learned from my weight-loss team has now become a part of my lifestyle,” says Gianna. “I eat well and exercise a majority of the time, while being kind to myself and still allowing myself a treat once in a while.

After

“The surgery is only the first step,” says Stelios Rekkas, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Manatee Weight Loss Center physician and director of the surgical weight loss program at Manatee Memorial Hospital. “It’s the patient who makes the difference in their own life when they commit to using the lifelong tools we give them to help keep the weight off.”

Before

“Weight-loss surgery was the best decision I ever made.”

Gianna Soussan Robotic sleeve gastrectomy patient

Find inspiration from more stories like Gianna’s.

Visit: msaweightloss.com

*Gastric sleeve surgery reduces the size of the stomach so that the patient feels full with less, while still absorbing all of the needed nutrients. Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you. With limited exceptions, physicians are independent practitioners, who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. 22681583-729934 1/22

372770-1

232 Manatee Ave E | Bradenton, FL 34208 941-254-4957

Courtesy photo

Toni Schemmel said. “They were proud of the business they have built.”

Jim Soda joined Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in 2013.

Realtor.com lists Jim Soda, a University of Dayton graduate, as a former member of Prudential’s Chairman’s Platinum Circle, which placed him in the top 1% of agents nationwide for five consecutive years. He was in the top 100-selling Realtors for 2005-06.

Sevarino said Jim Soda was an avid golfer and a member of the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club. Sevarino said that passion helped him to become an expert when it came to those who wanted to buy a home in a golf course community or near one.

A mass at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church will be held at 10 a.m. on Feb. 4. No other public services will be held.

Jim Soda was one of the leading Realtors in Lakewood Ranch for years.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

District amps up bus program Manatee schools consider adding electric buses to the district’s fleet.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

5A

$300,000: Cost of electric bus

The School District of Manatee County plans to test electric buses.

$110,000-$115,000: Cost to the School District of Manatee County for an electric bus $110,000: Average cost of a regular bus 3-5: Buses the School District of Manatee County plans to have next school year 23: Counties eligible for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Electric Bus Project 20: Maximum number of buses the district can get through the grant 110: Bus drivers for the School District of Manatee County 100: Miles an electric bus can go before needing to be charged

“I do hope that it’s successful and we can expand it. As the technology improves and the range of the vehicles improves, then counties like ours will be hugely benefited. Right now the tech is somewhat new, so I’m excited we’re going to get the chance to give this a try.”

— Jamie Warrington

Warrington said general supply chain issues could mean it would take longer to get the buses.

“We’re thinking if the decision is made this spring, it’ll probably be late (this year) when we’ll be seeing the first group of electric buses,”

Warrington said.

Warrington said the electric buses most likely will run in the west part of the county at first because electric bus driving range is estimated at 100 miles. The district has identified four routes that would be about or less than 100 miles. School bus routes in Manatee County range between 100 miles to 180 miles.

“We have a lot of rural areas in Manatee County, unlike some of the other districts that’s all urban,” Warrington said. “Electric vehicles are good (in urban areas) because when you hit the break, it regenerates and helps keep the battery charged.

When you get into a county that has a lot of rural areas, there isn’t a lot of braking, so you’re limited as to how far you can go on a single charge.”

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T

he School District of Manatee County plans to have three to five electric buses in operation starting with the next (2022-23) school year.

The district has been awarded a grant that would cover a portion of the cost for an electric bus through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Electric Bus Project, which has an overall pot of $57 million to distribute. The Electric Bus Project would pay for approximately two-thirds of the cost of each bus.

Manatee County is among 23 counties across the state that were eligible for the grant because the Florida Department of Environmental Protection considers it an air quality priority area.

Joe Ranaldi, the chief operations officer for the School District of Manatee County, said the cost of an electric bus is about $300,000, but the district would have to pay about $110,000, which is the same cost of a diesel bus.

Florida Power and Light will provide the district free charging stations.

Ranaldi hopes the district will be able to charge the electric buses between running routes to and from schools.

The grant gives the district the opportunity to purchase a maximum of 20 buses, but the district plans only to buy three to five buses to start.

“I’m interested to see how it works out,” said Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation for the

School District of Manatee County.

“I do hope that it’s successful and we can expand it. As the technology improves and the range of the vehicles improves, then counties like ours will be hugely benefited. Right now the tech is somewhat new, so I’m excited we’re going to get the chance to give this a try.”

The district will bring all the information to the school board in the spring and, if approved, will move forward.

Ranaldi said the district is working with bus and battery manufacturers to identify a reasonable driving range for buses. The district has about 110 bus drivers and is in need of about 42 more drivers. On top of the bus driver shortage, the district is dealing with drivers unable to work due to positive COVID-19 tests.

“With our bus driver shortage, at this point, we’re extending our routes well beyond what a normal route would be in order to pick up additional bus stops per route,” Ranaldi said.

The district will use the three to five buses as an opportunity to study how the buses function in Manatee County. The district will find out more about driving range and what the best times will be to charge the buses. It will also analyze all costs associated with the electric buses compared with diesel buses.

From there, the district can decide whether to take advantage of getting more electric buses through the grant.

“We’re going to be studying it and maintaining the data on the usage, charging times and things of that nature,” Warrington said. “With each passing year, the technology improves.”

Once approved by the board, the district will work with manufacturers to provide the buses, which Ranaldi said could take between six and eight months to deliver.

BY THE NUMBERS

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

UNDER CONTRACT

UNDER CONTRACT

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Liz Ramos

Kaehla Eidson, a kindergarten teacher, reads a book in English to her students. Eidson teaches the English portion of the dual language program at Braden River Elementary.

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F

rances Vila, a kindergarten teacher at Braden River Elementary School, instructed her class in Spanish to pick up their red crayons and use them to color a crocodile.

An echo of “rojo” came from the students as they found their red crayons and filled in their crocodiles on a worksheet where they wrote “Yo veo un cocodrilo,” which means “I see a crocodile” in English.

Once they finished their writing assignment, Vila had her students singing and dancing to a song that taught them how to say numbers in Spanish.

Her class spent the morning of Jan. 21 learning all their lessons in Spanish before switching to Kaehla

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DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM A form of education in which students are taught literacy and content in two languages. It promotes bilingualism, biliteracy, enhanced awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and high levels of academic achievement through instruction in two languages.

Eidson, another kindergarten teacher, to spend the rest of the day learning in English as part of the school’s dual language program.

Braden River Elementary is the third school in the School District of Manatee County and the only school in East County to implement a dual language program that teaches students English and Spanish.

Two kindergarten classes with a total of 30 students are a part of the dual language program at Braden River Elementary.

Vila teaches her students entirely

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Draw a line from the English word on the left to the matching word(s) in Spanish on the right. See answers below.

escribir

Library

los deportes

Book

la biblioteca

School

aprender

Homework

jugar

Teacher

el libro

To read

la escuela

To write

la tarea

Sports

el profesor/la profesora

To play

leer

in Spanish while Eidson teaches solely in English.

Joshua Bennett, the principal at Braden River Elementary, said the dual language program, which starts in kindergarten and will continue through fifth grade, will help students become bilingual, learn about different cultures and to become lifelong learners.

Arika DeLazzer, the mother of kindergartner Addison DeLazzer, said her daughter is doing fantastic in the program.

“She loves going to the two different teachers and the two different dynamics of it,” DeLazzer said. “She loves all the songs she’s learning.

She’s just grasped onto it so quickly, it’s amazing.”

DeLazzer was hesitant to enroll her daughter in the program because she knew the transition from pre-K to kindergarten itself could be overwhelming, but after hearing about the program from the school and the district, she decided to enroll Addison. She’s glad she did.

Bennett, Vila and Eidson all said the students in the dual language program are doing well on assessments. The data shows they are learning at the same rate as the students in the school’s regular kindergarten classes.

Bennett said kindergartners are at the right age to be able to master the basics in both languages and they need it so they’re able to tackle more complex texts in English and Spanish in second and third grade.

Courtney Titus, the mother of kindergartner Lilly Titus, was apprehensive to enroll her daughter because she didn’t want having to learn two languages delay her learning.

“Now looking back and having gone through it for this many months, she has flourished,” Titus said. “It has added so much interest to her kindergarten experience. It’s been amazing. She loves learning a new language, and it’s given her a lot of confidence in herself and her abilities. She loves sharing with us all the new words she’s learned. I don’t feel like the program took away anything.

I feel like it added to her education.”

The whole Titus family has taken an interest in learning Spanish. Every morning before school, the family uses Duolingo to practice Spanish together.

“It’s just been a wonderful addi-

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tion to the house because it gives her something that’s special for her,” Titus said. “She can teach us something at the dinner table and tell us about what words she knows.”

DeLazzer said her daughter comes home sharing everything she’s learned that day.

“I just love that she’s learning two different languages,” DeLazzer said.

“It’s a great time for her to learn that, and she’s just caught onto it.

It’s awesome to see she can do colors, letters, words and she can sing songs in Spanish.”

Vila and Eidson said their students are eager to learn each day.

Students know their colors, numbers, letters and sounds in both languages now, Vila said. They’re working on learning letters, then syllables followed by words and eventually sentences.

“They’re constantly asking, ‘How do you say this in Spanish? How do you say this in English?’” Vila said.

“They want to know the language.”

“They’re thriving and have this passion for wanting to know more,” Eidson added. “It makes our job easier, and it makes our job fun to see those lightbulbs going off.”

Vila and Eidson are in constant communication with each other on their lesson plans and how their students are doing in their respective classes. They also work with the other kindergarten teachers to ensure they all are teaching the standards in the same timeline, and they also get support from the dual language staff at the district level.

Students spend half the day learning in English and the other half in Spanish. They alternate each week in terms of which class comes first.

“The kids are constantly immersed every single day so they get to practice every day,” Vila said.

Eidson and Vila said repetition is key to helping students understand concepts in both languages. Vila uses hand motions and expressions to help students visually understand what she’s saying. For example, when she asked students to color their crocodiles red, she picked up the red crayon and showed the class as she said, “Crayola roja.”

Parents will be able to register their kindergartners for the dual language program during the school’s Kindergarten Round Up in the spring.

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Answers: To learn (aprender); Library (la biblioteca); Book (el libro); School (la escuela); Homework (la tarea); Teacher (el profesor/la profesora); To read (leer); To write (escribir); Sports (los deportes); To play (jugar)

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We are so proud to be part of this incredible event!

ENGLISH/SPANISH MATCH To learn

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

EAST COUNTY

IF YOU GO

Courtesy photo

Speed thrills Sometimes the powerboats in the Bradenton Area River Regatta really do fly.

Above: East County’s Mike Quindazzi competes in the 2021 F1 Nationals in Springfield, Ohio.

Below: East County’s Emma and Mike Quindazzi moved to East County because they love the Bradenton Area River Regatta and the popularity of powerboat racing in Florida.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

E

ast County’s Mike Quindazzi and his wife, Emma, both grew up with racing in their blood.

Sometimes that blood pumps faster than others.Emma Quindazzi acts as her husband’s spotter during powerboat races, such as the upcoming Bradenton Area River Regatta Feb. 12.

Being a spotter is critical in a sport where the drivers hit top speeds of 120 to 130 miles per hour. As Mike Quindazzi said, “You have loose control ... but it is control.”

With every decision needing to be made in a split second, drivers rely on yheir spotters to tell them what danger lurks all around them. Such a responsibility makes Emma a big part of each event, and helps her experience the racing excitement she craves.

But during a race last year on the Ohio River in New Martinsville, West Virginia, Emma Quindazzi had a little more excitement than she wanted.

Mike Quindazzi was racing a new boat and he was trying to get a little extra speed.

“Everybody is on the edge,” Mike Quindazzi said. “You have to know where that edge is.”

As he picked up the extra speed, the front of his boat began to rise.

Emma Quindazzi remembered what she told him.

“Oh no ... oh no ... oh no ... it’s going to go,” Emma Quindazzi said into her husband’s earphone.

And it went.

Mike Quindazzi’s boat blew over.

“Most of the time, these float upside down,” Mike Quindazzi said of when they blow over. “They are all carbon fiber.”

Before Mike and Emma Quindazzi decided to pursue F1 racing in 2019, they dominated at other levels of power boat racing that Mike Quindazzi calls “open top” racing.

That domination included a Sprint Nationals championship in 2018 and a Classic Outboard Runabout national title in 2013. They had homes in Huntington Beach, California and Parker, Arizona to be near powerboat venues.

But concerned about safety, they decided to move to F1 racing, where the boats have a cover over the cockpit.

The race in New Martinsville was a test of that theory.

Fortunately, the cover blew off the cockpit before Mike Quindazzi landed upside down in the water.

“You relax, cross your arms and

everything gets quiet,” Mike Quindazzi said of the moment when air lifts the boat off the water and sends the front up over the back. “Then you hear a big boom (the boat hitting the water) and you let go of the wheel.”

The F1 boats are equipped with air regulators, but drivers don’t grab for those if they feel they can get out immediately.

“You have that six-point harness you are in, and it operates with a pull strap,” Mike Quindazzi said. “But you are hanging in it (upside down in the water), so it is tight. You have to thrust your body.”

After thrusting his body, Mike Quindazzi came loose. He said the next thing to remember is to swim downward.

With everything lasting about 20 seconds, he was safe.

“Boating is inherently dangerous,” he said.

But it does run in his blood. His late father, also Mike Quindazzi, was a multiple national champion in “open-top boats.” His dad set an American Power Boat Association “Mod VP” record on a 1 1/4-mile course at 68.524 mph in 1983.

The younger Quindazzi decided to pursue motorcycle racing instead, a pursuit that eventually led to him meeting his wife. She also enjoys riding motorcycles, and they met during a trip to Europe for a Ducati Motorcycle Tour. Emma Quindazzi’s father built sailboats in England and she enjoyed yacht racing. Also, like her husband, she is in the software development business.

“Boats are my soul,” Emma Quindazzi said. “Without racing, I wouldn’t be happy. I love it.”

SEVENTH ANNUAL BRADENTON AREA RIVER REGATTA When: Test runs begin at 10 a.m., qualifying heats at 1 p.m. and championship races at 4 p.m., Feb. 12 Where: Along the Manatee River with great viewing areas at the Bradenton Riverwalk and on the Green Bridge; and along the waterfront in Palmetto Classes: SST/120 F-2 class (top speeds of 120 mpg) and SST-45 “Formula Lights” (speeds of 70 mph) Admission: Free Music: On the Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion stage — “Almost ABBA,” “American Made Band” and the “Blooze Brothers.”

On the Palmetto Main stage — “Andy Pursell Band” and “Randy McNeeley Band.”

Complete list of bands and times at BradentonAreaRegatta.com Special guests: World flyboarding champ Kristen Smoyer does acrobatics 80 feet in the air on an elevator of water from Pier 22 at 7:15 p.m.; the Frisbee flying canines of “Team Zoom” and “Daredevil Dogs” perform at the Bradenton Riverwalk Stage at noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

For kids: A kids zone will be offered on both sides of the river (Bradenton Riverwalk and Palmetto Riverside West Park) Fireworks: Zambelli Internationale provides the fireworks over the river near the Green Bridge after the final race of the day

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After they got married, they decided to race powerboats in 2011 and moved to Parker, Arizona, to be close to racing. The Parker Enduro was a classic race on the Colorado River that had been held since 1963.

Mike Quindazzi found that many of the competitors who had raced against his dad were still racing, or their family members were racing.

They both enjoyed the camaraderie of racing.

But safety became the deciding factor when they went to F1 racing.

The switch in class led them to the Bradenton Area River Regatta and they not only loved the race, they loved the region.

Powerboat racing is popular in Florida so the Quindazzis moved, buying a home in February 2019 between State Roads 70 and 64, east of Lakewood Ranch. Mike Quindazzi built a large workshop where he spends much of his time crafting parts for his boats.

While the Bradenton Area Regatta wasn’t the only reason they moved, it was a main reason.

“Bradenton gives the fans a unique viewing opportunity,” Mike Quindazzi said. “The spectators can look down on the race (from the Green Bridge). It’s a flat, circle course, and a tight course. It can get rough. But a lot of races go out 3-4 miles and you can’t see them. This is a 7/8ths mile course and you can get a great view from the bridge or the (Bradenton) Riverwalk.”

Emma Quindazzi listed a few other reasons they love the world of racing.

“We have a racing family, so we like the beers at the end of the day, and we like the barbecues and the cookouts,” she said.

Mike Quindazzi was smiling, but he had work to do on his boats.

Competing is fun, but as he said, “We’re there to win.”

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Jay Heater

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

SIDE OF RANCH

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

9A

JAY HEATER

LECOM Suncoast Classic extends contract O

n the final day of the World Golf Championships at The Concession last February, I stood behind the 18th green having a conversation with another person as the pros, who were back down the fairway, were selecting clubs for their approach shots.

Now, understand that the conversation was not a loud one, and no pro was standing over a shot. These pros were about 180 yards away.

I had turned my head a bit and locked eyes with another spectator, who was lounging in the grass.

Only this spectator obviously was peeved.

I turned and looked around a bit, and then made like Robert De Niro in “Taxi Driver.”

“You looking at me?’

Yes, indeed, I was getting this guy’s best death stare and didn’t need him to yell at me. I knew he thought I was breaking some golden rule in golf’s book of fan etiquette that says you can’t speak, cough or sneeze once the players are within 500 yards. God forbid my description of the food truck’s barbecue ribs was going to cause Collin Morikawa to shank one into the lake, costing him $1.8 million.

For golfers out there, think of the guy who has a tantrum because during a Sunday round at the local club, his mates stand in his sight line on the green. It doesn’t matter that it’s his 97th shot of the day.

Just call him “Arnie.”

Such is the environment when watching the PGA Tour, which was gracing Lakewood Ranch because the event had to be moved out of Mexico City due to COVID-19 complications. We were treated to the best golfers in the world thanks to a freak occurrence.

My thought at the time was that the freak occurrence might deliver a knockout blow to our annual Korn Ferry Tour event.

File photo

Hayden Buckley won the 2021 LECOM Suncoast Classic. LECOM has extended its contract as the tournament’s main sponsor through 2026.

The LECOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) Suncoast Classic is set to have its fourth event in a five-year contract on Feb. 17-20 at Lakewood National Golf Club.

With the Korn Ferry Tour and the

PGA Tour running back to back in our area last year, I was afraid local fans might tire a bit of golf’s “minor leaguers.”

Sure, many of the players you see during Korn Ferry events are going

to be tomorrow’s stars. But they aren’t stars now.

Consider living on a pond in Alaska and every year the San Francisco Spiders minor league hockey team comes to face your local team.

Then one year the New York Rangers show up. Do you still get the same thrill the next year watching the Spiders?

Complicating matters for the LECOM Suncoast Classic has been that contract. Would LECOM, the main sponsor, wonder whether it was getting its money’s worth at a level where the tournament is not televised? Would LECOM worry that the Lakewood Ranch community would become bored with the event and not show up to watch or volunteer?

Those questions were answered Tuesday, when the Korn Ferry Tour announced LECOM has signed a three-year contract extension through the 2026 event to remain the Suncoast Classic’s main sponsor of the Lakewood Ranch event.

It’s a windfall for the Suncoast Classic, which had faced COVID-19 pandemic challenges in last year’s event. It also will showcase a moremature Lakewood National Golf Club course, which was new when the tournament began in 2019. The landscaping has had a chance to take hold.

“We are grateful to have LECOM as part of the Korn Ferry Tour family,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin in Tuesday’s press release. “Bradenton is an amazing community with supportive, passionate fans, and the LECOM Suncoast Classic has solidified itself as a favorite among our players.

With an ever-growing commitment to charitable giving and making a difference in the local community, the LECOM Suncoast Classic will continue to be staple on the Korn Ferry Tour for years to come.”

OK, so Baldwin gave Bradenton a tip of the hat and not Lakewood Ranch. At least it’s on the map.

This year’s tournament will be held at Lakewood National Golf Club’s Commander Course, with a purse of $750,000. Tickets are on sale at LECOMSuncoastClassic. com.

The Korn Ferry Tour release noted that the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund, the First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee, the Bradenton Dream Center and the Visible Men Academy will be the tournament’s benefiting charities in 2022. The tournament has raised more than $600,000 for charity since its inception.

LECOM President and CEO John Ferretti said in the release that the tournament nurtures future leaders who perform at the highest levels.

So with no regular PGA Tour event in our future despite The Concession’s heralded performance in hosting an event in 2021, it appears we need to embrace our next-level golf pros.

That’s OK with me, too, because they have terrific talent and are approachable. Most of them haven’t become stars yet, so they appreciate every single fan who shows up to applaud them.

And if I am drinking a beer and talking a bit when they approach the 18th green at Lakewood National, well, I won’t miss Arnie’s death stare.

Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.

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STAFF WRITER

W

ith its 4,250-square-foot expansion, the Braden River Library has significantly added to the opportunities it offers the community.

Included in the expansion are a makerspace, three study rooms and a meeting room. The library’s additions have been built so people could create their own projects, have space to gather with others, or even just find a quiet place to study.

Bradenton’s Avianna Owens works on the “Encanto” sticker she created at the library.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

1 2 3 400

New meeting room 3D printers available to use New study rooms

Visitors per day to the Braden River Library during the pandemic

700-800

Visitors per day to the Braden River Library before the pandemic

4,250

Square footage of expansion

“It’s been wonderful,” said Cathy Laird, the branch supervisor for the Braden River Library. “We’ve gotten so many happy customers who come in and say how beautiful (the expansion) is.”

The makerspace, which is called Studio 70, has three drop-in times each week for projects.

On Jan. 15, for example, more than 40 people of all ages used the space for various reasons.

“When we first started having drop-in programs, we’d get a couple of people, maybe one family, and those numbers are climbing as people become aware that the opportunity is there,” Laird said.

Bradenton’s Avianna Owens was able to use the Cricut machine to make a sticker inspired from Disney’s “Encanto” during an all-ages drop-in period.

Laird said some of the patrons are so impressed they have come back multiple times to Studio 70.

For example, one dad and his son came into Studio 70 to use the 3D printer for a school project because they didn’t have a 3D printer at home. A woman came to use the 3D printer to make a pair of doll shoes for her collection of Barbie-type dolls. Another woman made a cake top using the 3D printer.

The four study rooms and addi-

tional meeting room are constantly being used and allow the library to host more programs and organizations at the same time.

The Forty Carrots nonprofit uses a meeting room every Friday morning.

An AARP tax aide wants to come to the library the same day to provide tax assistance. In the past, the two would conflict but now the group and tax aide can use the library at the same time.

Laird said the library still is working to get back to pre-COVID numbers for visitors. Before the pandemic began, the library had between 700 and 800 visitors per day. Now the library has about 400 visitors per day.

With the expansion and the new programs the library is offering, Laird is confident the library will see more visitors and program participants in the near future.

Laird said the library has plenty to offer children, including its story times, but she said the library needs to add more adult programming.

Among the planned additions include a ukulele class, a “What’s it Worth” program to evaluate the worth of antiques, and a “Life in the Circus” program. The library has worked with community organizations to host a knitting group.

With its new space, the library also offers more opportunities to learn about coding, robotics, sewing, crochet and more.

Laird wants to start yoga and watercolor programs with the possibility of an art show at the end of the series of classes.

“They’re opportunities to not only learn a new skill but to make new friends,” Laird said.

Laird said the new two-story, 50,000-square-foot library being built in Lakewood Ranch will be a welcome addition to the county’s library system.

“We’ve always been too small for the area we serve,” Laird said. “We’re looking forward to having that ease some of the load off this branch because this is the little engine that could. We’re one of the larger branches, but even so, we’re not near large enough capacity to handle the volume that’s needed for that entire (East County) area.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

PET PICS Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them! Share them at YourObserver.com/contests/pet-pics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!

THE FUTURE, STARRING

You

For 92 years, The Players Centre for Performing Arts has served as the region’s creative anchor and community theatre. Each stakeholder who believes in our mission has played a vital role in our theatre’s history, from children to college students, professional performers to patrons and countless volunteers who live across Florida’s “Cultural Coast.”

WRAPPED IN A BOW: A very cute 2-year-old Jasmine enjoys a life of comfort in Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

First Physicians Group Welcomes

Now, we invite you to play a lead role in continuing our legacy. As we work to break ground on our new theatre facility in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, your donation will help us continue to entertain, educate and engage more than 60,000 local and regional visitors annually. Your support and participation will help us enhance classes for students of all ages, hold workshops, present shows and expand the impact of the arts on the Suncoast.

Bassem F. Philip, MD We are pleased to welcome a new internal medicine specialist to the First Physicians Group (FPG) network. As a board-certified specialist in internal medicine, Dr. Philip provides patient-centered, comprehensive care for adults that includes yearly physicals and screenings to promote a healthy lifestyle in addition to the management of chronic conditions and complex disease processes. His expertise and experience ranges from treating hospital inpatients to providing outpatient primary care.

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JANUARY 27, 2022

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

This vibrant ballerina is part of Eduardo Kobra’s “Dance” mural on the second floor of the Palm Avenue Parking Garage.

The “Music” mural by Chor Boogie on the fourth floor of the Palm Avenue parking garage contains super bright colors and images.

This Nate Baranowski mural at Florida Studio Theatre is based on a work by Edward Robert Hughes.

SPENCER FORDIN A+E EDITOR

Y

ou know a city takes art seriously when it decorates its intersections and parking garages.

The Nate Baranowski mural below is based on art

by Eugene Ivanov.

Five Points, a historic anchor of downtown Sara-

sota, is now so full of public art that it seems like you’re seeing another mural or another sculpture on every corner – and sometimes even in the crosswalks.

Enter Arts Advocates, who have developed a walking curriculum of the city’s public art treasury.

The local group is running three tours in which its docents discuss the pieces on display and the public proliferation of local art, and the Five Points walk recently brought a group to enjoy the scenery around the Art Ovation Hotel and the Florida Studio Theatre.

SEE ART TOUR, PAGE 14A

Nate Baranowski’s “Man With Umbrella” takes up the whole side of a building.

Photos by Spencer Fordin

Arts Advocate docent Stephenie Frasher stands in front of Brandon Thrift’s “Love One Another” mural.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Art tour

HOW PUBLIC ART IS FUNDED

FROM PAGE 13A

The tour, led by docents Nanette Crist, Judy Levine and Stephenie Frasher, started right in the shadow of the Art Ovation Hotel, and the talk began at the beginning of Sarasota’s local art scene.

The first contributions to Sarasota public art occurred through John Ringling back in the 1920s, and the sculptures he donated still decorate St. Armands Circle.

Decades later, Sarasota began its own public art program, and it now has more than 80 pieces of public art on display.

Starting at Art Ovation and walking up Cocoanut Avenue, the tour finds three highlights within the first block.

There’s a bike painted white with two flamingoes on it by local artist William Pearson — also known as Dr. Nik — and a technicolor mural with a message by Brandon Thrift.

The mural reads “Love One Another” and is festooned with rainbow bright lines and colored hearts.

And just yards away, there’s a painted crosswalk that brackets Cocoanut Avenue and Second Street.

That installation, known as the Pride Walk & Street Mural, was laid down last spring to commemorate Pride Week and to foster an air of inclusivity.

You won’t have to walk too far — like literally across Cocoanut Avenue — to find the next hub of activity.

There are a group of murals and sculptures around the Florida Studio Theatre campus, and the area is dominated by the work of muralist Nate Baranowski.

Baranowski contributed three murals that take up the entire side of a building, and he also worked on a smaller and more intimate piece of William Shakespeare in the theater’s inner courtyard.

Two of the Baranowski murals are re-creations of pieces by Eugene Ivanov, and another was inspired by a piece made by Robert Evans Hughes. That last piece, an ethereal woman, evokes the style of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“There’s a lot going on. The col-

Spencer Fordin

Arts Advocate docent Judy Levine speaking in front of the Clockwork of Convergence sculpture by Vicky Randall.

IF YOU GO

Arts Advocates Walking Tours City Hall: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Feb. 14 Rosemary District: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 11 Tickets: $30, members $28 Info: ArtsAdvocates.org.

Contact: NCrist17@Gmail.com

ors are very saturated. It’s a complex painting,” says Crist of the mural.

“It’s a beautiful work of art. You don’t really need to study it to look for some deeper meaning.”

The tour also makes a stop at a lovely sculpture with a long history in Sarasota called Butterfly Lady that graces the front courtyard of Florida Studio Theatre, and another sculpture arranged in the intersection of Cocoanut Avenue.

That latter sculpture — dubbed Jumping Fish by Jeff Laramore — is intended to evoke the image of fish

leaping out of the water, and Levine said it was commissioned with a $150,000 grant by the city.

“It’s here in the roundabout. It stands 16 feet tall, 12 feet wide,” says Levine. “Look how open the design is. The artist has to think about safety, visibility of traffic and things we never really consider an artist doing.”

Jumping Fish is one of three roundabout projects that have already been brought to completion, and there are roundabout art improvement projects in the works at four additional locations.

The Five Points tour winds past the Art Ovation hotel and includes a brief lesson on sculpture and a chalk drawing on the sidewalk, and then it proceeds to its piece de resistance: The Palm Avenue Parking Garage.

There are five distinct murals in the garage dealing with elements of the Sarasota art scene: theater (sixth floor), opera (fifth floor), music (fourth floor), film (third floor) and dance (second floor).

The murals were completed as

part of the “Going Vertical” edition of the 2012 Sarasota Chalk Festival, and they each choose fitting subjects to illustrate their theme.

Muralists Marco Bell and Monica Spain, who painted the opera mural, chose a Madame Butterfly motif to underline that the garage empties into the Sarasota Opera facility.

“Musicians and artists always say, ‘It’s nice to get work,’” says Bell of the mural. “Originally, I think we thought we were going to be the one on the floor below.

“We had originally planned for this to be on one facade, but it turns out that it turns right here. It worked out in that our design didn’t have to be modified; it just took a bend in it.”

The interesting part is that the tour, which takes about 90 minutes, only covers part of Sarasota’s public arts legacy.

Arts Advocates also conducts tours of the City Hall area — which will next be held on Feb. 14 — and of the Rosemary District, which is scheduled for March 11.

For every multifamily or commercial project valued at more than $1 million, the developer is required to contribute to Sarasota’s public art fund.

Developers can make a cash contribution of $5,000 per $1 million valuation, or they can commision a work with commensurate value to be placed on their property or elsewhere.

If the work is placed on their property, the developer is required to fund maintenance.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

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Courtesy photo

Photo courtesy of John Jones

Nicholas Caycedo, Sheffield Chastain and Linden Tailor in “America in One Room.”

We can work it out Jason Odell Williams’ ‘America in One Room’ proves the power of dialogue in a world-premier production at Florida Studio Theatre.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Jason Odell Williams is an awardwinning playwright and Emmynominated television producer based in New York City. His plays, such as “Church & State” and “Handle with Care,” explore both the political and the personal.

His latest play, “America in One Room,” does both. It’s now on stage at Florida Studio Theatre. Williams created this reality-based drama in 2020 during the summer of social distancing as part of FST’s Playwrights Project.

Writers are often asked where they

got the idea, and they usually give the same answer: Ideas are everywhere. There’s a constant stream on TV, snippets of conversation, dreams, the radio, the internet or the newspaper.

Getting an idea is the easy part.

Finding a good idea is not so easy.

The trick, as Williams knows, is noticing when a good idea comes along.

“I got it from a news story in ‘The New York Times,’” he says. “Not a front-page article. It was buried in the back of the news section.”

According to Williams, that article was about an event called America in One Room.

A nonprofit, nonpartisan group was behind the experiment.

In September 2019, the group gathered more than 500 people from all across the country and put them in one hotel room in Texas.

The participants came from all walks of life and all political affiliations: Democrats, Republicans and

everyone in between. In one room, they were divided into big groups and small groups to talk about the big issues.

And talk across party lines.

The theory: If you put a diverse array of people in a room and get them talking to one another, you could change the polarized dynamic of contemporary America.

“It had to be real talk, not people yelling at each other on Twitter, not quoting sound bites back and forth,” says Williams. “It had to be a real conversation, with real answers to honest questions. ‘Why do you think that? Why do you vote that way?

What issues are the most important to you?’”

The organizers got the people talking about their deepest concerns.

It was a bold experiment that didn’t immediately work.

At the beginning of the week, it felt like the participants’ ideas were planted in the ground and nobody would budge. By the end of the week,

it felt like there was much more wiggle room, more give and take. More people started seeing things from the other person’s point of view. and it wasn’t contentious.

“The experiment finally did work,” Williams says. “It showed that peoples’ hearts and minds can change.

That captured my imagination.”

Williams adds that America’s contemporary political landscape can seem hopelessly divided, like a deadlocked shouting match with no possibility of change or real dialogue.

“If you’re on one side, that’s it; if you’re on the other side, that’s it,” he says. “You’ve got to pick sides, and you won’t even talk to the people on the other side.”

Williams saw this experiment as a glimpse of hope. It grabbed his attention, and he instantly saw the dramatic potential.

“I thought this news story would be a great jumping-off point for a play,” he says. “But ‘America in One Room’ is still a fictionalized version of the actual events. For this story to work on stage, I had to make it interesting. The reality was just a room with people talking. So I had to invent some dramatic conflict.”

After a long gestation, Williams’ reimagining of America’s one-room dialogue is finally on one stage. The playwright says he was “thrilled” to see a fully staged performance of his new play in front of a packed house at FST. What would he like to see next?

“My corny hope with this play is that it will go on to get produced all across the country and start conversations and make America a little less divided,” says Williams. “A little more united, and maybe even a little happier, at least until they turn on the news again.”

Playwright Jason Odell Williams based his play “America in One Room” on reallife political discourse.

IF YOU GO

‘America in One Room’ When: Through Feb. 27 Where: FST Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota Tickets: $36-$39 Info: Call 366-9000, or visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA By

THORNTON WILDER Directed by

DESDEMONA CHIANG

“In our politically and socially divided world, the gently forceful message of Our Town, to appreciate life while we’re living and make the most of every moment, feels especially potent” – Sarasota Herald-Tribune

NOW – MARCH 26

By

BESS WOHL

Directed by

CELINE ROSENTHAL

Friday, February 4th from 5-8pm

NOW – APRIL 1

Merchants will be staying open to welcome you with refreshments, LIVE MUSIC & LIVE CIRCUS PERFORMERS.

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Presented by Downtown SRQ Enrichment Association DestinationDowntownSarasota.com @DestinationDowntownSarasota

SEASON SPONSORS

Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation

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SHOW SPONSORS

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

THIS WEEK

OUR PICK

PIANIST EMANUEL AX PERFORMS CHOPIN Emanuel Ax, winner of a handful of Grammy Awards, is coming to Van Wezel to pay tribute to Chopin. Ax, a piano professor at Juilliard who has collaborated with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma on multiple award-winning productions, won honorable mention at the International Chopin Festival in 1970.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 Where: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $30-$95 Info: SCASarasota.org/ GreatPerformers.

Elizabeth Baker will perform “Void” on Monday as part of EnSRQ’s season.

THURSDAY

‘DANCE MAKERS’ 7 p.m. at Jane B. Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $10-$45 Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

LUNCHEON SERIES: STUDIO OPERA STARS 11 a.m. at Bird Key Yacht Club, 301 Bird Key Drive $54 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Come enjoy a delectable meal and listen as singers from the Sarasota Opera’s Studio Artists Program play the Bird Key Yacht Club. Program director Maestro Johannes Löhner will accompany the singers as they power their way through a selection of opera favorites.

A number of nationally acclaimed contemporary choreographers, including Dazaun Soleyn, Jennifer Nugent and Adele Myers, will be taken on by the expressive movers of the Sarasota Contemporary Dance troupe.

Dance Makers will also bring back

CHAMBER SOIRÉE 6: ‘INHERITANCE’ 5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail $38-$48 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

“Kinda Cagey,” a piano and dance duet performed by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Francis Schwartz.

Runs through Jan. 30.

LYNNE KOPLITZ 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $25 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

You might have seen her on her Netflix special, “Hormonal Beast.”

Now, Lynne Koplitz is coming to make you laugh in person. Koplitz will play two shows Friday and two shows Saturday before wrapping up her stay Sunday. Koplitz, a Long Island, New York, native, has also appeared in several Comedy Central programs.

HARRY CONNICK JR. 8:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail $162-$207 Visit VanWezel.org.

Family ties are the theme for this event; the three featured composers — Beethoven, Mozart and Michael Tilson Thomas — all entered their field after learning their craft from their fathers.

The orchestra will play Beethoven’s “Quintet Op. 16 for Piano and Winds,” Mozart’s “String Quartet No. 17, K. 458, The Hunt,” and “Street Song” by Thomas.

The New Orleans crooner will be the featured performer at the 2022 Van Wezel Inspiration Gala. Connick Jr. will play selections from his distinguished career after diners contribute to support arts education in Sarasota. The gala is in its 20th year of working toward its mission of enriching the community through the power of the arts.

FRIDAY JAZZ AT TWO: THE FIVE POINTS QUINTET 2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Road $10-$20 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Guitarist Marc Mannino fronts the Five Points Quintet, which plays a variety of standards as well as jazz and bossa nova. The supporting musicians are vocalist Darcie Allen, saxophone player Pete Carney, drummer Bob Lunergan and bassist Pete Innocenti.

KANSAS: ‘POINT OF KNOW RETURN’ 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail $68-$141 Visit VanWezel.org.

Carry on my wayward band. Kansas has been touring the country for nearly five decades, and this tour commemorates the band’s fifth album, which contains the smash hit “Dust in the Wind.” Kansas has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, and now it’s bringing the Midwest to Van Wezel.

SATURDAY TONY SANDS PRESENTS ‘RAT PACK TOGETHER AGAIN!’ 2 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave W., Bradenton $30 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. org.

They’re still swinging. Relive the timeless singing of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. as the revival act’s hep cats cruise through some of the best-known songs in the pop canon.

HISTORY OF ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM 4:30 p.m. at Midge Johnson Fine Art, 3983 Destination Drive, Osprey $25 Visit MidgeJohnsonFineArt.com.

The moving worlds of piano and painting intersect at Midge Johnson’s Fine Art gallery.

This one-hour event will feature the piano playing of Alan Wasserman and commentary by Johnson as the married couple trace the movement of abstract expressionism in both music and art.

THE GRAND SHANGHAI CIRCUS 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail $22-$57 Visit VanWezel.org.

Prepare to be astounded as the grand spectacle of the Grand Shanghai Circus flits across the stage for one night only at the

The Pops Orchestra is proud to welcome the Josie Music Awards “Tribute Artist of the Year” nominee, Mark Sanders, to the stage singing all your favorite Barry Manilow hits from “I Write the Songs” to “Copacabana.” This is THE Valentine ticket to get this season on the Suncoast!

SUN, FEB 13, 3PM Riverview Performing Arts Center

MON, FEB 14, 7:30PM SCF Neel Performing Arts Center

Get your tickets today!

General $30 Premium $35

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www.ThePopsOrchestra.org 941-926-POPS (7677) 371620-1

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

If you’re in the audience, you’ll have a hand in directing where this program goes. FST Improv looks to poke fun at snowbirds and beach bums with sketches, musicals and classic improv games.

The troupe will solicit suggestions before steering the fun to discuss what makes Sarasota Sarasota.

SUNDAY WINTER CONCERT Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble 2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 FL-64 East, Lakewood Ranch $10 Visit LWRWindEnsemble.org.

The ensemble’s Winter Concert will feature songs composed by John Philip Sousa, Percy Grainger and Robert Schumann, among others. The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble was formed as a professional-level community band; it debuted in 2019 and played a July Fourth concert with the Choral Artists of Sarasota last year.

THE CHOIR OF MAN 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail $22-$57 Visit VanWezel.org.

It’s a love message to your local pub, and the Choir of Man hopes you’ll spend the evening singing.

The international sensation, which features a live, working bar on stage, will bring a variety of voices to bear on a succession of pop, Broadway, folk and pub rock tunes.

‘LET’S HANG ON!’ FRANKIE VALLI TRIBUTE SHOW 7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s Jervey Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W. Tickets $42 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

Pay tribute both to the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

www.manasotaonline.com

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 28; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30; 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31.

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $40-$115 Info: SarasotaBallet.org.

but also to the smash hit “Jersey Boys,” which chronicles their rise to fame. It will be tight harmonies, taut choreography and high notes as far as the ear can hear.

MONDAY

APRIL 21, 2021 7:30 PM Wednesday, February 4:30 16, TO 2022 • 4 - 7:30 pm NATHAN BENDERSON PARK, FINISH TOWER SARASOTA,Country FLORIDA The Meadows Club 3101 Longmeadow, Sarasota �SlLVERSEA"

Meet and hear from the travel experts.

SEVEN SEAS CRUISES•

‘VOID’ 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave. $25 Visit ENSRQ.org.

KENSINGTON

TOURS

View the Schedule at BookThatEscape.com/SRQLuxuryTravel. _ill_PONANf Speakers• Refreshments• Personal Travel Consultations

It’s a feast for all the senses. “Void” is a work by Elizabeth A. Baker that combines visual projection, electronic processing and the acoustic performance of concert instrumentalists.

�A MERICAN QYEEN™ .S STEAMBOAT COMPANY

I

RSVP to Roz@BookThatEscape.com

Speakers • Refreshments • Personal Travel Consultations

MONDAY NIGHT JAZZ CABARET WITH ZACH BARTHOLOMEW TRIO 7:30 p.m. at FST’s John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St. $39, members $35 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Get down with Zach Bartholomew as he plays the music of Chick Corea. Bartholomew, a pianist and music educator, has performed at a number of national and international engagements, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival.

WEDNESDAY ‘ROSE’ 7:30 p.m. at Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail $18-$36 Visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org.

Call your mother, then settle in for a one-woman tour de force that will take the show’s star from the devastation of the Holocaust to the triumph of living in Miami Beach.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday Free with museum admission Visit RinglingCollege.Gallery/ BaschGlass.

This exhibit of fine glasswork art opened this month and will run through March 25. Don’t miss the exceptional pieces of craftsmanship and unique commissions from some of the world’s most-renowned artisans.

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OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN Special Financing Available

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FST IMPROV: ‘LIFE’S A BEACH’ 8:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1265 First St. $15 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

or RSVP to Roz@BookThatEscape.com

the legendary figure.

Now, Barbieri brings the de Valois choreography back to Sarasota for the first time since 2016.

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Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Dancers, acrobats and aerials are on the menu for the traveling circus company playing in a traditional American circus stronghold.

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‘LOVE & BETRAYAL’ It’s a classic repertoire of British ballet fronted by routines choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton and Dame Ninette de Valois. Ashton’s “Valses noble et sentimentales” will be presented again by Iain Webb, who worked with Ashton on the ballet in 1987 and revived it in Sarasota in 2012.

“The Rake’s Progress” was choreographed decades ago by de Valois, and Margaret Barbieri was tutored directly by

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Scan to Register

Free Admission

DON’T MISS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Farm to Fillet Sunday, Jan. 23, at Mote Aquaculture Research Park | Benefiting Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

M

Photos by Harry Sayer

Top: More than 350 people attended the event. Above: Nikki Logan Curran, Chef Paul Mattison and David Curran Left: Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium President and CEO Michael P. Crosby and Mote Aquaculture Research Park Director Kevan Main

ote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium supporters braved cold weather for good food during the second Farm to Fillet lunch on Jan. 23.

The second annual lunch event — which was delayed in 2021 due to the pandemic — had more than 350 guests meeting at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park to support its work in researching new technology, bolstering local snook populations and more.

After delaying the event a week due to inclement weather, Mote Marine had a new hurdle to work with in the form of chilly weather and a light drizzle that persisted throughout the event. Guests arrived in warm clothing and carrying umbrellas for the social hour before sitting down for lunch catered by Mattison’s.

Chef Paul Mattison gave the crowd some insight into the food the guests would soon enjoy — étouffée, arapaima fish and ending with a parfait — before passing off to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium President and CEO Michael P. Crosby and Mote Aquaculture Research Park Director Kevan Main.

The event concluded with guests touring the research park’s facilities.

—HARRY SAYER

COMMUNITY LECTURE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022 Hyatt Regency Sarasota

7PM

AN EVENING WITH NOA TISHBY Israeli-American author, actress, and activist CHAIR

MARY COLLIER SPONSORED BY

HANNAH AND NORMAN WEINBERG $25 In person / $10 Via Zoom To register, visit JFEDSRQ.ORG/events

QUESTIONS?

Trudi Krames at tkrames@jfedsrq.org or 941-706-0037

4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905 www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm

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We will be following #SafeArtsSarasota Covid protocols requiring a negative Covid test or proof of vaccine, as well as masks when indoors.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

YOUR WINTER AT T H E VA N W E Z E L SARASOTA PREMIERE!

WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE!

WED, FEB 2 | THUR, FEB 3 7:30PM SPONSORS: Wilde Lexus Sarasota and ABC7 Courtesy photo

Ashley and Timothy Gruters welcome their son Timber Bertram Gruters into the world.

SARASOTA PREMIERE!

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HARRY SAYER

WED, FEB 9 • 8PM SPONSOR: Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Featuring Six-time Grammy ® Nominee and renowned singer and songwriter VALERIE SIMPSON

Some weather, huh?

That statement tends to be the worst kind of small talk when you’re with people to pass the time, but in this case I think it’s valid. When it’s not been rainy, it’s been drizzling and when it’s not been drizzling the temperature been reaching the low 40s. I’m probably just complaining — especially compared to our many snowbird neighbors who’ve faced worse temperatures than this —but Farm to Fillet this past Sunday was particularly bracing.

In any case, we have a nice slate of events coming up that will include circus acts and a performance from Harry Connick Jr., but this past week had fun happenings as well.

“Respect,” “Think,” “Until You Come Back To Me,” “Daydreaming,” “Natural Woman” and more!

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Fore For Four

Ashley and Timothy Gruters like golf, that much is certain.

Ever since learning they’d be having a baby boy to join their three daughters, Ashley and Tim have decided to go all out with a golf theme. That’s included a Christmas photo shoot at the Bobby Jones golf course and a “babymoon” vacation to Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green to play golf and other sports.

Their daughter Piper even plays in the U.S. Kids golf series.

For baby number four — or is it fore? — Ashley had a baby shower luncheon at the Laurel Oak Country Club complete with a golf-themed cake and decor on Jan. 2.

Timber Bertram Gruters was born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital right on time — the newborn baby arrived into the world on Jan. 17, precisely the date he was expected.

With all this golf iconography to set the scene, we hope Timber grows up to have a mean swing. No pressure, buddy.

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Visitors to the Mote Marine Aquaculture Research Park had a different kind of sight welcoming them to the Farm to Fillet lunch on Jan. 23: A 6-foot, 76-pound arapaima fish laid straight out on ice.

The massive fish was brought to the location off Frutville Road from the Horse Creek Aqua Farm in Arcadia, which breeds the fish.

The fish’s presence was showing the guests exactly what type of meal they’d be having later in the event and putting a spotlight on the lesserknown breed. The second course of the dinner was arapaia served three ways with Worden Farm greens, cannelli beans and sea purslane. The fish was so large that Chef Paul Mattison was able to get several distinct cuts for the audience to enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Cliff Roles

Donor Appreciation

The Child Protection Center has its fair share of events in support of its services helping child abuse victims.

That’s included the Night of Hope and Healing and the Blue Ties and Butterflies event each year.

The organization recently added another event in the mix, this time to show appreciation to its donors.

The first donor luncheon was held at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on Jan. 19 with more than 60 supporters and CPC figures attending in support of the organization.

Top supporters received coins from the organization in appreciation of their continued support.

Staley said the event won’t t be an annual affair but hopefully will be held again in the future.

Top: The 76-pound arapaima was on-site to welcome guests.

Above: Graci McGillicuddy and CPC Executive Director Doug Staley

JANUARY 27, 2022

HIGH

SPORTS

5

“I like that soccer is a technical sport. Nobody is born good at it. You have to work at it to stand out.”

— Lakewood Ranch High’s Cody Conway SEE PAGE 23A

Jamie Springstead is Saint Stephen’s Episcopal’s leading scorer in basketball, boys and girls, with 1,485 points.

Falcon soars to scoring mark Lakewood Ranch’s Jamie Springstead sets the basketball scoring record, for boys or girls, at Saint Stephens.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

1

Lakewood Ranch High senior boys soccer player Felipe DeSouza had a goal and an assist Jan. 18 in the Mustangs’ 8-2 road win against Cypress Creek High.

2

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore girls soccer player Sophie Lemus had a goal and an assist Jan. 18 in the Mustangs’ 3-0 win road against Cypress Creek High.

3

Lizane Nadon sank a hole-in-one Jan. 19 on the No. 13 hole of Lakewood Ranch Country Club’s Cypress Links course. Nadon used a 7-iron on the 125-yard hole.

4

Nadine Drysdale sank a hole-in-one Jan. 18 on the No. 22 hole at University Park Country Club. Drysdale used a 5-hybrid on the 139-yard hole.

5

Braden River High senior boys soccer player Colin Boyd scored the lone goal Jan. 18 in the Pirates’ 1-0 home win against Cardinal Mooney High.

RYAN KOHN

FILL IT UP

SPORTS EDITOR

J

amie Springstead looked down at the ground and laughed when her records were mentioned.

It’s not that she was embarrassed by talking about them. It’s that, on some level, she still finds them hard to believe, despite being one of the best girls basketball players in the Sarasota-Bradenton area for almost her entire high school career.

Springstead, a Lakewood Ranch resident and a senior at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, broke the school’s girls basketball scoring record as a junior. She surpassed 2001 graduate Amy Pullen’s mark of 1,027 points, but was closing in on a different record heading into this season — the all-time school scoring record, regardless of gender. It was held by Mack Barnes, a 1981 graduate who scored 1,361 points.

The 5-foot-7 Springstead set a new record Jan. 6 in a 59-29 home win against Patel High. Springstead said she only realized she was getting close to the record when her coaches told her in the lead-up to the game.

She entered with 1,357 points, just four points off the record.

With the record weighing on her mind, Springstead said she got off to a slow start before settling down and hitting three shots to break the mark.

There was no time to celebrate the moment as Springstead was focused on leading her team to a win. She finished the game with 14 points.

“I’m just playing as hard as I can every night,” Springstead said. “I want to make my senior season as great as it can be for all of us. I haven’t thought about what I have (personally) accomplished much. I think once the season is over I will have time for that, to realize what

Jamie Springstead’s points by season at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Seventh grade: 115 (6.1 per game) Eighth grade: 86 (4.3 per game) Ninth grade: 207 (9.0 per game) 10th grade: 482 (16.1 per game) 11th grade: 287 (17.3 per game) 12th grade, though Jan. 20: 308 (18.1 per game) Total points: 1,485 (School record for boys or girls basketball)

I have done and how many points I have scored. But for now, I’m all in on my team.”

In seventh grade, Springstead was polished enough to earn a spot on the Falcons’ varsity team. As an eighth grader, that average fell to 4.3 points per game. She was being timid. It wasn’t until her freshman season that Springstead started living out her potential, averaging 9 points (and 5.5 rebounds) per game.

“I had all these seniors I was looking up to,” Springstead said. “After watching them enough I thought, ‘You know, I can do this too.’ I started playing my game (as a freshman).

Then the next year, I started taking over games.”

Springstead averaged 16.1 points per game as a sophomore, then 17.3 as a junior despite missing time with an injury. As of Jan. 20, Springstead has scored 1,491 points in her career, with four games left in the 2021-2022

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regular season.

The Falcons (11-6) are on the verge of a playoff berth. They have had to deal with numerous injuries to key players this season but Springstead has led the team through them all, averaging 18.1 points per game, the highest average of her career. That includes 32 points in a Jan. 20 game against Venice High (9-5), which the Falcons won 55-49.

Springstead, who is committed to Lake Forest College in Illinois, is listed as a guard on the Falcons roster but spends as much time in the paint as she does leading the team down the floor. Her physicality gives her an edge over most players.

It’s a reason why she leads the Falcons with 3.5 rebounds per game.

Springstead’s love of physical play goes back to her origins in the sport.

When she was deciding whether to focus on basketball or soccer as her main sport, she chose basketball in part because it allowed her to use her strength to her advantage more than soccer did. She stopped playing soccer as a sophomore.

“The competition of it (basketball), fighting with other players, I thought it was so much fun,” Springstead said. “It is my mentality. I want it (the ball) more than they do.”

She credits hard work for her record numbers.

“The biggest thing is being comfortable,” Springstead said. “If you’re out there during a game and you’re scared of making a mistake, then you’re not fighting as hard as you should be and you won’t play well.

Keep practicing game situations.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Small victories for ODA W hen The Out-of-Door Academy boys basketball team forced a three-second violation on Cardinal Mooney High Jan. 21, the crowd erupted and ODA head Coach B.J. Ivey raised his arms in celebration.

A few minutes later, when ODA senior Trent Rayman sent a blocked shot from Mooney sophomore Dylan Higgins out of bounds, a loud “ooh” echoed through the Thunderdome. Ivey clapped and encouraged his defense to keep it up.

Then ODA junior Zach Fox hit a 3-pointer that left Ivey smiling once again.

But those highlights all happened with the Thunder far behind on the scoreboard. A competitive first half — the Thunder trailed 22-16 — gave way to a deluge of ODA mistakes in the third quarter, caused in part by the Cougars running a full-court press that the Thunder couldn’t solve. By the time the fourth quarter began, ODA trailed 43-21. The game, which ODA lost 53-31, was over.

Ivey, who coached the Riverview High boys program for 13 years and took the Rams to the state championship game in 2016, never stopped trying to make his team better. The Thunder (5-13) might not be getting the win/loss results they want, but they are certainly learning.

Ivey, who was named Sarasota County’s Teacher of the Year in 2017, is still having a great time helping them improve.

“Winning is never the end game for me,” Ivey said. “I think winning is a byproduct of the process.

These kids come in and work hard every day, and it is good to see that.

They’re starting to make positive plays and starting to have success.

I’m happy for them in that regard.

The outcomes aren’t what we want right now, but you also want kids to have a positive overall experience, and I feel like they have had that.”

The 2021-2022 season is Ivey’s second at ODA, but he said it feels like his first. Last season, Ivey was not on campus during the day, instead working as a driver’s education teacher at Parrish Community High. This year, Ivey is back in the classroom teaching AP psychology and serving as an assistant athletic director and senior adviser. Being on campus and around the team much more than he was last season has made a world of difference. Ivey said the distance made it hard to build relationships with both his players and the ODA staff.

Even though this is his first school year on campus, Ivey already has become a respected member of the school’s community. As the game against Mooney came to a close, someone from the ODA student section threw a piece of candy onto the court. The ref stopped the game and told the section to knock it off; Ivey jogged to the bleachers to reiterate the message, telling the students that while he loved their passion for ODA sports, disrupting the game was not helping anyone. When Ivey turned to head back toward the bench, he received cheers from the rest of the crowd.

Now that he’s settled, Ivey is focusing on the challenges that come with coaching at a small private school as opposed to a large public school like Riverview. Ivey said the biggest change is having the majority of the basketball roster playing other sports. At Riverview, that would apply to one or two players each year. Ivey said he’s supportive of athletes being involved in other activities and learning new skills, but it also makes scheduling spring and summer practices a hassle. When not everyone can show up to a workout or to attend camps, it becomes hard to gain the chemistry and development necessary for the season.

“We have grown a lot in terms of

Ryan Kohn

Coach B.J, Ivey chats with his ODA boys basketball players on the bench against Cardinal Mooney. Ivey is in his second season at the school.

basketball IQ and our understanding of how we need to play the game to try to be successful,” Ivey said.

“Our ability to take care of the basketball is much better than it was (at the beginning of the season).

When we played at Lemon Bay (on Dec. 20) and at Bradenton Christian (on Nov. 23), I think we were averaging upward of 30 turnovers per game. Now, we are way down from that, and that’s big.”

The Thunder would have more wins if players had controlled the ball early like they do now. The game against Lemon Bay went into overtime despite all of the turnovers, and ODA lost 71-65. Four other losses have also been within 10 points. The team still wouldn’t be a powerhouse, but winning a few of those toss-up games would be more reflective of the program’s path.

Even though the players have a losing record, they are fight-

ing through each game. The game against Mooney was an example.

All of the highlight plays I mentioned came in the fourth quarter.

ODA could have easily packed it in against the Cougars, a state title contender in Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 3A, and not played hard until the final buzzer. The Thunder’s fight late in the game tells me a lot about how much the players care about one another.

“I have to give it up to them,” Ivey said. “If they get knocked down, they get right back up. A lot of people have a hard time handling adversity, but our guys have done a great job of it. I think that says a lot about who these young men are and what they are going to be capable of doing in the future.”

It’s not just talk. The Thunder have unearthed two foundational pieces in sophomore wing Kevin O’Donoghue (16.1 points per game)

and eighth-grade guard Henry Ye (15.0 points per game). The duo can’t do it alone, of course, but they’re a good start and should continue to get better, especially on the defensive end. If the Thunder can continue to develop players like them and cut down on mistakes of inexperience, like turnovers, winning will become a habit.

Ivey is the right coach to make that happen.

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

When did you start playing soccer?

When I was 4 years old. I lived in Cape Coral then. I tried a bunch of different sports to see what I liked and soccer was my favorite.

What is the appeal to you?

I like that soccer is a technical sport.

Nobody is born good at it. You have to work at it to stand out.

What is your best skill?

I am good in one-on-one situations and I am able to read plays coming down the field well. I play on the school’s football team as a linebacker and I think that helps me.

What have you worked to improve?

This year I have been working on using my left foot more. That’s my off foot. I want it to be just as good as my right foot.

We have done a good job of that in recent practices.

What is your favorite movie?

The MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is my favorite thing. If I had to pick one movie from it, I’d say “Captain America: Civil War.” What is your favorite subject?

I like math because there is one correct answer. It’s not based on opinion like English class.

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Cody Conway is a freshman defender on the Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team. Mustangs head Coach Vito Bavaro called Conway “a machine” and an important piece on the left side of the team’s defense.

The Mustangs (14-1-1) begin district tournament play Jan. 31 against a to-be-determined opponent.

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.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Cody Conway

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What is your favorite memory?

When I was 10 years old I played for the Lakewood Ranch Cranes club team (now Lakewood Ranch FC).

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I think we have to keep our work ethic high and not relax.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

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YOUR NEIGHBORS

Myakka City 2-year-old Maverick Jones enjoys sitting in an East Manatee Fire Rescue truck.

CERT event organizer Karen Emanuelson, Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer and CERT President Jim Emanuelson get together before the start of the event.

CERTainly vital S

teve Litschauer, Manatee County’s Emergency Management chief, looked at all of the emergency vehicles setting up before the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team’s Celebrate Lakewood Ranch and explained the importance of the event.

“It’s neighbors helping neighbors,” Litschauer said at the Greenbrook Adventure Park on Jan. 22. “It’s the community coming together.”

Litschauer said that when an emergency response is needed, because of a hurricane, tornado, flood or other disaster, the government can do only so much.

“They are our eyes and ears,” Litschauer said of Lakewood Ranch CERT volunteers.

For CERT, which has 200 members, it was the group’s first large public event aimed at attracting more volunteers.

CERT’s Karen Emanuelson organized the event, which allowed the public to see and touch Manatee County’s public safety vehicles in the “touch-a-truck” area. Those who attended also enjoyed live entertainment, food trucks, rescue dog demonstrations and more.

“This is CERT’s 15th anniversary, and we put this together to honor our members and our history,” said Jim Emanuelson, CERT’s president. “But we also need to recruit more volunteers. Because of (the COVID-19 pandemic), we haven’t been

able to hold our training classes, and we can’t recruit.”

CERT organizes neighborhood teams with the hope those neighbors will meet and get to know one another. If a disaster does strike, it is important for each neighborhood to communicate whether immediate help is needed.

Litschauer said the county’s public safety workers need to know where help is not needed as much as where to respond.

Knowing a neighborhood is all clear helps those responders concentrate on the areas that do need help.

Belonging to Lakewood Ranch CERT is free and requires only 20 hours of training over four days of instruction. The final class is held at East Manatee Fire Rescue’s Station 1.

“So much that we teach is common sense,” Jim Emanuelson said. “Our first responsibility is to keep our volunteers and their families safe. Only after you know you and your family are safe can you activate.”

Litschauer said Lakewood Ranch CERT plays a vital role in the community.

“It’s amazing they’ve been around 15 years,” he said. “A lot of organizations lose interest, but they are gaining momentum.

They keep their members engaged.”

— JAY HEATER

Dan Glenn, director of marketing for the Alligator Wildlife Discovery Center of Madeira Beach, lets Country Club’s Jillian Sindoni and 2-yearold Aurora Sindoni get close to a small alligator.

Above: Sarasota 2-year-old Kollyn Segal and her dad, Don Segal, meet Gunny, a horse with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office mounted patrol.

Left: Lakewood Ranch 9-year-old Yashaswi Gupta and 4-year-old Yatharth Gupta visit the back of the Search Rescue Manatee County vehicle.

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Photos by Jay Heater

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Photos by Liz Ramos

Lakewood Ranch’s Mike and Martha Gaffney are thrilled to be back in person at the Burns Supper.

Supper serves poetic justice

A

fter participating in the St. Andrew’s Society of Sarasota’s annual Burns Supper over Zoom last year, Lakewood Ranch’s Mike and Martha Gaffney were thrilled to be back in person celebrating Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.

“We love the atmosphere and camaraderie,” Mike Gaffney said.

“There’s wonderful food, Robert Burns poetry that’s simply supreme, and dancing,” Martha Gaffney said. “What more could you want?”

Those who attended the annual Burns Supper at Palm Aire Country Club on Jan. 22 were excited for haggis, live music, a bagpipe player, Celtic dancing and toasts to laddies and lassies. The Burns Supper celebrated Burns’ 263rd birthday.

“It’s great because we haven’t seen each other in a couple years,” said Mote Ranch’s Dick Thompson.

Proceeds from the silent auction went to the St. Andrew Scottish Society Scholarship Fund, which awarded nine $1,000 scholarships to Sarasota area high school graduates in 2021.

Sarasota’s Marianne Ferrier, Lewis Ferrier and Paul Ferrier are ready to celebrate Robert Burns’ life during the annual Burns Supper.

— LIZ RAMOS

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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2B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

3B

sponsored content

ER OR URGENT CARE? Know the Difference to Receive Appropriate Care

Above: Palm Aire’s Carl Morris welcomes everyone to the annual Burns Supper.

Left: East County’s David Shaddock gives a “Toast to the Haggis.”

Whether you have “just” a typical headache, minor cold or common ache, or something more serious like a stroke or heart attack, knowing the right place to go is the first step in getting the care you require.

Right: Port Charlotte’s Melissa Craig and her husband, Dennis Craig, conduct a slow clap during the seating of friends of the bard.

Below: Sarasota’s Stella Randazzo and her siblings, Francesa Randazzo, Gianluca Randazzo and Felicita Randazzo, dazzle the crowd with a Celtic dance.

Dr. Danny Hierholzer, Medical Director for Lakewood Ranch Emergency Department and the Freestanding Emergency Department on Fruitville Road, answers questions to help you make that important decision.

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Urgent Care is for common conditions such as a cough, sore throat, ear infection and other minor illnesses. It is also appropriate for minor injuries such as sprains, strains and small cuts. Many patients visit an Urgent Care clinic if they cannot get an appointment with their primary care physician (PCP) or during a time when the PCP’s office is closed, such as weekends. Urgent Care clinics do not require appointments.

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He will be seeing both elective and : Can I go to Urgent COVID -19 and tetanus shots. acute care general surgery patients at Lakewood Care for my routineRanch Medical Center. He performs all aspects of general surgery, but has particula They may offer care for visits? skills in minimally invasive and daVinci® robotic surgery. certain work-related injuries.

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Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independen This emergency department is part of Lakewoodpractitioners Ranch Medical Center.

Thisemployees is not an urgent care center.

Its services and Medical care are billed at hospital who are not or agents of Lakewood Ranch Center.

The hospital shall not be liable f emergency department rates. Physicians are on the medical staff Lakewoodprovided Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, independent actions orof treatments by physicians.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Ukulele class brings joyful music to Lakewood Ranch

Share the Love!

N

ot even a blustery day could keep smiles off the faces of a group of 10 ukulele players as they tuned up for their weekly “Intro to Ukulele” session at James L. Patton Community Park on Jan.17.

This particular session featured beginner to advanced players on the small, guitar-like instrument. Lakewood Ranch resident Alice Baumann, who went from a beginner level to being able to play more than 500 songs in a little more than two years, was leading the class under the watch of instructor Sunny Kellner. Baumann showed fellow players how to strum a couple of key notes, even playfully telling everyone in attendance “that you can play a thousand songs with just this one note.”

“Sunny likes to spread Hawaiian culture, and she wanted to bring some of that to Lakewood Ranch,” Baumann said. “The ukulele is a perfect way for people to get together outside, and it’s very easy to pick up.”

Give the Gift of Ringling Membership

Lakewood Ranch resident Alice Baumann leads the Intro to Ukulele class in a rendition of “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”

— SCOTT LOCKWOOD

ringling.org Photos by Scott Lockwood 363298-1

Sunny Kellner of Palmetto, Kyle Gaynor of Ellenton and Dave Wilt of Palmetto play together.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

5B

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

MYAKKA CITY 3005 233rd Street E 4 Beds 3/2 Baths 4,164 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4510152 $5,800,000

SARASOTA 8821 Misty Creek Drive 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,244 Sq. Ft. Bernadette Caswell 941-320-8265 A4521942 $1,200,000

SARASOTA 1917 Rose Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,839 Sq. Ft. Maria Beck PA & Jalina Beck 646-531-4118 A4521547 $1,150,000

LONGBOAT KEY 680 Fox Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,544 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer & Mark J Baron 941-465-1124 A4520803 $1,030,000

BRADENTON 1523 1st Avenue W 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,500 Sq. Ft. Fran DeDona & Pam Goodwin 941-812-5023 A4505327 $999,750

SARASOTA 7700 Iguana Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,550 Sq. Ft. Lee Byron & Sue Keal 941-350-5542 A4512842 $899,998

SARASOTA 707 S Gulfstream Avenue 101 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,247 Sq. Ft. Marybeth Flynn 941-704-1477 A4518888 $850,000

BRADENTON 348 Snapdragon Loop 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,469 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941-894-4001 A4519347 $795,000

SARASOTA 1111 N Gulfstream Avenue 2D 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,736 Sq. Ft. Barbara Dumbaugh & Victoria Lear 941-951-6660 A4522274 $720,000

SARASOTA 1039 23rd Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,513 Sq. Ft. Maureen Doherty & Patrick Doherty 941-993-3159 A4519506 $699,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 20307 74th Avenue E Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4513257 $629,000

SARASOTA 3000 S Jefferson Avenue 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,398 Sq. Ft. David D'Angelo 941-587-7268 A4522342 $575,000

BRADENTON 8756 52nd Drive E 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,837 Sq. Ft. Laura Navratil & Mary Pat Pihl 941-806-7436 A4522345 $565,000

BRADENTON 11612 Rolling Green Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,673 Sq. Ft. Noelle Reynolds 941-320-4855 A4522529 $435,000

BRADENTON 6405 217th Street E Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet, PA 941-993-7087 A4511593 $425,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 2823 57th Drive E 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,905 Sq. Ft. Robin Sullivan 941-467-4210 N6119097 $425,000

SARASOTA 3938 Wilshire Circle 171 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,990 Sq. Ft. Stacy Liljeberg & George Kolar 941-544-6103 A4521278 $385,000

BRADENTON 3413 Avenida Madera A 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,773 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4522510 $385,000

BRADENTON 2616 47th Avenue W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,452 Sq. Ft. Joseph McDonald 941-375-9646 A4519750 $365,000

BRADENTON 204 3rd Street W 201 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,272 Sq. Ft. Patty Brooks 941-545-1194 A4522352 $299,000

SARASOTA 5405 San Juan Drive Beth Ann Boyer 941-780-6606 A4509104 $285,000

BRADENTON 3509 59th Avenue W 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,330 Sq. Ft. Adam Cuffaro 941-812-0791 A4519573 $249,900

PALMETTO 2915 8th Street Court W Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4512663 $225,000

BRADENTON 3267 81st Court E 1,150 Sq. Ft. Jonnie Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4518907 $183,000

SARASOTA 2662 Golf Course Drive 309 2 Beds 2 Baths 972 Sq. Ft. Kristy Sommers 941-504-4247 A4522024 $165,000

BRADENTON 8415 Broadstone Court 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,189 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4515827 $4,395,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 112 Mangrove Avenue 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,577 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4502423 $3,999,000

SARASOTA 473 Partridge Circle 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,226 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4511642 $3,095,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

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6B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Harbour Walk topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Allen Gunn, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 553 Fore Drive to Mark and Krista Hunt, of Bradenton, for $1.61 million. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,071 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.5 million in 2021.

POMELLO PARK

Anthony and Marie Rizzi sold their home at 6810 190th St. E. to Ryan Cole Mettling, of Bradenton, for $1,299,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,637 square feet of living area.

It sold for $460,100 in 2009.

Robin and Jesse Carr, of Bradenton, sold their home at 19006 69th Ave. E. to John and Simone Brown, of Bradenton, for $1.1 million. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,487 square feet of living area.

RIVERDALE REVISED

James Hughes and Cheryl PaxtonHughes, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4766 Mainsail Drive to John Emil Russo Jr. and Kara Marea Rosen, of Bradenton, for $1.2 million. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,483 square feet of living area. It sold for $809,000 in 2021.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

Leonard and Janice Carulli, of Tavares, sold their home at 5310 Swift River Court to Albert and Maylina Lee and Christopher Shon Lee, of Bradenton, for $1,025,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,664 square feet of living area. It sold for $536,700 in 2016.

Moorings at Heritage Harbour Leonard Ellis Patterson and Clara Jane Patterson sold their home at 709 Moorings Way to Keith Bassett and Jill Bassett, trustees, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, for $989,900. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,533 square feet of living area. It sold for $530,000 in 2018.

UNIVERSITY PARK

Adele Cecile Fine and Stephanie Jean Wilson sold their home at 6316 Thorndon Circle to Christine Nebuloni and Keith McGillivray, of University Park, for $900,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,931 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000 in 2004.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Keith Bartlett McCracken and Kathleen Kennedy McCracken sold their home at 5901 Cessna Run to Gary Don McKee and Connie Deniel McKee, of Amarillo, Texas, for $900,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,722 square feet of living area. It sold for $520,000 in 2017.

POLO RUN

Aaron and Jennifer Stowell, of Marietta, Georgia, sold their home at 17230 Polo Trail to Marek Wladyslaw-Bartosz and Krystyna Bartosz, of Lakewood Ranch, for $850,000. Built in 2020, it has six bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,520 square feet of living area. It sold for $545,000 in 2020.

ESPLANADE

Michael and Deborah Towe, of St. Petersburg, sold their home at 12703 Del Corso Loop to Jan Korman and Rosemary Korman, trustees, of Setauket, New York, for $837,500. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,256 square feet of living area. It sold for $555,000 in 2018.

7B

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JAN. 10-14

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Juliana Sofia Laney, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 10515 Firestone Drive to TCMAX LLC for $835,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,420 square feet of living area.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

R. Christopher Odenbach and Jean Haskins-Dalmath, of Rochester, New York, sold their home at 7570 Camden Harbour Drive to Robert and Wendy Smith, of Bradenton, for $810,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,193 square feet of living area. It sold for $590,000 in 2007.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Lourdes Patricia Hershberger and Thomas Edward Hershberger, of Bradenton, sold their home at 615 River Crane St. to Ronda Snowden, of Bradenton, for $792,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,672 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,000 in 2020.

TREYMORE AT THE VILLAGE OF PALM AIRE

Leo and Michael LaPlante, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4812 Carrington Circle to John Fiore, of Sarasota, for $740,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,490 square feet of living area. It sold for $465,000 in 2019.

BRADEN WOODS

OfferPad LLC sold the home at 6108 95th St. Circle E. to Nicolas Anthony Mace and Brandi Neal Mace, of Bradenton, for $724,900.

Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,776 square feet of living area. It sold for $640,000 in 2021.

Courtesy photo

This Harbour Walk home at 553 Fore Drive sold for $1.61 million. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,701 square feet of living area.

ARBOR GRANDE

Richard and Helen Burns, of Bradenton, sold their home at 2316 Starwood Court to Peter and Darcy Pino, of Kennesaw, Georgia, for $600,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,691 square feet of living area. It sold for $319,900 in 2018.

THE MOORINGS AT EDGEWATER

Blair and Joy McMillan, of Madison, Wisconsin, sold their Unit 202 condominium at 6536 Moorings Point Circle to Mark Anthony Smith, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $580,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,344 square feet of living area. It sold for $275,000 in 2012.

RIVER PLACE

Julie Van Loan and Celeste Bivetto, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6890 74th St. Circle E. to Eric Michael Shorkey, of Bradenton, for $560,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,119 square feet of living area. It sold for $317,500 in 2015.

Gary Ray Brewer and Linda Joy Brewer, of North Port, sold their home at 6714 71st St. E. to Michael John Seitz Jr. and Brittany Seitz, of Bradenton, for $505,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,079 square feet of living area. It sold for $285,000 in 2014.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 8B

PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE

Glenn Douglas Carter, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8316 Purple Martin Court to Marc Pelletz and Charlotte Foster, trustees, of Sarasota, for $720,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,315 square feet of living area.

WINDWARD

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

Neal Communities of Southwest Florida LLC sold the home at 2689 Butterfly Jasmine Trail to Brian William Moss and Yvonne Rae Moss, of Bradenton, for $660,400.

Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,699 square feet of living area.

Longboat Key

GREYHAWK LANDING

Steven and Brenda Marshall sold their home at 1438 Brambling Court to Maureen and Mark Schauf, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, for $635,000.

Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,270 square feet of living area. It sold for $220,000 in 2009.

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

SALES GALLERY NOW OPEN

Edwin Mulock, of Bradenton, sold his home at 399 Snapdragon Loop to Joyce Hobday, trustee, of Gulf Shores, Alabama, for $510,000.

Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,282 square feet of living area. It sold for $319,000 in 2018.

RIVA TRACE

Thomas McArdle and Glenn Burke, of University Place, sold their home at 8052 Rio Bella Place to Zillow Homes Property Trust for $614,300. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,360 square feet of living area. It sold for $518,700 in 2015.

Gerald and Barbara Gabe, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7922 Rio Bella Place to Jeffrey and Sylvianne Forbes, of Nova Scotia, Canada, for $465,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,954 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,200 in 2013.

GREENBROOK

Zillow Homes Property Trust sold the home at 13474 Purple Finch Circle to Megan and Lanny Ross, of Lakewood Ranch, for $612,100.

Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,578 square feet of living area. It sold for $529,800 in 2021.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

REAL ESTATE

Harbour Walk home tops sales at $1.61 million

|

8B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Hunter Douglas window treatments transform the light in your home, elevating everyday living and defining the mood of your unique and beautiful space.

Real estate FROM PAGE 7B

Tanya and Stephen Slater, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 2622 condominium at 6021 Wake Forest Run to Danny Canini and Beverly Cantor, of Bradenton, for $550,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. It sold for $370,000 in 2019.

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Richard Plotkin and Karen Singleton sold their home at 10031 Marbella Drive to Harland Grout and Cynthia Grout, trustees, of Bradenton, for $550,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,016 square feet of living area. It sold for $326,000 in 2018.

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SUMMERFIELD

Maria Indelicato sold her home at 6244 Tupelo Trail to Mathew and Radhika Mathews, of Newton, Massachusetts, for $540,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,768 square feet of living area. It sold for $240,000 in 2016.

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Temple Beth Sholom invites you to a

HAVDALAH OPEN HOUSE

Brandon and Deysi Hill, of Bradenton, sold their home at 11206 Marigold Drive to James and Beverly Houston, of Bradenton, for $525,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,266 square feet of living area. It sold for $361,000 in 2020.

New & Prospective TBS Members please join us January 29, 2022, at 6:00 PM at a private outdoor venue; details will be provided upon registration

RIDGE AT CROSSING CREEK

Richard and Karol Hellhake, of Venice, sold their home at 7542 Ridgelake Circle to Johnny and Teresa Mitrione, of Bradenton, for $525,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,226 square feet of living area.

It sold for $343,100 in 2018.

RSVP Susan Cahn info@templebethsholomfl.org

DESOTO WOODS

Yelenis Fuertes Yanes and Jenyelsbert Morejon, of Cortez, sold their home at 8010 Desoto Woods Drive to Albert Gronbach and Claire Geiger, of Sarasota, for $515,000. Built

372346-1

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Update Your Cabinets

in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,905 square feet of living area. It sold for $296,000 in 2016.

David and Deborah Cook, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7508 52nd Terrace E. to Joel Christopher Porch and Grace Elizabeth Porch, of Bradenton, for $510,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,317 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2017.

Paul Delger, of Bradenton, sold his home at 5010 72nd Court E. to Chanda White, of Bradenton, for $410,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,680 square feet of living area. It sold for $268,900 in 2019.

TARA

Christine Shulha, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6343 Rookery Circle to Joyce Hobday, trustee, of Gulf Shores, Alabama, for $490,000.

Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,099 square feet of living area. It sold for $369,000 in 2007.

DEL WEBB

Patricia Gallagher, of Lakewood Ranch, sold her home at 17641 Camden Drive to David and Joan Maltz, of Bradenton, for $489,000.

Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,589 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,800 in 2019.

MOTE RANCH

Jinghua Liu, of Sarasota, sold her home at 5849 Carriage Drive to Michael and Natalya Tolomei, of Farmington, Michigan, for $479,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,812 square feet of living area. It sold for $166,500 in 1999.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT KEY DELAYED VIDEO SERIES LAKEWOOD RANCH SERIES SARASOTA SERIES VENICE SERIES

& Save Up To 60%

Tickets at the Door Only $10

Over Replacing or Refacing

SARASOTA INSTITUTE OF LIFETIME LEARNING

Visit www.tbi-lbk.org for information on Longboat Key SILL Video Series

A Lifetime of Learning in Two Exciting Series Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Venice - in Person or Video On Demand

Our Professional Cabinet Reenishing System Revitalizes Your Cabinets While Offering ese Unique Advantages:

Next Week’s Programs Include:

Music Mondays

MUSICAL CONVERSATIONS WITH GREAT PERFORMERS

Monday, January 31

• Very smooth appearance and touch • Excellent durability • Mar and scratch resistant • Non-yellowing • Low in VOC • Withstands substances typically found in kitchens and bathrooms • Excellent adhesion to wood, laminate and thermofoil surfaces • Available in any color match • Free in-home color consultation

Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 3:00 pm Longboat Key Video, February 7, 7:30 pm

Ann Morrison, Award-winning Actress Hand-picked by Stephen Sondheim to appear on Broadway in Merrily We Roll Along, Ann Morrison enjoys a career as actress, writer, teacher, director, and cabaret performer throughout the U.S. She is co-founder of Kaleidoscope, a musical theatre workshop for persons with developmental disabilities.

LBK VIDEO SERIES

Monday, Febuary 7 7:30 PM Temple Beth Israel

Global Issues AN INSIDER’S VIEW OF TODAY’S WORLD

Tuesday, February 1

Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 2:30 pm

The Dragon and the Bear: Russo-Chinese Relations

Robert Barylski will analyze and explain the

complex relationship between Russia and China and will discuss how the legacy of the past and current trends will shape the future.

Wednesday, February 2 Sarasota,10:30 am

Russia, China, Afghanistan and the Islamic Crescent Robert Barylski explains the

thousand year balancing act between Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Free In-Home Estimates Call Today 941-412-7029

Thursday, February 3

Sarasota,10:30 am - Lakewood Ranch, 3:30 Longboat Key Video Series February10, 7:30

LBK VIDEO SERIES

WestsideReenishers.com

Thursday, February 10 7:30 PM Temple Beth Israel

Friday, February 4 Venice,10:00 am Can Europe Become French Again?

The retirement of Angela Merkel, Brexit, and political disarray paves the way for a new French seniority in Europe. Martin Walker explores this possible outcome and its implications for the EU and other countries.

368678-1

371542-1

Complete Program Information:

sillsarasota.org

Check our website for Safety Protocols

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

POLO Begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. The 202122 Sarasota Polo Club season runs every Sunday through April 24. Gates open at 10 a.m. Enjoy polo, the opening parade, halftime entertainment, divot stomping, food, drinks and more. For more information and tickets (which begin at $15), go to SarasotaPolo.com.

BACK TO LOVE ACOUSTIC RECORD RELEASE Saturday, February 12th, 7:30 - 9:30pm

THE RESERVE RETREAT

1322 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Tickets $10 on Eventbrite Dinner and Drinks Extra

Reason to Give...

So they receive the medical care they require.

File photo

SATURDAY, JAN. 29SUNDAY, JAN. 30

JUNGLE JAMBOREE Runs from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota. The Junior League of Sarasota is hosting its fifth annual jamboree open to the public. Ticket purchase includes food, non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment and a silent auction. Each adult ticket ($30 and up) includes one alcoholic beverage; a cash bar offering beer and wine will be available. The event includes exotic animals, face painting, sensory learning activities and a visual art interactive story time. Children 3 and under are free. All other tickets range in price from $15 and up. Go to JLSarasota. org for ticket prices and more information.

BIG BILL 5K Begins at 8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5895 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The Big Bill Foundation’s “The Big 5K at Nathan Benderson Park” will run in memory of the late Bill Robinson, the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates chairman who also co-founded Fit2Run. All race participants will receive a medal and T-shirt. There will also be a kids dash event for children 12 and under. To register or for information, visit NathanBendersonpark.org or RaceRoster.com.

CATDEPOT.ORG

DIMITRI CUP SOCCER Begins at 8 a.m. at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Dimitri Cup youth soccer event, hosted by Soccer Skills Unlimited, is for boys and girls U16 through U19 teams. Last year’s event saw more than 500 teams attend, and this year’s event is aiming for 600. Registration costs $755 per team. Spectators can attend for free.

For more information or to register a team, visit TheDimitriCup.com.

OPEN BY APPOINTMENT 7 DAYS | 941-366-2404 2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 | www.catdepot.org

WASH EVERY DAY WITH JAX UNLIMITED CLUB!

SUNDAY, JAN. 30

Unlimited pass starting at just $19.99/month

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch will run year-round every Sunday. Features include children’s activities and live music. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2

RANCH NIGHT WEDNESDAYS Runs from 6-9 p.m. at 1561 Lakefront Drive, Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. Ranch Night Wednesdays is a free event that includes food trucks, live music, a market, an outdoor bar and a cornhole league.

It runs every week through May. For more information, go to MyLWR. com.

Me on my way to Jax for the third time this week What separates us from the rest?

WELCOMES WELCOMES WELCOMES Orthopedics WELCOMES WELCOMES

370724-1

Orthopedics Orthopedics Orthopedics Orthopedics Orthopedics

John Thomas, MD John John Thomas, Thomas, MD MD WELCOMES Orthopedic Surgery John Thomas, MD Orthopedic Orthopedic Surgery Surgery John Thomas, Orthopedic SurgeryMD Orthopedic Surgery

knowledge knowledge andand and experience inin Orthopedics. in Orthopedics.

University of Florida, Gainesville, Lakewood Ranch Iexperience &experience Beneva Professional CenterFLoffices a wealth of Undergraduate: knowledge Orthopedics.

Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL Medicaland School: knowledge experience in Orthopedics.

University University ofof Florida, of Florida, Gainesville, Gainesville, FL Undergraduate: Undergraduate: University Florida, Gainesville, FL FL Undergraduate:

Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Orlando Health, Residency: Dr. John Thomas brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at theTallahassee, Florida Florida State University University College College of of Medicine, Tallahassee, University of State Florida, Gainesville, FLMedicine, Undergraduate: Medical Medical School: School: Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FLFL FL Medical School: Orlando, FL Lakewood Ranch I & Beneva Professional Center offices a wealth of Orthopaedic Orthopaedic Surgery Surgery Residency, Residency, Orlando Orlando Health, Health, Florida State University College ofOrlando Medicine, Tallahassee, FL Residency: Residency: Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Health, Medical School: Residency: Adult Reconstructive and Hip Preservation Fellowship, Fellowship: knowledge and experience inFL Orthopedics.

Orlando, Orlando, FL FL Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Orlando Health, Orlando, Residency: Orthopedic Centeres of Colorado, Denver, CO Adult Adult Reconstructive Reconstructive and and Preservation Hip Fellowship, Fellowship, University of Florida, Gainesville, FLPreservation Undergraduate: Fellowship: Fellowship: Adult Reconstructive andHip Hip Preservation Fellowship, FL Fellowship: Board Eligible, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certifications: Orlando, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Orthopedic Orthopedic Centeres Centeres of Colorado, of Colorado, Denver, Denver, CO CO Medical School: Adult Orthopedic Centeres of Colorado, Denver, Reconstructive and Hip Preservation Fellowship, FL Fellowship: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center; DoctorsCO Hospital; Hospitals: Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Orlando Health, Residency: Board Board Eligible, Eligible, American American Board Board of Orthopaedic of Orthopaedic Surgery Surgery Certifications: Certifications: Orthopedic Board Eligible, American Board of Orthopaedic Certifications: Centeres ofHospital Colorado, Denver, CO Surgery Sarasota Memorial Orlando, FL Lakewood Lakewood Ranch Ranch Medical Medical Center; Center; Doctors Doctors Hospital; Hospital; Lakewood Ranch Medical Center; Doctors Hospital; Hospitals: Hospitals: Hospitals: Board Eligible, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certifications: Adult Reconstructive and Hip Preservation Fellowship, Fellowship: Sarasota Memorial Hospital Sarasota Sarasota Memorial Memorial Hospital Hospital NOW ACCEPTING NEW Lakewood Ranch Medical Center;PATIENTS! Doctors Hospital; Hospitals: Orthopedic Centeres of Colorado, Denver, CO Sarasota Memorial Hospital ANAmerican APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL Board Eligible, Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certifications: TO SCHEDULE

• Every vehicle receives a free “Buff N’ Shine” at the end of our tunnel • Over the top customer service • Free towel dry for all vehicles • Personal Touch Interior Services • Detail Services (20% off for pass members)

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WHEN YOU THINK FANS THINK DAN’S!

John Thomas, MD

Dr. John Thomas brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Orthopedic Surgery Dr. John Dr. John Thomas Thomas brings brings totoIntercoastal to Intercoastal Medical Medical Group Group the at the Lakewood Ranch I& Beneva Professional Center offices aatwealth of Dr. John Thomas brings Intercoastal Medical Group at the knowledge and experience in Orthopedics.

Lakewood Lakewood Ranch Ranch I & Beneva I & Beneva Professional Professional Center Center offices offices a wealth a wealth Dr. John Thomas brings to Intercoastal Medical the ofof of Lakewood Ranch I & Beneva Professional CenterGroup offices aatwealth

Hospitals:

370186-1

SATURDAY, JAN. 29

DONATE TODAY AT

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NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! NOW NOW ACCEPTING ACCEPTING NEW NEW PATIENTS! PATIENTS! Lakewood Ranch Medical Center; Doctors Hospital; 941-362-8662 NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! TO ANAPPOINTMENT, APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE TOSCHEDULE SCHEDULE AN AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE PLEASE CALL CALL Sarasota Memorial Hospital Lakewood Ranch I Office

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941-362-8662 941-362-8662 941-362-8662 NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! Lakewood Ranch Office Lakewood Lakewood Ranch Ranch IIOffice I Office 941-362-8662 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL 941-362-8662 11505 Rangeland Parkway, Bradenton, Florida 34211 11505 11505 Rangeland Rangeland Parkway, Parkway, Bradenton, Bradenton, Florida Florida 34211 34211

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Lakewood Ranch I Office Beneva Professional Center 11505 Parkway, Florida 941-362-8662 943Rangeland S. Beneva Road, Suite Bradenton, 106, Sarasota, Florida34211 34232

941-362-8662 941-362-8662 941-362-8662 Lakewood Ranch I Office Beneva Professional Center www.intercoastalmedical.com 11505 Rangeland Parkway, Bradenton, Florida 34211 Beneva Beneva Professional Professional Center Center 941-362-8662 Medicare and most insurances accepted 943 S. Beneva Road, Suite 106, Sarasota, Florida 34232 943 943 S. Beneva S. Beneva Road, Road, Suite Suite 106, 106, Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida 34232 34232 Beneva Professional CenterFlorida 941-362-8662 S. Beneva Road, Suite 106, Sarasota, Florida 34232 www.intercoastalmedical.com l National Expertise l Multiple Locations A Patient 943 Focused, Multi-Specialty Group www.intercoastalmedical.com www.intercoastalmedical.com Beneva Professional Center Medicare and most insurances accepted Medicare Medicare andSuite most and most insurances insurances accepted accepted 943 S. Beneva Road, 106, Sarasota, www.intercoastalmedical.com Florida 34232 372654-1

Medicare and most insurances accepted A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Groupll National Expertise llMultiple Locations www.intercoastalmedical.com l National l Multiple A Patient A Patient Focused, Focused, Multi-Specialty Multi-Specialty Group Group National Expertise Expertise Multiple Locations Locations Medicare and most insurances accepted A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations

A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations

Bradenton

1808 Cortez Rd #101 941-755-3262

E. Sarasota

6303 Center Ring Rd #101 941-355-1153

www.DansFanCity.com

371273-1

COMMUNITY

9B

372769-1

SUNDAY, JAN. 30

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

You’re invited to

YOUR CALENDAR

BEST BET

|

10B

WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, JAN. 27

Submit your photos at YourObserver. com/Weather.

All submissions will be entered for the 2021-22 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2022, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

High: 71 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 12%

FRIDAY, JAN. 28 High: 67 Low: 47 Chance of rain: 24%

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise

Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 27

7:18a

6:07p

Friday, Jan. 28

7:18a

6:08p

Saturday, Jan. 29

7:17a

6:09p

Sunday, Jan. 30

7:17a

6:10p

Monday, Jan. 31

7:16a

6:10p

Tuesday, Feb. 1

7:16a

6:11p

Wednesday, Feb. 2

7:15a

6:12p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JAN. 29 High: 51 Low: 37 Chance of rain: 2%

SUNDAY, JAN. 30 High: 54 Low: 39 Chance of rain: 0% Ron Anderson captured this photo in Lakewood Ranch’s Central Park.

Feb. 23 Last

March 2 New

March 10 First

March 18 Full

RAINFALL Monday, Jan. 17

0.05

Tuesday, Jan. 18

0

Wednesday, Jan. 19

0

Thursday, Jan. 20

0

Friday, Jan. 21

0

Saturday, Jan. 22

0

Sunday, Jan. 23

0.01

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

YEAR TO DATE: 2022 0.12 in.

2021 0.63 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2022 0.12 in.

2021 0.63 in.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC KARASTAN, MOHAWK, AIRO, SMARTSTRAND, ALL PET 941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

celebrity cipher

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE by Val Melius. Edited by David Steinberg 118 Word before “thy father” 119 “I don’t know how ___ does it!”

120 IHOP serving

DOWN

©2022 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

29 Some med. drama sets 30 Juliet’s boo 1 Shells in an Italian 31 “Sherlock” network, in seafood dish, say? the U.K. 6 Expert 32 Happen without effort 9 ___ diem 37 “Disco Inferno” refrain 14 Manager of corp. ac(... letters 11-8) counts 43 In a crowd of 17 Cookies in many 44 Shaves crosswords 46 Eye, in Ibiza 18 ___ Vegas 47 “Don’t move, Fido!”

19 Stuffed Indian pastry 48 D.C. MLB player 20 Plasma globe, e.g.

49 “Wreck-It ___” (2012 21 Chicks’ noises film) 22 Michael Jordan’s 51 Commenced Tarheel State sch.

53 Allen of “Assembly 23 Movie theaters Required” 24 Brisbane bouncer, 54 Comfortably wealthy briefly (... letters 9-6) 25 Phablet released in 2014 (In this clue’s answer, 58 Company concerned with fake reviews see letters 15-12)

59 “That’s too bad,” oldstyle 60 What slip-ons lack 61 Heron’s habitat 62 Oodles 63 Hesitates 64 Source of Pringles 66 Fireplace flakes 69 Font with a Narrow style 70 Practical folks 74 Gas in Sin City signs 75 Parting words (... letters 14-10) 78 Explosive letters 79 Enjoys a short break 80 Elizabeth of “Avengers: Endgame” 81 Anti-piracy warning org.

82 Smidgen 84 “Whaddaya know!”

85 Come clean about 87 Ducks’ are webbed 88 Broke the ice with humor (... letters 9-6) 92 Singers’ charity events 95 “Families of the Mafia” channel 96 Coins in Cologne 98 Name within “admiral” 99 Does everything possible, or a theme hint 109 Know-it-___ 110 Enjoyed a short break 111 “Found it!”

112 Potions professor at Hogwarts 113 ___ with caution 114 Less distant 115 Dark ‘n’ Stormy liquor 116 Conversation focus 117 Some, in French

1 Bubble Wrap noises 2 Cross-section calculation 3 Look to be 4 Odds-on favorite 5 Make certain 6 Outlet insert 7 Sounded like a phone 8 Muppet who sang “I Love Trash” 9 V formation?

10 “Preach it!”

11 Longtime Cowboys QB Tony 12 H.S. exam 13 Slip past 14 Netflix subscriber, often 15 Its legs go into the dish swikee 16 “Island Prelude” woodwind 19 Philly NBA player 23 “The Rebel” author Albert 26 Surveillance grp.

27 Lung division 28 Subsides 32 “Zip your lip!”

33 Many a Muscat Festival attendee 34 Oven gloves 35 Paintball sounds 36 Like most lapdogs 38 Not genuine 39 A wee bit open 40 Very thin 41 Trains travel on them 42 Minor nature goddess 45 P, in Greek 49 Seized autos 50 Landed 51 Bend under pressure 52 Some seek a more perfect union 55 Van ___ (“Jump” band) 56 Waves wildly

57 Bygone legal drama with Susan Dey 58 “Feel me?”

61 1998 Disney role for Ming-Na Wen 63 Londoner, e.g.

64 Handles efficiently 65 Spread written with two accents 66 Piece of mischief 67 Mister, in Managua 68 Spicy Mexican foods 69 Offshore 70 Artifact 71 Not as dangerous 72 Asian land where “The Golden Child” is set 73 Peevish moods 75 Impulse 76 Requirement 77 Parent celebrated in May 83 Last part of “The Tempest” 85 Ohio rubber city 86 Cole of “Black-ish” 87 “Don’t worry,” biblically 89 Gripe 90 King’s card?

91 Word before “space” or “planet” 93 Minor quibble 94 Pizza leftovers, perhaps 97 Scorches 99 Praise to the skies 100 “What ___ is new?”

101 By oneself 102 “Shanghai ___” (2000 martial arts Western) 103 “And I should care because ...?”

104 “Nah!” 105 Thelma or Louise 106 California wine region 107 Movie such as “Gladiator” 108 Backyard barbecue site

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“C RCEV HVWNW RJE J RJO HM PYMR OMG RWNW CY HVW LMMX MIX XJOE TWKMNW OMG JAHGJIIO IWKH HVWS.” – WX VWISE “VFVUDYERAZ DHK PMAY YH SV, DHK MTUVMID MUV. DHK’UV WRNOTD HA YEV OMYE YH IRWXHFVURAZ RY.” – MTRXRM CVDW “DR PRRO GSAR THPOPREE, GSAR BSGFJEEHSP, GSAR VSZ, GSAR WJMIKXRA. H ORNHPHXRWZ DJPX XS BSPXAHCMXR XS XKJX.” – RWWRP ORIRPRARE Puzzle Three Clue: C equals B

crossword

371150-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue: P equals W

Sarasota

Puzzle One Clue: P equals K

CARPET

© 2022 NEA, Inc.

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

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

1-27-22

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

RED PAGES redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis..

Announcements CLAIRE’S PRODUCE AND PLANTS 7275 N. Lockwood Ridge REOPENED

Homes for Rent

More plants than produce!

auto

Items Under $200

ANTIQUE ARMOIRE Cherry wood, late 1800’s, very good condition. 9ft H x 53” W, 3 shelves and 1 drawer. $199 941-201-5001 GOLF CLUBS Classic Walter Hagen UltraDyne irons. 1-PW RH Stiff Steel. (941) 360-6671

GOLF OUTING - LONGBOAT KEY CLUB February 17th 8:00am Harborside Course. $150 including awards luncheon. Call St. Mary’s Church office M-F for entry form (941-383-1255)

General Merchandise

2009 TOYOTA matrix, automatic, very good condition, 110K miles, private party only! $5,900 941-309-7439

REAL LOCAL STUFF HERE!

YourObserver.com/RedPages

BRIGGS & STRATTON gas generator, 5250 running watts with accessories, cord/cable. $5000. (201)838-1825

Health/Fitness/ Beauty DRIVE ELECTRIC scooter Battery, 6-9 mile range, $189 (941) 201-5944

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Email: RedPages@YourObserver.com Online: YourObserver.com/Red Pages

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Sporting Goods

JEWELRY ARMOIRE: cherry, 41”highX15”depth X18”wide, 8 felt lined drawers, mirror opens on top, side doors, $159. 941-7584646.

LIFETIME OUTDOOR Storage Bin Model 60040 -- $100 5' wide x 2' deep x 2' high.

941-925-3084 LOCK BOX, fire proof with key, 13X8X7. $15. Movie posters 1984-85 (44 total), $45 941-741-9727 SOFA BED – queen size, light brown, very comfortable mattress, great condition, only $199. Call 516-528-5876.

TURNTABLE-$10.00 DOUBLE cassette player-$10.00 DVD-CD PLAYER-$10.00 Headphones-$10.00 941-756-4656 WHEELCHAIR BY ki., new asking $125 , cement pelican 2 foot tall painted $65 941-359-8460

Beach’ N Rides Electric Bike Shop eBike Sales and Rentals Ride easy on an eBike with as much exercise or assistance as you want. Leave traffic and parking problems behind!

13 models available.

Daily and weekly rentals available We also repair other Brands Open 10 to 5 daily except Sundays and holidays 12208 Cortez Road, Cortez, FL

941-251-7916, Ext 1

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342. www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE: YourObserver.com/RedPages

Painting 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.

This week’s Crossword answers

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! Homes for Sale ©2022 Universal Uclick

Luxurious Lake Club 4 Bed 4 Bath Built in 2019 Lakefront Lakewood Ranch $2,500,000 Sorrento Shores Waterfront 3 Bed 2 Bath Fantastic Views, New Dock $995,000

Help Wanted HELP WANTED Cooks $15 and Dishwashers $13 negotiable w/experience. FT, PT, all shifts. FT benefits include: 401k, vision, dental, PTO Call 941-746-2882 ext 996, press 2 https://www.christianretreat.org HIRING NOW: Cooks $15 & Dishwashers $13 Negotiable w/exp.

FT, PT, all shifts. FT benefits: 401k, vision, dental, PTO. Call 941-208-250 Bethany@christianretreat.org

TREASURES FOUND HERE!

Cleaning

Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

jobs

POST YOUR AD WITH EASE

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Fax: 941-362-4808

Merchandise Wanted SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and collectors plates. Personal and confidential. Please call Marc: 941-321-0707.

First 15 words ................... $ 17.50 per week Each Add’l word .........50¢

Autos Wanted

941-955-4888

SELL IT FAST HERE!

RED PAGES AD RATES

SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

941-955-4888

PERSONAL CARE GIVER- Private care: Meal preparation, errands, shopping, and more.

Affordable hourly rates, available weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 Bed 2 Bath Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, Dock.

Owner/agent $530,000.

Call for coming soon listings.

Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley as your Realtor, and CLUB REALTY will Pay your title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677.

Real Estate Wanted

You’re only cheating yourself.

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236

Autos for Sale

NEW HOME 3 Bedrooms/3 baths, plus study or dining room, 3 car garage. Fully furnished, water view in the back. $5500 month/deposit for each.

6 months rent required at least.

Located in Lorraine subdivision.

713-459-5892

Adult Care Services

peekers’ place

stuff

Desert Roses, Orchids, hanging baskets, herbs and more.

Friday 12p.m.-6p.m., Saturday 10a.m.-5p.m.

Sunday 12p.m.-4p.m.

real estate

Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

home services

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Auto Transport

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them.”

Ed Helms Puzzle Two Solution: “Everything you want to be, you already are. You’re simply on the path to discovering it.”

Alicia Keys Puzzle Three Solution: “We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.”

Ellen DeGeneres

This week’s Sudoku answers

Single Male wants to buy home for sale by owner. Deposit and terms negotiable and according to the owner.

Contact Tom 678-755-3804 tomlarsen559@gmail.com

Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Aluminum

Clock Repair

Handyman

Christo’s Clock Repair

Ron Chapman Home Service

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, TOC TO ME.” CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Interior/Exterior Painting Dryer Vent Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning

Don Christo, Sr., Horologist

cell: 941.250.1505 • FREE Estimates

373065

373066

4630 5TH ST W BRADENTON

941-773-0875 • 941-932-5505

Computer

“Specializing inin6” Gutters” “Specializing 6” Seamless Seamless Gutters”

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator Owner /Insured Operator Insured

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SELL YOUR CAR!

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Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

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Pegatronics.com

WE COME TO YOU

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371087

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Concrete

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CRACK REPAIR

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

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371064

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Beauty

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SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

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BUZ CORP D/B/A

CONCRETE FUSION

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The Only Thing You Have To Lose ... Is The Pain!!

Home Services

372501

Call Bobby • FREE Estimates 319-693-8800 or 941-374-7670 Doors

AMANDA

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

Sliding Glass Door Repair

424-333-0713 | rockstarmobilehair@gmail.com www.rockstarmobilehairsalon.com

371088

|

373439

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

• Dryer hot but clothes still wet after (1) drying cycle?

• Dryer gets hot to the touch or doesn’t heat up at all?

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

Residential

941-705-5468

Commercial

372508

Irrigation

Cleaning

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

ED’S RAIN MAKER IRRIGATION

372506

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

IRRIGATION (941) 725-8100 REPAIR edsrainmakerirrigation@gmail.com MAINTENANCE Insured

Furniture Repair 371083

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

Servicing LWR, Parrish and NE Bradenton

941-504-0903

373059

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Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

Custom Granite Services, llc

Doors

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

941-400-4912

CustomGraniteServicesLLC@gmail.com

372510

DON’T let your PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your WINDOWS be a PANE!!

373067

12B

CJ COOLEY OWNER/OPERATOR CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

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372503

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

235

$ 235

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

Power Washing

THE GRAB BAR GUY

Pressure Washing

13B

Roofing Pressure Washing

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

Honesty, Integrity and Pride • Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways

Deck/Paver Sealing• •Decks Gutter• Driveways Cleaning ••Roofs • Pool Cages AndSealing Much•More!

• Deck/Paver And Much More

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

Licensed & Insured

941-544-1066

373061

AFTER

BEFORE

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

| scaperotta@aol.com

Italian American Owned

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

Rescreening & Repairs

373441

GLENN KROECKER

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346 372511

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

|

Screening

371089

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com Landscaping & Lawn

373068

GARDENS BY ALLISON No Job is too Small!

373444

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Eldridge Re-Screen

gbyallison@yahoo.com gardensbyallison.com

Licensed

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“No Job Too Small”

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint Doors and more!

Manufacture and workmanship

For

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

372521

941 - 748 - 7400 RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

Painting

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

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

371093

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

RED PAGES

Owner Supervises Every Job

www.bissonroofing.com

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services.

CALL 941-955-4888

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

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RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

ws

140

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

372515

941-739-5102

5002 LENA RD, UNIT 107, BRADENTON, 34211 WWW.SMALLENGINEREPAIRS.US

STANDARD WINDOWS

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

25

UP TO

Bisson Roofing Inc.

Lic./Ins.

w & Pressure Cl indo345-5264 W eani (941) t e s n ng s a S u n u n w r o i s n e Wind k S o merly

Roofing

SALES & REPAIRS - MOWERS, GENERATORS, TRIMMERS, PRESSURE WASHERS, CHAIN SAWS, BLOWERS, ENGINES

Warranties

Res./Com.

941-270-1561

Lawn Care

Windows

Insured

373443

372512

941.400.0431

372516

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

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

Satisfaction guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee Pool cage Restoration/ Rescreening specialists Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

372517

Allison J. Abizaid, M.A.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Elevating

Pascarella I Shanahan LUXURY GROUP

Y O U R R E A L E S TAT E E P E R I E N C E

• Over $13 Million Pending & Sold In January 2022 • Top 1% of Agents in Manatee & Sarasota Counties

Featured

• Over $444 Million in Lifestime Sales • Over $78 Million Sold in 2021

LISTINGS

Custom Estate Home

Under Contract

Under Contract

The Concession

The Lake Club

Country Club East

8407 Broadstone Ct

16823 Clearlake Ave

16809 Berwick Terrace

Offered at $4,995,000

Offered at $2,295,000

Offered at $1,689,000

Lakewood Ranch is a seller’s market.

For an in-depth analysis of your home’s value, contact us at Realtors@PSLuxuryGroup.com

HOLLY PASCARELLA, PA (941) 225 - 3218 Holly@PSLuxuryGroup.com

KATINA SHANAHAN, PLLC (941) 702 - 0437 Katina@PSLuxuryGroup.com

KENNETH SHANAHAN, PLLC (941) 702 - 0443 Ken@PSLuxuryGroup.com 370796-1

14B