East County Observer 11.19.20

E A ST COUNTY

Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Knights salute veterans.

PAGE 20A

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FREE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

VOLUME 23, NO. 2

Storm brews after Lightning moves

YOUR TOWN

Photo courtesy of Lt. Gregory Bueno

Food drive charges forward The Florida Highway Patrol’s annual Stuff the Charger Food Drive is underway, and local residents can drop off nonperishable food items at any Florida Highway Patrol office, such as the one at 5023 53rd Ave. E., in Bradenton.

The food drive will continue through Nov. 30. Lt. Gregory Bueno, pictured above with Publix Manager Ray Gonzalez, said the goal is to collect at least one ton of food. All food collected in the region will be donated to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.

LEMUR LODGE

County’s reduction of Tsunami swim team’s afternoon practices at John Marble Park highlights area’s lack of aquatic facilities. PAGE 3A

Lemur reserve in Myakka City plans another expansion.

SEE PAGE 8A Brendan Lavell

Brendan Lavell

Duffy is a 6-year-old ring-tailed lemur whose twin, Moose, now lives at the Staten Island Zoo. Duffy will have more room because the lemur reserve in Myakka City has planned an expansion.

Built to last

Brendan Lavell

Time to flip the holiday switch Workers including Charles Richeson (above) were putting the finishing touches on holiday lights at the Mall at UTC in preparation for the fourth annual Santa’s Grand Arrival Celebration beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 21. The event includes a parade, live music and the arrival of Santa.

Richeson said preparing the decorations helps get him in the Christmas spirit.

“It’s always fun,” he said.

Jay Heater

Halfacre Construction’s executives say Owner Jack Cox always has treated them like brothers.

Lakewood Ranch’s Halfacre Construction celebrates 50 years in business.

SEE PAGE 1B

Suzanne Aguirre is one of many Tsunami swimmers who live in Lakewood Ranch. The county reduced the team’s afternoon pool hours to make room for another team.

A+E

Making of a musical — on the beach.

SEE PAGE 18A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Sweet opportunity for SUGAR

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Be a Hero Project event can contact Showing Unconditional Goodwill and Respect through the nonprofit’s Facebook page, SUGAR Volunteers.

If you’d like to donate, call SUGAR at 877-0671, or send an email to info@SUGARVolunteers.org.

Lakewood Ranch nonprofit works to give a backpack filled with food and toys to more than 1,200 homeless students in the School District of Manatee County.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

K

ennedy Burnette, a sophomore at Lakewood Ranch High School, picked up a small pink backpack and made her way down the line of Slim Jims, SpaghettiOs and cereal.

She then went to the table of toys and added an emoji keychain, stickers, a scrunchie and more.

Afterward, she wrote a personal note to the elementary student in Manatee County who would receive the backpack for the holidays.

“I’m glad to get out and do something for my community and give kids something to look forward to coming up to the holidays,” Burnette said.

Burnette, along with about 20 other volunteers, helped stuff 250 backpacks with snacks and toys as part of the Be a Hero Project by nonprofit Showing Unconditional Goodwill And Respect. SUGAR is a children-focused volunteer organization.

Through the project, kids and families throughout the greater Lakewood Ranch area are coming together to stuff backpacks for students experiencing homelessness in pre-K through 12th grade in the School District of Manatee County.

Country Club’s Susan Meyers, one of the organizers of Be a Hero Project, said there are more than 1,200 homeless students within the school district.

“One thing that I thought was remarkable is that there’s not a single school in Manatee County that is exempt from this,” Meyers said. “Even our schools in Lakewood Ranch have students who fall into this category.”

Project organizers shared the statistic with volunteers during the project’s first service event Nov. 15 at Summerfield Community Park.

“It’s crazy thinking about how kids sitting next to me in class could possibly be homeless,” Burnette said.

With so many students in need, the project is starting with elementary students by donating 250 backpacks during the holidays.

Greenbrook’s Stephanie Guido, one of the creators of SUGAR, hopes volunteers can help assemble backpacks for middle school students to be donated in February followed by high school students at the end of the school year.

Greyhawk Landing’s Payal Shah volunteered with her two daughters, Hailey and Marlie Brooks, as a way to teach them about giving back to their communities.

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Volunteers of various ages help with SUGAR’s first Be a Hero Project service event.

Greyhawk Landing’s Hailey Brooks, volunteers with her mother, Payal Shah, and 5-year-old sister, Marlie Brooks. Shah used the Be a Hero Project event as a time to teach her children about giving back to the community.

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“So many people have suffered so much loss financially and health wise,” Shah said. “If there is one little thing we can do to put a smile on people’s faces, we’re going to do it.”

SUGAR, much like dozens of other nonprofits, has had to make some adjustments to its service events as a result of the pandemic. Usually, its service events are held on a larger scale with dozens of volunteers, but organizers are limiting Be a Hero Project events to 25 volunteers.

As a result, the nonprofit is receiving help from other community organizations interested in assisting, such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts troops, Future Business Leaders of America clubs at school and sports teams.

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backpacks, and the organizations will fill them and return them to SUGAR. All the supplies for the backpacks come from donations within the community.

“This community as a whole is so spectacular,” Guido said. “They are the most philanthropic, the most generous, the most compassionate minded. It’s unbelievable the way they rally.”

The pandemic caused some concern for whether there would be enough donations to fill the bags because organizers knew people in the community were hurting from the financial strain put on them by COVID-19.

“When it’s donations, you have no idea what is going to arrive at your door,” Guido said. “We knew going into it that we had to budget, and we gave an allowance for each kid. We knew at the bare minimum, they would have something even if we had to pack it ourselves.”

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2A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Lightning Coach Steve Lubrino emailed Manatee County on Oct. 7 to request time for his team at John Marble Pool.

PUBLIC POOL SHORTAGE MAKES WAVES East County swim programs have difficulty finding a home.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

A

lthough the loss of pool time at John Marble Park has angered the organizers of the SRQ Tsunami Swim Team, it also has brought to light the lack of public pools in East County.

Parents and coaches of the SRQ Tsunami, such as head coach Ira Klein, are unhappy with Manatee County’s decision to bump the Tsunami out of John Marble Pool three afternoons per week to make room for the Lakewood Ranch Lightning swim team.

The Lakewood Ranch Lightning needed to find a second home when Lakewood Ranch Country Club was forced to place restrictions (the number of available lanes was reduced to protect members from being too close) on its pool usage due to COVID-19.

That meant the Lightning, which has almost 90 swimmers and also has a wait list of another 70 who want to join the program, would have reduced pool availability.

For the Lightning, the only choice to regain some of that time, at least in terms of a public pool, would be going to John Marble Park.

Lightning Coach Steve Lubrino reached out to the county Oct. 7 to inquire about reserving practice times for his recreational program at John Marble Park. Lubrino explained to county officials that

the John Marble Park pool was the only one in the county system that would be close enough to Lakewood Ranch to allow the team to function because most of his swimmers are from that area and would be attending the program after school. He also told county officials that the pool at G.T. Bray Park on the west side of the county was a nice facility but simply too far away.

Charlie Hunsicker, the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources director, said his staff met with Lubrino on Oct. 26 and made a decision the next day to give the Lightning three fourhour blocks (3-7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at John Marble Park.

But that meant the SRQ Tsunami, which had used John Marble Park the previous two years and Manatee County pools for more than 10 years, would have its schedule altered.

Manatee County offered the Tsunami additional time at G.T. Bray Pool, which has been the Tsunami’s secondary pool in Manatee County, as well as all weekday mornings at Marble.

Klein said the afternoon slots are more valuable because they are more convenient for his swimmers and their families. He said his team members have built their schedules around afternoon practices at G.T. Bray. His competitive program had practiced at John Marble Park from 3-6:30

Tsunami swimmers get ready for a Thursday practice. The Tsunami used to practice at Marble Pool every weekday afternoon but are now limited to mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Photos by Brendan Lavell

Tsunami Coach Guy Bergeron instructs his swimmers during a Thursday practice.

p.m. every weekday.

Although Hunsicker understood the inconvenience, he said the county felt the Tsunami, which already runs practices out of G.T. Bray along with pools in Sarasota, could adjust more easily than the Lightning.

“That was our goal, to try to make it as equitable as possible,” Hunsicker said.

Hunsicker said he understands that Klein is disappointed because his team has done business with the county for more than 10 years, and he knows Klein believes the county and the Tsunami have forged a longtime relationship.

However, Hunsicker said, “My answer to that is none of our facilities are solely for the use of any particular party.”

Klein said he is upset because the county did not notify him of the situation until after a decision was made. He felt his team deserved more respect after a 10-year partnership with the county, during which Klein says the Tsunami has paid Manatee “well over $100,000.”

“They never talked to me,” Klein said. “They talked to the Lightning. But they didn’t sit me down. I mean, I understand it’s another program from the county. … [They] never asked me though, how does that affect us? It was just: ‘Well, we got another group that wants three of your days. So you get Tuesday, Thursday, and the rest of the time, you have to shift all your people all the way

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

SWIM TEAM PUBLIC POOL SCHEDULES BEFORE THE LIGHTNING MOVED PRACTICES TO JOHN MARBLE PARK Tsunami: 3-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Marble; 5:30-7 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Marble; 4-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at G.T. Bray Lightning: 3:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Lakewood Ranch Country Club; 7-10 a.m. Saturday at Lakewood Ranch Country Club AFTER THE LIGHTNING MOVED PRACTICES TO JOHN MARBLE PARK Tsunami: 3-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Marble; 5:30-7 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Marble; 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Marble (shared with public); 3-7 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Bray Lightning: 3-7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Marble; 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday at Lakewood Ranch Country Club; 7-10 a.m. Saturday at Lakewood Ranch Country Club

over to G.T. Bray.’”

“When you start with having all the time, and a new team wants to get some time, there wasn’t much of a middle ground there,” Hunsicker countered. “I didn’t see much cause in sitting two of them down in a room, locking the door and coming out the other side with everyone agreeing with the schedule. … This wasn’t mediation in a court of law. I needed to make the decision.”

Hunsicker and Manatee County Aquatics Manager Brittany Stokes said the county gives local swim teams generous rates to use its pools. The county charges $60 per hour to use the entire pool (or $30 to use half of it). Hunsicker said it would cost much more if a team wanted to secure exclusive use of a pool, especially considering the county’s current lack of pool space.

The county is limited to Marble and Bray while it continues to work on projects at Lincoln Park and at Premier Sports Campus.

“You can’t pour 5 gallons into a 1-gallon bucket,” Hunsicker said.

“So we need more buckets. We need more pools.”

Klein said the decision has already had an adverse impact on his team. He had about 70 swimmers at Marble before the decision, and now his team has 55 left who are able to practice at both G.T. Bray, which is 8 miles from John Marble, and John Marble.

Stokes and Hunsicker noted that two years ago, the Tsunami squad swam exclusively out of Bray. However, Klein said only three or four of his current swimmers who were practicing at Marble are from western Manatee County.

Unfortunately, Hunsicker has said it could take 10 years to build an aquatics center at Premier, so it doesn’t appear the rapidly growing area will get any public pools soon.

County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said a higher priority needs to be put on building a public pool in East County in the near future.

“It is ridiculous that we can spend $30 million ($32.5 million to buy 161 acres from Musgrave Real Estate Holdings at the corner of State Road 64 and Lena Road) just to build buildings to put staff in that we really don’t need at this moment, but yet we don’t have the money to take care of our residents to have children swim on the swim teams,” Baugh said.

“So to me, that tells me that the aquatic center at Premier needs to be started almost immediately.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

NOVEMBER

No appeal yet on rezone approval for car lot

THURS. 19TH

DECEMBER THURS. 3RD & 17TH

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Thursday, November 19, 2020, Thursday, December 3, 2020

Winn-Dixie opened Nov. 11 at The Green at Lakewood Ranch.

Joey Medina, the regional vice president for Winn-Dixie, said the store will cater to the needs of Lakewood Ranch residents based on the consumer research the company completed.

“We know Lakewood Ranch residents are looking for healthy food options, variety and quality,” Medina said. “We’re going to be able to offer a great assortment [of foods] within every department. One thing that is the most important is for our customers to know they can always count on us.”

Lakewood Ranch’s Winn-Dixie was one of four stores opening Nov. 11. The other stores are in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Boynton Beach.

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PHILIP MEINHARDT, M.D.

Facing a Nov. 21 deadline, representatives of a group of residents pondering legal action to dispute the Manatee County Commission’s rezone of a parcel at the corner of 117th St. E. and State Road 64 say they haven’t decided whether to pursue legal action.

The parcel is expected to be the site of a future car lot built

by Cox Chevrolet. The group has 30 days after the rezone was approved to file an appeal.

Any appeal must include a petition that claims the county’s decision was illegal and/or improper.

Suncoast Classic becomes Korn Ferry Tour opener The PGA Tour announced Nov. 17 that the third annual LECOM Suncoast Classic, Feb. 15-21 at Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, will be the first event of the 2021 portion of the Korn Ferry Tour.

Last year, the LECOM Suncoast Classic was the fifth event of the new calendar year. However, the schedule has been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten 2020 events were canceled, as were the first four events of 2021.

The Korn Ferry Tour will have been off due to the pandemic since Oct. 11, when it concluded its 2020 tournament schedule in Winter Garden. Trey Mullinax was the final Korn Ferry winner of the year.

The Korn Ferry Tour will have 23 tournaments in 2021.

EAST COUNTY

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4A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

5A

Longer winter season could boost Premier Manatee County hopes to schedule more soccer tournaments during the traditionally busy tourism months.

PREMIER COST

The revenue and expenses at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch since Manatee County took over operation of the park.

FISCAL YEAR 2018* Revenue: $403,990 Expenses: $733,650

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

Manatee County officials are banking on the hope that sports continue to be an avenue for people to return to a semblance of normalcy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elliott Falcione, the county’s Convention and Visitor Bureau Department director, said sports tourism generates about 13% of Manatee County tourism each year, resulting in an economic impact of $175 million to $200 million, according to third-party firm Research Data Services.

He estimated about threequarters of that amount is generated in the Lakewood Ranch, Parrish and the University Parkway areas.

During the pandemic, though, the county has seen a drop in activity at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.

Due to lost tournaments and other events, Premier brought in $96,991 less ($475,655) than the previous fiscal year ($572,646).

Although sports tourism lagged for much of the year, the county is now eyeing additional local and regional tournaments as an opportunity to bring visitors back to the area and help kick-start an

FISCAL YEAR 2019 Revenue: $572,646 Expenses: $1.2 million

File photo

Players warm up Sept. 5 for the first night of competition in the Chargers Soccer Club Labor Day Tournament at Premier Sports Campus. About 1,500 athletes participated in the four-day event.

economy that has struggled.

Falcione said Premier should be able to secure tournaments from organizations that had to cancel their major events earlier during the pandemic. The thought is that Premier could host those events through next March to make up for some of the lost revenue.

“In non-COVID-19 years, we’ve always stayed away from sponsoring sports tournaments in the months of February and March, just because we’re at peak leisure season,” Falcione said.

“And there’s really minimal hotel rooms available.”

Falcione doesn’t expect international tourism to have its usual impact during this time. However, he said Premier can target regional tournaments, which would draw from Florida and other Southeastern states.

It will be a critical period for Premier because the county has

to pay for the maintenance of the campus, including such expenses as utility services and operating supplies, whether tournaments are being held or not.

“Premier, traditionally, is not a sustainable operation when you look at just revenues and expenses,” Falcione said. “[It exists] to drive new dollars into the community. So that’s what we focus on. Do we want to run sustainable venues at some point? Absolutely. We will always work hard to minimize any kind of financial shortfalls year in and year out. We will always work hard to operate venues in a sustainable manner.

But more so, it’s important to find business that drives new dollars into the area.”

Falcione said the county aims to hold two major tournaments per month from September through December in a normal year. But this year, the goal is to hold one

FISCAL YEAR 2020 Revenue: $475,655 Expenses: $1.45 million The figures were for the nine-and-a-half months after Manatee County acquired Premier on Dec. 15, 2017. (Fiscal years begin Oct. 1)

*

or two tournaments per month through March in an effort to make up as much lost revenue as possible. The uncertainty of 2021 spring training season also contributes to the county’s aggressiveness to schedule late-winter tournaments that would fill hotel rooms at a time when no-vacancy signs are more the norm.

Falcione is in negotiations with major tournament organizers but said he can’t release information on the events until contracts are signed.

“I think if we can push hard this winter — maybe that will get us to Easter — hopefully, we’ll see

OWN YOUR OWN VACATION

those vaccines kick in or better treatment to get this COVID-19 behind us,” Falcione said.

Premier was essentially vacant from March through June. The campus started recouping some revenue when practices were allowed to restart in July, but tournaments are, ultimately, the big prize.

Premier started holding tournaments again beginning on Labor Day, when it hosted almost 200 teams. The Labor Day tournament was followed in October by a tournament, hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Chargers, that brought in about 80 teams.

“We were excited it fed the ‘mainland’ properties, the restaurants in East County,” Falcione said.

Falcione said the canceled Nike International Friendlies tournament, which would have been held in December, was a loss of $6 million to $8 million in economic impact. An 80-team regional tournament, which the county hopes to grow in the future, is in the works as a replacement.

Premier has a list of about six clients that schedule tournaments on a regular basis. Sometimes, Premier reaches out to some of its strongest partners, such as the Lakewood Ranch Chargers, to let them know there is an available weekend and to see if the partner has any interest in scheduling a tournament.

Falcione said the county has scheduled the new Dimitri Cup soccer tournament in January.

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11/11/20 8:28 AM

6A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Click, Click,

Small business market debuts on Main Street LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

60S 70S &

A

s the holidays approach, people are ready to start their shopping.

Kati Ramage, the owner of Lakewood Ranch’s Abide Designs Interiors, hopes people will shop at the first Small Biz Holiday Market on Nov. 28 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch to support local, small businesses.

“We just started thinking with this being such a crazy year with COVID-19, hurricanes and elections, people need something to end the year on a high note,” Ramage said.

Ramage is working with barre3 Owner Nikki Roenicke and Lindsay Wood, the owner of Blossom & Burn Co., to organize the Small Biz Holiday Market, which is free to vendors and patrons.

The trio wanted to have the event Nov. 28 because it falls on Small Business Saturday, which is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and communities across the U.S. Wood said supporting local businesses during the pandemic is pivotal to the community.

“It’s probably the most important thing because if we let one [small business] fail, it’s going to be a big hit to the community,” Wood said.

To start the day, barre3 will host a free 20-minute class for anyone who wishes to participate.

Afterward, people browse tables of the different vendors from Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. As of Nov. 12, 18 businesses had signed up to be vendors at the market selling jewelry, handmade soaps, candles, services and more.

Wood said the market will give residents an opportunity to learn more about the various small businesses in the area while businesses can access new customers.

“When you support a local business, you feel it too,” Wood said. “They get excited, and then you get excited for helping them

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IF YOU GO

SMALL BIZ HOLIDAY MARKET When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nov. 28 Where: Main Street at Lakewood Ranch Cost: Free Details: More than a dozen local, small businesses will have booths to sell their products and services.

Lakewood Ranch’s barre3 will have a free 20-minute class at 10 a.m. Businesses interested in becoming vendors at the market can reach out to Kati Ramage, one of the organizers, at KatiRamage@AbideDesignsInteriors.com. The deadline to register is Nov. 21.

Nikki Roenicke, the owner of barre3; Lindsay Wood, the owner of Blossom & Burn Co.; and Kati Ramage, the owner of Abide Designs Interiors, are organizing the first Small Biz Holiday Market on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

out. You get something good in return.”

The market will give customers an opportunity to see the business owners and their employees face-to-face.

Roenicke said having the market on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is the perfect location because people might be anxious about shopping indoors.

“At least people can be outdoors, feel safe, social distance,” Roenicke said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

EAST COUNTY

Yuengling, a 28-year-old ring-tailed lemur, explores the Lemur Conservation Foundation’s free-range forest habitat.

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Emily Walsh EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth LRuth@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater JHeater@YourObserver.com Senior Editor / Pam Eubanks PEubanks@YourObserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writer / Liz Ramos LRamos@YourObserver.com Copy Editor/ Kaelyn Adix KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; Carol Parker, CParker@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer HSayer@YourObserver.com

LEMUR FACILITY

EXPANDS IN MYAKKA FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT LEMURS

1

There are an estimated 112 species of lemurs, which range in size from as small as 1 ounce to as large as 21 pounds.

2

Lemurs are matriarchal creatures, meaning females are typically dominant over males.

3

Some lemurs are pollinators.

They get pollen and seeds stuck in their fur while they search for food, then pass them on to other flowers and plants.

4

Madagascar is the only place in the world that is a natural habitat for lemurs.

The 2,800-square-foot expansion will allow the Lemur Conservation Foundation to better house its 40 lemurs.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

I

f two is company, and three is a crowd, what is 40?

At the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Myakka City, it’s a full house, which is why the foundation is scheduled to construct a 2,800-square-foot expansion or “lemur barn” to house some of its 40 lemurs.

The estimated cost for constructing the building was originally $290,000 to $340,000, though that could change slightly because of changing costs for supplies and labor caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lemur barn will be one of the final steps of a five-year expansion project that was launched in 2016. The foundation met its $2.2 million fundraising goal and has since constructed the 7-acre Elizabeth Moore Lemur Forest and a maintenance workshop. In addition to the lemur barn, an existing building will soon be repurposed for a clinic and quarantine area.

The foundation has been home to as many as 60 lemurs in the past but has shipped off several in the past year to zoos for the purpose of breeding the endangered

Photos by Brendan Lavell

Rivotra is a 12-year-old red ruffed lemur.

Red ruffed lemurs are one of two critically endangered species (along with mongoose lemurs) housed at the Lemur Conservation Foundation.

lemurs with their best genetic match. The number of lemurs at the foundation fluctuates based on birthing season and deaths because of old age.

Kenney said the foundation wants to build the expansion because the current facility used for housing lemurs is near maximum capacity. Although the foundation has sheltered more than 40 lemurs at a time in the past, they did so because they had fewer breeding groups that contained larger numbers of lemurs.

Their number of breeding groups has expanded, with fewer lemurs in each group. Each group needs its own space and must be separated from the others.

A new facility would give the foundation more space to house those separate groups and grow some of them to a size more often found in nature, which in turn will make the foundation’s behavioral research more relevant.

“It’s not a bad problem to have by any means, but it is a problem,” Kenney said.

The foundation worked with CLR Design, a Philadelphia company, to draw up plans for the expansion.

The new building will be

5

Lemurs are the world’s oldest living primates, coming into existence about 65 million to 70 million years ago.

Information from the Lemur Conservation Network

Ring-tailed lemurs Duffy, 28, and Ansell, 18, have had 12 offspring, including four sets of twins.

U-shaped. It will contain lemur enclosures on the outside edge of the U with overhead tunnels that will allow them unfettered access to two free-range forest habitats — one about 7 acres and one about 4 acres — just outside. A third forest habitat is currently out of use while work is done to improve its flood mitigation and fencing. A hallway for the keepers will be on the inside edge of the U. In the current enclosure, which is a long rectangle with rooms on both sides of the hallway, lemurs in different rooms can see each other from across the hallway.

This leads to problems when lemurs of the same species, but in different breeding groups, get caught up talking to each other and posturing rather than spending time outside. According to Kenney, this is an abnormal behavior that the U-shaped enclosure will eliminate.

The project is currently in the permitting stage, though Executive Director Deborah Millman said it is close to clearing that hurdle. The foundation hopes to start construction by January and thinks it would take about one year to complete.

The foundation began in 1996 as a vision of Founder Penelope Bodry-Sanders. The New York resident worked for the American Museum of Natural History and took a trip to Madagascar to scout for a possible stop in a world tour being planned by the museum.

When she flew over Madagascar, the island looked pockmarked, and erosion caused streams of water to flow through red dirt, signs of deforestation and human development.

When she saw her first lemur, a critically endangered mammal indigenous only to Madagascar, that was it. “My heart was taken, consumed, stolen,” she said. “I wanted to do something about it.”

Sanders chose Florida for the climate and Myakka City for the wooded habitat and economically priced acreage.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SIDE OF RANCH

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

9A

JAY HEATER

Aquarium just one major upgrade in East County B ecause it’s not much fun living in the present these days, what better time to look toward the future?

The future was on display — OK, I do realize it was Friday the 13th — at Nathan Benderson Park as Mote Marine had put together a groundbreaking ceremony for its $130 million Science Education Aquarium.

Certainly, if you are living in East County, being able to say you live down the street from an amazing aquarium is a pretty cool deal. Does it send area home values a tick upward? I believe so.

More tourists, more business for the local restaurants and hotels, more worldwide attention. A good deal all around.

Obviously, East County never will catch up with the beach side of Sarasota or Manatee counties in attractions, but some big strides have been made. The Mall at UTC, the development of Nathan Benderson Park, now the aquarium. We’re becoming a destination.

So let’s consider some of the most important projects coming down our pike.

1. The Science Education Aquarium tops the list. Construction, which in reality will start just after Jan. 1, is expected to take about three years, so it would be safe to say this will be open for business early in 2024.

If you think SANCA is attracting some of the world’s top rowing competitions now, wait until it can boast about the aquarium as a drawing point.

2. Waterside Place is next.

This restaurant and entertainment hub will draw people from throughout the region for a night out on the town. If Lakewood Ranch Commercial can pull the trigger on some major restaurant deals, those who live west of Interstate 75 will head east for dining on the waterfront. Imagine that? If you haven’t driven past this area, do it. It’s a beautiful setting. Waterside Place will have a soft opening this spring as some smaller restaurants and businesses are ready to set up shop. The major restaurants are likely to need time to do the finish work in their buildings. By the end of 2021, this place should be thriving.

3. The Players Centre for the Performing Arts will be an important addition to the community. Not only will this be home to The Players, but it will also be theater space, which means other types of entertainment will be able to make use of the facility. Let’s face it, to experience the arts, you’ve got to drive to Sarasota at the present time. Adding a $30 million theater complex to the neighborhood will work wonders when

folks from out of town look at the quality of living here. The Players is looking at 2024 for a first season, but the nonprofit hasn’t made any announcements in quite some time about fundraising. William Skaggs took over as CEO in September to spark this effort.

4. Premier Park is slowly coming into focus. So far, a 50,000-square-foot library seems to be the only thing certain, though, that will be built on 74.5 acres that the county purchased adjacent to the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. There has been talk of pickleball and tennis courts, softball fields, a band shell and an aquatics facility.

Unfortunately, the county has been looking at a 10-year time frame. With three new sitting commissioners having taken their seats Monday, perhaps the commission will work to speed up the process. This will greatly elevate the quality of life in an area that already can boost Lakewood Ranch as the No. 2 selling master-planned community in the U.S. 5. The University Parkway corridor would seem to be on the verge of explosive commercial growth. Leading the way is the CASTO development, which is promoting its Center Point development that will be part of

Jay Heater

Mote Marine CEO and President Michael Crosby breaks ground at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota for the $130 million Science Education Aquarium on Nov. 13.

the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park. Center Point is being built on 46 acres that will include a 70,000-square-foot medical office building, a hotel out parcel, eight retail outparcels, a 30,000-square-foot specialty grocer and 25,000 square feet of shops. Owen’s Fish Camp, a Sarasota tradition, already has signed to open a second restaurant there on the south side of University Parkway just east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

tainment hub on the west side of the interstate, and SMR is talking about something similar on the east side. The talk has been of movie theaters, bowling alleys and go-karts. No details have been announced yet, but it would be another major attraction for the area.

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

6. Entertainment hubs also are in the works just east of the Mall at UTC on either side of Interstate 75. Benderson Development is planning an enter-

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Conservative editorial went overboard

Opening Lakewood Main Street a bad idea

Letter writer portrays nonRepublican view

As I was reading Eugene Rose’s rebuttal (Nov. 5, “Character matters, as does common good”) to Matt Walsh’s Oct. 22 editorial, I thought, “What did I miss [about Matt Walsh’s editorial]? Could he mean what he’s saying?”

Walsh wrote, “If you didn’t support the president, you were supporting the rejection of America’s historic ideal and the rejection of the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”

Wow! I understand this area is conservative by nature, and you have a right to your views, but I think you went overboard in how you did it.

You also wrote that it’s a “shame that we must endure the ugliness, acumen, lies, the media.” Yes it is a shame. I wonder where most of the lies have come from?

Mr. Rose — well done!

I have been a resident of Lakewood Ranch for the past five years. For the past few months, the upper end of Lakewood Main Street has been closed to vehicular traffic, so that the local restaurants could serve food safely in the street.

On Nov. 8, [Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty] decided to open the street once again to vehicles. This was confirmed by an email with Main Street Property Manager Amanda Zipperer.

I was unable to find out why because she could not provide the information.

With the uptick in COVID-19 cases, I thought this was the wrong time to open the street, especially because the visitors in the past few weeks have increased. Opening the street can only hurt these restaurants further.

I would like to thank Eugene Rose for his letter (Nov. 5, “Character matters, as does common good”) to the editor of the Observer.

It was spot on and well written.

Although we all understand that the Observer serves the Republican Party, and this has been shown to us over the years during elections, it is also nice to see that the Observer published a letter that said the things many of us were thinking and contrary to the Observer’s views.

Thanks to Eugene Rose.

RON BROPHY LAKEWOOD RANCH

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ANN RUBIN-HENTSCHEL EAST COUNTY

Public victimized by dishonest president

Is he kidding?

I laughed out loud when I read the title of Matt Walsh’s editorial in the Nov. 12 edition of the East County Observer.

So voters deserve the truth?

Where has Walsh been for the past four years?

The American public has been victimized by the most blatantly corrupt, self-serving and dishonest president in, at least, the past 100 years. At this stage in the election process, the only reason for continuing the charade of resistance is clearly something other than the best interest in the nation.

Can you imagine what kind of outrage would be voiced if the roles in this case were reversed?

Suppose the outcome had favored Trump, and the Democrats were engaged in the same activities that the Republican leadership is currently exhibiting. Ponder that scenario.

One last item. As someone who served in the military for 20 years, I resent that Walsh played the “patriot” card in the last paragraph of his article. Apparently, he would like to believe that the only real Americans are Republicans who think like him. However, the U.S. that I was called to support and defend was neither red or blue, neither Republican or Democrat.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

11A

View all of our listings at PremierSothebysRealty.com

WATERBURY TRACTS 4800 County Road 675 $19,000,000 Andrew Tanner & Peter Laughlin 941.539.0998

THE MOMENT IS NOW

THE LAKE CLUB 16505 Baycross Drive $2,995,000 Jim Soda & Laura Stavola 941.961.5857

With the number of listings under SIESTA KEY

LAKEWOOD RANCH

1258 Tree Bay Lane $1,085,000 Joel Schemmel 941.587.4894

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ASHLEY

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6779 Ashley Court $1,374,900 Mike Warm 941.525.2740

property showings surging over this time last year, buyer demand will be unparalleled in the coming months.

THE LAKE CLUB 16025 Daysailor Trail $1,295,000 Sandi Ansilio 941.586.8679

BOCA ROYALE 1531 Raphis Royale Boulevard $1,099,900 Bob Linthicum 941.228.9206

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7319 Greystone Street $949,000 Jim Soda & Laura Stavola 941.961.5857

BRADENTON 10158 Glenmore Avenue $399,990 Margaret Timson 941.961.4894

7425 Haddington Cove $975,000 Jim Soda & Laura Stavola 941.961.5857

DEER CREEK 8484 Woodbriar Drive $765,000 Wanda Martinetto 941.773.7807

COUNTRY CLUB EAST 15407 Leven Links Place $649,900 Laura Stavola & Jim Soda 941.447.4875

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

3988 Losillias Drive $949,000 Joel Schemmel & Sharon Chiodi 941.587.4894

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1515 Vereda Verde $730,000 Tamara & Todd Currey 941.587.1776

PRESTANCIA VILLA 7381 Regina Royale #13 $585,000 Traute Winsor 941.504.1949

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LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541

SARASOTA - EAST | 941.260.8875

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SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000

RENTALS | 941.364.4032

VENICE TO PUNTA GORDA | 941.412.3323

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Willis lands Splash!

ADVERTISEMENT

The $3,000 grant from the water district will be used to grow plants along Willis Elementary’s new addition.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

MANATEE CARES PROGRAMS FINANCIAL GRANT SUPPORT

• CARES Act Funding for Nonprofits (Community Health & Wellbeing) • Recover Manatee Safety First Small Business Grant Program • Manatee CARES Housing Assistance Program Funding for nonprofit agencies is only available to expand an existing program to provide food distribution, including special holiday food, to help residents recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Only food distribution-related items will be considered in this round of funding for nonprofit agencies.

The Recover Manatee Safety First Small Business Grant Program is designed for Manatee County’s small businesses that have been severely impacted

by COVID-19 and to assist in reopening safely for their employees and customers, as well as recover from the losses brought on by the pandemic.

T

he outside of Robert E. Willis Elementary School is surrounded by beautiful flowers, bushes and other plants.

The same can’t be said for the outside of the school’s new addition, but Julie Santello, a second grade teacher at the school, has a plan to fix that.

Santello received a Splash! grant of $3,000 from the Southwest Florida Water Management District to go toward landscaping by the new addition.

“There was no landscaping, just grass,” Santello said. “I could envision seeing the same types of plants [as the other buildings] planted against the building and along the sides, and I thought: ‘Why not? Let’s see if we could get this done.’ It’s a learning opportunity for the kids to be able to plant things and to understand what

The program is intended to assist ALL eligible Manatee County small businesses with 500 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, and by providing grant funding.

The first $5,000 is to be used to help the business re-open and remain open safely. An additional amount up to $45,000 may be applied for in order to reimburse documented business losses incurred due to the public health emergency.

The Manatee CARES Housing Assistance Program provides rent and mortgage assistance up to $10,000 to Manatee County residents affected by COVID-19. The program is open to households at or below 150% of the area median income — equal to $80,400 for a oneperson household or $114,750 for a four-person household.

There are other restrictions, check the County website as the October 28th date approaches.

Liz Ramos

Julie Santello, a second grade teacher at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, will use a Splash! grant to grow plants along the school’s new addition. She says it also will provide the students with hands-on learning opportunities.

can be grown in Florida.”

About 90 students will be involved in planting various plants in a garden by the new addition in January or February. Santello said January and February is a good time of year to plant in Florida because it’s not too hot, and it’s not during the rainy season.

The grant will pay for the plants, shovels, mulch and other supplies. Some of the plants will be blue porter weed, fire spike and milkweed. Santello said each of the 90 students will have at least one plant.

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STAFF WRITER

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As Manatee County continues to distribute Cares Act financial support to non-profits, small businesses, and local residents, it will begin rounds three and four next week! The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance is operating as a community asset in assistance with outreach to County businesses and residents. Feel free to contact the LWRBA at manateecares@lwrba.org or for more information on Manatee CARES programs and to apply, visit www.mymanatee.org/ manateecares.

LIZ RAMOS

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

The Splash! school grant program through the Southwest Florida Water Management District provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources issues. This year, the Southwest Florida Water Management District awarded $97,640 in grants to 43 educators throughout the district as part of the grant program. Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities while engaging the school community through awareness campaigns.

“The inside of that building is so beautiful; it’s gorgeous,” Santello said. “It will be an amazing feeling to know the outside is as pretty as the inside because we work together as a team, and we got kids to be involved.”

Santello said the garden will give the students a sense of pride because every time they pass the garden, they’ll be able to say they had a part in its creation.

“They would walk by it every single time they had PE and be

like, ‘I did that,’ and it’ll be an amazing experience for them to have that ability to say, ‘I was part of our new building that first year,’” Santello said.

As an added touch, Santello would like to get donations to add birdhouses in the garden as well as a wall-hanging gecko, which is the school’s mascot, with the students’ names on it.

Santello said the garden will be able to provide students with various learning opportunities including how to plant, what plants can grow in Florida, how they can help the environment and the life cycles of some of the wildlife that will be attracted by the plants.

“Kids don’t get their hands in the dirt enough anymore,” Santello said. “They don’t understand how roots grow and how by taking a plant out of a little pot and putting their hands on the roots, they’re learning how it has to sit in the ground, and they can visualize how the roots can spread out.”

She said it is a hands-on lesson for the students to understand the structure of plants and the things that plants need.

In the future, picnic tables could also be added to the garden, so classes can simply go outside and enjoy the garden.

Meet Dr. Hallam Lakewood Ranch Medical Group – OB/GYN

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Esports league rockets forward

HELP THEM BREAK THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE

Lakewood Ranch High School‘s esports club sees success in its first year.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

J

Children are only about a quarter of the population but 100% of the future. There is nothing more important to us than investing in children and fighting for the best start in life for them. We are honored to work with the Child Protection Center to help put an end to child abuse.

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ames Archibald, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, started playing video games when he received his first Xbox at 10 years old.

He started playing Rocket League in 2015 when the game came out. Rocket League is a sports-based video game where the gamers play soccer with cars.

In 2017, he started playing competitively.

Archibald never imagined he would play Rocket League to represent Lakewood Ranch High School as the captain of one of the school’s esports teams.

“My first game, I was a little nervous because it was for school,” Archibald said. “I’ve done leagues before, but representing the school feels a lot bigger than the leagues I’ve done. I know the support on our actual sports teams are big, so it’s almost like doing that from home.”

Lakewood Ranch High School started an esports club over the summer when teachers and administrators were uncertain whether students would be returning to campus or continu-

WHAT IS ESPORTS? Esports is a form of competitive video gaming. Esports usually uses organized, multiplayer video games to create competitions among individuals or teams. Some casual gamers have become professional video game superstars making seven-figure earnings and receiving large brand endorsements through streaming services and live events. Some esport companies will offer scholarships to high school students.

WHAT IS PLAYVS? PlayVS is an online platform and league for high school and college esports. PlayVS partners with the National Federation of State High School Associations Network and individual state associations to recognize esports as a varsity sport.

In partnered states, students can earn a varsity letter and compete for a state championship in League of Legends and Rocket League, in which three team members will drive cars on a soccer field and work together to score goals.

ing e-learning due to COVID-19.

Tom Honsa, a social studies teacher and the general manager of the esports teams, wanted to ensure there was something students could be interested in doing from home.

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YourObserver.com

Courtesy photo

James Archibald, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, gets ready to play Rocket League from home.

“This upcoming year looked pretty grim from where we were standing,” Honsa said. “This year’s students and especially this year’s seniors weren’t going to have much to look back on.”

After some research and support from the school’s administration, Honsa, along with history teacher Bill Wallin, started the club. Math teacher Mark Marron joined the club as a coach.

“It’s cool that students can play and compete in esports from their homes,” Archibald said. “I know a lot of kids were not playing sports this year due to coronavirus, especially the online[-only] students. It was a different way to play from home.”

Every Thursday, six students formed A and B teams and played against teams from high schools across the country. So far, the school’s A team is undefeated.

Reid Zimmerman, a senior in the club, always played video games as a hobby, but once he saw the club was being formed at Lakewood Ranch, he jumped at the opportunity to join.

“I like playing with friends and having fun,” Zimmerman said.

“Before esports, that’s essentially all I did. With the esports coming in, it changed my perspective about it. I’m starting to take it more seriously. Hopefully, we can win tournaments for the school.”

The club has at least eight students, so the teams have substitutes in case members have a conflict. Honsa said they wanted to start small because it’s a learning curve for everyone involved, but now the club has gained traction, and more students have expressed interest.

“It’s an opportunity for kids who might not otherwise be inclined to participate or want to represent the school in more traditional competitions,” Honsa said. “It’s a chance to get involved.

It broadens the opportunity for student involvement. Any time you give a kid one more reason to come to school, that’s positive.”

With more students, the club could expand to include more games.

Esports provides a new opportunity for students, especially during a pandemic, because any student can participate whether they’re on campus full time, participating in the hybrid schedule or are full-time e-learning.

The competitions show students the different career paths they can take relating to video games and shows them opportunities to receive scholarships.

Marron said he would like to see the program have its own space, such as a game lab, so students can be in the same room playing.

He would also like to see students traveling to other high schools to compete, much like traditional sports.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

FAM I LY

Brendan Lavell

Affinity Wellness 4 Life Office Manager Marketing Director Jamie Perea and Owner Dominic Louis Sorrentino stand in the new 3,000-square-foot facility on Solutions Lane in Lakewood Ranch.

Former bodybuilder opens Ranch business Affinity Wellness 4 Life takes holistic approach to wellness that reflects owner’s diverse health background.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

D

ominic Louis Sorrentino, the owner of Affinity Wellness 4 Life, has been passionate about health and fitness for almost his entire life.

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The certified physician assistant has experience in fields from the emergency room to bodybuilding. Now his business, which also covers a wide range of treatments and services in respect to health, fitness and beauty, is setting up shop in Lakewood Ranch.

Sorrentino’s foray into health and fitness began when he started competing in bodybuilding shows at about 18 years old. He continued competing into his 30s. The 49-year-old also became a personal trainer in his early 20s.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

NEW BUSINESS

What: Affinity Wellness 4 Life Where: 4335 Solutions Lane, Lakewood Ranch When: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Contact: 919-3484

“It helps people feel good.

This isn’t like coming to [chain salons]. This is something they’re coming for and having a good treatment.”

— Dominic Louis Sorrentino

that type of stuff,” he said.

Sorrentino said he’s always been interested in nutrition as well. Bodybuilding helped him gain in-depth knowledge of how to fuel one’s body. His studies at medical school added to his interest in nutrition.

“Understanding disease processes, like diabetes and heart disease and all that stuff, just sparked my curiosity a little bit more [because] they all kind of work together,” Sorrentino said.

“This isn’t something that you say, ‘Wow, let’s just pick it up because it’s a niche, and I can make money at it.’ It’s a way of life for me. I really felt like that passion, I could translate my experiences in nutrition to other people who maybe have marginal skill at it or marginal knowledge.”

Sorrentino’s business is named to reflect his holistic approach to health. The “4” in Affinity Wellness 4 Life represents four categories — disease prevention, wellness, anti-aging and beauty.

The business’s new 3,000-

square-foot location will bring at least one new feature, a fullscale hair salon operated by two master stylists who work in their own suites. Sorrentino might add a third stylist.

“It helps people feel good,” Sorrentino said. “This isn’t like coming to [chain salons]. This is something they’re coming for and having a good treatment.”

Sorrentino also wants to build a training studio in the unit next to his new location, which would complete his business. He said he has about 500 active weight loss and hormone patients who typically go to gyms to complete the exercise portion of their treatment plans. He would prefer to send them next door and keep their plans completely integrated.

Affinity Wellness 4 Life began as Affinity Med Spa in 2005. Sorrentino opened the business in the corner of his then-girlfriend’s staff leasing company office, which was about 1,000 square feet. Many of his first customers at Affinity Med Spa, which had not yet added health treatment to its aesthetic treatment options including laser hair removal and Botox, were his ex-girlfriend’s employees.

Sorrentino added health components, such as weight loss, to his company’s business model in about 2009.

It has been a long process to move to Lakewood Ranch. Sorrentino closed his deal to buy the land at Solutions Lane around the end of 2017. Permitting and construction then took almost two years, and Affinity Wellness moved into the office in July.

Sorrentino is planning a grand opening for sometime between late November and early January.

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

17A

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

‘Musical’ peers inside the mind of a composer How is a stage production combined with music? This Nov. 23 show will explain it all.

IF YOU GO

‘THE MAKING OF A MUSICAL’ WITH RONA SIDDIQUI When: 5 p.m. Nov. 23 Where: Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood Cost: Free, but registration required Info: HermitageArtistRetreat.org/event/the-making-of-a-musical

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

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18A

usical theater is complicated.

Beyond the staging and choreography and the countless other pieces that have to fit together, there’s the daunting task of the music itself.

Supporters of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, however, will be able to get insight into the creative process with “Making of a Musical” on Nov. 23. The hourlong production at the Hermitage’s beach site features Musical Director Rona Siddiqui, who will share how she creates the music in her productions.

“Rona is a very smart, downto-earth, likable performer and creator who is excited to kind of bring her work to fruition,” Hermitage Artist Retreat Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg said. “People are going to be encouraged and excited by just her intelligent insight into the process.”

The New York-based composer, lyricist and orchestrator has been recognized with several awards including the prestigious Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award for female musical theater composers. She was named one of the Broadway Women’s Fund’s “Women to Watch” and received acclaim for her show “Salaam Medina: Tales of a Halfghan,” an autobiographical comedy on growing up bi-ethnic in America.

Siddiqui has created other musi-

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

19A

Courtesy photos

cals — “One Good Day,” “The Tin,” and “Treasure” — and will have a new title soon: Hermitage artist in residence.

The event will feature Siddiqui performing her songs on keyboard alongside Hermitage vocalists.

She gets into the process of how the music came together and how it serves a different function in the context of a musical.

“That is a different beast than writing a pop song,” Sandberg said. “It’s how to kind of tell the story as you narrate the song. …

She talks through the process of what it was to make those [music numbers] and where they came from and how they fit within the context of the shows.”

The evening event will have the audience separated into pods spaced apart in a grid formation, a popular method of outdoor social distancing. A normal beachside event might normally attract 500 guests, but this year’s offerings will be capped at 200 — two peo-

ple per pod.

Each program is timed to conclude with sunset as a backdrop.

Sandberg said staff have worked hard to find a seating design that can work in other outdoor venues for Hermitage’s productions at Selby Gardens, Historic Spanish Point or The Ringling.

“All of our events are going to be outdoors for the coming weeks and months, and fortunately, we have a lovely outdoor setting,” Sandberg said.

It’s that personal insight into creating something that Sandberg thinks audiences will enjoy.

“What we promise is a sneak peek into the process,” Sandberg said. “Rather than a finished product, we tell people, ‘Don’t come expecting to see the lighting and production and scenic value that you might have before production,’ when you’re getting kind of a more intimate experience between the community and the artists.”

Above: Rona Siddiqui has done a number of plays and performances.

Above Left: The beachside event will have people spaced apart in pods.

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|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

First Physicians Group Welcomes

Nihar Shah, MD, FACP, FACG, FASGE Triple board-certified in Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, Dr. Nihar Shah brings broad expertise to the new First Physicians Group Gastroenterology office on Hillview where he will practice alongside Dr. Stephen Kucera. Skilled in multiple advanced therapeutic interventions, Dr. Shah specializes in the endoscopic treatment of acid reflux, GERD and obesity-related conditions of the entire digestive system, as well as treatment of pancreaticobilliary diseases.

Photos by Brendan Lavell

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Fabian Robitaille (far left) is a 31-year Army veteran.

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Knights of Columbus members Richard Kuebel and Larry Simmons, an Air Force veteran, say they were smiling under their masks.

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t was a day for veterans — even if it wasn’t on Veterans Day. Tropical Storm Eta might have delayed the Veterans Day parade held

by Our Lady of the Angels’ Knights of Columbus chapter at The Sheridan at Lakewood Ranch assisted living facility, but spirits were high at the rescheduled parade Nov. 13.

Between patriotic music, a march around the building, decorations and the Tidewell Hospice Clowns, there were plenty of festivities to go around.

“We are honored to participate in this celebration of our veterans and pay tribute to all the Sheridan resident veterans and their families and friends,” Knights of Columbus Grand Knight John Joly said. “We honor you as well as Sheridan’s front-line health care professionals and staff who take care of you.”

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345613-1

NOVEMBER 19, 2020

SPORTS HIGH

Braden River, ODA advance in football playoffs.

Nov. 20-21 East County high school football playoff games

SPORTS REPORTER

T

1

2

Lakewood Ranch High girls cross-country junior Aurora Melzer finished eighth (19:16.60) at the Class 4A state meet Nov. 14 in Tallahassee. The Mustangs finished third as a team.

3

The Out-of-Door Academy girls crosscountry junior Maria Shaw (19:59.00) finished 12th at the Class 1A state meet Nov. 14 in Tallahassee.

Kim Brown and Kim Corrigan (24) won the championship flight of the Ladies Golf Association Partner’s Better Ball event (team match play points scoring) Nov. 10 at University Park Country Club.

5

NEXT UP

RYAN KOHN

Braden River High senior quarterback Shawqi Itraish threw for three touchdowns and ran for another Nov. 13 in the Pirates’ 49-9 road playoff win against South Fork High.

Nicholas Stehle, Paul Stehle, Rich Stehle and Don Baillie (16 under par; 148) won the Men’s Pro Shop Biddy event (best ball scoring) Nov. 14 at Palm Aire County Club’s Lakes Course.

— Pirates’ linebacker Matt Manning SEE PAGE 23A

Mustangs’ season ends painfully

5

4

I have always believed that if you work hard, good things will come your way.

he second year of Coach Rashad West’s rebuild of Lakewood Ranch High football ended with a playoff loss but also with hope for the future.

The Mustangs (5-4) lost 51-14 to visiting Manatee High (7-1) in the first round of the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 7A playoffs. It was the team’s second loss to Manatee this season, following a 41-17 home loss Oct. 2.

Despite the loss, the Mustangs found the strength to give their senior class a proper goodbye, doling out hugs and carrying some seniors off the field on their backs.

“Just like last year, these [seniors] laid the foundation,” West said. “They have been big.

I am proud of them for sticking it out, for welcoming us as a new staff with open arms last year and for continuing to work and get better.”

Senior wideout Chris Meegan said playing with the Mustangs accounted for the best four years of his life.

“This is a brotherhood,” Meegan said. “In the locker room, we always came together. We had a special chemistry. These guys taught me a lot about teamwork.

You can’t do anything without your team behind you.”

West said it was too soon to think about the specific changes that need to occur for Lakewood Ranch to make the leap to the level of programs like Manatee. In general, however, West said his team has to get physically stronger.

Manatee dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, making it difficult for Lakewood Ranch to sustain offensive drives or make third-down stops on defense.

West also said he needs to do a better job as a coach in terms of putting his players in position to

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Mustangs seniors like Ayden Delk (61) were emotional after their 51-14 loss to Manatee ended their high school football careers.

succeed using their strengths.

The loss will hurt, but Lakewood Ranch had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2010-2011.

Lakewood Ranch might have had a tough first round, but two other East County teams advanced to the next round of their respective playoffs.

Braden River High (4-3) defeated South Fork High 49-9 on the road in Stuart behind senior quarterback Shawqi Itriash’s four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and a stifling defensive effort. The Pirates will now play Lake Gibson High (9-1) on Nov. 20 in Lakeland in an FHSAA Class 6A second round match-up.

Lake Gibson will be a stiff test for the Pirates offense; they have two defensive players committed to Power Five schools in senior linebacker Gavin Barthiel (Georgia Tech) and junior defensive back Sam McCall (Florida). Two other Lake GIbson players, junior defensive back Jyvonte McClendon and junior running back Jaylon Glover, also have multiple Power Five offers.

The Out-of-Door Academy (2-4) also won its Nov. 13 game,

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defeating Cedar Creek Christian 37-26 at home in the second round of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Class A playoffs. After going 0-4 in the regular season, ODA’s win over Cedar Creek will send them to the SSAC Class A championship game, to be held Nov. 21 at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland. The Thunder will play Bishop Snyder High (5-5) for the title.

To win it, the Thunder will need another big game from senior doit-all player Nolan Lewellen, who had a receiving and a rushing touchdown against Cedar Creek.

The team’s quarterback situation is also currently an unknown because senior Patrick O’Keefe, who started the game in place of injured senior Tyler Beasley, left with an injury of his own, so freshman Henry Fioriglio was forced into the game. He promptly threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to junior Ashton Lamb.

ODA Coach K.B. Belton said after the game that it would be a few days before the injury situation was settled.

BRADEN RIVER HIGH PIRATES (4-3) AT LAKE GIBSON BRAVES (9-1) What: Second round of the FHSAA Class 6A playoffs When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 Pirates player to watch: Senior wideout/defensive back Gregory Cotton, who had four catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns in Braden River’s Nov. 13 win against South Fork High Braves player to watch: Junior athlete Sam McCall, who is committed to Florida as a defensive back but also leads the team with 785 receiving yards and nine touchdowns THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY THUNDER (24) VS. BISHOP SNYDER HIGH CARDINALS (5-5) What: The SSAC Class A championship game When: Noon Nov. 21 at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland Thunder player to watch: Senior athlete Nolan Lewellen, who had a rushing and a receiving touchdown in ODA’s Nov. 13 win against Cedar Creek Christian Cardinals player to watch: Senior running back Ijon Richardson, who leads the team with 780 rushing yards on 6.2 yards per carry

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Braden River basketball star signs with Seminoles B raden River High basketball star O’Mariah Gordon has made her choice.

Starting in 2021, she will be playing basketball for Florida State.

Gordon, a senior at Braden River High, signed with the Seminoles on Nov. 12. Gordon is the two-time reigning Gatorade Florida Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Last season, she averaged 23.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 4.2 steals per game, leading the Pirates in each category.

For Gordon, the decision came down to loyalty.

Gordon said Florida State was one of the first schools to make contact with her, back when she was still in middle school.

The Seminoles never wavered in their pursuit of her, Gordon said, unlike other schools who showed early interest and then trailed off. That dedication to Gordon showed her the Seminoles were serious about wanting her to be a key piece of their program.

Gordon also said the pandemic affected her decision a bit.

She was not able to take any visits during the offseason because of NCAA pandemic restrictions, which hampered her ability to judge schools she had not previously visited. But she had familiarity with Florida State. She has watched multiple games at the Seminoles’ arena,

File photos

Above: O’Mariah Gordon cuts down the net after Braden River reached the state semifinals last season.

Right: O’Mariah Gordon says she believes this year’s Braden River team can again contend for a state title.

Gordon said, and could envision herself playing there.

She’s comfortable with her decision, but more than anything, Gordon said, she is happy to be done with the process. In fact, asked if she was relieved, Gordon let out a sighing “yes” and then laughed.

“It’s not just that there was pressure [to make a decision],” she said. “It’s that there’s relief knowing I did it. I made it to the

next level. Now I can focus on the next thing, which is getting ready for my senior season and working on my game.”

Gordon, who is 5-foot-4, is ranked by ESPN as the 31st best player in the class of 2021, the seventh best point guard and the best player in Florida. Yet she believes she has a lot of areas she can improve.

Gordon said she has been working on extending her

3-point range and improving everything she does with her left hand. Gordon is also hitting her conditioning hard. It’s the one thing she always hears from older players: that the speed of college basketball is different, and she needs to be prepared.

She wants to get on top of that preparation now, so she doesn’t have to adjust to it on the fly.

That way, she said, she can make an impact as soon as possible.

I don’t think she has anything to worry about.

OMG (her nickname) has done things on the basketball court I have never seen any high school player do in person, boy or girl.

For all the talent she has, her hustle and toughness are just as special. Gordon never takes a play off. Those are the qualities that separate players at the college level, where everyone is talented.

It has been fun to cover her high school career, and I’m glad I get to do it one more time, as the community watches her and her Braden River teammates chase a state title. The Pirates have gone further in the playoffs each year of Gordon’s career, reaching the state Final Four in 2019-20 before falling 80-58 to Wekiva High.

Gordon said she believes her team has the pieces to make it happen this season. We will soon find out if she’s right. The Pirates season begins Nov. 19 with a 6 p.m. home game against Montverde Academy.

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

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Matt Manning, a senior linebacker on the Braden River High football team, had nine tackles Nov. 13 in the team’s 49-9 road playoff win against South Fork High.

Manning is also a key member of the Pirates’ special teams unit.

When did you start playing football?

I started playing football when I was 6. I played flag football at first. It took a little bit of time to get good, just practicing the fundamentals.

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Playing at my size has been a challenge. (Manning is 5-foot-7.)

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YOUR NEIGHBORS STRONG FOUNDATION KEY TO SUCCESS Halfacre Construction celebrates 50 years of shaping the area’s landscape.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

I

t was 1991, and a 21-year-old Jack Cox was starting his first day as an

office worker at Halfacre Construction, as opposed to the manual labor he had been doing with his father John Cox’s company.

342035-1

Instead of starting his son as an executive, John wanted to give him a taste of the business and experience that could be valuable when his son assumed a supervisory role. At the time, Halfacre Construction had approximately 100 laborers on-site, and at times it made for a rough environment.

Jack, who started as a 15-yearold in 1985, worked right alongside those laborers, laying block, working with the carpenters and rubbing elbows with the masons.

But in 1991, Jack injured his shoulder, and his dad thought it was time to move him inside. His job on his first Monday morning was to check the office answering machine. He found out why that was important.

“There were [workers] in jail,” he said with a laugh while talking about the past at Halfacre’s Lakewood Ranch headquarters. “I had to bail them out.”

The business has evolved since then.

“When I started, there was a crowd of 100 guys everywhere with trucks and tools,” Jack said.

“There was a guy who ran the tool shop in the office. Today we have 35 employees, and we [all] are managers who represent our customers. We build their buildings, and we manage risk.”

Jack, who became the sole

“When dad bought it, they were not doing large projects.

Bill was doing maybe $1 million a year. Dad started building Walmarts and Publix stores and strip centers.”

— Jack Cox

Courtesy photos

Above: Bill Halfacre, the company founder shown in 1989, was a pilot as well.

Top: Jack Cox stands behind his son, Johnny, and dad, John, in 2005.

owner of Halfacre Construction in 2007, taking over from his dad, was talking about his company’s history in celebration of its 50-year anniversary.

Asked about the longevity of his company, Jack said, “We’ve treated people the right way.”

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Bill Halfacre, who moved to Sarasota in 1968 to work for

homebuilder Arthur Rutenberg, founded the Halfacre Construction Co. as a full-service general contractor in 1970.

“Bill Halfacre was an engineer and did all the architectural layouts,” Jack said. “We were close.

He had moved from Dayton, Ohio, and started building homes. He eventually started his own company on Siesta Key.” John bought Halfacre Construction in 1984 and signed a three-year management contract with Bill Halfacre. The elder Cox and Halfacre got along so well that Halfacre never left the company, adding his expertise up until his death in 2014.

“He didn’t need a title,” Jack said. “He was Bill Halfacre.”

The company began to change its focus under John, something that continued under Jack when John began to ease out starting in 2002.

“When Dad bought it, they were not doing large projects,” Jack said of Halfacre Construction. “Bill was doing maybe $1 million a year. Dad started building Walmarts and Publix stores and strip centers.”

The projects continued to grow in size and complexity. In 1996, Halfacre built its first project at Port Manatee, which included work on the port’s administration building as well as cold storage space for Del Monte Foods. Halfacre has since done more than 1 million square feet of building at Port Manatee.

Also in 1996, Halfacre built the 430,000-square-foot PGT Industries building in Nokomis. Then in 1997, Halfacre built the first commercial building in Lakewood Ranch when the 85,000 square-foot Teleflex Inc. was erected.

Halfacre’s customers became school districts, large manufacturing companies and governments.

Some of Halfacre’s projects became landmarks, such as the 139-foot airport tower at the SEE FIFTY YEARS, PAGE 2B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

FROM PAGE 1B

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and the newest tower at the Punta Gorda Airport. Halfacre Construction has helped with several historical renovations, including the Edson Keith Estate at Phillippi Estate Park, First Baptist Church of Palmetto, First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton, Manatee County Courthouse and the Sarasota County Terrace Administration Building.

BUILDING A FAMILY

The company’s success can be illustrated as well through the success of its employees. Just as Jack paid his dues as a laborer in the early days, the company’s chief executives have done so in a similar manner.

Reed Giasson, the vice president of operations who became a partner in the firm in 2018, worked his way up from the bottom level, where he started 20 years ago.

“We don’t have a big corporate structure,” Giasson said. “And Jack treated us like brothers.”

When Giasson started, Halfacre Construction still had laborers on-site, and much of the work was in the private sector. He didn’t

Jay Heater

Tom Rees, Reed Giasson and Greg Witt all moved up through the ranks at Halfacre Construction and have been with the firm 16 years or more.

believe John liked him much because he had a goatee, and the elder Cox was not in favor of facial hair among his executives.

“John was pretty intimidating to a 25-year-old,” said Giasson, who earned John’s respect and moved up the ladder. “There never is a boring day here, that’s for sure.”

Giasson remembers those times

when he started, going into Bill Halfacre’s office and watching him scratch out a floor plan and elevation of a project in a matter of hours. Giasson cherishes those times picking Halfacre’s brain.

“This was a guy who built airplanes from scratch,” he said.

Giasson said his favorite project was a war memorial at MacDill Air Force Base.

“Sitting at that ribbon-cutting ceremony, being acknowledged by the staff, that was the coolest,” he said.

Greg Witt, a project manager who was been with Halfacre for 16 years when he started for $10 an hour, said he didn’t know a thing about the business when he started.

“I just did whatever Jack told me to do,” Witt said. “He threw me in with the wolves.”

But throwing him in with the wolves also showed that Jack trusted his employees.

“He treated us all like family,” Witt said. “Mainly, he showed how much he appreciated us.

And during the hard times, he always took care of us. Because of that, we all take ownership of what we do.”

Witt’s favorite project was renovating the First Baptist Church in Palmetto.

“I attended that church since I was 5,” he said. “I still go there every Sunday.”

Tom Rees started at Halfacre 16 years ago fresh out of Niagara University in New York. He had met Jack through a family friend and was presented with the opportunity to work in the field “doing a little bit of everything.”

Embracing

Every Moment

In 2018, Rees became a partner in the firm.

“As a company, we have grown tremendously,” Rees said of the time that has passed since he joined the firm. “Our approach now is on handling projects, and we have welcomed technology.

“But we also have each other’s backs. There definitely is a team aspect here. We all pitch in. Jack has open ears when we have an idea.”

Rees said his favorite memory has been the way the company gives back to the community, such as various projects at The Haven in Sarasota.

“We always have had a stake in the community,” he said. “Jack is great when it comes to donating services.”

Jack said many of his happiest days of his life came during the 10 years he shared an office with his dad.

“We were best friends,” Jack said. “He was a great teacher, and he was way smarter than I am.

Over the years, I have had great teachers and great customers.

“I guess the most important thing I learned from my dad was that the hardest decision is the right decision. You know what you need to do.”

What Halfacre Construction needs to do now is expand. The firm currently serves clients from Tampa to Naples, but Jack sees the biggest challenge facing him as a lack of available land.

“Where is the next industrial park going?” he asked. “Fort Myers in on our radar screen.”

Wherever they go, Jack said he hopes they can be blessed as they have been the last 50 years.

“The majority of our clients represent repeat customers, and we cannot thank them, our employees and this community enough for their continued support,” he said.

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941-360-2233

Photos by Liz Ramos

Maribeth Phillips, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, says the nonprofit is always ready to pivot and alter plans to ensure Empty Bowls happens.

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941.360.2233 Evan Percoco and Chrystie Ramsey with Atypical Kitchen were among the servers at Empty Bowls.

abal Harbour’s Joe Angers is used to being the one pouring soup into the bowls at Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee’s annual Empty Bowls, but this year was different.

Rather than volunteering, Angers went through the drive-thru event as a patron Nov. 13 because of the changes Meals on Wheels Plus had to make as a result of the pandemic.

Maribeth Phillips, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, was expecting a bigger turnout Nov. 13 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch because the nonprofit had to cancel its Empty Bowls on Nov. 12 at Manatee Performing Arts Center due to Tropical Storm Eta. Those who registered for the event at Manatee Performing Arts Center were invited to Empty Bowls in Lakewood Ranch.

— LIZ RAMOS

CALL 941.951.BONE (2663) TODAY! SAME/NEXT DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

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PROOF O.K. BY:___________________________

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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY • SUBMIT CORRECTIONS ONLINE

SF-1874297 (100%) ADVERTISER: SARASOTA ORTHOPEDIC

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PUBLICATION: SF-HEALTH & FITNESS

A Not-for-Profit Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility accepting Medicare, Insurance

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CALL 941-355-6111 TODAY

Make Hawthorne Village Part of your Healthcare Plan!

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

5B

FALL OPEN HOUSE with guest vendors

Art Stone Orchids and Statuary Just One More Orchid Cotton Silk and Porcelain Joanna’s Orchid Pottery and “The Taco Lady”

Lakewood Ranch’s Nina Williams and Ruby Olegario and her dog, Dori, make a donation to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee after seeing the line of cars for Empty Bowls while enjoying lunch on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

plus

Sabal Harbour’s Joe Angers waves to volunteers as he goes through the drive-thru. Angers usually volunteers for Empty Bowls but couldn’t because of COVID-19.

THE $10 TENT

& our very first...

Yard Orchid Sale

Friday, November 20 9am - 5pm

Saturday, November 21 9am - 5pm

11am Orchid Talk: Re-Potting and Mounting (On the lawn, in open air)

Sunday, November 22 10am - 4pm

12pm Orchid Talk: Orchid Basics

(On the lawn, in open air)

Caryn Hodge, the marketing director for Mattison’s, pours some tomato Gorgonzola bisque into a to-go cup.

Amy Towery, the vice president of development for Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, showcases some of the bowls as people come through the drive-thru.

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We ask that you please wear a mask.

941.322.1644 | WWW.PALMERORCHIDS.COM 22700 Taylor Dr | Bradenton, FL 34211

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Friday ~ January 15, 2021 ~ 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Sarasota Polo Club ~ 8201 Polo Club Lane Enjoy the company of your friends IN PERSON at SFG’s Vegas Casino Night, featuring: Heavy passed hors d’oeuvres, gaming tables, bars (2 cocktail + 2 beer tickets per guest), an OPEN BAR of bourbon & bacon, a cigar station, and $200.00 in gambling “Casino Ka$h”.

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Purchase tickets online at sisterhoodforgood.org/vegas

SISTERHOOD FOR GOOD, INC. IS AN ALL-VOLUNTEER REGISTERED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT CORPORATION. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 (or 1-800-352-9832 en Español) OR GOING ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE WWW.800HELPFLA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE DONATION IS RECEIVED BY SISTERHOOD FOR GOOD. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH #57279 ~ 100% of funds raised at this event will go towards SFG’s May 2021 Annual Grants Program.

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Rain date: January 22, 2021

6B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

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Mindful Triathlon provides balance

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ill Creek’s Stephanie Morton was ready to get away from the stress of life during the second annual Mindful Triathlon on Nov. 14.

Morton, like dozens of other attendees, participated in the event last year and was excited to return for a morning of yoga and meditation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants were asked to complete the 5K run before Nov. 14.

“It’s awesome to be able to get away in the morning on such a beautiful day,” Morton said. “It’s great to come back to get your mind right, and it’s a perfect activity to do outside.”

Before starting the event, Stephanie Peabody, the executive director of the Brain Health Initiative, shared the importance of the initiative and the progress it has made since its inception a year ago. Peabody stressed the importance of people responding to the survey the initiative is sending in the mail and encouraged people to become engaged with Brain Health Initiative.

Lakewood Ranch’s Daniel Kirschner and University Park’s Sarah Macrae follow along during the yoga portion of the Mindful Triathlon.

Monaca Onstad, the director of community relations for Lakewood Ranch Communities, welcomes about 60 people to the second annual Mindful Triathlon.

— LIZ RAMOS

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Photos by Liz Ramos

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

7B

ANYTIME. ANYWHERE. ANY PLACE.

Arbor Grande’s Donna Marino returns for the second annual Mindful Triathlon. “It’s nice to do something for a cause,” Marino says.

SIGN UP TODAY FOR FREE! www.yourobserver.com/e-edition-subscribe We made it even more convenient to enjoy reading The Observer. You can now receive the Observer’s eNewspaper delivered direct to your inbox every Thursday.

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Above: Participants relax while doing yoga together.

Right: Keith Pandeloglou, the executive director of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, finds his balance during yoga.

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The Observer’s eNewspaper is an exact replica of the printed edition to be enjoyed on any electronic device desktop, tablet or mobile.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

A Meal Makes A Difference.

COMMUNITY FRIDAY, NOV. 20 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 21

AUTUMN FEST Runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota. The St. Barbara Philoptpchos women’s group hosts the 2020 Autumn Fest. The free event features Greek themed food and drink, a market and a raffle. For more information, call 355-2616 or go to SarasotaOrthodox.com.

Meals On Wheels of Sarasota Serves

250,000 meals annually

750 meals daily

7 days a week

Join our holiday drive to raise $100K to feed those in need.

• Feed one person for a week: $42 • Feed one person for a month: $180 • Feed one person for a year: $2,034

SATURDAY, NOV. 21

GIVE TODAY

Make It

HOW TO DONATE

LEARN TO FISH Runs from 10-11 a.m. at James Patton Park, 5725 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Lakewood Ranch Anglers’ Club is hosting a learn to fish event.

The event is open to all ages and covers the art of casting and knot-tying. There is no charge for Lakewood Ranch residents, and nonresidents pay $10. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

.

Mail a check to Meals on Wheels of Sarasota 421 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237 Go Online MealsonWheelsofSarasota.org

By Phone 941.366.6693

THANKS TO SUBARU OF AMERICA FOR SHARING THE LOVE WITH HOMEBOUND SENIORS! Through the Subaru Share the Love® Event, from November 16, 2020, to January 2, 2021, Subaru of America dontates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased to the customer’s choice of the four national charities, including Meals on Wheels.

Visit Sunset Subaru, 7611 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

SUBARU MAKES AN IMPACT.

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BEST BET SATURDAY, NOV. 21

SANTA’S GRAND ARRIVAL PARADE Runs from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mall at UTC, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. The Mall at University Town Center is hosting its fourth annual Santa’s Grand Arrival Celebration, sponsored by the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota. Guests are asked to park in the mall parking lot next to Dillard’s and to enjoy the parade and fireworks from the sidewalk area near the grass lot where the parade — which will include lighted floats, holiday themed characters and live music — will take place.

Besides Santa’s arrival, the UTC districts will all turn on their holiday lights. The show will culminate with fireworks. For more information, go to MallAtUTC.com. VIP parking for the event is sold out.

BIG CAT FUNDRAISER Begins at 6 p.m. at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota.

Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary hosts Night of the White Tiger with aerialist Nik Wallenda as the guest host. The dinner fundraiser will support the habitat’s exotic animals during the pandemic. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.

A gourmet dinner will be served amid the animals and will be socially distanced. Event sponsors Butcher’s Mark and Rodizio Grill are donating the food for the event. Guests are asked to dress in black and white attire.

The event includes photos with

Happy Holidays

Jay Heater

THE GO-TO GIFT FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES THE OUTDOORS WITH A COLD BEVERAGE

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Shop at Elegant Outdoor Living for the entire BRÜMATE COLLECTION

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VISIT OUR NEWLY EXPANDED SHOWROOM Sarasota: 7606 S. Tamiami Tr. Ste. 101 (1/2 mi. South of Clark Rd. on 41) 941-217-6547 MON-SAT 10AM - 6PM, SUN 12-5PM PRIVATE SHOWROOM APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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8B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Barry, the white tiger; live music; auctions; and raffles. Tickets are $250. Advance registration is required by Nov. 16. To reserve a spot, go to Events@BigCatHabitat.org, or call 371-6377.

bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information or to register for the event, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

SATURDAY, NOV. 21 AND SUNDAY, NOV. 22

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25 AND THURSDAY NOV. 26

RANCH TO GO Runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from the Lakewood Ranch Information Center, 8131 Lakewood Main St. Those who would like to experience a taste of Lakewood Ranch are invited to drive up to the information center, and a member of the team will deliver a goodie bag of information about life on the Ranch, special offers from Main Street merchants, some Lakewood Ranch swag and a community map with information about how to see the area.

For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SUNDAY, NOV. 22

THE MARKET AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Market at Lakewood Ranch opens and runs every Sunday through April.

Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, diary products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. For information, go to MyLWR.com.

BARRE IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free barre workout at Bob Gardner Park.

The event is hosted by Barre3.

Bring your own mat and water

|

9B

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

The Jewish FederaTion oF sarasoTa-ManaTee proudly presenTs

Women’ s The

Event

FLORIDA TURKEY TROT Staggered starts 4-5 p.m.

Wednesday and 7-10 a.m.

Thursday at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Fit2Run and Nathan Benderson Park host the 5K Florida Turkey Trot. Runners will select their start times from predetermined time blocks. All participants receive a race shirt, face covering and finisher’s medal. Proceeds benefit The Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates Inc., which manages the park. Race fee is $35 until Nov. 21, when it goes up to $40.

The cost is $20 for those 18 and under. A 5K walk and a virtual 5K run are available. For more information and to register, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

An Evening of Women’s Voices F e a t u r i n g

Jamie Bernstein

&

SATURDAY, NOV. 28

Alexandra Silber

HOLIDAY MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

The Small Biz Holiday Market will offer more than a dozen local, small businesses that will sell their products and services at booths. The event is free. Lakewood Ranch’s barre3 will have a free 20-minute class at 10 a.m.

Businesses interested in becoming vendors at the market can reach out to Kati Ramage, one of the organizers, at KatiRamage@ AbideDesignsInteriors.com. The deadline to register is Nov. 21.

Monday, December 7, 2020 | 7:00 pm

Hear Jamie Bernstein talk about her famous father, Leonard Bernstein. She is joined by close friend and Broadway performer, Alexandra Silber. They will have an endearing and entertaining conversation, and Alexandra will sing a selection of the Maestro’s most famous songs.

Co-chairs

Janis Collier & Wendy Mann Resnick $10/household

To register, please visit

JFEDSRQ.ORG/events

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4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905 www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com Open 7 Days a Week Until Christmas

Contact Gisele Pintchuck at gpintchuck@jfedsrq.org or 941.706-0029.

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QUESTIONS?

10B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

BRADENTON 8499 Lindrick Lane Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4475594 $10,850,000

PALMETTO 140 Riviera Dunes Way 1503 Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4471685 $1,400,000

SARASOTA 1425 Westbrook Drive Mackenzie Longueuil & Pat Mudgett 941-961-4023 A4463688 $1,295,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 8318 Grosvenor Court Stephanie Annable 941-376-4100 A4480171 $1,195,000

SARASOTA 4131 Boca Pointe Drive Marianne Lebar 941-650-0337 A4475001 $1,190,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7019 River Club Boulevard Fran DeDona & Pam Goodwin 941-812-5023 A4482033 $899,900

SARASOTA 6613 Taeda Drive Monica Verinder 941-704-4040 A4482270 $849,000

SARASOTA 8985 Rocky Lake Court Jackie Griese 941-718-0045 N6112451 $843,795

UNIVERSITY PARK 8309 Grosvenor Court Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4474538 $795,000

SARASOTA 8721 Mangilli Road Stacy Haas & Gloria Bracciano 941-587-4359 A4482898 $734,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16911 Loudon Place Laura Naese 941-350-3657 A4472541 $726,255

BRADENTON/LAKEWOOD RANCH 13227 Brown Thrasher Pike Toma Milbank & Rebecca Milbank PLLC 941-720-5174 A4476491 $715,000

BRADENTON 8147 37th Avenue Circle W Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4477337 $659,000

BRADENTON 383 Aruba Circle 201 Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4466540 $570,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 6608 Hunter Combe Crossing Beth Ann Boyer & Nancy Phillips 941-780-6606 A4482289 $529,000

BRADENTON 51 Tidy Island Boulevard Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4469997 $524,999

LAKEWOOD RANCH 4653 Royal Dornoch Cir Sue Cosgrove-Lee & Chris Baylis 941-400-9068 A4468380 $520,000

BRADENTON 221 21st Street W Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4474894 $469,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4340 Falmouth Drive 303 Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4480270 $385,000

SARASOTA 2521 Wood Oak Drive Judy Wright 941-232-8041 A4481119 $349,500

SARASOTA 5368 Eliseo Street Terri Thacker 941-376-1955 A4481423 $324,500

PALMETTO 3318 10th Lane W Jinny Scherer 941-705-0877 A4477228 $270,000

BRADENTON 3912 39th Avenue W Debbie Vogler & Cheryl Roberts 941-705-3328 A4483080 $250,000

VENICE 445 W Baffin Drive Kristy Sommers 941-504-4247 A4482045 $229,900

NORTH PORT/ VENICE 5107 Whispering Oaks Drive Ronald Greene 941-445-2985 A4481029 $222,000

SARASOTA 4174 Central Sarasota Parkway 211 Jack Dellamico & Christal Gentile 941-281-5225 A4461078 $219,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8821 Manor Loop 105 Kristy Sommers 941-504-4247 A4472243 $180,000

BRADENTON 7015 River Hammock Drive 104 Thomas Cinquegrano 941-284-5049 A4470206 $174,900

SARASOTA 5231 Mahogany Run Ave 313 Kathleen Griffin 941-302-3979 A4422154 $156,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 6702 Chancery Place Daniela Soiman 941-779-4797 A4478542 $1,790,000

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

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16272 Daysailor Trail Judy Wright 941-232-8041 A4474674 $1,595,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

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BRADENTON 6804 205th Street E Aaron Corr & Leslie Emery 941-840-2346 A4481379 $1,800,000

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Ray and Loretta Harris, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 15809 Clearlake Ave. to Melanie Hamrick, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.98 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, fourand-two-half baths, a pool and 5,726 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.22 million in 2010.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Marie-Caroline Regine Marson, of Brussels, sold her home at 7458 Seacroft Cove to Pamela Plotkin, of Bradenton, for $1.45 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,651 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.32 million in 2016.

Laszlo Szantho, of Concord Township, Ohio, sold his home at 7651 Haddington Cove to Kenneth and Tener Veenema, of Bradenton, for $975,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,469 square feet of living area.

Marycatherine and James Mamary, trustees, of North Falmouth, Mass., sold the home at 6906 Dominion Lane to Jennifer and Gregory Douglas, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.2 million. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,789 square feet of living area.

It sold for $975,000 in 2012.

Paul and Bryane Soni sold their home at 13716 Red Rock Place to Mark and Tamarah Norton, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.15 million. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,718 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2007.

Michael and Roxane Grandstaff, of Longwood, sold their home at 6935 Lacantera Circle to Kevin Thomas Tuite and Maris Waltzer Tuite, of Peekskill, N.Y., for $1.1 million. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,702 square feet of living area. It sold for $950,000 in 2017.

John Dwyer and Yolanda Dwyer, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 7002 Vilamoura Place to William Reed, of Floyds Knobs, Ind., for $650,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, threeand-two-half baths, a pool and 3,637 square feet of living area.

Jeanne Spalding, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 7133 Orchid Island Place to Michael and Shirley Hicks, of Bradenton, for $441,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,283 square feet of living area.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

11B

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $1.98 million

|

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 2-6

Wells Fargo Bank, trustee, sold the home at 7514 Mizner Reserve Court to Christy Comito, of Bradenton, for $404,300. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,773 square feet of living area. It sold for $775,000 in 2006.

Michael and Shirley Hicks sold their home at 7044 Old Tabby Circle to William and Theresa Woodworth, of Lakewood Ranch, for $310,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,560 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2007.

Courtesy photo

ESPLANADE

Richard Biller Jr. and Tina Lorrie Biller, of St. Petersburg, sold their home at 4737 Benito Court to Russell and Joanne Vernon, of Bradenton, for $1.05 million.

Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,672 square feet of living area. It sold for $846,400 in 2018.

Herbert and Sheila Hyman, of Lutz, sold their home at 13015 Palermo Drive to Stephen and Dyan Dallis, of Bradenton, for $540,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,262 square feet of living area. It sold for $446,400 in 2014.

Marvin and Karin Baxter, trustees, of Alpharetta, Ga., sold the home at 13007 Palermo Drive to J. Gregory and Roberta Hetrick, of Bradenton, for $460,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,087 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,600 in 2014.

Leonard and Jeanette DeRasmo and Carla DeRasmo sold their home at 13919 Messina Loop to Guy DeDiemar, trustee, of Sarasota, for $455,000. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,074 square feet of living area. It sold for $414,100 in 2016.

This Lake Club home at 15809 Clearlake Ave. sold for $1.98 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,726 square feet of living area.

ana Merkulova, of Bradenton, for $615,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,295 square feet of living area. It sold for $570,000 in 2017.

EATON PLACE

Clifton Schmult sold his home at 6302 Thorndon Circle to Christopher and Sandra Neubert, of Easton, Conn., for $610,000.

Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,818 square feet of living area. It sold for $499,000 in 2004.

Kyriakos and Denise Morais, of Auburndale, sold their home at 1107 133rd St. E. to Michael and Andrea Kovack, of Bradenton, for $400,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,979 square feet of living area. It sold for $212,500 in 2002.

Jose Luis Correia and Escolastica Correia, of South Dartmouth, Mass., sold their home at 7362 Easton Court to Laurie Glass, SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 12B

In with the new

Virtual home tours | OnDemand local experts | Interactive site and floorplans

Bayfront Sarasota

MOVE-IN THIS SEASON

SALES GALLERY OPEN

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota | 941.702.2300 From the $3,500,000s TheResidencesSarasota.com

Longboat Key

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

HARBOUR WALK

Raymond and Sandra Ouellette, trustees, of Gilford, N.H., sold the home at 504 Regatta Way to James Eric Aull and Deanna Aull, of Tampa, for $725,000.

Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,412 square feet of living area.

South Sarasota

NEW MODEL OPEN

MOVE-IN READY

Sandhill Lake | 941.234.0432 From the high $400,000s SandhillLakeSarasota.com

Downtown Sarasota

Mark Sarasota | 941.234.4323 $899,000 MarkSarasota.com

GREENBROOK

Joshua Indoben and Melissa Delynn Inboden sold their home at 13426 Goldfinch Drive to Traecy Brunner, of Lakewood Ranch, for $660,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,521 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000 in 2018.

John Weller and Susan Lott Weller, of Bradenton, sold their home at 15111 Sundial Place to Harold and Kathleen Cramer, of Bradenton, for $517,300. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,761 square feet of living area. It sold for $370,000 in 2016.

WATERFRONT HOMES & HOMESITES

Bradenton Riverfront

Riverside Point | 941.201.8505 Home sites from $229,900 | Homes from the low $600,000s RiversidePointFlorida.com

MOVE-IN READY

Edgewater at Hidden Bay | 941.966.3600 From the high $400,000s EdgewaterHB.com

Osprey Bayfront

NEW PRICING, MOVE-IN READY

Northwest Bradenton

Palma Sola Bay Club | 941.216.7436 From the high $300,000s PalmaSolaBayClub.com

MOVE-IN READY

Downtown Sarasota

Risdon on 5th | 941.365.1414 From the high $300,000s RisdonOn5th.com

MILL CREEK

Hagai and Vered Danenberg Lerner sold their home at 2002 154th St. E. to Oleg and Tatsi-

WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA Prices as of November 2020.

342258-1

Licensed Real Estate Broker

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

PRIMARY CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

FLU SEASON IS HERE! Get Your Flu Shots NOW.

Protect Yourself and Your Family Pneumonia Shots | Immunizations | Hep A | Hep B | Tdap In-house Blood Testing | Flu & Strep Testing

Real estate FROM PAGE 11B

trustee, of University Park, for $575,500. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 2,628 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,000 in 2014.

MARSHALLS LANDING

Roy Lindsay sold his home at 5470 56th Court E. to Michael and Amanda Davis, of Bradenton, for $590,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,107 square feet of living area. It sold for $571,700 in 2019.

COUNTRY MEADOWS

DIEGO FALLON, MD Board Certified Geriatrics & Internal Medicine

Adult & Family Care Physician Assistant Specializing in Allergy & Asthma

Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm Sat (by appointment only) 10 am - 2 pm 344663-1

MARY J. MOTT, MPAS, PA-C

OSCAR ESPINOSA, MD

Family Healthcare Physician, Minor Office Surgery, (Habla Español)

10910 East SR 70, Suite 102 Lakewood Ranch 941-896-3900 Located 1.5 mile East of I-75 on SR70 - Spring Forest Office Park between River Club Blvd. & LWR Blvd.

Gary and Naomi McMillan, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14717 Fourth Drive NE to Charles William Westrip IV and Holly Westrip, of Bradenton, for $570,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,936 square feet of living area. It sold for $552,500 in 2006.

HIDDEN OAKS

Randy and Kristi Owens, of Bradenton, sold their home at 756 132nd St. Circle NE to Jacob Wilson and Rebecca Coursey, of Bradenton, for $570,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,734 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2003.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

Kenneth and Jeannine St. Lawrence, of Bradenton, sold their

home at 7766 Camden Harbour Drive to Tracy Ann Stubbins and Edward Tonitis, of Bradenton, for $569,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,829 square feet of living area. It sold for $451,500 in 2004.

Gerald and Phyllis Jameson, of Rochester, Minn., sold their home at 8215 Eagle Isles Place to David Michael Lauer, of Erie, Pa., for $269,000. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,870 square feet of living area. It sold for $176,000 in 2010.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Gerald and Lynda Dowden, of New Foundland, sold their home at 4604 Barracuda Drive to Andrew and Judith Aharon, of Bradenton, for $557,500. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,185 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2011.

Mahesh Mokhashi, of Mokhashi Roth IRA LLC, sold the home at 3620 Fifth Ave. NE to Vincent and Nicole Restivo, of Plainfield, Ill., for $500,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,957 square feet of living area. It sold for $339,200 in 2019.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

343746-1

12B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, NOV. 19

|

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Nov. 19

6:54a 5:36p

Don’t worry, Friday, Nov. 20 I T ’ S SHigh: M A RT S T R A N D. 78 Low: 64 Nov. 21 Only SmartStrand® can handle the 747 lbs of ice cream a family will eat in a carpet’sSaturday, lifetime.

Chance Sunday, Nov. 22 rain:But10% Other carpets use stain protection that has to be of reapplied. only SmartStrand’s stain resistance is built right into the fibers. So it never wears or washes out. Even after multiple cleanings. Even better, It’s on sale Monday, now!

Nov. 23

High: 80 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 10%

5:36p

6:56a

5:36p

6:57a

5:35p

Tuesday, Nov. 24

6:58a

5:35p

Wednesday, Nov. 25

6:59a

5:35p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, NOV. 21 High: 82 Low: 67 Chance of rain: 10%

Scott Veix captured this dragonfly resting on a barbed wire fence along Lorraine Road in Lakewood Ranch.

6:55a

6:56a 5:35p

To learn more about what makes SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® #1 in customer satisfaction, visit MohawkFlooring.com/SmartStrand.

FRIDAY, NOV. 20

13B

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Nov. 30 Full

Dec. 7 Last

Dec. 14 New

Dec. 21 First

RAINFALL Monday, Nov. 9

0

Tuesday, Nov. 10

0.42

SUNDAY, NOV. 22

Wednesday, Nov. 11

0.52

Thursday, Nov. 12

6.37

High: 83 Low: 67 Chance of rain: 20%

Friday, Nov. 13

0

Saturday, Nov. 14

0

Sunday, Nov. 15

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2020-21 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2021, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2020 55.25 in.

2020 7.38 in.

2019 46.95 in.

2019 0.19 in.

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY 342478-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

CROSSWORD

941.748.4679 | Venice

A LOSS INTO A WIN by Pao Roy; Edited by David Steinberg

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 In unison 6 Paths that grant upward mobility?

11 Most loyal 17 Colorful summer treat 18 “Otello” or “Rigoletto” 19 High-altitude atmosphere 20 Muddy child’s plea before being hosed off?

23 Sea cow 24 Goddess also called Discordia 25 Period of history 26 Reason sarcasm wasn’t detected?

28 Elitist sort 30 Gospel singer Andrews 33 ___ Geo 34 De Armas of “Knives Out” 35 Uninteresting grind 36 Dot on a monitor 38 Word after “child” or “method” 42 Metropolis with a trash problem?

48 Thing to swing 49 Bathroom, in Liverpool 50 Charles River sch.

51 El ___ (Spanish hero) 52 Track unit 54 Not good

*DuPont™ Sorona® contains 37% renewably sourced ingredients by weight. The DuPont Oval logo, DuPont,™ Renewably sourced™ and Sorona® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates and are licensed to Mohawk.

56 PD alert 58 Pig with tusks 59 Cats and dogs 61 “Notes of a Native Son” writings 63 “That’s my cue!”

65 Feel sick 67 Cartoon mouse whose name sounds like a finger 68 Advice to a nervous floor polisher?

72 Jazzed 75 Handbag monogram 76 Per ___ (daily) 77 Cozy spot 81 Singer Yankovic

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com comedian Ali 110 Civil rights activist Plessy 113 Baby food?

118 In the style of 120 South African people 121 Vestige 122 Urgent need for a birth assistant?

126 Field for pro gamers 127 TV journalist Sawyer 128 Billie who won five Grammys in 2020 129 In the vicinity of 130 Itsy-bitsy 131 Rolls-___

DOWN 1 Future oak 2 “Illness” for soon-to-be grads 3 Declines to participate 4 “Stat!”

5 Fencing blade 6 Transylvania’s country 7 Gibbon, for one 8 Club ___ resort 9 High schooler’s big night 10 Welcomed at the door 11 Larger-life link 12 Proposal presentation 13 Oblivious 14 Dine at home 15 City south of Florence 16 Hard journey 17 Day such as March 15 19 “You’ve said enough,” in a text 21 Portmanteau genre derived from acid house 83 Divisible by two 22 Org. in “Snowden” 85 Reactions to puppy photos 27 Pentagram shape 87 Attract, as a crowd 29 “g2g 4 now” 88 Whole bunch 31 Abbr. after a phone number 89 401(k) relative 32 Buddhist sect 90 Intention 37 Need for one making a 91 Edge of a canyon stand?

93 M.A. seeker’s hurdle, often 39 Beginner’s piano exercise 94 Host’s question while 40 Either half of Gemini pouring a gifted bottle?

41 Like a certain Freudian 101 Abyss complex 102 Marked, as a ballot 42 Cleveland team, informally 103 2,000 pounds 43 Words from a bride’s father 104 Classic muscle car 44 By means of 106 Sleepover attire 45 Longtime online brokerage 109 “Hard Knock Wife” firm

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

46 Sketch out 47 Virologist Jonas 48 Pollinating insect 53 Singer with the first YouTube video to hit 1 billion views 55 Symbol of intense focus 57 Skewed view 58 ___ choy 60 Personalized music gift 62 Where “bagels” and “lox” come from 64 D.C. suburb in Virginia 66 ___ Thomas, Soul Queen of New Orleans 69 Organization’s rules 70 Author Anais 71 Had office hours 72 Hole-punching tool 73 (Where’s my catnip?)

74 Bitter part of an orange 78 Works with pipes?

79 Differ 80 Female sheep 82 Zone 84 Compete 86 Round up, as livestock 92 Story of Arachne, for one 95 “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer Sinead 96 Little devils 97 Put in stitches 98 Words from a bride 99 Famed Sarah Palin impressionist 100 In a befuddled way 104 They might get you down 105 Florida bay city 107 Thorpe who was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold 108 Slyly mocking 111 Beethoven’s “Fur ___” 112 Surge of adrenaline 113 Small songbird 114 Icon in online shopping 115 Golden rule preposition 116 “___ a vibe” 117 Falco of “The Sopranos” 119 Lenovo competitor 123 Pale 124 Social connections 125 ___ de Janeiro

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“NONFZJUN’L EMMFJEYK WJ GKEW YEU YJRN JAW JI LHP LWFHUXL HL VHIINFNUW IFJR EUJWKNF MNFLJU, SAW HW’L ETT OETHV.” – CHRRZ MEXN “Y XGHYCF JR EGBRDF. XGBX’A LHJSBSKZ NGZ TZ EGJHV EGBRDFA BHF NFYHV, SFEBWAF EGJHVA VFLYEX FTJXYJRA.”

– OJRY TYXEGFKK Puzzle Two Clue: D equals G

Sarasota

SAVE ON EVERY SPECIES, COLOR AND STYLE!

Puzzle One Clue: M equals P

HARDWOOD

© 2020 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2020 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

11-19-20

CLASSIFIEDS

Thursday, November 19, 2020

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 town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Cleaning

Homes For Sale

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

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

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars. 941-270-4400.

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

Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

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.

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady. Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential. Commercial.

New Construction. 941-400-2866.

Adult Care Services

Storage

Help Wanted

CDL-A DRIVERS: It’s LOCAL SUGAR CANE Season! $2000 Sign-On Bonus! Make Big $$$ + Bonuses & Get Home Nightly. $1000 Referral Bonus. Great Health Benefits. 6 mos. Exp. in last 3 yrs. Req. Call Oakley Today! 855-942-2798.

Home Improvement/ RemodelJKM HOME MAINTENCE SERVICES 941-201-6298 Miscellaneous, small repairs, carpentry, power washing, painting, garage cleaning & plenty more.

Hauling NO CONTACT Junk Removal Just point for junk to disappear.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? (800) 465-5865 or 1800gotjunk.com

Painting/Wallpapering

CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured.

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

941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

Pools

POOL SERVICE– SPECIAL DEAL FOR OBSERVER READERS WITH THIS AD. If you want personal weekly pool service from an experienced owner operator, call me. I have been servicing pools for 12 years in your area with many references. I am reliable, CPO Certified, completely trustworthy, and will offer you the best rate available locally. Call me- 941 705 0400– Paul at Blissful Pools.

Puzzle One Solution: “Everyone’s approach to what can come out of six strings is different from another person, but it’s all valid.”

Jimmy Page

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

Excellent references. 941-773-6895.

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

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

LAUREL OAK C.C.- Openings in F&B, Landscape, & Golf Course Maint. Competitive wages941-378-3608 or email info@laureloak.com

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Perfect Solutions For Seniors *Caregivers/Companions * CNA’s/HHA’s

* Assistance with Daily Living Activities * Hourly 24/7 Care - Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

ASHORE REALTY LLC ASHORE REALTY LLC Introducing our team of agents: Introducing our team of agents: ASHORE REALTY LLC Rosemarie Lunardelli-Broker/Owner Rosemarie.ashorerealtyllc@gmail.com Rosemarie Lunardelli-Broker/Owner Introducing our team of agents: 732-489-3676 Rosemarie.ashorerealtyllc@gmail.com 732-489-3676 Rosemarie Lunardelli-Broker/Owner James “Jim” AndachtRealtor Associate Rosemarie.ashorerealtyllc@gmail.com Jim@ashorerealtyllc.com James “Jim” Andacht- Realtor Associate 732-489-3676 941-840-4138 Jim@ashorerealtyllc.com 941-840-4138 James AndachtRealtor Associate Associate William“Jim” “Brad” Bryant- Realtor Jim@ashorerealtyllc.com William Brad@ashorerealtyllc.com “Brad” Bryant- Realtor Associate 941-840-4138 678-614-2183 Brad@ashorerealtyllc.com 678-614-2183 William “Brad” RealtorAT: Associate OFFICEBryantNOW OPEN 7915 Brad@ashorerealtyllc.com US 301 NNOW STE OPEN 201 Ellenton, FL OFFICE AT: 678-614-2183 Ashorerealtyllc.com 7915 US 301 N STE 201 Ellenton, FL 941-417-7777 Ashorerealtyllc.com OFFICE OPEN AT: Call today for aNOW free market analysis.

941-417-7777 7915today US 301 STEmarket 201 Ellenton, FL Call for N a free analysis.

Ashorerealtyllc.com 941-417-7777 Call today for a free market analysis.

Condos/Apts. For Rent

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

Homes For Sale

Beach Front Home: 4BED-5BATH, 2CARGAR $3,999,000 Beach Front Home: 4BED-5BATH, 2CARGAR $3,999,000 University Pool/Spa 4BED-3BATH $425,000 University Pool/Spa 4BED-3BATH $425,000 55+ Beach and Boating: One story villa 2BED2BATH $424,000 55+ Beach and Boating: One story villa 2BED2BATH $424,000 2.5 Acres: 4BED/3BATH, 3CAR GAR. Luxury kitchen, barn,4BED/3BATH, horses.

2.5 Acres: 3CAR GAR. Luxury $645,000barn, horses. kitchen, $645,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 3BED3BATH, 2/CARGAR, Dock/Lift.

Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 3BED$530,000.

3BATH, 2/CARGAR, Dock/Lift. $530,000.

Private Boat Lift: beach access villa/condo $399,000 Private Boat Lift: beach access villa/condo $399,000 Sarasota: Built in 2010 4BED-2.5BATH Lakeview $335,000 Sarasota:Lanai Built in 2010 4BED-2.5BATH Lakeview Lanai $335,000 Phillipi Gardens: INVESTORS 3BED-2BATH $209,000 Phillipi Gardens: INVESTORS 3BED-2BATH $209,000 Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley your Realtor, Buy oras Sell with Brookeand O’Malley REALTY as CLUB your Realtor, and will PayCLUB your REALTY title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677 will Pay your title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677

Puzzle Two Solution: “I thrive on change. That’s probably why my chord changes are weird, because chords depict emotions.” – Joni Mitchell

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2020 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

1BR/1BA 1350 Main St, in heart of Downtown Sarasota. Beautiful 5th floor, turn key, furnished corner unit condo in upscale building with stunning views of bay and city. Amenities include: concierge, reserved in-building parking, pool, fitness center, and more. Available for seasonal rental for $4800/mo or annual $2650/mo. Includes all except utilities. Call George: 516-993-3324.

Personal Services

2020

Personal Services

FAMILY SECURITY DRIVER 941-735-4732 Ask for Eddie.

Many years experience with rock stars, wild teens, children, elderly, and foreign families.

Feel safe, Be safe 24/7 Licensed and Legal.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT SERVICES Transportation to doctors, shopping, meal preparation, organization, painting, cleaning.

CNA trained. Call Ms. Michael: 941-685-1613.

Auto Transport

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

ALUMINUM

CLOCK REPAIR

COMPUTER Pegatronics Computer Instruction and Repair It’s Easier Than You Think!

Christo’s Clock Repair

Hardware Repair Virus / Malware Cleanup Software & Printer Install New Computer Setups New Purchase Consults Seniors & Beginners

4630 5TH ST W BRADENTON

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, TOC TO ME.”

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

941.752.4741

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Don Christo, Sr., Horologist

344568

CONSTRUCTION

LAWN CARE

Kitchen Renovations and Upgrades Visit our showroom

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

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

bschule88@gmail.com

344571

(941) 650-7758

344570

7262 55th Ave East, Bradenton, 34203

941-739-5102

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

Learn Computer Basics Phones/Tablet Help Apple & Microsoft Problems Solved On-Site and Off Much More! Call Today!

Pegatronics.com 345480

Owner / Operator Insured

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

343969

Dustin Yoder

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY

941-735-3362 KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

THE GRAB BAR GUY GLENN KROECKER

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

345776

Autos Wanted

LV9431

INFO & RATES: 941-955-4888 • Fax: 941-362-4808 • EMAIL: classified@yourobserver.com • ONLINE: classifieds.yourobserver.com HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon • Service Directory - Friday at 3pm • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

15B

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS

941.966.0333

RESIDENTIAL MOVES LONG DISTANCE MOVES VALUABLE MOVES INTERNATIONAL MOVES

Houses, Pool Cage & Decks, Fences, Driveways & Walks Irrigation, Fertilizer, Rust & Battery Stain Removal

941-909-2268 | www.lakewoodranchmovers.com

10% SAVINGS With this ad

LIFETIME GUARANTEE Licensed • Bonded • Insured COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH ƭƨ S. VENICE

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

941-704-4278

dmccarthymoving@gmail.com

HEALTH

Eldridge

...will move anything from a couch to a household

345507

Call John 941.377.2940

RESCREENING & REPAIRS

David McCarthy Moving

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

• • • •

Re-Screen “No Job Too Small”

Local And Long Distance Movers Residential Moves Commercial Moves Pack, Crate & Wrap

www.davidmccarthymoving.com

THE BEST

344573

This Doctor is Among

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA

941-270-1561

HOME SERVICES

Team Up Today With Classifieds

941-955-4888

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

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

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

ROOFING

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

941-705-5468

Residential

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Commercial

345775

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

PAINTING

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC HEALTH

Building & Roofing Contractor

SPECIALIZING IN:

University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

• Interior Painting • Drywall Texture • Drywall/Popcorn Repair • Wallpaper Removal • Exterior Painting • Pressure Cleaning

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Call 941.358.2224 today to schedule a 345090

FREE CONSULTATION

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

AvitarpaintingLLC@gmail.com

Painting • Roof Leaks Window Cleaning • Pressure Washing cell: 814.218.1782 • FREE Estimates

345878

Ron Chapman Handyman

DOORS

Sliding Glass Door Repair

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936 345215

BOB DAVIS: 754-366-9768

HANDYMAN

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

Bisson Roofing Inc.

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

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

941 - 748 - 7400

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

Classified Ads Bring Results

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

941-955-4888

Owner Supervises Every Job

PET SERVICES

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

Cindy Wells 941-928-2168

• Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

345896

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

WINDOWS

Doors and more!

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

Res./Com.

Lic./Ins.

indow & Pressure Clea et W(941) nin s 345-5264 n wn as Sunrise Win g Su erly kno d Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

ows

120

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Call us today!

www.ezslider.com

941-345-5264

DOORS

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

941.628.8579

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

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

Call for appointment

345778

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

SCREENING

Country Canine Makeovers Dog grooMing

345774

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

www.bissonroofing.com

345780

“Medical Breakthrough Technology for bulging, herniated and degenerative disc ...

No Pain, No Drugs, No Injections, No Surgery”

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

345781

345777

941-737-4483 www.PantherHydroCleaning.com

345779

INCLUDES 2 MOEN STAINLESS STEEL ANTI SLIP CONCEALED SCREW GRAB BARS (16” & 24”)

345102

DrGrabBars.com

344569

Pressure Cleaning & Soft Washing Residential and Commercial

345904

$

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

CALL BEFORE YOU FALL

345098

235

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

POWER WASHING

345481

GRAB BARS

MOVERS

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

EXCLUSIVE ADDRESS. EXTRAORDINARY LIFEST YLE.

Community of the Year

TOUR 13 EXQUISITE MODELS DURING THE LAKEWOOD RANCH ROAD HOME EVENT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th–SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd A HOMEBUYING JOURNEY FOR FINDING YOUR DREAM HOME The Lake Club offers incomparable exclusivity, illustrious architecture, and breathtaking outdoor living spaces in distinctive enclaves.

Genoa, the newest enclave, has expanded to include four neighborhoods with more than 20 spacious floor plans from which to choose by STOCK Signature Homes. And in Lake View Estates, there are a limited number of estate homes by some of the area’s premier luxury homebuilders.

With a 20,000-square-foot Grande Clubhouse, spa & fitness, tennis, pickleball, fabulous dining, lifestyle director, concierge and more, The Lake Club offers the most coveted lifestyle of any village in Lakewood Ranch.

From the $600s to over $3 million

THE BEST SELLING LUXURY VILLAGE IN LAKEWOOD RANCH

THE LAKE CLUB INFORMATION CENTER: 8307 Lake Club Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 | (941) 907-9088 | thelakeclublwr.com ANCHOR BUILDERS | ARTHUR RUTENBERG HOMES | JOHN CANNON HOMES | LEE WETHERINGTON HOMES | STOCK CUSTOM HOMES | STOCK SIGNATURE HOMES BROKER PARTICIPATION WELCOMED. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. NOT AN OFFERING WHERE PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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Flip the page for more sales and specials!

www.yourobserver.com/detwilers-weekly-flyer

DISCOVER ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF BECOMING AN INSIDER.

JOIN OUR ADVANCE ACCESS PROGRAM. You’ll instantly become a member of the Lakewood Ranch family, where you can meet your future neighbors and acclimate to life in the community.

6 RE ASONS YO U ’ L L LOV E B E I N G A N A DVA N C E ACC E SS ME MBE R .

Membership delivers the full Lakewood Ranch experience, plus:

Priority move-in

Pre-move-in wellness guidance

VIP access to beauty salon and barbershop

Dining privileges

Invitations to monthly social gatherings

Moving assistance program

Advance Access is a great plan, so why not get on the list today?

For more information, call 941-315-9503.

Assisted Living | Memory Care | Assisted Living License #12858 11705 Evening Walk Drive | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM

Get to know THE SHERIDAN AT LAKEWOOD RANCH.

Senior Lifestyle offers luxury assisted living and award-winning memory care at The Sheridan at Lakewood Ranch, part of the next generation of senior living communities. Offering management expertise, exceptional care, upscale comforts and a convenient, desirable location, Lakewood Ranch is a first choice in senior living.

ALIGN YOUR FUTURE WITH YOUR PLAN FOR EASY LIVING. Advance Access at Lakewood Ranch gives you priority access to our premium lifestyle. For all the benefits of membership, join now by calling

941-315-9503.

11705 Evening Walk Drive | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM

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Assisted Living | Memory Care | Assisted Living License #12858

OR

149 per area

$

Filler (1cc)

$

you buy 2 449ea when

SEE BACK FOR DETAILS.

OVER 400 FIVE STAR REVIEWS

320377-1 Following all CDC Guidelines to ensure the safety of our clients & staff

LWR 941-359-BTOX(2869) | SRQ 941-360-BTOX(2869) www.bowtiquemedspa.com 343964-1

Beauty is Our Business OFFERS GOOD AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

6277 Lake Osprey Drive Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 6118 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 MUST BOOK AND PREPAY. Must bring this ad in to receive offer.

Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. No exchanges or refunds. All sales final.

Limited availability. Se habla español.

Offers expire 11/30/2020.

Sarasota’s Accredited Dentists with Over 30 Years of Expertise

Jill Morris, DMD

Burr Bakke, DDS

Cameron Johnson, DMD

Our team at World Class Dentistry & Facial Aesthetics can treat patients with a multitude of concerns at the Sarasota facility, which maintains quality control and streamlined treatments. With a focus on individualized patient care and connection, Dr. Jill Morris, Dr. Burr Bakke, Dr. Cameron Johnson, and their on-site dental laboratory team offer implant surgery, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, biological dentistry, and more. Serving Sarasota since 1987, our team has over 60 years of combined talent and expertise. Call today to schedule your complimentary consultation or visit our website at SarasotaDentist.com.

Call (941) 999-3205 or Visit www.SarasotaDentist.com Stay Connected With Us

#WorldClassDentistry | 3951 Swift Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231 344740-1

Est. 1987

Real Patients. Real Results.

Dental Implants, Same Day & ALL-ON-4®

Before

After

Before

After

After Cosmetic, Veneers & Laser Periodontics

Before

After

Before

After

On-Site Laboratory with Master Technicians to Customize and Control Results

Advanced Care and Dental Technology at One Location Cosmetic Dentistry

Holistic Dentistry

• Bruxism Treatment • Smile Makeovers with Veneers • Conservative “No-Prep” Veneers • Nonsurgical Facelifts w/Neuromuscular Bite Correction

• Orthotropic and Airway Orthodontics for Adults • Orthotropic and Airway Orthodontics for Children • Safe Mercury Removal • Laser Periodontal Treatment with Ozone

Implant Surgery & Restoration

Facial Esthetics

• AII-On-4 • Bone Grafts/Sinus Lifts • Digitally Guided Surgery with On-Site CAT Scan • PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma • Sedation

• PDO Thread Lifts • Erbium and Nd: YAG Laser Treatments • Botox • Fillers

Call (941) 999-3205 or Visit www.SarasotaDentist.com

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12 MONTHS NO INTEREST FINANCING

Sectionals

ALL IN STOCK FURNITURE ON SALE & READY FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY!

GOOD BUY 2020 Relax

*

12 MONTHS NO INTEREST FINANCING

20%

BUY 2 LAMPS, PICTURES, OR ACCESSORIES & GET OFF OR MIX IT UP - 1 LAMP, 1 PICTURE AN ADDITIONAL

GOOD Deal 2020Mix it up

12 MONTHS NO INTEREST FINANCING

4586 S Tamiami Trl Sarasota, FL 34231 Phone: (941) 923-3299

Pamaro South

* WITH APPROVED CREDIT. PLEASE NOTE SOME ITEMS PICTURED HERE MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE

5465 University Pkwy University Park, FL 34201 Phone: (941) 359-0025

Pamaro East

Years

7782 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 Phone: (941) 355-5619

Pamaro North

THEPAMAROSHOP.COM

For the Florida look!

Available in 42” 72” & 104” lengths

*

Dining Sets

4586 S Tamiami Trl Sarasota, FL 34231 Phone: (941) 923-3299

Pamaro South

* WITH APPROVED CREDIT. PLEASE NOTE SOME ITEMS PICTURED HERE MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE

5465 University Pkwy University Park, FL 34201 Phone: (941) 359-0025

Pamaro East

Years

7782 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 Phone: (941) 355-5619

Pamaro North

THEPAMAROSHOP.COM

For the Florida look!

Mattresses