East County Observer 12.10.20

E A ST COUNTY

Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

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FREE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

VOLUME 23, NO. 5

Residents question bollard benefits

YOUR TOWN

Liz Ramos

Elves on the loose Be sure to look high and low while walking Main Street at Lakewood Ranch to find the 19 elves hiding.

Businesses dressed elves in costumes before putting them out for people to find.

“I chose a lady bug because lady bugs are a sign of luck, and we’re wishing everyone luck in the holidays,” said Sandy Shahinian (above), the director of community marketing for Lakewood Ranch Communities.

To play in the Elf on the Shelf contest , find entry forms at the Fish Hole or the Lakewood Ranch Information Center.

Greenbrook trails now feature bollards to prevent golf cart use, but some residents disapprove. PAGE 5A

Well-done enterprise Benefit polo match aims to fund two to four wells for Zambia villagers. PAGE 8A Jay Heater

Lakewood Ranch’s Ian Campbell has taken over the reins of the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match from his sister, Pippa. Pippa Campbell raised $5,000 to build wells in Zambia in 2019.

Brendan Lavell

Brendan Lavell

Drive-thru baby shower You’ve heard of drive-thru fast food and drive-thru ATMs. But what about a drive-thru baby shower?

The Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club held its Friendsgiving Drive-Thru Baby Shower on Nov. 18 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The event was coordinated by the club philanthropy chairs Eileen Buzzard and Trish Newman (above).

All donations were given to SOLVE Maternity Homes.

The collection took place Nov. 18, but the women’s club also collected items at five designated drop-off residences in the days prior to the drive-thru.

A+E

Taking the stage for a change.

PAGE 18A

Unemployed can utilize fast track Manatee Technical College receives grant to help the unemployed train for new opportunities.

SEE PAGE 3A

Courtesy photo

Bryan Monville, a CNC Production Technology student, operates a CNC mill at Manatee Technical College to produce a part for a U.S. Department of Defense contractor.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

EARLY LEARNING

DISCOVERY POINT CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Where: 7218 55th Ave. E., Bradenton Owners: Roger and Robin Clough Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday Ages served: 6 weeks to 6 years old More information: Go to DiscoveryPoint.com/twelveoaks, or call 200-4250.

past 25 years of his life in public education. He started as a teacher, moved into a role as an elementary and junior high school principal and then spent the past 12 years as a superintendent of two districts (six years each).

But he said he grew weary of his life as an administrator and longed for a hands-on opportunity to influence young children before they got to kindergarten.

“I saw that kids weren’t prepared, weren’t ready to learn [in kindergarten],” he said. “I had started a junior kindergarten program in Massena. Here, we will focus on early literacy and reading readiness. When you see kids read, you see they are ready to blossom.”

He said data shows children who learn to read early are successful afterward. Wonder how serious Roger Clough is about early reading? Consider he will stock infant books they can touch.

“We’ve been together 25 years, and I’ve watched him teach,” said Robin Clough, who worked in U.S. Customs Homeland Security investigations more than 20

Jay Heater

Robin and Roger Clough have opened a Discovery Point Child Development Center in East County.

New East County preschool opens New York couple moves to East County to open a Discovery Point franchise.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

I

t was a 12,000-square-foot building that had sat empty since it was built in the Twelve Oaks Plaza eight years ago.

Upon seeing the inside for the first time, Roger Clough said it was so empty that you could roll

a bowling ball from one end to the other.

But Clough, who had moved in June to Polo Run in Lakewood Ranch, knew it would be perfect.

Clough and his wife, Robin, opened Discovery Point Child Development Center on Dec. 8.

The building now will be an education center for as many as 240

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years. “It’s what makes him special. I watch him with little kids, and he gets down on their level.

He’s almost a kid himself, and he has a lot of patience.”

Teaching skills aside, the Cloughs, who have two children, 18-year-old McKenzie and 16-year-old Owen, will have to be good business people as well.

Their paycheck depends on it.

“I’ve done million-dollar capital projects, but the building piece of this did have some surprises,” Roger Clough said. “There are certain things that have to be in certain places.”

Robin Clough admitted it is different than drawing a paycheck from someone else.

“We are learning the different [budgeting] system programs,” she said. “We’re learning the payroll system. It is stressful, and it is a weight on our shoulders.”

Her husband added that they are working 16-hour days that include picking up garbage, sweeping and even cooking until they get additional staff in place.

Even so, they are proud of their new building and its “top-ofthe-line security.” Roger Clough said those visiting need to come through two locked doors that are monitored. A fingerprint identification system will be used once the pandemic passes. The whole facility is gated.

The building was stocked with top-notch equipment. The playground equipment, toys and learning materials inside are mostly supplied by Kaplan Early Learning.

“We will let the kids know they are being supported and that they are in a safe place,” Roger Clough said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

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Quick ascension to new job fields Emergency Education Relief Fund helps MTC offer fast training for a new career.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

S

ince the COVID-19 pandemic started, New England Machinery, a Bradenton-based manufacturer, has seen an increase in business, which has led to a need for more employees.

Judith Nickse, the owner of New England Machinery, said her company has hired six people in the past two months to keep up with demand and is looking for machine builders, sales people, individuals for the machine shop and others.

But where does the company find those workers?

Nickse has hired three Manatee Technical College CNC Production Technology program graduates in the past and said the college’s new rapid credentialing project will provide an opportunity for her to potentially hire more graduates soon.

“I think there is a big demand for what they’re teaching,” Nickse said of MTC. “I see an increase in need for technical skills in this area as Manatee County and Sarasota County are not only service-industry related, but there is a booming manufacturing sector in this part of the state.

I think schools like them serve an important role for all of us.”

The rapid credentialing project is a way for MTC to help people whose employment has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to get back into the workforce.

Starting in January 2021, people who are unemployed and seeking employment, underemployed or furloughed can enroll in MTC’s new rapid credentialing project

CAREER SWITCH

MANATEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE RAPID CREDENTIALING PROJECT How to apply: Go to the Manatee Technical College website at ManateeTech. edu/rapid-credentialing (for the nursing assistant and plumber help programs, apply at CareerEdgeFunders.org/ bridges-to-careers) Funding: Once admitted into a program, a survey will be sent to you to help determine if you’re eligible for grant funding.

Deadline: Dec. 16 File photo

that will provide training for indemand workforce and career and technical education credentialing and certificate programs.

“There are too many people who have been hit with economic hardship because of the coronavirus, and this is an excellent opportunity to get some new training in a career that has potential for possibly earning them more money and hopefully has less of a chance of them being laid off,” said Maura Howl, the supervisor for communications and grants management.

In October, Manatee County’s unemployment rate was 5.2%. In the same month last year, Manatee County’s unemployment rate was 2.9%.

MTC received $298,618 in funding through the state’s Emergency Education Relief Fund under the federal coronavirus relief bill to begin a rapid creden-

Former East County student Casey Rose programs a robot during class at Manatee Technical College.

tialing project.

Through rapid credentialing, Howl said MTC expects that approximately 160 people, depending on which program they choose, will be able to complete training in certain programs between five weeks and six months. They will then receive assistance in job placement.

American Torch Tip, a Bradenton-based manufacturer of welding and cutting equipment, consumables, torches and accessories, works with MTC to hire graduates from the college’s CNC Production Technology program.

“The students that graduate from their programs have the technical skills and knowledge to hit the ground running,” said Alicia Larkins, the director of human resources for American Torch Tip. “They’re the ones needed to

impact our busy manufacturing operations. It can be a challenge to find top CNC machinist hires in our area, and MTC is a great partner to find local machining talent.”

The grant funding covers 80% of the total project cost of $373,272. The remaining 20% is covered by cash matches from CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, Perkins V grant and students.

Student costs differ per program but equal less than 5% of the total grant project.

Howl said applicants don’t need to qualify for normal financial aid to qualify for a rapid credentialing program.

Applicants can be people who already have a degree but want to find a new way to make money or people who need training in another field. The requirement

is that the person must be unemployed and seeking employment, have been laid off or furloughed, or are underemployed.

“This is an opportunity that can make the difference between putting food on the table or not,” Howl said.

MTC selected nine programs across the Main Campus and East Campus to be included in the project. The programs selected were advanced manufacturing and production technology, applied cybersecurity, CNC production specialist, emergency medical technician, medical laboratory assisting, nursing assistant, patient care technician, phlebotomy and plumber helper.

When looking at which programs to select, Howl said time played a major factor. Project organizers wanted students to complete training quickly, so they could get a job and start working again.

Another factor considered was job demands. Most of the programs are for essential workers, including manufacturing and several positions in the medical field. The high demand for these jobs means there’s less of a chance someone could be laid off during difficult financial times, such as the pandemic.

“I have been here 17 years, and in my 17 years, we haven’t had a layoff,” Nickse said. “I think that’s a pretty strong record.”

The programs selected also lead people to middle- to high-wage employment opportunities.

“We wanted to meet the needs of the community and meet the needs of the students at the same time,” said Jennifer Gilray, an assistant director at MTC and a rapid credentialing project coordinator.

Howl said MTC will continue the project after the spring semester as long as there is funding available.

CAREER ON THE FAST TRACK PROGRAM

PROGRAM LENGTH

INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION

AMOUNT CARES ACT COVERS

CAREER EDGE PAYS FOR

ESTIMATED STUDENT COST

Advanced Manufacturing and Production Technology

6 months

SolidWorks

$2,278

N/A

$303 (includes $30 application fee)

Applied Cybersecurity

6 months

CompTIA Security+

$2,900

N/A

$310 (includes $30 application fee)

CNC Production Specialist

6 months

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

$2,480

N/A

$303 (includes $30 application fee + cost of 6-inch machinist scale and scientific calculator

Emergency Medical Technician

3 months full time; 5+ months part time

EMT Basic Certification and National Registry Certification

$1,714 and certification exam fees of $105

N/A

$122 (includes $30 application fee + rest of uniform costs + cost of background check, vaccines)

Medical Laboratory Assisting

3.5 Months

Medical Laboratory Assistant

$2,756.80 includes cost of certification exam

N/A

$80 (includes $30 application fee + uniform costs & cost of background check, vaccines, physical

Nursing Assistant

5 weeks

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

$40 administrative fee + certification exam fees: $243 + PPE: $75 = $358

$788 (includes textbook plus $30 application fee)

Cost of background check, vaccines, physical + cost of uniform

Patient Care Technician

6 months

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification

$2,269 + Certification exam fees: $243 + PPE: $75 = $309

N/A

$80 (includes $30 application fee + uniform costs & cost of background check, vaccines, physical)

Phlebotomy

1.5 months

Certified Phlebotomy Tech

$832 + certification exam: $117 + exam study guide: $69 + admin. fee: $40 = $226

N/A

$30 application fee + scrubs + cost of background check, vaccines, physical

Plumber Helper

5 months

NCCER

N/A

$1,852 (includes tuition, $30 application fee + fees + all program costs)

$0

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

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Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County, was named the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations’ 2020 Star Superintendent of the Year on Dec. 3.

Saunders was recognized for her support of and dedication to the Manatee Education Foundation, a nonprofit that provides indirect support to the School District of Manatee County through various programs that benefit students and teachers.

Local education foundations throughout the state nominated their superintendent and school board members. Other education foundation directors in the state then reviewed nominees and rated them for their leadership and involvement with their local education foundation.

“To receive an award like this is very meaningful and humbling,” Saunders said in a news release.

“It’s hard to believe that there is an education foundation that means more to its community than the Manatee Education Foundation. Mary Glass has been a phenomenal president, and their board of directors has always been filled with community leaders who love and support our students and schools.”

Four Braden River High School students who designed an app that could help saves lives won the 16th Congressional District App Challenge.

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Kolby Wade and Nolwen Bachtle received first place for their app, Valitudo, which is a tool to calculate the proper dosage for medicines.

The students created the app after one of the app creators’ peers nearly died from a miscalculated medical dosage.

“I can’t commend them enough for inventing such an important and potentially lifesaving tool,” said U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, who announced the Braden River High students as the winners of the challenge Dec. 7 in a news release.

Mall at UTC to change ownership The settlement of a lawsuit by mall owners Simon Property Group and Taubman Centers Inc. last month means that control of two of the region’s premier shopping hubs — International Plaza in Tampa and the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota — will change.

Simon Property agreed to pay Taubman roughly $3 billion, or $43 per share, to take over a portfolio of Taubman properties including the two along the Gulf Coast.

In March, Simon agreed to pay about $3.6 billion, or $52.50 per share, for a majority stake in Taubman, but three months later it attempted to cancel the deal, citing the impact of COVID-19.

Taubman countered in court that the deal remained valid and should be completed.

The sale is slated to be finalized later this year or early in 2021.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

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Some Greenbrook residents post complaints They say posts installed on nature trail are ugly and cause a hazard to cyclists.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

G

reenbrook’s introduction of barriers at seven locations on its community trails has caused disagreements not only between neighbors but also in some cases between spouses.

Peter and Heidi Easton are an example of a couple who respectfully disagree on the community’s solution to curb the use of golf carts on trails and sidewalks. CDD 4 installed additional posts, also called bollards, at the seven locations in November to make those locations impassable to golf carts.

Peter Easton is one of many residents who are pleased the bollards have been installed. He has to slow down when he rides his bike though the 40-inch gap between bollards, but he is not bothered by it. He has seen golf carts use the sidewalk in Greenbrook “countless” times, sometimes at unsafe speeds, and said he’s even seen a sports car do so.

“This is Florida,” he said. “People do stupid things, and this is the end result of it. Somebody is going to get hurt. So they don’t get hurt, the necessary precautions have to be taken.”

Heidi Easton disagrees with the decision to install the bollards.

Although she agrees that golf carts in Greenbrook are a potentially dangerous problem, she is concerned the bollards will be a hazard for cyclists.

“If you don’t have very good vision, you’re going to have to stop and just walk your bike through it,” she said.

Other Greenbrook residents took to social media to argue both sides of the remedy. Some believe the bollards are ugly and cause a hazard to cyclists and walkers.

Others say the trail is safer now that the golf carts can’t use it.

Golf carts are not allowed anywhere in Greenbrook, but their use on the community’s trails and sidewalks has been especially problematic, said Keith Davey, vice chair of CDD 4.

“People were repeatedly warned that they should not be riding [golf carts] on the trails,” Davey said. “Some people just insisted, and it got to be concerning because they were pretty reckless. They almost hit some of the pedestrians and the bikers.”

The addition of more bollards was deemed the most appropriate way to deter golf carts by the CDD 4 board, which thought it would be consistent with four bollards that have existed since Greenbrook’s conception at the community trail’s two bridges. Those

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bollards, in the middle of the path at each end of the bridge, were ineffective because golf carts would just go around them.

On top of the three pairs of bollards that have been added at new locations on Greenbrook’s trails, the community added second bollards at the ends of each bridge (four locations in all) and repositioned them to prevent carts from simply driving around them as they did previously.

Greenbrook resident Stacey Carlin doesn’t like the bollards.

Although she too agrees the golf cart issue needed to be addressed, Carlin said that the bollards are unattractive, among other issues, and that a better solution was possible.

“There could have been a much better process that this committee took to get resident input as to what we would like to see done in order to handle the golf cart activity,” Carlin said.

Davey said CDD 4 felt installing the bollards was the best decision. Using a gate would provide an obstruction for pedestrians and cyclists, and hiring the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to ticket golf cart users would be too expensive because the community would have had to pay for the deputies’ time.

Davey said hiring the Sheriff’s

Brendan Lavell

Heidi and Peter Easton take their 2-year-old Dobermann, Ollie, and 5-month-old French bulldog, Casper, for walks on this sidewalk by Adventure Place. The Eastons disagree with each other about the CDD’s decision to install bollards to prevent golf carts on the trail.

Office deputies cost approximately $35 an hour with a threehour minimum. Hiring them for a long-enough time span to ticket the number of riders necessary to deter most golf cart users in the community would add up quickly. By comparison, Davey said the cost of installing the bollards was

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Commissioners unified on pandemic — for now BRENDAN LAVELL

MANATEE COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE

STAFF WRITER

A

lthough Manatee County’s commissioners have spoken multiple times of plans to hold a press conference where they will show a united front toward their message to the public about helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, that unity could have its limits if one or more of the commissioners suggest enacting another mask mandate.

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she doesn’t foresee anything that would lead to the county to issue another mask mandate.

“The last thing we want to do is try to force anything on people because when you do that, they rebel,” Baugh said. “I do. I rebel.

This is America. You don’t want people rebelling. We’re just going to have to weather it out. That’s all we can do at this point.”

Baugh and the other commissioners do agree they should speak of the importance of wearing a mask, social distancing, washing or sanitizing hands frequently and getting vaccinations once they are available. They’ll encourage all county citizens to do so.

How those messages will be delivered to the pubic is yet to be determined.

“We do need to stand and be together and say the same things,” Baugh said. “That’s something that this board has not always done. And I think if we do that, we’ll show unity. I think the public will be quick to support us.”

But the commissioners don’t all agree on the best way to handle every detail of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Manatee County rose during November but did not hit the same level as the peaks seen in

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Positive cases seven-day average Nov. 4-10: 75.4 Positive cases seven-day average Nov. 26 to Dec. 2: 135.1 Deaths seven-day average Nov. 4-10: 1.43 Deaths seven-day average Nov. 26 to Dec. 2: 2.14

Source USAFacts

late June and July. For now, commissioners said their strategy of encouraging the public and businesses to take the pandemic seriously is mostly working.

At-large commissioner Carol Whitmore said she is pleasantly surprised at the number of people who will not patronize a business if employees aren’t required to wear masks. She also said she’s hearing fewer of those stories recently. Whitmore said that could mean businesses are getting the message they could lose customers without proper precautions.

However, Whitmore also said she would be open to a different approach if the pandemic continues to worsen into the winter, especially if the situation became severe enough to overwhelm Manatee County hospitals. She didn’t go as far as saying she would support a mask mandate in such a scenario but rather that she would listen to the experts.

“I’m a person of science,” Whitmore said. “My decision will be [based] on data collected. In a public safety issue where we have no more hospital beds, we can’t ship in anymore because everybody else has the same issue, an increased death rate, I will go on the science.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

EAST COUNTY

“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 Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Liz Ramos LRamos@YourObserver.com; Brendan Lavell BLavell@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

Jay Heater

Their bucket list East County teens combine to plan the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match to raise funds to build wells in Zambia.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

I

an Campbell, a 6-foot-3 junior at Cardinal Mooney High who plays both football and lacrosse, knows it’s difficult to focus in class when you are hungry.

Imagine how hard it is for students in Zambia to study when they live with hunger every day.

Campbell, who lives in the Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch, has seen the effects of poverty often when he travels with his family to various countries in Africa. His father, Stuart, was born in South Africa, and his mom, Victoria, was born in Zimbabwe.

So Ian Campbell was glad his sister, Pippa, organized the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match, held March 16, 2019. The match raised $5,000 that went toward building two wells in the villages of Siandunda and Komanyana, Zambia.

Pippa Campbell, then a junior at Lakewood Ranch High, had joined with Jaymie Klauber, the owner of Epic Equine Experiences and the Epic Polo Club in Sarasota County. She said Klauber was “extraordinarily helpful” and that she learned a lot about hosting a benefit from her. They turned over the money to the villages, and two months later, the wells were completed and supplying much-needed water.

“A little money goes a long ways there,” Victoria Campbell said. “I can’t believe how grateful they were.”

Last summer, Ian Campbell started to wonder whether Well Wishes could become an annual event. He decided to organize the 2020 event, this time at the Sara-

IF YOU GO WELL WISHES BENEFIT POLO When: 3 p.m.

Dec. 30 Where: Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota Cause: Building wells and irrigation systems in Zambia Tickets: $100 per space for eight to 10 people can be purchased by texting 352446-4758.

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Courtesy photo

sota Polo Club. It is scheduled for 3 p.m. Dec. 30.

He is getting help from his sister, who now is attending Florida State, along with his cousins, 17-year-old Ben Cottrez and 15-year-old Sophie Cottrez. Their mom, Sarah, is Victoria Campbell’s sister, and the family, including husband Vincent, live in East County. It was Sarah Cottrez’s friend Annabel Hughes-Aston who told them about the villagers’ plight in Zambia. Hughes-Aston distributed the funds in Zambia after the 2019 event.

Despite the pandemic, Ian Campbell didn’t want to wait to host another Well Wishes.

“I saw the women walking miles carrying buckets on their head,” Ian Campbell said of his trips to Africa. “I saw how dirty the drinking water was there.”

Sarasota Polo Club players including Brent Hamill and Wadi Gomero-Cure already have signed up to play. The event will have 90 tailgating spots (eight to 10 fans per spot) at $100.

Ben Cottrez said the possibility of doubling the 2019 funds is exciting.

“We’re trying to raise $10,000, and that will pay for well systems and irrigation systems that would allow the people to grow their own crops,” he said. “It would allow them to farm more area.”

Like the Campbells, the Cottrez family takes trips to Africa as well.

“It was eye-opening,” Ben Cottrez said. “You can see the cultural differences, and they don’t have as much leisure time for fun. But they are also so much more thankful for everything they have.”

Sophie Cottrez said it was amazing how thankful everyone was even though they were living in poverty. She said more wells and irrigation will empower the villagers.

Ian Campbell cleared the event with Sarasota Polo Club Owner James Miller, who was happy to help, in July.

Eventually, all four teens said they want to see more photos from Africa of villagers standing next to their new wells.

“It’s such an amazing feeling,” Pippa Campbell said. “It’s inspiring.”

Top: Ben Cottrez, Ian Campbell, Pippa Campbell and Sophie Cottrez have joined together to plan the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match.

Above: Villagers sent photos after the wells were built in Zambia.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

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JAY HEATER

A shot of authenticity in Lakewood Ranch B

ruce Mahnke, a co-owner of Main Street at Lakewood Ranch’s newest restaurant, McGrath’s Irish Ale House, was just a kid when he would watch his great-grandmother whip together recipes for her very large family.

Elisa McGrath had to have fun in her Pennsylvania kitchen because, well, she had 17 kids.

She was spending a lot of time there.

Although he was too young to partake, or understand, Mahnke watched as Gram would line up the alcohol the way many cooks organize the spices.

“Everything she made had liquor in it,” Mahnke said with a laugh. “Beer, wine, whiskey. And Gram always had a little for you and a little for me.”

Considering Jameson’s whiskey was first introduced in 1780, old Elisa McGrath wasn’t the only chef taking a few nips as she was creating culinary masterpieces. And all young Bruce cared about was how her creations tasted.

Flash forward to 2020, with Gram long gone and her recipes most likely considered the junk in someone’s kitchen junk drawer. Only Mahnke wasn’t about to forget. The co-owner of Ellenton’s Sixty East with Ed’s Tavern co-owner Bob Bender, Mahnke knew Schroeder-Manatee Ranch wanted an Irish Pub or a steak house in the spot vacated by MacAllister’s Grill and Tavern at

Jay Heater

Adam Myara, Albert Myara and Bruce Mahnke (along with Bob Bender, not pictured) co-own McGrath’s Irish Ale House at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The new restaurant has been open two weeks.

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

SMR had been talking to restaurateur Albert Myara, who coowns Ed’s with Bender and has been successful at Main Street.

Owning another restaurant a stone’s throw away from Ed’s was compelling to Myara, even if Myara hasn’t been an Irish cuisine connoisseur. Bottom line, though, was Myara’s desire to scale back after more than 50 years in the business. He owns Captain Eddie’s in Nokomis,

we

because we

Bogey’s in Venice and Ed’s, and he sold off four other restaurants to clear up more golf time on his calendar.

Mahnke, on the other hand, wasn’t about to miss this golden opportunity. What better way to revive his great-grandmother’s recipes than to start a restaurant that would honor the authentic part of Irish cooking?

So Mahnke gathered Bender, Myara and Myara’s son, Adam ], at his Palmetto home. He started

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serving everyone those timehonored recipes, such as shepherd’s pie, made with lamb, of course, where the lamb had been simmered in Guinness. It takes out the gaminess.

They had a regular feast, topped off by Jameson’s bread pudding (the raisins are soaked in whiskey) that also features a homemade Guinness caramel glaze. Mahnke said that when Guinness melts down, it makes everything sweet.

McGrath’s Irish Ale House was a go and now has been open two weeks. The two Myaras, Mahnke and Bender are the co-owners.

“To have a restaurant where I can deliver my family’s recipes to guests is a great thing,” Mahnke said.

It’s a great thing for foodies in Lakewood Ranch as well. As we all wait for Waterside Place to open this spring, we wonder what kind of major restaurants they have lined up. It’s December, and no word yet.

Owen’s Fish Camp has signed up for CASTO’s Center Point development on University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch, but no announcement has been made about spaces planned for other restaurants there. The Green at Lakewood Ranch has filled up with fast food restaurants, but nothing yet on its two major spaces dedicated to sitdown restaurants.

Then we come to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. If anyone is

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worried Main Street will be hurt by major restaurants coming to the aforementioned locations, Adam Myara said you can stop worrying.

“We know Main Street’s potential,” Adam Myara said. “I live in Lakewood Ranch, and I know we could use more restaurants out here. Owen’s Fish Camp is coming, and that’s great, but we need more with all the homes.”

The co-owners, who will employ a staff of approximately 60, added 100 outside seats to McGrath’s in a spot that actually overlooks the lake (rare for Main Street at Lakewood Ranch; only Ed’s has a small number of tables overlooking the lake). The decor has been changed, and the bar now will include “every Irish beer you can buy on draft and 30 Irish whiskeys.”

Fish and chips has been the top seller so far, but great-grandma’s lamb is not scaring people away with shepherd’s pie coming in at No. 2.

Elisa would be proud.

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

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aking an Impact, a Lakewood Ranch nonprofit, is trying to fill a void with its Community Connections Resource Guide.

The guide is distributed free to local organizations that help residents in Manatee and Sarasota counties find the services they need. It includes background and contact information on more than 200 local agencies organized into 17 categories of service. It is also color-coded to indicate the general location of each agency.

Making an Impact was started in April by registered nurse and board Chair Victoria Kasdan for the purpose of creating the guide — with more projects, such as a pharmaceutical guide, to follow later. Kasdan said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for it.

“We figured with the shutdown and so many people going to need access to community resources that it was a good time for us to start the nonprofit,” Kasdan said.

The guide evolved from a similar project board member Linda Hoy had previously created for herself while doing volunteer work. When people would ask Hoy, who had moved from New York, where they could get help for various issues, she had to look up the answer herself because she wasn’t familiar with the area. So she started recording information about each organization she contacted.

At the same time, Kasdan was

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To obtain a copy of the Community Connections Resource Guide, contact Victoria Kasdan.

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calling around, searching for a resource guide specific to the local area. Finally, a contact told Kasdan she had seen Hoy with a little, homemade guide. Kasdan called Hoy, who sent her a copy.

“I said, ‘I think you’re onto something,’” Kasdan recalled.

“She said, ‘I can’t get funding. I can’t get anybody to believe in this.’ I said, ‘I’ve run a nonprofit (We Care Manatee) before. I know how to do a nonprofit startup.’”

One example of an organization that uses the guide is Resilient Retreat, a Sarasota-based nonprofit that serves people who have experienced trauma and abuse. Resilient Retreat Founder and board Chair Sidney Turner has three staff members who are not from the area. She said the guide has been “so instrumental to them in getting a pulse on all of the services that are available in our community.”

Resilient Retreat has used the guide to find financial assistance and free counseling to trauma and abuse survivors and to reach out to organizations in underserved communities who might serve survivors themselves.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

LETTERS

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Commission should be allowed to choose leadership Governing is not easy, and I did not expect it to be. You don’t have to be involved in governing to realize that.

As a third-generation resident of Manatee County, I’ve been around and involved with our community my entire life.

As a businessman, I’ve watched as Republicans in name only cleared a path for a career bureaucrat to push multiple tax hikes on residents, one of which was successful. They grew the size and scope of government faster than the county itself.

They created fiefdoms, helped those in the know, and developed schemes like the sweetheart Lena Road land deal.

When former County Administrator Ed Hunzeker lost at the ballot box, voters confirmed what I had suspected: They are sick and tired of these actions.

While on the campaign trail, I heard many of the same complaints. Government had grown out of control. Taxes are getting too high. Raising a family in Manatee County is getting harder, not easier.

CAR WASHES OF COURSE!

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

With this in mind, I ran on a platform of less government, more transparency and lower taxes. I want to give our local government back to the people it was created to serve.

Every new administration should be permitted to choose its leadership. Joe Biden will not inherit Donald Trump’s staff or cabinet (and rightly so). Staff needs to be beholden to the administration it serves. Make no mistake, the three newly elected commissioners, Kruse, Satcher and myself, are a clear message from voters that it’s time for a change. There needs to be a new way of running government, with conservative solutions to decades’ old problems.

I find our current county administrator, Cheri Coryea, to be a good person. However, she has been in government for more than 30 years, and she has been a cheerleader for the tax hikes, for the new departments, for additional staff positions, for the massive spending spikes and for the lack of results in improvements to traffic congestion, localized flooding and water quality — especially in my district. I do appreciate and applaud her service, but it’s time this new

board, which is heading in a new direction, have someone at the helm that believes in a conservative ideology. The current administrator is not that person.

Many have become emotional over my motion to get our county staff on board with our new, more conservative tact.

Names have been called. Insults have been hurled. This is not an emotional decision. Governing should never be based on emotional decision-making. Governing should be about data and serving the people. In that vein, it is time our county staff better reflects the board it serves, and that means a new leader at the helm.

I hope this explanation will help everyone to better understand how I came to this decision. I also hope that a calm presence and demeanor will help to restore civility and proper decorum during meetings. Voters have spoken, and it is time we as leaders carry out their wishes.

KEVIN VAN OSTENBRIDGE MANATEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER (DISTRICT 3)

Get involved with neighbors in need I am sure all of us are ready for 2020 to pass. Who would have thought this time last year that we would be part of this worldwide pandemic?

We all have watched our friends struggle with kids not in school, isolation from friends and family, family or friends ill from COVID-19, hours cut at work, loss of a job or elderly losing their job used to supplement Social Security to cover food or prescription drugs or because they can’t afford day care. Others wonder how they are going to pay their car payments, mortgage or rent.

I have communicated with many I never would have guessed would be in dire need.

Manatee County citizens care, and now is the time to show it.

Call that friend or acquaintance, and ask them what they need, offer to help with the light bill, gas, groceries or cutting their lawn. It’s the little things that make a difference.

There is help from the federal coronavirus relief bill for some of the issues where you can call Manatee County’s 311 number.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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I read Jay Heater’s column in the Observer (Dec. 3). I don’t know what Cheri Coryea’s record looks like as Manatee County administrator, but I must tell you, as new residents and voters of Lakewood Ranch — and I think I speak for many — we are absolutely thrilled to have Vanessa Baugh fighting for her constituents and not for the special interests of deep-pocket commercial developers.

It is an absolute disgrace that the folks over at GreyHawk Landing have had to shell out hard-earned money for legal representation in order to fight the proposed Cox Chevrolet lot from being dumped right in their backyard. We have a similar situation facing us at Savanna.

Any commissioner or administrator who is intent on turning Lakewood Ranch into Route 41, with no regard for the lives of the families they will be affected, should approve everything that has to do with commercial rezoning, so that Lakewood Ranch can turn into a nice, big mall parking lot.

ANNA GONNELLA

TIM LONGINO

SAVANNA

SAVANNA

CAROL WHITMORE MANATEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER (AT-LARGE)

Lakewood Ranch in danger of becoming a parking lot

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Commercial development at Savanna entrance should not be allowed Imagine green land and a lake being shown on the county’s plans for the entrance of your neighborhood for “passive, recreational open space.” It’s a beautiful natural feature to all who enter or leave your neighborhood.

Then imagine the developer of your subdivision — in this case Savanna — asking the Manatee County Commission to remove that open space and allow it to be sold for a large commercial development.

Imagine further that commercial traffic is being routed directly through your neighborhood entrance.

It will lead to traffic hazards, including for children walking to a bus stop, and increased maintenance on the road maintained by your homeowners’ association, at the homeowners’ expense.

That nightmare is being faced by the homeowners of Savanna.

It comes up for a public hearing before the Manatee County Commission at 9 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

It is not just the preliminary site plan and final site plan that show the 5.23 acres as open space. A deed restriction in the public records also prohibited commercial development in Savanna, including this parcel, until the developer got it rescinded in March.

There is no other subdivision in Lakewood Ranch that has such commercial development at its entrance.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

STAGES OF

Coastal expands East County presence

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An 88,000-square-foot facility on S.R. 64 just east of I-75 will serve as corporate headquarters.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

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fter 16 years of doing business in East County, Coastal Orthopedics has decided to build its corporate headquarters in the community with an 88,000-square-foot facility on a 17-acre parcel on State Road 64, just east of Interstate 75.

The move is largely a response to rapid population growth in East County and the I-75 corridor.

“We’ve made a huge commitment to East County by putting our largest location, to include all of our administrative offices, out there,” Coastal Orthopedics President Dr. Arthur Valadie said.

“We think that’s going to allow us to provide care for that whole corridor, all the way from Parrish and Ellenton, all the way down to that huge amount of growth in Lakewood Ranch and south down to Sarasota County. And the fact that we’re about a half-mile off the interstate really makes all of our services accessible.”

Construction is expected to begin in January. The facility will

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someone with rust-colored calves or ankles? Skin discoloration is the key sign of stage four vein disease.

The discoloration is hemosiderin (iron) depositing in the skin from the breakdown of blood which is pooling in the lower legs.

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STAGE 6: Lastly, a lack of blood flow and skin nutrition result in active ulcerations (open wounds) which weep and bleed. Venous stasis ulcers account for 90% of all lower-extremity ulcers and are often chronic due to poor treatment. Leg ulcers can leak a yellow fluid or pus, which is green and smells foul. They often burn and are tender.

Active ulcers are also a risk factor for development of cellulitis, an infection of the skin and soft tissue of the legs.

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serve as the new Coastal Orthopedics headquarters and include clinical services, an ambulatory surgery center, a physical therapy department, administrative offices and diagnostic imaging services, such as X-ray and MRI. Coastal Orthopedics plans to move into the building in spring 2022.

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Valadie, who is an orthopedic surgeon, described the facility as an expansion of the services already provided in East County.

Among the facility’s highlights will be a six-room surgery center to help address increasing demand for outpatient surgery, particularly joint replacement and spine surgeries.

“It’s going to be our largest clinic location,” Valadie said. “And obviously, it’s going to be a large surgery center. We’d like to have our administrative offices under the same roof, so that there’s more seamless operations.”

In addition to streamlining operations, Valadie said the site was chosen as the new headquarters because the “state-ofthe-art” building will better meet the needs of Coastal Orthopedics’ administrative team and provide better access to patients as well as current and potential employees. Out of the company’s 290

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nna Deavere Smith’s “Twilight, Los Angeles, 1992” was written for the stage. It’s a work of theater, but it’s also gritty, street-level journalism.

To create “Twilight,” Smith recorded the stories of people caught up in the LA riots following the acquittal of the four white police officers who had beaten Rodney King, who was Black. Her play was originally a one-woman show in which she portrayed all 40 characters.

In this Asolo Conservatory production, 12 second-year student actors and two conservatory alumni bring those characters to life in a streaming video. The series of film clips works perfectly with the play’s documentary tone. It doesn’t feel like you’re watching a work of fiction. It feels like real people are talking to you.

This dense, confrontational production is bursting with powerful performances. Daniel Ajak’s Twilight Bey is riveting. Smith’s play takes its name from the character. In Director Benny Ambush’s production, the ex-gang member also serves as a narrator. Snippets of his monologue frame the tale and put it in context. Ptah Garvin morphs into scholar and polemicist Cornel West, giving a sense of a

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rapid-fire mind at work.

Francisco Rodriguez delivers a harrowing portrayal of Rudy Salas Sr., a Mexican American sculptor and painter. He sports two huge hearing aids — the legacy of a police beating that shattered his eardrums during the Zoot Suit Riots of the 1940s.

His bitterness toward LA’s white power is another legacy. Devereau Chumrau’s Theresa Allison has her own tales of police brutality.

She founded Mothers Reclaiming Our Children to push back against a wave of Black and Latino men who had been arrested and imprisoned in LA on false or exaggerated charges.

Bryan Lewis is also moving as Reginald Denny, a mildmannered truck driver who literally didn’t know what hit him when he was brutalized in the riot. Denny doesn’t dwell on his assailants, but his heart goes out to the four Black people who saved his life.

Garrick Sigl does a deftly comic characterization of Stan-

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Performed by the Asolo Conservatory via Zoom, “Twilight” explores stories of 40 people surrounding the LA riots.

neat, tidy bow. She doesn’t.

Smith’s authorial intelligence doesn’t go easy on the audience — critics, especially. In a great work of fiction (even if based on reality), there’s usually a big idea at the heart. The characters have different viewpoints, but they all flow from the author’s mind.

But Smith’s characters aren’t fictional. Their words are their own. She selected which characters and words she’d include, of course. But the stubborn individuality of the minds behind those words persists. So what’s the point of her play?

There isn’t any. More accurately, there are 40 viewpoints.

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ley K. Sheinbaum, the former president of the LA Police Commission. “Come let us reason together” is his approach.

Nydira Adams delivers a fiery performance as Congresswoman Maxine Waters, addressing the congregation of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Waters rejects attempts to dismiss the riot as a crime committed by opportunistic thugs.

“Whether we like it or not, riot is the voice of the unheard.”

These powerful performances come together with Seaghan McKay’s outstanding video design and editing, Aja Jackson’s naturalistic lighting design, and David Wilson and Ryan Blaney’s haunting sound design.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Asolo Repertory to host outdoor holiday concert Performers will take to a newly built stage for the theater’s holiday show.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

Courtesy photo by Cliff Roles

P

ete Amster knows his way.

The longtime director for the Asolo Repertory Theatre has put on numerous plays and productions and has experienced happiness, heartbreak and every emotion in between.

Lately, though, he’s faced something far worse: boredom.

The 70-year-old director had a handful of shows lined up at the start of 2020, all of which were canceled by COVID-19. Retire-

ment doesn’t suit the man, and he’s been clawing at the proverbial walls looking for a way to return to the theater.

On Dec. 17, he’s getting his chance — just not in the way he first expected. Amster will take the stage as a singing performer as part of the Asolo Rep’s “We Need A Little Christmas” holiday concert. Amster and four other performers will be on the theater’s recently built outdoor

stage for an hourlong show full of Christmas tunes and cheer. It’s a different kind of creative expression for Amster, which is exactly why he signed up. “[Asolo Rep Director Michael Donald Edwards] asked me how would I like to be in it, and my first response was, ‘Are you out of your mind?” Amster said. “But my vanity and ego leapt ahead of my common sense, and I said yes.”

The holiday concert took shape

when Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal and Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards set about thinking of a way to resume productions after it became clear the pandemic would prevent actors and audiences from filling the Mertz Theatre for the fall season.

Rather than finagling with Zoom to put together an online show, the co-directors settled on a more tangible endeavor by hav-

The Asolo Repertory Theatre recently finished its terrace stage. Located at the front of the theater, the stage is large enough to fit five performers spaced 6 feet apart.

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ing the theatre’s technical team construct an outdoor stage for audiences to see performances in person.

“We started to think creatively about how to utilize a space that’s safer where our audience can be outside and socially distanced and enjoying something while being safe,” Rosenthal said. “[We realized] the best space that we would have the most control over is our very own theater.”

The new terrace stage — at the front of the theatre — is large enough to fit five performers 6 feet apart at once. Instead of attempting a full play or musical as a first go with the new space, the duo decided a concert would be a better fit. The show will have the performers assembled in a few variations for solo and trio performances, and all five will be on the stage together at one point.

“It’s a celebration of musical theater,” Rosenthal said.

The show pulls from Christmas classics, songs that have been tweaked to reflect the holidays

and original songs. Although it’s under wraps, Rosenthal hints the show will have a few guest performers she thinks will entertain the audience.

It’s not typically an easy operation to move performers on and off stage without getting too close to one another, as is necessary in this pandemic year. Rosenthal hasn’t struggled with planning out new choreographies and practice schedules — she said she enjoys figuring out logistics to make the physical layout work safely. One of her favorite discoveries has been using the front of the theatre as an engaging backdrop for the show.

Amster and his other performers started in-person rehearsals this week. It’s been a minute since Amster has been on the stage as a performer, but he does has years of watching actors hone their craft.

He said his preparation process for his new role has been to take it slow and steady, learning new lines and letting them settle as he continues to work on his singing voice. He’s been a producer of a music festival in Michigan for the past 15 years, which has lent some opportunities to sing.

For him, it’s a matter of learning to work with directors in a new light to bring the best experience to the audience.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

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DECEMBER 10, 2020

SPORTS

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t be.”

— Braden River High’s Karmani Gregory SEE PAGE 23A

HIGH

Lakewood Ranch forward Isaiah Cohen came to the Mustangs from IMG Academy during the offseason.

5

SPOTLIGHT SHINES

1

Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball junior Andres Junge scored 32 points Dec. 5 in the Mustangs’ 80-55 home win against Parrish Community High.

2

Braden River High girls soccer senior Brooke Tyquiengco had two goals and two assists Dec. 5 in the Pirates’ 8-0 road win against The Out-of-Door Academy.

3

Mike Stokes and Ed Farr (134) won Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Uihlein Cup event (better ball format), which was held Dec. 5-6 at the club’s Cypress Links and King’s Dunes courses.

4

Patrick Thompson sank a hole-in-one Dec. 2 on the No. 11 hole of Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s King’s Dunes course. Thompson used a 6-hybrid on the 145yard hole.

ON MUSTANGS NATIONAL ATTENTION Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer rankings, per MaxPreps 2020-21: Currently third nationally (second in Florida) 2019-20: Finished ranked 99th nationally (35th in Florida) 2018-19: Finished ranked 65th nationally (19th in Florida) 2017-18: Did not finish ranked nationally (26th in Florida) 2016-17: Finished ranked 10th nationally (third in Florida)

5

Parrish Community High girls soccer junior Krystal Parra, an East County resident, scored three goals Dec. 3 in the Bulls’ 8-0 home win against Bell Creek High.

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team continues to be ranked high nationally.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

N

ational recognition is nothing new for the Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer program.

The Mustangs have had consistent success for the past eight years, winning seven district titles and reaching four state Final Fours over that stretch.

That proven success has led to high placements in MaxPreps’ national rankings on a consistent basis. This year is no different.

The Mustangs (5-0) are ranked third nationally and second in Florida as of Dec. 4, trailing only No. 1 Creekside High in both the national and Florida rankings.

Mississippi’s Northwest Rankin High is No. 2 nationally.

The team hopes at least one aspect of this season will be different, though. Through all their success, the Mustangs have not won a state title.

Lakewood Ranch Coach Vito Bavaro said the Mustangs have barely discussed the rankings.

“It’s nice to get the rankings and

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Lakewood Ranch Coach Vito Bavaro chats with his team about making in-game adjustments after a 1-0 win against North Port High.

Bavaro said he is glad his team was tested because it will help them down the line.

the attention, but what matters is what you do with it,” Bavaro said.

“Sometimes it can be a curse, where you get ranked high and then lose the next game. We got through that this year, but our goal is still to win every game.”

Usually, the Mustangs use the first handful of games to figure

out their lineup and strategy. This year, that was complete before their first game, thanks to four transfers who fit exactly what Bavaro needed.

Senior defender Luke Hroncich arrived from Cardinal Mooney High, junior forward Isaiah Cohen came from IMG Academy, junior forward Felipe DeSouza came from Medford High (Medford, Mass.), and sophomore midfielder Diego Freyere arrived from Braden River High. Cohen is second on the team with five goals, and DeSouza has two goals and five assists. Stats are harder to come by for defenders and defensive midfielders, but Bavaro gave his assurance Hroncich and Freyere have been stout in their positions as well.

Four of the team’s five wins have been by four or more goals, but the team was challenged in a 1-0 road win against North Port High on Dec. 3. Bavaro said North Port’s size and physicality gave his offense a different look, one that forced adjustments the Mustangs took a while to make.

Eventually, senior forward Timothy Sheredy knocked in a goal from the left side of the box.

Bavaro said he is glad the team struggled a bit. He would rather have his players challenged and learn something than play in an 8-0 blowout. But the Mustangs were also not at full strength.

Junior midfielder and leading goal-scorer Aiden Holzborn (six goals) missed the game with a leg injury, though Bavaro said he should be back soon.

Returnees including Sheredy, Holzborn and junior midfielder Sam Leavy, who also handles the team’s corner kicks, will also be keys to this season. The one place where the lineup is not set is in goal. Senior goalkeeper Jacob Delgman and junior goalkeeper Josh McManis have been splitting time, and Bavaro said he plans to keep it that way until — and if — one of them separates themselves. Otherwise, he’s comfortable riding both, he said. Neither goalkeeper has allowed a goal yet this season.

It’s a long season, but Bavaro said this team has as high a ceiling as any other team he’s coached.

“I’m really looking forward us firing on all cylinders and being able to play fast, especially when we get closer to districts and states,” Bavaro said.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Pirate contributes to Marshall’s success T wo years removed from high school, Knowledge McDaniel is making the most of his opportunities at Marshall.

The former Braden River High running back/wide receiver repeatedly showcased his talent for the Pirates, and he entered his senior season of high school with offers from Power 5 schools including Georgia, Ohio State and Missouri. He decided not to commit to any of them early, and then, following an investigation into Braden River football, the Florida High School Athletic Association ruled that McDaniel received impermissible benefits by staying with the family of teammate Brett Thoma, whose father, Todd, was the president of the Braden River booster club.

The initial ruling called for a seasonlong suspension, which was appealed down to five games after a strange process.

McDaniel played in seven games as a senior, finishing with 436 receiving yards, 163 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns, and he signed with Marshall after communication with other schools fell off. At the time, both McDaniel and Pirates Coach Curt Bradley said it was impossible to know whether the suspension or the failure to commit early was the cause of the lack of communication from bigger schools.

Now McDaniel, a sophomore, sees being at Marshall as a

“[This season] I have been feeling much more in tune with the program and how the offense is wanting to be run.”

— Knowledge McDaniel

Photo courtesy Marshall Athletics

Knowledge McDaniel has 25 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown at Marshall this season.

blessing. The Thundering Herd are 7-1 and have been ranked as high as No. 15 in the Associated Press poll. Although McDaniel isn’t a starter, he has contributed at running back, garnering

25 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown. “[This season] I have been feeling much more in tune with the program and how the offense is wanting to be run,” McDaniel

said. “I have learned more details about defenses and fronts, how to be patient in certain situations if pulling guards are coming, things like that.

“We’re a tight locker room.

We all have energy at practice, offense and defense. We talk a little smack, but no one gets too deep in it. It just keeps practice fun. When it is game time, you see the results. We’re flying all over the field.”

McDaniel is not the only Braden River High alumnus making an impact at the college level — not even the only running back. At South Carolina, former Pirates running back Deshaun Fenwick is the team’s No. 2 rusher. Fenwick, a sophomore, has 54 rushes for 297 yards and a touchdown. He also has 14 catches for 108 yards.

At South Florida, another former Pirate, Brian Battie, has been the bright spot of a tough season for the winless Bulls.

Battie, a freshman, has 46 carries for 332 yards and a touchdown, but 38 of those 46 carries have come in the past three weeks. Against UCF on Nov. 27, Battie had his first career 100yard game.

On the hardwood, former Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball player LaDazhia Williams made her debut at Missouri last month after transferring from South Carolina. Williams, a 6-foot-4 junior forward, had 18 points and five rebounds Nov. 27 in the Tigers’ win against North Alabama. As of Dec. 4, it is the only game Missouri has played thus far, but it is a good start in a new place for Williams.

McDaniel said seeing many “941” area athletes succeed give himself a confidence boost.

“These are people I grew up with and played football with,” he said. “That makes me want to grind harder, so when my opportunities come, I can shine and represent [the area] like I’m supposed to represent it.”

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

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YourObserver.com

Karmani Gregory is a junior guard on the Braden River High boys basketball team. Gregory, who is 6-foot tall, scored 32 points Dec. 2 in the team’s 53-50 road win against Palmetto High.

When did you start playing basketball?

When I was 4. My dad, [Carl], he always had my family playing sports.

What is the appeal to you?

It’s exciting throughout the whole game, and I love that. I love getting my teammates fired up. I love the hype of the crowd.

What is your best skill?

I’ll say dribbling. It’s fun to break the other team’s press defense or give someone a good move and then score.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

23A

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

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Karmani Gregory

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What is the best advice you have received?

Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t be. I want to go to the NBA. People always tell you the statistics on the number of people who make it. To me, I’m like, who are you to shut my dreams down?

You have to believe.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

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DECEMBER 10, 2020

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Sonda Tioitty prepares baked goods for the bakery. She had prepackaged cookies available to pass out to visitors at Evangel Baptist.

IF YOU GO

Photos by Liz Ramos

Jesus and Sonia Mendoza portray Joseph and Mary during the Evangel Baptist drive-thru Bethlehem. The couple has been participating for four years with their children, Jesus Mendoza Jr., 13, and Grace Mendoza, 11.

Nativity tweaked Churches make changes during a time when ‘even Bethlehem has to adjust.’

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

D

avid Gay, a member of the Evangel Baptist Church in Lakewood Ranch, slowly cut a hole into a wooden door, and Mark Bulger, another member of the church, carved parts of the door as cars slowly passed.

In past years, Gay and Bulger, who were portraying carpenters in Bethlehem during the church’s annual drive-thru Bethlehem Experience on Dec. 4, would interact with children and help them with a kids’ craft, but due to COVID-19, visitors remained in their cars and watched the carpenters work from afar. “It’s weird,� Bulger said. “The kids’ crafts made the time go by real quick last year.�

Evangel Baptist Church and the

Tabernacle Church had to make adjustments to continue their tradition of live nativities this holiday season.

The Tabernacle Church has decided to continue its tradi-

What: The Tabernacle Church’s Living Nativity When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-13 Where: The Tabernacle Church, 4141 DeSoto Road, Sarasota Highlights: Enjoy a free recreation of the birth of Jesus by a cast of more than 150 people as well as a hospitality area with live animals and refreshments.

More information: Call 355-8858.

tion of a 45-minute live production, but visitors will come to the church and park, and the church will have seating available.

Social distancing and face

Evangel Baptist’s Lance Winton joins his wife, Susan, in the mercantile where she’s selling beads, jewelry and scarves with Doris Proper.

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masks will be encouraged during the event, which runs at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10-13, but are not required.

The church didn’t have to limit the number of cast members participating in the telling of the Christmas story because the living nativity is outside, and there will only be a small number of actors on stage at a time.

At Evangel Baptist Church, the Bethlehem Experience has been a drive-thru and walk-around event to give visitors an opportunity to interact with the soldiers, villagers, bakers, carpenters, fishers and others, so they are immersed in what it was like in Bethlehem.

This year became a drive-thru only so families could safely view the Christmas story, and organizers decided not to have live animals because visitors wouldn’t be able to interact with them. “The first year we did this, it started as just a drive-thru, and as the years went on, we added that you could go out and walk around,� said Kim Gay, a member of the church who portrayed a basket maker. “This year we’re back to square one. Even Bethlehem has to adjust.�

Usually, members distribute information about the church as well as goodies for the kids. As an added precaution this year, those were prewrapped, and the villagers wore masks as they passed them to visitors in their cars.

Although the nativities might not be the same, members of both the Tabernacle and Evangel Baptist said it was important to continue their traditions of hosting a living nativity for the community. “People just need some enjoyment,� said Linda Baker, an organizer of the Bethlehem Experience at Evangel Baptist.

The nativities are also an opportunity for the church members to come together after months of having virtual or smaller church services due to the pandemic. “We felt it was important to have [the nativity] because this is one of our biggest things we do, and it’s important for our people here, too,� said Jerry Baker, another event organizer and Linda Baker’s husband. “Almost the entire church gets involved with it, so if nothing else, we have fun.�

2B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Tiffany, Everett and Robert Morelli of Sarasota not only came to see the giraffes, but they also got to feed a llama and visit with Santa Claus.

Event takes fun to new height

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Summerfield’s Ethan and Jani Storbeck help their sister Hannah feed Twigs the giraffe. They are from South Africa, and mom Anoesjka Storbeck says seeing the giraffes and zebras felt like a taste of home.

rystal Coronas, the daughter of founder Serge Coronas, said Rye Road Giraffes was looking for a way to raise funds to support their farm during the pandemic while bringing holiday joy to the community.

But they also had another goal for opening Christmas Celebration and Circus to the public every Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 5-20.

“It’s Christmastime, and we need a little Christmas cheer,” she said of the Rye Road Giraffes’ staff.

Guests rode camels or ponies, fed llamas and goats, took photos with Santa Claus and visited the family-owned farm’s giraffes.

Tickets ($15 for adults, $5 for ages 4-10) are available each at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through FB.com/TheRyeRoadGiraffes/.

— BRENDAN LAVELL

Siesta Key Campus: Pre-K - Grade 5 | Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch: Grades 6 - 12

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WELLNESS

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

3B

Bradenton’s Brandy Waligora passes

by Rye Road Giraffes when she drives to her job at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary and says she always hoped it would be open to the public.

Photos by Brendan Lavell

Above: Oona Olmstead of Bayshore Gardens says she loves seeing giraffes but also got to ride a camel.

Right: Crystal and Ryan Harris of Parrish and their children, Abigail and Jackson, check out the zebras.

WEIGHT LOSS

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Jenny Rodriguez tried to keep her weight off for many years, only to gain every pound back, “superfast,” she says. Prior to turning to Manatee Weight Loss Center (MWLC) for help, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea and suffered chronic pain in her feet and knees.

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It was only after having robotic sleeve gastrectomy (“gastric sleeve”) surgery at Manatee Memorial Hospital that she felt she was on a road to success.

Leading up to surgery, she consulted with a nutritionist and a psychologist and received an intensive education on healthy-eating habits and exercise from the MWLC dietitian. She also connected with a support group.

“I felt as if I was being gifted with a lifechanging opportunity,” she says of the procedure.

“The surgery helped me to finally take the steps toward becoming a healthy person.

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NO JOB TOO TOUGH. NO JOB TOO ROUGH!

The key to maintaining a healthy weight is all about lifestyle. Optimal sleep, reduced stress, healthy eating and physical exercise all play an important part.* But sometimes even trying everything your doctor recommends to lose weight may not be enough. Indeed, 42 percent of adults in the United States are considered obese.**

is to make the necessary adjustments, commit to the process, and believe in yourself.”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

NEW to Bradenton/Lakewood

Ranch or The Jewish Federation?

Join Us!

NEWCOMERS BRADENTON/LAKEWOOD RANCH Monday, December 21, 2020 • 5pm HOSTS: TOBY SIMON & SUSI STEENBARGER

Come join us and meet Federation lay leaders and staff and most importantly, neighbors down your street.

Breakout rooms organized by zip codes.

Via ZOOM visit To register, vents /e JFEDSRQ.org 347116-1

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

QUESTIONS? Contact Jeremy Lisitza

jlisitza@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2113

Shoebox event fits community JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

S

itting in a van half filled with packed shoeboxes, Bryan Lipps echoed the thoughts of all his fellow Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee workers.

“People rally,” said Lipps, the vice president of strategic programs for Meals on Wheels Plus.

“They come through.”

Lipps was feeling optimistic because one of the two vans Meals on Wheels Plus brought to the Lakewood Ranch Elks Club for the annual shoebox collection Dec. 5 was filling up quickly only 15 minutes into the event. A stream of cars pulled up just outside the Elks parking lot to use the arranged noncontact, drive-thru, drop-off event.

The Elks paired with Meals On Wheels Plus last year for the first time and helped the nonprofit collect enough shoeboxes to serve more than 900 homebound seniors as 300 people attended the event inside the lodge. For many of those seniors who benefit, the shoeboxes might be the only gift they receive during the holiday season. Items in the shoeboxes include pens, notepads, puzzles, slippers and bathroom items. Donors from the community put about 10 items in each shoebox, and they are delivered to shut-ins.

The pandemic caused Meals on Wheels and the Elks to change how they hosted the event.

“We have pivoted all our operations,” said Maribeth Phillips, the CEO and president of Meals

Jay Heater

on Wheels Plus. “This event is just another example. We had to think how we could deliver an event the community loves while keeping everyone safe. We know these shoeboxes bring people joy, and we know we have many more seniors this year who are selfisolated.”

Brett Davis, a past district deputy for the Elks, said a lot of club members dropped off shoeboxes in advance of the event this year.

He said the club, featuring free food and a free cocktail, was open Dec. 5 to anyone who donated a shoebox.

Davis said the Elks hope to make it an annual affair.

People can still drop off shoeboxes at the Daybreak Adult Day Center, 10920 E. State Road 70, Lakewood Ranch. For more information, email atowery@MealsOnWheelsPlus.org.

Bryan Lipps, the vice president of strategic programs for Meals on Wheels Plus, takes a break from packing shoebox donations into a van.

OPTIMISM / op • tuh • miz • uhm / noun feeling nostalgic about the future OUR COLLEAGUES IN CARE NAME

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R E L AT I O N S H I P QUOTE

Blue Butterfly Volunteer

After my mom died, I wanted to

give back. I see goodness and hope as the kids heal from their loss.

Volunteering at the Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center, Arturo is known for his genuine nature, and admits he learns more from the kids than he can ever teach them.

By starting with relationships, the Tidewell Foundation is redefining care. It’s how the Tidewell family has done it for 40 years.

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4B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

5B

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6B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

COMMUNITY THURSDAY, DEC. 10

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3 Stores n 1 Location Tuesday - Saturday n 10:00am - 5:00pm 2095 17th Street n Sarasota Have large items to donate?

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CHANUKAH DRIVE IN CONCERT Begins at 6 p.m. at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Chanukah Drive In Concert is presented

by Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch and will feature a menorah lighting, a live Klezmer concert, an aerialist show, stilt walkers, strolling jugglers and more. Upon arriving at the free concert, attendees will be able to pick up Hanukkah gift boxes, children’s gifts and dreidels.

Everything is free and open to all.

Those who attend must register online and will view the concert from the safety of their vehicles.

Reservations can be made at ChabadOfBradenton.com.

THURSDAY, DEC. 10 TO SUNDAY, DEC. 20

HOLIDAY LIGHTS SHOW Runs from 6:30-9 p.m. each evening outside the East Grand Entrance of the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. The Mall at UTC presents a special holiday lights show that includes a projection light show outside the East Grand Entrance (near Kona Grill and Urban Outfitters).

Shows begin every half hour. All guests are asked to practice social distancing at the free event.

For more information, go to MallAtUTC.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 11 TO SUNDAY, DEC. 20

GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL Runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays at the former Stein Mart location in the West District

File photo

BEST BET SUNDAY, DEC. 13

POLO Begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. The 30th season at the Sarasota Polo Club begins and runs every Sunday through April 25. Besides world class polo, the event includes halftime Clydesdale wagon rides for the kids, food and beverages, tailgating and divotstomping. General admission is $15 per adult with children 12 and under free. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged. For ticket packages and information, go to SarasotaPolo.com. Gates open at 10 a.m.

at University Town Center, 119 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is hosting the 12th annual Gingerbread Festival. More than 200 gingerbread houses will be on display. Net proceeds from the festival support Girl Scout programs. For more information, go to MallAtUTC.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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LANTERNS ON THE LAKE Runs from 4-7:30 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The event, which costs $30, will be limited to 1,500 people, who will received a lantern, batterypowered tea light and markers in a drawstring bag. For more information, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 13

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 runs every Sunday through April 25. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, diary products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

YOGA 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 yoga workout at Bob Gardner Park. The event is hosted by Yoga Shack and sponsored by

Brain Health Initiative. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

TUESDAY, DEC. 15

PARADE OF LIGHT Begins at 6 p.m. at Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch at 5712 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch. Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch is holding its first menorah parade.

Participants will affix a menorah to the roof of their car and will then drive throughout Lakewood Ranch, making various stops to light the menorah along the way including at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, where tribute will be paid to nurses and doctors. At each stop, Rabbi Mendy Bukiet will light the menorah atop a Hanukkah truck and Hanukkah swag will be given out for both adults and children. To be part of the parade, go to ChabadOfBradenton.com/parade.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

7B

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CAR AND TRUCK SHOW Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge 4602 Lena Road, Bradenton. The Lakewood Ranch Elks hosts the second annual Car and Truck Show. Entries are $10 per car or truck. The event itself is free.

Food and drink will be available for sale. Awards will be given for Best in Show and People’s Choice. For more information, call 727-422-3680, or email dittyjerry@gmail.com.

November 20 - January 18

When You Donate $50 or More to Resurrection House.

FRIDAY, DEC. 18

FIESTA! FRIDAYS Runs from 5:30-9 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota.

SANCA presents Fiesta Fridays with the Dive Bombers and Derek Lersch Band. The event includes food and drink for sale along with exhibitors. Tickets are limited to 1,500 people and may be purchased through the park’s website at NathanBendersonPark.org. Tickets are $10 each for ages 15 and up and free for those 14 and under. Parking is free.

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Artist’s Rendering

Artist’s Rendering

149 residences as the area’s most anticipated address. Priced from the $800,000s, Bayso features 11 distinct floorplans ranging from 1,600 sq. ft. to just under 2,500 sq. ft., as well as 7 luxurious Penthouse residences ranging from 2,500 sq. ft. to nearly 4,000 sq. ft. Each residence will include an expansive, private terrace with glass balcony railings, providing residents an enviable choice of panoramic vistas.

Bayso is located within Quay Sarasota and will offer a walkable lifestyle convenient to the city’s dining, shopping, and entertainment. Make your appointment today to view this spectacular location from the Westin rooftop and learn about these contemporary residences.

SCHEDULE YOUR PRIVATE SALES PREVIEW 941.220.0828 | BaysoSarasota.com 100 Marina View Drive, Suite 101, Sarasota, FL 34236

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the State of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Prices and availability are subject to change at any time without notice. This is a limited time offer. Developer may withdraw offering at any time. Images and renderings are representation only. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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CURRENTLY ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS, Bayso will soon rise 18 stories with

8B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

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

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

LAKEWOOD RANCH 19432 Ganton Avenue Stacy Haas & Gloria Bracciano 941-587-4359 A4444895 $1,575,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7047 Stanhope Place Daniela Soiman 941-779-4797 A4483380 $1,199,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12312 Newcastle Place Gloria Bracciano & Stacy Haas, PL 941-229-4000 A4483679 $1,150,000

BRADENTON 552 Mast Drive Sandi Dietrich 941-704-0697 A4484998 $815,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7027 Langley Place Beth Ann Boyer & Nancy Phillips 941-780-6606 A4484504 $759,000

BRADENTON 117 23rd Street W Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4479012 $749,000

BRADENTON 8504 71st Avenue Drive E Tim Koons-McGee 941-320-7073 A4485050 $695,000

BRADENTON 5255 Castello Lane Linda Formella 941-720-6698 A4484167 $665,000

BRADENTON 5129 88th Street E Chris Baylis & Sue Cosgrove-Lee 941-735-4713 A4481186 $645,000

BRADENTON 12758 Sorrento Way Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet, PA 941-993-7087 A4484172 $625,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12709 Stone Ridge Place Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4483186 $575,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 14640 Newtonmore Lane Toma Milbank & Rebecca Milbank PLLC 941-720-5174 A4471951 $574,000

BRADENTON 904 65th Street NW Ralph & Megg Faillace 941-713-9142 A4484340 $530,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 13462 Purple Finch Circle Ray Rausa 941-228-7614 A4484528 $525,000

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

PALMETTO 1317 50th Avenue Drive W Erica Thomas 941-799-9365 A4484149 $495,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7936 Hampton Court Lori Bollinger & Beth Ann Boyer 941-524-7034 A4476286 $483,500

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

BRADENTON 3404 79th Street Circle W 103 Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4484041 $450,000

BRADENTON 7712 2nd Avenue W Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4484003 $369,900

BRADENTON 6885 Willowshire Way Jim McElhinney 941-773-1199 A4482705 $369,000

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

BRADENTON 13711 Messina Loop 204 Erica Thomas 941-799-9365 A4479434 $265,000

SARASOTA 5156 Birch Avenue Gregory Zies & Kathy Valente 941-779-3081 A4479067 $250,000

BRADENTON 204 3rd Street W 204 Patty Brooks 941-545-1194 A4462765 $227,500

BRADENTON 6115 43rd Street W 19 Ralph & Megg Faillace 941-713-9142 A4482815 $210,000

BRADENTON 4850 51st Street W 3203 Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4484484 $125,000

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SARASOTA 8263 Archers Court Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4483993 $3,999,999

SARASOTA 10862 Leafwing Drive Brian Wood 941-928-8408 A4471346 $3,250,000

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

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16113 Clearlake Avenue Stacy Haas & Gloria Bracciano 941-587-4359 A4482326 $2,100,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in the Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Andrew and Susanna Kielty, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 14839 Como Circle to George Elliott Mitchell and Herbert Clark West, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2.09 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,314 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.72 million in 2019.

COUNTRY CLUB

Terry and Mary Shaffer sold their home at 7806 Mathern Court to John and Patricia Rozzano, of Bradenton, for $1.3 million. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,973 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.03 million in 2013.

Anthony Rocco Giovanniello, of Tampa, sold his home at 17736 Strandhill Court to Tina Bossalis Ciaccio, of Lakewood Ranch, for $575,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,255 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,000 in 2018.

MOORINGS AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

The Moorings Properties LLC sold the home at 8711 Rum Runner Place to Peter Francis Lake and Jennifer Marie Lake, of Bradenton, for $1.15 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,818 square feet of living area. It sold for $841,200 in 2017.

ESPLANADE

James and Katherine Wingert, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 13109 Malachite Drive to Lawrence and Susan Horwitz, of Hillsborough, N.J., for $1.02 million. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,328 square feet of living area. It sold for $985,000 in 2018.

LAKE CLUB

SD TLC Holdings LLC sold the home at 16727 Verona Place to Gari Beth Palmer and Charles Day Palmer III, trustees, of Bradenton, for $936,100. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,030 square feet of living area.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

The Indigo Property Group LLC sold the home at 7610 Partridge St. Circle to Peter Yobo and Brooke Michaelyn Yobo, of Bradenton, for $650,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,352 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2019.

INDIGO

Neal Communities of Southwest Florida LLC sold the home at

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

9B

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $2.09 million

|

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 23-27

12925 Deep Blue Place to Geoffrey Stephen Hughes and Katharine Anne Hughes, of Bradenton, for $629,800. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,881 square feet of living area.

GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Keith and Christabel Mayhall, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., sold their home at 547 Honeyflower Loop to Jesse and Jodi Gubernat, of Bradenton, for $620,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,262 square feet of living area. It sold for $494,200 in 2014.

Robert Eugene Verity and Kelly Verity, of Palmetto, sold their home at 916 Buttercup Glen to Melissa and Jason Perri, of Bradenton, for $480,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,822 square feet of living area. It sold for $406,700 in 2016.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Julia Ann Mahoney, of Bradenton, sold the home at 7412 Heritage Grand Place to Traci and Mark Dooley, of Bradenton, for $607,500. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,873 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,400 in 2016.

Carol Lynn Monville and Edward Stidd, of The Villages, sold the home at 7124 Marsh View Terrace to Eliot Clauss, of Bradenton, for $324,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,649 square feet of living area. It sold for $273,500 in 2016.

Jeffery and Mary Rome, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6525 Candlestick Drive to Dennis and Deborah Amaral, of Westport, Mass., for $265,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,541 square feet of living area. It sold for $215,500 in 2014.

Liz Ramos

This Country Club at Lakewood Ranch home at 7806 Mathern Court sold for $1.3 million. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,973 square feet of living area.

has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,375 square feet of living area. It sold for $318,000 in 2015.

RIVER WIND

Neal Signature Homes LLC sold the home at 954 River Wind Circle to Richard Christman, of Bradenton, for $548,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,722 square feet of living area.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

Lennar Homes LLC sold the home at 17601 Hickok Belt Loop to Kerry Sean Cole and Tracey Ann Marie Cole, of Lakewood Ranch, for $562,500. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,006 square feet of living area.

GREENBROOK

Michael and Claudette Russell, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 13930 Wood Duck Circle to Michelle and Christopher Dujardin, of Lakewood Ranch, SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 10B

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

MALLORY PARK

Felipe Oliveira and Crystal Sedoris-Oliveira sold their home at 3375 Chestertown Loop to Patrick and Kaitlin Paligraf, of Lakewood Ranch, for $580,000.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,464 square feet of living area.

It sold for $446,800 in 2017.

Matthew and Samantha Brown, of Bradenton, sold their home at 11502 Golden Bay Place to Nicholas Bates Morley and Sarah Ruth Morley, of Bradenton, for $417,500. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,014 square feet of living area. It sold for $335,000 in 2017.

South Sarasota

NEW MODEL OPEN

MOVE-IN READY

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

WATERFRONT HOMES & HOMESITES

Downtown Sarasota

Mark Sarasota | 941.234.4323 $899,000 MarkSarasota.com

Bradenton Riverfront

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

NEW PRICING, MOVE-IN READY

Northwest Bradenton

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

RIVERDALE REVISED

Frank DiMarino, of Bradenton, sold the home at 4719 Pinnacle Drive to Michael and Janet Hanlon, of Bradenton, for $570,500.

Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,363 square feet of living area. It sold for $486,000 in 2017.

Thomas and Linda Barrett, of Bradenton, sold their home at 333 Bow Lane to Neil and Robyn Spirtas, of Bradenton, for $390,000. Built in 2001, it

MOVE-IN READY

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

Osprey Bayfront

MOVE-IN READY

Downtown Sarasota

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

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

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Licensed Real Estate Broker

10B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Real estate FROM PAGE 9B

for $490,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,578 square feet of living area. It sold for $440,000 in 2015.

Chris and Kathleen Wilkinson sold their home at 13402 Purple Finch Circle to Mark Rizzo and Marianne Wagner Rizzo, of Coram, N.Y., for $459,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,472 square feet of living area. It sold for $359,000 in 2013.

We don’t treat John’s cancer, we treat John.

Kyle and Carrie Bradshaw sold their home at 6230 Willet Court to Nanci and Steven Somers, of Bradenton, for $386,900. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,073 square feet of living area. It sold for $328,000 in 2017.

Eugenia Grigorescu, of Colorado Springs, Colo., sold her home at 6324 Robin Cove to Yony Hernandez and Alejandra Hernandez Gutierrez, of Lakewood Ranch, for $271,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,275 square feet of living area. It sold for $239,000 in 2018.

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AZARIO ESPLANADE

Taylor Morrison of Florida Inc. sold the home at 4732 Trento Place to Patrice Fee, of Bradenton, for $486,500. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,144 square feet of living area.

Taylor Morrison of Florida Inc. sold the home at 15630 Sac-

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ile Lane to Jeffrey and Renee Florida, of Bradenton, for $319,900. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,558 square feet of living area.

WENTWORTH

Shirley Eaton, of Chelmsford, Mass., sold her home at 7336 Saint Georges Way to Thomas Connellan and Kristen Magdelinic, of Cazenovia, N.Y., for $485,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,046 square feet of living area. It sold for $452,500 in 2019.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Penny Cupo, of Bradenton, sold the home at 12514 Cara Cara Loop to Paul and Lindsay Csogi, of Bradenton, for $475,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,723 square feet of living area. It sold for $344,600 in 2004.

BRIDGEWATER

Dineshkumar and Sunitaben Patel, of Albany, Ga., sold their home at 13111 Bridgeport Crossing to Hina Patel, of Bradenton, for $450,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths and 2,417 square feet of living area. It sold for $439,600 in 2014.

RIVERSIDE AT TIDEWATER PRESERVE

Vietta Smagghe, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the Unit C condominium at 1260 Riverscape St. to Ronald Keyser, trustee, of Bradenton, for $427,500. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,332 square feet of living area. It sold for $399,100 in 2016.

MORTGAGE or Rent Payments For A Year!

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345543-1

Presenting Sponsors

Register Now! SarasotaBallet.org | 941.225.6520

Media Sponsor

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

MIRABELLA AT VILLAGE GREEN

CENTRAL PARK

RIVERWALK VILLAGE

Shane and Sadie Reichenbach, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4911 Newport News Circle to Mason and Kaylee Wroe, of Bradenton, for $257,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths and 1,331 square feet of living area. It sold for $230,000 in 2019.

SABAL HARBOUR

CARLYLE AT THE VILLAGES OF PALM AIRE

Harry Walter Living Trust sold the home at 11011 Water Lilly Way to SPH Property One LLC for $391,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,231 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2017.

Ricky Volpatti and Cathy Procida sold their home at 4754 Cayo Costa Place to James and Debra Kraus, of Bradenton, for $390,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,554 square feet of living area. It sold for $349,000 in 2017.

Vishal Doshi and Varsha Pai, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4940 Breakwater Drive to Ricardo Pena and Ursula Bustios, of Bradenton, for $289,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,972 square feet of living area. It sold for $236,000 in 2004.

DEL WEBB

Judy Kay Rowe, of Bradenton, sold her home at 17026 Hampton Falls Terrace to Patrick and Joyce Cass, of Bradenton, for $380,000. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,574 square feet of living area. It sold for $351,300 in 2018.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

11B

Joseph and Joanne Robert, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4828 Central Park Blvd. to Alex and Dina Katz, of Queens, N.Y., for $355,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,084 square feet of living area. It sold for $284,000 in 2015.

Joy Renee Coleman and John Arthur Coleman, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4972 Creekside Trail to Alina and Roman Velsh, of Sarasota, for $345,000.

Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,130 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2017.

COACH HOMES AT RIVER STRAND

Fredric Steven Jacobs, of Raleigh, N.C., sold the Unit 6703 condominium at 6908 Grand Estuary Trail to Julia Mahoney, of Bradenton, for $335,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. It sold for $282,000 in 2015.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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David and Francine Reichert sold their home at 1201 Calle Grand St. to Roger and Maria Wild, of Eagleville, Pa., for $412,500.

Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,525 square feet of living area. It sold for $383,600 in 2017.

|

It’s time to celebrate Unconditional L ve!

I suggest we celebrate 6 feet apart.

We invite you to share in our virtual Celebration of Unconditional L ve.

Thank you sponsors!

February 27, 2021 6pm Event Website: arcsrq.home.qtego.net For sponsorship info: Love@arcsrq.org

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Come together and honor the dogs and cats that share our lives while we raise money to care for those that are still homeless. SHARE this event with friends and loved ones both near and far as we will be able to visit everyone through a “live steam” experience. And best of all, your furry family members can cuddle up beside you while you watch the show!

12B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, DEC. 10

High: 72 Low: 53 Chance of rain: 5%

FRIDAY, DEC. 11 High: 73 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 5%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Dec. 10

7:09a

5:36p

Friday, Dec. 11

7:10a

5:36p

Saturday, Dec. 12

7:11a

5:36p

Sunday, Dec. 13

7:11a

5:37p

Monday, Dec. 14

7:12a

5:37p

Tuesday, Dec. 15

7:13a

5:37p

Wednesday, Dec. 16

7:13a

5:38p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, DEC. 12

Dec. 21 First

High: 77 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 25%

Dec. 29 Full

Jan. 6 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Nov. 30

0

Tuesday, Dec. 1

Bruce Silverman captured this sunset over Lakewood Ranch.

Jan. 12 New

0.21

SUNDAY, DEC. 13

Wednesday, Dec. 2

0

Thursday, Dec. 3

0

High: 76 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 25%

Friday, Dec. 4

0

Saturday, Dec. 5

0.02

Sunday, Dec. 6

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 55.92 in.

2020 0.43 in.

2019 47.37 in.

2019 0.08 in.

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY 342482-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

CROSSWORD

941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

115 Lacks 117 Aired again 118 Entered hastily 120 Monopoly game piece 122 ___-garde 123 Be able to make, as an owl call?

127 Chop into bits 128 Large Apple product 129 Name hidden in “sommelier” 130 Attacked by a bee 131 Church official 132 Dorothy’s dog 133 Phone downloads 134 Not to mention

OO7 by Steven E. Atwood; Edited by David Steinberg

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Crow’s nest support 5 Series of picture riddle books 9 Do taxing tasks 13 Senate hearing channel 18 Second stage at a theater?

20 Hawaiian food crop 21 “Go back one step” command 22 Viola’s lower relative 23 Leave the mall before becoming completely exhausted?

26 Provide gear for

27 Title of respect 28 Complete obscurity 29 Running back’s dive, say 30 Elastic fabric 32 Stairway with enough headroom for a tall person?

37 Ho-hum 38 Dusting cloths 40 More extensive 41 Fish get caught in them 42 Harvest goddess 44 :, in an analogy 46 “Measure twice, cut once,” e.g.

48 The one that got away?

50 Airline to Oslo

52 Penny value 57 Feelings of gloom 59 Wrapped, as an ankle 63 Wisdom tooth, for instance 64 ___ the baton 67 Swabs 69 Tennis star Djokovic 71 Call to mind 72 Nebraska metropolis 74 Henhouse histrionics?

76 Plains dwelling 77 Sites for grain stores 78 Whale food 79 Long part of a giraffe 81 Cardinal and crimson

82 How Dad may have the kids 83 Test for size 85 Working hours 87 Until the first pay raise 90 Profs’ helpers 92 “It’s over for me!”

96 Record player part 100 Fork-tailed seabird 102 Sacha Baron ___ 103 Amazes 107 Popular sans serif font 108 Like a canceled mission 110 Covenant 111 Products for horse breeders?

DOWN 1 The “m” of Einstein’s equation 2 He had a vulnerable heel 3 Plot development curve 4 Pointer 5 “___ never work!”

6 Proverbs 7 College administrators 8 “Wanna play poker?”

9 Complete a double play, in baseball lingo 10 Artist/activist Yoko 11 Swearing-in words 12 Hack (off) 13 Medium-sized battery 14 One of many on a flashy dress 15 Thrust quickly 16 Land like a bird 17 Sign that’s a phrase meaning “trample” backward 19 “Click ___ Ticket” 24 Vowel-shaped support 25 Hairstyles 31 Day on the set of a lowbudget film?

33 Lubricate 34 Like a job for a handyperson 35 Currency in Chihuahua 36 Comic actress Drescher 37 Pre-A.D. 39 What an accused player is ejected from in “Among Us” 43 Mineral spring 45 Granola bit

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

47 “I know you” 49 Horror film street 51 Neighborhood baseball venue 53 Reaction to a spill you want to keep secret?

54 Split to join together?

55 Bare 56 Forest obscurers for some 58 Curling or cycling 60 Spanish word before “favor” 61 “Dear ___ Hansen” 62 Knights’ counterparts 64 Suggest 65 Type of acid in a protein 66 Sprinkles, as a sidewalk 68 French for “evening” 70 Sound associated with making money 73 Nile dam site 75 Tissue layer 80 Middle Kardashian sister 84 Historic Turner 86 Antitrust agcy.

88 Not a hoax 89 Garr of “Tootsie” 91 “SOS!” 93 Tough for the babysitter to manage 94 Newspaper parts 95 Palindromic TV channel 97 Morse code sound 98 “... ___ me down to sleep” 99 Painter whose name means “the Greek” 101 Fruit of a flowering shrub 103 Vowel-shaped home 104 Flour-loving pest 105 Trip to the post office, say 106 Take on a global issue?

109 State named for a river 112 Prefix for “national” 113 No longer stylish 114 Actor ___ Jackson Jr. 116 Sugar-loving pests 119 They bear fawns 121 Therefore 123 Top 40 song 124 “I love,” in Latin 125 Vinification vessel 126 Grand Central, e.g. (Abbr.)

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.

“Z BUYLA’H WMKAR UAFDBLOL ZA HBL DMOGR DBLOL Z DUAH HM PL UGG HBL HZCL. HBL PLNH MW CF GZWL ZN HBL CMYZAI.” – NLUA XMAALOF “POHN’J NOX BVWYTXU PMNO ‘LXEXV’? MN DXXBJ ZWG KVWU NVZMLF. MN XLJGVXJ NOHN ZWG PMTT KHMT. XLC WK JNWVZ.”

– BOZTTMJ FXWVFX Puzzle Two Clue: B equals Y

Sarasota

HUNDREDS OF COLORS AND STYLES ON SALE NOW!

Puzzle One Clue:K equals U

CARPET

© 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

1210-20

CLASSIFIEDS

Thursday, December 10, 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.

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

Condos/Apts. For Rent

VACATION RENTAL: Horseshoe Cove RV resort Bradenton on Braden River. 55+ Available December and January. $75/day. 941-505-1031.

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

Homes For Sale

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

Excellent references. 941-773-6895.

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

New Construction. 941-400-2866.

CHERRY JEWELRY chest: $40 Lingerie chest cream $50. End table, modern glass top $30.

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Rosemarie Lunardelli-Broker/Owner Rosemarie.ashorerealtyllc@gmail.com 732-489-3676 James “Jim” Andacht- Realtor Associate Jim@ashorerealtyllc.com 941-840-4138 OFFICE NOW OPEN AT: 7915 US 301 N STE 201 Ellenton, FL Ashorerealtyllc.com 941-417-7777 Call today for a free market analysis.

Beach Front Home: 4BED-5BATH, 2CARGAR $3,999,000 University Pool/Spa 4BED-3BATH $425,000 55+ Beach and Boating: One story villa 2BED2BATH $424,000

Call or Text: 941-357-2618 5108 15th Street East Suite 109 Bradenton, FL 34203

Private Boat Lift: beach access villa/condo $399,000

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.

Storage

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

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

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.

©2020 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

Personal Services

Caregiver/ care coordinator available for AM shift or night shift. Call Diane: 941-448-5486.

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

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

Pools

2.5 Acres: 4BED/3BATH, 3CAR GAR. Luxury kitchen, barn, horses. $645,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 3BED3BATH, 2/CARGAR, Dock/Lift. $530,000.

Merchandise Wanted

This week’s Sudoku answers

941-955-4888

ASHORE REALTY LLC

Autos Wanted

Puzzle One Solution: ”I haven’t found anywhere in the world where I want to be all the time. The best of my life is the moving.”

Sean Connery Puzzle Two Solution: “What’s the problem with ‘never’? It keeps you from trying. It ensures that you will fail. End of story.”

– Phyllis George

Team Up With Classifieds

CAMPING QUEEN Air Mattress, Pump. Plus Two Coleman's Sleeping Bags. $45. (941) 350-8068.

SPINET PIANO Mahogany Queen Ann Legs 37"x57"x24" plus music $200. 941-893-5235.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Make Your Phone Ring

2013/2014 FORD Focus Alloy Rio. Good condition $125. 941-879-7105, Call no texts.

FILE CABINET 4 drawer metal. 15" wide 25" deep 52" high. No lock. $100. (941) 210-7184.

Auto Transport

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

2020

Sarasota: Built in 2010 4BED-2.5BATH Lakeview Lanai $335,000 Phillipi Gardens: $209,000

INVESTORS 3BED-2BATH

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

Call 941-726-2677

NOW IN PARRISH! 12 years of personal service in Bradenton Lakewood Ranch & Sarasota.

SPECIAL RATES FOR FIRST 30 CUSTOMERS! Book your slot for Jan 2021 GET OUR BEST RATES FOR WEEKLY POOL SERVICE CALL PAUL – BLISSFUL POOLS 941 705 0400

GET RESULTS! PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE TODAY classifieds.yourobserver.com

EXPLORE the

CLASSIFIEDS for great deals.

Visit classifieds.yourobserver.com

14B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

ALUMINUM

CONSTRUCTION

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY HEALTH

THE BEST This Doctor is Among

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA

Kitchen Renovations and Upgrades Visit our showroom

(941) 650-7758

bschule88@gmail.com

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

346969

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362

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

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE” New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Call 941.358.2224 today to schedule a

FREE CONSULTATION

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

HOME SERVICES

HANDYMAN

SERVICE DIRECTORY

WORKS FOR YOU

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

Ron Chapman Handyman

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

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

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

LV10321

The Observer Service Directory Call 955-4888 to reserve your space

DOORS

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

Residential

GRAB BARS

235

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

$

DOORS

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

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

345896

www.ezslider.com

Commercial

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

345777

CALL BEFORE YOU FALL

941.966.0333

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

THE GRAB BAR GUY 954-1878

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

FREE IN-H ESTIMOATMEE S

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

READY TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? Starting at only

85

$

Reach 126,000 readers each week with your ad in the Service Directory!

/mo.

Three sizes to choose from

XNLV19005

345775

GLENN KROECKER

Call us today!

941.628.8579

941-705-5468

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

DEAD ON TARGET

CALL 955-4888

to reserve your space

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

345878

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

Sliding Glass Door Repair

345774

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

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DOORS

PUBLISHES: Every Thursday | DEADLINE: Friday the week prior Call 941-955-4888 or email klogan@yourobserver.com

345776

COMPUTER

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

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

346484

345999

346001

7262 55th Ave East, Bradenton, 34203

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner / Operator Insured

LV10366

Dustin Yoder

346973

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

15B

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

LAWN CARE

PERSONAL SERVICES

ROOFING

With Grace

Bisson Roofing Inc.

Professional Helper

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

Jami Heredia Please Call

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

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

dmccarthymoving@gmail.com

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

Building & Roofing Contractor

Call for appointment

Cindy Wells 941-928-2168

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

POWER WASHING

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936 346417

346003

www.davidmccarthymoving.com

www.bissonroofing.com

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Country Canine Makeovers Dog grooMing

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

Owner Supervises Every Job

PET SERVICES

David McCarthy Moving 941-704-4278

941-545-5688

WithGraceFL@gmail.com

MOVERS

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

345779

941-739-5102

345778

346002

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

941 - 748 - 7400

346579

Personal Assistant • Errands • Help with Shopping Doctor Visits • Meals • Light Housekeeping • Housesitting and Holiday Shopping etc. Affordable rates

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

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY

SCREENING

345780

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

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

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

345961

For

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Pressure Cleaning & Soft Washing Residential and Commercial

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

941-737-4483

10% SAVINGS With this ad

346415

Team Up With Classifieds • 941-955-4888

346976

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

Re-Screen “No Job Too Small”

941-270-1561

GROW

STANDARD WINDOWS

ws

120

$

SPECIAL 00

Eldridge

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

Lic./Ins.

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

RESCREENING & REPAIRS

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES FREE ESTIMATES - Call Joel, Owner 30 Years Exp. Cell 619-405-7650 Home/Office 941-758-4840

www.PantherHydroCleaning.com

25

UP TO

5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880 346416

BOB DAVIS: 754-366-9768

AvitarpaintingLLC@gmail.com

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

346000

SPECIALIZING IN:

Warranties

indow & Pressure Clea et W(941) 345-5264 nin s n g known as Sunrise Wind Su y l r e o m

BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS

345904

PAINTING

Manufacture and workmanship

Res./Com.

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

941-909-2268 | www.lakewoodranchmovers.com

WINDOWS

Doors and more!

345781

RESIDENTIAL MOVES LONG DISTANCE MOVES VALUABLE MOVES INTERNATIONAL MOVES

Team Up With Classifieds • 941-955-4888

YOUR BUSINESS

For more information,

call 941-955-4888 or visit classifieds.yourobserver.com

344401-1

16B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

YourObserver.com

. . . t i a W But

S ’ E R THE !

E R MO

XNLV19038

Flip the page for more sales and specials!

www.yourobserver.com/detwilers-weekly-flyer

344217-1

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 347159-1

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 340296-1

Smooth as a Candy Cane 16 Years in LWR

XNLV19276

Laser Hair Removal 941.351.5700