East County Observer 12.16.21

EAST COUNTY

A festive return.

Observer

PAGE 22

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

VOLUME 24, NO. 5

More shuttles ease airport bustle

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport adds extra parking, shuttles to accommodate holiday rush. SEE PAGE 3

YOUR TOWN

All aboard for polo Double-decker bus that doubles as a bar is among improvement plans as the polo season opens. SEE PAGE 8

Liz Ramos

Show of kindness on display Maya Tran, a fifth grader at Braden River Elementary School, started drawing when she was 3 years old.

“What I like about (drawing) is that you can express your feelings and emotions,” Tran said.

Since then, her love for drawing has only grown, and now she’ll get to show off her work Jan. 15 through April 10 at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park.

Tran’s drawing “Kindness Will Come Back to You” was selected as an Elementary Rising Stars selection for the 2022 Embracing Our Differences exhibit.

“It makes me feel awesome that my art was actually noticed by actual, official artists, and they liked it,” Tran said.

File photo

Fans will be allowed to get close to the players, including Kylie Sheehan, during the pregame ceremony Dec. 19 at the Sarasota Polo Club.

A+E

Waterside dining now on tap Scott Lockwood

Jazzing up Main Street Those strolling Lakewood Main Street on Dec. 9 were listening to soft jazz and Christmas songs.

The tunes were courtesy of Bob Moffitt of Lakewood Ranch on the saxophone and singer Mickey White of Bradenton.

White sang while wearing a season-appropriate Santa hat.

Moffitt said he’s been playing saxophone for more than 60 years and gives lessons but was out for a different reason on this night.

“We’re just out here having a blast,” he said on a break.

“Tonight’s about spreading a little holiday cheer.”

Good Liquid becomes the first restaurant/pub to open at the entertainment hub. SEE PAGE 14

Jay Heater

Taylor O’Brien serves a craft beer in Good Liquid Brewing Co.’s lakeside dining area. The restaurant opened Dec. 10.

Joyful times at theater.

INSIDE

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

‘Kid at heart’ Tara Elementary Principal Laura Campbell selected top principal by School District of Manatee.

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Tara Elementary’s Laura Campbell knows at least one reason she was named the School District of Manatee County’s Outstanding Principal.

“I’m definitely a kid at heart,” Campbell said. “I love to have fun and be playful.”

Campbell played volleyball for Florida Atlantic University and became an academic adviser for athletes after graduating.

“Inside, I could see and hear from (the college athletes) that their stories started in elementary school — where they are, … why they are where they’re at, … who influenced them, … who told them they could be greater than they ever thought they were,” she said. “It was someone in elementary school.”

Helping college athletes prepare for life made Campbell realize that goal-setting needs to start as young as 5 years old.

“It’s critical to teach kids from the get-go how to goal set and how to do it in a fun way,” Campbell said.

That inspired her to work at the elementary level and to have fun doing it.

She allowed students to tape her to a wall, turn her into an ice cream sundae and slime her as a reward for their hard work. They’ve played turkey bowling and done scavenger hunts around campus.

“She does anything to make the school better,” fifth grader Riley Wheeler said. “She’s a nice, kind, loving person.”

“I like her because she works like a team,” first grader Luca Riccio said.

“She’s a wonderful principal. Every time my mom brings me (to school) since kindergarten, and I see Mrs. Campbell, she always says hi.”

In her time as a principal, Campbell has seen the school, students and staff be recognized for success.

This year, Tara Elementary was named a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse school, which is a national award that acknowledges academics and strong school culture while ensuring safety and accountability and more, for the 2020-2021 school year.

Tara Elementary also received the Beacon Award in 2019.

“I’m proud because in education, every single day matters,” Campbell said. “We have to be intentional with the choices that we make while we’re here with kids because every day matters to a child. They hold onto our words, and they hold onto those experiences, how we make them feel and how we show up for them every day.”

Campbell now is eligible for the Florida Department of Education’s Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership, which recognizes exemplary school administrators for their contributions at both school and in the community.

“Educators are passionate people, and just like our servicemen and women, I think educators deserve to be appreciated,” Campbell said.

“Having recognitions like this reminds the community that it’s a shared responsibility to celebrate children, too, and we have intentional work to grow future leaders.”

Tara Elementary School Principal Laura Campbell (center) says she loves spending time with her students, including first graders Piper Miles and Luca Riccio, second grader Salma Samara and fifth grader Riley Wheeler.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

TEMPORARY PARKING INSANITY Officials at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport say they are prepared to handle record traffic.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

T

he past several months have been record-setting in terms of passenger count for the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

That has shown no sign of slowing down as the number of visitors continue to climb. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the airport used temporary parking and pulled staff from other areas to handle the overflow crowd. Airport CEO Rick Piccolo said his crew is ready for another rush over Christmas.

“We were 150% over last year and 75%-80% above where we were with traffic prior to the pandemic,” Piccolo said. “We started taking a look at things and saw that we had 2,100 paved parking spaces.”

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport now has 11 airlines serving 53 destinations. Southwest Airlines, which started service to the airport in February, accounts for 100,000 passengers a month and has surpassed Delta and Allegiant as the airport’s top carrier. Southwest has three gates and offers 19 direct destinations out of Sarasota.

In October, SRQ saw 275,359 passengers come through its gates — up from 110,883 in October 2020 and 160,327 in October 2019. Through October, the airport handled 2.49 million passengers for all of 2021.

November’s numbers were not yet available.

With the growth that has made SRQ one of the fastest-growing airports in the world, Piccolo said that four months ago the airport began analyzing what it might need. The airport had 1.9 million passengers in 2019 and projected its parking lots would be full for the five-day rush at Thanksgiving. The study showed it needed 1,500 to 1,600 more parking spaces.

To handle the onslaught, a temporary lot was opened on the ramp where planes usually taxi toward the south end of the main runway. That lot has 408 spots.

The airport also opened more parking by transforming an old storage lot into parking along with using some grassy area on the corner of University Parkway and Old U.S. 301 on the southeast side of the airport.

Six more shuttle buses served the temporary parking.

Piccolo’s overflow plan began to take shape on the Monday before Thanksgiving. When all of the shortand long-term lots filled, they started using the temporary lots. That also meant using staff from other areas of the airport to help out.

“It actually functioned very well because it was kind of like being at Disney,” he said. “We had people leading people to the spaces so that it wasn’t haphazard. We had four or five shuttles running simultaneously with our employees. So we had two, three or four shuttles lined up at a time in those temporary lots. As soon as you parked your car, we could fill a shuttle within a couple minutes and get you into the terminal.”

Most of the staff that helped came from the airport’s operations department. SRQ Operations Director Lionel Guilbert said the airport planned for it and that it did not affect any maintenance or operations issues.

“We were ready,” he said.

Parking reached its peak of 3,547 cars on Thanksgiving Day. Piccolo said the airport is expecting approximately 3,300 cars over the Christmas holiday, but that number could change due to airlines having added six new flights in December alone.

“Thanksgiving is probably the most challenging time, then Christmas and then the March spring break time,” Piccolo said. “Christmas tends

Photos by Scott Lockwood

Kathy Coughlin and Barb Kelly load a large suitcase into the back of a vehicle in the arrivals loading area at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Airport officials are planning ways to keep holiday traffic moving efficiently.

ADDED PARKING Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will offer temporary parking solutions for travelers over the Christmas holiday season. In addition to the airport’s regular short- and long-term lots, temporary lots will be open on the airport’s ramp near the main concourse and on the corner of University Parkway and Old U.S. 301, opposite of the former Sarasota Kennel Club site. These lots will open once the regular lots fill and will offer shuttle service to and from the main terminal.

Courtesy photo

TIPS FOR TRAVELERS

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo offers some tips for travelers: “My advice is the same as it was over the Thanksgiving holiday. Get here a couple hours early because the lines will be longer, and there will probably be overflow parking. Check with your airline on a frequent basis. You don’t know what the weather is going to be up north, and you have to be ready to contend with flight delay issues. I always tell people to download the airline’s app on your phone so you always know what is going on.”

to be spaced out a little bit more because people might leave for the Christmas holiday then come back, and others leave for the New Year’s holiday. We could end up in the same range that we had at Thanksgiving, but we should be in good shape.”

ON THE HORIZON

Piccolo said the airport could find itself in a different situation next year around the holidays. Plans are in place to build a new terminal wing that would add gates but eliminate the space for the temporary lot on the ramp. The airport owns property along U.S. 41 on the west side of the airport that could be turned into remote economy parking lots.

“We are working on alternative plans where we have to find up to 1,400 parking spaces somewhere else,” Piccolo said. “We would establish these as economy lots for the whole year, have our shuttle sys-

tem so that it offers a product to the people year-round. It’s a little longer haul but at a reduced rate for parking. Then when the rush comes, we’ll have adequate space.”

The airport has plans to eventually build a multistory parking structure on airport grounds. Before that can be done, the airport’s rental car service facility will need to be consolidated and moved, and the rest of the temporary lots would need to become permanent lots.

Piccolo said the main problem with building a parking garage now would be the loss of more than 700 spots during construction. He estimated that a parking structure is at least a couple of years away from becoming a reality.

“We’d have cars line up on University Parkway if we tried building now,” Piccolo said. “We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve, and I think we’re handling this situation very

TRAVEL CRUNCH Airport officials say the busiest days of the December travel season will likely be Monday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 23. They expect more than 9,000 passengers per day on that Monday and Tuesday, with more than 10,000 expected to depart and arrive on the Wednesday before Christmas.

The weekend of Dec. 26-27 is also expected to be busy with passengers returning from Christmas or arriving for the New Year holiday.

More than 10,000 passengers are expected on both days.

Airport crews load bags onto a JetBlue flight bound for New York.

well. Once we get these temporary lots built, we can endeavor to build some sort of parking structure that’s elevated and goes vertical so that then we can solve the problem longer term.

“But right now, any longer-term self-parking only creates a shortterm catastrophe, and we can’t have that.”

Piccolo said he was pleased with the feedback the airport received from employees and passengers after Thanksgiving. He stressed that patience will be key for passengers during the busy final weeks of 2021.

“We’re doing everything we can to maintain the level of convenience and cleanliness that we’ve been known for,” he said. “I think the preparations we made for the holidays paid off very well and made it very convenient for people. We’re working hard to take care of things from an operational standpoint, and then it takes time to build the facilities that we need to build.

“Take a couple of years, try to tell people to imagine that your vehicle traffic went up 150% a year. No matter how much money the government gave you to build roads, you just wouldn’t be able to build it fast enough. We need more infrastructure for parking and concessions, security screening and gates. And that’s going to take a couple years to solve. I think we’ve handled it pretty well and are moving people as fast as we can.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Limited Inventory Available

New redistricting map approved

Reserve your home site today!

Redistricting proposal moves Myakka City into District 1.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

A

fter weeks of contentious meetings, the Manatee County Commission voted 4-3 Dec. 12 to approve a redistricting map that would move Myakka City from District 5 into District 1 and will split the “urban core” that currently makes up District 2.

In an effort to have fair representation on the board that establishes policies, commission redistricting is revisited every 10 years. According to the 2020 census data, Manatee County had 406,945 residents with the majority of the growth coming in eastern Manatee County in Districts 1 and 5.

The map being consider was created by Commissioner at-large George Kruse, who said he drew the map with a focus on the growth that will take place in the county over the next 10 years. It creates a coastal district with District 3 and a rural district with District 1.

The commissioners approved the map known as B2 so Myakka City will now be represented by District 1 Commissioner James Satcher.

Satcher’s new district will cover the rural lands of eastern Manatee County, taking some of the area currently represented by Vanessa Baugh. District 5 would become the smallest district in terms of population, but that will change as the area continues to grow.

Kruse, Satcher, Baugh and Kevin Van Ostenbridge voted to approve the map.

District 2 Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, who presented a third map protecting the current makeup of District 2, was visibly angry after the

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District population according to the 2020 census for map B2 that was selected by Manatee County commissioners for redistricting: District 1: 77,747 District 2: 84,310 District 3: 79,687 District 4: 80,815 District 5: 77,151

vote that will shake up his district.

“You all are about to be responsible for breaking up the urban core, which has been a part of District 2 for, I would say, at least 50 years — and that’s all my life,” Bellamy said.

“One thing that one of my military friends always tells me is that when it comes to voting, make sure you’re on the right side of history. I just don’t think this is the right side of history, as far as changing the urban core and then obviously diluting the minority districts.”

Van Ostenbridge, the District 3 commissioner who will take over the part of Bradenton that was in District 2 if the map is approved, said map B2 accomplishes the goal of maintaining a District 2 that is a majority minority district.

“There’s not a single minority group that would be able to have a majority district, so we had to end up combining (districts) to make that happen,” he said.

“I believe we did that. I think we’ve accomplished what we set out to do here. Obviously, I’m not 100% happy with every aspect of the map, but as I said earlier, if both teams are angry at the umpire, that means the umpire called a fair game.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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5

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Courtesy rendering

This is a rendering of the Owens Fish Camp restaurant that is being constructed at Center Point in Lakewood Ranch. The restaurant is expected to open in August or September 2022.

ON THE WAY Scott Lockwood

CASTO partner and board member Don Casto presents a map of the Center Point project. He called Owens Fish Camp “one of the most unique restaurants ever.”

Owens Fish Camp breaks ground in Lakewood Ranch The popular seafood restaurant is targeted for opening this summer.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

The anticipated arrival of a popular Sarasota restaurant’s expansion into Lakewood Ranch moved one step closer Dec. 10.

Owens Fish Camp, known for its seafood and Old Florida style, broke ground for its vertical construction on the Center Point site at the corner of University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. It is part of Casto’s Center Point project.

“Today is a special day in life of

this project,” Casto Principal Brett Hutchens said. “When I first started thinking about how to curate this, I reached out to the Caragiulo family to propose a location here. I think what we’re going to end up with is a facility that meets their vision and meets our goals here at Center Point.”

Rob, Mark and Paul Caragiulo and their family have owned restaurants in the Sarasota area for more than 30 years. They started with Caragiulos, an Italian restaurant in downtown Sarasota, in 1989. The first Owens Fish Camp opened in downtown Sarasota in 2010 and was followed

by Veronica Fish and Oyster in 2016.

“We’ve been in town for 33 years in the restaurant business,” Mark Caragiulo said. “It’s kind of in our blood. We actually enjoy it, which is

a bonus. We love being in Sarasota, and we love what’s going on here with the growth. We’re excited.”

Caragiulo said they had been searching for what he called “a great spot” for a second Owens location.

He said Center Point is not going to be a middle of the road shopping center and that “it’s going to have a little bit more soul to it.”

“We wanted the ability to create something that expresses the same kind of feeling and energy as the original Fish Camp downtown,” he said. “That’s not easy with new construction. We’re lucky to partner up with Casto, which is willing to articulate that old, Southern feel and bring some of those elements to this spot.”

When it’s finished late next sum-

OWENS FISH CAMP Where: Inside the Center Point development on the southeast corner of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and University Parkway About: Seafood served in an Old Florida-type setting.

The Caragiulo family own the Owens Fish Camp at 516 Burns Court in Sarasota.

Website: OwensFishCamp.com Targeted opening date: August or September 2022

mer, the Lakewood Ranch Owens Fish Camp will feature wraparound decks, a backyard fire pit, music in the backyard and an oyster bar.

“It’s a newer atmosphere, but we’ll work to bring some soul to that atmosphere,” Caragiulo said. “We’ll have as many of the elements that we can bring up here from the original one, but we will be obviously in a little different environment. We’ll get close.”

Owens Fish Camp joins Italian restaurant Olivia and another fine dining restaurant that will be coming to Center Point.

“We’ve made a point to balance the cuisines so there’s a synergy of

restaurant choices here,” Hutchens said. “We’ll have seafood. We’ll have Italian and another sit-down restaurant that will be announced pretty soon. But it doesn’t conflict with any of these cuisines. We’re trying to make something very special, and Owens Fish Camp is very special.”

The groundbreaking was important enough for Casto partner and board member Don Casto to fly from Columbus, Ohio. He credited Hutchens for having the vision to construct Center Point four years ago and bring businesses including Owens Fish Camp to Lakewood Ranch.

“There’s enormous growth here, and it’s nice for us to be able to take advantage of that growth and to serve the community,” Casto said. “When you look at the lineup that Brett and his team has gotten in terms of restaurants and tenants, it’s really over the top. Without question, Owens is one of the most unique restaurants ever, and the Caragiulos are premier restaurateurs.”

Rob Caragiulo was all smiles in talking about the future Owens Fish Camp as he stood where one of the wraparound porches will be built.

He said they’re targeting an opening date of August or September 2022.

“We’re excited to try to capture some atmosphere that’s downtown — especially unique environments,” he said.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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When Arcadia’s Darrel Nicklow Jr. ran into Deputy Chris Ralston during the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Flight to the North Pole, he handed Ralston an envelope.

Ralston opened the envelope to find an invitation to Nicklow’s graduation from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he is receiving his master’s degree.

Nicklow wanted to invite the deputy he met four years ago at the Flight to the North Pole who helped him get a new electric wheelchair.

“He was a stranger that never met me in my life, and he helped me get a new electric scooter,” said Nicklow, 23, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age 4.

Nicklow said “it means everything” to him to be able to invite Ralston along with Sidney Ettedgui, the president of Flight to the North Pole, to his graduation. The invitation was Nicklow’s way of thanking those involved with Flight to the North Pole for their support over the years. Nicklow has been participating in Flight to the North Pole since he was 6.

Flight to the North Pole is a foundation that works with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish to provide a holiday experience for children who are terminally ill. It has become a tradition not only for Nicklow and his family but for dozens of other families as well.

Palmetto’s Cynthia Gonzalez and her 9-year-old son, Cassiel Santos, who has cerebral palsy, were able to catch up with their friends Brandie Ledford and her 6-year-old son, Ivan, who also has cerebral palsy, during this year’s Flight to the North Pole on Dec. 8.

They began their journey by boarding a train at the Florida Railroad Museum and then enjoyed the fictional ride to the North Pole (Willow).

Gonzalez and her son have been coming to the event since Santos was 3 years old. Santos was born at 22 weeks, weighing 1 pound, 2 ounces.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Beauty is our Business Mrs. Claus and her elves wave to families as they ride in the sleigh around the “North Pole.”

you’re not alone. It can be really lonely at times.”

Ledford, who lives in North Port, said Flight to the North Pole is something she and her family look forward to every year and that they were devastated when it had to be held as a drive-thru event last year due to the pandemic.

“We didn’t get to see our friends because this is the only place that we actually connect with other people, so it’s kind of a community,” Ledford said. “I’m so happy they found a way to make it where we can all come together (this year).”

Once the families arrived at the North Pole, they were able to have fun with various activities including riding a miniature train, getting their faces painted, playing with toys and, most of all, visiting Santa.

Ettedgui’s favorite moment is when the children see Santa.

“That’s when you’re going to see their eyes and their faces light up every time they go sit on his lap and he hands them a gift,” Ettedgui said.

This year, approximately 154 children with terminal illnesses and their 110 siblings made the trip.

Ettedgui, volunteers and deputies including Deputy Donald Mays get to know the families better.

“You’re building a relationship with some of the families, and seeing them having a great time is probably

the best,” Mays said.

Ralston said he loves seeing all the families’ smiles as they eat a meal together or ride the train or play with the toys. He was ecstatic and honored to receive an invitation to Nicklow’s graduation.

“You’re going to have more degrees than a thermometer,” Ralston said to Nicklow.

Nicklow said he was determined to not let Duchenne muscular dystrophy get in his way even when he was forced to be in the hospital his entire eighth grade year because he had congestive heart failure and needed a heart transplant at 13 years old.

“I didn’t want to fail,” Nicklow said. “I did all of my work from the hospital.”

Four years later, he graduated with honors at the top of his class, earning 13 scholarships along the way. He chose to attend South Florida State College, where he received an associate degree, before attending Florida Gulf Coast University. He received his bachelor’s degree in digital media design and went onto the master’s program. He will graduate Dec. 18.

Seeing all the other families during the Flight to the North Pole and living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy has inspired Nicklow to help other children with disabilities. He hopes to write a book about disability inclusion.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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 and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com

Get the ball rolling

Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater, JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Scott Lockwood, SLockwood@YourObserver.com; Liz Ramos, LRamos@YourObserver.com Copy Editor/ Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com

Mason Wroe rips a shot during last season’s action.

File photos

Another season at the Sarasota Polo Club opens Dec. 19 in Lakewood Ranch.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

O

wner James Miller wanted to take the Sarasota Polo Club’s Sunday matches to a higher level, so he went to England to do it.

He wasn’t buying anything related to horses, barns or players.

“I bought a historic double-decker bus from England,” Miller said Dec. 12, a few hours after he returned to Florida from the Argentine Open, an event he called “the Super Bowl of Polo.”

Miller’s trips to various parts of the world often involve polo, whether that means playing his favorite sport, buying horses or finding ideas to make Sarasota Polo Club one of the finest facilities in North America.

Seeing the double-decker bus simply struck him as a fun idea to put at midfield to serve as a bar and an observation point. The 2021-22 season begins Dec. 19.

Unfortunately for the fans, the bus won’t make it to the opener.

Like several other projects he wanted to have ready this month, delivery was slowed by pandemic delays. He hopes to have the bus set up near midfield on the north side of the main field by January.

“We can use it as a bar and an observation point,” Miller said. “It already was in service, being used as a bar in England. I had tracked one down from the 1960s.”

The upper level of the bus can be used for premier seating or as a gathering point for a small group. Miller said he could foresee it being used as a “Champagne terrace.”

Besides its role alongside the field, Miller said the bus runs, so it can be driven throughout the region for marketing purposes.

“It’s something fun that’s coming,” Miller said.

It’s not the only change patrons can expect during James and Misdee Miller’s fourth season as owners after buying the Sarasota Polo Club from Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

At the beginning of last season, a terrace seating area, underneath an event tent, was set up on the north

Misdee Miller often presents the colors at the Sarasota Polo Club.

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sideline near midfield. A bad storm ripped the tent to pieces. The terrace has been moved to the south side of the field, adjacent to the pavilion, which hosts 175 to 230 people. More plush seating will be added to the area that terrace vacated.

Miller said groups of 25-50 people had been seeking an intimate but roomy area to host parties during the match.

“It’s a little bit of a step up,” Miller said. “That’s always been our goal, to offer different tiers of hospitality.”

That goal also led to a clubhouse renovation.

“I gutted it,” Miller said of the clubhouse. “It’s got all new plumbing and flooring. The north-facing wall was removed and replaced with glass. We put in a catering kitchen,” The clubhouse now has a quiet seating area alongside sliding glass doors. A garden area outside the clubhouse is being refreshed, and a permanent outdoor bar is being added.

“The goal was to have it done by Dec. 1,” Miller said. “Now we are

James Miller says the pregame parade and playing of the national anthem gives him chills.

trying to get it done by the end of December.”

Although Miller expects big crowds at the two December Sundays, he said it is somewhat of a soft opening because some of the upgrades he planned have been slowed by supply chain problems.

He said the rebuild will reinvigorate use of the clubhouse, which will be open to parties and groups during polo and also available to rent for parties, special events or weddings. He said the clubhouse will be the “epicenter” of the club’s Sunset Polo program.

Miller was asked why he started so many projects during a time when the pandemic is making construction projects so difficult.

“I’m a bit impatient,” he said. “I want to get the club to the next level.

“Look how fast the communities are growing here. Look at Waterside.

I want to be a part of it. I have been bullish on this opportunity from the beginning.”

Many of the elite polo players who travel to events will be more willing to travel as the pandemic eases.

“We absolutely do have (great players) coming,” he said. “We are booked up for our leagues and our tournaments. We are trying to make it more convenient for the players to come.”

Miller wants to showcase the very best talent on Sundays because he feels the spectators are getting more knowledgeable about the sport each year.”

He also is excited about playing himself, though he said he isn’t sure how much he will be participating early because his horses might need an extra week or two to be in playing shape. Miller bought a few horses during his trip to the Argentine Open, a competition that lasts more than a month and besides showcasing nine- and 10-goal players (the highest levels), it doubles as a chance to try out horses for purchase.

The Sarasota Polo Club will continue its pregame ceremony with an opening parade that allows the players and fans to get close and sometimes slap high-fives. Miller said people are paying more attention and following safety guidelines. He wanted to allow the players and fans to interact if they so wished because pregame “gives me chills,” he added.

“It’s that time when everyone comes together,” he said. “We play the national anthem, and that’s a time we remember who we are. We pay our respect to those who have helped us get here.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

JAY HEATER

A diamond in the rough business D oron Rozen was flipping a 4-carat rough diamond up and down in his hand, much like you would treat a dime-store marble.

Rozen opened Diamonds by Doron in May at the San Marco Plaza (8225 Nature’s Way) in Lakewood Ranch, and he was sitting in the back of his business, explaining the differences between his store and others in the retail end of the diamond business.

He obviously could see that I am a mall shopper, so it wouldn’t be likely I would ever be a customer. I’m the guy who stands behind salespeople and nods his head as they say, “Can you see the great color?”

Oh yeah, baby. Do you gift wrap?

This is an entirely different level of distinction — and a nice fit for Lakewood Ranch residents of means.

Meanwhile, that rough diamond didn’t have much to do with the conversation, except to provide Rozen with some mild amusement.

When he was finished taking care of this reporter’s questions, Rozen nonchalantly twisted his wrist a bit and then launched the diamond the length of an 8-foot desk. On the far end was a small box that contained two other rough diamonds. The diamond Rozen had sent skyward fell out of the sky, landing right between the other two.

My eyes were locked on this maneuver because I had thought of the many times I had missed the restroom trash can, from short distance, with a wad of rolled up paper towel. I was thinking if I had been so inclined to “hit the box” with a rough diamond, I might have overshot the box completely and landed the projectile in a sink’s drain.

Certainly, a lifetime of dealing with diamonds leaves Rozen with extreme confidence when it comes to handling the precious stone, which he does much like Stephen

Jay Heater

Doron Rozen has grown up in the diamond business and now brings his halfcentury of experience to Lakewood Ranch.

Curry handles a basketball.

Why not? At 66, Rozen has been cutting, polishing, buying and selling diamonds since he was 13 in Tel Aviv, Israel. His grandfather, Phillip Levinegar, and father, Matiyhu Rozen, were both in the business, and it was only natural he would follow along.

Young Rozen, however, did have a dream of racing catamarans, at least

until the day he saw the diamond business was going to be far greater at paying the bills.

At 13, Rozen learned the diamond cutting side of the business from master David Goldfarb. He was moving up in the business quickly, but at 17, he joined an Israeli special forces unit that chased terrorists. If he hadn’t been shot twice, he would have joined his unit in the raid on

Entebbe Airport on July 4, 1976.

Instead, when Rozen left the military after four years, he took his skills to New York City to learn more cutting skills and the financial side of the business from cutter Sam Horowitz and from stocking Harry Winston Collections.

In 1979, Rozen discussed with a friend, Benzi Zedikov, about breaking away to start their own business. They each put together $10,000 and made a bold $20,000 offer for a 10-carat rough diamond that a distributor told them wasn’t worth the money. Even so, he sold it to them.

“I was an expert in Brazilian diamonds,” Rozen said. “I said the stone would be a D color (the highest grade in diamonds), and sure enough, the stone was very high color. We ended up making $200,000 profit.”

They had proven to themselves that knowledge was king, so they moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1981; started a diamond business; and still are partners today, though Zedikov works out of Israel. They ran their business in Memphis for 41 years.

All the background is important as Rozen has never been afraid to take chances, which is important in the diamond business. What has set him apart from others in the same line of work is the tremendous amount of work he does to reduce his risk.

Even now, Rozen said he only sleeps about three hours a night as much of the night he takes care of his overseas duties. Last week, he led a syndicate that bid $1.5 million on a rough diamond in Hong Kong.

Rozen said he has built a reputation for specializing in “problematic rough diamonds and how to turn them into a gem.”

His grandfather was a master, staring at rough diamonds for days, weeks, months and even longer to

$

figure out how to get the best yield.

Rozen calls it “opening windows.”

It’s all about seeing a rough diamond’s potential, or lack of. The diamonds are cut and cleaved to make spectacular creations.

Rozen, who has been married to wife Linda for 39 years, doesn’t cut any diamonds here in Lakewood Ranch, so he flies every two weeks to Tel Aviv and Antwerp, Belgium, to oversee the process.

“There is nothing like me in this area,” he said with pride. “I buy directly from the mine. My diamonds are cut in Israel.”

I asked Rozen why he remains in the business. He loves to play golf and has played dozens of PGA Tour celebrity events, pairing with the likes of pros Chris DiMarco, David Toms and John Daly, along with celebrities Joe Theismann, Yogi Berra, Michael Jordan, Glen Campbell, Samuel Jackson and Johnny Bench. His good friend Maury Povich is his regular partner. He could be playing all the time.

So why?

“I like the chase,” he said. “During COVID, I was climbing the walls. I played golf every day, but I wanted to work. My dad, my grandpa, they both worked well into their 80s. It’s good for the mind.”

It would have been good for my mind to try the diamond toss, but I thought better of asking. It’s almost Christmas, so I was headed to the mall.

225

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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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Projects with purpose Braden River High TSA members and engineering students create projects for community organizations.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

J

ackie Sanchez, a junior at Braden River High School, had never ridden on a float in a parade.

But on Nov. 20, Sanchez held a puppy as she sat on the Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue float that she built with dozens of other Braden River High students for the University Town Center’s Santa’s Grand Arrival Celebration.

“We got to help dogs, which is the best part of everything,” said Sanchez, who is a member of Braden River High’s Technology Student Association chapter. “All the kids were so happy, and I could hear the parents say that (the float) was so cute and how it was a good way for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue to promote the shelter.”

This year, rather than working on just class assignments, the school’s TSA chapter and Maureen Hudson’s engineering classes have focused on projects for organizations and clubs within the school along with community projects.

“The kids connect with it a lot more when they’re projects with a purpose,” Hudson said. “They seem to dig in a little more. They see it come full circle rather than just something they get graded on.”

Throughout the year, students have worked on several projects for clubs and organizations at school and in the community including creating set displays for the school’s theater department, taking control of Operation Santa, volunteering at Hunsader Farms’ Pumpkin Festival, and creating props for the school’s homecoming dance and for the school’s winter guard to use in their performances.

“Whether they’re creative or whether they’re more of a booksmart kid or whether they love the

hands-on (activities), there’s something for all the different types of kids,” Hudson said. “It seems like you can always find something that everybody can do.”

Hudson said having projects that serve a purpose in the community or at school means she doesn’t have to convince her students to work on the projects because they are invested in them.

Students are able to connect with the projects more while learning engineering skills and learning more about their school and community.

When Nate’s Honor reached out to Hudson to ask the chapter to build a float, Hudson told all her students to research the animal rescue to get ideas for the float.

Hudson had her students develop drawings for float designs and present them to the class. They took elements from different designs to come up with their “No Place Like Home” theme for the float.

In three weeks, the students developed their design and made it reality, complete with a house with a porch decorated with Christmas lights, bows, candy canes and garlands.

“I think it’s really cool (organizations) trust us,” Hudson said. “I mean, how many people think a high school engineering class can do this?

It’s neat there are groups in the community that think of us. That’s a real compliment to say, ‘We’re going to hand it to you, and we know when you’re done, we’re going to have something that’s going to be neat.’”

Dari Oglesby, the executive director of Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, was amazed with the float the students created.

“It was absolutely perfect,” Oglesby said. “They worked so hard. They are exactly in line with our mission.

The mission of our organization is getting the younger generations involved in the future of changing the way people think about shelters.”

Photos by Liz Ramos

Braden River High School Technology Student Association students Liam Tvenstrup, Sarah DiPasquale, Roger Rodriguez and Jackie Sanchez work on projects to support school and community clubs and organizations.

TSA students work on holiday signs for a community project. Rather than only working on school assignments in class, the TSA chapter and engineering students are working on projects that support school and community organizations.

Ricardo Robinson-Shinall, the school’s theater director and director of the winter guard, said he loves that he can reach out to Hudson with an idea for what he needs and that “they think about every aspect and make it happen.”

“We share a few kids, but there’s not many, but this gives those kids who aren’t necessarily in the drama program a connection to it” Robinson-Shinall said. “It builds a culture

in the school that everybody is working for each other and everybody’s working with each other.”

All of the engineering and TSA students pitched in to help with their Hunsader Farms project. Hunsader Farms asked them to participate in its annual Pumpkin Festival in October by being in charge of the bathrooms to ensure they were always clean. Students also were able to have a booth at the Pumpkin Festi-

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS Braden River High School’s Technology Student Association chapter has worked on several projects throughout the school year for teachers and groups at the school along with community organizations. Anyone interested in requesting students to work on a project for them can reach out to the TSA chapter by emailing BradenRiverTSA@gmail.com.

Here are some of the projects they’ve worked on: n Holiday decorations at Hunsader Farms’ annual Pumpkin Festival n Set structures for the theater department n Making props for color guard n Making props for the homecoming committee n Backpack cubbies for the weightlifting room n A parade float for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue

val where they sold various decorative items they created.

“It was definitely the heaviest workload, but it had, I think, the biggest payoff, and also it was the most fun working with everyone,” senior Sarah DiPasquale said. “I think there were a lot of people that I know learned a lot of basic skills through that, so it benefited the chapter, and it was the most involved we’ve ever been.”

Students had to learn not only engineering skills, such as woodworking and how to use equipment like lasers, but also how to run a business through the booth at Hunsader.

They were able to determine what products were selling the most and how to promote their work. They sold wooden pumpkins, decorative signs, cutouts of Florida and more.

“It’s interesting to see everyone’s reactions when they find out that a high school club is in charge of the big projects we do,” DiPasquale said.

“It makes us feel like we’re more part of the community.”

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It’s just that he has struggled to keep rolling toward that goal.

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He started at Goodwill in August 2019 and was partnered with GoodPartner Coach Cathy Metcalfe.

The GoodPartner Coach Program, which started 12 years ago, provides every Goodwill employee a coach who helps them determine shortterm and long-term goals and how to attain them.

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Goodwill’s GoodPartner Coach Program was created 12 years ago as a voluntary program to help employees identify goals and attain them. Now every person at Goodwill is partnered with a coach from the day they start.

The coach meets with the employee to conduct a needs assessment to address housing, finances, education, health, transportation and more.

Together, they develop shortterm and long-term goals.

For example, if someone wanted to buy a house, the employee and the coach would talk about what steps would be necessary to make it happen.

“We’re trying to remove all the barriers to help people obtain their goals,” Metcalfe said. “We aren’t part of human resources or part of management. We’re totally separate, which puts people at ease because they know that whatever they tell us is not going to jeopardize their employment.”

Metcalfe helped Cooper, who had started and stopped at other educational institutions, to find a radiology program that would be a good fit for him. She said she could tell from the moment she met him that he was determined.

“He is one of those people that I could tell right away that he was going to do this,” Metcalfe said. “You don’t always have people that follow through for whatever reason. All we can do is offer that encouragement and remind them it’s baby steps.”

The two did their research and found programs at Keiser University and the State College of Florida. Cooper chose Keiser University for its hands-on learning approach with a balance between lectures and lab work.

He knew he wanted to go into radiology because he grew up playing sports and sometimes had injuries that required him to see doc-

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tors for X-rays. Those doctor visits in combination with participating in a nursing program in high school through a dual program sparked his interest in the medical field.

Cooper was accepted into an accelerated program at Keiser University, meaning each of his classes are completed in a month rather than over the span of a few months. He began classes in September.

When Cooper first started juggling his time between being a full-time student and a worker, he struggled.

He was working five or six days per week for a few months while going to school. And as a result, he failed his first class.

“I could not balance work and school,” Cooper said. “It was a very big eye-opener.”

He said that if he had a smoother introduction to mixing the working and educational worlds, he would have been already.

But it wasn’t smooth.

That first failed class only sidetracked him in the short run.

“My mindset was never going to be ‘This is it,’” he said. “It’s always, ‘This is what I want to do, so I’m going to make it happen.’”

Eventually, Cooper learned how to balance his time between work and school while also finding time to take breaks and enjoy activities, such as playing volleyball with MVP Sports and Social in Lakewood Ranch.

Since Cooper started his current classes, he said Metcalfe has been good about checking in with him to see if he needs anything to ensure he succeeds.

“It’s definitely a confidence booster,” Cooper said. “It’s nice to know that we have at least someone who says, ‘What can I do to make you succeed?’ And not only that but actually wants you to succeed.”

Cooper expects to graduate in December 2022. After getting his degree, he will take the exams necessary to be certified and find a job as a radiology technician radiographer.

“The way I like to describe it is I already see the finish line,” Cooper said. “I already have a picture in my head of what it’s going to be like to finally say I have a degree. It took too long, but I have a degree.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Good times at Waterside Place Good Liquid Brewing Co. becomes the first restaurant/pub to open at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

W

hen Good Liquid Brewing Co. opened on Kingfisher Lake on Dec. 10 at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch, co-Owner Joe Guli wanted to serve his grandmother’s meatballs.

But Guli had a problem: He could only find half of Grandma Gloria’s recipe.

Grandma Gloria Guli has died, so Chef Joe Guli had to practice the recipe, while remembering some good advice he received: “When you smell it, you will know.”

Eventually, he discovered he was using just a tad more flour than his grandma, and when he adjusted, that beautiful smell was just right.

A career chef, Guli began by working for Wolfgang Puck in Calabasas, California. He eventually became the CEO of Tableseide, which is familiar to East County residents for its restaurants Oak & Stone and Libby’s.

Guli decided to talk to Mike and Sandra Krail, the owners of Good Liquid Brewing Co. in Bradenton, about opening a second location, this time at Waterside Place, which was recruiting tenants. They struck a deal and have been planning the menu for the Waterside opening ever since. Mike Krail is the brewmaster behind the operation.

Guli, meanwhile, had extra time to work on food items because the restaurant’s anticipated opening was delayed from October to Dec. 10 for the supply chain shortages that have plagued the construction industry.

Even so, the servers and bartenders were literally running around two hours before the 4 p.m. opening to get everything just right. Good Liquid will use about 65 employees to run.

Guli said the location is amazing.

“It’s the accessibility and what it

has to offer,” he said. “There will be a lot of activities here.”

He said Good Liquid Brewing will be a great option for those who want a sandwich or fries after they play volleyball in the park or those looking for a fine dining experience.

“We will cater to everybody,” he said. “We will have a full, extensive menu, and we will have healthy options.”

Although there was a tremendous hustle and bustle on Friday, Guli said the staff is ready. Good Liquid has been serving food and beer at Lakewood Ranch’s Ranch Nite Wednesdays at Waterside, and he said the feedback has been terrific with many of attendees saying they couldn’t wait until the restaurant opened.

Unlike the Bradenton location, this pub will serve spirits and handcrafted cocktails. It will have 18 taps of beers and two rotating ciders. The beers range from “fun” selections, such as Fruity Pebble and Creamsicle IPAs, to stouts and lagers.

The menu will include classic recipes “with a twist”: burgers, salads, sandwiches and a full main entree list including a New York strip.

Good Liquid will add a distillery in May in Waterside Place (as well as another in Bradenton). Guli said they are looking at expansion to downtown Sarasota, as well.

Good Liquid is the first restaurant to open at Waterside Place, which is about six months behind its original schedule to open. Although several more restaurants and pubs are set to join Good Liquid Brewing by spring, Guli said he is looking forward to more competition.

“It will make it a destination spot,” he said of more openings.

Waterside Place already has established itself as a destination on Sunday mornings with the Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market.

Photos by Jay Heater

Good Liquid Brewing Co. co-owners Joe Guli and Mike Krail will serve 18 beers by tap and two rotating ciders at its new Waterside Place site in Lakewood Ranch.

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The outside dining is expected to be a hit at Good Liquid Brewing Co. at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

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Jingle along the way

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IF YOU GO 10TH ANNUAL JINGLE 5K RUN/WALK When: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 17 Where: 8130 Lakewood Main St. Cost: Jingle Run $40; virtual 5K $40; kids dashes $15 Details: Get into the holiday spirit with a 5K run/walk to benefit the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation’s Nursing Scholarship Program.

Register: Visit TheJingle5K. org.

Through the Jingle 5K, East County’s Mary Weems has received a scholarship from the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation’s Nursing Scholarship Program for the past two years.

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Kids also can enjoy an inflatable obstacle course at the end of Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

The band Triggerfish will perform live before and after the race; Lakewood Ranch High School Marching Mustangs’ drum line will perform during the race.

“It’s fun because people get into the activities and into the season,” Cowan said. “The runners are all dressed up in their Christmas and holiday gear. They run with flashing lights. Dogs dress in costumes. It’s just a fun night.”

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ast County’s Mary Weems was overwhelmed with emotion during her nursing pinning ceremony Dec. 10 before her graduation ceremony that night.

“I’m so happy and so relieved,” said Weems, who serves as a nurse extender in the Progressive Care Unit at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

“This has been a long-term dream come true. It means I’m able to do more for my family and more for my patients as well.”

After graduating from State College of Florida, Weems is one step closer to becoming a registered nurse.

Weems was able to get to graduation day with the help of a scholarship through the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation Nursing Scholarship Program. For the past two years, she has received a scholarship through the program, which received funding from the Jingle Run. “(The scholarship) helped me to be able to concentrate on my coursework more than having to worry about how I was going to pay the bills and financial aid,” Weems said. “It actually allowed me to move to part time for this last semester, The Jingle Run is returning as an in-person event Dec. 17 after having to move to a virtual run last year due to the pandemic.

“Everybody is very excited about going live this year,” said Carole Cowan, the president of the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation.

“Having everybody be able to come in person is great. The runners are happy. The hospital foundation is happy, and I think the community will be happy to get out and participate.”

The night begins with the Kids Santa Dashes at 6 p.m. followed by the 5K run/walk at 7 p.m.

Cocoa Cola also will be at the event with a Christmas caravan that will include a sandman instead of a snowman as well as hot chocolate and cookies for kids.

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Patrick McCarthy is getting ready to open his second 3Natives restaurant, which focuses on healthy foods including acai bowls, juices, salads and wraps.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

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The new location will be in what’s becoming a health-centric corner of the UTC Shoppes near Benderson Park. It will be located near New Balance, TriPlay and Perspire, a new infrared sauna that will open in March.

McCarthy said that he’s already looking into cross-promoting with the other new businesses going up near 3Natives, which he hopes will open late next spring.

“We fit right in with the model,” he said. “You want a little bit of everything. People will grab something at New Balance then go to TriPlay and into Perspire. I’ve already connected with some of the owners, so we’re hoping there might be some opportunity there.”

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hen Patrick and Lindsey McCarthy opened their first 3Natives location in The Green shopping plaza on State Road 70 in Lakewood Ranch, they already had their sights set on opening a second franchise.

Even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, business flourished, which has allowed the McCarthys to see that vision sooner than they ever expected. They’re set to open their next location in April at University Town Center.

Prior to opening 3Natives, Patrick McCarthy worked in the financial services industry. The couple decided they needed to try something new, and they knew of 3Natives, which focuses on health foods and juices.

“I thought we could bring 3Natives over to the (west coast of Florida), and I thought it could be a big hit, especially with this area,” McCarthy said. “It kind of just all came together. I had no restaurant experience, and my wife had no restaurant experience. So this was starting everything from scratch and learning from the ground up.”

The McCarthys have proven to be quick studies after their first location opened in June 2020. With the support of 3Natives, McCarthy said they learned how to manage food costs and labor costs during a difficult time.

“Other stores and restaurants were shutting their doors,” he said. “We were able to stay open, sustain and work through it.”

The restaurant offers salads, wraps, acai bowls, cold-pressed juices, smoothies and bagel sandwiches. McCarthy said they have decided to add some new items to the second shop, including some breakfast items and a coffee bar.

McCarthy said their cold-pressed juices retain nutrients, so customers get health benefits. Acai, used in the acai bowls, is considered a “super food” containing high levels of antioxidants, which are proven to help the immune system and aid in digestion.

“Our signature item is the acai bowls,” McCarthy said. “We do all our cold-pressed juices in house daily. We have a few different fresh

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DECEMBER 16, 2021

— Lakewood Ranch High’s Hannah Pruszinske SEE PAGE 20

HIGH

SPORTS

“I am a fierce competitor, so I love the competition of the game.”

IF YOU GO

What: Parrish Community High girls soccer (7-0-1) vs. Palmetto High (2-6-1) When: 7 p.m. Dec. 16 Where: Parrish Community High Bulls player to watch: Midfielder Madelyn Portwood, one of the team’s senior leaders

5 Photos by Ryan Kohn

1

Lakewood Ranch boys soccer senior forward Felipe DeSouza scored both goals Dec. 10 in the Mustangs’ 2-0 road win against Saint Stephen’s Episcopal.

Braden River sophomore Marissa Smith battles for the ball against Parrish Community sophomore Natalie Greenhaw, who is one of the Lakewood Ranch-area players contributing to the Bulls’ success in 2021.

RUNNING WITH THE BULLS Parrish Community High has made girls soccer a must-do event.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

2

Lakewood Ranch boys basketball senior guard Jay’den Clarke-Jones had 24 points Dec. 9 in the Mustangs’ 69-66 home win against Riverview High.

3

Barbara Harrison (80-82—162) won the Club Championship flight of the Women’s Club Championship event held Dec. 11-12 at Palm Aire Country Club.

4

Ron Simon (66) won the Men’s Golf Association 2021 President’s Cup event (individual low net scoring) held Dec. 8 at University Park Country Club.

5

Cardinal Mooney High girls basketball senior guard Natalie Mercadante, who lives in Lakewood Ranch, had seven assists, four steals and four points Dec. 3 in the Cougars’ 65-24 home win against Sarasota High.

THE RIGHT STUFF PAGE 19

L

ike its namesake, the Parrish Community High girls soccer team has bulled its way through the early-season.

The Bulls are 7-0-1 through eight games — the only tie coming Dec. 2 in a 1-1 road game against Venice High — and they are partially led by a group of players from East County, including sophomore forward Natalie Greenhaw, sophomore midfielder Sydney Weslowski, junior midfielder Brooke Gillaspy and senior midfielder Madelyn Portwood.

The Bulls say they are so committed to playing as one unit that the coaching staff doesn’t keep individual seasonlong stats.

Five Parrish players, including Portwood, scored in the team’s 5-0 win against Cypress Creek High on Nov. 18, and that illustrates the Bulls don’t have to rely on one or two players. On Nov. 29, in the team’s 8-0 win over Hardee County High, Portwood and four others again scored goals, with sophomore Kendall Hecht having three goals. Whoever has the best chance to score on a given possession will get the ball. Early in the 2021 season, that’s worked well.

As difficult to defend as the team’s attack has been, the team’s defense also has been stout. The Bulls have allowed three goals through eight games and are adept at getting to loose balls before an opponent can attack. Greenhaw said three years into the program’s existence, the Bulls have figured out the best way to play team soccer.

“We honestly just fit well together,” Greenhaw said. “A lot of the girls know each other now. We’ve been doing morning workouts outside of our normal practices and doing strength training together. We’re all supportive of each other in general.

We communicate well, and we know how everyone plays.”

The natural flow of a new high school has helped the Bulls program

improve quickly. The first two years of the program, Parrish didn’t have separate varsity and junior varsity programs. The roster featured no seniors. In the first season, the Bulls played mostly junior varsity opponents. In the second year, the schedule was full of varsity opponents, but mostly from smaller schools to keep things on a level playing field.

The Bulls finished 9-4, with three losses coming against Lakewood Ranch High, Braden River High and Riverview High. The final loss came against Bishop Verot in the team’s Class 3A district tournament.

In 2021, the Bulls still are relatively inexperienced, but they finally have enough players (and talent) to field separate varsity and junior varsity teams. Already the Bulls have beaten Braden River 2-1 on the road Nov. 16.

It was that victory, Weslowski said, that convinced the Bulls this season could be special.

“We started to talk more after falling behind in the first half,” Weslowski said. “Eventually we got the hang of what they (the Pirates) were doing and won the game. We were all a bit nervous before that game because they were supposed to be

one of our tougher opponents this year. We went out there and worked together and won. That got our confidence way up.”

Parrish was supposed to have another chance to avenge a 2020 loss last week, but a Dec. 9 game against Lakewood Ranch High was postponed. No makeup date had been announced as of Dec. 11. Still, the team has plenty of challenging games left on the schedule, and the Bulls feel like they have a chance to win them all based on how they are playing as of late; confidence and talent is a powerful combination.

Besides winning games, the Bulls have tried to make a difference in their community, which is a priority for Head Coach Nicole Paternostro.

The Bulls have participated in the Toys for Tots program and the Myakka City Christmas parade, and they have volunteered at Parrish’s Barbara A. Harvey Elementary reading books to kindergarten students.

“A lot of the girls play club soccer and have rigorous schedules,” Paternostro said. “They bond during practices and games, but we want to bring them together even more as a unit when we have the chance. This program isn’t just about being good at soccer. It’s about being a good student athlete. You’re focusing on your performance on the field but also your academics and in reaching out to the community. We have a ton of support in our community, and we want to make sure we’re always giving back in the ways that we can, representing our school in a positive way.”

Portwood said she has enjoyed the volunteer events, and she noted the team has become closer by the experience. In this program, Portwood said, players will do whatever it takes to make a difference on and off the field. That’s exemplified by a player like freshman Ashley Wagner, who was asked by the coaching staff to play defense even though she grew up playing on the wing. Portwood said that Wagner was initially hesitant about the switch but took to it like a natural.

“Anywhere Coach (Paternostro) puts her, she’s going to succeed,” Portwood said. “She does the best she can do and never complains about it.”

It’s another example team-first soccer and another factor that has led to an unbeaten start.

“Our school is welcoming,” Paternostro said. “Every time a girl wants to play, we find a role for her on our team. It might not be for them to be on the field, but they want to be a part of this. Creating an experience for them that is positive and fun is important, and I think we’ve done that. It’s just our school’s personality.”

Sophomore Natalie Greenhaw, sophomore Sydney Weslowski, senior Madelyn Portwood and junior Brooke Gillaspy are Lakewood Ranch-area players contributing to the Parrish Community High girls soccer team’s success.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

PROSE AND KOHN

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

19

RYAN KOHN

Jam sessions worth the risk of momentum, you go for it. Everything in sports is about momentum.

You need to keep that going. And shoot, I like watching them too. It’s fun. I’m totally OK with my kids trying them.”

Kawcak said he can remember a number of game-changing dunks. He said when he coached at Bradenton Christian more than 10 years ago, Colton Hudson (now the Bradenton Christian athletic director) threw down a slam “out of nowhere” after never having done it in practice. That play drove the home crowd wild, which Kawcak said was fun.

But his favorite dunk during his coaching career came during his first stint at Lakewood Ranch, when former Mustangs star Brian Cobb rocked the rim in a game against Manatee High.

“We had an outlet pass,” Kawcak said. “(Cobb) got it down low, moves the ball behind his back and goes up for the jam, boom. Everybody went crazy, and it gave us the momentum we needed.”

At Braden River High, boys basketball Head Coach Jason Mickan takes a slightly different approach.

“It depends on the individual,” Mickan said. “If you can do it, it’s a great play. It can deflate the other team. But if you’re not able to do it on a consistent basis, then you shouldn’t go for it because a missed dunk is just as bad as a turnover.

We want to score points. Whatever gives you the best opportunity to score points is what you should do.”

Mickan said he has players now who are capable of landing dunks consistently, including the team’s lone senior, Jayden O’Neal. The 6-foot-4 O’Neal has the green light. He easily completed a few one-handed dunks during warmups before the Pirates’ Dec. 10 game against Bayshore High, though he didn’t attempt any during the game.

Lakewood Ranch senior guard Andres Junge’s favorite dunk came

this season during the team’s preseason contest against Sumner High. Junge, who is 6-foot-4, led a fast break during a tie game and jammed it home, inducing the roar of the fans. Later in the same game, however, Junge found himself on the other side of the dunk spectrum.

“I got another fast break,” Junge said. “I went for another dunk, but I was overthinking. I threw the ball against the rim, and it went out of bounds.”

The clank didn’t deter Junge completely. He said he will still go for dunks if he’s alone on a fast break; he will just make sure not to think too much. In traffic around the rim, however? That’s going to be a no-go for him. Too much can go wrong on a crowded dunk for it to be worth the risk when a layup off the backboard is right there.

So is there a right answer here?

Not particularly, though it is interesting to hear players talk about learning from their mistakes. I think in-game dunks are worth the risk (and potential embarrassment from teammates). The ability to change a game’s tone is a powerful tool, and, to be honest, dunking can sometimes be more memorable than a particular game’s outcome. In 15 years, Junge, O’Neal and other area players won’t get much of a reaction if they brag to their friends about how many games their teams won in high school. Tell someone you threw down a sick dunk during a game, however? Reliving the jump, the cocking of the arm, the silence and then the scream of the crowd?

That’s cool forever.

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

Ryan Kohn

Braden River senior Jayden O’Neal throws down a dunk before the Pirates’ game against Bayshore High on Dec. 10.

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here’s a moment before every fast-break, slam dunk where everyone in the arena realizes what is about to happen.

The basketball player jumps with a bit more force than normal. The arm holding the ball isn’t bent and held outward, like it would be for a layup, but cranked upward and to the side. In that moment, you can feel the crowd take a collective, sharp breath in anticipation.

Fans wait to see if the player can finish this electrifying maneuver or whether the player will misjudge their takeoff and clang the ball off the back of the rim, diffusing the atmosphere.

In college and the NBA, players complete acrobatic dunks much more often than not. There’s a reason why the term “slam dunk” is used to describe something easy. In high school, however, when players are still developing their physical skills and attempting to rattle the rim, it’s a riskier proposition, especially when an open layup is right there for the taking.

In my years covering high school basketball, I’ve seen players miss almost as many dunks as they make, and in a close game, that can be the difference between a win and a loss. A completed dunk in that same scenario can boost the spirits of the dunker’s teammates and be intimidating.

Is is smart for high school players to attempt a dunk if they’re not fully confident? East County coaches have varying opinions.

Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball Coach Chris Kawcak is in favor of his kids going for a dunk — as long as the game isn’t hanging in the balance.

“It’s a momentum thing,” Kawcak said. “It gets the team hyped and pumped. We talk about moments (with the team). There are moments where it’s a 2-point game, and you just make the layup. If it’s early in the game, and you can gain any type

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Hannah Pruszinske is a senior point guard on the Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball team. Pruszinske, who is 5-foot, is averaging 10 points, 3.8 assists and 4.5 steals per game for the Mustangs, who are 4-2.

When did you start playing basketball?

I started playing basketball when I was 3 years old. My brothers (Michael Pruszinske and Nathan Pruszinske) played basketball, so I followed their lead.

What is the appeal to you?

I am a fierce competitor, so I love the competition of the game. I love to go after people on the court. I love the sport itself, scoring, playing defense and rebounding. The energy that the game provides is perfect.

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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.

necticut women’s basketball Coach) Geno Auriemma talk about his team last weekend, and he said: “We have the pieces to a beautiful puzzle. We just can’t see the picture yet.” That’s how I feel about our team.

What is your favorite food?

My mom’s (Elizabeth Pruszinske) spaghetti.

Which super power would you pick?

I would pick super speed. I could shop faster and play basketball faster.

What is your favorite subject?

I’m a math freak. I’m good at it.

What is your best skill?

My best skill is looking for my teammates (for an assist). I create plays for my teammates to score.

What is the best advice you have received?

Don’t blame others. If something goes wrong, you have to reflect on what you’re doing and fix it. Don’t point fingers at someone else.

What have you been working to improve?

Finding a balance between looking for my teammates and playing selfish and scoring myself.

Finish this sentence: “Hannah Pruszinske is …”

Relentless. I’m a type A personality.

I like to get things done and do them efficiently.

What is your favorite memory?

I just love hanging out with my teammates and going day in and day out spending time with them.

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Lara Zoppe, Victoria Peddie and Brielle Hodges hold onto Nevaeh Lynch as she swings around while singing.

Above: Avery Mankowski, who plays Pippy, and Pace Feder, who plays Billy, are scared by Marleigh Matras (center), who plays Drill Sergeant Ferdinanda.

Right: Nevaeh Lynch sings and dances in the first act of “Elf Bootcamp.”

ast County’s Lara Zoppe walked into the black box theater wearing a robe with cat patches and rollers in her hair.

It was part of the “Elf Bootcamp” production Dec. 11 at Ovation School of Musical Theatre.

Zoppe sat down on a couch surrounded by Victoria Peddie, Sarah Vargas, Nevaeh Lynch and Noelle Henderson, who all were playing cats.

The 10-year-old Zoppe started singing “12 Days of Cat-mas” to those “cats,” who responded with a cheerful meow.

“12 Days of Cat-mas” was one of four scenes Ovation School of Musical Theatre Troupe 2 members performed.

“We’ve been working since August to learn every detail to bring this to life,” said Avery Mankowski, who is a 12-year-old from Lakewood Ranch.

Troupe 2 consists of performers age 8 to 12. Zoppe said “Elf Bootcamp” was one of their first opportunities to be leads rather than just in the ensemble.

“Since we’re mostly little kids, we usually don’t get a lot of roles, so it’s exciting but also really nervous,” Zoppe said. “You feel pressure to learn all your lines and everything way too early.”

Their performance of holiday songs as they dressed as elves and other characters had the audience laughing, singing and clapping along.

— LIZ RAMOS

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Above: Jameson Roberts sings “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

Right: Lara Zoppe, center, sings to her cats, Peppermint played by Victoria Peddie, Lambchop played by Nevaeh Lynch, Mousey played by Noelle Henderson and Jujy played by Sarah Vargas.

Showtime for elves E

22

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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Expires 7/15/21

Parade floats through Esplanade

E

splanade Golf and Country Club residents waited two years to bring back their favorite holiday tradition.

Because of the pandemic, the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade took a year off in 2020. It came back with festiveness Dec. 7, with hundreds of residents lining the streets to witness the spectacle that included 30 golf carts decorated by residents, an Elvis impersonator and the Lakewood Ranch High School drum line.

The legendary Oscar Meyer Wienermobile even made an appearance.

Following the parade, members of the Lakewood Ranch High band performed at the steps of the clubhouse while revelers gobbled up tasty treats from the more than a half-dozen food trucks on hand.

“Elvis” was also set to renew some wedding vows later in the evening, and several people took tours of the Wienermobile.

“This is all raising money for Toys for Tots and the Lakewood Ranch marching band,” Esplanade Lifestyle Director Rob Commissar said.

— SCOTT LOCKWOOD

Expires 7/15/21

Sarasota’s Best

Photos by Scott Lockwood

Lillibeth Conkling, Jamie Conkling, and Lilliana Humphery are ready to enjoy the parade with dogs Sparky and Bonnie.

Voted One of

28 Years in a Row!

Powerview™ Motorization

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS 941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com 4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

Pat Avallone (right) gives paraders a fist bump.

the farMerS' market for the entIre Lakewood ranch regIon

ROMAINE CALM! we'Ve moVeD to our new LoCatIon at waterside PLace town Center!

ShoP LoCaL wIth 75+ VendorS Fresh Market Produce | Flowers | Specialty Spices & Rubs Honey | Fresh Breads & Baked Goods | Prepared Foods Live Music & Fun for the Whole Family

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Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Bradenton East Integrative Medicine

Family Practice with an Integrative Approach When choosing your healthcare provider, consider a physician who sees YOU as a Whole Person, NOT A SET OF SYMPTOMS. Integrative medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease.

Offering Bioidentical Hormones

Tammy Laclai, Keith “Elvis” Coleman and Rob Varvaro pose for a photo at the post-parade party.

as a natural approach to Hormone balance without the risks associated with synthetic hormone replacement.

ASK US ABOUT BHRT PELLET THERAPY AND HOW WE CAN MATCH YOUR NEEDS.

Our Practitioners:

Above: Steve Prucnell, Ian Fetigan and Tessa Leal are stuck in “jail” while Elvis sings “Jailhouse Rock.”

Right: Dakota Kalkert, Raenna Kalkert, Hudson Kalkert and Kathy Ostrowski wave to the crowd.

370085-1

Karen O. Brainard, M.D. Samantha L. Notman, D.O. Deborah Coupland, APRN

Carol Lewis, APRN Bridgett Edwards, APRN Deborah Howard-Patton, APRN

check us out at beimonline.com 8614 State Rd. 70 E., Ste. 200, Bradenton, FL 34202 | (941) 727-1243

Bringing Health & Independence Back to Over 1,600 Patients

A Not-for-Profit Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility accepting Medicare, Insurance & Private Pay Patients.

5381 Desoto Road, Sarasota, FL 34235 (Just East of Honore on Desoto Road) Marketing@HawthorneVillageofSarasota.com

www.HawthorneVillageofSarasota.com License #SNF130471051 EOE

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CALL 941-355-6111 TODAY

Make Hawthorne Village Part of your Healthcare Plan!

23

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

NO JOB TOO TOUGH. NO JOB TOO ROUGH!

GAF GAF

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Owens Corning Owens TAMKO Corning Firestone TAMKO • Residential Firestone Commercial • Repairs Residential Maintenance • Commercial Financing Repairs Available

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#1 in CustomerService Service #1 in Customer

Shingles Tile • Metal Modifieds Built-Up Single Ply Membrane Aluminum Fascia • Soffit Siding Gutters Rotted Wood Replacement

CCC 016 171 CCC 014 711 Building Shingles Roofing CCC 016 171 CCC 0140711 ContractorTile • Metal BuildingContractor Roofing Modifieds Contractor Contractor Built-Up WE ARE THE AREA’S LEADING Single Ply WE ARE THE AREA’S LEADING Membrane Aluminum Fascia • Soffitt Siding ONLINE: www.ApprovedRoofingLLC.com Gutters SERVING FLORIDA’S GULF COASTRotted FOR OVER Wood 40 YEARS Replacement

RE-ROOF SPECIALISTS

RE-ROOF 941.756.4259 SPECIALISTS 941.756.4259

ONLINE: www.ApprovedRoofingLLC.com SERVING FLORIDA’S GULF COAST FOR OVER 40 YEARS

Photos by Scott Lockwood

Lakewood Ranch residents Alice Hein and Maribeth Phillips started the shoebox drive in 2006.

FULL SERVICE

Shoebox drive a perfect fit

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• Non-Evasive Cleaners • Hand/Blown Dry • Professional Detailing • Unlimited Monthly Plans • Hand Wash • Ceramic Coating

The 16th annual Community Holiday Shoebox Drive and Reception scores for seniors.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

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Family Owned & Operated

When Lakewood Ranch residents Maribeth Phillips and Alice Hein started filling and wrapping shoeboxes with little gifts to give to seniors in the community back in 2006, they had no idea they would be starting one of the biggest holiday traditions in Manatee County.

That spirit was on full display Dec. 4 as more than 200 community members — and even more who went through a drive-thru lane — donated enough shoeboxes to fill two cargo vans at the 16th annual Community Holiday Shoebox Drive and Recep-

tion at Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge.

The event serves as a benefit for Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee to provide shoeboxes filled with gifts to senior clients of the nonprofit.

Phillips, the CEO and president of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, said the organization had a goal of 1,000 shoeboxes with gifts ranging from toiletries to holiday trinkets for homebound seniors.

“Meals on Wheels Plus delivers meals every week to about 900 clients in Manatee County,” Phillips said. “This holiday they will also get one of these beautiful shoe boxes as their holiday gift. In so many cases, this is the only item that a senior might get during the holidays, so it really has a lot of meaning and brings a lot of joy to our seniors. Sometimes the person who delivers certain meals is the only person that they actually talk to.”

Meet Our New

Internal Medicine Specialists Reed Holland, DO, MPH First Physicians Group is proud to introduce two internal medicine specialists to its growing practices on the Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice campus: Dr. Reed Holland and Dr. Kayla Rapp.

As specialists in internal medicine, Drs. Holland and Rapp provide patient-centered, comprehensive care for adults that ranges from routine check-ups to managing chronic conditions and treating emergent concerns. Newly located in the Medical Office Building on the Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Venice campus, both physicians provide yearly physicals, regular screenings and counseling on disease prevention and healthy living.

They also bring extensive training in the management of multiple complex disease processes, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension and more.

Specialty: Internal Medicine Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Residency: Largo Medical Center, Largo, FL

Accepting New Patients!

To schedule your appointment, please call (941) 261-0100.

Kayla Rapp, DO Specialty: Internal Medicine

FPG Internal Medicine/Family Medicine at Venice Medical Office Building 200 Healthcare Way, 2nd Floor, North Venice, FL 34275

firstphysiciansgroup.com

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL Residency: Florida State University – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota, FL

369057-1

24

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

25

GIFTS FOR THOSE WHO SEEK BALANCE

INSIDE & OUT

Lakewood Ranch resident Jean Hritz figures out which prize she would like to win in the raffle.

Lakewood Ranch resident Veletta Tusa poses with the kids bike and helmet she won at the raffle. Tusa laughed and said she would ride the bike, which was equipped with training wheels, around her community.

In celebration of our 47th Anniversary in providing quality Cardiovascular Care to Sarasota County residents The Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota and the El Shahawy Family Foundation are pleased to sponsor the

ABOVE EXPECTATIONS. BEYOND SHOES. Quality footwear in a wide range of hard-to-find widths and sizes. One-on-one consultations and fittings with the experts.

All adding up to a more comfortable fit.

22/22/22 National Congress 22nd Annual National CardioSarasota Congress on

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION CME accredited program by the Florida Medical Association

February 4-5, 2022 Hyatt Regency, Sarasota, FL

Professor M. El Shahawy MD, MS, FACP, FESC, FASH, FASPC, FSCCT, FAHA, FACC

President of the International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program Director

Cardiovascular Health Assessment Center

Professor J. Cohn MD, FACC, FAHA

CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER OF SARASOTA

FLORIDA CHAPTER

10

$

Endorsed by the

Vice President of the International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program Co-Director

Sponsored By The International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (ISCVDP) and The Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota Foundation for Research & Education Hosted by 22 of the most renowned professors in cardiology including current President of the World Heart Federation (WHF) current and past President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

Expires 12.31.2021 Coupon Code: GG2021

Excludes some footwear. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. One-time use only. Not valid with any other coupons or promotional offers. Not valid on prior purchases.

No cash value. Not redeemable for Gift Card purchases. Some restrictions apply.

Sarasota Stickney Point 1872 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota • 941.921.3696 West District University Town Center 315 N. Cattleman Road, Suite #1, Sarasota • 941.921.3696

Free for nurses, medical students & residents if registered prior to Dec 31, 2021 Nominally discounted registration fees for other Health Care Providers!

Must pre-register to guarantee a seat at ISCVDP.ORG

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION FREE TO THE PUBLIC Must pre-register to guarantee a seat

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For Travel Accommodations, Please Contact: AdmiralTravel.com | 941-951-1801

or Call 941-366-9800 Register Online at: cardiologycenter.net or iscvdp.org

off your purchase of $75 or more

Offering Curbside Pickup and Shipping Monday-Saturday 9am - 8pm Sunday 11am-6pm

367972-1

Meals on Wheels Plus board Chairman Mark Goodson said the organization was grateful for everyone that came out to help.

“When you go to these houses, and you deliver food, you see their faces, and they’re so delighted to get the food,” Goodson said. “Then they see you leave, … and all of the sudden their faces change. You can see the worry on their faces because they won’t see or talk to anyone else.

We’re so happy to be able to do this.”

The night was filled with music, food and good times. Some of the raffle winners found humor in their winnings — especially Veletta Tusa, who won a kids bike that came outfitted with training wheels and a unicorn helmet. She jokingly said she planned to ride the small bike around her Lakewood Ranch neighborhood.

Lilly Gerling won a stuffed unicorn that was nearly as big as she was.

As the night came to an end, Bradenton resident Paul Reddy had the winning ticket to the 50/50 raffle.

Instead of keeping his $250 prize, he immediately donated the money back to Meals on Wheels Plus.

“This is just a wonderful community event,” Phillips said. “It’s an enjoyable thing and a great way to start the holiday season.”

26

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

HOLIDAYWorship Guide Look for area services, programs and events to celebrate this joyous time of year.

5394 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key

December 24th Christmas Eve

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

You're invited to

1031 S. EUCLID AVE. SARASOTA (941) 953-7044 uccsarasota.com

Sinai Swingin' Shabbat Eve

TEMPLE SINAI 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

Masses at 4pm and 7pm December 25th Christmas Day

DEC

Year’s Eve countdown!

Black Tie Optional – Live Big Band – Champagne Oneg Reservations Preferred: templesinai-sarasota.org/event/kickbrassNYE

5:00 P.M. – Outdoors w/ Special Music 8:00 P.M. – Sanctuary w/ Special Music* 11:00 P.M. – Sanctuary w/ Communion

Temple Sinai 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Sarasota, FL 34231 368953-1

* Also live-streamed via our website

369023-1

2021

Don’t miss this kick brass Shabbat service before your New

Christmas Eve Services

Masses at 8am and 10am

31

370441-1

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH

SIESTA KEY CHAPEL PRESBYTERIAN (USA)

Christmas Eve Services In-Person & Live Stream

8:00 PM

Candlelight Service with Communion

Indoor and Outdoor Seating Beautiful music 941.349.1166

4615 Gleason Ave., Siesta Key, FL 368937-1

siestakeychapel.org

368959-1

5:30 PM

Family Service with Live Nativity

Christmas Eve at

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church 6116 Crestwood Avenue

(West of US 41 - North of Stickney Pt.)

~ 5:00 pm Family Service ~ for Children, Youth & Adults

~ 7:30 pm Traditional Service ~ Presenting Special Music with Chancel Choir & String Quartet

368944-1

Communion & Candlelight at both Services Nursery provided 4:45 pm – 8:45 pm www.pineshorespres.org • (941) 922-1597

Come! God’s Son Is Born for All!

EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON

4:30 p.m.: Worship with Holy Communion

EVERY SUNDAY MORN 9 a.m.: Contemporary Worship with Praise Band 11 a.m.: Traditional Worship with Choir CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m.: Family Candlelit Worship Service 11 p.m.: Candlelit Worship with Holy Communion

Concordia Lutheran Church 368934-1

ConcordiaSarasota.org

368941-1

2185 Wood Street

(Along School Avenue, North of Sarasota High School)

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

27

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST & CHRISTIAN SCIENCE READING ROOM

Faith Lutheran Church ELCA Christmas Eve Services

Sunday Service: 10:30am Wednesday Testimony Meeting: 4:30pm Reading Room: Tues - Thurs 12 noon - 4pm

368947-1

5:30 & 8:00 p.m.

All are Welcome

369161-1

368961-1

“Holiday Carols on Main Street” 2100 Main Street Thursday, December 23rd @ 6pm

7750 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34238 | 941.924.4664

2100 MAIN STREET | SARASOTA, FL 34237

ST. ANDREW UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Christmas at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church

Christmas Eve: Special Music – 6:30 p.m.

Candlelight Worship – 7:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP, 12/24 5, 7 & 9pm

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

Sunday Worship Service – 10:30 a.m.

IN PERSON OR LIVESTREAMING ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

12/21 @ 6 pm • Chapel

Holy Communion, Festive Brass & Timpani at all services Prelude concert begins 20 minutes before each service Live Streamed Service at 7pm - www.saklc.com/live

SIESTA KEY BEACH SUNSET CHRISTMAS SERVICE

CHRISTMAS DAY, 12/25 9am Worship

Bring your chairs/blanket. Worship by the volleyball courts.

LESSONS & CAROLS, 12/26 10am Worship

For those who find the Christmas season a difficult time.

6908 Beneva Road, Sarasota FL 34238 941-922-7595 www.sarasotaucc.org

12/23 @ 5 pm

FAMILY & TRADITIONAL SERVICES 12/24 @ 5, 7, 9 & 11 pm • Sanctuary

A PROGRESSIVE AND INCLUSIVE CHURCH

Our 5 pm Family Service features drama, music & candle light.

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church

3224 BEE RIDGE RD., SARASOTA FL 34239 WWW.CHURCHOFTHEPALMS.ORG

369022-1 368938-1

368958-1

Our 7, 9 & 11 pm Traditional Christmas Eve Services features scripture, carols, music and a message.

40 North Adams Drive, Sarasota FL

941.388.1234 | office@saklc.com Rev. Dr. Kenneth Byth, Pastor

Michael J. Bodnyk, Minister of Music

LIVING LORD LUTHERAN CHURCH 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 • (941) 753-9365 www.LivingLordFL.org

ADVENT SERVICES

Christmas at Church of the Redeemer Christmas Eve Friday, December 24

Christmas Day Saturday, December 25

Both in person & Livestream on Facebook

Christmas Eve Family Mass 3 p.m.

Christmas Day Mass 10 a.m.

CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION – CAROLS

Christmas Eve Mass 4:30 p.m. pre-service carols 5 p.m. mass (with incense)

Christmas Day Mass 1 p.m. (in Spanish)

Christmas Eve Mass 10 p.m. pre-service music 10:30 p.m. mass (with incense)

222 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota 941-955-4263 RedeemerSarasota.org

368960-1

Saint James UMC 2049 N Honore Ave Sarasota, FL 34235 941-377-6180 www.saintjamesumc.org

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Friday, December 24 Contemporary 4:00PM Traditional 7:00PM

368957-1

(If raining will be moved indoors)

Wednesday, December 1, 8 and 15, 7:00PM

Intimate Candlelight Chapel Service 8:00 pm December 24th

368956-1

Christmas Under the Stars 6:00 pm December 24th

C hristmas

EVE s erviCes Friday, December 24

Traditional Candlelight Services 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. - Sanctuary

6:15 p.m. - Preservice Music

368955-1

rking rvices

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

368931-1 370229-1

104 S. Pineapple Ave. • 941-955-0935 • www.firstsrq.com Parking Available at the Mark

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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

UNIVERSITY PARK 7003 Lancaster Court 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,439 Sq. Ft. Robert Krasow 617-840-1181 A4515333 $1,299,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 231 64th Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,206 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4518052 $1,100,000

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

BRADENTON 12503 Natureview Circle 5 Beds 4 Baths 4,053 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4516676 $899,000

SARASOTA 7700 Iguana Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,550 Sq. Ft. Lee Byron & Sue Keal 941-350-5542 A4512842 $930,000

PALMETTO 610 16th Avenue E 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,957 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4514336 $899,000

SARASOTA 205 Golden Gate Point 202 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,480 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4519237 $895,000

VENICE 4700 Forbes Trail 4 Beds 2 Baths 2,000 Sq. Ft. Peter Mann 941-914-5657 N6118561 $880,000

SARASOTA 5107 Flicker Field Circle 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,215 Sq. Ft. Dana Westmark & Donald Geikie 941-356-5091 A4519390 $870,000

BRADENTON 348 Snapdragon Loop 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,469 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941-894-4001 A4519347 $850,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 14508 Stirling Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,419 Sq. Ft. Bruce A Meyer, PA 941-266-8152 A4518375 $845,000

SARASOTA 1518 Bel Air Star Parkway 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,475 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4506654 $835,000

SARASOTA 1039 23rd Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,513 Sq. Ft. Maureen Doherty & Patrick Doherty 941-993-3159 A4519506 $799,000

BRADENTON 3912 Plumosa Terrace Street W 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,679 Sq. Ft. Pam Goodwin & Fran DeDona 941-812-0754 A4517658 $790,000

SARASOTA 8529 Great Meadow Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,421 Sq. Ft. Bibi-Ann Allard PA 941-685-0422 A4519305 $699,000

SARASOTA 4929 Old Creek Drive 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,416 Sq. Ft. June Howell 941-350-7521 A4519227 $599,900

BRADENTON 161 Wandering Wetlands Circle 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,006 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4519268 $595,000

BRADENTON 5155 San Palermo Drive 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,997 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4515613 $439,000

SARASOTA 2460 Goldenrod Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,392 Sq. Ft. Peggy Wellman & Robert Moffatt 941-374-0811 A4517575 $399,900

SARASOTA 3639 S Lockwood Ridge Road 2 Beds 1 Baths 1,186 Sq. Ft. Valarie Wadsworth 941-780-3858 A4518154 $349,777

BRADENTON 112 65th Street Court NW 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,648 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4518913 $349,000

SARASOTA 5301 Mahogany Run Avenue 1011 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,684 Sq. Ft. Anja Deichmann 941-284-7987 A4511724 $295,000

SUN CITY CENTER 9750 Pembrooke Pines Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,824 Sq. Ft. Jonnie Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4517677 $278,000

SARASOTA 2304 Ringling Boulevard 112 1 Bed 1 Baths 552 Sq. Ft. Deborah Nelson 941-266-5900 A4519359 $140,000

SARASOTA 374 Bob White Drive 3 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,409 Sq. Ft. Barbara May & Fred Sassen 404-822-9264 A4519401 $3,850,000

SIESTA KEY 225 Little Pond Lane 5 Beds 4 Baths 3,200 Sq. Ft. Stacy Hanan 941-266-0529 A4517313 $2,750,000

SARASOTA 3835 Pomegranate Place 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,179 Sq. Ft. Kelly Quigley 941-356-9954 A4519108 $2,195,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Rosedale Highlands topped all transactions in this week’s real estate.

4141 Inc. sold the home at 4915 96th St. E. to Daniel Hunt, of Orlando, for $2.2 million. Built in 2017, it has six bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 9,714 square feet of living area.

ESPLANADE

William Hyman, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 4837 Benito Court to Michael and Janice Many, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, for $2.14 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, four-and-twohalf baths, a pool and 4,497 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.04 million in 2019.

Dennis and Ruth Ertel, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4636 Benito Court to Philip and Kristen Ziegler, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, for $1.08 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,057 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2018.

David Helton and Janet Sue Helton, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 12769 Fontana Loop to Persistence Residential Holding I LLC for $840,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,275 square feet of living area.

It sold for $429,800 in 2013.

SLOANE GARDENS

Brysun Holdings Ltd. sold the home at 7808 Sloane Gardens Court to Fred and Diane Macciocchi, of Bradenton, for $1.68 million. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 5,275 square feet of living area.

THE LAKE CLUB

Terry Messick-Cass and Barry Cass, trustees, of Melbourne, sold the home at 16011 Daysailor Trail to Gary and Charlotte Trimarchi, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.65 million.

Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,364 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.3 million in 2016.

AZARIO

Dean and Yvonne Marcris, of Lakeland, sold their home at 14829 Montello Way to Gregg Sturz and Mary Victoria Sturz, of Bradenton, for $1.4 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,072 square feet of living area.

It sold for $805,100 in 2020.

LANGLEY PARK

Ronald and Rae Glass, of Alexandria, Virginia, sold their home at 6915 Langley Place to Blair Weigel, trustee, of University Park, for $1.21 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,440 square feet of living area.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

James and Merrita Cosimini, trustees, sold the home at 5402 Tidewater Preserve Blvd. to Gordon Wyman and Allison Wyman, trustees, of Bradenton, for $1.19 million.

Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,460 square feet of living area. It sold for $671,600 in 2016.

WINDING RIVER

Harold and Melanie Queen, trustees, of Ocala, sold the home at 14105 Ninth Terrace NE to Keith Ekenseair and Tammy Lisko, of St. Pete Beach, for $1.19 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,184 square feet of living area.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

Austin Kenneth-Lowell Mounts and Camye Lee Isabella Mounts, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 5552 Mulligan Way to William Hyman and Theresa Dinapoli, of Bradenton, for $1.04 million. Built

29

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 29-DEC. 3

in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,776 square feet of living area. It sold for $620,000 in 2020.

BRIDGEWATER

Christina Zucallo, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13827 Swiftwater Way to Philip Giusti and Terri Hughes-Giusti, of Bradenton, for $960,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,904 square feet of living area. It sold for $533,300 in 2017.

COUNTRY CLUB

Steven and Christine Neal, of Haymarket, Virginia, sold their home at 8209 Championship Court to Wayne and Jacqueline Fletcher, of Sarasota, for $925,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,822 square feet of living area. It sold for $615,000 in 2019.

Linda Jean Vedane, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 7179 Sandhills Place to Ryan Fischer and Andrew Fischer, of Lakewood Ranch, for $615,000. Built in 2002, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,025 square feet of living area.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Alan and Karin Lui, of Bradenton, sold their home at 10539 Cheval Place to Stephen Lee Hudspeth and Teri Hudspeth, of Bradenton, for $925,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,273 square feet of living area. It sold for $720,000 in 2006.

WARWICK GARDENS

Fred and Diane Macciocchi, of University Park, sold their home at 7210 Chatsworth Court to Mohammed Abraham and Leslie Fecher, of Northville, Michigan, for $908,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,403 square feet of living area.

It sold for $590,000 in 2020.

Courtesy photo

This Esplanade home at 4837 Benito Court sold for $2.14 million. It has four bedrooms, four-andtwo-half baths, a pool and 4,497 square feet of living area.

baths, a pool and 4,253 square feet of living area. It sold for $640,000 in 2017.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

David and Kerry Frishman, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7538 Camden Harbour Drive to Samir Thakkar and Sona Samir Thakkar, of Burtonsville, Maryland, for $807,500. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,838 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2012.

Scott Klaben and Cherri Klaben, of Bradenton, sold their home at 8440 Brookfield Terrace to Shawn and Tammy Masters, of Bradenton, for

$645,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,868 square feet of living area. It sold for $280,000 in 2011.

WATERLEFE GOLF AND RIVER CLUB

Louis and Lorraine Capone, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, sold their home at 9720 Discovery Terrace to Scott Goodin and Carol Dennison Goodin, of Bradenton, for $730,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and is 2,666 square feet. It sold for $585,000 in September.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 30

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Lucien Frederic Ducrey and Michela Baratta, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 14705 Newtonmore Lane to Tarak Patel and Hiral Shah, of Tamp, for $885,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,936 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000 in 2016.

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

GREENBROOK

Randy and Jennifer Toler, of Destin, sold their home at 14737 Bowfin Terrace to Steven and Lisa Shank, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for $840,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,729 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 2020.

Thomas and Margaret Beckman, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6451 Royal Tern Circle to Christopher and Kristin Mitchell, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, for $652,500.

Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,655 square feet of living area. It sold for $387,800 in 2004.

Opendoor Property Trust I sold the home at 6718 Pirate Perch Trail to Aleksandr Kovalenko, of Brush Prairie, Washington, for $590,000.

Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,294 square feet of living area. It sold for $555,200 in September.

Longboat Key

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

SALES GALLERY NOW OPEN

Downtown St. Petersburg 400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com

MOVE IN FALL 2022

HPA II Borrower 2021-I LLC sold the home at 15331 Blue Fish Circle to Mariusz and Marzena Walejnis, of Lakewood Ranch, for $428,100.

Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,081 square feet of living area. It sold for $358,000 in 2020.

HPA II Borrower 2021-I LLC sold the home at 6381 Robin Cove to Jotcabet de Armas Marrero and Wilver Maillo Brizuela, of Lakewood Ranch, for $403,200. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,012 square feet of living area. It sold for $380,000 in 2020.

Downtown Sarasota

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | thecollection1335.com

Sales galleries open and available for virtual or in-person presentations.

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

LINKS AT PALM AIRE

Jerome Cammarata, of Sarasota, sold the home at 7313 Links Court to Tracy Anthony and Charles Anthony III, trustees, of Swansea, Massachusetts, for $816,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, four

WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA Prices as of November 2021.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

REAL ESTATE

Rosedale Highlands home tops sales at $2.2 million

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Reason to Give...

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BEACON COVE AT RIVER PLACE

Jacob Wilson and Rebecca Coursey, of Bradenton, sold their home at 756 132nd St. Circle NE to Robert and Aniese Anderson, of Lakewood Ranch, for $715,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,734 square feet. It sold for $570,000 in 2020.

April Dawson, of Bradenton, sold the home at 11331 Autumn Leaf Way to Melinda Joan Moose, of Bradenton, for $709,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,455 square feet of living area. It sold for $448,500 in 2020.

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Dylan Edward Kraut and Kaleigh Janel Paul, of Bradenton, sold their home at 11314 Autumn Leaf Way to Thomas and Lisa Bruchalski, of Bradenton, for $651,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,287 square feet. It sold for $318,800 in 2018.

INDIGO

Mary Conley, trustee, of Munster, Indiana, sold the home at 4015 Celestial Blue Court to Jon Comeford, trustee, of Hampton, New Hampshire, for $682,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,356 square feet of living area. It sold for $489,300 in 2016.

ARBOR GRANDE

Daniel and Jennifer Volpe, of Parrish, sold their home at 2312 Starwood Court to Robert and Cynthia Dimeo, of Sierra Madre, California, for $674,900. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 3,304 square feet of living area. It sold for $360,000 in 2018.

Norman and Diane Cianfarani sold their home at 2516 Starwood Court to Natalie Bloch, of Dresher, Pennsylvania, for $600,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two

Brian and Michelle Green, of Palmetto, sold their home at 6731 70th Court E. to Karina Makarov, of Bradenton, for $655,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,909 square feet of living area. It sold for $348,900 in 2016.

GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Alexander and Galina Yermolaev, of Sarasota, sold their home at 11807 Goldenrod Ave. to Robert and Kristine Hannley, of Bradenton, for $602,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,371 square feet of living area. It sold for $407,400 in 2019.

BRADEN WOODS

Timothy and Kristina McCaughley, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6001 Braden Run to Steven Ray Wong and Daniella May Wong, of Bradenton, for $600,000. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,976 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2019.

TARA

Sandra and Angel Delgado, trustees, sold the home at 6493 Rookery Circle to Brandon David Konkel and Courtney Renae Konkel, of St. Petersburg, for $585,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,633 square feet. It sold for $285,000 in 2004.

WATERCREST

David and Anita Dickinson, of Ontario, Canada, sold their Unit 204 condominium at 6360 Watercrest Way to James and Catherine Gingerich, of Valparaiso, Indiana, for $575,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,134 square feet of living area. It sold for $385,000 in 2010.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

BEST BET

FRIDAY, DEC. 17

JINGLE RUN 5K Begins at 6 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The annual Jingle Run 5K run returns. Runners listen to holiday music along the course and live music at the finish. The post-race party includes food and adult beverages. The run benefits the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation and Health Careers’ scholarship program. For more information or to register, go to TheJingle5K.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

POLO SEASON OPENS Begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. The 2021-22 Sarasota Polo Club season begins and runs every Sunday through April 24. Gates open at 10 a.m. Enjoy polo, the opening parade, halftime entertainment, divot stomping, food, drinks and more. For more information and tickets (which begin at $15), go to SarasotaPolo.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 17 TO SUNDAY, DEC. 19

YOUR CALENDAR

COMMUNITY

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

THE FUTURE, STARRING

HOLIDAYS AT UTC Runs from 6-9 p.m. each day at the East Grand Entrance at The Mall at UTC, 140 Town Center Drive, Sarasota. The School of Russian Ballet offers a holiday performance Dec. 17.

On Dec. 18, enjoy an Elf Party and a holiday performance by Woodland Community Church. On Dec. 19, enjoy the Snow Much Fun Polar Express Trolley Ride & Outdoor Movie Experience.

You

SATURDAY, DEC. 18

GLOW RUN 5K Begins at 6 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Run the Sarasota Christmas Glow Run 5K, a Christmas-themed course at Benderson Park. This race comes with complimentary glow products and a snowfall finish line. Registration is $45 in advance or $48 on race day, and parking is $5 per car. To register or for more information, visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

HALF MARATHON AND 5K Begins at 7 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Registration is $119 for the half marathon and $45 for the 5K. To register, visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

ORCHESTRA CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE Starts at 2:30 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The concert features the Sarasota Brass Quintet.

Admission is free. To register or

File photo

for more information, visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22

CHRISTMAS ON MAIN Runs from 4-7:30 p.m. on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The event will begin with games, rides and attractions for the whole family from 4-6:15 p.m. and conclude with a candlelight service at 6:45-7:30 p.m. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

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

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

Help The Players Centre set the stage in Lakewood Ranch. Visit theplayers.org to learn more.

JOIN THE CENTER STAGE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN As long as there is sun, as long as there is light.

Scan here to donate to The Players Centre’s “Center Stage” Capital Campaign.

Selections from the Bring Gift and The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art

ON VIEW NOV 21, 2021 – AUG 13, 2023 In 2020, The Ringling received a significant gift of art from Murray Bring and Kay Delaney Bring, in support of the modern and contemporary collection. This fall, the museum unveils an exhibition of selections from this gift in dialogue with rarely seen works from the collection.

INFORMATION + TICKETS

ringling.org

Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues. Support for this exhibition was provided by Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Endowment.

Rebecca Salter (British, b. 1955), Untitled M13, 1997. Acrylic on canvas, 28 1/2 × 28 1/2 in.

Gift of Murray Bring and Kay Delaney Bring, 2020. 2020.12.22

366308-1

363292-1

The Ringling will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

theplayers.org

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32

WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, DEC. 16 High: 84 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 15%

FRIDAY, DEC. 17 High: 84 Low: 67 Chance of rain: 15%

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Dec. 16 7:13a 5:38p Friday, Dec. 17

7:14a

5:38p

Saturday, Dec. 18

7:14a

5:39p

Sunday, Dec. 19

7:15a

5:39p

Monday, Dec. 20

7:15a

5:40p

Tuesday, Dec. 21

7:16a

5:40p

Wednesday, Dec. 22 7:16a

5:41p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, DEC. 18 High: 82 Low: 67 Chance of rain: 19%

SUNDAY, DEC. 19 High: 82 Low: 67 Chance of rain: 24% David Ginsberg captured this photo of a curious raccoon on a palm tree in Lakewood Ranch.

Jan. 9 First

Jan. 17 Full

Jan. 25 Last

Jan. 31 New

RAINFALL Monday, Dec. 6

0

Tuesday, Dec. 7

0

Wednesday, Dec. 8

0

Thursday, Dec. 9

0

Friday, Dec. 10

0

Saturday, Dec. 11

0

Sunday, Dec. 12

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

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

YEAR TO DATE: 2021 45.79 in.

2020 56.14 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2021 0.00 in.

2020 0.65 in.

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celebrity cipher

NONEVENTS by Todd Gross. Edited by David Steinberg 48 Item in a golf bag 50 Perfect place 51 Move your car 52 Hot, foamy beverages 53 Capital of Canada 54 “Bodak Yellow” rapper 55 Quick, quavering sounds 57 Raid the fridge DOWN 59 Boston Red ___ 1 Out like a light 62 Powder in a fireplace 2 Gen Xer’s parents, 64 As a Plan B perhaps 65 Commotion 3 Cover completely 68 Make an offer 4 Membership level 70 Distinctive style 5 ___ paneer (spinach 71 Currency in Japan dish) 77 Nation with the high6 Clumsy sort est GDP 7 Lets the cat out of the 80 Church ceremony bag 82 Coffee-flavored 8 Author T.S. liqueur 9 Three feet 83 Very much 10 Japanese TV maker 84 Not even half-baked 11 Snowman in “Frozen” 86 New York canal 12 Drop-down list 89 Was introduced to 13 Garden in Genesis 90 Certain Little League 14 Pittsburgh-based co. player with strong products 92 Quick haircut 15 Close-range basketball 93 2012-17 Yahoo! CEO shots Mayer 16 “So long,” in Sonora 94 Bit of honey, e.g.

17 Cognac brand, infor96 Gives temporarily mally 97 Mexican state on a 20 City on the Mississippi peninsula Sound 98 Like some butter 23 Mardi Gras celebra101 Make a boo-boo tion, e.g.

102 Supports for petals 28 Polar feature 103 In two places at once 29 Event for biologists? 104 Former figure skater 32 Bombeck who had a Harding humor column 105 Cream of the crop 36 Broad bean 106 Make up (for) 37 Event for costume 107 Actress Loy of “The designers?

Thin Man” 38 Grape holder 110 24” or 27” computer 39 All vice presidents 111 ___-Cola before Harris 112 Lie beside 40 Legal org.

113 Chip card letters 41 Sharp sensation 115 LP player 44 Early stage of life 116 Scorch the surface of 45 Lose power 120 Type of modem 46 Like Thor and Loki 124 Deadly 125 “And there you have it!”

126 Blanchett of “Ocean’s Eight” 127 Store special 128 Removes wrinkles

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Assists in a crime 6 Follow the rules 10 Unspecified amount 14 Where Jazz players often play 18 Justice Sotomayor 19 Pasta ___ Genovese 20 Made a bundle?

21 Heads or tails 22 Event for romantics?

24 Nonsensical 25 Turn like a top 26 Come out of hiding 27 Event for personal trainers?

30 Fish with a ribbon variety 31 Midterm, for one 33 Part of a dove song

34 Very, very small 35 Put forward 38 Frustrate 39 Syrup sources 42 Practice punches 43 Event for pharmacists?

47 Nutrient important for vision 49 Being broadcast 50 WWW address 53 Gasoline rating 56 Paging device 58 Lipton competitor 60 Goo that coal can produce 61 Wheel with teeth 63 China’s continent 66 Take control of 67 Apache or Blackfeet 69 “SurrealEstate”

channel 72 Look after 73 An American in Paris, perhaps 74 Speak without a script 75 Empty space 76 Homophone of 33-Across 78 Ticked-off feeling 79 More feral 81 Turkish capital city 85 Rare treats, maybe?

87 Midriff muscles 88 Dark clouds 91 Al Stewart’s full first name 93 Event for astronomers?

95 Like liquid fat 98 What should always be first

99 Lead-in to “weekly” 100 Like granite, geologically 103 Game console brand 105 Tasmanian ___ (extinct bird) 106 Rounds at a rifle range 108 Card that often beats a king 109 Event for elected officials?

114 Playful response to an insult 117 Insects in some farms 118 It merged with Exxon 119 Event for river crossers?

121 Some kosher loaves 122 Like a keen sense 123 Places to stay

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“AXTBBR MDCXAXNCMDI CJMDIN ZLPX EXZTONX RLO KLD’C VDLG GJTC CJX AOBXN TAX, GJTC RLO ZTD TDK ZTD’C KL.”

– NCXWX EONZXPM

“LA SBKF CDACTD HZF HA RZAN PC HAA VBLH, BKJ GH’L KAH VPK! FAP LXAPTJ LHBF B UGJ BL TAKR BL CALLGOTD!” – MBKDLLB XPJRDKL “H JGWMMV RN SGMHGXG CKWC HO VNY RNU’C TKWMMGUEG VNYJLGMO WUR JHLZ OWHMHUE, CKWC HC’L UNC HUCGJGLCHUE.”

– RHJGTCNJ IYMHG CWVANJ Puzzle Three Clue: X equals V

crossword

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941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue S equals N

Sarasota

Puzzle One Clue V equals K

CARPET

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

12-16-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Adult Care Services

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Merchandise Wanted

YourObserver.com/RedPages

941-955-4888 PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE: YourObserver.com/RedPages

SNOW GLOBE large sarasota plays “ Here Comes the Sun”, $20. Lockbox, fireproof, 13”x 8” x 7” with key, $15. 941-741-9727

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

Announcements

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

AVAILABLE FOR Personal Visits, Corporate Events, Personal Video Messages, Virtual Visits and Photos with Santa 954-336-1697

PT Mon.-Fri. 16 hrs/week; starts at $16.00 per hour.

CDL with P & S endorsement.

To apply: go to www.bgcmanatee.org

SELL STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

THE BUSINESS OBSERVER newspaper is seeking a fastpaced, detail-oriented Proofreader / Typist for a full-time position in Sarasota, Florida. Hours are 8:30 am- 5 pm, Mon-Fri. The candidate must be able to type at least 75 WPM with great accuracy and proofread typed material and make corrections. Attention to detail is a MUST. Proofreading entails finding errors in the typed print that varies from the original document, not actually editing the documents for errors.

The ideal candidate will have strong computer software and hardware skills. Familiarity with Adobe InDesign and Filemaker Pro is a plus. Florida notary certification is also a plus.

Please email resume and WPM typing speed for immediate consideration. Please also specify your available date to start. *This position must be performed in the office. No remote work is available. *This position comes with paid vacation time off, paid holiday time off, and health benefits Please email your resume to kboothroyd@ businessobserverfl.com

Sorrento Shores Waterfront 3 Bed 2 Bath Fantastic Views, New Dock $995,000 Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 Bed 2 Bath Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, Dock.

Owner/agent $530,000.

Call for coming soon listings.

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

Call 941-726-2677.

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

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

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

tivities * Hourly 24/7 Care -Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

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

BUY & SELL HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

941-400-2866.

Cleaning

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

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

GARAGE SALE Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

941-955-4888

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

Painting CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

This week’s Crossword answers

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

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

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

Holiday Early Deadlines for Dec 24th and Dec 30th

Dec 23rd: Classifieds & Service Directory deadline East County Observer & Longboat Observer December 16th, Noon Sarasota / Siesta Key Observer December 17th, Noon Dec 30th: Classifieds & Service Directory deadline East County Observer and Longboat Observer December 17th, Noon Sarasota / Siesta Key Observer December 20th, Noon

©2021 Universal Uclick

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Really interesting things come because you don’t know what the rules are, what you can and can’t do.”

Steve Buscemi Puzzle Two Solution: “So many people try to grow up too fast, and it’s not fun! You should stay a kid as long as possible!”

Vanessa Hudgens Puzzle Three Solution: “I really do believe that if you don’t challenge yourself and risk failing, that it’s not interesting.”

Director Julie Taymor

This week’s Sudoku answers

The Observer Classified Dept. will CLOSE Dec. 23rd at 4pm for the holidays. We will reopen Mon., Jan. 3rd at 8:30am.

369586

I AM bringing forth my Land Patent benefits, if interested see www.foxboro-consulting.com, Publications, L.P. 1 or L.P. 2.

Bus Driver is responsible for the operation of transporting children from school to the Clubs in the afternoons and designated summer field trips.

Luxurious Lake Club 4 Bed 4 Bath Built in 2019 Lakefront Lakewood Ranch $2,500,000

The Observer Classifieds

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING EARLY DEADLINE The Deadline for classifi fie ed advertising in the December 23rd and 30th issues will be due on Friday, December 17th by 3:00pm

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

You’re only cheating yourself.

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

FINE WHITE china, 12 dinner/ 11 salad plates, 8 ceral bowls, 4 coffee cups/saucers, assorted smaller plates. $45 (941)226-7185

BUY & SELL HERE!

jobs

2005 S4 Audi Convertible, V8, silver exterior with red/black interior, mint condition, fully loaded, original owner, 34K miles asking $18,000. 941-807-7422

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE complete, porcelain, electric, $65. Dinette table, glass top, 45” $100 941358-9262

OAK QUEEN head and footboard frame $150 River Club area 941-756-5079

Bus Driver

- Sign on Bonus

Autos for Sale

CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL New Bright Rare Carousel with lights&Music; $125 (941) 462-5599

JAPANESE PAGODA.CEMENT 2 ft tall asking $145, shower chair, $25, pvc towel holder 4 ft tall $30 941-359-8460

Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County

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

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

* Assistance with Daily Living Ac-

Help Wanted

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

Call: 941-955-4888 Fax: 941-362-4808

peekers’ place

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

Homes for Sale

home services

Items Under $200

auto

stuff

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

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

PLACE YOUR AD:

real estate

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

RED PAGES AD RATES

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!

©2021 NEA, Inc.

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Aluminum

Clock Repair

Health

Christo’s Clock Repair

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

4630 5TH ST W BRADENTON

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, TOC TO ME.” 369158

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

941-773-0875 • 941-932-5505

368919

Don Christo, Sr., Horologist

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

SELL YOUR CAR!

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression provides safe, gentle & effective relief for upwards of 90% of patients that qualify for care.

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

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

Auto Service

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

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

YoderAluminum.comHardware Repair

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362

369160

FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU

941.270.4400

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

Computer

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

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Concrete

5-Star Rated

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

CRACK REPAIR

SIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS

369154

HoHoBuysCars.com

#1 in IR REPA Crack %

Beauty

95 EPLACE Don’t R Concrete d of Goo only 5% when cked! is cra

368908

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

Home Services

BUZ CORP D/B/A

CONCRETE FUSION

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

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

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

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

Residential

370255

Bicycles

Also, Medicare and Company Group plans

Email (SSETO@MYHST.COM) Call/Text 941-993-4137 www.setohealthgroup.com

370257

Irrigation

ED’S RAIN MAKER IRRIGATION

Furniture Repair

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

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

368912

369258

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

941-504-0903

Cleaning

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

Handyman

AMI SUN - COLOR AD HOLIDAY PAGE 4x5 167079 11-24-21 EDS

Servicing LWR, Parrish and NE Bradenton

Ron Chapman Home Service

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

Interior/Exterior Painting Dryer Vent Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning

369157

Custom Granite Services, llc

369966

cell: 941.250.1505 • FREE Estimates

CREATE BUZZ!

Advertise your business in the Red Pages.

Call 941-955-4888

941-400-4912

370271

Doors

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

370270

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

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

369162

370268

CJ COOLEY OWNER/OPERATOR

GLENN KROECKER

www.ezslider.com

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

CustomGraniteServicesLLC@gmail.com

THE GRAB BAR GUY

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

Call us today! 941.628.8579

370269

• Aetna, Cigna or United Health Care plans • Nationwide PPO networks • Wide range of deductibles • 1 year, 2 years or 3 years terms (fixed rate) • Effective any day of the year • AFFORDABLE and comprehensive

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

Commercial

Individual and Family Health Insurance

Sliding Glass Door Repair

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

941-705-5468 Insurance

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

AMANDA

369064

|

369078

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

368922

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Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Landscaping & Lawn

Rescreening & Repairs

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

|

35

Screening

GARDENS BY ALLISON No Job is too Small!

Design • Garden Beds Landscape • Courtyards Clean-Up • Makeovers Weeds • Trimming

Allison J. Abizaid, M.A.

368923

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

941.400.0431

369086

Eldridge Re-Screen Licensed

941-739-5102

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

369166

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

Power Washing

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

368914

| scaperotta@aol.com

The Red Pages is the perfect store to buy and sell locally! You’ll find a wide selection from antiques to furniture to condos!

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

369076

941-626-3194

found here.

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

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

STUFF

5

$

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Italian American Owned

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

140

$

SPECIAL 00

www.bissonroofing.com

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

ows

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Building & Roofing Contractor

BEFORE

25

STANDARD WINDOWS

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

Lic./Ins.

w & Pressure Cl indo345-5264 eani et W(941) s n ng wn as Sunrise Win o n k Su y l r e d

941 - 748 - 7400 Owner Supervises Every Job

370260

Warranties

UP TO

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

Pressure Washing

941-544-1066

Manufacture and workmanship

RED PAGES

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

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

AFTER

Windows

Res./Com.

Bisson Roofing Inc.

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

Doors and more!

Insured

Roofing

Painting

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

• Deck/Paver And Much More

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

369079

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

Pressure Washing

941-345-5264

941-270-1561

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

370273

“No Job Too Small”

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

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

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

Showcase your products or services each week in the Red Pages.

CALL 941-955-4888

370262

Lawn Care

370277

370272

gbyallison@yahoo.com gardensbyallison.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

YourObserver.com

NEW TEAM, NEW PARTNERSHIP, NEW HOME! Pascarella Shanahan Luxury Group is now backed by the International Power of the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Name

Holly Pascarella and Katina & Ken Shanahan are delighted to announce they have formed the Pascarella Shanahan Luxury Group with the area’s leading brokerage, Coldwell Banker Realty.

Our focus remains the same - YOU. As a TOP PRODUCING TEAM in Lakewood Ranch, we bring over 80 years of professional success to elevate YOUR real estate experience.

Changing what it means to #SellHomes Visit our newly rebranded website, follow us on social media, or give us a call to learn more about our new partnership and how we can help meet your real estate needs.

Pascarella I Shanahan LUXURY GROUP

941.225.3218 | 941.702.0437 PSLuxuryGroup.com 370367-1

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