East County Observer 7.15.21

E A ST COUNTY

Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

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FREE THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

VOLUME 23, NO. 35

YOUR TOWN

Build-outs begin at Waterside Place

Some business owners hope to be open by October. PAGE 3

Liz Ramos

STRAIGHT SHOOTER

Builders donate the right stuff Jessica Percel (above left), of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, grabbed two backpacks and then moved along tables topped with school supplies July 8 during the organization’s sixth annual Stuff the Backpack drive.

After filling the backpacks with crayons, notebooks, folders and pencils, Percel handed the backpacks to Dawn Bouck (above right), the community engagement manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota.

The organization stuffed 300 backpacks for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota.

“There are a lot of children who might not have brand new supplies, and we wanted to give them that opportunity,” Percel said.

River Club man gives back by teaching gun safety. SEE PAGE 8

Jay Heater

East County’s Warren Strauss gets firearms safety tips from River Club’s Larry Johnson at the Manatee Gun and Archery Club in Myakka City.

A+E Liz Ramos

Game stretches kids’ limits When Lakewood Ranch’s Lilah Santiago, 6, heard “red light,” from another Youth Yoga participant July 10 at Bob Gardner Community Park, she froze and went into the Downward Dog yoga position.

Santiago said she loves playing games like Red Light, Green Light at the end of Youth Yoga sessions.

“It’s lots of fun to do yoga here,” Santiago said. The event is hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.

High-class construction Several East County schools will see renovations and additions to ease overcrowding and update facilities.

SEE PAGE 6

Courtesy photo

The reconfiguration of the media center and administration area of Braden River Middle School is part of the school’s renovation.

What a night with Einstein.

SEE PAGE 12

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Interchange completion expected in November The $80.8 million project to improve the I-75/S.R. 70 interchange is running four to five months behind schedule.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

Nearly three years after construction began at the interchange of Interstate 75 and State Road 70, Florida Department of Transportation Community Outreach Manager Brian Bollas said the end of the $80.8 million project is within sight.

Bollas said the project is scheduled for completion in November, weather permitting. In December, the East County Observer reported that Spain-based construction company Sacyr was aiming for completion in the summer.

The delay is an accumulation of small factors, Bollas said. Rain has been heavy in the past several weeks, slowing workers down and making some work impossible until water completely evaporates. A longer and cooler-thanusual dry season also played a factor. For example, road paving can only take place when the conditions reach a certain temperature, and some nights in the winter were too cold.

“If you’re going to do something, and you anticipate it takes a week, and it took you 10 days, it’s almost like nickel and dime,” Bollas said. “A couple of days here, a

couple of days there. That adds up rather quickly.”

When completed, the project will have widened to eight lanes a 6.75-mile stretch of I-75 from north of University Parkway to south of S.R. 64, reconstructed the S.R. 70/I-75 interchange by eliminating three of the four loop on-ramp configurations, widened I-75 entrance and exit ramps, replaced the bridge over S.R. 70, widened the bridge over the Braden River and resurfaced S.R. 70 between Tara Boulevard and 87th Street East. The project will also add sidewalks and 6.5foot buffered bike lanes along S.R. 70.

Bollas said one of the major aspects left to be completed is the ramp from eastbound S.R. 70 onto southbound I-75. The ramp closed June 26 and will likely remain closed until November.

Construction crews will also work on finishing a nearby section of noise wall and a large retention pond.

In the meantime, vehicles on eastbound S.R. 70 will need to make a left-hand turn at the first signal after Tara Boulevard to access the temporary on-ramp for southbound I-75. FDOT said motorists should pay attention to

om se.c u o reh

Wa

ture urni

F

.The w w w

WHAT’S LEFT?

An $80.8 million project to improve the State Road 70 and Interstate 75 interchange and widen that section of the interstate is coming to its closing stages.

Here is what remains: n Ramp from eastbound S.R. 70 to southbound I-75 n Noise wall and retention pond next to eastbound ramp from eastbound S.R. 70 to southbound I-75 n Widening and shoulder improvements for northbound and southbound I-75 n Resurfacing of S.R. 70 n Median improvements on S.R. 70 n Final layer of asphalt and road striping/markings on S.R. 70 n Stormwater and resodding work

signs and pavement markings and expect delays.

Bollas said the widening of southbound I-75 is nearly complete, with shoulder improvements the last remaining hurdle.

The added fourth southbound lane, which is currently open in the short section from north of exit 213 at University Parkway to south of the Braden River, will continue to open in segments.

It might take a bit longer to

File photo

FDOT Community Outreach Manager Brian Bollas says the department expects construction on the S.R. 70 and I-75 project to be completed in November, weather permitting.

widen parts of northbound I-75 because construction crews are focused on improving the road’s shoulders in case it needs to be used for a hurricane evacuation route, Bollas said.

Motorists should expect single-lane closures on I-75 ramps from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the week of July 12, according to a news release. The release also said motorists should expect single-lane closures on northbound I-75 from 8:45 p.m. to 6 a.m. and southbound I-75 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of construction. There could also be double-lane closures on I-75 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of construction.

Bollas said the resurfacing of S.R. 70 has just begun.

Bollas said construction crews are conducting stormwater work and resodding work across various areas near the interchange.

They have also begun working on medians in some areas, including

utility-related constructions and new curbs. An FDOT news release said motorists should expect lane closures on S.R. 70 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of construction.

Once most of the heavy-duty construction is finished, workers will put in a final layer of asphalt and top it off with road markings and striping.

Bollas said FDOT knows that East County residents are anxiously awaiting the completion of the project, adding that the department is grateful for how patient and understanding the public has been while navigating construction and the resulting traffic congestion.

“As the community grows with more population and more jobs, obviously more traffic, we need these improvements to accommodate it,” Bollas said. “So the construction impacts are kind of like growing pains.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Photos by Jay Heater

Above: Chris Smith says his law firm should open its doors in Waterside Place in October.

Left: Michael Demarski, the owner of 3Form Fitness, was the first to get the keys to his business in the new Waterside Place restaurant and entertainment hub.

KEYS TO OPENING Build-outs begin at delayed Waterside Place.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

T

he sprinkles of rain at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch couldn’t dampen the excitement shown by Michael Demarski, who was unlocking the front door of his future 3Form Fitness business.

“I was the first one to get the keys,” Demarski said proudly, holding them up July 7 and shaking them a bit. “Being the first one, I can set the tone for the street. The vibe will be a lot of energy. It’s an honor.”

The fitness center occupies a key location on Lakefront Drive, directly across from the marina, where people are expected to arrive to the entertainment hub by water taxi.

“He probably will be our first tenant to open, and he does have good energy,” said Monaca Onstad, the director of community relations for Lakewood Ranch Communities, which operates under the SMR umbrella. “His location is very visible, and we believe his business will create a lot of movement for the center in general. We see people coming and going, working out, getting a cup of coffee. This will drive great traffic. Absolutely we have faith in him.”

It appears Demarski will have some competition when it comes to becoming the first business to open at Lakewood Ranch. Besides 3Form Fitness, Onstad also said Smith Law is among the first businesses at Waterside Place to receive keys.

OPENING SOON

Tenants who have signed with Waterside Place n The Yoga Shack n O&A Coffee n Kilwins n Paint Nail Bar n Smith Law Attorneys n Crop n Man Cave n Korê n Duck Donuts n Good Liquid n 3Form Fitness n Lakewood Ranch Medical Group

Chris Smith said he has run his law firm for 17 years in Lakewood Ranch and currently is headquartered in the Corporate Park.

His new Waterside Place office, at 1561 Lakefront Drive, Suit 204, is only about a mile from his current office, which has been at 5391 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., for the past 12 years. The first five years were on Professional Parkway in the Corporate Park.

“I’ve been eagerly watching this,” Smith said of Waterside Place’s development. “I jumped at this opportunity, and I believe I was the first one to sign a lease two years ago, preconstruction.

I love this environment and the mixed residential, retail and commercial aspect. It’s a casual urban environment.”

The way the Corporate Park was zoned, restaurants were not part of its make-up. Smith said if any of his employees or cli-

ents wanted a cup of coffee, they would have to get into their car and drive. Now he said they will be able to walk down the street.

When Smith received the keys to his new office, he was so excited that he gathered his staff members and took them over to the new office. Unfortunately, although he had the keys to his office, he didn’t have the fob that allowed him to enter his building.

Obviously, Smith is eager to start construction, but he said a late October opening is most likely. Demarski said he would love to open in September, but he has set Oct. 1 as a goal to be more realistic.

Demarski said his plans for his 2,000-square-foot space are complete and that his contractors are ready to go. All his permits have been approved, except for an issue with his bathroom construction, which he expects to be sorted out any day. His first order of business will be to construct a wall that will separate the 4,000-square-foot space in half.

He said the other side has not yet been leased.

He said he won’t be doing any of the labor himself.

“That’s definitely not my forte,” he said.

The floor will be mostly rubber matting with a strip of artificial turf running down the center.

Mirrors will cover half the wall space while an artist will cover much of the wall space with graffiti and murals.

Smith is going all out on his build-out because he never plans to move his office again. He said he went half-and-half on the build-out cost of $200,000 with SMR. The cost almost doubled after the pandemic due to the rise in building supplies.

“We are building a beautiful interior,” he said of his secondfloor office. “We are splurging with nice art features. Everything we are getting for this office is new.”

Although both business owners hope Waterside Place gets busy as quickly as possible, they said they are stable if customers aren’t strolling the streets as soon as they open.

“Fortunately, we have the type of business we do, where our clients come to us,” Smith said.

Demarski needs the new business, but he said he has “a following” of clients who can’t wait for him to open.

3Form Fitness is a dream come true for Demarski, a 2007 Lake-

“I’ve been eagerly watching this. I jumped at this opportunity, and I believe I was the first one to sign a lease two years ago, preconstruction.

I love this environment and the mixed residential, retail and commercial aspect. It’s a casual urban environment.”

— Chris Smith

wood Ranch High graduate.

“It’s been a dream to do this by myself,” he said. “Everything I’ve done has moved me in this direction.”

The 32-year-old has worked for many corporate fitness companies, such as LA Fitness, Crunch and the Y. Through his contacts, he has had potential financial backers push him to open his own facility, but he wanted to do it on his own.

“I started by cleaning floors at the YMCA (in Lakewood Ranch) when I was 17,” he said. “Over the years, I did well financially, so I can launch my idea.”

His idea is to offer a program where everything is coached and without the personal trainer rates.

He said it is a hybrid that allows for affordable personal training.

It was a model he put together years ago, and then he waited for his opportunity.

His opportunity might also be the first opportunity for Waterside Place, which was expected to see businesses opening in May. The pandemic’s effect on labor, cost of supplies and backlog of permitting have all caused that anticipated opening to move back. Demarski would like to charge forward and be the first to open in October.

Onstad doesn’t want to speculate on the opening of Waterside Place, but she would like to schedule the move of The Market at Lakewood Ranch when the first businesses open. The Market currently is in the parking lot of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

It’s likely that when The Market at Lakewood Ranch does move, Demarski will be there to greet possible new clients.

“I have this beautiful end corner,” he said with a smile. “I have space outside I can use for whatever I need. I fell in love with this unit right away. I’ve worked hard for this.”

3

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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anther Ridge Preserve’s Steve Lescher was living in Punta Gorda in 2004 when three hurricanes came through Southwest Florida.

Hurricane Charley was the first hurricane that Lescher had experienced since moving from Missouri to Florida in 1995.

“Hurricane Charley totally devastated our town,” Lescher said. “That storm came up in three hours. It was never supposed to come anywhere near Punta Gorda. It was supposed to hit Tampa.”

Still, Lescher was prepared.

He put up hurricane screens and moved his plants and outside furniture indoors. He put a ladder inside the closet where he; his wife, Sandy; and his dog sat as the hurricane passed in case the house began to flood and they needed to get to the attic.

After living without power for 17 days and seeing the destruction a hurricane could do to a home, Lescher’s motto is to always be prepared for tropical storms and hurricanes, whether

or not you expect the intensity to be significant.

When he moved to Panther Ridge in 2006, Lescher bought a generator that could power his home in case they ever lost power, especially during a tropical storm or hurricane.

Lescher always goes shopping for food and water at the beginning of summer to have enough food to last his family five days in case a storm hits.

Despite sporadic flooding from Elsa, East County generally was unscathed by the latest big storm to pass through. Lescher worries that people might not take future storms seriously after Elsa didn’t wreak the predicted havoc with the area.

“It’s Mother Nature, and anything can happen,” Lescher said.

“My fear is people won’t prepare because (Elsa) turned out to be nothing. My wish is people prepare for every storm like it will be devastating. If you’re prepared for the worst and get nothing, that’s wonderful. It’s a blessing when we don’t get it, but we have to be prepared in case we do.”

When Waterside’s Carole Jesiolowski was living in a condo on Longboat Key in 2017, she was expecting the worst as Hurricane Irma made its way to Florida.

Longboat Key was being evacuated, so Jesiolowski made her way to Atlanta, which she said was the closest city she could find with a

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hotel room as the hurricane made its way up Florida’s west coast.

Upon her return to Longboat Key, she found downed trees and electrical lines, flooding, and no air conditioning in her building.

It was enough to convince her to take every storm seriously.

“It was tough,” Jesiolowski said. “Every storm after that you watch a little more closely. You say you’re going to be more prepared, you’re going to make sure you have a place to go, and you have a plan already set ahead. You attend meetings the town holds on what to do in case of a hurricane. Until you experience it, you really don’t know.”

When Jesiolowski moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2019, one of the first household items she purchased was a generator.

She sees Elsa as a test run to make sure she is prepared this hurricane season.

She had her generator, water and food and did a mental checklist of people she knows and how she could help them if needed.

She was prepared.

“I just kind of enjoyed watching the rain and wind, and the power of that is pretty awesome to see,” Jesiolowski said. “I was feeling a little self assured that I was going to be OK.” After Elsa passed, Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team President Jim Emanuelson said East County residents tend to let their guard down easily when it comes to hurricane season.

Even though Elsa was somewhat of a false alarm for East County, he said the storm should serve as a reminder that people should keep their guard up. He said it is impossible to know how big the next storm will be.

IF YOU GO

Brendan Lavell

Traffic drives through standing water July 7 on the side of Rye Road outside the Southern Oaks neighborhood in Bradenton.

“These storms, when they get big, they can be a risk to your safety and maybe even your life.”

— Jim Emanuelson, Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team President

“These storms, when they get big, they can be a risk to your safety and maybe even your life,” Emanuelson said.

Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer said any size of storm so early in hurricane season gives people a preview of what might follow. He said the quickness Elsa went from a tropical storm to a hurricane and then steered toward Manatee County should

SG

be a reminder of how things can change in a hurry.

He hopes residents use Elsa to remember that the time to prepare for hurricanes is at the start of hurricane season, not when a storm is already on its way. He said waiting until the last minute is dangerous. Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.

If Elsa sparked some concern, he said that could be a positive.

“Hopefully, if they waited, now they’ve collected their water and their canned goods,” Litschauer said. “Going through those steps and getting ready, that’s the biggest thing.”

In the past, Litschauer said early storms tend to convince people to be prepared for what follows, even if the storm causes little damage. As an example, he said that people might be testing their generators for the first time this year.

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Register: LWRCert.org/ events More information: LWRCERT.org Contact: Lakewood Ranch CERT by phone 4048606 or email at CERT@ LWRCERT.org.

Emanuelson said East County residents tend to think about the next storm when even a weak one passes. Lakewood Ranch’s Community Emergency Response Team has noticed spikes in volunteers after early season storms in the past.

The county’s Emergency Management Division doesn’t have a season as it prepares for hurricanes all year round. Workers go through exercises where they imagine scenarios and explain

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

what Plan A, B, C, D and so forth would be. However, Litschauer said it doesn’t quite compare to the week’s worth of work they go through when a storm is on its way.

“It’s almost like if you were in a production or a play,” Litschauer said. “That first practice can be compared to opening day.

Although we go through the exercises, it’s still not the pressure of my phone’s going off, the notifications are going off, things like that. In an exercise, you do it, but you’re not under those time restraints: long days, so-and-so is on vacation, so-and-so is sick, this piece of equipment is not working. It gives that real life.”

Litschauer said Elsa gave them the chance to work together and communicate with the Public Works Department, Utilities Department, Florida Department of Health in Manatee County and, of course, law enforcement officers.

Aside from reviewing plans and working out kinks in the process, the Emergency Management Division had the chance to work on some new parts of its process because of Elsa. For example, it was the first time the county used an electronic registration process at its shelters. The county finished setting up the electronic system the night before Elsa hit.

At special needs shelters, Elsa gave the Emergency Management Division workers the opportunity to unload, test and set up equipment that hadn’t been used in more than six months.

“It could be working the day you put it in (storage), and when you bring it out, it might not,” Litschauer said. “This allows us to tune and test that equipment early in the season.”

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Other schools that will see construction upgrades are Lakewood Ranch High School, Freedom Elementary and Carlos E. Haile Middle School.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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hasn’t decided whether to renovate or replace, according to Bill Horton, the school district’s new director of construction services.

Horton said the results of the Castaldi analysis, which cost the district $4,850, should be available in a month.

If the analysis determines it is more cost effective to replace Tara Elementary rather than renovate, Horton said the information will be presented to Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the district, who will then determine if she wants to pursue that direction. If Saunders chooses to replace the school, the information will be shared with the School Board of Manatee County, and if the board decides to replace the school, the study will be submitted to the Department of Education for approval or denial.

Manatee Technical College also will see an expansion that includes a two-story building for adult education classrooms, testing center, labs, circulation and restrooms on its main campus on State Road 70. MTC also will have a new firing range and driving course in Myakka City.

Here’s what construction and renovations students, teachers and families can expect to see at East County schools: GENE WITT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Budget: $23.4 million Renovation and eight-classroom addition Scope of work: New ceilings, roofs, ductwork, lighting and paint; enhanced campus security; enlarged cafeteria; reconfigured administration area; and upgraded restrooms.

Completed work: Construction of eight-classroom addition, ren-

MANATEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAIN CAMPUS

BRADEN RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL

LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH SCHOOL

Budget: $16.5 million 20-classroom addition Scope of work: New 20-classroom, two-story wing addition and the relocation and/or removal of portables and associated site work Completed work: The architect

More students will be able to attend Braden River Middle School once the addition and renovation are complete.

and construction manager have been approved, and the project is in the schematic design stage.

Current work: Schematic design Timeline: Complete design and permitting of the project expected to take about 10 months with construction starting afterward; estimated completion date for the project is fall 2023.

TARA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Budget: $27.5 million Renovation or replacement and four-classroom addition Scope of work: Castaldi analysis; if a renovation is conducted, the renovation will include replacing roof and covered walkways as needed and the renovation of the school’s mechanical systems; four-classroom wing addition.

Current work: Castaldi analysis Timeline: The district is working on a Castaldi analysis to determine whether it is more cost effective to replace or renovate the school.

Results from the analysis are expected in a month. The district

and school board then will determine a course of action based on the results of the analysis.

CARLOS E. HAILE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Budget: $36.13 million Renovation and 10-classroom addition Scope of work: Renovation of entire school and 10-classroom addition and associated covered walkway to replace portables Status of project: An advertisement for an architect and construction manager have not been posted. Horton said the district will post upcoming projects in the fall.

FREEDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Budget: $3.93 million Eight-classroom addition Scope of work: Addition of eight-classroom wing and associated covered walkway to replace portables Status of project: Advertise-

Budget: To be determined Expansion including two-story building Scope of work: Construction of two-story building for adult education classrooms, testing center, labs, circulation and restrooms Status of project: Architect contract will be presented to the school board for approval July 27. The district is working on the design of the facility. No date has been set to advertise for the construction manager.

MANATEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE FIRING RANGE AND DRIVING COURSE

Budget: $4 million New firing range and driving course in Myakka City Scope of work: Construction of outdoor shooting lanes with backstops and control booth, small classroom building, regulation driving pad, parking area and associated site work and stormwater retention Status of project: The design process will begin after the school board approves the architect contract July 27. Once approved, design and permitting should take about eight months with construction taking about a year.

The Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy, the Bradenton Police Department and other stakeholders are working together on the project.

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ments for an architect and a construction manager have not been posted. Horton said the district will post upcoming projects in the fall.

ovations in all buildings except the administration building and traffic queueing Current work: Completion of the reconfiguration and renovation of the administration building.

Timeline: Began site work in June 2019; began construction in June 2019; total project completion is expected in August 2021.

Project is under budget and a year ahead of schedule.

Budget: $26 million Renovation and six-classroom addition Scope of work: Comprehensive campuswide renovation that includes new ceilings, ductwork, lighting, paint, flooring and technology, as well as upgraded restrooms, enlarged cafeteria, enhanced campus security and reconfigured media center and administration area Completed work: Additional portables put on campus in March Current work: Reconfiguration of administration area, construction on the six-classroom addition, renovation on Building 6 and enlargement of the cafeteria Timeline: Additional portables in place in March; construction began in April; work on Building 1 is expected to be complete in the fall; total project completion is expected in August 2022.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

EAST COUNTY

PULL TRIGGER ON SAFETY

“Proper instruction shows people what they can or can’t do. In a crisis situation, you get tunnel vision.”

Larry Johnson decided to teach gun safety after seeing an abundance of new gun owners throughout the U.S.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

H

olding a life-sized cutout of one of America’s most prolific authors, River Club’s Larry Johnson slid Mark Twain behind a cut-out of a “bad guy” with a gun.

He then moved 10 yards away from the cutouts, looking back as if he was going to shoot the aforementioned bad guy, who only was slightly in front of Twain.

“Do you want to shoot Mark Twain?” Johnson asked rhetorically. “No!” He then took a couple steps to his left, and suddenly, with a different angle to the target, the scribe was out of harm’s way in case his rescuer wasn’t a crack shot.

Johnson, a counter-terrorism expert and a former key official with both the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. State Department, has seen gun sales soar in the U.S. as the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest has spurred many to consider a gun purchase for self defense. A National Sport Shooting Foundation report said 5.5 million guns were sold January through March in the U.S. The NSSF reported 40% of those sales were to firsttime gun buyers.

Johnson worries Mark Twain is going to get shot.

So Johnson, a National Rifle Association-certified safety instructor, decided to give back to his community by becoming a firearms safety instructor at the Manatee Gun and Archery Club in Myakka City.

“The thing with firearms is that it’s a physical skill,” Johnson said.

“It’s connected to your brain. You need to have repetition for it to be natural. When you are threatened, your brain goes back to caveman.

The things you should be thinking about, you are not thinking about,” such as moving two steps to the left to change the angle to the target.

Johnson is hoping first-time gun buyers, or those who haven’t shot a firearm in years or haven’t taken a safety course, get out to the range to practice with their weapon. The fear is that the gun

gets stored in a nightstand and then might be fired for the first time during a moment of extreme stress.

“Proper instruction shows people what they can or can’t do,” Johnson said. “In a crisis situation, you get tunnel vision.”

Johnson walks along the range’s firing line, looking to see if he can offer safety tips. Some of the most basic gun safety rules are the most abused. He said you must assume every gun is loaded — simple enough, but often ignored.

To Johnson, a gun’s safety is your trigger finger, which never should be on the trigger until you are ready to fire. Like golf, a proper grip is needed to produce an accurate, and safe, shot.

Which is a shooter’s dominant eye? Do you aim with both eyes open when using your handgun at close range?

Although many of Johnson’s generation grew up with guns, and therefore were exposed to gun safety, he said new generations were not raised that way. And even the older generations could use refresher courses or practice.

“I’ve seen remarkable things as a volunteer safety instructor,” he said. “I saw a Vietnam veteran, and I assumed he knew what he was doing. No, he didn’t.”

East County’s Warren Strauss, who identified his age as “older than 60,” knew before he met Johnson that he was a novice.

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

— Larry Johnson

Photos by Jay Heater

Former CIA executive says abundance of new gun owners need safety lessons.

“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.”

ABOUT LARRY JOHNSON Lives: River Club Age: 66 Volunteerism: Teaches gun safety at the Manatee Gun and Archery Club in Myakka City Safety class: For his firearms safety class, go to Sonar21.com/firearms.

Business: Owner and founder of BERG Associates, which specializes in money laundering investigations, product counterfeiting investigations, financial analysis and counter terrorism Job highlights: Larry Johnson is a veteran of the CIA and the State Department’s Office of Counter Terrorism. He is the founder and managing partner of BERG Associates, which was established in 1998.

Larry provided training to the U.S. Military’s Special Operations community for 24 years.

“The only thing I knew about guns was from the movies,” Strauss said. “I didn’t want to be like the old guys running around with guns, and they don’t know what they are doing.”

In January, Strauss went to the Manatee Gun and Archery Club, which is open to the general public, and was told to ask for Larry Johnson. He took Johnson’s safety

Jim Kasica of Port Charlotte walks the Steel Challenge as instructor George Fisch gets ready to deliver an evaluation of his performance.

course and now is a regular visitor to the range.

“The course allows us to be confident and not feel you’re a newbie,” Strauss said. “I understand safety now. If you use a circular saw improperly, it could ruin your life. It’s similar. I’m trained as an accountant, and I have an eraser.

Guns don’t have erasers.”

Billy Franklin is the manager and senior chief range safety officer at the Manatee Gun and Archery Club. He said the club has seen tremendous growth that corresponds with the national trend of more gun sales. The club has 650 members and has gained more than 100 members in the past 12 months.

Franklin notes that every shooter who comes to the club must take a safety briefing before going to the range. For those seeking more safety tips or training, the club has more than 30 range safety officers, mostly volunteers.

“Basically, you are getting safety instruction every time you come in,” Franklin said.

Although shooters have many options, Franklin said Johnson is a good pick.

“Larry is patient, and he is able to express himself clearly,” Franklin said.

Franklin said one problem he sees is new gun owners base their purchases on their friends’ favorite guns. The range’s instructors often can give advice about a gun that is a better fit for the individual. Johnson noted that while, for example, someone smaller might believe a short-barreled gun would be perfect, it might be harder to control.

Eventually, gun owners can try the club’s Steel Challenge, a course shooters walk that offers different challenges and targets and more adequately represents the scenario that a gun-owner might encounter if threatened.

The course was designed by Sydney and George Fisch of Parrish, and they, or other volunteers, accompany the shooters as they navigate the course and evaluate their performance.

Johnson likes the Fisches’ course, and that means a lot because he had to take a 12-week para-military course with the CIA. “Looking back on my training, it actually was terrible,” he said.

In contrast, the Fisches’ course teaches shooters to consider their angles and movement as they walk the course.

“The reality is you aren’t likely to be standing and shooting at a stationary target,” Johnson said.

He isn’t suggesting gun owners come out blasting if someone is breaking into their house.

“The first thing is to barricade yourself in and call 911,” he said.

If things escalate, preparation could be key.

“Most people in urban areas and the suburbs haven’t been taught (safety instruction),” he said. “That ignorance represents a danger. They need to be taught to load and operate their weapon and to handle malfunctions.

Knowledge equates to being in control.”

Publisher / Emily Walsh EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth LRuth@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writer / Liz Ramos, LRamos@YourObserver.com; Brendan Lavell, BLavell@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 Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@yourobserver.com Digital Sales and Business Development Manager / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver. com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@ YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@ YourObserver.com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver.com; Brenda White, BWhite@YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Audri Ferguson, AFerguson@ YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver. com Advertising Assistant / Sam Johnson, SJohnson@yourobserver.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist Emma Burke, EBurke@yourobserver. com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Marketing Coordinator / Samantha Dischinger, SDischinger@YourObserver. com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway MHolloway@YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Allison Wampole Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver. com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver. com Controller / Rafael Labrin, rlabrin@YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@YourObserver. com

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SIDE OF RANCH

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

9

JAY HEATER

Ranch earns No. 1 sales rank I

f you look up Laura Cole’s bio, it tells you that as a Schroeder-Manatee Ranch vice president, “Laura leads the residential arm for Lakewood Ranch, the nation’s top-selling multigenerational community in 2018, 2019 and 2020.”

Adding “multigenerational” is a roundabout way of saying Lakewood Ranch was No. 2 in homes sold, albeit a terrific standing among the nation’s top master-planned communities.

Still, those of you who have been associated with SMR know this is a company that doesn’t want to be No. 2 in anything. To say this atmosphere, to be the best, is intense, is an understatement.

So when it became obvious Lakewood Ranch wasn’t likely to overtake retirement community giant The Villages in terms of homes sold, another strategy was employed.

SMR’s news releases added “multigenerational” to the mix.

Suddenly, No. 2 slid to No. 1.

It wasn’t king of the world, though. It was king of our world.

On Monday, real estate consulting firm Robert Charles Lesser & Co. LLC delivered the news. Lakewood Ranch no longer needed a qualifier. It was simply No. 1.

Long live the king.

Cole knew SMR’s sales had been fast and furious, but she

was fifth at 534.

“It’s a big deal — yeah!” Cole said the day after the report was released. “You always wonder if you can overcome that number.”

That number was The Villages’ tremendous sales numbers year after year. Having sold more than 60,000 homes, The Villages ranked No. 1 for sales for the 11th consecutive year on the RCLCO study. The retirement community spans three counties (Sumter, Lake and Marion) and covers 32 square miles. Its sales continue to grow, but Lakewood Ranch’s sales grew faster in the first half of 2021.

Cole admitted it is nice to take the qualifier off Lakewood Ranch’s claim to No. 1, but she added, “The reason we got (to the current No. 1) was because of the multigenerational aspect.

One sale has become three. It’s had a compounding effect.”

She explained that when buyers of one generation are moving to Lakewood Ranch, they are convincing other generations in their family to follow.

The reasons for Lakewood Ranch’s success are straightforward, she said. Beautiful homes, more services, more restaurants.

With Waterside at Lakewood Ranch ramping up and all the developments being added east of Lorraine Road, that No. 1 standing could be sustained.

“We don’t live and breathe

Jay Heater

Buyers from all over the U.S. have been gobbling up Lakewood Ranch homes, such as this one in the Genoa community of the Lake Club.

had heard demand was up all over the country and that other master-planned communities were experiencing similar success. When the results were tallied, though, none of the competitors could keep up.

Lakewood Ranch posted 1,535 sales through the first half of 2021, 83% higher than last year’s pace of 838 homes sold. That percentage increase in sales was by far the most among the top 20 master-planned selling commu-

nities in the nation. The Villages, which didn’t take part in the study, was credited with 1,226 homes, according to RCLCO’s research.

Not only did Lakewood Ranch overtake The Villages, but it also pulled away from other booming communities throughout the country. Summerlin of Las Vegas was third at 962 sales; Cane Bay Plantation of Charleston, South Carolina, was fourth with 574; and Wellen Park of North Port

by these rankings,” Cole said.

“But it is more validation we are doing something right. Our quality is attracting people and resonating with people. It’s about everything that goes into making a community attractive.

That allows us to keep planning with confidence.”

Cole said the beginning of this week has featured work days as usual, but there are a lot of smiles going around.

“A lot of emails are flying back and forth,” she said. “Everybody here is invested and has a role.

In our industry, (the RCLCO rankings) are the top accolade you can get. People have voted with their dollars. Gosh, it’s a nice recognition. People like living here, and they tell others. It takes on a life of its own.”

Although no official celebration is planned, Cole said a special happy hour is in the works.

First, though, she needs to change her bio.

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

A fresh perspective ODA rising senior hopes to bring a new perspective to the Manatee Literacy Council.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

W

hen Samantha Malcolm, a rising senior at Out-of-Door Academy, logged onto her first Manatee Literacy Council board meeting June 9, she was nervous.

She virtually met with a group of adults with experience with the Manatee Literacy Council while she was a 17-year-old high school student new to the board.

It didn’t take long for Malcolm to see the passion of the board members and for her to be excited about the potential opportunities she had as a board member to make a difference with an organization focused on increasing the level of functional literacy in adults in Manatee County.

Although she is a senior in high school, Malcolm, who lives in Lakewood Ranch, has the same voting powers as the rest of the board, an opportunity afforded to her after completing the 10-week Star Leadership Program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.

“This is something you can take with you for life,” Malcolm said. “The experiences I’m going to gain now are going to probably help me throughout my life, espe-

opportunity.”

Patricia McMahon, a Manatee Literacy Council board member and the adult adviser for Malcolm, said the council asked to have a Star Leadership Program participant apply to be a member of the nonprofit’s board because the board wanted the perspective of a young person.

“We are working hard on diversity, equity, inclusion and access, and of course, age is one of those factors, which I think is where Samantha will make a huge contribution in terms of a perspective of a younger person with fresh ideas,” McMahon said.

As an adult adviser, McMahon has helped introduce Malcolm to the nonprofit and explained the bylaws of the board and how the nonprofit functions.

McMahon described Malcolm as attentive, caring, motivated, engaging and dedicated to helping others.

McMahon was impressed with Malcolm’s studies of multidimensional poverty, meaning the different disadvantages that contribute to a person being in poverty, such as limited access to health care and housing, lack of education and more. Malcolm did an independent project on multidimensional poverty as a junior.

“I’m interested in pursuing public policy in college, but there wasn’t one specific thing I grabbed onto,” Malcolm said.

“The reason I was interested in multidimensional poverty was that it encompassed a lot of different aspects of life and showed

ABOUT MANATEE LITERACY COUNCIL The Manatee Literacy Council, which was formed 1978, is a volunteer based nonprofit working toward increasing the level of functional literacy in adults in the county. The nonprofit’s volunteer tutors work with learners one-on-one to develop English and reading skills.

Other programs include conversation classes and classes in workplace literacy, financial literacy and digital literacy.

cially in college.”

Malcolm wanted to participate in the Star Leadership Program because it teaches leadership skills, promotes lifelong civic engagement and develops youth and adult partnerships. She also saw it as an opportunity to give back to her community once she learned she would be serving on the board of a nonprofit.

She said the ability to be a voting member of a board of a nonprofit is what drew her to the program.

“It makes me not take the role lightly,” Malcolm said. “I want to do as much as I can with it. I want to make sure I get the most out of it and don’t shy away from anything because I have this unique

how things are connected, just like policies are connected to how people live.”

After doing months of research on multidimensional poverty, Malcolm said being involved with the Manatee Literacy Council could provide her opportunities to see the real-life impacts a lack of literacy could make on an individual rather than basing her knowledge off what she found online.

“It’s not just going to be something I’ve read about and learned about; it’s going to be something I can see and I’m interacting with,” Malcolm said. “I’m going to be doing my part to try to help that.”

McMahon said by the time she finishes her term on the board next year, Malcolm will have a better understanding of the reality of Manatee County.

“She understands there’s a social dilemma out there, but through us, she will very much be in touch with that through the reality of our learners and their tutors and how they work together to be able to make a lot of dreams come true.”

As a board member, Malcolm will serve on one of the nonprofit’s four committees — education, fundraising, marketing and communication or governance — as well as volunteer for events and participate in other aspects of the Manatee Literacy Council.

“I can use my voice and not be afraid of trying to solve issues,” Malcolm said.

She’s leaning toward joining the education committee, which

Courtesy photo

Samantha Malcolm’s interest in literacy and its impacts on people’s lives are part of the reason she wanted to be a member of the Manatee Literacy Council’s board.

includes focusing on the curriculum, developing new programs and expanding current programs.

“I feel like that’s the one where you really get to see the products being put into use,” Malcolm said.

“You get to see how it is impacting people. You get to help form the decisions of what will most help impact people.”

As a board member, Malcolm wants to promote awareness of the nonprofit, especially in Lakewood Ranch, as well as develop relationships with the board members, volunteers and learners in the nonprofit.

“I want to give back, and I want to make sure more learners have a successful path,” Malcolm said.

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Chain reaction The play highlights historical deeds involving Albert Einstein and contralto Marian Anderson.

D

eborah Brevoort’s “My Lord, What a Night” explores the explosive consequences that flowed from a real-life historical event.

The time is 1937; the place, Princeton, New Jersey. Marian Anderson, the celebrated Black contralto, had just performed in concert to a standing ovation. A racist insult quickly followed this honor. The whitesonly Nassau Inn refused to give her a room. Albert Einstein was one of Anderson’s biggest fans.

He had driven her to the hotel after her performance. After they turned Anderson away, he drove her to his home. Einstein then offered to let her stay there for the night. Anderson accepted — and a powerful chain reaction ensued.

The play begins at the moment they’ve just walked in.

The sense of urgency does too.

A mob of reporters gathers on Einstein’s (aka David Edwards) front lawn. You can’t see them, but you can hear them — clamoring to come inside for a quote or a photograph. White Brainboy Opens Doors to Black Songbird! Now that’s a story! Then Einstein’s supervisor, Abraham Flexner (Rod Brogan), arrives.

He wants to make sure there’s no story to print.

Flexner tries to relocate Anderson (Thursday Farrar) to the “colored YMCA.” It seems like a craven fear of bad PR at first, but his motives go deeper.

Flexner is the head of Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study and has been using that position to rescue a handful of Jewish scientists from Nazi

Germany. Princeton University is still on the quota system — a racist quota that strictly limits the number of Jewish faculty members. If Einstein’s latest bleeding-heart deed grabs national headlines, the university might shut the doors to any more — refugees included.

Anderson actually considers leaving. Then Mary Church Terrell (Nehassaiu deGannes) arrives. She’s the founder of the National Association of Colored Women, and she wants the contralto to take a public stand.

Will she?

The conflict boils down to a war between public and private self. On the one hand, a physicist who has become a public figure and gleefully uses his fame to push for political change. On the other hand, a talented singer who doesn’t want to turn into a symbol, though that might give her the power to actually change things.

The play fast-forwards to 1939, the year of Anderson’s groundbreaking concert at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. She was originally scheduled to sing at Constitution Hall. The Daughters of the American Revolution objected because of her skin color. Her first thought is to reach out to Eleanor Roosevelt, a high-profile DAR member.

(Thanks to Einstein’s friendship with the first lady, that’s possible.) She could pressure the organization to change. Roosevelt actually resigns from the DAR. It occurs to Anderson that singing to a segregated, whitesonly audience is no victory, but singing in public to everybody at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial is. That sets the stage for Anderson’s groundbreaking

Photo courtesy of Matthew Holler

Thursday Farrar and David Edwards perform in Florida Studio Theatre’s “My Lord, What a Night.”

IF YOU GO What: “My Lord, What a Night” When: Through Aug. 15 Tickets: $36-$39 Where: FST Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. Info: Call 366-9000, or visit FloridaStudioTheatre. org.

concert — and the very public stand she takes. But that uplifting moment is undercut by dark history. Einstein, the pacifist, gets word that Hitler’s scientists are working on an atomic bomb. As much as he loathes it, he has to write to Franklin Delano Roosevelt and tell him that America needs to build its own A-bomb first. Oy. The acting is strong, but underplayed. These are smart, civilized individuals. Expect no shouting match. Farrar’s portrayal is very internalized.

Her Anderson doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve, and she thinks about every word before

she says it. Edwards’ Einstein is a bit of an easy-going prankster, and he’s got nothing to prove. He’s very lighthearted, until some outrage stirs his sense of injustice. (He reminds me of the Silicon Valley billionaires who go around in tattered, old clothes because they can.)

DeGannes’ Terrell burns with gemlike flame. Her character is no spring chicken, but her inner conviction drives her to feats of prodigious energy — and sometimes to the point of collapse.

Brogan’s Flexner is nuanced. He keeps advocating for the easy way out. He knows how weak he seems, but he’s motivated by an inner strength.

Lea Umberger’s costumes perfectly fit the characters. They range from Anderson’s precisely tailored public image on the one extreme and Einstein’s indifference to appearance on the other. Scenic designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay depict Einstein’s study as a place of creative chaos. Doric columns imply classical order. But books and papers proliferate like kudzu all around them.

Kate Alexander’s direction

brings order to this clash of personalities. You’re clear on where everybody stands. She maintains that clarity while strictly avoiding the artificiality of an obvious message play. Brava.

Brevoort’s script is strong.

The playwright achieves that strength without hype. Her characters are real; their dialogue is never forced. If this play had been a TV episode, they’d call it a bottle show. It’s a small, self-contained action in a single room, but it stands for big moments of history unfolding in the world outside. Brevoort’s captured lightning in a bottle with this play. That’s never easy.

But she did it.

“My Lord, What a Night” offers an insightful glimpse at two game-changing moments in history. It’s the kind of meaty summer fare you expect at Florida Studio Theatre. But that’s not the only stage where it’s now opening. FST’s local premiere is part of the National New Play Network’s rolling world premiere at theaters nationwide now. We hope it’ll keep rolling in the future.

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13

TRIBUTES

He cultivated innumerable deep and meaningful friendships throughout the community, and many consider him a mentor or an honorary ‘uncle.’ He had a positive and profound impact on the lives of everyone he touched.

William R. (“Bill”) Korp. Born November 29, 1932; died June 25, 2021.

Sarasota. Bill often liked to comment that when he got married, he got a dog.

In Sarasota, Bill began his law practice, founding the firm Stinnett, Surfus, Korp & Payne. His partners in this first venture included Robert Stinnett, Jerry Surfus, and Howard Payne. The firm was eventually joined by Richard Nelson. Kate accepted a position teaching Art at Sarasota High School. Several years later, Bill established Korp & Wheeler, Attorneys at Law, in Venice, Florida. Kate accepted a position with Manatee Community College South Campus teaching Art and Art History & Appreciation. In 1971, their son William Alexander was born.

In 1979, Bill helped organize the law practice of Isphording, Korp, Payne & Muirhead. Bill, Roger Isphording, Howard Payne, and Bill Muirhead remained partners for almost 20 years. In 1998, Bill joined Abel, Band and then Lutz, Bobo, and Telfair in 2009. At these latter two firms, he became good friends with and mentor to Scott Gordon. In 2020, the Senior Counsel of Sarasota County bestowed upon Bill the prestigious Esteemed Colleague Award. He loved the practice of law and looked forward to going to the office every weekday, including the Monday before he checked himself into the hospital.

Bill was active in many Florida civic and political activities, and he served on the State Committee to Reelect President Gerald R. Ford. In 1976, Bill and Kate were invited by President Ford to a State Dinner at the White House honoring the Emperor and Empress of Japan. He was

State Chairman of the Young Republican Club from 1964 to 1966. He participated in the Sarasota County Republican Executive Committee (1966-1975), Time Sifters Archaeology Society, and the Gulf Coast Italian Culture Society (GCICS). He was president of these latter two organizations for many years.

The fine arts and performing arts were particular pleasures for Bill and he ardently supported local theatre and music, especially the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, the Asolo Theatre, and the Sarasota Opera.

Bill’s interests in art, history and archaeology led him around the world. Bill and Kate honeymooned amidst Mayan Pyramids and navigated treacherous Incan roads. Eventually, their son Alex joined them, and they travelled even further afield. The family safaried in East Africa, boated down the Nile, and walked in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks. In Europe, they toured countless castles and museums and indulged in their shared love of unique cuisines. Over the years, they often returned to Europe, and Bill and Kate’s out-going, fun-loving and generous personalities attracted people who would become life-long friends everywhere they went. When his son married and had children of his own, the rental cars got bigger and so did the adventures. Of all his travels, the night spent at Abu Simbel, Egypt was his favorite.

Besides the Arts, Bill loved everything about the outdoors and was an avid birdwatcher. He enjoyed sailing, fishing, and all

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CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Later in the summer DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program, the GCICS Scholarship Fund, or the Sarasota Opera.

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Last Friday we lost a friend, a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, and a mentor. Bill was a man of valor, beloved by all who were touched by him. May his memory be a blessing.

Born in Lima, Ohio, Bill moved with his parents, Enid and Logan Korp, brother Richard and sister Marilyn to Orlando, Florida in 1933. Bill attended Kaley Elementary School; Cherokee Junior High School, where he was the Ninth Grade Class President; and Orlando High School where he was president of his Senior Class. He also played Varsity Basketball at OHS and was selected as Most Valuable Player in 1950. He graduated in 1950 with Honors and received a basketball scholarship to The University of Florida. At UF, he pledged Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and was a fervent member of Gator Nation his whole life.

After graduating from Florida, Bill was commissioned by the US Air Force. He was stationed in Japan during the Korean Conflict attaining the rank of First Lieutenant.

He served as a navigator on reconnaissance missions and dealt in electronic countermeasures. He was proud of his military career, always believed in serving his country, and relished every aspect of his time in the Air Force. However, it also created in him a life-long aversion to standing in lines.

Upon leaving the Air Force in 1959, Bill returned to Florida, took advantage of the GI Bill, and enrolled at the Stetson University College of Law in St Petersburg, Florida. He graduated in 1962. One evening in 1961, he tried to pick up Kate Page in The Stetson University Library. She was preoccupied that evening, but he was uniquely nice, respectful, and persistent. When he invited her to dinner and the ballet, she realized he might be special. After Kate returned from graduate work in France, they became close friends and then lovers and eventually married in 1963. In 1964, Bill, Kate, and Kate’s dog “Snitzy” moved to

water sports. He especially loved restoring old boats, though perhaps they didn’t always love him back. Among his favorites were his sailboat “Ricochet,” named for its tendency of bouncing off docks, his fishing boat “Bad Companion,” and his ski boat “Kate’s Craft.” One of his great joys was teaching his son and his son’s friends to fish, camp, and water ski.

He delighted in entertaining and the parties he and Kate threw were legendary.

He cultivated innumerable deep and meaningful friendships throughout the community, and many consider him a mentor or an honorary ‘uncle.’ He had a positive and profound impact on the lives of everyone he touched.

Most of all, he cherished his family and despite all his interests and commitments, he was always present. Never missing a game, performance, or exhibit, Bill always made time for those he loved. He treasured his role as husband, father, and grandfather.

Bill is survived by his wife Kate of 59 years, his son Alex, his daughter-in-law, Christina and his grandchildren, Brielle and Logan. He is also survived by Kate’s goddaughter, Francesca Turner and her daughter Uli. A celebration of life is planned for later in the summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program, the GCICS Scholarship Fund, or the Sarasota Opera.

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William R. (“Bill”) Korp 1932-2021

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

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Surrounded by his loving family, Chippy, (15 years and 11 months) (formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio) peacefully passed away in his home with his mommy and daddy by his side.

Chip was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He had a successful modeling career with Frontgate Magazine. He became certified and a member of the AKC in 2006.

He was honored by the Mayor of Cincinnati with a recognized Proclamation Day. He Graduated from PSAcademy. He has been featured on several calendars and awarded recognition by SISCA. Chip enjoyed playing “the stair game”, playing with Mr. Duck and Mr. Blue Football. He also loved to give kisses. Chippy was always happy and ready for anything.

He loved with all his heart and was loved by everyone. He is known for his Christmas Card Pictures, (always being the first) Chippy Palooza, Yogurt Drops (that kind of party) and Unwrapping others gifts.

Chip is survived by his Mommy, Daddy, Lots of Aunties, Uncles, Cousins and Friends. Chip was preceded in death by his amazing grandparents Pat ( Stephanie) and Barry (Charlie) Uncle David, Auntie Katie, Jacky ( Chopper, Izzy and Cookie) who will all be waiting for him at the gates of Heaven. A special thanks to Uncle Roger, Auntie Angie, Auntie Laura, Auntie Lizzie and Cousin Emily for helping us over these last several days. Thank you for your Love and Support. Forever in my heart to

JULY 15, 2021

HIGH

SPORTS

5

“It’s not on anyone else to do anything. It’s all on you.”

— Mustangs place kicker Drew Clark SEE PAGE 16

TASTE OF SUCCESS McKenzie Clark was named to the All-ACC First Team as a Tigers freshman.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

2

Former Lakewood Ranch High softball pitcher Brooklyn Lucero threw four innings, allowing three runs, July 9 for the Florida Gulf Coast League’s Bradenton Lynx in the team’s 7-6 win against the Myakka City River Mocs.

3

Cas Kudla, Scott Viola, Michael Viola and Mike Skeff (21 under par) won the Men’s Pro Shop Buddy event July 10 at Palm Aire Country Club.

4

Chris Edwards, Libby Edwards, Tom Turek and Janet Turek (102) won the July 4th Tournament at University Park Country Club.

5

Rick Butler, Judy Stillman, Shawn Lawson and Mary Lawson (129) won the Couples’ 4th of July event (two best balls format) at Lakewood Ranch Country Club’s Royal Lakes course.

Photo courtesy Clemson Athletics

including Clark, who added to the team’s unique energy.

The energy drink moment was more evidence that the Tigers found ways to relieve stress at big moments.

“No one expected us to get that far,” Clark said of the ACC title game. “People know our name now. Going into next season, we have to train harder because they’re going to come for us.”

Clark, who mainly played catcher in high school, made the transition to center field, playing 50 games there and only two at catcher. The position switch didn’t affect her, and Clark’s athleticism allowed her to excel. She hit .355 on the season, with nine home runs, nine doubles and an ACC-best six triples to go with her 29 RBIs. Defensively, Clark had a .981 fielding percentage. She also had 23 steals on 29 attempts, something that she is working to improve this offseason, focusing on her increasing her leads and quickening her jumps.

Her success resulted in an AllACC First Team selection.

Clark said there were things she had to learn about college softball through experience. In one early fall season practice, Clark was going through an outfield drill as hard as she could on each rep. A handful of Clark’s more veteran teammates — the program has

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Former Mustangs softball player McKenzie Clark, shown being congratulated by graduate assistant coach Jake Combs, helped Clemson reach the ACC Tournament title game in its second season.

upperclassmen transfers from other schools — advised her not to burn herself out. Each season is a long ride, they told her. Clark learned to set her sights on longterm improvement.

She didn’t have to wait long for the Tigers to improve as a team.

She knew when she committed to the Tigers in 2017 that she would have a hand in building something special. Now that she’s there, and the building has commenced, it’s all she wants to do.

“I am eager to get back with the team this fall,” Clark said. “We’re not satisfied as a team, by any means.”

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Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Cassidy McLellan was named the All-State Softball Class 7A Player of the Year on July 11.

McLellan hit .542 with nine home runs, 15 doubles, six triples and 42 RBIs.

Lakewood Ranch High graduate McKenzie Clark accomplished a lot as a freshman softball player at Clemson University, but it wasn’t home runs that quenched her considerable thirst for success.

Clark said one of her favorite moments of the season came when the Tigers were playing Troy University on May 21 in the NCAA Tournament’s Regional round. It was a crucial game, and young players can get tight in those situations. Clark, however, stayed loose because her attention was not on the game, rather on the jug of blue Powerade sitting in the dugout.

“It was the best Powerade I’ve had in my life,” Clark said. “I said to everyone, ‘Guys, you have to try this.’ And then one of my teammates (freshman Alia Logolio) hit a home run, and while everyone was congratulating her when she got to the dugout, I told her she had to try the Powerade too.”

In that game against Troy, Clark said, the team possessed a “championship energy,” one that carried them to an 8-0 win in five innings. Although the Tigers would eventually get eliminated from the Regional tournament after a 5-0 loss to the University of Alabama, the season was a success in the eyes of Clemson players and fans.

It was the program’s second season of existence and its first season eligible for the postseason. The Tigers went 44-8 and reached the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, falling 1-0 to Duke University. In the team’s pandemic-shortened first season, the Tigers went 19-8. Season two was a large improvement, thanks in part to freshmen

16

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Drew Clark Drew Clark is a rising senior kicker on the Lakewood Ranch High football team. Clark is rated a five-star kicker (No. 29 in the 2022 class) and a 4.5-star punter (No. 41) by Kohl’s Kicking. Clark was named the top kicker at the Kornblue Kicking camp held July 11 at Florida International University. Clark also plays for the school’s soccer team.

When did you start playing football?

It started at the beginning of quarantine (March 2020). I played soccer all my life. I was out kicking footballs at my school with some soccer friends just for fun. A few of the football coaches saw it, and they convinced me to try out for the team.

What was the transition to football like?

The soccer background helped me. There were a few changes I had to make to my form, but I worked my tail off.

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.

What is your favorite memory?

My favorite memory is probably my first game. I was still getting used to the football, but I made my first kick, and I also recorded my first-ever tackle.

Which superpower would you pick?

I would want to be able to breathe underwater. I like being around the water. It would be cool to go anywhere under there and see everything.

Finish this sentence: “Drew Clark is …”

A student-athlete. I love school.

I love working hard at it. I also love my teammates and coaches.

Coach (Rashad) West has helped me so much.

What is the appeal to you?

I love the football team, both my teammates and coaches. It has been great meeting new people.

I like the competition a lot too, especially going to all these summer camps and going against great kickers.

358727-1

What is the best advice you have received?

Just to work as hard as I can.

That will get results. It’s not on anyone else to do anything. It’s all on you.

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

17

RYAN KOHN

SIS back in the boat T

he 2021 Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival, held July 10 at Nathan Benderson Park, had plenty of panache.

Dragon boat events always do.

The boats themselves — manufactured by Great White North Dragon Boat, something of a governing body for the sport — always look resplendent. I am always stunned by the details that go into their creation. As much fun as they are, though, this year’s festival was about more than boats. It was about a group of people getting back to the thing they love the most.

Carla Cwiertnia, 47, and JoAnn Moore, 68, are Lakewood Ranch residents who row for Survivors in Sync, a dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors. The pair offer an interesting contrast.

The festival was Cwiertnia’s first festival since joining the team in January while Moore has been with the team for 15 years, yet it seemed like they were equally excited to be on the water.

“It’s about the teamwork,” Cwiertnia said. “You get to know these people intimately. You trust them, and they trust you to do your best. It brings you together. That’s the best thing.

I’ve made so many friends on this team.

“You share something in common. It’s tough what we all went through, but we have this common thing, and we all beat it.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Left: Sarasota’s Survivors in Sync 200-meter dragon boat team stretches before a race at the Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival at Nathan Benderson Park. The team won the race (1:01.15).

Right: Lakewood Ranch residents Carla Cwiertnia and JoAnn Moore row for Survivors in Sync. They competed at the 2021 Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival. While Moore is a 15-year veteran, the festival was Cwiertnia’s first race.

We can do anything we put our minds to doing.”

Moore said the pandemic put a strain on the team’s ability to be together. When it first hit in spring 2020, the team conducted Zoom meetings. If they couldn’t be together, she said, at least they could still talk. Once things began to open up, the team — which is headquartered at Benderson Park — got on the water in different ways to try and mitigate any risk.

The team used the park’s outrigger canoes and stand-up paddleboards, which fit a single person, and kayaks, which fit two people, to paddle together

at a distance. It wasn’t quite the same, Moore said, but it was certainly better than not seeing one another at all. Moore said once the CDC lifted mask mandates in May, the team went back to practicing in their 20-person dragon boats.

“We love being in the boat together,” Moore said. “We love the camaraderie we have and the dependency that we have with each other to win a race.”

The team did win races at the festival, finishing first in the Sport Breast Cancer Survivor 200-meter final (1:01.15) and the 500-meter final (2:32.10). Winning is fun, of course, but I’m

sure the members of SIS would have had a great time even if they finished last in every race. It’s evident in watching the festival’s breast cancer survivor ceremony, where survivors raise pink flowers above their heads and then toss them into the water. For them, dragon boat is much more than a list of results. It’s about a found family.

“We welcome people with open arms,” Cwiertnia said. “It’s been about six months for me.

Nothing beats this feeling of people knowing what you have been through. It has been amazing.”

For more information on Survivors in Sync, visit SurvivorsIn-

Sync.org.

The festival also saw the NBP Dragons, Benderson Park’s other dragon boat team, competing. The Dragons finished third in the Sport Mixed B Division 500-meter grand final (2:19.69) but won the 200-meter consolation final (56.71).

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

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YOUR NEIGHBORS HOW TO APPLY

Eligible students must be in sixth through ninth grade, show financial need and pass standardized tests.

Students can apply to become Take Stock in Children Manatee scholars, and people can volunteer to become mentors on the nonprofit’s website, ManateeTakeStock.org.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Ailani Maximo, a rising eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, is one of the 60 students selected to be a scholar in the Take Stock in Children Manatee program.

STUDENT’S STOCK RISES Take Stock in Children Manatee invests its resources into Myakka City student.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

A

ilani Maximo, a rising eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School in Lakewood Ranch, knew that if she was going to go to college, it would mean going thousands of dollars in debt.

She said her family, which lives at Faulkner Farms in Myakka City, isn’t financially stable, and her mother, Briseyda Beltran-Carrillo, told her she would need to get loans if she wanted to pursue

a college degree.

Maximo’s heart for helping others and desire to become a nurse inspired her to apply for the Take Stock in Children Manatee program, which provides mentors and scholarships for at-risk students to help them be successful.

So when Maximo was told she had been accepted into the Take Stock program and would be receiving a scholarship for college, she was speechless. Her mother cried.

“It means a lot to me because so many people applied, and me being one of the only people that actually got in it surprises me,” Maximo said. “It shows me things are possible. It shows me that I’m worth it. It’s nice to know I don’t have to put that (financial) stress on my family.”

Ailani Maximo and Ann Colonna, the community liaison for Take Stock in Children Manatee, look forward to working with each other to prepare Maximo for college.

Maximo is one of 60 students throughout Manatee County who were accepted into the Take Stock in Children Manatee program in the 2020-2021 school year.

“What stands out when I interview these students is their hope and desire to have something different than what they have,” said Anne LeBaron-Heller, the executive director of Take Stock in Children Manatee. “They value their family, and their family

unit is strong, but they want to do more. There’s a spark in them that you can just tell they value education, making good grades and having a different path than what they’ve grown up in.”

Once accepted, scholars must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, meet with their assigned mentors, model excellent behavior and attendance, and remain drugand crime-free.

Scholars are assigned a mentor to help them get past any barriers keeping them from being able to focus on their academics. Scholars meet with their mentors for at least 30 minutes per week.

“Mentoring is the secret sauce of our program because people are showing up in these students’ lives,” LeBaron-Heller said.

“What I found is that showing up in someone’s life for 30 minutes a week is a game changer.”

In high school, scholars are given a college success coach to assist with preparing to apply for college, study for the ACT and SAT, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and more.

“It feels relieving that I don’t have to go through all that alone,” Maximo said. “There’s also going to be other students there, so there’s going to be someone else who understands what I’m going through, and they’re going to be there to help me.”

Ann Colonna, the community liaison for Take Stock in Children Manatee, said she could tell Maximo was a caring person just from her application. After learning more about her through the interview process, Colonna said Maximo was the perfect candidate to be a scholar.

Maximo describes herself as a quiet but attentive student with good grades. She’s involved in Health Occupations Students of America and will be involved in Student Government Association next year.

She joined HOSA to expand her knowledge on nursing, the career she hopes to pursue.

“I want to know every day that I have helped someone,” Maximo said. “I’m thinking of specializing as a midwife, so it’s nice to know if I were to do that, I would be able to bring joy to someone.”

BY THE NUMBERS

777

Scholarships awarded by Take Stock in Children Manatee since its inception in 1996

217

School District of Manatee County students in the program as of the 2020-2021 school year

181 60

Mentors in the program

New students accepted during the 2020-2021 school year

65

Students that will be accepted in the 2021-2022 school year

206

Take Stock students currently enrolled in postsecondary education

3.63

Average GPA for high school freshmen in the program

3.58

Average GPA for high school sophomores in the program

3.67

Average GPA for high school juniors in the program

3.43

Average GPA for high school seniors in the program

98

Percent graduation rate of Take Stock students

92

Percent matriculation of Take Stock students into post-secondary education

360129-1

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

19

Lots of vroom for UTC event

L

akewood Ranch car fanatic Matt Hoy used Sarasota’s Coffee and Cars at University Town Center on July 10 to see what type of car he might want to buy in the future.

While going down the rows of cars, he looked at each one carefully.

“This is incredible,” Hoy said.

“It’s good hearing people’s stories on how they got their cars and what they did to them.”

Hoy’s 7-year-old son, Enzo, was able to learn more about the different cars as well. Enzo Hoy had the chance to sit in a Ferrari 458 Speciale, owned by Sarasota’s Joe Noah.

“This is so cool,” Enzo Hoy said.

Heritage Harbour’s Rick Leonard showed off his limited edition 2010 Mopar 10 Challenger. Coffee and Cars was Leonard’s first time participating in a car show. He said he loved seeing the variety of cars on display.

“It’s great to have this big turnout,” Leonard said. “It’s nice when you have this many cars to come and see.”

— LIZ RAMOS

Above: Bradenton’s Danny Hampton cleans his Audi TTS before putting it on display.

Left: Sarasota’s Karly Nasby tries to find a Hudson Hornet with her son, Hudson, and husband, Kyle.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Sarasota’s Jae Honda shows off the work he’s done on his 1974 Super Beetle. The car doesn’t have paint on it, which is why it has a metallic color. Honda used pieces of a refrigerator, his fence and pallet boards to modify his car.

Lakewood Ranch’s Tom Balistreri shares his 1965 Corvette that he’s owned since 1983. Balistreri says driving the car “makes you feel special.”

Lakewood Ranch’s Ella Hoy enjoys seeing her 7-year-old son, Enzo, and husband, Matt, who are car fanatics marvel over the various cars at Coffee and Cars.

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

No snooze, you lose

COME ONE COME ALL

Getting enough sleep is crucial to our well-being.

Here are some steps to ensure you’re getting enough of it.

AS WE CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF ENSURING

ABILITIES SHINE EVERY DAY.

KRISTINE NICKEL

D

o you long for those days when you could sleep for a solid eight, never getting up to make a trip to the bathroom only to get back into bed and stare at the ceiling for an hour or two?

Or when you climbed into bed, rolled over on your side, fell asleep without counting back from 100 by sevens and awoke refreshed instead of crawling to the coffee pot for that early morning jolt of caffeine? And are you growing tired of reading how important sleep is to our well-being, the elixir saving you from all ills yet denied you because of your insomnia, or your destructive late night habits? Join the club and read on.

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A PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared that insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic, and the U.S. is not alone in this. It seems that more than a third of adults in developed countries do not get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Why is this a defined public health problem? The more scientists have discovered the reasons why we sleep, the more they understand that sleeping is the third leg of the wellness stool — diet and exercise being the other two.

We now know sleep props up our immune system aiding our bodies in their resistance to diseases as potentially fatal as cancer and heart disease. Psychiatric diseases, such as depression and anxiety, are amplified by a lack of sleep. Adequate sleep is an important defense against Alzheimer’s disease. Sleep helps us stay slim by regulating hunger hormones.

The bottom line is sleep is the body’s way of enhancing a multitude of functions to keep us healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Most scientists studying sleep now concur adequate sleep is the best thing we can do to stay well.

HAVE I CONVINCED YOU?

No? Please Google “sleep,” and select from myriad scientific studies that will. I promise. Those studies, however, do not ease the frustration of those who do not get the recommended seven to nine hours each night. So, where

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YourObserver.com

IS THOMAS EDISON TO BLAME?

Not really, but the invention of electric lights and before that gas and oil lamps upset the natural order of things (you sleep when the sun goes down and get up when the sun comes up). We now have all manners of artificial illumination to change when we are motivated to lay our heads down.

The way our brains perceive light triggers the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Melatonin takes a few hours to bring about sleep. The importance of this cannot be underestimated.

Matthew Walker in his brilliant book, “Why We Sleep,” explains it this way: “The degree to which evening electric light winds back your internal 24-hour clock is important: usually two to three hours each evening, on average.”

BLUE LIGHT NOT SO SPECIAL

More bad news: Blue LED light has an even more deleterious effect on melatonin release than the yellow of incandescent bulbs.

The blue light emitted from electronic sources is even more sleep disturbing. That compounded by other factors — what is known as the “alert” factor of electronic devices — makes the use of tablets, phones and other devices further damaging to sleep.

Step No. 1 to better sleep is to limit your use of electronic devices beginning in the late afternoon, use lower lighting in the evening and keep your bedroom dark at night. If you must use electronic devices, invest in yellow-tinted glasses, which help filter out blue light, and use them in the afternoon and evening.

THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

21

CHILL OUT — LESS ALCOHOL, LESS HEAT

The hard truth is alcohol is a sedative, and sedatives do not create useful sleep. Sedatives affect the brain like anesthesia. Alcohol also causes you to wake up frequently as well as disrupt REM sleeping, where much of sleep’s restorative processes occur. Stop drinking alcohol, or keep it to a minimum.

As for the temperature in your sleeping quarters, like alcohol, less is more. For a great night’s sleep, you need to reduce your body’s core temperature by 2-3 degrees. Not surprising, melatonin release is also spurred by a reduction in your temperature — like what happens when the sun goes down.

Now that you’re feeling like steps to improve your sleep will thrust you back into the cave, take heart. There are massive technological steps being taken, ranging from tying personal sleep data to temperature control in your sleeping quarters or directing the lighting in your home to release melatonin in a more natural sequence.

The chief thing to remember is improving sleep is worth it.

A concierge practice devoted to internal medicine and wellness.

Kristine Nickel is a marketing communications consultant and former marketing and public relations executive. For more than 30 years, she has relieved her stress by writing features for publications across the country.

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

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Co-Owner Jeremy Osment hopes to attract UTC customers with ‘exotic’ dining.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

I

t was June 2019, and Selva Grill co-Owner Jeremy Osment was in the process of negotiating a deal to build a second location for his restaurant.

Selva Grill’s original location in downtown Sarasota had opened about 14 years earlier, and Osment felt he was ready to expand to a new market. He had zeroed in on a spot in Tampa when he found himself sitting in traffic at East County’s University Town Center. He spotted newly constructed walls for a future building that would be located near the University Parkway entrance to UTC. “You know what?” Osment remembered saying at the time.

“That’s a good-looking building.”

He called his real estate broker the next day, and while they talked about the possibility of trying to finalize their deal in Tampa, he mentioned what he saw at UTC.

IF YOU GO SELVA GRILL Where: 67 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota When: 4-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday Phone: 358-6272 Website: SelvaGrill.com

He met with the listing agent for the UTC building, liked what he heard and created a 3D model of what he wanted his restaurant to look like. He knew it might not be easy to design it around the building’s natural curves and triangular spaces and worried the agent would tell him his vision wasn’t possible.

“The answer was, ‘Yes, we can make it work,’” Osment said.

He scrapped his plans for Tampa and didn’t look back, opening Selva Grill’s second location in May at University Town Center.

For many years, Osment said he didn’t want to open a second location in Sarasota because he didn’t want to compete with himself. However, the rapid growth of Lakewood Ranch led him to won-

355353-1

22

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Brendan Lavell

Selva Grill co-Owner Jeremy Osment stands in front of a mural inspired

by Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” Osment says Selva Grill wants to provide an exotic dining experience for Lakewood Ranch-area residents.

der if it could be an entirely new market for his business, especially considering how close it is to UTC. “The jury’s still out on that,” Osment said. “I felt confident enough that the answer is yes.”

Osment said Selva Grill is a Latin American-inspired steakhouse and seafood restaurant that aspires to provide an exotic experience for customers. Presentation is crucial; Selva builds many of its dishes vertically and includes plenty of color on its plates that Osment said he hopes will wow patrons.

“A lot of restaurants, you go and order steak, it comes on a big white plate, and it’s got a lot of butter on it,” Osment said. “Then you order your own sides. It comes with a la carte, family-style potatoes, broccoli, mac and cheese. Here at Selva, every single entree is chef-

paired with a side and a sauce to be complete. … We’re trying to take people outside of their comfort zone and come into a chefowned restaurant and provide a curated dining experience.”

Selva’s executive chef and coowner, Ysacc Sanchez, is Peruvian. (The restaurant’s third coowner is Raj Rajan.) Sanchez’s Peruvian influence can be seen on the menu, but Osment said the cuisine has been influenced by “exotic fruits and vegetables and spices” from across South America, including Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador.

Osment said the restaurant offers two different dining experiences: one in the dining room and one in the lounge. The dining room is brighter, with natural sunlight complementing blues and greens. It also features a mural inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” like the one featured at the downtown Sarasota location.

The lounge is a bit dimmer and tinted with red. Unlike the dining room, it is first come, first served and does not accept reservations, Osment said.

Osment said the key to succeeding at UTC will be creating a late-night dining scene. He said most people in the area seem to be done with dinner by around 9 p.m. However, he said that was also the case when the original Selva Grill first opened in downtown Sarasota.

“We kind of were at the forefront of creating a scene, so we’re hoping to do that here,” Osment said. “We’ve got a couple other bars that are getting ready to open on the same strip here, so I think we’re at the right timing.”

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

COMMUNITY SATURDAY, JULY 17

REC DAY AT THE PARK Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Nathan Benderson Park hosts Rec Day, which offers participants to try standup paddle boarding, kayaking, canoes, fishing and more. Meet at the base of the finish tower. For more information, go to NathanBendersonPark.org. The fee is $10 per person or $5 for an adult who brings a child. The event is free for children 6 and younger.

Fishing licenses are required for those who choose to fish.

Showcasing young talented students from around the USA!

SUNDAY, JULY 18

YOGA IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free yoga workout at Bob Gardner Park. The event is hosted by The Yoga Shack Florida. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For information or to register, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

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MARKET AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Market at Lakewood Ranch runs every Sunday through September. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21

VOLLEYBALL IN THE PARK Begins at 11 a.m. at Summerfield Community Park, 6402 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts casual sand volleyball for ages 18 and above.

The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 22

CASUAL CORNHOLE Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Community Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts cornhole for those 18 and above. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 24

KIDS KICKBALL Begins at 11 a.m. at Bob Gardner Community Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities host kids kickball for those ages 7-12. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 25

MARKET AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Market at Lakewood Ranch runs every Sunday through September. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Take It On...

Together!

BEST BET TUESDAY, JULY 20 TO SUNDAY, JULY 25

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SOCCER Runs 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships is the premier event for a group that has more than 185,000 players and 10,000 teams. The top teams in each state have to earn their way to this tournament through regional play. Those who earn berths in the 13 and under through 19 and under age brackets will compete for a national championship in their age division. On average, more than 500 college coaches recruit the event. For more information, go BradentonGulfIslands.com.

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File photo

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

The event is hosted by Barre3.

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

BOLLY X Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts the Bolly X dance-inspired cardio class for those 18 and above. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. For information, go to MyLWR.com.

A SHORT DRIVE THURSDAY, JULY 15

PANCAKE BREAKFAST Runs from 7 a.m. until noon at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. The Boys & Girls Club Pancake Jamboree offers all-youcan-eat pancakes. The pancake breakfast is served from 7-9 a.m. followed by a “Baseball Extravaganza” and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony for former club members Willie Cooper and Omar Edwards. The “Baseball Extravaganza” features club members displaying their skills. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 6-12. For information, visit BGCManatee.org.

Meet Dr. Martin Lakewood Ranch Medical Group

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Riverdale home tops sales at $1.95 million ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Riverdale topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Samuel and Lisa Molinaro, of New Canaan, Connecticut, sold their home at 4015 Hawk Island Drive to Daniel and Tracy Wallstrom, trustees, of Bradenton, for $1.95 million. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,623 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.35 million in 2011.

COUNTRY CLUB

Michael and Kathleen Martella, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 13210 Palmers Creek Terrace to Kenneth and Katina Shanahan, of Sarasota, for $1.83 million. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three-andtwo-half baths, a pool and 5,382 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.1 million in 2009.

Charles and Michele Salby, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JUNE 28-JULY 2

at 7419 Greystone St. to Paul and Courtney Bristol, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.27 million. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,355 square feet of living area. It sold for $800,000 in 2017.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Peter and Judi Wasserman, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 7473 Seacroft Cove to Amit and Katherine Chandra, of Bradenton, for $1.6 million.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,708 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.18 million in 2017.

Courtesy photo

James Calvert Lafollette, of Bradenton, sold his home at 7712 Sudbury Glen to Maria Goretti Aitchison and William Alexander Aitchison, of Sutton, Massachusetts, for $1.36 million.

Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,644 square feet of living area.

Taylor Glaze, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 7710 Cavendish Cove to Vista Forty LLC for $1.3 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,411 square feet of living area.

Christopher and Rachel Palazzolo, of Bradenton, sold their home at 15607 Leven Links Place to Mary Isaacson, of Lakewood Ranch, for $875,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,631

This Riverdale home at 4015 Hawk Island Drive sold for $1.95 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,623 square feet of living area.

square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in 2019.

Mark Gladstone and Mi Suk Gladstone sold their home at 14215 Woodhall Place to David and Meryl Meher, of Bradenton, for $850,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,716 square feet of living area. It sold for $138,600 in 2013.

Anthony Cavalli sold the home at 16406 Hillside Circle to Dennis and Ruth Viola, trustees, of Newmarket, New Hampshire, for $771,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,249 square feet of living area. It sold for $502,000 in 2019.

Scott Zelniker and Lisa BokserZelniker sold their home at 14406 Whitemoss Terrace to Lawrence Weil and May Theresa Weil, of Bradenton, for $440,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,977 square feet of living area. It sold for $338,400 in 2014.

GROSVENOR GARDENS

James and Nancy Kopnisky sold their home at 8410 Grosvenor Court to William and Barbara Fitzgerald, of University Park, for $1.5 million. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,401 square feet of living area.

RIVERDALE

Sean and Laura Kilpatrick, of Bradenton, sold their home at

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4011 Fifth Ave. NE to Derek and Adriane Vandlen, of Adams, Tennessee, for $1.24 million.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,657 square feet of living area. It sold for $669,300 in 2017.

GREENBROOK

Christopher and Natasha Sinclair, of Sarasota, sold their home at 14622 Sundial Place to Robert and Nia Esposito, of Lakewood Ranch, for $975,000.

Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,118 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.03 million in 2007.

Craig and Suzanne Murray sold their home at 14905 Sundial Place to Phillip and Andrea Carberry, of East Walpole, Massachusetts, for $660,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,743 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 2016.

John and Betsy Lentz, of Geneva, Illinois, sold their home at 13871 Wood Duck Circle to Brian and Sarah MacDermott, of Lakewood Ranch, for $600,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,410 square feet of living area. It sold for $376,700 in 2004.

Joanna Sabol, of Sarasota, sold her home at 14321 Tree Swallow Way to Thomas and Jessica Thornton, of Mobile, Alabama, for $410,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,534 square feet of living area. It sold for $189,100 in 2004.

SHAUN J. LIMON DPM

Diplomate, American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry Board Certified in Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine

UNIVERSITY PARK

Joanne Lynn Scott-Butz, of University Park, sold her home at 6715 Curzon Terrace to Leonard and Catherine Salcedo, of University Park, for $899,000.

Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,580 square feet of living area. It sold for $744,000 in 2017.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Scott and Joyce Provost sold their home at 16804 Bwana Place to Gregory and Heather Weber, of Wall, New Jersey, for $800,000.

Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,248 square feet of living area. It sold for $529,400 in 2019.

STANHOPE GATE

John Linton, trustee, of Rockville, Maryland, sold the home at 6918 Stanhope Place to Robert Steven Holdeman and Yvonne Marie Holdeman, of Bradenton, for $787,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,917 square feet of living area.

RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Jeffrey and Lois Prater, of Bradenton, sold their home at 17007 Second Ave. E. to Richard Harmon and Jeremy Zinn, of Bradenton, for $753,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,420 square feet of living area. It sold for $446,500 in 2014.

Linda Las and Carl Edward Bennett, of Bradenton, sold their home at 16614 Sixth Ave. E. to Christopher and Brikeda Lambert, of Bradenton, for $580,000.

Built in 2017, it has four bed-

rooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,560 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,000 in 2017.

SERENITY CREEK

Bryan and Tonya Green and Norma Fogelman, of Panacea, sold their home at 13124 Bliss Loop to Troy Allen Edwards and Sandra Marie Edwards and Rodney Roland Edwards and Kassandra Dianne Edwards, of Bradenton, for $740,000. Built in 2015, it has seven bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,880 square feet of living area. It sold for $454,800 in 2015.

POLO RUN

David and Lori Halfpenny sold their home at 18028 Polo Trail to Christopher and Amy Cullen, of Bradenton, for $701,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,455 square feet of living area. It sold for $455,000 in 2019.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Anthony and Rosemarie Pearcey sold their home at 10085 Cherry Hills Ave. Circle to Michael and Leah Williams, of Bradenton, for $700,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,313 square feet of living area.

Marsha Chernick, trustee, sold the home at 9811 Sweetwater Ave. to Kin and Marina Wong, of Bradenton, for $580,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,273 square feet of living area.

Daniel Newman, of West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, sold the home at 7310 Dunes Court to Philip Andrew Pruitt, of Sara-

sota, for $425,000. Built in 1999, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,816 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 2004.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Patricia and William Matthews sold their home at 8201 Heritage Grand Place to Perry Lee Beck and Margaret Karen Beck, of Caledonia, Michigan, for $669,900. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,543 square feet of living area. It sold for $388,200 in 2013.

Mark and Karen Armstrong sold their home at 527 Grand Preserve Cove to Janelle Gourley, of Bradenton, for $523,600. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,156 square feet of living area. It sold for $347,000 in 2007.

Martin and Sufiah Wallace, of Surrey, England, sold their home at 9012 Hammock Edge Place to Carla Young and Robert Fitzsimmons, of Bradenton, for $450,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,834 square feet of living area. It sold for $280,000 in 2010.

Opendoor Property Trust I sold the home at 7006 Quiet Creek Drive to John and Terry Schneider, of Bradenton, for $440,000.

Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,006 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,200 in April.

DEL WEBB

Elaine Snyder Hershkowitz, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6721

|

THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Chester Trail to Robert Gerhold and Susan Horowitz Gerhold, of Bradenton, for $665,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,488 square feet of living area. It sold for $545,000 in 2019.

COPPERLEFE

Shannon Joy Maley and Robin Gay McCormick, of Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, sold their home at 11514 Sweetgrass Drive to Christina Truong, of Bradenton, for $618,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,257 square feet of living area. It sold for $431,600 in 2018.

RIVER CLUB NORTH

Justin and Robyn Randolph sold their home at 6402 Glen Abbey Lane to Geoffrey and Victoria Wortley, of Bradenton, for $610,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,490 square feet of living area. It sold for $339,900 in 2012.

BRIDGEWATER

Dennis Jones and Alma Alvarado-Jones sold their home at 13108 Swiftwater Way to Judy Spiniello and Christian Merlino, of Bradenton, for $605,000.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,231 square feet of living area. It sold for $433,700 in 2017.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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27

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, JULY 15 High: 92 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 22%

FRIDAY, JULY 16 High: 92 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 36%

SATURDAY, JULY 17 High: 91 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 42%

Gordon Silver captured this up-close photo of an alligator in a pond off Lorraine Road and University Parkway.

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, July 15

6:44a 8:27p

Friday, July 16

6:45a

8:26p

Saturday, July 17

6:45a

8:26p

Sunday, July 18

6:46a

8:26p

Monday, July 19

6:46a

8:25p

Tuesday, July 20

6:47a

8:25p

Wednesday, July 20

6:47a

8:24p

MOON PHASES

Aug. 8 New

Aug. 15 First

Aug. 22 Full

Aug. 30 Last

RAINFALL Monday, July 5

0

Tuesday, July 6

0.19

SUNDAY, JULY 18

Wednesday, July 7

1.43

Thwursday, July 8

0.42

High: 91 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 44%

Friday, July 9

0

Saturday, July 10

0

Sunday, July 11

0.7

*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:

MONTH TO DATE:

2021 22.69 in.

2021 4.38 in.

2020 26.23 in.

2020 0.70 in.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC 941.748.4679 | Venice

BLENDS by Rebecca Goldstein; CROSSWORD SEASONING Edited by David Steinberg

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Snail-mail org.

5 It turns on a watch 9 Sleep under the stars 13 Course standard 16 Seventeen-syllable poem 18 “So You Want to Talk About Race” author Ijeoma 19 Vowel-rich farewell 21 U.S. Army uniform’s pattern 22 Changes of heart, say?

(Theme hint: The word “tarragon” is scrambled within this answer) 25 Slightly 26 People who are old news

27 See 115-Down 28 Crocodile, for one 30 Remote batteries 31 Alley-___ 32 Musical finale 33 Calif. airport with a yoga room 34 Conflict threatening democracy (... cilantro ...)

41 Word after “shoulder” or “razor” 42 Butterfly catchers 43 Spammer 44 Wine and ___ 45 “Yikes!”

46 Mean, median or mode, briefly

349227-1

349227-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com 101 Middle-earth monster 102 Strong urge 103 Foreshadow 105 Funny person 107 Sensitive subject 112 Analogous 113 Downloadable show like “Serial” (... turmeric ...)

116 Dryer buildup 117 Smooth-talking 118 Reebok competitor 119 Astronaut Ride 120 “Gemini Man” director Lee 121 Jonathan Van ___ of “Queer Eye” 122 Gender-neutral plural pronoun 123 Place to wade

40 Flood (with) 41 First thing some make in the morning 46 Scrubber near the sink 47 JFK alternative 48 Fly high 50 Ticklish Muppet 51 Bridle strap 53 West African who may live in Accra 54 Sass 55 Nada 57 Visine target 61 “Hyperbole and a Half” or “The Oatmeal” 63 DNA sample collector 64 Caffeinated nut variety 65 Welcome green substance in the shower 66 Graph line DOWN 67 One with a rare hair color 1 “Here comes trouble!”

68 Penultimate Greek letter 2 Gilbert of “The Conners” 69 Road trip essential 3 Oinkers 4 Group such as Reel Big Fish 72 It’s often in blue text (Abbr.)

5 Tuba or trumpet 76 Hail Mary pass, for one 6 “Sad to say ...”

77 Tae___do 7 Habit wearer 78 Journalist Lisa 8 Throw back whiskey, 79 Succulent in some juices perhaps 80 Meg of “You’ve Got Mail” 9 Tranquility 81 Filming location 10 First name?

83 Fire sign?

11 60 secs.

85 Med. show settings 12 Fuel for a Jaguar 13 Shops where Macron buys 89 Periods of work 91 Deem authentic macarons 92 Beagle and basenji 14 Italy’s ___ Coast 93 Bad photo subject?

15 Competitions with steer 94 African antelope wrestling 95 Adopted 17 Discomfort 47 Queues 73 Nosh 96 Evasive maneuver in 49 More certain 74 Shawkat of “Search Party” 20 Secondhand music football purchase 52 Color for a traffic cone (... 75 “I ___ my best” 97 Impolite person 21 Feline oregano ...)

76 Certain cactus fruits (...

98 Wrap served with tzatziki 23 Exam 56 Cone’s ocular counterpart parsley ...)

104 Explosive initials 24 Daddy, in Spanish 58 River through Egypt 82 Foundation 105 Accelerates, with “up” 29 Climate accord city 59 That guy’s 84 Clam’s covering 106 Frozen treats 31 Clips in some credits 60 Soul producer?

86 Boo-boo 107 Go like hotcakes 32 One with many mouths 61 Have on 87 Soapmaking ingredient 108 Anagram of 109-Down to feed?

62 Singer Lovato 88 Actors who exaggerate 34 “Happiest Season” director 109 ___ Alto 63 Outfit for the slopes (...

90 Timeline chunk 110 Nobel Peace Prize city DuVall paprika ...)

91 “Let’s go!”

111 Texter’s “Bye now!”

35 Chardonnay adjective 68 Detective in a 2020 92 Group of hippos 114 Home of Abu Dhabi, briefly 36 Digging reboot (... rosemary ...)

94 Paraphrased line from 115 With 27-Across, women’s 37 Rip 70 Shabby Kermit (... ginger ...) soccer legend 38 Award related to a Tony 71 Guitars, informally 99 Broom go-with 39 Prefix for “binary” 72 PC port type 100 Nice

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“DJR WRUWYR KJU AULYM MU VUFD DU XVWBUNR DJR FXDLIDXUH UT FU VIHZ KUVRH IHM AJXYMBRH IBR, XH TIAD, VRH.”

WIDBXAC FDRKIBD

“NKNFASVN BULNX GTEEUVNXX, VS SVN BULNX ETUV. ZRY ASR OTV’Y GTKN T FTUVZSJ JUYGSRY T BUYYBN FTUV.” UVHCTF ZNFHCTV Puzzle Two Clue:: L equals K

Sarasota

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & MORE

Puzzle One Clues Z equals Y

HARDWOOD

© 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

07-15-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

RED PAGES 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.

Area rugs 5X9, 5X7, $50 each, Silk tree florals $100 each, Mirrors $50 each.

941-800-4476 ARTIST easel, wooden floor model on wheels, great condition $50.

941-349-4875 BIRD CAGE/DOUBLE, good condition, $60 941-879-7105 Do Not Text CEMENT PELICAN 2 feet tall $65, keurig coffee maker $30, bike rack for car holds 2 $30, margaritaville beach chair $50.

941 359 8460 EDGERS STONE for walkways & garden landscaping, 50 cents, like new (941) 920-2494 LAMPS TWO Hurricane style lamps. 24” high, clear glass with flowers, gold trim/base. 2 for $200. Call 516-528-5876

SELL YOUR STUFF FOR FREE! Items Up to $200

YourObserver.com/RedPages LOVESEAT/SOFA 6 1/2 ‘, like new, downsizing, very formal, sacrifice $99 941-358-5313

For more Information call Ken at: 941-356-3318

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

941-955-4888

Autos Wanted

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE HERE!

GARAGE SALE

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Health/Fitness/ Beauty Beauty Service Professional foil highlights in salon from $39.95. 24 years experience by an Awarded Stylist. 856-701-2000

Merchandise Wanted SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and collectors plates.

Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707.

PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE: YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

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

SELL YOUR STUFF FAST!

Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

OR RENT ANNA MARIA FO ISLAND UPDATED 5 STAR CONDO. Available September November (monthly with multimonth discounts) millions $ waterview, first floor, 2br/2b, patio, walk to beach, pool, tennis, smoke free, boat slip available. marketreps@aol.com

CALL 941-955-4888

Rentals Wanted Individual seeks space on farm to germinate plants and flowers, prefers farm with bedroom/bathroom. Tom 678-755-3804

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

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

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria. Residential.

Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates.

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

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

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Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

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SELL IT NOW! 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

RED PAGES

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

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “The people who could do most to improve the situation of so many women and children are, in fact, men.”

Patrick Stewart Puzzle Two Solution: “Everyone likes happiness, no one likes pain. But you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.”

Ingmar Bergman

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2021 Universal Uclick

©2021 NEA, Inc.

46” SONY Bravia HD flat screen TV, like new condition, includes remote and owner’s manual. $60 941-358-5946

Visit: antiquesandcha tchkes.com

Condos/Apts. for Rent

auto

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

BEACH’N RIDES eBike Sales and Service We sell and repair electric Bicycles from our Shop at 12208 Cortez Road, W. in Cortez, Florida.

(941) 251-7916 www.beachnrides.com

You’re only cheating yourself.

Items Under $200

SPECTACULAR CONTEMPORARY Estate Sale 1002 Tara Vista Dr July 16-17-18 Fri Sat Sun 9am to 6pm #s out at 8am Parking is very limited! EXTRA parking at Sarasota Community Church back parking lot 4041 Bahia Vista Dr Sarasota 34232. HUGE estate sale fi fillled with sculptures and art work by renowned Artist David Wilson, mid century modern furniture, collectible coins,gorgeous collection of estate jewelry including 2ct plat round solitaire diamond ring, a vast array of sterling and one of a kind jewelry. Hopi pottery,Navajo rug, art glass, contemporary furniture, bedroom suits, king size beds, electronics, patio furniture,designer clothes, a gorgeous full length Serval cat fur coat, unusual lamps, area rugs, kitchen ware, beautiful glass dining room table and chairs, leather sofas, original Wurlitzer jukebox, massive amount of tools, garage items ie: multiple Miller welders, industrial wrenches, generators,power washers, cutting torches,Grizzly drill press, chain saws, lawn mowers, ladders, pull carts, Skil table saw, BOBCAT m-600, forklift, storage lockers, 2 large full Craftsman’s tool boxes, much much more!

Sporting Goods

peekers’ place

stuff

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

real estate

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

Paint the town RED!

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon

home services

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Aluminum

Construction

Health

GET YOUR LIFE BACK! Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

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Kitchen Renovations and Upgrades

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

Visit our showroom

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

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Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

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360441

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

GRAB BARS

235

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Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

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

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com Landscaping & Lawn

GARDENS BY ALLISON No Job is too Small!

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2 PANELS OR MORE For the Month of July.

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Call us today! 941.628.8579 www.ezslider.com

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360440

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

360418 38056

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Feel Good, Look Great and Live Like a Rockstar!

Serving you in the comfort of your home

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

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Hairstylist/Colorist

360262

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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Rescreening & Repairs

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

Screening

360416

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

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Warranties

360986

Eldridge Re-Screen

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359641

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

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

Power Washing Pressure Washing

Pressure Washing

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BEFORE

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www.bissonroofing.com

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found here.

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ROCK STARS

(941) 345-5264

LLC

PROTECTION SERVICES

MOBILE PATROL FIXED LOCATION BODY GUARD SERVICES EVENT SECURITY We also conduct the security D & G courses Don Burrow, President/CEO

(941) 405-2931

don@rightontargetfts.com

B1700034

Windows Res./Com.

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing wn as Sunrise Win o n k Sun y l r e d Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

ows

120

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

360451

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

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Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

Bisson Roofing Inc.

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SPECIAL 00 5

$

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Purified water window cleaning available!!

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

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32

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

There has never been a better time to sell your property

The Florida Gulf Coast Luxury Leader

No.2

THE LAKE CLUB 7937 Waterton Lane Jim Soda & Donna Soda

$5,200,000 941.961.5857

S ot h e by ’ s I n t e r n a t i o n a l R e a l t y ® A f f i l i a t e I n Th e W o r l d

SARASOTA 15111 Gaddy Up Ranch Road Peter Laughlin

No.19

PALMER FARMS $5,895,000 941.356.8428

8403 Palmer Boulevard$2,000,000 Jason Skowronski 941.812.6090

I n S a l e s Vo l u m e I n Th e N a t i o n R I S M e d i a P o we r B r o ke r R e p o r t

No. 21

BENT TREE VILLAGE

SIESTA KEY

4881 Hawkshead Park $1,489,000 Joel Schemmel 941.587.4894

5742 Hydrangea Circle $1,199,000 Judie Berger 941.928.3424

I n S a l e s Vo l u m e I n Th e N a t i o n R E A L Tr e n d s Fi ve H u n d r e d

OAK FORD 13434 Heritage Way

$729,000

Maureen Morris & Matt Morris

941.350.0807

STONEYBROOK COUNTRY CLUB 9403 Forest Hills Circle $514,500 Ken Ipox 941.993.7279

SARASOTA POLO CLUB 8075 Whiskey Pond Lane Jim Soda & Laura Stavola

$3,499,999 941.961.5857

MOUNT VERNON

COUNTRY CLUB HEIGHTS

4764 Independence Drive #4764 $349,000

4004 16th Avenue West $339,000 Laurie Mock 941.232.3665

Jayne Kocher

941.915.6000

PINEBROOK SOUTH 1240 Pine Needle Road

$415,000

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA 101 South Gulfstream Avenue #6C

Katina Shanahan & Ken Shanahan

SARASOTA $495,000 941.702.0437

SOUTH GATE

Frank Wheeler & Patty Wheeler 941.928.3850

Joel Schemmel

BRADENTON 7720 Drayton Circle

519 Richardson Way Rebecca Zimmerman

WHITFIELD ESTATES BAYSIDE

2571 Jefferson Circle

$375,000

Carolyn Collins & Roberta Tengerdy

941.320.0722

7511 Westmoreland Drive $349,000 Peter Laughlin 941.356.8428

PALM LAKES

$326,000

941.587.4894

$475,000 941.224.4824

PINEHURST PARK

3023 Concord Street

$325,000

Robyn Sadlo & Tom Hedge Jr.

941.812.4219

2215 Doud Street Cindy Migone

$315,000 941.812.7438

W H E R E S A R AS O TA’ S D O W N TO W N M E E T S T H E BAY F R O N T Priced from the $800,000s, this luxurious 18-story, 149-residence condominium has become the most anticipated address downtown.

VISIT THE SALES GALLERY LOCATED INSIDE PREMIER SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Artist’s Rendering

50 Central Ave, Suite 110, Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.220.0828 | Bayso.com

348065-1

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

Visit or call us for a private consultation

ListWithUsToday.com | 877.539.9865

LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541 SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000 LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.1526 VENICE TO PUNTA GORDA | 941.412.3323 RENTALS | 941.364.4032

PremierSothebysRealty.com

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

. . . t i a W But

S ’ E R THE !

E R MO

XNLV19038

Flip the page for more sales and specials!

YOU’VE BEEN SERVED a menu of options for Fall classes!

ENTREES Workforce Certificates Get a certificate, get noticed and earn more in less than a year.

Two-year Degrees Prepare to enter the workforce or a four-year university. 30+ programs to choose from.

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MENU SPECIALS Flex Start Classes Opt for flexible scheduling with classes in 5-, 8- or 12-week sessions.

Go Live with SCF Online Take advantage of live instruction from convenient locations.

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Take classes when you can, the way you want.

PLACE YOUR ORDER! SCF.edu/FallMenu | Text 941-304-5443 | Call 941-752-5050 State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, religion, age, national origin/ethnicity, color, marital status, disability, genetic information or sexual orientation in any of its educational programs, services and activities, including admission and employment. Direct inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies to: Equity Officer, 941-752-5323, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207.

longer other no

the

newspaper

More people read The Observers during the week than the region’s daily newspapers.

THURSDAY PRINT DISTRIBUTION 60,000

The Observers* 50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

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Sarasota Observer Longboat Observer East County Observer Siesta Key Observer

Sarasota Herald-Tribune** 31,712 Bradenton Herald*** 18,632

10,000

*Source: Verified Audit Circulation Annual Audit ending March 31, 2020. **Source: Alliance for Audited Media Annual Audit ending Dec. 31, 2019, does not include Venice and North Port in Sarasota or Charlotte counties. ***Source: Alliance for Audited Media, 24 months ending Dec. 31, 2019.

Pick up your FREE copy of The Observer every Thursday.

For the nearest location: YourObserver.com/rack-locations 355730-1

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FUN, FRIENDSHIP AND fulfillment.

That’s what we build life around at The Sheridan.

You’ll rise each morning to a day bursting with possibilities.

Find out how you can be a part of this exceptional lifestyle.

Assisted Living | Memory Care Assisted Living License #12858 11705 Evening Walk Drive | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 W W W. SE NIORLIFEST YLE .COM

360971-1

CALL 941-315-9503.

Senior living designed for you

Surrounded by the tranquil parks, lakes and nature reserves of Lakewood Ranch, every day at The Sheridan rewards residents with energy, activity, friendship and kindness. Upscale and comfortable, with a reputation second to none, our assisted living helps residents just enough to ensure they feel confident and independent. And our vibrant memory care setting is a tour-de-force in personalized, uplifting, attentive programming for those who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The Sheridan has a vibe – and it’s irresistible!

Call today to learn more and schedule a tour!

941-315-9503 SENIOR LIFESTYLE IS HIGHEST RANKED IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION with Assisted Living/Memory Care Communities Tied in 2020. For J.D. Power 2020 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards

Assisted Living | Memory Care | Assisted Living License #12858 11705 Evening Walk Drive | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 W W W. SE NIORLIFEST YLE .COM